Caltrain moved to keep its plan to electrify the Peninsula rail service alive Monday by extending the contracts of the contractors who would do the work for four months.

The contractors were set to start work Wednesday on the electrification of the system, but the Trump administration temporarily pulled the plug on the project by delaying $647 million in federal funds.

The new agreements, hurriedly reached after the administrations decision, extends the contractors ties to the project to June 30 but could cost Caltrain up to $20 million that it hadnt anticipated spending.

The federal Department of Transportation decided Feb. 17 to delay the award of funding toward the $1.9 billion project until it could be considered as part of the new administrations budget plan. The withholding of the funds threatened to kill the effort to convert the 153-year-old system from diesel-fueled trains to speedier modern ones powered by electricity.

If we hadnt negotiated these extensions, the contracts would have been effectively terminated, said Caltrans spokesman Seamus Murphy.

The extensions will provide enough time, Murphy said, to allow federal transportation officials to develop their budget. That typically happens in April or May, he said, but we didnt want to take anything for granted, so we pushed the deadline back as far as we could.

The extensions also give Bay Area transportation officials more time to sell the administration on the project. In addition to speeding up service, electrifying the line would allow Caltrain to increase capacity, proponents say. The project would also create jobs not just in the Bay Area but also across the country where railcars are assembled, equipment is built and engineering and planning work is done.

The projects critics, which include Republican members of Congress from the Central Valley, have urged its defeat, labeling it a vital part of the states high-speed rail system, which they consider a waste of money.

Caltrain officials say electrification is needed whether or not high-speed rail becomes part of its system, and theyre trying to spread that message in Washington.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan
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Since their dog Theo went missing two weeks ago, Trendee King and James Galley have put everything on hold, including their upcoming wedding, in order to find him.

The South Bay couple had left the Brussels Griffon dog with a dog-sitter for the first time when he went missing on Feb. 13. "He was with a dog-sitter for the day because I was in L.A. looking for my wedding dress and my fiance was going to be at work all day," King, a makeup artist, told SFGATE.

When her fiance, director of business development at Netflix, called the dog-sitter, he found out that Theo had gone missing.

"I was buying my wedding dress with my mom and sister. It was a joyous time. I got that call from my fiance that the dog was missing and I went straight home that night," King said.

They later found out that Theo had escaped out the front door of the dog-sitter's house, near Blossom Hill Rd. and Almaden Rd. in San Jose, making his way west on Blossom Hill. A Good Samaritan spotted Theo running down the street and followed him several blocks, until she lost sight of him near the Westfield Oakridge Mall.

That's where Theo was last seen. The couple has put up over 800 posters advertising a $3,500 reward, no questions asked, for the safe return of their pet. They've also passed out thousands of flyers and hired a pet detective to help guide their search.

Many people have called King with tips, sending her on a wild goose chase around the Bay Area, but so far they have all been false alarms.

"I've been driving everywhere: Palo Alto, to Menlo Park to Santa Cruz."

The couple received a call Saturday night from someone who had hit a dog on the freeway and then buried it nearby. King and her fiance went to investigate, digging up the remains of the dog and taking it to a veterinarian, who confirmed it was not Theo.

They also received a tip that Theo may have been spotted with a woman at a San Jose Target store. After reviewing security footage and having a private investigator run the woman's license plates, they found it was another false lead.

On top of spending thousands of dollars on the search effort, King and Gaffey have postponed their wedding until they have answers.

"There's no way I can plan a wedding right now. I have to find my dog," King said in an interview. "Part of my family is missing and there's no way I can plan a wedding right now."

RELATED VIDEO: Dog reunited with family after three years

King remains optimistic that Theo will be found. She has been posting nonstop on her social media accounts, including Instagram where she has more than 27,000 followers. Her plea for help was also reposted by another animal Instagram page that has upwards of 6 million followers.

"We miss our dog. We miss our baby. He's our child. He's our family. We're not going to be able to ever stop until we find him."

King asks that anyone with information about Theo's whereabouts calls (310) 663-2652. The couple is offering a $3,500 reward, no questions asked.
Advocates for a young man killed by plainclothes San Francisco police officers in the Mission District two years ago gathered Monday to demand that city prosecutors file charges against the officers, disputing the police account that the dead man had a knife and posed a deadly threat.

The shooting of 21-year-old Amilcar Perez-Lopez remains under investigation  part of a backlog of such cases  as the district attorneys office seeks to create an independent unit within the agency that would take the lead on such shootings. The police force now has the lead role, and the proposed shift is heading into negotiations with the police union.

Sunday marked the two-year anniversary of Perez-Lopezs death, and a day later activists lay on the steps of the Hall of Justice, covered in blankets splattered with red paint, staging a symbolic die-in.

There needs to be a new sense of justice within this community, said Public Defender Jeff Adachi. Unless you have accountability, unless you have people being brought to justice no matter if youre a perpetrator of crime on the street or if youre a police officer  unless we have that, we will never, ever see true change and justice.

Perez-Lopez, a Guatemalan immigrant, was allegedly in a dispute with another man and armed with a knife when he was shot by officers Craig Tiffe and Eric Reboli near his home at 24th and Folsom streets.

Police said he lunged at them with the knife, but an attorney for Perez-Lopezs family said an independent autopsy showed he had been shot in the back and may have been running in fear from the plainclothes officers, who did not properly identify themselves.

Activists have been holding weekly vigils outside Mission Police Station for Perez-Lopez. Theyve been critical of District Attorney George Gascon, whose office has not made a decision in a fatal police shooting in more than two years.

Gascon has long said his office lacked the resources to handle the complicated cases. Since taking office in 2011, Gascon has also made it a priority to provide more information to the public on each charging decision, resulting in more thorough summaries that take more time.

The district attorneys office has long conducted parallel, independent investigations of officer-involved shootings, while police homicide inspectors take the lead. However, in September, Mayor Ed Lee approved a final round of funding for a unit that will allow the district attorneys office to take the primary role.

City officials, though, have spent five months discussing the changes and drafting a memorandum of understanding between the district attorneys office and the Police Department. On Monday, the police union joined the fray, starting the meet-and-confer process that is afforded to unions under the city charter for any changes that could affect working conditions.

Ive been asking to meet with the department since September, said Martin Halloran, the union president. Were open to sitting down with the DAs office and the department to talk about issues that will have a direct effect on our members or will be taking jobs away from our members.

Max Szabo, a spokesman for the district attorney, said a charging decision in the Perez-Lopez case should take place in the next few weeks. He said the office is looking forward to getting the new unit running.

We are eagerly awaiting the negotiations to be completed in order to sign the memorandum of understanding and move forward to make this important change that the community expects and deserves, he said.

Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo
Evan Sernoffsky / Evan Sernoffsky / The Chronicle

A 49-year-old man was beaten over the head by two other men in an incident that police in San Franciscos Crocker-Amazon neighborhood said they are investigating as a hate crime.

The man was left with life-threatening injuries after the two unknown assailants jumped him in the 300 block of Lowell Street around 6 a.m. Saturday, according to the San Francisco Police Department.
Betsy DeVos, the new secretary of education, faced a searing backlash Tuesday after she released a statement calling historically black colleges and universities "real pioneers when it comes to school choice."

The attempt to link her pet cause, school choice, to the creation of HBCUs touched off a firestorm of criticism since black colleges actually arose because African-Americans were forbidden from attending public and private universities in the Jim Crow South.
Something Rotten in the State of Russia?

Geopolitical Futures forecast for 2017 says the following: In hindsight, the coming year will be an inflection point in the long-term destabilization of Russia that we predict will reach a boiling point by 2040. This may seem counterintuitive in light of the Russia hysteria following the US presidential election. Yet in the first six weeks of 2017, it is already possible to observe indicators that this forecast is on track.

These indicators fall roughly into four separate categories of instability: the distribution and prevalence of wage arrears, pressure on the Russian banking system, low-level social and economic unrest, and government purges. The map below summarizes these developments.

Before we get started

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In addition, you will have the opportunity to meet and talk with George and Meredith, GPF analysts Jacob L. Shapiro, Kamran Bokhari, and Antonia Colibasanu, and several of the other panelists. Our elite list of speakers includes Harald Malmgren, former adviser to four presidents; Theodore Karasik, senior adviser to Gulf State Analytics; Ariel Cohen, director of the Center for Energy, Natural Resources, and Geopolitics; and Stephen Blank, senior fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council with more to be added to the event page in the coming weeks.

Attendance is strictly limited to 80 guests, so theres no time to waste. To ensure your place at this important conference, please reserve your ticket today . We hope to see you there.

Show Me the Money

The bottom part of the Russia map shows wage arrears as reported by region. Wage arrears is a fancy term for workers not being paid. In December 2016 (the last month for which Russias Federal State Statistics Service has data), total wage arrears amounted to 2.7 billion rubles (roughly $46.4 million in USD).

The regions with the largest wage arrears can be divided into two categories. The first is port regions. Primorsky region, whose capital Vladivostok is Russias largest port on the Pacific, has by far the worst incidence of wage arrears. It accounts for 21.2% of the countrys total. The area where it is the second most prevalent is Siberia (in places like Irkutsk and Novosibirsk).

The importance of these wage arrears is not their size in absolute figures. It is where Russian workers are not getting their paychecks. Russias economy is highly regionalized . More than a fifth of Russias wealth is generated in Moscow and its surrounding areas. The central government keeps the Russian Federation together by redistributing wealth to interior regions.

The first places to expect economic trouble are port and interior regions. The port regions will struggle because trade is the oxygen that port cities need to breathe, and Russias main export, oil, is facing prolonged low prices. The interior will struggle because the central government will have less money to allocate. This forces a lose-lose choice between austerity and cutting military spending

The wage arrears map is an indication that GPFs model for Russia is accurate. If the model is accurate, the probability of the forecast coming to fruition greatly increases.

Russias Banking System

The decline in the price of oil has had a predictably negative effect on the Russian banking system. Incidents of Russian depositors applying for deposit insurance have increased markedly.

Some regions are suffering from banking crises. In Tatarstan, for example, the regions leading bank suspended operations in December, depriving both individual depositors and businesses of access to funds. This led to workers not being paid and to bankruptcies. It also required intervention from the central government.

The above map identifies regions where over 100 banks have had their licenses revoked. By itself, this indicator does not present a clear picture. Russias banks could be under severe pressure. The fact that the main fund used by Russias Deposit Insurance Agency has decreased in value by 75% in two years gives this argument some weight. Russia could also be cleaning up its banking system and shutting down banks involved in illegal or irresponsible activity. In view of the other negative indicators about the current state of Russias economy, the former is a more likely explanation.

Protests in the Countryside

The logical consequence of economic difficulty is social unrest. The world is not always logical, but in this case, what logic would dictate appears to hold true. Small-scale protests have been observed throughout the Russian countryside. Small incidents have also occurred in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. The map plots areas where protests have been observed.

It is important to note two things. First, none of these protests have indicated any sort of wider national organization. Second, they are relatively small (often in the low hundreds). They are important, but they should not be over-exaggerated. The Russian countryside is not singing the songs of angry men, nor is it close to doing so.

There are, though, concrete signs of dissatisfaction bubbling to the surface. These are tangible indicators of frustration with salary cuts, unpaid wages, and social services reduced by Moscow. These small events are the canary in the coal mine and spell trouble down the line for the Russian government.

Purges

The remaining two items on the map show political and security purges ordered by President Vladimir Putin. Russian media have described these moves as a major political reshuffle. That is a euphemism for what it really is.

The point of a purge is to get rid of potential challengers and install loyalists in their place. On Feb. 67, two governors from Perm and Buryatia regions were forced to resign. Vedomosti , a leading Russian-language business daily, reported that additional resignations and removals are expected in the regions identified in the map.

Unlike wage arrears, these purges are not confined to any one geographic area. Some are in Siberia to the east, some are in the regions toward the Caucasus, and others are in the immediate vicinity of Moscow. That Putin feels unsure enough of his own position to carry out these kinds of political changes reveals a great deal about the position in which he currently stands.

Presidential elections are coming for Russia. They will likely be held in 2018 (though there have been rumors they could happen in 2017). Like President Xi Jinping in China, who is using anti-corruption as a pretense to remove rivals ahead of his reappointment at this falls Communist Party Congress, Putin is securing his political position in the name of fighting corruption.

The purges are not limited to governors who have significant powers in the Russian Federations political system. Putin has also removed generals from the Interior Ministry as well as the Ministry of Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of National Disasters. These ministries are responsible for forces that are used to control domestic social order and quell protests. Ensuring the loyalty of such ministries is essential and must be done before serious problems emerge. A total of 16 generals have been removed, according to RIA Novosti, and two of those were also removed from military service.

Writing on the Wall?
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For those curious as to how Kentucky Fried Chicken cooks their chicken  without, you know, actually working at the restaurant  the fast food chain is launching a one-day only "cooking school."

The one-hour class will show Canadian KFC superfans how to batter, bread and fry their chicken pieces the KFC way. Not included in the classes, however, is the Colonel's famous recipe with its 11 herbs and spices. The website specifically mentions that the secret will not be revealed to students.

The class is most certainly a publicity stunt of sorts, with the company looking to re-emphasize its pledge to go back to making chicken the way it was originally made by the Colonel. Dubbed the "Re-Colonelization," the company committed to retraining its employees on making chicken last April.

The fried chicken restaurant has also recently taken to producing gimmicky products and ads to sell their finger lickin' fried chicken.

Just last week, the UK and Ireland arm of KFC trolled customers with a #KFCcleaneating burger, made with a chia-seeded cauliflower bun, unsweetened almond yogurt, ice cube relish (!!), spiralized chicken breast and "100% British kale."

This. From the makers of the Double Down fast food abomination that launched 1,000 other fast food abominations.

The uncharacteristically healthy burger was a jokey "collaboration" between the chain and a woman who Business Insider guessed was a fictional clean-eating food blogger who goes by the name Figgy Poppleton-Rice.

That, of course, was all leading to the actual ad for none other than... the Dirty Louisiana fried chicken burger.

If you are interested in learning the ways of KFC and happen to be in the Vancouver, Calgary or Toronto area on March 12, head here to sign up for the classes.

For those of us who don't live in Canada, a step-by-step tutorial on preparing KFC chicken is available here. Those looking to recreate the chicken at home can look at this alleged recipe  complete with, yes, 11 spices  which was discovered last year by the Chicago Tribune.

Tickets to the various classes cost $5 CAD each (with a .78 fee), with proceeds going to the restaurant's charity, Add Hope, which focuses on fighting world hunger.
With some reluctance, a federal appeals court ruled Monday that egg producers do not have to put labels on their cartons that tell consumers whether egg-laying hens were kept in cages.

Animal-protection groups had filed a lawsuit in San Francisco in 2013 accusing federal agencies of allowing deceptive and unsafe practices by producers, which allegedly use slogans like all natural and animal friendly on the cartons of eggs laid by caged hens. The groups sought federal rules that would require all egg cartons to be labeled either Free-Range Eggs, Cage-Free Eggs or Eggs from Caged Hens.

The Obama Food and Drug Administration replied that industry-wide regulations were unnecessary because it could address specific claims of false advertising on a case-by-case basis. That decision won a less-than-resounding endorsement Monday from the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

The agencys only requirement, the court said, was to show that it had considered the groups request for new rules and provide a reasonable explanation for rejecting it. The FDA barely meets this low burden, Judge Mary Murguia said in a 3-0 ruling upholding a federal judges dismissal of the suit.

The FDA could have better addressed plaintiffs evidence of misleading representations that appear on egg cartons, Murguia said. But she said the agency had at least considered the evidence and exercised its broad authority to choose its enforcement priorities.

In their suit, the animal-protection groups said they had evidence that eggs from caged hens were less nutritious and were more likely to be contaminated with salmonella than free-range eggs. The FDA said the groups had not presented enough reliable scientific evidence to support their contentions, and the court said it would not second-guess the FDAs conclusion.

The plaintiffs expressed disappointment.

The court is leaving the public in the dark regarding the environment of egg-laying hens, said Kelsey Eberly, a lawyer for the Animal Legal Defense Fund. She said some egg producers decorate their cartons and ads with pictures of hens frolicking in fields without disclosing that the hens are kept in cages.

The egg industry is cruelly confining millions of hens in tiny wire cages and then deceiving consumers, said Cheryl Leahy, lawyer for Compassion Over Killing, another nonprofit in the case.

The groups said they had not yet decided whether to appeal the ruling.

California voters approved a 2008 ballot measure, effective in 2015, that required all egg cages in the state to be large enough that hens could stand up, turn around and stretch their limbs. Cartons containing California-produced eggs  though not eggs shipped in from other states  must be labeled California Shell Egg Food Safety Compliant.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Tara Duggan contributed to this report.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
This story originally appeared on Hoodline.

People inherit all kinds of things from their grandparentsincluding overdue library books.

Luckily for Glen Park resident Anne Crawford, returning a book checked out by her great-grandmother in 1937 didn't mean having to pay the accrued fine.

"She's buried at Holy Cross Cemetery; good luck getting any money from her," said Crawford, laughing.

For the first six weeks of 2017, the San Francisco Public Library offered its first fine forgiveness program in eight years, to bring in overdue items back into circulation and offer a clean slate to those who may have erred in the past. From January 3rd through February 14th, all library users who returned long-lost items got a clean slateno matter how overdue their materials were.

Indeed, the book that Crawford returnedBrass: A Novel of a Marriagewas 80 years overdue.

"I've had that book for a long time," Crawford told us. "It never occurred to me to return it, even after reading about the library's fine forgiveness program ... I thought they would have discarded it years ago." But after a conversation with a librarian, she decided to bring it in anyway.

Crawford believes the fine forgiveness program is important for getting people back into the city's libraries. "People avoid the library when they feel guilty, and they feel guilty when they have overdue materials and fines," she said.

Before the program began in January, roughly 55,000 library users in the Bay Area had their accounts frozen for overdue fees of $10.01 or more. Citizens owed the library over $2,600,000 in fines.

Over six weeks, roughly 700,000 items were returned to the libraryfar more than in its 2009 and 2001 forgiveness campaigns, which netted 30,000 and 5,000 items, respectively. More than 12,000 of the returned items were overdue by more than 60 days, with a total value of over $235,000.

"The program exceeded our expectations," said Katherine Jardine, the library's spokesperson. "It was definitely our most successful campaign."

The library also forgave far more in overdue fines: $330,000, compared to $50,000 in 2009. As a result, more than 5,000 San Franciscans had their library accounts (and borrowing capabilities) restored.

Jardine said there were plenty of other interesting stories that emerged, including a book called Homosexuality that was checked out by a now-deceased patron in July 1989and ultimately found in the back of a closet.

Here are the five longest-overdue items that were returned:

"40 Minutes Late" by F. Hopkinson Smith (due 1917)

"Brass: A Novel of a Marriage" by Charles Norris (due 1937)

"The Currents of Space" by Isaac Asimov (due 1953)

"The Principles of Biology" by Gardiner and Felmister (due 1967)

"Billiards at Half Past Nine" by Heinrich Boll (due 1968)

The next fine forgiveness program likely won't take place for another five to 10 years, the library told us.

"We're excited about welcoming back patrons," Jardine said. "A fine is a barrier to access, and it's nice to have patrons back who have been unable to borrow items because of their fines."

Ryan is one of the many San Franciscans happy to be allowed back in the library with a clear conscience.

"I had over $70 in fines," said the library patron, who declined to give his last name. "I was in my senior year of high school, and not used to returning books on time, because I was under 18. I got an email saying that my books were overdue and decided that I would never use the library againI had too many things checked out."

Now a UCLA student, he said he felt lucky when he heard about the library's fine forgiveness program.

"The next time I'm in San Francisco and I have time to read books, it will be nice to have the option to go back to the library," he said. "We get a lot of leeway as youth, and this [fine forgiveness] program was a nice segue into adulthood. I have responsibilities now."
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This story originally appeared on Peninsula Press.

A tree has uprooted the healthy relationship among neighbors on Montclair Terrace in San Franciscos Russian Hill neighborhood.

Meri Jaye, 96, is fighting for landmark status for the redwood tree that she planted in her backyard in the early 1960s, in memory of her husband and two children who died in a tragic plane accident.

My husband proposed marriage to me in Muir Woods, Jaye said at the citys Landmark Tree Committees nomination hearing last October. When I lost my husband and my children, I wanted a memorial that would mean the strength that I needed to carry on.

Jaye hopes that her personal story will not be the only thing that convinces others of the trees need to be a landmark.

It is a giant, beautiful and healthy redwood tree in the heart of the city. It is extraordinary, Jaye said.

But neighbors and arborists are in disagreement over whether the tree should be given landmark status, causing the San Francisco Urban Forestry Council to delay their decision two times already.

The process of landmarking a tree in San Francisco is long and requires the tree to get the approval of the Landmark Tree Committee, the Urban Forestry Council, and then, finally, the Board of Supervisors. Only 18 individual trees and five groves of trees currently have landmark status in San Francisco, recognized for their size, age, species, historical significance and/or cultural value. Removal of these trees is punishable with jail time.

Many of Jayes neighbors oppose landmarking the redwood at 4 Montclair Terrace because they say it blocks views and poses a safety hazard to residents as well as the thousands of tourists visiting intersecting Lombard Street, the famous crooked street of San Francisco. Two neighborhood groups, the Montclair Terrace Association and the Lombard Hill Improvement Association both are in opposition to landmarking the tree and cite unanimous support from their members.

When we moved into our home we had a great view through our kitchen of where my grandmother lived, and the whole area is covered by that tree now, said Christina Zimbardo, a neighbor who last year had a nearby cypress tree fall on her home. She worries Jayes redwood will fall as well.

Another neighbor, Heidi Bioski, fought back tears when she testified to the Urban Forestry Council in December about her concerns for the safety of her three children who often play in the street near the tree.

The branches are huge and if the branches were to fall on my child is that worth it? Is that worth anything? Bioski said, citing an accident last November where a woman was paralyzed by a falling tree branch in nearby Washington Square Park. I dont know why we would look to preserve a tree over a child.

But tree specialists disagree over the risk posed by the 90-foot-tall redwood. Roy Leggitt, an arborist hired by Jaye, said the tree has the same level of risk as any other healthy tree of its size.

The idea that the branches could fall at any moment, I think that is completely an exaggeration. There is nothing like that going on with this tree, Leggitt said.

Kevin Kielty and Jeromey Ingalls, arborists hired by opposing neighbors, disagree with Leggitts opinion that the tree is healthy. Kielty said the previous topping of the redwood, a process which removes the whole top off of a tree, has caused it to only rate a 55 on a 1 to 100 scale of tree health.

When you top a tree, the lateral limbs get wide and heavy, and those lateral limbs tend to break off, Kielty said. Ingalls agreed with Kielty, writing in his report of the tree that, because the tree has been topped in the past, there is an elevated risk of future [limb] failures occurring.

Leggitt, hired by Jaye, said that Jaye only pruned the tree at the urging of neighbors and that the opposing arborists views were simply spin.

The Urban Forestry Council will meet next on Feb. 28 to discuss the trees nomination for landmark status for the third time. Jaye said she will continue to fight for the tree, despite the pushback from neighbors.

I dont know why my neighbors are trying to make me a target, rather than focusing on the miracle of a giant redwood in the heart of the city, she said.
WASHINGTON  President Trump has a commerce secretary.

Vice President Mike Pence administered the oath of office to Wilbur Ross on Tuesday, a day after the Senate voted 72-27 to confirm him.

Ross had already been advising Trump on economic policy and helping him to craft ways to rewrite the tax code. As commerce secretary, he will also help promote American business interests in the U.S. and abroad, oversee agencies that manage fisheries, weather forecasting and the Census Bureau, which will conduct the next national headcount in 2020.

Ross has said the administration will work quickly to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico (NAFTA).

Ross,79, is worth an estimated $2.9 billion and has extensive business ties around the world. He has promised not to take any action as secretary that would benefit any company in which he has a financial interest.

With Ross entering the Cabinet, the most important members of Trumps economic team are in place just in time for looming fights over the budget, health care and tax legislation.

Compared with some of Trumps other Cabinet picks, Ross had his confirmation process move ahead with relative ease. He faced less resistance from Democrats than Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, and Andrew Puzder, whose nomination to lead the Labor Department was derailed.

A former Democrat, Ross, divested a significant portion of his holdings to avoid conflicts of interest before taking the helm of the Commerce Department. He also tried to temper some of Trumps views on trade, attempting to ease concerns that the U.S. is going to be engaging in trade wars.

I am pro-trade, but I am pro-sensible trade, Ross declared at his confirmation hearing.

But he takes the job with lingering questions about how his business experience will mesh with Trumps America First trade agenda.

As a private equity investor, Ross amassed a fortune by taking advantage of trade deals with countries such as China and Mexico. He sent jobs to Mexico when he was the head of a car parts company, benefiting from some of the NAFTA provisions that he will most likely be looking to unwind. And he is maintaining a minority stake in a company backed by the Chinese government.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Alan Rappeport is a New York Times writer.
Jewish schools and community centers across the country reeled from nearly two dozen bomb threats Monday, including one at the Anti-Defamation League in San Francisco.

Dozens of people were evacuated from much of the 700 block of Market Street  which houses the ADL office, part of the international organization that fights anti-Semitism  following the threat that was received just after 4 p.m.
After conflicting statements by the Trump administration about its now-suspended travel ban - President Trump says hes still defending it, while his lawyers say hes shelving and replacing it - a federal appeals court rejected the Justice Departments request Monday to put the case on hold.

The White House says Trump plans to issue a revised version Wednesday of his Jan. 27 executive order, which barred U.S. entry of anyone from seven Muslim-majority countries for 90 days and placed a 120-day freeze on all U.S. admission of refugees.

After the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco upheld a judges decision halting enforcement of that order, the Justice Department told the court Feb. 16 that it would no longer defend that order and would await the revision. The administration, however, has not formally withdrawn it and at a Feb. 16 news conference, Trump seemed to say he would pursue an appeal in defense of the order  going along the same path and hopefully winning that  even while he files a new version of the order designed to meet the courts objections.

Later, press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters that Trump would be fighting this on both fronts and evolving through the court system on the existing EO (executive order).

But on Friday, Justice Department lawyers renewed their argument that any remaining consideration of the Jan. 27 order should be suspended in anticipation of the new presidential order. Lawyers for Washington state and Minnesota, which filed suit to stop the order, replied that Trumps statements show he still intends to pursue the original case, unless he rescinds his earlier order.

Meanwhile, both the San Francisco appeals court and a federal judge in Seattle have scheduled further proceedings on the legality of the order.

In a brief order Monday, a three-judge court panel rejected the governments request and moved the schedule of written arguments back by a week, with the final submission due April 5.

The plaintiffs in the suit, joined by attorneys general from California and 15 other states, argue that the order discriminates against Muslims and excludes immigrants and refugees without notice or a hearing.

The Trump administration counters that the seven targeted nations  Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen  were identified by the Obama administration and Congress as sources of potential danger in a law that required their residents to obtain U.S. visas. That argument may have been weakened, however, by a draft report, leaked last week, in which Department of Homeland Security analysts found little evidence of a terrorist threat from the seven nations.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
HANOI  Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrived in Vietnam on Tuesday for a visit to promote goodwill and soothe some of the wounds of World War II by meeting with the abandoned wives of former Japanese soldiers.

The 83-year-old Akihito, the first-ever Japanese emperor to visit Vietnam, will be given a red carpet welcome by Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang on Wednesday.

During their six-day visit, the imperial couple is scheduled to meet with a dozen surviving widows and families members of Japanese war veterans. The wives and their families used to face discrimination because the women had married Japanese men.

Japanese troops invaded Vietnam in 1940 and remained there until Japan surrendered to the allies in 1945, but some 700 Japanese soldiers, most of them married to Vietnamese women, stayed in Vietnam after revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh declared independence from French colonial rule shortly after that.

The Japanese soldiers provided Ho Chi Minhs Viet Minh with their military expertise to fight the French. By the time the Viet Minh defeated the colonial forces in 1954, placing the North under Communist rule, about half of the Japanese soldiers died from fighting or illness and the first group of 71 had to leave without being able to bring their families in 1954. The rest had to leave in 1960, but this time with their families because Japan was on the other side of the Cold War.

The two countries have steadily improved their ties since Vietnams communists launched reform policies in the mid-1980s and opened up to the world in early 1990s.

Today, Japan is Vietnams biggest foreign donor and one of its top investors and trading partners.

The two countries have enjoyed closer military and security ties in recent years, with both facing separate maritime disputes with China. The emperors visit follows one by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in January during which he pledged to provide Vietnam with new patrol vessels.

Tran Van Minh is an Associated Press writer.
WASHINGTON  Squinting while texting? Always losing your reading glasses? An eye implant that takes about 10 minutes to put in place is the newest in a list of surgical repairs for the blurry close-up vision that is a bane of middle age. But who is really a good candidate to toss their specs?

Its not bringing anybody back to being 20 again, cautioned Dr. Shilpa Rose, a Washington ophthalmologist who tests whether patients eyes are healthy enough to qualify. But it decreases the need to rush to get that pair of reading glasses every time you want to send a text or read an email.

Nearly everybody will experience presbyopia at some point, usually starting in the mid-40s. At first you may notice yourself holding restaurant menus at arms length. Eventually, even in good light, reading becomes a blur.

How well you see has to do with how light is directed through the natural lens to the back of the eye. That lens stiffens with age, losing its ability to shift and bend light so that it becomes more difficult to focus close-up.

The usual options are magnifying drugstore reading glasses or, for people with other vision problems, bifocals, multifocal contact lenses or whats called monovision, correcting for distance vision in one eye and near vision in the other.

I have glasses everywhere  the bedroom, the office, the kitchen, said Christianne Krupinsky, 51, of Marriottsville, Md., who had never needed them until presbyopia struck. Getting ready in the morning, even to put on jewelry I cant see the clasp. Its so frustrating.

And while surgery always carries some risk, corneal inlays that are implanted into the eyes clear front surface are getting attention because theyre removable if necessary.

Its not magic. Its surgery. People have to remember this is not one and done, but requires post-surgical exams and care, said Dr. Deepinder K. Dhaliwal of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, a corneal specialist who is watching studies of the inlays.

Krupinsky was a little nervous while lying on the operating table to receive the new Raindrop near vision inlay.

The most youre going to feel is pressure, promised Washington refractive surgeon Dr. Mark Whitten, applying numbing drops to her left eye.

A gel-like device that looks like a miniature contact lens, the Raindrop is smaller than the eye of a needle. Its the first implant to treat presbyopia by changing the corneas shape, making it steeper to alter how light passes through.

Lauran Neergaard is an Associated Press writer.
WASHINGTON  Citing religious rites and the dark prophecy of a terrible black snake that will bring harm to its people, a Sioux Indian tribe returned to court Tuesday in an eleventh-hour push to keep the Dakota Access pipeline from carrying its first crude oil.

The Washington hearing was held just days after the consortium constructing the conduit  Dakota Access led by Energy Transfer Partners  told the court the 1,172-mile pipeline could be in service any time between March 6 and April 1. All that remains to be completed is a span under Lake Oahe in North Dakota.

Energy Transfers $3.8 billion project has been a flash point for Native Americans and environmentalists on one side and the oil industry on the other. The industry has been bolstered by President Trumps reversal of Obama administration commitments to reconsider the route of the pipelines last link.

The Lakota people believe that the pipeline correlates with a terrible Black Snake prophesied to come into the Lakota homeland and cause destruction, tribe lawyers said in court papers this month. They also claim the mere presence of the pipeline would make the lake water impure and unsuitable for use in their religious sacraments.

While the Cheyenne River Siouxs claims arise from ancient ritual and lore, their legal arguments are grounded in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a 1993 law that allowed closely held companies to avoid providing contraception insurance to employees. The measure bars the government from substantially burdening a persons religious freedom unless its for a compelling government interest and done in the least-restrictive way.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, a 2011 Obama administration appointee who has rejected previous attempts to block work on the pipeline, heard more than an hour of arguments from lawyers for the tribe, the pipeline builder and the U.S. He said he will rule by March 7 and ordered the company to give him at least 48-hours notice before the pipeline is operational.

Attorneys for the government and Dakota Access contend the tribe waited too long to raise their religious-freedom argument. Lawyers for the consortium also say that it is not bound by the religious-freedom law.

Tribal lawyers claim the Army Corps has found other routes that are less intrusive.

Andrew Harris is a Bloomberg News writer.
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.
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A small airplane headed for San Jose crashed into a residential neighborhood in Riverside on Monday, killing three people as firefighters searched the wreckage that burned into the night, officials reported.

Two adult women ejected from the plane on impact survived.

The crash occurred about a half-mile northeast of Riverside Municipal Airport. The plane had departed from Riverside for Mineta San Jose International Airport, according to Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor.

The plane, a Cessna 310 which was carrying five people, destroyed two homes in the area of Central and Streeter avenues, said Chief Michael Moore of the City of Riverside Fire Department.

Its occupants included a husband and wife, as well as three other people who had gone to the area from San Jose for a cheer competition at Disneyland, Moore said. At least one of the passengers was related to the couple.

Its horrible, especially when you couple together that they were going to a cheer competition, and this is supposedly a happy time, and then just to have a tragic incident like this. ... Its really just a sad case for us.

Officials initially reported that four people had died and that three of the passengers were teenagers. However, late Monday night, Moore said he did not know the ages or gender of the people who had died. The two survivors were women in their 30s or 40s, he said.

One of the passengers was ejected from the plane, which split apart upon impact, Moore said.

She was in critical condition at nearby Riverside Community Hospital, though she was conscious and able to give investigators a basic overview of what happened  specifying the number of people on the plane  Moore said.

The other victim was taken to a burn unit at a hospital in San Bernardino, also in critical condition, Moore said.

The three dead werent immediately confirmed to have been occupants of the plane, but rescue workers believed that nobody was home at the destroyed houses, Moore said.

The force of the crash sent debris spiraling as far as a half-mile from the site, Moore said, adding that along with the two destroyed houses, several adjacent homes were damaged.

The plane had just taken off from Riverside for San Jose, and it had a nearly full tank of gas when it crashed, leaving a deluge of highly flammable fuel to challenge firefighters late into the night, Moore said.

Some 60 firefighters responded to the crash scene, he said.

There were two cars parked in the driveway of one of the homes, but no survivors were immediately located inside it, Moore said.

Were still searching for those victims, he said.

As some firefighters worked to put out the flames and search for the missing, others started evacuating a block of Dewey Avenue near the crash site  consisting of some 20 houses and an estimated 40 residents  Moore said, adding that a shelter was being set up for the displaced.

If not needed for safety, the evacuations would be called for as the National Transportation Safety Board, which conducts investigations into plane crashes, started its work later in the evening, Moore said.

J.K. Dineen and Michael Bodley are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com, mbodley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineen, @michael_bodley
A block of San Franciscos busy Market Street was shut down in both directions for more than two hours at rush hour Monday evening because of a bomb threat at the offices of the Anti-Defamation League, authorities said.

The 700 block was closed in both directions between OFarrell and Kearny streets. Just before 7 p.m. police gave the all clear and the street was reopened.

The Anti-Defamation League, which has offices at 720 Market St., was the target of the threat, according to police Capt. Teresa Ewins. Ewins said that at 4:19 p.m., the groups receptionist received a bomb threat over the phone.

Police interviewed the receptionist, while bomb-sniffing dogs were on the scene at 720 Market and adjacent buildings.

About two dozen San Francisco police officers were on the scene. Businesses along the block  including a Wells Fargo bank branch, a 7-11, a CVS and a Walgreens  were evacuated. No evidence of a bomb was found, but police used an abundance of caution, said Ewins.

The threat was one of 28 called into Jewish community centers and schools in 17 states on Monday. A threatening phone call was reported at the Oshman Family Jewish community center in Palo Alto.

One threat or evacuation is one too many, and yet weve now seen more than 20 incidents in a single day not just to ADL, but to children's schools and community centers -- and more than 90 incidents since the start of this year, said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. The level of threats and incidents is astounding, and must not stand. We will do everything in our power to combat this wave of anti-Semitism.

Threats against Jewish organizations and community centers have proliferated since President Trump took office in January, according to community leaders.

Vlad Khaykin, who directs the San Francisco office of the Anti-Defamation League, has tweeted several times in the past week about the rising number of threats, noting that there had been 50 bomb threats to Jewish community centers in 2017 and 90 threats against Jewish institutions.

This is not normal, he wrote.

Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @michael_bodley
On Saturday afternoon, a 66-year-old woman was sitting at her home computer when a drone crashed through her 27th floor Kips Bay apartment window. She told the NY Post, "It was a total shock. You never expect something like this to happen so high up. Almost the entire window was broken. Glass covered practically the entire apartment."

The GoPro Karma drone made its startling appearance around 3:15 p.m. at the Waterside Plaza apartment. A neighbor who lives right above the victim said that it "sounded like an object flying against something."

The gadget landed four feet from the woman, who said, "The drone got caught on the blinds. Thats what saved me from getting lacerated. Im very lucky."

She also told the Post that she wanted lawmakers to make drone flying laws stricter (drones are currently banned from most of the city, except designated parks).

Police are still investigating the incident.
In a victory for gun advocates, a federal judge said Monday that California appears to have violated freedom of speech with a law allowing public officials  including legislators who voted for gun-control laws  to prevent online posting of their addresses and phone numbers.

The issue arose in July when a pro-gun blogger posted the names, addresses and phone numbers of 40 lawmakers who had supported firearms restrictions that were signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown. The restrictions included a ban on possessing guns that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition and a requirement of background checks for buyers of ammunition. The law also required that the buyers address and phone number be put into a state database.
Mayor de Blasio is expected to announce a plan to open 90 new homeless shelters across the city on Tuesday, according to anonymous sources who spoke with the New York Times ahead of his scheduled homelessness announcement. Proposals to open new homeless shelters have been met with strong opposition across the city in recent monthsfrom Maspeth, Queens to Midtown, Manhattaneven as homelessness has reached record numbers. (Other cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, have seen similar increases, the Times reports.)

Mayoral spokeswoman Jaclyn Rothenberg declined to comment on the contours of the plan ahead of this afternoon's official homelessness announcement.

There are currently 275 shelters overseen by the Department of Homeless Services, according to the NY Times. Politico reports that New York City opened 19 shelters in 2014, and only four in 2015.

While homeless New Yorkers and their advocates argue that permanent affordable housing is the most ironclad solution to the city's homelessness crisis, the Department of Homeless Services has argued that shelters are crucial if NYC is to meet its legal obligation to provide shelter to anyone in need.

City officials have also emphasized what they are up against: a housing crisis, stagnant wages, and the void left behind when Governor Andrew Cuomo and former mayor Michael Bloomberg eliminated the Advantage rental assistance program in 2011. More recently, advocates have criticized Cuomo for not delivering promised funds for homeless housing. According to the city, the homelessness count spiked more than 5,000 per year between 2011 and 2014.

The more communities push back against shelters, Human Resource Administration Commissioner Steven Banks has argued, the more the city must rely on so-called "stop-gap" measures, like temporary shelter within commercial hotels.

According to DHS, there were 6,000 homeless New Yorkers living in commercial hotel rooms as of last October. In 2014, following the triple stabbing murder of a mother and two of her small children in a Staten Island motel serving homeless families, de Blasio pledged to phase out the practice of renting out hotel rooms as temporary shelter for the homeless "as quickly as possible."

The Mayor has also pledged to phase out cluster site housinga Bloomberg legacy that resulted in homeless families being placed in sordid apartments at high cost to the cityby the end of 2018. But cluster sites still have a significant footprint in NYC. According to the city, they currently house about 11,400 adults and children. Without enough shelters, efforts to phase out cluster sites result in more commercial hotel use.

Last fall, protests outside of the Bellerose Inn in Queens prompted the hotel owner to back out of a DHS contract. "That solved absolutely nothing because those families had to be housed elsewhere in the city," Banks told reporters at the time. "And I don't think any New Yorker would want to see someone denied shelter because a particular group of people said 'Not in our community.'"

According to the NY Post, the Mayor's Office will also unveil an "equity plan," to insure equal distribution of shelters across city neighborhoods.

Any plan to significantly expand the city's shelter footprint would mark a shift in tactic for de Blasio. According to a recent report from Politico, the mayor significantly slowed the pace of shelter creation in 2014, after residents in Elmhurst, Queens fought vehemently against a proposed shelter in their neighborhood.

Ahead of de Blasio's state of the city address last month, members of the homelessness advocacy group Picture the Homeless said they were disappointed that the mayor had not consulted their organization, which has many homeless members, before developing this latest plan.

"I know from bitter experience that a plan developed with no homeless people at the table will fail to address the real issues and provide real solutions," said Picture the Homeless member Jean Rice in a statement. "The shelter system is not a substitute for permanent housing, and is not a conducive element to community-building and involving homeless New Yorkers in civic participation."
As President Donald Trump's immigration policy continues to calcify, New Yorkers are asking about the legal implications of protecting someone from Immigration and Customs Enforcementinside a church, school, or home.

"We've been getting requests from churches in particular asking what's safe and what's not, and how to stay on the right side of the law," said Hasan Shafiqullah, deputy attorney-in-charge for the Legal Aid Society's Immigration Law Unit.

Under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, anyone who knowingly "conceals, harbors, or shields" a non-citizen accused of violating the law, or attempts to do so, risks fines or imprisonment. The INA is written so broadly that, at first glance, it's hard to imagine protecting a neighbor from ICE without also violating it.

But existing case law indicates legal ways to protect a non-citizen in New York: a person who skips an appearance in immigration court for fear of a negative ruling, or someone with a final, non-negotiable order of removal. Churches, attorneys and clergy members say, have historically been particularly safe.

"I think people are probably going to be safer from door busting in a house of worship than in a private home," Shafiqullah said. "And that, I think, is just because of social norms: recognizing that houses of worship are not a place for brute force."

About 700 religious congregations across the country have pledged to offer sanctuary according to The Sanctuary Movement. This month, DNAInfo reported that inquires to the NYC-Based New Sanctuary Coalition have recently increased 300 percent.

On Monday, the Legal Aid Society published a fact sheet on how to provide sanctuary for a non-citizen while staying within the bounds of the law. The group stressed that it cannot legally advise anyone to "be in violation of the law," but can try to clarify all possible consequences.

"So much is case by case. So we would not want someone to take action solely on the fact sheet," Shafiqullah stressed, adding that to deliberately cross sanctuary irregardless of the guidelines "is ultimately a radical act."

According to the Legal Aid Society, if ICE is aware that the person they are looking for has sought shelter inside of a buildingprivate residence includedthe act of sheltering is not illegal in-and-of-itself. But, if you are hiding someone "to help them avoid detection by the government," that is likely a violation. For example, sheltering a person and also helping them access a fake social security card. Or, sheltering them and helping them sneak out the back door when ICE knocks.

#resist A post shared by Elizabeth De Leon  (@of_lion) on Jan 27, 2017 at 1:54pm PST

Once ICE agents come to the door, a person offering sanctuary can tell them that they are not welcome on the premises. What happens next, though, depends on the type of warrant the agents have in hand. In the case of a judicial warrant, ICE might be seeking someone who is actively evading a felony arrest, or is on the FBI's most-wanted list. Whereas an administrative warrant might be for a person with a prior removal order, who ICE decides no longer deserves a stay.

In the latter case, Shafiqullah said, "There is no obligation to open your door if it's a home, church or business: an administrative warrant isn't mandatory."

A church or mosque may still be an effective sanctuary, even in the case of a judicial warrant. Not only does it qualify as "sensitive locations," which ICE is directed to "generally" avoid (schools and hospitals, too), but it has extra symbolic weight.

Still, many of the non-citizens who seek sanctuary in churches in New York City have not committed violent crimes. Reverend Donna Schaper of Judson Memorial Church told the NY Times in December that there were 11 people in sanctuary in NYC churches, most of whom had committed "white-collar" crimes. This month, according to DNAInfo, at least 14 congregations in NYC are providing sanctuary.

A Denver woman sought sanctuary inside a church earlier this month, rather than go to a mandatory ICE check-in. A mother of three children, she decided to move into a basement sanctuary room. It's not clear when it will be safe for her to leave. (In some cases, sanctuary is simply an overnight option, perhaps for the duration of an ICE raid.)

Long-term sanctuary in a confined space, even if successful, should only be considered under extreme circumstances, advocates say. A second list of guidelines is intended to help people prepare for the detention of a family member, but could also apply in the case of church sanctuary.

"We do not advise people to be physically in a space where they are going to be constrained, because then it becomes like a jail for them," said Juan Carlos Ruiz, co-founder of the New Sanctuary Coalition of NYC and a Lutheran minister at St. Peter's in Manhattan.

Ruiz's group offers weekly immigration clinics to help people sort through their paperwork and, in some cases, prepare for trial. The coalition will also send volunteers to accompany people to ICE check-ins. "Sanctuary for us is much more than the physical space," he said. "Our religious garb... has some symbolic power."

While ICE's sensitive locations remain on the books, it's not yet clear how practice might shift under President Trump. (ICE didn't respond to our inquiry about the future of sensitive locations.) "Earlier this month, faith leaders protested when ICE agents reportedly handcuffed six men leaving a hypothermia shelter at a church in Virginia, apparently violating the sensitive locations policy.

"Under Trump, we do not know," Ruiz said.

Our full guide for immigrant rights in New York City is here.
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San Francisco supervisors are set to approve a $2.87 million payout on Tuesday to the parents of a disabled Berkeley woman who was struck and killed by a car driven by a city employee during work hours.

Thu Phan, a UC Berkeley alumna and Department of Labor employee, was crossing the street last February at Market and Seventh streets on her way to work when the driver crashed into her electric wheelchair.

The driver, James Harris, was an employee with the Department of Public Health. He no longer works for the city.

Phans parents alleged in the lawsuit that Harris struck Phan after he made an illegal left turn from Seventh onto Market.

A Police Department spokesman told The Chronicle shortly after the accident that the turn was legal, because Harris car had an exempt license plate. Lawyers for the city argued in its brief that Phan had full knowledge of the risks involved in crossing the street.

Since the collision, the city has improved signage at the intersection in an effort to make it safer.

Phan was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, commonly known as brittle-bone disease. The oldest of six siblings, Phan and her parents emigrated from Vietnam when she was 2 to give her more opportunities because of her bone condition. She was 38 when she died.

Phan was lucid for the first five hours after the collision, but she sustained head trauma and her condition deteriorated. Surgery did not save her.

The $2.87 million settlement was unanimously recommended by the three-member Government Audit and Oversight Committee earlier this month and heads to the full Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, where it is expected to be approved.

San Francisco attorney Matt D. Davis, who represented Phans parents, said city officials sought to settle the case as quickly as possible.

The city should be credited for immediately reaching out and seeking early and efficient and fair resolution, Davis said. We are pleased that the city acknowledged responsibility and the value of this womans life.

In 2014, the city initiated its Vision Zero plan to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2024. But its made little dent. In 2016, traffic collisions involving cars claimed the lives of 30 people, including 16 pedestrians.
Sarah Ravani / Sarah Ravani /

In a span of five minutes, a pair of shootings sent bullets into two restaurants filled with dinnertime crowds half a mile apart in San Franciscos Richmond neighborhood, police said Monday.

No one was injured in either of the Sunday shootings  the first into an Indian restaurant on the 3700 block of Geary Boulevard at 7:21 p.m. and the second into an Eritrean eatery on the 2800 block of the same street at 7:26 p.m. The shootings shattered the glass facing the street and had diners ducking for cover.
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With a barrage of feedback and a stage full of guys who looked like they just clocked out at Jiffy Lube, Ty Segall and his band brought this years Noise Pop festival to a chaotic close at the Fox Theater in Oakland on Monday, Feb. 27.

It was a perfect send-off for the annual celebration of all things indie, which marks its 25th anniversary this year.

After 11 days of more than 150 wildly eclectic acts  including Long Beach rapper Vince Staples, indie pop duo Electric Guest and Daveed Diggs experimental hip-hop trio Clipping, performing at venues throughout San Francisco and Oakland it ended much the same way as it began: with a showcase of fast and ferocious garage rock delivered with a massive shrug.

Monday nights bill also featured Oakland bubblegum punks Shannon and the Clams, playing retro-leaning surf pop tunes beneath cape coats; Los Angeles psych rockers White Fence, who delivered jangly instrumental passages with mathematical precision; and the scuzzy Chicago prog outfit Axis Sova, blasting through its 30-minute opening slot on gusts of noise.

Making some noise Highlights from Noise Pop festivals 25th anniversary season

Segall dominated the night with volume. A restless, prolific artist, the Orange County native first gained attention for his work while attending the University of San Francisco. He has put out at least one album every year for the past decade, and his musical identity seems to shift with each new release, moving freely from gnarly glam jams to delicate folk melodies.

His latest release, from which he drew most of the songs for his hour-long set, is self-titled and features what is possibly Segalls most focused work to date.

Standing to the far right of a stage in a red satin Western shirt with long fringe, he teetered on the toes of his matching red suede shoes and slammed his head forward as he repurposed the albums opening track, Break a Guitar.

His band  guitarist Emmett Kelly, bassist Mikal Cronin, keyboardist Ben Boye and drummer Charles Moothart  kept slouchy step as he determinedly pummeled away on tunes like Warm Hands (Freedom Returned) and Orange Color Queen.

While its hard to pinpoint his primary influence, anywhere between Black Flag and T. Rex, his music is clearly rooted in the woollier end of the 1970s.

With his guitar raised over his head and knees buckling, Segall paid tribute to the enduring spirit of the Noise Pop festival in the most fitting way possible  by making his instrument squeal so loud that even the heartiest earplugs in the room were rendered powerless.
City Council Member Ben Kallos, who represents a broad swath of Midtown East and the Upper East Side, on Wednesday introduced a bill requiring expanded disclosure on school enrollment, part of an effort to address a space crunch that has half of the city's public school students attending overcrowded schools.

Under the terms of the proposed bill, the Department of Education would make publicly available aggregated and disaggregated data on the number of applications and admissions granted for each school in the city, as well as enrollment numbers and expected open seats for the next school year. This data would be further broken down by grade level and the community school and council districts of residence for students, as well as their zip codes.

"We need to better track what schools people are applying to, how many folks are being turned away from schools, and have a better sense of where they're ending up so we can re-adjust programming," Kallos told Gothamist.

According to a committee report on the legislation, approximately half of the DOE's 1.1 million students are enrolled in overcrowded schools, defined as schools where enrollment exceeds intended maximum capacity. That breaks down to 54 percent of elementary and middle school students and 47 percent of high school students attending overcrowded schools.

With New York Citys population at a record high and continuing to grow, the DOE is fighting an ongoing battle to keep up with demand for school seats. According to the report, the city's most recent school construction commitment, which calls for adding a total of 83,000 seats by 2020, falls short of an estimated need for 85,000 new seatsand that doesn't even account for new seats required to meet population growth.

The report criticizes the city's current methodology for determining space needs, arguing that it leaves the School Construction Authority perpetually behind the curve on creating new seats. It also notes school advocate claims that the authority is understaffed, preventing it from moving quickly to identify appropriate school sites and shepherd new construction plans through the approval process.

Kallos expressed concern that many of his constituents are forced to send their children to schools outside their districts, either because of absolute limits on seats or limited space in specific programs, such as pre-k or gifted and talented programs.

"Every single child should be guaranteed a seat in their neighborhood and no child should ever be turned away," he said. "I should never have to hear from another parent who is leaving my district or the city because their families doesn't have the resources they need from the government."

Overcrowded schools are often forced to convert spaces like libraries, science labs, or music rooms into general purpose classrooms, depriving students of access to these resources. Some have turned their gyms into multipurpose spaces that also serve as lunchrooms and auditoriums. According to the report, students in overcrowded schools tend to perform worse than their peers at under-enrolled schools. The report also cites data from the immigrant advocacy group Make the Road New York showing that school overcrowding has a disproportionate impact on immigrant communities.

Kallos told Gothamist that the legislation would provide a better picture of the city's needs, enabling it to more efficiently determine where to create new seats. He also said it could bolster integration efforts by giving a clearer picture of where there is available space in the system and where students who apply to or enroll at specific schools are coming from.

"We should be using this information to make sure were planning appropriately and making sure that there is room for integration, so we don't see some of the segregation that we see in my district, where we see schools that are majority white across the street from schools that are majority minority," he said.

Recent attempts to address overcrowding by redrawing school zones have met with at-times vociferous parent opposition in several districts around the city, with wealthier white parents fighting to keep their children in overcrowded predominantly white schools rather than under-enrolled schools that are majority students of color.

A spokesperson for the DOE said the agency is currently reviewing the legislation.
U.S. News & World Report just released a ranking of all the states in America, evaluating each one based on "thousands of data points" tracking health care, education, crime, infrastructure, opportunity, economy, and government. And apparently, New York is only the 17th best state in the country, falling behind a bunch of states that definitely do NOT have good bagels (but do have cheaper housing).

According to this list, as one of the safer states in the country, New York ranks #5 for crime and corrections, with comparatively lower incarceration rates and property crime rates. We also rank fairly high in health care and education, clocking in at #13 and #19, respectively.

Unfortunately, we're also one of the worst states in the country when it comes to economic opportunityU.S. News & World Report puts us all the way down at #44 in that category, thanks to vast income inequality and a serious racial gap in education, employment, and income equality. We're also only the 48th most affordable state in the country, which shouldn't surprise anyone, though it appears defecting to California (#49) or Hawaii (#50) won't fix that. But don't worry, we're still number one at something!

These criticisms against the Empire State are fair, but there is a major problem with this list. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Massachusetts, home to the Boston Red Sox, the New England Patriots, bars that close at midnight, and Mark Wahlberg, as the #1 state in the country. Apparently Massachusetts has exemplary healthcare and public schools, a strong economy, and Elizabeth Warren, but it still has all the things I mentioned previously, and thus should be disqualified.

And doesn't the fact that New York State is home to the greatest city in America (plus Buffalo) count for something? What other city stocks its subways with bottles of wine for commuters to share on the way home every night?

U.S. News & World Report also ranked New Hampshire second on this list. I went to camp in New Hampshire and I can say, solely based on that experience, that New Hampshire sucks. New Hampshire might not have income tax, but it does have my old camp, and those two things cancel each other out. Meanwhile, Gothamist staffer Scott Heins is originally from Minnesota, which ranks third on this list, and he does not deserve the satisfaction of hailing from a state that is "better" than mine.

Plus, the state that ranks lowest on the list is Louisiana. You can drink a beer on the street in New Orleans, so I'm calling shenanigans on this whole thing.
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Man jailed and fined Dhs20,000 on assault charges in Dubai

The victim stated in the investigations that the defendant thought that he was flirting with his girlfriend while they were in a nightclub. A verbal altercation followed during which the victim was surprised by the defendant brandishing a knife that was between the folds of his clothes.
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2. No Nivul Peh. Profanity will be deleted.
Fifteen months after the Board of Supervisors killed a deal to sell a city office building at 30 Van Ness Ave. for $80 million, a new buyer has agreed to pay $10 million less for the property but include a lot more affordable housing in a future project.

Under the agreement, which must be approved by the Board of Supervisors, the Australian developer Lend Lease would pay the city $70 million for the property, which currently houses the Department of Public Works and other city agencies. Lend Lease has agreed to make 25 percent of the units affordable. In addition, the developer has committed to paying the city an additional affordable-housing fee of about $8 million  if, as expected, the city increases the height limit on the site from 400 to 500 feet.

The 30 Van Ness sale is at the center of a complicated chain of real estate transactions, all aimed at funding a new 460,000-square-foot city office building at 1500 Mission St., now the site of a Goodwill store. The new office building will house the Department of Public Works, the City Planning Department and the Department of Building Inspection, creating a one-stop shop for property-related planning and permitting.

In addition to selling 30 Van Ness, the city has reached an agreement to sell 1660 and 1680 Mission St., currently home to planning and building departments, for $52 million. The buyer is SF Prosperity II, a real estate investment fund run by Michael Wang. The combined $122 million generated by the sales matches the citys goal needed to make the new $327 million office building financially feasible, according to Department of Real Estate Director John Updike.

We hit our target, Updike said. Thats what this process has always been all about. Well be able to bring our employees into a newer, safer building where they can be more efficient. And at the same time we meet the citys policy goals in terms of a great future development at 30 Van Ness, with the extra affordability.

While the $70 million is actually $17 million less than the $87 million minimum bid the city had originally set when the property went on the market in April 2015, Updike said the value of the increased affordable housing that will be built at 30 Van Ness makes it a good deal for the city.

And for now it seems that the Department of Real Estate has something that was lacking the last time the 30 Van Ness property was in contract: political support. In December 2015, Supervisors Aaron Peskin and Jane Kim led the effort to halt the sale of the parcel to Related of California for $80 million, saying the offer was too low and did not include enough affordable housing.

While the new offer is even lower, the extra affordable-housing commitment more than makes up for the depressed price point, according to Kim and Peskin. Related had guaranteed that 15 percent of its units would be affordable. Assuming that a 400-unit rental project is erected in a 500-foot tower on the site, the difference between the number of affordable units the two deals would generate would be 40 units, plus the $8 million that would be donated to the Mayors Office of Housing and Community Development.

It was worth the wait, Peskin said. There was a broad consensus that less money and a lot more affordable housing was what we wanted.

Kim said the increased level of affordable housing  along with the additional housing fee  is consistent with two recent successful ballot measures: last years Proposition C, which called for private developers to make 25 percent of units affordable, and Proposition K, the nonbinding 2015 ballot measure that called for 33 percent low- and middle-income housing on public land.

When the city has site control, we should be building at higher levels of affordability than when its on private land, Kim said, adding that accepting $10 million less on the land deal to get from 15 percent to a minimum of 25 percent affordable is unheard-of.

Peter Cohen, co-director of the Council for Community Housing Organizations, said that the city should have insisted on 33 percent affordable housing on site, rather than 25 percent and the fee.

Is the city going to prioritize creating maximum affordable housing on the land it owns? said Cohen. That is what we think they should be aiming for.

For the citys Department of Real Estate, the urgency is to own its own space so that it is no longer subject to the whims of a fickle private leasing market. For 20 years, the city has been looking at either buying or constructing an office building in the Civic Center area.

Over the past six years, with the arrival of tech companies like Twitter, Dolby, Square and Uber, the Civic Center and Mid-Market areas have gone from the citys weakest office sub-market to one of its strongest. That shift has pushed rents up and curtailed opportunities for the city to buy or develop a facility, said Updike. The city unsuccessfully tried to buy 1295 Market St.  Dolby got it  as well as 1455 Market St. and 100 Van Ness Ave., which were snapped up by developers.

We have tried and tried and tried and have run out of those kind of large boxes or opportunities to build them, said Updike.

Meanwhile, the structure at 30 Van Ness is deteriorating. It needs a new skin, mechanical systems and a seismic upgrade  a $60 million investment. The deal at both 30 Van Ness and 1660-1680 Mission call for the city to lease back the space for three years.

Its not a terrific building, Updike said. Its functionally obsolescent. It has seismic challenges. That is reflected in each of the prospective buyers over the last two years as they kicked the tires.

While there was risk that the market would tank during the 15-month delay, interest was just as strong this time around, according to Kyle Kovac, a broker with Newmark Cornish & Carey, who represented the city in the sale.

You can always point to negative clouds on the horizon, but the location  on top of a Muni stop at Market and Van Ness  sort of overrode any concerns. Its such a rare opportunity.

The 1500 Mission St. project, which will be built by Related, will go to the Planning Commission for approvals on March 23. In addition to the city office building, that development will include about 500 housing units. The two towers will share a podium and be built at the same time. The city plans to move into the new office building in May 2020. Even though the 1500 Mission St. is not yet approved, the city and Related have been working on construction permits so that work can start as soon as the project is approved.

We have a need for speed here, said Updike.

J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineen
United Airlines announced Monday it's introducing new service between San Francisco International Airport and Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa. A 50-seat jet will make the 40-minute flight.

When the service begins on June 8, it will become the airline's shortest flight. The 50-minute Chicago-Milwaukee route currently holds that honor.

Will this flight be a way for SF locals to escape to the wine country for a weekend and avoid the nightmare traffic on Highway 101?

Likely not. Even when traffic is bad, the drive takes at most two hourslikely less than the time you'd spend if you flew since you'd need to deal with the hassles of the airports.

And then there's the price. While United media relations couldn't comment on pricing, SFGATE looked up flights in June and found most round-trip fares to cost around $400 to $500. You could fly to Seattleeven to Europe on one of those crazy low-cost airlinesfor that price.

The service will mainly be used by "a mix of local passengers to connect with flights out of SFO, and visitors connecting through SFO to Santa Rosa," said Jon Stout, manager of the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport. "We do not really see this as a great option for residents from SF for the weekend getaways."

When you book a longer flight that originates in Santa Rosa and connects through San Francisco, the price drops. For example, a June round-trip flight between Santa Rosa and New York with a stop in San Francisco is $600. By comparison, you can find a round-trip flight between SF and NYC on the same days for as little as $660, meaning that you're paying only an extra $60 to fly out of Santa Rosa.

United previously offered service between Sonoma County and San Francisco and discontinued the flights in 2001. The airport currently has service provided by Alaska Airlines to Seattle, Portland, Orange County, Los Angeles and San Diego; Allegiant with service to Las Vegas twice per week and American Airlines to Phoenix Sky Harbor.
HYDERABAD, India  The mother of an Indian engineer who was killed in an apparently racially motivated shooting in an American bar said she asked her son to come back to India if he felt threatened in the United States, but he said he was not in any danger.

Srinivas Kuchibhotlas mother wailed Tuesday as her sons body was cremated in his hometown of Hyderabad, in the capital of Telangana state.

I had asked him to return to India if he was feeling insecure there. But he used to say he was safe and secure, Parvatha Vardhini said.

Now she wants her younger son and his family to come home. I will not allow them to go back, she said. My son had gone there in search of a better future. What crime did he commit?

Hundreds of grieving relatives and friends tearfully mourned the 32-year-old who came to the U.S. in 2005 to pursue a masters degree at the University of Texas at El Paso.

It is so cruel. He was such a kind soul, very friendly. He was so excited that he and his wife were going to start a family soon. Now this has happened, said P. L. Narayana, his uncle.

His father, Madhusudhan Rao, was philosophical: I believe in destiny. Whatever was destined has happened.

He added, Now I want the U.S. government to take care of the security of our Indians who are working there.

A statement issued Tuesday by the Indian External Affairs Ministry said American authorities are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the U.S., a matter which continues to receive the governments top priority.

Kuchibhotlas body was flown Monday from Newark, N.J. His widow, Sunaina Dumala, looking dazed, and his brother, Sai Kiran, who studies in the U.S., arrived on the same flight.

Hours later, the flower-laden body was taken in an open carriage from his home to a crematorium in the Jubilee Hills area, where it was placed on a wooden pyre and lit as part of Hindu last rites.

According to witnesses, the gunman yelled get out of my country at Kuchibhotla and a colleague named Alok Madasani before opening fire at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kan., a suburb of Kansas City, on Feb. 22. Both men worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin.

Madasani and another bar patron were wounded.

Adam Purinton of Olathe was arrested at a bar in Missouri after telling a bartender that he shot two people he described as Iranian. He remains jailed on murder and attempted murder charges.

Indias information and broadcasting minister, M. Venkaiah Naidu, who visited the bereaved family over the weekend, condemned the attack.

Such incidents, he said, should not happen in one of the oldest democracies of the world.

Omer Farooq is an Associated Press writer.
Tom Udall's Big Supreme Court Idea

You read this right: New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall has Washington talking. Udall surprised some people yesterday after meeting with fellow Westerner and Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. Udall suggested President Trump approach current justices who might soon retire and offer to appoint President Obama's pick for the court, Merrick Garland, if they step down now. Then, both confirmations would move forward smoothlyat least in Udall's opinion. If he can convince Trump he came up with the idea while reading The Art of the Deal, it just might be crazy enough to work.

Gov. Martinez Meets With Trump in DC

After exchanging a few barbs on the campaign trail, Gov. Susana Martinez and President Donald Trump finally sat down for a few minutes this week. The governor was in Washington DC over the weekend with the rest of the nation's state executives. For as much as she rails on New Mexico's attachment to the federal government, Martinez bit the bullet and

to look at her state's outsize role in national security and the defense industry before making cuts.

Sweet Deal May Be in the Works

Mayor Javier Gonzales hinted at potential carve-outs from his proposed sugary drink tax during last night's Finance Committee meeting. The mayor shared, but did not formally introduce, an idea to exempt businesses with less than $100,000 in gross revenue.

how the tax would be imposed on house-made lemonade or other drinks at local restaurants.

Recreational Marijuana Bill Gets Housed

The House Business and Industry Committee voted overwhelmingly

a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana use in New Mexico, similar to Colorado's system. Public support for such program

, but the Trump White House signaled recently that it may crack down on state marijuana programs, and the bill would have faced a veto from the governor.

Flying the Co-op

La Montanita Co-op has had a rough year. The state's largest member-owned natural grocery lost money. Now, in an attempt to fix the wobbly wheel on the cart and get it moving in the right direction, the co-op's board has

and hopes to be back in the black in 2017.

Gov Moves to Streamline State HR

The governor announced this on Friday afternoon, but lots of people have their minds on something else at that timeso much so that Friday afternoon has become a popular time for public figures to announce tough news. Now that it's Tuesday morning, Gov. Susana Martinez has

in human resources and consolidate them in the State Personnel Office. The move will save money and isn't surprising to those who've listened to the governor campaign. Those whose jobs disappear, though, will enter a

.

Santa Fe Schools Mull Budget Options

Last week, the Word pointed you to Las Cruces and the tough choices made regarding school supplies. That conversation is happening across the state as schools come to grips with reduced reserve funds that are normally used to pay for federal programs and other costs up front, often with the promise of reimbursement. In Santa Fe, the

furlough days, central office cuts, paying a reduced share of health insurance premiums and other cost-saving measures to weather the financial storm.

Snow Yeah

You know what they say about February: In like a groundhog, out like powder. POW! Finally. Taos is reporting almost a

in the last 24 hours. Down a bit lower than the ski gods,

mortals will likely see clouds and rain and even snow.

Thanks for reading! The Word thinks we're going to look back on this era of male facial hair much like we do on the '70s. "Dad! What were you thinking?" Anyhow, sick stache, bro.

Subscribe to the Morning Word at sfreporter.com/signup

Santa Fe Reporter
New Zealand widened to a $285 million trade deficit in January with imports rising to a record for the month, led by crude oil.

The monthly trade deficit was worth 7.3 percent of exports, though that drops to 0.9 percent, or $36 million, when crude oil exports and imports are excluded, Statistics New Zealand said. The country had a $41 million trade deficit in December 2016.

Exports rose 0.3 percent to $3.9 billion from the year earlier month, led by milk powder, butter and cheese which gained 4.5 percent, while log and wood exports dropped 4 percent. Milk powder exports, which increased $48 million in the month, were led by a $37 million gain in exports to China - a 19 percent value gain despite falling 1.7 percent by quantity. Butter exports rose 5.5 percent by value but dropped 20 percent by quantity. Meat, New Zealand's second-largest export commodity group, rose 2.7 percent in the month, led by lamb.

China remained the country's top export destination in January, up 12 percent overall, while exports to Australia rose 13 percent. Exports to the European Union, the fourth-largest market, dropped 26 percent with falls from meat, down 32 percent, and ships and boats.

Imports increased 8 percent to $4.2 billion, the highest value for a January month, with all three broad categories - capital goods, intermediate goods and consumption goods - rising. Crude oil imports rose 88 percent in the month, pushing the intermediate goods category to a 7.2 percent gain. Excluding crude oil, intermediate goods imports fell 1.5 percent.

Capital goods imports gained 9.3 percent, led by machinery and plants and transport equipment. Consumption goods rose 6 percent.

China also remained the top source for New Zealand's imports, though goods from the country dropped 0.5 percent to $874 million in the month with gains from machinery offset by falls in fertiliser and clothing.

Imports from the EU, the second-largest market, rose 0.6 percent to $715 million, led by a 30 percent gain on cars, more than half of which were from Germany. US imports gained 14 percent to $414 million, with a rise from machinery and organic chemicals.

On an annual basis, New Zealand had a merchandise trade deficit of $3.5 billion in the 12 months to the end of January.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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Network provider TeamTalk, which is under a $22.7 million hostile takeover offer from Spark NZ, lifted first-half profit 18 percent, forecast annual profit and will consider resuming dividends next year.

Net profit rose to $1.3 million in the six months ended Dec. 31, from $1.1 million a year earlier, the Wellington-based company said in a statement. Revenue dipped 0.5 percent to $28.5 million while operating costs dropped 2.4 percent to $17.1 million and finance costs halved to $488,000.

The company forecast annual profit of between $2 million and $2.4 million, and earnings before interest and tax (ebit) of between $4.7 million and $5.2 million. In 2016, it posted a $1.3 million loss. In 2018, it's targeting net profit between $4.1 million and $5.6 million, ebit between $8 million and $9.5 million, and will consider resuming dividends that year.

Chairman Roger Sowry said the board and management had made strong progress in turning the company around, with a new strategic business plan after the company struggled to integrate the rural ISP Farmside business, acquired in late 2012 for $42 million, which left it with higher debt and flat earnings. Chief executive Andrew Miller said it expects to cut second-half costs by 22 percent after restructuring Farmside late last year, and operating costs are expected to continue to reduce in 2018.

The company's ISP segment brought in $11.3 million in revenue in the first half, a 7.9 percent drop on the same period a year earlier, with its ebit loss widening to $1.5 million from $618,000. Mobile radio revenue rose 3.9 percent to $10.6 million, with ebit up 14 percent to $926,000, while in broadband networks, revenue rose 7.1 percent to $7.4 million and ebit gained 15 percent to $2.9 million.

"This result, with the turnaround plan starting to deliver results with profit after tax up 18 percent, confirms the boards view that Sparks opportunistic, hostile and highly conditional proposal at $0.80c per share undervalues the company and does not represent fair value to our shareholders," Sowry said. "It is evident that Spark is attempting to capture the upside benefits of the new TeamTalk business plan for Sparks shareholders, ahead of it being fully implemented and reflected into TeamTalks share price."

Spark made two approaches to the board at 60 cents per share and 80 cents per share before announcing its planned takeover in February, Sowry said, with both offers unanimously rejected by the directors. The board reaffirmed its recommendation for shareholders not to sell. Spark has said it wants to integrate TeamTalk's services into the larger group, cut costs by stripping out any duplication and review the business to see what parts of the Wellington-based network it can grow and whether any units should be divested.

The major telco will need Overseas Investment Office and Commerce Commission approval to proceed, and may waive a condition to cross the 90 percent threshold needed to mop-up hold-out shareholders if it secures control of TeamTalk, in which case it would stack the board with its representatives. Spark has previously signalled a desire to reduce its reliance on network operator Chorus's regulated copper lines and last year talked up the opportunities wireless broadband offers to grow the budget end of the market.

TeamTalk shares gained 1.3 percent to 77 cents, and have risen 12 percent in the past year, though they spiked from 45 cents in February after Spark announced its offer. Spark shares recently traded at $3.565, down 0.7 percent this morning.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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T&G Global, the fruit marketer controlled by Germanys BayWa, reported a 67 percent jump in full-year profit, boosted by a solid performance from most of its business segments and the sale of its crate business.

The Auckland-based company reported net profit of $32.4 million in the year to Dec. 31 versus $19.5 million in the prior year, on continued strong pricing for New Zealand apples, a full year of trading from tomato companies acquired at the end of 2015 as well as strong growth in table grapes and asparagus out of Australia and North America. New kiwifruit sales in South East Asia and uplifts in businesses in the New Zealand, Australian and Fijian domestic markets also contributed, it said. Earnings per share were 25.1 cents versus 15.4 cents in the prior year.

Revenue rose 7 percent to $872 million over the 12 months. It noted gains were offset by approximately $7.5 million of lost revenue due to the sale of its crate business and by higher costs, such as purchases, raw materials and consumable costs.

T&G continued to grow its global presence with new offices in Thailand, Japan and Europe, which contributed to a lift in employee costs. The company said it is on track to achieve its 'Strategy 2022' target of $2 billion in sales and is "well positioned for continued growth both in New Zealand and in our international markets."

The pipfruit division saw the first impact in 2016 of an expansion programme, with increases in volume that will continue as young trees mature. Overall, the division's operational result was driven by better continuity of year-round supply and strong in-market pricing, it said.

However, its international produce division was held by back by unexpected costs. While increased volumes and margins in global trading of table grapes, asparagus and blueberries meant revenue from Australian and North American exports hit new highs, the default of a major customer and additional set-up costs for new offices overseas "tempered the success in 2016," it said. Still, the division is "well positioned" to recover in 2017.

The company also pointed to some challenges at its processed foods division due to lower prices, competition in Australia, and the high New Zealand dollar, among other issues. Its New Zealand produce division fared better after it regained wholesale market share and saw improved results for imported tropical fruits.

T&G Global will pay a fully imputed final dividend for the 2016 financial year of 6 cents per share on April 7.

The shares last traded at $3.33 and have gained 62 percent over the past 12 months.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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Exploring Wild Weasel history, vital role in todays airpower

Shaw Weasels. These two words greet us as we pass through the gates in the morning for work and ring in the ears of Airmen during commanders calls.



It has become a common phrase here, but the history behind these two words is anything but common.



The Wild Weasel mission finds its origins during the Vietnam War in 1965, when American ingenuity once again proved that it can rise to meet and defeat whatever challenge the enemy throws its way.



Since 1965 the aircraft, pilots and tactics have changed dramatically, but the core essence of the Weasel mission has not.



In March 1965, as part of a massive effort to bring North Vietnam to the negotiating table, the United States launched its first major aerial campaign intended to cripple the Norths warfighting ability. As thousands of tons of bombs exploded on the Vietnamese countryside, the Norths leadership secretly began importing a radical new surface-to-air missile system, the SA-2 Guideline.



In May 1965, just after Operation Rolling Thunder commenced, U.S. reconnaissance flights began picking up telltale signs of these formidable missiles and not long afterward, the first shoot downs of American aircraft started.



On July 24, 1965, the SA-2 claimed its first victim, a U.S. Air Force F-4C Phantom II. Losses began to mount as the North Vietnamese honed their skills.



The U.S. was completely unprepared to deal with this new weapon, but something had to be done to stem the hemorrhaging of F-4s and B-52s from the fleet.



In October 1965 a specialized group of Air Force pilots met at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida to develop new tactics and equipment to counter the threat. This highly classified endeavor, code named Project Weasel, was the genesis of the now famous Wild Weasel mission.



Standard F-100F Super Sabre jets were modified to include specialized receivers to home in on the SA-2 radar signals, as well as devices used to warn of an impending missile launch. Their niche was to find and destroy the Norths surface to air missiles, completing their mission of suppression of enemy air defenses.



These SEAD missions were extremely perilous, as Wild Weasel pilots flew well out in front of the main formation of strike aircraft to entice the Vietnamese to turn their SA-2 radars on. The Weasels used evasive techniques, bombs and guns to keep the SA-2 sites preoccupied while the strikers entered and egressed the target areas. The presence of the specially modified F-100 Super Sabre and soon to be developed F-105 Thunderchief aircraft slashed losses of American aircraft as the pilots began earning their now famous, First in, Last out motto.



Fast forward about 50 years or so and the Wild Weasel mission has seen a number of changes, but the basic concept remains the same.



Following the Vietnam War, the U.S. transitioned to the F-4 Phantom II as its main Wild Weasel or SEAD platform, but was retired in 1996. Thus entered the mighty Block 50/52 F-16 Fighting Falcon, unofficially nicknamed the Viper.



The 20th Fighter Wing specifically flies the Block 50 version powered by a General Electric-129. Producing approximately 30,000 pounds of thrust and combined with the small size and enhanced fly-by-wire maneuverability, the Viper makes for an extremely powerful and nimble fighter that is perfect for the modern day Wild Weasel mission.



The Fighting Falcon pilots at Shaw and around the Air Force fly have several specialized avionics upgrades and weapons that are vital for mission execution, including the high speed anti-radiation missile, the HARM targeting system pod, and the sniper advanced targeting pod.



A far cry from the basic systems the pilots of yesteryear used, these upgrades allow for single seat pilots to manage the intense workloads of flying a high speed jet while simultaneously engaging enemy SAMs.



What exactly does the modern day SEAD mission entail?



While the enemy still has legacy systems such as the SA-2, SAMs have become infinitely more capable and deadly. Instead of SAM radars that can only engage one target at a time, many new systems can track and fire multiple missiles at multiple targets. If the U.S. were to become involved with a near-peer adversary, our Air Force would certainly face these new threats and without the F-16 and our specialized capabilities, the Air Force could suffer substantial losses.



A typical SEAD mission that Shaw pilots train for and fly every day starts with intense planning  a key to successfully taking down a network of integrated SAM sites. Factors that Weasel pilots have to consider include what types of strike aircraft are being escorted, length of time spent in a threat area, and what type of SAMs to expect.



Although planning is important, the execution phase is obviously where Weasels take action. Everything is choreographed down to the second, as there are specific times that each aircraft needs to penetrate the air defenses as well as drop their bombs. In order to protect the strikers and disrupt the enemys radars, Viper pilots use the HTS pod to cue the HARM. The HARMs sole job is to home in on the SAMs radar and explode, shutting down the missile system for good. Without a radar, a SAM operator is unable to guide his missiles to the target.



Another method Weasels use to disrupt SAMs is to find the actual system using the advanced targeting pod that we carry on the belly of our jet. Once we locate the radar with the pod, pilots can guide laser or GPS bombs to the target, ensuring destruction of the system.



Sometimes, just the threat of our F-16s being in the enemy airspace will be enough to keep the SAMs from turning on. In other words, no operator wants to turn his radar on and then get hit with a HARM thirty seconds later. Either way, pilots choose to disrupt enemy SAMs, the mission of allowing friendly strike aircraft to get to the target and back without being harassed by air defenses is accomplished.



The Wild Weasel mission that pilots fly today at Shaw stems from a proud legacy going all the way back to the Vietnam War. It is a crucial mission to the Air Force and one that is unique to the F-16.



Since Shaw has three of only six active duty SEAD squadrons the U.S. Air Force, our role for the defense of our country and around the world is vital.



Without the three squadrons at Shaw maintaining the highest state of readiness and proficiency in the SEAD mission, the combat capability of the Air Force would be severely degraded.


Cautionary Note

The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this release Shell, Shell group and Royal Dutch Shell are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words we, us and our are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. Subsidiaries, Shell subsidiaries and Shell companies as used in this release refer to companies over which Royal Dutch Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. Entities and unincorporated arrangements over which Shell has joint control are generally referred to as joint ventures and joint operations respectively. Entities over which Shell has significant influence but neither control nor joint control are referred to as associates. The term Shell interest is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in a venture, partnership or company, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

This release contains forward-looking statements concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on managements current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal Dutch Shell to market risks and statements expressing managements expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as anticipate, believe, could, estimate, expect, goals, intend, may, objectives, outlook, plan, probably, project, risks, schedule, seek, should, target, will and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this release, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shells products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; and (m) changes in trading conditions. There can be no assurance that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Royal Dutch Shells 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015 (available at www.shell.com/investor and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward looking statements contained in this release and should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this release, February 28 2017. Neither Royal Dutch Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this release.

With respect to operating costs synergies indicated, such savings and efficiencies in procurement spend include economies of scale, specification standardisation and operating efficiencies across operating, capital and raw material cost areas. We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this release that United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov.
BENGALURU: It is not often that the world finds itself at the cusp of a revolution, and an industrial one is even more uncommon. India missed the bus on the first major industrial revolution that was brought about in 18th century Britain, on account of being on the wrong side of colonial history. No other phase of innovation has transformed the industrial landscape to a similar extent, except the digital revolution in the latter half of the 20th century.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, we are about to witness the next industrial revolution, which has the potential to change the way we live, work, and interact with one another.

Technological breakthroughs at a rate that the world has never seen before are the defining characteristics of the latest revolution. This has been witnessed in various fields like artificial intelligence (AI) , robotics, the Internet of Things, 3-D printing, autonomous vehicles, nanotechnology and other similar technological innovations.

The implications of the oncoming revolution have been a topic of heated debate, especially in the developed world. The impact of robotics and AI on job creation is increasingly becoming a cause for concern. Recently, physicist Stephen Hawking warned that automation of factories would make traditional manufacturing jobs irrelevant while the advent of AI will cut deep into the middle classes.

Last week, Izabella Kaminska argued in a thought-provoking piece that recent innovations will displace high-paying skilled jobs, instead of menial jobs, since it would be more cost-effective for corporates. Bill Gates suggested that robots should pay an income tax for the negative impact they might have on employment. On the other hand, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs like Elon Musk favour the idea of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) to tackle the looming threat of job losses.

However, developing countries seem indifferent to the ongoing debate as if the issue were merely a first world problem. On the contrary, if either automation displaces mundane jobs or AI takes away more skilled jobs or both, employment in developing countries will take a major hit. In fact, a recent UN report claimed that as manufacturing is increasingly undertaken by industrial robots, developing countries could lose about two-thirds of all jobs.

Satya Nadella on his visit to India last week reassured the country that unemployment wouldn't be an issue for a services-led economy as in a world with "a lot of artificial intelligence, real intelligence will be scarce, real empathy will be scarce, real common sense will be scarce. So, we can have new jobs that are actually predicated on those attributes".

Underlying this reassurance are, in fact, a few causes of grave concern for a developing economy like India. First, the Indian economy is only services-led in terms of growth. Only about 30 pct of the population is employed in services, within which only a tiny proportion is employed in jobs that artificial intelligence might find hard to replace.

Second, it might just be a misnomer that AI will never be able to develop "real intelligence." Google has managed to develop AI that can respond to a piano player with its own set of notes based on various melodies it has learned. Self-learning AI can easily display human traits and put even creative jobs at risk.

Third, Nadella's remark on the creation of new jobs as a result of the destruction of old ones is based on the time-tested Schumpeterian logic. However, the question that India should concern itself with is the place where these new jobs would emerge. During the first industrial revolution, Britain managed to shift the job losses to its colonies with its machine-produced goods. Similarly, in current times the US is the centre of research and innovation, and American companies that are at the forefront of the technological revolution can as easily export unemployment as they had exported jobs to countries like India.

Mark Zuckerberg's recent 6,000-word manifesto on the future that he imagines for the world exposes the danger that arises from an America-centric technological revolution. He envisions that the next step for humanity is the creation of a global community in which Facebook can act as a facilitator. Such a world is not hard to fathom, and the "global community" can never find a better platform than Facebook since everyone is locked on to it and shifting to an alternative makes little economic sense. Therefore, in a technology-dominated world, American-centrism can only imply fewer jobs for developing economies.

Like the first industrial revolution, India is again merely coping with the effects on the sidelines. The country, like its erstwhile colonial counterpart, waits for the next technological innovation and adapts it into daily life. If India hopes to ride the next industrial revolution, it needs to be the centre of innovation.

The US owes Apple and Google for the world-class corporate labs that the country invested in during the last century. The country funded high-risk, long-term research projects and succeeded in heralding an industrial revolution. India needs a similar approach if it intends to survive the next one.

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JAMSHEDPUR: Tata Steels Noamundi Iron Mine (NIM), the first mine in the country to conduct pilot launch of Drone Application in Mine Monitoring, has bagged the first prize in the Overall Performance category at the 17th Mines Environment and Mineral Conservation (MEMC) week.

NIM also got the first prize under the category of Five Star Rating System among 14 mines that participated in the MEMC Week organised under the aegis of Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), Kolkata Region recently, a Tata Steel release today said.

Other prizes bagged by NIM included first prizes in Mineral Beneficiation and Sustainable Development and second prizes in the Afforestation and Best Stall categories.

Inspection team members from the different mines visited the participating mines and evaluated their performance based on afforestation, waste dump management, systematic and scientific development, mineral conservation, reclamation and rehabilitation, mineral beneficiation, environmental monitoring, sustainable development, publicity and propaganda as well as CSR activities, the release said.

A panel of judges evaluated two crucial developments SDF (Sustainable Development Framework) and Five Star Rating System after rigorous assessment.

Rajeev Singhal, vice president (Raw Materials), Tata Steel said "As we progress towards scientific and efficient mining practices for a sustainable future, such recognition is very encouraging."

Read Also:

India, SE Asian Nations Improving Connectivity: Nirmala

HPE, Tata To Build Largest IoT Network In India
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The sections of the department that most urgently deal with the needs of clients are the Job Placement Unit and the Social Welfare Unit. It is important to find a way for the two sections to work together in the best interest of the clients. With this idea at the forefront, the management team embarked on an initiative to train personnel in international labor standards by taking part in ILO (International Labor Organization) training. Facilitated and coordinated by Section Head of Labor Market, Natasha Richardson, the endeavor had the main objective of strengthening the capacity and knowledge of the Job Placement Unit and support functions related to same. The purpose of the ILO Training Program was to close the gaps on the needs as identified, and improve the services offered by the Job Placement Unit, and support services related to same.





The training, which began on Monday 13 February, 2017 and ended on Friday 17 February, 2017, was met with great enthusiasm by the officers of the job placement and social work units. The training was conducted by two instructors, Mr. Diego Rei (Port of Spain, Trinidad), and Ms. Donna Koeltz (Toronto, Canada). The week long training focused on the following areas:





* Career Guidance and Counselling





* Skills need anticipation and matching





* Performance Management and Monitoring and Evaluation in relation to public employment services.





Exercises aimed at developing competence of the responsible officers to offer state of the art services to job seekers within the new reorganized Job Placement Unit (Section Labor Market) and allow the latter to be managed adequately relating to its processes and services were conducted in form of role plays, presentations and group exercises. During the sessions, the instructors presented useful information on ISCO codes and international labor standards. Information on counselling clients in such a way that essential information is recorded and sound advice is given in a solution-oriented manner was also emphasized. The department was also encouraged to examine its use of resources and to prioritize tasks so that maximum productivity is achieved.





Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Honorable Emil Lee, lent his support to the training and also added to the conversation by offering an innovatively strategic plan to better facilitate job matching. He comments, "The Department of Labor has a critical function in our community, assisting our people to be placed in good jobs. As the department aspires to be a well-respected and successful institution, I applauded their decision to bring the ILO to assist with training and strategy development. Therefore, as a result of the ILO Training Program, the department is committed to making significant changes that will improve the products and services not only to job seeking clients but business clientele as well. The department will implement changes that are more attractive to business clients while simultaneously providing services that are more beneficial for job seeking clients.





In the upcoming days, the management team will be reevaluating internal job functions and meeting with various team members to discuss a fruitful way forward, including the rebranding of the respective Units. This step is wholeheartedly supported by Minister Lee, who states, True change begins with an openness and receptiveness to new or different ideas. I am delighted to see that the department has the courage to challenge their beliefs and old ways of doing things. I am extremely proud and happy with Department of Labor Affairs initiative and eagerness to innovate.





Consequently, clients and patrons of the relevant sections should be prepared for positive changes in the near future. The ILO instructors will also be checking in periodically in the coming months and will provide one-on-one consultations in an effort to move the department in the right direction. The department welcomes the input and looks forward to working with the ILO representatives, as well as the positive exchange of ideas and solutions received from the Chamber of Unions representatives, Chamber of Commerce representatives, and Members of the Labor Tripartite Committee.





As the year 2016 closed, the Department of Labor Affairs & Social Services reflected on its trials and triumphs. Declared the Year of Excellence, 2016 was met with both advancement in products and services as well as many internal changes and other challenges. Great effort was and is being put in place in order to move the department continuously forward. The Department of Labor Affairs and Social Services is an executional branch of government that deals directly with the people of St. Maarten, often times at a low point in their lives (loss of job, medical coverage, etc.). It is, therefore, imperative that the department not only meet the needs of the clients, but continuously strive to find solutions to many underlying societal problems.
Immigration, Borders, and Executive Orders will address the impacts of potential changes to U.S. immigration and border policies this Saturday, March 4, at Davis Auditorium. The event begins with a panel discussion, free and open to the public, at 11 a.m. Then faculty and students will gather in small groups over boxed lunches to continue the dialogue.



Mexico-US border Mexico-US border



Canada-US border Canada-US border

The panelists are Ruben Garcia, founder of El Pasos Annunciation House, which aids migrants fleeing violence in Mexico and Central America; alumna Heather Drabek Prendergast 04, chair of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement liaison committee for the American Immigrant Lawyers Association; and Andrea Callan, program director at the Worker Justice Center of New York, offering legal representation and advocacy to secure the rights of low-wage workers.

Our speakers have unique individual perspectives on policy changes that may impact us locally, statewide, and at the borders, says Diana Barnes, Spanish professor at Skidmore. She will moderate the discussion.

Afterward, faculty and interested students from Skidmore as well as Colgate and St. Lawrence Universities will gather in small groups for further discussion. Colgate and St. Lawrence, like Skidmore, are members of the New York 6 consortium of colleges funded by an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grant. The Saturday event is the culmination of NY6s "Immigration and Human Rights faculty-fellows project.
Water is a scarce resource in our semi-arid state. The last few summers of drought conditions have highlighted that fact, and raised concerns for those of us growing crops and raising livestock in Montana.

Why then is our state Legislature so eager to create a law that worsens droughts impacts and may burden senior water right holders? House Bill 339 (HB339) is moving quickly through the state Legislature and has us worried. It revives and modifies the exempt well loophole recently declared invalid by the courts, and gives developers a free pass to appropriate water without a water right.

In 1987, forward-thinking legislators provided sideboards to a provision in Montana state law that exempts small, individual wells from water use permits. Wells were only exempt if they pumped at a rate of less than 35 gallons per minute and no more than 10 acre feet per year. Importantly, projects with multiple wells drawing from the same aquifer had to get a water right permit.

But things went off the rails in 1993 when the Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) specified in a rule that projects with multiple wells drawing from the same water source (i.e., combined appropriation) only had to get a permit if those wells were physically piped together. This loophole swung open the door to unregulated construction of large subdivisions; each home built with its own exempt well drawing from the same groundwater source. No water right permit required. No consideration of drawdowns on ground water or nearby streams. No discussion of impacts to other permitted senior water users.

Since the implementation of that development-friendly rule, 75 percent of new homes built in Montana have been permit exempt and over 72,000 exempt wells have been drilled. Most of these wells were drilled in basins that have been closed by the state to new water appropriations  places like Ravalli, Gallatin and Madison counties where water supplies are limited, and big subdivisions, some with hundreds of homes, are increasingly common.

The Montana Supreme Court closed the loophole in 2016 after years of litigation, because it flies in the face of the prior appropriation doctrine, which governs the distribution of water in this state. Unfortunately, HB339 ignores this recent ruling, and codifies language that the Court rejected. In other words, HB339 cooks the poison right into the bill and leaves senior water right holders at risk.

Possibly the worst part of this bill is that senior water rights holders have no recourse if their wells or streams begin drying up. You cant object to, or make call on, an exempt well. This bill codifies special privilege for subdivision developers. It lets developers cut in line before other water users. Thats just not good policy.

HB339 does attempt to compromise and restrict the use of exempt wells by requiring spacing between wells. The proposed spacing would allow up to 64 new exempt wells per square mile in basins that are closed to new appropriations, each pumping up to 10 acre feet per year. Thats 640 acre feet of water  enough to irrigate over 400 acres. In basins that are not closed, the allowable amount of unregulated water withdrawal doubles. Farmers that irrigate 400 acres of land need a valid water right. Why should subdivisions be given a free pass?

In the bigger picture, HB339 is reckless. The so-called compromise in HB339 doesnt fix anything. It simply provides a free pass for subdivisions to lock up large quantities of water, no questions asked, and gives the rest of us no recourse. We can do better. Lets use hydrologic science, common sense, and respect for senior water rights to ensure the best possible future for our water resources and the people, fish, and wildlife that depend on them.

Water is precious. We need to provide this vital resource to Montanans for many generations to come. Please contact your state legislators and ask them to stop this irresponsible bill.

Absarokee area ranchers Polly Rex, Katrin Chandler and Betty Lannen; Blackfoot Valley irrigator and landowner Paul Roos; Tobacco Valley rancher Pat Flanagan; and Watson Irrigation Specialists, LLC
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After emotional testimony from members of the American Indian caucus, joined by both Democrats and Republicans who implored lawmakers to change the name of Columbus Day to Montana Heritage Day, members of the House voted 73-27 to move forward legislation that would do so.

Young children are increasingly exposed to the truth, and it resonates as a just cause for righteous indignation, Rep. Bridget Smith, D-Wolf Point, said. It affects the dignity of millions. The time to change this holiday is far overdue.

House Bill 514, sponsored by Smith, passed out of the House Education Committee on a 17-0 vote after being amended to change the name of the new holiday from the originally proposed Indigenous Peoples Day. It passed second reading Tuesday. It will be up for third reading Wednesday; if passed, it will move to the Senate.

Opposing the bill, Rep. Derek Skees, R-Kalispell, said the name of the holiday should stay the same so children can learn lessons from the past.

How do our children know these behaviors are unacceptable if we erase them from the history books? he asked.

Skees said Columbus Day is a celebration of the discovery of America and that the Pilgrims celebrated Columbus because he discovered this continent.

They celebrated the fact America was discovered so they could escape the tyranny of religious persecution, he said.

Rep. Kelly McCarthy, D-Billings, took objection to Skees' comments, saying Columbus did not discover the American continent.

No European can discover this continent any more than I can go down to Wyoming and discover Wyoming today, he said, pointing out that the town Skees is from is named for the Kalispel Tribe of Indians.

Rep. Sharon Stewart-Peregoy, D-Crow Agency, delivered an emotional defense of the bill.

When we talk about Columbus, it is actually a celebration of the conqueror, Stewart-Peregoy said. Some peoples freedom is other peoples subjugation, (people) who I represent.

Stewart-Peregoy said Natives are often depicted as barbaric throughout history, and changing the name of the holiday is a good start go correct misconceptions.

All the myths that have been perpetrated by history are not true, she said. The reason (pilgrims) survived was because the American Indians took them in and showed them how to survive on the land.

Stewart-Peregoy pointed to a massive 20-foot-by-12-foot painting by C.M. Russell that hangs in the House chamber depicting the Lewis and Clark expedition meeting Salish Indians in the Sula Basin near the Bitterroot Mountains, saying it was another example of American Indians helping white explorers.

Rep. Scott Staffanson, R-Sidney, also spoke in support of the bill. He said humans are sinners and need to fight hate in their hearts. He also called Columbus a secular saint who has no right to sainthood.

We will hate Indians in part because that is our human nature, Staffason said. We have to fight that. We need to get past this. We need to come together. I wish we quit this divisiveness and move on. I think this is a good step.

Speaking against the bill, Rep. Forrest Mandeville, R-Columbus, said his town's identity is tied to Columbus Day.

Growing up, Columbus Day was more of a community day, a community pride day, where we looked at our communitys history, Madeville said. Columbus was originally called Sheep Dip, then Stillwater. Its name was changed to avoid confusion with another Stillwater in a different state on the same railroad line.

Mandeville said nothing in state law mandates that a holiday must be celebrated in a certain way, and that communities are free to celebrate Columbus Day however they see fit.

Rep. Amanda Curtis, D-Butte, countered, saying the bill would change the section of state law that dictates what holidays must be recognized in the public school system.

The town of Bozeman in March 2016 designated the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples' Day after a proclamation by the mayor.
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When Caitlin Figueiredo was just six years old, she pledged her life to "helping the less fortunate and providing a voice for those without one".

It was an ambitious statement for someone in the first grade, but at the age of 21, there's no doubt Caitlin is using every spare minute to deliver on that pledge.

Caitlin Figueiredo wants people to know that "when you believe in yourself and stand in the light, you have the ability to change the world".

The ANU law student and born and bred Canberran recently won the Young Leader category of the Australian Financial Review's "Australia's 100 Most Influential Women" for her international work. In the past 18 months alone, Caitlin consulted to the United Nations on youth and gender equality, founded World Vision's youth movement VGen in Canberra, and became Australia's first Global Resolutions ambassador.

Last June, she met former first lady Michelle Obama in Washington after being named United State of Women's Gender Equality Global Champion.
Two big events on the calendar today with Australian GDP figures out this morning before Donald Trump makes his eagerly awaited speech to the US Congress early afternoon, Australian time.

1. GDP: The Australian GDP number coming through at 11:30 am, the expectation is the economy to have grown at 1.9%, up from 1.8%.



2. Trump speaks: The second "event" today is Trumps address to the US Congress, this is scheduled for 13.00 ADST. At President Trumps address to state governors yesterday the announcement of a $20 billion increase in military spending lifted military stocks like Lockheed Martin. Today is the "phenomenal" tax cuts will be announced. The markets will take the announcement and very quickly decide if the recent 16% rally from last November is justified, and is the market still trading at a discount to the tax cut numbers. For the history buffs, it was George Bush Snr, also a republican that inspired the DOW to rally 150% from the lows in 1992 to the highs of February 2000. Both Bush and his predecessor Reagan ran a supply side economic policy of lifting barriers to production and implementing tax cuts.. sound familiar?

3. ASX: The ASX 200 would be expected to trade flat from the open with the SPI futures down four points. With leads taken from the GDP release at 11.30 am, traders would be cautious of the US futures markets pricing during Trump's speech to the US congress. This first address will take the form of a state of the union address and comments about future action will be priced into the markets immediately.

4. Aussie dollar: The current FX cross of, AUD/USD has traded within a 28 point range for the past 4 days, more importantly it is testing the 0.7760 cent resistance, a strong GDP number today could see the AUD/USD move over this key resistance and on its way to 80 cents.
When Ian Wilson was offered consumer protection insurance as an add-on to a personal loan in 2006, he thought it could be worthwhile if he ever lost his job.

Stepping out of the workforce in 2014, while suffering anxiety and depression, Mr Wilson decided to make a claim to support him in his time off.

What followed was a seven-month battle with his insurance provider to have his claim acknowledged.

"When I originally looked at the product disclosure statement [PDS], I scanned over it and everything seemed reasonable. But then when I found out what I was getting knocked back for, I couldn't understand," he said.
Harvey Norman's $2.6 billion property portfolio continues to underpin the group's profitability, generating a $75.74 million value uplift and another $71 million in income.

The retail giant's record half-year results show runaway property values and blistering summer weather helped drive its total profits from property, furniture and whitegoods 39 per cent higher to $257.29 million.

While the retailer is best known for its sprawling electronics and furniture stores, its earnings from its extensive property holdings spiked 91 per cent, largely from the revaluations.

Without contributions from revaluations, the retailer's profit after tax was up 19.7 per cent to $204.27 million off the back of franchise sales, which grew 5.2 per cent to $2.86 billion.
Retail queen Jan Cameron says her spill of the Bellamy's Australia board will be good for the troubled baby formula maker and has put it on notice that she expects a quick turnaround.

"It's a win for shareholders and the company. It's the basis for renewal and change, cultural change in the company, and I'm very happy with the outcome," Ms Cameron said. "I think the [former] board has fallen down on being able to make good commercial decisions."

A new plan, she said, "needs to be set in place within the month."

Bellamy's extraordinary general meeting in Melbourne to vote on the push by disaffected shareholder Ms Cameron to replace the four independent directors with her own nominees was a fiery affair.
Women are more likely to be told to display "more confidence" and to get "more experience" by their managers if they want promotions, with new research showing almost 60 per cent of men were promoted twice or more in the past five years compared with only 41 per cent of females.

The gap in promotion rates only increases with seniority, according to a study by Bain & Company and Chief Executive Women.

The study, Advancing Women in Australia: Eliminating bias in feedback and promotions, based on the responses of 4500 people in business, government and not-for-profit sectors, found that eliminating bias in feedback and promotions was the root cause of the disparity in promotion rates.

It found women in line roles in corporate Australia are consistently moving through the promotion funnel at slower rates than male counterparts.
By now, the entire Western world knows they gave the best picture Oscar (briefly at least) to the wrong film on Monday. But what about the flipside of that equation? Did they eventually give it to the right one?

Most cinemagoers can't answer that question because Moonlight is one of the least-seen best picture winners in Oscar history.

In Australia, it has taken barely $1 million since opening on 26 screens a month ago. With the average Australian ticket costing $13.60, that's about 74,000 paying customers.

In the US, it had taken $US23 million ($A30 million) by Oscar day. Their average ticket price is $US8.73, suggesting an audience of 2.63 million or so. Even so, that's just 0.82 per cent of the population.
Cambodian mothers might not know it yet, but they are likely to be among those harmed by new Trump administration policies.

Access to health care for women in Cambodia has improved drastically in the last decade with the support of donor governments including the US and Australia. Maternal mortality rates have more than halved from 2005 to 2014. Yet those gains risk being undone by new restrictions that will lead to huge cuts in funds from the US, the biggest global donor on women's health.

The foreign minister reiterated calls for China to use its unique and potentially decisive leverage against the North Korean regime. Credit:Louise Kennerley

As a result, women's health and lives may depend on whether countries like Australia ramp up their support. On March 2, governments, businesses, and non-governmental organisations will gather in Brussels to build political and financial support for the international She Decides Fund, established by the Dutch government to help fill the massive funding gap created by the US. Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has been invited to attend.

One of Donald Trump's first acts as president was signing into effect a dramatically expanded "Global Gag Rule". The rule strips foreign non-governmental organisations of all US health funding if they use funds from any source to offer information about abortions, provide abortions, or advocate for liberalising abortion laws. For example, a health clinic in Cambodia offering vaccinations and treatment for TB and HIV infections with US funding and family planning assistance with Australian funds  including information about abortion  would lose all its US funding. NGOs will have to cut comprehensive reproductive health services or face cuts to their broader services. This damaging policy restricts women's choices, promotes censorship of critical health options, and will reduce overall availability of a range of health services in many places.
LINCOLN  Conduct by a former investigator with the Illinois Department of Corrections is under scrutiny over an investigation of an affair between a female inmate of Logan Correctional Center and a prison officer.

Jeffrey Gabor was terminated from the DOC in January following dismissal of criminal charges against Michael S. Allsup for custodial sexual misconduct with a female inmate.

The DOC declined to comment on the Gabor investigation or whether the agency has launched an investigation into his work on other cases involving alleged wrongdoing by DOC workers. Gabor was employed by the department from 2003 until Jan. 17, 2017.

Logan County State's Attorney John Wright said the charges were dropped against Allsup after his office received a report from the Illinois State Police about the relationship between the inmate and the correctional officer who resigned his post before charges were filed.

The information in the State Police reports indicate that Gabor was allegedly involved in a relationship with Allsup's wife while he was conducting an investigation into her husband's conduct. That information compromised the state's case against Allsup, Wright said.

Before Gabor went to work for the Corrections Department, he worked as a part-time patrol officer for the village of Hudson. He was acquitted of murder in 2001 in the controversial shooting of Shannon Smith. The victim, who reportedly had mental disabilities, was shot during a police chase after he failed to pay for $15 in gas.
Now we can start the experiment. Click on the Pauline Hanson's One Nation website. Go through her policies and aims one by one. Start with trade, then big business, budget repair, penalty rates, returned servicemen and women, Australian-made goods, Australian control of public assets, Australian ownership of rural land, the danger of foreign investment in property and the risks of population growth without reasonable planning. Look at Hanson's support for medical cannabis, euthanasia with safeguards, citizen's initiated referendums as a way of empowering the public over politicians, opposition to coal seam gas mining "until there is substantial evidence that it does not affect people's health, the environment, our farming and water", age pension rises, no increase in the pension age to 70, more infrastructure spending, forcing foreign companies to pay their share of tax and allowing under-38s to access their super to buy a house.

How about cuts to MPs' perks, acceptance of unions' role in the workplace and allowances for all university and TAFE students? And yes, let Russell Crowe become an Australian citizen because the Kiwi-born Aussie can't be one under existing laws. Notice anything? Besides the simplicity and expense of many of One Nation's ideas, Hanson's vision is closer to that of the Greens, the Labor Left and Nick Xenophon than it is to most of what Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten took to the last election. Let's make this clear. I am NOT advocating a vote for One Nation. I feel too angry about Hanson's views on immigration, Muslims, Aborigines and climate change.

But neither am I demonising anyone who supports her for other policies. If you changed her party name to "Make Australia Great Again", my guess is that Hanson would attract far more than the 10 per cent of the vote opinion polls suggest. Maybe enough Australians ARE concerned enough about terrorism to accept lower, selective immigration as an answer. Maybe enough voters know that both major parties are hopeless at global warming solutions. This is not a peculiarly Australian view, as you know. Millions of Americans overlooked Donald Trump's myriad flaws. Millions of Brits overlooked the racist undercurrent of Brexit. The French are faced with a similar decision in the first round of their presidential race on April 23.

My favourite British columnist, Satyajit Das at The Independent, made a telling point this week when he wrote it was possible that centre-left voters would back far right Front National candidate Marine Le Pen, especially if their preferred candidates, the Socialist Benoit Hamon and En Marche's Emmanuel Marcon (the centrist who called French colonialisation a crime) did not reach the second round of voting. "Le Pen's economic policies are close to that of the centre-left," Das wrote. "Le Pen promises to reverse globalisation and shield domestic industries from competition to benefit French workers. She promises increased welfare spending and a lower retirement age. Le Pen appeals to the idea of a grand French renewal and the rejection of traditional politics." Sound familiar? This convergence of Left and Right reminds me of my misspent angry youth when I somehow managed to morph from a big government Marxist to a no-government anarchist to a full-on democratic anarcho-syndicalist (thank you Monty Python) to an anarchist again, then to an independent pragmatist, without any pangs of conscience. Das writes that the main French presidential candidates, Hamon and the scandal-prone centre-right Republican Francois Fillon, "are representatives of a decayed political system, riddled with corruption and repeated failure".

Sound familiar? What's more, as Das notes, "the sanitised" Front National under Le Pen "has shed elements of its controversial past, such as racism and anti-Semitism". If Hanson did something similar  and jettisoned the extremes on climate change  she'd be an easier choice for many Australians. Until she does, of course, most of us will not even consider supporting her. And of course Australia doesn't have a presidential election system.
The education of future generations is an important economic issue. Credit:Quentin Jones We get an even more worrying picture from the results of the national assessment program  literacy and numeracy, NAPLAN. Peter Goss and colleagues, of the Grattan Institute, have pioneered the technique of converting NAPLAN results into "years of progress", using the results of Victorian students. They find that the spread of student achievement from highest to lowest more than doubles as students move through school. Low achieving students fall ever further back. They are two years and eight months behind in year 3, but three years and eight months behind by year 9. Students in disadvantaged schools make about two years less progress between year 3 and year 9 than similarly capable students in high-advantaged schools.

Great. But what about the government's claim to have been spending more and more on schools? Birmingham keeps saying that federal funding has increased by 50 per cent since 2003. This is highly misleading, particularly since what matters is total school funding, coming from both federal and state governments. According to Cobbold's fact checking, the real increase in total government spending per student over the nine years to 2013-14 was just 4.5 per cent. There's more. Although the non-government sector enrols less than 20 per cent of all disadvantaged students, the nine-year increase for non-government schools was 9.8 per cent, whereas the increase for government schools was only 3.3 per cent. So, does spending more money buy better school performance? Not if you spend it on more of the wrong things.

The truth is that we haven't been spending a lot more in recent times but, in any case, much of what we have been spending hasn't been spent effectively. Between the federal and state governments, we've given more to advantaged schools than don't need it, at the expense of disadvantaged schools that do need it. When you study the standardised test results, the answer to how the money could be spent more effectively  that is, in a way that increases the probability it will produce better school performance  leaps out at you: we need to spend more per student on disadvantaged schools and less per student on advantaged schools, where parents have demonstrated their willingness to supplement the school's finances by paying fees. In other words, the obvious way to make government spending on schools more cost-effective is to put it on a needs basis. We'll know soon enough whether Birmingham has made any progress on that, or has succumbed to pressure from non-government schools following that less-than Christ-like motto: "For unto every one that hath shall be given".

But though it would help to direct more of the funding to schools with more of the disadvantaged students, we need to ensure schools spend whatever they get as effectively as possible. One new technique that research says would improve outcomes is "targeted teaching". One of its advocates, Goss of the Grattan Institute, says teachers should be provided with the time, tools and training they need to collect robust evidence of student learning, discuss it with other teachers, and use it to target their teaching to the wide range of student learning needs in their classroom. Higher achieving students should be stretched, lower achieving students should be supported to catch up, and no student who stalls should go unnoticed, he says. The school fosters a culture of progress, in which teachers, students and parents see learning success as being about effort and improvement, not ability and attainment. And see assessment as a way to improve, not to expose student failures.
While it may sound like a cool idea to bring animals like the Tasmanian tiger back from extinction, new research shows this would come at the cost of other already threatened species.

The research published in Nature Ecology and Evolution found reintroducing extinct species would cost New South Wales and New Zealand three to eight-times more respectively than conserving threatened species.

The last known Tasmanian Tiger, or Thylacine, died at Hobart Zoo in 1936.

Professor Hugh Possingham, chief scientist with The Nature Conservancy, said the researchers have spent 10 years helping the NZ and NSW governments prioritise their conservation money.

Their new research, he said, shows that resurrecting extinct animals would not be worth the cost.
There is about 10 per cent less sea ice in Antarctica this year than the previous record minimum - a stunning reversal after new highs were set in 2014.

The sea ice extent around the southern continent has shrunk to 2.1091 million square kilometres on Tuesday, Jan Lieser, a sea ice scientist at the Hobart-based Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Co-operative Research Centre, said.

The area covered by sea ice has been tracking below the previous record low of 2.32 million square kilometres set in February 2011 for most of the past three weeks, and is now about 10 per cent lower. (See chart compiled by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency for ice coverage.)
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop will bring every ambassador back to Australia in an unprecedented move designed to help shape the final components of the Turnbull government's new foreign policy.

In an Australian-first step, 113 heads of mission - which includes the nation's ambassadors, high commissioners and consuls-general - will return for three days next month, as the government looks to reset how Australia navigates its foreign, trade and development policies on the global stage.

Every head of mission, with the exception of a few whose terms are about to expire, will meet in Canberra for a two-day meeting with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Ms Bishop and Trade Minister Steven Ciobo, as well as a representative from Labor, to contribute to the long-awaited Foreign Policy White Paper, due to be delivered later this year.

The paper is being developed as Australia attempts to steer a course through an increasingly turbulent foreign landscape, which includes the Trump presidency, tensions over the South China Sea, anti-trade sentiment and global terrorism challenges.
Australia's biggest business and employer groups cancelled a high-powered phone hook-up planned for Tuesday night to discuss how to counter a Labor-union political campaign opposing cuts to Sunday penalty rates.

While they are divided on how to challenge the campaign, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has written to every member of the crossbench to pressure them to support Labor's bill to stop a cut to Sunday penalty rates.

In Parliament on Tuesday, Malcolm Turnbull and Mr Shorten traded blows again over the issue, with the Prime Minister pointing out the review had begun under Labor.

He also accused the Opposition Leader of hypocrisy for previously defending the independence of the Fair Work Commission, but now proposing legislation that would override the Commission's decision.
Senior government ministers are resisting renewed debate over section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act, as a fresh backbench push threatens to once again divide the Coalition over free speech.

Treasurer Scott Morrison, preparing for the release of key national accounts figures on Wednesday, warned that changing the 18c racial hate laws would not help reduce unemployment or improve any other economic metric.

"I know there are a lot of people who are interested in this issue," he said. "As a senior figure in this government ... I know this issue doesn't create one job, doesn't open one business, doesn't give anyone one extra hour. It doesn't make housing more affordable or energy more affordable.

"I don't see any intersection between that issue and those priorities."
A committee stacked with Liberals couldn't agree on recommending changes to the Racial Discrimination Act putting Malcolm Turnbull in the worst of all positions. If he acts, he does not have the political cover of the parliamentary inquiry and if he doesn't, he continues to feel the heat from a disgruntled base and noisy conservatives who say it's a sign of his government's impotence. [Michelle Grattan/The Conversation] George Christensen pictured for Good Weekend. Credit:Andrew Meares George Christensen who was so visibly silenced by being Nationals Whip (yes that's sarcasm font) has quit as Nationals whip to speak out (even more). More seriously, the merged Liberal National Party in Queensland looks in danger with the Nats wanting their own branding and possibly separate partyroom. [Philip Coorey/Financial Review] The political centre has been smashed in favour of populism, writes Paul Kelly. [The Australian]

Nice read on France's visiting Foreign Minister, middle powers doing more to advance democracy and democratic interests and increasing their economic ties. [Laura Tingle/Financial Review] Today we find out if Australia is in technical recession. The GDP figures are released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics at 11.30am. But economists are expecting the numbers will show the economy grew in the last quarter. [ABC] 3. India retains fastest growing economy

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Credit:AP India is still the world's fastest growing economy despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cash crackdown. GDP slowed from 7.4 per cent to 7.0 per cent but this astounded economists, given Modi took out 86 per cent of the country's currency, virtually overnight. Economists fear though these figures aren't fully capturing the impact of his demonitisation policy. [The Times of India] 3. Islamic State drones

An Iraqi officer inspects drones belonging to Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq. Credit:AP The global coalition helping fight Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, , of which Australia is a member, is trying to improve its access to the world's media and is committing to monthly briefings with London-based reporters. Today Major General Rupert Jones was in town spruiking the advances being made in Iraq. He says the flow of foreign fighters, once in the hundreds per month, is now just down to a "trickle," although wouldn't provide exact numbers. He was also coy on exactly how they are combating Islamic State's use of weaponised drones, which he admits is "insidious" on the battlefield but insists is a sign of the jihadi's "desperation" as they face losing their strongholds in Mosul and Raqqa. [My report/Fairfax] 4. UKIP implosion

UKIP continues to provide the political drama in the UK. Nigel Farage, that battler for the people, is outraged that UKIP's only MP in the British Parliament, Douglas Carswell, didn't back him for a Knighthood. Carswell, who sensationally defected from the Conservatives to UKIP, is a more genteel sort of UKIP MP, in that he doesn't share the Farage's harsh anti-immigrant rhetoric or policies. Douglas Carswell (centre) with Boris Johnson (right). Credit:Getty Images Their mutual loathing of each other escalated today when Farage, writing in an opinion piece, called for the MP to be kicked out of the party.

"If he didn't like me, or our policy on immigration, why on earth did he join the party in the first place? By February 2015, he was totally disconnected from the rest of the party," Farage complained. [The Telegraph] And it raises again the question - without Brexit, what is UKIP? [Robert Hutton/Bloomberg] 5. Charges over Kim Jong-nam death South Korea says the apparent use of chemical weapons to kill the half-brother of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un should serve as a "wake up call" and the international community should punish the rogue nation. Two women who allegedly carried out the attack, killing Kim Jong-nam with the VX nerve agent, will be charged and could face the death penalty, Malaysia has confirmed. [Reuters]

6. Iron age gold found Two friends have found several pieces of Iron Age gold jewellery which could be oldest ever discovered in Britain. The pair found the three necklaces and bracelet while metal detecting on farmland in Staffordshire. The best part? They were just about to call it a day when they made their discovery. [BBC]
What she didn't know was that he was sharing photos of children on a network. Some of those photos were of her 12-year-old daughter by a former partner. Some were photos of naked children. Some were dressed. But all of them were of children. "He actually got done for quite a few pornographic images but they weren't of my daughter, they were of other people's," she says. The couple also had one child together, who was two years old at the time. The women left behind when men are caught consuming and sharing child porn get zero support, although they too are victims. The usual response is that the partner of the perpetrator must have known. These are the stories that Natalie Walker hears every day. She's the founder and director of PartnerSPEAK, an organisation that works to help women whose partners are caught with child abuse material. Walker began PartnerSPEAK because it happened to her too. But she didn't get the closure of an arrest or time in jail. Her partner avoided any of the consequences.

"When I discovered that my ex-partner was using child abuse material, there were no support services at all," she said. Walker discovered a whole world where no-one believed men like that could even have partners, let alone partners who needed help. Walker is hosting the PartnerSPEAK Gendered Violence Professional Development Symposium this week to specifically address the impact of online child abuse offending on families. It's a huge step in the struggle to support the many women who are abandoned by systems because their partners have offended. The keynote speaker is Rosie Batty, whose former partner was also charged with related offences. He never faced those charges because he murdered their son Luke and was then killed himself. "I couldn't find anything out and the police wouldn't tell me. I found out in court and the police would have shared but they erred on the side of caution because of the privacy. "I was sickened to the stomach," she said.

Also speaking at the symposium is Marg Liddell, the lead Australian researcher in this area and the author of the 2015 report Women's Experiences of Learning about the Involvement of a Partner Possessing Child Abuse Material in Australia, and she says Linda's experience of systems and organisation is so common for those whose partners have offended in this way. "The way affected partners are treated is appalling... and [those women] have nowhere to go with their pain," she said. The extreme stigma of the situation also means that the necessary support services and research struggle to find funding. "This is a taboo subject and people don't want to acknowledge it exists." In 2004, says Natalie Walker of PartnerSPEAK, Operation Auxin saw nearly 200 people arrested on charges of child pornography. In one case, the wife's name was printed and published. "And we didn't do anything for that woman or any of the 200 families involved. Nothing."

There are, Walker believes, thousands and thousands of family members who need support and they have nowhere to go. Those family members are often shamed and isolated, even by those they considered friends. "When it first happened, it was really hard," says Linda. "I lost a lot of friends. I lost all my family. But there was something I wanted to work on." And that something was what so many women and men decide to do in their rocky relationships, although rarely in such difficult circumstances. She decided that when her partner got out of jail, she would take him back. "I brought up my other children hating their dad and I didn't want that to happen again," she says. "All the memories of the love that we had up to the point where it all went wrong helped me forgive him."

She says that the attitude of the Department of Community Services has changed and is less confrontational, enabling this to work in practice, with safety measures in place. "[Our daughter] is very aware that dad doesn't see her nude, it is just mum. For her, that's normal for girls to do around their dads. She has been made self-aware about what's allowed for people and I make her very aware of what's wrong. "It's slowly, one step at a time and understanding that, that's the hardest thing." She says her partner must also follow rules. He is not permitted to use social media and she sees that he is much more open about what he does. "I see a change in him, there are no secrets now. It's my belief that people can change," she says. But if he ever did something like that again, "I wouldn't think twice about hurting him a very bad way."

Linda understands why people might judge her for the decision, but says she wanted her daughter to have parents who are loving and functioning. "I know that's hard for someone who is not in my circumstances to get their head around. It is easier now than when it first happened." As for Linda's older daughter, she moved out of the family home but she still visits, sees her mother and they have lunch together. "She didn't know what he did for quite a while." Rachel Condry, the author of Families Shamed: The Consequences of Crime for Relatives of Serious Offenders and a speaker at the symposium this week, says women are judged for their decision to back their partners. The visiting scholar from Oxford said: "In my research none of the women I interviewed condoned the offending  indeed the public view of partners in this situation is to see them as somehow tolerating or accepting this kind of offending, when nothing could be further from the truth.
The extended family of an electrician who allegedly wanted to help the Islamic State with missile detection technology was already on the police radar for funding an arms racket linked to the terrorist group.

Haisem Zahab was arrested on Tuesday at his property in Young in NSW's south-west, for allegedly attempting to research and design a laser warning device and missiles for IS over the internet.

The 42-year-old had been under investigation for 18 months as part of the Australian Federal Police's Operation Marksburg.

The operation, focusing on the extended Zahab family, involved seizing $530,000 from the sale of a Condell Park home last year split into several accounts and travel debit cards belonging to four family members.
DECATUR  A tornado watch for much of Central Illinois has been extended to 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Affected counties include Macon, Christian, Coles, Effingham, Shelby, Piatt, DeWitt, Shelby and Sangamon, according to the National Weather Service at Lincoln.

People should make sure their NOAA weather radios are working and nearby, as severe weather is expected overnight when many will be asleep.

Severe storms struck the northern part of the region on Tuesday night. One person was killed in Ottawa, about 118 miles north of Decatur, and emergency crews were looking for people trapped in rubble in the neighboring town of Naplate.

Light showers could continue later Wednesday morning, with cooler weather expected for Thursday and Friday. By the weekend, highs are expected to rise back into the 50s and 60s.
A former chief HSC English examiner has described the overhaul of the HSC as an "unprecedented watering down" of the English syllabuses and warned students could finish Year 12 "without reading a book".

Jackie Manuel, a Sydney University academic who has also been involved in reforms to the state's English syllabuses for kindergarten to Year 10, said she was dismayed that it would no longer be mandatory for year 12 students to read a novel or study a poem.

Dr Manuel, who was chief HSC English examiner from 2007 to 2011, described the sweeping changes to the syllabus as "vandalism of the subject".

"This is sending a strong message to students and the community that fiction and poetry, two of the most sophisticated forms of human expression in language, do not matter," Dr Manuel said.
Commuters face the closure of Sydney's Bankstown Line for up to two months each year for five years from 2019 and more than the usual number of shut downs at weekends to allow for construction of a new multibillion-dollar metro train line.

Those closures are in addition to the shut down of the rail line for three to six months towards the end of the construction phase of the project in late 2023.

The extent of the disruptions to tens of thousands of commuters who travel on the 13.5-kilometre stretch of track is detailed in an infrastructure report on the Sydenham-to-Bankstown component of the $20 billion Sydney metro rail line.

The report said track possessions  when trains would not be running  would occur during each of the December-January school holidays between 2019 and 2024, as well as the two-week holidays in July of each year during the period.
Two former Brothers for Life figures have been found guilty of murdering standover man Joe Antoun at his Sydney home.

Mr Antoun was shot four times through the screen door of his Strathfield home on December 16, 2013, in front of his wife, Tegan, and with his children inside.

A CCTV camera outside his home captured a man in a hooded jumper running up his driveway, waiting at the door and fleeing after firing a succession of shots.

It was alleged former Brothers for Life gang Blacktown chapter leader Farhad Qaumi and his brother Mumtaz Qaumi had accepted a contract to kill Mr Antoun in exchange for money related to the purchase of a kebab shop.
The government has withdrawn its appeal of the Palm Island police racism ruling.

Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said the state government would withdraw the appeal before the Full Federal Court in the case of Wotton and Others vs the State of Queensland and Commissioner of the Police Service.

Lex Wotton and his family were awarded $200,000 ion a Federal Court discrimination case. Credit:Paul Harris

The government and Queensland Police Service appealed the Federal Court's ruling in a discrimination case over a death in custody on Palm Island that awarded $200,000 to Lex Wotton and his family.

It appealed against findings it had breached the Racial Discrimination Act following the death in custody of Cameron Doomadgee on Palm Island and the riots on the island in 2004.
"We always heard it's a phase, it's a phase, it's a phase." Rachel said her child's behaviour was sometimes almost primal. "Even patterns on the sheets - she would end up ripping them off the bed in a frenzy, not acknowledging if boys even existed," she said. "Putting on a pair of shorts, Samuel would put two legs in one hole and put the other hole down his back so he had a skirt on. "We were prepared for Stephen to say, look, you're crazy, or it's all you, you want a daughter.

"But what he said was Samuel was classified as what's called gender variant behaviour." Rachel said Dr Stathis gave her information and statistics on how many children would desist and live as their natural gender or develop a sexual orientation that was not heterosexual. "Our child was three-and-a-half years old and we were being prepared for our child to be gay or transgender or no gender, suicide, self harming, we were being given lots of avenues that this could go down," she said. Rachel said the school was wonderful and diverse in their thinking, with her Prep teacher giving Olivia the time to be a child in an environment without gender. "School was a very gender-oriented place - girls' bags, boys' bags, girls' lines, boys' lines," she said.

By the end of Prep, the family decided to allow her to start wearing dresses outside the home. But Olivia decided to tell her classmates on her own. "Our plan was that she would go back to Grade 1 as Olivia, but obviously she just couldn't wait," Rachel said. "She sat the class down one day and told them she had something to say and that she was now Olivia." Rachel said once the transition happened, Olivia had a "euphoric" feeling but it went in cycles.

"She really feels that she's waiting for someone to say something to her, she fills with huge levels of anxiety," she said. During her last appointment, Olivia asked if she could have a womb transplant. During the Christmas break, a girl started her menstrual cycle and told Olivia "what a girl is". "Olivia is now in that grief cycle of loss, understanding that she will never ever be what she considers is a real girl, yelling and screaming, projecting anger at people," Rachel said. "What happens is that I can't put her two brothers to bed properly because by the time I get to them, they're asleep."

Rachel said she and her husband went through feelings of "grief" of the loss of a child. "But you feel you have no right to grieve because you have this child, and you have all these mementos of Samuel but all of a sudden you're not allowed to display them anymore," she said. "How do you maintain the connection to the past when your child doesn't want you to?" Rachel said many people did not understand, and they put on "masks" to go to work: "They don't know what we deal with when we come home". "Life isn't good right now. You don't want to give that impression that they transitioned and everything is great - because it's just not."

But Rachel said the funding from the Queensland government was vital as it meant faster access to specialists. "Families need it, you are lost, you are grieving, you are trying to find out where to go next," she said. "That extra funding and getting more support up there for families to access quicker is the difference between good mental health and bad mental health." How did the clinic start? About half a decade ago, the clinic started organically after Dr Stathis, then in a consultation liaison role at the Royal Children's Hospital, started getting referrals of children and adolescents who were gender dysphoric or who had gender variant interests and behaviours.

He said the numbers started to rise and so he developed his own "clinic", which was not funded, with paediatric endocrinologist Professor Jennifer Batch, in their own time. Dr Stathis would see clients about four hours a week, referring people who met the criteria for hormone treatment to Professor Batch, for her monthly clinic. "Once I developed a name that I was interested in this area, suddenly I started to get many, many referrals," Dr Stathis said. About three years ago, the number of clients started to climb "significantly". "To the point where in November last year, I had a two-year waiting list for me to see young people," Dr Stathis said.

"And then the waiting list continued. The numbers were growing by about 25 per cent per quarter." The wait time to then see Professor Batch was about nine months, meaning it was almost a three-year wait from when Dr Stathis received a referral to when a young person could start medical treatment. "We had over 70 young people just on the wait list [late in 2016]," he said. A gender clinic was formally set up at the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital in recent months, with regular mental health assessments every Friday, with recurrent funding meaning permanent staff can be hired. Dr Stathis said he expected more people to come forward after hearing the wait time was reduced.

Are all the people who present to the clinic transgender? But Dr Stathis said not all young people he saw were gender dysphoric, with some gender variant. "Numbers of young people were getting their sexual identity mixed up with their gender identity." "There's so many different terms, gender diverse - their interests and behaviours were not falling between what we would call cultural norms," Dr Stathis said. Dr Stathis said girls could do "stereotypical boys things" and were called a tomboy.

"But boys, you put on a pink tutu and you're off to see the doctor," he said. "There's a lot of cultural norms here which makes it very complex." Dr Stathis said many of the young people he saw were very distressed, had mental health problems and were suicidal. "Many of these young people were just gender variant, they didn't identify as the opposite gender, they just like to do things that the opposite gender likes to do," he said. "A little boy would say to me, 'Dr Steve, I like playing with dolls and I like fairies and I like dressing up, but I'm still a boy'. That's not gender dysphoria."

Dr Stathis said he occasionally saw young girls who had been sexually abused, who said, 'I want to be a male'. "In their view, if they were only a male they wouldn't have been sexually abused and they would have been protected," he said. "The treatment for that is not hormone treatment, the treatment around that would be treatment around sexual abuse." Dr Stathis said other adolescents almost saw it as a "lifestyle choice", with no evidence of being truly transgender. "It became really, really complex."

Why is the wait time important? Dr Stathis said if a young person wanted treatment at the age of 12 or 13 and were at the start of puberty, it would previously take them three years to get medical treatment. "The evidence is for those children and adolescents who are gender dysphoric, early medical and mental health treatment significantly reduces long term medical and psychiatric morbidity," he said. "Children who are gender dysphoric, about 40 per cent would screen positive for mental health issues. "Adolescents, up to 90 per cent screen positive for depression, anxiety, suicidal behaviour, self harm."

Dr Stathis said he had seen horrendous things, such as children wanting to cut off their penises, adolescent girls trying to cut their breasts and girls binding their breasts with duct tape because they were so distressed by their development. "When the duct tape comes off, the skin just gets ripped off," he said. Dr Stathis said some children were so distressed by their genitals they could not touch or wash them, causing "horrible fungal problems, their hygiene is so poor." He said for some girls, the thought of touching their genitals was so offensive, they could not use pads, let alone tampons, and instead tried using pull-up nappies that leaked and smelt. "They don't go to school, truly the most horrendous thing.

"And then I've seen it, once you just listen to these young people, once you believe in them, once you take them seriously and then treat their medical problems, many of their mental health issues go away." But Dr Stathis said it was tough and some mental health problems did not go away completely. Other desperate young people bought medication or testosterone illegally online or asked a female friend to give them the birth control pill, both of which could have serious side effects, and if they were self treating, they may not necessarily be transgender. "There may be other issues going on and that needs to be worked through," Dr Stathis said. Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service will receive $1.117 million over four years to reduce patient wait times at the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital gender clinic as part of the government's $5.27 million Sexual Health Strategy.

A key focus will be to reduce patient wait times regarding access to endocrine treatment. Dr Stathis said early treatment with hormones could reduce long-term physical effects, such as the "male look" that many people had if they were treated late in life. He said the funding meant the wait time could be reduced from about three years to three months. What happens if you present to the clinic? A referral to the clinic usually comes from a GP or specialist.

Dr Stathis said the process included a full mental health assessment, follow-up consultation with the young person, their family and community, a referral to a second psychiatrist to confirm the diagnosis and eventually might include a referral to an endocrinologist. Dr Stathis said for young people who were gender dysphoric to receive hormone blockers, they first needed to demonstrate they had socially transitioned for a minimum of six months. "They live as their preferred gender, or the 'real life experience'," he said. This includes dressing as that gender, being addressed as "she" or "he", possibly changing your name and using the correct bathroom. If they received a referral to an endocrinologist, they would be examined to make sure there were no medical reasons they could not receive treatment.

If at the stage of puberty, they could start on a pubertal suppression drug called Lucrin, which would either block testosterone production if they were male, or estrogen production if they were a female. They will grow normally, but stop developing secondary sex characteristics, although it is reversible and can be stopped at any time. The age they receive Lucrin depends on the age that puberty begins. Lucrin costs more than $1000 an injection, and is given every three months. Young people stay on Lucrin until about 16 years old, unless they want to stop.

Once they reach 16 years old, they need the approval of the Family Court to receive hormone treatment - estrogen or testosterone - which could cost up to $15,000 in legal fees. But the hospital is unusual in Australia in that it absorbs the costs of Lucrin and the court costs. Dr Stathis said the majority of people who present do not need treatment. "About 75 per cent of boys and girls who present with gender variant interests and behaviours, or who are gender diverse, will desist," he said. "You might get a six or seven-year-old girl wanting to dress as a boy. She may even say she wants to be a boy. When she hits puberty, she says 'no, I'm just a girl who likes to do boy things'."
The government will investigate what actions can be taken to prevent a repeat of the leaking of proposed new electoral boundaries last week.

On Thursday, the North West Star (owned by Fairfax Media, publisher of this website) published a map showing the proposed new Queensland electoral boundaries.

The ECQ has been asked to investigate how to prevent future leaks, including changes to advertising.

The leak was followed by numerous other media organisations.

The details of the Queensland Redistribution Commission proposal were due to be announced at a press conference on Friday morning.
A double-murderer who was the first documented case of a Queensland criminal who took drugs to boost his confidence in preparing for the killings became, years later, the state's first prisoner to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree behind bars.

The remarkable story of how detectives caught the teenager responsible for the Coorparoo Junction murders and the records he broke during and after the crime was shared at the Queensland Police Museum, more than 50 years after the shocking crime.

The Coorparoo Junction murderer, 18-year-old James Christopher Wylie Whiteford. Credit:Sunday Truth Newspaper

Members of the Wood family were shot, stabbed and burned in their home on Cavendish Road in 1964, with only one of the three women surviving the horrific attack.

It started on the evening of March 21, 1964. About midnight, 55-year-old Meta Wood woke to see a man standing on the back patio of her home and toy shop business armed with a .22 calibre rifle and large knife.
Two police officers have been disciplined following an investigation into their handling of Tara Brown's initial request for a domestic violence protection order.

The 24-year-old was brutally beaten to death with a metal fire hydrant cover by her ex-partner Lionel Patea after he ran her off the road in the Gold Coast in September 2015.

The former Bandidos bikie pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to life in prison for her murder on Monday.

Shortly after Ms Brown's death Queensland Police Service launched an investigation into the "appropriateness" of the initial response she received at the Southport Police Station.
If John Moody and his team get their way we'll be launching rockets from his space centre in Rockhampton, Queensland, some time next year. It might sound crazy, but this is a small business to watch.

The Moody Space Centre is in the process of securing its Australian launch licence, which will give it permission to launch rockets from Australian soil. So far Moody says he has spent about 10,000 hours securing the licence.

John Moody is looking for up to $2 million to fund the business.

"We're working with the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. They are helping us out because it's the first application of its kind in Australian history," Moody adds.

The department administers the Space Activities Act 1998. A department official confirms a space licence is needed to operate a launch facility in Australia.
You're not likely to find them at your local cafe alongside smashed avocado, but cane-toad sausages will soon be on the menu for wildlife in NSW. It's all part of a program designed to stop cane toads wiping out native predators, such as the spotted-tail quoll.

Professor Rick Shine at the University of Sydney last year won the Prime Minister's science prize for his work protecting native predators in Australia's north from the cane toad invasion.

Now, thanks to a grant from the NSW government, Professor Shine will apply what he has learnt in the Northern Territory to fight on the invasion front in northern NSW.

Feeding native predators cane-toad sausages laced with a nauseant, means that species such as lace monitors, land mullets, quolls and other reptiles learn to avoid the deadly toads.
DECATUR  Detectives are investigating the attempted murders of a Decatur man and his sister Saturday night, and a spate of other weapons offenses early Sunday that are believed to be related.

The 20-year-old man and his sister, 24, were hit by multiple gunshots as they backed out of a driveway in the 1000 block of West View Street about 11:19 p.m. Saturday. Police did not have updated condition reports on the pair of victims, although it's understood both are expected to survive.

In the early morning hours following the shootings, written police reports say some buildings were hit by gunfire but there were no reported injuries. Police logged unlawful use of weapons incidents beginning around 1 a.m in the 500 block of W. Division Street, then at 2:10 a.m in the 3700 block of N. Portage Place and an aggravated discharge of a firearm in the 1700 block of W. Center Street at 4:19 a.m.

A final unlawful use of weapons incident was reported at 4:41 a.m in the 100 block of W. Leafland Avenue. Sgt. Chris Copeland confirmed that those incidents were believed to be related.

Copeland said he could not comment yet on the search for suspects but appealed for the public's help: If anybody has information, we encourage them to call us (217-424-2734) or Crime Stoppers (423-8477).

Neighbors who live close to the West View Street shooting scene described their road as normally quiet with a lot of the homes occupied by people who are retired. But they said that sense of quiet faded in the last six weeks when some new, much younger residents moved onto the block where the shooting took place.

Oscar Green, who lives across the street, said he had just walked indoors from his front porch when he heard three shots and saw a number of vehicles fleeing in different directions.

I heard the shots  pow-pow-pow  and then everybody in that house scattered, just like roaches, said Green, 65. One of the vehicles tore up my neighbor's van which was parked right in front of my house.

Green said he had regularly seen a lot of vehicles coming and going from the house opposite and it had made him suspicious about what went on there. But Green said it would take more than gunfire to chase him away from the neighborhood where he has enjoyed living since July.

I live and walk by faith, I don't walk in fear, added Green, who took it upon himself to clear up pieces of shattered vehicle glass and debris from the street. God don't want me to fear nothing and I am not going to fear nothing out here, he added. We got a lot of praying people in this city, this city prays hard, and prayer is what keeps hurt, harm and danger away from praying people.

Below is a map of the weekend shooting incidents in Decatur; click the icons to see more details.
Additionally, despite the common belief that maternity leaves make women less productive in key periods of their careers, female researchers in fact have only between five to six per cent more non-productive years than males. At senior levels, the difference drops to one per cent. Nonetheless, in the universities and research centres we studied, Mexican women face considerable barriers to success. At public research centres, women are 35 per cent less likely to be promoted, and 89 per cent of senior ranks were filled by men in 2013, though women comprised 24 per cent of research staff and 33 per cent at non-senior levels. Public universities do slightly better (but not well): female researchers there are 22 per cent less likely to be promoted than men. Overall, 89 per cent of all female academics in our sample never reached senior levels in the period studied (2002 to 2013). In some ways this data should not be surprising. Mexico ranks 66th out of 144 in the World Economic Forums 2016 Global Gender Gap Report and a 2015 report by the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) showed that among OECD countries Mexico has the widest overall gender gap in labour participation rates. Some efforts are being made to improve gender equality in research. In 2013 Mexico amended four articles of its Science and Technology Law to promote gender equality in those fields, adding provisions to promote gender-balanced participation in publicly funded higher education institutions and collect gender-specific data to measure the impact of gender on science and technology policies.

Several CONACYT research centres have launched initiatives to promote gender equality among staff, but many of these internal programmes are limited to anti-discrimination and sexual harassment training. More aggressive programmes include: the Research Centre on Social Anthopologys graduate scholarship programme, in collaboration with CONACYT and the National Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples, to promote higher education and training among indigenous women; and policies to increase womens participation in higher academic ranks and management at the CIATEQ technological institute, which also gives childcare subsidies to female staff. But such examples are rare. Overall, women hoping to succeed in Mexican academia must work harder and produce more than their male colleagues to be even considered for promotion to senior ranks. This persistent inequality has implications not just for women but for the countrys scientific production: if Mexico were to eliminate gender inequality in promotions, the national academic system would see 17 to 20 per cent more peer-reviewed articles published. A global glass ceiling

Mexico is not alone. Our previous research in France and South Africa, using the same econometric model, found that gender inequalities there also prevent women scientists from being promoted to higher academic ranks. Examining French physicists working in the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and in French public universities, we learned that female physicists in CNRS are as productive as their male colleagues or more so. Yet they are 6.3 per cent less likely to be promoted within CNRS and 16.3 per cent within universities. This is notable in a country that ranks 17th in the world in gender equality, according to the World Economic Forum. In South Africa, race plays an important role in explaining gender inequalities in science. Examining the career paths of researchers from 2002 to 2011, we observed that there are not large differences in the promotion patterns of white researchers by gender: 60.1 per cent of white men were not promoted (even in cases where they applied for promotion), compared to 60.6 per cent of women in the same period. But the gap widens dramatically when you account for ethnicity: 70.4 per cent of non-white men and 69.2 per cent of non-white women are not promoted. In Uruguay the same IDB gender gaps project identified a glass ceiling as well. There women are underrepresented in the highest academic ranks and have a 7.1 per cent less probability than men of being promoted to senior levels. Moreover, from Mexico and Uruguay to France and South Africa, a vicious cycle between promotion and productivity is at play: difficulties in getting promoted reduce the prestige, influence and resources available to women. In turn, those factors can lead to lower productivity, which decreases their chances of promotion.
The World Health Organisation has published a list of the 12 superbugs that pose the greatest threat to human health and kill millions of people every year.

The list of antibiotic-resistant "priority pathogens" includes a bacteria that kills up to half the people it infects.

A deadly cluster of resistant staphylococcus bacteria. Credit:Science Photo Library

Dubbed as the "nightmare bacteria", Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) was discovered in patients at Melbourne's St Vincent's Hospital last year.

Categorised as "critical" on the WHO list, it causes pneumonia and bloodstream, urinary and wound infections.
A City of Perth councillor hoping to leap into state politics is under fire for handing out free bottles of wine while doorknocking in her nominated seat of Mirrabooka.

Lily Chen, a councillor at the embattled City of Perth since 2011, was accused by a local resident of leaving a bag with a bottle of wine labelled with her picture, contact details and campaign slogan with the woman's 11-year-old autistic son.

Lily Chen's self-branded wine she was giving residents in Mirrabooka, the seat she hopes to win off Labor at the state election.

The gift to potential voters in the electorate she is running in was passed off by the Liberal Party as a celebration of Chinese culture.

Ms Chen denied giving alcohol to a child and told The West Australian any further comment on the matter would be made by a Liberal Party media adviser... who confirmed she had given the bottle to the boy.
Colin Barnett has conceded colourful, but flawed, former Treasurer Troy Buswell could be Premier today if he hadn't gone off the rails.

Mr Buswell quit politics in September 2014 citing an ongoing battle with mental illness as the main reason.

The one-time Liberal leader's political career lurched from one crisis to another culminated in him crashing his ministerial car in the early hours of the morning on February 23, 2014 in Subiaco, after leaving a wedding.

The Premier also lamented the loss of former MP Christian Porter who quit state politics in June 2012 to pursue a career in federal politics.
Bangkok: Cambodia has cancelled an important counter-terrorism exercise with Australia as the country's strongman Hun Sen warns he may use military force during upcoming elections.

Mr Hun Sen has also ramped up criticism of Western nations after in January cancelling annual military exercises with the United States.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh last week. Credit:AP

"All foreigners should understand that the Khmer [Cambodian] story should be sorted by Khmer," he said, adding what while Cambodia needs foreign aid and business investment "I have never interfered in your international affairs."

The Prime Minister's comments were aimed at Western countries, particularly the US, which he accused of being hypocritical for its bombing of Cambodia during the Vietnam War.
Niek Stam in his office in Rotterdam, Netherlands. In the 1970s, Rotterdam was the world's largest port and 25,000 stevedores worked there. Credit:Bloomberg There's less need for burly men with basic education to do the heavy and inherently dangerous work of the stevedores. There's more demand for IT staff able to maintain the digital revolution that's speeding the port bureaucracy, and to operate the so-called robots. For those losing their jobs, it can be hard to know whom, or what, to blame. Wilders, 53, and the Freedom Party he leads say they know where to point the finger. They call for the Netherlands to harden its borders, drop the euro and exit the European Union. Wilders, who lives under 24-hour police guard, wants to ban Muslim immigration, mosques and the Koran, which he described as Islam's "Mein Kampf." He recently called Dutch citizens of Moroccan descent "scum.'' Automation has decimated jobs at Rotterdam's Maasvlakte port, Netherlands. Credit:AP While the party is polling less than 20 per cent, the fragmented nature of Dutch politics means it's on course to win the most parliamentary seats, albeit with less of a popular endorsement than Trump or Le Pen.

From his headquarters overlooking river traffic, Port of Rotterdam chief Allard Castelein is puzzled by the support for populist messages, given the city's status and success over 400 years. Wilders's drastic measures can only jeopardise jobs rather than defend them. Niek Stam, leader of the FNV Havens labour union. Credit:Bloomberg "I don't think protectionism of any kind will contribute to the economic or social welfare of the country," Castelein said, noting the nation draws more than $US25 billion, an estimated 3.5 percent of its economic output, from the port. "As a port we could never have achieved all this without global trade. We need to supply 350 to 500 million Europeans, not 16 million Dutch people." The job-destroying potential of automation and the digital economy is gaining attention elsewhere as well. Mark Rutte, Dutch prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party. Credit:Bloomberg

The European Parliament this month voted through a draft resolution for the EU to regulate robots. Benoit Hamon, France's Socialist Party presidential candidate, is demanding they be taxed, a call echoed this month by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern said in an interview last week that rapid advances in automation will threaten half of the world's jobs. Two automated terminals at the Maasvlakte 2 harbour complex in Rotterdam began operation in 2015, with ships being unloaded remotely from control rooms and containers moving around the port on driverless trucks. Last year, Stam led the port's first strike in 13 years to prevent any job losses that might occur from the new technology. "People for open markets say this is the fourth or fifth industrial revolution and that the previous ones brought wealth,'' Stam said. "But robots don't buy cars; they don't shop; they don't contribute to pensions or the health care system.'' Too, globalisation's boom years are over now; every automated process will cannibalise the job of a human. In the 1970s, Rotterdam was the world's largest port, with 25,000 stevedores. Now 7000 handle more than four times the metric tons of cargo, there, Stam said, estimating that another 600 of those jobs are on the line from legislation closing all Dutch coal-fired power plants. Stam said none of this would be helped by Wilders's focus on Muslims or the EU, blaming automation and competition from less expensive ports in Poland. That's only half true, said port chief Castelein: At 90,000, direct employment by the port is the same as it was in 2007.

"For containers, we used to have middle-aged men operating a crane," Castelein said. "Now you'll find a control room with 22-year-old women, with perfect eye-hand coordination, doing it.'' That's an opportunity for those with the qualifications but hard on older male workers, he said. Rotterdam had been blitzed during the German invasion of the Netherlands. Not using German ports was in part political, said Lak. The Netherlands was among the EU's six founders and as tariffs and border controls loosened and the bloc's membership grew to 28 over the next half a century, Rotterdam gained. "Volume begets volume, as we say in this business,'' said Lak. The port is no longer the world's largest -- Chinese counterparts grew even faster and overtook in 2004 -- and Rotterdam probably won't catch up. Scenarios for business growth through 2030 have been revised down 20 per cent. By 2040, only the most optimistic scenario doesn't assume a decline. And none of the port's projections include a Dutch exit from the EU, or sudden bout of global protectionism. Castelein said he'd been able to meet all the main parties fighting the election to push the case for trade and open borders, except for Wilders and his Freedom Party. It's unlikely Wilders can make it into government even if he wins because other large parties have said they wouldn't form a coalition with him. What's certain is that the powers-that-be are facing a potential kicking again at the ballot box while the anti-immigrant agenda has begun to sway government policy.

"It will be the same as in America,'' said Henk Boes, who has worked in a glass bottling factory in a Rotterdam suburb for the past 46 years. It's now about to be shut by US owner Owens-Illinois Inc. "I'll vote against the establishment.'' Boes is choosing between Wilders and the 50 Plus party, both of which support lowering the pension age and protecting jobs. Rotterdam's tradition with anti-immigrant groups predates Wilders. Fortuyn, whose gay flamboyance made him a very Dutch style of populist, created the Livable Rotterdam party. It won the most seats on the city council in 2002. He also formed a party for the national elections, The Pim Fortuyn List, but was killed before the vote. That group ultimately faded away, to be replaced by Wilders and his party. Today, Livable Rotterdam member Maarten Struijvenberg, the city's councilor for employment and the economy, says he's focused on threats to jobs from both automisation and immigration. The problem for the parties in power is that voters no longer think they are willing or able to address either problem, he says. To defenders of a more open country, such as the liberal Democrats 66 party legislator Stientje van Veldhoven, all this represents traditional nationalism complete with nostalgia for a simpler past. That past just didn't include large Muslim communities to challenge famously liberal Dutch values, or automation to destroy blue collar jobs. "Nationalism,'' said van Veldhoven, "just looks a little different in the Netherlands.''
An Australian man arrested in Bali for allegedly possessing hashish said he didn't know it was a "such a big crime" to use the drug in Indonesia.

Giuseppe "Joe" Serafino, 48, and former Reuters correspondent David Fox were arrested in Sanur last October for allegedly possessing 7.32 grams and 9.83 grams of hashish respectively.

Guiseppe "Joe" Serafino in Denpasar District Court. Credit:Amilia Rosa

Mr Serafino, who had been living in Bali for the last five years, said he felt pain, was agitated and couldn't sleep if he didn't use hashish, which he mixed with tobacco and smoked like a cigarette.

"I understand now that it is illegal," Mr Serafino told the Denpasar District Court. "But in Australia it was ok. I didn't seek a recommendation from a doctor because I don't speak Indonesian and didn't know the system. I promise not to use it again."
Bangkok: A top official in Thailand's palace has been fired for "extremely evil" misconduct and political interests which threatened national security, the government said on Tuesday.

Police General Jumpol Manmai, who had served as intelligence chief under ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had until recently been one of the most senior figures in new King Maha Vajiralongkorn's household.

Jumpol Manmai was one of the most senior figures in new King Maha Vajiralongkorn's household. Credit:Facebook

The government said in a statement that Jumpol had "committed misconduct considered extremely evil behaviour" which did not befit a civil servant with a position close to the king.

"He has wrongly used his official position for personal gain. He had political interests which were detrimental to national security and not trusted by the king," said the statement signed by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.
In July 2015, a group of 15 people calling themselves "Respect the Flag" boarded several pickup trucks, each outfitted with Confederate and American flags, and embarked on a drive around Douglasville, Georgia, a small city west of Atlanta.

Tensions around displaying the Confederate flag were already high. Barely a month had passed since Dylann Roof, the avowed white supremacist who had posed with the Confederate battle flag, killed nine black Americans at a church in Charleston.

And the small "Respect the Flag" group went far beyond a display of Confederate pride. Hatred, a Georgia judge said during a sentencing Monday, propelled the group as they descended upon a child's birthday party and unleashed a storm of death threats and anti-black slurs, and pointed a shotgun.

"Their actions were motivated by racial hatred," said Judge William McClain, of the Douglas County Superior Court, according to the Associated Press. Georgia legislature does not include a law regarding hate crimes.
PHILIPSBURG:--- NV GEBE the utility company issued a press release regarding the donation of license plates of the companys entire fleet to the Animal Hospital and SXM Museum. The Animal Hospital and SXM Museum sells these license plates to tourism as a means of generating income. GEBE is proud to help in any way with the sustainability of these organizations and the injection into our tourism product as these license plates travel all around the world.
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GREAT BAY:--- Book of The Dead by Lasana Sekou is An important new work of world literature, ... an ambitious book, said Xu Xi, the Indonesian-Chinese novelist who works out of Hong Kong and New York.

The just-published poetry collection by the St. Martin writer is also dominated by poems about crime, but Kings College London professor Richard Drayton pointed out primarily that, Book of the dead risks a new kind of pan-Caribbean poetry.

It is not merely that it reaches into the entire regions space and history. Its verse plays with the whole Caribbean language spectrum: here fragments in Spanish, there

across the Afro-English spectrum, to scraps of French, Dutch, Haitian, and Papiamento,

said Drayton.

Sekous signature use of multiple language words, terms, and even whole stanzas has practically become his poetry brand for expressing personal and public affairs. In the foreword to Book of The Dead, Xu Xi wrote that, The poems spin around the travesty of history and return to the mundane reality of our globalized life.

Reviewers often look at Lasanas regional or global contexts, but hes also writing his nations literature, said Jacqueline Sample of HNP, the books publisher.

I saw men and women wiping their eyes at the book party in June when Lasana read from Book of the Dead, the poem about the brutal death of the gentle Patsy Brooks

on the garbage dump, in the Great Salt Pond. Add the poem about the murdered baby in the middle of the middle region, or the die by bike poem about young boys in French

Quarter, and Lasanas newest offering is also as local as you can get, said Sample.

Drayton got this when he pointed out that, Sekou weaves a world of Antillean

thought around his anchorage in St. Martin.

What some readers might not get right away is the dry humor in poems like

posing in town, about a living statues exhibition in Philipsburg, lil smaatin, about police cameras at the border, and my last travels, about how airport security will save the world./will save the empire. Its just wry to the senses, said Sample.

Sekous slim crime-per-poem volume charts a journey across very stormy seas

full of challenges and scary seascapes and memory, said Michela Calderaro, a comparative literature scholar from Italy.

There are poems about mass graves, children killing children, and musings about death and duty. Some poems are stripped down to size (even the usual M. is stripped

from the poets name on the book cover).

Some of the poems, like forensics, are excruciating in their execution, but I

think theyre all more like signposts. Along the way that Dr. Calderaro mentions in her critique at the 2016 St. Martin Book Fair, Lasana deletes the pit stops, said Sample.

The journey carries us away without pause, here with the angel of death in Gaza, there with a Jewish holocaust reference, and Haitian language text bridging the reconocido poem about the racist Dominican Republic law against its Black citizens. Sekous Magno is assassinated in Curacao and Tom Hurndall is shot to a coma, a world away, but both accounts are heart-wrenching and yet celebratory of the life of each man, said Sample.

Book of The Deads mysterious cover design by Angelo Rombley also contrasts and compliments Cozbi Sanchezs classic line drawings that are found in the book.

Book of The Dead by Lasana Sekou is available at spdbooks.org, Van Dorp, Arnias, Philipsburg Jubilee Library, SoIL, and other libraries and bookstores.
PHILIPSBURG:--- When Jade Lopez traveled to India in search of new inspiration, she had no idea it would lead her to a new foundation and goal in life: helping families in dire situations.

In India for many; starvation, violence and struggle are a daily fact of life. Poverty in India is still pervasive; especially in rural areas where 70% of Indias 1.2 billion population live. It is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and yet its wealth is hardly redistributed across the population. This means that a huge number of families live in slums, with no prospects of increasing their life quality or those of their kids.

To change this Lopez has started a foundation called I Heart All Human Kind that aims to create financial and productive opportunities for some families, giving them the chance to improve their lives.

The money being raised through I Heart All Human Kind Foundation will be going towards are:

- Paying the tuition fee for an English speaking school for 9 children.

- Supplying their mothers with the equipment they need to start their own handicraft business.

- Raising enough to enable, Muskan, one of the girls whom was born deaf, an ear operation, allowing her to speak and hear for the first time in her life.

Any money raised above what is required for these families will go directly into helping another family here in the same position; there is no shortage of those.

Through a newly launched website: www.jjlovecollection.com people can learn more about the campaign and buy antique Rajasthani handmade home decor items from which 50% of the sales will be going straight towards the charity.

Those interested can also donate directly to the foundation through www.gofundme.com/jadieslove and www.paypal.me/jjhope. On www.facebook.com/jadieslove Lopez posts regular updates and stories on her experiences in India, and the projects I Heart All Human Kind is supporting.

Lopez would like to thank everyone for their support so far, and hopes that with your help the foundation can help these families in India improve their lives permanently.
Hollyoaks Episode Guide - Monday 6th March.

SPOILER ALERT!

John Paul and Ste are downbeat as they open their decree absolutes. Harry reveals that hes organised a divorce party for them, which doesnt go down well Later, John Paul is stunned when James proposes. Meanwhile, Amy is exhausted by her out of control children. Ste offers to move in and help her and she agrees, but Harry refuses to move in too.

Nancy decides to tell her children the truth about having MS but shes worried about her ability to be a proper mother toCharlie and Oscar.

Leela believes that Zack is her stalker. Frankie tells Diego that the cheque for their business venture will clear soon and he suggests to Myra that they move to Spain.
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Feeling stressed?

We are. According to a new survey from the American Psychological Association, so are you.

Freaked out. Anxious. Nervous. Thats what America is these days, and the psychological association places the blame squarely on  you arent going to be the slightest bit surprised  politics.

That means the rise of President Donald Trump and the usual Washington crew that voters greatly mistrust.

The poll (yes, we know: Can you trust it?) of 1,000 adults taken right before Trumps inauguration found that 57 percent of Americans said the political climate was a source of stress. The outcome of the 2016 presidential election? Well, 72 percent of Democrats and 26 percent of Republicans reported that the results were stressful. Asked about the nations future, 59 percent of Republicans agreed this was a significant stress along with 76 percent of Democrats.

This amounted to the first statistically significant jump in stress levels since the poll launched a decade ago.

Its only fair to wonder how many Republicans felt the same way during the eight years of Barack Obamas presidency.

Heres a disconcerting thought: The American Psychological Association suggests that the anxiety wont go away soon.

The stress were seeing around political issues is deeply concerning because its hard for Americans to get away from it, said the psychological associations Katherine Nordal.

Political yak hovers around the water cooler, the dinner table and the backyard fence. Then theres social media.

Is there an antidote to all this politically induced stress? Probably not, unless you want to count an utterly unexpected development last week that flashed across our computer screens. Rep. Roger Marshall, a freshman in Congress from western Kansas, took to the House floor to announce that he believed in civility and bipartisanship.

At first glance, the significance of this may fly right past you. But consider that the Republican whom Marshall defeated in August was Tim Huelskamp, widely seen as one of the most partisan House members. Huelskamp even went to war with his own party, and it cost him a seat on the Agriculture Committee.

On the floor, Marshall said: I believe in iron sharpening iron and coming up with ideas together. I believe in defining problems together  to talk about the problem and then to discuss solutions together. And the hope is that you and I, my friends across the aisle and down the aisle, together we can come up with better solutions for this country.

Wow. Thats 180 degrees from where Huelskamp stood, and it places Marshall in the same camp as Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat who has championed civility from his first moments in Washington.

The next time you start to stress about politics, think of the Marshalls and the Cleavers. It might help.
When photography was invented in France in the 1820s, some artists predicted  even feared  that it would in time take the place of painting. That didnt happen, but photographers around the world consistently have recorded images that reveal...
I&M continues to restore service in South Bend after Saturday's storms

As of 10 a.m. Sunday, 6,100 customers in the South Bend area remained without power. Most will be restored Sunday, but some won't be until Monday.
The National Endowment of the Arts is under attack  again. The foes are the same tired cast of characters who have assaulted the agency for the last 30 years. Their arguments are the same threadbare notions that have been repeatedly rejected. They are mounting a partisan battle that will do the nation no good. But for the sake of the arts, it needs to be fought again and won.

Since it was authorized in 1965, the NEA has been a small federal agency with a large capacity for making arts available across the United States. In the 1980s Culture Wars, the agency faced controversies about blasphemous and obscene art, most notably a Robert Mapplethorpe photography exhibition. Congress also criticized that its funding went mostly to a few cities. Surviving heated public debates, the agency responded by broadening its program and its reach. In the current century, the NEA has enjoyed wide popularity, consistently good press and bipartisan support in Washington.

The latest attack comes from two groups, the Heritage Foundation and the Republican Study Committee in the House of Representatives. They jointly recommend that President Trump eliminate the NEA and its companion agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities, in the new White House budget. The Trump administration has not yet made a decision, and the president has made no public statement on the issue. In the meantime, the arts world is in state of anxiety.

Both the Heritage Foundation and the Republican Study Committee have long been obsessed with ending federal support for the arts. During my six years as the chairman of the NEA under President George W. Bush, these groups launched one unsuccessful volley after another. Their stated rationale was that the federal government had no business funding the arts. Beneath that small-government ideal, however, was another openly acknowledged motive not related to the public good but to political advantage. By eliminating the NEA, they could deliver a symbolic victory against leftist urban constituencies.

There is an obvious element of class warfare in these attacks  the endowments critics often say its grants are a way for the rich to use public money to subsidize their own elite cultural institutions. This assertion misrepresents how and where the NEA does its work.

The NEAs 2017 budget is $149.8 million. In a nation of 319 million people that amount doesnt allow the agency to subsidize much of anything. But the endowment has found ways to make the money work with outsized effectiveness and efficiency. It makes thousands of small grants to nonprofit organizations  on average 2,100 a year. Each grant requires the recipient to raise matching local funds  often at a ratio of two or three local dollars for each federal one. So the NEA mostly serves as a catalyst for local groups to raise private and state money to serve their own communities.

On its modest budget, NEA funding now reaches every state, every congressional district, and even most counties  rural and urban  in the United States. Grants fund programs in schools, libraries and military bases. Nearly half the grants go directly to state and regional arts organizations to expand grass-roots efforts. NEA grants never pay overhead or annual expenses. They only fund specific programs of artistic and educational excellence that reach the public.

The NEA Shakespeare program, for example, has helped bring professional stage productions to 3,900 towns, mostly small and midsize communities  from Douglas, Alaska, to Santa Cruz, Calif., to Pawtucket, R.I. It has provided millions of high school students with a chance to experience live theater, most of them for the first time  allowing them to see the plays they are studying in class. This program has also provided work for thousands of actors and crew. The NEA funding pays only a small part of the total program cost. The rest is raised by local citizens eager to have Shakespeare in their schools.

Operation Homecoming allows troops returning from combat to write about their wartime experiences. This program also reaches the wounded in military hospitals. NEAs Jazz Masters tour grants have brought musicians to local festivals and classrooms; from 2008 to 2014, 51 artists played at 327 venues. Meanwhile every year a quarter of a million teenagers participate in Poetry Out Loud, a national high school recitation contest. Do any of these programs sound elitist?

No American president  Republican or Democrat  has ever tried to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts. Despite urban legends to the contrary, even Ronald Reagan was a supporter.

The arts in America wouldnt be destroyed if the NEA ceased to exist. But music, dance, theater, literature and visual arts would become less widely available, especially in schools, rural areas and poorer communities. Access to culture should not be a function of family income. That is why citizens must remind their representatives in Washington that the NEA needs to be protected.
CHARLESTON -- A Mattoon woman faces felony offenses for allegedly causing an accident that killed one passenger and seriously injured another in the car she was driving.

Shelby N. Espe was intoxicated and speeding when she ran a stop sign at a rural Coles County intersection, resulting in fatal injuries to Kayla L. Eggers and injuring Andrea E. Garcia, her charges allege.

Espe, 23, was cited for driving under the influence and other traffic violations following the accident.

The recently filed felony charges contain the additional allegations that the accident caused the fatal and the serious injuries to the other passenger in Espe's car.

The accident occurred late on Jan. 20 at the intersection of Illinois 130 and County Road 1500N, about six miles north of Charleston, according to information from the Coles County Sheriff's Office.

After going through the intersection, the car went off the road and traveled about 400 feet before hitting a bridge and going into a creek, the sheriff's office indicated.

The felony charges against Espe include reckless homicide, which accuses her of unintentionally causing another person's death, namely by speeding and disregarding the stop sign at the intersection, resulting in the accident.

The other felony charge is aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, accusing Espe of being intoxicated at the time of the accident, leading to Garcia's serious injuries.

According to the sheriff's office, Eggers, a 23-year-old Mattoon resident, was thrown from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Garcia, also 23, for whom records show addresses in Effingham and in Charleston, and Espe were taken to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana after the accident.

Garcia's injuries included several broken bones and she was released from the hospital last week, according to Coles County Assistant State's Attorney Tom Bucher.

Espe has made appearances in traffic court on the earlier citations and is scheduled for another hearing on April 5. The traffic citations are DUI, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and disregarding a stop sign.

However, Bucher said she'll likely make a separate appearance in felony court before her next traffic court appearance date.

Attorney Sean Britton is representing Espe in the traffic cases but no attorney is on record as representing her in the felony case yet.

The reckless homicide charge against Espe could result in a prison sentence of two to five years if there's a conviction, and the aggravated DUI charges carry possible prison sentences of one to 12 years.

State laws require there to be "extraordinary circumstances" in favor of probation for it to be considered for an aggravated DUI conviction.
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.
I went by at 4:30 and didnt see anything, Pana Mayor Steve Sipes said. I came back a little after 5 and the entire building was burning.

Police Chief Daniel Bland said the fire was suspicious in nature. There was no electrical or gas service to the building, which had been abandoned for years. Bland said the fire was similar to several others in Pana over the last 12 months and that the Illinois Fire Marshals office, along with Pana police, were investigating.
Georgetown, SC (29440)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. Low near 60F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low near 60F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Welcome to SwanseaOnline - your home for the best news, sports and what's on coverage of the city.

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Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Swansea City news | Ospreys news | InYourArea
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk unveiled an ambitious plan yesterday to fly two private space tourists around the moon in 2018. The move drew a commendation from NASA along with a clear reminder that the agency expects SpaceX to meet its other obligations while pursuing the moon.

In a teleconference with reporters Monday (Feb. 27), Musk said SpaceX will launch two paying passengers around the moon using the company's Dragon crew capsule and massive Falcon Heavy rocket. Both vehicles are scheduled for unpiloted test flights later this year.

"NASA commends its industry partners for reaching higher," NASA officials wrote in a statement. "We will work closely with SpaceX to ensure it safely meets the contractual obligations to return the launch of astronauts to U.S. soil and continue to successfully deliver supplies to the International Space Station." [SpaceX's Crew Dragon Spacecraft in Pictures]

An artist's illustration of a crewed Dragon spacecraft in space. (Image credit: SpaceX)

SpaceX's Dragon Version 2 spacecraft is a manned space capsule designed to fly seven astronauts to and from low-Earth orbit. See how SpaceX's Dragon V2 spacecraft works in this Space.com infographic (Image credit: by Karl Tate, Infographics Artist)

Under the SpaceX plan, passengers would take a trip on Dragon and loop around the moon, "skimming" above the lunar surface at the closest point and flying out up to 400,000 miles (650,000 kilometers) from Earth at the farthest point. The entire trip should last five days, Musk said.

The flight could launch near the end of 2018, and potentially coincide with the 50th anniversary of NASA's historic flight of Apollo 8, which launched the first Apollo astronauts around the moon in December 1968.

SpaceX has a $2.6 billion contract with NASA to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station using its Dragon crew capsules and Falcon 9 rockets, which are smaller than the Falcon Heavy. Those flights are funded through NASA's Commercial Crew Program and were expected to begin in 2018, though a recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office said that the first crewed flights by SpaceX's Dragon and Boeing's CST-100 Starliner (NASA's other astronaut taxi choice) will likely slip to 2019.

SpaceX has been flying unpiloted Dragon cargo ships to the International Space Station since 2012 under a separate contract with NASA. Another company, Orbital ATK, has been doing the same with its robotic Cygnus supply ships since 2014. A third company, Sierra Nevada Corporation, is developing a robotic Dream Chaser space plane to deliver NASA cargo as well.

"For more than a decade, NASA has invested in private industry to develop capabilities for the American people and seed commercial innovation to advance humanity's future in space," NASA officials wrote in the statement on SpaceX's moon plan. "NASA is changing the way it does business through its commercial partnerships to help build a strong American space economy and free the agency to focus on developing the next-generation rocket, spacecraft and systems to go beyond the moon and sustain deep space exploration."

Musk told reporters that NASA would have first pick on the 2018 moon flight, and SpaceX would bump the two space tourists (who have already placed a "significant deposit" for the trip) to a later flight if the space agency wanted the seats. Musk did not reveal who had purchased the moon flight seats on Dragon, or how much the trip cost per person.

"NASA always has first priority," Musk said yesterday. "So if NASA decides to have the first mission of this nature be a NASA mission, then of course NASA would take priority."

SpaceX representatives said the first unpiloted Crew Dragon (or Dragon 2) test flight will launch by the end of 2017.

"This first demonstration mission will be in automatic mode, without people on board," SpaceX representatives wrote in a separate statement Monday. "A subsequent mission with crew is expected to fly in the second quarter of 2018. SpaceX is currently contracted to perform an average of four Dragon 2 missions to the ISS per year, three carrying cargo and one carrying crew. By also flying privately crewed missions, which NASA has encouraged, long-term costs to the government decline and more flight reliability history is gained, benefiting both government and private missions."

The moon flight and commercial Dragon flights for NASA will serve as steppingstones for SpaceX's ultimate goal, building a sustainable colony on Mars, Musk said.

"This should be incredibly exciting," Musk said. "Next year is going to be the big year for carrying people to the space station and hopefully beyond."

Editor's Note: This story was updated on March 7 to correct the name of the Sierra Nevada Corporation developing the Dream Chaser space plane.

Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
SpaceX's plan to fly two private citizens around the moon would put the company ahead of NASA's planned crewed flight with its Space Launch System (SLS) megarocket.

Yesterday, SpaceX announced its intention to send passengers on a crewed Dragon spacecraft, launched with a Falcon Heavy rocket, around the moon near the end of 2018. This would follow on the heels of the company's robotic and crewed flights to the International Space Station, and an uncrewed Falcon Heavy moon trip.

NASA's own mission, which would be the first crewed flight using the SLS and its new Orion spacecraft, is scheduled for 2021. NASA recently began an investigation into whether it could put astronauts on SLS and Orion's first launch, scheduled for 2018  but officials have said that a crewed version of that launch wouldn't fly until 2019. Assuming SpaceX is on schedule, its fly-around would come first. [How SpaceX's 2018 Moon Flight Will Work]

SpaceX going first "might change the acceptable-risk discussions NASA has with the ASAP [Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel]," Scott Hubbard, researcher in the Stanford University Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, told Space.com. "I could imagine that if this independent entrepreneur has done it, and successfully identified the risk factors, it would be real information, not speculation."

"Others might then ask about [the] need for SLS and Orion  but two suppliers are always better from a competition/cost POV," he added via email. Hubbard worked at NASA for 20 years and ultimately led its Ames Research Center, and he currently chairs SpaceX's independent Safety Advisory Panel for Commercial Crew, which focuses specifically on the design and risks of their program to carry astronauts to the International Space Station.

See more

During Elon Musk's teleconference yesterday, the SpaceX CEO said that NASA astronauts would "take priority" if the agency wanted to be the first to fly that type of mission. NASA released a statement saying the agency would work closely with SpaceX to ensure the company met all safety requirements and continued to fulfill its space station delivery contract.

As for SpaceX's ambitious time frame, Hubbard said it should be feasible in principle, purely considering the company's transportation capabilities, but that technical questions remain.[SpaceX Falcon Heavy to Be Reusable (Video)]

"The key technical issue will be demonstrating life support in the Dragon for two people for the duration of the mission," he said. "With reasonable margins, the length of mission will be longer than planned for commercial crew. The key programmatic issue is level of risk: Is it understood? Has it been mitigated sufficiently?"

If SpaceX can address those issues, it will be on track to launch a moon mission on the 50th anniversary of Apollo 8, NASA's first mission to orbit the moon. That could certainly serve to spur other commercial spaceflight companies, and NASA, into action. Hubbard pointed to when he held a workshop with The Planetary Society that said astronauts could orbit Mars by 2033, and not long after Lockheed Martin came out with a Mars Base Camp plan for 2028 and SpaceX came out with their Red Dragon Mars mission now scheduled for 2020.

This moon announcement "sets a bold new goal," Hubbard said. "There are people that are out there moving the goalposts with some significant technical credibility behind them, and this goal of two paying customers and an Apollo 8 loop around the moon in 2018 could well stimulate others to join in."

"The more groups you have trying this, the better off we are as a spacefaring nation or a spacefaring species," he added.

Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
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A protest march took place in Yerevan last night calling for the release of Artur Sargsyan from pretrial detention.

Demonstrators first assemble in Liberty Square and the marched to the Prosecutor Generals Office chanting slogans and carrying banners in support of Sargsyan.

Artur Sargsyan, the man who ferried food to members of the armed Sasna Dzrer group holed up in a Yerevan police station after having seized it last July, is now being held in the Convicts Hospital.

Rearrested on February 9, allegedly for not showing up after being summoned to a case hearing, Sargsyan has been on hunger strike since and is reported to be ill health.

Protest organizers said they would begin a sit-down strike at Liberty Square.
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Alex Jones, a stocky, coarse-looking man with a round face and a pointed chin, devotes a lot of time to our conversation, using the breaks in his show for small talk, offering me water and talking about his three children. "It's hard to switch off," he says. "I constantly see propaganda everywhere."

Jones' studio is located in an industrial area on the outskirts of Austin. For security reasons, its exact location remains undisclosed. There are surveillance cameras above the entrance, black blinds cover the windows and guests are required to sign non-disclosure agreements. Everyone in Austin knows Jones. When he goes out in public, people point to him or ask for his autograph. Jones is concerned about his safety and has a bodyguard. You never know, he says.

Trump's Propaganda Arm?

A sign on the wall at the entrance to the studio reads: "Freedom or Death." The words "Liberal Tears" are printed on a water cooler in the hallway. Jones' realm is enormous. There are four studios, and the state-of-the-art equipment makes it feel like they are part of a national cable broadcaster. There is a large room in which promotional videos are shot, and there are open-plan offices and recreation areas with a ping-pong table and slot machines. Jones calls his offices the "Central Texan Command Center and Heart of the Resistance."

For the first time in his life, Jones says, he's a little more hopeful that America's demise can be prevented, after all. The unsettling thing about this, though, is that Jones has begun to treat his company as a sort of propaganda arm of the presidency, one that is mobilizing the infantry to save the homeland. This can be more dangerous than simply spreading a few unfounded conspiracy theories.

Together with right-wing nationalist websites like Breitbart News, Gateway Pundit and LifeZette, which also have good access to the White House, Jones sees himself as part of a right-wing front that aims to break the power of the traditional media. When Jones talks about the president, it sounds as if he were talking about some Hitler-like Fuhrer. He refers to the first few weeks of the Trump presidency as a "total victory."

The immigration ban? The deportations? Trump's dream of a police state? All wonderful ideas, says Jones, who believes toughness is what America needs today.

Massive Public Exposure

His 100-percent identification with Trump was already evident every day during the campaign. He spewed hate-filled tirades against the Democrats for months. Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and then President Barack Obama were his targets in October. On his show, he called Clinton an "abject, psychopathic demon from hell," and said that he had heard that "Obama and Hillary smell like sulfur."

His words spread like wildfire. Clinton mentioned Jones, and Obama joked about him during an appearance, smelling his hand and grinning. The scene became an Internet sensation, but it also provided Jones with massive public exposure.

Jones isn't crazy. He is well-read, knows how to do his research and knows a bit about international politics. When the microphone is off, his speech sometimes sounds as dry as if he were a member of the European Commission. But when the microphone is on, he slips into his role and becomes a fury.

Jones grew up in a suburb of Dallas, where his father was a dentist and his mother was a housewife. After high school, he became familiar with the world of conspiracy theorists through the John Birch Society, an extreme right-wing, anti-communist organization. He tried out his theories on the radio. After a right-wing extremist committed an attack on a federal building in Oklahoma City in April 1995, he accused the government of being involved. He gained a reputation in Austin, where a local station gave him his own show. He launched the Infowars website in 1999.

Echo Chambers of Hate

Jones's rise to prominence is an example of how the internet has revolutionized and to some extent poisoned the American media landscape. Small niche products have sometimes grown into impressive operations. Established brands are fighting for survival, while alternative platforms like Breitbart News, Newsmax and Infowars are creating their own worlds. They are echo chambers of hate, which have become a home for all those seeking easy answers in a complicated world.

Anything can be found in this world, and there are clues to support every crazy theory. Is Clinton a murderer? Obviously she is, says Jones, because as secretary of state she was partly responsible for the war in Libya. Is the government poisoning our drinking water? Well of course, because anyone who adds fluoride to water is gambling with the health of the people. "Jones is so effective because he presents this very clear theory about how the world functions and he bends every fact so that it fits in this theory," says Mark Fenster, a professor of law at the University of Florida in Gainesville who has spent years studying conspiracy theories.

Jones's staff push everything he says through multiple channels. Jones claims that he has as many as 3 million listeners a day. According to Quantcast, which measures audience demographics, the Infowars website attracts more than 8 million visitors each month. Jones has about 2 million subscribers on his YouTube channel and more than a million followers on Facebook. "I am in sort of a living room with my audience," says Jones. " It is like we are sitting around a campfire."

A Small Media Empire

He has more than 60 employees, including students, journalists, activists, techies and social media experts. They help Jones prepare his show, and they write stories for infowars.com. Not everything on the site is nonsense. There are ordinary reports from news wires about the latest poll results, and Infowars provides its own analyses of current developments in Washington. But there are also stories describing Lady Gaga's Super Bowl half-time show as a "Satanic ritual." Or about CIA exercises to murder Trump.

Two-thirds of Jones's funding comes from the marketing of his own products. He sells toothpaste and brain pills, bulletproof vests and guns, sleeping pills and potency supplements. The advertising breaks on his show are filled with his own products, and business is going well. Infowars.com holds an appeal for anyone who believes Armageddon is near.

As promising as the Trump era seems to Jones, it could also prove to be a problem. Not everyone in his milieu believes his staunch support for Trump is a good thing. In the past, Jones had always said that governments are the embodiment of evil, a dark power. He has groomed his audiences with his hatred for Washington. The way he goes on about Trump now, though, makes him seem like the president's propaganda minister. And this could ultimately disappoint some of his fans.

'Radical Islamist Hordes'

It's now shortly before noon, and the show is on a commercial break. Jones is irritated. Trump is under pressure over his executive order issuing the travel ban on visitors and immigrants from seven predominately Muslim countries, a controversy Jones cannot fathom because he believes that the president merely wants to keep "radical Muslim hordes" out of the United States. "I was going to show some executions so that everybody understands how terrible these barbaric Islamists are," he says. " But I think I'm gonna do something else."

The camera starts rolling again. "There are 1 billion Sunnis," Jones says into the microphone. "These are the people that attack shopping malls. These are the people that throw gays off buildings. These are the people that put acid on women's faces." Images of disfigured women flash across the screens behind him, women without noses and with acid burns on the cheeks and foreheads. "There are your beauties," he says.

Jones is stunned that not all Americans share his panicked view of the "jihadists." Indeed, he believes the threat is so great that it would be best not to allow anyone at all to enter the United States anymore.

"Please forget the Statue of Liberty," Jones says during a break. "It's a symbol of propaganda. We should stop worshipping it and bending down to every Third World population that shows up with TB and leprosy."

'Foot Soldiers in the Trump Revolution'

Jones now plans to open an office in Washington. He says might hire 10 people to report on the White House, almost like a traditional media organization. He will be getting help from Roger Stone, a radical adviser to the president, who wrote a book in which he described former President Bill Clinton as a serial rapist without providing any proof. Under a deal reached between the two men, Stone began hosting the Alex Jones show for one hour a week a short time ago. "Elitists may laugh at his politics," Stone says, but "Alex Jones is reaching millions of people, and they are the foot soldiers in the Trump revolution."
New York (United Nations), February 28, 2017 - The UN peacekeeping operation department has expressed concerns over the MINURSO (UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) personnel expelled by Morocco, noting that such an obstruction will affect the work of the UN mission.

In a letter sent to Dimitri Samars, chairman of the United Nations International Civil Servants Federation (UNISERV), the head of the department, Herve Ladsous, said no solution allowing the return of MINURSO personnel expelled by Morocco has been reached yet.

Herve Ladsous added in the letter, published by US media outlets in New York, that despite the UN efforts, MINURSO personnel have not been allowed to resume their work in the occupied Western Sahara territories.SPS

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Lusaka (Zambia), February 28, 2017 - Zambia did not withdraw its recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), said the Zambian ministry of Foreign Affairs, bringing an official denial to the information published by the Moroccan Press Agency (MAP), relayed by media.

The ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to confirm that, contrary to recent Media reports, the visit of the King of Morocco has not resulted in Zambias withdrawal of recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, said the Zambian ministry in a communique, published by Zambia Daily Mail.

Moroccan media attributed to the Zambian minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba false declarations relating to a so-called withdrawal of his countrys recognition of the SADR, following the Moroccan Kings visit to Zambia.

Furthermore, Zambia expressed its support to the efforts of the United Nations to achieve a final solution to the regional dispute on Western Sahara.

In this regard, and as is our renowned tradition, Zambia is willing to effectively contribute, constructively, to these efforts () through an active dialogue engaging the relevant parties (Morocco and the Polisario Front), added the ministry.

In addition, Zambia considers Moroccos accession to the African Union as an opportunity for the settlement of the conflict in Western Sahara in a spirit of dialogue and mutual respect. SPS

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An international network of leading investigative journalists is today contacting 7,000 politicians in 20 countries to request they publish details of their own tax records as part of a new global drive for accountability and transparency in politics.

Award-winning journalists from countries including Ukraine, Pakistan and South Africa have travelled to London to spearhead the new campaign at a time of growing concern over politicians and their personal business interests.

Today, there are only a handful of countries such as Finland, Norway, Pakistan and Sweden, where elected representatives publicly disclose their taxes.

The new Tax Disclosure Project, which comes after President Donald Trumps refusal to share his tax return with the US electorate, aims to change that.

All the journalists have received training or collaborated with Finance Uncovered, a London-based, non-profit training and reporting organisation focused on illicit finance.

They will use a new web platform to email tax disclosure requests to thousands of politicians in their home countries.

The public will be able to see which politicians have been emailed and which have replied. This is the first stage of the project that will eventually see more countries join the drive.

The inspiration for the Tax Disclosure Project was esteemed Pakistani journalist, Umar Cheema, a board member of Finance Uncovered and a member of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

In 2012, Umar, who two years earlier had been kidnapped and beaten up after writing stories critical of the government, contacted all 446 federal legislators in Pakistan asking them to disclose their tax returns. Only two responded.

He then trawled through Pakistans Electoral Commission to obtain the national tax numbers of politicians. Thanks to a whistleblower who helped check their tax records, Umar established that around 70% of Pakistans lawmakers including the countrys President and 34 ministers did not file tax returns.

The impact of his follow-up report in 2013 was phenomenal. Today every politician in Pakistan makes public his or her tax data. In fact, every Pakistani citizens tax details are published annually in a public directory.

It means in this respect, Pakistan is more transparent than the likes of Britain and the US.

Umar Cheema, investigative reporter at The News in Pakistan, said: It is the duty of journalists to hold politicians accountable. Nothing is more important than politicians financial integrity. Without it, they will remain defenders of the interests of the rich. This campaign for the tax disclosures of politicians will bring back what theyve lost: the public trust. My reports on the taxes of Pakistani MPs resonated with the public. Now all Pakistani politicians and in fact every citizen in my country has their tax information public. As we take this request global the result will be the same.

Countries taking part in the Tax Disclosure Project are Argentina, Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Egypt, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Venezuela, Uganda, United Kingdom and Ukraine.

Journalists taking part in the project include award-winning South African journalist, Susan Comrie from amaBhungane, Vlad Lavrov of the Organized Crime & Corruption Reporting Project, Indian journalist and author, Aman Sethi and Sierra Leone journalist and campaigner, Tanu Jalloh.

Nick Mathiason, co-director of Finance Uncovered which is behind the Tax Disclosure Project, said: There is, in our view, a clear and substantial public interest in elected representatives fully disclosing their sources of income and their tax payments. Elected representatives are paid by taxpayers to make decisions on taxation and on how our money is spent on behalf of all of us. 

For further information, please contact:

Nick Mathiason (Finance Uncovered):

+44 (0) 7799 348 619 or [email protected]

Jenna Corderoy (Finance Uncovered):

+44 (0) 7851 795978 or [email protected]
Drunken jerks didnt exactly get a slight reprieve on Tuesday, when the legislative Regulation Review Committee voted to postpone action on revised rules for breath alcohol interlock devices.

But the committee rejected the proposed regs, dating back to 2014, without prejudice, so they stay alive in the governmental legal pipeline and will return to the committee in a few weeks.

Sen. Paul Doyle, D-Wethersfield, co-chairman of the committee who leads the subcommittee on the issue, said after the meeting that while he has concerns that the planned monthly service fees could hit hard many of the states lower-income residents, there are only technical issues holding up the approval process.

I think its very expensive, Doyle said of the program to force those convicted of drunken driving to blow into a gizmo every time they start their vehicles. At the time when it passed I was really concerned that it impacts the poor, disproportionately because you have to pay a monthly fee, but thats not before this committee.

The nonpartisan Legislative Commissioners Office recommended the postponement and possible rewrite of the regulations, which were revised to include those who refuse blood alcohol tests when stopped by cops. It also includes revised responsibilities for equipment manufacturers and dealers. It has to go back to DMV, Doyle said. Were going to have to meet with them and kind of sort it out. Its a complicated new world for DUI arrestees.

Smoke em if youve got em

The move to legalize so-called recreational/retail marijuana is all but dead in the General Assembly, but some diehards who call themselves the Connecticut Coalition to Regulate Marijuana will gather to launch themselves at 11 a.m. on Wednesday in Room 1-A of the Legislative Office Building.

Ban the box, is working says Connecticut College prof

Terry-Ann L. Craigie, a Ph.D. economics professor at Connecticut College in New London, has completed a 44-page study of the social benefits of the so-called ban-the-box law, which prohibits employers in Connecticut from asking prospective workers if they have been convicted of felonies. The law was aimed at helping people - mostly inner-city persons of color  return to work after serving time in prison.

The study finds that for convicted individuals, public sector BTB (ban the box) policies increase the likelihood of public sector employment by nearly 5 percentage points in general, and by up to 8.7 percentage points for states and municipalities that fully implement these policies, Craigie wrote in the paper. She finds substantive evidence in support of BTB policies as a means for improving the employment outlook of the U.S. correctional population.

Nice work if you can get it

Nestled in the guts of a recent audit of the state Department of Economic and Community Development is a shocking finding in the highly touted Small Business Express (EXP) program that the agency has since corrected. But still. It amounted to $3,500 in annual fees for each $10,000 lent. Fees paid out totaled $4.5 million before the practice was stopped at the start of the 2015-16 fiscal year, according to the Auditors of Public Accounts.

On the road to nowhere

Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi was before the Transportation Committee on Monday, stressing the need for the T-word: tolls. Rather than border tolling, which has various lawmakers up in arms, he suggested inland spots, like north of Newtown on I-84, by the Housatonic River. Presumably, you couldnt dodge those tolls unless you were driving an amphibious vehicle.

Its unfair to a lot of people, I hear often, from people who commute back and forth to New York or to Rhode Island, for their daily jobs, Marconi said. Maybe we could just think possibly of a state income-tax credit that they could get because theyre employed in a neighboring state. But were falling behind the rest of the world.

Rep. Tony Guerrera, D-Rocky Hill, chairman of the committee, has been pushing for years for tolls. Thank you, Rudy, Guerrera said from his perch in the top tier of a legislative meeting room. Why dont you hang out here a little more?

kdixon@ctpost.com;
We Americans are known for our creativity, ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit. Those of us who actually are entrepreneurs are always thinking outside the box, pushing boundaries and looking for ways to solve a pain point for our customers.

Related: How to Turn Your Hobby into a Profitable Business Venture

Others rebel against the corporate environment, and some are pushed toward entrepreneurship by circumstances.

The economic downturn of 2008 was one of those big circumstances -- a big one. The recession pushed many professionals, young and old, to find alternative ways of employment when jobs were in high demand, but short supply.

Many became freelancers -- entrepreneurs in their own right, which in turn gave them the opportunity to pursue their passion outside the corporate bubble. What resulted was the rise of the freelancer economy, which today accounts for 55 million freelancers -- up from 53 million in 2014, according to a Freelancers Union survey. Currently, freelancers make up 35 percent of U.S. workers and collectively earn $1 trillion.

The younger, 18-to-24-year-old, segment of those workers are more likely to freelance than are their baby boomer elders. And pursuing what was a hobby as a job is something both generations have long done and continue to do successfully. However, they should proceed with caution, because like any other business endeavor, there are legal issues to be aware of, one in particular being the "tax man."

In fact, your tax liability will be affected depending on whether your work is classified as a hobby or (as the IRS classifies it) an actual business.

So, how do you know if its a hobby or a business? Thats something you need to answer objectively, to avoid headaches down the road. Here are some checks and balances to help you determine that:

If its a hobby, all income is reported, but deductions are limited to the income taken in. Deductions may be claimed only as miscellaneous itemized deductions, and only the amount in excess of 2 percent of your adjusted gross income (AGI) may be claimed.

If its a business, all income is reported, but a number of expenses may be offset. If you are profitable, you are able to shelter income and put some money aside for an emergency fund, retirement, etc.

As we near tax season, its important to know that any income from any activity is reportable and taxable. And, even if its a hobby, you need to run your business like a business and pay close attention to your profits and losses.

Related: This Entrepreneur Built a Cosmetics Startup, Sold It, Then Founded a PR Firm

According to Liberty Tax Services Brian Ashcraft, If you take a loss on a business for more than three years, the IRS considers it a hobby, and it is not eligible for preferential tax treatment. The IRS assumes that if an activity isnt profitable for at least three of the prior five tax years, including the current year, then losses from that so-called business cannot be used to offset other income.

Knowing which tax pitfalls to avoid is key for any business. So, whether youre a millennial looking to start a business or a retiree trying to boost your income, here are five ways to help you monetize your hobby.

1. Pick the right hobby.

If youre serious about monetizing your hobby, make sure youve picked the right one. Personally, my hobbies involve eating bacon, hunting pheasant and clearing brush -- fun for me, but not very profitable endeavors. I tried my hand at a pheasant farming business, and it failed spectacularly. Not because there wasnt a market for it -- Im from South Dakota, so yes, there is a market -- but because the birds drowned in a rainstorm.

If, unlike me, you have more mainstream hobbies like photography, music, writing or crafts that are easier to monetize, you might be onto something. If youre a photography buff, for example, you could sell your pictures on a number of websites, like Shutterstock, or join a community like Kodak Winning Fotos. That company's CEO, David Young, told me, Turning a hobby into a business requires critical insight into your passion. I think we're naturally reluctant to question passion, usually for fear of diminishing or tainting the high we feel without thinking.

"Don't be afraid to explore the root drivers of your enjoyment. It's essential for transforming a hobby into a successful business.

Meanwhile, if youre a crafty entrepreneur, you could sell your wares at sites like Etsy or Cafe Press. If youre a musician, you could start a business teaching neighborhood kids to play the guitar or the piano, or launch an afterschool program teaching music to underprivileged kids.

2. Start small.

Its great to dream big and have lofty goals, but idealism without a dose of realism doesnt work all that well. Apple started in a garage, so dont think you need a fancy operation in order to be profitable. Also, remember that if this is your hobby, you dont have to immediately turn it into a full-time job.

Dream big, but start small. Freelance a few hours a week; see how the demands of your hobby align with the realities of the industry. If your hobby, and all its demands, is still enjoyable after youve done it for a while, thats a clear signal to start growing your hobby into a business.

3. Make marketing a priority.

People think about marketing as something for "down the road" or "when were more established," but you need to start your marketing on day one. Heck, I would say have a marketing plan before you start. A marketing plan should be part of your overall strategy. If you have a sound marketing strategy prior to launching, a plan further helps build a little suspense and anticipation.

Getting the word out about your new business is key, if you intend to make any money. You need to leverage every contact -- every client, acquaintance, friend, family member, co-worker, teacher, mentor, etc. Some might even hire you and help you spread the word. This could turn into referrals, and next thing you know, you might have people looking to hire you.

Word of mouth is probably the oldest way to advertise, and still one of the most effective.

4. Treat it like a business.

Just because its a hobby doesnt mean you dont treat your work like a business. Its okay to have fun and love what youre doing, but if youre not going to be serious about it, you may as well quit pretending. I love what I do so much that I would do it for free if I could; however, I also take seriously my conditions of satisfaction, one of them being, Make money.

One way to keep yourself in check is to establish the number of hours youre dedicating to turning your hobby into a business. Stick to that schedule, at least at the beginning. If you start slacking and cutting corners, thats a bad way to start. If youre going to break the rules, you have to know what the rules are, first.

5. Branch out.

If you have a hobby that you could branch out on, consider that option. For example, a photographer can always do more than take photos and sell them. A photographer can establish himself or herself as a thought leader by promoting personal skills and knowledge or giving lessons. If youre an artist, theres more for you out there than selling your paintings or playing your music. So, teach others; mentor; teach the business behind your hobby.

I am a marketer by trade, but I have also been in business for a long time and have learned many lessons that I like to impart to others. As a National Speakers Association Hall of Fame member, I do a number of keynote speeches around the country, teaching others the business side of things. I practice what I preach. I live by the adage, Adapt, change or die.

Related: This Entrepreneur Built a Cosmetics Startup, Sold It, Then Founded a PR Firm

Theres more than one way to do things and the more avenues you can pursue to monetize your hobby, the more successful youll be.

What hobby would you turn into a business?

Related:

Is It a Hobby or a Business? 5 Things You Need to Know to Monetize Your Hobby.

How to Turn Your Hobby into a Profitable Business Venture

How 5 Hobbyists Turned Passions into Million-Dollar Businesses



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan started the second day of his working visit to the Kingdom of Belgium by visiting the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Brussels.

Hosted at this prestigious research institution, President Sargsyan met with the experts of the Center. The moderator of the meeting, a scientific researcher of the Carnegie Endowment Stephen Lehne, who has been studying the EU foreign policy developments and relations among the member states since the Lisbon Agreement, presented Serzh Sargsyan to the audience.

President Serzh Sargsyan made a statement and answered questions raised by the participants of the event. The audience was interested in Armenias foreign and internal policies, as well as in the RA Presidents viewpoints and assessments on the regional and international pressing issues.

Distinguished Mr. Lehne, Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,



It is a great honor of course for me to speak at the event held at the Brussels office of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. I am here for the first time but I recall warmly my meetings and discussions held at the Carnegie headquarters in Washington, D.C. Reputable platforms such as this one, on one hand provide the opportunity to present the logic behind the developments taking place in our country, and on the other hand, we learn from the very source about the latest expert analysis, estimates, and approaches.



Finally, the very idea of international peace, which is laid in the basis of this Endowment, is the objective that has always attracted the entire civilized world.

Distinguished Colleagues,

Andrew Carnegie once said, Teach a man to be a good citizen and you have solved the problem of life. A good citizen is indisputably a guarantee of the success for a state. The more mature and informed the civil society is, the more efficient the state structures are. Strong civil society, along with the separation of powers, is one of the best mechanisms for checks and balances.



That was the driving force behind the process of constitutional reforms we initiated in our country, and it has been going on for over two years. The amended Constitution has defined more precisely the authority framework for different branches of power, stressing the respect for human rights and making the voice of people heard in all areas. As a result, in our country has already commenced the process of building such a political system in which the influential actors will be not the individuals but political forces, political institutions. Enlargement of political parties and formation of political coalitions is going on in Armenia at this moment; that is a welcome development, and we have been striving to achieve that. Political parties are getting consolidated as stable institutes; smaller parties are disappearing or merging together.



For Armenia, to amend the Constitution was a bold step aimed on one side to the decentralization of the government, on the other hand  at the strengthening of the legal and constitutional order, which will allow to eradicate unacceptable manifestations of the post-Soviet flaws, decrease the corruption risks and provide the best possible conditions to move the country forward on the path of sustainable development.

See full address
Theres a tendency in Washington to reduce every issue to politics  even issues as important as the future of American health care. If the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is repealed, people ask, which party wins, which party loses, and how will it affect the next election?

But if were going to get serious about this debate, we need to stop obsessing over the political drama and start talking about the staggering human stakes. We should be asking questions like: If the ACA is repealed, how many people will lose health coverage? For those who dont lose coverage, what will happen to their premiums? How will hospitals be affected? What will happen to the cost of prescription drugs? What will happen to folks who have pre-existing conditions? Will women still have access to affordable family planning?

Last month, when Congress voted to begin the process of repealing the Affordable Care Act, I asked my colleagues to step into the shoes of the Connecticut families whose lives will be turned upside-down if Congress follows through on the plan to repeal.

I asked them to imagine being Susie Clayton, a cancer survivor from North Canaan who fears her retirement savings will be wiped out if she cant get insured because of her pre-existing battles with cancer.

I asked them to imagine being Jonathan Miller from Meriden, who lives with cystic fibrosis and will be on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars each month for treatment if the ACA goes away.

I asked them to imagine being Gaye Hyre from West Haven, who is getting expensive treatment for a rare, debilitating disease. Gaye says that if the ACA is repealed, I will lose my home and/or I will die.

According to the most recent analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), over 20 million Americans will lose their health insurance if the ACA is repealed. About 120,000 of those people live in Connecticut.

But the scope of the human cost actually goes well beyond that. The average American will see their premiums rise twice as fast as theyre currently rising if the ACA is repealed, according to the CBO. Whats more, the average American will see the quality of their coverage go down, as insurance providers would no longer be required to cover preventive medicine, pre-existing conditions, mental health care, or any of the other valuable benefits afforded under the ACA.

Repeal would also threaten the solvency of hospitals across the country, particularly in rural areas. With so many Americans losing their insurance coverage, hospitals would be asked to provide more charity care  uncompensated care for patients who have no means to pay their bills. To stay financially afloat, hospitals would have to pass much of the cost onto other patients.

Repeal would undermine our efforts to combat opioid addiction, efforts that are largely funded through Medicaid  which stands to be cut in any bill to repeal or replace the ACA. Repeal would be a devastating blow to community health centers, which received new funding in the ACA and, like hospitals, would be on the hook for a surge in uncompensated care if millions of Americans lose their insurance. And repeal would place a particular burden on seniors, who would see their prescription drug costs escalate as the Medicare doughnut hole  which the ACA helped to close  opens back up.

The response from some of my colleagues to these concerns is, Wait for the replacement plan. A replacement plan that guts the Affordable Care Act while somehow still maintaining all the benefits it provides to kids, workers, seniors, women, hospitals, and health centers sounds fine. The problem is that such a plan doesnt exist.

In the seven years since the ACA was signed into law, no viable replacement plan has been put forward, much less one that protects people with pre-existing conditions, preserves womens access to preventive health services, allows young adults to get coverage through their parents, maintains the integrity of Medicaid, and protects seniors access to affordable prescription drugs.

Fortunately, we have another option. We can keep the strong bones of the ACA while fixing the problems. We can work together to make health care truly affordable by bringing down the high out-of-pocket expenses that many Americans face. We can curb the rising prescription drug prices by working with pharmaceutical companies to ensure that the companies are fairly compensated for their research and development, while standing up against price gouging. And we can take steps to ensure that all Americans have access to quality, preventive health care - not just health insurance  by incentivizing more doctors to go into primary medicine and by ensuring that our rural clinics and hospitals keep their doors open.

We should be working together  Democrats and Republicans  to fix the flaws in the ACA with an eye toward our shared goal: affordable, high-quality health care for every single American.

What we shouldnt do is throw the entire American health care system into chaos just to satisfy a political crusade. Its time for Congress to put people, not politics, first.

Elizabeth Esty is the U.S. representative for the 41 towns and cities of Connecticuts Fifth Congressional District.
I n the book that first drew attention to the astonishing growth of the technology sector in London, the author and prominent economist Douglas McWilliams stressed how so much of what had happened was down to luck.

When he wrote the first edition of The Flat White Economy* (in deference to the industrial amounts of coffee drunk by those working in the tech business), the sector had already overtaken North Sea oil and the motor industry in its importance to the UK economy. By the end of 2013, with data updated for the second edition, it had overtaken the retail, financial and wholesale sectors to become the second-largest segment of the UK economy, with only construction bigger outside the public sector.

Yet none of this was planned. No government blueprint, disbursement of public funds or strategic plan said this was an area in which Britain could excel. Instead, it happened by chance with the remarkable and coincidental coming-together of three things  technology, demand and skills.

The technological revolution is the global phenomenon of our times, affecting every country so on its own, it would not have brought the business here  it also needed demand.

Thus the key thing was that the British consumer has embraced the internet to a greater degree than any other nation, so a greater proportion of business and shopping is done online here than anywhere else. As a result, we lead the world in digital marketing and advertising. There is also an appetite and huge potential demand for applications that would transform existing business practices in retail, commerce and everywhere else.

It is much more than just fintech  applications in the financial sector. The City has an almost insatiable demand but this should not be allowed to obscure the fact that every aspect of business and commerce is involved.

But the vital third ingredient was people. The British have always been creative  we are much more respected in the world for our culture, arts, media, design and computer games than we are for our manufacturing  but that on its own was still not enough. The magic ingredient was the additional arrival of tens of thousands of young people from the rest of Europe, in particular in the years when the eurozone crisis was at its worst and there were fewer jobs at home.

This was the real trigger. They provided the numbers to such an extent that McWilliams believes upwards of 40% of those active in the sector are EU-born rather than British-born.

But more important than the sheer numbers was the diversity because that is the rocket fuel of innovation. A diverse workforce will deliver better results than a similarly talented homogeneous workforce. It sees the problems and solutions from a variety of perspectives.

It is worth noting, however, that most migrants came without a job and, although computer literate, few had specific skills. There were no employers to vouch for them because the sector is all about start-ups. This suggests they would have been unlikely to be given work visas if the mooted strict controls were already in place.

Migrants boost creativity with their own ideas and stimulate creativity in others. People from different backgrounds and cultures think in different ways, and interact and approach tasks differently.

Out of this comes a wider range of ideas on how problems can be approached and solved. All this is under threat because of the Prime Ministers determination to reduce the flow of migrants. Tech companies are only as good as the people who work in them and if the people cant come here, the business will go to them.

This is already happening. Simon Black  chief executive of PPRO, one of the faster-growing fintech companies, was quoted at the weekend as saying: The exodus is beginning. He did not know of any fintech company that was not thinking about its options, and he had decided to expand in Luxembourg rather than the UK to guarantee access to the EU after Brexit.

We have 20 people in London and that has grown rapidly. Without Brexit, I would have been confident that within five years, it would be 200, Black added. Now it would be more like 40 or 50, with most of that difference going to Luxembourg.

McWilliams feared this might happen, and says in his book that one of his purposes in writing it was to show starkly how great might be the costs of curbing immigration from the EU. One thing is clear, he writes. Starved of its supply of highly talented immigrants, the Flat White Economy will stagnate or worse. Politicians have a choice  they can kowtow to public hostility to immigrants and kill the goose that lays the golden egg of economic growth or they can choose to support economic growth by resisting curbs on immigration.

He goes on to estimate that the kind of curbs favoured by the Government would halve Londons growth rate from 4% to 2% and that of the UK as a whole from 2% to 1%. When he wrote the book in 2014, he calculated that 10 years of continued migration would boost the overall size of the economy to 2.688 trillion by 2024. With no immigration, he forecast it would be 2.441 trillion.

The annual cost of restricting immigration is the difference in those numbers, and would be 233 billion a year by 2024. The impact on individual income or GDP per capita is similarly dark. With immigration, the average rises to 39,128 against only 36,820 if immigration is stopped. Thus Theresa Mays pledge to bring immigration to a virtual halt translates into a 6% pay cut for everybody six years from now, and ever after.

*The Flat White Economy by Douglas McWilliams, published by Duckworth Overlook
U K tech giant ARM has already added "a few hundred jobs" after last years 24 billion takeover by SoftBank.

The UK Takeover Panel allowed the deal to go through on a number of conditions including that the chipmaker more than double headcount in the UK, which stood at around 1600, in five years.

Chief executive Simon Segars said the Cambridge-based company had increased the group headcount by several hundred since the deal and was ahead of the milestones agreed with the Takeover Panel.

We are heavily investing in the UK. There was concern about whether SoftBank were going to rip the profits out of ARM, but none of that is happening, Segars said at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona.

Already what weve told our teams is go hire people to accelerate the execution of your roadmap. Its got to show a return but go hire people.

He also said profits would come down because of increased spending on research and development, in order to accelerate growth in the long-term.

Segars hinted that SoftBank chief executive Masayoshi Son was encouraging ARM, which has completed three small acquisitions since the SoftBank takeover, to do big deals of its own.

Theres certainly no pressure [to do a big deal], but the encouragement is think in the broadest terms possible, he said.

Segars played down concerns raised by Son in his keynote speech at the show on Monday about the security of ARMs chips. Son said that none of ARMs chips, including in cars, were currently secure and could be hacked by bad guys.

The security of cars is being enhanced all the time, the industry is on this. Were doing our part in further enhancing the security in ARM processors Segars said.

It is entirely possible to build very secure systems around ARM processors today.
A multi-millionaire Chinese property magnate is closing in on the Citys Cheesegrater tower as British Land on Tuesday confirmed advanced talks over the 1 billion sale of the skyscraper.

CC Land, a vehicle of Cheung Chung Kiu, the so-called Li Ka-shing of Chongqing, is the hot favourite to buy the tower, which is jointly owned by British Land and Oxford Properties. The Standard first revealed his pursuit in January.

British Land, led by Chris Grigg , will use the funds to help finance the redevelopment of 100 Liverpool Street, one of several buildings being vacated by UBS as the Swiss investment bank moves into new headquarters nearby.

Oxford Properties, part of the Omers Canadian pension fund, is now selling its stake as well.

The deal also underlines the City commercial property markets strong start to the year despite Brexit.

Industry sources say there is 900 million in offices currently available with 2.5 billion, including the Cheesegrater, under offer to potential buyers. Sterling is weak and uncertainties over Brexit havent fed through to rents yet, said one source.

The skyscraper is 225 metres high and, although smaller than The Shard, remains the tallest building in the City until it is overtaken by the planned 22 Bishopsgate scheme.
G erman requests to set up a rival headquarters of the merged London Stock Exchange-Deutsche Borse in Frankfurt contributed to the collapse of the 21 billion deal, it emerged today.

Deutsche Borse asked the London Stock Exchange to alter the terms of the tie-up to create a dual holding company with headquarters in London and Frankfurt but the LSE refused to agree to the idea, the Standard has learned.

The location of the holding company has been politically sensitive after German politicians in the state of Hesse (of which Frankfurt is a part) said they would block the deal unless the merged entity was based in Frankfurt.

Under the original terms, the holding company was set to have its sole base in London  a move which had become increasingly tense after Junes Brexit vote.

A proposal tabled in recent weeks by Deutsche Borse to head off German opposition to the deal would have seen a dual holding company structure, with a second base in Frankfurt.

The idea was rejected by the LSE, which maintained the merged group's holding company had to be a sole UK PLC.

A change to the terms would have needed a second shareholder vote on the deal.

The deal is now set for collapse after the LSE said it would refuse to comply with an EU competition request to hive off its Italian trading unit, MTS.

The business only contributes about 7% of the LSEs revenues, leading to speculation that MTS was a cover to scupper the deal before the headquarters had to be decided on.

The MTS issue was a weak excuse, a person close to Deutsche Borse said, adding things are tough between the two exchanges.

Divisions between the London Stock Exchange and Deutshe Borse had been growing over how much Frankfurt would benefit from the merger since the turn of the year

A drip-feed of statements from Deutsche Borse about Londons waning influence fuelled growing unease in the City about the tie-up, a source said.

Deutsche Borses chief executive Carsten Kengeter (pictured) sparked speculation this month that London could lose some key roles when he said the exchange would create 400 new jobs, 300 of them in Frankfurt.

A report commissioned by Deutsche Borse published in January claiming that the German city would be the big winner from the deal is also said to have put the LSE on edge.

The Brexit vote has triggered fears that Frankfurt will emerge as a potential rival to take City of London banking jobs  an issue which has added concern to the exchange tie-up

LSE shares were flat today at 3091p and Deutsche Borse were up 0.97% at 80.48 (6856p).

The collapse of the deal has prompted speculation that the LSE could find another suitor in the form of New York Stock Exchange owner ICE.

The US giant had previously expressed an interest in buying the group although comments from ICE chief executive Jeff Sprecher earlier this month might pour cold water on the plan. He said he expected that any such M&A focus will be towards smaller complementary transactions rather than the larger deals of past years.
S imon Read shares tips to help consumers save money.

Make sure of winning

Has the Oscars blunder encouraged you to go to the pictures  maybe to see La La Land? Topcashback.co.uk is offering a free cinema ticket worth up to 10 to all new members until next Sunday, March 5.

Once youve registered with the site, youll need to submit a cinema ticket receipt from any London cinema to get your cash back.

Box clever

Youll get a free pizza when you order one today by using the code AF111E at pizzahut.co.uk. The buy-one-pizza get-one-free deal excludes small pizzas but is available every Tuesday.

Just the job

Want to earn money for helping small, local businesses find workers? Download the Job Spotter app and then use it to snap pics of help wanted signs.

Youll earn Amazon vouchers for doing so and get more points for uploading jobs offered by smaller businesses. The app uploads the ads to job site Indeed.

Give yourself some credit

You can get a free Experian credit report and credit score by joining MoneySavingExperts Credit Club. The report will you why you may struggle to get a loan and how to improve your credit score. Details can be found at moneysavingexpert.com/creditclub
T he London Stock Exchange-Deutsche Borse debacle becomes ever more like a bad Agatha Christie whodunit. The weapon was the Brussels competition authority, but who used it to murder the merger?

Everyone on the scene had a motive: the Germans, because they didnt want their exchange run from London; the Brits, because we worried about influence moving to Frankfurt; the Italians, because their trading fees were high enough already.

One theory even blames the French. The logic wasnt entirely clear, but, the thinking seems to go, where skulduggery occurs, they must be involved.

Amid all the accusations, investors have already moved on. The question theyre asking: how to trade this pretty pickle? Of the two ideas doing the rounds today, one is obvious, the second less so.

First, a standalone LSE must surely be in play. Its a safe bet that the US Intercontinental Exchange, having made overtures last year, will attempt a friendly deal.

It knows the LSE well, and without the German patriotisms dogging the Deutsche Borse tie-up, a deal should sail through regulators, particularly if the LSE offers again to sell French Clearnet. So, hold onto your LSE shares for a juicy deal. Now the second idea: analysts at Exane today convincingly predict Michael Spencers NEX exchange could set the LSEs newly unattached heart aflame.

Cost savings from a takeover of NEX would be significant, and the integration would take the LSE to new asset classes, justifying a 30% bid premium to NEXs share price, Exane says.

NEX stock has not jumped much yet to reflect this scenario. So, while Fleet Streets Poirots dig into the last mergers demise, perhaps a buying opportunity beckons for the next one.

Change for the worse

The BBCs abuse of elderly and vulnerable folk struggling to pay their licence fee is clearly outrageous. Capita, which these days acts as the TV licence inspector, has allegedly been ordering its agents to catch at least 28 evaders a week and instigate court cases PDQ. Harassment and bullying all round.

Its tempting to harrumph that this is what happens when you privatise debt collection.

But dont.

Recent Financial Conduct Authority work with debt advice centres found that, since the regulator clamped down on payday lenders, its not rapacious private companies who are the most aggressive in sending round the bailiffs, but local councils.

Politicians, in other words, are just as bad as greedy corporate bosses.
W ill Marks & Spencer chief Steve Rowe be holding a party for his one-year anniversary at the helm of the high street stalwart? Jefferies seems to think he should.

Its analysts today upgraded the clothing retailer, which has been under pressure to revive flagging fashion sales, to Buy and made it its preferred stock among UK clothing sellers.

Jefferies said M&Ss heavy investment in online is paying off, with consumers rating its offer ahead of Debenhams and Nexts. Jefferies also praised Rowe, who became chief in April, for offloading loss-making international stores and dedicating more space to food.

The plan could result in flat profits over the next two years when competitors will likely see significant falls given the macro-environment, and then see profits improve.

M&S shares rose 7.6p to 336.6p.

The FTSE 100 was treading water as City traders sat on their hands ahead of US growth data and a hotly anticipated speech from President Donald Trump.

Donald Trump: We are fighting the phoney, fake news

The blue-chip index was 1.04 points down at 7251.96. Earlier remarks from Trump that he would seek an historic rise in US defence spending helped BAE Systems jump 10.5p to 628.5p and Rolls-Royce advance 8.5p to 776.5p. Rival Babcock, which today said it was on track to hit full-year targets, was 28p better off at 912.5p.

Pharma firm AstraZeneca got a shot in the arm courtesy of US regulators, who rubber-stamped qtern, a drug for type-2 diabetes. It shares were 67p higher at 4675.5p.

The going was tougher for mining stocks, with Randgold Resources the blue-chip indexs biggest loser after falling 220p to 7410p. It was joined in negative territory by Fresnillo, down 31p at 1455.4p and BHP Billiton, 18p lower at 1307.5p.

Among mid-cap stocks, IWG, the firm behind offices giant Regus, was heading for a five-month high after posting a 5.5% rise in full-year sales and upping its dividend by 13%. Shares in the company, which is on the hunt for 20 new London sites this year, rose 20.6p, or almost 8%, at 280.2p.

Satellite firm Inmarsat regained some of the ground it has lost in recent months rising 19.5p to 718.2p. It revealed it had signed a service and installation agreement with Radio Holland.

Number-crunchers at UBS were responsible for Auto Traders 9.1p fall to 393p after they slapped a sell rating on the stock. The bank also cut Rightmove to Neutral from Buy, triggering a 120p tumble to 3927p.

On AIM, Strategic Minerals was up 0.13p to 0.94p after it found significant cobalt mineralisation at its Hanns Camp project in Western Australia.
T he role of two former MI6 officers employed by Shell in an allegedly corrupt oil deal is being investigated by Italian prosecutors, it emerged on Tuesday.

The deal concerns the sale of an oil block in Nigeria to Shell and Eni, the Italian state company, for $1.3 billion (1 billion) in 2011.

Italian prosecutors allege Eni and Shell knew money paid to the Nigerian government for the exploration rights would be funnelled to other Nigerian individuals as bribes. The two companies have been charged in Italy along with 10 other individuals including Enis chief executive Claudio Descalzi, who today vehemently denied wrongdoing. Shell and ENI also deny wrongdoing.

It has emerged that two purported ex-MI6 men  John Copleston and Guy Colegate  are allegedly involved.

The alleged scam saw the Nigerian government transfer $1.1 billion of the proceeds for the oil bloc from a JPMorgan account in London to bank accounts controlled by a mysterious company called Malabu. It was subsequently claimed that Malabus beneficial owner was Dan Etete  the former oil minister who awarded the oil bloc in the first place. Etete denies the allegations against him.

Copleston and Colegate worked for Shell as strategic investment adviser and senior business adviser respectively. According to the prosecutor, they were both ex-MI6 and were allegedly negotiating with the Nigerians over the deal. The prosecutor alleges they breached compliance rules. Neither could be reached for comment and Shell declined to comment.

Colegate was named in a Wikileaks cable as a member of Shells kidnapping crisis team in Nigeria, and the British diplomatic list for 2006 names Copleston as a counsellor (political) for the Department for International Development in Lagos. Alleged MI6 identities widely leaked online say a John Copleston was working for the secret service in Lagos in 1993.

Anti-corruption organisation Global Witness has previously published a High Court document in which an email  reputedly from Copleston  discusses relations with the Nigerian leadership. One section states: Meanwhile we are getting on very well personally  lunch and lots of iced champagne.

Shell strongly denies it knew the money it paid for the oil concession would be channelled to Etete.
T elecoms watchdog Ofcom took another swipe at BT earlier, ordering it to slash what it charges more than two million customers for a phone line.

Ofcom says the market for customers who buy only a landline from BT isnt working.

The telecoms giant has been told to cut its line rental costs by at least 5 a month, or 60 a year, from the 18.99 it charges.

Ofcom boss Sharon White said: We have found that these customers, often elderly or vulnerable people who have remained with the same landline provider for decades, are getting poor value for money in a market that is not serving them well enough.

Thats a potential hit to BT of 120 million a year, which is relatively small in the context of profits of 3 billion a year, but an added problem for a company facing headwinds. BT was plainly surprised by Ofcoms move and disputed that two million customers are losing out.

It points out that one million of those customers take a landline from BT and then everything else from Sky or another provider, which suggests they arent financially vulnerable. BT said: We will respond to Ofcoms consultation fully when we have considered the detail.

The shares slipped 2p to 328p.

BT is dealing with a deeply embarrassing accounting scandal in its Italian arm, which has put pressure on group chief executive Gavin Patterson.

It is also fending off repeated calls from rivals for it to be broken in two, with its internet arm Openreach split away from the traditional business.

Ofcom said it would consult the industry on its plan in a review that closes on May 9.




Just north of High Island which, in turn, is just off the northeast tip of City Island, are two rocky islets known for hundreds of years as the "Chimney Sweeps." No record reveals how the islets got their names. There are several traditions, however. According to one, in days long ago, local chimney sweeps attached two rocks to their sweeps to use as weights to lower the sweep down chimneys to dislodge soot. The islands, according to this story, resemble the chimney sweep stones. According to another local story, the islands at low tide can look as black as soot, evoking thoughts of soot-covered chimney sweeps.





The two islets are tiny. One is about 2/5th of an acre. The other is slightly larger than 1/10th of an acre. At various times over the years a sandbar arose between the two islets. At low tide, there could be up to four mucky acres of flats surrounding the little rock outcroppings.





For such tiny islets, these rocky outcroppings have a very large and fascinating history. Today's Historic Pelham article tells a little of the history of the Chimney Sweeps, once part of the Town of Pelham, before their annexation by New York City in 1895.





The Chimney Sweeps were included in Thomas Pell's original purchase of lands from local Wiechquaeskecks on June 27, 1654. The little islets have been the scene of shipwrecks since at least the eighteenth century and, as one article recently noted, "modern-day boatsmen do well to avoid them."





During much of the nineteenth century, the Chimney Sweeps were owned by members of the Delancey and Hunter families. At least as early as 1890 a boat house stood on the Chimney Sweeps. It belonged to to Andrew Horton of City Island, although there is no evidence he owned the Chimney Sweeps at the time. It seems he likely was a tenant at the time.





By April 18, 1895, the Chimney Sweeps were owned by Henry DeWitt Carey of City Island. We know this because on that date his attorney prepared a notice for publication in local newspapers stating that on June 6, 1895, Carey would file with the Commissioners of the Land Office of the State of New York an application seeking a grant of title in fee simple to underwater lands surrounding the Chimney Sweeps. The notice further stated that: "

It is the intention of the undersigned to appropriate the lands described to his beneficial enjoyment by filling in the same or enclosing same by a sea wall."





Henry DeWitt Carey was the former Sessions Judge who was a prominent City Island resident. His son, Henry DeWitt Carey II, became quite famous as an actor known as Harry Carey. I have written about both men on a number of occasions. See, e.g.:

















See Hollywood News - by John Chapman, Buffalo Courier-Express [Buffalo, NY], Jun. 7, 1941, Interestingly, during a number of summers, Harry Carey lived "in a shack" on the Chimney Sweeps with his good friend, Joe Harris, a well-known "stage villain" in the acting world.[Buffalo, NY], Jun. 7, 1941, p. 10, cols. 1-2 ("During summer layoffs he and Joe Harris, a stage villain, lived in a shack on Chimney Sweeps").





Clearly Carey's application to have title to underwater lands surrounding the Chimney Sweeps was granted. Most subsequent references to the islets make reference to the underwater lands belonging with them.

On May 17, 1900, Henry DeWitt Carey transferred title of the Chimney Sweeps to Ella J. Carey for one dollar.





Occasionally the Chimney Sweeps figured prominently in local events. For example, on July 3, 1913, a couple of young men escaped from a reformatory on Hart Island. They swam to the Chimney Sweeps and stole a rowboat there. They used the rowboat to escape to the mainland where searchers sought them unsuccessfully.





It appears that although Henry D. Carey and, later, Ella J. Carey, owned the Chimney Sweeps for many years in this period, they leased the islets to Charles Swan in 1914. Swan served, for many years, as a captain of a volunteer life saving corps on City Island.





Swan, it seems, had grand plans for the Chimney Sweeps. Shortly after he leased the islets, the New York Herald reported that he planned to "erect a hotel and boathouse there." More interestingly, the same report stated that he had arranged for the Melrose Gun Club to "have their shooting ground on the rock."

Within a matter of days or weeks, Swan purchased the Chimney Sweeps from the Carey estate for $4,500 in the spring of 1914. It is unclear, but he may have initially sought to lease the islets and, instead, bought them.





Swan's plans never came to fruition. Within less than a year, on February 25, 1915, Charles Swan sold the Chimney Sweeps to

Franz Marquardt of 2249 Maclay Avenue in the Bronx. Franz Marquardt was an eccentric fellow of "exceptional proportions." He became rather famous, locally, for his ownership of the Chimney Sweeps. Though news reports typically misspelled both his first and last names, locals referred to him as "Baron Marquardt." According to one account:





"It was the baron's custom on Sundays to swim out to his islands and there rest, dream or read until nightfall, when he would swim back to the Bronx. Occasionally he towed across to his island possessions, either one of which was not much larger than the 'baron,' who was a man of exceptional proportions.





In 1926, it appears that Franz Marquardt sought to register his deed to the islets. A question arose over Marquardt's title to the Chimney Sweeps. Apparently, governmental authorities questioned whether the deed could be registered on the ground that the the islets were "an interference to navigation." Consequently, Marquardt filed a lawsuit to clear title to the islets. The action was heard by Justice Hatting of the Supreme Court of New York. Justice Hatting ruled that the islands were not an interference to navigation and that the earlier grant to Henry DeWitt Carey contingent upon the development of the land by a sea wall enclosure and by filling in land had been met. (See New York Law Journal, Oct. 6, 1926.)





Following the successful efforts to clear Marquardt's title to the Chimney Sweeps, ownership of the islets was transferred to the "Chimney Sweeps Corporation." Several "cottages" arose on the islets. It seems that ownership thereafter became a little more complicated. Nine "owners" cooperated and organized as "Chimney Sweeps Islands, Inc." While those nine owners may have enjoyed the Chimney Sweeps for a time, soon the feared Parks Commissioner Robert Moses turned his attention -- and desires -- toward the islets.





It turned out that for a number of years, Park Commissioner Robert Moses had been responsible for fireworks displays above the nearby, newly-opened Orchard Beach facilities. Consequently, he was paying $600 a year to rent "an old barge" from which fireworks were fired into the skies for beach goers. Moses looked at the Chimney Sweeps and saw an opportunity.

He asked the Board of Estimate to appropriate $3,500 for the purchase of the islands and to start condemnation proceedings.





Moses, it seems, faced a fight. According to one account:





"Russell Smith, employed by a bank in this city, is the president of Chimney Sweeps. He and the other owners believe that they spent about $9,000 for the land and cottages. The only notice they ever received, they claim, was a letter from the real estate division of the Board of Estimate asking the owners to sell. A refusal was sent."





Research has not revealed precisely how the situation was resolved, but clearly Robert Moses won. For a time, the City Parks Department used the Chimney Sweeps as "a base from which to set off fireworks displays."





In 1939. the City of New York formally acquired the "Chimney Sweeps." No one lived there afterward.





Today, however, the Chimney Sweeps are home to many birds including gulls, skuas, and great blue herons. Part of Pelham Bay Park, the islets are true gems of Pelham.









Detail of Map Published in 1901 Showing Location of Chimney Sweeps,

in Center of Detail, Between High Island and The Blauzes. Source:

Printed, 1901). NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.









Satellite Image of the Chimney Sweeps. Source:

Google Maps. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.





* * * * *





"City Island. . . .





Andrew Horton is making quite an extensive alteration to his boat house on the Chimney Sweeps. . . ."









"CITY ISLAND. . . .





The advertised sale of the chimney sweeps will not take place on June 13th as previously stated but will be sold on June 27th, at same hour and place. . . ."









"NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A GRANT OF LAND UNDER WATER. -- Take Notice, that the undersigned will file with the Commissioners of the Land Office, on the sixth day of June, 1895, an application for a grant of the lands under water hereinafter described, and by resolution of said Commissioners, any person deeming himself liable to injury by said grant, should file before said date with said Commissioners, at the Capitol in Albany, a remonstrance, stating his reasons for opposing said grant.





The land under water above mentioned is bounded and described as follows, to wit:





DESCRIPTION OF LAND UNDER WATER AROUND THE 'CHIMNEY SWEEPS.'





All that certain piece or parcel of land under the waters of Long Island Sound, in front of and adjacent to upland known as the 'Chimney Sweeps,' and owned by Henry D. Carey, situated off the north shore of City Island, in the town of Pelham, County of Westchester, and State of New York, described as follows: Beginning at a point in the waters of Long Island Sound, said point lying distant two hundred and sixty-six and forty-three one-hundredths feet, on a bearing of south, twenty-nine degrees twelve minutes and twenty seconds east, from an iron bolt set in the high water mark of the west shore of the before mentioned property owned by Henry D. Carey, and running thence north, seventy-eight degrees west, three hundred feet; thence north, twelve degrees east, four hundred feet; thence south, seventy-eight degrees east, six hundred and twenty-five feet; thence south, twelve degrees west, four hundred feet; and thence north seventy-eight degrees west, three hundred and twenty-five feet to the place of beginning, containing five and two hundred and nine one-thousandths acres of land under water, exclusive of all the upland contained in the above description, which is owned by Henry D. Carey and described as follows: Beginning at the before mentioned iron bolt, which is set in the high water mark, and running thence along the said high water mark the following courses and distances: North, forty-six degrees forty-eight minutes and thirty seconds west, forty-one and ninety-seven one hundredths feet; thence north, thirty-five degrees thirty-five minutes and thirty-seconds east, twenty-three and forty-nine hundredths feet; thence north, eighty-three degrees and twenty-one minutes east, eighty-seven and fourteen hundredths feet; thence south, forty-five degrees and thirty-six minutes east, thirty-eight and thirty-nine one hundredths feet; thence south, fourteen degrees twenty-two minutes and thirty-seconds west, thirty-three and four-tenths feet; thence south, eighty-nine degrees and thirty-four minutes east, seventy-nine and thirty-three one hundredths feet; thence south, six degrees forty-three minutes and thirty-seconds west, sixty and forty-four one-hundredths feet; thence south, fifty degrees thirty-six minutes and thirty seconds west, fifteen and eight-tenths feet; thence north, eighty-two degrees forty-five minutes and thirty-seconds west, hone hundred and eight and forty-one one hundredths feet; thence south, twenty-five degrees forty-nine minutes and thirty seconds west, thirty-one and ninety-five one hundredths feet; thence north sixty degrees and fifty-six minutes west, twenty-five and ninety-two one-hundredths feet; thence north, three degrees thirty-five minutes and thirty seconds west, seventy-four and sixty-two one hundredths feet to the place of beginning.





Excepting also all that certain piece or parcel of upland owned by said Henry D. Carey, and lying east of the above described piece of upland described as follows: Beginning at a point in the high water line of the parcel hereby described, and being distant one hundred and seventy-five and forty-six one hundredths feet on a bearing north, seventy-eight degrees fifty-two minutes and thirty-seconds east, from a cross cut in the rock on the above described parcel of upland, and running thence north, ten degrees thirty-seven minutes and thirty seconds west, fifty and sixteen one hundredths feet; thence north, forty degrees nineteen minutes east, twenty-four and sixteen one hundredths feet; thence north, eighty-eight degrees and eight minutes east, twenty-five and ninety-seven one-hundredths feet; thence south, forty-six degrees forty-one minutes and thirty seconds east, twelve and eighty-one one hundredths feet; thence south, twenty-five degrees and fifty-six minutes east, twenty-five and fifty-five one hundredths feet; thence south, fourteen degrees thirty-four minutes and thirty seconds east, ninety-seven and sixteen one hundredths feet; thence north eighty-five degrees and twenty-one minutes west, fifty-five feet; thence north, seven degrees and nine minutes west, twenty six and twenty-four one hundredths feet; thence north, thirty-six degrees twenty-eight minutes and thirty seconds east, twenty-one and six one hundredths feet; thence north, seventy-two degrees fifty-one minutes and thirty seconds west, thirty-three and nineteen one hundredths feet to the place of beginning.





The soundings, taken every fifty feet, on the whole exterior line of land under water, beginning at the point of beginning of the above description, are as follows:





Thirteen and a half feet, thirteen feet, thirteen feet, twelve and a half feet, thirteen feet, fourteen feet, fifteen feet, thirteen and a half feet, twelve feet, twelve feet, twelve feet, twelve and a half feet, thirteen feet, thirteen and a half feet, fourteen and a half feet, fourteen feet, thirteen feet, twelve feet, ten feet, seven feet, seven feet, nine feet, twelve feet, thirteen and a half feet, fourteen and a half feet, sixteen feet, eighteen feet, nineteen feet, eighteen feet, eighteen feet, eighteen feet, eighteen feet, eighteen feet, eighteen feet, eighteen feet, eighteen feet, seventeen and a half feet, fourteen feet, twelve feet, twelve feet, twelve and a half feet, and thirteen feet.





The mean rise and fall of tides is seven and a half feet.





The uplances of the undersigned applicant are islands in and surrounded by the waters of Long Island Sound, and said uplands are actually occupied by Jacob Gruse, applicant's tenant.





(b.) It is the intention of the undersigned to apply for an absolute title in fee simple to said lands under water.





(c.) It is the intention of the undersigned to appropriate the lands described to his beneficial enjoyment by filling in the same or enclosing same by a sea wall. -- Dated New York, April 18th, 1895.





HENRY D. CAREY,

Applicant.





Post-Office Address --

City Island,

Westchester County, New York.





HENRY G. K. HEATH,

Attorney for Applicant,

Office and Post-Office Address --

No. 54 Wall Street,

New York City. 4w6"





Source:





"CONVEYANCES. . . .





Lots 441, 442, 450, 452, 570 to 573, 622, and 623, map of the property of Elizabeth R. B. King, City Island; also Scofield Ave., s. s., 100 ft. w. of Main St., 100x108.3, City Island; also two islands known as the 'Chimney Sweeps,' off the n. shore of City Island, contain 530-1.000 acre, with land under water in front of and adjoining the land of Henry D. Carey on w. shore of City Island, contains 3 398-1.000 acres; Henry D. Carey to Ella J. Carey, q. c., May 17.....................1"









"TWO FLEE PRISON; SWIM TO FREEDOM

-----

Get a Rowboat in 'Chimney Sweeps,' Reach Mainland and Escape.

-----





Joseph De Parlo and Gustave Repetti escaped from the reformatory on Hart's Island, in Long Island Sound, yesterday by swimming to the 'Chimney Sweeps,' narrow ledges of rock off City Island.





Before an alarm had been sounded the youths had made their way to the mainland in a rowboat. Up to a late hour last night they were still at large.





Keepers first missed De Parlo and Repetti at the noon roll call. A keeper found footprints in the sand of one of the beaches, and the police in City Island were informed.





Soon afterward detectives learned the two young men had been seen paddling in an old rowboat toward Pelham Bay Park. It is thought the young convicts grounded the boat in the park and then easily found a hiding place.





Careful search of the swamps and brush in Pelham Bay Park was made yesterday and last night. There homes were watched last night. De Parlo lives in Coney Island, and his companion lives in No. 28 West Twenty-third street. A general alarm has been sent out from Police Headquarters."





Source:

TWO FLEE PRISON; SWIM TO FREEDOM

--





"NEW SHOOTING GROUND.

-----





Charles Swan, for many years captain of a volunteer life saving corps in City Island, has leased the large rock known as Chimney Sweeps, off City Island, and will erect a hotel and boathouse there. The Melrose Gun Club also will have their shooting ground on the rock. Chimney Sweeps comprises three and one-half acres [sic]. It was granted by Congress to Henry D. Carey fifty years ago. It is now owned by his son, Allen L. Carey. Mr. Swan will build a ten foot sea wall around the rock."









"CHIMNEY SWEEPS SOLD.

-----





Charles Swan has purchased from the Carey estate Chimney Sweeps, an island near City Island, consisting of about five acres of rock. The price is reported at $4500."





Source:





"TRANSACTIONS RECORDED. . . .





CHIMNEY SWEEPS, being two islands situate off n. shore City Island, containing 400 [-1.000] and 130-1000 acres; also land under water, L. I. Sound, in front of and adj above islands -- Chas Swan to Franz Marquardt, 2249 Maclay av. Feb. 25; attys. Froes & McE. 3639 3d av. . . $100"









"TITLE CHIMNEY SWEEPS DATES TO CHARLES II

-----

'Baron' Marquard Purchased Specks on Sound for Resting Places When Swimming

-----





Chimney Sweeps, two diminutive islands in the Sound off the north shore of City Island, have been admitted to title registration by Supreme Court Justice Hatting after examining the records of the islands back to the time of Charles II in 1666. It was held that the islands were not an interference to navigation and that the old grant was contingent upon the development of the land by a sea wall enclosure and by filling-in. (L.J., October 6, 1926.)





Several years ago, 'Baron' Hans Marquard of the Bronx, an authority on real estate and finance, purchased the islands from the State of New York for a summer retreat. It was the baron's custom on Sundays to swim out to his islands and there rest, dream or read until nightfall, when he would swim back to the Bronx. Occasionally he towed across to his island possessions, either one of which was not much larger than the 'baron,' who was a man of exceptional proportions. When the baron's titles to the islands were questioned he turned to the court an the Torrens law for relief. The islands are now held in the name of the Chimney Sweeps Corporation."





Source:

TITLE CHIMNEY SWEEPS DATES TO CHARLES II

-- "





"CHIMNEY SWEEP ISLES

-----

Moses Wants City to Buy the Land From Owners.





Whether the two rocky islands in the sound off City Island, which are known as the Chimney Sweeps, can be retained as a vacation place by their nine owners, organized as Chimney Sweeps Islands, Inc., will be decided by the City Planning Commission. The islands comprise about four acres at low tide and much less at flood tide. There are several cottages on them.





Park Commissioner Moses, who has been paying $600 a year for the rent of an old barge on which fireworks are displayed for the visitors at Orchard Beach, decided that the islands would be a better place. He asked the Board of Estimate to appropriate $3,500 for the purchase of the islands and to start condemnation proceedings.





Russell Smith, employed by a bank in this city, is the president of Chimney Sweeps. He and the other owners believe that they spent about $9,000 for the land and cottages. The only notice they ever received, they claim, was a letter from the real estate division of the Board of Estimate asking the owners to sell. A refusal was sent."





Source:

CHIMNEY SWEEP ISLES

--





"





In the vicinity of the Blazes we discussed last week are two other tiny islands grouped under the title of 'the Chimney Sweeps.' These rocky islets have been the scene of marine wrecks since Revolutionary times, and modern-day boatsmen do well to avoid them. They were originally included in Thomas Pell's purchase from the Indians, and in later times, were owned by the Delancey and Hunter families.





In 1896 Henry D. Carey of City Island was their owner, and in 1914 his widow sold them to a Charles Swan. In 1915, Franz Marquardt bought them and their acreage was duly listed in official files: 383/1000 Acres and 147/1000 Acres.





Three families erected bungalows out there for summer use, and had to transport drinking water, fuel, food and furniture to the bleak rocks. Even a piano, believe it or not! The campers built narrow boardwalks over and around the rocks to make their footing more secure, and made themselves comfortable as possible.





For a time, the Parks Department used the island as a base from which to set off fireworks displays. In 1939, the City formally acquired 'the Chimney Sweeps' and no one has lived there since.





No one knows with certainty how the name was acquired. One belief is that chimney sweeps used to tie two stones together and lower them down chimneys to loosen the soot. The two rocky islands, once joined by a sandbar, might have resembled this stock-in-trade of a chimney sweep and so acquired the name. But, lest the reader take this as Gospel truth -- this is only a theory!"





Source: McNamara, John, The Bronx In History: 'Chimney Sweeps' Islets Famous More for Wrecks than Populace, Bronx Press Review, Jul. 11, 1963 (copy provided courtesy of Jorge Santiago of the East Bronx History Forum).





"High Island lies north of City Island, and in the vicinity of these larger islands are several rocky islets called Rat Island, the Chimney Sweeps, and the Blauzes. Bolton says that this section was formerly the resort of immense numbers of wild ducks, as many as one thousand being shot in six hours."









.

Labels: Chimney Sweeps, City Island, Henry DeWitt Carey, Pelham Islands
A ny revelations about corruption in the Met are naturally troubling  one of the indicators of a decent society is the absence of corruption among police.

Today we learn that the Met is engaged in around eight or nine live inquiries into alleged attempts by criminals to corrupt individual officers.

It is inevitable that some people will try to debase the forces integrity. Having an officer in their pocket can secure wrongdoers an obvious advantage in seeking to keep one step ahead of the law  and can potentially enable them to sabotage investigations already under way.

Civilian staff working for the Met are also likely targets for tapping up attempts. In one recent more extreme case the girlfriend of a convicted criminal managed to secure a job at Hammersmith Police Station and persuaded colleagues to obtain information for her about a witness in a protection programme.

But while this and other examples should rightly provoke concern, it also welcome that the Met is now open about the problem of corruption and tackling it.

This reflects the fact that sinister links between the police and the underworld have been severely disrupted in recent years thanks to greater scrutiny of officers activities by police bosses.

The head of Scotland Yards Anti-Corruption Command says the days of rogue squads are a thing of the past.

Nonetheless, the advances against dishonesty cannot be taken for granted. There will always be criminals who try to turn those who are supposed to maintain law and order.

And there will always be a few corrupt individuals who are attracted by bribes. The Met has made great strides towards reform; but it must remain vigilant.

With policing budgets under pressure, ensuring that anti-corruption measures are properly resourced is vital.

More good schools

Tomorrow, parents will find out whether their child has got a place in the secondary school they want.

The Good Schools Guide has predicted that some 30,000 children in London, about a third of the total, will not get their first-choice school  the lowest proportion in the country.

Whats more, things are likely to get worse: London Councils, representing 33 local authorities, has warned that more than 47,000 extra secondary places are needed in London over the next five years or more pupils will miss out.

In fact, London is blessed in the quality of its schools. The problem is not that there are few really good schools but that there are increasing numbers of pupils seeking a place in them.

Whats important is that good schools continue to expand and to open, and the academy programme has made that possible in many areas.

The other great problem in London is that reforms to the national schools funding formula have meant that money once spent in London is now being diverted to other parts of the country.

A steep, sudden, reduction in spending on this scale is impossible to cope with. If change must happen, it should be more gradually.

Bad day for Brian

Now we know: the man responsible for the debacle at the Oscars was not a lowly employee but the PricewaterhouseCoopers partner Brian Cullinan.

It was he who handed the wrong envelope for Best Picture to presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway.

He now feels very terrible  theres no denying that accountants all too rare day in the sun has been overshadowed.

On the bright side, Mr Cullinan is now famous in Hollywood.
A fghanistan is back on the political map.

President Trumps three major security appointments all have a profound interest in the country, which separates them from President Obamas. Defence Secretary James Mattis, National Security Adviser H R McMaster and Homeland Security chief John Kelly all have military experience in the region.

Kellys son, Lt Robert Michael Kelly, was killed in Sangin serving with the Marines. In a speech in 2014 Kelly said the war did not end because opinion-formers had grown war-weary.

In the UK, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon is pledging more military muscle to shore up the Afghan army.

The renewed interest is partly because Islamic State has shown up in the south-east of the country and partly because Afghanistan is in a tantalising state of transition. So much Western blood and treasure has been invested in the country that it cannot be allowed to fall back in to being a terrorist state.

After decades of conflict the country has reached a kind of stalemate. The Afghan government, led by President Ashraf Ghani, controls the cities, the Taliban around 30 per cent of the rest of the country.

Everything about Afghanistan comes back to maps and borders. Iran on one side, Pakistan on the other, Russia involved against IS, China protecting its assets, particularly copper.

The saying goes that first came the Soviets, then the Americans and next it is the turn of the Chinese to try to control this country.

The British role is especially interesting. I have just returned from a couple of days in Kabul with a delegation from the Department for International Development (DfID). Priti Patel, its leader, describes the British mission as nation building  a term very out of fashion during the George W Bush/ Donald Rumsfeld years.

The British Armys Camp Bastion may have vanished into the sand but everyone seems to accept that we have to stay with Afghanistan for the long haul now.

This means, along with training the Afghan army and providing aid for education and jobs, being party to Northern Ireland-style peace negotiations with the Taliban.

The acceptance of this is partly realism  the Taliban has a solid base and steady recruitment from Pakistan. It is also a reflection of the changing face of terrorism.

President Ghani claims there are about 20 different terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan. The population may not like The Taliban, but at least they are home-grown  unlike IS, which is regarded as foreign.

The Taliban is not asking for a caliphate and there is even talk of it having moderate members. Young men need employment and some have drifted to the Taliban for want of anything else.

One British military official repeats the old adage: You can buy a Pakistani but you can only rent an Afghan.

In Kabul there is no official Taliban presence, although there are enough insurgents to create tension.

It is more than a decade since I visited Kabul and its transitional phase still looks hairy. The DfID delegation travels by helicopter from the airport to the embassy in the fortified zone because the roads are considered too dangerous.

No one would think of travelling by road outside Kabul. They try to avoid convoys since an attack in 2014 on a British Embassy convoy in which six people died. Mobile reception is blocked while driving to protect against bombs triggered by phones.

The city is under surveillance from American airborne cameras.

Afghanistan is a cinematic place with a memory of tolerance and civic life before the rise of the Taliban in 1996

Afghanistan is a cinematic place with a memory of tolerance and civic life before the rise of the Taliban in 1996.

The first lady, Rula Ghani, from a Christian Lebanese family, longs for the days when Afghanistan, much like her own country, was a cosmopolitan land of pleasure. It is a cruel reversal of feminism when mothers remember a freedom their daughters cannot know.

An Oxford-educated activist I meet in Kabul called Shaharzad Akbar says women everywhere are on their guard. She says that if she is out alone she becomes fearful of mens responses.

Women have retreated to the home in many areas. Virginity testing is still common practice. What inspires girls is access to phones, the internet and television, so they can compare their lives with women in the rest of the world.

Shaharzad said she watched Hillary Clinton lose the American election with bitter tears. Is that what happens? The crazy man gets it? What do women still have to do?

The criticism made of British and US policy in Afghanistan is that it was tactical rather than strategic. The population in return live for the short- term.

The President is doing his best to govern but the fragmented power bases are inherently unstable and the country seems always to be at the mercy of outside forces.

The latest threat is the one-and-a-half-million refugees returning to the country

The latest threat is the one-and-a-half-million refugees returning to the country. Half-a-million have been expelled by Pakistan.

Some will certainly have been Taliban-trained. Refugees are also streaming back from Iran, and then there are those who did not get to Europe. Shaharzad observes that the world is in her country but wont allow Afghans in theirs.

Was ever a country so at the mercy of outside interests? Can Afghanistan defeat the Taliban if Pakistans madrassas continue to train the next generation?

Pakistan is suspicious of Afghanistans friendship with India. Iran is busy preserving the power of Shias.

Russia is believed to be ambivalent towards the Taliban, seeing a mischievous historical justice in disrupting the US/British intervention  America did the same in supporting the Mujahideen against the Soviets.

Meanwhile, Russia contemplates gas pipelines and transport from the north. The UK looks to India.

In other words, Afghanistan is still at the centre of the Great Game.
A production of Shakespeares The Taming Of The Shrew  reimagined for a teenage audience to encourage them to discuss gender issues in modern times  is opening today.

Running for a month, the play, about a woman, Katherina, who is tamed to become an obedient bride, will be performed in The Globe and will retain Shakespeares text.

However, this production of what is described as a problem play  because of its arguably misogynistic content  has been created with 11- to 18-year-olds in mind and edited to 100 minutes.

Director Jacqueline Defferary said the play should encourage viewers to think about gender and identity. She said: People describe Shrew as a problem play. I see it as a perfect opportunity to explore pressing issues surrounding gender and relationships  important for us all, especially young people.

The play highlights how far we have come and how far we still have to go. This is where the problems lie, we cant shy away from them. The production is a Globe Educations Playing Shakespeare with Deutsche Bank production, now in its 11th year.

The initiative aims to encourage young people often put off from Shakespeare to embrace his works and enjoy going to the theatre for life.

More than 20,000 free tickets to the show are available for state secondary schools in London and Birmingham this year, with families invited to book free slots on Saturdays for the first time.

Globe Education director Patrick Spottiswoode said: The real success is the project is introducing students to Shakespeare and his plays as Shakespeare intended  through the power of play.

Arts picks of the week: 27th February - 5th March 1 /8 Arts picks of the week: 27th February - 5th March Tree Of Codes What a line-up: Wayne McGregor and his company, Jamie xx, Jonathan Safran Foer, Olafur Eliasson, and the Paris Opera Ballet. These are all the names involved in Tree of Codes, which premiered at the Manchester International Festival two years ago and finally gets a London premiere this week.



March 4 - 11, Sadlers Wells; sadlerswells.com My Country The National Theatre takes up the mantle to respond to Brexit, having recorded hours worth of interviews with thousands of people around the country. Directed by Rufus Norris, with the script put together by Carol Ann Duffy, its a self-proclaimed work-in-progress, but one of the first responses the arts world has offered to the vote that divided the nation.



February 28 - March 22, National Theatre; nationaltheatre.org.uk a profoundly affectionate, passionate devotion to someone (-noun) The capital letter-denying debbie tucker green returns to the Royal Court with a play title to remember: a profoundly affectionate, passionate devotion to someone (-noun). Starring Meera Syal, this play about three couples is sure to have the same quiet lyricism so characteristic of tucker greens work.



February 28 - April 1, Royal Court; royalcourttheatre.com Limehouse There was a time, way back when, when four prominent, disenchanted Labour Party members broke away and set up their own party. Does their discontent hold a mirror up to today? Steve Waters new play attempts to find out, opening at the Donmar Warehouse this week.



March 2 - April 15, Donmar Warehouse; donmarwarehouse.com Seventeen A bunch of octagenarian actors playing teenagers? Sounds like fun to us. This play by Matthew Whittet premiered in Australia, and now comes to the Lyric Hammersmith. Load your bag up with Smirnoff Ice and Wethers Originals, to cover both bases.



March 4 - April 8, Lyric Hammersmith; lyric.co.uk NOW Festival The Yards annual festival of radical new performance ends this week, but not before the brilliant Deborah Pearson performs her show History History History, in a double bill with Julie Rose Bower.



February 28 - March 4, The Yard; theyardtheatre.co.uk Ballet Black This company for international dancers of black and Asian descent will perform a triple bill at the Barbican this week. The centrepiece is Christopher Hampsons Storyville, the story of a farm girl who falls prey to unscrupulous characters in 1920s New Orleans, with music by Kurt Weill.



March 18-19, Barbican Centre; barbican.org.uk The Enormous Room Stopgap Dance Company perform at Sadlers Wells this week with their new show about a complex relationship between a father and daughter both living through a grieving process. It stars David Toole, who appeared in DV8s The Cost of Living and had a solo in the 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony.



March 2-3, Lilian Baylis Theatre; sadlerswells.com

One student was overheard leaving the theatre saying, I knew I didnt like Shakespeare. Now I know I was wrong  an endorsement of everything Playing Shakespeare sets out to do.

Deutsche Bank head of corporate citizenship Nicole Lovett said: There is real concern about GCSE arts subjects  20 per cent down since 2010.

We let thousands of students experience theatre and develop a relationship with Shakespeare, supporting not only their studies but personal development and future employability.

To book tickets to school or family Saturday performances go to playingshakespeare.org
W hile you may assume her Royal Majesty the Queen enjoys fine dining every day, this isn't always the case.

According to The Telegraph, twice a week the head chef to the royal household, Mark Flanagan, provides the Queen with menu suggestion which she can approve by ticking off or crossing out.

However, Darren McGrady, a former chef in the royal kitchens, said that the Queen is "not a foodie. She eats to live, unlike Prince Philip who loves to eat and would stand and talk food all day."

When she dines on her own, he added, shes very disciplined. No starch is the rule."

We took a look at the Queen's typical day of eating and drinking, from the tea she drinks and biscuits she eats when she wakes up to her low-carb lunches, her nightly glass of Champagne, and penchant for chocolate.

Scroll down to see what Her Royal Majesty the Queen has for every meal  and in between.

We took a look at what Her Royal Majesty the Queen likes to eat and drink for every meal  and in between.

Deciding what to eat must be tough when you're a royal. Luckily, her Royal Majesty the Queen has a team on hand to help her pick her menu  even when she's shopping at Waitrose.

The Queen starts her day with tea and biscuits.

She has a freshly brewed pot of Earl Grey tea (no milk or sugar) in bone china cup, with a few biscuits.

(Shutterstock ) / Shutterstock

She then moves on to breakfast, which normally involves cereal and fruit.

She's partial to Special K, according to The Telegraph. Kellogg's, Quaker Oats, and Weetabix all hold royal warrants.

However, she likes her cereal to be served from Tupperware, which she believes keeps it fresh.

Janet Ramsden/Flickr

She occasionally opts for toast and marmalade...

Jam in the royal household comes from Wilkin & Sons.

Source: BT

...Or, on some occasions, enjoys scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and truffle.

Source: The Telegraph

However, she prefers brown eggs.

She thinks they taste better, according to The Guardian.

Before lunch, she enjoys a gin and Dubonnet (a sweet wine-based aperitif) with a slice of lemon and a lot of ice.

It's likely she uses Gordon's Gin, which has a royal warrant.

Source: The Independent

Queen Elizabeth II Sapphire Jubilee: 30 looks in blue 1 /40 Queen Elizabeth II Sapphire Jubilee: 30 looks in blue October 9, 1989 Visiting British Queen Elizabeth II (R) chats with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew when he pays a courtesy call on her at the Presidential Palace Toru Yamanaka/AFP/Getty Images June, 1993 A portrait of Her Majesty the Queen, Elizabeth II in an open carriage during Royal Ascot Chris Cole/Allsport/Getty Images 19 February, 1994 An Anguillan resident points her camera at Queen Elizabeth II as she greets residents and tourist lined up at a downtown street Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images March 5, 1997 Queen Elizabeth with President Mugabe of Zimbabwe and his wife, pose for photographers after being the Queen's guest at Buckingham Palace Johnny Eggitt/AFP/Getty Images November 20, 1997 Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in jovial mood after thanking the Dean of Westminster for a special service at Westminster Abbey to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary, leave the Westminster Abbey Gerry Penny/AFP/Getty Images May 13, 1998 Queen Elizabeth II and the Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien (2L) inspect the honor guard at Buckingham Palace Dylan Martinez/AFP/Getty Images November 7, 1999 Queen Elizabeth II and Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings walk together upon the Queen's arrival for a state visit to the former British colony Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images February 23, 2000 Queen Elizabeth talks with Princess Anne (right) and Dame Helen Reeves (left), Chief Executive of Victim Support, during a meeting with members of the voluntary sector in the London Marriott Hotel, County Hall Adrain Dennis/AFP/Getty Images July 14, 2000 Queen Elizabeth II arrives for the Service of the Order of St Michael and St George at St Paul's Cathedral in London Micahel Stephens/AFP/Getty Images October 8, 2001 Queen Elizabeth II holds a hi-tech baton, designed to relay the Queen's opening message to the Golden Jubilee Commonwealth Games in Manchester next year, which was presented to her at Buckingham Palace, London Fiona Hanson/AFP/Getty Images April 30, 2002 Queen Elizabeth II is escorted by Speaker of the House Michael Martin (right) through Central Lobby at The Houses of Parliament after making an historic address at the start of her Golden Jubilee celebrations in London Adrian Dennis /AFP/Getty Images June 4, 2002 Queen Elizabeth II waving to the crowd as she rides in the Gold State coach from Buckingham Palace to St Paul's Cathedral for a service of Thanksgiving to celebrate to her Golden Jubilee PA July 6, 2004 Domenica Lawson (L), god daughter of the late Princess Diana presents a posy to Queen Elizabeth ll and the Duke of Edinburgh (R) after the unveiling ceremony for the Princess Diana memorial fountain in London's Hyde Park Arthur Edwards/AFP/Getty Images December 5, 2006 Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh leaving The Ritz in Londo PA October 21, 2008 Queen Elizabeth II inspects an honour guard during a welcoming ceremony at Brdo castle, some 50 kilometers north of the Slovenian capital Ljubljana Hrvoje Polan/AFP/Getty Images October 11, 2010 Queen Elizabeth II looks at a newly commissioned portrait of herself in The Queen's Room as she is given a tour of the Cunard's new cruise-liner Queen Elizabeth II in Southampton Docks in Southampton Arthur Edwards/WPA Pool/Getty Images April 27, 2011 Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh arrive to open the Sainsbury Laboratory for Plant Sciences in the University of Cambridge Botanic Garden in Cambridge Andrew Winning/WPA Pool/Getty Images July 28, 2012 Queen Elizabeth II visits the Aquatics Centre on day one of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Park in London Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images November 14, 2012 Queen Elizabeth II meets the crowd after her visit to the Royal Commonwealth Society on in London Ian Gavan/WPA Pool/Getty Images December 25, 2012 Queen Elizabeth II leaves St Mary Magdalene Church after attending the traditional Christmas Day church service in Sandringham, near King's Lynn Chris Jackson/Getty Images June 2, 2012 Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh arrive at The Derby in Epsom Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images December 18, 2012 Queen Elizabeth II leaves Number 10 Downing Street after attending the Government's weekly Cabinet meetingon in London Chris Jackson/Getty Images April 29, 2014 Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to the Chapel to view the restoration and meet local people involved with the project at the Royal Dockyard Chapel during an official visit in Pembroke Dock Bethany Clarke/Getty Images June 16, 2015 Queen Elizabeth arrives in the royal carriage for day 2 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse in Ascot Chris Jackson/Getty Images April 5, 2015 Queen Elizabeth II leaves the Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in Windsor, Neil Hall/WPA Pool/Getty Images March 26, 2015 Queen Elizabeth II smiles at schoolchildren as she leaves the National Memorial to the Few after opening a new wing in Folkestone Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images April 30, 2015 Queen Elizabeth II reacts after presenting New Colours to the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards at Windsor Castle in London Cathal McNaughton/WPA Pool /Getty Images March 8, 2016 Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she meets people being helped by the Prince's Trust at the Prince's Trust Centre in Kennington in London Chris Jackson/Getty Images December 24, 2016 Queen Elizabeth II sits at a desk in the Regency Room after recording her Christmas Day broadcast to the Commonwealth at Buckingham Palace in London Yui Mok/WPA Pool/Getty Images March 14, 2016 Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she arrives at the annual Commonwealth Day service on Commonwealth Day in Westminster Abbey, London Geoff Pugh/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Lunch is something simple, like fish with vegetables.

She likes to eat grilled Dover sole with wilted spinach or courgettes, according to former royal chef Darren McGrady.

She's also partial to a simple grilled chicken with salad.

She has a "no starch" rule when she's eating along, meaning no potatoes, rice, or pasta, McGrady told The Daily Mail.

(Shutterstock ) / Shutterstock

Every day, she takes afternoon tea.

It's served with fingers sandwiches such as cucumber, smoked salmon, egg and mayonnaise, or ham and mustard with the crusts removed (to save calories, no doubt), as well as jam pennies tiny raspberry jam sandwiches cut into circles the size of an English Penny.

It also comes with McVitie's rich tea biscuits, scones, and cakes, her favourites being honey and cream sponge, ginger, fruit, and the chocolate biscuit cake what was served at Will and Kate's wedding, according to McGrady.

Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images

For dinner, fillets of beef or venison, pheasant, or salmon come from farms in Sandringham and Balmoral.

The meat is turned into Gaelic steak, and served with a sauce of mushroom, cream and whisky. She also loves a Sunday roast, when it's served well done.

While her former chefs didn't mention condiments, the likes of Lea & Perrins, HP Sauce, and Heinz ketchup all hold royal warrants.

PA

Dessert includes strawberries, also from Balmoral, or sweet, white peaches from the greenhouses at Windsor Castle.

Source: The Telegraph

PA

The Queen also adores chocolate, whether it's a luxury or grocery store brand.

Charbonnel et Walker, Bendicks, and Prestat all hold royal warrants, but supermarket brands like Cadbury and Nestle could also be found in the royal household.

Along with the chocolate biscuit cake that's one of her favourites, she also loves chocolate mousse and a traditional chocolate ganache sponge cake.

And, last but not least, she finishes her day with a glass of Champagne.

PA

She usually has a glass of Champagne in the evening, according to The Independent, likely chosen from the eight brands including Bollinger, Lanson, and Krug  that have been given royal warrants.

And, of course, warrants have been given to a number of fine wines, though she isn't a huge fan.

Read more:

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Read the original article on Business Insider UK.  2017. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter.
F rom stunning images representing domestic life of Saudi Arabian women to impressive photos of Russian body builders preparing to flex on stage, the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards shortlist is nothing less than remarkable.

This year, awards celebrate one decade of recognising the best modern photographers from all over the world. The panel saw over 227,000 submissions from 183 countries -- with 15 UK-based photographers earning a spot on the shortlist. The record number of participants competed in Professional, Open and Youth competitions, all of which were free to enter.

The shortlisted photographers now compete for the latest Sony imaging equipment, inclusion in the 2017 awards book, plus cash prizes of up to $25,000 (18,900).

The Sony World Photography Awards has celebrated photographers and photography throughout its ten-year history, Scott Gray, CEO of World Photography Organisation, said. We now look forward to ensuring that photography has a global platform and is recognised as the dynamic, exciting and accessible medium it is.

After the overall winners are revealed 20 April, the winning and shortlisted images will be on display at Somerset House until 7 May, when the exhibit will go on a worldwide tour.

Further details about the Sony World Photography Awards and the World Photography Organisation can be found at worldphoto.org.
I f there's one thing Maastricht is famous for, it is the treaty of the same name. Signed 25 years ago in February 1992, it created the European Union, paved the way for the euro  and arguably sowed the seeds of last years shock Brexit vote.

But despite being known for little else in the UK, this charming Toytown-sized city of 120,000 people, tucked away in the south-eastern corner of the Netherlands, is well worth a visit no matter how you voted last June. Offering ancient ruins, distinctive cuisine and French-influenced architecture, it is a very different prospect to the better-known Dutch cities.

Maastricht dates back to the Romans  they built a bridge over the River Maas here in the first century  and has since been fought over and conquered by the Spanish, the French (twice) and finally the Germans in 1940. Around one in 10 of the population are students at Maastricht University, and many of them are from overseas, which helps explain the citys youthful cosmopolitan vibe.

Stay

The Boutique Hotel Grote Gracht (boutiquehotelgrotegracht.nl) is a well-located, 25-room hotel just a few minutes walk from the central Vrijthof squares busy cafe-bars, and is within easy reach of Maastrichts main attractions. A converted 18th-century house, the hotel underwent a refurbishment three years ago, adding mod-cons while preserving the historic ambience. Some of the rooms have an art deco look but the superior rooms have an authentic French classical feel, with repro furniture that wouldnt have been out of place in the original house. Doubles start from 109 per room, room only.

Boutique Grote Gracht Hotel

Eat

Youve got to sample the popular local dish, Zuurvlees, at the delightful Cafe Sjiek (cafesjiek.nl) in Pieterstraat, on the edge of the old city and cosy and full of character. Zuurvlees might not sound very appetising  the dish consists of a horse meat stew served in a sweet- and-sour gravy  but its surprisingly tasty.

If horse meat isnt your thing, head down the road to trendy Cafe Forum (cafeforum.eu), where a hip, young crowd gathers for salads and burgers paired with a good selection of craft beers from the Netherlands and Belgium.

For a locally brewed Brand Pilsener, try Cafe de Knijnspiep (knijnspiep.nl), a wood-panelled pub that dates back over a century. Another must is Cafe In de Karkol (indekarkol.nl), voted the Netherlands best pub last year by Dutch magazine Misset Horeca.

Maastricht is also famous for its frituuren (fry shops). One of the best is Tuutsje vaan Teunsje (tuutsje.nl) in Wyck, on the eastern side of the Maas, which serves fries Dutch-style  that is, with gravy or mayonnaise.

Shop

If youre into strong cheese, try a small block of Rommedoe  a locally produced soft cheese  at specialist fromagerie Rommedoeke (rommedoeke.nl). Be warned: youll need to wrap it up in two or three plastic bags.

If youve got more of a sweet tooth, head to Patisserie Royale (royale.nl) to buy a Limburg vlaai  a delicious tart with an apricot jam-like filling.

Bibliophiles, on the other hand, should visit the vaulted, temple-like Dominicanen book store (ibris.nl/dominicanen), situated in a 700-year-old Gothic church.

Selexyz Dominicanen Bookshop, built within the walls of a 13th century Gothic church building / Alamy Stock Photo

See

Medieval-looking Helpoort (Hell Gate) might sound a bit frightening but the Netherlands oldest fortified city gate dates from 1229, when the city shut itself up each night to keep out unsavoury marauders. Be sure not to miss the fascinating underground cave system (maastricht underground.nl) in St Pietersberg and Cannerberg, where generations of Jesuit monks left amazing art, including reliefs, frescoes and wall paintings. The old medieval city wall overlooking pretty Nolenspark is also worth a visit, as is the excavated Roman street hidden away in the basement of the Derlon Hotel ( derlon.com).

Finally, head for Plein 1992 (1992 Square) in the Ceramique district. The square is home to a mix of sleek modern buildings, including the city library, and offers a fine view of the Maas.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the lack of overt EU symbolism. So while this Dutch city will forever be linked in our minds to a treaty, rest assured: no one is going to bang on about Brexit as you tuck into your Zuurvlees.

Details: Maastricht

Eurostar offers tickets to Liege from 34.50 one-way (eurostar.com). From here, its a 30-minute train ride to Maastricht, with departures around once every hour.

holland.com
A woman has died after being struck by a car at a junction in south-west London.

Emergency services rushed to Kingston Road, Teddington, on Monday night after reports of a pedestrian that had been hit by a car.

Police battled to give the woman emergency life support before the arrival of the London Air Ambulance, but she was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

Officers said the driver of the car stopped at the scene but was not arrested.

Collision: The woman was struck near to the junction of Kingston Road and Ferry Road / Google Maps

The Mets Roads and Transport division is now appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash to come forward.

A spokesman said: Police were called at around 11pm on Monday to a car and pedestrian in collision on Kingston Road, Teddington - near the junction with Ferry Road.

Officers attended and administered emergency life support to the pedestrian, a woman, until the arrival of LAS and medical staff from London's Air Ambulance.

The woman was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin have been informed but officers await a formal identification.

The driver of the car stopped at the scene, they were not arrested. The Serious Collision Investigation Unit is carrying out enquiries.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked contact the police witness line on 020 8543 5157, or 101 or tweet @MetCC.
A man had his 18 carat family heirloom ring stolen by a female hugger mugger in a Westminster robbery.

The woman sidled up to the victim as he was drinking in The Crown pub in Brewer Street, near Piccadilly Circus, before striking up a conversation.

It is thought the suspected thief may have stolen the victim's 120-year-old French gold ring as she hugged him to say goodbye when the pair parted at nearby Golden Square in Soho.

Police are now appealing to find the suspect, who is believed to be Italian, blonde, around 5ft 4ins tall and aged in her mid-30s.

Family heirloom: The gold ring, which was made in France in 1890, belonged to the victim's grandmother. / Met Police

She was wearing a black furry coat with a belt and high collar when the robbery happened at around 7pm on Wednesday, February 15, police said.

DC Gareth Arthur, from Westminster police, said the ring  which belonged to the victims grandmother  is of huge sentimental value.

It has been in the family for many years, he said.

"I would appeal to anyone with information regarding the woman, or who was in the Brewer Street area, to contact us."

The Met Police are also warning the public to be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas of London and keep wallets and purses close.

They added: Be wary of staged distractions such as street performers and street gamblers if you are jostled, bumped, hugged or crowded by anyone, consider that a pickpocket may be in action.

If your pocket is picked, call out immediately for assistance and warn others.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact officers at Westminster via 101 or on Twitter @MetCC.
D etectives launched a murder hunt today after a man was stabbed outside a bank on a busy High Street last night.

The 34-year-old was attacked outside a branch of the Halifax bank opposite the recently closed police station on Wealdstone High Street shortly after rush hour.

The victim was rushed to hospital in a critical condition and underwent emergency surgery but died in the early hours of this morning.

A witness told how passers-by fought to save the life of the victim, who was said to be a student at Harrow College.

The man was stabbed directly opposite a recently closed police station

Alex Peerzad, who works in a shop next to the crime scene, said: He was laying on the floor bleeding, people ran to help him, he had three wounds, they were trying to stop the blood, it was terrible. I know the guy stabbed, he is a humble family guy we are in shock.

A crime tent today marked the spot where the man was attacked as forensics officers prepared to trawl for clues.

Local businesses told of the mayhem as police and ambulances arrived at the scene.

A grocery store worker said: It was mayhem. The first we knew about it was flashing blue lights, loads of police and ambulances. We are really shocked. Its so busy around here even in the evening. Its very frightening.

A woman, who lives on the High Street and asked not to be named, told the Standard she saw a lot of blood on the floor and police stood guard at a huge cordon throughout the night.

The 47-year-old said: I heard a lot of shouting and screams and a lot of sirens but initially took no notice as I hear those things quite a lot.

Then my son called me to see if I was OK and said that someone had been killed outside the bank. I looked outside and it was chaos.

There was a man dressed in white overalls taking pictures at about 3am and the forensics tent was put up just before that.

Police sealed off a 50 yard stretch of the High Street as forensics teams spent the night searching for clues.

Today detectives appealed for witnesses saying they were keeping an open mind about the motive for the attack.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Lawson, who is leading the investigation, said: We believe the area at the time of the stabbing, just before 6.50pm in the evening, would have been very busy with people coming from nearby Harrow and Wealdstone station.

We are very keen to hear from anyone who was in and around the Wealdstone High Street area that may have seen or heard anything suspicious, especially from anyone who saw people running towards the station.

Police say the mans family had been informed.

There have been no arrests.

Anyone with information should call 020 8358 0200 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
P olice fired shots and released a Taser during a robbery at a petrol station in south London.

Two men were spotted attempting to ambush a driver trying to deliver cash to the service station in Portland Road, South Norwood, around 2.30pm on Monday, Scotland Yard said.

Officers attempted to stop the suspects and fired shots in the process, police said.

No one was injured, a spokesman added.

The two suspects then drove away before crashing into a vehicle driven by a pensioner in Grange Road.

A 70-year-old was rushed to a south London hospital.

His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

A 27-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of robbery but the other man, believed to be 26, escaped on foot, the Croydon Advertiser reported.

A suspect was found by officers in a nearby property.

Police said a Taser was discharged when arresting the second suspect.

Both men were taken to a south London police station where they remain in custody.

Police said the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed as a matter of course and enquiries continue.
D etectives have launched a murder investigation after a man was stabbed to death on a busy high street in west London.

The victim, a man believed to be aged 34, was attacked in Wealdstone on Monday evening.

A witness said the victim was stabbed in the chest. He collapsed outside a branch of Halifax shortly before 7pm as commuters made their way home down the busy high street.

Emergency services raced to the scene near the junctions with George Gange Way and Gordon Road.

Crime scene: the aftermath of the fatal attack

The man was rushed to hospital in central London in a critical condition but died in the early hours of the morning.

Scotland Yard said he was pronounced dead at about 2.30am and his next of kin have been informed.

Forensics teams were trawling the scene of the attack throughout the night, witnesses said.

Fatal stabbing: A forensics tent at the scene

A woman, who lives on the high street and asked not to be named, told the Standard she saw a lot of blood on the floor and police stood guard at a huge cordon throughout the night.

The 47-year-old said: I heard a lot of shouting and screams and a lot of sirens but initially took no notice as I hear those things quite a lot.

Then my son called me to see if I was OK and said that someone had been killed outside the bank. I looked outside and it was chaos.

There was a man dressed in white overalls taking pictures at about 3am and the forensics tent was put up just before that.

The street was cordoned off after the attack

All the shops have been closed  Asda, Boots, the gym  they havent been letting anyone in."

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Lawson, who is leading the investigation, said: "We believe the area at the time of the stabbing, just before 6.50pm in the evening, would have been very busy with people coming from nearby Harrow and Wealdstone station.

"We are very keen to hear from anyone who was in and around the Wealdstone High Street area that may have seen or heard anything suspicious, especially from anyone who saw people running towards the station."

There have been no arrests at this stage and enquiries continue.

Officers believe they know who the deceased is but await formal identification.

A post mortem examination will be scheduled in due course.

Any witnesses, or anyone with any information, are urged to contact the incident room on 020 8358 0200, or contact police by calling 101 or by tweeting @MetCC.

They can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
U p to 30,000 children will miss out on their first choice of secondary school in London, education experts have predicted.

It means that, in September, record numbers of 11-year-olds  almost a third of those who applied for a place  will start at schools that are not their top preference. The Good Schools Guide, which produced the figures, said there were not enough secondary schools in London to cope with the number of children needing places this autumn.

It also warned that the schools places crisis facing the capital could mean pupil choice becomes even worse in years to come. Last year, 31 per cent of pupils failed to get their first preference school, although only 11 per cent missed out on one of their top three. This year, there are thought to have been 4,000 more applicants for places  up from 87,000 last year to 91,000  making the pressure even worse.

Families will be told which school their child has been allocated on national offer day tomorrow and children in London are expected to be the least likely in the country to get a place at their preferred school.

London Councils, which represents the 33 local authorities, has warned that more than 47,000 extra secondary places are needed in the capital over the next five years or more pupils will miss out.

Last year, London pupils fared the worst in the country for getting their top choice place  19 of the 20 worst affected boroughs were here.

In Hammersmith and Fulham, only 52 per cent of pupils got a place in their preferred school. The figure was 53.4 per cent in Westminster and 57.9 per cent in Lambeth. Some families missed out on all six of their chosen schools, meaning some children were forced to attend under-performing schools.

Elizabeth Coatman of The Good Schools Guide said: We are now in a position where nearly half of Londons boroughs have more applicants than they have school places. Local authorities are legally obliged to provide children with a place at school, but they no longer have the power to create new schools.

The current demographic bulge will continue to exert pressure on secondary school places till the mid-2020s and, with the majority of London schools likely to be worse off under the new schools funding formula, the future does not look good.

Parents have shared their concerns online. One mother wrote on Mums-net: Already counting down the days until we find out which school shes been allocated (if at all). Another said: Id be massively disappointed if we dont get our first choice for my daughter as we feel it is the best fit for her.

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: The proportion of parents getting a place at their first choice of school remains stable. Last year 94.3 per cent of parents in London got an offer at one of their preferred schools.

Nearly 200,000 additional pupil places were created in London between May 2010 and May 2015, and the Government is now pushing ahead with the creation of many more new school places.
Y oung Londoners believe internships and apprenticeships are vital for career success and want more to be provided, a survey has found.

The study, on behalf of Citi Foundation, found that 60 per cent of young people saw such posts as critical, but 40 per cent of those questioned said there were not enough opportunities.

The Global Youth Survey 2017 was part of research for the global bank alongside its Pathways to Progress initiative. It also found that nearly 51 per cent of young people in the capital aspired to be entrepreneurs, yet only eight per cent did such work.

The findings were published as the Citi Foundation announced a three-year $100 million (80 million) commitment to help 500,000 young people around the world into work.

The plan aims to reduce youth unemployment and give more opportunities to people from low-income backgrounds through initiatives including apprenticeships. The expansion of the Pathways to Progress initiative in Britain, the largest philanthropy commitment ever made by the Citi Foundation, will include support for several projects, including the Mayor of Londons Entrepreneur Awards, supporting Londons students with a business idea to reduce the capitals energy use and carbon emissions.

It will also work with the Career Ready charity to help students from lower-income families to develop confidence, skills and networks.

James Bardrick, head of Citi in UK, said: With Pathways to Progress, we will work hand in hand with local partners, like the Mayors Fund for London and Career Ready, to support the next generation.
A leading London doctor who says that women should be free to choose what to do with their bodies has been spared prosecution over allegations that he authorised unlawful genital surgery on a mother of two.

Professor David Veale was placed under a three-year Met investigation after another senior doctor complained to police that his involvement in a clitoris removal operation on the 33-year-old woman appeared to breach the law on female genital mutilation.

A file on the case was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider whether Mr Veale, a consultant psychiatrist at Londons Maudsley and Priory hospitals, should be charged for advising that the surgery could go ahead.

It has now been decided to take no action against either Mr Veale or the surgeon, Dr Joe Daniels, who carried out the procedure at a London clinic.

The doctor who complained about the surgery, Professor Susan Bewley, today claimed that the decision risked giving a green light to female genital mutilation.

But Mr Veale told the Evening Standard that he had been caught up in a highly political campaign to secure a first conviction for female genital mutilation and that there was a completely clear difference between FGM and cosmetic surgery.

He said the patient, a graduate and former boarding school pupil, had a long-standing aversion to the appearance of her genitals, even though they were a normal shape, and that surgery was necessary for her mental health.

He said this made the operation compliant with FGM legislation  which prohibits mutilation unless there is a medical or psychological reason  and that it had been bizarre to seek to use the criminal law against him.

He added that although he disliked cosmetic genital surgery and would like to develop a psychological therapy to prevent it, women should be free to choose to do what they wanted with their own bodies.

FGM and cosmetic surgery are completely different. To me its completely clear, he said.

FGM is an abhorrent practice conducted on girls against their consent motivated by a desire to control female sexuality, but [cosmetic genital surgery] is provided for adult women with capacity to consent and motivated by a desire to improve their appearance and sexuality. Its no different to any other cosmetic surgery.

Mr Veale said he was not an apologist for cosmetic genital surgery and added: I dont like the procedure. But the bottom line for me is freedom of choice. You have a freedom of choice if you have capacity for consent to do what you wish with your own body.

On the criminal investigation against him, he said it had dragged on despite having no chance of success. I gave an opinion in the same way that a barrister or a solicitor is asked to give an opinion. You cant possibly be held up for aiding and abetting for giving an opinion. But its a highly political area. The pressure is on because they [the CPS] have never managed to get any convictions over the past 20 or 30 years.

The CPS decision not to proceed was criticised, however, by Professor Bewley, a consultant and academic at Kings College, London, who gave expert evidence for the defence at the only FGM trial to take place in Britain so far.

Ms Bewley said: It makes a mockery of the law. Its extraordinary. Despite the police having spent three years investigating, its puzzling that the CPS has decided against pressing charges.

Does this mean all female cosmetic genital surgery, maybe even on minors, is exempt? The CPS decision-making looks inconsistent. Inevitably doctors are left confused and patient safety is unclear.

The investigation into Mr Veale and Mr Daniels began after they wrote an article in August 2011 in The Archives of Sexual Behaviour medical journal about the clitoris removal operation.

The article said she had already had labia reduction surgery but still thought her genitals were ugly and hated the look of them . The woman was understood to be satisfied with the outcome of the clitoris removal surgery.

The Standard has been unable to contact Mr Daniels.

The Crown Prosecution Service said both doctors had been of good character and that it had carefully examined all evidence  which went beyond the contents of the articles  and concluded there was not enough for a realistic prospect of conviction.

A spokesman added: Every case is decided on its own merits as the nature and quality of the evidence will vary. It is entirely wrong to generalise or suggest this case creates a precedent.
P arents who risk a criminal record for dropping their children off at school by car today criticised the clampdown as a sledgehammer to crack a nut  but others said it would save lives.

Drivers of any vehicle seen dropping off or picking up pupils in zones outside four primaries in east London now face fixed penalty notices of 100.

Any who fail to pay within 14 days, or who are caught three times, have been told they will be prosecuted and could be fined up to 1,000. The crackdown, by Havering council, follows complaints about driveways being blocked and overcrowding. It says it follows years of unsuccessful campaigns to encourage sensible driving and parking outside schools, which saw a small but determined minority continue to park dangerously, putting the lives of children at risk.

Civil liberties campaigners have criticised it as an abuse of Public Place Protection Order (PSPO) powers, introduced four years ago to curb serious anti-social behaviour such as drug dealing. Information sheets issued for the schools involved  James Oglethorpe and Engayne in Upminster, Parsonage Farm in Rainham and Wykeham in Hornchurch  warn parents: Dont run the risk of a criminal record. If deemed a success, the PSPO scheme, in which areas are monitored by CCTV, could be rolled out in schools across London. Normal parking rules, in which people get at least five minutes grace from wardens, do not apply.

The scene outside the school gates / Jeremy Selwyn

At Engayne, where the crackdown was brought in in December, parents cannot now park in streets around the school between 8am and 9.30am and 2.30pm and 4pm. The nearest spot is now about five minutes walk away.

Angie Baillieul, 37, who drives in with daughter, Lola, six, said: This kind of a crackdown is way over the top. Its a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Her car has a blue disabled badge allowing her to park in the zone. But she clashed with an enforcement officer who threatened her with a ticket for not properly displaying a clock to show how long she had been parked.

Julie Picton, who walks daughter Ella, nine, to and from school, said: It was absolutely murder around here. Cars everywhere  there was bound to be a serious accident or worse. Kevin McKee, 52, a firefighter who lives opposite the school, said: People would park across my driveway for 15 minutes when I was trying to get to work.

Councillor Jason Frost said: Traffic has significantly reduced, and more children are now walking to school, which is a great outcome. I would rather have complaints that we are slightly inconveniencing parents than hear that a child had been seriously injured because nothing was done.
B oris Johnson hit back at Sir John Major today in a growing row over Britains future outside of the EU.

The Foreign Secretary warned against people moaning and droning about the state of the world.

Mr Johnson spoke out after former Prime Minister Sir John accused the Government of leading the public to expect a future outside the EU that is unreal and over-optimistic.

The ex-Tory leader also warned that the chance of no Brexit agreement being reached within the two-year time limit after triggering Article 50 next month is very high.

Speaking to business chiefs in central London, Mr Johnson was set to say: You know sometimes when I hear people moaning and droning about the state of the world I get a bit impatient.

Sir John Major criticises Theresa May's Brexit strategy

And when I hear them warn that the sky is about to fall on our heads I feel like saying come off it sunshine.

Mr Johnson was also expected at the British Chambers of Commerces annual conference to launch a strong defence of globalisation.

Sir John Major criticised the government over Brexit / Will Oliver/EPA

He was set to stress that it had helped to lift billions of people out of poverty over recent decades.

His championing of globalisation contrasts with protectionists moves launched by Donald Trump which have sparked concerns that they could hit world trade.

Despite Mr Johnsons belief that Britain will strike a good trade deal with the EU, the BCC has called for potentially delaying the UKs departure if a trade deal cannot be done by 2019.

It is also demanding that firms should be allowed freedom to continue recruiting skilled workers from the EU after the UK has broken away from Brussels.

Gina Miller on why Parliament scared to have Brexit debate

The group called for an immigration system with minimal bureaucracy, costs or barriers after Brexit, with EU workers exempted from the Tier 2 visa system for skilled workers.

It also highlighted concerns in sectors such as agriculture and hospitality, which have relied on low-skilled workers from EU countries to fill vacancies.

Mr Johnson has stressed that Britain wants the EU to succeed and to be a strong trading partner.

Meanwhile, the Government has shot down the first challenge in the House of Lords against its plan to formally trigger the negotiations.

Boris Johnson poked in face with microphone at summit

Peers voted by 299 to 136 against an amendment to the Brexit Bill demanding the UK retains membership of the European single market.

Ministers are also under pressure to gurantee rights for EU citizens already in the UK, including to protect the NHS from an exodus of doctors from other European countries.
C abinet ministers were today ordered to prepare for the possibility that Britain will leave the European Union without a trade deal.

Brexit Seretary David Davis told the weekly Cabinet that the departure talks would be the most important peacetime agreement in their lifetimes.

But he went on to say that each government department should be ready for the unlikely scenario that no mutually satisfactory agreement can be reached.

Theresa May told the same meeting she was optimistic that there would be a bespoke deal for Anglo-EU trade relations.

The discussion comes ahead of her triggering Brexit negotiations with the 27 other members by moving Article 50, which she has promised to do before the end of March.

In a speech to business leaders later, Boris Johnson said the UK could strike a fantastic deal but admitted there could be bumps in the road during talks.

There was no reason at all why the UK should not strike a fantastic deal that is as frictionless as possible for British business, he told the British Chambers of Commerce conference in London.

We have an unrivalled opportunity, it is unlike any other free trade deal the EU has ever done, in the sense that we are already exactly flush with our friends and partners on standards and tariffs and everything else, he said.

Mr Johnson said goodwill was building rather than diminishing between Britain and Europe.

But ex-chancellor George Osborne told the conference that leaving without any trade deal would amount to the biggest act of protectionism in British history.
G reen Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley has revealed that he killed a man when he was driving at the age of 17.

Mr Bartley, 45, said he was returning home from a concert when a student walked in front of his vehicle in London.

The politician, who became joint leader of the Green Party with Caroline Lucas in September last year, said that the police did not press charges against him after the crash because he was found to be neither intoxicated or driving recklessly.

Speaking on talkRADIO, he added that he had apologised to the victims family after attending the inquest and that his Christian faith, family and friends had helped him to deal with the incident.

He told the broadcaster: "I was coming back from a gig and a guy came out in front of me and I killed him, and I've had to live with that for the rest of my life.

I grew up with a strong moral code and it felt as though I had been responsible by mistake... I felt so low. I woke up the next morning feeling I didn't deserve to go on living."

He added: "Cars are lethal weapons, it isn't just about air pollution they emit."

A Green Party spokesperson said: This tragic incident is something Jonathan has always been open about.

"An inquest was held at the time and he was found to have done nothing wrong.

"This incident had a profound impact on Jonathan and is one of the reasons he is a passionate campaigner for road safety measures to protect pedestrians and cyclists.
V ictims of IRA bombings in London today condemned Theresa Mays Government after it killed off a bid to pay compensation from a fortune stashed in Britain by terrorist-backing former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Anger erupted after a Conservative whip used an obscure Commons procedure to derail a Bill that could have helped Londoners with serious injuries including paralysis, blindness and brain damage.

Numerous IRA atrocities were carried out with Semtex high explosive supplied by Gaddafi, including attacks on Harrods, Hyde Park and Canary Wharf.

Campaigners want 9.5 billion in assets moved by Gaddafi to Britain to be spent on compensation to victims and their families. But the Government insists the Gaddafi assets, including cash, properties and investments, cannot legally be touched as they are frozen under a United Nations resolution.

The issue came to a dramatic climax in the Commons when a cross-party group of MPs brought forward the Asset Freezing (Compensation) Bill to release some of the money. At its second reading, a government whip  said by MPs to be Robert Syms  was heard to shout object, which under Commons rules stopped the measure.

Fellow Tory MP James Cartlidge immediately stood up to protest on a point of order, saying: Throughout the IRAs reign of terror, much of the explosive they used to kill was supplied by Libya. The Bill has the support of victims of IRA terrorism. Are you able to give any advice to those of us who want to put on record the anger of those victims that the Bill has been objected to?

Susanne Dodd, the daughter of a hero police officer killed in the 1983 Harrods bombing, accused Mrs May of personally ordering the Bill to be killed.

Not only has the Prime Minister refused to meet me, she sent a government minister to object to the second reading, she said. It is disgraceful how the Government are treating the victims. They can pay a terrorist millions of pounds out of taxpayers money, but cant help victims that need new wheelchairs or support in their daily lives.

The Government needs to look at what they are doing to the victims.

A government spokesman said it is trying to obtain compensation: We are determined to see a just solution for UK victims of Gaddafi-sponsored terrorism and the Foreign Office continues to encourage the Libyans to engage with UK victims. We will continue to support victims in their attempts to seek redress from the Libyan authorities once stability returns.
L ondons small businesses are pooling experiences of Brexit on a new website.

Pro-EU campaign group Open Britain is collecting testimony from entrepreneurs affected by the vote to leave the European Union.

The accounts sent in so far include an organic food company boss who says she fears extra costs from leaving the European customs union, a restaurateur bemoaning the higher price of imported ingredients and a digital marketing agency who says clients have cancelled projects.

The project, called Listen Local, is designed to give ammunition to opponents of a hard Brexit when Theresa May starts negotiations on leaving terms with 27 other EU leaders next month.

Zoe Petrovna, of food business Wunder Workshop, said there was uncertainty over whether their products would be accepted for EU markets in future.

Weve been paying all of this money for these certifications but now its just not going to be worth anything, she said.

Andy Shanks, of marketing agency Ideas Made, which has offices in London and Ljubljana, said plans had been hit by Junes referendum. Clients were hesitating, not willing to spend money. And then projects which we thought were coming up, and clients had verbally committed to, never happened.

Ian Coll, who runs the Mamuska! Polish Kitchen and Bar at Elephant and Castle, said staff were anxious about their future status in the UK.

Our main concern now is about recruiting staff, he said. They need to ensure the doors are left open for young people to come and work from Europe. As a country, we would be crazy to shut them out.

Streatham Labour MP Chuka Umunna, who is backing the project, said it had proved businesses were already being damaged by a headlong rush towards hard Brexit.

The Government has made a political choice to allow immigration policy to dictate economic policy, and therefore to pull Britain out of our most important trading bloc, he said.

This will damage small businesses which sell to and do business in Europe. Their voices must be heard.
T he Duchess of Cambridge today comforted families of sick youngsters at a new childrens hospital accommodation centre.

Caring Kate chatted with families when she visited the home from home at the Evelina London Childrens Hospital.

Kate looked stunning as she arrived at the 59-bedroom Ronald McDonald House Evelina next to Lambeth Palace.

The new 13 million centre opened in December and today Kate officially opened it today unveiling a plaque to mark her visit.

The Duchess was told about Ronald McDonald House Charities and what the new house will mean to the families and children being treated at Evelina London.

The Duchess of Cambridge receives flowers during a visit to Ronald McDonald House / Getty

The Duchess went on a tour of the House and met families who are currently benefitting from its new facilities.

She called one family at the home "extraordinary", and said she "can't imagine" what they've gone through.

Eight-month-old Mia Mifsud was born in Gibraltar but bought to the UK at just three days old, owing to the rare illness autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease.

She has had both of her kidneys removed, and is waiting until she is heavy enough to have a transplant.

Mia's father, 40-year-old Dion Mifsud, is a compatible match, and plans to give his kidney to his daughter.

"It's the best hospital. The renal team is just amazing," said mother Danielle.

The support from the new home meant relatives from Gibraltar could visit, as well as allow the family to spend Christmas together.

The new accommodation replaced the previous Ronald McDonald House near Guys Hospital, meaning families no longer have a long journey to visit loved ones being treated at the Evelina, which is on the St Thomass Hospital campus.

It is run by Ronald McDonald House Charities, is expected to accommodate around 975 families every year.

There are currently 14 Houses across the UK, helping support over 7,000 families a year and keeping them together at a stressful time so that they can focus on their sick child.

Before departing she attended a short reception in the Day Room.
T he former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan has endorsed Nigel Farage for Prime Minister of Britain.

White nationalist David Duke declared his approval of the ex-Ukip leader on Twitter, saying Farage will make a fine UK Prime Minister. Looking forward to that. #MAGA

The hastag MAGA refers to Donald Trumps slogan make America great again.

He sent the tweet with a link to a story about Nigel Farages recent dinner with President Trump in Washington DC.

Last week Mr Farage posted a picture of himself eating dinner with the President, his family and close advisors at Trump International Hotel, less than a mile from The White House.

Mr Farage was in the United States to address the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) where he spoke of the global revolution that started with Brexit.

Holocaust denier Mr Duke publicly backed President Trump in the race to the White House, describing his election victory as one of the most exciting nights of my life.

Moments after President Trumps inauguration speech in January he tweeted: We did it! Congratulation Donald J. Trump President of the United States of America!

Mr Duke is the author of books called Jewish Supremacism and My Awakening: A Path to Racial Understanding.

In 2000 he famously met with the British National Partys then-leader Nick Griffin.

The official newspaper of the KKK, the Crusader, also embraced Mr Trumps fierce campaign and used his slogan, make America great again
P olice have issued a warning to London schools over the use of teen dating app MyLOL.

MyLOL  which advertises itself as the number one teen dating site in the US, Australia, UK and Canada  is increasingly popular with young people wanting to use social media sites lesser known by their parents.

The site is officially open to people aged 13 to 19 but there have been reported instances of older men signing up in order to meet younger girls  sparking concern among childrens charities.

Parents have reportedly been warned that children could be easily groomed on the app or persuaded to send nude photos of themselves to strangers.

Officers emailed headteachers across the capital, advising them to warn parents to be vigilant about their childs usage of the app.

App: the site is designed for teenagers

A Metropolitan Police spokesman told The Standard: It is important that children and young people know who is it they are contacting online and are aware of the risks of being contacted by strangers in this way.

Safer Schools Officers routinely offer advice to schools about possible safety concerns, including safety online and this email is an example of such advice.

Concerns around the safety of the MyLOL app have been shared by police forces across the UK, and our Safer Schools Officers passed this information on to schools in London to help make them aware and share with parents who may wish to take action as necessary.

Concerns over the app have been widespread for a number of years.

In 2014, a Daily Mirror journalist went undercover on the app and posed as a 13-year-old girl.

Within minutes the journalist was reportedly sent private messages from six people  three of whom were adult men.

One user, who claimed he was a 14-year-old boy, was found on the internet to be an American man aged in his 40s.

He invited the reporter to have a skype call with him so they could do naughty things and offered to go first  before admitting he knew her to be just 13.

The site claims to use a suspicious keyword detection system which detects language of a sexual nature and then directs the messages to a team of moderators.

It says on the website: The safety of the members on this site is something that is being improved on in each update that is made.

Our private messaging system is built to detect a huge range of suspicious sexually orientated keywords. Ones with these suspicious keywords that are detected are put into a reviewing system whereby our moderators sift through the messages to see if any users are trying to engage in any illegal or inappropriate activity."

The site also claims to moderate "every new photo uploaded" to ensure none of them contain any nudity".

MyLOL have been contacted for a comment.
P aedophiles caught looking at images or vidoes of youngsters being sexually abused should not always be charged or jailed, Britains top child protection officer has argued.

Chief Constable Simon Bailey said police should only focus on those who pose a physical threat to youngsters.

He admitted many would be horrified by this, but said police lack the resources to deal with online and historical cases of child abuse as well as current crimes.

An increase in reporting of sexual abuse  including historical cases  has led to the policing system reaching saturation point, he added.

The numbers are continuing to rise, he told the Times. We have reached saturation point... The police service has responded to the threat but it has now reached that point whereby we have to try and turn the tide. We have to look at alternatives.

In the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal there a sharp increase in historical abuse reports.

Police receive an average of 112 complaints a day and there are more than 70,000 investigations a year.

Mr Bailey, chief constable of Norfolk Police and lead on child protection at the National Police Chiefs Council, said options included giving counselling and rehabilitation to lower level offenders.

Officers could then focus on the most dangerous offenders who have access to youngsters or are directing abuse online.

He told The Times: Lets be really clear: somebody going online and using their credit card to direct the abuse of a child in the Philippines should be locked up, categorically.

That individual who is not in contact with children and doesnt pose a threat to children and is looking at low-level images... when you look at everything else thats going on, and the threat thats posed of contact abuse to children, we have to look at doing something different with those individuals.

The NSPCC agreed the volume of crime makes prosecuting everyone difficult.

An spokeswoman said: We cannot arrest our way out of the situation  if we are to stem this tide and protect more children we must make prevention and rehabilitation a priority.

With the right support we can prevent offenders from abusing and help those who do harm children change their behaviour.
T unisian police were "shambolic" and "cowardly" in their response to the 2015 ISIS-inspired Tunisian beach massacre where 30 Brits lost their lives, a coroner has ruled.

Gunman Seifeddine Rezgui killed a total of 38 people when he opened fire on June 26, 2015, at the Imperial Marhaba hotel in Sousse, Tunisia, using a machine gun, grenades and explosives in his killing spree.

An inquest at the High Court has heard ISIS fanatic Rezgui was dropped off close to the beach by an unknown accomplice, and when the attack began Tunisian police were "deliberately" slow to respond to the attack and could have prevent the death toll from rising.

Delivering his conclusions this morning, Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith QC said: " The response by the police was at best shambolic and at worst cowardly. It was certainly completely ineffective."

He said police were informed of the attack shortly after it began but failed to swiftly intervene to stop further deaths.

London couple John Stocker, 74, and his wife, 63 year-old Janet were shot dead in the Tunisa beach massacre

Families of the dead, including 30 Brits, had sought a verdict that found the threat of a terror attack at the Tunisian resort was not taken seriously enough by travel operator TUI, and security was lax at the hotel itself.

Andrew Ritchie QC, representing families of the victims, argued holidaymakers should have been told of a heightened terror threat, urging for a verdict that including "neglect" by TUI and the hotel owners.

But the judge said today that better hotel security and terrorism warnings were too remote from the attack for him to deliver a ruling of neglect under inquest rules.

"The simple but tragic truth is when this gunman, armed with firearms, ammunition, and grenades, went to the beach and entered that hotel he was intent on killing as many tourists as he could", said the judge.

A woman grieves on the beach where 38 tourists were killed / Bruce Adams/Daily Mail

He said Mr Ritchie had pointed out a lack of security guards on the beach, unlocked gates to the hotel, and deficiencies in CCTV coverage in the area.

But the judge said: "An unarmed guard could never have done very much to deal with a terrorists armed with a Kalashnikov and grenades.

"Better CCTV might at best have meant police were notified of the attack a little sooner but not much sooner."

He also said it was unlikely better evacuation protocols would have made a difference as the attack was "so sudden and unexpected".

The judge also said evidence, unchallenged at the inquest, was that the government "had no foreknowledge of the attack that took place".

Paying tribute: Tourists and locals take part in a ceremony in memory of those killed in the shootings / Fethi Belaid/AFP/Getty Images

Among those killed in the massacre were south London couple John and Janet Stocker, who were caught in the crossfire as Rezgui began strafing bullets indiscriminately on the beach.

Their friend, Anthony Miller, told the inquest John, 74, and Janet, 63, were among the first to be killed, having travelled regularly to the Tunisian resort during their retirement.

The couple, who were due to fly home to the UK the following day, both died from gunshot wounds to the pelvis.

Judge Loraine-Smith is now summing up the evidence from the inquest before he delivers his final conclusions.

The hearing continues.
T unisias ambassador today appealed to Britain to let holidaymakers return, saying his country was now as safe as London.

Nabil Ammar said the Foreign Office should show solidarity by cancelling travel advice put up after the 2015 terrorist attack in which 30 Britons were killed on a beach.

The coroner at the inquest into the murders carried out by an extremist gunman was set to deliver his conclusions today on whether neglect by holiday firms and hotels contributed to their deaths.

Mr Ammar said Britain should show solidarity to Tunisia because both countries had suffered from terrorist attacks.

Seifeddine Rezgui opened fire in Sousse on June 26 2015 / PA

Asked on BBC radio 4 if he would take his own family and friends on holiday there, he replied: Definitely. Tunisia is as safe as London.

The senior diplomat went on: What we are saying is that we should be treated fairly. We should be treated as all the other countries that have suffered.

We should show solidarity if we are truly serious about struggling against this horrible thing.

Gunman Seifeddine Rezgui opened fire in Sousse on June 26 2015, shooting 38 people dead.
T he families of British victims of the Isis-inspired Tunisia terror attack plan to sue tour operator TUI after a coroner ruled all 30 were unlawfully killed.

It comes after coroner Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith rejected calls from relatives to rule that neglect by the travel firm or the owners of the Rui Imperial Merhaba Hotel in Sousse played a role in the deaths.

He ruled on Wednesday that all 30 Britons had been murdered while innocently holidaying in the Mediterranean in on June 26, 2015.

Gunman Seifeddine Rezgui killed a total of 38 people when he opened fire using a machine gun, grenades and explosives in his killing spree.

The gunman walks down the beach in Sousse, Tunisia / Sky News

In a statement outside the Royal Courts of Justice after the inquests finished, Kylie Hutchison, from law firm Irwin Mitchell, which represents most of the victims' families, said: "It is now crucial that the whole travel industry learns from what happened in Sousse to reduce the risk of similar catastrophic incidents in the future.

"On behalf of our clients who lost members of their family and those who suffered injuries in this terrible incident, we will now be preparing to commence civil proceedings against TUI."

Ms Hutchinson said that during the seven-week inquest, the coroner and families had heard shocking evidence about the security precautions at the hotel at the time of the attack.

She said that steps to improve security were not implemented at the hotel in the wake of an escalating terror threat in Tunisia, a failed suicide bomb attack at a beach in Sousse or an attack at the Bardo Museum in March 2015.

A woman grieves on the beach where 38 tourists were killed / Bruce Adams/Daily Mail

Ms Hutchinson said tour operator TUI had said it was unaware of a letter sent out by the Tunisian minister of tourism requiring all hotels to improve security.

She added: "Our clients are very grateful to the coroner for his careful and sensitive handling of the inquest proceedings.

"They feel that he has been fair and thorough in his investigation and appreciate how he has tried to ensure throughout the families come first."

Nick Longman, the managing director of TUI UK, said the attack had "shocked and devastated all of us".

Speaking to reporters outside court he said: "We are so very sorry for the pain and loss those affected have suffered.

"On that day the world changed. As an industry we have adapted and we will need to continue to do so.

"This terrorist incident has left its mark on all of us and its impact will always be remembered."
T hree people were killed and two critically injured when a plane returning a family from Disneyland crashed into homes in California.

Two adults and three teenagers were onboard the Cessna 310 light aircraft when it came down sparking a big orange ball of fire according to residents in the city of Riverside.

The pilot and two passengers died in the crash at 4.45pm local time on Monday. The two survivors, both women, were found inside the ruined house in critical condition, Riverside Fire Chief Michael Moore said. The house was unoccupied.

The family were returning to San Jose after a weekend cheerleading competition at Disneyland and had just taken off half a mile away from the crash site at the Riverside Municipal Airport.

Smoke rises from a fire after a plane crashed in Riverside / Watchara Phomicinda/The Press-Enterprise via AP

One of the teenagers on the plane survived the crash and suffered only minor injuries after being thrown from the wreckage when the aircraft split apart on impact.

A second person on the ground suffered serious injuries.

Firefighters put out flames after a plane crashed in Riverside / Watchara Phomicinda/The Press-Enterprise via AP

Firefighters arrived at the scene to find one house engulfed in flames with two neighbouring homes damaged by the crash and subsequent blaze.

Video footage appeared to show the planes propeller sitting on the roof of a nearby home.

Residents watch as smoke rises from the fire / Watchara Phomicinda/The Press-Enterprise via AP

Ernesto Torres, a neighbour who ran to the scene of the crash after hearing the explosion, said: We ran up to the house, it was on fire. There was a lady, she was on fire. We helped pull her out of the flames.

Another witness, who lives nearby, said she felt the ground shake when the plane crashed and at first thought it was an earthquake.

It was just like a nightmare coming true, she said.

The National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash.
M ore than 400 German police today raided flats, offices and even prison cells linked to a mosque visited by the Christmas market truck attacker Anis Amri.

The raids, carried out across Berlin, followed a move by state authorities to ban the organisation that ran the mosque, Fussilet 33, which authorities suspect was used as a meeting point for radical Islamists.

Since then, authorities say the suspected jihadi sympathisers are congregating in pop-up mosques - one of the reasons why 460 police launched dozens of raids this morning.

Police said the officers began searching 24 locations - including several apartments, two company offices and six prison cells - at 6am.

Masked police in Berlin, Germany. / EPA

Authorities had been monitoring the mosque, which closed last week, because they believed it was frequented by Islamic extremists and used as a hub for funneling people and military equipment to conflict zones.

Amri, a 24-year-old Tunisian, killed 12 people when he plowed a stolen truck into a Christmas market in the German capital on December 19. He was shot dead by Italian police in Milan four days later.

Masked police officers carry boxes out of an apartment house in Berlin, Germany following a string of raids. / EPA

The chief of the national internal intelligence service warned as places of worship promoting support for Islamic State were infiltrated or shut down, hate preachers were spreading their message via DIY religious sites.

Hans-Georg Maassen, of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, said: We have the radical Islamic scene firmly in view, in particular the so-called backyard mosques.

He said they were popping up in disused travel agencies, in old workshops, garages and other empty buildings.

Prayer mats and korans are shipped in and out at short notice, allowing for meetings with radicals often before the authorities know that one has taken place.

Germany has stepped up its surveillance programme of mosques across the country in the wake of the Berlin truck massacre.


Following rumblings earlier this month that DigitalGlobe (NYSE: DGI) was in advanced talks to be acquired, the satellite-image purveyor confirmed as much, along with its better-than-expected fourth-quarter 2016 results, on Friday.

DigitalGlobe has agreed to let Canadian satellite company MacDonald Dettwiler & Associates (TSX: MDA) acquire it in a cash and stock deal worth $35 per share, representing an 18% premium to DigitalGlobe's unaffected price as of Feb. 16, the day before news of the deal broke. DigitalGlobe shareholders will receive $17.50 per share in cash and 0.3132 MDA common shares for each DGI common share they own. That deal values DigitalGlobe at an equity value of roughly $2.4 billion and an enterprise value of $3.6 billion, including MDA's assumption of DigitalGlobe's $1.2 billion in net debt. Both companies' boards of directors have already unanimously approved the deal, which is expected to close in the second half of 2017.

The acquisition is, however, still subject to regulatory approval, as well as the approval of both MDA and DigitalGlobe shareholders, and the companies will continue to function separately until the deal closes. In the meantime, let's take a closer look at how DigitalGlobe finished 2016.

DigitalGlobe results: The raw numbers

Metric Q4 2016 Q3 2015 Growth (YOY) Revenue $192.7 million $181.7 million 6.1% Net income (loss) available to common shareholders ($10.3 million) $9.2 million N/A Earnings (loss) per share ($0.17) $0.13 N/A

What happened with DigitalGlobe this quarter?

Revenue growth was driven by a combination of DigitalGlobe's $140 million acquisition of The Radiant Group late last year and growth in value-added services.

Q4 losses were primarily the result of a $35.7 million loss on the extinguishment of debt related to debt refinancing.

The company refinanced outstanding debt by entering into a new credit facility in December, extinguishing its $600 million aggregate principal amount of 5.25% senior notes through a tender offer and redemption completed in January.



Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) fell 7.8% year over year, to $94.4 million.

Adjusted EBITDA margin declined 740 basis points, to 49%, because of the Radiant Group acquisition.

The company successfully launched its WorldView-4 satellite on Nov. 11, achieving commercial operations with the first Direct Access Program customer in February.

Cash flow from operations dropped declined 5.7%, to $86.9 million.

Free cash flow grew 70.2% year over year, to $49.7 million, thanks to lower capital expenditures following the launch of WorldView-4.

The company completed the outstanding share-repurchase program, making a total of 15,365,411 shares repurchased for $335.3 million, or an average price of $21.82 per share.

The company signed Esri and Harris as ecosystem partners, who join the likes of Facebook, Orbital Insight, SpaceKnow, PSMA, Lockheed Martin, and PrecisionHawk.

What management had to say

DigitalGlobe CEO Jeffrey Tarr stated:

We wrapped up a solid year on a high note with our successful launch of WorldView-4 and the completion of the Radiant Group transaction. Our improved results reflect solid execution against our strategy for shareowner value creation and position us well for 2017. We look forward to continued profitable growth as we expand our International Defense and Intelligence business with assured access to our newest high resolution satellite, develop new commercial use cases, expand our rapidly growing geospatial big data analytics platform, and realize the full potential of our services business with the addition of Radiant. Furthermore, we are pleased to have reached an agreement to combine with MDA, as we separately disclosed today.

Tarr elaborated on the MDA deal in another statement within the separate disclosure:

Following a thorough review of strategic alternatives, we believe that joining forces with MDA will enable us to deliver more value to our customers, expand opportunities for our team members and maximize value for shareowners. This compelling transaction will deliver immediate cash value to shareowners with further upside through ownership in the combined entity, position DigitalGlobe to reach its next phase of growth, and provide greater opportunities for our team members by being part of a larger, more diversified company.

Looking forward

DigitalGlobe also offered an early look at its expectations for the coming year, calling for 2017 revenue of $840 million to $865 million. That's up from $725.4 million in 2016 and well above analysts' consensus estimates for 2017 revenue of $836.7 million. Meanwhile, DigitalGlobe anticipates 2017 adjusted EBITDA of $380 million to $395 million, compared with $382.7 million in 2016, and capital expenditures of roughly $100 million, down from $192 million 2016.

In the end, there was little not to like about this strong quarter from DigitalGlobe, from the long-awaited launch of its next-gen WorldView-4 satellite to its improved financial profile. For now, however, unless the deal fails to pass regulatory muster or receive shareholder approval, expect DigitalGlobe's share price to be tethered to the ebbs and flows of its pending acquirer.

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I slamic State fighters from London were today warned they will be hunted down and killed by Coalition forces in Iraq and Syria.

Major General Rupert Jones, Deputy Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force, stressed that the flow of foreign recruits to IS, also known as Daesh, was now absolutely down to a trickle.

But on a visit to London, he warned fanatics who have joined IS or are considering doing so: We as an international Coalition have always been very clear.

If you are going to take up arms on behalf of Daesh and you are going to kill innocent civilians, we will find you and we will kill you.

That does not matter whether they are from London, or Paris, or from Baghdad.

If you want to take up arms, this does not end well for you.

Several Britons, including Londoner Mohammed Emwazi, also known as Jihadi John have been killed in airstrikes on Raqqa in Syria and other locations.

Major General Jones stressed that IS was losing on the battlefield and with its propaganda campaign which was no longer luring so many fighters to its ranks.

We believe the number of fighters being radicalised and travelling to join Daesh has dropped by 75 per cent and up to as much as 90 per cent, he said.

IS activity on Twitter had fallen by 45 per cent since 2014, with 360,000 accounts suspended, he added, with the average lifespan of a terrorist social media account being less than two days.

He also warned that as IS loses territory in Iraq and Syria as it is squeezed by Operation Inherent Resolve, it is increasingly seeking to launch attacks in the West and other nations.

They have now refocused their attention on radicalising people outside of Iraq and Syria to launch attacks locally, he explained.

As Iraqi forces make advances to recapture Mosul in northern Iraq, IS was increasingly using drones to drop improvised explosive devices.

But Major General Jones stressed that these aerial attacks were often indiscriminate and just as likely to hit civilians as Iraqi troops and were not a game-changer on the battlefield.

Suggesting that the drone attacks were a sign of desperation, he added: We are killing Daesh at a rate that they simply cant sustain.

The Coalition estimates that 45,000 IS fighters were killed in airstrikes by August 2016, including, it claims, nearly all of IS leader Abu Bakr Baghdadis deputies.
T wo women accused of killing the half-brother of North Koreas leader with a nerve agent are facing a death sentence after prosecutors today confirmed they will be charged with murder.

Malaysias chief prosecutor Mohamed Apandi Ali said the charges to be brought tomorrow against Indonesian Siti Aisyah and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong would bring a mandatory death sentence if they are convicted.

Two other suspects in the February 13 killing of Kim Jong-nam have been arrested - a Malaysian who is out on bail and a North Korean who remains in custody.

Authorities are seeking another seven North Korean suspects, four of whom fled the country on the day of Mr Kims death and are believed to be back in North Korea.

The killing took place amid crowds of travellers at Kuala Lumpurs airport and appeared to be a well-planned hit.

Malaysian authorities said North Koreans put the deadly nerve agent VX on the hands of Aisyah and Huong, who then placed the toxin on Mr Kims face. He died on the way to hospital within about 20 minutes of the attack.

South Korean intelligence officers believe four of the North Koreans identified as suspects are from their countrys spy agency.
A beloved hippopotamus living in El Salvadors National Zoo has been beaten to death in a savage attack  sparking upset across the country.

The 15-year-old hippo, named Gustavito, is believed to have been attacked by an unknown group of assailants that broke into the zoo last week.

Gustavito, who was brought to the country from Guatemala 13 years ago, died from his injuries on Sunday.

Despite being used to the widespread gang violence and high murder rates of the country, the hippos brutal death caused outrage among civilians.

Salvadorans mourned through social media and some left flowers at the gate of the zoo, which has been closed until further notice.

Beloved: The animal was described as a national treasure / AP

"Here we're used to seeing the dead every day," said Martin Castillo, a street vendor in central San Salvador. "They kill us like flies, but this tops it all. They killed an animal that only entertained us."

Zoo director Vladan Henriquez said at a news conference that the hippo was covered with bruises and puncture wounds after apparently being attacked with metal bars, knives and rocks.

The attack occurred last week, but zoo keepers did not discover the hippo's injuries until Thursday because he did not leave his pool.

Justice minister Mauricio Ramirez Landaverde said an investigation had been opened and police are trying to establish who broke into the animals enclosure.

El Salvador is one of the world's most violent countries, recording 5,278 homicides last year, or an average of 14 people killed per day. Most of the killings have been blamed on powerful street gangs.
I n his first weeks in office, Donald Trump has made it clear to the watching world that he is not one to follow conventions.

And he has yet again surprised the public, this time by choosing to not have a dog during his time in office  making him the first President in nearly 120 years to do so.

Mr Trump was rumoured to be adopting a Goldendoodle names Patton from one of his Florida friend, Lois Pope.

But Ms Pope decided that she wanted to keep the dog herself and President Trump was, reportedly, indifferent.

Michelle Obama walks through White House for last time

She told the New York Post: I told him [and] Donald said, But, Lois, I cant take the dog,

He said, Look at what I do. Im here, Im in New York, Im in Washington. What am I going to do with the dog?

Trump: The President looks likely to be the first to not have a dog in 116 years / AP

According to the Presidential Pet Museum  dedicated to preserving information, artefacts, and items related to the presidential pets  the last President to not have a canine friend by his side was William McKinley.

McKinley had roosters, a parrot named Washington Post and several kittens - but no dogs.

He served from 1897 to 1901- when he died of gangrene following an assassination attempt.

Pets: Barack Obama walking Bo / Win McNamee/Getty Images

Since McKinley, all US Presidents went on to have pet dogs including, most recently, Barack Obama.

The Obamas introduced two Portuguese Water Dogs - named Bo and Sunny - to their family in 2009 and 2013.

Sunny has made headlines twice - once in 2013 when, at a Military family event, Sunny knocked over a 2-year-old girl.

Pets: Michelle Obama with Bo and Sunny / @FLOTUS

In January 2017 Sunny also reportedly bit a White House visitor on the face. The injury required stitches.

In January 2016, a North Dakota man was arrested for allegedly attempting to kidnap Bo, when Secret Service agents were notified.
S even swimming pigs in the Bahamas have died after reports tourists were feeding the animals rum and beer.

The government in the Bahamas has now banned tourists from feeding the famous breed of swimming pigs, which are found in Exuma, after seven of the animals died.

The unique animals are one of the top attractions for tourists visiting Big Major Cay, nicknamed Pig Beach in Exuma.

But according to local newspaper the Nassau Guardian, the governments minister of agriculture and marine resources said there now needs to be a boundary around the pigs.

Wayde Nixon, one of the owners of the animals, told the newspaper: The pigs were given the wrong food.

We had the government vet in there who examined them all thoroughly. The other remaining pigs are alive and healthy and out on the beach and going.

He added: We had them pigs there almost 30 years, and never has this happened before, but now we are going to have to regulate it.

Right now its blowing out of proportion with people, anybody bringing food there, anybody doing what they [want to] do.

We have people coming there giving the pigs beer, rum, riding on top of them, all kind of stuff.

The agriculture minister, Alfred Gray, said he is working with the ministry of tourism on the matter.

He said visitors will still be able to take photographs and see the pigs swim but not be able to feed them.
T wo people were shot when a soldiers pistol accidentally went off during a speech by French President Francois Hollande.

Mr Hollande was speaking at the opening of a high speed rail service between Tours and Bordeaux when the shot was fired.

The soldier was reportedly part of an elite protection force within the national gendarmerie, deployed specially for the event on Tuesday.

According to local media the soldier - who was standing at some distance from the President - had left his safety catch off on his gun.

Only one bullet was reportedly fired, which brushed one persons calf before hitting another person in the leg.

In video footage of the address the French President can be seen pausing mid-speech and turning to look in the direction of the disturbance.

Addressing a crowd of hundreds he says: I hope nothing is wrong.

He pauses again, then adds I think not before continuing his speech.

The head of the French department Charente, an area in south west France, told local media: The lives of the two injured people were not in danger adding the prosecutor had been informed and an investigation launched.
J ust because a sitcom is about a family, doesnt mean it has to be family friendly.

Cast in point, Catastrophe  the hit Channel 4 comedy which is about to return for its third series.

The critically-acclaimed show is the fruit of a brilliant comedic marriage of Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, who both write and star.

The first series began with American visitor Rob hooking up with the Irish school teacher Sharon (yes, those names are particularly easy to remember) over a whirlwind weekend.

Catastrophe trailer - Season 3

But what began as a no-strings arrangement took a turn for the unexpected when Sharon discovered she was pregnant.

While Series 1 gave us a happy-ish ending  Sharon and Robs hasty wedding, the arrival of the baby, albeit capped off with a honeymoon bust-up  the second series, which unexpectedly jumped forward a few years, had a more dramatic ending.

Despite the pair having made it work and having a second kid together, Sharon hooked up with a young stranger in a bar, and Rob knew something was up after finding some suspicious receipts.

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

All of which brings us to Series 3. Rather than adopting Series 2s time jump, this new run kicks off exactly where the last one ended. Will their marriage survive once the truth inevitably comes out?

While fans of the show will be delighted to have Delaney and Horgan back on their screens, there will be a more unexpectedly poignant tinge this series, which features one of Carrie Fishers final performances.

Channel 4

The actress was best known as Star Wars Princess Leia, but had previously guested on Catastrophe as Robs mother. Were told the late icon has a bigger, chunkier part this time around  and we cant wait to see it.

Channel 4, 10pm
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.
With one hand holding a bottle of champagne and the other an oversized certificate declaring him the winner of $1 million from Publishers Clearing House, Bruce Saunders stood on the front porch of his western Davie County Monday and rattled off a list of things he plans spend his spend money on  medical bills, fixing his lawnmower and helping family members.
By MARK EVANS STE. GENEVIEVE HERALD Scott Schmieder, county road and bridge foreman, reported to the county commission last Thursday that temperatures are getting too cold at night for much more asphalt work to be done. He said potholes had all been patched. His crews were working on Bodine Road and made call-ins to locate
John Nichols: Pocan and Democrats bring DREAMers, Muslims, and activists to Trumps first speech before Congress
President Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday signed the decree on the establishment of Romania's Consulate General in Salzburg, the Austrian Republic, the Presidential Administration informs. At the same time, the head of state decided, under another decree, the establishment of Romania's Consulate General in Haifa, Israel.

The President also signed on Tuesday the decree on changing the rank of the Vice-consulate of Romania in Almeria, the Kingdom of Spain, into a Consulate.

Agerpres
A circuit court judge in St. Louis County ruled on Monday that the countys ordinance barring interference with a police officer is constitutional and should not be struck down.

A lawsuit filed by two Ferguson protesters in 2015 alleged that the ordinance was unconstitutionally vague and could be used as a catchall to ban many activities that are protected under the First Amendment.

But in a 19-page ruling, Judge Gloria Clark Reno disagreed.

Melissa V. Bennett and Rebecca KB L. Frazier, both of University City, were arrested on Oct. 22, 2014, near the Ferguson police station, during a demonstration for a National Day of Protest Against Police Brutality.

The office of County Counselor Peter J. Krane charged them nine months later, accusing them of having unlawfully interfered in any manner with a police officer or other employee of the county in the performance of his official duties or to obstruct him in any manner whatsoever while performing any duty.

Reno agreed with Kranes position that the countys interference ordinance resembles a Mississippi anti-picketing law that prohibited blocking access to government buildings and public spaces, which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in 1968 in Cameron v. Johnson.

In that case, the high court ruled, the terms obstruct and unreasonably interfere were sufficiently clear.

Krane said he was very happy with the decision. Maggie Ellinger-Locke, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said she planned to appeal.

The plaintiffs had argued the ordinance was more like a law that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down three decades ago, in Houston v. Hill, which barred interruption of a police officer in his duties in any manner. In that case, the plaintiff had been arrested after shouting at police who had stopped to talk to his friend. The court found that the law as written gave police broad power to arrest virtually anyone who annoyed them.

The Department of Justice has criticized Ferguson police and courts for abusing a charge  failure to comply with a police officers order. A Post-Dispatch story last month showed how Fergusons lawyers for hire were refusing to back down from those cases against protesters, even those the Justice Department cited as infringements on constitutional rights.

The charges against Bennett and Frazier accused them of walking and standing in the roadway after being warned not to do so by the police officer, according to the citation. Each was held for seven hours after the arrest.

Kranes office dropped the charges against them but they sued anyway because they continued to protest and were subject to the ordinance.
ST. LOUIS  Jurors on Monday found a St. Louis man not guilty in a deadly robbery in the citys Lewis Place neighborhood two years ago.

Chaviez Chub Bell, 25, of Jennings, was found not guilty of first-degree murder, attempted robbery and two counts of armed criminal action in the killing of Omar Britt, 32, on Jan. 18, 2015.

Britt was fatally shot while asleep about 12:10 a.m. in an SUV in the 4500 block of Evans Avenue. He and a woman, Erica Murphy, had been hanging out the day before, drinking a mix of codeine and cough syrup. She called Bells cousin to set up a robbery of Britt, who was carrying at least $500 cash in his wallet.

Murphy 35, who lived on the same block, testified against Bell last week and identified him as the shooter. She said she set up the robbery by calling Bells cousin, Raphael Chocolate Bell, 24, also of Jennings.

Chaviez Bells lawyer, Gregory Smith, said there was no physical evidence tying his client to the shooting and that Murphy and another witness who identified Chaviez Bell as the shooter couldnt be trusted.

Its good to know that juries actually do listen, Smith said. Its good to know that reasonable doubt still means something.

Assistant Circuit Attorney Patrick Hamacher dismissed murder and armed criminal action charges against Murphy in exchange for her testimony against Chaviez Bell. Murphy pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted robbery and received 10 years in prison. Raphael Bell pleaded guilty Feb. 6 in the killing and robbery; his sentencing is set for March 31.

Britts relatives said he was a licensed electrician and a father of seven children.

A sister, Yolanda Austin, was in tears after the verdict Monday, along with several of Britts relatives. She said she was expecting guilty verdicts and thinks the jury didnt pay attention to evidence.

Bell remains jailed on assault charges that said he and another man attacked an inmate in December over the television in their pod.
ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY  A judge on Tuesday set bail at $1 million cash for Malissa Ancona, accused of the Feb. 9 fatal shooting of her husband, a Ku Klux Klan leader.

Ancona, 44, of Leadwood, and her son, Paul Edward Jinkerson Jr., 24, of Belgrade, Mo., face charges of murder, armed criminal action, abandonment of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence in the death of Frank Ancona, 51. Malissa Ancona and Jinkerson have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Malissa Ancona was not present in court, but assistant public defender Stephanie Zipfel cited Anconas lack of prior felonies, her lifelong residency in Missouri and her mental health problems in requesting a $500,000 bail. Ancona is indigent, she said, and her only income was disability payments for those mental health problems.

Jinkerson is being held without bail. Prosecutors are also seeking to revoke his bond in two other, unrelated criminal cases.

Assistant prosecuting attorney Ben Campbell asked Circuit Judge Joseph L. Goff Jr. for the million-dollar bail for Malissa Ancona, citing the accusations in charging documents filed last month.

Those documents say Malissa Ancona blamed her son, and that Jinkerson used a 9mm handgun to shoot Frank Ancona in the head while he was asleep in his bed on Feb. 9.

But Washington County Coroner Brian DeClue told the Post-Dispatch earlier in February that Frank Ancona was shot in the head with both a pistol and a shotgun. The shots came at close range, he said.

Authorities recovered both weapons after Malissa Ancona told them where they were, Washington County Sheriff Zach Jacobsen has said. The pistol had been dumped in the Big River in Washington County and the shotgun in a St. Francois County pond.

Frank Ancona was imperial wizard of the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Authorities previously have said that his threats of divorce might have been the motive for the crime.

Jinkersons father, Paul Jinkerson Sr., has said that Frank Ancona had called him about six months ago, saying that he was trying to leave his wife. He was done with her, but he was also afraid because she had threatened to hurt herself or call the police in the past, Jinkerson Sr. said.

In recently unsealed court documents, investigators said that Frank Anconas bodyguard had spoken of past death threats Malissa Ancona had made against her husband.
RACINE  A Paddock Lake woman accused of bilking her former employer of more than $250,000 by writing checks to herself and her husband over eight years must spend at least four months in jail and pay her former boss $45,000.

Tiffany Cain, 41, of the 23000 block of 61st Street, was charged on Dec. 26, 2014, with seven counts of felony theft.

The charges came about six months after her former employer, Ronald Haarsma, president of Ace Stamping and Machine Company, 2801 S. Memorial Drive, Racine, told police he and the company had discovered Cain had stolen $263,509 from the company.

According to a criminal complaint, Haarsma went to police in June 2014, handing investigators a spreadsheet that showed Cain wrote 178 unauthorized checks to herself between 2007 and 2014.

Haarsma reportedly told police that Cain was a trusted employee and friend, whom he tapped to become his assistant in managing his personal finances.

Two years later, on Nov. 4, 2016, Cain pleaded no contest to three counts of felony theft of movable property, in an amount higher than $2,500.

On Friday, Racine County Circuit Judge Mark Nielsen sentenced Cain to three years on probation for the crimes. As a condition of her probation, Nielsen ordered that Cain will spend four months in the Racine County Jail or Walworth County Jail with the potential for work release. He also barred Cain from getting a job that requires handling money unless cleared by her probation agent.

Outside of paying Haarsma $45,000 in restitution, Cain also was ordered to have no contact with him or the business.

Cain was also sentenced to an 18-month stayed jail sentence  time she could serve if she violates the terms of her probation.
Two University of Missouri-Columbia students were arrested Monday night for allegedly harassing another student with anti-Semitic comments and notes.

Maj. Brian Weimer of the Mizzou Police Department said officers were dispatched to McDavid Hall, a dormitory, Monday night to take a statement from the student who alleged the harassment.

Weimer said a freshman and a sophomore were arrested at the scene. He said the anti-Semitic comments were oral statements, along with written notes.

In a campus-wide email, interim Chancellor Hank Foley called the students' behavior "abhorrent and antithetical to our core value of respect."

The case has been turned over to the Boone County prosecutor as well as Mizzou's Title IX office.
LINCOLN COUNTY  The County Commission on Monday signed up with a new local-level prescription drug monitoring program aimed at reducing the abuse of OxyContin and other painkillers.

Lincoln County will join the electronic database being set up for St. Louis County and other areas to track opioid and other drug prescriptions.

The piecemeal system is designed to get around the Missouri Legislature's failure to set up a statewide monitoring network. Missouri is the last state in the nation without one.

St. Louis city, St. Charles County, Ste. Genevieve County and Kansas City already are on board with the alternative program, which is expected to begin in April.

The database is aimed at curbing so-called doctor shopping in which people obtain multiple prescriptions for the same opioid drugs. Police say abuse of prescription painkillers often leads to heroin addiction.

"We're looking at this as a proven tool we can use to effect a better public health outcome with respect to opioid abuse until such time Missouri enacts any state-level legislation," said Brett Siefert, Lincoln County health administrator.

He said the new Lincoln County ordinance applies countywide, covering unincorporated areas and municipalities. Jefferson County's County Council also is discussing joining.

Opponents in the Legislature and elsewhere have worried that a statewide database could infringe on personal rights.

The Legislature this year again is considering the issue. Last week, the state Senate gave preliminary approval to a weaker version of the bill.

Under that measure, the state's roughly 30,000 medical professionals wouldn't have direct access to patient records.

Instead, they would submit a patient's name to the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, which would grant access only if it determined the patient was a potential abuser.

All other states provide the information to doctors as long as they have an authorized username and password.
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?
The Chazen Museum of Art will be losing one of its most important pieces this summer, with the retirement of director Russell Panczenko.

UW-Madison announced on Tuesday that Panczenko will retire June 30 after 33 years of leadership at what has become the second largest collection of art in Wisconsin.

The Chazen is the supersized edition of the Elvehjem Museum of Art that Panczenko was hired to run in 1984.

The museum on University Avenue expanded in 2011, thanks in large part to donors Jerome and Simona Chazen, the museum renamed in their honor.

"I've always said that I see the museum as the living room of the university," Panczenko said in a news release from the university. "It's a place where you can come and learn, not only about the collection, but also about what kind of place the university is."

The museum's collection grew from about 12,000 objects to more than 21,000 under Panczenko's leadership, the art acquired through purchases and gifts.
Students, faculty and staff were back at Whitewater High School Tuesday morning, after students were evacuated Monday because of two suspicious packages found outside the school.

The packages were checked out and deemed not harmful, allowing the school to reopen Monday afternoon, Whitewater police said.

The interior of the school also was checked by police and no additional suspicious items were found.

One suspicious package was reportedly found outside the school before 8 a.m. Monday, prompting a lockdown of the school and an evacuation of students to UW-Whitewater.

The Kenosha County bomb squad and a police dog from UW-Whitewater Police Services assisted local police in the investigation.

Police did not say what type of packages were found, or what was inside the packages.
Vehicles gathered at Stratford Park and Ride in February last year, prompting moves from Cllr Robert Vaudry to get them banned.

A CAR club has hit out at criticism about its recent meeting in Stratford, saying their gathering at the Bishopton park and ride earlier this month was well organised and members behaved themselves.

The meeting of the All Mods Club attracted almost 400 cars and their owners.

The club, which formed around four years ago regularly holds meetings around Stratford in car parks at Waitrose, the Maybird Shopping Centre, and Sainsburys in Wellesbourne.

However, the meeting at the park and ride came in for criticism from district councillor Robert Vaudry (Cons, Bishopton), who claims he received a number of complaints from neighbouring residents. Cllr Vaudry said issues such as cars racing through nearby housing estates, loud music being played and firecrackers being set off, had all been reported to him.

But the club themselves, which has 4,700 members across the country, has been quick to dispute the claims after Cllr Vaudry criticised the event on his Facebook page.

Harry All Mods Kay, who organises the meets, said: Sunday was actually one of our smallest meets, sometimes we get up to 800 cars.

The suggestion that there is a lack of organisation at these meets is insulting to me and the club. We have a team of 14 people who work very hard to make these events run smoothly.

We always contact the police beforehand to let them know when and where we are meeting and are the only club in the country that does that, these meetings are fully legitimate.

I live locally and we work hard not to cause disruption to residents. We hold these events away from houses, they begin at 6.30pm and end at 9pm, and afterwards we clean up any mess, everybody is usually gone by 10pm. We choose to hold these events on Sunday nights, especially in the supermarket car parks, because there are no shoppers about.

The suggestion that cars are racing around local estates makes me laugh, I live on the closest one and theres speed bumps everywhere. I believe people are making stuff up about Sundays meet, if people were doing donuts and racing about where is the evidence? I think the councillor has got a bee in his bonnet about it.

We dont actually need permission to be at the park and ride, there are no signs saying it is closed on a Sunday night. We know theres always going to be opposition to us, I dont know what people do outside of the meeting, but I was there on Sunday and I know people were well behaved.

Harry said that the club had raised a considerable amount for charity over the past four years.

Club member, Michael Leach, added: We are not out to make trouble, we meet up, talk to each other about the cars and share ideas. There are groups who race in Coventry but were not part of that.

We are a group of car enthusiasts, were not boy racers. Events are well organised and you get families coming down too.

The All Mods Club is already advertising meet-ups in Tesco car park on 12th March and 2nd April, and back at the park and ride on 26th March.

Explaining his concerns about the event Cllr Vaudry told the Herald: I was at home at about 6.30pm when about eight people called me saying all hells breaking loose at the park and ride. They said cars were zooming up and down, fire crackers were going off and there was loud music.

The district and county councils were not made aware that this event was taking place. The district council, the police, and the county council will look into whether this is an appropriate site for such an event, and if it is legal, does it cause a public nuisance. Were going to take a sensible look at this, but if events like this are to continue they need to be managed properly.

I think that if you were an elderly resident living nearby on Sunday night you could have legitimately felt terrified.

A spokesperson from Warwickshire County Council, which runs the park and ride car park, said: Warwickshire County Council are aware of the planned meeting on 26th March 2017 at Stratford Park and Ride.

The organisers of this meet-up have not sought permission for this event, nor would permission be granted. The council and site management at the car park are currently exploring options to prevent any future meetings of this nature.

A spokesperson for Waitrose said: We have been advised by the police to secure the car park because of the anti-social behaviour the meeting has attracted here and elsewhere in the past.

Read Thursday's letters page in the Herald for your views on the All Mods event.
IBB Consulting: Consumer VR Industry Ready For Major Content Push

New consumer research from IBB Consulting shows healthy VR headset penetration, paving the way for a flood of innovative VR content in 2017.

MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS - BARCELONA, SPAIN( )

IBB Consulting, a premier consulting firm guiding business and technology innovation at the convergence of mobility, broadband, and media, today announced its latest insights into the market for virtual reality (VR) content consumption. In a survey of 3,199 U.S. online consumer adults, 16% expressed an interest in virtual reality. IBB Consulting focused its research on those respondents interested in VR to better understand early trends across headset ownership, potential usage environments, content interests and more.

Among consumers interested in VR, nearly one-third (30%) said they already own VR equipment. Of consumers that own equipment, 56% paid for it versus 44% who received it free as a gift or part of a smartphone bundle. IBB Consultings analysis of this trend suggests:

Headset take-rate has increased but there is considerable room for growth;

Virtual reality content is now needed to maintain and increase engagement; and

VR content should take into account that with so many headsets obtained for free, that many are potentially low-end devices with limited functionality.

These findings and IBB Consultings latest VR research will be presented by Jefferson Wang, IBB senior partner focusing on mobile innovation, during the Mobile VR: Enhancing The Consumer Experience session being held on February 28, 2017, at Mobile World Congress, the worlds largest gathering of the mobile industry with more than 101,000 attendees.

Commenting on consumer VR headset ownership, Wang said, IBB Consultings research shows that more VR headsets continue to make their way to consumers, demonstrating healthy early spending. And we see good room for growth, with three-quarters of consumers interested in VR saying theyre more willing to buy VR equipment if theyre able to try it firsthand.

In thinking about all of the places respondents said theyd use VR, 77% said they want to use VR at home. But most interestingly, there is openness to out-of-home and mobile VR experiences in the following environments:

Experience zones, such as museums, arenas and theme parks (24%);

Airplanes and trains (15%);

At work (12%); and

Public transportation (7%).

Wang said, Clearly, the VR usage environment matters for consumers. As the world continues the march towards mobility, dedicated VR experience zones and airplanes may be considered safer, contained environments where VR can offer a differentiated immersive experience without the fear of having a bag stolen, missing the next stop or being looked at funny.

Diverse Content Interests Point To Range Of Market Opportunities

When respondents were asked to choose the type of VR content theyd be most interested in experiencing, gaming was unsurprisingly the most popular. However, just over one-third of respondents (37%) named gaming as their top interest. Travel was second with 20%, followed by movies, TV and news (17%), and virtual theme parks, education, visiting virtually with friends and user-generated content each receiving less than 10% interest.

Some companies and content owners are aggressively pursuing VR and others are cautiously testing the market, while the remainder are using a read and react strategy, said Wang. IBB Consultings perspective on this growing market is that VR is happening, but as the market innovates and grows, the 360-degree video that is most common today is not what will win tomorrow. The question now is how big will VR get and how long can those on the sideline wait before the opportunity vanishes.

To gain insight into the consumer VR market, IBB Consulting conducted a preliminary survey of 3,199 U.S. consumers during the week of February 20, 2017. Of this group, 511 consumers expressed an interest in virtual reality and completed the full survey, which was conducted online. For more information about IBB Consulting, visit www.ibbconsulting.com. For charts to accompany this data, please visit: https://ibbconsulting.com/consumer-vr-industry-ready-content.

About IBB Consulting

IBB Consulting is a premier consulting firm serving top companies in wireless and mobility, broadband and media. Founded in 2001, IBBs team of senior industry experts leverages its extensive business planning, strategy and execution experience to help clients pioneer new products and services, develop innovative business models, and successfully execute business operations. IBB has worked with leading companies to conceive and grow some of the most significant strategic, marketing and operational and technology initiatives in the industry. The firm has U.S. offices in Philadelphia, and international offices in Amsterdam, Beijing and Sydney. More information about IBB is available at www.ibbconsulting.com.
IBM Clouds Aspera Files Express and High-Speed Transfer Service Accelerate and Simplify Large Content Sharing Across Public, Private, and On-Premises Storage

New features and enhancements drive growth and customer adoption

LONDON( )

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a series of updates to its IBM Aspera Files Software as a Service (SaaS) offering designed to further simplify the fast and secure sharing and distribution of large files and datasets via the IBM Cloud.

Key to the updates is the new Express mode feature which dramatically simplifies large content sharing, sending and receiving with an ultra-simple user interface. Users can switch between full Files and Files Express mode with 1-click of the toggle switch in the app.

In addition, Files now includes built-in support for the new hosted multi-cloud IBM Aspera High-Speed Transfer Service (ATS), a hybrid multi-tenant service for fast and secure big data transfers to, from, and across cloud object storage systems seamlessly connecting public and private clouds with on-premises infrastructure. ATS provides high-availability and automatic scale-out supporting data transfers with cloud storage at up to 20 Gigabits/second per region from any distance, and providing back of cloud services to meet variable demands, significantly reducing operational complexity.

Express Mode

The new Aspera Files Express mode dramatically simplifies the fast and easy sending and receiving of large files and large data sets, including entire directories, between remote creative teams. It supports easy drag and drop of files and folders to create digital packages that can be sent reliably and securely from any location to anyone with an email address at maximum possible speed with no size limits. Now users can also create short personalized URLs to send as public invites to receive large files and directories from other team members. Users can easily view and access all package details and quickly download each individual file in the package or the entire package of files. Any package or invitation link can be expired automatically or on demand. All the advanced features of Files are still available and just a click away.

Aspera Files also offers the ability to extend the file sharing capabilities of Files to any cloud storage by seamlessly connecting shared folders in Files to an instance of the Aspera High-Speed Transfer Service (ATS) running in that storage region. ATS includes Asperas direct-to-cloud transfer technology enabling high-speed, secure transfers to, from and across cloud storage with scale-out to over 20 Gigabits/second per region. Shared folders in Files can also be connected to on-premises infrastructure to enable true hybrid cloud workflows.

Adoption of the innovative Aspera Files SaaS and ATS is accelerating, driven by the continued growth in file sizes and data sets and the need to securely share those files across remote teams.

Syncro Services

Syncro Services provides a broad range of distribution and post production services for all types of video and film content to advertising, media, and broadcast communities. Syncro was already familiar with Aspera using the Point-to-Point client to transfer short form clips with its media clients. To support its growing business and the corresponding increase in the size of the media files they needed to work with, Syncro Services moved its transfer workflows to the cloud, leveraging Aspera Files and ATS running on the IBM Cloud with connections to its on-premises infrastructure.

Files and ATS address our existing content transfer needs and workflows, and allow us to scale both our business and the supporting infrastructure in a very cost effective manner said Ilan Kometz, VP of Operations Syncro Services.

Synacor

Synacor is the trusted technology development, multiplatform services and revenue partner for video, internet and communications providers, device manufacturers and enterprises. To preserve its high service levels and reduce costs and operational complexity, Synacor began using AST. ATS automatically scales out to support peaks in demand, and then scales back as transfer loads diminish. The set-up was straightforward for Synacor, which signed up for ATS online in only a few minutes.

Transfer performance and reliability are exactly as they were before we added ATS to the solutions we offer to our customers, said Penn Boon, Director of Media Services Architecture, Synacor. We are benefiting from lower overhead and reduced operational burden."

Reelz Channel

To scale distribution of its ReelzTV Everywhere content, ReelzChannel partners with multiple leading content publishing and syndication services who operate their platforms in the public cloud. Reelz needed a fast and easy way to send large video content directly to their workflows, ideally with no additional integration. ATS provided us an instantly available, high speed transfer service allowing us to deliver content with no workflow changes directly to our partners cloud storage. We simply configured our ATS credentials to land video content in their target cloud storage location and use our existing Aspera workflow to upload automatically, said Rob Macaulay, Director, Digital Syndication at ReelzChannel.

Aspera is demonstrating Aspera Files, Aspera Transfer Services along with its entire portfolio of high-speed file transfer products for data delivery, sharing and exchange at BVE 2017 taking place February 28-March 2 in London, Excel, at Stand #K30.

Aspera is demonstrating Aspera Files Saas and the Aspera Multi-Cloud High-Speed Transfer Service, alongside its entire portfolio of high-speed file transfer, sharing and exchange solutions at BVE 2017 taking place February 28-March 2 in London, Excel, at Stand #K30.

About Aspera
The heads of state and governments have started arriving in Islamabad to attend the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit to be held on Wednesday.

The first to arrive in the capital was the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. He was warmly greeted at the Nur Khan airbase by Minister of Defense Production Rana Tanveer Hussain and other senior officials.

As the visiting president was alighting from the plane, he was presented with a twenty one gun salute.

A smartly turned out contingent of armed forces presented guard of honor to the distinguished guest. National anthems of both the countries were also played on the occasion.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) has warned all foreign countries against relocating their respective embassies in Israel from Tel Aviv to East Jerusalem al-Quds, which the Palestinians want as the capital of their future state.

PA President Mahmoud Abbas made the remarks in an address to the 34th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Monday.

Campaigning for US elections, Donald Trump vowed to move the American Embassy to East al-Quds in a sign of recognition of the city as the capital of an Israeli state.

This is while Palestinians want the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, as part of a future Palestinian state, with East al-Quds as its capital.

We call for the establishment of a system, which would guarantee the independence of the Palestinian state with East al-Quds as its capital, within the boundaries of the 4th of June, 1967, Abbas asserted, referring to the precise date when Israel staged the occupation.

We reiterate our appeal for an international protection regime for the Palestinian people, he added.

Israeli land theft

The Israeli parliament on February 6 rubber-stamped the so-called Legalization Bill, which retroactively legalized structures built on Palestinian land.

The move came barely two months after the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved a resolution declaring that settlement construction constitutes a flagrant violation under international law.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres blasted the ratification of the bill, emphasizing that it would have far-reaching legal consequences for Israel. A chorus of outcry also followed from elsewhere, including the German government.

Abbas touched on the land grab law, saying, Israel has recently announced its intent to create more occupation units over our land. It has adopted a law, which legitimates the theft of occupied Palestinian land, in particular private lands.

This is a dangerous precedent, which we reject. The international community rejects it as well. This is a situation that does not allow our people to establish their own state. This is an act, which leads to hatred and violence.

He asserted that Tel Aviv was thus moving towards the creation of an apartheid solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The Palestinian leaders appeal to the UNHCR came as the Trump administration has mulled quitting the rights body over its purported bias against Israel, Politico reported on Saturday.
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Cheering crowds welcomed King Salman Wednesday as he began the first visit by a Saudi monarch to Indonesia for almost 50 years, seeking stronger economic ties with the world's most populous Muslim-majority country.

The king  who is accompanied by about 1,000 people, including princes and ministers  disembarked from his plane using an escalator as he arrived at an airport in Jakarta, the latest stop on an Asian tour.

The 81-year-old was greeted by President Joko Widodo and Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian who is standing trial for blasphemy.

Crowds of flag-waving schoolchildren lined the route as a convoy of vehicles carrying the king and his entourage sped through pouring rain to a presidential palace in the nearby city of Bogor, where a marching band played the Indonesian national anthem.

Salman was due to hold talks with Widodo at the palace, where statues of naked figures had been covered up before the arrival of the head of the Muslim kingdom.

Almost 460 tons of equipment have been flown in for the visit, including Mercedes limousines, with most transported to the Hindu resort island of Bali, where Salman will go on holiday after visiting Jakarta.

The visit  the first by a Saudi Arabian king to Indonesia for 47 years  is one of the highlights of a rare Saudi royal tour of Asia which is seeking investment as the world's biggest oil exporter tries to diversify its economy.

This is an extremely historic visit for us, Indonesian Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung was quoted as saying in local media before the visit.

The king is due to give a speech to parliament on Thursday and visit Southeast Asia's biggest mosque during his three-day visit to Jakarta.

Business deals could be announced, and a series of cooperation memoranda are also set to be signed on issues ranging from security, to health and education.

Indonesia will also seek approval to send more citizens to the annual Haj pilgrimage in western Saudi Arabia, which is home to Islam's holiest sites.

The monarch and his entourage will reportedly stay in five luxury hotels in Bali for several days following the visit to Jakarta.

As part of the elaborate preparations for the visit, 150 chefs have been hired to cook food for the king and his party and a special VIP toilet has been built at the Jakarta mosque, according to local media.

Salman kicked off his three-week Asian tour in Malaysia earlier this week, and is also set to visit Japan, China and the Maldives.
A Republican state lawmaker is planning to drop his membership in a West Bend service organization because of its policy banning sponsorship of gun and knife shows.

Rep. Bob Gannon, R-Slinger, on Tuesday criticized Rotary Internationals district office for sending a warning that the Rotary International Board would not take kindly upon knowing that Rotary clubs are sponsoring or hosting gun and knife shows or that the clubs are hosting or sponsoring shooting tournaments and hunts.

Rotary International rules say no chapter shall accept a sponsorship or a cooperative relationship that supports the use of addictive or harmful products and activities including but not limited to alcohol (when inappropriate in a specific cultural context), tobacco, gambling, and weapons or other armaments.

Rotary International has every right to act like a mini United Nations, but I also have the right to no longer support them, Gannon said in the statement.

He said the policy would force the club to end its relationship with Delta Defense/United States Conceal Carry Association, which he called a fabulous local corporate citizen, and one which has always been there to help when called upon.

He added that he asked the West Bend Sunrise Rotary Club to send a resolution to the Rotary International Board advising them to rescind their actions or else the club would no longer operate under the Rotary banner.

Expecting this to have no impact on their decision, I will then be resigning my membership in an organization that I love, an organization that I served as president of and a club that has had such a positive impact on West Bend, the city that I call home, Gannon wrote.

The West Bend club declined to comment on the statement. The head of the district organization didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Gannon, an ardent gun rights advocate, has stirred controversy in the past by blaming East Towne Malls gun-free zone for a shooting there in December 2015 and calling on average citizens to help clean our society of these scumbags.

Later, after being criticized for comments about people in Milwaukee causing suburban crime, he directed a crude hand gesture toward lawmakers on the Assembly floor. He later apologized.
A Madison-based liberal advocacy group is asking district attorneys in two counties to launch an investigation into a state superintendent candidate over allegations he did campaign work on public time.

One Wisconsin Now said they provided three emails and news articles on Tuesday to the Milwaukee County and Rock County district attorneys that show what they say is a pattern of misusing public resources to benefit Lowell Holtzs campaign for state superintendent.

Spokeswomen for Milwaukee District Attorney John Chisholm and Rock County District Attorney David OLeary declined to comment and said both offices will review the request.

Holtz on Tuesday called on his opponent, Tony Evers, to reject the groups effort to disparage Holtz.

On Monday, facing questions from reporters about the campaign-related emails, Holtz said he would own any violation found and that reporters should also be covering Evers 2009 violation of state campaign laws.

As Ive stated previously, if I have done anything inappropriate in my time as superintendent of the Whitnall School District, I will name it, own it, and fix it  the same guidelines my father taught me as a kid, and the same principles I apply to issues I confront today, Holtz said in a statement. I call on Dr. Evers to reject One Wisconsin Nows slimy antics and commit to making this race about our kids.

A spokeswoman for Evers instead indicated support for the group.

This race is about kids, they expect their leaders to have integrity and Lowell Holtz is coming up short, campaign spokeswoman Amanda Brink said.

The scrutiny of Holtzs email use comes years after Evers, the state superintendent, faced a violation of his own and paid a $250 fine in 2009 for sending campaign-related emails to a public email address.

Though the race is officially nonpartisan, Evers is largely backed by liberals and Holtz is largely backed by conservatives.

Jenni Dye, research director for OWN, said Holtzs emails show a clear pattern of behavior that raises serious questions about Lowell Holtz working to advance his personal political ambitions on the public dime.

Emails obtained by OWN show Holtz used his school district email to correspond with his wife and others about his campaign for state superintendent. The group said the actions potentially violate state law prohibiting the use of tax dollars to support political work.

Holtz said the groups work is an effort to divert attention from Evers record.

One Wisconsin Now knows that the last eight years of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction under the leadership of Tony Evers have been an absolute failure, and are doing everything they can to deflect from the fact that their candidate needs to go, Holtz said. This race should be about the improvement of Wisconsins school system and the future of our children and grandchildren, not about personal destruction.

Evers in 2009 was found to be in violation of state campaign laws when he sent two emails from his personal email account to a Green Bay education administrator on his work account seeking a campaign donation and to assist in planning a fundraiser and increasing turnout. Evers paid a $250 fine for the violation.

OWN executive director Scot Ross said the group did not call for an investigation into Evers email use during his 2009 campaign after Evers was found in violation of state law because that matter and what our complaint alleges are vastly different.

Tony Evers emailed from his private email to, by mistake, a public email. Our concern here is Holtzs continued disrespect for Wisconsin taxpayers through his use of public resources to advance his own political ambitions, Ross said.

The group also has filed a complaint alleging election bribery with the state Elections Commission after former state superintendent candidate John Humphries released a document to reporters showing Holtz had sought a $150,000-per-year job on a three-year contract with the Department of Public Instruction if Holtz dropped out of the race and Humphries won in April, and he offered the same to Humphries if he dropped out of the race.

Holtz said the proposals were just ideas from business leaders neither candidate would identify, and that they never went anywhere.
Laura Linde has taken the Wisconsin Idea south of the border, and the children in a small village in Nicaragua couldnt be happier.

Linde, a 2014 chemistry and environmental studies graduate from UW-Madison, is one of 87 alumni serving in the Peace Corps, making the states flagship school the top volunteer-producing college or university in the country, campus officials announced recently.

This is the third year UW-Madison has placed in the top five for Peace Corps volunteers, coming in second in 2016.

Public service is a proud tradition at UW-Madison, and our partnership with the Peace Corps is one longstanding example, Chancellor Rebecca Blank said.

Not only do our graduates make meaningful contributions in communities around the world, they gain valuable knowledge and leadership skills that will remain with them for a lifetime, Blank said. It is truly the Wisconsin Idea in action.

Linde was inspired after attending a career fair and heard from other Peace Corps volunteers.

For me, serving in the Peace Corps stems from the Wisconsin Idea, which is taking the experiences and knowledge I learned at Madison and applying them beyond the state borders, she said.

Since the Peace Corps was founded by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, 3,239 UW-Madison alumni have served as volunteers around the globe, putting the university second on the all-time list of Peace Corps volunteers.

The growth UW-Madison alumni gain through experiences with the Peace Corps cannot be understated, said Guido Podesta, UW-Madison vice provost and dean of the universitys International Division.

These volunteers are gaining leadership skills, intercultural competency and a greater understanding of the world we live in, Podesta said.

Linde teaches science in elementary school, facilitates gender-focused camps and is involved with the Peace Corps gender and development committee in Nicaragua, the university said.

She will complete her two-year assignment later this year, and plans to work to improve environmental practices internationally.

I wouldnt be a Peace Corps volunteer if I would not have studied abroad during my time at UW-Madison, Linde said. That opportunity gave me the confidence and desire to continue living abroad and exploring other cultures.
The government intends to invest up to $1.7 million over five years into the mountain biking Crankworx Festival and Enduro World Series in Rotorua.

Crankworx, the worlds biggest mountain bike festival, will be held in Rotorua from March 25  April 2.

It has previously been hosted in Whistler and the French Alps.

Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges says Crankworx provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Bay of Plenty as one of the best mountain biking venues in the world, attracting the worlds best pro-athletes.

This event is expected to inject millions into the Rotorua economy and lead to wider economic benefits for New Zealand economy as a whole.

The government previously invented $420,000 in the 2015 and 2016 Crankworx events. After a successful first and second year, it is expanding to a nine-day festival this year.

The economic and tourism benefits this event brings to Rotorua and New Zealand are significant. In 2016, the festival contributed $8 million to the Rotorua economy and 6.1 million viewers watched the event on television and online, says Simon.

Last year the event attracted 1300 international visitors and this year its expected to increase to around 1735, rising to more than 2000 by 2021.

Continuing to invest in this event ensures it not only continues but also provides new initiatives, including marketing the event in Australia, the United States and Canada and bringing new international visitors to New Zealand during the shoulder season.

It will also allow the trade and expo show to expand to a wider variety of products and businesses.

The governments investment comes from the Major Events Development Fund which supports major events that generate significant immediate and long-term benefits to New Zealand.

Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges believes the Crankworx event in Rotorua will benefit the region. File photo.
Customs is being praised by the government for making a record number of drug seizures in 2016.

Of the 4165 seizures made last year, a total of 413 kilograms of methamphetamine and 1.1 tonnes of meth precursors, mainly ephedrine which could have yielded up to 809kg of the Class-A drug, were stopped at the border.

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner says smugglers have all sorts of elaborate and creative ways of attempting to smuggle drugs into New Zealand.

Whether its on passengers, in cargo or through the mail, Customs is committed to keeping these harmful substances off our streets, she says.

Customs received $2.78 million under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act last October to continue its clamp down on illegal activity.

This funding will help further boost Customs ability to target and seize drugs both here and overseas.

More than $730,000 will be used to disrupt the supply of meth and its precursors into New Zealand through collaboration and intelligence operations with other border agencies around the world.

Another $568,000 will improve Customs drug examination and exhibiting facilities at key locations for higher quality evidence and intelligence recording, as well as improved health and safety for officers.

Earlier this month SunLive broke the news of a toddler who was saved from a motel room by police, after the child was found in the room with alleged meth users and utensils.
Driver error is being blamed for a Yellow Hopper bus knocking down a kauri tree outside the Tauranga Art Gallery on Willow Street.

A witness who sent photos to SunLive says he initially believed the crash was due to brake failure as the collision was a slow motion impact.

I was standing there watching the crash. It happened in quite slow motion and broke the windscreen on the bus.

The witness says hes disappointed Tauranga City Council contractors did not try to save the kauri and instead opted to chop it down after the collision, as he believes it could have been saved.

The Bay of Plenty regional Council says it was informed by the bus operator that a Route 55 bus travelling from the city towards the polytechnic crashed into a tree at 10.50am.

No injuries are reported and the operator is investigating the incident.

Go Bus operations director Darryl Bellamy says the brakes didnt fail. It was driver error.

The driver was concentrating on resetting or setting his ticket machine and the bus rolled forward while he was doing so and was inching forward slowly.

Darryl says brakes rarely fail in the bus industry.
The pedestrian struck by a car on the Tauranga Eastern Link on Tuesday morning has been transferred to Waikato Hospital.

The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Tauranga Hospital at about 4pm to retrieve the 26-year-old Papamoa man who had suffered multiple injuries, including a significant head injury.

He was flown to Waikato Hospital for further treatment and a district health board spokesperson says the man remains in a critical condition in the intensive care unit.

The man was struck near Bruce Road in the eastbound lanes of the TEL at about 11am.

Hed reportedly appeared from vacant land beside the highway and climbed over the road side barrier and the centre barrier before being struck.

The TEL is a four-lane 100 km/h section of highway. There are no pedestrian crossings.

Acting Senior Sergeant Rich Martin is appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or saw a man wearing a white t-shirt, shorts and shoes in the area at the time of the collision to contact police.

Police are investigating the incident while the man remains in hospital in a critical condition.

He is the second man to be struck by a car on western Bay roads in 24 hours.

At about 11am on Monday a man in his 50s was struck by a car on Wharawhara Road near Katikati. He has also been transferred to Waikato Hospital.

He was also transferred to Waikato Hospital where he remains in a critical condition in the intensive care unit, says the DHB spokesperson.
Annette King has announced she is stepping down as Labour Party deputy leader and will be retiring from politics at the end of this Parliamentary term.

The Rongotai MP and Labour Health Spokesperson says shes been considering her position for some time and after discussing the matter with colleagues feels now is the right time to pass the baton.

After some reflection, I have decided to step down from the Deputy Leaders position in the Labour Party.

Its been the privilege of my life to have served the party for more than 30 years and to have worked for the people of Rongotai for 24 years.

So who would Annette like to see take up the deputy leader position?

Jacinda Ardern has my full support to be Labours new Deputy Leader. I have watched her political career blossom since she became an MP in 2008 and mentored her when she needed help. After her emphatic victory in Mt Albert, shes well and truly ready to step up.

Annette says the decision to step down is hers, adding she has always acted in the best interests of the party.

At the forefront of her mind is ensuring Labour is in the best possible position to change the Government in September, she says.

All my energies will still be focused on changing this Government. Its the only way to fix the housing crisis, provide the health care families need and the education parents deserve for their children.

Labour MPs will now elect a new Deputy Leader at the partys caucus meeting next Tuesday.

Labour Leader Andrew Little says Annette has been a wonderful deputy and has tirelessly supported him since he became leader.

Ive really appreciated her wise advice, humour and huge experience. Shes also been an excellent Health Spokesperson. While I wanted her to stay in that role, I accept her reasons for wanting to retire.

She has been an outstanding servant of the Labour Party and worked hard for a better and fairer New Zealand. She has made a huge contribution in government, opposition and in Rongotai.

At next Tuesdays caucus Andrew confirms he will be nominating Jacinda Ardern for the position of deputy leader.

She has performed extremely well as a list MP and her resounding win in the Mt Albert by-election is further proof that she has what it takes to be my deputy.
Matapihi-based Ngai Tukairangi Trusts acquisition of one of New Zealands largest kiwifruit orchards was formerly concluded in Hastings on Tuesday.

The record $40.2 million transfer of the 60 canopy Hectare orchard formally concluded with a powhiri at Omahu Marae in Hastings where the previous owners, the Eriksen family, officially handed over the orchard to Ngai Tukairangi Trust.

The sale was announced in January and ANZ has praised the purchase, describing it as an example of the increasing leadership roles Maori are taking in New Zealand business.

This landmark deal is an exciting opportunity for Ngai Tukairangi. From humble beginnings theyve established themselves as top performers in the kiwifruit industry, says ANZ Head of Maori Relationships David Harrison.

Opportunities to double your size and build scale and diversification dont come around often. Ngai Tukairangi have seized that opportunity, reinforced their leadership in the kiwifruit sector, and expanded their footprint.

Ngai Tukairangi trustee Neil Te Kani says the acquisition marks an important milestone for the trust.

In 2016 the trust developed a strategy to acquire more land and this purchase is a natural progression for Ngai Tukairangi, he explains.

We have always been leaders in the kiwifruit industry, and weve maintained our long-term commitment to the sector despite challenges the industry has faced.

Its a strategic decision, we signaled it at last years AGM we said we need to get bigger in terms of our footprint in the industry. We see that footprint having an impact on returns back to growers so its an exciting industry and we wanted to continue the legacy of our grandparents who started with this.

Most importantly this new 60 canopy hectare orchard helps grow our capacity to sustainably provide tangible benefits to our current and future owners.
hess.JPG

Allen Hess (far left) stands next to his lawyer, Janelle Eckel. To the right is Ponzi victim Victor Baynes.

(Douglass Dowty)

Allen Hess

Syracuse, NY -- Allen Hess was best man at his wedding. They texted everyday, sharing funny jokes.

Victor Baynes introduced Hess to other friends, and together they formed a "solid friendship circle," Baynes said today. There were countless dinner parties, birthdays, bowling nights and drinks.

Meanwhile, Hess had a proposition for Baynes and his friends: invest in "foreign oil" and be guaranteed no worse than a 10 percent loss.

More likely, Hess claimed, expect a huge payout. Much better than retirement accounts or other savings, he boasted to friends.

Hess, 52, seemed to live a life of luxury, Baynes said. He furnished his apartment with expensive furniture and collectables. He drove a fancy car and made numerous trips to New York City.

But, in fact, Hess was running a Ponzi -- or pyramid -- scheme. All of those riches? That was my money, Baynes said today.

Hess's typical scam included an upfront investment of $7,500 with the promise of a $500-a-month payout, prosecutors have said. The scheme collapsed when Hess ran out of money to pay all the investors.

Baynes was one of three victims to speak at Hess's sentencing today in Onondaga County Court for the scheme that netted more than $700,000, prosecutors said.

Hess pleaded guilty in December and will spend seven to 21 years in state prison. Not all 28 victims wanted to get involved: only $363,000 in thefts was considered at sentencing.

Baynes became emotional today as he described Hess giving a speech at his wedding about how much Hess valued their friendship.

"Why tell us all these lies?" Baynes wondered. "Who really is he? What gave him a right to steal our money?"

Due to his betrayal, Baynes said he went bankrupt and is leaving the state to start over.

And that wedding? Baynes and his wife are divorcing, he said, something he blamed on fallout from money he lost to Hess.

He's not the only one hurting. Sarah Stenuf, who met Hess through Baynes, said she was planning to settle down and start a family.

But her significant other is a graduate student and they lost all of their savings to Hess. She doesn't have enough money to pay student debt or put a down payment on a house.

And most hurtful, Stenuf said she knows there's no way they can afford a child right now.

Another victim today recalled confronting Hess two Christmases ago, accusing him of running a Ponzi scheme with her money. He denied he was scamming her and she lost her money.

Baynes said today he too became nervous. But Hess looked him in the eye and told him there was nothing to worry about.

Three days later, Hess's roommate called Baynes to tell him that Hess was skipping town.

Several victims reported the thefts to the Onondaga County District Attorney's Office in early 2016. Hess was later arrested and has remained in jail since then.

Today, Hess offered a short explanation for what he did: "I got in over my head. If I could do things differently, I definitely would. I apologize."

County Court Judge Stephen Dougherty wasn't impressed.

"There's not paying your NiMo (utility) bill for a couple months and there's stealing from your friends," the judge told him. "It's heartbreaking, it's unimaginable, it's hard for me to fathom."

Despite all the hardship, Baynes ended on a defiant note against Hess: "He did not win. We (the victims) have stayed great friends. He is only a distant memory."
ESM_school.png

East Syracuse Minoa High School, 6400 Fremont Rd, Manlius.

(Google image)

An East Syracuse Minoa student has been charged with a felony for making a threat to harm ESM students on Monday morning, according to the Manlius Police Department.

The student, whom police did not identify, was charged with one count of making a terrorist threat, police said on Monday afternoon.

Manlius police said on Friday they received information about a possible threat made via social media against students in the district.

Police interviewed the student and his parents, determining the social media post was not a creditable threat, police said. The student, however, was charged with the felony, police said.

The student was processed and the case turned over to Onondaga Family Court, police said.
David G. Leach.jpg

David G. Leach

(Cayuga County Sheriff's Office)

Auburn, N.Y. -- A Binghamton college student has been accused of engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior with a 13-year-old Cayuga County child, the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office said.

David G. Leach, 21, of 70 Conklin Ave., Binghamton was charged with criminal sexual act in the second degree, a felony, on Feb. 24.

Two days earlier the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office opened an investigation into allegations that Leach had been engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior with the 13-year-old. Investigators said they found that Leach gained access to the victim and perpetrated the abuse when he stayed for a short period of time in the child's home.

Leach was arrested by deputies in the Binghamton area where he attends college, the sheriff's office said. Leach also has connections in Broome, Cortland, and Madison Counties, as well as Cayuga County, deputies said.

He was arraigned in the Town of Locke Court and sent to the Cayuga County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash or $40,000 bond.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation can contact Detective Sergeant Frederick Cornelius at 315-253-6562. Tips can also be left on www.cayugacrime.com. Anonymous tips are welcome.

Contact Charley Hannagan anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-2161.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Common Council Monday approved a pair of high-profile city projects introduced earlier this year.

The Council unanimously agreed to a one-year deal with Shotspotter Gunfire Location, Alert and Analysis Services for up to $300,000. It also OK'd a $49 million improvement at Hancock International Airport, to be mostly covered by New York State.

Mayor Stephanie Miner announced the deployment of ShotSpotter at her State of the City address in January.

The technology will allow Syracuse police to instantly pinpoint the location of gunshots in a certain neighborhood in the city. Miner said she expects to have it up and running by April.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the airport renovations at his State of the State speech in Syracuse in January. He promised the project will create 869 jobs.

The redesign includes a new facade, new flooring and furniture in the terminals, a regional aviation history museum, a glass pedestrian bridge and an eco-friendly roof over the main entrance.

The total cost of the project is $48.8 million, according to the Council resolution. The state will pay $35.8 million, independent Syracuse Regional Airport Authority will cover $2.9 million.
lazarus.jpg

Carrie Lazarus in 2014.

(Ellen M. Blalock)

Syracuse, NY -- One of Central New York's most recognizable TV personalities is leaving as NewsChannel 9's co-anchor to take a new role at the station.

Carrie Lazarus, who co-anchored the 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. broadcasts with Rod Wood, is departing that role after 31 years with the station, according to an announcement the co-anchors made on tonight's broadcast.

Christie Casciano will replace Lazarus as the station's new co-anchor, they announced. She currently anchors the staton's news at 10 p.m. on digital channel 9.2, and the regular news show at 11 p.m.

Lazarus will have a new show called "The Conversation." Details on the new show were not announced Monday night.

Lazarus is also known for her "Family Healthcast" and "Carrie Lazarus Presents: Extraordinary People and Places of Central New York," according to her station profile.

"We've had a front-row seat to life here in Central New York, but for me, time to change things up," Lazarus said, sitting next to Wood during the 6 p.m. newscast Monday. "I'm going to step out from behind the anchor desk to be where the news happens, to bring you in-depth, compelling and meaningful stories."

Wood complimented Lazarus, describing her as a "young Barbara Walters" and said he was glad her new role would keep her at the station.

"I'm not going anywhere," she said.
Carrie Lazarus and Rod Wood

Rod Wood and Carrie Lazarus have co-anchored the news together for 31 years. Lazarus is leaving as co-anchor after Wednesday's 6 p.m. newscast to take a new role at the station. Her new contract takes effect Thursday.

(File photo by Frank Ordonez | The Post-Standard)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Central New Yorkers have watched Carrie Lazarus co-anchor the local evening news with Rod Wood for the past 31 years on NewsChannel 9.

While she has become one of the most recognizable TV personalities in the community, Lazarus said Monday she is ready for a change. She announced Monday she would no longer be the station's co-anchor.

With her contract at Channel 9 about to expire, Lazarus said she pitched an idea that would allow her to "step out from behind the anchor desk to be where the news happens" and have a more flexible schedule.

"It was absolutely my idea," she said.

While some might think money was the deciding factor, Lazarus says that's not the case.

"I can say with 100 percent honesty and certainty -- and my whole reputation lies on the truth -- that money was not part of the conversation," Lazarus said. "The conversation was all about doing the best for the viewers, the station and I get to keep doing what I love."

Yes, she said she will make less money when her new contract takes effect Thursday. (She wouldn't say how much she earns.) But Lazarus said that's not why she's stepping down as co-anchor from the 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. broadcasts.

"I don't know what it's like to eat dinner at a normal time," she said. "You cannot be a second late for the newscast. I've always watched the clock. I'm ready to take a breath."

Christie Casciano will replace Lazarus as the station's new co-anchor. She currently anchors the station's news at 10 p.m. on digital channel 9.2 and the regular news show at 11 p.m.

Lazarus, who steps down from the co-anchor job on March 2, said she will no longer host the "Family Healthcast," although the segment will continue on NewsChannel 9.

Carrie Lazarus is leaving as NewsChannel 9's co-anchor to take a new role at the station.

In her new role, Lazarus said she will continue to focus on profiles of "Extraordinary People and Places of Central New York" and highlight extraordinary talent each week. She also will have a new show called "The Conversation," comprising more in-depth interviews during the newscast.

"We've become 140 characters on Twitter and 12-second soundbites," she said.

While that's an effective way to quickly share news, Lazarus said she thinks Central New Yorkers also want more depth and meaningful stories.

"Some news stories can't be told in a minute and a half," she said. "I'm talking to people of all walks of life -- young and old -- and I'm giving the viewer the chance to listen in on a conversation with depth."

Lazarus, 57, said she has worked in television news for 36 years -- five years at the former WTVH Channel 5 followed by 31 years at NewsChannel 9 -- and raised two daughters who now live out-of-state. She hopes her new role will allow her to "carve more time" out to visit her daughters Emily, 27, in Los Angeles, and Dani, 23, in Manhattan. Lazarus said her husband also retired a couple years ago and volunteers in Central New York.

Rod Wood and Carrie Lazarus in 1988.

After sharing her announcement with viewers Monday night on NewsChannel 9, Lazarus reflected on the last three decades sitting next to Wood, her longtime co-anchor. She said she will miss their chats during commercial breaks, when they catch up on life.

"It's been the rhythm of my life for 31 years," Lazarus said. "Rod is the moral leader of the newsroom... He always makes sure you take time to laugh. I'm going to miss that. But I'll still be there in the newsroom."

Lazarus said she hopes her work will have a lasting impact on the community, while drawing attention to the extraordinary and meaningful stories in Central New York.

"It's about the best quality of journalism for our viewers and the best quality of life for me," Lazarus said.

"I think it was time for a change for me," she said.
Its a conflict for the ages.

Recent scholarship has found that even in the 1200s, Cantabs would steer clear of the pub on a Saturday night (this is not true). Students were right to be wary: back then it did not take much to turn an argument into a full-on bar brawl. Danger tavern, as they called it, could prove fatal.

Back in the day, students were often unable to speak the dialect of local townspeople. Instead they would speak Latin  the communal language of medieval Europe. Unfortunately, this would often alienate the less educated locals.

With their exotic culture, strange ways of behaving and general arrogance, students did not make many friends with townspeople. Tensions ran high.

In 1209, for example, after a confrontation with townspeople, a number of scholars were forced to leave Oxford. They would go on to found Cambridge University. In 1355, a bar fight in Oxford broke down into a city-wide brawl which lasted two days and claimed dozens of lives.

The relationship has admittedly improved since those early days.

But with the rise in general dislike for Cantabs in post-Coyne Cambridge, tensions between town and gown have become more heated than ever.

It is time to settle our differences and try to bridge the gap between us.

The easiest way to do this would be for the university to start listening to residents complaints. What is the biggest issue that angers locals? Colleges have been buying up land in order to expand their accommodation in recent years, raising prices and forcing Cambridge residents to move to the outskirts of the city.

According to the Cambridge News, the recent announcement that the university planned to build more student accommodation on Newmarket road was met with fury from local residents.

With the high rates of homelessness in Cambridge, it is harder than ever to justify the decision to use vital space in the city centre to build student accommodation instead of social housing or even homeless shelters.

The result of all this is that locals feel pushed out of their own city. They, quite rightly, ask how the city in which they grew up, worked, and paid large amounts of council tax could force them to live on the outskirts while students, who only stay for a few years, are given preferential treatment.

The town/gown divide has clear solutions. Lets start with stopping the university from pushing the locals out of their own town.
Ahead of their production opening at Robinson this Thursday, I spoke to directors Alice Bennett and Phoebe Pritchett about their upbeat and unusual musical.

Is Cambridge, or perhaps the state of the world in general, getting you down? The solution might just lie in a trip to Robinson this coming Thursday, for the opening night of Alice and Phoebes Back to the 80s. Full of nostalgia, energetic song and dance numbers and an incredibly enthusiastic cast, Back to the 80s is a little bit different from whats normally on offer in Cambridge.

Set in an American high school, the musical follows lovestruck Corey Junior as he attempts to win over cool girl Tiffany Houston, and is full of classic high school tropes. Phoebe and Alice liken the show to High School Musical, but with already famous songs from the 1980s. Theres a battle between the cool and nerdy sides, and we follow how they overcome their separation, explains Phoebe. Alice emphasises that whilst the action is lighthearted fun, the main focus of the show is the songs. Its got such an amazing soundtrack, she enthuses. Its all cheese but so fantastic.

Alice describes the play as positive and feel-good, something perhaps we all need a little bit more of in Cambridge. When I arrive at their rehearsal the cast are practicing an upbeat song and dance routine to Kim Wildes Kids in America, but what Alice emphasises as a highlight of this musical is its variety. Its something which drew choreographer Anna Harrison to this performance in particular. All the songs are quite different, and it meant we could have lots of different styles of dancing, she explains. I loved it because you can get so much into one show: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun is sexy and slow, toying with the audience; whereas Kids in America is much more of a statement as a song, and Video Killed the Radio Star is like having a joke on stage.

This feel-good vibe is continued with the set and costume design: Phoebe describes it as really colourful, but I learn that this only scratches the surface. Balloons, streamers, disco balls and hideous leg warmers all make an appearance. This is a very lighthearted and happy play, explains Alice. Yet this doesn't stop it from getting a little weird at times  other unusual prop pieces include Yoda and Darth Vader, and Phoebe explains one of her favourite parts is a really weird Star Wars sequence where a character is haunted by thoughts hes Skywalker. It certainly seems one of a kind.

With the end of term approaching, it feels like were all looking for a bit of escapism, and as Phoebe admits, the 80s were an easier time. Sometimes, all you need is a reminder of a simpler era: Back to the 80s offers up this nostalgia in a brightly singing and dancing package.

Back to the 80s runs from Thursday 2nd to Saturday 4th March, at Robinson College Auditorium, 7.45pm
At a time when anti-Trump protests have been soaring in decibel levels, a candiate for mayor of Cambridgeshire has sent the American President a written invitation to visit Cambridge city during his state visit in June this year.

Stephen Goldspink, former councillor and deputy council leader in Peterborough, will be contesting the mayoral elections in the month of May as the English Democrats Mayoral Candidate. According to a report published in the Cambridge News, he has asked the American President to visit the city as guest of the mayor on his state visit in June.

I want to reassure you that huge numbers of English people are delighted with your election and pleased that you will be coming to England in JuneI would personally like to congratulate you on, not only on your election, but also on the terrific start which you have made in trying to do what you said you would do in the campaign," wrote Goldspink in his letter to the President.

The mayoral candidate also added: Here in England there are many of our establishment politicians who are very afraid that actually trying to fulfil campaign promises will catch on!" While referring to theHouse of Commons Speaker, John Bercow, Goldspink stated, This is a man who has welcomed many dictators yet wants to stop a democratically elected leader of the US from attending."

However, this move has been severely condemned by many Cambridge residents and officials. For instance, Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner has reportedly been an outspoken critic of President Trump and has said there should be no question of him visiting the UK while his 'travel ban' remains in place.
Dmitry Firtash, a Ukrainian oligarch, has been charged with bribery and corruption. A Vienna court has granted permission for him to be extradited to the US to stand trial for these charges.

Firtash was the main donor who set up Cambridge's department of Ukrainian Studies, part of the department of Slavonic Studies. He claims that the charges are false and that the US is prosecuting him for political reasons.

A University spokesperson told The Cambridge Student: "The original benefaction of 4.3m was to establish the Ukrainian Studies Endowment Fund, which funded Ukrainian Studies at the University and funded one academic post, a position which has been filled.

"A further pledge of 1.95m was made in 2013 to fund an additional academic position. Subsequent to Mr Firtash's arrest, the Advisory Committee decided that these funds should be placed in a ring-fenced holding account until legal proceedings are completed."

Firtash is also being prosecuted in Spain and if he is not extradited to the US, he may have to appear in court in Madrid.

Information sourced from The Financial Times
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Some 40 million people in the United States are at risks of losing their water source as the flow of Colorado River continued to decline due to higher temperature since the turn of the century.

Colorado River, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, supplies water to seven western states and the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California.

"The future of Colorado River is far less rosy than other recent assessments have portrayed," Bradley Udall, senior water and climate scientist of the Colorado Water Institute at Colorado State University, said.

Reduced River Flows Linked To Warming

The study, published in the journal Water Resources Research, takes into account the future of Colorado River after Udall learned that river flows were less than what the water managers expected due to drought since 2000.

The researchers seek to show the role of rising temperatures in the reduction of the flow of Colorado River.

It has been found out that from 2000 to 2014, the river flows reduced to about 2.9 million acre-feet of water per year.

Researchers have shown that rising temperatures played a major role on the decline of Colorado River flow.

If greenhouse gas emissions remain unchecked, it will "cause Colorado River flow declines of 30 percent by midcentury and over 50 percent by the end of the century," said Jonathan Overpeck, a professor of geosciences and hydrology and atmospheric sciences at the University of Arizona.

"We're the first to make the case that warming alone could cause (the decline of) Colorado River flow," he added.

Old Models, New Realities

Studies have shown that current climate models, which are based largely on the 20th century conditions, are inadequate in providing the information of the megadroughts in the past.

These models cannot even simulate the droughts of the current century. For instance, the American Southwest, according to researchers, is at higher risk of experiencing multidecadal drought as temperatures are rising.

The researchers, meanwhile, warned of the uncertainty in predicting the effects of the amount of rainfall to the basin.

Multidecadal droughts are still expected to occur when the increase of precipitation in the basin will fall below the normal level.

The Message: Plan

Water managers have "to plan for significantly lower river flows."

Udall underscored the inadequacy of the current planning to take into consideration the threat of climate change to the water supplies, especially in the American Southwest.

With the future of the river "far less rosy than other recent assessments have portrayed," the message is clear: plan.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Supersonic passenger flights may be a reality soon as reports suggest that NASA along with Lockheed Martin has begun testing its supersonic plane based dubbed X-PLane.

The X-Plane is based on the Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST). The testing which includes the first high speed and tunnel test is underway in NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.

What Do The Tests Involve?

Currently, the test would involve a 9 percent scale model of the actual X-Plane and it will be tested in an 8-by 6-foot wind tunnel. This wind tunnel which is present at the Glenn Research Center is suited perfectly for testing the prototype.

To determine the aerodynamics involved, researchers will test the model in wind speeds varying between 0.3 mach to 1.6 mach, which is approximately 150 mph to 950 mph.

"We'll be measuring the lift, drag and side forces on the model at different angles of attack to verify that it performs as expected," stated Ray Castner, who is one of the engineers testing the propulsion system for the QueSST X-Plane prototype.

Methods To Reduce The Noise

Anything which moves faster than the speed of sound is generally expected to make a lot of noise. The same is true for supersonic planes as well. So, the noise level would normally discourage NASA and other researchers to build a commercial supersonic flight, which would produce sounds of very high decibels.

However, due to recent discoveries, NASA suggests that it may be possible for it to build the X-Plane with sounds so low that it would be impossible to hear it.

If recent research is to be believed, sound can be eliminated just by shaping the plane in such a way that the shockwaves which are emitted by supersonic objects will be indistinguishable to the human ears.

Lockheed Martin

The project involving the preliminary design of the flight demonstrator was awarded to Lockheed Martin in February 2016 by NASA. The wind tunnel testing is expected to continue till the middle of the year. The complete design and functionality of the final product is also expected to be soon as NASA would likely award another contract to Lockheed for the same.

New Aviation Horizons

This innovative project falls under NASA's New Aviation Horizons (NAH) program which aims to reduce emissions, noise and fuel use through state of the art design.

The X-Plane development process will likely take some time so that researchers and engineers can perfect the model and make sure that it delivers the best possible product. Its flight campaign is expected to be sometime during 2020.

Check out the video from NASA detailing the development process of the X-Plane.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Several days ago, Germany banned a doll for spying on children and then Cloudbleed happened. Well, the problem has spilled over the United States after a security report revealed that close to a million CloudPets user accounts have been hacked. The compromised data include personal information as well as recorded messages of children talking to their toys.

It was found that the perpetrators even tried to hold the data for ransom. It is not yet clear if money did indeed change hands.

How Did It Happen?

CloudPets's main selling point is that children will be able to talk to their IoT toys, which include stuffed animals such as bears, dogs, and rabbits. There is also a dedicated mobile app that lets parents send their children messages while they are away.

In order for this to happen, CloudPets store messages and data in the cloud. Everything worked perfectly, communication has been seamless, and the toys served to increase children and parents bond.

Unfortunately, it seems that CloudPets has used an insecure cloud server, which exposed it to hackers. According to Troy Hunt, the security researcher who authored the report, the company did not install an authentication mechanism for access.

To demonstrate this, one can turn to how CloudPets data have been indexed by Shodan, which is a search engine that crawls vulnerable devices connected to the internet.

Hunt revealed that the hackers have accessed the CloudPets data and wiped it out for good measure. They then asked CloudPets to cough up Bitcoin money if they want the data restored.

"The CloudPets data was accessed many times by unauthorised parties before being deleted and then on multiple occasions, held for ransom," Hunt said.

Fortunately, the toy maker has backed up its data so the deleted files were immediately restored.

Hack Impact

If you think that the problem ended then and there, you cannot be even more wrong. While CloudPets managed to retain the data, there is still the fact that information about its users are sitting in someone else's hard drive, getting read and analyzed by anonymous misfits.

Remember that the compromised data include 820,000 user accounts and includes up to 2.2 million recorded messages between children and their toys.

The CloudPets data seems to have been secured sometime in January as it is no longer publicly accessible since. However, according to CNN, CloudPets has kept its users in the dark about the breach, which could expose it to legal liability under a California statute that mandates an obligation on the part of companies to inform users if their personal details have been exposed online. The company, and its maker Spiral Toys, are based in California.

What is also notable in this whole affair is that some CloudPets consumers have spotted the vulnerability and promptly called the company's attention accordingly. Their letters were reportedly left unanswered.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The OnePlus 3T is a popular device among technology enthusiasts with state-of-the-art specs and features. However, a rumor suggests that the company's next-gen device would perhaps be known as the OnePlus 5.

A previous report stated that a leaked render of the OnePlus 5 revealed some of its supposed specs.

Now, publication Korean Portal has reported that the OnePlus 5 would come with a dual-curved edge display, similar to that of the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge.

Why The Name OnePlus 5?

It may come as a surprise to some that after the OnePlus 3T, the company is choosing to skip OnePlus 4 and will go straight to OnePlus 5. However, this may be in keeping with Chinese traditions, where number 4 is considered bad luck and is associated with death.

What The Latest Rumors Suggest

If the latest rumors are to be believed, then it is likely that the OnePlus 5 may come with dual-curved edge display. The handset may be powered either by a Snapdragon 830 or Snapdragon 835 SoC.

Reports also surmise that one variant of the device may house a whopping 256 GB internal storage memory, and either 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM. Since the OnePlus 3T currently offers 6 GB of RAM, many believe that the OnePlus 5 may push the standard and come with 8 GB of RAM.

It is likely that OnePlus would launch different variants of the phone with differing RAM and memory along with other specs. So, a lower variant with 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB internal storage is also expected.

A 23MP primary and 16MP secondary camera are also expected to be housed in the device per the latest reports. The smartphone is expected to boast a 4000 mAh battery.

Other speculated features of the OnePlus 5 include an USB Type-C port and support for fast charging, while the body of the smaprtphone may be a ceramic one just like the Xiaomi Mi Max.

When To Expect The OnePlus 5

It is a well-known fact that Samsung has monopolized the latest Snapdragon 835 chipset till the time the company releases the Galaxy S8 into the market. Most other companies have had to either go with the Snapdragon 821 processor, or delay their products for some time due to Samsung calling dibs on the chipset.

The same may be true for the OnePlus 5. The company may wait till Samsung's product is released so that it can equip the OnePlus 5 with the Snapdragon 835. So, you can expect the phone to be launched sometime later in 2017.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Extinct animals may soon be brought back from the dead but at extremely high costs.

A new international study suggests resurrecting dead species might lead to biodiversity loss and harm modern conservation efforts.

Joseph Bennett, co-author of the study and a conservation biologist from Carleton University, said bringing back extinct species offers scientists a chance to "right past wrongs." However, there's also a downside.

"[T]here are many species going extinct every year," said Bennett. "Our resources to help save them are severely limited."

Revive & Restore

The idea of reviving extinct species using genetic techniques, which is known as "de-extinction," has long been considered by biologists.

In 2014, a non-profit project called Revive & Restore sought to bring back the extinct passenger pigeon through the dead animal's museum-specific DNA.

Scientists believe the great passenger pigeon is an ideal candidate because there is a veritable treasure trove of data on the animal. Although this study is still under way, its success would unlock knowledge that could be applied to other extinct species.

Modern Conservation Efforts

Now, the question isn't about whether scientists can successfully restore extinct species back to life. It's about whether they should.

Bennett and his colleagues analyzed detailed calculations on how much it would cost places such as New Zealand and New South Wales to conserve their currently threatened species.

"We used the living ones, with all their costs, as the surrogates for the extinct ones," said Bennett.

For instance, the team used funds for the Chatham Island warbler as analog for the extinct Chatham bellbird. It turns out that conservation for the extinct bellbird would amount to $358,966 in U.S. dollars.

The team argued that given the scarcity in conservation funds, bringing back lost species would potentially cost the extinction of more endangered species today.

If New Zealand brought back 11 of its dead species, the government would have to forego the conservation of 33 other living species to pay the costs of resurrecting extinct ones. In New South Wales, scientists can resurrect five dead species, but at the cost of 42 currently living species.

Bennett said there would be sacrifices.

"Without major increases in budgets, it would be like a one-step forward, two-step back scenario," he said.

Ethical Issues

Not everyone agrees with the cost-effective argument. There's also the issue of ethics, said Ronald Sandler, an associate professor at Northeastern University who wrote an accompanying editorial on the research.

Sandler said de-extinction could lead scientists to believe they could "right past wrongs." In fact, extinct species that were once culturally important or symbolically important may be restored to life.

"It might be reasonable to take extra measures," added Sandler.

Ecologist Ben Novak, who is currently working for the Revive & Restore project, told Popular Science that funding for de-extinction and conservation do not exactly mesh together.

Novak explained some donors are interested in the biotechnology involved in the process of de-extinction, while others donate to endangered species after restoration. He also cautioned against generalizing the situation in New South Wales and New Zealand and applying it across the entire world.

Details of the study will be published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Even though it was launched at Mobile World Congress 2016, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge was just awarded best smartphone at Mobile World Congress 2017. The news bodes well for the upcoming Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus.

Galaxy S6 Edge Is A Huge Hit

2015 was the year that Samsung traded in cheap-feeling plastic for premium metal and glass in the build of the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. The company finally offered a device that competed with Apple by offering top-of-the-line specs, features, and attention to design. Samsung was awarded top honors at Mobile World Congress for the Galaxy S6 edge in 2015. The handset was the first dual curved-edge display smartphone to be released by Samsung.

The device's overall design has remained intact on the Galaxy S7 edge and now-recalled Galaxy Note 7, and is expected to continue with the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus.

Galaxy S7 Wins At Mobile World Congress 2016

While the Samsung Galaxy S7 was awarded top honors at Mobile World Congress 2016, Samsung has just announced that the Galaxy S7 edge was awarded "Best Smartphone 2016" in the Best Mobile Handsets and Devices category at Mobile World Congress 2017.

Galaxy S7 Edge Wins Best Smartphone At MWC 2017

"We are honored to be recognized for our craftsmanship in design and innovation with the Galaxy S7 edge," said Junho Park, vice president of Global Product Strategy, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. "This award is a testament to our constant pursuit of excellence as we continue to exceed consumers' expectations through revolutionary mobile technology."

The Galaxy S7 edge is still one of the best-selling smartphones on the market and was recently updated to Android 7.0 Nougat by most major U.S. carriers, and Sprint is currently offering a deal on the smartphone. If the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is still winning awards, it's no wonder Samsung reportedly feels confident with opening sales of the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus.

Galaxy S8 fans won't have to decide between choosing the pricier "edge" model over a standard flat screen, like the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus will adopt a very similar design aesthetic to the Galaxy S7 edge, with choice of a 5.8-inch or 6.2-inch dual curved edge display minus the bezels, physical home button, and capacitive keys.

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus are expected to be announced on March 29 at a press event in New York City. We'll be covering the event and will bring you all the latest news on the new smartphones.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
OnePluss Next Flagship May Be OnePlus 5 | TechTree.com

While all the attention is on the Mobile World Congress 2017 held in Barcelona, it looks like a new rumour from Korea has managed to put OnePlus in the radar.

OnePlus 4 may not be launched at all, but instead, we may see the companys next flagship smartphone being dubbed as OnePlus 5, reports GSMArena, while adding that the smartphone will be featuring a dual-curved edge screen.

Apparently, if you are wondering what happened to the OnePlus 4, a couple of reports online including the one published on PhoneArena.com stress on number 4 being considered as bad luck in China. However, it looks like OnePlus 3T may be considered as the companys fourth flagship device, and thus, it seems pretty logical to witness OnePlus 5 in the coming days.

According to reports, the OnePlus 5 may be similar to Galaxy S7 Edge smartphone, while we may witness either a 6 GB or 8 GB RAM along with a 256 GB of internal storage. On the camera end, the smartphone may be equipped with a 23 MP rear camera and 16 MP selfie shooter.

However, there are many things still unclear in this perspective. We are still having no clue which processor would be installed inside the flagship device. But, as always, this is just a rumour, and we may have to digest it with a pinch of salt.

TAGS: OnePlus
At this Sunday's municipal elections, mayors, vice mayors and councilmen will be elected, almost four million voters are summoned to go to the polls. | Read More
Alton Sterling hustled all his life, trying to scrape together enough money in $5 increments by selling copies of movies, albums and games.
Baton Rouge government officials plan to apply one year later than initially anticipated for federal money to help fund an ambitious $170 million tram proposed between LSU and downtown.

The tram proposal began under former Mayor-President Kip Holden's administration and moved forward quickly during his final year in office: A preferred route was chosen, it received environmental clearance from the federal government, and the Metro Council authorized $10 million for engineering firm HNTB Corp. for consulting and engineering services.

$170M Baton Rouge tram project one step closer to reality The proposed tram that would link downtown Baton Rouge and LSU has taken another step closer

But the busy summer of 2016 got in the way of the city-parish finishing an application by September of that year for $84 million in federal funding toward the tram. The $84 million is expected to make up 49 percent of the project's overall cost.

"The flood and the recovery operations, everything else became a lower priority, so we didn't have time finish the application," said city-parish Interim Chief Administrative Officer William Daniel.

Still, Daniel said the delay does not mean the momentum to build the tram is stopping. Instead, the extra time to design the tram this year will enable the city to submit a stronger application in September of 2017 for federal money, he said.

The tram would run between Tiger Stadium and the State Capitol, with riders hopping on and hopping off at 10 stops along the way: North Street, Florida Boulevard, North Boulevard, Government/Spain streets, Europe Street, the entrance to the future Water Campus, Van Buren Street, McKinley Street, Aster Street and North Stadium Road.

In September of this year, the city is expected to apply for a Federal Transit Administration "small starts" grant, which is designed for cities seeking less than $100 million for public transportation systems. The FTA will determine whether to include funding for the tram in the president's budget released in early 2018, and the city, if successful, would get the money in October of 2018.

The city-parish has billed the tram as a way to promote economic development in the Nicholson corridor, and they hope a boom of businesses and housing would follow along the route. After a public comment period this summer, the Metro Council pledged support for a $10 million bond toward building the transportation system.

Helipad among extravagant features as Spencer Calahan plans $9M new downtown BR offices Spencer Calahan, a personal injury lawyer known for his catchy TV ads, plans to build a new 

Some Metro Council members have expressed concerns about the tram's location, though, questioning whether it's fair to spend so much money on an infrastructure project that would be outside of their districts and that their constituents may not use.

Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome has not publicly expressed how hard she will push for the tram, which was one of her predecessor's signature projects.

She said on the campaign trail that she hoped to find a way to link Southern University and north Baton Rouge into it. During her inaugural speech, she listed "trains, trams and Zipcars" as important avenues toward improving Baton Rouge transportation.

When asked Monday at Press Club to prioritize some of Holden's ongoing infrastructure projects, Broome was not forthcoming on the tram. She referenced an article that ran Monday in the Baton Rouge Business Report about the application being deferred until 2017 and simply added "that kind of speaks for itself."
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East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court Doug Welborn has issued a blanket denial of allegations made by a former longtime Clerk's Office employee who claims workers had to chip in cash for Welborn's birthday and Christmas presents.

Welborn, through his attorneys in a court-filed answer to Wilton Roy Davis' age discrimination lawsuit, denies every allegation raised in December by Davis.

Davis alleges he was subjected to illegal age-based harassment and discrimination and ultimately forced to retire a year ago at age 62. He claims he was effectively fired for opposing, protesting and reporting questionable office workplace practices.

One of those alleged practices, according to Davis' suit, called for Clerk's Office administrators and supervisors to pony up $100 and $50 in cash, respectively, every August for Welborn's birthday gift. If an employee did not pay, the suit says, that worker's job "was at risk."

A similar cash collection was taken up for Welborn's Chirstmas gift, the suit alleges.

"The allegations ... are denied," Welborn's answer to the suit states.

Davis claims in another paragraph in the suit that he and other Clerk's Office employees each were required to donate $250 to Welborn's successful 2015 re-election effort.

"The allegations ... are denied as written," says Welborn's answer by attorneys Sheri Morris, Carlton "Trey" Jones III, John Walsh and Kathryn Dufrene.

Davis further alleges that on several occasions he was ordered to go to lunch with a select group of upper administrators. On one such occasion at Stroube's Seafood and Steaks, Davis says he inquired how a Clerk's Office credit card was being used to pay for the meals.

Davis contends that Chief Deputy Clerk of Court Greg Brown told him the state Attorney General's Office approved the practice as long as it was for a meeting. Davis says Brown then turned to him at the Stroube's lunch and asked, "How are things" in your department, and Davis said things were fine.

"Brown then pronounced, see we had a meeting, now let's eat," the suit alleges. Davis says he was not asked to go to lunch with the group after that.

Welborn's answer says those allegations "are denied as written for lack of sufficient information to justify a belief therein."

An article in The Advocate in the fall of 2015 detailed $93,000 in Clerk's Office credit card expenses over the five preceding years and found that nearly $29,000 was spent on food, either at restaurants such as Stroube's, Monjunis Italian Restaurant, Acme Oyster House and Twin Peaks, or grocery stores.

Another $46,000 was spent on lodging, often casino hotel rooms.

Clerk's Office spokesman Fred Sliman has said previously that the office's expenditures "have passed our audits as legitimate and permissible business expenses and documentation is available in all cases to correspond with them."

The East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney's Office is looking into the Clerk's Office spending habits.
Several leaders of historically black colleges and universities in Louisiana were among those who met with President Donald Trump on Monday to try to seek support for ideas they say will help provide stability for their schools.

Southern University, Southern University Law Center, Southern University at Shreveport, Grambling State University, Dillard and Xavier were represented in the meeting, which took place in the Oval Office and included dozens of other HBCU representatives.

Trump shook hands and made small talk with the HBCU leaders as video cameras rolled and still cameras clicked.

I don't think we've ever had this many people in the Oval Office, Trump said to laughter. This could be a new record, forever."

The nation's HBCU chiefs are urging Trump to set aside more federal contracts and grants for their schools. They also are urging the White House to take control of a key program that oversees HBCU initiatives, currently through the U.S. Department of Education.

Trump is expected to sign an executive order related to historically black schools this week, though his administration has been light on details so far.

Nationally, historically black colleges and universities have in recent years have struggled with declining enrollments.

There were more than 231,000 students enrolled at black colleges and universities in 2014, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Almost 80 percent were black.

Total HBCU enrollment declined from 326,614 to 294,316 between 2010-2014, according to the latest information available from National Center for Education Statistics. The percentage of black college students attending a historically black college or university also dropped from 18 percent of the overall total in 1976 to 8 percent in 2014.

Enrollment at Southern University's main campus in Baton Rouge has fallen from 7,619 in fall 2009 to 6,360 this school year.

Grambling State's enrollment, meanwhile, went from 4,553 in fall 2012 to 4,863 this fall.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is part of a group that met with President Donald Trump on Tuesday ahead of his first address before a joint session of Congress.

"It was an honor to meet with President Trump again," Landry said Tuesday evening. "I appreciate the President's willingness to meet with our states' top law enforcement officers. His administration is clearly making public safety and the rule of law top priorities; and we are grateful for that."

Great to meet with @POTUS today. We are working together to make Louisiana a safer place. #lagov #lalege pic.twitter.com/o1j3GW3SHI  AG Jeff Landry (@AGJeffLandry) March 1, 2017

Trump took a photo Tuesday morning with the attorneys general, who are in Washington, D.C. this week for the National Association of Attorneys General winter meeting. He later had a closed-to-the-press meeting with them.

"Some great people, some great people," Trump said to the group of about 25 attorneys general, including Landry.

Landry, a Republican who took office last year, is also planning to attend the president's address to Congress this evening, according to the AG's office.

Landry is vice president of the NAAG.

Since Monday, the group has been holding meetings on topics like health care fraud, consumer protection and other topics related to the state office.

Gov. John Bel Edwards, in Washington for the National Governors Association's winter meeting, met with Trump on Monday.

Check back with The Advocate for more details.
Dozens of leaders of the nation's historically black colleges and universities  including leaders from several Louisiana schools  met with President Donald Trump on Monday to discuss the future of HBCUs.

But at least one is now voicing concern over the level of attention that was given to the nation's historically black colleges during a meeting at the White House.

Trump is expected to sign an executive order this afternoon intended to provide additional stability for historically black colleges.

Louisiana HBCU leaders take part in meeting with President Donald Trump Several leaders of historically black colleges and universities in Louisiana were among thos

Leaders from Southern University, Southern University Law Center, Southern University Shreveport, Grambling State University and private colleges Xavier and Dillard all were on hand to represent Louisiana's HBCUs.

Dillard President Walter Kimbrough, who had been asked to speak at the event, says in a statement posted to Medium.com that he didn't get a chance to make his full remarks on what the administration can do to help HBCUs.

Kimbrough writes that the meeting with Trump in the Oval Office was a last-minute addition to the schedule.

"Im still processing that entire experience," Kimbrough writes. "But needless to say that threw the day off and there was very little listening to HBCU presidents today - we were only given about 2 minutes each, and that was cut to one minute, so only about 7 of maybe 15 or so speakers were given an opportunity today."

According to the White House press pool report of the meeting, Trump shook hands and made small talk with the HBCU leaders as video cameras rolled and still cameras clicked.

I don't think we've ever had this many people in the Oval Office, Trump said to laughter. This could be a new record, forever."

The nation's HBCU chiefs are urging Trump's administration to set aside more federal contracts and grants for their schools. They also are urging the White House to take control of a key program that oversees HBCU initiatives, currently through the U.S. Department of Education.

Kimbrough said that the meeting at the White House was primarily supposed to be a meeting with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and other federal agencies that can aid HBCUs.

He posted his full remarks that he had planned to make during the meetings. In it, he calls for expanding the federal Pell Grant, which aids 62 percent of black students and more than 70 percent of students attending HBCUs.

"Pell is a vehicle to prevent hallucinations of opportunity, while helping to fuel HBCUs, engines of social and economic mobility driving families toward the American dream," Kimbrough writes.
Recently, Louisiana School Boards Association Executive Director Scott Richard criticized the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, in a letter to this paper, for publicly discussing the need for proposals that transform Louisianas pension systems to make them more sustainable and taxpayer friendly. This baseless criticism by Richard ignores the facts and contradicts his own comments.

In public testimony, Richard has repeatedly stated that pension increases are burdening school districts and harming classroom investment. In fact, there is a $38 million increase in K-12 schools pension costs this year alone. What that means for parents with children in public schools and for taxpayers in general is that about 30 percent of state dollars appropriated to educate children are instead being diverted to pay these systems Unfunded Accrued Liability and ongoing retirement contributions.

Additionally, the teachers retirement system has unrealistic return assumptions that will likely never be realized. For example, from 2014 to 2015 the percent of liabilities funded within the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana dropped from 63.7% to 62.5%, and unfunded liabilities increased from $10.2 billion to $10.8 billion in 2015 and are increasing again.

While we face the symptoms of an antiquated system, Louisianas government is not being singled out, but simply facing the same reality other states and companies have already tackled. According to a recent Rockefeller Institute of Government study, Louisiana is in the top tier of states with the highest unfunded liability as a percentage of state gross domestic product. The private sector and some states have evolved into a more mobile, affordable, and employee-controlled pension system and away from the legacy defined-benefit system that has become less relevant to todays worker. LABI has historically supported an array of reforms similar to other states that will make the pension system more affordable and sustainable, many of which have been opposed by Richard.

As we work together to find a solution to this burgeoning problem, Louisiana should incorporate ideas and solutions reflecting the new reality of our workforce. Across the board, todays worker wants more opportunities for advancement, increased recognition for new ideas, and to be rewarded for high performance. Maintaining the current model for all employees discourages new approaches to compensating teachers for excellence, effort, and capability. It also diminishes teachers control of their own retirement and limits their ability to take their accrued earnings with them if they pursue other opportunities.

Double-sided talking points, unsupported accusations and blame wont change the fiscal reality we face. We must work together to advance Louisianas pension systems to make them more accountable to todays workers and taxpayers. The facts are clear, even if the rhetoric is not.

Stephen Waguespack

president, LABI

Baton Rouge
If a city can be said to have an art form, then New Orleans is certainly the mistress of transformation. We turn laundry day into red beans a
Advocates: Stabbing victim was 2nd transgender woman killed in N.O. in 2 days

Advocates: Stabbing victim was 2nd transgender woman killed in N.O. in 2 days
When others ran away from the terrifying scene of the Endymion parade crash on Saturday night, off-duty firefighter Gino Ascani ran toward it.

The eight-year veteran of the New Orleans Fire Department said he could not let suspected drunk driver Neilson Rizzuto escape justice after he plowed into 32 people at a Mid-City intersection. Ascani said he wrestled Rizzuto out of a truck and onto the ground, where he was arrested by a police officer.

I didnt even think, Ascani said. I knew that people were going to be hurt if not dead, and I was trying to stop the guy.

Two days after the crash, new accounts from victims and witnesses were still continuing to emerge about the crash that generated international headlines and marred an otherwise nearly idyllic day of Carnival.

Rizzuto, 25, of Paradis, remained in jail Monday in lieu of $125,000 bail.

Meanwhile, authorities said that all but three of those injured in the crash have been released from area hospitals. Authorities have not given any word on the condition of the victims still hospitalized.

Can't see video below? Click here.

Ascani said that on Saturday night he was working as a bouncer for an Endymion party hosted by real estate appraiser Larry Lagasse, 63, on the block of North Carrollton Avenue just on the river side of Orleans Avenue.

The sequence of events that ended with the crash appeared to start well before Rizzuto reached the intersection itself, Ascani and Lagasse said. Both men said that shortly before 6:45 p.m., they saw Rizzuto, who was driving a silver-gray truck, hit two vehicles in the middle of the 600 block of North Carrollton.

I heard this scraping and kind of boom, Ascani said. It hit a parked truck and just kind of scraped by, like opening a sardine can.

Two other witnesses who did not want to be identified said Saturday night that they believed Rizzuto may have hit a pedestrian in the middle of the 600 block before speeding up to the intersection and injuring the vast majority of the victims.

After the first collision, Rizzuto then sped toward the Carrollton-Orleans intersection, Ascani said. The firefighter said he realized that Rizzuto was heading straight toward the crowds crossing the busy intersection.

Rizzuto then hit two more vehicles in the middle of the intersection before veering left into the neutral ground and hitting a dump truck, Ascani said.

The firefighter said the thought that he might have witnessed an act of terrorism on the scale of the 2016 truck attack in Nice, France, never crossed his mind. Instead, he believed that Rizzuto was simply angry that he had gotten stuck in traffic.

As the crowd fled from the crash scene, Ascani ran toward the truck. He saw a police officer on the left side of Rizzutos truck, trying to open the drivers side door. So Ascani made for the passenger-side door.

When I looked in he was curled up in a fetal position, so by instinct I just grabbed him to make sure he couldnt get away, Ascani said. The firefighter then pulled Rizzuto to the ground.

The thought that crossed my head is that he knew what he did, Ascani said. The severity of the situation came down on him, and he was just scared.

A cop then said he had Rizzuto under control, so Ascani made for the nearest ambulance and grabbed a handful of neck braces to apply to victims.

There were people scattered everywhere, and New Orleans EMS is the best in the country, so we just started triaging people. Being a fireman, I know what were supposed to do to help EMS out, Ascani said.

The firefighter said he has spoken to two national news outlets but hasnt let his sudden fame get to his head.

I know that anyone who is a New Orleans fireman or EMS that would have been in my situation would have done the exact same thing, he said.

Ascani returned to his duties as a bouncer at the Lagasse party after he finished helping the wounded. On Monday, he was back to work at the Engine 18 station house in Lakeview.

Many victims of the crash also had returned to their homes and workplaces by Monday, although shaken by their close brushes with death.

Max Mattione, a 19-year-old freshman at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, said he was visiting New Orleans for his first time over the weekend. The St. Louis native was meeting up with friends at the intersection  and planning to go to Bourbon Street later  when the crash happened.

We went to the neutral ground. We were just saying hi to each other, and thats when the truck came through, Mattione said. I just turned my head to the left for a slight second, and I saw it, so I was able to brace myself a little bit. I just got hit by the side of the car.

Mattione said that seven students from Spring Hill were hit. Six of them sought medical treatment; all were released on Sunday, he said. Their injuries ranged from staples in the head to a swollen leg, a sprained ankle and a lacerated face, he said.

We all feel really blessed that no one was killed, and the injuries were kept to what they were, he said.

Also among the injured was veteran NOPD Lt. Michelle Woodfork, the niece of Warren Woodfork, who was the citys police chief from 1985 to 1991.

Warren Woodfork said he had spoken with his niece and that she was in very good spirits. She was released from the hospital on Sunday, he said.

She got bruised really bad, but no serious injuries. Nothing broken, he said. Shes all right. Shes a Woodfork. Shes made out of tough stuff.

NOPD: Three Endymion crash victims remain hospitalized in New Orleans All but three victims injured in the massive crash at the Endymion parade Saturday evening h

Police gave no new details Monday on their investigation into how Rizzuto  a Ponchatoula native who also goes by the nickname Pasta, according to his Facebook page  wound up with a blood alcohol content of .232 percent, nearly three times the legal limit.

Rizzuto's father, John Rizzuto, told WWL-TV on Sunday that his son claimed that a stranger gave him a drink before the crash and that was "the last thing he remembered."

But the Paradis man appears to be acclimating to his new environment inside the Orleans Parish jail, said a source familiar with his incarceration.

Rizzuto, who is being housed in a low-security cell block in the Orleans Justice Center, has sought to calm the nerves of family members, telling them he's made a few friends and that the extensive news coverage of the crash has lent him a measure of fame among fellow inmates, the source said.

It was uncertain whether his family would make the $125,000 bail that Magistrate Commissioner Robert Blackburn set Sunday.

Although Rizzuto was booked on four felony charges  reckless operation of a vehicle, hit-and-run driving and two counts of vehicular negligent injuring, a crime that carries a maximum five-year prison term  he could face dozens of additional charges.

According to an initial police report, Rizzuto struck "a known total of 32 pedestrians," including 23 who were taken to the hospital.

No one was killed  a fact that Rizzuto learned Monday morning, the source said.

Police secured a warrant Sunday afternoon to draw Rizzuto's blood for testing.

It's unclear whether Rizzuto has hired a private attorney. A public defender represented him at his bail hearing Sunday.

Should District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro's office accept the felony charges, or others, Rizzuto's case will be allotted to Criminal District Court Judge Benedict Willard.
The Ainslie shops, showing Edgar's Inn on the corner, where loose asbestos is in the ceiling above the first-floor flat. Credit:Kirsten Lawson

That means summer is OVER. If you look at the weather for the rest of the week, it'll probably feel like it too. Rain is forecast until Monday, and there's a 50 per cent chance of a shower of up to 2mm today . A high of 28 is expected, dropping to 27 tomorrow.

An ACT government official revealed it looks like Mr Fluffy asbestos in the roof space above Edgar's Inn at the Ainslie shops has spread to the roofs of neighbouring businesses.

Work Safety Commissioner Greg Jones said it appeared the asbestos might have moved to at least the neighbouring block.

Testing is being extended further along the street.

Mr Jones said decisions about cleaning or demolition would be made after asbestos assessors finished their report next week.

The news came as a senior bureaucrat defended WorkSafe ACT's air monitoring policies during Mr Fluffy demolitions, after the ACT auditor-general blasted their record keeping practices earlier this year.
Giants chief Dave Matthews dined with GWS stars Jonathon Patton and Stephen Coniglio on Tuesday night knowing his club was one step closer to feasting on the AFL premiership they're favourites to win this season.

Housemates Patton and Coniglio were invited to Matthews' abode to celebrate Tuesday's announcement of the former's contract extension, which locks the 2011 No.1 draft pick into the Giants until at least the end of 2020.

Patton feels he and his young teammates are close to the first of what shapes to be several flags for the club over the next decade, a conclusion Coniglio came to in September last year when he penned an extension that keeps him in the orange and charcoal until the end of 2019.

Fellow youngsters Adam Tomlinson and Zac Williams reached the same decision in the past couple of weeks, while big guns Callan Ward, Tom Scully, Rory Lobb and Shane Mumford have also extended their contracts for the long haul.
Ahmed Fahour stands to earn a bonus worth up to $6 million this year, on top of his $2 million base salary, according to a report released the evening before Australia Post's chairman and chief executive were grilled by Senate estimates about executive pay.

However, although the bonus lands with his final year at the government-owned company, it will not be counted towards his retirement lump sum, a spokeswoman confirmed.

This is the first detailed remuneration report published by Australia Post since the end of the 2013-14 financial year.

Chairman John Stanhope has promised the company will be more transparent about executive remuneration after it failed to provide a pay breakdown for two years in a row.
Pauline Hanson showed her enthusiasm for Russian leader Vladimir Putin and her disdain for Muslims and the "no jab, no pay" scheme on the ABC's Insiders. Credit:Andrew Meares While urban areas remain largely immune to the big swings, those living on the wrong side of a two-step economy, on the outer reaches of cities or in regional towns, have lost faith either Labor or the Coalition will bring about change. "They are unhappy with the major parties," says Professor McAllister of the new One Nation voter. "Weak economic performance is one reason  there is a very strong correlation with that  so these tend to be people who don't believe the government can do very much about improving their economic position, they feel very economically insecure." Labor senator Malarndirri McCarthy with senator Pauline Hanson after the One Nation leader's first speech in the Senate. Credit:Andrew Meares "They have a very high level of distrust in politics and that is quite noticeable.

"They are disillusioned with career politicians, they don't think they are working in their best interests  there is a series of things going on in there." Muslims want to impose Sharia law because they "hate Western society," Senator Pauline Hanson told the ABC. Credit:Andrew Meares This, says Clive Bean, Professor of Political Science at the Queensland University of Technology, was just as much a problem for Labor as it is for the Liberals and Nationals. "To some extent, there are characteristics in them [One Nation voters] that are reminiscent of Labor voters  people who are perhaps concerned about security  job security as well as ethnic and cultural security," he said. "Those kind of factors mean there is an appeal there to Labor voters just as there is to Coalition voters and even though it is characterised as a new right populist party, which makes you think it will take from the right of the Coalition, there is an appeal across the spectrum, which makes it a lot more unpredictable."

The upcoming Queensland election, expected to be held in September or October this year, is being viewed as a barometer of the wider national mood by both parties. Publicly, Labor has maintained its opposition to One Nation. The Queensland Labor government, which is under the greatest immediate threat from the surging One Nation vote, has ruled out any preference or governing deals with the minor party. But Queensland Labor has benefited from the turning tide  both Herbert and Longman fell to Labor at the 2016 federal election on the back of One Nation preferences. While deals have been ruled out, Labor has capitalised on the "send the Turnbull government a message" mood, and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has noticeably switched to an "Australia first" rhetoric in recent months, particularly while speaking in the very regions now under threat. But with voters switching off from the major party messaging, in favour of sending a message of their own, Labor has found itself fighting for the same hearts and minds as the Turnbull government, while attempting to batten down its own heartland. "I think there is disillusionment around the two major parties and we need to demonstrate how progressive politics and progressive governments can deliver for working people," Labor MP Pat Conroy said.

His electorate of Shortland, which takes in part of the NSW Hunter region, and its coal mines, is primed for a swing to One Nation. There, the mood rises and falls with the economy. "Labor voters who might say they will vote for One Nation do so because they don't think a Labor government supports them economically," he said. "It is usually not about social issues, it is about economic issues  they might be pro-protection, they might feel like the industrial relations system is not supporting workers enough and things like that. "So what they need to see is a Labor government that is actually delivering for working people and that is why it is so important that we tackle things like inequality and fair trade deals  and penalty rates. Demonstrating that we are looking after working people is the best way to sway these people to vote for us again." Cathy O'Toole, who won the seat of Herbert on the back of a protest swing against the Turnbull government, after years of economic stress, is aware the pendulum swings both ways.

"I think part of the issue is that in those areas, and my area is one of those, where unemployment is really high, job security is not good, people are very concerned about the fundamentals of survival. Their major concerns are about 'is my job secure, or can I get a job, can I afford to put food on the table, pay the mortgage or the rent and pay my kids school fees, or keep them at school'. They are the issues that seem to be typically around those voters and why they seem to be reaching out," she said. "I understand that and I think for Labor it is about understanding that those people are worried about their well-being and the well-being about their family. "And I think we need to be very clear in the messages and the messages that we give to people." Ms O'Toole said she believed the current mood was based on "frustration". "I get the frustration and for us it is about being really clear, that we are giving simple and succinct messages that address their concerns. And they are concerns," she said.
Many of you by now will be thinking, so what? Who cares who posts what on social media and what harm is being done if the posts aren't really genuine? The answer is perhaps more troubling than you might think.

We're also keenly aware through social media that some people are loudly and proudly living the high life. We're offered a ringside seat of meals eaten out, trips to ski fields, designer threads, expensive toys and private school snaps.

Most of us are wising up to the fact that what is posted on social media isn't always a reflection of what is really going on in people's lives. There is often more than a little embellishment so people seem more interesting than perhaps they think they are.

You may not be aware that the Tax Office has employed a team of datamining specialists, or data doctors. Their role is to look online at social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram to determine if what people are posting matches with what they're reporting in their tax returns. Now they're not simply sitting there flicking through feeds, hoping to catch people out. They are however developing models that identify "non-compliers" so that programs do the scrolling for them.

Data matching is not an entirely new audit approach for the Tax Office. For years now, they've been matching your tax file number to discover undeclared interests and investments. They've also been data matching registration and stamp duty paperwork for boats, properties and more for income and expense audits. Social media, however, adds a whole new dimension and means that your humble bragging could land you in a whole lot of hot water if you're not being honest either in your posts or in your tax return. Either way, you could be issued with a please explain.

That's because what the Tax Office is attempting to catch is nothing new  undisclosed income and dodgy deductions  it's just added a new way to catch you out. So what are they looking for when they're checking out your social media feeds?

Business income

It might be a Facebook page or a website you've set up for your business that you're not declaring in your tax return. Or you might be stating that you're unemployed but running a business sneakily on the side. Yes, there are occasions when you're testing the waters and what you're doing is still in the murky waters of a hobby versus a business but if not, then be careful. That's because if a potential customer can find you, then the Tax Office data doctors can find you and may issue you with a please explain.
Harwin is in the happy position of being a man with money to spend and no shortage of takers. The government promised $600 million in cultural infrastructure funding before the 2015 election and still has about $250 million in the kitty (after allocating $202 million to the Sydney Opera House and $139 million to the Walsh Bay precinct). He says he will make an announcement about funding before the June budget, but cites Western Sydney and regional NSW as "high priorities". "There are a few areas where we need to do better and I think there has been, frankly, under-investment in our cultural infrastructure." He backs the government's controversial plan to move the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta  despite reports that the relocation could cost up to $2 billion. "We are absolutely committed to having an iconic cultural institution in western Sydney and the one that makes sense is moving the Powerhouse," he says. "It's a collection that appeals to many audiences and it should be at the heart of the city, in Parramatta."

Harwin, 52, grew up in Peakhurst, some 21 kilometres south of that heartland. His father, Don snr, was a high school maths teacher and headmaster. "He would always come home at night and read me a story," Harwin says, his eyes filling with tears. "I have always had a love of reading, from the earliest age." Growing up gay in south-west Sydney in the 1970s made him the target of bullies at the local public school (a topic he spoke about in parliament in 2014). "It was a difficult experience for me," he says now. "But I got through it and it made me a stronger person, and it probably helped equip me for what I am doing now." He studied economics and law at the University of Sydney, while dabbling in amateur theatre  including a rendition of "Tit-Willow", from The Mikado. In 1987, he went straight from university to a research job with an MP and has been working in the Macquarie Street precinct ever since, including a stint running a consultancy business. In late 1998, he was preselected by the Liberal Party to stand for the Legislative Council  forcing him to abandon a lively thesis on an "historical institutionalist interpretation of how political parties develop". Much of his time in politics has tended towards seemingly mundane matters, such as electoral boundaries. He is said to be very good at interpreting lines on maps. His library of political and historical tomes rivals that of federal Attorney-General George Brandis ("They're all my books  and my shelves," Harwin notes.)

He was credited with helping secure the numbers for Gladys Berejiklian to become Premier in January, prompting suggestions that his elevation to cabinet was designed to reward as factional ally. Indeed, his time in office offers few hints of an arts pedigree  apart from hosting exhibitions of the parliament's art and cultural artefacts, while president of the Legislative Council. Under "special interests" in his parliamentary biography, he lists (in order): political history, psephology (the statistical study of elections and voting), film and rugby league (his maternal grandfather once played for St George). But he's keen to talk about his new arts role and so we do. "The arts inspire us to do great things," he says. "To listen to a beautiful piece of music or to look at a magnificent painting or to read a great work of literature just uplifts you."

He nominates literature  particularly, historical non-fiction  as his favourite art form and notes that he has written chapters for several titles, including books on social justice and state elections. He also likes opera and regularly buys Australian Ballet subscriptions for himself and mother Evelyn, who took dancing lessons when she was young. His Spotify playlist is a love ballad to 1980s and 1990s pop music, including Pet Shop Boys, Elton John and Freddie Mercury (his favourite Queen song is Radio Ga Ga). He's spent much of his first month as a minister trouping about Sydney's arts institutions to find out where funds are needed most. Among those in the queue is the Art Gallery of NSW, which wants some $450 million to build its Sydney Modern extension. "There's no doubt they have got a strong case for consideration," he says. "They're in the mix, as are many other people. I have got many people knocking on my door right now." On Friday night, he revisited the gallery to open its Andy Warhol exhibition and was welcomed like an old friend. Board of trustees president David Gonski, who has seen several arts ministers in his time, told the crowd that "this one loves the arts".
NSW Police have arrested two men following an alleged assault and kidnapping of a woman in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs on Tuesday afternoon.

Police released this image of Elizabeth Bell, 35, after she was allegedly forced into a van. Credit:NSW Police

Officers were told a woman had been assaulted at a Bondi Junction shopping centre about 3pm before being forced into a white van.

Shortly before 12.30am on Wednesday, police found the van in Glebe and arrested the male driver, 42 and his male passenger, 28.
Secret Australian Federal Police intelligence reports on the backpack bomb supposedly carried by gunman Man Haron Monis on the day of the Lindt cafe siege appear never to have been handed to NSW police, it has been revealed.

And the senior lawyer assisting the coroner's inquiry into the siege, Jeremy Gormly SC, says the inquest is unlikely ever to resolve the "awkward and difficult" question of what information was pooled between state and federal authorities on the day.

Hostages flee from the Lindt cafe in Martin Place during the early hours of December 16, 2014. Credit:Andrew Meares

Mr Gormly revealed the existence of the AFP technical intelligence reports at a directions hearing where the Commonwealth strongly resisted answering further questions on the matter unless coroner Michael Barnes effectively reopened hearings .

Mr Gormly said the inquest only became aware of the AFP reports at the end of last year, after reviewing an "oblique" reference to them in a statement from an army officer.
Studies are underway into whether the Quirk administration's signature project, the Brisbane Metro, could be operated by articulated "banana" buses instead of rubber-tyred trams.

But the councillor charged with delivering the project, deputy mayor Adrian Schrinner, insisted on Tuesday it was incumbent on the council to look at all options.

The admission came in the council's public and active transport committee on Tuesday morning, under questioning by Labor councillor Jared Cassidy (Deagon).

Cr Cassidy asked Cr Schrinner about comments Lord Mayor Graham Quirk had made at a recent suburban civic cabinet meeting, that the metro's business case would look at a high-capacity bus system instead.
A family of seven has been left homeless for the second time in four months after fire destroyed a house east of Brisbane.

The blaze broke out in the Redland suburb of Alexandra Hills about 11.30pm and quickly engulfed the whole single-storey house.

All seven people inside, reportedly including a child in a wheelchair, somehow made it out alive as fire gutted the home and burned the roof in.

Two people, believed to be a 34-year-old single mother and her friend, were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation.
The mother of murdered Gold Coast woman Tara Brown has criticised the police response to her daughter's plea for help in the lead-up to her death.

She also revealed she would never read a letter written by former bikie Lionel Patea after he pleaded guilty to Ms Brown's murder in a surprise move on the first day of his trial on Monday.

Speaking the day after the 24-year-old's killer was sentenced to life in prison, Natalie Hinton described a visit to the Southport Police Station in the week before the fatal attack on her daughter on September 8, 2015.

"Lionel Patea had a record as long as our arms. He was known for his violent behaviour," she told Channel Nine's Today.
Having met in in the ski-fields of Chamonix, France, the London couple scraped together savings working hospitality careers across Europe while nurturing a desire to open "the best bar in town". For this cosmopolitan pair it could have been any town, anywhere. But in 2008 they picked Brisbane, Australia.

'Surprised we're still working together': Tom Sanceau and Bonnie Shearston remain business partners despite their relationship break-up. Credit:Robert Shakespeare

Be it business or personal, partnerships are optimistic enterprises. But sometimes the wheels fall off. It's what happens next that counts. So how do you continue running a handful of successful bars and restaurants with someone you're simultaneously breaking up with?

Tom Sanceau, Bonnie Shearston and Jason White at the 2012 brisbanetimes.com.au Queensland Good Food Guide awards. Credit:Harrison Saragossi

"Because it had a chilled out vibe, wasn't too hectic, great people," says Tom. "And it had so much potential - there was only a handful of small bars at that stage."

Once in Brisbane, and pulling shifts in the local scene, they met another couple with a similar ambition. They joined forces, nabbed one of Queensland's first Small Bar Licences and, in 2010, opened Canvas at Woolloongabba. It was named Best New Bar at the Australian Bar Awards the following year.

From there, the hits kept coming. They opened their first restaurant, Public, on the first-floor of an office tower at the heart of corporate Brisbane. No-one thought it would work, but it won a hat and title of Best New Restaurant in the Queensland Good Food Guide (from the publisher of this website) in 2012. Then came Red Hook, a laneway burger bar inspired by Brooklyn, New York. Italian bistro Coppa Spuntino followed hot on its heels.

By the end of 2014 their business partnership was thriving. Unfortunately their personal relationship wasn't. The pair called time on their romance a few months later, just before their fifth venue, West End gastropub London Fields, opened to the public.
A group of five people accused of distributing a drug concoction that led to deaths in Melbourne will remain behind bars until their cases are heard later this year.

All five are charged with trafficking offences. One - Nghi Le, 33, who police allege was the gunman who shot at them in a early morning raid in St Albans on Monday, sparking a four-hour siege  is also facing charges of attempted murder.

Mr Le did not apply for bail when he appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday and has been remanded in custody until May 22.

Police say they were preparing to raid a St Albans home at about 6am on Monday when shots were fired at them, sparking the siege.
The man who murdered the mother of an old school friend has been jailed for 22 years, after a judge found he killed partly through jealousy of the life he never had.

Sigaragh Baea, 22, must serve at least 17 years for the fit of rage in which he stabbed Prasad Somawansa 38 times in her Hoppers Crossing home on the night of February 18 last year.

Prasad Somawansa, 48, was killed in her family's Hoppers Crossing home. Credit:Courtesy of Seven News

Baea and Mrs Somawansa's son, Wishhasad, were at primary school together and rekindled their friendship early last year when they crossed paths in the street.

About a week after that chance meeting, Baea arrived unannounced at the Somawansa home and stayed for dinner, only to return later that night and murder Mrs Somawansa, whose son had been paged by his SES unit and whose husband was in Brisbane on work.
Police are asking public for help in their investigations of a shooting at a Melton residence where three children under 10 were asleep.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Natalie Webster said a number of shots were fired into a residential property on Westlake Drive about 2am on Saturday, February 18.

"At the time, a family, including three children under 10, were sleeping inside," Ms Webster said.

"No one was physically injured during the incident."

Detectives from Melton crime investigation unit believe that the incident was a case of mistaken identity and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Tens of thousands of new housing lots are to be released by the Andrews government in Melbourne's growth corridors, as the sprawling city continues to expand.

The state opposition says the city is not sprawling fast enough, and has accused Labor of not keeping up with Melbourne's soaring population.

The release of the new housing lots will ultimately create 17 new suburbs across sites in outer Melbourne.

And, more than two years since it made a promise to trial a pilot to deliver cheap homes, the government has pledged to deliver 100 affordable houses  but only on government land.
Melbourne's late summer has got everyone flocking to the beaches including, it seems, the sharks.

There have been at least three reports of shark sightings in the past three days, including at Brighton Beach on Tuesday, Hampton on Sunday and St Kilda Beach on Monday.

There was an unconfirmed shark sighting at Brighton Beach on Tuesday afternoon. Credit:VicEmergency

Channel Nine reported a shark sighting on Hampton beach on Sunday, a few hours after a Nippers life saving competition.
A book of character references for Sara Connor presented to Denpasar District Court on Tuesday. Credit:Amilia Rosa The battered and bloodied corpse of Mr Sudarsa was found on the beach in front of the Pullman Hotel in Legian on August 17 last year. Mr Taylor admitted to bashing the officer with a Bintang beer bottle, binoculars, a mobile phone and his bare fists after accusing him of being a fake cop and stealing Ms Connor's handbag. Some of the character references for Sara Connor presented to Denpasar District Court on Tuesday. Credit:Amilia Rosa However he insisted he was acting in self defence because Mr Sudarsa had attacked him after he searched his pockets.

Ms Connor and Mr Taylor both testified that her only role had been to try to separate the two men as they fought in the sand. Sara Connor maintained her innocence throughout the four-month trial. Credit:Alan Putra She said she did try to go to the police station after the fight but the ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver had refused to take her because she didn't have any money. "How different my life would have been now if my bag was never stolen and and the taxi driver had taken me to the police station that night," Ms Connor lamented. "I had good intentions." David Taylor arriving at Denpasar District Court last week. Credit:Alan Putra

She also said that if she had wanted to flee she could have done so at any stage using her Italian passport which had a different surname. The prosecution criticised Ms Connor for giving convoluted evidence to the court and not admitting to what she had done while they said Mr Taylor had felt remorse, apologised to the victim's family and was honest before the court. The widow of Wayan Sudarsa, Ketut Arsini, and her son Kadek Toni, hold a portrait of the police officer who was killed on Legian beach. Credit:Alan Putra They were also sceptical that Ms Connor had cut up the victim's cards to protect him from identity theft, saying this was "irrational" and she was trying to hide something. And they said she should have reported directly to the police instead of going to the Australian Consulate.

Sara Connor and David Taylor strolling in Bali's Kerobokan jail in January. Credit:Alan Putra Ms Connor said if she had wanted to destroy evidence she would have destroyed the whole wallet as well as the cards. She said she had let Mr Taylor burn the clothes the couple had worn that night because she was "confused and in shock" after learning the police were looking for her. "I apologise for the action I took then," Ms Connor told the court. "I went to the consulate because that is what people do when they are in a foreign country. Once there I willingly went to the police station to co-operate with the investigation." "Please bear in mind that I am in another country. I do not understand your laws. I was scared of what would happen. I was thinking about my children. I was thinking about the victim."

Ms Connor's lawyer, Robert Khuana, told the court the sentencing request was based on an illusion and the prosecutors' imagination of what had occurred. He said the charge of fatal group attack was appropriate for group fights - such as those between Laskar Bali and other gangs - and not what occurred on the night of August 17. Mr Khuana said it was Mr Taylor who had admitted hitting the victim and Ms Connor had only tried to separate the men as they lay fighting in the sand. "No witness saw Sara actually physically assault the victim," Mr Khuana said. "We are not denying that Wayan Sudarsa's death was caused by violence. What we deny is the death was caused by Sara and David. It was David alone who committed the violence that led to the victim's death."

He pleaded with the judges to rely on the evidence when deciding if the prosecutors had proven their case against Ms Connor. Mr Khuana also asked they consider mitigating factors including that Ms Connor had never committed a crime before, had two young children and felt sympathy for the victim's family. Ms Connor and Mr Taylor are both facing alternative charges of murder, fatal group assault or assault leading to death. However the prosecutors are not seeking the murder charge, saying they accept the couple did not intend to kill the police officer. Although judges can choose to impose a greater or lesser sentence they generally agree with the charge requested by the prosecutors.
New York: US President Donald Trump is on a mission to replace his predecessor's signature healthcare policy, but he is finding being in government not as easy as making grand promises on the campaign trail.

"Nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated," he reportedly told a meeting of the National Governors Association on Monday.

"I have to tell you, it's an unbelievably complex subject," Trump said.

Trump is seeking support from the nation's governors for changes to Obamacare, which extended health insurance to 20 million Americans.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 27, 2017 --

Mopar points personalization path for Jeep brand's compact SUV

More than 90 authentic Mopar accessories available at North American launch to complement individual lifestyles of all-new Jeep Compass owners

Mopar roof rack, rock rails, wheels, graphics and much more available to customize Jeep Compass

The Mopar brand is pointing the way for personalization of the all-new Jeep Compass. Owners of the compact SUV can choose from more than 90 authentic Mopar accessories when the vehicle arrives in Jeep dealerships in North America in the first quarter of 2017.

"Owners can put their unique stamp on the all-new Jeep Compass right at launch with a full line of authentic Jeep accessories," said Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar), FCA  Global. "Mopar celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2017, and we continue to deliver products that remain true to the DNA of each brand and the personality of each vehicle. With a full line of accessories available at launch, we're ready to do that for 2017 Jeep Compass owners."

Mopar accessories for the Jeep Compass fit a variety of lifestyles, from those seeking the freedom to go further to those looking to increase convenience and functionality. Mopar products are designed and engineered together with the original design of the vehicle to deliver a perfect fit and finish. Mopar products also offer a comprehensive warranty and are built according to factory-authorized specifications, providing customers quality, durability and peace of mind.

A few of the Mopar accessories available for the all-new Jeep Compass include:

Rock rails (Part Number 82214641AC): Protect from off-road obstacles with durable rock rails, made of galvanized steel and painted black.

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): $925

Protect from off-road obstacles with durable rock rails, made of galvanized steel and painted black. 18-inch wheels (82214667AC): Standout on the streets or trail with unique, Mopar 18-inch cast aluminum wheels, painted high-gloss granite crystal.

MSRP: $195 each

Standout on the streets or trail with unique, Mopar 18-inch cast aluminum wheels, painted high-gloss granite crystal. Roof rack cross rails (82214658AB): These cross rails attach to production roof rails and allow for bike, ski, watersports or luggage carrier attachments.

MSRP: $225

These cross rails attach to production roof rails and allow for bike, ski, watersports or luggage carrier attachments. Rooftop cargo basket (TCCAN859): Stow extra gear securely with Mopar rooftop storage options designed specifically for the Jeep Compass.

MSRP: $358

Stow extra gear securely with Mopar rooftop storage options designed specifically for the Jeep Compass. Graphics: Customize the exterior with a unique black hood graphic (82214630) and black swoosh bodyside graphic (82214627AB) .

MSRP: $100 / $180

Customize the exterior with a unique black hood graphic and black swoosh bodyside graphic . Cargo tote (82208566): Keep gear gathered up and transportable with this convenient cargo storage option.

MSRP: $33.20

Keep gear gathered up and transportable with this convenient cargo storage option. Molded cargo tray (82214666): Protects the cargo area from dirt, sand and moisture and removes easily for cleaning.

MSRP: $95

Protects the cargo area from dirt, sand and moisture and removes easily for cleaning. Door sill guards (82214662AB): Attractive Jeep-logo sill guards help prevent scratches.

MSRP: $95

Attractive Jeep-logo sill guards help prevent scratches. All-weather floor mats (82214651AB): Keep the interior spotless with molded floor mats featuring high walls and deep ribs to trap and hold dirt, water, snow and mud.

MSRP: $130

Keep the interior spotless with molded floor mats featuring high walls and deep ribs to trap and hold dirt, water, snow and mud. Side window air deflector (82214635): Shield away water, bugs and other road detritus.

MSRP: $100

Shield away water, bugs and other road detritus. Bright pedal kit (82214995): Dress up the pedals with this stainless steel kit.

MSRP: $95

Dress up the pedals with this stainless steel kit. Molded front/rear splash guards (82214642AE/82214643AE): Get extra protection from road debris and stone chips.

MSRP: $55 each

Mopar accessories for the all-new Jeep Compass are available through FCA US LLC dealerships, either in store or online at www.mopar.com.

Mopar-first Features

During the brand's 80 years, Mopar has introduced numerous industry-first features, including:

Vehicle-information apps : first to introduce smartphone vehicle-information applications, a new channel of communication with consumers

: first to introduce smartphone vehicle-information applications, a new channel of communication with consumers wiADVISOR : first to incorporate a tablet-based service lane tool

: first to incorporate a tablet-based service lane tool Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS) : first to market with a new interactive vehicle tracking device that sends owner a text when vehicle is driven too fast or too far based on pre-set parameters

: first to market with a new interactive vehicle tracking device that sends owner a text when vehicle is driven too fast or too far based on pre-set parameters Wi-Fi : first to offer customers the ability to make their vehicle a wireless hot spot

: first to offer customers the ability to make their vehicle a wireless hot spot Electronic owner manuals : first to introduce traditional owner manuals in a DVD and brief user-guide format

80 Years of Mopar

Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was born on August 1, 1937, as the name of a line of antifreeze products. Mopar has since evolved over 80 years to serve as the total service, parts and customer-care brand of all FCA vehicles around the globe.

Mopar made its mark in the 1960s during the muscle-car era, with Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use, and expanded to include technical service and customer support. Today, the Mopar brand's global reach distributes more than 500,000 parts and accessories in over 150 markets around the world. With more than 50 parts distribution centers and 25 customer contact centers globally, Mopar integrates service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance customer and dealer support worldwide.

Mopar is the source for genuine parts and accessories for all FCA US LLC vehicle brands. Mopar parts are engineered together with the same teams that create factory-authorized specifications for FCA vehicles, offering a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide. Complete information on the Mopar brand is available at www.mopar.com.
LISLE, Ill., Feb. 27, 2017 -- International Truck today launched the International A26 engine, a powerful new 12.4-liter engine designed to provide industry-leading uptime to the Class 8 market. Driven by a commitment to deliver customer uptime, the A26 was developed through an initiative called Project Alpha, which brought together a new team of the industry's foremost powertrain engineers. The initiative pursued a fresh approach that emphasized simplicity over complexity and using only proven components to deliver industry-leading uptime.

"Project Alpha has fundamentally changed how we design diesel engines," said Bill Kozek, president, Truck and Parts. "The International A26 has been designed to address the rigorous demands of Class 8 truck customers. It's been tested to extremes and meets a demanding B10 design life standard for an unprecedented 1.2 million miles."

Built from the proven MAN D26 engine crankcase, the A26 produces up to 475 horsepower and 1,750 lb.-ft. of torque from a design that's 600-700 lbs. lighter than a traditional 15L big bore engine. Its components have been carefully engineered to deliver uncompromising uptime as well as class-leading fuel efficiency, reduced weight and quiet operation.

"The A26 was designed from the ground up to deliver industry-leading uptime, durability and reliability," said Darren Gosbee, vice president, Advanced Engineering. "The A26 is as simple as a modern engine can be, and we've built uptime into every part of the development process, from design to calibration to testing."

Every component is engineered to maximize uptime. Utilizing a titanium compressor wheel with a simplified single-stage design, the A26 features a variable geometry turbocharger that reduces complexity and enhances reliability. Larger piston pins, connecting rods and bushings help optimize load distribution for enhanced durability, while smaller piston cooling jets increase oil pressure to improve lubrication, increasing oil change service intervals up to 70,000 miles.

At 2,299 pounds, the A26 is the lightest engine in its class. The A26 is 55 pounds lighter than the engine it replaces, and also enables an impressive 200 pounds of additional weight reduction in vehicle-mounted components. Its Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) crankcase has greater strength and fatigue resistance than traditional gray iron. Composite valve covers and shot-peened aluminum flywheel housing help deliver impressive weight savings over traditional solutions.

The most efficient engine offered in International's on-highway lineup. Engineered to deliver up to five percent greater fuel economy, the A26 has a simplified air management system, featuring a new Variable Geometry Turbocharger. Fuel injection pressure is maximized by the engine's 2,500 bar (36,300 psi) high pressure common rail fuel system. Coupled with new cylinder head coolant passages that are 50 percent less restrictive to reduce parasitic loss to the water pump, the A26 reduces both fuel consumption and emissions.



Quietest engine in our lineup. The A26's uniquely sculpted crankcase, which is isolated with the oil pan through a specially designed rubber gasket, absorbs vibration and reduces harshness for a quieter in-cab experience. The engine's six-blade fan, specially designed gear teeth and sophisticated calibration and programming are specifically built to reduce engine noise.

The A26 is backed with the industry's best engine warranty: two years, unlimited miles. The warranty reflects confidence in the engine's reliability and durability, which have been confirmed through extensive validation and testing process, including:

Hundreds of thousands of hours of "key life" and dyno testing at extreme engine speeds and loads.

of "key life" and dyno testing at extreme engine speeds and loads. Millions of real-world test miles over the harshest North American roads, including high altitudes and temperatures as low as -40 F.

over the harshest North American roads, including high altitudes and temperatures as low as -40 F. Full validation cycles (concept, design, statistical and product validation) over a period of years to identify, correct and retest any issue.

The A26 engine is available for order in the International LT Series of long-haul vehicles and RH Series of regional haul vehicles.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/02/2017 (2077 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitobas first flood outlook for 2017 suggests many areas of the province are at moderate to major risk of flooding, depending on future weather conditions, Infrastructure Minister Blaine Pedersen announced yesterday afternoon.

Early snow melt in the southern portion of the Red River Basin has reduced most of the snowpack south of Grand Forks, N.D. Though this has slightly reduced the potential for flood flows on the Red River in Manitoba, it has also left the soil saturated and prone to high run-off volumes from future precipitation.

The forecast models currently suggest the Red, Souris, Pembina, Roseau and lower Assiniboine river and the Whiteshell Lakes area are at major risk of flooding.

Lakes levels also remain a concern at normal to above normal conditions for this time of year.

Key flood risk factors include future precipitation, the timing and how fast snow melts and the timing of spring run-off in Manitoba, the U.S., Saskatchewan and Ontario.
Hyderabad, Feb 27 : The body of Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US last week in a suspected hate crime, was flown in here Monday night.



The body was brought by a cargo flight, which arrived at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport around 10 p.m.



Kuchibhotla's parents K. Madhusudhana Sastry and Parvata Vardhini and other family members received the body. After completing all formalities, the body was carried in an ambulance to his house at Bachupally on the city outskirts.



Kuchibhotla's wife Sunayana Dumala, her brother, sister-in-law and another relative reached the city by a passenger flight.



Telangana Transport Minister Mahender Reddy and some leaders of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) were also present at the airport to receive the body.



The Ministry of External Affairs has made arrangements to bring the mortal remains.



Police had made elaborate security arrangements at the airport, and media persons were barred from the cargo terminal.



The last rites will be performed Tuesday at Jubilee Hills, family members said.



Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white man who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on Wednesday night.



Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them.



Kuchibhotla of Hyderabad and his colleague Madasani from Warangal district in Telangana were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an MNC.
The nations second largest private prison company is facing some serious legal challengesand other companies may soon be in the same situation.

On Monday, a federal judge ruled that current and former detainees held at an immigrant detention center in Colorado can join a class-action lawsuit against GEO Group, a private prison company. The plaintiffs allege that the GEO Group forced detainees to work for extremely low wages or for no wages at all, and in some cases threatened detainees with solitary confinement as punishment if they refused to work. The center holds undocumented immigrants facing deportation.

This is the first lawsuit of its kind in the history of the United States, said Andrew Free, one of the plaintiffs attorneys. This is the first time that a private prison company has ever been accused of forced labor, and this is the first time that a judge has ever found that the claims can go forward under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act and the bans in federal law on forced labor.

GEO Group rejects the allegations.

We have consistently, strongly refuted these allegations, and we intend to continue to vigorously defend our company against these claims, Pablo Paez, a spokesman for the company, told The Daily Beast. The volunteer work program at immigration facilities as well as the wage rates and standards associated with the program are set by the Federal government. Our facilities, including the Aurora, Colo. Facility, are highly rated and provide high-quality services in safe, secure, and humane residential environments pursuant to the Federal Governments national standards.

In the ruling, Judge John Kane granted a motion for class certificationmeaning attorneys are assigned to sue on behalf of all detainees held at the facility since Oct. 22, 2004. Free told The Daily Beast he thinks the class could include as many as 60,000 people.

GEOs policies of forcing immigrant detainees to work for free on threat of solitary confinement or for a dollar a day are part of a broken system, said Alexander Hood of the group Towards Justice, who is also an attorney for the plaintiffs. GEOs Aurora facility is being run on the backs of detainees, with GEOs profits flowing from abusing this cheap detainee labor.

The judges ruling could encourage similar lawsuits against other immigrant detention centers, according to Free. That, in turn, that could have significant implications for President Donald Trumps immigration enforcement plans. Trumps immigration executive orders require the dramatic expansion of immigrant detention. And upward of 65 percent of immigrants currently being detained are held in facilities managed by private prison companies, including GEO Group. The lawsuit could potentially force those companies to spend more on cleaning servicespaying detainees or outside employees the minimum wage to clean their facilitieswhich could reduce their profit margins. And that could ultimately make immigrant detention more expensive or less profitable.
PHILADELPHIAWhen Rebecca Subar was 8 years old she joined her parents on a trip Israel to visit a sacred place that had been off limits to her Israeli-Jewish family for nearly two decades: the gravesite of her great-grandparents, who had migrated to Palestine after fleeing pogroms in Eastern Europe.

Since the 1948 war that established Israel as an independent state, the cemetery at the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem had been occupied by Jordan, and Jews were prohibited from going there.

Israels victory in the Six-Day War in 1967 made the Subars pilgrimage possible. But when the family finally reached the cemetery, instead of a serene place for quiet reflection they discovered a scene of destruction. Thousands of grave sites had been desecrated, and remnants of smashed tombstonesincluding those dedicated to members of Subars extended familylay crumbling on the dry earth.

On Tuesday, Subar, who is now 57, stood in the center of another desecrated Jewish burial groundthis one just a short drive from her home in northwest Philadelphiaexperiencing an acute sense of deja vu.

Investigators say that sometime Saturday night vandals climbed through a hole in the fence of the historic Mount Carmel Cemetery and toppled more than a hundred tombstones, some of them weighing hundreds of pounds.

I am moved, I feel terrorized, Subar told The Daily Beast, as she marveled over the broken remains of a once ornate monument.

It looks like its been decapitated, she added.

Subar, who was raised Orthodox, now calls herself a secular Jew and is a member of the left-wing group Jewish Voice for Peace, the largest and most influential Jewish anti-Zionist group in the United States, and the public face of the controversial boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement. Though none of her family members are buried at Mount Carmel, she said she felt compelled to witness the destruction.

I am persona non-grata in the Jewish community, Subar said. I was drawn here because I am Jewish, and like all Jews I have a visceral reaction to seeing this.

She blamed President Donald Trump for emboldening those who would commit targeted acts of ethnic and racial violence; but she was emphatic in stating that the attack on Mount Carmel is an expression of entitlement and power whose victims include all marginalized people.

Over my dead body will this ever be used to support Jewish claims to exclusive victimhood or anyone else, she said. Whether youre Muslim, African American, or transgender, this is an attack on all of us and is only a justification for more love and compassion.

Philadelphia police released a statement calling the vandalism at the cemetery an abominable crime, that appears to target these particular headstones, but stopped short of labeling it a hate crime.

We must allow the investigation to take its course before we can determine a specific motive or label as a particular type of crime, the department said.

It was pure hate, said Marc Weissman, who stood over the toppled tombstone of his parents grave. I feel bad. Theyre not here to see it, but this is their memorial.

But most observers have already drawn the links between the desecration and troubling rise in ethnic-bias attacks and intimidation since Trumps victory last November.

The vandalism at Mount Carmel marked the second time in less than a week that a Jewish cemetery was desecrated. On Feb. 22 a group of unidentified individuals damaged 154 headstones at the Chesed Shel Emeth Society Cemetery in St. Louis, sparking a global outpouring of support from communities of all faiths, and focusing attention on the rising number of ethnic attacks since the election of Donald Trump as president.

In the wake of the St. Louis incident the president issued what many felt was an overdue condemnation of the anti-Jewish bias fueling the attacks.

The anti-Semitic threats targeting our Jewish community and community centers are horrible and are painful and a very sad reminder of the work that still must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil, Trump said last week while speaking at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

As of early February there had been nearly 10,000 hate incidents since Trumps victory in November. Many have been blamed on elements of the alt-right emboldened by the election of Trump. In recent weeks there has been a spike in property violence and bomb threats against Jewish targets.

On Tuesday more than a dozen Jewish centers around the U.S. were evacuated due to bomb threats, including four in the Philadelphia area.

Adrienne Berger rushed to Mount Carmel that morning after receiving a call from a cousin in Israel who saw news of the destruction on television there.

I had this sinking feeling of dread, she said. Berger paced the cemetery, searching for the grave sites of both her parents and grandparents. She was relieved to discover they were still intact.

Living in a city like Philadelphia you get complacent about this kind of hatred, said Berger, who grew up in the Logan section of the city, which was predominantly Jewish until the 1970s. I never really experienced anti-Semitism, and its easy to feel secure here.

It is encouraging to see so many different communities chipping in here to help, she added.

Solidarity has been a dominant theme at Mount Carmel since the crime was discovered on Sunday morning by a New Jersey man who had come to visit the graves of family members.

On Monday representatives from the Philadelphia chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA visited Mount Carmel to lend support and express outrage at the attack on a community of faith.

We are deeply troubled by these rising and ongoing attacks on our Jewish sisters and brothers, and members from our Philadelphia chapter are en route to assist in clean up, said Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah, the groups national vice president. We call upon all Americans to stand united against this hatred and extremism.

Muslim activist Tarek El-Messidi, who helped raise $130,000 following the desecration in St. Louis was also on hand, pledging to raise money for Mount Carmel.

It feels really scary, but I think this is going to bring people together, said Judith Elson, who came to the cemetery to distribute bagels to volunteers who were there to help pick up fallen grave stones. Maybe some good will come out of it. It feels like Muslims and Jews see they are on the same team.

On Sunday, Philadelphia Police Detective Jim McReynolds told The Washington Post that investigators were still weighing the possibility that the destruction was the act of a group of drunken kids.

But Jon Lattanzio, who grew up in a house near the cemetery and was using a crowbar to help lift gravestones, said thats unlikely.

No one really parties in here, they drink in the park, I know that from experience, he said. I think what happened is that someone saw that thing in St. Louis and decided to do it here.
The House Intelligence Committees investigation into Russian intervention in the U.S. election suffers from two critical flaws that handicap its work. And thats from one of the lawmakers leading the investigation.

The probe by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, as it is formally known, is already under a microscope; the Republican chairman is under fire from Democratic colleagues for downplaying Russian ties to Team Trump before all (or even most) of the evidence is in. But theres also a structural issue: HPSCI is a flawed vehicle for investigating this topic because it is starved for cash and its Senate counterpart wont team up with it to prevent duplication.

The committee is struggling for money, and it would be even if it were not engaged in a complex investigation into Russian meddling, according to Rep. Adam Schiff, the highest-ranking Democrat on the committee. Both he and the Republican chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes, have asked for more cash for the committee to do their job.

The chair and I have asked for more resources for our committee, Schiff said, in response to a Daily Beast question during a press conference Monday. Frankly, though, those are resources we would need even in the absence of this investigation when you consider the size of the agencies we oversee, and the level of our staff to begin with, it is very paltry by comparison.

The House Intelligence Committee receives less funding than any other national security committee. From 2015 to 2016, the Armed Services Committee was allocated $14.2 million; the Foreign Relations Committee was allocated $14.9 million, and the Homeland Security Committee was allocated $14.4 million.

The House Intelligence Committee, which is charged with overseeing our nations spies, including the seventeen elements of the U.S. intelligence community, received just $9.2 million over the same two year period. To compare, the Select Committee on Benghazi, formed to investigate one specific terrorist attack, cost $7.8 million over two and a half years.

[The committee is] dramatically underfunded under any circumstances, even more so given the daunting task of this investigation, Democratic Rep. Mike Quigley, another member of the committee, told The Daily Beast. Were in the infancy of this, but the seeds of whether it succeeds or fails are being sown right now Its a tremendous burden, trying to accomplish this successfully.

Of course, government entities asking for more money is a tale as old as time. But the new responsibility for carrying out a complicated inquiry into foreign intervention into an American presidential election is an unforeseen task the committee will now have to undertake.

Theyre under-resourced. Its harder to do oversight on intelligence due to the secrecy involved, said Mieke Eoyang, a former HPSCI staffer. Theyre not sufficiently resourced to do the kinds of investigations that are necessary, given that were talking about election interference by one of the major adversaries of this country. That is to say nothing of the lack of language skillstheyll need a Russian language capability.

The committees legal capacities have also gone down significantly. The House Intelligence Committee currently employs only five lawyers, compared to the 31 lawyers that work on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

During the waning years of the Bush administration, the intelligence committee had 12 lawyers.

The number of lawyers on the committee have gone down dramatically since 2007-2009, when the Democrats were engaged in aggressive investigations against the Bush administration, said Eoyang, who worked on the intelligence committee during this time period.

The committee could save costs if it teamed up with the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is conducting a similar investigation. As it stands, there will be two parallel investigationswith separate requests for individuals to testify, separate requests for documents, and separate requests for secret briefings.

Schiff said that he had broached the topic of joining forces with the Senate, but they have not welcomed this ideahe mused that the Senate may feel they have a more impartial and cooperative investigation than the House does.

I would have to imagine one of the concernsand Im just speculating herethat the Senate may have is if they feel that their investigation is proceeding very much in a bipartisan fashion, and their concern may be that the House isnt, they may have concerns about combining the two, Schiff said.

And this is without accounting for the fact that the Republican chairman is formerly a member of President Donald Trumps transition team. Trumps team will be a subject of inquiry for the investigation.

There are already signs of tumult from within the committee. Schiff began a press conference Monday afternoon by saying that he hoped he and Republican chairman Devin Nunes would conduct press briefings together in the future, rather than separately (Nunes had announced a press briefing on short notice Monday morning).

If this investigation is to be thorough and objective and to add value, it has to be done in a bipartisan fashion, Schiff said.

The committee has not received any documents or heard any testimony from witnesses. In fact, they have just finished laying out the scope of the investigation. But Nunes has already batted down media reports about the Trump campaigns contacts with the Russian government.

We still have not seen any evidence of anyone from the trump campaign or any other campaign for that matter thats communicated with the Russian government, Nunes told reporters Monday morning.

His preemptive declarations on this are stirring up questions on whether the committees inquiry will be comprehensive and fairand fully investigate Team Trumps ties to Russia, especially given Nunes work with the Trump transition team.

And while Schiff wants former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who was dismissed for misleading the Vice President about his contacts with the Russian government, Nunes believes that Flynn was doing the U.S. a huge favor for calling the Russian ambassador the same day the Obama administration announced sanctions against Russia.

Ordinarily, the House Intelligence Committee would be a fine venue for this investigation. It certainly has the expertise and capacity to look into [issues like this], said Bradley Moss, a national security lawyer. The concern is whether or not there is a will to conduct a comprehensive investigation. Given who the chairman is the concern is that he isnt interested in getting into the details of what transpired but rather investigating leaks and pass-blocking for the White House.
The completion of the phrase Wakey, wakey, encouraging someone to stir from slumber, is rise and shine. And it is only at the end of Will Enos 75-minute play of the same title that the completion of the phrase is realized, stunningly and surprisingly, on stage.

The rest of this arresting, disquieting piece, which is also directed by Eno, is a series of jagged pauses, anguish, and sporadic counsel directed at us, the audience about life, hope, death, and connection.

If that sounds tricky to watch and baffling, it isand yet you hang on every word.

Anyone who saw Enos much-hailed, award-garlanded 2014 Broadway play, The Realistic Jonesesas well as Middletown and Thom Pain (based on nothing)will note similarities of theme, structure, and setting here: the accretion of fleeting detail, the spareness of language, the quiet desperation and optimism, the stubborn persistence, of humans trying to marshal an understanding of what it means to be, and to liveeven as they face death.

Yes, the jolly big stuff.

Eno is currently a resident playwright at Signature Theatre, which is presenting this production.

As you take your seats at Wakey, Wakey, the strains of Ravels Bolero play over and over again; the play opening within what seems like the home of Guy (Michael Emerson, star of Person of Interest and who played the diabolically cunning Benjamin Linus from Lost). Boxes litter the floor, heaps of clothes or sheets too. Guy is in a wheelchair, and seems to be in some pain. He is also waspish and wry. We can kind of hear him, and kind of not. Is it now? he asks us. I thought I had more time.

We are Guys sounding board and also his echo chamber, and so the reality of our surrounds and the reality of performance are efficiently blurred from the outset. He is a mystery: sad, elated, mystical, practical, romantic, and utterly elusive.

Guys words suggest he knows this is a theater, yet he is also rooted in the stage reality of being in his own home. He shows us that he can walk, unsteadily.

He seems ill, very ill, but also in search of something and he wants to impart something to us, and so he bids us to join him on this one-man magical mystery tour. Emerson skillfully captures someone trapped by a failing body, bounded by pain, and yet resolutely focused on words, puzzles, meaning, and hope.

A screen on the wall, which he operates with a remote control, has puzzle games on it. Guy asks us to imagine someone special to us. They can be alive or dead. We are asked to close our eyes, and recall them. His commands are like a gruffer self-realization tape, a gravelly-toned, dry Louise Hay. Yellow lights, like a blistering, immersive bath, are trained upon us.

Sounds, which could be coming from outside the theaterlike a sirenand within it, like a mobile phone or the brakes of a truck, burst into variously modulated life.

He seems frustrated. Whatever is unfolding for him should have been something else, but the tick-tock of the clock continues. You wonder if he is facing his mortality. He wonders about all the loss, emotions, and consoling casseroles given to those affected by the 100,000 deaths there have been in the world that day.

Were here to say good-bye and maybe hopefully also get better at saying hello, says Guy. To celebrate Life, if that doesnt sound too passive-aggressive.

Guy tells us, or whoever he thinks hes addressing, that well be there for over three hours, but we know its 75 minutes, and later he tells us he was just toying with us. Now youve suddenly got two free hours to do whatever you want with. Hooray! Call the grandkids. Have sex with the wrong person. Just enjoy.

There are some sounds he thinks are uplifting, but sound to us vaguely menacing. There are pictures of (presumably) Guy as a baby he zaps on to the screen, and as a toddler. He asks that we consider someone way back who nudged you a couple of degrees in this direction or that, and now, after all that time and distance, the whole trajectory of your life, because of that tiny change, is unrecognizably different.

A favored video plays of animals screaminga whole crazy cornucopia of them, apart from a random shot of Pavarotti singing. This he and we find funny, but soon he seems to be in pain again, struggling to say something, or trying to formulate his thoughtsits hard to tell.

Eno by not making the story or Guy easy to comprehend makes it that much more engrossing.

Sometimes, just when it feels too slight, Eno inserts a piece of mischievous whimsy, or sharp observation, or, at one point, the sudden, mournful strains of Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head. Although Guy still seems sad he is also determined to tell us about the wonders around him, and about how to safeguard ones mental and spiritual healthas much for him as for us. A million miracles at work in this room, right now, easily. You can almost hear them. Wowee. Your body produced 5 million red blood cells in the time since I said Wowee. You will produce two swimming pools worth of saliva in your life. Use it wisely.

It sounds so positive, but we still dont know the particularities and severity of Guys plight. It seems terminal.

Later, someone we assume to be Guys nurse, Lisa (January Lavoy) comes to see him. Warm, brisk and efficient, Lisa, sensing all the hurt around Guy, performs what seems to be a cleaning dance of a kind around his sleeping form.

Lisa wants Guy to find some peace. She sits and listens to his fractured stories, and in one exchange talks of the students he taught to swim and dive. They said you really gave them things they could use. Courage and all that, but also good, regular things, like paper plates of food.

Has Guy injured himself diving, you wonder. It is not made clear.

He and LisaLavoy endows her with a delightful warmth, but also a mirroring reticence to Guystalk about life and the afterlife, the continuum of love shared between people. And, just as one suspected at the outset, Guys mortality is itself nigh.

But that is not the end. The end is another video, accompanied by the song, Love Athena, by psychedelic rock band The Olivia Tremor Control. And suddenly the theatre fills with bubbles, disco lights, and there are fortune cookies and stress balls to take home. Ultimately, the instruction to remain wakey wakey to life and its vicissitudes is ours to follow, and not squander.

Guy had been telling the truth from the outset: he was saying goodbye to life by celebrating it, reveling in it. Wakey, Wakey is not an unfettered celebration though. It is, like Guy, moody, meditative, fractured. But rise and shine it most certainly does: its one of the most unexpected life lessons from an unexpectedly uplifting play.

Wakey, Wakey runs until March 26th at The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street, NYC. Book tickets here.
The Team Trump plan to defeat ISIS is more like a loose diagramwith most of the options previously pondered by the Obama administration, according to three officials who have read drafts of the plan that was officially discussed at the White House Monday.

The lack of many new options stems from the hard fact that defeating armed insurgent groups takes more than bombing the hell out of them, as President Donald Trump pledged on the campaign trail. It also shows that Trump may have been over-ambitious in mandating a brand-new strategy be delivered a little over a month after taking office, when many of the top posts across the Pentagon, the intelligence community and the State Department remain unfilled.

So key parts of the plan to destroy the so-called Islamic State sound familiar. They include militarily defeating the existing fighters in Iraq and Syria; hunting down other groups pledged to ISIS; drying up the financial resources enabling ISIS to fight and recruit; and defeating the ideology that makes the group attractive, those three officials tell The Daily Beast.

Options for setting up safe zones inside Syria to protect civilians are also included in the plan, but those proposals are even more fraught with risk than they were when considered by President Barack Obama, as there are now more Syrian regime forces backed by Russia and Iran getting ever closer to the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa in the southand more Turkish forces on the battlefield who have at time targeted the U.S.s Kurdish allies.

The main changes to the current plan would likely come in the form of breaking some old alliances and making news ones. Trump officials have spoken disparagingly of some of the Syrian fighters the Obama administration supported, calling them riddled with ISIS and al Qaeda sympathizers. Turkey is trying to pry the U.S. away from its Syrian Kurdish proxy force, and Trump himself has talked of fighting ISIS together with Russia, though the Pentagon is not ready to cooperate with Moscow.

The ISIS plan evolved until the very last moment when Defense Secretary Jim Mattis sent it to the White House, ahead of the Monday meeting of senior agency heads to discuss how to flesh it out. Mattis wanted to make sure it was circulated widely through the Pentagon and beyond, to avoid a travel ban-style backlash from agencies who felt left out of the loop, the officials said. All the senior officials discussing it at the White House Monday had reviewed previous versions or taken part in the drafting process.

But major vacancies at key agencies like Treasury meant staffers writing the document didnt know how far to take it, one said. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was not confirmed until halfway through the drafting process. The official said they couldnt get ready answers to questions like How will you target ISIS finances differently than President Barack Obama did? or How hard will you push Congress to widen U.S. authority to go after ISIS, ala the President George W. Bush authorization to hunt al Qaeda?

The officials describing the frenzied process of coming up with a plan spoke anonymously, and were careful not to describe too many details, because of their fear of retribution by the leak-hunting Trump administration.

The mixed messages on foreign policy coming out of the White House versus what Trumps officials say in the field only added to the confusion, which explains why chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Joseph Dunford called the document a framework in remarks at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., last week.

Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis stressed Monday that its a starting point for discussion rather than a multiple-point action plan for Trump to choose from, and that it draws on multiple lines of effort from multiple government agencies.

It is truly whole of government, he told reporters at the Pentagon Monday.

If that sounds familiar, its because it was a mantra for the Obama ISIS fight. Ret. Gen. John Allen, special envoy to the coalition to defeat ISIL (the preferred Obama-era acronym for ISIS) described it as a whole of government effort in congressional testimony in 2014. That phrase was repeated by his successor who still holds that post, Brett McGurk, one of the few holdovers from the Obama administration. The lines of effort included targeting ISIS from the air, training and working with local forces, and working with allies and local law enforcement to block attacks on the U.S. homelandall elements expected to remain part of the current plan.

The lack of originality in the options is also because there are no easy solutions to the Rubiks Cube of ISIS: an armed insurgent group turned occupying army turned government more brutally efficient than the ones it's supplanting. The group thrives in the chaos of failed states, finding willing followers who buy into the so-called Islamic States twisted promise of a righteous mission that guarantees money, power and most of all paradise to the disenfranchised or disenchanted of the Mideast and beyond.

Defense Secretary Mattis already wrestled with these problems when he headed Central Command as a Marine general. The more U.S. troops you put on the ground, the more antibodies you create among locals as you begin to look more like occupiers, and the more American lives you risk. That happened in both Iraq and Afghanistan, without much to show for it when the Americans withdrew and the newly trained local forces couldnt hold the ground.

Under Obama, U.S. officials felt like they had an uphill fight to get approval to strike some targets, or to put their military advisors on the battlefield alongside their local partners. But those permissions were largely granted, which is why U.S. advisors are in the thick of the fighting to drive ISIS out of the Iraqi city of Mosul right now.

But there hasnt been a big appetite for putting larger numbers of conventional troops on the ground in Iraq because the Iraqis dont want any more of them therea sentiment thats grown only stronger with the Iraqi parliaments backlash over Iraqs inclusion in the Trump travel ban. Adding more troops to Syria is even dicier, with more limited supply lines, more crowded air space, and a multitude of armed groups with alliances that can change by the day.

Thats why Gen. Joseph Votel, the head of the U.S. militarys Central Command, and Special Operations commander Gen. Raymond Tony Thomas both have cautioned against flooding the war zone with large numbers of U.S. troops.

Truthfully, I think his logic, which has been compelling, is that more troops on the ground may mean you own the problem when youre done with it, as opposed to his approach of by with and through, local forces, Thomas said of Votels battle plan. At the end of the day, the places in which we defeat ISIL need to be owned by the local people, he said, in answer to a Daily Beast question at a special operations conference outside Washington, D.C.

As for fighting the ideology, officials from Teams Obama and Trump seem to agree that Muslim leaders and clerics must lead the fight, as the U.S. cant mediate what many Muslim leaders call a war for the heart of their religion.

Trump administration officials have already signaled one way to fight it is to embrace Muslim coalition partners like Egypt as they fight out the dissension in their midst. But Egyptian strongman Abdel Fattah al Sisi is already facing charges of using the spectre of militancy to crack down on any dissentcausing the kind of unrest that helped spark the Arab Spring protest in Cairo, and the civil war in Syria, thus helping give rise to ISIS in the first place.

The U.S. has also tried to help elevate moderate Muslim voices, funding coalition partners efforts to highlight ISIS defectors stories on line, for instance. But those efforts have been largely dwarfed by ISISs messaging onslaught via social media and aided by encrypted apps and the dark web, even with platforms like Twitter and Facebook shutting down ISIS-identified profiles at a record rate.

The last administration took a do no harm approach, in that they stopped publicly engaging with ISIS on social media, and scrupulously avoided referring to ISIS or al Qaeda or any other group as Islamic terrorists at the request of Muslim coalition allies who said ISIS used the guise of religion to justify their killing spree.

But Trump campaigned on the slogan that he would defeat radical Islamic terrorists and he took Obama to task for failing to call them such; hed been schooled by his now-resigned National Security Adviser Mike Flynn, who insisted that you cant defeat an enemy you cant name.

Yet senior military officials like Gen. Dunford still avoid using the term, in deference to their Muslim coalition partners. Dunford refused to condemn the term, in answer to a Daily Beast question at the Brookings event, but he studiously continued to use the old Obama administration phrase violent extremist.

Newly named National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster told his staff last week that he didnt find the phrase radical Islamic terrorism helpful, according to a senior administration official, and first reported by The New York Times. The official said McMaster wasnt correcting the president, but was speaking from the experience of working directly with local forces who are Muslim. Thats a distinction with little difference in an era where Trumps comments reach remote parts of the globe via cable TV or smartphones.

Another person at the meeting said McMaster referred to ISIS as Daeshan Arabic acronym that the terrorist group finds offensivebecause he considers what they do un-Islamic.

The Trump White Houses Strategic Initiatives Group has been working on a new national security strategy where radical Islam or radical Islamic terrorism is likely to make a pronounced appearance, according to one of the groups members, Dr. Sebastian Gorka. He defended the phrase in answer to a Daily Beast question at a recent special operations conference.

Gorka has drawn criticism for calling Islam a martial religion that makes it impossible for followers to separate faith from state. He explained that blending made it easy for ISIS to hijack the religion and paint themselves as leaders.

Dont listen to me, Im a white-skinned Catholic, he said. Listen to our partners in the region. [Egypts] President Sisisays in an open meeting to the most powerful clerics in the world, you have to help me affect a religious revolution in Islam because the jihadis are winning.

McMaster and Gorka are likely to be in violent agreement over the scale of the threat, however. In the same all-hands meeting at the NSC last week, McMaster told the staffers he thought the Obama administration went too far in labeling all militants as violent extremists as he believes ISIS-inspired terrorists are more of a threat to American safety than anti-government or white power extremists.

As for the last element of defeating ISIS, military officials like Special Operation Commands Thomas say good governance has to follow a successful military campaign or the problem returns. Its not clear Trump will support that part of the equation, with his campaigns rejection of nation building and proposed budget cuts to the State Department which normally runs such programs to steady a fledgling government.

Mattis, for one, is on the record opposing such measures. If you dont fund the State Department fully then I need to buy more ammunition ultimately, Mattis told a conference in 2013remarks that were widely circulating in Washington on Monday. The more we put into the State Departments diplomacy, hopefully the less we have to put into a military budget as we deal with the outcome of apparent American withdrawal from the international scene.
PARISThe terrorists have new toys, and theyre letting the world know. As Iraqi troops backed by U.S. warplanes and special forces keep pushing into Mosul, the so-called Islamic State is fighting back with its own air force: commercially available drones carrying small explosive payloads.

The asymmetry in firepower is so enormous that, at first glance, it seems almost ludicrous. But the concern of counterterror experts is not that one drone carrying one little grenade can do much damage. Its that multiple drones hitting simultaneously can be used to disrupt and demoralize the enemies of ISIS, and not only on the battlefield, but in the cities of Europe, and perhaps even in the United States.

Georgetown Universitys Bruce Hoffmann, author of Inside Terrorism, sketches a very grim scenario: Picture Paris on November 13, 2015the night when people were slaughtered at a rock concert and in sidewalk cafeswith drone attacks superimposed on top of it. Authorities would have been completely overwhelmed. This elevates our greatest fear, which is simultaneous urban attacksnow with swarming on top of them.

On the battlefield, multiple coordinated drone attacks by ISIS already are happening. CBS News reported from the front in Mosul on Saturday that U.S.-backed Iraqi government operations to retake the western part of the city are being disrupted by swarms of three to five commercial quad copters modified to carry small grenades or artillery shells.

ISIS boasts about its new weapon, publishing photographs of its recruits in a classroom studying drones. The young men look like theyre there for vocational training, but the vocation is jihad. ISIS has also posted live-action videos taken by its little birds hovering over targets, then dropping explosives with surprising accuracy, including down the hatch of an armored car.

But in the context of urban terror such as Hoffman describes, the use of drones to harass and distract is especially problematic. As a detailed investigative report by the independent research site Bellingcat notes, drones give ISIS the ability to transform the battle space from 2D to 3D as it can drop one or more small bombs without warning and with surprising accuracy wherever it chooses.

In one ISIS video, as Bellingcat reports, We see that a drone strike was used to distract soldiers on the ground from the greater danger of the approaching SVBIED [suicide truck bomb] which detonates with deadly effect.

The history of terrorism, says Hoffman, is that weapons used on the battlefield move into the civilian theater.

As recently as October, all this seemed a hypothetical danger. An excellent paper (PDF) by Don Rassler for the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point noted that use of a small group of drones, or a swarm of drones guided by autonomous features, has the potential to up the ante in terms of an attacks lethality, its psychological impact and its complexity.

At that point, in October last year, such an operation had not yet been observed. Now it has been. And the threat is developing quickly.

In the past month things have really changed in terms of the armed consumer drones, says Dan Gettinger, co-director of the Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College. ISIS has come out with a slew of videos, mainly around Mosul. The danger they pose, he says, is more psychological than physical, but of course that is the nature of terror.

The messaging cannot be ignored, says Gettinger. From the beginning it was evident that drones played heavily in [ISIS]s messaging strategy.

Mia Bloom of the Minerva Research Initiative, which monitors ISIS activity on encrypted media such as Telegram and on the dark web, notes that the ISIS department of media has a special drone unit using aerial images to create very slick videos of suicide bombings. Its no longer just a photograph, a testimonial and a name, she says. They will follow the car along, heading toward its targets marked post-production with red dots, until it blows up.

The more they are losing the more they are going to feel the urgency of the need to project their power and demonstrate their relevance, says Bloom. The suicide videos and efforts to carry out terror attacks in the West are all part of that. So is the airborne threat.

Armed consumer drones are no longer hypothetical, says Bards Gettinger.

One of the most horrific terror attacks of the last few weeks was in Istanbul late on New Years Eve at the Reina Nightclub on the Bosporus. Thirty-nine people were killed by a lone shooterbut one who was well-prepared, well-armed, and well-managed. A single gunman, but not a lone wolf at all.

Indeed, Abdulgadir Masharipov, eventually arrested for the atrocity, could be a paradigm for one type of terrorist ISIS is likely to deploy: the trained killerthe sleeper just waiting to be activated. And although he did not use them, in the searches that lead to his arrest, two commercial drones were discovered in one of the places he had stayed.

***

There is little question that ISIS plans to continue fighting whenever, wherever, and however it can, even when, as seems inevitable, it is pushed out of Mosul and its Syrian capital, Raqqa. We dont know what form ISIS will take when it is defeated, says Claude Moniquet, one of Belgiums leading authorities on terrorism. What we do know is that they have prepared to be defeatedand go underground. ISIS was crushed in 2007 in Iraq. But then it regrouped, reestablished itself in Syria and came back with a vengeance. They have extraordinary resistance.

As Mia Bloom points out, the communications on ISIS-linked sites appear to be laying the groundwork for a global offensive, a war of attacking and reposition, as ISIS boasts.

The propaganda notes, for instance, that ISIS was driven out of the city of Kobane in 2014, but there is nothing left of it: So congratulations to you, O Pentagon, on this victory. Congratulations to the Crusaders on piles of rocks in Kobane

As the territory controlled by ISIS in Syria and Iraq continues to shrink, the organization makes clear it intends to broaden its horizons. The ISIS strategy to pursue this long war in months and years to come will depend on its ability to reestablish bases among jihadis in other parts of the world, from the Boko Haram battlefields of northeastern Nigeria to the chaotic shores of Libya, Egypts desolate Sinai, the mountains of Afghanistan, and the jungles of the southern Philippinesall places where ISIS has tried to recruit loyal followers and build networks.

But ISIS does not intend to stop there. We want Paris by Allahs permission before Rome and before Spain, after we blacken your lives and destroy the White House, the Big Ben, and the Eiffel Towerby Allahs permission We want Kabul, Karachi, the Caucasus, Qom, Riyadh, and Tehran. We want Baghdad, Damascus, Jerusalem, Cairo, Sanaa, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Amman. The Muslims will return to mastership and leadership in every place.

To that end, it already is keeping up a constant drumbeat of propaganda hoping to recruit disaffected Muslims and even non-Muslims in Europe and the United States. According to Bloom, ISIS has even been tagging some of its postings with #BLM for Black Lives Matter. President Donald Trumps anti-Muslim rhetoric and clumsy, clearly discriminatory policies, meanwhile, have given ISIS a great propaganda bonus.

As Brian Jenkins of the Rand Corporation has written, the danger that ISIS poses to the United States is less one of infiltration than of inspiration. But its activities in Europe and especially in Turkey over the last couple of years give a good idea how it operates.

Ahmet Yayla, a former counterterror officer with the Turkish police who is now a professor at George Mason University in Virginia, points out the conspicuous division of labor in the ISIS attacks carried out in Turkey. On the one hand, local recruits are used for suicide bombings, which require relatively little skill. On the other hand, attacks that include a military-style assault are the work of battle-hardened jihadists who usually come from abroadthen remain in place in Turkey, inactive and apparently innocuous, until they strike.

The Reina Nightclub attack fit the latter profile. According to Yayla, the killer entered Turkey legally and lived quietly for about a year with his wife and children in a provincial city until he was activated about 10 days before the New Years Eve attack. He moved to an apartment in Istanbul, where arms were delivered to his door by the ISIS underground network.

The attack originally was supposed to take place in Istanbuls equivalent of Times Square, but Masharipov contacted his handler in Syria over the Telegram app and told him there were too many police and soldiers there, so the venue was moved to the Reina Nightclub, where he easily killed the one policeman standing guard and coolly proceeded to slaughter dozens of people.

The November 13, 2015, terror attack in Paris was carried out by a combination of similarly trained killers wielding guns and a few recruits who were only supposed to blow themselves up. The support network that helped lay the groundwork for the Paris attacks then became the operational network for the Brussels attacks in March of last year, according to Moniquet.

But some of the most horrific carnage has be wrought by people who have never had much if any connection to ISIS. According to American and French officials, the Tunisian resident of France who drove a truck through the crowd watching Bastille Day fireworks in Nice last year, killing 86 people and injuring more than 400, never had any discernible connection to ISIS, even though the group claimed the killing.

He may have been a complete walk-in, says Georgetowns Hoffman. But as long as youve got the potential to inspire that sort of action you can stay in business forever. Thats why [ISIS] pushes along multiple lines: the directed operation, the inspired lone wolf, that is, one directed by remote control on Telegram or through other means, and the true lone wolf.

On such peoplewilling to use any means at their disposal from 19-ton cargo trucks to softly whirring dronesISIS is depending for its survival and, indeed, for its resurrection.
No sooner did President Trump sign an executive order Thursday expressing support for historically-Black colleges and universities than his public-school loathing, voucher-obsessed Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, released an incredibly clueless statement claiming that HBCUsa necessity born out of systemic racism and failed governancewere a shining example of school choice.

HBCUs are real pioneers when it comes to school choice, said DeVos. They are living proof that when more options are provided to students, they are afforded greater access and greater quality. Their success has shown that more options help students flourish."

To call the only choice for generations of African Americans hungry for education another choice is profoundly wrong, the latest example of Trump and his team displaying a level of ignorance that should make everyone question their capacity to accomplish their vaguely stated goals.

Heres a brief history lesson on the final day of Black History Month for the secretary:

Americas oldest HBCU, Cheyney University of Pennsylvaniaoriginally named the African Institutewas founded in 1837 by Richard Humphreys. Humphreys was a Quaker from the West Indies who was appalled at the lack of educational and job training that African Americans received. He grew frustrated with how blacks would constantly lose employment opportunities to white immigrants who could receive the required training. And in 1829 he included in his will the creation of an institution to instruct descendants of the African race in school learning.

In 1834, the Flying Horse race riots consumed Philadelphia. The riots were primarily motivated by white anger at high white unemployment that they blamed on African American competition for jobs. White Philadelphians terrorized African Americans and destroyed their property for days. These riots further divided the city and galvanized the states abolitionists and anti-abolitionists. And in 1838, a year after the founding of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania passed a new constitution that rescinded the vote from free blacks.

The other HBCUs in the North that sprung up prior to the Civil War followed a similar pattern, and were also dependent on benevolent gifts from white Americans. In the South, blacks were largely barred from receiving an education, and the first HBCUs appeared during Reconstruction and were largely supported by northern abolitionists who moved to the South with the explicit purpose of educating freed blacks.

Additionally, freed blacks in the South allocated large portions of their new income to the education of their families, which the state wouldnt provide for. Apart from food, clothing and shelter, freed blacks in the South spent most of their remaining income on education or finding family members who had been sold away during slavery.

During Reconstruction, the federal government under the Freedmans Bureau heavily invested in the education of African Americans and supported the efforts of abolitionists in the South. Washington, D.C.s famed Howard University was founded in 1866 and named after Union general Oliver O. Howard who also ran the Freedmans Bureau.

Hampton University was founded in the 1860s to educate freed blacks who escaped the South during the Civil War who were considered contraband of war by the Union Army. Morehouse college in Atlanta was founded during Reconstruction in 1867.

From the beginning, HBCUs have been a byproduct of African Americans having no legitimate educational opportunities, eventually coupled with an ambitious expansion of public education by the federal government. These institutions of higher learning could not be farther removed from DeVos voucher-dependent educational philosophy.

And not unlike the pre-Civil War era, the education and growing influence of African Americans in society alarmed white Americans who responded with terror and the creation of the Ku Klux Klan. By the end of the 19th century, Southern states had drafted new constitutions that effectively stripped blacks of voting rights, and instituted segregationist Jim Crow policies that stripped African Americans of educational opportunities.

A few hours after her first statement, DeVos Tweeted an implicit apology for it, writing that your history was born not out of mere choice, but out of necessity, in the face of racism, and in the aftermath of the Civil War.

But things just didnt get right after Reconstruction and before we were all born. The racist regressions in America lasted through the civil rights era, and only recently have African Americans had viable higher learning opportunities beyond HBCUs. Both of my parents attended HBCUs in the 1960s, and while they have fond memories of their college years they also recall how few options there were for most African American students.

Perhaps DeVos should talk to them, or at least read up on our not so long ago history.
AMSTERDAMA security breach is the latest controversy looming around hate-speaking Dutch Islamophobe leader Geert Wilders on the campaign trail as parliamentary elections approach March 15. Thus far, he is the leading candidate, even though other parties may unite to keep him out of the government.

Last week, the Dutch security service, DBB, who are tasked among other things with protecting Wilders, discovered a leak. A member of the DBB staff, identified only as Faris K., was suspected of passing security information to the Dutch-Moroccan criminal network known as the Mocro-Mob, which is responsible for a string of notorious liquidations. Indeed, infighting among Mocro factions has resulted in the death of over 20 men of Moroccan descent. The most notorious incident in the killing spree was the beheading of a small-time thug in March 2016, whose head was placed in the street facing an Amsterdam shisha lounge as a warning to two men who were to testify the next day.

The DBB says there is no threat. Faris K. was questioned, then released. But Wilders has canceled all campaign appearanceswhich may really be out of security concerns, or may be a shrewd political maneuver, or both. Publicity about the menace posed by such a sordid bunch of thugs from Muslim backgrounds could serve Wilders better than his previous campaign theme, which emphasized his connections to U.S. President Donald Trump. Wilders even stumped for Trump at the Republican convention last summer.

It is all much ado about nothing, according to Faris K.s lawyer speaking on Dutch TV. I can reassure Wilders, my client is just a big talker. The attorney Peter Plasman said Faris K. had been bragging about his job protecting Wilders to impress two girls he fancied. A storm in a glass of water, the Dutch version of a tempest in a teacup, is what comes to mind with every fresh headline about the turmoil that surrounds the peroxide blonde Wilders.

But in the most recent polls Wilders appears to be losing some of his momentum. They show his party may get one to five fewer potential seats than in previous surveys and theres widespread speculation this is because of the the Trump effect. Many people in the Netherlands are shocked by the performance so far of the new U.S. president.

In any case, in this the electoral home stretch, Wilders appears to want to disappear. He has not only suspended his Party for Freedom (PVV) campaign in public pending further investigation into the Faris K. affair, he has been cancelling nationally broadcast debates left and right.

The first time he did this ostensibly because there were too many political parties invited to the TV talk. The second time because RTL TV had published an interview with his brother Paul Wilders, one of Geerts toughest critics.

When asked about the commotion, Paul Wilders told The Daily Beast: Ah, all that to-do about a little interview with RTL was to be expected; I estimated a 50 percent chance that Geert would use it to get out of a disagreeable debate he was expected to attend.

Paul, who is ten years older than Geert, is known for his impatience with his younger brothers political views. He governs his domain like an emperor, whoever contradicts him seriously is done with, family or not, Paul says, blaming Geerts isolation. If you have been an emperor for so long  without a social life, then you start living accordingly. It is a sad thing to see happen. I wish him better than that.

I love my brother, but despise his ideas, Paul Wilders told The Daily Beast. This is not a familial issue, it is an ideological one. Geert may not be able to make that distinction, but I do.

Five years ago Paul Wilders gave me an interview about how his brother evolved from a politically moderate person into the fierce anti-immigration, anti-Islam, and anti-European Union firebrand he is now. In that interview, in January 2012, Paul Wilders said: He has always loved attention and power. Power was the ultimate goal. He loves to control things. He has excluded his sense of doubt He doesnt question his own actions.

In the last five years, Paul Wilders has seen his brothers belief in the ideas he was promoting solidify: By now I think he really believes Islam is evil. That is the development I have been observing in him since our last talk five years ago. There is no way back for him, he can only get more and more extreme. At least until the elections.

Geert Wilders had planned to visit Volendam on Saturday. In the Netherlands, you cant get more Dutch than Volendam. The town is famous for its traditional dress and folklore. Its filled with what people abroad traditionally associate with Holland: lace bonnets, wooden shoes, and tulips. It is where the tourists go; the Dutch not so much.

Wilders has a strong approval rate in Volendam, a town known (despite the tourism) for its dislike of outsiders. It has no use for the more cosmopolitan parts of the country, where its viewed as something of a joke. When Volendammers talk about outsiders they call them coats, in what you wear outside and coatwork, the kind of job a local wont do.

In Volendam, most inhabitant are related to only seven families, which makes it a fertile testing ground for scientific research about inbreeding.

Before his surprise cancellations, Wilders had chosen this place to test the waters for his campaign; a town with only 22.000 inhabitants that hardly reflects a broad constituency. But then Wilderss campaign has been fairly idiosyncratic from the start.

For one thing, he uses a puzzling amount of English when he communicates. Like Trump, Wilders is a Twitter fiend, and since the kickoff of his political campaign on the Feb. 18, his tweets have been permeated with Trumpspeak. On his Twitter account, sporting almost 800,000 followers, he often posts in Dutch and English. It almost begs the question how much of Wilderss focus is international rather than Dutch.

An extensive analysis of his Twitter feed, published over the weekend by the Dutch daily NRC, shows one third of his tweets are in English since January of this year. He may be aiming for a firmer support base abroad by mirroring Trumps rhetoric; an international position could give him the active power he is unlikely to get within the Dutch political system.

Paul Wilders, who still follows his brothers political moves closely, thinks that was the case with Geerts one public appearance, in Spijkernisse.

I am certain he wanted to see the international press, especially because his adoration for Trump has started to backfire [among the Dutch], says Paul. Looking back I think, hes aware his emulation of Trump could work against him. As long as he will associate himself with Trump there will be a part of his following he stands to lose. They would want him to distance himself, because they think Trump is an idiot.

Wilderss PVV party is still likely to win the largest number of seats in parliament. The latest polls predict the PVV will get around 26 to 29 seats. In a parliament that holds 150 seats, that means his party would have to form a majority of 76 seats in a coalition with other parties if it wants to govern. With fewer than 50 to 55 seats of its own that would be unlikely.

As such numbers indicated, the political landscape in the Netherlands is extremely splintered this election year. Many small parties have been added to the already long list of existing parties. Forming a coalition within that context is difficult. Governing and having an impact without a great deal of compromise, nearly impossible.

The consensus system in the Netherlands does not allow for sole rulers the way it does in the U.S., Paul Wilders explains. Say the PVV would become the biggest club, with Geert as its prime minister even, the result would be predictable. He cant afford to make too many compromises. So, he will be the first to shout: They dont want me, they want me out, it is their fault. This is the pattern. It will never last. Then the whole theater will recommence.

And in that play, Wilders likes to cast himself in the lead as a victim of circumstance, a role sometimes referred to as the Calimero-effect after a popular childrens cartoon about a little blackbird whos always in hot water.

Like most other political parties, the second biggest party in the polls, the VVD (the Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy), decided to distance itself from Wilders. The liberal party is currently in a government headed by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who stated with unequivocal clarity the odds of it forming a coalition with the PVV: 0 percent, Geert, ZERO percent Rutte tweeted. It.Will.Not.Happen.

Wilders meanwhile remains adamant that Rutte will change his mind when all the votes are counted. By then, perhaps Wilders will have come out of hiding.
I didnt particularly have a horse in the race for DNC chair and in fact would have been happy to see Rep. Keith Ellison win. He is a Democrat, and I think the person who chairs the Democratic Party ought to be that, for starters. I like that he was willing to give up his day job to take the gig. And most of all, I thought if itll make some disgruntled people a little more gruntled, why not.

But Tom Perez won Saturday afternoon. It was close. After the first ballot, it was Perez 213.5, Ellison 200 (224 needed to win). After that vote, I was made to understand that Ellison people thought they had the votes to win on the second ballot. But they didnt. Perez added to his total, Ellison stayed at exactly 200, and fortunately, Donna Brazile didnt pull a Beatty-Dunaway and announce the wrong winner.

Ellison himself, who Perez promptly named as Deputy DNC Chair, took his defeat with grace. But as was to be expected, some of his supporters are turning this into a massive morality play. I was on my friend Mark Thompsons Sirius/XM radio show Monday morning, and people were calling in and complaining about being sold out (Mark wasnt having it, by the way). Then I read Dave Weigels thorough and fair-minded write-up in The Washington Post of why Ellison lost, and started reading through some of the 2,000-plus comments, most of which said the same thing.

So all that happened over the weekend. Here are a few other things that happened:

 The Wall Street Journal reported (its paywalled, so no link) that Republican leaders on Capitol Hill, terrified that theyre hemorrhaging support for repeal of Obamacare, are now thinking about rushing through repeal votes, hoping that they can pressure wobbly Republicans to hold the line before theres time for another round of meetings with constituents furious that their health care is being taken away. So, with polls showing clearly that its now the will of the people that they keep Obamacare and make a good-faith effort to fix the high deductible-premium problems, theyre about to yank it away.

 Politico, meanwhile, reported on the bare bones of what the replace part would look like. Its unworkable and unserious, but if somehow it were to get passed, millions would have to drop their coverage because their subsidies for it would be slashed. In other words, those people whove been standing up at town-hall meetings telling their senator or representative that theyll die? Theyll die.

 In other news, the president said this morning hes going to increase Pentagon spending by $54 billion and get the savings through domestic programs. As I understand things, there are questions as to whether he can even do this under existing sequestration caps (its all pretty technical and Im still trying to understand it). But even if he can, $54 billion is a massive assault on the domestic discretionary budget, all kinds of programs that all kinds of people depend on.

 Meanwhile, the clampdown on the press continues. Historically, White Houses conduct loads of background briefings, done by conference call to journalists. Sometimes theyre done just to lists of reporters, sometimes theyre more selective than that, but theyve never to my knowledge, in Democratic or Republican White Houses, excluded people who were accustomed to being part of them with no explanation. Until now. Tara McKelvey, the White House reporter for the BBC, tweeted Monday morning: WH officials have restricted many of their background conference calls to a certain number of reporterswith no explanation.

 Immigration raids are causing panic in some communities. Some people are afraid to go to church or school . The new travel ban, this time presumably vetted by a lawyer or two and thus maybe more challenge-proof, is on its way.

 Steve Bannon vowed the deconstruction of the administrative state. Exactly what he means by that remains opaque. He did elaborate by saying that said deconstruction is the reason people like new EPA head Scott Pruitt were put in their jobsto destroy the agencies over which they preside. Ponder the consequences of that for millions of poor people who live near toxic waste sites or breathe dirty air or what have you.

These items barely scratch the surface. What Trumps people are doing at the National Security Agency, say, or at Homeland Security, or the IRS, is anyones guess.

And with all this going on, people want to keep fighting about Tom Perez?

If Perez were, oh, a former investment banker who supported expanding the death penalty or something, OK. Id have been against him myself. But go look at what hes done. As labor secretary he pushed through fantastic new overtime pay rules (now in limbo at best). And if his record as labor secretary is sullied for you by the fact that he backed the TPPand it shouldnt be; he worked for a president who was for it, he had no choicego read about what Perez did as assistant attorney general for civil rights. Remember when the federal government sued Joe Arpaio, the right-wing sheriff out in Phoenix? Perez did that .

Theres a lot of work to do. Democrats have to fight the Obamacare repeal tooth and nail. They have to fight on the budget. They have to try to pressure more Republicans to come out in favor of an independent counsel on Russia. They have to try to win special elections. And they have to try to win them in purple and red areas. The first big test comes up later this spring in Georgia, where, The Daily Beasts Patricia Murphy reports , a native-son Democrat whos well-financed has a real shot.

Theres a certain percentage of people who just want to be on the outside criticizing. If thats who you are, Godspeed, I guess. Any political party needs some of that. And I get that the Obama forces put Perez in late to block Ellison, and that thats annoying.

But if you can look at what goings on in this country right now and decide you need to spend time and energy naming Tom Perez and Barack Obama as the problems, you may spare a moments thought for the people who worry that they or their loved ones might be deported or thrown in jail, who need the political party that opposes that to be as powerful as possible and dont even have the slightest idea that Tom Perez and Keith Ellison exist.
Jon Stewart is clearly starting to miss his role as Americas satirist-in-chief.

For the second time since President Donald Trump took office, the former Daily Show host stopped by his friend Stephen Colberts Late Show Monday night. And this time, instead of announcing some new executive orders as Trump, he emerged from underneath Colberts desk to rail against Trumps war on the free press.

After a week in which the Trump White House blocked reporters from CNN, The New York Times and other mainstream outlets from attending a briefing with Press Secretary Sean Spicer, and the president himself repeated his claim that the media is the enemy of the American people at CPAC, Stewart couldnt take it anymore.

I mean, this whole thing just makes me so crazy! he exclaimed as the audience applauded his surprise appearance. Stewart joked that he tunneled his way into the theater from his new farm in New Jersey. Asked if he misses his old gig, he told Colbert, Yes, I miss it! I spend the whole day yelling about Trump to the animals.

As he did to powerful effect during last summers Republican National Convention, Colbert turned his desk over to Stewart, who offered up his take on the dangerous road Trump is taking America down. I cant believe the guys got the balls to get away with that, Stewart said. Trump lies more in one press conference than CNN does in a year, and thats coming from a guy who, as you know, hates CNN.

Stewart proceeded to dismantle Trumps lies about the size of his electoral college win, the countrys murder rate, and perhaps most disturbingly, his dismissal of concerns over anti-Semitic attacks on Jewish centers. Instead of condemning those incidents, Trump simply declared himself the least anti-Semitic person youve ever seen in your entire life.

I dont think thats true! Stewart declared. He said that to a guy wearing a yarmulke. Donald, youre not even the least anti-Semitic person in that clip we showed. But how does Stewart know Trumps lying deliberately? Because he constantly says the phrase believe me. Nobody says believe me unless they're lying.

But Stewart had just as strong a statement for the members of the press who are calling Trumps attacks un-American, telling them to stop your whining.

Speaking directly to the media, Stewart said, I heard Donald Trump broke up with you. Stings a little, doesnt it? You finally thought youd met your match: a blabbermouth whos as thin-skinned and narcissistic as you are. Well, now its over! Well, good riddance, I say. Kick. Him. To. The. Curb.

He said its time for the media to get its groove back after letting itself go, putting on a few pundits over the years and obsessing 24 hours a day over this one guy: Donald Trump. And the whole time youre all chasing after Donny, the rest of us are thinking, But cant you see hes an asshole?

You try to defend him. Oh, no, no, thats just primaries Donald. Thats just election Donald. Youll see. We can change him! Hell get presidential! Stewart said, imitating the media. Yeah, howd that work out? It didnt. You know why? Because 70-year-old men dont get less cranky or racist as time goes by.

Look, media, Im not saying the breakup is going to be easy, Stewart continued. Youre going to see your ex swiping far-right with every Tom, Drudge, and Breitbart. And, from what I heard, they do anal.

But heres my point, media, he added. This breakup has given you an amazing opportunity for self-reflection and improvement. Instead of worrying about whether Trump is un-American or if he thinks youre the enemy or if hes being mean to you or if hes going to let you back in the briefings, do something for yourself. Take up a hobby. I recommend journalism.

I think this breakup is going to be the best thing that ever happened to you, Stewart concluded.

Colbert asked Stewart, You really think the media is going to take this opportunity to self-examine and then get better at their jobs?

I really do, he replied. Believe me.
After a slew of bomb threats forced evacuations at Jewish community centers and schools in 11 states on Monday, President Trump reportedly suggested that the threats may have been done to make others look bad.

Billy Penn and Buzzfeed interviewed Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro after he met with Trump at the White House on Tuesday. Shapiro, a Democrat, quoted Trump as saying the bomb threats may have come from the reverse in order to make others look bad.

He used the word reverse I would say two to three times in his comments, Shapiro told Billy Penn. I really dont know what he means, and I dont know why he said that.

Shapiro was among a number of state attorneys general who met with Trump just two days after a Jewish cemetery was vandalized in Philadelphia, and a week after a Jewish cemetery in St. Louis was also ransacked. Police have not made arrests in either case.

During the meeting, Shapiro said Trump also called the wave of anti-Semitic attacks reprehensible and said he would discuss the matter further during a speech before the joint session of Congress tonight.

Both the White House and the Pennsylvania attorney generals office have not responded to requests from The Daily Beast for comment.

Trump and his administration have recently taken to blaming both the previous administration and paid activists for a slew of consistent protests against his policies throughout the first month of his presidency.

During an interview with Fox and Friends on Tuesday morning, Trump blamed former President Obama for protests and leaks that have come out.

I think he is behind it, Trump said. I also think its just politics. Thats just the way it is.

During a daily press briefing last week, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer also said that recent uproar from constituents at congressional town-hall meetings across the country were partially due to a professional protester manufactured base.

I think some people are clearly upset but there is a bit of professional protester manufactured base in there, Spicer said. Obviously there are people that are upset, but I also think that when you look at some of these districts and some of these things, that it is not a representation of a member's district or an incident.

Similarly, Breitbart, which was previously run by White House strategist Steve Bannon, has published recent stories claiming that liberal billionaire donor George Soros provided scripts for anti-Trump town halls. Soros is also a frequent boogeyman of the conspiratorial and Trump-loving site InfoWars.

The White House has not provided any evidence supporting their claims.

Trump has taken umbrage to the suggestion that his presidency and campaign emboldened anti-Semitism in the United States. During a January press conference, the president responded angrily to an admittedly favorable Orthodox Jewish reporter and told him to "sit down" when he was asked about the wave of bomb threats against Jewish centers.

"So heres the story, folks. No. 1, I am the least anti-Semitic person that youve ever seen in your entire life," Trump said, adding later, "I find it repulsive. I hate even the question because people that know me."

Earlier on Tuesday, Trumps former campaign fundraiser Anthony Scaramucci suggested on Twitter that Democrats may be responsible for some of the threats against the Jewish community.

It's not yet clear who the #JCC offenders are. Don't forget @TheDemocrats effort to incite violence at Trump rallies, Scaramucci said linking to a Breitbart story about James OKeefe.

Scaramucci did not respond to requests for comment, but he attempted to walk back his statement on Twitter.

I have stood with and will stand for the Jewish People for my entire life, he wrote later in the day. Those that know me know.

Ich bin ein Jude, Scaramucci also wrote which means I am a Jew, in German.

A spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon condemning Trumps remarks.

Unfortunately, this recent denial fits in with a clear pattern that we have seen from Trump, which includes dismissing Jewish reporters asking about violence, refusing to include a reference to Jews suffering in the White Houses official statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day, failing to denounce David Duke, tweeting Anti-Semitic imagery, and elevating white nationalist Steve Bannon as his top advisor, DNC spokesperson Eric Walker said.

Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, responded by saying: "We are astonished by what the President reportedly said. It is incumbent upon the White House to immediately clarify these remarks."
By Patrick Malone and R. Jeffrey Smith, Center for Public Integrity

Donald Trump famously promised to drain the swamp in Washingtonto rein in lobbyists, shut the revolving door and curb the influence of well-heeled special interests. But so far, hes had a hard time keeping this promise, with Wall Street veterans headed to the Treasury Department, coal industry advocates appointed to safeguard the environment, and now a former nuclear weapons industry consultant named to a job overseeing the purchase of such weapons.

Trumps nominees for Army secretary and Navy secretary have both recently stepped aside because of concerns over how those jobs might conflict with their private business interests. But hes designated as the new Air Force secretary a former New Mexico Congresswoman, Heather Wilson, whos a veteran of wheeling and dealing in Washington on behalf of private defense industry clients that paid her lucrative consulting fees.

Just a day after she left Congress in 2009, Wilson went to work as a strategic adviser for Sandia Corporation in Albuquerque, which runs a laboratory that helps design and manufacture Americas nuclear weapons and is a subsidiary of defense giant Lockheed Martin. The contract to run Sandia was coming to an end, and Wilsons assignment was to convince the government to extend it without competition. Soon after, she took on a similar advising role for contractors running Los Alamos National Lab, another designer and maker of nuclear bombs.

But federal auditors at the Energy Department and one of its subsidiary agencies quickly grew alarmed because Wilson refused to account for how she was spending any of her time, even while accepting $20,000 monthly from the national labs. That prompted one auditor to call a fraud hotline operated by the Justice Department, which then kicked off an investigation of its own.

The Justice probe concluded that the payments to Wilson were part of an improper effort by the Lockheed subsidiary to bill the government for money spent lobbying the government for more business. The Lockheed Martin subsidiary settled those allegations in 2015 by paying the government $4.7 million, but denied any wrongdoing. So did Wilson.

But now, if Wilson is confirmed, shell be responsible for overseeing the Air Forces voluminous interactions with Lockheed  the same firm that paid her $226,378 for two years of strategic advising. And Lockheed is not just another contractor. As of 2015, the latest year available, Lockheed had 3,982 outstanding Air Force contracts worth $7.4 billion  making it the largest single contractor to the Air Force. One of the biggest of those contracts involves the F-35 fighter jet, a plane that has been plagued by massive cost overruns and technical snafus.

Critics have argued that some parts of the F-35 program should be put out for competitive bid, an idea that Lockheed has resisted. Competition is not in the best interest of the government, Wilson told Sandia and Lockheed officials to tell Washington policymakers in July 2009, according to a copy of one of her emails.

House Armed Services Committee chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Tex.) said in a statement earlier this month that Wilson is an excellent choice for Air Force secretary. I know her to be a serious and thoughtful leader who is well-equipped, Thornberry said, to meet the challenges we face in national security.

But others arent so certain. Gordon Adams, the former associate director for national security at the Office of Management and Budget, said Wilson has the appearance of a conflict of interest, and appearances matter. Adams said Wilson should probably recuse herself from anything involving Lockheed. But, he added, Thats trickyin particular for the F-35, because its a big part of the job.

Jay Coghlan, executive director of Nuclear Watch New Mexico, an anti-nuclear watchdog group in Wilsons home state, was even more skeptical.

Wilsons work for Lockheed Martin and other nuclear contractors obviously raises very serious ethical questions, Coghlan said. Coghlan conceded that the recent presidential election represented a vote for change, but added that part of that change should be appointing ethical people to senior positions. And [Wilson has] failed that test.

An Air Force background

Wilsons resume is not an illogical one for her proposed new positon. A 1982 graduate of the Air Force Academy and a pilot herself, Wilson served on the National Security Council staff under Pres. George H.W. Bush and then spent 10 years in the House, where she served on the House Armed Services Committee and the Intelligence Committee.

But after losing a Senate primary battle, Wilson moved expeditiously to capitalize on her experience and make money by forming a consulting firm that quickly won work both from the Lockheed subsidiary that ran Sandia and a group of contractors that ran Los Alamos. In addition to the $226,378 she earned from Lockheed for the Sandia work, she also earned $195,718 for representing Los Alamos for two years.

But the ways she went about her work drew questions from a variety of federal auditors, some of which were detailed in emails and documents obtained by the Center for Public Integrity under the Freedom-of-Information-Act. Among the revelations: that auditors call to a Justice department hotline.

But there was more.

A June 2013 Energy Department inspector generals report said none of the invoices Wilsons firm sent to the labs contained enough details to conclude she actually provided all the services the firm promised. The report also called the circumstances surrounding the award and execution of [Wilsons contracts]unusual and in some instances, highly irregular, noting the absence of any specified deliverables, contrary to department regulations.

DOE officials complained in part that Wilsons silence had blocked their efforts to determine whether she was billing the labs fairly or improperly collecting fees from more than one lab for doing essentially the same work. On at least two occasions while acting as a consultant, for example, Wilson occupied a single seat at government meetings in Washington, but collected two paychecks from firms running separate labs, which subsequently each billed the government for those expenses.

Wilson billed both [Los Alamos] and [Sandia] full consultant costs, IG investigators wrote about a June 2010 meeting Wilson attended. Invoices do not describe work performed that was unique to each laboratory. She billed the labs in the same way after unspecified December 2010 meetings in Washington.

A Sandia official had expressed similar misgivings. We dont do business with anyone else like this and prefer that this contract go away, the unnamed Sandia official said, according to the IG report.

A Sandia laboratory contracting official told investigators in an interview on Jan. 29, 2013, that when Sandia requested that Wilson fill out a time record, Ms. Wilson refused to do it. An official at Los Alamos similarly told the investigators that Ms. Wilson was very direct with him, stating that she was not going to account for her time in any detail.

Asked this month in emails for comment about this account, Wilson did not respond. She also did not respond to phone calls.

Ironically, Wilson's contracts explicitly stated that she shall not engage in any activity specifically related to obtaining, retaining, or facilitating business or business opportunities for the respective National Laboratories  evidently because those are non-reimbursable expenses.

Despite these prohibitions, our examination of relevant documentation at both Sandia and Los Alamos tend to indicate such activities, the investigators summary said.

In an email to the Center in 2015, Wilson denied she ever directly lobbied on behalf of Sandia. And I did not contact any federal official  Congressional or Executive  to try to extend the Sandia contract, Wilson wrote. However, she did not respond to questions about her work for Los Alamos or discuss the issue of drumming up new business for the labs under their existing contracts.

Ultimately, her work advising Lockheed on how to avoid a rebidding of the Sandia contract was unsuccessful. The National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees the nuclear weapons laboratories, decided in Dec. 2011 to solicit other bids. In January, the Energy Department awarded the new Sandia contract to group of private firms that did not include Lockheed, without detailing why.

No constraints

In Wilsons new job as Air Force secretary, she apparently wont be constrained from making any decisions about her former client Lockheed. While an executive order signed by Trump on Jan. 28 bars top officials from working on particular matters that are directly or substantially related to the work did for private-sector clients, it only applies to work done within the past two years; Wilsons known work for Lockheed preceded the two-year period governed by the order.

Trump announced Wilson as his choice for Air Force secretary on Jan. 23. Wilson hasnt submitted the required pre-confirmation financial disclosure to the Office of Government Ethics. Her confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee has not yet been scheduled.

But her nomination now represents the last chance for President Trump to get one of his first choices for service secretary installed.

Army secretary nominee Vincent Viola, a Wall Street trader with a personal net worth estimated at $1.8 billion, withdrew from consideration on Feb. 3. The challenges of breaking ties with his businesses have proven insurmountable, Violas camp said in a written statement.

Then on Sunday, Navy secretary nominee Philip Bilden stepped aside. He cited worries that submitting required ethics documents describing his business connections would cause undue disruption and materially adverse divestment of my familys private financial interest, Bilden said in a written statement. Bilden recently retired from Harbourvest Partners LLC, which the White House described as a global private equity investment management firm with assets exceeding $42 billion.
Democratic Congressman Turns to Anti-LGBT Bishop For Votes

DOWN TO THE WIRE

I said they should have never hired him, he gay, they should have voted him out, said Bishop Christopher Martin during a sermon in June.
Review of aflatoxin co-regulation model focus of week-long demonstration

Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu

COLLEGE STATION  Kenya parliament leaders met with the Office of the Texas State Chemist and Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists recently at Texas A&M University to get a first-hand look at how farmers, industry and regulatory agencies implement co-regulation to manage aflatoxin risk.

Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by a fungus that grows in some grain and oilseed crops.

Texas shares a common problem involving aflatoxin risk management to protect animal, human and market health, said Dr. Tim Herrman, state chemist and professor at Texas A&M in College Station.

This commonality was highlighted in opening comments by Dr. Craig Nessler, director of AgriLife Research, at a reception to host Kenyan parliament members including the Honorable Japhet Kareke Mbiuki and the Honorable Victor Munyaka.

The wide geographic and climate diversity in Texas makes it suitable to perform research that is adaptable to most African climatic conditions, Nessler said.

Maize is a key crop and a major food staple in Kenya. Aflatoxin contaminated maize impacts all sectors of agriculture including small-holder farmers to large scale commercial maize millers.

The week of meetings with Texas A&M AgriLife officials included a One Sample Strategy program demonstration, a Texas program launched to mitigate the threat of aflatoxin and protect the integrity of the grain market.

The term one-sample comes from the concept of testing one sample correctly and using the results for multiple purposes including purchasing by grain elevators, crop insurance and regulatory oversight, Herrman said.

Prior to implementation of the program, approximately 20 percent of the grain elevators were accurately testing for aflatoxin. However, since the program implementation in 2011, that number has increased to over 95 percent testing accuracy, Herrman said.

The visiting Kenyan parliament members said agriculture accounts for 70 percent of the countrys gross domestic product. In 2009, aflatoxin decimated maize crops and took the lives of Kenyan civilians. Their hope is to create a transparent connected marketplace that delivers aflatoxin safe-food and feed to all of Africa, beginning in Kenya.

We want risk management from our villages, farmers on to storage through the entire market chain including food consumed by all Kenyans, Munyaka said. We are very proud and glad (to have this opportunity).

The visit by Kenyan parliament members is an outgrowth of a high-level meeting involving members of parliament, government agency directors, industry representatives and AgriLife Research faculty. During the week, visits with Texas stakeholders included Texas Farm Burea and Texas Corn Producers Board officials in Waco, touring milling operations and hearing viewpoints on production and regulatory practices.

The visit builds upon the Aflatoxin Proficiency Testing and Control in Africa, Asia and the America initiative, also known as APTECA. The initiative was developed by spreading the co-regulation approach to managing aflatoxin risk developed by the Office of the Texas State Chemist, first in Kenya, then east Africa, then all of Africa and beyond.

Co-regulation, as a regulatory governance option, involves a public-private partnership in creating standards, and best practices implemented by the regulated community and monitored by the regulatory community.

While adoption of co-regulation has not reduced regulatory costs in Texas, Herrman said it has expanded oversight of aflatoxin risk from 1 percent using the direct regulation model to now testing approximately 30 percent of the states crop most exposed to the hazard.

According to officials, by adopting a similar approach in Kenya, millers have improved food safety for approximately 10 million Kenyans.

The challenge exists in extending the reach of this program to all of Kenya including subsistence farmers, and throughout the rest of Africa, Herrman said. Based on the commitment by Kenyas public and private sector leaders, I believe this approach to managing aflatoxin risk will spread throughout Africa and may eventually cycle back to the Unites States, where we will see other U.S. states and federal agencies address the serious challenges associated with mycotoxin adopted by our African counterparts.

Key steps in the programs success involved implementing a quality systems approach that included validating aflatoxin testing platforms to measure aflatoxin from 5 parts per billion to 1,000 parts per billion. Prior to the One Sample Strategy, the aflatoxin testing platforms had only been approved to measure up to 100 parts per billion by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grain inspection agency. This tenfold increase in testing capability greatly improves a regulatory agencys ability to assess the public health risk. Test kit companies have been supportive of the APTECA program by offering their kits for sale in Africa at prices comparable to the U.S.and providing readers at no cost.

This also reflects the serious commitment by the private sector, in this case U.S. aflatoxin test kit manufacturers, to offer affordable solutions to manage aflatoxin risk in Africa, said Herrman.

The Texas program also introduced uniform sampling and sample preparation procedures, qualified analysts for testing accuracy, provided reference material to compare test results to a known standard, and State Chemist verification of participant test results. The visiting Kenya parliament members will share their observations during the second high-level meeting March 2 in Nairobi and draft legislation to formalize the adoption of a private-public partnership.

For more information including the APTECA strategic plan formulated by African leaders to manage aflatoxin risk, visit https://apteca.tamu.edu/.

-30-
SPRINGFIELD - Since eighty percent of the voting AFSCME state employees authorized their bargaining committee to go on strike if Governor Rauner doesn't agree to their demands, can Illinois taxpayers expect the governor to "PATCO" the strikers?

... As in what President Ronald Reagan did when 11,000 members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization refused to return to work in 1981?

That's a question Public Affairs' Jeff Berkowitz posed to Mr. Rauner last week:

Jeff Berkowitz: If AFSCME goes out on strike, would you PATCO the State employees- remember Reagan did that [hired new air traffic controllers when their union went out on Strike], would you do the same thing?

Rauner answered Berkowitz:

Gov. Rauner: What I will say isthe strike is not the right thing, we should implement our new contract. We are prepared, if a strike were to occur, we are prepared to keep essential government services running, but the right thing to do is to implement our new contract.

"We are prepared to keep essential government services running ..." and that will take non-union workers to pull off.

But Berkowitz' question wasn't that far afield. It was Bruce Rauner as the 2014 IL GOP candidate for governor that first brought up the idea of firing striking workers as President Reagan did, and warned about "rough times" ahead.

"I apologize. We may have to go through rough times," Rauner said at the Republican dinner. "We may have to do what Ronald Reagan did with the air traffic controllers. Sort of have to do a do-over and shut things down for a little while. That's what we're gonna do."

Is that what Rauner is planning for public employees?
New rules coming into force today will make it virtually impossible to bring a public interest case - like ClientEarth's air pollution challenge - to protect the environment.

The new rules weaken financial protection for people or organisations bringing a case against the government, meaning they risk having to pay the government's full, unlimited legal costs in return for going to court to protect the environment.

The current rules cap the costs that individuals, community groups and environmental groups have to pay on losing a case against a public body. These caps are currently 5,000 for individuals and 10,000 in all other cases.

But under the new rules, claimants will have to provide the court with information about their personal finances when applying for Judicial Review. Even if judges decide to set a 'cap', or upper limit, on the costs that litigants could be held liable for during the proceedings, they will be able to increase the cap at any stage.

The change in rules therefore makes it impossible for public interest litigants to know how much a case will cost from the start. Individual campaigners and charities could therefore find themselves facing costs of tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds for a High Court action.

Costs would only increase if they were to appeal an unfavourable initial judgment to higher courts. Even a High Court win could prove disastrous: if it were to be appealed by the government, they might be unable to afford to defend it given the enormous potential costs of litigation in the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court.

The could then be forced to abandon their case, and be held liable for the government's costs to date, even if they were actually winning the case up to that point.

Legal proceedings launched against 'unlawful' rules

In response ClientEarth, Friends of the Earth and the RSPB have applied in the High Court for a judicial review against the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice to challenge what the organisations believe to be "unlawful" new costs rules for environmental cases.

The High Court will decide whether to grant permission to proceed with an application for JR in the coming months. In a joint statement, the three groups said:

"Charities and NGOs are the main way people can mount an effective challenge to government decisions. We represent lots of concerned individuals who have chosen to pool their resources with us so we can defend nature on their behalf. We are an alliance of thousands of individual citizens who would otherwise lack the means and resources to take an issue to court. Access to justice, on equal terms, is everyone's right."

Last week, the House of Lords statutory instruments committee, which reviewed the rules, concluded:
This just in:

Texas Tech University (Texas Tech) invites nominations and applications for the Dean of the School of Law & W. Frank Newton Professor of Law search. The Dean will serve as a strong advocate on behalf of the School to internal and external university stakeholders in addition to representing the School of Law and Texas Tech University on the national and international stage.

To view the complete position profile, please click here.

Qualifications and Characteristics

Candidates for the Dean of the School of Law at Texas Tech University must possess the following qualifications and experience:

 A Juris Doctor (J.D.) or other terminal degree in law, and at least ten years of experience in the teaching and/or practice of law;

 Substantial credentials appropriate for an endowed, tenured appointment at the rank of professor;

 Demonstrated strategic, ethical, and effective leadership skills; a proven track-record as an innovator and an effective communicator with a high level of integrity and emotional intelligence;

 Experience with national and international issues affecting legal and graduate education;

 Experience in fundraising or the interest and potential in partnering with university advancement officers to secure external gifts, grants, and funding to support law school programs;

 Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within the University, the School of Law, and the larger legal community; the ability to motivate and inspire faculty; and a commitment to shared governance.

 A demonstrated commitment to diversity.

Application Process

The Search Committee, chaired by W. Brent Lindquist, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at the Texas Tech University, will begin reviewing applications immediately and continue to accept applications and nominations until April 7, 2017. Applicants must submit a current curriculum vitae and a letter describing relevant experience and interest in the position. Submission of materials via e-mail is required. Nomination letters should include the name, position, and contact information of the nominee. All applications and nominations will be handled in confidence.

Applications and letters of nomination should be submitted to:

Alberto Pimentel

Managing Partner

Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates

6512 Painter Avenue

Whittier, CA 90601

562-360-1353 (FAX)

Email: apsearch@storbeckpimentel.com

Refer to code TTU-DSL in subject line

As an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, Texas Tech University is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse university leadership committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. We actively encourage applications from all those who can contribute, through their leadership to the diversity and excellence of the academic community at Texas Tech University. The University welcomes applications from minorities, women, protected veterans, persons with disabilities, and dual-career couples.
The Salt Lake Tribune obtained audio of the phone call between Governor Herbert of Utah and members of the outdoor industry that lead to Outdoor Retailer and subsequently Interbike pulling out of Utah for future shows. You can listen to the full audio recording above  its a classic case of actions speaks louder than words, as Herbert pontificates at length about how public lands are extremely important to Utah while at almost the exact same time, signing resolutions to dismantle public lands in his state.

On the call with Governor Herbert was Amy Roberts, OIA Executive Director; Gordon Seabury, Chair of OIA and CEO of Toad & Co; Darrell Denny, EVP of Emerald Expositions; Rose Marcario, CEO of Patagonia; Scott Baxter, President of The North Face; and Jerry Stritzke, CEO of REI  together representing over $5 billion in revenue.

The call kicked off with Herbert expressing his desire to find common ground and work towards an outcome that would be mutually beneficial to the people of Utah, those in the Outdoor Industry, and the people of the United States  the ultimate owners of our public lands. He suggested that perhaps his office didnt do a great job at properly communicating their goals  his focus was on the management of the public lands, not that they dont value their backyard.

I believe Utah is unrivaled in the world in the extraordinary outdoor opportunities we have to offer, Herbert said. I consider my primary obligation as governor is to protect, preserve, and enhance those public lands.

Herbert stated that he thought Bear Ears was the biggest area of contention for the outdoor execs on the call. While he agreed there needs to be protection of the area for various reasons, the size of the area was the issue and that only by rescinding the monument status, would Utah be able to work together with Native Americans on a co-management plan. Roberts responded that by asking Trump to rescind the monument status, the Antiquities Act itself would be at risk, and there has been no discussion of what would happen to the lands that got sold back to the state.

Its not a political issue or a ploy; its a moral issue for us and our passion for wild places, said Marcario. Never have I seen or has my founder seen (referring to Yvon Chouinard) in the history of conservation has a state sought to rescind a national monument, let alone two.

Denny said Utah still has the chance to change course, but Herbert needed to make some sort of public statement objecting the move to dismantle any national monuments in the state and do it quickly if they wanted to be part of the Outdoor Retailer and Interbike RFP process. If youre giving me an ultimatum here on the phone, then the answer is, I guess, were going to have to part ways, Herbert responded.

Would a face-to-face meeting have helped? Probably not, as at the exact time of the call, HCR12, a resolution calling for federal legislation to shrink the border of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, awaited Herberts signature. He signed the resolution the very next day.
Votes in the U.S. House included:

Hultgren's office released a press statement on the award from Family Research Council Action President Tony Perkins:

We thank Representative Hultgren for consistently voting to uphold faith, family and freedom. Rep. Hultgren voted to repeal key parts of Obamacare, protect unborn children and their mothers, end the forced partnership between taxpayers and Planned Parenthood, allow students to attend the school of their choice, and protect pro-life organizations and employers from being forced to hire individuals who disagree with pro-life principles.

We can be encouraged by elected officials who are willing to be criticized as they stand for family values. Members like Rep. Hultgren deserve praise for their unwavering commitment to stand for life, family, marriage, and religious liberty.

Family Research Council Action and the hundreds of thousands of families and churches we represent are proud to recognize these men and women for their faithful work. Our hope is that in the next Congress, he will be joined by many more like him," Perkins concluded.
Honouring veterans, CBRM council meeting highlight this week in Cape Breton

SYDNEY  During this Remembrance Week, we honour our veterans  those who died in battle, those who are still with us, and those who have passed away in the intervening years. Ceremonies to mark the end of the First and Second world wars, the Korean ...
CHICAGO  State Representative David McSweeney has been joined by 66 fellow members of the Illinois House of Representatives in sponsoring House Resolution 148, which opposes any new taxes on beverages and supports the thousands of Illinois small businesses that are linked to the beverage industry in the state.

Representative McSweeney and a bipartisan group of representatives have stood up for the industry and Illinois families. They understand that adding yet another tax on common grocery and restaurant products will have disastrous, unintended consequences, creating higher prices at neighborhood grocers and restaurants, and causing massive job losses across several industries, stated Claudia Rodriguez, Acting Executive Director, Illinois Beverage Association.

Beyond the regressive nature of beverage tax proposals, these taxes could severely hurt local economic growth and job creation. If imposed, a penny-per-ounce tax is estimated to destroy more than 19,000 Illinois jobs, eliminate more than $875 million in wages and would result in $1.695 billion in lost economic activity. More than 90,000 jobs in restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, movie theaters and more rely on the industry  all of which could be hurt by a proposed tax.

We are thankful for Representative McSweeneys initiative and support for retailers and the beverage industry. A statewide beverage tax would be devastating to the states economy and were glad to see a majority of House members being supportive of an industry that employs thousands of Illinois residents, stated Rob Karr, President and CEO, Illinois Retail Merchants Association.

A similar tax proposal imposed in Philadelphia has already produced devastating effects on the local economy, hurting small businesses and jobs. Early reports have found beverage sales in Philadelphia to have dropped between 30 and 50 percent as consumers leave the city to do their shopping. Many businesses have been forced to cut employees, with more than 300 layoffs already announced and thousands of employee work hours cut. Additional cuts are expected. With a pending penny-per-ounce beverage tax set to be implemented on July 1, 2017 in Cook County, a new state tax would multiply these negative impacts and dramatically weaken the states economy.

A broad coalition of more than 1,000 concerned Illinois families, small businesses, labor unions, chambers of commerce and community organizations are opposed to regressive beverage taxes, which could dramatically increase costs for many common grocery items, including juices, teas, sports-drinks and sodas.

HR 148 is a bipartisan effort with more than 66 co-sponsors opposed to approving yet another tax on the beverage industry.
Get to know the candidates for Iowa House District 99
Last year I wrote Governor Rauner but it was returned unanswered as too political. So I'm hoping you will consider the following as you advise the Governor. Last year I worked in battleground State Rep districts in several counties. I'm delighted the Governor can now sustain his vetoes without a single Democrat vote. But that was the only bright spot in a bad year for Illinois Republicans.

LIBERTYVILLE - A precinct committeeman from the northern suburbs has concerns about the future of the state of Illinois and the Illinois Republican Party, and has tried to get the message to the governor's office. He hopes a public letter will draw the governor's attention to crucial issues at hand:

Illinois Republicans gained 3.38% in the state legislature but that compares to Republican gains of 12% in the Iowa Senate, 18% in the Kentucky House and 9% in the Minnesota Senate. In the Illinois Comptroller race, where the contrast couldn't be more favorable for Republicans, Leslie Munger lost by 5% to Susan Mendoza---the opposite result of the 2014 Governor's race. After tens of millions spent to help Republicans, raised in large part due to Governor Rauner's generosity, this has to be disappointing.

To some extent, this was the result of the new same day registration law that enabled Democrats to overwhelm election day officials with voters who are often illegal. It is also due to people leaving our state, most of which would be inclined to vote Republican. The Census Bureau says that in just one year from July 2015 to July 2016, 114,144 left Illinois. It is safe to say that most of Governor Rauner's margin of victory of 142,284 will have moved by the time we get to November 2018.

So even if opinion polls showing the Governor running below 40% approval are exaggerated and, unlike 2016, a big spending blitz can bring back everyone who voted for the Governor in 2014, he'd still end up losing because the Republican base has shrunk while the Democrat base has increased.

Bruce Rauner has nothing to lose by changing tactics that have not worked well the last two years.

The first thing Governor Rauner must recognize is that he, along with many other Illinois Republicans, made a major mistake in not supporting Donald Trump. Many Republicans, like myself, had severe problems with President Trump, but decided to support him because the alternative was unthinkable and Trump had shown, by repeated promises and by selecting Vice-President Pence, that he might nominate a Neal Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, the biggest issue in last year's election.

Those that backed Trump, like Wisconsin's Ron Johnson, did surprisingly well. Those who did not, like Mark Kirk, Kelly Ayotte and Joe Heck, underperformed badly. Governor Bevin went from 33% (Rauner is at 34% in Morning Consult polling) to 45% approval with a 18% Republican increase in the Kentucky House---largely due to Trump being strongly backed by every major Kentucky Republican..

The 2016 Detroit recount showed 37% of precincts with too many votes---Pence's voting commission is badly needed. Illegal aliens, felons, the dead, double voting, the mentality incompetent in nursing homes---the usual Democrat vote fraud will be enhanced with same day registration. Ending Chicago's and other Illinois municipalities' Sanctuary City policy would do more to reelect Bruce Rauner than all the ads he could buy. Trump's plans for inner city schools, jobs and crime should also be embraced.

Governor Rauner must also understand he can not compromise with legislative leaders that want the same tax and spend policies that defeated his 2014 opponent. He should instead be inspired by Governor Walker who, like Trump, never backed down despite ferocious opposition. Both proved media bias and union money can be beat using the Internet and grass roots organizing.

The Illinois Policy Institute has a great plan on how this state can meet all its obligations and balance the budget without raising taxes. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/reports/budget-solutions-2018-balancing-the-state-budget-without-tax-hikes/ I would also add more asset sales (like the Tollway) to the Governor's proposal to sell the Thompson Center. These sales should fund final lump sum payments for pension obligations, saving the state billions and getting more votes from relieved state workers.

Like the Governor, I support term limits and saving 200 million reforming Workers' Compensation. But these are minor issues that don't shift many votes. If Rauner takes on the special interests as the Illinois Policy Institute proposes, they will howl. But by using the communication tactics of Walker and Trump, the average voter will understand most of the pain will hit only a privileged few. I hate to say it, but Trump's post convention speeches were far more specific and inspiring than anything I've heard in 4 years of speech making by the Governor. Others have noticed this, too, such as an Illinois Review article entitled: RAUNER DELIVERS ANOTHER "RINSE AND REPEAT" BUDGET ADDRESS

Finally, the governor must understand he has an enormous problem with religious conservatives. As State Representative Terri Bryant explained at the 2016 Peoria Convention (where 90% of the delegates opposed adding gay marriage to our party's platform), it's the Republican platform on religious freedom that causes many to vote Republican instead of Democrat to appease union bosses and neighbors. Trump won by defending religious freedom, but on this issue, Bruce Rauner has a tin ear.

SB1564 requires every doctor, pharmacist and pro-life pregnancy center in the state to help a woman obtain an abortion whenever asked. The Governor signed this bill despite its passage without a single Republican vote and after thousands called and begged him to veto it. Now Rauner faces the probable passage of HB40, which mandates unlimited taxpayer funding for abortion on demand. The last thing Illinois needs is to spend tens of millions it doesn't have on more abortions. If the Governor signs this bill and alienates both social and fiscal conservatives, his reelection chances become virtually nil.

Jim Walder owns Timber Creek Bed & Breakfast in Paxton. He was fined more than $80,000 by Illinois Human Rights Commission appointees of Governor Rauner for politely refusing to host a reception for a gay civil union ceremony. Conservative churches feel their businesses like schools and organizations are next on the IHRC hit list. No wonder all three Republican state representatives who voted for Gay Marriage in 2013 are out of politics after near defeats in the primary.

Our party depends on a coalition of fiscal and religious conservative plus what use to be called Reagan Democrats who are now Trump Democrats. If Governor Rauner gives in to the Illinois Senate leaders' big tax increases, he'll have alienated all three parts of our winning coalition. The Governor must rethink how to sell fiscal conservatism and take steps to bring back the other two parts of our party. If a very flawed Donald Trump could do that, there's certainly time for Bruce Rauner to do the same.

Most Sincerely,

Grant D. Noble, Republican Precinct Committeeman, Libertyville 201
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Born in England of Irish ancestry, Riverdance star Stephen Brennan has established roots in Connecticut  and will perform for audiences (and his parents) in his adopted state for the first time while at New Havens Shubert Theater for five shows.

Brennan, who recently settled in Fairfield, has many fans  especially in Fairfield and New Haven counties: He and dance partner Meghan Lucey, a Connecticut native, are founders of the Brennan-Lucey Irish Dance Academy with schools in Fairfield, Hamden and Milford.

A past World Champion, Brennan joined Riverdance  a celebration of Irish music, culture and soft- and hard-shoe dance  in 2005. Since then, he has performed in about 40 U.S. states and in about 30 countries. He is now a principle dancer and dance captain with the 20th anniversary world tour, which stops in New Haven Friday, March 3, through Sunday, March 5.

New Haven will be very special, he said, during a recent telephone chat from a tour stop in Wilmington, Del. My parents are coming from England; they wanted to see my new home and meet my (American) friends. I am every excited about the visit, he added.

The 20th anniversary edition will feature new costumes, new lighting, new projections and the addition of a new number, Anna Livia, featuring female members in an a cappella hard-shoe number, according to the tour.

Brennan said he began dance lessons in Essex at age 12  considered rather old in professional circles where the best-of-the-best often get their start at age 4 or 5.

More Information Shubert Theatre, 247 College St., New Haven. March 3-5. Friday, March 3, 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 4, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, March 5, at 1 and 6:30 p.m. $101-$39. 203-562-5666, shubert.com See More Collapse

I remember watching TV and seeing a show on Irish dancing. I told my parents: Thats what I want to do. 

Dancing would become a huge part of his life  as an avocation, a hobby of sorts and at age 19, he was named World Champion. At the University of Kent, in England, he would go on to receive a First Class Honours degree in architecture.

Both dancing and architecture have many similarities, he said, which accounts for his attraction to each.

With dancing and architecture, there is an appreciation for precision and synchronicity. Both are so exacting and precise, he said.

Brennan said he planned to embark on a career in architecture after college, but an invitation to join Riverdance in 2005 was too compelling to pass up.

You never know what life has in store, he said, laughing. The prospect of touring Europe, making new friends, having new experiences and seeing the world was too exciting to pass by, he said, adding that his parents and friends encouraged him to accept the offer.

After dancing, Brennan said he hopes to always teach and to share his knowledge and insights with others. Brennan also continues to be drawn to the idea of joining a design firm. It was one of the reasons for coming to Fairfield; Connecticut is such a beautiful place, where I know I could be comfortable.

pasboros@ctpost.com; Twitter: @PhyllisASBoros
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NORWALK  More than 200 Norwalk residents gathered at the Norwalk Inn Saturday evening to honor individuals and organizations that have had an outsized impact on the citys community.

The Exchange Club of Norwalks Salute to Outstanding Pillars of the Community event aimed to celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of everyday citizens who have made a difference in our community, not because they are asked to, but because they believe in giving back and supporting those in need.

These individuals and organizations have devoted their time and energy to making the community stronger and the lives of countless citizens that much better. They do this with little fanfare and recognition, strictly because it is the right thing to do, Director David Jaeger Jr. said.

Honorees were selected for their contributions across five different fields: Education, Business, Public Service, Faith and Lifetime Achievement.

Carleton Giles, who was awarded the Lifetime Achievement, served as police officer in Norwalk for 33 years. During that span, Giles became one of the first trained DARE officers in the state, served as a school resource officer at Brien McMahon and Briggs high schools and held the position of chaplain for the Norwalk Fire Department.

Since retiring from the police force in 2013, Giles has continued to leave his mark on the community by serving as the chairman of the states Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Im extremely humbled to be honored, particularly in the kind of company in which Im being honored. Being in this kind of company, its really hard to be anything but humbled, Giles said.

Thirty-year Norwalk public school veteran Cynthia Barnett was honored as a Pillar of Education for her work as an advocate for young girls looking to break into the science world.

Since founding Norwalks Saturday Academy in 2003, Barnett has dedicated her post-retirement time to supporting and accelerating STEM opportunities for girls.

Im just doing the mission that God sent me here to do, which is to inspire girls to go into the area of science, technology, engineering and math, said Barnett, who has also been awarded the Connecticut Technology Councils Innovation and Leadership Award for her nonprofit work.

To accept the award for the Pillar of Public Service, nine nurses from the Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital were in attendance.

At the end of the day, its a very challenging kind of work that we do, but its all about the people that we care for, said Linda Versea, director of cancer services at the hospital, of the nurses jobs. Its our job to make their experience easier, so that they can live a better life and spend more time with their family.

For his 52 years of serving communities all over New Canaan and Norwalk, Msgr. William Scheyd was honored as Norwalks Pillar of Faith.

Before retiring in December as pastor of St. Aloysius in New Canaan, Scheyd was appointed as the Episcopal vicar of the Bridgeport Diocese. Even in his retirement, Scheyd has remained a constant presence throughout southern Fairfield County.

Helping people is just a part of my life. You never retire from being a priest; youre always a priest. When there is a need or when people call you, youre just inclined to do it. You just cant turn that off, Scheyd said.

Local businessman Anthony Aitoro took home the final honor, as the Exchange Clubs Pillar of Business.

Aitoro credited an upbringing rich in charity and community outreach as the reason why he remains so active in his surrounding community.

Charitable giving stretches back to my roots, really, Aitoro said. My dad was a Kiwanis Club member, and when I was a little kid, I was taught the art of giving by him.

After the event, Jaeger expressed hope that the Outstanding Pillars awards would become a yearly staple of the Exchange Club.

This years Pillars are only a handful of the many, many other overlooked community advocates. Our hope, at the Exchange Club, is that this event catches on, so that we can bring these generous people the attention and accolades that they deserve, Jaeger said.

ptomlinson@hearst

mediact.com; Twitter: @Tomlinson_PE
Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media file

NORWALK  The Norwalk High School class of 1967 has made a $2,000 donation in honor of their fallen classmate, Daniel Danny Shea, for the restoration of the Shea-Magrath Memorial at Calf Pasture Beach.

Shea was a medic serving with the American Division in Vietnam and he earned the Medal of Honor by repeatedly risking his life to provide battlefield care to his comrades. A restoration committee has started a $45,000 campaign to restore the memorial, which has been badly worn on the sea-facing side. Many of the bronze-caste names are illegible.
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NORWALK  The White Barn Theatre Foundation has reached a significant milestone in its effort to buy the historic theater property on Cranbury Road but is still seeking the publics help to raise $1.2 million to complete the purchase, according to a statement released Monday.

Stephen A. Nevas, the Westport attorney representing the nonprofit organization, said Monday the foundation had raised the $100,000 down payment and signed a sale and purchase agreement with 78 Cranbury Road II LLC, the owner of the property.

By providing that deposit, the White Barn Foundation has secured the right to buy the property, said Nevas, who described the agreement as a binding contract. It means my client has reached a highly significant milestone after years of efforts.

James Fieber, who represents 78 Cranbury Road II LLC, said Monday he signed the agreement giving the foundation ample opportunity to complete its fundraising and seek a zoning amendment needed for a theater to once again operate on the property.

More News White Barn saga still a cliffhanger

I have an agreement with the White Barn Foundation that gives them ample opportunity to accomplish their purpose of getting proper zoning and completing their fundraising efforts so they can acquire the property, Fieber said.

The property, although once home to a theater, is zoned for AA Residence use. An amendment to the Norwalks zoning regulations, allowing a theater by special permit from the citys Zoning Commission, would be needed for the foundation to follow through with its plans for the property.

The foundation, led by Lortels great-grandnephew, Waldo Mayo, hopes to purchase the property and create spaces and facilities for the development and performance of new work in the fields of drama, dance, music and film.

I am so grateful to all those who have supported this effort thus far and I look forward to all those who we hope to include in our plan to have a unique performing arts center that inspires and discovers new dramatic work and creates performing arts jobs, Mayo said in a statement Monday.

Nevas said the agreement secures the foundations right to purchase the 15-acre site and nature preserve if it raises $1.2 million to complete the transaction by this spring.

We hope to close by May 31, Nevas said.

The Conservation Fund  a Virginia-based nonprofit organization that boasts having protected more than 7.8 million acres of land nationwide since 1985  has tentatively committed to loan the balance of the $4.95 million purchase price, according to Nevas.

Nevas said a coalition that includes members of the Fairfield County and Broadway theater communities, leaders of the Cranbury and Westports Patrick Road neighborhoods surrounding the property, are leading the effort to acquire it.

The effort, he continued, has the support of the Norwalk Land Trust, Norwalk Preservation Trust and Norwalk Historical Society. The land trust currently holds a 5.4-acre conservation easement on the property. Nevas said the foundation is working closely with the trust to expand the easement to 12 acres. The remaining roughly 3.6 acres would be used for the theater.

In October 2015, the city approved Fiebers plans for a 15-house development on the site, a project that has been put on hold as a favor to the foundation.

Fieber said Monday that he and his wife have offered to provide the foundation a matching grant of $250,000.

Ive offered them a donation in the way of a challenge grant from my wife and myself, Fieber said. Its not just the theater being revived. Its the mission of the White Barn Foundation, which is to give young and aspiring actors and playwrights the opportunity to further develop their work product and have a forum for their drama on stage.

Until 2002, the barn-turned-theater and house at 78 Cranbury Road were the home of Lortel, proclaimed the Queen of Broadway by the Museum of the City of New York, and a summer theater for 50 years.

Many do not realize that Lucille Lortel, in her role as one of the first woman producers, cracked the theater worlds glass ceiling and, among other things, funded and nurtured the original creation and production of the play Fences starring James Earl Jones when she established the Lucille Lortel Fund for New Drama at the Yale Repertory Theatre, Mayo said.

Mayo said the theater provided opportunities for playwrights Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee and actor Kevin Spacey among others as they emerged onto the national stage.

The foundation is committed to the restoration of that tradition while preserving natural resources and open space that forms an important part of the Saugatuck River Watershed, he said.
NORWALK  The Norwalk Board of Education would receive a 4.3 percent increase in its forthcoming operating budget under a proposed spending cap headed to the Common Council for consideration on Tuesday evening.

That increase would grow to 8.1 percent if projected state aid and health insurance savings pan out.

As things stood Monday, the council will be asked to cap the Norwalk 2017-18 operating budget at nearly $329.7 million.

The figure represents Director of Finance Robert O. Barrons recommended budget of $347.9 million less an anticipated $19.2 million in state aid plus an additional $1 million draw down from the citys rainy day fund.

The councils Finance/Claims Committee recommended the additional drawn down after a well-attended public hearing at Norwalk Concert Hall on Thursday during which parents and teachers urged the panel to fully fund the school board request. The additional $1 million would go to the school board.

Mayor Harry W. Rilling, after closed-door discussions with school officials on Friday, indicated Monday that more changes to the proposed cap would be forthcoming Tuesday.

We will probably be making an amendment to the proposed (budget) cap, Rilling said without elaborating. We just want to make sure we have consensus on things before we make public comments, because its still a work in progress.

Rilling said he met Friday with Superintendent of Schools Steven Adamowski and Bryan Meek, chairman of the school boards Finance Committee, regarding the school boards capital and operating budget requests for the fiscal year starting July 1. He said he was not at liberty to discuss the details of those discussions.

We discussed both (budget) but we agreed not discuss anything outside that room for now, Rilling said.

The school board has requested an additional $17.7 million, or a 10.1 percent increase, in spending for fiscal year 2017-18. School officials trace the increase to health insurance costs.

Barron recommended allocating the school board an additional $6.6 million, or a 3.8 percent increase in his recommended 2017-18 operating budget as presented to the Board of Estimate and Taxation earlier this month.

He told council members during a budget workshop last week that the school board could receive a $13.3 million increase. Thats if the board gets an additional $1.7 million under a proposed new special education grant from the state, and if the city and school board are able to combine their employees under a state health insurance plan. The insurance savings would amount to roughly $5 million, according to officials.

Under Barrons recommended budget, the annual tax bill on the median single-family home would increase $106.80 in the 1st Taxing District, $94.65 in the 2nd Taxing District, $117.52 in the 3rd Taxing District, $122.55 in the 4th Taxing District, $166.15 in the 5th Taxing District and $328.81 in the 6th Taxing District.

Those numbers would roughly triple if the Board of Education and city departments are allocated their full 2017-18 funding requests rather than what Barron has recommended.

The Board of Estimate and Taxation will use the council-established cap as a target when crafting the new operating budget.
Cristian Juarez, who was arrested on drug charges after a car accident on Nov. 28, 2016, pleaded not guilty to six charges on Tuesday in Hall County District Court.

Juarez, 23, is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, having no drug tax stamp, possession of money in violation of drug statutes and possession or use of drug paraphernalia.

After Juarez wrecked his car at 3511 E. Seedling Mile Road, police said, they found a scale, packaging material and three types of drugs in his car. Police said he was found with wax/tetrahydrocannabinols, alprazolam and Hydrocodone.

Juarez lives at 3116 E. Seedling Mile Road.

District Judge Mark Young scheduled a pretrial hearing for 11 a.m. May 10 before Judge John Marsh. Thomas Wagoner, Juarezs attorney, may file a motion to change the date because of a time conflict.
HASTINGS  Three men were arrested early Sunday morning after a high-speed pursuit in Hastings.

Police Sgt. Brian Hessler said Vandell Starr, 33, of Hastings fled a traffic stop around 2 a.m. Sunday.

Hessler said another sergeant tried to stop Starrs vehicle, but Starr sped off. No officers pursued the car, Hessler said, because they knew the man was likely Starr, who had active arrest warrants.

"It was a risk-versus-reward kind of thing," Hessler said.

Starr went pretty much all over the north side of town, and officers kept their eyes on him. Hessler said Starrs car drove away and was found abandoned. Starr fled on foot, and Hastings police had assistance from the Adams County Sheriffs Department, Nebraska State Patrol and a canine to find him.

As police kept sight of Starr, Hessler said, they found him hiding in a room at the Rodeway Inn on Osborne Drive East with two other men. Police arrested Starr for multiple arrest warrants, possession of a controlled substance, flight to avoid arrest and driving under revocation.

The other two men in the room, Matthew Critser, 32, of Juniata and Cody Whiteface, 23, of Kearney, were also arrested. Police obtained a search warrant for the hotel room, Hessler said, and found meth and marijuana. Hessler said police also seized items that were believed to be stolen. Some of those items are believed to be from a vehicle that was reported stolen Sunday morning.

Critser was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and an active Hall County arrest warrant. Whiteface was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

Hessler said its not confirmed that the three men, who were in possession of the stolen items, are responsible for the many thefts Hastings has had recently. Police will continue to investigate the incident, Hessler said.
Farmers listen to Randy Dowdy because hes achieved world-class success even though he didnt grow up in farming.

The Georgia farmer earned rave reviews Monday after he spoke on the first day of Aurora Cooperatives annual meeting.

His depth of knowledge is almost overwhelming, Dean Luehr said of Dowdy.

Dowdy delves into issues to a degree that a normal row-crop farmer doesnt consider, said Luehr, who farms south of Wood River.

Dowdy challenges lessons that farmers learned as a matter of course from their fathers and grandfathers, Luehr said. Dowdys frame of mind is different because he took up farming as a hobby not too many years ago. Using analytical methods, he questions many things that farmers take for granted, Luehr said.

A farm in Brooks County is where Dowdy tills new ground. In 2016, he set a world soybean record by producing 171.8 bushels per acre. Two years earlier, he produced 503.79 bushels of corn per acre to win a National Corn Growers Association contest.

Dowdys expertise yielded high interest in two talks Monday. The annual meeting, which continues Tuesday, is taking place at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center at Fonner Park.

It was excellent, Paul McHargue said after the afternoon talk.

Mondays talk was the fourth time McHargue has heard Dowdy speak, but it was the first time hes heard his talk on soybeans.

McHargue, who farms near Central City, marveled that Dowdy has been growing soybeans only three years, while McHargue has been doing it 25 to 30 years.

He just thinks outside the box, said McHargue, 46. Dowdy thinks differently and researches. Hes doing things that I should have been doing 30 years ago, McHargue said. So hes trying to learn from Dowdy to change how I do my farming and the way I think.

The soil in Georgia isnt as good as Nebraskas. So, McHargue said, hes going to listen to a man who produces such high yields on ground of lesser quality. Dowdy, he said, talks a lot about tissue sampling, the correct places to put fertilizer and micronutrients.

Asked to summarize his position, Dowdy said farmers should be a student of the crop and understand where yield is captured and where its lost.

He also said producers should trust but verify. Youve got to have data to make decisions, he said in a brief interview after his talk.

Farmers should also practice double inoculation. Get all the free nitrogen you can, he said. They should also make sure theyre meeting in-season nutrient demand based on the tissue sample data and make sure theyre proactively addressing all nutrients before the crops planted and then as the crop grows throughout the year.

Nebraska farmers have better soils than he does, he said. He may have some opportunities, such as the ability to double crop. But as far as nutrients and quality of soils, theres no reason why some of the highest yields shouldnt be coming from the Midwest, including Nebraska, he said.

During his talk, he said farmers should be careful about wasting money. All that matters is whats in the plant, he said.

Randys an innovative producer, said Mike Manning of Lincoln, who is precision ag product manager for Aurora Co-op.

Dowdy has broken the norm on how we look at a field and shattered some preconceived notions held by those whove been farmers their whole lives, Manning said.

Being a former world record holder in corn and now the current world record holder in beans, Id say that unconventional approach has served him pretty well, said Manning, who works with McHargue.

Jay Johnson, who farms near Wood River, said Dowdy has taught him to ask the right question.
Grand Island school leaders want all Grand Island Senior High students to participate in a preparatory academy as they work toward receiving their high school diplomas.

That goal is part of the visioning process that the Grand Island Senior High Visioning Team, which includes GIPS staff members and community members, has undertaken this year as it has examined what type of experience GISH students should have while at Senior High, as well as the goals it wants those students to achieve.

The District Management Group worked with the visioning team to help it come up with the experiences it wants students to have at GISH, as well as the goals it wants students to accomplish.

The proposed Grand Island Senior High vision statement is as follows: Grand Island Senior High ensures a 21st Century Learning Environment to support personalized learning experiences that foster individual growth and resiliency for success in high school, college, and career.

The proposed preparatory academies are based on the career clusters used by the Nebraska Department of Education.

They include: 1) business, marketing and management; 2) agriculture, food and natural resources; 3) communications and information systems; 4) human services and education; 5) health sciences; and 6) skilled and technical trades.

Dual-credit courses that provide both college credit and credit toward high school graduation will be part of each of the six preparatory academy/career cluster programs. AP classes also will be offered as part of each.

Each students path through GISH as they work on programs is intended to focus on one of three options: 1) attend a four-year university and pursue a bachelors degree and beyond; 2) attend a two-year community college or technical/trade school to pursue an associates degree or equivalent industry certification; 3) go directly into the workforce after high school or enter the military.

During a one-day mini-retreat in January the Grand Island school board discussed the possibility of having all students go through a preparatory academy. Board members saw a video that said the high school should try to give its graduates the ability to fill high-demand, high-wage jobs.

The video said that such jobs do not necessarily require a high school graduate to earn a four-year college degree. Many of these jobs can be filled by people who have earned a two-year degree or one-year certificate to qualify them to do a job where there is a great demand by employers for skilled labor.

That means that Grand Island should not push a philosophy of college-for-all to its high school students, but should instead promote a philosophy of a post high school credential for all to get high-demand, high-wage jobs. That could include a graduate degree, a college degree, a two-year degree or a one-year certificate.

The video said that pushing all high school students into a four-year college can produce a glut of students with bachelors degrees. As a result, some college graduates end up working at a gray-collar job that does not pay high wages. Even if a college graduate is working at a gray-collar job, such jobs often can be filled by somebody who earned less than a four-year bachelors degree.

The video noted that the level of educational attainment needed to properly fill jobs has a ratio of 1:2:7. That means that for every occupation that requires a masters degree or more, two jobs will require a university degree and seven jobs will require either a one-year certificate or two-year degree. It also warned that producing more people with bachelors degrees will create more American jobs that require people to have a bachelors degree.

Although each student will be expected to choose a preparatory academy while in high school, board conversation at the retreat said that students should not be restricted to a one-time choice. Board members indicated that a student might choose to enter one preparatory academy during his or her freshman year, but switch to a different preparatory academy later after discovering that a second choice better fits his or her interests and aptitude.

Nevertheless, board members talked about getting middle school students to do more thinking about the career they might want to pursue as an adult. Board members also talked about how the work done by middle school and high school counselors may have to be tweaked so better guidance is given to students about potential careers and the preparatory academy that would best fit each student.

Associate Superintendent Robin Dexter also pointed out during the board retreat that parents, GISH students and even GISH staff must have a greater understanding that a student can be part of a preparatory or career academy, while talking all their classes at Grand Island Senior High. GISH students do not necessarily have to take classes at Career Pathways Institute on Adams Street to be part of a preparatory academy.

While the proposed vision statement gives a broad outline, a press release about that vision statement noted the school district will be relying on the expertise of GISH staff to plan for the proposed preparatory academy model, solve any issues that arise as a result of implementing that model, and eventually take ownership of the preparatory academy model they have helped create.
We live in a country built on opportunity, but too many Americans face roadblocks to moving up the economic ladder. As chairman of the Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee, I am pleased to work with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to improve our countrys anti-poverty programs.

On Feb. 15, I convened my first hearing as chairman, focusing on the geography of poverty. We examined how the poverty map is changing around the country and explored the challenges facing our own communities. A better understanding of local issues and solutions creates a foundation for our efforts to help more Americans find employment and experience greater economic opportunity.

When thinking about poverty in America, large cities often come to mind first. However, rates of poverty in rural and remote areas have been higher than in urban areas for decades. Additionally, a larger share of working-age adults live in poverty than ever before, as fewer men and women are employed today than in the past.

It was a privilege to invite Tammy Slater of Doniphan, CEO of Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska, to testify at our hearing. Ms. Slater detailed the challenges Goodwill faces in lifting people out of poverty in rural areas and how the organization achieves success through its social enterprise model, comprehensive services, and community partnerships.

Despite the commitment by so many like Ms. Slater to reducing povertys footprint, we know the drug epidemic in America plays a major role in limiting opportunity. This week, I managed debate in the House on using the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn an Obama administration rule which greatly restricts states ability to screen unemployment insurance (UI) beneficiaries for drug abuse.

As part of a bipartisan agreement in early 2012, President Obama signed into law legislation to allow, not require, states to screen and test UI beneficiaries for illegal drugs. The law called for the Department of Labor (DOL) to set the parameters for testing. The legislative intent was for DOL to work with states and industries to determine which jobs would require drug testing, either because it is required by law or because an industry requires screening for new employees.

After nearly five years of delay, DOL finally produced a rule which ignores legislative intent and makes it virtually impossible for states to screen or test anyone because it is limited to beneficiaries who are looking for work solely in jobs with a federal drug testing requirement.

This means even if there is a state-level testing requirement, a state cannot require screening. It also means if someone is looking for work in a career with a federal testing requirement but also applying for jobs without a federal testing requirement, he or she cannot be screened.

We know we need to correct the reverse incentives in our benefits systems. Studies have found drug abuse costs employers $81 billion per year. It should be a priority of any employment program to incentivize those looking for work to stay drug-free. The House passed the CRA resolution to roll back DOLs misguided rule and ensure states have the ability to motivate jobseekers to get and stay clean.

Independence and productivity must be the goals of any program designed to help Americans escape poverty. I will continue to advance these principles while helping direct Congresss efforts to empower people through greater opportunity.
The Nebraska Legislature has two options this year for addressing problems created by the states mandatory minimum sentencing requirements.

Currently, judges are required to sentence people convicted of 1C felonies to at least five years in prison and those convicted of 1D felonies to at least three years in prison. These categories include robbery, possession of 10 or more grams of certain drugs, assault on a police officer and manufacturing or distribution of child pornography. Also, offenders determined to be habitual criminals are subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years added to the sentence for their crime.

Sen. Paul Schumacher, who is a former county attorney, has introduced a bill that would set up a process for a three-judge panel to consider bypassing a mandatory minimum for a specific case involving a nonviolent drug offense if requested by the presiding judge. It would also allow a review of a habitual criminal mandatory sentencing.

Right now, even if the judge feels probation or a lesser prison sentence is merited for a first-time offender, the judge has no recourse.

But Schumachers bill would make it possible for judges randomly selected by the Nebraska Supreme Courts chief justice to review whether the mandatory minimum is appropriate for a particular offender.

This would help reduce overcrowding in Nebraskas prisons as well as give first offenders the opportunity to stay out of prison, where they would likely be associating with hardened criminals who would influence them to continue breaking the law.

The other option before the Legislature is a bill introduced by Sen. Ernie Chambers that would do away with mandatory minimum sentences for 1D and 1C felonies.

This may be a harder sell with the Legislature because of concerns of prosecutors who use the threat of harsh sentences to get defendants to plead guilty to lesser crimes. But Schumachers bill is a conservative approach to the issue that could make sentencing in Nebraska more fair to first-time offenders and help reduce prison crowding.

The Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association supported both bills when they were presented to the Judiciary Committee.

Ive had judges state on the record at the time of sentencing that they would use probation, but they have no choice, said Spike Eickholt of the NCDAA.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, mandatory minimum sentences disproportionately affect black men, who are four or five times more likely than white people to be convicted of drug possession.

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services has estimated Chambers bill would save the state more than $180,000 in 2019. It also estimated Schumachers bill would save the state money, but didnt have a specific number.

There are nine other states, including Iowa, that have recently passed laws reducing their mandatory minimum penalties for many drug offenders. Its time that Nebraska legislators seriously consider making it 10.
This is the annual February congressional recess period in which all federally elected officials are obligated to talk to their constituents in public town hall meetings. Yet none of the five people we hired to represent Nebraskans in the federal government have held town halls this past week.

Why dont they want to meet with the public? Are they worried they will be asked to answer to the people who pay their salary for their own actions? Are they afraid of their constituents, who elected each and every one of them by very healthy margins?
HS Football: North Penn upsets Pennsbury in instant playoff classic

With the game on the line, North Penn coach Dick Beck opted to go for the win with a two-point conversion attempt against Pennsbury.
Madison Historical: The Online Encyclopedia and Digital Archive for Madison County, Ill. will be introduced at a public event being held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 14 in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Morris University Center Conference Center.

The innovative digital archive is transforming the historical experience, using 21st century technology to display 20th century history, and inviting the public to be content creators.

Madison County Regional Superintendent of Schools Robert Daiber, EdD, is leading the project. It is being developed and managed by SIUE College of Arts and Sciences Department of Historical Studies associate professors Jeffrey Manuel, PhD, and Jason Stacy, PhD, Stephen Hansen, PhD, faculty emeritus and former interim chancellor, along with undergraduate and graduate students.

I realized in reviewing the centennial document from 2012, Centennial History of Madison County, IL and Its People, that no history had been formally recorded since 1912, Daiber explained. I recognize the great prosperity that occurred during the 20th century, and saw the need for that information to be put in a formal format for historical reference.

Madison Historical is an exciting and important project, and I commend Dr. Daiber for recognizing the need for a written history of Madison County, Hansen said. The project brings together members of our community, students and scholars in a collaboration to collect, preserve and write our own history. It makes history accessible for everyone, and because it will inform us about ourselves, who we were and who we are, it is a history of Everyman, the people of Madison County.

This project is a perfect illustration of SIUEs close connection with southwestern Illinois, and our longstanding commitment to partnering with community institutions and improving the region, added Manuel. It offers a way to bring together over a dozen museums and archives in Madison County. These institutions do a fantastic job of collecting, preserving and interpreting local history. Were partnering with them to scan historical materials and make them available online.

According to Stacy, Madison Historical will serve as a hub for all of the great historical resources in Madison County. Along with consuming the digital archives historical references, the public can become producers as well. Themes of government, industry, education, law and culture comprise the accessible, yet authoritative, content in such forms as:

Encyclopedia articles on significant people, places and events in the county

Oral history interviews, including audio recordings and complete transcripts, with a wide range of people who have lived in Madison County and played a role in shaping its history

Historical items such as photographs, letters or documents that can be scanned and uploaded to the digital archive

Project goals include digitally highlighting the physical collections to foster public interest in visiting local museums and historical societies. It will also serve as a valuable resource for local teachers and students, who can incorporate local history into their teaching and learning by using materials from the website.

This summer, the Department of Historical Studies is offering an online version of its public history course where we will train area teachers to research and write encyclopedia articles, conduct oral histories and collect digital images of historical artifacts, Stacy explained. We hope they will use these skills not only to contribute to Madison Historical, but also to encourage their students to contribute to the site by training them in the skills of digital archiving, research and historical writing.

Many people think that history teaching and scholarship has not changed in many years, but this project shows how historians are embracing the web and its potential for democratizing history and preserving local history in new ways, said Manuel.

For a complete list of partner institutions and the network of sponsors who have supported Madison Historical, including the Madison County Regional Office of Education, Madison County Government, Phillips 66 and attorney John Simmons, visit Madison-Historical.siue.edu/.

For more information on the launch event, contact SIUE College of Arts and Sciences Special Events Facilitator Cindy Scarsdale at 618-650-5049 or cscarsd@siue.edu.
Turhan Robinson has been sentenced to 80 years in prison for the drug-related murder of Kenneth Deal.

A Madison County jury convicted the 39-year-old Missouri man of first-degree murder and armed robbery following a November trial at the Criminal Justice Center, in Edwardsville.

Jurors in Judge Neil Schroeders courtroom deliberated for slightly more than an hour before returning with the verdict.

In a news release after the trial, Madison County States Attorney Tom Gibbons called the verdict a victory for our community and those who have suffered from the defendants terrible actions. It strikes a blow against this defendants life of violence and sends a powerful message to anyone who might do the same.

Prosecutors had argued that Robinson was involved in a botched drug deal that resulted in Deals death in 2014.

On May 19 of that year, Robinson and Terrence Lee allegedly tried to steal marijuana from Deal but wound up shooting him in their car and dumping the body in Madison.

Robinson and Lee fled the scene.

Robinson was arrested by U.S. Marshals at a cemetery near Interstate 70 in Colorado.

He had initially been arrested in Las Vegas but had slipped away from a private transportation service during the trip back to Illinois.

Lee has already pleaded guilty to the armed robbery charge. He also pleaded guilty to murder in the death of a fellow inmate at the Madison County Jail.
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Linkedin Dania Putri and Tom Blickman (The Jakarta Post) Amsterdam  Tue, February 28, 2017 08:38 2077 a291276806121264c0bd211cde2226fd 3 Opinion cannabis,tobacco-control,gorilla-tobacco,synthetic-cannabis,drug-policy,drugs,BNN,health-ministry Free

Indonesias National Narcotics Board (BNN) together with the Health Ministry recently made a swift move to criminalize synthetic cannabinoids called super tobacco, also known as Gorilla tobacco, as part of their anti-narcotics efforts. However, synthetic cannabinoids will continue to spread as long as cannabis remains illegal. A better approach would be to develop a regulatory framework for the use and production of natural cannabis

Synthetic cannabinoids have gained popularity in Indonesia shortly after President Joko Widodo pledged to intensify the war on drugs in the archipelago. Since then, cannabis seizures and eradication programs have increased. Amid shrinking supply, many users have turned to online markets for synthetic cannabinoids, sold as tobacco products with psychoactive effects similar to cannabis.

On Jan. 9, Gorilla tobacco - chemically identified as AB-CHMINACA - was included in the strictest Schedule I of Indonesias 2009 anti-narcotics law, along with 27 other substances. By taking this approach, the BNN neglects the possible balloon effect of adding this new layer of prohibition. Criminalizing one type of synthetic cannabinoids (or synthetic drugs and NPS in general) will simply encourage producers to adapt and find new or modified substances; allowing other (and possibly more dangerous) varieties to emerge.

Synthetic cannabinoids will continue to spread as long as cannabis remains illegal. A more strategic approach would be to develop a regulatory framework for the use and production of cannabis, which, according to the BNN in 2015, is still the most commonly used illicit drug in Indonesia.

Prior to designing and implementing a full legal scheme for cannabis use, sales, and production, it is imperative for the government  with the explicit blessing of the BNN and Health Ministry  to adopt a harm-reduction perspective on drug consumption.

Regardless of prohibition, there are always people who choose to use psychoactive substances, and more pragmatic policies should be designed to minimize risks of cannabis use.

Apart from the harm that cannabis may inflict on young peoples developing brains, or on individuals prone to certain mental illnesses, many of the risks associated with cannabis use in Indonesia  such as getting caught and arrested by police, being prosecuted, extorted, or jailed, or exposure to harder and synthetic drugs deceitfully marketed as cannabis  can be attributed to its illegal status.

With this in mind, the next step would be to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use. Decriminalization as an initial phase should reduce the economic and social burden brought about by cannabis prohibition (notably prison overcrowding, extortion and bribery), while providing time for the government to set up infrastructures for a more sophisticated form of regulation in Indonesia.

With regard to the supply side, the government could opt for an approach like the Cannabis Social Club (CSC) model practiced in Spain and Uruguay. CSCs can be formed by a group of individuals wishing to grow cannabis collectively and exclusively for personal consumption.

The clubs operate in a closed membership system, thus individuals wishing to join the club need to be referred by either an existing member or a doctor. The CSCs are also obliged to promote responsible cannabis use, and to ensure their products do not end up on the illicit market by keeping supply limited. CSCs should be managed on a nonprofit principle, and in the case of Indonesia, the clubs can initiate a contracting system with traditional cannabis growers, allowing these frequently neglected communities to be integrated into the formal economy.

In Indonesia, facilitating the emergence of CSCs will not only help undermine criminal networks that often increase the vulnerability of users, small-scale runners, and traditional growers, but will also curb the potential wave of commercialization that often goes along with regulation similar to that of tobacco and alcohol.

This would suit Indonesia as a cannabis-producing country and for its fondness of traditional collectivist values regarded as superior to the typically Western-style, profitmaking corporate culture.

In the meantime, while having the option to gather licensing fees from registered CSCs and simultaneously reducing the economic burden of anti-cannabis law enforcement efforts, the government can work together with experts, community organizations, and affected populations to build a more far-reaching regulatory system for medicinal use, for example by setting up facilities for clinical trials.

Small-scale and traditional farmers from cannabis-growing areas such as Lampung, Mandailing Natal, both in Sumatra, and others, should be included in this process, along with members of communities who are most knowledgeable of the use of cannabis as traditional medicine, whose centuries-old historical roots can be found from Aceh to Ambon in Maluku.

The government can also improve the countrys health services to ensure that medicinal cannabis would benefit not only the rich and the powerful but also the economically less capable.

For many Indonesians, witnessing their government legalizing the long demonized ganja may now seem unimaginable. But with major reforms taking place in the United States, Canada and many Latin American countries such as Uruguay, and considering the recent hints of progress in Thailand, it is about time for Indonesia to embrace its deep cultural ties with cannabis, and opt for a form of regulation that is both fair and effective.

***

Dania Putri and Tom Blickman are researchers at the Transnational Institute (TNI), a global policy research institute, and authored Cannabis in Indonesia - Patterns in consumption, production, and policies. For more information about TNIs Drugs & Democracy Program, visit www.druglawreform.info or https://www.tni.org/en/work-area/drugs-and-democracy. Facebook @Drugsanddemocracy and Twitter @DrugLawReform.

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Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

Talk about the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer has been heard since the era of former president Soeharto. However, this time the outcry over rising inequality has grown louder. A total of five presidents have been elected since Soeharto stepped down in 1998, but inequality and poverty remains unabated.

In its latest report released last week, international group Oxfam said that despite rapid growth in gross domestic product (GDP), at an average rate of 5 percent since 2000, Indonesias poverty reduction has slowed to a near standstill. Based on the World Banks moderate poverty line of US$3.10/day, about 93 million Indonesians are classified as poor.

To illustrate the yawning gap, Oxfam says the four richest men in Indonesia own as much wealth as the countrys poorest 100 million citizens, despite the national leaders repeated pledge to fight the alarming level of inequality.
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Linkedin Dimas Kuncoro Jati (The Jakarta Post) London  Tue, February 28, 2017

Over the course of the saga of US mining giant Freeport versus the Indonesian government, both sides have made tit-for-tat threats to take the protracted dispute to international arbitration. The critical question we have to ask is whether international arbitration constitutes the most appropriate mechanism available for reaching the best solutions for both parties.

Illustrating the arbitration, the center of gravity of the first stage will focus on the question of whether the arbitral tribunal has jurisdiction over the breach of contract allegedly committed by Indonesia. This issue stems from the governments issuance of a new regulation requiring mining companies wishing to continue exporting copper concentrates to terminate their Contract of Work (CoW) and convert them into a special mining license (IUPK).

In the business sphere, foreign investors employ techniques to protect their investments from the risk of legal uncertainty. One of them is signing a contract with the host state. However, despite Freeports investment being protected by the CoW, this protection is not powerful enough due to the fact that is not covered by the Bilateral Investment Treaty, under which the second layer of investment protections are usually placed. Another reason is because the CoW designates Indonesian laws as the governing law, rather than international law.

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Linkedin Ebi Junaidi (The Jakarta Post) Durham, England  Tue, February 28, 2017

Bank Indonesia (BI) announced recently its plan to issue waqf (Islamic endowment) based bonds as a social welfare mechanism to support struggling commercial assets.

The Indonesian Muslim Intellectual Association (ICMI) will also launch the very first waqf venture bank this June. Can waqf become next best thing in Islamic finance?

Islamic economics and finance projects initiated in the early 20th century aimed for the elimination of poverty and reduction in inequalities in the distribution of income and wealth (Siddiqi, 2006).

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017 09:25 2077 a291276806121264c0bd211cde222fe2 4 Lifestyle banana-cottage,murwati-dwaileebee,fashion,bags,#fashion Free

Having started her business as a hobby, an Indonesian named Murwati "Ati" Dwaileebee is currently running her own brand of custom-made purses and clutches, called Banana Cottage, in the United States.

Established in 2007, the California-based Banana Cottage has become a popular supplier of bridesmaid gifts and accessories. With prices ranging from US$25 to $55, customers can request a personalized messages or photographs printed in their orders. The products are marketed online and are thus available to customers outside of the US.

Concerning the brand name, Ati says that it reflects her background. I was born and raised in Indonesia. Cottage represents houses in the villages, while banana is a tropical symbol, she told kompas.com.

Read also: Didiet Maulana offers tips on designing traditional wedding attire

A post shared by Banana Cottage (@murwati_d) on Nov 8, 2016 at 3:29pm PST

Having lived in the US for 11 years, Ati says that she taught herself the ability to design and produce bags. Before selling them online, she had created purses for her friends. She currently produces about 2,000 purses a year and she still handles most of the production herself.

When asked about her keys to success, Ati mentions that one was doing what she loves, so she does not give up easily. You just need to keep on doing it. If you have new ideas, do it right away, or else you will forget, she said, adding that it was also important to have confidence to reach out.

If we knock on thousands of doors, at least a hundred doors will open for us. So, dont get tired of knocking on doors.

Aside from being sold online, Banana Cottage products can also be found offline, such as in the Modern Mouse handmade crafts store in Alameda, California. Store owner Eleen Hsu Agustin says that her customers are very fond of the items. Their various styles and colors gives added value to our commodities, Agustin said. (mas/kes)

A post shared by Banana Cottage (@murwati_d) on Jul 13, 2015 at 10:49am PDT
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017 15:21 2077 a291276806121264c0bd211cde23b8fe 1 Science & Tech Google,#Google,messaging,Rich-Communications-Services,RCS,Android,smartphone,#smartphone Free

Google has recently announced its Rich Communications Services, also known as RCS and Android Messages, to compete with Apples iMessage, Facebooks Messenger and WhatsApp.

Features of RCS include options for group chats, high-resolution photo sharing, reading receipts and typing indicatorsan upgrade from the standard, no frills SMS service that Android phones currently support.

"Last year, it was about getting alignment with different partners and working to get the technology pieces in place; this year, it's about launching the service, so subscribers can start using the enhanced features," said Amir Sarhangi, head of RCS at Google, in an interview.

So far, 27 device manufacturers have agreed to support RCS, including LG, Motorola, Sony, HTC, Nokia, MyPhone, QMobile, as well as Googles own Pixel and Android One phones. According to TechCrunch, this move brings the number of subscribers now potentially covered by the messaging system to about 1 billion.

Read also: Android users can now search Google while offline

Android Messages supports RCS, SMS and MMS so people can message all their friends regardless of their network or device type, said Google in a blog post. [https://blog.google/topics/rcs/delivering-rcs-messaging-android-users-worldwide/]

As of now, messages are still limited to just text for the average consumer. But for businesses, an Early Access Program is available, which would be for businesses to learn and build with the technology, influence the roadmap and standards, and be first to offer their customers an upgraded messaging experience, according to Sarhangi. (sul/kes)
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Linkedin Juliana Harsianti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017 11:27 2077 a291276806121264c0bd211cde227e5f 4 Art & Culture Japan,japanese-fashion,fashion,Indonesia,local-designer Free

Bilateral economic and cultural cooperation can be undertaken in many ways. Apart from traditional arts, pop culture is a very effective entry point to strengthen a relationship between two countries as it is close to rapidly adapting young people. This kind of bilateral cooperation can be built through movies, music, reading and games, as well as derivatives like food and fashion.

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), a Japanese government-related organization that promotes trade and investment, is one of the institutions that sees pop culture as an opportunity to strengthen Japans cultural connections with other countries. In Indonesia, JETRO believes that a cultural connection introduced via pop culture is an important strategy to promote Japanese fashion to Indonesias youngsters.

In its latest project, JETRO has invited 21 Japanese fashion brands to visit Indonesia so they can introduce them to the public in a fashion exhibition.

None of them have been sold in Indonesia yet but theyre no longer new to some Indonesian aficionados of Japanese culture, said Daiki Kasugahara, JETRO Indonesia president director.

He noted that Indonesians were familiar with Japanese fashion through comics, anime and TV dramas. The rise of Japans influence in local fashion had also been felt with an increasing number of Indonesian tourists visiting Japan thanks to affordable costs and easy procedures, he added. For the fashion event, JETRO is cooperating with Tokyo Girl Collection, a routine fashion festival in Japan.

Read also: Didiet Maulana offers tips on designing traditional wedding attire

While so far only the Japanese have been able to enjoy our shows, now were bringing them to Jakarta, said Noriyoshi Murakami, a representative of Tokyo Girl Collection.

The fashion event has invited Indonesian designers to collaborate and create new collections for the enhanced acculturation of both nations. The event also provides an opportunity for aspiring local models to enter the fashion world.

The Japanese fashion brands participating in the event are mostly casual and use different designs and fabrics. Among them are Denim Close with its denim dominance and Lucy Pop with its preppy look. Other brands, meanwhile, mostly have a Japanese anime look in their designs. FDMTL, one of the mens brands, has a unique concept for combining the essence of kimono with denim to offer a modern collection without abandoning Japanese culture.

FDMTL responds to their need for yukata [casual kimono] in a more modern version, Murakami said, adding many Japanese youths were still fond of wearing yukata. Another impressive brand is Vector, a clothing line using recycled material to produce its outfits. This label makes available casual wear currently preferred by Japanese youths for young men and women.

To respond to Indonesias demand for Muslim dress, JETRO also introduced Japanese fashion lines that accommodate women wearing head scarves. Saiga, Plantica, Sayori, Fukusa and Watasi boasted collections for women using head scarves to look more stylish, mostly by adapting broad kimono cloth complete with Japanese flower motifs. Besides attire, Plantica also offers beautiful scarves that can certainly be worn by any women wishing to accentuate their appearance.

Read also: Hijab: A personal choice

Murakami and Kasugahara said they had also cooperated with the (X)S.M.L brand to open pop-up shops in several braches in Indonesia. This brand was chosen for being regarded as having similar ideas to Japanese fashion and covering a wide range of young people as consumers.

Similar collaboration was also expected with local distributors, designers and brands.

One existing example of the fashion collaboration between the two countries can be found in the work of Toton, a young Indonesian designer who uses Japans kaji kinran textile for his design.

The Kyoto-based premium textile maker produces kinran woven fabric only found in the Nishijin region. The material, used for centuries for people behind palace and temple walls, is usually a woven combination of silk and golden yarns that give a classic and luxury touch to Japanese culture.

Toton exhibited his latest collection using kinran textile at Dewi Fashion Knight, Jakarta Fashion Week 2017. Totons work shows beautiful cultural synergy that not only adds colors to fashion but also favors both Japans and Indonesias cultural enrichment.
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Linkedin News Desk (Associated Press) London  Tue, February 28, 2017

The World Health Organization has issued a list of the top dozen bacteria most dangerous to humans, warning that doctors are fast running out of treatment options.

In a press briefing on Monday, the U.N. health agency said its list is meant to promote the development of medicines for the most worrying drug-resistant bacteria, including salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus.

WHO's Marie-Paule Kieny said that if such priorities were left to market forces alone, "the new antibiotics we most urgently need are not going to be developed in time." She estimated that it would take up to a decade for new medications.

WHO said the most-needed drugs are for germs that threaten hospitals, nursing homes and among patients who need ventilators or catheters. The agency said the dozen listed resistant bacteria are increasingly untreatable and can cause fatal infections; most typically strike people with weakened immune systems.

Read also: Study finds new bacterial strain can contaminate shellfish

At the top of WHO's list is Acinetobacter baumannii, a group of bacteria that cause a range of diseases from pneumonia to blood or wound infections.

WHO's list was developed in collaboration with the University of Tubingen in Germany and according to criteria assessed by international experts.

Among the experts' and WHO's most pressing concerns were how deadly the infections were, whether treatment required a long hospital stay and how many current medicines exist.

In recent years, health officials have detected a few patients resistant to colistin, the antibiotic of last resort. So far, doctors have been able to treat them with other drugs.

But experts worry that the colistin-resistant bacteria will spread their properties to other bacteria already resistant to more commonly used antibiotics, creating germs that can't be killed by any known drugs.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 23,000 people die each year in the U.S. from infections caused by resistant bacteria.
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Linkedin Kelvin Chan and Tim Sullivan (Associated Press) Macau  Tue, February 28, 2017

The heavy-set man got out of a Macau taxi one night last September, heading to the lobby bar at one of the city's most expensive hotels. The bar at the Wynn Macau is a quiet place, where the women are often in evening dresses and the gamblers can relax with $300 Cuban cigars. He was dressed casually, nondescript really. There were no bodyguards, no flashy women. It wasn't what you'd expect for a man once tipped to be the next dictator of North Korea.

But by that night, Kim Jong Nam had spent years in exile, gambling and drinking and arranging the occasional business deal as he traveled across Asia and Europe. His fortunes had apparently declined in recent years, and he'd moved his family from a luxurious seafront condominium complex in Macau to a more affordable apartment building. When he bumped into a friend outside the Wynn he was looking for company.

"He wanted us to join him because he didn't want to drink alone," said an insider in Macau's gambling industry who was introduced to Kim that night by a mutual friend. In a city awash in new money and Chinese gamblers flaunting their wealth, Kim was low-key and polite, making no mention of his powerful family.

"It just seemed odd that the son of a dictator would just be  you wouldn't know him from an average dude on the street," said the insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, not wanting to alienate the city-state's gambling fraternity, where privacy is deeply valued.

Kim's outwardly easygoing lifestyle hid the fact that by then he'd known for years that his younger half-brother, now the ruler of North Korea, had ordered him hunted down, South Korean intelligence officials say.

On a Monday morning in mid-February, a few steps past a Baskin Robbins ice cream shop in the cavernous budget terminal at Kuala Lumpur's airport, that order was apparently carried out. A pair of women who Malaysian police say were recruited by a team of North Koreans approached Kim as he walked through the terminal. He was heading back to Macau, returning home on AirAsia's 10:50 a.m. flight.

At least one of the women suddenly wiped a powerful toxin on Kim's face, smearing him with VX nerve agent before quickly walking away. Minutes later, after walking to the airport's medical clinic, Kim went into convulsions. A few minutes after that, as an ambulance rushed him to a hospital, Kim Jong Nam died. He was 45 years old.

Family life

Kim's mother was one of North Korea's most famous movie stars. His father was the dictator-prince of North Korea, a deeply isolated country where the same family has been in power since 1948 and the rulers are worshiped in all-encompassing cults of personality.

But Kim Jong Nam's grandfather, the founding ruler Kim Il Sung, didn't approve of his mother, and refused to allow his parents to marry. So Kim spent his childhood in luxurious isolation, hidden from his grandfather, shuttled among Pyongyang mansions and watched over by platoons of bodyguards. When his mother fell ill, reportedly suffering from depression, she was sent to Moscow for treatment and Kim was raised by his maternal aunt.

In those days, his father, Kim Jong Il, loved him deeply, almost desperately. He rocked his son to sleep, and cooed to him "the way a mother calms a crying baby," the aunt, So'ng Hye-rang, wrote in a memoir after she defected to South Korea in the 1990s.

At some point in his childhood, Kim Jong Nam left home, spending years living either with his mother or in boarding schools in Moscow and Geneva. He came back as a worldly teenager, a young man conversant in a string of languages who found himself back in the walled-off mansions and with just a cousin, his aunt's daughter, for company.

"They had nothing to do. They had no place to go," So'ng wrote in her memoir. They would occasionally be driven around the city, but weren't allowed out of the car. At the seaside, they'd be kept in a sealed-off area where they "experienced the sorrow of being on the vast empty beach."

By that time, Kim Jong Il also had another family, with a dancer named Ko Yong-hui who gave birth to current ruler Kim Jong Un, and his brother and sister. Kim Jong Il, who succeeded his father in 1994, shifted what So'ng called his "abnormal, tearful love" of Kim Jong Nam to his new children.

It was probably around this point that Kim Jong Nam  then seen by most analysts as his father's successor-in-waiting  was pushed aside, almost certainly by his step-mother.

"I think Kim Jong Nam was already out" of the succession race because of the proximity to Kim Jong Il of Ko and her children, said Chang Yong Seok, a senior researcher at Seoul National University's Institute for Peace and Unification studies.

"A queen can play a very important role when a crown prince is proclaimed," he added.

Kim Jong Nam began traveling more as he grew into adulthood, setting up homes in Beijing and Macau, where he had children with two women.

In 2001, he was caught with his family trying to enter Japan using a fake passport. He told Japanese officials they were going to Disneyland and was quickly expelled, a major embarrassment for Kim Jong Il that seemingly ended any chance he could succeed his father.

Still, most analysts believe he was financially supported by his father, as well as by the Chinese government, North Korea's main ally. He also reportedly worked as a freelance businessman, arranging deals where he could.

It was not always a lonely life.

"He had mistresses abroad, used to meet North Korean diplomats and had a network of friends in North Korea," said Nicolas Levi, a researcher with the Polish Center of Asian Studies. For a while, he also traveled back to North Korea, though he did not attend his father's 2011 funeral.

In Macau, a former Portuguese colony turned Chinese gambling center, Kim's son and daughter joined the Portuguese-language Lusophone Scouts and the family attended Mass, hoping to fit in better.

"The family was trying as much as possible" to live normal lives, said Ricardo Pinto, a Macau magazine publisher who closely watched the family for years.

There's no evidence Kim ever got involved in his homeland's politics, though he told journalists that he didn't believe in the regime's system of hereditary dictatorship.

While Kim never fell on hard times, his jet-setting ways appeared to have slowed in recent years. Two years after his father died, his powerful uncle, Jang Song Thaek, was arrested and executed by Kim Jong Un's government. Jang had been close to Kim Jong Nam, and also may have financially supported him, said Chang, the South Korea-based analyst.

He also knew that his brother wanted him dead, apparently fearing he  and his illustrious bloodline  could someday be used against the regime, South Korean intelligence officials have said.

After a mysterious failed attempt to kill him in 2012, South Korean officials say Kim sent his brother a letter, begging for the assassination order to be lifted.

"We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide, and we know that the only way to escape is to commit suicide," he wrote.

Instead, two women  one Indonesian and the other Vietnamese  were recruited to kill him, with the Indonesian woman telling authorities that a group of men had recruited her for what she believed was a harmless prank.

They paid her $90.

Sullivan reported from New Delhi. Associated Press writer Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report.
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Linkedin Winda A. Charmila (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

More than a thousand houses along the Ciliwung riverbank were inundated with water after the river overflow on Monday night. The water inundated the homes to a depth of between 10 and 60 centimeters.

Approximately 3,800 people have to suffer the floods but most of them chose to stay, some in the second floor of their houses, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Tuesday.

Most of the residents refuse to be evacuated except if the floods are high enough and could risk their lives, Sutopo said in a statement.

Residents around the Ciliwung riverbank experience floods every year. Hence, if the Ciliwung flood waters are rising, an early warning will be delivered to the residents through text message, WhatsApp, sirens and announcements from mosques.
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Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnamas team of lawyers declined to question witnesses for the prosecution on Tuesday, saying they lacked credibility and objectivity.

Earlier in the morning, the lawyers passed on questioning Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab, saying he was a former convict and had been involved anti-Ahok protests.

The lawyers also declined to question the second witness, Abdul Chair Ramadhan, a criminal expert with the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), who previously wrote an open letter of protest against Ahok.

This expert has a conflict of interest. He has written an open letter that shows his hatred of the suspect, one of Ahoks lawyers said.

The lawyer then read out the letter, which urged Ahoks Muslim lawyers to repent by no longer defending their client.

He added that Abdul had urged the Muslim lawyers leave the case to non-Muslim lawyers.

When presiding judge Dwiarso Budi Santiarto asked Abdul whether he had written the letter, the latter confirmed that he had, explaining that it was his personal opinion.

It was my point of view, which doesnt impact my statement as an expert. It was my right to convey the truth in accordance with my faith, he said.

Dwiarso then adjourned the trial until March 7, when Ahoks lawyers will present several defense witnesses.
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Linkedin Rizal Harahap (The Jakarta Post) Pekanbaru, Riau  Tue, February 28, 2017

The Environment and Forestry Ministry and Riau Police conducted a raid on the Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu biosphere reserve in Bengkalis Regency, Riau province, last week following report of rampant illegal logging in the conservation forest.

Authorities arrested one man named Mirin who was trying to escape with possible accomplices when the joint team chased after him, Riau Police Chief Insp. Gen. Zulkarnain Adinegara said. Three other suspects remain at large.

When questioned, Mirin told investigators that he worked as a transport worker who was paid Rp 600,000 (US$45) to 700,000 per cubic meter of timber depending of the type of wood he transported.

"He [Mirin] said transporting logs outside the forest was possible because many people were involved, starting from village officers, security personnel of companies operating near the reserve. He said money would be exchanged to allow him to pass," Zulkarnain said on Tuesday

He suspected that an inside job was at work, allowing logs to be transported out even though the conservation area only had a single entrance gate, which should make such an illegal operation difficult.

He ordered his subordinates to track down the remaining perpetrators as well as the head of the operation within two weeks time.

The Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu biosphere reserve is located in the Bengkalis and Siak regencies with a core area of 178,000 hectares, buffer zone of 220,000 ha and a 304,000 ha transition area. The ministrys law enforcement director general, Rasio Ridho Sani, said according to aerial surveillance, at least four points of illegal logging had been detected in the forest's core and supporting areas. (rin)
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Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

Australia is set to open a consulate general in Surabaya, its fourth diplomatic representative office in Indonesia.

On the heels of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's state visit to the country, the Australian Foreign Ministry said in a statement released on that the office in Indonesia's second-largest city was set to deepen trade and business ties in the "dynamic eastern region," including in financial services, education, health, manufacturing and infrastructure.

"Surabaya serves as East Javas key logistics, manufacturing and services hub and is an increasingly important destination for Australian trade and investment," the ministry announced in the statement.

In 2015, Australia was East Javas 10th largest export market, while Australia was East Javas seventh largest import source, including in agriculture, according to the statement.

About 15 percent of Indonesias gross domestic product came from East Java, Australia noted, adding that the regions economy consistently rose above the national average.

The Consulate General in Surabaya would be the fourth diplomatic post in Indonesia, after the Embassy in Jakarta and consulate general offices in Bali and Makassar, South Sulawesi.

In addition to economic issues, the offices would also serve Australian tourists, who were among the highest group of visitors to Indonesia last year.

Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in 2016 show that the number of incoming Australian tourists increased by 6 percent year-on-year (yoy).

The number of foreign tourists to Indonesia increased by 18.5 percent yoy to 1.04 million, mostly from China, Malaysia and Australia. (evi)
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Linkedin Tama Salim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

Despite increasing evidence that women play a vital role in post-conflict resolution and peacekeeping operations, Indonesian women are still not given enough opportunities to participate in such missions.

For the women of the Indonesian Military (TNI), one of the biggest challenges keeping them away from participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions is consent from their family.

Stamped, written permission from their spouse is the most important thing to obtain before women can be deployed for peacekeeping missions, said Lt. Col. Ratih Pusparini, a former UN peacekeeper from Indonesia, on Monday.

She argued that husbands and other family members were still too dismissive of women taking such positions, often overestimating the duties that came with military service.

We are rarely deployed on the front line, and more about civic affairs: civilian-military coordination, interaction with UN staff and logistics  it is not a far cry from what we do in Jakarta, Ratih told The Jakarta Post.

However, she also believes women should gradually be allowed the opportunity to serve on the field, making an example of her work as a gender adviser on one of her peacekeeping missions  Ratih has served for missions in Syria, Congo and Lebanon since 2008.

Besides traditional family values that shun women from practicing such masculine roles, language is also a big obstacle for women looking to contribute to world peace.

Adj. Sr. Commr. Yuli Cahyati, a former police adviser with the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), said most women who applied to become individual police officers on UN peacekeeping missions stumbled in the English-language exams.

Ive always encouraged my juniors to work on their English skills, as it is one of the main factors to passing the selection process, Yuli told the Post. It is paramount for interacting with other visitors.

Both Ratih and Yuli recently spoke at the UN headquarters in New York in a panel discussion on the role of women in peacekeeping operations (PKOs), which Indonesia hosted as part of its campaign to win a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 20192020 period.

With a constitutional mandate to partake in maintaining world peace, Indonesia underlined the importance of having more women deployed as peacekeepers, the countrys permanent representative to the UN, Trian Diansyah Djani, said recently.

Women embedded in UN peacekeeping missions today will have a much more significant role to play in post-conflict areas around the world, Trian told the discussion on the sidelines of the Feb. 22 session of the UN Special Committee for Peacekeeping Operations (C-34).

Women peacekeepers are particularly effective in areas where genders are segregated, or where there is a high occurrence of sexual violence, said Fitri Bintang Timur, a researcher with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

[As the most vulnerable group of internally displaced persons] women are too ashamed or traumatized to share their experiences with the male peacekeepers, Fitri told the Post on Monday.

That is why it is important for Indonesia to deploy more women peacekeepers; the [TNIs] Garuda Contingent will have more opportunities to interact with locals and collect pertinent information for completing their duties.

Indonesia has vowed to deploy 4,000 UN peacekeepers by 2019 and promote greater gender mainstreaming. According to the latest UN data, only 60 of the 2,872 Indonesian troops currently deployed are women, compared with the overall UN PKO total of 1,102 women.(jun)
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Linkedin Tama Salim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28 2017

Despite increasing evidence that women play a vital role in post-conflict resolution and peacekeeping operations, Indonesian women are still not given enough opportunities to participate in such missions.

For the women of the Indonesian Military (TNI), one of the biggest challenges keeping them away from participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions is consent from their family.

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Linkedin Indra Budiari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

More than 3,000 stray animals were rescued from the streets by the city administration in 2016, Jakarta administration data reveals.

Stray cats dominated the list with 2,595 rescued from the total 3,521 animals, while stray dogs accounted for the second most animals impounded with 873.

Sri Hartati, a division head at the Jakarta Marine, Agriculture and Food Security Agency, said recently that removing stray dogs and cats from the streets was part of the agency's attempt to control the animal population in the capital.

"Most of our rescues were made based on reports from residents," she told The Jakarta Post.

Sri added that besides cats and dogs, the agency also rescued ill-treated animals, such as monkeys and horses.

"After being rescued they are examined to decide if they need medical treatment," she continued.
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Surabaya  Tue, February 28 2017

Indonesia Association of Goldsmith and Jewelers (APEPI) has requested the Industry Ministry to allow businesspeople to import used machinery from Italy, the worlds jewelry hub.

Many jewelry firms in Italy were shut down amid global economic slowdown, leaving many machines unused although they still work accurately, said Eddy Susanto Yahya, president director of major gold jeweler PT Usaha Bersama Sejahtera (UBS), member of APEPI.

While an updated number of jewelers in Italy is not available, various data shows the number decreased to 885 in 2008 from 1,225 in 2001. We hope we can facilitate the import of the used machines. They are over 20 years in age and still good, Eddy said.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28 2017

After dominating the investment market for the past few years, startups continue to attract investors this year.

Investors see a startup as a company that fulfills three categories required in businesses, said Morgan Stanley president director Oki Ramadhana.

There are three things, which are usually used as benchmarks in potential businesses that will give profit to investors. Those are scalable, profitable and tractable records, he added.

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Linkedin (The Star/ANN) Sepang, Malaysia  Tue, February 28, 2017

The two female suspects held in connection with the murder of Kim Jong-nam will be charged at the Sepang magistrates court on Wednesday.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamad Apandi Ali confirmed this when contacted by The Star on Tuesday.

The women, Vietnamese national Doan Thi Huong and Indonesian citizen Siti Aisyah, are alleged to have administered the poison that killed Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) on Feb. 13.

Doan was arrested on Feb. 15 as she was attempting to catch a flight back to Vietnam, while Siti Aisyah was detained early the next day.

The remand for the pair, which was extended last week, expires at midnight Tuesday.

Apandi said the third suspect arrested, North Korean citizen Ri Jong Chol, would not be charged on Wednesday as police have not completed their investigations on him.

Three more men are being hunted by police in the investigation into Jong-nams murder.

Media personnel from local and foreign news organisations had gathered at the courthouse here early Tuesday morning after receiving information that Doan and Siti Aisyah were to be charged.

Jong-nam died after being sprayed with a chemical while awaiting a flight to Macau.

It was later confirmed that the assailants had used the VX nerve agent to poison him.

This article appeared on The Star newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

A former terrorism convict has been hired as a cleaning supervisor by Purwakarta regent Dedi Mulyadi to help him get back on his feet.

Dedi says he hired Agus Marshal as a contract worker so that Agus would not be lured back into his former network after serving time in prison.

"I hired him to work as a cleaning supervisor in the Sadang and Cibening areas to give him a positive activity," Dedi said in Purwakarta, West Java, on Tuesday as reported by Antaranews.com.

The regents decision to hire Agus came after he failed to maximize the capital given by the regency for him to open a shop. Dedi then changed his offer and asked Agus to join the cleaning unit, an offer that was immediately accepted by Agus.

"It's better to be a cleaning supervisor. Our religion [Islam] also teaches that cleanliness is part of the faith," he said.

Agus will start the job in March. In addition to that, Dedi has also offered him a teaching position at Purwakarta Ideology School, which was set up by the regency administration to promote the values of the state ideology, Pancasila, and diversity.

Agus was sentenced to three years in prison in 2012 for his part in a heist to fund military training in Aceh along with slain terrorist Yayat Cahdiyat.

Yayat was killed in a standoff with police after delivering a pressure cooker bomb that exploded in the heart of Bandung, West Java, on Monday. (rin)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

Former terrorist convict Agus Marshal has lambasted the program initiated by the government to curb radicalism among terrorism convicts, saying that the program is too formal and not carried out optimally.

Agus, who was sentenced to three years in prison for terrorism offenses in 2012, said that he was indicted together with Yayat Cahdiyat, a convicted terrorist who died on Monday after taking part in a bomb attack in Cicendo district, Bandung, in West Java. They were declared guilty for a gas station robbery in Kali Asin, Cikampek, to fund military training in Aceh.

Agus who completed his sentence in 2016 said the communication pattern developed by the government with the former convicts was too formal. He suggested that the relationship take on a parent-and-child dynamic.

"What I feel is the formal form [of the program]. We all know the character of Indonesian bureaucracy, it is not like a father and son relationship. For the child's sake [the relationship] should not be based on demands," he said on Tuesday as reported by Tribunnews.com.

Agus welcomed Purwakarta regent Dedi Mulyadis offer to him to work as a local cleaner and teacher at Purwakarta's Ideology School to help him get back on his feet. He said it was very important for former convicts to be financially independent, however they also need guidance in their social and financial affairs.

"The point is [the government] must really accept each former terrorism convict so that they feel like they have a country and a government," he added. (rin)
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Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

In the 12th hearing of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnamas blasphemy trial on Tuesday, Islam Defenders Front (FPI) founder Rizieq Shihab urged the panel of judges to detain the defendant.

Rizieq, who was presented as a witness in the case, warned that the governor could repeat his blasphemous speech or flee legal proceedings if the judges failed to detain him.

I suggest the judges detain the suspect so he wont repeat his conduct and insult clerics. [I] am also concerned that he might escape, Rizieq told the judges.

In his role as a witness, Rizieq presented notes he had written explaining several Quranic verses suggesting Muslims not elect non-Muslims as leaders and two CDs purported to contain evidence of Ahok commenting on the Surah Al Maidah verse several times.

The first CD shows an interview of the suspect with Al-Jazeera TV, in which he said he did not feel guilty about making the [blasphemous] speech and that he would do it again, just like in Thousand Islands. The second is a recording of the suspect joking about Surah Al Maidah 51 at an administration meeting, Rizieq told the judges.

Dwiarso Budi Santiarto, the presiding judge, rejected the items as evidence.

The recordings can be accessed on YouTube and are therefore general information, the judge said.

During the hearing, Rizieq also testified that he played no part in the issuance of an Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) fatwa in October claiming that Ahok had committed blasphemy by commenting on Surah Al Maidah 51 during a working visit to Thousand Islands regency on Sept. 27 last year.

That fatwa was used by the prosecutors to indict Ahok.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

The government is considering issuing a regulation to support the Safe Harbor Policy that was introduced in December last year to give legal protection to online shops against the sale of illegal goods by their merchants.

Communication and Information Minister Rudiantara said implementation of the Safe Harbor Policy was based on guidelines stipulated in a ministry circular.

The circular is part of the process before the policy can be fully implemented. We will later issue a ministerial regulation as the basis of the Safe Harbor Policy, he said at a press conference in Jakarta.

The Communication and Information Ministry issued a circular to state the responsibility of e-commerce players, such online shops and their merchants, regarding the legality of goods or services sold.

(Read also: SMEs in Surabaya seek access to shopping malls)

Through the policy, online shops will, for example, be legally protected against the sale of illegal goods by their merchants.

Responsibility for products sold on the online marketplace is in the hands of the merchants or the ones who sell the products, Rudiantara said.

Indonesia E-commerce Association (IdEA) chairman Aulia Marinto said the policy protected online providers, merchants and customers.

The point is, the image of a marketplace and merchants who play fair will not be tainted by a person who uploads illegal goods on the platform, he told The Jakarta Post. (ecn/bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

The government is ready to facilitate the meetings of Islamic organizations with Saudi Arabias King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, scheduled to arrive for a state visit in Indonesia on Wednesday, a minister has said.

The Saudi Arabian king will meet the religious leaders in his visit. This [meeting] is also important, said Religious Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin on Monday, as quoted by kompas.com.

The minister said which Islamic groups that would have an opportunity to meet King Salman were still being discussed. We are still preparing and discussing the matter. We hope the meetings can take place, he said.

Lukman further said the government would also facilitate the meeting between King Salman and his delegation members and leaders of other religions.

(Read also: King Salman's visit to Indonesia should benefit both countries: House)

King Salman is scheduled to meet President Joko Jokowi Widodo during his state visit from March 1 to 3 before he departs for Bali for a vacation from March 4 to March.9. The king will bring a delegation of 1,500 people, including 25 princes and 10 ministers.

Among issues to be discussed by Saudi Arabian and Indonesian governments include the possible increase in haj quota for Indonesia, improvement of tourist visits from Saudi Arabia and the protection of Indonesian migrant workers. (mrc/ebf)
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Linkedin Deb Riechmann and Eileen Sullivan (Associated Press) Washington  Tue, February 28, 2017

A simmering dispute between leaders of the House intelligence committee spilled into the public Monday over an investigation into whether President Donald Trump has ties to Russia, even as they pledged to conduct a bipartisan probe.

The Republican committee chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes of California, said he has heard no evidence so far that anyone in Trump's orbit was in contact with Russians during the presidential campaign. The top Democrat on the committee, Adam Schiff, also of California, said the committee's investigation was hardly off the ground and it was premature to make any conclusions.

The nature of ties between Trump's associates and Russia has dogged him throughout his nascent presidency, and Monday brought renewed calls for a special prosecutor to investigate the unusual situation. Federal investigators have been looking into contacts between Trump advisers and Russia for months, along with Russia's role in political hacking during the campaign aimed at Democrats. Trump, on Monday, said he hasn't called Russia in 10 years.

The House and Senate intelligence committees are conducting separate investigations. But revelations last week that the White House enlisted the Republican chairmen of those committees to push back against news reports have intensified concerns over whether the congressional investigations will be tainted by political influence.

Nunes has said the White House asked him to talk with one reporter, but didn't give him any guidance on what to say. He said he told that reporter the same thing he's said to many other reporters in the course of discussions.

Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina said he wasn't taking questions about whether the White House enlisted him to talk to reporters, as reported by The Washington Post. He said he doesn't need to talk about it.

"I'm in a comfortable place. I didn't do anything to jeopardize my investigation." Burr told The Associated Press on his way out of the Capitol after Senate votes Monday night.

The issue was likely to come up at Tuesday's Senate confirmation hearing for former Rep. Dan Coats, Trump's pick to be the next director of intelligence.

Speaking to reporters earlier Monday, Nunes  a member of Trump's presidential transition team  said Congress should not begin a McCarthy-style investigation based on news reports that a few Americans with ties to Trump had contacted Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign.

"We can't have McCarthyism back in this place," Nunes said. "We can't have the government, the US government or the Congress, legislative branch of government, chasing down American citizens, hauling them before the Congress as if they're some secret Russian agent."

Former Sen. Joe McCarthy led a hunt for communists in the 1950s that was fueled by anonymous informants. Nunes said if evidence surfaces, the committee will investigate.

Schiff, who worked as an assistant US attorney for six years, said it's not proper to start an investigation by stating your views of the outcome.

"The committee has reached no conclusion on whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia, Russian officials or any Russian contacts  nor could we," Schiff said. "We have called no witnesses thus far. We have obtained no documents on any counterintelligence investigation and we have yet to receive any testimony from the FBI of potential links between the Trump campaign and Russia."

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Russia's activity with regard to the 2016 election has been "investigated up and down."

"If there's nothing to further investigate, what are you asking people to investigate," Spicer said.

Trump was asked Monday whether he would support a special prosecutor to investigate Russia's influence on the 2016 election. Instead of answering that question, he said, "I haven't called Russia in 10 years." Trump did not say why he called Russia a decade ago.

According to a White House description, the last time Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin was Jan. 28 and the White House said Putin had initiated the call. Trump also traveled to Russia in 2013 for the Miss Universe beauty pageant in Moscow.

Trump has denied knowing that any of his campaign advisers were in contact with Russians during the campaign. He has also said he has no financial ties or other connections to Russia.

Previously, mostly Democrats have requested a special prosecutor, but Republican Rep. Darrell Issa late Friday said Attorney General Jeff Sessions  who worked on Trump's presidential campaign  is not in a position to oversee such an investigation and urged the administration to appoint an independent prosecutor.

"Any review conducted must have the full confidence of the American people, which is why I recommended an independent review," Issa said Monday in a statement.

Issa was the first Republican to break ranks on the subject, although House Speaker Paul Ryan said again Monday there should be no special prosecutor.

"The proper place, in my opinion, is the intelligence committees. They're the ones that have access to methods of intelligence gathering."

Sessions on Monday told reporters the FBI and Justice Department will remain independent.

"I would recuse myself from anything that I should recuse myself on," Sessions said. "That's all I can tell you."

Democratic Sen. Richard Durbin, of Illinois, also said a special prosecutor was needed. Durbin noted on MSNBC that any report the intelligence committees produce as a result of their investigations would likely be initially classified, and the Trump administration would be responsible for declassifying portions and releasing them to the public.

Conducting the investigation in the Republican-controlled Senate intelligence committee "guarantees the American people will not know what is said," Durbin said.

___

Associated Press writers Vivian Salama, Eric Tucker, Julie Pace and Chad Day contributed to this report. (**)
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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

Saudi Arabias King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud is scheduled to give a 10-minute speech in Arabic at the House of Representatives on Thursday during his state visit to Indonesia.

The kings speech will follow a speech delivered by House Speaker Setya Novanto.

Each of them will have 10 minutes to speak, acting House secretary-general Achmad Djuned said during a rehearsal on Monday evening.

The House has prepared all things needed to welcome King Salman, including maximum security and a portable ramp and a special chair that fits with what the 81-year-old king requested.

King Salman is scheduled to arrive at the House at 1 p.m. on Thursday. The parliamentary complex and its surrounding area will be prepared for his visit on Wednesday evening.

On Tuesday evening, personnel of the protocol affairs department from the Saudi Arabia kingdom are scheduled to check the final preparations of the visit at the House. The stage where the King will deliver his speech, the place where the King will sit and who will sit beside him, will become main concerns in the final checks.

The road where King Salman will walk from his car to the House's plenary hall will also get specific checks.

(Read also: Govt to facilitate Islamic groups to meet King Salman)

King Salman, the seventh Saudi Arabian king, will be in Indonesia from March 1 to 9, bringing an entourage of up to 1,500 people, including 25 princes and 10 ministers.

After arriving at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta on Wednesday, King Salman and President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will go to the Bogor Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java, for a bilateral meeting. On Saturday, the king will have a vacation in Bali for six days. (ebf)
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Linkedin Haeril Halim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

The Religious Affairs Ministry will convene religious leaders from various backgrounds in Indonesia to have an interfaith dialogue with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia when the King arrives in Jakarta for a state visit from March 1 to 3.

King Salman, who will bring 1,500 entourage members to Indonesia, is scheduled to arrive and to have a bilateral meeting with President Joko Jokowi Widodo at the Bogor State Palace on March 1. He will stay in Jakarta for the remaining two days.

(Read also: Saudi Arabia sees killed Densus 88 members as martyrs: Pramono)

Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Syaifuddin said his office was still arranging the time and the venue of the interfaith dialogue, whether it would be conducted on March 2 or 3 before the King flies to Bali for holiday from March 4 to 9.

Lukman said the interfaith forum would send messages of peace to the world that religions should not be used a tool to achieve political goals that could lead to extremism, radicalism and terrorism.

This is something that we are now preparing. We will make use of the state visit of King Salman to have an interfaith dialogue in order to have a shared understanding on how to fight extremism, Lukman said.

Lukman said religious leaders during the interfaith forum would encourage world citizens to use religion as a tool to campaign for moderation so that people in the world could understand the benefits of religion in maintaining the world's civilizations. (evi)
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Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

A lawyer for Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama has said Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab is unsuitable to provide expert testimony on religious matters at a hearing of Ahok's blasphemy trial on Tuesday, due to his track record and credibility.

The lawyer, Humprey Djemat, noted that Rizieq had a criminal record.

"Habib Rizieq has twice been found guilty of committing crimes. He is an ex-convict," Humprey told the judges.

Back in 2003, Rizieq was imprisoned for seven months for spreading provocation that led to a disturbance of public order.

Rizieq was again imprisoned, this time for one year and six months, in 2008 for provoking members of his organization to cause a public disturbance.

(Read also: Ahok leads at Agus Yudhoyonos, Rizieq Shihabs polling stations)

Rizieq, Humprey said, was currently a suspect in the case related to the insult of the state ideology, Pancasila. He has also been accused of having engaged in an affair with activist Firza Husein, who is a treason suspect.

He added that Rizieq was also a member of the supervisory board of the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Councils Fatwa (GNPF-MUI), which initiated large protests against Ahok on Oct. 14, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2 last year.

The prosecutor Ali Mukartono refused to uphold the lawyer's objection, saying that this hearing was not about Rizieq.

"Every citizen has the right to be summoned as an expert, even if they were once a defendant. We hope that judges reject the lawyers' objection," he said.

The judge panel led by Dwiarso Budi Santiarto rejected the lawyer's objection and decided to proceed with the hearing. (dmr)
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Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Mojokerto, East Java  Tue, February 28, 2017

The Industry Ministry launched on Tuesday a demand-driven vocational program named "Link and Match" in an industrial area in Mojokerto, East Java, to address the lack of skilled workers, a problem that hampers the development of some industries.

The program allows the ministry and East Java administration to link or connect 219 vocational schools (SMK) with 49 firms in the province.

The firms, such as state train builder PT INKA, state foundry company PT Barata Indonesia and state shipbuilding firm PT Pal Indonesia, say they are committed to absorbing graduates from the schools.

(Read also: Jokowi urges vocational schools to offer vlog, animation courses)

Besides linking the schools and the end users, the ministry is planning to revamp the teaching method and subjects taught at the schools to improve manpower quality, as stipulated by Presidential Instruction No. 9/2016 on SMK revitalization.

Supply of skillful workers is essential for significant growth in the manufacturing sector, Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto said during the programs launch, which was attended by Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

The government will launch the same program in other provinces as well, namely West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, DKI Jakarta and Banten, to channel one million skilled SMK graduates to the industry by 2019. (tas)
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Linkedin Novan Iman Santosa (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

Indonesia and Saudi Arabia are set to discuss 10 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) during the visit of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, a Saudi top official has said.

Some would be signed during the visit, but some others needed more preparation and would be signed after the visit, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Jakarta Osama bin Mohammed Abdullah Al Shuaibi told a press briefing at the Saudi Arabian Embassy on Tuesday.

The MoUs would cover fields such as security, Islamic affairs, health, culture, education, investment, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and civil aviation, Osama said.

King Salman and his large entourage of 1,500 people, including 25 princes, will be arriving on Wednesday.

Osama said teams from both countries were finalizing MoUs before being signed.

Osama said a number of MoUs on tourism, housing, and power plant would not be signed during the visit because they needed more preparation. Those MoUs will be signed after the visit, he said.

King Salman is scheduled to visit Indonesia from March 1 to 9 and will spend the first three days in Jakarta on a state visit. On March 4 the King and his entourage will fly to Nusa Dua, Bali, where they will stay until the end of their trip. (evi)
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Linkedin Agus Maryono (The Jakarta Post) Kebumen, Central Java  Tue, February 28, 2017

Two students were found dead at Kaibon Beach in Kebumen regency, Central Java, on Tuesday, two days after a rogue wave reportedly hit them when they were playing on a nearby beach.

The bodies of Asngadi, 20, who was a student at Muhammadiyah University in Purworejo, and Irwan, 22, of the Nahdlatul Ulama Islamic Institute, were found by Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel.

We found the bodies three kilometers from their last known location where the two had reportedly been playing on the beach, said Mulwahyono of the National SAR Agency (Basarnas), who led the search mission.

The bodies were taken to the Dr. Soedirman Regional Hospital in Kebumen for examination.

(Read also: Floods in Central Java displace thousands of residents)

Previously, eye witnesses said the victims, along with three other students, were playing at Petikusan Beach in Mirit district, Kebumen, when a rouge wave suddenly hit them on Sunday.

Three of them managed to escape the wave and returned to the beach, while Asngadi and Irwan were dragged out to sea. (bbs)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

The Law and Human Rights Ministry aims to provide drug testing equipment in all penitentiaries and detention centers to prevent drug smuggling inside of prison, Minister Yasonna Hamonangan Laoly said.

The Directorate General of Correction in the Ministry has started the program, he said, but it is not yet evenly spread out in prisons across the country, he said on Monday.

He would push for the drug testing facilities to be provided soon following rampant drug dealing and smuggling among inmates, some even with the help of prison officials.

Seven prison officers of Surabaya detention center in East Java were arrested for allegedly being involved in drug trafficking for inmates.

"We have withdrawn them from the East Java Office and the Ministry is handling the case to be legally processed in Jakarta," he said as reported by Antaranews.com, adding that the Ministry would also impose sanctions on the officers depending on the level of their misconduct.

"We will study their [alleged] violations. There could be some who have their official level degraded and some who might be dismissed," Yasonna said.

According to the Ministry's data, around 70 percent of inmates detained in prisons across the country are drug offense convicts.

Besides finding drugs in random raids, the ministry and police have also revealed major drug trafficking controlled behind bars by drug convicts. (dis/rin)
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Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28 2017

After more than a week, the government and United States mining giant Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX) have yet to begin talks to break the deadlock that may drag both parties to settle their dispute in international arbitration.

The firms local subsidiary PT Freeport Indonesia, the countrys oldest foreign investor, has been in a tussle with the government as a newly passed regulation requires the conversion of a contract of work (CoW) signed in 1991 into a special mining license (IUPK) in return for an export permit extension.

According to the contract, both parties must resolve their dispute within 120 days or else the case can be settled in international arbitration. More than a week after the firm notified the government of areas of dispute, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry acknowledged it had yet to officially kick off negotiations with the firm.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

The neighbors of a suspected terrorist, Yayat Cahdiyat, knew him as a nice person who hawked hair accessories and small toys at several schools in Cianjur, West Java.

Yayat allegedly set off an improvised explosive device hidden in a cooking pot in a public park in the West Java capital of Bandung on Monday before running into a subdistrict office building and attempting to burn it down. The police shot him and he died en route to the hospital.

(Read also: Suspected Bandung terrorist dies en route to hospital: Police)

While renting a house in Cianjur, Yayat often chatted with his landowner, Didih, 58. He rented the house for Rp 200,000 (US$14.90) a month. He told Didih he was fired from a factory in Bandung and then he tried various enterprises, including washing motorcycles and selling chicken noodles.

He said he moved to Cianjur to start a new page. We knew him as a hawker of hair accessories like hair pins, decorated pencils and toys. He sold his wares near schools in Cilaku district, but last week he moved to Karang Tengah district because he had slow business in Cilaku, Didih said as quoted by Antara news agency.

Didih said Yayat had a wife and three children. He said he was surprised to learn that Yayat was a suspected terrorist because he did not notice any suspicious activities or behavior. Didih said Yayat never received any guests.

On Monday, the police searched Yayats rented house in Cilaku. (evi)
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Linkedin Prima Wirayani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

Following a visit by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo over the weekend, Australian Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Steven Ciobo will lead a major trade mission to Indonesia next week to help create more export opportunities for Australian businesses.

As many as 120 business delegation members will attend the Indonesia-Australia Business Week (IABW) March 6-10 in several cities across Indonesia.

"Indonesia-Australia Business Week (IABW) is designed to develop business opportunities in key areas where Indonesian demand aligns with Australian capability," Ciobo wrote in an official statement received by The Jakarta Post on Monday.

(Read also: Jokowis visit to Australia achieves concrete results: Minister)

IABW will highlight opportunities in vocational education and training, tourism, financial services and technology, water and sustainable urban design and agribusiness supply chains, he added.

He believes that the 120-strong Australian business delegation will build further momentum to conclude the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA).

The IA-CEPA will create the framework for a new era of closer economic engagement between the two countries, creating new opportunities and markets for Australian exporters.

"With a middle class of more than 45 million forecast to grow to 135 million by 2030, there is enormous scope to expand our trade and economic relationship with Indonesia by supplying the growing needs of Indonesian consumers with Australian quality goods and services," Ciobo stated. (bbn)
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Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28 2017

State-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina has its fingers crossed following the submission of its proposals for two major oil fields in Iran.

It submitted the proposals for the Ab-Teymour and Mansouri fields to the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) on Sunday during a two-day visit to Tehran that was led by Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution.

Pertamina spokesperson Wianda Pusponegoro said on Monday that the company was optimistic about its chances on the two blocks in Bangestan, South Iran, despite tight competition from other major oil and gas companies from around the globe.

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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

With a large young population, Indonesia will experience a "demographic bonus" from 2020 to 2040, however, poor preparation for the young generation will waste the opportunity, an expert has said.

If children do not receive good nutrition they will have stunted growth, if young people do not receive good education they wont be able to secure a job, and if people of working age do not have a job, the state budget will be drained only to support the elderly, said University of Indonesia professor Sri Moertiningsih "Toening" Adioetomo.

"We need to provide different treatments based on peoples life stage and needs," she said during University of Indonesia's Demographic Institute seminar in Jakarta on Monday.

(Read also: RI demographic trends: Potential and risks)

She cited records that show Indonesia still has a high number of babies born, with a total fertility rate (TFR) of 2.28 babies per one woman.

It will lead to a more dependent population, which is also a burden to working age people as more people go into retirement, she said, adding that with an unemployment level of 5.6 percent, ideally Indonesia had to reduce the TFR to 2.1 in 2025 and 1.9 in 2035.

In 2025, Indonesia is expected to have a population of 285 million, which will increase to 306 million in 2035, while the number of its working age population will rise to 196 million in 2025 and 210 million in 2035, she added. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

To make way for King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and his large entourage, several public roads and toll roads in Jakarta and Bogor, West Java, are going to be temporarily closed during the royal visit.

The Jakarta Polices traffic division said that as soon as the Saudi Arabian leader lands at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport on Wednesday, the police would close several roads that would be used as King Salman's route from the airport to Bogor Palace in West Java, where he will meet with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.

It is based on the standard procedure for a country leader guest -- they will be prioritized, the divisions law enforcement head Adj. Sr. Comr. Budiyanto said Tuesday as quoted by tribunnews.com.

After his visit to Bogor Palace, King Salman is scheduled to return to Jakarta to visit Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Central Jakarta.

We will make sure that the route is secure and that nothing can disrupt the guest, he continued.

Meanwhile, toll road operator Jasa Marga revealed that an exit gate on the Jagorawi toll road was also going to be closed for one hour so that the King's group could use the exit.

Exit access on the Jagorawi toll road in Bogor will be closed on March 1 between 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m, the companys assistant vice president of corporate communications, Dwimawan Heru, said. (idb)
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Linkedin Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

Religious freedom watchdog Wahid Foundation has said there have been growing efforts conducted by state and non-state actors to promote freedom of religion in Indonesia although it also records rampant discrimination in the country.

The group says 254 positive incidents that fostered religious harmony occurred throughout last year, 94 of which were initiated by civilians while the remaining were conducted by state actors, including the police and regional administrators.

An example of good practices recorded by the Wahid Foundation was when Muslims and Christians in Tual, Maluku, worked together to renovate Al-Huriyah, a local mosque.

Other positive events include an incident in Semarang, Central Java, where the local police guarded members of a Shia community, which had been frequently labelled as heresy, and guaranteed their safety when the community members held a prayer meeting to celebrate the Islamic New Year despite protests from local communities, who were mostly Sunni followers.

Wahid Foundation director Yenny Zannuba Wahid cited the culture of silaturahmi (communal togetherness) as a factor that could further promote religious harmony in the country.

We need to further foster silaturahmi because it melts barriers among different groups, she said during a luncheon of the organizations annual report on freedom of religion.

Although more positive actions were seen throughout the archipelago, the Wahid Foundation also found discrimination against minority faith groups was also on the rise throughout 2016. It recorded 313 violations, most of which were legal abuse. (ebf)
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Linkedin Matthew Pennington (Associated Press) Washington  Tue, February 28, 2017

President Donald Trump met China's top foreign policy adviser Monday, and US officials huddled with key Asian powers to discuss tensions with North Korea, which have been stoked by a recent missile test and an airport killing officials believe was ordered by Pyongyang.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi is the first senior Chinese official to visit the US since Trump took office five weeks ago. Yang led a six-member delegation in talks first with Trump's new national security adviser, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, senior Trump adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and others.

The two sides "discussed shared interests in national security," White House press secretary Sean Spicer said, without elaborating. Yang's two-day visit comes amid uncertainty about how the world's two largest economies will manage their trade relationship and security challenges in East Asia.

In that region, North Korea's rapid progress toward acquiring a nuclear-tipped missile that could strike the US mainland poses one of the sternest national security challenges for Trump. His administration is currently reviewing how to deal with young dictator Kim Jong Un.

Also Monday, US Special Representative for North Korea Policy Joseph Yun met at the State Department with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts, Kenji Kanasugi and Kim Hong-kyun. The meeting was part of continued US efforts to get its main allies in Asia to cooperate more closely on security.

In a joint statement, the three governments called for all countries to implement UN sanctions against North Korea. The officials also considered other measures they could take under national authorities to restrict revenue sources for the North's weapons programs, particularly from its illicit activities, the statement said.

In a potentially hopeful sign for the US, China recently announced it was suspending coal imports from North Korea, increasing economic pressure on its traditional ally. In return, Beijing wants the US to restart long-stalled negotiations with North Korea.

But on Friday, the US government nixed what would have been the first unofficial talks on US soil in five years between North Korean government officials and former US officials. No current US officials were to participate in the talks in New York in early March. But allowing them to proceed could have signaled the Trump administration's openness to US engagement with North Korea.

The decision came after Malaysian authorities announced earlier Friday that the exiled half brother of Kim Jong Un was assassinated using VX nerve agent. The killing is widely blamed on North Korea. In Congress, lawmakers are seeking tougher sanctions and for the North again to be declared a state sponsor of terrorism, a designation lifted in 2008.

Tensions could rise further.

The US is due to begin annual military exercises with South Korea in March, which invariably provoke warlike rhetoric and threats from North Korea. Pyongyang views the joint military exercises as preparation by the US and South Korea for an invasion across the heavily militarized border between the two Koreas.

North Korea hasn't directly criticized Trump but is determined to advance its nuclear and missile programs. On Feb. 12, it tested a new type of ballistic missile as Trump met Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Florida.

Among Asian nations, China holds the greatest power to change North Korea's calculus. The North is heavily reliant on trade with China. Trump accuses Beijing of failing to use its leverage.

Trump on Monday talked up his selection of Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as US ambassador to China. He told a state governors' meeting at the White House that Beijing was "very happy" with the choice.

Branstad's appointment, however, requires Senate confirmation. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has yet to receive Branstad's full nomination papers, according to a congressional aide, who wasn't authorized to speak publicly on the matter and demanded anonymity. The White House announced the nomination Jan. 20.

____

Associated Press writer Vivian Salama contributed to this report. (**)
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Linkedin Safrin La Batu and Damar Harsanto (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28 2017

Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama is scheduled to be pitted against his nemesis, Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab, for the first time in court on Tuesday.

The North Jakarta District Court confirmed on Monday that Rizieq would attend the session, the 10th in the trial, as an expert witness on religion to corroborate the blasphemy charges against Ahok.

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Linkedin Marcia Dunn (Associated Press) Cape Canaveral, Fla.  Tue, February 28, 2017

SpaceX said Monday it will fly two people to the moon next year, a feat not attempted since NASA's Apollo heyday close to half a century ago.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk  the company's founder and chief executive officer  announced the surprising news barely a week after launching his first rocket from NASA's legendary moon pad.

Two people who know one another approached the company about sending them on a weeklong flight just beyond the moon, according to Musk. He won't identify the pair or the price tag. They've already paid a "significant" deposit and are "very serious" about it, he noted.

"Fly me to the moon ... Ok," Musk said in a light-hearted tweet following the news conference.

Musk said SpaceX is on track to launch astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA in mid-2018. This moon mission would follow about six months later, by the end of the year under the current schedule, using a Dragon crew capsule and a Falcon heavy rocket launched from NASA's former moon pad in Florida.

If all goes as planned, it could happen close to the 50th anniversary of NASA's first manned flight to the moon, on Apollo 8.

The SpaceX moonshot is designed to be autonomous  unless something goes wrong, Musk said.

"I think they are entering this with their eyes open, knowing that there is some risk here," Musk told reporters in the telephone conference, a day after teasing via Twitter that an announcement of some sort was forthcoming.

"They're certainly not naive, and we'll do everything we can to minimize that risk, but it's not zero. But they're coming into this with their eyes open," said Musk, adding that the pair will receive "extensive" training before the flight.

Musk said he does not have permission to release the passengers' names, and he was hesitant to even say if they were men, women or even pilots. He would only admit, "It's nobody from Hollywood."

The paying passengers would make a long loop around the moon, skimming the lunar surface and then going well beyond, perhaps 300,000 or 400,000 miles distance altogether. It's about 240,000 miles to the moon alone, one way.

The mission would not involve a lunar landing.

"This should be a really exciting mission that hopefully gets the world really excited about sending people into deep space again," Musk said.

NASA will have first dibs on a similar mission if it so chooses, he said. The space agency learned of his plan at the same time as reporters.

In a statement, NASA commended SpaceX "for reaching higher." In all, 24 astronauts flew to the moon and 12 walked its surface from 1969 to 1972.

The California-based SpaceX already has a long list of firsts, with its sights ultimately set on Mars. It became the first private company to launch a spacecraft into orbit and safely return it to Earth in 2010, and the first commercial enterprise to fly to the space station in 2012 on a supply mission.

Just a week ago, SpaceX made its latest delivery from Kennedy Space Center's legendary Launch Complex 39A, where the Apollo astronauts flew to the moon and shuttle crews rocketed into orbit. That will be where the private moon mission will originate as well.

The crew Dragon capsule  an upgraded version of the cargo Dragon  has yet to fly in space. Neither has a Falcon Heavy rocket, which is essentially a Falcon 9 rocket with two strap-on boosters, according to Musk. A Falcon Heavy test flight is planned this summer, while an empty crew capsule is set to launch to the space station late this year. He said there will be ample time to test both the spacecraft and the rocket, before the moon mission.

NASA last week announced it was studying the possibility of adding crew to the test flight of its megarocket, at the request of the Trump administration. Such a flight to the lunar neighborhood wouldn't happen before 2019 at best  if, indeed, that option is even implemented.

Musk said anything that advances the space exploration cause is good, no matter who goes first.

Retired NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who will celebrate his homecoming this week from a one-year space mission, was quick to tweet: "It's been almost a year. Send me!"

Musk said he expects to have more moon-mission customers as time goes by.

At the same time, SpaceX is also working on a so-called Red Dragon, meant to fly to Mars around 2020 with experiments, but no people  and actually land. His ultimate goal is to establish a human settlement on Mars.

___

Online:

SpaceX: http://www.spacex.com/ (**)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Bogor, West Java  Tue, February 28, 2017

The government plans to incorporate the state defense program into freshmen orientation programs in schools and universities nationwide with an aim of providing added value for new students.

"Instead of doing weird things, like collecting mice and cockroaches during orientation, it would be better for schools and universities to run the state defense program instead as it would be more valuable for the students," the Defense Ministry's head of education and training center, Maj. Gen. Hartind Asrin, said on Tuesday.

The Defense Ministry cooperated with the Education Ministry and the Directorate General of Higher Education in the drafting of the state defense curriculum.

To run this program, we will coordinate with 873 education and training centers across Indonesia," he said.

He added that facilitators from each training center would be invited to Bogor, West Java, for further training on the program. Once they complete the program, they will return to their respective regions and be obliged to share their knowledge with other facilitators."

Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu dismissed the allegation that the program aimed to prepare the younger generation for war.

Participants will learn more about their country, democracy, laws, reform and nationhood. This is like the manifestation of a de-radicalization program for the young generation," Ryamizard said after officially inaugurating the state defense education and training center in Rumpin, Bogor. (hol)
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Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

The UN has encouraged the Surakarta administration to strengthen its commitment to protecting children by allocating more funds for childrens programs. Surakarta is one of five major cities included in the UN child-friendly city program.

Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, made the call during her visit to City Hall to meet with Surakarta Mayor FX Hadi Rudy Rudyatmo on Tuesday. A UNICEF delegation also took part in the visit.

Pais congratulated the Surakarta mayor for his efforts in putting violence prevention and child protection at the heart of the citys agenda. She also applauded the improved coverage of birth registration in the city, which stood at 95.8 percent in 2016, up from 52.77 percent in 2014.

I want to encourage [the Surakarta administration] to invest more to ensure birth registration for all children, pursuing a 100 percent coverage," Pais.

I hope Surakarta will also be able to double its budgetary allocations for children protection, reaching more to disadvantaged and marginalized children.

Pais hopes that Surakarta, one of areas partnering with UNICEF to improve child protection, will also create safe homes for children who have suffered abuse and violence, where they can be receive care without being stigmatized.

Rudy promised that his administration would continue its efforts to ensure prevention of violence against children, to establish more child-friendly public services, and ensure that all children, including the disabled and marginalized, received a proper education.

I will make sure that the city secretary and the Surakarta Planning and Development Agency [Bappeda] take note that the budget [for child protection] should increase, Rudy said. (ebf)
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Linkedin Haeril Halim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

The selection committee tasked to find a replacement for disgraced Constitutional Court justice Patrialis Akbar has so far only managed to attract three potential candidates as the registration deadline nears.

Six days into the opening of the registration, only three people, none of them high-profile figures, registered to the committee ahead of the deadline on March 3.

Despite this, selection committee chairman Harjono remained hopeful that more people would register in the final days of the registration process.

It is always a habit that people make up their minds last minute. We will wait until March 3, Harjono said on Tuesday.

One of the applicants, Sugianto, is a lecturer at Syek Nurjati State Islamic Institute (IAIN) in Cirebon, West Java, while another, Franz Astani, is a notary public. Both applicants registered for their second time after coming up short in the same selection process in 2014.

Harjono said the selection committee would announce the names of the candidates who pass the administration test on March 10. These candidates would then undergo interviews on March. 13-16.

The committee must submit three recommended names to President Joko Jokowi Widodo on March. 31 at the latest.

The President will pick one of the three names. The President has one week to decide who he will select [to replace Patrialis] one week after the selection committee submits the three names to the State Palace, Harjono said.

The Constitutional Court dismissed Patrialis after the Corruption Eradication Commission named him a suspect in a bribery case related to a judicial review handled by the court. (rin)
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Linkedin Ebi Junaidi (The Jakarta Post) Durham, UK  Tue, February 28 2017

Bank Indonesia (BI) announced recently its plan to issue waqf (Islamic endowment)-based bonds as a social welfare mechanism to support struggling commercial assets.

The Indonesian Muslim Intellectual Association (ICMI) will also launch the very first waqf venture bank this June. Can waqf become next best thing in Islamic finance?

Islamic economics and finance projects initiated in the early 20th century aimed for the elimination of poverty and reduction in inequalities in the distribution of income and wealth (Siddiqi, 2006).

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

West Jakarta Health Agency data reveals that dengue hemorrhagic fever cases in the region dropped by 68 percent to 242 cases in the January to February period, from 752 cases in the same period last year.

Agency head Weningtyas recently said dengue fever outbreaks were directly connected to peoples concern about their environment.

We will optimize healthcare services for residents through mosquito larvae monitoring volunteers [jumantik]. Community health center [Puskesmas] services will also be expanded to deal with dengue, Weningtyas said as quoted by barat.jakarta.go.id.

The most cases were found in Kalideres subdistrict with 78 cases, followed by Cengkareng and Kebon Jeruk with 60 and 23 cases, respectively.

With the country experiencing more rain, the agency has disseminated information on how to clean inundated homes and to kill larvae. (wnd)
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Linkedin Bambang Muryanto (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017

A study commissioned by rights group the Setara Institute revealed that during the past decade, the state of freedom of religion or belief being protected in Yogyakarta was in continuous decline.

Setara Institute researcher Halili said during 2007 to 2016, 53 cases, which comprised 35 types of religious rights violations, occurred in areas across Yogyakarta. Of the total cases, 16 incidents happened in Yogyakarta city while 14 cases took place in Sleman regency. Kulon Progo was the only regency where violations were not recorded.

During the last 10 years, we have been conducting research across Indonesia. On average, 200 cases of religious rights violations occur every year and Yogyakarta is one of the red areas, which means it has a high number of intolerance cases, Halili said in a press conference in Yogyakarta on Monday.

He further said of Yogyakartas total 53 violations, 17 cases were committed by the state, seven were crimes by omission, while the remaining were directed attacks, including by non-state actors.

On the violations committed by non-state actors, eight cases were perpetrated by the Islamic Jihad Front (FJI), followed by the Indonesian Mujahidin Council (MMI) with five cases and three committed by the Muslim Peoples Forum (FUI). Meanwhile, three groups, namely the Anti-Immoral Acts Movement (GAM), Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and United Development Party (PPP) youth wing Gerakan Pemuda Kabah (GPK) committed two violations each.

Halili said it was hoped Yogyakarta Sultan Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, who acts as the provinces de facto governor, could greater support minority groups as they were often the targets of violence. (ebf)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Wed, March 1 2017

In terms of tight security and logistical preparations, the number of aircraft and size of the delegation, the visit of Saudi Arabias royal family to Indonesia today is comparable only to a visit by a president of the United States.

Millions will cheerfully follow the historic visit of King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, the first by a Saudi head of state in 47 years, and his entourage of 1,500 people, including 25 princes.

The extravagant nine-day visit of King Salman to Jakarta and Bali is indeed crucial not just for the the two countries but also for the Islamic world. Indonesia is the worlds most populous Muslim-majority nation, comprising mostly Sunnis, as in the Saudi kingdom, and King Salman is the custodian of Islams holiest sites, Al-Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque) in Mecca and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophets Mosque) in Madina.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 1 2017

Child actress Saniyya Sidney stole the attention at the 97th Academy Awards on Monday (Jakarta time) with a white dress designed by Indonesian-born Winnie Aoki.

The actress from Fences and Hidden Figures, both films were nominated for best film at the Oscars, wore a collection of Mischka Aoki, an Australia brand established by Winnie for young girls to wear.

Born in the East Java town of Malang, Winnie has made her name globally known as the designer for famous offsprings, including Beyonces daughter Blue Ivy Carter, Suri Cruise, Harper Beckham, the Kardashians kids and the daughters of Sarah Jessica Parker.

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Linkedin Farida Susanty (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 1 2017

Indonesians have long been Singapores main source of foreign exchange earnings from tourism, but with Chinese visitors trailing close behind and likely to take over soon, the Singaporean government will keep its focus on the Indonesia market due to its potential.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) plans to maintain Indonesia as the number one source market in tourism, as the country contributed the highest figure with a 17.7 percent domination of Singapores total foreign tourist arrivals in 2016.

As many as 16.4 million foreign tourists visited Singapore last year, of which 2,894,000 were Indonesians, according to a statement released on Tuesday. The figure, however, was only 3,000 higher than the 2,891,000 Chinese visitors.

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Linkedin Haeril Halim, Novan Iman Santosa, Rendi A. Witular and Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 1 2017

It is the first visit of a Saudi Arabian king in 47 years to the worlds biggest Muslim-majority nation on Wednesday, and everything involved is just unprecedented.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, 81, has in his baggage for the trip to Indonesia and several other Asian countries things that seem extravagant: An entourage of 1,500 people and a cargo of food and miscellaneous items weighing the same as 459 Toyota Avanzas airlifted by six Boeing 747 and 777 aircraft.

But the excessive supplies may not translate into deals that will bring benefit to Indonesias economy in general.

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Linkedin Novan Iman Santosa (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 1 2017



Saudi Arabia and Indonesia are set to embark on a new chapter of bilateral ties with the visit of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who arrives on Wednesday.



In the past, the bilateral relations were characterized by haj, manpower and energy issues, Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir said on Tuesday.



In the past two years, there have been intensive ties between both countries with Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi having visited Saudi Arabia while her counterpart visited Indonesia twice, he said.



Bu Retno said that the Saudi foreign minister termed the kings visit as the jewel in the crown that completes the bilateral relations.



Arrmanatha said the heightened relations were shown by the fact that there were five additional memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to the original five MoUs to be signed during King Salmans visit.



One of the 10 MoUs to be signed was on the status upgrade of the existing bilateral mechanism for the joint commission session (SKB).



Previously the SKB was led by high-ranking officials who handled manpower issues, making it clear that was the focus in the past, Arrmanatha said.



Future SKB meetings will be transferred to the foreign ministry, which reflects wider bilateral relations.



Other MoUs are on culture, health, Islamic affairs such as propagation and education focusing on science and technology.



An MoU on maritime affairs and fisheries will see cooperation on capacity building, food security and marine research.



In the security sector, an MoU will focus on transnational crime, including terrorism and its financing, drugs, corruption and people smuggling.



In civil aviation, an MoU will allow Indonesian airlines to fly to all Saudi Arabian airports while Saudi airlines will be allowed to fly to five major airports in Indonesia: Kuala Namu in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra; Soekarno-Hatta in Cengkareng, Banten; Ngurah Rai in Badung, Bali; Juanda in Sidoarjo, East Java; and Sultan Hasanuddin in Maros, South Sulawesi.



Two other MoUs are on small and medium enterprises and trade.



Arrmanatha added that there were another 10 MoUs that were still under discussion, showing the wide breadth of the new bilateral ties beyond Islamic affairs.



Earlier on the day, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Indonesia Osama bin Mohammed Abdullah Al Shuaibi told a press briefing at the embassy that MoUs on tourism, housing, energy and power plants would not be signed during King Salmans visit because they were not yet ready.



Osama said that in addition to the 10 MoUs, King Salman will also give aid to three schools in Medan, Surabaya and Makassar to provide teachings in the Arabic language.



The planned cooperation between Aramco and Pertamina was also still being discussed, he said.



Responding to a question that these schools might be used to propagate radical teachings, Osama said the schools would only teach the language.



King Salman is expected to arrive at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in East Jakarta on board a special Saudi Airlines Boeing 747 at around 1 p.m. before continuing his trip to Bogor Palace overland to have meetings with President Joko Jokowi Widodo.



Jokowi will receive Salman as he exits the aircraft, reciprocating the honor Jokowi received when he visited Saudi Arabia in 2015.



On Thursday, the king will deliver a speech at the House of Representatives, visit Istiqlal Grand Mosque and receive a courtesy call by Vice President Jusuf Kalla.



King Salman will also meet Islamic leaders and leaders of other faiths in two separate meetings.



On Friday, private activities were scheduled. It was not clear where the king will perform his Friday mass prayer.



On Saturday, Osama said King Salman will make a brief visit to Brunei Darussalam before continuing his trip to the resort island of Bali.



The trip is a private one to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Bali, the Saudi envoy said.



On Indonesias request to increase the haj quota, Osama said the quota was based on the population percentage of a certain country.



We are trying to increase the quota but it is limited with the size of the newly renovated Great Mosque of Mecca, he said, referring to the mosque popularly known as Masjidil Haram

in Indonesia.



The visit of the Saudi king is the first in 47 years.

_________________________



The king and his baggage



Entourage : 1,500 people, including 25 princes and 100 personal security personnel



Transportation : 4 Boeing 747-400 and -200 series



2 Boeing 777



2 C130 Hercules



2 Mercedes Benz S600 sedans for Bali trip



2 private escalators for aircraft embarkation and disembarkation



Logistics : 459 tons cargo comprising food and miscellaneous items (as an illustration, 459 tons is equal to 459 Toyota Avanzas by weight).



Expected deals : 10 MoUs in security, Islamic affairs, health, culture, education, commerce, small businesses, fisheries, agriculture and civil aviation. Saudi Arabia has pledged to establish Arabic-language religious schools in Makassar, Medan and Surabaya.



Contentious issues between RI, Saudi Arabia



1. Poor protection of Indonesian migrant workers.



2. In 2015, two Indonesian workers were executed on two separate occasions without prior notice to family members or Indonesian government.



3. Spread of Wahhabism (ultraconservative brand of Islam) from Saudi Arabia that has triggered a rise in fundamentalism in Indonesia in recent decades.



4. Low haj quota given to Indonesia causing long queues for Indonesians wanting to go on pilgrimage.



5. Almost a year-and-a-half after two of the worst disasters in haj history, Saudi Arabia has yet to fulfill its commitment to victims of the tragedies. Twelve Indonesians were killed while 49 others were injured in the collapse of a crane at the Al-Haram Grand Mosque in Mecca.



6. Security analysts have said Indonesia is one of the battlegrounds between Sunnis, allegedly supported by Saudi, and Shiites, purportedly backed by Saudis regional rival and archenemy Iran, resulting in intensified persecution against Shiites in Indonesia in the past five years.

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Linkedin Kristine Angeli Sabillo (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) Manila  Tue, February 28, 2017

The Philippine government condemned the killing of a German Abu Sayyaf hostage whose wife was killed by the extremist group last year.

Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza on Monday said the military did its best in trying to rescue the German hostage before he was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf.

Up to the last moment, many sectors, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines exhausted all efforts to save his life, Dureza said in a statement, referring to Jurgen Gustav Kantner who was killed in Sulu.

We all tried our best. But to no avail, he said. We condole with his family, friends and loved ones.

Dureza said the Philippine government grieves as it condemns the barbaric beheading of another kidnap victim.

Abu Sayyaf demanded a ransom of Peso 30 million (US$598,000) although the Philippine government has a no ransom policy.

Terrorism has no place in a country like ours and we as a people must confront violent extremism every time it rears its ugly head, Dureza said.

He said he is in close contact with German authorities.

Kantner was sailing in Malaysian waters with his wife Sabine Merz when they were attacked by the Abu Sayyaf. Merz was killed onboard the boat.
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Linkedin Chong Koh Ping (Straits Times/ANN) Beijing  Tue, February 28, 2017

Singapore and China have signed four cooperation pacts, including one for each of the three government-led projects, a day after inking 15 agreements on mainly commercial deals.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli witnessed the signing ceremony yesterday after they reviewed the progress made in the three bilateral flagship projects and discussed the direction of future bilateral cooperation.

The four agreements included cooperation in intellectual property rights protection, furthering collaboration in the biomedical industry, and the development of a transport and logistics hub.

They are:

SUZHOU INDUSTRIAL PARK (SIP)

A letter of intent was signed by its Administrative Committee, the National University of Singapore and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology to deepen cooperation in the biomedical industry. The SIP, the first of three joint government projects, was started in 1994.

TIANJIN ECO-CITY

Singapore's National Development Ministry and China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development agreed to form a joint expert panel to exchange ideas, and advise on how the city can continue to develop in a sustainable manner. The panel will comprise experts from the government, private sector, academic institutions and research organisations.

The 30 sq km green township development broke ground in 2008. It now has a population of 70,000 and 4,500 registered companies.

CHONGQING CONNECTIVITY INITIATIVE

For this project, announced in November 2015, IE Singapore and the Chongqing municipal government signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate the implementation of two commercial projects aimed at improving Chongqing's transport links to South-east Asia and Central Asia.

FOURTH AGREEMENT

A fourth agreement signed between intellectual property rights agencies from both countries and the Guangdong provincial government will help facilitate the growth of innovation-driven companies.

It will leverage the strategic location of the intellectual property reform pilot zone in the Guangzhou Knowledge City. Started in 2011, the private sector-led and government-supported project aims to develop high-tech industries in Guangdong.

On Sunday, Singapore agencies signed five agreements with Tianjin Eco-City to develop infrastructure and services. Companies from both countries also formalised 10 commercial deals in Chongqing.

Worth around US$1.4 billion, the deals cover transport and logistics, information and communications technology, finance and healthcare.

This article appeared on The Straits Times newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
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Linkedin Jessicha Valentina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, February 28, 2017 14:49 2077 a291276806121264c0bd211cde238ebf 1 News Padang,Amaris-Hotel-Padang,Hotel,hotel-chain,Santika-Indonesia-Hotels-and-Resorts,#hotel,west-sumatra Free

Padang, the capital of West Sumatra, is home to a plethora of delicious dishes and cultural attractions. Those planning to visit Padang may rejoice as there is a new hotel available in the city.

Officially opened on Feb. 18, Amaris Hotel Padang is the latest foray from Santika Indonesia Hotels and Resorts. It features 98 rooms and four meeting rooms. The facilities include LED television, a safe deposit box and Wi-Fi.

Nestled on Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, one of Padangs main streets, the hotel offers easy access to the city tourism destinations, including Malin Kundang Rock, Adityawarman Museum, Sitti Nurbaya Bridge and Muaro Harbor Market.

(Read also: Four things to do when visiting Purworejo)

A post shared by Amaris Hotel Padang (@amarispadang) on Feb 18, 2017 at 5:56am PST

With regards to the opening, the hotel has a special rate at Rp 425,000 (US$31.82).

Amaris Hotel Padang is the 63rd establishment operating under the Amaris brand, a hotel operator managed by Santika Indonesia Hotels and Resorts. In addition to Padang, the Amaris brand is also available in 30 cities, including Jakarta, Bali, Bandung in West Java, Palembang in South Sumatra, Samarinda in East Kalimantan, as well as in Bugis, Singapore. (asw)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Star/Asia News Network)  Tue, February 28, 2017 15:44 2077 a291276806121264c0bd211cde23e27d 2 Activities Singapore,Singapore-ArtScience-Museum,#singapore,augmented-reality,Museum Free

A new permanent exhibition at the ArtScience Museum in Singapore will put the reality back into augmented reality.

Into The Wild will have visitors wandering through the basement level of the museum, with a smartphone in hand, as a Sumatran rainforest comes alive on the screen.

Taking on the role of a forest ranger, they complete challenges to be able to plant a virtual seed. It will then grow into a tree on the fourth level of the museum.

To top off the experience, at the end of the exhibition, they can choose to have an actual tree planted in their name in the Sumatran rainforest and even track its growth.

The exhibition is a culmination of almost two years of planning and work by the museum, together with partners Google, Lenovo and WWF.

I think its a nice time for this type of experience to land in Singapore because so many people would have experienced augmented reality and virtual reality using Pokemon Go, says Honor Harger, the museums executive director.

This is like the next level  it shows what you can do when youre working with incredibly creative teams and location-specific work. It takes it up a notch.

This is the museums first exhibition utilizing augmented reality technology on this scale.

Young Parents popped by to experience our new virtual reality adventure #IntoTheWildSG https://t.co/1rnmula1Ey pic.twitter.com/WhFsjzFnq2  ArtScience Museum (@ArtSciMuseum) February 20, 2017

(Read also: A return to visual beauty)

Visitors to the exhibition will be given a Lenovo Phab 2 Pro smartphone and headphones. The smartphone uses its camera and Googles Tango technology to bring to life in 360 degrees the Sumatran rainforest on its screen. It is also the worlds first Tango-enabled smartphone.

Tango technology is similar to GPS, but for indoor spaces. It has area learning, depth sensing and motion-tracking capabilities. For example, it can detect which level of the building visitors are on or if there are walls and furniture around them.

In the 1,000sq m basement level of the museum, visitors using the headphones provided can get close to five animals that can be found in the Sumatran rainforest  the tapir, Sumatran tiger, pangolin, mousedeer and orang utan  and hear them and other elements of the rainforest, such as birds and waterfalls.

Through simple challenges, such as freeing a trapped mousedeer, they can learn about issues such as which species are endangered and the effects of environmental degradation.

The exhibition experience ends with a six-minute film with similar themes by Singapore artist Brian Gothong Tan, 36, who was inspired by the detailed murals of Mexican artist Diego Rivera.

The film is narrated based on the words of Alfred Russel Wallace, a British naturalist working in the Malay Archipelago in the 19th century.

Projected on an 18m-by-22m sloping wall, it requires the use of proprietary solutions which include spanning and blending nine projectors to create one seamless image, says Tan.

Topics :

This article appeared on The Star newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
A saturated art market has led to tough times for a lot of galleries. A growing number of gallerists have had to shut up shop on Manhattans Lower East Side in the past year. [Financial Times]

 A low-rise 19th century building housing a Chinese grocery store will be demolished to create an expansive new gallery and residential building on Grand Street. [Architects Newspaper]

More on the dismissal of the city official who lifted deed restrictions at Rivington House: The FBI questioned de Blasio. Hours later this man was fired. The mayors spokesman seemed to blame poor communication for the administrations latest snafu. If indeed it was miscommunication and missteps that led to the curious and painful optics around (Deputy Commissioner Ricardo) Moraless firing, then it in some measure mirrored the failures on the part of other city officials surrounding the lifting of the deed restrictions. [New York Times]

Editorial: Mayor de Blasio finds his scapegoat in the Rivington House scandal. One relatively lowly deputy commissioner shouldnt be the only one losing his job. [New York Post]

ICYMI: The de Blasio administration is reportedly preparing a takeover of 1200 privately owned co-op buildings. [New York Post]

Controversy continues to ripple through New Yorks Lower East Side skate community following Louis Vuittons fall mens runway show in Paris last month  when the French house unveiled its collaboration with Supreme. [Los Angeles Times]
Last December, Min Jin Lee introduced her new novel in a YouTube video. In the video, Lee recalls a university lecture she heard when she was 19 about the Korean population in Japan. The lecturer discussed Japans colonization of Korea, and told of a Korean-Japanese family he knew whose son had committed suicide by jumping off the roof of their apartment building. After his death, his parents found his middle school yearbook. In the video, Lee, fighting back tears, lists the things his classmates had written in it: Go back to where you belong; You smell like garlic; Die, die, die. Its a story that has stayed with Lee for almost three decades. It was the beginning of her desire to write a historical novel about Koreans in Japan.

Fans of Lees debut, Free Food for Millionaires, will recall a novel centered on Korean-Americans in working class Queens. But the authors shift into historical fiction does not mean that Pachinko is a departure for Lee. Free Food fans will recognize in Pachinko Lees nimble 19th-century style omniscient narration, as adept at illuminating the lives of our central characters as it is those of their acquaintances and lovers (and even the occasional shop girl or bartender). Here, too, is a story of class aspiration, of living and sacrificing for the next generation. Finally, like Free Food, Pachinko is a novel about a community, a Middlemarch-inspired web of characters.

We begin in Busan, Korea at the turn of the century with the birth of Hoonie, who, a few years after Japans annexation of Korea in 1910, marries Yangjin, with whom he fathers Sunja. As a teen, Sunja is seduced and impregnated by charismatic yakuza Koh Hansu, or as hes known to most: Boss Koh. Hansu, Sunja learns, is married, and though he promises to always support Sunja and their child, he tells her her cannot leave his wife for reasons related to business. Enter Baek Isak, a profoundly kind minister whos stopped at the familys boarding house on his way to an appointment in Japan. Isak offers to marry her, bring her with him, and raise the child as his own. Sunja, not wanting to bring shame to herself and her family, accepts, and were off to Osaka.

But life in Japan is brutal for Koreans. Sunja and Isak move in with Isaks brother Yoseb, and his wife, Kyunghee. Yoseb orders Isak  who he knows to be generous to a fault  not to give food or money to his new neighbors; to let it be known that you have the least bit extra is to invite robbery. Yoseb warns Isak: Were all hungryBe extra careful around other Koreans. The bad ones know that the police wont listen to our complaints. The police are all Japanese. Judges, too. In Japan, Koreans face discrimination at every turn. How, Lees epic asks, does one survive in a society that considers you subhuman?

Well, there are few approaches. As the novel progress, Sunja gives birth to two sons: Noa, her child by Hansu  though, of course, thats a secret  and Mozasu, her child with Isak. Noa excels in school, puts up with the other children calling him names, and is proud when teachers tell him that he is a good Korean. Mozasu on the other hand becomes a ferocious fighter, whooping anybody who disrespects him or his family. Noa dreams of becoming an educated man. But its Mozasu, ironically, whos more like Hansu (who, by the way, we have not seen the last of), harboring no faith in the fairness of the system and choosing instead to work whatever angles he can: while still a child, Mozasu tells Noa: I want to make a lot of money, then umma and Aunt Kyunghee wouldnt have to work anymore.

Its these aspirations that lead Mozasu into pachinko, a game comparable to pinball (but played for money), and a business looked down upon by most. In pachinko, Mozasu sees a metaphor for life:

His Presbyterian minister father had believed in divine design, and Mozasu believed that life was like this game where the player could adjust the dials yet also expect the uncertainty of factors he couldnt control. He understood why his customers wanted to play something that looked fixed, which also made room for randomness and hope.

Mozasu is a success in the pachinko business, coming to manage, then own, several parlors. Decades pass. The family grows.

But are they at home in Japan? Is there such thing as home for the Korean-Japanese? As Mozasu puts it: In Seoul, people like me get called Japanese bastard, and in Japan, Im just another dirty Korean no matter how much money I make, or how nice I am. In this novel, the question of home dovetails nicely with the theme of fatherhood. To what extent can Japan, a society that despises Koreans, ever be these characters home? To what extent is Noa, who wants only to be educated and virtuous like Isak, the man who raised him, still Hansus son? What does it mean to be connected to another person? To a nation? Lee offers us no simple answers.

But we dont read novels for simple answers, do we? We read novels to get a glimpse of the world through someone elses eyes. Lee does that for us here, and she does it while maintaining a light touch. Lee is not an author interested in dazzling you with her prose or reinventing the novel form (Pachinkos structure is most like that of 19th-century British novels), preferring instead to keep her story and characters front and center. But somehow, shes there on every page, present but invisible. That YouTube video I mentioned? I didnt see it until after Id finished the book. But I didnt need that video to tell me that this story is deeply important to Lee. I felt it in every line. And when I reached the end, I knew that, like Lee when she heard the lecture that would inspire this novel, Id just heard a story that would stay with me for a long time.
This was supposed to be the most political Academy Awards in history. One man was expected to overshadow the ceremony: and not the gold one that stands 8 inches tall.

If one thing was certain, it was that US President Donald Trump by no means felt it beneath him to wade into Hollywood politics. Trump had already engaged in a social media spat with 20-time Oscar nominee Meryl Steep, whom he deemed over-rated after she denounced his mocking of a disabled reporter at a campaign rally in her Golden Globes acceptance speech in January.

Only 72 hours before the show began, the six directors nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category released a joint statement about the climate of fanaticism and nationalism engulfing the contemporary world.

This tone continued into the ceremony itself. Various comments about immigrants, politically charged times, walls that want to separate us and that tolerance is more powerful than fear of the other all featured in the four-plus hour ceremony, not to mention host Jimmy Kimmells various jabs at Trump, including tweeting him during the telecast.

The individuals who did not pepper their speeches with calls for love and acceptance became more notable than those who did. First winner of the night, Mahershala Ali, who delivered a stirring speech at the Screen Actors Guild awards last month about acceptance, didnt replicate this for the Oscars; nor did Casey Affleck say anything remotely political (this may have been due to recent controversy surrounding him and sexual harassment allegations ). But from animators to make-up and hair stylists, everyone else added their personal voice to the crowd cheering for inclusivity and tolerance.

But, then, Warren Beatty was given the wrong envelope (the envelope for Best Actress, won by Emma Stone from La La Land earlier in the evening), looked a bit confused, and handed it to co-presenter Faye Dunaway, who announced that La La Land won Best Picture. Cue the la la music, hugs, cheers, and the entire La La Land team up on the stage. But then, after a few minutes of speeches, it was stated on-stage that Moonlight had actually won. To clear up any doubt, the correct envelope and card was displayed for a crucial close-up.

La La Moonlight

There have been Best Picture surprise winners in the past (this was especially the case in 1998 when Shakespeare in Love triumphed over Saving Private Ryan). But never has there been a gaff as momentous as presenting the wrong people with an Oscar. There has been a persistent rumour that Marissa Tomei, Supporting Actress winner in 1993 for My Cousin Vinny, was incorrectly given the award by Jack Palance. But this was denied by the Academy, and if a mistake had been made, a representative from PwC, who count the votes, would have stepped on stage and cleared up the confusion, as we found out on Sunday night

The slip up was particularly apt considering the two films. Expected Best Picture winner, La La Land, has become a lightning rod for debates about its merit in these politically charged times. Some defend the musical love story as a welcome return to old-fashioned musical nostalgia, an invocation simply to feel , while others thought the film indicative of the posturing and posing, the fakery of the age

Moonlight was the opposition to La La Land: complex, arty, diverse. While it may not be unique for an American film to explore the life of a African-American boy in a poverty stricken environment, it is unusual to produce a film that presents an African-American gay male, focusing on his vulnerable masculinity . La La Land suffered under the weight of the inevitable backlash against frontrunners and crowd-pleasing films.

Both films, I would argue, were worthy Best Picture winners. Both took risks. It should not be overlooked that La La Lands budget was US$30m dollars, considered a small to medium budget in Hollywood. And although the death of the musical has been overstated for decades, films that evoke classical musicals like Singin in the Rain or European pastiche musicals like The Umbrellas of Cherbourg are not generally produced in Hollywood.

But Moonlight has been, so far, immune to criticism and is groundbreaking as the first queer film to win Best Picture  and at a snip (various figures have been quoted, from US$1.6m to US$5m ). A truly political victory.

Altitude Films

A ceremony for our times

Despite this, the overwhelming politicism of this years awards were drowned out by the slip up.

The annual Hollywood event has not been immune to political sentiments or speeches in the past. Most point to Marlon Brandos 1973 refusal to accept his Academy Award  sending actress and president of the National Native American Affirmative Image Committee, Sacheen Littlefeather, in his place to discuss the plight of Native Americans  as the point when the Oscars and politics really came together.

But since then, each political speech has generally been met with widespread criticism, eliciting comments about the inappropriateness of Hollywood elites remarking on political contexts that rarely impact their own lives. The glittering fantasy of the ceremony certainly appears at odds with the socio-political reality of countless viewers.

This year, something seemed to have shifted. Politics was no longer an aside at the end of a self-congratulatory speech, or deemed difficult to swallow given the privileged audience in the Dolby Theatre (although it did feel slightly patronising when Kimmell paraded in real people from a Hollywood bus tour and had them, awkwardly, interact with the celebrities in attendence). This year, politics suffused the lead up to the awards, and the ceremony itself. So it is somehow appropriately ironic, given the political climate, that this has been overtaken by a blunder from an accounting firm.

This years Oscars provided audiences with both glitz and glamour, and sombre reality, just like the two films that were announced as Best Picture winners. These two films accurately reflect the paradoxes our times.
I was scrolling through my Twitter feed on Saturday morning when I found an article that had been posted by Marie Claire.

Now, Marie Claire is one of my favourite magazines out there and I usually love reading their informative and entertaining stories - but I feel that something should be said regarding its recent practice.

The issue arose when I read that the line that accompanied an article giving girls information about what to do if stalking occurs and how to recognise it

"How to avoid getting stalked"

This article of course is informative, important and should be read by men and women everywhere - but the title really had me confused.

The statement promotes the idea that the victim is the problem and that people should be actively trying to avoid getting stalked.

You as a human being should NOT have to feel like you must avoid doing certain things, or acting a certain way, because 'you might be stalked'.

The worst part is, this article wasnt even talking about how to not get stalked.

Then I realised it; I had fallen for clickbait.

I saw the title.

I was enraged.

I read the article.

I drove traffic to the site.

If you look back over our brief time in 2017, one of the biggest phrases has been 'Fake News' - and not just because Donald Trump shouted it at a CNN reporter.

Fake News is a term that refers to false information or propaganda published under the guise of being authentic news. The websites that do this push content to misinform people through social media and word of mouth. There is also, 'clickbait' which falsifies content too by 'baiting' its audience with intriguing titles and encouraging them to read more or watch the video - even if the title sentence isn't in context at all.

As a young journalist, I am sad to see the industry I love and have tried so hard to be a part of becoming a pool of mistrust and target for the worlds anger.

It does beg the question;

Are we really that crap at writing these days that we must lure our audiences in with fake stories and politically incorrect titles?

Im calling for action.

No more flimsy titles and clickbait on articles that could be informative and useful to the reader.

No more having to check the facts and not knowing which publication to trust.

No more titles like this, used to cause outrage rather than express important topics.

Can the journalists of the world just stop lying about their work? Can we not work hard and discover facts rather than skew it to fit our own agenda?

If youre a good enough journalist your words should express the hard work you have done to inform the public and you should be proud of it.

So, Marie Claire - I hope you're not proud of the era of deception you're bringing on journalism. You're better than that.
The Home Office has delayed the deportation of Shiromini Satkunarajah, after a petition to keep her in the UK gained 100,000 signatures.

The Bangor University student was told last week that she would be sent back to her birthplace of Sri Lanka after being refused asylum. She was due to board a flight at 9pm this evening.

Shiromini moved to the UK when she was 12, as her parents were forced to flee the Sri Lankan Civil War.

She was initially allowed to stay on her father's student visa, and was then allowed to complete her secondary school education in the UK after he died in 2011.

Now 20, Shiromini is a student of electrical engineering at Bangor University, due to graduate with a first this year.

However last week it was believed she would never get to graduate.

Shiromini was arrested after her application for a student visa was rejected, and sent to Yarl's Wood detention centre to await deportation.

Late last night the Home Office confirmed the deportation had been referred and the student and her mother were released.

The news that Shiromini was to be removed from the UK caused a national outcry.

Local MP Hywel Williams urged the Home Office to allow Shiromini to complete her studies, saying that she had followed the immigration rules 'meticulously' and that the treatment of her case has been 'scandalous'.
Not many mobile phone announcements get the world talking like the return of Nokias 3310.

The design classic has stirred old mobile phone memories in plenty of us since rumours first surfaced earlier this month that the device could be set for a shock comeback.

(Martyn Landi/PA)

Well, it really is here and will be available to buy later this year. But the questions are should you, and do you really need it?

We went hands-on with the new-old phone at Mobile World Congress to try to find out.

Looks

(Martyn Landi/PA)

Given how recognisable the original 3310 was, Nokia and HMD  the company that has developed the new device  have rightly decided to stick with what works on the revamped phone. The central menu button has been lowered and changed shape but, fundamentally, the set-up looks the same.

The change is in the colour  in the blue, yellow and red Nokia has gone for some bold statements for the finishes. And, although they are bright, they catch the eye and reflect the sense of nostalgic fun Nokia is clearly going for.

Theres also a colour screen and a camera built in for the first time although, as you might expect, its only two megapixels and therefore not something youll turn to on a regular basis.

If youve ever encountered the Nokia 150, the closest modern budget phone Nokia has made to the original 3310, then imagining the two combined gets you close to what the new 3310 looks and feels like.

Key features

(Martyn Landi/PA)

There are three  and theyre not just key features, they are the features. Full stop.

Nokia has made a point of celebrating Snake in announcing the 3310 and, alongside the ability to call and text, this is the beginning and the end of what this phone does.

But, it does only cost 49 euros  about 41, although the UK price has not been confirmed  and for that you do get a phone that will easily last a day or two on one charge and a whole month on standby, which seems like a fair deal.

Your second phone?

(Martyn Landi/PA)

The big question it brings us to is whether its necessary to invest in a second or burner phone?

For the price it doesnt seem too extreme an idea: protect your expensive phone and all its contents for less than the cost of a cracked screen.

But jumping to a second device when youre travelling off the beaten track does feel excessive, especially given the recent improvements in the robustness of todays flagship devices.

This line of thinking has led some to suggest Nokias strategy here is more cynical; something of a stunt to draw attention to its comeback and bring in customers.

(Martyn Landi/PA)

But this is a cynical suggestion in itself. Plenty of other industries have re-released classics  music does it with reissues, the motoring industry has done it with cars such as the Fiat 500 and just recently in the world of gaming the NES mini classic created similar levels of joyful nostalgia.

It doesnt say anywhere that mobile phones shouldnt be fun and bring a bit of joy to those who pick them up and thats exactly what the 3310 does.
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Graft panel mulls death penalty deal

BANGKOK: The prosecution is prepared to drop the death penalty provision for people accused of corruption in the Roll-Royce bribery scandal in exchange for information to help its probe into the case.

corruptioncrimepoliticstransporttechnology

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 28 February 2017, 08:59AM

A Thai Airways International Boeing 777 with Rolls-Royce engines lifts off at Sydney airport. Photo: Creative Commons

The move follows yesterdays (Feb 27) meeting of a newly appointed joint committee fighting graft to lay down guidelines for handling transnational graft cases including the Rolls-Royce scandal involving two major state enterprises  Thai Airways International and PTT Plc.

The panel is made up of section heads of various agencies such as the Justice Ministry, the Office of the Attorney-General, the Anti-Money Laundering Office, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission and the Office of the Auditor-General.

It has been agreed the Office of the Attorney-General will be responsible for requesting documents and information from the British Serious Fraud Office (SFO) which pursued lawsuits against British manufacturing giant Rolls-Royce over corruption allegations.

Amnat Chotchai, Director-General of the International Affairs Department, the Office of the Attorney-General, said the investigation into the Roll-Royce scandal has hit a snag due to a lack of information.

It is believed the maximum penalty in the new Anti-Corruption Act, which is the death penalty in bribery cases, is posing an obstacle in getting information from various parties such as the United Kingdom because it is against human rights principles.

In mid-February, Margaret Tongue, charge daffaires of the British embassy, said the British government is opposed to the proposed use of capital punishment against corrupt officials.

Mr Amnat said the OAG will give his assurances to foreign agencies that the death penalty provision will be dropped and those accused of involvement in the Roll-Royce bribery may face the punishment of life imprisonment instead.

Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit, Chairman of the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC) and head of the joint panel, said the prosecution has been put in charge of coordinating with the SFO to seek evidence and documents while the NACC will coordinate unofficially for information.

The matter has been resolved. There will be no more problem when it comes to seeking information, he said.

He rejected as irrelevant an observation that British authorities did not hand over information regarding the Roll-Royce bribery scandal because the Thai government is not an elected government.

Gen Watcharapol said while the NACC has gathered facts involving THAI, the agency still needs to verify some information before it decides to press charges against those allegedly involved in the scandal.

The NACC has information about who were involved in the two first two periods of the bribery but we have to be sure before we go ahead and press charges. We are still gathering information about the third period, he said.

The Roll-Royce bribes occurred over three periods.

The first was from June 1, 1991 to June 30, 1992 when Rolls-Royce had paid US$18.8 million (B660 million) in order to secure the engine purchasing contract from THAI.

The second was from March 1, 1992, to March 31, 1997, when Rolls-Royce had paid $10.38mn.

The third was from April 1, 2004 to Feb 28, 2005, when almost $7.2mn was paid by Rolls-Royce for the contract.

Gen Watcharapol said the NACC is handling a total of 12 transnational graft cases including the Roll-Royce scandal.

Pisit Leelavachiropas, Chief of the Office of the Auditor-General, said yesterday that his office will submit its findings into THAIs procurement of aircraft and spare parts to the NACC, which is a core investigating agency.

Read original story here.
Hunt continues in Phuket for wife-burning ex-husband

PHUKET: An officer from Thalang Police has confirmed that the hunt is still ongoing for a man who set his ex-wife on fire last Monday (Feb 20).

crimeviolencesexpolice

By Tanyaluk Sakoot

Tuesday 28 February 2017, 12:22PM

The hunt is continuing for 50-year-old Somkuan Jongsuk. Photo: Thalang Police

Police began hunting for the ex-husband of a kindergarten cleaner after he set on fire to her in a jealously-fuelled attack last Monday.

Rungruedee Sithibut, a 43-year-old cleaner at Thepkrasattri Municipality Kindergarten in Thalang, suffered burns to her left arm, left shoulder and back. She was taken to Thalang Hospital after the attack at about midday.

Capt Kraisorn Boonprasop of the Thalang Police said police were hunting for Somkuan Jongsuk, 50. (See story here.)

The Phuket News attempted to contact Capt Kraisorn today but he could not be reached.

However, Deputy Chief of the Thalang Police Lt Col Anukul Nuket confirmed that Somkuan was still being hunted.

Right now we are still looking for him. We believe he is still in Phuket, he said.

Asked what charges Somkuan is likely to face once apprehended, Lt Col Anukul said, At present he will be charged with spousal abuse, however, that charge could change once we receive Ms Rungruedees medical report from the hospital which shouldn't take more than 15 days.

If we find that her injuries are more serious than at first believed then we add the charge of aggravated assault, he said.
Phuket beach, coral reef cleanup nets 382kg of garbage

PHUKET: A beach and underwater cleanup over the weekend netted 382kg of garbage from a coral reef off Karon Beach.

tourismmarineenvironmentnatural-resourcespollution

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Tuesday 28 February 2017, 03:05PM

The cleanup netted 382kg of garbage from the Karon Beach and the coral reef just offshore. Photo: DMCR

The cleanup netted 382kg of garbage from the Karon Beach and the coral reef just offshore. Photo: DMCR

The cleanup netted 382kg of garbage from the Karon Beach and the coral reef just offshore. Photo: DMCR

The cleanup netted 382kg of garbage from the Karon Beach and the coral reef just offshore. Photo: DMCR

The cleanup netted 382kg of garbage from the Karon Beach and the coral reef just offshore. Photo: DMCR

The cleanup netted 382kg of garbage from the Karon Beach and the coral reef just offshore. Photo: DMCR

The cleanup netted 382kg of garbage from the Karon Beach and the coral reef just offshore. Photo: DMCR

The cleanup netted 382kg of garbage from the Karon Beach and the coral reef just offshore. Photo: DMCR

Leading the cleanup, held on Saturday (Feb 25), was led by Sopon Thongdee, the Bangkok-based Deputy Director-General of Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR).

Joining Mr Sopon was DMCR Phuket Director Watcharin Thintalang and Kasem Sukwaree, director of the DMCR Phukets Natural Resources and Environment Office, along with Capt Boworn Phromgaewngam, Deputy Director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Phuket branch.

Collecting the garbage were local conservationists and volunteers from the local dive community as well as students from Phuket schools who scoured the sand to collect washed-up waste.

Most garbage collected was found near the coral reef off Laem Sai, and most of that garbage was fishing equipment, such as seine nets and ropes, Mr Sopon said.

Garbage in the sea is a problem that need to be fixed. The national government sees this problem as a national waste problem, he added.

Thailand is sixth in the world for the most garbage in the sea. More than a million tons of garbage per year is released into the sea in Thailand. For plastic garbage, we cannot identify exactly where it comes from, Mr Sopon said.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment ordered the DMCR to take responsibility for this problem, so we have launched a sea garbage management project under our five year budget for 2017-2021.

The project focuses in tourism areas where there are lots of garbage in the sea that affects the local ecosystem, Mr Sopon added.

The cleanup in Karon on Saturday also follows a mass of floating waste nicknamed garbage island, weighing an estimated 100 tons, found floating off Chumphon earlier this month. Marine officials vowed to take action to clean that mess up, too. (See story here.)
Phuket beaches score high in TripAdvisor Best in Asia 2017

PHUKET: Five of Asias Top 25 Beaches in 2017 are in Thailand, according to the latest poll of the popular global travel website TripAdvisor, which has just released its annual Travelers Choice listings.

tourism

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 28 February 2017, 12:22PM

Phukets Naiharn Beach, Kata Noi Beach and Freedom Beach south of Patong were listed as fourth, eighth and 11th , while Phra Nang Cave Beach and Railay Beach in Krabi took seventh and 14th place, respectively, in the list of Top 25 Beaches  Asia.

The TripAdvisor 2017 Travelers Choice beaches are determined based on the quantity and quality of travelers reviews and ratings on the TripAdvisor website gathered over a 12-month period.

We are proud that five Thai beaches are so loved by TripAdvisor users and their invaluable feedback helps us to improve these beaches and ensure theyre looked after for tourists and generations to come, said Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorn.

Naiharn Beach was praised by TripAdvisor users for its pristine waters, colourful fish and unspoiled state, while Kata Noi stood out for its amazing scenery and peace and quiet. Over in Krabi, the Pra Nang Cave Beach on Ao Nang bay was loved by TripAdvisor reviewers for the jungle environs and the chance to take kayak trips off-shore.

Freedom Beach on the southern end of Patong Beach in Phuket was described as the place to get away from the crowds as its secluded and gorgeous. Meanwhile, Krabis Railay Beach is popular for its caves and unparalleled rock climbing tours, according the TripAdvisor reviews.

For a complete list of the best beaches in Asia as well as for review and travelers photos, click here.
Phuket residents left powerless after cement lorry brings down pylons, cables

PHUKET: The hopper of a cement lorry got caught in electricity cables in Rawai yesterday bringing down two pylons and leaving a pickup truck damaged and local residents without power for six hours.

accidentstransport

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Tuesday 28 February 2017, 11:44AM

The driver of the cement lorry didn't stop even though he knew cables had got caught on his vehicle. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Chalong Police were informed of an incident on Soi Samakee, Saiyuan Rd in Rawai yesterday afternoon (Feb 27) where a cement lorry had brought down electricity pylons after getting its hopper caught in overhead cables.

Lt Col Khanan Somrak of the Chalong Police together with Mr Supphawat Khunnaluk, a committee member from Chalong Municipality and officials from the Chalong Provincial Electricity Authority office arrived at the scene to find a cement truck stopped in the middle of the road with a large bundle of cables caught around its hopper at the rear of the vehicle.

Two electricity pylons had been pulled down as a result of the accident and a pickup truck had sustained slight damage after one of the pylons fell on top of it.

The drivers of the lorry and pickup where at the scene waiting for police to arrive.

Lt Col Khanan said, The driver of the cement truck, Mr Manote Sorsakun, 51, told us that he was driving down the soi and got the hopper caught in overhead cables, he continued to drive causing two pylons to fall. One of the pylons fell on a parked pickup truck.

Mr Gonjanart Phithakwongsorn, 41, the driver of the pickup truck added, I had parked at the roadside and was sitting in the truck when I heard a load noise. I looked out of the window but didnt see anything. Suddenly an electricity pylon fell onto my truck so I immediately got out of the truck and ran.

An official from the Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority confirmed to The Phuket News that electricity in the nearby area had to be cut while repairs to the pylons and cables were carried out and that nearby properties were without power for six hours.

Mr Manote and Mr Gonjanart were both taken to Chalong Police Station where it was being discussed who would be responsible for the costs of the repairs.
Scheduled blackout in parts of Muang Phuket tomorrow

PHUKET: The electricity supply will be temporarily shut down in Rassada tomorrow (Mar 1) as workers upgrade high-voltage power lines, the Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has announced.



By The Phuket News

Tuesday 28 February 2017, 02:57PM

The electricity supply will be cut from 9am-4:30pm tomorrow (Mar 1). Photo: The Phuket News

The affected areas include the intersection near Phuket Rajabhat University, Rassadanusorn Rd, Soi Sahakon Kru, Soi Anbanbusabong, Thep Buri Village, Baan Phanason Kuku, Soi Maeklin, Soi Duangkhae, Soi Mae Kham, Soi Pan Fah, Soi Muang-uthit, Mubaan Natha Kamon KuKu, Mubaan Natha Kamon Ratsada 2, Muban Natha Kamon 51, Soi Ruam Pathana, Soi Ratsada, Soi Chujit, Rommai Chailay Village. The electricity supply to these areas will be affected from 9am to 4:30pm. The PEA apologised for any inconvenience while work is carried out. For more info call the PEA at 076-319173 or 082-7901634.
Suvarnabhumi immigration officials told to sit tight

BANGKOK: Immigration officials on duty at Suvarnabhumi airport during morning peak hours have been ordered not to leave their stations to keep the lines of departing passengers flowing.

immigrationtransport

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 28 February 2017, 09:34AM

A passenger hands her passport to an immigration official at Suvarnabhumi airport. Photo: Somchai Poomlard

The stringent directive was issued by Immigration Bureau Chief Lt Gen Nathathorn Prousoontorn yesterday (Feb 27) after complaints about a long wait from air travellers to have their passports stamped in the morning.

The big boss at the bureau said up to 14 officers, or about 80% of the workforce at the airport, had already been deployed in the morning but passengers claimed they saw an empty counter as some officials might have gone to the toilet during the long working hours.

To solve the problem, Lt Gen Nathathorn said he had ordered all duty officers to never leave their desks from 6am to 9am.

Morning hours are a peak period at Suvarnabhumi, when more flights leave the airport.

The bureau chief also promised to transfer more officials under his supervision from other immigration posts to reduce the workload of their colleagues at Bangkoks international gateway.

He called an urgent meeting at the airport after social media showed foreign passengers thronged the area waiting for their documents to be processed on Sunday morning (Feb 26) while some immigration counters were empty.

Lt Gen Nathathorn claimed a check with all airlines leaving Bangkok during that period found only four Bangkok Airways passengers had missed their flights to Phnom Penh.

A further probe also showed the last person who passed through immigration was on board flight PG931, he said. There were other reasons the four passengers had missed their flights  they might have spent too much time shopping, had a long meal or could not find the gates, he added.

Read original story here.
Thailand extends visa fee waiver scheme for tourists from 21 countries

BANGKOK: The Royal Thai Government recently approved the extension of the visa fee waiver and reduction for visas on arrival for tourists from 21 countries. The original scheme, established on Nov 30 last year, will now be extended until Aug 31 this year.

tourismimmigrationeconomics

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 28 February 2017, 06:20PM

The visa fee waiver scheme for 21 countries has been extended, the TAT confirmed today.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said, Thailands tourism sector is thriving but with extra government support; such as, this visa waiver and reduction scheme means we can remain the top destination in the region. By continuing, this policy will help motivate visitors from these countries to discover Amazing stories in Amazing Thailand.

The extension of the visa incentives for tourists for a further six months was proposed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and was approved at the weekly Cabinet Meeting earlier this month.

The new period, lasting until Aug 31, will mean that travellers applying for tourist visas at Royal Thai Embassies or Thai Consulates abroad will not have to pay any fees for entry visas, while the fees for visas on arrival (VoA) have been reduced from B2,000 to B1,000 per person.

The new regulation will be effective for passport holders from 21 countries and territories including Andorra, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

Most of the countries listed are not major tourist providers, but the concession sends the right message to China, Taiwan, India and Saudi Arabia markets that have vast potential for growth, Deputy Prime Minister Thanasak Patimaprakorn said earlier this month. (See story here.)
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Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and 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Kolkata, Feb 27 (IBNS): The Corrugated Industry is staring at huge losses on account of frequent price increases in last one month by Paper Mills, said Indian Corrugated Case Manufacturers Association (ICCMA).

To make the matters worse, the Kraft Mills are closing their Plants every month on pre-determined dates thus creating massive supply disruptions. Both these actions have caused extreme volatility and there seems to be no stability in sight in the near future either in terms of price or timely supplies, it said.



Kraft Paper Mills in the Western Zone went for first closure from Jan 27-31, second one from Feb 11-15 and they have announced the next from Mar 11-15.

Paper Mills in other zones are also closing in sync with West zone. South zone mills also closed their plants fm 11-15th Feb and North zone has announced their closure from 1st to 5th March.

KiritModi, President of Indian Corrugated Case Manufacturers Association (ICCMA), pan-India body, stated that Corrugated Box Industry in the country with 300 Automatic Units and more than 12,000 Semi-automatic Units are facing imminent closure on account of these disruptions. This Industry which is employing over 6,00,000 work force is playing a pivotal role in the Indian economy by producing almost 52,00,000 tpa boxes with the total market size of Rs.18,000 crores per annum. It not only caters to the packaging needs of the common man but also protects the environment as its products are 100% eco-friendly.

The relentless price hikes will not only cause huge losses to the Box Industry but also to the nation as a whole in terms of lost revenues to the exchequer. Indian Corrugated Case Manufacturers Association (ICCMA), panIndia body, represents 170 Automatic Board Plants.



The cumulative impact of the price hikes on the Corrugated Box Industry, which is already in the doldrums, is to the tune of 12% minimum all across India. In addition to the cost impact, there is a serious issue of availability of Kraft Paper supplies in time to the Industry due to the frequent closures by all Kraft Paper Mills in various regions.

Under these circumstances, the Industry does not have any other option but to pass this increase on to our esteemed patrons to sustain this impact. ICCMA seeks their understanding and support to grant a minimum of 12% price increase immediately on boxes so that the Box industryis able to cover supplies of Kraft Paper well in time to avoid any disruptions in the supply chain.

Please find the attached Press Release for your kind reference.

Request, if you can carry the news in your esteemed portal.
What county auditors want voters to know ahead of the midterm election

Forty-one South Dakota county auditors spoke with the Argus Leader about the sanctity of elections in the state.
Kolkata, Feb 28 (IBNS): Prepare to spend even more time on your mobile as HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones,announced a new version of the cult status game, Snake for Messenger, part of Facebookas Instant Games cross platform experience.

The world famous game will be snaking its way back into peoples hearts and isdesigned to be played with groups of friends,making iteven more playable than the first time around.

Snakefirst featured on Nokia handsets in the late 90sand since then has appeared on over 400 million phones. Users will no longer have to dig out their old handsets to get their nostalgia fix, instead HMD Global invites the world to unite through the free gameand challenge friends to play,using Facebooks Instant Games platform.

In keeping with the original game,players will move the snake around the screen, eating apples and bugs along the way to score points. The more the snake eats, the longer it grows, making it more challenging to control. There are six levels to enjoy, each with a different layout and snake skin. Gamers can choose from three speeds; the higher the speed, the higher the score. In addition, friends either one-on-one, or as a group can see who has the highest score on the leaderboard adding an element of friendly competition.

Pekka Rantala, Chief Marketing Officer of HMDGlobal said: "The Snake game wasthe most popular game in the history of Nokia phones,in fact the true origin of mobile gaming can be traced back to a Nokia handset released in 1997. To this day ithas remained hugely popular, not only because it carries a strong sense of nostalgia but because this was the first ever mobile gaming experience for many consumers. The opportunity to partner with Facebook, the social media platformthat has single handedly defined the social media landscape, is an incredible opportunity. We were truly excited to work with them to bring back Snake in a modern format to a global audience. We hope in its new format it unites people across the world and brings as much joy to players as it did the first time around."

Laurens Rutten, Founder and CEO of CoolGames, the developers of Snake on Instant Games, said: "It was a big honour that our Studio could contribute to a new release of such an iconic IP that has shaped the mobile games industry."

A revamped version of Snake will also be pre-installed on the new Nokia 3310, a head turning modern twist on one of the best-selling phones of all time, making the Snake comeback even more exciting.
Toronto, Feb 28 (IBNS): The announcement of the opening of a new Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) clinic and the expansion of inherited metabolic disorders and red blood cell disorders clinics was made jointly by Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and Michael Coteau, Minister of Children and Youth Services at Toronto General Hospital on Monday, a news release said.

I am pleased that these clinics  are another example of how Ontario is putting patients first to provide them with better access to high quality of care closer to home, said Dr. Hoskins, media reports said.

Todays announcement means care will be streamlined, ensuring better access for those with rare diseases, said Coteau.

Run by University Health Network and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), the EDS clinic will provide primary care providers with a single point of contact to for relevant advice on diagnosis and treatment options for clinical experts and make referrals to specialists.

Dr. Peter Pisters, President and CEO, University Health Network said, The governments support for this clinic is much appreciated optimally integrated, world class coordination of care for Ehlers-Danlos patients in Ontario.

Ontario is making an initial investment of $991,000 to support the start-up and operation of the EDS clinic and another $622,500 to expand University Health Networks inherited metabolic disorders and red blood cell disorders clinics.

In January 2016, Ontario developed a Clinical Handbook to impart knowledge about best practices for treating patients with Sickle Cell Disease.

Ontario co-leads a pan-Canadian Rare Disease working group with British Columbia and Alberta to develop a national strategy to improve easy access to drugs for rare diseases as well as address their high costs.



(Reported by Asha Bajaj)

(Photograph of Dr. Eric Hoskins: Wikipedia)
New Delhi, Feb 28 (IBNS): On Feb 28 every year, India celebrates National Science Day through science festivals in educational and science research institutions to spread awareness about science in daily life and the country's various achievements.

The National Science Day commemorates the discovery of the 'Raman effect' by Indian physicist Sir Chandrashekhara Venkata Raman in 1928. He won the Nobel Prize in 1930 for his discovery.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on Tuesday, " On #NationalScienceDay, my greetings & best wishes to our scientific community. Their role in nation building & advancement is paramount."

Union Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Dr Harsh Vardhan tweeted, " Greetings on the #NationalScienceDay. Day to remember contributions of Bharat Ratna Dr CV Raman and our entire glorious scientific community."

He also tweeted, "Our scientists, thousands of unknown and uncelebrated faces, work tirelessly day & night to help take India forward. The Societal interventions, technological breakthroughs, solutions to challenges- our scientists have provided us all."

M Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting tweeted, "Wishes on National Science Day, honouring the great scientist Sir. C. V. Raman. Let us adopt & promote scientific vigour in our daily lives."

Various science museums across the country are holding special programmes to observe the day.

Image: Dr Harsh Vardhan Twitter
After the huge success of her debut film, Aamir Khan starrer Dangal, Sanya Malhotra has been busy working in Mumbai.

The actress who was unable to travel to her hometown, Delhi, on her birthday got a surprise from her old friends who made her birthday celebrations special by flying down from Delhi specially to be with her on her special day.

The trip was a surprise visit to Sanya by her gang of friends from Delhi. Her entire gang wanted to join in the celebration and so they secretly planned this trip, sources close to her said.

"It felt extraordinary to have shared my special day with some dear friends from Delhi who flew down to surprise me on my birthday," the actress was quoted as saying.

This turned out to be a dual celebration for Sanya and her friends as they not only celebrated her birthday, they also celebrated her debut film Dangal's stupendous success. This was the first time that she met her gang post the release of the film.

"This year has been a thrill ride and it was an overwhelming experience to say the least attributable to the achievement of Dangal and the adoration and support of my family and friends," Sanya said.

The Dangal girl hosted a lavish lunch for the entire group at a suburban Restaurant and spent the day reminiscing the old days, the sources said, adding, they congratulated her for the success of the film.

"I went out for lunch with a couple of friends and facilitated a dinner at home," Sanya added.
Lee Jae-yong, the de facto leader of Samsung Group, will be indicted on charges of bribery, an independent counsel said on Tuesday, as investigators wrap up their probe into an influence-peddling scandal.

Prosecutors suspect that Lee, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics Co., gave or promised some 43 billion won ($36 million) worth of bribes to President Park Geun-hye's jailed friend Choi Soon-sil in return for the government's backing of a merger of two Samsung affiliates in 2015, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The business merger was seen as critical for the smooth management succession of the group from ailing Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee to his only son Lee.

The investigation team, led by Park Young-soo, was given 70 days with another 20 days for preparation to look into the allegations President Park let her friend Choi meddle in state affairs and amass profits using her ties to the president.

Lee was formally arrested by the investigators earlier this month, marking the first time that the chief of the country's largest family-run business group has been detained.
In a major embarrassment to the outgoing Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) government in Punjab, the much talked-about amphibious bus, 'Harike Cruise' has failed to deliver. The dream project of Punjab deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, who launched the bus on December 12, 2016 while saying What I promised I did, apparently to take credit in a 'hurry', is waiting to open for public.

The visitors who enjoyed the bus ride on the inaugural day had no idea that the government brought the bus here only for 'trial'. Since then the visitors have failed to get the similar experience. The bus, which was brought for a trial was sent back to Goa and now a new bus has been introduced at the site last week.

Sources said, unlike first bus, which was made in Goa, the new bus has been imported from the United States of America. However, the 48 seated-bus was assembled in Goa. As the first bus was sent back to Goa, people had been making different remarks on the social media and termed it as a failed dream project of Sukhbir.

When asked, Sanjeev Aggarwal, managing director of Krishna HoHo Solution firm, is looking after the operations and maintenance of the much touted project 'Harike Cruise', said, The new bus has arrived and we are ready to launch it for public. The activity will have to halt for 15-20 days as the water level in the reservoir is low for running the operation of bus, he said.

On the other hand, sources said that the entire exercise is likely to take over one month as the Punjab irrigation department is yet to complete repairs at the main gates of the Rajasthan feeder canal and the Ferozepur feeder canal.

A huge chunk of public money has been washed out by Punjab deputy CM. Instead of providing basic facilities in government led schools, facilities for cancer patients in hospitals and financial assistance to farmers, such projects were launched that remained on papers till date, said, Chander Suta Dogra, Aam Adami Party (AAP) spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Punjab tourism minister, Sohan Singh Thandal, while talking to The Statesman, said, "Everything is in place. The hue and cry over the Harike Cruise will come to an end as the department is going to open it for public in next few days". It may be recalled that the first bus was sent back confidentially. Still, the act was exposed and went viral on social media. The bus has a four km ride in the water and on land.
A major fire broke out on Monday at a multi-storey building housing several godowns in central Kolkata's Burrabazar, creating panic among the residents.

The fire broke out at around 10 PM near Bagri bazar area and 25 fire tenders were pressed into service. The fire intensified due to the presence of inflammable material, including gas cylinders in the godown, a senior official of the fire department said.

"There is no report of any casualty so far and few persons who were trapped inside the building have been rescued," the official said, adding people living in the adjacent buildings were also evacuated.

"It is a massive fire and we are trying to douse it, but the thick smoke is making it difficult for us to reach the spot since the building is located in a congested area behind Burrabazar police station. The blaze is also spreading fast due to the presence of inflammable materials," he said.

State Fire minister Sovan Chatterjee, who rushed to the spot, said, "We are trying hard to douse the fire. Our senior officers are here."

Chatterjee, who is also the mayor of the city, supervised the fire fighting operations. Two to three cylinders were taken out during the evacuation in his presence, a fire department personnel said.

"The entire area has been cordoned off for the convenience of the fire fighters. Traffic at Rabindra Sarani has been stopped while the traffic in the MG road area was partially stopped," a police officer said.
YSR Congress Party president and Leader of Opposition in Andhra Pradesh Y S Jaganmohan Reddy on Tuesday threatened to send Krishna District Collector to jail.

Jagan entered into an argument with Collector Ahmed Babu, accused him of corruption and threatened to send him to jail.

The incident occurred after the Collector raised an objection to Jagan snatching the autopsy report from a doctor at government-run hospital at Nandigama near here.

The young leader alleged that a fictitious report was prepared without conducting autopsy on the body of the driver of the bus which fell off the bridge into a canal near Mulapadu, killing 11 people and injuring over 30.

Tempers ran high as the Leader of Opposition snatched papers from the doctor and Collector A. Babu who had reached there took objection to this.

Jagan then pulled up the Collector and remarked that from police to Collector everybody was involved in corruption. He even threatened to send him to jail after a thorough probe into the accident.

The YSRCP chief said no autopsy was conducted on the body of Adinarayan Reddy, who was driving the bus when it fell into the canal Tuesday morning.

He claimed that this was done to save Diwakar Travels owned by TDP MP J.C. Diwakar Reddy.

Jagan said there were allegations that the driver was under influence of alcohol and when he wanted to know this the doctors had no answer.

He also questioned the disappearance of the second driver from the hospital.

Jagan said Diwakar Travels and Kesineni Travels are owned by TDP MPs and were being run violating all rules.

The bus which plunged into a canal on Tuesday morning was heading to Hyderabad from Bhubaneswar. It hit the bridge divider and plunged through the gap between the two lanes into the canal.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will meet Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Tuesday afternoon to demand action against the ABVP and those who issued rape threats to a Delhi University student.

Kejriwal also alleged that the anti-national slogans were usually raised on directions of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student's wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh(RSS).

Gurmehar Kaur, a Delhi University student and daughter of an army Captain who died in the 1999 Kargil war, launched a social media campaign against the ABVP in wake of the violence in Ramjas College.

She later withdrew her campaign on Tuesday after receiving rape and death threats on social media by some who called her "anti-national".

"I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say," she said.

"I have been through a lot and this is all my 20-year self could take."

Kejriwal had earlier held the BJP responsible for the Ramjas violence and the subsequent threats to Kaur.

"Threatening our daughters and sisters with rape; is this BJP's patriotism? Shame on these people," he said.

On February 22, Clashes erupted between activists of the left-wing All India Students Association (AISA) and the ABVP outside Ramjas College, after the ABVP forced suspension of an event to be addressed by JNU student Umar Khalid.

Khalid was jailed last year on sedition charges for allegedly shouting anti-national slogans.
In a major setback to the protesting IAS officers in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday summarily rejected their demand for CBI probe into the state Staff Selection Commission test paper leak scandal, saying the CBI sleuths are no better than state cops. The chief minister cited the status of some cases handed over to the CBI to prove his point.

We recently handed over the three cases to the CBIthe case relating to the killing of self-styled Ranvir Sena chief, mysterious disappearance of a Bengali girl from Muzaffarpur and murder of a journalist Rajdeo Ranjan. What has happened to the cases? asked chief minister, speaking in the Bihar assembly amid boycott by the opposition. According to him, the CBI probe has reached only there where the Bihar police had left the investigation.

He said the Bihar police are efficient enough to probe any case saying the state government had never been interfering into their functioning. Questioning the demand for a CBI probe, the CM said the CBI too takes the help of the police to investigate the case. He said more than becoming a fashion, the CBI demand is a tool to cover up the whole investigation.

Indicating he just cant be cowed down, the chief minister said it was the duty of the officials to perform. Those showing gross negligence towards duty will be punished, he warned. He denied getting the memorandum from the IAS Officers Association for a CBI probe declaring he would do something which will prove to be milestone in governance. Let the memorandum come to me.

The IAS officers have been on the warpath in Bihar right since one of their senior colleagues Sudhir Kumar was arrested in the test paper leak scandal last week and have announced not to take verbal orders from any politicians including chief minister unless given in writing. The protesting IAS officers have so far met the chief minister, governor and the Speaker of the Bihar assembly seeking for a CBI probe into the scandal and immediate release of the arrested officer but to no avail.

Right now the matter is being investigated by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Bihar police on the instruction of the state government and the chief minister has announced to bring the case to a logical conclusion. The SIT headed by Patnas senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaj has arrested 34 persons so far and the case is about to be cracked.
A bomb was recovered here on Tuesday ahead of the visit of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for campaigning for the Manipur Assembly elections.

Police said the bomb was found near the gate of a residential building around 6 AM in Khongman Bashikhong Turel Mapal area in Imphal East district. The bomb was later defused.

The bomb was recovered about 6 km from the venue where the Congress Vice President is scheduled to address a rally.

Rahul Gandhi will campaign for Congress candidates at Hapta Kangjeibung ground.

Elections in the state are slated for March 4 and 8.
Kochi, Feb 28 (IBNS): A Christian priest was arrested in Kerala for alleged rape of a minor which led to her pregnancy, media reports quoted police as saying on Tuesday.

According to reports the 17-year-old gave birth to a baby at a private hospital last month.

The accused, a bishop, allegedly shifted them to an orphanage in north Keralas Wayanad to hush up the incident.

Father Robin Vaddakumchiryil (48), a bishop of St Sebastian church in Kottiyoor was arrested after the teenager informed the incident to childline, a telephone helpline for children in distress.
Family members, relatives, friends and people from different walks of life bid a tearful adieu to Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US on February 22 in a suspected hate crime.

His last rites were performed at the cremation ground in Jubilee Hills here on Tuesday.

K Madhusudhana Sastry performed the last rites of his son as some of the mourners including the techie's friends were seen carrying placards with slogans like "down with racism".

Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary Muralidhar Rao, other leaders from the BJP, TRS and other parties, and actor couple Jeevitha and Rajasekhar paid their last respects.

The body was brought from Kuchibhotla's house in Bachupally, on the city's outskirts.

As his final journey began, the engineer's parents were inconsolable while his wife Sunayana Dumala, who arrived with the mortal remains on Monday night, broke down as she had his last glimpse.

The body was brought by a cargo flight while Sunayana, her brother, sister-in-law and another relative reached by a passenger flight.

Mourners poured in at his residence through the night and Tuesday morning to pay their last respects.

Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white man who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on February 22.

Purinton got into an argument with the two and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them.

Kuchibhotla of Hyderabad and his colleague Madasani from Warangal district in Telangana were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an MNC.
Although the Union Government is making efforts to digitise economy and all payments after demonitisation, experts have raised concern over misuse of biometrics and called for legal framework to protect citizens rights.

Raising serious concern over UID or Aadhar project and other new digital platforms collecting and using citizen's data, experts during a workshop on the issue of the Sambhaavnaa Institute in Palampur in Kangra district warned that digitisation is undermining our economy, democracy and sovereignty.

Usha Ramanathan, a Law Researcher, said at a time when several instances of misuse of biometrics by banks and payment portals have come to light, we need to raise the issues regarding the Aadhar and linking it to a variety of services.

After demonitisation, the government has gone into an overdrive promoting digital platforms like Aadhaar Enabled Money Transfers, Universal Payment Interface, USSD, Paytm and other digital wallets. This enthusiastic compelling of the citizens to change their financial and commercial activities overnight is riding on the claim that almost all Indians now have an Aadhaar/UID number and bank account linked to this number  the combination of which will facilitate India becoming a predominantly cashless economy, she said.

Ramanathan said, however, there is neither any policy document nor any specific legal framework that ensures that the fundamental rights of the citizens are not harmed in the process of, and after the achievement of this shift to digital.

Eminent social activist Nikhil Dey said the use of authentication using Aadhar for delivery of public services is leading to widespread misery and excluding lakhs of people from getting basic services like rations and pensions.

This is despite the fact, there is a clear Supreme Court interim order that Aadhar cannot be demanded for basic services and that has been rampantly violated by many state governments, he added.

It is the private financial technology companies, both multinational and domestic, whose interests are being served, be it by the UID or the cashless India project, he said, adding the government has been pushing these projects in the name of security or removing corruption and black money. But we have no evidence to indicate how corruption will be solved just by bringing in technology. We need to challenge this idea, he added.

Now more than ever, we as citizens need to educate ourselves on the impacts of mass digitisation in India, said Mohammad Chappalwala, a former IT Engineer and Programme Coordinator at Sambhaavnaa Institute.

We have also launched a campaign called 'Rethink Aadhar' on social media through which we intend to spread awareness about the problems with UID across the country, he added.
Banking operations across the country came to a halt on Tuesday as 10 lakh bankers staged a strike against the government's "anti-people banking reforms", said a bank union leader.

The strike was called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), comprising nine unions.

They also pressed for compensation to employees for extra work done on account of demonetisation.

"Around 85,000 branches of commercial banks, 105,000 branches of co-operative bank and others are on strike," C.H. Venkatachalam, General Secretary, All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) told IANS here.

He said clearance of 40 lakh cheques totalling around Rs 22,000 crore would be affected.

The strike covers employees and officers in all public sector banks, including State Bank of India, all old-generation private banks, foreign banks, regional rural banks and cooperative banks.

Venkatachalam said the shutdown comes after all attempts to find a solution to the demands raised by the unions yielded no results.

The conciliation meeting before the Chief Labour Commissioner on February 21, failed to break the deadlock as the bank management body  Indian Banks Association (IBA)  did not agree to the union demands.

Most state-run banks have informed customers that functioning of branches and offices would be hit if the strike was observed on Tuesday.

Top private lenders  ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank  are not part of the union and would continue to function normally but cheque clearances would not take place.

Besides, cash transactions would also be hit and the ATMs are likely to be emptied early during the day.

"ATM operations are yet to normalise after the demonetisation of high value notes. It seems people have resigned to the situation of less cash," Venkatachalam added.
Several opposition leaders on Tuesday joined a protest at the Delhi University campus against the violence on the Ramjas College on February 22 and accused the government of politicising the issue and censoring students.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Sitaram Yechury, Communist Party of India leader D. Raja, Janata Dal-United leader K.C. Tyagi and Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav were among those who visited the protesting students.

Adressing the protestors, Yechury said different politicians present at the protest venue were not to be blamed for politicising the students' protest since the central government had already politicised the issue.

"The government has made the issue political by censoring students into submission and using police for its benefit. It is the government that politicised the issue," Yechury said.

"Students should be allowed to express themselves. Politics is deciding everything for students today. Why should I not decide on my politics? You have to make your own choice," the CPI-M leader said.

He said there should be debate and not violence.

"The atmosphere at different university campuses has been ruined. If you wish to fight us, come ahead with your views if all is well with universities, all is well with my country. We will argue. We shall fight at an intellectual level, no physically," Yechury said.

Raja called for a fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre just as "Indians once fought the British rule".

"I am a communist, I don't need any certificate of nationalism. We fought for the country's independence. We fought against the British Raj and won independence. Now, we have to fight against the BJP 'raj' to defend our democracy," Raja said.

"What is BJP and ABVP? Ever since the BJP came to power (at the Centre), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has become the extra-constitutional ruler," he said.

Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav, meanwhile, compared the handling of the DU situation with the style of functioning of late Congress leader Sanjay Gandhi.

"For the last 10 days, there has been an atmosphere of fear and intimidation in the university, which is reminiscent of Sanjay Gandhi's style of functioning. There is only one answer to this  the students should come forward and say they are not scared," Yadav said.

Hundreds of students from Delhi University and other institutions of higher learning in the national capital, along with a large number of teachers, staged a protest march on the varsity's North Campus on Tuesday, which culminated at the Arts Faculty.

The march was against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Delhi Police over the February 21-22 disturbances on the campus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's much-awaited visit to Israel will take place this summer, coinciding with the celebrations of 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries.

Official sources said the two countries were in touch to finalise the dates of the PMs visit, which would take place in June-July. This would be the first visit by an Indian PM to the Jewish nation.

The two countries on Tuesday launched the year-long celebrations to mark 25 years of diplomatic relations. Israeli Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon and Amar Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations) in MEA jointly unveiled a logo on the occasion at a function here.

Talking highly about the growing India-Israeli relationship, Carmon announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would also visit India this year or early next year.

Modi's visit, it is understood, is being anxiously awaited in Israel, given the "close chemistry" he has with his Israeli counterpart.

Relations between the countries have progressed at an unprecedented pace since the two countries established diplomatic relations but India has shied away from such high-level visits in the past.

However, the BJP-led governments have always accorded priority to Indias relationship with Israel. President Pranab Mukherjee visited Israel in October 2015 in what was the first such visit by an Indian Head of State to Israel. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin paid a reciprocal visit last year at Mukhejee's invitation.

Carmon said the two countries were today not only cooperating in defence and security fields but also in areas like water, agriculture, science and technology and food. Its a unique relationship that we have with India, he added.

The Indian official said everyone was aware of the defence and security ties between India and Israel but the two countries were now seeking to make the relationship multi-dimensional.
A day after the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) held Tiranga march from Ramjas College to Faculty of Arts on Monday, students from several DU colleges marched against Ramjas College violence.

Police forces and security were heightened around the Delhi University campus to contain any aggravated situation.

Earlier in the day, Gurmehar Kaur, a Delhi University student whose social media campaign against Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) went viral, announced her withdrawal from the campaign on Tuesday.

I am withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say, Kaur tweeted.

"I have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take," a Kargil martyrs daughter said.

"The campaign is about students and not about me. Please go to the March in huge numbers. Best of luck," she added.

"To anyone questioning my courage and bravery. I've shown more than enough."

The ABVP members on Monday protested against Left student groups for their alleged involvement in anti-national activities.

Ramjas College on February 22 witnessed violent clashes between members of the ABVP and the All India Students Association (AISA). The ABVP carried out the protest against an event invite to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid, accused in sedition case last year for an event in the college.

Professors and students of the college were injured during the clashes.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said his remark on who was "polluting" the mind of an army martyr's daughter was aimed at "the Leftists" and noted that she was free to express her views.

Rijiju's comment came a day after he questioned whether someone was polluting 20-year-old Gurmehar Kaur's mind that drew flak from opposition parties.

"I stand by my comments. Anybody who tweets on social media platform should be careful. But anyone with a contrary view should be allowed to speak. Gurmehar is a young girl and she should be allowed to speak her mind," he told reporters here.

"When I said somebody is polluting her (Gurmehar's) mind, I meant the Leftists," he said.

Kaur had started a video campaign 'Not Afraid of ABVP'.

The Union minister of state for home said if there was any threat to Kaur, it should be dealt with sternly.

"But someone is playing politics over the issue," he said.

Rijiju also slammed the Leftists for their stand, saying whenever Indian soldiers die, "they always celebrate".

"In 1962 when the Chinese were fighting with us, the Leftists supported the Chinese. Even today when our soldiers die, they celebrate. They also go to the universities and try to mislead our youth," he said.

Rijiju described Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as an "anarchist", saying he was siding with some students who were creating turmoil in Delhi University.

The minister asked the Congress to stay away from the universities as they have "no ideology".

Rijiju's comments on Monday had come amidst the ongoing row over the clashes between the Left-affiliated AISA and the RSS-backed ABVP in Ramjas College here.

Kaur, daughter of Captain Mandeep Singh, who was killed by militants in Jammu and Kashmir in 1999, made a video asking India and Pakistan to amicably settle their disputes.

She had held a placard, saying, "Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him."

Kaur had claimed that she was getting "rape threats" from unknown persons after she spoke against the ABVP.
The mortal remains of the Indian engineer, who was shot dead in the United States in an apparent hate crime incident, arrived at the international airport here on Monday night.

The body was taken to his residence in Bachupally area of the city after it arrived in a flight at Shamsabad.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla (32), working at the Garmin headquarters in Olathe, was killed in the shooting on Wednesday night. Another Indian and his colleague Alok Madasani was injured in the incident.

The incident took place at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri.

Ian Grillot, an American, was injured when he tried to tackle the accused, Adam Purinton (51), who was arrested on Thursday morning, five hours after the incident.

Purinton had reportedly yelled "get out of my country" before opening fire on Kuchibhotla and Madasani.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has hailed the heroism of American Ian Grillot who was injured while trying to stop a gunman who killed an Indian in a hate crime.

Grillot suffered bullet wounds and is in hospital during the shooting in a Kansas bar last week.

"India salutes the heroism of Ian Grillot! Best wishes for a speedy recovery," Sushma Swaraj tweeted on Monday night.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and his colleague Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, formerly of the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on February 22.

Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the two and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country" before shooting them.

Grillot, 24, who tried to save the Indians, was hit by a bullet that pierced his hand and then lodged in his chest.
The Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Monday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the leak of the Army examination question paper.

"The Prime Minister and the Chief Minister are busy canvassing as they want to win the elections at any cost. But see what is happening. Question papers meant for the Army recruitment are leaked. When these people cannot keep the question papers safe, then what can be said about the country's security?" Thackeray questionned.

Thackeray's jibe came at a time when his party and former ally the BJP are locked in a fierce battle to control the cash-rich BMC, as both the parties fell short of numbers to capture power on their own.

The question paper for recruitment to some lower level posts in the army was allegedly leaked in Maharashtra and Goa, leading to cancellation of the examination conducted by the Army Recruitment Board yesterday. Thane police have so far arrested 21 accused in the case.

Thackeray was speaking on the occasion of the "Marathi Bhasha Diwas" which was celebrated today by the Sena, commemorating the birth anniversary of noted Marathi litterateur late V V Shirwadkar, popularly known as 'Kusumagraj'.

Attending a cultural event at Rang Sharda hall in suburban Bandra, he vowed to uphold the Marathi language and culture in the state.

Thackeray revealed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved setting up the memorial of Sena founder Bal Thackeray at the Mayor's bungalow in Shivaji Park in Central Mumbai.

"Today is really a noble day for us. Our corporation has given its nod for (setting up) Bal Thackeray's memorial at the Mayor's bungalow. This is a good development for the Marathi pride," he said.

The BJP-led state government had already announced giving the Mayor's bungalow on a 30-year lease for the memorial.

The Mayor's new residence is likely to be shifted to Byculla in South Mumbai.

Earlier in the day, outgoing Sena corporators in the BMC accepted the proposal, pending due to the model code of conduct, of transferring the Mayor's bungalow for memorial.

The election for the BMC was held on February 21 and counting of votes was done on February 23. Sena has emerged as the single largest party in the city hall winning 84 seats, followed by the BJP at 82.

The Sena chief said Marathi language and culture would continue to thrive irrespective of few Marathi medium schools shutting down in Mumbai.

"Some reports have come to fore that Marathi schools are shutting down. But this is not the case. What is happening is Marathi people just want their progenies to speak fluent English.

"But speaking fluent English does not mean that people are forgetting Marathi. It can never be forgotten. It is going to live long, irrespective of whether Marathi schools remains functional or not," he said.
New Delhi, Feb 28 (IBNS) : Amid a politically charged up situation, students and teachers of Delhi's premier educational institutions on Tuesday started a protest march against last week's violence at the Ramjas College, while Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singhas daughter Gurmehar Kaur pulled out of the campaign.

The march, led by DU and JNUs teachers and students and joined by All India Students Association members started from Khalsa College in the North Campus to the Arts Faculty.

According to reports, a massive security arrangement has been made to preempt any untoward incident.

The march comes a day after the Bharatiya Janata Party's youth wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad took out a Tiranga march in Delhi University.

The reports said thousands of people participated in the march with the song "Hum Honge Kamiyaab" being song aloud.

However, Gurmehar Kaur, the Delhi University student, who became the face of the anti-ABVP campaign, kicking up a political stir with her series of tweets and video posts, announced her withdrawal from the protest march.

In a series of tweets on Tuesday, the 20-year-old said her intention is to protect the movement as she appealed to others to join the "Save DU" march at the Delhi University campus by students and teachers.

,

"I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say," she wrote.

"To anyone questioning my courage and bravery. I've shown more than enough," Kaur, whose social media campaign against Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the student wing of the BJP, earned her accolades and criticism, tweeted.ty

The daughter of a Kargil war martyr, Captain Mandeep Singh, Gurmehar had also evoked diverse reactions when she made a video post, saying "Pakistan did not kill my father, war killed him."

Gurmehar on Monday had complained with the Delhi Women's Commission that she was threatened with rape on social media for her campaign.

She was given police protection yesterday after she was trolled with tweets.

Kaur initiated the campaign after her friends were verbally and physically abused at Ramjas College in North Campus, allegedly by ABVP students.
In a first, researchers have found evidence of planetary debris surrounding a double sun that resembles Tatooine  Luke Skywalker's home world in the Star Wars film.

A scene in Star Wars, where Skywalker looks at the horizon with the setting of two suns is regarded as one of the most iconic images in cinema.

In a study published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the researchers described the remains of shattered asteroids orbiting a double sun consisting of a white dwarf and a brown dwarf roughly 1000 light-years away in a system called SDSS 1557.

The debris appears to be rocky and suggests that terrestrial planets like Tatooine might exist in the system, according to the researchers.

"With the discovery of asteroid debris in the SDSS 1557 system, we see clear signatures of rocky planet assembly via large asteroids that formed, helping us understand how rocky exoplanets are made in double star systems," said lead study author Jay Farihi from University College London.

To date, all exoplanets discovered in orbit around double stars are gas giants, similar to Jupiter, and are thought to form in the icy regions of their systems.

In contrast to the carbon-rich icy material found in other double star systems, the planetary material identified in the SDSS 1557 system has a high metal content, including silicon and magnesium.

These elements were identified as the debris flowed from its orbit onto the surface of the star, polluting it temporarily with at least 1.1 trillion tonnes of matter, equating it to an asteroid at least four km in size.

"Building rocky planets around two suns is a challenge because the gravity of both stars can push and pull tremendously, preventing bits of rock and dust from sticking together and growing into full-fledged planets," Farihi said.

The team studied the binary system and the chemical composition of the debris by measuring the absorption of different wavelengths of light or 'spectra', using the Gemini Observatory South telescope and the European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope, both located in Chile.
Two individuals will be on a week-long trip around the moon in 2018 on the Dragon spaceship as part of an initiative by US company SpaceX supported by NASA, a media report said.

The Elon Musk owned space transport services company said on Monday that the names of the two individuals, who came to the company expressing their interest, will be revealed once they pass the physical and medical examinations necessary for such trip.

The two would be the only Dragon crew to take off in 2018 from the historic Kennedy's Launch Complex 39A at Cape Canaveral in Florida, the same launch pad as the Apollo lunar missions, Efe news reported.

This program consisted of eleven manned flights between 1968 and 1972, including the trip that led Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to tread on the moon for the first time on July 20, 1969.

For California-based SpaceX this is one step on the way to their goal of transporting humans to Mars.

"This presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep space for the first time in 45 years and they will travel faster and further into the solar system than any before them," SpaceX said in a statement.

The company said the space shuttle Dragon was designed to carry humans and already has "a long flight heritage."

Musk's company said that these flights with private crew, who "have already paid a significant deposit," according to the statement, are encouraged by NASA and will help reduce long-term government costs and improve the reliability of these missions.

The trip to the moon would be followed by other flights that the company plans with National Aeronautics and Space Administration astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

According to the company, there would be a flight later this year in automatic and unmanned mode as part of the program, with the launch of the Crew Dragon spacecraft (Dragon Version 2) to the ISS.

The subsequent crewed mission was expected to fly in the second quarter of 2018.
The two Koreas seem to exist on different planets: prosperity and democracy in the South, and grinding poverty and repressive dictatorship in the North. These differences were highlighted in the recent assassination of Kim Jong Nam, half-brother of North Koreas dictator, the murderous young Kim Jong Un.

Since the two Koreas went their own paths over sixty years ago, the North has become ever more repressive and closed off, with mass starvation an ever-present threat. But at the same time, the country has forged ahead with its nuclear weapons and missile programmes despite tough international sanctions. Even China, its only friend, is getting increasingly fed up of its embarrassingly unpredictable ally. According to recent reports, it has refused to buy any more North Korean coal, thus bringing it in line with UN sanctions.

A friend who has visited North Korea regularly over the last few years as an EU consultant told me about the weird policies and the paranoia that hold the secretive communist country in thrall. Of course he was never allowed to speak to anybody without his official minder being present. But he saw the strict regimentation and the rampant poverty, especially in the countryside. Defectors from the North speak about the dreaded secret police and the concentration camps that hold thousands of those suspected of dissent.

But despite the hardships his people go through, Kim Jong Un reportedly has access to imported goodies like caviar and cognac. So clearly, the sanctions and the stone-age agricultural practices and policies affect ordinary citizens, and not the party elites. And Im sure that our own AQ Khan  the man accused of selling nuclear plans to North Korea  was well looked after on his frequent trips to Pyongyang.

In its occasional coverage of South Korea, the Norths TV channel blurs the images of Seouls imposing skyscrapers so that its citizens dont see their neighbours prosperity and progress. And since people have no access to the internet, and foreign radio and TV broadcasts are still forbidden for North Koreans, they are unaware that they have a per capita GDP of a mere US$583 versus US$34,300 for South Koreans.

Constantly brainwashed about the existential US-led threat their country faces, they feel their sacrifices are worth the military strength they have achieved. And despite the presence of a powerful American army contingent in South Korea, the North presents a formidable threat to its southern neighbour. In fact, it is the danger it poses to Seoul  a mere 60 km from the heavily militarised border  that has prevented outside forces from mounting an armed incursion to prevent this dangerously volatile country from developing a full range of nuclear-armed missiles.

Despite the huge economic constraints the countrys military operates under it has mobilised a huge paramilitary force of nearly six million soldiers, or around 25 per cent of the population. And although its anti-aircraft batteries and missiles are now outdated, their numbers still present a formidable deterrent. The countrys poverty has not prevented its rulers from allocating some US$6 billion for defence annually.

Thus far, China has resisted calls to rein in its maverick ally, and to force it to change its behaviour. It has long feared that an imploding North Korea would cause a flood of refugees to cross over. And China has also desired a buffer between its borders and South Korea, with its powerful army, strengthened by a strong American force.

But now, by assassinating Kim Jong Nam, a member of the Kim dynasty under the protection of China, North Korea might finally have gone a step too far. While the reason for the killing by VX nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur airport is still unclear, the fact is that there had been an earlier attempt by North Korean agents. The current theory is that the North Korean dictator feared that his estranged half-brother might have been put up as an alternative to him by China one day. His elimination was thus a matter of survival for the paranoid Kim Jong Un.

The assassination has also strained relations with Malaysia which is furious that the very public killing took place on its soil. For its part, North Korea has denounced the fact that it has been accused of being behind the hit. Its agents had probably assumed that given the subtle nature of VX, its presence would not be detected, and Kim Jong Nams death would be assumed to have been caused by a heart attack. But CCTV cameras caught the swift action of the two women who carried out the actual hit while their North Korean minders watched from a safe distance before catching a flight to Pyongyang.

Kim Jong Un is the third in line from the Kim dynasty to assume absolute control of the country. Kim Jong Nam fell out of favour of his father, Kim Jong-Il for attempting to enter Japan on a fake passport to visit Disneyland. Once his half-brother took over, he had feared for his life and lived in Macau under Chinese protection. His visit to Malaysia proved fatal as he was constantly under surveillance by the North Korean secret service.

North Korea is clearly an aberration in the 21st century with its secretive ways and its repressive rule. The half-baked socialist policies it follows has bankrupted the country, and yet it has continued on its prickly, paranoid path. The true reason its leaders refuse to relax their grip is to retain their position of power and privilege. Its people are prisoners in a vast gulag where to disobey or disagree is punishable by death. Among the annals of dictatorships, North Korea surely stands out as the worst of the lot.

(Dawn/ ANN)
Three persons were killed and two injured when a small plane crashed into a residential neighbourhood in California, authorities said.

The passengers were returning to San Jose city after a weekend cheerleading competition at Disneyland when the plane crashed in Riverside neighbourhood on Monday, setting two homes ablaze, Fire Chief Michael Moore said in a news conference.

The cause of the crash was not immediately clear. Moore initially said that four people had died in the crash, but later corrected the number to three, reported the Washington Post.

Two adult women in their late 30s were transported from the site of the crash to area hospitals for medical treatment. Authorities said that none of the residents of the damaged homes were injured in the crash.

The plane, a Cessna 310, crashed about a half-mile northeast of the Riverside Municipal Airport and had just taken off, airport manager Kim Ellis told the Orange County Register.

A witness saw the plane make a turn, then nosedive, the Orange County Register reported.

Neighbours said the crash felt like an earthquake that was followed by a "big orange ball of fire".

The plane split as it rammed into the residential neighbourhood. The crash completely destroyed two homes, scorched a car, and scattered debris till at least a half mile away, according to the report.

The entire block  an estimated 20 houses on each side of the street  was evacuated for an investigation into the crash by the National Transportation Safety Board.
George W. Bush broke his silence on President Donald Trump's leadership, after refusing to criticise publicly those who succeeded him since he left the Oval Office eight years ago, a media report said on Monday.

"I don't like the racism and I don't like the name-calling and I don't like the people feeling alienated," Bush, 70, told People magazine in an interview.

"Nobody likes that".

The former President, joined by his wife Laura, spoke to the magazine in the painting studio of their Dallas home to launch his first art book, "Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors".

The collection of portraits of the injured warriors of America's war on terror aims to raise awareness and funds for the post-9/11 veterans' health care and employment programmes of the George W. Bush Presidential Centre.

Talking about the Trump's January 20 inauguration, which was attended by both the former President and his wife, Bush said: "First of all, we were thrilled to be there. It's a beautiful ceremony, it really is. It's a peaceful transfer of power, which is very reassuring."

However, Bush called the political climate in Trump's Washington "pretty ugly", but said he was not feeling anxious about the direction of the country.

"Not really. I'm optimistic about where we'll end up.  We've been through these periods before and we've always had a way to come out of it. I'm more optimistic than some."

Asked if he felt compelled to play a leadership role in these divisive times, Bush said: "No. When President (Brack) Obama got elected, friends would call and say 'You must speak out! You must do this, you must do that'. Turns out, other people are doing the same thing this time. I didn't feel like speaking out before because I didn't want to complicate the job and I'm not going to this time. However, at the Bush Centre we are speaking up."

A spokesman for the former President previously told People magazine that neither he nor the former first lady voted for Trump or for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the November 8 election.

The couple cast write-in votes for a candidate they did not reveal.
German hostage Jurgen Kantner was silent as the Abu Sayyaf prepared to execute him.

In a one-minute and 43-second video leaked from a chat group, the 70-year old Kantner was initially on the ground, wearing black shirt and pants and his hands tied to his back.

A bandit then helped him get up while talking in an uncertain dialect with his fellow bandits.

A man with a curved blade, similar to the ones used by sugarcane workers, then emerged and suddenly grabbed Kantner, who only managed to utter: Now he kill me.

Kantner was seen in the video struggling for his life as the unidentified bandit slashed his throat back and forth while chants of Allahu Akbar fill the background.

The executioner, who wore a full head garb obscuring his face, then held the severed Germans head into the air as the chanting continued.

The executioner then placed the head upside near Kantners neck before walking away.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza condemned the beheading of the German national as he confirmed the execution of the kidnap victim in Sulu.

We grieve as we strongly condemn the barbaric beheading of yet another kidnap victim, Dureza said in a statement.

Up to the last moment, many sectors, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines exhausted all efforts to save his life. We all tried our best. But to no avail, he added.

Dureza said terrorism has no place in a country like ours and we as a people must confront violent extremism every time it rears its ugly head.

I was always in close contact with German authorities in our efforts. We condole with his family, friends and loved ones, Dureza said.

Kantner and his wife Sabine Merz were sailing on Malaysian waters when they were kidnapped on November 5 last year. Merz was killed by the bandits.
The White House has condemned the fatal attack on an Indian engineer in Kansas City last week by a US Navy veteran as "racially-motivated hatred".

"As more facts come to light," Deputy White House Press Sarah Sanders told reporters that it looks like the Kansas shooting last week was a "racially motivated hatred".

Sanders reiterated that US President Donald Trump "condemns these" and any other racially motivated attacks in strongest terms. "They have no place in the country," Sanders said at the top of her off camera briefing.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani, another Indian of the same age, was injured in the shooting by the navy veteran Adam Purinton, who yelled "terrorist" and "get out of my country" before opening fire on them.

A 24-year-old American named Ian Grillot who tried to defend the Indians received injuries in the firing.

Purinton, 51, apparently mistook the Indians for immigrants from the Middle East.

Yesterday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer had said the incident was "disturbing", but did not say whether the Trump administration believed it was a hate crime.

The tragedy has led to fears among immigrants, who feel being targeted by President Donald Trump's plans to ban travellers from certain countries and build a wall along the Mexico border to realise his campaign pledge of putting "America first".

Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said it is investigating the triple shooting and homicide at a bar in Olathe in Kansas last week as a "hate crime."
A former US Navy veteran arrested last week for shooting two Indian engineers and an American at a bar had his first court appearance through video conference.

Adam Purinton, 51, faces one charge of first-degree murder and two charges of attempted first-degree murder in an apparent hate crime in Olathe that killed Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injured Alok Madasani. A third patron, 24-year-old Ian Grillot, was also wounded while trying to intervene.

Appearing in court via video conference on Monday, Purinton looked haggard and was soft-spoken. He was assigned a court-appointed attorney, and his bond remains set at $2 million. His next court date is March 9, CNN reported.

Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims at the Austins Bar & Grill and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "Get out of my country" and "terrorist" before shooting them. Purinton was later arrested from Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri.

In 911 calls, released by CNN-affiliate KSHB, an Applebee's bartender told the police that a man had admitted to shooting two "Iranian" people in Olathe and was looking for a place to hide.

Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton weighed in on the matter on Twitter on Monday, calling President Donald Trump to "step up and speak out" against "threats and hate crimes".

"With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out," she tweeted.

Trump has yet to comment, but his Press Secretary Sean Spicer had earlier said that early reports on the Kansas shooting were "disturbing".

Kuchibhotla hailed from Hyderabad while Madasani hails from Warangal town in Telangana. They were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an electronics manufacturer.
The Myanmar government will crack down on illegal trade from March 1, the Ministry of Planning and Finance warned on Tuesday.

The customs department will take action on illegal trade, especially illegal border trade, under short-term and long-term plans in cooperation with neighbouring countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

The first phase of the project will be undertaken in the country's northern Kachin state bordering China, followed by the second phase in Shan state bordering China and Kayin state bordering Thailand and Bago region.

The third phase will be implemented in Sagaing bordering India and Taninthayi region bordering Thailand.

Minister for Planning and Finance U Kyaw Win said the public servants who take part in cracking down on smuggling will be rewarded with 50 per cent of the value of the seized goods.

Vice President U Myint Swe had urged the private sector in January to cooperate with the government on cracking down on smuggling which is one of the big challenges to economic growth.

The country is suffering the loss of large amount of taxes due to smuggling mostly through border trade every year, said local economists.

The country has 15 border trade points with neighbouring Thailand, China, India and Bangladesh.

Myanmar's total trade value reached $24.213 billion in the first 11 months of the 2016-2017 fiscal year as of February 17.
The New Zealand government and trade unions on Tuesday joined forces to get women the same pay as men, as official figures showed a 17 per cent gap between mothers and fathers.

On average, fathers with dependent children earned 28.30 NZ dollars ($20.34) an hour, while mothers made 23.40 NZ dollars ($16.82), Xinhua news agency cited Statistics New Zealand as showing.

"The difference between the gap in what mothers and fathers earn, and the 5 per cent pay gap between men and women without children, is significant," the agency's insights manager Stephen Oakley said in a statement.

The negative pay consequences for women with children was internationally referred to as the "motherhood penalty".

International studies cited in the agency's report showed mothers might get less pay than fathers because many women spent time caring for children, which interrupted full-time paid work.

The overall gender pay gap was 12 per cent when last measured in June last year.

Meanwhile, State Services Minister Paula Bennett welcomed an agreement with unions that would see new pay equity principles applied for the first time.

The principles would make it easier for women to file pay equity claims with their employers, and assist employers in addressing those claims, rather than having to go through the courts.

"There will no doubt be things we learn as we apply the new principles in a real life negotiation process. This experience will help to refine and improve the changes to legislation that will be required to formally give effect to the principles," Bennett said.

The first two claims to be progressed under the principles would focus on social workers employed by the Ministry of Social Development and education, behaviour and communication support workers employed by the Ministry of Education.
New Delhi, Feb 28 (IBNS): President Pranab Mukherjee will visit Kerala and Tamil Nadu from Mar 2 to 3, officials said.

On Mar 2, 2017, the President will inaugurate a Seminar on Importance of Sustainable Culture Building being organized as part of the third edition of the Muziris Biennale in Kochi. On the same day, he will also deliver the Sixth KS Rajamony Memorial Lecture at Kochi.

On March 3, 2017, the President will present Standard to 125 (H) Sqn and Colours to MTI of Indian Air Force at Tambaram, Tamil Nadu. On the same day, he will also inaugurate the Centenary Celebrations of Womens Indian Association at Theosophical Society, Adyar, Chennai, read a government statement.

The Kochi Muziris Biennale is an international festival of contemporary art organized by the Kochi Muziris Foundation in association with the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.

Its three editions, since 2012, have resulted in Kochi occupying a prominent position on the global art calendar.

The Biennale has till date exhibited over 300 artworks by over 250 artists from all over the world and hosted more than a million visitors.

This edition showcases 97 artists from 31 countries such as UK, USA, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. It has received around four lakh visitors till date.
The Pentagon has sent the White House a preliminary plan to defeat the Islamic State (IS), a spokesman said without providing details about the plan.

Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis on Monday was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying that the plan is a framework for a broader plan to defeat the IS extremists, and the details of the draft are classified secret.

The draft plan came about a month after the US President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to come up with a plan to defeat the IS. He has repeatedly criticised the Obama administration for failing to stop the extremist group during last year's campaign.

On January 21 in his first official visit to the Central Intelligence Agency, Trump vowed that "radical Islamic terrorism" has to be eradicated "right now."

Trump described "radical Islamic terrorism" as "evil" unseen before, adding that it should be "eradicated just off the face of the earth."
Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 66F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 54F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.


remaining of

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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 ...
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Kabul, Feb 28 (IBNS): At least 11 policemen were killed by a Taliban infiltrator in the country's Helmand district, local Khaama Press reported.

The alleged incident took place on Monday night in the province's second police district.

Earlier the terror group had also tried to seize control of the city.

Image:google maps
Kabul, Feb 28 (IBNS): At least five people, including policemen and prisoners, suffered casualties in a bombing in Afghanistan's Helmand province, local Khaama Press reported.

The agency quoted local officials as saying that at least two prisoners were killed while three policemen suffered injuries in the aforementioned incident.

The bombing took place while a police convoy was transferring inmates to another prison.

No group has claimed responsibility so far.

Image:google maps
Amitabh Kant, chief executive officer of Niti Aayog, said on Tuesday that he would be happy to work in partnership with Hyperloop One, the company that is trying to revolutionise transportation by making people travel at 700 miles per hour.

"The process of urbanisation has just begun in India, unlike in the west where it has somewhat stopped now. For technologies like this, the market is not the US or Europe but countries with larger population like India," said Kant at 'Vision for India', an event hosted by Hyperloop One.

The company has been trying to woo the India government for the past few months to build an ultra-high speed travel network in the country. Hyperloop works on a technology that uses magnetic levitation in low-pressure tubes to transport people and goods at airplane-like speeds. Apparently, the company has raised about $200 million from investors.

If it gets approval, it will be a completely 'Make in India' project as the company will source and manufacture components locally, said Rob Lloyd, board member, Hyperloop One.

The original idea of Hyperloop came from Tesla founder Elon Musk.

While a full Hyperloop is not functional anywhere, the company will run its first full-system test in Nevada this year. Simultaneously, it is working with countries such as Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands and Dubai to do pre-feasibility studies. In Finland and Sweden, it is conducting a study on connecting Helsinki with Stockholm. Hyperloop is expected to come to Dubai by 2020.

After getting approvals for the pre-feasibility studies, it could take anywhere between four and six years for a Hyperloop to come up. The cost of setting it up is estimated to be around $20-40 per kilometre.

The high-speed travel technology is expected to not only reduce travelling time but also help tackle the challenge of migration and urbanisation.

Bullish about India, Hyperloop CEO Sherwin Pishewar said the largest number of contributions for Hyperloop One's global challenge came from the country.
[Representational image] The idea behind The Wishlist is to promote products made in India

Not everyone thinks of curating a show to bring together the exclusive collections of weavers, artisans and designers from all over India under one roof. Delhi is set to host such an event on March 4. Named 'The Wishlist', the one-day show will bring together the best of fashion, lifestyle, Indian textiles and home, and will be held in Mehrauli.

Explaining the concept behind the show, Sadhana Talwar Mehta, founder, The Wishlist, says, "My major intent is to support handloom. The idea behind The Wishlist is to promote made in India products. I went to Banaras where I got in touch with Sribhas (Sribhas Chandra Supakar), who won the Padma Shri for textile designing. I also met the local weavers and learnt about their works and then handpicked all the products. They have also been invited for the show to sell their products."

Through the show, Mehta wants to highlight the supreme talents hidden within the vastness of India, to share their treasures with the true admirers of art and craft. "I am trying to encourage the weavers to come forward and sell their own products and get their own identity out. For this, I don't charge any stall charges from them and instead, get the materials from their regions and invite them. Through this platform, I help customers to connect with their source and get in touch with the people who make these products. The idea is to eliminate middlemen, she says.

This will be the fifth season of the show, which will see an amalgamation of art, crafts, decor and food. Adding stars to the show will be acclaimed names such as NIMAI with exquisite jewellery, Urvashi Kaur and Akaaro by Gaurav Jai Gupta for stylish apparel, Vriksh for traditional Odisha sarees and upcoming artists such as Ulupi for contemporary Indian clothing with colour blocking and kalamkari, and Marm with beautiful chanderi work. Besides these, Happy Belly! will also be present with their delicious and healthy treats.
After BJP MP Pratap Simha countered controversy by comparing Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, whose social media post against the ABVP has gone viral, to Dawood Ibrahim, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday dubbed it as the voice of the RSS that wants to capture the universities of India.

CPI (M) politburo member Brinda Karat told ANI that people like Pratap Simha are echoing their masters voice and using the ABVP to unleash gundaism on the campuses of India.

They are only doing what their leaders want them to do. That is why I am saying that this is immaterial. They are echoing their masters voice and that voice is from Nagpur and that voice is the voice of the RSS which cannot tolerate dissent and they want to capture the universities of India because of simple reason is that they cannot reason, they have no logic and that is why they use ABVP to unleash gundaism on the campuses of India, she added.

Echoing similar sentiments, another CPI (M) leader D. Raja said the BJP is trying to intimidate people who are against its policies.

Retorting to Rijijus statement that anyone who wants to break India and supports terrorists can be branded as an anti-national, Raja urged the BJP to put an end to such hate campaign.

After Simha courted controversy by comparing Gurmehar Kaur, whose social media post against the ABVP has gone viral, with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, political leaders were seen to be taking positions for and against her.

Kaur, the daughter of an Indian Army captain who died in the Kargil war, launched a social media campaign against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad after last week's violence in Ramjas College.

On her part, she visited the Delhi Commission for Women to complain against abusive rape threats on social media from online trolls.

Clashes erupted between activists of the All India Students Association (AISA) and the ABVP outside Ramjas College in Delhi last week, a day after the ABVP forced suspension of an event to be addressed by JNU student Umar Khalid.
A petition against the exorbitant airfares for Srinagar will come up for hearing on February 29 in State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in Srinagar.

The petition, filed by JK Peoples Forum, argued that the steep hike in airfare was causing great inconvenience to patients, students and small-time businessmen.

The petition that was first filed in 2014 but could not be heard after the commission turned defunct for two years, noted that the extreme hike in the airfare was also discouraging potential tourists to Kashmir, resulting in economic strain on people associated with tourism.

Those who want to travel by road run the risk of getting stuck on the treacherous Srinagar-Jammu highway due to landslides and snow.

Airfare on Delhi-Srinagar route for March 1 ranges between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 13,000 and those for Jammu-Delhi at Rs 4,700. The fares increased substantially for Srinagar-Delhi from Rs. 4,000-Rs. 5,000 after snowfall on January 6. At one time it touched Rs. 35,000 for Srinagar-Delhi.

In 2014, SHRC had asked Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to explain why it had failed to control the arbitrary hike in airfares by the airline companies for Srinagar.

Minister for Consumer Affairs Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali had recently written a letter to Union Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju, highlighting the monopolistic practices being carried out by the airline companies while fixing fares for Srinagar.

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha, however, informed the Rajya Sabha that air prices are competitive and based on market economy. "Airline market is based on market economy and there is a lot of competition," he said while defending the airfares.

Kashmir's tour operators have welcomed the SHRC initiative to intervene against unaffordable airfares for Srinagar.
Kabul, Feb 28 (IBNS): At least seven ISIS militants, including a leader, have been killed in the ongoing Shaheen-25 operation, local Khaama Press reported.

The militants were killed in a series of operations in the country's Nangarhar province.

The operations also injured nine other militants, the agency quoted local officials as saying.

Image:google maps
Two prime ministers are likely to visit India this yearIsrael's Benjamin Netanyahu and Canada's Justin Trudeau. The Israeli PM's visit was confirmed by Ministry of External Affairs' Secretary, Eastern Region, Amar Sinha during the release of the logo to commemorate 25 years of India-Israel relations on Tuesday. Vikas Swarup, Indian high commissioner-designate to Canada designate has confirmed Trudeau's visit.

Both these visits are important for India. Despite the heavy investment in bilateral ties, the last Isreali PM to visit India was Ariel Sharon in 2003. Israeli president Reuven Rivlin visited India in November last while Indian president Pranab Mukherjee visited Israel in 2015. There is still no news on when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to visit the middle eastern country, which according to Sinha, is situated in an area which is of great interest and concern to India.

The two countries have strong defence and strategic ties. However, Sinha and Israeli ambassador Daniel Carmon stressed on Tuesday that there was a deliberate effort to make the ties multipronged. In recent years, Israel has worked with India in agriculture and water managementspecially their unique drip irrigation system. Cybersecurity, education, tourism were other areas to build up relations on.

Carmon said, "Mr Modi told our president a year and half ago that Indian Jews were the bridge between the two countries and their role should be highlighted.'' He added that the diaspora connection would be the central theme of the year-long celebrations which will include several technical, business and cultural exchanges, including high level visits. Around 85,000 Jews from India have migrated to Israel since the country was formed.

Trudeau's visit too has been long pending, given that Modi visited Canada in 2015. Canada has one of the largest Indian diasporas. Given the changing geopolitics, specially in the western hemisphere, India's relations with Canada will matter a lot more. With the climate in the US unsure, Canada may emerge as the destination for degrees and jobs.
The ministry of external affairs has hit out at reports that critiqued the recent first strategic dialogue with China, where foreign secretary S. Jaishankar represented India.

"We found that the strategic dialogue in its restructured form to be a productive exercise that addressed the full complexity of India-China relations. It is important to take a balanced and objective view of what is clearly one of the key relationships in international politics,'' an MEA statement said.

The MEA clarification came in response to a question on an article that appeared in the Chinese newspaper the Global Times.

The note adds, "Our assessment is that the recent meeting was positive and constructive. We both agreed that at the time when the global situation is in a flux, a more stable and substantive and forward looking India-China relationship was good for the international system. The two sides had open and useful exchanges on Afghanistan, The UN, counter terrorism and nuclear issues.''

"While in some cases, we found common ground, in others, it was felt that dialogue should continue further," it said. Though the MEA did not mention it, two thorns on India's side remainedthe Chinese stance regarding Hafeez Sayeed as well as its opposition to India's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

It further said, "On the bilateral side, there was appreciation of progress on areas like investment and tourism. At the same time, both sides articulated their respective concerns and remain committed to working together in that regard."

A recent article in the Global Times had suggested that New Delhi could take a leaf out of how Beijing benefited from its relationship with the US, despite major ideological differences and visible geopolitical confrontations. "It is in India's interest to rationalise the concerns over its disparity with China and embrace it as a helpful catalyst to closing the existing Sino-Indian gap," it had said.
Pellet guns, which have claimed lives and left hundreds blinded during street protests in Kashmir, are set to make a comeback in a new avatar. These guns were widely used in the Valley during the protests that followed the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in July last year.



After the Army drew flak for using pellets to control crowds, these were replaced by less lethal chilli-based shells. Each pellet gun cartridge can hold up to 500 pellets, which once fired bursts to disperse hundreds of lead pellets that do not follow a definite path. Travelling at high speeds, pellets, which are essentially metal balls, can tear through soft tissues, and the eye being extremely delicate is the most vulnerable to damage. Though considered non-lethal, pellets can kill if they strike the skull or a vital body organ. According to statistics, 14 per cent of those injured by pellets in Jammu and Kashmir are below the age of 15, and face complicated surgeries.



After a massive hue and cry against the guns, the paramilitary forces had considered replacing them with a less lethal alternative, PAVA (pelargonic acid vanillylamide) shells. The move was based on a recommendation by an expert committee constituted by the Union Home Ministry in August 2016. PAVA shells are made from an organic compound found in natural chilli pepper. The compound is commonly used in food additives to create a hot sensation, and finds a place even in self-defence pepper sprays.



File- Kashmiri pellet victim is assisted by hospital volunteers as he poses for a photograph after being treated at the Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital in Srinagar | AFP

Now, however, paramilitary forces have found this less-lethal munition has not been effective in scattering protesters. And so, the old pellet guns will make a comeback, with a tweak. The modified version of the pellet gun is said to have a deflector, a metal attachment on the gun muzzle to prevent the bullets from rising high. This is done so that shrapnel shells do not strike a person above the abdomen region. In fact, according to media reports, troops have now been instructed to fire at the feet of protesters.



Earlier this month, Army chief Bipin Rawat had warned of strict action against those attacking security forces in the Valley. 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.
It's not a snub to its colonial masters but the desire to become an international business and IT destination that has prompted this small central African country of Rwanda to become the first among nations who have switched over from being a Francophone country (French as its official language) to an Anglophone (English-speaking) nation.



For decades, the former Belgian colony had been part of Francophone countries. But the smooth transition, that is clearly visible today, is indicative of the fact that English as a language is slowly riding the popularity wave over French across the world. Not only is English the dominant language for business across Europe, but also among African countries today.



The use of English across the expanse of South Africa and the east African countries like Uganda and Kenya has already shown the way.



"In Rwanda today we can say that we have finally moved into the English language zone where government and private sector bodies are using English as the official language," says Aniket Ukey, a resident of Kigali, Rwanda's capital city where traces of French are difficult to find outside the newly opened market spaces and eateries.



In Rwanda, between the transition from French to English, lies an interesting desi touch. Indians have a knack of adding the desi touch to almost anything they can lay their hands on.



"We are moving into another zone which we call as the bilophone, which is a slang for bilingual. So, I call it a bilophone country today. It means a mix of two languages and many a times it has a sprinkle of Hindi words in it," says Aniket.



When we describe a person or place, what comes second to the language we speak is the food we eat. What draws attention is a famous Sharma store in the upmarket lanes of Kigali where many a locals gather. Here, they bump into their Indian friends and get acquainted with Hindi language words which they find easy to learn. Not to miss Indian food items like rajma, which are available here in different colours like orange and light pink.



Another Indian, Nilesh Kanodia, a chartered accountant who came to Rwanda in March 2016 , says, "For prospective business ventures and investors, the country needs to continue to do much more to promote use of English and other languages. Kanodia has his roots in Rajasthan but his business interests lie in Gujarat. So, when the Rwandan prime minister attended the Vibrant Gujarat summit to invite investors there, Kanodia was all ears.



"To run any business, communication is vital. And friendly communication is possible, when we speak the same language."



Kanodia says, in Rwanda, most business deals and communications are now transacted in English. "Personally, I feel miscommunication and wrong communication create lot of problems in day-to-day business operations."



Rwanda has emerged as an international hub, where people of different nationalities participate from time to time. The hospitality industry is growing rapidly. In 2016, three big international hotels have opened in Kigali itself. Rwanda is also inviting investors from different sectors like pharmacy, real estate, energy, educations and so on.



"I believe if we need to grow with the world, we have to sing the same song with the rest of the world," says Kanodia.


Senior officials from the United States, South Korea and Japan discussed ways to further restrict funding for North Korea's weapons programmes during talks in Washington on Monday, the countries said in a joint statement.

"The officials considered other possible measures under national authorities, including means to restrict further the revenue sources for North Korea's weapons programmes, particularly illicit activities," the statement said.

The talks also agreed that North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes "directly threaten the security" of all three countries, it said.
On Monday morning, the beach city of Zawiya in Libya woke up to a scene of an inflatable boat washed ashoreit was a boat filled with dead bodies of migrants and with no engine. Red Crescents Twitter page showed bodies lined up on a beach in black and white bags. Appealing for support to handle the bodies, Red Crescent's branch in Zawiya said, There are bodies still floating in the sea and we couldnt reach them.

This was the latest incident of mass casualty. An estimated 190 dead children have washed ashore along the Mediterranean coast over the past three months. British-Somali poet Warsan Shire penned these verses: You have to understand, that no one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land.

Nightmarish conditions in Libya are forcing the refugees to take extreme steps. Women and children making the dangerous journey to Europe to flee poverty and conflicts in Africa are being beaten, raped and starved in "living hellholes" in Libya, Unicef said on Tuesday. The Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Italy has became the main crossing point for the African refugees trying to reach Europe, after the sea crossing from Turkey was prohibited as per a deal between the EU and Turkey last March. However, there is a 50 to 70 per cent increase in the number of refugees trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea even in these harsh conditions. The deal helped the European Union to control the flow of migrants through Turkey and Greece. Now, the EU is looking for an option to prevent the migrants from entering through Italy.

The report says that children suffer from violence and sexual abuse at the hands of smugglers and traffickers. There were a quarter of a million refugees and migrants in Libya, most of whom are languishing in unhygienic detention centres. The Unicef report says these government-run refugee centres are no more than forced labour camps and makeshift prisons. After the breakdown of Libyan institutions and rule of law, armed groups have taken control of official detention centres. These armed groups also run their own centres, in partnership with criminal gangs and smugglers. The boat washed ashore in Zawiya did not have an engine. A spokesperson for International Organization for Migration (IOM) said, traffickers came and removed the engine from the boat and left it adrift.

The Unicef report says that last year, 26,000 childrenmost of them unaccompaniedcrossed the Mediterranean. Women and unaccompanied children relied on smugglers to get to Europe. Smugglers demand thousands of dollars from the migrants. Women and children were exploited throughout the journeyfrom across the desert to living in the camps and travelling in the ill-equipped boats, the report says. They are exposed to trafficking and violence, including prostitution and rape. EU leaders offered Libya money and other assistance to reduce the number of migrants trying to cross the sea. International organisations criticised the move. They say that these plans help only in exposing migrants to further risks and abuses within Libya. Shire, in her poem, Home, saysno one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark. Now the plight of the displaced is that the migrants run from the mouth of the shark, ending up dead on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea or exploited in camps.
People keep asking me how Im doing, as though Ive suffered a death in the family or been struck by a terminal illness. I understand why, and Im grateful for the concern: President Donald Trumps anti-immigrant proposals are materialising one after another, and hes been in the White House for less than a month.

Lately, families of Latino immigrants in the United States are feeling a lot of fear. Its understandable. On a recent Univision newscast, we featured a story about undocumented parents who are making emergency plans in case theyre deported. The worst-case scenario is already playing out: In Phoenix this month, a married mother of two children, Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos, was deported after living in this country for more than 20 years without papers. Others will follow.

The cause of the dread within the Hispanic community is the recent flurry of executive orders signed by Trump, namely the absurd directive to build a wall along the southern border with Mexico, along with the temporary ban on refugees as well as people from seven predominantly Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

These policies have changed deportation priorities. The Los Angeles Times recently reported that as many as eight million undocumented immigrants could now be at risk of being deported, not just those whom Trump has called bad hombres, unless he believes that all eight million of these people qualify for that term.

Nevertheless, I feel optimistic for several reasons.

After Trump was inaugurated, we saw hundreds of thousands of people gather in Washington, DC, to protest a man who has called women pigs, and who characterised Mexican immigrants as criminals and rapists during his campaign. The absence of dozens of members of Congress from Trumps inauguration ceremony was symbolic and important. There are times when you simply must say no. And for the first time, Ive heard parents tell their children, I dont want you to be like the president.

The media has also embraced its duty as a counterbalance to power. Journalists have refuted Trumps lies, for example, his insistence that millions of undocumented immigrants voted against him, or that the nations murder rate is at its worst level in 47 years. Trump now knows that he cant lie with impunity.

Also, dozens of high-profile companies have supported the state of Washingtons legal move against Trumps ban on refugees and immigrants. In a recent statement, Howard Schultz, the Starbucks CEO, said, We will neither stand by, nor stand silent. There are more than 65 million citizens of the world recognised as refugees by the United Nations, and we are developing plans to hire 10,000 of them over five years in the 75 countries around the world where Starbucks does business.

The opposition to Trump extends beyond the United States, too. Mexicos president, Enrique Pena Nieto, maintains his policy of appeasement in dealing with Trump and doesnt seem to understand that bullies feed on other peoples weaknesses. But thousands of Mexicans are choosing an alternate path and resisting Trumps policies on social media and in the streets, action thats more dignified, intelligent and practical.

A first step towards resistance is exactly what happened recently in the UK. John Bercow, the speaker of the House of Commons, doesnt want Trump to address the British parliament this year. Why? Because of our opposition to racism and to sexism, according to Bercow. While a final decision has not yet been made, Bercow has stood his ground.

Painful return: Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos arrives in Mexico after she was deported from the US, where she lived for 20 years | Reuters

These examples are reasons for hope. Resistance is how change begins.

Trump isnt a king or a dictator. Unlike Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, Trump cant commandeer Congress, the supreme court, the army and the media, nor can he change the constitution in order to stay in power forever. More than two centuries of American democracy should count for something.

The resistance to Trump is rising, and millions of people in the US and around the world are stating quite clearly that they oppose him and his policies. Trump might be the president, but millions dont respect him. Thats Trumps main weakness, and thats where my optimism begins.

Ramos is a veteran journalist and author.

Manifest Despair

IVE ALWAYS publicly acknowledged that the United States gave me opportunities that Mexico, my country of origin, did not. But decades after I arrived here, the anti-immigrant rhetoric being turned into policy under Donald Trump has made me realise that I just dont recognise this country anymore.

In the early 1980s, moving to the US meant that I could speak freely. As a journalist in Mexico, I was censored. Moreover, the US provided me with a job and economic opportunities that I couldnt have found anywhere else. With boundless generosity, America protected me and granted me the same rights as any other citizen, even though I was an immigrant. I work here. I vote here. My children were born here.

All I want is for new immigrants to enjoy the same opportunities that I, and millions of others throughout American history, have received. But for the moment, Trump is making that impossible.

When the president signed an executive order announcing that a wall would be built along the Mexican border, he also issued a directive that radically changes deportation priorities in this country. Now, anyone who committed acts that constitute a chargeable criminal offence may be deported, even if they were never convicted. Also, immigrants who have committed fraud before a government agency are to be deported as well, which presumably applies to any noncitizen who has ever used a fake drivers licence or made up a social security number in order to work.

Translation: Deporting almost all of the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the US is now a priority. If this is truly the case, will there soon be widespread raids on homes or workplaces? This executive order makes it seem that anyone who is deemed deportable by an immigration officer is at risk.

And Trump, who aspires to be like President Ronald Reagan, refuses to even consider granting undocumented residents a path to citizenship. Since Republicans control both the House and the Senate, Trump could easily push to give immigrants a chance to stay in the US. But he wont. In 1986, Reagan, recognising the contributions of immigrants, and with the greater good of the country in mind, granted amnesty to about three million undocumented people. But Trump would rather expel them.

Muzzled voice: Trump orders Ramos out from his news conference held in Dubuque, Iowa | Getty Images

Gag order

IN AUGUST 2015, a couple of months after Trump characterised Mexican immigrants as criminals and rapists, and announced his plan to build a wall along the Mexican border, I asked him for an interview. He responded by putting my phone number on the internet.

So I showed up at a news conference that Trump was holding in Dubuque, Iowa. I raised my hand, stood up and started to ask my question. Trump didnt like that. He ordered me to shut up and sit down. Go back to Univision, he said, then sent a bodyguard to escort me out of the room.

Perhaps Trump has issues with Latino reporters. I was thrown out of a news conference; Jim Acosta, a correspondent from CNN, was forbidden to ask questions and then put on warning; and during the campaign, Trump also insulted ABC News Tom Llamas, calling him a sleaze for his reporting on Trumps charitable donations.

Nowadays it has become a badge of honour to be publicly criticised by the him. He has very thin skin, and raising his ire often demonstrates that reporters are getting closer to the truth.

Trump doesnt seem to get that, when it comes to journalists, hes not in charge. At Univision, Im lucky to have a couple of wonderful bosses who give me absolute freedom to do my job. The company has never told me what to say.

My real bosses are the people who watch and read my work. Being independent and telling them the truth is my biggest responsibility. I answer to them, not to Trump.
Guwahati, Feb 28 (IBNS): A hardcore militant of NSCN (K) was killed in a gun fight with security forces in Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap district on Monday night, officials said on Tuesday.

Kohima based defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer said that, based on ilntelligence input the Assam Rifles Khonsa Battalion undertook a massive coordinated operation at Lyangche village of Tirap District about presence of a NSCN (K) militant group moving through jungle near Lyangche village and carrying out extortion in Muktwa and Lyangche area.

The troops of the Khonsa battalion established an ambush at the suspected area.

"The ambush party observed movement of the militant group which was challenged and asked to surrender but they opened fire. The precise retaliatory fire on the group and one militant killed on the spot and the ensuing firefight lasted several minutes," Konwer said.

Taking advantage of darkness and dense vegetation the remaining militants of the group were able to break contact and flee into the jungle.

Security personnel recovered one 7.65 mm pistol with ammunition, an IED and other warlike stores from the encounter spot.

The slain militant was identified as self styled Corporal Wahang Sumyen.

Massive search operations are still on to catch the fleeing militants.

NSCN(K) has been involved in widespread extortion and has carried out sabotage activities against the security forces.

The nefarious designs of the group have time and again been defeated.

The group has suffered severe losses in all the attacks which they have carried out against the security forces.

"This operation has further struck a blow to NSCN(K). The operation has tightened the noose around the group and has brought relief to the local population," the defence PRO said.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)


Edinburgh, Feb 28 (Not in Town) People across the world can now instantly walk through the prehistoric village of Skara Brae in Orkney, soar over Edinburgh Castle like a bird, journey into the depths of The Hollow Mountain of Ben Cruachan and experience the Northern Lights a all from the comfort of their own home, with the release of a new virtual reality app from VisitScotland.

ScotlandVR is a virtual travel experience, and the tourist boards first step with interactive virtual map technology, that allows people wherever they are in the world, to be fully immersed in this soulful destination.



Launched today (February 28), it is hoped the ScotlandVR app, which is available for all Android and Apple users to download for free on Google Play and Apple Store, will incite emotion, educate, and onward inspire more people to book a holiday to Scotland.



Research shows that 60% of searches for destination information come from mobile devices. This, coupled with virtual reality experiencing growth worldwide (forecasted numbers of VR users between now and 2018 set to grow by 400% to 170 million) creates a prime opportunity for Scotland to be discovered in a new and innovative way. A recent report by Greenlight VR showed that travel and adventure VR content is the most sought after by consumers (74%), followed by movies and live-events.



Featuring state-of-the art 360Es imagery and footage, users start their journey in a virtual glen complete with the lustful sound of moo-ing Highland Cow, crackling fire and bellowing stag. From there, they can jump into a map of Scotland and experience 26 unique attractions covering every region of the country.



The whole environment can be experienced in Stereoscopic 3D when used with a Google Cardboard virtual reality headset, in 360Es view using gyroscope phone technology or by touchscreen also in phone mode. The app launches with 26 attractions including the famous Edinburgh Castle, Glenfinnan Viaduct, National Wallace Monument and Cairngorms National Park. Future phases of the software will see attractions added through refreshed content.



ScotlandVR is now available to download from Google Play and Apple Stores. For more information, visit http://www.visitscotland.com/app
A terrorist stabbed a 28-year-old female on HaMalacha Street in Rosh Haayin earlier this afternoon. The attack occurred at about 13:15. The terrorist was neutralized and taken into custody.

The female victim was transported to Beilinson Hospital in the city where she is reported to be in light condition BH.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photos: Divuach Rishoni via Media Resource Group. MDA Spokesman)
Police have arrested a man who was posing to be an official representing the Ministry of the Interior. He defrauded Arab residents of the eastern capital by making them believe he can assist them.

The 48-year-old eastern Jerusalem resident was taken into custody a week ago. Police learned during the past half year he posed as a state inspector responsible for uniting families. He was given money by naive residents who believed he was going to move their case along. To date, he received money from 15 families, netting at least $150,000.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
The female terrorist who perpetrated a stabbing attack in Rosh Haayin in April 2016 was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

A 28-year-old woman was wounded in the attack on HaMalacha Street and transported to Beilinson Hospital in light condition.

The terrorist, a resident of Kfar Kassam, admitted to the attempted murder as part of a plea bargain agreement that also compels her to pay NIS 100,000 in compensation to the victim.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Burglars who broke into the home of IDF Chief of Manpower Major-General Chaggai Tupolinsky are in custody. It was the break-in and theft of a classified military laptop that led to the senior officer submitting his resignation, for not properly securing the laptop. Police report six suspects are in custody.

The suspects in custody are residents of the PA (Palestinian Authority) as well as the eastern capital and Bedouin communities. The classified computer has not been recovered. The suspects were allegedly involved in break-ins in other homes as well. Four of them have been indicted and the other two will be indicted in the coming days.

The IDFs CID (Criminal Investigation Division) continues probing the incident and it is possible that the former senior officer will face criminal charges for failing to secure the classified laptop as required, or alternatively, it may be decided that the resignation will suffice.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photos: Media Resource Group)
Rabbi Yigal Levinstein of Bnei David IDF Prepatory Yeshiva is going to be meeting with IDF Chief of Personnel Directorate Major-General Moti Almoz. Levinstein has been declared persona non grata by the militarys Education Corps for daring to voice his opinion; speaking out against toeiva couples in the military and other unacceptable realities that exist today. Levinstein spoke out when religious soldiers were compelled to shave their beards and the overall lack of effort to accommodate Torah observant soldiers.

Despite being a senior reserve duty officer and have dedicated his life to serving in the military and preparing the next generation of young combatants, Levinstein was blacklisted for daring to speak in the name of Torah, against the IDF.

It appears the rosh yeshiva of Bnei David, Rabbi Eli Sadan, had a difficult conversation with Almoz during which he expressed his anger over the military blacklisting Levinstein. This led to the upcoming conversation with Rabbi Levinger.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Attorneys for people suing air bag maker Takata and five automakers say the car companies knew that Takatas products were dangerous yet continued to use them for years because they were inexpensive.

The allegations against Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Ford and BMW were made in a court filing Monday in Miami. The federal court there is handling pretrial evidence-gathering in dozens of lawsuits against Takata and the automakers. The filing says the allegations are partly based on auto company documents.

Earlier, the automakers had contended that Takata was the problem because it admitted to covering up the defective inflators, which can blow apart and hurl shrapnel into drivers and passengers. Takata is expected to enter a guilty plea to one criminal charge at a hearing in Detroit Monday.

Takatas air bag inflators can explode with too much force, hurling shrapnel into drivers and passengers. The inflators are blamed for at least 16 deaths worldwide and more than 180 injuries. The problem touched off the largest automotive recall in U.S. history involving 42 million vehicles and 60 million inflators.

In the court filing, plaintiffs lawyers allege that the automakers were far from innocent in the case, and that they had independent knowledge that Takatas air bag inflators were unsafe before putting them in millions of vehicles.

Unlike most other air bag makers, Takata uses the explosive chemical ammonium nitrate to inflate air bags instantly in a crash. But the chemical can deteriorate when exposed to prolonged airborne moisture.

The automotive defendants were aware that rupture after rupture, both during testing and in the field, confirmed how dangerous and defective Takatas air bags were, the attorneys allege in the court document, called a status report.

After an inflator ruptured in 2009, one of the auto companies described the problem as one in which a passenger protection device was transformed into a killing weapon, the lawyers allege. The company was not identified in the court filing.

Messages were left Monday morning for all five automakers.

(AP)
A flight attendant accused of making bogus bomb threats on two Skywest flights in 2015 has signed a plea deal to avoid trial, but he could still end up spending decades in prison.

Justin Cox-Sever, 23, of Tempe, Arizona, is accused of making threats on a July 2015 flight from Charlottesville, Virginia, to Chicago, and on a September 2015 flight from Minneapolis to Dickinson, North Dakota. In the first incident, the plane had to turn around mid-flight. The second incident resulted in the temporary shutdown of the Dickinson airport.

Under the plea agreement filed Saturday, Cox-Sever will plead guilty to four of five charges accusing him of interfering with an aircraft. Prosecutors will drop a fifth count, reducing the potential maximum sentence from 70 to 50 years in prison. A judge must still approve the deal and an appropriate sentence. Cox-Sever also could face up to $1 million in fines and restitution, according to court documents.

The Associated Press on Monday requested comment from defense attorney Michelle Monteiro and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Delorme, who is prosecuting the case.

FBI Special Agent Daniel Genck wrote in an affidavit filed last year that Cox-Sever admitted planting a bag with towels on the North Dakota flight and reporting it as a suspicious package making beeping noises. Genck said Cox-Sever also admitted writing a threat on a wall of the planes bathroom in the Virginia case. Attorneys havent publicly discussed a motive.

Emergencies were declared on both flights. No injuries were reported.

Cox-Sever was charged in U.S. District Courts in North Dakota and Virginia, complicating the matter and resulting in his trial being delayed eight times. The cases were consolidated in federal court in North Dakota earlier this month.

Cox-Sever is no longer employed by SkyWest. The airline wont say whether he quit or was fired.

(AP)
New York, Feb 28 (Just Earth News): The United Nations health agency on Monday published its first-ever catalogue of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that pose the greatest threat to human health.



The list of priority pathogens consisting of 12 families of bacteria was drawn up to guide and promote research and development (R&D) of new antibiotics, as part of the World Health Organization (WHO)'s efforts to address growing global resistance to antimicrobial medicines.

This list is a new tool to ensure R&D responds to urgent public health needs, said Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO's Assistant Director-General for Health Systems and Innovation in a news release.

Antibiotic resistance is growing, and we are fast running out of treatment options. If we leave it to market forces alone, the new antibiotics we most urgently need are not going to be developed in time, she warned.

The list highlights in particular the threat of 'gram-negative' bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics. These bacteria have built-in abilities to find new ways to resist treatment and can pass along genetic material that allows other bacteria to become drug-resistant as well.

The WHO list is divided into three categories according to the urgency of need for new antibiotics: critical, high and medium priority.

The most critical group of all includes multidrug resistant bacteria that pose a particular threat in hospitals, nursing homes, and among patients whose care requires devices such as ventilators and blood catheters. They include Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas and various Enterobacteriaceae, including Klebsiella, E. coli, Serratia, and Proteus. They can cause severe and often deadly infections such as bloodstream infections and pneumonia.

These bacteria have become resistant to a large number of antibiotics, including carbapenems and third generation cephalosporins  the best available antibiotics for treating multi-drug resistant bacteria.

G20 health experts will meet this week in Berlin. The list is intended to spur governments to put in place policies that incentivize basic science and advanced R&D by both publicly funded agencies and the private sector investing in new antibiotic discovery.

While more R&D is vital, alone, it cannot solve the problem. To address resistance, there must also be better prevention of infections and appropriate use of existing antibiotics in humans and animals, as well as rational use of any new antibiotics that are developed in future.

Photo: WHO/Jim Holmes

Source: www.justearthnews.com
In the days after President Donald Trumps election, thousands of teenagers across the nation walked out of class in protest. Others rallied to his defense.

It was an unusual show of political engagement from future voters who may alter Americas political landscape in 2020  or even in next years midterm elections.

Now, a new survey of children ages 13 to 17 conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research with the permission of their parents finds that Americas teens are almost as politically disillusioned and pessimistic about the nations divisions as their parents. The difference? They arent quite as quick to write off the future.

Eight in 10 feel that Americans are divided when it comes to the nations most important values and 6 in 10 say the country is headed in the wrong direction.

Nyles Adams, a 14-year-old from New York City, was in kindergarten when Barack Obama was sworn in as the nations first black president. Adams, the grandson of Trinidadian immigrants, remembers watching the inauguration on TV and talking with his mother about the particular significance of Obamas election for his black, immigrant family.

Now, with Trump as president, he feels Americas best days are behind it, and the nation will be worse off in 40 years. Yet like 57 percent of his peers, he is still optimistic about the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.

Sometimes it does get you down, but I try not to focus on it too much because I see myself as someone who despite all the odds that are against me, Im still going to prevail, he said.

That youthful optimism is hard to crush. While rates vary by race, 56 percent of all teens surveyed believe Americas best days are ahead, compared with the 52 percent of adults in an AP-NORC poll conducted in June 2016 who said the nations best days are behind it.

But like adults, the poll reveals deep divisions along familiar lines.

Just a quarter of teens say they have a lot in common with people of different political views. Three in four already have a party preference, including 29 percent who say theyll be Democrats, 23 percent Republicans and 24 percent independent or another party. Less than one-third have a favorable impression of Trump, but only slightly more think well of Hillary Clinton.

Elijah Arredondo, a second-generation Mexican-American from La Habra, California, disliked both major party candidates but is now worried about his family under Trump.

His mother signed up for the Affordable Care Act, which Trump has promised to dismantle and replace.

I feel like anyone can achieve the American Dream, but for some people its a lot harder for them to do, so these things help people, he said.

Caroline Millsaps, of Garner, North Carolina, describes herself as a liberal Democrat and says climate change and womens rights are her top political concerns. Last year, she took time away from her busy competitive dance schedule to attend two Bernie Sanders rallies with her mother.

Like 40 percent of teens surveyed, she feels she has a moderate amount in common with people of different political views.

I always watch Fox News to get a different perspective, and I have some friends who support Trump and so Ill ask them, What is your opinion on this?' she said. I try to see both sides of the situation and see which side fits my view best.

Millsaps, 16, talks about politics daily with her parents and that has strongly influenced her views.

Nearly 40 percent of teens surveyed said they did the same at least weekly and, like Millsaps, those talks seem to sway them. A majority of respondents said they agree with their parents political views most of the time. Only 3 percent disagree most of the time.

Sophie Svigel, 17, attends a private Christian school in Dallas and identifies herself as a conservative Republican. She talks to her Republican parents about politics and almost always agrees with them, but is also heavily influenced by her faith-based school, she said.

I feel like a lot of the bad things that are going on are not really spoken of and are hidden, she said. I feel like the politicians and people in politics speak very vaguely about the problems that were facing.

That cynicism echoes in the AP-NORC poll. Just 16 percent of teens feel the federal government is doing a good job promoting the well-being of all Americans, and not just special interests. Fewer than 2 in 10 teens surveyed feel the federal government is doing a good job representing most Americans views.

Jessi Balcon, from Bend, Oregon, has tried to fight that cynicism by pouring her energy into delivering food to homeless people and engaging in open-minded debate with those whose politics are different from hers. Nine in 10 teens say they have participated in civic activities like volunteering or raising money for a cause.

Its not you versus me, its us versus the problem and the problem isnt other people, said Balcon, 17, a Green Party supporter.

There are a lot of really big problems that we need to solve, but I think that getting angry is the worst thing that we can do, she said. It doesnt matter what side of politics theyre on, conservative or liberal. I dont want to hate anyone.

(AP)
House Intelligence chairman Devin Nunes says Congress should not begin a McCarthy-style investigation based on news reports that a few Americans with ties to President Donald Trump had contacted Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign.

We just cannot go on a witch hunt, Nunes told reporters.

The Trump administration has pushed back against reports that Trump aides were in contact with Russian intelligence officials during the 2016 presidential campaign. The White House asked Nunes to call a reporter to dispute a report in another publication.

Nunes said he knows of no evidence that Trump aides were in contact with Russian agents. He said he will continue to ask for evidence. He is leading one of three congressional investigations into Trumps Russia ties.

(AP)
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is presenting the White House with a plan to rapidly defeat the Islamic State group, a Pentagon spokesman said Monday. The strategy includes significant elements of the approach President Donald Trump inherited, while potentially deepening U.S. military involvement in Syria.

Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said Mattis provided the results of his 30-day strategy review ahead of a Monday afternoon Cabinet-level meeting of the National Security Council. Its unclear if the discussion will include Trump, who said last week his goal is to obliterate IS.

Davis said details of the report are classified secret.

It is a plan to rapidly defeat ISIS, Davis said, using the Pentagons preferred acronym for the group, which has proven resilient despite losing ground in its strongholds Syria and Iraq.

Officials familiar with the review have said it will likely lead to decisions that mean more U.S. military involvement in Syria, and possibly more ground troops, even as the current U.S. plan in Iraq appears to be working and will require fewer changes. The officials werent authorized to speak publicly about the document and demanded anonymity.

Davis described the Mattis report as a framework for a broader discussion of a strategy to be developed over time, rather than a ready-to-execute military plan. In a Jan. 28 executive order, Trump said he wanted within 30 days a preliminary draft of a plan to defeat ISIS. Davis said the report defines what it means to defeat the group, which he wouldnt reveal to reporters.

It also includes some individual actions that will require decisions by the White House, Davis said, but its not a check-the-block, pick A or B or C kind of a plan.

This is a broad plan, he said. It is global. It is not just military. It is not just Iraq/Syria.

Beyond military options, the officials familiar with the review said the report increases emphasis on nonmilitary elements of the campaign already underway, such as efforts to squeeze IS finances, limit recruiting and counter propaganda that is credited with inspiring violence in the U.S. and Europe.

Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last week the emerging strategy will target not just Islamic State militants but also al-Qaida and other extremist organizations in the Middle East and beyond, whose goal is to attack the United States. He emphasized that it would not rest mainly on military might.

Dunfords comment suggests Pentagon leaders may have a more nuanced view of IS than is reflected in Trumps promise to obliterate the group, as he put it on Friday. Dunford said the U.S. should be careful that in solving the IS problem, it does not create others. Among sensitive questions are how to deal with Turkey, a NATO ally with much at stake in neighboring Syria, and Russia, whose year-and-a-half military intervention has propped up Syrian President Bashar Assads government.

Davis said Mattis report was built on broad concepts and based on advice from across the government.

The officials familiar with the review say the recommended approaches will echo central elements of the Obama administrations strategy, which centered on the U.S. military supporting local forces rather than doing the fighting for them. Mattis already has signaled publicly he sees no value in having U.S. combat forces take over the ground war.

I would just tell you that by, with and through our allies is the way this coalition is going against Daesh, he said last week in Baghdad, using an Arabic term for IS.

Asked if adding more U.S. troops or better arming Syrias Kurds were options, Mattis said he will accommodate any request from his field commanders. He said a degree of confidentiality was required so plans arent exposed to the enemy.

Army Gen. Joseph Votel, the commander of U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Mideast, has said more American troops may be needed to speed up the fight in Syria. The U.S. currently has about 500 special operations forces in Syria helping to organize, advise and assist local forces.

One of the thorniest problems the Trump administration faces concerns Russias military role in Syria. Although Trump has expressed interest in working with Russia against IS, the Pentagon has been reluctant to go beyond military-to-military contacts aimed at avoiding accidents in the airspace over Syria.

Senior military leaders, including Mattis, seem more confident in the Iraqi military campaign, suggesting the new options will put greater emphasis on Syria.

(AP)
A 19-year-old man who scaled Trump Tower in New York City in August has pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct.

A judge told Stephen Rogata, of Great Falls, Virginia, on Monday that hes prohibited from any contact with President Donald Trump. The Daily News says that includes mail, Facebook and Twitter.

Rogata used suction cups, a harness and ropes to climb from the fifth floor to the 21st floor when Trump was the Republican presidential nominee. Trump lived in Trump Tower but wasnt there at the time.

As part of his plea agreement, Rogata must continue mental health treatment and go to school or work.

If he stays out of trouble for a year, hell be permitted to withdraw his plea to the reckless endangerment charge.

(AP)
The former South Carolina police officer charged with killing an unarmed black man running from a traffic stop said he needs public help paying for his defense.

Michael Slager said in court papers filed Friday that his family of five lives under the poverty line because he and his wife have been unemployed for long stretches of time. Slager said he has depended on financial help from family members since he was fired and charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Walter Scott after an April 2015 traffic stop in North Charleston.

Slagers murder trial in state court last year ended with a hung jury. Prosecutors have said they plan to try him again, but no date has been set.

A judge must approve Slagers request, his current lawyer, Andy Savage, said in an email. Savage is still representing Slager in federal court, where he will be tried in May on charges that he violated Scotts civil rights.

Slager pulled Scott over for a broken brake light, then shot at him eight times as Scott tried to run away after the two wrestled on the ground. Scott was hit five times in the back and the bystander video of the shooting was shown around the world.

Slager said Scott tried to grab his Taser during the fight and he feared for his life.

Nearly a dozen motions were filed Friday in Slagers federal case, all of them responses from prosecutors or Savage to requests made by the other side. Prosecutors want to keep Slagers lawyers from mentioning shootings in which officers were killed, staffing shortages and possible traffic-ticket quotas in North Charleston.

The shooting deaths of officers on duty were seared into Slagers brain, as was his belief that he was in the most dangerous neighborhood in the most dangerous city in South Carolina when he stopped Scott, Savage wrote in the court papers. He was alone, exhausted, attacked, de-armed and in fear of his life, Savage wrote.

Prosecutors want a judge to block a defense request to take jurors to the crime scene, saying it looks different than it did in April 2015.

They also want a judge to deny the defense motion to not show jurors the bystander video because it starts after the fight on the ground between Slager and Scott. Prosecutors said the video shows the crucial moment that the defendant employed deadly force.

A judge has not ruled on the motions.

(AP)
Following a rash of threats against Jewish Community Centers throughout the United States and a general surge in anti-Semitic activity in 2017, NYC Councilman David Greenfield is urging local governments to follow New Yorks example in protecting religious institutions, and is even offering to travel to meet with officials in affected areas to offer his support and the technical expertise he gained in passing his own historic security law that protects religious schools in New York.

As of last week, there had been reportedly been 69 threats or incidents at 54 JCCs in 27 states and one Canadian province, according to the JCC Association of North America. Eleven of those threats came last Monday alone. In New York City alone, 56 hate crimes have been reported in 2017 as of February 12  an astonishing 140% increase in such incidents over what had been seen at this time last year. The surge in hate crimes and threats has been so intense that it prompted New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to establish a special police unit to investigate such crimes. The NYPD has also long had a hate crimes task force, as does the FBI.

We cannot allow bigotry and hatred to go unchecked in this country, particularly when that bigotry is accompanied by actual threats against specific Jewish community centers and places of worship, Greenfield said. In New York City, I sponsored a historic law that provides security guards for religious schools all across the city. The law has worked phenomenally, with students, parents, and teachers all saying they already feel safer thanks to the free security guards that we have afforded them.

Greenfield, who sent letters offering his support to leaders in each of the cities and towns that has been the target of anti-Semitic incidents in recent weeks, said his law could serve as a model for protecting potential hate crime targets across the country. No one should feel unsafe in the practice of their religion or the public expression of their identity, Greenfield said. Whether youre visiting a Jewish Community Center or a mosque, you shouldnt have to be afraid that hateful bigots will try to harm you for no other reason than that they dont like what you stand for.

Cities should make funding available to help pay for security for organizations that have been the victims of threats, Greenfield suggested, so that those organizations can hire security guards or take other proactive security measures as they see fit. Greenfield said he would be happy to meet with local community and government leaders in areas where these incidents have occurred to share his own experiences and lessons learned in developing an effective security program.

My law providing security guards for religious schools in New York City provides real protection for New Yorkers and a measure of comfort to vulnerable people, all at relatively little expense, Greenfield said. Localities around the United States can and should do the same thing for vulnerable communities and organizations across the country. At the very least they should start hate crime divisions within their local police departments to specially investigate these increased threats. We cannot wait until one of these threats turns out to be in earnest. We cannot afford to wait until lives are lost.

(YWN Desk  NYC)
The principal of Talmid Torah Tiferes Yaakov, which is affiliated with the Peleg Yerushalmi headed by HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Auerbach Shlita, was arrested upon his return from abroad. The rav was abroad to collect funds for the talmid torah, Kikar Shabbos News reports.

According to the report, the rav was taken into custody upon his return home on erev Shabbos. He was arrested for questioning and police are seeking to extend his remand.

The talmid torah operates in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak and Beit Shemesh and Rabbi Tombac is viewed as being among those being close to HaGaon HaRav Auerbach. Needless to say, there is fury over his arrest. Persons in the know explain police are holding him on suspicion of money laundering but they say that is just the reason given and in fact, he is being hounded without any connection to alleged illegal activities. They hint this may be the work of Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit as part of the new crackdown against those who vehemently oppose the draft and chareidim serving in the IDF.

Talmidim in the talmidei torah have been reciting Tehillim on his behalf.

The report quotes persons in the Peleg Yerushalmi warning If this harassment continues, the country will burn like never seen it burning before as they seek to operate like the Egyptians, let us deal with them wisely (  ) by ruining the leaders of their institutions by framing them. This is a pipe dream. Those who are familiar with the arrested Rabbi recognize his honesty and the harassment campaign is transparent.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
The heavy-set man got out of a Macau taxi one night last September, heading to the lobby bar at one of the citys most expensive hotels. The bar at the Wynn Macau is a quiet place, where the women are often in evening dresses and the gamblers can relax with $300 Cuban cigars. He was dressed casually, nondescript really. There were no bodyguards. It wasnt what youd expect for a man once tipped to be the next dictator of North Korea.

But by that night, Kim Jong Nam had spent years in exile, gambling and drinking and arranging the occasional business deal as he traveled across Asia and Europe. His fortunes had apparently declined in recent years, and hed moved his family from a luxurious seafront condominium complex in Macau to a more affordable apartment building. When he bumped into a friend outside the Wynn he was looking for company.

He wanted us to join him because he didnt want to drink alone, said an insider in Macaus gambling industry who was introduced to Kim that night by a mutual friend. In a city awash in new money and Chinese gamblers flaunting their wealth, Kim was low-key and polite, making no mention of his powerful family.

It just seemed odd that the son of a dictator would just be  you wouldnt know him from an average dude on the street, said the insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, not wanting to alienate the city-states gambling fraternity, where privacy is deeply valued.

Kims outwardly easygoing lifestyle hid the fact that by then hed known for years that his younger half-brother, now the ruler of North Korea, had ordered him hunted down, South Korean intelligence officials say.

On a Monday morning in mid-February, a few steps past a Baskin Robbins ice cream shop in the cavernous budget terminal at Kuala Lumpurs airport, that order was apparently carried out. A pair of women who Malaysian police say were recruited by a team of North Koreans approached Kim as he walked through the terminal. He was heading back to Macau, returning home on AirAsias 10:50 a.m. flight.

At least one of the women suddenly wiped a powerful toxin on Kims face, smearing him with VX nerve agent before quickly walking away. Minutes later, after walking to the airports medical clinic, Kim went into convulsions. A few minutes after that, as an ambulance rushed him to a hospital, Kim Jong Nam died. He was 45 years old.



Kims mother was one of North Koreas most famous movie stars. His father was the dictator-prince of North Korea, a deeply isolated country where the same family has been in power since 1948 and the rulers are worshipped in all-encompassing cults of personality.

But Kim Jong Nams grandfather, the founding ruler Kim Il Sung, didnt approve of his mother, and refused to allow his parents to marry. So Kim spent his childhood in luxurious isolation, hidden from his grandfather, shuttled among Pyongyang mansions and watched over by platoons of bodyguards. When his mother fell ill, reportedly suffering from depression, she was sent to Moscow for treatment and Kim was raised by his maternal aunt.

In those days, his father, Kim Jong Il, loved him deeply, almost desperately. He rocked his son to sleep, and cooed to him the way a mother calms a crying baby, the aunt, Song Hye-rang, wrote in a memoir after she defected to South Korea in the 1990s.

At some point in his childhood, Kim Jong Nam left home, spending years living either with his mother or in boarding schools in Moscow and Geneva. He came back as a worldly teenager, a young man conversant in a string of languages who found himself back in the walled-off mansions and with just a cousin, his aunts daughter, for company.

They had nothing to do. They had no place to go, Song wrote in her memoir. They would occasionally be driven around the city, but werent allowed out of the car. At the seaside, theyd be kept in a sealed-off area where they experienced the sorrow of being on the vast empty beach.

By that time, Kim Jong Il also had another family, with a dancer named Ko Yong-hui who gave birth to current ruler Kim Jong Un, and his brother and sister. Kim Jong Il, who succeeded his father in 1994, shifted what Song called his abnormal, tearful love of Kim Jong Nam to his new children.

It was probably around this point that Kim Jong Nam  then seen by most analysts as his fathers successor-in-waiting  was pushed aside, almost certainly by his step-mother.

I think Kim Jong Nam was already out of the succession race because of the proximity to Kim Jong Il of Ko and her children, said Chang Yong Seok, a senior researcher at Seoul National Universitys Institute for Peace and Unification studies.

A queen can play a very important role when a crown prince is proclaimed, he added.

Kim Jong Nam began traveling more as he grew into adulthood, setting up homes in Beijing and Macau, where he had children with two women.

In 2001, he was caught with his family trying to enter Japan using a fake passport. He told Japanese officials they were going to Disneyland and was quickly expelled, a major embarrassment for Kim Jong Il that seemingly ended any chance he could succeed his father.

Still, most analysts believe he was financially supported by his father, as well as by the Chinese government, North Koreas main ally. He also reportedly worked as a freelance businessman, arranging deals where he could.

It was not always a lonely life.

He used to meet North Korean diplomats and had a network of friends in North Korea, said Nicolas Levi, a researcher with the Polish Center of Asian Studies. For a while, he also traveled back to North Korea, though he did not attend his fathers 2011 funeral.

In Macau, a former Portuguese colony turned Chinese gambling center, Kims son and daughter joined the Portuguese-language Lusophone Scouts and the family attended Mass, hoping to fit in better.

The family was trying as much as possible to live normal lives, said Ricardo Pinto, a Macau magazine publisher who closely watched the family for years.

Theres no evidence Kim ever got involved in his homelands politics, though he told journalists that he didnt believe in the regimes system of hereditary dictatorship.

While Kim never fell on hard times, his jet-setting ways appeared to have slowed in recent years. Two years after his father died, his powerful uncle, Jang Song Thaek, was arrested and executed by Kim Jong Uns government. Jang had been close to Kim Jong Nam, and also may have financially supported him, said Chang, the South Korea-based analyst.

He also knew that his brother wanted him dead, apparently fearing he  and his illustrious bloodline  could someday be used against the regime, South Korean intelligence officials have said.

After a mysterious failed attempt to kill him in 2012, South Korean officials say Kim sent his brother a letter, begging for the assassination order to be lifted.

We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide, and we know that the only way to escape is to commit suicide, he wrote.

Instead, two women  one Indonesian and the other Vietnamese  were recruited to kill him, with the Indonesian woman telling authorities that a group of men had recruited her for what she believed was a harmless prank.

They paid her $90.

(AP)
The following is via WABC:

Jewish community centers across the Tri-State area are on high alert after half a dozen received bomb threats Monday.

Its the latest set of threats made at Jewish community centers across the country this year.

Heightened security is in place at local JCCs, but they are resuming normal operations.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has ordered an investigation after the latest wave of threats.

Cuomo said Jewish centers in Tarrytown, Staten Island, New Rochelle and Plainview, Long Island were targeted with bomb threats on Monday.

The JCC Association of North America says Jewish community centers and day schools in at least a dozen states received bomb threats Monday. No bombs were found.

The group says its the fifth wave of bomb threats at Jewish institutions around the country since January. The group counts a total of 89 incidents in 30 states and Canada.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions denounced the threats.

This is unacceptable behavior, said Sessions. We are a nation thats diverse constituency and we dont need these kinds of activities.

The FBI and the Justice Department are also investigating the hoaxes.

In Philadelphia, meanwhile, police are investigating after hundreds of headstones were knocked over at a Jewish cemetery during the weekend.

On Staten Island, the threat was called into the JCC on Manor Road in the Sea View section just after 9:30 a.m. Monday. The same JCC was threatened on January 11, when a threatening sticker was found. The sticker was on a bathroom wall of the JCC. It said bomb and had a swastika on it.The building was searched by NYPD and no bomb was found.

In Tarrytown, the phoned-in bomb threat was made to the JCC on 371 South Broadway. Kids were evacuated from the nursery school, and were taken to the Double Tree Hotel next door. Tarrytown Police and Westchester County Police responded to the scene with their bomb squad, and later cleared the building.

In New Rochelle, the Jewish Community Center of Mid-Westchester, located on 999 Wilmot Road received a bomb threat via telephone. The caller claimed that there was a bomb inside the building. The building was evacuated, and New Rochelle Police searched the building with k9. No explosive devices or suspicious packages were found. The incident remains under investigation.

(Source: WABC)
The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the nations largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, welcomes todays introduction of legislation by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) that would suspend U.S. financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority (PA) until it stops using American dollars to pay stipends to the families of terrorists who kill Israeli citizens.

The Taylor Force Act, named for the Vanderbilt University graduate student and former U.S. Army officer stabbed to death in Jaffa by a Palestinian terrorist last year, would make future U.S. financial aid to the Palestinian Authority contingent on the PA ending its policy of paying life-long stipends to terrorists and their surviving family members.

Mark Bane, president of the Orthodox Union stated:

We are thankful to Sen. Graham for addressing this critical issue. His leadership is greatly appreciated.

Nathan Diament, executive director for public policy for the Orthodox Union stated:

It is outrageous that the Palestinian Authority uses U.S. financial assistance to reward Palestinian terrorists and their families for murdering Israelis, and the United States must stop being an unwitting party to this practice. We commend Sen. Graham and the bills co-sponsors for taking a stand against violence and terrorism and for supporting Israel, Americas closest ally in the Middle East.

Since the mid-1990s, the United States has contributed more than $5 billion in security assistance to the Palestinians. However, the Palestinian Authority uses a portion of these tax dollars to pay stipends terrorists and their families in perpetuity. According to a 2014 study by the Israeli government, based on internal PA documents, these prisoners and their families received more than $75 million in reward money in a single year.
New York, Feb 28 (Just Earth News): Increased border restrictions and lack of accessible legal ways to reach Europe have caused refugees and migrants to take more adiversified and dangerous journeys,a such as relying on people-smugglers or using flimsy boats to cross rough seas, a new report by the United Nations refugee agency has revealed.

This report clearly shows that the lack of accessible and safe pathways leads refugees and migrants to take enormous risks while attempting to reach Europe, including those simply trying to join family members. said Vincent Cochetel, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Director of Europe Bureau, in a news release announcing the report.

According to Desperate Journeys, issued on Monday by UNHCR, the closure of the Western Balkan route and the European Union (EU)-Turkey Statement in March 2016, caused a drastic decrease in the number of people reaching Greece via the Eastern Mediterranean route.

However since then, the Central Mediterranean route from North Africa to Italy become the primary entry point to Europe and arrival trends in Italy show that the primary nationalities who crossed to Greece had not switched in significant numbers to the Central Mediterranean route.

In addition to drowning, migrants and refugees also risk of being kidnapped, held against their will for several days, physical and sexual abuse, torture and extortion by smugglers and criminal gangs at several points along key routes.

The Central Mediterranean route

The UN agency pointed out that in 2016, some 181,436 arrived in Italy by sea in need of international protection, and also victims of trafficking and migrants seeking better lives. About 90 per cent of them travelled by boat from Libya, and the top two nationalities of those arriving were Nigerians (21 per cent) and Eritreans (11 per cent).

This route is particularly dangerous and, in 2016, recorded more deaths at sea than ever before.

Furthermore, children making this journey are especially vulnerable, and the number of unaccompanied and separated children arriving is increasing. Last year more than 25,000 came, representing 14 per cent of all new arrivals in Italy.

Their number more than doubled compared to the previous year, said UNHCR.

The Western and Eastern Mediterranean routes

The report also showed that in the last part of 2016, more people reached the continent through the Western Mediterranean route, either by crossing the sea to Spain from Morocco and Algeria, or by entering the Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta.

Similarly, people continued to leave Turkey along the Eastern Mediterranean route from April onwards, but in much smaller numbers. Most crossed the sea to Greece or Cyprus, others also crossed via land into the country or into Bulgaria.

Most who arrived by sea to Greece (87 per cent) came from the top ten refugee producing countries.

This was also the case for those who continued to move along the Western Balkans route: in Serbia, for instance, 82 per cent of those who arrived came from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria and almost half are children  20 per cent of those unaccompanied.

These numbers, however, numbers have reduced since April 2016, noted UNHCR.

Additionally, according to the study, tens of thousands of people also have been reportedly pushed back by border authorities in Europe, including in Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Serbia, Spain, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, with many cases of alleged violence and abuses in an apparent attempt to deter further entry attempts.

Photo: UNICEF/Alessio Romenzi

Source: www.justearthnews.com




It was horrific act in Mosh Migdal when Nadav Sela murdered his wife and children on a Shabbos weeks ago, along with murdering the 11-year-old son of a neighbor.

The accused, Mr. Nadav Sela, hoped to be tried as mentally incompetent, telling the court he is a cat. He got down on his knees and made the necessary sounds but the court was not quick to buy it. A psychiatric evaluation was ordered and it was announced on Sunday, 1 Rosh Chodesh Adar, that the defendant is indeed fit to stand trial and be held accountable for his actions; the murders of Mrs. Dor Sela (23), son Yosef (22 months), and Binyamin (8 months) as well as 11-year-old Natan Atiya, while leaving his brother Nachman serious injured.

The Nazareth Magistrates Court on Sunday heard the expert opinion, that Sela maty stand trial as the district psychiatrist stated the subject was observed during three-week period in the Shar Menashe Psychiatric Hospital.

Sela was found hiding in bushes near the murder scene shortly after the search began. Dors mother told authorities the act was premeditated, explaining he had taken leave of people prior to committing the act. She explained to authorities at the Friday night meal at her table, he asked forgiveness from a number of family members.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
New York, Mar 1 (Just Earth News): The United Nations migration agency today reported thousands of new arrivals at Iraqi sites for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing Mosulas western sector where fighting is taking place between the Government forces and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daaesh) terrorists.



The stories of the survivors are heart-breaking, said Thomas Lothar Weiss, Iraq Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in a press release.

Since the start of Iraqi forces efforts to retake the citys western section on 19 February, more than 10,000 people have been displaced in the zone, according to Iraqs Ministry of Migration and Displacement (MoMD).

We are very worried about the fate of the tens of thousands of families still trapped inside of West Mosul, said Weiss.

IOM reported some 1,650 people arrived today at the Hamam al-Aleel facility, and nearly 2,800 arrived at Qayara air strip on Sunday night. Both these locations are in Nineweh Governorate southeast of Mosul.

MoMD estimates another 3,000 individuals are already moving towards the checkpoints and are expected to arrive tomorrow

. These numbers, among the largest in weeks, are just a fraction of the 250,000 or more people who could yet be displaced from western Mosul as fighting escalates, said IOM Iraq press officer Hala Jaber.

. There is serious concern for the 750,000 trapped in the densely populated western sector, with conditions worsening daily, according to reports and testimonies from those who have managed to escape, she said.

Those who arrived at the Qayara site yesterday, including children, spoke of seeing dead bodies on the streets as they escaped. Many corpses, they said, were ISIL fighters; others civilians killed by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) laid by militants.

Families escaping with children are reportedly taping their mouths with duct tape to ensure they dont cry or make a sound that would alert ISIL. Other families are giving their children sleeping pills or Valium to keep them quiet during their escape.

IOMs Qayara site is currently providing shelter for 4,472 displaced families or 25,344 individuals, with a planned capacity to hold 10,000 families or 60,000 individuals. The Haj Ali emergency site is currently hosting 1,565 displaced families, or 6,994 individuals, with a planned capacity for 7,000 families, or 40,000 individuals.

Photo: IOM/Hala Jaber

Source: www.justearthnews.com




The attempt by Deutsche Boerse to swallow the London Stock Exchange in a 21bn merger of equals should have been doomed from the day it was announced.

The possibility that Britain would vote to leave the European Union always meant Frankfurt would be very unhappy the headquarters of the enlarged exchange would be in London.

Moreover, cost savings from the merger were always marginal, especially when it became obvious that clearing operations, one of the biggest generators of income, would remain on respective home turfs.

Deutsche Boerse wanted to buy LSE for 21bn, which critics said was against the UK's interest

This deal always had the appearance of having been cooked up by investment bankers, advisers and executives for their own benefit. LSE chief executive Xavier Rolet may have done a brilliant job in increasing the market value of the LSE but was also known to be looking for an exit.

The Wimbledon-based German boss of Deutsche Boerse was seeking an easier commute and more power. Judging from his odd pattern of share purchases ahead of the deal, the money was attractive too.

So what scuppered the transaction? It would have been nice to think it was the rejection of the deal by the Government or UK regulators. But throughout the process we barely heard a word of protest over the possibility that one of the great pillars of the City was about to be sold. If ever there was a dereliction of duty, it was this.

At least EU politicians spoke up, with both Paris and Frankfurt laying out their reservations. If there was a worry in London it was about the financial stability implications of the deal.

But in true British fashion, these were whispers rather than shouts. The truth is that the new exchange looked as if it would be grossly undercapitalised for the levels of clearing which the exchanges have taken on now that the investment banks are out of over-the-counter activities.

The surprise about the pull back from the merger is that it was the Italian fixed-income platform MTS which was at the core of the decision by the EU Competition Commissioner. Throughout the process, MTS has barely been mentioned. Nevertheless, as Europes most important fixed-income platform, handling 100bn of transactions each day, it was hugely important.

It may be too early to celebrate the continued independence of the LSE, although the tone of its language suggests the German game is all but up. What this whole episode demonstrates is that even with the most expensive advice in the world, deals can go horribly wrong. Huge amounts of money have been wasted.

Save our Marmite! Just a week has passed since Unilever gave would be predator Kraft Heinz and its backers the heave-ho

Shareholders should be angry at the misjudgements which led management down this path and the future leadership of both chairman Donald Brydon and Rolet hang by a thread.

The big question is, will the ruthless Atlanta-based Intercontinental Exchange, owner of the New York Stock Exchange, make a fresh pass? ICE would offer an unwelcome challenge. But in contrast to Deutsche Boerse it at least understands how free-market capitalism works and would not stifle Londons innovation.

Save our Marmite

Just a week has passed since Unilever gave would be predator Kraft Heinz and its backers the heave-ho. In the aftermath Unilever chief executive Paul Polman and his board promised a hurried review of operations to be finished by April.

That has led to all kinds of speculation of a break-up of the group or splits in the manner of ICI back in the early 1990s. Any such radical changes should be resisted as strongly as Kraft Heinz.

The whole beauty of a diversified consumer products company such as Unilever is that if one part of the business is sub-performing another will fill the vacuum. Sure, there is always room for some tidying up.

It is time to unwind the complex Anglo-Dutch shareholding structure and bring the group under one transparent ownership.

There may also a case for selling of some of the UK domestic brands such as Marmite and focusing on those appealing in emerging markets.

We should never forget the quirky tastes of some of our trading partners. Horlicks, one of GlaxoSmithKlines less heralded brands, is a best-seller in India. So even Marmite and PG Tips may be big, little earners.

Audit lessons

Hard to feel sympathy for PwC after the Oscar-night fiasco. Hollywood and a worldwide audience have gained some insight into the auditing skills which brought us Tescos accounting fraud, the audit of Sir Philip Greens private empire and the recent accounting snafu at BTs Italian offshoot.

And we used to think accountants were safe and boring.
Lord Mandelson has been named president of the German-British Forum

Serpentine ex-business secretary Lord Mandelson is named president of the German-British Forum, an elite networking organisation for pro-EU business types. His Lordship enjoys a string of these lofty-sounding posts.

Hes president of the Great Britain China Centre, High Steward of Kingston-upon-Hull and Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University. Thats on top of his remunerated roles as adviser to Lazard as well as running his modestly-named consultancy firm, Global Counsel. Busy little fellow, isnt he?

After the collapse of the London Stock Exchanges 21bn merger with Deutsche Boerse, what now for touchy LSE boss Xavier Rolet? He was due to retire from his 6.6m-a-year role after the deal.

A political career back in France was mooted, but the surprise emergence of Emmanuel Macron as presidential favourite may complicate matters. While economics minister, Monsieur Macron was openly hostile towards Rolets LSE deal, reckoning it would thwart Pariss ambitions as a financial centre.

The opportunity for lunch and advice with bijou TalkTalk boss Dido Harding fetches 120 in a fundraising auction for the Countryside Alliance. A rather modest sum. Its possible Didos business counsel has depreciated in value somewhat since announcing plans to quit the troubled telecoms firm in May.

Too much information, perhaps, from insurer Hiscoxs imposing, South African-born chief executive Bronek Masojada, who muses: I lie in my bath at night and think that one day the London Market business will reprice. Odd chap, Bronek, 54. He once took his wife and five children on a family holiday to North Korea as a special treat.

Sunday nights Oscar fiasco is yet another feather in the cap for accountants PwC, who are held responsible for the cock-up. Previous black marks include its auditing of now defunct BHS and failed lender Northern Rock.

It also failed to spot a multi-million pound black hole in Tescos accounts two years ago. The firms recent chairman, mild-mannered Ian Powell, 60, still managed to snatch a knighthood in the New Years Honours.
Washington, Feb 28 (IBNS): Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will present a preliminary version of the Pentagonas new plan to rapidly defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria during a meeting of the White House Principals Committee, Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said here.

The Cabinet-level senior interagency forum, which usually does not include the president, already has received copies of the classified report, which Davis described as a framework for a broader global plan, read the Pentagon website.

President Donald J. Trump requested the plan in a Jan. 28 presidential memorandum.

This is not just a military plan, he told reporters during a briefing. It draws upon all elements of national power -- diplomatic, financial, cyber, intelligence [and] public diplomacy, and it's been drafted in close coordination with our interagency partners.

Davis was quoted as saying by Pentagon website, This plan is truly transregional. This is not just about Iraq and Syria, it is about defeating ISIS around the globe, and other transregional violent extremist organizations, such as al-Qaida.

From the secretary's standpoint, Davis said, he is very committed to rebuilding readiness and is looking for us to find ways to do that quickly and in ways that reflect our being good stewards of taxpayer dollars.
My 87-year-old mother has received a demand for underpaid tax from HM Revenue & Customs for 2,057 for the tax period to April 5, 2016.

She is ill with dementia and lives in a care home in Northants. Her income for that time was from two small works pensions and her state pension, amounting to 16,630 before tax.

She paid 1,057 tax that year and has always paid her taxes. Surely HMRC has not done its job properly by collecting the right amount of tax at the right time?

It's impossible for her to find such large amounts as she is paying 3,500 per month from her savings, which have almost gone, towards care home fees.

We are in the process of selling her small bungalow to continue to pay the fees, A. B., Northants.

HMRC sent a 2,057 bill to my 87-year-old mum who is a dementia sufferer in her care home

It's distressing enough for anyone to be told out of the blue that they owe tax  let alone someone in your mother's position.

HMRC says she underpaid income tax because she was issued with an incorrect tax code on one of her two private pensions. One is with Scottish Widows and worth 2,833 a year.

The other, worth 3,220 a year, is with Canada Life and belonged to her husband prior to his death in 2010.

The mistake occurred when your mother began to receive her late husband's Canada Life pension. It should have been listed as a second pension, but it was listed as a primary one.

That might sound trivial, but it's a big deal to the taxman because it helps determine how it applies your 11,000-a-year tax-free personal allowance.

For pensioners, the 11,000 allowance is first used up on state pension payouts. If there's any allowance left (often there is), the allowance is applied to each additional income in turn, until it runs out and tax is deducted.

So, by mistakenly listing two primary incomes, HMRC applied the allowance twice and collected too little tax from the Canada Life payouts. And for seven years the taxman failed to spot your mother had the same tax code on two pensions.

It turns out that every year since 2010 it has sent your mother a letter asking her to stump up the underpaid tax. And every year she has paid it. You say she did not like to be in debt and would have quickly settled up and not thought to question it.

HMRC says it should have noticed something was awry much earlier, but 'did not handle this well at all'.

'We had at least one opportunity to update her record, but did not do so,' it says.

Given your mother's poor health and financial situation, the taxman has written off the unpaid tax and will do the same for this year, as it believes she has also underpaid over the past ten months. It has rectified her tax code and she should be taxed correctly from now on.

YOU HAVE YOUR SAY - Every week Money Mail receives hundreds of your letters and emails about our stories. Here are some from last week's report about how elderly homeowners who took out shared appreciation mortgages in the Nineties now owe their bank ten times what they originally borrowed . . . It's easy to criticise these people, saying they should have known what they were getting into, but not everyone is financially savvy  and these loans were complicated. I think the people who own these loans now should write off a lot of the debt to help out these poor people. G. S., Essex. You can quite easily blame both parties in this story: the banks shouldn't have been offering such rip-off terms, but on the other hand, the people in this story shouldn't have taken out the loans. T. L., London. I realise the people who took out these loans would have known they'd have to pay more if house prices rose, but the terms are extortionate. Someone needs to put pressure on the owners of these loans to come to a fair settlement. M. P., Edinburgh. Shared appreciation mortgages don't sound that different to the equity release loans of today, except what you pay back is pegged to house prices. I'm sure we'll be talking about equity release in the same way in the future. W. S., Winchester, Hants. If house prices hadn't increased, then the people in the story would have effectively had an interest-free loan. Not bad when interest rates were about 7 pc at the time. No one expected house prices to rise as they did, but I don't think that's the banks' fault. P. C., Coleraine, N. Ireland. To take out one of these loans you had to get advice from a professional. What I can't understand is why the adviser didn't tell them to run a mile. Y. R., Manchester.

In September, we booked British Airways flights to New Zealand costing 1,560 to see our niece get married.

But just after Christmas our daughter suffered a stroke when her newborn baby had to be rushed into hospital with breathing problems.

Doctors said she needed looking after 24 hours a day and, with a poorly baby and her husband out at work, we felt we couldn't go to New Zealand.

We cancelled the trip and asked BA for a refund, but it has refused, only returning 350 in taxes.

K. F., Chelmsford, Essex.

Your letter took my breath away. What a heartbreaking ordeal for your family. The last thing you needed was for a trusted firm such as BA to show so little compassion.

I'm happy to report that mother and baby are on the mend  though from what you say it could be some time before your daughter is back to full strength. So, the trip to New Zealand this month is still very much off.

BA says that if a customer phones and provides medical evidence that they can't travel, it issues refunds on a case-by-case basis. However, it says you have to call first, rather than cancelling the trip yourself.

Unfortunately, in the heat of the moment you cancelled online without letting BA know what was going on. Understandably, talking to an airline was the last thing you wanted to do. You then called at a later date and provided a doctor's letter outlining your daughter's condition.

I can't see why BA couldn't have considered your case then and refunded you the cost. But it stuck rigidly to the letter of its rules about calling customer services before you cancel.

BA says it then asked if you had insurance, and you said no.

You admitted to me that you did have cover, but were concerned your insurer, CoverCloud, would refuse a payout because your daughter was not named on the policy.

We all make mistakes when we're under stress, but there's little to gain from bending the truth with big firms  and lots to lose.

CoverCloud says you've since submitted a claim and it has offered to cover the 1,560 cost of the trip.

BA has reviewed your case more carefully and agreed to a full refund after all, so that shouldn't be necessary.

A British Airways spokeswoman says: 'We are sorry to hear what the family is going through.

'Given the extremely sad circumstances, we are refunding the cost of the flights and hope they will be able to reschedule the trip in the future.'
A family claims a travel agent's blunder left them having to buy new flights costing 5,000 after they fell foul of a relatively new law requiring under-18s heading to South Africa to have birth certificates with them.

The Purdy family were refused aboard an Emirates flight to Cape Town just before Christmas after not realising three travellers, aged under 18, needed birth certificates by law to visit.

Sarah Purdy, 56, an accountant from London, was flying with husband Mike and three children Simon, Toby and Emma, to attend a wedding of extended family in South Africa and spend Christmas there.

The family had previously travelled to South Africa numerous times without problems.

Purdy family: They arrived at the Emirates desk only to find out the three children needed birth certificates to travel to Cape Town. Pictured at the Cheetah Rescue Centre

Mrs Purdy argues that neither the travel agent she booked with  Swedish based Gotogate  nor the airline had warned about needing the documents.

The flights, departing from Gatwick, on Thursday 15 December 2016, cost 4,679.46 and the family were unable to board.

The airline had no more seats available until 28 December, thanks to it being the busy festive period.

So, the family then had to book fresh flights costing more than 5,000.

Mrs Purdy called Gotogate and claims that because of the mix-up, a member of staff agreed to refund the family, minus 155 each per ticket, which Mrs Purdy agreed to.

This would mean a refund of 3,904.46. On this basis, she booked Air France flights for the next day at a cost of 5,256.24 that were not direct. They had to stay the night in Paris.

But when the family contacted This is Money for help, six weeks after their return from South Africa just before the New Year, Gotogate had still not refunded the original flights.

Additionally, the told the family they would now need to forfeit a larger 355 per ticket, meaning slimmer redress of 2,904.46  a 1,000 difference.

Family time: Pictured is Sarah's brother in law, Rob with his son Warwick, Sarah's son Toby, husband Mike and her sister-in-law's son Zoomie

Mrs Purdy told This is Money: 'We had no idea about the birth certificates even though we go every few years to South Africa and neither the travel agent nor the airline had told us.

'I have asked for the transcripts of the phone calls but they are not forthcoming. I'm really worried that we may not get the refund back at all. It is a lot of money.'

The family ended up missing the wedding after arriving in Cape Town at 1.30am  with the ceremony finishing at 1am.

When This is Money contacted Gotogate to ask what was happening, we were told the refund was now paid - but added that it believed that it had not been at fault.

A spokesman said: 'The customer has been refunded 3,904.46. The money should have been paid out by now.

'It is simply impossible for all companies in the travel industry, airlines, travel agencies and many others, to be updated on demands regarding documents needed for each country.

'There are different demands regarding Passports, Visas, Transit Visas and other documents for the 200+ countries in the world.

'The demands can change with short notice and without public information.'

Gotogate points out that it and most other companies tell customers to check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for travel information.

It is not clear why the firm had agreed to compensate the family if it believes this information was clear on its website, nor why the redress level appeared to have changed.

Refused: The Purdy family were not able to board the Emirates flight at Gatwick thanks to the South African law
I've read that Neil Woodford is launching a new fund. I already invest in his Equity Income fund. Should I put some money in the new one, too?

W. K., Leeds.

The announcement that star fund manager Neil Woodford is set to launch the third fund at his investment house has caused a lot of excitement among savers.

But it's very difficult to decide whether or not to invest in something that doesn't yet exist.

Star man: Neil Woodford is set to launch the third fund at his investment house

The Woodford Income Focus fund is expected to launch on March 20. We don't yet know which companies the fund will invest in or how successful it will be.

What we do know is that Mr Woodford's new fund will aim to deliver a higher rate of income than his Equity Income fund, which yields around 3.25 per cent.

The new fund will aim to pay out 5p per unit. At launch, units will be worth 100p each, so that equates to an attractive yield of 5 per cent.

But this percentage yield will change depending on the value of the units, which in turn will rise or fall based on the investments Mr Woodford picks.

We also know that the new fund will not be constrained to UK companies, though it is likely to be UK focused at the outset.

And it will invest in fewer stocks than Mr Woodford's existing fund - around 50 compared with 70 in the Equity Income portfolio.

Woodford says there will be limited overlap in the two funds' investments. But few experts would advise holding two funds run by the same manager.

The exception is where they have an entirely different focus, such as one being a bond fund and the other investing in Chinese equities.

The main difference between the two Woodford options seems to be that the Equity Income fund aims to grow your money and provide an income too.

The new Income Focus fund will aim to deliver a greater income, but that will be at the expense of some of the growth.

So, which is more suitable for you depends on your needs.

Some experts have said it will suit retirees who want the higher, steady income it offers.

If you're a younger investor looking to grow your money over the long term, then it may be worth sticking with the existing fund.

If you have an investment question, get in touch at: Investment Clinic, Money Mail, Northcliffe House, Derry Street, London W8 5TT.
Every time Valerie Jacobs visits her brother in North London she pops a note on her car dashboard that says: 'Collecting carers' parking permit. Back in one minute.'

She does this so that passing parking wardens don't issue a ticket while she runs up to her brother's flat to grab the permit that she shares with his two other carers.

But in January the retired British Red Cross worker returned to her blue Nissan with the permit to discover a 110 fine stuck to her window screen.

Valerie, who is in her 70s, wrote to Barnet Council to explain the situation. But it refused to waive the fine.

Frustrating: A parking warden hands out a penalty ticket. Every year tens of thousands of fines are unfairly handed out to honest drivers

Barnet Council said it 'empathised with the circumstances', but that it did not merit the cancellation of the penalty charge notice (PCN).

The council added that if she paid within 14 days it would cost her only 55. If she appealed again and lost, the full 110 would be due. So, Valerie gave in and paid the fine.

Valerie's parking fine is one of around nine million that local authorities issue every year. They are a major source of revenue for councils, raking in hundreds of millions of pounds.

Some penalties are issued for legitimate offences, such as parking on a red route or zig-zag lines.

But tens of thousands of fines are unfairly handed out to honest drivers who have been caught out by broken payment machines, confusing signs or misleading road markings.

And the worst part is that when motorists appeal to councils, their complaints are typically thrown out.

In some cases, appeals are being rejected even though drivers had bought a valid ticket or paid for a permit. Others have had challenges refused for errors that were out of their control.

In one case, a driver's appeal was rejected even though the automated payment service wrongly recorded their registration number when they called to pay.

HOW TO FIGHT A FINE - AND WIN If you intend to appeal, do NOT pay first If you find a parking ticket on your windscreen, you have two options: you can pay it or challenge it. Most councils offer a 50 per cent discount if you pay within 14 days. But if you intend to appeal, do NOT pay first. You might hope doing so will protect you against a higher bill if you later lose your appeal, but the council will just take the money and close the case. Your first step should be to make an informal challenge. Write to the council  quoting the PCN reference number  and explain why you think you shouldnt have to pay. Include any evidence such as photographs of parking signs, copies of your permit or ticket and witness statements. Make copies and dont send the originals, as you may need them later in the process. Your claim will be reviewed by the council or the private firm hired to issue tickets. If you are rejected you can pay or challenge the fine formally. Most councils offer a 50 per cent discount if you pay within two weeks of receiving your rejection letter. This is your last chance for a discount. If you want to appeal further, wait for a Notice to Owner letter to arrive. Councils will send this 28 days after responding to your informal challenge. Once issued, you have 28 days to make a formal representation. This involves resending all your evidence and explaining your argument again. If you are sent a parking ticket through the post because you were caught on CCTV, you jump straight to this stage. You also have 21 days to pay the fine at the reduced rate instead of just 14. The council has 56 days to investigate and respond. If it fails to do so, you win by default. If it throws out your appeal youll be sent a Notice of Rejection. You have 28 days to pay the full fine or take your complaint to an adjudicator. If youve come this far, you may as well go on as your fine wont increase any further. And it is rare for councils to try to recover legal costs if you lose. Appealing to an adjudicator sounds very official, but its free and quite informal. Adjudicators are trained lawyers and dont work for the council. Youll be sent a Notice of Appeal form to submit. And youll need to send all your evidence again. Many cases are dealt with by phone, online or post. Few appeals require a face-to-face hearing in a court. You dont have to attend if it does  though it may help. If the adjudicator sides with you, the council will cancel the fine. If it doesnt youll have 28 days to pay or the fine will increase by 50 per cent.

When motorists have their initial appeal rejected they are often then too busy or scared to take it further. Many fear they'll have to pay even more or attend an intimidating court hearing.

Yet figures show that of the tiny proportion of drivers  just one in 100  who take their appeal all the way to the adjudicator, half are successful.

Joshua Browder, founder of the fine-fighting website DoNotPay.co.uk, says: 'Councils have a tendency to fine first and ask questions later. And too often they'll ignore mitigating circumstances that deserve leniency.'

Mr Browder says that of the 1,000 drivers who visit his website every day for help disputing tickets, 600 are successful. And since launching the site three years ago, he's won 250,000 appeals.

He says the most common reason for appealing a fine is incorrect signage. For example, a tree may be blocking a sign or there may be two conflicting signs close together. In some cases, the bay may even be too small to park a car in.

The next most common reason is a genuine error, such as noting the wrong time on a disabled Blue Badge.

A Barnet Council spokesman says of Ms Jacobs' case: 'We make every effort to accommodate the needs of carers with permits, but to date the motorist has not provided evidence that they hold one.'

When Karen Bottrill visited Leeds for a training course in November, she paid 8.50 to park her black Peugeot 107 for the day.

The 62-year-old special education needs co-ordinator didn't have enough in coins and the machine wouldn't accept notes. So, she called the number on the machine for Parkmobile to pay by card over the phone.

A text arrived to say her payment had been accepted and that she had the space until 9.59pm.

Yet when Karen returned to her car at around 6pm, she found a ticket on her window screen.

Worried the fine would increase from 25 to 50, Karen paid first and then tried to appeal.

Stung: Karen Bottrill, pictured with husband Neil, found a parking ticket on her windscreen despite having paid 8.50 over the phone to park for the day

But Leeds City Council replied saying the registration number she had given did not match the one on the penalty notice issued.

It emerged the Parkmobile automated voice recorder had heard the final letter as 'S' instead of 'F'.

Karen says the council refused to discuss the case because her details didn't match those they had on record.

Karen, who lives with her husband Neil, 60, in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, says: 'I've hit a brick wall. It's not my fault the number was noted down wrong. Yet I've had to pay twice  for the parking ticket and the fine. They just want all the money they can get.'

A spokesman for Leeds City Council has since admitted an admin mistake had been made and refunded the ticket.

Alan and Kathleen Lomax also believe they were charged unfairly for events out of their control.

The retired couple were visiting Bakewell, Derbyshire, for the day, and parked their blue Ford Fiesta in a car park adjacent to the agricultural showground.

When they went to pay at the machine, the coins were rejected and a message 'not in use' flashed up on the screen.

It was the second broken machine the couple had come across that day, so they thought the entire system was down. There were no parking wardens around to ask, so the retired couple from Chadderton, Greater Manchester, left the car and went for lunch in a nearby cafe.

As they finished their drinks, they noticed a parking inspector by their vehicle, issuing a ticket.

They dashed down to explain the machine wasn't working, but he said that once he had started writing a ticket he couldn't stop.

The ticket said the fine was 25 if paid within 14 days after which it would rise to 50.

Alan, who previously ran a transport consultancy business, intended to appeal, but was worried the fine might increase.

So he posted a cheque to Derbyshire Dales District Council for 25 with a letter stating he was not accepting liability by paying and would be contesting the fine. But when he tried to appeal, Alan says he was told the case was closed because he had paid.

'It seems very unfair,' says Alan. 'But then it's a nice bit of extra income for them, isn't it?'

A Derbyshire Dales District Council spokesman disputes Mr Lomax's version of events.

He says: 'Mr Lomax's challenge was rejected because he did not make a reasonable attempt to pay at an alternative machine  he tried only one of five.

'Civil enforcement officers can't negotiate with car park users  it is not their job to decide if individuals have a valid reason for not displaying a ticket.'

Barrie Segal, founder of ParkingTicketExpert.com and AppealNow.com, says: 'Parking fines are a lucrative business.

'Many councils have contracts with private companies that issue fines on their behalf and firms fight hard to win these deals.'

H e says that civil enforcement officers are pressured to issue 2.8 fines per hour. 'That's around 22 during an eight-hour shift, which at up to 130 a pop is a lot of money.'

The 353 local authorities in England raked in a 756 million profit from parking charges in the year ending April 2016  a 9 per cent increase on the previous year, says the RAC Foundation.

London accounted for almost half of this, with its 33 boroughs making 332 million in total.

This is because fines in the capital are higher  at up to 130  than elsewhere, where charges rarely go above 70.

Andrew Pester, interim chief executive of the British Parking Association, says there are strict rules laid down by law that stipulate how councils spend money from parking fines.

It typically goes towards improving traffic management and transport services in the local area.

'Civil enforcement officers, when serving penalty charge notices, can't know all the circumstances and that's why appeals are so important in ensuring that parking enforcement is undertaken fairly,' he says.
Buying a house and getting a mortgage is the biggest financial transaction most of us will ever undertake - and yet the process is often arduous, slow and clunky.

Amazingly for 2018, it is still mostly carried out by letter and phone, even though we live in a world where we can hail cabs without lifting a finger and receive grocery shopping straight to our front doors at the click of a mouse.

But the seeds of a revolution are being sown for the industry and soon you should be able to get a mortgage entirely online - being advised on which loan to take by an artificially intelligent computer.

A home is probably the biggest purchase you will make and getting a mortgage can be as painful as finding a property

The mortgage revolution

The first glimmers of hope may be emerging for online-savvy buyers and those putting off remortgaging because of the time required on the phone or face-to-face with a broker dealing with paperwork.

There are now several mortgage broker firms that have made reasonable strides in the march towards automating the mortgage application process for their customers.

While borrowers still have to drop offline at some point during the process to speak to a real life adviser to fully complete their application, some providers are developing the technology to allow borrowers to do the whole thing online.

Lenders are also gradually developing technology that allows borrowers to apply online and receive mortgage offers from more than just one lender.

This would be nothing like the price comparison websites that exist today. These list available mortgage products by rate, fee, APR, or by free offers, but do not tell you whether you're eligible to borrow or how much you are likely to get.

Several mortgage apps have launched over the past year claiming to offer online advice

The industry is not there yet, but they are moving in this direction, perhaps thanks in part to a noticeable increase in support from the Bank of England and the regulator.

This wave of innovation promises a FinTech revolution that will democratise financial services. Consumers will get more choice, better-targeted services and keener pricing - Mark Carney

While speaking at a FinTech event last year, Bank of England governor Mark Carney said: 'To its advocates, this wave of innovation promises a FinTech revolution that will democratise financial services.

'Consumers will get more choice, better-targeted services and keener pricing.

'As customers become more willing to delegate decision-making to machines, their funds and loans are being better matched with the best rates from around the system.

'These flows could become seamless if public policy initiatives and new technologies combine to create digital credentials that are universal, durable and reliable.'

I saved 2,400 a year, easily Dominic Beecheno, self-employed entrepreneur 'The Habito process was a dream' A family man and a new entrepreneur, Dominic was facing a mortgage rate that would only increase his monthly outgoings at a time he needed to reduce them. Habito was the only broker who was willing to help. 'Id known my existing broker for over two years. We had what I thought was a terrific relationship. Once I decided to go self-employed he never returned my calls or emails ever again despite saying he would. I tried two more mortgage brokers who totally blanked me. I felt lost and frustrated. I basically decided to swallow my new mortgage rate and pay the extra 200 a month, because no one would help me. 'Frankly, the Habito process was a dream and within a few days I was in a position to switch my mortgage and save over 2,400 a year. With those savings I took my family to France for two weeks.'

Who is competing to change the mortgage market?

So what can you do with your mortgage online right now? We take a look at the main online mortgage apps and what you get from each of them. The list below is no particular order.

Trussle

Launched: December 2015

Trussle was the UKs first online mortgage broker and was founded by Ishaan Malhi, a former mortgages and real estate analyst with Bank of America Merrill Lynch and subsequent regular in London's FinTech scene.

He was also frustrated by the mortgage process when he bought a house, prompting him to do better himself. Trussle is part-owned by property search website Zoopla, which bought a stake in the business in February 2016. Zoopla also owns price comparison site uSwitch and automated property valuation business Hometrack.

Will ask you for

Trussle asks borrowers to complete their profile online before recommending the right mortgage. In short, it's a simple, clean and online version of a traditional broker's 'fact find'.

The form is built to adapt to each of your responses, making it quick and intuitive to navigate through things like income, outgoings, property and personal details. It means every customer's experience is appropriate for them.

Trussle believes its system is a simple online version of a traditional broker's 'fact find'

What they do with your information

The information feeds Trussle's algorithm and advisers with enough information to answer three questions: What can I afford? Which mortgage is right for me? When should I switch to avoid getting ripped off?

The firm has also built its own tools to assess both lender eligibility and product suitability for every type of borrower. They search through 11,000 products from 90 lenders in real time - quickly giving home buyers and those switching mortgage the most suitable deal on the intermediary market for them.

Using this information, Trussle can estimate how much customers could save by switching today. If customers choose not to switch, Trussle will continue to compare their mortgages (provided you update your details every three months) and will share alerts when its time to switch to more suitable deals. Non-Trussle customers can also sign up to the free mortgage monitoring service and be alerted when better details become available.

This affordability information can also be used to filter future property searches with Zoopla, presenting buyers with other affordable properties in desirable postcodes.

Customers submit documentation online via their personal Trussle Timeline, which they use to monitor the progress of their application once they've completed their profile and have received their mortgage recommendation. This allows them to upload documents and monitor the status of their application from any device at any time.

Customers who have mortgages with Trussle have the ability to not only remortgage their current property but also move home and get a new mortgage.

For now customers love our balance of automation and the personal touch of a qualified adviser.

Is it all online?

Recommendations are generated by Trussle's in-house sourcing algorithm, but are always qualified by one of their mortgage advisers before being issued.

Customers get all the things that computers do best - vast amounts of complex information compared quickly, accurately and impartially by the various affordability, suitability, and lending criteria - but Trussle also relies on the human touch to ensure the mortgage recommendation is optimal, especially for exceptional cases.

What it doesn't do

Like competitor Habito, Trussle can't automatically process your application online yet but their advisers take care of this part of the process for you.

What it says:

Ishaan Malhi, founder of Trussle, says: 'It's easy to get hung up on the means through which mortgage advice is delivered when it should just be treated as a function of customer expectation.

'That said, almost every industry has come online in recent years as we've grown to expect more from technology. If it's right for the consumer, we hope lenders, regulators and the rest of industry see it the same way. For now customers love our balance of automation and the personal touch of a qualified adviser.

'Were particularly proud of being the first online mortgage broker to launch in the UK, and subsequently, the first in the industry to offer a free lifetime mortgage monitoring service which helps borrowers switch to a more suitable mortgage deal when the time is right.

'Our industry-first partnership with Zoopla has also proved popular, which we hope will play a major role in streamlining the process of buying a house for consumers.'

Habito

Launched: April 2016

Habito was founded by Daniel Hegarty, the former head of decision science at now defunct payday lender Wonga. He bought a house a couple of years ago and was aghast at how difficult it was to get a mortgage. Habito was born. The firm has now raised a total of 27.5million through the seed, angel and venture investors behind Skype, Spotify, Twitter and Transferwise.

Will ask you for

Email and UK phone number, name, marital status, number of dependants, address history, employment and income information, information about any adverse credit history with a credit report being required in some cases, details of any relevant assets, such as properties, shares, pensions and liabilities, active credit card and loan arrangements, a breakdown of monthly expenditures and any relevant plans for the future such as starting a family.

What they do with your information

Habito's digital mortgage adviser claims it uses artificial intelligence to provide customers with mortgage advice via a chat bot. That said, they also rely on human mortgage advisers to give you a final recommendation.

They explore all the key components of your financial life - employment, attitude to risk, and personal life plans - and explain the impact of these factors on the kind of mortgage that will work best for you online or on your mobile.

They then use real-time mortgage rates to calculate an indicative monthly payment, based on your circumstances and preferences.

Is it all online?

Once the customer has been through the process with the chat bot, Habito recommends a specific lender and mortgage product based on the true cost of the mortgage, meaning all fees, rates and additional costs are factored in. They says this recommendation also factors in how likely lenders are to accept your application based on whether you can afford the repayments.

Habito claims its digital mortgage adviser uses artificial intelligence to provide customers with mortgage advice via a chat bot

This is also done online or on your mobile. You are then put in touch with a mortgage adviser over the phone, who checks the recommendation before sending you the details by email.

Most of Habito's customers engage with them via live chat, so as long as you're logged into to your Habito account you can upload documents to your account dashboard. All data is encrypted. In addition, they will also communicate via email and update customers about the status of their applications using SMS.

What it doesn't do

At the moment Habito's people have to transfer your application data from their system to the right lender's system semi-automatically and semi-manually. There are real issues with automating this bit of the process at the moment because every lender has a different application format online.

As a result there is still a bit of a disconnect, so the product recommendation you get from a Habito adviser isn't an approved mortgage offer from the lender.

What it says

Daniel Hegarty, founder of Habito, says: 'We spent nearly a year developing our digital mortgage adviser, conducting hundreds of advice calls to understand whats important to the consumer and what forms the basis of informative advice.

'Over 90 per cent of customers prefer using live chat over a phone conversation to complete and submit their mortgage application. We think this demonstrates the shift in how people want to interact with their financial services provider.

'In just two years, weve helped 115,000 people better understand their mortgage, submitted over 700million worth of mortgages and built an artificially intelligent digital mortgage adviser that has halved our broker time spent on each case. All without compromising on customer satisfaction.'

Dynamo was born after a meeting between broker Countrywide and Blenheim Chalcot

Dynamo

Launched: 2018

Dynamo officially launched to consumers at the beginning of April 2018, but there has been a core working group in operation for over a year.

The idea was originally born after a meeting between senior executives of the UK's biggest estate agency group Countrywide, whose executives wanted to offer its customers an online channel for mortgage applications, and Blenheim Chalcot, a leading venture capitalist in the UK with a successful fintech division.

Will ask you for

Dynamo splits its information requests into separate sections. The 'about you' section requires basic personal information including name, date of birth, contact details, gender, nationality, residency, marital status, dependents, and address.

The next section covers 'your needs' and includes questions such as the current value of your property, your remaining term, your monthly payments, the end of your initial rate period, and your current outstanding mortgage balance. If the remortgage is with another person, they will also need to provide their information.

The third section is 'your circumstances' which includes questions about your employment as well as financial details such as your income and expenditure.

All of these sections are completed online. You will then have a call with a Dynamo mortgage adviser, who will ask additional questions for which you will need a variety of information such as your latest mortgage statement, a recent payslip and details of any credit commitments.

What they do with your information

Customers' information is plugged into Dynamos proprietary back office system and Dynamo's mortgage advisers use the information to provide a mortgage recommendation to the customer. Once the customer accepts the recommendation, an application is then submitted to the lender.

Dynamo says it is in the process of building an automated recommendation engine which will automate the recommendation fully over time.

Is it all online?

Customers can input some of their personal information online at a time convenient to them either on their phone or their PC which takes no more than 15 minutes. Customers can then find a time slot online that suits them to book a phone call with one of our mortgage advisers.

Dynamo then call back the customer within 48 hours of that call to provide the mortgage recommendation in a phone call which the firm says takes no more than 15 minutes.

If the customer accepts the recommendation, Dynamo liaises with them over email until their mortgage application is completed by the lender.

What it says

Seb McDermott, chief executive at Dynamo, says: At Dynamo, we are rebuilding the mortgage process from the ground up and putting the customer at the very heart of it, delivering a new, tech-enabled experience which is set to revolutionise the way in which people think about their mortgage.

For our customers, our cutting edge technology provides a beautiful and easy to use website that makes the collection of mortgage application information simple and personalised. For our mortgage experts, our best in class technology will give them superpowers, simplifying complex processes and saving them time and paperwork. That allows them to focus on the most important thing, delivering a great end-to-end mortgage experience for our customers.

Combining this with access to some of the UKs top lenders and exclusive deals some of which are unavailable to other mortgage brokers means we are able to offer our customers free, impartial, quality mortgage advice online and on the phone in a simple, transparent and easy to use way.

We are committed to making the mortgage process easy, and helping customers find the best deal for them.

Mojo

Launched: February 2018

Mojo, formerly known as Nuvo, is a trading name of comparison site Lifes Great. It launched as a proof of concept in January 2017, before launching officially as an online broker in February this year. The 46-strong team now helps more than 20,000 people find a mortgage each month, and uses a chat bot to talk to customers through Facebook messenger, or via the firm's website.

Will ask you for

Customers log in to Facebook Messenger and start a conversation with the Mojo chat bot.

A quick quote can take less than 60 seconds. Mojo will ask for details such as date of birth, household income, and a few questions about the customers circumstances such as whether they are a first-time buyer or if they will be renting the house out.

The customer is then able to continue the journey to see what mortgage they are eligible for. The full mortgage fact find typically takes less than 15 minutes and covers everything you would expect a broker to ask to find you a mortgage.

Mojo says it is about to roll out a new feature that allows customers to pre-populate sections of their application, for example property data. It also plans to roll out a new feature that will allow customers to populate their income and expenditure using open banking APIs.

Mojo uses a Facebook Messenger chat bot to give customers a quick 60-second quote

Is it all online?

The mortgage application is completed online and a product recommendation is made at the end of the process. The customer then speaks with a qualified mortgage adviser to double check any key bits of information.

If the customer wants to continue, Mojo will then manage the entire application through to completion. Customers are kept informed through a combination of online and offline updates, and can be kept informed via their preferred channels.

What it says

Richard Hayes, chief executive of Mojo, says: The financial services market is ready for disruption. Customers want instant access to products and information in most aspects of life and the finance sector is no different.

Through extensive research and testing we have seen that customers want to transact online in the mortgage space. We offer a perfect combination  the ability to complete a mortgage fact find online and see what mortgages youre eligible for, along with a team of qualified mortgage experts on hand to advise and guide where its needed.

Our mortgage experts check all applications through before submitting them to a lender, they then manage the process through until the mortgage completes. Since we launched our proof of concept, we have helped thousands of people start their mortgage journey online and completed 68million worth of mortgages.

Our service is completely free. We are dedicated to providing a best in class customer experience, with a clear focus on making the process of getting a mortgage easier and clearer.

We believe in empowering our customers with knowledge and providing them with the perfect platform to make finding the right mortgage as easy as shopping on Amazon.

Mortgage Gym

Launched: 2016

Mortgage Gym was founded in 2016 by John Ingram and David Vertannes. It launched in October 2017 after securing funding from Go Compare, originally offering remortgages only before extending its offering to include first-time buyers and movers in January 2018.

Will ask you for

Mortgage Gym describes itself as a robo-adviser, and claims it can match customers to lenders in just 60 seconds, before helping them choose with a qualified expert. It believes that the majority of customers still want to speak to a human adviser, so as well as providing robo-advice, it also provides access to live advisers.

Is it all online?

Like its competitors, Mortgage Gym is not 100 per cent online. The group claims that the majority of its customers want to speak to a human adviser at some point during the process. However, it claims that straight through online applications are not far away.

What it says

Jeremy Moll, managing director of Mortgage Gym, said: 60 seconds. Thats just one minute to find mortgages you are likely to be accepted for and see how much you could borrow - before you apply quickly and easily.

Customer information is always safely and securely stored and is only used, with permission, to help source and buy the right mortgage.

Mortgage Gym's unique consumer proposition enables people to find out how much they can borrow, real time and in 60 seconds.

All of the boring, laborious and time-consuming effort required to buy a mortgage via the traditional routes are automated by Mortgage Gym. Our customers can source and buy a mortgage from the comfort of their own home on any device and at any time.

Hooski

Launched: June 2018

Describing itself as a fresh, innovative mortgage platform for the tech savvy individual Hooski is relatively new. It says it provides an entirely digital process, meaning youll never have to talk to an actual human on the phone while applying for your mortgage. You're still talking to a human online though.

Will ask you for

In order to get an idea of the deals available and an idea of how much they can borrow, all that applicants need to input is their salary, commitments, and a few details about the loan amount, type of rate, and term they would like.

To progress to the next stage and to get a personal recommendation from one of Hooskis advisers, they will need to provide it with their name, address, employment details, commitments, and credit history.

Hooski allows you to apply for a mortgage without having to speak to someone on the phone

If they wish to proceed after getting their personal recommendation, for Hooski to submit a mortgage application to the lender, applicants need to upload one form of photo ID, two forms of address ID, their latest three payslips or latest two years tax calculations and tax year overviews, their latest three months bank statements, and a proof of deposit.

What they do with your information

Hooski uses the customer information firstly to provide applicants with a personal mortgage recommendation, assessing their affordability and which lenders will fit their circumstances/criteria. When instructed, it then uses their information and documentation to submit and progress their mortgage application with the chosen lender.

All of the information and documentation that they provide is held on a secure and fully encrypted area of Hooskis site. This information stays there until their mortgage has completed, at which point it is transferred to a digital vault and completely deleted from the secure area of the site.

Is it all online?

Yes, its all completely online but not completely automated. The applicant provides Hooski with their details and documentation entirely online; an adviser corresponds by email and secure messaging, and uploads their recommendation and illustration on their secure site; and then when the application has been submitted to the lender, Hooski provides the applicants with regular updates on the progress of their application via email and secure messaging.

What it says

A Hooski spokesman said: What sets Hooski apart from other online mortgage advice services is the fact that we are a group of advisers with over 100 years collective experience in advising on mortgages, instead of a mainly IT-based outfit who have entered the mortgage advice space.

'We aim to provide the same personal, high-quality service that we have all delivered in our previous face-to-face advice roles, but for the digital, fast-paced age.

London & Country

Launched: December 2017

This is Money's own mortgage partner London & Country, the UK's biggest independent broker, threw its hat into the ring last year by launching its own online mortgage finder.

The launch of its online service came after credit rating agency Experian revealed it had bought a 25 per cent minority stake in the broker in November.

Will ask you for

L&Cs online facility allows you to enter your income and expenditure details, employment, and information about any savings or other assets you have by directing you through a series of questions and answers.

What they do with your information

Once you've filled in your details, the system searches thousands of mortgage deals from providers across the market and recommends the best one for you based on the information you provide.

David Hollingworth, L&C Mortgages

That digital advice process can enable you to find the right mortgage, but for now all online recommendations will also be double-checked by a fully qualified adviser so the customer can rest easy they're getting the best possible mortgage for them.

If there are any quirks in your application the system transfers you to chat online with a mortgage adviser or you can choose to speak to someone over the phone.

What it says

L&Cs David Hollingworth said: 'In most cases we expect our customers will still want to have a conversation with an adviser but the digital application just gives them another option on how to manage the process.

'Either they can fill in their details online themselves as and when is convenient for them, or they can speak to us and we can fill in that information for them.

'For us, it's not just about making the customer journey slicker online, it's also fundamentally about offering good mortgage advice.'

Hoocht

Launched: October 2017

Robo-adviser Hoocht launched in October last year, and gives customers an estimation of their borrowing options following a series of chatbot-led questions, before passing them on to mortgage brokers via online chat.

In April, it partnered with insurer Homelyfe to add home insurance to its offering, and recently teamed up with technology platform When You Move.

The concept for the company first emerged in 2016, with founder Rich Wynn citing the need to make mortgages faster and easier for customers. It claims to use artificial intelligence to help customers apply for a mortgage in minutes rather than hours.

The broker has also partnered with charity Parkinsons UK to donate any pennies over a round pound from the fee lenders pay them for every completed mortgage  and it donates kits to grassroots sports teams in return for mortgage referrals.

How it works

At the beginning of the application, customers are asked about their income and their deposit. The site then generates a mortgage potential which gives customers an estimation of their potential options.

Following a few more questions, such as whether the customer has any outstanding debt, an actual broker takes over  though the company claims that nine times out of 10 the original bot-generated estimation is what ends up being offered.

What it says

Hoocht founder and managing director Rich Wynn said: 'Traditional mortgage solutions have, more often than not, proved to be overly time-consuming and needlessly complicated.

Moving home is already a stressful enough experience, so Hoochts mantra is that life is too short to worry about mortgages, let Hoocht do that for you.
LOBAMBA  Corruption and conniving is seen as the only ticket to secure a seat in Parliament and pastors find it a big challenge.



As men of God, they feel they cannot be party to corruption just to win a seat in the august House. Speaking about past experiences during elections, the men of the cloth said too much bribery takes place to win the electorate over. They felt that the way the elections were handled in the past was dominated by dishonesty, which involved paying bribes.



In order to win elections, you have to bribe people who will vote in your favour, something we are totally against, said the clergymen.

These were some of the submission made by the priests and members of the Swaziland League of Churches during the voter education exercise conducted by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) that took place at the National Church at Nkhanini on Friday.



The church leaders strongly felt that they were not competitive enough as their financial muscle was weak.

They said in order to win the elections, one needed to be loaded and have a lot of money to splash out to the electorate and also pay the campaign team (bogalajane).



Further, they commended EBC for starting the voter education in the church and encouraging them to participate. The church is a pillar of this country and the people elected should be God-fearing, they said.



Bishop Simon Tsabedze expressed their desire to participate in the elections as church leaders but said it was just impossible without money. Tsabedze urged the EBC team to consider reviewing the way the elections were conducted and controlled by the big shots who flagged money.

Some of the clergymen felt that parliamentarians made a lot of promises when campaigning and now that they were legislators, they were failing to deliver. They sought direction from the EBC on how to recall those parliamentarians who did not deliver at constituency level.

They also felt strongly about those candidates who were elected then appointed ministers. There should be an arrangement that once an elected candidate is appointed minister then another should be chosen to replace them at constituency level, they said. President of the Swaziland League of Churches Bishop Samson Hlatjwako commended EBC for supporting the church and encouraging them to participate.
MBABANE  TUCOSWA has given government until end of March to act or be in for it. The Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) has an ultimatum for government to address a litany of issues raised in the past which it has allegedly acted on.



The union with its affiliates marched to the ministry of labour and social security to deliver a petition to the Minister Winnie Magagula.

The marched kicked off with the singing of the South African National anthem. The list of issues that the union wants government to address include; severance allowance, national minimum wage, amendments to the public enterprises, elimination of precarious employment and the inclusion of domestic workers as members of the SNPF and ratification of the ILO convention 189 on domestic workers.



According to the unions Secretary General, Vincent Ncongwane, ever since the union engaged government in 2013 on the matter of national minimum wage, nothing has been done whereas this was a current discussion internationally. Therefore, the union wants the minister to write to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and request for a study to be done on the subject matter in Swaziland. Ncongwane said even though the union had done its study and found that the national minimum wage should be E3 500, the minister should request for ILOs findings as well.



On another note, TUCOSWA wants government to reinstate the severance allowance, as a stand-alone long service benefit outside the termination of services by the employer. This benefit is said to have been withdrawn through court orders in 2015.



The removal of the benefit is said to have negative effects on the employees as when they retire, they go home with nothing when they deserve to be appreciated for the services they have provided while serving the employer.



The petition that was delivered to the ministry stated that the severance allowance, a payment which was paid to employees who leave employment through retirement, had been enjoyed by Swazi workers since 1985.


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By Gina Martinez

IDNYC pop-up at Flushings Selfhelp center has gotten off to a great start.

The free ID program drew large lines on the opening day of the pop-up and has continued to draw diverse and large crowds, according to Sandy Myers, director of external relations at Selfhelp.

Weve been packed with members looking to enroll, she said. Even on the first day it was packed. A number of Selfhelp members and younger people felt comfortable coming in. Its been a nice mix to be honest. Weve seen the cross section of Flushing signing up for the program.

Last week state Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Flushing), state Sen, Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing) and Mayors Office of Immigrant Affairs Assistant Kavita Pawria-Sanchez announced the opening of the enrollment pop-up site at Selfhelp Benjamin Rosenthal Prince Street Innovative Senior Center.

Since 2015, the IDNYC program has provided New York City residents with free photo identification. It is believed that half of IDNYC cardholders are undocumented immigrants. All New York residents can enroll regardless of immigration status and Mayor de Blasio has pledged from the outset to protect their personal information. The IDs give cardholders access to services and benefits like entry into public buildings, including schools to take the high school equivalency exam in New York City, and are accepted as valid photo ID to open up bank accounts.

In 2016 Rozic and the Mayors Office of Immigrant Affairs partnered to bring a pop-up enrollment center to the Bayside Library. The pop-ups are intended to make it easier and create more access to the program for those who cannot visit a permanent enrollment site. The SelfHelp pop-up will make it easier for Flushing residents and seniors who can accommodate an appointment as part of their visit.

I once again join the Mayors Office of Immigrant Affairs to bring another IDNYC pop-up to my constituents, Rozic said. As we saw in Bayside, these pop-ups have played an integral role in increasing membership, and making it easier for residents to travel to their nearest enrollment site.

Stavisky said anyone who can should take advantage of the program.

Since its roll-out, the IDNYC program has proven to be beneficial for New Yorkers with close to a million IDs issued so far, she said. In my own district, the Flushing Library saw a surge of interest from people looking to take advantage of this great program.

The IDNYC team will be at the Selfhelp pop-up until March 2. Anyone interested in applying can reserve and appointment on www.nyc.gov/ idnyc or calling 311. Walk-ins are not guaranteed. The city will not ask applicants for information about their immigration status.
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By Bill Parry

The MTA will suspend service on the No. 7 subway line from Queensboro Plaza to Manhattan during all four weekends in March. The agency will operate free shuttle buses for Long Island City straphangers who use the Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue, Hunters Point Avenue and Court Square stations so they can take service on the N and W lines at Queensboro Plaza.

Rider of the No. 7 have experienced ongoing service disruptions and suspensions in the last several years as the MTA makes $774 million worth of critical improvements, including replacing track beds and repairing the Steinway Tunnel under the East River after it flooded during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

The MTA said the closures are necessary in March to test the new communications system that has been installed on the line called Communications-Based Train Control, which will increase reliability and allow for extra trains to be added to the service.

A safe, reliable Flushing Line is critical to the growth of Queens and these projects are critical to the future of the line, New York City Transit Acting President Darryl Irick said. Replacing old tracks means a smoother, faster ride for customers. and installing a modern signal system means less crowded and more reliable commutes.

Service changes will be in effect from 11:30 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. the following Monday during each weekend in March. The schedule is subject to change due to inclement weather, which prevents crews from working on exposed, elevated segments of the line.

Additional suspensions are scheduled for October and November.
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.
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Troy

"Sorry" was written in lipstick on the hotel room where the bodies of Adam Rupeka, a Capital Region police critic, and his girlfriend were found, according to a news release issued by prosecutors in Tijuana, Mexico.

Police originally opened a murder investigation into the deaths of Rupeka, 36, and Jennifer Ogburn, 26, but that was dropped after autopsies were performed on the couple, according to the Attorney General's Office for Baja California in Tijuana.

Rupeka and Ogburn fled to Mexico after they jumped bail on three misdemeanor sex abuse charges they each faced in Troy City Court. They had paid $5,000 apiece in bail at the Rensselaer County Jail where they were held briefly on March 26 following their arrests for counts of endangering the welfare of a child, sexual abuse and forcible touching.

Rupeka often talked about going underground and thought he was above the law, his wife told the Times Union in an interview. Rupeka had posted video on social media claiming he was targeted by police for exposing their misconduct.

Rupeka and Ogburn checked into the Hotel Nelson on Saturday, April 2, according to the release, which was provided to the Times Union by Zeta, a newspaper in Tijuana that has covered the couple's deaths. Previous reports said the hotel was the nearby Hotel Caesar's.

At 9:46 p.m. Sunday, April 3, police were called to the hotel for the report of a dead person in Room 313 where they found Rupeka and Ogburn, according to the release issued Wednesday.

Rupeka was dead without any signs of violence and Ogburn was alive, the release said. She was taken to a local hospital where she died at 10:30 p.m.

The autopsies determined both died from pulmonary thromboembolism, blood clots, in their lungs. They had the drug Clonazepam in their systems, the release said. Clonazepam is a used to treat panic disorders and anxiety, according to the online Physicians Desk Reference.

Police found two baggies with residues of a substance, an open bottle of liquor and a container of orange juice, the statement said. On a dressing table mirror written in lipstick in all capital letters was "Take out ids+ money get rid of bodys no one kno(w)s we ever in Mexico sorry," the release said.

Rupeka and Ogburn were identified by their New York state driver's licenses and New York State Benefit Identification Cards. The U.S. Department of State confirmed the couple's deaths Wednesday.

kcrowe@timesunion.com  518-454-5084  @KennethCrowe
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Troy

A drone surveyed the Poesten Kill Monday as city firefighters continued to search the gorge and creek for a missing man who fell into the waters Saturday.

The Albany County Sheriff's Office flew the drone and recorded the scene from the gorge west toward the Hudson River.

Firefighters also searched along the Poesten Kill's banks during the third day of the search.

Assistant Fire Chief Eric McMahon said the high water in the creek has hampered efforts. He said search conditions are improving as water levels fall and the creek becomes less turbulent.

The video taken by the sheriff's office rescue team will be studied to narrow down possible search areas.

Officials said they have not yet determined the identity of the man who was reported missing. No missing person reports have been filed.

Eyewitnesses reported that they saw a man fall into the gorge while climbing up the rocks behind the area of the Cookie Factory on Congress Street.
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East Greenbush

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' warehouse development plan on a 98-acre site in Mill Creek Commerce Park has the town's go-ahead.

The 165,000- to 190,000-square foot warehouse is expected to create 100 new jobs over two years with an estimated payroll of $5 million, according to the environmental impact statement filed with the board, which was approved unanimously Monday night.

The development at the Tempel Lane site approved by the Town Board in its 5-0 vote will expand Regeneron's presence in the town. This project is smaller than the one first submitted by the pharmaceutical company.

"The project was originally proposed to include a manufacturing facility with associated office, laboratory and warehouse space with a total building area of 485,400 square feet," according to the statement filed with the resolution.

The scaled-back project includes the warehouse and parking for 275 vehicles.

The 119-acre Tempel Lane location includes the 98-acre parcel for the warehouse and a 21-acre parcel for future development.

"It's a matter of great pride that East Greenbush is one of the homes of Regeneron," Supervisor Jack Conway said.

The addition of the warehouse jobs will bring Regeneron's local workforce to about 2,000. The company's manufacturing plant is adjacent to the state University at Albany's Health Sciences Campus off Columbia Turnpike. The site was formerly known as the university's East Campus.

Regeneron last year purchased the Pitney Bowes/MapInfo building at Rensselaer Technology Park in North Greenbush, paying $17.75 million.

"Regeneron is a great company to have in East Greenbush," Councilwoman Deberah DiMartino said.

Regeneron representatives declined to comment on the Town Board's action as they left the meeting.

kcrowe@timesunion.com  518-454-5084  @KennethCrowe
Albany

The system that provides home care for New York's ailing, elderly and disabled populations is in crisis due primarily to economic pressures, including a state reimbursement formula that has pushed some rural care providers to the brink of not being able to make payroll.

That was the message conveyed by dozens of witnesses who attended a Capitol hearing Monday called by the Assembly committees on health, aging, labor and health. The Legislature returns to Albany on Tuesday to begin the final month of negotiation of the budget.

Issues discussed at the session included managed long-term care rates under the state's Medicaid program. Funding flows from the state to the managed care plans to regional agencies, including many nonprofits, that pay the care workers.

The first witness was state Medicaid Director Jason Helgerson, who expressed confidence that New York's rates were sufficient to meet the needs of the nonprofits who in many cases serve as matchmakers between individuals in need of care, known as consumers, and workers. "Overall, we stand by the fact that the rates are actuarially sound," said Helgerson, who added the prospect of certain plans pulling out of specific regions represented outliers in an otherwise "robust" market.

Helgerson said Gov. Andrew Cuomo's budget proposal called for $480 million to cover the costs of helping entities that pay direct-care workers meet the obligations of the state-mandated rise in the minimum wage. The state Health Department, he said, has taken an active role in ensuring that the funds intended to boost the hourly pay of care workers was ending up in their pockets.

Others disputed Helgerson's confidence in the level of support, and complained that the state's reimbursement rates have remained stagnant.

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, chair of the aging committee, said she was concerned at the prospect of care workers switching to working in fast food, a sector in which a panel convened by Cuomo imposed minimum wage increases that are outstripping those for other fields.

Several witnesses said the problem was especially acute in rural areas such as the Adirondacks, where widely distributed population and rough terrain and weather make it logistically challenging to serve consumers.

Rebecca Preve of the Franklin County Office for the Aging said it was "a daily occurrence" for her to have to inform families and hospitals that an individual eligible to receive in-home assistance would have to wait because "there are physically no individuals to provide the care."

She described the case of a 91-year-old World War II veteran who was deemed eligible to receive 23 hours a week of personal care services, a job that remained unfilled for two months despite the efforts of two nonprofits to staff the post, and regular entreaties from an 88-year-old friend who had been assisting with the man's care. By the time a worker was found to fill less than half of the authorized hours, the man had been brought to the local emergency room four times without being admitted. It took another five months before the agencies were able to staff the full 23 hours.

"I would say we are in crisis mode in rural areas," said Assemblyman Billy Jones, D-Franklin County.

"The bottom line is the bottom line," said Jim Lytle of the state Coalition of Managed Long Term Care and PACE Plans. "If adequate rates are not paid to the managed long-term care plans, it is not possible to provide the level of financial support to the providers of these services as they require. Simply put, plans only have the resources that the state's Medicaid program furnishes them."

Several speakers noted that while the salary issue was most immediate, the longer-term challenge was ensuring that enough workers go into the field to meet the burgeoning need for care as the baby boom generation enters the ranks of the elderly and infirm. Some of the proposals offered to ease the situation include better opportunities for career advancement, bonuses for entering the field and remaining in it, and funding to help care workers in remote areas maintain vehicles capable of handling inclement conditions.

cseiler@timesunion.com  518-454-5619
Albany

David McCraw, chief litigator for The New York Times whose letter to Donald Trump refusing to retract a story went viral last fall, will deliver the keynote speech at Albany Law School's commencement ceremony this spring.

McCraw is a 1992 Albany Law alumnus and serves on the school's board of trustees.

A longtime media lawyer and pro bono defender of press freedom, McCraw was thrust into the public eye in October when a letter he wrote on behalf of the New York Times to Marc E. Kasowitz, a lawyer for then-presidential candidate Trump, went viral. The letter was a response to the Trump team's request that a Times story about sexual assault allegations against Trump be retracted on the grounds it was "libel per se."

McCraw's searing response argued the story had not had "the slightest effect on the reputation that Mr. Trump, through his own words and actions, has already created for himself."

McCraw has also sparred with the Obama administration, filing more than 20 lawsuits regarding Freedom of Information requests during the 44th president's tenure.

Before joining the Times in 2002 as vice president and deputy general counsel, McCraw was the deputy general counsel for the New York Daily News and a litigation associate at Clifford Chance, and Rogers and Wells. Before that he clerked for Judge Richard Simons, associate judge of the New York Court of Appeals.

The lawyer also does pro bono work around the world on issues of press freedom and freedom of information, and has been described as "one of the best media lawyers in the country and a tireless defender of the First Amendment," according to a news release issued Tuesday.

The commencement will be May 19 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs.
According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers are streaming across the border from the United States into Canada in higher numbers of late. When caught, they are detained, interviewed by the RCMP and turned over to the Canadian border agency. Once they are in custody, they are taken to police stations, and investigated. If nothing pops up, they are turned over to the Canadian Border Services Agency where they may apply for asylum.
Albany

Is the ability to organize a fundamental human right? If so, should it be protected by local law?

An ongoing legal battle between the New York Civil Liberties Union and New York Farm Bureau could shed light on both questions, and with it decide the collective bargaining rights of farmworkers in the state, many of whom are undocumented.

Last year, the NYCLU filed a suit on behalf of Crispin Hernandez, a former worker at Marks Farm in Lowville who says he worked 12-hour days, six days a week and was eventually fired for requesting basic work protections. Hours after the suit was filed, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who along with the state was named as a defendant, said he would not oppose the lawsuit, effectively granting collective bargaining rights to state farm workers who have been unprotected by various state labor laws for decades. New York farmers make about $28,000 annually  far less than the $41,000 state average for all workers, according to the state Department of Labor.

But soon after, the Farm Bureau, which represents more than 21,000 New York farmers, was granted intervenor status in the case. The bureau said unionized workers would place undue burdens on farms, where workdays are determined by weather and other uncontrollable factors. "There is only one person who has a say in the length of our workday, and that is the good Lord above," former Farm Bureau President Dean Norton said in December.

But a new brief filed by student and faculty at Columbia Law Schools Human Rights Clinic argues the state has an obligation under a patchwork of international human rights conventions to protect the right to organize. If successful, the argument would be one of a growing number of legal cases that invoke such conventions to affect local law, including a 2012 resolution in Albany County that determined freedom from domestic abuse is a human right.

International human rights law, which includes specific labor protections, should inform the decision in this case, the brief says. The international right to freedom of association, which the United States has committed to uphold, requires governments to adopt laws and policies that prevent interference with workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain, and to provide adequate remedies when violations occur.

JoAnn Kamuf Ward, co-director of the Human Rights Clinic, argued that, because the United States has ratified certain human rights treaties, they should then be used to extend protections to those that have been left vulnerable by inconsistencies in state and federal law. Further, she said, state and local laws are more reactive and malleable than the federal constitution, and so can be changed more rapidly to reflect growing societal needs.

In this current political moment where local law and the federal government may not always or often be on our side, human rights (conventions) offer a really critical tool to not only mobilize, but also to really think about  what our local governments should look like and what are the new ways we can push them, she said during a panel at Albany Law School Saturday.

Similar legal thinking has been used in New York since at least the 1950s, when the state Supreme Court cited the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in its decision to allow women to bar tend. In 2012, Albany County became one of the first counties in the nation to declare that it has an obligation under international conventions to defend citizens freedom from domestic violence. The case was influenced by eight students with the Albany Law Clinic and Justice Center.

But the Farm Bureau argues that the exemption of farm workers from state labor laws is purely economic legislation and that the fundamental right to unionize was never intended by those who penned the law.

The court, the Farm Bureau writes, should leave the policy discussion regarding the prudence of collective bargaining rights to agricultural workers where that discussion belongs: with the New York State Legislature.

Such legislation was reintroduced earlier this month under the omnibus Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act. The bill, which would allow workers to collectively bargain, and provide overtime pay and other minimum wage protections, has been pushed by the Democrat-controlled Assembly in years past, but has routinely stalled in the state Senate.

RDownen@timesunion.com - 518-454-5018 - Follow @RobertDownenTU
By Press Trust of India: From Anisur Rahman

Dhaka, Feb 28 (PTI) Five Islamist militants from the banned JMB outfit were today sentenced to death for brutally killing a Japanese farmer in Bangladesh in 2015, in one of the first attacks targeting foreigners, minority Hindus and secular Muslims.

"They will be hanged until death," Judge Noresh Chandra Sarker of the Special Court in Rangpur pronounced as four of the five detained convicts were escorted to the courtroom under heavy security cover.

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The judgment observed that the Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operatives murdered 66-year-old Japanese citizen Kunio Hoshi in a "pre-planned manner to defame and destabilise" Bangladesh.

Militants targeted Hoshi, a Japanese farmer who set up a farmhouse in the northwestern Bangladeshi town of Rangpur.

The judge acquitted one of the six accused in the murder case while a fugitive convict was tried in absentia.

Motorcycle-borne JMB militants shot Hoshi several times when he was heading to his grass farm.

Eight JMB men were initially accused in the murder of Hoshi but two of them were killed in a police encounter.

Hoshis murder came five days after a 50-year-old Italian aid worker was shot dead by motorbike-born militants in Dhakas upmarket diplomatic area.

The Islamic State militant group had claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the government rebuffed it, saying the radical group had no presence in Bangladesh though officials said JMB was ideologically inclined to the foreign Islamist group.

Bangladesh has seen a spate of gruesome attacks on secular activists, religious minorities, bloggers and foreigners, many of whom have been hacked to death with machetes.

The country had launched a massive crackdown on militants specially after the July 1 Dhaka terror attack in 2016 in which 22 people, including an Indian, were killed. PTI AR UZM AKJ UZM

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THE ISSUE:

Efforts to protect STAR tax breaks from abuse irritate many New Yorkers.

THE STAKES:

There must be less-inconvenient ways to secure this program.

More Information To comment: tuletters@timesunion.com or at http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion See More Collapse

Until recently, it would have been hard to find someone who didn't like STAR, the School Tax Relief program that gives millions of New York homeowners a break. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, though, may have accomplished the impossible.

The governor's stated aim  to ensure that people don't cheat the program  is certainly well-intentioned. His strategy leaves something to be desired.

STAR sounds simple enough: Homeowners are entitled to a break worth the taxes on $30,000 of their home's full value, or $65,500 for qualifying senior citizens. To qualify for the basic deduction, the property must be one's primary residence, and the owner or owners can't have income of more than $500,000. For the higher, or enhanced, STAR deduction, one must at least 65 and have no more than $86,000 in income.

Originally, homeowners applied to their local assessor, and as long as they answered a few easy questions correctly, the deduction came right off the tax bill. The state would make the school district whole.

That simple system, however, was open to errors and abuse. Enforcement and monitoring by local assessors varied widely. Importantly, they could not readily double-check to see if a person was illegally taking a STAR deduction elsewhere  on a second home, say.

A 2013 audit by state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's office estimated that duplicate and other improper exemptions were costing the state $13 million, and projected the abuse could top $73 million by 2015.

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Mr. Cuomo persuaded the Legislature to overhaul the program to have all new homeowners register with the state after 2014. The state Tax Department, rather than local assessors, would review the application. People would pay their full school tax bill up front; the STAR credit would come back in the form of a check rather than a discount on their bill. Now the governor wants to go further, and have senior citizens verify their income with the state rather than their assessor.

The new system addresses some of the flaws Mr. DiNapoli's office pointed out  particularly the lack of a unique identifier attached to the tax break so individuals can claim only one. It also centralizes the process, to make sure the break doesn't continue if a person dies, moves, or earns too much money.

Critics note, though, that many seniors may not even file taxes. Having local assessors run the system left flexibility to work with people who had nothing in the way of proof other than some Social Security paperwork.

With the Assembly poised to vote to repeal some of Mr. Cuomo's upgrades, it seems a good time to dust off Mr. DiNapoli's 2013 audit, which had suggestions on how to make STAR more secure without making it one more program in the governor's purview.

Surely it's possible to make STAR both popular and protected. It takes some doing to make people hate a tax break.
The construction of a multibillion-dollar ethane cracker plant, in Monaca, Beaver County, is expected to have an economic impact on a 200-mile radius around the facility. Above is an approximate 100-mile radius. Local planners have been preparing for this for several years.
[February 28, 2017] Arizona Universities Library Consortium Selects Ex Libris Alma, Primo, and bX Solutions

CHICAGO, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, is pleased to announce that the Arizona Universities Library Consortium (AULC) has chosen the Ex Libris Alma library management service, along with the Ex Libris Primo discovery and delivery platform and bX scholarly recommender service, to make scholarly resources more readily available to the consortium's student and faculty users. The members of the Arizona Universities Library ConsortiumArizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizonasought a platform that would provide straightforward workflows for print and electronic collections; reduce the time that librarians spend on acquiring, managing, and delivering resources; facilitate collaboration between the library staff of the three universities; and enable patrons to find relevant materials quickly and easily. Another important factor in the selection process was the Ex Libris track record in academic library consortia and Alma's rich selection of consortial features. The AULC will benefit from the various configuration options in Alma that support the consortium's current and planned business practices without the need for complex workarounds. As a cloud-based platform, Alma will spare AULC librarians the burden of carrying out time-consuming tasks such as installing updates and loading records. The solid architecture and strong security practices of the Alma service will ensure uptime and data protection for all AULC libraries. The choice of Primo by AULC was due to its high configurability and extensive personalization features. Paired with the bX recommender service, Primo will help library users discover and access high quality resources. Janet Crum, librarian at Northern Arizona University, commented, "We expect that implementing Alma and Primo will benefit our users and staff immensely. We're xcited and ready to get started!"



Eric Hines, president of Ex Libris North America, said, "We are delighted that the Arizona Universities Library Consortium has selected the Ex Libris Alma, Primo, and bX solutions. Patrons and librarians will soon benefit from increased staff efficiency in library management, the latest in discovery technology, and a peerless recommender service. We look forward to AULC's contributions to the active Ex Libris user community." About the Arizona Universities Library Consortium

The Arizona Universities Library Consortium (AULC) represents the public university libraries in the state of Arizona: Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona. The mission of the Consortium is to improve the availability of and access to the state universities' research resources. The AULC conducts cooperative collection development and digital initiatives, encourages scholarly communication, supports interlibrary access and services and preservation initiatives, and participates in state and national networks and multi-type library programs such as the Research Arizona Initiative. Arizona State University (Tempe), a research university with very high research activity, was rated number one in U.S. News & World Report's Most Innovative Schools in America category in 2016, the second year in a row that ASU achieved this rating. Visit the Arizona State University website at http://www.asu.edu/. Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff), founded in 1899, is a public research university offering 151 degree programs and serving more than 30,000 students. NAU is widely recognized as a higher-research institution with a reputation for scientific discovery and the invention of new technologies. Visit the Northern Arizona University website at http://www.nau.edu/. The University of Arizona (Tucson) is a premier, public research university. The National Science Foundation ranks the UA 21st in research and development expenditures among US public universities and colleges and 34th among US public and private universities. The NSF also ranks the UA No. 1 in physical sciences research among US public institutions. http://www.arizona.edu/. About Ex Libris Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, is a leading global provider of cloud-based solutions for higher education. Offering SaaS solutions for the management and discovery of the full spectrum of library and scholarly materials, as well as mobile campus solutions driving student engagement and success, Ex Libris serves thousands of customers in 90 countries. For more information about Ex Libris, see our website, and join us on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arizona-universities-library-consortium-selects-ex-libris-alma-primo-and-bx-solutions-300414769.html SOURCE Ex Libris

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[February 28, 2017] Digicel Selects Affirmed Networks as Strategic Partner for its Global Network Transformation Program

ACTON, Mass., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Affirmed Networks, the leader in virtualized mobile networks, today announced that Digicel, an innovative mobile communications provider with operations in 31 markets, has selected its virtualized Mobile Content Cloud (MCC) solution for deployment across the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. This selection is a cornerstone in Digicel's recently-announced "Digicel 2030" global transformation program designed to provide customers with a "superior superfast network experience." The evolution to a 5G-ready, virtualized architecture will allow Digicel to embrace LTE today and 5G in the near future. Digicel recognized the inflexibility of legacy solutions to improve network capacity across the markets it serves. Many of these markets are individual islands located across the Caribbean and Asia Pacific. Affirmed Networks' fully-virtualized Mobile Content Cloud solution, enables Digicel to deploy a distributed virtualized network delivering consumer, enterprise and IoT service offerings across their dispersed geographies. The Affirmed MCC delivers the flexibility required to meet the changing needs of each market. This deployment enables Digicel to flexibly tailor services based on the needs of each individual market, and to centrally-manage the services being delivered to the more than 31 countries in their coverage area. Overall operational expense and complexity associated with managing the network across theirvast footprint is significantly reduced through service automation.



"As part of our 2030 network transformation program we are focused on providing our customers  regardless of location  with the best possible communications experience. Our move to a virtualized architecture supports this goal, allowing us to put in place a network capable of handling the unique needs and requirements of subscribers across diverse markets," said Colm Delves, Group CEO, Digicel. "Throughout our transformation program we have been impressed with Affirmed Network's market leading solution as it has delivered the ability to quickly deploy a next-generation network that will allow us to execute against our broader vision as a company and maximize our customers service experience." "With a focus on quality of their network and the services they offer, Digicel is an important force driving growth and prosperity in their region," said Hassan Ahmed, Affirmed Networks' Chairman & CEO. "We are honored to support their continued innovation by providing Digicel with a fully virtualized, advanced, agile network capable of delivering LTE services today, and supporting 5G services as they become more broadly available."

Today, Affirmed Networks has more than 50 customers across five continents, including some of the world's largest and most innovative operators. About Digicel

Digicel Group is a leading global communications provider with operations in 31 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and South Pacific. After 15 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network. Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes. About Affirmed Networks, Inc.

Affirmed Networks has achieved significant attention as its Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) solution has become the standard for the world's top mobile operators. Currently, the company has been deployed commercially, including in Tier 1 and Tier 2 mobile networks, and is engaged in many trials worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.affirmednetworks.com. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/digicel-selects-affirmed-networks-as-strategic-partner-for-its-global-network-transformation-program-300414509.html SOURCE Affirmed Networks

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By India Today Web Desk: Two suspects have been arrested for attacking two All India Students' Association supporters in Delhi University's North Campus, Delhi Police said on Saturday.

The two are believed to be members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and were later released on bail. The arrests were made in connection with a February 22 incident.

The two student groups were recently in the news over the Ramjas campus violence where ABVP members are alleged to have to perpetrated large-scale violence over JNU's Umar Khalid and Sheela Rashid getting invited to an event at the college. Several students, teachers and journalist came under attack. That incident, however, does not seem to be the one in which Saturday's arrests have made.

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The Ramjas violence has led to a week of continuing unrest on Delhi's campuses with student groups taking out protest marches and counter-marches. ABVP has rejected allegations that it was involved in the Ramjas clash.

Meanwhile, a DU student, Gurmehar Kaur, is at the centre of a raging controversy after initiating a social media campaign against the RSS-affiliated student body and suggesting that India should not wage war against Pakistan. Kaur, who is the daughter of a Kargil war martyr, received rape threats following her social media post and has left Delhi for now.

Also read: How Ramjas College event triggered a social media war and a political slugfest on freedom of expression: A timeline

Also read: Ramjas row: ABVP to protest on March 2, calls for on-campus exclusion of Left

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[February 28, 2017] Globe Telecom Selects NEC and Netcracker to Accelerate Digital Transformation and Infrastructure Virtualization

NEC Corporation and Netcracker Technology announced today that Globe Telecom (News - Alert) has selected them to support its digital transformation initiative and lay the foundation for next-generation infrastructure, including virtualization. Globe will use Netcracker's sophisticated OSS suite and comprehensive Service Orchestration solution, a component of NEC (News - Alert)/Netcracker's Hybrid Operations Management solution and Agile Virtualization Platform and Practice. Globe Telecom is the leading mobile service operator in the Philippines, managing one of the nation's largest networks which delivers sophisticated mobile, broadband and fixed-line services to consumers, small and medium businesses and large enterprises. Known for delivering innovative services and exceeding customer expectations, Globe Telecom is constantly investing in new capabilities to maintain its market leadership. As part of this mandate, Globe is upgrading and optimizing its infrastructure for new digital services. Netcracker's OSS suite, comprised of Service Activation, Resource Inventory and Discovery & Reconciliation, and NEC/Netcracker's Service Orchestration solution will enable Globe to lay the foundation for hybrid operations between physical and virtual infrastructure. The solutions will also optimize current service deployment processes and increase the level of automation. "Our customers expect us to offer the most innovative digital services in the market and deliver those services reliably and consistently. As such, we ontinue to invest in cutting-edge technology that will allow seamless customer experience," said Pebbles Sy-Manalang, Chief Information Officer at Globe. "We are excited to launch this partnership with NEC and Netcracker and leverage their expertise and solutions to meet our key business objective of being the best digital service provider for our customers."



"As one of the leading service providers in the Philippines, Globe is using our solutions to give it the agility and flexibility needed to keep pace with such a fast-moving market," said Elizabeth Pangan, President of NEC Philippines. "We are excited to support Globe in achieving their mission of creating wonderful experiences and overcoming challenges, we are confident that these capabilities will result in better operations for Globe, introducing even more possibilities for growth in the future." "The transition into a next-generation service provider requires the deployment of new technologies and processes, both of which are important aspects of transformation," said Loh John Wu, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Asia Pacific at Netcracker. "We are excited to help Globe evolve and set the foundation for virtualization and digitalization, which will enable it to deliver the best experience to its diverse customers."

About Globe Globe Telecom is a leading full service telecommunications company in the Philippines, serving the needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connections, internet and managed services. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel who are acknowledged industry leaders in the country and in the region. For more information, visit www.globe.com.ph. Follow us on Twitter (News - Alert): http://twitter.com/talk2Globe and Facebook (News - Alert): http://facebook.com/GlobePH About NEC Corporation NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company's experience and global resources, NEC's advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society. For more information, visit NEC at www.nec.com. The NEC Group globally provides "Solutions for Society" that promote the safety, security, efficiency and equality of society. Under the company's corporate message of "Orchestrating a brighter world," NEC aims to help solve a wide range of challenging issues and to create new social value for the changing world of tomorrow. For more information, please visit http://www.nec.com/en/global/about/solutionsforsociety/message.html. NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Other product or service marks mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. 2016 NEC Corporation. About Netcracker Technology Netcracker Technology, a wholly owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation, is a forward-looking software company, offering mission-critical solutions to service providers around the globe. Our comprehensive portfolio of software solutions and professional services enables large-scale digital transformations, unlocking the opportunities of the cloud, virtualization and the changing mobile ecosystem. With an unbroken service delivery track record of more than 20 years, our unique combination of technology, people and expertise helps companies transform their networks and enable better experiences for their customers. For more information, visit www.netcracker.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228005574/en/

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[February 28, 2017] innogy and OurCrowd Announce Partnership to Deliver the Next Generation of Energy Solutions in Israel

innogy SE, a leading European energy company, and OurCrowd, a leading global equity crowdfunding platform, today announced a new business partnership. The partnership will combine the strength of OurCrowd's network and ability to scout investment opportunities in Israeli startups and match the business objectives of innogy to provide innovative products and services beyond the energy market. Peter Terium, CEO of innogy SE said in Jerusalem: "We are on a quest for innovation and are excited to be present in the vibrant and innovative eco-system here in Israel. We have our own innovation team in Israel, connecting us with the startups and innovators in the country. OurCrowd is a natural partner for us. We are impressed by the depth of OurCrowd's exposure and the quality of their portfolio. This partnership will enhance our ability to identify, invest in and build new successful business - and to do it fast." OurCrowd, a platform that connects investors and startups around the world, will help funnel Israeli technology startups that support innogy. This partnership will help innogy achieve its goal of enabling people to improve their quality of life by changing and enhancing the energy sector worldwide (and in Europe and Germany in particular) through decarbonisation, decentralisation and digitalisation. Jon Medved (News - Alert), Founder and CEO of OurCrowd said: "We've been impressed by innogy's growing presence in Israel and thrilled to enter into this new strategic partnership. This partnership will give our portfolio companies a quality gateway to the European markets, with one of the most innovative and well positioned new breed of utilities. The innogy mission is to inspire people, offering solutions and making lives easier - something that we at OurCrowd believe in passionately." innogy's Innovation Hub established an outpost in Israel to engage with innovative startups in its areas of interest (Smart & Connected, Urban Solutions, Disruptive Digital, Big Data and Machine Economy/Blockchain), aiming to collaborate and invest in accordance with its open innovation strategy. The innogy Israel outpost is managed by Mickey Steiner, who has a wealth of experience in the Israeli hi-tech industry and is based in Tel Aviv. <> For Press Materials: http://blog.ourcrowd.com/innogy



About innogy SE

innogy SE is Germany's leading energy company, with revenue of around 46 billion (2015), more than 40,000 employees and activities in 16 countries across Europe. With its three business segments Grid & Infrastructure, Retail and Renewables, innogy addresses the requirements of a modern, decarbonised, decentralised and digital energy world. Its activities focus on its 23 million customers, and on offering them innovative and sustainable products and services which enable them to use energy more efficiently and improve their quality of life. The key markets are Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as several countries in Central Eastern and South Eastern Europe, especially the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. In renewable power generation, the company is also active in other regions, e.g. Spain, Italy and the MENAT region (Middle East, North Africa and Turkey), with a total capacity of 3.6 gigawatts. As a leader of innovation in future-oriented fields like eMobility, we are represented in the international hot-spots of the technology industry such as Silicon Valley, Tel Aviv and Berlin. We combine the extensive expertise of our energy technicians and engineers with digital technology partners, from start-ups to major corporates. With planned capital investments of around 6.5 billion (2016-2018), we are building the power market of the future and driving forward the transformation of the energy market. innogy was formed from the restructuring of the RWE Group and started operations on 1 April 2016. Its IPO in October 2016 made innogy SE Germany's most valuable energy company.

Innovations

We are working on future-oriented technologies for the energy world of tomorrow. Our employees are researching and developing innovative products and services in many areas of the company. In the innogy Innovation Hub alone, more than 130 in-house and third-party experts are working on the business models of the future. We also cooperate internationally with start-up companies, and for this purpose we have our own innovation teams in place in the start-up scene in Silicon Valley, Tel Aviv, London and Berlin. innogy invests in highly promising new companies around the world, and has initiated a 130 million investment program for the purpose via innogy corporate ventures GmbH. Further information: www.innogy.com 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". View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228005213/en/

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[February 28, 2017] IoT Heading for Mass Adoption by 2019 Driven by Better-Than-Expected Business Results

A new global study 'The Internet of Things: Today and Tomorrow' published by Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company (NYSE:HPE), reveals that IoT will soon be widespread as 85% of businesses plan to implement IoT by 2019, driven by a need for innovation and business efficiency. While the analysis confirms the clear business benefits from investments in IoT, Aruba's report cautions that connecting thousands of things to existing business networks has already resulted in security breaches for the majority of organizations. The research questioned 3,100 IT and business decision makers across 20 countries to evaluate the current state of IoT and its impact across different industries. The study shows that while virtually all business leaders (98%) have an understanding of IoT, many are unclear of the exact definition of IoT and what it means for their business. In his new eBook 'Making Sense of IoT', commissioned by Aruba, technology visionary Kevin Ashton-who coined the term 'Internet of Things'- presents the following definition: "The 'Internet of Things' means sensors connected to the Internet and behaving in an Internet-like way by making open, ad hoc connections, sharing data freely and allowing unexpected applications, so computers can understand the world around them and become humanity's nervous system." The Expectations Dividend When examining the business benefits of IoT, Ashton discovered that the real-world benefits gained from IoT exceeded even the original expectations. This 'expectations dividend' is evident in two key performance areas: business efficiency and profitability. As an example, only 16% of business leaders projected a large profit gain from their IoT investment, yet post-adoption, 32% of executives realized profit increases. Similarly, only 29% of executives expected their IoT strategies to result in business efficiency improvements, whereas actual results show that 46% experienced efficiency gains. Chris Kozup (News - Alert), vice president of marketing at Aruba, comments: "With the business benefits of IoT surpassing expectations, it's no surprise that the business world will move towards mass adoption by 2019. But with many executives unsure of how to apply IoT to their business, those who succeed in implementing IoT are well positioned to gain a competitive advantage." How Global Organizations are Using IoT Aruba's research reveals varying levels of IoT maturity across different industry sectors. The following five vertical industries are leaders in their adoption of IoT and have realized tangible business benefits from a focused, use case approach to adoption. Enterprises create a smart workplace for productivity and efficiency: Over seven in ten (72%) enterprises have introduced IoT devices into the workplace. Indoor location-based services ranks as the second most promising use case to improve employee productivity, after remote monitoring. Twenty percent report remote operation of building lighting and temperature as a key use case, but that number more than doubles to 53% when asked about future IoT implementations.

Looking at the tangible results being realized today, 78% say the introduction of IoT in the workplace has improved the effectiveness of their IT team, and 75% find it has increased profitability. The industrial sector increases business efficiency and visibility through IoT-enabled monitoring and maintenance: More than six in ten (62%) respondents in the industrial sector have already implemented IoT. Using IoT to monitor and maintain essential industrial functions was identified as the most impactful use case in the sector. Today, the use of IP-based surveillance cameras for physical security within inustrial organizations is still in its infancy, with only 6% having implemented it. However, when asked about future implementations, surveillance jumped five-fold to 32%.

Across the sector, 83% report increased business efficiency and another 80% have found improved visibility across the organization.



Healthcare introduces IoT to improve patient monitoring, reduce cost and foster innovation: Coming in as the third most advanced in its implementation of IoT, 60% of healthcare organizations globally have introduced IoT devices into their facilities.

Across the sector, 42% of executives rank monitoring and maintenance as the number one use of IoT-higher than all other sectors. This underscores the importance of IoT-enabled patient monitoring in the modern healthcare industry.

Eight in ten report an increase in innovation and another 73% report cost savings. Retailers engage with customers and boost sales using indoor location technology:

Just 49% of retailers are using IoT technology, but 81% of these report improved customer experiences. An improved customer experience is likely to have a significant impact on customer loyalty and ultimately, revenue.

In-store location services delivering personalized offers and product information to shoppers was touted as the number one implementation for IoT, alongside monitoring and maintenance. Four in ten retailers ranked surveillance in their top three key use cases. Governments lag in IoT adoption, struggle with legacy technology but still reduce costs: The slowest sector to adopt IoT, only 42% of municipalities have deployed IoT devices and sensors. A third (35%) of IT decision makers claim their executives have little to no understanding of IoT, double the global average, suggesting that lack of education is the biggest barrier to mass adoption in this sector.

While nearly half (49%) of government IT departments are struggling with legacy technology, seven in ten IoT adopters in the public sector report cost savings and improved organizational visibility as the major benefits. The Data Context and Security Challenge Alongside these positive returns, the study also uncovers a number of obstacles that IT leaders feel are preventing IoT from delivering greater business impact. In particular, the cost of implementation (50%), maintenance (44%) and integration of legacy technology (43%) were highlighted as key issues. Most notably, security flaws were found across many IoT deployments. The study found that 84% of organizations have experienced an IoT-related security breach. More than half of respondents declared that external attacks are a key barrier to embracing and adopting an IoT strategy. This confirms that a holistic IoT security strategy, built on strong network access control and policy management, will not only protect enterprises but also simplify the security approach for IT. The ability to capture and effectively use data is described by Kevin Ashton as "what defines the Internet of Things", but this appears to be another clear challenge for global organizations. While nearly all (98%) of organizations that have adopted IoT claim that they can analyze data, almost all respondents (97%) feel there are challenges to creating value from this data. Well over a third (39%) of businesses are not extracting or analyzing data within corporate networks, and are thereby missing out on insights that could improve business decisions. Kozup comments, "While IoT grows in deployment, scale and complexity, proper security methodologies to protect the network and devices, and more importantly, the data and insights they extract, must also keep pace. If businesses do not take immediate steps to gain visibility and profile the IoT activities within their offices, they run the risk of exposure to potentially malicious activities. Aruba is enabling customers to rapidly assess IoT deployments within their facilities and determine any potential threats that may be present." Ashton concludes: "Since its inception in 1999, the Internet of Things has been ridiculed, criticized, and misunderstood. And yet here we are, less than two decades later, in a world where tens of thousands of organizations are saving and making hundreds of millions of dollars from the Internet of Things, using cars that drive themselves, subway stations that sense passengers, algorithms that diagnose deadly diseases using phones, and many other once apparently-impossible technologies. The future promises far more amazing things. The most important decision you can make now is how to be a part of it." Additional Resources IoT Campaign and Content Page - http://www.arubanetworks.com/solutions/internet-of-things/

Blog: Wake up to the Internet of Things - http://community.arubanetworks.com/t5/Aruba-Unplugged/Wake-up-to-the-Internet-of-Things/ba-p/288688

IoT White Paper (News - Alert): Internet of Relevant Things - http://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/wp/WP_InternetOfRelevantThings.pdf Research methodology A total of 3,100 IT and business decision makers were interviewed in November and December 2016. The respondents were from organizations of at least 500 employees, and were from both public and private sectors, but with a focus on the industrial, government, retail, healthcare, education, construction, finance, and IT/technology/telecommunications sectors. Interviews were conducted both online and via telephone using a rigorous multi-level screening process to ensure that only suitable candidates were given the opportunity to participate. Respondents were interviewed in the UK, Italy, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia, the US, Singapore, Japan, Australia, India, Brazil, Mexico, China and South Korea. About Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, is a leading provider of next-generation networking solutions for enterprises of all sizes worldwide. The company delivers IT solutions that empower organizations to serve the latest generation of mobile-savvy users who rely on cloud-based business apps for every aspect of their work and personal lives. To learn more, visit Aruba at http://www.arubanetworks.com. For real-time news updates follow Aruba on Twitter and Facebook, and for the latest technical discussions on mobility and Aruba products visit Airheads Social at http://community.arubanetworks.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228005118/en/

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[February 28, 2017] Latest GSMA Report Highlights Success of Mobile Money with over Half a Billion Accounts Worldwide

The GSMA (News - Alert) today unveiled its sixth 'State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money', offering a current snapshot of the mobile money landscape and highlighting the impact of mobile money on lives, economies and innovation over the past 10 years. The report provides the only comprehensive picture of mobile money around the globe. This edition looks back across the decade since the pioneering launch of M-Pesa in Kenya, which first demonstrated the potential of mobile technology to transform access to financial services. Today there are more than half a billion registered mobile money accounts across 92 countries. "Giving underserved people access to digital payments has expanded financial inclusion to hundreds of millions of people in developing countries and has enabled them to be more secure, more empowered and more active contributors to local communities," said Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA. "Mobile operators have been at the centre of this success story. The reach and impact of their services provides a clear example of how important the mobile industry is to ensuring achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals." Mobile Money Drives Economic Growth Mobile money is a key driver of economic growth in emerging markets, particularly through formalising payments, increasing transparency and boosting GDP. Mobile money providers are at the forefront of payment services in many emerging market economies. In December 2016 alone, the industry processed 1.3 billion transactions, averaging around 30,000 transactions a minute. The research further shows: More than half a billion registered mobile money accounts globally, as of the end of 2016;

Nearly 174 million accounts that are active (on a 90 day basis);

There are 35 mobile money services with over 1 million active accounts;

More than 4.3 million mobile money agent outlets, with 30 countries now having 10 times more active mobile money agents than bank branches; and

The average cost of sending international remittances using mobile money is less than half the cost of doing so via a global money transfer operator. A Decade of Reaching Scale This edition of the annual report charts the story of mobile money over the last decade, from the emergence of mobile mone to the rapid advancement of financial inclusion. It looks at lessons learned in areas such as business models, enabling regulation and interoperability, and assesses the impact of mobile money on people's lives, as well as the broader economic benefits delivered. The report also looks to the future by examining the emerging trends that promise to take mobile money to new heights in its second decade.



With 277 live services in 92 countries, mobile money is now available in 66 per cent of low- and middle-income markets. A stellar decade of achievements that include: The extension of affordable and commercially sustainable financial services to hundreds of millions of underserved people;

The use of mobile money in a growing range of applications, such as school fees, pay-as-you-go solar systems, and international remittances;

The positive macro-economic impact of mobile money, such as increased productivity and job creation, as well as greater transparency to reduce leakage; and

Beyond its significant contributions to universal financial access goals, including the World Bank's initiative to enable a billion transaction accounts by 2020, mobile money is a key enabler of broader economic development and empowerment. Granryd added, "In just ten years, mobile money has made amazing strides. With two billion people still excluded from financial services, mobile money's potential for the future is greater still. Over the next decade, the industry needs to work together to place the transformational power of mobile money in the hands of those who need it most."

Launch of Mobile Money Developer Portal As the industry looks to new growth opportunities, the emergence of harmonised application programme interfaces (APIs) could unlock a wave of innovation and further extend the reach of mobile money services. To this end, the GSMA today launched a developer portal for platform vendors and the technical community, which will help ensure compatibility with GSMA industry-standard Mobile Money APIs. This approach can ensure interoperability across the ecosystem, seamless deployment and access to the latest standard APIs, through which developers can build mobile money products and services. The developer portal is free and will allow users to access a real, production-ready test environment. The portal offers an open and accessible way to work technically with the APIs and will be supported by the majority of vendors throughout the mobile money industry, with the aim to accelerate further industry growth. The 2017 State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money, as well as further information on the GSMA's Mobile Money Programme, is available at: www.gsma.com/mobilemoney. -ENDS- Note to editors: The State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money draws on the results of the annual GSMA Global Adoption Survey of Mobile Financial Services and data from the GSMA Mobile Money Deployment Tracker, and provides insights on mobile money performance from the GSMA's engagement with the industry. About the GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with almost 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress (News - Alert), Mobile World Congress Shanghai, Mobile World Congress Americas and the Mobile 360 Series of conferences. For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter (News - Alert): @GSMA. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005545/en/

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[February 27, 2017] Mobius Institute Announces the 2017 International Machine Vibration Analysis Conference (IMVAC) AUSTRALIA Will Be Held in Gold Coast

Mobius Institute, the premier provider of vibration analysis training & certification, today announced the Australian 2017 International Machine Vibration Analysis Conference (IMVAC) will be held in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, on June 6 - 8, 2017, at the Novotel Surfers Paradise. IMVAC is a professional development conference serving vibration analysts, condition monitoring technicians, condition monitoring managers and reliability engineers who want to improve their knowledge about vibration analysis and complementary technologies. It is an annual conference held in four locations worldwide: the USA, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. IMVAC provides learning opportunities where topics range from basic to advanced vibration analysis, introduction of new technologies, condition monitoring management, and interesting case studies. It also includes an exposition that will feature 14 leading vendors of vibration analysis and complimentary technologies. Vibration analysis continues to be the largest and most important segment of the industrial machine condition monitoring and plant reliability market. Properly implemented vibration analysis programs allow industrial plants to identify machine faults and wear months in advance of failure, allowing pre-emptive repairs to be made by plant maintenance personnel. Additionally, vibration analysis is a key component to any plant reliability improvement program, providing insight into machine's life cycle and root causes of failure.



"Vibration analysts and condition monitoring practitioners require unique knowledge and skills to solve problems that could result in injury and downtime," said Jason Tranter, founder and CEO, Mobius Institute. "We have developed IMVAC as a place to continue their education and share tips and war stories with their fellow practitioners." To learn more about IMVAC, visit www.vibrationconference.com.

About Mobius Institute Mobius Institute is a worldwide provider of asset management, reliability improvement, and condition monitoring education and certification to industrial plant managers, reliability engineers and condition monitoring specialists. Mobius delivers training via public, in-plant and online formats. Mobius' key advantage is its extensive experience and success in teaching plant professionals and technicians since 1999, and by offering high-quality training material that includes innovative 3D animations and software simulators, which make complex topics easier to understand. Mobius' Vibration Analyst certification is managed by a separate business unit, Mobius Institute Board of Certification (MIBoC), an ISO/IEC (News - Alert) 17024 and ISO 18436-1 accredited certification body. In 2016 Mobius Institute launched the International Machine Vibration Analysis Conferences being held in multiple venues around the world. Mobius Institute has offices in Australia, Belgium, and the United States, and authorized training centers in more than 50 countries. To learn more, call (615) 216-4811 (GMT -5), or email [email protected] or visit www.mobiusinstitute.com. Copyright  2017 - Mobius Institute - All rights reserved. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006672/en/

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[February 28, 2017] Transbeam Named Official Wi-Fi Sponsor of New York's Millennial 20/20 Summit

NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Transbeam, Inc., a managed service provider of next generation data, voice, cloud and professional services, announced today they are the official Wi-Fi sponsor of the 2017 Millennial 20/20 North America Summit, taking place at Center415 on March 1-2, 2017. Transbeam will provided high capacity, business class WiFi services in addition to onsite technical support, allowing free access to attendees, exhibitors and press throughout the two day event. For over 16 years, Transbeam has been a leading provider of event connectivity and Wi-Fi throughout New York City. They provide state-of-the-art temporary WiFi deployment for sporting events, conferences, hotels, meeting venues and concerts. Transbeam's innovative technology solutions have served thousands of events with uniquely tailored communication options and they remain the preferred provider for nationally branded events for wired and wireless needs. As the preferred connectivity provider at Center415, Transbeam connected with the mission of Millennial 20/20, a summit that supports businesses through a curated experience that includes multiple conference stages, immersive and experiential showcases, and organized networking events. Their dedication to implementing innovation and technology as tools to help companies connect with an ever evolving consumer, directly coincides with Transbeam's values and ideologies, making foran ideal partnership.



"This is the first sponsorship of its kind for Transbeam and we could not be more excited to partner with Millennial 20/20 on their New York event. Our aim is to provide an immersive and engaging experience for attendees, while allowing everyone in attendance seamless connectivity over our dedicated network," said Avi Nebel, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Events. ''We are delighted to be working with Transbeam who will be connecting everyone at the event via their seamless WiFi network," said Simon Berger, Found Partner of Millennial 20/20.

Due to the growing demand for high capacity networks that support live streaming, social media, applications, and SmartPhone use during live events, the event connectivity division of Transbeam continues to grow exponentially year over year. Working alongside venue producers and managers, Transbeam consistently aims to create a customized experience that meets the needs of each individual event, all while providing an unparalleled experience. For more information on Transbeam's Event Connectivity services visit http://events.transbeam.com/. About Transbeam

Transbeam is a nationwide managed services provider of MPLS, Ethernet, Hosted Voice, 4G/LTE Wireless Backup, Cloud, Call Center Solutions and Real-Time Network Monitoring backed by our wholly owned next generation network powered by Juniper. Transbeam offers one bill to manage all network needs for multi-site enterprises via our nationwide reach and strategic carrier interconnections. Our U.S. Based Network Operations Center provides one call resolutions with certified technicians on hand. For more information visit www.transbeam.com. Transbeam Media Contact:

Autumn Haile

Marketing Specialist

[email protected]

212-631-8100 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/transbeam-named-official-wi-fi-sponsor-of-new-yorks-millennial-2020-summit-300414621.html SOURCE Transbeam, Inc.

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[February 27, 2017] Mark Taylor and Anjulie Ponce Receive a $989,000 Verdict in Medical Malpractice Case

Mark Taylor and Anjulie Ponce of Powers Taylor LLP, a Dallas law firm specializing in personal injury and medical malpractice cases, obtained a jury verdict of $989,000 in a case involving the wrongful amputation of their client's leg. The Tarrant County jury deliberated one day before finding that the plaintiff, Tanya Valentine, was entitled to the award for medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, physical pain and mental anguish, physical impairment, and disfigurement. The defendant, Dr. John Stasikowski, amputated her leg because he thought she had developed osteomyelitis fourteen months after undergoing surgery to correct a broken ankle. Later testing proved that she had a staph infection, not osteomyelitis. In response, the defense had argued that Ms. Valentine's pre-existing pain in her ankle was so severe, amputation was still an acceptable recommendation. The attorneys for Powers Taylor relied on the testimony of Ms. Valentine, the defendant, and the testimony of multiple experts to disprove the defendant's theory. After the verdict was rendered on February 24, 2017, Taylor said, "We are thrilled with the result, and our client is glad to finally get closure. Although tort reform in Texas medical malractice law makes these types of cases difficult to pursue, Powers Taylor LLP believes that jury verdicts like this will serve as a reminder that doctors who fail to confirm their diagnoses through readily-available tests will be held accountable for their mistakes." Judge Tom Lowe presided over the two-week long trial.



Mark Taylor is a founding partner at Powers Taylor. His practice focuses on medical malpractice, personal injury, and commercial litigation cases. Visit his attorney biography page for more information about Mark and his experience. Anjulie Ponce is an associate attorney at Powers Taylor. Her practice focuses on personal injury and medical malpractice cases throughout the state of Texas. Visit her attorney biography page for more information about Anjulie and her experience.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006683/en/

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[February 27, 2017] Excelity Global to Manage HR Outsourcing Services for 8500+ Datamatics Employees

MUMBAI, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Excelity Global, the largest Asia based payroll outsourcing service provider, offering end-to-end HR outsourcing solutions covering the entire employee life-cycle, has announced signing an agreement with Datamatics to transform and manage its HR transactional services. As a part of this agreement, Excelity Global will manage payroll and benefits for 8,500+ employees of Datamatics in India, which will further strengthens Company's position as India's largest payroll and benefits outsourcing service provider. Through its engagement with Excelity Global, Datamatics will be well-positioned to deliver HR management solutions in a real-time and flexible manner, thereby improving their employees experience while being able to manage their variable costs associated with HR. Sumit Sabharwal, CEO (Managed Services), Excelity Global said, "We partner with organizations to solve their human capital challengesby providing tailor-made outsourcing solutions that are delivered with precision. We are constantly challenging the status quo and working behind the scenes to empower the people side of business for organizations across the globe. We take pride that Datamatics has chosen Excelity Global as its partner of choice to manage their HRMS, payroll and benefits operations. We look forward to have a multi-year relationship with Datamatics."



"We are happy to partner with Excelity on this journey. Excelity has repeatedly demonstrated high expertise in handing large payroll and benefits administration engagement. We are confident that they will deliver a world-class experience to our employees," said Alok Kumar Jha, Global Head - HR and CSR, Datamatics. About Excelity Global

Excelity Global is the largest Asia based end-to-end HR solutions service provider with close to two decades of experience and partners with over 1,000 client entities to help them manage and administer their payroll and retrials functions more efficiently. Excelity Global services more than 1.2 million employees per month and its clientele includes top global - banks and financial institutions, e-commerce, utility, IT and FMCG corporations. For more details, visit http://www.excelityglobal.com About Datamatics Datamatics is a global provider of Consulting, Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services. The company is focused on delivering value through integrated solutions for data intensive business processes that help enterprises across the world overcome their business challenges. These solutions leverage innovations in technology, knowledge of business processes, and domain expertise to provide clients a competitive edge. For details, please visit http://www.datamatics.com/ MediaContacts:

Pragati Puri

[email protected]

+91-9910770626



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[February 27, 2017] Protecting High-Theft, Openly-Displayed Merchandise in Stores Just Got Easier

PHOENIX, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Protecting high-theft, openly-displayed merchandise in stores just got easier. The research organization LPRC monitored a field test of the Point-of-Sale Activation (PoSA) Proof-of-Concept and has issued their findings. Proof-of-Concept test successfully completed at Walmart stores

Sales of PoSA-protected products were higher than control groups

Return rates for PoSA-protected products were lower than unprotected products

The LPRC scientific study validates that the DiSa PoSA solution appears scalable, drives sales and reduces returns on protected products DiSa Digital Safety USA (DBA "DiSa"), is a US-based asset protection solution provider and wholly-owned subsidiary of DiSa Limited  Singapore, that specializes in research and development of cutting-edge Retail PoSA asset protection solutions, is pleased to announce that the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) has published results of the Walmart Proof-of-Concept with DiSa's Point-of-Sale Activation (PoSA) solution. The LPRC research publication is the culmination of a two-year collaboration with the world's largest retailer. The results were announced at the recent LPRC Retailer Summit (hosted by Target Stores) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The exclusive content is now available for LPRC's membership of 40 retail chains. DiSa PoSA benefit denial solution protected consumer electronics products allowing a true open sell environment. This ground-breaking test and scientific study also indicates the DiSa Asset Protection process is a scalable solution that will help retailers drive sales, while enhancing the in-store guest experience by allowing highly desirable products to be sold in a true open format. The LPRC Research study targeted: Consumers, Retail Sales Associates, Store Management and Asset Protection team members. The results included a Q&A survey with each stakeholder, and was done independent of both Walmart and DiSa. The Research Scientist Team was given unfettered access to all needed stakeholder groups. Key take-a-ways include the consumer engagement with "open-sell" product labeled with the PoSA logo, the guest experience at the check-out; including self-checkout (SCO) and the sales growth resulting from the proof-of-concept test. The exclusive content was distributed to LPRC membership at the LPRC PoSA BD Summit and presented to the retailers in this session. 61% of the 549 consumers srveyed rated the PoSA solution favorable. The favorable report shows PoSA can drive sales and enhance the guest experience on the sales floor and at checkout. It also showed lower return rates. Only 2.6% of protected product stolen, none were activated and none were returned.



To obtain the full report, please send your contact information (name, company name, phone number and email address) to [email protected]. "Sell More and Lose Less with DiSa!"

About The LPRC The LPRC is an industry group comprised of leading retailers, solution providers and scientists centered at the University of Florida in Gainesville. The LPRC conducts research to develop crime and loss prevention/control solutions that improve the performance of its members and the retail industry. Currently, the LPRC has over 90 members and is chaired by Dr. Read Hayes. The group conducts academic studies based in classroom and in live retail stores. The LPRC was founded in 2001 and is currently in its 15th year of operation. Key retail members range from Sterling Jewelers, Rite Aid to Home Depot, Walmart and Best Buy. The LPRC is home to 13 industry Working Groups with focus on various issues facing omni-channel retailers. LPRC belongs to various industry affiliations including but not limited to: LP Magazine, National Retail Federation, Retail Industry Leaders Association, LP Foundation and FMI (Food Marketing Institute). www.lpresearch.org About the DiSa PoSA Solution The DiSa PoSA solution, the world's first entirely digital asset protection solution, is a digital lock applied to consumer electronic products during manufacturing. Each device is assigned a unique activation code. The digital lock prevents theft by rendering the devices inoperable from the point-of-production to the point-of-sale at retail stores. The device remains locked until the legitimate buyer activates the device using a one-time activation code that is printed on the retail sales receipt. Once activated, the device remains permanently unlocked and fully functional. DiSa offers full support to manufacturers, retailers and consumers through 24/7 phone support, Web support and App support. The DiSa solution is a low-cost solution that increases efficiencies both in the supply chain and in the retail store. With DiSa, retailers will be able to increase sales by merchandising product on the sales floor without fear of theft (no more product hiding in the backroom where it cannot be sold). Retailers will be able to merchandise more quickly; as they will not have to apply current asset protection (AP) standards such as "keeper boxes," "spider wraps," or other inefficient standards. These current standards cost the retailers both: 1) employee productivity and 2) heavy internal costs from purchasing and repurchasing standards. DiSa is designed to simplify the omni-channel retailer and manages a wide variety of transaction types in omni-channel retailing including 1) traditional brick transactions, including a full gift box experience, 2) E-commerce transactions where DiSa will protect the purchase to the customer's door (no more mail theft or theft from a delivery vehicle), 3) Buy Online, Pickup in Store (BOPIS) and same day pickup in store. About Digital Safety USA (DBA DiSa) DiSa Digital Safety USA (DBA "DiSa"), is a US-based asset protection solution provider and wholly-owned subsidiary of DiSa Limited - Singapore that specializes in research and development of cutting-edge Retail security solutions. DiSa Digital Safety PTE LTD is a Singapore-based PoSA solution provider and wholly-owned subsidiary of DiSa Limited that specializes in research and development of cutting-edge Retail security solutions. More information is available at www.digital-safety.us and www.digital-safety.sg. This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/protecting-high-theft-openly-displayed-merchandise-in-stores-just-got-easier-300414453.html SOURCE DiSa Digital Safety USA

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[February 27, 2017] TCL Multimedia's Global TV Shipments Exceed 20 Million, a New Milestone for China's TV Industry

TCL goes a long way in moving public opinion away from the stereotype traditionally associated with "Made in China "

Chinese companies reshape the global color TV landscape BEIJING Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- China-based TCL is giving its Japanese and South Korean peers a run for their money in the TV industry, as it revealed that the company became the first Chinese TV maker with global shipments breaking the 20 million mark, an event that occured in 2016. According to data from Beijing All View Cloud, an independent data analysis and market research firm more commonly known throughout the industry as AVC, Chinese TV brands, with TCL taking the lead, captured a 30 percent share of global shipments, further taking market share from South Korean peers. The rapid rise of Chinese companies who are taking a strong position in the market has reshaped the competitive landscape across the sector. In the past year, Chinese TV makers have become the "dark horses", as South Korea-based LG was only able to muster a middling performance for 2016, a result of the company having to reduce the number of shipments due to an internal reorganization and having achieved no breakthrough in terms of OLED TVs, while veteran Japanese manufacturers continued to lose market share and core competitiveness as they failed to foresee the changes taking place across the market. Statistics show that Chinese color TV brands, led by TCL, accounted for 30 percent of global shipments in 2016, an increase of 3.2 percentage points from a year ealier, with color units made in China taking a 60.3 percent share. TCL made the biggest contribution with its TV shipments surpassing 20 million units last year. In North America, TCL's market share has gradually increased with access to almost all mainstream sales channels in the US. TCL has increased its brand awareness among local shoppers through collaborative efforts with Google, RokuTV, Amazon and Netflix. Revenue outside China now accounts for nearly 50 percent of TCL's total, with North America being an important market as part of its globalization strategy. TCL has climbed to fourth place in terms of brand awareness among US shoppers.



TCL was the first Chinese brand to adopt the quantum dot display technology. Over a three-year period, TCL built a complete industrial structure for the development of the technology in China by integrating talent and technical resources. In 2016, TCL, with a focus on promoting the technology, established XESS, a subsidiary brand that specializes in high-end products. OLED TVs launched by some vendors had inherent defects including a short lifetime and ghost images coupled with a high price tag due to the limited properties of the organic materials. Using inorganic luminescent materials, quantum dot TVs feature a more stable display, higher quality image and cost performance, as well as 110% coverage of the NTSC color gamut, while the HDR technology's heightened contrast and dynamics enhances the brightness as well as the 3D color gamut. Although other brands such as South Korea-based Samsung have also turned to quantum dot technology, TCL, with years of R&D experience in the field, has more obvious first-mover advantages. Furthermore, China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT), a well-known panel designer and manufacturer and TCL subsidiary, owns the world's largest 8.5-generation LCD panel production line by capacity and the world's highest-generation panel production line. The cost, production and yield advantages brought about by its complete industry chain have allowed TCL to stand out from other brands, ensuring the Chinese manufacturer's ability to supply far more than 20 million TVs and reach the next milestone in terms of position in the market.

The rise of TCL is similar to that of another Chinese brand, Huawei. In addition to independent ownership of the core technology in their respective industries, their development strategy and abilities at innovation have also gone well beyond the stereotype that has been traditionally associated with "Made in China". The global shipments of 20 million units reflect the success of TCL's efforts at greatly improving the quality of its products while seizing a big share of the market. If more Chinese companies were to consider TCL and Huawei as their role models, similar changes in terms of what China's makers can produce would spread across the entire manufacturing spectrum, going way beyond TVs and mobile phones. Japanese and South Korean giants, the original leaders in the display industry, have been deeply impressed by what TCL, the "Huawei in TV sector", has done and achieved. Chinese brand TCL's successful expansion in the global TV market during 2016 has set another milestone in terms of resetting the meaning of the term "Made in China", as the world once again recognizes the strength of the growing Chinese economy. Time will tell how far Chinese brands like Huawei and TCL can go. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tcl-multimedias-global-tv-shipments-exceed-20-million-a-new-milestone-for-chinas-tv-industry-300414535.html SOURCE TCL

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The driver failed to negotiate a bridge divider on National Highway 65 and over ran it. Rescuers had to use gas cutters to pull out people from mangled coach.

By Ashish Pandey: At least ten people were killed and 20 injured after a bus travelling from Bhubaneswar to Hyderabad fell into a river near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh early today. The accident took place on National Highway 65 in Krishna district.

All the injured have been shifted to Nandigama Government Hospital. Condition of 10 is stated to be critical.

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According to reports, the bus, which had to cover nearly 1000 km, made a stop in Vijaywada where a new driver took the steering wheel.

The driver failed to negotiate a bridge divider and over ran it. The vehicle plunged into the river.

Eye witnesses said rescuers had to use gas cutters to pull out people from the mangled coach.

More information awaited.

--- ENDS ---
[February 28, 2017] Expanding Fast-Growing Contract Development and Manufacturing Business for Biopharmaceuticals, FUJIFILM Launches the Bio CDMO Division

FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Kenji Sukeno) is launching the Bio CDMO*2 Division as of March 1, 2017 to expand its contract development and manufacturing operations for biopharmaceuticals*1, a market segment that is expected to make strong growth. Biopharmaceuticals are pharmaceutical products consisting of proteins and other materials produced by genetically modified microbes*3 or mammalian cells*4. The ratio of biopharmaceuticals in the pharmaceutical market is rising, and is expected to continue expanding, as they deliver strong efficacy despite having minimal side effects. As Biopharmaceuticals' manufacturing requires the advanced technologies and facilities for culturing, separation and purification of proteins, there is growing demand that pharmaceutical companies outsource process development and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals to CDMO which have superior technologies and advanced facilities. The contract development and manufacturing market is projected to achieve growth of 8% per annum*5 accordingly. Fujifilm conducts its contract development and manufacturing business for biopharmaceuticals, primarily at FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies U.S.A., Inc. and FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies UK Limited. They utilize advanced biotechnology using mammalian cells and microbes to efficiently produce proteins for use in biopharmaceuticals, and expert know-how in managing processes from culturing to separation and purification. In 2014, the company acquired Kalon Biotherapeutics, LLC (today's FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies Texas, LLC), whose strength lies in vaccine manufacturing and high-potency low-volume manufacturing, to expand its business. In this business field, Fujifilm has also developed the ApolloTM technology*6, which increases protein production volume by five times, and achieves 20% improvement in culturing efficiency, using its technologies to manufacture under constant conditions and superior quality control, developed in the photographic film business. Furthermore, it has made significant capital investments to reinforce the company's capabilities, thereby achieving a high level of business growth. In this latest move, Fujifilm is separating its contract development and manufacturing operations for biopharmaceuticals from the Pharmaceutical Products Division to form the Bio CDMO Division. The company is setting up the standalone business division to further accelerate its decision-making process and enable more timely injection of management resources, with the aim of accelerating business growth. The Division will also deal with the contract development and manufacturing of small-molecule pharmaceuticals to address broader needs of pharmaceutical companies. The company is targeting to bring the Division's revenue to 100 billion yen by FY2024/March. Fujifilm will continue to promote its growth strategy for contract development and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals to accelerate business expansion, while ensuring consistent supply of high-quality pharmaceuticals, thereby contributing to the further development of the pharmaceutical industry.







*1 Pharmaceutical products manufactured through biological process, which usually functions differently from small molecule drugs. It includes various products such as vaccines, insulins, growth hormones, antibodies etc. *2 CDMO stands for Contract Development & Manufacturing Organization. CDMO provides clients such as pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with a wide range of services from cell line development in the early stage of pharmaceutical development to process development, stability testing, investigational drug development / manufacturing and commercial drug manufacturing. *3 A group of clonal microbes capable of growing permanently while sustaining certain characteristics. Genetic modification enables microbes to grow stably for a long period of time, producing proteins. *4 A group of clonal cells capable of growing permanently while sustaining certain characteristics. For example a normal human cell is limited in the number of times it can divide, while some types of cells have the ability to continue growing unlimitedly, either naturally or as a result of artificial modification. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell is a type widely used in manufacturing of antibodies, genetically modified to grow stably for a long period of time, producing proteins. *5 According to Fujifilm data *6 ApolloTM is a high-performance cell expression technology that delivers manufacturing-ready mammalian cell lines, suitable for volume production of biopharmaceuticals, in a period about 30% shorter than the company's previous timeframe. The developed mammalian cell line achieves approx. five-fold increase in protein production per liter of culture tank compared to Fujifilm's previous technology.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006761/en/

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[February 28, 2017] DHL eCommerce Expands in Thailand's Booming E-commerce Market

- DHL eCommerce to expand its service offering in Thailand with enhanced nationwide coverage and affordable B2C international shipping - Pick-up service extended to small e-commerce merchants; Thailand's 2.7 million SMEs to benefit with greater convenience BANGKOK, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- DHL eCommerce, a division of the world's leading logistics company, Deutsche Post DHL Group (DPDHL Group), is capitalizing on the booming Thai e-commerce market expected to more than triple in size to EUR 3.6 billion between now and 20201 by enhancing its nationwide coverage with next day delivery in remote areas and extending pick-up service to small e-commerce merchants to meet its growing customer demands. DHL eCommerce, launched January 2016 in Thailand, offers end-to-end domestic delivery services and easy access for local businesses to expand globally through affordable B2C international cross-border shipping and scalable, pay-per-use fulfillment solutions through a global fulfillment network within Deutsche Post DHL Group. "The e-commerce market in Thailand is currently second largest in Southeast Asia and expected to grow 22% annually till 20202. Along with this remarkable growth, there are increasing demands for cost-effective and high quality logistics solutions to meet rising consumer needs. As such, we are investing now to ensure we are the provider of choice for Thai consumers," said Kiattichai Pitpreecha, Managing Director, DHL eCommerce Thailand. "We are strengthening our delivery network across the country in order to offer second-to-none nationwide service across Thailand. This will enable merchants to reach out to the growing base of e-commerce consumers outside Bangkok in major provinces and rural areas with superior service quality. We have also extended our pick-up service to include small and large merchants. For the 2.7 million SMEs in Thailand, this means greater convenience and a quicker process to deliver to their consumers -- with less time spent travelling and waiting in queues to drop off their goods, they can spend more time focusing on growing their business." Over the past year, DHL eCommerce Thailand has invested significantly in people, service, facilities, vehicles and coverage. The DHL eCommerce 3,222 sqm central hub in Bangkok and its domestic delivery network across Thailand have the capacity to handle over 15 million shipments annually. For merchants, DHL eCommerce offers access to Cash on Delivery (COD) with daily remittance as well as access to a multilingual call center and easy IT integration of online orders to allow shippers to easily prepare orders for delivery into the DHL network. Offers cross-border service to help customers expand overseas DHL eCommerce also enables Thai businesses to grow internationally and tap on the massive international e-commerce market through its range of affordable international cross-border shipping products and scalable, pay-per-use fulfillment solutions. "We are incredibly positive about the Thailand economy and we are committed to its development. The Thai government's 'Digital Thailand' initiative started in 2016 has brought about a wave of opportunities for businesses across different industries to digitize their operations and services, especially for SMEs to undergo digital transformation," said Malcolm Monteiro, CEO, DHL eCommerce Asia Pacific. "Thailand is ranked as one of our top priority markets in Southeast Asia, and we foresee growth to be largely driven by significant numbers of SMEs extending their business models into online marketplaces. DHL eCommerce is committed to enabling Thai businesses as they fully leverage the huge e-commerce growth locally and internationally." As noted in a recent DHL Express report on the e-commerce industry, the cross-border market opportunity offers growth rates (~25%) not found in most traditional retail markets3. DHL eCommerce, along with its sister company DHL Express is helping to connect Thai e-tailers to the world through DPDHL Group's range of cross-border delivery solutions. To cater to varying customer requirements, DHL Express offers premium and faster delivery services while DHL eCommerce provides affordable solutions. Thailand-based businesses can also leverage on DHL eCommerce's global network of fulfillment centers in the US, Mexico, Europe, Hong Kong, Australia and India so that merchandise can get to the consumers in those regions quicker. "Cross-border B2C e-commerce is forecasted to grow to USD1 trillion in 20204. DHL eCommerce Thailand has witnessed tremendous growth in the past year and we are enhancing our service to meet the growing consumer demands," said Charles Brewer, CEO, DHL eCommerce. "We are incredibly proud to be delivering the smile in the last mile and we will continue to provide more first and last mile solutions."







1 Euromonitor; Project Team Market Model

2 Ibid; (CAGR from 2014 -- 2020)

3 DHL Express Cross-Border E-commerce -- 21st Century Spice Trade

4 http://www.alizila.com/cross-border-e-commerce-to-reach-1-trillion-in-2020/

-- End -- Media Contact:

DHL eCommerce

Media Relations

Cheryl Han / Monica Ng

Phone: +65 6879 8012 / +65 6879 8011

Email: [email protected] / [email protected] http://www.dhl.com/en/press.html DHL -- The logistics company for the world DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 340,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, energy, automotive and retail, a proven commitment to corporate responsibility and an unrivalled presence in developing markets, DHL is decisively positioned as "The logistics company for the world". DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 59 billion euros in 2015. Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20170228/8521701219

Logo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150811/8521505246LOGO

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[February 28, 2017] GSMA Launches Inaugural Humanitarian Connectivity Charter Annual Report

The GSMA today launched the first Humanitarian Connectivity Charter Annual Report, highlighting efforts by mobile network operator (MNO) signatories to support disaster preparedness and response activities around the world during 2016. This annual report maps the progress made under the Humanitarian Connectivity Charter, capturing global efforts to address humanitarian emergencies ranging from the ongoing refugee crisis in Europe to reducing the impact of natural disasters. It highlights the critical role of the mobile industry in supporting resilience and serves as a baseline against which to measure progress in the coming years. The GSMA also announced a new humanitarian supporter of the Charter, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which joins 108 MNO members and six endorsing humanitarian and technical partners, with the potential to reach more than 1.3 billion people. "We launched the Humanitarian Connectivity Charter two years ago and since that time, mobile has played an important role in how the global community responds to crises, facilitating advancements in early warning systems, reuniting loved ones, and connecting affected populations to information and assistance," said Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA. "The Charter has been an important platform for supporting our industry's commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, whether addressing natural disasters or the effects of war and conflict. We thank the many organisations supporting the Charter over the past two years and look forward to expanding its impact in the years to come." The Charter, launched by the GSMA at Mobile World Congress (News - Alert) 2015, leverages mobile connectivity to improve access to communication and information for those affected by crisis, reduce the loss of life, and positively contribute to humanitarian response. The increase in displaced communities and sudden onset of natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods, continue to impact communities globally. Innovation by Charter signatories demonstrates how mobile can play a role in mitigation, early warning, response and recovery, and the newly published report highlights some of the actions undertaken by signatories: Displaced Communities: MNOs have worked with the wider ecosystem to provide support to displaced communities. In 2016, Turkcell launched an app called Merhaba Umut ('Hello Hope') to help facilitate the integration of Syrian refugees living in Turkey, while Asiacell (Ooredoo Group) worked with Ericsson to implement 'Connect to Learn' programmes for children in refugee camps in Iraq, providing ICTs and connectivity to schools to enhance learning. In June 2016, Zain (News - Alert) partnered with the MIT Enterprise Forum1 to launch the 'Innovate for Refugees' Initiative, a competition intended to promote innovative entrepreneurial businesses, providing tech-driven solutions that cater to the needs of refugees.



Earthquakes: Following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Ecuador on 16 April 2016, Movistar Ecuador (Telefonica (News - Alert) Group) mobilised 190 technicians and sent out 40 vehicles equipped with satellite phones, enabling more than 82,000 people to call relatives and friends. In addition, MNOs Claro (News - Alert), CNT and Movistar Ecuador provided free voice minutes and SMS to customers in affected areas. After the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes in Japan, NTT (News - Alert) DOCOMO provided free Wi-Fi service, constructed an emergency IP network and deployed 'base stations on wheels' to restore network coverage. During the period of earthquake activity, Japan's Meteorological Agency issued 19 earthquake early warning alerts and it is estimated that over 1 million customers received these messages from their operator.

Flooding: Customers of Ncell (Axiata Group) living in areas at high risk of floods and landslides in Nepal are now receiving early warning alerts thanks to an innovative partnership between Ncell and the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), implemented in July 2016. SMS alerts are sent when water levels are dangerously high or when severe weather conditions are forecast, enabling citizens to take necessary precautions. In recognition that partnerships are essential to meet the growing humanitarian needs globally, in addition to the MNO signatories, the Humanitarian Connectivity Charter is supported by a number of organisations and agencies. Key supporting organisations include the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), the UN Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Ericsson and Nokia are technical partners of the Charter. A full copy of the report is available at: www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/programme/disaster-response/hcc-annual-report and further detail on the Humanitarian Connectivity Charter is available at: www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/programmes/disaster-response/humanitarian-connectivity-charter. -ENDS- Editors Notes 1http://www.mitefarab.org/en About the GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with almost 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai, Mobile World Congress Americas and the Mobile 360 Series of conferences. For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005540/en/

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[February 28, 2017] Datora Mobile to Launch Ingenu's RPMA Network in Brazil

Ingenu Inc., the company that delivers purpose-built IoT connectivity, and Datora Telecomunicacoes Ltda. ("Datora"), today announced the launch of the Machine Network in the country of Brazil. The Internet of Things (IoT) network, powered by Ingenu's RPMA (Random Phase Multiple Access) technology, will serve Brazil's population of over 200 million, providing reliable connectivity for IoT/M2M applications such as agriculture, environmental monitoring, logistics and smart city. Datora will deploy the Machine Network throughout Brazil, with expected completion in late 2018. The network will be integrated with its IoT Connectivity Abstraction Layer Solution (IoT CAL Solution), which allows different types of seamless connectivity for its clients. The initial RPMA rollout will be in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil's third-largest state in terms of GDP and home of the headquarters of CODEMIG (Companhia de Desenvolvimento de Minas Gerais), a company responsible for significant economic development in the State and a Datora Mobile shareholder. "The Brazilian market is rapidly expanding its focus on IoT connectivity to bring useful new applications to the region," said Tomas Fuchs, CEO of Datora Group. "Datora's vast experience in providig IoT/M2M connectivity and Ingenu's robust, reliable RPMA technology will provide unprecedented network availability for a host of IoT solutions and flexibility of integration with our IoT CAL Solution."



Ingenu is currently building out its Machine Network in the U.S. and is on pace to have over 100 major metropolitan areas covered by the end of 2017. The company is also partnering with global strategic companies, like Datora, to build country-wide public networks specifically for IoT traffic in their respective countries. "Ingenu's partnership with Datora is the company's largest deployment in the Latin American market to date," said John Horn (News - Alert), CEO, Ingenu. "We are excited to align our global expansion with Datora, an established and profitable Brazilian company, to support the connectivity needs of this growing nation, and to extend the reach of our RPMA technology in Brazil."

About RPMA Utilizing globally available spectrum, Ingenu's RPMA (Random Phase Multiple Access) technology is purpose-built for M2M/IoT connectivity, offering unparalleled range, coverage and capacity with extremely low power requirements and longer-lasting battery life. It uniquely enables devices to connect more efficiently and cost-effectively in both the uplink and downlink. Requiring fewer towers to provide coverage to large areas (1:10 to 1:30 radio towers needed for RPMA vs. cellular), RPMA is rapidly becoming a global standard for IoT communication. For more information on RPMA technology, visit www.ingenu.com/technology/rpma/. About Ingenu Inc. Ingenu is building the Machine Network, the world's largest IoT network dedicated to LPWA (low-power, wide-area) connectivity for machines. Operating on universal spectrum, the company's RPMA technology is a proven standard for connecting Internet of Things (IoT) devices around the world. The Machine Network will have further reach, global range and longer lasting battery life than any existing network. Ingenu is led by a highly experienced team, including veterans from Verizon (News - Alert), T-Mobile, and Qualcomm. Information about Ingenu can be found at www.ingenu.com, or follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @ingenunetworks. About Datora Group Founded in 1993, Datora Telecom, a fully licensed operator, became a pioneer in the use of VoIP technology in Latin America. Datora Telecom accumulated experience the providing services to the largest telecom operators in Brazil and around the world, with operations in 14 Brazilian cities, Europe and United States of America. In 2010, Datora Mobile became the first Mobile Virtual Network Aggregator (MVNA), and in 2012 the company established a dedicated Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) with a focus on the M2M/IoT segment. In 2013, Datora signed a Partner Market agreement with Vodafone (News - Alert) enabling them to enter the Brazilian M2M/IoT market. For additional information, go to www.vodafone.com.br. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006775/en/

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[February 28, 2017] Six More Cable Operators Join Expanding SES Ultra HD Trials

SES (News - Alert) S.A. (Euronext Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG) today announced that six more U.S. cable operators have joined its successful Ultra HD trials, while some of the first cable providers to participate are nearing the historic launch of consumer Ultra HD packages across the country. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006813/en/ Six More Cable Operators Join Expanding SES Ultra HD Trials (Photo: Business Wire) A new wave of Ultra HD trial agreements have been signed with cable operators from coast to coast, including Aureon in Iowa, GVTC Communications in Texas, Highlands Cable Group in North Carolina, KPU Telecommunications in Alaska, Service Electric in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and Shrewsbury Community Cable in Massachusetts. Over 15 cable operators and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs), with a combined audience of over seven million subscribers, are currently testing 4K content delivery across SES's fully-managed, pre-packaged Ultra HD platform. The platform offers the largest Ultra HD programming lineup, together with satellite distribution services and reception gear. "Our SES Ultra HD solution is on course to enable live and linear Ultra HD delivery to homes in half the time it took HD to reach the same television milestone across the U.S.," noted Steve Corda, Vice President of Business Development in North America for SES. "Cable operators have been extremely impressed with how easy it is to implement our pre-packaged Ultra HD solution across their networks. By leveraging the scalability and reliability of satellite, SES has greatly accelerated the delivery of Ultra HD to homes throughout North America. Some of the first cable operators to join our Ultra HD trials early last year are now on the verge of launching the very first consumer Ultra HD packags in the U.S."



"KPU TV has initiated its first Ultra HD trials with SES, firmly committed to being the first to offer the best 4K Ultra HD services to our customers throughout Ketchikan, Alaska," said Jeff Hendrickson, Video Headend Technician, KPU Telecommunications. "Sales of 4K Ultra HD TVs have increased dramatically across the community, and so have customer requests for great Ultra HD content." "Our Ultra HD trials with SES are at the center of our 4K strategy as we ready for the launch of Ultra HD services to our customers in the very near future," explained Dennis Krumblis, Video Engineering Supervisor, GVTC. "Together with SES, GVTC is well positioned to make Ultra HD services an exciting game-changing reality for our business and our subscribers well ahead of schedule."

"Ultra HD has now arrived in Massachusetts thanks to SES's innovative solution that has allowed Shrewsbury Community Cable to leap to reliable and scalable technologies and accelerate our Ultra HD launch strategy," said Jeffrey Black, Headend Systems Engineer for Shrewsbury Community Cable. "Together with SES, we're not only in a position to better compete in the world of Ultra HD, we're now able to lead the way." Follow us on: Twitter (News - Alert): https://twitter.com/SES_Satellites Facebook (News - Alert): https://www.facebook.com/SES.Satellites/ YouTube (News - Alert): http://www.youtube.com/SESVideoChannel Blog: https://www.ses.com/news/blogs SES White papers are available under: https://www.ses.com/news/whitepapers About SES SES is the world-leading satellite operator and the first to deliver a differentiated and scalable GEO-MEO offering worldwide, with more than 50 satellites in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and 12 in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). SES focuses on value-added, end-to-end solutions in four key market verticals (Video, Enterprise, Mobility and Government). It provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators, governments and institutions, and businesses worldwide. SES's portfolio includes the ASTRA satellite system, which has the largest Direct-to-Home (DTH) television reach in Europe, and O3b Networks, a global managed data communications service provider. Another SES subsidiary, MX1, is a leading media service provider and offers a full suite of innovative digital video and media services. Further information available at: www.ses.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006813/en/

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[February 28, 2017] NoviFlow and STORDIS Partner to Offer High-Performance Programmable Network Solutions for Carrier, Cloud, Enterprise and Hyperscale Networks in Europe

NoviFlow Inc., a leading provider of high-performance OpenFlow-based switching and routing solutions, and Stordis GmbH., a premier independent distributor of Open Networking infrastructure and storage solutions, today announce that Stordis has become an authorized distributor of NoviFlow's products in Europe. With this agreement, Stordis will offer to its customers NoviFlow's line of high-performance fully programmable forwarding planes that leverage the advanced packet handling capabilities of network processors to significantly boost throughput, offer enhanced filtering options at line rates up to 100 Gbps, and support for up to 16 million simultaneous flows. NoviFlow will be demonstrating its NoviSwitch products with live SDN-based security applications at Mobile World Congress (News - Alert) 2017, February 27th to March 2nd in Barcelona. We invite all interested parties to come visit us at Stand 7H40. According to Dominique Jodoin, President and CEO of NoviFlow: "The majority of our customers are Tier 1 Carriers who are deploying our SDN networking solutions in order to modernize their networks. These customers usually go through a process of first trialing competing SDN solutions based on ASIC or X86 technology, and then, when these options fail to adequately provide both programmability and performance, they select NoviFlow solutions which can deliver both in one package. NoviSwitch forwarding planes are the ideal platform for sophisticated applications that can make comprehensive use of a fully programmable forwarding plane running at Ethernet line rates. Our range of NoviSwitches also supports very large table capacities and management features designed to ease large-scale deployments, making NoviFlow's NoviWare the perfect solution for Tier 1 carriers, network infrastructure providers, and enterprises. We are honored to collaborate with such a distinguished partner as STORDIS to expand our mutual business in the European region."



The NoviSwitch line features the NoviWare switching software, NoviFlow's high-performance OpenFlow forwarding plane software for use in mission-critical deployments. NoviWare provides the industry's broadest support of the OpenFlow specification, including all OpenFlow 1.3 and 1.4 actions, instructions and match fields, and key OpenFlow 1.5 features. NoviSwitches leverage the same Network Processors used in expensive network routers to offer switching, routing, tunneling, monitoring, filtering, metering, service chaining, load balancing, time stamping, cybersecurity and other flow-handling capabilities at line-rate, as part of network fabric and at a significantly reduced cost. Alexander Jeffries, CEO at STORDIS says: "NoviFlow's products deliver on the promise of software defined networking by providing a powerful, agile and fully programmable forwarding plane that can support multiple network services such as BGP, MPLS and LDP, service chaining of VNFs for 4G/5G EPC, DPI, Firewalling, Load Balancing, Security, and Network Address Translation. We see our partnership with NoviFlow truly raising the performance and functionality bar in SDN and as a major step forward in the realization of the fully programmable network!"

ABOUT NOVIFLOW

NoviFlow Inc. provides high-performance OpenFlow-based switching solutions to network carriers, data center operators and enterprises seeking greater control, security and flexibility over their networks. NoviFlow has offices in Montreal, Sunnyvale and Seattle, and representatives in Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, please visit http://noviflow.com/. Follow NoviFlow on Twitter (News - Alert) @NoviFlowInc. ABOUT STORDIS

STORDIS is the leading independent distributor of Open Networking Infrastructure and Storage Solutions. For resellers across Europe and beyond, STORDIS offers peerless expertise on combining the next generation of high-performance hardware, together with software defined networking and storage technologies that are built on open source and open standards. With a strong vertical market focus, STORDIS' six business units provide customers within: Media & Broadcast, Telecommunications, Service Providers, Financial Trading, Research and Academia, and the Cyber Security industry, with experienced, specialist technical advice and a real understanding of their business needs. STORDIS' head office and research center is located in Stuttgart, Germany, with additional sales offices in London and Paris. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228005236/en/

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[February 28, 2017] Fortumo Launches Bundling Platform for Digital Content Merchants

The mobile payments company Fortumo is today launching its Bundling Platform for merchants and mobile operators. The new platform helps digital merchants accelerate their user acquisition activities in partnership with carriers by allowing new bundle deals to be rolled out more quickly than ever before. The Bundling Platform connects merchants to the entire network of Fortumo's mobile operator partners and facilitates the exchange of information on which mobile subscribers should receive access to which bundle offers. The platform is fully flexible in supporting all types of bundle deals (hard or soft bundles; free or discounted access to service; free data promotions) and removes the need for merchants to integrate each mobile operator API separately for every bundle deal. "User acquisition - especially in emerging markets - is one of the most burning questions for digital content merchants today. Carriers are a great partner with whom to solve this challenge as their marketing reach is unmatched. However, making individual bundle deals with dozens of carriers is time-consuming and inefficient. Fortumo's Bundling Platform helps merchants manage their user lifecycle in a scalable manner, so they can fcus on converting acquired users into paying customers," said Martin Koppel, CEO and co-founder of Fortumo.



The Bundling Platform is complemented by Fortumo's Messaging API and Payments API, creating an end-to-end platform for the user journey. This means one integration with Fortumo can be used for managing users signing up via carrier channels, up-selling activities and eventually converting them to paying customers. "Bundle deals alone are not enough to build a paying user base in markets where prepaid SIM cards are predominant. Most users simply opt out of the service after the bundle deal is over, leaving merchants and carriers with empty hands. By helping the customer in each step to becoming a paying user, we can substantially grow the benefits from bundle deals for everyone," added Martin Koppel.

Fortumo's Bundling Platform has been built on a robust and flexible infrastructure, supporting bundle deals for merchants in segments as varied as streaming (Spotify (News - Alert) or Netflix), cloud hosting (DropBox or SkyDrive), digital publishing (Magzter), anti-viruses (Avast, Norton) and productivity tools (Evernote, Office 365). As mobile operators can launch multiple bundle deals to highly customized user segments in parallel, more relevant consumers end up using each digital service and are less likely to churn out. Fortumo sees that with bundling, much like with direct carrier billing in the past few years, the business will transition into a merchant-aggregator-carrier partnership model. This is because for merchants and carriers, using a middle layer allows to save time on technical development and commercial negotiations while allowing for a quicker roll-out of partnerships. The company is rolling out its Bundling Platform first in South-East Asia and Eastern Europe, where the first bundles between mobile operators and digital merchants done through its platform will go live in Q2 2017. About Fortumo Fortumo is a mobile payments company that enables direct carrier billing with more than 350 mobile operators in 90+ countries. Fortumo's payment products work across a wide range of platforms including desktop devices, smartphones, feature phones, tablets and smart TV-s. These products give consumers a simple, 1-click payment method to charge online purchases to their phone bill. For app stores, digital media companies and game developers, Fortumo provides one integration with 350 mobile operators as well as a single point of contact for settlements, reporting, support and infrastructure upgrades. Founded in 2007, Fortumo has offices in Estonia, San Francisco, Beijing, Delhi, Singapore & Hanoi and is backed by Intel (News - Alert) Capital and Greycroft Partners. For more information, please visit https://fortumo.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228005803/en/

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[February 28, 2017] MedRisk International Scientific Advisory Board Member Lori Michener Elected Vice President of APTA's Orthopaedic Section

Lori Michener, PhD, PT, ATC, SCS (News - Alert), FAPTA, a member of MedRisk's International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB), has been elected vice president of the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). ISAB is an elite panel of world-renowned specialists in physical medicine, diagnostic imaging and workers' compensation who oversee all clinical aspects of MedRisk's medical management programs. Dr. Michener is the director of clinical outcomes and research in the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California. She also oversees USC's Clinical Biomechanics and Orthopedics Outcomes Research program, known as COOR, and is a professor in its Physical Therapy department. Her expertise is in musculoskeletal shoulder pain biomechanics, shoulder and cervical pain diagnosis and treatment, shoulder and cervical disorder clinical trial research, and the use ofpatient-rated outcomes measurement tools to assess health-related quality of life. Dr. Michener has served on several professional panels for such healthcare organizations as the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality as well as APTA and ISAB.



About MedRisk MedRisk is the leader in physical rehabilitation and diagnostic imaging solutions for the workers' compensation industry. Founded in 1994 and based in King of Prussia, Pa., MedRisk is accredited under URAC for utilization management and has successfully completed a SSAE 16 Type II examination. MedRisk's programs deliver savings and operational efficiencies that are significantly greater than traditional programs. Customers include insurance carriers, self-insured employers, third-party administrators, state funds, and case management companies. To make a referral or obtain more information, visit www.medrisknet.com or call 800-225-9675.

Editor: Please request Michener's hi-res photo from [email protected] View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228005081/en/

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[February 28, 2017] TSMC Joins Semiconductor Research Corporation

Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC), the world's leading university-research consortium for semiconductors and related technologies, today announced that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (News - Alert) Company, Ltd., (TSMC) has signed an agreement to participate in two SRC research initiatives. In addition to joining SRC's New Science Team (NST (News - Alert)) project, TSMC will be participating in the Global Research Collaboration (GRC) program. TSMC is the pioneer and global leader of the IC foundry business. The NST project, consisting of both the JUMP and nCORE programs, is a 5-year, $300M research project focused on co-optimized hardware/software solutions for high performance, energy efficient microelectronics. SRC is actively recruiting a diverse group of electronics companies to participate on the NST project that will launch on January 1, 2018. GRC is SRC's core program consisting of eleven research thrusts that span a wide array of research topics such as analog/mixed-signal, packaging, logic and memory devices, and nano-manufacturing materials and processes.



"SRC is pleased to welcome TSMC to our research consortium of leading semiconductor and technology companies. Today's announcement represents a strategic partnership for the research and development of disruptive technologies that extend beyond traditional scaling," said Ken Hansen, President & CEO of SRC. "As SRC continues to grow our global partnerships, one thing is certain, great things happen when we bring brilliant minds together! We look forward to the unique and broad perspective that TSMC can bring to SRC-sponsored research." "Our mission to forge a powerful innovation force in the semiconductor industry has led TSMC to this collaborative venture with SRC," said Dr. Jack Sun, Vice President of Corporate Research and Chief Technology Officer, TSMC. "We believe the NST and GRC research programs exemplify collaborative research amongst industry leaders that will lead to fundamental discoveries upon which TSMC will develop into leading edge process and subsystem integration solution offerings. Together, we will expand semiconductor research and development in the pursuit of next-generation innovation."

With the addition of TSMC, six of the top 10 global semiconductor companies are now members of SRC. Furthermore, this membership announcement signifies the fourth non-U.S. headquartered company to join SRC within the last 18 months. About SRC Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) is a world-class, non-profit consortium that works with industry, government and academia partners to define, fund and manage university research on behalf of its member companies. Through its highly regarded research programs, SRC plays an indispensable part in both research and development strategies of the most influential industry leaders. Members of SRC gain access to research results, fundamental IP, and highly experienced students to compete in the global marketplace and build the workforce of tomorrow. For more information and to stay informed on our advancements, visit www.src.org. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228005370/en/

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[February 28, 2017] Altair Announces Keynote Presentations for the 9th European Altair Technology Conference in Germany

TROY, Mich., Feb. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Altair today announced the keynote presentations for the 9th European Altair Technology Conference (ATC), which will be held at the Congressforum in Frankenthal, Germany, from June 26th - 28th, 2017.

The 9th European Altair Conference will take place from June 26-28, 2017 at the Congressforum Frankenthal, Germany.



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5af29a1e-75b4-4133-976f-a43bca72af7b This year the conference will dedicate an entire day to keynote presentations, including vision and strategy presentatios from Altair's executive board and customers such as Airbus, Artemis Racing, Daimler, IAI (Israel Aerospace Industry), Porsche, Schneider Electric, Streetscooter and Zodiac Aerospace. The customer presentations will focus on best practice simulation and product development methods for the aerospace, the automotive and other industries and deliver inspiring insights into Simulation-driven InnovationTM techniques. The keynote presentations are scheduled for June 27th; this day is a 'Must' for executives, engineers and product creators looking for insights from leading industry experts.



This years conference will celebrate client and partner achievements who Design the Difference with Altair solutions to radically change the way products are designed and brought to market. Day one of the conference will focus on application areas such as maximizing the performance of industrial machinery, design for 3D printing, electrical devices, and next generation math & system modeling. This day is targeted towards an audience with a general design and engineering background. The program will offer high level insights into product development methods and simulation solutions, provide general information on the use of simulation in various industries, and offers the opportunity to learn directly from industry leaders. In addition, day one will also host a session for Altair's European academic users featuring presentations from students and professors from all over Europe. The academic program also includes a poster presentation session, on display all three days of the conference.

The third and last day of the conference will provide in-depth technical presentations given by experienced users of the Altair solutions, in parallel sessions. With a deadline of March 31st, Altair is still accepting presentation proposals for this day. Customers interested in speaking at the conference are invited to submit their abstracts to the organizational team via www.altairatc.com/europe. The agenda of the 9th European ATC provides a wide variety of presentations between vision and technical depth as well as product information. With this comprehensive program I am sure that every attendee will get the most out of his or her visit," said Dr. Detlef Schneider, Senior Vice President EMEA, Altair. The Congressforum in Frankenthal is very well suited for our event, providing all the needed amenities for more than 700 conference attendees. A broad technical showcase, featuring Altair solutions as well as the company's soft- and hardware partner solutions, running from the evening of June 26th, throughout the entire following days, and the dedicated academic poster session complete the informative program of the event. Confirmed exhibitors and sponsors of this years event include Componeering and PDTec, media partners of the event include Scientific Computing World and Prototype Today. The registration for the conference, including all sessions, technical seminars and on-site events is free of charge. Online registration and a preliminary agenda are available at www.altairatc.com/europe. About Altair Altair is focused on the development and broad 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 and operates more than 50 offices throughout 22 countries. Today, Altair serves more than 5,000 corporate clients across broad industry segments. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com. Media Contacts Altair Corporate/ Americas/ Asia Pacific Biba A. Bedi +1-757-224-0548 x 406 [email protected] Altair Europe/ the Middle East/ Africa Evelyn Gebhardt +49-6421-9684351 [email protected]

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During her visit to India last year, Kate Middleton wore a dress designed by Anita Dongre.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Indian designer Anita Dongre met the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, who had famously flaunted one of her creations during her India trip last year, at the Buckingham Palace.

They met at the reception dinner marking UK-India Year Of Culture. The designer attended the event on Monday and said that it was lovely meeting Middleton, who wore a jewellery piece from Dongre's Pinkcity line for the gala.

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"Was lovely meeting the Duchess of Cambridge last evening. We chatted about our love for Rajasthan and she chose to wear Pinkcity earrings," Dongre said on social media.

Middleton wore a delicate pair of uncut diamond and pearl-drop earrings from Pinkcity.

During her visit to India in early 2016, Middleton wore a hand blockprinted tunic dress from the Anita Dongre couture label.

--- ENDS ---
[February 28, 2017] Saint Jean Carbon Receives Order from Panasonic

OAKVILLE, Ontario, Feb. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saint Jean Carbon Inc. (Saint Jean or the Company) (TSX-V:SJL) (OTCQB:TORVF), a carbon science company engaged in the design and build of green energy storage, green energy creation and green re-creation through the use of carbon materials. The Company is pleased to announce that it has received their first order from Panasonic Corporation to supply graphite anode material to their manufacturing facility. The order consists of two different material specifications. Panasonic is one of the largest battery manufacturers in the world and makes batteries for companies like; Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen and many other large corporations.

Paul Ogilvie, CEO, commented: After more than two years of working on material specifications, sampling and re working, we could not be more pleased than to finally ship finished material to our customer. The order is part of an offtake agreement to supply multiple tonnes of anode material monthly for a number of years. We are hopeful that the electric car business continues to grow at this rate; as that will continue to push our demand and create more and more opportunities for us. We consider today as our greatest accomplishment; to be recognized and awarded with an order to supply one of the worlds best technology companies, is a tremendous accomplishment for the team. Prof. Zhongwei Chen, CTO, commented: Our research and constant striving to create the best in class anode material is starting to pay off. Our goal is to have the ability to create material for any customers specification on the highest level of consistency and quality. The Company will ship the first order within 90 days.The Company will continue to work with all of our other interested battery companies, and continue to help create bettr turnkey solution for anode materials and work to create higher performance that may untimely mean higher performance batteries.



About Saint Jean Carbon Saint Jean is a publicly traded carbon science company, with specific interests in energy storage and green energy creation and green re-creation, with holdings in graphite mining and lithium claims in the province of Quebec in Canada. For the latest information on Saint Jeans properties and news please refer to the website: http://www.saintjeancarbon.com/

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Saint Jean Carbon Inc.

Paul Ogilvie, CEO and Director Information Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Tel: (905) 844-1200 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, concerning Saint Jeans business and affairs. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "intends, "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" 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". These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ materially. The forward-looking statements in this news release assume, inter alia, that the conditions for completion of the Transaction, including regulatory and shareholder approvals, if necessary, will be met. Although Saint Jean believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct. Statements of past performance should not be construed as an indication of future performance. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors, including those discussed above, could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this press release, and Saint Jean assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

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[February 28, 2017] RE Advisers Improves Decision Support and Trading Operations with Charles River IMS

RE Advisers has positioned itself for future growth with the implementation of Charles River's Software as a Service (SaaS (News - Alert))-based solution to manage its domestic equity and fixed income strategies. The Charles River Investment Management Solution (Charles River IMS) enables the Arlington, Virginia-based firm to replace disparate proprietary and third party tools by consolidating its portfolio management, trading and compliance activities on a single platform. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228006128/en/ "Portfolio managers gain capabilities including additional data and analytics to support trading and portfolio construction decisions and we're able to manage operations more efficiently, with lower risk and improved compliance monitoring," said Stephen Kaszynski, Director, President and CEO of RE Advisers and Homestead Funds. Charles River's SaaS model includes the software capabilities, data, services and hosting infrastructure needed to support current and evolving business requirements. Charles River manages the system, performs all upgrades on a regular basis, and ensures data is properly fed t the system.



"In a SaaS deployment, firms like RE Advisers benefit from Charles River's expertise in managing the system, including regular upgrades and ensuring timely, accurate data throughout the investment process," said Tom Driscoll, Global Managing Director, Charles River. "This gives end users higher confidence in their decision making and trading processes. SaaS also provides the predictable cost and scalability needed to grow and better respond to changes in the market." About RE Advisers

Founded in 1990 by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, RE Advisers directs $9.8 billion in assets as of December 31, 2016. Based in Arlington, Virginia, the company manages stocks, bonds and mutual funds for a wide range of clients, including investors in the Homestead mutual funds, institutions, pension plans and a model portfolio program sponsor. Homestead Funds are distributed by RE Investment Corporation. For more information, please visit www.readvisers.com.

About Charles River

Charles River enables sound and efficient investing across all asset classes. Over 350 firms worldwide use Charles River IMS to manage more than US$25 Trillion (News - Alert) in assets in the institutional investment, wealth management and hedge fund industries. Our Software as a Service-based solution automates and simplifies investment management on a single platform - from portfolio decision support and risk management through trading and post-trade settlement, with integrated risk and compliance throughout. Headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, we support clients globally with more than 750 employees in 11 regional offices. For more information, please visit www.crd.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228006128/en/

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[February 28, 2017] Specialty Biopharma Services Company PharmaCord Launched

PharmaCord LLC, an independently owned healthcare services company, located in Louisville, Kentucky, is introducing innovative, tailored solutions to alleviate product access hurdles faced by patients which, in turn, drives commercial success for biopharma products. PharmaCord provides comprehensive solutions that link reimbursement services, patient-centric pharmacy, care coordination, clinical services and patient assistance programs through a unique technology-based platform. The company seamlessly links and manages the more complicated aspects of treatment delivery, facilitating access for patients to innovative treatments by serving as a connector between manufacturers, patients, physicians and payors. With over twenty years' industry experience and multiple product launches in the specialty channel, Nitin Sahney, the company's founder and CEO, has led companies through transformational growth and served as a major player in the nation's healthcare industry. As fonder of RxCrossroads, a specialty pharmaceutical services startup, and President & CEO of Omnicare, a former Fortune 500 leader in the long-term care and specialty care industry, Sahney has introduced innovative approaches in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Now, with the launch of PharmaCord, he has assembled an experienced team with extensive industry knowledge to further his collaborative approach to innovation.



"As an independently owned, fully funded company, we are developing the technology and tools to provide biopharmaceutical manufacturers with efficient solutions to address the barriers of access for specialty products treating chronic diseases," Sahney states. PharmaCord will work with biopharmaceutical manufacturers to evaluate barriers to product access that exist for patients and physicians, and create custom solutions for the unique needs of each product and manufacturer. Sahney explains, "We are investing significantly into the development of our proprietary platform, Intersections. Starting with traditional hub services and consigned pharmacy, we layer on clinical and data analytics to create a powerful tool enabling us to operate efficiently, along with increasing the quality and accessibility of actionable data. Ultimately, branded and customized programs increase conversion to therapy and improve adherence through personalized targeted outreach." Through this platform, solutions range from reimbursement services, a patient-centric pharmacy, care coordination and patient assistance programs. These are structured with a focus on the key stakeholders in a product's success including physicians, patients and payors.

About PharmaCord An independently owned company, PharmaCord provides services to biopharma manufacturers supporting the commercialization of specialty products. The company is the connector between manufacturers, patients, physicians and payors. Solutions drive efficient and rapid therapy initiation and increased patient engagement. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228005422/en/

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[February 28, 2017] Affinity eHealth Announces Launch of SPECTRUM -- Next Generation Case Management Technology

New compliance monitoring solution is the most secure option for case management of professionals in recovery. VIENNA, Va. AND TORONTO, Feb. 28, 2017 /CNW/ -- Affinity eHealth, the leader in professional substance abuse monitoring, today announces the launch of a new and unrivaled compliance monitoring solution, SPECTRUM, a quantum advancement of next generation case management technology. SPECTRUM empowers state regulatory boards, program directors, case managers and mission critical providers of recovery services to securely and intuitively expand their capabilities and ability to manage the case of an individual being monitored for use disorder. According to Scott Storrer, chief executive officer and president of Affinity eHealth (www.affinityempowering.com/compliance), the company commenced full migration of its customer base to SPECTRUM, the new standard for the industry. "SPECTRUM will accelerate our market leadership in substance abuse monitoring of professionals such as physicians, nurses and lawyers. SPECTRUM was a multi-year development effort, enineered by passionate individuals in this industry requiring a significant investment. SPECTRUM will provide amazing benefits to our programs and their participants. Operationally, the technology is truly Apple-esque and vastly exceeds our competitors' features, functionality and security. Most importantly SPECTRUM is extremely customizable for reporting and data research, while remarkably intuitive and user-friendly," says Storrer.



Affinity's other company, eSolutions, has proven past and present performance qualifications as a tenured technology provider to the U.S. Department of Defense. "With SPECTRUM, Affinity eHealth's customers benefit from our years of developing innovative, highly scalable and secure software solutions audited and authorized to operate within the United States Department of Defense," says John Steacy, chief executive officer and co-founder of the Affinity group of companies. With cybersecurity threats and recent breeches of individual's personal health information increasing within the monitoring marketplace, SPECTRUM is the most secure case management system. "Affinity's accredited body of technologies, processes and practices designed to protect networks, computers, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access has long been utilized by the National Guard, Department of Defense and various Government agencies," says Steacy.

About Affinity eHealth

Affinity eHealth provides technology and services to enable the monitoring of professionals such as physicians, nurses and lawyers throughout their substance abuse recovery process. The company is the largest provider of these services globally. More information may be found at www.affinityempowering.com. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/affinity-ehealth-announces-launch-of-spectrum----next-generation-case-management-technology-300414485.html SOURCE Affinity eHealth

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[February 28, 2017] Agriculture Drone Market to Reach $3.7 Billion by 2024 - Aided by a Favorable Shit in Regulatory Policies - Research and Markets

DUBLIN, Feb 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Agriculture drone Market Analysis By Product (Fixed Wing, Rotary Blade, Hybrid), By Application (Field mapping, Variable rate application, Crop Scouting) And Segment Forecasts Till 2024" report to their offering. The global agriculture drone market is expected to reach USD 3,770.0 million by 2024. The increasing technological advancements in equipment and for enhancing the quality of the farming techniques have led to the increased implementation of agriculture drones in the market. Increasing automation in the agriculture process, owing to the labor crisis, such as lack of skilled farmers, aging farmers, is also expected to positively impact the market growth. A favorable shift in the regulatory policy is also expected to allow start-ups to operate in small and large farming operations and aid in disease & water management. Innovations in the GPS mapping field coupled with the advancements in precision agriculture are expected to propel the industry growth over the forecast period. Drones have the potential to implement better plantation with crop rotation strtegies and give crucial inputs related to the daily progress of crops which is further contributing to the growth.



The companies operating in the industry are designing and manufacturing systems that are collecting the data and are incorporating them into business models. which is further anticipated to enhance the industry growth. The data gathered from drones help the farmers to improve yields; supply water, fertilizer, or chemical when needed, and are also able to map their fields, check for signs of disease, monitor crop health, and save time in the process.

The North America agriculture drones market is expected to remain the key revenue generating region with a prevalent share of the industry. The increasing adoption of the drones, in various applications including spraying, seeding, and livestock farming, has led to the enormous market share.

The Asia Pacific agriculture drone market is anticipated to witness a significant growth over the forecast period, owing to the increasing investments in R&D in the region.

Companies Mentioned

3D Robotics Inc.

AeroVironment, Inc.

AgEagle Aerial Systems, Inc.

Agribotix LLC

SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd

DroneDeploy

Eagle UAV Services LLC

Honeycomb Corporation

Parrot SA

PrecisionHawk Inc.

Trimble Navigation

Ursula Agriculture

Key Topics Covered: 1. Methodology and Scope



2. Executive Summary



3. Market Snapshot



4. Industry Outlook



5. Agriculture Drone Product Outlook



6. Agriculture Drone Application Outlook



7. Agriculture Drone Regional Outlook



8. Competitive Landscape

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/4x9w4h/agriculture_drone Media Contact: Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

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For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



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[February 28, 2017] Cool Technologies Granted New Patent for Radial Vent Cooling

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On February 24, 2017, Cool Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB:WARM), an innovator in mobile power generation, energy efficiency, and heat removal technologies received the US patent (9,543,809) for its radial vent heat pipe system as well as a notice of allowance for a patent in Mexico.

Cooling technologies developed in the 1970s are still the standard in many electric motor and generator designs today, said Tim Hassett, Cool Technologies CEO and a 30 year veteran of the motor and generator industry. In an industry which relies on incremental modifications to improve its products, real innovation is big news. The radial vent technology cools and increases the power density of rotating equipment such as motors, and generators. By rapidly transferring heat from core of the electric motor to vents where it is expelled, the patent should increase the potential output or power density of the machine by 10 to 20%. Currently, to achieve an equivalent increase, manufacturers add technologies such as liquid cooling or special high temperature materials. Both increase the cost and complexity and, in many cases, the size and weight of the machines. Radial vent technology provides the same benefits for less than anything else on the market. The technology is passive  no additional power is required or diverted for it to work. As a result, generators are smaller, simpler, lighter and less costly. Radial vents will be incorporaed into the generators that underlie the companys Mobile Generation system. Not only will they be more powerful and economical than the competition, but the smaller package should enable them to be incorporated in a wider range of vehicle makes and manufacturers than the Ford trucks that have been retrofitted so far.



The MG system is just the starting point. The patent can impact almost any electrical machine up to 10,000 horsepower or more, added Mr. Hassett. The larger the machine, the greater the heating problems. Fortune 500 companies have teams of engineers dedicated to address this single issue. The potential applications encompass process manufacturing; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC); electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles; vehicle components; turbo chargers; exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) coolers; turbines; marine and jet engines to name just a few. The company is currently seeking partners to spearhead the implementation of the technology in a growing electric motor market thats currently estimated to be worth $125 billion. Full rollout could involve dozens of licenses and generate revenues for decades to come.

About Cool Technologies, Inc.

Cool Technologies is an intellectual property and product development company commercializing patented thermal dispersion technology across multiple platforms. For example, it works with partners such as Emerson Electric and Nidec Motor Corporation to manufacture products utilizing their assets. The Company has additional patents-pending for other OEM applications of its proprietary heat removal technologies. Tested and validated by two third parties, ESSCO Pumps and Nidec, the Companys cooling system eliminates the need for costly modifications while increasing power output of pumps, fans, compressors, batteries, motors, generators and bearings. Safe Harbor Statement.

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on plans and expectations of management and are subject to uncertainties and risks that could affect the company's plans and expectations, as well as results of operations and financial condition. A listing of risk factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in company reports and documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For more information, read the blog at cooltechnologiesinc.com or contact [email protected].

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[February 28, 2017] Microsoft Dynamics 365 Partner zedIT Solutions Achieves Microsoft Silver ERP Competency

zedIT Solutions, (www.zedIT.com) a leading North American IT consultancy and Microsoft (News - Alert) Dynamics 365 partner, today announced it has achieved Microsoft ERP Silver competency. The prestigious title is awarded to Microsoft partners who have demonstrated technical proficiency in implementing Microsoft's flagship ERP application, Dynamics 365 for Operations. To earn a Microsoft Silver ERP Competency, partners must complete a rigorous certification process and submit customer recommendations that demonstrate successful ERP implementations and customer satisfaction. This latest earned status builds upon zedIT's portfolio of Microsoft Partner Network competencies which also includes a Microsoft Gold Application Development competency. Displaying competency logos assures customers that zedIT meets Microsoft's high standards of technical expertise in the development and implementation of Dynamics 365 solutions. "zedIT Solutions is thrilled to be recognized in the elite tier of Microsoft Partner ecosystem with this latest accolade," says Crystal Kanazawa, General Manager, Enterprise Solutions, zedIT Solutions. "The Microsoft Silver ERP Competency signals to cstomers the specialization and expertise that our team of consultants bring to each client engagement. When deploying Dynamics 365 for Operations as part of their organization's integrated ERP strategy, zedIT certified consultants have the expertise and insight to enable customers to get the most out their technology investment."



The Microsoft Partner Network helps its partners showcase their capabilities and connect with customer needs by establishing high standards of quality and service through its competency program. "zedIT is dedicated to its mutually beneficial relationship with Microsoft and is rallied by their guidance to meet our shared customers' needs," adds Kanazawa. "By maximizing the benefit of innovative technology solutions including Dynamics 365, zedIT helps mid to large sized enterprises overcome their growth challenges and achieve their organizational goals." The recent launch of Dynamics 365 has evolved the former AX7 and CRM Online into one cloud solution. zedIT's goal is to equip their growing Dynamics 365 Customer base with the education and the opportunities to make the most of their Microsoft investments. For that reason, zedIT will be on site at the 2017 Dynamics 365 Tech Conference in Seattle, WA to discover what Microsoft has to offer to move businesses forward in the Cloud and learn the latest recommended Dynamics 365 best practices.

About zedIT Solutions

zedIT Solutions is a leading Canadian IT professional consultancy with offices throughout North America. zedIT has over twenty-five years' experience partnering with large enterprise customers around the globe to help them achieve their strategic goals through technology solutions. Combining world-class consulting expertise, execution experience, and an approach that is both flexible and pragmatic, zedIT helps clients understand how technology can align with their organization to achieve their business goals. As a Microsoft partner with Gold Application Development and Silver ERP competencies, zedIT offers clients the best in enterprise resource planning (ERP) software - Dynamics 365 for Operations. Choosing zedIT means working with an implementation partner that understands complex business processes with proven expertise in ERP solution delivery. The critical success factors at the foundation of zedIT's approach ensures that each client can maximize the value of Dynamics 365 on their organization. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228006392/en/

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[February 28, 2017] LECTRA: Lectra unveils a new strategy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lectra unveils a new strategy Lectra enables customers to lock Industry 4.0 principles into their processes Paris, February, 28, 2017 - Lectra, the world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries using fabrics, leather, technical textiles and composite materials, reveals a new strategy conceived to empower fashion and apparel, automotive and furniture companies to succeed as they step into the Industry 4.0 era. Anchored in the digitalization of industrial processes, from creation to production, Industry 4.0 is creating a new organization of factories' ecosystems. Increasingly flexible with optimized resources, factories are propelling a new digitalized lifecycle for products that will benefit consumers. Furthermore, mass production is leaving increasing room for large-scale customized production, as well as providing quick-to-market, quality products expected by increasingly impatient and demanding customers. In order to face these changes, a digital value chain is essential to provide real-time connections between creative teams and product development teams, smart factories, suppliers and consumers. "To meet these new challenges, our customers can depend on our software and equipment offer, already compatible with Industry 4.0 principles, our deep knowledge of the industrial Internet of Things since 2007, and our teams' expertise in specific indutries," stated Daniel Harari, CEO, Lectra. "Thanks to these strong fundamentals, we are massively enriching our offer, leveraging the latest technologies and integrating best practices, to entrench Lectra's position as an Industry 4.0 visionary."



Reflecting Lectra's new strategy is the launch of a Software as a Service (SaaS) offer, reinforced by cloud and developed since 2015. This offer, capitalizing on data analyses and exploitation, will translate into even smarter, connected equipment and finely tuned integration between equipment, software and services. New industry-specific services will reinforce the offer, enabling Lectra to continually improve customer processes. Initially tested in 2017 with select customers, some of whom have been involved with the offer since the beginning of the design, the new offer will be commercialized from 2018. "Bringing increasing value to our customers, Lectra will increase the share of revenues dedicated to R&D to 10% for the period from 2017 to 2019, representing a rise of about 50% between 2016 and 2019. This way we can support our customers on their path towards operational excellence, indispensable if they are to succeed in the context of the fourth industrial revolution," concludes Daniel Harari.

About Lectra Lectra is the world leader in integrated technology solutions (software, automated cutting equipment, and associated services) specifically designed for industries using fabrics, leather, technical textiles, and composite materials to manufacture their products. It serves major world markets: fashion and apparel, automotive, and furniture as well as a broad array of other industries. Lectra's solutions, specific to each market, enable customers to automate and optimize product design, development, and manufacturing. With more than 1,550 employees, Lectra has developed privileged relationships with prestigious customers in more than 100 countries, contributing to their operational excellence. Lectra registered revenues of $288 million in 2016 and is listed on Euronext. For more information, please visit www.lectra.com Contact - Lectra Headquarters / Press Dept.: Nathalie Fournier-Christol

E-mail: [email protected]

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 64 42 37 - Fax: +33 (0)1 53 64 43 40 Attachments: //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4e263eff-292e-429a-b550-1fa572ffe922

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[February 28, 2017] WorkJam Completes $12 Million Strategic Investment Round From Lerer Hippeau Ventures, Blumberg Capital, Founder Collective and NovelTMT

MONTREAL, Feb. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WorkJam, the leading digital workplace platform for hourly workers, today announced that the company has closed a growth investment round with Lerer Hippeau Ventures, Blumberg Capital, Founder Collective, NovelTMT and WorkJams management team. The funding signals WorkJams fast growth in the workforce management space and strong market demand for the WorkJam platform.

This strategic investment will allow WorkJam to continue investing in enhancing its already robust mobile platform as well as accelerating the companys global expansion. Employers today know that one of their most critical objectives is the enablement of the digital workplace, and no other company on the market delivers a total digital workplace platform like WorkJam said Eric Hippeau, managing partner of Lerer Hippeau Ventures. We consider WorkJam to be in a class of its own and are thrilled to be partnering with WorkJam as it continues to make a global impact on how the service industry looks at employee management. WorkJam continues to be a leader and innovator in providing large and mid-sized service organizations with an end-to-end solution that enables a digital workplace for customer-facing employees across many industries including retail, hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing and distribution. The WorkJam platform includes full integration with existing back-office workforce systems such as Kronos, JDA, Infor and has stand-alone capabilities that provide a seamless, real-time, digital employee self-service experience which spans from shift scheduling, communication, training, task managment, mobile time-clock, rewards and recognition.



Innovation in the workforce management technology space for hourly workers has been limited, with most companies relying on outdated scheduling tools, back-office heavy processes, manual processes and methods of communication that are simply out of touch, said Bruce Taragin, managing director, Blumberg Capital. Both companies and employees need a better solution. At Blumberg Capital, we are confident WorkJams mobile-first solution can change the way todays businesses operate. WorkJam is the first and only solution to drive employee engagement, enabling a companys hourly workforce to be more knowledgeable, engaged and efficient while adhering to new labor regulations and furthering the bottom line. Founder Collective Managing Partner, Eric Paley, added, WorkJam continues to solidify its title as the leader in workforce management technology and hourly workforce enterprise application. We are excited to be partnering with WorkJam and whats to come for the industry as a whole.

We are proud to have caught the attention of some of the most respected names in technology investing, and look forward to having these new partners join us as we continue to make major strides in the global workforce management market for both large and mid-sized organizations, said Steven Kramer, President and CEO of WorkJam. About WorkJam

WorkJam is the only employee engagement suite on a mobile-first platform, empowering the digital workplace with shift-based and hourly workers to manage and optimize their entire employee-employer relationship life cycle with dynamic mobile schedule management, on-demand training and assessments, streamlined communication, employee recognition and reviews. WorkJam increases sales conversion, drives down labor costs, lowers attrition rates, improves compliance, optimizes labor in relation to demand, and improves the customer experience through a more motivated and engaged staff. For employees, WorkJam delivers more control over their schedule providing work-life balance, as well as the opportunity to develop skills, improve sales acumen and maximize their earnings and advance their economic well-being. Learn more about WorkJam at WorkJam.com. About Lerer Hippeau Ventures

Lerer Hippeau Ventures is a venture capital fund based in New York City. We respect and seek out entrepreneurs with product vision, consumer insight, focused execution, and unwavering ambition. When we are lucky enough to meet founders with these qualities, our hope is that they will choose us as a partner. All of us have started and run companies for a living. Lerer Hippeau Ventures is where we invest in our peers. Investments include BuzzFeed, Casper, Warby Parker, Doctor On Demand, Giphy, Percolate, and others. More on http://lererhippeau.com/ About Blumberg Capital

Blumberg Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm that partners with passionate entrepreneurs to innovate and build successful technology companies. The firm specializes in leading Seed and Series A rounds collaborating with angel investors, other venture capital firms and strategic partners. The Blumberg Capital team are active investors and board members  operating as an extension of the entrepreneurs network. Blumberg Capital is headquartered in San Francisco with team members in Tel Aviv and New York. For more information, please visit blumbergcapital.com. About Founder Collective

Founder Collective is a leading fund that has invested in companies like Uber, BuzzFeed, Cruise, and The Trade Desk. Built by a collection of successful entrepreneurs, Founder Collective's mission is to build the most aligned fund for founders and has offices in Cambridge, MA and San Francisco, CA. About NovelTMT Ventures

Novel TMT Ventures backs stellar teams building innovative products and services to improve user experiences and efficiencies in commerce, media and payment. Media Contact: Meg Avril Walker Sands Communications [email protected] (312) 648-6007

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[February 28, 2017] SheTalksYVR Celebrating Three Years of Elevating Women at Surrey Event

SheTalksYVR will be celebrating its third anniversary on March 4. Recognized by CNN International as one of the "Top 10 Things to do in the World" for International Women's Day, SheTalks has seen close to 150 women grace their stage over the last three years. "Supporting, encouraging and celebrating women's empowerment is crucial in political times like these," says SheTalks co-founder Barinder Rasode. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration seems hell bent on outlawing abortions and thus, women's right to choose. Republicans in Congress are looking to cut Medicaid payments and grant money for Planned Parenthood. "With these attacks on women and the right to choose, it's more important than ever that women elevate themselves," said Rasode. "One woman may not be able to change the world, but together we can do powerful things." Tuesday, Feb. 28, the "Trump" hotel in Vancouver is set to open and SheTalks voices its opposition. Organizers urge women to come out of that negative fog, and see firsthand the amazng work women are doing at the upcoming SheTalks event, set for March 4.



Featuring 16 real women sharing their raw authentic stories for 8 minutes each, SheTalks provides a safe space for women to connect, engage and learn. Co-founder Natasha Raey says, "It's so inspirational to see the stories that our speakers have to share, year after year."

This year's event promises to be an inspirational day. Speakers include SFU Gender Studies professor Dr. Jen Marchbank and Ching Tien, founder of the Canadian Society for Educating Girls of Rural China (EGRC). Her dream now is to give young women and girls in rural China the gift of education. Held this year at Surrey City Hall, the event will also feature a number of exhibitors, networking opportunities and a truly meaningful way to celebrate International Women's Day. Discover all of the amazing speakers here: http://www.shetalks.life/2017_yvr Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/shetalks-yvr-tickets-31503589083?aff=es2 View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228006425/en/

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Gurmehar Kaur has caused a furore in the country after she posted a photo of herself on Facebook holding a placard in which she said, "Pakistan did not kill my father, war killed him".

By Rohan Sen, Vikrant Gupta : Star wrestlers Geeta and Babita Phogat on Tuesday condemned the social media messages posted by Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur last week. Gurmehar has been in the news ever since she posted a series of messages on Facebook and Twitter in which she raised her voice against violence at Delhi University. (Exclusive: Sehwag clarifies tweet was not meant for Gurmehar Kaur)

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Ramjas College saw members and supporters of ABVP and AISA thrashing each other over an invite for JNU's Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid for a cultural event. In the aftermath of the violence, Gurmehar, a Delhi University student who is also the daughter of an Indian Army martyr, made a Facebook post along with a photo of herself holding a placard saying "I am not afraid of ABVP". Her post turned into a campaign that went viral on social media and received a lot of appreciation and flak from many. (Virender Sehwag, Randeep Hooda accused of bullying Kargil martyr's daughter who spoke against ABVP)

The matter escalated when cricketer Virender Sehwag, on seeing the photo of Gurmehar holding another placard that said, "Pakistan did not kill my father. War did!", made a sly tweet saying, "I didn't score two triple centuries, my bat did". When Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda cheered Sehwag by quoting the sly tweet he made, it got media attention as well. But then both Sehwag and Hooda were accused of bullying the 20-year-old girl.

The Phogat sisters also voiced their opinion on this matter on Tuesday and said that even though Gurmehar stands correct in staging a silent protest against ABVP, she should not have spoken against our country.

"What I felt was wrong in her message was when Gurmehar said "Pakistan did not kill my father, war killed him". I felt that was wrong and I tweeted about it. I think that's like speaking against our country because 7 armymen were martyred in Nagrota last month. Where did the terrorists come from? Obviously from Pakistan, which supports these terror attacks on India. That is why her father died because of that," Babita told India Today in an exclusive chat.

While her elder sister Geeta also echoed the same sentiments and even spoke in support of Sehwag's comments.

"Virender Sehwag was absolutely correct because when cricketers lose a match we don't blame their bats for it we blame the players. We win and lose matches not out bats and the same applies to Gurmehar's statements as well.

"For us our country is our priority. Whatever Gurmehar has said - about the problems which women face in our country - we are with her on those matters. She is right on her part on a lot of issues but one wrong thing which she said (about Pakistan) has courted controversy," Geeta said.

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Meanwhile, Rio Paralympics silver-medalist Deepa Malik slammed Gurmehar for belittling her father's martyrdom but also strongly condemned those who threatened the student.

"I am very saddened that Gurmehar Kaur belittled her father's martyrdom," Deepa told India Today. "I am from an army background and I feel his sacrfice should be honoured. That was for national independence.

"But no society and no citizen has the right to threaten another citizen. A threat to rape is not acceptable. It is not acceptable that someone had to leave a city because she feared for her safety."

--- ENDS ---
[February 28, 2017] Actifio Achieves Dramatic Topline Growth, Progress Toward Profitability

BOSTON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Actifio, the Enterprise Data-as-a-Service company, today announced an impressive close to its fiscal 2017, having exceeded major financial and operational targets while strengthening its leadership position in the market. Customers now use Actifio to manage over 250 Petabytes of application data, and over 6 Exabytes of logical data, seamlessly across their on-premises data centers, public cloud service providers and over 120 managed service providers (MSPs) worldwide including Sungard Availability Services, CenturyLink, NTT Data, and Verizon Enterprise Solutions. Other business highlights include: Dramatic revenue growth and progress toward profitability - Actifio increased revenue by over 60 percent for the fiscal year that ended January 31 , while reducing cash burn by 70 percent.

- Actifio increased revenue by over 60 percent for the fiscal year that ended , while reducing cash burn by 70 percent. Major new customer wins - Actifio added more than 90 new global enterprise customers in Fiscal Year 2017, including multiple Fortune 500 corporations across key verticals including air travel, financial services, healthcare, consulting, manufacturing, retail, and consumer goods. The company's patented Virtual Data Pipeline technology is now deployed in over 2,200 enterprises and cloud service providers worldwide.

- Actifio added more than 90 new global enterprise customers in Fiscal Year 2017, including multiple Fortune 500 corporations across key verticals including air travel, financial services, healthcare, consulting, manufacturing, retail, and consumer goods. The company's patented Virtual Data Pipeline technology is now deployed in over 2,200 enterprises and cloud service providers worldwide. Rapid expansion of existing user base - Building on a foundation of delighted users, expansion sales accounted for 70 percent of total sales as enterprises expanded their footprint of use cases to accelerate their digital transformation. Over the last 24 months, sales driven by initiatives to accelerate application development, analytics, and hybrid cloud adoption grew from zero to just under half of the total worldwide sales.

- Building on a foundation of delighted users, expansion sales accounted for 70 percent of total sales as enterprises expanded their footprint of use cases to accelerate their digital transformation. Over the last 24 months, sales driven by initiatives to accelerate application development, analytics, and hybrid cloud adoption grew from zero to just under half of the total worldwide sales. Significant advancement of Cloud Service Provider partner network - Actifio announced the launch of its Service Provider Marketplace in 2016, an online directory offering Actifio customers access a broad selection of accredited Cloud and Managed Service Providers around the world. Channel partners can also tap the Actifio Marketplace to add white label cloud services to their product portfolios, without the time and capital expense necessary to do so until now. Powering both the expansion and dramatic productivity gains were a series of product innovations that drove the company's intellectual property portfolio of issued or filed patents to 51. Over the last 12 months, Actifio released the largest set of platform enhancements in the history of the company - many industry firsts - addressing scalability, performance, and strategic requirements of global enterprises looking to accelerate digital transformation. Highlights include: The ability for users to establish a seamless multi-cloud, multi-directional hybrid cloud across on-premises data centers, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, IBM Bluemix, and Oracle Cloud.

across on-premises data centers, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, IBM Bluemix, and Oracle Cloud. The industry's first database virtualization platform across a hybrid cloud architecture using Oracle Cloud. Enterprises can now provision virtual copies of mission critical databases inOracle Cloud for Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, enhanced business resiliency, and Data Warehousing and analytics applications.

using Oracle Cloud. Enterprises can now provision virtual copies of mission critical databases inOracle Cloud for Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, enhanced business resiliency, and Data Warehousing and analytics applications. Actifio OnVault - The industry's first low-cost long-term data retention (LTDR) solution, that enables the re-use of data stored inexpensively in AWS S3, Google Cloud Nearline and IBM Cloud Object Storage (formerly Cleversafe) for business intelligence, analytics, compliance, and data warehousing tools to unlock business value.

- The industry's first low-cost long-term data retention (LTDR) solution, that enables the re-use of data stored inexpensively in AWS S3, Google Cloud Nearline and IBM Cloud Object Storage (formerly Cleversafe) for business intelligence, analytics, compliance, and data warehousing tools to unlock business value. Actifio Resiliency Director - A major update now provides a complete solution for non-disruptive application recovery and test environment creation from the datacenter to the Cloud. Actifio Resiliency Director enables enterprises to restore critical business functionality faster and cheaper than previously possible, orchestrating compute, network, and data at a cloud service provider or enterprise disaster recovery site, and validating the result.

- A major update now provides a complete solution for non-disruptive application recovery and test environment creation from the datacenter to the Cloud. Actifio Resiliency Director enables enterprises to restore critical business functionality faster and cheaper than previously possible, orchestrating compute, network, and data at a cloud service provider or enterprise disaster recovery site, and validating the result. StreamSnap - A new data replication capability designed to improve business resiliency by dramatically extending the range of supported Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs). These lower RPOs  down to an hour  expand Enterprise Data-as-a-Service use cases by making data available faster at remote sites or in the cloud to accelerate application development or improve business resiliency.

- A new data replication capability designed to improve business resiliency by dramatically extending the range of supported Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs). These lower RPOs  down to an hour  expand Enterprise Data-as-a-Service use cases by making data available faster at remote sites or in the cloud to accelerate application development or improve business resiliency. Actifio Global Manager - A web-scale data virtualization solution delivering instant access and radically simple management of application data for business resiliency and test data management across private, public, and hybrid cloud environments.

- A web-scale data virtualization solution delivering instant access and radically simple management of application data for business resiliency and test data management across private, public, and hybrid cloud environments. AppFlash DevOps Platform - A reference architecture for purpose-built solutions to accelerate DevOps processes. The first implementation of this architecture is built with Pure Storage to deliver a complete solution that sets a new industry benchmark for accelerating application development and agility while reducing cost.



As more global enterprises leverage a data-as-a-service model, leading industry analysts have taken notice. Gartner defines this growing business and technology trend in their recently published "Hype Cycle for Information Infrastructure, 2016" (July 2016):

"Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) is a design approach or a style of information architecture geared toward transformation of raw data into meaningful data assets for agile/timely data provisioning, and the delivery of these data assets on demand via consistent, prebuilt access, with the aid of standard processing and connectivity protocols. Originating data remains local to its storage platform and, following various steps to access, format, evaluate and possibly even contextualize it, is presented as output for use in a subsequent process or delivery endpoint." Among enablers of the DaaS model, only Actifio is: Agile : Providing instant access to data, anywhere

: Providing instant access to data, anywhere Independent : No vendor lock-in, on the box or in the cloud

: No vendor lock-in, on the box or in the cloud Resilient : With data protection built right in, instead of bolted on

: With data protection built right in, instead of bolted on Secure : Hardened for enterprise security, governance

: Hardened for enterprise security, governance Scalable: From a single application to a global enterprise "We started last year with the goal of becoming a real business," said Ash Ashutosh, Founder and CEO of Actifio, "meaning one that is not only growing but scaling sustainably over time. The results we're sharing today provide positive proof of our progress in achieving this goal, and set up a 2017 we believe will see us established as the data platform of choice for the enterprise-class hybrid cloud architectures that will dominate the next generation of information technology." To read more on Actifio's recent announcements visit the website, here. To learn more about Actifio's EDaaS solutions read Ash's blog, here, and download the EDaaS whitepaper, here. About Actifio

Actifio is the world's leading Enterprise Data-as-a-Service (EDaaS) platform. It enables thousands of users around the world to deliver their data just as they deliver their applications and infrastructure... as a service available instantly, anywhere. An enterprise-class software platform powered by patented Virtual Data Pipeline technology, Actifio frees data from traditional infrastructure to accelerate adoption of hybrid cloud, build higher quality applications faster, and improve business resiliency and availability. For more, visit Actifio.com or follow us on Twitter @Actifio. Media Contact:

Meredith Kelly

Bite for Actifio

[email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/actifio-achieves-dramatic-topline-growth-progress-toward-profitability-300415096.html SOURCE Actifio

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[February 28, 2017]

Bankers Warranty Group Presenting at the Warranty Chain Management Conference

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bankers Warranty Group's Vice President of Business Development, Jocelyn Getson and Senior Client Services Account Manager, Liz Ahner will present their strategy on how to develop a successful service contract partnership at the 2017 Warranty Chain Management Conference (WCM). This event will take place in Tucson, Arizona from March 7th through March 9th. The presentation will focus on plan development, program launch, claims management, and overall account management.

The Warranty Chain Management Conference is an annual event that provides an opportunity for industry professionals to gather and discuss successful service contract management methods as well as solutions to service contract problems. This conference includes a divere group of industries, such as electronics, automotive, aerospace, and white goods along with companies who provide tools and software to multi-billion-dollar warranty companies.







Ahner said, "I look forward to educating our industry leaders on successful Account Management techniques. The entire service contract industry is experiencing tremendous change and this conference provides a unique opportunity to share the latest trends and plan for the future."

Getson and Ahner will be presenting Wednesday, March 8th at 2:05pm. For registration details, please visit the Warranty Chain Management site here to register.

To learn more about Bankers Warranty Group, please visit www.bankerswarrantygroup.com

Contact: Bill Lafontaine

Tel: 727.823.4000 ext. 4063

Email: [email protected]

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bankers-warranty-group-presenting-at-the-warranty-chain-management-conference-300414187.html

SOURCE Bankers Financial Corporation
[February 28, 2017] Principal Again Named a Top Company for Executive Women

For the 16th time, Principal Financial Group is one of the NAFE Top Companies for Executive Women, as named by the National Association for Female Executives. NAFE aims to recognize American corporations where women have significant clout to make the decisions that affect their company's future and its bottom line. The NAFE Top 60 Companies, released today, is featured in the February/March issue of Working Mother. The full list of this year's winners are listed on workingmother.com/nafe. "Being named a top company for executive women for the 16th time shows that we've had a long-time commitment to workplace diversity and gender equality," said Beth Raymond, senior vice president and chief HR officer at Principal. "Our culture is rooted in empowering employees to do their best work, and we are proud of this recognition of our efforts to foster the advancement of female employees." The strong culture of women has produced an environment where today women at Principal comprise: 60 percent of the U.S. workforce

60 percent of mentees in mentoring programs

33 percent of Principal board members

42 percent of executives



"NAFE emphasizes women with bottom-line and top-line responsibility-the positions that lead to the corner office-and we're pleased to report an eight percent increase in women running billion-dollar divisions at the NAFE Top Companies this year," says Subha V. Barry, vice president and general manager of Working Mother Media (WMM). "In addition, now nearly a third of these companies have five or more women on the board, with many simply increasing the number of board seats to add a woman." NAFE is a division of WMM.

About the Methodology

The 2017 NAFE Top Companies application includes some 200 questions on female representation at all levels, especially the corporate officer and profit-and-loss ranks. The vetting process includes tracking access and usage of programs and policies that promote the advancement of women as well as the training and accountability of managers in relation to the number of women who advance. In order to be eligible for the NAFE Top Companies survey, entrants must have a minimum of 1,000 employees, two women on the Board of Directors and be a public or private company. NAFE also separately names the Top 10 companies in the nonprofit sector. ABOUT NAFE

The National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), founded in 1972, serves 20,000 members nationwide with networking, tools and solutions to strengthen and grow their careers and businesses. Working Mother magazine publishes the annual NAFE Top Companies list. NAFE.com provides up-to-date information, a community for women in business, and access to member benefits. NAFE is a division of Working Mother Media, owned by the Bonnier Corporation. About Principal

Principal helps people and companies around the world build, protect and advance their financial well-being through retirement, insurance and asset management solutions that fit their lives. Our employees are passionate about helping clients of all income and portfolio sizes achieve their goals - offering innovative ideas, investment expertise and real-life solutions to make financial progress possible. To find out more, visit us at principal.com. Principal, Principal and symbol design and Principal Financial Group are trademarks and service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228006611/en/

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[February 28, 2017] Methodist Healthcare Enters into New Agreement with Humana

Humana Medicare Advantage members in Memphis now have access to Methodist Healthcare, thanks to a new agreement between the health system and health and well-being leader Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM). This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228006640/en/ The new network agreement, which took effect January 1, 2017, includes Humana Medicare Advantage members. "We are excited to welcome Humana's Medicare Advantage members to our Methodist Family, and look forward to delivering compassionate care to help patients live healthier lives," said Michael Ugwueke, president and CEO, Methodist Healthcare. The coverage includes all Methodist Healthcare adult hospitals. "Our new agreement provides our Medicare Advantage members in Memphis with access to Methodist Healthcare's network of respected health care providers and facilities," said Doug Haaland, regional president at Humana. "Expanding our network to include Methodist Healthcare offers our Medicare Advantage members a strong provider network and is key to our continued growth in the market." About Humana Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a leading health and well-being company focused on making it eas for people to achieve their best health with clinical excellence through coordinated care. The company's strategy integrates care delivery, the member experience, and clinical and consumer insights to encourage engagement, behavior change, proactive clinical outreach and wellness for the millions of people we serve across the country.



More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company's web site at www.humana.com, including copies of: Annual reports to stockholders

Securities and Exchange Commission filings

Most recent investor conference presentations

Quarterly earnings news releases and conference calls

Calendar of events

Corporate Governance information About Methodist Healthcare

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (MLH) is an integrated health care delivery system based in Memphis, Tenn. Founded in 1918 by The United Methodist Church to help meet the growing needs for quality health care in the Mid-South, Methodist has grown from one hospital into a six-hospital system that includes Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, a national US News and World Report Best Children's Hospital. MLH also offers a home health agency, ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient facilities, hospice residence and physician practices serving all corners of the Memphis and Mid-South community. For six consecutive years, Methodist has been named the best hospital in Memphis by U.S. News and World Report. Great Place to Work and Fortune ranked Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare #21 on its 2016 Best Workplaces for Diversity, and #1 on the 2016 list of Best Workplaces for Africa Americans. With more than 13,000 associates and 1,650 licensed beds, MLH providers care for over 60,000 inpatient admissions annually. For more information visit www.methodisthealth.org. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228006640/en/

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[February 28, 2017] MNK INVESTORS ALERT: Lieff Cabraser Reminds Investors of Deadline in Class Action Against Mallinckrodt plc

The law firm of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP reminds investors of the upcoming deadline to move for appointment as lead plaintiff in securities class litigation brought on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired the securities of Mallinckrodt plc ("Mallinckrodt" or the "Company") (NYSE: MNK) between November 25, 2014 and January 18, 2017, inclusive (the "Class Period"). If you purchased or acquired the securities of Mallinckrodt during the Class Period, you may move the Court for appointment as lead plaintiff by no later than March 27, 2017. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your share of any recovery in the action will not be affected by your decision of whether to seek appointment as lead plaintiff. You may retain Lieff Cabraser, or other attorneys, as your counsel in the action. Mallinckrodt investors who wish to learn more about the litigation and how to seek appointment as lead plaintiff should click here or contact Sharon M. Lee of Lieff Cabraser toll-free at 1-800-541-7358. The action alleges that Mallinckrodt, an Irish pharmaceutical company, misrepresented and/or failed to disclose its dependence on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements for revenues for its therapeutic andrenocorticotropic hormone ("ACTH" or "Achar") drugs used to treat infantile spasms and other conditions, and that it maintained a monopoly on Acthar treatments in the U.S., which threatened the sustainability of its reimbursement revenues.



On November 9, 2015, Citron Research ("Citron") issued a statement on Twitter (News - Alert) comparing Mallinckrodt to Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Inc., whose stock price had plummeted 30% after Citron accused Valeant of fraud. On this news, Mallinckrodt's stock price fell 17%, to close at $58.01 per share. On November 16, 2016, Citron published a report accusing Mallinckrodt and its Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of fraud in connection with the statements the CEO made downplaying the Company's reliance on Medicare and Medicaid for Acthar revenue. The Citron report revealed that Medicare and Medicaid payments accounted for approximately 61% of the Company's total Acthar revenue in 2015. On this news, the Company's stock price fell 18.4%, to close at $55.32 per share.

On November 29, 2016, Mallinckrodt's CEO disclosed on a conference call that Acthar represented "a significantly greater proportion of [the Company's] operating income than one-third." On this news, the Company's stock price declined 9.1%, to close at $52.42 per share. On January 18, 2017, the Federal Trade Commission and several states filed a lawsuit and simultaneously entered into a settlement with Mallinckrodt for $100 million for the Company's anticompetitive conduct with respect to its Acthar pricing. On this news, the Company's stock price fell 5.85% to close at $46.53 per share. About Lieff Cabraser Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, with offices in San Francisco, New York, Nashville, and Seattle, is a nationally recognized law firm committed to advancing the rights of investors and promoting corporate responsibility. The National Law Journal has recognized Lieff Cabraser as one of the nation's top plaintiffs' law firms for fourteen years. In compiling the list, the National Law Journal examines recent verdicts and settlements and looked for firms "representing the best qualities of the plaintiffs' bar and that demonstrated unusual dedication and creativity." Best Lawyers and U.S. News have named Lieff Cabraser as a "Law Firm of the Year" from 2012-2016, and in 2016, Law360 selected Lieff Cabraser for its inaugural list of the Top 50 Law Firms Nationwide for Litigation and Benchmark Litigation named our firm to its list of the "Top 10 Plaintiff Firms in America." For more information about Lieff Cabraser and the firm's representation of investors, please visit http://www.lieffcabraser.com. 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/20170228006680/en/

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Black Duck CEO Lou Shipley Presenting at the JMP Securities 2017 Technology Conference and Pacific Crest Emerging Technology Summit

Black Duck, the global leader in automated solutions for securing and managing open source software announced that Black Duck CEO Lou Shipley presents today at the JMP Securities Technology Conference and the Pacific Crest Emerging Technology Summit in San Francisco, CA (News - Alert).

The Emerging Technology Summit features executives from over 300 of the most innovative and transformative companies around the globe to help investors get ahead of the curve and capitalize on the dynamic shifts in SaaS (News - Alert) & Data Analytics, Cloud, Security & Infrastructure and Digital Meda & Commerce.







JMP annual technology research conference matches institutional investors and financial sponsors with senior executives of leading publicly traded and privately held companies in sectors including software, Internet, digital media, communications infrastructure, security, storage and alternative energy. Featured speakers and panel discussions will explore the topics and ideas poised to influence the industry most in 2017 and beyond.

About Black Duck Software (News - Alert)

Organizations worldwide use Black Duck's industry-leading products to automate the process of securing and managing open source software, eliminating the pain related to security vulnerabilities, compliance and operational risk. Black Duck is headquartered in Burlington, MA, and has offices in San Jose, CA, Vancouver, London, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing. For more information, visit www.blackducksoftware.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228006732/en/
Fact check: What's true, what's not in Indiana candidates' election ads

IndyStar fact checked claims in some of the latest TV ads so voters know which claims are based in truth ahead of election day
Operations at state-owned banks will be impacted today as most unions under the aegis of United Forum of Bank Unions will go on strike to press for various demands including those related to wages.

By India Today Web Desk: Banking operations across the country came to a halt on Tuesday as 10 lakh bankers staged a strike against the government's "anti-people banking reforms", said a bank union leader.

The strike was called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), comprising nine unions.

They also pressed for compensation to employees for extra work done on account of demonetisation.

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HERE'S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

"Around 85,000 branches of commercial banks, 105,000 branches of co-operative bank and others are on strike," C.H. Venkatachalam, General Secretary, All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) told IANS. He said clearance of 40 lakh cheques totalling around Rs 22,000 crore would be affected. The strike covers employees and officers in all public sector banks, including State Bank of India, all old-generation private banks, foreign banks, regional rural banks and cooperative banks. Most of the banks, including SBI, PNB and BoB, have already informed their customers that functioning of branches and offices will be impacted if the strike takes off. Top private lenders -- ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank -- are not part of the union and would continue to function normally but cheque clearances would not take place. Besides, cash transactions would also be hit and the ATMs are likely to be emptied early during the day. "Strike is on as there has not been serious effort from the bank management especially Indian Banks' Association (IBA) to defer it by accepting some of our demands," All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC) General Secretary Harvinder Singh told PTI. The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) is an umbrella body of 9 unions, but two of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh affiliates -- National Organisation of Bank Workers and National Organisation of Bank Officers -- are not part of the stir.

ALSO READ | As demonetisation era ends, banks to levy cash transaction charge

9 bank unions call for strike on Tuesday to protest govt's 'anti-people banking reforms'

--- ENDS ---
Nine unions from public sector banks went on a day-long strike today demanding immediate steps to bring defaulters to the book.

By Devina Gupta: As Finance Minister Arun Jaitley sent a tough message in London to the liquor baron Vijay Mallya , back home public sector banks are demanding definitive action against the 'international' businessman.

"We are in a tough spot, out of Rs 82 lakh crore is the advances, Rs 22 lakh crore is the burden on state-run banks. Roughly 26 per cent of loans granted by banking sector cannot be recovered. Industrialists like Vijay Mallya was granted over Rs 9000 crore loan from the public banks and government should take steps to recover money from borrowers," S Rangarajan, General Secretary, All India Bank Officers Union told India Today.

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Nine unions from public sector banks went on a day-long strike today demanding immediate steps to bring defaulters to the book.

"Out of 22 lakh crore of burden on public sector banks, infrastructure loan given itself accounts for 7 lakh cr. We need effective recovery of bad debts," Rangarajan added.

ARUN JAITLEY'S ASSURANCE

Jaitley has assured that India is no longer willing to let defaulters escape the law.

"Many thought that when you take loan from the banks, the money need not be re-paid and you can come to London and stay out here and democracy is liberal enough to permit defaulters to stay here. That normal needs to be cracked," Arun Jaitley said during a session at London School of Economics.

The finance minister has already announced in his Budget that the government is gearing up to introduce a new law to enable confiscation of assets of economic offenders who leave the country.

AIRTEL, PAYTM EATING UP JOBS OF BANKING SECTOR

On the other side, public sector bank unions have red flagged payment bank licenses given to private players like Airtel and PayTM.

"Public sector banks have the strength of 24 crore bank accounts, why do we need payment banks for financial inclusion? They are only taking away jobs from the banking sector," Rangarajan said.

ALSO READ:

How Vijay Mallya flew to London via Delhi

The flight and fall of Mallya

--- ENDS ---
By Nolan Pinto: In yet another shocking incident, a 16-year-old student of class 10 was allegedly stabbed to death by his friends. Police sources said that the deceased identified as Harsharaj was cornered by group including a former student of his school - the Government School in Yelahanka in Bengaluru.

The group got into a scuffle with the deceased and reportedly stabbed him using a dagger and fled from the spot. The boy started bleeding profusely after suffering injuries on chest and abdomen. He was rushed to a government hospital by locals, however, he succumbed to his injuries.

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"It looks like an incident of personal dispute, however, the actual reason is yet to be ascertained," Additional Commissioner of Police (East) Hemant Nimbalkar told India Today.

The police detained two suspects immediately after the incident. The detainees who suffered injuries are currently being treated at a hospital.

"We are trying to ascertain the age of the accused and it looks they will come under Juvenile Justice Case," added Nimbalkar.

Sources said that the fight could have been because of the victim's friendship with a girl from the same school that was not acceptable to the main accused. The police said that the main accused is absconding.

"Right now there is no story which is the correct line of investigation, there are different versions coming up and it will take us sometime to find out what really occurred then," said Nimbalkar.

The Additional CP added that there was a possibility of other reasons that led to such incidents. "I think we need to think on these lines as to what we are glorifying and what we are making available to our children," he said adding that the time has come for all to ponder upon all these things.

Also read:

Bengaluru: Biker molests, injures air hostess in IT City's posh residential area

Bengaluru teacher doles out corporal punishment to teach nursery school kids a lesson

Bengaluru play school horror: Spate of FIRs reveal many other kids sexually assaulted by same man

--- ENDS ---
"Have I Been Pwned?" operator Troy Hunt revealed that internet-connected teddy bears dubbed CloudPets leaked personal information. This put voice recordings, email addresses, and other sensitive data pertaining to children and their parents at risk of compromise by who-knows-how-many people.

CloudPets are billed as "a message you can hug." They read stories, play lullabies, feature interactive games, and let parents record messages for their children. The problem: The devices stored user data in an easily accessed database without any form of password protection. Hunt said in a blog post that the CloudPets database was indexed by Shodan, a search engine for Internet of Things (IoT) products, and has been accessed by "many people."

Hunt said information from roughly 821,000 people was compromised in this way. Within the databases, he said, "are references to almost 2.2 million voice recordings of parents and their children exposed by databases that should never have contained production data." That would be enough of a problem on its own, but upon further examination of the CloudPets mobile app, Hunt discovered still more easily exploited security problems.

CloudPets apparently stored user information in an Amazon S3 bucket that also doesn't require any form of authentication to access. The only thing needed to view someone's profile picture, the name of a child, and the name of the relatives with whom they can communicate via their futuristic teddy bears is the proper file path. Voice recordings from children and their family members can be found in the same way. Somehow it gets even worse.

Hunt discovered that CloudPets has no strength requirements for user passwords. Someone could just type "L" as their password--and CloudPets explicitly advises parents to use "qwe" as a password in a "getting started" YouTube video. Neither option is secure in any way, and Hunt explained that even though CloudPets stored passwords as a bcrypt hash, cracking those simple passwords would be trivial for any hacker worthy of the moniker.

But that's not all! Hunt also discovered that the products' creators were warned about these issues at least four times. The company never responded to any of those emails. Just to recap: a bunch of internet-connected teddy bears stored information in public-facing databases without password protection, served data via Amazon S3 buckets without other safeguards, actively encouraged people to use weak passwords, and ignored several warnings.

That's all bad news. It gets worse still, though, because apparently this tale was destined to become a great epic like the Iliad. (With significantly more references to stuffed animals, databases, and security issues.) Eventually the databases were erased and held for ransom by unknown attackers...several times. Eventually the databases disappeared from Shodan and it seemed that CloudPets had responded to the problem.

Whew! Finally, it's all done. Except, well, of course it wasn't. Hunt wrote:

It's impossible to believe that CloudPets (or mReady) did not know that firstly, the databases had been left publicly exposed and secondly, that malicious parties had accessed them. Obviously, they've changed the security profile of the system and you simply could not have overlooked the fact that a ransom had been left. So both the exposed database and intrusion by those demanding the ransom must have been identified yet this story never made the headlines.

So it seems the company knew about the issue but didn't inform its customers of the problem. That violates California laws that require companies to disclose any data breaches. At every juncture, from setting up the databases to designing the mobile app to warning users that their and their children's personal information was probably accessed by someone else, CloudPets did the worst possible thing it could do in regards to user privacy and security.

CloudPets aren't the only internet-connected toys with privacy issues. EPIC, a digital privacy rights group, filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission in December 2016 alleging that Genesis Toys and Nuance recorded children's voices without parental consent. Problems have also been found in Mattel's "Hello Barbie" doll and other IoT playthings. Right now the message is clear: Don't buy internet-connected toys for your kids.
Protest music is something were seeing a very welcome resurgence of in recent times; between the fierce racial commentary being delivered by A.B. Original, or the latest political messages cropping up in response to the U.S. elections, political issues are well and truly in the scopes of a lot of artists right now.

There are few more outspoken names in Australian music than Ezekiel Ox, the Superheist, Full Scale and Over-Reactor frontman with a penchant for speaking out on political issues such as racism and police brutality, and a politically-charged EP named Proper Gander just released. Who better, then, to talk political music and protest songs with?

Ezekiel has given us a shortlist of his absolute favourite political songs, from Aussie representatives like A.B. Original and the recently-returned icons Midnight Oil, to classic entries from Rage Against The Machine and Bob Dylan, to get us in the fighting spirit as we wade deeper into 2017.

If these protest tunes have you fired up to release some anger, you can catch Ezekiel Ox playing his Proper Gander EP in full in Sydney on Friday March 24 and in Melbourne on Saturday April 1, and pick up Proper Gander here.



Ezekiel Ox gets political at Northcote Social Club in 2016

Get Up Stand Up  The Wailers

Key lyric: Dont give up the fight

When I listen to this track, it washes over me with a mellow, joyous musical energy. It deals with the mightiest of ideas: that we must forget the afterlife and never stop fighting for a better world here and now. Such a great sing along chorus, and a good chant for rallies too. Spark one up as you listen, blow the smoke in the systems face!

Love Rage Against The Machine? Get the latest Rage Against The Machine news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more JOIN

Anarchy OK  Cog

Key lyric: Ive got five hundred bucks, outta here, executing anarchy

A band that have always been more in the conspiracy theory camp, Cogs vision for a world without rulers reaches it peak on this track from their masterpiece The New Normal. The character in the song is ducking and weaving through the park, planning to leave it all behind, whilst the workers have their money stolen by someone. Its a broad brush they paint with, but the political picture is rich and full.

Power And The Passion  Midnight Oil

Key lyric: Sometimes youve got to take the hardest line

The Oils are back, and Im sure this one will be in set list. A clear lyrical influence on the Cog boys, this track once again sketches as opposed to explains. Somethings not right, and the time has come to stand up without compromise. It references to Whitlams dismissal, its clear that the answer lies outside party politics. One has to wonder, what will be running through Peter Garretts head as he sings this one again?

Take The Power Back  Rage Against The Machine

Key Lyric: Gotta get it together man/Like a motherfucking Weatherman

This track is literally a call to arms, slamming the eurocentric school system and demanding the listener fights back now. The musicality that RATM brought to protest music, the muscular, driving and funky combination was really important. Rage sound like the very point you fight back, when you march, when you win, but they also sprinkle it with real history and education, which is helpful.

Master Of War  Bob Dylan

Key lyric: Ill stand oer your grave till Im sure that youre dead

This track is brutal in the most folky way. A young Dylan speaks directly from the head and the heart to the Masters who build the bombs and guns, then lie and cheat their way through life, sending the poor off to die. It closes with Dylan wishing their death. About as radical as Dylan ever got, I often cover this one.

Report To The Mist  A.B Original

Key lyric: Fuck the police is the least Im gonna say

When Trials and Briggs dropped their debut album Reclaim Australia last year it was a real breath of fresh air. It was urban, tough, unapologetic and musically brilliant. This is the stand out track for me, with its chin-jutting, fuck you attitude and articulate angry attacks on the Australian police forces, this song is the down-under version of NWAs Fuck The Police.

War  Edwin Starr

Key Lyric: War cant give life, it can only take it away!

Ive always loved this jam for its simple, up front and no bullshit approach to the topic. In a world where political actors and opportunists will say Its complicated or Its difficult to understand when trying to justify another illegal invasion and occupation, Edwin Starr simply says all that needs to be said, war is good for nothing! Awesome funk to it as well, with an important tambourine line for added dancibility.

No Lives Matter  Body Count

Key lyric: Dont fall for the bait and switch, racism is real, but not it

This crushing track floored me when it came out the other day. It begins with Ice-T in spoken word mode, is one of the strongest songs against identity politics I have ever heard. T and his band of headbangers lay down the law, invoking working class consciousness and demanding that we put our differences behind us to fight the ruling class, not each other. This song is as dangerous to the system as it gets.

The Majority  Mammal

Key Lyric: They wanna cool you down/put some ice on your anger

When I wrote the lyrics to this song, I wanted to be able to put the words faggot, nigger and bitch in context. It was not that well received by certain members of the band. This song makes the same point as Body Counts No Live Matter, that together we form a big enough group that they cant fuck with us. Its also got some great riffage and beats courtesy of my Mammal band mates. I managed to get it played on triple j too, so theres a win!

Strength Beyond Strength  Pantera

Key lyric: The president in submission holds out his hand on the television and draws back a stump

This track being included on my list may surprise many, but the opening track from Panteras explosive Billboard #1 charting album is an anarchists dream. The violence of the music acting as a threat, and Anselmo growling about legalising weed on Americas pristine streets, it reeks of those taking what they are rightfully owed and refusing to sit back and cop it.

Ezekiel Ox live dates

Friday 24 March  Factory Floor, Sydney NSW

Tickets

Saturday 1 April  The Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne VIC

Tickets
Last year we reported that longstanding torrenting site The Pirate Bay was to be shut down in Australia along with a handful of other popular sites at the behest of Foxtel, Village Roadshow and others, and that campaign looks set to continue as the latter seeks to block a further 40 popular sites like Demonoid, TorrentProject and ExtraTorrent, Computer World reports.

The move is intended to reduce Australias rampant illegal distribution of copyrighted materials but, as we pointed out last time around, these measures are easily circumvented, and their actual impact on piracy will be pretty minor.

This new application to the courts asks for this new list of torrenting sites to be blocked for users by Australian ISPs including Telstra, Optus, TPG, Vocus, and a range of other big providers, but still wont be providing a rolling injunction, which would allow any new web addresses associated with the websites in question to be automatically blocked as they pop up.

Instead, a new affidavit will need to be served each time a new domain name or IP address is implemented, meaning that a small tweak to the domain name is all it takes for the sites to avoid the blocks. The Federal Court blocked 30 Pirate Bay URLs last year, for instance, but a host of new ones were immediately available by a simple Google search.

Meanwhile, Computer World reports that a separate case from local music labels against KickassTorrents, which seeks to extradite its owner on criminal charges, remains underway.

This new host of blocks could be another important step in the fight against piracy, but at the same time raise concerns about freedom of access in Australia. Torrenting and file sharing arent in and of themselves illegal, and the debate rages over whether a scorched earth policy against file-sharing and torrenting sites is the best way of fighting piracy  or whether easy and affordable access through legitimate means might just do the trick.
"Im a white, middle class woman who grew up in Johnson County, a suburb of Kansas City, just 15 minutes from Austins Bar and Grill. I went to school in the Shawnee Mission School District. I went to the University of Kansas just 45 minutes from Kansas City. I returned to KC to work in the IT industry and occasionally find myself in Austins Bar and Grill for work events . . . I implore you to listen when I say: this act of hate is not Kansas City. Adam Purinton is not Kansas City."
The leader of the extreme right Turkish Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahceli openly threatened Greece that if its army wanted to be thrown into the sea again, the Turkish army was ready. Commenting on the recent increasing tensions between the two countries in the Aegean Sea, Mr. Bahceli said that Turkey would respond to the Greek moves in the Aegean as it had done in the past, during an address to his party group. Referring to the Cypriot matter and the during his speech, the leader of the nationalist party banged his fist on the desk warning the Greek-Cypriots that Cyprus was and will remain Turkish.

If the Greek-Cypriots want to unite with Greece at all costs they must leave the island and migrate to Athens and never return back, he said. Mr. Bahceli claimed the Chief of the Greek armed forces had visited islands that were under Greek occupation, referring to the recent visit by the top military official to the Greek island of Oinouses. Someone should inform the Greek government about what happened in 1921-22, he said in a clear reference to the Minor Asia disaster, as the period is know in Greek history when the Greek army was pushed back by the Turks.

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
Eight UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters along with more than 70 other pieces of equipment arrived at the Thessaloniki Port on February 25 as part of the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) nine month rotational deployment in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. U.S. Army Europes preparation for an increased presence across Europe contributes to and strengthens the alliances deterrence and defense. Senior Greek and American officials stressed the importance of the personnel and equipments arrival during a stop at the port.

This is a great opportunity for interactions between Greek and American soldiers in order to develop capacity, share lessons, and hone expertise, said U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt, who visited the port to observe and talk with U.S. Army and Greek military leaders and soldiers.

Through Operation Atlantic Resolve, U.S. military units are working with NATO allies and partners in Poland, the Baltic states, Bulgaria, Romania and Germany for rotational deployments focusing on training, exercises and maintenance.

This operation is the first time in recent years that the U.S. Army has used the port of Thessaloniki.

This is great opportunity to enhance our cooperation, noted Lt. Gen. Alkiviadis Stefanis, Hellenic Army Chief of Staff. The Greek position offers stability, and we also offer the Alliance, and the professionalism of our Soldiers. We are very proud to have you here and we are looking forward to enhancing our cooperation.

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
Web-IQ and Space Hellas announce a strategic partnership and launch their new Web-DNA service in Berlin

The presentation to be held by the two partners at the Cisco Live event in Berlin, on February 22, 2017, is the beginning of a strategic partnership worldwide between Space Hellas and Web-IQ, while the two companies are also in advanced negotiations regarding the participation of Space Hellas in the share capital of Web-IQ.

The Cisco Live presentation will also mark the launch of the latest Web-Intelligence product Digital Risk Score based on Web-IQs Web-DNA concept that will build intuition of corporates based on Open Web-Intelligence.

Product

At the exhibition floor, this real-time service will be shown live for the first time and visitors will be able to use it and obtain feedback on the Web-DNA of a person from the Internet (Social Media, News and other Sites, and the DarkNet). The very actionable Score that comes out of this real-time robot investigation can be used to prioritize notifications and calls, e.g. about persons opting for insurance or credit-cards, or calls from Internet users who have discovered online criminal activities.

Partnership

Dr. Ioannis Mertzanis, Space Hellas CEO, stated: Our strategic partnership was built on a very successful collaboration that started a few years ago as part of a project of Space Hellas in Greece. Web-IQs unique technology and expertise brings to Space Hellas a competitive advantage to enter into Big Data Analytics and address the developing market of Digital Risk Management with a robust and fully customizable end-to-end solution. This exciting step opens up a new horizon for the business expansion of both companies at global level, utilizing state-of-the-art technologies such as Cisco UCS integrated infrastructure for Big Data and Cloudera.

Web-IQ founder and CEO, Eldert van Wijngaarden, is very proud to start this new partnership: Product development is in our companys DNA which results in cutting edge Web-Intelligence Technology. In Space Hellas we have found a partner that proved to be able to embed and manage our platform at corporates and global acting Law Enforcement Agencies. Space Hellas, being a successful Cisco Gold Partner in combination with our Internet product development skills and proven results of our Platform, will bring us the opportunity to excel worldwide.

About Web-IQ

Web-IQ is a Netherlands based Technology Company providing a powerful Web Intelligence platform that crawls, analyses and makes big data actionable. Web-IQ actively partners worldwide with several Law Enforcements Agencys to fight Child Abuse Online.

About Space Hellas

Founded in 1985, Space Hellas is a leading System Integrator and Value Added Solutions Provider offering a comprehensive range of integrated ICT and security solutions and services to high-profile customers in the enterprise, retail stores, government and defense sectors. Headquartered in Athens, Space Hellas has offices in the major Greek cities, subsidiaries in five countries and activities extending across Europe and the Middle East. The company is public listed on the Athens Stock Exchange since 2000.

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
Diyar Al Muharraq, one of the leading urban developers in Bahrain, has signed an agreement with Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE) for its annual strategic sponsorship of the upcoming Gulf Property Show 2017.



The signing ceremony was recently held at the Diyar Al Muharraq headquarters at the Bahrain World Trade Centre.



The corporate agreement was signed by Diyar Al Muharraq CEO Dr Maher Al Shaer, and the managing director of HCE Jubran Abdulrahman in the presence of officials from the management of both companies.



As part of its yearly participation in the Gulf Property Show, Diyar Al Muharraq looks forward to consolidating the prominent position it consistently occupies at the renowned exhibition in order to increase visibility, attract more interest and maximize exposure, remarked Dr Al Shaer at the signing ceremony.



The Gulf Property Show, he stated, was the biggest exhibition of its kind in the region and in its distinguished portfolio, represents the most innovative, contributory and expansive real estate projects in Bahrain and the Northern Gulf, from the most accomplished developers.



"Therefore, it is an absolute honour to be sponsoring such an eminent event as it enhances our participatory purpose of consolidating our reputation and place amongst our acclaimed peers in the regional real estate and property development industry," he noted.



"Our participation in the Gulf Property Show 2017 could not have come at a more opportune time as we strive towards maximizing exposure on the vast potential that the different projects encompassed within our development emanate in terms of our enormous scope of offerings," stated Dr Al Shaer.



"Accordingly, we look forward to exhibiting our monumental project at the Gulf Property Show 2017 and to garnering the success that such a professional and efficient exhibition brings, he added.



In its 5th participation, Diyar Al Muharraq intends to showcase its masterplan, along with individual models of the eclectic mix of projects that it encompasses.



This includes significant residential developments such as the Al Bareh Freehold Residential Plots, the Star Commercial Villa Plots, the Commercial Showroom Plots, and the Al Qamra Freehold Residential Plots, 95 per cent of which have already been sold.



Additionally, the highly lucrative commercial projects that remain up for grabs such as commercial villa plots, the B5 residential buildings plots, light industry/logistics and warehousing plots and the commercial showroom plots that are yet to be booked will be highlighted during the exhibition as well.



Diyar Al Muharraq is a unique master planned city for the people of Bahrain offering range of housing options and quality lifestyle. It offers a cohesive mix of residential and commercial properties with a strong line up of projects aimed at creating a long term and sophisticated township.-TradeArabia News Service
Germany-based Homag, a leading manufacturer of machines and equipment for the woodworking industry, is set to showcase its innovative products at the upcoming Dubai WoodShow.



One of the biggest trade events worldwide catering to the wood industry, Dubai WoodShow will be held from March 7 to 9 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.



Homag, a prominent global player of the wood machinery sector, operates in more than 100 countries and holds an estimated 30 per cent share of the market.



"We are the Dubai-based sales and service company of Homag. In Dubai and Middle East region, our services extend to supply, installation and maintenance of high tech machinery for the woodworking industry," said Giovanni Masino, the managing director of Homag Equipment Machinery.



"With full backing of our Homag family, especially from our head office in Germany, our customers can expect the Homag brand of quality, consistency and reliability in all aspects of our participation during the Dubai WoodShow," noted Masino.



Representing Homag in the Middle East, we are committed to steer a strong and dynamic presence in our area of expertise. The WoodShow is a great opportunity for us to present to our valued clients the latest technological breakthroughs in woodworking technology," he added.



Masino said the company aims to deliver Homags comprehensive product range during the three-day event.



It is a testament of its excellence reflected in its quality products, innovative sales and service solutions and top of the line software capability that every discerning customer can benefit from," he added.



According to him, a dedicated sales and technical team from the head office in Germany as well as sales partners in the Middle East will be joining the group at Dubai WoodShow to ensure that Homag delivers on its promise of excellence.



"Even in this age of internet based communication, the need for personal interaction cannot be underscored enough. The Dubai WoodShow has been a strategic platform facilitating networking opportunities including face-to-face interaction with old and prospective customers, product launches and innovative marketing activities," remarked Masino.



This years edition of the is expected to generate huge success with the industry experiencing a vibrant growth in past few months. The companies participating at the Dubai WoodShow will certainly have access to an increased market share, said the organisers.



A one-of-its-kind event in the Middle East, Dubai WoodShow has now become the regions only dedicated business-to-business meeting place for the wood, wood accessories and woodworking machinery industry.



Homags participation at Dubai WoodShow adds real value to the show. As one of the top industry players, its participation signifies the importance of Dubai WoodShow all over the world. It will be great to witness the industry experts and veterans gather at one location to share and discuss some tried and tested practices, remarked Dawood Al Shezawi, the chairman of Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, organisers of Dubai WoodShow.



"Our experience in the past eleven years has helped us build on our success to deliver added value for all the participants," said Al Shezawi.



"We expect this years edition of the Dubai WoodShow to be one of the finest and biggest. The recent growth of the wood industry in the region has not only encouraged exhibitors and manufacturers to participate, but also boosted the overall sentiments of the industry," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Following a stellar performance in December, the real estate market softened in January, as monthly sales fell back below KD200 million ($660.4 million), according to a report.



The value of sales decreased to KD179.5 million, lagging last years performance by 16 per cent, stated the National Bank of Kuwait in its monthly review.



This was despite a slight pickup in transaction volumes, which rose by 2 per cent year-on-year (y/y).



Januarys price performance, as reflected in NBKs real estate price indices, indicated further stabilization in the residential sector and convergence of trends across sectors.



According to NBK, the residential sector sales were steady, remaining close to the 2016 monthly average.



January KD sales totaled KD 78.4 million on 240 transactions. KD sales and transactions were both down 13 per cent and 4 per cent y/y, respectively.



A third of the transactions were land purchases, with a high concentration in Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City,

Funaitees and Abu Fatira. The stability in the residential markets activity was reflected in the price performance, it stated.



The NBK residential home price index stood at 151.4, almost flat for the month, but down by 12 per cent y/y.

The index has been in the vicinity of 151-152 points for the last four months. Meanwhile, the residential land price index inched slightly upward in January to 182.2, though it remains down 3.8 per cent y/y. The index has been hovering around the same price level for the last seven months.



Investment sector sales continued to improve in January, though they remained frail compared to 2015 sales, said the NBK in its report.



Sales totaled KD 66.8 million, up 5 per cent month-on-month (m/m), on 115 transactions. Although the sectors sales are gradually picking up from a low level of KD40 million recorded last September, it remains down 31 per cent y/y and 65 per cent below the average sales recorded in 2015, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
Beyhadh has completed 100 episodes, and the journey has been interesting so far. A look at some of the moments that kept us glued to the show.

By India Today Web Desk: An obsessive love story, a murder mystery with some marvellous performances--Beyhadh has managed to make its mark by keeping the viewers glued with interesting twists and turns. As the show completes 100 episodes, take a look at some of the spine-chilling moments from the show that left us asking for more.

1) When Maya (Jennifer) crushes her mom's ring: The show has been able to hook the viewers from the word go. In the very first episode of the show, Maya takes off her mother's ring and crushes it with a hammer, saying if you can't get something, destroy it. This was just a glimpse of Maya's complex character, who's yet to turn obsessive for her love.

advertisement

Also read: Kushal rescues Jennifer as fire breaks out on Beyhadh sets

2) When Maya risks her life for her mother: When Ashwin pushes Jhanvi off the cliff, Maya jumps into the water, without batting an eyelid to save her mother's life. While rescuing her mother, however, her head hits a rock and she has to be rushed to the hospital.

3) When Ashwin tries to create a scene at Maya's haldi: Maya cannot tolerate Ashwin, so when he comes to apply mehendi to her, she protests his presence by throwing the haldi ka thaal; she also smashes a window after rushing back to her room.

Also read: Beyhadh actors Jennifer Winget and Aneri Vajani love to hang out together; see pics

4) The murder sequence of Ashwin: It is truly one of the most engrossing sequences of the show that kept the viewers glued to their seats. Especially, because it happens in the midst of Maya's wedding vows.

5) When Maya stops a cop from arresting her mother: Jhanvi is the prime suspect in Ashwin's murder case and when police tries to take her into their custody, Maya doesn't let it happen.

--- ENDS ---
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) said the one of its key energy projects in Bangladesh - Sikalbaha Power Station - is nearing completion with 90 per cent of the works already completed.



With the construction works ahead of schedule, the power plant is expected to open by the end opf this year, said a statement from ADFD.



Phase One  an open-cycle gas turbine generator  has already been completed and is capable of producing up to 150 megawatts of electricity, it stated.



ADFD and Bangladesh enjoy close ties dating back to 1976. Over the past four decades, the Emirati firm has funded eight developmental projects worth Dh692 million ($188.3 million), covering key socio-economic sectors, such as transport, communications, agriculture, irrigation, electricity, water and mining.



The Abu Dhabi Fund dispatched a delegation to Bangladesh to review the current status of Sikalbaha Power Station and its other project - the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (Sasec) road development.



In 2011, ADFD allocated a concessionary loan worth Dh115 million to finance the project that aims to strengthen and stabilise the national grid, and meet Dhakas energy needs. Moreover, the funding contributed to the construction of new 225-megawatt generators.



On the Sasec Road Connectivity Project, ADFD said it had committed an Dh110 million concessionary loan in 2013 to finance the project.



Road developments and transportation infrastructure works have been underway since March 2016 and are now 22 per cent complete.



All project work has been carried out in accordance with pre-set agreements and timelines between ADFD and the Bangladeshi government, it stated.



Re-affirming ADFDs commitment to efficient, effective and timely project execution, Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, the director general, said: "ADFD is keen on following-up on all its projects. We engage in routine visits in order to uphold our agreed upon parameters and offer our continued support."



"Im glad to report that both projects are moving along swiftly, expertly and with the utmost regard to operational efficiency," he added.



ADFD also holds a 60 per cent stake in the UAE-Bangladesh Investment Company Limited (Ubico). -TradeArabia News Service
The Italian Embassy in Bahrain will mark the Italian Design Day with a talk by renowned Italian architect Francesco Librizzi on March 2.

Librizzi will talk on Archetype, Prototype, Stereotype and his design philosophy, accompanied by a pop-up exhibition of his works, a statement said.

The event is being organised by the Italian Embassy at the Bahrain National Museum as part of the Spring of Culture 2017. There will also be a cocktail reception. The event starts at 6.30 pm

Explaining the subject of discussion, the statement said: "Every architectural project is in dialogue with the landscape and the city, which is the place where we keep on revisiting our best ideas. Those, once verified are defined as sacred and called Archetypes. In the city architecture meets the citizens, with their beliefs, their shared opinions, their common sense, their need for total happiness: Architecture faces the Stereotypes. Thus, as a discipline, Architecture is asked to respond to what is in front of it. It means it has to provide answers to questions which are always new. Therefore its answers, even being sometimes rooted in the past, are continuously renovated. Architectural statements are always to be verified; they need time to find their place in memory: they are Prototypes."

The Italian Design Day, launched by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Triennale Design Museum in Milan, will be celebrated in more than 100 cities around the world. 100 'Ambassadors' of Italian culture (designers, entrepreneurs, journalists, critics, communicators, educators) will discuss a project of excellence. The event represents an absolute 'premiere' in this field, said the statement.

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has chosen design as one of the major assets of integrative actions for the promotion of Italy and Italian lifestyle. Italian design, in fact, permeates all the different levels of Italian life: from culture to industry, from science to philosophy, to the extent in which it has become a pillar of "living Italian style", it said.

Moreover, design represents a powerful engine for the Italian economy. - TradeArabia News Service
Oil will stabilise around $55 to $65 a barrel as Opec (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) fulfills its agreement to cut output, with stockpiles and shale production keeping prices from rising much more, said the Middle East head of Russian energy giant Lukoil.



The Opec, working in tandem with 11 other producers including Russia, reached an agreement last year to reduce output to clear a persistent oil glut and revive prices.



Brent crude oil, a global benchmark, has rebounded about 20 per cent since Opec's decision to curb supplies for six months starting from January 1, reported Bloomberg.



Russias second-largest oil producer hasnt had to cut its production of about 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) in Iraq as a result of the curbs pledged by Opec, stated Gati Al Jebouri in a Bloomberg television interview.



He pointed out that Opecs cutbacks have brought a period of stability to the market.



We have a lid because of shale oil and we have a bottom because of the already proven decision and willingness of Opec to maintain prices at a reasonable level, remarked Al Jebouri.



Lukoil is seeking opportunities for growth in the Middle East as Iran opens more of its oil fields to international partners and other countries need technology to develop deposits, Al Jebouri told Bloomberg TV.



Lukoil, he stated, was also interested to pump oil from offshore fields in Abu Dhabi and produce heavy crude in Oman and Kuwait. The UAE capital, which has the lion's share of oil in the emirates, is looking for partners to start developing its offshore fields by 2018, he added.
GE has signed a high-impact agreement with Edraak, an initiative of Jordans Queen Rania Foundation for Education & Development, to introduce Edraaks self-paced learning programs in GE BrilliantYOU, a new learning community for GE employees worldwide.



A digital learning platform, BrilliantYOU underlines the mission of GE Crotonville, the worlds first major corporate university and the companys leadership development institute, to inspire, connect and develop GE leaders of today and tomorrow, around the world, said the company.



A manifestation of GEs leadership philosophy that everyone can be a leader, BrilliantYOU helps unlock leadership potential and enables the participants to develop new capabilities, it said.



Among the modules to be introduced by Edraak in the GE BrilliantYOU catalogue include innovation in government, nutrition and health, mathematics and calculus courses, interviewing skills, career development, human resources management, and personal branding, among others. These modules will enable GE employees globally to benefit from the expertise of professionals, who had curated them for Edraak, the company said.



Bassem Saad, deputy CEO of Edraak, said: We are very excited about this pioneering partnership with GE that leverages Edraaks technology and content for corporate training and talent development. Each of our self-paced courses has been created by experts and are designed to provide comprehensive skills to advance further in their professional and personal lives. These are original Arabic courses developed by Arab talents and will enable the GEs professionals, especially in the Menat region, to acquire skills relevant to grow their careers.



Nabil Habayeb, GEs president and CEO for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, said: We are honoured to partner with Edraak, a pioneering initiative that promotes educational innovation, to further support the capacity development of our professionals in the region through our new BrilliantYOU learning environment. This marks a strong partnership in promoting training excellence to help build the next generation of leaders. The integration of the Crotonville training model and Edraaks learning modules will enable our talents to advance in their careers and evolve as future business leaders.



BrilliantYOU is created in the spirit of GEs leadership philosophy, We All Rise, which states that everyone in the company is a leader, and is designed to help all GE employees learn and adapt to win. The platform is the result of pioneering research by a dedicated, multidisciplinary team at GE Crotonville, whereby some of GEs best-known initiatives  from CAP and Lean Six Sigma to Simplification and FastWorks  were envisioned, tested and launched. It brings GEs staff continual, mobile, and immediately applicable learning opportunities.



The introduction of Edraaks carefully structured learning modules will be a value addition for GEs young and growing team of professionals in the Menat region. With its firm commitment to localization and capacity building, GE is offering another dynamic online learning platform for its professionals through the new partnership, GE said.  TradeArabia News Service


A Wellness Symposium, which will throw the spotlight on the $8.3 billion industry in the Middle East/North Africa (Mena), will be launched at Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre in April.



A partnership between the World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio of events and the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), the symposium has been organised as part of a schedule of events in ATMs Wellness Lounge.



It will also analyse Menas thriving domestic (4 million trips) and inbound (4.5 million trips) wellness tourism markets  as well as trends in outbound wellness tourism from the Middle East.



Wellness travel is not only growing twice as fast as tourism overall, its evolving in bold new directions, both globally and across the Middle East. Our ongoing mission will be to bring together the top experts and latest research and trends in this travel space to ATM and WTMs tens of thousands of attendees, said Susie Ellis, chairman and CEO of the GWI.



The UAE leads the Middle Eastern wellness tourism market. With an average of 1.7 million wellness trips generating $2.7 billion annually, it accounts for 14 per cent of the Mena spa market, according to research from Colliers Experiential Travel Series.



The UAE is followed by Morocco (1.66 million trips), Tunisia (0.76 million trips) and Jordan (0.62 million trips). However, the growth in wellness tourism in MENA compared with overall tourism over the past five years is truly remarkable.



For example, wellness trips in the UAE have grown by 17.9 per cent during this period, while overall tourism has grown 8.1 per cent. Its a similar story with Morocco (14.7 per cent versus 6.6 per cent), Tunisia (9.4 per cent versus 4.5 per cent) and Jordan (12.8 per cent versus 5.9 per cent).



Having already identified the demand for wellness, ATM launched a dedicated Wellness and Spa Lounge in 2016, connecting Middle East wellness and spa buyers with international suppliers.



Indeed, the Dubai hotel spa market experienced a 9 per cent increase in the average number of treatments sold per day in H1 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 and 25 new hotel spas are expected to open this year, making a total of over 200 spas.



Designed as a hub for wellness and spa professionals, the lounge returns to this years event and will host two days of up to 35 pre-scheduled appointments with high calibre Middle Eastern buyers and up to 35 international wellness suppliers.



Exhibitors in this years Wellness and Spa Lounge include some of the most recognisable names in the industry from Italy, Switzerland France, Hungary, Canada, India and The Maldives, such as the Swiss Diamond Hotel, Lugano; L' Albereta, Lake Iseo, Brescia; Radisson Blu 1835 Hotel & Thalassa, Cannes and the Velaa Private Island Maldives.



After ATM, the partnership continues at WTM London  the leading global event for the travel industry (6-8 November 2017)  with a focus on the global wellness industry, which has grown to $3.72 trillion.



WTM London, which was responsible for 2.8 billion in agreed industry deals last year, will also host a dedicated Wellness Lounge facilitating deals in the wellness travel and tourism sector.



WTM and ATM are two powerful travel industry events that attract more global travel professionals than any other, added Ellis. - TradeArabia News Service


Ken Heath Award Winners Presentation Set for March 9

The Security Traders Associations Women in Finance group has announced the winners of the first annual Ken Heath Award.

The winners of the 2017 awards are Ray Tierney, Bloomberg, Gordon Fowler, Glenmede Trust Company and Kevin Kruszenski, KeyBanc Capital Markets.

The award, named in honor of the longtime publisher of Traders Magazine Ken Heath, is given to men who champion the advancement and success of women in finance. Heath was a proponent of women on Wall Street and recognizing their achievements and in 1999 created the Traders Magazine Wall Street Women Awards, A Celebration of Excellence, as vehicle to promote diversity in a male dominated field.

The STA WIF picks up where Heath left off.

The event will be held on Thursday, March 9, at Fordham Universitys Lincoln Center Campus at 150 W. 62nd Street (bet. Columbus & Amsterdam), New York.

Festivities will be held between 4pm and 7pm and feature a keynote address delivered by Candace Straight, Executive Producer of "Equity."

This event is made possible by a grant from the STA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. Tickets are on sale to the public for $295 per person or $2000 per table of eight (8). No press will be admitted.

To purchase tickets, please click here

To learn more about Ken Heath and STA WIF please visit here.

For more information on related topics, visit the following channels:
A large number of the French population is not happy with the lineup of presidentiables in the upcoming election. They are eyeing the former president of America to run for office in France.

People who believe that Obama has the qualification of a good president have started a countrywide signature campaign to reach 1 million signatures. They are gathering that much number of signatures to convince Michelle Obama's husband to become their president.

The Obama17 petitioners installed 500 posters of the former president in public areas in Paris urging people to visit their site. Their slogan says "Oui on peut' which means "Yes we can!" Their website says that that the former US Head of State has "the best resume in the world." The site is all praise for Obama stating that he has successfully completed his second term as president.

Daily Mail reported that Barack Obama has to learn the French language first and foremost. Second, since it is a law that the president of a country must be a citizen. So Mr. Obama has to become a citizen of France which takes time to process.

The petitioners who remained unknown understand fully well the requirements of the law. Admittedly, they said it was just a joke. They were frustrated with the politicians running for office that they want to look for the better candidate elsewhere.

One petitioner said that they are thinking about the politics in the country and they were fed up. They want to vote for someone they admire, and that is Barack Obama. It is also their intention to wake people up and effect a change in French politics.

Stay tuned for reactions from the person promoted in the petition - Barack Obama. Will he desire to lead France if given the chance? Meanwhile according to AOL, the former president and his wife just came back from a much needed rest and relaxation. They spent some time at the British Virgin Islands together with their two daughters. The Obamas are now back in Washington DC enjoying their lives as private citizens.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights is a wonder one could witness possibly once in life. Scientists have yet to determine the actual times these lights appear throughout the year. If they strongly feel they could see the Northern Lights during their journey, travelers would be wise to make their trip to Iceland in the best location to view the Aurora Borealis -- in this little cottage.

Travel and Leisure's impression of this small cottage owned by an artist and equestrian Maja Siska feels like it came out of a storybook. Just like a scene out of the musical "Sound of Music," the cottage is on a 320-acre farm and is a cottage that is quite small with a single bedroom and just a living area. No free WiFi and other fancy amenities here -- just travelers and Iceland's natural beauty.

Across the fields during the day, travelers could find a view of Iceland's Hekla volcano. Where there are volcanoes, there are natural hot springs; travelers can head to these barely-touched hot springs for a natural spa.

The quiet and lovely atmosphere of this lovely little home has drawn travelers to the cottage aside from the possibility that Aurora Borealis would appear. Without nearby houses and the absence of lampposts, lighting is scarce at night. A candlelit dinner by the porch under the beauty of the Milky Way and possibly the Northern Lights sounds like an amazing feature any hotel or Airbnb stay could possibly offer.

Photographs from Small House Bliss indicates the small cottage appears not as a rugged cabin-style rural vacation home -- but instead has the essentials of modern living minus advanced technology. The small cottage has a sofa, a small dining area by the window near the sink and food preparation area. One might compare it to a two-storey single bedroom apartment.

The cottage is in itself attractive but according to reviewers from Homeway -- cited by Travel and Leisure -- 60 visitors note that Siska's hospitality has plenty to do with their willingness to stay and even repeat their vacation in the cottage.

Hearing horses in the morning, enjoying the view of the mountainside and its quiet and the Northern Lights, the moon and the stars as evening is something one could consider as heaven. Maja Siska's cottage by the Aurora Borealis is a true unique experience.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Dozens of swimming pigs were recently found dead in the Exumas, a place known to be as one of Bahamas' popular tourism attractions for the famous water-loving animals. Investigations were done and pointed out that tourists are to blame for over feeding the pigs at the Big Major Cay Beach with harmful chunks and drinks like alcohol.

The Bahamas Humane Society President Kim Aranha told The Tribune that they had thrown the bodies of the animals in the sea after being found dead on the beach. She relayed the info that it hasn't been clear if whether the pigs died due to an accident or were intentionally poisoned.

"I'd say it's more than seven but certainly not the 15 as initially reported on social media. The veterinarians are bringing the samples back, but I can't say how long it will take to get the results," she said.

Aranha also pointed out that the intent still proves to be spiteful. She mentioned that she doesn't see any reason why someone would hurt the pigs.

She acknowledged that there are "silly" sailors that goad the animals to drink alcohol and try to get them drunk, but defended the island's tour operators in Nassau who treat the animals with care.

Meanwhile, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism does not explicitly say that tourists are prohibited to feed the pigs. In fact, it was stated on their website that people feed these "harmless, sociable creatures," and it became a habit for the animals to come out of the woods and to the beach when they hear motors and are eager to be fed by human food.

But now that dead pigs are resurfacing, Aranha said that it wouldn't be a good turn for their tourism industry. She explained that when tourists see dead pigs on the beach, it will bring bad publicity for them. For the time being, a team has been set to investigate the case--with results expected to come out within the week.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Ethiopia is known to be the land where coffee beans originated. Through the years, aside from being popular because of coffee beans, this country in East Africa has been a popular destination among travellers from different parts of the world.

Despite being a relatively small country compared to other tourist destinations, Ethiopia is rich in terms of the country's unique culture and tradition. And if you are thinking about heading here, here are some of the things that you must know.

1. Wandering around Ethiopia is better when you avail a tour. Several tours here will basically bring you to the historic spots such as the Omo River Region that you might not be able to visit if you are going on an independent travel. Tour companies in this country usually offer lodging, transport, meals and several outdoor adventures to guests such as white-water rafting and trekking.

2. If you are a vegetarian, then traveling to Ethiopia is a best choice for you. According to the Living Nomads, the Ethiopians are followers of the Orthodox Christianity. They tend to hold to the belief that eating meat during Wednesdays and Fridays is forbidden. Therefore, most restaurants in Ethiopia serve an array of vegetarian menu that is equally appetizing and mouth-watering just like those of the classic meat dishes.

3. Birr is the currency of Ethiopia. And if you have plans of going to this country, you better exchange and bring plenty of birr on your trip because Ethiopians use their own currency in almost every transaction in restaurants, hotels and even in transportations. According to AFK Travel, Ethiopians rarely accept foreign currencies such as the US Dollars so in order for you to avoid experiencing inconvenience during your trip, better bring more birr with you instead of the usual currency that you are using. Credit cards can be quite handy, too.

4. Ethiopia is home to different endemic species of endangered and almost extinct mammals. Also, there are 856 species of birds that can be found in this country which are mostly fed with butterflies. So if you are the type of person who loves wildlife adventure, this is the place where you can actually experience a close encounter to different species that cannot be found anywhere else.

5. If there is one thing that puts Ethiopia in the map of the world, it is definitely the coffee beans. Before coffee reached our cups and mugs, it was first originated in an Ethiopian province called Kefa. For the record, Ethiopia has about 400,000 hectares of land where premium Arabica coffee is produced and exported all over the world.

Ethiopia definitely honors the culture and heritage of the country. This place will actually give you things and experiences that are far unique compared to other travel destinations in Africa. So pack your bags and go for the best African trip of your life.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Four brave girls from BHU have come out to speak to India Today, exposing the worst kind of gender discrimination and moral policing practiced on the campus.

Four brave girls from BHU have come out to speak to India Today, exposing the worst kind of gender discrimination and moral policing practiced on the campus.

By India Today Web Desk: While the spotlight is on the Ramjas controversy in the Delhi University, it is campuses beyond the national capital that have become hostage to growing intolerance. The Banaras Hindu University, which is now in its 101st year, is under the scanner. The university faces serious charges of gender discrimination. Once the pride of Purvanchal, BHU is now being seen as an institute that has become an RSS fortress.

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Till now, female students at BHU have been reluctant to speak out fearing retribution. But four brave girls - Mineshi, Deepshri, Mridula Manglam and Nivedita Shandilya - have come out to speak to India Today, exposing the worst kind of gender discrimination and moral policing practiced on the campus.

CHARGES Female students not allowed access to free wi-fi and internet in their hostel rooms. No such restrictions on male students. Girls cannot eat non-veg food in the campus, while boys can eat whatever they want. No telephone calls for girls after 10 pm. Girls cannot go out of hostel, even in the campus, after 8 pm. Female students cannot wear clothes of their choice. They cannot wear shorts in their mess. Girls can't participate in protests, demonstrations or even political debates. These restrictions do not apply on boys.

"We cannot participate in any debate with a political group outside BHU, especially if it is against the Sangh or RSS ideology. Writing against the RSS creates problems for us. Our teachers warn us against participation in debates or NSS/NCC, saying that our dignity was in our hands if we did", said Nivedita.

The policing on non-vegetarian food is not about girls cooking it, but rather it is not part of the menu at all in girls' hostels. Boys, on the other hand, have non-vegetarian food in their mess menu.

"Both boys and girl hostels pay the same fee for the mess, but for the girls non-vegetarian food is not allowed in the scheduled mess menu. It is allowed for boys. Girls can have non-veg food, but they have to purchase it from outside. Boys have non-veg food in their regular mess schedule," said Minesha.

PROBLEMS START SINCE THE TIME OF ALLOTMENT OF HOSTELS

Problems reportedly begin for female students right from the time they are allotted hostels, when they are asked to bring our parents, who are shown a list of rules for only their girls. The parents have to sign it, giving the rights to teachers to expel female students if they break these rules. Some female students, claim the girls, were suspended for violating these rules.

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"Security and protection for the girls is the best defence people have for discrimination", said Minesha.

The girls are allowed to use wi-fi, but unlike boys, the administration does not provide them free connection. The reason, says Nivedita, is that the administration thinks that free wi-fi and pornography can make the girls impure.

CULTURE MUST NOT BE HINDRANCE TO RIGHTS

"We don't even have a television," said Deepshri. "One doesn't need a wi-fi to watch porn. It can be accessed on data cable too. Culture should enable us to enhance our values, but if culture becomes a hindrance to our basic rights, it is a problem."

India Today also met with BHU's Vice-Chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi, who rubbished all allegations of discrimination against female students.

"The conjecture that BHU has become an RSS fortress is false. I am not associated with the university because of BJP. I was in Allahabad University for the last 40 years. I have never been a BJP member even for a rupee. But I am associated with RSS and am proud of that. The same RSS has taught me that the university cannot be run on one particular idealogy," said Tripathi.

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Also read | Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Varanasi admissions 2017: Apply for UG/PG courses

Also read | President to give best university award to JNU

WATCH VIDEO

--- ENDS ---
Flight delays can be stressful. Sometimes, when our schedule is ruined because of an unprecedented flight delay, we would fantasize about having a drink or two just to while away the time, or simply cure our irritability. Soon, the Missouri State may turn this into a reality.

Residents, travelers, and bar owners from Missouri are getting excited about a new law currently being reviewed at the Missouri house. When this bill becomes law, passengers may purchase alcohol for take-out and bring it with them in the waiting area of the terminal gates of all airports in the Missouri State.

Currently, this bi-partisan bill has already received major approval from the Missouri House, with only 16 members in the 162 members of the chamber against it. Another vote session would still need to commence before the bill could move on to the Senate.

One of the lawmakers against the bi-partisan bill is State Representative Stacy Newman. She's worried that this kind of law would instigate unruliness in passengers and flight crews, which could damage the workflow inside the airport. "I think the last thing that crew members or any of us want are intoxicated, unruly passengers at 30,000 feet," she said.

Another resident, Chris Clarambeau, is also not in favor of this new law. "You see examples of people who get violent or are just generally unruly and argumentative," he said. "And the flight starts and then the plane has to get stuck and security has to come and take the person off the plane and a hundred people on the plane have been inconvenienced because of it."

But this is not the first time for this kind of law to take effect in the States. Nashville, Memphis, Houston, Portland, Oregon, and Tampa are some of the cities who already has this policy in place, and according to them, they have only seen positive results.

Missouri lawmakers have passed this bill in hopes to improve customer satisfaction in their airports. Also, it would increase business revenue for airport concessionaires, most particularly in St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Global hoteliers are enjoying perks offered in free suite of eZee hospitality solutions



(TRAVPR.COM) India - 27th February, 2017 - Having a significant impact in information technology industry, eZee Technosys has emerged itself as a prominent player catering to hospitality trade with latest hotel management and operations technology. And being in prominence compels one to provide best services at best prices to clients. Owing to that, the global hospitality solution provider launched eZee Ultimate last year, an all-inclusive technology platform.



Vipul Kapoor, Co-founder and CTO at eZee Technosys, expressed, Serving small and mid-sized hotels, eZee had introduced eZee Ultimate, automating their daily and complex operations. We have received an overwhelming response to this endeavor with increasing number of hoteliers enrolling with us each day. Moreover, several hoteliers have received upto 200 percent hike in their bookings through eZee Ultimate.



eZee Ultimate has posed as another feather in our cap. Around 1000 hoteliers from more than 40 countries worldwide have enrolled with this comprehensive plan with an outstanding outcome especially from Indian sub-continent. Hoteliers have a tendency to seek for integrated solutions, from where they can manage all their operations easily. And thats what we offer in eZee Ultimate, comments Mehul Fanawala, Director of Global Sales in eZee.

eZee Ultimate is a suite of cloud PMS, channel manager, hotel booking engine, digital restaurant menu, guest feedback system and mobile hotel app builder. The core technology offering is complimentary, charging minimal transaction fees only on confirmed online bookings. Apart from free solutions, it includes free services, right from payment gateway integration, major OTA contracting and digital marketing for hotel websites. eZee also develops modern and professional websites for the hoteliers under eZee Ultimate plan, with nominal domain and hosting charges.

Amidst myriad of users, Pine Lodge, an independent hotel in Maldives being a current user of eZee Ultimate has received an exceptional hike in bookings and eventually imparts noteworthy guest experience with daily operations automated after taking up the technology platform. They shifted from subscription model to eZee Ultimates transactional model; paying only for the online bookings they get.



As small and mid-sized hoteliers have invested big in construction, interiors and resources; they require immediate bookings in order to keep the revenue flowing consistently. Thence, eZee with its decade of experience had studiously, scrupulously planned and unleashed a very compelling suite of hospitality technology through eZee Ultimate. With this, the hoteliers do not have to bear any subscription costs of the software providing uninterrupted use, says Hitesh Patel, eZees Co-founder and Managing Director.



Majority of hotels these days are stuck with OTA extranets to manage their online distribution, which results in the lack of updated information on OTAs. Plenitude of leading OTAs have found this model engaging and most favorable for hotel. To that end, they have come forth to strategize with eZee, eventually planning to introduce this program to those hotels who are not using any technology yet.

With no upfront investment, no hefty recurring cost in technology and no lock in contracts, that is, no risks eventually; eZee Ultimate is an ideal tool for hoteliers to generate revenue and focus on guest experience.



Contemplating on nurturing hotel and restaurants, eZee consistently strives to deliver more fruitful technologies focusing on research and development in coming years too, team eZee works on devising, developing and planning on basis of scrutinizing trends in hospitality industry.



About eZee Technosys

eZee Technosys is one of the few hospitality solutions providers in the world, offering a complete suite of IT solutions for the hospitality industry that cover hotel management, web booking engine, online room distribution, restaurant management, guest feedback and mobile applications and more. eZee today serves more than 6000 clients in 140 plus countries across the globe. Their global presence has been further solidified through their strong network of more than 200 Channel Partners.

###
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"The area of priority for the state should be protection of passengers or emphasising language? What should be the emphasis be on? What is the immediate protection that can be offered to a passenger sitting in the autorickshaw", Justice Oka asked the transport authority.

By Vidya : Bombay High Court today came down heavily on the Maharashtra government for insisting that knowledge of local topography and Marathi language was a must while giving permits to autorickshaw drivers but not taking action those autorickshaw drivers who refused to ply commuters as per their whims and fancies.

Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Anuja Prabhudesai were hearing a petition filed by the Mira Bhayander Auto Rickshaw Chalak Sangathan challenging a circular issued by the government to RTOs in 2016.

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According to the circular issued on 23rd October 2015, the home department wrote a letter to the transport commissioner, saying that the autorickshaw permits which had lapsed would be reissued through the lottery system and that knowledge of Marathi as well as local topography were some of the mandatory conditions for obtaining permits. On 20th February 2016, the transport commissioner issued directions to the regional offices to test the knowledge of Marathi language of the applicants.

GRIEVANCES OF COMMUTERS INCLUDED IN EXPANDED PETITION

However, the scope of the petition was expanded by an earlier division bench of the Bombay High Court headed by Justice V M Kanade to include the grievances of commuters if the transport department of the state of Maharashtra dealt with them. During the hearing of the petition on Tuesday, Justice Oka asked the transport authority, "Taxis and autos cannot refuse passengers. Are you abiding by that? The area of priority for the state should be protection of passengers or emphasising language? What should be the emphasis be on? What is the immediate protection that can be offered to a passenger sitting in the autorickshaw?"

The advocate representing the transport commissioner said that he would file a detailed affidavit stating the facts. However, the public pleader, while defending the circular of the state goverment, had said that it was for the convenience of passengers that the government was insisting on Marathi language and knowledge of local topography.

The division bench of Justice Oka has started dictating the orders in the case and will be continuing to do so on Wednesday.

Also read | Sting operation on judge: Bombay High Court refers matter to larger bench

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: From Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Feb 28 (PTI) China today asked Nepal to join its ambitious Silk Road initiative, which, it claims, is aimed at regional connectivity.

China made the request during the 14th annual general meeting of Nepal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industries here.

More than 100 countries have shown interest in the Silk Road initiative and signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with 40 countries, Chinese officials said.

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Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Yu Wong, asked Nepal to assist in forwarding the Silk Road initiative. He said, "it will help in regional prosperity and connectivity."

Nepals Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara said his country would expand trade ties with China keeping the geopolitical sensitivity in view.

"I assure you that Nepal will make further decision to augment trade relations with China," he said, but added that exports must be increased to reduce trade losses.

He also thanked China for its assistance to Nepals infrastructure development.

China has assisted Nepal in the areas of Hydropower, Aviation, Construction and Transmission line, Yu said, assuring that such assistance will continue in future. PTI SBP AJR

--- ENDS ---
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 28

Banking services in the Northern region, comprising Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Chandigarh, were hit with employees, including officers, of the public sector banks observed a day-long strike in support of their demands.

According to an estimate, around 10,000 branches of the public sector banks remained non-operational in the region, hitting the banking transactions.

The strike, which was called under the aegis of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), affected normal banking operations like cash deposits, withdrawal from branches and cheque clearances. The UFBU is an umbrella body of nine bank unions.

Major demands of the bank employees include adequate recruitment in all cadres, stringent measures to recover bad loans and accountability of top executives. The bankers have also sought criminal action against wilful defaulters.

The strike was by and large peaceful. Our demands include adequate recruitment in all cadres, employee directors on Boards, removal of ceiling on gratuity, exemption of income tax on superannuation benefits, improvement in pension etc, said Rajesh Sondhi, organising secretary, All-India State Bank of Patiala Employee Federation.
New Delhi, February 28

Tata Sons has agreed to pay $1.18 billion in damages to NTT DoCoMo to settle long-standing dispute over exit of the Japanese firm from their India joint venture.

Tata Sons reached an out-of-court agreement with Japans largest mobile phone firm to enforce a June 2016 award of a London arbitral tribunal.

Following this, the two firms applied to the Delhi High Court to suspend legal proceedings and accept the settlement.

The settlement came within days of Tata Group getting a new Chairman in N Chandrasekaran following the ouster of Cyrus Mistry last year.

The settlement terms clear the way for the $1.18 billion already deposited by Tata Sons with the court to be paid to DoCoMo, and would allow DoCoMo to transfer its shares in Tata Teleservices Inc, the Japanese firm said.

DoCoMo had in November 2009 acquired 26.5% stake in Tata Teleservices for about Rs 12,740 crore (at Rs 117 per share). This was as per a 2008 understanding that in case it exits the venture within five years, it will be paid a minimum 50% of the acquisition price.

DoCoMo in April 2014 decided to exit the joint venture that struggled to grow subscribers quickly. It sought Rs 58 per share or Rs 7,200 crore from Tatas.

But the Indian Group offered Rs 23.34 a share in line with the RBI guidelines.Tata Sons is pleased to announce that in the interests of putting an end to a dispute that had arisen with NTT DoCoMo, Japan, and in the larger national interest of preserving a fair investment environment in India, it has reached an agreement with NTT DoCoMo on a joint approach to enable enforcement of the June 22, 2016, London Court of International Arbitration award.

As a gesture of good faith and in accordance with the Tata groups long-standing record of adherence to contractual commitments that it has always enjoyed both in India and abroad, the Board of has decided to withdraw its objections to the enforcement of the Award in India, Tata Sons said.  PTI
Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 28

The case revolving around two Australian children allegedly detained against their wishes by their father stands transferred to the crime branch. An FIR for criminal breach of trust under Section 406 of the IPC also stands registered against the father.

Information to this effect was given to the Punjab and Haryana High Court today by senior advocate Randeep Singh Rai and Gautam Dutt for the UT Administration. The Court had earlier not only allowed the children to go with their mother, but also directed the police to conduct raids for tracing their passports.

The UT, Chandigarh, and the Central Government, would also do their best to help the children for extension or grant of visa for going to Australia, Justice AB Chaudhari had ruled.The developments had taken place on a habeas corpus petition filed by Navjinder Kaur against UT, Chandigarh, and other respondents. Taking up the petition, the court, on February 20, had appointed a warrant officer to find the children aged 12 and 11.The report made by warrant officer, Bhag Singh Virk, showed that there was resistance from the respondent father. But the warrant officer succeeded in getting the children and produced them before Justice Chaudharis Bench.

I have made enquiries from the children. Both of them say they want to reside with their mother petitioner and they, being Australian citizens, would like to go to Australia with their mother.
By Press Trust of India: From K J M Varma

Beijing, Feb 28 (PTI) Chinese courts today sentenced to death a senior provincial official for murder and bribery while another official was jailed separately for graft.

Zhao Liping, a former senior political advisor in northern Chinas Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, was sentenced to death on charges of murder, taking bribes, possession of firearms by the provincial higher peoples court of Shanxi Province.

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The court rejected Zhaos appeal against the first trial verdict, issued by the Intermediate Peoples Court of Taiyuan city.

The court upheld the verdict in November 2016, which stripped Zhao of his political rights, confiscated personal property worth 2 million yuan (USD 2.90 lakhs) and sentenced him to death.

As the former vice chairman of the Inner Mongolia regional committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, Zhao was found to have shot and killed a person, identified as Li, in Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia in March 2015, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

He also took advantage of his post to secure business contracts and official positions for associates and accepted bribes totaling 23.68 million yuan from 2008 to 2010, as the chief of the Public Security Department of Inner Mongolia, it said.

The Shanxi Provincial Higher Peoples Court said the first trial verdict was based on clear facts and sufficient evidence and passed Zhaos case to the Supreme Peoples Court for approved.

In another case, the Ningbo Municipal Intermediate Court sentenced He Jiacheng, former vice president ofthe Chinese Academy of Governance to nine years for taking bribes.

The court in Zhejiang Province also fined him 700,000 yuan and confiscated his illegal gains.

An investigation found that from 1995 to 2014, the defendant illegally accepted money worth 7.1 million yuan by taking advantage of his various posts to help individuals or companies in IPOs, real estate projects and other areas.

He was shown leniency as he pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, returned all of his illegal gains and disclosed information about the crimes of others.

Thousands of officials were punished for corruption in China in the anti-graft campaign initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping in the last four years. PTI KJV AJR AKJ AJR

--- ENDS ---
Aarti Kapur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 28

The salary of the Panjab University Vice-Chancellor has been put on hold for February as the additional grant of Rs 30.5 crore is yet to be released by the UGC to the university. In fact, the salary of the Registrar, the Dean, University Instructions, the Controller of Examinations, the Finance Development Officer and the teaching staff has also been withheld for February by the university due to non-availability of funds.

PU VC Arun Kumar Grover said the university had to take a call on whose salary should be put on hold in such a fund crunch situation. He said he decided today that the salary of the highest-paid officers of the campus and teachers should be withheld till the grant was received.

He said the salary would be given to B and C class non-teaching staff and pensioners with the funds available with the university, which were two-thirds of the funds required for paying the salary for the month. He said the PU Registrar, Col GS Chadha (retd), today met officials of the UGCs finance wing to get the grant issued at the earliest.

To disburse the salaries of the campus staff, the university requires a budget of around Rs 31 crore, of which Rs 25 crore is for salary and Rs 6 crore for the pension corpus of the campus. There are 3,500 employees, of whom 2,500 are from the non-teaching cadre and 1,000 from the teaching cadre.

On January 19, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the UGC to release Rs 30.5 crore expeditiously, preferably within four weeks. Following this, the VC sent a number of reminders to the UGC this month requesting for an early release of the grant so that the salary could be disbursed on time among the staff.
Yogendra Yadav

A RECENTLY unseated CM commits suicide. He leaves a suicide note naming top state and national politicians and some judges. The allegations are not probed. Some months later, tax authorities raid a lawyer in Delhi and recover a huge stack of unaccounted cash. He claims this money belongs to some influential friends including relatives of a big judge. Around this time, the Supreme Court is hearing a petition demanding probe into diaries and papers recovered from raids that point to payments made by two business houses to top politicians across parties, including the current PM. The Supreme Court suddenly reverses its long-standing position on how such diaries should be probed. And when the widow of the CM approaches the Chief Justice for a probe into allegations against the judiciary, there is an unseemly haste to bury this case.

This could be the stuff of John Le Carres novel. But this is no fiction. The 60-page note left by Arunachal Pradeshs former CM, Kalikho Pul, is doing the rounds for nearly a month now. Written in chaste Hindi, not uncommon for a public figure in this state of the North-East, this note was typed and signed on every single page by him. The note is dated August 8, the day he committed suicide. Ten copies of this note were found lying around his body. Beginning with a story of his journey from an orphaned child to the highest office in the state, the note ends with his advice to the younger generation of people from Arunachal. The original note and its English translation is available on the website of the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Judicial Reforms(www.judicialreforms.org<http://www.judicialreforms.org/>), an organisation led by very credible lawyers and public-spirited citizens.

Lets first look at the facts of the case. In early 2016, Kalikho Pul, a Congress MLA for two decades, led an inner-party rebellion against the then Chief Minister, Mr Tuki, and formed the government with tacit support from the Central government. The unseated CM appealed to the Supreme Court. In a widely acclaimed judgment, the Supreme Court quashed the Governors orders and restored Mr Tukis government. Soon, another young politician, Mr Khandu, took over the reins and shifted his and his flocks allegiance to the BJP. Left out, Pul committed suicide. The police concluded that this was because he was depressed. The then Governor, Mr Raj Khowa, recommended a CBI probe into the allegations made in Puls suicide note, but the probe never happened. Mrs Pul approached the Central government for inquiry into these allegations and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for an inquiry against the accused judges. When the Chief Justice turned this letter into a petition and sent it to the junior-most Bench, Mrs Puls advocate objected and withdrew the letter. She has now appealed to the Vice-President to intervene.

The note contains three sets of detailed and specific allegations. First, he names many of the major political players in Arunachal, including the current and former Chief Ministers, and provides details of the projects and schemes and the method through which they allegedly made big money. The pattern is familiar: diversion of rice meant for ration, contracts for fictitious public works, forged and false bills, and so on. But the level of details is unusual and would any day merit an investigation. The second set of allegations is about his own party, the Congress. He believes that his party has systematically and knowingly promoted the most corrupt politicians in his state. He names some of the top national leaders of his party and mentions the amount they allegedly demanded for governmental and political deals in his state.

The most sensational allegations relate to the highest levels of judiciary in the country. It names two former Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and mentions the amount they allegedly received for burying some proven cases of corruption. The note also details allegations of bribery involving two sitting judges of the Supreme Court in the case involving the dismissal of his government. Pul alleged that he was approached by relatives of these judges and asked for Rs 49 crore and Rs 37 crore in return for a favourable judgment. He refused these overtures that continued till the night prior to the judgment, but his opponents spent Rs 90 crore in ensuring a judgment to their liking.

We have no basis to confirm these allegations. While he comes across as a sincere, God-fearing person, we do not know if Pul was himself completely free of the vices he details in the note. The note does not provide any additional evidence that could establish quid pro quo. While the names of most politicians in the note are no surprise, at least two of the four judges named here enjoy good reputation in terms of financial integrity. Besides, the judgment on the restoration of the Arunachal Government was by all accounts a fair and bold judgment, yet we cannot take these allegations lightly. There are just too many details here for this to be a figment of someones imagination. Finally, this note is in the nature of a dying declaration that is and ought to be taken seriously.

Yet no investigation has been ordered. Despite the Governor, who recommended a CBI inquiry, having been removed, the inquiry was not ordered. Interestingly, no inquiry was ordered against national political leaders, though none of them belongs to the BJP or the NDA. And no step has yet been taken towards an independent probe into charges against the judges as per the procedure established by the Supreme Court. It is believed that post-demonetisation raids on two well-known lawyers may have yielded evidence that could help investigate this case. But from all accounts, it seems that evidence is being hushed up.

Is there more to the case than meets the eye? Is there something here that the government wants to suppress? Is there a connection between the suicide note and the Supreme Courts unusual judgment on the Birla-Sahara diary? The PM has already said he holds janampatris of opposition leaders. The disturbing question is does his government also hold janampatris of some SC judges? These are difficult questions and one must not rush into half-baked answers. But answer we must, for this concerns the credibility of the institutions charged with protecting our Constitution. The court has laid down a procedure for inquiry against judges. It said the government should not have the power to harass judges by ordering an inquiry. The President of India must consult the CJI to set up such an inquiry. If the Chief Justice faces allegation, the President may consult other judges, presumably seniormost judges. In this case, since two former Chief Justices have been named, the Vice-President is the only constitutional authority left to ensure justice. One can only hope that the Pul case doesnt become another Nagarwala of Indian politics.

yogendra.yadav@gmail.com
There is no denying that the Supreme Court is overwhelmed with cases, numbering around 60,000 currently; yet it was disappointing that Chief Justice of India JS Khehar should have allowed himself to make almost an uncharitable and uncharacteristic observation that the apex court is not Amrit Dhara for all ailments. His remarks betray a sense of tiredness and helplessness over the heavy burden. But the headship of the top court comes with obligations and expectations. He is supposed to deal with the challenge of pendency confronting him. Given the odds litigants face and the unbearable cost involved at the Supreme Court level, it is also not the case, as CJI Khehar has tried to convey, of people waking up in the morning and saying let's go to the Supreme Court.

Over the last four decades the apex court has been applauded for encouraging PIL-centric jurisprudence. People with grievances or victims of excesses committed by the executive feel they can knock at the door of the court in the hope for justice. Despite a thriving democracy in place, the executive quite often wittingly or unwittingly treads on peoples rights. All that voters can do at the most is to replace one set of non-performers with another. It is true most problems would not arise or would be settled at the lower level if the executive were to play fair, deliver promised services in time, respect human rights and ensure the rule of law. In fact, the state itself is the biggest litigant and cases are routinely filed by one department against the other. Ruling politicians and bureaucrats refuse to accept that their decisions could be wrong. Cases and appeals are filed at the state expense up to the highest level. For an aggrieved citizen the court is the last hope.

Judges know how to deal with frivolous cases; that they do not do it often is their choice. The CJI can establish his leadership by initiating reforms to cut delays, adjournments and appeals, and discipline advocates. There is a case to be made for judicial discipline including for judges, lawyers as also the litigants  but it would be a sad day if the citizens were to conclude that the apex court is reluctant to provide them succour against wayward officials.
Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ambala, February 28

Congress MP Deepender Hooda today slammed the BJP and said the government had failed on all fronts. The ideology of the BJP was not good for this country, he claimed. He was at the residence of former minister Nirmal Singh to hold a workers meeting.

Talking to mediapersons, he said, BJP leaders are experts in dividing society and disturbing brotherhood. They have been implementing the Gujarat model everywhere, which is not good for the country.

Mahatma Gandhi was against the divide and rule policy and always wanted people to stay together. Some people are saying Gandhijis pictures will be replaced, which shows their mentality, he said. BJP leaders like Anil Vij and Raj Kumar Saini have been spreading poison in society, but the BJP will not take any action against them, he stated.

The Congress has decided to take out a foot march to Delhi against the BJP for not taking action against them. The party will submit a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee and seek action against them, he added.

The foot march would be taken out from Ambala Cantonment and the date of the march was yet to be finalised, he further said.

The Jat agitation is a sensitive issue, but the state government has not been taking it seriously. The government should have fulfilled its promises and ended the dharna. I doubt the intentions of the government as the matter should have been sorted on priority basis, Deepender said.

On the SYL canal issue, he said, The Supreme Court has given its verdict in favour of Haryana and it is the responsibility of the Centre to implement the order. The INLD has been playing a gimmick on the issue and the BJP has been helping INLD leaders.

Deepender said, Persons who raise slogans against the country and seek independence of Kashmir are anti-national. At the same time, issuing a rape threat to martyrs daughter is not nationalism.

He denied making any comment on the rift in the Congress. It is an internal matter of the party and I will not like to make any comment on this, he stated.

Nirmal Singh said, The BJP has not been taking action against Vij and Saini. We had carried out a foot march towards Chandigarh to mark our protest and will now go to Delhi.
Naveen S Garewal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 27

Nearly a dozen BJP MLAs from southern Haryana have lodged a complaint with the party high command of being ignored in their own regime, it is learnt.

Ahead of the states Budget Session, that got underway today, party national president Amit Shah asked Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to resolve the MLAs grievances, lest the party faces embarrassment on the floor of the House.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Khattar called the MLAs to his residence this morning. Since the talks remained inconclusive, he scheduled another meeting in the evening but seemingly dissatisfied by Khattars response, the MLAs decided to skip it and sent two representatives. They too returned without any satisfactory resolution.

Sources said the annoyed MLAs told the CM that corruption was rampant in the state and while the ministers were busy misusing their authority, the MLAs could not even get the smallest of works done. The DC and SPs do not even take an MLAs phone. They told the CM that the BJP government should be run by all 47 MLAs and not just the ministers.

In a House of 90, BJP has 47 MLAs and enjoys the support of five MLAs (four Independents and one BSP), who have supported the group unhappy with Khattar. INLD has 19 legislators, Congress 17 and Akali Dal one.

The MLAs threatened to raise the issue of corruption in the House even as BJPs Haryana incharge Dr Anil Jain called Rewari MLA Randhir Singh Kapriwas last evening and dissuaded him from any such action. Gurgaon MLA Umesh Aggarwal then called Amit Shah, who is campaigning in UP. Shah reportedly assured Aggarwal of resolving their grievances once he is back on March 11, while asking them to desist from anything that creates trouble for the government.

The 12 MLAs then met Khattar and vent their frustration of being treated like Opposition MLAs.

Khattar, sources said, preferred to listen rather than respond. The group is also learnt to enjoy the support of at least five ministers, unhappy at the CMs headmaster-like attitude.
Parveen Arora & Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Karnal/Rohtak, February 28

Within 24 hours of the demand made by the Congress MLAs close to former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda of changing leadership in the state unit, high political drama played out here on Tuesday with both sides trading charges.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The two factions  one of state president Ashok Tanwar and another associated with Hooda  flexed muscles by organising separate press meetings in Karnal.

Party workers owing allegiance to the faction of Ashok Tanwar and CLP leader Kiran Chaudhary burnt effigy of two-time chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda at his hometown of Rohtak.

Talking to The Tribune after the protest, Haryana Congress general secretary Kultaj Singh said the recent activities of the Hooda group indicated that the former CM was conspiring with the BJP to weaken the Congress.

Instead of cornering the state government during the Assembly session, Hooda and his men took their internal bickering to the media, which was a big setback for the party. We demand his (Hoodas) ouster from the Congress, he maintained.

In the morning, some of Tanwars supporters led by state secretary Pankaj Punia expressed their anger over the MLAs meeting against Tanwar and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Kiran Choudhary in Chandigarh and burnt an effigy of Hooda.

Around noon, Ashok Tanwar told mediapersons that the meeting of the MLAs was unfortunate. He said if someone has any grievance then it should be raised on the party platform.

We have several issues to attack the BJP government, including corruption, Jat agitation, SYL, and these MLAs should have formed a strategy over it instead of working against the leaders, he said.

Tanwar said they will gherao the Assembly on March 7 over these issues important to the state.

He referred the burning of Hoodas effigy by his supporters an act against those who have been working against the discipline of the party. I will raise the issue in front of the party high command, he said.

Later in the evening, former speaker Kuldeep Sharma in the presence of ex-CM Hooda and former state Congress president Phool Chand Mulana, reiterated the demand of change in the leadership in the state Congress.

He said some leaders have been attempting to spoil the environment of the party by lodging fake FIRs against Hooda.

I was also there but there was no issue of the SC and ST Act. The Shinde Committee had submitted its report and we are ready to join investigation by the Delhi police, Sharma said.

Now, when the leaders have taken the party to the police station, we have decided to approach the high command to ask it to take stock of the situation and make necessary change in leadership, the former speaker said.

Denying any rift in the party, Hooda, in a lighter vein, dismissed the incident of burning of his effigy, saying such an act will only add years to my life.

He took a dig at the BJP over the resentment among its MLAs. BJPs own MLAs have been questioning the working of the Chief Minister. They highlighted the issues of corruption, development and the officers not heeding to their complaints. Only the ministers have been running the government, Hooda said.

He added that there was no hope of a good budget.

The former speaker claimed that CM Manohar Lal Khattar can be changed anytime.
Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 28

The issue of granting unemployment allowance to the educated jobless youth has remained unresolved as the meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC), headed by president Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, with Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh made no head-way today.

The party had promised the allowance to the youth in its manifesto during the 2012 Assembly polls and on getting power, the Congress government adopted the manifesto as its policy document but later the Chief Minister said the implementing the proposal was not practical.

The HPCC delegation gave feedback to the Chief Minister about the poll promise and also said it was the question of credibility of the party manifesto, but the Chief Minister remained non-commital after listening to the arguments of the HPCC president and other members, sources in the party said.

The Chief Minister reportedly talked about the financial burden on account of the allowance but agreed to meet the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee president and other members for further discussions.

However, Sukhu maintained that the number of the unemployed youth, registered with employment exchanges, was about 8 lakh but actually the number of persons eligible for the allowance was much less and the party would get a survey conducted to ascertain the exact number.

Transport Minister GS Bali, who was the convener of drafting committee, had raised the pitch and later several other leaders, including HPCC president Sukhu, Rajya Sabha member and former HPCC chief Viplov Thakur and several other leaders, demanded the allowance.

After the party included the promise in election manifestoes of Uttarakhand and Punjab in the recent polls, state leaders have become more vocal as the issue has given the BJP fodder for Congress bashing.

The HPCC president said the matter would be considered by the government and some solution would come out as the Chief Minister had been apprised about the issue.

Chairman of the Manifesto Committee Anand Sharma, Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha, has also said the matter would be discussed with him.

Several office-bearers of block and district Congress committees favoured the allowance to the youth at a meeting of the extended house of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee yesterday and an eight-member committee was set up to discuss the issue with the Chief Minister.

Ever since the rift in the Congress on the issue has come to the fore, the BJP has sharpened its attack on the government and accused the government of betraying the people and making false promises for electoral gains.
Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 28

Himachal BJP president Satpal Singh Satti today chided the Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh for questioning senior BJP leaders and former Chief Ministers Shanta Kumar and P K Dhumal that why they did not give unemployment allowance during their tenure and said that the remarks of the Chief Minister were out of context and uncalled for.

Reacting sharply to the remarks of the Chief Minister, Satti said, Both Shanta Kumar and Dhumal never promised unemployment allowance as they did not believe in making false promises to mislead the people to capture power. The Congress government is morally bound to give unemployment allowance to the youth as it was major promise in the election manifesto of the Congress, which was adopted as policy document of the government.

The BJP is not demanding anything new but only reminding the Chief Minister of the poll promise and telling him that backtracking on the issue of unemployment allowance would be betrayal of the people, especial the unemployed youth, the BJP leader said.

Asserting that the Congress party is in the habit of making false promises to derive electoral mileage, Satti said during the 2003 Assembly elections also it made tall promise to give employment to at least one person in every family but during 2003 tenure after coming to power it could give government jobs only to 3,386 youth. He said that if the Congress government is not in a position to grant employment to youth it should dissolve the Assembly and seek fresh mandate.

CM Virbhadra Singh had yesterday asked the BJP leaders why Shanta Kumar and P K Dhumal, who remained Chief Minister twice, did not give unemployment allowance to the youth.

Meanwhile, former state BJP chief and local MLA from Shimla, Suresh Bharadwaj said that It is a government of announcement and nothing is visible on the ground. People want to know the actual position of implementation of announcement and execution of various schemes and demanded white paper on the announcements made by the government in the past four years and status of implementation on ground.

Bharadwaj said there are more than 9 lakh unemployed youth registered with the employment exchange but the government has backtracked from its promise and now a Cabinet minister G S Bali, HPCC president Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and former state Congress chief Viplov Thakur have come out openly in support of the demand to grant unemployment allowance.

QUOTE

Both Shanta Kumar and Dhumal never promised unemployment allowance as they did not believe in making false promises to mislead the people to capture power. The Congress government is morally bound to give unemployment allowance to the youth as it was major promise in the election manifesto of the Congress, which was adopted as policy document of the government. Satpal Singh Satti, State BJP Chief
Our Correspondent

Khanna, February 28

The Physics Department of the Mata Ganga Khalsa College for Girls, Kottan, celebrated National Science Day themed Science and technology for specially-abled persons.

During the programme, an extension lecture was delivered by Prof Bhajan Singh of Punjabi University, Patiala.

He created awareness among the students about the radiation pollution, advantages and disadvantages of radiation.

Students of the Science Department exhibited models during the science exhibition. Principal Kuldip Kaur Dhaliwal thanked guest of honour Prof Bhajan Singh.
Anita Singh

EVERY budget season brings a flood of nostalgia of my budget buddies. Being from a Naval family, sahayak or bhaiyaji was a new concept for me. It took me some time to get used to, as I was not used to the presence of a stranger  that too a male  in my house. We shifted to Ambala as our first station after marriage. Hubby, like a good and busy Adjutant, was on the go and left me in the care of Bhanwarji, a Rajput sahayak. When hubby returned in the evening(those were pre-mobile days), I was literally in tears and threatened to desert him, for Bhanwarji was behaving like a typical Hindi movie, Lalita Pawar-type of mother-in-law.

Bhanwarjis response was simple: Memsaheb had not been given basic financial training by parents and needed an urgent capsule, like the one imparted in the Army, on the important subject of domestic budgeting. He built his argument on the fact that Memsaheb ordered all kinds of things in huge quantities without realising Sahebs paying capacity and dues with the regimental bania. What got his goat was that I was ordering non-seasonal stuff like tomatoes in huge quantities.

Over the next few months, I understood the protective nature of Bhanwarji and he became my budgeting buddy. I realise how much I owe to him to become a grounded Army wife. He accompanied us to Staff College at Wellington, where hubby was to be trained to become a good Staff officer. That is the only time he defied his Sahebji. He was mandated to stay with us for 10 days and help us to settle down at Wellington. He deserted us on the fourth day, warning his Saheb that it is better to be a Commander than becoming a babu.

Contrary to popular perception, at least in our regiment, entitlement of sahayak is not automatic, as you do not get them on courses and staff assignments till the officer commands the regiment. In one such outing at Ahmednagar, Attar became our self-appointed buddy, helping us in his spare time. Later, when KJ wanted to help him and suggested that he should try the JCO test, his answer was brief: I know my limits, let me go on pension, but you should keep working hard for our regiment needs another General.

As an Army wife, we had a number of sahayaks who regularly ring us up now and are part of our extended family. Our sons, who are in the corporate sector take practical advice from their buddy, Rajesh, our last sahayak, on a number of issues like the registration of vehicle, licence, etc. The newest member of our family, our daughter-in-law, a corporate professional, paid the ultimate tribute and declared Rajesh as the best event organiser and financial juggler as she saw him managing her wedding on a limited budget.
A man gets Rs 500 notes without serial numbers printed on them from a State Bank of India ATM machine.

By Asian News International: Post demonetisation, various cases of fake/misprinted notes being dispensed from the ATMs arose which caused chaos and trouble for the already troubled people.

In a similar incident, a SBI ATM in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh disbursed Rs 500 notes without serial number on them when a man named Narayan Prasad Ahirwal withdrew an amount of 1,000 from the ATM.

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After realising that the notes didn't have serial number printed on them, two more people withdrew cash from the machine to check the notes. After six Rs 500 notes without the serial numbers were dispensed, everything went haywire causing a panic situation amongst people, the cashier of the bank, Sunil Jain had to intervene to control the situation.

The investigation is going on to conclude whether the notes were fake or misprinted, as told by the cashier, Sunil Jain.

Damoh (MP): A man gets Rs 500 notes without serial numbers printed on them from a State Bank of India ATM machine. pic.twitter.com/CKBmLzCEi3 ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

But, this is not the first time that the bank's ATM has been in news for disbursing fake currency, a similar incident occurred a week before when a SBI ATM disbursed 4 notes printed with "Children Bank Of India" written on it.

The SBI ATM was situated in Sangam Vihar, South Delhi from where a call centre employee took out 8,000 INR cash. The notes had "Children Bank of India" instead of Reserve Bank Of India. Along with it, the notes also had a "PK" logo on them.

Also read: Rs 2000 notes from Children Bank of India: Row over SBI ATM dispensing fake cash

In another shocking incident, another SBI ATM was accused of dispensing fake and scanned notes Rs 2,000 notes in UP's Shahjahanpur. A man, identified as Puneet Gupta, withdrew Rs 10,000 when he noticed that the notes were not actual notes but a scanned copy of the real notes.

Also read: Fake Rs 2,000 notes return to haunt; SBI ATM dispenses counterfeit currency in UP's Shahjahanpur

Looks like SBI needs to stop playing 'Monopoly' with people.

Also watch: SBI ATM found dispensing fake cash of Rs 2000 notes from Children Bank of India

--- ENDS ---
Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, February



The Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are working on the fissures in the relationship between the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party to widen the rift between the two outfits ahead of next week's Budget Session of the Maharashtra Assembly.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

According to sources, interlocutors of the NCP are in touch with leaders of both Congress and Shiv Sena to embarrass Chief Minister Devendra Fadnaviss government on the floor of the Maharashtra Assembly. Among the measures under consideration include defeating one of the two money bills that will come up before the House for voting.



Also on the table is a no-confidence motion against the government.



Every thing will depend on the Shiv Sena, which has to first resign from the Devendra Fadnavis government, Congress party leader Narayan Rane said. Although Rane ridicules the Shiv Sena for not having the guts to walk out of the government, sources said he is working behind the scenes to bring about an alliance of non-BJP parties in

Maharashtra.

Following the BJP's good showing in the local elections, Rane and Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan were the first to call for an alliance with the Shiv Sena in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation.

House position

Total members 288

BJP 122

Shiv Sena 63

NCP 41

Congress 42

The first step will see these parties work together to install the Shiv Sena's candidate as mayor of Mumbai, sources said. While Shiv Sena has 88 members against the BJP's 82 in the 227-member BMC, it expects to draw support from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's seven corporators. The Congress, NCP and other smaller parties are

considering fielding their own candidate for the polls to ensure that

the Shiv Sena wins comfortably.



On the other hand, the Shiv Sena is yet to reject the overtures of the non-BJP parties in Maharashtra. Sanjay Raut, editor of party mouthpiece Saamna, told reporters that the Shiv Sena would announce its stand at the appropriate moment.



While BJP has 122 members in 288-member Maharashtra assembly, the Shiv Sena with 63 MLAs, the NCP and Congress with 41 and 42 MLAs, respectively, have the numbers to topple the Fadnavis government.
Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, February 28

Kristalia Georgieva, CEO of the World Bank, on Tuesday travelled a short distance on a Mumbai local train for a first-hand experience of the city's commuting practices.

According to officials of the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation which is carrying out major upgrades of the city's suburban railway network with funding from the World Bank, Georgieva took a second class ladies compartment from Churchgate to Dadar.

MRVC CMD Prabhat Sahai accompanied her in an adjacent compartment, according to sources. She boarded the train with a team of 20 officials.

Georgieva interacted with women commuters on their experience with Mumbai's suburban railway system.

MRVC officials also made a presentation of various projects that are being carried out with the funding from the international agency for the World Bank official.

Later, speaking to reporters Georgieva said India was the World Bank's biggest middle-income client. I am keen to learn more as India is a laboratory for the world to learn about what works in development and to find new ways to collaborate," she said.

In the past too, various World Bank officials who had come to inspect Mumbai's suburban train services had suggested major modifications of the railways. The large number of commuters falling off the trains during peak hour has often been discussed by visiting officials.

Among the proposals on the table include converting the entire suburban railway network into air-conditioned services so that doors are shut while the trains are in motion.
New Delhi, February 28

Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, who has been in the news for her Twitter campaign against alleged violence by ABVP at Ramjas College, on Tuesday tweeted that she was withdrawing from the Save DU campaign.

I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say.. (1/2)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

I have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take :)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

The campaign is about students and not about me. Please go to the March in huge numbers. Best of luck.  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

To anyone questioning my courage and bravery.. I've shown more than enough  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

Twenty-year-old Kaur, had started the campaign, I am not afraid of ABVP, following the violence at Ramjas College, which went viral and received massive support from students across various universities.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Im withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say... Kaur said in a tweet.

I have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take, the student of Delhis Lady Sri Ram College said.

She, however, did ask students to join the march that was being held in the Delhi University on Tuesday.

The campaign is about students and not about me. Please go to the March in huge numbers. Best of luck, she added.

To anyone questioning my courage and bravery.. Ive shown more than enough, she said.

Kaur, daughter of a Kargil martyr, launched a social media campaign against the ABVP after Ramjas College witnessed large-scale violence between members of AISA and ABVP supporters last week.

The genesis of the clash was an invite to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar on Culture of Protests which was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by the ABVP.

She posted a video on Facebook with placards, one of them saying: I am a student of Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me.

She then allegedly received rape and life threats on the social media by some who called her anti-national.

Kejriwal meets L-G

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sought the arrest of ABVP activists blamed for violence in Delhi University and said Lt Governor Anil Baijal had promised "strict action".

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader tweeted that he met Baijal and demanded the arrest of "those who caused violence in DU, shouted anti-India slogans and who threatened (student) Gurmehar (Kaur).

"He (Baijal) assured strict action," Kejriwal said.

I stand by my statement, says Minister

Rijiju claimed on Tuesday that his remark was aimed at "the Leftists" and that Kaur was free to express her views.

"I stand by my comments. Anybody who tweets on social media platform should be careful. But anyone with a contrary view should be allowed to speak. Gurmehar is a young girl and she should be allowed to speak her mind," he told reporters here.

"When I said somebody is polluting her (Gurmehar's) mind, I meant the Leftists," he said, adding that threats issued to Kaur will be dealt with firmly.

"But someone is playing politics over the issue," he said.

Rijiju also criticised the Opposition for their support of Delhi University students who were protesting against the ABVP for the simmering student unrest.

He accused the Left of celebrating whenever an Indian soldier died.

"In 1962 when the Chinese were fighting with us, the Leftists supported the Chinese. Even today when our soldiers die, they celebrate. They also go to the universities and try to mislead our youth," he said.

The minister called Kejriwal of being an "anarchist" for supporting students who wanted to cause trouble and asked the Congress  which has also been critical of the ABVP over the issue  to "stay away because they had no ideology".  PTI/ IANS
Chandigarh, February 28

Bharti Kisan Union president Balbir Singh Rajewal said his organisation was with Gurmehar Kaur and that the BJP and its affiliates had exhibited moral bankruptcy by targeting a young girl whose father had sacrificed his life while defending the country.

He said film actor Randeep Hooda should tender an unconditional apology to Gurmehar or the BKU would oppose the screening of his films in Punjab.

Former Deputy Speaker Bir Devinder Singh said Gurmehar Kaur had taken a brave step. Students in universities and collages are not captive slaves of the ABVP, he said. Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of a Kargil hero, deserves all our support in her bold endeavour to strengthen free voice in secular India, he added.  TNS
Houston, February 28

Adam Purinton, the man charged with killing Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injuring two others in an apparent hate crime at a pub in Kansas, has made his first court appearance.

The US Navy veteran appeared before a court here on Monday.

Also read: Trump stokes hate crime in US by keeping mum on Kansas shooting: NYT

Michelle Durrett from the Johnson County Public Defenders Office will serve as Purintons attorney.

The FBI is also helping gather evidence in the shooting because Kansas does not have a hate crime statute.

If their agents can prove that Purintons alleged actions constitute a hate crime, he could face federal charges that could potentially carry the death penalty.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Purinton is currently being held in the Johnson County jail on a USD 2-million cash bond.

Prosecutors claim Purinton opened fire inside Austins restaurant in Olathe on last Wednesday night, killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla and wounding his Indian colleague Alok Madasani.

Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American man, was also injured while intervening in the shooting.

Police arrested Purinton in Henry County, west central Missouri, after he reportedly walked into an Applebees restaurant there and confided to the bartender that he had been involved in a shooting.

The shooter was charged on Thursday with first-degree murder. He was also charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder in the shootings of Alok and Grillot.

He was extradited back to Kansas on Friday.

US firm extends helping hand to wife of slain techie

US firm Garmin, where slain Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla was employed, has pledged to ensure that his wife is able to return to America after she travels to India for her husbands last rites.

Sunayana Dumala expressed concern after her 32-year-old husbands shooting death at a Kansas bar, that her travel visa would become invalid, making her ineligible to continue living in the United States.

Garmin has to make sure that I can come back to this country at my will and pursue his dreams of me being successful in any field that I choose, Dumala said during a press conference.

Company officials said Kuchibhotla had a work permit or a H1B visa and that Dumala had an H4 visa.

He is the main holder of the visa, which allowed his wife to live and work in the United States.

My husband came to the United States with lots of dreams. We made Kansas our home, we made Olathe our home, Dumala said.

Garmins in-house legal counsel as well as its immigration counsel are working on Dumalas travel arrangements. Several local law firms, including Bryan Cave, have come forward to offer free legal assistance, said Laurie Minard, Garmins vice president of human resources.

The law firm also works to ensure that spouses of Garmins employees have access to various resources and are able to connect with people in their community.

Garmin had sponsored Kuchibhotla as well as other employees from India, Asia and other countries throughout their tenure with the company.

That is why she was very concerned with him not being here and if she left would she be able to come back, Minard said.

We have assured her that we will help her with that, he added. PTI
Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 28

Less than three months after Sonepat Additional Sessions Judge Gagan Geet Kaur placed the investigating team in the dock in the Murthal rape case, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today said it had reasons to believe the judge was being pressured. The Bench also asked Haryana not to pressure him.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Though the Division Bench of Justice SS Saron and Justice Darshan Singh refused to elaborate, the assertion once again raised fundamental questions over the independence of subordinate judiciary and the compulsions to safeguard it. The Bench also expressed concern over purported assurances on withdrawal of cases registered in connection with the agitation and categorically expressed its desire to refer to the CBI 2000-plus FIRs registered in connection with the reservation row that triggered the Jat agitation.

As the case came up for resumed hearing, the Bench referred to proceedings on a previous date to say the investigating teams stand before the High Court and a Sonepat court was at variance. The team had told the High Court that investigations regarding gangrape were on, while the Sonepat court was told that the offence stood deleted.

The Bench, on a previous date, had referred to a report by the Sonepat Additional Sessions Judge to say she had asserted that the probe was eyewash and the chapter of gangrape had been closed.

The Bench this afternoon said: We are getting the impression that there is pressure on the trial judge. Dont pressure the ladyDont put any pressure. Responding to the assertion, Additional Solicitor-General of India Tushar Mehta on the States behalf dubbed the development as shocking. Mehta suggested calling the Judge to the High Court for finding out the person who intervened in judicial functioning before taking him to task. Referring to the Murthal case, he said the investigating agency had made some progress while seeking time to place before the Bench a progress report in the matter.

The Bench then asked battery of lawyers appearing for the State of Haryana regarding newspaper reports on cases being withdrawn. The Bench was of the view that the cases could be withdrawn by following the due process of law where offence was not made out against the accused.

There is lurking fear of government withdrawing the cases. It is a cause for concern. Impression should not go that the cases are being withdrawn under pressure, the Bench asserted.

The amicus curiae or the friend of the Court, Anupam Gupta, added the assurances and promises on dropping the cases were being made in public domain. Nothing is wrong as long as the agitation is peaceful. But if assurance is that the officers will be reinstated and cases withdrawn, why is the government not standing on this? he said.

Earlier during the proceedings, the Bench asserted: We want to refer all the cases to the CBI Only one related to a cabinet minister has been referred. The assertion came as the Bench took up a plea challenging the Haryana Governments decision to hand over to the CBI two cases of damage to residence and properties of state Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyus family.
Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, February 28

Controversial BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj on Tuesday advocated cremation for Muslims as he said that land for qabristan (graveyard) would slowly leave no place to live, no place for agriculture.

He claimed that this practice was prevalent in Muslim countries.

He said the last rites of all should be at the same place irrespective of religion.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

He said 'Sabka saath, sabka vikas' was possible only when there would be land for development.

He said that "this will check terrorism as terrorist indulge in terror acts as they are promised paradise after death" where they will be in the company of 'hurs' (female angels).

If terrorists are cremated their life will end here in this world with no promise of paradise and 'hurs'.
Jitendra K Shrivastava

Tribune News Service

Patna, February 27

The Bihar chapter of IAS Officers Association has adopted a resolution that its members would not take verbal orders from higher authorities, including the Chief Ministers Office, and act only on written instructions.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The move follows the arrest of Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) ex-Chairman Sudhir Kumar, senior-most IAS officer, for his alleged role in a paper leak scam.

Upset with the developments, an association delegation met CM Nitish Kumar and Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh and apprised them of their concerns. They have demanded a CBI inquiry to bring out the truth.

Expressing solidarity with Sudhir, the members said they would wear black bands till the 1987-batch IAS officer was released. He was arrested from Hazaribagh in Jharkhand last week where he had gone on a three-day leave.

Claiming Sudhir was honest and innocent, a five-member delegation even met Governor Ram Nath Kovind yesterday and staged a protest outside Raj Bhawan.

The association will bear all expenses of Sudhirs legal fight. We protest the way the SIT arrested him even as he was neither absconding nor destroying any evidence. He was cooperating in the investigations, said Dipak Kumar Singh, association treasurer.

So far, 34 persons, including former BSSC Secretary Parmeshwar Ram, have been arrested in the case.
Sumit Hakhoo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 28

As Gurmehar Kaurs campaign has stirred nationalist vs anti-national debate, a displaced Kashmiri Pandit youths post on Facebook questioning her silence on Pakistan role in supporting terrorism and displacement of 3.5 lakh Hindus has gone viral on the social media.

Ashu Koul, a young telecommunication engineer, whose family like lakhs of Pandits was forced to leave the Valley in 1990 by terror groups supported by Pakistan, highlights the issue of narratives being put forward in Indian universities.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

My name is Ashu Koul and I am a Kashmiri migrant. A truck was responsible for my migration from my homeland Kashmir, has been shared countless times on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms highlighting the pain of displaced people who are living as refugees in their own country. He has also extended an invitation to Gurmehar to visit Jammu to see the plight of Pandits in camps, people living on border and LoC facing bullets from Pakistani army.

Get facts right

She (Gurmehar) needs to read history to know how Pakistan has sponsored terrorism in Kashmir. Like her father, thousands of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims were killed by terrorists in past 27 years.  Ashu Kaul, engineer
By Praveen Shekhar: Dangwimsai, wife of late Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, will meet Vice-President Hamid Ansari on Tuesday, demanding a court-monitored SIT probe into the allegations made in his suicide note.

Dangwimsai, along with Swaraj Abhiyan leaders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav and activist Harsh Mander among others will submit their request letter for an SIT-constituted probe by seniormost Supreme Court judges other than the ones named in Pul's 60-page suicide note.

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Kalikho's wife had written a letter to the Chief Justice of India, seeking his intervention to grant permission to register an FIR based on the suicide note.

Also read | Ex-Arunachal chief minister Kalikho Pul's widow seeks CBI probe into his suicide

Pul had committed suicide on August 9 last year.

PUL WROTE A 60-PAGE SUICIDE NOTE

In a 60-page note in Hindi, Pul purportedly wrote about his commitment to probity and alleged corruption by a range of public figures. His allegations named former and serving Supreme Court judges, senior law officers, politicians and other people holding high office. One of the charges made in the note was that relatives of two judges had, via some individuals, indicated that they wanted money from Pul in exchange for ensuring that President's rule in Arunachal not be declared illegal.

Dangwimsai released her letter addressed to the CJI and sought an FIR and an independent probe into the accusations. Her letter underlined that prior permission from the CJI or other senior judges was imperative before registration of the FIR and launching an investigation against the members of the higher judiciary.

Also read | Kalikho Pul found dead: All you need to know about the ex-Arunachal Pradesh CM

The Chief Justice treated her letter as a letter petition and posted the same before a two-judge bench comprising Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and Justice UU Lalit. When the matter came up for hearing on February 23, her lawyer Dushyant Dave objected to the listing of the matter on the judicial side.

"We had filed the plea on the administrative side and not on the judicial side. If your lordships insist on hearing it, we will not participate in it and we wish to withdraw", Dave said, citing the Veeraswamy judgment in his support.

--- ENDS ---
Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 28

The Supreme Court on Tuesday gave time until April 13 to Sahara to sell their properties and deposit Rs 5,092.64 crore towards refund of investors money.

A three-judge Bench headed by Justice Dipal Misra also issued notice to Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) that has acquired 91.65 acres of Sahara land. GDA is to compute and pay compensation to the tune of Rs 1112.70 crore.

The Bench had on February 8 ordered to attach Sahara groups prime property Aamby Valley estimated to be worth Rs 39,000 crore for the companys failure to pay over Rs 14,000 crore of the principal amount it owed to its investors.

It had also ordered Sahara to submit by February 20 a list of its properties free from encumbrances for auction to realise over Rs 14,000 crore, the remaining amount the company is supposed to pay to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) towards the money owed to duped investors.

But on Tuesday, the court granted Sahara more time and extended the parole of Subrata Roy after senior counsel Kapil Sibal pleaded for more time to dispose of the companys properties and deposit the remaining amount.

The list includes, Sahara Hospital, Lucknow; Sahara India Sadan Shakespear Sarani, Kolkatta; land at Sohna Road, Gurgaon; land at Najafgarh in Delhi; Sahara City Homes at Indore; Sahara City Homes at Lucknow; Sahara City Homes at Coimbatore; Sahara States, Bhopal; Sahara City Homes at Guna; Sahara City Homes, Land at Katni, M.P; Sahara City Homes, Land at Haridwar; Sahara City Homes, land at Pune; land & building at Whiltefield, Bangalore; Stake in Orange India Holdings Sarl, Silverstone, London and land at Ghaziabad.

Sahara has already deposited more than Rs 11,000 crore with SEBI and Rs 14,779 crore of the principal amount remains to be paid. Sahara had proposed to pay it by July 2019. On Tuesday, Sibal was pleading for three-month time but the court granted time only till April 13. It posted the matter for further hearing on April 17.

The Supreme Court had sent Sahara chief Subrata Roy to Tihar Jail in March 2014 after he failed to appear in response to its summons over non-payment of investors money. Roy has been on parole since May last year.

The court also directed an international real estate company MG Capital Holdings LLC  which evinced interest in buying Saharas stake in Plaza Hotel in New York for 550 million USD  to deposit Rs 750 crore by the next date of hearing to show its bona fides.

On the last date of hearing, the company handed over bank drafts for over Rs 600 crore to SEBI in the court.

As directed by the court, Sibal handed over a list of properties that could be disposed of to realize money towards refund to investors. But SEBI counsel said it was difficult to auction them as previous attempts could not get desired results.

Sibal said the court should keep these properties as security and allow Sahara to arrange money in six months. But the court gave time till April 17 and said if the company deposited the money, it could extend the time again.

Reserve Bank of India counsel Ramesh Babu told the court that RBI has filed a winding up petition against Sahara India Financial Corporation Limited and, therefore, any property belonging to the said company should not be allowed.
Vijayawada, February 28

Eleven people were killed and 30 others injured when a Hyderabad-bound bus fell into a canal after hitting a divider on National Highway-64 in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday.

The private Volvo bus with 44 people on board was on its way to Hyderabad from Bhubaneswar when the mishap occurred between two culverts on the highway, police said.

The passengers were fast asleep at the time of the accident.

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The bus driver, who was also killed in the mishap, was drowsy and lost control over the vehicle, police said.

Police were also investigating the duty status of the driver since it was a long-distance trip and two drivers were supposed to be on duty.

Over-speeding is also suspected to be one of the causes for the accident and a case has been registered against the bus operator, police said.

Nandigama Deputy Superintendent of Police Umamaheswara Rao is supervising the investigation.

The front portion of the bus was mangled and gas cutters had to be used to rip it open and extricate the bodies. Two cranes were also used to lift the bus from the canal.

Transport Minister Sidda Raghava Rao has ordered an inquiry into the mishap.

While nine people, including driver Adinarayana Reddy, were killed on the spot, one passenger died in a hospital at Nandigama while another died while being taken to Vijayawada.

Krishna District Superintendent of Police Vijaya Kumar rushed to Mullapadu to oversee rescue and relief operations.

After first aid, the injured passengers were shifted to two private hospitals in Gollapudi and Vijayawada.

Bus falls off flyover, 6 dead, 13 injured - ANI #News https://t.co/B17K4twdZK #accidente

 ANI Multimedia (@ANI_multimedia) February 28, 2017

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM (Home) N China Rajappa have expressed grief over the accident.

Six of the deceased have been identified so far while efforts are on to identify the rest using the reservation chart.

Most of the victims belonged to Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada. PTI
Hyderabad, February 28

Amid heart-rending scenes, the mortal remains of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US in an apparent hate crime incident, were consigned to flames here on Tuesday.

Read: Kansas suspect appears in court; US firm extends help to techies wife

Kuchibhotla's father Madhusudana Rao lit the funeral pyre at the crematorium in Jubilee Hills in the afternoon.

The parents of the 32-year-old engineer were in deep sorrow over the tragedy that has struck them.

Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, several other leaders, family members and friends of Kuchibhotla were present on the occasion.

As the funeral pyre was lit, some of those present at the crematorium raised slogans in memory of Kuchibhotla and against the US administration.

The body was earlier taken to the crematorium from his house at Bachupally on the city's outskirts.

It was a picture of sadness and grief at the house, where a pall of gloom had descended, as Kuchibhotla's wife Sunayana took part in the last minute rituals.

His parents and other family members too looked crest-fallen.

Kuchibhotla had been working at the Garmin headquarters in Olathe in Kansas City. Another Indian and his colleague Alok Madasani was injured in the incident that took place on last Wednesday.

A teacher of Kuchibhotla recalled him as a simple and good-natured person who always had a positive outlook towards life.

The engineer's body was brought to his parents' house shortly before midnight yesterday after being flown from the US to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here.

Ministers from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, MLAs and other leaders belonging to different political parties visited his house here after the shooting incident.

Union Ministers M Venkaiah Naidu and Bandaru Dattatreya had earlier visited the family.

The shooting incident had taken place at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri.

Ian Grillot, an American, was injured when he tried to tackle the accused Adam Purinton (51), who was arrested on Thursday morning, five hours after the incident.

Purinton had reportedly yelled "get out of my country" before opening fire on Kuchibhotla and Madasani.  PTI
Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

Nautanwa/Mau/Azamgarh, Feb 28

Majority of the voters, including youngsters, seem to have no problem with dreaded criminals like Mukhtar Ansari, who is contesting from jail to retain his Mau seat.

Times may have changed but the meaning of words such as varchaswa (dominance) and sanrakshan (protection) continue to remain the same in these parts and so does the glamour associated with the Robin Hood type image of such elements. So, the percentage of contestants with criminal background continues to be high.

Ansari, with more than 44 criminal cases registered against him, is not just expected to retain his seat in the Mau district but also influence some in the neighbouring Yadav-Dalit-Muslim dominated Azamgarh district in BSPs favour.

Meanwhile, another interesting story is being played out in Nautanwa in Maharajganj district on the India-Nepal border. It serves as the entry point to the neighbouring country and thereby lies the reason for peoples penchant for a bahubali element as a representative.

Though not so rampant as it was in 1980s when mafia dons Virendra Pratap Shahi and Hari Shankar Tewari ruled, small-time smuggling continues to provide livelihood to several locals engaged in ferrying small goods and items across the border, wherein comes the need of sanrakshan.

One of the contestants here is Amanmani Tripathi, son of mafia-turned-politician Amarmani Tripathi. Though as per Jeet Bahadur Singh, a Nautanwa resident, it is Amarmani who is contesting from the jail.

The interesting point here is that Amanmani, like his father and mother, is currently in the judicial custody. For the uninitiated, Amarmani and his wife are serving a life sentence in the Madhumita Shukla murder case.

But Amanmani stands a good chance of reaching Lucknow despite him facing a CBI probe for alleged murder of his wife Sara, Singh says.

With everyone in the jail, it is now left to Amarmanis daughters Tanushree and Alakita to campaign for their brother, who, they insist is innocent and framed just like their father.

Fighting against Amanmani is Samajwadi candidate Kunwar Kaushal Kishore alias Munna Singh, a criminal in his own right.

Mafia-turned-politician Hari Shankar Tiwari was the first to be elected to a legislature while still in jail in 1985. His son Vinay Tewari is contesting from Chillupar, a constituency in Gorakhpur district.

Prof Harsh K Sinha attributes the genesis of mafia dons in these parts to failure of administration during 1980s. Politicians used local strongmen to get government and railway contracts and votes. Later, the gangsters themselves started getting into politics.
Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

Nautanwa/Mau/Azamgarh, February 28

Despite the prevailing discourse on the need to end criminalisation in politics, most mafia dons or gangsters contesting the ongoing polls in Purvanchal parts  Faizabad, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Mau, et al  of Uttar Pradesh seem to be doing pretty well.

Barring some, the majority, and that includes youngsters, are quite okay with gangster-turned-politicians like Mukhtar Ansari, who is contesting from jail to retain his Mau seat.

Times may have changed but the meaning of words like varchaswa (dominance) and sanrakshan (protection) continues to remain the same in these parts and so does the glamour associated with the "Robin Hood-type image of such elements.

No wonder therefore that the percentage of contestants with criminal background continues to be high.

Ansari, with 44 criminal cases registered against him, is not just expected to retain his seat in Mau district, but also influence a couple of seats in the neighbouring Yadav-Dalit-Muslim dominated Azamgarh district in BSP's favour.

He is not just expected to retain his seat in Mau district but also influence a couple in the neighbouring Yadav-Dalit- Muslim dominated Azamgarh district in BSP's favour.

Meanwhile, another interesting story is being played out in Nautanwa in Maharajganj district on the India-Nepal border.

Its border serves as the entry point to the neighbouring country and thereby lies the reason for people's penchant for a bahubali (muscleman) as a representative.

Though not so rampant or lucrative as it was in 1980s when mafia dons like Virendra Pratap Shahi and Hari Shankar Tewari ruled, small-time smuggling continues to provide livelihood to several locals engaged in peddling goods across the border, wherein comes the need of sanrakshan.

One of the contestants here is Amanmani Tripathi, son of mafia-turned-politician Amarmai Tripathi.

Though as per Jeet Bahadur Singh, a Nautanwa resident, it is Amarmani who is contesting from the jail.

The interesting point here is that Amanmani, like his father and mother, is currently in judicial custody. Amarmani and his wife are serving life sentence in the Madhumita Shukla murder case.

But Amanmani stands a good chance of reaching Lucknow despite facing a CBI probe for alleged murder of his wife Sara, says Singh.

With parents and brother in jail, it is now left to Amarmani's daughters Tanushree and Alakita to campaign for Amanmani who, they insist, is innocent and framed just like their father.

Contesting against Amanmani is Samajwadi Party candidate Kunwar Kaushal Kishore alias Munna Singh, a criminal in his own right.

Notably, mafia-turned-politician Hari Shankar Tiwari, was the first to be elected to a legislature while still in jail in 1985.

His son, Vinay Tewari is contesting from Chillupar, a constituency in Gorakhpur district. Cousin Ganesh Shankar Pandey is in the fray in Paniyra in the Maharajganj district.

Prof Harsh K Sinha attributes the genesis of mafia dons in these parts to failure of administration during 1980s.

Politicians used local strongmen to get government and railway contracts and votes. Later, the gangsters themselves started getting into politics.

Easy accessibility to voters and supporters and proximity to the political system helped them build larger-than-life Robin Hood-type image.

As per Sinha, their success in politics is reflection of failure of the administration to provide what is promised to people. Ansari, locals claim, continues to be a major source of help, including financial aid to supporters.
Our Correspondent

Ferozepur, February 28

In a late night action yesterday, the Ferozepur Police arrested 18 persons, including two minors, owing allegiance to various Sikh outfits. A case was registered against them for allegedly clashing with dera followers and preventing them from attending naam charcha in Makhu and Mallanwala in the district.

The accused were presented in a court in Zira sub-division, which sent them to 10-day judicial remand.

The minors were sent to juvenile home in Ludhiana, while the others have been lodged in Central Jail in Ferozepur. Those arrested include Dilbagh Singh, who according to the police was the main accused behind the recent incidents during which the radical Sikhs and dera followers came face-to-face.

Most of the accused belong to groups like Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj, Raj Karega Khalsa Forum, Taksal Mehta, Dal Panth, and Punjab Youth Organisation.

Police sources said out of 18 persons arrested for clashing with premis at Makhu, 11 were also involved in Mallanwala episode.
Gagan K Teja

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 28

Aam Aadmi Party MP from Sangrur Bhagwant Mann visited Patiala on Tuesday to meet party volunteers who have been guarding strong rooms where EVMs are kept.

He is on a four-day visit to all districts of the state to meet such volunteers.

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Later, talking to the media, Mann said it is the love of the masses that had given the AAP the confidence of forming government in the state and they would not disappoint Punjabis.

The former comedian predicted that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Congress state president Capt Amarinder Singh would face their worst-ever defeat in the Assembly election.
Nikhil Bhardwaj & Mahesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana/Ahmedgarh, Feb 28

The police constituted an eight-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the murder of Dera Sacha Sauda followers Satpal Joshi and Ramesh Joshi, even as the stalemate over the father-son duos cremation continued today.

The SIT, set up by IGP, Jalandhar Zone, LK Yadav is headed by Ludhiana DIG SK Kalia. It includes the Khanna SSP and SP(D), two DSPs (Shahkot and Banga), and three inspectors (Ludhiana Rural, Nawanshahr and Jalandhar Rural).

Senior police officers, including Yadav, Kalia and SSP Satinder Singh, and officials of the district administration today held a meeting with the deras political wing. The over two-hour-long talks remained inconclusive as the dera leaders stuck to their stand of not lifting the dharna till the assailants are arrested. Satpal and Ramesh were gunned down in Ahmedgarhs Jaghera village on Saturday night.

After the meeting, political wing member Mahinder Insan announced that the dharna would continue indefinitely. He was backed by thousands of followers, who demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits.

Mahinder said, We were told by senior cops that 16 teams are on the job. However, we want action, not just assurance.

DIG SK Kalia said technical teams were trying to get clear images of the accused from the CCTV footage so as to make sketches.
Mohit Khanna

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 28

Over 2,000 students of Guru Nanak Girls College on Tuesday staged a protest and blocked the chowk outside the college at Model Town here after the names of 50 students were struck off due to attendance shortage.

A BA final year student also attempted suicide.

A high drama took place after Shubhi Jain Rehan, a student of BA III, along with husband Abhishek Rehan, accused the principal of questioning her marital status.

It was shocking and was not expected from a principal. Soon after we met the principal she started accusing us that we had eloped and married against the wishes of parents, said the newly married couple.

Principal Charanjit Kaur Mahal denied the allegations.

Soon Shubhis family reached the college and joined the protest.

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The student, who also tried to commit suicide, said she came from a modest background. I do odd jobs to fund my studies. My name was stuck off merely because I could not attend the college for six days. I was being pressed to pay Rs 3,500 for readmission. I dont have the money. With no choice left, I decided to end my life, she said.

Majority of the students whose names were stuck off were those who married recently.

The parents who accompanied the married students alleged that each time they met the principal she misbehaved with them saying they would have married off their daughters on long weekends.

Students were seen holding placards to register protest as they lay siege at Model Town Chowk.

The strike took a political turn after Gurdeep Singh Gosha of the SAD and Ajaypreet Singh, son of Lok Insaaf Party supremo Simarjit Bains, joined the protest.

Ajaypreet Singh, while demanding an unconditional apology from the principal, allegedly entered into a scuffle with a police constable.

The thee-hour-long protest intensified after students lifted the dharna and entered the college premises demanding an apology from the principal.

Earlier, students were locked in classrooms to prevent them from joining the protest. This triggered angry protests and students managed to forcibly open the doors.

Principal Charajit Kaur Mahal said they were following the university rule of maintaining 75 per cent attendance. She denied stopping any student from joining the protest.

Many students complained that they received threats from college staff and were told their names would be struck off in case they joined the protest.

Till the time of filing this report the college management was persuading the students to end the protest.
Delhi Metro smart cards will become non-refundable from April 1. Till March 31, people have time to get their refunds for the smart cards.

By India Today Web Desk: Close to 70 per cent of the Delhi Metro users have smart cards that enable them to avail a discount of 10 per cent on all their journeys in the Metro.

Presently, the minimum value of a DMRC smart card is Rs 200, where Rs 50 is refundable security and the remaining Rs 150 is credited to the smart card for journeys.

advertisement

DMRC announced today that the Delhi Metro smart cards will be non-refundable from April 1.

FYI: || It's raining cash: Rs 24.68 lakh cash found in box outside ATM ||

This move was made to comply with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, the Delhi Metro Rail Corp (DMRC) said in a statement.

The smart cards sold after April 1 and the cards already in circulation will become non-refundable, it said.

The passenger-holders will be given a "sunset period" from March 1 till March 31, during which the passengers can get the money refunded for their smart cards from the Metro stations, DMRC said.

COMES WITH A PRICE AFTER APRIL 1

The DMRC said that the Delhi Metro commuters will get back only the security deposit, after relevant deductions, if they return the smart cards after April 1.

Watch: DU protest: As students march against Ramjas violence, ABVP turns defensive

--- ENDS ---
Washington, February 28

SpaceX will fly two thrill-seeking passengers on a week-long trip around the Moon next year, the American spaceflight company has announced, marking the furthest and fastest humans have ever travelled to deep space.

The unnamed passengers have already paid a significant deposit to do a Moon mission aboard the companys Dragon spacecraft.

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We are excited to announce that SpaceX has been approached to fly two private citizens on a trip around the Moon late next year, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said in a statement.

This presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep space for the first time in 45 years and they will travel faster and further into the solar system than any before them, said Musk.

The company will conduct health and fitness tests, as well as begin initial training later this year.

As part of NASAs Commercial Crew Programme, SpaceX will launch its Crew Dragon (Dragon Version 2) spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) this year.

This first demonstration mission will be in automatic mode, without people on board, the company said.

A subsequent mission with crew is expected to fly in the second quarter of 2018.

Like the Apollo astronauts before them, these individuals will travel into space carrying the hopes and dreams of all humankind, driven by the universal human spirit of exploration, SpaceX said.

SpaceX is currently contracted to perform an average of four Dragon 2 missions to the ISS per year, three carrying cargo and one carrying crew.

By also flying privately crewed missions, which NASA has encouraged, long-term costs to the government decline and more flight reliability history is gained, benefiting both government and private missions, the company said.

Once operational Crew Dragon missions are underway for NASA, SpaceX will launch the private mission on a journey to circumnavigate the Moon and return to the Earth.

Lift-off will be from Kennedy Space Centers historic Pad 39A near Cape Canaveral  the same launch pad used by the Apollo programme for its lunar missions.

Designed from the beginning to carry humans, the Dragon spacecraft already has a long flight heritage.

These missions will build upon that heritage, extending it to deep space mission operations, an important milestone as towards the companys ultimate goal of transporting humans to Mars.  PTI
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 28

Simran Jeet Kaur, Judicial Magistrate 1, Dehradun, has cancelled the bail of Dr Atul Kishan Bhatnagar, head of the Subharti group of Institutions, whose cheques of several crores of rupees issued to complainant Nitu Verma had bounced. Dr Bhatnagar allegedly issued her cheques in a deal that she would designate him as a trustee of her Shri Shri 1008 Narayan Swami Charitable Trust that is running Shridev Suman Shubharti Medical College in Dehradun.

Nitu, who claims to be the original owner of the medical college in question, pleaded in the court that the accused had not renewed the bank surety given in his bail plea and was trying to mislead the court with his absence. Hence his bail plea should be rejected.

The Judicial Magistrate, acting on a report received from her office stating that the given bank fixed deposits for the bail expired on November 12, 2015, and October 17, 2015, ordered cancellation of Dr Bhatnagars bail.

With this development the dispute over the accreditation of Sridev Suman Subharti Medical College, Dehradun, has turned murkier, jeopardising the future of 150 MBBS students, who were enrolled in 2016-17.

An Oversight Committee (OC) of the Medical Council of India (MCI) mandated by the Supreme Court had given conditional permission to Dr Jagat Narain Subharti Charitable Trust to establish Sridev Suman Subharti Medical College in Dehradun but during inspection and evaluation on October 26 and 27 the MCI found several discrepancies, besides a land ownership dispute.

Thereafter the executive committee of MCI at a meeting held on January 13 this year recommended to the Uttarakhand Ministry of Health and the oversight committee that Sridev Suman Shubharti Medical College should be debarred from admitting students to the MBBS course for two years. It also decided to encash the bank guarantee of Rs 11.50 crore furnished by the Dr Jagat Narain Subharti Charitable Trust to run the medical college in pursuance of the directives passed by the oversight committee.

The MCI in its report stated that, The trust does not fulfil the qualifying criteria of establishment of a new medical college. The trust possesses 13.59 acres, which is disputed, and has failed to get any relief from the Uttarakhand High Court. The minimum requirement according to the MCI regulation is 20 acres, which could be in two pieces not more than 10 km apart. One piece should be of minimum five acres which was not the case as the college was having land in three pieces in three revenue villages, said the report. Meanwhile, the college authorities have expressed ignorance whether Dr Bhatnagars bail has been cancelled.

Aggrieved medical students have welcomed the court order. They alleged that the college had charged exorbitant fees of Rs 11 lakh. Due to the dispute their future was in jeopardy and a compensation of Rs 25 lakh, according to the Allahabad High court ruling in the MC Saxena Medical College, Lucknow, case should be paid to each of them.

Medical Education Director Dr Ashutosh Sayana said, We are making efforts to ensure that the future of the students is not endangered and the department will try to adjust them elsewhere. We are working to act on the directions of the Secretary, Medical Education, the MCI and the Union government and ensure the refund of fees as soon as they receive directions in this regard.
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 28

Renowned scientist Dr RA Mashelkar delivered a lecture on Reinventing India as an Innovation Nation on National Science Day at Raj Bhawan here today. The series of lectures is being organised on the initiative of Governor KK Paul.

Mashelkar, a Padma Vibhushan awardee, said, India is innovative but it has somewhere lost its culture. The need of the hour is to regain that culture of innovation. We need to bring the scientific temper to help our nation develop. Education, research and innovation must go together in our universities. The current government is moving very rapidly towards initiatives such as Make in India, Digital India, Skill India and Startup India, which lay stress on inventing, innovating and make in India, he said.

He added innovation was crucial for the progress of the country. The journey from invention to the actual product being placed in the market is a difficult one, he said.

Mashelkar, former Director General of CSIR and now president of Global Research Alliance, said a world class Indian innovation ecosystem would flourish if three building blocks, namely talent, technology and trust, were in place. We have Indian minds that can create cutting-edge technology and they are doing it for multinationals. We have to give them charge to do this for the nation. Talent, technology and trust are the key drivers of innovation, he added.

He said research converts money into knowledge and innovation turns knowledge into money. However, innovation converts knowledge into money, he added while emphasising the need for and the importance of patent literacy.

Mashelkar stressed the need for new value systems and new policies for promoting the culture of innovation in India. He said innovation would have to include not just technological innovation but also policy, system delivery, research process, business model, workflow and organisational innovation. The importance of grass-roots innovations, which recognise that everyone is someone and India does not mean 1.30 million mouths, but means 1.30 million minds.

India is the first country to enter the Mars orbit in the first attempt and at a record low cost of $74 million against the US mission $ 671 million, he added.

He said making high technology work for the poor should be the aim of these innovations. Despite income inequality, we have to ensure access equality, he said.

Earlier, the Governor welcomed Mashelkar and introduced him to the audience. The Uttarakhand Industries Association organised a science exhibition on the occasion. It displayed innovative projects of students of various universities of Uttarakhand and by the Directorate of Women Empowerment and Child Welfare.
Washington, February 28

The White House on Tuesday indicated that US President Donald Trump "got something" in return from Beijing for agreeing to the 'One China' policy on Taiwan, which he had earlier questioned following his electoral victory.

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"The President always gets something," the White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters at his daily news conference when asked about Trump's change in the 'One China' policy over the past few months.

Breaking with past traditions, Trump, following his victory in November election, has made a call to Taiwan, and openly questioned the sanctity of the 'One China' policy, suggesting that Washington is not bound to follow its nearly three-decade-old policy to support one China unless Beijing agrees to a new trade deal.

However, Trump reaffirmed US support for the One China policy during his first phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping early this month.

Spicer said that Trump agreed to stick with the One China policy at the request of Chinese President Jinping.

"He (Trump) had a conversation with President Xi, I'm not going to get into the details of it, but at President Xi's request and after a discussion, the President reaffirmed the one China policy. The President (Trump) is not the one to discuss his negotiating tactics," Spicer said.

"But did he insure the American people get something?" he was asked. "The President always gets something," Spicer said.

Under the 'One China' policy, considered to be the cornerstone of Sino-US relations, the US recognises and has formal ties with China rather than the island of Taiwan, which China sees as a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland one day.

Meanwhile, Trump's nominee for Ambassador to China - Iowa Governor Terry Branstad - was also praised by the White House.

"He is known for his soft policies on China. I think he's going to do a phenomenal job representing our nation. He starts with a deep understanding of the Chinese economy, the Chinese government. That is going to really serve our nation well," he said.

The Iowa Governor, he said, has deep understanding and ties to China and to China's economy and the Chinese officials. PTI
United Nations, February 28

Russia on Tuesday cast its seventh veto to protect the Syrian government from United Nations Security Council action, blocking a bid by Western powers to impose sanctions over accusations of chemical weapons attacks during the six-year Syrian conflict.

China backed Russia and cast its sixth veto on Syria. Russia had said the vote on the resolution, drafted by France, Britain and the US, would harm UN-led peace talks between the warring Syrian parties in Geneva, which began last week.

Nine council members voted in favour, Bolivia voted against, while Egypt, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan abstained. A resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the US, France, Russia, Britain or China to be adopted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described the draft resolution on Tuesday as totally inappropriate. For my friends in Russia, this resolution is very appropriate, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told the council after the vote. It is a sad day on the Security Council when members start making excuses for other member states killing their own people. The world is definitely a more dangerous place, she said.

The vote was one of the first confrontations at the UN between Russia and the US since President Donald Trump took office in January, pledging to build closer ties with Moscow. Russias Deputy UN Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov described the statements made against Moscow in the UNSC as outrageous and declared that God will judge you.  Reuters
Sincan, February 28

The biggest trial of suspects accused of involvement in last year's failed July coup opened in Turkey today in a courtroom specially built to hold more than 1,500 people.

Some 330 suspects are being put on trial in Sincan outside the capital Ankara, and if convicted, they face multiple life sentences over their alleged links to the attempted overthrow of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Over 240 of those named in the indictment are in custody, state-run news agency Anadolu reported.

The suspects, many of them from the Polatli artillery and missile school command in Ankara, have been charged with murder or attempted murder.

They also stand accused of attempting to remove the government and parliament of the Turkish republic or trying to prevent those institutions from conducting their work.

The case is being heard at Sincan prison where there was heavy security in place, with a water cannon truck on site and a drone flying overhead as families arrived for the hearing.

The courtroom-which has space for 1,558 people-was packed with security forces surrounding the suspects as they testified.

The first suspect, a military cadet called Abdulkadir Kahraman, told the court that on the night of the coup, troops had been informed by their commander that there had been a terror attack and were given ammunition.

Other suspects gave similar statements, including Arif Ozan Demir who told the court the commander told them there had been an attack and that they should be prepared.

Ankara has blamed the failed putsch on Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen-who lives in self-imposed exile in the United States-and his movement.

Turkey has denounced the movement as a terrorist organisation and the suspects on trial at Sincan are also accused of belonging to an armed terror group.

The hearing is one of several cases that opened across the country this month, with 47 people going on trial in the western city of Mugla on charges of attempting to assassinate Erdogan.

Until now, the largest had been in the Aegean city of Izmir where 270 suspects went on trial late last month, among them Gulen who was being tried in absentia.  AFP
Washington, February 28

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has submitted to the White House a preliminary trans-regional plan that suggests deployment of all elements of US national power to defeat the Islamic State terror group around the globe.

The Department of Defence presented its preliminary plan to the White House today to defeat IS, the White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters yesterday.

This plan has been delivered by Secretary Mattis, who is currently briefing the principals on the option presented today and seeking their input and feedback, he said.

Part of the plan is to make sure that he fully discusses the recommendations that he is making and seek the input and feedback of the other principals. That can help guide where we go from here, how we go, he said in response to a question.

The Pentagon Press Secretary Capt Jeff Davis said the preliminary plan submitted by Mattis is trans-regional. This is not just a military plan. It draws upon all elements of national power-diplomatic, financial, cyber, intelligence (and) public diplomacy, Davis said.

The formulation of the plan fulfilled a campaign pledge by President Donald Trump, who had said that if elected he would order up a 30-day review on accelerated action to eliminate IS as a threat.

Last month, Trump visited the Pentagon for the first time to sign an executive order directing Mattis to draw up the plan within 30 days.

The military under the Obama administration was strongly opposed to the introduction of major elements of US conventional forces in combating the IS in Iraq and Syria, and backed the train, advise and assist role with local forces. While officials did not name countries or the region listed in the plan, the comments coming from them indicated that it also includes addressing the challenge of growing presence of IS in South Asia.  PTI

Trump to address joint session of US Congress
GENEVA, February 28

South Korea called on Tuesday for "collective measures" against North Korea, including possible suspension of its United Nations membership, saying the use of chemical weapons to assassinate the half-brother of North Korea's leader was a "wake-up call".

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se was addressing the UN-backed Conference on Disarmament (CD) after Malaysia's attorney general said two women would be charged with the murder of Kim Jong Nam.

US and South Korean officials believe he was the victim of an assassination orchestrated by North Korea.

"Just a few grams of VX is sufficient for mass killing," Yun told the Geneva forum, referring to the nerve agent that Malaysian police said was used.

"North Korea is reported to have not just grams but thousands of tonnes of chemical weapons including VX all over the country ... The recent assassination is a wake-up call to all of us to North Korea's chemical weapons capability and its intent to actually use them," Yun said.

States could invoke the Chemical Weapons Convention, as the use of such agents is in violation of international law, he said. Malaysia is part of the 1993 pact prohibiting their production, transfer and use, but North Korea is not.

Once the Malaysian government releases the results of its investigation, the UN Security Council and state parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention should take up the case as a "high priority", he said.

States that have ratified the chemical weapons ban could invoke the treaty and "take collective measures", Yun added.

"Now is the time, I believe, for us to seriously consider taking extraordinary measures in all relevant regional and international for a, including the UN as well as the CD. It could take the form of suspension of North Korea's rights and privileges as a UN member," he said, calling South Korea's isolated neighbour a "serial rule-breaker".

Yun, in a speech on Monday to the UN Human Rights Council, urged major powers to criminally pursue Pyongyang's leadership before its "ever-worsening" rights record, including mass executions and labour camps, threatened world peace.  Reuters
New York, February 28

By keeping mum on the killing of an Indian engineer in Kansas, President Donald Trump has "stoked" hate crime in America, a leading US daily has said, warning that his silence will "damage" the vitality and strength of the country.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

"President Trump and his administration have not only tried to keep many immigrants and foreign visitors out of the country, they have done so by casting them as criminals, potential terrorists and trespassers, out to steal the jobs and threaten the lives of Americans," the New York Times said yesterday in its editorial 'Who Belongs in Trump's America?'

"Rather than tamp down hate, the president has stoked it," it said. "He has not said anything about the Kansas shooting," the paper added.

32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was working in aviation systems for Olathe-based Garmin Ltd, died after he was shot by navy veteran Adam Purinton who, according to witnesses, yelled "get out of my country" and "terrorist" at a Kansas bar last Wednesday night before opening fire.

The NYT said while each act of hate is easily explained away as the work of a disturbed person, had these attacks been perpetrated by a Muslim or an undocumented immigrant, Trump would surely have claimed that he was right all along.

The editorial referred to the question "do we belong" posed by Srinivas Kuchibhotla's wife Sunayana Dumala after the killing of her husband.

The Trump administration has an "obligation" to convince people like Dumala that they do belong here, it said, adding that Dumala and millions of other members of minorities are "integral" to the US, which is almost entirely made up of immigrants and their descendants.

"If Trump does nothing, he will enable the perpetrators of hate crimes and he will damage the vitality and strength of the country," it said.

The editorial slammed Trump for being "shockingly slow" to condemn acts of hate perpetrated across the country following his election, saying his "denunciations of and policies" targeting Mexicans, Muslims and others have "reawakened and energised the demons of bigotry."

"... this history might not comfort marginalised groups who hear the administration's words and see what is happening in this country and wonder if it is safe to stay here, or come here," it said.

It said as hate crimes and other incidents of bias have flared up in Trump's America, Kuchibhotla's "murder" is one end of a continuum of hate and elsewhere, people have defiled or threatened violence at Jewish cemeteries and synagogues.

The NYT said Trump can learn from Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old who confronted the Kansas killer and was injured.

In a video from his hospital bed, Grillot said: "I was just doing what anyone should have done for another human being. It's not about where he was from or his ethnicity." PTI
By Kapil Sharma: Coming in support of the under-fire Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur the president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Manjit Singh GK said they will stand by her in all circumstances. Apart from standard criticism, Kaur has also received rape threats following a social media post where she spoke against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

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In a message sent to Kaur, who is a Kargil war martyr's daughter, and her family members, Manjit Singh GK said those threatening her cannot call themselves nationalistic or patriotic.

Terming the controversy over her post as lowly politics, GK said he was duty bound to stand by a girl who is like his daughter and whose father laid down his life for the nation. The DSGMC president said that the constitution of our country gives all citizens freedom of speech and a difference in opinion cannot result in muzzling the voices of others with the threats of acts that are not acceptable in a civilized world.

He went on to question how suggesting that India should not wage war against Pakistan makes Kaur less national or anti Indian. By threatening a girl who missed the love and affection of her father because he laid down his life for the nation, what message we are giving to rest of the world, Manjit Singh GK asked. GK added that he is regular touch with Kaur and her uncle, professor Devinder Singh, and will stand by them come what may.

Also read: Gurmehar Kaur's words may hurt but treat her like the child she is, says her father's former commanding officer

Also read: Not afraid of ABVP, says Kargil martyr's daughter

--- ENDS ---
The ABVP says it condemns violence and is committed to ensuring a peaceful atmosphere on DU campuses.

By India Today Web Desk: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) suspended its 2 students from the organisation's primary membership for violating the outfit's discipline and indulging in violence.

The two have been identified as Prashant and Vinayak.

This after the duo (both Delhi University students) and a JNU student, identified as Aman Sinha of the All India Students' Association (AISA) got into a scuffle on Tuesday evening following a heated argument on social media. Earlier in the evening, Left parties had held protest march against the violence on Ramjas College campus by ABVP workers.

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ABVP has said it condemns violence and is committed to ensuring a peaceful atmosphere in the campus. The ABVP has also promised that it will conduct an internal inquiry into the matter and based on its report, further action will be taken.

In a statement, ABVP said, "We demand that the police thoroughly investigate the matter and take appropriate action against those found guilty from both the factions."

Also read: Saying martyrs killed by war and not Pakistan is a great fallacy: Major General Shashikant Pitre

A WEEK OF UNREST

This comes amid a heated week for Delhi college campuses. Last week's violence on the Ramjas campus has been followed by several protests and counter protests. The ABVP has rejected allegations that it was responsible for the Ramjas fracas, saying the violence was perpetrated by "outsiders". The RSS-affiliated group has called for a massive rally on March 2 to protest the presence of "outsiders" on DU campuses.

Meanwhile, another DU student, Gurmehar Kaur, has attracted controversy after she started a social media campaign against the ABVP. She also suggested that India should not wage war against Pakistan. Kaur, who is the daughter of a Kargil war martyr, received rape threats following her social media post and has left Delhi for now.

Also read: Ramjas row: ABVP to protest on March 2, calls for on-campus exclusion of Left

Also read: How Ramjas College event triggered a social media war and a political slugfest on freedom of expression: A timeline

Also watch: DU protest: As students march against Ramjas violence, ABVP turns defensive

--- ENDS ---
Dateline tonight looks at a trend amongst South African youth for whiter skin, which has led to the use of dangerous skin bleaching creams.

Why are men and women in the country risking their health for whiter skin?

Dateline reporter Tania Rashid goes in search of people who believe the lighter the better when it comes to the perception of success and beauty in South Africa. This has led to the use of dangerous skin bleaching creams and a generation of young people who are ignoring health warnings about these creams.

Jeff, a 19-year-old student with dreams of becoming a music artist says, Girls like rappers that are attractive and by attractive I mean light-skinned with a beard.

Mathahle, a beauty activist taking a stand against the light-skinned look, recently styled a Zulu inspired magazine photoshoot to help normalise dark-skinned beauty.

Skin bleaching creams are reportedly smuggled into South Africa, in a country where its illegal to sell any cream that claims to bleach or lighten skin.

As part of SBSs Face Up To Racism week, a week of programs exploring racism and prejudice, this Tuesday Tania Rashid investigates why this rainbow nation generation is so desperate to change the colour of their skin.

Despite the South African government passing laws to protect people from creams containing potentially dangerous chemicals, many are still available and even endorsed by celebrities.

The creams allegedly contain toxic substances and a recent study suggested one in three women in the country buy them making it a big business fuelling demand for the products.

On meeting one of the countrys biggest female rappers who openly promotes skin-lightening creams, Rashid talks to Mshoza, a woman who disappeared from the public eye and reappeared much lighter believing itll make her more successful.

How crazy is it that we live in a world where your life can be easier just based on how you look, just based on the colour of your skin, Mathahle says.

Tuesday 28 February at 9.30pm on SBS.
The late Brian Beaton (Who Do You Think You Are?, Shaun Micallefs Stairway to Heaven, Desperately Seeking Sheila), a WA-based documentary producer from Artemis International, has been posthumously awarded the Stanley Hawes Award, for outstanding contribution to the documentary sector in Australia.

The award recognises a producer, director, editor, cinematographer, sound recordist, facilitator, educator, broadcaster or distributor in Documentary.

The award will be presented to Artemis Managing Director Celia Tait and Brians older brother and fellow documentarian John Beaton, at the Australian International Documentary Conference in Melbourne next week.

I had the honour of meeting Brian when I worked briefly in Western Australia in the late 1980s. Like everyone, I was immediately taken by his warmth, good humour and infectious enthusiasm for this work, said AIDC CEO and Conference Director Andrew Wiseman.

It can be a long and sometimes arduous journey making documentaries and its wonderful when, along the way, you meet someone who makes the path that little bit more enjoyable. Im delighted that John and Celia will be delivering this years Stanley Hawes oration.

Brian Beaton died suddenly last June.

Brians career spanned over 35 years, producing award-winning documentaries and factual programs for national and international markets. He founded Artemis in 1999 with business partner Celia Tait and produced many award- winning projects, including Saving Andrew Mallard, Shaun Micallefs Stairway to Heaven, The Dreamhouse, Desperately Seeking Sheila and, with co-producer Serendipity Productions, seven seasons of Who Do You Think You Are?

Brian had also worked as a director and writer, and contributed extensively to the national screen industry through his advocacy and professional work with organisations like Screen Producers Australia and AIDC. He was a strong supporter of AIDC, and played a significant part in organising the 2001, 2004 and 2008 conferences in Perth and Fremantle, Western Australia.

Brian was acknowledged by his peers with a number of accolades, including 2012 SPAA Documentary Producer of the Year, 2002 SPAA Independent Documentary Producer, and Outstanding Contribution to the Western Australian Screen Industry (West Australian Screen Awards 2002).

Brian Beaton joins a formidable group of Stanley Hawes Awards recipients, including such Australian documentary luminaries as Sonya Pemberton (2016), Chris Hilton (2014) and Julia Overton (2012).

Established to acknowledge outstanding contributions by a person or organisation to documentary in Australia, the Award also pays tribute to its namesake, Stanley Hawes  prolific factual filmmaker and first Producer-in-Chief of the Australian Film Board (from 1946-1969).

As part of AIDC 2017s 30th Anniversary Celebrations, The NFSA (National Film and Sound Archive) has curated a special compilation to celebrate the milestone, with 10 early films by former recipients of the Stanley Hawes Award, produced between 1947 and 2006.

Featuring such notable films as Journey of a Nation (John Heyer, Stanley Hawes Award 1999  pictured), Far From the Frontline (John Hughes, Stanley Hawes Award 2006) and Rats in The Ranks (Bob Connolly, Stanley Hawes Award 2009), this specially curated program of Stanley Hawes documentaries will be available to view on-demand at the Australian Mediatheque in ACMI during AIDC 2017.

The documentaries are proudly presented by the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, a collaborative partner with ACMI for the Australian Mediatheque.

AIDC takes place from Sunday March 5  Wednesday March 8.
Communications Minister Mitch Fifield isnt too worried about shows like Hi-5 potentially disappearing if changes to local content go ahead -but he is very worried about just who is in the rebooted group.

Appearing at a Senate hearing in Canberra today, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young asked the Minister if parents should be worried about the potential loss of Childrens TV titles, Mitch Fifield said it was too soon to talk about potential quota changes.

I think the thing that should most worry parents is the ever-changing ensemble that makes up Hi-5, he joked.

Im still very committed to the original line-up and I was a little unnerved at Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve that there was yet another incarnation of Hi-5.

Nine launched their new-look Hi-5 on Christmas Eve with Shay Clifford, Joe Kalou, Bailey Spalding, Lachie Dearing & Courtney Clarke.

Id always like to see more (Australian content) but in terms of what is appropriate, if we do have a review that will be something that submissions are received on, the Minister said.

Source: Nine
MTV Pride pop-up channel is now underway until Sunday, replacing MTV Dance in celebration of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Resident MTV VGAY Courtney Act, is joined by Wollongongs own Drag Tupperware host, Adam Larkham aka Crystal Queer, the winner of an MTV VGAY Search.

Courtney Act said, Adam is as media savvy as a Kardashian! He launched a full-scale social media campaign and was on the cover of the Illawarra Mercury before he had even won. We had a fun time making MTV Mardi Gras magic!

Adam Larkham added, I am so excited to be MTVs newest VGAY! I cannot wait to host the pride countdown with Courtney! Getting an opportunity like this is truly amazing! The fact that it is for the LGBTQI community makes it so much more amazing! Im honestly still in disbelief!

The popup channels programming line-up will include MTV specials such as: Courtney and Crystals Pride Top 50 Faves, Joels Divas Top 20 and Troye Sivans Blue Neighbourhood Top 10, hosted countdowns from Alaska Thunderf*** 500, Bianca Del Rio and Paul Mac, iconic superstar artist spotlights from artists including George Michael, Lady Gaga, Madonna and party programming blocks such as Hot Fresh N Fabulous!, Drag Break and Loud & Proud. Plus dedicated daily video blocks of some of your favourite icons and lots more!

To take the week to the next level MTV Pride have partnered with the LGBTI Awards. The aim of the LGBTI Awards is to help Australia effect change on LGBTI Equality Laws, which currently lag behind many other developed nations when it comes to these key areas of human rights. The LGBTI Awards showcase and celebrate the best Australian LGBTI talent both in the celebrity and corporate world with a diverse range of categories. YouTuber, Alan Tsublya will be hosting the LGBTI Awards Red Carpet for MTV.

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras will take over the city of Sydney, capturing the imagination of Australias LGBTQI and mainstream community, from the 17th February to the 5th March, concluding with the world famous parade which guarantees a colourful and dazzling night of pride, celebration and self-expression.
ABC has acknowledged criticism that its major news and current affairs programs failed to report comments by Muslim leader Keysar Trad,

Trad, who is the president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, last week told SKY News The Bolt Report, Before you even consider using your hand, before you consider any act of violence, have you checked box number one which is counselling have you checked box number two. So what does counselling entail, well maybe next time you should bring her a bunch of flowers, maybe next time you should bring her a box of chocolates, maybe next time you should take her out for dinner.

Yesterday ABC head of editorial policy Alan Sunderland told a Senate Hearing committee, I dont think we did a good enough job.

It wasnt good enough, it wasnt extensive enough.

His comments followed Media Watch raising the lack of coverage, on Monday night.

Host Paul Barry noted, the Fairfax metro papers and The Guardian appear to have ignored it completely. As did almost the entire ABC, where it was not on the 7 oclock News. Not on 7.30. Not on Lateline. Not on The Drum.

And not on the big radio current affairs shows, AM, PM, The World Today and RN Breakfast.

The comments were covered by News.com.au, Daily Mail, Herald Sun, Studio 10 and A Current Affair.

Sunderland said it was covered by ABC Radio, and was pleased Media Watch raised it but conceded the criticism was a fair cop.

I dont think we covered it well or extensively enough, he said.

ABC is investigating its wide miss.

Trad later apologised for statements conceding he was clumsy in a television interview.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju hits out at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and called him an anarchist.

By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home, hit out at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and called him an "anarchist".

He claimed that "someone is definitely doing politics over the issue" of campus violence.

Kejriwal is scheduled to meet Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal today to demand action against "ABVP goondaism and rape threats to Gurmehar Kaur".

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HERE IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: Asked about rape threats to 20-year-old Gurmehar Kaur who took a stand against ABVP, Kiren Rijiju said "anyone making such threats should be dealt with sternly". The minister recently stoked a controversy when he said "who is polluting this young girl's mind" following a post shared by Gurmehar Kaur, an Army martyr's daughter, that said "Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him". Rijiju said the 20-year-old Lady Shri Ram College student is entitled to her opinion and so is he. "Anyone with a contrary view should be allowed to speak," the minister said. He said anyone who uses social media platforms should be careful while posting comments. Earlier, lyricist Javed Akhtar in a curt response to Rijiju tweeted: "I don't know about her but Mr Minister I know who is polluting your mind".

ALSO READ:

Leftists celebrate when our jawans die, Gurmehar Kaur father's soul must be weeping: Rijiju

BJP MP compares Gurmehar Kaur to Dawood, Union minister Rijiju asks who's polluting her mind

Anyone who wants to break India is anti-national, says Kiren Rijiju

ALSO WATCH

--- ENDS ---
Steven Bajo ODonnell is about to make the move into comedy with a new ABC ME / iview series, Trip For Biscuits.

ODonnell is co-creator of the sci-fi comedy about inept space detectives. But first we have to talk about the elephant in the room -ABCs axing of Good Game.

ABC management axed the decade-long gaming series suddenly last month after having previously confirmed its return in 2017 the week before.

ODonnell confirms it was a shock decision for everybody concerned.

It was very sudden and to be honest our whole team are still getting over it. We were all expecting to come in and do a year of the show, he said.

But the way the dice rolled Steph and Nich decided to go to Channel Seven to make a new show because they saw a great opportunity with that. So the ABC looked at that as a moment to say, Well, lets end on a high.

They were 10 great years and I am reaching an acceptance with it now. Im mourning it still, so sad I wont be doing it every week because it was a dream job.

The decision drew an emotional reaction from the shows loyal ABC2 audience. ODonnell received hundreds of messages from distraught fans.

They have actually flawed me. I had no idea our little show about games had such an impact on people, he continues.

But the curtain always comes down sometime and every moment I got to work on Good Game I never took for granted. I always assumed next week it would be over.

When you lose 2 of the 5 presenters . that changes that confidence.

Good Game had been planning changes for 2017 including recording the show on the day of broadcast. But after Stephanie Hex Bendixsen and Nich Nichboy Richardson advised of their departure, management decided to wrap the series.

Hex later outlined on social media that management had effectively lost enthusiasm for the show and it was on borrowed time anyway. ODonnell isnt sure if thats the case.

We were commissioned for a whole year so I took that our plans we had reached last year (as a vote of) confidence. But when you lose 2 of the 5 presenters who are such a big part of the show that changes that confidence.

So who knows if it would have gone for 1 month, 6 months or another 10 years?

Meanwhile Trip for Biscuits, an 1810 minute series sees ODonnell and his misfit crew tackling bizarre space missions. But not for actual biscuits?

Trip for Biscuits is a hard-boiled term for a journey that yields little or no rewards, he explains.

The theme of the show is we are the worst detectives ever and we often have technical wins where solve a case, but maybe we end up taking out the person we were trying to solve it for, in the process.

We make a mess of every situation. So its disaster comedy.

Its like Red Dwarf meets the world of Buffy but with Aliens meets Archer.

I always wanted a nickname at school

Co-created with director Dave Cartel and producer Timothy Powell, filming took place during Melbourne last August.

Joined by actors Charlotte Nicdao, Kate Mylius, Reef Ireland and Mansoor Noor, ODonnell will even play Bajo in the series. So does that mean Bajo is a nickname or an on-screen persona? Its a grey area, he laughs.

Ive been Bajo well before Good Game. It was my gaming name that I used online.

We dont reference Good Game or video games at all. Its more like the sciency / nerdy Bajo.

Spawn Point and ABC3 Smackdown Bajo is slightly different. He lives in a world where you can fly into space on the back of a robot, he explains.

But its also an extrapolation of my personality as well. So its grey area. Its kind of the Bajo I wish I could be but Im glad Im not.

The character is more awkward than Bajo in real life but not by much.

The only people who dont call me Bajo are girlfriends and family. Its been my name for 15 years.

I always wanted a nickname at school but I could never get anyone to call me anything.

For the record Bajo will be credited as performed by Steven Bajo ODonnell.

The series will launch in entirety on iview this Friday with a broadcast yet to be scheduled on ABC ME. ODonnell is interested to see if the show also has adult appeal too.

With the end of Good Game, ODonnell next turns his attention to Spawn Point in a new format for ABC, and fingers crossed for more of Trip for Biscuits.

Theres excitement about whats next. I dont really know what I will do next in the adult gaming space but I want to do something.

Trip For Biscuits screens on iview from Friday.
More confessions from convicted murderers this week with Murder Uncovered screening police interview footage.

Its a world where fact is stranger than fiction. Killer Confessions delves into the true and often bizarre stories behind videotaped police interviews.

Featuring never-before-seen police recordings, well hear the full story behind some of the most shocking crimes in our recent history  told by the killers themselves.

Like the mother of two youd never expect to be guilty of Australias most gruesome killing. Mummy murderer Angelika Gavare butchered her elderly neighbour and used her childrens pram to dispose of the remains.

Gavare spun a web of lies during the three-month murder investigation. Police videotaped every conversation and interview as her story and alibi changed from week to week. Every lie, every twist and turn was recorded until she was caught by one crucial mistake.

Every cop hopes for a confession. Of the boxes upon boxes of interview tapes stored in police archives, the confession of convicted murdered Corey Breen is one in a million.

Breen embarked on a terrifying murder spree that began with carjacking and multiple assaults of friends and bystanders before he slaughtered his father and stepmother with a hunting knife while his younger step brother and sister watched on horrified.

Arrested a short time later, Breen boasted about the murders to police as he explained in graphic detail how and why he did it. For the first time you will see the chilling police confession. And Breens mother, grandfather, sister and step brother  all who escaped certain death that night  speak for the first time.

Murder Uncovered is a breakthrough investigative crime series that will blow wide open some of the worst, most infamous cases of killings and crimes in Australian criminal history.

Featuring award-winning journalist Michael Usher, each episode will examine a different case that enraged and engaged the country, presenting new evidence, major breakthroughs and fresh leads that will have you questioning everything.

Just when you thought you knew it all

Wednesday 1 March at 9pm on Seven.
The Federal Government is yet to outline its plans for a permanent Audio Description service on ABC for blind and low vision Australians.

Yesterday a Senate Hearing Committee asked ABC execs about their report given to government in late 2016 and the costs a permanent service would entail.

ABCs Director of Corporate Affairs Michael Millett told the committee, Weve done two trials, one based on broadcasting, one based online.

The first report, which was done on broadcasting, has been made publicly available. The second one hasnt been but its been (given to the) government.

I am advised with both reports the costs have never been released because they are commercial in confidence. 

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield added, It is our intention to release the report. Where there is information that is commercial in confidence then that wont be.

In early 2015 Vision Australia lodged complaints with the Australian Human Rights Commission against Seven, Nine, TEN, SBS and Foxtel over a lack of audio descriptors.

The UK, US, Ireland, Germany, Spain and New Zealand already provide audio description on free to air or subscription television.

An ABC spokesperson told TV Tonight, The final report on the government funded audio description iview trial was delivered to the Department of Communications in late 2016. Its publication is a matter for the Department.

The ABC has no current plans to introduce audio description services. Any questions on the future of AD is a policy issue and should be directed to government.
Talking to India Today, Agra SSP Dr Pritinder Singh said that the arrested carriers - Rakesh Goyal, a resident of Panipat in Haryana and Mubashara of Sadar in Delhi - claim to be friends. However, the arrested girl worked as an escort earlier and came in contact with the fake currency gang during her work.

Police said that at first, the woman limited herself to being a carrier, but she later worked as a supplier of fake currency to various parts of the country. Rakesh got lured into this racket afterwards.

SSP said that a total of 15 bundles of Rs 100 notes were recovered from the two. All 15 bundles have been printed in a printing press and they were not hard to distinguish from the original notes.

He said that the girl has confessed that she got these notes from a man called Ashish in Delhi, who got the supply from Mohsin and Hamid of Malda in West Bengal.

Mubashara purchased 10 bundles of Rs 100 notes from Ashish for Rs 30,000 in genuine currency and then she sold this fake currency for Rs 45,000, making a profit of Rs 15,000 per lakh in fakes.

Mubashara and Rakesh supplied the fake currency on demand. Before demonetization they also supplied fake notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, but after demonetisation they limited themselves to Rs 100 notes as the fake notes of Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 are still a bit easily distinguishable from the genuine currency and Mubashara did not was to get caught.

SSP said that the two have admitted that these notes were being printed in Pakistan's government printing presses in Karachi and Rawalpindi at the behest of the Inter-Services Intelligence(ISI).

He said that the largest demand of fake currency had arisen during the Assembly elections in UP and the two were constantly busy supplying these fake notes in the neighbouring districts of Agra and elsewhere.

Talking to India Today, Bharatiya Muslim Vikas Parishad Chairman Sami Aghai said that it was surprising that PM Modi still claims that demonetisation was good for the country, when the basic premise of demonetisation which was to control the flow of fake currency in the market, had not been fulfilled and fakes are easily available in the Indian market.
India's GDP for the third quarter ended December, estimated at Rs 30.28 lakh crore, recorded a growth of 7 per cent, compared with 7.3 per cent in the second quarter.

By India Today Web Desk: Demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes pulled the Indian economy down to an estimated seven per cent GDP growth in Quarter 3 (October-December) of the financial year 2016-17.

Reflecting a marginal impact of the November 8 announcement, India's GDP for the third quarter ended December, estimated at Rs 30.28 lakh crore, recorded a growth of 7 per cent, compared with 7.3 per cent in the second quarter, official data showed.

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The country had registered a Gross Domestic Product of Rs 28.31 lakh crore in the corresponding quarter of 2015-16. The second quarter was slower than the 7.6 per cent increase posted in the corresponding quarter of the last fiscal (2015-16).

The estimates of GDP growth for the full fiscal 2016-17 at 7.1 per cent, marked a sharper fall from the 7.9 per cent recorded for the fiscal 2015-16.

The Reserve Bank of India and other agencies like the IMF and the OECD had lowered India's GDP projections, arguing that the note ban would have short-term impact on the Indian economy.

In terms of gross value added (GVA) -- considered a better measure of economic performance, as it excludes product taxes and subsidies -- of Rs 28.02 lakh crore for the quarter, the growth at 6.6 per cent was slower compared with 7 per cent in the previous year, mainly due to a contraction in the financial and real estate sectors.

Within the GVA, the manufacturing activity showed a sharp fall in the December quarter at 8.3 per cent, against 12.8 per cent in the same quarter of the previous year.

While construction growth fell to 2.7 per cent, from 3.5 per cent the year before, financial, real estate and professional services GVA during the quarter in consideration saw a massive fall to 3.1 per cent, from 10.4 per cent growth seen in the third quarter of 2015-16.

Also read | GDP growth to slow down to 3-year-low of 7.1%, says govt; demonetisation impact yet to be factored in

However, government services, including defence, logged a robust growth of 11.9 per cent, against 7.5 per cent in the previous year.

The primary sector, including agriculture and fisheries, bounced back impressively during the quarter in question with growth of 6 per cent, against a decline of 2.2 per cent in the same quarter of the previous year.

Mining and quarrying output also recorded a major fall at 7.5 per cent, as compared to the 13.3 per cent growth a year ago.

Chief Statistician TCA Anant told reporters after releasing the data that the impact of demonetisation is difficult to assess in the absence of sufficient data.

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"Policies such as demonetisation are difficult to assess without a lot of data, a lot of which is still to come in. As of now we have factored in the third quarter figures on industrial production and only the advance filings corporates," Anant said.

"The immediate data bears out the conclusion that it (demonetisation) has not had such an impact," he added.

--- ENDS ---
Thousands of refugees and asylum seekers are left homeless and penniless in Britain, and are just relying on charities for their basic needs, which led to an invitation by a London university to study free of charge.

According to Barry&District News, there is a steady increase on the number of people who want to escape war and violence, even if it means uncertainty in another country. In an attempt to participate in the radical change, the University of East London is about to launch a short course known as the Open Learning Initiative or OLIve.

OLIve is believed to be a perfect venue for refugees and asylum seekers to have an educational grounding to a foundation course until they can finally obtain a bachelor's degree, according to Independent. The candidates will be able to join workshops and seminars in college level reading and writing. They will also get to learn more of the English language not only for academic purposes but for globalization.

The first launch of the OLIve course will be able to accommodate 40 people and will be taught every Saturdays beginning April this year. The university is also planning to launch the next stage and will lengthen the course to a 10-month program.

The funding for OLIve comes from a 440,000 Euro grant from the EU's Erasmus+ Programme, and a joint initiative between UEL, the University of Vienna, the Central European University and European Network Against Racism.

UEL which is found in Stratford City is the home of the Center for Migration, Refugees and Belonging. It also hosts the Refugee Council Archive, which is a vast collection of books, reports, journals and films that tackle forced migration. It was last year when the school also launched a short course entitled "University for All".
According to a new study, our genes play a key role on how anxious we feel when dealing or facing spatial or mathematical tasks. And being able to identify these genes can pave the way to the prevention in their development for higher student success in these subjects.

The researchers from King's College London found that our genes can be blamed with the anxiety that we feel when reading a map or solving a geometry problem, Science Daily reported. Although people have different levels of skills when it comes to dealing with spatial and mathematical tasks, the researchers attribute these difference to anxiety, because it is anxiety that hinders success in these subjects in school.

According to The Indian Express, Margherita Malanchini from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London said that the results of their research have important implications for identifying genes that make people nervous. And being able to recognize these genes can help pinpoint individuals who are most at risk from very early in their lives and be able to do intervention in the prevention of the development of these genes.

In the study, the researchers used a sample of 1,400 twin pairs aged 19 to 21 from the Twins Early Development Study. They measures anxiety based on the samples and they classified different forms of anxiety: general; mathematics; and for spatial anxiety: navigation and rotation/visualization.

The results have shown that the participants who feel nervous when doing navigation tasks are not necessarily have the same feeling towards visualization tasks. In the same way, those who have anxiety for spatial tasks do not feel anxious with other STEM related activities.

What the researchers have found is that gender plays a small difference in the results, as women were seen to have higher levels of anxiety compared to men, and they explained that it could be because women are more vocal about their feelings of anxiety or it could also be because the anxiety is because of the perception that STEM subjects are men's forte.
Microsoft remains tight-lipped regarding its upcoming Surface Phone. Nonetheless, rumors, leaks and news about the Microsoft Surface Phone are making rounds online as the device is about to be launched.

Some leaks actually prove that Microsoft is indeed working on the Surface Phone and the latest Surface tablet may be released soon. There are reports that the Taiwanese electronics manufacturing company, Pegatron, has already kicked off the procuring production trials on the Microsoft Surface Phone design. The Taiwanese tech company is responsible for manufacturing the powerful and gorgeous all-in-one PC, Surface Studio, according to PC Advisor.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella referred the Microsoft Surface Phone as the ultimate mobile device. The work on the upcoming device is currently underway, and the device will roll out in three variants, such as the Consumer, Business and Premium. There are speculations that the Microsoft Surface Phone will be revealed alongside the arrival of Redstone 3.

The Microsoft Surface Phone is said to come along with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, coupled with an 8GB of RAM as well as a 512GB storage option. The Surface Phone might also have a 5.5-inch QHD display, 1 Red Drop reported. The upcoming Microsoft device may roll out with 64-bit Intel processor. The device is said to have a 21MP rear facing snapper and the front-facing shooter is believed to be an 8MP.

Nevertheless, as Microsoft claimed that Windows 10 will be the last version of Windows, the Microsoft Surface Phone may also run on the operating system. With the rumored specs of the Microsoft Surface Phone, the device is said to go head to head with the upcoming iPhone 7s and iPhone 8. That being said, as the Mobile World Congress (MWC 2017) is just around the corner, a number of tech fans are speculating that the Microsoft Surface Phone will be announced during the event.

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The students at a college in the University of Cambridge have raised their concerns about Pembroke serving meals that are said to "misrepresent" their culture. And the university will be putting in efforts to take note of their views and review their menu after the accusations.

Some students from foreign countries have complained about the dishes served from their native countries like the "Jamaican Stew" and "Tunisian Rice". They felt bad that these were not the meals or combinations they were eating back home and that it was clearly a misrepresentation of their culture, Telegraph reported.

One student has posted on the social media addressing one Pembroke kitchen staff and telling them to stop mixing mango and beef and call it "Jamaican Stew". He added that even though he got accustomed to being a minority student who gets constantly invalidated for certain issues, he feels that if their cultures are misrepresented, they have the right to address it, according to Independent.

Another student complained about a meal which is not being served in their native country, Tunisia. In the Facebook page, Grudgebridge, one student replied with a comment saying that the students should feel lucky that they have the time to sit and moan about the naming of the food they are eating at one of the best universities in the world.

Another one instead felt thankful that the kitchen staff were trying to make an Indian food, although it was not exactly like the one they had back home.

College bursar Andrew Cates said Pembroke did not really receive any formal complaint from the students. He said that the college takes pride in their high standards of cuisine and that they urge their catering staff to take note of the students' concerns seriously.
About 20 people who moved in to a building in Oxford on New Year's Eve are leaving as they were only given until Monday to stay. They are said to be moving into another university building.

This group has occupied a former car showroom owned by an Oxford college and used it as a homeless shelter, Independent reported. They have been sleeping in that space since New Year's Eve. The said building was vacant since it was bought by Wadham College in 2015 and Wadham received an open letter from the squatters asking for their permission so that they can continue to use the space until winter.

According to Leaseholder Midcounties Co-operative, the squatters could stay until April, however, Wadham said it needs the building back because they are turning it into student flats, BBC reported.

A spokesman for the Iffley Open House campaign group told how the space had been very helpful especially to those who desperately needed it. They also have resident that is moving to the university.

The group general manager at Midcounties Co-operative, Kevin Brown said that the company had a legal obligation to return the site to Wadham College. He explained that although they were granted a repossession order, it is their decision to not to use it.

Wadham College, part of the University of Oxford said that they have "deep sympathy" for the people who do not have shelter, but they could no longer delay the development.

Oxford University own dozens of buildings which lie empty for several years, for which reason the group of the homeless people wrote a letter of request for them to be allowed to stay in the place during the winter. Even the students of Wadham have been very supportive about the shelter project which they said was the least they could do to fight the housing situation in their city.
By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: If you go to Sikar or Jhunjhunu districts of Rajasthan, do not be too surprised if you find it hard to spot a girl among the scores of boys who can be found playing under the afternoon sun or in the evening twilight. In both these districts, according to the 2011 figures, the Child Sex Ratio (CSR) is less than 850.

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In simple words, in these parts of the desert state, for every 1000 boys, there are less than 850 girls in the age group of 0 to 6. Ironically, the two regions boast of some of the most well known institutes of higher learning in Rajasthan.

These are not the only parts that place Rajasthan in a hall of shame. According to 2011 data figures, in as many as 18 districts of Rajasthan, the child sex ratio is less than 900.

These districts include Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Tonk, Nagaur, Bharatpur, Karauli and also the state capital, Jaipur. Sikar and Jhunjhunu, with their unenviable statistics, fall in the red zone.

Such is the situation that there is no dearth of cases where men in various parts of Rajasthan, especially those in vulnerable zones with low CSRs, have literally paid a monetary price for getting a bride from a neighbouring state due to huge shortfall in the number of women considered to be of marriageable age.

India Today's investigations have revealed that those involved in the sex determination racket operate under a great deal of secrecy. The net has been spread far and wide, resulting in an intricate web.

THE MODUS OPERANDI The modus operandi involved in sex determination and sex selective abortions involves touts, brokers, auxiliary nurse midwifes (ANMs) operating at the district and village level, keeping an eye out for pregnant women in the area. Once the word is out that a particular woman is pregnant, a local tout or an ANM or a midwife stealthily approach the woman and let it be known to her that it is possible for her to know the sex of her unborn child for a certain monetary sum. The rate generally oscillates between Rs 25,000 to Rs 45,000. That includes the tout or the broker's fee and the doctor's charge for performing the ultrasound procedure on the pregnant woman. The cost of the abortion, however, is separate and not included in this. The touts, entrusted with the task of brokering the deal on behalf of the doctor, generally prefer to deal with those in their known circle of people. So, if a man wishes to know the sex of his unborn, he or an acquaintance, preferably a close relative, has to directly know the tout or the middlemen. Of late, due to perceived higher risk of getting caught in Rajasthan due to the increase in decoy operations, the modus operandi has involved the tout taking the pregnant woman to an adjoining state, preferably Haryana, Uttar Pradesh or Gujarat, as they are considered 'safer'. Less scrutiny in these states, as per a source, means a lower risk of getting caught. However, according to those in the know, even while the total sum remains almost the same, there is a huge difference between the price charged by the doctors and the touts in Rajasthan as compared to that charged by those in adjoining states.

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Also read: 4 hospital staffers, including doctors held for female foeticide in Haryana

WHAT DO AUTHORITIES DO?

The neighbouring states have come on the radar of authorities in Rajasthan. "Our main target states were Gujarat where we took action five times and four times in Uttar Pradesh and once in Haryana. In total, there were ten times when we acted in other states by taking help of authorities there", says Naveen Jain, the Rajasthan Mission Director of the National Health Mission, said.

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Once the accused are apprehended, the focus shifts to trying to secure conviction. The accused, in several cases, have often been booked under different IPC sections apart from the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act to ensure a tight case.

Raghuvver Singh, the head of the PCPNDT's Rajasthan cell says authorities often apply section 135 of the IPC, which deals with an act done with the intent to prevent child being born alive. This act can also include getting a sonography done.

Under this section, accused face a tough time getting bail, Singh tells us, citing an example from Mathura where a group of suspects were charged under IPC 135 and are still in judicial custody.

Rajasthan got its PCPNDT Bureau of Investigation in 2012. But despite recent arrests, they still seem to be only scratching at the surface of the problem.

The decoy operations, essentially undercover operations, have often led to several ultrasound machines being seized but the teams conducting the operations are often at risk of being attacked or of their identities getting revealed.

Also read: Female foeticide: PCPNDT Bureau trying to pull Rajasthan out of its abyss

--- ENDS ---

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Stanford University dean of Medicine Lloyd Minor has spoken out against the negative impact that President Trump's immigration ban has on the field of medicine. The travel ban's effects were instantaneously felt in academia, medicine, business and tech.

President Trump issued an executive order suspending entry for citizens of specific countries. Individuals from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen will not be allowed entry from the nation for 90 days.

Several universities have provided support for their international students who are affected by the travel ban. The Association of American Universities President, Mary Sue Coleman, also urged the administration to clarify to the world that the U.S. continues to welcome the most talented people from all countries to study, teach as well as conduct research at local universities.

In a piece with Quartz, Lloyd Minor, dean of Stanford University's School of Medicine, how national borders can hinder the progress of science. He noted that collaboration among scientists of different nationalities, a lot of them refugees, were able to result to the development of vaccines for polio and smallpox.

This collaboration also led to several countries being able to develop crops and feed their populations. Moreover, as with Zika and Ebola, diseases can be spread globally. With this, fighting these outbreaks will need cross-border collaboration because progress in science is built upon the sharing of information and ideas.

Minor also stated that the United States has played a significant role in the collaboration of international scientists. This has allowed the nation to gain much from this process, with American patients getting to be the first to try out new therapies and preventive strategies.

Stanford's dean of Medicine warned that the consequence of the U.S. shutting itself off from the world would include slowing the progress of all biomedical research. He added that the government should be enhancing international interactions instead of limiting it and finding new ways to facilitate data-sharing on a global scale.
To reverse the decline in their enrollment, the University of Hawaii is attracting more mainland students who are paying for higher tuition. In fact, 29 percent of the students in their flagship campus Manoa are non-residents.

The constant increase with the tuition and college costs on the mainland seems to be driving the students to UH, Hawaii News Now reported. This could be the solution to the university's decline with their enrollment.

The students in Hawaii pay about $11,000 per year for their tuition, and even if the costs of higher education has continued to rise in the previous years, it is still significantly lower compared to the colleges and universities in the mainland.

Ryan Yamaguchi, associate director of admissions said that the University of Hawaii is ranked as one of the most affordable institution across the United States and also recognized as an affordable institution over the past several years.

April Inouye, a counselor at Kalaheo High School, said that because the cost of college is increasing every single year, and some families find the cost of mainland education to be something that is very hard to reach, some students would just prefer to stay home in Hawaii.

This is also a reason why Hawaii education cost is a driver for the state. According to Civil Beat, one of five students who are attending Manoa campus during the last semester was actually from the mainland.

Sen. Kai Kahele, chair of the Higher Education Committee is looking forward to seeing more students coming from the mainland to enroll at UH so that ethnic diversity on campus will be increased. He also wants to provide more opportunities for students to establish relationships and connections with people from other places.
Oct. 26, 2022

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.  Cadets got the unique experience of interacting with and learning from the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2022 at the U.S. Air Force Academy Sept. 27-29. The National Character and Leadership Symposium sponsored the visit and three days of activities.The 12
After finishing her favorite Cuban sandwich from Portos Bakery & Cafe in Downey, Monica Oviedo becomes giddy when she learns the Los Angeles institution is days away from opening in Orange County.

Ive already clocked how long its going to take me  15 minutes, said Oviedo, of La Habra, whos been trekking to Portos bakeries in Los Angeles for 16 years.

When the long-anticipated Buena Park cafe opens Wednesday with actor Andy Garcia at the ribbon cutting, expect epic lines. Over its 46-year history in Los Angeles, the Cuban bakery has earned a reputation for serving addictive  and dirt cheap  sweet and savory baked goods.

Portos expansion to Orange County, and next year to West Covina, comes as Cuba has seized a moment in the pop culture zeitgeist.

Former President Obama reestablished diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba in 2015. The death of Fidel Castro in 2016 helped accelerate the diplomatic thaw. Travel is again permitted to the once-forbidden island nation. And now Cuban Americans  and even boxes of Portos treats  are at the center of a Netflix reboot of One Day at a Time.

The TV familys obsession with the Cuban bakery hits close to home for hard-core fans like Oviedo. Shes tried every item behind the counter  98-cent potato balls, 80-cent cheese rolls, 99-cent croquettes. Her go-to cake? Mango mousse.

Ive never had a bad meal here, the 48-year-old said.

Keeping up with demand

The scene at the three Portos bakeries in Glendale, Burbank and Downey can be best described as controlled chaos.

In Downey, the cafes second largest after Buena Park, employees look like Secret Service agents  armed with ear buds and walkie talkies.

Their main duty: traffic control.

As diners enter the 17,000-square-foot cafe, lines snake in different directions. The crowds can be intimidating, but theyre reeled in by something sweet -- the intoxicating aromas of freshly baked goods.

Betty Porto, whose mom baked cakes while living in communist Cuba in the 1960s, said front-door greeters help guests figure out where to queue.

When people come in, the biggest complaint we get is they dont know what to do, Porto said.

For Kim Battle, the line tends to go quickly because the Lakewood resident said shes always preoccupied with the countless choices behind the counter. By the time she orders, she hardly notices the wait.

Sitting in the Portos patio on a recent Wednesday, she and her daughter Shawnta are sharing a half-dozen potato balls. The original menu item is stuffed with soft mashed potatoes and seasoned ground beef.

Its like a shepherds pie in a ball, Battle, 49, said.

Bringing Buena Park into the fold

Though fans say Portos is worth the wait, the family-run operation is constantly evolving to maximize efficiency.

Several years ago, the company opened a test kitchen in Commerce, where bakers tweak recipes and create new menu items. The commissary helps prevent gridlock at the three stores.

When Downey opened in 2010, the family designed it to minimize wait times. Buena Park will look similar only bigger  at nearly 25,000 square feet. The Beach Blvd. location near Knotts Berry Farm is a new frontier for the brand. In such a dense tourist zone, Porto expects the cafe to be one of the chains highest volume stores.

Like Downey, Buena Park will have four different order stations: an express lane for top selling pastries, a pre-order pick up counter, a coffee bar and a bakery line. The latter is often the longest line; its the only spot where you can buy any item off the vast menu  from guava strudels to tiramasu cakes and grilled sandwiches.

On peak Saturdays, up to 40 workers at the front of the house keep lines moving, tables clean and displays filled with eye-popping pastries. Behind the scenes are teams of bakers, cake designers, pastry chefs and grill cooks cranking out hundreds of scratch foods in a fast-paced environment.

Only the finest ingredients are used, Porto said. Her mother, from the very beginning, would not skimp on quality. Frosting is made with the Belgian chocolate and tarts are topped with pristine ripened fruits.

We will never compromise, Porto said.

With top-notch ingredients and high labor costs, how does Portos keep its prices so low?

Volume. The three cafes serve 4.5 million customers a year. They sell 1.5 million cheese rolls and 600,000 potato balls a month. The company uses its buying power to keep prices low. Porto, who studied law in college, said she and her siblings are tough negotiators.

But not because they seek personal profits.

Our business comes from large families. They are not rich. We want to respect their pockets, Porto said.

Controlling their destiny

Word of mouth recommendations have made Portos a household name in the greater Los Angeles area; many customers have been coming for decades.

But in recent years, the family has been caught off guard by a new legion of fans: millennials.

Right now, thanks to BuzzFeed, one of the bakerys hottest sellers is the Milk N Berries cake  a twist on a classic Tres Leches but more indulgent, filled with fresh berries and iced with whipped cream. In January, BuzzFeed called it a flavor explosion, which triggered a host of orders.

That sells more than anything, Porto said.

Last year, Yelp named Portos bakery the best restaurant in the country based on positive reviews. Consumer demand is why they are expanding to Buena Park and West Covina  to accommodate the masses traveling to their packed Los Angeles cafes.

We were looking for years in Orange County, Porto said.

As theyve grown, Porto said theyve vowed to own their property. That allows them to control rent and parking.

In Downey, they bought the property, building the store and two-story parking structure behind the Firestone Boulevard cafe. In Burbank, parking was such a huge problem, the family bought another building nearby just so they could add 27 more spaces for guests.

In Buena Park, the family snapped up an empty 3-acre Beach Boulevard parcel made available when state redevelopment funds dried up a few years ago. The deal allowed them to build a modern restaurant and cafe from the ground up.

We want to control our destiny, Porto said.

Baking to survive

Taking charge is at the heart of the Porto family legacy.

When Fidel Castro rose to power in Cuba, Raul Sr. lost his job at a cigar distribution warehouse. He was sent to a labor camp. His wife Rosa, an office manager at the cigar company, also lost her job.

She was left to fend for herself and three children: Betty, Raul Jr., and Margarita.

Rosa, a college graduate, was raised by a strong independent mother who came to Cuba from Spain. Self sufficiency runs through her veins. In 1960, the savvy business woman launched an underground baking operation in her house just to survive.

Using her moms tried-and-true recipes and a Sunbeam mixer, she made yellow sponge cakes, soaked in simple syrup and rum and filled with custard. She also made meat pies (pastel de carne).

Her clients would bring her ingredients (eggs, flour, sugar) to make the cakes and pay her with government rations: pigs, chickens, rice and beans.

It was a black market barter-and-trade operation; when police came to raid houses, the tight-knit neighborhood protected Rosa, hiding cakes and baking appliances so she wouldnt get caught. The Portos lived this way for a decade before they were all approved to relocate to the United States.

She took a risk because it was either that or starve, Betty Porto said.

Living the American Dream

In 1971 when the family emigrated to Los Angeles, Rosas reputation preceded her. Before landing, a Cuban immigrant she met on the plane placed an order.

More came knocking.

The moment they found out she was here, they started calling, Betty Porto, 59, said.

For five years, she ran the business out of the familys small apartment near Echo Park. She baked day and night. Betty said she and her siblings would go to bed late because their beds doubled as makeshift cooling racks.

She put sheets on the bed and kept flipping cakes, Porto said.

In 1976, Rosa secured a $5,000 loan to open a 300-square-foot shop in Los Angeles at Silver Lake and Sunset Boulevard. In 1982, she relocated to Glendale. At that time, Betty had graduated from college. She and her brother, an economics major, immersed themselves in the business.

Other stores followed in Burbank and Downey.

As they grew, so did the bakery case.

Wedding and quinceanera cakes, guava pastries, chicken empanadas, potato balls, meat pies and ham croquettes are long-time staples on the menu. But over the years, Portos added the famed cheese rolls, sandwiches, croissants, coffee and elegant European-style cakes and pastries, including their signature Refugiado with guava and cheese.

With her three children running the business, Rosa Porto has since retired. Last year, Rosa and the bakery were honored with a lifetime achievement award by the California Restaurant Association.

At the time, she was asked about the long hours she endured, and the risks she took to keep food on the table. Betty Porto said shell never forget her moms response.

I finished one cake and I wanted to start another, Rosa said. I did it because I loved it.

Portos Timeline

 1960: After Castro takes over in Cuba, Rosa and Raul Porto lose their jobs at a cigar distribution company. Raul Sr. is sent to a labor camp, forcing Rosa to launch an underground cake business to feed their three children: Betty, Raul Jr., and Margarita.

 1971: The Porto family arrives in Los Angeles. Cuban immigrants know of Rosas reputation for baking cakes; they are her first customers. She runs a cake-making business out of her home for the next five years, specializing in wedding and quinceanera cakes. When customers ask for appetizers for parties, she develops a menu of guava pastries, chicken empanadas, potato balls and meat pies.

 1976: Rosa opens the first shop at Sunset and Silver Lake in Los Angeles with a $5,000 loan.

 1982: The family relocates from Los Angeles to Glendale. Their reputation begins to grow and so does the menu. Rosas children begin to work full time in the business.

 2006: Burbank opens.

 2010: Downey opens with a two-story garage dedicated for customers. The Firestone Boulevard location, a contemporary venue with four types of ordering counters, serves as a model for Buena Park.

 March 1, 2017: The Buena Park cafe, at 7640 Beach Blvd., is slated to open at 10 a.m. Actor and family friend Andy Garcia will appear at the ribbon cutting. With Buena Park located in a tourist zone, the Porto family expects it to be one of its highest volume stores. Buena Park will employ 200, bringing the companys total workforce to 1,000.

 2018: A fifth Portos is expected to open in West Covina.

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The federal government will once again track fire-related deaths in Canadas First Nations communities, Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett said on Monday.

She also committed to creating an indigenous fire marshals office, which would oversee data collection and spearhead fire prevention, should the Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada recommend the step in a report due in May.

The rate of on-reserve deaths due to fires is just horrific in terms of the numbers, Bennett told the Star.

Both promises come on the heels of a Star investigation that found at least 173 people have died in house fires on First Nations reserves since the previous Conservative government under Stephen Harper stopped tracking the death toll in 2010.

Star Investigation: Fire and death in Canadas first nations

The government said it stopped counting to ease the reporting burden on First Nations communities.

First Nations people who live on reserve are 10.4 times more likely to die in a fire than those in the rest of the country, according to a 2007 Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation report, compiled when the government was still collecting the data.

The reason to collect data is to know youre winning, to know that youre actually making a difference, Bennett said.

How and when the data collection and fire marshals office will be put in place will depend on what the aboriginal firefighters report recommends, Bennett said.

Indigenous Affairs has identified both steps as short-term priorities since at least 2013, but Bennetts comments on Monday are the governments first public pledge to actually implement them.

This demonstrates the leadership and willingness of this minister to do the right thing, said Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day.

Day said renewed tracking of fire data will help indigenous communities in Canada get a better understanding of the problems on the ground and help craft indigenous-led solutions.

While aboriginal firefighters executive director Blaine Wiggins said he couldnt comment on the details of the upcoming report, he said his organization and the government are on the same page.

We certainly agree on the need for support for a national fire marshal-type service, and we certainly agree for the need of a comprehensive and robust fire incidence reporting system, Wiggins said.

The aboriginal firefighters association first called for an indigenous fire marshals office in 2013. That same year Bennett herself called for it in a letter to then-minister Bernard Valcourt. She also pushed for the creation of legislation that applies a national building and fire code on First Nations reserves.

Wiggins said his organization has spent the past year, with support from Indigenous Affairs, consulting with provincial and territorial fire marshals offices on a road map for a national office responsible for First Nations communities.

But creating a fire marshals office wont be of much use without legislation enforcing national building and fire codes on First Nations reserves, Wiggins said.

If we dont have that act  its like having police doing highway patrol, but having no safety laws on the highway, he said.

You can stand on the side of the road and encourage them to do safe things, but if there are not parameters in place theres still going to be a catastrophe, Wiggins said.

Bennett said she will wait to see what the May report recommends about building and fire codes before committing to new legislation.

Regional Chief Day worries that promises of a fire marshals office and data collection could be rolled back in five years if another government comes into power.

He wants also to see Bennett enshrine on-reserve fire protection in law.

I think the minister has a great opportunity right in front of her to do the right thing. Lets go three for three. Go all the way and put legislation in place, he said.

Bennett said the death toll found by the Star is awful.

Bennett referenced last years deaths of the nine people in a house fire in Pikangikum First Nation as a particularly heart-wrenching example.

The roads were impassable. The fire truck could only move about one mile per hour, she said.

It shows the real importance of infrastructure, not just having a fire truck and a fire hall and a well-trained volunteer fire department.

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MACAUThe heavy-set man got out of a taxi one night last September and headed for the lobby bar of the Wynn Macau  a quiet place, where women are often in evening dresses and gamblers can relax with $300 Cuban cigars. He was dressed casually. There were no bodyguards, no flashy women.

It wasnt what youd expect of a man once tipped to be the next dictator of North Korea.

Kim Jong Nam had spent years in exile, gambling and drinking and arranging the occasional business deal as he travelled across Asia and Europe. In recent years, his fortunes had apparently declined, and hed moved his family from a luxurious seafront condominium complex in Macau to a more affordable apartment building. He was looking for company when he bumped into a friend outside the Wynn.

He wanted us to join him because he didnt want to drink alone, said an insider in Macaus gambling industry who was introduced to Kim that night by a mutual friend. In a city awash in new money and Chinese gamblers flaunting their wealth, Kim was low-key and polite, making no mention of his powerful family.

It just seemed odd that the son of a dictator would just be  you wouldnt know him from an average dude on the street, said the insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, not wanting to alienate the city-states gambling fraternity, where privacy is deeply valued.

Kim may have seemed easygoing, but he had reason to worry. Hed known for years that his younger half-brother, now the ruler of North Korea, had ordered him hunted down, South Korean intelligence officials say.

On a Monday morning in mid-February, that order apparently was carried out.

Kim was walking through Kuala Lumpurs cavernous budget airport terminal, a few steps past a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop, when a pair of women, who Malaysian police say were recruited by a team of North Koreans, approached.

At least one of the women suddenly wiped a powerful toxin on Kims face, smearing him with VX nerve agent before quickly walking away. Minutes later, after walking to the airports medical clinic, Kim went into convulsions.

A few minutes after that, as an ambulance rushed him to a hospital, Kim Jong Nam died. He was 45 years old.

Kims mother was one of North Koreas most famous movie stars. His father was the dictator-prince of North Korea, a deeply isolated country where the same family has been in power since 1948 and the rulers are worshipped in all-encompassing cults of personality.

But Kim Jong Nams grandfather, the founding ruler Kim Il Sung, didnt approve of his mother, and refused to allow his parents to marry. So Kim spent his childhood in luxurious isolation, hidden from his grandfather, shuttled among Pyongyang mansions and watched over by platoons of bodyguards. When his mother fell ill, reportedly suffering from depression, she was sent to Moscow for treatment and Kim was raised by his maternal aunt.

In those days, his father, Kim Jong Il, loved him deeply, almost desperately. He rocked his son to sleep, and cooed to him the way a mother calms a crying baby, the aunt, Song Hye-rang, wrote in a memoir after she defected to South Korea in the 1990s.

At some point in his childhood, Kim Jong Nam left home, spending years living either with his mother or in boarding schools in Moscow and Geneva. He came back as a worldly teenager, a young man conversant in a string of languages who found himself back in the walled-off mansions and with just a cousin, his aunts daughter, for company.

They had nothing to do. They had no place to go, Song wrote in her memoir. They would occasionally be driven around the city, but werent allowed out of the car. At the seaside, theyd be kept in a sealed-off area where they experienced the sorrow of being on the vast empty beach.

By that time, Kim Jong Il also had another family, with a dancer named Ko Yong-hui who gave birth to current ruler Kim Jong Un, and his brother and sister. Kim Jong Il, who succeeded his father in 1994, shifted what Song called his abnormal, tearful love of Kim Jong Nam to his new children.

It was probably around this point that Kim Jong Nam  then seen by most analysts as his fathers successor-in-waiting  was pushed aside, almost certainly by his stepmother.

I think Kim Jong Nam was already out of the succession race because of the proximity to Kim Jong Il of Ko and her children, said Chang Yong Seok, a senior researcher at Seoul National Universitys Institute for Peace and Unification studies.

A queen can play a very important role when a crown prince is proclaimed, he added.

Kim Jong Nam began travelling more as he grew into adulthood, setting up homes in Beijing and Macau, where he had children with two women.

In 2001, he was caught with his family trying to enter Japan using a fake passport. He told Japanese officials they were going to Disneyland and was quickly expelled, a major embarrassment for Kim Jong Il that seemingly ended any chance he could succeed his father.

Still, most analysts believe he was financially supported by his father, as well as by the Chinese government, North Koreas main ally. He also reportedly worked as a freelance businessman, arranging deals where he could.

It was not always a lonely life.

He had mistresses abroad, used to meet North Korean diplomats and had a network of friends in North Korea, said Nicolas Levi, a researcher with the Polish Center of Asian Studies. For a while, he also travelled back to North Korea, though he did not attend his fathers 2011 funeral.

In Macau, a former Portuguese colony turned Chinese gambling centre, Kims son and daughter joined the Portuguese-language Lusophone Scouts and the family attended Mass, hoping to fit in better.

The family was trying as much as possible to live normal lives, said Ricardo Pinto, a Macau magazine publisher who closely watched the family for years.

Theres no evidence Kim ever got involved in his homelands politics, though he told journalists that he didnt believe in the regimes system of hereditary dictatorship.

While Kim never fell on hard times, his jet-setting ways appeared to have slowed in recent years. Two years after his father died, his powerful uncle, Jang Song Thaek, was arrested and executed by Kim Jong Uns government. Jang had been close to Kim Jong Nam, and also may have financially supported him, said Chang, the South Korea-based analyst.

He also knew that his brother wanted him dead, apparently fearing he  and his illustrious bloodline  could someday be used against the regime, South Korean intelligence officials have said.

After a mysterious failed attempt to kill him in 2012, South Korean officials say Kim sent his brother a letter, begging for the assassination order to be lifted.

We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide, and we know that the only way to escape is to commit suicide, he wrote.

Instead, two women  one Indonesian and the other Vietnamese  were recruited to kill him, with the Indonesian woman telling authorities that a group of men had recruited her for what she believed was a harmless prank.

They paid her $90.

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By Press Trust of India: Kolkata, Feb 28 (PTI) The fire in a century-old building in central Kolkatas wholesale market Burrabazar continued to rage today, with 35 fire tenders working to douse the blaze which broke out last night.

There was no report of any casualty, officials said.

Thick smoke was seen billowing out of the building engulfing the entire area.

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The ceiling and wooden staircase of the building have collapsed. Fearing that the building may collapse, the police had evacuated the building, when the fire broke out at around 9.35 PM yesterday, and adjacent houses.

Traffic movement around Rabindra Sarani and nearby roads has been controlled as a precautionary measure.

Fire fighters continued operations overnight, defying the challenges in reaching the building located on the narrow Amaratala Lane in the densely congested Burrabazar area, a senior official of the Fire department told PTI this morning.

"The fire is still not under control but we are fighting hard to douse it. As the building is located inside a narrow lane, it is difficult to reach there quickly," the officer said.

State Fire Minister and city Mayor Sovan Chatterjee was present at the scene for almost the entire night.

On the reason for the fire, the official said that it was yet to be ascertained but storage of inflammable materials quickened the spread of fire.

Traders at the Burrabazar area have decided to keep the Bagri market close for the entire day. PTI SCH NN DV

--- ENDS ---
VIENNAAustrian police say they have arrested two Nigerian nationals on suspicion of forcing young women into prostitution, in part through voodoo rites.

Police spokesman Johann Baumschlager says the man and woman are accused of being part of a criminal organization, human trafficking and engaging in the international prostitution trade.

He says they forced at least 10 young Nigerian women into the sex trade in part by engaging a voodoo priest, who made them submissive through certain rites.

Baumschlager said Tuesday the victims were repeatedly threatened with new voodoo spells and told they each owed 50,000 euros ($53,000) for their transport to Europe.

He says the male suspect is co-operating with police but the woman denies the accusations.

Neither is being named in keeping with Austrian privacy laws.

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On Capitol Hill, it appears that not a day goes by without yet another lawmaker -- normally but not constantly a Democrat -- calling for an investigation, unique prosecutor or independent commission to delve into the alleged contacts amongst the Trump campaign, transition and administration and Russian government officials.

Sources have told ABC News that U.S. authorities were probing communications amongst the associates and suspected members of the Russian intelligence community ahead of the election, allegations Trump has repeatedly decried as "fake news." An FBI probe into the matter is ongoing.

Beneath is a look at the current congressional probes related to the alleged contacts, into Russia, which the intelligence community concluded orchestrated an elaborate campaign to interfere in the 2016 election, as well as the leaks to the media surrounding the stories.

Senate Intelligence Committee

Chairman Richard Burr, R-North Carolina, gave the first public information on his panels inquiry on Dec. 16, prior to Trump was sworn in. The probe was prompted by, according to Burrs statement, the underpinnings of the intelligence that prompted the intelligence neighborhood to release a statement in October that stated it is confident that the Russian Government directed the current compromises of e-mails from US persons and institutions, like from US political organizations. It later revised its mission statement to encompass the revelations from a more detailed January assessment of Russia hacking. Republican leaders have also mentioned they anticipate the committee to contact former national safety adviser Gen. Mike Flynn to testify about his contacts with Russian officials. Flynn resigned just after misleading Vice President Mike Pence about the contacts. Democrats are criticizing Burr this week more than revelations that the White Property communicated with Burr and his Residence counterpart to rebut reports that Trump associates had contacts with Russian officials for the duration of the campaign. More than the weekend, Sen. Mark Warner, the prime Democrat on the panel, said in a statement, I have said from the incredibly beginning of this matter that if SSCI can not properly conduct an independent investigation, I will support empowering whoever can do it correct."

House Intelligence Committee

This panel, overseen by Chairman Devin Nunes, never ever announced a separate investigation of Russias actions, but acknowledged in early December that the committee had been closely monitoring Russias belligerence for years. Nunes also noted that it has been hunting into the underlying intelligence that prompted the conclusions in the intelligence communitys January assessment, including Russias alleged meddling in the 2016 election. Nunes, a Trump transition adviser, has diverged from the Senate Intelligence Committee in saying he has no plans to investigate Flynns conversations with Russian officials, saying in mid-February that were not supposed to be listening to American telephone calls. He has stated that he wants the FBI to investigate the leaks that have led to public reports about Trump officials' alleged contacts with suspected Russian officials. Nunes stated Monday that his committee is in the early stages of its perform, but that his preliminary communication with the Intelligence Neighborhood has yielded no proof of contacts involving the Trump campaign and the Russian government, even though he admitted that that does not mean they do not exist. But California Rep. Adam Schiff said that the committee has referred to as no witnesses or interviewed the FBI. We have not reached a conclusion, nor need to we, on concerns of collusion since we haven't interviewed a single witness or reviewed a single document, Schiff said.

Senate Armed Solutions Committee

Even though this committee, headed by John McCain, is not formally investigating Russias interference in the election, as is the Intelligence Committee, McCain has resolved to make cybersecurity, and by extension Russias hacking, a major focus. Its all part of the larger challenge of the cyber threat that we face from Russia, China and other countries. It is a further form of warfare, McCain stated on CBS in December. The committee held a hearing last month, in the course of which Director of National Intelligence James Clapper was asked by Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill about the presidents statements that appeared to trash the intelligence community, like when he questioned their veracity by citing their in the end incorrect assessment that Saddam Hussein harbored weapons of mass destruction. There's a difference involving skepticism and disparagement, Clapper mentioned for the duration of the Jan. 5 hearing.

Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism

At the starting of the month, Sens. Lindsey Graham and Sheldon Whitehouse, the chairman and prime Democrat on the Judiciary Subcommittee, announced they would be investigating Russian efforts to influence democratic elections in the United States and abroad. Our goal is straightforward  to the fullest extent probable we want to shine a light on Russian activities to undermine democracy. Although some of our efforts will have to be held behind closed doors due to safety issues, we also hope to have an open discussion just before the American men and women about Russias tactics to undermine democracy, the two said in a statement.

Property Oversight/Judiciary Committees

The chairmen of the two panels, Jason Chaffetz and Bob Goodlatte, have urged the Division of Justice Inspector General to investigate the leaks surrounding the Flynn calls with Russian officials, though they also say they are not interested in investigating Flynn himself. We have severe concerns about the prospective inadequate protection of classified data here, they wrote to the DOJ IG on Feb. 15, two days just after Flynn resigned. Chaffetz and his Oversight Ranking Member, Elijah Cummings, are also seeking into Flynns speaking engagements in Russia in 2014 and 2015 to establish the quantity and source of any funding he received to seem, and irrespective of whether he received payments from foreign sources, which would be in violation of the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution. Chaffetz has also stressed the want to appear into the leaks of sensitive facts from within the intelligence community.

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During his tenure as chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, Al Jourdan Jr. also headed the state's delegation to the 1988 national presidential nominating convention in New Orleans. He enjoyed the city so much he vowed to make a motion from the floor seeking to hold all future GOP presidential conventions there.

Jourdan, 82, a gregarious and sometimes boisterous icon of McHenry County politics who also served as state GOP chairman from 1988 to 1993, died Saturday at Centegra Hospital-McHenry. He was a resident of Johnsburg.

Jourdan served stints as the McHenry County Republican chairman and multiple terms as the county's auditor and was previously a director on the Regional Transportation Authority.

His chairmanship of the state GOP came during the final years of Republican Gov. James R. Thompson's administration and during Republican Gov. Jim Edgar's first term.

"Al was a good friend and a hard worker who helped me a great deal when I first took office as governor," Edgar said in a statement. "He was a dedicated public servant and probably one of the most important political figures to ever come from McHenry County."

Jourdan was general manager of his family's sausage-making business when he first became a McHenry Township precinct committeeman in 1961. In 1968, he became the county's GOP chairman and two decades later held the state chairmanship.

It was during Jourdan's term as state Republican chairman that his name was selected from a crystal bowl by then-Secretary of State George Ryan to serve as the critical lottery tie-breaker to determine which party would draw legislative maps following the 1990 federal census.

Photo gallery: Newsmakers and celebrities who died in 2017.

As a result, Republicans gained a state Senate majority in 1993 that they held for a decade while also taking control of the state House for two years following the 1994 election. It was the only time since 1983 that Democratic Rep. Michael Madigan lost his House speakership and headed his party as a minority in the chamber.

"Al was a great Republican leader who guided many of us through the rough and tumble world of politics and government," said Angelo "Skip" Saviano, a former long-time GOP state lawmaker and current village president of Elmwood Park.

"He always offered sound advice and counsel designed to help new members of the General Assembly not only be effective lawmakers, but to grow into sound leaders. He loved Illinois, but he loved McHenry County most of all," Saviano said.

Photo gallery: Newsmakers and celebrities with Chicago ties who died in 2017.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Justen Funeral Home, 3700 W. Charles J. Miller Road in McHenry. Funeral services will be Friday, but details were still being finalized.

Rap30@aol.com

Twitter @rap30

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The Bachelor cast jetted to Finland during Season 21, episode 9, but the real action will go down next week. Nick and Raven will head to the fantasy suite, where the Hoxie, Arkansas, native is hoping shell have a night to remember  but can Nick deliver?

During Season 21, episode 9 of the ABC dating series, Nick cut the cast down to three. In a shocking turn of events he eliminated Corinne during an emotional rose ceremony in Brooklyn, New York. After comforting her she headed back to Florida while Nick and the final three started their next adventure. Almost as soon as they landed he and Raven kicked off their stay in the winter wonderland with a date.

While playing darts at a local pub, Raven opened up about her dating life. She admitted shed only been intimate with one man and had never said I love you. Raven finally told Nick her true feelings for him and the two agreed to spend a night in the fantasy suite together.

Raven had a few guidelines before shacking up with Nick though. For starters, she reminding him she doesnt do this often. Then Raven laid on the pressure, admitting shed never had an orgasm before. The episode ended before viewers could find out whether Nick was able to give her her first.

What will happen between Nick and Raven in The Bachelor fantasy suite? Tune in to Season 21, episode 10 to find out. Photo: ABC

Fans of The Bachelor are in for a real treat on March 6. Season 21, episode 10 of The Bachelor will be three hours long. The first hour will bring viewers back to the fantasy suite to catch up with Nick and Raven.

Previews for the episode suggest it's not all champagne and rose petals for the duo. Raven appears to be questioning her fate on The Bachelor at one point. She even teases a possible early end to their fantasy suite night  gasp!

Nicks focus will be his night with Raven, but hell also have to squeeze in dates with Rachel L. and Vanessa during the trip. The episode synopsis suggests one lucky lady will join The Bachelor on a trip to a reindeer farm. The pair will take a moment to discuss their future together in front of a roaring fire.

This description aligns with a preview clip moment between Nick and Rachel L., which leads us to believe this is her date. In a sneak peek for the episode the Dallas native opens up to Nick about being afraid through The Bachelor process. Nick urges her to get out of her own head despite spending much of this season inside his own. The preview, as well as the timing, suggest Season 21, episode 10 will be the end of the road for Bachelorette Rachel L.

Nick and Vanessa will take a plunge into icy waters and then a quick warm up in a sauna and hot tub according to TV Guide. Its their conversation thats got us anxious for the next episode of The Bachelor. Vanessa has been clear about her intentions on the show since day one.

Vanessa will confront Nick about his intentions during a date in Finland on The Bachelor. Photo: ABC

Shes there to find love, but shes uncertain about Nick. Vanessa will finally confront him during episode 10 and it looks like theyre going to clash. A preview from the end of episode 9 shows The Bachelor assuring Vanessa hes far from traditional. Will this drive a wedge between them?

Only some of next Mondays episode of The Bachelor will focus on Nick and the final three. Those who love to see him squirm are in for a real treat. The latter part of the March 6 episode will bring back eliminated women to speak their truth. Theyll get to dish on their experience and on one another, which means there will be plenty of drama.

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The Department of Justice has just dropped out of a portion of a voting rights lawsuit in Texas that could signal a shift in stance on the concern because Jeff Sessions was sworn in as lawyer common.

The case at the heart of this most current legal drama centers on voter identification laws that were place in place in Texas in 2011 that demand voters to have a single of seven forms of state-authorized ID -- gun permits are an acceptable form of ID, but college IDs are not. The law was controversial because voting rights groups -- and the DOJ beneath the Obama administration -- argued that the law discriminated against minorities who may possibly not have those types of ID.

Prior to today, the DOJ had been working with a quantity of voting rights advocacy groups, such as the Brennan Center for Justice, in bringing the suit against the state of Texas over the legality of the voter ID needs.

Now, even so, the DOJ has withdrawn from aspect of the lawsuit, according to a filing obtained by ABC News, and even even though the suit will carry on for the reason that of the other advocacy groups that are portion of the case, it is being seen as a attainable shift in policy.

"I have no purpose to think that this will influence the outcome of this case, but it is a disturbing signal from the Department of Justice," said Wendy Weiser, the director of the Brennan Center's democracy program.

Weiser elaborated on her comments, telling The Associated Press: "The much more vigorously the Department of Justice pursues illegal discrimination when it occurs, the extra deterrent an impact it has. When they pull back from vigorous enforcement, it may perhaps have an unfortunate and pernicious impact of sending a green light to states that there's going to be much less policing [of discriminatory laws]."

Weiser explained to ABC News that there are primarily two different components of the lawsuit: The 1st contends that the voter ID law in Texas discriminates against minority voters (that is, the effect of the law), while the second portion of the lawsuit asserts that the law's intention was to discriminate against minority voters (that is, the intent of the law).

The district court ruled in favor of the DOJ and the plaintiffs on each counts, but the suit then went up to a circuit court on appeal. At that point, Weiser mentioned that the circuit court deemed that "yes, you win" on the initial element of the suit, but the court ruled that there would be "a do-more than" on the second portion with regards to the law's intent.

In today's filing, the DOJ withdrew from that remaining element of the suit that argues that the voter ID laws have been intentionally discriminatory.

In the filing, the DOJ mentioned it was dropping its claim that Texas' measure was crafted with the purpose of disenfranchising minority voters since state lawmakers are thinking of a proposal to revise the law. The Republican-backed bill would make permanent the court-ordered changes imposed for the November election, but its fate won't be known till closer to the end of Texas' legislative session in May possibly.

"Therefore, there is no basis for further judicial action at this juncture, when the State is 'acting to ameliorate the issues raised' in this case and has requested reasonable time to do so," the agency argued.

Justice Department spokesman Mark Abueg mentioned the agency was preparing a brief detailing its rationale for the move.

The case will continue with the other plaintiffs continuing to pursue the lawsuit. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.

"The Department of Justice, for a really long time, has been arguing that Texas intentionally discriminated, and has built a incredibly robust case," Weiser stated.

"There clearly has been a shift in the department's position and technique in the new administration. Beforehand, it was vigorously prosecuting the intent claim, and now it is stepping back from enforcing that claim, so there's a true worry that this could signal a retrenchment in voting rights enforcement by the Division of Justice and it is absolutely a retrenchment in this distinct case," she added.

The Related Press contributed to this report.

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President Trump will outline his plans for the nation in his very first main address to Congress Tuesday evening.

Even though the White Home promises the message will be focused on the "renewal of the American spirit," Americans across the country are weighing in on the important difficulties they would like to see tackled in a new administration.

ABC News has launched a "Listening to America" series devoted to sharing how Americans across the nation feel about the direction of the nation.

The series starts in Wichita, Kansas, an industrial hub that is usually referred to as the "Air Capital of the World" and is dwelling to Koch Industries.

Wichita mayor, Jeff Longwell, describes the city as friendly, taking pride in its welcoming spirit.

"Were the kind of city that when you stroll by somebody, a total stranger, theyre going to say 'Hi,' theyre going to wave," he mentioned. "Were that common Midwestern city."

Longwell, a Republican elected to workplace in 2015, attended President Trumps inauguration in Washington, D.C. Protests, following the inauguration and later policy announcements by the Trump administration, have been organized in cities across the nation, including Wichita.

But, Longwell stated he believes the political climate and feeling in his city are distinct from other places.

"Weve had the friendly protests weve had some marches right here, but a different tone to them," he mentioned. "I dont know if it is the very same tone of the angriness you see in other locations."

Wichita entrepreneur, Schane Gross mentioned she has observed extra residents develop into politically active since Trump was elected.

"There wasnt a lot of political activation that happened in Wichita when Obama was in the presidency, but with Trump getting in the presidency theres a lot of political activation," Gross told ABC News. "There are persons who have never been involved with politics prior to that are stepping up and operating for office or supporting individuals that are operating for office, that Ive under no circumstances seen just before."

As all eyes turn to President Trump for his congressional address, Gross is hoping to get a sense of transparency - anything she says she expects from any administration, previous, present or future.

"I really feel like if everyone knows the tools that they have to work with, then there is no explanation why they can not get ahead."

President Trumps congressional address starts at 9 p.m. ET and will stream reside on abcnews.com/reside.

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When the Israeli government reluctantly complied with a court order and booted several hundred Israeli settlers from a hilltop outpost in the West Bank early this month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus administration promised to break ground within weeks on a new settlement in another part of the disputed territory. There was little reason to doubt it.

The election of President Trump seemed to clear the way for Netanyahu to chart his own course on the Middle East peace process and play to his right-wing base, which favors the construction of more settlements and opposes the creation of a Palestinian state.

Though he publicly endorsed the so-called two-state solution in 2009, Netanyahu had always been lukewarm to the idea. Breaking with the Obama administration, Trump has indicated that the U.S. would no longer insist on it. Returning from his visit to Washington last week, Netanyahu boasted of his personal friendship with Trump and declared a new day in ties with the U.S.

But now the prime minister is hesitating on his promise to the settlers of the outpost known as Amona  and playing down expectations from his staunchest supporters for a dramatic makeover of the West Bank.

On Monday, the newspaper Haaretz quoted Netanyahu telling members of his own Likud Party that the election of Trump "is a historic opportunity, but one must understand the limits of that opportunity."

When it comes to building in the West Bank, "things aren't as simple as they look," he reportedly said.

Since Trump won, Netanyahu has faced regular calls from Likud and the Jewish Home party to annex parts of the West Bank, establish new settlements and speed up building in existing ones.

Outside Jerusalem, posters along the highway to the West Bank settlements demand that the prime minister exercise Israeli sovereignty over territory that the Palestinians claim as part of their hoped-for future state.

The ball isnt in [the hands of] Washington, but in Jerusalem, Yossi Dagan, a Likud member and a settler leader, wrote on his Facebook page shortly after Netanyahus meeting with Trump in Washington.

That may be too simplistic. Though the U.S. may have loosened the reins, the prime minister cannot simply run free.

The international community as a whole remains committed to a two-state solution and could impose sanctions on Israel if it annexes more disputed territory.

Trump himself may not be quite the partner that right-wing Israelis want. Though he has expressed doubts about the two-state solution and appointed key aides who oppose it, Trump also told Netanyahu to hold off on expansion of settlements.

Further complicating the prime ministers situation is a pair of investigations into whether he unlawfully accepted gifts from wealthy businessmen and offered to push legislation as part of secret deal with a newspaper publisher to secure more favorable coverage.

The prime minister has denied any wrongdoing. But the investigation has raised the possibility that he might face a bribery indictment, leading to speculation that members of his own government might try to replace him.

I would not want to be Netanyahus strategist today, said Stephan Miller, an Israeli American political consultant. An indictment could sour support among those who support him politically but dont like him personally.

Netanyahu said in January that hed agree to give Palestinians a state-minus  a demilitarized state where Israels army retains ultimate control over the West Bank. But hes provided few details about what that means.

Once Netanyahu starts to trace out a plan for the Palestinians, it might put him at loggerheads with ideologues in his governing coalition.

Hes in a Catch-22, said Yoaz Hendel, a former communications advisor to Netanyahu. Right now, no one really knows what he wants.

The settlers of Amona are Netanyahus most immediate challenge.

Israels Supreme Court ruled two years ago that the government could not allow them to stay, because the land is privately owned Palestinian property. To coax the settlers to leave peacefully, the government pledged to start construction within weeks on an empty hilltop near the settlement of Shilo several miles away.

We are waiting for the prime minister to make good on his promise, said Yedidya Ben Zimra, one of several settlers at a protest tent set up outside the prime ministers house in Jerusalem. Netanyahu is looking for a way out of it.''

If he does honor the promise, it would be the first time since the 1990s that Israel has officially set out to build an entirely new settlement.

A few days after Trump told him to hold off, Netanyahu signaled to members of his party that he would have to postpone his promise.

Dozens of Amona settlers are now living in a dormitory in the West Bank settlement Ofra.

Everyone knows that Prime Minister Netanyahu doesnt want to shake anything up, said one of them, 44-year-old Eli Greenberg. Netanyahu keeps on preserving the two-state solution, he doesnt want anything to change. Its a grave situation.

Since leaving Amona, Tamar Ben Izri, 38, and her husband and five children have been living in two small dorm rooms cramped with bunk beds.

The family and others have refused to leave, hoping to maintain pressure on the government.

If we move to a mobile home, Bibi will forget about us, Ben Izri said, using the prime ministers nickname.

"Moonlight" won the best picture Oscar after a botched announcement threw the ceremony into chaos.

"Moonlight" won the best picture Oscar after a botched announcement threw the ceremony into chaos.

"Moonlight" won the best picture Oscar after a botched announcement threw the ceremony into chaos.

"Moonlight" won the best picture Oscar after a botched announcement threw the ceremony into chaos.

Staff writer Tre'vell Anderson asks 2017 Academy Awards ceremony attendees to discuss the significance of the Oscars.

Staff writer Tre'vell Anderson asks 2017 Academy Awards ceremony attendees to discuss the significance of the Oscars.

Car bomb

Car bomb

Key play in Chino Hills-Mater Dei

Key play in Chino Hills-Mater Dei

It's legal for an ICE agent to pretend to be an officer in an immigration raid. Officer Keith Boyer spent 27 years patrolling the streets of Whittier. Magic Johnson is now in charge of the Lakers. President Trump has withdrawn protections for transgender students. Lawmakers are getting grilled at raucous town-hall meetings.Did you know the red carpet at the Academy Awards isn't truly red? Scientists have found a seven-planet solar system 39 light-years away.

It's legal for an ICE agent to pretend to be an officer in an immigration raid. Officer Keith Boyer spent 27 years patrolling the streets of Whittier. Magic Johnson is now in charge of the Lakers. President Trump has withdrawn protections for transgender students. Lawmakers are getting grilled at raucous town-hall meetings.Did you know the red carpet at the Academy Awards isn't truly red? Scientists have found a seven-planet solar system 39 light-years away.

Mitnick is a special correspondent.

ALSO

Iran celebrates an Oscar win  and a chance to needle President Trump

On the other side of the wall: Mexicans on the border are 'psychologically traumatized'

Islamic State is showing stunning resistance as Iraqi troops try to breach west Mosul

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Christian Nilo has grown up with poverty and corruption, with barely enough to eat and teachers who demand bribes in exchange for passing grades.

Two years ago, when he was 20, an acquaintance paid him $2 to deliver a package  which he later learned contained a cheap methamphetamine known as shabu. More work was available if he wanted it.

He resisted the temptation to join the drug trade, but a number of classmates did not.

There are a lot of them, Nilo said. They have more money than regular students.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has taken a hard-line approach to his countrys illicit drug problem, overseeing a campaign of extrajudicial killings that has left more than 7,000 people dead, most of them suspected drug dealers or users.

Missing from his strategy, experts said, is any concerted effort to address the widespread poverty and corruption that have helped fuel the drug trade.

There wasnt enough employment, or social resources, so everyone needed a second job, said Clarke Jones, a professor at Australian National University who has studied drug dealing in the Philippines. Duterte might be trying to eliminate the drug market  which will never happen, by the way  but hes failed to realize, whats going to replace those funds?

This society is built on corruption, he said. Its learned at a very, very early age.

At Batasan Hills National High School  which Nilo attends  teachers and students described difficulties that help explain the attraction of the drug trade.

Tess Busadre, the head of the social studies department, said the vast majority of the schools budget goes to electricity, water and other basic needs.

With salaries of about $4,500 per year  barely enough to cover basic living costs  teachers resort to selling school materials to students to make ends meet, she said.

One of the reasons why we have dropouts, or problematic students, is that they cant finance the projects that they have to submit, she said.

Jenelyn Escovanez, a 10th-grader, said a math teacher once demanded his students order T-shirts from him in lieu of completing a project. She paid the teacher and passed the class, she said, but then discovered there was no T-shirt.

The teacher has a drug problem and remains at the school, Busadre said.

Nilo said that he has been forced to pay teachers for supplies, photocopies and the privilege to complete class projects. In one class last year, the assignment was to make a toolbox. Nilo didnt have $1.50 to buy the needed materials from his teacher.

I was made to choose between buying medicine for my father, and passing my class, he said. I chose to buy medicine for my father.

Nilo failed the class.

The school, which is located in Quezon City  one of Manilas poorest areas  allows older students such as Nilo to attend classes just once a week so they can work full time.

Most days, he operates a pedicab from dawn to dusk, ferrying commuters in a low-slung yellow carriage bolted to his rusty bicycle. He usually earns less than $5 a day and spends it on medicine for his father  who has heart trouble  and food for his two younger siblings.

Classmates in similar straits have turned to drugs and prostitution.

They hide [drugs] in socks, they hide it in their shirts, Nilo said. Some of my girl classmates, they allow themselves to be touched, caressed, and they get paid for it.

Joel M. Durban, dean of the College of Education, Arts and Sciences at National University in Manila, said that conditions at the school are typical. Its poor by Manila standards, but if youre going to look at the whole country, its basically the same, he said.

Busadre said that Dutertes drug war has reduced the schools drug problem.

But human rights organizations have roundly condemned Dutertes anti-drug campaign, with Amnesty International, in a February report, calling it a war on the poor.

Many countries, including neighbors of the Philippines, have tried a heavy-handed approach to drugs, it said. Again and again, such tactics have proven unsuccessful, devastating lives while failing to tackle the root causes of drug use and sale. Poverty and its various manifestations are a problem you treat, not shoot at.

Children have been among the targets in the presidents drug war. At least 31 people under age 18 have been killed, said Rowena Legaspi, executive director of the Children's Legal Rights and Development Centre, a nonprofit in Metro Manila.

A bill now in Congress proposes lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 9 to prevent the pampering of youthful offenders who commit crimes knowing they can get away with it.

Duterte has said he supports the legislation, claiming that it would stop a generation of criminals in its tracks.

President Trump to address Congress tonight, a PwC accountant is at the center of the Oscars gaffe, remembering the 1997 North Hollywood shootout, and the real goal of Trump's executive orders.

President Trump to address Congress tonight, a PwC accountant is at the center of the Oscars gaffe, remembering the 1997 North Hollywood shootout, and the real goal of Trump's executive orders.

President Trump to address Congress tonight, a PwC accountant is at the center of the Oscars gaffe, remembering the 1997 North Hollywood shootout, and the real goal of Trump's executive orders.

President Trump to address Congress tonight, a PwC accountant is at the center of the Oscars gaffe, remembering the 1997 North Hollywood shootout, and the real goal of Trump's executive orders.

Watch a time-lapse of the 89th Academy Awards red carpet in two minutes.

Watch a time-lapse of the 89th Academy Awards red carpet in two minutes.

Construction begins on a new $1.6-billion terminal at Los Angeles International Airport. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Construction begins on a new $1.6-billion terminal at Los Angeles International Airport. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Oscars Red Carpet Full Interview: Trevante Rhodes

Oscars Red Carpet Full Interview: Trevante Rhodes

"Moonlight" won the best picture Oscar after a botched announcement threw the ceremony into chaos.

"Moonlight" won the best picture Oscar after a botched announcement threw the ceremony into chaos.

jonathan.kaiman@latimes.com

Twitter: @JRKaiman

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Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
Iranians delighted Monday in the Oscar victory by director Asghar Farhadi, who won his second foreign language film award but boycotted the ceremony in protest of President Trumps immigration policies.

Farhadi, who won for his drama The Salesman, had an Iranian American engineer  Anousheh Ansari, the first Iranian-born person to travel to space  deliver a statement on his behalf condemning Trumps inhumane executive order banning citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, from entering the U.S.

Dividing the world into the us and our enemies categories creates fear  a deceitful justification for aggression and war, Farhadi wrote. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression.

Irans theocratic government and military establishment are accused of human rights abuses, supporting foreign extremist groups and curbing free speech. But Tehran seized an opportunity with the Oscar win to stake out some moral high ground over the United States.

Irans foreign minister, Javad Zarif, tweeted, Proud of cast & crew of The Salesman for Oscar & stance against #MuslimBan.

Iranian state media gave scant coverage to the Oscar news, but many Iranians learned of Farhadis victory  which followed his 2012 triumph in the same category for the film A Separation  through social media.

Farhadi had announced in January that he wouldnt attend the ceremony. On Friday he joined the directors of the four other Oscar-nominated foreign language films  from Denmark, Germany, Australia and Sweden  in issuing a statement expressing our unanimous and emphatic disapproval of the climate of fanaticism and nationalism we see today in the U.S. and in so many other countries.

Hours before the ceremony on Sunday, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, a Muslim, held a free public screening of The Salesman that drew thousands. Khan has called Trumps travel ban shameful. The travel order has been stymied in court.

Trump has singled out Iran for criticism since taking office, ordering fresh sanctions following an Iranian missile test and threatening to reconsider a nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, including the United States, that has eased economic restrictions against the Islamic republic.

For many Iranians, who have reacted with a mixture of fear and contempt to Trumps harsh rhetoric, Farhadis victory was a moment to celebrate.

The Oscar for The Salesman shows the world of art is beyond man-made frontiers, with an emphasis on humanity, said Rahim Zohabi, a 65-year-old businessman in Tehran.

Art cannot be limited by bans and walls. Hopefully [the Oscar] will promote peace and understanding between nations, if not politicians.

The film centers on an Iranian couple  actors starring in a local production of Arthur Millers play Death of a Salesman  whose life is upended when the woman is assaulted by an intruder.

Some hardliners criticized the film for presenting a negative image of Iran. Others speculated that Iranian authorities submitted the film for Oscar consideration in an attempt to show a humane side to the theocracy  and that Farhadi was rewarded by a liberal Hollywood for his opposition to Trump.

The award was politicized, said Farshid Farivar, a 54-year-old publisher of art magazines. The Salesman didnt deserve the Oscar.

Ahmad Kassaeian, an optician and writer, said Iranians worldwide would cheer the success of one of their own.

I think Mr. Farhadi cannot make any tangible impact in reducing the tension between Iran and America, said Kassaeian, 54. But culturally, if we gain greater recognition and respect among Americans, thats important.

"Moonlight" won the best picture Oscar after a botched announcement threw the ceremony into chaos.

"Moonlight" won the best picture Oscar after a botched announcement threw the ceremony into chaos.

"Moonlight" won the best picture Oscar after a botched announcement threw the ceremony into chaos.

"Moonlight" won the best picture Oscar after a botched announcement threw the ceremony into chaos.

Staff writer Tre'vell Anderson asks 2017 Academy Awards ceremony attendees to discuss the significance of the Oscars.

Staff writer Tre'vell Anderson asks 2017 Academy Awards ceremony attendees to discuss the significance of the Oscars.

Car bomb

Car bomb

Key play in Chino Hills-Mater Dei

Key play in Chino Hills-Mater Dei

It's legal for an ICE agent to pretend to be an officer in an immigration raid. Officer Keith Boyer spent 27 years patrolling the streets of Whittier. Magic Johnson is now in charge of the Lakers. President Trump has withdrawn protections for transgender students. Lawmakers are getting grilled at raucous town-hall meetings.Did you know the red carpet at the Academy Awards isn't truly red? Scientists have found a seven-planet solar system 39 light-years away.

It's legal for an ICE agent to pretend to be an officer in an immigration raid. Officer Keith Boyer spent 27 years patrolling the streets of Whittier. Magic Johnson is now in charge of the Lakers. President Trump has withdrawn protections for transgender students. Lawmakers are getting grilled at raucous town-hall meetings.Did you know the red carpet at the Academy Awards isn't truly red? Scientists have found a seven-planet solar system 39 light-years away.

Special correspondent Mostaghim reported from Tehran and Times staff writer Bengali from Thiruvananthapuram, India.

shashank.bengali@latimes.com

Follow @SBengali on Twitter for more news from South Asia

Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
By Press Trust of India: Meerut, Feb 27 (PTI) A week after Prime Minister Narendra Modis graveyard-cremation ground remark sparked a row, firebrand BJP leader Sakshi Maharaj today said there should be no graveyard at all in the country and all should be cremated.

The BJP MP from Unnao said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi said a crematorium should be constructed next to a graveyard. But graveyards should not be constructed at all. If this happens, all land in the country will be used for this purpose and no space will be left for practising agriculture... There will be no feilds."

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Maharaj, who is known for his off-the cuff, occasionally controversial remarks, claimed, "There is no tradition of constructing graveyards in Islamic countries across the world. The bodies are cremated in these countries. There are about 3.5 crore Hindu saints in India. They follow the tradition of burying the dead.

"So, I want to appeal to the Prime Minister that there should be only one cremation ground which should lead to jannat or moksh dwaar."

The BJP leader said a new law with "no room for graveyards should be enacted. There should be a joint crematorium for all. And if there is one, the outcome will be positive".

Later, clarifying his remarks, he said, "The population of the country is increasing and their is a paucity of land. Where will people live if all the land is used for constructing graveyards.

"I am not against what the Prime Minister has said. I said that whatever the name of the place maybe, it should serve the purpose of cremating the dead. There is no need to bury anyone." PTI GVS ZMN GVS

--- ENDS ---
Bhagat, a former IITian, compared his alma mater to the Delhi University, and said, "If students are violent at IIT, they are expelled. If DU expelled students engaging in violence, it would stop there too".

By India Today Web Desk: The controversy surrounding 20-year-old Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur refuses to end.

The latest to join the Twitter war is author Chetan Bhagat, who started with supporting Gurhemar's right to expression.

Bhagat reacted to Gurmehar's tweet on withdrawing from the campaign with a tweet: "You did just fine. Whether we may agree with your opinion or not, will always stand up for your right to have and express views".

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Bhagat's tweets, however, soon went in another direction--one that blamed the Delhi University for lack of discipline in its colleges.

DU NEEDS A DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE

Bhagat, a former IITian, compared his alma mater to Delhi University, and said, "If students are violent at IIT, they are expelled. If DU expelled students engaging in violence, it would stop there too. Core issue here".

The author of 'Five Point Someone' said Delhi University lacks a disciplinary committee which allows "goons to flourish". "Fix that problem, rest will go away," he said.

DU doesn't have the infamous DisCo or Disciplinary Committee like the IITs. Hence goons flourish. Fix that problem, rest will go away. Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) February 28, 2017

"Why doesn't the NDA (National Defence Academy) have violent student political clashes? Or IIT? Or AIIMS? Because there's discipline which DU simply doesn't have," the author said.

He said 95 per cent of the students in DU "just want to study and have a good future". The university's inability to control the remaining 5 per cent is causing all the trouble, Bhagat said.

He said Delhi University vice-chancellor and college principals should be held responsible for the current scenario. "Where are Delhi Univ VC and principals? Why are they not taking responsibility or being blamed for being unable to keep colleges in control?," Bhagat said.

ALSO READ:

Ramjas College violence: DU professor, journalists injured in clashes between student groups

Gurmehar Kaur straight bats Sehwag, asks if it's ok to make fun of a father's death

Gurmehar Kaur: Stones were not pelted at Umar Khalid but on Ramjas students

ALSO WATCH

--- ENDS ---
Student unions inclined to Left parties held protests in and around the JU campus today.

By Manogya Loiwal : Students of Jadavpur University (JU) today marched in the campus with torches to express solidarity with Gurmehar Kaur who through her social media post condemned the alleged violence by ABVP at Ramjas College.

Student unions inclined to Left parties held protests in and around the JU campus.

More than hundred students marched with torches, shouting slogans demanding 'azadi' and against the alleged atrocities of ABVP in Delhi.

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The students started the march in the evening and held a procession for around 5 kilometres across the campus.

While JU has always been politically active with its views, the student march adds another chapter to the political legacy activities of the students here.

A student marching said that the torches were suggest that the fire of protest has been ignited and will not douse till the result of putting an end to right wing extremism is attained.

Also read:

Exclusive: Virender Sehwag clarifies his tweet was not meant for Gurmehar Kaur

Gurmehar Kaur given DCW protection, Venkaiah says youth being misled: Top updates

Gurmehar Kaur straight bats Sehwag, asks if it's ok to make fun of a father's death

--- ENDS ---
By Pankaj P. Khelkar: Major General Shashikant Pitre (retired) today slammed Gurmehar Kaur's social media post stating that Pakistan did not kill her father but war did. He said that the statement was a great fallacy. However, the war veteran also said that it was wrong to call Kaur anti-national.

Pitre is a war veteran who fought two wars by India against Pakistan. While talking to India Today from his residence in Pune Pitre said, "It must be understood that operation Rakshak was fought to counter the internal unrest in Punjab, and there is no doubt that in it that the proxy war that was being launched in both Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir was at the behest of Pakistan. So without mincing words it can be easily proved that the root lies there. It can be credited or discredited only to Pakistan".

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"Pakistan had started that war and if someone is martyred in that war, it is not the war but the person the perpetrator, that is Pakistan who is responsible for the death," he added.

HERE'S WHAT HE SAID Major General Pitre further justified using an example. "If you are travelling in a car and if I go and kill somebody, then it is not the car who has killed that person, it is me who has killed that person. So it must be understood where the root of the problem lies and to say that any martyr has been killed not by Pakistan but by war is great fallacy," he said. Major General Pitre refused to term her as anti national and credited Gurmehar Kaur and her family for the tremendous contribution her martyr father has done for the country. "Gurmehar is daughter of very celebrated army officer who has given his life during operation Rakshak in 1999, he was a valiant officer and when the attack came he fought it out. So she has got the legacy and indeed love for the army that cannot be denied taken away," said Major General Pitre. Major General Pitre further advised Gurmehar Kaur that she should not mean something that she does not want to say and that her statement should not harm the sacrifices her fraternity, the whole Indian Army has made. She should not make a statement that will cause her entire extended family disrepute. Major General Pitre also said that when it comes to war with Pakistan it should be attributed to the Pakistan Army which is the only authority there. According to him, Pakistan army had a prominent role in escalation and de-escalation of strife in Jammu and Kashmir. "Whether there should be talks or track to level talks , the entire decision lies with the Pakistan Army, which is called a deep state. At the same time, when we say that we cannot blame whole of Pakistan, we mean to say it is only Pakistan army that is propagating this strife," he said. He further said that if Kaur's blamed Pakistan Army in her statment for the cause of her father being martyred , then it would have been an correct statement. Major General Shashikant Pitre served in the Indian Army for 36 years. He was commissioned into Corps of Engineers in 1962. He has fought in the 1965 and 1971 wars against Pakistan. Pitre's contribution in the IPKF operations in Sri Lanka during 1987-90 are commendable. In 1998, he retired from Indian Army after from senior command and staff positions.

Also read:

Exclusive: Virender Sehwag clarifies his tweet was not meant for Gurmehar Kaur

Gurmehar Kaur given DCW protection, Venkaiah says youth being misled: Top updates

Gurmehar Kaur straight bats Sehwag, asks if it's ok to make fun of a father's death

--- ENDS ---
An Introduction to Doing Business in Vietnam 2018-19 will provide readers with an overview of the fundamentals of investing and conducting business in Vietnam....
Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay made the announcement at a working session with Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong in Hanoi on February 27.



Minister Cuong said the trade potential between Vietnam and Canada is enormous. Goods shipped between the two countries are supplementary, which helps propel bilateral economic ties forward, he said.



He urged the two sides to help businesses promote investment and develop farm produce markets.



Canada mainly exports seafood, wheat flour, soybeans, beef, pork, fruit, and cattle-feed material to Vietnam.



Minister MacAulay emphasised boosting exports of lobsters, blueberry, and pork to the Southeast Asian country.



Minister Cuong said Vietnam wants to import high-quality pork. The countrys aquatic industry is also developing, hence, Canada could study breeding lobsters in Vietnam for sale in the country and for export.



Vietnam is a leading trade partner of Canada among the 10 ASEAN countries, he said, adding that agri-food and seafood play a crucial role in exports to Canada.

Last year, Vietnam exported US$2.65 billion worth of goods to Canada, and imported US$389.9 million, he said.

The Canadian government helped the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development implement a project building quality farm produce worth CAD17 million (US$12.8 million) between 2008 and 2014, and another providing technical and policy assistance to restructure the agricultural sector at a total cost of CAD500,000 (US$379,000) which concluded in December 2016.
Now more connected than ever, Quang Nam province is readying for investment flows

Inflows to Chu Lai

With Cua Dai Bridge opening to traffic, Quang Nam authorities have recognised the great potential of connecting the dynamic city of Danang and ancient city of Hoi An to the east of Quang Nam and Chu Lai Open Economic Zone (EZ). This also offers a tremendous opportunity for the development of the province.

Simultaneously, a series of social welfare programmes have been implemented, such as proposals to conduct training, transform livelihoods, and create more jobs for the locals, along with projects to renovate agricultural land and to build storm-resistant housing for residents. These have contributed to positive changes in the living standards of thousands of local families.

More importantly, with the existing effort to lure more investors, Chu Lai EZ now has a new foundation to increase the quality of services for trade and investment projects into the zone.

Over the first six months of 2016, the Chu Lai-Truong Hai automobile complex has put several projects into operation, including a heavyweight specialised vehicles and semi-trailers manufacturing factory, composite component factory, and mould manufacturing factory. In addition, the production capacity of the Kia Thaco plant will be raised from 28,000 to 30,000 cars; Vina Mazdas production will also be bumped up, to 30,000 vehicles per annum.

The complex will boost an automobile air conditioning factory capable of producing 50,000 units per year, and an exhaust pipe factory with a capacity of 100,000 products per year.

Recognising the great trade opportunities afforded by the Cua Dai Bridge, Thaco has worked to expand its Chu Lai-Truong Hai complex, as well as two routes connecting Tam Hiep Port with the highway and industrial park (IP), in the Tam Hiep urban area.

Thaco said that investment in routes to Cua Dai can help support Chu Lai EZ, as well as enhance the lives of the locals and attract more socio-economic investment.

Driving force from six targeted sectors

According to Do Xuan Dien, director of the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone Management Authority, 10 years ago, businesses hesitated to invest in Chu Lai EZ, doubting its ability to attract big projects, especially those in manufacturing and heavy industries. However, the zone has gained potential with the development of the surrounding areas, and Chu Lai is becoming a destination for several international-scale projects.

To create more room for development to the east of Quang Nam and Chu Lai EZ, the Quang Nam Peoples Committee has adjusted its master plan to allocate 1,500 hectares for future development. This increases the provinces total area for development space to 45,000ha, including Chu Lai EZ and the general project on residential arrangement along 25 coastal communes, wards, and towns.

Dien added that the province has also announced six sectors that need improvement to develop the South Quang Nam and Chu Lai EZ. These include the development of the South Hoi An service centre and urban area; the auto industry and its supporting industries; the textile industry in line with the urban development of Tam Ky; clean industry development in line with Chu Lai Airport; gas and electricity projects and energy-using industries; and projects to upgrade fishing ports and anchorage areas.

Dinh Van Thu, Chairman of the Quang Nam Peoples Committee, said that these six sectors have been identified based on the existing potential and advantages of the province in terms of its location, infrastructure, and policies to attract domestic investment. These concentrations also reflect the development policies of Chu Lai EZ, which have been approved by the central government.

The province now hosts several key projects playing an essential role in directing general development of the region, such as the South Hoi An project, Everland, Tam Thang IP (Tam Ky), an auto manufacturing factory at Tam Hiep IP (Nui Thanh), and a gas treatment plant and gas-electricity plant at Gas-Electricity IP of Tam Quang, Nui Thanh.
Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has asked ministries to review the collection of fees at all ports in northern Hai Phong City.-Photo haiphongport.com.vn

The Government Office last weekend sent a document requiring the ministries of Finance, Justice, Industry and Trade, Planning and Investment, Transport, and Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) to work with the municipal Peoples Committee to review the collection of fees and report to the Prime Minister before March 20.

Last week, the municipal Peoples Committee released a document affirming that the collection had adequate legal foundation.

It said the fees were much lower than that of Lao Cai (a half for 20-feet container and 62.5 per cent for 40-feet container).

It added that Hai Phong City was the first locality in the country to charge fees at seaports and so, it could not compare its fees with other localities having seaports.

Earlier this month, VCCI submitted a document to the PM, saying that the fees being collected under Resolution No 148 were much higher than the current levels of up to 70 per cent.

VCCI said the fees for the use of infrastructure, service facilities and public utilities at Hai Phongs seaports were increased for two consecutive years since 2015.

It added that businesses believed the citys roadmap for an increase of fees had been too short, as the fees were increased thrice within three years.

The Ministry of Finance on January 25 had said the fees being collected should ensure competitiveness and create a favourable investment environment for firms.

The ministry also asked the Government Office to ensure that the charges were in line with the payment ability of enterprises, and transport through the seaports and operations are conducted smoothly.
The development of green tourism is becoming popular in numerous cities and among many travel companies, contributing to sustainable tourism development.

According to figures released by the General Department of Tourism, Vietnam welcomed more than 10 million international visitors in 2016, a year-on-year increase of 26%; and served 62 million domestic tourists, up 9% over the previous year.

The country earned VND400 trillion (over US$17.5 billion) from tourism past year, an increase of 19% compared to 2015.

Vietnams tourism sector strives to receive 11.5 million international visitors and serve 66 million domestic tourists, earning VND460 trillion (nearly US$20.2 billion) in 2017.

The country set a target of welcoming 17-20 million foreign arrivals and 82 million domestic tourists by 2020, contributing 10% to the countrys GDP.

However, according to the General Department of Tourism, the competitiveness of Vietnam's tourism ranked 75th out of 141 nations, following numerous countries in the region including Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

In addition, Vietnamese tourism products are yet to be especially attractive or unique; meanwhile multi-sectoral policies related to ensuring favourable conditions for the development of tourism and improvement of its competitiveness have not been synchronous.

Moreover, the quality of tourism services did not meet the requirement of the raised standards, and both the natural and social tourism environments are inadequate.

In order to improve this, many experts said that in addition to increasing turnover and the number of tourists, managers should pay much attention to planning as well as sustainable green tourism.

Bui Thu Hoan, Director of the Tara International Travel Joint Stock Company, noted that Vietnam has a great potential for developing green tourism, particularly due to the countrys copious variety of natural ecosystems including coral, wetland, coastal sandy areas and tropical forests.

Vietnam is also a country home to the diverse cultures of many ethnic groups and to numerous well-known heritages such as Hue ancient capital, Hoi An ancient city and My Son Sanctuary.

It can be said that national parks including Cat Ba, Cuc Phuong, Ba Be, Nam Cat Tien, Tam Nong and U Minh, along with mountainous areas such as Fanxipang peak are also highly suitable for the development of green tourism models, contributing to conserving natural landscapes, biodiversity and community culture.

However, for many countries in the world, including Vietnam, green tourism is a new form of tourism in terms of concept and in preserving natural resources. Research and planning for the development of green tourism is still limited.

There are several localities and travel businesses that have tried to establish programmes and tours towards green tourism, however, their scales and forms have not lived up to expectations.

In addition, products and markets have not been clearly identified, so attracting visitors has proven difficult.

In recent times, the Vietnamese National Administration of Tourism has co-ordinated with International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) held an international conference on building a strategic framework for the development of Vietnamese tourism as well as promoting co-operation in developing eco-tourism activities in Vietnam.

Tara International Travel Company has prioritised greeen tourism via the development of its markets, introduction of tourism products and building of tourism brands.

Accordingly, the company focused on market segments, such as tourists seeking quality services and long-stay duration, particularly from Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Pacific, Western Europe and Eastern Europe.

The enterprise also expanded activities to attract visitors from new markets such as the Middle East and India. In this field, the comapny enhanced the co-ordination among agencies and localities in order to ensure consistency.

Most recently, the Saigontourist Company launched a domestic tour on the occasion of Tet (Lunar New Year) to many attractive destinations boasting fresh air and beautiful natural landscapes such as Sapa in Lao Cai province and Mai Chau Valley in Hoa Binh province.

Under this trend, localities attracted a large number of visitors with different forms towards the development of green tourism. A representative from Hanoi municipal Department of Tourism noted that the capital is attractive thanks to its ancient and peaceful beauty.

A tour around the city can help visitors to learn more about the 36 ancient streets. However, the development of tourism in Hanoi has not been commensurate with its inherent potential.

Thus, the city has focused on diversifying all resources, encouraged all economic sectors as well as domestic and foreign enterprises to invest in tourism, and improved the quality of the capitals tourism products.

Firstly, Hanoi must create new tourism products such as developing specific tourism products in the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, while promoting historical, cultural and architectural values and the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

In addition, the City should pay attention to upgrading destinations at several cultural heritages as well as building stops for tourists in urban areas and organising cultural and arts performances serving visitors in a number of areas in the Old Quarter and theatres.

Since the expansion of its administrative boundaries, Hanoi has had not only the advantage of cultural and historical tourism but also the potential of craft village, community, ecosystem and resort tourism. Hanoi is home to 1,350 trade villages, the most in the country.

The ancient villages have become a good foundation to build community tourism products, contributing to diversifying tourism products for the capital.

Over the past years, Hanoi has supported capital for trade villages to develop their tourism through upgrading infrastructure such as roads, electricity and clean water, as well as improving environmental landscapes.

In addition, teams of guides have been launched in several trade villages including Bat Trang Pottery, Van Phuc Silk, Son Dong Wooden Carving, Quat Dong Embroidery, Phu Vinh bamboo rattan and Ha Thai lacquer.

Under the directions for tourism development of the localities and travel businesses, it can be seen that the protection and creation of green tourism environments can be considered as essential for the sustainable development of tourism in the country.
Your report on the overseas operations of Japanese manufacturing companies said that in the next three years, Vietnam will remain an attractive destination for foreign investment. The report predicts that interest in Vietnam is set to rise again while Thai interest continues to drop. What are the main reasons?

We conduct a survey every year on the overseas business operations of Japanese manufacturers to research their current trends, agenda, and future outlook. Our 28th survey for the year 2016 was conducted by sending questionnaires to 1,012 companies, and it showed overseas production and sales ratios continuing to rise, and that in the medium term, prospects for Vietnam ranked among the best in the world. One third of the respondents to name Vietnam to have promising prospect, up 5 points from the previous year, positioning fourth in the country rankings following India, China, and Indonesia.

Many Japanese enterprises are keen on the opportunities to capture overseas market and to disperse their production base overseas to optimise the global supply value chain. As for Vietnam, the biggest reasons for promising prospect is the future growth potential of the local market. As you know, in terms of GDP denominated in USD, Vietnam grew by more than three times during the past 10 years. Given recent dynamic growth, Japanese investors highly appreciate the future growth potential of the local market. This potential was cited by 74.7 per cent of survey respondents for positive prospect. Over the past 10 years, their top reason has shifted from inexpensive labour to the future growth potential of the market.

The current size of the local market ranked third with 19.5 per cent, while the remaining reasons included qualified human resources and the stable political situation.

You mention that inexpensive labour is no longer cited as the first reason for the countrys prospects being promising. Could you further elaborate?

Vietnams inexpensive labour used to be the top attraction for investors. But this aspect of the picture has lost its appeal over time. As economy grows, the comparative advantages of Vietnam changes and foreign investors will react accordingly. Policy makers also recognise that inexpensive labour is gradually exhausted, and try to shift its growth model to more sustainable one driven by productivity.

As the survey respondents have said, their production bases take on the role of training human resources and improving the production process. So they have high expectations for their labour.

What sectors are Japanese investors looking for in the year to come? And what are the biggest constraints to the Vietnamese business environment for investors?

By industry category, Vietnam ranks third in potential in the electrical equipment and electronics, and general machinery industries; fifth in the chemicals sector; and seventh in the automobile field.

Our top issue was that the execution of the legal system is unclear, while second place is held jointly by difficulty in securing management-level staff and an underdeveloped infrastructure. Despite recent impressive improvements, infrastructure is still lagging in comparison with other ASEAN countries, especially in transportation and power sector. Looking at the trends over the past 10 years, there have been some shifts, as rising labour costs and increased competition in the market have also been steadily increasing.

In Vietnam, Japanese investment formerly topped the charts. But in recent years, its investment inflow fell both in number of projects and registered capital while Korea and Singapore ranked at the top. What is your opinion about that?

Through three decades of active FDI to ASEAN, Japan firms have established solid production network in ASEAN countries, as you can see in the car industry of Thailand. Korean companies are relatively new investors and are now eagerly expanding their global supply chain. This difference may explain the current investors position of Korea, while our survey suggests that Vietnams share of Japanese FDI is still modest despite investors high expectations.

One important thing to remind you is that Japanese enterprises are actually engaged in constructive discussion with government to formulate infrastructure projects, such as power generation plant. Once these projects progress smoothly, Japan will win back top investors position.

Japan is supporting Vietnam in both growth and infrastructure. What role does the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) play?

JBIC is a policy-based financial institution fully owned by the Japanese government, operating with missions to contribute to the sound development of Japan and the international economy and society. In Vietnam, we have supported Japanese FDI in infrastructure as well as manufacturing sector. Considering the intrinsic nature of infrastructure projects, good coordination between the host government and investors is indispensable to facilitate investment. We will work as a bridge between the government and Japanese investors.
"She is entitled to her views but why drag in her father's sacrifice?"asked Colonel Mukesh Shahare.

By Jugal R Purohit: "Gurmehar, who you can say was born before my eyes, may have caused some hurt to some people but treat her for who she is - a 20-year-old student who lost her father when she was just two years old - and leave her alone".

These were the words of 64-year-old Colonel Mukesh Shahare (Retired) with which he appealed to all those offended at student Gurmehar Kaur's stand in the ongoing war of words over the violence in Ramjas college in the national capital.

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HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Few knew Gurmehar's father Captain Mandeep Singh as well as Colonel Shahare did. Both from the Army's 49th Air Defence Regiment, it was under Colonel Shahare that Captain Mandeep really spent most of his truncated career. Speaking to this correspondent, Colonel Shahare said, "When I commanded the 49th Air Defence Regiment, I placed Captain Mandeep as my adjutant - it is the post a commanding officer reserves for his best and most trusted aide. He was my adjutant, my 'Man Friday' for three full years from October 1994 to October 1997. Then we both got posted to the Kashmir valley. I remained in Srinagar and he went to Kupwara. He was a daredevil and if given a task, he won't stop till it was achieved". Talking about the current episode, he said, "I am surprised to see her in such a massive controversy. She is entitled to her views but why drag in her father's sacrifice? I am sure she may not have faintly realized what her words will do. I fear the pressure may affect her personality, her studies and her future." Colonel Shahare and Captain Mandeep served together for nearly five years. "In fact before proceeding to Kupwara and while proceeding out of Kupwara, he would drop in to see me at Srinagar. Just two days before his martyrdom, he had dropped in for a meal when joining duty in Kupwara following his leave," he said. "In my understanding, Gurmehar is a simple child and carried the impressions of what she understood. Her mother brought her and her sister up. Even the best of netas make mistakes in their speeches and here we are hounding a child like this," he added. Recollecting the day he learnt about Captain Mandeep's sacrifice. "Knowing my association with him, the unit where he attained martyrdom called me first. They wanted me to convey to his family based in Jalandhar," he said. Knowing the family so well made it impossible for Shahare to do what was needed of him. "I requested another Commanding Officer who was based in Jalandhar to go to their residence and tell them what had happened," he added. Captain Mandeep was killed when his post was attacked by terrorists in Kupwara in the early hours of August 6, 1999. Back then he was on deputation with the 4th battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles. Colonel Mukesh Shahare was commissioned into Indian Army's Air Defence regiment in 1973 and retired in 2006.

In a series of social media posts, Gurmehar had stated that she was the daughter of a 'Kargil martyr' and she held that it was 'war' not Pakistan which was responsible for her father's death. She also added that she was not afraid of the ABVP - the controversial student wing of the BJP.

WATCH | Ramjas College protests: Gurmehar Kaur triggers fresh nationalism debate

Also read:

Exclusive: Virender Sehwag clarifies his tweet was not meant for Gurmehar Kaur

Gurmehar Kaur given DCW protection, Venkaiah Naidu says youth being misled: Top updates

Gurmehar Kaur straight bats Sehwag, asks if it's ok to make fun of a father's death

--- ENDS ---
But sustainable safeguards are also a priority. With environmental awareness increasing rapidly in Vietnam, the plan calls for the existing coal power plants, which provide around 13 gigawatts of the total, and the new coal plants to be built by 2030, which will provide the remaining 43 gigawatts, to be equipped with advanced flue gas purification equipment. Minh Hai reports.

Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS), a manufacturer of thermal power and environmental plant systems in the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, aims to contribute to both a stable power supply and a less polluted environment in Vietnam. MHPS is the only company in the world that offers a one-stop solution with the Air Quality Control System (AQCS), a comprehensive emissions treatment system for thermal power facilities.

A world leader in desulphurisation technology, refined to meet Japans strict regulatory standards

MHPS is a pioneer in emissions treatment technology, having installed over 1,700 NOx reduction units and 300 flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) around the world. Its group company MHPS Environmental Solutions (MHPS ES) has sold more than 3,200 electrostatic precipitator (ESP) systems, which remove dust and particles from flue gas. This system is capable of removing inhalable PM2.5 particles  particles that are 2.5 micrometres or smaller in diametre.

According to McCoy Power Reports, recognised for its authoritative surveys of the power industry, MHPS held the leading global market share for desulphurisation equipment for two consecutive years in 2014 and 2015, peaking at 37.6 per cent market share in 2015  when the second-leading firm held 31.8 per cent. In 2014, MHPS won contracts for three seawater flue gas desulphurisation projects, and has been recognised by the US research firm Frost & Sullivan for its string of contract awards.

Collaboration with local partners for proactive localisation initiatives

MHPS and MHPS ES will be ready to support domestic production in Vietnam by actively partnering with local firms to renovate existing power plants and install AQCS systems at the new facilities. During the installation of an ESP system for two units of the Thai Binh 1 Thermal Power Plant in the north of the country, MHPS ES placed orders with a local engineering firm for casings, frames, and other key components, representing more than half of the contract value. The firms plan to maintain this open stance, partnering with Vietnamese firms and working together to build win-win relationships.

Following consultations with Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), MHPS also conducted on-site surveys of four existing thermal power plants in 2016. MHPS engineers carefully examined the operating status and equipment performance of each plant, and held briefing sessions with the plant operators for technology exchange and to make proposals for meeting stricter environmental regulations.

Through its diagnosis of existing power plants, MHPS plans to proactively recommend the AQCS, and consider ways to optimise customer operating costs. For example, with the Selective Catalytic NOx Reduction (SCR) system, MHPS can receive data from the customers power plant, allowing it to sample and measure the catalyst used in order to optimise the timing of the catalytic replacement, and offer proposals to minimise operating costs.

MHPS is also considering advisory service for operations and maintenance programmes in co-operation with owners and power plants.

MHPS opened a representative office in Hanoi in November 2016. They also established a Global Service Centre (GSC) in the Philippines to provide service for the entire Southeast Asian region.

MHPS and MHPS ES are offering the AQCS to meet stricter environmental regulations and for the further development of Vietnams energy industry, putting into practice their corporate vision of thermal power and environmental technologies open the door to a brighter future for our planet.
On February 23, 2017, Nam Cuong Corporation and IFC signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to the effect of which all of Nam Cuong Corporations existing properties will be assessed under EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) standards developed by the IFC. The IFC will also provide training to Nam Cuong Corporations staff on the principles and applications of EDGE software as well as its standard and certification system.



Nam Cuong Corporation and IFC to cooperate in green building

In addition, the two sides will collaborate to promote green building practices in Vietnam and identify opportunities for joint communication to enhance the implementation of green building and EDGE by other developers and the awareness of such by end-users.

IFC appreciated the efforts of Nam Cuong Corporation to stimulate the trend of green building in Vietnam. Your vision will have an impact on other developers, said Jane Henley, IFCs EAP EDGE Programme manager.



IFC commended Nam Cuong Corporations efforts to pioneer green building in Vietnam

Tran Thi Quynh Ngoc, deputy chairman of Nam Cuong Corporation, said that even though being green increases costs, the company wants to help save natural resources. Also, being a green developer means taking on corporate social responsibility, that is, to raise community awareness of environmental issues.

Nam Cuong Corporation has been here for a long time, we aim not only to build houses but also to build lifestyle. We strongly believe in sustainable development that can positively impact many generations of our customers and society in the long run, she said.

Developer Nam Cuong Corporation, established in 1984, is well known in Hanoi and neighbouring cities and is active not only in residential development but also hospitality. In the next period of development, the company focuses on eco, green, and sustainability.

Anland Complex, the high-rise apartment buildings in Duong Noi Township, is on the path of getting the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency certification issued by IFC. Nam Cuong Corporation sets a goal to make EDGE as the standard for all properties in the future. The company envisions Duong Noi Township as a zero-energy township, with almost no energy consumption. This is the first time a Vietnamese developer set such a goal.

The announcement of partnership between Nam Cuong Corporation and IFC in pursuit of their shared aspirations to help the Vietnamese construction industry align on a lower carbon, more resource-efficient path, is intended to be accomplished through sharing expertise and technical solutions to promote green building using the EDGE software and certification system.



Nam Cuong Corporation envisions Duong Noi Township as a zero-energy township

An innovation of IFC, EDGE is a software application, a universal standard, and a green building certification system promoting resource-efficient buildings in emerging markets.

Launched in 2015, the new system is created for developing countries which have seen booming development in construction, such as China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and South Africa. IFCs work to promote green building in Vietnam is delivered in partnership with Switzerlands State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
Participation of the state in business has a very long tradition in all economic systems. However, in market economies such activity is generally regarded as being contrary to the intended competitive development of private businesses.

The reason for this view is not so much that these activities of the state will limit the profitability of private business, but the consideration that a self-regulating market economy will be the most effective system of organising business. State-regulated business on the contrary is considered not effective, slow, and limiting progress.

The common and reasonable approach is to limit direct and indirect state intervention in business to situations where special reasons justify restricting private businesses. It is wholly irrelevant in any economic system whether the state acts on its own or via state-owned companies. Where the state is participating, a negative effect on the private businesses must be avoided. This is especially critical in the case of state-owned enterprises sharing business fields with privately owned companies.

The reasons for the state intervening in business must be of a public nature. In former times, earning profit was one of the major reasons for such state activity. That would not be acceptable by todays perspective. The relevant reasons for intervention must be clear and restrictive. Public safety or protection of key functions of the state may be acceptable reasons. Intervening in business in cases where this is assumed to be benefitting the country is not a sufficiently clear condition. Such provision is too broad and is not considering that all legal business is benefitting the country.

A State intervention which is considered as justified must still pass the test whether the extent of intervention was required.

In short, the question Is this really necessary? is not only allowed, but necessary to make.

These considerations are pretty much the same under the various economic systems of todays world. The answers will be very specific and not always consistent. Germany, for example, transformed in 2000 the administrative unit which was printing Passports, ID-cards etc. to a state-owned company and sold all shares to a private investor. The government considered the privatisation a major improvement. In 2009 all shares were bought back by the State and now the Bundesdruckerei GmbH is a fully state-owned company again. This example may show that balancing privatisation against State interference in business is not always easy.

It is beneficial that the MoIT intends to regulate the monopolistic activities of the State. This will allow the assumption that the State will not interfere in fields of business in monopolistic ways which are not included in the new regulation. It is also beneficial that the draft of the regulation is published and therefore open for discussion and modification.

The 20 goods and services categories are worth taking a closer look at:

Goods and services for the purpose of national defence and security (specified by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Public Security). Manufacture, sale, import, and export of industrial explosives . Production of gold bars. Import and export of raw gold to produce gold bars. The release of lottery . The import of cigarettes and cigars (except duty-free goods). Activities of the national reserve . Printing money and coinage. Issue of postage stamps in Vietnam. The manufacture, sale, import, export, transport, and storage of fireworks and relevant services. Transmission and operation of the national electricity system ; construction and operation of multi-purpose hydropower and nuclear power . Operation of lighthouses and public navigable channels . Management, operation, and exploitation of coastal communication stations . Air traffic services , air aviation information alert service, search and rescue services. Management and exploitation of the infrastructure system of the national railways and urban railways invested by the state. Management and exploitation of irrigation systems , inter-provincial and inter-district irrigation. Provision of forestry services in special forests (except for forests assigned to economic organisations by the government). Publications (not including printing and publishing). Maintenance, management, and exploitation of the public postal network . Delivery of public services in the operation of press releases.

The variety of covered goods and services is very broad.

The organisation of the national currency is obviously an important task of the state, which makes it necessary to uphold a state monopoly on printing money and coinage as well as on the production of gold bars. This will also protect the public from counterfeit money and gold having less than the expected/regulated content of pure gold.

For other items, like the import of cigarettes, the benefits of a state monopoly is not so clear. Why is importing cigarettes by the state or a state-owned company better for public safety than having it done by a licensed private company? The system of controlling the quality of imported goods by customs and other specialised state agencies would be applied in both cases in the same way.

It is very important to define the reserved monopolies very restrictively and clearly. This should allow interested private investors to clearly understand the limitations of private business. It is also very important to regulate the ways of implementing state monopoly in an efficient way. This may be accomplished by:

- The operating the relevant business field by administrative institutions as administrative tasks, or

- Specialised state-owned companies in the form of private businesses under direct state control, or

- Granting the right to operate in a business area to privately owned companies under clear contractual conditions for a fixed time under the administrative control of the state.

Hopefully, the final decree will define the relevant goods and services categories very clearly and restrict them to what is really necessary and allow authorities to focus on implementing the purposes of the regulation and operate the state monopoly by including the services of private businesses where this is reasonable.
VIRs Annual Report Awards 2010 will highlight the constant efforts of domestic listed companies, especially recently-listed companies, towards more professionalism and improvements.



The third Annual Report Awards (ARAs) this week picked out 30 companies out of more than 500 listed on Vietnams two bourses, the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) and Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX), to grant one special prize, eight excellent performers and 21 others as best performers.



This years ARAs will also grant rewards for outstanding report design and the best information given, voted online by VIR readers at tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn. Details of the winning companies will be fully announced in VIRs next publication.



Le Nhi Nang, HoSE deputy director and chairperson of the examination board, said: The prizes are given based on the ways companies publicised their information, not their business performance. For this, the newly-listed companies in 2010 were assessed for their great efforts to professionalise their reports for better improving the companies images.



The general requirement for an annual report is that it must provide and explain information in the clearest way so that even unprofessional investors could grasp the key points, Nang said.



The ARAs 2010 from March 18 to July 20, 2010, are coorganised by the HoSE and VIRs sister publication Dau tu Chung khoan, with sponsorship from Dragon Capital.



Different from previous editions, for the first time, all listed companies annual reports from the HoSE and HNX can be possible candidates for awards.



Regarding the examination board, besides HoSE and ANZ Bank experts, the ARAs 2010 also include an HNX representative with assessment criteria being adjusted. The maximum mark for content is set at 80 and those for outstanding form is 20.



Nguyen Anh Tuan, VIRs editor in chief, said: Insightful analyses of the recent global crisis impacts on company operations in 2009 and their strategies for the future have been key considerations this year, given that the world and Vietnam has grappled with recent financial turbulence.



Initiated in 2007 and first officially run in 2008, the inaugural ARAs attracted the participation of 33 the 150 enterprises listed on HoSE, with the first prize granted to Sacombank.



Meanwhile, last years ARAs saw Hau Giang Pharmaceuticals (DHG) report voted as the best overall, while 11 other listed companies were acknowledged for their professionalism and improvements. Thu Duc House (TDH) was awarded for its impressively designed report.

By Duong Kieu
The new plan draws attention to the importance of logistics in Vietnams positioning as an international trade hub Photo: Le Toan

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc recently sanctioned the action plan to enhance the competitiveness and development of Vietnams logistics sector through 2025 in Decision No.200/QD-TTg, dated February 14, 2017.

The logistics sector is set to contribute between 8 and 10 per cent to Vietnams gross domestic product (GDP), with annual growth of 15-20 per cent by 2025. The plan also aims to make Vietnam one of the worlds 50 leading logistics services providers.

To facilitate the targets, the plan recommended improving policies, attracting more investment into infrastructure development, and cementing co-operation between local and foreign logistics firms. The country will develop leading logistics companies, which can be competitive in both domestic and international markets.

Under the plan, Vietnam will boost connectivity with neighbouring countries while developing regional and international hubs. The plan calls for building Type I logistic hubs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and Type II logistic centres in Lang Son, Lao Cai, Haiphong, Danang, Quy Nhon, and Can Tho.

The initiatives taken by the Vietnamese government to strengthen the logistics industry and increase efficiency have been strongly supported by industry insiders.

Christoph Matthes, managing director of logistics firm DB Schenker in Vietnam, said, We strongly support the plan as logistics has become more important than ever before, not only in Vietnam but for the global economy. It is now a true backbone of todays globalisation.

As well, Vietnamese consumers are increasingly demanding a faster and more reliable way of getting goods delivered. For many Vietnamese customers, logistics is no longer a matter of moving boxes from A to B, but creating a highly efficient and reliable supply chain enabling them to stay competitive in an ever-changing world.

At the same time, international trade is growing rapidly for Vietnam  and as a result there is a need to connect to other markets through excellent air freight, ocean freight, and road freight solutions. Some of the largest export markets for Vietnam include the ASEAN region and Europe, where Vietnam directly competes with other countries and logistics costs play a vital role.

Trade with European countries is expected to increase with the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) coming into force in 2018. Steps need to be taken to prepare for a smooth implementation of the agreement and to make sure businesses can truly benefit as soon as the treaty comes into force. The commitment of the government to strengthen the logistics sector is an important step towards making this possible.

According to Matthes, DB Schenker opened its doors in Vietnam more than 25 years ago and the company continues to invest in expanding its logistics business in the country. Recently the firm launched a new cross-border road service from Hanoi to Bangkok, made possible because of the improvement of the road transport network in ASEAN and the modernisation of customs processes.

The new service demonstrates our commitment in looking for new ways of offering transportation and logistics solutions in Vietnam, he said. The ultimate goal is to connect markets, and excellent logistics will make this possible.

Nestor Scherbey, general director of logistics firm CTRMS Vietnam, said the plan is critical to raising Vietnams national competitiveness, particularly in light of the most recent developments in global trade. As of now, logistics costs in Vietnam are extraordinarily high.

According to Logistics Insight Asia, logistics costs in Vietnam are among the worlds highest, at 25 per cent of GDP, which hinders the cost competitiveness of Vietnamese companies. Logistics costs in the US, Europe, and the rest of the world are about 9, 13, and 15 per cent, respectively.

The efforts necessary to achieve the national action plan for logistics must be undertaken in co-ordination with diligent efforts by Vietnam to implement the commitments of the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA), Scherbey said.

Many of the major commitments of the WTO TFA were contained in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and EVFTA. Full implementation of trade facilitation by Vietnam would reduce the countrys international trade transaction costs by 20 per cent.

This means that implementing the WTO TFA fully would bring twice as much benefit to Vietnam that would be provided by TPP and all other free trade agreements, if all tariffs were to be scrapped.

It is the combination of the benefits of trade facilitation with the benefit of reducing domestic logistics costs that will allow Vietnamese products to become fully competitive in global markets, he said.
Donald Trump's actions against clandestine immigrants worry American farmers who use a large majority of foreign workers who accept low wages. (AFP/Sandy Huffaker)

Since taking office on a "America first" agenda, Trump has made immigration a policy cornerstone. Among other measures, he has broadened authorities' powers to detain and deport unauthorised immigrants.

In a tight labour market, this could leave farms with few options when looking for workers to pick the vegetables and tend to the animals that feed the country.

Eric Ooms, who runs a 450-head dairy operation in Valatie, a village about two hours north of New York City, told AFP that many people were unwilling to do the messy work of milking cows.

And in a region where unemployment hovers under five per cent, the US$10.50 he pays for an hour's work attracts few US citizens.

"We just cannot find local people who want to get dirty and milk cows," Ooms said. "I have been doing it all the time so I am used to it. It does not mean I like it but it is how it is."

As a result, in addition to five members of his own family, Ooms employs a Mexican immigrant hired by word of mouth to get his milk past the farm gate and out to market.

'VITAL' TO FOOD SUPPLY

The US agricultural sector relies on cheap immigrant labour to keep costs down. In all, about 70 per cent of farmhands were born outside the United States, the majority of them in Mexico.

The industry acknowledges that most of these workers are not legal residents in the United States, so Trump's aggressive stance on immigration could threaten American farms.

Industry representatives nevertheless choose their words carefully. "Increased rhetoric about enforcement is challenging," said Kristi Boswell, a lobbyist for the American Farm Bureau, a group representing the industry.

"But it is our role to educate the country about why these workers are still vital and critical to our operations to have access to our food supply and food security."

The organisation points to the difficulties that simply expelling unauthorised migrants could create.

According to a farm bureau study, if the industry were to lose access to all undocumented workers, net farm income could be slashed by between 15 per cent and 29 per cent, fruit production could tumble by as much as 60 per cent and consumer prices could rise about five per cent.

The consequences would be particularly stark for vegetable and fruit growers, where foreign labour exceeds 40 per cent, with California's producers first in line to feel the effects.

The National Milk Producers Federation in 2015 predicted a doubling of consumer milk prices in the absence of immigrant labour, which accounts for 80 per cent of American milk.

There are visa programmes for farm workers, but with hundreds of thousands of people work US farms without proper immigration status, legal immigrant labour is a drop in the bucket.

The H-2A agricultural guest worker visa programme, intended to meet the industry's need for workers to bring in the harvest, is largely insufficient: in 2013, only 71,000 visas were granted, according to a congressional report.

The visa programme makes employers responsible for workers' housing and transport and has been criticised for lacking flexibility, creating delays when harvesting cannot wait.

Industry representatives say they hope to use the debate spurred by Trump's immigration policies to gain a greater audience for their calls for reforms that could lead to a legalised work force.

In the meantime, Eric Ooms has invested in equipment to automate the milking of his cows - a purchase of more than US$1 million that could protect his farm from a potential labour shortage.
At 11.30 am, there had only been three sales of VJC stocks, with total volume of 1,030 shares and price of VND108,000 ($4.74). At the moment there is no one registering to sell, only people registering to buy.

If the price of VND108,000 ($4.74) is maintained, by the end of the day, CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao would have direct and indirect (through her company Huong Duong Sunny Investment Ltd.) holding of VND10,058 trillion ($465 million) worth of Vietjet stock.

A few days ago Vietjet already registered price on the OTC of VND113,000 ($4.96) so the price may rise even more.

The first airline in Vietnam to be listed on HOSE, Vietjet has a chartered capital of VND3 trillion (VND90,000 per share). That would mean Vietjets capitalisation would stand at VND27 trillion (equivalent to $1.2 billion), accounting for 1.5 per cent of HOSE capitalisation as of February 15, 2017.

The airline will now join the ranks of VN 30, Vietnams biggest publicly-traded companies in terms of market capitalisation.

As a direct result of being hosted on HOSE, VJC will contribute positively to raise market capitalisation, offering immediate opportunities for local and foreign investors.

Vietjet is the first Vietnamese company to have completed an IPO that meets international standards and practices (Reg S). BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan are the IPO's foreign joint global consultants. Twenty-four international investors subscribed to Vietjet's offering, including Singapore sovereign fund GIC, Wellington, Morgan Stanley, Dragon Capital, VinaCapital, and many more.

According to 2016 statistics, Vietnams aviation transportation market grew by 29 per cent between 2012 and 2016, and the rate of customers using airplanes as their means of transportation increased from 0.5 per cent in 2012 to 0.8 per cent in 2016.

Vietjet, the first privately-owned commercial airline in Vietnam, and one of the most efficient carriers in the world, had started to generate profits in its second year of operations.

Vietjets revenue in 2016 was VND27.532 trillion ($1.21 billion) with a net profit of VND2.394 trillion, ($105 million) with an earnings per share of VND8,762.

Vietjet shall maintain a continuous and high growth rate and we believe that there will be a brighter future in the air for our passengers, the airline and its investors. Vietjet is leading the way in becoming an airline with high-quality services and efficient management and as a listed company that meets best standards and practices in Vietnam and internationally. In addition to delivering new values to our passengers, we wish to bring new added value to our investors, and for Vietnamese and international markets as well, said Vietjets President & CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao.

Established in 2007, Vietjet officially launched operations in December 2011. The airline is an official member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) with IOSA certification. Vietjets high dispatch reliability is comparable to other airlines around the world.

In 2016, the airline operated 84,535 safe flights with a total of 121,213 flight hours. With an on-time performance rate of 83.6 per cent, and a technical reliability of 99.56 per cent, Vietjet is recognised as one of the best performing airlines operating an A320/A321 fleet in the region.

After five years of operations, the airline has flown over 35 million passengers, and been awarded 32 domestic and nine international accolades. Most recently, the airline was also named as one of the Top 500 Brands in Asia 2016, The Best Asian Low Cost Carrier 2015 at the TTG Travel Awards 2015, and The Most Favourite Airline in Vietnam. Vietjet has also been named as Vietnams Best Place to Work and was nominated for Best Employer Brand Development in consecutive years.
After years of stagnation, Vinalines joint-venture ports have growth spurts Photo: Le Toan

According to a VIR source, SP-PSA, a joint-venture port of Vinalines and Singapore-based PSA, saw its volume of bulk goods increase 32.7 per cent on-year to 1.54 million tonnes last year. Container throughput reached 67 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

The port located in the Cai Mep-Thi Vai area of the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau made revenue of $3.07 million in the year, up 33.47 per cent on-year.

SSIT, a joint venture between Vinalines and US-based Carrix/SSA, handled 3.8 million tonnes of goods during the period, doubling its 2015 volume. The port, also in Cai Mep-Thi Vai, reported revenue of over $5 million, up 85 per cent on-year.

2016 also saw business improvements at Cai Lan International Container Terminal (CICT), located in the northern province of Quang Ninh. This joint venture also has Carrix/SSA as a partner.

CICT accommodated over 3.82 million tonnes goods in bulk last year, up 38.9 per cent, while revenue rose 22.6 per cent to over $8 million.

The year was also a success for Cai Mep International Terminal (CMIT), the joint venture between Vinalines and Danish company APM Terminals, the worlds leading port operator with 72 container terminals in 69 countries.

In 2015, the volume of container throughput goods shipped via CMIT rose 80 per cent on-year to over 720,000 TEUs. The figure reached over 1.2 million TEUs by the end of 2016, after years of clocking just 31.7 per cent of capacity. This ports revenue also rose 28.2 per cent to $22.4 million.

Good performance by the foreign joint-venture ports has contributed to a significant on-year rise of 36 per cent in the total volume of container throughput of ports in the Cai Mep-Thi Vai area in 2016, to around three million TEUs out of an annual designed capacity of over seven million TEUs.

The significant rise in the volume of goods in bulk at CICT, SSIT, and SP-PSA was attributed to strong demands for imported animal feed, soy beans, and corn in 2016  which are the ports key items, Nguyen Canh Tinh, acting CEO of Vinalines, told VIR.

In addition, a solid rise in the countrys container volume and more goods flows from Saigon port to Cai Mep-Thi Vai has contributed to CMITs robust growth of container throughput, he added. The seaport sector is likely to grow 10-12 per cent this year.

After years of difficulties in attracting cargo, the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port complex are pushing to become important transhipment hubs as well as gateways to the south.

Last week marked an important milestone for CMIT and the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port complex, as it successfully launched a trial berth for 18,000 TEU vessels. The port of call of Margrethe Maersk is the first call ever of a Maersk Line Triple-E container vessel to Vietnam  the largest container vessel ever to come to Vietnam.

This important test call confirms our strong commitment to Vietnam  a commitment that had its start almost a century ago, when the first Maersk vessel arrived in Vietnam in 1923. Last year we started direct service between Vietnam and North America. With the test call we hope we are on the way to establishing a direct service between Vietnam and Europe, said an official on the Margrethe Maersk.

Currently, the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port complex accommodates 10 direct services to the US weekly. For imports and exports from and to the European market, there are three weekly mainline services connecting directly with Europe. Terminals in Cai Mep-Thi Vai also berth seven services dedicated to intra-Asia imports and exports.
The Madras High Court today gave a direction that the personal identification marks of actor Dhanush be verified by a government doctor and a report submitted on Thursday, in connection with a case filed by a couple who claimed he was their son.

By Press Trust of India: The Madras High Court today gave a direction that the personal identification marks of actor Dhanush be verified by a government doctor and a report submitted on Thursday, in connection with a case filed by a couple who claimed he was their son.

Dhanush appeared in the court along with his mother Vijayalakshmi and father Kasthuri Raja today as per the court's direction on February 24.

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Justice G Chokkalingam, before whom the actor and his parents appeared, posted the case for hearing on Thursday.

The court directed that the personal identification marks of Dhanush be checked with the help of a government doctor at the Judicial Registrars office here.

Dhanush had earlier moved the court seeking to quash a case filed in a lower court by the couple who claimed that he was their son.

In their petition before the judicial magistrates court the couple Kathiresan and Meenakshi claimed the actor was their third son, and also sought a monthly maintenance of Rs 65,000 as they were in a very poor financial position.

They had submitted that Dhanush was a school boy when he ran away to Chennai to get into the film world. They could not trace him then and recognised him while watching movies. Their efforts to meet him at Chennai also did not succeed, they submitted.

However, the actor denied the submissions, saying their entire statements were false. Dhanush, son-in-law of superstar Rajinikanth, also sought a stay on the proceedings pending in the judicial magistrates court at nearby Melur.

ALSO READ: Dhanush appears in court with mother to quash couple's claim that he is their child

WATCH VIDEO: Dhanush parentage war: VIP 2 actor appears in court to verify birthmarks

--- ENDS ---
Judge orders Cosby trial to stay in Norristown, Pa., but jurors will come from another county
Adam Purinton appeared by closed-circuit TV in court from the Johnson County detention center on Monday. Purinton appeared with his public defender, Michelle R. Durrett.
William Owens, clutching a photo of son Ryan, the SEAL killed in a January commando raid, says the administration is wrong to say that anyone who questions the raid does his son a disservice. (Emily Michot/Miami Herald/TNS)
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Feb 27 (PTI) India and Ukraine today agreed to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two countries through the medium of cinema.

The cooperation would be worked out through a policy and institutional framework to showcase films through festivals and utilizing the Film Facilitation Office (FFO) platform established by India, an official statement said.

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The screening of films with subtitles was also discussed in order to reach out to people.

These issues were discussed during a meeting between Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and a Ukrainian delegation led by Iurii Artemenko, Member of the Parliament of Ukraine and Chairman of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine, here today.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore was also present.

Naidu also apprised the delegation about the FFO recently set up in the Ministry to facilitate single window clearance for film makers.

The FFO acts as a facilitation point for film producers and assist them in obtaining requisite permissions, disseminate information on shooting locales as well as the facilities available with the Indian film industry for production or post production.

Artemenko said that his countrys government is making efforts to organise an Indian Film Festival in Ukraine to promote cultural ties between the two countries through the medium of cinema.

Deliberations were also held for organising film festivals showcasing each others movies in respective countries and the possibility of participating in such festivals as partner countries, the statement added. PTI ADS SMN

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At about six years old, all Keo Dang knew was collecting recycled trash at the infamous dumpsite in Steung Meanchey district, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.

His daily job from dawn to dusk was to climb hills of putrid garbage, accompanied by flies.

This was in 1996 when Cambodia was rebuilding its social and institutional structures to develop itself from a war-torn country after years of civil war and genocide in the 1970s.

Hunger, fear, and distress were my daily challenges at the dumpsite, said Keo, now 27.

But his life changed that year when two foreign strangers started offering meals at the dumpsite, and later built schools where many underprivileged children, including Keo, had a chance to access quality education.

Papy and Mamy changed my life from a trash picker to an educator. I am blessed now that I am able to earn a decent living, supporting my family, he told VOA Khmer.

Today Keo is an instructor specializing in audiovisual production at Pour un Sourire dEnfant (PSE) also known as For a Childs Smile.

Founded in 1995 by a French couple, Christian and Marie-France des Pallieres, PSE is a well-recognized charity, home to nearly 7,000 students who are educated, fed, provided with healthcare and vocational training skills.

From Paris to Cambodias Dumpsite

The des Pallieres were just an ordinary French couple, in Paris, France, before they took an extraordinary journey to build a better future for many children in Cambodia.

Christian, a father of four children, was working for tech giant IBM in Paris in early the 1980s when he decided to resign to travel around France and Europe.

In the early 1990s he arrived in Cambodia on a humanitarian mission with SIPAR, a French organization that has provided literacy skills to underprivileged people across Cambodia since 1992. In 1995, his wife and his younger child visited him in Phnom Penh.

One afternoon Christian came across two boys who looked miserable.

They lived in a shack at the dumpsite in Steung Meanchey where many impoverished children and adults were plowing through hills of rotten garbage.

He [Christian] was shocked with what he witnessed. He said he could not continue to live after seeing this misery, said Ghislaine Dufour, vice president of PSE, based in Versailles, France. They decided that they had to do something for those children.

The des Pallieres returned to Paris in late 1995 for Christmas, she said. But their Christmas celebration became an effort to drum up support for their new cause.

They started serving one meal at the dumpsite every morning with help from some of the mothers and volunteers, said Dufour.

But they soon realized that one meal a day cannot change the life of these children and their poverty-stricken families.

In December 1997 the couple bought a plot of rice paddy land in Steung Meanchey and built a school, which launched with 300 children. For the past two decades, PSE has grown from a school providing generational education to a vibrant center for healthcare, education, and vocational skills.

Gaining Recognition

Today, more than 6,500 children and teenagers  some are orphans or from abused families  are taking the programs at PSE. More than 3,000 PSE alumni are now in the workforce, becoming educators, chefs, hairdressers, and mechanics, sales representatives and accountants.

PSE also provides short-term training skills to the mothers and helps them start small businesses.

[I]f the family is not able to live above the poverty [line], the children would not be able to be in a good shape at school, said Dufour.

In 2000, PSE was awarded the Human Rights Prize of the French Republic. Fourteen years later, the founders were named for the AidEx Humanitarian Hero Award.

PSE is well-recognized and praised by the Cambodian people and authorities. The late King Norodom Sihanouk awarded Cambodian citizenship to the des Pallieres, before Christian passed away at 82 years old in September 2016.

Queen Mother Norodom Monineath, along with many government officials, teachers, and thousands of PSE students attended his funeral. Hundreds of social media users in the country also expressed their condolences.

I personally appreciate what [PSE] has done for so many poor children in Cambodia, building schools and creating hope for better future for them, said Em Chan Makara, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Built on a family model, PSE is 100 percent supported by private donors and sponsors and volunteers across the globe. More than 650 Khmer staff members are running the center in Cambodia, overseen by a group of volunteer board members in France.

All of the support is voluntary. This is such an amazing job  it just speaks to your heart, said Beatrice Carrot, one of the first PSE sponsors. Inspired by the des Pallieres, Carrot created a PSE branch in Belmont, California, after she and her husband moved from France to the United States.

Today PSE has eight different branches in Europe, the United States, and Asia, which work towards raising support for PSE in Cambodia. PSE will establish another branch in Melbourne, Australia, says Chea Saophorn, PSE former student.

I live with the spirit of PSE, the spirit shared by Papy and Mamie with us. I believe that only education can change the life and the future of the children in Cambodia, said Chea, who grew up picking trash at the dumpsite and along the streets in Phnom Penh.

Chea did not have a chance to receive an education until he was 14 years old, when he began third grade. Chea married his wife Lou Fourriere, a French volunteer at PSE, in 2012, recently moving to Melbourne.

PSE is a part of my history, part of Saophorns history. PSE is like our family and we will do our best to find the support that PSE needs, she said.

Little Gems of Cambodia

For Chan Soriya, going to school meant growing from the dirt of the dumpsite to be a little gem.

Chan lived in poverty with a single mother and four siblings before she had a chance to gain an education. PSE is part of my life because without it, I would not have today, she said.

She added that PSE not only helped her to go to school, but also her mother to run a small business and be able to live a better life. Papys philosophy is for us to believe that we are valuable like a gem, and through education we can be the change, said Chan, who is currently working in the education sector for the French Institute of Cambodia.

In mid-September 2016, a new documentary about PSE and directed by French filmmaker Xavier de Lauzanne, who worked along with the des Pallieres and PSE students, Little Gems, was launched. It aims to tell the story of the PSE founders and students.

It was released just little over a week after Christian passed away. De Lauzanne told the Southeast Asia Globe magazine in November last year that it was an emotional documentary.

Marie-France and Christian didnt start this PSE based on ideology, or strict analysis or morals. They started it because they had a feeling, an emotion, he said.

The documentary was screened in Cambodia and France last year. More than 170,000 people in France alone saw the film. For many people in France, the des Pallieres are role models, inspiring many young people to travel to Cambodia to volunteer, said Dufour.

On March 7, the French Embassy in the United States will screen the documentary in Washington DC. The screening aims to raise fund to support PSE work in Cambodia.

[PSE] is definitely a great example with a French project based in Cambodia, and we are happy to have an occasion to showcase what they do there, said Benoit Cormier, a spokesman for the French Embassy in Washington DC.

Narin Jameson, a Cambodian community leader in Washington DC, says she encourages people in the community to attend the screening of Little Gems.

I knew about PSE since the very beginning of its work, but until recently I hadnt realized the impact it has made on the future of so many children in Cambodia, she said. So I hope many people will go to see the documentary and support PSE.
Cambodias government is continuing to feel the fallout from its decision to amend the political parties law ahead of elections in June and next year.

A statement released by the Canadian Embassy last week voiced that countrys concern over the amendments, which have been roundly condemned by critics.

The changes give the Interior Ministry and Supreme Court the power to penalize parties that employ people with criminal convictions in senior positions, as well as those that receive funding from abroad.

The move comes amid numerous court actions against members of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, which are widely believed to be politically motivated.

"For democracies to thrive, political parties must be free to campaign without fear and must be able to reach voters with their vision and ideas," Donica Pottie, Canadas ambassador, said in the statement.

"These amendments equate to a rolling back of democracy in Cambodia. Canada calls on the Government of Cambodia to ensure free, open and transparent elections in 2017 and 2018," she added.

Sok Eysan, ruling Cambodian Peoples Party spokesman, said the changes would help Cambodia improve its democracy.

I think that after this law comes out, it will not cause a rolling back of democracy or make democracy die as some people have said. This would mean that democracy will move forward, he said.

It will continue to be alive. Lets keep track of whether democracy will be dead in the next few years or see if democracy will prosper in the next dozens of years, he added.

Prior to Canadas statement, the United States said the amendments could constitute a significant setback for Cambodias political development and would seriously call into question the legitimacy of the upcoming elections.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by saying it was deeply disappointed by the U.S. reaction.
The Khmer Rouge tribunal has dropped its case against Im Chaem, a former district governor in the Democratic Kampuchea regime that ruled Cambodia between 1975 and 1979.

In a statement on Wednesday, the court said that co-investigating judges Yu Bunleng and Michael Bohlander had chosen to dismiss the case due to a lack of evidence that would lead her to fall within the courts jurisdiction.

Due to logistics and budget restrictions, the judges decided to issue an initial statement outlining their reasoning now, before issuing a fuller explanation at a later date.

Civil party applications related to Chaems case will also be rejected.

Neth Pheaktra, tribunal spokesman, said there was no pressure from the government to drop the case.

Both national and international judges implemented their work professionally, and the outcome from the evaluation came from questioning witnesses as well as other documents, he said.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has in the past spoken out against further cases being launched by the court, even likening the potential fallout of such a move as a provocation that could lead to civil war.

The court has so far prosecuted three former Khmer Rouge leaders, the regimes second-in-command, Nuon Chea, head of state Khieu Samphan, and the head of the S-21 security center, Kaing Guek Eav, known as Duch.

Latt Ky, a court monitor with local rights group Adhoc, said he regretted the decision not to pursue further action against Chaem.

We regret for the dismissal of the case because most of the victims are seeking justice; particularly, the victims who used to live in areas and scopes that were the responsibly and directly controlled by Im Chaem, he said.

The prosecutors previously expressed disagreement over the jurisdiction of the court to try Chaem, with the Cambodian prosecutor arguing that she was not one of the most responsible leaders of the regime.

The international prosecutor, however, contended that she had played a key role in criminal acts that led to the deaths of thousands of Cambodians.

Chaem has consistently denied the allegations.
The Thai military government, in a test of political resolve, is in a standoff with monks from an influential Buddhist temple that has placed religious politics at the center of national debate.

The Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple complex, located 50 kilometers north of Bangkok, covers 336 hectares, has a series of buildings and meditation centers reportedly worth an estimated $10 billion.

Authorities are searching for the temple's abbot, who has eluded arrest on charges related to millions of dollars in embezzled funds that were donated to the temple.

Influential and wealthy Buddhist temple

The Dhammakaya temple, one of the most influential in Thailand, attracts tens of thousands of devotees with mass meditations and ordinations of monks, as well as reaching devotees elsewhere in Thailand and overseas.

Analysts say the temple has become a battle for influence over Thai Buddhism, the religion of over 90 percent of Thailands 68 million people.

The temples considerable influence, including within the Buddhist hierarchy, is seen as challenging Thailands more orthodox Buddhist community, say analysts.

In the past, the temples monks have called for Buddhism to be recognized as a national religion within the constitution, a move resisted by past governments.

Strong Buddhist abbot leads temple

The charismatic abbot, Luang Por Dhammajayo, 72, and the temples considerable wealth have also drawn criticism. Devotees are reported to donate large sums to the temple to gain merit.

Controversy caught up with the temple after a devotee, a senior member of a credit union, embezzled $344 million, and donated $42 million to the temple. The credit union official is serving 16 years in jail over the theft.

The temple says it has repaid the credit union cooperative a total of $30 million in cash and checks.

Charges link abbot to embezzlement

But Thai authorities say Dhammajayo must face charges linked to the payments as well as other charges. In 2016, the government issued arrest warrants for the abbot who has avoided arrest, refusing to surrender to authorities.

The abbots legal team has told local media he was unaware the donations came from the embezzled funds.

The government, applying powers under the interim constitution that grants Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha wide powers, has stepped up efforts to search the complex.

Search efforts have led to standoff

Hundreds of police and officials have been sent to the complex, where they have involved themselves in a stand-off with lines of monks and supporters.

Gotham Areeya, an advisor to Mahidol Universitys Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, said the stand-off is part of official efforts to reform Buddhism and reduce Wat Dhammakayas influence.

[The Buddhist establishment] think the way Dhammakaya is expanding, creating more and more followers, not only in this country but outside as they are very skillful administrators  they can organize the ordination of 100,000 monks. So its a powerful organization behind it with a lot of money, Gotham said.

A strategy of mass ordinations and ceremonies has attracted tens of thousands of supporters, including powerful politicians, bureaucrats and the business community.

But the temples influence has also generated divisions within the Buddhist religious community.

Controversy divides Thailand's Buddhist leaders

The temple, observers say, has sought to extend its influence into the body of monks that oversees Buddhism in Thailand as well as the National Buddhist Office.

In 1999, the then head of the Buddhist clergy, Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara Suvaddhang, who passed away in 2013, accused the temple of distorting Buddhist teachings, creating conflicts and moved to have Dhammajayo defrocked. It was also ruled he was required to return all the property and money earned during his time as a monk.



A criminal case against Dhammajayo was withdrawn in 2006 and investigations by the National Office of Buddhism also failed to make headway due to lack of evidence.

But the military government, in power since 2014, has moved to counter the influence of the temple, including within the Buddhist hierarchy.

The appointment of a new Supreme Patriarch, Ariavongsagatanana, came after legal changes that granted new Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn the right to select the head of the Buddhist clergy.

The appointment overruled the earlier selection of a senior monk reportedly with close ties to Wat Dhammakaya.

In a further move, Thai Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha removed the National Buddhism Offices chief, who was replaced by a member of the Justice Ministrys Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

Prayut also ordered the military and police to further search for the temples abbot. Buddhist groups have been calling on the government to revoke the order.

But Thai Deputy Prime Minister, Prawit Wongsuwan, said the government is determined to press ahead with the search.

Search continues for abbot

The search [for the Abott] will continue no matter how many more weeks or even if a year passes  authorities are trying to avoid violent confrontations. But it is necessary to continue to enforce the law, Prawit told local media.

Panitan Wattanayagorn, a political scientist and advisor to Prawit, said an offer had been made to Dhammajayo to present himself in court and fight the case, but this was rejected.

So the government is not in a position to back away from implementing the law. There were attempts to make sure [of avoiding] consequences erupting from moving forward on this legal challenges, Panitan told VOA.

He said the government aimed to avoid a violent confrontation. [The officers] must engage peacefully and they must make sure that there is a solution that most people can accept, he said.

Senior monk weighs in

Mano Laohavanich, a former senior monk at the temple, who fell out with Dhammajayo's teachings afer 17 years, believes the abbot is still in the temple complex and has avoided capture so far.

"I don't think that the stand-off will be that long - maybe a week or two that is the longest time. Security officers have to disperse the mob at the local market place in protest of the government. And then they have to remove the power lines to the temple - so that's how they are going to do it," Mano told VOA. He said the government still has the upper hand in the confrontation and there is no way for the abbot to escape.

Attayuth Bootsiripoom, an editorial writer with The Nation newspaper, questioned the "legitimacy of sending thousands of police and military officers to hunt for a monk who has, after all, been accused of gross misdemeanors rather than serious crimes."
Many Dutch youngsters don't vote. What started as a Twitter conversation to get first-time voters to cast their ballot, resulted in a nationwide initiative to get 850,000 youngsters to vote. Within days, the initiative, Stembus 2017, attracted hundreds of volunteers and sponsors with thousands of followers on social media. Marthe Van Der Wolf reports from Leiden, The Netherlands.
By Press Trust of India: Pithoragarh (Ukhand), Feb 28 (PTI) India and Nepal will undertake joint military exercises under Surya Kiran in the mountainous terrains here from March 7, a Army spokesman said today.

The special exercise will be attended by 350 army personnels each from Nepal and India, the spokesman from the Armys Panchshul Brigade said.

"Combating insurgency in mountainous regions by running counter insurgency operations will be the main theme of Surya Kiran 11 as most of Nepal is mountains and India has crucial borders with other countries in such terrain," he said.

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The exercise being hosted by the Panchshul Brigade of the Indian Army will be inaugurated by Brigadier M K Katiyar and the concluding ceremony will be solemnised by Major Generals from both the armies, the spokesman said.

Personnel of the Nepal Army will reach onMarch 6and will leave on March21, a day after the conclusion of the joint exercise, he said. PTI CORR ANB

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An iconic cathedral in Russias Saint Petersburg has seen weekly protests from residents opposed to the government's decision to turn over the cathedrals museum to the Russian Orthodox Church. The move comes at a symbolic time as Russia marks the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution, which overthrew the monarchy and led to church property being nationalized under an atheist, communist state. VOA Correspondent Daniel Schearf reports from Saint Petersburg.
A Jewish advocacy group is calling on U.S. President Donald Trump to step up federal efforts to stamp out hate crimes after vandalism at a slew of Jewish cemeteries and bomb threats at schools have raised concerns for some in the Jewish community.

Jonathan Greenblatt, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, told VOA he wants to see the federal government take several actions, including a federal hate crime investigation of the recent bomb threats and vandalism to stop the surge of hate crimes that have taken place since the election.

They need to know that the full force of the federal government is prepared to weigh in against their intolerance and hate, Greenblatt said of those who seek to discriminate against or harm Jewish people.

Greenblatts comments came after Jewish Community Centers in at least 12 states received bomb threats on Monday, according to the JCC Association of North America. It was the fifth such day-long campaign of nationwide bomb threats since January.

In addition to the bomb threats, vandals over the weekend damaged hundreds of headstones at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, some of which dated back to the 1800s. Police, in this case, said they hadnt confirmed a motive in the vandalism, though they suspect it was targeted at Jews.



A similar incident happened in St. Louis last week, when vandals damaged more than 150 headstones at a Jewish cemetery in the suburbs of the Midwestern city.

Greenblatt said he was unsure whether all the incidents are related or who is responsible for them, though he ascribed them to a rise in anti-Semitic hate stemming from Trumps election.

The spike in hate crimes after the election targeted the Jewish community with vandalism, assault, and now since January 1st, bomb threats to Jewish community centers, day schools and the offices of the ADL, he said.

While Greenblatt said there has been a spike in hate crimes since Trump was elected, statistics regarding hate crimes reported by the FBI have not yet been released for 2016 and a count recorded by the Southern Poverty Law Center  which is often cited in news coverage  is populated largely by self-reported, unverified hate incidents, which dont necessarily represent crimes.

In 2015, the most recent year with available statistics, the FBI reported 5,850 hate crime incidents, or roughly 16 per day. In 2010, the FBI reported 6,628 hate crime incidents, or just more than 18 per day. Between 2010 and 2015, hate crime incidents dropped by almost 12 percent, according to the FBI statistics.

The SPLC report shows 220 hate incidents reported on November 9, the day after Trumps election. By November 13, the daily number of reported incidents fell to 52, and by December 12, the last day recorded by the SPLC, the number of daily incidents was one.

While the SPLC tally is likely incomplete, the data doesnt show any increase in hate incidents beyond Trumps first week in office and is well below the FBI average following his second week.

Though he lacks statistical proof of a spike in hate crimes, Greenblatt said he wants the federal government to institute an inter-agency task force for fighting anti-Semitism, he wants the FBI to provide hate crime training for local police forces, and he wants the Department of Education to provide anti-bias and anti-hate materials to schools, in an effort to solve the problem.

Greenblatt said he is really heartened and grateful that Vice President Mike Pence visited the Nazi extermination camp at Dachau last week on his first overseas trip and went to the St. Louis cemetery targeted by vandals to help with clean-up, but that is not enough.

Its great that he spoke out, but now we need to move beyond words and we need action, Greenblatt said.
Yemeni Houthi rebels are recruiting child soldiers, some as young as 15, to fight on the front-lines in Yemen, according to human rights group Amnesty International.

Family members of four boys, all between the ages of 15 and 17, told the rights group the boys had been recruited by the rebels in Sanaa.

According to the report released Tuesday, two of the boys were recruited by a Houthi representative at a religious school without the knowledge of their parents.

It is appalling that Houthi forces are taking children away from their parents and their homes, stripping them of their childhood to put them in the line of fire where they could die," Samah Hadid Deputy Director at Amnesty Internationals Beirut regional office said.

All four of the boys parents found out they had been recruited by the rebels after some neighbors told them they saw the boys, along with six others, boarding a bus at a Houthi recruitment center.

One of the family members told Amnesty people in Yemen are afraid to speak up when their children are taken by the rebels because they fear reprisals.

Since March 2015, the United Nations has documented nearly 1,500 cases of children being recruited by all factions fighting in Yemen. A Saudi-led coalition is fighting the rebels to try to restore an internationally recognized government.
The first congressional recess of the new Trump presidency tested Republicans in their own districts, as protesters turned out for town halls to challenge their representatives' support for the new administration. But as lawmakers returned to Washington from their oftentimes tumultuous break, questions about the lasting influence of the protests remained.

So-called "Indivisible" groups of Democrats united in protest popped up in congressional districts across the nation in the days after the Women's March on Jan. 21, as voters looked for ways to continue the resistance against President Donald Trump's policies. The march took place one day after President Trump was inaugurated.

Democratic opposition has continued to swell since the party's surprising Election Day loss and its protesters have started to use new tactics to keep up their momentum. Ironically, their new approach is inspired by Tea Party members who succeeded in pushing the Republican Party further to the right and away from making compromise deals with then-President Barack Obama.

Indivisible members have started using social media and a 22-page manual posted online as a guide for getting through to members of Congress. These Democratic voters argue their concerns should matter to their Republican representatives.

In the Republican majority state of Arizona  where Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton by an almost 4 percentage point margin  some Indivisible members already are thinking about U.S. House elections in 2018.

"Arizona right now is 5-4 Republican-Democrat, so we're going to work hard to flip that," said Michael Johnson, co-organizer of Indivisible Surprise, Arizona. He spoke after leading a "Resist Trump Tuesdays" demonstration outside the offices of Senators Jeff Flake and John McCain.

Johnson said outreach to independents through voter drives and high visibility events like weekly protests will remind Republican senators that they will be held accountable for President Trump's actions.

"The legislature needs to hold Trump accountable and remind him that he's not CEO of the United States, he's president of the United States," Johnson told VOA.

Seeking face time

The demonstrations have drawn hundreds in four weeks of existence, and covered issues ranging from concerns about the repeal of the Affordable Care Act to encouraging closer examination of Trump's Cabinet nominees. The national health care reform, known as Obamacare, was President Obama's signature legislative achievement.

The group's goal of getting through to senators during District Work Week proved to be much harder than anticipated. Senators McCain and Flake declined to schedule any public events during which they would interact with voters. The protesters repeatedly tried to march into the senators' offices to discuss their concerns and schedule a meeting, but those efforts failed.

"They have to represent all the people  not just the people who voted for him," said Indivisible Phoenix co-organizer Tanya Luken, after speaking with Senator Flake's state director about the group's concerns.

Luken said the group has adapted its efforts to meet the requests of congressional offices  from limiting their questions to one to two topics a week to providing names and addresses of the demonstrators to disprove Republican allegations that they're not paid protesters.

The demonstrators held up signs outside their representatives' offices expressing concerns ranging from the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, to questions about President Trump's dealings with Russia, cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency and the qualifications of his Cabinet nominees.

Luken said she had long believed her elected officials did not represent her values or beliefs, but did not know how to hold them accountable until she found the Indivisible guide online.

Real representation?

Broadening the appeal of Indivisible groups to reach out to voters across the aisle could be a significant challenge in conservative districts across the nation, like the strongly Republican congressional districts in and around Phoenix.

Freedom Caucus Congressman Trent Franks  whose district includes the city of Phoenix  did not even have a Democratic challenger in the 2016 election. In the neighboring congressional District 4, covering a mainly rural conservative region, Rep. Paul Gosar defeated his Democratic opponent by more than 40 percentage points.

Gosar followed the lead of more than 200 congressional Republicans nationwide who either avoided or changed their district work week plans. Gosar changed a planned in-person town hall conversation with fellow Freedom Caucus Rep. Dave Brat to a teleconference just two days before the event, frustrating the more than 150 activists who had planned to attend and ask him questions.

Instead they stood on the main street of tiny Gold Canyon with signs and chicken uniforms, chanting their frustration. The protests drew some beeps and thumbs up from passing motorists along with very pointed and prolonged thumbs down from others.

"Everybody's got a right to come out here and say what they feel. That's what makes America America," said Trump supporter Terry Curtin, who drove by the protests but felt he had to stop to support the president. "The Tea Party was about changing the Republican Party internally  this has got nothing to go with that  this is just more attack Trump, attack Trump."

For Pinal County Democratic Party chair Dave Coward  who drew voters from all around the congressional district to fill Gosar's town hall  the district work week protests are just the beginning to tap into voter frustration.

"I don't think they're going to put up with it much longer. So I don't think he  or any Republican in this state  should feel comfortable because I think there's going to be a backlash."
Officials in Somalia say an explosion from improvised explosive device planted in a car killed one person in the capital, Mogadishu, early Tuesday.

A security source said the unidentified victim was apparently traveling to work in the car. Several others were reportedly injured in the blast.

The car exploded in the Waberi district just north of Mogadishu airport.

No one has claimed responsibility for the blast, but explosions and assassinations in Somalia are often claimed bythe Al-Shabab militant group.

On Monday, four Somali soldiers were wounded after a car they were chasing exploded at a checkpoint near Mogadishu.

Occupants in the car were reportedly involved in an attempted assassination of a civil servant. During the chase, gunmen in the car fired on police, seriously wounding an officer.

Tuesday's attack comes as a high-level meeting began at Mogadishu airport attended by Somalileaders and international community members.

The aim of the meeting is to take steps to avert possible famine in the country.

President Mohamed Abdillahi Farmajo told the meeting that preparing for the droughts will a main priory for his government.
Cambodia's government has threatened to expel several media outlets, including the Voice of America, and is using U.S. President Donald Trump's criticisms of the press as justification.

In a Facebook post Saturday, Phay Siphan, a spokesman for Cambodia's cabinet, threatened to "take action" against the media outlets, which he said are threatening the country's peace and stability.

It appears to be the first time a foreign government has used Trump's treatment of the media as justification for its own censorship activities  something press watchdog groups have warned could happen.

Trump has called press coverage he dislikes "fake news," referring to it as "the enemy of the people." Last week, the White House banned several organizations, including the New York Times and CNN, from an informal press gaggle with Press Secretary Sean Spicer. The White House argued it was trying to include more reporters in the event, however the action drew strong criticism from media outlets, which called it an insult to democratic ideals.

In his Facebook post, the Cambodian spokesman appeared to reference the White House's move to exclude certain media organizations from the gaggle, saying it sent a "clear message" that some journalists' reporting "does not reflect reality."

"President Donald Trump thinks that the news reported by these organizations did not reflect the truth, which is the responsibility of the professional reporters," the spokesman said. "This means that freedom of expression must respect the law and the authority of the state."

The spokesman specifically took aim at Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, both U.S.-government funded broadcasters, as well as the local Voice of Democracy, an independent, nonprofit radio station.

Though Cambodia's constitution provides for a free press, most media are indirectly controlled by the state and closely monitored. The government of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power for three decades, has in the past criticized VOA and RFA, saying they were fomenting instability.

In his Facebook post, Phay Siphan accused the broadcasters of being "foreign agents," and said they must "reconsider" their use of airtime before the government takes unspecified actions.

The story was first reported by the Phnom Penh Post, an independent paper based in the Cambodian capital. After the warning was issued, the paper reached out to Phay Siphan, who said any media outlet that doesn't follow the government's orders would be expelled.

"Shut it down. Very simple. Expel them," he said.

In a statement, Jing Zhang, the acting director of VOA's East Asia Pacific division, rejected the characterization of VOA as a "foreign agent."

"VOA is a media organization that reports news in an objective, fair and balanced manner," he said. "Millions of VOA listeners and Facebook fans in Cambodia can attest to our journalistic integrity."

The U.S. State Department replied to VOAs request for comment by saying, "The United States has long supported freedom of the press as fundamental to any democracy."

But some human rights groups and ex-diplomats warn that it may not be the last time an authoritarian government cites the Trump administration's behavior as justification for their own press crackdown.

"It's hard enough to be a journalist in dictatorships like Cambodia when the United States is setting a good example," Tom Malinowski, the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy and Labor, told VOA.

"Now every dictator who wants to ban media he doesn't like can say, 'Trump does it so why can't I?'" said Malinowski, who served under former U.S. President Barack Obama.

In October, the Committee to Protect Journalists, a nonpartisan media rights watchdog, warned that Trump's presidency would represent an "unprecedented" threat to press freedom.

"The consequences for the rights of journalists around the world be far more serious," said the CPJ statement. "Any failure of the United States to uphold its own standards emboldens dictators and despots to restrict the media in their own countries."

White House officials have insisted that Trump respects freedom of the press, saying he is only fighting against what they see as unfair media coverage.

Spicer, Trump's chief spokesman, on Friday defended his decision to bar several news organizations from the gaggle, saying he was only trying to include, not exclude, more reporters.

"We had a pool and then we expanded it, we added some folks to come cover it," Spicer said. He later added: "We are going to aggressively push back. We're just not going to sit back and let, you know, false narratives, false stories, inaccurate facts get out there."
Clashes between gunmen in the Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon intensified on Tuesday, with a severely wounded child the latest casualty in several days of violence, witnesses and security sources said.

Islamist militants and gunmen from the Palestinian Fatah party have engaged in intermittent clashes since last week, trading machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire, and wounding several people.



The camp, near the southern Lebanese coastal city of Sidon, has regularly seen factional disputes spiral into deadly violence.



Witnesses said a young boy was severely wounded in the head, apparently by a gunshot, and taken to hospital.



Lebanon's state-run National News Agency earlier reported the boy had died. The family later said he was not dead, but had been severely wounded and was being treated in hospital.



Palestinian activists inside the camp urged people to protest against the violence. A loudspeaker on a mosque implored the warring sides to stop firing to avoid civilian casualties, even as gunfire rang out, a Reuters witness said.



Gunmen from Fatah, the party of West Bank-based Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, have regularly clashed with Islamist militants in the camp, including supporters of Islamic State and al Qaeda.



On a visit to Beirut last week, Abbas discussed with Lebanese officials the security arrangements in Palestinian camps in the country, which are home to nearly 450,000 Palestinian refugees.



Fatah has an agreement with Lebanese authorities to hand over wanted Islamist militants hiding out in Ain el-Hilweh, which is outside Lebanese security forces' jurisdiction, a security source said.



Attempted Fatah crackdowns are a source of ongoing tension between it and the Islamists, the source added.
Colombia's Marxist FARC rebels on Wednesday will begin surrendering their weapons to the United Nations now that almost 7,000 of them have reached designated demobilization zones around the country, the government and insurgent group said.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) signed a peace agreement with the government late last year to put an end to Latin America's longest-running armed conflict, which killed more than 220,000 people and displaced millions.

"It's the start of the process of disarmament, which involves the registration of weapons, the destruction of unstable weapons and the storage of side arms," Colombia's High Commissioner for Peace Sergio Jaramillo told reporters on Tuesday.

The rebels are expected to have turned in all their arms by June, President Juan Manuel Santos has said. Some members of the FARC and the United Nations had raised the possibility of delaying the disarmament process while logistical problems are resolved.

Over the past few weeks, FARC rebels crisscrossed Colombia on foot and by boat from their jungle and mountain camps to 26 zones monitored by U.N. personnel.

"Despite obvious delays in the logistical adaptation of the zones ... we will carry out ... the registration of weapons in all the camps," FARC leader Ivan Marquez told a news conference.

Under the terms of the peace accord, the FARC, which began as a peasant uprising 52 years ago, is to form a political movement in the South American nation.

The accord has been heavily criticized by many, and was initially rejected in a referendum, as being too lenient on the rebels who will be spared jail time.
Sales of Cuba's legendary cigars rose 5 percent last year to $445 million, defying stagnation in the global luxury goods market, manufacturer Habanos S.A. said on Monday at the opening of the Caribbean island's annual cigar festival.

Habanos, which makes brands including Cohiba, Monte Cristo and Romeo y Julieta, said it expects moderate sales growth this year as it continues to tap the Middle East, Asia and other new markets.

"We are quite happy we were able to grow during a year that was in truth quite challenging," Vice President of Development Javier Terres told Reuters after holding a news conference hazy with smoke as journalists puffed on complimentary cigars.

Cuba's monopoly cigar company was kicking off the festival that attracts wealthy tobacco aficionados and retailers from around the world for five days of extravagant parties and tours of plantations and factories.

Habanos dominates the global market for hand-rolled, premium cigars except in the United States due to Washington's half-century trade embargo against Cuba. The United States is the world's biggest cigar market.

American enthusiasts have had slightly better access to Cuban cigars since former President Barack Obama two years ago unveiled a Cuba policy aiming to normalize relations.

Last October, the Obama administration removed limits on the amount of cigars American travelers could bring home.

Terres said this made little difference to overall sales but it would help brand recognition in the United States.

Wholesale shipments there would require the U.S. Congress to lift the embargo, a move that looks uncertain under President Donald Trump, who has threatened to reverse the detente.

Still, better U.S.-Cuban relations have helped stoke a boom in tourism, which in turn has lifted cigar sales in Cuba, according to Habanos. The number of visitors to the island rose 13 percent last year.

"Our sales in Cuba are directly related to tourism, and in effect, sales in Cuba have grown," Terres said.

Habanos said its traditional European markets had remained stable last year, while there was growth in emerging markets like the Middle East and Pacific Asia.

Meanwhile, female smokers remain a largely untapped market for Habanos, Terres said. The company is working on it but has learned that producing smaller, milder versions of its classic cigars is not the answer.

"Actually, women want to smoke big cigars and enjoy them like a man," he said, adding it was important to draw in women with specific promotional events.
When U.S. President Donald Trump gives his first speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, there will be several people in the audience who could be adversely affected by the policies he will pitch.

Several Democratic lawmakers have invited immigrants and foreigners as guests, in an effort to send a message to Trump. The invitees include the Iraqi-American doctor who discovered elevated levels of lead in the blood of many children living in Flint, Michigan; a Pakistani-born doctor who delivers critical care to patients in Rhode Island; and an American-born daughter of Palestinian refugees who aids people like her family in their quest to come to the United States.

Lawmakers typically get one guest ticket each for presidential addresses, and the invites often go to family, friends or a constituent.

Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin has invited Aaima Sayed, a Muslim-American whose parents brought her to the United States when she was three years old, Politico reports. Sayed, a third-year medical student at Loyola University, qualifies for permission to live and work in the United States under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program put in place in 2012 by former President Barack Obama.But Trump is said to be seriously considering rolling back that program.

The Illinois Democrat has been pressing Trump to exclude these children, known as Dreamers, from any efforts to crack down on undocumented immigrants.

Would the United States be better off if Aaima is deported to Pakistan, where she hasnt lived since she was a toddler, instead of using her talent as a physician to help low-income Americans? The answer is clear, Durbin said in a statement. I am honored to host this gifted young medical student as my guest. I hope her presence reminds President Trump whats at stake in the debate over DACA: the lives of more than 750,000 innocent young people and the wellbeing of entire communities.

Trump and his wife, Melania, are countering with their own group of guests, including the father of a teenager who was killed by a man who was in the United States illegally, and the widows of two police officers whose suspected killer was also in the country illegally.

Jamiel Shaw Sr., whose son was killed in 2008 by a man now sitting on California's death row, supported Trump's campaign for president and gave a primetime address during last year's Republican National Convention.

Jessica Davis and Susan Oliver are the widows of Detective Michael Davis and Deputy Danny Oliver, who were killed in 2014.The suspect in that case is awaiting trial after being found mentally competent last month.The officers were named in a 2015 Senate bill sponsored by then-Senator Jeff Sessions, now the nation's attorney general, that called for the kind of cooperation between federal immigration enforcement and local agencies that the Trump administration is now putting into action.

Some Democrats also have invited guests in an attempt to highlight a different point - the need for the Affordable Care Act, which Trump wants to repeal. Representatives Marcy Kaptur and Joyce Beatty will host constituents who will be adversely affected by the cancellation of the program commonly referred to as Obamacare.

An Ohio senator hopes to make labor related points at Trump's speech. Senator Sherrod Brown invited pizza parlor owner Steven Hill to attend the speech after he wrote a letter to Brown's office that favors raising workers' wages. "I'm honored to have him as my guest this week to remind President Trump that we will hold him to his promise to put American workers first, and that must include raising the minimum wage," said a statement from Brown.

California Democratic Representative Judy Chu has invited Iranian graduate student Sara Yarjani to be her guest. After an order from Trump restricted U.S. entry for citizens of several predominantly Muslim countries, Yarjani was detained at Los Angeles' airport and deported, despite having a valid two-year student visa. She was able to re-enter the United States a week later.

New York's Rep. Nydia Velazquez has invited Hameed Darweesh, an Iraqi and father of three who worked for the U.S. military as an interpreter. Darweesh was detained at John F. Kennedy airport in New York for 18 hours before being released.

Another of Trump's guests is a woman who used a Florida scholarship program that helps lower-income students attend either a private school or a public school that is outside of their district.

The pick seems to highlight another shift in policy with the new administration, which has as its Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, an advocate for school choice.

And with a Supreme Court nomination battle looming, Trump also invited Maureen McCarthy Scalia, the widow of Justice Antonin Scalia, whose seat on the court has been vacant since his death a year ago.

The audience also will be on alert for any Joe Wilson moments in Trumps speech. Wilson, a longtime Republican congressman from South Carolina, shouted, You lie! as then-President Obama addressed Congress in 2009 about his health care plan.
By Press Trust of India: Jammu, Feb 28 (PTI) In an effort to build bilateral military-to-military relations and skills, a 14-day joint defence exercise Al-Nagah-II between the armies of India and Oman will begin in Himachal Pradesh from March 6.

"Indo-Oman Joint Army Exercise AL NAGAH-II 2017 will be conducted between the Indian and Oman Army from 6 to 19 March in the Dhauladhar Ranges at Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh," PRO, Defence, Jammu, Lt Col Manish Mehta said.

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This is the second joint military exercise between the two countries which have a history of extensive cooperation in the defence arena, the first one was held in Oman in January 2015, he said.

The PRO said the participating troops for this exercise have been drawn from one infantry battalion each from the Indian Army and the Royal Army of Oman.

Approximately 60 troops from both countries will participate in the exercise, he added.

"The aim of the exercise is to build and promote bilateral Army-to-Army relations and enhance interoperability while exchanging skills and experiences between the Indian Army and the Royal Army of Oman", he said.

He further said that an added aim of the exercise is to qualitatively enhance knowledge of each others military procedures thus increasing the scope for interoperability and better responsiveness to a common threat.

The Indian troops have undergone extensive training on rock craft, slithering, Counter Terrorism or Low Intensity Conflict Operations, in addition to tactical drills of close cordon and house intervention drills to fulfil the mandate of the joint exercise, he said.

"The 14-day exercise with the Royal Army of Oman is scheduled to be conducted in multiple modules in order to achieve complete integration between the two contingents at every stage," Lt Col Mehta said.

The PRO said that the vast experience and expertise gained by Indian troops in counter insurgency operations holds special importance for the Royal Army of Oman.

Conduct of the joint exercise would therefore set the stage for greater defence cooperation between the two nations, he added. PTI AB KUN

--- ENDS ---
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has attacked China on issues from trade to the South China Sea, held his first face-to-face talks with a member of the Chinese leadership Monday, and the White House said it was a chance to discuss shared security interests and a possible meeting with President Xi Jinping.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi, China's top diplomat, met Trump briefly after talks with the new U.S. National Security adviser, H.R. McMaster; Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner; and White House chief strategist Steve Bannon.

A senior U.S. administration official said discussions included bilateral cooperation and the possibility of arranging a meeting between Trump and Xi, but no date was set.

The official said the meeting with Trump lasted five to seven minutes.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer called it "an opportunity to say 'hi' to the president" before Yang left.

"This was an opportunity to begin that conversation and talk to them on shared interests of national security," he said at a regular news briefing.

China's Foreign Ministry cited Yang as telling Trump that China was willing to enhance exchanges with the United States at all levels, expand coordination and cooperation, and respect each others core interests and major concerns.

"Ensuring the steady and healthy development of China-U.S. ties will surely benefit both peoples and the world as a whole," the ministry paraphrased Yang as saying.

Yang, who outranks China's foreign minister, was the first top Chinese official to visit the White House since Trump took office on Jan. 20.

His visit followed a phone call between Yang and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week, during which the two affirmed the importance of a constructive U.S.-China relationship.

Rocky start

It was the latest step by the world's two largest economies to try to put relations back on an even keel after a rocky start following Trump's election victory.

Trump has been a strong critic of Beijing, accusing China of unfair trade policies, criticizing its island building in the strategic South China Sea, and accusing it of not doing enough to constrain its neighbor, North Korea.

Trump incensed Beijing in December by talking to the president of Taiwan and saying the United States did not have to stick to the "one China" policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China, of which Taiwan is a part.

Trump later agreed in a phone call with Xi to honor the "one China" policy in a diplomatic boost for Beijing, which vehemently opposes criticism of its claim to self-ruled Taiwan.

North Korea

In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Trump pressed China to do more to rein in North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, saying Beijing could resolve the issue "very easily if it wanted to."

China dismissed Trump's remarks, saying on Friday the crux of the matter was a dispute between Washington and Pyongyang.

Beijing has repeatedly called for a return to negotiations between Pyongyang and world powers.

As Yang held talks at the White House, senior officials from the United States, Japan and South Korea met at the State Department to discuss additional measures to choke off funding to North Korea's weapons program.

"The officials considered other possible measures under national authorities, including means to restrict further the revenue sources for North Korea's weapons programs, particularly illicit activities," they said in a joint statement.

They also agreed that North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs directly threatened their security and "strong international pressure" was needed to push back at Pyongyang, the statement said.

Plans for renewed contacts with North Korea in the United States were canceled last week after the U.S. State Department denied a visa for the top envoy from Pyongyang, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.
European Union member states on Monday agreed to grant Georgian citizens visa-free travel within the 26 countries of Europe's Schengen Area.

Visa liberalization for the central Caucasus nation enables biometric passport holders to travel throughout the European bloc for 90 days within any 180-day period.

Dimitris Avramopoulos, EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, issued a congratulatory statement alongside Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili in Tblisi.

Georgians must be very proud of this great achievement, which is the result of the common efforts of the Georgian people and the Georgian authorities, said Avramopoulos, calling final adoption of the policy further proof that the former Soviet republic has completed far-reaching and difficult reforms in the area of the rule of law and the justice system.

These reforms also bring Georgia closer to the EU standards, facilitating cooperation with the European Union and bringing the country a step forward on its European path."

Georgia, which has been seeking European integration since becoming the 41st Member State of the Council of Europe in April 1999, has drafted EU-style legislation to abolish the death penalty, comply with European conventions and battle corruption and organized crime.

European Union praised

Kvirikashvili praised the EU on delivering on its promises.

This result proves that the EU has not reneged on its promise, he said. Today the European spirit is stronger in Georgia than anywhere else ... [and] European ideology triumphs in Georgia more than ever.

Monday's move to ratify Georgia's visa liberalization is viewed as a significant geopolitical achievement among officials and civil society activists who have been strong voices for European integration.

Russia, however, has openly expressed concern over Georgia's EU and NATO aspirations, describing the country as part of its backyard. Earlier this month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters at the Munich Security Conference that security officials from both countries plan to initiate talks on easing visa restrictions soon.

A recent public opinion poll by Caucasus Research and Resources Center showed that 56 percent of Georgians identify as European.

Easier to travel

Monday's decisions allows all Georgians to travel freely through all EU member and non-member countries, along with Schengen candidate countries.

EU member nations include Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden.

Non-member countries are Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Schengen candidates are Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia and Romania.

The law does not apply to the Britain or Ireland.

This report was produced in collaboration with VOA's Georgian Service.
France's presidential contenders will this week make mandatory campaign stops at the annual Paris farm fair as polls show farmers increasingly tempted by the far-right's Marine Le Pen when they even bother to vote at all.

Though only a fraction of the population still works in the farm sector, voters remain attached to the country's agrarian roots, making the annual agriculture fair a fixture of the political calendar.

"Lots of us farmers are pinning our hopes on Marine," dairy and poultry farmer Mickael Thomas said as he set up for the nine-day-long show. "We see her with farmers more than other candidates."

Polls now show Le Pen placing first in a first round of France's presidential election in April and losing in the second round to a single candidate from the centre-left or center-right.

But that race has tightened, raising the prospect that the National Front leader could become the first far-right politician to win power through the ballot box in Western Europe since World War II.

Le Pen is due on Tuesday to start the parade of politicians at the fair as the first major candidate to visit this year.

After years of crisis in the sector and perceived indifference from other candidates, Le Pen's anti-EU anti-globalization rhetoric strikes a chord with many farmers, once faithful voters for mainstream conservatives.

A Cevipof poll for Le Monde newspaper published on Feb. 16 showed that 35 percent of farmers who plan to vote will back Le Pen in the election, compared to 26 percent of the general population.

Conservative Francois Fillon and centrist Emmanuel Macron are both on 20 percent among farmers, close to their ratings overall.

The same poll also showed farmers are increasingly giving up on politicians altogether, with 51 percent of the 300 surveyed saying they would not vote.

"Farmers were always the French people who voted the most.

They voted like they went to mass," said sociologist Francois Purseigle. "What's surprising about this survey is that they might not go."

The mascot of this year's farm show, a six-year-old dairy cow called "Fine", hails from an organic farm in the western French town of Plesse - historically Socialist territory.

But even here, the National Front is making inroads. The party's vote more than tripled in December 2015 regional elections compared with the previous poll in 2010.

Dairy farming is vital to the local economy but has struggled since 2015 as plummeting prices, the end of EU quotas and Russian sanctions inspired by the Ukraine crisis hit hard.

"We don't have faith anymore," a representative for the FNSEA farmers' union in the region, Yoann Vetu, said.

"We know a thing or two about crises and we can't get out of them. So the politicians might talk about it, but they don't act," he said.

While Vetu believes Le Pen's protectionist policies would hurt the sector, local FN representative and struggling dairy farmer Olivier du Gourlay said his friends were turning to the party in increasing numbers.

"We're asking ourselves, what's going on? Because we really have been abandoned," he said.
The Chinese Communist Party has "intensified" its persecution of religious practitioners in recent years under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, and the ramifications are being felt well beyond the boundaries of religious policy, according to the U.S.-based Freedom House nonprofit.

In a new report released Tuesday, the group said increased oppression from the Chinese government is creating a thriving "black market" for believers to practice their religion outside of the official institutions.

"The party's rigid constraints render it impossible for state-sanctioned institutions to meet the growing demand for religion in Chinese society," said Senior Research Analyst Sarah Cook, the author of the report.

According to the article, Chinese authorities regularly jail believers for long periods, or engage in sustained violence against certain communities to exert control over illicit religious practices. At least 100 million Chinese, or about one third of the country's population, face "high" or "very high" persecution levels, the report said.

While the government is stepping up its religious restrictions with electronic surveillance at places of worship and imprisonment of those who share religious content on social media, Cook said the efforts illustrate "a remarkable failure," as an increasing number of people are worshipping underground and using tools to circumvent internet censorship.

"It reflects the party's difficulty in confronting citizens who are willing to make sacrifices for higher principles. From this perspective, it would appear that in the long-term battle for China's spirit, an unreformed Communist Party will ultimately lose," she said.

The report shows that China's persecution of religious believers stretches across various faiths, and includes Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and Falon Gong practitioners, who face severe human rights violations from the Chinese Communist Party.
French authorities say two people were shot Tuesday during a speech by President Francois Hollande, when a gun belonging to a police sniper accidentally discharged.

Early reports described both victims with minor injuries.

Hollande was inaugurating a new high-speed rail line in the southwestern village of Villognon when gunshots caused him to briefly stop his remarks.

Widely circulated video of the incident shows Hollande speaking from a platform when a sharp sound resembling a gunshot is heard.

Hollande briefly stopped talking, looked to his left toward the noise and said he hoped "it was nothing serious." He then resumed his address.

Regional administrator Pierre N'Gahane later told reporters the sharpshooter was located in an assigned location when he changed position and his weapon accidentally discharged. He said both victims sustained slight leg wounds.

N'Gahane also said a judicial and an administrative probe of the incident has been launched.
The billionaire heir to South Korea's Samsung corporate conglomerate was indicted Tuesday on bribery, embezzlement and other charges in the corruption scandal that has imperiled the government of President Park Geun-hye.

Samsung's de facto leader, Lee Jae-yong, was charged along with four company executives. Prosecutors had spent months building a case against Lee, alleging that he'd played a role in $37 million in payments made by Samsung executives to a friend of the Korean leader in exchange for government support of a merger of two Samsung affiliates that solidified his control of Samsung Electronics.

Lee, 48, who faces years in prison if convicted, has denied wrongdoing, as have Park and her longtime confidante, Choi Soon-sil.

South Korean analysts said Lee, even if imprisoned, was likely to try to continue to run the company from behind bars, as other imprisoned corporate executives have done.

Control since 2014

Lee was arrested in mid-February, but prosecutors did not press charges against him until their Tuesday deadline. He took control of Samsung from his ailing father in 2014, overseeing its vast holdings that also include theme parks, life insurance and biologic drugs.

The special prosecution team created to investigate the matter also accused Lee of hiding assets overseas and committing perjury before parliament.

Park was impeached in the fallout from the scandal, with the country's Constitutional Court expected to rule within weeks on whether to remove her from office. She would be the country's first democratically elected leader to be ousted from office.

Park was suspended from office in December on charges that she colluded with Choi to extort the country's conglomerates to donate up to $70 million to two dubious foundations run by Choi.
U.S. House speaker Paul Ryan says "answers" are needed on reports of improper contacts between President Donald Trump's campaign officials and Russia during the presidential campaign.

"We need to get answers. We need to make sure that nothing happened that shouldn't have happened as we go forward," Ryan said during a televised interview Tuesday with NBC's Today show.

Three congressional probes into possible links between the Trump and Russia are underway. Ryan did not indicate whether a special prosecutor should be involved in the probe but stressed that a bipartisan investigation is necessary to help ensure that the intelligence information gathered is not compromised.

Democrats want a special prosecutor or a select congressional committee to further investigate claims of Russian interference in last year's presidential election. But the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Devin Nunes, who is leading one of three congressional probes, said he has seen no evidence of improper contacts and has no plans to expand an investigation already underway.

"We just cannot go on a witch hunt," Congressman Devin Nunes told reporters Monday.

However, the top Democrat on the intelligence panel, Congressman Adam Schiff, later said no conclusions have been reached yet about whether Trump aides had contacts with Russian officials during last year's presidential campaign.

Lawmakers in both the Senate and House of Representatives are looking at details of findings by the U.S. intelligence community that Russia meddled in the U.S. presidential election in an effort to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton, a former U.S. secretary of state.

American intelligence officials concluded that Russia hacked into the computer of Clinton's campaign chief, with the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks later releasing thousands of emails showing embarrassing behind-the-scenes efforts by Democratic operatives to help Clinton win the Democratic presidential nomination.

Before he was inaugurated as the country's 45th president, Trump reluctantly accepted the finding that Russian President Vladimir Putin interfered with the election, but says he knows of no contacts between his campaign aides and Russian intelligence officials.

At a White House meeting with insurance company executives, Trump was asked by a reporter about demands by some lawmakers for a special prosecutor to investigate any links between his campaign and Russia.

"I haven't called Russia in 10 years," he said.

Earlier this month, National Security Adviser Michael Flynn was ousted following reports he misled Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials about his frequent contacts with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the transition period before Trumps inauguration.
A youth named by China as the second-highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism, but reviled as a fake by many Tibetans, has praised the Communist Party's religious policies in Tibet in a lunar new year message, saying they made him feel "very happy."

Although officially atheist, China selected Gyaltsen Norbu as the 11th Panchen Lama in 1995 in a drive to win the hearts and minds of Tibetans.

Tibet's current spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing brands a dangerous separatist, had announced his own choice of a six-year-old boy, but he was taken away by authorities and has since vanished from public view.

In a message to mark the Tibetan lunar new year, carried by the United Front Work Department which helps oversee religious groups, China's Panchen Lama discussed six months of Buddhist activities he carried out in Tibet last year.

"My deepest impression after the inspection tour was that Tibet's ethnic and religious policies have been carried out very well," he said in comments carried late on Monday.



"At the same time, the party has formulated a series of special beneficial policies, and the vast majority of Tibetans have received real benefit. After seeing this I felt very happy," he said.

He added that he visited herders, where he got to understand the changes that have taken place for Tibetans.

"This has made me even more confident in Tibet's tomorrow," he said.

China has gradually exposed its Panchen Lama in public roles in the hope he will achieve the respect commanded by the Dalai Lama among Tibetans and globally. He made his first trip outside mainland China in 2012, when he visited Hong Kong.

Chinese troops marched into Tibet in 1950. China routinely rejects criticism of its rule there, saying it has brought much-needed development to a remote region and that it respects Tibet's culture and religion.

After the Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, the 10th Panchen Lama stayed on and was initially seen as a collaborator. It later emerged that his criticism of Beijing had earned him more than a decade spent either in prison or under house arrest.

Freed in 1977, he was politically rehabilitated the following year, and died in 1989.
Hundreds of grieving family and friends tearfully mourned a 32-year-old engineer in his southern Indian hometown Tuesday after he was killed in an apparently racially motivated shooting in a crowded Kansas bar.

Tears rolled down the cheeks of Srinivas Kuchibhotla's parents, Madhusudhan Rao and Parvatha Vardhini, as his body was cremated in Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana state.

Losing a young family member is an unbearable pain, said P. L. Narayana, his uncle.

"It is so cruel. He was such a kind soul, very friendly. He was so excited that he and his wife were going to start a family soon. Now this has happened," Narayana said.

Kuchibhotla's mother wailed as the body was taken for cremation. "I had asked him to return to India if he was feeling insecure there. But he used to say he was safe and secure," she said.

"Now I want my younger son Sai Kiran and his family to come back for good. I will not allow them to go back," she said. "My son had gone there in search of a better future. What crime did he commit?"

His father Madhusudhan Rao was more philosophical. "I believe in destiny. Whatever was destined has happened."

He added, "Now I want the U.S. government to take care of the security of our Indians who are working there."

An Indian External Affairs Ministry statement said on Tuesday that the U.S. government and senior authorities in Kansas "have pro-actively responded to the unfortunate death of Srinivas Kuchibhotla.'"



"It is important to note that the U.S. authorities are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the U.S., a matter which continues to receive the government's top priority," the statement said.

Kuchibhotla's body reached Hyderabad from Newark, N.J., on Monday night. His widow, Sunaina Dumala, looking dazed, and his brother, Sai Kiran, who studies in the United States, came by the same flight.

Hours later, the flower-laden body was taken in an open carriage from his home to the crematorium in Jubilee Hills area where it was placed on a wooden pyre and lit as part of Hindu last rites.

According to witnesses, the gunman yelled "get out of my country" at Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani before he opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City, on Wednesday evening. Both men had come to the U.S. from India to study and worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin.

Madasani and another bar patron were injured.

Adam Purinton of Olathe was arrested at a bar in Missouri and remains jailed on murder and attempted murder charges. The bartender there told an emergency dispatcher that the suspect admitted he shot two people but described them as Iranian.

India's Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, who visited the bereaved family over the weekend, strongly condemned the attack.

"Such incidents should not happen in one of the oldest democracies of the world," he said.
European Union chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker will propose to national leaders next month a handful of options for shoring up unity once Britain launches a withdrawal that some fear could trigger a further unraveling of the bloc.

The European Commission president wants some states to be able to deepen cooperation further and faster without the whole bloc having to follow suit, but this idea has raised concerns, especially among poorer eastern countries, that their richer neighbors may use Brexit to cut EU subsidies to them.

Juncker has said he will argue for what is commonly called a "multi-speed Europe" in a White Paper policy document.

Juncker will chair a special meeting of his commissioners on Tuesday but a spokesman said on Monday it was not yet clear when exactly the paper would be published.

Officials will not detail what the proposals are likely to be, though say they would probably not mean major institutional changes or treaty amendments for which most governments, beset by challenges from eurosceptic nationalists, have no appetite.

Some options are not mutually exclusive and could be combined, all with the aim of persuading voters disillusioned by years of economic malaise that the EU is worth preserving.

By setting out four or five practical "pathways to unity" or "alternative avenues for cooperation at 27", EU officials say Juncker aims to give the 27 leaders of the post-Brexit Union some broad choices to start considering at a summit in Rome on March 25, where they will mark 60 years of the bloc's founding.

As the 27 also try to hold to a common line in the two-year negotiating period with Britain which they expect London to launch before the Rome summit, the main aim of the Juncker proposals is to overcome internal divisions, EU officials said.

He wants to see responses by the autumn - by which time the Netherlands, France and Germany will have held elections marked by challenges from anti-EU movements that have been inspired by last year's votes for Brexit and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Friction

"This is no longer a time when we can imagine everyone doing the same thing together," Juncker said last week, echoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, who called on Feb. 3 for an EU of "varying speeds."

Their remarks, however, have perplexed other states whose envoys note that existing rules already allow for "enhanced cooperation" in various fields, such as the 19-nation eurozone.

"A multi-speed Europe is a fact. No one has a problem with it," said one senior EU diplomat. "So why are they talking like this now? They are irritated with the east ... It is divisive."

Noting that a key obstacle to deeper integration of, for example, the eurozone was disagreement between Berlin and Paris on how to do it, the diplomat said talk of a two-speed approach sounded like an attempt to penalize the post-communist east.

Hungary and Poland in particular have irritated the EU by challenging its rules on democracy and resisting calls to take in asylum-seekers, while Germany has taken in over a million.

Hollande accused easterners of treating the Union "like a cash box". With Brexit leaving a hole in the EU budget, some diplomats see a push by Paris and Berlin to cut their subsidies.

German officials say Merkel does not see one specific set of countries going for deeper cooperation but imagines varying groups moving ahead in different fields. For example, defense integration is a priority for Germany.

"Some see this as a risk to unity," one senior official said of Juncker's multi-speed idea. "Others see a risk if we don't do it and we fail to aspire."
Protests marked a Jamia Millia Islamia event as organisers did a Ramjas on BJP and RSS leaders who were to speak on triple talaq.

By Siddhartha Rai: A frenzied row on free speech and nationalism knocked on the doors of the city's Jamia Millia Islamia university on Tuesday after engulfing the prestigious JNU and DU since last year in signs of growing ideological unrest at India's premier educational institutions.

BJP leader Shazia Ilmi was allegedly not allowed to speak by the Jamia administration at a seminar organised to discuss the controversial triple talaq issue on February 16. The event was then rescheduled for February 28 and the list of speakers changed. The agenda too was scaled down from a straightforward discussion on the instant divorce practice to that on empowerment of Muslim women. Even then, there were several calls of "shame" when Muslim speakers lit the ceremonial lamp, calling it anti-Quranic.

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There were several disruptions too, culminating in protesters storming and capturing the stage.

CLASHES AT RAMJAS COLLEGE

The incident against the backdrop of a raging controversy at DU with the ABVP accused of setting off violent clashes at Ramjas College over an invitation to JNU student leader Umar Khalid.

The ABVP, which leads the DU students' union, has charged the college with "anti-national activities" because Khalid is accused of sedition and is out on bail. He and some other JNU students hit the headlines a year ago when anti-India slogans were raised during an event held at the university to commemorate the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

The brainstorming session at Jamia was organised by the RSS-supported Forum For Awareness Of National Security (FANS) that counts Sangh leader Indresh Kumar as its chief patron. The organisers claim they were pressurised by the varsity administration that allegedly said BJP leaders could not be allowed to speak on the campus.

"If Omar Khalid and Shehla Rashid can be invited to Ramjas for a talk, why can't Meenakshi Lekhi or I speak at Jamia? Freedom of speech cuts both ways," Ilmi told MAIL TODAY. "After the invitation, there was no confirmation. Organisers must have felt uncomfortable, must have been under pressure."

GURMEHAR KAUR'S SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN

Her comments came on a day DU student Gurmehar Kaur, who alleged rape threats over her social media campaign against ABVP, pulled out of a protest march against the campus violence. The daughter of a fallen soldier has also been trolled online for a video post in which she appealed for peace between India and Pakistan through placards with messages.

One read, "Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him." Ilmi added, "When (writer and liberal activist) Tarek Fatah gets manhandled by a mob, (yoga guru) Ramdev or (author) Taslima Nasreen is stopped from appearing at an event, why doesn't the Left gang come out to protest? Freedom of expression seems to be selective for them." The Jamia administration tried to downplay the issue.

Dean Mehtab Alam did not reply directly to whether the administration pressurised the organisers.

"I also have heard such a story that we did not let them speak," he said. Indresh Kumar panned the moves to scuttle the seminar.

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"These so called champions of freedom of speech are actually antinationals because they are anti-Constitution of India. Triple talaq is nowhere approved of in Islam. Only few leftists and pseudointellectuals who have a vested interest in keeping the Muslim community backward are making a hue and cry over such debates," he told MAIL TODAY.

BJP spokesperson and SC advocate Nalin Kohli told MAIL TODAY free speech was circumscribed by "reasonable" restrictions in the Constitution, which have been defined therein.

"Those who claim privileges under the Constitution have to bear in mind they are dutybound not to block privileges enjoyed by fellow citizens," he said.

ALSO READ:

Ramjas College violence: Students, teachers plan counter-rallies to ABVP's Tiranga March

Ramjas violence: Campus politics turning colleges into battlegrounds, hurting academic freedom?

ALSO WATCH : BJP leader barred from speaking on triple talaq: No place for debate on India's college campuses?

--- ENDS ---
U.S. lawmakers of both political parties say President Donald Trump should reaffirm Americas longstanding international commitments in his first speech to Congress later today. While much of the address will focus on domestic matters, lawmakers also want the president to discuss Americas standing on the world stage.

Republican Senator John Thune said he hopes President Trump charts a way forward on health care reform, but he told VOA that international matters also merit attention.

The more he can affirm our strong commitment to our trans-Atlantic alliances, NATO in particular, I think that would be very welcome news to our European allies and to our military all over the world, too, he said

Democrat Senator Chris Van Hollen agrees.

He needs to make it clear that the United States stands up for human rights around the world, that we will support our allies, that we will not be collaborators with the Russians.

Trumps speech comes one day after the White House proposed a significant boost in U.S. military spending.
The U.S. Justice Department said Monday it is abandoning its longstanding opposition to a key aspect of Texas' toughest-in-the-nation voter ID law, costing voting rights groups their most important ally and possibly encouraging other conservative states to toughen their own election rules with President Donald Trump in charge.



It's a dramatic break from the agency's position under President Barack Obama, which spent years arguing that the voter ID law passed in 2011 by Texas' Republican-controlled Legislature was intended to disenfranchise poor and minority voters.



"It's a complete 180," said Danielle Lang of the Washington-based Campaign Legal Center. "We can't make heads or tails of any factual reason for the change. There has been no new evidence that's come to light."



The law requires voters to show one of seven forms of state-approved photo identification - gun permits are acceptable but college IDs are not. Voting rights activists sued, and the case returns to court Tuesday in Corpus Christi, Texas, before U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos.



Justice Department spokesman Mark Abueg said that although the Justice Department will no longer argue that the law was intended to discriminate against minorities, it doesn't plan to withdraw from a portion of the lawsuit that argues that the law had the effect of discriminating against them.



The "intent" versus "effect" distinction is important since the former is still being argued before Gonzales Ramos.



A federal appeals court last year already ruled on effect, deciding that the Texas law discriminated against minorities and the poor and ordering changes ahead of the November election. The U.S. Supreme Court last month declined a Texas appeal that sought to restore the law, but Chief Justice John Roberts hinted that the high court could eventually hear an appeal at a later time.



That appeal likely can't happen until Gonzales Ramos rules on the Legislature's intent, though, and she's not expected to decide until weeks after Tuesday's hearing. In the meantime, the Justice Department's withdrawal means voting rights organizations suing will lose the assistance of a group of Department of Justice lawyers who had been assisting them on the case. The groups say they plan to press on even without the extra help.



In a filing Monday, the Justice Department said it was dropping its claim that Texas' measure was crafted with the purpose of disenfranchising minority voters because state lawmakers are considering a proposal to revise the law.

The Republican-backed bill would make-permanent the court-ordered changes imposed for the November election, but its fate won't be known until closer to the end of Texas' legislative session in May.



"Thus, there is no basis for further judicial action at this juncture, when the State is 'acting to ameliorate the issues raised' in this case and has requested reasonable time to do so," the agency argued.



Along with Texas, the Obama-led Justice Department launched a high-profile legal challenge against North Carolina's voter ID law, arguing that its requirements were unnecessary and unconstitutional. North Carolina's top Democrats recently asked the U.S. Supreme Court to dismiss an effort to restore the law, which had been struck down as unconstitutional.



Republican-led legislatures around the country have in recent years rushed to pass restrictions on voting, arguing they were necessary to prevent fraud at the ballot box, despite any evidence that it's a widespread problem.



Under Obama, the Justice Department sought to contest such measures, but the Trump administration's change in strategy could empower other conservative-controlled states to follow Texas' lead and tighten their voter ID rules.



Trump has consistently touted unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud and has praised laws requiring ballot box photo identification.





Attorney General Jeff Sessions repeatedly sounded alarms over voting fraud and intimidation as a U.S. senator and challenged Justice Department attorneys over whether they were pursuing it aggressively enough. As a U.S. attorney in Alabama in the 1980s, he prosecuted three civil rights activists on charges of tampering with ballots. The three defendants were acquitted in a matter of hours.



And during his confirmation hearing last month, Sessions defended laws requiring voters to show picture identification at the polls: "I think voter ID laws, properly drafted, are OK.''



Wendy Weiser, director of the democracy program at the Brennan Center for Justice, said it was disappointing that the Justice Department would change its legal position.



"The more vigorously the Department of Justice pursues illegal discrimination when it happens, the more deterrent an effect it has," she said. "When they pull back from vigorous enforcement, it may have an unfortunate and pernicious effect of sending a green light to states that there's going to be less policing" of discriminatory laws.
Not even an honorary National Book Award kept Ursula K. Le Guin from being surprised by her latest tribute: membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters.



"My reputation was made as a writer of fantasy and science fiction, a literature that has mostly gone without such honors,'' she told The Associated Press recently.



Known for such classics as "The Left Hand of Darkness'' and "The Dispossessed,'' Le Guin has won numerous science fiction and fantasy awards, but only in recent years has she received more literary recognition, notably a National Book Award medal in 2014. The arts academy, an honorary society with a core membership of 250 writers, artists, composers and architects, once shunned "genre'' writers such as Le Guin. Even such giants as science fiction writer Ray Bradbury and crime novelist Elmore Leonard never got in.



Academy member Michael Chabon, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, advocated for Le Guin.



"As a deviser of worlds, as a literary stylist, as a social critic and as a storyteller, Le Guin has no peer," he wrote in his recommendation, shared with the AP, that she be admitted. "From the time of her first published work in the mid-1960s, she began to push against the confines of science fiction, bringing to bear an anthropologist's acute eye for large social textures and mythic structures, a fierce egalitarianism and a remarkable gift of language, without ever renouncing the sense of wonder and the spirit of play inherent in her genre of origin.''



The 87-year-old Le Guin is one of 14 new core members, the academy told the AP. Others include fiction writers Junot Diaz, Ann Patchett, Amy Hempel and Colum McCann, former U.S. poet laureate Kay Ryan and fellow poets Henri Cole and Edward Hirsch. The academy also voted in the artists Mary Heilmann, Julie Mehretu and Stanley Whitney, architect Annabelle Selldorf and composers Melinda Wagner and Julia Wolfe.



Three foreign honorary members were added: authors Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Zadie Smith and composer Kaija Saariaho.



The arts academy was founded in 1898, with members since ranging from Henry James and William Dean Howells to Chuck Close and Stephen Sondheim. The new inductees will be formally welcomed at a ceremony at the New York-based academy in May, where academy member Joyce Carol Oates will deliver the centennial Blashfield Foundation keynote address. Previous speakers have included Helen Keller, Robert Frost and Robert Caro.





Patchett, author of the acclaimed "Bel Canto" and most recently "Commonwealth," said she had tears in her eyes after learning she had been selected. Years earlier, she had been given a prize by the academy, presented to her by John Updike.



"They could have just given me the Getting-To-Eat-Lunch-With John-Updike award and that would have been the biggest thrill of my life," she told the AP. "This is an institution where all of my heroes gather. I am very moved that they've invited me in."



Diaz, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for his novel "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao," told the AP that he was surprised to get into the academy, in part because he was informed in an old-fashioned way - by letter.



"No one sends letters anymore," he wrote recently in a more prevalent form of communication, email.



Le Guin lives in Portland, Oregon, and will not be attending the May ceremony. For a time, she didn't even know she had been chosen. Blame it on the risks of sending paper letters.



"[T]he academy's written invitation never got to me,'' she said, adding that she feared comparisons to Bob Dylan, who took more than two weeks to personally respond to winning the Nobel Prize for literature. "I found out they'd been waiting days or weeks for a reply. I thought: 'Oh, no, they'll think I've been pulling a Dylan on them!'"
European Union lawmakers will decide on Tuesday whether to lift the EU parliament immunity of France's far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen for tweeting pictures of Islamic State violence, an EU official said.

Le Pen is under investigation in France for three graphic images of IS executions she posted on Twitter in 2015, including the beheading of the United States journalist James Foley, the EU official told Reuters.

Responding to a request from the French judiciary, the EU lawmakers will consider whether her posts were appropriate to the role of a European deputy, the official said. A decision was expected later on Tuesday.

Le Pen, locked in an increasingly tight three-way race to succeed Francois Hollande this spring, has already seen her earnings as MEP cut for a different case involving alleged misuse of EU funds.

She has denounced the legal proceedings against her as political interference in the campaign, where she is the lead candidate, and called for a moratorium on judicial investigations until the election period has passed.

Polls say Le Pen should win the first of the two election rounds but lose in the runoff. They also show that her legal battles seem to have little effect on her loyal electorate.

A European Parliament draft report supports the lifting of Le Pen's immunity, but will need the approval of the legislature's legal affairs committee, the official said.

The committee's vote will then have to be backed by the whole parliament before any decision can be applied.

EU lawmakers usually decide to lift the immunity of European deputies if requested. Last year, they did so in 22 cases out of 26 requests from judges, the EU official said.
Independent candidate Emmanuel Macron's campaign for the French presidency is gathering momentum, according to two polls published on Monday that showed him closing the gap with far-right leader Marine Le Pen in the first round of voting.

Until now polls have given Le Pen a clear lead in the first round on April 23 but have shown her losing the decisive second round on May 7 to either Macron or the other main challenger, center-right candidate Francois Fillon.

Macron gains ground

In an Ifop-Fiducial poll for Paris Match published on Monday, Macron, a 39-year-old former banker, is now seen gathering 24.5 percent of the votes in the first round, up one percentage point on a previous poll on Friday, below Le Pen's 26 percent but well ahead of Fillon's 20 percent.

That chimed with another poll by Opinionway published earlier on Monday, which also showed Macron gaining 1 point to 24 percent, while Le Pen was stable at 26 percent and Fillon unchanged at 21 percent.

Macron has now gained 5.5 points in the space of five days in the Ifop-Fiducial poll, while Le Pen has lost 0.5 points over the same period. Macron's momentum helped to push down French bond yields on Monday to a one-month low.

Both polls on Monday showed Macron easily beating Le Pen, leader of the anti-euro, anti-immigrant National Front in May's runoff vote with 62 percent to her 38 percent.

Scandal hurts Fillon's bid

Fillon had been the clear frontrunner until January when a scandal broke about his having paid his wife large sums of money for work she may not have done. He suffered a further blow on Friday when a prosecutor appointed judges to investigate the allegations. Fillon denies any wrongdoing.

By contrast, Macron received a boost last week when veteran centrist Francois Bayrou decided to endorse him and dropped plans for his own presidential bid.

The two other main candidates, Socialist Benoit Hamon and hard-left Jean-Luc Melenchon, who failed to reach an alliance deal on Sunday, have both been range-bound, with 13.5 percent and 11.5 percent of first-round votes respectively, not enough to qualify for the runoff.
Asylum seekers crossing in the dead of night into Canada from the United States may face a new danger in coming weeks, as heavy snowpack melts in the flood-prone U.S. northern plains and province of Manitoba.

The western Canadian province on Monday said the Red River, which runs from North Dakota and Minnesota north into Canada, poses a major flood risk this spring.

Floodwaters that spread over land will make fields hard to navigate in the dark, said Bill Spanjer, emergency coordinator for the Rural Municipality of Emerson-Franklin, Manitoba, where 143 people have crossed illegally since Jan. 1, according to police, after 32 made the trip in December.

"Imagine gumbo and water," Spanjer said. "It would make even rescues difficult."

The exodus is partly out of concern they will be deported under U.S. President Donald Trump, whose crackdown on illegal migrants and travel restrictions against some Muslim-majority countries have alarmed asylum seekers.

Fearing they may be returned to unsafe conditions in their native countries, asylum seekers have been travelling by car from Minneapolis, where there is a large Somali community, to North Dakota.

From there, they walk along railway tracks and across open fields for hours to cross an unmonitored stretch of the Canada-U.S. border near Emerson, Manitoba, about 60 miles (100 km) south of Winnipeg.

Bitter cold, made worse by winds whipping across the plains, have been the biggest danger during the trek, with many dressed inadequately for the elements.

Melting conditions in early February shrank the snowpack, but left the ground saturated and prone to floodwater running across fields if there is further rain or snow, the Manitoba government said.

Floods in the Red River valley are so common that towns such as Emerson sit behind high earth dikes to protect them in case the Red breaches its banks.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said this month that there is a moderate to major risk of flooding from northeast North Dakota to northwest Minnesota, where the region's wettest soils and deepest snowpack conditions are found.

"There is a huge concern about that," said J.P. Venegas, senior manager at Welcome Place, a Winnipeg refugee agency, adding he hoped asylum seekers in the United States would hear about the risk before trekking north.

Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Blaine Pedersen said the government is prepared to rescue people if necessary. He could not say if the province and neighboring states are taking any new measures because of the migration.

The amount of precipitation the area receives in the coming months, and the pace at which the snow melts, will be key factors in how severe flooding becomes.
Pakistan has put in place extremely tight security measures in and around its capital, Islamabad, ahead of Wednesdays regional economic cooperation summit, where presidents of Iran and Turkey will also be in attendance.

The high-profile meeting of the 10-nation Economic Cooperation Organization, or ECO, has been convened at a time when Pakistan is experiencing a new wave of deadly suicide bombings and militant attacks.

The anti-state Pakistani Taliban and local affiliates of Islamic State have taken credit for the violence that has claimed scores of lives over the past two weeks.

Foreign ministers and senior representatives from ECO countries, including Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, are already in Islamabad and held preparatory talks Tuesday.

Facing challenges



Addressing the meeting, Pakistani foreign policy advisor, Sartaj Aziz, underscored the need for member states to collectively work for promoting effective regional economic cooperation to contribute to global peace, stability and prosperity.

Our region is faced with a number of challenges including extremism, terrorism, drug-trafficking and trans-national organized crimesTherefore, innovative approaches and concerted efforts would be required for the socio-economic and human development of our peoples, Aziz explained.

United Nations and Chinese delegations have also arrived to attend the summit as observers.

Iran, Pakistan and Turkey are the founding members of ECO.

Tensions



Pakistan had to cancel several regional cooperation meetings in recent months because Afghanistan and India boycotted those events. Both the neighboring countries blame Islamabad for supporting terrorist attacks on their respective territories.

Pakistani authorities reject the charges as baseless and instead accuse Afghan and Indian intelligence agencies of jointly sponsoring recent militant attacks in the country.



Advisor Aziz while addressing Tuesday's meeting recounted Pakistan's successes against terrorism and extremism, saying they have helped improve national security and economy, and created conditions for international investment in the country.

We are therefore confident of providing safe transit passage for smooth flow of trade activities without any barriers.



Despite tensions in bilateral ties, the Afghan government agreed to attend the ECO meeting and is being represented by its ambassador to Islamabad, Hazrat Omer Zakhilwal, who also carries the title of special presidential envoy to Pakistan.
In the days after President Donald Trump's election, thousands of teenagers across the nation walked out of class in protest. Others rallied to his defense.

It was an unusual show of political engagement from future voters who may alter America's political landscape in 2020  or even in next year's midterm elections.

Now, a new survey of children ages 13 to 17 conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research with the permission of their parents finds that America's teens are almost as politically disillusioned and pessimistic about the nation's divisions as their parents. The difference? They aren't quite as quick to write off the future.

Eight in 10 feel that Americans are divided when it comes to the nation's most important values and 6 in 10 say the country is headed in the wrong direction.

Nyles Adams, a 14-year-old from New York City, was in kindergarten when Barack Obama was sworn in as the nation's first black president. Adams, the grandson of Trinidadian immigrants, remembers watching the inauguration on TV and talking with his mother about the particular significance of Obama's election for his black, immigrant family.

Now, with Trump as president, he feels America's best days are behind it, and the nation will be worse off in 40 years. Yet like 57 percent of his peers, he is still optimistic about the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.

"Sometimes it does get you down, but I try not to focus on it too much because I see myself as someone who despite all the odds that are against me, I'm still going to prevail," he said.

That youthful optimism is hard to crush. While rates vary by race, 56 percent of all teens surveyed believe America's best days are ahead, compared with the 52 percent of adults in an AP-NORC poll conducted in June 2016 who said the nation's best days are behind it.

But like adults, the poll reveals deep divisions along familiar lines.

Just a quarter of teens say they have a lot in common with people of different political views. Three in four already have a party preference, including 29 percent who say they'll be Democrats, 23 percent Republicans and 24 percent independent or another party. Less than one-third have a favorable impression of Trump, but only slightly more think well of Hillary Clinton.

Elijah Arredondo, a second-generation Mexican-American from La Habra, California, disliked both major party candidates but is now worried about his family under Trump.

His mother signed up for the Affordable Care Act, which Trump has promised to dismantle and replace.

"I feel like anyone can achieve the American Dream, but for some people it's a lot harder for them to do, so these things help people," he said.

Caroline Millsaps of Garner, North Carolina, describes herself as a liberal Democrat and says climate change and women's rights are her top political concerns. Last year, she took time away from her busy competitive dance schedule to attend two Bernie Sanders rallies with her mother.

Like 40 percent of teens surveyed, she feels she has a "moderate" amount in common with people of different political views.

"I always watch Fox News to get a different perspective, and I have some friends who support Trump and so I'll ask them, 'What is your opinion on this?'" she said. "I try to see both sides of the situation and see which side fits my view best."

Millsaps, 16, talks about politics daily with her parents and that has strongly influenced her views.

Nearly 40 percent of teens surveyed said they did the same at least weekly and, like Millsaps, those talks seem to sway them. A majority of respondents said they agree with their parents' political views most of the time. Only 3 percent disagree most of the time.

Sophie Svigel, 17, attends a private Christian school in Dallas and identifies herself as a conservative Republican. She talks to her Republican parents about politics and almost always agrees with them, but is also heavily influenced by her faith-based school, she said.

"I feel like a lot of the bad things that are going on are not really spoken of and are hidden," she said. "I feel like the politicians and people in politics speak very vaguely about the problems that we're facing."

That cynicism echoes in the AP-NORC poll. Just 16 percent of teens feel the federal government is doing a good job promoting the well-being of all Americans, and not just special interests. Fewer than 2 in 10 teens surveyed feel the federal government is doing a good job representing most Americans' views.

Jessi Balcon from Bend, Oregon, has tried to fight that cynicism by pouring her energy into delivering food to homeless people and engaging in open-minded debate with those whose politics are different from hers. Nine in 10 teens say they have participated in civic activities like volunteering or raising money for a cause.

"It's not you versus me, it's us versus the problem and the problem isn't other people," said Balcon, 17, a Green Party supporter.

"There are a lot of really big problems that we need to solve, but I think that getting angry is the worst thing that we can do," she said. "It doesn't matter what side of politics they're on, conservative or liberal. I don't want to hate anyone."
Protesters planned marches Tuesday in downtown Vancouver as President Donald Trump's two eldest sons attended the grand opening of their company's new hotel and condominium tower in a city known for diversity and progressive politics.

Security officers in black suits surrounded the building's entrance while police gathered on sidewalks at the soaring tower, which has drawn praise for its sleek design but has raised ethical concerns about the business interests of the new U.S. president. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and other city officials chose not to attend the ceremony in protest of Trump's policies on immigration and other matters.

"The name Trump has now become synonymous not with luxury and lifestyle, but with racism, sexism and intolerance," City Councilman Kerry Jang said.

Constable Jason Doucette said Monday that authorities expected "a number of marches" downtown throughout the day and police would ensure things remained under control.

The anti-Trump protests were set to take place outside the building while brothers Donald Jr. and Eric Trump attend opening events inside. Early Tuesday morning, several protesters crowded the building's entrance, including Henry Ho, who brought signs with messages that included "Dump Trump," ''Is it 2020 yet?" and "Love Trumps Hate."

"I believe a president should be at his core a good person," the Vancouver resident said. "I don't feel like that comes from Donald Trump."

While the Trump-branded tower is a source of anger for many, the new hotel and its namesake do have some support in the region.

"President and hotel owner are two different things. If he can separate the two, all the power to him," said Joe Taylor, a resident of British Columbia. "At least he's got the nerve to say what's on his mind. If people don't like it, well, they're not used to that."

A Trump Organization tweet late Monday said the 69-story tower will be "the first property to open in the city" in over six years. But the city's former planning director, Brent Toderian, said that wasn't true.

"I'm the former chief planner for #Vancouver. That's so far from being true, it's laughable," Brent Toderian tweeted.

Located along an upscale six-lane downtown thoroughfare, the tower is the second-tallest in Vancouver and offers majestic mountain and ocean views. A one-bedroom apartment, at 699 square feet, starts around $1 million and the average 1,153-square-foot two-bedroom condo went for $1.7 million but has since gone up. Hotel rooms in the slow season start at around $228 ($300 Canadian).

The building's Malaysian developer, Joo Kim Tiah, said he was "extremely stressed" after Trump entered politics well after he signed the partnership agreement with the Trump organization.

"I was terrified," Joo Kim of the Canada-based Holborn Development company told the Associated Press. "The people who ran the city were not happy with me. I was scared, but I think they understand. They understand that I'm trapped into - not trapped, locked into - an agreement."

The chief White House ethics lawyers under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama have criticized Trump's turning over control of his business to his sons, saying it does not eliminate potential conflicts of interest. Legal experts also say Trump's overseas businesses could violate the "emoluments clause" of the U.S. constitution, which bars public officials from accepting payments or gifts from foreign governments or companies they control without the consent of Congress. A liberal-funded watchdog group has filed a lawsuit against Trump citing the clause.
Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has declared a state of disaster as the Horn of Africa nation struggles with a severe drought and food crisis.



According to the United Nations, the crisis in Somalia threatens 6.2 million people, more than half the population. Conditions are driest in the north.

Crop production and livestock numbers have fallen sharply after back-to-back poor rainy seasons last year.

Last week, U.N. aid agencies warned there is only a two-month window to avert a catastrophe in Somalia.

Speaking at a conference on drought response Tuesday in Mogadishu, Farmajo appealed to the international community and Somali groups to scale up emergency aid programs.

We must provide immediate and potential assistance to avert widespread starvation and death. I appeal to all donors to provide the necessary fund for immediate and emergency assistance, the president said.

A 2011 famine in Somalia killed an estimated 260,000 people.



The World Health Organization says the current drought conditions are also causing the spread of disease. It says that since early January, more than 6,000 cases of cholera have been reported, as well as more than 2,500 cases of suspected measles.



The United Nations has launched $825 million appeal for Somalia to cover the first half of 2017.

Somalia is one of several East African countries dealing with drought and food shortages, along with South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique.


Sources in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said one the biggest worries for the forces dealing with counter-insurgency operations is the rise in stone-pelting incidents in rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: The video of the encounter in Hajin in Bandipora district has been doing the rounds in defence circles. The pictures show a crowd of people running after an Indian Army truck, pelting stones at security forces and letting the militants escape.

Sources in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said one the biggest worries for the forces dealing with counter-insurgency operations is the rise in stone-pelting incidents in rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

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Since Hizb-ul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani's death, stone-pelting, which was limited to Maisuma and some downtown pockets around Srinagar, has now spread to rural areas.

WHAT IS THE SITUATION ON GROUND: An officer said the stone-pelting crowd in rural areas is more belligerent. Another officer said four or five-year olds are pelting stones at security forces. "After being caught, many of these children have no idea of what they are up to," the officer said. The Jammu and Kashmir Police has appealed to parents to not let their children be dragged into stone-pelting activities by militant groups. In 2010, many children were taken into custody for stone-pelting but let off after the Mehbooba Mufti government granted them amnesty. The problem of stone-pelting has aggravated in the last few yeas and security forces cite state government's inability to reach out to people as one of the reasons that has infuriated the public. Most of the MLAs are scared of visiting their constituency for fear of being attacked by locals. The chief minister did visit some regions in the past months but she is always surrounded by a battery of security personnel, making it difficult for locals to interact with her. An officer said, "since she was elected from Anantnag in 2014, she has not been seen there". Many in the security forces feel politicians have spewed mistrust than building bridges between the state and its people. Army chief General Bipin Rawat's stern warning to stone pelters has drawn mixed responses, with some saying the remark may come back to haunt the security forces in near future. The crackdown on stone-pelters may have a temporary effect, some say. "Summers are expected to be unstable," a source said. Chances of stone-pelting are higher when a local militant is engaged in an encounter. Intelligence agencies have alerted the Centre and the state government about nearly 100 local Kashmiri youth picking up arms and joining Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizb-ul Mujahideen after Burhan Wani's death. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) in its chargesheet against Bahadur Ali mentions the Lashkar terrorist mingling freely with stone-pelters during the Burhan Wani agitation.

ALSO READ: Kashmir's most wanted terrorist Burhan Wani killed in Anantnag encounter

J-K: 2 Army jawans, 4 Hizbul militants killed in gunfight; encounter over, search ops on

FROM THE MAGAZINE: A Rebellion Goes Viral

ALSO WATCH

--- ENDS ---
Civilians trapped by conflict in South Sudan's Leer County of former Unity State, one of the areas hit by famine, say they have survived on water lilies and other wild fruits for the last three years. Aid agencies say they have not had access to the area for several months, but have since been able to reach the area since late February and have been air dropping food to the area. The villagers say they cannot farm the land due to sporadic military attacks.

A community mobilizer assembled thousands of people who stood in a long line at the Thonyor registration center to register with the World Food Program and UNICEF for relief aid.

Last week, U.N. agencies declared famine in Leer County.

Thirty-two-year-old Ray Ngwen Chek, a father of eight, said continued fighting between government and rebel forces has caused the famine.

"The war is the one which destroys all things here. You see now there is no crop. We planted nothing and we have no food. You see here all the children; they are in the sun, crying due to the famine in this area," Chek said.

Life in Leer is a daily struggle. Government forces have been battling former First Vice President Riek Machar's rebels ever since fighting broke out in South Sudan in late 2013. Villagers fled their homes and sought refuge in the bush and swamps.

Many homes were burned to the ground. Entire villages have been deserted.

People become wild animals

Being a rebel-controlled area, there is no sign of government services in Leer schools, and health care facilities are abandoned. Aid agency officials say they have been unable to access the area due to insecurity, and they accuse government forces of repeatedly preventing access.

A majority of Leer's residents are pastoralists. A few farmers or fishermen also remain. But Chek said due to the conflict, all remaining residents resort to collecting wild plants or catching fish to survive.

"For survival, sometimes you go to the river to collect water lilies.  There is no alternative at all. That is the life and, as you can see now, the people, they look like wild animals," Chek said.

Forty-five-year-old Bol Mol, another Leer resident, used to be a government security officer who worked for an oil company before the war. Mol, who is now jobless, said he hunts wild animals for food.

"Our traditional system is people eat twice a day, morning and evening. And in a situation like this one, if people get food, if you eat [once] in the evening, then tomorrow you will eat," Mol said.

We dont have anything

Brigadier General Mawin Nyial Pal is the Leer County Commissioner. He said there is nothing left there.

"The civilians' cattle, goats and houses here were all burned down. Even churches, schools and clinics were burned down. We don't have anything. There's nothing good in this area. Civilians are tired; they are dying of hunger, no food, no cattle," Pal said.

U.N. agencies said last week at least 100,000 people are affected by famine and have no access to humanitarian services. They warn the situation is likely to worsen unless agencies and the government take immediate measures to address the famine.

George Fomyien, the WFP spokesperson in South Sudan, says insecurity and government blockades have hindered operations of aid agencies, which could have averted famine in the county.

"The biggest issue has been insecurity in some of these areas which makes it difficult to access. We have heard from people in this community that they have been constantly under attack, that homes have been burnt, and so people flee," Fomyien said.

The U.N. calls it a man-made famine. Aid officials say 4.9 million people, or nearly half of the population of South Sudan, urgently needs food aid.
SpaceX plans to launch two paying passengers on a tourist trip around the moon next year using a spaceship under development for NASA astronauts and a heavy-lift rocket yet to be flown, the launch company announced on Monday.

The launch of the first privately funded tourist flight beyond the orbit of the International Space Station is tentatively targeted for late 2018, Space Exploration Technologies Chief Executive Elon Musk told reporters on a conference call.

Musk declined to identify the customers or say how much they would pay to fly on the weeklong mission, except to say that it is "nobody from Hollywood."

He also said the two prospective space tourists, who know each other, have put down a "substantial" deposit and would undergo "extensive training before going on the mission."

"I think there's a market for one or two of these per year," he said, estimating that space tourist fares charged by SpaceX could eventually contribute 10 to 20 percent of the company's revenue.

Plans call for SpaceX's two-person lunar venture to fly some 300,000 to 400,000 miles (480,000 to 640,000 km) from Earth past the moon before Earth's gravity pulls the spacecraft back into the atmosphere for a parachute landing.

That trajectory would be similar to NASA's 1968 Apollo 8 mission beyond the moon and back.

Musk also said that if NASA decides it wants to be first in line for a lunar flyby mission, the U.S. space agency would take priority.

At the behest of the Trump administration, NASA is conducting a study to assess safety risks, costs and potential benefits of letting astronauts fly on the debut test flight of its heavy-lift Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule.

That mission is currently planned to be uncrewed and scheduled to launch in late 2018.

Musk said the privately funded moon expedition would take place after his California-based company begins flying crew to the International Space Station for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

NASA is hoping those crew-ferrying flights begin by late 2018.

SpaceX's own Falcon Heavy rocket, which Musk wants to use for the lunar tourist mission, is scheduled to make a debut test flight later this year.

Musk, also CEO of electric carmaker Tesla, said missions around the moon could provide practice for eventual human flights to Mars, the long-term goal of SpaceX.

Except for needed communications upgrades, the Dragon spaceship in development for NASA astronauts is well suited for lunar flyby missions, Musk added.

The launch would require licensing by the Federal Aviation Administration.

SpaceX joins a growing list of companies developing commercial passenger spaceflight services.

Virgin Galactic, an offshoot of Richard Branson's London-based Virgin Group, is testing a six-passenger, two-pilot spaceship to carry paying customers about 62 miles (100 km) above Earth, high enough to experience brief microgravity and see Earth's curvature against the blackness of space.

Tickets to ride cost $250,000 each.

SpaceX has a $70 billion backlog of about 70 missions for NASA and commercial customers. The firm's backers include Alphabet's Google and Fidelity Investments, which together have contributed $1 billion to Musk's firm.
Japan's Takata Corp. on Monday pleaded guilty to a felony charge as part of an expected $1 billion deal with the U.S. Justice Department that includes compensation funds for automakers and victims of its faulty airbag inflators.

After Takata's guilty plea, a federal judge in Detroit was hearing objections on Monday to the settlement raised by lawyers for some victims of Takata inflator ruptures, who argue the settlement will be used by automakers to avoid liability, a court clerk said.

Takata hopes to wins court approval of the settlement, a key hurdle to securing the backing of an investor or acquirer that can fund a turnaround effort and help it grapple with billions of dollars in costs related to the auto industry's biggest-ever recall.

16 deaths linked to defective air bags

Lawyers for U.S. vehicle owners have sued Honda, Nissan, BMW AG, Ford, Mazda, and other automakers, alleging they knew about the defective Takata air bags for years but kept using them.

At least 16 deaths have been linked to exploding Takata airbag inflators. The defects have led 10 automakers to recall more than 31 million cars worldwide since 2008. All but one of the deaths have occurred in Honda vehicles.

Kevin Dean, a South Carolina lawyer for some Takata victims suing automakers, said in a court filing on Monday that the plea agreement is wrought with inaccurate, incomplete and misleading assertions of fact that could help automakers avoid liability.

Three Takata executives charged

Takata last month had agreed to plead guilty to a single count of wire fraud related to receiving payment for the faulty deflators across state lines as part of a settlement with federal prosecutors.

U.S. prosecutors have charged three former senior Takata executives in Japan with falsifying test results to conceal the defect linked to the recall of about 100 million air bag inflators worldwide.

Recall to continue through 2020

In January, Takata agreed to establish two independently administered restitution funds: one for $850 million to compensate automakers for recalls, and a second $125 million fund for individuals physically injured by Takata's airbags who have not already reached a settlement with the company.

Both funds are expected to be administered by compensation expert Kenneth Feinberg, who managed a similar fund for General Motors.

Automakers in the United States are set to continue recalling defective inflators through 2020. U.S. safety regulators have said automakers are responsible for replacing defective airbags no matter what happens to Takata.
Several thousand people protested in Skopje against an agreement that would ensure the wider use of the Albanian language in the ethnically divided state.

Last Thursday, the leader of the Social Democrats, Zoran Zaev, said he expected to be able to form a government in March after he had secured support from ethnic Albanian parties in the 120-seat parliament.

Those parties had made their support for any potential coalition conditional on the passage of a law backing broader use of their language in Macedonia.

But on Monday, a movement that called itself "For Joint Macedonia" called on social media for people to come out on the street and protest the deal Zaev had made with the Albanian parties.

Protesters marched from the government building to the state parliament in Skopje shouting "This will not pass" and sang Macedonian national songs.

"With one symbolic gesture we want to show how you should love Macedonia," said Bogdan Ilievski, a member of the movement.

The Balkan nation's two-year-old political crisis was triggered by a surveillance scandal that forced veteran leader of the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE, Nikola Gruevski, to resign a year ago.

The crisis was the worst since Western diplomacy helped drag the country of 2.1 million people back from the brink of civil war during an ethnic Albanian insurgency in 2001, promising it a path to membership of the European Union and of NATO.

In a snap vote in December, VMRO-DPMNE won 51 seats to the Social Democrats' 49, and neither was able to form the government without parties representing ethnic Albanians who make up one third of the population.

The conservative VMRO-DPMNE party had tried but failed to form a coalition.

On Monday Zaev asked President Gjorge Ivanov to give him the mandate to form a government and had presented him with the signatures of 18 deputies from ethnic Albanian parties.

On Sunday evening former prime minister Gruevski called on Social Democrats to revoke the deal, saying it was unconstitutional and jeopardised state interests.

Albanian is currently an official language only in municipalities where Albanians account for more than 20 percent of the population.
Rahul Kolli, a 23-year-old engineering graduate from Indias southern Chennai city, was happy when he gained admission to Michigan Tech University in the United States to complete his masters degree in data analytics.



He was chasing the same dream pursued for decades by tens of thousands of Indians  studying in an American university, working in the United States for a few years and sometimes settling there.

But in November, Kolli ditched his plans to go to the U.S. and opted instead to go to a university in Ireland.

His main concern: after spending a huge amount of money on an education in the United States, will President Trumps tough rhetoric on protecting jobs for Americans make it hard to land a job?

'Trump effect'



Kolli says many of his Indian friends at American universities discouraged him, saying that recruiters at job fairs had told them that U.S. citizens would be preferred for new openings.

Before Trump yes, they were asking me to come. But after Trump being elected as President, they were like, 'think over your decision. I dont suggest you come to the U.S. Why dont you try some other country?' " he explained.

Kolli is not the only one who changed his mind about pursuing higher education in the United States, which has long been the top choice for Indian students and has attracted its brightest and best.

The number of Indians at U.S. universities has grown in recent years. India accounts for the second highest number of foreign students at American universities  more than 200,000 were studying there last year. The scarcity of quality universities at home forces many Indian students to look at foreign countries for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

For years, Chennai-based Preston Education Consultancy sent all but a handful of its student clients to American universities. But now, its head, Ilaya Bharathi, found a whopping 40 percent opted for countries such as Ireland, Canada, Germany and Australia, even after gaining admission to an American university.

Its basically what is called in the market the 'Trump effect.' They are reluctant to take the U.S. as an option now, said Bharathi.

He points to growing nervousness among students and their parents, who often spend tens of thousands of dollars from their savings to fund their childrens education, about a possible change in policies by the Trump administration that would make it difficult to stay and work in the U.S.

Bharathi said that with a majority of those going overseas being software engineers, many are opting to study in Ireland, which has emerged as an information technology hub in Europe and which recently liberalized its policy to allow students to stay after the completion of their education and work for two years instead of one.

Safety concerns

Jobs are not the only concern. There is also growing apprehension among students and parents about whether the United States will continue to be a safe and hospitable place for foreign students and workers as more anti-immigrant rhetoric is now being heard.

Such worries have intensified after the shooting of two Indian engineers last week at a bar in the state of Kansas, in an incident that is being investigated as a possible hate crime. The death of one of the two men, allegedly by a Navy veteran who shouted Get out of my country, was widely covered in India.

These days, Kavita Singh, who runs the New Delhi-based college admissions counseling firm, FutureWorks Consulting, faces questions that were seldom posed about the United States. What is the environment going to be like on campus?" she asks. "Is it going to change and is it going to be different?

This concern, said Singh, is greater among those planning to pursue undergraduate studies. Belonging to richer families, which can fund an expensive education, these students often do not want to stay back and work in the U.S., but they fear the environment may turn more hostile.

Some even say we only want to look maybe now at colleges on the east and west coast which voted blue (Democrat) and we are not really sure we want to look at the middle of the country, said Singh, who earned a Masters of Business Administration degree in the United States.

Wait-and-see approach



Education consultants say many postgraduate students are waiting and watching to see how policies on students staying to work in the country and on work visas will unfold under the Trump administration.

But not everyone is discouraged. Among them is Shraddha Gulati, a science undergraduate student in a Delhi University college, who shrugged aside worries about job openings and said she would like to pursue studies in the United States if she gets the opportunity.

For Gulati, the lure is a quality education. There are so many good colleges there, the top 50 and 100, and not (here) in India," she said.

Consultants agree that with the U.S. being home to many of the worlds top universities, it will continue to be a beacon for many Indians and the aspiration for a seat at Ivy League universities and other top-tier colleges will not dim. But that may not be the case for other educational institutions.
U.S. President Donald Trump is blaming his predecessor, former President Barack Obama, for recent protests against Republican lawmakers meeting with voters in their home states during a congressional recess.

The lawmakers faced angry questions about their plans to overturn Obama's national healthcare reforms, his signature legislative achievement popularly known as Obamacare. Some Republicans said many of the protesters were part of groups organized by opposition Democrats.

"I think that President Obama is behind it, because his people are certainly behind it," Trump told the Fox & Friends talk show in an interview at the White House.

"I also understand that's politics," he said. "And in terms of him being behind things, that's politics. And it will probably continue. I am changing things that he wanted to do."

Trump has vowed to repeal and replace the Obama healthcare law, telling U.S. governors and health insurance executives in separate White House meetings Monday that the law is a "failed disaster."

WATCH: Elizabeth Cherneff's report on Obamacare protests



More popular than ever



But as Republicans continue their effort to repeal it, national opinion polls show its popularity is increasing, prompting some lawmakers to adopt a more cautious stance on repealing the law after hearing complaints from constituents that overturning the law would leave them without insurance to cover costly medical bills.

Republican lawmakers have pledged for years to undo the 2010 law because they view its requirement that all Americans buy medical insurance or pay a penalty if they don't as an unwarranted government intrusion in their lives. But 20 million previously uninsured Americans have healthcare insurance because of the law, even as millions more have not been able to afford the rising cost of insurance premiums.



House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan pledged again Tuesday to repeal and replace the law, saying, "Obamacare is a collapsing law." He said deductible payments for patients making an insurance claim and the cost of premiums to buy a policy are "skyrocketing." He said the Republican changes will "give people more choices."

WATCH: House Leader Ryan on Republican Obamacare fixes





Policy changes unclear



During his run for the White House, Trump pledged to rescind the law on his first day in office, but more recently has acknowledged that repealing and replacing it might not occur until next year, even as Republican lawmakers say they plan to revamp the law in the coming months.

About half of Americans have healthcare insurance through their employers, another third are covered by government programs for senior citizens and impoverished people, while the rest are faced with buying insurance under Obamacare or have chosen to pay the penalty for not purchasing it.

Trump has not detailed to Republican colleagues in Congress which healthcare reforms he wants to pursue in replacing Obamacare, other than to allow the purchase of insurance policies across state lines in order to promote competition on the cost of the policies.

He also favors keeping two Obamacare provisions, prohibiting insurance companies from refusing to insure patients with pre-existing medical conditions that are costly to treat, and allowing young people to remain on their parents' policies until they turn 26. But funding for a replacement law is uncertain if the law's penalty tax is eliminated.

Trump said Monday that working out the myriad details of a new healthcare law has proved difficult."Nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated," he said.




White House officials are promising President Donald Trumps first address to Congress Tuesday evening will be "grounded firmly in solving real problems for real people."

"The president will let them know that help is on the way," a senior administration official told reporters at the White House Monday evening.

The address, to be made Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST (0200 UTC) to both houses of Congress, is titled "Renewal of the American Spirit" and will primarily be "about economic opportunity and protecting the American people," said the senior official.

While there will be some foreign policy elements in the address, administration officials say they do not expect specific countries to be mentioned. But Trump, according to officials, will provide a justification for pulling out of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, a comprehensive trade deal never ratified by Congress that took years to negotiate and was led, for the most part, by Washington and Tokyo.

Immigration will be key topic

Overall, the joint address "will be an optimistic vision of the country," spokesman Sean Spicer said earlier during the White House daily press briefing.

Spicer added that he hopes the president will receive "a very robust and applause-filled reception" by all the members of Congress, including Democrats.

"You'll hear a lot about immigration [Tuesday] night," Spicer promised.

Two Democratic representatives who will be in the audience, however, may be sitting on their hands much of the time, based on what they told reporters Monday.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, at the National Press Club, delivered what they called a "prebuttal" to the president's address.

"Donald Trump would like us to believe that all immigrants are terrorists and criminals," said Schumer.

Trump's attitude is a "complete departure from decades of Republicans and Democrats having respect for immigrants," added Pelosi.

While the minority leaders were criticizing the president's agenda, Trump in the White House was previewing his speech for the majority leaders of both houses of Congress.

"We're looking forward to a positive, upbeat presentation [Tuesday] night and then proceeding with our agenda which is exactly the same as the Trump agenda," Senate Major Leader Mitch McConnell said after emerging from the West Wing, along with House Republican Leader Paul Ryan.

"The goal of what we're trying to achieve is to improve peoples' lives. We've got a bold agenda ahead of us and the president is going to lay out why it's going to make a difference in peoples' lives." said Ryan.

WATCH: Paul Ryan on Trump's 'Once in a generation opportunity' to address Congress





Taxes, budget cuts

Republican lawmakers say they hope to specifically hear about tax reform and health care, in addition to details about a 10 percent increase for defense spending  totaling $54 billion  and cutting roughly the same amount from non-military budgets.

The president and congressional Republicans "broadly agree on repealing Obamacare and a tax cut and border security and regulatory reform, so those are the kinds of things that he is going to have to bring his Republican colleagues together on," analyst John Fortier at the Bipartisan Policy Center told VOA.

Foreign aid is expected to be specifically targeted. That is opposed by 121 retired admirals and generals, who in a statement on Monday argued "that elevating and strengthening diplomacy and development alongside defense are critical to keeping America safe."

Assistance to other countries only represents 1 percent of the entire budget, meaning there would have to be significant cuts elsewhere.

A separate request is to be made to Congress to pay for the president's oft-touted controversial wall between the United States and Mexico  a project that could cost as much as $38 billion if the entire 2,000 mile border is to be included.

White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney told reporters that could involve deeper cuts to such core programs as Social Security (retirement insurance) and Medicare (health insurance for elderly and for younger disabled people)something that could prove deeply unpopular with much of the public.

Changes to those programs will be part of the debate about changing the tax code, Mulvaney added.

The tone of the president's remarks will be closely watched by those across the political spectrum, following the initial weeks of turmoil here that have seen Trump's approval rating in several major polls drop to a record low for a newly inaugurated president.
Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross easily won confirmation as U.S. commerce secretary on Monday, clearing President Donald Trump's top trade official to start work on renegotiating trade relationships with China and Mexico.

The U.S. Senate voted 72-27 to confirm the 79-year-old corporate turnaround expert's nomination, with strong support from Democrats.

Ross is set to become an influential voice in Trump's economic team after helping shape the president's opposition to multilateral free trade deals such as the now-scrapped Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Ross drew votes from 19 Democrats and one independent, partly because of an endorsement from the United Steelworkers union for his efforts in restructuring bankrupt steel companies in the early 2000s, which saved numerous plants and thousands of jobs.

Ross was criticized by some Democrats as another billionaire in a Trump Cabinet that says it is focused on the working class, and for being a "vulture" investor who has eliminated some jobs.

Reuters reported last month that Ross's companies had shipped some 2,700 jobs overseas since 2004.

The investor will oversee a sprawling agency with nearly 44,000 employees responsible for combating the dumping of imports below cost into U.S. markets, collecting census and critical economic data, weather forecasting, fisheries management, promoting the United States to foreign investors and regulating the export of sensitive technologies.

While commerce secretaries rarely take the spotlight in Washington, Ross is expected to play an outsize role in pursuing Trump's campaign pledge to slash U.S. trade deficits and bring manufacturing jobs back to America.

Trump has designated Ross to lead the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada, a job that in past administrations would have been left to the U.S. Trade Representative's office.

Ross will join other major players on the economic team, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Gary Cohn, director of the White House National Economic Council.

Some experts said Ross could serve as a counterweight to advisers such as Peter Navarro, the University of California-Irvine economics professor who heads Trump's newly created White House National Trade Council. Navarro has advocated a controversial 45 percent across-the-board tariff on imports from China that Trump threatened during his campaign.

"I expect that Ross will quickly become the administration's chief trade spokesman, and that Navarro's influence will be felt indirectly, rather than through public statements or testimony," said Gary Hufbauer, a senior fellow and trade expert at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

At his confirmation hearing, Ross downplayed chances of a trade war with China, while calling it the "most protectionist" large economy. He vowed to level the playing field for U.S. companies competing with Chinese imports and those trying to do business in China's highly restricted economy.

Ross, estimated by Forbes to be worth $2.9 billion, built his fortune in the late 1990s and early 2000s by investing in distressed companies in steel, coal, textiles and auto parts, restructuring them and often benefiting from tariff protections put in place by the Commerce Department.
When U.S. President Donald Trump named a new national security adviser just over a week ago, current and former national security officials did more than just breathe a sigh of relief. Many expressed cautious optimism.

Those who knew or had worked previously with Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster saw his selection as a sign the barely month-old Trump administration was starting to get its footing.

McMaster came in with a reputation for being able to quickly command respect, take a room full of divergent opinions and then forge them into solid policy recommendations, all the while not being afraid to stand up to his superiors.

He is a convincing, well-thought out strategic thinker whos able to persuade decision makers on how to do things the right way, said Michael Pregent, a former intelligence officer who worked with McMaster in Iraq.

Now though, just over a week into the job, McMasters skills, and his ability to hold the presidents ear, will likely be put to the test as the White House begins to discuss the Pentagons long-awaited plan to destroy the Islamic State terror group.

Counter-Islamic State plan

Defense officials have described the plan, delivered to the White House Monday and later presented to key staffers by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, as merely a preliminary document.

This is really the framework for a broader discussion, Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters Monday. There are a number of details that will need to be filled in as this plan moves forward.

Pentagon officials also emphasized that the plan, even is these early stages, draws upon more than just military force.

It is a plan to defeat IS rapidly  to do it on a global level with all instruments of national power in a synchronized way, Davis said. Diplomacy is a key part of the plan.

How such a plan will fare with Trump, who has said he wants to totally obliterate IS, remains to be seen. And the plans reliance on diplomacy in addition to military might could signal a potential flashpoint, especially after the administration announced its intent to cut the State Department and foreign assistance budgets by at least 30 percent.

It might seem like a daunting task even for a national security adviser as widely respected as Lt. Gen. McMaster; but, those who know McMaster believe if anyone is able to navigate the internal political schisms, its the general.

Hes the kind of guy who will sit there and listen to opposing points of view, get the best arguments from both sides and be able to collate, put it together and present it to the president, Pregent said. "He wont just let them sit at the table and say how much things arent working."

Pregent recounted one meeting in Iraq during which McMaster, then a colonel, was unrelenting in arguing a point with Gen. David Petraeus, who served as commander of multinational forces in Iraq.

Gen. Petraeus said, Alright. I got it. Enough,' Pregent said. But because of his [McMasters] adamant stance on a position, policies were changed.

NSC power struggle?

Still, a number of former national security officials question whether McMaster will be able to find a way to make sure that in the end, the president listens to him instead of other advisers like White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and senior policy adviser Stephen Miller, who have little formal foreign and national security policy experience.

Domestic politics is always wrapped up in American foreign policy so Id think it would be naive to think that you could exclude them entirely, former NSC staffer Kenneth Pollack, now with the Brookings Institution, told VOAs Press Conference USA. But we just dont know what role Steve Bannon will have.

Pollack, who has known McMaster for decades, said his hope is that McMaster will find a way to grab control over the National Security Council and the wider American national security process.

Hes obviously a tremendous battlefield commander, Pollack added. But hes also demonstrated a real understanding that military force can only be part of a wider foreign panoply.

Still, Bannon and Miller are not the only voices with which McMaster will have to compete. Theres also Sebastian Gorka, the deputy assistant to the president who sits on the White Houses Strategic Initiatives Group, a body described by some as a parallel NSC.

The definition of victory for us is a very simple one, Gorka said last week at the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, outside Washington. We are going to make the black flag of jihad as repugnant around the world, not just here but around the world, as repugnant as the black, white and red swastika flag of the Third Reich.

The brand of jihad has to be destroyed, he said.

Gorka, who did not reply to several email requests for comment, has come under sustained criticism in recent weeks from some within the academic and national security communities who question his approach.

Critics like Michael S. Smith, II, a terrorism analyst who has consulted in the past with both the White House and members of Congress, say Gorkas penchant for rejecting nuance in favor of more sweeping sentiment, while catchy, is potentially dangerous.

Americans should pray Gen. McMaster can pull the wool from over President Trump's eyes, and help him realize Bannon and Gorka are not qualified to work on national security policy in the White House, Smith said. But when it comes to the question of whether he can, I'm not holding my breath.

A general's perspective

There is no shortage of former officials who see reason to worry, pointing to both the lack of international experience and the rhetoric coming from White House officials like Bannon and Gorka, and from even Trump himself.

There is this sincere and present danger of thinking that theres a military solution to almost any problem, cautioned retired Air Force Lt. Col. Hal Bidlack, who emphasized he was speaking on his own behalf.

Bidlack, who served on the National Security Council in the late 1990s, characterized some of the talk coming from White House officials as naive.

But he said that is where military veterans, like McMaster and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, a retired Marine Corps general who led both NATO and U.S. Central Command, can play a vital role.

Given the people whispering in the presidents ear, perhaps its good to have someone whos seen the battlefield, who can whisper, Not so fast, sir, Bidlack said.

Michael Pregent, who worked with McMaster in Iraq, is likewise optimistic the new national security adviser will be able to use his experience and credibility to help change the administrations tone.

What he understands is how U.S. military power, U.S. military actions affect the population - the second and third order effects, the long-lasting ramifications of aggressive military action on a community, he said.

Pregent added McMaster is also unlikely to back down to anyone at the White House on Islamic State, Russia or anything else.

I believe he will tell the president that Russia is not an ally in the war against IS in Syria because they will indiscriminately target a Sunni population and that Iranian militias in Iraq are not an ally in the fight against IS.
Anti-India sloganeering did ring through the JNU campus last year, but Kumar's voice has tested negative in forensic tests, sources have revealed. Most of the other slogan shouters were Kashmiri students, sources further added.

By Arvind Ojha: Last week's violent fracas at Delhi's Ramjas College has ignited, yet again, a nationwide debate on freedom of speech and what it means to be (anti) national.

The script of the current unrest seems similar to last year's Jawaharlal Nehru University controversy when a group of students was alleged to have raised anti-national slogans.

However, JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar raised no anti-India slogans for which he was charged with sedition last year, top officials investigating the case have revealed to India Today, citing forensic examination of voice samples.

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Controversial slogans resonated through the JNU campus in February, 2016, sparking a national debate on freedom of expression and nationalism.

Bhim Sen Bassi was commissioner of the Delhi police when several students of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, including Kumar, were charged with sedition for alleged anti-India cries.

POLICE YET TO FILE CASE

But an India Today investigation has found police have yet to file a formal chargesheet in the case that involved charges as serious as sedition. Bassi and his successor Alok Verma have, in the meantime, moved on from the city's police force.

A senior special-cell officer, requesting anonymity, said, "We are trying to connect the lose ends and are in the process of filing a chargesheet." The officer added that it would be incorrect to say there is no evidence against accused in the case.

Top sources in the Delhi police's special cell, which is investigating the matter, have revealed they sent as many as 40 video samples of the controversial JNU event for forensic examination

Most of the footage, they said, have been found to be authentic.

Also read: If Afzal Guru is terrorist, so is Godse: Kanhaiya Kumar

UMAR KHALID MAY HAVE RAISED ANTI-INDIA CRIES

Anti-India sloganeering did ring through the JNU campus that day, but Kumar's voice has tested negative in the forensic tests, highly-placed special-cell sources revealed.

Kumar, the investigators said, had reached the scene after a clash broke out between JNU students and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad activists.

But lab examinations have identified nine students as possible slogan-shouters, including Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya, special-cell sources said.

Most of the other slogan shouters were Kashmiri students from several universities, Jamia Millia Islamia and the Aligarh Muslim University included, according to special-cell officials.

But no FIR has since been lodged against the Kashmiri suspects, they said.

Also read: Ramjas violence: Campus politics turning colleges into battlegrounds, hurting academic freedom?

KANHAIYA: HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED MY INNOCENCE

India Today spoke to Kanhaiya Kumar, who said he has not seen this report, but added that he has always maintained that he has been wrongly implicated. "I was always sure that truth will come out... and conspiracy against JNU will also revealed," he said.

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He went on to question if those who attacked him when he was brought to court would be booked and also asked if the BJP leaders who spoke against him would apologise.

On the matter of Khalid and Anirban, Kumar said, "Let court decide who is anti national and who should be punished... but this case and event of last February can't be used by the ruling party at their convenience to fool people and defame educational institutions."

Watch video: Kanhaiya Kumar raised no anti-India slogans in JNU, says lab report

(With inputs from Ankit Tyagi)

--- ENDS ---
Malian soldiers and former Tuareg rebels have staged their first joint patrol in northern Mali, a key step in a 2015 peace agreement meant to help calm a region under threat from multiple extremist and other armed groups.

As helicopters with the U.N. peacekeeping mission hovered overhead last week, 50 men in distinctive turbans started to patrol the city of Gao, a target of attacks by Islamic extremists, including one in January that killed 54.

The joint battalion of 600 people is the first to formally combine Malian soldiers with the rebels from armed independent groups of the Azawad region that signed the peace deal. The patrols are aimed at "building confidence and curtailing insecurity in northern Mali pending the full restoration of state authority," the spokesman for the U.N. secretary-general, Stephane Dujarric, said Friday.

Security, cooperation

The new units face the challenge of securing the vast region and unearthing hidden extremists. They must also get along in the process, as the Tuaregs' quest for autonomy has been a source of conflict for decades with the government.

"Today, it's not a question of the Coordination of the Movements of Azawad [former Tuareg rebellion group] or the Malian army. We fight together all under the same flag: the green, the yellow and the red," said Hassan Ag Ibrahim, a young Tuareg fighter who was patrolling on foot alongside a Malian soldier.

Northern Mali has been tense since 2012, when Islamic extremists linked to al-Qaida took over the region, exploiting a power vacuum after mutinous soldiers overthrew the president. French-backed forces pushed the extremists from strongholds the following year, but attacks have continued and have pushed further south. The U.N. mission in Mali is the deadliest active peacekeeping mission in the world.

More recently, extremists have issued statements threatening Tuareg and Arab families in northern Mali about participating in the new joint operation, and they have followed through on the threats.

On January 18, a suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden vehicle into a military camp in Gao, killing at least 54 people and injuring more than 100 others. A group linked to al-Qaida's North Africa branch, al-Mourabitoun, claimed responsibility and warned of more to come to punish "all who were lured by France."

But those backing the new joint patrol, and some residents of Gao, remain committed to the task.

Mohamed Maiga, a resident, said he hoped the joint patrol would bring peace.

"They must continue their patrols of this type so that terrorists and armed bandits stop attacks and robberies," he said.

Ex-rebels investigated

Addressing concerns about security risks in the joint patrols, Daniel Massamba, spokesman for the U.N. mission, said the former rebels "have been identified and investigated to be sure they are not members of an infiltrated jihadist group."

Colonel Rhissa Ag Sidi Mohammed, a Tuareg within the military and coordinator for the patrol, said the rebels who joined the force have received the necessary training.

Now that joint patrols have begun, they will spread to other areas. In the coming weeks, units will be deployed to Kidal and Taoudenit, according Colonel Mohamed Ould Hassan, an officer and former Tuareg rebel.
Turkish authorities on Monday arrested a reporter for a prominent German newspaper on charges of propaganda in support of a terrorist organization and inciting the public to violence, according to a court witness.

Authorities initially detained Deniz Yucel, a correspondent for the Die Welt newspaper, on Feb. 14 after he reported on emails that a leftist hacker collective had purportedly obtained from the private account of Berat Albayrak, Turkey's energy minister and the son-in-law of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

On Monday, an Istanbul court ordered Yucel, a dual citizen of Turkey and Germany, jailed pending trial, a witness at the court told Reuters. He is the first German reporter to be held in a widespread crackdown that has followed the failed July 15 coup in Turkey and frequently targeted the media.

More than 100,000 people have been sacked or suspended from Turkey's police, military, civil service and private sector since the failed coup and tens of thousands arrested. Ankara says the measures are necessary given the security threats it faces.

But Turkey's allies, including Germany, fear Erdogan is using the purges as a pretext to curtail dissent. Relations between the NATO allies have been strained by the coup, but Germany desperately needs Turkey for its part in a deal to stop the flow of migrants into Europe.

Yucel's arrest could also put German Chancellor Angela Merkel into an awkward position less than seven months before what promises to be a tightly contested election in September.

In a statement, Merkel criticized the move as "bitter and disappointing" and called it "disproprortionate."

"The German government expects that the Turkish judiciary, in its treatment of the Yucel case, takes account of the high value of freedom of the press for every democratic society. We will continue to insist on a fair and legal treatment of Deniz Yucel and hope that he will soon regain his freedom," she said.

Germany's foreign minister, Sigmar Gabriel, was even more harsh in his assessment of the case, saying it showed in "glaring light" the differences in the two countries in evaluating freedom of press and freedom of opinion.
Thousands of women and children who risk the dangerous central Mediterranean Sea crossing from North Africa to Italy to escape war and poverty are subjected to violence, sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse, according to a new report by the U.N. Childrens Fund.



A survey conducted late last year on conditions in Libya reveals what UNICEF describes as appalling levels of abuse along the migration route.

At that time, 256,000 migrants were recorded in Libya, including 30,803 women and more than 23,102 children. One third of the children in Libya were unaccompanied, although the real figures are believed to be at least three times higher.

Sexual, verbal abuse

Nearly half of the women interviewed reported suffering sexual violations or abuse and most of the children and girls reported verbal or emotional abuse, and half had suffered physical beatings. said Afshan Khan, UNICEF regional director and special coordinator for the refugee and migrant crisis in Europe.

The women held in detention centers in western Libya reported very harsh conditions, poor nutrition and sanitation, overcrowding.

Libya has an estimated 34 detention centers. Twenty-four of them are run by the Libyan Government Department for Combating Illegal Migration. The centers reportedly hold between 4,000 and 7,000 detainees.

The international community, including UNICEF, has access to less than half of the government-run centers. While they have no access to the militia-run detention centers, people who have been held there described them as no more than forced labor camps, farms, warehouses and makeshift prisons run by armed groups.

The UNICEF report said for the thousands of migrant women and children incarcerated in the militia-run centers, they were living hellholes where people were held for months at a time without any due process, in squalid cramped conditions.

Khan said most of the children and women interviewed for the survey last year said that they expected to spend extended periods working in Libya to pay for the next leg of the journey.



Smugglers charge anywhere between $100 and more than $2,100 for a sea crossing from Libya to Italy. Khan told VOA that once migrants arrive in Libya, they are in the hands of often smugglers and these young people and children are treated as a commodity. They are not treated as people on a journey.

She said that migrants do not pay all the money to the smugglers up front, but pay on certain legs of the trip.

Now, again, the young girls I spoke to, many of them had gotten money for the initial leg and then were resorting to sex, transactional sex to pay for the rest of the legs going forward.

She said, So, these girls are particularly vulnerable. There is a lot of trafficking for sexual exploitation and abuse.

Child prostitution

Khan said children, particularly young girls, often were brought to different countries as prostitutes by networks of criminal gangs. She noted that boys also were caught up in criminal networks and were forced to hustle on the streets or fall into prostitution.



In addition to the horrific experiences, the report noted that many children died along the dangerous migratory route from North Africa to Europe. Last year, more than 4,500 people perished crossing the Mediterranean Sea from Libya to Italy, including at least 700 children.

The stretch between the two countries has become the main crossing point for migrants seeking a better life in Europe.

Khan said that the desert crossing from Niger into Libya is one of the most dangerous routes.

She said, Crossing the desert, the number of children, women, even adults that are dying are unknown to us. There are no protective measures along the way. There is no processing. So, once they arrive in Libya, it is chaotic.

UNICEF reports children from Somalia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Niger, Eritrea, and Gambia who are as young as 12 are traveling alone across the desert along the central Mediterranean route.

The push factors range from conflict to lack of economic opportunities or jobs to early child marriage for some of the girls.

What we are seeing here is, I would say, multiple push factors that are leading to a level of tragedy that we have not seen in this century, with respect to children on the move.

She said, This requires a response that is far more coordinated across national boundaries than we have seen to date.
The International Organization for Migration warns that many of the millions of people facing famine in three African countries and in Yemen risk starving to death without urgent action to help them.

More than 20 million people reportedly are suffering from severe food shortages in South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and northeast Nigeria. Somalia's problems are largely due to a severe drought, though conflict also plays a part.

The United Nations says man-made disasters caused by conflict, insecurity, extreme violence and economic degradation are behind the food crises in South Sudan, Yemen and northeast Nigeria.

Famine was declared Feb. 20 in parts of Unity State in South Sudan, and as many as 100,000 people may be at risk, according to IOM spokesman Joel Millman.

"Without access to timely humanitarian aid, famine is likely to spread throughout the country," Millman said. "The number of people facing severe food insecurity is expected to reach 5.5 million by July, the height of the lean season. The current number that we think are facing food insecurity is 4.9 million, so approximately one half million more."

IOM reports the humanitarian situation in Somalia is rapidly deteriorating and the likelihood of famine is increasing. The organization says a growing number of people are fleeing to Ethiopia in search of food and basic services.

As for Yemen, the agency warns the dire food crisis being experienced across the country already has reached famine conditions in some areas. It blames the conflict and worsening conditions for pushing millions of displaced Yemenis into greater danger.

IOM reports that about 5 million people in northeastern Nigeria are in urgent need of food aid. It says the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency has prevented many people from farming and forced nearly 2 million to flee their homes.

The agency says there is still time to avert a catastrophe and stop famine from spreading throughout these four countries if the international community moves fast.
A U.S. federal appeals court has turned down the Trump administration's request to put its travel ban case on hold until the president issues a new executive order.

Three judges of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco gave no reason for their decision Monday.

The same court upheld a lower court decision suspending President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning travelers and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries  Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer was asked Monday why the administration is insisting on challenging the appeals court's ruling if Trump plans to issue a new executive order on immigration.

"While the new executive order attempts to address the court's concerns that they made, the goal is obviously to maintain the way that we did it the first time because we believe the law is very clear about giving the president the authority that he needs to protect the country," Spicer said.

The appeals court questioned the constitutionality of the travel ban.

Some legal experts predict the case could wind up before the Supreme Court.

Trump's January 27 executive order created chaos in airports both in the U.S. and around the world. Immigration officers were confused as to who could be let in and who should be kept out, even though many travelers had visas.
The United States military has confirmed the killing of a top Taliban leader in a recent airstrike in Afghanistans troubled northern province of Kunduz.

The strike, conducted on Sunday as part of an operation with Afghan security forces, killed Mullah Abdul Salam, the Taliban commander for Kunduz, along with four other enemy combatants, the military announced Tuesday.

It said in a statement that no civilians were hurt or killed in the action.

The slain Taliban commander was responsible for inflicting immeasurable suffering on the population of Kunduz and his forces destroyed bridges as well as key infrastructure in the area despite claims they would protect civilians and property, the statement added.

Mullah Salam and the Taliban fighters under him murdered and terrorized the people of Kunduz for too long, said General John Nicholson, the commander, U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Salams death is an opportunity for changeThe Taliban know the only path forward is reconciliation, Nicholson added.

The slain commander led insurgents to briefly capture the provincial capital of Kunduz in 2015, the first urban center the Taliban had overrun months after most of the U.S.-led international forces withdrew from the country.

The U.S. military Tuesday reiterated it will continue to work with its Afghan partners to target those who are enemies of a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan.

The Taliban confirmed on Monday that Salam was killed in a U.S. drone strike in his native district of Dashti Archi in Kunduz and identified him as the governor of the province.

The insurgent commander was the most senior Taliban figure eliminated since the groups chief, Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, was killed in a U.S. drone strike in May 2016 while he was traveling through neighboring Pakistans Baluchistan province.

Salam was arrested in Pakistan in 2010, before he was freed along with other Taliban prisoners two years later at the insistence of the then-Afghan government, which hoped the insurgents would quit violence and help with official reconciliation efforts.

But Salam rejoined the Taliban upon his return to Afghanistan and retook command of insurgents in Kunduz.

Meanwhile, a Taliban spokesman Tuesday claimed responsibility for killing 12 Afghan police personnel in an overnight attack on a checkpoint in the southern Helmand province.

Officials say a security worker, apparently linked to the insurgents, facilitated the attack in a restive part of the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah.

Helmand is a major poppy growing region and has been the scene of fierce fighting in recent months, with most of its districts either controlled or influenced by the Taliban.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was criticized on Tuesday by Israel's main government watchdog over what it said was a lack of preparation and Cabinet consultation over a network of Hamas tunnels that confounded the military in the 2014 Gaza war.

Political commentators did not expect the report, released by State Comptroller Joseph Shapira on the government's and military's handling of several aspects of the 50-day conflict, to seriously weaken the prime minister's grip on power.

But the findings pose another challenge for Netanyahu as he tries to maintain an image as an indispensable leader and important player on the international stage amid ongoing criminal investigations into suspected abuse of power, an allegation he rejects.

The long-awaited report accused Netanyahu and his defense and intelligence chiefs of failing, prior to the war, to make his security cabinet  which formulates strategies and approves military action - aware in a timely fashion of the strategic threat they knew the Hamas tunnel network presented.

"Significant and necessary information that the Cabinet ministers required in order to make their best decisions ... was not brought before the ministers in a satisfactory manner in the discussions that preceded the [war]," the report said.



In response, Netanyahu said on Facebook that "the tunnel threat was presented in detail to the security Cabinet in 13 separate sessions and was discussed in all its severity while examining all of the strategic and operational scenarios."

The report also pointed a finger at the Israeli military, saying it had failed to prepare a proper and detailed strategy to destroy the tunnels and had improvised ways to deal with them only as the fighting progressed.

Hamas fighters used the tunnel network to move between positions in the Gaza Strip and attack Israeli soldiers during the conflict and to mount cross-border raids into southern Israel.

Israel said its military engineers unearthed and destroyed 32 tunnels during the war. Israel has since begun construction of an underground barrier along the frontier with the Gaza Strip that is meant to block such passages, defense and political sources said.

According to Gaza health officials, 2,100 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were killed in 50 days of fighting. Israel put the number of its dead at 67 soldiers and six civilians.
The White House has continued to defend a recent anti-terrorism raid in Yemen that killed one Navy SEAL, after the father of the commando sharply criticized the administration over the mission.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the raid was "successful in helping prevent a future attack." He said he cannot imagine what Bill Owens is going through following the loss of his son, William "Ryan" Owens.

Spicer said the younger Owens died a hero and that the mission he participated in is "going to protect our country more." He said the mission led to the collection of "a lot of information that will help us keep safe."

Bill Owens told The Miami Herald, in a story published Sunday, that he wants an investigation into the planning of the mission. He also said he refused to meet President Donald Trump when they were both at Dover Air Force Base to receive the casket carrying his son.

"I told them I didn't want to make a scene about it, but my conscience wouldn't let me talk to him," Owens said of the president.

WATCH: Spicer Defends Raid that Led to SEALs Death

Spicer said it is standard operating procedure for the Defense Department to undergo a review of such a mission. He said in this case, the review is three-pronged because there was a fatality during the operation, there were civilians involved, and a U.S. helicopter was damaged.

The Navy SEAL died in late January during a raid on a suspected al-Qaida compound in Yemen. The Pentagon said approximately 14 militants died during the raid, which was aimed at capturing information about potential al-Qaida terrorist attacks on the United States and allies. The Defense Department has acknowledged that several civilians, including some children, were also killed in the attack, after initially denying there were civilian causalities.

Republican Senator John McCain called the operation a failure. The White House, however, has called it was a success and said its detractors are dishonoring Owens' memory.

"Don't hide behind my son's death to prevent an investigation," Bill Owens told the Herald. "I want an investigation. ... The government owes my son an investigation."

The elder Owens questioned the timing of the mission so early into the new Trump administration.

"Why at this time did there have to be this stupid mission when it wasn't even barely a week into his administration? Why?" Owens told The Herald. "For two years prior, there were no boots on the ground in Yemen  everything was missiles and drones  because there was not a target worth one American life. Now all of a sudden we had to make this grand display?"

The White House said that while Trump authorized the raid, it had been planned under the Obama administration.
Suicide bombings by militants in the town of Homs and airstrikes by government warplanes in recent days in northwest Syria have rattled United Nations-led peace talks aimed at finding a resolution to the six-year-long conflict in Syria.

The warring sides have accused each other of seeking to wreck a peace process that has been limping along for months. Even before these latest developments, the signs indicated there would be no breakthrough this week in Geneva talks overseen by U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura.

The only good thing that can be said about the Geneva-based process so far is that both opposition and regime delegations have remained in the Swiss town, albeit grudgingly.

Representatives of Syrian President Bashar al-Assads regime were due Tuesday to meet once again with de Mistura, who has been urging the warring sides to show respect for each other and avoid trading inflammatory accusations. The U.N. diplomat has not been able to get enough agreement on the faltering peace process, however, to maneuver opposition and regime delegations to sit down face-to-face and start talking.



Last week, at the ceremony to start the fourth round of talks, clear animosity was displayed between the delegations when they did meet briefly. The regime delegation did not wait for the end of the formal ceremony to leave the room, walking out as the U.N. mediator shook the hands of opposition delegates.

The atmosphere has not improved since then, with de Mistura shuttling back and forth between delegations.

This latest peace round, which began last Thursday (February 23), has so far been stuck with regime representatives insisting negotiations should start with an agreement about fighting terrorism, while opposition negotiators remain determined an agreement in principle about a political transition has to be the starting point for any serious discussions.

The regimes focus is only on the issue of terrorism and not on the issue of political transition, according to Oubai Shahbandar, an analyst with the New America Foundation.

The High Negotiations Committee (HNC), the main opposition delegation, cast doubt Monday about the governments willingness to negotiate an end to a conflict that has left as many as 470,000 people dead and millions displaced. In a statement, the head of the HNC delegation said they had yet to meet a partner seeking peace in Geneva.

We are engaging constructively, said Hind Kabawat, an HNC delegate. But the regime has never been serious; they dont want to negotiate. They want to provoke us to leave, but we are not leaving, she added.

On Wednesday, HNC delegates are due to meet with Russias deputy foreign minister, Gennady Gatilov, and its Middle East director, Sergei Vershinin  a further indication that at least the main opposition delegation intends to stick with the process despite the lack of any real progress.

The HNC hopes to persuade Moscow to put pressure on the regime to engage seriously when it comes to outlining a political transition. It is likely, though, that Gatilov will follow the regimes prioritization of terrorism, judging by comments he made Tuesday to reporters in Geneva.

Definitely yes, Gatilov said when asked if terrorism should be included in the Geneva agenda. Terrorism is a priority. The fight against terrorism is a priority and it should be on the agenda."

Asked about his planned meeting with the opposition on Wednesday, he added, "I don't know what they are going to insist on; that is why we are going to meet them to know their position.

These negotiations have so far focused on procedural issues and are yet to discuss the substantive agenda of governance, constitution and elections, according to Randa Slim, an analyst at the Middle East Institute, a Washington-based research institution.

The dynamics, she says, are against there being any breakthrough. She cites as a reason for this the unequal military power equation, which reinforces the Syrian regimes no-concession strategy.

Slim argues that uncertainty surrounding the Trump administrations future Syria strategy isnt encouraging Moscow to push Damascus to make concessions now. And, she says, The international communitys failure to achieve and enforce a national cease-fire and create sustained improvements in humanitarian conditions on the ground makes the armed opposition and their constituencies wary of political talks.

European diplomats say the talks are likely to be suspended Friday with a resumption provisionally scheduled for March 20; but events on the ground could undermine that schedule. Over the weekend, clashes between Turkish-aligned rebel groups and government forces erupted near the town of al-Bab, northeast of Aleppo. Those clashes risk intensifying.

And the leader of an al-Qaida-linked group in Syria on Monday derided exiled Syrian politicians and rebels for taking part in the Geneva talks, arguing in a video posted online that they were handing victory to Assad. The remarks by Abu Mohammed al-Golani, head of Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, now part of an ultra-conservative alliance known as Tahrir al-Sham, suggests militants will continue to launch attacks that risk derailing the already highly precarious peace talks. Tahrir al-Sham claimed responsibility for the bombing in Homs.
Yemen has food reserves for only 2-4 months, bringing it to the brink of famine as fighting escalates, a senior official of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Tuesday on return from the country.

Robert Mardini, ICRC regional director for the Middle East, called for the lifting of restrictions on the import and movement of goods and voiced concern at the fate of 500,000 people in the port city of Hodeidah as the conflict moves north up the Red Sea coast.

The "lifeline" of aid moving through Hodeidah and other ports is starting to be cut, Mardini told reporters in Geneva.

"If this happens of course it will add a huge burden on a swathe of the Yemen territory where millions of people live."

"In terms of reserves, there are reserves for two, three or four months, I don't know. But there is an urgent need for re-supply, this is what we can say."
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI) The mother of actress Jiah Khan, who had allegedly committed suicide, today moved the Supreme Court against a Bombay High Court order rejecting her plea challenging the CBI charge sheet terming the death as suicide and not homicide.

The high court had on February 9 dismissed the petition of Rabia Khan, the actors mother, and had paved way for commencement of trial against actor Sooraj Pancholi, who is charged with abetment of Jiahs suicide.

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The high court, while dismissing Rabias petition, had observed that the CBI has investigated all aspects of the case properly and there is no fresh material submitted by Rabia to direct further probe.

Rabia, in her petition in the apex court, has also sought the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) in the matter alleging that Jiah was murdered by her then boyfriend- actor Sooraj.

She has alleged that CBI has not probed the case properly and ignored several evidences and material that clearly suggested that her daughter was murdered.

The high courts order had paved the way for trial against Sooraj before a lower court, which was earlier stayed.

Jiah had allegedly committed suicide on June 3, 2013. Sooraj was arrested for abetting Jiahs suicide on June 10, 2013, but released on July 2 the same year after the high court granted him bail.

The case was transferred to CBI by the high court in July 2014 on Rabias plea that police was not probing it properly.

Rabia had sought an SIT probe alleging that CBI, which is currently probing the case, had concurred with findings of Mumbai police that it was a case of suicide and not homicide. PTI AG ABA SJK RKS ARC

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Political activist, Itai Dzamara, who was abducted by unknown assailants in March 2015, is one of the four human rights heroes that have been honored by Amnesty International with a Lifetime Achievement recognition.

According to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), Dzamaras achievement was announced by Amnesty Internationals senior director of research, Anna Neistat.

Dzamara, who formed the protest movement, Occupy Africa Unity Square, seeking the resignation of President Robert Mugabe for allegedly failing to property run Zimbabwes economy, was last seen alive in Glenview at a barber shop.

He was abducted by suspected state security agents. The government, which has professed ignorance over his abduction, was ordered by the High Court to find the political activist, who was recently named the Overall Human Rights Defender of the Year 2015 in Zimbabwe.

Dzamara gets the international honor alongside Berta Caceres of Honduras, Narges Mohammadi of Iran, and Sirikan Charoensiri of Thailand.

Neistat said Zimbabweans under President Robert Mugabe have suffered human rights violations for a long time.

Celebrating the four activists at the time of the Oscar Awards help in Los Angeles on February 26, Neistat said, Dzamaras life resembled a movie script.

If this were a movie, justice would have been done long ago. Dzamara would have been returned to his wife and children, and the men who abducted him held accountable.

But this isnt Hollywood. This is Zimbabwe, where basic rights and freedoms have been trampled on throughout the long years of Robert Mugabes reign.

The missing journalists brother, Patson  who is now an activist after Itais abduction  has told Zimbabwean media that there are plans to film a documentary in his owner.

Dzamara criticized the governments record, and particularly wrote a petition that he personally delivered at the office of the president, before his forced disappearance.
Doctors in Kenya's public health facilities have refused to work since December. They are demanding the government implement an agreement it signed in 2013 to raise salaries and improve working conditions. However, the strike is taking a deadly toll on the nation's poor.

Jared Ochieng lost his son Lamarck to complications from leukemia.

"If it were not for the strike, I would have not lost my son," Ochieng said.

Lamarck was diagnosed with leukemia a year ago. When he started experiencing complications in early February, the family took him to the nearest hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital, one of approximately 2,500 public health institutions affected by the nationwide strike.

"When I got there, the doctor who was concerned with the disease that my son was suffering from was nowhere to be found because of the strike," Ochieng said. "I lost my son when he was in Kenyatta, when they were making arrangements to take the boy to Texas [Cancer Facility]."

The center is a private facility in Nairobi, but the high cost makes it an option of last resort for many Kenyans. Some cancer patients have had to suspend treatment until public doctors return to work.

The Kenya Cancer Association says it is getting reports of three deaths a week  a 50 percent increase compared to this time last year, says program director Moses Osani.

"The doctors' strike has significantly affected the cancer patients in that most of them have had interrupted treatment," Osani said. "For example, if someone had to go for a cycle of eight weeks and at the sixth week, doctors went on strike, then their treatment was interrupted, which means they probably had to seek treatment elsewhere."

The strike has also affected emergency medical services.

Judy Nabwani says her son was hit by a speeding vehicle. Twelve hours later, she traced him to a country referral hospital where only basic first aid had been administered.

"He could not move or talk," Nabwani said. "He was just lying there."

She said that a nurse told her the doctors were on strike and that the best thing to do was to refer him to a private hospital. He died before he could be moved. Nabwani said her son would not have died if he had been attended to on time.

His cause of death was internal bleeding due to brain injury.

The striking doctors have refused to resume work, even after union leaders were arrested. The government has said it does not have the funds to implement the collective bargaining agreement it signed in 2013.

Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union spokesperson Dr. Davis Ombui told VOA the union is pushing for much-needed improvements to the health system.

"So far, we actually empathize with the situation," Ombui said. "We know many Kenyans are losing their lives. Even us as doctors, we have relatives, we have friends, we have family and it has affected us all. But the narrative we are sticking to is that we cannot go back and supervise deaths as it were."

In addition to raising salaries, the 2013 deal called for the government to hire nearly 5,000 doctors over a four-year period and equip hospitals with the necessary machines and drugs.

Hopes are high that negotiations underway will end the strike, but for families of the deceased, it is too late.
The World Health Organization is calling for the urgent development of new antibiotics to fight growing bacterial resistance. For the first time, the U.N. agency has drawn up a list of 12 families of bacteria that pose the greatest threat to human health.

The list is divided into three categories according to the urgency of need for new antibiotics; however, one of the scariest so-called super bugs is not on that list, according to Marie-Paule Kieny, assistant director-general for health systems and innovation.

"The bacteria responsible for tuberculosis was not included in this exercise, as there is already consensus that tuberculosis is the most important priority for [research and development] for new antibiotics," she said.

The three categories are tagged as critical, high and medium priority. The critical group includes multidrug-resistant bacteria. These are widespread in hospitals, nursing homes and among patients on ventilators and blood catheters. WHO says the bacteria can cause severe and often deadly infections.

The high- and medium priority categories contain drug-resistant bacteria that cause more common diseases such as gonorrhea and food poisoning triggered by salmonella, Kieny says.

"Today, just when resistance to antibiotics is reaching alarming proportions, the pipeline is practically dry," she said. "The problem is clearly one of scientific nature, as new antibiotics are becoming more difficult to discover; but, low market incentive is also an issue. Antibiotics are generally used for the short term, unlike therapies for chronic diseases, which bring in much higher returns on investment."

Kieny says a proposal has been made to establish a $2 billion innovation fund. This would act as an incentive for pharmaceutical companies to kick-start research and development into new antibiotics.

China and Britain already have pledged $72 million to the fund, she says.
Hundreds of Zimbabwean nurses have gone on strike following the governments failure to pay them last years annual bonuses.

Zimbabwe Nurses Association secretary general, Enock Dongo, told VOA Studio 7 that the strike has paralyzed state hospitals in most parts of the country with indications that most nurses downed their tools Tuesday.

Dongo said the government has failed to pay the thirteenth cheques and address some challenges, including serious workloads and other issues, which were supposed to be taken care of by the state in 2015.

The government has not addressed all our grievances like allowances and to make matters worse it has not yet paid us the 2016 annual bonuses. So, we have decided to take this industrial action   said Dongo.

He said they have not necessarily joined the doctors strike, which started last week, but decided to down tools so that the government can address their outstanding and current grievances.

Doctors went on strike over call-in allowances and other issues. The move has almost crippled public health services in Zimbabwe.
The campaign waged against the new President of the United States by the sponsors of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and the destruction of the Greater Middle East is on-going. After the Womens March on 22 January, a March for Science is scheduled to be held not only in the USA, but also throughout the Western world on 22 April. Its goal is to show that Donald Trump is not only a misogynist, but also an obscurantist.

The fact that he is the ex-organiser of the Miss Universe pageant, and that his third wedding was to a model, is apparently enough to prove that he holds women in contempt. The fact that the President contests the role played by Barack Obama in the creation of the Chicago Climate Exchange (a long time before his Presidency) and rejects the idea that climatic disturbances are caused by the expulsion of carbon into the atmosphere attest to the fact that he understands nothing about science.

In order to convince US public opinion of the Presidents insanity  a man who says that he hopes for peace with his enemies, and wants to collaborate with them in universal economic prosperity - one of the greatest specialists of agit-prop (agitation & propaganda), David Brock, set up an impressive system even before Trumps investiture.

At the time when he was working for the Republicans, Brock launched a campaign against President Bill Clinton which would eventually become Troopergate, the Whitewater affair, and the Lewinsky affair. Having changed his colours, he is today in the service of Hillary Clinton, for whom he has already organised not only the demolition of Mitt Romneys candidacy but also her riposte in the affair of the assassination of the US ambassador in Benghazi. During the first round of primaries, it was Brock who directed the attacks against Bernie Sanders. The National Review qualified Brock as a right-wing assassin who has become a left-wing assassin.

It is important to remember that the two procedures of destitution of a serving President initiated since the Second World War were set in motion for the benefit of the deep state, and not at all for the benefit of democracy. So Watergate was entirely managed by a certgain Deep Throat who, 33 years later, was revealed to be Mark Felt, the assistant of J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the FBI. As for the Lewinsky affair, it was simply a way of forcing Bill Clinton to accept the war against Yugoslavia.

The current campaign is organised in secret by four associations:

 Media Matters is tasked with picking up on Donald Trumps mistakes. You read his bulletin every day in your newspapers  the President cant be trusted, he got this or that point wrong.

 American Bridge 21st Century has collected more than 2,000 hours of videos showing Donald Trump over the years, and more than 18,000 hours of other videos of the members of his cabinet. It has at its disposition sophisticated technological equipment designed for the Department of Defense  allegedly not in working order  which enables it to look for contradictions between their older declarations and their current positions. It should be extending its work to 1,200 of the new Presidents collaborators.

 Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington  CREW is a firm of high level lawyers tasked with tracking anything that could create a scandal in the Trump administration. Most of the lawyers in this association work pro bono, for the cause. These are the people who prepared the case for Bob Ferguson, the Chief Prosecutor of the state of Washington, against the immigration decree (Executive Order 13769).

 Shareblue is an electronic army which has already connected with 162 million internauts in the USA. Its job is to spread pre-ordained themes, for example:

 Trump is authoritarian and a thief.

 Trump is under the influence of Vladimir Putin.

 Trump is a weak and quick-tempered personality, hes a manic-depressive.

 Trump was not elected by the majority of US citizens, and is therefore illegitimate.

 His Vice-President, Mike Pence, is a fascist.

 Trump is a billionaire who will constantly be faced with conflicts of interest between his personal affairs and those of state.

 Trump is a puppet of the Koch brothers, who are famous for sponsoring the extreme right.

 Trump is a white supremacist and a threat to minorities.

 Anti-Trump opposition just keeps growing outside Washington.

 To save democracy, lets support the democrataic parliamentarians who are attacking Trump, and lets demolish those who are co-operating with him.

 Overthrowing Trump will take time, so dont lets weaken in our resolve.

This association will produce the newsletters and 30-second videos. It will base itself on two other groups  a company which makes documentary videos, The American Independent, and a statistical unit, Benchmark Politics.

The whole of this system  which was set up during the transitional period, that is to say before Donald Trumps arrival at the White House  already employed more than 300 specialists to which should be added numerous voluteer workers. Its annual budget, initially calculated at 35 million dollars, was increased to the level of about 100 million dollars.

Destroying the image  and thus the authority  of the President of the United States, before he has had the time to do anything at all, can have serious consequences. By eliminating Saddam Hussein and Mouamar Kadhafi, the CIA plunged their two countries into a long period of chaos, and the land of Liberty itself may suffer severe damage from such an operation. This type of mass manipulation technique has never before been levelled at a head of state in the Western world.

For the moment, the plan is working  no political leader in the world has dared to celebrate the election of Donald Trump, with the exception of Vladimir Putin and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Photo: HBO

Every week until the series finale of Girls, Vulture TV columnist Jen Chaney will serve as an advice columnist for various characters on the HBO series. This weeks advice recipient: Chuck Palmer, the character played by Matthew Rhys.

Dear Chuck Palmer,

I realize you did not write a letter to me seeking advice. You would never do such a thing. Asking for guidance would imply that you dont have all the answers, youre not always right, and that you might even want to become the kind of man whose impulse control is greater than that of a toddler. That is not who you are.

So I am sharing the following thoughts with you unsolicited, in the vague hope that some of it might have an impact on you and other men like you.

When you invited Hannah Horvath to your apartment to discuss the piece she wrote about your sexual relationships with young women, it initially seemed like you were interested in hearing her perspective. You told her, repeatedly, that you respected her writing. You said you invited her over because you wanted to rectify the mistakes you made with Denise, the woman who wrote that Tumblr post accusing you of initiating non-consensual sex. You acted like you wanted to get to know Hannah, a courtesy you had not shown to Denise and, presumably, other women with whom you have been involved.

But that is not what you wanted at all. You wanted to prove that even an intelligent woman who has obviously thought deeply about the way you abuse your power could still be seduced by that power. And, from your perspective, you were successful. That sly, deeply disturbing look on your face after you flung your penis onto Hannahs thigh, silently but undeniably insisting that she touch it  which she did, though just for a moment until she dropped it like a phallic, politically charged hot potato  suggests that you believe you won some sort of victory in this scenario. But you won no victory, and certainly not a moral one. The bummer is that you think you did, and will always think you did, no matter what anyone else says to the contrary.

Youre a confusing bundle of contradictions, Chuck. On one hand, per your overly precious work of fiction inspired by the whole episode with Denise, you seem to understand women and sympathize with the need that some of them have to be seen and heard by men like you, who are successful, and, thanks to the fact that you are played by Matthew Rhys, charming. Youre a father with a lovely daughter who deserves respect, and that seems to have helped you realize that other women deserve the same kind of respect.

And yet you cant stop yourself from being disrespectful, from putting women in a position where they feel violated but the circumstances are so murky that they emerge feeling confused about exactly what happened. (That passive-aggressive penis trick is your move, isnt it? Its your version of Frank Costanzas stopping short, except much more creepy and closer to assault.)

Instead of merely telling Hannah that she got it all wrong in her piece, you wanted to show her. You didnt want to have a conversation, you wanted to pull off an abbreviated version of a long con. And you did.

But heres the thing. Hannah got out of your apartment. She walked away from you. Though I havent yet seen any additional episodes from this season of Girls, I am guessing she wont be giving you much more of her attention or mental energy. As we saw in that final moment of your episode, clearly other women  all those real or imagined ones who were entering the lobby of your building  probably will. But heres what is heartening to me, and hold on to your blatantly planted photos of Toni Morrison, because Im about to go full meta on your ass.

The great thing about you, Chuck Palmer, is that you are an invention created by a woman named Lena Dunham. Youre not a real guy. Are there guys in the real world who are like you, or even worse and more predatory than you are? Of course, and unfortunately women as well as men will continue to be victimized by such individuals in ways that are sudden and unavoidable.

But the fact that you are a fiction writer who happens to also be a work of fiction yourself underscores another fact: that a man like you only holds sway over the women in your orbit when they buy into the stories theyre telling themselves about who you are, what you have to offer, and what you could take away from them if they dont follow your sexual lead.

As Hannah  who is technically Lena Dunham, but also, you know, not  put it with regard to Denises interest in retiring to your hotel room: Its not so she has a story. Its so she feels like she exists. But the idea that she can only feel like she exists by being recognized by a Chuck Palmer is a false narrative, too. As soon as Denise or Hannah or anyone else stops believing it: poof! Chuck Palmers power ceases to influence them.

Did you ever watch Mad Men, Chuck? Theres a phrase that two of its main characters, Don Draper, a pretty lecherous type himself, and Peggy Olsen liked to use: If you dont like whats being said, change the conversation. Every woman is capable of changing the conversation about men like you, the same way Hannah tried to do in her piece. They can do it by arguing against your version of events and what you stand for. Or they can do it by not writing or saying a thing, but just walking out your door and as far away from you as their feet will take them.
Carrie-Anne Moss currently stars on the second season of AMCs Humans as Athena, a scientist who studies the possibility of imbuing synthetics  the shows version of robots  with human consciousness. Both that subject matter and the shows ongoing conflict between people and machines share some thematic connective tissue with The Matrix, the 1999 film that launched Mosss career.

But during a recent conversation with Vulture, Moss says she didnt connect any dots between the two. It never crossed my mind, honestly, she says. I think that Im attracted to this kind of material because its very much what Im interested in in my own life, which is this conversation about humanity and consciousness. When I read things like that, my interest is piqued because its speaking to some of the inner questions that I have. Vulture spoke with Moss about those inner questions, her concerns about electromagnetic waves, and how Humans makes her think more deeply about our digitally driven world.

One of the things I really like about Humans is that parts of the show dont seem out of the realm of possibility. As an actor, does it ever feel disconcerting to deal directly with the synths?

Whats coming to mind right now, I remember walking through a scene, a restaurant scene. There was a synth there to seat me and a synth there handing me the menu and handing me my jacket, and I just imagined, in the moment of doing it, Wow, imagine if all of these jobs were taken over by synths? Who would I be in that? And then, of course, the character Im playing  who would she be? How would you react to a machine taking your jacket? I consciously chose to acknowledge them. There was this thing in me that felt it was important to acknowledge them.

It sounds so silly: Here I am, handing my jacket to my synthetic and I cant help but say thank you. And Im the one whos asking my children to say thank you to Siri when they ask her something, you know? I am Canadian, after all. But it reminded me of anyone in history who has been used and disrespected and disregarded, in a way. As it progresses in the second season, [the show] brings up this idea of human compassion. When we dont have that compassion at all, even if its toward a machine, we really are lost and its such a dark road to imagine.

I feel like were at this really interesting place in the world. Technology is just so fast. As convenient as it is, its stressing a lot of us out. Its just too much, too quick. And Im interested in that conversation. I want people to be thinking about that as theyre handing their small children devices. Theres a story line with the young girl in season two that I think is a really relevant conversation, you know? She becomes so attached to this synthetic, and we see that with children and devices, for instance. Theyre attached to them. You really want your kids to be attached to human beings who are caring about them.

As you mention, kids now are accustomed to having interactions with Siri and things like that. When my son started using devices, I didnt even have to teach him what to do. He instinctively understood.

I know. I mean, I could probably become politically active in this conversation because its so important to me. Because we dont understand the ramifications of what were doing. And our children are the guinea pigs. I dont know how old your child is 

Hes 10.

So I have an 11-year old, a 13-year-old, and 7-year-old. And these are the guinea pigs.

I often think about my mom being pregnant with me. At that time, all the moms were smoking. Like, your doctor even actually recommended it to you. You look back and you think, Well, gosh, I would know better than that. I would know thats not a good thing to do. I think well look back at technology in the same way. When were discovering that all of the electromagnetic waves and all of that is actually making people sick and who knows what  I could go on and on for days with that conversation. Even the detachment that it creates, it really lulls people to sleep. It lulls them into this idea, myself included, where youve spent hours somewhere and you feel like youve actually accomplished something and youve accomplished nothing. Youve just been surfing your phone from one thing to another, under the guise that its really helpful, right? I have a lot of faith that the young people are going to rebel on it all at some point, hopefully.

The synthetics on our show were put through this boot-camp training, which was just beautifully executed. It made me want to totally play one. The choreographer taught them what it would be like to be a synthetic, and it was really interesting to listen to him. Human beings feel like that when they put themselves in their phones and theyre not fully present. Its like youre in another dimension. Youre in another reality when youre looking down at your phone, walking across the street and almost getting hit by a car.

Theres that zombie-ish loss of expression.

Totally. Most of the time when you look around, everyone is just plugged in and doing that. You see it everywhere. Im plugged in, too. Im one of those people a lot of the time, but I have a lot of moments where I look around and I go, Holy shit, what are we doing?

While the conscious synths are starting to deal with actual emotions, Athena keeps trying to control her emotions and hold things in check. Do you think of her as a corollary to the synths, but moving in the opposite direction?

I didnt really think of it that way. I thought about it more as someone who is in a lot of grief and who is living their life in a way that is manageable and very controlled. As you get to know her and you get to find out whats going on in her life, you see a little bit more.

When the creators of the show gave me her bio, they showed the beginning of her life and where this mechanism was created. I think we all have mechanisms that we use, each of us individually, to deal with pain that weve had or just dealing with life or whatever. Everyones story is different, but we all have some kind of mechanism that we use to deal with stuff, that we create pretty young. Which is one of the things I love about acting, because you get to really explore that.

If synths actually existed in our society like they do on the show, would you consider having one in your home?

No, I wouldnt. But I also can see the slippery slope of how easy it is. I swore that my kids would never have cell phones or an Xbox or whatever. And suddenly youre saying yes to one thing and suddenly you have it all, right?

I think its so brilliantly told in Humans with the family. Everyones so stressed and harried and heres this extra set of hands, but without any emotional baggage. You know theyre going to be dependable and theyre just going to show up and do their job. You can see how tempting it would be to have that. But I feel like when we outsource all the bits of our lives, we miss our lives. And thats not to say I dont outsource parts of what I do, too. But, like, raising your kids? I wouldnt want that at all.

V, the operating system Athena communicates with, isnt that far off from Siri. Its a far more sophisticated version, but the relationship between them isnt much of a stretch.

No, and I think she gets a lot of comfort from that relationship. Every time Athena talked to V, I just felt her guard go down. Slowly and slowly, as we see her talking to V, the more you get to see a different side of her. Shes more vulnerable with V. Shes more human with V.

I think this conversation is amazing to be having  and to be having it around a show that is able to talk about it in a way that everyone can grasp, and its not such an outrageous concept. Thats really exciting storytelling for me. Sometimes, youll watch shows and you wont be able to relate to any of it, but its fun.

If you think about The Matrix and how high-concept it was, it had these incredible ideas that really penetrated peoples consciousness. It really was a film of awakening. I think a lot of people woke up around that film. But you really werent putting yourself in their shoes, right? There was a little bit of distance, I think. I havent seen it in years, so I could be wrong. Maybe Im missing it. But in Humans, you can really relate to the characters and what they are going through.

This interview has been edited and condensed.
In case you havent already had last weeks Nashville spoiled for you, Rayna James is dead, which means that Connie Britton is taking her hair and getting the hell off CMT. Well, unless she gets to play Raynas scheming twin sister, as she told Stephen Colbert in her first interview since leaving the show. Then, as if to distract us from the fact that she had just torn our hearts in two, Britton told some fun stories about her being roommates with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in China. Dont pull these shenanigans on us, Connie. Give us some time to mourn!
Sisters Jackie and Juliet Evancho. Photo: Chance Yeh/WireImage

Barely a month after 16-year-old Jackie Evancho sang at Donald Trumps inauguration, the Americas Got Talent alum was voicing her disappointment with the president. Last week the 45th president revoked the protections put in place by President Obama for transgender students  a decision that directly impacted public-school students like Evanchos older sister Juliet, an 18-year-old senior. Though Trump did not respond to Evanchos plea on Twitter to discuss trans rights, a federal judge in Pennsylvania has made a ruling in Juliets favor, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The judge agreed to an injunction that would allow Juliet and other trans students in the Pine-Richland School District north of Pittsburgh to use the bathroom that corresponds to the gender that they identify with. The Western Pennsylvania district, which had received complaints from at least one student and a parent about boys being in the girls restroom, had told trans students that they would have to use bathrooms either corresponding to their genitals or the unisex private bathroom, which led three students, including Juliet, to file the lawsuit arguing discrimination. The preliminary injunction by U.S. District Judge Mark Hornak argued that the district had not given ample evidence to prove that other students privacy or safety was endangered by the three trans teenagers. The case in full will be heard and decided at a later date, but in the meantime we assume the Evancho sisters are celebrating in style.
By India Today Web Desk: Kader Khan, veteran actor, is not in the pink of his health. The yesteryear actor was rushed to Canada after a knee surgery went terribly wrong. Khan hasn't been keeping well for a while now, and is on a wheelchair now.

Actor Shakti Kapoor, who has worked with Kader Khan in several films, confirmed the news to Spotboye.com. Kapoor said, "Yes, Kader Khan is now on a wheelchair. It's so so sad to be talking about this and I am trying to reach him since the past few days, but I am not able to get his number. I hope to have it in the next 2-3 days."

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Kader Khan's elder son lives in Canada. Shakti Kapoor said, "Kader Khan's elder son resides in Canada. So, he has gone there to avail medical facilities which can cure him. I think his wife is accompanying him."

Khan, who has been facing a knee problem for quite some time now, was operated upon a few days ago. That knee operation went wrong, and left Kader Khan in excruciating pain. He then left for Canada.

ALSO READ: Kader Khan to Amjad Khan, Bollywood legends who hail from Balochistan

ALSO WATCH: Dilip Kumar in hospital, family says nothing to worry

--- ENDS ---
Hi, media, are you feeling down cause that guy you are were obsessed with keeps telling everybody that youre the enemy of the American people and his Press Secretary Sean Spicer bars you from coming over and talking it out? Jon Stewart sees you in pain and is willing to take a break from chilling with the spiders on his farm to tunnel over to the Late Show and help you, yes, you, media, get your groove back. Hes got a system for leaving that toxic love affair with President Donald Trump, and nothing will stop him from getting real with you, even if it comes at the expense of CBS firing his buddy Stephen Colbert. Media, Im not saying the breakup is going to be easy, Stewart warns. Youre going to see your ex swiping far right with every Tom, Drudge, and Breitbart, and from what I heard, they do anal.
Five directors committed themselves to the United States propaganda efforts during World War II, and Netflixs new documentary corrals five modern-day masters to tell their stories. In the trailer for Five Came Back, Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, Guillermo del Toro, Paul Greengrass, and Lawrence Kasdan gather to tell the stories of John Ford, William Wyler, John Huston, Frank Capra, and George Stevens. Based on Vulture contributor Mark Harriss book of the same name, the documentary tracks Hollywoods impact on the war effort and vice versa, including how each Old Hollywood director wrestled with World War II and their movies place in it. Netflix will also present 13 documentaries discussed in the series, including Fords The Battle of Midway, Wylers The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress, Hustons Report From the Aleutians, Capras The Battle of Russia, Stevenss Nazi Concentration Camps, and Stuart Heislers The Negro Soldier, according to Deadline.
Remy Ma. Photo: Dave Kotinsky/WireImage

At some point during the past few years, the word petty underwent a makeover. Originally derived from the French word for little, the word had, for a long time, been purely pejorative. It was not the sort of word one applied to oneself: No one would call themselves small-fry, small-minded, an earner of petty cash, at least not with pride. Yet with no one knowing exactly why it happened (black culture and social media were surely the driving factors), petty became a socially acceptable, amusing way to admit that someone  including you, perhaps  held grudges. (A similar, related process occurred with the word savage, which transitioned from its original sense of uncouth and uncivilized to heartless executioner [insert 3-20 cry/laughing emojis] within the space of, it seemed, less than a year. What a time to be alive.)

Shortly after noon on Saturday, the Bronx rap artist Remy Ma tweeted a simple image of a multiple-choice option titled Level of petty. The three options were Low, High, and Remy Ma, with the third option selected. Though ostensibly tied to promotion of her recent Plata o Plomo tape with Fat Joe, the memes full meaning only came into focus an hour later, when Remy posted a Soundcloud link to Shether, a diss track aimed at her Queens rival Nicki Minaj, who had, in Remys telling, taken advantage of Remys eight-year incarceration to usurp the title of Queen of Rap. What the title of Shether promises it to be (the female successor to Nass notorious 2001 Jay-Z diss track Ether), the track itself delivers in full. In fact, Shether may well exceed its forebear in terms of lyrical savagery. The song is a blast furnace, a seven-minute-long dismemberment plan that scrutinizes every facet of Nicki Minaj and finds each of them sadly deficient. Financially, Nickis record deal has her handcuffed five times over: two-thirds of her income is siphoned off by a concentric series of label owners. Fashion-wise, she looks preposterous. (You had a leopard beehive on your head.) In terms of phrases, shes a user of others lines, whether Remys or those of ghostwriters. Nicki Minaj, according to Remy Ma, is a terrible role model, a liar, and a harlot whose reputation is as artificially inflated and ready to burst as her ass; also, her brothers a pedophile. With the possible exception of some prophetic passages of the Old Testament, a character assassination more vicious and thorough as Shether has yet to be recorded.

Will anything happen? Whatever shes done to further her career behind the scenes, Nicki Minaj, like her label mate Drake, has been shrewd enough to cultivate a large pop audience who has no idea what Remy Ma represents or what Ether, the stigma associated with ghostwriting in hip-hop, and the history of beefs in rap actually are. Odds are that this wont sink Nicki commercially, but its hard to doubt that Remys assault has left graffiti and scorch marks all over her image in hip-hop, and artists whose support from their core audience is weakened have been known to implode. At the very least, with its citations of liposuction and implants, Shether reminds us that, behind all its macho posturing, the diss track has always been a mode of plastic surgery, albeit a distinctly mean-spirited one. Its a reminder, too, of the virtue of pettiness. Even now, theres no need to stop holding grudges  provided that you keep receipts and write exceptionally well while your enemies dont.
Photo: Getty Images/Frazer Harrison

You were probably already picturing Stephen Moyer shooting lasers out of his eyes or teleporting between dimensions, but according to Deadline, the former True Blood stars superpower on Fox and Marvels upcoming X-Men show will be the power of being a top-notch dad. Moyer has reportedly been cast (alongside previously announced hires Jamie Chung and Blair Redford) as Reed, an ambitious attorney trying to balance the demands of his job at the DAs office with his responsibilities to his family. While that might sound like the basis for your typical heartfelt family drama, keep in mind Reeds children are discovered to be mutants, and he and his offspring are forced to hastily escape the clutches of a hostile government. Which is to say, imagine This Is Us with three to four times the number of massive explosions.
Photo: Doug Hamilton

Again with the whining! It would take a review longer than this space permits to explore how David Mamet, the great bard of the grifty underclass in early plays like American Buffalo and Glengarry Glen Ross, turned into the Trumpy rage queen and billionaire-apologist of recent ones like the revolting one-percenter paranoiac fantasy China Doll. Like that 2015 Al Pacino vehicle, Mamets latest, The Penitent, which opens tonight at the Atlantic, spins a tornado of indignation from a ridiculous hiccup of a premise and drives it into the ground with overemphasis. In this case, instead of Big Government and its Bothersome Regulations, the villains are primarily psychiatry (a farce) and the legal system (paid whores), both of them relying on practitioners ability to keep a straight face while accomplishing little or nothing.

Still, as Mamet would have it, the press is even worse; in The Penitent we have our first Fake News play. For it seems that our protagonist, a doubting shrink named Charles, is being libeled. When a young gay client of his murders ten people during treatment, he refuses to testify at the trial, citing patient privilege. (This makes no sense, as its the clients defense team that is asking him to testify.) In any case, a newspaper, digging into the story, quotes Charles as once having called homosexuality an aberration when he in fact called it an adaptation. Leaving aside that either word is objectionable  this play falls right into the Violent Queer narrative that has always been so strangely appealing to macho right-wingers  Mamets spin on the error is laughable. The press, which is universally in the business of reducing every horrifying, complex act to a myth containing a monster and a victim, quite willingly recasts the murderer as a victim of homophobia, and Charles as the monster for sticking to his Hippocratic oath.

We know that Charles is really the hero, though; he is kind to his distraught wife and has sought solace during his crisis by returning to the religion of his childhood. (So has Mamet.) He alludes to seeking guidance from a rabbi, and has apparently become very familiar with Leviticus. Still, by the time the murderer threatens to sue Charles for violating his civil rights as a gay man, it may be the Book of Job you think of. Set upon by the defense attorney, betrayed by his own counsel, and unable to protect his wife from the consequences of his heightened morality, he turns closer to God, becoming the penitent of the title in seeking forgiveness for having involved himself in the false religion of psychiatry. But the whole thing is a crock, and Mamet, despite the persecution complex, knows it. The truth comes out near the end, when  spoiler alert!  the entire story turns out to have been a McGuffin, thus sending the play Titanic-like into the icy ocean of irrelevance on which it had formerly merely heaved about nauseously.

As we are frequently being told these days, we need to reach across boundaries of political philosophy and try to understand one another. A contrarian voice in the familiarly liberal precincts of Off Broadway would thus not be unwelcome, if that voice represented a reasonably good-faith effort to work from real premises. But just as there is Fake News there are Fake Plays, and this is one. The overwrought credulity at its heart makes it impossible to engage. Even with that, it might make good theater if at least it entertained. But the worse tragedy of Mamet, more than his political conversion, is that his later works mostly bore and repel as plays. In The Penitent, the dialogue maintains the artillery rhythms of his early work but there is no sensible character motive behind it; it chases itself in circles and often sounds as if it were erratically transcribed from hackneyed genre movies. The cast, under Neil Pepes clumsy direction, doesnt help much, in some cases weirdly trying to elevate it with fawncy diction and in others stuttering through it as if hoping to disguise its loathsomeness.

Oh, wait. Is it libel to call the play loathsome? Sue me.

* * *

The first half of Will Enos 75-minute play Wakey, Wakey, which also opens tonight, is a neat summary of everything theatergoers either love or hate about Will Eno. I will write from the latter perspective. It is, like his Thom Pain (based on nothing), a rambling monologue of no apparent consequence. Like The Open House, it features a man in a wheelchair, portentously representing a broader existential dysfunction, perhaps of the universe or perhaps of the theater that reflects it. And like The Realistic Joneses, it is filled with amusing little word-whorls and passive-aggressive feints that sour even in the process of delivery. (Never a dull moment, the man says, then takes a long pause. Maybe not never.) Still, the man  whose name, the program tells us, is Guy  conveys a certain urgency about all this doodling, possibly the urgency of near-death. (He may be in a hospice.) In any case, he has brought with him a handful of notecards and some audiovisual accompaniment, which together suggest the kind of PowerPoint presentation Samuel Beckett might make if he were accidentally booked into an Amway convention. The topics, however absurd on the surface, all collapse into meditations on mortality; to bring home the point Eno even gives us a YouTube video of animals screaming. I may have been among them.

But then, halfway through, with the arrival of a character named Lisa, who seems to be an experienced end-of-life attendant, the tone flips. The struggle between insincerity and urgency that Guy has been enacting gives way, under Lisas gentleness, to something more direct and beautiful. Her complete acceptance of Guy, and her lack of any agenda except to help him enjoy whatever he is doing, acts as a balm on his anxiety, and ours. I felt my hostility toward the first half of Wakey, Wakey, with all its dull cuteness, beginning to melt, and I wondered if this was part of the plays design. Even if it was, I would much rather have Lisa attend me in my hour of need than Eno.

Partly thats because January LaVoy, who plays Lisa, is so radiantly warm onstage. She has a very light touch with the absurdity and manages to create that most difficult thing: a completely believable portrait of goodness. As Guy, Michael Emerson, though technically excellent, cannot get so far with his character, or not at any rate with Eno fussing over him as director. (Sam Gold, who directed The Realistic Joneses, and Oliver Butler, who directed The Open House, were more successful at rounding the central performances of those plays.) The bulk of Enos effort here seems to have gone into keeping the doodles from thudding, which they often do anyway. As usual at the Signature, where Eno is now completing a three-play residency, the physical production  from the haunting set (by Christine Jones) to the exquisitely subtle light (by David Lander) and sound (by Nevin Steinberg)  is ideal. But the play as a whole does not yet reward so much care. This was supposed to be something else, Guy says, possibly indicting life in general, and making me wonder whether the death last summer of Signature founder James Houghton derailed another droll Eno comedy into something better, if not yet better enough.

The Penitent is at the Atlantic Theater Company through March 26.

Wakey, Wakey is at the Signature Center through March 26.
By India Today Web Desk: In wake of the divided reactions to the violence that ensued over clashes between ABVP and students of Ramjas College on February 21, retired Army Major Gaurav Arya today slammed activist Kanhaiya Kumar over slogans of Azadi in campus.

Arya condemned the ongoing controversy over the 'Azadi' sloganeering stating that anybody who went against the nation angered him. To this Kanhaiya responded that the law and order was there to decide on who is anti-national and posing threat to the sovereignty. Why do we need mobs to carry out policing, asked Kanhaiya.

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THE LINE BETWEEN FREE SPEECH AND SEDITION

"I have always supported free speech. The problem is that there is a very thin line. When they say that the nation is fragmented, the idea is not India is strong or weak. This is clearly blasphemy, as tomorrow anyone can come and say that anyone can abuse anyone's parents. Country is bigger than anything; Will not allow anyone to tarnish it," said Major Arya.

The former soldier added that the people are free to criticise the government, PM Modi or Amit Shah. According to him if people said that India will be divided, there is a possibility of dire consequences including violence.

When asked about the sloganeering in various universities and subversion of the country, Kanhaiya said that slogans demanding freedom does not always mean a separatist movement.

NOBODY TALKS ABOUT DIVISION OF INDIA

"Citizens of this country love it and a majority of them never talk about disintegrating it. The people who are trying to divide the nation are they above the law? It seems efforts are being made to dilute the entire debate. If anybody is doing wrong, there is law and order. Nobody has the right to take law in their hands," said Kanhaiya.

Kanhaiya said that people are vilifying others just to prove their patriotism. He slammed those brandishing the national flag and chest-thumping about patriotism. The student leader asked where was their patriotism when 11 people suspected of ISIS links were recently arrested.

"Universities across the nation are under a neo-liberal attack, which is also an anti-people policy to dismantle these institutions," he added.

Also read: Has BHU become an RSS fortress? India Today exposes gender divide, moral policing on campus

Kanhaiya went on to say that the video posted by Gurmehar Kaur was over a year old and asked why is a clamour around it now. "Now that she has taken a stand against ABVP, a particular portion of the video is being extracted and circulated subjecting her to different kinds of threats. He asked who are these elements that want to snatch people rights by labelling them," he said.

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"Nothing in Gurmehar's video is anti-national. I disagree with the slide where she said that Pakistan did not kill her father. Calling for the freedom of Bastar and Kashmir is pure blasphemy," said Major Arya.

FREEDOM CALL FOR KASHMIR, BASTAR

"Students asking for freedom of these areas is absolute treason. None of these students have been to these places. If this goes on then tomorrow every people demand freedom for every other state," said Major Arya.

To this Kanhaiya said that he too comes from a family of a martyr. "We only ask freedom from social and economical issues like poverty and hunger," he said. He said that student protests does not also give factions like ABVP to use violence.

Also read: JNU sedition case: Probe gives Kanhaiya Kumar clean chit. India Today exclusive

Major Arya slammed Kanhaiya for supporting the sloganeering in support of freedom for Kashmir and Bastar. While Kanhaiya said that if it a case sedition there is law and enforcement to take care of it, he asked Major Arya why there is a selective anger.

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ON HURRIYAT AGENDA OF SEPARATION

When Major Arya asked Kanhaiya if he backed the forces that are working towards the disintegration of Kashmir from India, he said that he did not support such groups. He went on to slam BJP for allying with PDP.

Saket Bahaguna, National Media Convener of ABVP, demanded strong action against Kanhaiya for propagating anti-national sentiments. Bahaguna accused Kanhaiya of organising the event in 2016 where anti-national slogans were raised. In his response to Bahaguna, Kanhaiya said that he will move court against ABVP for defamation.

In the purview of Supreme Court, sedition amounts to inciting people to take up arms against the nation, while mere sloganeering and chants against India is not sedition. When asked if there was an attempt to change the definition of sedition, Major Arya said that it was not and that the ongoing uproar is further proliferating violence and extremism in the areas that are in contention.

WATCH | Patroit war on campuses: Are azadi slogans threat to the idea of India?

--- ENDS ---
Hoshi Kunio,66, was shot dead by three men at Alutari village in Rangpur on October 3, 2015.

Japanese national Hoshi Kunio was killed by three JMB men in Rangpur on October 3, 2015.

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: A special court has awarded death sentence to five members of banned terror group Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen (JMB) for the killing of Japanese national Kunio Hoshi in 2015.

The convicts are Rangpur regional commander of JMB Masud Rana alias Mamun(33), Ishak Ali (34), Liton Mia alias Rafiq(32) Ahsan Ullah Ansari alias Biplob (24) and Sakhawat Hossain (30). The court acquitted another accused Abu Sayeed, as allegations against him could not be proved.

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Five convicts are in police custody while Ansar is yet to be arrested.

WHAT IS THE CASE

Hoshi Kunio was shot dead by three men at Alutari village in Rangpur on October 3, 2015. The 66-year-old Japanese had been living in Bangladesh for a year at a rented accommodation in Munshipara area of Rangpur.

WATCH: Hindu temples vandalised in Bangladesh over Facebook post

ALSO READ:

Bangladesh: 26 awarded death penalty for killing 7 in sensational Narayanganj murder case

ISIS plans to attack India through its bases in Bangladesh and Pakistan

--- ENDS ---
The 362 people who missed jury duty to shop for mattresses or sleep in last week on a rainy Presidents Day are scheduled now for some face-to-face time with a judge.

Presidents Day was not a county holiday, and not wanting to get out in the rain most likely wont be an adequate excuse for missing jury duty, either.

But McLennan County Clerk Jon Gimble thinks the combination of the two  possible confusion if last Monday was a holiday and the wet weather  may have contributed to the lowest juror turnout in the two years Gimble has been in office and probably many years before that.

With a Twin Peaks biker case, a West explosion case and a capital murder case all set for trial in March and April, county officials say it is more important than ever for potential jurors to take their duty seriously.

Jury duty is a responsibility of all citizens in our republic, and reporting when summoned is essential to the operations of our justice system, 54th State District Judge Matt Johnson said.

Johnson instructed Gimble to issue show-cause orders to the 362 people who failed to show up for jury duty last week and who didnt call with an excuse or an offer to reschedule their jury service. A show-cause order directs someone to show cause why they should not be held in contempt of court.

Johnson has set hearings for Friday afternoon at which he will hear from those no-show jurors about why they failed to appear. Depending on what they have to say, Johnson has the option of fining them from $100 to $1,000 or holding them in contempt of court.

Several who failed to show up last Monday have since called Gimbles office to reschedule jury service. But its too late to do that now that Gimble mailed the show-cause orders Friday, officials said. Those who get the notices will have to come talk to the judge.

On Presidents Day, after excuses, exemptions, disqualifications, rescheduling and bad addresses on the notices, officials were left with only 110 potential jurors from which to select three district court trials and one county court-at-law trial. Johnson and 414th State District Judge Vicki Menard agreed to reduce their normal panel of 60 potential jurors so there would be enough to go around.

Still, deputies were sent out to round up seven more potential jurors who didnt show up for court to help fill out jury pools.

Gimble routinely sends out 600 to 650 notices per week.

On Monday, the attendance was a bit better, with 228 people showing up out of 501 who should have been there after bad addresses, excuses, exemptions and disqualifications were factored in.

There were two district courts, two county courts-at-law and two justice courts with jury trials set this week, Gimble said.
Here is why we think that awkward moment from the award show is actually a boon in disguise for the Oscars.

By Devina Gupta: While the 89th Academy Awards, and the world in general is still reeling under the embarrassment of the last minute Oscar climax with presenters announcing La La Land as the best film instead of the Moonlight, we would just like to point out that there is a silver lining in the golden goof up.

For the award ceremony that has seen a steady decline in TV viewership ratings, the unexpected climax is just what they needed.

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Also read-- Oscars goof-up: Twitter reacts to Warren Beatty giving Best Film award to La La Land over Moonlight

Last year during the Oscars Chris Rock failed to attract what Hollywood trade pundits called the 'black audience;' there were just 34.3 million viewers for that particular show. According to Nielsen data, Oscars clocked in a 10.4/26 rating among 18-49 demographic, their key target. The Academy was accused of meddling with creative content during the ceremony. Some have even criticised the Academy for ignoring more populist superhero flicks' nominations that could have further snubbed the audience.

Oscars 2015 was a struggle too, with just a marginally higher 37.3 million viewers and 11.0/26 rating. Neil Patrick Harris even tried a diaper stunt but even that failed to attract viewers in the 18-49 year bracket; 16 percent viewership dip was seen in this category.

But that's not the worst TV ratings performance for Oscars in the past decade. Oscar 2008 had just 32 million viewers as Jon Stewart failed to excite the TV audience.

While social media access is touted to be the major reason for television ratings' dip, the Oscar climax of this year could see viewers flocking back.

Interestingly, this time around even as La La Land tied up with Titanic for 14 Oscar nominations and took only 6 after the faux pas, one thing it can certainly hope for is beating the 1998 TV viewership record when Titanic was a clear winner with the audience too, raking in 57.3 million audience.

--- ENDS ---
A Las Vegas woman was arrested over the weekend about one and a half years after she was accused of coming to Waco to stalk and harass her ex-husband's family in Waco, McLennan County Sheriff's Office Det. Amber Aguirre said.

Amy Jeannette Simon, 46, was extradited back to McLennan County on Saturday after she was arrested in Las Vegas on local charges of third-degree felony online impersonation, third-degree felony stalking and two misdemeanors charges of criminal trespassing and graffiti. Aguirre said the charges stem from an ongoing harassment case after Simon and her former husband divorced several years ago.

Aguirre said in October 2015, Simon was attempting to contact her children that live with her former husband, despite a previous visitation agreement. The couple agreed to scheduled visitation sessions monthly, but the agreement kept visitations away from her ex-husband's home for privacy and safety concerns.

"She did not have custody of the children, so they had specialized visits with their children, but she did not show up for those," Aguirre said. "She rode a bus (to Waco), she tracked down their address, got on a bicycle, rode out to the house and this was over and over again."

Detectives initially charged Simon with criminal trespassing after she allegedly continued to leave presents at her ex-husband's home for the children, Aguirre said. After the criminal trespassing violation, Simon was released from jail and continued to trespass in the neighbor's yard, leaving used gifts around her ex-husband's home.

"Then she started taking spray paint and drawing big smiley faces on structures across the street from the victim's house and on garbage cans," Aguirre said.

Simon also gained access to her ex-husband's email account and sent emails to his current wife, the detective said. Emails included religious statements and questions, but never contained any threats of physical violence.

Simon also posed as her former husband and sent social media messages to his current wife, Aguirre said. The messages were harassing and continued to escalate, officers reported.

In late October 2015, detectives submitted the additional stalking, online impersonation and graffiti vandalism charges after Simon failed to show up on her previous criminal trespassing court date. Police searched for Simon, but to no avail, Aguirre said, adding that Simon left the state.

About 16 months later, Simon was arrested by Las Vegas police and she was returned Saturday to McLennan County. She remained in custody Monday on a $31,000 surety bond.
The world is watching as President Donald Trump lurches into motion. For many, the early signs suggest a blend of hubris and incompetence  creating chaos in the nations most elevated executive office.

For those inclined to panic, I ask: To what halcyon days are you yearning to return? The resuscitation of our nations economy may, in fact, require the knockabout approaches of our bumptious new leadership. Many in Trumps Cabinet have little or no government experience, but they bring a business skill set that will translate into income and jobs for many people.

The challenges they face have been years  and many administrations  in the making.

In a world of Keynesian thinking, in vogue for more than 60 years, moving an economy to higher output requires spending in excess of income, usually financed by lending to the private sector. Borrowing costs are reduced to encourage more borrowing and more spending on investment products that yield positive returns. But if the private sector doesnt snap up the bait, governments can step in to be both the borrower and spender. And step in they did.

To motivate that higher output when the Great Recession hit in 2008, borrowing rates were pushed down to a minimal level in the United States and a negative rate in the Euro zone. We (the lender) will pay you (the borrower) to borrow. So please do so, and please spend the funds on something to create output and jobs.

Its a tempting offer, but it didnt have the intended effect. Corporate borrowing did occur, but the spending on physical or intellectual property did not. Instead, corporations have been stockpiling cash. Alas, the funds have been primarily used to support corporate stock prices via dividends or stock buybacks. Another use has been corporate buyouts to reduce competitive pressures on prices and profits.

Businesses muted response to cheap money suggests there are impediments to putting that money to work. For Trumps CEO-oriented administration, regulatory barriers are the cause, and this view is buttressed by the accumulating data on the cost of regulation. For example, the Competitive Enterprise Institute puts the annual cost of regulatory barriers at $14,678 per household or 23 percent of the average household income.

Reduction in regulation has thus become a top agenda item for the Trump administration, which has instituted a 2-for-1 rule. Each new regulation requires jettisoning two others for a net of minus-1. Currently, there are 178,277 pages of federal regulations with which businesses, workers and consumers must comply. The Trump administration is aiming for a 75 percent reduction of that amount.

We can track the number of rules but more important are the effects of those rules on business entry and growth. To that end, the Census Bureau keeps statistics on death and birth rates of enterprises in America. Not surprisingly, albeit alarmingly, the birth rate of enterprises has been falling for 40 years and has especially nose-dived since 2008.

In absolute terms, the birth of business enterprises is not just declining but has sunk to a level below the death rate. The number of businesses in America has been on the absolute decline since 2008.

For an actual startup, it takes thousands of hours of billable attorneys fees to properly navigate all the relevant regulations. For most, this is unaffordable. In their case, starting a business requires an article of faith that what theyre doing is somehow not illegal.

In my mind, I have a vision of Michael Dell producing computers in his dormitory room and delivering them from the trunk of his car. From there, he went on to become an industrial giant. You have to start somewhere, but it seems innovation like his is no longer an innocent opportunity, and without it we are left in a withering state as far as enterprise is concerned.

So, yes, the Trump Cabinet picks will have missteps, but I will take their government on-the-job training any day as compared with those steeped in how to promulgate regulations. Indeed, Trumps administration has a far clearer understanding of what it takes to succeed and what barriers need to be eliminated to achieve noble goals while not impeding business, jobs and growth.

Lew Spellman is professor of finance in the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin.
Moral grounding

Enough is enough: We need no further evidence that Donald Trump is unfit to hold the office of president. In less than six weeks since his inauguration, Trump has shown he lacks the executive abilities, moral character and other leadership qualities that a president must possess.

Our forefathers gave us a constitution that provides checks and balances, but these work only if the legislative and judicial branches of our government choose to act rather than acquiesce. We now have a president who disregarded the customary requirement to furnish his tax returns and clearly has failed to take the steps necessary to eliminate his conflicts of interest. Yet nothing more than grumbling has come from the leaders of Congress.

It is incumbent upon the Senate majority leader, the speaker of the House and other senior leaders of the Republican Party to lay aside their partisan loyalties and do what is necessary to protect America from the danger of having an incompetent commander-in-chief. If the leadership of Congress is unable to rein in the president, impeachment proceedings should be commenced in the near future. The judiciary must also be prepared to assert its powers in establishing the rule of law, as discussed in a Feb. 19 column by Suzanne Nossel.

We need to protect our democracy from the self-serving actions of an untrustworthy incumbent.

Adrian Schmidhauser, Waco

n n nRegarding her Feb. 17 letter to the editor, Joanne Hueske can call it spin that Trump supporters man beat Hillary Clinton in the Electoral College vote, but the fact remains that Trump won nearly 2,600 counties while Clinton won less than 500. The huge majority of Clinton voters were clustered in coastal areas that are so far left they might as well be Marxist.More important: The Democratic Party clearly abandoned the working class, which for decades had been its base  mostly people of traditional values, mostly religiously observant in the Judeo-Christian traditions. At one point, she referred to many of them as fitting in a basket of deplorables.

Add up all the special-interest groups Clinton appealed to and thats all the Democratic Party is today. She never gave a second thought to evangelical Christians. Instead, she cast her lot with a basket of crackpots (as opposed to deplorables).

Its due to those who supported Clinton that we now have gay marriage, forced upon us without public discussion by the Supreme Court, plus the notion of umpteen genders and this current restroom-gender nonsense. Just because the Supreme Court lends its approval of something by a very narrow margin doesnt make it moral.

If President Trump does nothing else, I hope he blows the idea of political correctness to smithereens.

Eddie Mitchell, Waco
DEAR HARRIETTE: I am planning a wedding that will be taking place in the fall. I have gone back and forth with my husband-to-be about the prospect of an open bar. I have a few alcoholics in my family, and I feel as though this would enable them to make fools of themselves. My fiance believes that a small group should not be allowed to ruin everybody elses time. How can I balance having an open bar with keeping my addicted relatives at bay?  Water for You, Seattle

Dear Water for You: Even if you had an alcohol-free bar, there would be a chance that your alcoholic family members could get drunk, because they might bring their own stash. You cannot control how much they drink. You can ask them in advance to do you a huge favor and try not to get drunk at the party. Yes, I said it. Be proactive and call them on their behavior. Your voice may ring in their ears during the night and curb someones behavior.

More practically, you should set up safeguards for anyone who tends to drink too much. Start by informing bartenders to stop serving anyone who is drunk. This is the law, though often not enforced. Reserve a private room at your reception site where drunk guests can be taken to protect them and your other guests. Arrange for a taxi or car service to be on hand to drive any intoxicated guests home.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband is an immigrant from Europe. Following the election, he began thinking about opening a second business location back in Denmark. I dont hate the idea, but Im scared that he feels the need to have a security net like this. He told me that I essentially have final say over the decision because I will have to take care of the kids when he is gone. Should I give him the green light? I have thought about this endlessly for weeks now.  Tipping Point, Rochester, New York

Dear Tipping Point: Talk to your husband in detail about his ideas, including how much support he has in Denmark in order to build a business there. On one hand, his idea could be great for your family. But know that startups take a tremendous amount of time, and typically the owner has to be in the trenches indefinitely. If you and your husband want him to return to the family at some point and live together in the U.S., he will also have to identify individuals he can trust to help grow and run the business.

Realistically, you should both know that this is rare. Most successful entrepreneurs are 100 percent committed to their businesses for the long haul. You and your husband need to talk seriously about what you want your future to look like. You must be frank about where you are willing to live in five to 10 years. If Denmark is not a serious contender and you want to stay married, you may want to pass on your husband going abroad to start that business.
ALVO  When Alvo Fire Chief Rick Koutecky heard about a car show not being held in May, the fire department, who sponsors the show, quickly made a jump to grab that day.

They arent going to have the car show in Ashland so when we heard that, we took that date, he said.

The car show has now been moved from the first Saturday in August to the first Saturday in May. The 16th Annual Alvo Car, Truck and Bike Show will be held Saturday, May 6.

This will get us away from holding it the same day as when the Cass County Fair is going on, Koutecky said.

We really think this will benefit us.

But they are still faced with one problem that Koutecky said was still questionable.

The state will be closing Highway 63 north of Alvo to repave it, but when it will start no one seems to know, he said.

That is why they are sending out information now about the show.

Not only do we need to get the date change out to people, we need to tell them they cant get to Alvo from I-80 and Highway 6 due to the construction, he said.

They will have to come down Highway 34 and turn on Highway 63 to get to Alvo.

Otherwise, everything remains the same.

Koutecky said that the morning will start off with a pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. and lunch will be served beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Entry classes remain the same as does the pre-entry free. That cost is $12 where the day of the show will be $15.

Koutecky said that entry forms are now available at www.alvonebraska.com. Or they can be mailed to Alvo Volunteer Fire Department, 135 Main Street, Alvo, NE 68304.

Everything is the same, just a different date, Koutecky said. And its still the best little car show in Nebraska.
A day after ABVP took out a 'tiranga yatra' inside the campus, the Delhi University witnessed a massive protest march today. Students, teachers from DU, JNU and Jamia protested against ABVP, which is being blamed for the February 22 violence at Ramjas College.

By India Today Web Desk: Hundreds of students and teachers took out a protest march at the Delhi University today against the violence which took place inside the Ramjas College premises last week.

After students and teachers of Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia Islamia hit the streets protesting against Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which is blamed for the February 22 clashes, the Congress' student wing National Students Union of India (NSUI) took out a torch march, calling it a peaceful march for their university.

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The ABVP will protest on March 2, and has called for on-campus exclusion of Left.

The protesters, mainly comprising students of left forums like AISA, shouted slogans "ABVP Go Back" and "Azaadi" as the march made its way through the roads of North Campus towards the Arts Faculty building.

However, Gurmehar Kaur, the Lady Shri Ram student who found herself at the centre of the controversy surrounding the premier educational institution, decided to distance herself from the patriot war that is playing out at Ramjas College. Her mother said Gurmehar has left Delhi.

Delhi: JNU & DU students hold protest march against ABVP in North Campus area #RamjasRow pic.twitter.com/J0Vex9653e ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

An FIR has been registered against unknown persons in connection with the case of a martyr's daughter who complained of receiving "rape threats" allegedly from ABVP members.

HERE ARE THE LATEST UPDATES:

ABVP to protest on March 2, calls for on-campus exclusion of Left.

Ramjas row: Noted historian Irfan Habib leads a protest march on the Aligarh Muslim University campus; criticises ABVP, RSS and BJP.

ABVP, AISA's 'goondagardi' won't be tolerated, says Congress.

DCW issues notice to Facebook to deactivate accounts issuing rape threats to Gurmeher, has sought details to identify the account owners who should be arrested.

Students torch (mashaal) march ends at Ramjas College.

On the complaint of Gurmehar Kaur, crime branch cyber-unit of Delhi Police registered the case, investigation into the case is on, says Joint Commissioner of Police Dependra Pathak.

NSUI holds mashaal (torch) march in North campus, say it is a peaceful march for their university.

After notebandi, Modi govt is now putting 'zubaanbandi'; would you be raped for saying ABVP gundas should stop hooliganism?, says Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.

In the meeting, Standing Committee of Home Affairs Chairman P.Chidambaram asked Delhi Police Commissioner about the steps taken: Sources.

According to sources, some members of Parliament's Standing Committee of Home Affairs raised the issue of incidents that took place inside the Ramjas College.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal met me at Raj Niwas;Have assured him that strict immediate action will be taken against those violating law, says Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal.

NHRC issues notice to Delhi Police Commissioner over allegations of police excesses outside Ramjas College in DU campus on 22 February.

They cannot win this with their intellectual skill and want to replace it with violence: Sitaram Yechury on ABVP.

Our nationalism is 'We are Indian' not 'Who is a Hindu', said Sitaram Yechury at the protest march. "This is a collective fight to defend our constitutional rights. We will be raising the issue of DU (violence) in Parliament," said D Raja.

Left leaders D Raja and Sitaram Yechury join JNU and DU students' protest march against ABVP at Delhi University's North Campus.

Delhi: D Raja and Sitaram Yechury join JNU & DU students' protest march against ABVP in North Campus area pic.twitter.com/nxnZWnvr8Y ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017 Actor Swara Bhaskar comes out in support of Gurmehar Kaur. "Extremely saddened and worried by this sorry state of affairs that our society is embroiled in where people are so intolerant that they can easily resort to violence," Bhaskar said, adding, "Any violence on campus premises is completely unacceptable and totally unjustified."

She(Gurmehar Kaur) is a young girl, creating controversy over her isn't right. Its about leftists who celebrate when our jawans die-K.Rijiju pic.twitter.com/kNxzCW8DwL&; ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

Kanwaljeet Singh, Gurmehar Kaur's grandfather speaking exclusively to India Today said, he is pained by the threats issued to his granddaughter and is scared for her safety. Singh has also defended Gurmehar saying she never said anything wrong to elicit such strong response.

Lyricist Javed Akhtar has now come out in support of Gurmehar Kaur and responded to Kiren Rijiju's "who is polluting her mind" statement. Akhtar tweeted, "I don't know about her but Mr Minister I know who is polluting your mind".

Congress leader Pramod Tiwari today said his party will raise Ramjas College violence and threats to Gurmehar Kaur in the Budget session of Parliament. Tiwari also hit out at former cricketer Virendra Sehwag for "trolling" Gurmehar Kaur. "It is good to have political ambitions but this time Sehwag could not read the ball and was out hit wicket," the Congress leader said.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has demanded strict action against ABVP goondaism. "Will meet Hon'ble LG today at 2.30 pm to demand action against ABVP goondaism n rape threats to Gurmehar Kaur," he tweeted.

On Tuesday, Kaur posted a series of tweets, saying she will not be participating in the AISA march. "I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say", Gurmehar said.

"I have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take :). The campaign is about students and not about me. Please go to the March in huge numbers. Best of luck," Kaur, whose father Captain Mandeep Singh was martyred in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir in 1999, said.

"To anyone questioning my courage and bravery... I've shown more than enough. One thing is for sure, next time we will think twice before resorting to violence or threats and that's all this was about," she added.

Meanwhile, protests over violence in Delhi University's Ramjas College refuse to die down. Day after BJP's youth wing ABVP took out a Tiranga march in Delhi University, several protest marches and counter-marches are expected in Delhi University (DU) and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campuses today. Students and teachers of DU and JNU, along with AISA members, will march from Khalsa College in North Campus to the Arts Faculty. Congress-backed NSUI is also organising a symbolic one-day hunger strike at the arts faculty, followed by a 'Mashaal' rally. Congress and AAP also expected to join protests. Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of Captain Mandeep Singh, had earlier posted a photo of herself on Facebook while holding a placard in which she said she was "not afraid of ABVP". Kaur had last week changed her Facebook profile picture into one holding a placard reading, "I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me. #StudentsAgainstABVP." The campaign had gone viral and received massive support from students across universities. She has alleged that she has received rape threats on social media from ABVP members following which she has filed a complaint with the Delhi Commission for Women. While the literature student's classmates and peers started sharing the post, prompting students from various universities across the country to change their profile pictures with similar placards, Sehwag shared an image of himself holding a placard saying, "I did not score two triple centuries. My bat did." While many Twitter users criticised Sehwag for comparing a cricket match to a war, many others, including actor Randeep Hooda, cheered Sehwag for his remark, saying, "She (Gurmehar) is being made a pawn."

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LSR College faculty backs Gurmehar Kaur: FULL TEXT

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The English Department of Lady Shri Ram College, where Gurmehar Kaur is a first year student of English Honours, has unanimously issued the following statement today.

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We, the faculty members of the English Department, Lady Shri Ram College unequivocally and strongly support our student Gurmehar Kaur and her right to express her opinion on issues that embroil our university. It is immensely gratifying to us as her teachers that she has responded sensitively, creatively and bravely to events in her immediate context rather than seek the safe refuge of silence. We feel that it is the bounden duty of educational institutions to nurture sensitive, responsive and critical thinking students without the fear of violent retaliation. We are proud that Gurmehar has fulfilled her duty as a young citizen of this country. The threats of violence and brutality that she faces are absolutely reprehensible. Responses on social media by public figures such as Virendra Sehwag and Randeep Hooda are shameful trivialisation of the intimidation that Gurmehar faces at the hands of violent mobs whose viciousness the university has recently witnessed.We fervently appeal to the good sense of the public and to institutions of redressal to help restore our faith in law and justice in our country and let our young citizens think and articulate without fear of intimidation.

Rita Joshi, Madhu Grover, Rukshana Shroff, ArtiMinocha, Maya Joshi, ShernazCama, Mitali Mishra, Arunima Ray, DiptiNath, Maitreyee Mandal, JanetLalawmpuii, Ngangom Maheshkanta Singh, Karuna Rajeev, Wafa Hamid, Jonathan Varghese, TaniyaSachdeva, Rachita Mittal.

ALSO READ:

Gurmehar Kaur straight bats Sehwag, asks if it's ok to make fun of a father's death

BJP MP compares Gurmehar Kaur to Dawood Ibrahim, Union minister Rijiju asks who's polluting her mind

Ramjas College violence: DU professor, journalists injured in clashes between student groups

Virender Sehwag, Randeep Hooda accused of bullying Kargil martyr's daughter who spoke against ABVP

--- ENDS ---
"The figures may show a high number but the actual picture is something else as in many cases women either change their statement in court or retract allegations," Bhupendra Singh told India Today.

By Hemender Sharma: The number of registered rape cases in Madhya Pradesh do not reflect the true picture of crime against women in the state, MP Home Minister Bhupendra Singh said on Tuesday.

"We are sensitive towards women and have directed the police to register FIRs in all cases that are reported. So the figures may show a high number but the actual picture is something else as in many cases women either change their statement in court or retract allegations," Singh told India Today.

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On Monday, Bhupendra Singh in a written reply to a question asked by Congress MLA Ram Nivas Rawat in the state Vidhan Sabha said that 4,527 cases of rape were reported from across the state in the past one year. Of these 13 women were killed after they were raped, while 14 committed suicide.

Of the 4,527 women who were raped 611 belonged to the scheduled caste category, 662 were from the Scheduled Tribe category and 750 women were from the OBC category. Incidentally, National Crime Records Bureau data states that there 4, 391 cases reported from the state.

The home minister's defence of rape figures comes at a time when BJP leaders in Morena and Mandsaur have been charged with outraging the modesty of women.

In Mandsaur, a middle aged woman tried to do self immolation outside the district collector's office on Monday alleging police was not registering her complaint against a BJP leader who had allegedly outraged he modesty on Sunday.

BJP LEADERS BOOKED

In Morena, another women levelled rape charges against a block level BJP leader on Tuesday around the same time when the home minister was busy justifying the high rape figures across the state.

The Morena victim has alleged she was taken to a lonely place on the pretext of getting her a ration card and was raped by the BJP leader for two days.In Chhattarpur, a 75 year-old woman who was raped by her tenant on Sunday is battling for her life in a Gwalior Hospital.

In the state capital Bhopal, a three year old girl was allegedly raped by the director of a high profile play school on February 23. The victim's parents have alleged that police did not register a case till February 27 and that the accused was yet to be arrested.

India Today cited all the cases quoted above to the state home minister and to which he replied by saying that the police was doing its job and that no rapist would be spared.

Also read:

Delhi: This man took a train from UP town to Delhi daily to rape schoolgirls

Malayalam actor files rape charge, film fraternity to protest today in Ernakulam

--- ENDS ---

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Cloud-based businesses including Xero and Expensify, as well sites and services including Slack, Trello and Medium, were disrupted on Wednesday morning due to a partial failure at one of Amazon Web Service's data centres.

The issue was due to problems at the company's Northern Virginia server farm, one of Amazon's oldest facilities, and the impact was felt across many of the large number of sites and services that use its Simple Storage Service (S3) product.

The AWS outage lasted slightly more than four hours.

"We continue to experience high error rates with S3 in US-EAST-1, which is impacting various AWS services. We are working hard at repairing S3, believe we understand root cause, and are working on implementing what we believe will remediate the issue", the company posted on its service status website around 6.35am AEST.

By 8:12am AEST, the company posted that "object retrieval" had been fully restored, and that it was working on the ability for customers to add new content.
Colin Barnett's verbal jab at journalists on Sunday after reporters relentlessly bombarded the Premier again about the Liberal's deal with One Nation will never appear as a footnote in history books.

When political pundits mull over the results of the March 11th state election, it won't even be regarded as a defining moment of the campaign.

But what is significant about the Premier losing his cool with reporters is that it was the moment he knew the election was a lost cause.

At a press conference Mr Barnett admitted he was "tricked" into posing for a photograph at the Rottnest Channel Swim with four women who had #putlibslast and "drowning in debt $" written down their arms.
Geneva/Kuala Lumpur: South Korea called for "collective measures" to punish North Korea for using chemical weapons to kill the estranged half-brother of its leader Kim Jong-un, as Malaysia said on Tuesday it would charge two women with murder over the airport attack.

Police have said the women smeared VX nerve agent, a chemical on a United Nations list of banned weapons of mass destruction, on Kim Jong-nam's face in an assault captured on security cameras in the Malaysian capital's airport on February 13.

US and South Korean officials believe he was the victim of an assassination orchestrated by Pyongyang. North Korea said on Tuesday it "categorically rejects" what it called "fictitious and preposterous assumptions".

Speaking at the UN-backed Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva on Tuesday, South Korea's Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said the use of chemical weapons was a "wake-up call" and the international community should act - including possibly suspending the isolated North's seat at the United Nations.
Brexit has turned out to be something of a curse for the UK Independence Party (UKIP).

After helping convince a majority of Britons to leave the European Union, the political fortunes of the anti-immigration party have been on a downward spiral. Two leaders have quit and last week it failed to win a second member of parliament in Stoke-on-Trent, dubbed the Brexit Capital.

Nigel Farage visited Donald Trump in New York after the 2016 election. Credit:Twitter @Nigel_Farage

The latest and seemingly trivial row is over a royal honorific. Yet it could unleash the most damage: the expulsion of the only UKIP lawmaker in the House of Commons.

Nigel Farage, the ex-leader who dined with Donald Trump in Washington over the weekend, demanded in writing that Douglas Carswell be given the boot. While he cited splits over policy, the Daily Telegraph has reported that the row was fuelled by Mr Carswell's failure to support a knighthood for Mr Farage.
According to police, the duo was nabbed based on specific intelligence about their movement from Baishnabnagar area in Malda.

By Indrajit Kundu: Two people have been arrested by the police in West Bengal's Malda district for carrying four FICN (Fake Indian Currency Notes) of the new Rs 2000 denomination. The accused, identified as Saidul Rahaman and Maidul Seikh, were arrested from the Baishnabnagar police station on Monday evening.

According to police, the duo was nabbed based on specific intelligence about their movement in the area. 30-year-old Saidul is a resident of Farakka in Murshidabad district. The two were produced before the Malda district court on Tuesday where they were sent on five-day police custody.

Saidul Rahaman and Maidul Seikh.

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SECURITY FEATURES REPLICATED IN FAKE CURRENCY

According to the police, the fake notes recovered from the arrested youth have a striking resemblance with the original currency as a host of security features have been successfully replicated. Over the past one month, the Border Security Force (BSF) has made several such seizures and of late there has been a spurt in confiscations.

In fact, the single biggest haul of 48 fake Rs 2000 notes was made from Baishnabnagar area earlier this month. So far, security agencies have nabbed several youth who act as "couriers" to transfer consignments of fake notes from the Indo-Bangladesh border to the mainland.

Also read | NIA arrests two Bangladesh nationals for running fake currency racket

--- ENDS ---
Daring Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, BJP president Amit Shah said, "Even after such levels of corruption if anyone thinks they can sleep in peace, let me alert them that once the BJP forms government in Manipur, none of those corrupt will be spared."

By Indrajit Kundu: Ahead of the first phase of polling for the Manipur Assembly elections on March 4, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Tuesday reached the tribal dominated Sadar Hills district to push his party's campaign in the state.

Addressing a campaign rally at Kangpokpi, Shah launched a scathing attack on the Congress-run state government led by three time Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh. Taking a cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Imphal rally last week, the BJP national president attacked Singh over corruption allegations.

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BJP PRESIDENT AMIT SHAH ATTACKS MANIPUR CHIEF MINISTER

"Crores of fund are sanctioned by the Centre as part of MNREGA scheme every year, but none of it reach the poor due to corrupt Ibobi government," Shah alleged adding that the Congress had bluffed the people of Manipur by getting incomplete projects inaugurated by party chief Sonia Gandhi.

Daring the chief minister, the BJP president said, "Even after such levels of corruption if anyone thinks they can sleep in peace, let me alert them that once the BJP forms government in Manipur, none of those corrupt will be spared."

Shah said, the Congress had historically neglected the north-eastern states while BJP believes that without the progress of the region, the country as a whole will not be able to move forward. "Even after 15 years of being in power the Congress could not provide clean drinking water to people of Manipur and the onus lies solely with Chief Minister Ibobi Singh," Shah said adding that his party plans to develop Manipur as a model state.

ALSO READ | PM Modi slams Manipur CM over corruption, promises development

--- ENDS ---
United Naga Council, which is the apex body of all Naga tribal groups in Manipur, has been conducting the economic blockade in protest against the state government's decision to form seven new districts in the tribal-dominated hill region just before these polls.

By Indrajit Kundu: As Manipur heads for the first phase of polls on March 4, the United Naga Council (UNC), which has imposed an indefinite economic blockade of the Imphal valley in protest against the state government, has clarified its 'position' on the upcoming assembly election in the state.

UNC, which is the apex body of all Naga tribal groups in Manipur, has been conducting the economic blockade in protest against the state government's decision to form seven new districts in the tribal-dominated hill region just before these polls.

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Naga tribal bodies have opposed the decision, describing the move as a "covert attempt" by the Meitei-majority state government to grab tribal land.

MANIPUR's TRIBAL AREAS PROTECTED UNDER ARTICLE 371C

The tribal areas in Manipur are protected under Article 371C of the Constitution. It means non-tribals are barred from purchasing land in tribal reserves.

However, there is no restriction on tribals buying land anywhere else in the state. For long, this has been a sticky issue in Meitei-dominated Manipur politics.

The UNC leadership has been taking part in tripartite talks with the state government brokered by the Centre.

However, the talks have failed to end the impasse ahead of the polls with the UNC announcing that they will not lift the blockade.

GOVERNOR APPEALED TO UNC TO END BLOCKADE

Last week, Governor Najma Heptulla had also appealed to the UNC to end the blockade in order to facilitate the democratic process in the state. However, refusing to budge from its position, the UNC has stated that the "Nagas in Manipur will participate to give greater effect to the severance of political ties with the communal government of Manipur."

In a statement, the UNC has made it clear that it will continue its opposition to the Ibobi Singh-led Congress party in the upcoming polls. "The communal government of Manipur led by Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) under Ibobi has pushed the Nagas to the wall. Therefore, Ibobi and the MPCC will be opposed by the Nagas and confronted headlong", the statement said.

The tribal body also reiterated its support for the Naga People's Front (NPF), which is an ally of the BJP in the northeast, being a part of NEDA or North East Democratic Alliance. UNC says it will back the NPF in these elections because of the "commonality in principle and political ideology".

Also read | Manipur set to go for polls amid turmoil as UNC refuses to lift blockade

--- ENDS ---
By Jugal R Purohit: Even otherwise sixty-one-year old Defence Minister Manohar Gopalkrishna Parrikar is a busy man. His time, in fact every minute, is under particular pressure as he chose to spend almost 48 hours at the AERO INDIA 2017, the 11th such exhibition using which India hopes to attract investment in the aerospace sector. While he flips in and out of meetings at the first level of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) chalet, his staff is hard pressed to regulate the flow of visitors. Meanwhile, on the ground floor the queue of company representatives and foreign manufacturers is burgeoning with every passing minute.

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In the midst of this, he sat down to answer questions put to him by India Today TV's senior special correspondent Jugal R Purohit.

CURRENT POSTURE IN J&K

It is a pro-active action in counter insurgency operations that you are witnessing. Our intention is to catch or eliminate terrorists in winter and break their morale. We are also trying to get local terrorists to back into fold. We are selectively catching terrorists unaware because these are the ones who spread out after winter and create a situation. For now, the LoC is quiet and I welcome it. Hope it remains so. We are interested in peace.

USING EMERGENCY POWERS TO EQUIP THE ARMED FORCES:

We are moving quickly, to fast track, to ensure that some gap, and there is not too much gap, but wherever gap exists and it will be filled in through various methods. The new Defence Procurement Procedure permits fast -tracking for small arms and special equipment. This has been used. No need for emergency powers to be used regularly but wherever there is shortage, in those items only. Don't misunderstand that everything is short. Powers were given to the army and we use it to make the army capable, efficient. No hesitation in using. In fact, we believe in delegating power.

EXPORT OF BRAHMOS SUPERSONIC MISSILE AND LIGHT COMBAT AIRCRAFT (LCA) TEJAS:

On BrahMos, we have already cleared many countries and promotion is proceeding. It takes time. Got No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for specific countries which have been given to the company (BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited where India holds 50.5 per cent stakes and Russia, 49.5 per cent) and now the company has to export them.

I would not like to name but the countries concerned have been told. Basically, friendly countries are the recipients and there is a BrahMos council consisting of India and Russia and both have to agree to export it to certain countries. I would not like to derail the process as it is going on and in-principle approval has been granted and detailed approval will come.

In so far as LCA Tejas is concerned, it is already offered to neighbouring countries and it would take upswing only after we complete the Mark 1A configuration because the current TEJAS is more of a trainer and it does not have missile and all those fitted. Certification for missile and other payload is being worked out and the initial tests are a success. However certification needed for upgrades like the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. Now integration and certification is in balance.

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IMPACT OF INDIA JOINING THE MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME (MTCR):

Technology is easily available and it cannot be denied. Many companies are ready to provide us with what we want. We are also permitted to export up to a particular limit. Missile is an area where we want to be self sufficient by 2022. We should be able achieve that. Last year, more than 25-26 successful tests of various types of missiles were carried out including NAG, HELINA as well as the Interceptor missile we have done and it is not easy. In fact in the area of interceptor missiles, we are on the four countries in the world to directly hit an incoming missile at an altitude of 175km or 100km at a relative speed of 3km per second.

ALSO READ:Peace is fine but no compromises due to fear of war, says Manohar Parrikar at Agenda Aaj Tak

WATCH

--- ENDS ---
LEESVILLE -- A public hearing and vote on a proposed "saggy pants" ordinance in the city were tabled by the Leesville City Council on Monday.

It's unclear when and if the proposal will come before the panel again.

Members voted Feb. 13 to place the matter on Monday's agenda, slating and advertising a public hearing. At that time, city administrator Patti Larney said it was in response to complaints city officials have heard.

However, District 3 councilman Danny Dowd, mayor pro-tempore, who presided over Monday's meeting in the absence of Mayor Rick Allen, said members want more review.

"We'll come back to it at a later date if we decide to bring it back up," Dowd said.

Allen told the West Central News Center on Tuesday that he felt the measure needed to be tabled and revised.

"Yes, it needed to be tabled to be more specific to undergarments, not sagging pants," he said. "My thoughts are sag your pants to your ankles if you want, but tuck your shirt in so the public doesn't see your underwear."

The ordinance called for civil penalties -- fines, community service and/or counseling -- for infractions in the form of citations issued by city police officers. It proposed there be "appropriate dress for persons in certain public places" and that "public exposure in certain attire" be prohibited.

"On public property (including, but not limited to streets, sidewalks and parks) of the City of Leesville all persons shall be properly attired whenever they appear in public view," the measure reads.

Some people showed up to speak on the issue Monday, though the council did not formally take comments during the public hearing because it was tabled.

Yet later in the regular meeting, during a period allotted for council members' comments, District 4 Councilman Tony Shapkoff spoke of the ordinance and his feeling that the city needed to study a similar ordinance adopted by the City of Alexandria.

One gentleman in the crowd spoke aloud, asking how officials were going to about their further review. "How and when are we going to go about doing that?"

"We've tabled it today and we'll look at it in the next couple of weeks and see if we even want to go forward," Dowd responded.

"Need any help deciding?" the man said.

One local pastor, Rev. Joseph L. Garner of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Leesville, submitted a letter to the city in opposition. Garner attended Monday's meeting, and Shapkoff spotted him in the crowd and addressed him during his comments.

Garner replied that his purpose for attending was to express opposition, but that he would hold his commentary until there is public discussion. He mentioned his letter, which he said he submitted to Allen and council members.

In it, Garner says he thinks a ban on a particular clothing style violates a liberty granted under law.

"The government must demonstrate a rational basis for its ban -- and Leesville has no legitimate, rational basis for regulating the attire of its residents," Garner wrote.

He also takes issue with the ordinance's language.

"It makes a criminal of everyone whose pants are not high enough to suit the arbitrary standards of law enforcement," he wrote.

Garner wrote that he felt the ordinance would raise questions about racial profiling or disproportionate enforcement, and that it would burden law enforcement with a matter he described as "trivial."

"We sincerely appreciate the services provided by the Leesville City Police Department and other local law enforcement entities. We would hate to bog them down with such a trivial matter as trying to determine how many inches a persons pants hang beneath the crest of their ilium, whatever that is. The government does not belong in the business of telling people what to wear. Nor does it have the right to use clothing as a pretext to engage in otherwise unlawful stops of innocent people. We therefore urge you not to pass this unlawful and troublesome Ordinance. There are more important issues facing the city of Leesville, (i.e. streets, drainage, sewage) than regulating attire," he concluded.

Though the state has obscenity laws on the books, some towns and cities have similar ordinances, including the cities of Lake Charles and Alexandria.

In Lake Charles, fines for violations range from $25 to $200. Also, if the violator is a juvenile, he or she and their parents could face community service hours and counseling.

The Town of Merryville adopted an ordinance in 2007. Those found in violation face a $50 fine for a first offense, $100 fine for a second offense and a $150 fine and 16 hours of community service for a third offense.

Leesville's proposal called for fines for those found in violation to be $25 for the first offense and $200 for each subsequent offense, in addition to possible community service and/or counseling. In the case of juveniles, it outlined that parents could also face penalties.

State lawmakers considered the "saggy pants" issue back in 2008, and then again in 2010, yet the issue was stymied amid lawmakers' questions over fairness and free speech.

The News Center also asked Allen on Tuesday if he had received any input from city police on the proposal. He said he had not heard any concerns from law enforcement.

The following is the introduction of an ordinance that was voted on Feb. 13:

City of Leesville

101 W. Lee St. Leesville, LA 71446 (337) 239-2444

INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 3 of 2017

Appropriate dress for persons in certain public places; public exposure in certain attire prohibited.

(a) On public property (including, but not limited to streets, sidewalks, and parks) of the City of Leesville all persons shall be properly attired whenever they appear in public view.

(b) Pants worn by any person, regardless of age, should be size appropriate and secured at the waist to prevent the pants from falling more than three (3) inches below the hips (crest of the ilium) causing exposure of the person or the person's undergarments.

(c) Fines and civil penalties; community service and counseling:

(1) If a juvenile is determined to be in violation of this section a citation shall be issued to the parent or legal guardian, who has care and control of the minor and he or she shall be subject to in the discretion of a judge a warning to the parent and juvenile or a civil penalty of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) on the first offense and not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00) on each subsequent offense. In addition to the civil penalty, the court may order the juvenile and /or the parent or legal guardian to participate in up to forty (40) hours of court approved community service activities, or a combination of up to forty (40) hours of court approved community service and attendance, by both a parent or legal custodian and the minor, at a court approved family counseling program.

(2) If an adult is determined to be in violation of this section a citation shall be issued to the person and the person shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) on the first offense and not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00) for each subsequent offense. In addition to the civil penalty, the court may order such person to participate in up to forty (40) hours of court approved community service activities, or a combination of up to forty (40) hours of court approved community service and attendance at a court approved counseling program.

(d) Violators of any provision of this section shall be issued a citation and subject to the civil penalties described above. To this end, a violation of this ordinance shall not be deemed a criminal offense; and thus, violators shall not be subject to arrest, imprisonment or other criminal penalty for violation of this section.

THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, that the Mayor and Leesville City Council, hereby, accept the ordinance for Appropriate dress for persons in certain public places; public exposure in certain attire prohibited.

The above ordinance was introduced on the 13th day of February 2017 during a regularly scheduled meeting.

The public hearing of this ordinance will be conducted on the 27th day of February, 2017.

This ordinance will be adopted on the 27th day of February 2017 during a regularly scheduled meeting, assuming no opposition comes forth, by the following votes:

Chris Robertson: yea

Willie Mae Kennedy: absent

Danny Dowd: yea

Tony Shapkoff: absent

Alice Guess: yea

William Thomas: yea

Mayor Rick Allen yea
Astros take World Series title over Phillies in six games
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By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 27, 2017 | 06:10 PM | PADUCAH, KY





Lauren Brand, U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, will be the featured speaker for the March Power in Partnership monthly breakfast of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce.The breakfast will be held on March 2 at 7:30 am at Ohio Room of the Julian Carroll Convention Center. West Kentucky Community and Technical College is the sponsor and President Anton Reece will also provide comments.Brand, a member of the Senior Executive Service, became the Associate Administrator responsible for Ports and Waterways programs within the Maritime Administration in January 2015. Brand directs StrongPortssm, a national port infrastructure modernization program in excess of $1.7 billion  that includes TIGER and FASTLANE discretionary funds as well as other federal assistance.She is responsible for the continued development of Americas Marine Highway initiative and manages the Agencys offshore energy licensing projects (the Deepwater Port Program). She also oversees the Secretary of Transportations Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee and their efforts to address strategic maritime issues across the nation. Brand has recently been appointed to the Bureau of Transportations Port Performance Freight Statistics Working Group, a FACA Committee formed to develop relevant performance measures for the maritime industry in the U.S., the Department of Transportations National Advisory Committee on Travel and Transportation Infrastructure and is active in the Departments Build America Bureau.Brand has a degree in Transportation from Niagara University, a US Customhouse Broker license and earned a Professional Port Manager Certification from the American Association of Port Authorities.Cost to attend is $15 for chamber members, $25 for non-members. Those who plan to attend and do not have a chamber "Power Card" should make reservations by Tuesday, February 28, at 5 pm to the Chamber at 270-443-1746 or info@paducahchamber.org .
By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 28, 2017 | 02:27 PM | GRAVES COUNTY, KY

A Graves County man was arrested Tuesday on methamphetamine and other charges.

According to Graves County Sheriff Dewayne Redmon, during the execution of an arrest warrant in the Dublin community, 38-year-old James Robert Turner was arrested on a felony indictment warrant issued in Graves County.

During a search of the home, deputies reportedly found methamphetamine and paraphernalia. Several pieces of stolen jewelry and a jewelry box were also found in the home.

Turner is charged with possession of methamphetamine, illegal possession of a legend drug, prescription not in the proper container and receiving stolen property under $500.

He was lodged in the Graves County Jail.
Mumbai airport was on a high alert after an unidentified person posted a tweet on Jet Airways' Twitter handle saying there was a bomb on one of the airline's flights.

By Saurabh Vaktania: Airport security agencies in Mumbai were on a high alert Tuesday after a yet-unidentified person posted a bomb hoax on Twitter, marking on Jet Airways' official handle.

According to sources in the security agencies, the tweet, which said that a bomb had been placed on one of the airline's flights, was posted early Tuesday morning and was noticed by Jet Airways officials and some other Twitter users.

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The airline's assistant security manager Nayan Ahire and customer service manager Ambros Gomes took the matter to the Mumbai Police's Sahar unit, whose jurisdiction covers Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

The tweet was later taken off Jet's Twitter page as an high alert was sounded at the Mumbai airport. Extra checking was initiated on all Jet Airways flights and all agencies, including central units, were informed.

Mumbai Police, with the help of other agencies including the cyber cell, is probing the matter. Based on initial investigations, cops believe the person behind the tweet was playing a prank. Officials said the prankster will be arrested once located.

Officials said this is the first time such a bomb threat was sent to the Twitter handle of an airline.

Also read: DU student arrested for making hoax call threatening blast at PM Modi's Mau rally

--- ENDS ---
By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 28, 2017 | 07:02 AM | MARSHALL COUNTY, KY

The Marshall County Sheriff's Office is reporting an increase in the theft of property and trailers over the past few weeks.

Police are encouraging all residents to lock up their personal belongings, including vehicles, ATV's, buildings and homes. They also recommend locking up trailers using a hitch locking device or other method.

Deputies also recommend the use of surveillance cameras. They say surveillance video and photographs can make a huge difference in whether a case gets solved or not.

Police say taking pictures of your valuables is also a good idea. Make sure to take note of serial numbers, VIN's, or any other identifying numbers and keep all this information written down and locked up somewhere where you can get easy access to it in case of a theft.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 28, 2017 | 11:41 AM | MARSHALL COUNTY, KY

A Paducah man was jailed in Marshall County Monday on wanton endangerment and other charges.

The Marshall County Sheriff's Office said a detective was in an unmarked police vehicle when he saw a car driving recklessly. According to police, the car was traveling at high speeds, weaving in and out of traffic and passed in a no passing zone while approaching a hill crest, with traffic oncoming.

The detective stopped the vehicle and arrested the driver, 19-year-old Andrew D. Langdon of Paducah. Langdon was charged with two counts of 1st degree wanton endangerment, reckless driving and operating on a suspended or revoked operator's license.

Langdon was lodged in the Marshall County Detention Center.
By The Associated Press Feb. 28, 2017 | 05:04 AM | FRANKFORT, KY

Kentucky lawmakers are scheduled to debate a bill to update the state's drivers' licenses to comply with new federal guidelines.

The House Appropriations and Revenue Committee is scheduled to debate House bill 410 on Tuesday. The bill would update Kentucky's drivers' licenses to comply with the federal Real ID Act. If lawmakers do not pass the bill, federal officials say Kentuckians would no longer be able to use their drivers' licenses to board domestic flights.

The legislature passed a law last year that would have complied with the law, but Republican Gov. Matt Bevin vetoed it. Republican House Speaker Jeff Hoover has said he will ask for Bevin's personal assurance he will not veto this bill before he asks the House to pass it.
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First seen in 2013, this is something of a homecoming for Grounded: a third-time revival of the hugely acclaimed one-woman show at the Gate, as part of artistic director Christopher Haydon's final season. Although Anne Hathaway has done the play in the US, and is making a movie of it, Lucy Ellinson was the original star, and is here returning to a part she's clearly made her own. She plays, with both subtlety and vigour, an American fighter pilot who, after maternity leave, returns to the air force only to be assigned to pilot unmanned drones.

Back in 2013, drone warfare was a particularly hot-topic issue, the morality of it much debated in the public sphere. Today, they're almost just accepted as part of the landscape of modern warfare, the debate gone off the boil; a joke in Grounded that they "don't make drones in Fisher-Price" almost obsolete, given the popularity of toy drones. But the question of what effect on international conflicts, and on the individual human psyche, such remote, precision-targeted warfare without personal cost may have is still one which George Brant's play sharply reminds us we should be asking.

Contained in a grey gauze box, Ellinson addresses the audience on three sides; it's a simple staging of a riveting, jet-propelled monologue. The pilot has swagger: she loves her job, loves her uniform, loves flying up in "the blue". Loves taking down the enemy, too, and beers with the boys after. Ellinson switches between a low-slung swagger and a military stance, the masculine body language of a woman who's always held her own with the guys.

Even when she's falling in love and having a kid, the "corn" that love brings is mocked. The pilot is a tough cookie turned busy working mom. But when she's assigned to the "chair force", piloting drones from inside a dark caravan in the Las Vegas desert, she begins to lose something of herself. In 12 hour shifts, she stares at a screen showing the "grey putty" of the desert, as they search out military-aged men to bomb.

Ellinson embodies the changes of first the pilot's work, and then her mental state. Her voice mocks the robotic nature of the task, she complains about the monotony of grey compared to the exhilaration of blue, while her body assumes the rigid position of someone sat at a screen all day. But when the kills come, they turn out to be just as white-knuckle  even when knowing "the threat of death has been removed". And afterwards, she just goes home, to her husband and child. There's all the adrenaline of combat, but none of the release. Ellinson begins to wind up, like a ticking time-bomb.

Drone technology also allows the pilot to not only get a closer look at targets, but to "linger" and watch the full, limb-tearing destruction. She becomes increasingly fixated on finding, and annihilating, "the guilty", smiting them like some Old Testament God. The toll such warfare takes, and the moral conflict of seeing more destruction while being further removed, are very gradually ratcheted up in Brant's script and Haydon's hair-trigger sensitive production. Finally, the pilot detonates, in a truly gripping, unsettling climax.

Grounded runs at the Gate Theatre until 18 March.
By Vidya : Mumbai sessions court today sentenced a 37-year-old man Santosh Salvi to life imprisonment for killing a policeman who went to arrest him.

In November 2014, the Dongri Police were informed about a house break-in at the BPCL building. The accused had locked himself on the terrace when police reached the spot.

Policeman Naik Ajay Gawand climbed up the window grill which led to the terrace and entered the spot. "Gawand was not in uniform at that time. Instead of surrendering, the accused beat up Gawand who later collapsed," said public prosecutor Shishir Hiray.

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After the incident, the rest of the team reached the spot and rushed Gawand to the nearest hospital. However, Gawand was declared dead by the hospital. Even though chargesheet was filed on time, the trial started eight months ago.

WITNESSES TO THE CRIME

During the course of the trial, eight witness were examined and even though quite a few of them were policemen who had been on duty with Gawand, Hiray told the court that when the incident took place there were only few policemen from Gawande's team. Hence, independent witnesses were not available.

Earlier in the day court held Salvi guilty of committing Gawande's murder and during the arguments for quantum of punishment, Hiray told the court that this was not just a stray incident.

"Attack on a policeman was akin to attack on the sovereignty of the country so harshest punishment should be meted out to the convict," said Hiray.

Also read:

Mumbai: Father accidentally kills 16-year-old daughter amid scuffle with neighbours

--- ENDS ---
The move has several implications for the Tata group which has been locked in an ugly boardroom battle since October last year.

By Devina Gupta: With Tata Sons resolving the long-standing dispute with Japanese telecom company NTT Docomo at the cost of a little over 7000 crore rupees, the move has several implications for the group which has been locked in an ugly boardroom battle since October last year.

1. RISE OF CHANDRA

53-year-old N Chandrasekaran, who took over the reins of Tata Sons this month, shows he means business. With people speculating whether the TCS veteran will be able to handle the crisis, he has taken the bull by the horns and decided to settle the matter out of court.

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2. A WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR TATA TELESERVICES

Tata Teleservices is already being wooed by Anil Ambani's RCOM to form a joint venture with Aircel-MTS combine and consolidate their position as the third largest player in the telecom sector. With the legal battle nearing a resolution, it can take the leap forward.

3. RBI REGULATORY EXCEPTION?

Docomo bought 26.5 per cent stake in 2008 for Rs 12,740 crore or Rs 117 per share. When Docomo had exited the venture, it sought a share price of Rs 58 per share, but Tata Sons offered Rs 23.34 per share. They said RBI guideline mandates that an international firm can only exit its investment at valuation not exceeding that was arrived at on the basis of return on equity.

4. ONUS ON FINANCE MINISTRY

RBI had earlier asked the Finance MInistry to clear the transaction in 'national interest' for better business environment in India. Settlement terms paved the way for Docomo to transfer back its stake in Tata Teleservices and get 1.18 billion dollars that were deposited by Tata Sons in the Delhi High Court.

5. MOVING OVER MISTRY SHADOW

The Tata Docomo dispute was touted as one of the major reasons for the board to be unhappy with Mistry's tenure. In his defence, Mistry has maintained that this issue was discussed multiple times but Tatas wanted to honour all commitment "within the law".

Also read | Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Tata Sons chairman-designate, is new TCS boss

WATCH NOW:

--- ENDS ---
At a rally in Fatehpur earlier this month, Modi had said, "If you create qabristan in a village, then a shamshaan should also be created. If there is uninterrupted electricity in Ramzan, it should also be given during Diwali. There should be no discrimination."

By India Today Web Desk: Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his infamous 'qabristan-shamshaan' remarks at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh, BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj has taken a leaf out of his book and suggested Muslims should also be cremated since there is not enough land for graveyards.

"Whether it is named qabristan (graveyard) or shamshaan (crematoriums), nobody needs to be buried. There are 2-2.5 crore Hindu saints in this country who should have a memorial after their death. That will require land. There are 20 crore Muslims, all of them need a grave. Where is the land in Hindustan?" Maharaj said today.

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At a rally in Fatehpur earlier this month, Modi had said, "If you create qabristan in a village, then a shamshaan should also be created. If there is uninterrupted electricity in Ramzan, it should also be given during Diwali. There should be no discrimination."

The statement had triggered a storm, with the Opposition accusing Modi of trying to communalise the crucial three-cornered Uttar Pradesh contest.

Maharaj, 61, however, has a reputation for shooting his mouth. He has repeatedly blamed Muslims for India's population. Last month, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against him by the Meerut Police for saying those entitled to "marry four times and have 40 children" are responsible for the country's population explosion.

Since the statement was made while Uttar Pradesh is voting, even the Election Commission had pulled up Maharaj and sought a report from the Meerut administration.

ALSO READ Modi at Fatehpur: If land is given for kabristan, shamshaan must get it too

--- ENDS ---
By Shivendra Srivastava: The National Human Rights Commission has reacted to reports that an unusual large number of hysterectomy procedures were performed on unsuspecting women in Karnataka's Kalaburagi district. Reportedly, the Umarga area in Maharashtra's Osmanabad district has emerged as a 'hysterectomy hub' where the procedures are performed on patients from border villages of Kalaburagi. The procedures, which involve removing part or the entire uterus, were allegedly performed only for commercial reasons and there were no medical justifications behind them. The women's life was put at stake as they suffered many complications after the surgery.

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There have been interventions in the matter by the Karnataka State Commission for Women, the Karnataka government as well as the civil society but concrete action is yet to be taken to stop the menace.

NHRC, finding possible violations of human rights of poor patients, has issued notices to the chief secretaries of the governments of Karnataka and Maharashtra calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks.

NHRC's investigation has revealed that the patients who agreed for the hysterectomy procedures were misled by doctors and have suffered health complications as a result of the surgery. Women have complained of backache, weakness, prolonged tiredness, chest pain and even partial vision loss.

In one case, a group of four women from the village Kolagunda Gollarahatti in Karnataka's Hassan district underwent hysterectomy procedures in 2015, and one of them died three months later. An inquiry constituted by the Karnataka State Commission for Women investigated the issue and submitted its report in April, 2016, but no action was taken on its recommendations.

Following a large number of complaints in the matter, the Karnataka government formed an expert committee in 2015 to investigate the allegations. The committee found that 2,258 hysterectomy procedures were performed over a period of 30 months in the Kalaburagi district.

Four hospitals were found culpable and a probe was conducted for their alleged violation of provisions of the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act. Licenses of these hospitals were later suspended for six months. The matter has also been reported to the Karnataka Medical Council, which is yet to take final call on the quantum of punishment.

A group of public health activists of Karnataka Janarogya Chalavali (KJC), who took up this issue in the year of 2015, have been demanding for cancellation of the registration of the guilty doctors and legal action against them.

--- ENDS ---
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/02/2017 (2077 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Comedy Festival is bringing the locavore movement to the standup stage.

The 16th annual event runs April 3 to 9, and its theme is Buy Local. The festival has scheduled a list of Manitoban and Canadian performers, including MADtvs Will Sasso, Gavin Crawford of This Hour Has 22 Minutes, three-time Canadian Comedy Award winner Nikki Payne and Gemini Award nominee Howie Miller.

We wanted to focus on the idea that events like the Winnipeg Comedy Festival when talent comes to town, money is left in the town, says Lara Rae, the festivals artistic director. We wanted to celebrate that.

The Buy Local theme is probably most noticeable in The Winnipeg Show (April 6, West End Cultural Centre), which boasts eight local comedians on the bill along with host Bruce Clark, a longtime festival favourite.

SUPPLIED Comedian Howie Miller

The world has been entranced by Donald Trumps presidency in the United States, comedians included, and Rae hopes the festivals humour will go beyond political observations of whats going on south of the 49th parallel.

Its such a horrible time in the world right now. (Their news) trickles up here, Rae says. If you watch Last Week Tonight, followed by Seth Meyers, followed by Samantha Bee followed by the Daily Show it doesnt make you feel that much better.

COLIN CORNEAU/BRANDON SUN FILES Longtime local favourite Bruce Clark will take the stage in The Winnipeg Show April 6.

The festival galas, which will all take place at the Pantages Playhouse Theatre, are recorded for television at a later date, and comedians know to avoid topical subjects that may change by the time the show hits the airwaves.

If you want a break from Trump, come to the galas, Rae says.

Payne hosts the Thursday night gala Lady Like (April 6); Crawford fronts Virgin Territory (April 7) and Sasso hosts one dubbed I Heart Love (April 8).

Rae says Canadian-focused humour will take centre stage throughout the festival with performers such as Miller, a Cree from Edmonton who stars in the APTN comedy Delmer & Marta, providing an aboriginal perspective to the weeks humour.

Hes just an affable Canadian indigenous performer, probably also one of the best impressionists in the country, she says.

The Muslim perspective will be explored by Montreal comic Ali Hassans Muslim Interrupted show (April 5, WECC), which had a one-month stand at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2016, and by British comedian Shazia Mirza, whose family originally comes from Pakistan and who is scheduled for an April 7 gala, Good Neighbours.

SUPPLIED Comedian Gavin Crawford

Mirza joins other foreign-based festival funny folk such as Americans Jackie Kashian and Mark Heath.

While the festival is a major fundraiser for the Gas Station Arts Centre in Osborne Village, that venue is booked solid in early April, forcing the festival to turn the West End Cultural Centre as a hub for humour. The venue, at the corner of Sherbrook Street and Ellice Avenue, hosts four nights of comedy doubleheaders April 5 to 8.

Those include Now or Never, the CBC Radio show with Ify Chiwetelu and Trevor Dineen (April 5), and Feminist Gong Show (April 8), hosted by Vancouvers Erica Sigurdson.

We have a panel of three women comics,; they have a gong behind them, Rae describes. A bunch of male comics do their material and if it crosses the sexist line, it gets gonged.

The Club Regent Event Centre also gets in on the comedy action with Coast to Coast Comedy: 150 Years of Funny (April 7) as well as for two tapings of The Debaters, the popular CBC Radio show hosted by Steve Patterson (April 8 and 9).

CP Will Sasso

That show was born here, 10 years ago, and I dont know if people remember that, Rae says. Now its a flagship brand.

Rumors Comedy Club also hosts a different headliner each evening.

In addition to the Winnipeg events, the festival also travels outside the Perimeter this year, with Best of the WCF on Tour hitting the towns of Clearwater, Morris and Teulon.

Youre reaching out and hopefully bringing people into the city, but it also brings comedy to the region, Rae says. I think its part of the mandate as part of the festival that theres some obligation to bring it to some of the people who cant come in.

alan.small@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter:@AlanDSmall

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.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES "If you want a break from Trump, come to the galas," Winnipeg Comedy Festival artistic director Lara Rae says. Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press Files Ali Hassan's comedy show Muslim Interrupted arrives April 5; it's one of two shows with themes related to the Muslim culture. SUPPLIED Comedian Nikki Payne
By Press Trust of India: From Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Feb 28 (PTI) Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda today asked Madhesis to participate in the local elections and warned against secessionist forces trying to divide the country using the dissenting parties.

Prachanda said that the local elections and the process of Constitution amendment would go simultaneously.

In a televised address to the nation, Prachanda said that some secessionist forces have been trying to divide the nation using the dissenting parties in Madhes and warned that the government would not tolerate such kind of activities under any circumstances.

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"The government was compelled to announce the date for civic polls after the main opposition CPN-UML did not allow the House to discuss the Constituent amendment bill though the original plan was to announce the date for the polls after addressing the issues of the Madhesi, Janajati and Tharuhat communities," Prachanda said.

"I want to ensure them [the Madhesi parties] that government is committed to broaden the acceptability of the Constitution and strengthen the national unity ? simultaneously through elections and amendment to the Constitution," he said.

The Madhesi parties, that have been demanding more representation in all state mechanism, are opposing the local body elections slated for May 14.

Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, launched a six-month- long agitation from September 2015 to February last year in which more than 50 people were killed.

Prachanda said the government has been working to bring the Madhes-centric parties on board the elections.

"Election is a big festival in a democracy," the Prime Minister said.

"Therefore, I call all the whole nation to participate in this grand celebration without any doubt, suspicious and fear, but with enthusiasm," he said.

The Prime Minister asked the Madhes-centric parties to use the elections as an opportunity to raise their issues further.

Meanwhile, the United Democratic Madhesi Front has said it would boycott the local elections if their demands were not met through Constitution amendment.

"We wont take part in any election before amendment to the Constitution," said Manish Suman general secretary of Sadbhawana Party, one of the members of the alliance, following a joint meeting of the Madhes-based parties alliance.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong said her country was always ready to support Nepal in implementing the Constitution.

During a meeting with Prime Minister at the his office in Kathmandu, the Chinese envoy said the Nepal-China relationships so far had been very cordial and development projects in Nepal being carried out with Chinese support had been moving ahead in a satisfactory manner.

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The Prime Minister said that the government was committed to holding the polls as per schedule and asked for Chinas help for the same. PTI SBP NSA AKJ NSA

--- ENDS ---
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/02/2017 (2077 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Eilise Marten is at a fertility centre in Toronto, getting an ultrasound. Her wife, Leslie, is stroking her hair. Marten is holding up a selfie stick and is Facetiming with Philippe Robert and Philippe Malo, so that the couple  whom she has affectionately dubbed the Phils  can see their daughters heart beat for the first time, from Montreal.

Marten is having the Phils baby. Shes their surrogate. And in that moment, they are every bit the poster of a modern family.

Theirs is just one of the stories told in Having Our Baby: The Surrogacy Boom, an hour-long documentary from Vancouver filmmaker Nick Orchard that debuts on the Documentary Channel tonight.

SUPPLIED Heather Chaput (left) and the Geislers

Surrogacy is an complex and provocative topic, yet one often shrouded in ignorance. Over two years, Orchard gathered perspectives from a variety of experts  including fertility counsellors, lawyers, ethicists, academics, psychologists, politicians, journalists, as well as families themselves  in an attempt to tease apart the many intertwining issues of surrogacy. And, as he quickly learned, surrogacy is rapidly evolving. We have a lot of film we didnt use, he says with a laugh.

The title of the documentary was going to be Reproductive Tourism and the Surrogacy Boom.

What caught my attention back then was parents from Canada travelling to India or Mexico or Thailand in order to have their children, Orchard says. It struck me as an ethical dilemma. Youre desperate to to have a child, and you go to one of the poorer countries in the world. And one could say, Heres these wealthy people who are exploiting women who might have no choice but to be a surrogate. 

Indeed, the so-called womb-for-rent industry has attracted criticism and concern. But while many women say its a win-win for them and the families they work for, the industry is not immune to abuses and controversies and, about a year into the making of the documentary, Thailand and India began closing their borders to foreign parents seeking surrogates.

Orchards focus turned to surrogacy in Canada  which, incidentially, has emerged as an attractive option for foreign couples, thanks to muddy legislation within the Assisted Human Reproduction Act.

Unlike other countries, it is illegal to pay surrogates for their services in Canada. Surrogates may only claim expenses.

Theres a whole grey area over what these expenses could be, because the government, when they created the legislation, were supposed to follow it up with further guidelines that would tell you what was allowable and was not allowable as an expense, Orchard explains. Instead, the department that was set up to monitor the Assisted Human Reproduction Act was disbanded and everyone was left not knowing which way to go. That created a lot of paranoia. There are still surrogacy agencies operating out there worried theyre going to get a knock on the door.

Heather Chaput, 29, is another surrogate featured in the documentary. The Edmonton mother of two says she has wanted to be a surrogate since she was 12, and she began the process of becoming one after having her own kids.

She says people have a hard time wrapping their minds around the idea that shed want to carry a baby for a stranger, and for free.

SUPPLIED The Phils and Eilise Marten.

A lot of people dont know anything about surrogacy, so when they hear youre a surrogate, the first question is How much did you get paid? Chaput says. The answer is nothing. Some people dont believe you. Like, theres no way youd be doing this to not get paid. A lot of people are like, Youre an angel, youre doing this amazing thing. But I do it because I like being pregnant, it makes me feel good. Which is hard for a lot of people to understand, especially if theyve never had a good pregnancy. Everyone looks at you like youre crazy.

Sarah Geisler, 35, and her husband Jason turned to surrogacy after she was in a car crash shortly after they started trying for their second child. They chose Chaput as their surrogate. Chaput was whats called a gestational surrogate, which means she has no genetic connection to the child  the most common type of surrogacy. The egg and sperm came from the Geislers, Chaput supplied the uterus. Traditional surrogacy, wherein the surrogate mother also supplies the egg, is legal but less common.

The sheer amount of ignorance we encountered  people just had no concept of what it was, and any knowledge they had came from American TV, Geisler says. Most people assumed that they got paid and it was really expensive for us, and they were surprised we were had a relationship with our surrogate since we met her.

The Geislers continue to have a relationship with Chaput and her family which, while not a requirement, was important to both parties. It horrifies me to find out that there are families that cut all ties with their surrogate once they have a baby, Geisler says. Its not fair to take up that much of someones life and then throw them away.

While Chaput was carrying the Geislers baby, she developed pre-eclampsia and had to deliver early. When they had to induce, I felt like I failed, Chaput says. They picked me. Im supposed to be a healthy uterus to grow their baby, and then their baby had to be induced earlier because I failed. Thats not a good feeling.

The Geislers dont see it as a failing; they took home a healthy baby girl last May. Chaput is planning to be a surrogate again, after she gets the OK from doctors and specialists.

She hopes viewers come away from the documentary with a better understanding of why some women might choose to be a surrogate.

A lot of the information about surrogacy is about protecting the surrogates  theyre impoverished, theyre uneducated, they dont know what theyre doing, and theyre being exploited. I hope this documentary shows that Im not any of those things. Im a middle-class, college-educated woman who is happily married with her own family. I just wanted to do it to help people.

SUPPLIED Documentary filmmaker Nick Orchard

Orchard and Geisler, meanwhile, hope the documentary puts pressure on the federal government to revisit the Assisted Human Reproduction Act.

I would like to see the laws change so that you can pay surrogate mothers, Orchard says. Especially since everyone else in the process is making money  the agencies, the lawyers, the clinics. Everyone is making money except the surrogate.

Theres a lot more to the process and issue than what they see, Geisler says. It also has some kinks that need to be worked out as more people turn to it as an option. Its not great for supporting surrogates. It doesnt need to be to the point where youre paying them $100,000 as they do in the States, but I certainly shouldnt be criminalized if I wanted to buy Heather a gift for pushing out my baby. Its a strange system and it would be nice if there was more of a push to improve it.

jen.zoratti@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @JenZoratti

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.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 27/02/2017 (2078 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Confession time: I dont actually watch the Academy Awards, finding all that glamour exhausting. On Sunday night, I was actually reading an unglamorous novel when my teenaged daughter burst into the room to tell me that La La Lands expected Best Picture win had been first announced and then abruptly renounced, revealing the nights real champion to be Moonlight.

My daughter had come across this gobsmacking news on social media, and my first thought was that it must be a baseless Internet rumour, a bit of pop-culture wish fulfilment from film fans who felt  understandably  that Moonlight, a timely-as-hell drama about a young gay African American man, deserved the Oscar gold over the lovely but ultimately piffling La La Land.

I immediately searched for confirmation by real journalists. And, yes, the report was true, and not just fake news. I resisted watching the Oscar ceremony footage for myself, though. Just the thought of it made me blush with second-hand awkwardness.

Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Jordan Horowitz holds up the envelope that reveals "Moonlight" as the true winner of the award for best picture at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

When I braced myself to sit through the whole announcement switcheroo, my initial impression was of an absolutely blinding blunder, a mortifying mistake. Armed with uncomfortable foreknowledge, I watched Warren Beattys initial hesitation at reading something he sensed was off.

I witnessed the oblivious La La Land gang making inspirational, spouse-thanking speeches, even as a fluster of unease spread through the background. Eventually this disquiet reached the guy at the microphone with the news that La La Land was out and Moonlight was in.

Beatty, that silver-haired icon of Old Hollywood, bore the first wave of blame, even though the real culprits seem to have been PricewaterhouseCoopers accountants and some massively faulty paperwork. It didnt help that Jimmy Kimmel temporarily abdicated his hosting duties by looking like he wanted to disappear into a hole in the floor.

My first knee-jerk emotional reaction, then, was embarrassment.

My second and lasting feeling, however, was that the whole moment was, in its messed-up way, perfect and poetic. The Oscars, which are usually a smug and repetitive round of black-tie back-patting, were suddenly transformed into something unpredictable and indelible.

Years from now, the Wrong Envelope Debacle will be remembered for the grace and generosity of everyone involved, losers and winners alike. (Clearly, all those sub-Trumpian allusions to the need for unity and empathy and simple human understanding paid off.)

Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP Audience reacts to "Moonlight" being announced as best picture winner at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

While it must have been hard on the La La Land crew, this topsy-turvy victory was a genuine Hollywood Ending, an underdog story with a twist in its tail that would have seemed improbable on the page but on this surreal night leapt into strange and startling actuality.

Moonlight didnt just win. It won in a way that will forever upstage other Oscar winners, not just audience favourites but even against-all-odds upsets.

Its crazy coronation as Best Picture also framed  in the most dramatic way possible  the contrast between two kinds of films. The first Oscar ceremony in the age of Trumpism became a potent reminder that maybe its time to put aside wistful nostalgia and insular escapism and embrace a difficult and urgent examination of contemporary truths.

Moonlight is about race, class and masculinity. Its about identity and community. Its the kind of small, tough, complex film that too often gets overlooked.

Sundays historic envelope snafu means that it wont be overlooked anymore.

alison.gillmor@freepress.mb.ca

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Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Jeremy Kleiner, from left, Adele Romanski and Barry Jenkins, winners of the award for best picture for "Moonlight", pose in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 27/02/2017 (2078 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg is set to join the ranks of some other international smart cities in hosting a prestigious conference on the digital connected world this fall.

The 25 year-old Global Forum/Shaping the Future conference has never been held in Canada and only once in North America over the past decade, that time in Washington.

Sylviane Toporkoff, the CEO of the Paris-based organization that organizes the annual conference  with expected attendance of more than 300 by-invitation-only experts  was in Winnipeg this week to work on plans for the Oct. 1 to 3 conference.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Sylviane Toporkoff, president of Global Forum/Shaping The Future, said the organization holds its events in cities that benefit from its presence.

We are very proud to come to Winnipeg, said Toporkoff, who is a partner and founder of the organization that runs the conference. We go to a city where we think there are benefits for the global forum experts who attend and where it would also be a benefit to the community where we are going.

The Global Forum has become an important event for high-level government, private sector and academic collaboration and networking.

Toporkoff said she has been told it is one of only two annual events not specifically focused on security to which the U.S. Department of Defence sends high-level delegates.

Sylvie Albert, the dean of the faculty of business and economics at the University of Winnipeg  co-sponsor of the Winnipeg event along with Economic Development Winnipeg  said there was competition from at least two other Canadian cities and several European locations for the 2017 conference.

We put in our proposal and we were successful, she said. Were very excited to be able to showcase lots of the things we are doing here.

Last years conference, held in Eindhoven, Netherlands, included presentations on digital infrastructure, cyber-security and e-health.

Toporkoff said for the first few years the forum dealt mostly with telecommunications issues but now that government, health care and industry are so dependant on digitization the forum has expanded.

Digitization issues around the world have become more crucial over time, she said. For instance (digital) security is now so important. Without it businesses cannot grow. Even in the city (governments) cannot work clearly with the citizens without security.

So-called industry 4.0 is now an ongoing discussion, e-health and the concept of smart cities are on-going issues the forum addresses.

Toporkoff said agri-business applications will be included in the Winnipeg event as well as issues around artificial intelligence and machine learning  a field of enterprise that is of growing interest in Winnipeg with the development of the Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative.

Landing such a conference that will bring leading thinkers from around the world in a field with such strategic importance is a bit of coup for the city.

Collaborating with the University of Winnipeg to convince the Global Forum that Winnipeg is an exceptional setting for its 2017 digitalization conference is a step forward in the citys efforts to raise its international ICT profile, said Dayna Spiring president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg. Im certain delegates will be wowed by Winnipegs ability to compete with the world within an ever-evolving sector.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/02/2017 (2077 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SEATTLE  The company that owns the rights to the Nokia phone brand is going old school, releasing an updated take on a feature phone that predates the smartphone revolution.

The new Nokia, which is owned by private equity-controlled HMD Global, unveiled an updated Nokia 3310 before this weeks Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona. The first model of that phone was released in 2000.

The updated version comes with the classic Snake game, promises a battery that lasts a month on standby and comes in flashier colours than the original subdued grey-and-blue edition. It will be available beginning in the second quarter, starting at US$52, or 49 euros.

Emilio Morenatti / The Associated Press Arto Nummela, CEO at HMD Global, shows the new re-launched Nokia 3310 phone, ahead of Mondays opening of the Mobile World Congress wireless show in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. Finland-based HMD Global is re-launching the simple Nokia 3310 model along with unveiling three new devices at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Alas, the phone, tied to 2G mobile networks, wont browse the web very fast. And forget about GPS navigation or smartphone-type apps.

The original 3310 was released when Nokia was the No. 1 mobile phone brand in the world, before Apples iPhone and devices running Googles Android made smartphones a must-have.

Mobile World Congress (MWC), the venue for many major mobile-technology announcements, marks Nokias return to the scene after the disastrous two years that Microsoft controlled Nokias handset unit.

Microsoft laid off most of the Nokia employees that came with the US$7.9-billion 2014 deal to buy the Finnish companys handset unit, wrote down virtually the entire value of the deal and shuttered factories from China to Hungary.

The Seattle-area company in May sold HMD Global the rights to make Nokia feature phones, such as the 3310 that lack smartphone-like capabilities, for US$350 million.

HMD also licensed the Nokia brand name from the Finnish company for use on smartphones and tablets, and MWC marks the debut of three Android-powered smartphones bearing the Nokia name: the Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3.

 The Seattle Times
"If the BJP has names of our ministers and legislators, they should make them public and hand them over to the Special Investigation Team to help in the probe", said Nitish.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday dared opposition BJP to come out with names of its ministers and legislators involved in the multi-crore employment scam. After Sudhir Kumar, chairman of Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC), admitted that several politicians from the ruling party used to seek favour from him for appointment of candidates in government jobs, BJP has alleged that there are at least 9 ministers and more than 2 dozen legislators from the JD-U who had sought favours to get plum posts.

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"If the BJP has names of our ministers and legislators, they should make them public and hand them over to the Special Investigation Team to help in the probe", said Nitish.

Backing the SIT probe in the job scam, Nitish rejected the demand of the Opposition for a CBI investigation. He said he was of the opinion that CBI probes were instituted only to hamper the police investigation. Citing the examples of journalist Rajdev Ranjan murder case and Brahmeshwar Mulhiya murder case which were handed over to the CBI, Nitish said that there had been absolutely no progress in these cases so far.

CBI PROBES HAMPER POLICE INVESTIGATION: NITISH

"I think CBI probes are set up to hamper police investigation. If BJP is alleging that the ruling party can interfere with SIT probe, the Centre can also interfere with CBI probe on the same lines. The SIT is capable of doing a fair investigation and I am sure they will not frame or protect anyone", said the Bihar Chief Minister.

Nitish further asserted that he had never indulged in the politics of framing or protecting anyone. Commenting on the government-IAS association impasse following the arrest of Sudhir Kumar in connection with the job scam, Chief Minister said he had still not received any memorandum from the IAS association regarding the BSSC Chairman. The IAS association, as a mark of protest, has also refused to take verbal orders from the Chief Minister.

DMs, PRINCIPAL SECRETARIES BOYCOTTED MEETING

Interestingly, all the district magistrates and Principal Secretaries of all departments boycotted the meeting through video conferencing convened by the Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar on Tuesday. Nitish said he would soon take action in this case.

"I will read the memorandum and after reviewing it, I will take action which will be a milestone in the field of governance", Nitish said.

Nitish, who was replying to the Motion of Thanks on Governor's address on the first day of the budget session, said he was sitting on the Chief Minister's chair not just to sit but to act.

Also read | BSSC chairman Sudhir Kumar arrested in connection with multi-crore job scam

--- ENDS ---
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/02/2017 (2077 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Imagine for a moment that Canadas largest trading partner was a country in which buying domestically was enforced by law.

Imagine trade surpluses and total exports were its only measures of success in trade and that its companies were beholden to national interests rather than to market forces.

Imagine its head of state personally profited from policy decisions and that its bunker mentality was so entrenched that self-sufficiency had become official economic policy.

ANDREW HARRER / BLOOMBERG files U.S. President Donald Trump listens as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the White House earlier this month. There are concerns Trumps America First policy could hurt trade relations between the two countries.

Sound familiar?

The trading partner being described is, in fact, the former Kingdom of France. And yes, throughout the better part of the 17th and 18th centuries, it was Canadas largest trading partner, whose protectionist economic policies paved the way for the European settlement of Canada.

State monopolies were created for the monarchs personal benefit, imports were met with astronomical tariffs at the border and the objective of international trade was to win by hoarding the gold earned through the export of exclusively domestic goods.

Canadas first European settlers were obligated to sell fur to the kings company at fixed prices and, for a time, were legally bound to stay within their settlements to limit the supply of animal pelts arriving in France. Free enterprise was therefore stifled and personal freedom was constrained by law for government profit. These details are mostly lost in the romance of the Festival du Voyageur.

This system, devised by the French at the apex of their power, was called mercantilism. Its underlying principle was to make France great again by extending the power of the king to the realm of economics. There was therefore no distinction between the national interest and the national economy, thereby consolidating the absolute power of the monarchy in French society. As King Louis XIV stated, LEtat, cest moi or I am the state.

But far from being a situation confined to the history books, the underlying principles of mercantilism are once again making a comeback in the populist rhetoric espoused by political leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump. For example, he is using the power of the executive branch to demand that American trade deficits be reduced or eliminated and that tariffs be introduced to imports from countries with whom they have free trade agreements. Moreover, he feels compelled to intervene directly when a domestic company wants to integrate its supply chains across international borders.

Through this analytical lens, goods produced for domestic consumption should be produced domestically  a logic that would devastate the U.S. economy if applied in every major economy in the world, let alone the egregious opportunity costs it would entail for American companies themselves.

The core issue is the age-old question of whether state intervention in the economy creates the most wealth for society at large, or whether the free market can obtain better results. In other words: what creates the most wealth for nations?

That is precisely the question Adam Smith tackled in his timeless classic, The Wealth of Nations. He explicitly rebuked the illogic of mercantilist policies and pinpointed the eventual consequences of centralizing economic power into the hands of governments and their monopolies.

These consequences include the misallocation of resources (high opportunity costs), a massive increase in corruption, the curtailing of individual freedoms and a scandalous level of inequality throughout society.

Each of these contributed significantly to the collapse of the Ancien Regime (old regime or order) in France, a country whose post-revolutionary rebirth eventually gave the world a model constitutional democracy.

Smith eloquently argued the free market was better constructed to handle the complexity of modern economies in order to raise the standard of living for its actors and famously concluded that the invisible hand of individual action had more social benefit than the state alone could muster.

While the appropriate level of state intervention can always be subject to debate, history has demonstrated that Smith was largely correct in his analysis. Free trade is better for society as a whole, as mercantilist tendencies inhibit economic growth and individual freedom. The executive branch should therefore tread carefully in business.

With the United States also at the apex of its power, the time is right to once again invoke Smiths truisms in matters of free trade. The country has greatly benefited from his principles and must refrain from retreating into an economic system in which the warm embrace of central authority masks the chaos it risks unleashing on society.

Current American malaise is not due to problems with wealth creation and trade, but with its redistribution  an issue that requires a different kind of rethink.

Mariette Mulaire is the president and CEO of the World Trade Centre Winnipeg. She also represents Manitoba by serving as a member on the World Trade Centers Association board of directors.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/02/2017 (2077 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Shopping for a wildlife safari is like taking a multiple-choice exam. You know the right answer is there on the page somewhere but they all seem so appealing.

Most safari operators guarantee face time with animals and birdlife but those assurances come with varying degrees of viewer comfort, species diversity and proximity.

Options range from the traditional group tours  people of all ages and interests sharing vehicles, lodging and meals  to customized luxury trips built around singles, couples, family groups or other self-selected combinations pursuing their own interests.

This Sept. 6, 2016 photo taken on Hunda Island in Botswana's Moremi Game Reserve, shows a Greater Kudu with a Red-Billed Oxpecker gleaning ticks from its back. It had just emerged from a forested area to graze. The grasslands of Botswana's Moremi Game Reserve attract many species of grazing animals. (Dean Fosdick via AP)

But when you add it all up, the best safaris for the money generally are those tailored primarily for photographers. Photo tours may be priced slightly higher than the traditional treks but then they provide more value.

Some aspects to consider:

Fewer travellers per group means you can go more places. When participation is limited to as few as a half-dozen people, everyone has a window seat and an opportunity to find the right camera angle. More hands-on instruction is available from the expedition leaders, many of whom are professional photographers.

Photo tours move at a slower pace. Every person has a chance to get that cover photo for his or her album.

Operators of photo tours use different modes of transportation ranging from safari vehicles and dugout canoes to helicopters and small planes. That provides dramatic wildlife viewing no matter what the terrain.

Many photo tour outfitters provide camps in leased areas known for their unique wildlife abundance rather than simply supplying hotel rooms near nature preserves. Game drives originating from these private leaseholds mean less viewing congestion from other safari vehicles when animals are spotted.

Photo tours dont operate on an 8 a.m.-to-5 p.m. schedule. They depart when lighting is at its best, the so-called golden hours of early morning and late afternoon. That also happens to be when temperatures are more comfortable  a major consideration if travelling in Africa, India or the Galapagos Islands.

Another difference between traditional safaris and photo tours is group composition, said Court Whelan, director of Conservation Travel Programs for Natural Habitat Adventures, an ecotourism company in Boulder, Colorado.

On a normal trip, its not as easy to initiate conversations about technical details but most people on photo trips are interested in elevating their photography, he said. They have different styles. Different eyes. It makes for good sharing.

More people are choosing photo trips these days because equipment quality has improved and they can gather their own images rather than buy them, Whelan said.

On a photo tour, if somebody wants that perfect lighting on a landscape, theyll get it, he said. Theyre not only chasing things down but theyre also waiting for things to come to them.

Working with smaller groups is more rewarding for everyone because they can sit down together and analyze their work, said Ona Basimane, a photojournalist who also serves as a Natural Habitat expedition leader in his native Botswana.

In a photo trip, interpretation is more toward helping people anticipate the animals next move so they can always be ready to take a picture, Basimane said. So one gets the benefit of learning about behaviour but also getting to take good images.

The National Geographic Society, which has shaped its reputation in large part around world-class photography, also offers world-class photo tours.

The signature of National Geographic photo tours is that were more exploratory in nature, we emphasize cultural groups and were led by staff photographers, said Molly Danner, a program director for the companys Expeditions group.

We provide organized photo shoots and the kinds of access that people might not be able to get on their own, Danner said. Berbers in Morocco. Masai villages in Africa. Traditional festivals and camel fairs in India. Our trips are designed to maximize photo opportunities for people along the way.

Photo tours usually arent a good fit for young children but they do accommodate people from all skill levels, Danner said. We try to cater to people who have different kinds of goals and who want special access to travelling with National Geographic photographers.

Having a professional photographer along can yield great results from the unexpected.

A colleague of Danners, for example, recently returned from a photo trek raving about how she had been able to get a great shot because the National Geographic photographer stopped the bus for a scene he wanted to capture, Danner said. He was able to offer a spontaneous opportunity along with some insights. It became her favourite moment and the favourite picture from the trip.

___

You can contact Dean Fosdick at deanfosdick@netscape.net
Winonas Planning Commission signed off on plans to give the citys elementary schools local historic designation Monday, saying that it fit with the citys comprehensive plan.

The Planning Commission approved the proposed local designation, which will later move to the City Council.

The commission found that in addition to fitting with the comprehensive plan, giving the buildings a local historic designation wouldnt have an adverse effect on the surrounding neighborhoods and wouldnt disrupt other planning activities.

The approval was unanimous, with commission members Brad Ballerd, Mandi Olson, LaVerne Olson and Ed Hahn not in attendance.

Though it was unanimously supported, some commissioners did say they that they didnt like that the schools were grouped in the discussion.

Commission member Craig Porter said they may not all fit in with their neighborhoods the same way, or contribute the same qualities to the city, Jefferson Elementary in particular.

My problem is lumping them all together, Porter said.

The issue has been part of an ongoing discussion about the future of the schools.

After 18 months of study and deliberation, the Winona Area Public Schools board voted in mid-December to expand and renovate Jefferson and Goodview elementary schools, while closing Rollingstone, Madison, Washington-Kosciusko buildings. The latter two are in Winonas city limits and fall under the discussion of historic designation.

That plan is estimated to save $1.5 million annually at a time when both money and student head counts are at a premium for the district.

The Heritage Preservation Commission had voted unanimously this summer to recommend the historical designation

The buildings are currently on the national historic register, and were all constructed between 1930 and 1938.

A local designation would also give the city, likely both the commission and city council, a hand in considering and approving further uses that the bodies wouldnt have otherwise.

Changes to the outside of the buildings or grounds would require a certificate of appropriateness approved by the city, and demolition would require approval of the council, with a recommendation of the commission.

If the buildings continued with just the national historic designation, they would just need an environmental assessment worksheet prior to development.

Peter Shortridge, a member of both the Planning Commission and Heritage Preservation Commission, said that the process looks at them individually, and the designation wouldnt have to be a damper on development but could help by opening possibilities for government aid in development.

If theyre to be repurposed or if theyre to be demolished, then theres a discussion that has to take place, Shortridge said. This actually helps that aspect of it.

A final decision by the City Council require a super-majority approval of five or more council members, after a public hearing.

The designation is likely to be included in the Heritage Preservation Meeting March 8 before moving to the City Council in early-April with a recommendation.

The commission also received an update on the development code, which is also getting nearer to the end of its process. A second draft of expected in mid-March.

Carlos Espinosa, city planner, said the Planning Commission is on schedule to have a public hearing in April, with an ordinance approving the update going before the council and another public hearing in May.

That would put the final approval for adoption in June.

If theyre to be repurposed or if theyre to be demolished, then theres a discussion that has to take place. This actually helps that aspect of it. Peter Shortridge, a member of both the Planning Commission and Heritage Preservation Commission
ST. PAUL  After years of steep and worrisome declines, Minnesotas moose population is showing signs of stabilizing  but that doesnt mean the creatures are out of the woods yet, state conservation officials said Monday.

The state estimates 3,710 moose live in the northeastern part of the state based on aerial surveys done last month. Thats statistically unchanged from the estimate of 4,020 a year ago, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said, noting the inherent challenge of trying to count every animal.

At this point, results do not indicate that moose are recovering in northeastern Minnesota, DNR moose project leader Glenn DelGiudice said in a statement.

While it is encouraging to see that the decline in the population since 2012 has not been as steep, he added, the apparent stability does not allow us to forecast the direction of the populations trajectory into the future.

The DNR said research suggests the recent signs of stability could have resulted from higher calf survival. Calf survival in recent years has reached 40 percent, compared to only 24 percent when the DNR launched a moose calf mortality study in 2013.

Adult moose have also survived at slightly greater rates in recent years. The DNR said its moose mortality research project shows that survival of adult moose has remained between 85 and 88 percent from 2014 to 2016, a bit higher than the average of 81 percent during 2002 to 2008, and 81 percent in 2013.

Each year the population estimate is compared to 2006, because the states highest moose population estimate of 8,840 occurred that year. Currently, northeastern Minnesotas moose population is estimated to be 58 percent lower than in 2006, the DNR added.

The DNR launched a landmark study four years ago to try to determine what is killing the states moose at such an alarming rate. Much remains unknown. What is known: Factors including infections, parasites and other health issues are killing moose and predisposing them to being preyed on by wolves, the department said.

Researchers are heartened by the recent stability of the moose population, but the DNR has seen a similar pattern before on the opposite side of the state, in the moose herd that used to number more than 4,000 animals in northwestern Minnesota.

In the mid-1980s, DelGiudice said in an interview, that herds population began to decline. But it wasnt a consistent drop.

It would have short, multi-year intervals of stability, he said, and then a sharp decline. Then another short interval of stability, and then a sharp decline.

Ultimately, the northwestern herd entered a steep, final plunge that resulted in fewer than 100 moose by 2007.

DelGiudice stressed the herd in northwest Minnesota differed in significant ways from the population in northeastern Minnesota.

The habitat on the western side of the state included more wetlands and agricultural land, whereas the landscape in the Arrowhead region more closely resembles the mooses core range in Canada.

Still, he said the DNR is not ignoring the pattern.

I do think theres a lot of reason to be concerned about the future if we dont take some steps to turn things around for moose, said Mike Schrage, a wildlife biologist with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa who helped with the survey.

Schrage said issues like climate change, wolf predation, habitat loss caused by a decline in timber harvesting, and deer populations all have impacts on Minnesotas moose.

Im glad to see things have stabilized, Schrage said. But it would have been nice to see a few more. Thats what most people would like to see with our moose herd  numbers going back up.
Comparisons between President Donald Trump and Adolph Hitler often strike me as far-fetched, overwrought and occasionally, semi-hysterical.

But its worth noting that Hitler did not become Hitler overnight. Evil can afford to take its time. It often moves by tiny increments, barely noticeable even to those living in the middle of it.

Some of the signs are ominous. The great dictators of the 20th century depended on the force of their personalities rather than policy, and their lifeblood was grievance. They managed to convince a critical mass of their populations that their troubles were the result of the transgressions of others, particularly those of other races and religions.

They repressed and compromised the free press. They depended on lies until the notion of objective fact began to lose all meaning. They relied on emotions  love of country, hatred of the other  rather than on ideas. They loved rallies and passionate speeches.

They militarized their societies. When we think of the great totalitarians of the last century  Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Tojo  we nearly always picture them in uniform.

Does any of this sound like Donald Trump? You dont have to be hysterical to find Trumps attitude toward the free press, for example, to be alarming. Recently he called the press the enemy of the people, evidently naive about the totalitarian heritage of that phrase.

Trump has threatened to open up our libel laws, and last week the White House took the extraordinary step of banning disfavored news organizations from Press Secretary Sean Spicers daily briefing.

Trumps contempt for the press complements his lack of regard for accuracy, and he relies much more on passion than on policy, ideas or facts.

And while, except for his prep school days, its hard to imagine Trump in uniform, he has surrounded himself with generals. Recently he referred  maybe in a Freudian slip  to the deportation surge as a military operation.

Trump told the president of Mexico that if he couldnt control the bad hombres south of the border, Trump would send U.S. troops to do the job. If he was joking, it was an ominous, revealing joke.

Theres much more. But are we on the verge of a Reichian regime? Lets not get carried away, just yet.

But last summer my Jewish wife and I visited Sachsenhausen, a lesser-known former concentration camp north of Berlin. Our German guide, Jens, showed us the camp headquarters, the parade ground, the reconstructed barracks, the gas chambers and the ovens. Its a bleak, dreary place, a grim monument to what happens when nationalism and hate go mad.

Jens provided an insight into the pace of evil: When Sachsenhausen was built in 1936, it was represented as a labor camp, in a positive, aspirational sense. Its gate bore the same sign as the gate at Auschwitz: Arbeit macht frei: Work sets you free.

Sachsenhausen took in the unemployed  there were many in Germany in 1936  and gave them work and taught them a trade. A few were released to demonstrate the camps effectiveness. Over time, the camp began to incarcerate petty criminals, drug addicts and the homeless. From there it was only a short step to homosexuals, Romani, prisoners of war and, of course, Jews. Many thousands died at Sachsenhausen.

Jens said that the Germans could accept the notorious concentration camps that came later only by accepting them a little at a time.

So how do you round up and deport 11 million otherwise law-abiding undocumented workers? You start with the bad ones, the gang members, the murderers and rapists. As Trump says, those are the ones who go first. Who could object to that?

But the word first is important. Evil is incremental. It always starts a little at a time.

Germany did not become Nazi Germany overnight. Im certain that many average Germans were surprised and mortified to wake up one morning and realize what their country had gradually become.
By Press Trust of India: From Yoshita Singh

New York, Feb 28 (PTI) By keeping mum on the killing of an Indian engineer in Kansas, President Donald Trump has "stoked" hate crime in America, a leading US daily has said, warning that his silence will "damage" the vitality and strength of the country.

"President Trump and his administration have not only tried to keep many immigrants and foreign visitors out of the country, they have done so by casting them as criminals, potential terrorists and trespassers, out to steal the jobs and threaten the lives of Americans," the New York Times said yesterday in its editorial Who Belongs in Trumps America?

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"Rather than tamp down hate, the president has stoked it," it said. "He has not said anything about the Kansas shooting," the paper added.

32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was working in aviation systems for Olathe-based Garmin Ltd, died after he was shot by navy veteran Adam Purinton who, according to witnesses, yelled "get out of my country" and "terrorist" at a Kansas bar last Wednesday night before opening fire.

The NYT said while each act of hate is easily explained away as the work of a disturbed person, had these attacks been perpetrated by a Muslim or an undocumented immigrant, Trump would surely have claimed that he was right all along.

The editorial referred to the question "do we belong" posed by Srinivas Kuchibhotlas wife Sunayana Dumala after the killing of her husband.

The Trump administration has an "obligation" to convince people like Dumala that they do belong here, it said, adding that Dumala and millions of other members of minorities are "integral" to the US, which is almost entirely made up of immigrants and their descendants.

"If Trump does nothing, he will enable the perpetrators of hate crimes and he will damage the vitality and strength of the country," it said.

The editorial slammed Trump for being "shockingly slow" to condemn acts of hate perpetrated across the country following his election, saying his "denunciations of and policies" targeting Mexicans, Muslims and others have "reawakened and energized the demons of bigotry."

"... this history might not comfort marginalised groups who hear the administrations words and see what is happening in this country and wonder if it is safe to stay here, or come here," it said.

It said as hate crimes and other incidents of bias have flared up in Trumps America, Kuchibhotlas "murder" is one end of a continuum of hate and elsewhere, people have defiled or threatened violence at Jewish cemeteries and synagogues.

The NYT said Trump can learn from Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old who confronted the Kansas killer and was injured.

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In a video from his hospital bed, Grillot said: "I was just doing what anyone should have done for another human being. Its not about where he was from or his ethnicity." PTI YAS AMS AKJ AMS

--- ENDS ---
State funds will cover half the cost of widening the main runway at the airport serving the Baraboo area.

The cost of widening the runway 25 feet prompted two of the four municipalities that once owned the airport to relinquish their shares. At a meeting of the remaining owners Monday, leaders learned the state Bureau of Aeronautics had changed its mind about sharing the cost of that project, and will cover half.

Cheryl Giese, who coordinates airport operations for the city of Baraboo, got the surprise news last week during a meeting with Bureau of Aeronautics Director David Greene. I think we were all kind of in shock, she said.

The cost of widening the runway from 75 to 100 feet  estimated at $750,000  prompted the city of Wisconsin Dells and the town of Delton to give up their ownership shares last year. With the state pledging $375,000 in support, the two remaining ownersthe city of Baraboo and village of Lake Delton  will shoulder a smaller-than-expected burden. Those two municipalities supported widening the runway to generate commerce and promote safety.

John Webb, president of the Lake Delton Village Board, wondered aloud whether the former owners wouldve withdrawn if the state had pledged support from the beginning. If that news had come out before, that might have changed the outcome, he said.

Engineers designing the improved runway have not yet encountered any budget surprises, said Mark Graczykowski of MSA Professional Services, who delivered a progress report Monday. While handing out a preliminary rendering of the expanded runway, he said cost estimates remain largely unchanged.

The $3.7 million reconstruction calls for repaving and widening the runway, and replacing safety lights. Reconstruction is needed because the base beneath the existing 5,000-foot runway pavement is substandard. It was last rebuilt in 1991.

Work is slated to begin next year and take about four months, closing the airport for the duration. Much of the reconstruction funding will be covered by the Federal Aviation Administration, with some local cost-sharing and a contribution from the state Bureau of Aeronautics.

In addition to discussing the status of the runway project, the airports owners voted to rename the facility. Given that the Baraboo-Dells airport sees more traffic than nearby counterparts north of Madison, its owners sought to reflect its regional draw. At the same time, they opted not to remove Dells from the name, despite Wisconsin Dells withdrawal.

It kind of names the area, Webb said.

Giese said the new name could soon adorn the airports sign, which will need maintenance this year.
Students at New Lisbon Elementary School were rewarded for their commitment to reading with a special presentation Monday.

Local illustrator Jason Gerke and Wisconsin childrens author Amanda Zieba entertained a large crowd of parents and students during New Lisbons annual Literacy Night at the school.

Zieba and Gerke have worked on book projects recently and they shared the fun and creativity of working together with kids at New Lisbon.

Gerke and Zieba created themes and had children pair-up to craft their stories. One student drew while the other wrote. After completing the assignment, Zieba selected teams from the crowd to share their stories.

After the presentation, Gerke stuck around to draw caricatures of students, while Zieba sold and autographed her books. Zieba has published several books for kids and young adults in recent years.

New Lisbon Elementary Reading Specialist Nicole Cilley was pleased to see students rewarded for their hard work. For several weeks, classrooms competed to see how many books and chapters they could read. Students finished with 32,468 books/chapters read and the total was posted in the hallway at the school.

Zieba, who also teaches, was impressed with New Lisbons commitment to reading.

That is a huge testament to your kids, teachers and to you guys at home for making this a priority for your kids, Zieba said. I know as an educator and an author that that work is incredible and I am so thankful that you guys will continue to do that. Thank you for your commitment to reading. You guys should all be very proud.

After the presentation, Zieba and Gerke fielded questions from students and parents. Gerke was asked when he began drawing and the artist said he probably started when he was two or three-years-old.

Zieba also juggles being a busy mom with her work as a teacher and author. She often spends a large portion of her summers working on book projects and tries to spend two hours every day writing at night, after her kids are in bed.

I decided to self-publish because I wanted that type of creativity over my own work, Zieba said. There are certain days where I wont schedule anything else because I know I have to get work done. If its something you really want to do, you have to schedule the time to get it in.

Zieba is also inspiring adults to write. Through March, Zieba is doing a 30 scenes in 30 days challenge.

Im going to post a prompt a day and throughout the whole month of March you write a scene a day, share it with each other and give feedback, Zieba said.

If you have an idea for a story or a book, but you dont know how to start, this is a way to share your thoughts and ideas with other word nerds that will help you out.

To take part in 30 scenes in 30 days, go to Ziebas website at www.amandazieba.com. The project costs $30.

New Lisbon concluded the event with a book fair where each child received a free book.
WAUPUN  Waupun Area High School art students are combining compassion and creativity to help fight hunger, creating soup bowls and other ceramic art for the Empty Bowls Project.

The event runs from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Waupun City Hall, 201 E. Main St., with proceeds benefiting the Waupun Food Pantry and area charity Reaching Everyone through Actions with Community Hands.

For a $5 to $15 donation, guests make select a handmade ceramic item, along with soup and desserts.

Art teacher Sarah Dobbratz said this is the fourth year the schools art club has participated in the Empty Bowls Project. She said the club usually brings about 200 pieces of art to the event, created by club members after school as a collaborative project.

Nothing is done by one artist, Dobbratz said. Someone throws or builds a bowl, and someone else glazes it.

She said the empty bowl is symbol of hunger.

We do it in city hall. It's such a beautiful space, Dobbratz said.

The event will feature live music.

Macy Woxland has participated in the Empty Bowl Project since it began in Waupun.

It brings the community and the school together, Woxland said.

The event is made possible with support from Helens Kitchen, Britain House, Tonys Pizza, Jimmy Johns, Culvers and Waupun Fine Arts.
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Mexico used to send more goods to Wisconsin than our state sent south of the border.

Not anymore.

The latest census numbers show Wisconsin shipped nearly $3 billion worth of products to Mexico in 2015. Thats up 37 percent from 2012. The same Census data counted nearly $2.7 billion in Mexican imports to Wisconsin in 2015, down 10 percent from 2012.

That suggests a Wisconsin trade surplus, though the Census information isnt complete. It doesnt account for foreign goods consolidated in a different state before coming to Wisconsin. Nor does it include, for example, Wisconsins agricultural products that travel down the Mississippi River for export from the port of New Orleans, where they are listed as Louisiana exports.

Nonetheless, Wisconsins trend of exporting more and more products to Mexico is welcome. So is Gov. Scott Walkers attention to expanding trade with this major economic partner.

While Donald Trump was trashing free trade agreements last year, Walker responsibly led a mission to Mexico to expand Wisconsins opportunities. And now the governors Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. is planning another Mexican trade venture for June. The announcement of the trip was well timed last month, coming just days after Trump threatened a large border tax on Mexican goods, risking a trade war.

Trumps reckless approach would only hurt Wisconsins economy by prompting retaliation on our exports. Overall, the U.S. has a $60 billion trade deficit with Mexico for goods. But both nations continue to send more of their best products to each other, narrowing that gap and benefiting all consumers with lower prices.

America enjoys a trade surplus with Mexico on services. And as U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, has pointed out, the U.S. has had a trade surplus in manufacturing, agriculture and services with all 20 countries it has bilateral trade agreements with. That includes Mexico, whose growing middle class wants to buy more of our products.

Both nations win when trade is done right.

Top imports into Wisconsin include clothes, shoes, bicycles and padlocks, according to Census data. Wisconsins top exports include aircraft and motor vehicle parts, computer and diagnostic machines, outboard engines and excavators.

In other words, we tend to produce more sophisticated stuff, so our exports provide more family-sustaining jobs here. And about 40 percent of the parts in a typical Mexican product sent to America originated in America, according to the Department of Commerce.

Trumps protectionist views on trade are bad for Wisconsin, our economy and jobs. Wisconsins congressional delegation  led by House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Janesville  should respect Mexico as an important trading partner and fight to preserve the friendly relationship our nations have fostered.
The state Department of Natural Resources has agreed it will oversee the operation of a recreation trail through Sauk Prairie on a former rail bed, a crucial step in the development of the Great Sauk State Trail.

Great Sauk Trail Commission Chair Marty Krueger, who also chairs the Sauk County Board, said the county expects to sign an agreement with the DNR to include it the states trail system.

The recreational trail will be constructed in three segments with the goal of connecting an existing trail in Dane County to Devils Lake State Park.

Unexpected costly problems have arisen at a critical connecting point though. The defunct Sauk City railroad bridge is planned to serve as the trails crossing point over the Wisconsin River, connecting the trail to Dane County and Middleton.

Over Labor Day weekend in 2016, pier 2 of the Sauk City railroad bridge moved about five feet, essentially throwing everything into chaos, Krueger said. The DNR became reluctant to accept responsibility for extending the trail over the bridge with no solution and no cost determined to fix the problem. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation commissioned divers to look at the failing pier underwater to assess the damage.

Based on the findings, the DNR and DOT agreed it was necessary to remove piers 1, 2 and 3 of the bridge and the connecting spans, at a cost of between $700,000-$800,000. The agencies chose to keep pier 5 and its connecting spans due to the high potential cost of replacement.

It has an old turntable gear that allows the decking on it to be moved and rotated so that watercraft could pass, Krueger said. And because of the steel infrastructure involved, pier 5 would be very costly to remove.

Wisconsin & Southern Railroad is responsible for the bridge and officials have said the company does not have the funds to remove the spans and deconstruct the piers.

I know we have snowmobilers present and bike federation folks who are concerned about this; that is their connection to the county and this trail, Krueger said Feb. 23 during a Great Sauk Trail Commission meeting. There have been continued dialogues to finding a solution both for the removal of that infrastructure and the construction of a recreational trail.

The first of the three planned segments includes a $1.2 million stretch from the Wisconsin River through the villages of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac to the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area. Funding will be split equally among the villages of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac and Sauk County with each contributing $207,500. The town of Prairie du Sac also will pitch in $10,000. An additional $400,000 will come from an Umbrella Stewardship Grant. The remaining $150,000 has yet to be raised. Work is expected to begin in June.

The second segment includes portions of the trail that will traverse the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area and is expected to cost $1.3 million. No funds have been secured for the segment. Krueger said he believes the solution might stem from the next state budget.

DNR parks and recreation specialist Dana White-Quam said the DOT and DNR are committed to finding funding and completing segments two and three.

Regardless of the status of segments two and three, Krueger said moving forward with construction on the first segment is in the best interest of those user groups and Dane County.

I firmly believe us being able to start work and actually build a trail on this side of the river will coalesce a solution with the south side of the river, Krueger said.

Kruger said the full economic impact of the trail wont be realized until all segments are connected.

I dont want the Dane County folks to think just because we are getting our trail on this side of the river, see you guys, good luck  So while we are anxious and happy to be discussing segment one tonight, we are not walking away from segments two and three, Krueger said.

When completed, a proposed fourth segment to the Great Sauk Trail could link the 400 and Elroy-Sparta trails in western Wisconsin to Middleton and the Madison metro areas bicycle network.
By Press Trust of India: From Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Feb 28 (PTI) Outgoing Indian envoy to Nepal Ranjit Rae today called on President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Prachanda and discussed bilateral relations.

Rae paid a courtesy call on the President at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here.

Rae is returning to New Delhi on completion of his three-and-a-half-year tenure in Nepal as the ambassador of India.

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During the meeting, they discussed matters relating to bilateral relations, according to a press release issued by the Presidents office.

Rae also called on Prime Minister Prachanda at the Premiers office.

During the meeting, Prachanda thanked Rae for his effective and balanced role during his tenure as the Indian envoy, according to sources at the Prime Ministers office.

Prime Minister expressed hope that Nepal-India relations will be further strengthened in the days to come, they said. PTI SBP AJR AKJ AJR

--- ENDS ---
A Madison man was sentenced to two years in federal prison Friday for passing counterfeit U.S. currency in numerous places across south-central Wisconsin, including Lake Delton.

Cornelius Stewart, 22, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge William Conley, following a guilty plea to the charge in late November, according to an announcement from John Vaudreuil, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. Stewart also was ordered to pay $7,500 in restitution to the merchants victimized by him and the five-person counterfeiting ring he was suspected of leading.

The Lake Delton Police Department worked directly with other law enforcement agencies in helping to bring Stewart and his co-defendants to justice, Lake Delton Police Chief Dan Hardman said Monday.

Stewarts operation hit 12 Lake Delton-area businesses in early February 2016 along with businesses in Baraboo and other locations in Sauk and Dane counties.

After Stewart and four co-defendants were apprehended a year ago in late February by Janesville police, Lake Delton police worked with other law-enforcement agencies in building a case against Stewart and his co-defendants, Hardman said.

Law enforcement agencies do as much as we can to collaborate, but these are hard cases to catch the bad guys and to prove, Hardman said. All those agencies got together collaboratively and put (the case) together, then the Secret Service came in to help out and this guy got an appropriate sentence.

In handing down the sentence, Conley noted that a term of imprisonment was especially warranted for Stewart because of his leadership role within the group, his previous state-level convictions for possessing and passing counterfeit currency, and his role in manufacturing the counterfeit bills, according to the news release.

Investigating agencies also included the Madison, Baraboo, Stoughton, Verona, Oregon, Fitchburg and Janesville police departments, as well as the Sauk County and Rock County sheriffs offices, all in coordination with the U.S. Secret Service.

The multiple crimes unfolded in Lake Delton in early February 2016 when fake $100 bills were passed at the 12 local businesses, according to a story in Dells Events last March.

Lake Delton police were alerted when money-counting machines detected the fraudulent currency after it was deposited by some of the businesses at the Bank of Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton National Bank.

Janesville police apprehended the group on Feb. 23, 2016, during a shopping spree with counterfeit bills there, the news release said.

Leading the effort for Lake Delton police was detective Shawn Posewitz, Hardman said.

Stewarts co-defendants have all pleaded guilty to federal charges, according to the release. They are Danesha Phillips, 23, Dominique Gaunichaux, 19, Marlo Phillips, 19, and Parish Barbary-Wheatherby, 21, all of Madison. Danesha Phillips and Marlo Phillips will be sentenced on March 21, Gaunichaux on April 6, and Barbary-Wheatherby on April 28.
Mark S. Schoebel

Sparkling blue eyes, a warm and ready smile, an incredibly engaging personality, a quick wit, a spellbinding storyteller, a superb animal handler and trainer, the consummate showman, a talented entrepreneur and businessman, a dreamer who accomplished his dreams, an outstanding teacher; a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. These are just a few highlights accurately describing Mark Schoebel, an incredibly gifted, remarkable and much-loved man, now passed from our lives far too soon. Hundreds of us... literally from Florida to Alaska, from Maine to Hawaii, grieve his untimely passing and cherish gratefully our fond memories of his wonderful impact on our lives.

Mark passed away on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Appleton, while undergoing open-heart surgery. He and his twin sister, Maggie, were born on June 11, 1954, in Fond du Lac, the children of Leslie and Patricia Schoebel. Mark grew up on a family-operated game farm near Princeton, and graduated from Princeton High School in 1972. He and Alice McAfee, the love of Marks life, were married in Green Lake, on April 10, 1976, and began a joint career in the wildlife animal business. Over the years, they built and operated several wildlife parks together and operated a wide variety of animal enterprises throughout the United States. In the past few years, Mark, Alice and their son Matthew, built and operated the Timbavati Wildlife Park in Wisconsin Dells... their realization of Marks lifelong dream.

Mark was a member of the following professional and business organizations; the Zoological Association of America, the Wisconsin Zoo Association (vice president), the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, the Wisconsin Fair Association, the International Association of Fairs and Festivals, the Feline Conservation Federation and the Baraboo Chamber of Commerce.

A man of insatiable curiosity, an avid reader, and an astute observer of life around him, Mark never stopped exploring and enjoying the world. He particularly enjoyed designing, creating and landscaping animal enclosures and displays for his own wildlife parks and for other zoos and parks across the United States. Among the many achievements of Marks incredibly productive career were the four wildlife parks that he designed, built and operated successfully, including the Timbavati Wildlife Park, the consummation of his career. Friends and relatives too numerous to count have enjoyed immensely Marks (sometimes daylong) personal tours of his beautiful wildlife parks... fascinated by the quality and beauty of the displays, the variety and magnificence of the animals and Marks captivating and comprehensive narrative regarding each and every animal, its habits and habitat, its care and feeding, and its own individual peculiarities.

Mark is survived by his wife of 40 years, Alice McAfee Schoebel; his son, Matthew Schoebel and Matts wife, Angie Osting Schoebel; his grandchildren, Emma and Lane Schoebel; seven brothers and sisters, Sue (Wayne) Wightman of Fond du Lac, John (Kris) Schoebel of Princeton, Joe (Tina) Schoebel of Montello, his twin sister, Maggie Schoebel of Princeton, Paul (Lisa) Schoebel of Irvine, California, Betsy Ladwig of Princeton, PJ (Wendy) Schoebel of Beaver Dam; and his sister-in-law, Susan Schoebel of Las Vegas, Nevada. Mark is further survived by 30 nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, a large extended family and countless friends throughout the entire nation. In addition, he is survived by his many in-laws on the McAfee side of the family... all of whom cherish memories of their friendship with Mark and wonderful time spent with him. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Patricia Schoebel; his brothers, Michael and Peter Schoebel; also by his son, Benjamin John Schoebel.

A Funeral Mass for Mark will be held at noon Thursday, March 2, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m., at St. James Catholic Church, 315 N. Main St., Neshkoro. The Rev. Dale Grubba will be conducting the Mass and assisted by the Rev. Mark J. Hensley. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, if you prefer, donations may be made to the family to continue Marks favorite cause of assisting those truly poor and in need of help. Those donations may be mailed to W583 Eagle Road Neshkoro, WI 54960. Please visit our website at www.wachholzandsons.com to send condolences to the family.

Wachholz and Sons Funeral Home Sunset Cremation Center in Princeton (920-295-6631) is serving the family.
By Press Trust of India: Islamabad, Feb 28 (PTI) Head of a Pakistani parliamentary panel has cautioned the government against allowing Chinese trucks to ply along the strategic China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) without getting "something" in return.

"We are giving roads, land and the entire route to Chinese trucks as they were utilised by Nato (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), but on what terms and conditions," chairman of the National Assemblys Standing Committee on Planning and Development Abdul Majeed Khan Khanan Khail said.

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While presiding over a meeting of the committee yesterday, Khail asked what China would give Pakistan for using the USD 46 billion corridor for trade.

"Something would have been decided definitely," he was quoted as saying by Dawn newspaper.

Expressing concern over the safety of roads and their users, he wondered who would bear the cost of maintenance of roads and security on the corridor.

The CPEC, a mega network of roads, rail links, power plants and other infrastructure connecting western Chinas Xinjiang province to Pakistans southern port of Gwadar.

In November last year, China started operating the Gwadar Port which is now connected with northwest Chinas Xinjiang region. Chinese trucks loaded with goods manufactured in China are brought to Gwadar Port for export to the Middle East and other destinations.

Media reports suggested that Nato logistics had badly damaged Pakistans road network, but the country could not get any significant benefit from these supplies to Afghanistan.

Former chairman of the National Highway Authority (NHA) Mohammad Ali Gardezi told the Public Accounts Committee in May 2012 that the country had suffered a loss of Rs100 billion due to Nato supplies to Afghanistan via Pakistan, but not a single penny was paid to it for repairing the damaged highways.

In reply to a question during the standing committee meeting, the secretary for planning and development said: "Although it is a big challenge for the government, we will safeguard our interests."

The secretary did not define who would bear the cost of maintenance of roads but said the cost of security arrangements on the CPEC would be borne by the Pakistan government.

He said that whatever arrangements to be made for maintenance of the corridor and security would be mutually decided by Pakistan and China.

"The recently held 6th Pak-China Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting in Beijing has addressed almost all such concerns," he added.

The secretary said 10,000 military personnel had been deployed for the security of projects launched under the CPEC and people working on them.

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"In fact security is our job for which it has been decided that one per cent of (earning from) CPEC projects will be spent on security," he said. PTI AKJ AKJ

--- ENDS ---
Dr. Mary Kathleen Lockard graduated from Bushnell-Prairie City High school in 1992. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she graduated with honors in Biology in 1996. She went on to attend the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, graduating with honors in 2000, Dr. Lockard completed her pediatric residency at Childrens Hospital of Columbus (now Nationwide Hospital) in 2003, and then a year as a chief resident. She has been in private practice in Macomb since 2004.
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By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI) PTC India today said it will be the nodal entity for purchase and supply of electricity from wind power projects of 1000 MW auctioned by government.

"PTC India is the nodal entity for supplying power to utilities after entering into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with successful bidders," PTC India said in a statement.

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It said that with the wind power auction fixing the tariff at Rs 3.46 per unit for 25 years, the stage is now set for the sector to emerge as a credible renewable power source.

Given India?s diverse geography, non-windy states will now be able to get wind based power from states that are rich in wind resources.

The competitively discovered price of Rs 3.46/Unit is an outcome of expected optimisation in project cost, machines efficiency and payment counter party risk, it said.

The projects are expected to be commissioned in 18 months. SECI, which conducted the auction, is expected to allow 1050 MW (in place of originally planned 1000 MW) at the cut off price and issue letter of intend, it said.

PTC India Chairman and Managing Director Deepak Amitabh said: "We expect the share of renewables in overall power generation to steadily rise in the coming years as more and more solar and wind projects start producing power. The competitively priced wind power will encourage consumers to switch to cleaner sources of energy."

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) formulated the scheme for procurement of power from large wind power projects in June last year to enable non-windy states to meet their non-solar RPOs (Rnewable Purchase Obligation) by buying wind power connected to inter-state transmission grid, thereby enlarging the wind power market.

With the increased emphasis on implementation of RPOs and enhanced non-solar RPOs, the policy acts as a catalyst for meeting non solar RPO by the resource-deficient states and also enables long term harnessing of wind resources in the country, it said.

Unlike conventional power where the fuel charges escalate each year, the discovered tariff in the governments auction is constant throughout the life of the projects 25 years.

Looking at the attractive tariffs, some state utilities have already expressed interest in purchasing wind power under this scheme, it said.

With availability of technological tools and policy supports for forecasting based scheduling, this development is expected to bring in a marked shift in the power procurement strategy of the utilities, it added. PTI KKS SA

--- ENDS ---
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Ltd, InterContinental Hotels Group (Japan) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (New Zealand) Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (Shanghai) Ltd., InterContinental Hotels Group Customer Services Ltd., InterContinental Hotels Group Healthcare Trustee Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group Operating Corp., InterContinental Hotels Group Resources Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group Services Company, InterContinental Hotels Group do Brasil Limitada, InterContinental Hotels Italia S.r.L., InterContinental Hotels Limited, InterContinental Hotels Management GmbH, InterContinental Hotels Nevada Corporation, InterContinental Management AM LLC, InterContinental Management Bulgaria EOOD, InterContinental Management France SAS, InterContinental Management Poland sp. z.o.o, InterContinental Overseas Holding Corporation, Intercontinental Hotels Corporation Limited, KG Benefits LLC, KG Gift Card Inc., KG Liability LLC, KG Technology LLC, KHP Washington Operator LLC, KHRG 11th Avenue Hotel LLC, KHRG 851 LLC, KHRG Aertson LLC, KHRG Alexandria LLC, KHRG Alexis LLC, KHRG Allegro LLC, KHRG Argyle LLC, KHRG Austin Beverage Company LLC, KHRG Baltimore LLC, KHRG Born LLC, KHRG Boston Hotel LLC, KHRG Canary LLC, KHRG Cayman Employer Ltd., KHRG Cayman LLC, KHRG DC 1731 LLC, KHRG DC 2505 LLC, KHRG Donovan LLC, KHRG Employer LLC, KHRG Goleta LLC, KHRG Gray LLC, KHRG Gray U2 LLC, KHRG Hillcrest LLC, KHRG Huntington Beach LLC, KHRG King Street LLC, KHRG La Peer LLC, KHRG Miami Beach LLC, KHRG Muse LLC, KHRG NPC LLC, KHRG Onyx LLC, KHRG Palladian LLC, KHRG Palomar Phoenix LLC, KHRG Philly Monaco LLC, KHRG Pittsburgh LLC, KHRG Reynolds LLC, KHRG Riverplace LLC, KHRG SFD LLC, KHRG Sacramento LLC, KHRG Savannah LLC, KHRG Schofield LLC, KHRG Sedona LLC, KHRG State Street LLC, KHRG Sutter LLC, KHRG Sutter Union LLC, KHRG Taconic LLC, KHRG Tariff LLC, KHRG Texas Hospitality LLC, KHRG Texas Operations LLC, KHRG Tryon LLC, KHRG VZ Austin LLC, KHRG Vero Beach LLC, KHRG Vintage Park LLC, KHRG WPB LLC, KHRG Wabash LLC, KHRG Westwood LLC, KHRG Wilshire LLC, KHRG Zamora LLC, Kimpton Hollywood Licenses LLC, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC, Kimpton Phoenix Licenses Holdings LLC, Kimpton Sedona Licenses LLC, Louisiana Acquisitions Corp., MH Lodging LLC, Mercer Fairview Holdings LLC, PML Services LLC, PT SC Hotels & Resorts Indonesia, Pollstrong Limited, Powell Pine Inc., Priscilla Holiday of Texas Inc., RM Lodging LLC, Regent Hotels and Resorts, Resort Services International (Cayo Largo) L.P., SBS Maryland Beverage Company LLC, SC Cellars Limited, SC Hotels International Services Inc., SC Leisure Group Limited, SC NAS 2 Limited, SC Quest Limited, SC Reservations (Philippines) Inc., SCH Insurance Company, SCIH Branston 3, SF MH Acquisition LLC, SPHC Group Pty Ltd., SPHC Management Ltd., Semiramis for training of Hotel Personnel and Hotel Management SAE, Six Continents Corporate Services, Six Continents Holdings Limited, Six Continents Hotels Inc., Six Continents Hotels International Limited, Six Continents Hotels de Colombia SA, Six Continents International Holdings B.V., Six Continents Investments Limited, Six Continents Limited, Six Continents Overseas Holdings Limited, Six Continents Restaurants Limited, SixCo North America Inc., Solamar Lodging LLC, Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation (BVI) Ltd., Southern Pacific Hotels Properties Limited, Universal de Hoteles SA, White Shield Insurance Company Limited, and World Trade Centre Montreal Hotel Corporation.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft: ABFS I Incorporated, ABS MB Ltd., Alex. Brown Financial Services Incorporated, Alex. Brown Investments Incorporated, Alfred Herrhausen Gesellschaft mbH, Ambidexter GmbH i.L., Argent Incorporated, BHW - Gesellschaft fur Wohnungswirtschaft mbH, BHW Bausparkasse Aktiengesellschaft, BHW Holding GmbH, BT Globenet Nominees Limited, Bainpro Nominees Pty Ltd, Baldur Mortgages Limited, Bankers Trust Investments Limited, Bayan Delinquent Loan Recovery 1 (SPV-AMC) Inc., Berkshire Mortgage Finance, Betriebs-Center fur Banken AG, Better Financial Services GmbH, Better Payment Germany GmbH, Borfield Sociedad Anonima, Breaking Wave DB Limited, Cardales UK Limited, Cardea Real Estate S.r.l., Cathay Advisory (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cathay Asset Management Company Limited, Cathay Capital Company (No 2) Limited, Cedar (Luxembourg) S.a. r.l., Chapel Funding, China Recovery Fund LLC, Consumo Srl in Liquidazione, D B Investments (GB) Limited, D&M Turnaround Partners Godo Kaisha, DB (Barbados) SRL, DB (Malaysia) Nominee (Asing) Sdn. Bhd., DB (Malaysia) Nominee (Tempatan) Sendirian Berhad, DB Alex. Brown Holdings Incorporated, DB Aotearoa Investments Limited, DB Beteiligungs-Holding GmbH, DB Boracay LLC, DB Capital Markets (Deutschland) GmbH, DB Cartera de lnmuebles 1 S.A.U., DB Chestnut Holdings Limited, DB Corporate Advisory (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., DB Delaware Holdings (Europe) Limited, DB Direkt GmbH, DB Elara LLC, DB Energy Trading LLC, DB Equipment Leasing Inc., DB Equity Limited, DB Finance (Delaware) LLC, DB Global Technology Inc., DB Global Technology SRL, DB Group Services (UK) Limited, DB HR Solutions GmbH, DB Holdings (New York) Inc., DB IROC Leasing Corp., DB Impact Investment Fund I. LP., DB Industrial Holdings Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, DB Industrial Holdings GmbH, DB Intermezzo LLC, DB International (Asia) Limited, DB International Investments Limited, DB International Trust (Singapore) Limited, DB Investment Managers Inc., DB Investment Partners Inc., DB Investment Partners Limited, DB Investment Resources (US) Corporation, DB Investment Resources Holdings Corp., DB Investment Services GmbH, DB London (Investor Services) Nominees Limited, DB Management Support GmbH, DB Nominees (Hong Kong) Limited, DB Nominees (Jersey) Limited, DB Nominees (Singapore) Pte Ltd, DB Omega BTV S.C.S., DB Omega Holdings LLC, DB Omega Ltd., DB Omega S.C.S., DB Operaciones y Servicios lnteractivos Agrupacicm de lnteres Econemico, DB Overseas Finance Delaware Inc., DB Overseas Holdings Limited, DB Print GmbH, DB Private Clients Corp., DB Private Wealth Mortgage Ltd., DB Re S.A., DB Service Centre Limited, DB Service Uruguay S.A., DB Services (Jersey) Limited, DB Services Americas. Inc., DB Servizi Amministrativi S.r.l., DB Strategic Advisors Inc., DB Structured Derivative Products LLC, DB Structured Products Inc., DB Trustee Services Limited, DB Trustees (Hong Kong) Limited, DB UK Bank Limited, DB UK Holdings Limited, DB UK PCAM Holdings Limited, DB US Financial Markets Holding Corporation, DB USA Core Corporation, DB USA Corporation, DB Valoren S.a. r.l., DB Value S.a.r.l., DB VersicherungsManager GmbH, DB Vita SA., DB lmmobilienfonds 5 Wieland KG i.L., DB lo LP, DBAH Capital. LLC, DBCIBZ1, DBFIC Inc., DBNZ Overseas Investments (No.1) Limited, DBOI Global Services (UK) Limited, DBR Investments Co. Limited, DBRE Global Real Estate Management 18 Ltd., DBRMS4, DBRMSGP1, DBUK PCAM Limited, DBUSBZ1 LLC, DBUSBZ2 S.a. r.l., DBX Advisers LLC, DEBEKO lmmobilien GmbH & Co Grundbesitz OHG, DEE Deutsche Erneuerbare Energien GmbH, DEUKONA Versicherungs-Vermittlungs-GmbH, DEUTSCHE BANK AS., DI Deutsche lmmobilien Treuhandgesellschaft mbH, DISCA Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DWS Alternatives France, DWS Alternatives Global Limited, DWS Alternatives GmbH, DWS Asset Management (Korea) Company Limited, DWS Beteiligungs GmbH, DWS CH AG, DWS Distributors Inc., DWS Far Eastern Investments Limited, DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA, DWS Group Services UK Limited, DWS Grundbesitz GmbH, DWS International GmbH, DWS Investment GmbH, DWS Investment Management Americas Inc., DWS Investment S.A., DWS Investments Australia Limited, DWS Investments Hong Kong Limited, DWS Investments Japan Limited, DWS Investments Shanghai Limited, DWS Investments Singapore Limited, DWS Investments UK Limited, DWS Management GmbH, DWS Real Estate GmbH, DWS Service Company, DWS Shanghai Private Equity Fund Management Limited, DWS Trust Company, DWS USA Corporation, Deposit Solutions, Deutsche (Aotearoa) Capital Holdings New Zealand, Deutsche (Aotearoa) Foreign Investments New Zealand, Deutsche (New Munster) Holdings New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Access Investments Limited, Deutsche Aeolia Power Production Societe Anonyme, Deutsche Alternative Asset Management (UK) Limited, Deutsche Asia Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd, Deutsche Asset Management (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Australia Limited, Deutsche Bank (Cayman) Limited, Deutsche Bank (China) Co. Ltd., Deutsche Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, Deutsche Bank (Suisse) SA, Deutsche Bank (Uruguay) Sociedad Anenima lnstitucien Financiera Externa, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft, Deutsche Bank Americas Holding Corp., Deutsche Bank Europe GmbH, Deutsche Bank Financial Company, Deutsche Bank Holdings Inc., Deutsche Bank Insurance Agency Incorporated, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., Deutsche Bank Mutui S.p.A., Deutsche Bank Mexico. S.A., Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Deutsche Bank Polska Spelka Akcyjna, Deutsche Bank Representative Office Nigeria Limited, Deutsche Bank S.A, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Limited, Deutsche Bank Societe per Azioni, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware, Deutsche Bank Trust Company National Association, Deutsche Bank Trust Corporation, Deutsche Bank. Sociedad Anenima Espanola, Deutsche CIB Centre Private Limited, Deutsche Capital Finance (2000) Limited, Deutsche Capital Hong Kong Limited, Deutsche Capital Markets Australia Limited, Deutsche Capital Partners China Limited, Deutsche Cayman Ltd., Deutsche Custody N.V., Deutsche Domus New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Equities India Private Limited, Deutsche Finance No. 2 Limited, Deutsche Foras New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur lmmobilien-Leasing mit beschrenkter Haftung, Deutsche Global Markets Limited, Deutsche Group Holdings (SA) Proprietary Limited, Deutsche Group Services Pty Limited, Deutsche Grundbesitz Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., Deutsche Grundbesitz-Anlagegesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Deutsche Holdings (BTI) Limited, Deutsche Holdings (Grand Duchy), Deutsche Holdings (Luxembourg) S.El r.l., Deutsche Holdings Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 2 Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 3 Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 4 Limited, Deutsche India Holdings Private Limited, Deutsche India Private Limited, Deutsche International Corporate Services (Ireland) Limited, Deutsche International Corporate Services Limited, Deutsche International Custodial Services Limited, Deutsche Investments (Netherlands) N.V., Deutsche Investments India Private Limited, Deutsche Investor Services Private Limited, Deutsche Knowledge Services Pte. Ltd., Deutsche Leasing New York Corp., Deutsche Mexico Holdings S.a. r.|., Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Group Limited, Deutsche Mortgage & Asset Receiving Corporation, Deutsche Nederland N.V., Deutsche New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Nominees Limited, Deutsche Oppenheim Family Office AG, Deutsche Overseas Issuance New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Postbank, Deutsche Postbank Finance Center Objekt GmbH, Deutsche Private Asset Management Limited, Deutsche Securities (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Securities (Proprietary) Limited, Deutsche Securities (SA) (Proprietary) Limited, Deutsche Securities Asia Limited, Deutsche Securities Australia Limited, Deutsche Securities Inc., Deutsche Securities Israel Ltd., Deutsche Securities Korea Co., Deutsche Securities Mauritius Limited, Deutsche Securities SA. de C.V.. Casla de Bolsa, Deutsche Securities Saudi Arabia, Deutsche Services (Cl) Limited, Deutsche Services Polska Sp. z o.o., Deutsche StiftungsTrust GmbH, Deutsche Strategic Investment Holdings Yugen Kaisha, Deutsche Trustee Company Limited, Deutsche Trustee Services (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Trustees Malaysia Berhad, Deutsche Wealth Management S.G.I.I.C. SA., Deutsche lmmobilien Leasing GmbH, Deutsches lnstitut fur Altersvorsorge GmbH, Durian (Luxembourg) S.a. r.l., EC EUROPA IMMOBILIEN FONDS NR. 3 GmbH & CO. KG i.l., Elizabethan Holdings Limited, Elizabethan Management Limited, European Value Added I (Alternate GP.) LLP, Fiduciaria Sant Andrea S.r.l., Finanzberatungsgesellschaft mbH der Deutschen Bank, Funfte SAB Treuhand und Verwaltung GmbH & Co. Suhl "Rimbachzentrum" KG, G Finance Holding Corp., German American Capital Corporation, Grundstucksgesellschaft Frankfurt Bockenheimer LandstraBe GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Miesbaden LuisenstraBe/Kirchgasse GbR, Hollandsche Bank-Unie, ISTRON Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungs-GmbH, IVAF l Manager S.a.r.l., Immobilienfonds Buro-Center Erfurt am Flughafen Bindersleben I GbR, J R Nominees (Pty) Ltd, Joint Stock Company Deutsche Bank DBU, Jyogashima Godo Kaisha, KEBA Gesellschaft fur interne Services mbH, Kidson Pte Ltd, Konsul lnkasso GmbH, LA Water Holdings Limited, LAWL Pte. Ltd., Leasing Verwaltungsgesellschaft Waltersdorf mbH, Leonardo lll Initial GP Limited, MEF I Manager. S. a r.|., MIT Holdings Inc., Maher Terminals Holdings (Toronto) Limited, Morgan Grenfell & Company, MortgageIT, MortgagelT Inc., MortgagelT Securities Corp., OOO "Deutsche Bank TechCentIe", OOO "Deutsche Bank", OPB Verwaltungs- und Treuhand GmbH, OPB-Oktava GmbH, OPB-Quarta GmbH, OPPENHEIM Capital Advisory GmbH, OPPENHEIM PRIVATE EQUITY Manager GmbH, OPPENHEIM PRIVATE EQUITY Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, PADUS Grundstcks-VermietungsgeseIlschaft mbH, PB Factoring GmbH, PB Spezial-lnvestmentaktiengesellschatt mit Teilgesellschaftsvermogen, PCC Services GmbH der Deutschen Bank, PT Deutsche Sekuritas Indonesia, Pan Australian Nominees Pty Ltd, Plantation Bay. Inc., Postbank Akademie und Service GmbH, Postbank Beteiligungen GmbH, Postbank Direkt GmbH, Postbank Filialvertrieb AG, Postbank Finanzberatung AG, Postbank Leasing GmbH, Postbank lmmobilien GmbH, Quantiguous, R.B.M. Nominees Pty Ltd, RREEF, RREEF America LLC., RREEF China REIT Management Limited, RREEF European Value Added I (G.P.) Limited, RREEF Fund Holding Co., RREEF India Advisers Private Limited, RREEF Management LLC., RoPro U.S. Holding Inc., Route 28 Receivables. LLC, SAB Real Estate Verwaltungs GmbH, SAGITA Grundstucks-Vermielungsgesellschaft mbH, SAPIO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, Sal. Oppenheim, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. Beteiligungs GmbH, Sharps SP l LLC, Stelvio lmmobiliare S.r.l., Suddeutsche Vermeigensvewvaitung Gesellschaft mit beschrenkter Haftung, TELO Beleiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Tempurrite Leasing Limited, Thai Asset Enforcement and Recovery Asset Management Company Limited, Treuinvest Service GmbH, Triplereason Umited, VOB-ZVD Processing GmbH, WEPLA Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Wealthspur Investment Ltd., World Trading (Delaware) Inc., lmmobilienfonds BuroCenter Erfurt am Flughafen Bindersleben II GbR, lmmobilienfonds Wohn- und Gescheftshaus Koln-Blumenberg V GbR, and norisbank GmbH.

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By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI) The wife of former Arunchal Pradesh chief minister Kalikho Pul, who had committed suicide, today demanded an SIT probe into allegations levelled by him against some former and serving persons holding constitutional posts.

In a letter to Vice President Hamid Ansari, Puls wife Dangwimsai alleged that in his purported 60-page suicide note, the former chief minister had levelled "serious allegations" of corruption against them.

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Pul was the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh from February 19, 2016 to July 13, 2016. His body was found hanging in chief ministers official bungalow on August 8, 2016.

"Given the gravity of the allegations contained in the note and the fact that many of them are from his personal knowledge and that a suicide note is treated like a dying declaration, this matter needs to be seriously investigated by a credible investigation team," she said in the letter.

She demanded that an FIR be registered based on Puls purported suicide note and a probe launched.

The letter, however, does not speak of any specific allegations.

Accompanied by lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan and Swaraj India president Yogendra Yadav, Dangwimsai handed over the petition to the Vice President personally.

Dangwimsai had last week approached the Supreme Court demanding a CBI probe into the allegations levelled by Pul in his suicide note. She later withdrew the complaint. PTI PR SK

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W&M faculty in the media this month

Philip Roessler is the director of the Center for African Development and professor of government at William & Mary. He was recently quoted in the Virginia Gazette discussing the differences of politics in Africa compared to other nations around the world. Photo by Stephen Salpukas

Sean Koebley (left) & Hannes Schniepp the Adina Allen Term Distinguished Associate Professor of Science at William & Mary pose with one of their experiments. He and Koebley were recently quoted in the news magazine The Engineer about the possibilities of using elements from the silk of a brown recluse spider for applications like assisting astronauts in space. Photo by Joseph McClain

Heather Huyck (right) research associate at William & Mary was recently quoted in a WTVR-Richmond news article about finding historical documents in a building that was used by Maggie Walker, the first black woman to form a bank in the United States. Photo courtesy of University of Mary Washington

Michael Blakey is the National Endowment for the Humanities Professor of Anthropology at William & Mary. Blakey was recently quoted in Voice of America regarding the discovery of human remains in New York City which are believed to be that of African-Americans, some of whom had been slaves from the 17th and 18th centuries. Photo by Erin Zagursky

Rowan Lockwood is a professor of geology at William & Mary. She was recently quoted by Phys.org about her research into repopulating the Chesapeake Bay with oysters. Photo by Joseph McClain Photo - of - Hide Caption

Following are selected examples of William & Mary faculty and staff members in the national and international media. - Ed.

Proposed museum would help people remember slavery



In a Feb. 22 Voice of America article, Michael Blakey, W&M National Endowment for the Humanities Professor of Anthropology was quoted about sets of human bones, in New York City, believed to be that of African-Americans, some of whom had been slaves are from the 17th and 18th centuries.

According to the article, members of Congress from the state of New York want to build a museum and education center on a nearby site.

After the discovery, the area was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1993 and a monument was later created in 2006.

Supporters of the cause also believe that more needs to be done so Americans will never forget about slavery.

After examining the skeletal remains Blakely stated that this find can give people of the 21st century a historical context about slavery in the United States.

In the proper context, science can give the public a chance to get close to these people, he said. They stir things in us  many different feelings at once.

Hints from the fossil record on how to re-oyster the Chesapeake



In a Feb. 21 Phys.org article, Rowan Lockwood, professor of geology at William & Mary discussed how to re-oyster the Chesapeake Bay.

According to the article, Lockwood discussed her recent findings at a lecture given to naudience members of the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston.

Lockwood drew on the study of more than 4,000 fossil oysters that lived between 80,000 and 500,000 years ago.

"Conservation paleontology is just like conservation biology, only with older stuff," Lockwood explained. "The idea is to use the fossil record, the archaeological recordmaybe even the historical recordto help us restore biodiversity, to understand why some organisms and populations are currently struggling."

Historic Maggie Walker building now a historic eye-sore



In a Feb. 17 WTVR article, Heather Huyck, research associate at William & Mary, discussed finding historical documents in a building that was used by Maggie Walker, the first black woman to form a bank in the United States.

According to the article, it took nearly eight years to catalog the documents found in Walkers attic. It was not only a mission to save history, but also a labor of love and discovery, said Huyck.

"What we are able to see, what we can see, through these documents is how the black community was operating and living through a difficult period in time, particularly the women, she said. And she's (Walker) also clearly brilliant at setting up financial products and making them available to people, many of whom were washerwomen and house-workers and so on."

Lethal spider's web sheds light on material strength



In a Feb. 16 article by The Engineer, Hannes Schniepp, Adina Allen Term Distinguished Associate Professor of Science discussed the possibilities of using elements from the silk of the brown recluse spider for applications like assisting astronauts in space.

Originally published in the journal of Material Horizons, Schniepps research in conjunction with Oxford Universitys department of zoology found that this particular spider uses micro-looping techniques to reinforce its thread. Its facilitated by the recluse producing thin, flat silk that resembles a ribbon. According to the study, the flatness provides flexibility which prevents breakage when the strengthening knots are created.

The theory of knots adding strength is well proven, said Schniepp. But adding loops to synthetic filaments always seems to lead to premature fiber failure. Observation of the recluse spider provided the breakthrough solutionThe ribbon shape adds the flexibility needed to prevent premature failure, so that all the micro-loops can provide additional strength to the strand.

The logic of the coup-civil war trap



A Feb. 8 article by The Virginia Gazette, focused on a lecture recently given by Philip Roessler, director of the Center for African Development and professor of government at William & Mary about the logic behind civil war in Africa.

The lecture focused on the difficulty of civil wars in many African states. Roessler spent more than 18 months in the country of Sudan conducting interviews with more than 100 different Sudanese people who ranged from government officials, and tribal leaders to members of the rebellions.

"One of the primary things I hope the audience takes away from my talk is a better understanding of the logic of civil war in Africa, said Roessler. "South Sudan on the brink of genocide, Syria in ruin, pitched battles in Iraq to liberate ISIS-controlled areas. Few phenomena are a greater source of human suffering and international instability as civil war. Understanding the causes of civil war represent one of the most important policy challenges of our time.
Harris' travel writing helps people see the world differently

Eddy Harris, William & Marys 1939 Artist in Residence, has seen his share of the world.

For his writing, however, his travels have led him on a more specific path. From canoeing down the Mississippi River, to exploring the vastness of Africa, to venturing into Paris, his writing shows a different perspective of a seemingly familiar world.

When Harris first went off to college, he thought he wanted to be a doctor. While there, however, he realized that doctoring wasnt for him. Regardless, he went on to finish college and found a job with IBM after graduation. According to Harris though, he realized after three weeks that maybe jobbing wasnt for him, either.

So, I quit and decided Id be a writer. I had some talent; I had taken some writing classes, Harris said. It was the talent that I had that somebody in high school recognized and put a bug in the back of my head.

Harris will display that talent during a reading on Feb. 28 in Tucker Theatre at 5 p.m. as part of the Patrick Hayes Writers Series. The event is free and open to the public.

The journey begins

His writing career began with the Mississippi River, the first stop in his journey as a travel writer. According to Harris, his expedition started there, because, having grown up in St. Louis, the river was right outside my front window and was something to which he was always drawn. From this voyage, his first book, A Mississippi Solo: A River Quest, emerged and was published in 1988.

Next, Harris traveled throughout Africa for a year and published Native Stranger: A Black Americans Journey into the Heart of Africa in 1992.

For his next book, he decided to travel around the American South on motorcycle to explore those roots and seek reconciliation with the people he encountered. Out of this journey came South of Haunted Dreams: A Ride Through Slavery's Old Back Yard, published in 1993.

According to Harris, his writings were beginning to follow the path of the black American diaspora from Africa to the Deep South, a sort of sociological and historical retracing of his roots. This path would then lead him to his brief childhood home of Harlem, in what used to be the industrial north. It was here that he wrote Still Life in Harlem: A Memoir in 1997.

In the midst of his travels, however, was Jupiter et Moi in 2005, in which he tells the story of his father.

After publishing his experiences in Harlem and telling his fathers story, Harriss journey extended into Paris where black Americans traveled after World War I. While living there, he wrote Paris en noir et black, publishing it in 2009.

Most recently, Harris decided to make a repeat journey of the trip that started them all. Thus, he embarked on a new voyage down the Mississippi  except this time, he traveled with a camera crew to film a documentary of the expedition, which is currently in the post-production stages.

With 30 years separating his Mississippi journeys, Harris says the two trips tell completely distinct stories for a number of reasons.

Everything about it is different, because youve got these other people with you, said Harris. Thirty years later, Im older, wiser, presumably more frightened. It makes for a different journey. Plus, the river is cleaner than it was 30 years ago, the people you meet are not the same people and the experience itself is different.

A broader message to send

Although the initial reason behind becoming a writer was his utter dislike for holding an office job, Harris realized that he actually has a message he wants to send  a message of identity and reconciliation.

Part of that message is an American message that says part of my identity is an American identity. I identify more as an American than I do anything else. So, I dont call myself an African-American, for example; Im a black American  Im an American, who happens to be black, Harris said. I think we share more by being Americans, than I, as a black person, do with black people who live in Jamaica or who live in Africa.

However, his message of identity goes further than just explaining his own individuality. For Harris, his sense of self is part of a larger context within the world as a whole.

What I do is go to a place and bring that place to life in a certain way and try to understand my place in that place. Who am I in Paris? In Africa? In the American South? Going down the river? In Harlem? Harris said. Because I didnt grow up in these places, Im a stranger in all of them, and like a chameleon, we change depending on where we are. So, how much is still me when Im in these places and how much do I adapt to be able to deal with these places?

Ultimately, according to Harris, he hopes that his writing allows people to see the world differently.

A lot of people are successful because they take the reader exactly where he knows the reader is going to go, Harris explained. I want to take you someplace that you think is familiar and make you see it differently.

At the end of the road

Harris foresees the next step of his journey taking him into Middle Europe, from Lithuania to Greece. Focusing on the issue of what led to the division of certain countries, he aims to figure out the answer to the question of why people cannot live together in harmony.

Throughout his travels, Harris has faced many obstacles. He was placed in prison in Africa and threatened at gunpoint in Arkansas. According to Harris, he is always questioning whether he is doing the right thing, making worthwhile journeys or whether he should return home. Yet, for him, the notion of what lies ahead keeps him pressing forward, undiscouraged.

Theres an end of a journey somewhere. And I have to find the end of this road before I can say I got there, Harris said. But then, I go to some other road, some other journey. The journey never stops.
The accused used to call victims posing as bank mangers and get them to part with their card details. The details were then used for fraudulent money transfers.

By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: Rajasthan Police has unearthed a huge online fraud involving several individuals. The scam involved duping people into giving up their banking details, which were then used for online transactions, including money transfers.

So far, three people - Satyam Rai, Sagar Das and Bikki Das - all of whom hail from Jharkhand have been arrested. Police also seized several mobile phones pones, including two Samsung Galaxy phones and an iPhone.

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Police say the accused made more than 3000 calls, of which 1000 calls targeted people in Rajasthan. Among others, another 1700 calls were made to phone numbers in Himachal Pradesh while 200 calls were made to Gujarat numbers.

According to Additional Commissioner of Police Prafull Kumar the modus operandi of the accused involved calling people while posing as bank managers.

The accused would attempt to get victims to part with their card details by telling them that their ATM cards are about to get blocked or that their ATM cards' validity has expired. The accused sometimes also told the victims that the ATM cards need to be renewed through AADHAR or that the withdrawal limit was being limit.

Once gullible victims fell into the trap, they were asked to part with their card number and the three-digit CVV code. The fraudsters, while keep the victims on hold, fed this information into an e-wallet app for a money transfer. The victims were then asked to pass on the one-time password they received on their mobile phones.

Using the OTP, the fraudsters completed the e-wallet transaction and hung up on the victims. The fraudulently obtained money was then used for online shopping.

Also read: From math genius to internet conman: How an IIT failure built the Rs 3,700 crore Noida Ponzi scheme

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By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: The Rajasthan Assembly polls are nearly two years away, but Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje already seems to be in election mode. The CM on Tuesday packed off 30 senior citizens to Tirupati in what the state government claims is the country's first public-sponsored flying religious pilgrimage.

Chief Minister Raje inaugurated the Deendayal Upadhyaya Senior Citizen Flying Religious Pilgrimage Scheme, sending 30 senior citizens on a flying trip to Tirupati Dham in Tamil Nadu. Out of the 30 passengers, 28 were flying for the first time in their lives.

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Apart from travel to the religious site, food, stay and other arrangements will also be free for the passengers. The Rajasthan government plans to send around 1,000 senior citizens for religious pilgrimage under the scheme.

"Today, the first flight of its kind in the country is going and I believe that they will go comfortably and will return comfortably. There are those to take care of them as well in the plane and we will get blessings as well", Raje said.

During the next elections in the desert state, Vasundhara Raje may be hoping for more than just blessings from the state electorate.

Also read: Whiff of rebel in Rajasthan BJP: Senior party leader seeks Vasundhara's removal

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Pawtucket resident George Bedford, left, was the only person standing away from the line of people waiting to get into the rally who had a sign against the Affordable Care Act. Robert Malin, of Charlestown, stood next to him to show a contrast in views.
Eyewitness' claim that around 4am a speeding stone grey Hyundai Creta which apparently lost control at a curve near TTK Road rammed an autorikshaw parked on the road.

By Pramod Madhav: Superstar Rajinikanth's daughter Soundarya was involved in an accident early today when the car she was travelling in rammed into an auto. It is unclear whether Soundarya was driving the car. The driver of the auto, who was injured in the accident, has been admitted to a hospital.

Eyewitness' claim that around 4am a speeding stone grey Hyundai Creta which apparently lost control at a curve near TTK Road rammed an autorikshaw parked near the road. The head on collision left the front end of the auto completely damaged. The auto driver, Mani who was sleeping inside the vehicle had allegedly sustained injuries.

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"They used to park the autos on this road and go to sleep. Often people from the nearby hospital look for a ride and so it was convenient for them. The car lost control as it made a wide turn and just rammed into the auto," stated a man who works as a security guard in a nearby building.

What's odd about the incident was that no police complaint was filed and the cops who arrived at the spot around 11am were genuinely inquiring with the locals for details about the driver and the accident as the multiple CCTVs on the traffic pole was not working as well.

"After Vardah, the lines got completely damaged and the engineers said that it will take a month to process them for which we need to send instructions from the Commissioner's office. We actually paid for the cables to sort out at least the still cameras," said a traffic cop.

Eyewitnesses suggest that Soundarya could be the one who was behind the steering wheel. They also saw her brother-in-law Dhanush offering money to the auto driver after the accident.

As per law, if such an accident happens, it should be definitely bought to the notice of the police even if the parties want to go for an out of court settlement. The police have detained the auto owner for questioning to find out where the damaged autorickshaw is.

"We have the auto owner with us and we'll provide you with the details after the investigation," stated a police officer.

WATCH: Rajinikanth's daughter Soundarya hits auto with car, Dhanush bribes driver to keep quiet

ALSO READ

Will BJP rope in Rajinikanth to form new party in Tamil Nadu? Wait and watch, says chief Amit Shah

After Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth backs jallikattu

--- ENDS ---
Russia and Tajikistan plan nuclear cooperation

28 February 2017

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Russia and Tajikistan yesterday signed an agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the Central Asian country. Tajikistan is mineral-rich and has some uranium deposits, but most of its electricity is hydroelectric, with a small part sourced from natural gas.

The agreement was signed by Farhod Rakhimov, president of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan, on behalf of the Tajik government, and Alexey Likhachov, director general of Rosatom, on behalf of the Russian government.

It provides the legal basis for interaction between the two countries in the nuclear power sector for the first time in history, while outlining cooperation in: the design, construction, operation and decommissioning of research reactors; used fuel and radioactive waste management; rehabilitation of tailing storage areas and utilization of decommissioned uranium mining and reprocessing facilities; production of radioisotopes; use of nuclear technology in industry, medicine and agriculture; education and training of highly skilled personnel for the nuclear power industry.

The two countries plan to form a joint coordination commission to manage this cooperation, with Rosatom's Central Asia office supporting nuclear companies in business development in Tajikistan.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

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UK seeks to quell fears over Euratom exit

28 February 2017

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UK trade minister Liam Fox today reassured the country's international partners that it remains committed to its nuclear power program as it leaves the Euratom Treaty. The government announced last month the UK intends to leave the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) in explanatory notes to a bill it published authorising Brexit.

The peaceful use of nuclear energy within the EU is governed by the 1957 Euratom Treaty. The Euratom Community is a separate legal entity from the EU, but it is governed by the bloc's institutions. The Euratom framework includes nuclear cooperation agreements with third party countries, including Canada, Japan and the USA. It facilitates UK participation in long-term research and development projects, and it also provides a framework for international nuclear safeguard compliance.

Opening the Civil Nuclear Showcase in London, an event organised by his Department for International Trade, Fox said, "Some have suggested that the referendum result was a vote for insularity or that the UK will somehow be abandoning our international commitments. Nothing could be further from the truth.

"We may have voted to leave the EU but we are not withdrawing from the world. International trade has long been the lifeblood of the British economy and the driver of our prosperity. Commerce is part of our national DNA. Britain will always remain open to international investment, international partnership and a champion of free and open trade.

"It is true that in leaving the European Union Britain will also be leaving Euratom. Though our exact relationship with Euratom will be subject to negotiations with EU partners I want to reassure you that our withdrawal from the treaty will in no way diminish our nuclear ambitions. Our government is committed to delivering a world-beating nuclear program in close collaboration with our international counterparts.

"There will be challenges ahead but my department will support the nuclear industry every step of the way."

Tom Wintle, deputy director for small modular reactors, decommissioning and waste at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, said the nuclear industry would have a key part to play in making a success of the UK's future outside the EU.

Speaking at the SMR 2017 conference hosted by the UK's Nuclear Industry Association yesterday, Wintle said the decision to leave Euratom was a consequence of the UK's decision to leave the EU.

"Euratom uses the same institutions as the European Union, and the EU and Euratom are uniquely legally joined. This is understandably a cause of some uncertainty; however, I want to stress today that the UK supports Euratom and wants to see continuity of cooperation and standards in the future," he said.

Although the government had been "very clear" about the "absolute commitment" to maintaining nuclear safety standards and the desire to have a positive relationship with Euratom and international partners going forward, Wintle said it was too early to speculate on possible future scenarios. "But the aim is clear: we want to maintain mutually successful civil nuclear cooperation with Euratom and its international partners," he said.

Jonathan Leech, senior commercial and nuclear energy lawyer at Prospect Law, told WNN last month that, although the Euratom Community and the EU share the same institutions, the two never actually merged - the former has always had a separate legal character. Leech said there is therefore no need for the UK to exit Euratom in two years, "with all the harm that may do to the UK nuclear industry". There is an "entirely justifiable alternative", he said.

The UK voted in favour of Brexit in a national referendum held on 23 June last year. The Leave campaign won with 52% of the vote, against the Remain campaign with 48%. Prime Minister Theresa May has stated her government will begin the formal process of quitting the EU by the end of March.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
The Smallest Park In The World

At 452 square inches, Mill Ends Park is the smallest park in the world. It has held this distinction since 1971, when it was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records. This park, established in 1948, is located in Portland, Oregon in a median along southwest Naito Parkway. It is managed by Portland's Parks and Recreation Department.

History Of Mill Ends Park

This park was originally designated as a site for a light pole. However, the city failed to have it installed. As something of a practical joke, an Oregon Journal newspaper reporter, Dick Fagan, decided to plant flowers in the space. The parks creator, whose office overlooked the median, named the park after his newspaper column, Mill Ends. Mill ends is a term used to refer to the unused scraps of wood left over at lumber yards. The story about the park caught on, and on St. Patrick's Day in 1948, the city celebrated the parks official dedication ceremony. At the time, they can refer to it as the only leprechaun colony west of Ireland.

Mystery Surrounding Mill Ends Park

In order to increase the parks popularity, Dick Fagan created a legend surrounding its beginnings. He claimed to have caught sight of a leprechaun digging a hole in the park when he looked out of his office window. According to his story, Fagan ran down to the street and trapped the leprechaun, earning himself a wish. He wished to have his very own park. The leprechaun, however, being true to his trickster nature, gave him the hole to fulfill his wish because Fagan had not been specific about how big he wanted his park to be.

Dick Fagan carried on his story over the next 20 years, writing about the park and its leprechaun in his newspaper column. Patrick O'Toole, the parks leprechaun, could only be seen by Fagan. In one of his articles, the reporter published a protest that Patrick O'Toole had made against the city's 11 o'clock curfew for parks. in his statement, O'Toole threatened to cast a leprechaun curse against the mayor if he tried to keep him out of Mill Ends Park after 11 o'clock at night.

Changes At Mill Ends Park

Since Fagan's death in 1969, local residents have taken care of and maintained the park and in 1976, the city government registered Mill Ends as an official park. Over the years, it has undergone a number of changes. One of its most notable additions was a butterfly swimming pool which had a diving board, a piece of the old Journal building, a horseshoe, and a miniature ferris wheel.

The city continues to hold St. Patrick's Day celebrations at Mill Ends Park. In 2001, for example, the park was filled with childrens drawings of leprechauns and visited by a leprechaun and his pot of gold. Other St. Patrick's Day festivities here have included concerts by the Clan Macleay Pipe Band, various bagpipers, and picnics.

As part of the Occupy Portland movement of 2011, the park was decorated with small army figures and protest signs. In 2013, the small tree in Mill Ends Park was stolen. The Parks and Recreation Department quickly replaced the tree and the next day a passerby reported seeing the stolen tree uprooted next to the new replacement tree. In April of 2013, the municipal government of Burntwood in the UK lodged a complaint with the Guinness Book of Records.They argued that Mill Ends Park should not be considered a park because it lacked a fence as well as other typical park-like features. Instead, they suggested that Princes Park (the smallest in the UK) should hold the record for world's smallest park. Volunteers in Portland responded by building a fence around Mill Ends Park and placing an armed guard at its entrance. Mill Ends park has retained its title.
What is a biobased economy?

A biobased economy is also known as biotechonomy or bioeconomy. It refers to economic activities developed from research and scientific work that mainly focuses on biotechnology. Therefore, bioeconomy is the understanding of processes and methods at molecular and genetic levels before applying the acquired knowledge to the creation or improvement of industrial processes. Bioeconomy is a term largely used by regional development agencies, biotechnology companies, and international organizations. A biobased economy is closely associated with the development of the biotechnology industry. Scientists have been able to not only study and understand genetic material but also manipulate it, resulting in technological progress and scientific breakthroughs. An example of a bioeconomic activity is the evolution of the biotechnology industry and how it is applied to the economic sectors of health, agriculture, energy or chemical industries.

The history of bioeconomy

The term bioeconomy, or biobased economy, was first given a description by Rodrigo Martinez and Juan Enriquez at the Genomics Seminar which took place in 1997 during the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) meeting. The Harvard Business School working paper written by both Martinez and Enriquez in 2002 was dubbed Biotechonomy 1.0: A Rough Map of Biodata Flow. The paper demonstrated a comprehensive flow of genetic material into and out of the DDBJ, GenBank, and Emblem. The three are the largest public genetic databases in the world. The two scientists explained further the economic repercussion of such flow of biodata will have on the development of biotech startups, creation of patent, and the generation of licensing fees. As of 2005, the Netherlands had established a biobased economy as a crucial issue in the country. The country had started establishing pilot plants, especially in Lelystad, with the already existent centralized organization supporting research in bioeconomy. Former US President Barack Obama announced his intentions of encouraging biological manufacturing methods in 2012 with collaboration with National Bioeconomy Blueprint. During the same year, Belgium constructed the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant.

The significance of a biobased economy

A bioeconomy uses first, second, and third-generation biomasses which are crops, crop refuge and seaweed or algae respectively. Economically, many processing techniques are used in order to gather the most products out of the biomass. The techniques include Fermentation, Pyrolysis, Torrefaction, and Anaerobic digestion. Fermentation of sugars is used in ethanol production, and pyrolysis is used in the production of pyrolysis oil a type of solidified biogas. Anaerobic digestion is mostly utilized in the production of blogs and torrefaction is used in the production of biomass-coal. Both biogas and biomass-coal are then burnt for the production of energy while ethanol can be used as vehicle fuel among other purposes like in the production of skin care products.

Extracting the most out of biomass

The processing of biomass is conducted according to a particular arrangement in order to get the most out of it. The kind of pattern used is determined by the types and quantities of biomass used. Biorefining is a term used to refer to the process of finding the most suitable pattern. Examples of biomass products include; fuels for transport, food, electricity, heat, chemicals or biophysics, and fine chemicals. There is still a research being carried out with the aim of improving the mass production processes of biomass. The advancement in biotechonomy will be used to manufacture products such as medicines, plastics, antifreeze, and paint from syngas.
Woman holding glass of beer and pretzel (illustration)

By: Tanya Clark WorldWideWeirdNews.com

A grandmother had to be locked up in prison after she failed to stay away from her car despite a court order banning her from driving, according to police in Ireland.

Donabate police said that they have arrested 56-year-old Sandra Cassidy, after being accused of driving without a license and with no insurance.

In court, Cassidy apologized and pleaded guilty. Judge Dermot Dempsey sentenced the woman to serve four months in prison and banned her from driving for 20 years.

According to the police investigation, Cassidy has been convicted of 20 traffic offences before being banned from driving for 15 years.

Despite the ban, police officer Mark Richardson caught the woman driving with an open can of beer next to her. Cassidy was arrested at the scene for driving without a license and with no insurance.

Cassidy claimed that she had no choice but to drive to her daughteras house because her child was assaulted.
Deserae Turner

By: Alexis Bell WorldWideWeirdNews.com

(Scroll down for video) Two boys targeted a defenseless young girl, robbing her and shooting her in the back of the head, according to police in Utah.

On Thursday at approximately 6:30 p.m., the Cache County Sheriffas Office received a report about a missing 14-year-old girl of Amalga.

The parents of 14-year-old Deserae Turner, told police that she had not returned home from school. Deputies discovered that Turner had been in contact with family and had planned to be home about 4:00 p.m.

Deputies spent most of the night making contact with acquaintances and checking addresses that the girl frequented.

By about midnight, deputies ran out of leads and the girl had not been located.

An attempt-to-locate was broadcast through Cache County and the missing girlas information was entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database.

At approximately 12:45 a.m., the Smithfield City Police Department was dispatched to a report of a medical situation involving a teenage girl.

A young female had been located in a dry canal East of Sky View High School in Smithfield.

Police learned that the identity of the female was that of the 14-year-old girl whom the Cache County Sheriffas Office was looking for.

Individuals familiar with the girl who were actively looking for her found her. Turner had significant injuries, and was flown to a Salt Lake City area hospital for further treatment.

She is said to be in critical condition.

The Smithfield City Police Department is now leading an investigation into the suspicious circumstances surrounding this incident.

Two 16-year-old boys have been arrested in connection with the incident. They were both charged with aggravated attempted murder, aggravated robbery and obstruction of justice.

The boys lured Turner to a canal, telling her that they will sell her a knife. The boys then stole the girlas iPod, phone and wallet containing $55.

They then shot her in the back of the head.
Rijiju's remarks were in response to Kaur's video in which she is seen holding a placard which read," Pakistan didn't kill my father, war did."

By India Today Web Desk: Union minister Kiren Rijiju has accused Left parties of misleading people amid the raging controversy over Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur's social media posts . Kaur, daughter of Captain Mandeep Singh who was martyred in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir in 1999, is at the centre of a huge row which erupted after her posts on social media against the violence which took place at DU's Ramjas College last week.

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"She(Gurmehar Kaur) is a young girl, creating controversy over her isn't right. It is about leftists who celebrate when our jawans die," Rijiju said.

"During war between India and China they (left) supported China; they mislead the youth and it is not right," the Minister of State for Home Affairs added.

"She is a martyr's daughter. His soul must be weeping that his daughter is being misguided by those who celebrate on the bodies of martyrs," Rijiju said.

Rijiju's remarks were in response to Kaur's video in which she is seen holding a placard which read," Pakistan didn't kill my father, war did."

Kaur had actually posted the video in May last year advocating India-Pakistan peace and it was reposted after February 22 violence in Ramjas College as part of protest against BJP-backed Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The student organisation was blamed behind the violence in which students, teachers and journalists were beaten up.

PROTEST MARCH AT RAMJAS

Meanwhile, hundreds of students and teachers of Delhi University, JNU and Jamia hit the streets with a call to "save" the varsities from the "onslaught" of ABVP and "curbing" of dissent. However, Gurmehar Kaur opted out of the protest march. Her mother said she has left Delhi.

The students held posters with messages like "Your nationalism is not above our democracy".

The protesters, mainly comprising students of left forums like AISA, shouted slogans "ABVP Go Back" and "Azaadi" as the march made its way through the roads of North Campus towards the Arts Faculty building.

The gates of the colleges falling on the route of the march, which began from the gates of Khalsa College, were shut.

"We are marching to reclaim the space to debate and discuss. It is about the freedom to coexist, yet disagree," a student said.

There was heavy police deployment to prevent a rerun of the clashes that were witnessed between ABVP and AISA last week following cancellation of an event at Ramjas College after activists of the RSS-backed students' wing objected to the invitation to JNU student leaders Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid.

(With inputs from PTI)

WATCH: DU protest: As students march against Ramjas violence, ABVP turns defensive

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ALSO READ:

BJP MP compares Gurmehar Kaur to Dawood Ibrahim, Union minister Rijiju asks who's polluting her mind

Randeep Hooda on trolling Gurmehar Kaur: Don't hang me over a laugh, media bullying me

Ramjas College violence: DU professor, journalists injured in clashes between student groups

--- ENDS ---
In a statement, the NHRC said, "Some journalists covering clashes, were allegedly slapped, punched and kicked by the policemen. The commission has taken on record complaints as well as media reports making similar allegations, including threats to some students on social media."

Delhi Police had come under attack from Left-affiliated student groups for its alleged "high-handedness" after which three cops were suspended.

The Crime Branch has been entrusted with the task of carrying out a thorough probe.

Questions were raised about the role of SHO of Maurice Nagar Police Station as well to the extent that Home Minister Rajnath Singh had to personally intervene.

The college witnessed widespread violence last week after ABVP objected to a seminar because of invitation to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid.
The RSS-affiliated students' body has called for a rally on March 2 to protest the presence of 'outsiders' on Delhi University campus.

By Press Trust of India: The RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) today claimed that the recent violence at DU's Ramjas college was provoked by "outsiders" and the blame has been put on them by the "anti-nationals".

The student outfit has called for a protest on March 2 against the entry of outsiders on campus and their alleged attempts to "pollute" the atmosphere.

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"There is lot of hue and cry about ABVP's involvement in the violence. We would like to put on record that the violence was provoked by outsiders and the 'anti-nationals' have put the blame on us," Saket Bahuguna, ABVP's National Media Convener said during a press conference.

"The outsiders are not only polluting the academic and peaceful atmosphere of the university but are also provoking violence. We had not gone to attack anybody but only went to calm the situation that day and to ensure that there is no clash of ideologies in our classroom," he added.

Ramjas college had last week witnessed large-scale violence between members of the AISA and the ABVP. The genesis of the clash was an invite to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar on 'Culture of Protests' which was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by the ABVP.

"This is for the first time that such widespread violence has been witnessed at Delhi University and it is not because of ABVP. Our organisation has been part of the students union for years, why such violence took place now is because of the involvement of outsiders," Bahuguna said.

"We have called for a massive protest on March 2 to agitate against the presence of outsiders on DU campus and their attempts to vitiate the atmosphere," he added.

Meanwhile, the ABVP had earlier in the day approached police to lodge an FIR against those who have threatened army martyr's daughter Gurmehar Kaur of raping her.

Kaur, who had last week started a social media campaign "I am not afraid of ABVP" which went viral, had claimed that she had received "rape threats" allegedly from members of ABVP.

However, she withdrew from the campaign today and left for her hometown in Jalandhar.

Also read: Gurmehar Kaur: Stones were not pelted at Umar Khalid but on Ramjas students

Also watch: Umar Khalid on Ramjas College violence: It's not because of me

--- ENDS ---
Workers at the Challenge Manufacturing plant in Kansas City, Missouri voted to accept a labor agreement negotiated by United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 710 on February 22. The deal, the first UAW contract with the company, ended a three-week strike by workers against the tier 1 auto parts company, which supplies the nearby General Motors Fairfax assembly plant.

The settlement left the 290 workers at Challenge with substandard pay rates, far below the pay at GM and other US automakers, which have been deeply eroded over years. This is in line with the decades-long policy of the UAW of imposing a low wage regime in the auto parts industry to lower costs and boost the profits of Detroits Big Three automakers.

Workers at the Kansas City plant voted the UAW in as their bargaining agent in November 2016, about a year after Challenge set up shop in the 423,000-square-foot facility on Kansas City International Airport (KCI) property.

Challenge Manufacturing, ostensibly an employee-owned company, opened the KCI facility in late 2015 after being lured by Kansas City council member Scott Taylor and a team of local economic developers. They offered a handsome package, including $56 million in industrial revenue bonds, personal property tax abatement at 75 percent for 10 years and sales tax abatement of about $4.6 million.

The incentives package, dubbed Project Walker, after Walker, Michigan, the location of Challenges headquarters, was prepared behind the scenes and kept under wraps until a Planning, Zoning & Economic Development Committee meeting just prior to its approval by the city council.

A cost benefit analysis showed that the deal would strip the Park Hill School district of about $3.56 million over 10 years. In exchange for all this, Challenge pledged to provide a mere 375 jobs.

Workers at the plant produce stamped and welded sheet metal parts, such as floor pans, for the GM factory that produces the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse. Most were working for about $12-$14 per hour without a contract when they walked off the job February 2.

The World Socialist Web Site has written previously on the question of so-called worker buyouts or Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). These usually involve the issuance of stock to employees in exchange for concessions in wages, pensions and health care. However, real control rests in the hands of the banks and finance houses that fund the deal, not the supposed worker owners. In the case of Challenge Manufacturing the fraud of employee ownership is demonstrated by the fact that workers felt compelled to strike against their own company.

On the picket lines workers described being forced to work 12-hour shifts at a moments notice, often for six or seven days a week. Also, they are forced to pay out of pocket for the personal protective equipment that is needed to perform their work safely.

One worker posted on indeed.com in January, They treat their employees like indentured servants, worked there several years and never got a review. Had to fight for pay raises, and was never given any direction from upper management.

All signs point to the strike being a stage-managed affair between the UAW and Challenge Manufacturing bosses designed to let off steam and break the resistance of the young workforce with minimal impact to the company. This was demonstrated by the fact that the UAW prevented mass picketing to block managements use of temporary employees as strikebreakers, thus allowing the GM Fairfax plant to continue operation without disruption.

According to GM spokesman Tom Wickham, the three-week strike had no impact on production at the assembly plant. Likewise, the deal accepted by the UAW starts workers at a near poverty pay rate of $15 per hour, which is reportedly on par with other Challenge plants. This, the net result after three weeks of difficult negotiations, in the words of UAW President Dennis Williams.

Challenge had previously negotiated contracts with the UAW at other facilities in St. Louis, Missouri and Arlington, Texas with no work stoppages. No details of those settlements are currently available.

The treachery against the auto parts workers coincides with the UAW collusion in the destruction of the jobs of more than 3,000 GM workers in Michigan and Ohio. March 3 is the scheduled last day of work for 1,300 workers at the GM Detroit-Hamtramck plant when the company eliminates the second shift. GM previously eliminated shifts at plants in Lansing, Michigan and Lordstown, Ohio.

UAW officials were aware that workers at the Fairfax plant were the first to reject a tentative, sellout, agreement in the national UAW-Big Three auto contract negotiations in 2015. Fearing the defeat of the contract, which had already been rejected by Fiat Chrysler workers, the UAW launched a campaign of intimidation and lies to push the contract througheven after skilled trades workers rejected it. The UAW-Big Three contracts expanded the use of lower-paid temporary workers who could be hired and fired at will.

After three weeks on strike the UAW abruptly announced a tentative agreement with Challenge on February 21, and brought the contract to a vote in less than 24 hours, giving workers no time to seriously review the details.

Auto parts workers are now some of the lowest paid and most exploited manufacturing workers in the United States. Following the mass industrial struggles of the 1930s and 1940s auto parts workers had achieved near parity pay with workers at GM, Ford and Chrysler.

However, beginning in the early 1980s the UAW collaborated with management to isolate and crush a series of strikes by US auto parts workers with the goal of lowering the costs of parts and boosting the competitiveness of the Detroit-based auto giants. This was part of the overall abandonment by the UAW of any defense of the past gains of autoworkers and its adoption of a corporatist strategy of union-management collaboration.

Then, in the 1990s, US automakers spun off their own parts divisionsDelphi (GM) and Visteon (Ford). The goal was to renegotiate the wages and benefits of parts workers to impose lower wage rates with the assistance of the UAW. A series of bankruptcies followed, which were accompanied by the UAW imposing further attacks on auto parts workers.

In exchange for the services of the union leadership in crushing resistance to concessions, the Detroit automakers encouraged auto parts suppliers not to interfere with the efforts of the UAW to organize their employees and suppress opposition. The UAW has signed a series of sweetheart, pro-company contract deals, which include minor wage increases designed to stop high turnover rates, lower retraining costs and stabilize the low-paid workforce.

For example, last year Crains Detroit Business reported that the UAW was in preliminary talks with Lear Corporation about imposing substandard pay rates for jobs that the company plans to move from Mexico to Detroit. According to Lear, the deal would include a low-tier wage based on an apprentice-like structure and could ultimately involve as many as 5,000 workers.

In 2008, the UAW betrayed the 87-day strike of 3,600 workers at American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) at the former GM plants in Detroit, western Michigan and upstate New York. More than half the workers lost their jobs, the flagship plant in Detroit was closed and leveled, and the betrayal paved the way for the UAWs collusion in Obamas 2009 restructuring of GM and Chrysler, which halved the wages of all new hires. Earlier this month AAM announced it was merging with Michigan-based Metaldyne Performance Group in a $3.3 billion deal, which could signal a new round of consolidation of the auto parts industry and a new assault on the jobs and living standards of components workers.

The National Employment Law Project reported in a 2014 study that real wages for auto parts workers fell by nearly 14 percent between 2003 and 2013. Currently, auto parts workers make about one-third less than the typical auto assembly line worker. These poverty wage levels will be maintained by the UAW deal at Challenge Manufacturing.
The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) in Ypsilanti, Michigan, 30 miles west of Detroit, filed over 120 signatures on Monday to qualify for a spot on the ballot in upcoming elections for student government. Mitch Abrams, a student in the School of Education, is seeking a senate seat in the student government in elections that will be held at the end of March.

The campaign at EMU is part of the IYSSEs global fight to unite the working class of all nations against capitalism and war. The IYSSE club campaigned actively during the national elections, building a basis of support among hundreds of students who receive the IYSSE newsletters, some of whom were able to attend a number of meetings on campus last year with Socialist Equality Party US presidential candidates Jerry White and Niles Niemuth.

On a few occasions, members of the IYSSE clashed with campus Democrats who were defending the right-wing, pro-war, identity politics of Hillary Clinton. Others who had supported Bernie Sanders in the primaries wanted to know why our campaign was so sharply critical of his.

The mudslide of right-wing diktats flowing from the Trump White House has further politicized a layer of students at this largely working class campus, which offers major concentrations in medicine, social work, education, arts and business, among others. One can also sense the weight of a large foreign student population in the response of students to the witch-hunt that has been launched against immigrants.

Jazi is a new student from Flint, Michigan, where the entire water supply was poisoned when a conspiracy of local, state and federal officials switched the water supply from the Detroit Water Department to the polluted Flint River and covered up the deadly effects of lead in the poisonous mix.

Her mother had legally immigrated to the United States from Nigeria more than 10 years ago and holds American citizenship, but she was prevented from driving the 40 miles from Flint to Ypsilanti to visit her daughter this past weekend because of police state measures implemented on President Trumps executive order.

When local police working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents set up checkpoints along local roadways, the freshman told her mother not to make the trip.

My mother lives in Flint, she told the World Socialist Web Site. When I found out about the police and ICE checkpoints between here and home, I told her she could not visit me this weekend.

I am not a big fan of Obama, she said. He bombed a lot of countries where I have family members and friends. Yemen and Libya are examples. He destabilized a lot of countries in the region. Jazi studies creative writing and business with the intent of opening a publishing company.

In many ways, the devastating crisis of education in Michigan hit close to home. I attended public school before they all closed, she told us. But I had to join the schools of choice and travel half an hour each way for four years of high school. There are no extra curricular activities. Our school did not even have a music program. Now my siblings are doing the same thing.

She denounced Betsy DeVos, the Michigan billionaire and lifelong opponent of public education who was appointed Trumps secretary of education. She wants to cut the free and reduced cost lunch program. There were many times for some of my friends when that was the only meal they got.

I dont think she knows anything about public education, she continued. The free breakfast is a cup of cereal and some fruit. Now she wants to cut that. In response to the IYSSE campaign for open borders and for the full rights of immigrants to study and work freely wherever they want, Jazi explained the widespread impact at the university of Trumps threats to deport millions. She is acutely aware of the cowardly response of the schools administration.

There are many Middle Eastern students on the campus and many of them are directly impacted by the ban, she said. The email that the administration sent around to students was really wordy. They tried to make it seem as if they were in solidarity. But they explicitly said they would not defend us. If asked, they would provide all our information.

Like many students, she explained that she had come to university to get an education and prepare a life for herself without intending to become political. But that was becoming impossible. My existence is political, she said. My rights as a human being are political and always have been.

Kya is studying to become a medical doctor. She agreed right away to sign the petition to place the IYSSE on the ballot.

Affordable tuition is the main reason that a lot of people dont go to college or wont finish, she said especially from Ypsilanti and other low income areas. This is supposed to be the land of the free but what does that mean if you cant get an education?

Im a Bernie Sanders supporter, she said. I agree with a lot of his points about a good life for Millennials who are looking for jobs. When we asked if she was aware that Bernie Sanders agreed with Donald Trump on the fundamental question of economic nationalism, she responded, I had no clue.

When we said that we advocate open borders, and that everyone should be able to live, and work, wherever they want, Kya said, I agree. For a country that was built and constructed by immigrantsand whose economy was driven by immigrants in its workforceI think its unfair to say that they cannot come into that country which they helped to advance. It is supposed to be based on equal opportunity. You cannot give everyone equal opportunity if we are not allowing them to come in.

Victoria volunteers at the campus soup kitchen. Students can pick up groceries, she said, like bread, for example, milk, tuna, macaroni. It is like a regular grocery store.

The little restaurants here in the student center are very expensive, and you cant even get basic groceries at decent prices on campus. Peanut butter is just an example. At the Market Place here on campus it costs $6.00 a jar. At Walgreens it is $3.58.

Its outrageous that they make money off the students. If you dont have a car, Ypsi is very spread out, and you just cant get to a regular grocery store. There is not really any Kroger, Meijer or Walmart that is local within walking distance. They can raise prices however they want, because students still need food to eat.

I agree the working class worldwide needs to unite.
Part one | Part two | Part three | Part four

The US government is rapidly moving forward with a plan to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants from the US. If realized, this will be the worlds largest forced migration program since the Nazis forced millions of Jews and other undesirables into ghettos and concentration camps. In terms of its sheer scale, the Trump administrations plan overshadows even the most shameful events in American history, including the Cherokee Trail of Tears, the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act, Japanese internment and the Palmer raids.

The many millions whose lives will be uprooted by Trumps immigration policies are the victims of the capitalist system and of policies enacted by both political parties of the American ruling class. Immigrants confront an administration whose xenophobia, nationalism and barbarity express the social outlook of a ruling class that has amassed its wealth through decades of financial parasitism, international corporate exploitation and imperialist war. The US financial aristocracy has laid waste to the societies from which working class immigrants escape and then slanders them as rapists and criminals.

The WSWS spoke to Victoria, a mother in her 30s who was released days ago from a detention center in Texas after traveling from El Salvador with two of her four children, including her 14-year-old daughter, Gabriela, and her one-year-old son, Edwin Jr.

Three weeks ago, a pre-dawn glow cracked the night sky in the familys small Salvadoran village. Victoria woke Gabriela and told her to get dressed. Each had filled a single small bag with key belongings and baby formula. Edwin Jr.s infant chatter was the only sound that accompanied them down the dirt road to the towns bus stop.

Vitorias husband, Edwin Sr., is a farmworker and makes just over USD $200 each month in El Salvador. He had previously lived in the United States and worked for months in the fields to save up the USD $5,000 required to pay a human smuggler (known as a coyote) to send his wife and two of their children to the United States. The trip north was the financial gamble of a lifetimewhen Victoria and her children were captured, many months worth of labor were lost.

In the town where we are from, there is a church but the hospital nearby is barely functioning, she said. My children have to walk an hour to and from school each day, and they are getting regularly threatened by the gangs.

Victoria has relatives who own a small shop in El Salvador and are forced to pay an extortion fee to the gangs, who manufacture and ship drugs to American consumers and control large swaths of Central American and Mexican territory. The family has paid the fee for years, but can no longer afford it, and the parents regularly go hungry to avoid being killed by gangs. Recently, gang members murdered Edwin Sr.s father, beating him to death with metal pipes. Since Victoria and the children were captured, Edwin Sr. is now at heightened risk of meeting the same fate.

After the gang members killed my husbands father, they said they would kill us. They left written messages at my door telling me they would kill my children. They were horrible messages. Victoria began to cry. Each time she thinks of the messages she begins to panic. She is certain that if she returns, she will be killed. The police did nothing, they are corrupt, they are often the ones who help the gangsters.

Immigration judges will almost always deny asylum to someone in Victorias position, claiming that extortion is not legally sufficient to qualify as a refugee.

According to a 2015 report by San Diego State University social scientist Elizabeth Kennedy, the Obama administration deported 83 people to their deaths in 2014 and the first half of 2015. The Guardian reported one such story: Juan Francisco Diaz was deported back to his hometown Choloma in Honduras in March, having lived under the radar in the US for three years. Four months after deportation he was found lying dead in an alleyway in his parents neighborhood. Countless women have been deported to countries where they are then raped and sexually abused.

Victoria had no choice but to leave town to save her children. Her plan was to save up enough money working as a cleaning lady in the US to pay for her husband and remaining two children to be brought to the US. She traversed over 1,000 miles of rugged terrain in 16 days on her way north.

The coyotes took us through Mexico, sometimes by foot, a group of 10 or 15 of us. There were days where we didnt eat. For three days I did not eat and I was running out of food for my baby, Victoria said. By day, the group travelled, Victoria taking Edwin Jr. in her arms as they ran through fields and hid under bridges to escape the Mexican police and border agents who work with the US to deport Central Americans migrating north.

Each night, the group of immigrants stopped to sleep in a field or in one of the safe houses often controlled by the gangs or local criminals along the way. Victoria slept with her arms around her children, fearful that they would be sexually abused or attacked. One of the young women in Victorias travel group was dragged away one night and raped by two men. In the morning the young woman was not there.

As the group approached the border, their coyote told them to lie in the bed of a pickup that closed with a low hatch and could not be opened from the inside. They were packed on top of one another and left with little air circulation. Edwin Jr. began to cry, causing panic among the travelers and concern they would be discovered. After several hours, the coyote changed his mind, unloaded the immigrants and took them across the desert on foot instead.

The walk across the arid desert was the most difficult part of the journey, Victoria said. She was grateful it was only February and temperatures in the desert had yet to soar. The group had a limited water supply and they knew that if their coyote got lost or abandoned them, they would likely die. They marched through the rocky terrain until late at night, and then they saw the headlights.

When we were across the US border, the coyotes took us to hide, she said. The immigrants first stayed hidden, hoping the Border Patrol did not see them. When more headlights appeared, Victorias heart sunk. She was running out of baby food and was too exhausted to scramble through the desert away from the guards.

Customs and Border Patrol found Victoria cowering under a bush in the desert with her children. Covered in dirt, the family was detained together in an immigrant processing center.

We were detained for a day and a night, and it was very cold, Victoria said. My baby didnt want to eat anything because the food they gave us was so bad. He cried and cried, and there was nowhere he could rest because they didnt give us beds. I wouldnt put him on the floor because I was worried he would get sick from how dirty it was.

Some of the guards were nice, but some humiliated us. They took my stuff and threw it in the trash. I had some money I had saved, and I had a list of phone numbers of the only people I know in the US. They threw all of that in the trash. When I was released, I didnt have money to buy food for my baby. Thank god a kind stranger bought me some food for my child and gave me a few dollars to buy food for my 14-year-old and me.

When immigrants are captured at the border, they often face a quick round of questioning by immigration officials at the processing center before being sent to a longer-term jail. One immigration attorney told the WSWS that agents often lie to ensure that the migrants asylum claim will fail. They invent testimony, claiming the immigrants say they are looking for work or came for economic reasons. These are legally insufficient reasons under US immigration law for granting asylum, and often result in denials of otherwise valid asylum claims.

The predominant social type that works on the Border Patrol or in an immigration detention facility is distinctly fascistic. As of November 2016, a review board set up to investigate incidents where Border Patrol agents shoot immigrants has cleared the agents each time, regardless of whether the migrant was killed. The US Supreme Court is currently hearing a case filed by the parents of a young Mexican boy who was shot and killed by a border guard in El Paso after he and his friends were playing near the border. An appeals court held that the parents have no right to sue.

A source told the WSWS that guards have also begun posting signs inside detention centers mocking migrants and telling them Trump is going to make them pay for the construction of the border wall. Many of the border guards and immigration officials are of Hispanic descent and are hired for their Spanish language skills. Immigrants are often surprised by the fact that officers and guards with Hispanic names treat them so harshly.

Overall, 65 percent of ICE detainees are held in for-profit private prisons. Legislation introduced by Democrats and signed by Democratic President Barack Obama in 2009 mandates that ICE fill these facilities to a certain quota to ensure the profit margin of the immigrant detention profiteers. Since 2003, 167 people have died in immigration detention facilities, many due to lack of medical care. The prices of stocks for two of the largest for-profit prison companiesGEO Group and CoreCivichave doubled since Trumps election.

Victoria expressed her sympathies for migrants from the Middle East who are also subject to Trumps anti-immigrant bans: The government is now saying theyre not going to let immigrants in from the Middle East, but they need help, too. Trump, he has a lot of money. He wants to do whatever he wants. He doesnt think of the poor people or the migrants. He doesnt know poverty. He doesnt know violence or any of that. He only thinks of the people with money.

To be continued
On February 18-19, 2017, the German section of the International Committee of the Fourth International held a congress that resolved to change the partys name from Partei fur Soziale Gleichheit (Party for Social Equality) to Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party). The following resolution, which was adopted unanimously by the congress, outlines the reasons for this change.

1. This PSG Congress resolves to rename the Partei fur Soziale Gleichheit (PSG) to Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (SGP). There are two reasons for this name change. First, the German section is assuming an identical name to that of all the other sections of the International Committee of the Fourth International (Socialist Equality Party, Parti de legalite socialiste), thereby underlining the unity of the ICFI as the World Party of Socialist Revolution, which fights for the same international perspective throughout the world. Secondly, the term socialist in the party name expresses the basic goal of the SGP: the overthrow of capitalism and the building of a socialist society.

2. One hundred years after the October Revolution, mankind is once again facing the alternatives of socialism or barbarism. The world situation resembles that which led to the first successful socialist revolution in history in 1917. Donald Trumps assumption of the US presidency has eliminated any doubt that the crisis of imperialism is once again leading to war and fierce class struggles. Trumps government of billionaires, generals and right-wing ideologues is the most right-wing in the history of the United States. It has declared war on the American working class and on the economic rivals of the US. Its America First policy is shattering the political institutions that prevented military conflicts between the imperialist powers and helped suppress the class struggle throughout the post-war period. Trumps perspective of restoring Americas national greatness by means of economic nationalism and military expansion recalls the policy of the Nazis in the 1930s, which led to world war.

3. There is no genuine opposition to this catastrophic course from the bourgeois institutions and parties. In the US, outgoing president Barack Obama and the Democratic Party have done everything they can to facilitate Trumps takeover. The only real differences are whether the vast military apparatus of the US is to be directed primarily against Russia or against China. In Germany and Europe, the ruling class is reacting to Trumps aggressive policies with counter-threats and rearmament. The new German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) demands that one should counter Trumps ultranationalist line by ruthlessly defining and defending ones own interests.

4. A quarter of a century after the Stalinist bureaucracy liquidated the Soviet Union and the ideological spokesmen of capitalism proclaimed the failure of socialism, it has become clear that the relapse into war and dictatorship can only be prevented by overthrowing capitalism and establishing a socialist society. Growing sections of the working class and youth sense that this is the case and are looking for a socialist road out of the prevailing social dead end. This was indicated by the broad popular response to the candidacy of Bernie Sanders, who received 13 million votes in the Democratic Party primaries in the US, as well as by the support for pseudo-left political organizations such as Syriza and Podemos in Europe. All of them received support because they declared themselves socialists and opponents of capitalism. In reality, they are nothing but bourgeois politicians who defend capitalism by whatever means necessary.

5. The International Committee of the Fourth International is today the only political tendency in the world that fights for the mobilization of the working class to overthrow capitalism on the basis of an international socialist program. The ICFI has defended and developed this perspective for decades against reformist, opportunist, revisionist and pseudo-left tendencies. The World Socialist Web Site is recognized around the world as the authentic voice of socialism. It provides the international working class with a daily Marxist analysis and a socialist orientation. Under these circumstances, it would be fundamentally wrong to allow such charlatans and pseudo-leftist conmen to exploit the banner of socialism. The name of the party must clearly express its socialist aims and confirm the unity of the International Committee.

6. Twenty years ago, on March 30, 1997, the Bund Sozialistischer Arbeiter (Socialist Labour League) founded the Partei fur Soziale Gleichheit. At that time, the International Committee concluded that the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the associated turn to the right of all the Social Democratic and Stalinist parties and trade unions necessitated the transformation of its sections from leagues into parties. While pseudo-Trotskyist and other petty bourgeois organizations reacted to this right-wing turn by the bureaucratic apparatuses by applying for asylum in their ranks, the International Committee took the opposite path. It oriented itself to the working class, and prepared to take the leadership of future revolutionary struggles.

7. The organizational form of the league stemmed from a period when reformist parties and trade unions still had the active support of militant workers. At that time, the sections of the International Committee had counted on playing a catalytic role as the most intransigent opponents of Social Democracy and Stalinism in a radicalisation among the most class-conscious and politically active elements within the ranks of these organisations, from which the real possibilities for the establishment of a mass revolutionary party would arise. That was now no longer possible. We cannot resolve the crisis of working class leadership by demanding that others provide that leadership. If there is to be a new party, then we must build it, declared David North at the time. (See: The Historical Foundations of the Partei fur Soziale Gleichheit)

8. The BSA chose the name Partei fur Soziale Gleichheit. The resolution of the founding conference gave the following reasons: The name social equality expresses the fundamental objective of the new party: it is in irreconcilable opposition to the prevailing social tendency, which is characterised by the increasing impoverishment of broad social layers on the one hand, and by the unrestrained enrichment of a small minority on the other. It stands for the goal of the socialist movement: a society in which there are no class differences and which is based on real equality between human beings. And it distinguishes itself from the political crimes, committed by the Stalinists and Social-Democratic bureaucracies, in the name of socialism, which they theoretically falsified. (ibid.)

9. The identification of socialism with social equality by the International Committee triggered ferocious attacks by the pseudo-left tendencies. The British WRP of Sheila Torrance claimed that equality was an opportunistic, purely bourgeois demand, which sought to reconcile the classes and had always been rejected by Marxists. Twenty years later, it is clear what social orientation motivated such hostility to the demand for social equality. Social inequality has reached unprecedented proportions throughout the world. While the income and wealth of the financial aristocracy and the affluent middle class have multiplied, the working class and poorer layers of the middle class struggle with declining incomes, precarious working conditions and social insecurity. The eight richest individuals in the world possess the same wealth as the poorer half of mankind. During this period, the sections of the International Committee have turned to the working class in the fight for social equality, while the Lefts, Radical Lefts, Refounded Communists, Anti-capitalists, International Socialists, etc., have all embraced racial, gender and other forms of identity politics in order to defend the privileges of the affluent middle class.

10. There is a profound and irreconcilable political gulf between the International Committee and the pseudo-left organizations. The experience of the Syriza government in Greece and of the Left Party in the Berlin Senate, whose attacks on the working class have exceeded those of the right-wing bourgeois parties, have impacted on the consciousness of the working class. Twenty years after the founding of the PSG, the International Committee is the only political party that is responding to the rise of nationalism by deepening the global collaboration of its sections and fighting for internationalism. It is the only party that fights for the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a socialist society. This reality must find unmistakable expression in the partys name.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday also asked the Ghaziabad Development Authority to deposit Rs 1100 crore to the apex court registry for acquiring land from Sahara.

By Praveen Shekhar: Supreme Court has extended Sahara Group Chief Subrata Roy's parole till April 17 and asked him to deposit Rs 5092.6 crore to get bail.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday also asked the Ghaziabad Development Authority to deposit Rs 1100 crore to the apex court registry for acquiring land from Sahara.

The court has also directed the group to deposit Rs 5,092.6 crore by April 17 in the SEBI-Sahara account to keep its chief Subrata Roy out of jail and said the amount would be refunded to the investors.

ALL ABOUT SUBRATA ROY IN 10 POINTS Sahara's lawyers had originally sought six months' time to make the payment but the bench of Justices Dipak Misra, Ranjan Gogoi and A K Sikri refused it. The bench allowed it to sell assets, mentioned in the list furnished by it, for refund of money. However, the bench observed that in case the group deposited a substantial amount out of Rs 5092.6 crore by April 17, the court might extend the time to sell other properties. The judges said, "The group can sell 13 out of the 15 properties mentioned in one of the lists to deposit the amount and can also sell the properties, which are unencumbered and mentioned in the other list given by it." Meanwhile, earlier in February, the apex court had ordered attachment of its prime property worth Rs 39,000 crore at Aamby Valley in Pune in an ongoing case against Roy. Subrata Roy was sent to jail by the top court in 2014 after his group failed to repay the amount to its two crore small investors as ordered by the court. In an August 2012 verdict, the Supreme Court had ordered two of the Sahara companies to refund Rs 24,000 crore, along with 15 per cent interest, to more than two crore small investors who had invested in their Optionally Fully Convertible Debentures (OFCDs) between 2008 and 2011. Sahara was sent to jail on March 4, 2014 for failing to pay a sum of Rs 10,000 crore. The Supreme Court has rejected his bail plea. He was granted his first bail in May 2016 to let him perform his mother's last rites. Extending Roy's parole, the apex court has fixed the next date of hearing in the case as April 17. The Supreme Court also asked the Sahara Group to sell the properties of the company and to deposit a sum of Rs 5,092.6 crore.

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Also read | Sahara's Rs 39000-crore Aamby Valley property in Pune to be attached, orders Supreme Court

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Recent weeks have witnessed a further intensification of the nuclear arms race in South Asia, with arch-rivals India and Pakistan both carrying out tests of nuclear-capable missiles and making bellicose war threats.

India and Pakistan came perilously close to all-out war last fall, after India boasted it had terminated its policy of strategic restraint and would continue to mount military strikes inside Pakistan until Islamabad stops all logistical support for the anti-Indian insurgency in Kashmir.

For two months thereafter, the Indian and Pakistani armies exchanged daily, often lethal, artillery and gunfire barrages across the Line of Control that separates Indian-held and Pakistan-held Kashmir.

While the cross-border firing has now abated, relations between South Asias nuclear powers remain fraught and both countries have stepped up their war preparations.

India has reportedly spent more than US $3 billion (20,000 crore rupees) since September on emergency arms purchases from Russia, Israel, and France. According to Indian press accounts, the purchases include ammunition, engines and spare parts for fighter jets and other aircraft, armour-piercing rockets for battle-tanks, and anti-tank missiles. The ammunition and parts are supposed to ensure that India has the capacity to wage at least 10 days of intense fighting.

Indias Hindu supremacist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has effectively frozen all ties with Islamabad since the mid-September attack that Islamist Kashmiri separatists carried out on the Indian Army base at Urian attack the BJP, with the full support of Indias political establishment, blamed on Pakistan. In a statement to the Indian parliament earlier this month, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said Indias policy is no dialogue until peace, i.e., no resumption even of Indias normally frosty relations with Pakistan until Islamabad demonstratively curtails support for the Kashmiri insurgency from its territory.

Flexing its nuclear muscles, India carried out back-to-back tests of two nuclear-capable missiles in December and January. The first, the Agni-V, is the most powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missile in Indias rapidly expanding nuclear arsenal. It is designed to carry multiple nuclear warheads to targets up to 5,000 kilometres (3,100 miles) away. Already, with the Agni-IV, which New Delhi tested for the fifth time on January 2, and which has a range of 4,000 kilometres (2,485 miles), India had the capacity to strike all major Pakistani population centres and military installations even from southern India.

Earlier in 2016, India announced that it had completed the development of a nuclear triadthe capacity to launch nuclear weapons from land, air and under water. In August, India commissioned its first nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarine, the INS Arihant, and earlier last year it successfully tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile, with a range of 3,500 kilometres (2,175 miles), the K-4. India has a second nuclear submarine currently undergoing sea trials and two others are reportedly under construction.

Islamabad responded to Indias latest Agni tests by staging its own tests of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, the Babur-3 and the Ababeel.

On January 9, Pakistan claimed to have staged a successful test of the Babur-3 from an undisclosed Indian Ocean location. An underwater-launched cruise missile, it has a range of 450 kilometres (280 miles) and is designed to hug near the sea and land so as to escape detection.

The Pakistani military claimed the Babur-3s maiden test was a measured response to nuclear strategies and postures being adopted in Pakistans neighbourhood and boasted that it gives Islamabad a second strike capability. That is the ability to mount a devastating nuclear strike even if an enemy first-strike has destroyed all of Pakistans land-based nuclear facilities and incinerated much of its population.

Unlike India, Pakistan does not possess nuclear submarines. As a result, it will be forced to deploy the Babur-3 in diesel-electric submarines, which have a much more limited capacity to remain underwater.

On January 24, Pakistan announced it had successfully conducted its first-ever test of the Ababeel, a nuclear-capable intermediate ballistic missile with a range of 2,200 kilometres (1,370 miles). Ababeel is designed to carry multiple nuclear warheads and, according to a Pakistani military press release, has the capacity to engage multiple targets with high precision, defeating the enemys hostile radars.

Both India and Pakistan are also proclaiming their adherence to aggressive military strategies that increase the prospect of war and of any war becoming a nuclear conflict.

Within days of General Bipin Rawat becoming Indias new army chief last month, he boasted about Indias readiness to fight a two-front war against Pakistan and China, and declared that Indias military has adopted Cold Start, a battle plan that calls for Indias military to be able to mobilize and launch a large-scale invasion of Pakistan in just 48 hours.

So provocative is Cold Start that the Indian military long denied it was part of its war planning. Cold Start is aimed at exploiting the large gap in strength between Indian and Pakistani conventional forces. It also is aimed at ensuring India can strike before other powers intervene to try to defuse an Indo-Pakistani war crisis, as happened in 2001-02.

Shortly after Rawat confirmed the Indian militarys adherence to Cold Start, India announced it intends to dramatically expand its tank deployments along the Pakistan border. Senior Indian Defence officials told IHS Janes Defence Weekly India will deploy upwards of 460 new Russian main battle tanks (MBTs) to the border states of Rajasthan and Punjab, where India already has a massive force of between 800 and 1,200 MBTs.

Islamabad has responded furiously to Rawats Cold Start claims. Pakistani officials told the London-based Financial Times that Islamabad would use nuclear weapons should India invade Pakistan. Indeed, Pakistan has justified its development of tactical, or so-called battlefield nuclear weapons, on the grounds India is pursuing aggressive strategies like Cold Start to overwhelm Pakistans smaller conventional forces.

A recurring complaint from Islamabad is that Washingtons longstanding campaign to build up India as a military-strategic counterweight to China has overturned the shaky balance of power between South Asias nuclear-armed rivals and is encouraging New Delhi to assume an increasingly belligerent posture.

To harness India to its anti-China pivot to Asia, Washington has showered strategic favours on India. These include allowing it to purchase advanced US weapons systems and creating a special status for India in the world nuclear regulatory regime that allows India to buy advanced civilian nuclear equipment and fuel, thereby enabling it to concentrate its indigenous nuclear programme on weapons development.

In a recent interview with Voice of America, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs main foreign policy adviser, Sartaj Aziz, warned Washington against further disrupting the strategic stability of South Asia. We have been emphasizing to (the) US, said Aziz, that if you start your defence cooperation and arms agreement (with India) in such a way that disturbs our strategic stability then we will have no option but to respond and that is not good for the peace in the region or world.

Under pressure from an India emboldened by Washingtons support, Pakistan is taking steps that dangerously lower the nuclear threshold. New Delhi, for its part, has signalled that were Islamabad to use tactical nuclear weapons against Indian troops, whether inside Pakistan or amassing to invade Pakistan, it would consider that as an act of nuclear war justifying use of its strategic arsenal, i.e., the unleashing of a nuclear attack on Pakistans major population centres.

Pakistans attempt to counter Indias nuclear triad by developing its own capacity to launch nuclear missiles from its fleet of diesel-electric submarines adds yet another element of risk.

Stratfor, an intelligence firm with close ties to the US military-security establishment, warns Indian anti-submarine forces will be unable to distinguish Pakistani submarines that are part of its nuclear deterrent from those with conventional warfare responsibilities. As a result, Pakistani commanders could misread an Indian attack on the submarines as an effort to neutralize Islamabads sea-based nuclear force and fire their nuclear missiles during what might otherwise be a conventional conflict.
A broad cross-section of workers, retirees, university students and young people attended Socialist Equality Party public meetings last Sunday in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on the administration of Donald Trump and the accelerated drive to war. A number of them spoke to WSWS reporters about the dangers of a nuclear conflict, the developing political radicalization in the US and internationally, and the need for a socialist movement of the working class.

In Sydney, Lance, a film student from the University of Newcastle, said: Trumps presidency reflects the distraught state of the capitalist system within America. There was an idea that he would come in to deal with the poverty confronting many and somehow deal with these issues of education and employment, but people are now seeing that he wont.

Lance said he was struck by the revival of German and Japanese militarism and the growth of geopolitical tensions, noting: It can definitely end in an imperialist conflict. The breakup of the European Union, and Americas move to separate from NATO will have major consequences and Germanys move to make itself the dominant power are very dangerous.

Asked about the contemporary relevance of the Russian Revolution, he commented: I was quite surprised by the growth of unemployment here in Australia. It really goes to show the increase in social inequality. The workers dont own the means of production, but they create everything in society. We need to do now what happened in 1917 when the Bolsheviks overthrew the Tsarist regime and confronted the threat of imperialism. We are going to have to go through with the same action if we are going to break free from capitalism.

Annalise, a first-year student at Macquarie University, said that she was very concerned about how the elite have been diverting social tensions and social anxieties towards minorities. People arent given their basic rights and all this anger in capitalist society is being diverted into hostility to the most vulnerable.

It is especially concerning the rise of these populist right-wing leaders globally. It is quite scary.

She spoke about the dangers of war, saying: If we look at rising tensions of nationalism and imperialism, I feel like Trump could be the breaking point for a new outbreak of war. Before the outbreak of World War Two, you had all this nationalism and then you had specific events that tipped the boat. Trump is like the breaking point in all this tension. Its like the meeting poster said, his election has advanced the progression into war.

Annalise agreed that it was critical that young people learnt the lessons of the Russian Revolution. It can be quite empowering having faith in the possibility that the working class can come together and overthrow these elites, she said.

The Russian Revolution came from the same circumstances that we are in today. We have impoverishment, we have the working class not being treated right, we have the top one percent and the wealth gap continually widening. It is the exact same realities that we are living in today that gave rise to the Russian Revolution.

Jarod, another Macquarie University student said that he attended the meeting because Ive always been interested in left-wing politics and Im from a little country town, so there arent any events like this to go to. Im concerned about constantly growing inequality, and because Im young, the idea that my standard of living isnt going to be as high as my parents.

Ive been following the US election very closely and I thought the meeting covered it well. I thought it was important that the speaker talked about the role of parties such as the Democrats. They had such a poor alternative to Trump that it actually made someone like him appealing.

Some workers thought that a reactionary like Trump would be a better choice, because of their hostility to Clinton. Identity politics is quite a big problem. The fact that a lot of left-wing parties based on identity politics have alienated the working class has actually done the struggle for minority rights a disservice.

Mike, a chemistry student at the University of New South Wales said: Todays meeting really made me think about the global implications of the new US government. I previously concentrated just on Trump himself. Nick Beams explained the tense relationship between America and Europe and similar developments in the Asia-Pacific and Australia. This is very important and indicates that we are facing a global crisis.

Trump, of course, represents the rich people in the US but nobody really hears anything about the working class. We have a situation where only eight individuals control more than half of the wealth in the entire world. This is an impossible situation so we really need a revolution. That is becoming clearer and clearer to me.

Chef, a geology graduate working in the building industry, said: I decided to attend the meeting because Im very concerned about what is happening in the world and about Trump who is a very aggressive capitalist leader. I also wanted to learn more about your party. You are socialists and that means equality between people, which I agree with.

The gap between rich and poor is widening and that is happening, not just in the US, but all over the world. I was staggered by the figures on inequality that were given in the meeting. The US has invaded many countries and taken their resourcesin Iraq, Afghanistan and other placesand this is why the gap between rich and poor is increasing and making the danger of international war much higher.

In Melbourne, Daniel, a casual worker in a bar and bottleshop, said: I mostly agree with the meeting report and discussion. I followed the US election last year on different sites on the Internet. After Sanders did the backflip, the left went quiet and created a vacuum for disaffected people. A lot of them who supported Sanders then flipped and went to Trump. People who would call themselves left were calling for a vote for Clinton. I was flabbergasted. To think that they supported that jackal.

What Trump has done since he was elected is barbaric. His cabinet of generals and billionaires is scary. I feel like I am almost like a kid in the 1950s. We are all going to be told to get under our desks and brace for the bomb. Trump is clearly going to push for warwhether it is Russia or China it doesnt matter, he might even go after both of them.

I do think there are parallels between today and what happened with the Russian Revolution. I dont think human nature has changed much since then. What drove people then is the same today. What caused the Russian workers and peasants to revolt then is with us now. I think that there is also a parallel about how the parties of the Second International supported the war efforts of their own governments and the situation today. There are some who call themselves socialist, but they dont oppose war, they are just demagogues.

Mel, a former bookkeeper in her 60s, said: At the beginning, before Obama became president, I was thinking that America was maybe getting something new, something better. But eight years later everything has gotten worse.

She said: Because Im an immigrant I have always voted for the Labor Party here. Its like in America, how the Democrats are seen as a little bit better than the Republicans. But I have found the Democratic Party is more dangerous than the Republicanespecially for Hillary [Clinton]. I have realised that Hillary was a real danger, and that she wanted war, nuclear war.

In everyday life, people dont realise that war is a danger, a war near us. People dont know. We need to promote these ideas to young people. What I know coming from China about revolution is that young people, even those still in school, need to be involved.

In Brisbane, Enrique, a construction worker, said that he was struck by the meetings information about Trumps cabinet of billionaires. This represented the unmasking of capitalism, he commented. Theyre all company men. Theyre the ones in power, which is showing how capitalism always governs over us. Its inevitable under capitalism that this will show itself eventually.

Enrique said he had not realised the extent of the planning for war by US think tanks, especially with regard to China. I wasnt so aware of the presence of the US in the South China Sea and the implications of that presence, as making an affront to the Chinese. Its obvious that the US is provoking a confrontation.

Enrique also voiced hostility to the attempts by One Nation and other right-wing parties to promote xenophobia and nationalism. The working class is international. Obviously workers dont recognise the national borders when they migrate to places to seek a better future. But its only at that point of necessity that workers realise that the borders are insignificant. Only when the working class considers itself one, and does not recognise the borders, can it fight back, he said.
New Zealands opposition Labour Party announced last month that Greg OConnor, the former head of the Police Association, will stand for the party in the Ohariu electorate in the September 23 election.

As head of the police union between 1995-2016, OConnor has consistently defended police brutality and supported the militarisation of the police force. His selection demonstrates the right-wing, anti-working class character of Labour and its main ally, the Greens, which is supporting OConnor by choosing not to stand a candidate in Ohariu.

The Ohariu electorate in Wellington had the highest average personal income in New Zealand in 2014. For more than 30 years it has been held by the conservative United Future Party candidate, Peter Dunne. Dunne was originally a member of the Labour Party. In 1995 he founded United NZ, which later became United Future.

United Future has formed coalitions with Labour and National Party governments. Dunne, the partys sole MP, is currently Minister of Internal Affairs in the National government. Labour calculates that if it can remove Dunne, National will be unlikely to form a viable coalition.

The Labour Party, which implemented sweeping pro-market policies during the 1980s including the privatisation of public assets, is deeply unpopular in the working class. It has lost the last three elections by record margins. It is widely recognised as no alternative to the National Party and supports the current governments agenda of austerity measures, including cuts to health and education, and increased military spending.

Labour hopes to form a coalition government with help from the Greens and potentially the right-wing, anti-immigrant New Zealand First.

The selection of OConnor is part of Labours plan to compete with National with right-wing law and order policies, including a pledge to train 1,000 more police officers. The aim is to divert attention from the social crisis for which the entire political establishment is responsible. At the same time, the strengthening of the police apparatus is a preparation to suppress popular opposition to austerity and militarism.

Between 1999 and 2008 the then-Labour government expanded the prison population by 36 percent and supported mass surveillance carried out by the GCSB, New Zealands spy agency. It also passed legislation to arm police officers with Tasers, which are routinely used by officers, including against vulnerable and mentally ill people. OConnor had long campaigned for the introduction of Tasers, and has repeatedly demanded that all officers should carry firearms. In 2011 the current government allowed police patrol vehicles to carry guns.

OConnors entry into political life is particularly chilling because of his unwavering defence of police violence. In 2006, for example, a group of four police officers savagely beat Rawiri Falwasser for 20 minutes, also dowsing him in pepper spray, after he refused to move cells. The Independent Police Conduct Authority ruled the officers actions were unnecessary, unreasonable, and unjustified. OConnor opposed this finding, stating: In hindsight [the officers] may have acted differently but at the time they were doing what they thought was best.

In recent years, the number of police killings has escalated markedly. In 2015 police shot 21-year-old David Cerven while he was unarmed in Myers Park in Auckland. Police refused to release details of the shooting, including security camera footage. Also in 2015, police shot 25-year-old Pera Smiler after he presented a firearm in the Wellington suburb of Upper Hutt. Witnesses claim Smiler was preparing to surrender when police shot him.

In 2016 police killed 57-year-old Mike Taylor outside the township of Paeroa, in New Zealands North Island. Taylors partner claims that he was unarmed and that police did not order him to put up his hands. In all these cases, the Police Association defended the officers actions. Following the shooting of Taylor, OConnor said the public must accept that police officers  will more and more be having to make these decisions.

The elevation of OConnor is being greatly assisted by the Green Party, Labours main ally, which has decided not to run a candidate against him in Ohariu. This is in line with a Memorandum of Understanding agreed last year between the two parties to work together to change the government. Labour leader Andrew Little told Newshub on February 14 that this arrangement would be very helpful to Greg OConnor.

Seeking to distance the Greens from OConnor, Greens co-leader Metiria Turei told the media she did not agree with any of his views. Her co-leader James Shaw denied that there had been a dirty deal with Labour. At the same time, Shaw cynically justified the Greens decision by saying: Look, if you want to change the government, then Ohariu matters and were simply gonna stand out of the way.

The deal exposes the thoroughly right-wing politics of the Greens. Should Labour win the election, the Greens will bear full political responsibility for the strengthening of police powers and other authoritarian measures taken by the new government.

In recent years the Greens have joined Labour, New Zealand First and the Police Association in attacking the government from the right for not recruiting more police officers and for a so-called freeze on funding the police. On June 17, 2015, Green MP David Clendon lambasted the government over what he called a 5.7 percent budget cut to the police since 2010.

The Daily Blog, funded by several trade unions, has also endorsed OConnor and has published articles calling for a boost to police numbers. The blogs editor Martyn Bradbury said OConnors selection was bloody smart because he would appeal to the working class, the poor and migrant communities who bear the brunt of societal crime.

In fact, the open embrace of OConnor and the police force by these organisations reflects their hostility to the working class, which is the main target of police violence. The Greens and the trade union bureaucracy represent sections of the affluent middle class, which are fearful that the ever-increasing social inequality and poverty will lead to the emergence of open class struggle. To defend the capitalist system, they support increasing the size and powers of the police and the military.

The author also recommends:

Labour, Greens sign Memorandum of Understanding

[15 June 2016]

New Zealand First proposes army training for unemployed youth

[8 April 2016]

Daily Blog opposes jury trials in rape cases

[9 September 2016]
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) has pushed through a 5 percent wage cut at the Maryvale paper mill, operated by Australian Paper in Victorias Latrobe Valley. The union announced last Thursday that workers had narrowly endorsed a new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) at the site containing the wage reduction.

The result follows a campaign of intimidation by the CFMEU and the company warning workers that the plant would be shut and they would lose their jobs if they did not accept the pay cut of up to $100 a week. It underscores the role of the unions in enforcing the dictates of the corporate and financial elite and establishing further precedents for the destruction of wages and conditions.

The vote by production workers was held by secret ballot through the mail, without any mass meeting being held. As many as 900 full-time, part-time and casual workers are employed at the mill, the largest in the country.

According to the CFMEU, 199 voted for the agreement and 187 against. Some 20 percent of workers eligible to vote boycotted the ballot. The result reflects widespread hostility to the company-union wage-cutting campaign.

The EBA establishes a two-tier wage system, with an effective 11.5 percent pay cut for all new-starts. It follows an agreement backed by the union in 2016 which resulted in a wage freeze for 160 maintenance workers at the plant. Under the deal, maintenance employees work a 38-hour, four-day week, while being paid for just 35 hours. The arrangement has reportedly saved the company $3 million.

In comments to the Latrobe Valley Express last week, CFMEU Maryvale branch secretary Anthony Pavey hailed the latest agreement, declaring: It was a show of good faith from the 516-strong production workforce to help secure the future of the financially troubled mill.

Speaking like a representative of the corporate shareholders who have demanded stepped-up efficiency, Pavey boasted of the savings already imposed by the union in the 2016 agreement. The maintenance workers were able to achieve their savings by doing extra hours and taking pay freezes; we havent changed our conditions, weve dropped the value of our dollar basically, he said.

Pavey pointed to the ongoing anger among workers over the deal, warning: [T]he workforce is fairly flat and a little bit divided with such a close vote. Its very difficult at the moment.

Australian Paper national manager of sustainability, communication and marketing, Craig Dunn, publicly thanked the union for pushing through the cut, stating, the company appreciated the sacrifice of its workers.

Paveys comments, and the unions record, make clear that the CFMEU is committed to enforcing an unending assault on the jobs, wages and conditions of Maryvale workers, in the name of ensuring that the company remains internationally competitive. While the full content of the EBA has not been publicly released, it no doubt contains provisions for further inroads into jobs, wages and conditions.

The cuts at Maryvale are part of a broader corporate offensive, aimed at dismantling the rights and conditions won by workers over decades of struggle. The Latrobe Valley, which is in Victorias east and has historically been a centre of manufacturing and the power industry, is a focal point for this campaign.

Earlier this year, the federal governments Fair Work Commission endorsed demands by AGL for the elimination of the existing EBA at its Loy Yang A power station in the Latrobe Valley. The ruling has created the conditions for wage cuts of up to 65 percent.

This followed the announcement late last year by French multinational Engie that it will close the nearby Hazelwood power station at the end of March, resulting in around 700 job cuts.

The CFMEU, having overseen the destruction of tens of thousands of jobs in the Latrobe Valley, is doing everything it can to isolate workers at each plant, and prevent the development of a unified struggle against this onslaught.

The role of the union was on full display last month when Anthony Pavey swerved his four-wheel drive near a supporter of the Socialist Equality Party campaigning against the CFMEU-company deal. Pavey told the SEP campaigners to get the f out of here, accusing them of making it hard for the workers to make their decision.

Referring to Pavey, a worker later told the WSWS, he is afraid to come down to my section of the plant. Hes betraying the workers. Hes here for what he can get out of it.

Hand-in-hand with their pro-company thuggery, the CFMEU has promoted virulent nationalism, aimed at dividing the working class and diverting attention from the role of the union and the company in slashing wages and conditions. The union has blamed the attacks on Maryvale workers on the alleged dumping of cheap paper on the world market by Chinese corporations, and has called for tariffs and other protectionist measures to be imposed.

In other words, the union is demanding the escalation of trade war measures, which are already resulting in a fracturing of the world economy, and heightening the dangers of military confrontations.

In reality, the cuts at Maryvale and throughout the Latrobe Valley are a product of the crisis of global capitalism, and the dictates of the financial elites everywhere for workers to pay for the ongoing economic slump.

Australian Paper is owned by Nippon Paper Industries, a multinational corporation, which is restructuring its global operations in response to a growing downturn in paper demand. The company is selling its mill in Washington state in the US. The plant curtailed production last month, with over 100 workers reportedly laid off. At the same time, the company is establishing paper cup operations in Vietnam, aimed at taking advantage of ultra-low wages.

The alternative to the nationalism and corporatism of the unions is the fight for an independent political movement of the working class, uniting workers around the world in a counteroffensive against the attacks of finance and big business.

As a first step in this struggle, workers at Maryvale and throughout the Latrobe Valley should establish rank-and-file committees, independent of the unions, to oppose the company-union attacks, break the isolation imposed by the CFMEU and link up with other sections of workers across the country.

Above all, what is required is a new political perspective aimed at establishing workers governments, which would place the major corporations and manufacturers under public ownership and implement socialist policies, including guaranteeing a decent, well-paid job for all.
President Donald Trump will deliver an address to both houses of Congress tonight, broadcast live throughout the United States. According to talking points released by the White House yesterday, the speech will lay out an optimistic vision for the country and invite all Americans of all backgrounds to come together in the service of a stronger, brighter future for our nation.

The very fact that Trump will be delivering the address is proof that the state of the union is neither optimistic nor bright. Trump and his administration of political thugs are testament to the horrifying decay of political culture in the United States. The agenda that the administration is rapidly implementing holds out for the working class of the entire world a future of unending war, dictatorship and social devastation.

The first five weeks of the Trump administration have given ample demonstration of this fact. Trump is packing his administration with CEOs, billionaires, ex-generals and individuals dedicated to what his chief strategist Stephen Bannon referred to last week as the deconstruction of the administrative state. In a policy directive released yesterday, the Trump administration calls for a massive 10 percent increase in spending on the military, to be paid for through cuts in everything else: public education, mass transportation, housing, job training, the arts, pollution controls, and health and safety regulations.

The administrative state is to be replaced with the garrison state, with all the resources of American society subordinated to the preparations of the ruling class for world war.

Among the first actions of the new government is a brutal crackdown on immigrant workers. Thousands are being rounded up and deported, and the Trump administration is setting up the framework for mass internment camps. The government is encouraging the most backward and reactionary elements, expressed in the wave of bomb threats against Jewish community centers and the racially-motivated shooting of two Indian men in Kansas last week.

In all its actions, the new government is implementing a definite political strategy. One should not hesitate to use the word fascism. The denunciation by Bannon of the corporate globalist media, Trumps demand for total allegiance to the United States of America and his call for a new national pride founded on the blood of patriotsthis is language inspired by Mussolini and Hitler. The Trump-Bannon government is using the immense power of the presidency to develop a fascistic movement, which will increasingly take on extra-parliamentary forms.

Throughout his campaign and in the first weeks of his administration, Trump has pitched his rhetoric to the discontent and frustration of broader sections of the population. With lying and empty rhetoric about the forgotten man and pledges to Make America Great Again, he is seeking to direct social anger against the enemy abroad and establish the base for an authoritarian and militarist agenda.

Trump does not have mass support. Indeed, his presidency is the most unpopular in the history of the United States. Polls make clear that his attack on immigrants and other reactionary measures are broadly opposed. In the first weeks of his administration, Trump has confronted protests involving millions of people in the United States and internationally.

However, in the absence of any progressive political outlet for this anger, it is the extreme right that is benefiting. This is true not only in the United States, but also in Europe, where far right and fascistic political movements are also on the rise.

The administrations greatest asset is the spineless and reactionary character of his critics within the political establishment. The Democrats are doing everything they can to divert and disorient popular opposition. Along with their allies in the media, they are promoting a vile, neo-McCarthyite campaign focused on denunciations of the Trump administration for being too soft on Russia. Their strategy is two-pronged. They want to pressure Trump to adopt positions that conform to the demands of dominant sections of the military-intelligence apparatus, while at the same time diverting the anger of millions of workers and youth away from any challenge to the capitalist system.

Responsibility for the rise of Trump lies squarely with the Democratic Party and what is generally presented as left politics in the United States. The Democratic Party, no less than the Trump administration itself, is a political instrument of Wall Street and the intelligence agencies. The policies of the Obama administration for the eight years that followed the economic crash of 2008 were dedicated to rescuing and enriching Wall Street. Far from being held accountable for the swindling and criminality that produced the crisis, the financial aristocracy is richer than ever. The Obama administration continued and expanded the wars of the Bush administration, while escalating the attacks on democratic rights and increasing the power of the intelligence agencies.

During the 2016 election campaign, Hillary Clinton ran as the candidate of Wall Street and the status quo, refusing to even acknowledge mass social discontent. While the leftward movement of broad sections of workers and youth was expressed in support for the campaign of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and his call for a political revolution against the billionaire class, Sanders task was to channel this anger behind Clinton, an action that helped assure Trumps victory. Sanders is now reprising this role in his new position as part of the leadership of the Democratic Party in the Senate.

The obsessive fixation of the Democratic Party and the political organizations that surround it on various forms of racial, ethnic and gender identity politics plays into Trumps hands. The Democrats and their apologists are opposed to any movement against Trump that is associated with policies of social reform and economic redistribution, beyond a more agreeable distribution of wealth within the top 10 percent. As such, they are incapable of advancing a viable basis for opposing the reactionary chauvinism of the fascistic right.

In the final analysis, the rise of Donald Trump is the expression of the protracted and now terminal crisis of American capitalism. He is not an intruder in an otherwise healthy society. However bitter the dispute within the ruling class, they are all united on the conviction that American imperialism must control the world and the attack on the working class must be intensified. Under Trump, the ruling class is embarking on a new stage in this catastrophic project.

Essential political conclusions must be drawn. It is impossible to separate the fight against the Trump administration from the fight against the social and economic order that has produced it: capitalism. The social force that must be mobilized against Trump is the working class. It is in the working class that real and enduring opposition to the new administration will develop.

The Socialist Equality Party is fighting to arm the working class with a political program that offers a real solution to the great problems that it confronts. The working class can only secure its basic rightsto a secure and good-paying job, health care, housing, education, retirementby means of a frontal assault on the wealth of the corporate and financial elite. It must reclaim the massive fortunes accumulated by the super-rich through fraud and speculation. The stranglehold of the financial aristocracy must be broken through the transformation of the gigantic banks and corporations into publicly-owned utilities, democratically controlled to meet social need, not private profit.

The social interests of the working class must be connected to the fight against imperialist war, which threatens the entire globe with catastrophe. The SEP fights to counter the reactionary and fascistic nationalism promoted by Trump and similar political tendencies internationally through the unification of workers of every nationality, race and gender on the basis of their common class interests.

The basic and urgent task is the building of a revolutionary leadership, the SEP and our worldwide organization, the International Committee of the Fourth International. The Trump administration represents a clear and present danger. It must be fought through the systematic, persistent and urgent organization of the working class in the fight for socialism.

For more information on how to join the Socialist Equality Party, click here.
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) held public meetings on The political significance of Trump and the accelerated drive to war, in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, Australias three largest cities, on Sunday.

The SEP public meetings attracted an important cross section of university students, workers, professionals and retirees, who recognised that the Trump presidency represented a dangerous shift in American and world politics and sought a Marxist analysis of this development (see: SEP meeting attendees speak on Trump and the threat of war).

Addressing the Melbourne meeting, SEP national secretary James Cogan explained the political origins of the Trump administration and its reactionary agenda. Using a PowerPoint presentation, the speaker detailed the extreme right-wing and fascistic elements in the new regime, the escalating danger of war and Trumps intensifying attacks on refugees and immigrants.

Cogan told the meeting that the bitter denunciations of US President Trump from the Democratic Party and sections of the corporate media for allegedly being soft on Russia were part of a ferocious conflict within the US state apparatus.

The question being fought out in this virtual civil war, he said, was which of the major powersChina or Russiawould be the first target of stepped-up US military pressure and aggression. Against the background of this reactionary conflict, US military strategists and right-wing think tanks were discussing and planning for nuclear war.

Cogan cited details from Preserving the Balance: A US Eurasia Defense Strategy, a recent report on US military strategy by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.

There is no mistaking the content of what is being discussed, he said. The US military establishment believes the use of nuclear weapons is not only practical, but necessary to win the wars of the future. It is prepared to risk the prospect of a nuclear exchange with Russia or China and thus the future of civilisation.

To fight against what is happening, it is necessary, first of all, to understand what we are fighting against. It is necessary to understand Trump from the standpoint of the social class that he representsthe capitalist oligarchy.

The Trump administrations America First foreign policies and its domestic agenda, Cogan said, were a continuation of US military aggression and a social counter-revolution unleashed against the working class for more than 25 years.

The mass opposition towards the Trump administration was a powerful sign that there was no mass constituency for war and social reaction in the US, the speaker declared, but warned that the demonstrations would not change US policies.

Sections of Americas corporate elite that were opposed to Trump, along with various pseudo-left organisations, were attempting to corral this opposition into support for the Democratic Party and its equally reactionary nationalist and militarist agenda. The Democrats and their supporters had no fundamental differences with Trump, Cogan pointed out, because they defended the social and economic system that had produced him.

Cogan insisted that the corporate oligarchy could only be opposed by one social force, the working class, conscious of its revolutionary tasks and organised independently of the bourgeoisie and its political defenders. The only way to combat the headlong drive of the US and other imperialist powers towards a new world war, Cogan concluded, is through the mobilisation of the working class on a revolutionary socialist and internationalist perspective.

World Socialist Web Site International Editorial Board member Nick Beams spoke at the Sydney meeting, which was attended by about 80 people, including students from Macquarie University, the University of New South Wales, the University of Newcastle and Western Sydney University.

Beams began by pointing out that the Trump administration and its reactionary program could not be understood without placing it in its global and historical context.

The Trump presidency is not an aberration, after which things might go back to normal, he said, but the sharpest and most explicit expression of a breakdown, not just of American capitalism and its political structures but of the world capitalist system as a whole.

Beams explained that the America First program was threatening to overturn all the economic, political and military arrangements of the post-war period and fuelling dangerous responses by the imperialist rivals of the US.

The speaker said that German president Franz-Walter Steinmeier had told parliament that the world appeared to have gone off the rails and that Germany was now regarded by many as an anchor of hope. This was the theme of the German ruling elites in World War I and World War II, Beams said, and reflected in contemporary efforts by a layer of German academics to legitimise the crimes of the Nazi regime.

The same processes are underway in Japan. The pursuit of an America First agenda means Japan can no longer operate within the framework through which it has pursued its interests in the post-war period. It must set out on its own independent path which, as in the case of Germany, led directly in the past to a clash with the United States and war.

Beams reviewed the political role played, during the US presidential campaign, by Bernie Sanders, who falsely presented himself as a socialist. Sanders sought to tap into the deep-seated hostility towards the political establishment in order to provide a safety valve, and ensure that mass opposition was channelled back behind the Democratic Party.

Beams asked: Why are right-wing tendencies currently the main beneficiaries of the widespread anger and opposition to the establishment parties over rising poverty, unemployment and social inequality?

The answer, he explained, lay with the policies and programs of the parties and organisations of what passed for the left. Over the past quarter century, these formations had promoted the same economic nationalist agenda as their so-called political rivals and had completely abandoned any program that even claimed to defend the interests of working people.

Beams emphasised that all forms of economic nationalism were a reactionary diversion and a formula for chaos and destruction, authoritarian forms of rule and imperialist war ... Every economic activity is a product of the labour of a global working class, employed and dominated by the same transnational corporations and international banks and finance houses.

The issue at hand is this: are these productive forces, created by the global working class, to be subordinated to the profit system and the inexorable drive to war arising from it, or are they to be utilised for the advancement of humanity as a whole?

The historic challenge before the international working class is to undertake a globally unified struggle to overturn the reactionary capitalist nation-state and profit system through the international socialist revolution, Beams said.

Following the reports at each meeting, a video was screened featuring World Socialist Web Site chairman David North introducing the International Committee of the Fourth Internationals forthcoming lecture series on the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution.

North, and the speakers at the SEP public meetings, stressed the contemporary relevance of the Russian Revolution.

The revolution, which provided the only progressive solution to World War I, was conceived by its leadershipLenin and Trotskyas the opening shot of the world socialist revolution and demonstrated in practise that, given the necessary revolutionary leadership, the working class could carry through the socialist revolution and open the way for the transformation of society.

The video was followed by extended audience questions and discussion sessions, which covered a broad range of political issues. An indication of the seriousness of the response of the audiences was that over $5,000 was donated to the SEPs special Party Building Fund.

In Sydney, audience members asked what workers should do in Australia; how to convince workers about the urgency of the political dangers posed by the Trump administration and the threat of war; and about the possible impeachment of Trump.

Nick Beams explained that the central task facing workers in Australia was no different to that of workers in every other country. Australia is deeply enmeshed in US war preparations and geo-strategic manoeuvres; there is no national solution to war. Australian workers must conduct the most intransigent struggle for the unification of all workers against militarism and war and bring into the working class the great slogan of the Marxist movementWorkers of the World Unite!

Responding to the question about changing the political consciousness of workers, Beams referred to Leon Trotsky, who explained that people reacted differently to political arguments, but their reaction to a red hot poker would be the same. In other words, huge political events, and changes in the objective situation, would produce mass struggles, but the decisive question was revolutionary leadership. The development of the revolutionary party and revolutionary consciousness in the working class was a process, and required patient political explanation and struggle in the working class, the speaker stressed.

In Melbourne there were several questions, including one about the relationship between the threat of war and the emergence of a revolutionary movement.

Cogan answered by emphasising the urgent need to develop an international anti-war perspective within the working class.

We certainly do not have the aim of achieving socialism after thermo-nuclear war, he explained. We cannot wait on events. We have to fight to prevent war. Socialist revolution is required to prevent another imperialist war. This is the perspective that has to animate the working class in this country and internationally.
Southern Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) conductors and drivers carried out a 24-hour strike on February 22. The walkout was the 29th strike called by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) since last April.

The workers are opposing the moves by the private rail company to force conductorswho are already responsible for 30 different safety functionsinto a new role as On Board Supervisors, with drivers taking over passenger door operations.

The expansion of Driver Only Operation (DOO) is a massive cost-cutting exercise by the Tory government and private train operators to terminate the safety role of the conductor. The strike took place in the wake of Southern GTR drivers voting down a sell-out deal negotiated in private with the company by train drivers union, ASLEF, and the Trades Union Congress (TUC). ASLEFs leadership, backed by the company and the government, tried every trick in the book to pressure drivers into voting yes. The deal would force drivers to take over door operations they had gone on strike against only weeks earlier, and which ASLEF had described as unsafe.

In response to the rejection by its members, ASLEF and its general secretary, Mick Whelan, rapidly moved to derail any unified struggle by drivers and conductors by blocking the resumption of drivers strikes.

ASLEF officials claimed that the supposedly slim margin of defeatthe deal was rejected by a 54-46 percent marginmeant only minor tweaking was needed to gain membership approval. The union has entered private talks at a secret location with GTR management to bring an end to the dispute, this time without the involvement of the TUC.

ASLEF Assistant General Secretary Simon Weller said, We could put strike dates on if we wish but it is not where we want to be. I see no reason why we cant achieve a negotiated settlement thats acceptable to all our members.  Obviously, we got it wrong. Were a democratic organisation ... and our members had a clear view on it. ... We got it wrong and I dont see that as a big problem ... we just have to get it right again.

ASLEFs effort to isolate the conductors strike and divide a united opposition to DOO is mirrored by the RMT.

Ahead of the latest strike at Southern GTR, the RMT called off a ballot of conductors at Govias other rail franchise at London Midlandserving Liverpool, Crewe, Birmingham throughout the Midlands and London Eustonjust as the result was to be announced. Five hundred conductors were expected to return a massive vote to strike against the forced introduction of security contractors onto trains. The role of the contractors would be to shadow conductors and gradually take over the conductors role.

Govias London Midland section agreed to remove security from the trains in a temporary tactical retreat. Instead of powerful coordinated strikes, the RMT accepted the decision and did not even allow ballot figures to be announced. This isolation enabled the company and media to escalate attacks on strikers at Southern.

During the latest strike, Southern GTR management announced more trains were running than in previous strikes. The RMT reported that if more trains than normal are running on strike days, it was due to what it calls a high risk scabbing operation.

In a letter to the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) chief inspector of railways, Ian Prosser, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash stated, I have been made aware that Southern GTR are in the process of throwing together up to 40 contingency staff to work trains as a second person during the proposed dispute day of Wednesday 22nd February by providing up to 40 volunteers, with a watered down two days in a class room training exercise.

Cash described it as Kamikaze mentality, adding, How or why they believe that they can produce a second person to work a train with just two days in a class room is a serious misunderstanding of their own managerial responsibilities in ensuring the safe working and passage of trains...

He called on the regulator to intervene and remind Southern GTR management of their health and safety standards and responsibilities in relation to the management of health and safety in operating a safe railway.

Cash previously described the ORR, which issued a report saying DOO was safe, as a department of the government made up of Tory appointees and funded by the transport industry. Despite their own reports highlighting over 20 serious safety failures they claim that, with remedial action, Driver Only Operation can be made safe.

The RMTs letter was riddled with appeals for GTR management to be sensible and negotiate a settlement, even as Southern CEO Charles Horton was boasting of a resounding victory over conductors and deploying a kamikaze strike-breaking operation.

The RMT also reported that ahead of the strike the company reissued reminders to staff over their contractual responsibilities to turn up for work and have threatened numerous sanctions against striking staff.

The RMT negotiators have entered one set of talks after another, only to be told that they must go back and force workers to accept GTRs demands and call off strikes. While the RMT officials conspire with management to wear down railway workers, the company and the government are escalating their campaign to label strikerswho are not just fighting for job and income security but the safety of passengersas greedy and indifferent to the riding public.

The right-wing media are again blaming the near collapse of the Southern franchise and the disastrous service they providesubsidised by hundreds of millions of pounds of state moneyon strikers. London Chamber of Commerce head Colin Stanbridge denounced rail and London Underground strikes for interfering with the financial aristocracys global profit operations. The Chamber of Commerce in Eastbourne issued what it dubbed as a Wanted poster, calling for all parties involved in the strike to be locked in a darkened room and not come out until a deal is agreed.

While strikers saw the February 22 strike as a show of defiance against efforts to sell out their strugglea deal Cash himself had called an historical betrayalthe RMT responded to the vote by insisting it was an internal affair of a fellow union and that the RMT will now look to take that campaign into its next phase working with our sister rail unions and the wider trade union movement.

ASLEF and the RMTs efforts to come to an agreement with the company to get the GTR strikes off the agenda comes ahead of major strike ballots by conductors at two other franchisesMersey Rail, serving Liverpool and surrounding areas, and Arriva Trains Northern, which runs services throughout northern England. The strike ballots are against the expansion of DOO services throughout the north.

Ballot results for both will be announced today. These take place alongside new strikes by drivers on London Underground (LU) Central and City lines and strike ballots for LU maintenance and night tube drivers.

This is a powerful basis for an offensive against the brutal austerity measures being carried out by government and big business. This can only be successful if workers take these struggles out of the hands of the trade union bureaucracy.

The author also recommends:

UK: Southern GTR drivers vote against union-backed sellout deal

[18 February 2017]
Protests against police violence have spread across France, three weeks after the sexual assault of Theo, a 22-year-old youth, by police in Aulnay-sous-Bois, a working class suburb of Paris. Theo was hospitalised with a 10-cm wound to his rectum inflicted by a police baton.

After a call for protests spread on social media, students at a dozen high schools in Paris blockaded their schools Thursday morning, as the hashtag Blockade for Theo spread on Twitter. Groups of high school students met in the morning to stack trash bins and security barricades around the doors of their schools, to block their teachers and fellow students from entering.

An unauthorised protest on Place de la Nation Square in Paris at the end of the morning attracted some 800 to 1,000 people. Police launched a massive operation to repress the protest. According to the police prefecture, 40 arrests were made, leading to 39 detentions. In Montpellier, a similar protest took place; police reacted by blocking roads. Another demonstration also took place in Toulouse.

In Rouen, some 200 youth protesters met around bus stops at the Arts Theater, near the Seine River, according to the prefecture. Security forces, including mobile gendarmes and riot police, blocked access to commercial zones where there are several banks. Even before the protest march started off, police carried out some arrests, though the prefecture did not immediately give a concrete number.

Since early February, young people have routinely turned out to protest the sexual assault of Theo. They provoked minor clashes with police and also fires in the working class neighborhoods of Aulnay, a few days after the barbaric assault committed by police. The next day, several protests took place across the northern suburbs of Paris, in front of the courthouse in Bobigny, as well as in Argenteuil, Drancy, and Noisy-le-Sec.

On the weekend of February 18-19, several protests took place including in Paris, Dijon, Rennes, Poitiers, and Nice, based on calls from organisations close to the ruling Socialist Party (PS). These include SOS-Racism, the Human Rights League, the Movement against Racism and for Friendship between Peoples (MRAP), the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) union, and the Unitary Trade Union Federation (FSU).

In Paris, some 2,300 people gathered on Republic Square according to police statistics, 4,000 to 5,000 according to the protest organisers. Chants on the march included, We dont forget, we dont forgive!, Police everywhere, justice nowhere, Impunity and injustice, lets disarm police!

This movement against police brutality is politically explosive, as it takes place under the anti-democratic state of emergency imposed by the PS government, and during the campaign for the April-May 2017 presidential elections.

The PS government imposed the state of emergency after the November 13, 2015, terror attacks in Paris by Islamist networks used by the NATO powers in their war for regime-change in Syria.

The PS then turned the state of emergency on French workers and youth, during the protests against the anti-worker labour law last year. After crushing protests by high school students in March-April with brutal police violence, the PS sent police against workers striking against the law, including in the ports, steel-working, aerospace, and transport industries.

Finally, after then-Prime Minister Manuel Valls threatened to ban protests outright, the trade unions halted protests against the overwhelmingly unpopular labour law.

The current protests underscore that the social opposition revealed by last years labour law struggle is still explosive, even though it was strangled by the surrender to Valls by the union bureaucracy and their political allies, including the New Anti-capitalist Party.

The protests in France are part of a broader movement of opposition to extreme-right policies carried out by governments internationally, such as protests in the United States and around the world against the policies of US President Donald Trump.

The deep discrediting of the PS government, the rising anger of working class suburbs and the rise of a student protest movement terrify the ruling class in France.

Political and trade union officials reacted by dismissing the significance of the police assault, which PS Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux initially called an accident, and demanding stepped-up repression.

Francois Fillon, presidential candidate for the right-wing The Republicans (LR), accused the PS of letting violent protests disturb the election campaign. Only two months from the presidential election, he wrote in a communique, were are living in a situation of quasi-civil war.

Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve replied, I can understand that some candidates may be tempted to use polemics to cover up their difficulties in the campaign.  [But] using the term of quasi-civil war, as a leading political official who is well aware of the level of mobilisation of the security forces in our country, is simply irresponsible.

Officials of the neo-fascist National Front (FN) demanded that protests against the police assault on Theo be banned outrightindicating the policies that the FN will try to pursue, should it win the upcoming presidential elections. In a communique published Sunday, FN presidential candidate Marine Le Pen said, I demand that the relevant authorities ban these high-risk protests.

Jean-Claude Delage, the general secretary of the Alliance-National Police trade union, which is close to the FN, said that allowing these demonstrations to proceed in the context of tensions in the suburbs and a state of emergency is not reasonable.

The high school students protests to support Theo, defying the state of emergency, underscore the growing movement to the left among workers and youth, and growing opposition to the state of emergency and the PSs other reactionary policies.

Explosive social tensions are building beneath the surface of official political life during the election campaign, and that will inevitably erupt after the elections, if not before. All the major presidential candidates are supporting higher spending on and force levels for the police, which have been dramatically expanded by the state of emergency, police state measures overwhelmingly rejected by youth and the workers.
The UK government legal adviser, the Law Commission, has issued a Consultation Paper revealing plans to replace the Official Secrets Act with much more draconian powers.

The new law will also target those who even receive sensitive material from unofficial sources. Anyone who passes on or publishes such material will face a similarly lengthy prison sentence.

The ability of whistleblowers to defend their actions on the basis of public interest will be explicitly removed. It will no longer be possible for whistleblowers to justify going to the media or publishing information online because it exposes serious wrongdoing by the government or its agencies. The state is intending to arrogate to itself the sole right to determine what is in the public interest and what is not.

The proposed replacement law will punish whistleblowers like US National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden with a prison sentences of up to 14 years. Following Snowdens revelations that the US state had established a massive surveillance apparatusin alliance with Britains intelligence agenciesthat was able to monitor the activities of every man, woman and child on the planet, the Tory government asked the Law Commission to come up with measures to counter such devastating exposures.

The mantra of the British state has become, We must know everything about you; you must know nothing about us.

Since the passage into law last November of the Investigatory Powers Act, or Snoopers Charter, the state now has access to every citizens personal data, but anyonewhether a British citizen or notwho gets access to information on the functioning and nefarious activities of the British state will be dealt with as ruthlessly as if they were a hardened criminal.

The proposals represent a reversion back to the draconian Section 2 of the 1911 Official Secrets Act. This notorious legislation criminalised the disclosure, or receipt, of any piece of official information. The original Act, rushed through Parliament in 40 minutes at the height of the Agadir crisis in 1911, when war with Germany loomed, gave blanket protection for every single piece of information inside Whitehall. Then, however, those convicted under it faced imprisonment for up to only two years, compared with 14 under the new legislation.

It was only after a string of high-profile cases in the 1970s and 1980s, and the prospect of a likely successful challenge before the European Commission of Human Rights by civil rights campaigners, that Section 2 was replaced. In 1989, under the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher, it was replaced with a slightly less restrictive version.

Were other organisations, including the World Socialist Web Site, to receive sensitive material covered by the new law, they could be subject to legal action, with its editors facing prison sentences.

It also raises the very real possibility of the state using leaks of material as a form of entrapment. Unless a recipient destroys the material received, or takes it to the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, they will face prosecution. With court hearings being held in secret when necessary and no need for the leaked information to be confirmedeven if a hearing were held in publicsuch operations would be performed at minimal risk to the perpetrators.

Even the Tory-supporting Daily Telegraph felt forced to note, The new law, should it get approval, would see documents containing sensitive information about the economy fall foul of national security laws for the first time.

The Law Commission arrogantly asserts that the person making the unauthorised disclosure is not best placed to make decisions about national security and the public interestthus dispensing with hundreds of years in which the law allowed that they could, on the basis that this was a check on the states misuse of power.

The Law Commission states, Our provisional conclusion is that the public interest is better served by providing a scheme permitting someone who has concerns about their work to bring it to the attention of the independent Investigatory Powers Commissioner. That is, whistleblowers must report only to representatives of the state machine, who will then warn their masters in the ruling elite on the possible threat to their interests!

A further proposed change to existing law, prompted by the revelations of both WikiLeaks and Snowden, is the removal of any need for the prosecution to prove that any harm was suffered as a result of information being disclosed.

In the words of the Law Commission, [C]urrently the prosecution must prove that the information disclosed damaged or was likely to damage specified interests. A prosecution would, therefore, involve public confirmation that the unauthorised disclosure did cause or risk harm. ... We suggest remodeling the offences so that they focus ... upon whether the defendant knew or had reasonable cause to believe the disclosure was capable of causing damage. It is ... not whether damage did or did not occur.

This proposal arises out of the difficulties state prosecutors had in finding a means to charge WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and other whistleblowers under existing laws. In addition to the overwhelming strength of the public interest defence, and the risk that the illegality of many of the activities uncovered would be given more publicity, prosecution would involve showing the damage caused by WikiLeaks to the operations of the state. While many spurious assertions have been made by representatives of the political and military establishment alleging harm caused by WikiLeaks, including loss of life, none have ever been backed by evidence.

The Law Commissions proposals handing even more power to a repressive state apparatus was revealed in the same week that the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) admitted that there is evidence which suggests documents were shredded [by the police] after the Undercover Policing Inquiry [commenced].

The Independent reported that the IPCC is investigating claims that documents kept by the National Domestic Extremism and Disorder Intelligence Unit (NDEDIU) of the Metropolitan Police were shredded in May 2014. This was shortly after Theresa May, then the Home Secretary, initiated measures to allow a highly restrictive public inquiry into undercover policing practices.

This latest example of criminality on the part of the police comes after months of revelations of undercover cops being given the names of dead children and having long-term relationships with young women in organizations targeted for police spying. This was in order to best facilitate them carrying out spying activities on legally constituted groups who were involved in peaceful protests.

In response to the Law Commission proposals, the Law Society minimised their significance. It claimed that criminalisation is limited to the unauthorized disclosure of those categories of information that have implications for the national interest.

The history of state activity has proven that the national interest is a euphemism for the interests of the elite.
By Press Trust of India: Houston, Feb 28 (PTI) Lack of exercise and excessive weight may increase the risk of a type of heart failure that is particularly challenging to treat, researchers including one of Indian origin have warned.

Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart is unable to supply enough oxygenated blood to meet the demands of the body.

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"Previous studies have consistently found an association between low levels of physical activity, high BMI, and overall risk of heart failure," said Jarett Berry, associate professor at UT Southwestern Medical Centre in the US.

"This study shows that the association is more pronounced for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the type of heart failure that is the most challenging to treat," said Berry.

In heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the heart stiffens. Instead of being soft, its rigid and it resists expansion. The difference between the two types of heart failure is that in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the heart does not relax enough, while in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction the heart doesnt squeeze enough, researchers said.

Many treatments have been developed for treating the latter but there are no evidence-based treatments for the former. "The five-year survival rate among heart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients is around 30 to 40 per cent," said Ambarish Pandey, a cardiology fellow in Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Centre.

"While heart failure with reduced ejection fraction survival has improved significantly over the years, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction prognosis is little changed," said Pandey.

Researchers looked at data from about 51,000 participants. Among them, 3,180 individuals who developed heart failure.

Of these, 39 per cent were heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, 29 per cent were heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, and 32 per cent had not been classified when the data was gathered.

The incidence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction was 19 per cent lower for individuals who exercised at recommended levels.

Similarly, body mass index (BMI) had an inverse relationship with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Higher BMI levels were more strongly associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction than with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The study was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. PTI APA MHN SAR MHN

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - March 7th, the Florida legislature will convene for 2017.

For 60 days, law makers and their staff will flood into town to work and spend money in the capital city.

"When session is in, the town fills up with visitors," said Al Latimer, director of the Office of Economic Vitality. "We love it, and wish we could do this 5 times a year."

A nice plan in theory because that means more money coming to Tallahassee, but that's during a normal year.

In 2016, during a presidential election, session was moved to January. That meant about 700,000 visitors came to town, spending dollars and increasing local profits for businesses.

This year the 60 day session slides back to it's natural spot in March, which could mean a huge economic windfall for the area.

"We have definitely seen that when session is in March and April it is definitely more attended by the lobbyists and the associations," said Bo Schmitz, manager at the Four Points by Sheraton in town. "So it's definitely, we anticipate it to be busier than it was last year.

According to the Office of Economic Vitality, the economic impact in 2016 was $256 million dollars. Not bad, but this year businesses are expecting more.

"We definitely get probably I would say double the amount of business during the days especially, we have more deliveries around town there's just so much foot traffic down here that we get a ton of business which is really great," said Caitlin Dunn, a sushi chef at Jasmine Cafe.

As session nears, downtown businesses are getting ready with anticipation.

"We've actually prepared by adding on more staff during that time and also running different specials," said Shamiya Sands, a Starbucks shift manager.

More staff and specials at Starbucks and other businesses downtown all designed to get folks to spend money in the state capital.

To give you an example of the economic impact overall, according to the Four Points by Sheraton, their business increases 10 to 20 percent during session.
WAKULLA COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - A man has been arrested in Crawfordville after police searched his home and found over 200 grams of weed, edible weed gummies, numerous pills and paraphernalia, along with multiple guns.

The Wakulla County Sheriff's Office said that they arrested Ronnie Green aka "Big Grip" after they searched his Crawfordville home on Feb. 24.

A search of Greens bedroom led to the seizure of three guns, more than 200 grams of marijuana, edible marijuana gummies, 20 grams of suspected powdered cocaine, 11 codeine pills, 47 Vyvanse pills, multiple baggies, and digital scales.

Detectives also searched a vehicle that Green had been seen driving minutes earlier and found a 9mm Taurus Semi-automatic pistol in the center console.

They say two children in the home at the time of the search were referred to the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Green was arrested and transported to the Wakulla County Jail on charges of possession of a firearm, second degree; larceny, third degree; possession of cocaine with intent to sell, second degree; possession of a synthetic narcotic, second degree; and possession of marijuana with intent to sell, third degree.

Green was released on a $31,000 bond.
GREENSBORO, FL (WTXL) -- Another community meeting, another big turnout as Gadsden County residents continue to oppose a proposal to reconfigure public schools.

Monday night at West Gadsden High School was the fourth public forum in a series of meetings organized by the Gadsden County School Board to address concerns about plans to consolidate.

"How many of our kids have to be hurt, killed or maimed -- so that your plan of putting these kids together come through?" said Chattahoochee resident Tina Henry.

"If you create this disruption in their lives," said Julissa Brown, who works with Capital City Youth Services, "we're bound to get more referrals for depression and anxiety because of the transition."

But this time, some suggested ways to bring compromise.

"Students now are being bussed from St. John's and Gretna to East Gadsden," said Frances Brown, who also lives in Chattahoochee. "Why can't those kids come here? They're going across the county!"

"Every time we want change, we resist the change," said Gloria Matos, a teacher at Greensboro Elementary School. "But we need to know, 'What is better for the students?'"

Despite the superintendent's assurance that safety is a priority, others have their doubts.

"When you're looking at mileage distance that's putting on the parents, and a lot of parents in Gadsden County don't have transportation," Shirley Brown, a Chattahoochee resident.

"When our babies get over there, our babies are not going to be recognized, because everything, to me, is being focused and turned to East Gadsden," said Henry. "It's nothing for the west side."

The school board admits it doesn't have to do anything with the proposal, but over the past several meetings, the message has been the same -- change must happen in order to improve public education in Gadsden County.

The next meeting will be this Thursday at 6 p.m. at James A. Shanks Middle School.
By Press Trust of India: Chandigarh, Feb 28 (PTI) The 160 kg of gold, which was seized during high-stakes Punjab Assembly polls, has been released to its owner on the directions of a Mohali court, police said today.

"The Mohali court passed directions yesterday to release the gold after the owner was asked to furnish a surety bond of Rs 10 crore," Sohana police station, SHO Pawan Kumar said.

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"After furnishing surety bond, the gold has been released to Hamirpur-based Prabhat Chowdhary who is the owner of yellow metal," he said.

In one of the biggest seizure during polls, Punjab Police had recovered 160 kg of gold, worth about Rs 21 crore, from a vehicle at a checkpoint near Bakharpur Chowk under Sohana police station in Mohali district in the night of January 17.

Without proper documents, the raw gold was being taken to Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh from Delhi in a car, the police had claimed.

Besides seizing the gold, the police had arrested the three occupants of the car.

A case was registered under IPC sections 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy) in this regard.

Punjab recorded total seizure of drugs, illegal liquor, cash, and other items worth Rs 127 crore, including gold and silver worth Rs 26.14 crore, during the Assembly polls. PTI CHS DIP

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Yes, we are talking about Rendezvous with Simi Garewal.

By India Today Web Desk: One of the most popular chat shows to have aired on Indian television might make its return to the small screen soon.

We are talking about Rendezvous with Simi Garewal.

Also read: 5 iconic chat shows that totally deserve a comeback on TV!

Yep, this will apparently happen soon if the recent tweet posted by the lady in white, Simi Garewal, is to be believed.

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Not too long ago, the chat show hit 50 million views on the internet, and Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor took to social media platform Twitter to congratulate Simi on her achievement. In fact, he even tweeted that he wanted the show to return to television.

Amazing! So very happy Simi,you achieved this by your sheer hard work,dedication and perseverance. We need your show"Rendezvous"to air ASAP! pic.twitter.com/tVgbeExahK Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) February 24, 2017

The actor had written in the tweet, "Amazing! So very happy Simi, you achieved this by your sheer hard work, dedication and perseverance. We need your show Rendezvous to air ASAP!"

To which Simi replied with this tweet:

Thank u Chintu darlin..such a lovely msg ???. I wud love to bring back Rendezvous! Say a prayer..??? https://t.co/ORUxUDyMjZ Simi Garewal (@Simi_Garewal) February 26, 2017

"Thank u Chintu darling, such a lovely msg. I wud love to bring back Rendezvous! Say a prayer."

Rendezvous with Simi Garewal was a celebrity chat show which had featured personalities like Rekha, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan over the years. The show had first hit the screen in the late 90s.

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By Press Trust of India: Washington, Feb 28 (PTI) SpaceX will fly two thrill-seeking passengers on a week-long trip around the Moon next year, the American spaceflight company has announced, marking the furthest and fastest humans have ever travelled to deep space.

The unnamed passengers have already paid a "significant deposit" to do a Moon mission aboard the companys Dragon spacecraft.

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"We are excited to announce that SpaceX has been approached to fly two private citizens on a trip around the Moon late next year," SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said in a statement.

"This presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep space for the first time in 45 years and they will travel faster and further into the solar system than any before them," said Musk.

The company will conduct health and fitness tests, as well as begin initial training later this year.

As part of NASAs Commercial Crew Programme, SpaceX will launch its Crew Dragon (Dragon Version 2) spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) this year.

This first demonstration mission will be in automatic mode, without people on board, the company said.

A subsequent mission with crew is expected to fly in the second quarter of 2018.

"Like the Apollo astronauts before them, these individuals will travel into space carrying the hopes and dreams of all humankind, driven by the universal human spirit of exploration," SpaceX said.

SpaceX is currently contracted to perform an average of four Dragon 2 missions to the ISS per year, three carrying cargo and one carrying crew.

"By also flying privately crewed missions, which NASA has encouraged, long-term costs to the government decline and more flight reliability history is gained, benefiting both government and private missions," the company said.

Once operational Crew Dragon missions are underway for NASA, SpaceX will launch the private mission on a journey to circumnavigate the Moon and return to the Earth.

Lift-off will be from Kennedy Space Centers historic Pad 39A near Cape Canaveral - the same launch pad used by the Apollo programme for its lunar missions.

Designed from the beginning to carry humans, the Dragon spacecraft already has a long flight heritage.

These missions will build upon that heritage, extending it to deep space mission operations, an important milestone as towards the companys ultimate goal of transporting humans to Mars. PTI SAR AKJ SAR

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Hezbollah has placed, probably over the weekend, a defiant sign on Lebanese territory, about 800 meters from Kibbutz Malkiya in which it claims Israel to be weaker than a spider web" in an apparent swipe at the Jewish state, despite the incredible strength of spider silk.

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Kibbutz farmers noticed the sign as they left for work on Sunday. "We are familiar with their threats to invade the Galilee," said one of the Kibbutz residents. "We also know that the IDF is training for it and will be able to respond appropriately."

Hezbollah sign (Photo: Avihu Shapira)

The sign also had the words masters of triumph," which was the slogan used on the occasion of the anniversary in memory of killed Hezbollah leadersAbbas Moussawi, Ragheb Harb and Imad Mughniyeh.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues to monitor the IDF activities in Lebanon. On the terror organization's military PR page, they uploaded photos documenting Israeli soldiers with a bulldozer yanking out concrete obstacles in the Mount Dov border area, where the international border or the so-called Blue Line crosses.

It was also claimed that they erected some kind of electric gate in the area, leading to the arrival of UNIFIL inspectors stationed in southern Lebanon.

Later in the day, Hezbollah posted a collection of other pictures of Lebanese soldiers repositioning the concrete barriers in an act of defiance against the IDF soldiers' response to the provocations."
Hundreds of protestors, mainly young people, congregated in the nine homes in Ofra that are slated for evacuation due to being built on Palestinian land. In order to deal with demonstrators, 1,500 police were dispatched to the scene. As the evacuation simmered down, it was decided to leave the remaining youth barricaded on the roof of the last house alone for the time being.

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Police started clearing the area, letting the teens come down on their own, stating that if the youth refused to evacuate overnight, they would be handled in the morning.

Drone delivers sleeping bags (TPS)

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Photo: TPS

Photo: TPS

One of the protesters dropped a number of sleeping bags for the remaining youth using a drone. He was soon captured and taken away.

Photo: Hillel Meir, TPS

The deputy commander of the Judea and Samaria Division of the Israel Police came to the junction where the nine homes are built and officially pronounced the evacuation order. Police then began physically evacuating people, and demolition will begin Wednesday.

Photo: AFP

Photo: Alex Kolomoisky

Clashes between police and demonstrators began early Tuesday morning at the site, with demonstrators hurling insults at police officers and burning tires. Two protestors has been arrested for attacking police officers.

A total of eleven police officers have been injured thus far, with one being struck in the head and two being bitten.

Police removing a protestor from one of the homes (Photo: Reuters)

Photo: AFP

Ofra protestors (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

Photo: AP

Following failed attempts to talk the youth out of the house, forces busted the windows and doors open and started pulling the barricaders out. The demolishing of an abandoned house commenced.

Several dozen Haifa residents were demonstrating earlier Tuesday against the evacuation, holding signs stating "we are all settlers" and calling on"Bibi to wake up."

In contrast to Amona, however, the initial stages of the eviction process proceeded mainly without incident. Crying teenage girls allowed themselves to be led by security forces out of the condemned homes after Ofra Chief Rabbi Avi Gisser and Samaria Regional Council Head Avi Roeh spoke to protesters, promising that the settlement movement would continue building the Land of Israel and pledging to expand the borders of Ofra following the coming demolition.

Esther Brot, one of the residents of the nine homes and the owner of the first one slated for evacuation, said, "Even if I thought I would be ready for this, I'm really not. This is a hard moment."

Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg

Photo: AFP

Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg

Ofra residents and demonstrators are especially testy given the recent evacuation of Amona. Additionally, residents say police "tricked" them, claiming that police gave them permission to take children to school before they would enter the area. However, Border Police and Israel Police forces entered at 5:30am and isolated the nine homes.

Demonstrations in Jerusalem saw dozens of youths in the Katmon neighborhood protesting and burning tires. Five such youths were lightly injured by police who intervened when they were wheeling a cart of tires, ostensibly to burn them.

The High Court originally ruled that the nine homes were to be evacuated by March 8th.
KANDAHAR -- Afghan officials say at least 11 police officers have been shot and killed by a fellow policeman at a checkpoint in the southern Helmand province.

Omer Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor, says the policeman turned his rifle on his colleagues and killed them late Monday night in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital.

Zwak says the attacker collected all the firearms and ammunition from his colleagues, then fled the scene in a police vehiclepresumably to join the Taliban. He says an investigation is underway.
Unilever is expected to be fined 594,000 shekels for having violated the Consumer Protection Law by claiming in public statements that its products were fit for consumption whilst it had learnt of salmonella in its breakfast cereals in Israel half a year earlier.

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.

The fine, levied by the Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Authority, is for misleading statements issued by the company last July and August. An additional reason is that Unilever customer service representatives assured consumers that their cereals were safe for consumption and that contaminated produces had never reached the market.

Unilever products (Photo: Yuval Chen)

According to the CPFTA, despite having knowledge of tests' revealing contamination in their products, the company distributed them to retail chains and issued their misleading statements to the media.

Unilever was informed of the CPFTA's intention to issue a fine and has the option to request a hearing, which might reduce the fine. Its current sum is already a reduction of 20 percent of the original, as this is Unilever's first offense.

The company issued a statement saying that they were studying the announcement.
The new MEA spokesperson said India does not need to issue a demarche in the case considering the United States government's proactive response to the situation.

By Smita Sharma: The Indian government will not issue a diplomatic demarche to the United States over the killing of Hyderabad engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla in a shooting at a bar in Kansas.

The newly-appointment spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Gopal Baglay, said the US government as well as authorities in Kansas pro-actively responded to the incident, which also resulted in another Indian getting wounded.

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Furthermore, Baglay added, the US Charge d' Affaires has said the country welcomes people from across the world and that authorities will thoroughly investigate and prosecute the case.

This, coupled with senior authorities in Kansas reaching out to the Indian Consul General in Houston, has obviated the need for a demarche on the issue, Baglay said.

"It is important to note that the US authorities are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the US, a matter which continues to receive the government's top priority," the spokesperson, who replaced Vikas Swarup, said.

Also read: Suspect in Kansas shooting appears in court

Going on to refer to the American who was injured in the February 23 shooting after he tried intervening, Baglay said, "We also must not forget the noble and courageous gesture of the young American Ian Grillot, who risked his life while countering the shooter."

In a related development, the White House broke its silence on the shooting, which are being seen as a hate crime by many. The White House said early reports from Kansas on the matter are "disturbing."

The 51-year-old shooter, Adam Purinton, remains jailed and is facing a first-degree murder charge, among others.

Also read: Early reports on shooting of Indian techie 'disturbing': White House

Also watch: Kansas shooting: Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla's mortal remains brought to Hyderabad

--- ENDS ---
Security footage showing a gang of young people walking through the village of Jisr az-Zarqa indiscriminately shooting depicts a scene residents say is all too common.

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Over the course of four days, several instances of violence rocked the community on the northern Mediterranean shore.

Random shooting incident in Jisr az-Zarqa ( -  )

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Security footage of the shooters

Last Thursday, Jabri Amash, 17, was stabbed to death during the course of an argument with his neighbor. Saturday, an 18-year-old was shot and transported to the hospital, prompting a group of youths to enter into the same neighborhood and shoot in the air, striking a 14-year-old boy with a stray bullet.

Jabri Amash

Ahmed, a resident of the village, said, "Our situation is very serious. Every day we have gunfire and people being wounded. Many of those shooting are young and are doing right as children are playing nearby. If the children wouldn't run away, one of them could be hit. It could end in a tragedy."

Scene of the crime where Amash was murdered

Many residents spoke of rampant crime, random acts of violence and little to no law enforcement.

Sami Ali, a member of the regional council, said, "We live here in acute density side by side with police incompetence and a policy of discrimination and deprivation. This causes a feeling of fear, anxiety and a lack of sense of security. People are afraid of being hit with a stray bullet, even if they have nothing to do with any problems or violence. Our environment is rife with shooting and vehicular arson. We demand to be put on the agenda of the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel."
OUAGADOUGOU -- Authorities in Burkina Faso say suspected jihadists have attacked two communities in the north while an international film festival takes place in the capital.

The Monday night attacks in Baraboule and Tongomayel are the latest violence to hit this once peaceful landlocked West African nation.

Witnesses said there was no immediate casualty figure, though the assailants set fire to the premises of security forces.
The State Comptroller has determined that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz failed to update Security Cabinet ministers about the threat posed by Hamas's border-crossing tunnels, leaving Israel inadequately prepared to deal with this threat.

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"The general statements made in Security Cabinet meetings did not reflect the severity and development of the attack-tunnel threat, as they were known to the prime minister and the defense establishment," Yosef Shapira wrote in his report on Operation Protective Edge, which was released on Tuesday afternoon.

The comptroller's investigation found that significant information necessary to the Security Cabinet ministers to make decisions in an optimal manner was not presented to the ministers in a satisfactory manner during the discussions that preceded Operation Protective Edge.

Netanyahu, Ya'alon and Gantz holding a press conference during Protective Edge (Photo: Amit Shabi)

The comptroller noted that such information was available to Netanyahu, Ya'alon, Gantz and the heads of Israel's intelligence communitythen-Military Intelligence Directorate head Aviv Kochavi and then-Shin Bet director Yoram Cohen.

According to the comptroller's report, by the outset of Operation Protective Edge, the Security Cabinet had 33 meetings dealing with Gaza. At times, the comptroller found, defense officials failed to present ministers with significant information they needed to understand the bigger pictureeven if at times this was not done with the intention to withhold this information. According to the comptroller, this created a significant gap in the ministers knowledge.

The comptroller further found that the tunnel threatwhich Netanyahu and Ya'alon both defined as a strategic and significant threatwas not presented to the Security Cabinet in great detail, but only in a few general statements as stand-alone sentences during Security Cabinet discussions. This, Shapira noted, was not enough to make the ministers aware of the full extent and severity of the threat.

A Security Cabinet meeting at the Kirya (IDF headquarters) during Protective Edge (Photo: Yaron Brener)

The ministers were only able to understand the full nature of the threat following information they received on June 30, 2014about a week before the launch of Operation Protective Edgeand in another Security Cabinet meeting in early July.

The comptroller noted that when the tunnel threat was mentioned in Security Cabinet meetings, the ministers did not express interest in it, did not seek elaboration on the matter, and did not ask the IDF to present them with operational plans to handle the threat.

Neither Netanyahu, Ya'alon or Gantz ensured the IDF was prepared to fight in a battle field filled with tunnels and deal with them while fighting. Plans to that end, the comptroller noted, were expected in the event the IDF entered the Gaza Strip, as such an operation could also serve as an opportunity to deal with the threat, which at the time did not have other satisfactory solutions.

The tunnel threat

The state comptroller notes in his report that despite the fact the prime minister discussed the tunnel threat with defense officials, who defined it as a significant and strategic threat, the threat was not presented to the Security Cabinet in great detail. Furthermore, ministers were not provided with military intelligence reports on the topic, leaving them with an incomplete intelligence picture.

Representatives from the IDF and the Shin Bet, the former national security advisor, Ya'alon and Netanyahu made a few general statements about the tunnel threat but did not describe its full extent, its development and the gaps in intelligence vis-a-vis this threat in a way that would emphasize the significance of the threat.

Netanyahu and Gantz being briefed during a visit to the 162nd Armor Division's command post outside Gaza (Photo: Koby Gideon, GPO)

The ministers were only made aware of the severity of the threat in discussions on June 30 and in early July. During that meeting in late June, on the eve of the operation, Minister Naftali Bennett asked to see the plans to destroy the tunnels, leading Netanyahu to instruct Ya'alon to present such plans.

The comptroller asserted that Ya'alon, Gantz, then-IDF Operations Directorate chief Maj. Gen. (res.) Yoav Har-Even, and even Netanyahu should have made sure the IDF had operational plans to deal with the tunnel threat, as they "knew, in 2013 at the latest, the full severity of the tunnel threat and the possible meanings of that threat."

Gantz, Ya'alon and Netanyahu during a meeting in the Kirya (Photo: Ariel Hermoni, Defense Ministry)

Immediately after the operation, Minister Gilad Erdan said that "if a topic like the border-crossing tunnels is one we need to pay heed to, then it shouldn't just be mentioned... the topic should be put on the agenda and be presented with all of the meanings and threats it entails to the Security Cabinet."

Former Minister Yair Lapid supported Erdans statement, saying that Security Cabinet members were not aware of "the entire problem of the tunnels."

Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades fighter in one of Hamas's tunnels (Photo: Reuters)

The comptroller said the comments made by the two ministers were in line with the findings of his investigation.

Shapira reprimanded Ya'alon, Gantz, Kochavi and Har-Even for failing to provide the Security Cabinet ministers with a detailed presentation of the developing tunnel threat until early July 2014. At the very least, the comptroller said, Gantz and Kochavi should have suggested to Ya'alon that he recommend to the prime minister and the national security advisor raising the issue in the relevant Security Cabinet discussions and allocating appropriate time to these discussions.

A Security Cabinet meeting at the Kirya IDF headquarters during Protective Edge (Photo: Yaron Brener)

Former National Security Advisor and current Mossad director Yossi Cohen was also reprimanded for not suggesting to Netanyahu to raise the topic in greater detail in Security Cabinet meetings at the appropriate time so the ministers could understand the meanings of the threat as early as possible.

Shapira emphasized that due to the fact that military intelligence reports were not distributed to the ministers, and due to the massive amounts of information on the topic, there is an even greater importance on the IDF suggesting to the defense minister to present these topics during discussions. This ensures that the ministers have been updated and understand the relevant information.

IDF Nahal Brigade troops expose and destroy tunnels during the Operation (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Office)

Failing to appropriately present the threat, the comptroller wrote, hurt the necessary base of knowledge cabinet ministers must have to make decisions regarding the Gaza Strip. Ya'alon, he noted, should have insisted the IDF presented the threat in detail to the cabinet, as he is the minister in charge of the military.

The question of the Security Cabinet's authorities

In a chapter dealing with the decision-making process in the Security Cabinet, the comptroller notes an exchange between Netanyahu and then-Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman during a Security Cabinet meeting on July 8, 2014, when the ministers were asked to approve the IDF to continue its activity in Gaza.

"The defense minister and I are authorized by law to do whatever we want anyway," Netanyahu is quoted as telling the Security Cabinet.

Later during the same meeting, Lieberman inquired, "We do we even have to come out with a decision?"

"We're not coming out of here with any decision; we're not releasing any statements. We merely need a legal framework for the operation," Netanyahu replied.

A week later, during a different Security Cabinet discussion on July 15, 2014, Netanyahu said: "I will ask the Security Cabinet to convene if we're going to launch a ground operation... otherwise I don't need to convene the Security Cabinet."

A Security Cabinet meeting at the Kirya IDF headquarters during Protective Edge (Photo: Yaron Brener)

The comptroller noted that Netanyahu's exchange with Lieberman, as well as his later statement, indicate ambiguity concerning the Security Cabinets role and authorities. On the one hand, the prime minister and defense minister have the legal authority to act without the Security Cabinet's approval, while on the other hand the Security Cabinet's decision is needed for a legal framework. This, the comptroller noted, raises the need to clarify in legislation what are the Security Cabinet's authorities and when it must be convened.

The comptroller quotes Lieberman, who said regarding this issue that "a decision-making process does not exist in the State of Israel... the discussions in the Security Cabinet are to 'blow off steam.' Every discussion begins with the attrition stage, which entails hearing long reviews by the IDF that last for hours. Then the defense minister talks, and later every minister talks with no point. There is no agenda to the meeting, and the meetings objectives are not clear from the start."

Lapid said in his testimony that the main issue is that the cabinets work has not been defined. Its unclear whether it is an advisory body or a deciding body. Former Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovich said that most of the decisions are already made among the IDF and the prime minister and defense minister even before the cabinet is convened. Erdan told the State Comptrollers team that its unclear whether the prime minister has a duty to share certain information with the cabinet.

Netanyahu made it clear to the comptrollers team in July 2015 that the cabinet has to make the main decisions. Its job is not to manage the war and the micro-tactics. Not everything was brought to their decision, and rightfully so. The prime minister added that some of the ministers may have a wrong expectation or understanding of the cabinets job.

The comptroller criticized the fact that in June 2014, the ministers were not presented with significant information regarding the IDF's operational plans for the Gaza Strip, despite the fact these plans were defined as "leading deterrence" by IDF chief Gantz. The ministers were briefed on these plans only in early July 2014, when military intelligence upgraded the plans to "deterrence." Had these plans been executed, the comptroller noted, it would have very likely led to escalation in the Gaza Strip.

Without this information, the comptroller wrote, the ministers were unable to take part in the decision-making process, leaving it to the prime minister and the defense establishment.

The comptroller stressed that it is vital for government ministers, and particularly members of the Security Cabinet, to expand their knowledge on issues relating to national security, as decisions made in these issues are critical for the State of Israel. The lack of knowledge, the comptroller added, makes it harder on the ministers, with the exception of the defense minister who is constantly exposed to such information, to discuss the issues and raise relevant questions and, as a result, make informed decisions.

Then-IDF chief Gantz (standing in the middle), Prime Minister Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Ya'alon (both seated) at the Kirya IDF headquarters during Operation Protective Edge (Photo: GPO)

In his response to the comptroller, Ya'alon criticized the Security Cabinet ministers for not doing their own part to stay informed. "Each and every one of the Security Cabinet members has a personal obligation to 'build his strength' to become fit for his role and the responsibility placed upon him," the former defense minister said. "The Security Cabinet members did not act as such. The Security Cabinet is not a 'members club.' It obligates its members to invest the required time in discussions, in reading and studying the materials, in meetings and in tours."

However, before Operation Protective Edge, Security Cabinet ministers did not have access to some of the background information they were required to know because these materials were marked as classified. They received these reports at the beginning of the Security Cabinet meeting and required to return them at the end of the meeting. All Security Cabinet ministers, with the exception of Ya'alon, claimed they lacked the necessary background information for the discussions at the Security Cabinet, leaving them insufficiently prepared.

In this context, Minister Erdan is quoted in the report lamenting the fact that "There is a situation here of built-in inferiority of some of the ministers in their ability to prepare, to take in information during the discussion, to process it and eventually reach conclusions."

Meanwhile, former minister Lapid said that he "expects the National Security Council to prepare background information for Security Cabinet ministers to prepare them ahead of a discussion."

Gantz, Netanyahu and Ya'alon being briefed during a visit to the 162nd Armor Division's command post outside Gaza (Photo: Koby Gideon, GPO)

According to Minister Lieberman, "We can come to the National Security Council and read materials ahead of Security Cabinet discussions there, but that's not practical for a minister who is busy with his ministry's business full time."

Former Justice Minister Tzipi Livni noted that "When we receive summons from the National Security Council, the topic under discussion is not listed and we do not even receive an outline for the discussion."

Minister Bennett added to this, saying that "during Security Cabinet discussions, the IDF uses unclear terms. Furthermore... the IDF doesn't always reveal all of the relevant information necessary to make decisions in the Security Cabinet."

The comptroller also reprimanded the prime minister and former national security advisor Yossi Cohen for focusing Security Cabinet discussions on operative plans without having set strategic goals for the engagement in Gaza. Shapira noted that even without instruction from Netanyahu or an initiative by the National Security Council, Ya'alon should have suggested to hold such discussions.

Furthermore, the comptroller rebuked Netanyahu for rejecting diplomatic alternatives in Gaza without even presenting them to the Security Cabinet , which in turn prevented the ministers from considering these alternatives and discussing the chances and risks they entail. One example he brings up is a discussion held on March 23, 2014, which only dealt with the degrees of military force to be used against Hamas. This, Shapira noted, despite the fact that a Security Cabinet discussion was held a year prior to that concerning Gaza's serious infrastructure problem, including the potential dangerous ramifications this could have on Israel.
The State Comptrollers report on Operation Protective Edge, which was released on Tuesday, offers a peek into the work of the Security Cabinet of the previous Netanyahu governmentinto the voices and some of the important statements included in the minutes, about two and a half years after the last war in the Gaza Strip.

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In his report, State Comptroller Yosef Shapira points to the fact that for about a yearfrom the cabinets establishment on March 18, 2013 until March 23, 2014the cabinet held no discussions aimed at setting strategic goals concerning Gaza.

In the cabinet discussion held on March 24, 2013, in which the state of affairs on the northern front was presented to the new cabinet members, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that Gaza was becoming a strategic threat to Israel. About a week and a half later, on April 3, in a discussion which reviewed the Palestinian arena, Netanyahu noted that Gaza has become a real threat to the country.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz during Operation Protective Edge (Photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO)

In a cabinet discussion from March 13, 2014, in light of an escalation in Gaza, then-economy minister Naftali Bennett protested the fact that We lack a strategy.

Gilad Erdan, who served as the minister of home front defense at the time, commented that in the year that I have been a member of this cabinet, not a shred of information has been added that could enable me to make a decision on a long-term policy.

The cabinet ministers were required to deal with the question of strategic goals during Operation Protective Edge. The issue was first raised in the cabinet discussion a day after the operation was launched, on July 8, 2014. Asked by Bennett what should be done, then-Mossad director Tamir Pardo replied: I am defining the problem for you. You are the political echelon, not me. You have to define the goals.

Then-finance minister Yair Lapid noted that we never even held a discussion on whether we want the Hamas rule in Gaza to continue.

Yuval Steinitz, the minister of strategic affairs and intelligence, said: We are focusing on tactics and keep escaping, again and again, year after yearfor nine years now we have been escaping from the strategic reality forming before our eyes.

In his testimony before the state comptrollers team, then-defense minister Moshe Yaalon stated that the cabinets main job is to discuss different scenarios in advancenot during the fightingand to plan an endgame. The cabinet is supposed to deal with policy questions. Such discussions were not held in that cabinet.

Cabinet discussions on threats posed by Gaza

The State Comptrollers investigation further revealed that relevant information, which was significant in case of an escalation in Gaza and was raised in discussions within the defense establishment, was not presented to the cabinet ministers in full.

In an internal IDF discussion held on May 8, 2014, then-IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz concluded that the situation in the Gaza Strip is potentially explosive in the short term. The current reality points to an imminent escalation. He ordered the military to prepare to raise the level of alertness in early July.

The comptroller remarked that in three cabinet discussions that mentioned Gaza in June 2014, the former defense minister and chief of staff failed to inform the cabinet ministers of the imminent escalation.

Yaalon in a Hamas tunnel in October 2013. There is no sign that Hamas is leading to an escalation, he said a few weeks before the operation (Photo: Alon Bason, Defense Ministry)

In a cabinet discussion from June 16, following the kidnapping of the three Jewish teens in the West Bank and Operation Brother's Keeper to find them, Netanyahu asked Gantz whether what is happening in Judea and Samaria will set Gaza on fire. Gantz replied, I think its highly unlikely. In an IDF discussion three days later, however, then-deputy chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot said the working assumption was that it was likely there will be deterioration (in the situation) in the Gaza Strip during 2014.

In a cabinet discussion from June 22, Yaalon said that as for the Gaza Strip, there is no sign that Hamas is heading for an escalation. Two days later, on June 24, the Coordinator of the Governments Activities in the Territories, Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, wrote to different officials in the IDF, including former Military Intelligence head Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, that there is growing distress in the Gaza Strip, which has reached an unprecedented point. This trend has been accelerated in the past few months and is expected to affect the security stability in the strip, and therefore the security situation in the south.

The comptroller notes in his report that the cabinet was not informed of this. In a cabinet discussion held the next day, in Kochavis presence, Yaalon stated that Hamas is very afraid of an escalation and really doesnt want an escalation.

In a cabinet discussion on July 7, 2014the morning the operation was launched, the former military intelligence head said he believed that Hamas doesnt want to go all the way. Gantz also noted regarding the Gaza Strip that I dont think they want a widescale escalation.

Bennet testified before the State Comptrollers team that he didnt recall that a possibility of an escalation in Gaza was raised in the two years in which he was a member of the cabinet, and that it was definitely not raised in a serious manner that created awareness to the issue.

Erdan testified that before Operation Brother's Keeper, as far as I remember, there was no cabinet discussion in which the IDF warned of the possibility of an escalation in Gaza.

Avigdor Lieberman, who served as foreign minister at the time of the operation, also testified that before Protective Edge he was unaware of the possibility of an escalation.

The IDF said in response to the draft report that both the intelligence assessments on the security situation in Gaza and the IDFs operational preparedness were brought to the attention of the political echelon through reports by the Military Intelligence Directorate and through presentations at cabinet discussions.

An IDF official added that its unreasonable to expect every statement made in an internal military discussion to be immediately reported in the next cabinet meeting.

The strategic warning

According to Shin Bet reports, information warning of significant hostile activity planned from Gaza against Israel was received several months before Operation Protective Edge and was handed over to the Military Intelligence Directorate, among others.

In a work meeting with Netanyahu in early June 2014, former Shin Bet director Yoram Cohen briefed the prime minister on this planned hostile activity in Gaza, noting that it would be impossible to know when it would happen. Netanyahu instructed his national security advisor to tell the cabinet today that there are plans for (an attack) that could be carried out. Its important to say that.

Bennett in Ashkelon during Operation Protective Edge. We lack a strategy'

In practice, the IDF briefed the cabinet on the hostile plans in Gaza only in early Julyand not on the same day, as Netanyahu had instructed. Asked by the State Comptrollers team why the information was not conveyed to the cabinet on the same day, former national security advisor Yossi Cohen responded that there is no actual warning yet. There is no point in updating the cabinet. Its probably too early.

The former military secretary to the prime minister Eyal Zamir explained in his testimony before the State Comptrollers team that warnings are raised by the Military Intelligence Directorate. So the prime minister said something in a work meeting with the Shin Bet director, and then it was changed.

Netanyahu himself told the investigative team that I can also change my mind. If I determined that its important, its possible that I decided the same day that its less important.

On June 16, 2014, during a situation assessment in the cabinet, in which the ministers also discussed Israels policy following the three teens abduction, the former head of the IDFs Operations Directorate, Maj. Gen. Yoav Har-Even, addressed a possible escalation in Gaza, saying that without getting into details, there is some kind (of activity) that we are detecting. Netanyahu interrupted him with a question: The activity, is it? And Maj. Gen. Har Even replied, Its in the Gaza Strip. Gantz added, Its a warning you are familiar with. At this stage, Bennett and Yaalon intervened too, stating that the forum is too big (for such discussion). Netanyahu replied, Okay, lets move on.

The State Comptroller notes in his report that apart from the exchange of words at the aforementioned cabinet discussions through codes, which make it impossible to understand the essence of the planned activity and its ramifications, the cabinet received no further details.

In a cabinet discussion from early July 2014, which was convened at night to deliver an update on the discussed activity, Netanyahu opened the meeting by saying: Eight minutes ago, I received (information) from the defense minister and the Shin Bet director. I did not have this (information) before. Then he instructed the Shin Bet director to brief the cabinet ministers about it.

Yaalon testified that before July 2014 there was no warning, but only an understanding that there is a concern (over activity). It was brought to the cabinets attention only when there was a warning.

The Prime Ministers Office said in response to the draft report that there is a huge amount of intelligence information at any given time that does not mature into a warning that requires a strategic decision. This information is usually not presented to the cabinet, and it is not the cabinets job to discuss such information either.

The tunnel threat in the cabinet discussions

According to the report, Netanyahu was kept apprised of the tunnel threat as part of many internal discussions with the defense establishment and other officials and was familiar with the threat and with the limitations of handling it even before the government was sworn in on March 18, 2013. In cabinet discussions, however, the threat was not brought to the fore.

In January 31, 2013, during a work meeting between the prime minister and the former Shin Bet director Yoram Cohen, the latter had already informed Netanyahu that there are tunnels directed at Israelin other words, within Israeli territory. The Shin Bets summary of the meeting stated that Cohen had briefed Netanyahu on a tunnel uncovered within Israeli territory recently. The excavation of this tunnel began years ago, and it has even been bombed by our forces several times.

Netanyahu. The defense minister and myself are authorized by the law to do whatever we want (Photo: Amit Shabi)

In the meeting, Cohen further informed Netanyahu that airstrikes were only part of the actions that need to be taken against the tunnels. In a letter from March 21, 2013, on the threat of offensive tunnels in the Gaza Strip, he wrote that in Gaza, they tend to return to digging sites that have been bombed. In a May 2013 meeting, Cohen told Netanyahu that attacking tunnels from the air was problematic.

In a cabinet discussion from March 24, 2013, which dealt with the state of affairs on the northern front, Netanyahu noted that there were dozens of tunnels crossing from Gaza into Israel. On May 12, 2013, the cabinet held a discussion on the multi-year plan for building the IDFs power in 2013-2017. The tunnel issue was mentioned once during the discussion by Gantz, who said: There is an offensive threat from Gaza, not an aggressive threat: some (dozens of) tunnels. We know about others, but we have failed to locate them so far. The chief of staff added that it doesnt mean that their capabilities are that great. Its hundreds of organized people coming to raid and attack.

The State Comptroller notes that although the chief of staff already knew how serious the tunnel threat was, he only described the threat by mentioning it once, without stressing the issue and without providing a detailed account explaining the development and nature of the threat. The comptroller further adds that it is impossible to expect the ministers to understand the extent of the threat, as it was already known, from such an account.

On May 16, 2013, the Shin Bet director told Netanyahu during a work meeting that the extent of the tunneling in the Gaza Strip is massive. In a cabinet discussion held three days later to present the current state of affairs of the military threats, former head of intelligence research, Brig. Gen. Itai Baron, mentioned the rocket threat when he addressed the Gaza Stripbut the tunnel threat was not mentioned at all.

In this context, the IDF responded to the draft report by saying that the growth in Hamas power was not mentioned in the discussion because it did not deal with the Palestinian arena or the Gaza Strip at all.

In late January 2014, the Shin Bet director informed Netanyahu that of the total number of tunnels being excavated, we can say that there is a very high likelihood that (some) are already within Israeli territory. Everyone agrees that this is a strategic threat.

The tunnel threat was mentioned in a cabinet discussion from February 16, 2014, when it was raised by Gantz and then by the former Shin Bet director. The comptroller notes that the threat was not presented in detail to its full extent, ramifications and the gaps in intelligence concerning the threat. The comptroller makes the same comment in regards to other discussions that were held later on. He also says that the cabinet ministers did not demand any clarifications or further details on the matter.

During a cabinet discussion from June 30, 2014 on Operation Brother's Keeper, in which the cabinet was asked to approve an unusual airstrike in Gaza, Minister Bennett noted that there are dozens of tunnels today connecting Gaza to southern Israel. The tunnels purpose is kidnapping. This is a strategic terror attack that is only waiting to happen.

At the end of the discussion, Netanyahu said that there is a key issue here which was raised by Naftali (Bennett), and I think we have to examine it and prepare for it. The tunnel issue we spoke about in the cabinet is a real threat to the State of Israel. It wont defeat us, but it will deal us a terrible blow.

During the discussion, Netanyahu turned to Yaalon and said: Dealing with the tunnels, which are a very effective tool for our enemy in Gazaand perhaps not only in Gaza apparentlyis something that should be marked as an issue that needs to be dealt with. I am asking for a plan. We have to see how we can destroy the tunnel system.

During the next cabinet discussion, in early July, Bennett noted that the IDF was supposed to present a plan of action against the tunnels. Will the IDF present to us tonight the operational alternatives for Gaza? he asked. Netanyahu answered, I think they want to discuss it among themselves. Bennett replied, I thought that was yesterdays homework.

In another cabinet discussion from early July, Bennett requested to see what it takes to neutralize the tunnel-digging ability and the missile-firing ability. Yaalon replied, There are a number of possibilities and we will discuss them first of all among ourselves. Bennett asked again if there was a plan regarding the tunnels, and Yaalon replied, Of course. He noted that there was a presentation of all the operative plans. Bennett replied, I dont recall that we were presented with a plan to thwart the tunnels.

At that point, Netanyahu intervened and said: The cabinets authority is the prime ministers authority to decide on the cabinet discussions. What hasn't been presented here because it was not on the agenda is a plan or a possibility to take care of the tunnel problem, and I think its important to present it because thats the problem we are facing. Gantz commented that as we were asked to, tomorrow we will present many versions of how to get into the tunnels.

In the cabinet discussion on the morning Operation Protective Edge was launched, on July 7, 2014, Yaalon said that the IDF had disrupted and perhaps even neutralized the use of a tunnel, but added: I dont see any such readiness or preparations for other tunnels.

Netanyahu said in the same cabinet discussion that the goal of the military operation in Gaza was to disrupt the possibility of an immediate attack from the tunnels. If we are required to deal with the tunnels comprehensively, we must also prepare for the possibility of expanding the campaign. In a meeting convened by Yaalon the same day to evaluate the situation, he instructed the army to prepare an operational plan for a ground move to damage the tunnels.

In a cabinet discussion held the next day, Bennett addressed the activity against the tunnels, asking if an air strike makes things difficult later on? Gantz replied that it makes things difficult to a certain extent. Nevertheless, Yaalon and Gantz recommended to continue the airstrikes while preparing for a ground operation. In a cabinet discussion from August 5, Gantz stated that had we not attacked (the tunnels), we would have shortened the time (of dealing with the tunnels).

Lapid told the State Comptrollers team in his testimony that the new cabinet members were unaware of the full and significant extent of the tunnel threat. When the prime minister convened the cabinet on the eve of the operation and said that a strategic threat had emerged, it was the first time that the tunnel threat was presented as the main threat.

Bennett told the inspection team that the tunnel threat had not been raised before the operation. The ministers did not know that it was a problematic and important issue. He said he had started showing an interest in the southern district during Operation Brother's Keeper and that he became aware of the threat from meetings he held with former IDF officials.

Cabinets job is completely unclear

The state comptrollers report determines that the cabinets authorities, including the issues subject to its decision, are unregulated and unenforced. This led to many questions, including among the cabinet ministers, about the cabinets role in managing Operation Protective Edge.

During the cabinet discussion from July 8, 2014, a day after the operation began, which dealt with the approval of a decision to continue the IDF operation in Gaza, Netanyahu said that the defense minister and myself are anyway authorized by the law to do whatever we want. Minister Lieberman asked, Why do we even have to issue a decision? And Netanyahu replied, We are not issuing any decision from here, not publishing anything. We need a legal framework for an operation.

A week later, in the cabinet discussion from July 15, 2014, Netanyahu said: I will ask the cabinet to convene if we are headed towards a ground operation. Otherwise, I dont have to convene the cabinet.

Lapid said in his testimony that the main issue is that the cabinets work has not been defined. Its unclear whether it is an advisory body or a deciding body. Former Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovich said that most of the decisions are already made between the IDF and the prime minister and defense minister even before the cabinet is convened. Erdan told the state comptrollers team that its unclear whether the prime minister has a duty to share certain information with the cabinet.

Lieberman testified that the cabinet discussions are for letting off steam. Every discussion starts with an attrition stage, which includes listening to long IDF briefings which last for hours, and then the defense minister talks and then every minister speaks without any purpose, without an agenda and without the goal of the discussion being clear from the beginning.

Netanyahu made it clear to the comptrollers team in July 2015 that the cabinet has to make the main decisions. Its job is not to manage the war and the micro-tactics. Not everything was brought to their decision, and rightfully so. The prime minister added that some of the ministers may have a wrong expectation or understanding of the cabinets job.

Yaalon said in response to the draft report in November 2016 that the claims presented by some of the ministers that they are not updated or the claim that they dont know whether the cabinet is a deciding or an advisory forum, indicate, unfortunately, that these ministers are not serious and dont take the time to read the material prepared for them.
BEIRUT -- Clashes between gunmen in the Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon killed a child on Tuesday, the latest casualty in several days of violence, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Witnesses said the boy was severely wounded in the head, apparently by a gunshot, before being taken to hospital.

The NNA said at least one other person was wounded by sniper fire on Tuesday.
Four soldiers were indicted on Monday of having accepted bribes of drugs and money to allow Palestinians to cross into Israel without a permit or being checked.

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.

The soldiers all served at the Te'enim Crossing nearby Tulkarm. Two of them were commanders at the checkpoint. They are all charged with aiding an Arab Israeli and his Palestinian friend with smuggling. For each Palestinian that was smuggled in, the soldiers received between 100 and 150 shekels.

(File photo: Shaul Golan)

An undercover investigation carried out by the Israel Police and Military Police that included wiretaps revealed that the bribery began at the start of 2015. The soldiers made sure to "secure" the smuggling route. They allegedly received specific information from the two smugglers regarding the make, model and color of the car in which the Palestinians would enter Israel, sometimes on a daily basis.

The soldiers are also accused of warning the Palestinians of the presence of senior officers or police in the district. The indictments claim that every smuggled Palestinian paid the gang between 300 and 400 shekels for entry into Israel. The smugglers allegedly attempted to develop good relationships with the four soldiers by providing them with drugs.

The soldiers are also accused of exceeding their authority while endangering national security, providing assistance to illegally enter Israel, illegal transportation into Israel, use and possession of a dangerous drug, obstruction of justice and conduct unbecoming.

Indictments were also handed down for civilians involved in the affair.
The High Court partially approved a petition Tuesday from a Palestinian detainee requesting that the Department of Internal Police Investigations (DIPI) prosecute an officer the detainee alleges urinated on him in 2007.

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The petition was filed by a Palestinian detainee who alleges that he was physically and sexually abused while being held at a Ma'ale Adumim police station in November 2007.

Department of Internal Police Investigations (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

The DIPI investigated the allegations and eventually closed the case after coming to the conclusion that "the evidence did not present a reasonable chance of conviction." As a result, the detainee turned to the High Court.

The High Court accepted the majority of DIPI's findings in regard to the Palestinian's claim, but reversed the decision related to the specific act described by the man.

Judges noted that, "during the plaintiff's interrogation and that of his cousin who was arrested with him, both men complainedwithout knowing they were being recordedthat 'the smell of the urine is disgusting, it's killing us. At least I didn't have to drink it. They piss in a bag and then put it on your head.'"

Police station (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

The officer in question denied the allegations, but later admitted to some of them after having been led to believe that his DNA was found on the detainees clothing.

According to the officer, the Palestinian was handcuffed and blindfolded after using the bathroom himself. The police officer asked the man to stand aside so that he too may urinate.

"I ordered him to kneel so I could detain him if necessary," said the officer. He went on to say that the Palestinian made a sudden movement and as a result, "turned toward the prisoner while still urinating and most likely splashed some on him, while is perhaps the reason his DNA was found on his clothes."

When asked why he did not report the event, the officer replied that he was embarrassed.

The High Court nevertheless ordered the DIPI to prosecute the officer.
CAIRO -- A rights group says Yemen's Houthi rebels are recruiting fighters as young as 15, including by using religious schools to lure teenagers into their ranks without their parents' knowledge.

Amnesty International described the "appalling" practices in a report released Tuesday, citing family members of four boys, aged 15 and 17, who were recruited by the rebels.

Samah Hadid, deputy director at Amnesty International's Beirut office, called on the Houthis to halt such recruitment and release the child soldiers, saying "this is a shameful and outrageous violation of international law."
MOSCOW -- One of Britain's most senior military commanders met Russian military chiefs in Moscow on Tuesday to discuss how to reduce tensions between the two countries, the Interfax news agency reported.

British Vice Chief of the Defence Staff General Gordon Messenger met General Alexander Zhuravlev, the deputy chief of Russia's general staff, and discussed how best to prevent accidents and other incidents involving the two countries' militaries, the news agency said.
In an unusual step on Tuesday afternoon, State Comptroller Yosef Shapira replied publicly to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insult of the preceding day to his report on Operation Protective Edge.

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Monday, during Netanyahu's Likud faction meeting, he had said, "Contrary to the comptroller's report, I back the IDF Chiefs, the Shin Bet and the defense forces."

Shapira and Netanyahu (Photos: Alex Kolomoisky & Gil Yohanan)

Shortly before his report was released, Shapira replied in a statement that reads in part, "The institution of state comptroller and the state comptroller himself have recently been the target of attacks and attempts at de-legitimization, principally from the political establishment, apparently intended to intimidate the institution of the comptroller and to damage its status as defined in the Basic Law."

Shapira's statement also stated, "It is extremely crucial that politicians as well as other members of the political establishment, and also the IDF and the political establishment, focus on studying the report and drawing lessons from it and not defamation. This is to improve work processes on all levels, with a goal of better assessing the existing and developing threats to the military that are likely to break out, even without prior warning."

The comptroller also wrote, in a seemingly more pointed response to the prime minister's statements the day before, "Contrary to the prime minister, the following words are written in the introduction to the report: 'The courage, resourcefulness and initiative of the commanders and soldiers allowed the IDF to fight in an area saturated with tunnels in the Gaza Strip, to seek to fulfill their mission, to deal with the tunnels to the best of their abilities and to reach the achievements that they obtained in this operation.'"
The White House today said the shooting in Kansas, in which Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed, looked like it was racially-motivated. Meanwhile, the FBI said it was investigating the incident as a hate crime.

By India Today Web Desk: The White House today said the shooting in Kansas, in which Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed, looked like it was racially-motivated.

"As more facts come to light and it begins to look like this was an act of racially motivated hatred, we want to reiterate that the president condemns these or any other racially or religiously motivated attacks in the strongest terms," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters.

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These remarks come a day after White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on Monday called early reports coming out of Kansas "disturbing." Spicer had on Friday it was absurd to link the killing to Trump's "America First" stance.

Adam Purinton, a white 51-year-old US Navy Veteran, is accused of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and wounding Alok Madasani, also 32, as well as an American - Ian Grillot - who tried to intervene during Wednesday evening's incident at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, a Kansas City suburb.

At least one bystander told the Kansas City Star he shouted "get out of my country" before shooting.

Purinton was arrested hours after the incident at an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, about 80 miles (130 km) south of Olathe.

According to a recording of a 911 call made by a bartender at the Applebee's, Purinton said he needed to hide because he had killed two Iranian men, local NBC affiliate KSHB-TV reported.

On Tuesday, Grillot, 24, who is being treated at a Kansas City hospital with gunshot wounds to his hand and chest, told a news briefing that Purinton told him before the shootings that he was surprised Grillot was standing up for two foreigners.

Grillot said he helped escort Purinton out of the bar about a half hour before the shooting. "He was saying, 'You're going to stick up for them and not me?'" Grillot recalled. Grillot was later shot when he tried to pursue Purinton.

Dozens of people gathered in Hyderabad on Tuesday for the funeral of Kuchibhotla.

PROBING SHOOTING AS A HATE CRIME: FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said on Tuesday it was investigating the shooting as a hate crime.

"Based upon the initial investigative activity, the FBI, in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, is investigating this incident as a hate crime," the FBI said in a statement.

"The FBI will continue to work jointly with Olathe Police Department and our state and local partners regarding this ongoing investigation. As this is an ongoing investigation, we are not able to comment further at this time."

INDIA RULES OUT DIPLOMATIC DEMARCHE

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The Indian government will not issue a diplomatic demarche to the United States over the shooting.

The newly-appointment spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Gopal Baglay, said the US government as well as authorities in Kansas pro-actively responded to the incident, which also resulted in another Indian getting wounded.

Furthermore, Baglay added, the US Charge d' Affaires has said the country welcomes people from across the world and that authorities will thoroughly investigate and prosecute the case.

(With inputs from Reuters)

ALSO READ: Kansas shooting: US Navy veteran Adam Purinton curt during trial for Srinivas Kuchibhotla's murder

ALSO READ: Srinivas Kuchibhotla murder: India rules out demarche on Kansas shooting, says US govt proactive enough

WATCH VIDEO: Kansas shooting: Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla's mortal remains brought to Hyderabad

--- ENDS ---
In the two and a half years that passed since Operation Protective Edge, Hamas has resumed its tunnel digging, while half of the tunnels the IDF destroyed during the war remained usable and arguments between the IDF and the Defense Ministry have been delaying the deployment of the new system to locate tunnels.

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While the State Comptroller's report on Operation Protective Edge released on Tuesday reveals a series of failures with regard to the IDF's preparedness for the war, the cabinet's decision-making process and the gaps in intelligence the IDF had vis-a-vis the terror tunnels, the situation today is no less dire.

Several weeks after the end of Operation Protective Edge, a senior Southern Command officer told reporters that his recommendation was to attack any border-crossing tunnel the IDF discovers, even if only in a limited ground operation.

Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades fighter in one of Hamas's tunnels (Photo: Reuters)

His recommendation was disregarded, and the State Comptroller's report notes that "the IDF destroyed or neutralized only about half (of the tunnels) and so failed to complete its missionsomething that also came up in the General Staff's investigation following the operation."

Since the IDF initially said over 30 tunnels were discovered, it's safe to assume at least 15 of them remain usable.

In his response to the comptroller report in March 2015, about six months after the operation, former IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz asserted that "Just like we could launch a campaign against the tunnels on July 7, 2014, we can launch an operation against the tunnels today, as the threat still exists."

Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades fighter in one of Hamas's tunnels (Photo: Reuters)

And while Hamas has resumed its tunnel digging with renewed vigor, the technological solution the top defense officials promised last yearin which billions of shekels have been investedis being delayed by arguments among the different branches of the army and with their counterparts in the Defense Ministry.

In a future war, this delay in deploying the system to locate and destroy the tunnels and making it operational across the Gaza borderafter it had only been partially deployed last yearcould once again be to the IDF's detriment.

According to the comptroller's report, it was only in late March 2015, a year after the tunnels were initially marked as a strategic threat, that the deployment of the system on the Gaza border began.

Givati Brigade soldiers at a tunnel opening (Photo: Yoav Zitun)

The system is linked to one of two technological projects developed to combat the tunnel threat, which are the culmination of efforts in the defense establishment spanning over 17 years.

According to the comptroller, a disagreement between the Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure in the Defense Ministry and former GOC Southern Command Sami Turgeman over whether the system was ready was what has prevented the Southern Command from making use of the system earlier than it did.

In July 2015, a year after Protective Edge, Maj. Gen. Turgeman instructed his forces to deploy the anti-tunnel system only to parts of the Gaza border, even though his commandersIDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot and his deputy Maj. Gen. Yair Golanordered the system to be deployed in twice as many locations. According to the comptroller, Golan chided Turgeman and instructed him to continue deploying the system in coordination with the Ground Forces and the Defense Ministry.

Eventually, however, the system was deployed based on the GOC Southern Command's ordersin only select areas.

Former GOC Southern Command Sami Turgeman (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

"An ambiguity was created, which was the expression of numerous ideas and technologies that made it hard to implement the solutions and focus the efforts," the comptroller wrote. "This phenomenon was pointed out by the head of the Operations Division in the Operations Directorate (Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva) in April 2015."

In mid-2015, Netanyahu instructed the defense establishment to expedite the deployment of the system, which was led to a similar order from Eisenkot. But even after these instructions from above, the Southern Command delayed further in deploying the system, leading the heads of the civilian company carrying out the project to warn the Defense Ministry in September 2015 that these delays will cause the project's completion to be pushed by several months.

"There were clear decisions made by the deputy chief of staff, but things on the ground are sometimes different," wrote the head of the Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure at the time.

According to the comptroller, "The IDF chief and his deputy failed to supervise the implementation of their instructions to deploy the system. Maj. Gen. Golan chided the Southern Command over the matter in December 2015 as well, but the delays continued even after that."

IDF chief Eisenkot admitted in his response to the comptroller that "despite having defined different deadlines, we have yet to achieve the goal and complete the mission. Now, we are required to examine how to continue from the point we've reached, to narrow the gaps and upgrade our mode of operation."

IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot (Photo: Ido Erez)

The farce continued in late December 2015 when the deputy IDF chief confronted the heads of the Southern Command. Golan pointed to "indecisiveness concerning the continuation of the project," adding that "It was agreed that the deployment of the system will continue uninterrupted, as was determined. But in reality, the Command's opinion changed several times without the approval of the deputy IDF chief."

To settle the matter, in January 2016, Golan made an unusual decision to formulate "an agreement between the Ground Forces and the Southern Command to implement the project. The agreement will be signed by the commanders of the branches (Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Maj. Gen. Guy Tzur) and the deputy IDF chief as a third party. The agreement will be binding and deviating from it will only be allowed for clear operational needs and with the approval of Maj. Gen. Golan."

The comptroller defined the need for the agreement as "an expression of the continued display of weakness in deploying the system."

The system was partially deployed during the first half of 2016, and the decision was only recently made to deploy it along the entire Gaza border.

The comptroller's report does not mention how many tunnels and to what length was Hamas able to dig during the year the different branches of the IDF fought among themselves over the deployment of the system.

Despite the series of lessons the IDF has learned and changes it implemented since Operation Protective Edge vis-a-vis fighting in a battle field peppered with tunnelswhich included, among other things, training the units and battalions to deal with tunnels and equipping them with the tools they need to that endthe comptroller claims that the IDF has yet to effectively and optimally implement these changes.

IDF searching for tunnels along the Gaza border

Last week, IDF chief Eisenkot told the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that the Gaza front was at the top of the IDF's priorities and that NIS 2.4 billion have been invested this year into handling Hamas's terror tunnel threat.

To the IDF's credit, it should be noted that the solutions to Hamas's terror tunnels are not limited to technological measures. Over the past year, the IDF has changed its policy with regards to retaliatory attacks following rocket fire, dropping dozens of tons of bombs from the air on strategic Hamas positions. Only time will tell how effective these attacks are.

Tunnels in the north

The comptroller dedicated only a few paragraphs to the threat of tunnels on the northern border. Deputy IDF Chief Golan was quoted in the report as saying during a discussion on the topic: "I don't intend to repeat the faulty management with which the IDF handled the tunnel threat in the south before Protective Edge."

According to military officials, the IDF is not aware of any border-crossing tunnels dug by Hezbollah from Lebanon into Israel in recent years. They offered two explanations for that: Primarily, the difficulty of digging in the Galilee's mountainous terrain, but also the fact Hezbollah has no operational need to dig such tunnels as the border area is thick with vegetation, which Hezbollah has used and will continue to use as cover when trying to infiltrate Israel.

Hezbollah tunnels in Lebanon

The Israeli forces would meet the vast tunnel network already inside the southern Lebanon areain villages and their surrounding areaonly during the fighting itself.

In the wake of Protective Edge, the comptroller stated, there has been progress made in preparing the Northern Command, with the help of the Defense Ministry, to the underground threat as well.
Only an hour after the State Comptroller's report about Protective Edge was published on Tuesday, residents near the Gaza border received a reminder that the security situation remains volatile when a Code Red alert was sounded on Tuesday afternoon in Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council and in Sdot Negev, which turned out to be a false alarm.

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Following the alarm, residents reported hearing an explosion. Security forces are investigating whether the rocket fell inside the Gaza Strip or if it was a failed launch.

Scouting the area (Photo: Roi Idan)

Even prior to the attack, a Hamas military wing spokesperson referred to the Protective Edge report by saying that the organization will respond to "any future Israeli aggression like the one carried out on Monday," and added that it appears Israel only understands power.

On Monday afternoon, Israeli aircrafts attacked targets in the Gaza Strip in response to a rocket launched on the night between Sunday and Monday, exploding in an open area of Sdot Negev Regional Council.

The attacks were carried out against outposts near the Nuseirat refugee camp, as well as against targets in the south and north of Gaza.

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said after the attack: "I would like to return to the policy that I set at the Defense Ministry since my appointment. We have no desire or intention to initiate a military operation in the Gaza Strip. But we will not tolerate even a drizzle of rocket fire. We will not get into a ping-pong situation of fire and counter-fire. I suggest Hamas take responsibility, impose order and calm down."
Former defense minister Moshe Yaalon issued a scathing statement on Tuesday, lambasting the cabinet which presided over the handling of Operation Protective Edge in 2014, describing it as the most irresponsible and the worst I have ever known.

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The statement by Ya'alon, who served as defense minister during the incursion, comes just hours after the state comptroller published a report highlighting the mishandling of the summer offensive at the highest political echelons.

I am saying this as someone who has participated in the cabinet since 1995. It was a leaking cabinet, a superficial, political and populist cabinet, Yaalon said in a video he uploaded to the internet.

Netanyahu, Ya'alon and Gantz holding a press conference during Protective Edge (Photo: Amit Shabi)

It contained, he said, "people who spoke with one voice in the cabinet and then another in public. This reality turned the discussions into one big farce and if it wasnt for the prime minister, the chief of staff and for me, it could have ended in a disaster.

I dont claim to be perfect. I am also a human being and it could be that we should have found a solution to this kindergarten then that was formed in real time, he said in reference to the cabinet.

I am proud of the fact that I stood with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz against the public frenzy and the political subversion, Yaalon added. We conducted the deployment in a professional, considered and responsible manner and restored quiet to Israel.

Despite his apparent confidence in the success of the government's handling of the operation, Yaalon went on to acknowledge that lessons did have to be drawn from it. Whoever fought and commanded knows that there is no military deployment from which we cannot learn. In this respect, the state comptroller has a uniquely important job," he stressed.

"But the report that has come out authored by him unfortunately does not allow for this truth. The Protective Edge report has become a political report. This is a report that examines partial aspects of a complex deployment and ignores serious considerations," Ya'alon asserted.

IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot also commented on the report. In recent years we began trainings and preparations. The power of the intelligence will enable the IDF to function sharply and enable it to win, he said.

The IDF is learning the lessons of the report and created a working program for the improvement in its capabilities in the Gaza Strip. The IDF is not immune to criticism about Protective Edge but we must remember that we are talking about the best people who have contributed to the security of the state, he pointed out.

Gadi Eisenkot (Photo: Yair Sagi)

However, with his own reputation and legacy at stake, Yaalon was among a few lone voices defending the prime minister, as a deluge of comments pointing the finger squarely at Netanyahu came flooding in.

Chairperson of the Yesh Atid party, MK Yair Lapid, who then served in the Security Cabinet, said that the report clearly concludes that the State of Israel under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu was not properly prepared for Operation Protective Edge."

Lapid also accused the prime minister of knowing about the strategic threat of tunnels, and pointed to what he described as his failings to order the IDF to prepare an operational plan and to keep the Security Cabinet apprised of developments. He added that Netanyahu also failed to tell the public the truth.

Then-IDF chief Gantz (standing in the middle), Prime Minister Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Ya'alon (both seated) at the Kirya IDF headquarters during Operation Protective Edge (Photo: GPO)

Since then the political leadership, especially the prime minister, has consistently refused to admit its mistakes and learn the lessons which will allow the IDF and the Security Cabinet to improve for the next operation, Lapid said in a statement.

As a result of these failures, the statement continued, Israel embarked on the most protracted operation since the War of Independence with Protective Edge, which concluded with the death of 68 soldiers and 5 civilians.

Despite the death toll and sacrifices, Lapid added, Israel's southern residents were not significantly better off.

Even after that long operation, the residents of the Gaza region continue to live under the constant threat of terror. Hamas feels it is able to face Israel and remain standing. Worst of all, nothing has been done since to ensure it doesnt happen again," he charged.

Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett, who served in the Security Cabinet during the operation and who was one of the most vociferous in publicly slamming Netanyahu for concealing information, described the day on which the report was released as not easy and which demands responsibility and sensitivity.

During these moments, our hearts are with the families who lost the most precious things of all, and with the families of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul for whom the war has still not ended.

MK Amir Peretz (Zionist Union) also offered his thoughts on the report, saying that it paints a gloomy picture. It exposes attempts to blur the authority and the responsibility of the prime minister, who decides by himself the material which will be presented to the cabinet and its agenda, Peretz said.

Speaking to Ynet, Peretz accused Netanyahu of failing to get his cabinet under control. Netanyahu says he didnt present the cabinet with the information out of fear of leaks and this is extremely bad. If you fear that the ministers will leak information, you need to put them in their place.
Bereaved parents are demanding a "leadership that takes responsibility" in the wake of the state comptroller's report released Tuesday, which identified a series of failures in the way that Operation Protective Edge was managed.

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Approximately 50 mothers of soldiers who fought in the Gaza Strip in the summer of 2014 demonstrated in Tel Aviv in front of the IDF headquarters.

"We demand the government take responsibility for the failures and take political action," said Marilyn Smadja, of the Women make Peace Organization.

The mothers' protest (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein read from a letter drafted by the bereaved parents of the soldiers who were killed in the line of duty.

"After two and a half years, and a prolonged wait, we finally received the comptroller's report. For the first time, we received a document examining the events leading up to the war and of the war itself, which is tremendously important to the bereaved families and the citizens of Israel."

The bereaved parents also wrote that "the comptroller's report describes many failures in the conduct of the Cabinet, the National Security Council, the Shin Bet and our preparedness for the tunnelswhich no one takes responsibility for, and there is great danger they might return in the future.

"As citizens, we must rely on the prime minister, the defense minister, the members of the Knesset and the government in times of peace and in times of war. Members of Knesset, you are the ones who sent our boys into battle, you have the moral obligation to learn the lessons and implement them.," the letter continued.

"We denand the public be presented with a political and military plan changing procedures and priorities before the threat turns into a new war. We deserve answers, we deserve a leadership that takes responsibility," the bereaved parents concluded.

Samuel Lavie, father of Cpt. Liad Lavie who was killed during Protective Edge told Ynet: "We will sit in all meetings, follow all the decisions and ensure their implementation. If the conclusions are not applied, we shall be heard Each MK will have to look us in the eye and we will haunt them until the report is applied. We will not stop until the situation is changed."

Photo: Motti Kimchi

The report, released on Tuesday, revealed significant intelligence gaps and showed that crucial information was not adequately supplied to the cabinet during the discussions prior to the operation.

"The general statements made during the cabinet deliberations did not reflect the seriousness of the offensive tunnels' threat," stated the comptroller, retired Judge Joseph Shapira.

Oron Shaul's family, an IDF soldier who was declared killed in action and whose body remains in Gaza, said in response to the comptroller's report: "The report confirms our two year outcry which sometimes seemed surreal and unrealistic."

The 50-day Gaza war was a medley of cover ups, they said, culminating in the leadership's "rash decision, which goes against Halachic (Jewish) law, to declare Oron a soldier killed in action whose burial site is unknown."
At least one man was killed on Tuesday in clashes between Islamist militants and the Palestinian Fatah faction at a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon where a power struggle has fueled days of violence.

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The Ain el-Hilweh camp, on the outskirts of the southern coastal city of Sidon, has often seen factional disputes spiral into violence. Medical sources said the man killed was a civilian. Three other people, including a child, were wounded.

Gunmen from Fatah, the party of West Bank-based Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, have regularly clashed with Islamist militants in the camp, including supporters of Islamic State and al Qaeda.

Fatah activist in Ain el-Hilweh camp (Photo: Reuters)

Palestinian activists inside the camp urged people to protest against the violence, in which machineguns and rocket-propelled grenades have been used.

A loudspeaker on a mosque implored the warring sides to stop shooting to avoid civilian casualties, as gunfire rang out.

Shops and schools nearby closed as stray bullets landed in the area around the camp.

Photo: Reuters

The latest wave of violence began on February 23. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which aids Palestinian refugees, said it had suspended all services in the camp on Monday and Tuesday because of the violence.

"There are reports of injuries to civilians and damage to shelters as a result of the weekend clashes," it said in a statement.

Palestinians leave the camp amid the fighting (Photo: Reuters)

"An UNRWA installation is reported as sustaining minor damage and the unauthorised entry of armed actors into one UNRWA school was reported."

On a visit to Beirut last week, Abbas discussed with Lebanese officials the security arrangements in Palestinian camps in the country, which are home to nearly 450,000 Palestinian refugees.

Smoke rising from the camp (Photo: Reuters)

Fatah has an agreement with Lebanese authorities to hand over wanted Islamist militants hiding out in Ain el-Hilweh, which is outside Lebanese security forces' jurisdiction, a security source said.

Attempted crackdowns by Fatah are a source of tension between it and the Islamists, the source added.
More than 1,500 Jews attended the Manhattan Mega Aliyah fair hosted by Nefesh B Nefesh on Sunday, 350 of whom were from medical and high-tech backgrounds.

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While the eventwhich was attended by a record number of Jewswas protected by heavy security, the so-called Trump effect or surge in anti-Semitic incidents which have swept across the US since his election, appear to have had no bearing on the increased enthusiasm for moving to Israel.

Organizers of the event say that over the last few years, the number of people choosing to make the move from North America has gradually increased.

Mega Aliyah Fair (Photo: Shahar Azran)

This is a long-standing dream, Leah and Avi Feinberg from Los Angeles told Ynet. The two have five children, two of whom already live in Israel, which is one of the primary reasons for their desire to make Aliyah.

When my oldest four-year-old granddaughter wants to know what time her grandfather will arrive to pick her up from kindergarten, it has an impact. I want to be a part of her life.

The event, which attracted record numbers, took place at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and took up 7 floors, spreading across 35 rooms in which representatives from 11 hospitals and HMOs, 13 cities and local councils, including the mayors of Modiin, Omer, Ofakim) universities and real estate companies, offered assistance to the browsing participants in their potential journey.

Present in the rooms were also financial advisors, employment and tax advisers.

Photo: Shahar Azran

Dr. Charles Manovla (27) from Brooklyn dreams of drafting into the IDF to put his expertise to use as a military doctor. His parents, he said, dont know about his participation in the event. My mom may not be too enthusiastic about the fact that I am about to go far away but she wont be surprised.

It is heartwarming, Professor Jonathan Halevi told Ynet, a manager at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem.

Already by the first part of the event, Halevi had interviewed 13 doctors who expressed their desire to join the medical center and many more before its conclusion.

To see the people interested in making Aliyah, it is unbelievable, he said. There is a massive turnout here of doctors who want to move to Israel for ideological reasons and the thing that touches my heart the most are those who want to make Aliyah because they have children in Israel.

Immigrant Absorption Minister Sofa Landver was also present at the event and addressed the participants. Aliyah is exciting but full of concerns, she told the prospective immigrants. That is why we are here, to direct, to advise and to explain so that the Aliyah process can start here and be quick, easy, efficient and comfortable for you.
The Israeli backpacker who was killed Monday in an ATV accident in Bolivia has been identified as 23-year-old Dor Jian from Kiryat Ono, who served in the IDF's artillery unit and took part in Operation Protective Edge in Gaza in 2014.

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Dor, the youngest in the family, embarked on a six-month trip to South America in December with four of his childhood friendsa trip he had been planning for months.

Photo: Courtesy of the family

Dor was killed when the ATV he was riding careened down a ravine in the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), near Bolivia's capital of La Paz.

On Monday at 11am, Dor spoke with his father for the last time. ''He told my father the trip filled him with energy, about the amazing things he got to experience and about the people he met," said his brother, Ben. "He sounded very happy."

Photo: Courtesy of the family

The family said: ''Our Dor, our youngest son and brother, was so full of love, so giving. His smile will remain etched in our hearts forever. He will be greatly missed.''

Since Israel has no embassy in Bolivia, the Foreign Ministry has been dealing with the Israeli Consul in Lima, Peru.

Roberto Nelkenbaum, a Hebrew speaking businessman serving as an Honorary Consul in Bolivia, is handling the arrangements to have the body flown home to Israel.
Brandi Janssen did a great job of bringing some important statistics forward around the difficult issue of suicide in her December 10, 2016 article published in Iowa Farmer Today entitled, Safety Watch: Suicide Rate among farmers at historic high.

Janssens investigation uncovered the following information: The National Farm Medicine Center in Marshfield, Wis., tracked farm suicides during the 1980s in the Upper Midwest, the region most affected by the farm crisis to try to better understand the relationship between the farm economy and suicide. They found that 913 male farmers in the region committed suicide during that decade, with rates peaking in 1982 at 58 suicides for every 100,000 male farmers and ranchers. . . . Compare that with this years Center for Disease Control report that found that current national suicide rates for people working in agriculture are 84.5 per 100,000 overall, and 90.5 per 100,000 among males. This means that suicide rates among male farmers are now more than 50 percent higher than they were in 1982, at the peak of the farm crisis.

I have written about this subject before. However, I appreciate how Janssen brought forward the fact that suicide rates are 50 percent higher today than they were in 1982. This is cause for great pause. Great, great pause.

Sometimes we can miss the forest for the trees in our lives. That is why suicide is such a blow when it happens. It makes those left behind reassess their own lives. It makes us go over and over again what we could have done to step in.

More suicides today may have to do with a million factors. But, I think some of those important factors may increasingly have to do with our more isolated farming lives and isolated busy lives overall. I am certainly at fault for this. We get so busy that sometimes we simply dont know how to face our own challenges let alone understand what our neighbors are going through.

I just hope and pray more people consider calling the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258 if they are concerned about themselves or their loved ones. This is a trusted resource that truly wants to help people and is helping.

From people who used to wave to you who dont anymore, to not seeing your friends out and about like you once did. Maybe its time to go knock on the door and say hello. Maybe its time to find out whats truly going on.

So many issues can get in the way of reaching out from the perspective of those who want to help and those who need the help  issues like fear, guilt, worry and pride. Sometimes, you may really want help, but you dont even know where to begin. The great thing about the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline is they respect your privacy.

Suicide is such a touchy subject to talk about. Even writing about the subject is super hard because I certainly dont want to hurt people who have lost someone to suicide. The reason I want to write about this is because I can feel stress out there. I can sense it in some of the eyes I see at the grocery store and when I run into people here and there locally and across Nebraska. It comes up in business conversations and it is showing up in the newspapers. The issues are real.

I encourage you to please seek help before its too late. Because, from those I know who have, its such a huge relief when someone else knows. I believe as humans the greatest gift we can give each other is bearing one anothers burdens. God never intended for us to live this life alone with no support. You are very courageous if you seek help. You are so very courageous if you seek help for others. So, so courageous. There is absolutely no shame in seeking help.
Amy Grace Friesen, age 93, of Kearney, formerly of Henderson, died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 at Kearney.

She was born Dec. 25, 1923 in Henderson to Gerhard and Katharina (Friesen) Friesen. Amy was an elementary school teacher for 28 years in the Henderson area and belonged to the Bethesda Mennonite Church. On May 22, 1945, she was married to Roland A. Friesen at Henderson and to them three children were born: Jerry, Lynn and Jeanne.

Amy was a founding member of the Heritage Park Board and Happy Homemakers Club in Henderson. She served on the Hospital Auxiliary League, along with being an avid volunteer at Henderson Health Care. Amy loved researching family genealogy, writing family stories, quilting, sewing and traveling.

She is survived by two sons, Jerry (Carol) Friesen of Newton, Kan. and Lynn (Mary) Friesen of Windsor, Colo. and a daughter, Jeanne (Dick) McClemens of Kearney. Amy is also survived by seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Martha Friesen of Fargo, N.D. and MayBelle Janzen of Tucson, Ariz. along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; five brothers and two sisters.

Graveside services will be held at 9:15 a.m., Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Bethesda Mennonite Cemetery north of Henderson with the Reverend Jim Voth officiating. Memorial services will follow at 10 a.m., Saturday at the Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson. Visitation will be held from 1 - 9 p.m. on Friday at the mortuary in Henderson, with her family greeting friends from 7-8:30 p.m. later that night. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Heritage Park in Henderson. Condolences may be left for the family at www.metzmortuary.com. Metz Mortuary in Henderson is handling arrangements.
YORK  The York City Council has given its recommendation for a liquor license to be granted by the Nebraska Liquor Commission for a new bar in York.

During their most recent meeting, the city council reviewed the application filed by Sandra Murphy of Utica, who intends to open Reds Flip Side Tavern at 108 West Fifth Street.

She said the top floor would be converted to living quarters with the two lower floors being used for the business.

Murphy explained that work would be done to allow for drink service first with the plan to eventually add food service in the future.

She acknowledged that the building has been vacant for a period of time and that the proper work would be done to meet all codes and requirements.

I think this is a business that is needed here, Murphy said.

Its good to see something happening there, noted Councilman Barry Redfern.

The council gave its full approval with the final decision to be made by the state commission.
Supreme Court rejected a pregnant woman's plea to abort her 23-week-old foetus that showed signs of Down syndrome.

By Asian News International: The Supreme Court rejected a 37-year-old woman's plea to abort her 23-week-old foetus that showed signs of Down syndrome on Tuesday.

The Supreme Court bench ruled that there was no danger involved to the mother's life, if the pregnancy was continued.

A division bench that has Justice SA Bobde and Justice L Nageswara Rao took note of the report that the foetus, which was now 26-week-old, has chances of surviving in an interim order.

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"In these circumstances, it is not possible to grant permission to terminate the life of the foetus", said SC.

The court said that a report by the medical board had it that the "mother has no physical risk in continuation of pregnancy." As far as foetus is concerned, the baby born with Down syndrome was likely to have mental and physical challenges.

Also read: Congress MP Sushmita Dev writes to FM Arun Jaitley demanding tax exemption on sanitary napkins

The medical report clearly did not observe that this particular foetus would have severe mental and physical challenges, said the bench.

Appearing for the petitioner, senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves sought termination of the foetus, saying as per the medical report the child was likely to have severe mental and physical challenges.

The Centre also opposed the plea of the woman, saying the board did not favour abortion. The bench, however, observed that it was sad that a mother has to bring up a severely mentally retarded child.

Down syndrome is a congenital disorder which causes intellectual impairment and physical abnormalities.

Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, a pregnancy could be terminated during the normal course, if it was up to 12 weeks old.

Pregnancies between 12 to 20 weeks can be terminated only if in the opinion of two doctors the continuation of the pregnancy would involve a risk to the life of the pregnant woman.

In her plea, the mother-to-be said that the law allowed termination of pregnancy in extreme cases if it caused grave injury to the physical and mental health of the pregnant woman and if there was a substantial risk of the child suffering from physical and mental abnormalities after birth.

She contended that Down syndrome was not curable and could cause physical and mental stress to the child as a normal and healthy life would not possible.

Also watch: Gurmehar Kaur shouldn't have said 'Pakistan did not kill my father': Phogat sisters to India Today

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Five of the eight C-130 Hercules aircraft stationed here received Real Time In Cockpit modification in February to boost operational flexibility and situational awareness.

RTIC is a system that shows the current positions of threats and other aircraft, and facilitates communication between different pilots. It replaced an older system called Combat Tracker II, which has been used on 911th Airlift Wing aircraft for several years.

Lets say that I [enter] a hostile field where an asset has eyes on a threat, said Maj. Andrew Thompson, 758th Airlift Squadron tactics officer. That information can be sent through RTIC to my aircraft where I can make tactical decisions to avoid that threat. To know where they are before I get there gives me a large advantage.

This system takes several days to install and multiple systems needed to be removed so that there would be room to maneuver within tight spaces, said Senior Master Sgt. Bryan Sinkus, 911th Maintenance Squadron, communication, countermeasures and navigation systems shop section chief.

Airmen would take a day to prepare the RTIC aircraft for the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. The team would then take two days to install the system, and Airmen would perform a functional check to ensure that the system worked properly. Then, it was on to the next aircraft to repeat the process.

Multiple shops within the 911th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron contributes to installing the new system. The process was complicated enough that Airmen from the 910th Airlift Wing in Youngstown, Ohio, came here to assist.

The joint process of installing RTIC in the aircraft is reflective of the joint uses and advantages of the system. Rather than forwarding communications through individual military commands, pilots can get the information they need directly from the source, regardless of location of military branch, said Sinkus.

If communication is directly from ground party to aircraft, it streamlines the process, said Sinkus. The more joint the environment, and the quicker the communication flow, the better.

The advantages of a new system are not always easy to see from the perspective of those installing it, said Staff Sgt. Peter Sommer, a 911th MXS communication and navigation systems technician. However, with a system like RTIC, the possible benefits for those who will operate it on a daily basis are much clearer.

RTIC and technologies like it give us the ability to fly, fight, and win, and return safely home to repeat as necessary, said Thompson. RTIC gives the aircrew an enormous increase in situational awareness and ultimately can be the difference between success and failure life or death during combat missions.
While many Sydneysiders know that they can make additional income from renting out their homes on Airbnb during the Christmas and New Years period whilst travelling, the analysis has uncovered other key periods during the year when owners can make significant returns.

Mardi Gras, 4-5 March

Last year, over 20,000 international visitors arrived in Sydney to witness the Mardi Gras parade, spiking demand for accommodation during the first weekend of March.

Based on bookings taken by short-term property management specialist, a two-bedroom apartment in Darlinghurst could earn $434 per night during Mardi Gras, which is $203 more per night compared to bookings taken during either side of the parade. This equates to a total of $609 more for the owner from a three-night booking.

Easter, 14-17 April

Over the Easter break, families planning to go on holiday could earn an additional 35% by renting out their homes. The increased demand comes from locals taking staycations in different suburbs as well as the influx of inter-state and overseas travellers looking for accommodations in Sydney during the Easter break.

Based on bookings taken by MadeComfy during this period, a four-bedroom home in Pittwater could command $887 per night, which is $226 more per night compared to other bookings outside this period, giving the owner an extra $904 for the four-night booking.

NSW legislative report supports short-term rentals on Airbnb

Amid ongoing controversy about short-term rentals in Sydney, the Legislative Assembly Committee on Environment and Plannings 80-page report on the adequacy of short-term holiday letting regulation came to some stark conclusions.

The report concluded that short-term rental accommodation should be permitted (albeit better defined) in New South Wales. The report further argued that banning short-term rental accommodation was not the best solution to address the problems associated with this type of accommodation; rather, it suggested better regulation and more legislation around home-sharing.

With such influential backing, property owners could soon be renting rooms or their entire property without a blanket ban, which could mean major earnings during major events and holiday periods.

Related stories:

Is Airbnb More Lucrative Than Traditional Rentals?

Should You Turn Your Property Into An Airbnb Rental?
Last month, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) warned that residential building activity had been 50% higher than long-term averages for two years, highlighting fears that newly completed apartments could fail to settle. Analysts further warned that a sharp correction in the property market could tip the country into its first recession in a quarter of a century.

We believe the [property market] correction will start with settlement problems for low quality apartments, said investment firm CLSA in a recent report. Our worst-case scenario would result in dwelling prices falling in all areas, eventually leading to a recession.

The boom in foreign property investment has helped drive economic growth in Australia despite sharp declines in mining investment. In 2014-2015, the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) granted Chinese investors approval to spend $24.3bn on property.

The influx of foreign capital has helped drive price growth in Sydney and Melbournes property markets, and foreign buyers now account for one in every five apartment sales.

However, over the past two years, the proportion of new property sales by foreign buyers has fallen from 16.8% to 10.9%. This drop is particularly felt in the apartment market.

Chinese buyers are increasingly nervous about Australia because of recent instability in regulation, tax and bank lending rules, Esther Yong, co-founder of ACproperty, told the Financial Times. A lot of Chinese who bought apartments off-plan three years ago are now finding it difficult to find finance as Australian banks have blocked lending to foreign buyers.

The Big Four have all stopped issuing loans to non-resident borrowers with no domestic income. In contrast, Chinese investment in the United States and Europe is at record highs.

According to Esther, the UK has become popular after Brexit due to the fall in the value of the British Pound, making property investment for Chinese nationals cheaper.

But Beijings tighter capital exit clamps are making it harder to move large amounts of cash out of China. As a result, foreign property investments by Chinese companies fell 84% last month, according to the Chinese Ministry for Commerce.

For some Chinese buyers who have family connections in Australia, they will continue to buy there. But for others without these specific reasons, they will look at other opportunities, said Esther.

Related stories:

Chinas Crackdown On Capital Outflows Could Hit The Aussie Property Market Hard

Government Seizes $14m Worth Of Property From Foreign Nationals
Modi backed his allegations with a print copy of the purported details of the SMS, which was allegedly sent by the personal secretary of the Speaker to the BSSC Chairman on 9th and 20th January.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: BJP leader Sushil Modi on Tuesday alleged that Bihar Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chowdhary was linked to the multi-crore employment scam. Modi said that Chowdhary through his personal secretary Navin had sent an SMS to Chairman of Bihar Staff Selection Commission Sudhir Kumar, seeking favour for his candidates.

Modi backed his allegations with a print copy of the purported details of the SMS, which was allegedly sent by the personal secretary of the Speaker to the BSSC Chairman on 9th and 20th January.

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Speaking to journalists, Modi referred to the Speaker sometimes as a JD-U leader and sometimes as a Minister. However, the printout copy of the SMS clearly shows that the message was sent by Navin, the Speaker's personal secretary.

SUSHIL MODI's CHARGE

"The personal secretary of a senior JD-U leader sent an SMS to BSSC Chairman Sudhir Kumar and pressurised him to appoint candidates, whose names were forwarded by the JD-U leader. I have a copy of the SMS, which was sent to Sudhir Kumar. It needs to be investigated on whose instruction the personal secretary sent the SMS", Modi said.

Replying to the Motion of Thanks on the Governor's address on the first day of the Budget Session, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that charges being leveled by the opposition were absolutely baseless.

He said the purported SMS which Modi talked about pertained to exams conducted for the post of Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM), while the BSSC scam was related to clerical grade test question paper leak. He also dismissed the opposition's demand for a CBI probe into the case.

Also read | Nitish Kumar dares BJP to name its ministers and legislators involved in BSSC scam

"Does the SMS have any link with BSSC exam paper leak? The recommendation by the Speaker's Officer on Special Duty (OSD) was for Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM) and the BSSC exams were conducted for clerical grade test. If BJP thinks that the ruling party can interfere with the police investigation, the Centre can also interfere with CBI probe. SIT is conducting a fair probe into the job scam and the government is not trying to protect anyone", Nitish said.

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Adam Purinton, who is accused of killing an Indian techie at a bar in Kansas, faces a charge of first-degree murder. He faces up to 50 years in jail.

By Press Trust of India: A US Navy veteran, who is accused of killing an Indian techie and injuring two people at a pub in Kansas, has made his first court appearance in the case that is being investigated as a possible hate crime.

Adam Purinton, 51, appeared before a Johnson County District Court judge via video conference yesterday. Purinton faces one charge of first-degree murder and two charges of attempted first-degree murder in last Wednesday's shooting at the bar in Olathe, Kansas.

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According to Steve Howe, the Johnson County District Attorney, Purinton faces 50 years jail term on state charges.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani, of the same age, was injured in the shooting by Purinton who yelled "get out of my country" before opening fire.

A 24-year-old American named Ian Grillot tried to intervene and received injuries in the firing in Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas.

Michelle Durrett from the Johnson County Public Defenders Office will serve as Purinton's attorney.

FBI INVESTIGATING INCIDENT

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has joined local law enforcement agencies in investigating the incident that has shocked the entire Indian-American community and several hundreds of Indians either working or studying in the US.

The FBI is helping gather evidence in the shooting because Kansas does not have a hate crime statute.

If their agents can prove that Purinton's alleged actions constitute a hate crime, he could face federal charges that could potentially carry the death penalty.

Purinton is currently being held in the Johnson County jail on a USD 2 million cash bond.

Purinton was arrested hours later at an Applebees restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, about 70 miles away from Olathe. At the restaurant, he confided to the bartender that he had been involved in a shooting.

In 911 calls released by CNN affiliate KSHB, an Applebees bartender told police that a man had admitted to shooting two "Iranian" people in Olathe and was looking for a place to hide.

Purinton was extradited back to Kansas on Friday.

Reacting to the shooting, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has said that "early reports coming from Kansas are equally disturbing".

Spicer, during his press briefing, also condemned the hate crimes against the Jewish community and asserted that there is no space for violence based on religion and ethnicity.

Also read: Early reports on shooting of Indian techie 'disturbing': White House

Also read: Hillary Clinton brings up Srinivas Kuchibhotla's death, says Trump must answer on rising hate crimes

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Actor Swara Bhaskar, who is a Delhi University and Jawaharlal University alumna, said that any violence on campus is totally unjustified.

By Hardeep Dugal: Best known for her powerful performances in films like Nil Battey Sannata and Tanu Weds Manu, actor Swara Bhaskar, who is a Delhi University and Jawaharlal University alumna, reacted strongly to the protests happening at Ramjas College in Delhi. Also talking about the death and rape threats given to Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, Swara said that any violence on campus premises was completely unacceptable and totally unjustified.

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Gurmehar Kaur, a second year student of Lady Shri Ram College, was trolled on social media after her campaign opposing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad went viral.

Swara said that groups cannot resort to violence and then claim to commit such acts for the sake of nationalism. She feels that the best way to resolve matters was via conversation. The actor gave the example of the recent attack on celebrated filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Jaipur by the fringe group Karni Sena to convey that such incidents of intolerance and violence were on the rise.

Swara added that she is extremely saddened and worried by this sorry state of affairs that our society is embroiled in, where people are so intolerant that they can easily resort to violence.

ALSO READ | JNU Row: Here's what Swara Bhaskar wrote in her open letter to Umar Khalid

ALSO WATCH | Ramjas College in Delhi: Students and police clash after ABVP ruckus

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: Zurbruegg further said the SNB is mandated by law to

Zurbruegg further said the SNB is mandated by law to ensure the supply and distribution of cash as well as to facilitate and secure the smooth functioning of cashless payment systems.

"These tasks have equal status. By fulfilling both tasks, the SNB lays the groundwork for the public to choose its preferred method of payment for each individual transaction.

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"Yet this freedom of choice between payment methods exists only if the public has confidence in both cashless payments and cash. Prerequisites for public confidence in cash are, first, a monetary policy which is geared towards stability and ensures that banknotes and coins retain their value over the long term.

"Second, banknotes need to be of the highest quality and have the best possible protection against counterfeiting. Switzerlands new banknote series is a case in point."

He said the banknotes in Switzerland meet high standards of safety, design and technology.

"After all, banknotes are also a symbol for the quality and stability of our currency, as well as one of Switzerlands calling cards," he added. PTI BJ SA

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By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI) India today rejected media reports that a demarche was issued to the US over the killing of an Indian engineer, saying the pro-active response of the American government and senior authorities in Kansas "obviated" the need for such an action.

"It is important to note that the US authorities are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the US, a matter which continues to receive the governments top priority," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay asserted.

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He said the US government and senior authorities in Kansas have pro-actively responded to the unfortunate death of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, and also drew attention to the strong condemnation of the tragic shooting by the US Embassy here last week.

Further, the US Charge dAffaires had stated that her country welcomes people from across the world and the US authorities will investigate thoroughly and prosecute the case, he noted.

"This approach is reflected in the sentiments and assurances from senior most authorities of Kansas, who have reached out to the Indian Consul General in Houston. These developments obviated the need for a demarche by the government on this matter," Baglay said.

The Spokesperson was reacting to a query on the media report that the Embassy of India in Washington had issued a demarche to the US State Department.

In Washington last week, Indian Embassy Spokesman Pratik Mathur in a statement had said, "Government of India has taken up the matter with the US authorities to express our deep concern and have asked for speedy investigation. US government while condemning the attack, have assured us that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter."

Baglay also mentioned that "We also must not forget the noble and courageous gesture of the young American Ian Grillot, who risked his life while countering the shooter."

Srinivas (32), who was working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, was shot dead by an American in a crowded bar in Kansas City in an apparent hate crime incident. PTI PYK ZMN

--- ENDS ---
An Indian man's house in Colorado was trashed with dog poop and eggs by a racist group.

By Asian News International: An incident of possible hate crime has come to light in a US town where a house of an Indian man was trashed with eggs and dog poop and hate messages were seen painted on the part of the house.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case which took place in Southern Colorado on February 6.

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Authorities believe it was the work of multiple persons because of the extent of the damage.

According to reports in Denver media, hateful messages and racial slurs were scrawled all over the home of the Indian man.

The homeowner said that around 50 pieces of paper were stuck everywhere on his door, window and car, and added that the unidentified group had thrown at least 40 eggs on his house.

Also read: Kansas shooting: More than $1M raised for kin of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, two other men injured in incident

He further said that racial slur like 'You brown or Indian shouldn't be here,' was also written outside the house.

The homeowner says despite the hate, he was reminded of compassion. He says his neighbours came together and completely cleaned up the house for him.

Earlier, an Indian engineer had been shot dead in Kansas, US in an alleged racial attack, after the gunman was heard shouting "get out of my country".

Also watch: Kansas shooting: Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla's mortal remains brought to Hyderabad

--- ENDS ---
An estimated 57.36 per cent polling was recorded in the fifth phase of the ongoing Vidhan Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh on Monday. It was the lowest turnout as compared to the first four phases.

Women queue up at a polling booth in Amethi during the fifth phase of Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh on Monday.(PTI Photo

By Rajat Rai: An estimated 57.36 per cent polling was recorded in the fifth phase of the ongoing Vidhan Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh on Monday.

However, this was the lowest turnout as compared to the first four phases of the ongoing elections which registered a turnout of over 60 per cent.

Of the 1.84 crore voters (0.98 crore male and 0.83 crore female), 57.36 per cent sealed the fate of as many as 607 candidates on the 51 seats of the 11 districts of the Awadh region.

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It is to be mentioned that the Samajwadi Party won 36 seats in 2012, followed by the Congress and the BJP with five each, while BSP won three and two went to others. However, this time also, the BSP is contesting on all the 51 seats in this phase followed by BJP (50), SP(43), Congress (14), RLD (31) and others (418).

INCREASE OF 0.36 PERCENT COMPARED TO PHASE FIVE OF 2012 POLLS

This phase has registered an increase of 0.36 per cent as compared to phase five in 2012 in which 57 per cent of the eligible voters exercised their franchise.

"These are the figures till 5pm and are counting. They definitely tend to increase," informed chief election officer T Venkatesh. While the maximum number of candidates (29) contested from the Amethi seat, the lowest was six each on the Kapilvastu and Etawah seats.

"Baring a few incidents of EVM malfunction and clashes, the phase was by and large peaceful. People of a village boycotted elections at a booth in the rural outskirts of the Amethi seat on developmental issues", Venkatesh added.

The last two phases will be held on March 4 and 8 and the counting and results on March 11.

ALSO READ:

Uttar Pradesh election: PM Modi talks about hung Assembly at Mau rally. Is BJP nervous?

Uttar Pradesh election: In Gandhi bastion of Amethi, it could be advantage BJP this time

WATCH VIDEO: Decoding phase 5 of Uttar Pradesh Assembly election

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The government has for the first time instituted a special 'board of adjudication' to speed up cases of misappropriation or encroachment of Waqf land.

By Mail Today Bureau: Reported first in MAIL TODAY that the Union ministry for minority affairs was planning to come down heavily on the Waqf "mafia", the government has for the first time instituted a special 'board of adjudication' to speed up cases of misappropriation or encroachment of Waqf land.

"A one-man board of adjudication under retired Supreme Court justice MY Iqbal has been established to deal with complaints and disputes regarding Waqf properties. In the states, a three-member tribunal is being established. Nearly 24 states have established such tribunals so far, while others would be following suit soon," Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told MAIL TODAY.

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Naqvi said more than 50 per cent of Waqf properties are under the clutches of the land mafia. "They are not outsiders, but officials of state Waqf boards," he said. The Union minister had also chaired the 75th meeting of the Central Waqf Council, where the issue was raised.

"Such people are creating obstacles in development of Waqf properties and their utilisation for welfare of society. Serious irregularities in some state Waqf boards have come to our notice," Naqvi said.

HIGH-LEVEL INQUIRY

"A high-level inquiry has been going on into these matters and strict action will be taken against those responsible," the Union minister reiterated.

The minister said that the Waqf mafia pose a deterrent to proper and gainful utilisation of such land for the community. The ministry has already put in place a plan for educational institutions and commercial complexes to come up at many such pieces of land, the proceeds from which are to be used for the betterment of the community.

"Under the guidance of Prime Minister NarendraModi, we have been working towards socio-economic-educational empowerment of minorities as a mission and commitment. Proper utilisation of Waqf properties is an important part of our efforts towards empowerment of minorities," Naqvi said.

The ministry is also in the process of ensuring that all Waqf boards and their records across the country are made digital. "The minority affairs ministry has been providing all possible help to state Waqf boards. Computerisation of Waqf boards and their properties will help in ensuring transparency," Naqvi added.

"There are about 4,49,314 registered and non-registered Waqf properties across the country. The number of these properties will be increased after computerisation of Waqf boards," he further said.

"It has also been come to our notice that some Waqf boards are not registering Waqf properties properly during the computerisation process. Strict action is being taken in such cases," the minister said.

ALSO READ:

Intense campaign on to free Waqf properties from mafia: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

Modi government to wage war on waqf mafia

--- ENDS ---
There is a small but growing agtech startup scene developing in Latin America. To learn more about it, the Rethink events team is putting on a dedicated Latin America workshop during its upcoming Rethink Ag & Food Innovation Week in San Francisco.

The workshop will take place at the end of the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit on March 29.

Yuri Soares, unit chief of Climate Smart Agriculture at Inter-American Development Banks Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) is one of the speakers.

We caught up with him to find out more about how the multinational development bank is looking at agritech and supporting innovation.

Which part of the Inter-American Development Bank do you work in?

IADB is a multilateral development bank with two main windows; one is the sovereign-guaranteed lender, and the other is IIC, which makes private sector deals. Theres a third window which is the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), which works across both the public and private sectors and is heavily focused on innovation. It was founded more than 20 years ago and offers equity and debt finance with blended financing and grants. We take a lot of risk, and do deals where markets are still embryonic and where were still testing the commercial viability of different types of innovation.

Why is MIF now focusing on agriculture technology?

We have different initiatives and projects we pursue at MIF, and around a year ago we approved a strategy around climate smart agriculture and agricultural productivity. Under this strategy, we are highly focused on innovations that can increase agricultural productivity in Latin America, mitigate the effects of agriculture on the environment, or adapt to the worlds changing climate.

We have various initiatives underway to finance climate-smart agriculture and agtech including funding producer cooperatives, foundations, and private sector companies. We mainly finance agtech startups through venture capital funds.

Have you invested in any agtech funds yet?

We have invested in NXTP Labs in Argentina, which is an accelerator VC investing across sectors, but including agtech. Out of that, we have had some very interesting startups including BoosterAgro, which is working in big data and climate data for agriculture using artificial intelligence. Their value proposition is to bring climate and satellite data together to obtain more precise information about productivity and the changing patterns of yield and productivity, with respect to weather.

We are also now looking to make investments in coastal innovation funds, forestry funds, and firms addressing climate change in the cattle industry, which is a huge contributor to carbon emissions. Its also an industry where a relatively scalable technological innovation can produce a high impact in terms of mitigation and adaptation benefits.

There are very few funds in the market today that are working on forestry innovation to mitigate and adapt to climate change, so we are working with some sponsors to try and support first-movers. Its a similar situation for the ocean fund.

What do you look for in an investment?

We want to move the needle on carbon emissions, and so we cant invest in small things. The idea is to go in and test things that could be really scalable. But were very much an experimental outfit and backing very early stage projects. We also wouldnt fund anything that doesnt have the proximate possibility of being a technology thats adopted industry-wide.

What experience does MIF have investing in agriculture in the past?

We used to have an area called natural capital where we worked with different projects such as the first to promote resilience in a very dry region of Central America. It was the first effort I knew of working across several municipalities to be resilient to droughts, and this public-private-partnership was a very pioneering effort. MIF was doing these types of natural capital projects as far back as 20 years ago, but they werent organized with the objective of productivity and environmental benefit.

We are investors in FOPEPRO, a smallholder investor fund based in Belgium with over 40 investments in producer associations in the region. And we have supported Root Capital with grants and loans in the past. Both have focused on small farmer organizations.

My background is in development and agricultural economics.

How do you see the agtech startup space developing in Latin America?

Its still immature, but its changing rapidly. IADB is working on a scoping study of potential startups in the region, and so we will see how many there. I havent found there to be many. As the space develops, it will be similar to other agtech centers globally like the US, and there will be companies that wont have exponential growth potential, but equally wont have a large downside and investment returns will be concentrated in the median multiple. There will be a higher concentration in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia, as these are more sophisticated countries with good universities, a startup financing ecosystem, and entrepreneurial communities. All of those factors are going to create a huge advantage.

What are you most excited about in ag innovation?

I personally am very interested in the technology thats going to have an impact on value chain resilience. Artificial intelligence is also starting to play a big role in ag, and I think that is also something we should keep our eye on. The amount of data available, from climate data to satellite imagery to ground measurements, is so overwhelming and so impressive in granularity and quality, that it matches very well with AI approaches.

Will you continue to invest in agtech through funds?

We will do both fund and individual investments. MIF doesnt issue bonds, and we dont have a balance sheet in a conventional sense; we are funded with pledges to the MIF from different governments as well as private sector foundations. That allows us to take on more risk than tradition investors and live with potentially lower returns. We dont have a target return set for funds or specific investments made and hope to serve as a de-risking source of finance. Its hard to have a target risk and return when you have a more catalytic role.

How do you measure your success?

Each investment will have its own criteria but broadly, for agriculture, this will be based on productivity and environmental outcomes of the company or project.

Image credit: Karina Rodriguez
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. Investments will be made in Gegharkunik province at several directions in 2017, Gegharkunik Governor Rafik Grigoryan told Armenpress.

There are numerous programs in the education field. Education is one of the priority issues for us. In spring we will launch the construction of Gavar N2 school. This year 4 new schools will be constructed. In addition, renovations are expected in a number of schools, he said.

The construction works will not be limited with this. This year the construction works of Sevan medical center will be completed. During this year the construction of Martuni healthcare center is expected to launch. Clinics will be renovated in certain communities.

Significant works are planned in the road construction sector. Both inter-community and inter-provincial roads are being restored. In particular, after finishing the construction of Vardenis-Martakert highway, the construction works of Shorja-Vardenis highway will launch. Gegharkunik province will also be notable for a number of investment programs.

Recently a consultation was held in the Government led by Prime Minister. One of our programs was considered locomotive. The talk is about expanding the opportunities of cheese factory of Akunk village of Vardenis. Moreover, the milk processing factory of Lchashen, expansion of large livestock breeding program. In other words, there is a set task to expand the already operating programs. By the way, buckwheat production program is also among them, we plan to increase the sowing areas, Rafik Grigoryan said, adding that there are concrete investment programs, provision of financial resources is expected. He said works need to be done in the fish farming sector. Fishing will be regulated soon. It is planned to construct a fish processing factory.

Gegharkunik province also has a great tourism potential. The Governor said works are being carried out towards that path. In particular, they have started to closely work with the State Tourism Committee.

This is the field where the stakeholders of all sectors must be involved with a chain principle. We are planning to actively work with tour-operators. President of the Tourism Committee visited the province, already a number of serious programs are under discussion. The policy adopted by the Prime Minister is very important, as we see, except social issues, programs aimed at economic development are being implemented. I welcome the PMs policy, the results will be visible in a short period of time, Governor Grigoryan said stating that the development is being transferred from Yerevan to the province.
STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani forces made over 120 ceasefire violations on February 27 and overnight February 28 along the entire line of contact of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh)-Azerbaijan, firing more than 2200 rounds at NKR positions. Intense violations occurred in the eastern and northeastern directions, where Azerbaijan fired a total of 15 shells from 60mm and 82mm mortars.

The defense ministry of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) told ARMENPRESS the Defense Army are in full control of the frontline and confidently continue their service.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. The Joint Armenian Organisation organized a demonstration in front of the Azerbaijani Embassy in The Hague, in memory of the victims of Sumgayit in 1988 and in other cities, the Organisation told Armenpress.

The demonstration took place despite the extremely adverse weather conditions. Again many Armenians came to The Hague to protest strongly against the anti-Armenian policy of Azerbaijan.

Before the demonstration, a meeting took place at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs between a delegation of Joint Armenian Organisation and the Deputy Director of Europe Department, Adriaan Palm. The delegation of Joint Armenian Organisation handed him a letter addressed to Foreign Minister Koenders.

Thereafter an extensive discussion took place on many important issues and concerns of the Armenians in the Netherlands on the situation in Nagorno Karabakh, where the conflict has just been intensified.

In the letter the Dutch government is asked to work for preventing war and to promote greater efforts, whether on own initiative or at EU level, in order to achieve a political, peaceful solution to the conflict. This depends first of all on the observance of the cease-fire, which is regularly violated by Azerbaijan, which cannot be established without the presence of international observers. The letter also asks to condemn (and to continue condemning) publicly the Azerbaijani aggression and overt racism against Armenia and Armenians. The Dutch diplomat spoke about limitations of the policy of his country in this regard and the need for the Netherlands to support the efforts of OSCE Minsk Group. The delegation also asked about the Dutch position on the issue of extradition of blogger Lapshin to Azerbaijan, the recent Azerbaijani extradition requests for three members of the European Parliament and possible similar situations that would affect Dutch nationals.

The demonstration of Dutch-Armenians started at the Peace Palace in The Hague. Under the chanting of slogans, the demonstrators marched through the streets of The Hague and reached the Embassy of Azerbaijan, where the slogans were chanted louder and sounded more powerful. The event lasted over an hour despite the heavy rain and wind. There were speeches and songs in different languages, even a song was performed by the youngest participant of the demonstration.

It is once again proved that the Dutch-Armenians living thousands of kilometers away from Karabakh, are in solidarity with the soldiers who defend the homeland.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. Pedro Agramunt , President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), will be questioned by the foreign relations committee of Spains Senate in connection with his involvement in the Caviar Diplomacy scandal.

Valencia Noticias reported Agramunt, who represents the Peoples Party of Spain, was summoned to the Senate at the initiative of Senator Carles Mulet from the Compromise alliance.

Agramunt serves as PACE President since 2016, and is active in the Spain Senate since 2008.

Senator Mulet said Agramunt has been requested to present explanations over the accusations which were mentioned in the European Stability Initiative December 17, 2016 reports called Caviar Diplomacy, where Agramunt is mentioned along with other European politicians, who have received money to turn a blind eye on systematic human rights violations in the Azerbaijani dictatorship.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. The latest incident in the line of contact of Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan once again underscores the urgent need for the parties to immediately resume negotiations on establishing lasting security and peace in the region, OSCE Minsk Group US Co-Chair Ambassador Richard Hoagland told ARMENPRESS.

In our February 26 statement, my fellow Co-Chairs and I reiterated our call for respect for the ceasefire and a commitment to the non-use of force. This latest incident once again underscores the urgent need for the parties to immediately resume negotiations on establishing lasting security and peace in the region, he said.

On February 25, around 03:00-04:00, Azerbaijani forces attempted to launch an offensive in the NK line of contact, using heavy equipment and personnel simultaneously in two directions  Martuni and Akna.

The advancing Azerbaijani forces were spotted by the Defense Army special devices, and were forced to retreat by suffering losses.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Members of Parliament paid homage to the memory of the victims of the 1988 Sumgait pogroms with a moment of silence in the Parliament.

Galust Sahakyan, Speaker of the Parliament, reminded that February 28 is the commemoration day of the victims of the Azerbaijani pogroms and the day of protection of the rights of the displaced Armenian population.

February 27-29, 1988, Azerbaijani authorities on a state level organized the genocide and mass deportations of the Armenian population in the Azerbaijani SSR Sumgait city. These tragic events, which claimed the lives of our numerous compatriots, once again showed the real face of Azerbaijan, as well as proved that genocides can be repeated, as long as the world hasnt condemned the perpetrators of such crimes in the past, Sahakyan said.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani policy in the line of contact doesnt comply with military logic. The Azerbaijani military attacks are driven by domestic political factors and proceed with a diplomatic calendar, political scientist and director of the Regional Studies Center Richard Giragosian told a press conference in the Media Center.

According to him, military operations are attempts to solve domestic economic issues for Azerbaijan. Its not the result thats important for it, but rather simply the attack, Giragosian said, adding its only Azerbaijan who is the main threat to regional peace.

Giragosian said it is unfortunate that no one and nothing stops Azerbaijan in initiating a new attack.

This inaction and absence of pressure against Azerbaijan escalates the situation even more. There is only one country that can quickly respond in case of another attack of Azerbaijan, and its Russia, he said.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan held a meeting on February 28 with David McKenzie, President of Associated Television International.

Issues related to raising Armenias international awareness, presenting tourism opportunities and boosting tourism were discussed.

The PR department of the Government told ARMENPRESS David McKenzie said their company plans to film a documentary about Armenia, which aims at raising awareness in terms of Armenia being the first nation to adopt Christianity, present the Armenian people, history, culture and increase the interest of tourists.

The Prime Minister thanked for the initiative and said the Government of Armenia highlights steps for boosting tourism and is ready to discuss proposals.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is taking part in the Mobile World Congress for the first time in Barcelona. The Zangi [meaning Call in Armenian] application, made in Armenia, is also presented at the Congress in a separate booth.

Vahan Martirosyan, minister of transportation, communication and information technologies, visited the Zangi booth at the Congress and reviewed the services of the company.

According to representatives of the company, visitors display great interest in the application, which implies expansion of international cooperation and raising awareness.

The ministry of transportation, communication and IT told ARMENPRESS Zangi is presenting its newest innovations. The web version is already available, which enables users to use their accounts from a PC, in addition to smartphones and tablets. The other new option is the desktop application and a group chat.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. President Serzh Sargsyan started the second day of his working visit in the Kingdom of Belgium by visiting the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Brussels.



Hosted at this prestigious research institution, President Sargsyan met with the experts of the Center. The moderator of the meeting, a scientific researcher of the Carnegie Endowment Stephen Lehne, who has been studying the EU foreign policy developments and relations among the member states since the Lisbon Agreement, presented Serzh Sargsyan to the audience. President Serzh Sargsyan made a statement and answered the questions raised by the participants of the event. The audience was interested in Armenias foreign and internal policies, as well as in the Armenian Presidents viewpoints and assessments on the regional and international pressing issues.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office, President Serzh Sargsyans speech at the Carnegie Center runs as follows,

Distinguished Mr. Lehne,



Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,



It is a great honor of course for me to speak at the event held at the Brussels office of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. I am here for the first time but I recall warmly my meetings and discussions held at the Carnegie headquarters in Washington, D.C. Reputable platforms such as this one, on one hand provide the opportunity to present the logic behind the developments taking place in our country, and on the other hand, we learn from the very source about the latest expert analysis, estimates, and approaches.



Finally, the very idea of international peace, which is laid in the basis of this Endowment, is the objective that has always attracted the entire civilized world.



Distinguished Colleagues,



Andrew Carnegie once said, Teach a man to be a good citizen and you have solved the problem of life. A good citizen is indisputably a guarantee of the success for a state. The more mature and informed the civil society is, the more efficient the state structures are. Strong civil society, along with the separation of powers, is one of the best mechanisms for checks and balances.



That was the driving force behind the process of constitutional reforms we initiated in our country, and it has been going on for over two years. The amended Constitution has defined more precisely the authority framework for different branches of power, stressing the respect for human rights and making the voice of people heard in all areas. As a result, in our country has already commenced the process of building such a political system in which the influential actors will be not the individuals but political forces, political institutions. Enlargement of political parties and formation of political coalitions is going on in Armenia at this moment; that is a welcome development, and we have been striving to achieve that. Political parties are getting consolidated as stable institutes; smaller parties are disappearing or merging together.



For Armenia, to amend the Constitution was a bold step aimed on one side to the decentralization of the government, on the other hand  at the strengthening of the legal and constitutional order, which will allow to eradicate unacceptable manifestations of the post-Soviet flaws, decrease the corruption risks and provide the best possible conditions to move the country forward on the path of sustainable development.



In coming weeks, Armenias political system will undergo a serious test: at the beginning of April, in accordance with the amended Constitution and the new Electoral Code, we will conduct parliamentary elections. Fundamental changes were introduced into the Electoral Code as well, some of which resulted from the unprecedented dialogue and consensus between the authorities, opposition, and the civil society. To ensure a considerably greater public trust towards the electoral process and to conduct free and fair elections, we have actively introduced contemporary technical measures for the election monitoring. Moreover, in line with the wishes expressed by the opposition, we agreed to introduce such transparent and novel approaches towards which certain reservations were voiced by the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe. We agreed to do it because at this point a greater trust towards the process was the most important objective.



With this regard, I express gratitude to all our international partners, and particularly to the European Union, for the assistance provided from the very beginning of the process. The reformation process and its results have been praised by our international partners, such as the OSCE/ODHIR, the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, and the European Union.



We have set the bar high: to conduct democratic, free, fair, and transparent elections. I have no doubt that we will reach this goal, and the atmosphere of the elections and the results of the entire process will prove the aptness of our approaches.



When we started the process of constitutional reforms, our major objective was not just to introduce a parliamentary model of government but to further strengthen democratic institutions through the decentralization of the authority and introduction of a fully proportional voting system. I think with this regard Armenia sets a positive example for other post-Soviet and regional countries.



Ladies and Gentlemen,



The reckless four-day military escapade carried out by Azerbaijan in April 2016 was the epitome of Bakus years-long belligerent policy and ideology. It dealt a heavy blow to the NK peace process. Azerbaijani aggression proved once again that the struggle of the people of Artsakh for living safely on their own land and be free has no alternative. This is not an opinion, but the reality created and imposed on us by Azerbaijans policy.



There are strictly defined agreements reached in Vienna and Saint Petersburg after the April war, related to upholding of the unlimited tri-party ceasefire agreements of 1994-1995 and on the creation in the conflict zone of the mechanisms to investigate violations of the ceasefire regime. However, Azerbaijan, true to its long-standing tradition, refuses to implement these agreements and declares that their implementation will allegedly reinforce the existing status quo in Nagorno Karabakh.

If Azerbaijan is truly concerned with changing the status quo in Nagorno Karabakh, there is only one way to do it  to recognize the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh for self-determination.



It would be naive to assume that Azerbaijan was unaware of the heavy blow it dealt to the peace process, to reinforcing the status quo, to pushing pack the peace process. Obviously, Baku is using the Nagorno Karabakh conflict to divert the attention and rising discontent within its own society related to the pressing social and economic issues and blatant violations of human rights in the country.



For that very reason, Baku recently stated that Nagorno Karabakh was its internal affair. It has been for years that the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, namely France, Russia and the US, who form the agreed international format, have been mediating the Nagorno Karabakh issue. Someone in Baku might have had a bad dream and based on that deluded himself that these three major international actors have put aside their own complicated issues and suddenly chose to engage in Azerbaijans internal affair.



This was just an episode from the theater of absurd which is being staged in Baku. We encounter it almost on a daily basis. However, sincere outbursts also happen. On one such instance, the leader of Azerbaijan, trying to boost his very significance in front of his subordinates, admitted publicly that at the negotiations behind the closed doors he was under pressure to recognize independence of Nagorno Karabakh, and he was the sole person able to withstand the pressure coming from the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.



The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, as mediators, are also called upon to prevent possible escalation in the area of conflict. Negotiations conducted under the shelling hold no promise.



That is the stage the Artsakh conflict resolution process has reached now. Both Artsakh and Armenia are in principle against the use of force and are in favor of solving the problem as soon as possible through peace negotiations.



Azerbaijans new attempts to engage in a military adventure can have unpredictable consequences for Azerbaijan itself. Armenia, as the guarantor of Nagorno Karabakhs security, has stated on many occasions that it was ready to respond adequately to any attempt to use force.



Despite Azerbaijans incessant threats, the people of Artsakh continue to build resolutely their own future. On February 20, a referendum took place in Nagorno Karabakh on constitutional reforms.



The people of Artsakh have voted for the presidential model of governance. As you see, with regard to the system of governance, the positions of Armenia and Nagorno Artsakh differ; however, the resolve to build a democratic system is unwavering. The people of Artsakh have been manifesting that resolve for decades  they formed through the elections their executive, legislative, and local government bodies. The people of Artsakh dream of no other future and are busy with creating a free society based on human rights and basic liberties.



Just as anyone in the democratic world, people of Artsakh have every right to enjoy all universal and fundamental freedoms. People of Artsakh know better than anyone the price of being free because they paid for it with the blood of their sons. Today, Artsakh is building democracy under fire. Azerbaijan, meanwhile, is trying to silence the voice of freedom, urging to condemn democratic processes in Artsakh. While Artsakh is taking consistent steps on its path towards a consolidated democracy, its neighbor Azerbaijan, especially at the current stage, has been taking consistent steps towards the establishment a totally hereditary tyranny.



I see that all gathered here are notable experts. If there are alternative mechanisms of governance and self-organization for unrecognized entities, I would appreciate if you let us know. It is hard to explain to our colleagues in Artsakh why the unrecognized Kosovo can cooperate with the OSCE/ODHIR and form its governmental institutions democratically, while some think that the people of Artsakh cannot do it. Even though Armenia has not recognized independence of Kosovo, by the virtue of financing the OSCE budget we are part of that process. I am confident that the international community should start to gradually assist Artsakh in its democratic processes, regardless of the status of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.



Distinguished Colleagues,



It is well-known that sustainable development is one of the most critical components of the public security, while with regard to a state, development cannot be sustainable unless it is based on a strong economy.



Recent developments prove that Armenia has been able with scarce resources to form a flexible economic system. These achievements are called to verify that the main source for our economic development is the human capital. I will give you one example: the area of information and communication technologies in recent years has become one of the locomotives of our economy. In this area, Armenia is working with prominent companies such Microsoft, IBM, Sysco, D-Link, Oracle, Synopsis, Mentor Graphics and others. There are nearly 400 enterprises functioning in Armenia in this area alone, with the number of employees close to 15 thousand. In this sphere, the women in Armenia are among the most engaged in the world. In this area we register a 20-25% increase on average each year; it makes nearly 4% of the GDP which is comparable to that of many developed countries.



It would be hard to ensure through the standard models of economic development the level of advancement that would allow us to withstand the current global challenges. Therefore, we need a new vision with innovative approaches and solutions. We have been able to form an economic system that is free of the impact of the raw natural resources. Armenia differs positively from a number of the regional countries, where the economic crises of the recent years resulted in the destabilization of the economy and devaluation of the national currency. Armenia proved that even under a blockade and limited availability of resources we were able to form a stable and predictable economy, which registered progress with regard to a number of international indices, in particular, the World Bank Doing Business 2017, as well as most recent reports by the Fitch Ratings. In accordance to Doing Business 2017, Armenia has improved its standing by five points and occupies the 38th position among 189 states while Fitch rated Armenia stable with B+.



Our new government, which was formed at the end of last year, has come up with the impressive reforms agenda. The reforms should enhance the level of recognizability of the country and investment attractiveness, especially for the European investors; it will boost the public-private partnership, ensure a comprehensive state assistance to the business projects which will encourage a rapid economic growth.



Distinguished Colleagues,



While speaking about improving Armenias international milieu, I would be remiss not to mention the Syrian crisis. From the beginning of the crisis and until today, over 20 thousand Syrian refugees of the Armenian descent have found a safe haven in Armenia. Certainly, it is painful to state because they are not refugees in our understanding. They are part of us, who because of certain historical developments had found salvage in Syria. Today, as a result of the unfolding tragic geopolitical developments they found refuge in Armenia.



However, we are doing more than that. Armenia is regularly sending humanitarian aid to Syria: another aircraft with the cargo, days ago landed in Syria. The aid is sent not only to our fellow Armenians in Syria, but to all Syrians, regardless of their religious or ethnic affiliations. This is the least we can do as a token of appreciation to the people of Syria who once opened their doors to the Armenians who had survived the Genocide.



Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,



Yesterday with President Tusk we announced that the negotiations on the Armenia-European Union framework agreement have basically been concluded.



The new Armenia-EU agreement is first and foremost a political document that allows us to accommodate various interests towards the vitality of the so-called policy of both, and. It is true that back in 1996, we signed the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to regulate the relations between Armenia and EU. It, however, was not fully reflecting either the real scope, or depth, or the ambitions of the Armenia-EU relations. Therefore, with the new Agreement we will register the achievements and development milestones and announce that we will continue to develop our bilateral agenda in all areas.



It is important that this cooperation is based on shared values. Even at the most difficult junctions of its history Armenia has never been confronted with making a civilizational choice. Nobody is forcing upon us the implementation of democratic reforms; it is our choice. Our people view themselves as Europeans: our spiritual and cultural heritage and our lifestyle are European. It is no coincidence that today hundreds of thousands of Armenians reside in Europe, and are exemplary citizens, whose talents and hard work serve their countries. They also present an important link which connects Armenia and the European Union.



It is true that Armenias accession to the EAEU at the initial stage was received as a thorny issue by some of our western partners. I am glad that time made things fall into place and sorted them out.



We are ready to promote the mutually beneficial EU-EAEU relations to make them closer. Armenia is interested in the Pan-European cooperation. We are fully aware that cooperation is the best way to solve the existing issues, while confrontation and a policy of creating new dividing lines has no future.



At the same time, Armenia has historically accumulated a rich experience with Iran, and our current close economic, political and cultural contacts make Armenia a good platform for those European companies that might wish to enter Iran. Developing an exemplary regional cooperation with Iran, Armenia has good prerequisites of becoming the safest and the shortest transit route connecting the seaports of the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea. That was the reason behind the inclusion of the North-South highway, which runs from the seaports of Georgia to Yerevan and further to the border checkpoint with Iran, among the main routes of the European Union.

Friendly relations between Armenia and Georgia are an important element of the security in the South Caucasus. With Georgia, we have always able to address every issue in the atmosphere of good-neighborly relations and mutual understanding. We have never conditioned our relations with the relations with third countries.



Current cooperation between Armenia, as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, and Georgia, as an EU associated partner, proves that there are new opportunities for the mutually beneficial cooperation.



Armenia is ready to become a stable partner in the region which will encourage the process of ironing out differences existing between the major actors, developing the avenues for the economic advancement and forming efficient investment policy.



Distinguished Colleagues,



In conclusion, I would like to stress again the importance of a durable peace in the world and in our region. I strongly believe that any conflict can be solved through the joint efforts of the international community. It is symbolic that at the Yerevan Brandy factory there is a peace cask that is surrounded by the flags of Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan and countries of the OSCE Minsk Group. It is just a sign, one among many, of our anticipation of peace and reconciliation. We are looking forward to the day when we will herald to the world the establishment of a long-awaited peace in our region and celebrate it with our world-renowned brandy, opening new opportunities of development for all those living in the South Caucasus.



Thank you.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. The 4-day military adventurism unleashed by Azerbaijan in April 2016 was the materialization of years of militaristic policies and propaganda of Baku, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan announced in a meeting with the experts of Carnegie Foundations Brussels Office, adding that it was a serious blow to the peace process. According to the President of Armenia, the Azerbaijani aggression once again demonstrated that the struggle of the people of Artsakh for its safe existence and freedom on its own land had and today has no alternative. This is not an opinion but a reality created and enforced upon us by the Azerbaijani policy. There are strictly defined agreements reached in Vienna and Saint Petersburg after the April war, related to upholding of the unlimited tri-party ceasefire agreements of 1994-1995 and on the creation in the conflict zone of the mechanisms to investigate violations of the ceasefire regime. However, Azerbaijan, true to its long-standing tradition, refuses to implement these agreements and declares that their implementation will allegedly reinforce the existing status quo in Nagorno Karabakh. If Azerbaijan is truly concerned with changing the status quo in Nagorno Karabakh, there is only one way to do it  to recognize the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to self-determination, Armenpress reports Serzh Sargsyan saying. He added that it would be naive to assume that Azerbaijan was unaware of the heavy blow it dealt to the peace process, how much it reinforced the status quo and how much it pushed pack the peace process.

According to the President of Armenia, Baku is using the Nagorno Karabakh conflict to divert the attention and rising discontent within its own society related to the pressing social and economic issues and blatant violations of human rights in the country. The Commander in Chief of the Armenian Armed Forces noted that for that very reason, Baku recently stated that Nagorno Karabakh was its internal affair.

It has been for years that the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, namely France, Russia and the US, who form the agreed international format, have been mediating the Nagorno Karabakh issue. Someone in Baku might have had a bad dream and based on that deluded himself that these three major international actors have put aside their own complicated issues and suddenly chose to engage in Azerbaijans internal affair.



This was just an episode from the theater of absurd which is being staged in Baku. We encounter it almost on a daily basis. However, sincere outbursts also happen. On one such instance, the leader of Azerbaijan, trying to boost his very significance in front of his subordinates, admitted publicly that at the negotiations behind the closed doors he was under pressure to recognize independence of Nagorno Karabakh, and he was the sole person able to withstand the pressure coming from the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.



The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, as mediators, are also called upon to prevent possible escalation in the area of conflict. Negotiations conducted under the shelling hold no promise.



That is the stage the Artsakh conflict resolution process has reached now. Both Artsakh and Armenia are in principle against the use of force and are in favor of solving the problem as soon as possible through peace negotiations, the President said, adding that Azerbaijans new attempts to engage in a military adventurism can have unpredictable consequences for Azerbaijan itself. Armenia, as the guarantor of Nagorno Karabakhs security, has stated on many occasions that it is ready to respond adequately to any attempt to use force.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said during a meeting with experts of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Brussels that Despite Azerbaijans incessant threats, the people of Artsakh continue to build resolutely their own future.

On February 20, a referendum took place in Nagorno Karabakh on constitutional reforms.



The people of Artsakh have voted for the presidential model of governance. As you see, with regard to the system of governance, the positions of Armenia and Nagorno Artsakh differ; however, the resolve to build a democratic system is unwavering. The people of Artsakh have been manifesting that resolve for decades  they formed through the elections their executive, legislative, and local government bodies. The people of Artsakh dream of no other future and are busy with creating a free society based on human rights and basic liberties.



Just as anyone in the democratic world, people of Artsakh have every right to enjoy all universal and fundamental freedoms. People of Artsakh know better than anyone the price of being free because they paid for it with the blood of their sons. Today, Artsakh is building democracy under fire. Azerbaijan, meanwhile, is trying to silence the voice of freedom, urging to condemn democratic processes in Artsakh. While Artsakh is taking consistent steps on its path towards a consolidated democracy, its neighbor Azerbaijan, especially at the current stage, has been taking consistent steps towards the establishment a totally hereditary tyranny.



I see that all gathered here are notable experts. If there are alternative mechanisms of governance and self-organization for unrecognized entities, I would appreciate if you let us know. It is hard to explain to our colleagues in Artsakh why the unrecognized Kosovo can cooperate with the OSCE/ODHIR and form its governmental institutions democratically, while some think that the people of Artsakh cannot do it. Even though Armenia has not recognized independence of Kosovo, by the virtue of financing the OSCE budget we are part of that process. I am confident that the international community should start to gradually assist Artsakh in its democratic processes, regardless of the status of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, the President said.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh Republic (Nagorno Karabakh) President Bako Sahakyan received on February 28 the personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, the NKR Presidents Office told AMRENPRESS.



The meeting addressed a number of issues related to the situation along the contact line between the Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan armed forces.



Special attention was paid to the incursion attempt made by the Azerbaijani sabotage unit on 25 February. The President qualified it as a provocative policy directed to undermining peace and stability in the region. Within this context the Head of the State highlighted the need for targeted and tough response by the international community considering it an important component in containing the destructive policy waged by Azerbaijan.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is ready to promote the mutually beneficial EU-EAEU relations to make them closer, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan announced in a meeting with the experts of Carnegie Foundations Brussels Office. It is true that Armenias accession to the EAEU at the initial stage was received as a thorny issue by some of our western partners. I am glad that time made things fall into place and sorted them out. We are ready to promote the mutually beneficial EU-EAEU relations to make them closer. Armenia is interested in the Pan-European cooperation. We are fully aware that cooperation is the best way to solve the existing issues, while confrontation and a policy of creating new dividing lines has no future, Armenpress reports Serzh sargsyan saying. He added that Armenia has historically accumulated a rich experience with Iran, and our current close economic, political and cultural contacts make Armenia a good platform for those European companies that might wish to enter Iran.

In the words of the Armenian President, developing an exemplary regional cooperation with Iran, Armenia has good prerequisites of becoming the safest and the shortest transit route connecting the seaports of the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea. That was the reason behind the inclusion of the North-South highway, which runs from the seaports of Georgia to Yerevan and further to the border checkpoint with Iran, among the main routes of the European Union.

Friendly relations between Armenia and Georgia are an important element of the security in the South Caucasus. With Georgia, we have always able to address every issue in the atmosphere of good-neighborly relations and mutual understanding. We have never conditioned our relations with the relations with third countries. Current cooperation between Armenia, as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, and Georgia, as an EU associated partner, proves that there are new opportunities for the mutually beneficial cooperation, Serzh Sargsyan said, stressing that Armenia is ready to become a stable partner in the region which will encourage the process of ironing out differences existing between the major actors, developing the avenues for the economic progress and forming efficient investment policy.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. Vice President of the National Assembly of Armenia Eduard Sharmazanov hopes that the political struggle during the electoral campaign will not go on between individuals but between ideologies and programs. The parliament Vice President mentioned at the National Assembly that during the campaign the key players will present their programs and priorities to the public. The Republican Party will be represented by a competitive political team and will introduce realistic and ambitious programs to the public which will be exempt of ear pleasing promises, Armenpress reports Sharmazanov saying.

He added that considering the regional challenges, the destabilizing measures taken by Azerbaijan and Turkey, the development of the security system remains the most priority issue for Armenia. And this is the reason why the Republican Party participates in the elections with the slogan Security and progress. I want to add that without a firm security system there can be no talks about democracy or economic development, the parliament vice president stressed.

Sharmazanov noted that during the past years the Armenian Armed Forces has regularly reinforced the front line, the brilliant evidence of which is the recent failed attempt of the Azerbaijani troops to carry out a sabotage operation.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. Defense Minister of the Republic of Artsakh (NKR), Commander of the Defense Army, Lieutenant general Levon Mnatsakanyan received on February 28 the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of Artsakh Defense Ministry, the recent developments in the eastern and south-eastern directions of Artsakh-Azerbaijan contact line were discussed at the meeting.

Levon Mnatsakanyan introduced to the Ambassador the evidences of Azerbaijani aggressive actions mentioning that though Artsakhs Defense Army is ready to neutralize any hostilities of the adversary, remains an advocate of a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the conflict.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. Armenia plans to establish Consulate General in Iraqs Erbil, Armenpress reports the draft decree of the Armenian President is included in March 2 session of the Armenian Cabinet.

According to the justification the relations between Armenia and Iraq have significantly progressed in the recent 5-6 years, particularly, the Embassy of Iraq has reopened in Yerevan, sessions of Armenian-Iraqi inter-governmental commission on economic cooperation and business forums have been held, trade turnover between the two states increases year by year, direct flights in Bagdad-Erbil-Yerevan directions operate during touristic seasons.

The justification also notes that trade and economic cooperation between Armenia and Iraq is more visible in Iraqi Kurdistan.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. A telephone conversation between Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Artsakh and the Transdniestrian Moldovan Republic (TMR) Karen Mirzoyan and Vitaly Ignatyev took place at the initiative of the Transdniestrian side on February 28.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Artsakh (NKR) the TMR Foreign Minister appreciated the conduct as well as the results of the February 20 referendum held in Artsakh on the new Constitution in the context of consolidation of democratic values, respect for human rights and the rule of law and further development of the statehood. In turn, Karen Mirzoyan expressed his satisfaction with the active participation of the observation mission of the Transdniestrian Moldovan Republic in the referendum to monitor the voting process.

Vitaly Ignatyev expressed his deep concern about the attempted attack on the positions of the Defense Army of the Republic of Artsakh by the Azerbaijani armed forces in the early in the morning of February 25 and its consequences, as well as conveyed his support for the Artsakh side.

Karen Mirzoyan briefed his colleague about the situation on the Line of Contact and the efforts of the Artsakh side aimed at stabilizing the situation and ensuring conditions for the resumption of the negotiations.

During the conversation, the TMR Foreign Minister also expressed his condolences in connection with the Armenian massacres committed 29 years ago in Sumgait, conveying his support for the relatives of those murdered or injured during the tragic events. The sides noted that the impunity of such crimes paves the way for new crimes against humanity. The sides also discussed a range of issues related to the cooperation between the foreign offices, stressing the importance of further consolidation and expansion of the traditional friendly relations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. On February 28, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Artsakh Karen Mirzoyan received Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Artsakh (NKR) during the meeting, a range of issues related to the current situation on the Line of Contact between the armed forces of the Republic of Artsakh and Azerbaijan, as well as the monitoring conducted by the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office was discussed.

The sides touched upon the issues related to the attempted attack by the Azerbaijani armed forces on the positions of the Defense Army of Artsakh in the early hours of February 25 and to the consequent situation.

Karen Mirzoyan stressed that the mentioned incident confirmed once again the necessity of the full restoration of the ceasefire set in the agreements of 1994 and 1995, as well as the practical implementation of the arrangements on creating conditions for the resumption of the negotiation process reached in Vienna and St. Petersburg.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan used remote control anti-tank SPIKE missile in the south-eastern (Martuni) direction of the contact line at 15:40, February 28. Armenpress presents the statement issued by the press service of the Defense Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh.

Following the recent developments when the offensive actions of the adversary turned to be a total failure and the Azerbaijanis, leaving 5 bodies in the neutral zone, were repelled it seemed that this country would refrain from future adventurism on the front line.

But today, at 15:40, the Azerbaijani armed forces used remote control anti-tank SPIKE missile in the south-eastern (Martuni) direction of the contact line, which proves the fact that the Azerbaijani side intentionally escalates the front line situation, which is pregnant with unpredictable consequences.

The Defense Army suffered no casualties from the use of the remote control anti-tank by Azerbaijan.

Note that today apart from using UAVs, the Azerbaijani side continued to violate the ceasefire regime by firing from different-caliber firearms, including automatic grenade launcher (AGS 17  10 grenades) and 60 mm mortars (2 projectiles). The Defense Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh announces that it is ready to confront any developments, while the entire responsibility for the further escalation of the situation on the contact line falls on the shoulders of the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. In the sidelines of the working visit to the Brussels President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan met with President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker on February 28.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office, thanking for the cordial reception, the President of the Republic talked with satisfaction about the rather saturated and productive agenda of his Brussels visit, hoping that the sincere discussions with the President of the European Council Tusk, EPP President Daul, and High Representative Mogherini, as well as the upcoming meeting with the newly elected European Parliament President Antonio Tajani will necessarily contribute to the deepening of relations between Armenia and the EU.

President Sargsyan highlighted the joint announcement on the previous day with President Tusk about the completion of the negotiations over the new Armenia-EU framework agreement that lasted for over a year. To the conviction of the President of Armenia, the new agreement will serve as a firm legal ground for expanding and developing Armenia-EU relations during the upcoming years and the mutual commitments enshrined in it will guide the large-scale political and economic reforms in Armenia which form the foundation of bilateral relations.

President Sargsyan hoped that apart from the agreements reached, in the near future the sides will also work in the direction of attracting Armenia-EU investments. At the same time the President hoped that EUs assistance to Armenia will be continuous. Serzh Sargsyan noted that cooperation with the EU has already greatly contributed to a major progress in Armenias economic, justice and state governance spheres, reinforcement of democracy and institutions of human rights and fundamental freedoms and these facts are inarguable.

The sides discussed in detail Armenia-EU relations and their prospects. During the meeting with the President of the European Commission the President of Armenia underlined that Armenia, being an EAEU member state, attaches great importance to the development of economic relations with the EU aiming to continue and propel the reform agenda in various spheres in the country.

During the meeting the sides discussed the regional situation and the recent developments. Serzh Sargsyan and Jean-Claude Juncker touched upon Nagorno Karabakh issue. The President of Armenia introduced the recent developments and concerns over Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.

President Sargsyan highly assessed the balanced stance of the EU on the peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict which is in line with the efforts and formulations of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, the sole internationally recognized format for the conflict settlement.

The interlocutors also exchanged ideas over the situation in the Middle East, including the Syrian crisis, referred to the problems of migrants, and the humanitarian aid provided by Armenia and many other countries to the friendly people of Syria and the Syrian-Armenians.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan met with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/ Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini on February 28.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office, at the beginning of the meeting the President of the Republic noted with satisfaction that the this meeting with Mrs. Mogherini takes place at a decisive period in Armenian-EU relations, when a day before it was jointly announced with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk about the completion of the talks on the new framework agreement.

Serzh Sargsyan considered it indicative that still a year ago they discussed the negotiation process over the new Armenia-EU legal document in a meeting in Yerevan the launch of which Mrs. Mogherini had herself heralded. President Sargsyan assessed that achievement as the outcome of reciprocal commitments and devoted efforts of the teams of both sides.

The interlocutors discussed a broad scope of issues of Armenia-European Union relations, further development and strengthening of partnership. The President underlined that indeed, the joint achievements of the last two years should be referred to with satisfaction.

The meeting of the President of Armenia with the EU High Representative, like the meetings with the heads of other EU establishments in the previous day, addressed the reform implementation process in different areas of Armenia, the large-scale works following the Constitutional changes aimed at further development and strengthening of democratic institutions in the country, as well as the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Answering the question of Mrs. Mogherini, President Sargsyan introduced the preparatory works of the parliamentary elections and thanked for the EUs assistance to organizing the elections.

The interlocutors discussed Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process, existing problems and challenges. The President presented in detail the un-constructive stance of Azerbaijan and the regular provocations by that country along the contact line with Nagorno Karabakh and the state border with Armenia, the refusal to implement the Vienna and St. Petersburg agreements, which, according to him, put under risk the years of efforts of the international community and the negotiation process aimed at peaceful settlement of the conflict.
European Union leaders will consider Jean-Claude Juncker's new post-Brexit plan at a summit on March 9-10

European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker will on Wednesday unveil a vision for the future of the EU after Britain's departure, in which he is expected to suggest states integrate at different speeds.

After Brexit, like-minded countries could press ahead with closer cooperation on issues ranging from defence to the economy, Juncker has said.

Plans for a Europe of variable geometry have run into criticism from eastern European countries, especially on immigration.

Juncker's so-called White Paper will be presented to MEPs ahead of a European Union summit in Rome at the end of March where leaders will come up with their own strategy for the next decade.

"President Juncker will go to the European Parliament to present the White Paper on the future of the union" on Wednesday, after commissioners approve it on Tuesday, Juncker's spokesman Margaritis Schinas told a briefing in Brussels.

"Ahead of the Rome summit, we will give the EU leaders the chance to launch a process of reflection on the avenues and options for unity and cooperation of the 27 in the future."

Britain's shock June 2016 vote to leave the EU -- coupled with crises involving the economy and migration -- has plunged the remaining 27 member states into a deep bout of soul-searching.

They will consider Juncker's plans at a summit in Brussels next week.

Then at a special summit in Italy to mark the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome which founded the EU, the bloc's leaders will meet without Britain and issue a special declaration with new plans for future.

- Different speeds -

The Rome declaration is expected to cover the next 10 years and is likely to contain suggestions for a "multi-speed Europe" in which EU states can decide on how much integration they want, European sources told AFP.

That could particularly apply to increasing integration in the eurozone -- the 19 countries that use the European single currency.

Juncker said last week that his own White Paper would involve EU members being able to integrate at different paces -- describing it as a Europe of "concentric circles".

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"It is no longer the time to imagine that we can all do the same thing together. I will argue for this in the days to come," he said.

"Those who agree can do most things together, so they can agree to do what is necessary to do, whether at 15 or 28," he said.

EU leaders are also keen to move on and not let the entire European project get bogged down in what promise to be difficult negotiations with Britain over its exit, which is expected in 2019.

But Eastern European states have expressed concerns about a two-tier EU, fearing they could be frozen out by core Western states, especially on issues like migration where the east has taken a more hardline stance.

Schinas said Juncker's plan was meant to open a "debate" ahead of the Rome declaration and said there was a "lot of interest" in the former Luxembourg prime minister's views.
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A four-year-old British girl is fighting for her life in hospital after she was sucked into a hot tub filter at a hotel.

Isabella Floyd was in a jacuzzi with her mother Nicola, 28, at a resort in Bulgaria when her bottom became stuck.

The vacuum sucked her into the filter despite the efforts of her mother to free her, the Sun reported.

She was only freed after the intervention of a lifeguard who cut the power to the hot tub.

The childs bowel was badly damaged in the freak accident and doctors have performed two operations on her.

MORE: Campaigners call for simpler recycling bin collections to combat current confusing system

MORE: Tourists blamed for the death of the famous swimming pigs of The Bahamas

Isabella is now in intensive care in hospital in the Black Sea resort of Varna.

She was at the Admiral Hotel in the popular tourist area of Golden Sands when the accident happened.

The girl was staying with her mother at the Admiral Hotel in Golden Sands, Bulgaria (Picture: Hotel Admiral)

Ms Floyd, who lives in Bulgaria but is originally from Waterlooville, Hampshire, told the Sun: I was sitting in one corner and Isabella was in another corner trying to copy her mum.

She started screaming. The filter pump had sucked her bottom.

There was no lid on the filter. She didnt go under water. I was holding her.

She was shouting my tummy, my tummy. I tried to pull her up and break the vacuum, but it was too strong. I tried to break the vacuum with my fingers.

The Bulgarian resort of Varna is popular with tourists (Picture: Getty)

My mother switched the jacuzzi off and ran for help but it still would not let her go. She was there for about a minute.

Isabella only became free when a lifeguard came and switched off the electrics.

She never cried  she was just in shock.

Ms Floyd said surgeons had to remove part of her daughters intestine. It was reported that she is in an induced coma.
Sean McGarvey, president of the North America's Building Trade Unions, speaks at a news conference marking five years without a decision on the application for the Keystone XL pipeline project in Washington September 19, 2013. REUTERS/James Lawler Duggan

By Luciana Lopez

(Reuters) - Business groups and unions are bulking up lobbying budgets and coordinating efforts to put pressure on Congress not to let President Donald Trumps infrastructure spending plans fall through the cracks on Capitol Hill.

The more time goes on, the more frustration will build up if it doesnt come around quick enough, said Sean McGarvey, president of North America's Building Trades Unions. McGarvey and Terry OSullivan, the president of laborers union LiUNA, met with Trump in January and spoke about infrastructure.

I felt coming out of that conversation the presidents desire to move quickly on it, McGarvey said. But, he added, a crowded agenda in Congress might be putting a little bit of a reality check on it.

Trump promised often during his campaign last year he would seek a trillion-dollar infrastructure program to create jobs and fix crumbling airports, bridges and roads, and he said Monday he planned to raise the issue in an address to Congress Tuesday night.

However, infrastructure spending is fighting for space on Congress's agenda with immigration, taxes, overhaul of the Affordable Care Act and a Supreme Court nomination.

Against that backdrop, unions and business groups are setting aside their differences on a host of issues to work together to revive momentum for substantial infrastructure spending.

Infrastructure spending is one issue where Democratic union leaders, Republican business executives and the Trump administration share common ground.

LiUNA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which represents business interests, are collaborating through a chamber-led group called Americans for Transportation Mobility. LiUNA also is working with a lobbying group for big construction employers through a group called the Transportation Construction Coalition.

The Associated General Contractors of America has increased its budget for advocacy for new infrastructure measures by 25 percent, from $800,000 last year to $1 million this year. A December radio interview blitz was planned to catch lawmakers in their home districts for the holidays. And the association is using the monthly release of jobs data to travel to places where construction employment has lagged.

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When OSullivan and McGarvey met with Trump in January, the conversation included specific projects such as the Keystone XL and the Dakota access pipelines, bridges, schools, hospitals and a wide variety of other projects, McGarvey said in a press call at the time.

Weve had pretty regular communications since our meeting, including top policy aide Stephen Miller and his staff, about twice a week, McGarvey told Reuters.

Still, the administration has not put forward a specific plan, and congressional leaders have not committed to action this year.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, told reporters recently that he expects "some kind of recommendation on an infrastructure bill, though he gave no other details.

It may not be a slam dunk to get anything done, said Matthew Miller, an equity analyst with CFRA.

A Trump administration official said the White House is still weighing how infrastructure can best add economic capacity, as well as how to measure that.

Initially what were trying to do is make sure were thinking expansively and creatively, an administration official said, including identifying how new technology such as drones and autonomous vehicles can help go beyond merely replacing aging infrastructure.

Theres enormous potential gains, the official said, adding that the president will likely have more meetings with union and business leaders on the topic.

United Auto Workers union president Dennis Williams earlier this month defended the building trades union leaders who met with the Republican president.

The building trades are after jobs, Williams said. I dont think they are going to walk away from the labor movement because they had a meeting with Trump.

The pro-infrastructure groups are adapting their traditional tactics to the Trump White House. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is redirecting more of its efforts to social media, hiring more staff to send messages through Facebook and Twitter.

Even five years ago it used to be you bought an ad in the Washington Post or the New York Times and thats how you get your message across, said Ed Mortimer, the executive director of transportation infrastructure at the chamber. I did a Facebook live a couple of weeks ago. I didnt even know what Facebook live was.

(Reporting by Luciana Lopez; Editing by James Dalgleish)
FILE PHOTO - The ticker and stock information for Peabody Energy is displayed at the post where the stock is traded on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S. on March 16, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

By Tracy Rucinski and Tom Hals

CHICAGO/WILMINGTON, Del. (Reuters) - A year ago, Peabody Energy Corp's (:BTUUQ.PK) chief executive was presiding over $2 billion of losses as the world's largest private sector coal miner spiraled into bankruptcy.

Now, CEO Glenn Kellow and other top executives stand to reap tens of millions of dollars in stock bonuses under Peabody's bankruptcy exit plan, which sets aside 10 percent of newly minted shares for employees.

The executives would collect a big portion of that stock when the company exits bankruptcy, expected in April. The shares would be worth about $15 million for Kellow and between $3 million and $5 million for each of five other executives, according to a company estimate.

But some shareholders and creditors who are challenging Peabody in bankruptcy court say the executives could reap a much bigger windfall. That's because Peabody's estimate severely undervalues the stock, they argue.

The company's valuation, they contend, fails to properly reflect the impact of President Donald Trump's unexpected election victory and regulatory changes in Beijing that have stoked demand for coal in China.

The critics include hold-out creditors who complain they are getting shorted by a deal hammered out by Peabody executives and hedge funds that hold the bulk of the company's debt, which totals about $8 billion. The funds - led by Elliott Management, Discovery Capital Management and Aurelius Capital Management - would benefit from a lower valuation because it would give them more shares of the newly created Peabody stock, which will be used to pay off their bonds.

"You'd think this was one of the hottest IPOs in the world," said Fredrick Palmer, who retired from Peabody in 2014 as a senior vice president and will be left with Peabody's old and essentially worthless stock.

Some shareholders and creditors are expected to oppose Peabody's Chapter 11 exit plan when the company seeks approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in St. Louis in March.

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By any estimate, the stock in Peabody's management incentive plan is unusually valuable for a bankrupt company.

Peabody predicts it will be worth $310 million based on a $3.1 billion market capitalization, a figure the company said is appropriate given the volatile nature of global commodity markets.

Critics contend the stock could be worth up to three times that amount. Palmer estimates the initial stock award to Kellow could be worth as much as $43.5 million. That would top all restricted stock grants in 2015 by U.S. public companies with at least $1 billion in revenue, according to a survey by the Equilar consulting firm.

Peabody spokesman Vic Svec disputed Palmer's estimate and said that one-time bankruptcy exit awards should not be compared with other companies' annual stock grants. Peabody followed widely accepted pay practices for companies in Chapter 11, Svec said, and offers stock grants to all 7,000 of its employees.

Companies emerging from bankruptcy generally give stock to executives to align the interests of management with new shareholders, who are usually former creditors. The percentage of stock being granted to Peabody executives is standard for a company exiting Chapter 11, according to John Dempsey, a partner at the Mercer consulting firm.

AN UNLIKELY RALLY IN COAL

The potentially high stock value stems from an unexpectedly positive near-term outlook for the coal industry, based in part on Trump's promises of deregulation.

"Many coal companies were convinced that Hillary Clinton would seek to destroy the industry," said Nathan Yates, director of research at Forward View Consulting.

For a bankrupt company, Peabody has drawn unusually high interest among investors. The company's bonds rallied in recent months, and the miner was able to easily raise money in financial markets. Creditors including the Appaloosa Management hedge fund sued so they could get access to Peabody's new stock.

Prices for seaborne coal, which Peabody produces from Australian mines, rose sharply in the second half of last year, driven by higher demand from China after the government there closed money-losing coal mines. That sparked a rally in the shares of miners such as Cloud Peak Energy Inc (NYSE:CLD - News) and Australia's Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX:WHC.AX - News).

Long-term prospects for the coal industry, however, remain uncertain. The Chinese government has for years worked toward cleaner energy to ease choking smog in cities and is now considering cuts to coal-consuming heavy industries.

It also remains unclear how Trump policy changes would make coal cheaper than abundant U.S. natural gas.

At Peabody's estimated value, the company would start trading with a market capitalization just below the industry leader, CONSOL Energy Inc (NYSE:CNX - News), which is shifting from coal to natural gas production.

Kellow and his management team will have to wait one year before they can sell a portion of their incentive-plan stock and three years before they can sell all of it.

SURVIVING CHAPTER 11

Surviving the bankruptcy at all is a victory for Peabody executives. Top managers are often shown the door when a company declares Chapter 11.

Many energy producers, however, retained executives during the recent wave of industry bankruptcies, which many boards of directors blamed on a once-in-a-generation price collapse rather than mismanagement.

Kellow joined Peabody from BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX:BHP.AX - News) in 2013 and took the helm in May 2015, after the industry had slumped on weak China demand and a shift by U.S. power plants away from coal to cheap natural gas.

In his first three years, as the company stumbled, the board awarded Kellow restricted stock worth a combined $6.58 million, as part of his overall pay of $14.37 million.

Those shares were rendered essentially worthless by the bankruptcy, but the company replaced much of the lost compensation with a plan that could allow up to $11.9 million in cash bonuses for executives, including up to about $4 million for Kellow.

The cash bonuses would be paid in addition to the stock awards that executives stand to collect. Peabody said the cash bonus plan, which is based on 2016 and 2017 performance benchmarks, was in line with other bankrupt companies.

For both the stock and cash incentives, creditors had the chance to object when the plans were negotiated, said Jonathan Lipson, a professor at Temple Law School.

"The creditors apparently accepted it," he said, "and it's their money."

(Reporting by Tracy Rucisnki and Tom Hals; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Brian Thevenot)
Warren Buffett

If theres one thing markets are counting on from the Trump administration, it is corporate tax reform.

And while a lower tax is expected to benefit most corporates, a notable anti-Trump titan of American business would see a particularly large gain: Warren Buffett.

In a note to clients out Monday, Jay Gelb, an insurance industry analyst with Barclays, said that based on expectations for the US corporate tax rate being cut to 20% from 35%, Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A, BRK-B) could see its book value balloon.

Based on updated financial data as of [year-end 2016], Berkshire Hathaways book value could be boosted by $27 billion (10% increase) if the US corporate tax rate were reduced to 20% due to a decline in its deferred tax liability, Gelb wrote.

This potential improvement would be larger than our previous estimate ($22 billion or 8% increase) based on [Berkshires year-end 2015] deferred tax liability. We would view this magnitude of increase as favorable for [Berkshire] shares since it is generally valued based on price-to-book value.

Back in December, Gelb estimated a cut in the corporate tax rate to the 15% Donald Trump campaigned on could boost Berkshires book value by $29 billion. Since Trump took office last month, markets have been on edge waiting for any developments from the White House on when, and how low, corporate tax rates will go. Most analysts now expect tax reform to include a cut in the corporate rate to the 20% proposed by the House Republican plan.

On Tuesday night, Trump is set to speak before a joint session of Congress, with some in markets hoping for the President to offer additional details on his key economic initiatives, including tax reform and the repeal and replacement of Obamacare.

In an interview with CNBC last week, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the administration hopes to have a tax reform bill signed by July 28, ahead of Congress August recess.

On a corporate balance sheet, the deferred tax liability is basically money set aside to pay taxes at a future date. If the corporate tax rate falls as has been proposed, then the deferred tax liability on Berkshires balance sheet (or any companys) declines as future taxes would expected to be lower.

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And as Gelb noted, this matters more for Berkshire than other companies as the stock is typically valued off of its book value  effectively the liquidation value per share  rather than a more common measures like forward earnings or earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).

In recent years, however, Buffett has emphasized that the true value of Berkshire Hathaway lies in its intrinsic value. This number, however, can only be estimated, as accounting rules do not revalue wholly-owned business upwards but do take into account downward revaluations for losers. (For more on Buffetts breakdown of the two accounting treatments, see his latest annual letter to shareholders here.)



Myles Udland is a writer at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter @MylesUdland

Read more from Myles here:
electric power transmission

There are two main criteria that I believe must be checked off a list for a company to be considered a smart, long-term dividend stock. It must be defensive, so it isn?t having to spend considerable amounts of money staving off competitors, and it must be able to continue growing, so the dividend can follow, because everyone likes a raise.

Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) checks both of these on the list.

Part of what makes Fortis such a defensive company with a wide moat is the fact that it has built a very large portfolio of assets around Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. Its portfolio has been created through acquisitions that have put Fortis in a position where it doesn?t have to compete.

Fortis?s portfolio is spread across five Canadian provinces, nine U.S. states, and three Caribbean countries. It earns 59% of its operating earnings from the United States, 38% from its Canadian sources, which is where it got its start, and then a small 3% from the Caribbean.

Another way it is able to stay defensive is through regulated earnings. While this limits how much the company can make in some respects, this puts it in a prime position to consistently generate cash flow without worrying about upstarts getting in the way.

The other criteria, that it be able to grow, is not something that most utilities can do. Fortis can, though, because it has taken an aggressive approach to acquisitions. Above, I mentioned that 59% of its operating earnings come from the United States. Well, 34% of that is thanks to a smart acquisition the company made in 2016.

In October, with it having received all of the needed regulatory approval, Fortis completed its takeover ITC Holdings Corp. for US$11.3 billion. That very large acquisition put the company in a prime position thanks to its expansion into Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Oklahoma. With 15,600 miles of high-voltage lines that can handle 26,000 megawatts at peak load, Fortis should generate amazing returns from this.

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These sorts of acquisitions will allow Fortis to continue its trend of increasing the dividend for 43 consecutive years. It currently pays $0.40 per share, which provides a yield of 3.74%. While that yield is just the slightest bit too low for my liking, management is looking to increase it by 6% on average between now and 2021. It is currently carrying a payout ratio of 58%, which is more than sustainable.

Utilities are great stocks to hold because they?re incredibly conservative; however, I like income stocks that have the stability of a utility and growth potential. Fortis fits that bill. If shares experience any sort of pullback, pushing the yield over 4%, this is a no-brainer investment. And even if that doesn?t occur, Fortis should have many years of great growth and lucrative increases to the dividend.

How to Find Great Dividend Stocks

Over a nearly 30-year period, dividend-paying stocks earned about 18X more than their non-dividend counterparts!

Yet incredibly, it's only one part of the story.

To find out how these same stocks had 45% less volatility (and how you can try to take advantage!), click here to read this exhaustive report.

More reading

Fool contributor Jacob Donnelly has no position in any stocks mentioned.

How to Find Great Dividend Stocks

Over a nearly 30-year period, dividend-paying stocks earned about 18X more than their non-dividend counterparts!

Yet incredibly, it's only one part of the story.

To find out how these same stocks had 45% less volatility (and how you can try to take advantage!), click here to read this exhaustive report.

Fool contributor Jacob Donnelly has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Apple might not be using the headphone jack anymore, but plenty of other companies are.

BARCELONA  Two things unite almost every phone on display here at Mobile World Congress 2017: Android and a headphone jack.

Apple (AAPL) doesnt exhibit its wares at this trade show, so the domination of Googles (GOOG, GOOGL) operating system is predictable. But the headphone jacks persistence did not look so inevitable when Apple cut it from the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus last September.

Lenovos Motorola subsidiary had already shipped a phone without a headphone hack, the Moto Z, and Apples influence over the rest of the smartphone industry remains formidable  indeed, within months, the Chinese firm LeEco had debuted a lineup of Android phones devoid of headphone jacks. As my colleague David Pogue predicted in a post approving Apples move: Other brands worldwide will be following suit.

The hardware on display here at the worlds largest mobile tech conference, though, suggests otherwise.

Hi, jack

The presence of the traditional audio-output port may not have been surprising in a mass-market phone like Motorolas $229 Moto G5 Plus  forcing customers to use their existing headphones with an easily-lost adapter does not help a phone look affordable or accessible. Nor was it surprising to see a 3.5 mm connector on high-end, plus-sized models like LGs G6.

But two days of walking around the show floor showed companies expressing a consistent unwillingness to abandon the humble headphone jack, even on models as thin as, or thinner than, the iPhone 7. The Croatian vendor NOAs H10le, with the same 7.1 mm thickness as Apples smartphone? Jack. The Chinese firm Oppos 6.5-mm thick R9s? Its got a jack, too.

As Creative Strategies analyst Carolina Milanesi summed things up: No jack is not a trend yet.

All these companies can point to sound reasons for keeping the legacy component, too. The 3.5 mm headphone jack may date to 1968, but it works perfectly fine at conducting audio to peoples ears, nobody has to pay to license it and it works with a vast universe of existing hardware.

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Also relevant: Most companies cant expect to pull an Apple by declaring a technology obsolete.

For Android vendors in particular its a big risk since theres so little differentiation between them as it is, so anything like this could tip a potential buyer to a competitor, said Jackdaw Research analyst Jan Dawson.

Apples Lighting to headphone jack is included with the iPhone 7.

A contrary example

The MWC floor revealed only one company willing to do away with the headphone jack: HTC. The Taiwan-based firm, which has struggled financially for years despite shipping such well-reviewed models at the HTC 10, used its exhibit to showcase the U Ultra and the U Play, which rely on their USB-C ports for audio output.

Unlike, Apple, though, the company didnt make the move to save space, but rather to incorporate its USonic feature, which lets the phones headphones calibrate themselves to your ears and provide noise cancellation.

That, at least, represents an improvement over the standard headphone feature set. And unlike Apples proprietary Lightning connector, USB-C is an increasingly-widely-used standard  most new phones support it. If the headphone jack is ever going to die, USB-C is its only viable replacement in the non-Apple universe.

But HTC is still taking a risk, as you might guess from the failure of the U Ultras product page to state upfront that theres no headphone jack. Instead, it offers this fine-print disclosure: HTC USonic is compatible with USB-C connection only.

For now, the effects of the iPhones excommunication of the headphone jack seem limited to two things. One is the growth of iPhone-only accessories that aim to ease the compromises required by having only one output port on a device. Pioneer, for example, is showing off a $150 set of Lightning headphones that include a Lightning input to allow you to charge your phone and listen to music at the same time.

The other, as Milanesi noted, is that phone spec sheets must now list the headphone jack as a supported feature.

More from Rob:

Email Rob at rob@robpegoraro.com; follow him on Twitter at @robpegoraro.
A Toronto teaching hospital is in danger of losing bright, creative women if its major and persistent gender gap is not addressed, a new study suggests.

Dr. Sharon Straus is a clinician and scientist who conducts research at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. Straus and her graduate students noticed there were few female scientists at the University of Toronto and decided to dig into the data.

For 25 years, women have outnumbered men at the undergraduate level and junior faculty levels in Canada, but not at senior levels.

For instance, the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada said that in 2014, nearly 57 per cent of first-year students who enrolled in Canadian faculties of medicine were women.

Similar issues have been reported by the Council of Canadian Academies and by researchers in the U.S., UK and Europe.

"If we don't reflect our population I think that we're losing a tremendous segment of our population that would bring creativity and innovation to research," Straus said in an interview.

In 2014, there were 206 scientists at St. Michael's research institute. Of these, 30 per cent were women and 70 per cent were men, Straus and her co-authors reported in today's issue of CMAJ Open.

"It was surprising to see that the gap really hadn't changed at all over the last 15 years," Straus said.

The researchers also conducted interviews with current and past scientists at the hospital to look for strategies to promote gender equity.

Those interviewed raised recruitment trends, institutional support and lack of mentorship and role models as factors.

For instance, a male scientist early in his career said if he was female he wouldn't have been "invited out for a beer," a form of informal opportunity. It can offer a chance to get to know someone in a leadership position and to hear about job openings.

Since the study was commissioned, the hospital will take steps including:

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- Implementing a more transparent recruitment and hiring process with formal search committees.

- Instructing those hiring to not penalize for gaps in resumes that might be parental leaves.

- Switching meeting times to when they are convenient for as many participants as possible.

- Setting up a mentorship process.

The largest gap that the researchers identified was that 95 per cent of scientists conducting basic laboratory research such as examining cells and molecules to better understand the causes and mechanisms of disease  were men.

It's important for all Canadians to see academics as a valuable career, Straus said.

Missed mentorship and career opportunities

While the study only looked at St. Michael's, the gender gap is common throughout fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.

What's more, the percentage of women holding Canada Research Chairs hasn't changed much over the duration of the program, Straus said.

Given how research suggests that mentorship affects an individual's ability to be productive, receive grants, have protected time to focus on scholarly work and to be promoted faster, Straus is an advocate for access to strong mentors.

Straus, a geriatrician, trained in the UK under McMaster's Dr. David Sackett ,whom she called a "fantastic mentor." Sackett died in 2015 and one of his last projects with Straus was a book on how to be an effective mentor and mentee.

Straus would like to see Canadian institutes follow the lead of the Swan initiative in the UK. Introduced by Dame Sally Davies, the Chief Medical Officer, the project aims to address retention and progression of women in academic careers in science and technology by requiring medical schools to address the gender gap to obtain funding.
Wall Street is playing it close to the vest. Stocks opened slightly lower ahead of President Trumps address to Congress tonight and after the Dow (^DJI) extended its winning streak on Monday, closing at a record high for a 12th straight session.

Here are some of the other stories the Yahoo Finance team is covering for you today.

Fidelity slashes brokerage fees

Fidelity Investments, the nations largest online retail broker, is cutting commissions from $7.95 a trade to $4.95. The lower fees apply to stock and ETF trades. TD Ameritrade (AMTD) and E*trade (ETFC) charge $9.99 while Charles Schwab (SCHW) charges $6.95. How low will it go?

YouTube close to passing TV

Heres another sign of the times: YouTube, owned by Alphabets (GOOGL) Google, is close to topping TV in total hours of viewing: YouTube users worldwide are now watching more than 1 billion hours of videos a day. The Wall Street Journal says Americans watch roughly 1.25 billion hours of live and recorded TV a day. Well tell you how artificial intelligence is putting YouTube over the top.

Fly me to the moon, SpaceX

Elon Musk wants to send a pair of tourists on a trip around the Moon. Musk said the two people would spend about a week in a capsule launched by the SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket late next year. Is this good for science or just good PR for SpaceX?


The Federal Court of Canada began hearing a test case Tuesday in Ottawa that could overturn a decades-old policy that prevents a corporate takeover of inshore fishing licences in Atlantic Canada.

The seafood processing industry, inshore fishermen's groups and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) are all watching the case closely, albeit with very different expectations.

"The stakes are important because we have seen other fisheries be taken over by corporations and it leaves less money in the hands of individuals and communities," said Melanie Sonnenberg, president of the Canadian Independent Fish Harvesters Federation.

"This is about sustaining communities," she said from Grand Manan, N.B.

Dispute over licence

The Federal Court case centres on Kirby Elson, a fisherman from the Labrador community of Cartwright, N.L.

Elson was stripped by DFO of his snow crab licence in 2015 when he refused to exit a controlling agreement with fish processor Quinlan Brothers and a related company.

Under the 2003 agreement, the company controlled the licence and the wealth it generated.

Quinlan Brothers paid the licence fee, provided the vessel and crew, and paid for the insurance and maintenance.

No constitutional authority

Elson landed and sold the fish at the direction of the processor.

The agreement stipulated he couldn't transfer the licence without permission  even in death.

Backed by the processing industry and a high-powered legal team, Elson filed for a judicial review of the 2015 decision by the federal fisheries minister to take away his commercial fishing licence, saying without the arrangement he couldn't afford to go fishing.

His lawyers, from Toronto law firm McCarthy Tetrault, argue Canada's minister of fisheries has no constitutional authority to regulate contracts that have nothing to do with fish stocks or fish conservation.

Spread the wealth

DFO argues its minister has the power to manage the fisheries for social and economic goals.

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In its evidence, DFO says controlling agreements like Elson's are "deliberately designed to circumvent the licensing policies" put in place to ensure independent fishermen are the beneficiaries of the licences they hold.

The objective is to spread the wealth and has been delivered through two policies.

One is known as owner-operator, which means a licence holder must own and operate the fishing enterprise.

'In peril in the inshore'

The second is "fleet separation," which prevents a corporation from both catching and processing the fish.

These initiatives are part of DFO's Preserving the Independence of the Inshore Fleet in Canada's Atlantic Fisheries (PIIFCAF) policy, which works to prevent a corporate takeover of the inshore fleets.

It's these policies that are at risk if Elson wins, said Sonnenberg.

"If the court gives him the nod ... that he was unfairly treated and these controlling agreements are solid, that puts us in peril in the inshore," said Sonnenberg.

"That begins to open the door to corporate takeover and that is what we are totally against."

Possible rush to buy licences

She fears independently held licences will be purchased in a mad rush if Elson is successful.

DFO said in a recent meeting it's making contingency plans in case it loses, Sonnenberg said.

CBC News has learned that could include a ministerial order freezing licence transfers or seeking a stay until an appeal is heard.

With the Elson case before the courts, DFO spokesperson David Jennings wouldn't comment on the case specifically, but did say in an email that "PIIFCAF is an important policy for the management of fisheries in Eastern Canada and the department will vigorously defend it before the court."

Neither Elson nor Quinlan Brothers have responded to CBC News requests for comment.

Two days have been set aside for arguments.
Coal_mine 16-9

Like so many other metals and mining stocks, Teck Resources Ltd. (TSX:TECK.B)(NYSE:TECK) has been a bit of a roller coaster. From early 2012 to 2016, the stock trended down ? a long and slow drop from the high $30s to under $5 a share. But then 2016 hit, and the company started to appreciate again. And by the end of November, shares were nearly $35.

Since then, the stock has pulled back to a more respectable $27.16, which is a fairly valued share price. Based on the tangible book value of $28.29, the shares are just a little under that. Now, what needs to be determined is whether the value of the commodities the company mines will increase or decrease; if it goes up, this stock will continue rising, and if the opposite occurs, the stock will go down.

Teck?s commodities have increased quite aggressively already, which contributed to shares appreciating in 2016, thanks to China. In March 2016, China restricted metallurgical coal mine operations to only 276 days a year. This cut supply, which sent the price of coal much higher. After increasing that number to 330 days, the price of coal dropped under US$200.

However, Teck hasn?t been in a position to capitalize on this increase in price because of its long-term contracts. For example, despite coal being over US$300 before China eased its restrictions, Teck was only selling it for US$90 because of its contracts. Fortunately, the company is now signing new contracts that allow it to generate increased margins.

Its Q4 2016 earnings release showed just how aggressive those rates will be. According to Teck, its average realized metallurgical coal price in Q4 was US$207 per tonne. And its Q1 2017 contract settlement price is US$285 per tonne, so I expect Q1 2017 to be even better.

In Q4, the company reported profit of $930 million compared to $16 million in Q4 2015. While this alone is very exciting, and a big part of it is because of the increase in commodities prices, there?s another signal in the earnings report that makes me even happier.

Story continues

As of December 31, the company?s outstanding debt was US$6.1 billion with $1.6 billion in cash and US$3 billion available in credit facilities. In 2015, Teck was sitting on a giant pile of debt to the tune of US$9 billion. In a year, it trimmed debt by nearly US$3 billion. Debt reduction is clearly high on the company?s priorities because the CEO, in an interview with BNN, said, ?we could be debt-free in six quarters? if commodity prices stay where they are.

One negative is that Teck had to book a $222 million pre-tax impairment charge for its investment in the Fort Hills oil sands project. The good news is that Teck should begin production by the end of 2017, so if oil prices stay up, Teck could see additional returns from this investment, which many considered a complete failure.

Teck?s ship is finally being righted, albeit with some choppy waters still occasionally occurring. Shares currently trade at fair value, and if commodities settle, Teck could be a great pickup. But we don?t yet know where prices will settle, so while the company is trimming debt and making the right moves, there remain macroeconomic uncertainties.

Two New Stock Picks Every Month!

Not to alarm you, but you're about to miss a very important event! Chief Investment Adviser Iain Butler and his team at Stock Advisor Canada are about to reveal their latest official stock recommendation. The premium "buy alert" will be unveiled to members and you can be among the first to act on the tip.

Don't let this opportunity pass you by - this is your chance to get in early!

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More reading

Fool contributor Jacob Donnelly has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Two New Stock Picks Every Month!

Not to alarm you, but you're about to miss a very important event! Chief Investment Adviser Iain Butler and his team at Stock Advisor Canada are about to reveal their latest official stock recommendation. The premium "buy alert" will be unveiled to members and you can be among the first to act on the tip.

Don't let this opportunity pass you by - this is your chance to get in early!

Click here to find out how you can get instant access!

Fool contributor Jacob Donnelly has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Cut wasteful spending. Beef up defense. It sounds like a pretty simple formula.

But as President Donald Trump develops his first federal budget, he may be relying on a fallacy that has tripped up many budget reformers before him. In his speech before Congress on Tuesday night, Trump is likely to outline his plan to boost defense spending by 10%, or roughly $54 billion. To make sure that doesnt expand the national debt, hell seek to cut $54 billion in spending from other things. His aides have already said that most federal agencies will get chopped, which Trump will probably highlight as his effort to right-size a bloated bureaucracy.

Heres the catch: It is devilishly hard to cut federal spending by $54 billion, and many of the agencies some people consider wasteful or unnecessary account for a minuscule portion of taxpayer money. Besides, Congress has to approve all funding cuts, and chairs of various committees in the House and Senate are notoriously reluctant to yield an ounce of turf under their jurisdiction.

To illustrate the budgeting mismatch Trump faces, Yahoo Finance developed an informal tool were calling the aircraft-carrier index. Trump says he wants to build the Navy back to its proportions of the Reagan era, which would mean enlarging the fleet from 272 ships to 350 or so. A carrier is the most visible symbol of the Navys presence, so we estimated how much of a carrier the United States could finance if it completely killed the following agencies and devoted the entire savings to the shipbuilding budget. Here are some examples, using agencies Trump has said he wants to scale back or kill outright:

Foreign aid. One big cut Trump has floated is a 37% decline in the State Dept.s budget, mostly from draconian cutbacks in foreign aid. The State Dept. gets about $50 billion in annual funding, including the US Agency for International Development, so 37% of that would be $18.5 billion. A Nimitz-class carrier costs about $13 billion. So with that money, you could buy one carrier with enough money to cover 40% of the cost of a second. But slashing the diplomatic budget is bound to be highly controversial, and he may not be able to get Congress to sign off.

Story continues

Environmental Protection Agency. Its annual budget is about $8.2 billion per year, which would cover roughly two-thirds of the cost of a carrier.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Annual budget: $606 million dollars. That could buy 4.6% of a carrier.

Planned Parenthood. About $550 million in federal, state and local funding combined. Thats 4.2% of a carrier.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting. About $450 million in federal funding, or 3.5% of a carrier.

National Endowment for the Arts. $150 million, or 1.2% of a carrier.

You get the idea. The one huge problem with the federal budget is that three big entitlement programsSocial Security, Medicare and Medicaidaccount for nearly half of all spending. Those payments mostly go out with no need for Congressional approval. Interest payments, which must be paid, are another 6% of the budget, and defense is 16%.

Trump has said he wont cut Social Security or Medicare, but cutting Medicaid, which provides health care for the poor, is possible. Put it all together, and Trump has to find 100% of the cuts hes looking for in less than 40% of the budget. Given the legislators, lobbyists, corporations and other interest groups certain to fight desperately for every bit of spending that benefits them, Trumps job is unenviable, to say the least.

If a president were to go big and restructure entire Cabinet agenciesthe kind of reorganization big companies must do from time to timethat might move the needle. Three agencies sometimes targeted for eliminationthe Depts. of Commerce, Education and Energyaccount for about $90 billion in federal funding each yearthe equivalent of seven aircraft carriers. If those agencies could be folded into other parts of the governmentwith overhead eliminated but core functions retainedit might generate meaningful savings. Trump hasnt gone that far yet. But maybe he will, once he discovers how little hell get by squeezing lesser pockets of the bureaucracy.

Read more:

Trump is killing this Trump supporters weed business

5 Trump myths about illegal immigration

Trump now owns Obamacare

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
James Lee of consultancy Skill Stix, who is trying to organize a cannabis cruise. Photo courtesy of James Lee.

James Lee voted for Donald Trump in November and even attended Trumps inauguration in January. Now, hes scrambling to save a business venture two years in the making, one which a new Trump policy on marijuana could snuff out overnight.

Trumps press secretary, Sean Spicer, alarmed the burgeoning legal-marijuana industry on February 23, when he said the Trump administration might practice greater enforcement of federal drug laws than the Obama administration had. Federal law bans the use of marijuana, even though eight states and the District of Columbia have declared pot legal for recreational use. Federal law trumps state law, but Obama said in 2012 that the US government had bigger fish to fry and essentially wouldnt enforce the federal law. That led to a surge of investment in marijuana, which is now an $8 billion business in those states.

If Trump begins to enforce the federal ban on marijuana, however, its likely to choke the whole industrywith Lee one of the first likely victims. In the business, people are freaking out, Lee tells Yahoo Finance. A lot of us were huge Trump supporters, and still are. But people are running scared, and deals are falling apart. That comment [about greater enforcement] is in direct contradiction to the America-first principle hes talking about.

A business-to-business cannabis cruise

Lee, 35, runs a consulting firm in Chesapeake, Virginia, called Skill Stix that has been working for two years to sponsor a cannabis cruise from Miami to Jamaica that would be a business-to-business networking event for companies hoping to cash in on legal marijuana. Lee wants to connect the small businesses that have popped up in legal states such as Colorado and Washington with the big companies that might want to invest in them, sell them equipment or buy their products.

Some marijuana growers modify John Deere combines for harvesting their crop, for instance, and might want to learn more about Deeres product line. Whole Foods sells non-psychoactive hemp products, similar to the drug form of marijuana, that are sourced from overseassince its still against federal law to grow it here. But the upscale grocer might want to find domestic growers if US law were to change. The founders of Ben & Jerrys ice cream have said theyd be open to weed-infused ice cream if the drug becomes legal. Many other companies would doubtless jump in if full legalization opened up new avenues of profitability.

Story continues

Unlike small pot businesses operating in weed-friendly states, big companies are generally waiting for marijuana to become legal nationwide before getting involved. Trump said in 2015 he thinks pot should be handled on a state-by-state basis, leading to hope in the industry that hed follow Obamas hands-off approach and maybe even make the federal ban one of the job-killing regulations hed repeal. At the start of this year, Marijuana Business Daily surveyed industry leaders and reported an upbeat outlook for the pot business in the Trump era.

Lees cannabis cruise, scheduled for October, was supposed to be a weeklong opportunity for big and small businesses to get to know each other and find new ways to make deals, either in the present or when the political risk of investing in marijuana recedes further. No pot would be allowed on the ship, either at sea or in port. But pot would available when cruisers disembark in Jamaica, for anybody interested. Other cruise activities were to include seminars on every aspect of the weed business, from seed to sale: seed engineering, financing, branding, packaging. There was also to be a charity auction of a well-known piece of functional glass artaka, a bonglikely to raise $250,000 or more. The proceeds would go to Mike Rowes foundation, which helps American workers develop new skills. The cost of the cruise would be around $1,500 per person.

This is a 100% American worker industry

When Lee started seeking a cruise line willing to run the trip, he found most were reluctant to be associated with the cannabis industryeven though polls show 60% of Americans now support legalized marijuana. But one line, Norwegian, considered the idea, and Lee, backed by some private investors, negotiated a proposed contract that would require a $7.1 million upfront paymentdue in early March. Hes now agonizing over whether to make that payment and bear the risk that Trump further discourages investment in the industry, leaving him with an empty ship and a big lossor pull the plug on two years worth of work. Norwegian points out that the deal isnt yet final and reiterates that it has a zero-tolerance policy for illegal substances on all its vessels.

Im terrified that if I put this money up, what happens when the DEA comes out and starts raiding shops and everybody runs from the entire industry, Lee says. Federal law might even give the government cause to declare the bong thats up for auction as drug paraphernalia, which would give the feds the right to seize the entire ship. Norwegian, for its part, is tightening the rules and growing more concerned as well.

Ironically, Lee sees the marijuana industry as a Trumpian opportunity. This is a 100% American worker industry, he says. One of the big benefits of this is taking the money away from the [drug] cartels. He also points out that taxing marijuana as a legal product provides needed revenue for state and local governmentsand potentially for Washington if Trump were to legalize pot. Trump wants to pay for a wall? Let the cannabis industry pay for the wall, he says. The Tax Foundation estimates that marijuana, if fully legalized, could generate $7 billion per year in federal revenue and another $21 billion for states and cities.

Theres at least one key person in the Trump administration who sees it quite differently: Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who has long been opposed to the legalization of marijuana. During his confirmation hearing in January, Sessions was cagey about what he might do about states that flout federal law by declaring pot legal. I wont commit to never enforcing federal law, he said, indicating he might reverse Obamas de facto tolerance of legal weed.

Weed aficionados hoped Trump would extend his pro-business policies to their part of the economy. In the industry, we knew Sessions was bad, personally, but figured Trump would kind of overrule him, Lee says. Instead, Sessions seems to have persuaded his boss to take a harder line on pot, at least for the time being. Several pundits have pointed out that Sessions and Trump cited states rights when overturning the Obama law on transgender bathroom use, while seemingly asserting federal authority over states on legal marijuana.

Lee, meanwhile, must decide whether to commit $7 million to the deal with Norwegian by March 3 or give up and wait to see if Trump decides to include marijuana on his list of America-first products. Were trying to facilitate expansion of this industry and bring business solutions, Lee says. This is a globally significant industry that America stands on the brink to lead. Trump himself could have said that.

Read more:

Trump might be coming for your weed

Trump now owns Obamacare

5 Trump myths about illegal immigration

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
President Donald Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress in a speech at 9 p.m. ET this evening.

This, for many strategists and investors, is the most important event of the week for markets.

Conventional wisdom would say, then, that the market needs or wants to hear something from the President. By this logic, a disappointing speech would be a negative for markets that have clearly pinned a number of hopes on Trump getting most  if not all  of his economic plans through Congress.

The market likes Trump and his promises

Writing in the Washington Post this week, columnist Matt OBrien makes the case that the Wall Street rally weve seen since Trumps election is merely setting up investors to end up like those who have done business with the President in the past. Which is to say, they will eventually get ripped off.

But this argument presumes that investors dont know Trumps economic promises are, at this point, mostly just promises. Yahoo Finance, however, has previously argued that investors want to give Trump the benefit of the doubt not only because the shareholder class has been the main beneficiary of any changes in the Trump era but because the average professional investor looks like the average Trump voter. For many in markets, Trump is their guy.

Market participants are often portrayed as being merely detached, calculating observers of corporate and economic activity. But markets also reflect the fears and hopes of their participants. And in the case of US stocks and President Trump, investors as much see a President who wants to cut taxes as they see someone who values what they do. The positive reaction, then, is emotional as much as it is analytical.

So while there is always the risk that a Presidents plans for the economy disappoint markets, we have, on balance, already seen what the markets reaction is to Trumps stated goals. And the market likes Trump. It is unlikely that something he says in a broad-strokes speech on national TV will upset that equilibrium.

Story continues

What Trump could say

Historically, this has been the speech in which the President has showcased his policies and priorities for the coming year, writes Deutsche Bank economist Joe LaVorgna.

LaVorgna also writes that, Investors are looking for clues as to whether the President supports the border adjustment tax (BAT), which is a key feature of House Speaker Paul Ryans tax reform plan. Moreover, investors are wondering whether the President will provide any other details on his Administrations priorities. Our best guess is that the President will not directly mention the BAT but will highlight the necessity of increasing economic growth and worker wages, both of which have lagged previous economic cycles by massive margins.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin (R) listens to U.S. President Donald Trump speak. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

If Trump pushes back the goalposts on tax reform, for example, this could be negative for markets. Last week, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin put a target date of July 28 on getting a tax bill passed.

Repealing and replacing Obamacare, a signature Trump promise, is also likely to get a mention. On Monday, Trump said nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated. Increased infrastructure and defense spending, meanwhile, could add to an increasingly muddied budget picture.

Lack of specifics isnt necessarily a bad thing

If theres one thing that has defined the early days of the Trump era, it is financial markets rising in support of Trumps economic promises. Mnuchin said last week that it is fair to view markets as an indication of how the administrations economic policies are going. White House officials, including the President, have also cheered rising stock prices over the last few months.

One reading of this outline for Trumps speech leaves the President quite a bit of room to disappoint if his speech lacks specifics. But it is precisely the lack of specifics with which Trump has outlined his administrations goals  economic and otherwise  that has been the source of enthusiasm among investors.



Myles Udland is a writer at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter @MylesUdland

Read more from Myles here:
BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's Marxist FARC rebels on Wednesday will begin surrendering their weapons to the United Nations now that almost 7,000 of them have reached designated demobilization zones around the country, the government and insurgent group said. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) signed a peace agreement with the government late last year to put an end to Latin America's longest-running armed conflict, which killed more than 220,000 people and displaced millions. "It's the start of the process of disarmament, which involves the registration of weapons, the destruction of unstable weapons and the storage of side arms," Colombia's High Commissioner for Peace Sergio Jaramillo told reporters on Tuesday. The rebels are expected to have turned in all their arms by June, President Juan Manuel Santos has said. Some members of the FARC and the United Nations had raised the possibility of delaying the disarmament process while logistical problems are resolved. Over the past few weeks, FARC rebels crisscrossed Colombia on foot and by boat from their jungle and mountain camps to 26 zones monitored by U.N. personnel. "Despite obvious delays in the logistical adaptation of the zones ... we will carry out ... the registration of weapons in all the camps," FARC leader Ivan Marquez told a news conference. Under the terms of the peace accord, the FARC, which began as a peasant uprising 52 years ago, is to form a political movement in the South American nation. The accord has been heavily criticized by many, and was initially rejected in a referendum, as being too lenient on the rebels who will be spared jail time. (Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta and Helen Murphy; Editing by James Dalgleish)
IT Management

Kaseya Launches Comprehensive IT Management Platform for Higher Ed

Image Credit: Kaseya.

Kaseya, a provider of IT management solutions for managed service providers and mid-level enterprises, today launched IT Complete for Higher Education, billed as a comprehensive toolkit for reducing costs and maximizing resources in higher education IT.

The toolkit bundles Kaseyas IT management and security services, including Kaseya VSA, Kaseya BMS, Kaseya Authanvil, Kaseya Traverse and Kayeya 365 Command.

According to the company, the new offering helps IT teams with:

Optimizing overburdened and limited IT resources: Since campus networks are spread across disparate buildings and other locations, the solution provides a single view into agent architecture, discovery and reporting, as well as cross-platform support, according to a company statement. Additionally, it includes service desk, patching, antivirus, anti-malware and end-to-end documentation at a cost-effective price;

Scalability to support highly distributed and expanding environments: The platform offers extensive automation and remediation capabilities that enable IT to improve quality of service with the least amount of disruption to the classroom. Furthermore, policy management ensures processes are scaled and compliant, and new APIs allow for easy integration that expand or automate other tools that were not previously possible, saving IT departments time and money; and

Security and regulatory compliance protection: The solution delivers security that helps higher ed institutions in their compliance with HIPAA, FERPA and PII regulations. It boasts security for student data, financial information healthcare data and other sensitive information, balancing usability and data protection with its identity and access management solution.

The University of Kentucky and Virginia Tech are among those using the IT Complete for Higher Education solution.

Managing IT systems for a public university is a huge undertaking, because you must constantly balance the needs of students, faculty and the administration, said Billy Wesley, assistant director for information technology at Virginia Tech. On the one hand, youre expected to enable an open, independent learning environment. While on their other, youre responsible for protecting the schools network from internal and external threats and keeping thousands of systems up and running. Kaseya IT Complete allows my team to meet all these requirements. The platforms automation, remediation and compliance capabilities are unparalleled, helping my small team of IT administrators be more effective and efficient in their jobs.

From the explosion of cloud technologies and the onus of regulatory compliance to the growing need for automation, IT professionals at higher education institutions face mounting challenges with limited resources. IT Complete for Higher Education serves as an extension of campus IT departments by offering cloud management, security and compliance regulatory management capabilities all in the same platform for a fraction of the cost, said Fred Voccola, Kaseya CEO, in a prepared statement.

Further information is available on the Kaseya site.
TUESDAY, Feb. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Blood thinners can help prevent dangerous clots, but they also come with risks for excess bleeding.

Now, new research shows that use of the medications does boost the odds of "subdural hematomas" -- bleeds occurring within the skull and near the brain. And some blood thinners carry higher risk than others.

The Danish research team stressed that the results don't mean patients who need blood thinners should avoid them altogether -- just that their data adds to decisions around their use.

"The present data add one more piece of evidence to the complex risk-benefit equation of [blood thinner] use," wrote a team led by Dr. David Gaist, of Odense University Hospital and the University of Southern Denmark.

Despite the bleeding risk, "it is known that these drugs result in net benefits overall in patients with clear therapeutic indications," the study authors added.

In the study, Gaist's team tracked data on more than 10,000 Danish patients, aged 20 to 89, who were diagnosed with a first-ever subdural hematoma between 2000 and 2015.

The investigators then compared that group to more than 400,000 people in the general population.

Among the patients with the bleeds, 47 percent were taking anti-clotting medications. These included low-dose aspirin; another class of drugs known as vitamin K antagonists (which includes Coumadin/warfarin); clopidogrel (Plavix); or other blood-thinning medications.

Low-dose aspirin was associated with a small risk of the subdural hematoma bleed; use of clopidogrel plus a second blood-thinning pill was associated with a moderate risk; and use of a vitamin K antagonist (VKA), such as warfarin, carried a higher risk, the researchers said.

With the exception of low-dose aspirin (either alone or combined with the blood-thinner dipyridamole), concurrent use of more than one anti-clotting drug was related to substantially higher subdural hematoma risk, the study found.

The risk was particularly high among patients taking a combined treatment of a VKA (such as warfarin) plus a second drug such as low-dose aspirin or clopidogrel.

Finally, the Danish team found that the use of blood thinners rose in the general population in Denmark from 2000 to 2015 -- as did the rate of subdural hematomas. The largest increase in subdural hematoma rates occurred in patients older than 75, the findings showed.

As director of the neurointensive care unit at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y., Dr. Rajanandini Muralidharan often works with patients who need blood thinners.

Reviewing the new study, she agreed that the use of drugs such as Coumadin/warfarin "should be carefully considered in the elderly," and if they are used, this should be done only under stringent controls.

Newer (but more expensive) blood thinners -- drugs such as Pradaxa, Xarelto, and Eliquis -- "are an alternative option, given their lower risk of intracranial bleeding," Muralidharan said. However, in rare cases these medicines can also cause dangerous bleeding episodes, she noted, and as yet there are few approved drugs out there to help reverse these events.

The study was published Feb. 28 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

More information

The American Heart Association has more on anti-clotting drugs.
MONDAY, Feb. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- A new report suggests that Canada would reap savings of more than $4 billion a year if the government funded nearly 120 types of "essential" medications.

"Adding an essential medicines list is a pragmatic step toward universal pharmacare," said Steven Morgan, in a news release from the Canadian Medical Association.

"It would ensure all Canadians have access to the most commonly required medicines while saving patients and private drug plan sponsors over $4 billion per year," Morgan said. He's a professor at the University of British Columbia.

The report authors listed 117 drugs as essential medications. This list included antibiotics, insulin, birth control and antidepressants.

These drugs made up 44 percent of all prescriptions filled at Canadian retail pharmacies in 2015. When "therapeutically similar" drugs were included in the list, that figure was as high as 77 percent, the researchers said.

"Universal pharmacare has been long-promised but undelivered in Canada, in part because of concerns about where to start," Morgan said.

"We show that adding universal public coverage of essential medicines to the existing system of drug coverage in Canada is a significant and feasible step in the right direction," he said.

The study appears Feb. 27 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

A related study published in the journal CMAJ Open offers a list of 125 "essential" medications. This list was developed from the World Health Organization's Model List of Essential Medicines.

Study co-author Dr. Nav Persaud is from St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. "The World Health Organization says these essential medicines should be available to everyone who needs them," he said in the news release.

"We adapted the WHO's list based on clinical practice in Canada," Persaud said.

The researchers behind both new reports suggested that the Canadian government buy the listed medications. Doing so would save drug plans $4.3 billion, but would cost the government just $1.2 billion.

More information

For details about drug pricing in the United States, visit the Commonwealth Fund.
MONDAY, Feb. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Doctors' offices capably shouldered the burden of millions of new Medicaid patients gaining access to health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, a new study reveals.

"We found a dramatic increase in primary care offices' ability to take in these newly insured patients," said study senior author Dr. Karin Rhodes.

For the study, researchers posed as patients seeking appointments. They found that availability for Medicaid-covered appointments with primary care physicians increased by 5.4 percentage points between 2012 and 2016, while remaining essentially stable for those with private insurance. Medicaid is the publicly funded insurance program for the poor.

"There wasn't a crisis in primary care overload that significantly reduced access for either people who were privately insured or who had Medicaid," said Rhodes. She is vice president of care management design and evaluation at Northwell Health Solutions in Great Neck, N.Y.

Essentially, doctors' offices found the time to see more Medicaid patients, despite earlier concerns that they would be overwhelmed by the newly insured seeking treatment, the study authors said.

"It suggests that physician offices must be reorganizing themselves to handle the inflow of new patients," said lead researcher Daniel Polsky. He's executive director of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine's Institute of Health Economics.

The researchers said the findings undermine one argument touted by Republicans as they consider revoking the Medicaid expansion that occurred as part of the Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare.

"The evidence we've generated does not support making major adjustments to the current Medicaid program," Polsky said. "We can increase the number of people that can access care through Medicaid without seeing any decline in the number of doctors willing to see them."

For their study, Polsky and his colleagues staffed a phone bank with people pretending to be new patients seeking appointments.

The phone staff called primary care practices in 10 states -- Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Texas. The callers randomly represented themselves as patients having either Medicaid or private insurance coverage.

The calls came in two waves, in 2012 and again in 2016, so researchers could assess how well doctors' offices had adapted as millions of newly covered patients sought care.

It appeared the offices adapted well.

About 63 percent of doctors were willing to take on a new Medicaid patient in 2016 across all the states, compared with less than 58 percent in 2012, the researchers reported.

At the same time, people with private insurance experienced no significant change in appointment availability, the study found.

People appeared to have to wait slightly longer to see a doctor.

Short waits -- one week or less --decreased by almost 7 percent for Medicaid patients between 2012 and 2016, and by just over 4 percentage points for people with private insurance.

At the same time, long waits -- more than 30 days -- increased by around 3 percent for people with private insurance.

But on average, waits were not onerous -- about an extra day of waiting overall, and two extra wait days in states that expanded Medicaid, Rhodes said.

Polsky interpreted the extended wait times as a positive, showing that offices became adept at scheduling further out on the calendar to accommodate more patients.

"Most of the increase was a move from very short waits to not-so-long waits," Polsky said. "That's another way you can make room for more people."

But, Dr. Robert Glatter, a spokesman for the American College of Emergency Physicians, said even this small expansion in wait times may be too much for some patients.

"A subset of such new patients seeking care may not be able to wait additional time when booking appointments for hypertension and accompanying medical concerns, which include heart attack, stroke, and kidney-related complications," Glatter said.

"In these cases, the emergency department becomes the only safe and feasible alternative," he said.

Polsky believes doctors' offices were able to absorb all the new Medicaid patients through a series of innovations.

Many offices now allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to see patients with easily treated health problems. This frees up doctors to handle the tougher cases and expand the number of people who can be seen in a day, Polsky said.

The study results were published Feb. 27 in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

More information

For more about the Medicaid expansion, visit HealthCare.gov.
Lisbon, Portugal Portugal on Monday at the United Nations called on countries that still have the death penalty to call a de facto moratorium as a first step towards total abolition of the death penalty. Portugal on Monday at the United Nations called on countries that still have the death penalty to call a de facto moratorium as a first step towards total abolition of the death penalty.





According to the Portuguese Foreign Minister, Augusto Santos Silva, speaking at the opening session of the 34th meeting of the Human Rights Council, in Geneva, Portugal rejects all the reasons and arguments that attempt to justify the application of the death penalty and that the country calls on all countries that still have the penalty to establish a de facto moratorium as a first step towards the total abolition of the death penalty.





He noted the importance that Portugal gives to the evolution of the death penalty noting that Portugal was a pioneer in abolishing it precisely 150 years ago.





Portugal has called for the death penalty to be abolished in Equatorial Guinea, a country which joined the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), in 2014, based on a commitment to abolish it.



Background

Portugal was a pioneer in the process of abolishment of the capital punishment. No executions have been carried out since 1846, with the formal abolishment of capital punishment for civil crimes occurring in 1867.



The method of capital punishment used in Portugal was by hanging.



Portugal was the first country in the world to begin the process to abolish the death penalty,abolishing it in stages - for political crimes in 1852, for all crimes except the military in 1867, and for all crimes in 1911.



In 1916 Portugal entered in World War I and it was re-established only for military crimes in war time with a foreign country and only in the theater of war.



With the new Constitution in 1976, it was again abolished for all crimes.



The last execution in Portugal took place in Lagos in 1846. A possible execution of a soldier of the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps carried out in France during World War One remains poorly documented.



In the 2008 European Values Study (EVS), 51.6% of respondents in Portugal said the death penalty can never be justified, while only 1.5% said it can be always justified.

 | 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



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Sources: theportugalnews.com Wikipedia , February 28, 2017
"87 inmates were sent to the gallows in the month of January alone."

Executions and crackdown against Irans youth is increasingly on the rise.



Many inmates in their 20s and 30s have been executed or killed during the past months, while hundreds have also been arrested or mistreated. Wrote Donya Jam in News Blaze on February 26, 2017.





Dozens of prisoners have been hanged during the first two weeks of February, including a mass execution of 12 prisoners in Gohardasht Prison, west of Tehran, on Feb. 15. 13 inmates, including prisoners aged 29 and 30, were executed between Feb. 11-13 in the prisons of Qom, Zabol, Jiroft and Mashhad.





87 executed in the month of January alone

On Jan. 29, regime authorities publicly executed four prisoners in the cities of Bandar Abbas and Mashhad. These prisoners were all in their early to mid 20s. Reports indicate 87 inmates were sent to the gallows in the month of January alone. Many of those executed never received due process and some were hanged while their cases were still open.





Hamid Ahmadi, a juvenile offender, has also been reported to be at imminent risk of hanging. The United Nations and prominent human rights organizations such as Amnesty International have been campaigning to halt his execution. 160 juveniles are on death row in Iran, according to the United Nations. The number, however, could be higher.





On Feb. 9 in Shadegan (Khuzestan Province in southwest Iran), state security forces shot and killed a young Iranian-Arab man named Hassan Ablu Ghabish.





Arrested for absurd reasons

Alongside hangings and killings, regime authorities are also continuously arresting and attacking youths for absurd reasons.





230 were arrested for attending mixed-gender parties in December 2016. In Shiraz, a teenage girl celebrating her birthday along with friends was brutally beaten and arrested for wearing ripped jeans. Two young women were arrested in Dezful for riding a motorcycle. And hundreds have been arrested between 2016 and January 2017 for attending mixed-gender parties. In some instances, the regime has also brutally punished the arrestees. In Shiraz, a teenage girl celebrating her birthday along with friends was brutally beaten and arrested for wearing ripped jeans. Two young women were arrested in Dezful for riding a motorcycle. And hundreds have been arrested between 2016 and January 2017 for attending mixed-gender parties. In some instances, the regime has also brutally punished the arrestees.





Back in May 2016, Iranian authorities arrested and flogged 30 students for attending a mixed-gender graduation party. Their flogging sentence was implemented within 24 hours of their arrest. Each student received 99 lashes.





Imprisonment for attending mixed-gender parties continues. It was reported on Jan. 28 that another 13 boys and girls were arrested in Gilan Province, northern Iran.





One may ask why is the regime increasingly targeting youths? If we recall the 2009 nationwide anti-government uprising in Iran, the youth took the forefront of the demonstrations. They played one of the most significant roles throughout the protests. Therefore, the regime is using suppression as a method to spread fear in society in order to prevent the youths from uprising.





And part of the reason why the regime is heavily cracking down on parties and get-togethers is because they fear peoples gatherings could turn into anti-government uprisings. The regime is doing everything in its power to prevent a reoccurrence of the 2009 demonstrations.





Iranian youth activists want their voices heard by the international community

Now that reform in Iran has been proven to be nothing but a myth, another question that may be asked is what is the true solution to bring an end to the suffering of Irans youth? This is where Iranian youth activists want their voices heard by the international community. They want to see an end to deals and negotiations with the regime, and instead yearn for the international community to recognize the Iranian peoples aspirations for freedom and democracy.





Sourosh Abouthalebi, an Iranian student in Belgium majoring in political science, expressed his deep concern about the executions. He called on the international community to end economic deals with Iran because the continuation of such agreements signals to the regimes leaders to carry on with their human rights violations.





Trading with this regime without raising any human rights concerns is perceived as a green light by this regime for even more executions, he said.





Yearning for freedom and justice: Young Iranians held for mixed-gender partying Abouthalebi added that countries should instead support the Iranian people. Abouthalebi added that countries should instead support the Iranian people.





Each country has a unique opportunity to place itself alongside the Iranian people. Iranians will never forget those that have stood up for the rights of the Iranian people during the darkest period of Irans history, he concluded.





Afshin Motevalli, an Iranian student studying pedagogy at the University of Oslo said the international community should end relations with Iran.





I ask the international community to stop the appeasement vis-a-vis the Iranian regime. The regime in Iran gives nothing back to its people nor the international community other than terrorism, suppression, executions, and destruction, he said.





Motevalli also mentioned that the world community should support regime change in Iran by the people and their resistance movement, the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).





The international community should support the Iranian opposition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), as well as the millions of men and women in Iran longing for freedom and democracy, Motevalli added.





Regime change is the only method to end suppression, torture and executions, and regime change is the only path to democracy, equality, freedom and harmony, he finalized.





Irans youth are oppressed. They yearn for freedom and justice. The only way to bring an end to the executions and suppression of youth is through democratic regime change. Therefore, the international community should end all deals with Iran and instead support the Iranian opposition PMOI/MEK and people in their plight to establish freedom. This is the only way to put an end to the injustice and the only way the youth of Iran can be guaranteed a brighter, safer and hopeful future.





Ms. Donya Jam is an Iranian-American Christian and human rights activist. She holds a bachelors degree in political science from Shenandoah University.

 | 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!

Source: NCRI , February 28, 2017.
Ever since she was discovered on the streets of Lagos thanks to social media, Olajumoke Orisaguna has maintained her stardom. But did you know that some prophets are responsible for her success?

Woli Arole, Woli Asiri and Olajumoke

This is according to the testimony shared by Woli Arole and his frequent collaborator Asiri. The two Instagram comedians met with Olajumoke recently and they shared their hilarious encounter with her.

READ ALSO: One year after, see how Olajumoke's life has changed (photos)

Talking about how it was their prayer that made her blow, they also said it was because she brought her Agege bread to them that was how she was directed to walk in such a way that TY Bello would notice her.

Watch the hilarious video below:

Source: Legit.ng
Source: Foodstirs. Sarah Michelle Gellar has joined a long list of celeb entrepreneurs to launch a side business. How she and her team are revolutionizing the baking sector.

More and more, celebrities are transitioning into the business world. While being a red carpet entrepreneur doesn't guarantee success, there are many who have managed to carve out a second career and parlay it into a multimillion-dollar venture.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, known best for her title role in the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is no exception. In 2015 she launched Foodstirs (No. 19 on CNBC's inaugural Upstart 25 list ), joining a long list of other female stars  such as Gwen Stefani, Jessica Alba, Beyonce and Victoria Beckham  to launch a side business.

With the desire to help create memorable, long-lasting experiences through baking, Gellar teamed up with longtime friend Galit Laibow and entrepreneur Greg Fleishman to create the Los Angeles-based company, which sells organic, GMO-free mixes and dessert baking kits online and in stores such as Whole Foods and Fresh Market.

Its mission: to disrupt the $4.7 billion baking-mix category with the first-ever USDA organic, full-gluten product line to utilize biodynamic sugar, Equal Exchange fair-trade cocoa and identity-preserved heirloom flour, according to Fleishman, who is also the co-founder and CEO of Purely Righteous Brands, a boutique consultancy dedicated to fostering the growth of "green" brands, those that act responsibly when it comes to sustainability and environmental impact.

Building a coveted brand

Fleishman, who is also Foodstirs' chief operating officer, has a long history with consumer packaged-goods companies such as Fuze and Kashi. His past experience and insight has helped Laibow and Gellar navigate the challenges of creating a brand that is committed to being clean and green and also affordably priced.

"Galit and Sarah Michelle already had a strong vision of what they wanted in a brand," said Fleishman. "For me, having worked across 17 different categories all within the green space, I was most excited with their commitment to offer the cleanest ingredients available, making sure there are deep roots there and an authenticity. ... We can trace back to the acre and get to know the farmers. I help validate this."

Story continues

For example, their equal-exchange chocolate comes from Madagascar, their biodynamic sugar is sourced from a family-owned plantation in Paraguay, and their wheat stems from Colorado.

Foodstirs' kits start at $14.99. They come with all the ingredients and directions to make desserts, like Brownie Pops and Celebration Cupcakes. The mixes  Chocolate Chippy Cookies and Simply Sweet Vanilla Cake, for instance  retail for around $5.99. Customers can also sign up for a 3-, 6- or 12-month subscription service ($59 to $215) that delivers a holiday-themed baking kit each month.

Foodstirs will soon be rolling out a new pancake mix and an organic GMO-free dry vanilla icing mix.

Yet just as important as the ingredients is the team's desire to make baking into a fun family event.

"The three of us are all busy working parents," says CEO Laibow. "We wanted to create meaningful experiences and connect with our kids. For myself personally, being with our busy lives, it's very hard to find the time where we can actually get off our phones and do something meaningful. And what better way than in the kitchen."

With two kids apiece all 8 and under, the team says their children are a constant part of the process. "The kids' involvement is really important," says Gellar. "You want to show the next generation of creators and content makers, or any kind of maker, that they can do it. For them to be able to watch us have an idea and have it physical and make it successful and watch it grow, that's the most important lesson we can impart on them."

Yet their kids are their harshest critics, admits Laibow, who says they originally tested their products on their friends and family. "Then it sort of snowballed through word of mouth."

Foodstirs currently has about 12 employees. "We have a great culture," says Gellar, who is the company's chief brand officer. "We bake all day. There's no typical day. We get up at five in the morning and don't go to sleep until well into the next day!"

Converging food trends

According to Gellar, the timing to launch Foodstirs was right on key. "This is a time when people want to Instagram their food. They want to have these Pinterest-worthy beautiful projects," she said. In addition, consumers are now looking for more healthy choices. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the healthy eating, nutrition and weight loss sector is currently valued at $648 billion.

The Foodstirs product line is currently being sold in 500 stores nationwide, including Whole Foods and Fresh Market and has plans to expand to 1,500 stores by June, says Fleishman, the company's chief operating officer. "We will be across all of the key channels  Costco, conventional grocery stores and then natural foods outlets, as well as Amazon.com," he said.

Gellar says she was surprised by the reception. "We had retailers coming to us right after we launched online," she said, but she also admits that being a celebrity can be "a double-edged sword." "While at first it may seem like my celebrity might have given Foodstirs an easier entry  there are more eyes on us and more anticipation of failure. It certainly helps to have my platform to spread the word, but it takes that much more to be accepted as a serious business woman," she said.

While Gellar, Laibow and Fleishman all agree that it was the millennial parents they were targeting, they found that their products appeal to all ages  for various reasons.

"It's interesting how multigenerational this can be," says Gellar. "When you talk about the [Gen Xers], they care about the ingredients, where it came from. The grandparents are interested for the activities they can do with their grandkids. There's a little something for everyone."

Thus far, the company has raised $5 million from investors, including Beechwood Capital and Cambridge Companies. Although they won't disclose their revenue, they claim to have surpassed their goals.

"We've been exceeding the markers that we set for ourselves, and we set pretty high markers, because Galit, Greg and I don't do anything unless we achieve the best," said Gellar. As for any need for additional investors, Laibow claims, "We have all the money we need right now."













More From CNBC


By John Irish, Tom Miles and Yara Abi Nader GENEVA (Reuters) - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said on Tuesday a U.N. Security Council resolution put forward by Western powers to punish Syria's government over its alleged use of chemical weapons would harm peace talks in Geneva. The resolution, vetoed by Russia and China, amid U.N.-led peace talks between the warring Syrian parties, had aimed to ban the supply of helicopters to the Syrian government and to blacklist Syrian military commanders. [nL2N1GC158] "It is counter-constructive," Gatilov told reporters. "The climate will be negative, not because we veto it, but because this resolution was put forward." Salem al-Muslet, a spokesman for the High Negotiations Committee, said that the opposition regretted Russia's seventh veto on Syria, but planned to meet Gatilov and hoped that Russia would pressure its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. "We hope that they come here having something in mind to push the political process here in Geneva, because with this regime, we will reach nowhere unless there is a pressure and the only country that can deliver pressure on the regime is Russia," Muslet told Reuters Television. The Geneva peace process has barely reached first gear, with five days of discussion solely on how to arrange the talks. The negotiations would only begin in earnest when the Syrian government started discussing a transitional governing body and "the real transitional process in Syria", Muslet said. Russia is seen playing a key role because of its influence with Assad and because it has driven a new diplomatic push since December, when its air force helped defeat rebels in Aleppo, Assad's biggest victory in six years of war. The opposition has long distrusted Russia as a peace broker, and a ceasefire backed by Russia, Iran and Turkey has not entirely stopped the fighting. "It's complicated to talk to the Russians. We need to talk to them, but we risk being accused at any moment of being traitors, especially after what happened at the U.N. today," a member of the opposition delegation said. Gatilov said he would meet the opposition on Wednesday. Opposition sources had said they expected to meet the Middle East director at Russia's foreign ministry, Sergei Vershinin, later on Tuesday. [nL5N1GC2F4] However, those meetings appeared in doubt after the Russian veto. TRANSITION AND TERRORISM The opposition has also accused Russia of helping Assad crush all his opponents in the name of counter-terrorism, even those committed to the ceasefire who are not members of groups designated as terrorists by the United Nations. U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura has proposed to the negotiators in Geneva that the issue of fighting terrorism and the ceasefire should be handled in parallel talks in the Kazakh capital Astana, sponsored by Russia, Turkey and Iran. He wants the focus in Geneva to be a new constitution, U.N.-supervised elections and accountable governance, based on Security Council resolution 2254. Gatilov said he should include terrorism in the talks. "The fight against terrorism is a priority and should be on the agenda (in Geneva) along with other issues," Gatilov said. "We met with (Syrian government negotiator Bashar) Ja'afari and he reconfirmed that he is not against the agenda proposal, but he said that terrorism should not be ignored and should also be on the agenda," Gatilov said. The opposition official said they would tell de Mistura on Wednesday that if the government publicly said it was ready to discuss political transition, that would keep the process alive. "The opposition is flexible and ready to make concessions, but the government must commit to a political transition. After that we'll talk about everything and we're ready to add terrorism to the list," the official said. (Additional reporting by Kinda Makieh in Damascus; Editing by Andrew Roche)
Estonian English

The management board of AS LHV Group sent to the Supervisory Board for approval the 2016 audited annual report of AS LHV Group. Financial results remained unchanged compared to the preliminary disclosure published on 7 February 2016.

The net profit of LHV Group amounted to EUR 19.9 million in 2015. This constitutes a EUR 5.1 million increase from last year. The bank contributed EUR 13.2 million, asset management EUR 6.1 million and the Lithuanian business unit EUR 1.9 million.

The net income of LHV Group in 2016 was EUR 50.5 million with EUR 38.3 million in the previous year. The net interest income grew by 29% and net fees by 31%, year-over year.

The management board of LHV Group proposed to the General Meeting of Shareholders distribution of the profit so that dividends in the amount of EUR 0.15 per share would be paid to shareholders, EUR 0.9 million would be transferred to statutory reserve capital and the amount of EUR 12 million of the reporting period profit attributable to shareholders of the parent would be retained.

"At last years general meeting LHV shareholders agreed on a dividend policy and based on that this year we will pay dividends for the first time. Our dividend policy states that a minimum of 25% of the earnings attributable to owners of the parent before taxes will be paid as dividends. LHV is continuously in a phase of fast growth and we are able to create value using the capital in our operating activities, which is why the management proposes to pay as dividends 25% of the earnings before taxes," commented Madis Toomsalu, CEO of LHV Group.

AS LHV Group Consolitated Annual Report 2016 is attached to this announcement and will be made available on LHV homepage https://www.lhv.ee/en/for-investors/reports/.

LHV Group is the largest domestic financial group and capital provider in Estonia. LHV Group's key subsidiaries are AS LHV Pank and AS LHV Varahaldus. LHV employs about 300 people and over 110,000 customers use LHVs banking services. Pension funds managed by LHV have about 180,000 customers.
SOLON EIENDOM ASA

STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT

Solon Eiendom ASA - Notice of extraordinary general meeting 21 March 2017

Oslo, 28 February 2017: Solon Eiendom ASA (OSE: SOLON), calls for an extraordinary general meeting to be held at the company's offices in Olav Vs gate 5, 0161, Oslo, Norway on 21 March 2017 at 10:00 (CET).

The notice convening the general meeting, including the agenda and the board's proposals to the matters to be dealt with, is enclosed with this notification and will be sent to all shareholders with known addresses.

Relevant documents referred to in the notice are made available on www.soloneiendom.no.

For further information, please contact:

Andreas Martinussen

Chief Executive Officer, Solon Eiendom ASA

E-mail: am@soloneiendom.no Cell Phone: +47 400 00 405

Scott Danielsen

Chief Financial Officer, Solon Eiendom ASA

E-mail: sd@soloneiendom.no Cell Phone: +47 952 55 620

About Solon Eiendom ASA

Solon Eiendom is a Norwegian residential real estate development company focusing on the Oslo and Akershus region. Solon Eiendom was established in 2006 by founder Simen Thorsen and investor Tore Aksel Voldberg. The company has since its incorporation delivered 570 units with a corresponding sales value of close to NOK ~3 billion and sold more than 800 units with a total sales price of more than NOK ~4 billion. Please visit our website: www.soloneiendom.no

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
English Lithuanian

Elektrenai, Lithuania, 2017-02-28 08:55 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lietuvos energijos gamyba, AB, legal entity code 302648707, registered head office address Elektrines Str. 21, Elektrenai (hereinafter referred to as the Company). The total number of registered ordinary shares issued by the Company is 635 083 615, ISIN code  LT0000128571.

Following the launch of new electricity connections with Sweden and Poland and the elimination of quotas for electricity generation, all power plants operated by the Lietuvos Energijos Gamyba had to adapt to the new market conditions in 2016.

Changes in business environment and increased competition affected our results,  says Ms. Egle Ciuzaite, Chairwoman of the board and chief executive officer of Lietuvos Energijos Gamyba.  Nevertheless, we managed to successfully respond to the challenges of 2016 and today we can reap both better corporate results and a higher level of employee engagement. We continuously change and improve so that the Company operates more efficiently in the future and give shareholders a change to earn better returns and create value for employees.

Revenue of the Company decreased, as well as the costs

In 2016 the Companys revenue totalled Eur 172.9 million and was 19.3 per cent lower than the revenue in 2015 (Eur 214.4 million). The Companys sales revenue decreased 25.3 per cent, mainly due to the decreased electricity production in Elektrenai Complex. The cancellation of the supported electricity production quota halved the output of the Elektrenai complex units (0.491 TWh) when compared to the year 2015 (0,491 TWh). The decrease of sales revenue was partly counterbalanced by the revenue received from disposal of part of business in the beginning of 2016.

As a result of decreased production, variable costs incurred by the Company were significantly reduced (-43 per cent) as well. In addition, due to efficient organisation and performance of repair works and constant improvement of business processes, the Company managed to significantly reduce operating costs as well.

Costs reduction in the Elektrenai complex, which met public service obligations (PSO) and provided the tertiary active power reserve service in 2016, amounted to almost 10 per cent, which grants direct benefits to electricity consumers because it contributes to the electricity rate reduction.

Produced competitive electricity by CCGT was sold on the market and over the year it has allowed to earn nearly EUR 6 million gross profit which will be given to the PSO tariff reduction for consumers.

As the market situation changed, hydroelectric power plants managed by the Company operated more efficiently and flexibly. In 2016, Kaunas Algirdas Brazauskas' Hydroelectric Power Plant produced 30 per cent (0.363 TWh) more electricity than in 2015. Production at Kruonis PSHP decreased slightly more than by 20 per cent (to 0.517 TWh); however, this power plant played a particularly important role in ensuring the safety of electricity supply when the operation of the NordBalt link was unstable. When the link was disconnected, particularly in the first half of 2016, Kruonis PSHP was the first to provide help: the emergency reserve of this power plant was activated 57 times in 2016 (20 times in 2015)

Profitability has increased

The increased scope of the secondary reserve service in 2016 improved the EBITDA result of the Companys regulated activity, while the EBITDA indicator of commercial activities of the hydroelectric power plants, despite increased competition, was similar to 2015. However, the change in the Companys EBITDA in 2016 in comparison with 2015 was substantially affected by evaluation of the decisions of the regulator in financial statements. EBITDA increased by Eur 7.8 million (Eur 58.1 million and Eur 50.3 million, accordingly). EBITDA margin was 33.6% in 2016 (23.4% in 2015).

The net profit of the Company in 2016 exceeded the profit from 2015 due to higher EBITDA and the impact of one-off factors: the sale of a part of the business at the beginning of 2016 (the recorded result before tax was EUR 19.8 million) and the reduction of the assets value recorded in 2015 related to the decision to terminate the operation of units 5 and 6, which caused a reduction of the net profit by EUR 30 million in 2015.

Biggest attention  to the implementation of business strategy

In 2016 the Company has updated its business strategy for 2020. Sticking to the guidelines set out in the strategy, the Company will seek to ensure the continuity of the Companys activities, to return to shareholders and to retain jobs of employees. The Company, therefore, plans to significantly expand its service portfolio by 2020. It is planned that in four years every employee of the Company will devote at least 15 per cent of their working time for new services. The Company will pursue to have main operating expenses for electricity and heat production and provision of system services reduced by at least 15 percent by 2020.

The Company has already made the first steps in offering new services in 2016  business was offered territories next to the power plant as well as services of weighing heavy vehicles and biofuel and other laboratory tests. In the future, the Company plans to considerably expand the range of services.

Key goals of the Company include low employee turnover, assurance of occupational safety and health, and implementation of the LEAN management system principles-based Operational Excellence programme

According to E. Ciuzaite, the main requirement for the implementation of all the actions provided for in the strategy and development of new activities is engaged employees generating ideas and focused on the achievement of goals. I have no doubt that an even deeper fostering of fundamental values of the company, such as responsibility, cooperation and pursuit for the achievement of goals, will help successfully implement our vision of becoming a competitive international energy generation and service centre,  says the head of Lietuvos Energijos Gamyba.
English French German

Shareholders approve 20 th consecutive dividend increase to CHF 2.75 (+2%) per share for 2016; representing a 3.5% yield and approximately 69% payout of free cash flow



Dr. Joerg Reinhardt confirmed by shareholders as Chairman of the Novartis Board of Directors as well as all other members who have stood for re-election; Frans van Houten elected as new member of the Board



Shareholders approve all other proposals of the Board of Directors, including future Board and Executive Committee compensation

Basel, February 28, 2017 - Novartis shareholders today agreed to the Board of Directors' recommendations for all proposed resolutions at the Group's Annual General Meeting (AGM). A total of 1,805 shareholders were present at the meeting held in Basel, representing approximately 60,6% of the issued shares of Novartis.

Shareholders approved the 20th consecutive dividend increase per share since the creation of Novartis in 1996, with an increase of 2% to CHF 2.75 for 2016. Payment for the 2016 dividend will be made on March 6, 2017. The dividend for 2016 is an approximately 69% payout of free cash flow, reinforcing the Company's commitment to a strong dividend yield.

Annual re-election and election of Members of the Board

Shareholders re-elected Dr. Joerg Reinhardt as Chairman of the Board of Directors, and all members of the Board, for one year. In addition, shareholders elected Frans van Houten as a new member of the Board of Directors.

In addition, shareholders re-elected the following members of the Board of Directors to the Compensation Committee for one year: Srikant Datar, Ph.D., Ann Fudge, Enrico Vanni, Ph.D. and William T. Winters. The Committee will be chaired by Mr. Vanni.

In line with the Board of Director's recommendation, shareholders also approved the cancelation of 10,270,000 shares repurchased on the second trading line under the seventh share repurchase program in the financial year 2016 and to reduce the share capital accordingly by CHF 5,135,000, from CHF 1,313,557,410 to CHF 1,308,422,410.

Votes on Compensation for the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee

In two separate binding votes, shareholders approved the total maximum amount of compensation for the Board of Directors covering the period from the 2017 AGM to the 2018 AGM and the total maximum amount of compensation of the Executive Committee for 2018.

Furthermore, in an advisory vote, shareholders endorsed the 2016 Compensation Report. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will review the feedback received by a number of investors and proxy advisors and ensure that compensation systems continue to be in the best interest of shareholders and the company.

For a detailed listing of all resolutions presented at the 2017 Annual General Meeting, please visit: https://www.novartis.com/sites/www.novartis.com/files/2017-novartis-agm-notice.pdf

Disclaimer

The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "proposed," "proposals," "recommendations," "will," "commitment," "recommendation," "advisory," "endorsed," or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding the potential future impact on Novartis of the matters described in this release, including matters involving the seventh share repurchase program and involving compensation of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of management regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee as to the ultimate outcome of the matters described in this release. In particular, management's expectations regarding these matters could be affected by, among other things, the impacts of these matters on Novartis, including on its management and on its financial results; the potential impact of these matters on the competitiveness of Novartis or competition in general; the public reaction to these matters; the impact that the foregoing factors could have on the values attributed to the Novartis Group's assets and liabilities as recorded in the Group's consolidated balance sheet, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis

Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2016, the Group achieved net sales of USD 48.5 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 118,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis

For Novartis multimedia content, please visit www.novartis.com/news/media-library

For questions about the site or required registration, please contact media.relations@novartis.com

Novartis Media Relations

Central media line : +41 61 324 2200 Eric Althoff

Novartis Global Media Relations

+41 61 324 7999 (direct)

+41 79 593 4202 (mobile)

eric.althoff@novartis.com Satoshi Sugimoto

Communications Switzerland

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Novartis Investor Relations

Central phone: +41 61 324 7944 North America: Samir Shah +41 61 324 7944 Richard Pulik +1 212 830 2448 Pierre-Michel Bringer +41 61 324 1065 Thomas Hungerbuehler +41 61 324 8425 Isabella Zinck +41 61 324 7188 e-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com e-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com

# # #
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ceylon Graphite Corp. (Ceylon) (TSX-V:CYL) (OTC:NWNYF) (Frankfurt:CCY) provides the following corporate update related to its Sri Lanka graphite projects.



Corporate

Management recently completed a trip to Sri Lanka, where they visited several of the companys exploration sites and started a process, with the company geologist and consultants of documenting the potential of each assigned grid. They also met with Government officials to discuss the next steps for permitting and approval processes. The company is currently in negotiation with a 3rd party Mining Engineering firm to oversee the commencement of mining operations and ensure it adheres to North American standards.

Vein Graphite Project

The company is in the final stages of purchasing a drill rig and other equipment for the exploration of its grids and is commencing site preparation for its first two sites. Interviews and the hiring process for a full time exploration crew has commenced.

Bharat Parashar, Chief Executive Officer, said: Our first goal is to start commercial production of graphite in the foreseeable future and then provide consistent quality and volume of the product.

About Vein Graphite*

Vein graphite is known under various names including crystalline vein, Plumbago, Sri Lankan graphite, and Ceylon graphite. The name Sri Lankan and Ceylon are commonly used for vein graphite since the island nation of Sri Lanka (formally Ceylon) is the only area to produce this material in commercial quantities. Serious mining and exportation of Ceylon graphite began about 1824, however the unusual deposits of Ceylon have been known, and apparently used locally, since the middle of the 1600s.

Vein graphite has a morphology that ranges from flake-like for fine particles, needle or acicular for medium sized particles, and grains or lumps for very coarse particles. As the name implies, this form of graphite occurs as a vein material. Vein fillings range in size from 1-150 cm. As mined material is available in sizes ranging from fine powder to 10 cm lumps.

Vein graphite has the highest degree of crystalline perfection of all conventional graphite materials. As a result of its high degree of crystallinity, vein graphite is utilized extensively in formed graphite products that are used in electrical applications. Many of the highest quality electrical motor brushes and other current-carrying carbons are based on formulations using vein graphite.

In friction applications, vein graphite is used in advanced brake and clutch applications. Other applications include most of those that can utilize flake graphite. Commercial grades are available in purities ranging from 80-99% carbon, and sizes from 3-micrometer powder to 8-10 cm lumps.

*Source : Asbury Carbon

About Ceylon Graphite Corp.

Ceylon Graphite Corp is a public company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (CYL:TSX-V), that is in the business of exploring and developing lump vein graphite mines in Sri Lanka. The Government of Sri Lanka has granted the company exploration rights in a land package over 100km of exploration grids. These grinds cover all relevant areas that had historical lump vein graphite production during the 1900s to 1930s representing majority of the governments known vein graphite occurrence in Sri Lanka. Ceylons lump vein graphite is unique and has higher quality than normal flake graphite, and currently accounts for less than 1% of the world graphite production.

"Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com).
DENVER, Feb. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The worlds leading high-quality cannabidiol (CBD) hemp oil brand, Elixinol, announces the availability of its product line in Brazil, making organic CBD available to over 205 million people in Latin Americas most populous country.



For sufferers of conditions such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, Brazils recognition of CBDs therapeutic benefits is an important step towards functional, fulfilling lives and Elixinol is proud to be able to be part of the therapy for treating these very serious conditions, said Paul Benhaim, CEO of Elixinol.

Although its relationship with cannabis remains complicated, Brazil joins countries like Japan, whose perceptions are shifting as they once again recognize the benefits of hemp.

Doctors in Brazil may prescribe CBD, including Elixinol, for treatment of intractable seizures. In 2014 Federal Medical Council of Brazil)(CFM) officially authorized the compassionate use of CBD for the treatment of intractable epilepsy in children and adolescents.

It is estimated that over 2 million Brazilians suffer from epileptic seizures and over 675,000 suffer from intractable seizures.

In 2015, ANVISA (National Agency of Sanitary Surveillance) defined the procedures for the importation of CBD products into Brazil by individuals, hospitals and health insurance companies, as published in the Resolucao da Diretoria Colegiada (RDC) 17/2015.

In 2016, Elixinol hemp oil was included in ANVISAs list of most frequently imported products and will have a simpler authorization process, as stated in the health agencys RDC 128/2016.

Its an honor to be a working with the medical community, the people and the government of Brazil to bring high-quality, organic hemp relief to the sufferers whose doctors see CBD as a treatment option, said Dr. Philip Blair, MD, Elixinol Medical Advisor.

About Elixinol:

Colorado-based Elixinol, founded by Paul Benhaim, hemp entrepreneur since 1991, is widely regarded as one of the most influential CBD brands in the world. With a proven track record of growing and manufacturing high-quality hemp, Elixinol also conducts rigorous laboratory testing and quality control. A global leader in hemp distribution, Elixinol provides CBD products globally in the United States, Japan, Brazil, Puerto Rico and the UK. More information available at Elixinol.com.
English Lithuanian

Vilnius, Lithuania, 2017-02-28 15:05 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The preliminary equity of INVL Technology, after the revaluation of financial assets, as of 31 December 2016 was EUR 19.7 million or EUR 1.62 per share (compared to 1.99 euro per share at the end of 2015) and decreased 18.6 percent in 2016.

Reported financial indicators of INVL Technology are preliminary, unaudited and do not represent disclosure of the net asset value of the Company. Net asset value of INVL Technology will be reported under the terms set in the Articles of Association of the Company. If audited net asset value is different from the value calculated based on preliminary financial indicators, provisions on error reporting set by articles of association of the Company shall not be applied.

Investments of the Company amounted to EUR 16.7 million at the end of December 2016. During the year the Company invested EUR 3.8 million  the biggest investments were related to the acquisition of Algoritmu sistemos UAB (by increase in share capital of Inventio UAB) and Andmevara AS. Also FINtime UAB was established and investments were made in the share capital of managed companies. Decrease in fair value of investments amounted to EUR 4 million.

The cash and cash equivalents of the Company decreased from EUR 7 million to EUR 3.1 million. Preliminary net loss of the Company in 2016 was EUR 4.5 million.

Additional information:

The preliminary equity capital of INVL Technology, a company that invests in IT businesses, was EUR 19.7 million at the end of 2016, or EUR 1.62 per share, and decreased 18.6 per cent in the year. During the year INVL Technology made investments of EUR 3.8 million. The total value of the companys investments, after a revaluation of the businesses it owns, decreased by EUR 4.0 million, to EUR 16.7 million at year-end. According to preliminary data, the companys net loss for 2016, including the revaluation, was EUR 4.5 million.

The valuation of INVL Technologys investment assets in 2016 was influenced by poorer performance of its businesses due to the costs of regional expansion and development of proprietary products, non-recurring events, and a cyclical contraction of the market caused by delays in the start of a new EU structural funds investment programme.

At the same time, two of the companies controlled by INVL Technology  Algoritmu Sistemos and BAIP  announced dividends during 2016 of EUR 0.25 million and EUR 0.85 million, respectively.

Having become a closed-end investment company in the middle of last year, we aim to generate a significant return for investors by 2026, and thats why weve focused on decisions which make it possible to boost the value of the business portfolio over the medium and long term. Weve given priority to expansion of constant access to markets and of the portfolio of business holdings. For their part, the businesses INVL Technology owns have focused on developing and enhancing new and existing products and strengthening competencies for international operations. We believe value will recover and expect to start seeing some of the potential of the new markets, products, and acquisitions already during 2017, said Kazimieras Tonkunas, Managing Partner for UTIB INVL Technology at INVL Asset Management.

In this period of active business development, he said, a significant role is being played by cooperation among the companys firms, which is enabling them not only to use their resources more effectively and adopt best practices, but also to benefit from access to foreign markets and jointly develop new specialised competencies. Well continue to actively develop the companies weve acquired. Our objective is to make them global operations, toward that end taking advantage of our businesses access to markets and intellectual capital, Mr Tonkunas said.

At the start of 2017, INVL Technologys portfolio of directly and indirectly controlled businesses included 16 active companies. Six were added in the past year: the company FINtime was established in Lithuania and Norway Registers Development Rwanda Ltd was established in Rwanda; the creation of NRD Bangladesh, which began in late 2016, was completed in February this year; and the newly acquired companies Algoritmu Sistemos in Lithuania and Andmevara in Estonia and Moldova joined the portfolio.

The change in the companys investment portfolio was mainly due to the acquisitions of Andmevara and Algoritmu Sistemos in the first half of 2016 and investments in the capital of owned businesses. FINtime UAB was also established.

INVL Technologys firms, expanding the range of their services, conducted projects in 17 countries in 2016. They provided services to state and commercial institutions, banks, law enforcement structures and other organisations. By the start of 2017, their enlarged network of representative offices provided continual access to nine markets. Such representative offices currently operate in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Moldova, Norway, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, foreign revenues of Lithuania-based BAIP increased to EUR 2.7 million and 28 per cent of all revenue, and NRD CSs revenue outside Lithuania grew nearly 90 per cent and accounted for 36 per cent of all the companys revenue.

To-date INVL Technology has invested in the Norwegian company Norway Registers Development AS with subsidiaries NRD UAB and Etronika UAB in Lithuania, Norway Registers Development East Africa Ltd in Tanzania, Norway Registers Development Rwanda Ltd in Rwanda, NRD Bangladesh Ltd in Bangladesh, and the associated company Infobank Uganda Ltd in Uganda. It has also invested in BAIP UAB with its subsidiary Acena UAB as well as NRD CS UAB and Algoritmu Sistemos UAB, all in Lithuania, and Estonias Andmevara AS with its subsidiary Andmevara SRL in Moldova.

On its receipt of a closed-end investment company license in July 2016, INVL Technologys management was assumed by INVL Asset Management  a part of Invalda INVL, one of the leading asset management groups in the Baltics. INVL Technology will operate until 14 July 2026.
English Latvian

Salacgriva, Latvia, 2017-02-28 15:06 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

MANAGEMENT REPORT

February 28, 2017

Type of activities

The types of activities performed by the JSC Brivais Vilnis are processing and canning of fish and fish products, wholesale of food products and other commercial activities classified nowhere else. On May 14, 2002 the company was registered in the Common commercial register of the Republic of Latvia.

Economic activities

Year 2016 is the 25th year of operation since the Company was transformed into a Joint Stock Company. In 2016 the Company produced a total of 10.4 million cans of various types (161) of fish products, including 4.6 million cans of sprat. 10.1 million cans were sold for EUR 5.4 million.

The financial result of the year 2016 is a loss of EUR 436 174. These losses are from economic activities of the Company.

The common situation of the canned fish market is tense. There will be companies that will not survive, but those, who will survive, it will be easier. The Company must be among those companies that will overcome these difficulties.

We are working to maintain the market segment. We expect that Russia and Kazakhstan will open the market and the economic situation in the world will improve. Demand for canned products in non-traditional markets is lagging behind the production volumes. At production of lower volumes, actual costs of products become more expensive, but the market prices at the same time have fallen as a result of competition.

Net turnover of 2016 is EUR 5 430 thousand.

Result of 2016 (EUR) (436 174)

Gross profit of 2016 (EUR) 399 900

The Company is a leader in product quality, we don`t use genetically modified raw materials, synthetic food additives and flavour enhancers in production.

New markets and development of new products has been set as a priority. We have visited food fairs in CIS countries, United States of Amerika, China, Hong Kong, Iran, United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, United Kingdom and other countries. In 2017, we are planning to take part in seven exhibitions in Europe and elsewhere.

At the same time we are working on development of new product group. We are using progressive packaging types.

We have got the International Food Standard (IFS) and the Kosher certificate.

The Company has set a target to stabilize production and sales in 2017 through the work done in 2016.

Arnolds Babris

Chairman of the Board
souvik101990 wrote:

A 1972 agreement between Canada and the United States reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities had been allowed to dump into the Great Lakes.





(A) reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities had been allowed to dump



(B) reduced the phosphate amount that municipalities had been dumping



(C) reduces the phosphate amount municipalities have been allowed to dump



(D) reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities are allowed to dump



(E) reduces the amount of phosphates allowed for dumping by municipalities





Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:

Concepts tested here: Tenses + Meaning

A:

B:

practically

permitted

C:

D:

Correct.

permitted

E:

Hence, D is the best answer choice.

Additional Note:

Dear Friends,Here is a detailed explanation to this question-Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended core meaning of the sentence is that a 1972 agreement between Canada and the United States reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities are allowed to dump into the Great Lakes. The simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature. The simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past. The past perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb "had") is used when a sentence contains two actions in the past; the helping verb "had" is used with the action in the "greater past". The past perfect continuous tense (marked by the use of helping verb "had/have been") is used when a sentence contains two actions in past and one action is in greater past as well as continuous in nature; the helping verb "had been" is used with the action that is in the greater past and continuous in nature. The present perfect continuous tense (marked by "has/have been") is the correct tense to refer to actions that started in past and continue into the present. For referring to the purpose or intent of an action, the infinitive verb form (to + base form of verb"- "to + dump" in this sentence) is preferred over the present participle ("verb+ing" - "dumping" in this sentence) construction.Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses the past perfect tense verb had been allowed to refer to an action taking place in the current time frame; please remember, the simple present tense is used to refer to actions taking place in the current time frame, and the past perfect tense (marked by the use of helping verb "had") is used when a sentence contains two actions in the past; the helping verb "had" is used with the action in the "greater past".This answer choice incorrectly uses the past perfect continuous tense verb had been dumping to refer to an action taking place in the current time frame; please remember, the simple present tense is used to refer to actions taking place in the current time frame, and the past perfect continuous tense (marked by the use of helping verb "had/have been") is only used when a sentence contains two actions in past and one action is in greater past as well as continuous in nature. Further, Option B alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase municipalities had been dumping; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the 1972 agreement reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities hadbeen dumping into the Great Lakes; the intended meaning is that the 1972 agreement reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities areto dump into the Great Lakes.This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple present tense verb reduces to refer to an action that concluded in the past; please remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to actions that concluded in the past, and the simple present tense is only used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature. Further, Option C incorrectly uses the present perfect continuous tense verb have been allowed to dump to refer to an action taking place in the current time frame; please remember, the simple present tense is used to refer to actions taking place in the current time frame, and the present perfect continuous tense (marked by "has/have been") is the correct tense to refer to actions that started in past and continue into the present.This answer choice correctly uses the simple past tense verb reduced to refer to an action that concluded in the past. Further, Option E correctly uses the simple present tense verb are allowed to refer to an action taking place in the current time frame. Moreover, Option D uses the phrase are allowed to dump, conveying the intended meaning  that the 1972 agreement reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities areto dump into the Great Lakes. Additionally, Option E uses the infinitive verb form (to + base form of verb"- "to + dump" in this sentence) to refer to the intent of the action allowed.This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple present tense verb reduces to refer to an action that concluded in the past; please remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to actions that concluded in the past, and the simple present tense is only used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature. Further, Option E uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "dumping" in this sentence) construction to refer to the intent of the action allowed; please remember, for referring to the purpose or intent of an action, the infinitive verb form (to + base form of verb") is preferred over the present participle ("verb+ing" - "dumping" in this sentence) construction.Please note that the verb construction "had been allowed", used in Option A, is the passive version of the past perfect tense construction "had allowed", not a past perfect continuous tense verb.To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):To understand the concept of "Past Perfect Tense" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):To understand the concept of "Perfect Continuous Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):All the best!Team_________________
SajjadAhmad wrote:

Source: McGraw Hill GMAT



Government deregulation of the long-distance telephone business has resulted in increased competition among telephone carriers, thus resulting in lower prices for consumers. This process, however, will ultimately result in lower-quality service for consumers, because as the telephone carriers drop their prices to compete with one another for customers, they will be forced to cut corners on nonessential items like customer service.



Which of the following, if true, casts the most doubt on the argument that government deregulation of the telephone business will result in lower-quality customer service?



A. Technological advances have decreased the cost of providing long-distance telephone service to less than one-half of its cost prior to deregulation.

B. In a customer survey regarding the electric utility business, another industry that recently went through deregulation, surveyors found that customer dissatisfaction with service was 30 percent higher than prior to deregulation.

C. Customers have listed poor customer service as their number one reason for switching from one long-distance telephone service provider to another.

D. Some companies have decreased the cost of customer service by installing automated telephone response systems that eliminate the need for expensive live employees.

E. The greatest competition for long-distance telephone service providers will come not from traditional telephone companies, but from cellular telephone service providers.

Observe that customers cited the number one reason to switch to other vendor is because of poor service. If customer is switching from one to another means that new company will give the service better. This shows the reverse relation for our assumption.

The primary assumption is that is more competition results in less quality.If we show the above relation as reverse then it would help us to weaken the assumption.A. This has no effect on the above relation.B. In fact this strengthens.C. This is the best answer.D. This doesn't effect on the relation.E. Irrelavent.
An oyinbo man was recently arrested by officers of the Lagos state police command, for reportedly breaking traffic laws of the state.

Oyinbo man arrested for breaking traffic laws

According to reports, the boss of a company known as Mantra Protection Solution, was recently arrested for allegedly disobeying traffic rules.

PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App

The man who was in a black Toyota SUV, was being escorted with a white Hilux van when they committed their offence.

They were said to have used their siren illegally and also ignoring traffic lights.

He is still at the police station according to reports.

Source: Legit.ng
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This team of hosts for Eurovision-2017 has been chosen by a complicated multiple-stage competition, Joinfo.com reports with reference to Ukrinform.

We did not set out looking for three young men but after being so impressed by them in the castings, we started to develop the idea of having these amazing young guys working together. They have a great chemistry, and its great because it has not been done before at Eurovision, Stuart Barlow, Show Producer of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, explained.

Ukraine will become the first country to have three male hosts, Pavlo Hrytsak, Deputy of General Director of the UA: PBC, said.

The 2017 Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Kyiv, Ukraine, with Semi-Finals on May 9, 11 and the Grand Final on May 13. It will be the second time that Ukraine hosts the Eurovision Song Contest.

It should be recalled that O.Torvald band will present Ukraine at the contest this year.
On 3-5 October 2017 Kyiv is going to host the Space and Future Forum to network international experts and youth, many of whom will also participate at the first CosmoHack in the world. Joinfo provides media coverage of the Forum, and some of its topics were already discussed ...
Good morning, and thanks for your feedback, Jason. I have to say, your criticism of my reaction to the president's first restaurant meal in DC is one of the gentler rants I've seen in the past 24 hours or so.

As a Midwesterner raised to respect beef, I was disappointed to see Mr. Trump ruin a good thing (the steaks at BLT Prime, his Saturday night destination, are quite good). Bigger picture, however, I think the president missed some opportunities to get to know his city and broaden his horizons (and not promote his brand).

Onward!

Anyone looking for some good meals should check out Ivy City in NE DC if they haven't already. I'm digging the neighborhood, home to La Puerta Verde and the Tavern at Ivy City Smokehouse, the subjects of two reviews last week. The former is very good Mexican (go for the gaucamole, skirt steak and chicken mole; the latter is a (smoked) seafood specialist that also does well by chicken wings (dipped in Alabama white sauce) and crusty pork spare ribs.

And I'm really loving Himitsu in Petworth, featured in this coming Sunday's Magazine. The young owners, chef Kevin Tien and bar ace Carlie Steiner, have a smash hit on their hands. If you only get one dish, make it the awesome riff on Peking duck, presented with baked-to-order biscuits instead of savory pancakes. Pretty dreamy.

Lots of comments this morning. Let's rock and roll.
The list of African countries dumping the Polisario (armed, funded and harbored by Algeria), keeps growing. The latest of these countries is Zambia which has confirmed lately the withdrawal of its recognition of the self-proclaimed so-called Sahrawi republic (SADR).

The Zambian decision to pull out its recognition of the phantom entity and severe all diplomatic ties with the Algeria-backed separatist group was first announced by Foreign Minister Harry Kalaba during a visit to Rabat last July.

The confirmation of the Zambian decision comes following the visit paid last week by King Mohammed VI to this English speaking African country, which was among the African countries deceived by the Algerian propaganda. Zambia changed its stand thanks to the royal proactive African policy based on a genuine solidarity-based South-South cooperation.

During this visit, King Mohammed VI conferred with President Edgar Chagwa Lungu on cooperation prospects as well as on regional and international issues of common interests.

Zambian Head of State welcomed Moroccos return to the African Union and described the royal speech during the AU summit as a historical moment paving the way for a promising contribution from Morocco to the development and stability of Africa.

Both leaders affirmed their unwavering commitment to ensuring the stability and prosperity of Africa. They also pledged to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between their two countries, underlining the role of investment and the private sector in promoting economic growth and development.

The royal visit to Zambia was crowned with the signing of several bilateral agreements in agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, education, training, industry, investment, air services, financial services and insurance, as well as the development of economic zones.

The two countries also agreed to join efforts in the fight against terrorism and work together to promote peace, security and stability on the continent, as well as to find lasting solutions to ongoing conflicts in Africa.

So, Morocco has gained the support of another African country despite hostile campaigns waged by its enemies, while the Polisario secessionists and their Algerian mentors are losing credibility and leverage.

Since 2000, nearly 40 countries, including 9 states of the Caribbean region, have pulled out their recognition to the pseudo-RASD. And many more are to come.
Paris, Madrid and Washington have commended this weekend Moroccos unilateral pullout from the Guerguarat region, saying the move will help de-escalate tension and maintain stability in the region.

The Moroccan decision is an important step for appeasement, taking into account the stability and interest of the region, said spokesman for the French foreign ministry Romain Nadal on Sunday.

France calls on all parties to demonstrate and to unconditionally and immediately withdraw all armed elements from the region, in accordance with the ceasefire agreements, he added.

Paris supports a just, lasting and negotiated solution to the Sahara issue under the United Nations aegis in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, stressed Nadal, noting that France regards the autonomy plan offered by Morocco in 2007 for the Sahara as a serious and credible basis for a negotiated solution.

The Spanish government also welcomed the Moroccan move, urging the other parties to immediately follow suit in conformity with the call made by the UN Secretary-General.

In a statement released by the Spanish Foreign ministry, Madrid expressed hope to see the UN chief resume efforts for a political lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the Sahara issue.

The US embassy in Rabat also hailed the announcement made by Morocco for the sake of peace and stability of the region and in compliance with the UN Secretary-Generals recommendations.

The Moroccan unilateral withdrawal comes following the call launched by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Saturday on parties to exercise maximum restraint and take all necessary steps to avoid escalation in the vicinity of Guerguarat in the Moroccan berm, near Mauritanian border.

UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the Secretary-General also underlined that regular commercial traffic should not be obstructed and that no action should be taken, which may constitute a change to the status quo.

The UN chief strongly urged the parties to unconditionally withdraw all armed elements () as soon as possible, to create an environment conducive to a resumption of the dialogue in the context of the political process led by the UN, added Mr. Dujarric.

Following the UN Secretary-Generals reaction, the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday issued a statement saying that upon instructions of King Mohammed VI, Morocco will as of today begin its unilateral and immediate withdrawal from the region.

Morocco hopes that the UN Secretary-Generals intercession will make it possible to return to the situation as it was previously prevailing in the region, keep intact the regions status, secure fluidity of road traffic and thus safeguard the ceasefire and strengthen regional stability, stressed the Foreign Ministry in its statement.

Last Friday, King Mohammed VI had a telephone conversation with UN Secretary-General during which the Moroccan sovereign drew the attention of Mr. Guterres to the gravity of the recurrent incursions by the Polisario armed militia in the Guerguarat region and warned against the fallout of such provocative acts and ceasefire violations on peace and security in the region.
This image shows the chemical structures of macrocyclic polyamines and their metal complexes. Credit: UNIST

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common form of dementia. In search for new drugs for AD, the research team, led by Professor Mi Hee Lim of Natural Science at UNIST has developed a metal-based substance that works like a pair of genetic scissors to cut out amyloid- (A), the hallmark protein of AD.

The study has been featured on the cover of the January 2017 issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS) and has been also selected as a JACS Spotlight article.

Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death among in older adults. The exact causes of Alzheimer's disease are still unknown, but several factors are presumed to be causative agents. Among these, the aggregation of amyloid- peptide (A) has been implicated as a contributor to the formation of neuritic plaques, which are pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

As therapeutics for AD, Professor Lim suggested a strategy that uses matal-based complexes for reducing the toxicity of the amyloid beta (A). Althought various metal complexs have been suggested as therapeutics for AD, none of them work effectively in vivo.

The research team has found that they can hydrolyze amyloid-beta proteins using a crystal structure, called tetra-N methylated cyclam (TMC). Hydrolysis is the process that uses water molecules to split other molecules apart. The metal-mediated TMC structure uses the external water and cut off the binding of amyloid-beta protein effectively.

In this study, the following four metals (cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc) were placed at the center of the TMC structure. When the double-layered cobalt was added to the center, the hydrolysis activity was at the highest.

The research team reported that the cobalt-based metal complex (Co(II)(TMC)) had the potential to penetrate the blood brain barrier and the hydrolysis activity for nonamyloid protein was low. Moreover, the effects of this substance on the toxicity of amyloid-beta protein were also observed in living cell experiments.

"This material has a high therapeutic potential in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease as it can penetrate the brain-vascular barrier and directly interact with the amyloid-beta protein in the brain," says Professor Lim.

This study has also attracted attention by the editor of the Journal of the American Chemical Society. "Not only do they develop new materials, but they have been able to propose details of the working principles and experiments that support them," according to the editor.

"As a scientist, this is such a great honor to know that our recent publication in JACS was highlighted in JACS Spotlights," says Professor Lim. "This means that our research has not only been recognized as an important research, but also has caused a stir in academia."

More information: Jeffrey S. Derrick et al, Mechanistic Insights into Tunable Metal-Mediated Hydrolysis of Amyloid- Peptides, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2017). Journal information: Journal of the American Chemical Society Jeffrey S. Derrick et al, Mechanistic Insights into Tunable Metal-Mediated Hydrolysis of Amyloid- Peptides,(2017). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b09681
Stanford psychology professor Alia Crums research focuses on the importance of mindsets and social context in the healing process. Credit: L.A. Cicero

A growing body of research has shown that people's mindsets have measurable physical results.

People's expectations to heal and the social context surrounding them, including their relationships with doctors, drive these placebo responses  where a patient's health changes without being treated.

Despite this research, the benefits of these psychological and social forces are still receiving much less attention than drug and device treatments in healthcare.

In a recently published report in the BMJ titled "Making mindset matter," a group of Stanford experts call for more healthcare professionals to place emphasis on the importance of individual mindsets and social context in healing.

The experts also urge researchers to develop more studies that measure the physical effects of these psychosocial elements in order to understand and quantify patients' subjective experiences of expectations, connection and trust.

"We have long been mystified by the placebo effect," said Alia Crum, an assistant professor of psychology and the lead author of the report. "But the placebo effect isn't some mysterious response to a sugar pill. It is the robust and measurable effect of three components: the body's natural ability to heal, the patient mindset and the social context. When we start to see the placebo effect for what it really is, we can stop discounting it as medically superfluous and can work to deliberately harness its underlying components to improve healthcare."

Harnessing power of mindsets

A healthcare professional's bedside manner is important and what patients think and expect about treatments can influence health outcomes, Crum said.

But the healthcare and education systems in the U.S. generally do not emphasize psychosocial training. As a result, new doctors and healthcare workers take few courses on how to effectively form meaningful relationships with patients and how best to help them adopt useful mindsets.

Crum, together with co-authors Dr. Abraham Verghese, professor of medicine, and psychology doctoral candidate Kari Leibowitz, argues that the healthcare and education systems need to prioritize the role of psychological and social forces in healing.

For example, medical schools should develop more training that helps students and residents use their personal strengths to connect with patients and learn the best ways to harness social context and patient mindset.

"It should be about designing a formal curriculum for medical school that weaves all of this throughout the training," Leibowitz said. "So it's not just mentioned in one or two classes or taught for one semester and then forgotten about."

The experts also called for a reform of standard randomized trials in the healthcare system. When examining the effects of a new drug, researchers should include natural conditions, which don't use placebos, alongside conditions that include altered social context and mindset. This, Crum said, will help researchers understand how beliefs, labels and context can help magnify or reduce the effects of the drug and treatment.

These reforms, however, would require additional rigorous research that builds more scientific evidence for the importance of the effects of social context and mindsets, they said.

"Taking time and energy to develop provider-patient relationships is crucial and we know that it makes a difference," Leibowitz said. "But you have to be able to justify why structural changes like increasing the length of time spent with a patient to build trusting relationships and shape adaptive mindsets actually saves all of us money."

Verghese, who is also a director of the Stanford interdisciplinary center Presence, which champions the patient experience in medicine, has been teaching the value of connection and bedside manner for years.

"The wise and seasoned physician does much of this intuitively," Verghese said. "What is missing is the science behind it and the structure to help physicians understand these psychological and social forces so they can deliberately leverage them in healthcare."

The placebo effect

Over the past 30 years, neurobiological research has shown that the placebo effect, which stems in part from an individual's mindset or expectation to heal, triggers distinct brain areas associated with anxiety and pain that activate physiological effects that lead to healing outcomes.

Mindsets can also lead to negative, or "nocebo," effects. For example, patients had a heightened pain response after they were informed that an injection will hurt. Those who were told about possible negative side effects of a medication had an increased presence of those effects.

Crum has produced research suggesting that people's mindsets also influence the benefits they get from certain behaviors. For example, her 2011 study showed that the physical effects of food depend on how caloric or indulgent it is in a person's mind. Crum's 2013 study demonstrated that viewing stress as a helpful part of life, rather than as harmful, is associated with better health, emotional well-being and productivity at work.

Crum said she intends to continue to contribute research on the components that make up placebo effects, such as people's mindsets. She said several studies are in progress, on which Crum's Mind and Body Lab at Stanford has partnered with Verghese's Presence center.

But more work remains to be done, according to Crum and other experts.

Scientific research needs to move beyond merely comparing drug treatments to placebos and focus on exploring what mechanisms drive placebo responses and what patients and doctors can do to effectively leverage these effects to improve healthcare, the experts said.

"We know that psychological and social forces are at work in health in healing, for better or for worse," Crum said. "But we need to develop more rigorous research to measure their physiological effects. It is time we start taking these forces more seriously in both the science and practice of medicine."
Gardasil vaccine and box. Image: Wikipedia

Human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes genital warts and can lead to several cancers, is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. About 630 million people are infected worldwide, with 500,000 new infections added annually.

Although an HPV vaccine has been available for boys and girls in the United States since 2006, HPV prevalence in heterosexual men is estimated to be about 50 percent. For men who have sex with men (MSM), the estimate is 61 percent for those who are HIV-negative and 93 percent for those who are HIV-positive. Only limited data exist for transgender women (TW) globally.

Focusing on Peruvian MSM and TW, a team of researchers has found that a preventive HPV vaccine is widely, though not universally, accepted among those populations.

"While HPV vaccination is sometimes incorrectly perceived as curative or therapeutic, rather than preventative, reasons for wanting HPV vaccination center on not only self-protection, but the protection of sexual partners," said Brandon Brown, an assistant professor in the Center for Healthy Communities in the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, who led the research team. "Chief among the barriers to HPV vaccination in Peru is the potential for physical and social vaccine-induced harm, along with access and the price of vaccine."

The study, published today in PLOS ONE, is the first study in Peru, and one of few globally, specifically investigating the acceptability of HPV vaccination among MSM and TW.

"MSM and TW are disproportionately affected by HPV-related disease, but little attention is paid to this group related to HPV vaccine," Brown said. "Co-infection with HIV can increase the HPV rate even higher in this population."

To arrive at their results, the researchers conducted focus groups and individual in-depth interviews with 36 MSM and TW in 2011. In the intervening years, little has changed in terms of HPV vaccine for this population.

Participants were recruited at bars, clubs, volleyball courts, saunas and parks. Interview questions included: Do you know if there is a vaccine that prevents HPV infection? Do you think your life would change if you were to get vaccinated? And, do you think your family/friends would question you or bother you if you were to decide to get vaccinated?

Most participants expressed positive attitudes toward HPV vaccination. Reasons mentioned for accepting the vaccine included the prevention of genital warts, avoiding infecting others with HPV, providing a sense of security, and serving as a role model for others.

"This study represents the first step in exploring HPV vaccine acceptability among MSM and TW in Peru, and, to our knowledge, in South America," Brown said. "Our future studies will include the views and opinions of nurses, doctors and health professionals who act as gateways not only to HPV vaccination, but also for HPV education and treatment."

Similar to Peru, in the United States MSM and TW face significant barriers to healthcare, including stigma and discrimination and insufficient knowledge among patients and providers of appropriate interventions.

"We have a very effective intervention to prevent chronic HPV infection in the United States, but there is little uptake in the general population, and even less among MSM and TW," Brown said. "Meanwhile, in Peru, routine and free HPV vaccine is administered only to adolescent girls in school settings. In much of Asia and Africa, even this is not done. It is time to have universal coverage globally for all people."
Credit: Elena Zhukova

Pop quiz: What's the difference between "best by," "sell by" or "expires on"?

If you're not sure, you aren't alone. Americans toss out $165 billion worth of food each year, often out of safety concerns fueled by confusion about the meaning of the 10-plus date labels used on packages.

Grocery manufacturers and retailers are finally taking pity. Earlier this month, the Food Marketing Institute and Grocery Manufacturers Association announced they would voluntarily streamline date labels and begin using two standard phrases: "best if used by" for quality and "use by" for highly perishable items like meat, fish and cheese that can be dangerous to eat if they are too old.

Food manufacturers will begin phasing in the change now, with widespread adoption expected by summer 2018.

Food policy experts from across the University of California praised the new guidelines, calling them a positive step that could help consumers and the environment.

"This is a great idea," said Michael Roberts, executive director of the UCLA Resnick Program for Food Law and Policy and UC Global Food Initiative subcommittee member. "Hopefully, it will not only eliminate confusion from consumers but also reduce food waste. Most consumers want to be safe and cautious. Too often, they're throwing food away before it needs to be thrown away."

Simplifying labels

About 40 percent of food in the United States goes uneatena staggering waste of money and sustenance, valued at roughly $165 billion per year.

The grocery industry initiative calls for replacing phrases like "best before," "better if used by" or "enjoy by" with only two standard phrases to limit confusion.

The industry may have adopted the new guidelines to get ahead of legislators and regulators. Both state and federal legislation was introduced last year to address food date labels. In December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued guidance that encouraged food manufacturers and retailers to use a "best if used by" date label.

"For an industry, being regulated by 50 states in different ways is an incredible nuisance," said Marsha Cohen, a law professor at UC Hastings College of the Law. "The fix that they're proposing is quite simple. It's a smart move by trade associations to be leaders for their companies."

It would help if the industry also provided guidance on how long to keep food packages after opening them, Cohen said.

"It's hard to know is this good or is this bad?" Cohen said.

Using common sense

"Best if used by" describes product quality, where the product may not taste as expected after that date but is safe to consume. The grocery industry recommends that "use by" products should be consumed by the date listed on the package and disposed of after that date.

"I think there still needs to be significant education," said UC Davis food safety expert Linda Harris. "People don't understand the difference in the labels between quality and safety."

Use common sense, said Harris, a UC Cooperative Extension specialist in food safety. Is it safe to make jam with a package of pectin one day past its "best before" date? Yes. Should you consume a refrigerated product past its "use by" date? No.

When in doubt if food is still good to eat after the "best before" date, look at it, Harris said. If it looks fine, you can smell it. If appropriate, feel the texture. If it passes those tests, go ahead and taste a little bit of it.

"Where you would draw the line on acceptable quality is not necessarily where I would draw the line," Harris said. "With foods such as packaged nuts, some might not mind the rancid flavor that develops in some nuts after long storage times, while others might decide they don't want to eat them."

Planning food purchases

As an undergraduate student, Harris and her roommate planned meals for each week, made a list and bought only those items at the grocery store.

"Planning is important," Harris said. "We had no food waste."

If you're not that precise, be practical. There are plenty of tools to help. If you have extra meat, freeze it. If there's mold on soft cheese such as cottage cheese, discard it because the contamination is likely far below the surface. If there's mold on hard cheese such as cheddar, you can cut off an inch around and below the mold spot and the rest should be OK to eat.

Once you open a food package, those "best before" dates are less meaningful because you can significantly shorten the shelf life, Harris said. The USDA's FoodKeeper app can further help you understand food and beverage storage for open packages, she said.

"People need to take the time to understand what the dates mean, what spoilage is and how to properly handle food both before the package is opened and after," Harris said.

Changing behaviors

UC Berkeley graduate student Becky Mackelprang, who helped organize a panel discussion last year on food waste, said consumers can make a difference by changing behaviors. She will eat bruised fruit and drink milk that's just past its expiration date.

"I use my sense of smell and my tongue," Mackelprang said. "If I think that milk is suspect, I will give it a little taste. Most of the time, it is fine. When it is bad, you spit it out and have five seconds of discomfort."

People don't realize how much food they waste, she said.

"I think it's fantastic that the grocery industry is taking this critical step toward reducing food waste," Mackelprang said. "I would also like to see legislation passed to mandate this."

Taking additional steps

Except for infant formula, food product dating is not required by federal regulations. About 20 states have restrictions on food date labeling, such as "sell by" labeling laws on milk in Montana, Roberts said.

"We're living in an age where voluntary measures and local measures are done much more quickly than the FDA moves," Roberts said. "I hope at some point that the FDA does more."

To further reduce food waste, it would help to pass laws that make it easier to compost and donate food, said Roberts, who noted the current date labels are confusing even to food companies.

"There's nothing really for them to lose by voluntarily complying with the association and institute's guidelines," Roberts said.
An increased incidence in Denmark of subdural hematoma (a bleed located within the skull, but outside the brain) from 2000 to 2015 appears to be associated with the increased use of antithrombotic drugs, such as low-dose aspirin, vitamin K antagonists (e.g., warfarin), clopidogrel, and oral anticoagulants, according to a study appearing in the February 28 issue of JAMA.

David Gaist, M.D., Ph.D., of Odense University Hospital and the University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark and colleagues conducted a study that included 10,010 patients, ages 20 to 89 years, with a first-ever subdural hematoma diagnosis from 2000 to 2015 who were matched to 400,380 individuals from the general population (controls). Subdural hematoma incidence and antithrombotic drug use was identified using population-based regional data and national data from Denmark.

Among the patients with subdural hematoma (average age, 69 years), 47 percent were taking antithrombotic medications. The researchers found that low-dose aspirin was associated with a small risk, use of clopidogrel and a direct oral anticoagulant with a moderate risk, and use of a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) with a higher risk of subdural hematoma. With the exception of low-dose aspirin combined with dipyridamole (an antiplatelet drug), which was associated with a risk similar to use of low-dose aspirin alone, concurrent use of more than one antithrombotic drug was related to substantially higher subdural hematoma risk, which was particularly marked for combined treatment of a VKA with an antiplatelet drug, e.g., low-dose aspirin or clopidogrel.

The prevalence of antithrombotic drug use increased in the general population from 2000 to 2015, as did the overall subdural hematoma incidence rate. The largest increase in incidence of subdural hematoma was among patients older than 75 years.

"The present data add 1 more piece of evidence to the complex risk-benefit equation of antithrombotic drug use. It is known that these drugs result in net benefits overall in patients with clear therapeutic indications," the authors write.
Credit: University of Western Australia

A unique study is about to take place to improve the mental health of expectant and new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mums living in remote communities.

Entitled 'Improving mental health screening for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnant women and mothers of young children', the study will examine how the Kimberley Mum's Mood Scale (KMMS), a culturally appropriate mental health screening tool for pregnant and new mums developed in the Kimberley, works in other remote regions.

Researchers from the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia, The University of Western Australia, Murdoch University and James Cook University will work together with the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Inc., Western Australia Country Health Service and Apunipima Cape York Health Council to re-evaluate the KMMS in a larger Kimberley population during real world implementation, test for applicability in other remote regions and develop locally appropriate versions if necessary.

Lead Investigator, UWA Professor David Atkinson from the Rural Clinical School of WA said it was estimated that around one quarter of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women living in remote communities experienced high levels of anxiety and depression.

"This can impact the mother and child during pregnancy and the early years of the child's life," Professor Atkinson said.

"Perinatal mental health is a big issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, current approaches to screening are not working well and this funding is to support real world testing of the effectiveness of the KMMS in WA and to adapt this screening approach to the Pilbara and Cape York."

Principal Research Fellow and Lead Investigator Associate Professor Julia Marley from the Rural Clinical School of WA and the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Inc. said the development of locally appropriate mental health diagnostic tools that enabled a safe space for people to talk was critical for social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations living in remote areas.

"Improving mental health screening for Aboriginal women prenatally is important to address the burden of mental health issues amongst women having children and improving the well-being of the next generation of Aboriginal children." she said.

Lead Investigator Dr Catherine Engelke, from the Rural Clinical School of WA said KMMS was developed to meet the needs of Kimberley women.

"We have proven that it's a culturally safe and effective tool to identify perinatal mental health issues in our Aboriginal women in the Kimberley," Dr Engelke said.

Lead investigator Professor Rhonda Marriott, Murdoch University's Professor of Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing, said the project would have significant impact.

"Research that improves Aboriginal women's perinatal mental health and empowers Aboriginal women and their families in the transitions to parenting will flow on to have far reaching effects in society," she said.
How does consciousness arise? Researchers suspect that the answer to this question lies in the connections between neurons. Unfortunately, however, little is known about the wiring of the brain. This is due also to a problem of time: tracking down connections in collected data would require man-hours amounting to many lifetimes, as no computer has been able to identify the neural cell contacts reliably enough up to now. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology in Martinsried plan to change this with the help of artificial intelligence. They have trained several artificial neural networks and thereby enabled the vastly accelerated reconstruction of neural circuits.

Neurons need company. Individually, these cells can achieve little, however when they join forces neurons form a powerful network which controls our behaviour, among other things. As part of this process, the cells exchange information via their contact points, the synapses. Information about which neurons are connected to each other when and where is crucial to our understanding of basic brain functions and superordinate processes like learning, memory, consciousness and disorders of the nervous system. Researchers suspect that the key to all of this lies in the wiring of the approximately 100 billion cells in the human brain.

To be able to use this key, the connectome, that is every single neuron in the brain with its thousands of contacts and partner cells, must be mapped. Only a few years ago, the prospect of achieving this seemed unattainable. However, the scientists in the Electrons  Photons  Neurons Department of the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology refuse to be deterred by the notion that something seems "unattainable". Hence, over the past few years, they have developed and improved staining and microscopy methods which can be used to transform brain tissue samples into high-resolution, three-dimensional electron microscope images. Their latest microscope, which is being used by the Department as a prototype, scans the surface of a sample with 91 electron beams in parallel before exposing the next sample level. Compared to the previous model, this increases the data acquisition rate by a factor of over 50. As a result an entire mouse brain could be mapped in just a few years rather than decades.

Although it is now possible to decompose a piece of brain tissue into billions of pixels, the analysis of these electron microscope images takes many years. This is due to the fact that the standard computer algorithms are often too inaccurate to reliably trace the neurons' wafer-thin projections over long distances and to identify the synapses. For this reason, people still have to spend hours in front of computer screens identifying the synapses in the piles of images generated by the electron microscope.

Training for neural networks

However the Max Planck scientists led by Jorgen Kornfeld have now overcome this obstacle with the help of artificial neural networks. These algorithms can learn from examples and experience and make generalizations based on this knowledge. They are already applied very successfully in image process and pattern recognition today. "So it was not a big stretch to conceive of using an artificial network for the analysis of a real neural network," says study leader Jorgen Kornfeld. Nonetheless, it was not quite as simple as it sounds. For months the scientists worked on training and testing so-called Convolutional Neural Networks to recognize cell extensions, cell components and synapses and to distinguish them from each other.

Following a brief training phase, the resulting SyConn network can now identify these structures autonomously and extremely reliably. Its use on data from the songbird brain showed that SyConn is so reliable that there is no need for humans to check for errors. "This is absolutely fantastic as we did not expect to achieve such a low error rate," says Kornfeld with obvious delight at the success of SyConn, which forms part of his doctoral study. And he has every reason to be delighted as the newly developed neural networks will relieve neurobiologists of many thousands of hours of monotonous work in the future. As a result, they will also reduce the time needed to decode the connectome and, perhaps also, the consciousness, by many years.

More information: Automated synaptic connectivity inference for volume electron microscopy. Nature Methods, online 27 February, 2017 Journal information: Nature Methods Automated synaptic connectivity inference for volume electron microscopy., online 27 February, 2017 DOI: 10.1038/nmeth.4206
Thirty years ago a young anaesthetist, newly appointed as head of department at Calicut Medical College Hospital in the Indian state of Kerala, encountered a case that would change his life.

A college professor aged 42 with cancer of the tongue had been referred to him by an oncologist. The man was in severe pain and the anaesthetist, Dr M R Rajagopal, was asked if he could help. He injected the mandibular nerve in the jaw in a procedure known as a nerve block, and told the patient to return in 24 hours. Next day, the pain had almost completely gone and Dr Raj, as he is known, was pleased with his work.

"He asked me when he should come back. I told him there was no need to come back, unless the pain returned. I thought he would be happy I had cured the pain. Instead, he went home and killed himself that night."

It turned out that the oncologist had avoided explaining to the college professor that his cancer was terminal. Instead he had said he was referring him for further treatment.

"It was only when I told him there was no need to come back that he realised his cancer was incurable. He went home and told his family it was all over."

Dr Raj reaches for a glass of water. We are sitting in his simple home in Trivandrum, the leafy state capital, where he now lives with his wife, Chandrika, a pathologist. In front of us, a plate of yellow jackfruit gleams in the low afternoon light. A fan whirrs above.

That experience caused Dr Raj to examine his own practice. In addition to putting people to sleep for surgery, an anaesthetist's job is to tackle pain. So what was he missing, he wondered.

"In those days pain was all over the hospital. It was everywhere. We pretended not to see it, but it was there. Injections of morphine were used sparingly, after surgery and for patients injured in accidents. It was never used in cancer pain."

Medical staff coped with the suffering the same way they cope everywhere. "No one teaches you, but you learn to see only the disease, not the human being who has it. Maybe if there is nothing you can do it is easier to turn your back."

Dr Raj had had two earlier traumatic experiences involving the dying. Aged 18, in his first year in medical school, he had lived close to a man who had terminal cancer of the sweat glands. "I would hear him screaming in the night. He had nodules all over his scalp. The family knew I was a medical student and asked if I could do anything. I didn't know how  I was helpless. I am ashamed that I never visited him after that. I did not want to go there and feel helpless again."

Later, he was looking after a patient with a gangrenous toe who was in excruciating pain. "I asked my head of department if I could try a nerve block. He refused  it was not part of routine care and there was a shortage of anaesthetists. I had to tell the man there was nothing I could do. I still remember the look of hopelessness on his face."

When he became head of department at Calicut, there was no one to tell him what he could and couldn't do. That is how he came to treat the college professor. But his patient's suicide showed him that treating the pain was not enough.

"I realised that thinking about nerve blocks was too narrow. Pain is just the visible part of the iceberg of suffering. What is ignored is the part below the surface  feelings of hopelessness and despair, worries about money, about children. That is what palliative care is about. That man gave up his life to help me understand it."



We all wish for a pain-free, dignified death. Too few of us achieve it. Worldwide, the last year of life is marked by widespread unnecessary suffering. At least 40 million people need palliative care each year, but only around half that number receive it, according to the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance.

India comes near the bottom of the global league in access to end-of-life care  ranked 67 out of 80 countries in 2015  but Kerala is an exception. This small green and fertile state in the south-west has just 3 per cent of India's population but provides two-thirds of the country's palliative care services. These have developed over the last 20 years, driven by the local community and supported by a unique system of volunteers. Some claim it is Kerala's strong ethos of community involvement that is the secret behind its palliative care provision, which would be difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Dr Raj, one of the drivers of the movement, disagrees. "Yes, of course the strength of the community is important. But is Kerala the only part of the world where there are compassionate people? Is Kerala the only place where people who may have gained material success then want to do something meaningful with their lives?"

Now a youthful 69, he recognised early on that tackling pain and supporting the dying could not be achieved by medical staff alone. The need was too great. It would depend on harnessing the commitment of volunteers.

In 1993, after he had attended a course run by an English nurse, Gilly Burn, he and his colleague Suresh Kumar established the Pain and Palliative Care Society in Calicut, a town in the north of Kerala, together with an activist friend, Ashok Kumar, who ran a printing business and provided a vital layman's perspective.

"Six of us put in 250 rupees each, worth about 10 then," says Dr Raj. "We found two volunteers, young women with children at school, to register patients and sit and talk to them. Then I would come after work to see them."

The project took off after Burn, who ran a trust, Cancer Relief India, donated 100,000 rupees (4,000 in the mid-1990s), enabling them to appoint their first doctor. Calicut hospital provided two nurses.

"It very quickly got attention. In the hospital, we were working in a sea of suffering. But in the clinic, you could see people smiling, talking, finding comfort."

Within a year, it was being copied  by a medic whom Dr Raj met on a train and by a former student who wanted to open a clinic in his own town. The ball was rolling.

There was a limitation, however. It was exposed early on when a young man came begging for help for his mother, who was in severe pain. She lived in a remote spot where there was no road and could not be moved. When Kumar told the man that the doctors could not prescribe without seeing the patient, he broke down in tears. Kumar weakened and told the man someone would come. It was their first home visit. Gradually demand increased. Then someone donated a vehicle.

The doctors, working in their spare time, could not meet the demand alone. The organisation of the clinics and the home visits depended on volunteers. But the volunteers also provided the link between their communities and the service  they knew who was sick and where to get help. Over time, they became more and more involved. Some assisted with nursing tasks, following brief training, but most provided social care  advice, support, a shoulder to cry on.

By 2000, there were 30 palliative care groups in northern Kerala, run by volunteers and supported by mobile medical teams. Today, though there are no official figures, Dr Raj estimates there are 300 voluntary groups across the state, providing care to patients in their own homes, identifying those in need, and helping to direct limited medical resources to where they can do most good. Kerala is now a World Health Organization demonstration site for palliative care and plays host to a stream of international visitors wishing to learn how it was done.

The strength of the groups is that they have grown organically, rooted in their communities, by popular demand, and thus have strong local support. They are largely funded by local donations, some as little as 10 rupees (12 pence) a month.

They supplement the work of the 167 institutions licensed to dispense morphine and the 900 governmentfunded panchayats, or village councils, each of which employs a nurse who provides palliative care  though they may visit patients only once a month.



Thirty kilometres outside Trivandrum, in the district of Uzhamalakkal, the white van carrying the community team turns off the road and bounces along a rutted track to a group of houses half-hidden in the rubber trees. The team of doctor, nurse and volunteers enter a house where Surendran, a former rubber tapper aged 50, is lying on a bed naked to the waist, his lower body covered by a striped cloth. His chest rattles, his stick-like arms are drawn up to his face and his breath comes in painful rasps. He is in the terminal stages of lung cancer, and for the last week has been unable to swallow  food, liquid or morphine tablets. A Josco Jewellers calendar hangs on the bare cement walls, under a strip light, and a blanket covers the window. Mini, his wife, stands at the foot of the bed.

Dr Raj lays a hand on Surendran's arm and gently explains that, as he can not swallow, to treat his pain the morphine will have to be administered rectally. The nurse will teach Mini how to do it. Dr Raj asks if he has any questions. "Can I get out of this?" Surendran says. Before Dr Raj can answer, Mini intervenes: "Yes of course you can. You will get better."

Dr Raj suspects she knows the truth, but decides against trying to broach it with her at that point, worried about the reaction it might provoke. Just as a wrong dose of a drug can harm, so can an ill-chosen word, he says later. A reflective man, with kind eyes and neat moustache, he comes ever ready to lay a soothing hand on a fevered brow. Wearing a blue open-necked shirt and sandals, his gentle demeanour and soft voice put patients at their ease while he probes for their stories before quietly instructing his team, who hang on his words.

"We help people live at home and die at home. Most want that," he says. But Surendran's condition is extreme, and his suffering severe, so Dr Raj urges Mini to bring him to the city, where there are a few hospice-style beds. She says she can not leave her 17-year-old daughter alone, so Dr Raj suggests bringing her too. While neighbours are often supportive, in this case they stopped visiting when they heard Surendran had cancer. Mini says she will consider it. The volunteers will help arrange transport.

The group that requested the home visit, called Sangamam (meaning "confluence"), was started four years ago by Dileep, 43, the manager of a paint shop, whose wife died of cancer. It is one of 11 that have sprung up in the Trivandrum area in the last decade. They are supported by Pallium India  the organisation Dr Raj founded in 2006 after he retired from the government medical service and moved to the city  which provided the mobile medical team.

Sangamam is one of the most successful groups, with 12 active volunteers and another 50 whose help can be drawn upon. It is funded by donations from the local community. In this case, friends have been generous enough to allow Dileep to hire a nurse and buy some land, where he hopes to construct a clinic. The local panchayat gives 50,000 rupees a year for drugs. "Because they are convinced we are doing good work," Dileep says.

Guided by the Sangamam volunteers, the Pallium India team sees two more cases this Tuesday morning in January. One, a woman of 55, who had her tongue removed a month previously because of cancer, has developed severe pains in her neck, which prevent her sleeping. Wearing a pink sari, she breaks down in tears as it emerges from Dr Raj's careful questioning that she has argued with her son in a dispute over land, and he has left. Sobha, a volunteer, has learned from neighbours that the son is planning to get married but has not told his mother. She undertakes to contact him to try to negotiate a reconciliation. Palliative care, in this conception, is about tackling emotional pain, as well as the physical kind.



What Kerala has recognised, though the rest of the world has been slow to do so, is that the scale of the need for palliative care cannot be met by professionals alone. In the UK, the hospice movement provides the gold standard for end-of-life care. Yet just 4 per cent of deaths occur in hospices. Most people  over three-quarters in some surveys  say they would prefer to die at home, but less than a quarter do so.

Julia Riley, consultant at the Royal Marsden Hospital, London, and visiting professor at the Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College, says: "Hospices do terrific things  but there are not enough of them. We have got to get the service out into the community  it can be done at home. Only 10 per cent of people who are terminally ill need specialist palliative care. The rest need only generic care.

"Palliative care is so cheap. We can do so much, relative to other areas of medicine, for so little. Giving people a dignified death is so important  both for them and for their families."

In the UK, the number of deaths is rising as the postwar baby boomers age, says Max Watson, consultant in palliative care at the Northern Ireland Hospice and visiting professor at the University of Ulster. "To continue in the way we are  relying on hospices and specialist care  isn't an option," he says. "It is really important to democratise specialist knowledge. We need to engage carers, voluntary groups, nursing homes and patients themselves so they can be empowered to provide good-quality end-of-life care. Most of those helping are over 60 themselves. They are a fantastic resource we are not using properly."

In the US, hospice care is more widespread  45 per cent of Americans at the end of their lives in 2010 received hospice care, more than half of them at home. These are among the highest rates in the world, according to Atul Gawande in his book Being Mortal. However, spending on the US health system is widely acknowledged to be out of control, substantially outstripping the costs of comparable systems in Europe.

The Kerala model is thus drawing attention from around the world. The estimated 300 voluntary groups are often described as a network. This suggests, wrongly, that there is some overarching organisation that links them all. In truth they are a series of networks that have grown organically, from the ground up, wherever the community has decided there is a need. One of the biggest is the Neighbourhood Network in Palliative Care in northern Kerala, led by Suresh Kumar, Dr Raj's former colleague.

In Trivandrum, Pallium India, staffed by six doctors, five social workers and 20 nurses, provides five mobile medical teams to support the 11 local groups. It also runs an outpatient clinic and an inpatient unit with 17 beds at Arumana hospital in the city, and provides outpatient services at four government hospitals.

In 2016, the mobile teams made 6,397 home visits. Some patients are starving and Pallium India currently provides 225 families with a monthly food kit, containing basic supplies, and supports the education of 300 children, in addition to supplying free drugs.



The work of creating the voluntary groups starts with talking to local people, explaining that hospitals are no place for the dying and that caring for the terminally ill is the community's responsibility. The concept of palliative care has been extended to include the chronically ill and the paraplegic, such as stroke survivors and people with complications of diabetes, including blindness and amputation, who now constitute up to half the patients.

Once a group is formed, Pallium India encourages the organisers to register it  for the sake of transparency and to gain tax advantages on donations  and offers support with regular visits from a doctor or nurse. But the aim is that the groups should ultimately go it alone.

Their origin in the communities they represent is their strength. But the absence of any top-down organisation is also a weakness. It means there is no mechanism for spreading the concept to other parts of Kerala, or other parts of India. Organic growth is slow growth.

Out of frustration with the lack of progress, Dr Raj established Pallium India to act as an agency to spread palliative care more widely, beyond the state's borders. "What has happened in Kerala is beautiful. But it should not be stuck in Kerala. It could be 1,000 years before we get universal pain relief [across India]," he says.

With the help of grants from foundations, donations from well-wishers and support from the Tata group, Pallium India has established 23 palliative care centres across India by providing initial funding to interested groups, training doctors and nurses, and giving support.

Kerala has been a pioneer in other ways. Its government launched the first state Palliative Care Policy in 2008. Two other states, Maharashtra and Karnataka, have followed suit and a National Palliative Care Strategy for India was published in 2012. A working group appointed by Pallium India drew up a list of essential standards, including a minimum 10 days' training in palliative care for doctors and nurses, an uninterrupted supply of morphine, and documentation of patients' pain scores.

But Dr Raj, who lobbied for the strategies, is not satisfied. "I am upset when the palliative care community boast about what we have achieved. We are not doing nearly enough. 99 per cent of people in India do not get access to palliative care."

He pauses to reconsider this bleak assessment. "Okay, if I want to be optimistic, I can put it another way. 1 per cent of people do have access to palliative care. That is 12 million people."



Central to the provision of care for the dying is the alleviation of pain. But even this is not being satisfactorily achieved. India is the world's largest legal producer of opium for medical purposes. But most is exported to the West. Over 90 per cent of the world's morphine consumption is in the countries of North America and Europe. All middle- and low-income countries combined consume just 6 per cent.

Morphine is easy and cheap to produce. It is not the cost that restricts access, but the law. Morphine has been highly restricted in India since 1985. As a result, two generations of doctors have grown up unfamiliar with it. Misplaced fears about drug abuse have condemned millions of terminally ill patients to an unnecessarily painful death.

Kerala has again proved more enlightened than other Indian states. Since 1998, palliative care centres in Kerala have been permitted to administer the drug orally. Much more recently, in 2014, the law was finally relaxed to allow access to morphine across India.

But Dr Raj is again unimpressed. "Changing the law is not translated into practice unless someone is pushing it. The new law has not had a big effect. Figures show India uses 320 kg of morphine a year. To meet the need we would need to use 30,000 kg."

He added: "This is why it is vital to seize this moment, when the iron is hot. If we do not act now, it may be too late."

Volunteers are the linchpin of the Kerala model. Krishnaraj Manikoth, a retired chartered accountant who now helps at Arumana hospital, says the work offers a sense of purpose. "I worked for 30 years in Dubai. I had a comfortable life, two wonderful children  I was blessed. What bothered me was that I had not done anything for society. I wanted to give something back."

Sintu Suresh, a former journalist and speechwriter whose father died a painful death in an intensive care unit, says she wanted to protect others from over-treatment. "Doctors don't see the whole patient, the human being. They see only the disease," she says.

"I begged those treating my father to give him something for the pain. I told them they could keep sending the same bills but to stop torturing him. Only on the last day did they mention palliative care."

In the UK, it has been estimated that there are more than 100,000 volunteers working with hospices (and nearly 500,000 in the US). Few, however, visit patients in their homes. An exception is the Hospice Neighbours scheme run by St Nicholas Hospice in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Established in 2011, the service helps between 120 and 150 people with terminal illnesses in their homes at any one time, supported by more than 150 volunteers who provide comfort, companionship and assistance with household tasks. The scheme, started by chief executive Barbara Gale, won the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2014.

Gale interviewed 16 volunteers for a paper published in BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care in 2015. She found what chiefly motivated them was the opportunity to "make a difference". Many said they found the patients "inspiring", death became "less scary" and the experience made them think differently about life.



Death and dying are taboo topics in many countries. Essential medicines are in short supply and there is little spending on palliative care research. Dying is seen as a failure of the health system to successfully cure.

The pain of dying is compounded when families desperate to find a cure but ignorant of the poor prognosis are aided by doctors ready to impose high charges for ever more interventionist, but useless, treatments. The result is increased suffering for the patient and often penury for the surviving relatives.

The Kerala model helps protect its citizens from the excesses of the medical system by enlisting the support of the community to comfort the dying, enabling the terminally ill to be cared for at home, where most prefer to be, and providing support to bereaved families in their hour of loss. It is one from which the world can learn.

Since this article was written, Surendran has died.

Provided by Mosaic

This article first appeared on Mosaic and is republished here under a Creative Commons licence.


Researchers at the Universite libre de Bruxelles, ULB define for the first time the changes in the stem cell dynamics that contribute to wound healing.

One of the key questions in biology is to identify how tissues are repaired after trauma and understand how stem cells migrate, proliferate, and differentiate to repair tissue damage.

In a study published in Nature Communications, researchers lead by Pr. Cedric Blanpain, MD/PhD, WELBIO investigator, and Professor at the Universite libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, defined the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate wound healing in the skin.

The skin is the first barrier protecting the animals against the external environment. When the skin barrier is disrupted, a cascade of cellular and molecular events is activated to repair the damage and restore skin integrity. Defects in these events can lead to improper repair causing acute and chronic wound disorders. In the skin, distinct stem cells populations contribute to wound healing. However, it remains unclear how these different stem cells populations balance proliferation, differentiation and migration during the healing process.

In this new study published in Nature Communications, Mariaceleste Aragona, Sophie Dekoninck and colleagues define the clonal dynamics and the molecular mechanisms that lead to tissue repair in the skin epidermis. They used state of the art genetic mouse models to study different stem cells populations. Specifically, they use a technique called lineage tracing to mark stem cells and follow the fate of their progeny over time. Interestingly, they found that stem cells coming from different epidermal compartments present very similar response during wound repair, despite the fact that they are recruited from different regions of the epidermis. "It was particularly exciting to observe that the repair of the skin epidermis involves the activation of very different stem cells that react the same way to the emergency situation of the wound and have the power to completely restore the damaged tissue", comments Mariaceleste Aragona, the first author of the study. The authors defined the gene signature of the different regions surrounding the wound to uncover the gene expression signature of the cells that actively divide and those that migrate to repair the wound. "The molecular characterization of the migrating leading edge suggests that these cells are protecting the stem cells from the infection and mechanical stress allowing a harmonious healing process", comments Sophie Dekoninck, the co-first author of the study.

Altogether, this study provides important insights into the changes in the mechanisms that lead to tissue repair, and demonstrates that the capacity of the stem cells to regenerate a tissue does not depend on their cellular origin but rather on their proliferation capacity.

"This new study uncovers for the first time the dynamic of stem cells during wound healing and identifies new molecular players associated with skin regeneration. The deregulation of several of these genes in patients with chronic ulcers, suggest that defects in the formation and/or function of these two different structures may induce defect of wound-healing leading to chronic ulcer formation. Further functional studies will be needed to define the role of these genes and to identify new therapeutic targets to treat chronic wound disorders that cost each year billions of dollars", explains Cedric Blanpain, the senior and corresponding author of this new study.

More information: Defining stem cell dynamics and migration during wound healing in mouse skin epidermis. Nature Communications, 2017. Journal information: Nature Communications Defining stem cell dynamics and migration during wound healing in mouse skin epidermis., 2017. DOI: 10.1038/NCOMMS14684
(HealthDay)The Supreme Court of Florida has reversed a District Court of Appeal decision deeming information related to patient safety unprotected from litigation discovery, according to a report published from the American Medical Association.

In the Charles v. Southern Baptist Hospital of Florida case, the hospital was ordered to produce medical documents that were being used for patient safety and quality improvement efforts. A Florida appeals court overturned the court's decision, upholding protection of medical information used for patient safety efforts, based on the federal Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act (PSQIA) of 2005.

The PSQIA allows physicians and hospitals to share information about safety issues and incidents through a patient safety organization. Under the law, the confidentiality of these data were protected unless requested by a state administrative agency, in order to encourage information sharing without the fear that this information could be used against health professionals in a medical liability case.

The report notes that "despite the need for protections, the Supreme Court of Florida has reversed the district court's decision concluding that 'a health care provider or facility  cannot shield documents not privileged under state law or the state constitution by virtue of its unilateral decision of where to place the documents under the voluntary reporting system created by the [PSQIA].'"

More information: More Information

Copyright  2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Study confirms that trans and gender-fluid teens face a lot more hostility than their gender-conforming peers. Credit: iStockphoto

Transgender and gender-fluid teens, particularly those born male, face up to three times more mental and physical abuse at school and at home than their gender-conforming peers, according to a new study from UC Berkeley.

The study is one of the largest national surveys to date of sexual and gender minority adolescents who have suffered multiple forms of victimization, including child abuse, physical and sexual assault and bullying, raising their risk of depression, post-traumatic stress, self-harm and suicide.

"Our results show that approximately 50 to 70 percent of trans and gender-fluid teens reported being exposed to 10 or more different types of aggression," said study lead author Paul Sterzing, a UC Berkeley assistant professor of social welfare. "For these young people, victimization is happening in the home. It's happening at school. It's happening online. There often isn't a safe harbor for them."

The findings were published last week in the online edition of the journal Child Abuse & Neglect, coinciding with the Trump administration's repeal of federal protections of restroom preferences for transgender students.

The Obama administration last year issued restroom guidelines to safeguard transgender students under Title IX, which bans sex discrimination in schools. The U.S. Supreme Court in March will hear arguments on transgender teen Gavin Grimm's request to use the boys' restroom at his Virginia school under Title IX.

For their study, launched in 2015, Sterzing and fellow UC Berkeley researchers collected data from nearly 1,200 sexual and gender minority teens aged 14 to 19 who identify as transgender (male to female, and female to male), gender-fluid (no fixed gender) and cisgender (gays, lesbians, bisexuals and pansexuals whose gender identity matches their assigned birth sex).

Participants, who were given anonymity, were recruited through Facebook advertisements, an online recruitment video and community organizations that serve sexual minorities from across the country.

Among other things, they reported their experiences with more than 40 different forms of violence commonly suffered by adolescents. They also reported their socioeconomic status, mental health issues and family participation in religious activities.

School-based bullying was the most common form of victimization, reported by 69.2 percent of respondents. Transgender girls (male to female) reported the highest rates of cyberbullying while gender-fluid teens who were born male were more prone to be victims of sexual violence.

Overall, transgender and gender-fluid youths are at greater risk of experiencing multiple, overlapping forms of violence that occur in the home, school, neighborhood, and online, Sterzing noted. "Boys who don't conform to their assigned gender role were the most vulnerable subgroup of kids in our study," he said.

Sterzing is also the author of a forthcoming study that digs even deeper into dozens of environmental factors that make sexual and gender minority youths vulnerable to polyvictimization. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that 41 percent of transgender people will attempt suicide in their lifetimes, often attributed to high rates of bullying.

"The health outlook for young people who don't conform to socially prescribed gender roles will remain bleak if we look the other way," he said. "We as a society have to propose inclusive solutions to protect these vulnerable adolescents."

That said, Sterzing sees glimmers of hope in the millennial and post-millennial generations whose members are more accepting of gender fluidity.

"Although we have a long way to go, we're seeing important changes in young people's attitudes toward sexual and gender minorities that gives me hope we can reduce rates of violence and create more inclusive and affirming spaces for transgender and gender-fluid teens," Sterzing said.

Moreover, he said, the findings will hopefully motivate politicians, educators and families to show more compassion in the face of what young people who don't conform to gender expectations are experiencing.

More information: Paul R. Sterzing et al. Social Ecological Correlates of Polyvictimization among a National Sample of Transgender, Genderqueer, and Cisgender Sexual Minority Adolescents, Child Abuse & Neglect (2017). Journal information: Child Abuse & Neglect Paul R. Sterzing et al. Social Ecological Correlates of Polyvictimization among a National Sample of Transgender, Genderqueer, and Cisgender Sexual Minority Adolescents,(2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.02.017
WSU postdoctoral fellow Mark Caudell confers with Maasai research assistants to identify survey households. Credit: Washington State University

The death last year of a woman in Reno, Nev., from an infection resistant to every type of antibiotic available in the U.S. highlights how serious the threat of antimicrobial resistance has become.

Washington State University scientists are addressing growing global concern about the spread of antimicrobial resistance in Africa, where the World Health Organization predicts that, by 2050, drug resistant tuberculosis and other bacteria could lead to the deaths of 4.15 million people each year. Their work identifying practices that lead to bacterial transmission could help save African lives and prevent the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria to the U.S. and other parts of the globe.

How behaviors, culture affect transmission

Doug Call, a professor in WSU's Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Robert Quinlan, a professor in the Department of Anthropology, and Mark Caudell, a postdoctoral fellow, are the lead authors of a recent study in PLOS One investigating how human behavior, cultural context and living conditions in Tanzania affect the transmission of antimicrobial resistant bacteria from livestock to humans.

"If our work points to specific interventions, then it may be possible to reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance and to help African families have heathier and more productive lives," Call said.

"Addressing this problem now will also help us confront the risk of resistance traits and pathogens moving to other countries," he said. "Spokane (Wash.) is only two or three airline flights from just about any place in the world - meaning that antibiotic resistance can spread rapidly at a global scale and affect all of us."

Use of antibiotics, waiting period surveyed

The frequent and unregulated use of antibiotics on livestock is a potentially significant contributor to the transmission of antimicrobial resistance. The practice is widespread and understudied in low-income African nations like Tanzania where Call and Quinlan conducted their study.

The researchers surveyed members of three indigenous groups, the Maasai, the Arusha and the Chagga, to determine how 200 different socio-economic variables impacted both the use of antimicrobial drugs and whether a withdrawal period was being observed before the consumption of meat and milk from inoculated animals.

They found the Maasai were far more likely than the other groups surveyed to administer antimicrobials without the assistance of professional veterinarians, and only 7 percent of the Maasai households reported withdrawing from meat and milk consumption during and following antimicrobial treatment.

In comparison, 72 percent of the Arusha and 96 percent of the Chagga observed the withdrawal period.

The factors influencing the unregulated use of antimicrobials and the observance of a withdrawal period varied between the groups, the researchers found. For example, among the pastoral Maasai, consultation with veterinary professionals was negatively associated with the use of traditional healers, and observation of the withdrawal period was most strongly associated with owning technology.

Changing old practices, implementing new

Quinlan and Call are now analyzing bacterial isolates from people, livestock, poultry and dogs from the majority of the interviewed households as well as from wildlife. Their dataset includes over 50,000 bacterial isolates that will enable them to link the prevalence of antibiotic resistant E. coli and other bacteria to specific practices that can be changed.

In addition to the research component of their work in Tanzania, the WSU team is also helping the Maasai to integrate simple practices and tools into their day-to-day lives to address the spread of antimicrobial resistant bacteria.

This summer, Quinlan and WSU undergraduate interns will go to Tanzania to teach Maasai pastoralists simple, culturally appropriate methods for estimating livestock weight to prevent the over-dosing of animals.

The research team also has partnered with Marie Mayes, director of the WSU Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, and undergraduate students Annalise Miller and Victor Charoonsophonsak to develop a new digital thermometer to help the Maasai pasteurize milk, which will reduce the ingestion of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and pathogenic organisms.

Designing simple, tailored interventions

Their work fits into WSU's Grand Challenges, research initiatives aimed at particularly pressing societal concerns. In particular, the multidisciplinary team is helping address the challenge of sustaining health by tackling the onset and progression of disease and promoting healthy communities.

"Our study shows the risk factors for carriage of antibiotic resistant bacteria will vary depending on the socio-economic and cultural context of the population being studied," Quinlan said. "It provides us with valuable information for the design of simple interventions for these communities."

More information: Mark A. Caudell et al, Antimicrobial Use and Veterinary Care among Agro-Pastoralists in Northern Tanzania, PLOS ONE (2017). Journal information: PLoS ONE Mark A. Caudell et al, Antimicrobial Use and Veterinary Care among Agro-Pastoralists in Northern Tanzania,(2017). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170328
WASHINGTON  Like many presidents before him, President Trump is pushing a bold budget proposal. But for a business executive used to getting his way, he is likely to find, as his predecessors did, that final budgets often bear little resemblance to the originals after being run through the shredder on Capitol Hill.

Here is a look at some of the main issues hanging over the coming budget and spending fight.

What are the overall prospects for the deep domestic spending cuts proposed in the Trump budget?

Taking the ax to the Environmental Protection Agency or to State Department aid programs may excite Mr. Trumps supporters, but he is unlikely to succeed to the extent he would like.

His budget is simply a starting point and any cuts would have to be made through the congressional appropriations process. Though in the minority, Democrats retain significant leverage in crafting that legislation and can block bills they oppose in the Senate.
Minister: Britain's government faces tough decisions

Boris Johnson from fighting for Conservative Party leader over fears of losing income

Greece slams Turkish authorities' temporary ban on Greek official's entry

Scientifically proven: EU is inscrutable

OPEC: To avoid unrestrained volatility we need to invest in oil

Turkmenistan becomes regional energy center

Kishida pledges to strengthen Japan's naval and military capabilities

Germany and eight other EU member states plan to expand sanctions against Iran

NYT: Kyiv plans total evacuation in case of power outage

Iran reveals new air defense missile

IRGC neutralizes terrorist group in southwestern Iran

Bahrain to continue building relations with Israel after Netanyahu's victory

Iran says it confiscated a large batch of U.S.-made munitions

Iran successfully launches Ghaem 100 rocket, making the US nervous

U.S. sends warplanes to Iran

Washington Post: US privately urges Ukraine to show willingness to negotiate with Russia

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

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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

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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
STEPANAKERT.  The adversary violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between the Karabakh and Azerbaijani opposing forces more than 120 times, from late Monday night to early Tuesday morning.

During this time the Azerbaijani armed forces fired around 2,200 shots toward the Armenian position-holders, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh Republic) Defense Army informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

A more intense breach of the truce was recorded in the eastern and northern directions of the line of contact, where the adversary fired 15 mortar shells.

But the Artsakh defense army vanguard units are in full control over the frontline, and they continue confidently carrying out their military watch.
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is concerned about the exacerbation of the situation at the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, and he calls on all sides to refrain from any actions that would undermine the ceasefire agreement and urges the resumption of substantive negotiations.

Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, stated the aforesaid, according to TASS news agency of Russia.

We are concerned about recent reports of clashes along the Line of Contact in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, he noted. The Secretary-General underlines his full support for the ongoing efforts of the [OSCE] Minsk Group Co-Chairs [i.e. Russia, US, and France] and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office to reduce the current dangerous level of tensions and to prevent further escalation.

As reported earlier, the Azerbaijani armed forces launched an attack attempt on February 25.
YouTube users are browsing a billion hours of online videos daily. This was announced by YouTube vice president of engineering Cristos Goodrow , RIA Novosti reported.

We hit a big milestone on that journey: people around the world are now watching a billion hours of YouTubes incredible content every single day! he wrote. If you were to sit and watch a billion hours of YouTube, it would take you over 100,000 years. 100,000 years ago, our ancestors were crafting stone tools and migrating out of Africa while mammoths and mastodons roamed the Earth.

Google Corporation owns the Internet video hosting service YouTube, and since October 2015 it became a part of the Alphabet holding. The company gained control over Google Life Sciences, Calico, Sidewalk Labs, Nest, Google Ventures, Google Capital and Google X. The co-founders of Google, Larry Page and Sergey Brin took the position of General Director and President of Alphabet.
YEREVAN.  The Survey for Seismic Protection Agency of Armenia recorded a magnitude-3.9 earthquake in the country, on Tuesday at 10:17am local time.

The epicenter of the tremor was 5 km northwest of Kapan town, the hypocenter of this quake was 10 km beneath the surface.

The seismic activity measured magnitude 5, at the epicenter.

The earthquake was felt in Kapan, where it measured magnitude 5, and in Goris and Kajaran towns, where it measured magnitude 4-5.

In addition, a magnitude-3.3 aftershock was registered.

But no casualties, injuries, or major devastation have been reported in Kapan and Goris.

We evacuated all children from the facilities; there were aftershocks, Mayor of Kapan, Ashot Hayrapetyan, told Armenian News-NEWS.am. Now, the classes are held as normal.

Mayor of Goris, Vachagan Adunts, however, noted that even though there were no aftershocks at present, they had decided to send the schoolchildren home.

Classes have been temporarily suspended, he stated.
Employees of Russian and Israeli embassies are waiting for a response of the Azerbaijani side to the request for a meeting with Alexander Lapshin, Lapshins attorney, Edward Chernin told RIA Novosti.

According to him, the date of the beginning of trial of famous blogger is unknown.

Chernin also commented on the media publication about a possible meeting of Lapshin with his wife in Baku.

It so far questionable, he said.

After his visits to Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) in 2011 and 2012, blogger Alexander Lapshin was blacklisted by Azerbaijan.

In June 2016, however, he paid a visit to Azerbaijan--but with a Ukrainian passport--and, subsequently, he published several articles criticizing the Azerbaijani authorities.

Afterward, Azerbaijan issued an international search for this famous blogger. On December 15, 2016, Lapshin was detained in the Belarusian capital city of Minsk, and based on this search.

On January 26 of the current year, the Minsk city court dismissed the blogger's appeal of the Belarusian General Prosecutor's Office decision to extradite him to Azerbaijan.

On February 7, the Supreme Court of Belarus dismissed the appeals that were filed into this case, and upheld the aforesaid decision by the General Prosecutor's Office.

On the evening of the same day, the famous blogger was extradited to the Azerbaijani capital city of Baku, where he was taken into custody.

According to analysts and human rights defenders, however, Alexander Lapshins case may become an appalling precedent that curtails the freedom of speech of foreigners and the freedom of movement of Armenian citizens.
STEPANAKERT.  In accordance with the arrangement reached with the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic/NKR), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Mission will conduct a planned monitoring of the Line of Contact between the armed forces of Artsakh and Azerbaijan.

The monitoring will be held on Wednesday, in the direction of Askeran Region, near Shykhlyar settlement, the Artsakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

From the positions of the Defense Army of the Artsakh Republic, the monitoring will be conducted by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk; and his field assistants Ghenadie Petrica (Moldova) and Khristo Khristov (Bulgaria).

The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh have expressed their readiness to assist in holding the monitoring and to ensure the safety of the OSCE Mission members.
YEREVAN.  The OSCE Minsk Group is attempting to save itself and maintain its existence, said Russian political scientist Alexander Skakov.

He stated this speaking at Tuesdays discussion on the internal and external factors of the rising of tension at the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.

In his words, the existence of this group is not beneficial for Azerbaijan.

The OSCE Minsk Group can be criticized for being passive, incapable, noted Skakov. But it is the only format of the peace process for the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

The analyst added that, after the tension last springwhen Azerbaijan had unleashed a large-scale military aggression against Karabakh, pressure was put on all the parties to this conflict.

And this forced Azerbaijan to agree to some agreements [i.e. in the Austrian capital city of Vienna, and in Saint Petersburg, Russia], he recalled. But it was clear that they are not signed, and Baku can easily forego them, which it did.

Alexander Skakov noted that, under these conditions, both Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh should have the chance to respond, even disproportionately, to Azerbaijans provocations.

Nonetheless, if we are thinking about peace, the creation of a monitoring system [at the conflict zone] is a necessity, he concluded. But, I dont yet see [any] particular prospects for such a process.
YEREVAN.  The Prime Minister of Armenia, Karen Karapetyan, on Tuesday received Associated Television International Founder and President David McKenzie.

They discussed the avenues for increasing the international recognition of, presenting the tourism opportunities in, and making the tourism promotion of Armenia, press office of the government informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

McKenzie noted that his TV production company is going to shoot documentary on Armenia, and which aims to make it more recognizable to the world as the first Christian country, present the Armenian people, history and culture, and increase tourist interest in Armenia.

PM Karapetyan expressed gratitude for this initiative. Also, he noted that the Government of Armenia underscores the steps toward increasing the tourism appeal of the country, and stands ready to discuss respective proposals.
The Constitutional Court of Turkey has dismissed the case launched by the Armenian MP of the Turkish Parliament Garo Paylan in respect of depriving him of the right to participate in three sessions of the legislative body after using the word ''genocide.''

According to Istanbul-based Armenian newspaper Agos, the Constitutional Court of Turkey informed about its decision on Paylan's case through the ''Official newspaper.'' This decision was adopted by the majority of votes in the court.

During his speech in the Turkish parliament on January 13, Garo Paylan was interrupted because he used the word genocide. His speech was deleted from the parliamentary minutes and he was banned from the parliament for 3 sessions.
Enlargement of political parties and formation of political coalitions is going on in Armenia at this moment; that is a welcome development, and we have been striving to achieve that.

President Serzh Sargsyan on Tuesday stated the aforesaid in his address at Carnegie Europe think tank in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium.

In his address, Sargsyan also said, in particular:

Strong civil society, along with the separation of powers, is one of the best mechanisms for checks and balances.

That was the driving force behind the process of constitutional reforms we initiated in our country, and it has been going on for over two years. The amended Constitution has defined more precisely the authority framework for different branches of power, stressing the respect for human rights and making the voice of people heard in all areas. As a result, in our country has already commenced the process of building such a political system in which the influential actors will be not the individuals but political forces, political institutions. Enlargement of political parties and formation of political coalitions is going on in Armenia at this moment; that is a welcome development, and we have been striving to achieve that. Political parties are getting consolidated as stable institutes; smaller parties are disappearing or merging together.

For Armenia, to amend the Constitution was a bold step aimed on one side to the decentralization of the government, on the other hand  at the strengthening of the legal and constitutional order, which will allow to eradicate unacceptable manifestations of the post-Soviet flaws, decrease the corruption risks and provide the best possible conditions to move the country forward on the path of sustainable development.

In coming weeks, Armenias political system will undergo a serious test: at the beginning of April, in accordance with the amended Constitution and the new Electoral Code, we will conduct parliamentary elections. Fundamental changes were introduced into the Electoral Code as well, some of which resulted from the unprecedented dialogue and consensus between the authorities, opposition, and the civil society. To ensure a considerably greater public trust towards the electoral process and to conduct free and fair elections, we have actively introduced contemporary technical measures for the election monitoring. Moreover, in line with the wishes expressed by the opposition, we agreed to introduce such transparent and novel approaches towards which certain reservations were voiced by the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe. We agreed to do it because at this point a greater trust towards the process was the most important objective.

With this regard, I express gratitude to all our international partners, and particularly to the European Union, for the assistance provided from the very beginning of the process. The reformation process and its results have been praised by our international partners, such as the OSCE/ODHIR, the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, and the European Union.

We have set the bar high: to conduct democratic, free, fair, and transparent elections. I have no doubt that we will reach this goal, and the atmosphere of the elections and the results of the entire process will prove the aptness of our approaches.

When we started the process of constitutional reforms, our major objective was not just to introduce a parliamentary model of government but to further strengthen democratic institutions through the decentralization of the authority and introduction of a fully proportional voting system. I think with this regard Armenia sets a positive example for other post-Soviet and regional countries.
Azerbaijans new attempts to engage in a military adventure can have unpredictable consequences for Azerbaijan itself.

The President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, on Tuesday stated the aforementioned in his address at Carnegie Europe think tank in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium.

In his address, Sargsyan noted, in particular:

The reckless four-day military escapade carried out by Azerbaijan in April 2016 was the epitome of Bakus years-long belligerent policy and ideology. It dealt a heavy blow to the NK peace process. Azerbaijani aggression proved once again that the struggle of the people of Artsakh for living safely on their own land and be free has no alternative. This is not an opinion, but the reality created and imposed on us by Azerbaijans policy.

There are strictly defined agreements reached in Vienna and Saint Petersburg after the April war, related to upholding of the unlimited tri-party ceasefire agreements of 1994-1995 and on the creation in the conflict zone of the mechanisms to investigate violations of the ceasefire regime. However, Azerbaijan, true to its long-standing tradition, refuses to implement these agreements and declares that their implementation will allegedly reinforce the existing status quo in Nagorno Karabakh.

If Azerbaijan is truly concerned with changing the status quo in Nagorno Karabakh, there is only one way to do it  to recognize the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh for self-determination.

It would be naive to assume that Azerbaijan was unaware of the heavy blow it dealt to the peace process, to reinforcing the status quo, to pushing pack the peace process. Obviously, Baku is using the Nagorno Karabakh conflict to divert the attention and rising discontent within its own society related to the pressing social and economic issues and blatant violations of human rights in the country.

For that very reason, Baku recently stated that Nagorno Karabakh was its internal affair. It has been for years that the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, namely France, Russia and the US, who form the agreed international format, have been mediating the Nagorno Karabakh issue. Someone in Baku might have had a bad dream and based on that deluded himself that these three major international actors have put aside their own complicated issues and suddenly chose to engage in Azerbaijans internal affair.

This was just an episode from the theater of absurd which is being staged in Baku. We encounter it almost on a daily basis. However, sincere outbursts also happen. On one such instance, the leader of Azerbaijan, trying to boost his very significance in front of his subordinates, admitted publicly that at the negotiations behind the closed doors he was under pressure to recognize independence of Nagorno Karabakh, and he was the sole person able to withstand the pressure coming from the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, as mediators, are also called upon to prevent possible escalation in the area of conflict. Negotiations conducted under the shelling hold no promise.

That is the stage the Artsakh conflict resolution process has reached now. Both Artsakh and Armenia are in principle against the use of force and are in favor of solving the problem as soon as possible through peace negotiations.

Azerbaijans new attempts to engage in a military adventure can have unpredictable consequences for Azerbaijan itself. Armenia, as the guarantor of Nagorno Karabakhs security, has stated on many occasions that it was ready to respond adequately to any attempt to use force.

Despite Azerbaijans incessant threats, the people of Artsakh continue to build resolutely their own future. On February 20, a referendum took place in Nagorno Karabakh on constitutional reforms.

The people of Artsakh have voted for the presidential model of governance. As you see, with regard to the system of governance, the positions of Armenia and Nagorno Artsakh differ; however, the resolve to build a democratic system is unwavering. The people of Artsakh have been manifesting that resolve for decades  they formed through the elections their executive, legislative, and local government bodies. The people of Artsakh dream of no other future and are busy with creating a free society based on human rights and basic liberties.

Just as anyone in the democratic world, people of Artsakh have every right to enjoy all universal and fundamental freedoms. People of Artsakh know better than anyone the price of being free because they paid for it with the blood of their sons. Today, Artsakh is building democracy under fire. Azerbaijan, meanwhile, is trying to silence the voice of freedom, urging to condemn democratic processes in Artsakh. While Artsakh is taking consistent steps on its path towards a consolidated democracy, its neighbor Azerbaijan, especially at the current stage, has been taking consistent steps towards the establishment a totally hereditary tyranny.

I see that all gathered here are notable experts. If there are alternative mechanisms of governance and self-organization for unrecognized entities, I would appreciate if you let us know. It is hard to explain to our colleagues in Artsakh why the unrecognized Kosovo can cooperate with the OSCE/ODHIR and form its governmental institutions democratically, while some think that the people of Artsakh cannot do it. Even though Armenia has not recognized independence of Kosovo, by the virtue of financing the OSCE budget we are part of that process. I am confident that the international community should start to gradually assist Artsakh in its democratic processes, regardless of the status of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
The new Armenia-EU agreement is first and foremost a political document that allows us to accommodate various interests towards the vitality of the so-called policy of both, and.

The President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, on Tuesday noted the above-said in his address at Carnegie Europe think tank in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium.

In his address, Sargsyan said, in particular:

Yesterday with [European Council] President Tusk we announced that the negotiations on the Armenia-European Union framework agreement have basically been concluded.

The new Armenia-EU agreement is first and foremost a political document that allows us to accommodate various interests towards the vitality of the so-called policy of both, and. It is true that back in 1996, we signed the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to regulate the relations between Armenia and EU. It, however, was not fully reflecting either the real scope, or depth, or the ambitions of the Armenia-EU relations. Therefore, with the new Agreement we will register the achievements and development milestones and announce that we will continue to develop our bilateral agenda in all areas.

It is important that this cooperation is based on shared values. Even at the most difficult junctions of its history Armenia has never been confronted with making a civilizational choice. Nobody is forcing upon us the implementation of democratic reforms; it is our choice. Our people view themselves as Europeans: our spiritual and cultural heritage and our lifestyle are European. It is no coincidence that today hundreds of thousands of Armenians reside in Europe, and are exemplary citizens, whose talents and hard work serve their countries. They also present an important link which connects Armenia and the European Union.

It is true that Armenias accession to the EAEU at the initial stage was received as a thorny issue by some of our western partners. I am glad that time made things fall into place and sorted them out.

We are ready to promote the mutually beneficial EU-EAEU relations to make them closer. Armenia is interested in the Pan-European cooperation. We are fully aware that cooperation is the best way to solve the existing issues, while confrontation and a policy of creating new dividing lines has no future.

At the same time, Armenia has historically accumulated a rich experience with Iran, and our current close economic, political and cultural contacts make Armenia a good platform for those European companies that might wish to enter Iran. Developing an exemplary regional cooperation with Iran, Armenia has good prerequisites of becoming the safest and the shortest transit route connecting the seaports of the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea. That was the reason behind the inclusion of the North-South highway, which runs from the seaports of Georgia to Yerevan and further to the border checkpoint with Iran, among the main routes of the European Union.

Friendly relations between Armenia and Georgia are an important element of the security in the South Caucasus. With Georgia, we have always able to address every issue in the atmosphere of good-neighborly relations and mutual understanding. We have never conditioned our relations with the relations with third countries.

Current cooperation between Armenia, as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, and Georgia, as an EU associated partner, proves that there are new opportunities for the mutually beneficial cooperation.

Armenia is ready to become a stable partner in the region which will encourage the process of ironing out differences existing between the major actors, developing the avenues for the economic advancement and forming efficient investment policy.

Distinguished Colleagues,

In conclusion, I would like to stress again the importance of a durable peace in the world and in our region. I strongly believe that any conflict can be solved through the joint efforts of the international community. It is symbolic that at the Yerevan Brandy factory there is a peace cask that is surrounded by the flags of Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan and countries of the OSCE Minsk Group. It is just a sign, one among many, of our anticipation of peace and reconciliation. We are looking forward to the day when we will herald to the world the establishment of a long-awaited peace in our region and celebrate it with our world-renowned brandy, opening new opportunities of development for all those living in the South Caucasus.
Recent developments prove that Armenia has been able with scarce resources to form a flexible economic system.

President Serzh Sargsyan on Tuesday said the abovementioned in his address at Carnegie Europe think tank in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium.

In his address, Sargsyan also noted, in particular:

It is well-known that sustainable development is one of the most critical components of the public security, while with regard to a state, development cannot be sustainable unless it is based on a strong economy.

Recent developments prove that Armenia has been able with scarce resources to form a flexible economic system. These achievements are called to verify that the main source for our economic development is the human capital. I will give you one example: the area of information and communication technologies in recent years has become one of the locomotives of our economy. In this area, Armenia is working with prominent companies such Microsoft, IBM, Sysco, D-Link, Oracle, Synopsis, Mentor Graphics and others. There are nearly 400 enterprises functioning in Armenia in this area alone, with the number of employees close to 15 thousand. In this sphere, the women in Armenia are among the most engaged in the world. In this area we register a 20-25% increase on average each year; it makes nearly 4% of the GDP which is comparable to that of many developed countries.

It would be hard to ensure through the standard models of economic development the level of advancement that would allow us to withstand the current global challenges. Therefore, we need a new vision with innovative approaches and solutions. We have been able to form an economic system that is free of the impact of the raw natural resources. Armenia differs positively from a number of the regional countries, where the economic crises of the recent years resulted in the destabilization of the economy and devaluation of the national currency. Armenia proved that even under a blockade and limited availability of resources we were able to form a stable and predictable economy, which registered progress with regard to a number of international indices, in particular, the World Bank Doing Business 2017, as well as most recent reports by the Fitch Ratings. In accordance to Doing Business 2017, Armenia has improved its standing by five points and occupies the 38th position among 189 states while Fitch rated Armenia stable with B+.

Our new government, which was formed at the end of last year, has come up with the impressive reforms agenda. The reforms should enhance the level of recognizability of the country and investment attractiveness, especially for the European investors; it will boost the public-private partnership, ensure a comprehensive state assistance to the business projects which will encourage a rapid economic growth.
STEPANAKERT.  President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan on Tuesday received personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk.

The meeting addressed a number of issues related to the situation along the contact line between the Nagorno Karabagh and Azerbaijan armed forces.

Special attention was paid to the penetration attempt made by the Azerbaijani subversion unit on 25 February. The President described it as a provocative policy directed to undermining peace and stability in the region. Within this context the Head of the State highlighted the need for targeted and tough response by the international community considering it an important component in containing the destructive policy waged by the adversary.
STEPANAKERT. - Lieutenant General of the Defense Ministry of the Artsakh Republic, Levon Mnatsakanyan who is also the Commander of the Defense Army, on Tuesday received Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-inOffice, Andrzej Kasprzyk.

The sides discussed the recent developments in the eastern and southeastern sections of the contact line between the ArtsakhAzerbaijani opposing forces.

Mnatsakanyan presented the Ambassador proofs witnessing about the aggressive actions of Azerbaijan, noting that although the Artsakh Defense Army is ready to neutralize the adversarys inroads, it continues to support the peaceful solution of the conflict.
MOMAD Shoes engages in sustainable fashion

Spain

The upcoming edition of the international footwear and accessories trade show taking place March 4-6 in Madrid, Spain, will host the Sustainable Experience concept with the participation prestigious footwear labels.

Held in in Halls 5 and 7 of Feria de Madrid, MOMAD Shoes aims to focus on sustainable and socially engaged fashion that promotes ethical and environmental principles, not just economic, in their different production and marketing processes.

The show organisers have scheduled a wide range of activities in this respect and will host the Sustainable Experience area, where leading companies in sustainable footwear such as El Naturalista, Kayak Storm and Lofs will present related projects, and explain the parameters that they use in the manufacturing and sale of their products. A variety of young companies will also share the space with a selection of designer collections especially adapted to the multi-brand channel. The concept has been developed with the collaboration of Sustainable Fashion Associations from across the country.

On March 5, the Technological Institute for Footwear and Related Industries, Inescop, and the Technological Centre for Footwear of La Rioja, CTCR, will host a roundtable discussion titled Sustainable technological processes applied to footwear. Inescop will present the development of sustainable materials such as chrome-free tanned leather, new materials from renewable sources and solvent-free adhesives, alongside the importance of complying with regulations on dangerous substances that affect footwear and its components (REACH regulations). In its third edition solely dedicated to footwear, MOMAD Shoes is the biggest showcase of Made in Spain footwear, and will present the new collections for the coming Autumn/Winter 2017-18 season.
YEREVAN. - The 11th joint consular session between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Iran took place in Yerevan on Tuesday.

The session was attended by the representatives of the Armenian MFA, as well as ministries of Justice, Education and Science, Transport, Communication and Information Technologies.

The session participants discussed the process of implementing the arrangements reached during the 10th joint consular session held in Tehran, expressing readiness to contribute to the development of relations between the two countries within the scope of their competences.

At the end of the meeting, head of the Armenian MFA Consular Department, Vladimir Karmirshalyan, and his Iranian counterpart, Ali Chegini, signed a memorandum of cooperation.
The leader of Poland's Law and Justice party Jaroslaw Kaczynski accused Donald Tusk, the head of the European Council in violation of the basic principles of the EU.

According to him, Donald Tusk shouldnt have violated the principle of neutrality in the internal affairs of the EU Member States. "Donald Tusk openly supports the Polish opposition, which does not hide its intention to overthrow the state by anti-constitutional methods," Kaczynski.

Kaczynski added, that all those who violate the principle of neutrality "in no case can count on our support."
STEPNAKERT. - After the recent incidents, when the attack attempts of the Azerbaijani armed forces appeared to be a total failure and the adversary left 5 bodies in the neutral zone, being driven away to its starting positions, it seemed that the latter would refrain from further adventurism.

However, at 3:40 pm on Tuesday, the Azerbaijani armed forces used SPIKE anti-tank guided missile in the southeastern (Martuni) direction of the contact line, this proving that the adversary is deliberately escalating the situation at the frontline, which is fraught with unforseeable consequences.

According to the press-service of the Artsakh Defense Ministry, the Artsakh Defense Army has suffered no losses as a result of the use of the anti-tank guided missile by the adversary.

Besides using an unmanned aerial vehicle, the adversary continued to violate the ceasefire regime by firing shots from rifle weapons (10 shells) of different calibers, including AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher and 60 mm mortars (2 shells).

The Defense Ministry of the Artsakh Republic states that it is ready for any developments, while the entire responsibility of the further escalation in the line of contact will fall on the military and political leadership of Azerbaijan.
Russia and China blocked the UN Security Council resolution, which calls for sanctions against Syrian officials who were involved in the use of chemical weapons in the country, RIA Novosti reported.

The authors of the draft resolution are two permanent members of the Council, France and the UK, later supported by the United States. The document stipulates sanctions on 21 Syrian officials allegedly linked to the use of chemical weapons in 2014-2015.

Russia and China, which are permanent members of the UN Security Council, imposed a veto on the document. It is the already the second time since the beginning of the conflict in Syria that Russia has voted against resolutions about the situation in Syria.
BRUSSELS. - President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, who is on a working visit to Belgium, on Tuesday met with President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker.

Thanking for the warm reception, the Armenian President expressed satisfaction with the rather loaded and efficient agenda of his working visit. He also expressed hope that the discussions held with European People's Party (EPP) President Joseph Daul in an open atmosphere, as well as the meetings to be held with EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and newly-appointed President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani will certainly contribute to the deepening of cooperation between Armenia and EU.

Furthermore, Sargsyan underscored the importance of announcing along with President Tusk the conclusion of the negotiation process taking place round the new Armenia-EU Framework Agreement for over a year. According to him, the new agreement will serve as a solid legal ground for the expansion and development of Armenia-EU relations in the coming years, while the mutual commitments reflected therein will also be directed at the large-scale political and economic reforms of Armenia, which are the basis of the mutual relations.

President Sargsyan also expressed hope that in addition to the agreements reached, the sides will in the future work towards the involvement of Armenia-EU investments and that the EU support to Armenia will continue. Sargsyan considered it an undeniable fact that the cooperation with the EU has already greatly contributed to the significant progress in the sphere of economy, justice, state administration, as well as democracy and strengthening of the institution of defense of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Armenia.

Besides, the interlocutors referred in detail to the Armenia-EU relations and their prospects. President Sargsyan also stressed that being an EAEU member-state, Armenia attaches great importance to the development of Armenia-EU economic relations aiming to continue the reforms and advance their agenda in various spheres.

During the meeting, the situation in the region and recent developments were discussed as well. Moreover, Serzh Sargsyan and Jean-Claude Juncker touched on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The President briefed the latter on the recent developments and concerns on the settlement of the conflict. He highly appreciated the balanced stance of EU on the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh issue, this being in line with the efforts and statements of the OSCE Minsk Group, the only internationally recognized format of the conflict settlement.

Apart from this, the sides exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, including the Syrian crisis, migrant crisis and the humanitarian aid provided by Armenia and various other states to the friendly people of Syria and Syrian Armenians.
BRUSSELS. - We can speak with satisfaction about the joint achievements in the Armenian-EU relations throughout the recent two years.

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said the aforementioned at the meeting with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini in Brussels on Tuesday.

At the meeting reference was made to the reforms implemented in different spheres of Armenia, the large-scale work implemented after the Constitutional amendments aimed at the further development and strengthening of democratic institutions in the country, as well as the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Upon the request of Ms Mogherini, President Sargsyan briefed her on the preparatory activities, thanking for the EU support to the holding of elections.

The interlocutors also discussed the Karabakh conflict settlement process, as well as the existing issues and concerns. The President presented in detail the destructive conduct of Azerbaijan and its regular provocation on the state border of Armenia, as well as its withdrawal from the implementation of the agreements reached in Vienna and Saint Petersburg, which according to him, challenge the long-term efforts and the entire negotiation process aimed at the peaceful settlement of the conflict.
Pro-IS Telegram Channel Urges Jihadists in Bangladesh to Smuggle Weapons Into and Fight in Myanmar, Train Rohingya
Motorola Solutions, Telstra and Ericsson deliver world first, 3GPP LTE Broadcast enabled PTT (Push-To-Talk) on Telstras live LTE network

The call used technology based on the 3GPP release 13 standard known as MC-PTT (Mission Critical Push To Talk over LTE). It demonstrates another key service Telstra can deliver on its LTE Broadcast enabled LTE Advanced Network for Emergency Services (Telstra LANES Solution)

The technology will extend the capabilities of Telstras LANES Solution to provide for PTT services with prioritized access to Telstras LTE Network and preferential data treatment once on that network, that work with and complement existing mission critical LMR networks

Barcelona, Spain  Feb. 28, 2017 - Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI), Ericsson, Telstra and Qualcomm Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated have achieved the first LTE Broadcast enabled PTT call on Telstras commercial LANES Solution. Telstras LTE Broadcast capability allows PTT group calls to be delivered simultaneously to all members of a group call with high assurance, low latency and separated from regular mobile traffic.



The enabling technology is based on the 3GPP release 13 standard known as MC-PTT over LTE. The technology is viewed as complementary to existing, highly secure and available mission critical LMR services and can cost-effectively extend assured PTT service to a greater number of users via mobile devices. It will allow PSAs (Public Safety Agencies) and enterprises to do two things: extend PTT capabilities to more users via both hardened devices and regular smartphones; and provide complementary coverage and capacity to LMR networks.



The successful LTE Broadcast enabled PTT call was made possible through Motorola Solutions depth of experience in mission-critical communications for public safety, Ericssons flexible and efficient network infrastructure, Qualcomm Technologies LTE Broadcast supported Qualcomm Snapdragon platform and Telstras vast network resources and expertise in defining and deploying next generation communications standards and capabilities.



Bruce Brda, executive vice president Products and Services with Motorola Solutions says: Customers all over the world rely on Motorola Solutions to deliver mission-critical communication solutions and we look forward to advancing both the standards and technologies needed to deliver this new service. While mission-critical LMR systems will continue to provide the critical means of frontline communication for many years to come, this new 3GPP based technology provides an excellent way of extending the reach of LMR networks to many more technology users, regardless of whether they communicate with a smartphone, hardened device or a desktop computer.



Mike Wright, Telstra Group Managing Director, Networks says: Telstra has been providing PTT services to PSAs and business for many years. As our customers needs change, we are working to ensure they have prioritized access preferential treatment for voice and data services to help them keep the community safe. With this world-first LTE Broadcast enabled PTT call, we have shown that our LANES network can provide reliable prioritized communications to both PSAs and business customers with critical communications needs. PTT is part of Telstra's LANES roadmap for our Public Safety customers and complements the data and VoLTE services already available using this world-leading technology.



This paves the way for Motorola Solutions, Telstra, and Ericsson to undertake further network trials this year and for commercial services to be available from 2018, harnessing the prioritized access and priority data capabilities that LANES offers for critical communications today.



Per Narvinger, Head of Ericsson RAN says: This first LTE Broadcast enabled PTT call on Telstras live commercial network demonstrates the capabilities of Ericssons LTE solution and is a good example of how LTE Broadcast (eMBMS) can deliver unique new services for our customers.



The solution combines the capabilities of Telstras prioritized access LANES Solution with Ericssons LTE Broadcast solution, Motorola Solutions WAVE 7000 PTT technology and its LEX L10 mission-critical, ruggedized LTE handsets, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with LTE modem.



The solution delivers critical communications capabilities including optimized push to talk latency, flexible talk group management and call pre-emption for LTE devices such as smart phones, tablets, and desktop computers. The use of LTE Broadcast allows faster call setup times, reduced PTT latency and uses efficient downlink bandwidths for group PTT calls.



The addition of an assured PTT service to Telstras prioritized access LANES Solution comes after the launch of Telstras LANES Emergency solution in 2016, which included VoLTE for Public Safety capability. Combined, the LANES solution and LTE Broadcast enabled PTT will provide PSAs and critical applications with prioritized access and preferential treatment for voice and data services. The teams will continue to develop the full 3GPP Mission Critical Push to Talk Release 13 and 14 capabilities and undertake network testing to optimize solution performance and measure key metrics such as coverage, latency, and capacity.



About Motorola Solutions

Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) creates innovative, mission-critical communication solutions and services that help public safety and commercial customers build safer cities and thriving communities. For ongoing news, visit http://newsroom.motorolasolutions.com .




Art Tanderups farm has been a busy place these last few years. In 2012, a representative of the oil giant TransCanada showed up at his door, offering a handsome check to let the company build a pipeline across his land, which sits atop Nebraskas Ogallala Aquifer. He said no. Since then, Tanderup Farms has become a base of resistance to the Keystone XL pipeline, hosting everything from a music festival (guests included Willie Nelson and Neil Young) to sacred corn plantings by Ponca elders.

But the mood at the farm has been less than festive since November 8. As soon as the election was over, we had a feeling, says Tanderup. We didnt know how soon, but we knew [Keystone] was probably on Trumps agenda.

Tanderup is speaking with me by phone from his home in Antelope County. We last talked in early 2015, during the height of the fight against the 1,179-mile pipeline extension, which NASA scientist James Hansen has dubbed the fuse to the biggest carbon bomb on the planet.

Following years of fierce opposition from Native tribes, climate groups and landowners like Tanderup, the Obama administration rejected permits for Keystone in November 2015, stopping the pipeline in its tracks.

Then Donald Trump arrived at the Oval Office. Just four days after his inauguration, Keystone was back on the table by way of executive memorandumalong with the Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL), halted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers late last year.

The first days of the Trump administration can only be described as a full frontal attack on the climate. Within an hour of Trump being sworn in, the new administration scrubbed all mentions of climate change from the White House website. Instead, the site is now home to An America First Energy Plan, which promises to repeal Obamas Climate Action Plan, ramp up oil and gas drilling on public land and revitalize the coal industry.

Then, on February 1, a career oilman, former Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson, was confirmed as secretary of state, effectively putting U.S. foreign policy in the hands of an industry that threatens civilization as we know it.

Judith LeBlanc, director of the Native Organizers Alliance and a member of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma, was on the ground in Standing Rock, N.D., when Trump resuscitated the pipelines. She has been a frequent visitor to the encampments that water protectors set up to block DAPL in spring 2016, and she says few there were surprised by the news. People here, she told me, see Trump as a clear and present danger to everyone.

That same night, organizers around the country staged emergency anti-pipeline rallies. The two largest, in Washington, D.C., and New York City, drew thousands of protesters. LeBlanc and others are heartened by these rapid responses. But accompanying protests, she argues, must be a drive to translate grassroots leadership into governing power.

Photo by Bernard Menigault/Corbis via Getty Images

What the world needs now

One thing is clear: A Trump presidency precludes any real hope of decreasing U.S. carbon emissions levels. The task at hand, scientists say, is to rapidly decarbonize the economy and keep some 75 percent of known fossil fuel reserves underground in order to avoid a 2 degree Celsius global temperature rise. Right now, the White House and GOP are moving at breakneck speed in the opposite direction. The planet cant wait this out for eight years: Trump must go, and soon.

So the climate movement needs to make sure a Democrat defeats Trump in 2020. But even that wont necessarily be enough. Democrats, unlike their GOP counterparts, clear the low bar of acknowledging that climate change is real. But given the chance, centrist Democrats tend to opt for industry-friendly measures like cap and trade, whose complex, technocratic framework leaves plenty of wiggle room for polluters and fails to inspire public enthusiasm. To beat Trumpand stave off climate catastrophewe need a Democratic Party that eschews the politics of compromise and embraces a low-carbon populism that is unafraid to take on big business.

How do we get the party we need? We build it from the ground up. At the local level, populist platforms animated by a concern for the climate are already winning at the ballot box and changing local and state policieseven in the face of strong oil industry and Republican opposition. This down-ballot insurgency can build the momentum needed for both a fighting Democratic Party and real climate action.

Water protectors at Standing Rock celebrate on Dec. 4, 2016, upon hearing that the Army Corps of Engineers refused to grant a permit to build the Dakota Access Pipeline under the Missouri River. (Photo by Andrew Lichtenstein / Corbis via Getty Images)

As goes arvin...

Take the small town of Arvin, Calif., where grassroots environmentalism is already winning elections. In November 2016, the town elected as its mayor 23-year-old Jose Gurrola, who ran on a platform of banning new fracking wells and regulating existing ones. Gurrola defeated two opponents, both Democratic councilmen unwilling to take on the oil and gas industry.

Arvin is fertile ground for this combination of populist and climate-focused politics. Nestled in Californias Central Valley, the town was home to the first migrant laborer housing built as part of the New Deal, immortalized as the Weedpatch Camp in Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath. Today, Arvin is home to just over 20,000 people, many of them undocumented farmworkers. Gas and oil wells dot the town. Because of Kern Countys unique geographysurrounded on three sides by mountainsthe toxins spewed out by extraction and agriculture remain trapped in the air above the small city.

As a result, Arvin faces a mounting public health crisis, with air quality oscillating between the worst and second-worst in the nation, depending on the month. Fracking-related flares spout flames and toxic chemicals into the air. Some residents have already been displaced as the result of contaminated water.

In 2015, the Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment (CRPE), a Central Valley environmental justice group, tried to ban fracking in Arvin via a city ordinance. When that failed, CRPE organizer Lupe Martinez and his colleagues realized that the only way to stop industry from pulling the strings of local politics was to elect their own advocate.

Through its electoral arm, the group became the force behind Gurrolas campaign. Using a texting app borrowed from the Bernie Sanders campaign and going door to door, Gurrola and CRPE staff talked to voters about the air pollution rampant in Arvin and the need for clean energy.

But Gurrola and CRPE also understand that environmental issues cant be addressed in isolation.

Trumps embrace of the oil and gas industry represents a clear and present danger to residents of Arvin, but so, too, does his draconian immigration agenda. Arvin is one of 12 towns in California where fewer than half of residents are U.S. citizens, and many are already reporting an uptick in ICE raids since Trumps inauguration.

Our communities are so scared of whats happening nationally, says Martinez. We need to take care of the fear first. For many, he says, the stakes are simple: If Ive got a problem with my green card ... I cant help you with the other things youre doing on methane or on water. It cant be just one issue that were focused on.

So as Gurrola works to ban fracking locally, hes also searching for ways to defend his constituents against deportation. The city has begun drafting a resolution that would limit local police cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Meanwhile, CRPE is also thinking about how local climate fights can serve as a launchpad to propel grassroots leaders into progressively higher office. At some point, says Martinez, Gurrola is probably going to get the experience to become a [California] assemblyman. And I hope he does ... Im hoping thats what weve started here. Martinez, who worked for years with the United Farm Workers, also hopes that Gurrola will be the first of many green candidates to run in Kern County.

Its not hard to imagine this brand of independent politics taking root in other towns like Arvin. A 2014 In These Times investigation found that fracking wells in California are most likely to be situated in low-income communities. That such communities are already bearing the brunt of gas and oil drilling may help explain why a November 2015 Pew poll found that 37 percent of Americans making less than $50,000 annually were concerned that climate change would harm them personally, compared to just 21 percent of those making more than $50,000 a year.

Whats the matter with davos?

At last years UN climate talks in Morocco, a former climate adviser to the British government issued a prescient warning: If [mitigating] climate change is labeled as an elitist, global project, which is what UKIP and [Marine] Le Pen want to do, then its dead.

Like the climate crisis itself, Trumpism is a global phenomenon, tied to an uprising against the impacts of neoliberal economic policies that have concentrated global capital in a few hands and left whole countries and communities devastated. Le Pen, Trump and other right-wing populists have successfully cast this as a conflict between a liberal cultural elite and a beleaguered working class, obscuring the role of unfettered capitalism. That Davos regulars like Al Gore, Elon Musk and Leonardo DiCaprio are some of the climate movements most recognizable faces should be deeply troubling to anyone invested in a livable future. If climate change is considered a trendy, elite cause, the planet is doomed.

Part of the problem is that even the most passionate of climate activists would be hard-pressed to find an emotional stake in policies like cap and trade, usually negotiated behind closed doors to offer few, if any, benefits to ordinary people. Navigating the path toward a low-carbon future in the era of Trump, then, means giving ordinary people a stake in climate policy, and making it about much more than science.

Thats exactly what Peoples Action hopes to do. Rooted in Saul Alinsky-style community organizing, the national organization has in recent years adopted climate change and the environment as central issues, alongside local and state efforts to beat back austerity. Making these two fights one and the same has led to the groups greatest successes, says Jordan Estevao, one of its senior strategists.

In late 2016, for example, Peoples Action helped to pass the Illinois Future Energy Jobs Billwhich funds renewable energy, as well as job training and energy efficiency programs targeted at low-income communitiesthrough its two affiliates in the state, Illinois Peoples Action and Fair Economy Illinois. Key to doing that, says Estevao, was emphasizing how much these measures could bring down energy bills and drive local economic growth in areas that needed it most.

Until were affirmatively naming how these changes are going to benefit our communities, folks are going to be disinterested, if not opposed, says Estevao.

A similar measure is now being pushed in New York state by NY Renews, a coalition of labor, climate and racial justice groups aiming to hold Gov. Andrew Cuomo to his promise to act as Trumps progressive foil.

Campaigns like those in Illinois and New York can pressure Democrats to line up behind progressives plans, driving a greater wedge between the party and the GOP. As state-level efforts multiply, they can change the national conversation about what climate action looks like, attracting a diverse group of supporters and dismantling the image of environmentalism as the provenance of elite policy wonks. Designed well, climate legislation can deliver real jobs and savings, posing a tangible alternative to Trumps fabricated job claims.

In addition to organizing and policy work, Peoples Action serves as a leadership pipeline. The program grooms organizers who get involved in its campaigns to run for office, first at the hyperlocal level and then for higher posts.

The Native Organizers Alliance, a Peoples Action affiliate, has a similar philosophy. Founded out of the struggle to extend the Affordable Care Act to Indian Country, it has been building up a network of grassroots leaders across Native American communities on a number of fronts, including climate. Theres a fracturing of the GOP and the Democratic Party, says Judith LeBlanc, who serves as the alliances director. That opens up opportunities for more independent politics rooted and based on values and issues.

The kind of politics she envisions is one led by grassroots organizers who possess a deep understanding of how federal and state policies impact their communities.

Jane Kleeb stands in the Nebraska Sand Hills, on land Keystone XL is slated to cross. (Photo by Lucas Oleniuk / Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Nebraskas party crashers

This might look something like the political revolution underway in Nebraska, where pipeline fighters and Sanders Democrats have taken control of their state Democratic Party. Thanks to Sanders win in the states Democratic caucus in March, his supporters made up the majority of delegates to the partys June convention. These delegates helped vote a slate of progressive reformers into the partys top positions.

Jane Kleeb, the new chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, was a Sanders surrogate during the caucus fight. She now serves on the board of Our Revolution, the official next phase of the Sanders campaign, which works to elect candidates in down-ballot races nationwide. But long before that, she spent four years crisscrossing Nebraska as one of the most visible faces in the states fight against Keystone.

After founding the progressive group Bold Nebraska in 2010, the self-described mom in a mini-van (she and her husband, Scott, have three daughters) embarked on a quest to end what she calls eminent domain for private gain. That entailed recruiting ranchers and farmers like Art Tanderup, whose land the pipeline threatened, to join lawsuits aiming to slow or stop the project. Some of these suits are ongoing, she notes, which will mean a lengthy legal process for TransCanada if it wants to continue construction.

We were able to create this real movement in Nebraska against Keystone XL, not because of the science behind climate change, but because of the emotional tie to the land and water, says Kleeb.

Kleeb also hopes to use her position at the helm of the state Democratic party to test out a more blue-collar approach to decreasing Nebraskas carbon emissions. Democrats should talk about why we need a hard-hat revolution of clean energynot only to tackle climate change, but to bring steady, good-paying jobs to our rural and urban communities, she says. That is a completely different frame than talking about electric cars.

For example, she hopes to pitch green jobs to the states voters as a driver of both economic growth and emissions reductions, with a heavy emphasis on the former. The state partys platform on energy opposes fracking, fossil fuel subsidies and Keystone while supporting renewablesthe near-opposite of Trumps.

So while the pipelines specter once again haunts the heartland, veterans of the fight against it are on stronger footing than ever.
WHO Publishes First List of Bacteria Where New Antibiotics 'Urgently Needed'

"Antibiotic resistance is growing, and we are fast running out of treatment options. If we leave it to market forces alone, the new antibiotics we most urgently need are not going to be developed in time," said Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO's assistant director-general for Health Systems and Innovation.

The World Health Organization on Feb. 27 published its first-ever list of antibiotic-resistant "priority pathogens," as the UN agency termed them  12 families of bacteria that pose the greatest threat to human health. The list was created as a way to guide and promote research and development of new antibiotics as part of WHO's efforts to address growing global resistance to antimicrobial medicines, and it highlights the threat of gram-negative bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics.

"This list is a new tool to ensure R&D responds to urgent public health needs," said Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO's assistant director-general for Health Systems and Innovation. "Antibiotic resistance is growing, and we are fast running out of treatment options. If we leave it to market forces alone, the new antibiotics we most urgently need are not going to be developed in time."

The WHO list is divided into critical, high, and medium priority needs. The most critical group includes multidrug-resistant bacteria that pose a particular threat in hospitals, nursing homes, and among patients whose care requires devices such as ventilators and blood catheters. They include Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and various Enterobacteriaceae (including Klebsiella, E. coli, Serratia, and Proteus). These can cause severe and often deadly infections, such as bloodstream infections and pneumonia, and have become resistant to a large number of antibiotics, including carbapenems and third-generation cephalosporins, according to WHO's announcement.

It says the high and medium priority categories contain other increasingly drug-resistant bacteria that cause more common diseases and food poisoning caused by salmonella. G20 health experts are meeting this week in Berlin, Germany, and Hermann Grohe, federal Minister of Health for that country, agreed that "We need effective antibiotics for our health systems. We have to take joint action today for a healthier tomorrow. Therefore, we will discuss and bring the attention of the G20 to the fight against antimicrobial resistance. WHO's first global priority pathogen list is an important new tool to secure and guide research and development related to new antibiotics."
Every generation has its favorite spots and for no one is that more true, perhaps, than for vinyl enthusiasts.

Of the places that have disappeared, one thinks of Atomic Records or, going back further, Radio Doctors. But, some of our parents or grandparents might think of the Helen Gunnis Music Shop, a successful business run by a pair of Milwaukee sisters.

Located at 765 N. Broadway, the shop sold records and phonographs and books about music. In time, the store became the city's premier outlet for classical music.



Helen Gunnis Music Shop, 1947. (Photo: Milwaukee Public Library)

Gunnis reportedly came to Milwaukee (perhaps from Chicago) to teach music at Milwaukee Public Schools and also sang with her sister Lilian as the Gold Dust Twins at the French-inspired Alhambra Theater for Samuel "Roxy" Rothapfel. Surely she played a role in Rothapfel's revival of the sagging Alhambra.

"Under Roxy's supervision," write Larry Widen and Judi Anderson in "Silver Screens: A Pictorial History of Milwaukee's Movie Theaters," "the three-thousand-seat theater became for a time the largest motion picture house in the world. Roxy installed a nursery for the convenience of matinee-going mothers, hired a staff of ushers, installed a projection booth, ordered new carpets and draperies, and covered the orchestra pit."

And, he hired the Gunnis sisters to sing what the Sentinel called "operatic airs and ballads of a high order."

When Rothapfel left the Alhambra, the sisters joined Hugo Bach's band and sang in parks, restaurants and in churches on Sunday mornings. On Sunday evenings they performed recitals at the Maryland Hotel, on 4th Street, just south of Wisconsin (razed in 1984).

Gunnis appears to have entered the record business by accident. In 1914, she was working as a stenographer at Gimbels and took a new job in the store's music department, ordering and selling music rolls. Later she moved to the music department at Schuster's on 12th and Vliet, then ran the record department at Fischer's (later called Klode's) furniture store and ultimately worked for the Edmund Gram Piano Co.

She opened her own shop with her sister Stella  who kept the accounts  in 1936.

"We rented a small store at 226 E. Mason St. (now home to Executive Edge Salon) for $75 a month," she told the Sentinel in 1967. "We thought we had taken the world on our shoulders. At first it was rough. Young people would buy records for 25 cents or 50 cents down, but we never lost a nickel. Then a miracle happened. From 1936 to 1938, there was an 800% national increase in record sales. The same men who had prophesied our doom now said that we were psychic."

The sisters weathered the difficult times during World War II and when it ended, they moved to the larger space pictured here.

According to Milwaukee Public Library, Helen Gunnis formed the Milwaukee chapter of the National Association of Record Dealers in 1949.

A woman (apparently not a Gunnis sister) in the shop in 1947. (Photo: Milwaukee Public Library)

By 1950 their shop had moved down the street to 630 N. Broadway. Shortly before the move, the Gunnis' lost their sister  and Helen's singing partner  Lilian.

The shop closed in 1958 after 22 years in business.

"Everyone thought we were crazy when we went into the record business in 1936," Helen Gunnis told the Milwaukee Sentinel in 1958, speaking about opening a music store during the Depression. "Even people in the trade were skeptical. But we had faith records would come back, and they did."

But in 1967, when the Milwaukee Sentinel's H.E. "Jamie" Jamison headed over to the Blackstone Apartments on Juneau and Van Buren to catch up with the Gunnis sisters for his "Jaunts With Jamie" column, they told a tale of woe that sounds eerily familiar to indie bookstore and record store owners in the Internet age:

"People would come into the shop, listen to a recording, write down the number and name of the label and then send to New York for it," said Stella. "This started the decline of shops dealing in classical records, not only in Milwaukee but across the country. The end came when the recording companies started record of the month clubs. We had to liquidate in 1958, we hadn't made a nickel in the last two years we were in business."

But Helen still viewed the experience contentedly.

"We had 22 years of fun and made a host of friends," she told Jamison.

Helen died in 1976 at age 86. Her sister Stella, whose birthday was day before Helen's, died in 1978 at the age of 90.

The 765 space is now occupied by Enterprise Credit Union and you can still see the balcony and a few other features of the space if you look very, very closely. I did just that a while back while snapping this photo and was a little surprised the credit union staff didn't seem more skeptical of my nosiness.

I was, however, a little saddened that no music was playing.
About

By 2050, some two-thirds of all people will live in cities. So how do we accelerate progress? And just how smart can cities become?

Over six weeks, Devex and its partners  Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD), BearingPoint, XII Metropolis World Congress and UN-Habitat  will explore what it takes to build a successful smart city, how climate resilient and environmentally friendly infrastructure and technologies are being implemented, and how actors in the global development community are working together towards common goals and engaging local communities in an inclusive way. Well break down the constituent elements of a smart city and examine what it takes to move from commitment to action by creating more efficient and resilient cities.

Drive the conversation forward by following#smartcities and tagging @Devex.
Comparative growth of aspergilli. Credit: Ad Wiebenga & Ronald de Vries, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands

In the world of fungi, Aspergillus is an industrial superstar. Aspergillus niger, for example, has been used for decades to produce citric acida compound frequently added to foods and pharmaceuticals through fermentation at an industrial scale. Other species in this genus play critical roles in biofuel production, and plant and human health. Since the majority of its 350 species have yet to be sequenced and analyzed, researchers are still at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding Aspergillus' full potential and the spectrum of useful compounds they may generate.

In a study published February 14, 2017 in the journal Genome Biology, an international team including researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (DOE JGI), a DOE Office of Science User Facility, report sequencing the genomes of 10 novel Aspergillus species, more than doubling the number of Aspergillus species sequenced to date. The newly sequenced genomes were compared with the eight other sequenced Aspergillus species. With this first ever genus-wide view, the international consortium found that Aspergillus has a greater genomic and functional diversity than previously understood, broadening the range of potential applications for the fungi considered one of the most important workhorses in the biotechnology.

"Several Aspergillus species have already established status as cell factories for enzymes and metabolites. However, little is known about the diversity in the species at the genomic level and this paper demonstrates how diverse the species of this genus are," said study lead author Ronald de Vries of the Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute in the Netherlands. "One can't assume that an Aspergillus species will have the same physiology as a better studied species of the genus."

The study, conducted through the DOE JGI's Community Science Program, also demonstrates the importance of evaluating biodiversity within a genus to understand how fungi can be greater utilized to solve a variety of problems.

A Catalog of Enzymes for Biotechnological Applications

Sequencing a diverse set of Aspergillus genomes allows researchers to build a more comprehensive catalog of enzymes for biotechnological applications, added DOE JGI Fungal Genomics Program Head Igor Grigoriev, senior author of the paper. Those applications include harnessing Aspergillus to help protect crops and ward off agents that can cause diseases in plants.

Comparing the newly sequenced genomes to those already available, researchers found a huge variety of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) among the Aspergillus species, suggesting distinct strategies to break down plant biomass. CAZymes are responsible for breaking down plant cell walls, useful for industrially processing plants the DOE considers candidate bioenergy crops. The sugars that are part of these cell walls can't be accessed and fermented to make biofuels unless the walls are broken down by agents like CAZymes.

"Each of these 10 genomes encodes for a unique composition of CAZymesand the wider assortment helps formulate enzyme cocktails better suited for different types of plant biomass to efficiently convert them into biofuels," Grigoriev said.

In addition to biofuels, CAZymes can also help facilitate the production of paper, textiles, food, feed and pharmaceuticals, according to de Vries.

Pursuing a Deeper Exploration

The comparative analysis between the genomes also enabled researchers to uncover a high diversity of genes that: 1) allow the fungi to produce secondary metabolites, compounds that may be useful for applications such as crop protection; and, 2) enable the fungi to tolerate stress. The knowledge gained in secondary metabolism and stress response will help to provide more insight in the mechanisms underlying these functions.

But despite the new insights gained, de Vries emphasizes that much still remains unknown about the full spectrum of what Aspergillus can do. "There is [still] much to learn and get from a better study [of Aspergillus]," he said. "The potential for applications within the genus has barely been touched." Grigoriev adds: "Encouraged by results of this study we now pursue a deeper exploration of the Aspergillus genus, sequencing the remaining 300 species, each carrying a unique composition genes, enzymes, and pathways."

All of the fungal genomes are available on the DOE JGI's Fungal Genomics portal MycoCosm. Letters of Intent are currently being accepted for the DOE JGI Community Science Program (CSP) and must be submitted online by March 31, 2017. The CSP Annual Call is focused on large-scale sequence-based genomic science projects that address questions of relevance to DOE missions in energy security and sustainability and global biogeochemistry. Click here for more information regarding the CSP call.

More information: Ronald P. de Vries et al. Comparative genomics reveals high biological diversity and specific adaptations in the industrially and medically important fungal genus Aspergillus, Genome Biology (2017). DOI: 10.1186/s13059-017-1151-0 Journal information: Genome Biology
The adhesions (green) of strongly adherent and poorly migrating metastatic cancer cells. Credit: Alexander Fuhrmann

How strongly tumor cells adhere to the surrounding tissue could indicate the likelihood that cancer will spread to other parts of the body, according to a study published February 28 in Biophysical Journal. Using a spinning disc device, the researchers found that tumor cells characterized by weak adhesion strength are more likely to migrate and invade other tissues compared with strongly adherent cells. The study may provide a much-needed marker to identify highly metastatic cells within a broader tumor cell population.

"There is no common biological marker that says that a tumor is more likely to spread," says senior study author Adam Engler of the University of California, San Diego. "However, our device shows that there may in fact be a physical marker that is predictive of the likelihood of spreading."

Cancer cells spread by detaching and migrating away from the primary tumor to form a secondary metastatic site. However, only a small subset of cancer cells from a tumor or even from a cancer cell line is capable of forming secondary tumors. Efforts to identify a universal molecular marker that identifies metastasizing cells across tumor types have been unsuccessful.

By contrast, some studies have suggested that a biophysical markerthe strength with which cells attach to the surrounding tumor tissuecould indicate the likelihood of secondary tumor development. But even within an individual tumor, cells exhibit substantial variability in their adhesive strength. "We reasoned that understanding adhesive heterogeneity within an invasive population may improve our ability to physically monitor cancer cells and predict invasive behavior," says study co-author Afsheen Banisadr, a Ph.D. student in the Engler lab at the University of California, San Diego.

The adhesions (green) of less adherent and migrating metastatic cancer cells. Credit: Alexander Fuhrmann

To test this idea, Engler's lab teamed up with co-author Thea Tlsty of the University of California, San Francisco, to build a custom spinning disc device that could measure the adhesion strength of breast and prostate cancer cells of varying metastatic potential. The researchers attached cells to a coverslip coated with extracellular matrix proteinsmolecules that provide structural and biochemical support to the surrounding cells. Then they mounted the coverslip on a spinning rod and applied force in a quantifiable and reproducible manner across the cell population, measuring the shear required to detach the cells from the extracellular matrix protein-coated coverslip.

Using this spinning disc shear assay, they found that metastatic cells exhibit remarkable heterogeneity in their adhesion strength, unlike their non-metastatic counterparts. Strongly adherent metastatic cells exhibit less migratory behavior, similar to non-metastatic cell lines. Taken together, the findings suggest that adhesion strength may serve as a general, highly accurate marker of metastatic cells.

Building on these findings, Engler and his team have developed a second-generation device that isolates weakly adherent migratory cells. In future studies, they will test whether these cells, when injected into mice, will form tumors at a higher rate than a general population of tumor cells. If this hypothesis is correct, the researchers will then examine tissues adjacent to tumors in mice and humans to detect these weakly adherent cells and correlate their concentration to cancer-free survival times for patients.

The spinning disc device with the spinner submerged in buffer to test a sample. Credit: Afsheen Banisadr and Pranjali Beri

"If we find a correlation between low numbers of weakly adherent tumor cells in the tissue surrounding a tumor and long cancer-free survival times, we believe that this could serve as an indicator for metastatic potential of the patient's tumor," says study co-author Pranjali Beri, a Ph.D. student in the Engler lab at the University of California, San Diego.

In the future, clinicians could use this device to examine tumor biopsies and estimate the likelihood of metastasis, using this information to assess whether patients might need more aggressive treatment at earlier disease stages. "However, patients should realize that that the timing for these results to hit even the initial clinical trials is several years away," Engler says.
Despite their potential, many English learners (ELs)who account for more than 9 percent of K-12 enrollment in the U.S.lag behind their English-speaking monolingual peers in educational achievement, in part because schools do not provide adequate instruction and social-emotional support to acquire English proficiency or access to academic subjects at the appropriate grade level, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Moreover, early care and education providers, educational administrators, and teachers are not given appropriate training to foster desired educational outcomes for children and youth learning English.

The variability across state certification requirements influences the content offered to certification candidates by higher education and other preparation programs to equip them with the knowledge and competencies required to be effective educators of children and youth learning English. State and professional credentialing bodies should require that teachers, care and education practitioners, administrators, guidance counselors, psychologists, and therapists serving English learners up to 21 years of age receive preparation to work effectively with these students. Credentialing should cover pre- and in-service training, as well as coursework that focuses on literacy development.

Based on federal definitions, the report uses "dual language learners" (DLLs) when referring to children up to age 5 acquiring their language skills at home, in their communities, or in early care and education programs. The report uses "English learners" when referring to children enrolled in pre-K-12 schools. DLLs and ELs are members of every major racial/ethnic group and include both U.S.- and foreign-born youth. Most come from Latin America and Asia. DLLs and ELs are highly concentrated in traditional immigrant destinations, such as California, New York, and Texas; however, they increasingly live in new destination states, such as Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, which are not prepared to meet their education needs.

"The cultures, languages, and experiences of ELs are highly diverse and constitute assets for their development, as well as for the nation," said Ruby Takanishi, senior research fellow at New America in Washington, D.C., and chair of the committee that conducted the study and wrote the report. "Because literacy lies at the center of success in educational systems, educating dual language learners and English learners effectively is a national challenge with consequences both for individuals and for society. Despite their linguistic, cognitive, and social potential, many of them are struggling to meet the requirements for academic success in American schools, a challenge that jeopardizes their prospects in postsecondary education and the workforce with consequences for their health and well-being."

Limited proficiency in English presents a high barrier to academic learning and performance in schools in which English is the primary language of instruction and assessment, the report says. DLLs/ELs face a number of additional barriers to learning opportunities and educational success that go beyond their English proficiency, such as poverty, living in families with low levels of education, parents' immigrant generational status and years in the United States, and attending under-resourced schools. At the same time, DLLs/ELs have assets that may serve them well in their education and future careers. Those who become proficient in both a home or primary language and in English are likely to reap benefits in cognitive, social, and emotional development and may also be protected from brain decline at older ages.

Regarding whether the extent to which ability in the first language supports or hinders the acquisition of a second language, the committee found no evidence to indicate that the use of two languages in the home or the use of one in the home and another in an early care or education setting confuses young children or hinders the development of one or both of their languages. Being fluent in two or more languages is a natural human attribute; the majority of the world's population is bilingual or multilingual.

Children given the opportunity to learn another language early in life benefit from their capacity to communicate in more than one language and may show enhancement of certain cognitive skills, as well as improved academic outcomes in school. All teachers of DLLs can learn and implement strategies that systematically introduce English during the infant, toddler, and preschool years while simultaneously promoting maintenance of the home language. This strategy is important because when DLLs are exposed to English during the preschool years, they often show a reluctance to continue speaking their first language. DLLs who don't maintain proficiency in their home language may lose their ability to communicate with family members and may risk becoming estranged from their cultural and linguistic heritage. In order to improve support for DLLs, the report says that federal and state agencies with oversight of early care and education programs should follow the lead of Head Start and Early Head Start by providing specific evidence-based program guidance, practices, and strategies for engaging and serving DLLs and their families and monitor program effectiveness.

It can take from five to seven years for a child who initially has no or limited proficiency in English to learn the English necessary for participation in the school's curriculum without further linguistic support, the report says. Secondary schools continue to fail to meet the diverse needs of long-term ELstypically students who have not been reclassified as English-proficient after seven yearsincluding their linguistic, academic, and socio-emotional needs.

Assessment of the educational progress of DLLs/ELs can yield concrete and actionable evidence of their learning, which is necessary for teachers, students, parents, and school and system leaders to improve educational practices. While well-established standards for assessing students exist to guide practice, there is a gap between these standards and how assessments of DLLs/ELs at the individual student and system levels are actually conducted, the committee found. Federal and state agencies and organizations that regulate programs for DLLs and ELs should give all providers of these services and local education agencies information about the range of valid assessment methods and tools and guidelines for their appropriate use, the report says.

The committee looked at specific populations of DLLs and ELs, such as those with disabilities, which account for about 9 percent of the DLL/EL population. It found that DLLs and ELs are less likely than their English-speaking monolingual peers to be referred to early intervention and early special education programs, which can affect their educational trajectories. In addition, early childhood education, home visiting, health, and other professionals are not identifying all DLLs and ELs with special needssuch as those with an autism spectrum disorder or language impairmentwho could benefit from such programs. The U.S. departments of Health and Human Services and Education should direct programs to strengthen their referral and linkage roles in order to address low rates of identification of developmental disorders and disabilities in DLLs and ELs and their referral to appropriate services.

The committee also looked at American Indian and Alaskan Native communities, for which language revitalization is an important goal. Evidence indicates that participation in strong revitalization programs can have a positive impact on student achievement in school, the report says. Local education agencies that serve American Indian and Alaskan Native communities that are working to revitalize their indigenous languages should take steps to ensure that schools' promotion of English literacy among students does not compete or interfere with those efforts.

The committee outlined a research agenda that identifies knowledge gaps about DLLs and ELs, specifically regarding understanding the influences on their educational success. It includes research on policy, demographics, language development and proficiency, effective programs and practices, students with disabilities, development of valid assessments, and preparation and continuing development of educators.

Provided by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
The superlattice is made up of two interpenetrating sublattices, one diamond, shown in green, and the other pyrochlore, shown in red. Preformed red tetrahedral clusters and green spheres self-assemble into a MgCu2 superlattice. Credit: NYU Tandon School of Engineering

Colloidal particles, used in a range of technical applications including foods, inks, paints, and cosmetics, can self-assemble into a remarkable variety of densely-packed crystalline structures. For decades, though, researchers have been trying to coax colloidal spheres to arranging themselves into much more sparsely populated lattices in order to unleash potentially valuable optical properties. These structures, called photonic crystals, could increase the efficiency of lasers, further miniaturize optical components, and vastly increase engineers' ability to control the flow of light.

A team of engineers and scientists from the NYU Tandon School of Engineering Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, the NYU Center for Soft Matter Research, and Sungkyunkwan University School of Chemical Engineering in the Republic of Korea report they have found a pathway toward the self-assembly of these elusive photonic crystal structures never assembled before on the sub-micrometer scale (one micrometer is about 100 times smaller than the diameter of a strand of human hair).

The research, which appears in the journal Nature Materials, introduces a new design principle based on preassembled components of the desired superstructure, much as a prefabricated house begins as a collection of pre-built sections. The researchers report they were able to assemble the colloidal spheres into diamond and pyrochlore crystal structures - a particularly difficult challenge because so much space is left unoccupied.

The team, comprising Etienne Ducrot, a post-doctoral researcher at the NYU Center for Soft Matter Research; Mingxin He, a doctoral student in chemical and biomolecular engineering at NYU Tandon; Gi-Ra Yi of Sungkyunkwan University; and David J. Pine, chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at NYU Tandon School of Engineering and a NYU professor of physics in the NYU College of Arts and Science, took inspiration from a metal alloy of magnesium and copper that occurs naturally in diamond and pyrochlore structures as sub-lattices. They saw that these complex structures could be decomposed into single spheres and tetrahedral clusters (four spheres permanently bound). To realize this in the lab, they prepared sub-micron plastic colloidal clusters and spheres, and employed DNA segments bound to their surface to direct the self-assembly into the desired superstructure.

Self-Assembly of Pre-Formed Tetrahedral Clusters Into Superlattice . Credit: NYU Tandon School of Engineering

"We are able to build those complex structures because we are not starting with single spheres as building blocks, but with pre-assembled parts already 'glued' together," Ducrot said. "We fill the structural voids of the diamond lattice with an interpenetrated structure, the pyrochlore, that happens to be as valuable as the diamond lattice for future photonic applications."

Ducrot said open colloidal crystals, such as those with diamond and pyrochlore configurations, are desirable because, when composed of the right material, they may possess photonic band gapsranges of light frequency that cannot propagate through the structuremeaning that they could be for light what semiconductors are for electrons.

"This story has been a long time in the making as those material properties have been predicted 26 years ago but until now, there was no practical pathway to build them," he said. "To achieve a band gap in the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum, the particles need to be on the order of 150 nanometers, which is in the colloidal range. In such a material, light should travel with no dissipation along a defect, making possible the construction of chips based on light."

Pine said that self-assembly technology is critical to making production of these crystals economically feasible because creating bulk quantities of crystals with lithography techniques at the correct scale would be extremely costly and very challenging.

"Self-assembly is therefore a very appealing way to inexpensively create crystals with a photonic band gap in bulk quantities," Pine said.
* PermaKat Eleonora Rosati received the 2022 Adepi Award

* PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the World Intellectual Property Review's "Influential Women in IP" of 2020.

* PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2018.

* IPKat founder and Blogmeister Emeritus Jeremy Phillips listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2005, 2011, 2013, and 2014.

* Recommended by the European Patent Office as reading material for candidates for the European Qualifying Examinations, 2013.

* Listed as "Top Legal Blog" in The Times Online, March 2011.

2010 ABA Journal 100. * One of the only two non-US blogs listed in the Blawg100.

* Court Reporter Top Copyright Blog award winner, November 2010.

* Number 1 in the 2010 Top Copyright Blog list compiled by the Copyright Litigation Blog, July 2010.

* Selected by the United States Library of Congress for inclusion in its historic collections of Internet materials related to Legal Blawgs as of 2010.

* Top Patent Blog poll 2009: 3rd out of 50 in the "Favourite Patent Blog" poll and 2nd out of 50 in the "Most-read" poll.

Blog of the Year, 20 August 2008. * ComputerWeekly IT Law and Governance, 20 August 2008.
Cynthia Duerr, V99, checks an animal for screwworm infection. Credit: Cynthia Duerr

A flesh-eating parasite that has re-emerged in the United States after more than a half-century has killed a fifth of the endangered Key deer on the Florida Keys since last fall. In January, a stray dog near Miami was successfully treated for these New World screwworm parasites, fly larvae that feast on open wounds in warm-blooded animals.

Cynthia Duerr, V99, led field operations for the U.S. Panama Commission for Eradication and Prevention of Screwworm from 2008 to 2011 as an agricultural science officer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Now she's working with 24 countries in Africa to help protect livestock from Old World screwworm, a close cousin of the pest identified in Florida, and from other contagious diseases. The last reported case of screwworms in the United States occurred in 1982 in Star County, Texas.

Duerr talked with Tufts Now about the history of screwworms in the United States and the implications of the Florida infestation.

Tufts Now: What is screwworm?

Cynthia Duerr: Screwworm is the larval state of the screwworm fly, known as Cochliomyia hominivorax. These flies feed on flowers and plants, but lay eggs at the edges of wounds on warm-blooded animals, including people. The flies can detect a wound from a long distance, and they release pheromones that attract even more flies. Hundreds and thousands of eggs can hatch into larvae that burrow into the wound. The wound can grow quite large because of this infestation and can be fatal if not treatedhence the fly's Latin name hominivorax, which roughly translates as "man-eating."

Human cases of screwworm are rare, but they have occurred.

Why is the arrival of screwworms in Florida such big news?

This was immediately worrisome because we have not seen screwworms there for more than 50 years. They were found regularly in Florida and the southern United States until the mid-1960s. During the summer months, screwworms could be found as far north as Nebraska and even Canada. It caused great expense to the cattle industry. Cowboys did more than move animals from place to place in those days; they treated wounds to prevent screwworms.

After World War II, two USDA researchers, Raymond Bushland and Edward Knipling, developed a method called the sterile insect technique, which used radiation to sterilize hordes of screwworms. Female screwworms mate only once in their lifetimes, so when they mated with the sterile males, no larvae were produced. The continued release of sterile flies into the wild essentially meant that females were more likely to find a sterile mate, and over time, there were fewer and fewer fertile flies until they were eradicated.

By 1966, the United States was largely screwworm free, saving $900 million annually in costs associated with the production of livestock.

What was your role in fighting the infestation?

I led a team of 150 field veterinarians and technicians who worked with communities throughout Panama to provide surveillance and diagnosis of screwworm outbreaks. I also oversaw the program that hatched sterilized screwworms to create sterile adult flies. These flies were then loaded on planes for dispersal over the screwworm barrier zone between Panama City and Colombia.

A screwworm fly. Credit: Cynthia Duerr

Why has screwworm shown up in the United States again?

While adult screwworm flies can travel long distances, they do not generally travel over open water. It is therefore likely that screwworms hitched a ride from somewhere else where the flies still exist. Over the years, screwworms have occasionally been found on animalsor even a persontraveling to the U.S. from other countries, but the parasite has always been detected and treated before it found another fertile fly and laid eggs. In the case of the Florida outbreak, it would appear at least two flies, in some form, arrived in a tropical climate where warm weather allowed the life cycle to be completed.

What is troublesome about the reemergence of the parasite?

The biggest concern would be if screwworms spread off the Keys to other parts of Florida or to other states. Flies normally have a range of about 15 miles. In one reported case, a fly traveled almost 200 miles. It is possible, however, that for part of that distance it was transported in a car or truck. This is a worry now. Everyone is familiar with having a pesky fly riding along in the car! If some flies were to hop in at Big Pine Key and hitch a ride to Miami or farther, that would make this new infestation more difficult to eliminate.

Screwworms can also spread on an infected person or animal, or even by transportation of soil containing fertile pupae. For this reason, the Florida Department of Agriculture has placed temporary restrictions on the movement of all animals in or out of a quarantine area from Key Largo south.

Can we eradicate the screwworms again?

When screwworm flies were first detected in Florida in late September, the USDA's Animal and Plant Inspection Service began working with state officials to eliminate the pest once again by releasing sterile flies. Our techniques have gotten better since the 1950s. On an island, eradication could take as little as 10 weeks, depending on the extent of the problem. Control, quarantine and surveillance will continue for a longer time, to be certain.

What are symptoms of screwworm infestation? How is it treated?

The first thing that might be noticed in livestock, a pet or even a person may be an unusual odor. On closer examination, you would find a wound and see larvae (maggots). The immature larvae are very small and may not be visible, but the mature larvae are big enough to see. Anybody seeing these should immediately contact their veterinarian or an animal health officer or call 1-800-435-7352.

It is very important that samples are taken before the wound is treated with normal wound care and an appropriate larvicide. The animal will recover in most cases. If the wound has become heavily infested, however, it might be too large to heal. That is why the infestation can be fatal if it is not detected early and treated, which is more likely the case in wildlife.

Prevention is always the best measure. Pets and livestock in an outbreak area should be checked daily for wounds. Fly repellents can also be used as a preventative.

Is this a serious conservation issue for the Key deer?

I am afraid it is. Because wildlife are not monitored for wounds, these animals are more vulnerable. So far, 135 Key deer, from an estimated population of 700 to 800, have died from wounds associated with this parasite. Efforts are being made to treat the remaining animals with an oral anti-parasitic medicine.
This example of a 3-D ladar point cloud shows a fully foliated field site. Color indicates elevation above the ground, with red tones indicating a higher elevation value (for example, tree tops and vegetation) and blue tones indicating lower elevation value (ground-level vegetation and the ground itself). Credit: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The United States shares 5,525 miles of land border with Canada and 1,989 miles with Mexico. Monitoring these borders, which is the responsibility of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is an enormous task. Detecting, and responding to, illegal activity while facilitating lawful commerce and travel is made more difficult by the expansive, rugged, diverse, and thickly vegetated geography that spans both often-crossed borders. To help mitigate the challenges to border surveillance, a group of researchers at MIT Lincoln Laboratory is investigating whether an airborne ladar system capable of imaging objects under a canopy of foliage could aid in the maintenance of border security by remotely detecting illegal activities. Their work will be presented at the 16th Annual IEEE Symposium on Technologies for Homeland Security to be held April 25-26 in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Requisite for effective border protection is timely, actionable information on areas of interest. Leveraging the laboratory's long experience in building imaging systems that exploit microchip lasers and Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes, the research team developed and tested two concepts of operations (CONOPS) for using airborne ladar systems to detect human activity in wooded regions.

"For any new technology to be effectively used by CBP, an emerging sensor must bring with it a sensible deployment architecture and concept of operation," said John Aldridge, a technical staff member from the Laboratory's Homeland Protection Systems Group, who has been working with a multidisciplinary, cross-divisional team that includes Marius Albota, Brittany Baker, Daniel Dumanis, Rajan Gurjar, and Lily Lee. The CONOPS that the engineering team focused on were cued examination of a localized area and uncued surveillance of a large area. To demonstrate the approach, the engineering team conducted proof-of-concept experiments with the laboratory's Airborne Optical Systems Testbed (AOSTB), a Twin Otter aircraft outfitted with an onboard ladar sensor.

For cued surveillance, the use of an airborne ladar sensor platform (whether a piloted or unpiloted aircraft system) might be prompted by another persistent sensor that indicates the presence of activity in a localized area at or near the border. "The area of coverage for cued surveillance may be in the 1 km2 to 10 km2 range, and the laboratory has already developed and demonstrated sensor technology that can achieve this coverage in minutes," Albota said.

Uncued wide-area surveillance sorties might be flown long distances and over timelines of days or weeks to establish typical activity patterns and to discover emerging paths and structures in high-interest regions. "The area coverage required under such a CONOPS may reach as high as 300 to 800 km of border, depending on the Border Patrol Sector and vegetation density," Aldridge explained, adding, "Although the current AOSTB's area coverage rate is limited by the aircraft's airspeed, the sensor can image such a region in a matter of hours in a single sortie."

As a start to their field tests to assess their CONOPS, the team flew data collection runs over several local sites identified as representative of the northern U.S. border environment. The sites contained a variety of low-growing brush, thin ground vegetation, very tall coniferous-trees, and leafy deciduous trees. For the tests, the team positioned vehicles, tents, and other camp equipment in the woods to serve as the targets of interest. "We made 40 passes at an altitude of 7,500 feet to allow for a spatial resolution of about 25 centimeters," Dumanis said. "In between each pass, we moved the concealed items so that we could perform post-process analysis for change and motion detection," Baker added.

In this post-processing stage, the team members enhanced the data captured during the flights so that human analysts could then inspect the ladar imagery. They digitally removed ground-height data to reveal the three-dimensional ladar point cloud above ground and then digitally thresholded the height (erased 3-D points above a certain height) to eliminate the foliage cover. The resulting images gave analysts Gurjar and Lee a starting point for approximating the locations of both the planted objects as well as objects that were already on scene.

Searching through vast quantities of ladar data to spot areas for careful inspection is a labor intensive task even for experienced analysts who can recognize subtle cues that direct them to the possible presence of objects in the imagery. For the ladar data to be efficiently mined, an automated method of identifying areas of interest is needed. "One of the ways to alert analysts to potential targets is to track changes in the 3-D temporal data," Lee explained. "Changes caused by vehicle movements or alterations in a customary scene can indicate uncharacteristic activity."

To begin a change detection approach to the discovery of potential targets of interest, the research team registered the before and after ladar data and then subtracted the before data from the after dataset. This process allowed some improvement in the visual identification of vehicles that appeared where there had been none before; however, even a skilled human analyst would find it difficult to spot the small changes that signaled the presence of a vehicle.

A change detection approach, therefore, must compensate for the challenge posed by clutter in the ladar data. This clutter comes from the nature of ladar collection in densely foliated environment. As light travels through gaps between foliage, it bounces off a surface of leaves, ground, or human-made objects. The returned light is collected by the ladar sensor to form the 3-D point cloud. Because the motion induced by a flying platform causes each ladar scan to travel through different configurations of gaps between leaves, different parts of the canopy and shrubbery are sensed by the ladar. "Much of the clutter in our change detection output is from the different levels of canopy detected from different ladar scans," explained Gurjar.

To make the ladar change detection data easier for analysts to search, the team looked to automated object detection, a well-established field in computer vision that has been applied to images and radar data. Since ladar data presents in three dimensions and has unique noise characteristics, the team had to enhance the established automated detection approach with a sum of absolute difference (SAD) technique that factors in the height differences used to construct 3-D ladar imagery. Trials of the SAD technique applied to simulated vehicles in a foliated environment demonstrated that the approach yielded high detection rates and has potential as an automated method for reducing the huge amount of ladar data analysts would have to scrutinize to discover objects of interest.

"Looking forward, we hope to improve the capabilities of automated 3-D change detection to be more robust to natural temporal changes in foliage, expand the number of automatically detected object classes, and extend automated detection capability to full 3-D point clouds," said Lee, with Aldridge adding that they are also interested in exploring alternative aircraft for hosting the ladar system.

In its strategic plan "Vision and Strategy 2020," the CBP has expressed the need to apply advanced technology solutions for border management. Continued development of Lincoln Laboratory's automated approach to using a low-cost ladar system for surveillance of foliated regions may in the future offer another tool that the Department of Homeland Security's CBP can deploy to monitor the growing volume of land border activity.

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
The Frshly dispenser. Credit: New Jersey Institute of Technology

Six different cuisines with 30 combos all served hot within 90 seconds, and patrons need only pick, swipe and eat. That's what Frshly, a fully automated "vend-cafe" and the brainchild of NJIT alumnus Satish ChamyVelumani, provides to a growing number of hungry consumers on the move through India's railway system and airports. It's an offer the tech startup, established in 2013, calls "plated happiness."

Here's how Frshly works: Customers desiring fresh, hot food from popular local restaurants choose from a selection of stocked menu items at a Frshly state-of-the-art dispensing machine. The company's proprietary technology, a "recipe" of robotics and algorithms, then enables the quick procurement, takeaway-friendly wrapping and prompt delivery of the order. To ensure that the food is always fresh, Frshly restocks the dispensing machine regularly.

The meals "are packed according to the given specifications for every mealtime at the participating restaurant kitchens and then are transported to the Frshly outlets where they are stacked," explained ChamyVelumani. "This is as good as any convenience store where products are pre-stacked based on predictive demand analysis."

Customers also can place an order, as well as specify a pickup location and time, via the free Frshly app, available from the Apple and Google Play stores. The app secures their meal until they collect it, at which time the dispenser reheats and serves it. The cost for Frshly meals ranges from Rs 59-159 in Indian currency (approximately $1-$2.50).

ChamyVelumani has introduced Frshly in three cities in India: Bengaluru, Chennai and Secunderabad. Each market features different cuisine.

"The idea is to serve the brands from the cities in which we operate," ChamyVelumani noted. "Frshly is an ecosystem for multiple restaurants to get on board and reach out to new customers. Even though Frshly is an aggregation platform, the brands that participate are curated based on the market demand."

In addition to train stations and the Chennai International Airport, the company also has a presence at information technology parks and large information technology companies and commercial technical support locationsa pipeline ChamyVelumani describes as strong.

Food for Thought

The Frshly journey, from "back of the napkin" concept sketches to the first customer making a selection, took ChamyVelumani two-and-a-half years to complete. He faced some challenges along the way, particularly with building the interface between the ordering app, the dispenser and the enterprise resource planning system.

"With Frshly, every single thing had to be developed from scratch," he said. "There were a lot of dependencies. We are talking about an entire ecosystem here, including hardware."

Fortunately, pitching Frshly to the Indian Railways Network and airport authorities proved much easier. Indian Railways had been searching for an innovation in the food and beverage space and Frshly fit the bill. A successful pilot in Chennai Central Railway Station followed and since then Frshly has opened two more stores in India, with a third and possibly more poised to launch this year. Frshly may even find its way soon inside the compartments on long-distance trains.

First-Gen Entrepreneur

"First" is certainly a recurring theme of the Frshly story. The business is a first of its kind and the first commercial venture for ChamyVelumani, who is the first in his family to become an entrepreneur. All in all, he said, it "has been a great ride so far."

Before returning to his home country to start Frshly, he worked in the manufacturing industry in the U.S. for 11 years in a variety of engineering roles at 3M Purification Inc. (formerly CUNO Incorporated). And just before joining 3M, he earned his M.S. in manufacturing systems engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT); he also holds an MBA in global enterprise management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

"I was working in India as a mechanical engineer for about two years, mostly doing 2D drafting and 3D modeling. I became bored of that work and I didn't think those jobs were paving the way for me to achieve my future dreams. I wanted to get a broader exposure to manufacturing and through my friends I heard about the manufacturing systems engineering course that was offered at NJIT," offered ChamyVelumani, who arrived at the university in 2000. "Overall, the course work was an eye opener. I particularly enjoyed my design-for-manufacturing classes with [Professor Sanchoy] Das."

Feedback and Future

To further improve service, ChamyVelumani and his Frshly staffabout 60 people including store ownersare fielding recommendations for new cuisines and meal quantities from customers, who on the whole have appreciated the convenience of getting their favorite food brands at the touch of a button.

Looking ahead, Frshly is expanding its operations into Singapore this March and also working to set up stand-alone dispensers for several large food brands. ChamyVelumani's vision for his company includes moves into other Asia Pacific countries, the Middle East and ultimately North America.

ChamyVelumani encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to dream big and work hard. He credits his NJIT education with helping shape him into who he is today.

"My master's program put an entire business sense of things in my head," he reflected. "I always say this: 'It is not the subjects that we study, but it is the application that makes the difference.' NJIT helped me with learning the application."

More information: For more information on Frshly, visit gofrshly.com
The skeleton of the nearly nine-metre-long plesiosaurus, a marine reptile with a long neck and turtle-like flippers, was discovered in a phosphate basin near the Moroccan city of Khouribga

Geologists in Morocco on Tuesday denounced the planned auction of a 66-million-year-old marine dinosaur skeleton in Paris and demanded that the remains be repatriated.

The nearly nine-metre-long plesiosaur, a marine reptile with a long neck and turtle-like flippers, was discovered in a phosphate basin near the Moroccan city of Khouribga.

The skeleton is set for auction on March 7 at the Drouot auction house in Paris.

"The plesiosaurs were among the most emblematic 'giant primitive beasts' which have intrigued scientists and amateurs for centuries," Drouot said in its auction catalogue, adding that the creatures had probably inspired the legend of the Loch Ness monster in Scotland.

But the Association for the Protection of the Geological Heritage of Morocco (APPGM) on Tuesday criticised the planned auction, saying the skeleton was a "unique patrimonial treasure".

It said it had asked Morocco's chief geologist to find out if it had been authorised for export.

If not, the association would ask the Moroccan authorities to "intervene with the organisers of the sale to restitute the plesiosaurus to its country of origin, Morocco", it said.

Alexandre Giquello, auctioneer and president of Drouot, said the creature was "reconstituted in Europe from four fossils legally bought at the Frankfurt Trade Fair" by Italian collectors.

A Moroccan company had offered them for sale along with the necessary export papers, he said.

"I understand that this sale creates a stir, but we should also respect the private initiative that allowed the reconstruction of this plesiosaur, which is part of humanity's heritage," he added.

Drouot said the specimen had been screened for customs compliance and "checked by customs and heritage authorities in Italy" prior to being prepared for sale.

The skeleton, which Drouot says is 75-percent complete, will be on display at the Paris auction house from March 4-7.

APPGM said it was likely to fetch around $477,000 (450,000 euros).

"This specimen is the only complete specimen of... museum quality on the market, and the first available for a private collection," Drouot said.

"The only existing comparable specimen is exhibited in the United States at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis."

Moroccan media, citing an official at the ministry of energy and mines, said the remains had been smuggled out of the country.

The Medias24 website said the foreign ministry had been asked "to inform the French authorities of the illegality of the sale and to request the return of the skeleton to its country of origin".

The Moroccan authorities have not commented publicly on the subject.

APPGM said Morocco's geological heritage was globally recognised for its richness and diversity.

But it added that "in the absence of regulatory texts... this heritage is undergoing a systematic and continuous deterioration."

 2017 AFP
Graduate student Cassidy Peterson of William & Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science handles a tiger shark captured during the VIMS Longline Survey before releasing it back to the water. Credit: VIMS

A new analysis of population trends among coastal sharks of the southeast U.S. shows that all but one of the seven species studied are increasing in abundance. The gains follow enactment of fishing regulations in the early 1990s after decades of declining shark numbers.

Scientists estimate that over-fishing of sharks along the southeast U.S. coastwhich began in earnest following the release of Jaws in 1975 and continued through the 1980shad reduced populations by 60-99% compared to un-fished levels. In response, NOAA's National Marine Fishery Service in 1993 enacted a management plan for shark fisheries that limited both commercial and recreational landings.

Now, says lead scientist Cassidy Peterson, a graduate student at William & Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science, "We've shown that after over two decades of management measures, coastal shark populations are finally starting to recover and reclaim their position as top predators, or regulators of their ecosystem. Our research suggests we can begin to shift away from the era of 'doom and gloom' regarding shark status in the United States."

Joining Peterson in the study, published in the latest issue of Fish and Fisheries, were VIMS professor Rob Latour, Carolyn Belcher of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Dana Bethea and William Driggers III of NOAA's Southeast Fisheries Science Center, and Bryan Frazier of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

The researchers say their studybased on modeling of combined data from six different scientific surveys conducted along the US East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico between 1975 and 2014provides a more accurate and optimistic outlook than previous studies based on commercial fishery landings or surveys in a single location.

VIMS graduate student Cassidy Peterson and marine technician Jeff Eckert handle a sand tiger shark captured during the VIMS Longline Survey before releasing it back to the water. Credit: Virginia Institute of Marine Science

"Data from shark long-lining operations or shark bycatch can be suspect," says Peterson, "because what looks like a change in abundance might instead be due to changes in fishing gear, target species, market forces, or other factors."

Research surveys are scientifically designed to remove these biases. Survey crews purposefully sample a random grid rather than visiting known shark hot spots, and strive to use the exact same gear and methods year after year to ensure consistency in their results.

But even with these safeguards, data from a single survey often aren't enough to capture population trends for an entire shark species, whose members may occupy diverse habitats and migrate to different and far-flung areas depending on age and sex.

"Because many shark species undergo vast migrations and have complex life cycles," says Peterson, "it's not uncommon for results from different surveys to conflict. Producing an estimate of total abundance requires combining data from different surveyssometimes from several states or even countriesand applying intricate stock-assessment models."

For the current study, the scientists combined data from six different shark surveys: the VIMS Longline Survey, the SouthEast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program's South Atlantic Coastal Trawl Survey, the South Carolina Coastal Longline Survey, the Georgia Red Drum Longline Survey, the Southeast Fisheries Science Center's Longline Survey, and the Gulf of Mexico Shark Pupping and Nursery Area Gillnet Survey.

Most species of shark have recently increased in abundance in southeast U.S. coastal waters. Credit: Virginia Institute of Marine Science

"Our study represents the most comprehensive analysis of patterns in abundance ever conducted for shark species common to our area and the Southeast coast," says Latour, who directs the longline survey at VIMS. Established in 1973, it is the world's longest running fishery independent monitoring program for sharks, skates, and rays.

By pooling and modeling data from all six surveys, the researchers were able to estimate population trends for seven of the region's most common coastal species: the large-bodied sandbar, blacktip, spinner, and tiger sharks, and the smaller Atlantic sharpnose, blacknose, and bonnethead sharks.

The results of the analysis were clear, says Peterson. "All the large-bodied sharks showed similar population trends, with decreasing abundance from the mid-1970s to the early 1990s, then a multi-year period of low abundance, and recent indications of recovery from past exploitation."

All but one population of small coastal sharks also increased in abundance. The exception was blacknose sharks in the Gulf of Mexico, which decreased from the onset of records in 1989 until the study's end in 2014. This species is known to be susceptible to by-catch within the trawl fishery for Gulf shrimp. The blacknose population along the Atlantic coast of the southeast U.S. actually increased during the same period.

The overall population trends make biological sense, says Latour. "The large-bodied species saw the greatest initial declines, both because they were highly sought by anglers, and because they mature late and produce relatively few pups. Their slow growth rate also helps explain the pause in their recovery following the onset of fishing regulations in the early 1990s." The smaller shark species, whose higher growth rates make them less susceptible to fishing pressure, saw lesser declines and more rapid recoveries.

The team also found a correlation between shark numbers and both fishing pressure and large-scale climatic patterns.

More information: Cassidy D Peterson et al, Preliminary recovery of coastal sharks in the south-east United States, Fish and Fisheries (2017). DOI: 10.1111/faf.12210 Journal information: Fish and Fisheries
Austria's intelligence services on Tuesday confirmed a news report that they have tracked down a U.S.-based Turkish hacker who attacked several government websites.

The report in the daily Kurier cited the military intelligence service as saying that a Turkish activist directed the attacks from his home in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The man, identified as Arslan A. and by other aliases, reportedly targeted the Vienna airport and the websites of the defense and foreign ministries, the national bank and parliament late last year and early this year. While most of the attacks were unsuccessful, the defense ministry web page was shut down for several hours.

The report also says the man also tried to hack sites in other countries that he considered hostile to Turkey.

Bilateral relations are tense over strong Austrian criticism of Turkey's human-rights record, Austria's opposition to EU membership for Ankara and Turkish complaints that Austria discriminates against Muslims.

The investigation also shed light on professional rivalries between the two Austrian agencies that might have hurt the investigation.

In an emailed statement to The Associated Press, the Federal Office for Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism complained Tuesday of a "premature publication" which it says compromised efforts to build a strong case.

An Interior Ministry official familiar with the case said Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka was furious about the military's role.

The official said the leak, from the military intelligence agency, foiled domestic intelligence plans to catch the hacker in the act.

The official also told The Associated Press that the Interior Ministry feels the military had no business getting involved because the hack attempts did not threaten national security.

A senior military official declined comment beyond confirming the accuracy of the newspaper report.

Both officials demanded anonymity because they were not authorized to comment on intelligence issues.

 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
After three rounds of competitionone of which involved a public votea software tool developed by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Basel to track Zika, Ebola and other viral disease outbreaks in real time has won the first-ever international Open Science Prize.

Fred Hutch evolutionary biologist Dr. Trevor Bedford and physicist and computational biologist Dr. Richard Neher of the Biozentum Center for Molecular Life Studies in Basel, Switzerland, designed a prototype called nextstrain to analyze and track genetic mutations during the Ebola and Zika outbreaks. Using the platform Bedford and Neher built, anyone can download the source code from the public-access code-sharing site GitHub, run genetic sequencing data for the outbreak they are following through the pipeline and build a web page showing a phylogenetic tree, or genetic history of the outbreak, in a few minutes, Bedford said.

He and Neher envision the tool as adaptable for any virusa goal to which they will apply the $230,000 prize announced today by its three sponsors, the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the British-based charitable foundation Wellcome Trust and the U.S.-based Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

"Everyone is doing sequencing, but most people aren't able to analyze their sequences as well or as quickly as they might want to," Bedford said. "We're trying to fill in this gap so that the World Health Organization or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventionor whoevercan have better analysis tools to do what they do. We're hoping that will get our software in the hands of a lot of people."

For now, the tool is easy to use for Zika and Ebola. (The researchers also built a separate platform called nextflu for influenza.) But adapting the platform for other pathogens still involves a fair amount of work and technical skill, so Bedford is working with a web developer to "get that bar down so it will be easier to have this built out for other things."

By lowering the technical bar, he and Neher hope to nudge researchers to overcome another obstacle: a longstanding reluctance to share data. That is also a goal of the Open Science Prize.

Sharing is caring

"Open science" supporters believe, as Bedford and Neher do, that sharing preliminary information quickly speeds discoveries, including those that could improve human health, and is therefore good for both science and society. The Open Science Prize competition aimed to stimulate the development of ground-breaking tools and platforms to make it easier for researchers and the wider public to share and find publications, datasets, code and other research outputs as well as to "generate excitement, momentum and further investment" in doing so, according to the prize sponsors.

Nextstrain "is an exemplar of open science and will have a great impact on public health by tracking viral pathogens," said Robert Kiley, who leads Wellcome's work on open research, in a statement. All of the Open Science Prize entrants "demonstrated what's possible when data and code are made open for all," he said.

Bedford and Neher were among six teams of finalists chosen in May from 96 entries representing 450 innovators and 45 countries. In January, a public vote (3,730 votes from 76 countries, to be precise) narrowed the field to three. Bedford praised both runner-up teams as doing "really fantastic work." MyGene2 is designed to help people with rare diseases share health and genetic information with other families, clinicians and researcher worldwide. OpenTrialsFDA is aimed at making it easier to find information from clinical trials that was reported to the federal Food and Drug Administration but never published in academic journals.

For all of its cutting-edge technology, nextstrain, the winning project, belongs to a long tradition of using data visualization to understandand intervene inoutbreaks, dating back to the 1854 London cholera outbreak. At the time, cholera, an infectious and often fatal intestinal disease, was thought to be spread by "miasma" or bad-smelling air. Dr. John Snow, the "father of modern epidemiology," the study of the causes and patterns of disease, suspected the disease was spread by contaminated water. He drew a map of public well sites and cholera cases and noted that cases clustered around a particular well.

The map, Bedford said, made an interventionremoving the handle of the Broad Street water pumpobvious.

"What we're doing with nextstrain is meant to be in this tradition," he said. "Right now it's more of a 'now-cast,' but we really want to be doing a real-time forecast of what's going on with an epidemic."

Evolutionary and computational biologists like Bedford and Neher are in the open science movement's vanguard. One reason is that their fields are the ones most concerned with outbreaks, where waiting to publish can have deadly consequences.

Real-time tracking of genetic mutations during disease outbreaks helps scientists discern what makes viruses so severe and inform public health efforts to contain them. Being able to do so depends on researchers openly sharing the genetic sequencing data, something that not all scientists embrace in a competitive world where researchers rush to publish in prestigious journals and stake claims to discoveries.

Lessons from Ebola

The seed for nextstrain sprouted while Bedford was doing postdoctoral research at the University of Michigan. He had published a paper on flu migration using data up to 2010. He found himself thinking what a pity it was that the analysis couldn't be updated as new data came out. But the fact that a paper had already been published was a disincentive for anyone to write a new paper with just a small update to the data.

From that frustration, nextflu was born. And nextflu led to nextstrain.

The devastating 2013-2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa leant the project new urgency. Relatively early in the outbreak, researchers sequenced Ebola genomes from patients and immediately uploaded them to the public database GenBank, leading to a surge of collaboration from experts in diverse fields. The collection of shared, publically available data helped answer critically important questions as the epidemic was unfolding. It added to the confirmation that that the outbreak was being sustained by human-to-human contact, not contact with bats or other animal carriers, suggested probable transmission routes and revealed where and how fast mutations in the virus were occurringall information crucial to both public health and medical interventions.

Even when data is shared, speed is everything in responding to outbreaks, so any tool that speeds data analysis contributes to the effort.

But despite the precedent set by the response to the Ebola epidemic, fewer researchers have shared Zika virus genome sequences from the more recent crisis in Brazil, Central America and the Caribbean, the researchers said.

"I'm not seeing the same thing with Zika," said Dr. Gytis Dudas, a postdoctoral fellow in Bedford's laboratory who worked on many of the Ebola analyses. In part, Dudas said, the Zika virus is more difficult to sequence than Ebola, making researchers more likely to guard their rare sequences for publications.

And that, Bedford said, is "a tragedy," even as he understands that academic careers depend on publishing.

"The idea is that this nextstrain platform would provide some neutral ground with which to share data," said Bedford. "We're not trying to make a flashy paper. We just want [the data] to be on the website so people can look at the latest thing and do analyses that aren't stymied by publication practices. This kind of simple sequence sharing during outbreaks is something that if you could just push the [scientific] community a little bit, you could have some real-world impact in helping respond to epidemics."
INTELLICHECKS RESELLER AGREEMENT WITH ALCOHOL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATES MARKS ANOTHER MILESTONE IN GROWING NATIONAL ADOPTION OF AGE ID Expert Alcohol Licensing, Compliance and Employee Training Company

Will Offer Intellichecks Industry Leading ID Authentication Technology Solution

JERICHO, NEW YORK February 28, 2017  Intellicheck Mobilisa, Inc. (NYSE MKT:IDN), an industry leader in delivering real-time threat identification and bar-coded credential identification authentication that provides the antivirus to the epidemic of counterfeit IDs, today announced the signing of a reseller agreement with Alcohol Industry Associates, a full service licensing, compliance and training company for the alcoholic beverage industry. The reseller agreement will enable Alcohol Industry Associates to rapidly deliver Intellichecks industry leading Age ID technology solution to clients that range from convenience stores, taverns and restaurants to breweries, distilleries and wholesalers nationwide. The agreement means the company will be providing customers with Intellichecks state-of-the-art technology solution that is a vital compliance resource in preventing the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors.

We are pleased to add Alcohol Industry Associates to our team of valued channel partners. These veteran former industry regulatory officials recognize that Age ID is the industry standout, delivering advanced capabilities that include real-time identification authentication for government issued identification credentials such as driver licenses. Our product prevents the sale of age-restricted products to minors, and also sharply reduces fraudulent sales. As our technology solutions serve an ever growing number of state ABC boards, businesses and communities by providing the critical tools they need to tackle the challenges of underage drinking, we continue to deliver on our commitment to our shareholders to partner with outstanding channel partners who contribute to our success in achieving market expansion and growth, said Intellicheck CEO Dr. William Roof.

Alcohol Industry Associates President Kevin Anderson said the agreement with Intellicheck fulfills their ongoing pledge to their clients. We have used other ID scanning systems in the past, but we could not stand behind those products as we can with Intellichecks Age ID. We found other ID scanning systems came back with validations for various fake IDs. Age ID catches the fake IDs that other systems couldnt. The prevalence and sophistication of fake IDs means businesses need to protect themselves more than
Malta Payments Company, Swish, Rebrands as Truevo

Swish Payments Ltd, the Malta-founded card acquirer and payment solutions provider, will be rebranding as Truevo Payments on 1st March 2017.

Founded in 2012, Swish enables European businesses to easily accept payments across various channels, including in-store, online, over the phone and through mobile card terminals. The company also offers Original Credit Transactions for fast and convenient fund transfers to over a billion eligible Visa, Mastercard or Maestro cards around the globe.

The rebranding decision was taken to avoid confusion in the marketplace with a similarly-named peer-to-peer payment solutions company in Sweden, says Steve Grech, company CEO.

Grech explains that as a licensed financial institution and a full principal member of Visa and Mastercard, the company is uniquely positioned to provide card acquiring services across multiple channels at very low costs to its clients. It is our intention to provide merchants with an efficient alternative to the more traditional acquiring solutions provided by banks.

Under the new name, he says, Truevo will continue to deliver truly holistic payment solutions that facilitate convenient, fast and secure transactions.

Apart from the new trading name and logo, it will be business as usual at Truevo from next month with no other changes for its clients or partners.

Other POS news:
Mobeewave Exhibiting Across Mobile World Congress 2017 #MWC17

Mobile World Congress 2017 is officially underway! As part of this years event, Mobeewave will be showcasing its mobile contactless payment solution on three different booths. In addition to being represented at the Canada Pavilion, Mobeewave will have its own section at Samsungs exhibition with the companys solution also presented at the Oberthur Technologies stand.

For the first time, Mobeewave will be manning its own section at Samsungs exhibition  located at Stand 3I10, Hall 3, Fira Gran Via. Members of Mobeewaves team will demonstrate the companys patented solution  which enables anyone to accept money in person using just their phones. They will present use cases of this technology and how it can benefit a range of parties, including: acquiring and issuing banks, merchants, fundraising organizations as well as individual users.

The Mobeewave mobile contactless payment solution will also be presented at Oberthur Technologies exhibition  located at Stand 6H30, Hall 6, Fira Gran Via.

As was the case last year, Mobeewave will have a stand at the Canada Pavilion  Stand 7H40, Hall 7, Fira Gran Via. The company is part of a program put together by the Government of Canada to showcase Canadian companies leading edge products, services and solutions.

Mobile World Congress runs from today, February 27, until March 2. As in previous years, it is being held in the Mobile World Capital, Barcelona, at Fira Gran Via  with events also taking place at Fira Montjuic. This years event  which is expected to attract more than 100,000 participants  will feature exhibitions from 2,200 companies.

As the worlds largest mobile industry conference, MWC 2017 will feature the leading players from across the mobile ecosystem  as well as related industry sectors  including major brands, such as: AOL, Cisco Systems, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, Ford, Google, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, HTC, Huawei, IBM, Intel, Lenovo, LG, Mercedes-Benz, Microsoft, NEC, Nokia Solutions and Networks, Oracle, Orange, Peugeot, Philips Lighting, Qualcomm Incorporated, Samsung Electronics, SAP, SEAT, Sony Mobile, Telefonica, Vodafone and ZTE, among others.

Attending MWC 2017? Come see the Mobeewave solution at:

The Samsung Booth Stand 3I10, Hall 3

The Oberthur Technologies Booth  Stand 6H30, Hall 6

The Canada Pavilion  Stand 7H40, Hall 7

Other Point of sale news:
Meanwhile, the issue of its nosediving economy, remains unresolved. The Iranian Deputy for Social Affairs claimed that the reason for this is that there are too many organizations involved, without adequate coordination among them. Earlier this month, a state TV program on the topic made similar assertions.

Several studies have reported that Irans economic problems have now escalated to the point where the middle class in Iran is vanishing.

One of the simplest methods thought about by each official after they come to office is to round up such individuals. There was hope to resolve this issue from our society, yet due to known reasons these individuals have only been seen fleeing and returning to the streets. In the past 12 months, there have been many different plans and efforts launched by the municipality and the police, most leading to nothing but failures, the Salamat News website added.

Admitting that the practice of rounding up people and holding them in special centers is not an appropriate solution to the problem, many Iranian officials now acknowledge that the real solution lies in major economic reforms that will improve living conditions through for the people of Iran.

Whether or not these opinions will filter up to the regime leaders, who have spent billions in the nuclear program and the war in Syria, the hope is that media based suggestions will push Tehran in this direction.
PHOENIX, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/  Protecting high-theft, openly-displayed merchandise in stores just got easier. The research organization LPRC monitored a field test of the Point-of-Sale Activation (PoSA) Proof-of-Concept and has issued their findings.



Proof-of-Concept test successfully completed at Walmart stores

Sales of PoSA-protected products were higher than control groups

Return rates for PoSA-protected products were lower than unprotected products

The LPRC scientific study validates that the DiSa PoSA solution appears scalable, drives sales and reduces returns on protected products

DiSa Digital Safety USA (DBA DiSa), is a US-based asset protection solution provider and wholly-owned subsidiary of DiSa Limited  Singapore, that specializes in research and development of cutting-edge Retail PoSA asset protection solutions, is pleased to announce that the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) has published results of the Walmart Proof-of-Concept with DiSas Point-of-Sale Activation (PoSA) solution.

The LPRC research publication is the culmination of a two-year collaboration with the worlds largest retailer. The results were announced at the recent LPRC Retailer Summit (hosted by Target Stores) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The exclusive content is now available for LPRCs membership of 40 retail chains. DiSa PoSA benefit denial solution protected consumer electronics products allowing a true open sell environment. This ground-breaking test and scientific study also indicates the DiSa Asset Protection process is a scalable solution that will help retailers drive sales, while enhancing the in-store guest experience by allowing highly desirable products to be sold in a true open format.

The LPRC Research study targeted: Consumers, Retail Sales Associates, Store Management and Asset Protection team members. The results included a Q&A survey with each stakeholder, and was done independent of both Walmart and DiSa. The Research Scientist Team was given unfettered access to all needed stakeholder groups. Key take-a-ways include the consumer engagement with open-sell product labeled with the PoSA logo, the guest experience at the check-out; including self-checkout (SCO) and the sales growth resulting from the proof-of-concept test. The exclusive content was distributed to LPRC membership at the LPRC PoSA BD Summit and presented to the retailers in this session.

61% of the 549 consumers surveyed rated the PoSA solution favorable. The favorable report shows PoSA can drive sales and enhance the guest experience on the sales floor and at checkout. It also showed lower return rates. Only 2.6% of protected product stolen, none were activated and none were returned.

To obtain the full report, please send your contact information (name, company name, phone number and email address) to sales@digital-safety.us.

About The LPRC

The LPRC is an industry group comprised of leading retailers, solution providers and scientists centered at the University of Florida in Gainesville. The LPRC conducts research to develop crime and loss prevention/control solutions that improve the performance of its members and the retail industry. Currently, the LPRC has over 90 members and is chaired by Dr. Read Hayes. The group conducts academic studies based in classroom and in live retail stores. The LPRC was founded in 2001 and is currently in its 15th year of operation. Key retail members range from Sterling Jewelers, Rite Aid to Home Depot, Walmart and Best Buy. The LPRC is home to 13 industry Working Groups with focus on various issues facing omni-channel retailers. LPRC belongs to various industry affiliations including but not limited to: LP Magazine, National Retail Federation, Retail Industry Leaders Association, LP Foundation and FMI (Food Marketing Institute).

www.lpresearch.org

About the DiSa PoSA Solution

The DiSa PoSA solution, the worlds first entirely digital asset protection solution, is a digital lock applied to consumer electronic products during manufacturing. Each device is assigned a unique activation code. The digital lock prevents theft by rendering the devices inoperable from the point-of-production to the point-of-sale at retail stores. The device remains locked until the legitimate buyer activates the device using a one-time activation code that is printed on the retail sales receipt. Once activated, the device remains permanently unlocked and fully functional. DiSa offers full support to manufacturers, retailers and consumers through 24/7 phone support, Web support and App support.

More POS news:
- The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II about a week ago said he has the intention of proposing a law that will restrict poor men in the emirate from marrying more than one wife

- The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor explained his reasons in a recent interview in which the contents were made available to Legit.ng, where Emir Sanusi stated why there has to be checks and balances on how the less-privileged go about in their marriage

Below are excerpts from the interview

READ ALSO: Law seeking to stop poor men from marrying many wives is necessary to guide Muslims - Emir

Your Majesty, what are the reasons behind this proposed marriage law?

Emir Sanusi: Thank you Sa'adatu for this question, because I heard people bicker over this issue. Perhaps since you asked me this question, I need to give a little introduction. Any leader thinks always about the problems of his people, and this is what we do. We are making these laws to protect the dignity of our masses.

First, I had been saying that the problem of North is not that of economy or security, no, it is lack of good policies and laws as well as leadership. That's why we folded our arms and watch Lake Chad got dried as a result people can no longer farm their land which also resulted in security threat. That is why herdsmen were denied field to graze their cattle due to an increased population and this is the cause of the unrest between farmers and Fulani herdsmen. That is why we don't concentrate on schools, we watch young girls drop out of school and get married forcefully at the end of the day they end up being beaten, intimidated and contact different diseases but nobody cares because they are children of the poor. Many a time, so many atrocities are done hiding behind religion.

How true is it that the Izala sect influenced your decision on this law?

Emir Sanusi: It is the combination of ulama from all sects because I inaugurated the committee over a year at Bayero University. Most of them are well and deeply educated in Shari'a, Hadith, Jurisprudence and the noble Qur'an as well as other disciplines of Islam.

The grand Imam of Kano state is the chairman of the committee. Members of the committee include Malam Falalu Dan Almajiri, Shehu Shehu Maihula, Imam Maqry, the chief Imam of Abuja, Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, Malam Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, Malam Abdulwahab, Dr. Babangida Muhammad, Dr. Musa Borodo and the rest.

Under these ulama three sub-committees were established.

One of them works on endowments. We want wealthy individual to establish endowments in Kano to support education especially girl-child education. To build schools or give scholarships or provide school buses, feed the pupils or provide uniforms or even pay teachers' salary etc.

READ ALSO: Islamic group backs Emir Sanusi on bill to ban 'poor' men from marrying many wives

The second one is on education focusing on boosting education in Kano. The third one is on family interactions led by Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar. Included in this committee is the Kano state grand khadi and Jameel Alqadry.There are women like professor Aisha Ismail who is a director in gender education and professor Binta Tijjani, a director at Institute of Islamic Finance.

Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II explains what proposed Kano marriage law is all about

There is Salamatu Ibrahim Ameera of Muslim Sisters Organization. Still there are women rights protectors like Saudatu Mahdi, Barrister Huwaila and Maryam Uwais.

We urged the women to report all acts of violating their rights, while the the ulama will sincerely look over it and make amends in an Islamic way. And I receive such complaints in my palace every day ranging from forced marriage to that who was denied marrying her choice without any reason or a wife who was beaten like a donkey and that who was left without food. And those divorced with children and sent back to their parents, those whose husbands married other wives and chased them away, that whose husband ran-away and left her with 11 children in a rented house. Such bad things are uncountable. This is why I said we should look at Islamic countries like Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, UAE and Malaysia, all of them follow Malikiyya school of thought. How did they improve things and we can't do the same?

READ ALSO: Cleric tells Sanusi: Your proposal on polygamy will violate the Quran

This is briefly about this law. We've been working round the clock for a year. It should be tabled and discussed before we arrive at a consensus view.

Your Majesty, could you explain in more details the contents of the law?

Emir Sanusi: They are as follow:

1. The law talks about marriage.

What is marriage, what are the types of marriage and what is good or bad marriage?

2. It gives a mature girl freedom to choose husband and it bans forced marriage.

3. It lays condition for child marriage that it has to be endorsed by a Sharia judge with recommendation from doctors.

But for married women, the followings are applicable to them:

1. And this law bans domestic violence against women and whoever injures his wife there will be analogy or compensation as provided by sharia.

2. The law ensures feeding, clothing and shelter as well as health care. That if one fails to do deliberately, will be forced to do, he can even be jailed.

3. He that will marry more than one wife, there are conditions in the books of the schools of thought that are not considered. The conditions are included in the laws.

4. And they will not share house, kitchen etc unless they agree to. All these are written in books.

5. There is post-divorce support to a divorcee and taking care of the children.

6. There is issue of child spacing and use of ways that are not against the sharia.

7. There are issues of will, inheritance etc. It's a voluminous document. The first part has been finished and is ready to be taken to the general committee as soon as possible. After their review we will then take it to House of Assembly to be enacted and finally urge his Excellency the governor to sign it into law.

SOME THINK THIS LAW IS AIMED AT STOPPING THE POOR FROM GETTING MARRIED.

It's protecting women's dignity because they are the mothers of the society.

Saying that he that cannot shoulder marriage responsibilities, should not marry is not new, Allah says it in the noble Qur'an.

Meaning those that can not afford marriage should wait until God enriches them from his bounties. Therefore Allah does not allow he that can't take care of a woman to get married and this is what is happens in many Islamic countries.

This is what prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:

''Oh! You the youths, whoever gets the means to shoulder marriage responsibilities, let him get married. If he doesnt, let him be fasting.''

We are doing nothing out of Allahs provisions of Islam and that of his messenger and it ensures women that all the atrocities against them are forbidden in Islam and they dont have to sue their religion before America or Europe.

These things don't have any basis in Islamic law.

They are bad cultures that were allowed to develop. It's now that they will be confronted. I prolong the statement. But this is what we are doing. We believe that

If women and children are bullied in Kano, Allah will not question the past ulama. I and the other ulama and the governor and members of the assembly that can remedy the problem but fail to do so, would be questioned. Everybody knows these problems but some will not accept the truth yet gradually they will accept when they get used to it. Only Allah knows whether we will succeed or not but we have discharge the duty He imposed on us.

He who sees bad things should change them with his hand.

The interview was conducted by Sa'adatu Baba Ahmad

Source: Legit.ng
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
Globetrotters flock to the laid-back enclave for barbecues under the stars

by Lucinda Elliott

After a day soaking up the sun, South American socialites gather in this lesser-known Uruguayan coastal village for an asado, or barbecue.

Traditional to the southern region of Latin America, the barbecue usually consists of locally produced beef cooked on a grill, called a parrilla, or in the case of Jose Ignacio, an open fire under the stars at La Olada restaurant.

Jose Ignacio is chic but not as famous as Punta del Este, Uruguays first glamorous beachside resort. The area was uninhabited for much of the last century, with the exception of a small number of wealthy families from Buenos Aires and Montevideo who built villas by the sea in the 1970s.

Recently, the town had a full facelift to welcome the next wave of globetrotting glitterati who prefer summering in this laid-back enclave.

Jose Ignacio is about 160km east of Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, and a 40-minute drive from Punta del Este, which has its own airport.

La Huella restaurant

Jose Ignacio appeals to those who prefer a bohemian atmosphere of sandy tracks, hand-painted street signs and low-key boutiques. At the fashionable beach shack of La Huella, clerico, a white-wine sangria, is served all year round.





Related article: From ranch girl to fashion designer: Gabriela Perezutti Hearst

Photographs: Mark OFlaherty/Alamy; Daniel Caselli/AFP/Getty Images; Miguel Rojo/AFP/Getty Images; Dreamstime; Pulsar Images/Alamy
Ms. Betancourt is a popular personality, who was slated to be the first woman president in Colombia, but instead became a captive of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, the FARC, in Columbias jungle. She regards Albania with admiration for its agreement to harbor the Iranian freedom fighters. As a survivor herself, she now applauds Albania for giving safe haven to the MEK organization.

Her comments follow:

I feel honored to be here. Governments and different political parties were the first who welcomed the Iranian refugees when they were being persecuted and were persecuted. Albania has become known internationally as an example for human rights.

As one of the supporters of Iranian opposition, the return of democracy, gender equality, freedom in a country where Ingrid Betancourt says executions carried out in public and women are attacked with acid in the face for not wearing headscarves, Albania is a model where bigotry does not find expression regardless of political approaches.

The MEK is the only opposition party in Iran. They are Muslims, but Democrats who are killed, tortured and persecuted. Your country is predominantly Muslim, but here there is no bigotry. So this idea is another good example.

According to Ms. Betancourt, you have to be tougher on terrorism to stop the violence.

Lets talk about it, she continued, to understand that they are powerful dispelling fears, such as public executions, not to fall into despair, history tells us that the battles for democracy have gained, not split asunder and especially not to have doubts, to be clear in our position because if there is something that makes good ISIS is extorting the truth.
Bomb Threats Made against Jewish Centers and Schools

Jewish facilities around the nation have been rocked by yet another wave of bomb threats Monday, forcing evacuations in at least 12 states.

At least 20 Jewish community centers and day schools in Alabama, North Carolina, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Virginia and Delaware received threatening phone calls, The Huffington Post reported.

This marks the fifth wave of threats the Jewish community has seen since the beginning of 2017. There have now been over 160 bomb threats made to over 60 Jewish community centers since January.

The majority of the threats feature a disguised, robotic voice. One of the calls warned of slaughter by explosion. So far, no explosives have been found at any of the facilities targeted.

Mondays threats come just one day after dozens of gravestones were topped over and damaged at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia. Days prior to that, vandals in Missouri caused widespread damage to a Jewish cemetery in University Center, toppling over at least 100 headstones.

We are not going to allow this person or these persons to change the way we live, said Paul Goldenberg, director of the Secure Community Network, which advises Jewish groups on security matters. Were going to keep on going to synagogue, were going to stay in our JCCs  Jewish communal institutions remain safe because of the resources that we are putting into training the staff.

It remains unclear who is making threats to the centers and schools  whether it is one person or a group. The FBI and Department of Justice have said they are investigating possible civil rights violations in connection to the threats.
It is important to provide clear instructions about the distribution of your wealth while you are still alive. This process, known as estate planning, involves making a will, and may even require you to set up a trust.

Unfortunately, many people are hesitant about making a will. They put off this essential task, leaving their children and other loved ones to untangle their financial affairs after they have died.

When you are no longer there, who will receive the amount that is available in your bank account? Which child will get the ownership of your flat? How will the rest of your wealth be distributed?

Why it is essential to make a will







Source: Shutterstock

Creating a will gives you complete control over how your wealth will be apportioned when you die. Its importance gains special significance in certain conditions. For example, you may want your parents to receive a part of your wealth.

There could be other reasons to make a will. A valid legal document will prevent your relatives from entering into expensive and time-consuming litigation. Persons with children from a previous marriage may want to specify the exact manner in which their offspring should benefit.

Another reason for Singaporeans to make a will could be their desire to transfer funds to a favourite charity or cause that they have been promoting during their lives.

What happens if you dont make a will?







Source: Shutterstock

A will provides clarity and is the best way to ensure that a persons wealth and assets fall into the intended beneficiaries hands. But many Singaporeans neglect to complete this crucial task during their lifetime.

If a person dies intestate (without having made a will), Singapores intestacy laws kick in. In this situation, the deceased persons assets are administered by the Public Trustee.

The Public Trustee handles the distribution of the wealth left behind by the person who has died. It plays a role in handing over the following types of assets.

Story continues

Money lying in the bank or in other financial institutions in Singapore.

The deceased persons shares which are listed on the Singapore Exchange.

Vehicles excluding commercial vehicles. The Public Trustees role is restricted only to the transfer of fully paid up vehicles.

Items in a safe deposit box.

Government compensation.

But who will receive this money and the assets of the person who has died? There are very strict rules regarding this. The complete wealth of a married person who does not have any children will go to the spouse. If the person has children, the wealth will be distributed by giving 50% to the spouse and the remaining 50% will be shared between the children.

According to the applicable laws, the deceaseds parents will not receive any sum if the spouse of the deceased is still alive. In many instances, a person who is working supports elderly parents. In such a case, they will not be entitled to any part of their childs estate.

Some steps to make estate planning simpler







Source: Shutterstock

There are several measures that you can take to ensure that the persons whom you care about, receive the assets or the wealth that you plan to leave for them. You can take these steps while you are still alive.

Say, you own a private residential property that you plan to leave to your daughter. You may want to create joint property ownership when you decide that she will inherit the property from you. When you die, your daughter will automatically become the person who is eligible to be the sole owner.

Another option that you can explore is to gift money or assets to the intended beneficiaries as you grow older. Of course, this is not advisable if you may still need the funds for your own use, especially for expenses of a medical nature.

Should you create a trust?







Source: Shutterstock

If your intended beneficiaries are very young and incapable of managing their own finances, you may want to create a trust to safeguard their interests. It is advisable to adopt this route if you have young children. With late marriages becoming common in Singapore, increasing numbers of individuals are opting for trusts as a means to preserve their wealth for the next generation.

Your will can include a clause that calls for a testamentary trust to be created on the date of death. Multiple trusts could be created and the trusts could address all or even a part of your total estate.

While this is a legally sound procedure to follow, it entails some expenses and may not be the best option for everyone.

Is a will really necessary?



Surprisingly, the answer is no, not really. If you completely understand how the intestacy laws work and you agree with them, you need not make a will. But if you want your wealth to be distributed in any other manner, it is crucial that you make a will.

(By Ravinder Kapur)

Related Articles

- Ensuring a simple but successful financial retirement plan.

- 4 Best Investment Strategies for Funding Retirement

- How an aging society affects real estate potential
It is expected to uptick 1% to US$4.2b.

Singapore's gaming revenues may see an improvement this year compared to 2016 as Citi Research analysts expect.

In 2015, Singapore's gross gaming revenue went down 20% to US$4.8b. Analysts expect GGR to be US$4.2b in 2016, down 12% YoY.

For this year, GGR is expected to see a slight improvement at US$4.3b, 1% up from 2016. GGR from Marina Bay Sands will still make the bulk of GGR at US$2.57b, while Resorts World Sentosa will contribute US$1.77b.





More From Singapore Business Review


Russia and China on Tuesday vetoed a Western-backed UN resolution that would have imposed sanctions on Syria over chemical weapons use, in the first clash at the Security Council since US President Donald Trump took office. The twin vetoes came as peace talks in Geneva showed no signs of progress on ending the nearly six-year war in Syria. It was the seventh time that Russia, Syria's top military ally, has used its veto power to shield the Damascus regime. China has backed Moscow by using its veto six times on Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned ahead of the vote that imposing sanctions on Syria was "completely inappropriate" while talks were ongoing in Geneva on ending the war. US Ambassador Nikki Haley shot back: "This resolution is very appropriate." "It is a sad day on the Security Council when members start making excuses for other member states killing their own people." "The world is definitely a more dangerous place," she told the council after the measure was rejected. The resolution drafted by Britain, France and the United States won nine votes in favor, while three countries opposed it -- Bolivia, China and Russia. Egypt, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan abstained. UN resolutions require nine positive votes and no veto to be adopted. - 'Moment of truth' - The resolution would have put 11 Syrians, mainly military commanders, and 10 entities linked to chemical attacks in 2014 and 2015 on a UN sanctions blacklist. It included a ban on the sale of helicopters and of chemical agents to the Syrian armed forces or the government. A UN-led investigation concluded in October that the Syrian air force had dropped chlorine barrel-bombs from helicopters on three opposition-held villages in 2014 and 2015. French Ambassador Francois Delattre said the vote was a "moment of truth" for the council, arguing that chemical weapons use was a "negation of all civilization." In Paris, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault took aim at Russia, saying it bore a "heavy responsibility toward the Syrian people and humanity as a whole." British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson called China and Russia's veto "deeply disappointing." "The Security Council's own investigation has found attacks were committed by the Syrian regime and Daesh on the Syrian people. Despite support from the majority of the Security Council, Russia, along with China, has chosen to prevent action," Johnson said in a statement. The joint panel by the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) also found that Islamic State jihadists used mustard gas in an attack in 2015. - US joins Britain, France at UN - The vote marked the first major council action by the new Trump administration, which is seeking warmer ties with Russia. The United States has backed rebel groups fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and leads a military coalition fighting the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq. Britain and France had circulated the proposed measure in December and the new US administration joined as a co-sponsor of the draft resolution this month, indicating that it was ready to confront Russia on Syria. Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov echoed Putin's view that imposing sanctions would have undermined peace talks and described the draft resolution as a "provocation" by the Western "troika". Chinese Ambassador Liu Jieyi argued that sanctions were premature and that the UN-OPCW panel should be allowed to complete its investigations. "At present, investigations are still ongoing and therefore it is too early to reach a final conclusion," Liu told the council. Aside from China and Russia, Britain, France and the United States are the other veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council. The Syrian government has repeatedly denied using chemical weapons in the war that has killed 310,000 people since March 2011. UN-brokered talks that opened on Thursday in Geneva ran into hurdles after Russia insisted that counter-terrorism be added to the agenda -- putting pressure on opposition groups with ties to Islamist fighters. Putin -- whose military intervention in Syria helped turn the tables in favor of Assad -- lamented that the negotiations in Switzerland are "not going as smoothly as hoped."
People from Somalia and Ethiopia are detained on the outskirts of Khartoum in January 2017. Activists say Sudans crackdown on migrants and refugees has escalated. Photograph: Ashraf Shazly/AFP/Getty Images

The EU is facing calls to rethink its cooperation with Sudan on migration flows after scores of refugees were whipped, fined, jailed and deported from Khartoum last weekend following a peaceful protest over a huge rise in visa processing fees.

About 65 asylum seekers  the majority from Ethiopia and some from Eritrea  were lashed 40 times on their backs and the back of their legs with leather whips, lawyers told the Guardian.

The detainees were also handed fines of more than $800 (645), and 40 were deported immediately, after being arrested in what witnesses say was a violent police attack on a peaceful protest.

The incident raises concerns about the strength of human rights conditions attached to more than $100m of migration-related aid earmarked for Sudan by the European commission.

The MEP Barbara Lochbihler, vice-chair of the European parliaments sub-committee on human rights, said the EU should launch an inquiry. The EU must voice clear criticism on the recent incidents, conduct a thorough investigation, try and help the people concerned, and draw the necessary conclusion: if projects such as Better Migration Management carry the risk for the EU to become complicit in human rights abuses, which I believe to be true, we should pull out immediately.

Judith Sargentini, an MEP on the European parliaments development committee, said she would be asking a question about the issue in parliament this week.

Honestly, when we see Ethiopian refugees being harassed, lashed and thrown out of the country, we have to wonder whether we are not legitimising the Sudanese behaviour with our funding, she said.

The [EU] training for immigration and border management does not seem to be working very effectively yet, she added. I can imagine that [Sudans president Omar] al-Bashir thinks he has more manoeuvring space because the EU money is coming.

A human rights worker in Sudan, who asked not to be identified for security reasons, said the regimes brutality towards refugees had worsened in the last year as EU cooperation had increased.

Story continues

The crackdown on migrants and refugees has escalated, the activist said. The government feels empowered to do whatever they want. They think they can get away with human rights violations like this. They see them as goodwill gestures to the EU to show they are controlling the flow of migrants.

The commission has pledged nearly 2bn to countries taking steps to curb migration to the EU in an emergency trust fund for Africa. Sudan separately received 100m of funds last year to improve border security and address causes of forced displacement.

Sudan is also benefiting from 40m (34m) set aside under the Khartoum Processs Better Migration Management scheme to help restrict refugee flows in central and east Africa.

These revenues could be used to pay for military and police border management posts, surveillance systems, transport vehicles, communications, protective police gear, IT systems, infrastructure and power supplies.

EU officials deny that any revenues will go to government forces such as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), border guards on Sudans Libyan frontier linked to the notorious Janjaweed militia.

The RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan, known as Hemedity, last year demanded that the EU replace vehicles and weapons lost while his force rounded up 20,000 migrants.

We are hard at work to aid Europe in containing the flow of migrants, and if our valuable efforts are not well appreciated, we will open the desert to migrants, Hemedity said.

But it was a Khartoum courts police that whipped and deported the asylum seekers, not the RSF. Most of those arrested were Oromo people fleeing ethnic and political repression. The court case that followed also fell short of international standards, according to local lawyers.

It was not a fair trial, claimed Montasir Mohammed, a lawyer for two of the arrestees. No legal representatives were allowed to attend the court, and the men were not given a chance to appeal. The flogging was administered immediately after the court hearing. No doctors have been allowed to see them.

The asylum seekers had been arrested last Friday when police dispersed a sit-down protest by 300-500 people outside the Ethiopian embassy in Khartoum. Eyewitnesses say officers attacked protesters with long wooden batons and tear gas canisters, provoking a dangerous stampede.

One witness, who asked to remain anonymous, said: People were quietly sitting down on the pavement when suddenly the police came with big sticks and started to beat people. Then the military police arrived and fired teargas.

People started to run but there was no way to escape except by jumping over a cemetery wall. Then it collapsed because so many people were jumping and pushing on it. All the people trying to escape were badly beaten as they ran, even me. It was painful.

Use of overseas aid for this kind of political repression is explicitly excluded under criteria agreed by the OECDs Development Assistant Committee last year.

The EU says it has not yet given any funds to the Sudanese government and that monies have been directed through international agencies.

However, a parliamentary delegation to Sudan in December said while EU stocks might not yet have arrived, it was clear that its funding projects will be providing equipment to national police across the region for border control.

Sudan is considered a key transit country for migrants to Europe. An estimated 30,000 people travelled through it on the way to Italy (pdf) in the first 11 months of 2016.

Around 500,000 refugees from Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia are currently thought to be in the country.

Last week, a British parliamentary inquiry warned that in Sudan, the European Unions long-held reputation as a human rights standard-bearer is in danger of being sacrificed at the altar of migration.
AFP News

The UN's COP27 climate summit kicked off Sunday in Egypt with warnings against backsliding on efforts to cut emissions and calls for rich nations to compensate poor countries after a year of extreme weather disasters. An alarming UN report said the past eight years are on track to be the eight warmest on record, with an acceleration in sea level rise, glacier melt, heatwaves and other climate indicators. "As COP27 gets underway, our planet is sending a distress signal," UN chief Antonio Guterres said in a statement, calling the report a "chronicle of climate chaos". Just in the past few months, floods devastated Pakistan and Nigeria, droughts worsened in Africa and the United States, cyclones whipped the Caribbean, and unprecedented heatwaves seared three continents. The conference in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh also comes against the backdrop of Russia's war on Ukraine, an energy crunch, soaring inflation and the lingering effects from the Covid-19 pandemic. But Simon Stiell, the UN's climate change executive secretary, said he would not be a "custodian of backsliding" on the goal of slashing greenhouse emissions 45 percent by 2030 to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above late 19th-century levels. "We will be holding people to account, be they presidents, prime ministers, CEOs," Stiell said as the 13-day summit opened. "The heart of implementation is everybody everywhere in the world every single day doing everything they possibly can to address the climate crisis," he said, noting that only 29 of 194 nations have presented improved plans as called for at COP26 in Glasgow last year. Current trends would see carbon pollution increase 10 percent by the end of the decade and the Earth's surface heat up 2.8C, according to findings unveiled last week. Promises made under the 2015 Paris Agreement would, if kept, only shave off a few tenths of a degree. Britain's Alok Sharma, who handed the COP presidency to Egypt, said that while world leaders have faced "competing priorities" this year, "inaction is myopic and can only defer climate catastrophe." "How many more wake-up calls does the world -- and world leaders -- actually need?" he said. - 'Loss and damage' - The COP27 summit will focus like never before on money -- a major sticking point that has soured relations between countries that got rich burning fossil fuels and the poorer ones suffering from the worst consequences of climate change. The United States and the European Union -- fearful of creating an open-ended reparations framework -- have dragged their feet and challenged the need for a separate funding stream. After two days of intense pre-summit negotiations, delegates agreed on Sunday to put the "loss and damage" issue on the COP27 agenda, a first step towards what are sure to be difficult discussions. Stiell said inclusion of loss and damage on the agenda after three decades of debate on the issue showed progress. "The fact that it is there as a substantive agenda item I believe bodes well," he told reporters. COP27 president Sameh Shoukry of Egypt said it would be unproductive to speculate on what outcome the negotiations will lead to, "but certainly everybody is hopeful." "Anything that we do effectively has to be on the basis of our common efforts and that we leave no one behind," he said. Shoukry also noted that rich nations have not fulfilled a separate pledge to deliver $100 billion per year to help developing countries green their economies and build resilience against future climate change. He lamented that most climate financing is based on loans. "We do not have the luxury to continue this way. We have to change our approaches to this existential threat," he said. - US-China tensions - After the first day of talks, some 110 world leaders will join the summit on Monday and Tuesday. The most conspicuous no-show will be China's Xi Jinping, whose leadership was renewed last month at a Communist Party Congress. US President Joe Biden has said he will come, but only after legislative elections on Tuesday that could see either or both houses of Congress fall into the hands of Republicans hostile to international action on climate change. Cooperation between the United States and China -- the world's two largest economies and carbon polluters -- has been crucial to rare breakthroughs in the nearly 30-year saga of UN climate talks, including the 2015 Paris Agreement. But Sino-US relations have sunk to a 40-year low after a visit to Taiwan by House leader Nancy Pelosi and a US ban on the sale of high-level chip technology to China, leaving the outcome of COP27 in doubt. A meeting between Xi and Biden at the G20 summit in Bali days before the UN climate meeting ends, if it happens, could be decisive. One bright spot at COP27 will be the arrival of Brazilian president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose campaign vowed to protect the Amazon and reverse the extractive policies of outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro. bur-lth/mh/lg
AFP News

The UN's COP27 climate summit kicked off Sunday in Egypt with warnings against backsliding on efforts to cut emissions and calls for rich nations to compensate poor countries after a year of extreme weather disasters. Just in the past few months, climate-induced catastrophes have killed thousands, displaced millions and cost billions in damages across the world. Massive floods devastated swaths of Pakistan and Nigeria, droughts worsened in Africa and the western United States, cyclones whipped the Caribbean, and unprecedented heatwaves seared three continents. The conference in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh comes in a fraught year marked by Russia's war on Ukraine, an energy crunch, soaring inflation and the lingering effects from the Covid pandemic. But Simon Stiell, the UN's climate change executive secretary, said he would not be a "custodian of backsliding" on the goal of slashing greenhouse emissions 45 percent by 2030 to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above late-19th-century levels. "We will be holding people to account, be they presidents, prime ministers, CEOs," Stiell said as the 13-day summit opened. "The heart of implementation is everybody everywhere in the world every single day doing everything they possibly can to address the climate crisis," he said. Current trends would see carbon pollution increase 10 percent by the end of the decade and Earth's surface heat up 2.8C, according to findings unveiled last week. Promises made under the 2015 Paris Agreement would, if kept, only shave off a few tenths of a degree. "Whilst I do understand that leaders around the world have faced competing priorities this year, we must be clear: as challenging as our current moment is, inaction is myopic and can only defer climate catastrophe," said Alok Sharma, British president of the previous COP26 as he handed over the chairmanship to Egypt. "How many more wake-up calls does the world -- and world leaders -- actually need?", he said. In a dire warning, the UN's World Meteorological Organization said the past eight years are on track to be the eight warmest on record, with an acceleration in sea level rise, glacier melt and heatwaves. "As COP27 gets underway, our planet is sending a distress signal," UN chief Antonio Guterres said in a statement. - 'Loss and damage' - The COP27 summit will focus like never before on money -- a major sticking point that has soured relations between countries that got rich burning fossil fuels and the poorer ones suffering from the worst consequences of climate change. The United States and the European Union -- fearful of creating an open-ended reparations framework -- have dragged their feet and challenged the need for a separate funding stream. Delegates agreed on Sunday to put the "loss and damage" issue on the COP27 agenda, a first step toward what are sure to be fraught discussions. Inclusion of the agenda item "reflects a sense of solidarity and empathy for the suffering of the victims of climate induced disasters," said COP27 president Sameh Shoukry of Egypt. "We all owe a debt of gratitude to activists and civil society organisations who have persistently demanded the space to discuss funding for loss and damage," he said to applause. Shoukry also noted that rich nations have not fulfilled a separate pledge to deliver $100 billion per year to help developing countries green their economies and build resilience against future climate change. He also lamented that most climate financing is based on loans. "We do not have the luxury to continue this way. We have to change our approaches to this existential threat," he said, calling for solutions that "prove we are serious about not leaving anyone behind". - US-China tensions - After the first day of talks, more than 120 world leaders will join the summit on Monday and Tuesday. The most conspicuous no-show will be China's Xi Jinping, whose leadership was renewed last month at a Communist Party Congress. US President Joe Biden has said he will come, but only after legislative elections on Tuesday that could see either or both houses of Congress fall into the hands of Republicans hostile to international action on climate change. Cooperation between the United States and China -- the world's two largest economies and carbon polluters -- has been crucial to rare breakthroughs in the nearly 30-year saga of UN climate talks, including the 2015 Paris Agreement. But Sino-US relations have sunk to a 40-year low after a visit to Taiwan by House leader Nancy Pelosi and a US ban on the sale of high-level chip technology to China, leaving the outcome of COP27 in doubt. A meeting between Xi and Biden at the G20 summit in Bali days before the UN climate meeting ends, if it happens, could be decisive. One bright spot at COP27 will be the arrival of Brazilian president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose campaign vowed to protect the Amazon and reverse the extractive policies of outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro. bur-lth/fz
After Ankara blamed Tehran for pursuing a sectarian agenda and destabilising the Middle East, diplomatic tensions have escalated between Turkey and Iran, this past week.

Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Iran of resorting to Persian nationalism by trying to split Iraq and Syria, while Turkeys foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, criticized what he called Irans sectarian policy aimed at undermining Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. At the Munich conference on February 19, Cavusoglu said, Iran is trying to create two Shia states in Syria and Iraq. This is very dangerous. It must be stopped.

Iran summoned the Turkish ambassador in response to these remarks, and warned Turkey that its patience had limits, and if such statements continued, it will not remain silent.

Ankara sought to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad while Tehran, along with Russia, backed his administration, making Turkey and Iran opponents in Syria. In Iraq, Turkey claims to have an historical responsibility to protect the countrys Sunni and Turkmen minorities from Iran-backed Shia militias who are in the region to fight ISIL. However, Iran, alongside Iraqs government, views Turkeys involvement and military presence in the country as an incursion.

Yesilada explained, Turkey acts as the protector of Sunnis in the region, while Iran wants to build a Shia circle of influence all the way from Tehran to Lebanon, so it is inevitable for these two regional powers to clash. He said that as ISIL is steadily losing territory in Iraq and Syria, a significant power vacuum is forming along Turkeys southeastern border. There is a clash between Iran and Turkey over who will be the dominant force in the area.

ISIL is about to leave the stage for good, and Turkey is extremely worried about its replacement. If it doesnt act immediately and forcefully, Iran-backed militias, Bashar al-Assad or the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), a group Turkey considers to be a terrorist organisation, can take over territories previously controlled by ISIL. Yesilada said, adding, Turkey does not want another enemy at the gates, so it is making its position known to Iran, clearly and loudly.

Iran, meanwhile, is actively working towards making sure its allies keep control or the area, and ending Turkeys ongoing military presence in Iraq and Syria, analysts said.

A senior foreign affairs adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ali Akbar Velayati, recently stated that Turkish troops should immediately retreat from Iraq and Syria or the people would kick them out. However, Iran experts in Turkey claim that Tehran is alarmed by Turkeys presence in Syria and Iraq.

Erdem Aydin, an expert on Iran at Istanbuls Bogazici University, told Al Jazeera, Iran is extremely disturbed by Turkeys Euphrates Shield operation in Syria and its military presence in Iraqs Bashiqa. Iran views Turkeys military presence in these countries as a significant obstacle in front of its desire to extend its influence in the region.

Aydin, who is also a foreign news analyst and editor for CNN Turk, made it clear that Iran wants to cut Turkeys efforts to create a Sunni controlled safe-zone in northern Syria at its roots. The escalation of diplomatic tensions between Iran and Turkey came after President Erdogan completed a week-long tour of the Arabian peninsula. We have reason to believe that Erdogan asked his Saudi and Gulf allies to finance the creation of a safe zone in northern Syria during these visits and Iran was of course disturbed by this development. 

Yesilada added that, It is also possible that the Gulf states asked Erdogan to adopt a more contentious attitude towards Iran in exchange for providing financial assistance for the safe-zone.

Analysts believe that US president Donald Trumps aggressive attitude towards Iran, and the perception that he may be willing to support the creation of a Turkish-controlled safe zone in northern Syria, may also have played a role in the escalation of tensions between Tehran and Ankara.

It looks like Erdogan realised Trump is going to be a lot more aggressive towards Iran compared to his predecessor, so he decided to act up against Tehran to secure US support for the safe zone, Yesilada said.

Aydin added that Russias recent rapprochement with Turkey, and its disagreements with Iran over Syria may be significant in the future of Turkeys relations with Iran. Russia and Iran are having differences of opinion regarding the future of Syria, he said. Russia is viewing Assad as an ally, but is not insistent about him staying in his role as Syrias president. Iran does not want Assad to go anywhere, but Russia, on the contrary, may easily sacrifice him.

Yesilada believes that, Russia is ready to get out of Syria. It is content with its victory on the ground. So it may choose not to be on Irans side to support Assad against Turkey.

Still, analysts point to the vast economic ties between the regional rivals and believe this will prevent a significant confrontation.

Aydin told Al Jazeera that, 90 percent of Irans natural gas exports go to Turkey and Turkey imports 20 percent of its natural gas from Iran. Regional politics may cause tensions between the two countries, but in the light of their strong economic ties, I dont believe the recent escalation in diplomatic tensions is going to lead to a serious confrontation.

Although he argued that Turkey may be ready to take the economic blow to protect its regional interests, Yesilada said that economic ties between the two countries cannot be overlooked.

It is true that Turkey is buying a lot of natural gas from Iran, and given that the Islamic Republic does not care too much about the international law, it may decide to close down the valves to teach Ankara a lesson, he said.

He noted that Turkish businesses had been investing heavily in Iran following its nuclear deal with the US. Yet Turkey might still be willing to face any economic threat and do everything necessary to stop Iran from extending its influence further in the Middle East, because any other scenario will be politically too costly for the country.

Iran's Velayati: Trump administration must leave this region completely

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP)  Appearing calm and solemn, two young women accused of smearing VX nerve agent on Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half brother of North Korea's leader, were charged with murder Wednesday.

The women, who arrived in court under the protection of masked special forces carrying machine guns, are at the center of a bizarre killing at a busy Kuala Lumpur airport terminal. Many speculate the attack was orchestrated by North Korea, but Pyongyang denies any role.

"I understand but I am not guilty," Vietnamese suspect Doan Thi Huong told the court in English after the murder charge was read. She looked briefly at the public gallery as she was led out and bowed her head.

The other suspect, Indonesian Siti Aisyah, nodded as her translator told her: "You are accused of murdering a North Korean man at the departure hall" of Kuala Lumpur International Airport. She was dressed in a red T-shirt and jeans.

The women did not enter pleas because the magistrate court where they appeared has no jurisdiction over a murder case. Lead prosecutor Iskander Ahmad told the court he will ask for the case to be transferred to a higher court and for both women to be tried together.

Each faces a mandatory death sentence if convicted. Both women were wearing bulletproof vests as they were escorted from the court to Kajang Prison.

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Kim Jong Nam was attacked as he waited for his flight home to Macau on Feb. 13. He died shortly after two women went up behind him and wiped something onto his face.

Both women have reportedly said they thought they were part of a prank TV show playing harmless tricks on unsuspecting passengers. Aisyah told authorities she was paid the equivalent of $90.

The attack was caught on grainy airport surveillance video; Huong was seen clearly in a T-shirt with "LOL" emblazoned across the front.

Gooi Soon Seng, Aisyah's lawyer, spoke to his client for the first time Wednesday.

Story continues

"Her eyes were red and she says she's innocent," he said.

Also Wednesday, the court approved a gag order to prevent police and potential witnesses from making public statements about the case.

Meanwhile, Kim's corpse is at the center of a growing diplomatic battle between North Korea and Malaysia.

Speculation is rampant that North Korea was behind the killing, particularly after Malaysia said Friday that VX had killed Kim. Experts say the oily poison was almost certainly produced in a sophisticated state weapons laboratory.

On Tuesday, a high-level North Korean delegation arrived in Kuala Lumpur seeking custody of the body.

North Korea opposed Malaysian officials even conducting an autopsy, while Malaysia has resisted giving up the body without getting DNA samples and confirmation from next of kin.

Malaysian officials have confirmed that the victim of the attack was Kim Jong Nam. North Korea, however, has identified him only as a North Korean national with a diplomatic passport bearing the name Kim Chol.

Health Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said Malaysia will continue to insist that the body be identified by medical examiners through DNA or other means before it can be released. He said the protocol is to release it to the next-of-kin once identification is completed.

Kim Jong Nam is believed to have two sons and a daughter with two women living in Beijing and Macau.

The Pyongyang delegation is also seeking the release of a North Korean arrested in the case, 45-year-old Ri Jong Chol. Malaysia has not described his alleged role in the killing, and it was not clear if or when he could be charged.

Authorities are seeking seven other North Korean suspects, four of whom fled the country the day of Kim's death and are believed to be back in North Korea. Others sought include the second secretary of North Korea's embassy and an employee of North Korea's state-owned airline, Air Koryo.

Kim Jong Nam was estranged from Kim Jong Un. He reportedly fell out of favor with their father, the late Kim Jong Il, in 2001, when he was caught trying to enter Japan on a false passport to visit Tokyo Disneyland.

He had been heading to Macau, where he has a home, when he was killed.

Isolated North Korea has a long history of ordering killings of people it views as threats to its regime. Kim Jong Nam was not known to be seeking political power, but his position as eldest son of the family that has ruled North Korea since it was founded could have made him appear to be a danger.
By Eveline Danubrata and John Chalmers JAKARTA (Reuters) - A pact to combat terrorism will be the centrepiece of up to 10 agreements that will be signed when Saudi Arabia's king this week visits Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country, the kingdom's envoy to Indonesia said on Tuesday. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who on Sunday kicked off a month-long Asian tour, lands in Indonesia on Wednesday with an entourage that local officials have said could number up to 1,500. Billed as a "mega trip", it would be a Saudi king's first visit to Indonesia in nearly five decades. Apart from a side-trip of several hours to Brunei, King Salman will be in Indonesia until March 12, spending much of the time on the resort island of Bali, ambassador Osama Mohammad Abdullah Alshuaibi told Reuters in an interview. "We know Indonesia has suffered from bombing and terrorism here," he said, singling out the Islamic State for its "different ideology" and disrespect for human life. "We will cooperate with the Indonesians on this field. We can exchange data, we can exchange experience, and we can defeat these people." Authorities in officially secular Indonesia have grown increasingly concerned after a series of attacks over the past year blamed on supporters of Islamic State. ISLAMIC SCHOOLS Indonesian police killed a militant on Monday after he detonated a small bomb in the West Java city of Bandung. Security officials said they were investigating whether he had links to a radical network sympathetic to Islamic State. Alshuaibi said Saudi and Indonesian military officers are training in each other's countries to counter Islamic State. Saudi Arabia is aiming to open more Islamic schools in Indonesia, which will teach religion using the Arabic language, and step up the number of scholarships for students, the envoy said. The king's visit to Indonesia comes as fringe Islamist groups grow in influence and Muslim leaders take an increasingly strict line on Islamic issues, which is at odds with Indonesia's traditional brand of moderate "Islam Nusantara". Underpinning that is a growing conservatism among Indonesians, which analysts say is partly the result of Saudi money being poured into the country over the past several decades to build mosques, schools and universities. The ambassador said the visit could also lay the foundation for developing oil and gas projects and promoting tourism. $25 BILLION Oil giant Saudi Aramco, which has an existing agreement with Indonesian state energy firm Pertamina for a $5 billion refinery upgrade in Central Java, may take on more projects offered by Pertamina later this year, he said. Indonesian President Joko Widodo is hoping the king's visit will bring investment commitments worth up to $25 billion, Indonesian officials have previously said. During his trip to Indonesia, the Saudi king will be accompanied by more than 900 people, including ministers, princes and service staff, Alshuaibi said. Indonesian officials had earlier said the entourage could be up to 1,500 people. The king will visit Jakarta, the state palace in Bogor, a city south of the capital, and spend the last leg of his Indonesian trip in Bali, Alshuaibi said. Indonesia will assign at least 9,000 security personnel to protect the king's entourage, he added. (Reporting by Eveline Danubrata and John Chalmers; Editing by Bill Tarrant)
Evan Fogarty braved the 2016-17 winter bleakness to put together a rad welcome edit for Boarderco , piecing together lines at scenic ledge spots, hitting suburban gaps and hunting down roof gaps to chuck flip tricks over on the streets of Dublin.

The Cirencester Skatepark Scratch and Skate Jam 2018, organised by Decimal Skateshop, can now be seen courtesy of James Harris' lens.

Power moves from Bromley here as Blast Skates welcomes Joe Howard to the team with two minutes of RWTB assisted DIY quarterpipe shredding.

Here are our favourite shots from the #CanonFirsts competition, including the two winners

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Peter Whetstones loosely Sheffield-based scene video Elephant sees shredding from across the UK, both street and park based, from a wide array of faces.

Alex Hallford, James Booth, Harry Shaw and more feature in a brief glimpse of what the Sheffield to London stretch has to offer spot-wise, seeing Hallford shredding home territory at the Flo Skatepark bowl is always a treat!
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Want to blog for your business? Or maybe youd like to build an entire business around blogging? Youre going to need some help.

Even if you have the greatest tech know-how and a natural talent for writing, you cant hope to build a successful blog without utilizing some blogging tools. Luckily, there are tons for you to choose from. Here are 50 killer tools you can use to build a better blog today.

Killer Business Blogging Tools

WordPress

The number one blogging platform out there, you can set up a basic blog site using WordPress.com or create a more professional looking site using self-hosted WordPress at WordPress.org.

GoDaddy

Again, GoDaddy is one of the most popular destinations online for people who want to buy domains for blogs or other websites. The company also offers other services like hosting and email.

Bluehost

But GoDaddy isnt the only web host in town. Others like Bluehost, which is especially popular among WordPress users, offer quality hosting service as well.

Laughing Squid

Laughing Squid is another hosting provider thats popular with WordPress bloggers. It also has some options for more speciality sites.

Google Keyword Planner

If you want to blog, then you need to have specific topics and keywords in mind. The Google Keyword Planner is an online tool that helps you research and refine the best keywords for your focus and audience.

Google Webmaster Tools

Google Webmaster Tools is a portal you can use to find assistance and support for a number of different website related areas, including SEO, site testing and online courses.

Bing Webmaster Tools

Bing also offers a similar portal for people who want to ensure their sites run properly and rank highly in Bing searches.

Google Analytics

If you want to create a successful blog, then you need to keep track of what works and what doesnt. Google Analytics gives you access to data about site traffic, popular content and more.

Jetpack

Jetpack is a popular plugin series for WordPress sites. Features include analytics, security and more.

Yoast SEO

Yoast is another popular plugin that focuses specifically on SEO. You can use it to update keywords, analyze your content and more.

BuzzSumo

In order to research your content ideas and monitor your content, BuzzSumo offers an online platform that lets you find trending topics and more related to your blog.

Photoshop

Most blog posts should include some type of photos or visuals. And if you want those images to look as professional as possible, you might find it useful to invest in some kind of photo editing program like Photoshop.

Canva

But you dont necessarily need to make a huge investment in order to share great visuals on your blog. Canva is a free online photo editing and graphic design tool you can use right in your web browser.

GIMP

GIMP is another free image manipulation tool that you can download and use to edit photos and create works of art.

Flickr

Whether you want to share photos or find some Creative Commons images to include in your blog posts, Flickr can be a great resource for any visually oriented bloggers.

Shutterstock

You can also find stock photos to include with your posts using sites like Shutterstock if you dont want to create your own images.

Death to the Stock Photo

For more stylish photos and videos straight to your inbox, you could also consider a resource like Death to the Stock Photo.

Piktochart

Infographics can also be powerful visuals to include with blog posts. And Piktochart gives you an easy way to create your own.

See Also: Amazon Says It Has Released 50 New Tools for Small Business Sellers

YouTube

Or you could create more in-depth visuals like videos to include with your posts. And YouTube is the top resource for hosting and sharing those videos.

MailChimp

To grow a successful business around your blog, its also a good idea to maintain some kind of email list. MailChimp is a tool with both free and paid options for managing those lists.

LeadPages

You can also use LeadPages as a way to gather leads online and to set up landing pages for promotions related to your blog or business.

Sprout Social

If youre going to have a successful blog, chances are youre going to use social media to promote it. Sprout Social is an online tool you can use to create marketing campaigns across various social channels.

Buffer

You can also use Buffer to schedule social content across different platforms as well as find inspiration for new content to share.

Hootsuite

Hootsuite is another option for social media scheduling and management.

Quora

When youre looking for inspiration for new blog posts, it can help to consider what questions people might have about your particular niche. Quora is a question and answer website that can give you lots of insights about the questions that people might need answered.

Quick Sprout

Looking at your blog analytics is essential to growing your traffic  but it can also be confusing. Quick Sprout is a tool you can connect to your Google Analytics and then use it to get actionable insights and tips for improving your website and blog.

Google Trends

Trending topics, or topics that are especially popular online, can also make for great blog content. And Google Trends is a great resource for finding topics that people are currently searching for.

Twitter Trending Topics

You can also turn to Twitter and look at the platforms Trending Topics as a source of inspiration for new blog posts.

LinkedIn Pulse

For more professionally focused blogs, you can also turn to LinkedIn Pulse for a way to discover content and influencers that can help you determine new subjects to explore in posts.

Hubspots Blog Topic Generator

Just dont know what to blog about this week? Hubspot offers a Blog Topic Generator that you can use by filling in a few quick fields and then receive a custom post suggestion.

Evernote

Blogging requires you to constantly think of new ideas and even refine posts on the go. And Evernote can be a great tool for keeping all of your thoughts and notes on upcoming posts organized.

Trello

Trello is another great productivity tool that you can use to organize your thoughts or even work with a team around your blog.

Google Calendar

For organizing your post schedule and other tasks, Google Calendar is a free online tool that can help you stay on track.

Editorial Calendar

You can also use a WordPress plugin like Editorial Calendar to manage your upcoming post schedule right from your blog dashboard.

Dropbox

Need to share or store large files for your blog? Dropbox is the go-to online service for this function.

Click to Tweet

When youre trying to promote your blog online, it can help if you get your readers to do some promotion for you as well. Click to Tweet is an online tool that you can use to create snippets of your blog posts that are easily tweetable.

Post Planner

Post Planner is another socially focused app. You can use it to manage and discover content on Facebook and more.

Grammarly

The last thing you want to find on your blog after publishing a post is a myriad of grammar errors. Grammarly offers a browser extension and online tool that you can use to check for grammar and spelling errors before posting.

Hemingway

Hemingway is a more sophisticated online editor that you can use to identify areas where you can improve your writing style.

PayPal

If you plan on accepting any payments on your blog or website, PayPal is an easy way for you to get those payments.

Dribbble

Your blog design is an important part of the overall reader experience. If you want to find a professional designer or some design inspiration, take a look at Dribbble.

Behance

Behance is another online portfolio site where you can find designers and other creative professionals.

Upwork

If you want to outsource any of your content or other aspects of building your blog, Upwork offers a marketplace for professional freelancers.

Gmail

Its also essential that you have a simple way to reach out to blog sources and collaborators, and for people to reach out to you as well. Gmail offers free email service as well as reasonably priced custom domain addresses.

Skype

Skype is another great way to stay in touch with people. You can use it to video chat with your team or even call people for blog interviews.

Disqus

If you want a more sophisticated or customized commenting system than what automatically comes with your blog, consider using a comment plugin like Disqus.

Feedly

To run a successful blog, its a good idea to stay in tune with what others in your niche are covering. Feedly is an online reader that makes it easy for you to follow lots of different blogs.

Bloglovin

Bloglovin is another online reader that you can use to follow blogs and promote your own.

Desk

If you get distracted easily while writing blog post, consider Desk. Its an app for WordPress and MacOS that eliminates outside distractions on your screen while you write.

CoSchedule Headline Analyzer

Headlines are hugely important to successful blog content. And the CoSchedule Headline Analyzer can give you an idea of how strong your headlines really are.
Slovak gas projects will receive finances from the European Union.

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Slovakia is getting closer to reducing its dependence on Russian natural gas. Two projects of the country's gas transmission system operator Eustream are among the latest 18 projects chosen as priority European energy infrastructure projects. The European Commission plans to invest a total of 444 million into them. Approximately one quarter of this money should go for the two Slovak projects. These will help Slovakia and other countries in central Europe to diversify gas supplies. The European Commission still has to formally okay the support. "This is good news for Slovakia and central Europe, either from the viewpoint of energy security or for further development of the natural gas market," Pavol Kubik, spokesperson of Eustream told The Slovak Spectator.

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The European Union will contribute 107.7 million or 40 percent of planned costs for building the Slovak-Polish gas pipeline. Semi state-owned Eustream, in which the Czech energy group Energeticky a Prumyslovy Holding (EPH) holds managerial control, will build it with the Polish partner Gaz-System. Total costs should be almost 270 million. The pipeline will be approximately 164 kilometres long. Of it, 106 kilometres should be built in Slovakia and 58 kilometres in Poland.

Construction of the Slovak part of the pipeline connecting the existing gas transmission pipeline near Vel'ke Kapusany in eastern Slovakia will cost approximately 138 million. The project also includes construction of the Strachocina compressor station in Poland and modification of the existing compressor station in Velke Kapusany.

Based on the latest plans, construction work of the inter-connector should be complete in 2020.

"The launch of the pipeline into commercial operation is planned for 2021 after a trial operation," said Kubik.

The new inter-connector should connect the Slovak and Polish gas markets in both directions and it will be accessible to anyone interested in gas transmission.

"Thanks to the new inter-connector countries of central and eastern Europe will have access to sources of natural gas from the North," specified Kubik. "During the time being this is especially access to the Polish LNG terminal. The planned Baltic Pipe will bring additional opportunities."

The capacity of the pipeline is planned at 4.7 billion cubic metres of gas annually in the direction from Poland to Slovakia. In the opposite direction the annual capacity will be 5.7 billion cubic metres.

This means that the latter capacity is bigger that the average gas consumption in Slovakia. For example, in 2014 Slovakia consumed almost 4.3 billion cubic metres of gas and imported 98 percent of that.

Slovakia mostly imports gas from Russia via Ukraine. After the gas crisis in 2009 when Russia stopped transmitting gas via Ukraine and Slovakia was without gas for about two weeks, Slovakia enabled reverse gas flows. The new Slovak-Polish inter-connector will allow for importing Russian gas while bypassing Ukraine.

Eustream sees the main advantages of the project in the fundamental strengthening of Slovakia's energy security and the region of central and eastern Europe.

It will enable access to alternative sources of natural gas and will create new opportunities for trading with a positive impact on gas prices.

Energy analyst Karel Hirman recalled that the Slovak-Polish inter-connector has been part of the plan to interconnect the Baltic, Black and Adriatic seas in the north-southern direction by gas pipelines for a long period of time.

"Its importance lays in facilitating cross-border flows of gas in case of fluctuations in gas supplies within the Visegrad group," Hirman told The Slovak Spectator, adding that in the future it can also create technical conditions for development of trade also with Ukraine. If Eustream's second project, Eastring, is also carried out, the Slovak-Polish inter-connector could connect southern gas sources.

Hirman specified that gas to be transported via the Slovak-Polish pipe may come from various sources, when Russian gas flows already via the Polish LNG terminal Swinoujscie to Germany. There is an opportunity for cross-border trades with Ukraine.

"If the transit of Russian gas via Ukraine and Velke Kapusany is preserved after 2019, Velke Kapusany may become an interesting hub for swap operations," said Hirman.

Low interest?

A survey among gas traders last summer revealed rather lukewarm commercial interest in transporting gas via the Slovak-Polish pipeline. But gas experts believe this may be only temporary.

"The currently low commercial interest may also be linked with waiting to see how the plans for the new Polish-Ukrainian and Slovak-Polish inter-connectors will really turn out and what concrete transmission opportunities these new routes will bring," said Hirman.

Kubik specified that this survey reflected a low interest in long-term reservation of transmission capacities and that after the pipeline is put into operation, also short and mid-term reservation of capacities may bring relevant market potential.

Eastring pipeline, in the pipeline

The second of Slovakia's projects to be supported by funding from the EU is Eustream's Eastring, with the aim to interconnect Slovakia's gas transmission infrastructure with the Balkans. The gas transmission operator will receive 1 million of the expected costs of 2 million for elaboration of a feasibility study. Its results should be used for setting the final route of the pipeline as well as other technical details of the project.

The Eastring project is currently being considered with more variants, deviations in routing options and level of usage of existing infrastructure. It should start at the current compressor station in Velke Kapusany, where it should connect with Eustream's existing gas transit pipes serving to supply mainly western Europe as well as Ukraine in reverse flow, the website of the project reads. From there, Eastring will flow to the southern border with Hungary, crossing the north-east territory of Hungary in a Ushape towards the Romanian border.

From the Velke Kapusany compressor station to the Romanian border an existing Ukrainian pipeline could also be used as an alternative routing option, but with limited capacity available.

In this initial phase there are two routing options suggested in Romania and Bulgaria. According to initial estimates, Eastring should be from 832 to 1,015 kilometres in length, depending on the chosen route. In the past construction costs were estimated to be from 1.14 to 1.52 billion but now it is about 2 billion, the Sme daily wrote.
The Memory of Bratislava project brings the history of Bratislava to experts as well as the general public in a modern  electronic  form.

The historical picture of the embankment of the Danube River in Bratislava. (Source: Courtesy of Comenius University)

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Thanks to experts from the Comenius University, Bratislava is getting a virtual memory. The project Pamat Mesta Bratislavy (PamMap) or Memory of Bratislava in English, brings the history of Bratislava to experts as well as the general public in a modern  electronic  form. Juraj Sedivy from the Faculty of Arts at Comenius University initiated this complex memory website with a sophisticated filtering system.

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The website, www.PamMap.sk, arose as a side product during work on a five-volume history of Bratislava. It is now in trial operation. Apart from Slovak, it is in English, Hungarian and German.

When working on the fourth and fifth volume we collected a lot of material which we cannot put into the book because of space, said Sedivy as cited in a press release.

They firstly thought to publish the information on special DVDs. From there it was only a small step to the idea of a website. Compared with DVDs, its advantage is that it is open and can be updated and fed with new information.

Apart from the experts from Comenius University, the Archive of the Monuments Board of the Slovak Republic, the Bratislava City Archive as well as private collectors have been cooperating on the project from its pilot phase.

PamMap should serve the general public particularly but thanks to the participation of historians, preservation experts and others it also has ambitions to be a specialised website for scientific use.

Workers from the above institutions as well as volunteers have so far digitalised more than 100,000 memory units, which will be gradually, depending on financial resources, published on the website.

Sedivy sees the uniqueness of this website from two angles. Firstly in its complexity, where those interested will be able to find everything from a digitalised hand axe to audio memories and videos. The second important innovation is combining three forms of output into one  the website unites a database, an encyclopaedia and an historical atlas of the city.

The ambition of the projects authors is to get as many information sources involved as possible; for example private collectors often hold unique and so-far unpublished sources of information and memories in their collections.
The SNS chair suffers mostly because of the controversial military promotion and his following actions.

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The promotion of Speaker of Parliament and Slovak National Party (SNS) chair Andrej Danko from corporal to captain in reserve and the following defence of this step have significantly impacted the politicians popularity.

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In December 2016, nearly half of the respondents of the Focus poll could imagine him as the new prime minister, while 44 percent were against it, the latest survey carried out for the Sme daily suggests his support fell to 34.2 respondents. Nearly 59 percent of respondents would be against him being appointed a new PM.

I see as the reason as being the scandal of military ranks and Dankos subsequent communication which was not very good regarding the management of critical situations, sociologist Martin Slosiarik, head of Focus, told Sme.

The latest Focus poll suggests that voters cannot agree on any specific candidate for the PM post. Robert Fico (Smer) would be accepted by 34.3 percent of respondents, but as many as 60.6 percent of them would be against him.

Read also:

Read also: Focus poll: Danko most likeable politician, Kotleba the least Read more

Fico received similar results also in December, but due to the fall of Andrej Danko and slight drop of Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) chair Richard Sulik, he leads the February poll, ahead of Danko.

Sulik is third, winning the support of 33.9 percent of respondents, which is 4 percentage points less than in December. On the other hand, 58.9 percent said they would disagree with him being appointed PM, Sme reported.

Fourth would be Boris Kollar, chair of the opposition We Are Family party, who would be accepted by 30.3 percent of respondents, though 63.5 percent would be against him. Kollar would be supported by a significant portion of voters of the far-right Peoples Party  Our Slovakia of Marian Kotleba.

He earns points by criticising the system and his position of replacing the failing state, Slosiarik explained, adding that his opinions on Roma and refugees often reflect the majority opinion of society.

Bela Bugar, chair of Most-Hid, would place fifth, being supported by 26.8 percent and opposed by 67.5 percent, followed by Igor Matovic of Ordinary People and Independent Personalities with 26.2 percent support and 68.4 percent of respondents who would disagree with him, Sme wrote.

Read also:

Read also: Captain Danko causes uproar Read more

Promotion still controversial

As for Dankos fall, Slosiarik opines that he lost the most votes from non-voters and undecided voters. It was mostly their votes that won him the first place in the December poll, the sociologist explained.

However, he fell also in the group of voters of other political parties, Slosiarik told Sme, adding that he is still supported by voters of his SNS party.

To stop the fall in preferences, Danko would have to find an extremely positive topic that would resonate in the public and cover the scandal over the military ranking. This, however, will not be easy, Slosiarik added.
Salesian priest Titus Zeman is the first Roman Catholic priest-martyr from the communist era.

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Slovakia will have another blessed figure, as Pope Francis on Monday approved a decree concerning the martyrdom of Slovak Salesian priest Titus Zeman. He died as a consequence of torture and imprisonment by the communist regime on January 8, 1969, the TASR newswire reported.

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The decree signed by the pope paves the way for Zemans official beatification as the first Roman Catholic priest-martyr from the communist era (1948-89) in present-day Slovakia, noted Rastislav Hamracek, spokesperson for the Salesians of Don Bosco in Slovakia.

Its a huge gift for all of us to see our brother raised to the altars, a brother who came from our midst, sacrificed his life and accompanied young friars in their vocation, said Salesian Slovak provincial Jozef Izold, as quoted by TASR. He also represents a multitude of other faithful in our country who were ready to face many risks and sacrifices for their faith and out of love for souls in the communist era.

The date for Zemans beatification has not been set yet, but it is expected that it could take place in Bratislava in the autumn.

Bratislava Metropolitan Archbishop Stanislav Zvolensky also described Zemans planned beatification as a gift for Slovakia.

It will make his life story even more appealing, Zvolensky said, as quoted by TASR, pointing to Zeman as a model of courage in suffering and faithfulness to the Catholic Church.

Born in Bratislavas Vajnory on January 4, 1915, Zeman became a Salesian priest at the age of 25. He subsequently served as chaplain, school council member and chemistry teacher.

After the communists shut down monasteries in Slovakia on April 13, 1950, Zeman organised three illegal escapes for young Salesian seminarians to Italy in order to allow them to complete their studies and receive priestly ordination. The third escape across a swollen Morava River on April 9, 1951 went awry, however, with Zeman and the escapees captured and interrogated.

Zeman, who was tortured during the investigation, was finally sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment. He was released on parole with poor health after 13 years and died five years later as a result of his torture and imprisonment on January 8, 1969, TASR reported.

The process of Zemans beatification, which included the exhumation of his remains, was launched in February 2010, and the so-called diocese phase was concluded in December 2012, before the issue began to be examined by the Vatican.
The business environment still has weaknesses and no improvements in the most critical areas have been adopted, entrepreneurs say.

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Entrepreneurs in Slovakia are still dissatisfied with the development of the business environment. As a result, they evaluated its development in the final quarter of 2016 rather negatively since the business environment index dropped by 2.1 percent to only 51.6 points.

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On the other hand, the negative evaluation is not as bad as in the previous quarter, the Business Alliance of Slovakia (PAS) informed in a press release.

The main reason for such a state are legislative changes. The entrepreneurs welcomed the reduction of corporate income taxes and changes to bankruptcy and distrainment proceedings, but criticised the introduction of the tax on dividends and levy from non-life insurance, PAS informed.

The highest drop of all factors influencing the final business environment index was reported in cthe ase of enforcing the principle of equality before the law.

The name Basternak is mentioned in media quite often, but without a concrete result in the form of progress in the investigation of tax frauds or drawing consequences by the government, the report reads.

Corruption still a problem

Another problematic item is the functionality of the political system in the state.

Entrepreneurs seriously doubt the operation of the state as a guarantor of justice, safety and infrastructure administration, which is a serious impulse, the report reads.

Slovakia, for example, lags behind in fight against corruption as it regularly places among the worst countries in this field. Despite the promises to solve this problem, the government has not introduced any specific plans or measures. Moreover, it still has not published the deduction of the action plan to improve the position of Slovakia as a state of law from summer 2015, PAS informed.

Trust in the state also suffers from the politicisation of the police and doubts over the independence of its inspection. Not even the register of end beneficiaries of the public sector is perceived very positively. Its benefits are doubtful as the data is not automatically checked, and it only poses a financial and administrative burden to companies.

The weak functionality of the political system in the state is deepened also by the tense relations between governing politicians, the disputes between coalition and opposition, the ignorance of opposition proposal in the parliament and changes to the parliamentary rules of procedure.

In addition, entrepreneurs fight many problems whose solutions seems to be out of sight, PAS wrote in the report.

No measures to improve law enforceability

More problematic areas are law enforceability and functionality of the judiciary, as well as the clarity and stability of legislation. Both items regularly receive the most negative evaluation, but nothing has been improved in this field yet. The trust in the Slovak judiciary also suffers from infighting between former president of the Supreme Court Stefan Harabin and his successor Daniela Svecova, according to PAS.

The adoption of many laws and amendments impacting business in the final quarter of 2016 had the biggest effect on evaluating the stability of legislation.

Entrepreneurs perceive many changes as chaotic, lacking a concept and way the country wants to follow, the report reads.

Though the state reduced the corporate income tax by 1 percent, it introduced the new tax on dividends and levy from non-life insurance which they consider a hidden tax that increases their financial burden.

Instead of a simple and attractive tax system, the government has to lure new investors by offering them stimuli which are paid by taxpayers, the PAS analysis reads. This harms the competitive environment.

The quality and availability of the labour force also received a negative evaluation.

On the other hand, entrepreneurs, for the first time in eight years, praised the bankruptcy and distrainment legislation. They also positively evaluated the stability and predictability of the euro value and the access to financial sources. Entrepreneurs also feel the improvement of infrastructure and their own impact on improving the quality of the business environment, according to PAS.
Two former ministers did not allow logging in valleys stricken by the wind calamity.

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The district prosecutors office in Poprad (Presov Region) closed the bark beetle case in which two former environment ministers Laszlo Miklos (Party of Hungarian Community) and Jaroslav Izak (Slovak National Party) were charged.

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Both were accused of the crime of threatening and harming the environment. The latter was also accused of marring tasks by public officials, the SITA newswire reported.

The prosecutor, however, stopped the prosecution, claiming the deed was not a crime, so there is no reason to proceed, said spokesperson for the regional prosecutors office in Presov Marian Spisak.

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Read also: Halting the prosecution of former ministers proposed Read more

The decision came into force on December 13, 2016. Moreover, the investigator of the National Criminal Agency also proposed to stop the prosecution last year, SITA wrote.

The charges against the ex-ministers concerned their ban to start logging in Ticha and Koprova Dolina valleys, stricken by the 2004 wind calamity. At the time, the trees in the area with the highest protection level were infested by bark beetle. The ministers instead opted for a more ecologic approach and let the woods self-recover.

Their decision was defended also in 2012 by then head of the Environment Ministry Peter Ziga (Smer), who said the former ministers followed the law, SITA wrote.
Schools in Slovakia must do a better job of developing their students critical thinking skills from an early age, US envoy says.

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In my trips across Slovakia over the six past months, Ive met with government representatives, business leaders, civil society activists, artists, educators and journalists. Ive been impressed by the talent and energy of the Slovak people, and by the pride you take in your country. Yet, if there is one area that all parties agree requires more attention, it is education.

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To build a more competitive society, Slovakia needs to strengthen its investment in education. Yet, the deficiencies of Slovakias education system do not show up only in the marketplace of products; they also reveal themselves in the marketplace of ideas. Too many young Slovaks are falling prey to extreme and hate-filled ideology, and this represents a serious threat to Slovakias long-term stability, security, and prosperity. I am thus heartened by the strong recent statements by Prime Minister Fico and other Slovak leaders that recognize this threat.

To understand the present, we must study the past. But how many primary and secondary school students know the lessons of World War II? How many are familiar with the stories of Klak and Ostry Grun  villages burned to the ground by Nazi soldiers? How many know the hole left in this countrys cultural and historical fabric by the near-total destruction of its once-vibrant Jewish community? I recently visited the Slovak National Uprising Museum in Banska Bystrica and plan to see the Sen a Skutocnost exhibit at the Slovak National Gallery. In addition, the Slovak National Theaters play Natalka is touring the country. Such presentations remind us where the path of extremism and hatred leads. The resources we need to protect ourselves are widely available. We must use them to teach the next generation about the misery of the past.

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Read also: Extremists complain about theatre play Read more

At the same time, the ability of children to learn about the past is obstructed by false and misleading information on social media and in alternative media outlets. Increasingly, we must all be able to differentiate between truth and propaganda, information and disinformation. I was encouraged by this papers initiative to begin regularly debunking so-called fake news, and I know civil society and other organizations are also working on this problem. But to truly prepare society to resist this threat, schools in Slovakia must do a better job of developing their students critical thinking skills from an early age.

Finally, we must accept that the world is shrinking by the day. The most successful societies are open societies, and Slovakia has much to gain from encouraging more inclusion and tolerance. Our shared values teach us to love others as we would have others love us. Slovak schools, parochial or otherwise, have an enduring responsibility to teach this morality early and often.

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Read also: Former neo-Nazi: You should have a beer with extremists Read more

The United States is far from perfect. We have long struggled with exclusion and want to share the painful lessons we have learned from the fight against it. Former American neo-Nazi skinhead Christian Picciolini just returned to Slovakia for his third visit and spoke with 2,400 students across the country about extremism. In cooperation with local activists, he also launched the EXIT Slovensko organization, modeled on a successful program currently operating in the US, to assist those who are looking to leave hate movements. While this is a welcome step, I hope that eventually Slovakia and the US wont need exit programs. By focusing on education, we can stop extremism before it starts.

Adam Sterling is US Ambassador to Slovakia
Visual art, dance and music are universal means of expression; drama, on the other hand, is determined and limited by the language it is performed in. To offer the world at least a taste of Slovak drama, the Theatre Institute has prepared an anthology in English.

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The Golden Collection of Slovak Drama of the 20th Century (19001948) I offers insight into the events in Slovakia in the first half of the 20th century.

The selection of playwrights and their works was quite obvious, as there were not too many of them,

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The selection for this English edition is the first of its kind and unique, author of the conception and preface, Vladimir Stefko, said for The Slovak Spectator. There were some other translations in different languages of a few Slovak plays; but there was no comprehensive selection.

This collection is set by the time frame, from Jozef Gregor Tajovsky as a representative of the era of realism, through more modern writers, to the authors at the end of the 1940s, Stefko explained, adding that the choice took into consideration not just quality as perceived in a domestic cultural environment, but also the perspective of motif, story, and structure being of interest also abroad  separated from Slovak reality and history. Thus, the aspect of whether the pieces are still played and even popular in Slovakia did not play a great role; rather, dramas representative and typical of each of the playwrights selected were chosen. The choice was also limited by space, the concept author said.

Authors and history of Slovak drama

Apart from J.G. Tajovsky (1874-1940) with his New Life, other dramatists included are Ivan Stodola (1888-1977) with Tea at Mr. Senators; Julius Barc-Ivan (1909-1953) with The Two; Vladimir Hurban Vladimirov (1884-1950, living in a Slovak enclave in Serbia)  A Screeching Lock; Peter Karvas (1920-1999)  Meteor; Stefan Kralik (1909-1983)  A Play about Freedom; Leopold Lahola (born as Leopold Friedmann, 1918-1968)  Assassination; and Juraj Vah (born Henrich Herzog,1925-1976)  Silence.

Ivan Stodola (Source: wikipedia)

The collection is composed of a CD with the plays, and a booklet with their brief life stories, as well as with a preface outlining the gradual development of Slovak drama, which much more scarce here in the beginning than in the west of Europe, as the country mostly consisted of rural settlements and small towns, while theatre tends to be an urban phenomenon.

The national revivalist movement in the 19th century also impacted theatre in the Slovak language, as part of national culture and pride. However, initially it was mostly amateur theatre that used to be played  with a few exceptions of bigger cities  and only gradually, in the course of the 20th century, the National Theatre was followed also by city theatres, thus creating demand for works of domestic authors. Later, many plays reflected the political twist and turns of the turbulent 20th century and are read as historical evidence and expressions of those times; but those which rather tapped the more universal human virtues, vices, and complex relationships are still played today, from festivals of amateur theatres and hobby groups, through to professional theatres and the Slovak National Theatre.

The anthology as well as the preface were translated by Katarina Slugenova Cockrell and appeared in the edition Slovak Drama in Translation.

Communism and more

As the anthology ends in the late 1940s, when communism changed the cultural environment and direction of the whole society, the second part of the Golden Collection is set to outline the creme de la creme of the second half of the 20th century. There is not that much to offer from the 1950s, as this was the decade of strict schematisation; but later the modern, model dramas of Karvas, Bukovcan, Peter Sevcovic, and others, including probably a dialogue of the very popular comedians Milan Lasica and Julius Satinsky, or Stanislav Stepka and more, Stefko suggested.

L-R: Ivan Mistrik, Emilia Vasaryova and Jozef Adamovic in Stodola's drama Marina Havranova, directed by Karol Zachar in SND, Nov 29, 1968. (Source: TASR)

There has been no great feedback yet, but we firmly believe that it will come after the New Drama / Nova Drama festival later this year, Dusan Poliscak answered for the Theatre Institute. He added that the second volume is being considered but no specific date has been set as for now. But we defintiely want to continue publishing English translations of Slovak texts, as this is and excellent opportunity to present and spread Slovak drama in the world, Poliscak informed.

This first selection can serve as promotional material, as small countries have trouble presenting their literature, especially drama. Thus, plays in English  which is a widely known language  can be discovered and then potentially further translated into another languages, Stefko opined, adding that those interested can still turn to the Theatre Institute and ask for further play scripts or other works of these  or even more  dramatists. This Golden Collection can also be offered at international theatre festivals taking place in Slovakia, or at symposiums and conferences abroad, he suggested.
The current ruling coalition would fail to collect enough votes to have a majority if a general election was called now.

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If a general election took place next weekend, it would be won by the Smer party, with 27.1 percent of voters.

The opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) would come second, winning the support of 13.8 percent, while the far-right Peoples Party  Our Slovakia (LSNS) of Marian Kotleba would be third with 13 percent of the vote. This analysis stems from a phone poll carried out by the Polis agency for the SITA newswire between February 18 and 25 on 1,311 respondents.

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Another party to make it to parliament would be the Ordinary People (OLaNO-NOVA) supported by 12.1 percent of respondents, followed by the Slovak National Party (SNS) with 9 percent, and We Are Family with Boris Kollar gaining 8.1 percent of the votes. Also Most-Hid and the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) would win seats, each supported by 5.4 percent of respondents.

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The results are very similar to the January poll conducted by Polis. While the support for the current ruling parties fell slightly, the support of most opposition parties increased, with the most significant growth being reported by LSNS: by nearly 2 percentage points. The support of SaS and We Are Family rose by 0.9 and 0.7 percentage points, respectively.

As for the parliamentary mandates, Smer would receive 43 seats, SaS 22, LSNS 21, OLaNO 19, SNS 14, We Are Family 13, and Most-Hid and KHD nine each.

The current ruling coalition of Smer, SNS and Most-Hid would thus fail to have majority in parliament, controlling only 66 seats, SITA reported.

The preferences were calculated assuming a 62-percent turnout. About 18 percent of respondents said they would not vote, while 20 percent were undecided.
The first sanction for unclear ownership structure has become valid.

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Nitra-based company InterMedical, which supplies specialised medical materials and devices to hospitals, will have to pay a fine for having an unclear ownership structure, the Sme daily reported.

The Public Procurement Office (UVO) first issued the fine last October, setting it at 50,000. The company, however, found it high and appealed the decision. The UVO head, Zita Taborska, reduced it to 10,000 on February 13.

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The decision is groundbreaking as InterMedical was fined for a phenomenon typical in public procurement. The real owners often hide behind go-betweens situated in Cyprus, the so-called nominee or fiduciary shareholders. These people are then listed in the business registers as shareholders, though the shares and profits are actually administered by other people. When the inspectors search for the real owners, the go-betweens refuse to reveal their identities saying that this would violate the law.

This is the case with the Nitra-based firm.

The UVO claimed in its decision that subjects doing business in Slovakia cannot say that the legislation in Cyprus, Panama or any other country does not allow the identification of nominee shareholders whose shares they actually administer, Andrej Leontiev, partner at the Taylor-Wessing law firm, told Sme.

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The first to notice the business of InterMedical was ethics watchdog Transparency International Slovensko (TIS) which scrutinised the success rate of bidders with links to tax havens in public procurements back in 2013. Its analysis showed that the competitions concerning the deliveries of medical materials and devices are mostly attended by firms with owners in tax havens. InterMedical was mentioned as an example, as 95 percent of its stock was owned by Cypriot-based Laurindol Limited.

The company supplies hospitals with, for example, catheters, stents and filters. The company also serves as a dealer of medical devices, Sme reported.

Moreover, back in December 2014 TIS and non-governmental think tank INEKO calculated that InterMedical was the 16th biggest supplier to hospitals in the years 2012-2014. During the three years it closed 11 agreements totalling 10.3 million via public procurements. In 2009-2012 the sum was 2 million lower, according to Sme.

InterMedical is also connected through personnel with other suppliers to hospitals and medical facilities, the daily wrote.

A cautionary tale

UVO became interested in InterMedicals ownership structure last February, after it registered with the list of end beneficiaries and did not state the names of the real owners, only the authorised representative. Though the law enables such registration, the condition is that the person should not control more than 25-percent stock, 25-percent share of profit or if the real owner cannot be determined.

Since Laurindol Limited controls 95-percent of the stock in InterMedical, the ethics watchdog Fair-Play Alliance turned to UVO which then requested the data about the real owners. The company responded that the owner of the Cypriot firm is another Cypriot firm Christabel Fiduciaries Limited. After UVO requested further details, the latter company claimed to be only a nominee shareholder which administers the shares in the names of 11 people. It however refused to publish their names, saying it is not allowed under Cypriot law, Sme reported.

UVO did not accept this argument and insisted on the release of all 11 names.

The voluntary revelation of (real) end beneficiaries of a trading company is not illegal in any country in the world, especially in the EU member states, which includes Cyprus, UVO wrote in the decision, as quoted by Sme.

During the investigation, the shares of Laurindol Limited were transferred to the authorised representative of InterMedical. Thus it remains unclear who the previous owners were, Sme wrote.

UVO claimed this is unacceptable and fined the company 50,000. The decision indicates that the sanctions should not be seen as a punishment, but rather a cautionary tale for other entrepreneurs who try to conceal their real owners.

UVO has now decided to lower the sanction pointing to the companys profits, which amounted to only 11 million in 2015. The higher sanctions are designed for companies with profits amounting to hundreds of millions euros, Taborska explained, as reported by Sme.
[February 27, 2017] NoviFlow and MBUZZ Partner to Offer High-Performance Programmable Network Solutions for Carrier, Cloud, Enterprise and Hyperscale Networks in the Middle East and North African Region

NoviFlow Inc., a leading provider of high-performance OpenFlow-based switching and routing solutions, and Mobile Business Company MBUZZ, a premier provider of full turnkey projects implementations in infrastructure and Telecom industries, today announced that MBUZZ has become an authorized distributor of NoviFlow's products in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region. With this agreement, MBUZZ will offer to its customers NoviFlow's line of high-performance fully programmable forwarding planes that leverage the advanced packet handling capabilities of network processors to significantly boost throughput, offer enhanced filtering options at line rates up to 100 Gbps, and support for up to 16 million simultaneous flows. NoviFlow will be demonstrating its NoviSwitch products with live SDN-based security applications at Mobile World Congress (News - Alert) 2017, February 27th to March 2nd in Barcelona. We invite all interested parties to come visit us at Stand 7H40. According to Dominique Jodoin, President and CEO of NoviFlow: "Our NoviSwitch forwarding planes are the ideal platform for sophisticated applications that can make comprehensive use of the benefits of a fully programmable forwarding plane running at Ethernet line rates. NoviSwitch also boasts huge table capacity, and management features designed to ease large-scale deployments, making NoviFlow's NoviWare the ideal solution for monitoring, analytics, load balancing, traffic filtering and cybersecurity for Tier 1 carriers, network infrastructure providers, and enterprises. We are honored to collaborate with such a distinguished partner as MBUZZ to expand our mutual business in the MENA region."



The NoviSwitch line features the NoviWare switching software, NoviFlow's high-performance OpenFlow forwarding plane software for use in mission-critical deployments. NoviWare provides the industry's broadest support of the OpenFlow specification, including all OpenFlow 1.3 and 1.4 actions, instructions and match fields, and key OpenFlow 1.5 features. NoviSwitches leverage the same Network Processors used in expensive network routers to offer switching, routing, tunneling, monitoring, security filtering, metering, service chaining, load balancing, time stamping and other flow-handling at line-rate as part of network fabric and at a significantly reduced cost. Says Youssef Abdellaoui, Group CEO at MBUZZ: "There is fast-growing demand for high-performance SDN solutions in the MENA region. NoviFlow's products deliver a powerful, agile and fully programmable network fabric that can support multiple network services such as BGP, MPLS and LDP, service chaining of VNFs for 4G/5G EPC, DPI, Firewalling, Load Balancing, Security, and Network Address Translation. Through our partnership with NoviFlow, MBUZZ can offer our customers the summit of SDN performance and functionality deployed on the same proven Network Processor (News - Alert) technologies they already have deployed in their datacenters."

ABOUT NOVIFLOW NoviFlow Inc. provides high-performance OpenFlow-based switching solutions to network carriers, data center operators and enterprises seeking greater control, security and flexibility over their networks. NoviFlow has offices in Montreal, Sunnyvale and Seattle and a network of partners and distributors around the World. For more information, visit www.noviflow.com. Follow NoviFlow on Twitter (News - Alert) @NoviFlowInc ABOUT MBUZZ MBUZZ is a leading provider of Full Turnkey Projects Implementations in Infrastructure and Telecom Industries. It covers all MENA regions with heavy presence and operations in GCC region that include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. Algeria o ce is the Hub for serving North Africa countries. LTE (News - Alert) Design and implementation is one of the Strong Capabilities of MBUZZ. MBUZZ deployed many Successful In Building Solutions (IBS) Design & Implementation projects for multi operators & multi mode in many Advance Markets like Saudi Arabia. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006069/en/

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With the era started by Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, every smartphone maker is looking forward to launch its flagship handset with a dual edge display. Continuing the same, the Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus is reportedly working on a handset with the dual edge display.

A Korean website, koreanportal.com suggested in a post that OnePlus will skip 4 in the lineup and expectedly launch OnePlus 5 smartphone with dual edge display. The website also noted that the OnePlus 5 handset will be featured with an all glass body design. It is assumed that since number 4 is believed to be unlucky in China, hence the manufacturer might be skipped to number 5.

Citing the post, it seems that the OnePlus 5 is inspired from Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge as the former is also expected to come with wireless charging and edge display. While body design of the handset is inspired from Xiaomi Mi Mix which comes with a ceramic-like glass body design.

As far specs are concerned, it is assumed that if the OnePlus 5 will launch earlier, it will be powered by a Snapdragon 830 as Samsung has locked out the latest Snapdragon 835 chipset to steal the limelight. Or else the company may wait it out till the 835 becomes available. Along with the new chipset, we can expect the usual 6GB RAM (or 8 considering that OnePlus does not stay behind in the specs department) and 64GB of internal storage. A newer 256GB storage option is also expected.

Observing the flagships available today, the OnePlus 5 could be expected to be featured with 6GB or 8Gb of RAM, considering that OnePlus does not stay behind in the specs. On storage part, a 64GB storage variant of the handset must be launched, however, a 256GB storage option is also expected.

As per a report published on Tech2, The OnePlus 5 will sport a 23-megapixel of rear camera which will, in combination with e 830/835 offer a better photography, performance and imagery experience. It is also expected to sport a 16-megapixel of front shooter.

Other details include a USB Type-C port along with the usual fast charging, a 4,000mAh battery and a front facing 16MP camera module that is expected to be similar to the current model.
John Goodenough, professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin and co-inventor of the lithium-ion battery, in the battery materials lab he oversees. Credit: Cockrell School of Engineering

A team of engineers led by 94-year-old John Goodenough, professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin and co-inventor of the lithium-ion battery, has developed the first all-solid-state battery cells that could lead to safer, faster-charging, longer-lasting rechargeable batteries for handheld mobile devices, electric cars and stationary energy storage.

Goodenough's latest breakthrough, completed with Cockrell School senior research fellow Maria Helena Braga, is a low-cost all-solid-state battery that is noncombustible and has a long cycle life (battery life) with a high volumetric energy density and fast rates of charge and discharge. The engineers describe their new technology in a recent paper published in the journal Energy & Environmental Science.

"Cost, safety, energy density, rates of charge and discharge and cycle life are critical for battery-driven cars to be more widely adopted. We believe our discovery solves many of the problems that are inherent in today's batteries," Goodenough said.

The researchers demonstrated that their new battery cells have at least three times as much energy density as today's lithium-ion batteries. A battery cell's energy density gives an electric vehicle its driving range, so a higher energy density means that a car can drive more miles between charges. The UT Austin battery formulation also allows for a greater number of charging and discharging cycles, which equates to longer-lasting batteries, as well as a faster rate of recharge (minutes rather than hours).

Today's lithium-ion batteries use liquid electrolytes to transport the lithium ions between the anode (the negative side of the battery) and the cathode (the positive side of the battery). If a battery cell is charged too quickly, it can cause dendrites or "metal whiskers" to form and cross through the liquid electrolytes, causing a short circuit that can lead to explosions and fires. Instead of liquid electrolytes, the researchers rely on glass electrolytes that enable the use of an alkali-metal anode without the formation of dendrites.

The use of an alkali-metal anode (lithium, sodium or potassium)which isn't possible with conventional batteriesincreases the energy density of a cathode and delivers a long cycle life. In experiments, the researchers' cells have demonstrated more than 1,200 cycles with low cell resistance.

Additionally, because the solid-glass electrolytes can operate, or have high conductivity, at -20 degrees Celsius, this type of battery in a car could perform well in subzero degree weather. This is the first all-solid-state battery cell that can operate under 60 degree Celsius.

Braga began developing solid-glass electrolytes with colleagues while she was at the University of Porto in Portugal. About two years ago, she began collaborating with Goodenough and researcher Andrew J. Murchison at UT Austin. Braga said that Goodenough brought an understanding of the composition and properties of the solid-glass electrolytes that resulted in a new version of the electrolytes that is now patented through the UT Austin Office of Technology Commercialization.

The engineers' glass electrolytes allow them to plate and strip alkali metals on both the cathode and the anode side without dendrites, which simplifies battery cell fabrication.

Another advantage is that the battery cells can be made from earth-friendly materials.

"The glass electrolytes allow for the substitution of low-cost sodium for lithium. Sodium is extracted from seawater that is widely available," Braga said.

Goodenough and Braga are continuing to advance their battery-related research and are working on several patents. In the short term, they hope to work with battery makers to develop and test their new materials in electric vehicles and energy storage devices.
Artificial Intelligence

Google Debuts Troll-Fighting AI Tool to Moderate Online Comments

Image Credit: Google Jigsaw.

Trolls are commonplace online, with close to a third of American internet users witnessing harassment online and nearly half personally experiencing it. To help combat internet trolls, Googles technology incubator Jigsaw and Counter Abuse Technology Team last Friday launched Perspective, an early-stage technology that uses machine learning to help identify toxic comments, according to the blog post announcement.

Perspective works by reviewing comments and scoring them based on how similar they are to comments that are typically considered negative or toxic, the blog post explained. To learn how to spot potentially toxic language, Perspective examined hundreds of thousands of comments that had been labeled by human reviewers. Each time Perspective finds new examples of potentially toxic comments, or is provided with corrections from users, it can get better at scoring future comments.

Available through an API, Perspective is intended for members of the Digital News Initiative and other publishers and platforms. The New York Times, The Economist and more news organizations have already tested Perspective for their comment sections and found that it has significantly reduced labor-intensive work for staff, who have to sort through tens of thousands of comments each day.

Ultimately, however, publishers can decide what to do with the API, Googles Conversation AI product manager told Wired. The tool could easily be adopted for higher education and K12 district websites, social media pages and anywhere else comment sections exist, as a way to prevent online harassment and cyberbullying. Google said in the post that it hopes the tool will help improve conversations online.

Perspective is available in the TensorFlow open source library and Googles Cloud Machine Learning Platform. It is in the early stages of research and development and interested developers can request API access.

To learn more, visit the Google blog.
* Adds 20 new routes for winter 2017/18

* To start with four routes next month

* Further encroaches into Lufthansa (Xetra: LHAB.DE - news) territory

* Lufthansa considers offering budget flights from Frankfurt (Adds CEO comments)

FRANKFURT, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair is ramping up its expansion at Frankfurt airport with 20 new routes and the deployment of seven planes at the home of German rival Lufthansa.

Ryanair is starting with two aircraft flying to four tourist destinations in Spain and Portugal from next month, but new routes from October include London, adding to pressure on traditional carriers serving business passengers on that route.

"We want to attract more and more business passengers to fly from Frankfurt," Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary told journalists at the airport on Tuesday.

Ryanair's push into Frankfurt has prompted Lufthansa to look at using its own budget carrier, Eurowings, for flights from its main hub from 2018, against previous expectations.

"The boardroom of Lufthansa is the only place in Europe where people think that Eurowings is low-cost," O'Leary said on the prospect of such a move by Lufthansa.

The new Ryanair winter routes from Frankfurt also include Glasgow, Manchester and more traditional tourist destinations such as Gran Canaria and Tenerife, Ryanair said.

The company has previously flown from Hahn airport, about 120km from Frankfurt, but has been increasing its presence at primary airports as it seeks more business passengers and tries to boost passenger numbers to 200 million a year by 2024.

It carried 119 million people last year, overtaking Lufthansa Group as Europe's largest airline in terms of passenger numbers.

Ryanair is also seeking deals to provide short-haul "feeder flights" to link passengers to routes operated by long-haul carriers and plans to start serving low-cost operator Norwegian Air Shuttle from April, O'Leary said.

The Irish airline has also offered to provide feeder flights for Portugal's TAP (Shenzhen: 002826.SZ - news) but talks have ceased. Air France (Paris: FR0000031122 - news) and Lufthansa have both said in the past that they are not interested in having Ryanair provide feeder flights.

(Reporting by Maria Sheahan; Writing by Victoria Bryan; Editing by Michelle Martin and David Goodman)
* Renewable credits, corn, refining prices swing in volatile trade

* Trump advisor Icahn criticized due to refinery stake

* RINs prices have risen steadily in recent years (New (KOSDAQ: 160550.KQ - news) throughout, updates prices to close, adds bullet points)

By Chris Prentice

Feb 28 (Reuters) - The White House on Tuesday denied that President Donald Trump planned to issue an executive order to change the national biofuels program, after the U.S. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) said Trump's team had informed the group an order was pending.

Trading in U.S. refinery shares, fuel futures and corn prices was turbulent on the news of the pending order and its subsequent denial, as investors puzzled over what it would mean for the price of gasoline, ethanol and shares of companies that produce them.

The RFA issued a statement early on Tuesday that said a member of the Trump administration had called to inform the group the president intended to sign an executive order that would shift the onus on combining biofuels with gasoline away from refiners. The order would require companies further down the supply chain, such as retailers who sell gasoline, to shoulder that load.

Refiners have long requested this change, saying the biofuels program has hammered their profits.

White House spokeswoman Kelly Love, however, said on Tuesday afternoon "there is no ethanol executive order in the works."

Ethanol and fuel retail groups reacted quickly to the reports. Trumps regulation adviser, billionaire investor Carl Icahn, is majority owner of CVR Energy (NYSE: CVI - news) , a refining company that would benefit from the change. That stock is up 80 percent since Trump's election in November.

Even (Taiwan OTC: 6436.TWO - news) after the White House denial, RFA Chief Executive Officer Bob Dinneen stuck by his statement, saying there is "certainly something in the works, but they're not going to confirm it until they are ready to roll with it." He declined to identify who in the Trump administration contacted the association.

Story continues

"Despite our continued opposition to the move, we were told the executive order was not negotiable," Dinneen said.

The Renewable Fuel Standard requires fuel companies to use increasing amounts of biofuel blended with gasoline and diesel. Former U.S. President Barack Obama expanded the rules, which started under his predecessor, George W. Bush, when gasoline prices were near records.

Refineries without operations designed to blend biofuels such as ethanol into gasoline have to pay for renewable fuel credits, known as RINs, to meet U.S. environmental standards to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The cost for refiners has increased sharply in the last few years; nine major publicly traded refiners paid $2.5 billion in 2016 for RINs costs, a 78 percent increase from 2015.

Among those that have pushed for the change is Icahn, who holds an 82 percent stake of CVR. That company's shares jumped on Tuesday before paring gains after the White House denial; they ended up 3.5 percent on the day to $22.92 a share, on heavier-than-usual trading volume of 1.7 million shares.

Icahn was unavailable for comment, and CVR declined to comment.

Emily Skor, CEO of biofuel trade group Growth Energy, expressed concern about any role Icahn may have played in planning changes to the program.

"I assure you this is no deal for anyone but Carl Icahn," she said. "If we had been approached with this deal, we would have flat-out rejected it."

Seven Democratic senators, including Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, sent a letter to the White House this month, saying Icahns role as an adviser to Trump created financial conflicts of interest and called for a review.

Shares (Berlin: DI6.BE - news) of U.S. refiner Valero, which would also benefit from the changes, ended up 1 percent on Tuesday to close at $67.95 a share.

'BACKROOM DEAL'

Biofuel organizations and groups representing fuel retailers and integrated oil companies like the U.S. units of Royal Dutch Shell Plc and BP Plc have opposed the change, which they say will complicate managing the program.

One source said the RFA was told the executive order would include incentives for ethanol and biodiesel in a tradeoff for the blending shift.

Those changes could include a waiver to allow greater volumes of ethanol to be blended into gasoline in the summer, a review of how the Environmental Protection Agency estimates emission impacts of biofuels, and support for a congressional tax credit for domestic producers of biodiesel, the source said.

Chicago Board of Trade corn futures ended up about 1.7 percent. CBOT soyoil, which is used for biodiesel, rose 4.8 percent.

Compliance credits used to meet the annual biofuel blending standards traded around 43 cents on Tuesday from 47 cents to 48 cents previously, paring big morning losses. (Additional reporting by Jarrett Renshaw and Michael Hirtzer, Emily Flitter and Jessica Renick-Ault; Writing by Richard Valdmanis; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Chizu Nomiyama)
Andrew Bailey, FCA CEO.

John Stillwell PA Archive/PA Images

The Financial Conduct Authority, Britain's key financial regulator, warned that a so-called "cliff edge Brexit"  a Brexit with no transitional period  could have a negative impact on Britain's financial services sector.

In a letter from FCA chief executive Andrew Bailey to the head of the House of Commons' Treasury Select Committee, Andrew Tyrie, the regulator said that a "cliff edge Brexit" could make the job of refereeing and discouraging bad behaviour in the financial sector more difficult.

Here is the key extract from Bailey's letter:

"Any lack of certainty with regard to the regulatory framework may affect the ability of the FCA, and perhaps other regulators, to take enforcement action as a means of both addressing and deterring misconduct. Cooperation between regulators relies upon a clear framework which sets expectations as to what is required of whom, when, and to what end. Without that clarity it may become difficult to properly discharge our regulatory functions."

The FCA regulates the conduct of around 56,00o finance companies in the UK, and has previously been criticised for its apparent "light touch" regulation of The City's banks. However, since Bailey took charge in mid-2016, the regulator has been keen to emphasise its role in ensuring good behaviour among Britain's financiers.

Bailey's letter to Tyrie, dated January 13 makes very clear that the FCA sees its job getting much more difficult if Britain doesn't get some form of transitional deal.

"From an FCA perspective, the most critical risks relate to market integrity and consumer protection, but there are also competition risks, and wider legal, operational and general market stability risks to consider," Bailey writes.

Bailey also takes time in his letter to discuss the likely loss of the UK's financial passport thanks to Brexit.

Story continues

British banks currently have the right to "passport" their financial licences in one EU market to another, preventing them having to go through the costly and complicated process of being regulated in each market where they operate.

The financial passport's status is strongly tied to Britain's membership of the European Single Market, and as a result is widely expected to be lost as part of any Brexit deal.

Discussing passporting, Bailey suggests that firms currently operating in the UK thanks to the passport, may keep doing so after Brexit, if a new regulatory framework is not clear after Brexit:

"Following the UK's withdrawal from the EU, and if such passporting rights and single market protocols no longer apply, there is a risk that those firms may continue to do business in the UK - perhaps inadvertently - without having the appropriate regulatory permissions in place."

Bailey added that the FCA does not currently have the ability to forecast exactly how much money would be lost once the passport is removed, saying: "We do not have a measure of the value of financial services that may be impacted in the event that passporting arrangements were no longer applicable to UK financial firms alter the UK's withdrawal from the EU."

You can read the whole letter from Andrew Bailey here.

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AIN EL-HILWEH, Lebanon (Reuters) - At least one man was killed on Tuesday in clashes between Islamist militants and the Palestinian Fatah faction at a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon where a power struggle has fueled days of violence. The Ain el-Hilweh camp, on the outskirts of the southern coastal city of Sidon, has often seen factional disputes spiral into violence. Medical sources said the man killed was a civilian. Three other people, including a child, were wounded. Gunmen from Fatah, the party of West Bank-based Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, have regularly clashed with Islamist militants in the camp, including supporters of Islamic State and al Qaeda. Palestinian activists inside the camp urged people to protest against the violence, in which machineguns and rocket-propelled grenades have been used. A loudspeaker on a mosque implored the warring sides to stop shooting to avoid civilian casualties, as gunfire rang out. Shops and schools nearby closed as stray bullets landed in the area around the camp. The latest wave of violence began on Feb. 23. The U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which aids Palestinian refugees, said it had suspended all services in the camp on Monday and Tuesday because of the violence. "There are reports of injuries to civilians and damage to shelters as a result of the weekends clashes," it said in a statement. "An UNRWA installation is reported as sustaining minor damage and the unauthorized entry of armed actors into one UNRWA school was reported." On a visit to Beirut last week, Abbas discussed with Lebanese officials the security arrangements in Palestinian camps in the country, which are home to nearly 450,000 Palestinian refugees. Fatah has an agreement with Lebanese authorities to hand over wanted Islamist militants hiding out in Ain el-Hilweh, which is outside Lebanese security forces' jurisdiction, a security source said. Attempted crackdowns by Fatah are a source of tension between it and the Islamists, the source added. (Writing by John Davison and Tom Perry in Beirut; Editing by Andrew Roche)
By Eli Berzlon OFRA, West Bank (Reuters) - Israeli police began removing settlers and hundreds of supporters on Tuesday from nine houses built illegally on privately owned Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank. Police carried some of the settlers and protesters out of the red-roofed structures in the settlement of Ofra, while others walked out, escorted by officers. Israel's Supreme Court has ordered the demolition of nine buildings in the settlement of more than 3,000 people after finding that those homes were constructed on land where Palestinians proved ownership. Such judicial rulings upholding Palestinian property rights have riled Israel's right-wing, as it promotes plans to expand construction in settlements built on occupied territory Palestinians seek for a state. In one home in Ofra, police and protesters, mainly youths, linked arms and swayed in prayer before the youngsters, offering passive resistance, were taken outside. "We feel that this is not right at all, what's being done here: the destruction of these homes in the centre of a Jewish town, in the centre of a populated town that was established legally 42 years ago," said Eliana Passentin, a spokeswoman for the local settler regional council. There was little initial sign of the kind of violence that accompanied a larger-scale evacuation on Feb. 2 of Amona, a West Bank settlement-outpost built without Israeli government permission in 1995. More than 100 youngsters had protested against the removal of Amona's 300 settlers. Some 60 officers and at least four demonstrators were hurt in scuffles there that included bleach being thrown at police. Most countries consider all Israeli settlements on land occupied in the 1967 Middle East war to be illegal. Israel disagrees, citing biblical, historical and political links to the land as well as security interests. Palestinians want to establish a state in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip, which Israeli forces left in 2005, with East Jerusalem as its capital. They say settlement construction could deny them a viable and contiguous country. Some 550,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements and East Jerusalem, areas that are home to more than 2.6 million Palestinians. Three weeks ago, Israel's parliament retroactively legalised about 4,000 settler homes built on privately owned Palestinian land. The new law did not apply to Amona or the nine dwellings in Ofra because of standing court rulings. Since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January, Israel has announced plans to build 6,000 more settler homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. But at a White House news conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Feb. 15, Trump startled the Israeli leader by saying he would like to see him "hold back on settlements for a bit". Netanyahu later said he hoped to "reach an understanding" with Trump on settlements. (Writing by Jeffrey Heller; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
By Lamin Jahateh, Emma Farge and Edward McAllister BANJUL/DAKAR (Reuters) - When Gambian intelligence officers arrested journalist Ebrima Manneh at his newspaper, he asked an office guard to save some tea. "I'm coming right back," he said, according to colleague Alhagie Jobe, who was present in the newsroom. That was on the afternoon of July 11, 2006; since then, neither his colleagues at the Daily Observer nor his family have seen him again. Rights groups say Manneh is one of dozens of Gambians who disappeared without trace during the 22-year rule of president Yahya Jammeh, which ended last month when he fled the country. Relatives have tried in vain for a decade to find the journalist, nicknamed "Chief" although he held no traditional title. Now they believe he is dead and, like a growing number of Gambians, say they are seeking justice. "I want the new government to take action and prosecute whosoever had a hand in my brother's disappearance," said his sister Adama Manneh, a police officer, wearing a T-shirt bearing her brother's face that read: "Where is Chief Manneh?" Ebrima's brother Lamin said he hoped at least to recover the body. Some families hope to gather evidence for a case against Jammeh - who quit under international pressure after losing an election in December - for human rights abuses, including unlawful detention, torture and murder of perceived opponents, charges his supporters deny. Attempts by Reuters to reach Jammeh for comment in Equatorial Guinea, where he fled, were unsuccessful. Rights officials say building a case could be tough. Another African ex-leader, former Chadian president Hissene Habre, was jailed for life last year for crimes against humanity, more than a quarter century after his overthrow. Habre was convicted by a court in Senegal with the help of incriminating documents, but rights officials say any hard evidence against Jammeh is lacking so far. Another complication is that Equatorial Guinea has no extradition treaty with Gambia. Many Gambians dream of bringing Jammeh before the International Criminal Court, which has put former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo on trial. While Jammeh fled before fulfilling a pledge to withdraw Gambia from the ICC, Equatorial Guinea has never been a member of the Hague-based court and would be unlikely to hand him over. Still, police in Gambia have promised to investigate cases of at least 30 people so far reported as missing or killed since Jammeh seized power in 1994, among them journalists, businessmen and soldiers. Several senior officials have been arrested including the former prison boss, interior minister and spy chief who was charged with murder last week. Gambia's new President Adama Barrow has promised a U.N.-backed truth and reconciliation commission into past crimes which also include alleged torture. CHRONICLE OF THE DISAPPEARED Manneh was 28 when the intelligence officers came to call at the Daily Observer's offices in the capital, Banjul. On various occasions, Jammeh and his officials told reporters he was dead, had fled the country and had "stage-managed" his disappearance, according to an annual human rights report published in 2012 by the U.S. State Department. The family still do not know the reason for his arrest, though colleagues suspect it may have been related to comments he wrote about the former president. Adding to the mystery, Manneh called his mother immediately after his arrest, asking her to fetch his bag from the office. Manneh had said he was planning a trip abroad and would not be able to get it himself, his mother Sulay Ceesay told Reuters. Three days later, on July 14, Manneh's sister discovered his passport in the bag. "I said to myself: 'Chief did not travel, he is in town'," said Adama. The search began but family members were unable to find out where he was taken after the local police station. Two witnesses said they spotted him on separate occasions in hospital in 2007 looking sickly, but Adama said officials prevented her from visiting him at the time. When Adama made inquiries within the police force, her superiors warned that she too risked arrest. In 2007, the Media Foundation for West Africa, an NGO, brought a legal action against the Gambian government at the Community Court of Justice, a body set up by the ECOWAS group of West African states. The government lodged no defence and failed to show up for the case. The Nigerian-based regional court ruled in 2008 that Gambia had violated Manneh's human rights. It ordered the government to free him and pay the family $100,000. The compensation was never handed over, the family said. The court heard Manneh had been shuttled between at least six different detention sites between 2006 and 2008, and was never charged or given access to a lawyer. One witness, a journalist from a different newspaper, told the court he had seen Manneh being led back to a police cell in December, 2006. Edward Gomez, who was justice minister and attorney general in 2010-2012 and later acted as Jammeh's lawyer, expressed ignorance of the journalist's fate. "I know what happened is very painful but quite frankly I don't know what happened to him," Gomez told Reuters. Every year Adama went to Banjul's main prison to attend the annual release of pardoned prisoners to see if her brother was among them. Hope finally deserted her only in the past month when the new president released more than 100 political prisoners from some of the country's many detention centres. Manneh was not among them. "I was thinking that my brother would be released but he never showed up there and I knew he had been killed," Adama said in the courtyard of her home near Banjul with her mother and sister, their cheeks glistening with tears. (editing by David Stamp)
By Environment Correspondent Alister Doyle OSLO (Reuters) - The Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean became the first nation on Tuesday to ratify a 2016 accord to cut the use of powerful factory-made greenhouse gases, saying the survival of the nation was at risk from climate change. The parliament of the Marshall Islands, with a population of 53,000 vulnerable to rising sea levels caused by melting ice, approved the plan to curb use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that are used in refrigerants and air conditioning. The decision is a sign of continuing action to limit global warming despite uncertainty about future U.S. climate policies under President Donald Trump. Trump has expressed doubts that man-made greenhouse gases stoke warming. "My country will not survive without urgent action to cut emissions by every country and every sector of our economies, including HFCs," said Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine. "This deal is good for our people, the planet, and the profits of those that follow in our footsteps," she said in a statement, which said the country was the first to ratify the HFC agreement worked out in Kigali, Rwanda, in October 2016. The Kigali pact, agreed by almost 200 nations including the United States, will phase down the use of HFCs, which can be 10,000 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere. It will enter into legal force on Jan. 1, 2019, assuming at least 20 nations have formally ratified by that date. The Marshall Islands was also the first to ratify the 2015 Paris climate agreement, which seeks a radical shift from fossil fuels this century to help avert heat waves, floods, droughts and rising sea levels. Andrew Light, of the U.S.-based World Resources Institute think-tank, said U.S. companies such as Honeywell and DuPont had already developed new chemicals that are less environmentally harmful than HFCs. "It makes sense economically for the United States," he said of the HFC pact. Trump has not publicly expressed his opinion about the HFC agreement that was strongly favoured by former U.S. President Barack Obama to limit global warming. Last year, almost 200 nations, ranging from China and OPEC nations to Pacific island states, reaffirmed after Trump's election victory that action on climate change was an "urgent duty". The Paris Agreement has now been ratified by 132 nations. HFCs were introduced as substitutes for chlorofluorocarbons, which were damaging the ozone layer that protects the planet from ultraviolet rays that cause skin cancer. But scientists later found that HFCs, while better for the ozone layer, were stoking global warming. (Reporting by Alister Doyle)
By Manuel Mogato MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines and Germany condemned on Monday the beheading of an elderly German captive by Islamic State-linked Abu Sayyaf militants who posted a video of the killing after a deadline for a $600,000 ransom passed. The video showed a machete-wielding militant behead Jurgen Kantner. The German had appealed for help twice in short video messages, saying he would be killed if ransom were not paid. Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser on the Philippine peace process, said officials had exhausted all efforts to save Kantner, 70, who was held on the tiny southern island of Jolo. "We grieve as we strongly condemn the barbaric beheading of yet another kidnap victim," Dureza said in a statement. "There must be a stop to this killing of the innocent and the helpless." He made no mention of the ransom demand. The Philippines' armed forces pledged in a separate statement to bring Kantner's killers to justice and to continue operations to free other hostages held by Abu Sayyaf. In Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel called for a united international front against terrorism. "The chancellor condemns this hideous attack that shows, once again, how unprincipled and barbarous terrorists act," her spokesman Steffen Seibert said in a statement. "We've all got to stand together in the fight against terrorists." Last year Abu Sayyaf decapitated two Canadians on Jolo but later freed their two companions, a Filipino woman and a Norwegian. The four had been seized from a tourist resort. The ransom demand for the Canadians was 6.4 million U.S. dollars each. Abu Sayyaf's activities in recent years have been mainly banditry, but the Philippines believes Islamic State has been in contact with members of the group's leadership with a view to gaining a foothold in Southeast Asia. YACHT SEIZED Abu Sayyaf, which means "bearer of the sword", has capitalised on decades of instability in the southern Philippines and generated tens of millions of dollars from piracy and ransom payments. It uses the money to buy arms, high-powered boats and modern navigation equipment, allowing it to avoid detection and seize crew of slow-moving vessels with ease. Kantner and his companion were taken captive in November while sailing on a 53-footer yacht near Sabah, eastern Malaysia, and brought to Jolo. His companion was shot dead when she tried to resist the militants. Reports of Kantner's execution emerged on Sunday evening, but the military only confirmed the killing on Monday, citing "reliable sources". It said it would continue to search for Kantner's remains in order to hand them over to his family. Abu Sayyaf is currently holding 26 hostages - 13 Vietnamese, seven Filipinos, a Dutch national, a Japanese, two Indonesians and two Malaysians, the military says. Experts say the group is very unlikely to free any hostages without payment. Speaking on the sidelines of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Philippines Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said Manila was seeking technological help from allies to pinpoint the hostages' location. The Philippines has deployed thousands of troops in the Abu Sayyaf strongholds of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo islands, yet despite air and ground offensives, the group's piracy and kidnappings continue unabated. The rebels are entrenched in local communities, complicating operations by a military that is wary of incurring civilian casualties. (Additional reporting by Michael Nienaber in BERLIN; Ali Abdelaty in CAIRO and Tom Miles in GENEVA; Writing by Martin Petty and Manuel Mogato; Editing by Gareth Jones)
By Eveline Danubrata and John Chalmers JAKARTA (Reuters) - A pact to combat terrorism will be the centrepiece of up to 10 agreements that will be signed when Saudi Arabia's king this week visits Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country, the kingdom's envoy to Indonesia said on Tuesday. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who on Sunday kicked off a month-long Asian tour, lands in Indonesia on Wednesday with an entourage that local officials have said could number up to 1,500. Billed as a "mega trip", it would be a Saudi king's first visit to Indonesia in nearly five decades. Apart from a side-trip of several hours to Brunei, King Salman will be in Indonesia until March 12, spending much of the time on the resort island of Bali, ambassador Osama Mohammad Abdullah Alshuaibi told Reuters in an interview. "We know Indonesia has suffered from bombing and terrorism here," he said, singling out the Islamic State for its "different ideology" and disrespect for human life. "We will cooperate with the Indonesians on this field. We can exchange data, we can exchange experience, and we can defeat these people." Authorities in officially secular Indonesia have grown increasingly concerned after a series of attacks over the past year blamed on supporters of Islamic State. ISLAMIC SCHOOLS Indonesian police killed a militant on Monday after he detonated a small bomb in the West Java city of Bandung. Security officials said they were investigating whether he had links to a radical network sympathetic to Islamic State. Alshuaibi said Saudi and Indonesian military officers are training in each other's countries to counter Islamic State. Saudi Arabia is aiming to open more Islamic schools in Indonesia, which will teach religion using the Arabic language, and step up the number of scholarships for students, the envoy said. The king's visit to Indonesia comes as fringe Islamist groups grow in influence and Muslim leaders take an increasingly strict line on Islamic issues, which is at odds with Indonesia's traditional brand of moderate "Islam Nusantara". Underpinning that is a growing conservatism among Indonesians, which analysts say is partly the result of Saudi money being poured into the country over the past several decades to build mosques, schools and universities. The ambassador said the visit could also lay the foundation for developing oil and gas projects and promoting tourism. $25 BILLION Oil giant Saudi Aramco, which has an existing agreement with Indonesian state energy firm Pertamina [PERTM.UL] for a $5 billion refinery upgrade in Central Java, may take on more projects offered by Pertamina later this year, he said. Indonesian President Joko Widodo is hoping the king's visit will bring investment commitments worth up to $25 billion, Indonesian officials have previously said. During his trip to Indonesia, the Saudi king will be accompanied by more than 900 people, including ministers, princes and service staff, Alshuaibi said. Indonesian officials had earlier said the entourage could be up to 1,500 people. The king will visit Jakarta, the state palace in Bogor, a city south of the capital, and spend the last leg of his Indonesian trip in Bali, Alshuaibi said. Indonesia will assign at least 9,000 security personnel to protect the king's entourage, he added. (Reporting by Eveline Danubrata and John Chalmers; Editing by Bill Tarrant)
MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's Supreme Court on Tuesday threw out a legal bid by a former judge to remove the remains of General Francisco Franco from a state-funded mausoleum, more than 40 years after the dictator's death. The former judge, Baltasar Garzon, presented a proposal last year to redevelop the mausoleum site, the Valley of the Fallen, outside Madrid into a memorial for the victims of Spain's 1936 to 1939 civil war and Franco's ensuing dictatorship. As part of that proposal, he asked that Franco's remains be moved to a burial site chosen by the Franco family, and that tens of thousands of bodies buried there be exhumed for identification. The Supreme Court is yet to detail why it had rejected the appeal, which came after Garzon and two lawyers first tried unsuccessfully to get the Spanish cabinet to take on the re-conversion of the site. Garzon and his allies said in a statement they would now appeal to Spain's Constitutional Court and possibly later to the European Court of Human Rights. Garzon, known for issuing an arrest warrant for former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet in 1998, was controversially disbarred for 11 years in 2012 for carrying out illegal wiretaps. The 150-metre cross of the Valley of the Fallen monument towers over the Guadarrama Sierra, a mountain range west of Madrid. Opened by Franco himself in 1959, the Valley houses a Catholic basilica set into a hillside, where the founder of Spain's fascist Falange party, Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera, is also interred. The Valley has long been a site of pilgrimage for far-right groups in Spain. But it has also drawn a growing backlash as political parties and campaigners call for it to be reconverted and for remains to be disinterred. Nearly 34,000 dead from both sides of the civil war are buried there, including many who fought for the losing Republican side, whose bodies were transferred to the site during Franco's dictatorship without the permission of families. Spain's Association for the Recovery of Historical Memory, a non-profit organisation, said it was disappointed by the Supreme Court's ruling. "That the state should force the victims of the dictatorship to maintain the tomb of a dictator with their taxes is a form of abuse," the association's head, Emilio Silva, said. Spain's opposition Socialist party in February presented its own proposal to parliament calling for Franco's remains to be removed from the Valley and for it to be converted to an information centre to honour victims on both sides of the war. (Reporting By Sonya Dowsett, editing by Sarah White, Larry King)
By Yara Abi Nader and John Irish GENEVA (Reuters) - The main opposition group at Syrian peace talks in Geneva wants to meet Russian envoys to discuss what it says are Moscow's broken ceasefire promises, a move diplomats say aims to put pressure on the Russian-backed Syrian government delegation. Russia has sought to revive diplomacy since its air force helped the Syrian army and allied militias defeat rebels in Aleppo in December, President Bashar al-Assad's biggest victory in six years of war. Despite the announcement of a ceasefire, a weekend of bombings and air strikes in Syria has rattled the talks that began in Geneva last week. "The Russians did not fulfil a ceasefire agreement despite the promises from the highest levels of the Russian delegation," Mohammed Alloush, a negotiator and member of the Jaish al-Islam rebel group, told Reuters. After a two-hour meeting with U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura, the head of the opposition delegation Nasr al-Hariri said he had submitted two documents protesting against the grim humanitarian situation and violations of the ceasefire. Hariri said he believed Moscow was shifting its stance but that he wanted to see constructive support on Tuesday. He pressed for "practical support that manifests itself in backing for the political process and the demands of the Syrian people by putting pressure on the (Syrian) regime to engage seriously in this process." Two diplomats said an eventual meeting was likely to include Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov and Middle East director Sergei Vershinin. KEEPING THE TALKS ALIVE Russia, Turkey and Iran have sponsored parallel talks, in the Kazakh capital Astana, where they reinforced the ceasefire. It paved the way for a resumption of U.N.-led mediations after a 10-month hiatus. Ahead of Thursday's opening ceremony, Moscow had called for the government to "silence the skies", but violence has continued and the warring sides have traded blame while appearing no closer to actual negotiations. De Mistura said a militant attack in Homs on Saturday was a deliberate attempt to wreck the talks. "The opposition wants to see the Russians to tell them to put pressure on the government or else this process will lead nowhere," said a Western diplomat. He said the Syrian government chief negotiator Bashar al-Ja'afari's refusal to discuss anything beyond countering terrorism at a weekend meeting with de Mistura was a clear indication that Damascus was not committed. De Mistura, who is treading carefully to keep the talks alive, has so far talked to the two sides separately as he tries to forge an understanding of how to proceed in future rounds. He wants to get the two sides to accept an agenda that would be based on Security Council resolution 2254, focusing initially on a new constitution, U.N.-supervised elections and accountable governance. Russia and the United States were the prime movers behind the last peace talks, which halted as the war heated up. The United States is now taking a diplomatic back seat, leaving Moscow as the main power broker. (Additional reporting Issam Abdallah, Stephanie Nebehay and Tom Miles; Editing by Dominic Evans and Richard Lough)
[February 28, 2017] Rohde & Schwarz Announces New Test Platform to Help Facilitate Early Release of NB-IoT Devices

COLUMBIA, Md., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Rohde & Schwarz, premium supplier of test and measurement solutions to the wireless industry, in cooperation with Qualcomm Technologies, has successfully implemented a wide range of NB-IoT tests that can be used to verify the Qualcomm Technologies' MDM9206 global Cat M1/Cat NB-1 dual-mode LTE modem. By using the R&S CMW-KU300 NB-IoT MLAPI scenarios and the R&S CMW-KR313 3GPP Rel. 13 C-IoT protocol test enabler on a single R&S CMW500 radio communication tester, engineers can test their IoT devices based on the MDM9206 LTE modem under realistic conditions by attaching and establishing a real-time, comprehensive connection with the simulated network and then testing relevant signalling and RF scenarios related to the 3GPP Release 13 specification. "There's a lot of excitement today around the Internet of Things (IoT) as a technology that will empower economical and societal change for everything around us, starting with key industry verticals and applications such as smart cities, smart monitoring, connected cars, mobile health, and more," explains Anton Messmer, Vice President of Rohde & Schwarz. "To help realize this promise and to accelerate device development, engineers and manufacturers will need to fully characterize and test their NB-IoT devices to ensure that they meet and exceed all performance and quality requirements. We're very pleased to be working with Qualcomm Technologies to help accelerate this process." Rohde & Schwarz will showcase this new capability at this year's Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona, Spain at booth #6C40 in Hall 6. The MDM9206 LTE modem demonstration will utilize the R&S CMW50 wideband radio communication tester, emulating a LTE-Advanced network with IP Multimedia System (IMS) server capabilities. Utilizing the MDM9206 LTE modem, the demonstration begins with a network attachment and establishment of a comprehensive data session. Using the CMW-KM300 NB-IoT Tx-Measurement personality during an established NB-IoT call, RF parametric tests to evaluate RF-spectrum, output-power and error vector magnitude (EVM) provide unique insight to the RF performance of the IoT-device.



The R&S CMW-KU300 and R&S CMW-KM300 options for the R&S CMW500 will soon be available from Rohde & Schwarz. Press contacts:

Europe (headquarters): Katrin Wehle, Phone: +49 89 4129 11378, E-mail: [email protected]

North America: Keith Cobler, Phone: +1 214 663 6394, E-mail: [email protected]

Asia Pacific: Wen Shi Tong, Phone: +65 6 307-0029, E-mail: [email protected]

Contacts for readers:

Customer Support North America: +1 888 TEST RSA (+1 888 837 87 72)

[email protected]

Rohde & Schwarz

The Rohde & Schwarz electronics group offers innovative solutions in all fields of wireless communications as well as in IT security. Founded more than 80 years ago, the independent company has an extensive sales and service network with subsidiaries and representatives in more than 70 countries. On June 30, 2016, Rohde & Schwarz had approximately 10,000 employees. The group achieved a net revenue of approximately EUR 1.92 billion in the 2015/2016 fiscal year (July to June). The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany, and also has strong regional hubs in Asia and the USA. R&S  is a registered trademark of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG. The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Rohde & Schwarz is under license. Qualcomm is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. Qualcomm MDM is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. All press releases, including photos for downloading, are available on the Internet at http://www.press.rohde-schwarz.com. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rohde--schwarz-announces-new-test-platform-to-help-facilitate-early-release-of-nb-iot-devices-300414715.html SOURCE Rohde & Schwarz

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La Resolana Leadership Academy is getting a second chance.

On Monday, the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to allow district administrators to negotiate a one-year contract with the charter middle school.

La Resolana  a B report card grade school with 74 students  had been on track to close this summer after the board denied its request for a charter in December, citing a roughly $200,000 debt.

The school laid off two employees and made other cuts to cover the deficit, then came back to APS.

Joseph Escobedo, APS director of charter schools, said he still has some concerns about La Resolanas 2017-18 finances, but district administrators are helping formulate a budget. In May, Escobedo will bring a contract to the board for a vote.

Board members warned that La Resolana must manage its money wisely to continue operations.

I want to make sure we are on solid ground, said board Vice President Lorenzo Garcia. These are not easy times.

School administrators had told the board they went into the red because their new building at 230 Truman NE needed unexpected maintenance.

Now they are back on track and hope to grow enrollment.

Launched in 2005, La Resolana serves sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders, many of them English language learners from low-income families.

The school was coming to the end of a three-year state charter and sought a new charter from APS.

Escobedo said La Resolana has helped many struggling students stay engaged with their education. He hopes it will eventually become an APS magnet school focused on leadership.

We see the value in the school, and it is our community so, long-term, Albuquerque Public Schools really wants to partner with Schools of Choice, Escobedo told the Journal.

Unlike charter schools, magnets are operated by the district, but any student can attend.

Patrick Cota, a member of the La Resolana Governing Council, told the Journal he is excited about the magnet school concept.

I am hopeful this will come to a good resolution, he said.

APS currently has two magnet middle schools, Hayes and Garfield, which offer specialized science, technology, engineering and math education.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.  SpaceX said Monday it will fly two people to the moon next year, a feat not attempted since NASAs Apollo heyday close to half a century ago.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk  the companys founder and chief executive officer  announced the surprising news barely a week after launching his first rocket from NASAs legendary moon pad.

Two people who know one another approached the company about sending them on a weeklong flight just beyond the moon, according to Musk. He wont identify the pair or the price tag. Theyve already paid a significant deposit and are very serious about it, he noted.

Fly me to the moon  Ok, Musk said in a light-hearted tweet following the news conference.

Musk said SpaceX is on track to launch astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA in mid-2018. This moon mission would follow about six months later, by the end of the year under the current schedule, using a Dragon crew capsule and a Falcon heavy rocket launched from NASAs former moon pad in Florida.

If all goes as planned, it could happen close to the 50th anniversary of NASAs first manned flight to the moon, on Apollo 8.

The SpaceX moonshot is designed to be autonomous  unless something goes wrong, Musk said.

I think they are entering this with their eyes open, knowing that there is some risk here, Musk told reporters in the telephone conference, a day after teasing via Twitter that an announcement of some sort was forthcoming.

Theyre certainly not naive, and well do everything we can to minimize that risk, but its not zero. But theyre coming into this with their eyes open, said Musk, adding that the pair will receive extensive training before the flight.

Musk said he does not have permission to release the passengers names, and he was hesitant to even say if they were men, women or even pilots. He would only admit, Its nobody from Hollywood.

The paying passengers would make a long loop around the moon, skimming the lunar surface and then going well beyond, perhaps 300,000 or 400,000 miles distance altogether. Its about 240,000 miles to the moon alone, one way.

The mission would not involve a lunar landing.

This should be a really exciting mission that hopefully gets the world really excited about sending people into deep space again, Musk said.

NASA will have first dibs on a similar mission if it so chooses, he said. The space agency learned of his plan at the same time as reporters.

In a statement, NASA commended SpaceX for reaching higher. In all, 24 astronauts flew to the moon and 12 walked its surface from 1969 to 1972.

The California-based SpaceX already has a long list of firsts, with its sights ultimately set on Mars. It became the first private company to launch a spacecraft into orbit and safely return it to Earth in 2010, and the first commercial enterprise to fly to the space station in 2012 on a supply mission.

Just a week ago, SpaceX made its latest delivery from Kennedy Space Centers legendary Launch Complex 39A, where the Apollo astronauts flew to the moon and shuttle crews rocketed into orbit. That will be where the private moon mission will originate as well.

The crew Dragon capsule  an upgraded version of the cargo Dragon  has yet to fly in space. Neither has a Falcon Heavy rocket, which is essentially a Falcon 9 rocket with two strap-on boosters, according to Musk. A Falcon Heavy test flight is planned this summer, while an empty crew capsule is set to launch to the space station late this year. He said there will be ample time to test both the spacecraft and the rocket, before the moon mission.

NASA last week announced it was studying the possibility of adding crew to the test flight of its megarocket, at the request of the Trump administration. Such a flight to the lunar neighborhood wouldnt happen before 2019 at best  if, indeed, that option is even implemented.

Musk said anything that advances the space exploration cause is good, no matter who goes first.

Retired NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who will celebrate his homecoming this week from a one-year space mission, was quick to tweet: Its been almost a year. Send me!

Musk said he expects to have more moon-mission customers as time goes by.

At the same time, SpaceX is also working on a so-called Red Dragon, meant to fly to Mars around 2020 with experiments, but no people  and actually land. His ultimate goal is to establish a human settlement on Mars.

___

Online:

SpaceX: http://www.spacex.com/
SpaceX said Monday it plans to fly two private citizens on a mission around the moon by late 2018 as part of a lunar journey that would last about a week and travel deeper into space than any human has ventured before.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk would not name the two individuals, who he said approached the company and would pay for the flight.

The announcement is yet another bold declaration by SpaceX, the leader of a host of entrepreneurial commercial space ventures that have ended governments long-standing monopoly on space.

Musk is famous for laying out ambitious timelines and goals  he ultimately plans to colonize Mars, for example  that often get pushed back. SpaceX has never flown people before, and two of the companys rockets have blown up in the past two years. Some say this mission, aboard the Falcon Heavy rocket, which has yet to fly, could also be delayed.

But Musk has had a string of successes that have upended that traditional space industry. The company has a long-running partnership with NASA, which has pumped millions of dollars into SpaceX, hiring it to fly cargo and eventually crews to the International Space Station.

While President Donald Trump has yet to name a new NASA administrator, there are signs that his administration wants to continue to work with the private sector, and companies are sensing a huge opportunity on a potential lunar mission.

In a call with reporters, Musk said he is not in competition with the government space agency. He also said that if NASA wanted to partner on the lunar mission, that would take priority over the two private individuals.

What matters is the advancement of space exploration and exceeding the high-water mark that was set in 1969 with the Apollo program, he said, and having a really exciting future in space that inspires the world.

In a blog post, he said the mission presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep space for the first time in 45 years, and they will travel faster and further into the Solar System than any before them.

Musk has met with Trump or his associates several times, first in New York and later at the White House. Trump has indicated interest in doing something bold in space; during the transition, he spoke with historian Douglas Brinkley about President John F. Kennedys vow to go to the moon.

John Logsdon, professor emeritus at George Washington Universitys Elliott School of International Affairs, said of Musk: Hes in pretty close contact with the White House folks. Whos whispering in whose ear?

Others in the industry also sense an opening.

With the new administration, regardless of what you think politically, comes a new sense of commercial partnerships, which is good for us in the space industry, said Bob Richards, chief executive of Moon Express, a private company that plans to land a robotic spacecraft on the moon this year in a race to claim the Google Lunar XPrize.

I feel, as many do, a lunar tide rising. The political environment is catching up with logic regarding the moon as an important step for even deeper space exploration, he said.

A SpaceX mission in 2018 probably would circle the moon before NASA gets another chance. The agency recently announced that it is considering adding astronauts to the first flight of its Space Launch System rocket and Orion crew capsule. That flight, originally scheduled to fly without humans in 2018, also would circle the moon. But as NASA seeks to move faster under the Trump administration, it is studying the feasibility of adding crews to the mission, which would then occur by 2019, officials have said.

NASA commends its industry partners for reaching higher, the agency said in a statement released by spokesman Bob Jacobs.

James Muncy, an analyst at the consultancy PoliSpace, said SpaceXs announcement could alter NASAs plans. A crewed flight by 2019 would be enormously expensive, he said. Now, NASA could remain on its original timetable.

SpaceXs lunar mission is another in several grand plans announced by SpaceX. Since Musk founded it in 2002, the company has made one bold proclamation after another, often earning jeers from skeptics who say that Musk moves too fast in an industry that demands caution.

Despite the explosions of two of SpaceXs rockets, Musk said Monday that the companys success rate is actually quite high.

Still, he acknowledged the dangers of the mission.

The passengers are entering this with their eyes open, knowing that there is some risk here he said. They are certainly not naive. Well do everything we can to minimize that risk. But its not zero.

But while many of his plans face delays, Musk has pulled off several noteworthy successes. That includes becoming the first private company to fly to the International Space Station and the first to land the first stage of a rocket that had lifted a payload into orbit.

Along with Boeing, SpaceX has a contract to fly NASA astronauts to the International Space Station. While the Government Accountability Office recently reported that both companies could face delays, SpaceX has maintained that it is on track for the first crewed mission by the middle of next year, which would come about six months before the private lunar flight.

Lori B. Garver, a former deputy administrator of NASA under President Barack Obama, expressed doubt that SpaceX could pull off a lunar mission in the next couple of years. But she said that it could be done by 2020 and that doing so would be fantastic.

It would show that we, in this country, are still in space, and innovating and exploring and capturing the excitement that we have. I think it would be very positive, Garver said.
SANTA FE  The latest attempt to add New Mexico to the ranks of states that have legalized recreational marijuana use  and taxed its sales  was derailed Monday in a House panel, when four Democrats joined with the committees five Republicans to table the measure.

The 9-1 vote in the House Business and Industry Committee after more than two hours of debate all but ensures the bill will not land on Gov. Susana Martinezs desk before the 60-day legislative session ends March 18.

With uncertainty swirling about whether President Donald Trumps administration will shift federal policy and crack down on states that have legalized recreational pot, some lawmakers expressed concern about legalizing recreational marijuana in New Mexico. Eight states and the District of Columbia have enacted such laws.

They also expressed concern about marijuanas effect on young people  although the bill would have limited legal sales to those age 21 and older  and skepticism about claims that legalization would curb the influence of drug cartels.

Just because we change the law, it doesnt take out the criminal element, said Rep. Patricio Ruiloba, D-Albuquerque.

However, Rep. Bill McCamley, D-Mesilla Park, one of the bills sponsors, cited recent polls that showed strong support for legalizing recreational marijuana in New Mexico, and he pushed back against suggestions that legalization has led to increased usage and crime rates in neighboring Colorado.

This is going to happen, McCamley said of legalizing marijuana in New Mexico. I believe if were going to get the benefits from it we should do it now.

Other backers, including representatives from a labor union and the American Civil Liberties Union, said the legislation could free up law enforcement agencies to focus on more serious crimes and bring in more revenue for the cash-strapped state.

Emily Kaltenbach of the Drug Policy Alliance, a group thats advocated for the legalization of recreational cannabis, said there were more than 2,100 marijuana possession cases pending in New Mexico courts in 2016 that were not tied to drunken driving, domestic violence or other alleged offenses.

If approved, House Bill 89 would have enacted a 15 percent state tax rate on cannabis sales from licensed dispensaries and deposit revenue in funds earmarked for schools, judicial branch agencies and treatment programs. Cities and counties would have been able to levy an additional tax on top of that.

Even a 20 percent total tax is still lower than most of the other states that are doing this, McCamley said.

Although Democrats hold a majority in both legislative chambers, dissent in the Democratic ranks over the legalization push has played a key role in bottling up recent efforts.

Rep. Debbie Rodella, D-Espanola, the House Business and Industry Committees chairwoman, said that during a recent trip to Denver she was struck by high rates of homelessness and questioned whether it was linked to marijuana legalization.

There have been social ills that have come with it, she said.

Rep. Carl Trujillo, D-Santa Fe, provided the one no vote against the motion to table the bill, but he said he wasnt sure whether he would have supported it had it advanced.

New Mexico has a medical marijuana program in which enrollment has skyrocketed in recent years, and Trujillo was among several lawmakers who expressed concern the measure could give currently licensed medical marijuana providers a head start in getting licenses for recreational pot.

In addition to the House bill tabled Monday, there is a similar Senate bill and a proposed constitutional amendment pending in the Legislature.

Martinez, a former prosecutor, has opposed efforts to legalize recreational marijuana in New Mexico. The Republican governor has less than two years left on the four-year term she was elected to in 2014 and is barred from seeking a third consecutive term in 2018.
Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry is asking the citys development community to think big.

Berry on Monday announced a competition to transform the citys skyline with the tallest building in the state.

The city, through its Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency, is requesting proposals to partner with one or more master developers to erect iconic and skyline-defining buildings in the heart of Downtown.

The city will offer two parcels at fair value price through sale or ground lease to the winning developers, Berry said told the New Mexico chapter of NAIOP The Commercial Real Estate Development Association.

They are: the parking lot on Third Street and Marquette Avenue, and the vacant lot on the northeast corner of Second Street and Silver Avenue.

Developers can submit proposals for one or both, or they can submit a proposal to redevelop a piece of property they already own in the urban core. They can seek funding help from the city.

Proposals are encouraged to include at least one building thats 360 feet high. The deadline is June 30.

According to city officials, the tallest building in the state is the Albuquerque Plaza Building, built in 1990 at 351 feet.
Jennifer Garner has not given up on Donald Trumps Washington.

The 44-year-old actress spent the weekend lobbying the towns pillars of power to support early education for poor rural children. She spent Friday on Capitol Hill meeting dozens of top staff members. On Saturday, she delivered the keynote address before the annual National Governors Association winter meeting here. A potential sit-down with Ivanka Trump, who is advocating for more funding for child care, fell apart because of scheduling conflicts, but Garner remained optimistic about a face-to-face discussion soon.

Other Hollywood liberals have shunned the new commander in chief  notably during Sundays Academy Awards ceremony, when many jokes were told at President Trumps expense. But Garner, a true-blue Democrat who campaigned for Hillary Clinton last year and held a fundraiser for Barack Obama in 2008, is taking a unique approach: pushing a cause that would benefit the new administrations political base.

The West Virginia native has long worked to bring assistance to poor, rural communities in desperate need of it. She has no plans to change that just because most of those communities went big for Trump in last years election. In fact, she sees an opportunity to hold the president accountable for the pledges he made to the countrys rural working class.

Im looking forward to helping him make good on what they saw as promises, a mandate from him, that he was gonna make their lives better, Garner said in a 45-minute interview with The Washington Post.

Its another indication of how Trump has changed the rituals of Washington. For decades, Hollywood celebrities have used the glow of the Capitol dome to advance personal causes. Some may be less inclined to do so now, when legislative gains might help burnish Trumps image.

That makes Trumps presidency a psychological test of sorts for some members of the Hollywood elite, who can either demonstrate their true commitment to the causes they push  or expose their charity work here as more about bolstering themselves.

Very much in the former camp, Garner acknowledged that some of her friends want to turn their back to this administration . . . [and] just wouldnt even want to engage.

Not her. If hes willing to help the poor kids who got him elected, then lets do it. They certainly think hes going to, she said.

For nine years, Garner has been on the board of Save the Children, a nonprofit organization. Mark Shriver is president of its political advocacy arm, Save the Children Action Network. Save the Children is known primarily for its international projects, but it has also built out a niche focus on U.S. education programs, particularly in poor rural communities.

Thats Garners personal story. She grew up solidly middle class, but she knew plenty of poor children who started elementary school behind and never caught up. They lived in the same sort of communities that Robert F. Kennedy, Shrivers uncle, visited in the mid-1960s along the Mississippi Delta, shaping the ideas of his 1968 presidential campaign.

Together, Garner and Shriver have urged Congress and state governments to fund reading and literacy programs that include all-day kindergarten. The organization has its own reading programs that it administers in schools and during in-home visits.

They found that children in rural areas are 60 percent more likely to be placed in special education programs when they start kindergarten. Garner has her own intuitive test when she meets small groups of rural children to determine which come from homes where parents have more time and resources to engage with them.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, she said, singing the nursery rhyme out loud. Humpty Dumpty had a great . . .

Some children shout fall. Others offer blank stares, because theyre from homes with less educational nourishment. You just wouldnt believe the number of kids who have never heard a nursery rhyme, she said.

Garner and her allies arent asking for assistance only for rural America, theyre also pressing for a rewrite of the entire tax code. And theyre not shy about the approach: political shame.

If theres going to be a tax package that cuts rates and red tape for corporations and Trumps fellow billionaires, the thinking goes, the president had better find a way to expand credits and deductions for the education needs of the families that formed the bedrock of his support.

If there is tax reform and theres nothing for poor, working families in this country, and families that are middle class and struggling, thats not good, Shriver said.

Garner calls their cause the bobblehead issue, because everyone loves to tell her that they support children, but in the end it sometimes seems as though they just enjoy being around a beautiful celebrity.

Everyones nodding and couldnt agree more, and shaking your hand and want their picture, she said. But when the vote is cast, nobodys out there screaming and yelling for poor kids.

Garner returned home to West Virginia last year, to help raise money after devastating flooding in the state. Reliably Democratic during her childhood, West Virginia ended up giving Trump his largest margin of victory  something she could see coming by talking to people in economically depressed areas.

People felt like Trump really understood them, that he was going to come in and create jobs for them, she said. They felt like they needed something to just turn everything upside down.

Its that level of despair that leaves Garner willing to deal with Trump when some of her friends want to offer nothing but resistance. She may even be willing to meet the president.

Send me a ticket to Mar-a-Lago. Im ready to go down and have a steak and a good chat, she said, only half joking about the prospect. I really think its great, if hes willing to help the poor kids who got him elected.
LOS ANGELES  At the climactic final moment of the 89th Academy Awards, when Faye Dunaway read the name of the film printed on the card in front of her  La La Land!  there were two people, standing on either side of the stage, who knew immediately that a different film, Moonlight, was the actual winner of the Oscar for best picture.

But no one else knew, not until the ceremony was interrupted nearly two full minutes later, after multiple La La creators had already given acceptance speeches. It was an agonizing unspooling of awkwardness that, a Pricewaterhouse Coopers executive described to reporters Monday as a human error.

As Tim Ryan, chairman and senior partner of the accounting firm that has long been the keeper of the Oscar envelope, described the scenario, one of the so-called Oscar ballot leaders simply handed co-presenter Warren Beatty the wrong envelope  with a spare copy of the card awarding Emma Stone the best actress prize for her role in La La Land.

The resulting confusion drew the spotlight away from the winners, and to an arcane set of protocols that have been rehearsed over more than eight decades. When disaster struck, from a viewers perspective, it appeared that the players froze.

One or the other of those accountants could have been at the mic in 30 seconds, said Paul Sheehan, executive editor of the Hollywood awards site Gold Derby. I think if we were in shock, so were they  but they had one job, and they didnt do it.

The Oscars are the grandfather of awards ceremonies, decades older than the Grammy Awards, Emmys, Tonys, or Golden Globes. They have cultivated, over the years, a carefully constructed pageantry and ritual: the presenters, the build-up, the suspense. The envelope, please.

The ritual has defined modern awards culture: there should be shock, but not horror; tears, but not sad ones  and a sense that the grandest cinematic prize cannot be tampered with or fouled up.

Until Sunday, that is, when Dunaway declared the wrong best picture for the first time in the ceremonys 89-year history. The PwC accountants, Martha Ruiz and Brian Cullinan, walked on stage to confer with La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz, who eventually grabbed the microphone: Im sorry, no, theres been a mistake.

This was not a joke, he quickly emphasized. But for the two people who hold the paramount responsibility of guarding and distributing the envelopes, it was something of a nightmare  precisely the sort of screw-up that Ruiz and Cullinan had worked scrupulously to avoid.

The ballot leaders oversee the vote-tallying process, identify the winners for each category, select the cards for the winners and seal them into their respective envelopes  but not before they memorize each winner in each category.

Ideally, we like to have everything completed several days before the show. That last day is when Brian and I will start memorizing the winners of each category and start quizzing each other, Ruiz said in a recent interview published by the academys public relations arm. Its that extra measure to make sure it really is only to our memory at that point, to make sure that everythings accurate.

On the day of the ceremony, Ruiz and Cullinan carry matching briefcases, each filled with a full set of 24 top-secret winners envelopes. The accountants travel to the theater separately, escorted by police, to ensure that at least one set of envelopes arrives on time.

During the ceremony, Ruiz and Cullinan stand on opposite sides of the stage. Because award presenters might enter from either side of the stage, there are two copies of each envelope  one set stationed at each possible entrance. Ruiz and Cullinan hand the envelopes to the presenters.

It doesnt sound very complicated, Cullinan said, but you have to make sure youre giving the presenter the right envelope.

Which, of course, did not happen Sunday night.

By the time the situation was sorted out, the La La Land team had suffered the embarrassment of delivering speeches for a prize they didnt win, and the stunned cast and crew of Moonlight was left with little opportunity to respond to their rightful victory.

The moment they heard Faye Dunaway say La La Land, the two of them should have been sprinting to the middle of that stage, and saying Im very sorry Mr. Beatty and Ms. Dunaway, you were given the wrong envelope,  Sheehan said.

He said he was shocked as he watched the sequence unfold. It seemed clear that Beatty, who opened the envelope, was confused by the card inside; Dunaway seemed to think Beatty was stalling purely to build suspense.

Our expectations of them are unfair, he said. Theyre older, its live television. Dunaway isnt wearing glasses  she sees the words La La Land, maybe she doesnt see Emma Stone. I dont fault them. To me, the entire responsibility lies at the feet of those two accountants, who let the whole thing play out far too long.

Sundays gaffe likely has other organizations checking and rechecking their procedures. A spokesman for the Television Academy, which presents the Emmy Awards, said only that it works with Ernst & Young to oversee this part of the process, and is confident with their safeguards.

William Ivey Long, the most recent chairman of the American Theater Wing, which created the Tony Awards, was immediately sympathetic to the Oscars plight. The same thing happened to me, he said Monday. The same thing!

Long was the recipient of a 1982 Tony for his costume-design work on the musical Nine. At the time, those awards were revealed at an off-stage ceremony and then reaffirmed on stage. So Long had already been told that he was the winner  but while sitting in his auditorium seat, he heard presenter Hal Linden call out the costume designer for Dreamgirls.

My heart sank and my stomach dropped to the floor, Long recalled. Then Nine star Raul Julia yelled from his seat, No! Its William Ivey Long! It turned out that the presenters cue cards contained all of the nominees, in alphabetical order, with the winner underlined. The presenter had merely read the first name and hadnt read down far enough to see Longs name marked.

Despite Sundays debacle at L.A.s Dolby Theater, Moonlight director Barry Jenkins was magnanimous about the snafu when he met reporters backstage.

I noticed the commotion that was happening, and I thought something strange had occurred. And then Im sure everybody saw my face. But I was speechless . . . Ive watched the Academy Awards, and Ive never seen that happen before, he said. And so it made a very special feeling even more special, but not in the way I expected.

No one offered a reason for the confusion, he said. But he appreciated the gracious way Beatty tried to reassure him amid the chaos. He came upstairs and he walked over to me . . . Hes like, No, Barry Jenkins has to see the card. I need him to know. 



Caitlin Gibson and Monica Hesse reported from Washington.
The rejection notices from the graduate program at Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Missouri didnt offer Stanley Andrisse an explanation. But the former drug dealer thinks he knows why the schools turned him down: He checked the box on the application that asked whether hed been convicted of a crime.

It took a former professor personally vouching for him before he finally won admission to St. Louis University, where he earned a doctorate.

I am a convicted felon, Andrisse, now a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, told Maryland lawmakers this month at a hearing on whether the state should forbid questions about criminal records on college applications. But I am also a doctor, a scientist . . . a youth mentor, a published author and many other things. Eliminating me before you know all of these other great things is an injustice to society.

A bill being debated by the General Assembly would make Maryland the first state to prohibit public and private colleges and universities from including questions about criminal history on their applications. Admissions offices could still ask applicants who have been accepted whether they have been convicted of a crime, but could not withdraw an offer of admission based on the answer.

Advocates say having the question on applications can disqualify some candidates and scare away others. Getting rid of it, in their view, would be the next step in Marylands quest to level the criminal-justice playing field and help felons remake their lives.

Opponents, including some college administrators, say the question yields valuable information about potential students and would be hard to excise from application forms, given that many institutions rely on the Common Application, which asks about criminal history.

I think it is in the campuses best interest to know, said Sen. James Brochin, D-Baltimore County, a member of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and a former adjunct professor at Towson University. Rape, murder, inappropriate contact with a minor  thats pretty relevant stuff. Misdemeanors, theft under $100  not so much.

The push to remove questions about criminal convictions is part of a broader criminal justice reform effort underway in Maryland and across the country. More than a dozen states, including Maryland, already prohibit most public employers from inquiring about past convictions on job applications, though they can ask after agreeing to interview a prospective employee. Two years ago, Gov. Larry Hogan, R, signed the Second Chance Act, which shields certain nonviolent offenses from online criminal records.

But despite a strong effort from advocates, and a push by the administration of former president Barack Obama, no states so far have taken the additional step of banning the box on college applications. New York is considering a bill similar to Marylands, according to state legislative analysts, and the State University of New York and the University of California system have removed the question from applications on their own.

Sen. Joan Conway, D-Baltimore, the lead sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, said she expects an amended version of the proposal to be approved by the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, which she chairs. Del. Maggie McIntosh, D-Baltimore, House bill sponsor and chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, also anticipates the measure receiving a favorable vote in her committee.

Both lawmakers said the legislation would remove an obstacle that keeps convicts out of college, but would still allow universities to get the information that they need later in the admissions process.

I do think the question inhibits many of them from even applying. And that is really the point that were trying to make and the hurdle were trying to overcome, McIntosh said.

Del. Erek Barron, D-Prince Georges, a co-sponsor, said having a question about past convictions on a college applications constitutes unnecessary scrutiny of ex-offenders.

We expect Marylanders who have criminal histories to have learned their lesson and move on to productive, positive citizenship, Barron said. But [they] are often thwarted when they encounter college applications that ask if they have ever been convicted of crimes.

Some legislators argue that the measure may be too broad. During a recent hearing, they questioned whether the state should impose the law on private universities, whether schools should be able to rescind an applicants acceptance after a background check is conducted, and whether it made sense not to know if applicants have been charged with violent crimes.

The institutions have a responsibility for their students and their safety, said Sen. Bryan Simonaire, R-Anne Arundel, a member of Conways committee.

More than 600 colleges across the country use the Common Application, which has asked applicants about their criminal history since 2006. After the Obama administration urged colleges last year to consider dropping the question, Common Application changed its wording, asking only whether a person has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, but not other crimes.

Joann Boughman, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University System of Maryland, testified against the bill. Responding yes to the question does not disqualify an applicant from being admitted, Boughman said. Rather, it allows a college or university to assess the applicants qualifications, provide support and guide the applicant on fields of study.

A 2013 survey of 50 Maryland colleges showed that 40 percent included a question about criminal history on their online applications. Natalie Sokoloff, a professor emerita of sociology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice who conducted the study, found that private and four-year colleges were more likely to include the question than other institutions.

The applications from prospective students with criminal histories were forwarded to a special review committee, Sokoloff said, and most schools offered an appeals process to applicants who were rejected because of their past.

Among those who testified in support of the bill was Chris Wilson, who was sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder in 1997, when he was barely 18. While locked up, he learned foreign languages and earned his high school equivalency and an associate degree.

Wilson was released in 2011, and was admitted to the University of Baltimore after writing a letter to the admissions office to explain his incarceration. Today, he owns a construction company and a furniture restoration business. He employees other ex-offenders and is still taking university courses so he can earn a bachelors degree.

I wouldnt be here if I didnt get a second chance, Wilson told lawmakers.

Andrisse testified that going to graduate school was a game-changer for him, one that he said would have come much more easily had he not been asked about criminal convictions on his applications.

As small as that one sentence may be, it is a mountainous barrier to someone like myself, Andrisse said.
SANTA FE  New Mexicos 2018 gubernatorial race wont be decided for more than 20 months, but Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham has already landed an endorsement from a deep-pocketed national group.

Emilys List, a group dedicated to electing Democratic women in favor of abortion rights to public office, announced its endorsement Tuesday.

The group has also endorsed Lujan Grisham, who is currently serving her third term representing the Albuquerque-based 1st Congressional District, in past election cycles, including hefty financial backing in a three-way primary race in 2012.

In a statement, Stephanie Schriock, the president of Emilys List, described Lujan Grisham as a fearless leader.

Our country desperately needs more Democratic women in executive leadership positions, where they are empowered to make an enormous positive impact on the lives of the people they serve, Schriock said.

So far, Lujan Grisham is the only candidate  either Democrat or Republican  to formally announce her candidacy for the 2018 gubernatorial race.

However, more candidates are expected to throw their hats into the ring in the coming weeks and months.

New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas is another prominent Democrat who has expressed interest in the job. Other Democrats considering runs include Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales, state Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, media executive Jeff Apodaca and Santa Fe businessman Alan Webber.

On the Republican side, potential candidates include U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry and Lt. Gov. John Sanchez.
Riverbed Launches SteelFusion 5.0, Now with Support for NAS Storage

Riverbed (News - Alert) Technology today announced Riverbed SteelFusion 5.0, which includes new support of Network Attached Storage (NAS), enhancing the flexibility and ease of managing remote and branch office IT. Riverbed SteelFusion is the only solution which provides the ability to "project" storage assets from data centers or the cloud out to remote business locations, eliminating the cost and security risk associated with managing islands of remote storage and backup infrastructure. Riverbed also announced it has surpassed 1,000 customers for SteelFusion, helping organizations around the world transform their approach to managing remote and branch office IT infrastructure with a software-defined approach that delivers the security, agility and cost-effectiveness required by today's modern enterprise.

Tweet This: Riverbed launches SteelFusion 5.0, now with support for NAS storage: http://rvbd.ly/2l695uz

"Riverbed is proud to deliver a software-defined edge solution with SteelFusion 5.0, which provides a cloud-grade experience for managing edge IT infrastructure," said Paul O'Farrell, Senior Vice President and General Manager of SteelHead, SteelFusion and SteelConnect at Riverbed. "With SteelFusion, organizations benefit from an extensible and software-defined services solution that delivers unprecedented flexibility, control, and automation for managing remote office IT. By adding support for data center NAS to its support for SAN and Object-based storage, our customers now have complete flexibility to extend the power, security and protection of data center and cloud-based storage out to every location where they do business."

BLOG: SteelFusion 5.0 Extends Hybrid Cloud Investments to Edge IT

In today's cloud-centric and digital world, IT organizations face new challenges in remote and branch office locations. IT is being tasked to increase business agility, reduce operational costs, and assure information security and application performance all while navigating unprecedented complexity rising from cloud adoption and hybrid IT. SteelFusion streamlines and transforms how IT manages remote IT infrastructure by centralizing 100% of remote data along with corresponding backup and recovery procedures. With its unique ability to project storage and virtual services from centrally managed data centers or from the cloud out to remote locations, SteelFusion gives IT a scalable approach to deploying and managing remote applications and services across any number of business locations.

Now with SteelFusion 5.0, organizations and service providers can enable this software-defined edge solution in multiple ways based on their desired approach, extending the value of traditional on-premises data center storage (SAN, NAS), private cloud (Software-defined Storage) or public cloud (Object) scenarios. NAS storage systems continue to be a significant and attractive storage backend for VMware environments. As a significant number of enterprise IT organizations continue to leverage a mix of storage options (Block, File, and Object), SteelFusion 5.0 offers flexibility by supporting all storage protocols in the data center or cloud and extending them all the way to the edge with a consistent, centralized operating model. To learn more about all key benefits of SteelFusion 5.0, visit https://www.riverbed.com/products/steelfusion.html.

SteelFusion Surpasses 1,000 Customers Globally

SteelFusion has continued to gain momentum in the market over the past several years. Now, with over 1,000 customers, organizations around the globe are benefitting from implementing a software-defined approach to managing remote and branch office IT. By purchaing SteelFusion, the State of Kentucky avoided spending an additional $900,000 and allowed its staff to focus on more strategic projects, instead of spending time dealing with backups. The State of Kentucky also eliminated the potential loss of valuable government project data with centralized backups.







"We modernized our infrastructure. Back-ups are now complete. If we want to spin-up a new server there is no buying a new server and waiting for it to come in. The time to deployment has been reduced significantly because we can leverage our existing VMs," said Travis Wagers, Information Systems Manager, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Office of Information Technology. "So, we have future-proofed our infrastructure."

View Press Release: Riverbed Provides Technology Foundation for Kentucky's Statewide Modernization Effort

In addition to the State of Kentucky, leading global organizations across all industries are seeing significant benefits using Riverbed SteelFusion:

Riverbed SteelFusion Allows European Insurance Provider CBP to Take Control of Branch IT with a Software-defined Edge (View Press Release) - European insurance provider CBP uses SteelFusion to improve application performance, enhance data security, and virtualize servers at its subsidiaries across Europe

(View Press Release) - European insurance provider CBP uses SteelFusion to improve application performance, enhance data security, and virtualize servers at its subsidiaries across Europe Riverbed Helps Energy Company Engen Centralize Remote and Branch Office IT and Accelerate Application Performance - (View Press Release) - Global energy company Engen leverages SteelFusion to centralize Remote and Branch Office (ROBO) IT, and improve productivity, backup and data security across its multi-national organization

(View Press Release) Global energy company Engen leverages SteelFusion to centralize Remote and Branch Office (ROBO) IT, and improve productivity, backup and data security across its multi-national organization Riverbed Helps Swedish Manufacturer Roxtec (News - Alert) Provision and Manage Branch Offices Faster to Keep Pace with Growth - (View Press Releases) - Swedish manufacturer Roxtec has deployed SteelFusion to enable IT efficiencies, which supports its rapid growth of around 15-20% annually

(View Press Releases) - Swedish manufacturer Roxtec has deployed SteelFusion to enable IT efficiencies, which supports its rapid growth of around 15-20% annually Drakes Supermarkets Reduces Downtime and Simplifies Backup and Recovery for More than 50 Retail Stores with Riverbed SteelFusion - (View Case Study) - Riverbed SteelFusion has enabled Drakes Supermarket to dramatically reduce downtime and deliver instant recovery for its retail branches. For Drakes, the ability to instantly recover a remote site can deliver savings of up to AUD$100K per outage

"We are seeing that IT organizations are rapidly evolving to a hybrid cloud architecture, and there is real business opportunity in improving operations far beyond the centralized data center core and out at the remote edge - which often includes hundreds or even thousands of locations in an enterprise. As businesses strive for digital transformation, this introduces new challenges that can impede IT's ability to ensure agility, security and application performance for these locations," said Terri McClure, senior analyst, ESG. "Riverbed addresses these edge IT challenges with a software-defined edge solution, powered by SteelFusion, to help businesses simplify, standardize and converge their remote IT infrastructure and operations - accelerating time to value and overall security, and giving IT the agility to stay in tune with today's constantly evolving digital enterprise."

SteelFusion is expected to be available towards the end of March.

For more information on SteelFusion, visit http://www.riverbed.com/products/steelfusion.html.

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Riverbed enables organizations to modernize their networks and applications with industry-leading SD-WAN, application acceleration, and visibility solutions. Riverbed's platform allows enterprises to transform application and cloud performance into a competitive advantage by maximizing employee productivity and leveraging IT to create new forms of operational agility. At more than $1 billion in annual revenue, Riverbed's 28,000+ customers include 97% of the Fortune 100 and 98% of the Forbes Global 100. Learn more at www.riverbed.com.

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View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228005766/en/
Despite his jutting jaw and comical bravado, Donald Trump is not another Benito Mussolini. The Italian dictator had six children, one wife and several mistresses, the most loyal of whom, Claretta Petacci, chose to die with him and was hung upside down in a Milan gas station. Trumps women have fared better.

On the other hand, the similarities between Trump and Mussolini are so obvious that it would amount to journalistic malpractice not to mention some of them. Mussolini was vain, bombastic, vulgar and, while the creator of fascism, he believed in nothing aside from himself. A former Italian prime minister, quoted in David Kertzers book The Pope and Mussolini, thought Mussolinis chief attribute was his devotion to the cult of his own personality. Is this our guy or what?

Kertzers book was first published in 2014 at a time when Trumps presidency seemed likely only to Jared Kushner. So clearly no analogy was intended, although one is certainly there. The most cogent parallel is contained in the books very title: the pope. Strip him of his vestments and Pius XI becomes a politician much like Reince Priebus, Mike Pence or any other member of the Republican establishment for whom, in exchange for something of value  lower taxes, less regulation or, in the case of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a comforting certainty in the loo  a deal can be made. These Republicans and others would accept Trump, and gamble on American democracy and world peace.

In Mussolinis day, the Catholic Church, too, had its demands and grievances. The Italian state had seized church lands, reducing the popes realm to itsy-bitsy Vatican City. The state had taken over the schools. It was no longer financially supporting the church. It had permitted divorce. Pius XI wanted to return to the status quo ante. In exchange for recognition of Mussolinis fascist government, by 1929, Il Duce was willing to oblige.

Mussolini was hardly religious. On the contrary, as a one-time doctrinaire socialist, he reviled the church, considering it an anachronistic picker of the average mans pocket. Still, he was willing to do business with the Vatican. Mussolinis only principle was his own self-interest.

As for Pius XI, he had many principles  but none of them stood in the way of making a deal with a fascist whose goons routinely beat up priests, attacked Catholic social centers and murdered the occasional dissident. Violence displeased the pope. What displeased him more, however, were current church-state relations. What the pope feared most of all was the threat of communism and, of course, the entirely hallucinatory power he attributed to the Jews. Mussolini was willing to destroy them both.

Pius XI did not like Mussolini  not his swagger, not his use of violence, not his libidinous ramblings and not his vanity. Bit by bit, however, he came to terms with what he loathed and instead concentrated on what was good for the church. This amorality is often called pragmatism.

In todays Republican Party, a similar process is underway. The princes of the GOP have elevated business concerns to the level of national interest. This accounts for the procession of Wall Street types who have backed Trump almost from the start  Wilbur Ross, Carl Icahn and Steve Schwarzman, who once said of a possible tax increase on private-equity firms: Its a war. Its like when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939.

Its not that these billionaires live in a world totally of their own. They all are philanthropists. But when it comes to Trump, they have managed to overlook his mocking of the disabled, his insults regarding Mexicans, his attacks on the press, his cooing at Putin, his name-calling, his spectacular lying and his daunting ignorance.

It is instructive to read how the Vatican, a moral institution, once put its own self-interest above its moral duty and embraced Mussolini. It is just plain depressing to note how history repeats itself. The Vatican, at least, sold out for church privileges. The GOP business and political class has sold out for greed.
WASHINGTON  We live in an age of disbelief. Many of the ideas and institutions that have underpinned Americans thinking since the early years after World War II are besieged. There is an intellectual and political vacuum into which rush new figures (Donald Trump) and different ideas (America First). These new ideas and leaders may be no better than the ones they displace  they may, in fact, be worse  but they have the virtue of being new.

Almost everything about the American election defied belief, from Trumps victory to the Russian hacking of Democratic computers to Trumps numerous falsehoods and smears. Could this really be happening?

To say that this is an era of disbelief means, quite literally, that millions of Americans no longer believe what they once believed. There is a loss of faith in old orthodoxies and the established experts who championed them. There are three areas where Trump suggests major departures from existing policies.

First, the economy. Despite a 4.8 percent unemployment rate, the recovery from the 2007-09 Great Recession has been middling. The number of payroll jobs, 145.5 million in January, was only 5 percent above the level in January 2008, the peak in the previous economic expansion. Millions of workers have dropped out of the labor force, notes Nicholas Eberstadt of the American Enterprise Institute. Gross domestic product (GDP)  the economys output  has been growing only about 2 percent annually. The Trump administration believes it can raise that to 3 percent or more through lower tax rates, less regulation and more aggressive trade policies.

Second, the world order. Since the late 1940s, the United States has provided physical and economic security for our allies through alliances (NATO) and trade agreements. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 signaled the success of this strategy and  it was said  marked the beginning of a long period of peace and prosperity, presided over by the United States. Trump is unsympathetic to this global role, which (he argues) burdens us with large costs in both blood and treasure. He wants trade agreements to be more favorable to us and for our allies to pay for more of their defense.

Third, the welfare state. Here, Trumps plans are fuzziest. He has said he would protect Social Security and Medicare, but other anti-poverty programs could face cuts. One way or another, immense sums are involved. Under existing policies, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that all welfare programs, from Social Security to food stamps, will cost $34 trillion from 2018 to 2027; thats two-thirds of federal spending projected over this period. The deficit is already $9 trillion for these years.

To be sure, there are other areas of policy differences from the status quo, immigration and climate change being two examples.

Just what will be proposed and enacted, and the consequences, are unknown. There are plenty of skeptics  including me  who think Trumps agenda is largely impractical or undesirable. To take one example: Since at least John F. Kennedy, presidents have pledged to increase economic growth. What we have learned is that, over meaningful time periods (say, four or five years), they cant control economic growth. Its too complicated to be easily manipulated.

Or consider Americas relation with the world. I fear that an America in retreat will create a world that is less stable, more fractious and more dangerous. The perception of our weakness would encourage others, possibly Russia, to be more adventurous. Its fine to ask our allies to spend more on their defense; but its inconsistent to do so while threatening to weaken their economies by insisting on tough trade concessions.

But I want to make a larger point. The elections unanticipated outcome is of a piece with other events: 9/11; the 2008-09 financial crisis. Stripped of familiar and reassuring beliefs, we are increasingly governed by disruptive surprises. This is why I call the present moment the age of disbelief.
Rep. Jason Harpers massive bill to overhaul the states tax structure  which would eliminate more than 100 tax deductions, widen the tax base and lower the tax rate  could inject some much-needed fairness, clarity and predictability into what has been called New Mexicos Swiss cheese system of taxation.

Of particular interest is the Rio Rancho Republicans effort to reform the states gross receipts tax program.

For those who have benefited over the years as lawmakers carved out numerous holes in the tax code that exempted them from paying gross receipts taxes, New Mexicos version of a sales tax on goods and services, Harpers 347-page House Bill 412 will be a tough sell. Fortunately, the bill appears to be getting the thoughtful consideration it deserves. Over the past few days the House Taxation and Revenue Committee has heard from businesses, health care companies, nonprofit groups, broadcasters and others, many of whom expressed concern about what they viewed as the unintended consequences of removing various exemptions  particularly those regarding food and medicine. More on that in a minute.

First, Harper notes that to lower the overall tax rate, its necessary to eliminate as many exemptions as possible, thus spreading the tax burden over a wider base. And, he said, the reforms are designed to be revenue neutral  meaning they produce the same amount of revenue instead of a windfall for the state.

Additionally, HB 412 would greatly simplify a tax system that Terri Cole, president and CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, says is bewildering to companies considering moving to the Land of Enchantment.

The plethora of exemptions granted over the years includes nonprofit and government hospitals; health care providers; online retailers; boat and livestock sellers; newspaper sales; even those who make profits off horse racing.

Predictably, many of those who have benefitted from the exemptions are opposing the potential loss of those tax breaks.

In the past, the Journal has opposed measures to get rid of the exemption on newspaper sales, in part, because New Mexico is one of few states that tax newspaper advertising sales. However, the Journal supports this overhaul because of its overall benefits to New Mexicans.

Perhaps the most controversial tax reform measure under consideration is the proposal to repeal the exemption on medicine and most foods, but Harpers bill would restore the tax while protecting the states poorest residents.

It also would remove at least some of the profiteering by cities and counties that have jacked up their tax rates to more than compensate for the food GRT they lost.

Its a win-win proposition. Heres why:

When the state Legislature exempted gross receipts taxes on food and medicine in 2005, it created a whole new level of taxation confusion. To help offset anticipated tax losses at the local level, the state began paying cities and counties hold harmless funding. In 2013 lawmakers decided to decrease those payments gradually over a 15-year period while also allowing counties to impose  without voter approval  up to three-eights of 1 percent in additional gross receipts taxes with no expiration date.

And the measure was quickly exploited, with several counties imposing rates that raised far more than what they lost. And while those hold harmless payments are phasing out, local governments seem to be scurrying to get more, if not all, of their hold-harmless taxing authority in place in perpetuity.

For consumers, it means you might not be paying tax on milk and eggs, but you are paying much more tax on diapers and shoes.

Harpers bill eliminates hold harmless payments to local governments. And it protects the low income with a provision that addresses regressivity of the new sales tax by removing the sales tax on all food purchased by a qualified SNAP (food stamp) program recipients  including food purchased with non-SNAP dollars, according to the Fiscal Impact Report.

In addition, it:

 Removes tax pyramiding for business-to-business professional services and inputs.

 Levels the playing field for local brick-and-mortar businesses by taxing internet sales transactions.

 Levels the paying field for hospitals by requiring nonprofit and government hospitals to pay GRT like their for-profit colleagues.

 Grounds tax lightning by removing the requirement that the assessed value of a property immediately adjust to current and correct when a property changes ownership as well as the annual cap on property valuation increases to allow yield control to work effectively.

 Creates just one personal income tax bracket and one corporate bracket at 5 percent.

 Re-brands GRT as sales tax.

And it honors the intent of user taxes, distributing:

 Liquor excise tax revenue to state and county DWI treatment and prevention programs (60 percent), drug court programs (10 percent), and to the state as a match for Medicaid expenditures (30 percent).

 Motor vehicle excise tax revenue to the state and local road funds (30 percent each) with the remaining 40 percent to the general fund.

While the Legislature still needs to address the hold harmless taxing authority it gave cities and counties, Harpers plan simplifies the tax code, lowers the state rate of 5.125 percent based on a formula to somewhere around 2.7 percent and broadens the tax base while no longer picking industry winners and losers via tax policy.

While theres plenty of opportunity for fine-tuning, it is a move toward good public policy that is fair, easier to understand and gets rid of that Swiss cheese nightmare. A lot of work went into those 347 pages. Lawmakers should continue to give HB 412 serious consideration in committees and get it to their respective floors for votes.

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.
WASHINGTON  New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez harshly criticized Donald Trump for his rhetoric on immigration during last years bruising presidential campaign, but after meeting with President Trump on Monday, she said shes hopeful his administration will be good for national security and the state.

Martinez participated in a meeting with Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and other Republican governors on Monday that focused on health care, the federal budget and other issues. She also spent a few minutes afterward with Trump and Pence.

During the meeting, Trump said that the nations health care system is in danger of imploding and that Congress must make fundamental changes to the sweeping health care law enacted under his predecessor. But he stressed how complicated it is, saying that overhauling the American tax system was a tiny little ant compared with what he would need to do to replace the Affordable Care Act.

Its an unbelievably complex subject. Nobody knew that health care could be so complicated, Trump told the governors.

In remarks provided to the Journal and KOAT-TV on Monday afternoon, Martinez said she came away from the meetings especially impressed with Trumps commitment to national security.

What I feel most confident is this: His No. 1 priority is to keep America safe, Martinez said. And the way hes going to do that is improve our military in every way possible so that we are the strongest military in the world.

The White Houses coming federal budget proposal will call for increasing defense spending by 10 percent while slashing funding at the State Department, Environmental Protection Agency and other government programs.

This defense spending increase will be offset and paid for by finding greater savings and efficiencies across the federal government, Trump said Monday at the governors meeting in Washington. Were going to do more with less.

The Defense Department budget increase floated by the White House on Monday would mark the largest year-over-year increase since President Ronald Reagan was in office at the height of the Cold War.

Martinez said that during her time with Trump and Pence on Monday, she suggested that they be careful not to treat all states the same. New Mexico, with its nuclear weapons laboratories and vast federal lands, is among the states receiving the largest amount of federal dollars compared with the amount of tax dollars its residents send to Washington.

We spoke about working together in the future and coming up with solutions for each individual state, Martinez said. And thats important to New Mexico, because we want to continue protecting our labs and bases.

I commend the president and his willingness to engage the governors to listen to our individual needs, because every state is so different, Martinez added. Its something I have never seen before where the president and vice president actually ask the governors to come to the table on important issues.

The presidents first major meeting with governors comes as Congress prepares to move forward on a repeal and replacement of the health care law, one of Trumps main campaign promises. Governors have raised concerns that the changes could undermine their efforts to expand Medicaid in their states and leave them stuck with a bigger share of the health care tab.

The Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, has subsidized private health insurance available in all 50 states, and an optional Medicaid expansion has been accepted by 31 states, including New Mexico, and the District of Columbia. The two components cover more than 20 million people.

Martinez was among the governors who opted to expand Medicaid under Obamacare in New Mexico, leading to a large increase in the number of insured in the state. But overall, the law is a failure, she said.

One of the things that the public has to really understand is how catastrophic Obamacare has been, Martinez said. Millions of people have been denied access and care. They havent been able to keep their same doctor.

It needs to be repealed and replaced with something that lowers premiums for our families and doesnt hurt small businesses. I commend the president on his willingness to engage on this very important issue.

Martinez was one of 46 governors who joined Trump and first lady Melania Trump at the White House on Sunday night for a black-tie dinner honoring the nations governors. The state leaders were in Washington for the annual meeting of the National Governors Association, and the White House ball honoring them marked the Trump administrations first major social event.

The New Mexico governor returned to the state Monday night.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
SANTA FE  A proposal to open New Mexicos primary elections to independent voters survived  just barely  its first challenge in the state Senate.

The bill made it out of the Senate Rules Committee on Monday without a recommendation and now heads to the Judiciary Committee, potentially its last stop before reaching the Senate floor.

But that was only after a motion to recommend passage of the bill failed on a tie vote.

A similar proposal, meanwhile, is also advancing through the House, though it has not yet reached the floor.

Mondays action centered on Senate Bill 205, sponsored by Sen. John Sapien, D-Corrales.

The bill would allow people who decline to state a party affiliation  independents, as theyre often called  to participate in a primary election. About one in five New Mexico voters falls into that category.

Sapiens proposal wouldnt allow people to cross party lines. In other words, Democrats or Libertarians couldnt opt to vote in the Republican primary.

Sen. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, said the proposal would encourage voter participation in primary elections and force the major parties to pay more attention to young people, who are more likely to register as independents.

It would also give more people a voice in races that are decided in the primaries, he said. Some candidates are unopposed in general elections.

Most districts are so heavily drawn to favor one party or the other, Steinborn said.

Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, argued against the proposal. The only real purpose of political parties is to nominate candidates, he said, and theres no downside to registering with one.

It isnt as if the Democratic Party charged dues or required people to agree with every part of its platform, Ortiz y Pino said. And its easy to change your registration online ahead of a primary if you want to participate, he said.

Sapiens bill just seems to me a solution in search of a problem, Ortiz y Pino said.

Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, an Albuquerque Democrat and former state elections director, proposed allowing the major parties to decide themselves whether to allow independents  or even members of other parties  to participate. But that idea didnt win approval.

In the end, the committee voted 6-2 to forward Sapiens bill without a recommendation, with three Democrats and three Republicans in favor. Ivey-Soto and Ortiz y Pino voted no.
Police arrested 44-year-old Michael Laws of Los Lunas on Monday after investigating a sex crime, according to a spokesman for the New Mexico State Police.

Sgt. Chad Pierce said police began investigating early Sunday morning. He didnt provide any other details about the case.

According to KOAT-TV, Laws, a firefighter with the Los Lunas Fire Department, is suspected of sexually assaulting a young woman who was passed out at his house after a birthday party he was hosting for a friend. He admitted to police he touched the woman, according to KOAT.

Pierce said Laws is charged with criminal sexual contact and criminal sexual penetration and was booked into the Valencia County Detention Center.
A group of retired New Mexico State Police officers are giving back to the community by replacing jail time with class time.

The Alternative Sentencing Programs & Educational Networks of New Mexico Inc., or ASPEN, gives people convicted of a misdemeanor a chance to take a class in place of going to jail.

Kevin Boyd, ASPEN founder and retired State Police officer, said he started the program in an attempt to give those convicted of a misdemeanor a second chance, with the knowledge that they came close to some jail time.

ASPEN classes are focused on educating those convicted of driving while intoxicated and/or arrested with drugs, he said.

Thats where people fall down; thats the problem we are basically having in our society today, Boyd said. Maybe its the bad crowd influence or the dare, I bet you cant, mentality, but when things go wrong, they go wrong fast.

The $100 class consists of a PowerPoint presentation that includes information on the chemicals in certain drugs, their effects on people, court and legal issues, he said.

There is no state or federal funding for this class, Boyd said. This program is funded by the five of us and the students who pay for the course.

Rio Ranchoan Jennie Pierce, also a retired NMSP officer and instructor for the Rio Rancho ASPEN class, said she likes teaching the program because it allows her to use her knowledge as a mother to mentor troubled teens and young people.

I hear the struggles of those who are battling addiction and the trials that they go through, and try to relate, Pierce said. If there are 20 students, I hope I am able to influence at least one to change.

Many of the ASPEN students thanked Pierce after class for her candid instructions and for their receiving a second chance, she said.

We learn from the students that we dont have all of the answers, Pierce said. I didnt do a lot of narcotics stuff in law enforcement, so I am doing a lot of learning from that side of it.

ASPEN instructor and retired State Police officer Chris Maes said he has been in the program for 12 years.

We get very few repeat students come back into the program, Maes said.

About 80 percent of the students come out of here with a different perspective and in one day we see the transformation of people.
SANTA FE  A man who set off an Amber Alert early Sunday morning by allegedly kidnapping his 15-year-old ex-girlfriend at gunpoint in Penasco has been accused of kidnapping two other times in the past three months, according to police reports.

Christian Orozco, 21, was charged with kidnapping and assaulting the same girl with a handgun in December, but that case seems to have stalled in Espanola Magistrate Court.

Another woman accused him of kidnapping her, also at gunpoint, in November.

Orozco, 21, was arrested midmorning Sunday by State Police and Espanola police at a home in Espanola. The Taos County Sheriffs Office said Orozco had broken into his ex-girlfriends Penasco home with a handgun and threatened to kill her grandparents before abducting her.

Joe Sanchez, the girls grandfather, told KOB-TV, I mean my wife and I both thought we were going to die. I even told him take me. Please leave my granddaughter. If you want to kill someone, take me. I tried to fight him off, but he just overpowered me.

After the girl was found, she was treated at an Espanola hospital for minor injuries.

This doesnt appear to be the first time Orozco kidnapped the girl, although a criminal complaint against him in the previous case is sparse on details.

According to a Dec. 20 complaint filed in Espanola Magistrate Court, a man named Jason Valdez reported to State Police that, two days earlier, Orozco had kidnapped him and held him against his will.

The State Police officers complaint quotes Valdez as saying Orozco shot his vehicle before he left his home. Valdez cousin, the girl who was allegedly kidnapped this weekend, was reportedly in Orozcos car at the time.

Orozco was charged with kidnapping both Valdez and the girl, but the complaint has no details on how either one was kidnapped or assaulted and offers no additional details on the vehicle shooting.

Valdez told police Orozco had told him that if he did not do as he was told, they would kill him and his family.

The same Dec. 20 complaint also says that Orozco used a 9 mm handgun in a similar kidnapping that occurred about four weeks prior.

In that incident, on Nov. 22, a woman went to State Police, and said that she had been kidnapped and threatened by Christian and his older brother, Rafael Orozco.

The woman said she had been willingly driving the Orozcos and another woman to Mikes Mini Mart in Velarde. But once they arrived at the store, the woman said, she was threatened multiple times with a 9 mm handgun and a .357 magnum handgun.

She told police, I was scared I was going to get shot, and I even called my mom to tell her I love her, according to the complaint. She said she complied with the Orozco brothers demands because she thought they were going to kill her and hurt her family.

She said she finally dropped them off somewhere in the back roads of Taos.

Rafael Orozco has the same name as a man who is now facing child abuse, battery on a health care worker and battery on a household member charges after he allegedly struck his newborn child and her mother because the woman breastfed the infant in the presence of a male doctor in September.

The two alleged kidnapping incidents from November and December involving Christian Orozco were grouped into one case in which he was charged with three counts of second-degree kidnapping, three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of shooting at an occupied house or dwelling.

But online court records dont show any court action on these charges and theres no indication that Christian Orozco has faced a judge or was ever even arrested for the charges.

Attempts on Monday to reach Magistrate Judge Joseph Madrid, whose court the case was assigned to, were unsuccessful.

There are also limited details on a 2014 case where Christian Orozco was charged with battery and negligent child abuse resulting in death, a first-degree felony, according to the state court systems website.

But a criminal complaint for the case provided by Espanola Magistrate Court doesnt mention anyone dying and the supposed victim spoke with the police after the alleged incident.

The complaint from July 2014 charges Orozco with battery on his younger sister, who was 12 at the time. The girl told Espanola police that she told Orozco that she was going outside to walk the dog when he got mad and started to choke her around the neck, the complaint says.

She said Orozco slapped her and punched her on the mouth, although police didnt notice any visible marks of slapping or punching. Orozco said he slapped the girl twice on the face because she cursed at him and made him angry, but he denied punching and choking her.

Online court records dont indicate that an amended or supplemental criminal complaint was filed that may explain the child abuse resulting in death charge.

Both Espanola cases are in Madrids court. There are no specific prosecutors listed online for either case.

Rio Arriba-based prosecutor Benjamin Schrope didnt return phone calls left Monday.

The Taos County Sheriffs Office said Monday the report on the most recent kidnapping has not been completed and it may take up to 10 business days to finish.
Homicide detectives are investigating after a man was found dead in the parking lot of strip mall on Coors near Central Monday night, according to a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department.

Officer Fred Duran said police were called to the Smiths grocery store parking lot at 111 Coors to check on a person who appeared to be injured.

Officers arrived and located a male victim who was determined to be deceased on scene, he said.

Duran said the circumstances of the call made it a homicide investigation. He did not say how the man died.

Detectives are working to determine what occurred and will be working on notification of next of kin, he said.

Duran said no other information was immediately available Monday night.
FOUNTAIN, Colo.  Firefighters have contained a grass fire that forced the evacuations of homes east of Colorado Springs.

The fire was reported Monday about 10 miles east of Fountain and near the small community of Hanover.

It burned about 5 square miles, less than originally estimated, and smoke could be seen from Colorado Springs, about 30 miles away.

Hanover Fire Chief Carl Tatum told The Gazette (http://bit.ly/2m44Wqg ) that one vacant home was destroyed in the fire along with several outbuildings.

The fire was fueled by dry grasses, temperatures in the 50s and wind gusts up to 45 mph but firefighters were
LAS CRUCES, N.M.  Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence without the possibility of parole for an Ohio man charged with killing a New Mexico police officer during a traffic stop.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports (http://bit.ly/2lut16I) that 39-year-old Jesse Hanes is charged with murder in connection with the August death of Hatch police officer Jose Chavez.

Hanes trial is set for April.

Third Judicial District Attorney Mark DAntonio filed a notice Monday saying prosecutors want a sentence of life without parole for Hanes if hes convicted.

Prisoners serving life sentences in New Mexico are eligible for parole after 30 years unless there are aggravating circumstances. DAntonio says such circumstances would include the killing of a police officer while in the line of duty.

___

Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com
New Mexicos land commissioner is proposing an exchange of tracts along the states border with Mexico for federal holdings in the counties of Lincoln, Otero and Chaves.

A communications spokesman for the office of Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn said Friday that the exact federal tracts proposed for a swap have not been identified. This is all very preliminary and the commissioner hasnt identified any specific areas of interest, she said.

A local resident told Lincoln County commissioners at their meeting last month that they should not accept the official obviously false response from Dunns office.

Dunn sent President Donald Trump a letter dated Feb. 1, noting that the New Mexico-Mexico border stretches 158.59 miles and will transverse or be within 600 feet of state trust lands. Within 600 feet of the border, there are 22.25 miles of combined state trust surface and mineral estate and 30.75 miles of trust mineral-only estate, he wrote.

In anticipation of the border wall, I am hoping to begin a discussion to take state trust lands out of the political process and focus on managing these lands for the trust beneficiaries, who include students in public schools, he wrote. I do not wish to be part of political fodder for any side of this issue.

He proposed a land exchange with the Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Homeland Security to trade trust surface and mineral estate land. Within three miles of the border are 32,206.66 acres of combined trust surface and mineral estate and 69,507.58 acres of trust mineral-only land, he wrote.

During the public forum portion of the Lincoln County Commission meeting last month, Tony Davis and his wife, Joyce Westerbur, asked if commissioners might be interested in finding out what and where the more desirable land assets for which Dunn proposes a trade are located. They wondered if the tracts were the same assets proposed for sale by the federal government by U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a Republican from Utah, in a bill he quickly withdrew when it hit a wall of opposition. In that bill, 813,531 acres for potential sale were listed in New Mexico, she pointed out, including 47,482 acres in Lincoln County in 500 parcels, estimated in 1997 at a value of $2.275 million. The sale would be part of a total 3.3 million acres of public land put on the block in the states of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada. New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming.

In her statement to commissioners, Westerbur said she and Davis last year became aware of a group of southern New Mexico citizens concerned about the potential theft of public lands.

The theft would be carried out through a campaign to deceive citizens that the states can take better care of the now-federal lands than the federal government, she said. Of course, the would-be thieves hope trusting citizens dont stop to consider that the states are broke, especially in the case of New Mexico, and that the state would be forced to sell off those lands, privatizing them.

Those concerned citizens formed the Southern New Mexico Public Lands Alliance, a nonpartisan organization that she said includes hunters, hikers, ranchers and others who love our public lands and want to see all Americans, including future generations, continue to have access to our lands, not sold off for the exclusive use of a privileged few.

The interest of members of the group was piqued by Dunns phrasing that he wanted to trade for more desirable land in the three counties, she said.

She asked commissioners to use their power to get answers from Dunn and possibly from U.S. Rep Steve Pearce, a Republican representing the 2nd Congressional District of New Mexico about the tracts location.

An answer of It hasnt been decided yet, is obviously false and should not be accepted, she said.

Lincoln county residents deserve transparency on this as does the county treasurer on the impact to (Payment in Lieu of Taxes, which compensates the county by more than $1 million for nontaxable federal land within its borders).



2017 the Ruidoso News (Ruidoso, N.M.)

Visit the Ruidoso News (Ruidoso, N.M.) at www.ruidosonews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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PHOENIX  Extremely windy conditions and blowing dust have for the third straight day shut down Interstate 10 in Arizona and New Mexico, stalling commerce and sending drivers on a long detour through a much smaller road.

In some parts, its nature that has sent dust into the air, resulting in little to zero visibility. But at the Arizona-New Mexico border, a farm that last year cost Arizona taxpayers at least $288,000 to chemically stabilize the soil is once again sending blowing dust into the air, according to the states Department of Environmental Quality.

The owner of Davids Agrigold Farms removed stabilizer from 50 acres late last week with plans to plant on it this week, the department said. But the landowner left the land unattended over the weekend, when high winds were forecast, according to the department.

Investigators were on scene this week to ensure the owner, David Turner, takes measures to reduce the dust, the department said.

This is certainly going to add a new layer of violations and need for additional enforcement, since we are seeing the issue happen again and believe it to be an avoidable situation on top of that, air quality division director Timothy S. Franquist said.

Turner has two water trucks spraying the land, but that hasnt helped enough, Franquist said. The department is considering stepping in again either with more water trucks or potentially with chemical stabilizer.

A person who answered the phone for a number listed for Turner said no thanks when reached by The Associated Press.

Last year, the department spent at least $288,000 on stabilizing 600 acres of soil with two products. The landowner was required to contribute $90,000.

Blowing dust caused several wrecks last spring before authorities shut down the highway because of the poor visibility

The issue returned on Sunday when blowing dust in the San Simon area resulted in a closure of the freeway. The same happened on Monday and Tuesday.

The National Weather Service in Tucson on Tuesday issued a blowing-dust advisory from the Bowie to San Simon, saying it will affect the area through at least 5 p.m.

The Arizona Department of Transportation says it doesnt know when the freeway will reopen.

In New Mexico, high winds and blowing dust also caused part of I-10 to close in Lordsburg and a nearby area. Dust at the Lordsburg area is likely caused by a dried-=up lake bed, the state said.
AVONDALE, Ariz.  Authorities have released the name of a woman who died after being shot at an Avondale store where she worked and say the suspected shooter remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Avondale police say 26-year-old Melissa Mendez was an employee of the Best Buy store and had a history of domestic violence with 27-year-old Henry Cota Jr.

They say Mondays shooting began with a confrontation outside the store where Cota allegedly fired several shots at Mendez.

Police say she ran inside the store and shooter followed her and fired more shots.

Phoenix TV station KTVK reported that a man walked into the store and shot a female cashier for an unknown reason and then turned the gun on himself outside.

However, police wont say yet if Cotas gunshot wound is self-inflicted.
DENVER  Colorado isnt done arguing about where alcohol should be sold.

A bill moving through the state Senate would allow more Walmarts and other big-box stores to sell liquor, not just beer and wine.

Its a spirited debate less than a year after Colorado made its biggest alcohol change since the end of Prohibition by allowing more grocers to sell full-strength beer.

The Senate delayed a vote Tuesday on liquor in Walmart.

The delay gives Walmart and its allies an extra day to corral support for the change, calling it a simple update to last years alcohol law to expand sales.

Critics of the change say that last years hard-fought alcohol compromise is under siege, and that liquor in Walmart could devastate family-owned liquor stores.

I am concerned this bill will lead to further decline of small independent businesses, said Democratic Sen. Irene Aguilar of Denver, arguing in vain this week to have the Walmart change removed from the bill.

The booze-in-Walmart debate isnt partisan. The sponsor of the change sits right next to Aguilar on the Democratic side of the Senate.

Its a technical cleanup bill that we need to pass so we can implement what we passed last year, said Sen. Angela Williams, another Denver Democrat.

Another alcohol bill is also on ice in the Senate.

That measure would have allowed smaller grocers, those without a pharmacy, to compete in the new alcohol field, too. A Senate committee rejected the bill Monday, though Senate leaders say a revised version may yet appear.

In other words, its far too soon to say how this alcohol debate will shake out.

But voters should know that changes are likely to the new alcohol law.

The law set up a 20-year period for grocers to slowly acquire liquor licenses, sometimes by paying for those held by neighboring liquor stores.

By 2037, Colorado will repeal its unusual limits on how many licenses a company or chain may hold to sell alcohol. The new law also ends a requirement that most grocers sell only near-beer, water-downed versions of common brews.

___

Kristen Wyatt can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/APkristenwyatt
JERUSALEM  Israels intelligence was severely lacking and its military not adequately prepared to swiftly destroy the network of offensive tunnels used by the Palestinian militant group Hamas during the 2014 war in the Gaza Strip, according to a scathing official report released Tuesday.

Critics seized on the report by Israels state comptroller to argue that the failures prolonged the war, which lasted 50 days, and led to greater losses on both sides.

The report highlights systemic shortfalls in the planning, preparations and real-time decisions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, then-Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, the armys chief of staff at the time and others in the security cabinet.

If Israels objective in the war was to find and destroy dozens of attack tunnels dug by Gazas militant Islamist organizations to infiltrate into Israel, its mission failed, the report states.

The investigators estimated that only half of the tunnels were neutralized by the wars end in August 2014  despite claims by Israels military that it had eliminated the threat.

Even though the threat of the tunnels was severe and was known to the armys southern command since 2008, the militarys southern command had no strategic operational plan to deal with the threat, the investigators said.

The report was written by an Israeli general and released by the comptroller, Yosef Shapira, after an audit from September 2014 to August 2016.

In Israeli eyes, the report is far more important than those previously released by human rights groups and the United Nations.

The comptrollers report does not address exactly how many of the tunnels are still operational.

Israeli forces continue to report that Hamas is digging new tunnels and expanding older ones. Since the wars end, the Gaza front has been relatively quiet, though Salafist groups in the coastal enclave occasionally fire rockets into Israeli territory.

The report highlights that in the months between the creation of Netanyahus previous administration, in March 2013, and the start of hostilities with Hamas in July 2014, his security cabinet did not discuss how conditions in the Gaza Strip  soaring unemployment, lack of water and electricity blackouts  could pressure Hamas to go to war.

The war was preceded by weeks of Israeli pressure on Hamas militants in the West Bank, including hundreds of arrests, after three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped by a Hamas cell near Hebron. The teens were found dead a week before the war began July 7.

Seventy-four Israelis, including 68 soldiers, and more than 2,100 Palestinians were killed in the fighting. The United Nations and human rights groups say that 7 in 10 Palestinians killed were civilians, including 500 minors. Israel says that about half the Palestinian dead were combatants and accuses Hamas of employing human shields  leading to the large numbers of civilian fatalities.

Israeli airstrikes and ground troops also caused extensive damage to the strips infrastructure, much of which has not yet been rebuilt.

The comptrollers investigators concluded that Netanyahu and his government did not actively seek diplomatic alternatives to a war.

At the wars start, the most pressing challenge was stopping the constant barrage of Hamas rockets and mortar shells.

The report concludes that the military initially believed it could quickly neutralize the threat of tunnels from outside Gaza. After 10 days of Israeli bombing  and rocket salvos by Hamas  the Israel Defense Forces sent tanks and troops, alongside sappers and combat bulldozers, into the enclave to destroy the tunnels. Most of the casualties on both sides occurred during this period of the war.

While the report is the most in-depth investigation to date into events that led to the war and Israels actions during it, the comptroller notes that the inquiry does not assess the validity of Israels decisions or the overall results of the war.

Embargoed copies of the report were distributed to politicians and journalists days earlier, leading to lengthy analyses by Israeli commentators and finger-pointing by leaders involved in shaping the outcome of the war.

The report stresses that Netanyahu, Yaalon and senior members of the defense, intelligence and security establishment failed to share crucial information with the decision-makers, primarily the select handful of ministers on the security cabinet.

The audit notes that during the security cabinet briefings starting with the disappearance of three Israeli teens in June and until the start of the war in July 2014, the tunnel threat was not discussed, nor was it brought up by the ministers. And that is despite the fact that the escalation with Gaza had already begun, with rockets being shot into Israel, the report says.

I can tell you that they did not tell us anything, said a member of the security cabinet who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity. The prime minister does not need to tell the inner security cabinet every problem if he has a plan to take care of it. But there was no defensive plan, and security mechanisms were even removed from Israeli communities around Gaza in the lead-up to the operation.

Yaalon dismissed the complaints as untrue and grandstanding.

And the biggest lie of all? That we werent prepared and lost. Its nonsense, he wrote on his Facebook page.

Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, the former chief of staff, said that there was fine intelligence, excellent, accessible, not always perfect, according to a report in the Israeli newspaper Maariv.

The outcome of the operation was a severe blow to Hamas, a disruption of the tunnels, the establishment of deterrence and Hamas remaining as the sovereign power on the ground. Forget about what people say.

Netanyahu wrote on his Facebook page that the army had achieved great success in the war.

The army hit Hamas hard, we took out around 1000 terrorists and destroyed thousands of Hamass rockets. We prevented attacks on Israeli cities with the Iron Dome batteries and foiled Hamass plans to tunnel into southern Israel to kidnap civilians, he wrote.

Netanyahu also said that the security cabinet discussed the issue of the tunnels 13 times before the war and that its severity was highlighted.

However, parents of Israeli troops killed in the fighting said it was time that certain leaders accepted blame for what they now see as a failed war.

Speaking to Israels Channel 2 News, Ilan Sagi, whose son Erez was killed in the fighting, called the government and militarys handling of the war shameful.

Politicians are celebrating, and all of them are denying what happened, he said. My child was killed for this state and for his people. Those who made mistakes should pay the price.
Police say Luke Waruszewski called for a cab Monday night to pick him up at a strip mall parking lot near Coors and Central.

But instead of taking the ride, Waruszewski killed the driver senselessly and apparently without provocation, said officer Fred Duran, a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department.

The driver, Larry Mullin, 58, died at the scene. He was the father of two young sons.

A manager of the Yellow-Checker Cab Co. had heard a scream over the companys dispatch radio and couldnt make contact with the driver. He tried to track the cab, but the GPS shut off.

He then asked all of the drivers to return to headquarters, but one did not come back.

An hour and a half later, police received a report of a blood-smeared cab at a travel center about 50 miles west of the city.

When New Mexico State Police officers arrived at the center, they found Waruszewski, 26, carrying a gas can, degreaser and rags, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. After telling police to just shoot me, Waruszewski was arrested.

Mullin had worked as a cabdriver for about 15 years, his father, Victor Mullin, told the Journal on Tuesday in a phone interview from California. He said Larrys wife had given birth to the couples second child  a boy  last month. They also have a 4-year-old son.

Jean Bennett, Larry Mullins younger sister, said his family is devastated by the news. She said she had just seen her brother, his pregnant wife and their son for Christmas.

My birthday was the day he was killed, she said. He called me in the morning to wish me a happy birthday, but I missed that call.

The family is now making arrangements to travel to Albuquerque from their hometown in California.

Around 8:40 p.m. Monday, police were called to the parking lot of the Smiths grocery store on 111 Coors NW for a man who was lying in the parking lot and appeared to be injured.

When officers arrived, they found a man, later identified as Mullin, bleeding heavily from his neck, according to the complaint. Bystanders had tried to perform CPR on him but he died.

A security guard told officers that, earlier in the night, a man matching Waruszewskis description had come up to him and asked, Are you awake? Are you ready? The guard said he told the man not to loiter on the property and the man said he was waiting for a cab.

The guard said shortly after that he saw a cab leave the parking lot and then a small crowd gather around a body on the ground.

Waruszewski drove the cab to his mothers house near Ladera and Sundoro NW, according to the complaint.

Waruszewskis mother called 911 to say her son had told her he had stolen a cab and badly hurt the driver, and that he had just left her house.

(His mother) stated Luke was alone and was driving a yellow cab, the detective wrote in the complaint. She got into the back of the cab to talk to Luke and left her brown purse in the cab. Luke stated to his mother he was going away. 

Around 11 p.m., someone saw a cab with blood on the drivers side door at the Dancing Eagle Travel Center off Interstate 40 near the Laguna Pueblo and called police.

When arrested, Waruszewski had a black folding knife saturated with blood in his front pocket and blood on his clothing.

Duran said Waruszewski didnt want to talk to detectives without a lawyer present.

Our detectives are working to get interviews and forensics together for the case we need against him, he said.

Waruszewski is charged with murder and was booked into the county jail. His criminal history includes one misdemeanor aggravated battery charge and one petty misdemeanor battery charge. Both were dismissed.

Victor Mullin said he is still in shock over the news. He said that if Waruszewski was trying to steal the cab, he could have just taken it. He doesnt believe his son would have put up a fight.

Were trying to cope as best we can, Victor Mullin said. Its one of those senseless things that you never expect.
ALOMOGORDO, N.M.  A U.S. Air Force training unit at a base in southern New Mexico has retired a widely used armed drone to transition to a newer remotely piloted model.

The Alamogordo Daily News (https://goo.gl/W1pCse ) reports that the 6th Attack Squadron at Holloman Air Force Base is transitioning to the MQ-9 Reaper from the MQ-1 Predator, some of which remain in operational status.

A Predator will be put on static display at Heritage Park on the base, which held a retirement ceremony Monday to mark the transition.

The missile-firing MQ-1 has seen combat in Bosnia, Serbia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa and other locations.

The Holloman squadron has trained hundreds of pilots and senor operators since being activated in 2009 to provide Predator operators their initial qualification training for the aircraft.
The Trump administration accused Russia and China of outrageous and indefensible action Tuesday after they vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that would have imposed new sanctions on Syria for using chemical weapons against its own citizens.

In a sharply worded speech after the vote, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said the message the council was sending to the world was that if you are allies with Russia and China, they will cover the backs of their friends who use chemical weapons to kill their own people.

Her comments marked a rare administration criticism of Russia, which President Donald Trump has said could be a partner in counterterrorism operations in Syria, and of the Syrian governments behavior in that countrys five-year civil war.

Russian envoy Vladimir Safronkov called Haleys statement outrageous and said that God shall judge attempts by the West to discredit the legitimate Syrian government.

The United States sponsored the resolution, along with Britain and France. It followed the October conclusion of a joint investigation by the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons that the Syrian government had dropped munitions containing chlorine on at least three occasions in 2014 and 2015.

The OPCW concluded after the alleged attacks that they had taken place, but it had no mandate to assess responsibility. That led the Security Council, with Russian and Chinese backing, to establish the joint investigation to identify the perpetrators.

In a report issued in October, investigators concluded that the Syrian government had dropped chlorine-filled munitions on the three dates in question. The investigation also concluded that the Islamic State had used mustard gas on at least one occasion.

The Tuesday resolution called for travel and economic sanctions against several Syrian air force and intelligence officers linked to the attacks by investigators, along with asset freezes of several Syrian companies and government-linked organizations. It also established a mechanism to monitor compliance.

A single veto from one of the 15-nation councils five permanent members  Russia, China, United States, Britain and France  can kill a resolution. Bolivia, one of 10 nonpermanent, rotating members, also voted against Tuesdays measure.

In denouncing the resolution, Safronkov suggested that evidence was uncorroborated and came from suspicious eyewitness accounts . . . armed opponents, sympathetic [nongovernmental organizations], media and also the so-called Friends of Syria.

The latter is an international group, made up largely of U.S. allies, set up in 2012 in response to Russian and Chinese vetoes of previous U.N. resolutions on Syria.

Russia, Safronkov said, saw no convincing evidence on the basis of which any sort of allegations could be made.

The United States and Russia have been on opposing sides of Syrias civil war since its outset. While the United States and European and regional allies have supported armed fighters and political opponents against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Russia has been Assads primary foreign backer.

In 2012, President Barack Obama said that he did not intend to intervene in the Syrian war but also that Assads deployment of Syrias known chemical arsenal could change his calculation. When chemical attacks were reported in the summer of 2013, Obama first said he would use U.S. and allied air power in Syria, but he later backed down when Congress refused to authorize such attacks.

The United States and Russia then forged an agreement  to which Assad acceded under Russian pressure  for the removal and destruction of Syrias stockpile of mustard gas and nerve agents, a task that was completed in the summer of 2014. Syria also signed the international Chemical Weapons Convention.

But the war continued, including Russias decision to supplement Assads airstrikes with its own warplanes starting in the fall of 2015.

While chlorine is technically not listed as a chemical weapon, the Security Council in early 2015 passed a resolution, supported by Russia, condemning the use of any toxic chemicals as weapons of war and saying that those responsible would be held accountable.

But Russia, with support from China, continued to veto resolutions that were specifically directed at Syria.

President Trump, who has suggested a possible coalition with Russia against the Islamic State in Syria, has given less attention to the civil war there and has indicated that he may cut back assistance to the armed opposition.

At the United Nations, however, Haley has condemned Russian actions in both Ukraine and Syria.

On Tuesday, a day after meetings at the White House, she said it was sad day when Security Council members start making excuses for perpetrators of chemical attacks. In vetoing the resolution, she said, Russia and China had ignored the facts and put their friends in the Assad regime ahead of our global security.
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, who was criticized by some fellow Democrats last month for opposing a measure that would make it easier to buy inexpensive prescription drugs from Canada, on Tuesday backed a new drug importation bill, saying it addresses his concerns about safety.

The bill announced at a press conference Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol is sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vermont.

The bill would authorize the secretary of Health and Human Services in two years to allow importation from other advanced countries.

The proposal would require foreign companies selling prescription drugs in the U.S. to register with the Food and Drug Administration. Patients would also be required to provide a valid prescription to the pharmacy theyre buying from.

The bill would also give the FDA authority to shut down bad actors who are proven to be fraudulent or unscrupulous. Many Americans, frustrated by skyrocketing drug prices, hope to legally buy drugs from Canada, where prices are often half the price  or less  than drugs available from U.S. pharmacies.

Heinrich was among 13 Democratic senators who cast a vote last month against paving the way to lower prescription drug prices in the U.S. by importing drugs from Canada. That measure, also sponsored by Sanders of Vermont, failed narrowly.

But on Tuesday, Heinrich said the new bill contains safeguards the previous legislation did not.

Consumers should not have to choose between safety and being able to access the critical lifesaving pharmaceutical drugs that they need to maintain their health care, Heinrich said at the press conference.

Details matter and I think this legislation gets the details right, he added. It preserves the sort of system that has given us the safest pharmaceutical supply in the world while at the same time using a pre-market, market-based approach to driving down those costs.

The bill has 19 Senate co-sponsors, but none are Republicans  at least not yet. Sanders told reporters he expects Republicans to co-sponsor the bill eventually, as their constituents call on them to support it. Twelve Republican senators voted in favor of the drug importation amendment that failed narrowly last month.

However, the legislation will face stiff opposition from the pharmaceutical industry, which contends that foreign drugs would taint the U.S. medicine supply.

Do we expect the pharmaceutical industry will spend an enormous sum of money to oppose this? Of course we do, Sanders said Tuesday.

President Donald Trump championed prescription drug reform on the campaign trail last year, but he has not pushed for any specific legislation early in his first term.

We need to find pragmatic realistic ways to drive down pharmaceutical costs with free-market mechanisms and thats what this legislation does, Heinrich said. I am more optimistic than I have ever been that were going to get something done on this. This is far overdue. Our constituents are clamoring for this.
With the growing number of start-ups and SMEs in the country, Indian business has been witnessing a consistent, growing need for agency formats which provide lesser hierarchy and faster solutions. Addressing this need, DDB Mudra West has launched Karma. Headquartered in Mumbai, Karma has been established as a creative business catalyst with an agenda to partner those clients who are making small beginnings but are nurturing larger ambitions.

The name Karma has been inspired by the legacy of Mudra which, born in Ahmedabad, made the city its Karmabhoomi. Karmas philosophy is If you do good, then good will come back to you.

With existing operations in Mumbai andAhmedabad, the agency is on a consistent expansion mode. Though a small-sized agency, Karma provides clients with an expertise of a full service, large agency. The clients are facilitated with a customised solution which captures multi facets of marketing and advertising under a single umbrella. As Karma follows a zero hierarchy structure and has a young but talented team who is entrepreneurial by mindset, the turnaround time for solutions is faster and smoother.

The agencys backbone comprises Sanjay Panday on the business front and his Creative Partner Vinayak Nayak, who are front-ending Karmas efforts towards a journey of unique and differentiated proposition. Panday is supported by Ronak Shah, his Business Partner in Ahmedabad, and Makarand Gholba, his Business Partner in Mumbai. In the first few months of its inception, Karma has already bagged clients such as Brand Factory, SOTC and Shree Plan Your Journey in Mumbai, and Arvind Infrastructure, Chartered Speed and Electrotherm in Ahmedabad. The Karma teams latest campaigns include SOTCs Summer 2017, Brand Factorys Free Shopping Weekend and Denim Fest that created retail history.

Commenting on the launch, Rajiv Sabnis, Executive Director, DDB Mudra Group, said, Karma has been conceived to tap into the start-up story of India. Many young entrepreneurs, who have big ambitions but are making small beginnings, need a creative partner who can be a catalyst in their business success. Since Karma itself is a start-up, it understands the challenges and opportunities that businesses starting up need to overcome, to succeed and grow.

Panday added here, Karma is a tribute to our roots. It aims at creating a disruption in the market place with its new model and is bound to kill silos with its fresh ideas.
Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL) introduced its new Ad campaign titled Worlds Ahead for its New Honda City 2017. Built on the Grand Concept of Advanced, Energetic and Smart, the New Honda City 2017 will delight the discerning customer with its wide range of high-technology exterior and interior features, such as advanced integrated LED DRL, inline LED headlamps, LED fog lamps, new 16-inch alloy wheels with wider tyres and best-in-class interior features, including an advanced touchscreen infotainment system, called the Digipad.

The company has received amazing customer response for the New Honda City 2017 with more than 8000 bookings in past 3 weeks. The TVC has been created by Dentsu One Pvt. Ltd.

Objective of the campaign

The Honda City has been one of the most celebrated sedans in the country with a legacy of more than 19 years. The new Honda City 2017 with its class leading features, redefined not just the segment but the category. As such the objective of the campaign was to highlight the City as being leagues ahead and above the competition.

Excerpts from Company Spokesperson-

First introduced in India in January 1998, Honda City has brought joy to over 6.5 lakh customers across the country and has been the countrys most successful sedan. There has always been high acceptance amongst the Honda loyalists regarding the additions and upgradations we introduce with every variant of Honda City. The launch campaign Worlds Ahead will specifically appeal to younger buyers, hence, this City communication has been developed in a way that resonates with younger audience who is an achiever whom people would like to emulate. With this, we are sure that the new variant will further strengthen the bond with our esteemed customers, said Mr. Jnaneswar Sen, Sr. VP  Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd

Excerpts from Agency Spokesperson-

The City is Indias Sergey Bubka, the Russian Pole Vaulter. Like him, the car is always beating its own game. With its class-defying features, the new Honda City 2017 has gone leaps and bounds ahead of its competition. The campaign celebrates this thought and shows the protagonist, like the car, driving in a world of his own, as the lines in the end of the film conclude, Your world is different from the rest because you are and always have been Worlds Ahead said Titus Upputuru, NCD, Dentsu One

This Honda City is a definitive segment-defying car and to showcase this - the communication had to make a higher-order statement to truly put it in and different plane thereby repositioning the rest as mere ordinary. The new Honda City ushers a new world of itself with superlative technology and remarkable design, said Mr. Abhinav Kaushik, Senior Vice President, Dentsu One.
Indias iconic diamond jewellery brand and amongst the TOP 50 LUXURY BRANDS in the world (As per Deloitte Global Powers of Luxury Goods 2016 Report), Nakshatra, today unveiled a new brand campaign led by television commercials featuring its brand ambassador Bollywood Superstar KanganaRanaut. The new TVCs focus on the celestial inspiration of the brandcentred around the traditional seven diamond motif which has a deep connection with our mythology. These films make it appropriate for the forthcoming wedding season and other auspicious days for no wedding is complete without the eternally brilliant and forever auspicious Nakshatra Diamond Jewellery.

The brand also unveiled its robust growth strategy led byomnichannel retail expansion in Tier I and Tier II cities along with online presence of the lifestyle marketplace www.nakshatra.world with specially curated collections of Nakshatra Diamond Jewellery and designer apparels.

Nakshatra Diamond Jewellerys firstTVC, the celestial filmis inspired by the constellations portraying celestial brilliance  noorkajhurmuth,  Celestial Brilliance of diamond cluster the essence of the brand. Captioned Nakshatra Diamond Jewellery  Wear your DivineLuck, it features the actress choosing jewellery from Nakshatras latest collections for a very special occasion. RazyGhai of Assylum Films, talking about making of this film said the emotional intensity coupled with Kanganas dramatic performance gives the film an organic, baroque look through its mythological tapestry and theatrical melange of lights and shadows.

The second film is about Nakshatra Diamond Jewellery and its association with every auspicious occasion. On special days I do not take any chances, and I always put the right foot forward, saysKangana, before adding So for me, it is only NakshatraDiamond Jewellery. The third film brings forth the eternal associationNakshatra Diamond Jewellery and weddings for no wedding is complete without it. Mr. Saurav Bhattacharya, Group President  Gitanjali Group said Nakshatra has always been positioned as the most precious jewellery brand for a modern Indian woman to adorn on her wedding or any other auspicious occasion. Kanganacomplements Nakshatras celestial brilliance as she herself is an icon of beauty, style and innovation.

Further to the TVC campaign Kangana launched the new Saptamandala collection from the brand, a collection of diamond jewellery that invokes blessings and Divine Luck for the wearer to coincide with the TVC campaign. The designs of this collection breathe new life into the traditional seven-diamond motif, reinterpreting the 'kudajodi' in a non-floral avatar. The collection comprises of earrings, rings, pendants and nosepins.Kangana adds, NakshatrasSaptamandala jewellery is special to me as it is deep rooted in Indian traditions and epitomises divine luck.

Speaking about the brands expansion plans, Saurav Bhattacharya, Group President  Gitanjali Group, said that Nakshatra is already the most popular brand in the diamond jewellery segment with the highest top of the mind recall. Nakshatra is now poised for major expansion and is entering an exciting growth phase. In the coming year, we plan to open 100 franchisee & coco stores and build touch points in leading jewellery retail stores across 30-40 Tier I and Tier II cities of India.

The brand already has an extensive pan India network, with an omnichannel retail model including a presence in franchisee stores and SIS outlets at leading lifestyle stores, as well as at various large jewellery retailers through Gitanjalis distributor network. It also has a robust online presence.

The new expansion plans will make the jewellery much more accessible to every consumer. She can browse online and choose her preffered piece from among hundreds of designs, and then locate the nearest retailer from where she can purchase it, Bhattacharya explained.

This new phase of growth will also see the launch many new collections for weddings and the different auspicious occasions that are celebrated across the country, he added.

Other Nakshatra offerings include Classic Collection - elegant and spectacular designs based on evergreen and eternal conceptshighlighting the seven stone floral cluster; Lattice Collection  designs based on a simple ornamental criss-cross framework that is symbolic of the wonders of the heavens; Mandala Collection  a traditional divine form recreated with a contemporary elegance integrating the symbolic seven-petalled floral motif of the brand; Cluster in Cluster  Halo Collection, with an innovative outer diamond rim to enhance the overall look of the floral diamond cluster and the Cluster in Cluster  Classics Collection, which uses innovative pressure setting techniques so that clusters of multiple smaller stones morph into large petals and flowers.
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.
Deutsche Telekoms Chief Executive Officer Timotheus Hottges insisted that Europe isnt lagging behind the United States and Asia on developing 5G technologies. While speaking at the latest iteration of Mobile World Congress (MWC) on Tuesday, Hottges pointed out how 5G deployment hasnt started anywhere in the world yet, concluding that Europe cannot be lagging behind other territories if everyone has yet to start deploying 5G. The companys CEO added how Europe has all of the necessary prerequisites to spearhead the development and deployment of the next generation of mobile cellular technologies.

Deutsche Telekom is already prepared to lead the 5G initiative in Europe, Hottges said, revealing how the Bonn, Germany-based wireless carrier already has a plan to provide 5G connectivity to all areas its currently servicing. While the companys official didnt want to go into specifics regarding the execution of that plan, his comments implied that Deutsche Telekom will start commercializing 5G technologies once all relevant standards are defined come 2020. Claudia Nemat, one of the wireless carriers board members arrived at MWC to talk about some new advancements the company made in 5G space in the last 12 months. Among other things, she said Deutsche Telekom will be able to guarantee a latency of 8ms over longer periods of time once the company deploys its 5G infrastructure, adding how such a low latency will allow for various innovations in a number of industries.

Hottges used MWC 2017 as an opportunity to call for European regulators to assist wireless service providers across the Old Continent in developing and deploying 5G infrastructure by offering subsidies and reducing spectrum costs. Current estimates predict that costs of deploying 5G networks across the entire continent will amount to between 300 billion and 500 billion, Deutsche Telekoms executive said, vividly adding how commercializing the fifth generation of mobile networks entails much more than putting antennas on a roof. Apart from talking about 5G-related plans, Deutsche Telekom also arrived at this years Barcelona-based trade show to demonstrate its 5G guaranteed latency (GLA) in collaboration with Samsung. More details on the companys ambitions in the 5G sector are expected to follow later this year.
Ajit Pai, Chairman of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) labeled net neutrality as a mistake while speaking at the latest iteration of Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain on Tuesday. Pai was relatively straightforward in his comments criticizing the net neutrality rules put in place while the FCC was headed by his predecessor Tom Wheeler who resigned his position in January after the then-President-elect Trump was sworn into the highest office in the country. The new head of the FCC said how the aggressive approach the agency opted for in the past injected tremendous uncertainty into the broadband market, adding how that uncertainty unnecessarily prevented growth. The Trump-appointed Commissioner also stated that the FCC is currently in the process of reverting the majority or possibly all of the existing net neutrality rules.

Pais comments will likely be met with fierce opposition from members of the Democratic Party in the United States, but they are consistent with his previous related statements and actions. The new FCC Chairman voted against the current set of net neutrality rules in 2015 and has often criticized the idea of regulating the industry in a manner that mandates Internet providers in the country treat all data equally. Pai never explicitly stated that he plans to revert the existing net neutrality rules once he starts heading the FCC but his MWC 2017 speech seemingly implies he will take that course of action in the near future. The Commissioner didnt provide a specific time frame to accompany his announcement that a loosened regulatory framework on Internet providers is on the horizon, but more details will likely be available shortly.

The new FCC Chairman previously stated that broadband and wireless service providers were operating in line with consumer expectations under the old set of rules while the new regulation discouraged investments, innovation, and growth. On the other hand, Pais critics argue that his points dont account for the fact that the wired broadband market isnt highly competitive. This latest turn of developments is in line with the FCCs recent decision to shut down a number of investigations into controversial zero-rating practices of the largest wireless service providers in the country.
It has been confirmed now, Samsung Groups vice chairman, Jay Y. Lee, is being charged with bribery. South Koreas special prosecutors office just confirmed the news, and it seems like four other executives will join their leader. This trial could take up to 18 months, and it has the ability to seriously shake up Samsung as a company, as Jay Y. Lee is the main figure in Samsung, a man who is expected to take over the company following his fathers health issues.

Jay Y. Lee was arrested over a week ago, on February 17, following accusations that he was a part of the bribery scandal that rocked South Korea. Jay Y. Lee, and some other executives were, allegedly, donated millions of dollars to two foundations which were controlled by the son of a South Korean president, Choi Coon-sil. According to allegations, these bribes had a very specific purpose, they were supposed to get the South Korean pension fund to back a merger between two of Samsung Groups holding companies. The five executives will face charges including bribery, embezzlement and hiding assets overseas, said Lee Kyu-chul, a spokesman for the special prosecutor. Now, as far as Jay Y. Lee in specific is concerned, he will be charged with committing perjury before parliament it seems.

In the first paragraph, four other executives were mentioned. As far as Samsung Group goes, vice chairman Choi Gee-sung and president Chang Choong-ki are being charged. Two executives from Samsung Electronics Co Ltd are also a part of all this, companys president, Park Sang-jin and vice president, Hwang Sung soo. Samsung Group refused to comment on the news, and it seems like some other conglomerates may become involved in all this as the investigation moves on. That being said, were waiting for March 6 in order to hear more news about this case, as that is the date when the special prosecutors office will make an official announcement regarding the conclusion of their investigation, and we should get far more detail then, though things are not looking great for Samsungs vice chairman at the moment, and that might reflect on Samsung Group, these are serious allegations that he needs to deal with.
Huawei may lay off a portion of its workforce due to weak smartphone profits, an internal memo from the company obtained by Reuters suggests. The memo was sent by Huawei Groups founder Ren Zhengfei on Friday and warned employees to work harder, adding that those who just want to count money in bed and arent doing their best will be laid off. If everyone isnt working hard, Huawei will fall apart, Zhengfei concluded in the memo.

While the Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer is apparently making money from its phone business, the profits its recording are reportedly low and the units financial performance missed in-house targets, the companys Chief Executive Officer Richard Yu recently revealed at the sidelines of Mobile World Congress (MWC). Huaweis mobile business accounts for approximately one-third of the annual revenue recorded by the Shenzhen-based tech giant, which is why the companys top management is looking to improve its financial performance.

This latest turn of developments is apparently causing a lot of concerns among Huaweis 170,000 employees, close to half of which are working in research and development, the division that could reportedly be the first one to face cuts in the coming months if Huaweis financial performance doesnt improve. A source from the company told Reuters that many of the companys employees are disillusioned by Zhenffeis comments and are now coming to terms with the fact that they may not have a future at Huawei. The Chinese tech giant commented on this report by stating how the company doesnt have a layoff plan, but didnt elaborate on the matter. However, sources from the firm who have spoken with Reuters claim that isnt true as Huawei allegedly adheres to an annual quota that sees it eliminate five percent of its worst performers while pushing other underperformers to positions nobody wants. Recent comments by Yu suggested that Huawei will streamline its product portfolio over the course of 2017 and it seems that the companys workforce may experience a similar change during the same period. Huaweis attempts to make its phone business more profitable coincide with the companys growing focus on high-end smartphones like the P10 Plus, a market segment that traditionally boasts significantly higher profit margins.
Huawei has unveiled plans for cell towers that will one day be able to wirelessly charge drones without the need for them to stop. While Huaweis focus at MWC was undeniably its mobile products, the company does also have plans for many other tech items which should allow them to expand their business in the future. Among these is the companys newest focus  drones. Currently, drone technology is still relatively new in the tech world but undeniably one of the biggest problems surrounding them is the need to charge them. This necessity limits the distance drones can travel quite significantly, but it appears Huawei is hoping to solve this problem in the future.

The concept, which has been thought up by Huaweis X Lab project in partnership with China Mobile, hopes to create cell towers that will be able to wirelessly charge drones on the go, while also boosting GPS signals  which often experience interference with buildings. Currently, in order for the drones to be charged, its necessary that they land on specially designed pads, similar to how smartphones charge using wireless charging pads. Eventually, though, Huawei hopes the technology will mature enough so that drones will simply be able to fly over the cell tower to get a boost in charge and GPS signal. By this point, though, its likely that wireless charging will be used for most products.

Considering Huaweis research into wireless charging technology, it wouldnt be surprising to see the company eventually incorporate the technology into their own smartphones, tablets or smartwatches. While its still unknown how long it will take before the tech becomes efficient and useful enough to become mainstream, its certain that the research being conducted by the likes of Huawei and China Mobile is sure to help speed up the process significantly. Itll remain to be seen how quickly both companies can get their cell towers up and running in the real world. If they are successful, though, it wouldnt be surprising to see a number of other companies interested in taking advantage of the tech once available, due to the fact that the uses for wireless charging are essentially endless.
The Korea Fair Trade Commission (FTC) approved Samsungs acquisition of Harman International Industries on Monday, the Stamford-based company revealed in a filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The South Korean antitrust watchdog reached an identical decision to the one made by the European Commissions Merger Regulator last week, meaning Samsung and Harman overcame another major hurdle in their efforts to merge as a part of a deal thats worth approximately $8 billion. To date, Samsung and Harman received authorizations for the merger from regulators in South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, Colombia, Brazil, Russia, and the European Union. Additionally, the merger of the two companies was also cleared by the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment in early February.

The deal is still pending approval from agencies in China and South Africa, Harman revealed in its latest filing with the SEC. The Seoul-based tech giant and the U.S. consumer electronics manufacturer are expecting to complete the transaction by mid-2017, possibly much sooner if they manage to facilitate the process of obtaining the other necessary approvals. Harmans SEC filing notes how its even possible the merger will be completed during the first quarter of the year, meaning Samsung may officially acquire Harman next month.

While the transaction is still pending, the largest business conglomerate in South Korea already started collaborating with its future subsidiary as the company enlisted the help of the Harman-owned audio company AKG to tune its upcoming Galaxy Tab S3 that was announced at Mobile World Congress (MWC) on Sunday. The Vienna, Austria-based company owned by Harman is also expected to audio-tune the upcoming Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus and will reportedly manufacture the headphones that will ship with Samsungs next flagship duo. The companys acquisition of Harman has been met with some resistance from a minority of Harmans shareholders, some of which even filed a class action lawsuit against the firms Chief Executive Officer Dinesh Paliwal and its board of directors. The lawsuit alleges that Harmans top management severely undervalued the company prior to accepting Samsungs bid, thus violating their fiduciary duty. Regardless of the controversy it caused, the lawsuit isnt likely to impede the transaction.
Samsung had confirmed that the Galaxy S8 will arrive on March 29th, and now we get to take a look at yet another Galaxy S8 leak. The phones on-screen buttons surfaced a couple of times thus far, as it seems like Samsung is ditching the physical home key in order to trim down those bezels. Well, according to a new rumor, those on-screen buttons might be customizable, as they are on some competing smartphones. LG has been offering this feature on their devices for quite some time now, and the same goes for Huawei.

If you take a look at the images down below, which have been grabbed from a leaked video which shows off the Galaxy S8 in a working state, youll notice that the on-screen button order can be changed. In addition to the ability to reorder the position of the back, home and overview (multitasking) keys, you can also place the pull down the notification shade button next to those three on-screen buttons as well. This sure is a welcomed addition, as some people still dont like the fact that Samsungs devices have the back button on the right, and the overview (multitasking) button on the left, which is the companys current setup when it comes to their devices with capacitive keys. Those are pretty much all the Galaxy-branded smartphones that have been released in the last couple of years, as the company utilizes physical home key which is flanked by overview (multitasking) key on the left, and the back button on the right.

Samsung confirmed that the Galaxy S8 will land on March 29, and along with it, almost certainly the Galaxy S8 Plus as well. This announcement was made during the companys MWC 2017 event in Barcelona two days ago, though we still dont know when will the phone go on sale. The Galaxy S8 will be fueled by the Snapdragon 835 SoC in the US, but the Exynos 8895 CPU will almost certainly fuel the phone in a number of other markets. Android Nougat will come pre-installed on the device, along with the companys custom UI, and the phone will be made out of metal and glass. If rumors are to be believed, the Galaxy S8 will sport a 5.8-inch QHD Super AMOLED display, while the Plus variant will arrive with a 6.2-inch QHD Super AMOLED panel. In any case, stay tuned, chances are well see quite a few additional leaks before Samsung introduces the Galaxy S8.
ARCHOS, a French electronics company, had released the ARCHOS 55 Diamond Selfie smartphone way back in August last year. We did not get a chance to take a closer look at this handset back then, but we did not, as ARCHOS is, as many other tech companies, currently showing off their products in Barcelona at MWC 2017. All in all, weve managed to get some hands-on time with this smartphone, and if youd like to take a closer look at it, check out the gallery down below where youll find a number of hands-on images.

The ARCHOS 55 Diamond Selfie is a budget smartphone which is made out of metal and glass. It looks quite premium, and yet its fueled by the Snapdragon 430 64-bit octa-core SoC by Qualcomm, which is the companys entry-level chip. In addition to that SoC, this handset also packs in 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable internal storage. This phone has a word Selfie in its name, and youll find an 8-megapixel shooter on its front side, which might not be what some of you expect considering its name. In any case, a 16-megapixel shooter is placed on the back of the ARCHOS 55 Diamond Selfie, and a 3,000mAh battery is packed inside of this handset, while quick charging is also included here. Android 6.0 Marshmallow comes pre-installed on this smartphone, and you do get two SIM card slots here, just in case youd like to use two SIM cards at the same time.

The ARCHOS 55 Diamond Selfie also packs in a fingerprint scanner, which is placed on its back, and above it, youll notice an LED flash. This phone ships with on-screen buttons, and its frame is made out of metal. That is more or less it, this might not be the most powerful smartphone youve seen at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017, or even a high profile one, but it might appeal to some of you who are looking for a budget phone that is made out of metal and glass. The ARCHOS 55 Diamond Selfie costs around 220 in Europe, for those of you who are interested in picking one up.
The newly announced Nokia 3310, which is manufactured by HMD Global, wont be able to work in quite a number of countries, and this includes the US, Canada and Australia, among others. This is due to the network bands which have been placed in the device, and they happen to be two bands, which are 900MHz and 1800MHz frequencies. This wouldve been okay for the device, if it was launched a few years back, as most carriers still operated the said bands, but many carriers in the US and Canada have already shut down their 2G networks. Other carriers around the world have also begun to phase out their 2G networks, meaning users wont be able to use the Nokia 3310 to make phone calls or text message, as the device wont be able to connect to any network.

The new Nokia 3310 will also wont be able to work in Singapore, as 2G networks in the city state will be shut down by April 2017. In Australia, the countrys biggest carrier, Telstra, has already shut off their 2G network, meaning subscribers will not be able to use a Nokia 3310 on the Telstra network. Two other Australian carriers, Optus and Vodafone, are planning to shut down their 2G networks by the end of the year. HMD Global is planning to bring the Nokia 3310 to Asia Pacific, but the aforementioned countries in the region wont be able to support the device on their respective networks. However, the Nokia 3310 will be able to work in India, when it does arrive, as most carriers still support 2G networks, though Reliance Jio only operates a 4G network. This means that the Nokia 3310 will be rendered useless on the Reliance Jio network.

HMD Global is expected to bring the new Nokia 3310 to many countries across the globe, in the second quarter of the year. Regions which will be receiving the device includes the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Africa, and Europe. Many carriers in these regions still support 2G networks for now, but many will likely shut them down in the near future. The new Nokia 3310 is a feature phone from HMD Global, and it is a relaunch of the original Nokia 3310 which was launched 17 years ago, and was loved by many. It was launched at MWC 2017, and has garnered the interest of many people around the world, especially those who owned the original Nokia 3310.
YouTube will unveil its TV streaming service later today, sources with knowledge on the matter told the New York Post. The streaming bundle that the Google-owned company is allegedly getting ready to announce in several hours will reportedly be similar to the Sling TV service currently offered by Dish in the sense that it will provide consumers with a variety of channel options. The modular service is said to cost between $30 and $40 per month, a source with knowledge of the product revealed. If the report is accurate, the announcement will likely be made during a YouTube-hosted media event at Chelsea Market in Manhattan, New York City thats scheduled to start later today. The popular online video service didnt reveal the purpose of the event when sending invites, but more details are bound to be available in the coming hours.

YouTube has been rumored to launch a TV streaming service for months now. Recent reports indicate that the companys platform will bear the name Unplugged and be significantly cheaper than a majority of competing products on the market. Google reportedly struck deals with major media companies like 21st Century Fox and Disney over the course of last year, all with the goal of securing more content for its upcoming TV streaming service. While YouTube isnt the first company looking to introduce such a service in the United States, the market itself seemingly isnt saturated and likely has enough room for another player. When launched, YouTubes product will compete with Sonys PlayStation Vue, the aforementioned Sling TV, and AT&Ts recently launched DIRECTV NOW. While both 21st Century Fox and Disney allegedly agreed to a deal that would bring their media content to YouTubes upcoming platform, their joint venture company Hulu is also currently preparing to launch a competing product.

This latest rumor is in line with a report from mid-January according to which YouTube was on the brink of launching its virtual cable bundle. It remains to be seen whether todays the day that finally happens, but more information on the matter will likely follow shortly. Even if the Google-owned company launches the service at a later date, one thing is certain  the U.S. TV streaming market is bound to get even more competitive in the coming months.
Samsung SDS revealed an artificial intelligence (AI) retail training system Nexshop at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017. The companys solution revolves around an AI chatbot designed to assist employees in doing their jobs. Retailers participating in the Nexshop Training program are able to receive advice via either text or voice and can use the AI chatbot to find out the latest information about all of the new products and promotions in the store, Samsungs IT division revealed.

Apart from the training system, Nexshop ships with two other platforms  a marketing system and a sales assistance system. Like its name suggests, the Nexshop marketing system was designed to generate marketing strategies by observing customers in stores, i.e. watching how theyre behaving and what theyre buying. On the other hand, the Nexshop sales assistance system was intended for inventory management and logistics as it provides in-depth insight into sales history and inventory. Apart from this trio of services, Samsung SDS also arrived at the latest iteration of MWC to showcase a biometric authentication tool for businesses based on its existing Nexsign technology. The service now boasts support for interactive voice recognition and fingerprint sensors and can work on numerous platforms including desktop computers and mobile devices, i.e. smartphones and tablets. Samsung SDS believes that its latest solution will prove to be a tremendous asset to a number of industries, particularly the online banking sector. More details on the solutions the company showcased at MWC 2017 are expected to follow soon.

Samsung SDS AI-oriented product portfolio that was demonstrated earlier this week in Barcelona is yet another indication of the firms commitment to AI solutions. The largest business conglomerate in South Korea is currently rumored to be working on Bixby, a mobile AI assistant thats reportedly slated to debut on the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus. Furthermore, recent reports suggest that the Seoul-based tech giant is also developing a competitor to Amazons Alexa and the Google Home smart speaker thats allegedly called Samsung Hello. More details on the companys AI-related ambitions are bound to be revealed in the near future, probably no later than March 29 when the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus will be unveiled.
Samsung Electronics will be expanding the availability of its Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging platform, the South Korean tech giant announced at Mobile World Congress (MWC) on Tuesday. The companys expansion efforts will be based on the NewNet Communication Technologies platform whose creators were acquired by Samsung last November, the press release states. Samsung intends to provide users with a number of major RCS features like video calls, group chats, and support for transfers of large files. The companys announcement specifically highlights the main advantage of RCS technology  the ability to provide all of the aforementioned features without having users install additional apps.

To facilitate the expansion of its RCS messaging service, the Seoul-based company is planning to allow mobile service providers access to its RCS cloud. This platform will provide wireless carriers with the ability to launch their services without committing massive resources to developing an in-house network infrastructure, Samsung said. The companys RCS hub will also support the interconnectivity between Samsung, other RCS-ready operators, and even RCS clouds developed by third parties, all with the goal of providing consumers with a consistent and omnipresent service. Samsung is currently collaborating with a number of wireless carriers with the goal of expanding the availability of its solution. The companys current partners include T-Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, SK Telecon, and KT, while more collaborations are expected to be announced later this year.

Samsungs platform is an end-to-end service consisting of native device clients, RCS-ready devices, cloud application servers, and the aforementioned interconnectivity hub. The South Korean tech giant will also ship the solution with a third-party monetization system, the company said. The service is a standards-based solution that adheres to all contemporary GSMA RCS requirements, which is why Samsung is hoping its platform will enjoy massive adoption rates on a global scale in a relatively short time frame. The company is currently planning to offer the service as a modular partnership that can suit particular goals and needs of each individual wireless carrier, though details on the matter are yet to be made available. Samsung is expected to provide an update on its initiative by spring.
Samsung Electronics appears to be one step closer to making foldable mobile devices a reality, as the company seems to have recently applied for trademarking the Samsung Galaxy X moniker in South Korea. The Samsung Galaxy X brand has been previously attributed to one of the companys rumored foldable smartphones, and the trademark application indicates that Samsung might be preparing for the smartphones eventual debut.

As seen in the screenshot below, Samsung Electronics filed for trademarking the Samsung Galaxy X brand at KIPRIS (Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service) on February 24, 2017. The application doesnt reveal any details regarding the products specifications, but as mentioned previously, the Samsung Galaxy X moniker has been linked solely with previous rumors regarding the companys plans for foldable smartphones. Its also refreshing to see that the application is very recent given some of the previous rumors suggesting that Samsung Electronics might be putting its plans for foldable devices on-hold, following the commercial flop surrounding the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. Samsung had previously patented a variety of designs for foldable devices, some of which may not reflect a final product. However, a trademark application suggests that Samsung may have at least settled on the products final name for commercial release, and in turn, this might suggest that the so-called Samsung Galaxy X could be planned for a market launch in late 2017, or early 2018, as previously rumored. Then again, this could also be a way for Samsung to reserve the name for future use, whenever that may be, preventing other companies from calling dibs on the Galaxy X brand.

The Samsung Galaxy X was previously known as Project Valley, and over the past couple of years or so, the South Korean company shared and patented a variety of concept designs depicting how the foldable screen technology might work in practice. The company has been researching and developing not only display technologies, but also special hinges and unique design elements required for a foldable mobile device. At the end of the day, however, the Samsung Galaxy X seems to be a product of the future  one that could stand next to the companys flagship Samsung Galaxy S series and push the boundaries of smartphone design to new heights.
The humanoid robot, Pepper, has been given its first runway experience at a Tokyo fashion show which was held for the robot. The fashion show which was called the Tokyo Pepper Collection 2017, was part of the final stage in a competition to design an attire for the humanoid robot. The competition which was held in Tokyo, featured five final outfits, and this includes a childcare assistant outfit, an airport concierge, a clerk, a nurse and a construction worker. A video of the fashion show has also been uploaded by nippon.com, and if you would like to view it, you may do so at the end of this post.

The first prize went to the designer who designed the airport concierge uniform, and it was designed by Kirara Kashiwase, who managed to bag the grand prize of 100,000 yen ($900). On the other hand, the Special Jury Prize went to Kiyomi Saito, who designed the nurses uniform. SoftBank Robotics has a service which offers clothes to owners of Pepper robots, so that they may clothe their humanoid robots. The service which was launched last year, has produced garments which are designed to be flexible, and also able to disperse heat. This is to ensure the robots do not overheat, and are able to move around as usual. Decorative stickers are also sold by the company, for the Pepper robots of course. Apparel for the robots are also produced by the Fukuoka company Bonuni, and it is expected that the company will produce the airport concierge uniform of this years winner.

Regarding the contest, Hasumi Kazutaka, the head of content marketing for SoftBank Robotics has said that the company plans to hold the contest again in the near future. Hasumi went on to say that he thought that it was crazy for robots to wear clothes, but then he realized that clothes would help differentiate the robots from each other, as they are after all identical in terms of facial features. Pepper was first launched by SoftBank in 2015, and it has been purchased and used by quite a number of companies. It is currently in service at restaurants, train stations, hospitals and airports.
Uber refused to pay $150 for a permit to test 16 self-driving Volvo XC90 SUVs in San Francisco and was aware of the fact that the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) considers its efforts to be illegal otherwise, an email exchange obtained by The Verge under the Public Records Act revealed. The correspondence shows how Antony Levandowski, Vice President of Advanced Technologies Group at Uber repeatedly refused to accept DMVs stance that any testing of autonomous vehicles in San Francisco and anywhere else in the State of California requires a permit. Instead, Ubers executive argued about the legal definition of autonomous vehicles and both parties dropped the matter after a lengthy exchange without reaching a conclusion. However, Uber then proceeded to start its pilot self-driving program in San Francisco without notifying the authorities, which is why that endeavor was a short-lived one and only lasted for a week before the DMV revoked the registrations of Ubers autonomous vehicles.

The email correspondence that was now uncovered proves how Ubers top management was aware that the pilot program will likely be shut down by the authorities but still decided to go through with it. The essence of the dispute between Uber and the DMV lies in the definition of autonomous vehicles under California law as the former is claiming its experimental fleet consists of self-driving, and not autonomous vehicles seeing how all cars had human drivers in them that were supervising the AI that was handling the wheel. However, the DMV not only disagreed with that claim but apparently dropped the idea of arguing semantics with Uber after a lengthy email exchange that didnt amount to anything.

One particular email that can be seen below even implies that the DMV is putting needles hurdles in front of Ubers ambitions because the agency is under the influence of the misinformed press. While Uber subsequently met with the DMV and the California Attorney Generals office in an effort to clear up what initially seemed to be a misunderstanding, the ride-hailing company then refused to obtain a testing permit and moved its vehicle fleet to Arizona where it proceeded with the testing. As for the reasons behind Ubers unexpected approach to the situation, its possible that the company didnt want to share the disengagement rates of its vehicles with the DMV, i.e. the number of cases in which its drivers were forced to take control of its self-driving vehicles. Another possibility is that Uber is trying to use the entire situation as a way to publicly pressure the DMV into loosening its regulations on autonomous vehicle testing.
Ubers SVP of Engineering Amit Singhal has stepped down today after the company learned that during his tenure at Google, he was accused of sexual harassment and failed to disclose it at the time he was hired. The allegation against Singhal was brought to the attention of Uber by a report from Recodes Kara Swisher. A source from inside Uber that is close to the situation said that an extensive background check was run, but nothing about the incident was uncovered. However, its unlikely any allegation of this kind would be revealed since there were no charges and it was handled internally. The same source said that Ubers CEO, Travis Kalanick, asked Singhal to resign immediately.

The allegations were first brought to the attention of Google in 2015 by a female employee who didnt work for Singhal, but did work close with his search team. He has denied that there is anything to the accusation and said there are two sides to every story. His representatives have said that Singhal doesnt believe harassment is acceptable and it doesnt have a place in any setting. He also stated that the decision to leave Google was his own. In February of 2016 Google allowed him to leave after 15 years of service as SVP of Engineering before the company took any action against him. Before this, he was by all accounts, a top notch employee and had a distinguished career.

It is unfortunate that these allegations came to light for Uber as it has recently had to manage through a rough patch as of late. A blog post from Susan Fowler, a former site reliability engineer, prompted an internal investigation after claiming her manager sent her messages wanting to start a sexual relationship with her. She also claimed she later learned this same man did the same to other women in the company. This is likely the reason that Uber would have wanted him to step down so quickly. It should also be noted that Googles current lawsuit against Uber about claims of one of their employees stealing major aspects of their self-driving technology has nothing to do with each other. Both Uber and Google have declined to comment.
SPRINGFIELD  This year, the 19th annual Illinois Products Expo will offer a Taste of Illinois agriculture as visitors will be able to taste, sample and purchase all of what Illinois has to offer. Dozens of Illinois food companies, wineries and agricultural associations will take part in the upcoming agricultural showcase on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

The Expos food offerings will include fresh meat products, pizza, sauces, homemade jellies and jams, ice cream, and gourmet seasonings all produced, packaged or processed in Illinois. There will also be non-food items, such as soy candles and agricultural-based soaps and lotions on display and available for purchase. A complete list of participating vendors can be found on the Expo website, https://www.agr.state.il.us/marketing/expo/.

Illinois agriculture is more than the crops you see in the fields. Illinois ranks first in the nation for food processing sales ($186 billion), and it is one of our states top manufacturing activities. The 2,372 food processing companies in Illinois supports more than 71,000 jobs.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture Bureau of Marketing, Promotion and Grants aims to assist small to medium size Illinois agri-businesses enter the marketplace. This includes everything grocery store introductions, export assistance, as well as branding and marketing campaigns like the Buy Illinois Challenge.

The Buy Illinois Challenge is a great tool to generate consumer and business awareness of Illinois-made products, said Ag Director Raymond Poe. Thanks to the popularity of the Illinois Products Expo, farmers markets, farm-to-plate initiatives and the emergence of Illinois products in local grocery stores, it has never been easier for Illinois residents to purchase products that have been produced, processed, packaged or manufactured in Illinois.

The Buy Illinois Challenge asks Illinois households to dedicate $10 of their existing weekly budget to the purchase of Illinois products. If each of the 4.7 million Illinois households dedicated just $10 per week to buy Illinois products, we would generate an additional $47 million for the Illinois economy each week. This simple act would provide a tremendous boost to local Illinois agribusinesses, but also our state economy. To find an agribusiness near you, or learn more about the Buy Illinois Challenge, visit https://www.agr.state.il.us/marketing/ilprod/.

The Illinois Products Expo will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday in the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Admission is $5 per person. Children 10 and younger will be admitted free of charge. While food sampling will be free, the beverage tastings are offered at a small cost. Five dollars will get participants five tastings and a wine glass to take home.

Here are a few of the participating vendors scheduled to attend the 2017 Illinois Products Expo:

Butchs Pizza (Morton)

Country Lights Soy Candles (Leland)

Creekstone Kettle Works (Raymond)

Crowridge Farm Ice Cream (Elliott)

Golden Prairie Popcorn (Nokomis)

Engrained Brewing Company (Springfield)

Eastside Cafe Pizza (Warrenville)

Four Score and Seven Ribs Ago BBQ (Chatham)

Illinois Pork Producers Association (Springfield)

Hapburgers Signature Seasonings (Orland Park)

Grandma Cooky (Paxton)

Jimmy Bs Super Salsa (Springfield)

Lil Buddies BBQ (Wayne City)

Jones Boys Market (Ashland)

J.D. Mullens Dressings (Palestine)

Randolph Packing Co. (Streamwood)

Reinneck Ranch (Mascoutah)

Oakland Noodle Company (Oakland)

Meatsmack (Plainfield)

Cousins Dog Biscuit Company (Urbana)

Serious Lip Balm (Springfield)

Sasses Apiary (Chestnut)

Uncle Joes Sauces (Ina)

Homestead Bakery (Arthur)

Two Fat Guys Gourmet Sauces (McHenry)

Toohill Seed & Beef Services (Clinton)

Zillions Chili (Springfield)

Turasky Meats (Springfield)

More Illinois food companies are expected to join this growing list in the days leading up to the Expo. If an Illinois food company would like to learn more about participating in the Illinois Products Expo or any of the other programs offered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, they can contact the Illinois Department of Agriculture Bureau of marketing, promotion and grants at 217-782-2581.
This will probably not come as a shock to too many people, but Google now says that people are watching about 1 billion hours of YouTube every single day. The search giant took the opportunity to thank both users and content providers, as well as providing a glimpse of insight into why they measure time watched instead of views. The announcement was made via YouTubes official blog on February 27.

Google begins by explaining why they use the metric of time watched. To begin with, the metric used by the company to gauge success or failure was simply how many times the video was viewed. However, they quickly realized that the amount of time a viewer is held captive is far more accurate. After all, how many times have you started a YouTube video but didnt finish watching the clip you started? That change to the way Google conducts its analysis, and the way content providers conduct theirs by proxy, was implemented just a few years ago. Since then, the service has experienced rapid growth in popularity which, in turn, has enabled many media providers to take better stock of the content and provide better media. It has also encouraged outside entities  such as Comcast  to create new platforms for viewing such content. Moreover, it has encouraged Google to continually make the experience better. However, Google is also quick to remind everybody that YouTube achievements do not belong to the company. As a mostly open platform for content sharing and discovery, the breadth and enjoyability of the service really do come down to users and content creators.

Google, being Google, also likes to throw some perspective into the mix with announcements like this. In this case, that means the company took the opportunity to point out some facts that are entirely relevant to the phrase 1 billion hours. That many hours of video is the equivalent of around 100,000 years. Googles numbers are slightly off  its actually much closer to 114,155 years  but they arent wrong to say that is approximately the amount of time required to cross the entire Milky Way Galaxy at lightspeed. Let that sink in. That, in and of itself, is a difficult enough amount of time to wrap ones head around. How we humans manage to watch that much video content on YouTube every single day is something else entirely.
MATTOON -- L.T. Spears enjoys reading, however, it was his competitive edge that drove him to scan his fingers across 4,015 braille pages for a multi-state Braille reading contest earlier this year.

The Mattoon Middle School seventh-grader read numerous Braille-translated books with a few magazines sprinkled in to secure the top spot in the Great Lakes Braille Readers Are Leaders contest.

The contest spans eight states: Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. And of the contestants involved, Spears not only took the top spot in his middle-school grade category, but he read the most pages out of all of those in the contest spanning 13 grade levels.

L.T. said despite his efforts to read as many books as possible, he was still nervous when he got the call after the reading period ended.

I thought (Lisa McDaniel) was joking, he said, describing the phone call he had with McDaniel, the EIASE teacher who tracked his pages.

L.T., a visually impaired student with Eastern Illinois Area Special Education (EIASE), has competed in the contest in years prior, managing to add 1,000 more pages each year, however, last year, he was just shy of nabbing first place.

L.T. read just a smidgen less than a competitor from Minnesota. Before this years contest started, he was determined it would be different.

Every year after the first year we will sit down before the contest and get a goal in mind of how many pages he would like to read, and he has always met and exceeded his goal every time, McDaniel said.

Usually, his goal is a page count, but this year was more focused. This year he was going to surpass the student in Minnesota.

I just said I wanted to beat him, L.T. said.

The game plan was simple.

I was just making sure I was reading a bunch of pages, as much as I could, he said.

By the end of the contest, he said, he read around 50 books.

Throughout those seven weeks, L.T. managed to glide through all of the pages of the Michael Vey series, much of the Series of Unfortunate Events books and other books he came across like The War that Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.

He stuck to the fiction he prefers that has a substantial amount of comedy and action. He mentioned any book with mystery or suspense often caught his attention as well.

The contest was not only a way to compete, though. Beyond the competition, L.T. said he loves to read. He just does not read as fervently outside of the contest.

He developed his love of books and reading in general from his mother, Gina Spears, who is blind and also an avid reader in Braille. L.T. said he found a love of books through her.

Gina Spears said she loves reading and L.T. just picked it up from her. She added it is a close connection the two have together. So, when he got the call that he surpassed everyone in the contest as well as in his category, Gina Spears said she was very proud.

I was ecstatic, she said.

L.T. plans to read 5,000 pages next year, hoping to keep his streak going.

In another Braille contest, the Braille Challenge, this one specific to literacy skills, L.T. took first place in the junior varsity bracket for middle-schoolers. Two others apart of EIASE, Olivia Rios and Sidney Horn, competed as well. Olivia took first place in the apprentice bracket for second-graders.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. The election of the Chairman of the Control Chamber will be held on February 28 in the Parliament of Armenia, Sukias Avetisyan, head of the Temporary Registry Committee of the Parliament, said, reports Armenpress.

The election of the Chairman of the Control Chamber will be held on February 28, from 12:30 to 13:30, in the hall adjacent to the Parliaments session hall, he said at the parliament session.

He informed that the name of one candidate Levon Yolyan will be in the ballot. The ballot will have yes and no options.

President Serzh Sargsyan nominated Levon Yolyans candidacy for the post of the Chairman of the Control Chamber. Former Chairman Ishkhan Zakaryan resigned and will head the campaign headquarters of Trasukyan alliance in the upcoming parliamentary election.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Nagorno Karabakh conflict needs an early political settlement in accordance with international law, President of the European Council Donald Tusk announced in the press conference following the meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in the Brussels. We also discussed the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The status quo is unsustainable. The conflict needs an early political settlement in accordance with international law. It does not have a military solution, Tusk said.

Armenpress reports he underlined that the EU continues to fully support the mediation efforts and proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

Mr President, thank you very much for coming to Brussels for your visit, for all your efforts and for our cooperation, the President of the European Council said.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan thanked NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg for supporting the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group aimed at Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. Armenpress reports President Sargsyan mentioned in the joint press conference with Jens Stoltenberg that during the meeting they discussed the issue of the most explosive security threats  the recent developments over Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.

In this context I strictly highlighted the support of the NATO and personally Mr Stoltenberg to the mediation efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs aimed at the peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. I am thankful to you, Mr Secretary General, for supporting us, I mean the OSCE Minsk Group. The April war and the regular shootings following it with the use of heavy artillery and military equipment document that this conflict is unfrozen and today more than ever it is necessary that the international community consolidates upon a civilized settlement by supporting the OSCE Minsk Group efforts for a peaceful settlement, the Armenian President said.
SUV

HDi

FWD

The model has already been seen in China, but Geneva marks its European debut, and the engine range has been re-configured to compete with the German automakers that dominate the market. The DS 7 Crossback measures 4.57 meters from sexy grille to curvacious bumper, aimed at the segment currently occupied by the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLC-Class. However, it should be cheaper than all of those.We consider the DS 7 to be the first real model of the brand DS Automobiles, as the DS3 , DS4, and DS5 were all conceived under Citroen.At the front, the copper-coloredbears a strong resemblance to the DS Drive concept of 2014, while the rear has the same wide taillights as the DS E-Tense electric sportscar from last year's Geneva show. In that area, we'd also like to mention a resemblance to cars from Renault, especially the Megane.If you look at it as a rival for the powerful German models, you're probably not going to like the exterior. But as a slightly more expensive alternative to the Peugeot 5008, its charm shines through. The interior is like a crash course in French architectural design. Whichever one of the four interior ambiances you chose, the leather and dash have the same color. A gigantic screen jumps at you from the console, while the instrument cluster is also digitized. In both cases, you're dealing with 12 inches, but of different aspects and resolutions.The DS 7 is based on the EMP2 platform , like the Peugeot 3008 and 5008, Citroen C4 Picasso and Grand Picasso. However, it borrows the independent multi-link suspension from the Peugeot 508 for more dynamic handling.But that's nothing compared to the innovations in the engine department. From what we understand, the base unit will be a 1.5-litercodenamed DV5. It has a respectable 130 PS output, which is higher than the 1.6-liter it replaces. This engine will be paired exclusively to an eight-speed automatic, probably made by Aisin.For more power, the customer will also be able to opt for the 2.0 BlueHDI with 180 PS and 400 Nm of torque. Two gasoline engines will also arrive in the form of a base 1.3-liter Puretech with 130 PS and a 1.6 THP with either 180 or a slightly higher output than what we've grown accustomed to, 225 PS.Like the Peugeot 3008, the DS 7 Crossback will befor now. However, Grip Control will help you get out of some sticky situations.In 2019, the company is going to launch something called DS7 Crossback E-Tense, combining 200 horsepower from the 1.6-liter with two electric motors for a total of 300 PS. I personally don't think it's a good idea because they tried it before in the DS5 and 508 RXH, but they have to do it anyway.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet is still in its mid-development stages, which is why the aesthetic bits that are going to change currently sit beneath heavy camouflage.Even so, we can see the all-new LED taillights, a trademark of the C-Class facelift. The eight-projector units are a pleasant sight, with their intelligent lighting features set to win many aficionados over (we detailed the LED units in a previous story).The most important changes are set to take place under the hood, with the engine compartment of the revised C Cabrio set to be occupied by all-new units.The big novelty is a 48V electric system delivering mild-hybrid assistance (you shouldn't expect an all-electric driving range, though). The feature will bring benefits right from the four-cylinder side of the line-up, where we'll find the M264 two-liter turbo producing around 268 hp (272 PS).Those willing to go for an even more refined experience will be treated with a straight-six engine family, whose gas side will also make use of the said 48V system.Some of you will point out that Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet was the final member of the family, having only been released one year ago. Nevertheless, while the C-Class sedan facelift models are scheduled to be introduced by the end of the year, the open-air vehicle spied here won't land until next year, coming as a 2019 model.Speaking of the 2018 C-Class Sedan debut, the Merc will skip next week's Geneva Motor Show and we're expecting an online release later in the year, with the public debut probably taking place in September, at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
ECU

However, for this year's edition of the Geneva Motor Show, specialist tuner ABT decided to bring a limited edition model that cranks things up to 11. There's no way to describe this other than a supercar the size of a shoe box.The 2.5-liter turbo is said to have been boosted from 400 to 500 PS, which is accompanied by a 570 Nm (420 lb-ft) wave of torque, 120 Nm more than stock. These figures aren't uncommon for the TT RS, but nobody has yet managed to squeeze them out of the 2017 car.The TT RS-R is meant to be a celebratory car for ABT, who will make 50 examples for the keenest of pocket rocket fans. Pricing is not yet known, but a whole list of custom parts is available.A bigger turbo, anupdate and the quad-tip exhaust tips are the obvious bits for such a power-hungry coupe. However, we've also got a body kit to examine. At the front, this dresses the Audi design with carbon fiber, changing the appearance of the grille and the badging.Down the side, discrete carbon blades have been added to preview the carbon diffuser. There's also a set of 20-inch ABT Sport GR wheels, finished in glossy black to accentuate the red of the brakes. ABT says it's installed shorter springs and stiffer stabilizer bars on both the car's axles.As for the interior, we'll have to wait a little bit longer to see it. But we know the seats and dashboard have been trimmed in the material of the moment, carbon fiber.Along with the Gallardo-matching TT RS, ABT also plans to show a fresh RS6 model, its body kit for the R8 supercar and the SQ7 at the Geneva Motor Show.
Slated to be revealed in seven days time at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the second generation of the compact crossover will debut three advanced driver assistance features designed to assist, support, and even avoid potential collisions. The first is City Safety, and indeed, it can steer the XC60 by itself when automatic braking alone would not fend off a collision.Steering support for City Safety is active between 50 and 100 kilometers per hour, which works out at 31 to 62 mph. Theres also Oncoming Lane Mitigation we should talk about, a system who's meant to avoid collisions with vehicles heading from an oncoming lane. In the first instance, the safety feature alerts the driver that he has wandered out of the proper driving lane, then provides automatic steering assistance. The Oncoming Lane Mitigation system is active from 60 to 140 kilometers per hour (37 to 87 mph).Then theres Blind Spot Information, which has received a big update for the 2018 Volvo XC60 in the form of a steer assist functionality designed to avoid crashes with vehicles hiding in the blind spot of the compact crossover. Having said that, the Swedish automaker reiterates the promise that its aiming for no serious injuries or deaths in his new cars by the year 2020.We have been working with collision avoidance systems for many years and we can see how effective they are, said Safety Center director Malin Ekholm. In Sweden alone we have seen a decline of around 45 percent in rear-end frontal crashes thanks to our collision warning with autobrake system. With the XC60 we are determined to take the next step in reducing avoidable collisions with the addition of steering support and assistance systems.
The adventure started back in January, when Angelholm came up with the idea of asking its employees to come up with configurations of the gas-electric animal.We've previously shown you a purple carbon incarnation of the Regera, as well as one that had a wine theme. And the time has now come to bring a bare carbon model before you.The naked carbon is augmented with black stripes, all in the effort to deliver some "extra meanness". The dark theme is carried on with the anthracite calipers, while the K brand's carbon Tresex wheels, as well as the Regera aero kit are also present.In terms of the cabin spec, we once again come across a theme mixing carbon and black details. Among others, we're dealing with the black Alcantara details and the black anodized infotainment console finish. We mustn't forget the Snow insert on the seats, which provide the necessary contrast.As for the Koenigsegg employee who came up with this spec, we're dealing with Chrille, a man who has worked his way up over the years."This week it's Chrille, who's worked in so many different areas of the company he's lost count. He's worked in composites, at our finishing station, in our service area and is currently keeping the whole place standing as our Facility Manager. Chrille is one of those guys who represents the soul of the company," Koenigsegg explains.The man is so dedicated to the Swedish automaker that he has a ghost tattoo above his ankle. And since some of you might not be familiar with the story that transformed the ghost into a Koenigsegg factory feature, you can check out Christian von Koenigsegg explaining the background in the piece of footage below.
Robert Root is the name of the plaintiff, who has taken the dealer to court for a case of wrongful termination. He claims that his bosses at New Country Motor Cars of Palm Beach, a Ferrari dealer, fired him because of his age, and for the fact that he called them out for odometer rollbacks.The salesman has a 22-year career in selling Ferrari cars, and he managed to sell $2 million worth of cars in 2015, which earned him about $200,000 in commissions. He claims to have the dealerships record for the most expensive car sold, which was traded at $1.4 million in January 2016.The dealership hired him in 2009, but fired him in 2016. He is currently 71 years old, and his lawsuit has been transferred to the Federal District Court.Robert Bud Root claims that the dealership has rolled back the odometer of a 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari , and that modification led to an increase in the resale value by $1 Million for the hypercar owned by C. Stephen McMilian.The LaFerrari 's owner has already filed a lawsuit against Root, claiming that the allegations are defamatory, and that the former Ferrari salesman has affected an advantageous business relationship.As The Daily Mail notes, the alleged odometer rollbacks were executed with the Ferrari Deis Tester device, which is the companys official tool for operating electronic modifications to an automobile.It is essential to note that every operation of the Deis Tester on each Ferrari is monitored, logged, and authorized by the Ferrari factory, which has a particular database for these procedures.The plaintiff claims that Jay Youmans, the General Manager of the dealership mentioned above, used the scandal started by Robert Roots as an excuse to fire him and place someone younger in his position.A 32-year-old woman, who allegedly was the girlfriend of Jay Youmans, took Roots place, and reports note that she is the GMs wife at the moment.We have already contacted Ferrari of Palm Beach on this matter, and have requested their official position on the issue. When we get a reply from them, this article will be updated with their view of the situation.
As the years went by and the number of vehicles that had to be repaired grew, the investigation advanced, which led to the discovery of startling facts. One of those is that some automakers still assemble cars with airbag inflators from Takata that are not desiccated, which means they will have to be replaced in a few years through a recall campaign.Meanwhile, the victims of Takata s defective airbag inflators have sued the Japanese company, and details from the lawsuit have brought new information to light. According to the legal team representing the plaintiffs, at least four automakers have known about Takatas potentially defective airbag inflators for years.At least 11 people died in the USA because of the faulty airbag inflators made by Takata, and over 100 were injured in accidents that involved the deployment of those devices.The class action lawsuit in Florida is based on company documents, and it brings fresh allegations against Honda, Ford, Toyota, and Nissan, which are accused of knowing about these airbags potential problems for years before the recall was started.According to The New York Times , Hondas officials have denied the new allegations this Monday. The representatives of the three other brands mentioned about told the media that a response would come through legal channels, or just declined to comment.This is not the first time in the Takata airbag fiasco where third parties accuse automakers that they were knowledgeable about potential problems with the non-desiccated airbag inflators made by the supplier, but continued using them for cost-related issues.About 42 million vehicles will have to be recalled over the next few years, and the campaign will involve replacing approximately 70 million airbags and airbag inflators.You can unmistakably say that the savings made over the course of 15 years, which is the time elapsed between the year when the first automaker allegedly learned about the potentially faulty airbags and the start of the recall, will be overshadowed by the expenses that will be made to replace all of the defective parts.But hey! Saving a few bucks is worth the effort if you are a global corporation that makes billions each year.
U.S. crude oil exports have exceeded 1.2 million barrels a day, per the Financial Times. That follows the lifting of a 40-year-old ban on crude oil exports in 2015, and far exceeds baseline projections. As the FT points out, the strong exports are a result of:

The oil glut in the world market has made U.S. oil a relative bargain compared with other grades.

A rebound in oil prices last year has encouraged U.S. companies to increase drilling. The EIA estimates domestic production is above 9 million barrels a day for the first time in 10 months.

U.S. refineries, unlike OPEC, haven't done much to "mop up" the glut.

Rates for leasing supertankers have declined, making its cheaper to transfer oil to foreign countries.

Why this matters: The situation poses a threat to Saudi Arabia and other key OPEC members, which have historically had control over the oil industry and the power to gauge pricing. But following the group's November agreement to curtail oil output, concerns about tighter oil supplies have led foreign countries to look elsewhere  such as to the U.S.  for their supply.




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
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in his state budget address this month called for spending reductions that need to be real -- no smoke and mirrors to close an unprecedented deficit poised to top $5.3 billion June 30. He also put tax hikes on the table, specifically on services like auto repairs and haircuts, but not for medicine, food or retirement income.

Rauner said increases cant come without reforms to improve the job climate, and renewed his push for lawmakers to make serious cuts.

"There is no one single bullet, no one single 'must have,' for our administration," said Rauner, whose address was interrupted by laughter from lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled Legislature. "But for the future of our state, change must be real, not just a newspaper headline."

That Rauner -- a pro-business, GOP governor up for re-election next year -- is willing to bring up the tax topic is an interesting development. We are not a fan of new taxes and their impact on economies and our viability. We hope lawmakers figure out a solution without adding any fees. But we also see some give-and-take as the only solution to ending our budget stalemate which has dragged on for nearly two years and has been causing far too much pain and uncertainty.

As elected officials have wrangled and nitpicked, the state has $11 billion in overdue bills. Pension programs are underfunded by about $130 billion. Educational institutions are hurting. Social service agencies are especially at risk, putting our most vulnerable segment of the population in unnecessary harm.

As weve repeatedly said, the governor shouldnt back down from critical workers compensation reform and other regulatory changes that will re-position this states business climate. We need a long-lasting solution. But we also need to see continued cooperation from the General Assembly, which has rejected the governors two previous annual spending plans.

Were encouraged by the so-called grand bargain in the Senate, which puts into place a two-year property tax freeze, rather than the permanent one the governor wants, among other changes. (Were less thrilled with proposal to increase the personal income tax rate from 3.75 percent to 4.99 percent.)

We hope legislators approve the savings the governor proposed in his budget address, specifically selling the Thompson Center office building in downtown Chicago, changing state-employee health insurance and altering certain purchasing policies, which will save a projected $2.5 billion. Thats a good start.

Still, theres a lot of trimming to go, and were the first to admit the math from Rauner camp is a little sketchy, operating on lots of assumptions. The proposal would spend about $40 billion while counting on only $33 billion in revenue -- a 22 percent difference. The governor is banking on making up the difference by spending cuts, economic growth and tax increases via the Senate plan.

All of which makes it critical that the Senate steps forward with the kinds of reforms the governor wants. If that works, the governor appears willing to compromise on taxes. And, of course, if the Senate does its job, it falls to the House to follow suit. That means another showdown with Speaker Mike Madigan, D-Chicago, who must be willing to compromise, too.

And then we can end the countrys longest state budget deadlock in nearly a century.

The Senate returns to Springfield this week. We hope theyre done with the laughter. After all, theres nothing funny about the situation our elected officials have gotten us into.

-- Decatur Herald & Review
Tuesday, February 28, 2017 A Gay Governor? Mayor Gonzales Continues To Test Waters, Plus: Legal Beagles List Possible US Attorney Contenders, And: Updating The Heinrich File Mayor Gonzales Is New Mexico ready for an openly gay Governor? Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales is testing the waters. He interviews with



Wikpedia



Gonzales is up for re-election as mayor in March of 2018. He could also seek the June '18 Democratic Guv nod at the same time, but most observers we spoke with believe it has to be one or the other. Other candidates will be fully committed while Gonzales would be hedging his bets and making himself appear weak.



Gay may not be the issue for Gonzales as much as big government. His relentless advocacy for a tax on sugary drinks (to back the good cause of early childhood funding) is getting him deep into



Our Alligators report Gonzales has already lined up consultants for any future Guv bid and will mine progressive support around the state if he jumps in.



Now that's surely what Attorney General Hector Balderas doesn't want. He's another prospective '18 Dem candidate but he doesn't need more Hispanic men--gay or otherwise--seeking the nomination. That would give way too much breathing room to Dem US Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham who is already off and running.



Jeff Apodaca, son of former NM Governor Jerry Apodaca, is coming in and State Senator Joe Cervantes is weighing a bid. A friend of Balderas says he will soon conduct polling and that will give him some guidance, but this primary is going to be a crap shoot, not like the lay-ups Hector has had for his bids for state auditor and AG. It's a tough decision.



As for talk that we could get a self-funded business person coming into the contest, maybe, but one of the possibles in that regard, Santa Fe businessman



As for Santa Fe Dem businessman Alan Webber, who made a run for the Dem nod in 2014, he'd like to go again, but an entry by Mayor Gonzales could complicate things as both appeal to the same progressive base.



US ATTORNEY NAMES



Blair Dunn Over at the US attorney's office in ABQ they're waiting to find out who their new boss will be. Current US attorney Damon Martinez, a Democrat, will soon head to the exits as the Trump administration chooses one of its own for the high ranking law enforcement job. Our Legal Beagles have the top names being circulated for the post. They are:



ABQ attorney Erlinda Johnson, who recently served as defense attorney for former Sec. of State Dianna Duran who pled guilty to corruption charges;



The names are being collected by GOP US Rep. Steve Pearce, the only Republican in the state's congressional delegation. The White House will make the final call with the advice of Pearce who will consult with other top state Republicans.



HEINRICH UPDATE



We blogged recently that in 2011 then-US Rep. Martin Heinrich had "cashed out" of having town hall meetings. But he did have one before doing that. In 2009, at UNM, a Heinrich



Also, in a first draft Monday we said that Sen. Heinrich had voted for an amendment allowing drugs from Canada to be sold in the USA. Of course he voted against it but he may have enjoyed that error, given the hits he's been taking for that vote.



And the plot thickens. NJ Sen. Cory Booker, one of 12 Dem Senators, including Heinrich, who voted against the amendment, is



Pilloried by his partys left wing for voting in January against a non-binding measure with a similar goal, Sen. Cory Booker is joining Sen. Bernie Sanders on Tuesday to unveil a bill to allow the importation of pharmaceuticals from Canada and other countries. Booker, who has been mentioned as a potential 2020 presidential candidate, came under fire on social media and liberal blogs as too beholden to special interests after he and 12 Democratic colleagues voted against a drug-importation amendment to the 2017 budget resolution.



Will Heinrich join Booker in reversing course on the Canada drug issue? The pair are friendly. Booker, as we previously reported, will hold a fund-raiser for Heinrich this Saturday:



Join Senator Martin Heinrich For a Lunch Reception To kick off his re-election campaign With Special Guest Senator Cory Booker Saturday, March 4, 2017 6:30 to  8 pm at The Home of Greg Levenson. Suggested Contribution: Host - $2,700 Guest - $1,000 Current Heinrich Trust members - $250.



And today (Tuesday) Heinrich announced he would indeed join Booker in reversing his stance:



Heinrich will join Senators Bernie Sanders. . . at a press conference today to unveil new legislation to allow the importation of prescription drugs into the United States. The members of Congress have come together on legislation that will allow for drug importation while maintaining important safety standards.



Finally, we said Monday that the combined state and federal spending on the health program Medicaid is $4 billion. It is actually $6 billion when all spending is taken into account, says Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith in an interview with capitol reporter Lorene Mills. Here's



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( c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2017 Is New Mexico ready for an openly gay Governor? Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales is testing the waters. He interviews with a TV station this week about the troubles he endured when he was in the closet.Wikpedia says there has been one openly bisexual state governor and one state governor has come out as gay. It wouldn't necessarily be a high hurdle to cross in a Democratic Party but in a general election? That's a whole other story.Gonzales is up for re-election as mayor in March of 2018. He could also seek the June '18 Democratic Guv nod at the same time, but most observers we spoke with believe it has to be one or the other. Other candidates will be fully committed while Gonzales would be hedging his bets and making himself appear weak.Gay may not be the issue for Gonzales as much as big government. His relentless advocacy for a tax on sugary drinks (to back the good cause of early childhood funding) is getting him deep into City Different hot water . If it's a loser on that liberal turf, statewide it could be a candidacy killer.Our Alligators report Gonzales has already lined up consultants for any future Guv bid and will mine progressive support around the state if he jumps in.Now that's surely what Attorney General Hector Balderas doesn't want. He's another prospective '18 Dem candidate but he doesn't need more Hispanic men--gay or otherwise--seeking the nomination. That would give way too much breathing room to Dem US Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham who is already off and running.Jeff Apodaca, son of former NM Governor Jerry Apodaca, is coming in and State Senator Joe Cervantes is weighing a bid. A friend of Balderas says he will soon conduct polling and that will give him some guidance, but this primary is going to be a crap shoot, not like the lay-ups Hector has had for his bids for state auditor and AG. It's a tough decision.As for talk that we could get a self-funded business person coming into the contest, maybe, but one of the possibles in that regard, Santa Fe businessman Dan Burrell who made a splash when he spearheaded funding for an osteopathic medical school at NMSU, chuckled at the notion when we asked him. "It's fun to hear that stuff, but I am busy working my business and raising a young family. That is not in the cards for now."As for Santa Fe Dem businessman Alan Webber, who made a run for the Dem nod in 2014, he'd like to go again, but an entry by Mayor Gonzales could complicate things as both appeal to the same progressive base.Over at the US attorney's office in ABQ they're waiting to find out who their new boss will be. Current US attorney Damon Martinez, a Democrat, will soon head to the exits as the Trump administration chooses one of its own for the high ranking law enforcement job. Our Legal Beagles have the top names being circulated for the post. They are:ABQ attorney Erlinda Johnson, who recently served as defense attorney for former Sec. of State Dianna Duran who pled guilty to corruption charges; John Anderson , a Santa Fe attorney at the regional firm of Holland and Hart and ABQ attorney Blair Dunn , 35, the son of NM Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn, Jr.The names are being collected by GOP US Rep. Steve Pearce, the only Republican in the state's congressional delegation. The White House will make the final call with the advice of Pearce who will consult with other top state Republicans.We blogged recently that in 2011 then-US Rep. Martin Heinrich had "cashed out" of having town hall meetings. But he did have one before doing that. In 2009, at UNM, a Heinrich town hall drew a big crowd.Also, in a first draft Monday we said that Sen. Heinrich had voted for an amendment allowing drugs from Canada to be sold in the USA. Of course he voted against it but he may have enjoyed that error, given the hits he's been taking for that vote.And the plot thickens. NJ Sen. Cory Booker, one of 12 Dem Senators, including Heinrich, who voted against the amendment, is reversing course Will Heinrich join Booker in reversing course on the Canada drug issue? The pair are friendly. Booker, as we previously reported, will hold a fund-raiser for Heinrich this Saturday:And today (Tuesday) Heinrich announced he would indeed join Booker in reversing his stance:Finally, we said Monday that the combined state and federal spending on the health program Medicaid is $4 billion. It is actually $6 billion when all spending is taken into account, says Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith in an interview with capitol reporter Lorene Mills. Here's more on that.This is the home of New Mexico politics. E-mail your news and comments. (jmonahan@ix.netcom.com)
Plans to ease Ireland's near total dependence on energy imports via Britain have shot to the top of the agenda, the nation's energy minister said on Monday, as it grapples with the risk of how Brexit could alter ties with its key partner.

Two projects long in the planning - a power cable to France, built by French grid operator RTE and Ireland's EirGrid, and a liquefied natural gas terminal - are newly being prioritised, minister Denis Naughten told Reuters.

"It has become a bigger priority for everyone on foot of Brexit ... because we are so dependent on imports of energy, we need to have options available to us," Naughten said following a meeting of EU energy ministers in Brussels.

Although Naughten said neither project was short of financing, he acknowledged they had been slowed by a lack of clarity and disputes over costing for connecting to the distribution network - issues he said were now being tackled.

"We are in a very different era now post Brexit and because of that the issues that hadn't been looked at in the past are being revisited," Naughten told Reuters.

With an economy highly dependent on trade with Britain, and the only land border with the UK, Ireland is widely considered the country with the most to lose when its bigger neighbour quits the European Union.

All the energy links supplying 88% of Ireland's energy needs feed from Britain.

One of the biggest fears is that Brexit could split Ireland's single electricity market.

While Naughten dismissed concerns over the single electricity market, he said the importance of deft management of the impact of Brexit on Ireland's energy security should not be taken lightly.

"I don't see an impact of Brexit on the single electricity market," he said, adding the British, Irish and Northern Irish governments had all committed to maintaining it.

"It is important for people to remember: The Berlin wall is gone; we still have walls," he added. "And the only way that we can provide long-term peace in northern Ireland is to have economic stability, and energy is a key part of that." (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie
Huda Shafig is an activist working to increase the role of women in the peace process in Sudan, where The Carter Center has worked for decades to try to help bring about lasting peace. (Photos: The Carter Center/ O. Geddo)

In 2013, she joined a group called the Task Force for the Engagement of Women in the Peace Process.

At the university, too, she learned that something shed always cared about  equality for women  was an international issue, one she could work to improve. She began working with civil society organizations, particularly ones focused on peacebuilding and womens participation in politics and security.

I realized I got opportunities that I took for granted, she said. Other people my age in other states and areas werent provided for in the same way.

Until then, she said, she had kind of lived in a bubble, mostly unaware of the impact of the conflict raging in parts of Sudan outside of her hometown of Khartoum.

In December, Shafig participated in a Center-sponsored meeting with Sudanese activists in Khartoum to facilitate dialogue and help pave the way for sustainable peace in Sudan.

Her role with this task force led her to a Carter Center-sponsored meeting in Khartoum in December, where she and other members of civil society shared their experiences and concerns with a group of international conflict resolution experts assembled by the Center. The experts, in turn, talked with them about how they had worked to help bring peace to their own countries.

To have the opportunity to listen to their experiences and to learn, Shafig said, is worth taking a day off. We need more assistance from professionals and technical people to reach the objective, which is inclusive peace.

John Goodman, an associate director in the Carter Centers Conflict Resolution Program who helped organize the Sudan meetings, said people like Shafig are crucial: You cant have lasting peace unless all aspects of society are heard, and part of the Carter Centers responsibility is to amplify the voices of those who might otherwise not get a seat at the table.

The situation in Sudan is challenging for activists. While Shafigs group has never been a government target, many others have.

Not everyone who is an activist, she said, is safe to say what they want to say or meet with whom they want to meet.

Its also not easy for women to be taken seriously in a patriarchal society, where females are largely excluded from even everyday places such as community clubs or gyms. But Shafig dreams of a time when women in Sudan are accepted as equals and allowed to fulfill their potential.

And, of course, she dreams of peace.

Though Sudan is enjoying a government cease-fire at the moment, there is much work to do to achieve permanent peace and to erase the effects of decades of war.

Those effects are felt even in conflict-free regions, she said, as evidenced by the countrys economic woes and general lack of security. But for her fellow citizens in the conflict zones, ending the fighting is a matter of life and death.

Shafig spoke of meeting a woman in a conflict area and asking what peace would mean to her.

In Sudan, Shafig explained, we dont really have apartments  we have houses, with open yards in front of them, and people usually sleep out there under the stars at night. So she said that for her, peace is being able to sleep outside and have her kids laughing and playing in the streets like before, without being scared.
If youre in charge of the ATM fleet at your credit union, youve had a very busy past few years, upgrading machines to comply with new regulatory and software mandates. Requirements like Windows 7 compatibility and EMV compliance were so extensive, many credit unions purchased new, upgraded ATM machines, said CO-OP Financial Services Senior Product Manager Terry Pierce.

But as technology evolves and consumer expectations for self-service technology grow, those new machines may only have a shelf life of five years.

That means credit unions should start planning now to activate and upgrade hardware and software capability to add features that will serve members in the not-so-near future. If your credit union didnt upgrade its ATM fleet recently, Pierce suggested looking to the future instead of current requirements before making the capital expenditure.

Here are four ATM features credit unions should start planning for now.

1. NFC technology

Big banks are already offering cardless ATM transactions, using near field communication technology that uses NFC to link with a mobile app, just like payments at point of sale. Bank of America currently offers customers the option to use NFC at 8,000 ATMs, and Wells Fargo has activated 5,000. Chase is also upgrading in-branch machines to NFC and said it would increase cash withdrawal limits to $3,000 at those ATMs during branch hours.

Crone Consulting estimated about 95,000 ATMs currently support cardless cash service. Pierce said even more big bank ATMs are equipped with NFC reader hardware and will activate them all over the next couple of years.

2. Windows 10

Windows 10 was released in July 2015, and Microsoft will end support for Windows 7 in 2020. If they havent already, ATM operators must upgrade to the Windows 10 OS to ensure compliance with PCI security standards. Since thats only three years from now, all ATM purchases must ensure the machines can be upgraded to Windows 10.

The ATM Industry Association said Windows 10 includes important cybersecurity benefits for ATM operators; most importantly, advanced malware protection. While some credit unions may choose to put off the upgrade as long as possible, the malware protection presents a compelling business case to make the Windows 10 upgrade a priority.

Windows 10 also accommodates Microsofts a single Windows for everything philosophy, which aims to improve system-wide compatibility.

3. Remote monitoring software

As credit unions increase the percentage of transactions that are performed using self-service technology, and ATMs are configured to perform more transactions using a variety of user interface methods, ATM performance will become even more important. As a result, the ability to remotely track when machines go offline or run low on cash is crucial. ATM fleet monitoring software can also remotely fix the machine without relying upon relatively slow and expensive feet on the street technical support. If a technician is needed to repair the machine in person, the software can provide valuable information regarding the problem, which can assist the technician and minimize downtime

4. Improved user interface

In addition to NFC access, Pierce said ATM interface design is increasingly utilizing tile-based or card-based design, which is more pleasing for users, instead of traditional screens that present menu choices as a column or row of buttons. Now that touch screen technology is mainstream, buttons on electronic devices are passe, and likewise, vertical button interfaces are, too. Card-based design relies heavily on visuals rather than text. Studies have shown that images draw the users eye more efficiently, thus improving the user experience.

Personalized user interface layout is also growing in popularity, as more financial institutions use customers user history data to determine which menu buttons appear at the top of the tile layout, or are color coded to attract attention.

When it comes to ATMs, theres always something that requires forward thinking, Pierce said. In the near future, most ATM planning involves features that enhance the user experience.
Nussles charge for advocacy



The common message at #CUNAGAC is that it takes all of us together to make a difference. CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle fired up the crowd on Monday morning as he pushed the 5,000+ credit union advocates in attendance to help him fight the battle against unfair regulations and the CFPB. Nussle said of the CFPB, Its a dictatorship that is accountable to no one.

Nussle also said its time that politicians are held accountable by the voters, and its our job to let them know what the people need. He said if we arent living and speaking the credit union difference every day, then change will be difficult.

Coles three components of a successful brand

Kat Cole, group president at FOCUS Brands, which owns and operates Cinnabon, Schlotzkys, and other food service companies, told her success story of starting off as a Hooters hostess and becoming a VP for the company by age 26.

Cole said the two things that drive brand health are relevance and differentiation, and that if your brand doesnt have a mission, competitors will pass you by. Cole also cautioned that just because you can do something, doesnt mean you should.

The people closest to the action know what the right thing to do is long before the leader does, so its important to listen to your employees who come in contact with the needs of members on a daily basis. She said, you owe it to your communities to disrupt and innovate.

The breakout sessions



There were many breakout options for attendees on Monday afternoon on a wide-range of topics. Elizabeth Eurgubian, CUNAs Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer and Senior Counsel, moderated a panel on unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices (UDAAP), and how agency interpretations of UDAAP laws affect credit unions. Right next door, CUNAs Bill Hampel, Mike Schenk, and Perc Pineda, along with CUNA Mutual Groups Steven Rick had a discussion on the economic outlook for 2017-2018 and how the recent Presidential election will affect core credit union operations.

Down the hall, a group of credit union executives looked at CUNAs Member Activation Program (MAP) and how it can help your credit union get members involved in advocacy. CUNA senior director of advocacy and counsel, Lance Noggle led a session on the current state of the payments landscape and the evolving threats from legislation, litigation, and technology.

The final breakout panel was moderated by CUNAs Andy Price who spoke with NCUAs Larry Fazio and Mary Thor about how NCUAs examination and reporting functions will likely evolve in ways that will reduce credit unions regulatory burden.

Today we will hear from NCUAs Rick Metsger and J. Mark McWatters after kicking off with a keynote address from Gen. Colin L. Powell in the morning. The afternoon will feature the passing of the gavel from Rod Staatz to incoming CUNA Chairman Pat Jury as well as a town hall with CUNAs Jim Nussle.

Check back throughout the day for more updates from Tuesday at GAC!

Nussle: Tell your CU story to legislators

Engagement and advocacy efforts require a unified front

GAC Today: Video highlights from Monday

Nussles Facebook Live debut a smash hit

Ceiling unlimited for CUs

Mondays top tweets from #CUNAGAC

Video: Cisco Malpartida Smith, The Florist FCU

Protect CU legacy while continuing to grow

CFPB Gives Hints About UDAAP Enforcement: GAC

Donovan Predicts CFPB Debate Will Move to the Middle: GAC

Politics & Payments: GAC

Looking to a Bright Future of Marijuana Business Banking: GAC

Go on Offense to Fight Regulation, Nussle Says: GAC

Filenes War for Credit Union Talent: GAC
CUNA Chief Advocacy Officer Ryan Donovan and Chief Political Officer Richard Gose presented an advocacy update at a Monday session of the 2017 CUNA GAC that focused on the power of the 360-degree advocacy approach of CUNA, the leagues and credit unions and how it can move the needle on common-sense regulation for the industry.

The current regulatory structure isnt working for Americas credit union members. Its created a rigged system in favor of the large banks that can afford to comply with the regulations coming out of Washington, Donovan said.

Local, member-owned credit unions know their members better than Washington does and its time for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and other regulators to focus on Wall Street and get out of the way credit unions serving Main Street, he added.

Donovan gave his credit union audience these tips of things they should know going up to Capitol Hill for their GAC visits with key policymakers.
Is It Possible To Neutralise Fake News?

Estonia. Georgia. Ukraine. Czech Republic. Germany. Russian disinformation & fake news is nothing new.

In response to Donald Trumps executive order banning citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States, Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham issued a joint statement arguing that the measure would do more to help terrorist recruitment than improve our security.

In response, Trump took to Twitter. The two Senators should focus their energies on ISIS, illegal immigration and border security instead of always looking to start World War III, he tweeted.

This invocation of World War III, which he also made in Charlotte, North Carolina during the campaign (Youre going to end up in World War III over Syria if we listen to Hillary Clinton) bears a striking similarity to those aired by Russias state-owned media, as Anne Applebaum pointed out in October.

Russian state media outlets favor headlines like Are NATOs Massive War Games on Russias Border a Pretext to World War III? from Sputnik in May 2016, or US Bombing Syrian Army Would Start World War III, from the same site in October, and Trumps Victory Prevented World War 3 from November. Lately, Russian state media have suggested that Trump has been battling a coup to remove him from office since before inauguration. Is the United States facing a coup detat? a British RT columnist wrote in December.

These headlines are characteristic of the disinformation campaigns the Kremlin uses to frighten and destabilize its eastern European neighbors.

The precise nature of Russian state-backed interference in the last Novembers US presidential election and the contact, if any, between Russian officials and members of President Trumps election campaign, may never be fully known.

But the apocalyptic stylings of Russian disinformation have reached across the Atlantic. Resisting this strain of anxious rhetoric means looking to its origin.

Not coincidentally, Senators McCain, Graham, and Amy Klobuchar recently returned from a tour of the Baltic countries, Ukraine, and Georgia, where they sought to restore confidence in US support for their continued independence.

Each of those countries, along with Finland and Sweden, have been targeted by Russian disinformation campaigns attempting to exploit regional, ethnic, religious, and linguistic divisions, usually pitting Russian-speaking populations in Scandinavia, the Baltic region, and Ukraine, against their neighbors, in an effort to divide and conquer.

The alleged Russian interference campaign against the United States, involving hacks and leaks damaging to the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, is different in some clear ways: It did not target a population of Russian compatriots, nor did it seek to reassert a Russian sphere of influence. It did not come from a neighboring aggressor. But like those earlier campaigns, it sought to exploit a fractured political landscape and sow confusion.

In 2007, the government of Estonia, a former Soviet satellite that Russian President Vladimir Putin still considers a part of his countrys sphere of influence, decided to relocate what is known as the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn, a memorial to Soviet soldiers killed in World War II. The Kremlin quickly condemned the plan.

Despite Russias response, Estonian officials proceeded with the removal. Soon afterwards, the country was hit with a torrent of crippling distributed denial-of-service attacks that took down critical pieces of the government, banking, and media infrastructure.

Russia has officially denied involvement in the attack, but multiple Russian political figures have claimed responsibility, and Estonian officials have little doubt about the origin of the attacks.

As Piret Pernik, a cyber-security researcher at Tallinns International Centre for Defense and Security (ICDS) explained, the assault was meant to impact national decision-making, and reverse the decision to relocate the bronze soldier to a military cemetery.

The same was true of the hacks of the Democratic National Committee and campaign officials, which were geared toward changing public opinion and voters choice, she said.

In the years that followed, Russia refined its disruptive techniques in the invasions of Georgia in 2008, and Ukraine in 2014, in an effort to distance both countries from NATO and reassert Russian political control.

Ukraine has been subject to a series of cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure since the Maidan revolution. More recently, the Czech Republic and Germany have been hit by DNC-style cyber operations.

Learning to respond to such intervention is a gradual, but ultimately straightforward process, as Jed Willard, director of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Center for Global Engagement at Harvard, explained. When Russia attacked Georgia, they lost the war of ideas. Georgia was very efficient in demonstrating to the west that they were the victim. With Putins return to the presidency in 2012, Russia recommitted to information warfare. The Russians realised that their information operations were not as effective. So they doubled down and heavily invested in research and in staff, Willard said.

Five months after the annexation of Crimea in 2014, a dozen Russian television channels were banned from Ukraine for broadcasting propaganda of war and violence. But those channels had spread an abundance of falsehoods in the intervening months.

In one now-infamous case, the Russian state TV station Channel One aired a story claiming locals in the Ukrainian town of Slavyansk had crucified a three-year-old boy in the town square. The claim was quickly debunked by Ukrainian and Western sources on the ground, but the story proliferated across the Russian Internet, drumming up anti-Ukrainian sentiment and support for Russias military action in Crimea and in Eastern Ukraine.

A similar tactic was used to spread word of false NATO war preparation against Russia involving the deployment of 3,600 tanks. Initially reported by the small state media outlet of the Donetsk Peoples Republic, the Russian-backed separatist organisation in occupied Eastern Ukraine, the story was replicated over 40,000 times within three days across the United States, Canada, and Europe, according to the Atlantic Councils Digital Forensics Research Lab. It was a clear case of what the lab calls disinformation laundering.

In Ukraine, there was a lot of uncertainty about what was going on. In one day, all Russian TV channels starting issuing crazy fake stories, said Tetiana Popova, Ukraines former deputy minister of information policy. Its a pity that we didnt do things in time, earlier, Popova added.

In the summer of 2016 as the Swedish government debated whether to join the NATO alliance, social media in the country swarmed with false rumors about the potential repercussions of the decision.

In Finland, where ethnic Russians are the countrys second-largest minority group, Russian state media circulated false claims that children of Russian mothers in Finland were being removed from their households by Finnish authorities, and that in Europe, children of straight parents were being removed and placed in the care of gay couples. The Russian childrens rights ombudsman accused Finland of perpetrating juvenile terror.

The Swedish and Finnish governments turned to Willard, who has worked extensively on public diplomacy campaigns, to help formulate a response. Number one, have a message. It needs to be a good, positive one. Number two, stay on message. Do not repeat lies, Willard said.

He helped the governments of Finland and Sweden to distill their core national values into coherent, positive narratives that could counter-message Russian propaganda, a much easier task for the smaller, more homogeneous Scandinavian nations than it would be for the United States.

Today in Finland, government-run training sessions teach border guards, child protection agencies, educators, and civil servants how to respond to propaganda. In Sweden, a Civil Contingencies Agency makes similar preparations.

The most important thing is salience. The US is not going to get the unified message the way they did. Whats the Swedish message? Free press. Whats the Finnish message? Rule of law. Whats the American message? No one knows, Willard said. For the Finns this job was a lot easier than, say, for the Americans, because we dont agree very much. Weve really lost the [national] story, because weve stopped drilling it into our children, he said.

Since 2007, Estonia has emerged as one of the leading players in detecting and combating Russian meddling, both online, where it arrives in the form of coordinated cyber-attacks and propaganda campaigns, as well as through more conventional forms of espionage.

The severity of the 2007 attacks forced the government to enhance cooperation both domestically and with its NATO partners to raise awareness of the Kremlins means and methods, as Harrys Puusepp, press officer for the Estonian Internal Security Service, wrote in an email. The trick, he said, is to prepare for the lies and half-truths are going to be used against you.

In 2010, Estonia introduced a new long-term national defense strategy that emphasized psychological defense, which it defined as the development, preservation and protection of common values associated with social cohesion and the sense of security. The government also launched a Russian-language domestic television channel aimed at empower[ing] the local identity, in the words of Ilmar Raag, a filmmaker who helped devise the psychological defense efforts.

Now, the small nation is experimenting with training a portion of new draftees as cyber-conscripts, focused on information security, rather than on conventional warfare. The countrys domestic and foreign security services issue annual reports detailing the state of national security operations inside and outside its borders, which more often than not focus on Russian attempts at interference.

Yet it has been difficult to determine the impact of these efforts, Russian-produced news outlets are still widely available in Estonia, after all. The Russian and Estonian populations still often reside in separate information spaces and hold divergent perceptions and perspectives not just about each other, but also about the Estonian state and its history, its threat environment, and its national security policies, a 2014 ICDS report found.

While Estonia offers some instructive examples for the United Sates, state attempts at responding to Russian influence in Ukraine and elsewhere in the Baltic region have been less successful.

Outright bans of Russian broadcasters, websites, and journalists tend to backfire, as Peter Pomerantsev and Marina Presenti found in a July 2016 survey of Ukrainian responses to propaganda, which calls for the introduction of stronger government media regulations. Operations attempting to fact-check the news are often too narrowly focused, reaching only a select audience of already-engaged readers.

You dont have to educate the population too much about the Russian threat in Estonia, but its quite unknown in America.

For now, it seems unlikely that the Trump administration will choose to respond to Russias alleged interference in the United States. But that doesnt mean that the private sector and civil society cannot. Those who choose to do so should consider the strategies that nations long familiar with these methods have deployed in response.

Americas experience with Russian disinformation seems to have really broadened US interest in [disinformation], such that it almost matches that in Central and Eastern Europe, said Donald Jensen, a senior adjunct fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis.

You dont have to educate the population too much about the seriousness of the Russian threat in Estonia, but its quite unknown in America, though maybe now thats changing, Eerik-Niiles Kross, an Estonian member of parliament and former intelligence director said.

The whole Western world needed to see it happening in the US to understand that it is not some paranoia of the Eastern European states when they warn about the Kremlins hostile actions, one EU official dealing with information warfare who spoke on the condition of anonymity told me.

Awareness of the threat, of the potential for head fakes and distracting diversions is half the battle.

Its like playing a game of fetch in the forest, Arnold Sinisalu, head of the Estonian Internal Security Service, said about of Russias strategy. They want us to think only about that game, while the main problem is somewhere else. But its not that easy, were not playing that game.

DefenseOne:

NATO Tools Up For Cybewar: How Cyber Propaganda Influenced Politics in 2016:

Social Media and the 'Information War- Russia is Winning:
DHAKA - The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina (pictured) used this week's Dhaka Apparel Summit 2017 to call on international apparel brands and retailers to help garment factory owners to overhaul their units. "Huge funds are required for the factories being overhauled. So, various brands and buyers can come forward to assist Bangladeshi factory owners ... the government would continue to provide its support in this regard," said the Prime Minister. She added that local apparel manufacturers need to diversify their products and move away from straight forward ready-made-garment production in order to remain internationally competitive.
How strongly tumor cells adhere to the surrounding tissue could indicate the likelihood that cancer will spread to other parts of the body, according to a study published February 28 in Biophysical Journal. Using a spinning disc device, the researchers found that tumor cells characterized by weak adhesion strength are more likely to migrate and invade other tissues compared with strongly adherent cells. The study may provide a much-needed marker to identify highly metastatic cells within a broader tumor cell population.

"There is no common biological marker that says that a tumor is more likely to spread," says senior study author Adam Engler of the University of California, San Diego. "However, our device shows that there may in fact be a physical marker that is predictive of the likelihood of spreading."

Cancer cells spread by detaching and migrating away from the primary tumor to form a secondary metastatic site. However, only a small subset of cancer cells from a tumor or even from a cancer cell line is capable of forming secondary tumors. Efforts to identify a universal molecular marker that identifies metastasizing cells across tumor types have been unsuccessful.

By contrast, some studies have suggested that a biophysical marker -- the strength with which cells attach to the surrounding tumor tissue -- could indicate the likelihood of secondary tumor development. But even within an individual tumor, cells exhibit substantial variability in their adhesive strength. "We reasoned that understanding adhesive heterogeneity within an invasive population may improve our ability to physically monitor cancer cells and predict invasive behavior," says study co-author Afsheen Banisadr, a Ph.D. student in the Engler lab at the University of California, San Diego.

To test this idea, Engler's lab teamed up with co-author Thea Tlsty of the University of California, San Francisco, to build a custom spinning disc device that could measure the adhesion strength of breast and prostate cancer cells of varying metastatic potential. The researchers attached cells to a coverslip coated with extracellular matrix proteins--molecules that provide structural and biochemical support to the surrounding cells. Then they mounted the coverslip on a spinning rod and applied force in a quantifiable and reproducible manner across the cell population, measuring the shear required to detach the cells from the extracellular matrix protein-coated coverslip.

Using this spinning disc shear assay, they found that metastatic cells exhibit remarkable heterogeneity in their adhesion strength, unlike their non-metastatic counterparts. Strongly adherent metastatic cells exhibit less migratory behavior, similar to non-metastatic cell lines. Taken together, the findings suggest that adhesion strength may serve as a general, highly accurate marker of metastatic cells.

Building on these findings, Engler and his team have developed a second-generation device that isolates weakly adherent migratory cells. In future studies, they will test whether these cells, when injected into mice, will form tumors at a higher rate than a general population of tumor cells. If this hypothesis is correct, the researchers will then examine tissues adjacent to tumors in mice and humans to detect these weakly adherent cells and correlate their concentration to cancer-free survival times for patients.

"If we find a correlation between low numbers of weakly adherent tumor cells in the tissue surrounding a tumor and long cancer-free survival times, we believe that this could serve as an indicator for metastatic potential of the patient's tumor," says study co-author Pranjali Beri, a Ph.D. student in the Engler lab at the University of California, San Diego.

In the future, clinicians could use this device to examine tumor biopsies and estimate the likelihood of metastasis, using this information to assess whether patients might need more aggressive treatment at earlier disease stages. "However, patients should realize that that the timing for these results to hit even the initial clinical trials is several years away," Engler says.

###

This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship program.

Biophysical Journal, Fuhrmann et al.; "Metastatic State of Cancer Cells May be Indicated by Adhesion Strength" http://www.cell.com/biophysj/fulltext/S0006-3495(17)30029-2

The Biophysical Journal (@BiophysJ), published by Cell Press for the Biophysical Society, is a bimonthly journal that publishes original articles, letters, and reviews on the most important developments in modern biophysics--a broad and rapidly advancing field encompassing the study of biological structures and focusing on mechanisms at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels through the concepts and methods of physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, and computational science. Visit: http://www.cell.com/biophysj/home. To receive Cell Press media alerts, contact press@cell.com.
The manufacture of cement, bricks, bathroom tiles and porcelain crockery normally requires a great deal of heat: a kiln is used to fire the ceramic materials at temperatures well in excess of 1,000C. Now, material scientists from ETH Zurich have developed what seems at first glance to be an astonishingly simple method of manufacture that works at room temperature. The scientists used a calcium carbonate nanopowder as the starting material and instead of firing it, they added a small amount of water and then compacted it.

"The manufacturing process is based on the geological process of rock formation," explains Florian Bouville, a postdoc in the group of Andre Studart, Professor of Complex Materials. Sedimentary rock is formed from sediment that is compressed over millions of years through the pressure exerted by overlying deposits. This process turns calcium carbonate sediment into limestone with the help of the surrounding water. As the ETH researchers used calcium carbonate with an extremely fine particle size (nanoparticles) as the starting material, their compacting process took only an hour. "Our work is the first evidence that a piece of ceramic material can be manufactured at room temperature in such a short amount of time and with relatively low pressures," says ETH professor Studart.

Stronger than concrete

As tests have shown, the new material can withstand about ten times as much force as concrete before it breaks, and is as stiff as stone or concrete. In other words, it is just as hard to deform.

So far, the scientists have produced material samples of about the size of a one-franc piece using a conventional hydraulic press such as those normally used in industry. "The challenge is to generate a sufficiently high pressure for the compacting process. Larger workpieces require a correspondingly greater force," says Bouville. According to the scientists, ceramic pieces the size of small bathroom tiles should theoretically be feasible.

Energy-efficient and environmentally benign

"For a long time, material scientists have been searching for a way to produce ceramic materials under mild conditions, as the firing process requires a large amount of energy," says Studart. The new room-temperature method - which experts refer to as cold sintering -- is much more energy-efficient and also enables the production of composite materials containing, for example, plastic.

The technique is also of interest with a view to a future CO2-neutral society. Specifically, the carbonate nanoparticles could conceivably be produced using CO2 captured from the atmosphere or from waste gases from thermal power stations. In this scenario, the captured CO2 is allowed to react with a suitable rock in powder form to produce carbonate, which could then be used to manufacture ceramics at room temperature. The climate-damaging CO2 would thus be stored in ceramic products in the long term. These would constitute a CO2 sink and could help thermal power stations to operate on a carbon-neutral basis.

According to the scientists, in the long term, the new approach of cold sintering even has the potential to lead to more environmentally friendly substitutes for cement-based materials. However, great research efforts are needed to reach this goal. Cement production is not only energy-intensive, but it also generates large amounts of CO2 - unlike potential cold-sintered replacement materials.

###

Bouville F, Studart AR: Geologically-inspired strong bulk ceramics made with water at room temperature. Nature Communications, 28 February 2017, doi: 10.1038/ncomms14655
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A Florida State University researcher will lead a joint U.S.-Russia project that will examine the effect of space travel on astronauts' vision, an ongoing problem that NASA has been eager to solve.

"The issue of vision impairment is very important to NASA," said Michael Delp, dean of the College Human Sciences and the lead investigator on the project. "When astronauts go into space, they lose bone density and muscle mass, but that's mostly preventable or recoverable. The vision may not be, and not everyone is willing to risk their sight."

The work will be funded by a $750,000 grant from NASA.

In recent years, NASA has spearheaded research into vision problems experienced by astronauts returning from space. On shorter trips, astronauts have often experienced minor vision changes that eventually self-corrected. But longer trips to space have caused more structural changes to the eye that have permanently altered astronauts' ability to see.

Delp and colleagues at the Russian Academy of Sciences previously collaborated on a study that found space travel may diminish the body's ability to regulate blood flowing to the brain, which could contribute to temporary or permanent changes in vision for astronauts.

For this study, researchers will send male mice into space on a SpaceX rocket in August 2017. The mice will live at the International Space Station for 30 days and then return to Earth to be recovered by the U.S. Navy off the California coast.

Scientists will then examine changes to the lymphatic and vascular functions to see how that may affect vision.

"We're looking at cerebral arteries, cerebral veins and the lymphatics that drain the brain to see if vascular function in any of those areas are changed with micro gravity," Delp said. "We're also looking at the blood brain barrier. So if the vessels become leaky and allow fluid out into the brain, that might be another reason we're seeing vision problems in astronauts."

Delp's research has been funded by NASA for several decades. Prior to becoming dean of the College of Human Sciences in 2013, he worked as a professor at the University of Florida, West Virginia University and Texas A&M University. He received his doctoral degree from University of Georgia.

The grant will fund three graduate students and one postdoctoral researcher at Florida State University, as well as scientists and graduate students from Texas A&M University.

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The project at the Centre for Performance Science, a cross-institutional partnership between the Royal College of Music (RCM) and Imperial College London, will explore the impact of the arts and culture on health and wellbeing, from individual, social, and economic perspectives.

One area the team will study is the link between cultural pursuits - -like joining a choir, learning an instrument, or attending art classes -- and the health and wellbeing of society. The work will be funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

Previously, smaller arts intervention studies have found links between cultural participation, good health, and lower mortality. However, to date there have been few larger-scale studies involving the arts across the UK. The study will gather new empirical and qualitative data from people over three years.

Professor Aaron Williamon, principal investigator of the project from the RCM, said: "We are keen to discover not only the effects of culture on health and happiness, but why those effects happen. For example, joining a choir after work may improve your health, but is that the result of socialising, creating something, or a combination of the two? Why might joining a choir have more social and creative benefits than going for a meal with friends?"

Other cultural pursuits the researchers will explore include going to museums, galleries, and concerts.

Professor Robert Perneczky, co-investigator of the study from Imperial's School of Public Health and the University of Munich, said: "We are interested in what hidden benefits the arts and culture may have in terms of improving health. If there are tangible benefits, there may be a case to be made for integrating them more fully within social and health services. It be will interesting to see if arts and culture can increase our resilience against age-associated changes of wellbeing and cognitive performance, a phenomenon known as cognitive reserve."

The Centre itself draws on its members' expertise in the arts, medicine, engineering, natural sciences, and business from across the Royal College of Music and Imperial.

Professor James Stirling, Provost of Imperial College London, said: "This funding announcement is a major success for our new Centre for Performance Science, and will further deepen the relationship between Imperial and the RCM."

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Implementation of a new nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy platform will provide professors Nicolas Doucet and Steven LaPlante of Centre INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier with a powerful new tool for conducting an ambitious research program aimed at identifying new therapeutic molecules. This new platform, funded in part by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation's John R. Evans Leaders Fund and the Government of Quebec, will enable the two researchers to explore the role of atomic-scale molecular motions in protein and enzyme families involved in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), diabetes, asthma, HIV, auto-immune disease, and cancer.

Pooling their parallel expertise in protein NMR and drug discovery, professors Doucet and LaPlante will have access to a 600 megahertz NMR spectrometer with high throughput screening capabilities to characterize biomolecular interactions between proteins and their ligands. The knowledge gained will be crucial to fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD), a new pharmaceutical approach aimed at developing targeted and more effective drugs that cause fewer side effects.

This new research capability has the potential to revolutionize drug development practices and to provide new impetus to the pharmaceutical industry in Quebec and across Canada. It will also offer a unique training environment for highly skilled biotechnology personnel.

###

About INRS

Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS) is a graduate-level research and training university and ranks first in Canada for research intensity (average funding per professor). INRS brings together some 150 professors and close to 700 students and postdoctoral fellows at its four centres in Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, and Varennes. Its basic research is essential to the advancement of science in Quebec and internationally, and its research teams play a key role in the development of concrete solutions to the problems faced by our society.
How do molecules rotate in a solvent? Answering this question is a complicated task since the molecular rotation is perturbed by a very large number of surrounding atoms. For a long time, large-scale computer simulations have been the main approach to model molecule-solvent interactions. However, they are extremely time consuming and sometimes completely infeasible. Now, Mikhail Lemeshko from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria) has proven that angulons -- a certain type of quasiparticle he proposed two years ago - do in fact form when a molecule is immersed in superfluid helium. This offers a quick and simple description for rotation of molecules in solvents.

In physics, the concept of quasiparticles is used as a technique to simplify the description of many-particle systems. Namely, instead of modeling strong interactions between trillions of individual particles, one identifies building blocks of the system that are interacting with one another only weakly. These building blocks are called quasiparticles and might consist of groups of particles. For example, to describe air bubbles rising up in water from first principles, one would need to solve an enormous set of equations describing the position and momentum of each water molecule. On the other hand, one could notice that the bubbles themselves can be treated as individual particles -- or quasiparticles -- which drastically simplifies the description of the system. As another example, consider a running horse engulfed in a cloud of dust. One can think of it as a quasiparticle consisting of the horse itself and the dust cloud moving along with it. Understanding what is going on in terms of such a 'quasi-horse' is substantially easier compared to treating every dust grain, as well as the horse, separately in a complicated simulation.

The latter example is similar to what Mikhail Lemeshko did in his study. Instead of treating the rotating molecule and all the atoms of the surrounding material separately, he used angulons to look at the problem from a different perspective. Angulon quasiparticles, which form when a rotating object interacts with a surrounding environment, were predicted theoretically two years ago by Lemeshko and Schmidt. Until now, however, they were considered only theoretically and their actual existence was still to be demonstrated. Lemeshko's study, which was published today in Physical Review Letters, is based on experimental data collected by several laboratories over the last two decades. All the experiments had one thing in common: molecules of different types were observed to rotate inside tiny droplets of superfluid helium. As Lemeshko has shown, independent of which molecule was studied, be it heavy or light species, methane, water, carbon dioxide or ammonia, the outcome of the angulon theory was always in good agreement with the measurements. This indicates that the angulon quasiparticles indeed form inside helium droplets.

"In our first study we proposed angulons as a possibility for describing rotation of molecules in solvents. Now we have provided strong evidence that angulons actually exist," says Lemeshko. This substantially simplifies existing many-particle theories and could lead to applications in molecular physics, theoretical chemistry, and even biology.

A first application of the angulon theory was already found by Enderalp Yakaboylu, a postdoc in Lemeshko's group. The authors predicted that even a medium that is non-polarizable can shield an immersed impurity from an external electromagnetic field. This effect, which seems to contradict intuition, is called "anomalous screening" and is caused by an exchange of angular momentum on quantum level. The discovery, which the authors also publish in Physical Review Letters, was made possible by describing the charged particle and the interacting surroundings as angulon quasiparticle. Future measurements will show if the prediction can be proven experimentally.

###

Mikhail Lemeshko joined IST Austria in 2014 after having spent three years as an independent postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University. His research group entitled "Theoretical Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics" currently includes three postdocs and one PhD student. The main focus of study is the physics of quantum impurities possessing orbital angular momentum. He was recently awarded a standalone grant by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) to continue his work on angulons. Enderalp Yakaboylu is a postdoc in IST Austria's ISTFELLOW program which is partially funded by the European Union.
Royal Dutch Shell Plc (NYSE: RDS-B) is one of the highest yielding integrated energy giants, offering investors a dividend yield around 6.7%. That's toward the high end of the industry. A big reason for that is the acquisition Shell made during the oil downturn when competitors were mostly focusing on cutting costs. How safe is Shell today, and, perhaps more important, how safe is its dividend?
Children and youth learning English require better support for academic success; new report calls for improvements to instruction and training for their care and education providers

WASHINGTON - Despite their potential, many English learners (ELs) -- who account for more than 9 percent of K-12 enrollment in the U.S. -- lag behind their English-speaking monolingual peers in educational achievement, in part because schools do not provide adequate instruction and social-emotional support to acquire English proficiency or access to academic subjects at the appropriate grade level, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Moreover, early care and education providers, educational administrators, and teachers are not given appropriate training to foster desired educational outcomes for children and youth learning English.

The variability across state certification requirements influences the content offered to certification candidates by higher education and other preparation programs to equip them with the knowledge and competencies required to be effective educators of children and youth learning English. State and professional credentialing bodies should require that teachers, care and education practitioners, administrators, guidance counselors, psychologists, and therapists serving English learners up to 21 years of age receive preparation to work effectively with these students. Credentialing should cover pre- and in-service training, as well as coursework that focuses on literacy development.

Based on federal definitions, the report uses "dual language learners" (DLLs) when referring to children up to age 5 acquiring their language skills at home, in their communities, or in early care and education programs. The report uses "English learners" when referring to children enrolled in pre-K-12 schools. DLLs and ELs are members of every major racial/ethnic group and include both U.S.- and foreign-born youth. Most come from Latin America and Asia. DLLs and ELs are highly concentrated in traditional immigrant destinations, such as California, New York, and Texas; however, they increasingly live in new destination states, such as Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, which are not prepared to meet their education needs.

"The cultures, languages, and experiences of ELs are highly diverse and constitute assets for their development, as well as for the nation," said Ruby Takanishi, senior research fellow at New America in Washington, D.C., and chair of the committee that conducted the study and wrote the report. "Because literacy lies at the center of success in educational systems, educating dual language learners and English learners effectively is a national challenge with consequences both for individuals and for society. Despite their linguistic, cognitive, and social potential, many of them are struggling to meet the requirements for academic success in American schools, a challenge that jeopardizes their prospects in postsecondary education and the workforce with consequences for their health and well-being."

Limited proficiency in English presents a high barrier to academic learning and performance in schools in which English is the primary language of instruction and assessment, the report says. DLLs/ELs face a number of additional barriers to learning opportunities and educational success that go beyond their English proficiency, such as poverty, living in families with low levels of education, parents' immigrant generational status and years in the United States, and attending under-resourced schools. At the same time, DLLs/ELs have assets that may serve them well in their education and future careers. Those who become proficient in both a home or primary language and in English are likely to reap benefits in cognitive, social, and emotional development and may also be protected from brain decline at older ages.

Regarding whether the extent to which ability in the first language supports or hinders the acquisition of a second language, the committee found no evidence to indicate that the use of two languages in the home or the use of one in the home and another in an early care or education setting confuses young children or hinders the development of one or both of their languages. Being fluent in two or more languages is a natural human attribute; the majority of the world's population is bilingual or multilingual.

Children given the opportunity to learn another language early in life benefit from their capacity to communicate in more than one language and may show enhancement of certain cognitive skills, as well as improved academic outcomes in school. All teachers of DLLs can learn and implement strategies that systematically introduce English during the infant, toddler, and preschool years while simultaneously promoting maintenance of the home language. This strategy is important because when DLLs are exposed to English during the preschool years, they often show a reluctance to continue speaking their first language. DLLs who don't maintain proficiency in their home language may lose their ability to communicate with family members and may risk becoming estranged from their cultural and linguistic heritage. In order to improve support for DLLs, the report says that federal and state agencies with oversight of early care and education programs should follow the lead of Head Start and Early Head Start by providing specific evidence-based program guidance, practices, and strategies for engaging and serving DLLs and their families and monitor program effectiveness.

It can take from five to seven years for a child who initially has no or limited proficiency in English to learn the English necessary for participation in the school's curriculum without further linguistic support, the report says. Secondary schools continue to fail to meet the diverse needs of long-term ELs -- typically students who have not been reclassified as English-proficient after seven years -- including their linguistic, academic, and socio-emotional needs.

Assessment of the educational progress of DLLs/ELs can yield concrete and actionable evidence of their learning, which is necessary for teachers, students, parents, and school and system leaders to improve educational practices. While well-established standards for assessing students exist to guide practice, there is a gap between these standards and how assessments of DLLs/ELs at the individual student and system levels are actually conducted, the committee found. Federal and state agencies and organizations that regulate programs for DLLs and ELs should give all providers of these services and local education agencies information about the range of valid assessment methods and tools and guidelines for their appropriate use, the report says.

The committee looked at specific populations of DLLs and ELs, such as those with disabilities, which account for about 9 percent of the DLL/EL population. It found that DLLs and ELs are less likely than their English-speaking monolingual peers to be referred to early intervention and early special education programs, which can affect their educational trajectories. In addition, early childhood education, home visiting, health, and other professionals are not identifying all DLLs and ELs with special needs -- such as those with an autism spectrum disorder or language impairment -- who could benefit from such programs. The U.S. departments of Health and Human Services and Education should direct programs to strengthen their referral and linkage roles in order to address low rates of identification of developmental disorders and disabilities in DLLs and ELs and their referral to appropriate services.

The committee also looked at American Indian and Alaskan Native communities, for which language revitalization is an important goal. Evidence indicates that participation in strong revitalization programs can have a positive impact on student achievement in school, the report says. Local education agencies that serve American Indian and Alaskan Native communities that are working to revitalize their indigenous languages should take steps to ensure that schools' promotion of English literacy among students does not compete or interfere with those efforts.

The committee outlined a research agenda that identifies knowledge gaps about DLLs and ELs, specifically regarding understanding the influences on their educational success. It includes research on policy, demographics, language development and proficiency, effective programs and practices, students with disabilities, development of valid assessments, and preparation and continuing development of educators.

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The study was sponsored by the U.S. departments of Education and Health and Human Services, the Foundation for Child Development, the Heising-Simons Foundation, and the McKnight Foundation. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, technology, and medicine. The National Academies operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln. For more information, visit http://national-academies.org. A committee roster follows.

Social Media:

#ELPromisingFutures

@theNASEM

Resources:

http://nationalacademies.org/ELPromisingFutures

Download Report

Contacts:

Dana Korsen, Media Officer

Joshua Blatt, Media Assistant

Office of News and Public Information

202-334-2138; e-mail news@nas.edu

national-academies.org/newsroom

Copies of Promoting the Educational Success of Children and Youth Learning English: Promising Futures are available from the National Academies Press on the Internet at http://www.nap.edu or by calling 202-334-3313 or 1-800-624-6242. Reporters may obtain a copy from the Office of News and Public Information (contacts listed above).

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCES, ENGINEERING, AND MEDICINE

Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education

and

Health and Medicine Division

Committee on Fostering School Success for English Learners: Toward New Directions in Policy, Practice, and Research

Ruby Takanishi (chair)

Senior Research Fellow

New America

New York City

Alfredo Artiles

Ryan C. Harris Professor of Special Education and Dean of Graduate Education

Arizona State University

Tempe

Diane L. August

Managing Researcher

American Institutes for Research

Washington, D.C.

Xavier Botana

Superintendent

Portland Public Schools

Portland, Maine

Bobbi Ciriza Houtchens

Independent Consultant

Marina del Rey, Calif.

Dylan Conger

Associate Professor of Public Policy and Public Administration

George Washington University

Washington, D.C.

Richard P. Duran

Professor of Education

University of California

Santa Barbara

Linda M. Espinosa

Former Professor of Early Childhood of Education

University of Missouri-Columbia, and

Consultant to California State Department of Education

Sacramento

Eugene E. Garcia

Professor Emeritus

Mary Lou Fulton Teachers' College

Arizona State University

Tempe

Fred Genesee

Professor of Psychology

McGill University

Montreal

Kenji Hakuta

Lee L. Jacks Professor of Education

Stanford University

Stanford, Calif.

Arturo Hernandez

Professor and Director

Graduate Program in Developmental Psychology

University of Houston

Houston

Jeff MacSwan

Professor of Applied Linguistics and Language Education

University of Maryland

College Park

Harriet Romo

Professor and Director

Child and Adolescent Policy Research Institute

University of Texas

San Antonio

Maria Sera

Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies

Institute of Child Development

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis

Catherine S. Tamis-LeMonda

Professor of Applied Psychology

New York University

New York City

Kevin J. A. Thomas

Associate Professor of Sociology, Demography, and African Studies

Pennsylvania State University

University Park

Claudio O. Toppelberg

Psychiatrist

Judge Baker Children's Center, and

Research Scientist

Harvard University

Boston

Lily Wong-Fillmore

Jerome A. Hutto Professor of Education Emeritus

University of California

Berkeley

STAFF

Suzanne Le Menestrel

Senior Program Officer
BROOKLYN, New York - Colloidal particles, used in a range of technical applications including foods, inks, paints, and cosmetics, can self-assemble into a remarkable variety of densely-packed crystalline structures. For decades, though, researchers have been trying to coax colloidal spheres to arranging themselves into much more sparsely populated lattices in order to unleash potentially valuable optical properties. These structures, called photonic crystals, could increase the efficiency of lasers, further miniaturize optical components, and vastly increase engineers' ability to control the flow of light.

A team of engineers and scientists from the NYU Tandon School of Engineering Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, the NYU Center for Soft Matter Research, and Sungkyunkwan University School of Chemical Engineering in the Republic of Korea report they have found a pathway toward the self-assembly of these elusive photonic crystal structures never assembled before on the sub-micrometer scale (one micrometer is about 100 times smaller than the diameter of a strand of human hair).

The research, which appears in the journal Nature Materials, introduces a new design principle based on preassembled components of the desired superstructure, much as a prefabricated house begins as a collection of pre-built sections. The researchers report they were able to assemble the colloidal spheres into diamond and pyrochlore crystal structures - a particularly difficult challenge because so much space is left unoccupied.

The team, comprising Etienne Ducrot, a post-doctoral researcher at the NYU Center for Soft Matter Research; Mingxin He, a doctoral student in chemical and biomolecular engineering at NYU Tandon; Gi-Ra Yi of Sungkyunkwan University; and David J. Pine, chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at NYU Tandon School of Engineering and a NYU professor of physics in the NYU College of Arts and Science, took inspiration from a metal alloy of magnesium and copper that occurs naturally in diamond and pyrochlore structures as sub-lattices. They saw that these complex structures could be decomposed into single spheres and tetrahedral clusters (four spheres permanently bound). To realize this in the lab, they prepared sub-micron plastic colloidal clusters and spheres, and employed DNA segments bound to their surface to direct the self-assembly into the desired superstructure.

"We are able to build those complex structures because we are not starting with single spheres as building blocks, but with pre-assembled parts already 'glued' together," Ducrot said. "We fill the structural voids of the diamond lattice with an interpenetrated structure, the pyrochlore, that happens to be as valuable as the diamond lattice for future photonic applications."

Ducrot said open colloidal crystals, such as those with diamond and pyrochlore configurations, are desirable because, when composed of the right material, they may possess photonic band gaps -- ranges of light frequency that cannot propagate through the structure -- meaning that they could be for light what semiconductors are for electrons.

"This story has been a long time in the making as those material properties have been predicted 26 years ago but until now, there was no practical pathway to build them," he said. "To achieve a band gap in the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum, the particles need to be on the order of 150 nanometers, which is in the colloidal range. In such a material, light should travel with no dissipation along a defect, making possible the construction of chips based on light."

Pine said that self-assembly technology is critical to making production of these crystals economically feasible because creating bulk quantities of crystals with lithography techniques at the correct scale would be extremely costly and very challenging.

"Self-assembly is therefore a very appealing way to inexpensively create crystals with a photonic band gap in bulk quantities," Pine said.

###

This research was funded by the U.S. Army Research Office under a Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) grant.

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.
A study published in the British Journal of Criminology investigated the nature and extent of UK police use of 'out of court resolutions'* in cases of domestic abuse and found that many forces are potentially putting lives at risk. The researchers call for an immediate stop to street level resolutions in cases of domestic abuse involving partners or ex-partners.

Using the FOI Act, researchers from Durham University's Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse discovered - in stark contrast to official guidance** - that in 2014 'out of court resolutions' - community resolutions and restorative justice - were used by all police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (but not Scotland) to respond to domestic abuse. The total number of domestic abuse incidents that were recorded as using out of court resolutions across the 45 forces was 5,466.

Very serious crimes were being dealt with by means of out of court resolutions. They were used for a broad range of serious criminal offences which, if prosecuted, have potential sentencing tariffs of up to life imprisonment. These offences included actual bodily harm, harassment, threat to kill, and arson endangering life.

The most common out of court resolution (in 43% of cases) was an apology to the victim - either verbal or written, or an apology to the police officer. The second most common action, 27% of cases, was reparation, such as the damage paid for or replaced.

Some actions had distinct overlaps with criticisms of pre-1990s policing of domestic abuse, for example: 'words of advice given', 'note signed to effect that offender will behave, or '[advised to] seek marriage guidance'.

West Midlands came out with the highest proportion of cases using out of court resolutions for domestic abuse crimes (4.4%). North Wales came out with the lowest proportion of cases (0.3%).

"This study is the latest in a long line to show that there still exists fundamental problems about how domestic violence and abuse is policed," said lead author Professor Nicole Westmarland of Durham University. "Gaps between policy and practice and resources and demands are ever increasing and action needs to be taken to hold perpetrators to account."

The research findings have potential implications for policy and practice. According to Professor Clare McGlynn, "First and foremost, the police must stop using these street-level resolutions in cases of domestic abuse and College of Policing and National Police Chief Council guidance needs to be strengthened. We need an open and informed public debate about the role of restorative justice and other alternatives to the criminal justice system for cases domestic abuse."

Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Women's Aid, said, "Clearly Restorative Justice is being wrongly used. It is rarely appropriate in domestic abuse cases, because it can minimise the perpetrator's crime and put survivors of domestic abuse at risk. Restorative Justice must never be used as an alternative to a more serious criminal justice sanction. Being made to apologise to the victim will not help perpetrators change their behaviour. In fact, it tells them they can abuse with impunity, and offers them a further opportunity for coercive control. We urge all police forces and restorative justice practitioners to undertake specialist domestic abuse training. No one should be permitted to offer restorative justice in domestic abuse cases without this."

###

The paper "Under the radar- the widespread use of 'out of court resolutions' in policing domestic violence and abuse in the UK" is available at: https://academic.oup.com/bjc/article/3058237/Under-the-Radar-The-Widespread-use-of-Out-of-Court

NOTES:

* An 'out of court resolution' is the umbrella term we use to refer to community resolutions and a range of police-led restorative justice practices. They differ from other out of court penalties such as cautions and fixed penalties as they seek a 'resolution' to an individual or community level dispute or conflict.

** College of Policing guidance is that these out of court resolutions are 'rarely appropriate' in domestic abuse cases and not recommended for intimate partner abuse. The Independent Police Complaints Commission has stated that 'restorative justice should not be used in cases of domestic abuse'. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary has said the same, warning of 'unacceptable risks'.

A briefing document outlining the key research findings is available on the School of Applied Social Sciences website: https://www.dur.ac.uk/sass/research/briefings/

Direct correspondence to:

Professor Nicole Westmarland

Nicole.westmarland@durham.ac.uk

To request a copy of the study, please contact:

Daniel Luzer- daniel.luzer@oup.com or 212-743-6113

Sharing on social media? Find Oxford Journals online at @OxfordJournals
Since the Middle Ages, alchemists have sought to transmute elements, the most famous example being the long quest to turn lead into gold. Transmutation has been realized in modern times, but on a minute scale using a massive particle accelerator.

Now, theorists at Princeton University have proposed a different approach to this ancient ambition -- just make one material behave like another. A computational theory published Feb. 24 in the journal Physical Review Letters demonstrates that any two systems can be made to look alike, even if just for the smallest fraction of a second.

In this context, for two objects to "look" like each other, they need to reflect light in the same way. The Princeton researchers' method involves using light to make non-permanent changes to a substance's molecules so that they mimic the reflective properties of another substance's molecules. This ability could have implications for optical computing, a type of computing in which electrons are replaced by photons that could greatly enhance processing power but has proven extremely difficult to engineer. It also could be applied to molecular detection and experiments in which expensive samples could be replaced by cheaper alternatives.

"It was a big shock for us that such a general statement as 'any two objects can be made to look alike' could be made," said co-author Denys Bondar, an associate research scholar in the laboratory of co-author Herschel Rabitz, Princeton's Charles Phelps Smyth '16 *17 Professor of Chemistry.

The Princeton researchers posited that they could control the light that bounces off a molecule or any substance by controlling the light shone on it, which would allow them to alter how it looks. This type of manipulation requires a powerful light source such as an ultrafast laser and would last for only a femtosecond, or one quadrillionth of a second. Unlike normal light sources, this ultrafast laser pulse is strong enough to interact with molecules and distort their electron cloud while not actually changing their identity.

"The light emitted by a molecule depends on the shape of its electron cloud, which can be sculptured by modern lasers," Bondar said. Using advanced computational theory, the research team developed a method called "spectral dynamic mimicry" that allowed them to calculate the laser pulse shape, which includes timing and wavelength, to produce any desired spectral output. In other words, making any two systems look alike.

Conversely, this spectral control could also be used to make two systems look as different from one another as possible. This differentiation, the researchers suggested, could prove valuable for applications of molecular detections such as identifying toxic versus safe chemicals.

Shaul Mukamel, a chemistry professor at the University of California-Irvine, said that the Princeton research is a step forward in an important and active research field called coherent control, in which light can be manipulated to control behavior at the molecular level. Mukamel, who has collaborated with the Rabitz lab but was not involved in the current work, said that the Rabitz group has had a prominent role in this field for decades, advancing technology such as quantum computing and using light to drive artificial chemical reactivity.

"It's a very general and nice application of coherent control," Mukamel said. "It demonstrates that you can, by shaping the optical paths, bring the molecules to do things that you want beforehand -- it could potentially be very significant."

###

The paper, "Making distinct dynamical systems appear spectrally identical," was published Feb. 24 by Physical Review Letters. The work was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (CHE 1464569) the U.S. Department of Energy (DE-FG02-02-ER-15344), the Army Research Office (W911NF-16-1-0014), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) (W911NF-16-1-0062) and AFOSR Young Investigator Research Program (FA9550-16-1-0254).
Together with colleagues from New Zealand, Senckenberg scientist Dr. Gerald Mayr described a recently discovered fossil of a giant penguin with a body length of around 150 centimeters. The new find dates back to the Paleocene era and, with an age of approx. 61 million years, counts among the oldest penguin fossils in the world. The bones differ significantly from those of other discoveries of the same age and indicate that the diversity of Paleocene penguins was higher than previously assumed. In their study, published today in the Springer journal The Science of Nature, the team of scientists therefore postulates that the evolution of penguins started much earlier than previously thought, probably already during the age of dinosaurs.

The fossil sites along the Waipara River in New Zealand's Canterbury region are well known for their avian fossils, which were embedded in marine sand a mere 4 million years after the dinosaurs became extinct. "Among the finds from these sites, the skeletons of Waimanu, the oldest known penguin to date, are of particular importance," explains Dr. Gerald Mayr of the Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt.

Together with colleagues from the Canterbury Museum in New Zealand, Mayr now described a newly discovered penguin fossil from the famous fossil site. "What sets this fossil apart are the obvious differences compared to the previously known penguin remains from this period of geological history," explains the ornithologist from Frankfurt, and he continues, "The leg bones we examined show that during its lifetime, the newly described penguin was significantly larger than its already described relatives. Moreover, it belongs to a species that is more closely related to penguins from later time periods."

According to the researchers, the newly described penguin lived about 61 million years ago and reached a body length of approx. 150 centimeters -- making it almost as big as Anthropornis nordenskjoeldi, the largest known fossil penguin, which lived in Antarctica around 45 to 33 million years ago, thus being much younger in geological terms. "This shows that penguins reached an enormous size quite early in their evolutionary history, around 60 million years ago," adds Mayr. In addition, the team of scientists from New Zealand and Germany assumes that the newly discovered penguin species also differed from their more primitive relatives in the genus Waimanu in their mode of locomotion: The large penguins presumably already moved with the upright, waddling gait characteristic for today's penguins.

"The discoveries show that penguin diversity in the early Paleocene was clearly higher than we previously assumed," says Mayr, and he adds, "In turn, this diversity indicates that the first representatives of penguins already arose during the age of dinosaurs, more than 65 million years ago."

###

Reference:

Mayr, G. et al. (2017). A new fossil from the mid-Paleocene of New Zealand reveals an unexpected diversity of world's oldest penguins, The Science of Nature.

DOI 10.1007/s00114-017-1441-0
Among teenagers and young adults who had been diagnosed with diabetes during childhood or adolescence, the prevalence of diabetes-related complications was higher among those with type 2 than with type 1, but complications were frequent in both groups, according to a study appearing in the February 28 issue of JAMA.

The increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents has been relatively recent in most populations, beginning in the early to mid-1990s. Additionally, a long-term increase in type 1 diabetes has been observed both worldwide and in the United States.

These recent trends in type 1 and 2 diabetes diagnosed in young individuals raise the question of whether the pattern of complications differs by diabetes type at similar ages and diabetes duration.

Dana Dabelea, M.D., Ph.D., of the Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, and colleagues estimated the prevalence of multiple diabetes-related complications among 2,018 study participants with type 1 and type 2 diabetes diagnosed at younger than 20 years. Of the participants, 1,746 had type 1 diabetes and 272 had type 2.

Average diabetes duration was 7.9 years (both groups). The researchers found that approximately one in three teenagers and young adults with type 1 diabetes (32 percent) and almost 3 of 4 of those with type 2 diabetes (72 percent) had a complication. Patients with type 2 diabetes vs those with type 1 had higher age-adjusted prevalence for:

diabetic kidney disease (19.9 percent vs 5.8 percent)

retinopathy (9.1 percent vs 5.6 percent)

peripheral neuropathy (17.7 percent vs 8.5 percent)

arterial stiffness (47.4 percent vs 11.6 percent)

hypertension (21.6 percent vs 10.1 percent)

After adjustment for established risk factors measured over time, participants with type 2 diabetes vs those with type 1 had significantly higher odds of diabetic kidney disease, retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy but no significant difference in the odds of arterial stiffness and hypertension.

"These findings support early monitoring of youth with diabetes for development of complications," the authors write.

###

(doi:10.1001/jama.2017.0686; the study is available pre-embargo at the For the Media website)

Editor's Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

To place an electronic embedded link to this study in your story This link will be live at the embargo time: http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/10.1001/jama.2017.0686
An increased incidence in Denmark of subdural hematoma (a bleed located within the skull, but outside the brain) from 2000 to 2015 appears to be associated with the increased use of antithrombotic drugs, such as low-dose aspirin, vitamin K antagonists (e.g., warfarin), clopidogrel, and oral anticoagulants, according to a study appearing in the February 28 issue of JAMA.

David Gaist, M.D., Ph.D., of Odense University Hospital and the University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark and colleagues conducted a study that included 10,010 patients, ages 20 to 89 years, with a first-ever subdural hematoma diagnosis from 2000 to 2015 who were matched to 400,380 individuals from the general population (controls). Subdural hematoma incidence and antithrombotic drug use was identified using population-based regional data and national data from Denmark.

Among the patients with subdural hematoma (average age, 69 years), 47 percent were taking antithrombotic medications. The researchers found that low-dose aspirin was associated with a small risk, use of clopidogrel and a direct oral anticoagulant with a moderate risk, and use of a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) with a higher risk of subdural hematoma. With the exception of low-dose aspirin combined with dipyridamole (an antiplatelet drug), which was associated with a risk similar to use of low-dose aspirin alone, concurrent use of more than one antithrombotic drug was related to substantially higher subdural hematoma risk, which was particularly marked for combined treatment of a VKA with an antiplatelet drug, e.g., low-dose aspirin or clopidogrel.

The prevalence of antithrombotic drug use increased in the general population from 2000 to 2015, as did the overall subdural hematoma incidence rate. The largest increase in incidence of subdural hematoma was among patients older than 75 years.

"The present data add 1 more piece of evidence to the complex risk-benefit equation of antithrombotic drug use. It is known that these drugs result in net benefits overall in patients with clear therapeutic indications," the authors write.

###

(doi:10.1001/jama.2017.0639; the study is available pre-embargo at the For the Media website)

Editor's Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

To place an electronic embedded link to this study in your story This link will be live at the embargo time: http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/10.1001/jama.2017.0639
The total payments insurance companies pay for knee and hip implants were twice as high as the average selling prices at which hospitals purchased the implants from manufacturers, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars of additional insurance claims, according to a study appearing in the February 28 issue of JAMA.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA; replacement) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) are common procedures with charges ranking first and eighth among all procedures in the United States. The cost of the implant device is typically the largest expense associated with these procedures, but insurance companies pay without knowledge of either price or even the device model.

Yi-Ju Tseng, Ph.D., and Kenneth D. Mandl, M.D., M.P.H., of Boston Children's Hospital, conducted a study that included 40,372 patients with primary TKAs and 23,570 patients with primary THAs in 2011-2015. The patients were younger than 65 years of age. The average selling price (ASP; paid from surgical centers to manufacturers) was $5,023 for knee implants and the average insurance payment was $10,605. The ASP was $5,620 for hip implants and the average insurance payment was $11,751.

Based on the differences between the ASP and the average insurance payments, the cumulative differences in payment for patients in this insurance database were estimated at $225.3 million for total knee replacement and $199.7 million for total hip replacement.

"Insurance companies pay for implants without knowing the brand or model, and device pricing by manufacturers is not publicly reported. Availability of such information would allow price negotiation between insurance companies, hospitals, and manufacturers and may lower implant prices," the authors write.

###

(doi:10.1001/jama.2016.19579; the study is available pre-embargo at the For the Media website)

Editor's Note: Please see the article for additional information, including financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

To place an electronic embedded link to this study in your story This link will be live at the embargo time: http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/10.1001/jama.2016.19579
Although the risk of subsequent malignancies for survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed in the 1990s remains increased, the risk is lower compared with those diagnosed in the 1970s, a decrease that is associated with a reduction in therapeutic radiation dose, according to a study appearing in the February 28 issue of JAMA.

The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study and other groups of childhood cancer survivors have reported extensively on the incidence of and risk factors for subsequent neoplasms (tumors). Therapeutic radiation has been strongly associated with development of subsequent tumors; however, links have also been identified between specific chemotherapeutic agents and the development of tumors. With this information, childhood cancer treatment has been modified over time with the hope of reducing subsequent tumor risk, while maintaining or improving 5-year survival.

Lucie M. Turcotte, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., of the University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, and colleagues conducted a study that included 23,603 five-year cancer survivors (average age at diagnosis, 7.7 years) from pediatric hospitals in the United States and Canada between 1970-1999, with follow-up through December 2015.

During an average follow-up of 20.5 years, 1,639 survivors experienced 3,115 subsequent neoplasms. The most common subsequent malignancies were breast and thyroid cancers. Proportions of individuals receiving radiation decreased (77 percent for 1970s vs 33 percent for 1990s), as did median dose. Fifteen-year cumulative incidence of subsequent malignancies decreased by decade of diagnosis (2.1 percent for 1970s, 1.7 percent for 1980s, 1.3 percent for 1990s). Relative rates declined with each 5-year increment for subsequent malignancies.

Radiation dose changes were associated with reduced risk for subsequent malignancies, meningiomas (a tumor that arises from the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord), and nonmelanoma skin cancers.

"The current analysis, including more than 23,000 survivors of childhood cancer treated over 3 decades, demonstrated that the cumulative incidence rates of subsequent neoplasms, subsequent malignant neoplasms, meningiomas, and nonmelanoma skin cancers were lower among survivors treated in more recent treatment eras and that modifications of primary cancer therapy were associated with these declines," the authors write.

###

(doi:10.1001/jama.2017.0693; the study is available pre-embargo at the For the Media website)

Editor's Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

To place an electronic embedded link to this study in your story This link will be live at the embargo time: http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/10.1001/jama.2017.0693
CHAPEL HILL - University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers have achieved a major milestone with the launch of two clinical trials testing an experimental therapy in which patients' own immune cells are genetically engineered to fight their cancer.

The early-stage cellular immunotherapy trials are for patients with either Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma, who lack other treatment options or are at high risk of their disease returning. Researchers are working to open trials for other cancers.

"Remarkable advances have been made in how we treat cancer in the past decade, but there are still many cancers, including advanced lymphoma, for which there are few effective treatment options," said UNC Lineberger Director Norman E. Sharpless, MD. "Cellular immunotherapies hold tremendous promise, and the studies we are conducting today can put us in a position to offer more effective cancer treatments in the future."

UNC Lineberger's cellular immunotherapy program has come to fruition in a relatively short period of time. Center leaders recruited Gianpietro Dotti, MD, and Barbara Savoldo, MD, PhD, to UNC to lead the program in 2015. Last year, the center completed construction of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), or "clean," facility in which to engineer immune cell-based therapies. With the opening of this facility, UNC Lineberger has become one of only a select academic centers in the United States with the capability to genetically modify patient immune cells for clinical use.

Dotti and Savoldo's recruitment, as well as critical support of the research initiative's infrastructure, were made possible by the University Cancer Research Fund, a landmark investment from the state of North Carolina for cancer research. Alice Lehman, the McMichael Family Foundation and the Barnhill Family Foundation also made significant philanthropic gifts to advance UNC Lineberger's cellular immunology program.

"The establishment of our cellular immunotherapy program is significant for several reasons," said Jonathan Serody, MD, associate director of translational science at UNC Lineberger and a medical oncologist in the UNC Lineberger Leukemia and Lymphoma Program. "First, it provides a dedicated center to rigorously investigate these experimental therapies. Second, it means people who live in southeastern U.S. can stay closer to home to undergo cellular immunotherapy treatment."

Cellular immunotherapy involves extracting disease-fighting immune cells - called T-cells - from the patient's blood, and genetically engineering them to recognize the patient's cancer. The researchers use a modified virus to insert DNA into the T-cells, which spurs the T-cells to express a receptor that allows them to recognize and destroy cancer cells. The hybrid T-cells, which are called chimeric antigen receptor T-cells, or CAR-T cells, are then multiplied by the tens of thousands and infused back into the patient. UNC Lineberger's first two clinical trials use T-cells engineered to recognize tumors expressing the CD30 protein marker.

UNC Lineberger's first trial is open for patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin or anaplastic non-Hodgkin lymphoma whose tumors express the CD30 antigen on the cell surface. Study participants will receive high-dose chemotherapy followed by an autologous stem cell transplant and infusion of the CAR T-cells directed against this CD30 target. The primary objective of the phase I trial is to gauge the safety of the treatment after transplant.

A second, phase Ib/II trial is open for patients 18 years and older with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and anaplastic non-Hodgkin lymphoma who are not candidates for autologous stem cell transplantation. The study is designed to assess the treatment's safety, as well as to estimate the response of the cancer and the patient's survival after treatment. Both trials require patients' tumors to be positive for the CD30 cell surface marker.

"While many patients with lymphoma often have excellent responses to currently available treatments, there are still a large number of them whose disease either does not respond to the initial treatment, or it relapses," said Thomas Shea, MD, UNC Lineberger member and medical director at the UNC Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Program. Shea is the principal investigator for both trials. "Although early in the process, we have reason to believe that this treatment approach will benefit a number of these relapsed patients just as has been shown for other diseases such as acute leukemia."

As the investigational treatments have proven safe, the clinical trials have progressed into gradually higher dose levels.

"We've clearly shown that the first dose levels, which are the lowest dose levels, are safe," Serody said. "We can grow the cells, we can give the cells, and we have seen limited toxicity so far with giving the cells. The next goal is to get the dose levels to the stage that may be associated with efficacy."

Additional trials are in development for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and whose tumors have the CD19 surface marker. The researchers also are planning trials for multiple myeloma as well as for certain brain cancers.

"We are investigating this promising treatment approach to address areas of critical need for patients who, right now, have few therapeutic choices to try to extend their lives," Serody said.

###
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common form of dementia. In search for new drugs for AD, the research team, led by Professor Mi Hee Lim of Natural Science at UNIST has developed a metal-based substance that works like a pair of genetic scissors to cut out amyloid- (A), the hallmark protein of AD.

The study has been featured on the cover of the January 2017 issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS) and has been also selected as a JACS Spotlight article.

Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death among in older adults. The exact causes of Alzheimer's disease are still unknown, but several factors are presumed to be causative agents. Among these, the aggregation of amyloid- peptide (A) has been implicated as a contributor to the formation of neuritic plaques, which are pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

As therapeutics for AD, Professor Lim suggested a strategy that uses matal-based complexes for reducing the toxicity of the amyloid beta (A). Althought various metal complexs have been suggested as therapeutics for AD, none of them work effectively in vivo.

The research team has found that they can hydrolyze amyloid-beta proteins using a crystal structure, called tetra-N methylated cyclam (TMC). Hydrolysis is the process that uses water molecules to split other molecules apart. The metal-mediated TMC structure uses the external water and cut off the binding of amyloid-beta protein effectively.

In this study, the following four metals (cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc) were placed at the center of the TMC structure. When the double-layered cobalt was added to the center, the hydrolysis activity was at the highest.

The research team reported that the cobalt-based metal complex (Co(II)(TMC)) had the potential to penetrate the blood brain barrier and the hydrolysis activity for nonamyloid protein was low. Moreover, the effects of this substance on the toxicity of amyloid-beta protein were also observed in living cell experiments.

"This material has a high therapeutic potential in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease as it can penetrate the brain-vascular barrier and directly interact with the amyloid-beta protein in the brain," says Professor Lim.

This study has also attracted attention by the editor of the Journal of the American Chemical Society. "Not only do they develop new materials, but they have been able to propose details of the working principles and experiments that support them," according to the editor.

"As a scientist, this is such a great honor to know that our recent publication in JACS was highlighted in JACS Spotlights," says Professor Lim. "This means that our research has not only been recognized as an important research, but also has caused a stir in academia."

###

This study has been conducted in collaboration with Professor Jaeheung Cho of Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Professor Kiyoung Park of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), and Dr. Sun Hee Kim of Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI). It has been also supporte by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP).

Journal Reference

Jeffrey S. Derrick et al., "Mechanistic Insights into Tunable Metal-Mediated Hydrolysis of Amyloid- Peptides", JACS, (2017).
From eradicating weapons of mass destruction to the scourge of malaria, speakers at a UA conference -- including a Nobel laureate, ambassadors and advisers to secretaries of state -- know firsthand how science can build trust where politics cannot

In times of diplomatic turmoil and combative negotiations, scientists and engineers will continue solving problems and seeking the truth, speakers affirmed at a recent University of Arizona summit on science diplomacy and policy.

"When others deny climate change, ask for the evidence," said Norman Neureiter, a former staff member in the White House Office of Science and Technology and the first science and technology adviser to a secretary of state. "It is scientific evidence that is essential for setting sound policies. Science is how we know the truth, how we understand the natural world. It is not an ideology."

Neureiter was involved as an interpreter in private discussions with scientists on nuclear weapons testing with the former Soviet Union in the 1960s and as a participant in semiconductor negotiations with Japan in the late 1980s. Scientists and engineers played a critical role in reaching final agreements, he said.

Neureiter spoke at a panel on February 21 to kick off the conference, which focused on climate change and water sustainability in the Americas. The conference was co-sponsored by the UA College of Engineering, Office of Global Initiatives and other programs and chaired by Kevin Lansey, head of the UA Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics.

More than 130 students, scientists, engineers, foreign diplomats and local residents attended the panel at the Tucson Marriott University Park.

Sharing Knowledge, Seeking Common Ground

"We have a responsibility to share our knowledge with people in countries throughout the world, whatever our diplomatic relationships may be," said Peter Agre, recipient of the Nobel Prize in chemistry. He has led scientific delegations to Cuba, North Korea, Iran and other countries that have strained or nonexistent diplomatic relations with the U.S.

Agre, director of the Malaria Research Institute at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, shared stories and slides from his research programs to eradicate malaria in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and other African nations with authoritarian regimes.

"These countries are rich in terms of minerals, but they bear a staggering burden from malaria, which kills approximately 400,000 children each year worldwide," he said.

He offered a rare glimpse inside North Korea, which he has visited three times as the head of AAAS delegations to teach students, meet scientists and facilitate research collaborations at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology.

"We shared stories about our research and hopes for our children and our grandchildren," said the former president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. "Friendships can make a difference."

Agre met with Fidel Castro as head of a U.S. scientific delegation to Cuba in 2011. "There were obviously many things we disagreed on," he said, "but Castro understood that science would play an important role in advancing Cuba's economy and lifting its people. That was one thing we could agree on."

In 2012 he led a AAAS delegation to Iran. "Overall, it was a very positive visit," Agre said in an article for AAAS. "Our meetings with faculty and students were always positive -- it seems to me that we all have a lot to share.... From a scientific viewpoint, the doors are certainly open."

When tensions did arise, the delegates focused on constructive science engagement.

"We weren't there to apologize or criticize; we were there to talk about science and to find common ground," he said.

Premier Ambassador of our Time

Thomas R. Pickering, vice chairman of a consulting company and former U.S. ambassador to seven countries -- including the Russian Federation and Israel -- and the United Nations, had to cancel his planned trip to Tucson to participate in the panel. So his address about his storied career spanning six decades was delivered via video.

In introducing him, E. William Colglazier, a former science and technology adviser to secretaries of state Hillary Clinton and John Kerry and the honorary chairman of the UA conference, called Pickering the "premier and most well-connected American ambassador of our time."

Pickering, a participant in some of the most consequential diplomatic developments of the 20th and 21st centuries, considers the Iran nuclear agreement an important contribution to science diplomacy.

"This agreement might become the international gold standard for reaching agreements with developing nations," he said. "It calls for surveillance from uranium mining extraction to disposal of spent fuel rods and ensures 24/7 knowledge of what is happening in the Iran nuclear program. It highlights the need for acceptance to compromise, on both sides, and could be an important guide for future negotiations with developing countries."

Rare Opportunity for UA Students

"It is incredible for undergraduate students to be able to interact with such important scientists and policy experts," said Estefanie Govea, who has a UA bachelor's degree in political science and is pursuing a second bachelor's in environmental and water resource economics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "Unless you are well-connected, most undergraduates miss out on great opportunities like this."

She is one of several UA students, most in the College of Engineering, who served as rapporteurs and will write conference proceedings to be submitted in the AAAS journal Science & Diplomacy and ensure that all conference presentations are posted online.

During the Wednesday evening panel Q&A, speakers expressed apprehension about how the Trump administration's travel bans and proposed budget cuts might hamper scientific research and innovation.

"America up until now has been a haven for thousands of scientists and scholars who have come to the U.S. to escape persecution and conflict elsewhere," said Neureiter, an adviser at AAAS. "They have made huge contributions to America's technical and scientific excellence."

He added, "I have serious concerns about threatened cuts in various government department budgets. America must not fall behind in scientific research, engineering and innovation. These disciplines are vital for the future growth of the U.S. economy and for the health and well-being of the American people."

###
New research finds they face up to 3 times more abuse at school and at home than their gender-conforming peers

Transgender and gender-fluid teens, particularly those born male, face up to three times more mental and physical abuse at school and at home than their gender-conforming peers, according to a new study from the University of California, Berkeley.

The study is one of the largest national surveys to date of sexual and gender minority adolescents who have suffered multiple forms of victimization, including child abuse, physical and sexual assault and bullying, raising their risk of depression, post-traumatic stress, self-harm and suicide.

"Our results show that approximately 50 to 70 percent of trans and gender-fluid teens reported being exposed to 10 or more different types of aggression," said study lead author Paul Sterzing, a UC Berkeley assistant professor of social welfare. "For these young people, victimization is happening in the home. It's happening at school. It's happening online. There often isn't a safe harbor for them."

The findings were published last week in the online edition of the journal Child Abuse & Neglect, coinciding with the Trump administration's repeal of federal protections of restroom preferences for transgender students.

The Obama administration last year issued restroom guidelines to safeguard transgender students under Title IX, which bans sex discrimination in schools. The U.S. Supreme Court in March will hear arguments on transgender teen Gavin Grimm's request to use the boys' restroom at his Virginia school under Title IX.

For their study, launched in 2015, Sterzing and fellow UC Berkeley researchers collected data from nearly 1,200 sexual and gender minority teens aged 14 to 19 who identify as transgender (male to female, and female to male), gender-fluid (no fixed gender) and cisgender (gays, lesbians, bisexuals and pansexuals whose gender identity matches their assigned birth sex).

Participants, who were guaranteed anonymity, were recruited through Facebook advertisements, an online recruitment video and community organizations that serve sexual minorities from across the country.

Among other things, they reported their experiences with more than 40 different forms of violence commonly suffered by adolescents. They also reported their socioeconomic status, mental health issues and family participation in religious activities.

School-based bullying was the most common form of victimization, reported by 69.2 percent of respondents. Transgender girls (male to female) reported the highest rates of cyberbullying while gender-fluid teens who were born male were more prone to be victims of sexual violence.

Overall, transgender and gender-fluid youths are at greater risk of experiencing multiple, overlapping forms of violence that occur in the home, school, neighborhood, and online, Sterzing noted.

"Boys who don't conform to their assigned gender role were the most vulnerable subgroup of kids in our study," he said.

Sterzing is also the author of a forthcoming study that digs even deeper into dozens of environmental factors that make sexual and gender minority youths vulnerable to polyvictimization.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that 41 percent of transgender people will attempt suicide in their lifetimes, often attributed to their high rates of bullying.

"The health outlook for young people who don't conform to socially prescribed gender roles will remain bleak if we look the other way," he said. "We as a society have to propose inclusive solutions to protect these vulnerable adolescents."

That said, Sterzing sees glimmers of hope in the millennial and post-millennial generations whose members are more accepting of gender fluidity.

"Although we have a long way to go, we're seeing important changes in young people's attitudes toward sexual and gender minorities that gives me hope we can reduce rates of violence and create more inclusive and affirming spaces for transgender and gender-fluid teens," Sterzing said.

The findings will hopefully motivate politicians, educators and families to show more compassion toward young people who don't conform to gender expectations are experiencing.

###

In addition to Sterzing, co-authors of the study are G. Allen Ratliff, Rachel Gartner, Briana McGeough and Kelly Johnson, all of UC Berkeley. The study is funded by a three-year grant from the National Institute of Justice.
The dramatic loss of Arctic sea ice through climate change is unlikely to lead to more severe winter weather across Northern Europe, new research has shown.

A pioneering new study has explored how Arctic sea-ice loss influences the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) weather phenomenon, which affects winter weather conditions in Northern Europe, in places such as the UK, Scandinavia and the Baltic states.

Previous studies have suggested that Arctic sea-ice loss causes the NAO to spend longer in its 'negative phase' - generating more easterly winds that bring colder air from Scandinavia and Siberia to the UK. This might be expected to cause more frequent cold winters, such as the deep freeze experienced in the UK in the winter of 2009/2010.

However the new study, carried out by Dr James Screen from the University of Exeter, crucially suggests that Arctic sea-ice loss does not cause colder European winters.

Dr Screen suggests this surprising result is due to a 'missing' cooling response - meaning that the expected cooling brought about by more easterly winds is offset by the widespread warming effects of Arctic sea-ice loss.

The study is published in leading science journal, Nature Communications.

Dr Screen, a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics at the University of Exeter said: "We know that the NAO is an important factor in controlling winter weather over Northern Europe".

"The negative phase of the NAO is typically associated with colder winters. Because of this it has been reasonable to think that we would experience more severe winter weather if Arctic sea-ice loss intensifies the negative phase of the NAO".

"This research indicates that although sea-ice loss does intensify the negative NAO, bringing more days of cold easterly winds, it also causes those same winds to be warmer than they used to be. These two competing effects cancel each other out, meaning little change in the average temperature of European winters as a consequence of sea-ice loss".

The NAO phenomenon describes large-scale changes in atmospheric wind patterns over the North Atlantic. Importantly, the NAO relates to changes in the strength and position of the North Atlantic jet stream - a band of very fast winds high in the atmosphere. The position of the jet stream has a substantial impact on weather in Northern Europe.

Using the sophisticated UK Met Office climate model, Dr Screen conducted computer experiments to study the effects of Arctic sea-ice loss on the NAO and on Northern European winter temperatures.

Dr Screen added: "Scientists are eager to understand the far-flung effects of Arctic sea-ice loss. On the one hand this study shows that sea-ice loss does influence European wind patterns. But on the other hand, Arctic sea-ice loss does not appear to be a cause of European temperature change, as some scientists have argued."

###

The missing Northern European winter cooling response to Artic sea ice loss by Dr James Screen is published in Nature Communications. It was funded through a grant by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
In a recent study to determine why some individuals who experience symptoms for acute coronary syndrome decide to seek medical attention more quickly than others, a University of Oklahoma researcher has identified numeracy -- the ability to understand and apply numerical concepts as the primary decision delay risk factor for individuals experiencing the medical condition. Cardiovascular disease, which includes conditions such as acute coronary syndrome, is the number one killer worldwide responsible for about one in three deaths.

Edward Cokely, Presidential Research Professor and associate professor of psychology, OU College of Arts and Sciences and National Institute for Risk & Resilience, and his collaborators followed up with 102 survivors within five days after having experienced ACS. A questionnaire was administered to measure numeracy, decision delay and other relevant factors, such as anxiety, depression, symptom severity, knowledge and demographics. Cokely and collaborators learned that numeracy assessments may predict which patients are at greater risk for life-threating decision delay, which could support development of risk communications for a diverse range of patients who vary in risk literacy.

"We have better insights as to why people do not go to the hospitals, so now we have to find a way to empower these people. Asking specific questions and creating individualized plans or interventions could reduce a person's risk in the future," said Cokely.

Dafina Petrova and Rocio Garcia-Retamero, researchers from the Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center at the University of Granada, coordinated the international patient study with collaborators from the Cardiology Department at the University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves in Spain. Eligible patients who agreed to participate in the study were identified by a qualified practicing cardiologist who also extracted information regarding final diagnosis and angiogram results. Special care was taken to minimize any burden on patients due to fatigue, illness or other difficulties.

"Seeking medical attention quickly during ACS also reduces the risk for complications that lower quality of life and increase the burden of follow-up care for individuals, families and health systems," said Petrova.

In this study, low patient numeracy was related to longer decision delay, which, in turn, related to higher odds of positive troponin (a protein that indicates heart damage) on arrival at the hospital. A patient with high versus low numeracy was about four times more likely to seek medical attention within the critical first hour after experiencing symptoms. ACS survival rates and outcomes can be improved by up to 50 percent when treatment is administered within one hour of initial symptoms.

A patient's decision to delay treatment can increase the risk for serious complications, major disability and even death. A skill relevant to decision delay is a person's practical ability to solve problems involving probability, which is a predictor of diverse health and medical outcomes. Patients with lower numeracy tend to have more negative perceptions of health. They are more likely to be hospitalized and visit emergency services more frequently.

Numeracy is a predictor of health outcomes because it is closely related to general-decision making skill. In particular, numeracy skills help people evaluate and understand risk--i.e., risk literacy (see http://www.RiskLiteracy.org for an example of a two-minute statistical numeracy test designed for educated adults in industrialized countries). Research shows that numerate people generally deliberate more during decision making, becoming better-informed decision makers who more realistically evaluate decision benefits, risks and tradeoffs. They also spend more time thinking about their own reasoning and feelings, more precisely integrating available information into an intuitive mental model.

Numeracy is an acquired skill that can be improved through deliberate practice and formal education. Even short training interventions help patients, medical professionals and primary school children solve complex statistical reasoning problems. Well-designed decision aids that help individuals represent relative risks and relationships without requiring mathematical transformations can eliminate large differences in decision quality between more and less numerate individuals.

During ACS, the decision to seek medical attention may involve many skills, such as estimating severity and intensity and identifying and evaluating sources of risk precisely and confidently. Acknowledging symptoms as urgent or serious and association of symptoms to a heart attack are two factors that lead to shorter decision delay times. As numeracy fosters an understanding of the ACS risks and tradeoffs, more numerate people are likely to recognize the potential of and need for immediate action.

###

"Numeracy Predicts Risk of Pre-Hospital Decision Delay: A Retrospective Study of Acute Coronary Syndrome Survival," authored by Cokely and a team of researchers, was published in the Society of Behavioral Medicine's Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Support for this project was provided by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad in Spain and the National Science Foundation. For more information about this research project, please contact cokely@ou.edu.
If President Donald Trump's administration plans to pressure Muslim states into supporting the U.S. Global War on Terror, they would be wise to consider the findings in a new book showing showing historically weaker counterterrorism support from countries where the religion-state balance leans toward the former.

Middle East expert Peter Henne, assistant professor of political science at the University of Vermont, wrote Islamic Politics, Muslim States and Counterterrorism Tensions (Cambridge University Press) to reveal why support for the U.S. Global War on Terror from Muslim states has ranged from full cooperation, to minimal support to somewhere in between.

Henne, a former researcher at the Pew Research Center, found that Muslim states with stronger religion-state ties had a consistently negative effect on counterterrorism cooperation, even when a variety of alternate explanations and variables were taken into consideration.

"I argue in the book that Islamic politics did affect Muslim states, but in a specific manner: through the differing arrangements between religion and state in these countries," says Henne, who relied on an original dataset based on religion-state ties and counterterrorism collaboration. "I also argue that close ties between religion and state intensify the salience of religious issues, strengthen religious groups, and make regimes more likely to follow religious contention when formulating policies."

Henne notes that within a number of Muslim states it has been a decades-long domestic struggle to determine the proper relationship between Islam and politics. "Discrete U.S. policies are unlikely to change this," Henne says, "and the United States may need to choose between investing in complex, long-term efforts or scaling back its ambitions for the region."

Henne's case studies of Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, as well as an analysis of the Arab Spring and rise of the Islamic State (IS), also offer new insight into current events in the Middle East.

INSIGHT INTO THE ARAB SPRING

In regard to Arab Spring, the professor notes differing responses in whether governments saw the uprisings as threat or opportunity.

"States with closer ties to Islam saw an opportunity to support the rise of like-minded regimes in the region, as seen in Saudi Arabia's support for anti-Assad rebels and Qatar's backing of Islamic opposition groups in numerous states," says Henne.

Henne's findings also provide clues into the likely path Turkey will take as its political system changes under President Erdogan, who is rolling back democratic openings in Turkey, and is also increasing the role of Islam in its politics. "While he is not Islamizing the country as some of his critics fear," writes Henne. "His policies are narrowing the officially-maintained distance between Islam and the state established by Ataturk."

Previously, Turkey's counterterrorism cooperation with the United States were due to institutionalized distance between religion and state that insulated the Turkish regime from Islamic opposition to U.S. efforts," says Henne. "As this distance is altered, tensions with the United States will likely increase, not because Turkey is become more radical, but because the institutional arrangement that supported closer ties is changing."

###
Mammalian cells are optimally adapted to gravity. But what happens in the microgravity environment of space if the earth's pull disappears? Previously, many experiments exhibited cell changes - after hours or even days in zero gravity. Astronauts, however, returned to Earth without any severe health problems after long missions in space, which begs the question as to how capable cells are of adapting to changes in gravity. Based on real-time readings on the ISS, UZH scientists can now reveal that cells are able to respond to changes in gravitational conditions extremely quickly and keep on functioning. Therefore, the study also provides direct evidence that certain cell functions are linked to gravity.

Test setup and measurement on the ISS

In contrast to space experiments, where analyses are conducted afterwards on Earth, the team headed by UZH scientists Oliver Ullrich and Cora Thiel opted for a different path. They geared their experimental design towards conducting direct measurements in space: From thawing the test cells to the measurements themselves, ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti performed all the operations directly in the lab on the ISS. The data gathered on the space station was then transmitted to Earth. Rigorous internal and external controls excluded any influence other than gravity.

Cell adaptation in 42 seconds

The research team used the so-called oxidative burst - an old evolutionary mechanism to kill off bacteria via defense cells - to study how rat cells responded to changes in gravity. With the aid of centrifuges, Cristoforetti altered the gravitational conditions on the ISS, which enabled the team in the control center to track how the cells reacted. "Ultra-rapidly," explains Oliver Ullrich, a professor from the Institute of Anatomy at the University of Zurich. "Although the immune defense collapsed as soon as zero gravity hit, to our surprise the defense cells made a full recovery within 42 seconds." For Ullrich and Thiel, the direct evidence of a rapid and complete adaptation to zero gravity in less than a minute begs the question as to whether previous cell changes measured after hours or days were also the result of an adaptation process.

Good news for astronauts

"It seems paradoxical," says Thiel: "Cells are able to adapt ultra-rapidly to zero gravity. However, they were never exposed to it in the evolution of life on Earth. Therefore, the results raise more questions regarding the robustness of life and its astonishing adaptability." In any case, as far as Ullrich is concerned the result of the ISS experiment is good news for manned space flight: "There's hope that our cells are able to cope much better with zero gravity than we previously thought."

###

Literature:

Cora S. Thiel, Diane de Zelicourt, Svantje Tauber, Astrid Adrian, Markus Franz, Dana M. Simmet, Kathrin Schoppmann, Swantje Hauschild, Sonja Krammer, Miriam Christen, Gesine Bradacs, Katrin Paulsen, Susanne A. Wolf, Markus Braun, Jason Hatton, Vartan Kurtcuoglu, Stefanie Franke, Samuel Tanner, Samantha Cristoforetti, Beate Sick, Bertold Hock & Oliver Ullrich. Rapid adaptation to microgravity in mammalian macrophage cells. Scientific Reports 7, Article number: 43 (2017). February 27, 2017. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00119-6

http://rdcu.be/pCOF

Space experiment

The research material used by Professor Ullrich and Doctor Thiel was transported to the ISS on the SpaceX-CRS-6 mission by a Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon space station on April 14, 2015. The research mission was funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR).

After years of preparation, the ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti conducted the experiments in the BIOLAB of the COLUMBUS Module on the ISS. The University of Zurich headed the experiment in collaboration with Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, the Technical University of Munich, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the European Space Agency (ESA), the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Contact:

Prof. Dr.med. Dr.rer.nat. Oliver Ullrich

Dr. rer.nat. Cora Thiel

Institute of Anatomy

University of Zurich

Phone: +41 44 635 40 60

E-mail: oliver.ullrich@uzh.ch
A new analysis of population trends among coastal sharks of the southeast U.S. shows that all but one of the seven species studied are increasing in abundance. The gains follow enactment of fishing regulations in the early 1990s after decades of declining shark numbers.

Scientists estimate that over-fishing of sharks along the southeast U.S. coast--which began in earnest following the release of Jaws in 1975 and continued through the 1980s--had reduced populations by 60-99% compared to un-fished levels. In response, NOAA's National Marine Fishery Service in 1993 enacted a management plan for shark fisheries that limited both commercial and recreational landings.

Now, says lead scientist Cassidy Peterson, a graduate student at William & Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science, "We've shown that after over two decades of management measures, coastal shark populations are finally starting to recover and reclaim their position as top predators, or regulators of their ecosystem. Our research suggests we can begin to shift away from the era of 'doom and gloom' regarding shark status in the United States."

Joining Peterson in the study, published in the latest issue of Fish and Fisheries, were VIMS professor Rob Latour, Carolyn Belcher of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Dana Bethea and William Driggers III of NOAA's Southeast Fisheries Science Center, and Bryan Frazier of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

The researchers say their study--based on modeling of combined data from six different scientific surveys conducted along the US East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico between 1975 and 2014--provides a more accurate and optimistic outlook than previous studies based on commercial fishery landings or surveys in a single location.

"Data from shark long-lining operations or shark bycatch can be suspect," says Peterson, "because what looks like a change in abundance might instead be due to changes in fishing gear, target species, market forces, or other factors."

Research surveys are scientifically designed to remove these biases. Survey crews purposefully sample a random grid rather than visiting known shark hot spots, and strive to use the exact same gear and methods year after year to ensure consistency in their results.

But even with these safeguards, data from a single survey often aren't enough to capture population trends for an entire shark species, whose members may occupy diverse habitats and migrate to different and far-flung areas depending on age and sex.

"Because many shark species undergo vast migrations and have complex life cycles," says Peterson, "it's not uncommon for results from different surveys to conflict. Producing an estimate of total abundance requires combining data from different surveys--sometimes from several states or even countries--and applying intricate stock-assessment models."

For the current study, the scientists combined data from six different shark surveys: the VIMS Longline Survey, the SouthEast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program's South Atlantic Coastal Trawl Survey, the South Carolina Coastal Longline Survey, the Georgia Red Drum Longline Survey, the Southeast Fisheries Science Center's Longline Survey, and the Gulf of Mexico Shark Pupping and Nursery Area Gillnet Survey.

"Our study represents the most comprehensive analysis of patterns in abundance ever conducted for shark species common to our area and the Southeast coast," says Latour, who directs the longline survey at VIMS. Established in 1973, it is the world's longest running fishery independent monitoring program for sharks, skates, and rays.

By pooling and modeling data from all six surveys, the researchers were able to estimate population trends for seven of the region's most common coastal species: the large-bodied sandbar, blacktip, spinner, and tiger sharks, and the smaller Atlantic sharpnose, blacknose, and bonnethead sharks.

The results of the analysis were clear, says Peterson. "All the large-bodied sharks showed similar population trends, with decreasing abundance from the mid-1970s to the early 1990s, then a multi-year period of low abundance, and recent indications of recovery from past exploitation."

All but one population of small coastal sharks also increased in abundance. The exception was blacknose sharks in the Gulf of Mexico, which decreased from the onset of records in 1989 until the study's end in 2014. This species is known to be susceptible to by-catch within the trawl fishery for Gulf shrimp. The blacknose population along the Atlantic coast of the southeast U.S. actually increased during the same period.

The overall population trends make biological sense, says Latour. "The large-bodied species saw the greatest initial declines, both because they were highly sought by anglers, and because they mature late and produce relatively few pups. Their slow growth rate also helps explain the pause in their recovery following the onset of fishing regulations in the early 1990s." The smaller shark species, whose higher growth rates make them less susceptible to fishing pressure, saw lesser declines and more rapid recoveries.

The team also found a correlation between shark numbers and both fishing pressure and large-scale climatic patterns.

###

Funding for the study was provided by NOAA Fisheries, the NMFS Highly Migratory Species Office, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the South Carolina Saltwater Recreational Fishing License Funds, and the Federal Assistance for Interjurisdictional Fisheries Program.
Scientists and engineers must communicate with colleagues, public and governmental agencies, the business community, and the public. They often lack training for this task, and find it challenging. Communicating Science: a practical guide for engineers and physical scientists fills this gap, and helps scientists and engineers present their work effectively and efficiently.

Communicating Science is a textbook and reference on scientific writing oriented primarily at researchers in the physical sciences and engineering. Written from the perspective of an experienced researcher, author, and editor, it emphasizes the connection between good scientific thinking, good organization, and good writing. This book draws on the authors' collective experience teaching both native and non-native English writers.

The anchor chapter of this text provides guidance on writing research reports, including theses, journal papers, and internal reports. The research report is the most important writing task for graduate students and early stage researchers. Communicating Science explains the structural elements of a research report and provides extensive examples for constructing key sentences. Chapters on further forms of communication among scientific colleagues--including peer reviews, lectures, posters, and research proposals--present analogies relative to a research report and provide additional examples.

Researchers also need to communicate with businesses, governments, and the public, often with the aid of specialists such as business analysts, patent attorneys and publicists. Additional chapters introduce the researcher to business plans, patents, and the popular media, with the aim of facilitating efficient collaboration with these specialists. The book also includes a chapter on preparing curricula vitae and job hunting for early stage researchers. Finally, an extensive chapter, "Writing Well", offers advice on writing strategies and guidance on scientific English usage for the benefit of both native English scientific writers and those whose first language is not English.

Communicating Science is the book for graduate students to read before they write their thesis or first journal paper, and can be purchased from Amazon, major academic booksellers, or directly from the World Scientific Publishing.

###

This book retails for US$68 / 56 (hardback) and US$32 / 27 (paperback) at major bookstores. To know more about the book, or to request for an inspection copy, visit http://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/10145.

About the Authors

Raymond L. Boxman received his SB, SM and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering from MIT, USA. His research specialty is plasma engineering and he has extensively investigated the vacuum arc for thin film deposition and submerged discharges for nano-particle generation and water treatment. After two years at the General Electric Company in Philadelphia, USA, Ray researched and taught in the Faculty of Engineering at Tel Aviv University, Israel, for 40 years. Ray was a department head and vice dean at Tel Aviv University. For 16 years, he taught a course required for all engineering PhD students on Technical Writing in English.

Ray has presented 490 scientific papers at conferences or in journals, edited the Handbook of Vacuum Arc Science and Technology, and has 11 patents. He chaired several international conferences, and served on the editorial board of several plasma journals. He founded the Israel Plasma Science and Technology Association and Clear Wave Ltd. Ray is a Fellow of IEEE and a recipient of the Joffee Foundation Award and the Walter Dyke Award.

Edith Boxman received a BA in Economics and English Literature from Tufts University, USA, and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, USA. She worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and Bank Leumi in Tel Aviv, Israel. Her work and volunteer activities have included extensive translating and editing.

Ray and Edith together present short courses, tutorials, and workshops on scientific writing.

About World Scientific Publishing Co.

World Scientific Publishing is a leading independent publisher of books and journals for the scholarly, research, professional and educational communities. The company publishes about 600 books annually and about 130 journals in various fields. World Scientific collaborates with prestigious organizations like the Nobel Foundation, US National Academies Press, as well as its subsidiary, the Imperial College Press, amongst others, to bring high quality academic and professional content to researchers and academics worldwide. To find out more about World Scientific, please visit http://www.worldscientific.com.

For more information, contact Amanda Yun at heyun@wspc.com
Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Guest blog by Michael Green, CEO of Center for Environmental Health, www.ceh.org, and former Putnam Consulting Client.

For more than two decades, our organization, the Center for Environmental Health, has worked to protect children and families from harmful chemicals in consumer products and in our air, water and food. Among our many efforts has been work on national campaigns to address the threats that genetically engineered or GMO crops pose to health, the environment and sustainable farming. In talking to philanthropists about this work, we have often been faced with long discussions to dispel the myths they have learned about GMOs from the mainstream media.

For years, the companies that make GMOs have flooded the media with unverified claims, promising that their crops would reduce pesticide use, create higher yielding crop varieties, and promote sustainable agricultural systems. Few if any media reports questioned why leading GMO companies like Monsanto, DuPont and Dow  companies that are also the worlds leading pesticide makers  would want to reduce the use (and sales) of their products. Even fewer reports cited independent data on pesticide reductions, yields, or sustainable farming gains from GMOs.

So it was not surprising that philanthropists had misperceptions about GMOs. Indeed, it was only last year that the New York Times finally reported on the independent science showing that GMO crops do not reduce pesticide use nor increase yields. The report also noted that scientists have shown the failure of GMOs for sustainable agriculture.

In todays alternative truth media environment, it is more crucial than ever for funders to take a critical view of media reports on scientific matters. Philanthropists would do well to learn the tell-tale signs of the manipulation of science by corporations who are more interested in profits than in unbiased scientific assessments of their products.

Identifying industry Front-groups

One common tactic industries use is the creation of phony front groups to disseminate their dubious science. Understanding that journalists will question their motives, industries create front groups with trustworthy sounding names to make their case for them. The numerous climate change denial front groups funded by fossil fuel companies have been widely documented. Another especially egregious example: Citizens for Fire Safety (CFS), a group that was created by companies that make flame retardant chemicals. Despite the independent science showing that these toxic chemicals do not promote fire safety in furniture and other products, CFS peddled phony reports stating the opposite, and even enlisted a prominent burn doctor to help them mislead legislators at public hearings.

Industry funded studies

Industries also fund studies intended to reach preconceived conclusions that bolster their products reputations. For example, in nutrition, Dr. Marion Nestle of New York University has been keeping a running tab of industry-funded studies, finding 75 of 81 such studies came out with conclusions supporting health benefits of the sponsors products. As Dr. Nestle told the CEH podcast, Food companies are constantly sponsoring research to give them the answer that they want, and it turns out its really easy to design studies to give you the answer you want.

Influencing government regulations

Food companies are hardly the only corporations who manipulate science for their own ends. For decades the chemical industry has twisted the science that underpins U.S. regulations of toxic chemicals. A 2015 investigation of thirty years of the chemical industrys influence on government regulations demonstrated how the industry has controlled and manipulated the field of toxicology to undermine health and environmental protections, putting millions of American children and families at risk from disease-causing chemicals.

For example, a series of studies used industry-friendly assumptions to assess the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), which outside of the U.S. is tightly regulated as an endocrine disrupting chemical. Unsurprisingly, the studies found BPA is essentially harmless. But independent laboratory studies on how BPA actually affects living beings have contradicted all of the assumptions made by the industry studies. The lab studies show that BPA is a powerful endocrine disruptor that affects multiple hormonal systems, with potentially serious health effects.

Resources against alternative truths

Like all media consumers today, funders need to be on the watch for fake news. But even more, philanthropists need to take care when evaluating their giving to insure that they are relying on independent science, and not industry-created fictions. Luckily, there are resources funders can use to uncover industry shenanigans, including:

The Center for Media and Democracy has great background and information on the corporate use of public relations to manipulate public opinion. Co-founders John Stauber and Sheldon Ramptons books, Toxic Sludge is Good for You and Trust Us Were Experts are classics in the field. Also, Sourcewatch is their wikipedia-style encyclopedia monitoring corporate behavior and industry-funded front-groups.

The Union of Concerned Scientists program on scientific integrity monitors and exposes political interference in scientific policy debates.

The Center for Responsive Politics tracks political contributions and the influence of money in policy debates. Similarly, MapLight produces reports on the influence of money in political debates.

Merchants of Doubt, a book and documentary film, outline how major industries such as tobacco, sugar, lead paint, asbestos and others twist science and influence regulations in pursuit of profits over public health.

While it may sometimes feel that were living in a post-truth world, funders should know that with a little critical attention, they can discern when the truth is out there.
In its recently reported first-quarter earnings, Yamana Gold (NYSE: AUY) booked a loss of $0.01 per share, coming up short of analysts' consensus estimate of profits to the tune of $0.02 per share. There's much more to a company's performance than a single number, however, so let's dig in and take a closer look at how one of the leaders in the gold-mining industry fared in Q1.
The most compelling argument to stop industrial fishing, because overfishing is wiping out species, is followed in a close second by the fact that seafood products around the world are polluted by plastic microfibers, which absorb chemical pollutants, that have entered the fish via their act of having them in their stomachs and intestines. Recent studies have shown that fish all over world are in bad health from plastic pollution and they all too often end up being consumed by humans. If this puts you off your favorite weekly sushi dinner, that is good because other studies show about half of the sushi eaten is not what the patron ordered and often can have adverse physical effects on consumers, temporary in the form of diarrhea and long term, who knows?

Since the 1950s plastic has been dumped in the oceans and now massive amounts of the degraded and broken down polymers can be found all over the oceans, from top to bottom. Huge gyres gather in the middle of the oceans from currents and heavy plastic sinks to the bottom and degrades slowly over time. Photo degradation, from sunlight, is how we get the microfibers of plastic that populates the waves.

This gives the world two amazingly good reasons to ban industrial fishing on the high seas for decades if not permanently. Protein replacements for fish can easily be found and this will give us humans a chance to clean up the oceans while fish stocks recover in sufficient numbers for further study and possible fishing on a limited basis. And plastic pollution might be the least of the dangerous chemicals found in the flesh of a food source so highly for prized "health benefits," think mercury and other heavy metals dispensed by offending nations such as China and India.

The Global High Seas Marine Preserve, founded by Danny Quintana, author of Space and Ocean Exploration: The Alternative to the Military-Industrial Complex, advocates establishment of the preserve to ban industrial and commercial fishing in international waters. His mission came from the research done during the writing of Space and Ocean Exploration and was motivated mainly from the plight of overfished species.

Here is a short list of effects of plastic:

Plastic is so durable that the EPA reports "every bit of plastic ever made still exists."

Fish in the North Pacific ingest 12,000 to 24,000 tons of plastic each year, which can cause intestinal injury and death and transfers plastic up the food chain to bigger fish and marine mammals. A recent study found that a quarter of fish at markets in California contained plastic in their guts, mostly in the form of plastic microfibers.

In the Los Angeles area alone, 10 metric tons of plastic fragments  like grocery bags, straws and soda bottles  are carried into the Pacific Ocean every day.

Seabirds that feed on the ocean surface tend to ingest plastic debris that floats. The adults then feed these items to their chicks, who then fail to thrive  and very often die. One study found that 98 percent of Laysan Albatross chicks had been fed plastic in some form.

Multiple whales and dolphins have been found washed up on shores, their stomachs full of plastic bags and other debris.

A startling amount of dead sea turtles  50 to 80 percent  have been found to have ingested plastic debris.

About 640,000 tons of abandoned fishing nets are responsible for snaring and drowning thousands of marine animals per year, including seals, sea lions, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, dugongs, crocodiles, seabirds, crabs and other creatures.

China's coastal waters are not only fished out but an environmental disaster, which is why their massive fleet of fishing trawlers set out to violate the territorial waters of countries with little or no ability to fight the incursions. Shark finning, which kills upwards of 100-millions sharks annually, is because of demand in China for Shark Fin Soup while Japan is also a major contributor to the disappearance of major predator species like tuna and whales.

Beaches all over the world have become the end point of plastic travels and it is a most depressing site indeed.

Help the Global High Seas Marine Preserve ban industrial fishing so that the oceans might be saved from total destruction by going to www.SavingOceans.org.
Supermarket chain Asda is to be the first major UK retailer to sell 'free range' milk.

The milk will be sourced from cows that have been kept outdoors for at least six months of the year.

It comes after the public said they are wanting to buy tastier milk, whilst also helping farmers out by paying more for it.

According to the Guardian, Asda's new milk, from the Free Range Dairy Network, will have a Pasture Promise logo, and will exclusively sell the new milk from Wednesday.

The logo is an indication that the milk comes from animals grazed for atleast six months of the year, whilst offering a fair price for the farmers who produce it. The label could eventually be extended to other produce, such as cheese.

Asda said it has identified stores in its chain where there is a high level of interest in premium-priced organic products and will initially put 70,000 litres of Free Range Dairy Farmers milk on shelves every week in 109 stores.

A choice of semi-skimmed and whole free range milk will be available, costing 1.50 for two litres and 90p for 1 litre  more expensive than Asdas regular milk at 99p and 75p for the same sizes.

'Enjoy milk' campaign

The Free Range Dairy Network isn't the only group to explore free range milk.

A group of dairy farmers launched the 'Enjoy Milk' campaign in January, with the sole aim to deliver a free range future for British dairy cows.

The Free Range Milk Marketing Board (FRMMB), representing a group of more than 700 dairy farmers, launched the campaign.

Campaigners behind the Enjoy Milk cause believe they have a new future for British Dairy cows.

The Enjoy Milk campaign aims to provide consumers with the opportunity to choose milk from guaranteed grazing based farms whilst offering farmers a fair deal.

The integrity of the Enjoy Milk campaign is based upon multiple principles, including the assertion that dairy cows should be allowed to graze grass as often as possible.

Enjoy Milk describes this as 'free ranging' or 'free range', as has long been the case with eggs.

There is a perception from consumers that this is how they would prefer cows to live their lives, with 86% of those surveyed in a 2015 YouGov poll agreeing that UK dairy cows should be able to graze on pasture and should not be permanently housed indoors.
A classification scheme for British dairy farms is being developed to enable targeted support for farmers based on herd feeding.

This is the first step in a five year project to increase feed efficiency.

Currently feed efficiency is based on milk output per unit of feed input for the milking herd, while in reality feed is also consumed by non-milking animals such as dry cows, herd replacements and bulls, not to mention the effects of feed quality and wastage.

There is a gap in information on total feed use, which this project aims to fill.

Feed costs are one of the greatest costs per litre of milk produced, at 9.3 pence per litre on average.

If dairy farms were to make small reductions in the use of feed and maintain or improve milk output then this would improve feed efficiency across the dairy sector.

It will represent a significant cost saving on dairy farms and an improvement in competitiveness of the British dairy sector.

'Tough decisions'

Professor Phil Garnsworthy of the University of Nottingham explains: "Feed efficiency generally increases with increasing milk yield, but for any production system there is an optimum marginal efficiency beyond which it is uneconomic to chase further increases in milk yield.

"Market volatility can affect the optimum, and leaves producers facing tough decisions about whether and how to adapt their feeding and management strategies in order to get the best margin from available contracts and market options."

The project will set up key performance indicators for whole farm feed efficiency in five categories of production system.

"The end result will be a set of farmer-friendly guidelines on how to calculate whole-farm feed efficiency," said AHDB Dairy's Dairy Senior Scientist, Dr Jenny Gibbons.

Farmers will be able to benchmark the results with the system potential and similar farms; and consider which practices would benefit most from attention.

Dr Gibbons said, "The majority of farmers should be able to identify some simple cost-effective changes that would make a difference to whole-farm feed efficiency and margins.

"Farmers will also be able to assess potential opportunities to increase margins by altering feed efficiency in response to changes in market prices for feed and milk."
The rural sector has called for the Chancellor to use his forthcoming Budget to ease farmers path towards Brexit.

Rural insurer NFU Mutual has said that until Brexit plans are confirmed, UK farmers are currently unable to make long-term investment because of uncertainty about future agricultural support and export opportunities.

Tim Price, NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist, said: To help farmers through this transitional period we are urging the Chancellor to support farmers and the rural community  by simplifying both business and inheritance tax rules and avoid introducing measures that could add more financial stress to rural businesses.

'Hike in tax bills'

One issue causing additional pressure on farm businesses was the review of business rates.

The CLA, which represents farmers and landowners, says businesses across the countryside are facing a hike in their tax bills as a result of a 'flawed' rates system that is in 'urgent need of review.'

Mr Price continued: Farmers who have diversified and now use their premises for commercial, tourism or retail enterprises are being hit by higher business rates, which is adding to the pressures on farmers incomes at a time of low profitability for many farming sectors.

Were hoping that the Governments promise to look at this issue will result in the immediate implementation of full planned rises being delayed.

Increasing fuel duty

Farmers and rural businesses are also concerned about measures to reduce pollution from diesel vehicles in urban areas by increasing fuel duty.

Mr Price said: This could unfairly hit farmers and country people who rely on diesel vehicles such as 4 x 4s, vans and lorries. These vehicles are crucial for thousands of rural businesses.

The Chancellor, Philip Hammond, has announced that the government will publish its next Spring Budget on Wednesday 8 March 2017.

The Spring Budget sets out the governments plans for the economy based on the latest forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility.
The Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) is now open for applications, Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture has announced.

The EFS is a new agri-environment scheme under the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020, which is part funded by the European Union.

The Scheme has three levels:

 Wider Level to deliver benefits across the countryside outside of environmentally designated areas;

 Higher Level, primarily for environmentally designated sites;

 Group Level to support co-operative action by farmers in specific areas such as river catchment.

The scheme has been designed to address specific environmental needs, primarily relating to biodiversity and water quality.

Successful applicants will be offered a five year agreement to deliver a range of targeted environmental measures.

'Addressing environmental needs'

Ulster Farmers Union Environment chairman, Wilbert Mayne, has welcomed the announcement.

Many farmers will be glad to hear that this long awaited scheme will finally be opening for applications, said Mr Mayne.

The scheme is quite different from previous agri-environment schemes and is focused on addressing specific environmental needs, such as biodiversity and water quality. Also, farmers should be aware that it is not a whole farm scheme but offers a range of options for farms.

Given the changes to the scheme and the need to complete the application online I would encourage farmers to give themselves plenty of time to set up a Government Gateway Account and study the requirements for completing an application, added Mr Mayne.
Marts to donate Scotch Lamb for St Andrew's Day campaign
(ASX:DGR)

DGR Global Limitedis a resource creation company. We make large resource companies; they all start from very early stage exploration ideas. We dont buy other peoples projects; we start from scratch using great geoscience. We have fantastic people that have lots of experience, think laterally and are highly qualified technically.We think big. We always have a very very large tenure position and that excludes competition. Focuses capital attention on us and draws the care and attention of local State and federal governments, to help get our project away. We also like going to what we call the yellow light countries, and they are countries that are putting a lot of effort into developing a resource development industry. So places like Ecuador, Chad, Gabon, Argentina are all countries that we believe are greatly assisting the mining and the oil and gas exploration industries, and we like them.DGR Global has a portfolio of companies that are listed at the moment. In England on the AIM Exchange thats part of the London Stock Exchange, we have SolGold PLC (LON:SOLG) and IronRidge Resources Limited (LON:IRR). On the ASX, we have Armour Energy Limited, Dark Horse Resources Limitedand Aus Tin Mining Limited. The most valuable in market cap terms at the moment is SolGold, listed on AIM in London with a huge tier one copper gold porphyry discovery in northern Ecuador, on the Andean copper belt. The most prolific copper belt in the world and we discovered this thing from scratch.Its taken us three years to cover 50 square kilometres of prospective ground with aero magnetics, geochemistry. Drilled 28,000 metres of holes, of which 95 per cent have hit the ore body because its enormous. So, we now have a 15 per cent interest in SolGold and this company has a market cap of 560 million sterling. So its over a $100 million asset for DGR Global and a fantastic asset that still has a lot of room to grow. And were replicating the blueprint that was so successful, discovering the Cascabel Alapala deposit across the rest of Ecuador.The next thing that everybody should really keep a close eye on, and because we think it will ultimately emulate the development and growth of Arrow Energy Limitedmany years ago, is Armour Energy, in which DGR has a major shareholding and a great position in convertible notes. We believe that Armour is on the cusp of redeveloping one of Australias great oil and gas fields on the Roma shelf, in southern Queensland. We also have some world-class basins that were attested to by American Energy Group Limited (OTCMKTS:AEGG), before its demise in Northern Territory and north Queensland. So lots of tremendous upside for Armour Energy and thats going to really deliver for DGR Global.We also have a dominant position as one of the three largest shareholders, alongside Assore Limited (JSE:ASR) and Sumitomo Corp (FRA:SUMA) in IronRidge Resources. IronRidge is applying the DGR central tenants of exploration, which is to have a massive land position. And also be exploring for really great commodities, in this case its high grade gold. And some unexplored terrains in Chad and Cote dIvoire in Africa.We also have a very large position in Aus Tin, which is mining tin in northern Tasmania and soon to be developing one of the worlds largest undeveloped tin resources, in northern New South Wales. And Dark Horse Resources is the baby foal of our stable. And that is working on a very large power station development in Argentina, to assist with the solution to Argentinas power problems. So all of these projects are massive in the daughter companies. DGRs position in the daughter companies is large or dominant and we have experts working on the discovery of tier one assets, in all of these companies.We dont take a stake in the junior explorers, we set them up from scratch, so we dont buy anything. The last one that we created and sold was Orbis Gold Limitedand DGRs cost base in Orbis was one dollar. And I think that was for accounting expediency. We set these things up from scratch, so big tenement position looking for a commodity that the world has to have to maintain civilisation. We use expert technical people, who are the mainstay of our exploration effort. And we use state of the art geophysical and geochemical techniques, to identify patterns in data that lead us to ore bodies.The company has net tangible assets that are all listed stocks in companies with pretty good turnover, like SolGold and Armour. And we have $150 million worth of net tangible assets and a market cap of only about $65 million. So we have plenty of growth left in us yet, on the basis of our existing assets and access to as much cash as we need, from the sale of very small positions in any of those companies. Weve always seen DGR Global as a resource company factory. Its something that we can reliably and dependably generate new resource companies in. Orbis Gold was one, SolGold is another, Armours another and we can just create these things and fill up a pipeline, like the production line in a car factory.And we want to see DGR Global recognised as a business that does this and some value put on that strategy, rather than a discount being put on the assets that we hold from time to time. So at the moment, were trading at around about 45 per cent of the NTA. We think thats too low and wed like to see ourselves trading at a premium to NTA, which would help put us somewhere over about 35-40 cents a share. So thats the aim, we just need to convince people that we do this very reliably.
Bank of America (BAC 2.51%) must be feeling pretty good right about now. It has long since turned the corner on the financial crisis, its share price doubled in the past year, and now the icing on the cake: Warren Buffett called out the North Carolina-based bank in his latest letter to the shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A 0.75%) (BRK.B 1.27%).

Buffett's investment in B of A

In 2011, Berkshire Hathaway became one of Bank of America's biggest investors. The Buffett-led conglomerate purchased $5 billion worth of preferred stock at the time, which came with warrants to purchase 700 million shares of common stock for $7.14 a share at any time before the middle of 2021.

The preferred stock in and of itself was a good deal, yielding 6%, or $300 million a year in annual dividend payments. But it's the warrants to purchase Bank of America common stock that have turned out to be extraordinarily lucrative.

At today's share price, Berkshire's warrants are worth $12.2 billion. If you add that to the $5 billion in preferred stock plus the dividends that have been paid on that stake, that means Berkshire's investment in Bank of America has nearly quadrupled in less than six years.

One of the questions the situation raises is this: When will Buffett exercise Berkshire's warrants, and how will he do so? Will he just sell the warrants or will he convert them into shares of common stock?

Buffett weighs in

In Buffett's annual letter, released on Saturday, he provided some insight. He first noted that Berkshire Hathaway could use its preferred stock to satisfy the $5 billion cost of exercising the warrants -- 700 million shares times $7.14 a share equals just under $5 billion.

He then went on to note, however, that whether Berkshire exchanges its preferred stock will depend on Bank of America's dividend at that time:

If the dividend rate on Bank of America common stock -- now 30 cents annually -- should rise above 44 cents before 2021, we would anticipate making a cashless exchange of our preferred into common. If the common dividend remains below 44 cents, it is highly probable that we will exercise the warrant immediately before it expires.

This makes sense because an annual dividend of $0.44 a share, on a basis of $7.14 a share, equates to a 6.1% yield, which is slightly higher than the yield Berkshire earns from its stake in Bank of America's preferred stock.

Beyond that, Buffett went on to seemingly prod Bank of America to continue buying back stock:

Many of our investees, including Bank of America, have been repurchasing shares, some quite aggressively. We very much like this behavior because we believe the repurchased shares have in most cases been underpriced. (Undervaluation, after all, is why we own these positions.) When a company grows and outstanding shares shrink, good things happen for shareholders.

From this, it's clear that Buffett is focused not only on Bank of America's underlying operations but also on the way it allocates capital. This happens to be Buffett's strongest skill set, and it also happens to be the force behind some of the best corporate returns over the past half-century, as William Thorndike lays out in The Outsiders.

For investors today, it's tempting to blindly follow Buffett's lead into companies like Bank of America. But keep in mind that he purchased the stake at the nadir of the bank's post-financial crisis problems, and that its shares have since roughly quadrupled in price. That isn't to say Bank of America's isn't a good buy at today's price, but it's nowhere near as cheap as it was when Buffett piled into the stock nearly six years ago.
Recently, Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A 0.75%) (BRK.B 1.27%), the conglomerate led by famous investor Warren Buffett, provided its once-a-quarter update on the company's widely followed stock portfolio. And despite being famous for his buy-and-hold investment style, Buffett and his team did quite a bit of buying and selling in 2016. Here's what Berkshire is holding now, and what has changed since last year.

Here's what stocks Berkshire Hathaway owns now

Berkshire Hathaway has about 45 different common stocks in its portfolio, but many of them are relatively small investments. The portfolio is rather top-heavy, meaning the bulk of the portfolio's value is invested in just a handful of stocks.

As of Dec. 31, 2016, here are Berkshire's 15 largest common stock investments and their respective values.

Ranking Company Number of Shares % Stake Value 1 Wells Fargo 500,000,000 10% $27.6 billion 2 Coca-Cola 400,000,000 9.3% $16.6 billion 3 IBM 81,232,303 8.5% $13.5 billion 4 American Express 151,610,700 16.8% $11.2 billion 5 Apple 61,242,652 1.1% $7.1 billion 6 Phillips 66 74,587,892 14.4% $6.4 billion 7 U.S. Bancorp 101,859,335 6% $5.2 billion 8 Goldman Sachs 11,390,582 2.9% $2.7 billion 9 Delta Airlines 54,934,718 7.5% $2.7 billion 10 Moody's 24,669,778 12.9% $2.3 billion 11 Southwest Airlines 43,203,775 7% $2.2 billion 12 Charter Communications 6,789,054 2.5% $2.0 billion 13 United Continental 26,620,184 8.4% $1.9 billion 14 Sanofi 22,169,930 1.7% $1.8 billion 15 USG Corp. 43,387,980 29.7% $1.3 billion

In addition to these, there are two other stock positions to note. Berkshire has a 26.7% stake in Kraft Heinz, which is technically the company's largest common stock holding. However, since Berkshire is part of a control group, it uses the "equity method" of accounting and considers it differently from its other common stock investments.

Also, Berkshire has warrants to buy 700 million shares of Bank of America at any time before September 2021. If Berkshire decides to exercise its warrants (which it has indicated it intends to), this investment would be worth approximately $16.8 billion.

What's changed from last year?

Of Berkshire's 15 largest investments, four are new to the list this year:

New additions to the top 15 -- Apple, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Continental.

Stocks Berkshire sold -- Deere & Company, AT&T, Procter & Gamble, Wal-Mart.

The addition of a large Apple stake was not a big surprise to many investors, myself included. Apple has a lot of qualities Buffett loves to see, such as a dominant market position, pricing power, and a massive stockpile of cash. Furthermore, for most of the year, Apple was trading for an extremely cheap valuation, especially after backing its cash out of the equation.

The airlines were more of a surprise. Buffett has been highly negative on airline stocks ever since he made an ill-fated investment in US Airways in 1989. In 2007, Buffett said: "The worst sort of business is one that grows rapidly, requires significant capital to engender the growth, then earns little or no money. Think airlines."

There's no way to know for sure why Buffett and company bought any of these stocks -- as a rule, Buffett doesn't discuss Berkshire investments. However, according to reports, it was a presentation from American Airlines CEO Doug Parker that had a lot to do with Buffett's change of heart.

As far as the four stocks that are no longer on the list, the same thing applies -- we just don't know for sure, but in many cases, it's easy to get a good idea of why. For example, I've written about how Buffett may have decided to dump his AT&T shares because Berkshire never bought them in the first place. Instead, they were inherited when AT&T acquired DirecTV, a Buffett stock. In Wal-Mart's case, to name another example, Buffett may have originally liked Wal-Mart's competitive advantages, but in recent years, e-commerce sites such as Amazon.com have started to eat away at some of those advantages.

Will we see major changes in 2017?

There's a good chance that Berkshire will do some serious buying and selling in 2017. For one thing, the company's $86 billion cash hoard is the largest it's ever been, and Buffett would love to put some of this to work if he finds the right opportunities.

Also, with the new Republican administration, it's likely that some thesis-altering changes will happen, such as tax reform, healthcare changes, and more, and Buffett will likely react to these in his investment strategy. After all, after Donald Trump was elected president, Buffett said he quickly spent $12 billion on stock investments.

While there is no way of knowing what moves Berkshire might make this year, I'd be surprised if 2017 doesn't prove to be an active year for Warren Buffett and his stock pickers.

Get the latest Berkshire Hathaway stock news and facts.
A former Lincoln heart surgeon has lost his lawsuit against Bryan Medical Center alleging the hospital breached his contract.

Dr. Edward Raines left the hospital after his contract wasn't renewed in 2012 and sued the hospital and its parent company Bryan Health in August 2013.

In the suit, Raines claimed he had entered into a contract with Bryan Heart in 2011 and that contract was later revoked before taking effect.

But Bryan Heart, a subsidiary of Bryan Health and defendant in the case, denies that it ever offered Raines a contract.

The cardiothoracic surgeon started work at the hospital in 1991, when it was still Bryan Memorial, and stayed a decade longer as many of his colleagues split with BryanLGH to build their own hospital.

Raines and Bryan Hospital began contract negotiations in late 2010 or early 2011, according to U.S. District Judge John Gerrard's order.

But the negotiations changed when Bryan Health CEO Kim Russel announced in 2011 a plan to move all of its cardiac surgeons from Bryan Hospital to Bryan Heart so the hospital no longer employed physicians, the order said.

Raines continued to negotiate his potential 2012 Bryan Heart contract with Bryan Hospital President John Woodrich, and in November 2011, Woodrich sent him an agreement titled "Rainescontractdraftbhi2012," the order said.

He signed and delivered copies of that agreement to Woodrich's office, but at trial, neither Bryan Heart nor Bryan Hospital officials had located those signed agreements, the order said.

Ultimately, Bryan Heart officials voted against offering Raines employment, and his position with Bryan Hospital expired Dec. 31, 2011, the order said.

Gerrard heard the dispute at a bench trial in July 2015.

He ruled that Raines didn't have a valid contract with Bryan Heart and that the November agreement Raines signed didn't constitute an offer of employment.

Bryan Heart officials denied authorizing Woodrich to negotiate on their behalf, the order said.

Gerrard noted that trial testimony showed there wasn't a mutual intent for Raines' employment and that the surgeon had expressed opposition to transitioning to Bryan Heart.
An outage affecting Amazon Web Services, the Amazon-owned platform that many websites rely on to keep their pages humming, took down multiple websites Tuesday.

Amazon confirmed that it was experiencing a "high error rate" in one of its regional data centers around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The company confirmation, posted to AWS's status page, said the outage was also "impacting applications and services dependent on S3," the company's popular cloud-based storage platform.

Slack, Medium and Quora were among the services to be affected by Tuesday's outage. incident. Lincoln software company Hudl reported on Twitter that its website was down because of the outage.

A number of the Internet's most visible companies are hosted on Amazon Web Services, including Airbnb, Expedia, Netflix, Quora and others. An outage in 2015 accidentally took down many of these services for several hours. And in 2011, AWS suffered a days-long outage.
February saw two new countries, Ghana and Senegal, added to Street View.

A lot of new imagery was added to historical imagery and we had a look at some of the landslides caused by the Kaikora Earthquake and wildfires in Chile. We also took another look at the extent of the Chile wildfires using Landsat and Sentinel imagery. Earlier in the month we had a look at imagery relating to cyclone NADA-16, that struck the east coast of India, imagery relating to an earthquake in Indonesia and imagery relating to the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

We had a look at animations of a few open pit mines around the world.

We had a look at how DigitalGlobe is helping to combat slavery with the use of high resolution satellite imagery of fishing ships, which helps investigators analyse their behaviour and identify individual ships.

Satellite imaging company Planet set several new records, including largest number of satellites launched simultaneously and largest satellite fleet. In addition, the sale of Googles Terra Bella to Planet was announced.

Google released some DigitalGlobe imagery of the Oroville Dam crisis.

Google Earth VR won a Lumiere award  the Century Award for VR in service of environmental enrichment.

We had a look at a message in protest of a planned high speed rail link in the UK.

We had a look at some ancient earthworks in the Amazon.

Google updated the search results box in Google Earth which fixed some long outstanding bugs.

Coming up in March:

Google announced that it will be open sourcing Google Earth Enterprise in March.

ESA will be launching imaging satellite Sentinel-2B  currently scheduled for March 6/7.




Haiti - News : Zapping politics...





RTNH functional again in Les Cayes

Sunday, National Television Radio of Haiti (RTNH) announced to the public of Les Cayes that it resumes broadcasting throughout the city and its surroundings, following the suspension of its activities following the damage caused by hurricane Matthew in the great South of the country last October.



Starting on Sunday, February 26, all citizens of Les Cayes can again receive the signals of the RTNH without difficulty. The RTNH thanks the Cayenne people for their patience.



No Oscar for "I Am Not Your Negro"

"I Am Not Your Negro" documentary by Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck nominated for the Oscars https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-19899-icihaiti-cinema-raoul-peck-nominated-for-an-oscars.html , as not a winner at the 89th Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday. The Oscar for best documentary film was awarded to "O.J .: Made in America" by Ezra Edelman and Caroline Waterlow.



See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-19899-icihaiti-cinema-raoul-peck-nominated-for-an-oscars.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-18827-icihaiti-movies-raoul-peck-was-acclaimed-at-the-toronto-film-festival.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19471-haiti-cinema-i-am-not-your-negro-by-raoul-peck-best-documentary-of-the-year.html



Meeting Mexico / PNH

A fruitful working session was held between Michel-Ange Gedeon, the Director General and Commander-in-Chief of the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Mexican Ambassador to Haiti Jose Luis Alvarado. Strong of the work carried out by the PNH in the recent elections, Mexico, through its Ambassador offered its cooperation to the police institution. Ambassador Alvarado expressed his impatience to bring the contribute of his countryto the development of the PNH.



Carnival : Cautionary advice from Senator Etienne

"Good Carnival to all people who celebrate. Think that if you drive not to drink. If you have drunk do not drive !" Dieudonne Luma Etienne, Senator (North).



"Happy Carnival to all Haitians"

On Sunday, President of the Republic Jovenel Moise and First Lady Martine Moise, officially launched the national carnival 2017 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20212-haiti-culture-the-presidential-couple-officially-opens-the-2017-national-carnival.html "Happy carnival to all Haitians, especially to the cayenne population. Mutual respect and solidarity during the three days," Jovenel Moise.



Follow like every year the Carnival on HaitiLibre.com during the three fat days.



Haiti jury member of the carnival of Guadeloupe

For the first time, Haiti is a member of the jury of the carnival of Guadeloupe and is represented by Ken Duval, the Director General of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Industries. While the national carnival is in full swing at Les Cayes, the Haitian delegation has just finished its first course at the carnival parade of Guadeloupe https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-20196-icihaiti-culture-haiti-in-the-parade-of-the-carnival-of-guadeloupe.html . Note that the costumes are signed by the Haitian stylist Jenny Casimir and were sponsored by the Haitian Ministry of Tourism.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Planning board OKs Horse Shoe Farm master plan

Rick Livingston appreciates that the French Broad River is cleaner today than it was years ago.

Related Stories



When I was kid you never thought of swimming in the French Broad River, he said. You never thought of eating the fish. We are finally to the point in the last few years where I feel like that river is being cleaned up. Its decent now. I want to leave it better for my kids and grandkids than when I found it when I was born here.

Livingston was addressing the developer who is hoping to put in 198 rental units on the scenic Horse Shoe Farm property. Livingston was one of two Henderson County Planning Board members to vote no last week on a master plan developer John Turchin submitted for the 85-acre property. With the Planning Boards blessing, Turchin may go forward with plans for the development, which would be built in several phases.

After the Board of Commissioners turned down his proposed mixed-use development of 225 residential units in December, Turchin submitted a new site plan that does not require a rezoning. He proposes to build 58 duplexes and 27 triplexes with walking trails, a restaurant and wellness center.

Before joining Bruce Hatfield in voting no, Livingston said he needed to know more about the on-site sewage treatment facility.

No. 1 is the wastewater issue, he said. Its possible that what you have proposed is completely OK but I havent seen enough or heard enough to convince me of this. I would like to see more on how what is planned and that it wont be contaminating that river.

Planning Board chairman Steve Dozier asked Turchins civil engineer, Mark Brooks, about the chances state environmental regulators would approve the drip-field wastewater treatment system.

I think theyre good, he said. Well essentially be meeting groundwater standards coming out of the back of the treatment plant. Advances in waste water treatment make it where thats not an impractical thing to do.

When a Planning Board member asked him if there was a treatment facility like the developer plans nearby, Brooks said there is one in Leicester.

Its in a completely enclosed barn, which is what they have in mind here, he said. If you drove by it you would never know youre looking at a treatment plant.

After several residents during a public hearing mentioned discharging effluent into the French Broad River, Brooks corrected that. The system would not dump wastewater into the river, he said.



High-rent district

Like the previous development, the new version of Sanctuary at Eagles Nest would offer rental units at an upscale price of $3 to $4 per square foot  about $4,000 month for a 1,000-square-foot unit.

Turchin plans to offer leases from as little as one year and up to 10 years. The rent is all inclusive, he added, covering utilities, insurance, yard maintenance, wellness center and one meal a day at an on-site dining facility. When a Planning Board member asked what would happen if he could not rent the units at that rate, he said could convert to a sales model and still make a profit.

Were still trying to do a quality project, he said. Nothings changed in concept of what were doing other than were conforming to the county policy. This project is costing $50 million and were going to create a bunch of jobs and that moneys coming into the community. There is a need for this type of product, market studies say there is, and theres a pent-up demand for a product like this.

Residents of surrounding neighborhoods raised many of the same objections they had about Turchins first development application, citing traffic, noise, pollution and property depreciation.

Tamarac resident Matt Matteson urged the Planning Board to carefully scrutinize the proposed treatment plant.

The wastewater system probably should have had a little more detail, he said. I would offer that you go up to Leicester. The drip system is relatively new, its new to Henderson County. I think you folks need to take some time and consider how thats going to happen.

Barbara Lea, an adjoining property owner, said the rental units would be incompatible with the surrounding land-use of owner-occupied homes.

The first development was turned down because it had an apartment-like units, she said. Its still all going to be rental and it could be 400 people. It changes the nature of the entire area when you go from ownership to rental. It becomes very transient.

Im very concerned about the noise level and light pollution, said Chris Ellis. We live in a very quiet community. Im exceedingly anxious about getting out to South Rugby from Nelson Road. I dont see an advantage to the community to use up every nice piece of farm land and building high density development to reduce our quality of life. All its going to do is make it more hazardous for the future.

The Planning Board approved the master plan with the condition that the developer add a left turn lane into the subdivision entrance as part of phase 1. Turchin will have to come back to the Planning Board for approval of each phase, the planning staff said. No construction can start until state environmental regulators OK the wastewater treatment plan.
HFTP will host a membership event at the Rosewood Hotel London on 6 March 2017

HFTP will host a membership event at the Rosewood Hotel London on 6 March 2017

Expanding its global scope, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), a leading hospitality association and producers of the world-renowned Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference(HITEC), will host a membership event for HFTP members and prospective members in London for the first time on Monday, 6 March 2017 at the prestigious Rosewood Hotel London  named "Best UK Business Hotel 2016" by Conde Nast Traveler (UK) at last year's Readers' Travel Awards. The program, sponsored by Keystep, a specialist provider of IT solutions to the hospitality and retail sector, will start at 18:00 and take place in the hotel's The Manor Club meeting room on the third floor. Hospitality professionals interested in attending the premier London event can RSVP to attend.

Guests are invited to join HFTP and top European hospitality executives for an evening of interesting speakers and discussion. Top hospitality experts will speak on trending topics in a series of 20 minute intervals, followed by a question-and-answer session. Speakers include: Stephen Minall, owner at Moving Food and a member of the HITEC Amsterdam Advisory Council; Barry Thomas, CHTP, area director of information technology at Rosewood Hotel London and a member of the HITEC Amsterdam Advisory Council; Carl Weldon, FIH FHOSPA, COO Europe at HFTP; and HFTP Global President Lyle Worthington, CHTP, CIO at The Student Hotel.

"HFTP is delighted to continue its global expansion with a membership event in London  a city with a strong and proud passion for hospitality," said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE. "We are committed to serving the European demand for hospitality finance and technology resources. This event will demonstrate some of our core values  knowledge sharing, innovation, personal growth and fun!"

Weldon will kick-off the event with a welcome and introduction. Following up, Thomas will speak about "The Broad IT Challenge of Different Guests in Varying Markets of the Luxury Hotel Segment;" Minall will speak about "Online Opportunities for Hotels Utilising the Retailers Approach;" and Worthington will explain "The Art and Science of User Experience Design  See Real Examples of Why It Is Important, and Discuss Ways to Improve the Overall User Experience." HFTP Global Board director and HITEC Amsterdam Advisory Council vice chair, Derick Wood will also be in attendance.

In recent years, HFTP has been expanding its programs globally, and in 2017 the association will produce three HITEC events in 2017  including two inaugural events  all taking place outside of the United States borders. HFTP's inaugural HITEC Amsterdam will take place 2830 March at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The largest event of the year, HITEC Toronto, will take place 2629 June at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Ending the year, HFTP's inaugural HITEC Dubaiwill take place in November and is produced in partnership with Naseba.

For more information about HFTP's London membership event, contact Carl Weldon, FIH FHOSPA at Carl.Weldon@hftp.org or +1 (512) 220-4164. For more information about HITEC and HFTP's other global activities, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at education@hftp.org or visit www.hftp.org and www.hftp.org/hitec.

Stay tuned to HFTP's main webpages: HFTP/HITEC; the world's first hospitality-specific search engine: PineappleSearch  mobile app available via iTunes App Store and Google Play; HFTP's official blog: HFTP Connect; HFTP's industry-specific, informational news sites: HITEC Bytes (technology), HFTP Club Bytes (club), HFTP Finance Bytes (finance) and HFTP News (association); and HFTP's social media sites: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@HFTP), Instagram (HFTP_HITEC), YouTube and Flickr for the latest updates.

About HFTP

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) is a global nonprofit hospitality association, headquartered in Austin, Texas, USA, that uniquely understands the industry's problems. HFTP has members and stakeholders across the globe. HFTP assists its members in finding solutions to industry problems more efficiently than any organization via its expert networks, research, conferences such as HITEC and certification programs. HFTP also owns the world's only hospitality specific search engine, PineappleSearch.com. HFTP is recognized as the spokes group for the finance and technology segment of the hospitality industry. For more information about HFTP, email membership@hftp.org or download the HFTP/HITEC media kit via the HFTP website.

About HITEC

HITEC is the world's largest and oldest hospitality technology exposition and conference brand. HITEC offers a unique combination of top-notch education, and brings together the brightest minds and hottest technologies from across the globe to one place. The unparalleled event offers attendees essential education, access to top hospitality technology industry experts and the resources to find cost-effective ways to improve company bottom lines. Combined with the intimate opportunities to connect with fellow professionals, HITEC has everything to enhance your career.

Historically hosted annually in a different city throughout the United States, HFTP decided to break tradition in 2017 by hosting three HITEC events all taking place outside of U.S. borders in Toronto, Amsterdam and Dubai. This will be the first time the global association's largest HITEC event  featuring thousands of hospitality professionals from around the world  will take place outside of the U.S. In 2017, HFTP is producing its larger HITEC Toronto as well as two additional, inaugural HITEC events: HITEC Amsterdam and HITEC Dubai.

For more information about HITEC and HFTP's other global activities, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at education@hftp.org or visit www.hftp.org and www.hftp.org/hitec. Download the HFTP/HITEC media kit via the HFTP website.
Maud Bailly Named Chief Digital Officer for AccorHotels

AccorHotels announced the appointment of Maud Bailly as Chief Digital Officer. Maud Bailly will thereby be head of the Digital, Distribution, Sales, and Information Systems, and will be a member of the Executive Committee of the company. This appointment will be effective as of April 3, 2017.

On the occasion of this appointment, Sebastien Bazin, AccorHotels' CEO, has declared: "The areas that Maud will oversee are essential to the success of the Group. Her great knowledge of digital issues, her strong managerial dimension, as well as the richness and variety of her background will give a new impulse to our teams and will be sources of innovation for the Group and its teams".

Maud Bailly is 38 years old and is a graduate of the Ecole Normale Superieure, the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris and the Ecole Nationale d'Administration.

She started her career in 2007 at the Inspection Generale des Finances (IGF). After several audit missions at the IGF both in France and abroad, she joined the SNCF as the Paris Montparnasse station's Director and as Deputy Director of the TGV product for the Paris Rive Gauche region. She then became Director of Trains, in charge of network animation and of the transformation of 10.000 train controllers' and 3.000 station agents' roles. Called by the Prime Minister's Office in May 2015, she became Head of the Economic pole in Matignon (official Prime Minister's office), in charge of fiscal, tax, industrial and numerical affairs under Manuel Valls. In this context, she also tackled several issues of State reform as well as post-Brexit issues for the Paris financial market.

Additionally, Maud has been teaching public management for several years and gives regular trainings on digital transformation stakes.
Bahrain Tourism Certifies eZee PMS

eZee hotel software all set to function according to BTEA rules

Every once in a while, each governing or tourism authority of a developing country takes its security, tourism and revenue aspects in their agenda and come out with anew rules and regulations. In that event, hospitality technology providers ought to update their systems, in a manner which can accommodate all such requirements from different countries and authorities. Additionally, hoteliers intend to choose a hotel software which can work in line with incoming rules and policies.

eZee Technosys, as a leading hospitality provider company, is always aligned with alike updates and keeps its solutions up-to-date with these developments. Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA) has implemented a policy that all the hotels and restaurants in Bahrain are required to send a pre-defined set of details to the authorities from the PMS software.

Complying with government policies, a feature is developed in PMS eZee FrontDesk through which the required reports and alike could be generated and sent instantly to the BTEA.

eZees Chief Executive Officer, Aeijaz Sodawala says, This newly developed feature in eZee FrontDesk will prove very beneficial to the hoteliers in Bahrain. This will help them send the required details instantly to the Bahrain authorities, discarding hours of manual calculations. Moreover, other than regular operations of PMS this will be an add-on feature enhancing user experience.

The statutory requirement for a hotelier as put forth by the BTEA, is to send occupancy details revealing rooms out of service, rooms out of order, daily check-outs and rooms occupied. Besides this, restaurants will also have to keep track of the charges levied of all the food and beverages on the customers and submit a monthly report to the authorities. Owing to this progress, hotels having in-house restaurants will be able to automatically send their outlet reports with newly developed feature in eZee FrontDesk, via eZee BurrP! integrated with the PMS. Besides this, hoteliers in Bahrain will also be able to send revenue reports to the government right from the PMS, which can eventually aid the Taxation authorities in the country.

The main purpose of the BTEA behind this requirement is to uphold the security aspects as well as keep track of the foreign tourists visiting the country. Acknowledging their requirements, we have worked around our systems current features and given our best to make it user-friendly for our existing and prospective clients in Bahrain, Jitendra Jariwala - Head of eZee NextGen Product Development commented.

Apart from regular hotel operations, eZee FrontDesk PMS will assist the hoteliers in Bahrain to accustom the BTEA requirements efficiently leaving no room for manual errors.

Always determined to provide the best solutions for their users, eZee has developed customized features in their solutions as per regional or self-imposed requirements for many hospitality industry establishments until now and strives to do so in coming years, effectively enhancing user experience.

About eZee Technosys Pvt Ltd

eZee Technosys is one of the few hospitality solutions providers in the world, offering a complete suite of IT solutions for the hospitality industry that cover hotel management, web booking engine, online room distribution, restaurant management, guest feedback, mobile applications and more. Incorporated in 2005, eZee - a hospitality solutions provider, today serves more than 6000 clients in 140 plus countries across the globe. eZees global presence has been further solidified through their strong network of more than 200 Channel Partners.
Shaw to Oversee All Labor Relations & Recruitment for Dallas Based Hotel Management Company

Leo Spriggs, President and CEO of Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC), announces the promotion of Libby Shaw to Vice President of Human Resources. She will be responsible for a wide variety of duties including the administration and management of recruitment and staffing, benefits administration, supervise workers compensation and ongoing development and training. She will also handle all personnel issues associated with managed property transitions and new hotel openings.

Libby brings over 10 years of diverse experience in the hospitality industry and holds a degree in Hotel, Travel and Tourism. She previously held the position with HMC of Corporate Director and Assistant Director of Human Resources, as well as having a strong administrative background having been a hotel General Manager with HMC.

Bill Sullivan, Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer for HMC noted Shaws integral role within the company, Libby will continue to lead the direction of our Human Resources strategy, focused on fulfilling HMCs mission to be an outstanding employer, provider and partner of hotel properties throughout the industry. She will direct initiatives enhancing employee experiences, strengthen performance management and improve recruitment and retention. We are delighted to name her as new Vice President of Human Resources.

About Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC)

Founded in 1971, HMC is a privately owned independent management company and one of the oldest independent hotel management firms in the lodging industry. For over four decades, HMC has been a leader in providing hotel management services for institutional and private owners and continues to strive for excellence in hospitality management and hotel development across the United States. Since its inception, the companys headquarters have been located in Dallas, TX.

For more information on Hospitality Management Corporation, please contact Leo Spriggs, President and CEO, at (972) 934-2040 or lspriggs@hospitalitymgt.com.
A software development company created by staff members at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will open an office at Nebraska Innovation Campus.

Bolero Information Systems, a web application development and design company specializing in research administration and business process automation, will move into the Food Innovation Center this spring, bringing four full-time employees and two student interns with it.

"We see Nebraska Innovation Campus, with the environment they have created, the ties to the university and the fantastic facilities as a vital partner as we reach out to the broader market," said Tim Savage, Bolero's managing director and head of operations.

The company was developed by staff at UNL to manage administrative activities tied to research at the university, automating processes and helping provide reports to managers.

Dan Duncan, executive director of the 2.2 million-square-foot research park, said Innovation Campus is excited to have the first staff spin-off company open an office there.

"By this group moving out of the university, they are able to expand and enhance their product to sell to other customers, generating economic development in the state and in turn improving an already great system for the university," Duncan said in a release.

Bolero will continue doing work for multiple NU campuses, while also partnering with companies in London and Chicago as well as other U.S. universities.

"Everyone has better things to do than push paper around and punch numbers into a spreadsheet," Savage said. "We're here to help them get to those better things."
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) last week announces the signing of a management agreement with Yuk Tung Properties Sdn. Bhd. to develop a 338-room Crowne Plaza hotel in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Scheduled to open by 2021, the new Crowne Plaza Kuala Lumpur City Centre will be located along Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, a vibrant street lined with embassies, trendy restaurants and bars and within walking distance from the renowned Petronas Twin Towers, which forms part of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, or "KLCC" area. KLCC is the central heart of the Golden Triangle downtown district of Kuala Lumpur, and includes KLCC Park, a 50-acre tropical landscape park regarded as one of the top three public parks in the world, all but a stone's throw away from the hotel.

The hotel will offer business travellers accommodation close to major commercial areas in the city's central business district. Guests will have access to a fully-equipped business centre and seven versatile meeting spaces which can be transformed to suit a range of functions and events. The hotel will also feature a wide range of food and beverage options at the all-day dining, specialty restaurants and Sky Bar, as well as an outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre for guests to recharge at during their downtime.

Leanne Harwood, Vice President, Operations, South East Asia and Korea, IHG, commented:"With the AEC coming together we see greater opportunities for intra-regional travel. Coupled with the launch of the High Speed Rail linking Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in 2026, we're confident the city will welcome even more visitors in the coming years. The opening of Crowne Plaza Kuala Lumpur City Centre will help cater to the influx of business travellers coming in from all over Asia and we are delighted to partner with Yuk Tung Properties to bring the Crowne Plaza brand into Kuala Lumpur."

According to Yuk Tung Properties Sdn. Bhd.,"Kuala Lumpur is booming as a travel destination with the Kuala Lumpur International Airport seeing close to 11 million business and leisure travellers every year. There is a huge opportunity to deliver great experiences to guests travelling for business and leisure and we look forward to working with IHG to open Crowne Plaza Kuala Lumpur City Centre in the heart of Kuala Lumpur."

Crowne Plaza is one of the fastest growing hotel brands in the world with nearly 400 hotels in more than 63 countries worldwide, including 71 hotels across the Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) region.
The multi-million project will be one of the largest real estate investments in Colombia this year. The 25-story, 206-room new-build development is planned to open in Q2 2019.

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) and Constructora Colpatria today announced the signing of a franchise license agreement to open Hilton Medellin, bringing the company's flagship brand to Colombia's second largest city. The multi-million project will be one of the largest real estate investments in Colombia this year. The 25-story, 206-room new-build development is planned to open in Q2 2019.

Hilton opened DoubleTree Bogota Calle 100, Hampton by Hilton Bucaramanga, and Hampton Inn by Hilton Medellin in Colombia in 2016, and currently has a portfolio of 14 properties in the country and 9 projects in the pipeline.

"This is an excellent time to bring the Hilton brand to Medellin as its lodging market continues to experience healthy growth and the city further establishes itself as one of Colombia's principal business hubs," said Juan Corvinos, managing director, development, Mexico, Central America and Hispanic Caribbean Regions, Hilton. "With an influx of multinational corporations, Hilton Medellin's sought-after location and unparalleled amenities will position the property as a prominent destination for social and corporate events in the city."

The hotel site is located on Avenida de las Palmas, and will offer great accessibility to one of the busiest and most important roads in Medellin's upscale El Poblado neighborhood. Hilton Medellin will be part of a mixed-use development, to include retail, office space and non-branded residential units in a complex with a parking garage with more than 450 parking spaces.

The hotel is owned and developed by Constructora Colpatria. Constructora Colpatria has over 40 years of experience in the Colombian market having developed many commercial, residential, retail and infrastructure projects throughout Colombia, and currently has offices in Mexico and Peru.

"Hilton Hotels & Resorts has a long history in Colombia and its strong reputation in the country brings confidence to this development," said Amparo Polania, President, Constructora Colpatria. "The city of Medellin is an increasingly important an international business hub and we are excited to bring the first Hilton hotel to the market, benefitting the growing number of business travelers."

Hilton Medellin will feature more than 2,000 square meters of world-class meeting space, including a 600-square-meter modular ballroom alongside five additional secondary meeting rooms. Other amenities will include an outdoor pool and whirlpool, executive lounge, fitness center, restaurant and piano bar, spa facility and beauty salon.

"Located in a valley surrounded by mountains, Medellin continues to be globally recognized as one of the most innovative cities in the world," said Shawn McAteer, vice president, global brand management, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. "The signing of Hilton Medellin is a significant milestone in a key region, and elevates our overall presence in this growing Latin America destination."
This textbook provides a basic understanding of the revenue management process. It distinguishes between tactical and strategic revenue management, addresses the proper use and importance of revenue management in hospitality operations, and describes a wide range of elements that must be considered in order to use revenue management effectively.

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) has published a second edition of the textbook, Revenue Management: Maximizing Revenue in Hospitality Operations, by Gabor Forgacs. Forgacs is an associate professor in the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he leads classes in revenue management, branding, and asset management, and is the faculty advisor for the schools co-op program.

This textbook provides a basic understanding of the revenue management process. It distinguishes between tactical and strategic revenue management, addresses the proper use and importance of revenue management in hospitality operations, and describes a wide range of elements that must be considered in order to use revenue management effectively.

The second edition includes new information on:

 Current challenges for revenue managers

 Big data and market intelligence

 The role of social media on revenue management

 New market segmentation approaches

New case studies and Industry Insights provide readers with real-world perspectives on hospitality revenue management issues.

Revenue Management: Maximizing Revenue in Hospitality Operations, Second Edition, is available in print and eBook formats, and is also available as a Distance Learning course.

Educators at hospitality management programs in the United States can order this and all of AHLEIs textbooks directly from AHLEI, as the organization discontinued its distribution agreement with Pearson Higher Education, effective July 1, 2015. U.S. academic customers can place orders and request desk copies by contacting academics@ahlei.org or by calling 1.800.344.4381 or +1.517.372.8800. Industry customers can order online at www.ahlei.org.
About Webcast

With recent articles like Harvard Business Reviews Its Time to Split HR,written by world-renowned business advisor and author Ram Charan, and BersinInsights Will HR Lose the Battle Over Analytics, written by industry analyst Karen OLeonard, 2015 represents a pivotal year for Human Resources as we know it today. The global economic recovery, compounded by demographic shifts, is moving power from employers to employees, turning labor into a sellers market. As a result, the workforce is becoming an increasingly core strategic consideration to businesses.



Join Workforce Intelligence expert Dave Weisbeck as he discusses how HR can play a more critical role driving business performance than ever before. In this informative and visionary Webinar, Dave will discuss:



The case for and against splitting HR

External factors driving the demand for HR to play a more strategic role in the business

How HR can re-skill and overcome the barriers to adopting a data-driven culture

The future of HR as a strategic advisor

HR success stories: Examples of strategic HR



About the presenter:

Dave Weisbeck leads the overall solutions success and strategy at Visier. Mr. Weisbeck is a seasoned software executive who has experience ranging from building development teams to growing multi-billion dollar businesses as a General Manager. Prior to joining Visier, Mr. Weisbeck spent over 18 years in the information management and analytics industry, which included time spent helping to build Crystal Decisions and Business Objects products and product strategy. Most recently Mr. Weisbeck was the Senior Vice President and General Manager responsible for Business Intelligence, Enterprise Information Management and Data Warehousing at SAP.

By registering for this webcast you will receive email communications and notifications from the sponsor(s).
We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector

We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector

We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector

We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe will have to wait another week to see whether a federal judge will put a stop to the Dakota Access Pipeline

The tribe made a forceful argument in federal court in Washington, D.C., in hopes of derailing the controversial project. Attorney Nicole Ducheneaux , herself a Cheyenne River citizen, said the mere presence of the crude oil pipeline in the Missouri River will harm her people's way of life by rendering the water impure.

"Water is essential to life on the reservation," Ducheneaux said during a 90-minute hearing on Tuesday morning.

But Judge James E. Boasberg said he wasn't ready to rule on a preliminary injunction sought by the tribe. He promised a written decision next week, which happens to be around the same time that construction in North Dakota might be finished.

With that in mind, Boasberg ordered Dakota Access to provide advance notice of oil going into the pipeline. He did so even after an attorney for the firm said there was a "low likelihood" that work would be finished by March 6, the earliest possible date of completion.

"I'm asking you to give 48 hours notice," the judge told attorney David Debold

The firm is already providing weekly status updates on construction activities and has given a range of March 6 to April 1 for dates of completion. After huddling in court with a top Dakota Access executive, Debold added that there was a "very high likelihood" that oil will be flowing before April 1, which would give the tribe, as well as other opponents, more time to fight the project in court.

The court actions represent the last resort for Cheyenne River as well as for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe now that President Donald Trump has turned his back on them. His administration failed to consult with the tribes on a government-to-government basis before the final portion of the pipeline was approved.

Arguments made by the Department of Justice at the hearing underscored the change in Washington. Attorney Ben Schifman said the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe failed to raise any concerns about its religious practices while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was reviewing the pipeline.

For the tribe to bring up religious concerns at this point in the litigation "is very problematic to the Corps ... and for the court's resources," Schifman said as he urged Boasberg to deny the injunction.

But if the injunction is denied, the fight still won't be over. Both Cheyenne River and Standing Rock have asked the judge to set aside the easement that was granted to Dakota Access earlier this month.

Briefing on that issue continues as construction crews work on the final portion at a site less than a half-mile from Standing Rock. A "pilot hole" has already been drilled under the Missouri River, according to a status update filed in court on Monday.

Crews are now "reaming" the hole, or making it bigger in order to accept a pipe that will transport oil through the river. The company and the Army Corps have both argued that the pipe, which will be 30 inches in diameter, won't impact the two tribes' treaty-guaranteed right to water in the Missouri.

"It doesn't even touch the water," Schifman of the Department of Justice said of the pipe.

Separate from the court fight, Standing Rock leaders are hoping to galvanize public support with Native Nations Rise in Washington. The event includes a symbolic camp near the Washington Monument starting on March 7 and concludes with a march to the White House on March 10.

Indian Country #NoDAPL Briefs: Oglala Sioux Tribe (February 21, 2017) Pueblo of Pojoaque / Association on American Indian Affairs / University of New Mexico School of Law Natural Resources and Environmental Law Clinic (February 21, 2017) National Indigenous Women's Resource Center / 13 Tribes / 105 Non-Profit Organizations (February 21, 2017) National Congress of American Indians / 34 Tribes / 11 Tribal Organizations / 2 Civil Rights Organizations (February 22, 2017)

Federal Register Notice: Notice of Termination of the Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in Connection With Dakota Access, LLC's Request for an Easement To Cross Lake Oahe, North Dakota (February 17, 2017)

Prior Federal Register Notice: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in Connection With Dakota Access, LLC's Request for an Easement To Cross Lake Oahe, North Dakota (January 18, 2017)

Dakota Access Pipeline Approval Documents:

White House Documents: Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (January 24, 2017) Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline (January 24, 2017) Executive Order Expediting Environmental Reviews and Approvals For High Priority Infrastructure Projects (January 24, 2017) Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of American Pipelines (January 24, 2017) Presidential Memorandum Streamlining Permitting and Reducing Regulatory Burdens for Domestic Manufacturing (January 24, 2017) Press Release: President Trump Takes Action to Expedite Priority Energy and Infrastructure Projects (January 24, 2017)

Join the Conversation

Related Stories
A measure to create "Choose Life" license plates in Nebraska advanced from an initial round of debate in the Legislature with significant support Tuesday.

Lawmakers voted 36-6 to end debate on the bill (LB46) and proceed to a vote. The bill passed on a 37-7 vote.

Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse said he introduced the measure to give Nebraskans another way to express support for pregnant women and unborn children. It is supported by anti-abortion groups.

Watermeier said he intends for money from selling the license plates to be used to help needy families. An amendment approved Monday directs those funds to the state's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

The plates would become available Jan. 1. First, the bill must pass two more rounds of voting in the Legislature.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and other groups that support abortion rights oppose the bill, calling it a subtle admonition of women who choose to terminate a pregnancy.

Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers led opposition to the bill in the Legislature, arguing it would involve the state in blatantly political speech when people interested in the plates could already petition the Department of Motor Vehicles for them under existing law.

Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha rejected the idea that voting against the bill means a senator supports abortion.

"This is not about choosing life, as in a conviction to be pro-life or choose life. This is about a darn license plate, for gosh sake."

Standard procedure established by the Legislature this year would have allowed debate to continue until shortly before noon, but Speaker Jim Scheer, who has discretion, allowed a cloture vote more than an hour early.

That bothered Chambers, who called it a "slight" and proceeded to stall a vote on a related fiscal bill.

"I will get my pound of flesh  again and again and again," he said.
During the fourth week of February 2017, authorities evicted the last remaining residents of Oceti Sakowin, the #NoDAPL encampment in North Dakota that hosted tens of thousands of people. Photo: Rob Wilson [GoFundMe]



The Yankton Sioux and their Chairman, Robert Flying Hawk, have broken new ground in litigation against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect the waters of the Missouri River from invasion and desecration by the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL): Their complaint challenges the federal Indian law concept of plenary power, by which the U.S. claims total authority over Indians and Indian lands. To my knowledge, a litigation challenge to federal Indian law basic concepts has only been done once before, by the Western Shoshone National Council in 1995. The Western Shoshone challenged the whole structure based on the so-called right of Christian Discoveryincluding the trust doctrine that the U.S. uses in conjunction with plenary power. Standing Rock and other parties challenging DAPL have limited their arguments to conventional federal Indian law and U.S. statutes like the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. These arguments presume the U.S. does have a right to dominate Indian country, but challenge the specifics of the dominationsuch as whether the U.S. followed proper procedures in its claim of domination.

Retired professor Peter d'Errico praises the Yankton Sioux Tribe for challenging the system of "domination" that's lurking behind the fight over the Dakota Access Pipeline

Read More on the Story: Peter d'Errico: Yankton Sioux Challenges Plenary Power Doctrine in DAPL Case (Indian Country Today 2/27)

Indian Country #NoDAPL Briefs: Oglala Sioux Tribe (February 21, 2017) Pueblo of Pojoaque / Association on American Indian Affairs / University of New Mexico School of Law Natural Resources and Environmental Law Clinic (February 21, 2017) National Indigenous Women's Resource Center / 13 Tribes / 105 Non-Profit Organizations (February 21, 2017) National Congress of American Indians / 34 Tribes / 11 Tribal Organizations / 2 Civil Rights Organizations (February 22, 2017)

Federal Register Notice: Notice of Termination of the Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in Connection With Dakota Access, LLC's Request for an Easement To Cross Lake Oahe, North Dakota (February 17, 2017)

Prior Federal Register Notice: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in Connection With Dakota Access, LLC's Request for an Easement To Cross Lake Oahe, North Dakota (January 18, 2017)

Dakota Access Pipeline Approval Documents:

White House Documents: Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (January 24, 2017) Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline (January 24, 2017) Executive Order Expediting Environmental Reviews and Approvals For High Priority Infrastructure Projects (January 24, 2017) Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of American Pipelines (January 24, 2017) Presidential Memorandum Streamlining Permitting and Reducing Regulatory Burdens for Domestic Manufacturing (January 24, 2017) Press Release: President Trump Takes Action to Expedite Priority Energy and Infrastructure Projects (January 24, 2017)

Join the Conversation

Related Stories
Business Vietnamese Firm Wins Planning Ministry Project

A woman passes FPT's headquarters in Hanoi. / Kham / Reuters

RANGOON  A Vietnamese firm has won the bid for a project to help upgrade Burmas public finance system.

FPT group will implement the US$11.3 million World Bank-funded project to install pre-fabricated data center facilities in Naypyidaw and Rangoon for the Ministry of Planning and Finance.

The Vietnamese conglomerate beat 12 rivals from China, India, Singapore, Malaysia, and Burma to win the bid, according to the Vietnamnet Bridge news website.

The Hanoi-based multinational company is one of Vietnams leading information technology firms with a presence in 21 countries and more than 28,000 employees, according to its website.

It has already implemented projects in Burma including the national financial switching system for Myanmar Payment Union, the countrys national trade portal, and software systems for the United Paints Group in Burma.

FPT is also the first foreign firm to receive a license to operate in the network facilities service segment in Burma, according to the report.

Burma is second only to Bangladesh as the companys top developing market, the report added.
Burma Protesters Re-Open Road in Letpadaung

A man, atop a truck, raises his hands during a demonstration demanding justice for casualties of a protest against the Chinese-run Letpadaung copper mine on December 22, 2014, near the Chinese embassy in Rangoon on December 29, 2014. Burmese police on December 22, 2014, fired on protesters near the Letpadaung mine, which is at the center of a long-running land dispute, killing one person and wounding 20. / Minzayar / Reuters

MANDALAY  Demonstrators from the Letpadaung copper mining region of Sagaing Division called off their protests and re-opened a road after receiving assurance from the Sagaing divisional chief minister on Saturday.

The protesters included farmers from nearby villages who said they had their land confiscated by mining operations, and proceeded to block the road connecting the copper mining area and the compound of the Chinese Wanbao Mining Co. starting on Feb. 22.

The chief minister assured us that he would negotiate with the mining company regarding compensation, so we called off the protest and re-opened the road blocks, said U Pho La Pyae, one of the farmers participating in the protest.

The farmers also said that the chief minister assured them he would instruct the mining company to follow the recommendations of the report from the Daw Aung San Suu Kyi-led investigation committee into the complaints.

The chief minister said that the farmers problems of mining in Letpadaung would be brought up in Parliament. We trust in our chief minister and the government led by Mother Suu, and our long lost hopes have become bright again, U Pho La Pyae said.

Local police reportedly brought charges against a number of the farmers for protesting without permission and blocking the road for around five days.

We heard that 25 farmers, including Sayardaw U Sanda Thiri from Hse Tae village and I, have been sued under peaceful assembly acts, Article 19 and two other criminal acts for an unlawful gathering and for blocking the road, said Than Mya from Moe Gyo Pyin village. However, we didnt receive any information letter or notice from the police or the court yet.

Locals said they are waiting for the results of discussions between the chief minister and the divisional parliament, however, they remain concerned that the mining company might not listen to government orders.

Although the chief minister assured us that he would talk with the mining company, the police and local administration sued us, and we feel like the chief minister or Mother Suus government has less power than the police and the administration officers in this case, said U Pho La Pyae.

However, we trust in Mother Suus government that they will not abandon us and will take action against the mining company for failing to follow orders, he added.
Burma Army Exerts Influence Over National-Level Dialogue

The Chin people will hold their national conference on March 28. / Chin National Dialogue / Facebook

National-level political dialogues have been delayed due to disagreements between the Burma Army and ethnic armed groups regarding logistics.

The Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) suggested holding its conference in Taunggyi or Panglong, but the army only agreed to hold it in Shan States Mong Pan Township, which is isolated and difficult to get to, according to Shan sources.

Col Sai Hla from the RCSS told The Irrawaddy that holding the meeting in Mong Pan would pose many difficulties.

Taunggyi is a suitable place for us. If we have to hold it in Mong Pan we will have nothing on hand to discuss at Panglong. It will not be an ideal Panglong conference if we cannot bring the voices of our Shan people, he said.

The RCSS sent a letter to the government, to which it replied that the meeting should be held in the area approved by the army. It then sent a follow-up letter to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 22 and is waiting for a reply.

The RCSS is not the only group having trouble hosting national-level political dialogue. Both Chin and Arakan representatives have faced similar disagreements with military representatives.

Chin and Arakan representatives expressed their disappointment to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during a meeting in early February in Naypyidaw.

Ethnic armed groups who have signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) are unhappy that the Burma Army is exerting their power and influence over decisions that should be made by ethnic leaders, such as where to hold their national-level dialogues.

The Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee consists of the government, the army and ethnic armed groupsbut the ethnic members do not believe decision-making regarding the peace process is shared equitably.

Whenever the Burma Army disagrees, we have to negotiate. They stick to their policy and we have to bend to army policy. If not, they disagree, and we cant do anything about it, said Col Sai Hla.

He added that if the Burma Army continues acting this way, there will be problems with the NCA and peace process reform will be slow.

Last years Panglong Conference was organized rather smoothly. The second conference was initially set for Feb. 28, but that has been pushed back to allow ethnic groups to first hold their national-level dialogues.

The Chin people will hold their national conference on March 28, and the Arakan people have not yet received permission or a date to hold theirs.

The Karen National Union also signed the NCA, but is unsure whether it will attend Panglong as its party conference is not until March 14.

It will be difficult to attend Panglong if it is scheduled for the same time as our conference. We will consider what the best option is when the time comes, said senior KNU leader Kwar Htoo Win.
Burma Burma Army Reports More Than 100 Casualties in Mong Ko Clashes

Military chief of staff Gen Mya Tun Oo speaks in Naypyidaw. / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy

RANGOON  More than 100 armed members of the Burma Army, police and militia were killed in Shan States Mong Ko during conflict between the Burma Army and joint ethnic armed forces between Nov. 20 and December last year.

The Burma Army held a press conference in Naypyidaw on Tuesday where the military chief of staff Gen Mya Tun Oo said that the fatalities included 74 soldiers (including eight officers), 15 police, 13 militiamen and 13 civilians.

There was close range fighting. Heavy weapons were shot seven times from as close as Lashio between Nov. 20-30, he said, adding that the attack near the 105th mile border trade zone stopped trade for five days, at a loss of US$90 million.

The joint ethnic armed forces dubbed themselves the Northern Alliance and included the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Arakan Army, Taang National Liberation Army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

The ethnic armed groups launched an offensive for two weeks primarily in Muse, Kutkai and Hsenwi townships, a move which ethnic armed group representatives have said was in response to previous Burma Army offensives against them, leaving them no place to hide and forcing them to militarily confront the Tatmadaw in the regional towns.

The Northern Alliance wanted to seize Mong Ko as they could easily threaten Sino-Myanmar trade if they took it. Plus, they could block the way for auxiliary troops and provide them a safe haven from airstrikes, as its close to China, Gen Mya Tun Oo said.

Fighting broke out in Mong Ko when the joint forces took the town for two weeks. The Burma Army ground and air forces were forced to retreat.

The Burma Army used air strikes during clashes in Mong Ko, damaging some buildingsas was witnessed by Irrawaddy reportersincluding one church which the army has since rebuilt.

Two pastors from the church were accused of supporting the KIA during the attack and both were detained by the Burma Army after the joint forces left the town.

The two pastors denied the accusations but remain in detention at a police station in Muse where they wait to be charged by the Burma Army.
Burma Burma Urged to Protect Chinese Interests After Factory Confrontation

Workers tailor and arrange clothing at a garment factory in Rangoon, March, 2010. / Reuters

RANGOON  The latest confrontation between Burmese employees and Chinese management at a textile factory in Rangoon has highlighted anti-Chinese sentiment in Burma, while China remains the countrys largest trading partner.

Hundreds of Burmese employees last week held captive seven Chinese managers and supervisors for hours and broke windows, doors and equipment in the Chinese-owned Hangzhou Baiyi garment factory in Rangoons Shwe Lin Pan Industrial Zone.

Police were informed after a Chinese manager reported the incident on social media. Burmese employees later released the Chinese citizens following negotiations with the local police force.

The Chinese Embassy in Burma on Feb. 24 released a statement saying that the embassy had urgently requested that Burmas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Rangoon divisional government seriously intervene. The embassy urged them to punish the perpetrators and protect the security of Chinese citizens and property of Chinese enterprises.

Burmas government promised to protect the safety and interests of Chinese enterprises and Chinese citizens in accordance with the law and properly address the problem as soon as possible, according to the statement.

The confrontation followed a strike, after the companys sacking of a foreman who had led Burmese workers in their opposition to excessive working hours. Since Feb. 1, around 500 Burmese workers have protested, demanding that the foreman be re-employed and that working hours be reduced.

However, the two sides could not reach an agreement until the third week of February, when Burmese workers locked up seven Chinese managers and supervisors and damaged the factory.

Well issue a statement. These problems happened because they [the factory management] did not accept our legal intervention. Well respond, Ko Aung Kyaw, central executive committee member of the Federation of Trade Unions of Myanmar, told The Irrawaddy.
Burma Construction Halted at Rangoon University Student Union Building Site

Construction of a building on the site of the historic Rangoon University student union building on Feb. 27. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

RANGOON  Construction was halted at the site of the historic Rangoon University student union building by the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABSFU), said ABSFU members who were working to organize a committee to oversee reconstruction.

On Feb. 22, Rangoon Division chief minister U Phyo Min Thein told members of student unions that his government would organize a place to be used as the committee office. On Sunday evening, photos showing nighttime construction of a building on the site went viral on social media, drawing strong criticism from ABSFU members.

On Monday evening, ABSFU members led a candlelit vigil against the construction. Students from other universities, as well as alumni, joined the vigil.

We objected to concerned authorities. They stopped after we said that they should consult with all before constructing any building, said Ko Nan Linn, one of the committee organizers.

Ko Mya Aye, a prominent leader of the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society, confirmed that construction had stopped following the ABSFU request.

In December, lawmaker U Oo Hla Saw from Arakan States Mrauk-U Township asked in the Lower House if the government planned to rebuild the student union building, and the deputy minister for education said that it would be built using the state budget in 2017.

The student union building was demolished with dynamite on July 8, 1962, following student protests the previous day against the governments dissolution of university councils on the campus under the dictatorship of U Ne Win.

Officially, 15 students and lecturers were killed and 27 were wounded in the militarys crackdown on the demonstration. Unofficial sources, however, state that hundreds were killed.

Student unions under successive governments have called for rebuilding. Since ex-President U Thein Seins quasi-civilian government came to power in 2010, students and activists have publicly memorialized the July 7 event annually.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.
Burma Govt Urged to Amend SEZ Laws to Protect Human Rights

Members of the International Commission of Jurists at the press conference in Rangoon. / Chan Son / The Irrawaddy

RANGOON  The government must amend U Thein Sein government-era Special Economic Zone (SEZ) laws in accordance with international standards to protect human rights, said three delegates of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) at a press conference in Rangoon on Monday.

Over the past eight months, the ICJcomprised of 60 judges and lawyers charged with promoting human rights through legal expertiseinterviewed over 100 government officials, businesses, and local residents connected to Burmas SEZs to determine the implementation and impact of SEZ laws.

The ICJ discovered that while SEZ laws detail procedures for leasing land to developers, they do not provide information on resettling persons whose homes, land, or livelihoods were lost due to SEZ development.

The SEZ lawsincluding a main law and a rules and regulations by-lawcontains three chapters highlighting the potential benefits for investors, but had no mention of human rights.

The [countrys] laws dont always work together very clearly, said Regional Director of ICJ Mr. Saman Zia-Zarifi.

Part of our suggestions to the government, he added, is to bring the land laws, the SEZ law, and human rights laws together.

Legal consultant of the ICJ Sean Bain noted that civil society organizations (CSOs) from SEZ regions have documented human rights abuses by the state and by companies.

There were cases of displaced persons reporting no meaningful consultation and inadequate compensation in the development of SEZs in Dawei and Thilawa, he said.

He said that further development of SEZs in Burma and related investment agreements, should wait until laws have been amended to protect the rights of residents and workers in SEZs.

Land Disputes and Contradictory Laws

U Tun Kyithe coordinator of CSO Kyaukphyu Rural Development Association in Arakan Statesaid local farmers were unable to obtain compensation for land developed in the Kyaukphyu SEZ as they were unable to show registration documents to local authorities.

U Tun Kyi noted that SEZ law doesnt mention the formation of a committee at the state level, and, currently, problems are managed by the central working body of the SEZ committee with the assistance of local authorities.

Farmers in the SEZ zone were unclear where to put forward their caseto local authorities, the national SEZ committee, or the courts.

There is no SEZ office in Kyaukpyu and most committee members live in Rangoon; farmers are automatically cut off from the committee, U Tun Kyi pointed out.

The state government has no say in these land disputes, he said, everything will be directly handled from Rangoon. At the moment, we have no idea what the SEZ committee members are doing.

Sean Bain explained the contradictions between Burmas SEZ laws and other national laws, including the 1894 Land Acquisition Act of Burma, and the lack of accountability of the SEZ committee.

The ICJ claimed that the government SEZ committee breached the principles of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)designed to grant adequate standards of living for local communities, and signed by Burma in 2015and UN guiding principles on development-based displacement. Both demonstrate that forced eviction is forbidden in international law.

As an ICESCR-signatory, Burmas government should establish a resettlement plan prior to any land acquisition as part of Environmental Impact Assesssment (EIA) procedures.

The ICJ found that in Burmas three SEZsin Dawei, Thilawa and Kyaukphyuthe committee coordinated land acquisition before the completion of a resettlement plan for the local community.

If SEZ laws cannot be immediately changed through Parliament, the government should conduct EIA procedures that comply with the international standards of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

Committee Commitments

Sean Bain said that when the ICJ met with the newly appointed SEZ committee members in Naypyidaw over the past months they expressed a strong commitment to human rights and to not repeating the mistakes of the previous government.

Dawei Development Associations (DDA) coordinator Ko Thant Zin agreed with the recommendations of the ICJ that SEZ laws should ensure legal protection for local communities.

Although enticing investors with SEZs is good for Burmas economic development and job creation, the committee should outline what sort of factories will be in the SEZ, Ko Thant Zin said.

In Dawei SEZ, refinery factories have not produced a significant number of local jobs.

He also pointed out that the government-appointed SEZ committee should follow the procedures of the relevant ministry.

Last week, Thilawa SEZ committee commenced construction of its Zone B project expected to be completed in mid-2018, with the EIA completed by the SEZ committee.

EIA processes are the duty of the ministry of natural resources and environmental conservation, said Ko Thant Zin.

But as far as I know, in being in the second phase of the Thilawa SEZ, its body makes decisions regarding the EIA. They should respect the ministrys provisions, he added.

The Irrawaddy contacted Kyaukphyu SEZ committee member U Thaung on Tuesday but he declined to comment.
Burma Lower House to Discuss Naming of Mon State Bridge

Construction of the bridge on the Salween River between Chaungzon and Moulmein townships. / Aung Naing Oo / Facebook

RANGOON  The Lower House of Parliament agreed on Tuesday to discuss a proposal to name a new bridge across the Salween River in Mon State after independence icon Aung San, despite serious concerns and objections from locals.

The new bridge would link Moulmein and Chaungzon townships after its completion in March. Construction of the two-lane, 5,200-foot structure has cost an estimated 60 billion kyats (US$44 million).

A lawmaker from Burmas ruling National League for Democracy, Mi Kon Chan, from Mon States Paung Township submitted the proposal to the Parliament on Tuesday, saying that Gen Aung San is the architect of Burmese independence and the one who shone the way to what she called the Panglong Spirit.

His name belongs to the whole nation, but doesnt represent any individual ethnic group, she said in the Parliament.

We need to differentiate between national leaders and ethnic leaders, she added.

Lawmaker Mi Kon Chan also criticized those who denounced the plan of naming the bridge after Gen Aung San as being narrow minded.

Earlier this month, the Mon divisional ministry of construction attempted to name the bridge after Gen Aung San, but proceeded to face serious objection from ethnic Mon locals, who said they preferred a name celebrating ethnic Mon heritage, and saying Gen Aung San has no relation to the bridge and the area.

Although the bridge was slated to open on Feb.13, it was canceled due to locals objections regarding its name.

After leaders from the Mon National Day Working Committee met the then-Chief Minister U Min Min Oo, the regional government promised that it would choose a name that local community could accept.

Two weeks ago, Ethnic Affairs Minister U Nai Thet Lwin also said that the government would name the bridge Yarmanyawhich means Mon State in the ethnic Mon language widely spoken in the region.

As there were only two lawmakers who voted not to discuss about Mi Kon Chans proposal, the Parliament agreed to tackle the controversy and will likely oversee a discussion in the legislature next week.

U Aung Naing Oo, deputy speaker of Mon State regional parliament told The Irrawaddy that there was no need for such an issue to be discussed at the national level, and that a solution should instead be found at the regional level.

Union level representatives and lawmakers wont understand the actual situation here, he said referring to the regional communities objections.

Submitting this proposal in the Lower House is neglecting local communities voices, he told The Irrawaddy, suggesting that the move by Mi Chan Kon was an attempt by lawmakers to forcefully name the bridge.

U Aung Naing Oo stressed that the decision would have an impact on peace dialogue and trust building between the government and ethnic communities if Lower House decides the bridge should be named after Gen Aung San.
Burma Refugees from Burma Sucked into Bangladesh Drug Trade

Rohingya Muslim refugee, whose husband is in prison on charges of carrying yaba, in the Leda Unregistered Refugee Camp, in Teknaf, Bangladesh. / Mohammad Ponir Hossain / Reuters

LEDA, Bangladesh  Rohingya Muslim refugee Ali Hasan is desperately looking for a bride for his 14-year-old son, jailed last year in Bangladesh for carrying the popular drug yaba. He hopes the girls family would pay the $620 needed for Mohammed Hasans bail as dowry.

Police arrested Mohammed with 5,000 pills of yaba, as methamphetamine is widely known in Asia, last June. His elder brother, Izzat Ali, was arrested a few months later with 200 pills and sent to prison.

Bangladesh says the influx of Rohingya fleeing Buddhist-majority Burma is partly to blame for soaring methamphetamine use in its cities. But many Rohingya say their young people are being pushed into crime because they cannot legally work or, in many cases, access aid.

Ali Hasan fled Burma three decades ago and his sons grew up in an unofficial camp in Leda, a 15-minute drive from the Naf River separating Bangladesh from Burma.

It is not uncommon for Rohingya families to arrange marriages while the couple are still in their mid-teens, and the 60-year-old does not think the fact Mohammed is in jail awaiting trial will be an issue, so common have such brushes with the law become among the refugees.

Were looking for a bride for him so that they can pay the dowry in advance, he said. People know that he was lured into it and he had no wrong intentions, so I dont think getting a bride will be difficult.

Rohingya Muslims have been fleeing apartheid-like conditions in northwestern Burma, where they are denied citizenship, since the early 1990s, and there are now more than 200,000 in Bangladesh. More than 70,000 have flooded across the border since October, escaping an army crackdown.

Local Resentment

Consumption of yabaThai for crazy medicineis booming in Bangladesh. Seizures alone jumped more than 2,500 percent to 29.4 million pills last year compared with 2011and the business is worth an estimated US$3 billion annually.

Police and government officials say the stateless Rohingya refugees, who cannot easily be traced, are the traffickers preferred mules.

The authorities have cited a growing drug problem as one reason for pushing ahead with a controversial scheme to move thousands of refugees from their border camps to an undeveloped island in the Bay of Bengal.

The local population and local leaders are extremely unhappy about this influx, H.T. Imam, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas political adviser, said in Dhaka. They displace laborers by undercutting locals. The yaba trade is flourishing due to them.

He did not provide any data about the refugees involvement in the drug trade.

Residents of Coxs Bazar, the coastal district neighboring Burma where most of the refugees live, are now holding public meetings and rallies in support of the refugee relocation plan.

Sanmaraz, a 35-year-old Rohingya woman living in Leda, arrived from Burma two decades ago. Her husband, Amanullah, is now in jail awaiting trial on charges of carrying yaba. She says he was framed by local villagers.

Bangladesh has given us shelter, but the local people dont want us here, she said. They want to harm us; they want to chase us away.

Only the 34,000 refugees living in two official camps are eligible for international aid. In places such as the Leda Unregistered Rohingya Refugee Settlement, where Ali Hasan and Sanmaraz both live, there are few means of support.

As a result, many end up working as drug carriers, while some women are lured into the sex trade, said Afruzul Haque Tutul, a senior police officer in Coxs Bazar.

Rukina Begum, 35, said she was persuaded to join another Rohingya woman carrying 1,000 yaba pills on a bus by the promise of work for her 11-year-old son.

If only I had money I would never have sent my young son to work anywhere, and this would not have happened, said Begum, who was out on bail after spending eight months in jail.

Bangladesh insists the Rohingya, though undocumented, are Burmese citizens and must ultimately return.

We cannot allow citizens of Burma to work here, said Imam, the prime ministers adviser. There are several local committees under the district administration to provide relief to them.

Surging Yaba Demand

This month Reuters was taken to a tin shed by a canal in the Leda camp, where a 19-year-old youth wearing a blue T-shirt and longyi took orders for yaba from two customers seated on a mat.

The youth, who fled to Bangladesh three years ago, said he buys 20-50 yaba pills from a local villager every day after tasting one or two himself for quality.

Bangladesh consumes an average of 2 million such pills a day, estimated two officials at the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) in Dhaka.

Each pill retails for around 300 taka ($3.75). The same pill can be bought for around 60 taka in Coxs Bazar. Rohingya mules can earn 10,000 taka for transporting 5,000 pills to Dhaka and other urban centers, the officials said.

Our data shows that the majority of the carriers are Rohingya, said police officer Tutul, but declined to share specific numbers.

A DNC mobile court has convicted 15 refugees in the past six months.

But the Rohingya mules are only a small cog in the yaba supply chain.

From negligible yaba sales a few years ago, Bangladesh has become a big market for traffickers who source the drug from factories in lawless northeastern Burma, according to Jeremy Douglas, regional representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Whatever has been coming is growing very, very fast, he said. But its much bigger in Burma. Internal demand there has been very carefully cultivated and developed by organized crime groups. They have been trafficking inside the country and they have been pushing the product fast, including towards Bangladesh.
A Nebraska lawmaker's effort to prepare the state for the arrival of driverless cars met resistance Tuesday from industry representatives, who said it's too soon to act.

National experts on traffic safety, liability and autonomous vehicle technology are still crafting a regulatory framework for all states. Most agree widespread deployment of self-driving cars is years away, if not decades.

"There's a lot of stuff that's still in flux," said John Lindsay, a lobbyist representing 12 of the nation's largest car manufacturers.

The Alliance of Auto Manufacturers was among half a dozen groups that offered neutral but skeptical input on a measure sponsored by Sen. Tyson Larson of O'Neill. The bill (LB627) was the subject of a public hearing Tuesday before the Legislature's Transportation and Telecommunications Committee.

No one other than Larson spoke in support of the bill. The ride-hailing service Uber, which is testing its own self-driving fleets in Pittsburgh and Tempe, Arizona, opposed the measure.

"States are trying to think ahead," said Carla Jacobs, a lobbyist for Uber. "I don't know if anyone can see the future of this technology enough to put in place a bill that will absolutely work for the future."

Julie Maaske, deputy director of the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, said, while autonomous vehicles are an "important and relevant topic," the state should avoid becoming an "island" by establishing laws that don't mesh with those from other states or the federal government.

Eleven states have passed laws related to driverless cars.

Larson's is the first such measure introduced in Nebraska. He said the language is modeled after a Florida law passed last year.

Self-driving cars are "no longer just an engineer's vision of the future," Larson said.

He acknowledged the technology is still changing but called the bill a starting point that would get something on the state's law books in case the federal government doesn't act.

"We understand that Washington has enough on their plate."
Burma UN Rights Expert Decries Northern Arakan Violence after Bangladesh Trip

UN Special Rapporteur to Burma Yanghee Lee visits Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar / Yanghee Lee / twitter

RANGOON  The UN Special Rapporteur to Burma Yanghee Lee described harrowing accounts of abuse from Rohingya refugees and urged the Burmese government to prevent any further serious rights violations in northern Arakan State following the conclusion of her four-day trip to Bangladesh last Friday.

Yanghee Lee said that the magnitude of violence that these families have witnessed and experienced is far more extensive than I had originally speculated after she met with Rohingya refugees in Balukhali, Leda, Nayapara, and Kutupalong camps in Bangladesh.

I heard allegation after allegation of horrific events like theseslitting of throats, indiscriminate shootings, setting alight houses with people tied up inside and throwing very young children into the fire, as well as gang rapes and other sexual violence, the Special Rapporteur said in a statement released from Dhaka last Friday.

She urged a prompt, thorough, independent, and impartial investigation into violations already committed during Burma Army-led security operations in response to attacks on border guard posts in October last year, though she did not call for a UN Commission of Inquiry in her statement.

Earlier this month, IRIN news reported that Yanghee Lee would be calling for such an inquiry when she presents her full report on the human rights situation in Burma to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva on March 13.

A graphic flash report of abuses by Burma Army soldiers released by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights based on the testimony of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh had added to calls for such a commission.

On Monday, Reuters reported that Keith Harperwho served as US President Barack Obamas ambassador to the Geneva-based council from 2014 to January this yearsaid the HRC must set up a Commission of Inquiry.

In Fridays statement, Yanghee Lee also referred to internal police investigations into cover-ups of several custodial deaths which have come to light in the last two weeks.

The rapporteur remarked that she had raised such cases during [her] visit to Myanmar and the response which was giventhat the deaths were related to their pre-existing medical conditionsappears now to be called into question.

The UN expert also cast doubt on an announcement by the State Counselors Office that military operations in northern Arakan State had finishedshe said she had been informed that there was still a heavy military presence in the area.

She reiterated comments made at the conclusion of her visit to Burma last month that the decades of systematic and institutionalized discrimination, and long-standing persecution of the Rohingya population may have led to the attacks on border guard posts in October last year.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 28, 2017) - Galway Metals Inc. (TSX VENTURE:GWM) (the "Company" or "Galway") is pleased to announce assay results from its first diamond drill hole from its 18,314 hectare Estrades polymetallic property located in the northern Abitibi of western Quebec, Canada. On August 18, 2016, the Company announced that it had consolidated 100% of the Estrades mining camp, which includes approximately 17, 16, and 31 km along the Estrades, nearby Newiska and Casa Berardi trends, respectively.

Galway simultaneously released the results of an updated NI 43-101 Estrades resource estimate carried out by Roscoe Postle Associates (RPA). A summary of the new resource is provided below. Breakwater Resources Ltd. spent CDN$20 million in 1990 developing Estrades, including the installation of a 200 metre (m) deep by 150 m along strike decline, a ventilation raise and associated infrastructure. Production in 1990-91 totalled 174,946 tonnes grading 12.9% Zn, 6.4 g/t Au, 1.1% Cu and 172.3 g/t Ag. Breakwater closed the mine amid weak metal prices.

Robert Hinchcliffe, President and CEO of Galway Metals, said, "Galway is thrilled to have been able to intersect such high grades in its very first hole drilled at Estrades, and in doing so likely increased the strike length and total resource of the project. There are not many VMS deposits that are so high grade in terms of gold. The Company is looking forward to continuing its exploration program at Estrades, initially to fill in near-surface gaps in the resource, and later to drill for rich vent systems that may exist at depth. Galway is currently completing a paired IP program with a search radius of approximately 400 metres to assist with this deep drilling program. Galway is also very encouraged to have begun its drill program at Estrades in a similarly strong fashion as it has done at Clarence Stream. Galway now has two excellent exploration projects in mine-friendly Canadian jurisdictions that the Company is advancing."

Highlights of the first of the 10 drill holes that have been completed so far at Estrades by Galway are:

72.5 g/t Au and 40.1g/t Ag over 1.6 metres (true width = 1.0m), including 1.4% Zn over 0.85m (0.5m TW) starting at a vertical depth of 92 meters.

The significance of this drill intersect is that it is 240 metres east of, and outside the existing resource, and it is between two historic drill intersects that are also east of and outside the existing resource. Galway believes that these three high grade intersects could now represent a resource that would extend the strike length of the Estrades resource 265 metres to the east such that the total strike length would be 2.0 km, up from 1.8 km currently.

One of the historic drill holes, H-227, is 27 metres above Galway's first hole and returned:

50.1 g/t Au, 59.3 g/t Ag, 3.4% Zn, 1.2% Cu and 0.3% Pb over 0.6 metres (TW=0.5m), while the other historic drill hole, H-087, is 42 metres below Galway's first drill hole and returned:

3.9 g/t Au, 6.4 g/t Ag, 3.6% Zn, and 0.8% Cu over 3.7 metres (TW=2.8m), including 20.9 g/t Au, 21.0 g/t Ag and 3.5% Zn over 0.6 metres (TW=0.5m).

Estrades Drilling

Galway has completed the first 10 holes at Estrades, with assays are pending for the remaining nine (3,405 metres) as part of its planned 6,000-metre, 20-hole drill program for 2017. Drilling can occur only during the winter freeze period, and as such is expected to last approximately three months. The initial drilling had to take place at the east end of Estrades because a lack of sufficient freezing in the early winter necessitated drilling on or near the access road/landings.

The Company is also completing a paired downhole induced polarization (IP) program at both its Estrades and nearby Newiska properties to search for deeper source vents rich in copper and other metals. This IP program is expected to enhance Galway's ability to find areas rich in sulphides, which often hosts copper and other metal-bearing minerals. Drilling will initially focus on near surface targets that are outside the resource, and will shift to deeper targets once the IP results have been received and interpreted.

New Robust Resource Estimate Provides Upside Potential

In conjunction with the closing of the Estrades transaction, the company announced an updated NI 43-101 resource estimate conducted by Roscoe Postle Associates. This report was filed on Sedar on October 3, 2016. Resource estimate is as follows:

Table 1: Mineral Resource Summary, Estrades Project, August 12, 2016

Class Lens Name Tonnes Au

(g/t) Ag

(g/t) Zn

(%) Cu

(%) Pb

(%) Indicated Main 912,000 4.25 158.4 8.84 1.22 0.71 Central 388,000 3.05 89.6 5.87 .88 0.50 Total Indicated 1,300,000 3.89 137.9 7.95 1.12 0.65 Inferred Main 354,000 1.72 83.4 4.82 1.17 0.41 Central 233,000 2.57 55.8 4.04 .45 0.35 East 631,000 1.05 65.0 4.11 1.99 0.15 Total Inferred 1,219,000 1.54 68.6 4.31 1.46 0.26

Class Lens Name Au

(oz) Ag

(oz) Zn

(000 lb) Cu

(000 lb) Pb

(000 lb) Indicated Main 124,618 4,644,594 177,738 24,529 14,275 Central 38,048 1,117,731 50,212 7,527 4,277 Total Indicated 162,666 5,762,325 227,950 32,057 18,552 Inferred Main 19,576 949,220 37,617 9,131 3,200 Central 19,252 418,011 20,753 2,312 1,798 East 21,302 1,318,683 57,175 27,683 2,087 Total Inferred 60,131 2,685,915 115,544 39,126 7,084

Notes:

CIM definitions were followed for Mineral Resources. No Mineral Reserves are present. All metal prices, the US$/CDN$ exchange rate and cut-off grade were provided by RPA. Mineral Resources are estimated at long-term metal prices (USD) as follows: Zn $1.15/lb, Cu $3.50/lb, Pb $1.00/lb, Au $1,450/oz, and Ag $21.00/oz. Mineral Resources are estimated using an average long-term foreign exchange rate of US$0.80 per CDN$1.00. Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of CDN$140/tonne NSR, which included provisions for metallurgical recoveries, freight, mining, milling, refining and G&A costs, smelter payables for each metal and applicable royalty payments. A minimum mining width of approximately 1.5 m was used. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Numbers may not add due to rounding.

Estrades, Newiska, and Casa Berardi Geology and Mineralization

The Estrades area is in the NW Abitibi Subprovince, with generally east-west striking and vertically dipping volcanics, with the mineralization of a classic Archean age of the syngenetic exhalative type, hosted in a rhyolite felsic schist and/or brecciated or felsic tuff with alteration typically a pervasive sericite with local chlorite. Regional metamorphism is of greenschist facies. Pyrite is the dominant sulphide, however sphalerite is common, as is chalcopyrite and galena. RPA found that 2 mineralized horizons appear to be kept separate by a Key Marker horizon; the two layers traceable along the entire strike length. To the west, the Main Zone is mineralized for over 400 m horizontally, extends over 850 m below surface, has an average width of 3.8 m, and is the location of all production to date. The Central Zone has a strike length of 500 m, is drilled to 550m, and has an average width of 2.0 m, while the East Zone lies 100 m east of the Central Zone, is over 700 m horizontal, is drilled to 750 m in depth, and is 1.0 m to 2.5 m in width. A fault separates the Main Zone from the Central and East Zones, and strikes 338 and dips 65 SW, with a 210 m offset. Mineralization that has been identified in the deepest drill hole (Hole H-281AW) is located under the mine, and intersected sulphide mineralization 900 m below surface, returning 3.3% Zn, 0.5% Cu, 1.1 g/t Au and 38.7 g/t Ag over 1.9 m. The Estrades deposit is covered by glacial silt, clays and sandy gravels of variable thickness. The Newiska Block is over 300m of sericite-chlorite alteration in rhyolite, with chalcopyrite-sphalerite stringer mineralization and is located southeast of Estrades. The Casa Berardi geology and mineralization consists of a major regional deformation zone, the Casa-Berardi Break, that is 2 km north of the Estrades Unit within sediments, and that is a 4 m graphitic fault with injections of quartz-carbonate veining in sandstone, siltstone, greywacke and argillite plus BIF, where the sediments are sericitized and carbonatized; containing up to 20% ankerite and locally, pyrite, arsenopyrite-bearing, smoky to dark quartz veins containing pyrite and arsenopyrite.

Review by Qualified Person, Quality Control and Reports

In compliance with National Instrument 43-101, Mr. Mike Sutton, P.Geo. is the Qualified Person responsible for the accuracy of this news release. Mr Reno Pressacco, P. Geo, is the Qualified Person responsible for preparation and disclosure of the Estrades Mineral Resource estimate, and is independent of Galway. The drill core is sawn in half with one half of the core sample shipped to Swastika Laboratories situated in Swastika, ON, which has accreditation of ISO/IEC 17025. The other half of the core is retained for future assay verification. Other QA/QC measures includes the insertion of certified reference standards (gold and polymetallics) and blanks into the sample stream, and the regular re-assaying of pulps and rejects at alternate certified labs. Gold analysis is conducted by fire assay using atomic absorption or gravimetric finish. The laboratory re-assays at least 10% of all samples and additional checks may be run on anomalous values.

Hole ID Azimuth

(degrees) Dip

(degrees) Northing Easting Total Depth

(m) Galway Metals Drilling GMY17E-01 340 -63 5494990N 655869E 150 Historical Drilling H-227 348 -51.5 5494990N 655869E 122 H-087 351 -50 5494924N 655858E 227

About the Company

Galway Metals is well capitalized with approximately CAD$9.7 million at September 30, 2016. The Company has two gold projects in Canada, Clarence Stream, an emerging gold district in New Brunswick, and Estrades, the former producing, high-grade VMS mine in Quebec. The Company began trading on January 4, 2013, after the successful spinout to existing shareholders from Galway Resources following the completion of the US$340 million sale of that company. With substantially the same management team and Board of Directors, Galway Metals is keenly intent on creating similar value as it had with Galway Resources.
TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - LSC Lithium Corporation (the "Company" or "LSC") (TSXV: LSC) (formerly Oakham Capital Corp.; NEX: OKM.H) is pleased to announce that it has received final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") for its qualifying transaction (the "Qualifying Transaction") under the rules of the TSX-V's Capital Pool Program, and will recommence trading at the open on February 28, 2017 under the trading symbol LSC. It will no longer be considered a Capital Pool Company.

LSC was established to acquire, explore and develop lithium brine projects in Northern Argentina and has amassed a large portfolio of prospective lithium rich salars. LSC's four flagship properties, the Salar Rio Grande Tenements, Salar Pastos Grandes Tenements, Salar Salinas Grandes Tenements and Salar Jama Tenements are located in the "Lithium Triangle," an area at the intersection of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile where the world's most abundant lithium brine deposits are found. In addition, LSC holds an option over almost the entire Salar de Pozuelos. Overall, LSC holds, or has under option, a land package portfolio totaling approximately 270,000 hectares of prospective lithium salar holdings.

Qualifying Transaction

On February 22, 2017, LSC announced the closing of its Qualifying Transaction involving the acquisition of LSC Lithium Inc. ("LSC Lithium") by way of a "three-cornered amalgamation" pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The Qualifying Transaction has now received all final approvals, including the final approval of the TSX-V. In conjunction with the closing of the Qualifying Transaction, Wolrige Mahon LLP will resign and KPMG LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, will be appointed as auditors.

Prior to the closing of the Qualifying Transaction, LSC Lithium completed a private placement financing of 30,769,231 subscription receipts at a price of C$1.30 each for aggregate gross proceeds of C$40,000,000. With the recent private placement financing, the Company has raised approximately C$74 million to date. The total number of issued and outstanding common shares of LSC at the commencement of trading will be 84,695,841 on a non-diluted basis and 108,707,183 on a fully-diluted basis.

LSC's largest shareholder is Enirgi Group, which owns 18.19% of the common shares of LSC. Enirgi Group is a privately held multinational conglomerate with six unique global divisions. On December 12, 2016, a subsidiary of LSC acquired a 100% undivided interest in certain material properties pursuant to a purchase agreement with ADY Resources Limited ("ADY"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Enirgi Group.

LSC has also entered into agreements with Enirgi Group for the provision of management and technical support services. LSC will also have exclusive access in Argentina to Enirgi Group's proprietary processing technology  Direct Xtraction Process Technology  which processes raw brines directly into lithium compounds without solar evaporation. LSC anticipates beginning testing of its brines in the second quarter of this year at Enirgi Group's demonstration plant located at its Salar del Rincon project in Salta, Argentina.

"LSC has assembled a large portfolio of high quality lithium brine projects and an experienced team, which means we are a lithium company, not a lithium hopeful. The properties LSC has strategically selected are not unexplored grassroots projects - real hard dollars have been spent in the ground defining the brine deposits and ensuring they have the characteristics required to fit our future plans. Our flagship projects all have a known exploration history and extractable lithium atoms. In addition to a large portfolio of quality development projects, LSC has entered a strategic partnership with Enirgi Group that will provide exclusive access to game-changing extraction technology and a team of 200+ seasoned engineers, geologists, technologists and tradespersons." commented Wayne Richardson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of LSC.

Operational Update

LSC will continue the business of LSC Lithium and its subsidiaries. The primary objectives of LSC will be the identification, acquisition, exploration and, if warranted, development of lithium brine salars in Argentina. LSC intends to carry out exploration programs as recommended in the National Instrument 43-101 ("NI-43-101") report (the "Technical Report") titled "Review of Four Lithium Exploration Properties in Argentina" prepared on January 27, 2017 with an effective date of December 31, 2016 (and available under LSC's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com) and to acquire interests in additional lithium brine salars located in Argentina. LSC aims to accumulate a significant land holding in Argentina that it believes to be prospective for lithium resources and to become a significant supplier of lithium to the global market.

Properties

The material property interests acquired by LSC (the "Properties") are located in: (i) salar Rio Grande in southwestern Salta Province of Argentina ("Salar Rio Grande Tenements"); (ii) salar Pastos Grandes, located south of Salar Salinas Grandes in Salta Province of Argentina ("Salar Pastos Grandes Tenements"); (iii) salar Jama in the Jujuy Province of Argentina at the border with Chile ("Salar Jama Tenements"), and (iv) salar Salinas Grandes in the Salta and Jujuy Provinces of Argentina, ("Salar Salinas Grandes Tenements"). In total, the Properties cover 51,760 hectares, of which LSC has an attributable interest of 49,310 hectares or 95% of the total. All of the Properties are located in relatively close proximity to each other as well as to Enirgi Group's Salar del Rincon project.

LSC has not completed any exploration activity on the Properties.

No mineral resources or reserves have been defined on any of the Properties. References herein to potential grades on the Properties are historic and conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and there can be no assurance that further geologic work will result in mineral resources being delineated on the Properties.

Salar Rio Grande Tenements

Salar Rio Grande located in southwestern Salta Province, has been a significant past producer of sodium sulphate. ADY operated on the salar for several years, with the last production being in 2013.

Exploration work by ADY on the Salar Rio Grande Tenements has included (i) geological mapping and shallow surface sampling (142 samples to 1 m depth) in 2011, (ii) 33 HQ diamond drill holes for 1653 m, 2 reverse circulation drilling holes for piezometers, 8 pumping wells to maximum depth of 100 m (31 at 50 m, 1 at 75 m, 1 at 100 m) in 2011, and (iii) an environmental impact statement report in 2015.

Average assay values for the surface sampling were 42 g/L for sodium sulphate and 380 mg/L for lithium. Assay values for samples from packer tests were 44 g/L for sodium sulphate and showed a range from 220 to 420 mg/L for lithium. Average Mg:Li ratios for the packer samples were in the range of 12:1 to 13:1; with SO 4 :Li ratios typically in the 100:1 range. The estimated porosity for the Salar Rio Grande Tenements down to 50 m depth was 13.5%, based on analysis of drill core by ADY.

Salar Pastos Grandes Tenements

Previous work by other companies on other tenements on salar Pastos Grandes has been completed, however, ADY has undertaken no exploration work on the Salar Pastos Grandes Tenements.

Alonso and Sorentino in their 2009 report reported the following brine assays for salar Pastos Grande (Table 1):

Table 1: Average Brine Assay Values  salar Pastos Grandes

Cl (%) SO 4 (%) B 2 O 3 (%) K (%) Na (%) Li (%) Mg (%) Ca (%) 15.0 0.9 0.019 0.82 9.33 0.043 0.39 0.044

These data compare to other third party sources showing the following average assay values (Table 2):

Table 2: Average Brine Assay Values  salar Pastos Grandes

SO 4

(g/L) B 4 O 7

(g/L) K

(g/L) Na

(g/L) Li

(g/L) Mg

(g/L) Ca

(g/L) Cl

(g/L) 7.78 1.89 3.55 121.0 0.317 2.12 0.80 192.6

Source: Lithia Inc.

The foregoing brine assay values are based on third party historic disclosure which has not been verified by the Company and may not be representative of mineralization on adjacent tenements held or to be held by LSC. No assurances can be made that similar results will be obtained on the Salar Pastos Grandes Tenements held by LSC.

Salar Jama Tenements

Salar Jama is located in the Jujuy Province of Argentina at the border with Chile. Segemar, the Argentine Geological Survey, completed a program of geological mapping, shallow surface sampling and trenching for delineation of borate mineralization on salar Jama in 2008. Cuper S.A. ("Cuper"), a 51% held subsidiary of LSC, completed a program of shallow surface sampling in 2015 and engaged K-UTEC AG Salt Technologies ("K-UTEC") to complete a conceptual scoping study for the project based on use of solar evaporation. No resource or reserve estimate was made in connection with the K-UTEC report. Cuper also completed an Environmental Impact Study ("EIS") Level I report on a portion of the Salar Jama Tenements in 2015. The results of the surface sampling by Cuper indicate good lithium values and favourable Mg:Li ratios for the major part of salar Jama in the north. Due diligence sampling by LSC across the 5000 hectare northern portion of the salar support the surface sampling results obtained by Cuper. Sampling by ADY in 2010 on the Nueva Ilusion tenement in the southern portion of the salar returned low lithium values of less than 5 mg/L.

Salar Salinas Grandes Tenements

Salar Salinas Grandes is a large salar located in both the Salta and Jujuy Provinces of Argentina. The Salar Salinas Grandes Tenements on the northwestern side of salar Salinas Grandes are found primarily on mud flats with some limited extension into the salt flat in the south end. Exploration work by ADY in 2009 in this area consisted of collection of shallow pit (1.5 m deep maximum) samples on a 2 km x 2 km grid and three shallow auger drill holes (maximum depth of 7 m), with collection of samples at 1 m intervals.

The results of the surface sampling work indicated the phreatic level occurred between 5 cm and 80 cm below surface level and that lithium grades varied from 227 mg/L to 2090 mg/L in the evapoflat (salt flat) area and from 2 mg/L to 55 mg/L in the mud flat zones with the phreatic level varying between 15 cm to 1.3 m below surface. The auger drill results showed that lithium grades increase moving into salar Salinas Grandes and that lithium grades decrease rapidly with depth. In 2010, ADY completed a surface sampling program (1 m deep pit samples) on a 250 m x 250 m or 500 m x 500 m grid pattern for the tenements located on certain Salar Salinas Grande Tenements in the Salta and Jujuy Provinces of Argentina.

Other Matters

The TSX-V has approved the transfer of 42,307 common shares of LSC between former directors of LSC, which shares are held in escrow pursuant to a CPC Escrow Agreement dated January 15, 2011.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information on the Properties included in this press release is based upon information prepared and approved by Donald H. Hains, P.Geo and is included in the Technical Report. Donald H. Hains is a qualified person, as defined in NI 43-101 and is independent of LSC and LSC Lithium.

ABOUT LSC:

LSC is an emerging lithium producer which has amassed a large portfolio of prospective lithium rich salars in Northern Argentina. LSC's four flagship properties, the Salar Rio Grande Tenements, Salar Pastos Grandes Tenements, Salar Salinas Grandes Tenements and Salar Jama Tenements are located in the "Lithium Triangle," an area at the intersection of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile where the world's most abundant lithium brine deposits are found. LSC holds, or has under option, a land package portfolio totaling approximately 270,000 hectares, which represents extensive lithium prospective salar holdings in Argentina.
VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - February 27, 2017) - Comstock Metals Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: CSL)("Comstock" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that at its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on Monday February 27, 2017, incumbent directors David Terry, Doug Turnbull, Steven Goldman and Rasool Mohammad were re-elected to the Board of Directors of the Company, and Ken Kuchling and Jeffrey Gregory were elected as new directors. At the Meeting, Shareholders also approved the number of directors, approved and ratified the Company's stock option plan, and re-appointed Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton LaBonte LLP, Chartered Accountants, as auditor of the Company.

The Company is also pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private of units ("Units") and flow-through units ("FT Units"). Pursuant to the offering the Company issued a total of 13,344,157 Units and 3,563,900 FT Units raising aggregate gross proceeds of $2,643,125.65.

New Directors:

President and CEO David Terry stated ""I am very pleased to have Ken Kuchling and Jefferson Gregory join the board of directors of Comstock. Their vast experience and knowledge will be instrumental in assisting the Company as it moves forward."

Ken Kuchling:

Mr. Kuchling brings with him over 35 years' experience in mine engineering, mining operations and consulting across a variety of commodities including precious metals, base metals, bauxite, iron ore, tungsten, molybdenum as well as diamonds and potash. Throughout his consulting career he has had direct involvement in scoping and feasibility studies, project management, 43-101 technical reports, economic modelling, mine design, and environmental permitting. Mr Kuchling has project experience working in various regions in Canada, Alaska, Mexico, Panama, Argentina, Suriname, Russia, South Korea, Italy, Spain, and Senegal. He was involved in the design stage and environmental permitting of the Diavik Diamond Project in the Northwest Territories and has experience with tropical to Arctic mining conditions.

Mr. Kuchling is a mining engineering graduate from McGill University and holds a Masters of Mine Engineering from University of British Columbia. He is also a member of Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) and currently lives in Toronto Ontario.

Jefferson Gregory

Mr. Gregory is a businessman and investor specializing in the pharmaceutical sector. Throughout his career he has been involved in founding and operating a number successful companies, including NYSE-listed King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. between 1993 and 2004 and Graceway Pharmaceuticals LLC from 2006-2011. Mr. Gregory is the listed inventor on numerous awarded USPTO patents and he serves, or has served, as a member of the Board of Directors of multiple pharmaceutical, academic and charity organizations. Mr. Gregory or his transactions in the pharmaceutical industry have won numerous business awards and have been featured on multiple occasions in, among others, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, Smart Money Magazine, Business Week, and CNBC. His strategies and methods have been taught as case studies at The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Gregory graduated from the University of Maryland in 1979 with a BS degree in Pharmacy and from the University of Maryland in 1985 with a Juris Doctorate Degree. He also holds an honorary Doctor of Laws degree conferred upon him by King University, TN.

Private Placement Closing

Each Unit was issued at a price $0.15 and consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share of the Company (a " Share") at an exercise price of $0.20 per Share for a period of 24 months from the Closing Date. Each FT Unit was issued at a price $0.18 and consists of one flow-through common share in the capital of the Company (a "FT Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant a "FT Warrant"). Each FT Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional non flow-through common share of the Company (a "Share") at an exercise price of $0.20 per Share for a period of 24 months from the Closing Date.

The Warrants and FT Warrants include an acceleration clause, whereby, if the weighted average trading price of the Company's common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (or such other exchange on which the common shares may trade) is at a price equal to or greater than $0.40 for a period of 20 consecutive trading days, the Company will have the right to accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants and FT Warrants. If the Company exercises such right, it will give written notice to the holders of the Warrants and FT Warrants that such warrants will expire 30 days from the date of notice to the warrant holders. Such notice by the Company to the holders of the Warrants and FT Warrants may not be given until 4 months and one day after the Closing Date.

In connection with the closing of the financing, the Company paid finders an aggregate commission of $58,318.81 and issued an aggregate of 352,898 compensation options. Each compensation option entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Unit at a price of $0.15 per Unit for a period of 24 months from the Closing Date.

The Company will use the gross proceeds of the offering of FT Units for eligible exploration expenditures, which will constitute "Canadian Exploration Expenses" ("CEE") that are "Flow-Through mining expenditures", as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) which can be renounced to purchasers of the FT Units for the 2017 taxation year in the aggregate amount of not less than the total amount of the gross proceeds raised from the flow-through offering. The CEE shall be incurred no later than December 31, 2018. The proceeds from the offering of Units will be used to fund exploration on the Company's mineral properties and for general working capital.

The securities issued under the offerings have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws.

The securities issued in this financing are subject to a hold period that expires on June 28, 2017.

About Comstock Metals Ltd.

Comstock Metals Ltd. is a Canadian-focussed mineral exploration company with two 100% owned resource-stage gold projects.

QV Property Gold Project, Yukon : Its +16,335 hectare QV Property is located in the White Gold district of the Yukon Territory, approximately 70 kilometres south of Dawson City and 44 kilometres northeast of the Coffee project of Goldcorp Inc., which it acquired through an acquisition of Kaminak Gold Corporation. To date, the Company has completed 3,400 metres of core drilling in 17 drill holes which formed the basis for a maiden Inferred mineral resource totalling 4.4 million tonnes grading 1.65 g/t gold containing 230,000 ounces of gold at a 0.5 g/t gold cut-off (See Comstock's news release dated July 8, 2014). The VG deposit remains open to expansion and is proximal to other untested sub-parallel structures. The VG zone has similar geology and style of mineralization to Kinross's Golden Saddle deposit, located 11 kilometres to the south. Additional promising targets exist on the QV Project, with potential for the discovery of significant intrusion related and/or orogenic gold mineralization. The infrastructure associated with the development of the Coffee project, including upgrading and completion of the mine access road, will benefit all projects in the district, including the QV Property.

: Its +16,335 hectare QV Property is located in the White Gold district of the Yukon Territory, approximately 70 kilometres south of Dawson City and 44 kilometres northeast of the Coffee project of Goldcorp Inc., which it acquired through an acquisition of Kaminak Gold Corporation. To date, the Company has completed 3,400 metres of core drilling in 17 drill holes which formed the basis for a maiden Inferred mineral resource totalling 4.4 million tonnes grading 1.65 g/t gold containing 230,000 ounces of gold at a 0.5 g/t gold cut-off (See Comstock's news release dated July 8, 2014). The VG deposit remains open to expansion and is proximal to other untested sub-parallel structures. The VG zone has similar geology and style of mineralization to Kinross's Golden Saddle deposit, located 11 kilometres to the south. Additional promising targets exist on the QV Project, with potential for the discovery of significant intrusion related and/or orogenic gold mineralization. The infrastructure associated with the development of the Coffee project, including upgrading and completion of the mine access road, will benefit all projects in the district, including the QV Property. Preview SW Gold Project, Saskatchewan: The Company's road accessible Preview SW gold project is located 40 km north of La Ronge, Saskatchewan and 80 km southwest of Silver Standard Resources Inc.'s Seabee gold mine. The main Preview SW deposit hosts a NI 43-101 Resource Estimate (see Comstock's news release dated September 14, 2016) which includes Indicated resources containing 158,300 ounces of gold (2.61 million tonnes grading 1.89 g/t Au) and Inferred resources containing 270,800 ounces of gold (5.70 million tonnes grading 1.48 g/t Au), both based on a 0.50 g/t Au cut-off grade. The main Preview SW deposit is comprised of several sub-parallel northeast-trending gold-bearing quartz-sulphide mineralized structural zones, 500 m in strike length and totalling 150 m in width. Preliminary metallurgical test work indicates total gold recovery in concentrates ranged from 90% to 93%. In addition, there are six additional known gold zones on the 853 ha property with only limited drilling. At the Preview North zone, located 2.6 km northeast of the Preview SW deposit, drill hole PR13-163 intersected: 17.98 g/t Au over 5.71 m starting at 10 m below surface, 5.96 g/t Au over 5.66 m starting at 19 m below surface and, 1.88 g/t Au over 21.26 m starting at 29 m below surface. There has been insufficient drilling at the Preview North zone to determine the attitude of the reported mineralized intervals and, therefore, the above mineralized intersections may not represent true widths. No drilling has been carried out for over 600 m to the south of this hole.

Additional Assets: Comstock also owns the early stage Old Cabin gold project in Ontario and uranium claims in the Patterson Lake area of Saskatchewan and has optioned out its Corona property in Mexico (see Comstock's news release dated January 28, 2016).

David A. Terry, Ph.D., P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 28, 2017) - Red Pine Exploration Inc. (TSX VENTURE:RPX) ("Red Pine" or the "Company") has received partial results for holes SD-16-45 to SD-17-49 from its on-going drilling program at the Wawa Gold Project.

Highlights from the drilling results include:

Discovery of a high-grade zone in SD-16-45 containing 14.66 g/t gold over 15.21 metres (calculated true thickness; un-cut) in the Jubilee Shear Zone;

Intersection of 7.65 g/t gold over 2.6 metres in SD-16-45 and of 2.94 g/t gold over 3.88 metres in SD-17-46 in the Surluga Road Shear Zone (Table 1 and Figure 1); and

Discovery of quartz veins with visible gold1 in four drill holes completed in the vicinity of the Darwin-Grace Mine (Figure 2).

Quentin Yarie, President and Chief Executive Officer of Red Pine states, "It is exciting that our expectations of discovering a high-grade zone in the northern extension of the Surluga Deposit were met with the results of SD-16-45. Extending and defining this shallow high-grade zone, beginning 98 metres below surface will have positive impacts on the Surluga Deposit inferred resource2.

Exploration work in the Darwin-Grace mine area is uncovering exceptional near surface targets in the vicinity of the old mine with visible gold1 observed in four holes and the discovery of two new shear zones with quartz veins containing visible gold. The discoveries made in the area indicate that the structure hosting the mine is larger and more fertile than initially anticipated."

Drilling Results

Holes SD-16-44, SD-16-45 and SD-16-46 were drilled to test the depth extension of mineralization encountered at surface in the Surluga Road Shear Zone (see November 11, 2016 News Release), in an area extending north of the Surluga Deposit previously untested by drilling. The high-grade intersection in SD-16-45 occurs down-dip from the quartz vein networks intercepted in SD-16-44 that ran 1.61 g/t gold over 26.25 metres (Figure 1). Information obtained from SD-16-45 will assist in targeting higher grade intersections north of the current resource.

Furthermore, Hole SD-16-45 intersected a fold closure zone within the Jubilee Shear Zone. Fold closures represent zones of dilation which act to channel ore forming fluids. As a result, they are often associated with zones of maximum grade/thickness in many gold deposits around the world. Another fold closure zone was intersected previously by Red Pine in Hole SD-14-04 that contained 8.03 g/t gold over 23.03 metres (calculated true width).

Drilling further south suggests that the Darwin-Grace mine may be part of a larger deformation zone than previously anticipated. This under-explored area of brittle-ductile deformation is associated with quartz veins containing visible gold1 which extend over 10-20 meters downhole. Red Pine's recent logging/mapping initiatives reveal a series of stacked mineralized deformation zones up to 15 meters-long hosted within relatively less deformed zones. These zones may not have been identified by previous operators as the telltale L-tectonite fabric they are associated with are challenging to recognize in drill core and at surface.

Table 1. Highlights of drilling results

Hole No From

(m) To

(m) Length

(m)* Gold

(g/t) Gold structure SD-16-45 147.27 162.25 15.23 14.66 Jubilee Shear Zone including 147.27 148.27 1 44.41 155.36 156.14 0.78 176 159.74 160.43 0.69 36.8 257.25 259.85 2.6 7.65 Surluga Road Shear Zone SD-17-46 64.22 75 10.78 1.09 Jubilee Shear Zone 164.5 167.5 3.88 2.94 Surluga Road Shear Zone SD-17-47 88 89.93 1.93 2.29 Jubilee Shear Zone SD-17-48 227 229.12 2.12 1.85 Surluga Road Shear Zone SD-17-49 71.2 74 2.8 1.28 Quartz Vein Network 167.17 170.58 3.41 1.73 Surluga Road Shear Zone

*Assay results reported over intersection length estimated in the Jubilee Shear Zone to represent >95% true width; As they represent discoveries, no true width estimation are currently defined for the intersection in the Quartz Vein Network and the Surluga Road Shear Zone.

Figure 1. Fall/Winter 2016/17 Drill Program - Location of drill holes:





Figure 2. Location of drill holes near the Darwin-Grace Mine in relationship to the Surluga Deposit:





On-going Drilling Program

The on-going diamond drill program is focused on expanding the Surluga Deposit, defining the gold structures of the Wawa Gold Corridor and quantifying the structures associated with the historic mines of the property.

On-site Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") Measures

Drill core samples were transported in security-sealed bags for analyses at Activation Laboratories Ltd. in Timmins, Ontario and to SGS in Cochrane, Ontario. Individual samples are labeled, placed in plastic sample bags and sealed. Groups of samples are then placed into durable rice bags and then shipped. The remaining coarse reject portions of the samples remain in storage if further work or verification is needed.

Red Pine has implemented a quality-control program to comply with best practices in the sampling and analysis of drill core. As part of its QA/QC program, Red Pine inserts external gold standards (low to high grade) and blanks every 20 samples in addition to random standards, blanks, and duplicates.

Qualified Person

Quentin Yarie, P Geo. is the qualified person responsible for preparing, supervising and approving the scientific and technical content of this news release.

About Red Pine Exploration Inc.

Red Pine Exploration Inc. is a gold and base-metals exploration company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Company's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "RPX".

Red Pine has a 60% interest in the Wawa Gold Project with Citabar LLP holding the remaining 40% interest. Red Pine is the Operating Manager of the Project and is focused on expanding the existing gold resource on the property.

For more information about the Company visit www.redpineexp.com.

1Gold visible with the naked eye - "visible gold"

2NI 43-101 inferred resource of 1,088,000 ounces of gold at a 1.71 grams per tonne (g/t) using a 0.40 g/t gold cut-off grade for pit-constrained and 2.50 g/t gold cut-off grade for underground-constrained resources, contained in 19.82 million tonnes open along strike and at depth. The Cut-off grades are based on a gold price of US$1,250 per once and a gold recovery of 95 percent (Mineral Resource Statement*, Surluga-Jubilee Gold Deposit, Wawa Gold Project, Ontario, SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc (effective May 26, 2015)). The report is available on www.SEDAR.com under Red Pine's profile.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 2, at St Teresa Catholic Church (36th and Randolph). Burial with military honors to follow at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation from 12 noon to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at Butherus Maser and Love funeral home, 4040 A St, Lincoln, with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested for masses or to U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs. www.bmlfh.com.
Your Keywords Are Not What You Think They Are How Google transforms search queries and what it means for SEO

By: Aleh Barysevich February 28th, 2017

A 1915 illustration to Franz Kafka's "The Metamorphosis"

In Franz Kafka's novella "The Metamorphosis", a man wakes up one morning to find out he has turned into a giant insect. If keywords were existentialists, they could be experiencing something similar as, having been typed into Google's search bar (or any other search engine), they go through numerous transformations to become new, modified versions of themselves  the queries that Google thinks are a better representation of the searcher's intent.

To illustrate what I'm saying, let me ask you for a tiny favor. Go on and type in "oscar" into Google search. No, seriously, do it. I'll hang in here while you're at it.

Chances are all of the top results you got are about the 89th Academy Awards that took place a few days ago. Some of the results likely do not mention the word "oscar" (the only word you typed in, remember?) at all. Somehow, Google search knows you're looking for the specific Oscars award rather than general information about the ceremony, Oscar the name, or Oscar anything else  and transforms your query behind the scenes into something that barely resembles the original.

In this post, I'll look at how this process may work, and what it implies for SEOs.

Associations, relevance, and search volume

Google's recent patent on providing search query refinements offers lots of insight on how Google may deal with search queries that are ambiguous, too general, too narrow, or lack context (like the "oscar" search you just did). The patent describes the system for transforming the search queries into a better-phrased version of themselves, so that Google can provide exactly the search results the user wants.

According to the patent, when Google receives search queries, it will go and grab web documents from its index that it associates with the query, based on the keyword the searcher typed in. It will then look at the pages it extracted and the concepts, or semantic clusters, they are associated with. If it finds out that the results belong to a few very different concepts, it will likely conclude that the search queries that re ambiguous and would benefit from a refinement.

Let's try and see how the actual refinement process works on some queries, with "oscar" again being our example. When you type in "oscar" in Google (or another search engine such as Bing), it will go on and collect a number of search results that literally match the query. For the purpose of this example, let's say this number is 100. Each of the 100 search results is assigned a score estimating their relevance to the original query ("oscar"), likely based on the traditional on- and off-page SEO factors. Next, Google (or the other search engine) will dig deep into the search term to identify the topics, or semantic clusters, these pages belong to; for "oscar", such clusters may be: "Academy Awards", "Oscar the name", "oscar the fish", and perhaps a number of smaller ones. Somehow, Google has to figure out which of these concepts you are interested in  and this is where things get interesting.

According to the patent, Google will next turn to its "association database"  the place where it stores past queries, web pages, and the associations between the two. To each association, Google assigns a weight  the degree of relevance of the page to the query, multiplied by the query's frequency, or search volume. Next, Google may look up the top results it just extracted for your "oscar" query in this database. It will look at the past queries associated with each of the results, and the weights of these associations. The highest scoring associations from the highest scoring clusters will be picked as candidates for the refined query.

Remembering that weight is relevance multiplied by search volume, you are probably starting to understand why, at this particular moment, your search for "oscar" turned into something like "Academy Awards ceremony 2017".

It is worth noting that Google will often pick more than one cluster, or topic, to refine the query. This can be especially obvious when the possible clusters associated with the original keyword have equal, or close to equal, weight  that's when Google will let you decide which of the topics you're interested in.

Context

Another patent sheds light on the role of context in refining a user's queries. Context, in this case, is a collection of words and phrases, associated with a single domain. The data for such "contexts" is obtained from large corpuses of training materials, and then likely improved and expanded with machine learning. These contexts help Google both index information and serve searchers better. For the former, Google divides "the universe of communications" into domains, which are similar to the clusters discussed above. By looking at a web page and the words and expressions used within it, Google can then easily figure out which context the page can be attributed to, based on the intersection of the words in a certain context and the content in the page. So when it looks at a page that contains terms like "the Academy", "Academy Awards", and "best motion picture", it will go "aha, this page's context is Oscars the award".

On the user end, to determine the context of their query, Google will look at things like the user's immediate past searches, voice search, and if necessary, their entire search history. In other words, if your search history implies that you are particularly interested in the oscar fish, Google may give the fish-related cluster a boost when you search for oscar, based on the contextual information it has about you as a searcher. So in fact, your search for "oscar" turns into "please search for "oscar" bearing in mind all you know about me, Google".

Context 2.0

Your search and browser history are not the only kind of "context" Google might use to refine your queries. Several recent patents imply that more intricate details about the searcher, such as movies they saw or music they listened to may be used to refine queries and the results returned. Real-time context, like the movie that's currently on, may also be used when the user makes a voice query.

For example, a user can input a natural language query at a device, such as the spoken query, "When have I seen this actor before?" while viewing particular content, such as the movie "The Social Network".

According to these patents, Google may also monitor what's on TV in your area, and look for queries that might be related to that information. So, if you search for "social network" and the movie "The Social Network" is currently on in your area, that may influence the search results you receive. For example, that may give preference to the "Social Network the movie" cluster over other semantic clusters associated with your query.

Location

Location, of course, is a kind of context, but it deserves a place of its own on this list. Location already affects a massive part of queries, and it is particularly important for businesses who are taking advantage of paid search in order to get their websites to rank locally. But Google's use of location to refine queries may soon grow way beyond its current state.

You probably already know that if you search for "Starbucks", "Walmart", or a certain entity that may imply that youre interested in a physical location of a business, Google will show you the local pack and adjust the organic search results to help you find the physical place you're (likely) looking for. This can be taken a step further as Google may look at query patterns and associate them with entities that are close to the location of the searcher. So, if you asked Google "what time does Starbucks open?", or even, "what's this park called?", while the entity you are referring to is unambiguously close, Google will be smart enough to give you the answer.

So next time you pass by a restaurant  let's say it's called Zio Pepe  wondering if it's any good, try asking Google "any ratings for this place?" This query may be turned into something like "zio pepe ratings", and you won't have to worry about how "zio" is really pronounced in Italian.

For example, a user that does not speak German can be on vacation in Zurich, Switzerland and can submit the query [opening hours], while standing near a restaurant called "Zeughauskeller," which may be difficult to pronounce and/or spell for the user. As another example, implementations of the present disclosure enable users to more conveniently and naturally interact with a search system (e.g., submitting the query [show me lunch specials] instead of the query [Fino Ristorante & Bar lunch specials].

Query substitution

Another recent patent filed by Google focuses on substitution terms and synonyms for query refinement. The process includes identifying a concept in the user's query and figuring out if the same concept can be phrased differently (without distorting the meaning of the query) to provide better suited search results.

To see how this works, let's do a Google search for "UK President". If Google was simply looking for the two words mentioned in the query, "UK" and "President", the results could include articles about presidents of other countries visiting the UK. Instead, Google identifies that the searcher is likely looking for a different kind of information, and the word "President" is actually a mistake the searcher made when they really meant "Prime Minister". In the given context, "Prime Minister" is synonymous with "President"; combined with "UK", it also represents a known entity. All of that makes it a good substitution term.

(Note how Google has bolded "Prime Minister" in the URLs in the SERP, and how the term "President" appears nowhere among the top results).

Word2vec

There's been a lot of discussion of word2vec in the SEO space lately, sparked by the opinion expressed by numerous SEOs that it may be the technology used by Google's RankBrain. And this opinion has its grounds: many of the folks working on RankBrain also worked on word2vec, and many of the descriptions of the two projects are nearly identical.

The word2vec tool takes a text corpus as input and produces the word vectors as output. It first constructs a vocabulary from the training text data and then learns vector representation of words. The resulting word vector file can be used as features in many natural language processing and machine learning applications.

Before we get down to the ins and outs of word2vec, let's have one thing settled. The SEO folk has been talking about term vectors and the vector space a lot lately. While these concepts may be complicated in theory and sound like you need to take a calculus course to grasp them (and you sort of do if you want to get to the bottom of things), their individual visualizations are in fact surprisingly understandable.

Let's look at a simple example. Say you've got a set of terms that you need to split in two clusters, "vegetables" and "meat". Not all of the words name a vegetable or a kind of meat, but you have to do this anyway, grouping words that occur in the meat context more frequently (such as "smoked") into the "meat" cluster, and vice versa.

Here's what a visualization of these word vectors may look like.

Source: http://bookworm.benschmidt.org/

As you see, the terms with high "vegetable" scores are towards the top, and the ones with high "meat" scores towards the right. Close to the line in the middle are the more neutral terms  ones that occur in both contexts equally often.

It is important to note that clustering terms into semantic groups is far from the only thing word2vec can do. Another important aspect is identifying relationships between terms by calculating the physical distance between their vectors. Above, you can see that "meat" and "meats" appear next to each other, and are therefore close in meaning. "Chops", "steak", and "pork" are bundled even closer together. Note that the words that are next to each other don't have to be synonyms. They can be terms that frequently appear close to each other, like "banana" and "apple".

Now, let's take this another step forward. We've figured out that we can subtract the vectors from each other to identify their relatedness (the smaller the distance, the more related they are). But what if we add two vectors together? And then subtract another vector from the sum?

Apparently, this is exactly what Google does for some queries.

For the vectors above, the equation Rome - Italy + China would equal Beijing. This is, in fact, vector talk for the question "What is the entity that has the same relationship to China as Rome to Italy?", or, simply, "What is the capital of China?"

Here's an example of how word2vec is being used in query processing. Assume for a moment you forgot the word for "toe" (and you desperately need that word). Thanks to term vectors, you can go on and google "feet fingers", and however weird that sounds, Google will get what you mean. It will figure out that fingers are part of the "hand" concept, and modify the query into something like "What has the same relationship to feet as fingers to hands?" (or, in vector talk, "foot + finger - hand") and will look for the missing piece in this association. Thanks to that, you will see exactly what you're looking for (instead of a list of pages that mention both "feet" and "fingers").

See how they bolded "toe" in the featured answer without a single mention of the word "finger"? Smart, huh?

Entities

Entities are elements of Google's Knowledge Graph  specific objects that Google knows some facts about, such as persons, places, and things. A business, a celebrity, or a plant can be entities. The great thing about entities is that Google knows quite a lot about them, which lets searchers instantly find an entity by a certain fact.

Thus, a search for something that Google considers to be a unique property of a certain entity will produce search results about that entity. This way, "biggest city in the world" may be transformed into "Which entity has the unique property of being the biggest city in the world?" and match the entity of Tokyo. Similarly, Google CEO will match Sundar Pichai.

Kind of makes you want to have a unique, objective characteristic for your business' entity, doesn't it?

Interestingly, user behavior signals may impact such entity-based search results just like any other kind of results. Say, if Google finds two entities with similar weight that match the query, it will typically display results about both in the SERP. If you search for "Joe's NYC", provided that you've never searched for it before, you'll get results about a number of businesses with the name: Joe's bar, Joe's pub, Joe's coffee shop, and Joe's pizza place. But once you click on a certain result  say, the pizza place  Google may store this entity as your preferred one in the context of this search. So when you run a similar search again, that preferred entity of yours will likely appear at the top of the results, and other entities may be eliminated from the SERP altogether.

Final words

The above suggests that Google is rapidly getting cleverer (even human-like, if you will) at figuring out the meaning behind keywords, rephrasing those keywords, and producing better search results in response. We may see this as bad news or as good news, but there's little we can do but adapt.

One concept I want you to take away from this article is that the search results users see are not just a combination of the query and the ranking factors. In-between, Google may modify the query so that it can answer it better, and this modification process may be very different for various queries  and even for the same query made at different points in time (imagine searching for "oscar" a few months from now).

So is there anything SEOs can still do now that we're tangled in this semantic web? Sure. Here are a few tips.

1) Get on the Knowledge Graph. While there's no magical formula that will get you there for sure, there's a number of steps to take that will significantly boost your chances of winning a Knowledge Graph listing for your business. Here are the steps for the local Knowledge Graph panel, and the ones for the more universal Brand Knowledge Graph.

2) Keep fighting for those rankings. I've always been surprised by how some SEOs begin to doubt the value of rankings as an SEO KPI because of the growing personalization of search. Don't forget that when someone runs a search for your target keyword for the first time, you've got to do your best to appear among the top results. If you do, and if the searcher clicks on your listing, you're becoming their preferred entity, and their subsequent searches will likely include your business as the top, if not the only, entity in the results. Otherwise, if your competitor ranks at the top and the searcher clicks on their listing, you probably lost that client for good.

3) Monitor your niche closely. It's pretty clear now that Google may use different ranking factors (and different query refinements) for different niches and even individual queries. The universal approach to SEO with its foundation on links and site structure still has a say; but in the context of a certain query, it might be outweighed by other factors, that are specific to that query or niche.

This is where SERP intelligence comes in, and with SEO PowerSuite's Rank Tracker, for example, well see complete SERP History  an archive for the top 30 search results for every ranking check you run. If you look at the SERP fluctuation graph, you'll be able to instantly spot important changes in the SERPs for your every keyword during each of your ranking checks. The red spikes on the graph will instantly let you know there's been an important change in the SERP that you need to look into. This may indicate that Google's started to interpret the query differently, or that it's begun to look at different ranking factors. In either case, it's a good idea to check with the SERP and see what's changed  so you can be the first to adapt.

With just about as many tools as rum on Blackbeards fleet, I cannot recommend SEO PowerSuite enough for all things keyword research. The Rank Tracker tool analyzes the websites of your top 10 ranking competitors for topic-relevant terms with the TF-IDF algorithm, which will help you build up your authority in semantic search results.

Ready with the killer keyword list? Download Rank Tracker and test out the array of available tools, or better yet, grab yourself a license to unlock a real arsenal of options thatll see your website rank like never before.

Now, over to you. What are your thoughts on the impact of semantic search on SEO and predictions on its future? I'm looking forward to your opinions, ideas, and questions in the comments below.
Were excited to announce that metalbulletin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com.

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AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its marketed products include Calquence, Enhertu, Faslodex, Imfinzi, Iressa, Koselugo, Lumoxiti, Lynparza, Orpathys, Tagrisso, and Zoladex for oncology; Brilinta/Brilique, Bydureon/Byetta, BCise, Byetta, Crestor, Evrenzo, Farxiga/Forxiga, Komboglyze/Kombiglyze XR, Lokelma, Onglyza, Qtern, and Xigduo/Xigduo XR for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism diseases; Bevespi Aerosphere, Breztri Aerosphere, Daliresp/Daxas, Duaklir Genuair, Fasenra, Pulmicort, Saphnelo, Symbicort, and Tudorza/Eklira/Bretaris for respiratory and immunology; and Andexxa/Ondexxya, Kanuma, Soliris, Strensiq, and Ultomiris for rare diseases. The company's marketed products also comprise Synagis for respiratory syncytial virus; Fluenz Tetra/FluMist Quadrivalent for Influenza; Seroquel IR/Seroquel XR for schizophrenia bipolar disease; Nexium, and Losec/Prilosec for gastroenterology; and Vaxzevria and Evusheld for covid-19. The company serves primary care and specialty care physicians through distributors and local representative offices in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. It has a collaboration agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to research, develop, and commercialize small molecule medicines for obesity; Neurimmune AG to develop and commercialize NI006; Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to develop eplontersen, a liver-targeted antisense therapy in Phase III development for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis; Proteros Biostructures GmbH to jointly discover novel small molecules for the treatment of hematological cancers; Sierra Oncology, Inc. to develop and commercialize AZD5153. The company was formerly known as Zeneca Group PLC and changed its name to AstraZeneca PLC in April 1999. AstraZeneca PLC was incorporated in 1992 and is headquartered in Cambridge, the United Kingdom.
A 40-year-old Kearney man died in a crash on Interstate 80 Monday evening after being pursued by a state trooper for reckless driving, according to the York County Attorney's Office.

Anthony Emmons was pronounced dead at the scene after crashing his vehicle into a median guard rail just east of York at 5:45 p.m., County Attorney Candace Dick said in a news release.

Emmons was being pursued by a Nebraska State Patrol trooper investigating a report of reckless driving about 20 minutes earlier, she said.

The trooper contacted Emmons at a rest area for eastbound traffic in York County, but Emmons fled the stop, Dick said.

An autopsy has been ordered.

A grand jury will investigate Emmons' death at a later date as is required whenever someone dies in police custody in Nebraska.
Founder and leader of Osibisa, Teddy Osei and ace musician Bessa Simons will host two workshops and musical performances dubbed Going Global with Your Music: The Osibisa Experience with Bessa Simons at the University of Education, Winneba and University of Cape Coast on March 2 and 3 respectively.

The workshops and performances are part of a project conceived by Bessa Simons to share the lessons from the Osibisa conquest of the world with students of music and other musicians interested in learning from the Osibisa experience.

Students and musicians who will attend the workshops will have an opportunity to experience at firsthand, what made the Afro-pop group Osibisa, the greatest African band of all time.

The musical concert after the workshop will witness performances from De Maestros GH also known as the Winds Band and New Standard Group (NSG), an afrobeat group comprising students of the Department of Music Education at the School of Creative Arts of the University of Education, Winneba.

The first seminar of the project had taken place at the University of Ghana School of Performing Arts last year. It featured Osibisa founding member and drummer Sol Amarfio.

Osibisa was formed by Teddy Osei with his brother Mac Tontoh and a friend, Sol Amarfio. The group had numerous hits and won numerous awards while touring extensively globally. It played twice in Ghana during the seventies.
All is set for Ghana @ 60 independence celebrations in Norway from March 10 to 11, for Ghanaians in Norway and other European countries to have a feel of their favourite artistes during the celebration.

The anniversary which, falls on March 6, 2017, will be celebrated with much pomp and pageantry nation-wide by the government and people of Ghana

In Oslo, the Ghana Union in Norway, which is the umbrella organisation representing all other associations in Norway, is putting together a series of events to mark the 60th anniversary.

The celebrations will start with a seminar on March 10 on the topic, Let Africa Rise. The seminar seeks to tell the story of African emancipation as narrated by Africans and people of African descent.

The anniversary festivities continue on March 11 with a two-folded program. Part one consists of a dance workshop for children and young adults, led by the renowned dancing group, Tabanka Dance Ensemble.

Part two of the program is a dinner and cultural display, with a speech from Ghanas ambassador to Scandinavia, and a mega musical concert spearheaded by Ghana's dancehall capo, Stonebwoy and Wisa Greid. Adjei Dance will also perform Ghanaian cultural dance at the event.

President of Ghana Union in Norway, Desmond Frimpong, has assured the public that all is set for [email protected] independence celebration in Norway.

According to him, the festivities are the way Ghanaians in Norway have decided to mark the new age of Ghana and at the same time use the occasion to promote the country's arts and cultural heritage.

He further noted that the festivities seek to remind Ghanaians abroad of their roots and the need to appreciate Ghanaian artistes and the abundant talents that they possess.

Mr. Frimpong further reiterated that the [email protected] celebration in Oslo is a way of projecting Ghanaian artistes to the international community. Artistes such as Bright (Norway) and KgPM (USA & UK) have also been billed for the night.
Renowned NGO in the sexual and reproductive health sector, Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) has paid a courtesy call on the First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo.

PPAG is a member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and a leading provider of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Education and Services.

During deliberations with the First Lady, PPAG revealed a joint initiative with the Japanese government through the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICEP) to execute a project on sexual and reproductive health.

The delegation that paid the courtesy call on the First Lady was led by Kweku Brenu Chairman of IPPF.

Mr Brenu revealed that the Ghana Health Service is supporting the work of PPAG, adding further that opportunities exist for result-oriented and committed individuals with the requisite expertise in sexual and reproductive health to apply in a bid to facilitate the work of the NGO.

The visit to the First Lady on Monday, February 27, 2017, by PPAG was also to request her support towards its projects.

The First Lady lauded the work of PPAG over the years and promised to work with PPAG towards the organisation's aims and objectives.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | GN
Banjul (Gambia) (AFP) - Gambia's President Adama Barrow has fired the head of the armed forces, General Ousman Badjie, as he continues a clear-out of senior officials linked to the despotic rule of his predecessor.

Badjie has been replaced by General Masanneh Kinteh, a former ambassador to Cuba and a special military adviser to Barrow since January.

As he took over from Badjie, Kinteh told reporters at defence headquarters in Banjul: "My immediate priority as chief of defence staff is to bring back the confidence in the troops to lift their morale."

He added that he wanted to boost civil-military relations, which have "eroded over the period as a result of the political impasse".

An army source told AFP that Badjie, who is set to be posted abroad, had handed over his official car and documents.

Barrow retook his oath of office on February 18, a month after he was sworn in across the border in neighbouring Senegal during a tense power struggle with his predecessor Yahya Jammeh.

Jammeh had refused to step down following his defeat in December elections, but agreed to leave for exile on January 21 following negotiations with other west African leaders.

Barrow told the crowd at the swearing-in he would probe human rights abuses under Jammeh's iron-fisted rule spanning 22 years.

"A Human Rights Commission will be established without delay" to track people who went missing or disappeared after being arrested, Barrow said. "Orders have already been given for all those detained without trial to be released."

The United Nations and rights groups repeatedly condemned The Gambia's security services under Jammeh, blaming them for arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings and torture.

Last week Barrow removed the chief of the country's feared intelligence agency, Yankuba Badjie, and the head of the national prison system, David Colley.

Ousman Badjie, a Jammeh loyalist, had pledged allegiance to Barrow along with top defence, civil service and security chiefs on January 20, one day before the former president fled the country.

The general was also spotted among revellers on the streets of Banjul celebrating Barrow's inauguration in Senegal.

Kinteh was first named as armed forces chief in October 2009 following the removal and arrest of his predecessor, General Lang Tombong Tamba.

He was subsequently dismissed in July 2012 and appointed Gambia's ambassador to Cuba, and replaced by Badjie.

Amnesty International said that under Jammeh, "Gambia's climate of fear was sustained for years through regular arbitrary arrests and detention, as well as routine torture".

Since effectively taking power late last month, Barrow has rushed to uphold pledges to overhaul the military and security services.
The University of Nebraska marshaled its forces before the Legislature's Appropriations Committee Monday to ask lawmakers to sustain a flat $583 million appropriation in each of the next two years as the state navigates a revenue crunch.

But moments after supporters concluded their testimony, Sen. John Stinner of Gering dropped a bombshell on the biennial budget his committee will be responsible for crafting.

Elsewhere in the Capitol, the states nine-member Economic Forecasting Board lowered its estimates of state tax collections for the remainder of this year as well as the next two years of the biennium, widening the revenue gap lawmakers must close this session.

Stinner stepped out of the committee hearing briefly to receive an update, returning to his chair to announce with a sardonic touch: Were now down $298 million. Great news, huh?

This year's preliminary budget showed the state was $134 million below the minimum reserve required by law. The newly revised forecast deepened the deficit.

The shifting calculus wouldnt have changed the universitys strategy in its push for more funding than the committees preliminary budget recommendation showed last week, NU President Hank Bounds said.

Under the committees plan, NU would lose $7 million from its current funding level of $583 million in each year -- a 1.2 percent cut that would put its funding at $576 million going into the 2019-21 budget biennium.

NU countered that proposal with one of its own that would keep funding at $583 million the next two years and fulfill a funding promise of $3 million for a virtual training program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center called iExcel.

Bounds, who answered questions for more than an hour and a half Monday afternoon, said NU still will need to make cuts no matter what the Appropriations Committee decides.

Were asking to go from a $56 million budget gap to a $46 million budget gap, he said after the hearing. Were not asking to not take cuts. Were going to take one of the largest cuts of anybody.

The anticipated loss in state aid comes as NU officials look to cover spending increases tied to salaries raised through collective bargaining, health insurance premiums and utility cost hikes, Bounds said.

Both Bounds and Board of Regents Chairman Bob Whitehouse said that based on figures from the Appropriations Committee's preliminary budget, NU may need to ask students for a double-digit increase in tuition. Just how much tuition could increase depends how fast we can make cuts, Bounds said in answer to a question from Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln.

Each percent NU increases tuition would generate $1.6 million from Nebraska students, and $1.1 million from non-resident students, Bounds said, but raising it too high too fast would have an adverse effect on enrollment because students would leave to finish their degrees elsewhere, and high school graduates would look for other, more affordable options.

All I can tell you is we are committed to do everything that we can to keep tuition below double digits, he said.

Rachel Flaugh, a student regent and student body president at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, told the committee a funding level that necessitated double-digit increases to tuition will limit our opportunities and send the wrong message to Nebraskas future leaders.

Keeping a college education affordable to Nebraskans will allow students to be more competitive in the workforce, have higher earnings and be better able to provide for our families, said Flaugh, adding that she will attend UNMC next year even though she interviewed at medical schools like Harvard, Duke and Johns Hopkins.

While students and families can reasonably plan for moderate tuition increases, we fear that large increases could drive students away -- the same students who could go on to become the doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers and farmers of the future, Flaugh said.

Committee members focused questions on the effects that raising tuition could have on Nebraskans and wandered into the minutiae of NUs budget, cash reserves and bond ratings, as well as the proposals behind its economic initiatives.

Sen. John Kuehn of Heartwell said the Legislature has two options to fund NUs budget request: Cut from other areas of the state budget or ask for more tax revenue.

What is your recommendation to this body as to the course we should take? he asked Bounds.

The second-year university president told Kuehn he wouldnt be so bold as to tell" the committee what to do, adding he will have to decide on the right levels of cuts and tuition increases.

I recognize that I cannot do it with cuts alone, Bounds said. There has to be a revenue solution as part of our process. We cant get there any other way.

Stinners announcement following testimony may have solidified NUs state funding, however, and pushed it further down the path toward tuition hikes.

Lawmakers will keep an eye on Aprils revenue forecast, Stinner said.

Were going to continue to monitor where revenue is coming in, he said. Were going to try to take a look at another option -- Im not sure what that means yet if its additional cuts. Well have to come up with something because we have to balance the budget.
Truth be told, I cannot holdback my arousing disgust towards the enemies of the state-apologies to Anas Aremeyaw.

Let us face it, though, the mass degradation of our countryside by the recalcitrant illegal miners is outrageous.

Nevertheless, the mining sector regulators and other law enforcement bodies are somehow wholly unaware of the seriousness of the destruction, hence their refusal to curb the activities of the unscrupulous illegal miners.

Apparently, it is on record that some unpatriotic Chiefs would often allocate lands to the illegal miners, knowing too well that it is unlawful for any individual to sanction small-scale mining, as it is only the Ghana Minerals Commission who has the exclusive right to do so.

To put it bluntly, those Chiefs who are colluding with illegal miners to forcibly dig our natural resources, terrorise the rural dwellers and then wreck the environment must be upbraided with no uncertain terms.

In any case, we should rather blame the mining sector regulators and other law enforcement bodies for their lackadaisical approach to duty. Truly, they have not shown true leadership in the fight against illegal mining.

It must, however, be emphasised that per the Constitution of Ghana, no citizen of Ghana is above the law. Yes, the Constitution is candid. However, in my opinion, the enforcement of the laws leaves much to be desired.

Obviously, there are laws which regulate the small- scale mining sector in Ghana. So, why are the authorities not enforcing such laws?

I will however venture to suggest that a number of organisations are complicit with the putridity in the small-scale mining sector.

Take, for example, we have Ghana Minerals Commission whose responsibilities include the enforcement of the rules and regulationsthe 1989 small-scale mining law (PNDC L218) and the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).

Clearly, both Acts require any person wanting to engage in any form of mining to obtain the requisite licence from the Minister responsible for Mines.

Moreover, the holders of mineral rights and licences are by law required to obtain the necessary approvals and permits from the appropriate quarters, such as Environmental Protection Agency; Forestry Commission, where forests are involved; and Water Resources Commission, where water is involved before the Miners can commence operation.

More importantly, the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006(Act 703), places a duty on the aforementioned organisations to work collaboratively to ensure that the existing miners and the prospective Miners adhere to various regulations.

With such expedient policies in place, why the mess in the small scale mining sector then?

I am afraid, at the moment, it seems that nobody is policing the small scale mining sector. It would appear that the people who are in receipt of the small scale mining concessions are not privy to the laws which govern the sector.

This may explain why Ghanaians who are in receipt of small-scale mining concessions transfer the licences to their foreign minions.

Let us face it, though, it is a worrying situation. Indeed, some people are not doing what is expected of them.

Take, for instance, even though the small scale mining laws prohibit the use of large explosives, Chinese and other illegal miners have been allowed to use unstructured methods, and at the same time supplying large explosive, rock crushers and other machines to local miners.

Obviously, the authorities have not shown true leadership in the fight to halt the activities of the illegal miners.

Strangely, it seems that some Ghanaians are above our laws. It would appear that the laws were not enacted for them.

If, indeed, some Chiefs are giving out lands for illegal mining without the prior knowledge of the Ghana Minerals Commission, the question one may ask then is: Why no incompliant Chiefs have since been brought to book? Are they above the law?

We cannot and must not allow some unpatriotic Chiefs who do not have the nation at heart enrich themselves at the expense of the rest of Ghanaians.

Someone ought to remind our Chiefs that respect is earned, but not to be seen as a God given entitlement.

So, our hitherto well-respected Chiefs must revert to their old and discreet ways and then continue to earn our respect. For, their waywardness will not earn them such respect.

Let us also remind our Chiefs that they may have rights over the lands, but they do not own the natural resources underneath the lands. Therefore, they have no right to sell the lands to illegal miners and assist them to forcibly take our natural resources.

In any case, it is incumbent on the authorities to repudiate such abhorrent actions by the wayward and unpatriotic Chiefs.

But then again, the all-important question is: do the authorities have the will and the commitment to do so? I do not think so.

All the same, let us remind the authorities that if our Chiefs persist with their shenanigans, they should be sent to Nsawam Prisons.

Furthermore, let us remind the authorities that the enforcement of the laws on small-scale mining with a vivid distinction of what forms acceptable and unacceptable mining practices is the way forward.

And, what is more, we should seek to strengthen and resource regulatory bodies such as the Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory institutions to improve the discharge of their responsibilities.

K. Badu, UK.
We reject any attempts to prescribe new rights that are contrary to our values, norms, traditions and beliefs. We are not gays.  Robert Mugabe

If you do it in Gambia, I will slit your throat. If you are a man and want to marry another man and we catch you, no one will ever set eyes on you again and no white man can do anything about it.- Ex-President Yahya Jammeh

No one can deny Prime Minister Cameroun his right to make policies, take initiatives or make statements that reflects his societal norms and Ideals but he does not have to direct other sovereign nations as to what they should do especially when their societal norms and ideals are different from those which exist in Prime Ministers society.- Late President Mills

They are disgusting. What sort of people are they? I never knew they are doing. I have been told recently that what they do is terrible. Disgusting. But I was ready to ignore that if there was a proof that thats how he is born, abnormal. But now the proof is not there.  Yoweri Museveni

Above are unequivocal and non-contradictory statements of some late, past and current African leaders. Homosexuality is a repugnant act on the continent! Simple and straight forward to any outsider hoping to infect us with this Ebola virus.

Same-sex marriage is an abomination. This was a headline of a news item on Ghanaweb on 21st February, 2017. It allured me to open and read to know the one who was bold and brave to make such a gutsy statement. Lo and behold, it was our speaker of parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye. I was exceedingly gay to have read that not because he was against what was uncharacteristic of Ghanaian culture and the African culture at large but he spoke with conviction as though no amount words from a Whiteman at Scotland could convince him to eat back his words. Homosexuality is not only an abomination but an abhorrent, loathsome, horrendous and a nasty act which should not be allowed into the Ghanaian culture in the name of liberalization or for the sake of Ghana being praised as a country with much respect for human rights. No human being or an international organization with local chapters should be placated with legalization of same-sex marriage!

Homosexuality is met with iron-handed punishments in some countries on the continent. Countries like Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria and Robert Mugabes Zimbabwe regards homosexuality as a grievous sin and the sinners merit crucifixion on the cross as punishments. I will be delighted to see Ghana become one of such countries. We need much-tougher legislation on this, pronto, to serve as a deterrent to any homosexual hopeful in the country. The laws of many countries are taciturn on the matter because of donor support. They dont want aids to be cut off! In as much as I cant blame those countries but it is equally essential to state that a poor man will never eat grass. No amount of dollars or euros should be able to buy your conscience or cajole you and make you throw your culture into a trashcan in exchange of one that is at variance in totality with your societal values. My elders put it bluntly: if you are hungry does not mean you should fall into a pot of Tuo Zaafi still cooking on fire.

There is no culture or religion in Ghana that do not consider this act as barbarian and absurd. All you will hear from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender(LGBT) community is that, everyone should be accord with some level of tolerance with any sexual orientation he or she is pleased with for a harmonious living. Yes! The human being should have rights but not those rights that are inimical to the moral fabric of society. Trace the history of this act to the Quran and the Bible and you will realize that those who were engaged in it were severely punished in the end. I can see you speak to yourself that - The African is at it again! These people and religion, thats why they are retrogressing and wallowing in the pool abject poverty. Yes! They are still religious in that state of poverty but with surefooted morals. I am very religious but not notoriously religious. I do not succumb to religious beliefs blindly. Many at times, what my religion is against is also needless in society and homosexuality, undoubtedly is one of them. Havent you been seeing that beautiful girl in church on every Sunday who always motivates you to dress well or that beautiful damsel who is capable of sharing your attention with God during Eid prayers or that handsome and caring man with the gentle haircut you will love to have as a husband or when others are different, you want to be exceptionally different in the name of human rights? Otherwise, homosexuality is scientifically disproved!

Why even the proposal of this nocuous and pernicious act on Africa? Is it that we are gullible or we are the continent suffering a lot in the midst plenty as a result of mismanagement by our leaders? If the continent was rich like it was blessed, no amount of dollars or pounds Sterling from a homosexual could have bought the conscience of anyone. I have always believed not all the behavior of the whites are worth imitating unaltered. But some of us failed to recognize this fact .Some elements of their behavior are not just morally sane. Why should another woman be allowed to marry her colleague woman or a man marrying another man? It is ludicrous! Because all along, I have been learning that marriage is a union between a man and a woman. The funniest part of it is that, the western leaders who always join and lead this bandwagon are happily married to women with children. Present in the meeting for proposal of this barbaric act maybe the wife, the children and the proponent.

Folks, can you imagine that prostitution is illegal in the united states whereas homosexuality is not? It is illegal because of state laws and not federal laws. However, Prostitution is legal in some rural parts of Nevada. Whether state laws or federal laws, what is abnormal is still abnormal. The logic applied in criminalizing prostitution should have been reapplied in criminalizing homosexuality. Ireland, a country to join the comity of nations in legalizing same sex marriage has not also seen prostitution as an illegality in itself but the activities associated with it like operation of brothels and forms of pimping. In this two instances, you can clearly see the double standards in making something that is bad look attractive and at the same time making something bad look unattractive.

Rtd Honourabe speaker, I was extremely glad to read that and I pray that you continue to be consistently consistent with this conviction irrespective of whether President Akuffo Addo will be heckled and accused of presiding over a country that do not respect the rights of gays by a Scottish parliament or Irish parliament in the future or not!

To those that dictates to sovereign nations what they should accept and reject in the name of human rights: If you find it so attractive and consistent with your morals, then continue to practice it happily but dont try to force it on the moral teachings of those who find it inconsistent . Homosexuality is a devilish act and as such should be met with opprobium! Before you start firing salvos at me, just imagine that what if the father and mother of this foolish and homophobic writer did not give birth to him, could he have written in the first place to deserve this insults I am about to heap on him?

Writer's Email: [email protected]
NEWLY POSTED TEACHERS DYING OF HUNGER

(UNFAIR TREATMENT OF TEACHERS IN GHANA)

Almost everyone we know has been turned around, by a teacher either in high school or college. Teachers are everyday gods, standing at the entry way to the world. They are the law, they are knowledge and they are justice.

Which profession in the World never pass through the hands of teachers(teaching profession)? But how are these professions being treated in our mother Ghana comparing to teaching profession? Which profession has become so vulnerable and being manipulated by politicians, is it not teaching profession? Which profession has become a tool for campaigning by politicians, is it not teaching profession?

Oh! Mother Ghana, why are you being so unfair and bias in caring for your children (profession)? What have your own sons and daughters (teachers) done to deserve this cruel and wickedness?

Will police, nurses, doctors, ministers, lawyers and even president be working for good two(2) years without being paid?

Oh! Mother Ghana, how sad it is for teachers to be at post for continuous two years without being paid. And the most annoying and cruel aspect is that you will be paid only three months salary instead of two years salary.

Is six solid months now,, Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service posted graduate and trained teachers to the various public schools in Ghana. Some have been posted very far from home and also in a very typical village. Mother Ghana, how do you expect them to survive in this hardship and struggling Economy? How can they pay their utility bills?

If these teachers are nurses, police, doctors, military, etc will they not been paid by now? But these teachers are still at post. Teachers are really sacrificing for you(mother Ghana) but the politicians always lay blame on teachers when there's an economic or social crisis. And these attacks on teachers have been particularly virulent. They are lazy, mediocre, tenaciously clinging to tenure in order to receive their lavish pay. Are teachers receiving lavish pay in this country?

We are living in a country full of corrupt and incompetent politicians and policy markers who care about their own selfish gain. These politicians are like the darkness of sorrow and the green eye of the monster who consumes your today's and tomorrow's.

Arise Mother Ghana and get out of these monsters. Show your loyal love to these newly posted teachers too because they are really suffering and hungry. An hungry teacher can pollute the future generation of the country.

Arise! Arise! Arise! Mother Ghana and give what is due to these newly posted teachers because working with an empty stomach for six months is not easy. Let them enjoy their sweat and also contribute to the development of our Mother Ghana with joy of heart but not sighing. They also need to take care of their families and friends.

Your Excellency Mr. President and Father of Mother Ghana, turn your attention to these newly posted teachers because they are really suffering, family members no longer pick their calls, friends took to their heels when they see them and they are dying of hunger.

The free Senior High School, policy can be achieved if you treat teachers well and fairly like all other professions. This country will be more than better Ghana, one village, one dam and one district, one factory if equality prevail in all the professions.

Enoch Cobbinah

Kowie Basic School

Sissala East
It is already clearly apparent, as many predicted, that Donald Trump's election as president of the United States would signal the start of what might be the final monumental assault on much of what is good in our world. Whatever our collective gains to date to create a world in which peace, social justice and environmental sustainability ultimately prevail for all of Earth's inhabitants, we stand to lose it all in the catastrophic sequence of events that Trump is now initiating with those who share his delusional worldview.

Starting with the appointment to his administration of individuals, such as Steve Bannon, Rex Tillerson and Scott Pruitt, who share his warped view of the world, and continuing with the policy decisions he is now implementing via executive orders, Trump threatens our biosphere with ecological catastrophe (through climate/environment-destroying decisions and perhaps through nuclear war)  see 'US election: Climate scientists react to Donald Trump's victory' https://www.carbonbrief.org/us-election-climate-scientists-react-donald-trumps-victory and 'It is two and a half minutes to midnight: 2017 Doomsday Clock Statement' http://thebulletin.org/sites/default/files/Final%202017%20Clock%20Statement.pdf as well as 'Trump pledges "greatest military build-up in American history"' http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2017/02/24/511926/Trump-delivers-speech-at-CPAC  exacerbates military violence in existing war zones  see 'Obama Killed a 16-Year-Old American in Yemen. Trump Just Killed His 8-Year-Old Sister' https://theintercept.com/2017/01/30/obama-killed-a-16-year-old-american-in-yemen-trump-just-killed-his-8-year-old-sister/  increases regional geopolitical tensions in ways that inflame the possibility of political unrest and military violence in new theatres  see 'Worried Over Trump, China Tries to Catch up With U.S. Navy' http://europe.newsweek.com/china-navy-budget-increase-trump-unpredictability-560985?rm=eu  supports violent and repressive regimes against those who struggle for liberation  see 'The Middle East "peace process" was a myth. Donald Trump ended it' https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/feb/18/the-middle-east-peace-process-myth-donald-trump-ended-it  and is generally implementing decisions that reverse progressive outcomes from years of peace, social justice and environmental struggles. See, for example, 'Trump's Immigration Crackdown Is Likely to Bring a Flood of Lawsuits' https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-02-22/trump-s-immigration-crackdown-likely-to-bring-lawsuit-flood and 'One of Donald Trump's first moves in the White House strips women of abortion rights' http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/one-of-donald-trumps-first-moves-in-the-white-house-strips-women-of-abortion-rights/news-story/0b958833c3356ad3a00b785a6bfc21ef as well as 'President Trump Breaks a Promise on Transgender Rights'. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/23/opinion/president-trump-breaks-a-promise-on-transgender-rights.html

Moreover, Trump, and those like him, further criminalize our right to dissent. See 'North Dakota Senate passes bills criminalizing Dakota Access Pipeline protests'.

http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2017/02/21/dapl-f21.html

Why does Trump ignore overwhelming scientific evidence (for example, in relation to the climate) and want to 'lock out' people who are desperate to improve their lives? Why does he want to prepare for and threaten more war and even nuclear war?

Is Donald Trump sane?

According to Dr John D. Gartner, a practising psychotherapist who taught psychiatric residents at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, 'Donald Trump is dangerously mentally ill and temperamentally incapable of being president'. See 'Temperament Tantrum: Some say President Donald Trump's personality isn't just flawed, it's dangerous'.

http://www.usnews.com/news/the-report/articles/2017-01-27/does-donald-trumps-personality-make-him-dangerous?src=usn_tw

Moreover, Chris Hedges argues, Trump is dangerously violent. See 'Trump Will Crush Dissent With Even Greater Violence and Savagery'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GU0JD7eKhY

But why is Trump 'dangerously mentally ill' and violent?

For the same reason that any person, whether in the Trump administration or not, ends up in this state: it is an outcome of the 'visible', 'invisible' and 'utterly invisible' violence that they suffered during childhood and which unconsciously determines virtually everything they now do. In brief, Trump is utterly terrified and full of self-hatred but projects this as terror and hatred of women, migrants, Muslims and this makes him behave insanely. For a brief explanation, see 'The Global Elite is Insane'. http://www.countercurrents.org/burrowes050214.htm For a more comprehensive explanation of why many human beings are violent, see 'Why Violence?' http://tinyurl.com/whyviolence and 'Fearless Psychology and Fearful Psychology: Principles and Practice'. http://anitamckone.wordpress.com/articles-2/fearless-and-fearful-psychology/

So what are we to do? Well, if you are inclined to resist the diabolical actions of Donald Trump (and his insane and violent equivalents in the United States and other countries around the world), I invite you to respond powerfully. This includes maintaining a large measure of empathy for the emotionally damaged individual who is now president of the US (and his many equivalents). It also includes recognizing that this individual and his equivalents are the current 'face' of a global system of violence and exploitation built on many long-standing structures that we must systematically dismantle.

Here are some options for resisting and rebuilding, depending on your circumstances.

If you wish to strike at the core of human violence, consider modifying your treatment of children in accordance with the suggestions in the article 'My Promise to Children'. https://nonviolentstrategy.wordpress.com/strategywheel/constructive-program/my-promise-to-children/

If you wish to simultaneously tackle all military, climate and environmental threats to human existence while rebuilding human societies in ways that enhance individual empowerment and community self-reliance, consider joining those participating in 'The Flame Tree Project to Save Life on Earth'. http://tinyurl.com/flametree

If you wish to resist particular elite initiatives that threaten peace, justice and environmental sustainability, consider planning, organizing and implementing nonviolent strategies to do so. But I wish to emphasize the word 'strategies'. There is no point taking piecemeal measures or organizing one-off events, no matter how big, to express your concern. If you don't plan, organize and act strategically, you will have wasted your time and effort on something that has no impact. Remember 15 February 2003? Up to thirty million people in over 600 cities around the world participated in rallies against the war on Iraq in what some labeled 'the largest protest event in human history'. Did it stop the war?

So if you are inclined to respond powerfully by planning a nonviolent strategy for your campaign, you might be interested in the Nonviolent Strategy Wheel and other strategic thinking on this website  Nonviolent Campaign Strategy https://nonviolentstrategy.wordpress.com/  or the parallel one: Nonviolent Defense/Liberation Strategy. https://nonviolentliberationstrategy.wordpress.com/

And if you wish to join the worldwide movement to end violence in all of its forms, you might also be interested in signing the online pledge of 'The People's Charter to Create a Nonviolent World'. http://thepeoplesnonviolencecharter.wordpress.com

Donald Trump has formidable institutional power at his disposal and he and his officials will use it to inflict enormous damage on us and our world in the months ahead.

What most people do not realize is that we have vastly greater power at our disposal to stop him and the elite and their institutions he represents. But we need to deploy our power strategically if we are to put this world on a renewed trajectory to peace, justice and sustainability.

Biodata: Robert J. Burrowes has a lifetime commitment to understanding and ending human violence. He has done extensive research since 1966 in an effort to understand why human beings are violent and has been a nonviolent activist since 1981. He is the author of 'Why Violence?' http://tinyurl.com/whyviolence His email address is [email protected] and his website is here. http://robertjburrowes.wordpress.com
Nairobi (AFP) - From ancient Rome to modern times, mankind has suffered devastating periods of hunger caused by drought, war or misguided politics.

Last week South Sudan was declared the site of the world's first famine in six years, affecting about 100,000 people. Here is an exploration of a term that evokes the very worst of human suffering.

What is a famine?

"Famine is not a word that we use lightly," said Erminio Sacco, a food security expert with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).

Since 2007 the term has been employed according to a scientific system agreed upon by global agencies, as the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) scale.

According to the IPC scale, famine exists when at least 20 percent of the population in a specific area has extremely limited access to basic food; acute malnutrition exceeds 30 percent; and the death rate exceeds two per 10,000 people per day for the entire population.

"This scientific methodology helps to avoid famine becoming a term misused for political reasons," Sacco said.

Where have famines occurred?

Over the last century, famines hit China, the Soviet Union, Iran and Cambodia, often the result of human actions.

Europe suffered several famines in the Middle Ages, but its most recent were during World War I and II, where parts of Germany, Poland and The Netherlands were left starving under military blockades.

A mother breastfeeds her child suffering from acute malnutrition at a clinic run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Aweil, northern Bahr al-Ghazal, South Sudan

In Africa there have been several famines in recent decades, from Biafra in Nigeria in the 1970s to the 1983-1985 Ethiopian famine, which ushered in a new form of celebrity fundraising and unprecedented media attention on the suffering.

The last famine in the world was in Somalia in 2011, which killed an estimated 260,000 people.

Why are there still famines today?

While South Sudan is officially experiencing famine, the UN has warned that Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen are all on the verge of the classification, which could affect more than 20 million people.

"The common denominator is protracted armed conflict and its negative impact on access to food, farming and livestock production... livelihoods, trade and, not least, humanitarian delivery," Sacco said.

Of the four famine alerts, only one -- Somalia -- is caused by drought, while the other three stem from conflicts.

What is life like under famine?

In South Sudan, people have gone through cycles of displacement over the past three years which have driven many of them to hide in swamps, having lost their homes, crops and livestock.

With nothing else available, they spend days foraging for wild foods such as water lily roots, fruit or fish, Sacco said.

They also spend days walking in search of food aid through areas controlled by armed groups.

"They are extremely weak, hungry, and drink unsafe water from ponds and rivers," he said. Cholera is a constant threat.

What does it mean to die from hunger?

When lack of food has led to an 18 percent loss of weight, the body starts undergoing physiological disturbances, according to a 1997 study of hunger strikes published in the British Medical Journal.

"The body metabolism gets increasingly dysfunctional, impacting the brain and other vital organs. At that point, therapeutic feeding treatment is necessary to save their lives, as the body has lost the ability to process normal foods," Sacco said.

When people have insufficient food over several weeks, it leads to organ failure and eventually death.

What are the long-term impacts?

Even without reaching famine, parts of the Sahel, Somalia and Ethiopia go through regular cycles of hunger that have long-term social consequences.

"The biological damage erodes the physical well-being of entire generations of children and their development potential, possibly resulting in a weak workforce and retarded students," Sacco said.

Hunger leads to stunted growth and impacts cognitive development, and can lead to poor health throughout a person's life.
28.02.2017 LISTEN

Well this man was born in Abeka, Accra on February 28, 1973 alongside two other brothers:

Due to degeneration of relationships between his parents, his dad had to stop work with Ghana Commercial Bank and resettle in Wa after his request for an official transfer was declined. As his Dad put it I cannot stand the mental torture of thinking that the most priceless heavenly gift in his life (Kids) would have to move to and fro school without anybodys guide. The agony exacerbates when I consider them crossing roads in the mix of reckless motorists."

This period ushered this great man and his little brothers into a new life, a marked departure from the urban life to an almost hellish village peasant life. Let me hasten to add that latter in the story, you will understand that, these austere experiences shaped his unrelenting sense of concern and sacrifice for the deprived, in his later years of life. This great man by true life experience can tell you what poverty really is and not the $1 a day standard prescribed by development literature and tooted by the Britton Woods Institutions.

After securing a watchman job at the Wa Regional Hospital, his Dad went back to Accra to bring his little brother, who was still with his mom. After eight years of separation, there were attempts to reconcile his mom and Dad but his dad could not come to terms with the fact that his mom walked out on the family and so declined.

It is worth stating that for the life of his Dad, till his final year in Lawra Senior Secondary School in 1993 he did not see his dad with any girlfriend. He was witnesses to advances from very nice girls but his Dad never gave in. His Dads argument was that another woman will certainly not take care of his kids the way he will want. A rare feat for a father.

His mum later got married to a businessman and had two boys and a girl he is really close to his step siblings and step Dad.

His dad died in 1994, while the mum passed away in 2004. Unfortunately, one of his brothers was called to eternity in 2002.

The economic situation of his family was precarious and volatile; in fact, he hates to talk about this aspect of his journey in life for the traumatic memories it evokes. However, he often share this story with friends even though he mostly end up dropping tears, but he do so to serve as inspiration and as a mark of the hope that it portends.

Poverty, at its height, compelled him to undertake all manner of survival options including selling water in pots to market women, engaging in rice and groundnuts farming and mostly depending on Shea and other fruits in order to survive. He had to hunt for Lizards to make meal, after grinding millet on the grinding stone.

It required that he woke up at dawn to gather these fruits; sometimes, competing with reptiles for these fruits. Walking sixteen kilometres to and fro Kaleo to Sankana daily to school on his bare feet in the scorching sun and often in his patched clothes, inspired him for better opportunities in life.

He went to School in Sankana, where he depended on natures lights (moonlight) to pursue his studies and to sit for his basic level certificate examination. Notwithstanding his situation, He was expected to do well, as the examiners, rightly, did not factor the peculiar circumstances of his studies. Somehow he made it but many of his contemporaries did not and their life is simply miserable. Truly, out of the ordinary man is ordained strength, strength which inspires not only his generation, but blossoms to serve as compass for succeeding generations. We merely survived...life was hell. However, our spirits were always filled.

Today this great serves as a beacon of hope for the youth of Ghana. He is largely revered as the finest young politician in Ghana who still believes and promotes the ideologies of Dr.Kwame Nkrumah. He has been more than a teacher, a mentor, guide, and philosopher to many young people in the country.

BERNARD ANBATAAYELA MORNAH (PNC National Chairman) today marks your birthday and I call on all Ghanaians to help me celebrate you because you are a great man of our time and a living legend. Your name shall forever remain in our hearts even when you are gone. May you live long to inspired more youth? Thank you.

By: Sherif Ghali- A concern youth of Ghana
Guwahati: Thousands of devotees along with their well-wishers throng in Makhibaha Sabha Mahotsav, a century old socio-cultural & religious festival of northeast India, which was kicked-off last Sunday (26 February 2017). Held in six hundred years old village under Nalbari district in Assam, the festival will continue for nine days.

Organized annually by Makhibaha village-development committee at Harimandir premises, the unique fiesta witnesses various programs including rituals, cultural shows, public discourses etc along with brisk business activities. Each and every household of the large village contribute for the fair that gives them an opportunity to showcase their hospitality to guests.

Eminent Assamese author Dr Lakshminandan Bora inaugurated the festival after a spectacular cultural procession. The Saraswati and Sahitya Academy awardee Dr Bora appreciated the villagers for maintaining the spirit of Sabha Mahotsav and commented that the festivals help the society to grow with affection to each others.

Former Asom Sahitya Sabha president Padmashree Dr Bora also remembered few great personalities of Makhibaha locality and opined that the historic village has contributed immensely for the mainstream Assamese society since time immemorial.

The inauguration ceremony was also graced by Pratidin Time news channel editor Nitumani Saikia, Guwahati Press Club secretary Nava Thakuria, Gramonnyan president Harish Bhattacharya, active social workers and distinguished business community leaders.

It may be noted that Makhibaha is a confederation of villages giving shelter to different communities. The agricultural based village is surrounded by Bhojkuchi, Pakhura, Jalkhana Bhathuakhana, Nannatari, Bali, Haribhanga revenue villages.

The populous village is around 20 kilometer west of Nalbari district headquarter and around 70 km away from the State capital, Dispur. Its nearest railway station is Tihu (3.5 km away) and airfield is Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi international airport at the outskirt of Guwahati.

The Sabha Mahotsav will come to an end by 6 March, where few closing day programs are on the card. The annual festival creates brotherhood among the people helping them to live happily in the locality and also go to their professional activities with all positive energy for the days to come.
The Vice President of the Republic, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has assured the international business community that Ghana is a safe, investor friendly country to do business.

The Akufo-Addo government, he said, is looking to empower and partner the private sector to be the engine of growth for the Ghanaian economy, in order to achieve its vision of making Ghana the most business-friendly country on the continent.

Vice President Bawumia gave the assurance when a Brazilian business delegation led by Ambassador Laudemar Goncalves de Aguiar Neto, Charge dAffaires of the Federative Republic of Brazils Embassy in Ghana, paid a courtesy call on him at the Flagstaff House on Monday.

Commending the Brazilian businesses for the important role they continue to play in the Ghanaian economy, Dr Bawumia said the Akufo-Addo government was open for business.

The vision of our government is to promote a business-friendly, private sector driven economy, so we want to encourage as much foreign investors as possible to invest in Ghana and invigorate the economy.

The areas youre involved in are very job creating, very valuable, and we appreciate your continued support. We have very ambitious targets for Ghana, and that will be achieved in partnership with the private sector.

We want to make Ghana the most business-friendly country in Africa.

Ambassador Laudemar Neto recalled the historic relationship between Brazil and Ghana, and affirmed his governments commitment to strengthening the already strong bonds through trade.

We support the Ghanaian governments desire for business, and I am happy to say that more Brazilian companies are turning an eye towards Ghana, he declared.

A number of Brazilian companies have set up operations in Ghana, in areas such as road construction, rice farming, paint production and cashew processing.

The Brazilian delegation included Mr Karl Nasr, Honorary Consul of Brazil to Ghana at Tema; Ms Lidiane Jaconi, Managing Director of Brazil Agribusiness Group; Mr Marcos Alexandre Silva, Managing Director, West Africa, for Quieroz Galvao Construction; Danilo Trinchao Pires Rios, Country Representative of Odebrecht Construction International; and Mr Jose Roberto Passareli, Country Manager of Contracta Construction Ghana Ltd.

The rest are Charles Galvao, Executive Chairman (Ghana) for Construtora OAS Ltd; Eng Fernando Mariano, CEO Ghana for Andrade Gutierrez; Patricio Assis, Managing Director of Usibras Ghana; and Michael Akoto of the Commercial Section, Brazil Embassy in Ghana.
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has expressed shock and dismay at the recent interview granted by former President Jerry John Rawlings to the Daily Graphic in which he made false claims about him (Kufuor).

Mr Kufuor emphatically denied that late former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman and one-time Speaker of Parliament, Peter Ala Adjetey, warned him to drop a case against his son, Larry Adjetey, which he (Kufuor) subsequently obliged, a statement issued by Frank Agyekum, spokesperson/special aide to Mr Agyekum Kufuor said.

There is no truth whatsoever in this allegation. I wonder what ails Rawlings to make him always try to impugn my integrity in his interviews.

It is not true that l tried to prosecute Larry Adjetey but relented because his father, Peter, threatened me.

The circumstance of his (Rawlings) wife's (Nana Konadu's) trial is a matter of public record, available for anybody who cares to verify.

Rawlings should stop posturing as the only person of integrity and truth, former President Kufuor fumed.

When Nana Akufo-Addo took their 2012 electoral loss to the Supreme Court and we in the NDC in our omniscient manner were humiliating his running mate in the dock, was Nana Akufo-Addo not in court till the case was over?

In the interview, Mr Rawlings pointed out the solidarity exhibited by Nana Akufo-Addo to his running mate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, during the election petition hearing at the Supreme Court in 2013 whereas the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was nowhere to be found when Nana Konadu was standing trial during the Kufuor administration.

Juxtapose the loyalty Nana Akufo-Addo demonstrated to his running mate against Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings when she was being tried during the Kufuor regime. How many of us in the NDC turned up to show solidarity?

The 31st December Movement suffered bankruptcy in supporting Atta Mills. How many of us bothered to show up in court to offer her moral support in recognition of the foundation she laid in leading the women from the PNDC to the NDC? During that trial, Peter Ala Adjetey, the then Speaker of Parliament, whose son, NDC's well-fed Larry Adjetey, was charged together with my wife, threatened Kufuor that if he did not drop the 'false' charge against his son, he would personally go to court to defend his son. Kufuor dropped his charges.

How many of these qualities of principled solidarity did we demonstrate towards our own? Instead, people got rewarded with appointments by denigrating and trying to destroy some of us. What money did I not borrow to assist some of our colleagues and comrades who were suffering financially under Kufuor's regime? Those debts are still on my head today.

Right and wrong have been held hostage by partisan politics such that if we do not restore them to their rightful place, the moral fabric of our society will continue to degenerate. Let us hold on to our critical role and still co-exist, Rawlings had stated in the interview.

But Mr Kufuor said Rawlings was playing to the gallery when stated that he borrowed money to help out some NDC members in hardship during his (Kufuor's) administration.

He hypocritically forgets the vindictiveness and hardships his 19-year-long leadership of state perpetrated on the people of Ghana.

If he wants to continue to blow trumpets from rooftops about his integrity and incorruptibility, let him do so, but he should leave Kufuor alone, former President Kufuor added.
Ms Valentina Minta (3rd left) in a group picture with the members of the committee

West Blue Consulting has earned the admiration and commendation of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism.

The Committee, on Monday paid a familiarization visit to the offices of West Blue to get members acquainted with the company's operations after which the Committee Chairman, Nii Kwartei Titus Glover pledged support of his team for the company.

Mr. Glover, a very principled parliamentarian, speaking on behalf of the visiting Committee said they were impressed with the work West Blue was doing to help government meet its revenue objectives at the ports and particularly the enviable achievement of reducing import clearance transactions at the Tema Port and the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) from a period of two weeks to two hours.

Titus Glover made it clear that the company was doing a good job and therefore deserves all necessary support it needs to help government meet its revenue objectives at the ports.

The Committee chairman said though there were a lot of misconceptions and misinformation when West Blue started its operations, available facts proved beyond doubt that the company has helped trade facilitation, reduce the cost and time of doing business at the ports.

He said with the requisite institutional support and corporation, the company could perform even better than it has done in the previous year.

Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism were taken through the operations of West Blue by the company's Chief Executive, Valentina Minta who used a power point presentation to explain her company's achievements and backed the presentation by verifiable facts and figures.

Valentina Minta gave an assurance that the company would continue to work with government and stakeholders to ensure the nation enjoys the full benefits of a facilitated trade environment making doing business in Ghana easy.

CHALLENGES

Ms. Minta revealed that there were challenges of some individuals and companies at the ports still involved in several dubious activities that reduce government revenue and enriches private purses.

She specifically mentioned the challenges of under-declaration, mis-description of items, manipulation of shipping documents (Bill of lading/ Airway bill), wrong origin of goods, misclassification, under-invoicing and undervaluation

The West Blue Chief Executive called for the enforcement of air and sea manifest submission to Pre-Arrival Assessment Reporting Systems (PAARS) in line with stipulated laws and complete integration between all systems involved in international trade (National Integrated Risk Management System (NIRMS), PAARS, GCMS, eMDA, Portal, GICCS Manifest, Financial Systems (Swift, Banking Systems etc.).

She disclosed that the company will be rolling out a lot of activities in the next quarter which would include training and Go-live of Exporter Registration for Ghana Export Promotion Authority; Automation of Importer Registration, Exporter Registration for Food and Drugs Authority and Automation of Courier Process for Ghana Post.

She also urged authorities to ensure 100 percent compliance and frequent financial reporting by the banks on trade transactions, ensure all trade statutory documents are respected and any deviations/changes reported through a single feedback mechanism to aid identification of defaulting officers or declarants.

Ms Minta said government must also enforce penalties and sanctions on deviant entities, calling for the continuous improvement of PAARS and capacity building.

SINGLE WINDOW

West Blue Consulting in partnership with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority launched the Ghana National Single Window (GNSW) project in 2015.

The project has made impressive inroads by reducing import clearance transactions at the Tema Port and the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) from 14 days to two hours, and increasing governments revenue at the ports.

As a result of such initiatives, Ghanas ranking has increased in the World Bank Trading Across Border Reports from 167 in 2015 to 154 in 2017; and in the Sub-Saharan Africa Region, Ghana ranked Number 1 in West Africa and Top 10 in Sub-Saharan Africa, coming in the 9th position out of the 47 countries ranked in the region.

The country also made tremendous improvements in the Global Logistics Performance Index (LPI) ranking, rising 12 places from 100th in 2014 to 88th in 2016 out of 160 countries.

The company is a world class business & IT-consulting firm.
BEATRICE -- The Beatrice Board of Education will consider a proposal to restructure the district's four elementary schools at its next meeting, though its unclear exactly what that proposal will be.

The board continued discussions on the future structure of its elementary system, including a controversial proposal that would convert Cedar Elementary in west Beatrice to serve only preschool students, during its committee meeting Thursday.

The board asked Superintendent Pat Narouth to meet with elementary principals to form a proposal to present at the board's March 13 meeting.

The board previously discussed converting Cedar Elementary into a preschool-only building and spreading grades K-5 throughout the districts other three elementary schools.

Narouth said declining enrollment is one factor in the discussions. The current fifth-grade class has 154 students, and there are about 145 fourth graders, he said.

Everything other than that is going to be below 140. Thats a change from where we used to be, he added.

At its February meeting the board decided to postpone a decision on consolidating K-5 classes at Paddock Lane, Lincoln and Stoddard schools, pushing capacity of each to about 250-260 students. Cedar would have roughly 200 preschool students, with programs available for 3- and 4-year-olds.

Another factor thats been discussed is keeping students in the Beatrice district, rather than parents opting them into districts where preschool programs are offered for 3-year-olds.

Board member Janet Byars expressed concern that if the grades are consolidated and more students stay because of the added 3-year-old program, it could result in larger class sizes.

Based on six sections (two per grade at three elementary schools), the average class sizes for kindergarten would grow from 19 currently to 22.

Board member Doris Martin expressed frustration that the school isnt considering all of its options, and is instead focusing its attention on Cedar and the preschool program.

Past attempts by the district to consolidate all elementary students in one new school have failed.
Dusk Capital Limited, a fully owned Ghanaian investment banking firm, has signed a partnership agreement with International Investment Management Group Africa.

The agreement will give Dusk Capital access to over 300 international mutual funds from other leading institutions like JP Morgan, HSBC and Goldman Sachs.

As part of the agreement, IIMG Africa will assist Dusk Capital to develop international competitive investment products that will give solutions to clients.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Bernard Osei Tutu Jnr, in an interview with the media last Friday, expressed excitement about the IIMG African partnership agreement.

We are investing funds in top mutual funds in companies that invest in MTN, Unilever and other companies around the world. You are getting value for every money invested, he said.

Mr Osei Tutu said Dusk Capital has products tailor-made for any professional or individual willing to invest their monies in the company, adding that the products would respond to the specific needs and aspirations of every client, who is ready to invest.

He said Dusk Capital is committed to building and encouraging a new culture of long-term investment in a country where savings and investment are generally low.

We are running away from the short-term. Most of our investment products are long-term in nature. We do minimum a year or two years, trying to push that agenda of long-term investment, Osei Tutu said.

Dusk Capital Ltd, founded in 2012 to provide consultancy services on finance and investment, has grown into a fully fledged entity with expertise in private wealth management, provident fund management, institutional fund management and investment banking services.
Crystal Capital & Investments Limited (CCI), a fast growing markets investment firm, has officially launch two new mutual funds that will offer opportunities to investors to earn higher returns in order to plan appropriately towards their entrepreneurial goals.

The launch of the Mutual Funds  Crystal Entrepreneur Fund (E-Fund) and Crystal Wealth Fund (W-Fund)-was supervised by Alexander Williams, Acting Director-General of Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) and other financial gurus in Accra on Tuesday evening.

The E-Fund, according to Crystal Capital, has been designed primarily for entrepreneurs, young people with entrepreneurial ambitions, as well as organizations that support entrepreneurial initiatives.

The fund protects the capital of investors by investing in a balanced portfolio that provides very good yield.

Through the E-Fund, Crystal Capital hopes to help entrepreneurs to achieve their business dreams without loans and also quicker than they would with just savings.

The W-Fund, on the other hand, has been designed for individuals and corporations who would like to make regular income on their investments at rates of return that are higher than those of savings.

The Wealth Fund provides security and opportunities to create wealth at one's own pace. It is ideal for investors looking to invest towards particular short to medium term goals or looking for regular income.

Launching the funds, Mr. Williams said the rate at which mutual funds were growing is an indication of innovative product development and growth in the market.

He said developing the culture of long-term investments was the right way to go and also said that trust between the fund managers and investors was critical.

According to Mr. Williams, there is going to be what he called 'exciting challenges' in the capital market and the standard is going to be high and demanding.

He advised the fund managers to commit themselves to always making the fund successful.

Prof. Robert Hinson of the University of Ghana Business School, who chaired the launch, said there is keen competition in the capital market and fund managers must be proactive in order to survive.

He said, I have been following mutual funds for some time. The competition is keen in that area, but I believe there is still room for more.

Martin Ofori, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Crystal Capital said the E-Fund and the Wealth Fund have been designed to serve a current need in the market for innovative and flexible investment products that will give every Ghanaian real value.

He said with markets in a near state of tumult and the fear that volatility might destroy returns in many parts of the market, running one Fund with a mandate to find value in one particular market is not quite strategic.

Mr. Ofori said that Crystal Capital has the dexterity to diversify investment funds to deliver optimum yield.

He explained that at CCI, we identify value or the potential for value where others do not. We do not merely sell products and financial services  we form the right partnership with each and every client.

This is important to us  to create value for our clients through ingenious value-add services like complimentary advisory sessions for asset owners and users.

By William Yaw Owusu


Cairo (AFP) - An Egyptian lawmaker who was one of the few dissenting voices in parliament said Tuesday his expulsion over accusations of leaking a draft law to foreign embassies was a warning to the opposition.

Mohamed Anwar Sadat, a nephew of the assassinated president Anwar Sadat, was expelled in a vote on Monday for allegedly leaking the draft of a controversial NGO law to foreign embassies.

The frequent critic of the government and parliament, which is dominated by supporters of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, was also accused of forging MPs' signatures on a bill he had presented.

Sadat denied both accusations to AFP on Tuesday, saying they were "false."

"I was not surprised because I have expressed many reservations about what parliament does and its compliance with the constitution and the law," he said.

"As we see, many people are not content with the status of democracy in Egypt," he said.

His expulsion was "a message to those inside and outside parliament: 'No one is dear to us'," he added.

Elected in 2015, parliament has been accused by critics of acting as a rubber stamp for Sisi, the former army chief who toppled his Islamist predecessor Mohamed Morsi.

Morsi's overthrow in 2013 ushered in a deadly crackdown on his supporters that killed hundreds of protesters and left thousands in prison.

Sadat had chaired parliament's human rights committee before resigning in protest at what he called its ineffectiveness.

He had heated disputes with parliament speaker Ali Abdel Al, who once shouted down Sadat when he inquired about military pensions for officers who went on to lead industry and state institutions.

He comes from a prominent political family, having been named after his uncle Anwar Sadat, whom jihadists assassinated in 1981 after he signed a peace treaty with Israel.
The President of the Family Health University College (FHUC), Prof Enyonam Kwawukume, has said that plans are far advanced to establish a Cardiothoracic Unit (CTU) and a state- of- the-art Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for the Family Health Hospital (FHH) at Teshie in Accra.

Speaking during the university's second matriculation for 33 medical students for the 2016/17 academic year on Tuesday, the president, who is also the founder of the hospital, averred that the opening of both the cardio centre and the ICU later in the year would enable specialist doctors of FHH to perform open-heart surgery, adding that it is a great landmark for a private hospital like FHH in Ghana and the West African sub-region.

Prof. Kwawukume, credited as the first medical practitioner in the world to perform bloodless myomectomy at caesarian section with a tourniquet, further disclosed that FHH had already established a centre for In-Vitro Fertilization or what is popularly referred to as a 'Test Tube Baby' Centre.

According to him, the Centre is also the first and only one among the teaching hospitals in the sub-region to be established by a private body.

The president was happy that the introduction of Telemedicine Centre for the FHH was fast yielding positive results among students and staff.

He explained that Telemedicine is a platform which enables a doctor to seek second opinion from seasoned doctors abroad such as the USA, Asia and Europe, for the treatment process of a patient.

We are happy to mention that the Telemedicine Centre will soon be opened to our mentors in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, he disclosed

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof.Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, expressed disquiet over the fact that Ghana's doctor-to-patient ratio remains unimaginably unsatisfactory, having a doctor taking care of about 10,450 patients.

The VC appealed to the government to collaborate with the FHUC in training more doctors rather than flying them abroad for such training at a huge cost every year.

Prof. Oduro Owusu lauded the management of FHUC and FHH for what he described as their unquenchable appetite to take great strides in the medical world to help bridge the doctor-to-patient ratio, while ensuring an excellent health delivery system.

As a young affiliate of the University of Ghana, FHMS has the advantage of seeking growth through the already established wings of her mentor institution, he remarked.

Prof. Oduro Owusu charged the students to take advantage of the numerous facilities available both in the university and the hospital to graduate as innovative men and women ready to work to the best of their abilities.

By Solomon Ofori
Minister for Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea, has assured the public that he will work to end perennial flooding in Accra during the rainy season.

Touring some flood-prone areas barely 24-hours after a downpour on Sunday, the sector minister expressed his eagerness to find a permanent solution to the perennial flooding in the country's capital.

Bear in mind all the forces of nature are such that we cannot control, but we need to find a permanent solution to the problem, he said.

The master plan is there and I am going to push for the plan to be executed. We cannot be coming here every year as if we are condemned to repeat our mistakes.

Sunday's rains, although not very heavy, caused flooding in some parts of Accra, including the circle Odaw area, Alajo and Adabraka.

The Minister and his team of engineers toured the areas Monday morning to assess the situation.

At Adabraka, a major wall built recently to prevent rainwater from spilling into homes got damaged.

Garbage and silt were seen in some drains, especially at the Kwame Nkrumah stretch of the Odaw River, exposing poor sanitation in the city.

Addressing journalists after the tour, Mr. Atta Akyea expressed concern about the human actions, which contribute to flooding in the capital.

It is very unfortunate that human actions are a major cause of flooding in Accra, he stated.

Mr. Atta Akyea told journalists that the Ministry of Works and Housing would also implement some short-term measures like desilting the major drains in the capital to ensure free flow of rainwater.

All the drains will be desilted by dredging masters as a temporary measure but there is a permanent solution and it is very capital intensive. We need to find the money to give it a permanent solution.

The Minister said about $700 million is needed to help end perennial flooding in Accra, and this is what stares us in the face every year, and we will find the money to do it.

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri
THE NEWLY appointed CEO of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Lawyer Justin Kodua Frimpong, has vowed to deliver to bring honour to President Akufo-Addo's administration.

Brimming with confidence, he stated categorically that he would work assiduously to help fight the unemployment menace which had for many years, forced several Ghanaian youth to go wayward.

I pledge to serve my country to the best of my abilities, knowing very well how the destinies of thousands of Ghanaian youth are dependent on the success of the Youth Employment Agency.

I offer my sincere gratitude to His Excellency, the President, Nana Akufo-Addo for entrusting such an important state institution under my custody, he said during an interview with the paper.

Lawyer Kodua, who is the Ashanti Regional Youth Organizer of the NPP, assured that he was well prepared for the top job and called on all youth of Ghana, devoid of political affiliations, to support him.

With the right planning, cooperation, and can-do-spirit, what appears a mountainous barrier to success would sooner than later become a stepping stone to higher achievements, he pointed out.

The YEA CEO charged the youth of the country to join forces so as to revolutionize youth employment in Ghana.

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr Kumasi


The European Union (EU) Chief Observer of Ghana's 2016 Elections, Tamas Mezerics has expressed worry about the State media's bias in the coverage of the 2016 elections.

Making references to the report of the European Observer Mission (EOM), he mentioned the state owned media like Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and its numerous radio networks including Television (GTV), Daily Graphic and Ghanaian Times respectively as typical examples.

Mr. Mezerics who is also a member of the European Parliament(MEP) was speaking at the University of Ghana, Centre for European Studies' (CES) maiden lecture series on the theme, Dealing with Basic Challenges of Elections in Ghana: Lessons from Europe.

According to him, GTV which had promised to give equal access to all parties and candidates, ended up giving 35% of its prime time coverage to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the incumbent President,(John Dramani Mahama) while giving the New Patriotic Party(NPP), 9% and Progressive People's Party(PPP) 8% with voter education taking 13% stressing that this ultimately left the political parties with no choice than to spend heavily on paid adverts from their preferred networks.

GTV provided almost four hours of live coverage of the final rally of the NDC on December 5 but none, live or in the news to the final NPP rally the day before, he disclosed.

He mentioned that other monitored TV channels (private), such as Adom gave 44% of their primetime coverage to the NDC, 28 % to NPP, TV3 gave 29 % to NDC and 12% to NPP while UTV gave 46% to NDC and 30% to NPP.

For Joy, Peace, Citi and Adom FM respectively, the trend was not any different as they equally paid more attention to President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC campaign messages than the other parties.

It is important to recognize the extent to which President Mahama and the NDC used official functions for political campaigning, events which were covered by almost all TV and radio stations, he remarked.

The Head of European Union in Ghana, Ambassador William Hanna, on his part averred that the EU is passionate about strengthening democracy in Ghana and the rest of Africa.

He reiterated that it was for such reasons that the EU is supporting a number of agencies including the Electoral Commission (EC), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the National Media Authority (NMA) in their respective programmes.

He called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to set its house in order; especially cleaning of the voters register which he described as heavily bloated.

The Director of CES, Prof. Ranford Gyampo pointed out that though the 2016 elections were described as free and fair, there were a number of reforms that the EC needed to put in place for future elections.

By Solomon Ofori
London (AFP) - The Tunisian police response to the 2015 Sousse beach resort massacre was "at best shambolic, at worst cowardly", the judge investigating the deaths of 30 Britons in the attack said Tuesday.

"Their response could and should have been more effective," judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith said in his conclusions after a series of hearings that began in January.

"The response by the police was at best shambolic, at worst cowardly," he said, adding that the hotel guards were not armed and had no walkie-talkies.

But he said there was no "neglect" by the tour operator TUI because the victims were "not in a dependent position" and said there was "nothing that the hotel might have done before the attack".

Gunman Seifeddine Rezgui killed 38 people including 30 British tourists and three Irish citizens in a shooting spree in June 2015 at the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse, Tunisia.

The attack was claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group.

"The simple but tragic truth in this case is that a gunman armed with a gun and grenades went to that hotel intending to kill as many tourists as he could," the judge said.

Loraine-Smith said all 30 British tourists were unlawfully killed.

The British inquest, which is in fact a series of individual inquests into the circumstances of death of each British citizen, is not a trial but the ruling could be used in civil lawsuits by some survivors and victims' families.

A British judge said the Tunisian police response to the 2015 Sousse beach resort massacre was 'at best shambolic'

Tunisia's ambassador to Britain, Nabil Ammar, told BBC radio on Tuesday: "The police was not ready as it should be".

"A lot has changed now. Many improvements have been made in terms of security services, security efficiency, security of hotels, the level of general security in the whole country".

Little security

Britain's Foreign Office warns against all travel to some border regions of Tunisia and "all but essential travel" to the rest of the country.

Tunisia's economy is heavily dependent on tourism and has repeatedly asked for the warning to be lifted.

Samantha Leek, the main lawyer for the inquest, said at one of the hearings that a report by a Tunisian judge had identified failings by local security which could have ended the attack before more police arrived and killed Rezgui.

"He said the units that should have intervened in the events deliberately and unjustifiably slowed down to delay their arrival at the hotel," she said.

"They had the ability to put an end to the attack before the police arrived but wasted a considerable amount of time in getting to the hotel," she added.

The Tunisian beach massacre was claimed by the Islamic State group

Ammar said the accusation that the police had deliberately delayed their arrival was "exaggerated and unfair".

A report on security at the hotels by a British embassy staff member conducted in January 2015 was also read out in court during one of the hearings by Andrew Ritchie, a lawyer representing 20 victims' families.

"There seems to be little in the way of effective security to prevent or respond to an attack" from the beach, he quoted the report as saying.
A former Deputy Minister of Power, John Jinapor, has stated that the Mahama-administration should not be blamed for the recent erratic power supply in the country.

According to him, the previous government put in place the necessary measures to forestall such occurrence.

We worked tirelessly, the whole of last year [and] we had reliable and sustainable energy. The FPSO went off for two months and we never had dumsor. Mr. Speaker; it dazzles my imagination that the FPSO goes off for just one week and almost the whole nation is plunged into darkness, he added.

Speaking on the Floor of Parliament on Tuesday, John Jinapor called on the Akufo Addo government to sit up and deal with the current power situation.

He also boasted that when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) took over the administration of the country, access to electricity was about 50%, but today as I speak to you, access to electricity is 83.5% second to only South Africa.

We wish to entreat our colleagues on the other side that on Thursday when the budget is presented by the Minister of Finance, we shall keenly monitor to ensure that the energy sector levies and the VAT which they promised are scrapped or not. And the people of Ghana will make a decision on whether they sold their colour television and they have been offered black and white TV or not, he added.

New deadline to end of dumsor

Following recent erratic power cuts in Accra and other parts of the country, the Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko assured that the situation will normalize by end of Saturday , February 25, 2017 but it turned out to be false.

The Energy Ministry subsequently issued a statement extending the deadline to Monday, February 27, 2017.

We wish to state that with the tie-in operation successfully completed, and coupled with the measures we put in place including procurement of fuel and increased power supply from La Cote dIvoire, the [power] situation will normalize from 27th February 2017, a statement signed by the Communications Officer at the Energy Ministry, King A. Wellington, added.



By: Godwin A. Allotey & Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @AlloteyGodwin
Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has assured the international business community that Ghana is a safe, investor friendly country for business.

The Akufo-Addo government, he said, is looking to empower and partner the private sector to be the engine of growth for the Ghanaian economy, in order to achieve its vision of making Ghana the most business-friendly country on the continent.

Vice President Bawumia gave the assurance when a Brazilian business delegation led by Ambassador Laudemar Goncalves de Aguiar Neto, Charge d'Affaires of the Federative Republic of Brazil's Embassy in Ghana, paid a courtesy call on him at the Flagstaff House on Monday.

Commending the Brazilian businesses for the important role they continue to play in the Ghanaian economy, Dr Bawumia said the Akufo-Addo government was open for business.

The vision of our government is to promote a business-friendly, private sector driven economy, so we want to encourage as much foreign investors as possible to invest in Ghana and invigorate the economy.

The areas you're involved in are very job creating, very valuable, and we appreciate your continued support. We have very ambitious targets for Ghana, and that will be achieved in partnership with the private sector.

We want to make Ghana the most business-friendly country in Africa.

Ambassador Laudemar Neto recalled the historic relationship between Brazil and Ghana, and affirmed his government's commitment to strengthening the already strong bonds through trade.

We support the Ghanaian government's desire for business, and I am happy to say that more Brazilian companies are turning an eye towards Ghana, he declared.

A number of Brazilian companies have set up operations in Ghana, in areas such as road construction, rice farming, paint production and cashew processing.

The Brazilian delegation included Mr Karl Nasr, Honorary Consul of Brazil to Ghana at Tema; Ms Lidiane Jaconi, Managing Director of Brazil Agribusiness Group; Mr Marcos Alexandre Silva, Managing Director, West Africa, for Quieroz Galvao Construction; Danilo Trinchao Pires Rios, Country Representative of Odebrecht Construction International; and Mr Jose Roberto Passareli, Country Manager of Contracta Construction Ghana Ltd.

The rest are Charles Galvao, Executive Chairman (Ghana) for Construtora OAS Ltd; Eng Fernando Mariano, CEO Ghana for Andrade Gutierrez; Patricio Assis, Managing Director of Usibras Ghana; and Michael Akoto of the Commercial Section, Brazil Embassy in Ghana.



By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Minister for Business Development, Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, has called for increased collaboration between Ghana and India to develop the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector.

He said Ghana is looking forward to a very strong SME sector relationship with India which would expand the SMEs and provide jobs for people.

The minister was speaking was speaking at his Office in Accra when the visiting Indian Envoy, Mr Birender Singh, called on him to discuss issues of mutual interest.

Mr Awal who lamented the high unemployment situation in the country was hopeful that a buoyant SME sector would bring a welcome relief to many Ghanaians and businesses.

We need your support in the area of technology and innovation, training and access to affordable capital, he said.

According to him, government is committed to removing all barriers hindering the growth and expansion of businesses in Ghana, adding for us, the private sector is the driver of business and the economy.

The former Graphic Communication Group boss said government has committed itself to engaging the private sector well which is the reason behind the creation of the Ministry of Business Development.

The Minister who is set to visit India next month reckoned that the SME sector in Ghana constitutes over 90 percent of all businesses in Ghana to contribute between 60-70 percent of the countrys GDP.

To enhance development it is prudent to look at the challenges and opportunities in the SME sector and initiate programmes and initiatives to ensure the sector improves, the Minister stated.

The Indian Envoy expressed his countrys readiness to provide support to Ghana in many areas including the SME sector.

He disclosed further that the Indian government was ready to facilitate the Minister's meeting and interaction with SME players in India.

In India, you will be meeting lots of Indian businessmen who are engaged in SME activities and when you return from your visit I would be here to meet you again so we can take things further, Mr Singh said.

He noted that Indias economy remains heavily dependent on SMEs for growth and employment and our government also provides lots of incentives such as start-up capital, innovation technology and tax holidays so that entrepreneurs can start their own ventures.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Abubakar Ibrahim
Cairo (AFP) - Top Muslim and Christian clerics from the Middle East gathered in Cairo on Tuesday for a two-day conference on promoting co-existence, as sectarian conflict continues to ravage the region.

The "Freedom and Citizenship" conference is hosted by Al-Azhar, one of the leading Sunni Muslim authorities based in Cairo.

It comes as Coptic Christians in Egypt's Sinai flee attacks by Islamic State group jihadists who are waging an insurgency in the peninsula.

"Exonerating religions from terrorism no longer suffices in the face of these barbaric challenges," Al-Azhar's head Sheikh Ahmed Tayeb said in a speech on the opening day, referring to regional conflicts.

Tayeb called for dispelling "the lingering mistrust and tensions between religious leaders that are no longer justified, for if there is no peace between the proponents of religions first, the proponents cannot give it to the people."

Coptic Christian Pope Tawadros II called for "fighting extremist thought with enlightened thought."

He said: "Egypt and the region have suffered from extremist thought resulting from a mistaken understanding of religion that has led to terrorism."

The conference, including Muslim muftis and Christian clergy such as Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi, is to issue a closing statement on Wednesday.

IS, which controls parts of Syria and Iraq, views Christians as enemies who should either be killed or subjugated.

In Egypt, the group's affiliate called for war on the Coptic minority after bombing a church in December 2016, killing 29 people.

Tayeb, who represents a more moderate and traditional form of Islam, argues that groups like IS have perverted the religion.
The management of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), has admitted that there have been challenges in the payment of stipends to scholarship beneficiaries.

GETFund in a statement however assured that it is committed to its obligations towards students who are studying abroad on government sponsorship.

Some Ghanaian students studying in the United Kingdom on GETFund scholarship, recently threatened to embark on a demonstration in London over their unpaid stipends.

The affected students said they had not received their stipends since September 2016, and thus served notice of a demonstration on Friday, March 3, 2017 in front of the BBC Broadcasting house in London.

The GETFund, according to its statement, is aware of the arrears and has since the beginning of the year [2017] been corresponding with some of the schools and students as to our arrangements to settle our obligations.

The fund attributed the problems to transition challenges which it assured are being addressed.

The GETFund has been confronted with some challenges recently but these are being resolved. Parents and students are thus assured that our obligations regarding the scholarships will be honored soon.



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
One month after assuming office, newly elected President of Ghana H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has successfully inaugurated 36 ministers to head various ministerial portfolios in the country.

Avance Media presents below the full list of Ghanaians who were sworn in as ministers to steer the affairs of the country for the next four years.

Alan Kyerematen  Trade & Industry Minister Albert Kan Dapaah  National Security Minister Ambrose Dery  Interior Minister Anthony Akoto Osei  Monitoring & Evaluation Minister Boakye Agyarko  Energy Minister Boniface Abubakar Saddique  Inner City & Zongo Development Minister Catherine Afeku Tourism, Arts & Culture Minister Dan Botwe  Regional Reorganisation & Development Minister Dominic Nitiwul  Defence Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh  Education Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto  Agriculture Minister Gloria Akuffo  Attorney General & Minister of Justice Hajia Alima Mahama  Local Government Minister Hon. Cecilia Dapaah  Aviation Minister Ibrahim Awal Mohammed  Business Development Minister Ignatius Baffuor Awuah  Employment & Social Welfare Minister Isaac Kwame Asiamah  Youth & Sports Minister Joe Ghartey  Railways Development Minister John Peter Amewu  Lands & Natural Resources Minister Ken Ofori-Atta  Finance Minister Kofi Adda  Water Resources & Sanitation Minister Kofi Dzamesi  Chieftaincy & Religious Affairs Minister Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng  Environment, Science, Technology Minister Kwaku Agyemang Manu - Health Minister Kwasi Amoako-Atta  Roads And Highways Minister Mavis Hawa Koomson  Special Development Initiatives Minister Mustapha Abdul-Hamid - Information Minister Naa Afoley Quaye  Fisheries & Aquaculture Minister Ofori Asiamah  Transport Minister Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu  Parliamentary Affairs Minister Otiko Afisa-Djaba  Gender & Social Protection Minister Prof. Gyan Baffour - Minister for Planning Samuel Atta Akyea  Works & Housing Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey  Foreign Affairs Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful  Communications Minister Yaw Osafo Maafo  Senior Minister

Source: Prince Akpah/Avance Media
28.02.2017 LISTEN

To our brothers and sisters here gathered, good morning; to the members of the media, welcome to Half-Assini. We appreciate your response to our invitation to cover this press conference.

I believe you are all aware of the recent furore that erupted here in Nzema, following His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos appointment of Dr Ben K.D. Asante as the acting CEO of the Ghana National Gas Company, aka Ghana Gas.

Ordinarily, we would have glossed over it, but we are minded to hold this press conference on account of the erroneous impression being created out there by the actions of three paramount chiefs  out of the seven paramount chiefs that forms the Nzema Maanle Council  that the youth groups, opinion leaders and, to a larger extent, the entire people of Nzema do not accept Dr Asantes Ghana Gas appointment. Nothing could be further from the truth. Here are the facts of the matter?

Ladies and gentlemen of the media, on January 30, 2017, when Dr Asante was named as the acting CEO for Ghana Gas, one Mark Asmah Arthur, who described himself as the president of the Nzema Youth Association (NYA), issued a statement in the name of NYA, protesting the appointment primarily because Dr Asante is not an Nzema speaker.

Later on that same day, NYA issued a counter statement denying knowledge of the said Mark Asmah Arthur. NYA did not only dissociate itself from Mr Arthurs statement, but it also affirmed its belief in and support for Dr Asante as the CEO of Ghana Gas, thus welcoming the Presidents appointment.

Again, on February 17, this year, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) communication team in all the three districts of Nzema issued a statement condemning what they described as malicious attacks on Dr Ben Asante. They also pledged their support and co-operation for the new CEO of Ghana Gas.

That aside, there have been a good number of ethnic Nzema youth groups and individuals who have come out to endorse Dr Asantes appointment and expressed co-operation with him.

Therefore, we were surprised and perplexed when on Saturday, February 18, 2017, the three chiefs, led by Awulae Agyemfi Kwame, purportedly speaking on behalf of and for the Nzema Maanle Council, stated at a press conference that the youths and people of Nzema are against Dr Ben Asantes appointment, and rather want the President to appoint Prof Kaku Sagary Nokoe, an ethnic Nzema for the Ghana Gas top position.

The inability of our revered Awulaemo to state the relevant competencies and abilities that make their proffered Prof Nokoe better qualified for the CEO of Ghana Gas job than Dr Asante amplifies their underlying tribal intensions.

In fact, since their press conference, we have painstakingly monitored both traditional and social media reactions; interacted and consulted with many and varied people in the Nzema communities and, clearly, the three chiefs are alone. The unanimous view of the larger population in Nzema is that they have no issues with the Presidents appointment.

We are stating it here on authority that Awulae Attibrukusu III, paramount chief of Lower Axim Traditional Area, and member of the Nzema Maanle Council does not agree with the position taken by Awulae Agyemfi and his two colleagues.

Likewise, Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli and Awulae Annor Adjaye, paramount chiefs of Nzema East and Jomoro respectively and members of the Nzema Maanle Council have all welcomed Dr Asantes appointment, contrary to earlier reports that they concerted to the press conference by Awulae Agyemfi.

Chief of Baseke, Nana Bonya Kofi VI, a Senior Divisional Chief of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area, has described that tribalistic stance taken by Awulae Agyemfi and his group as a dangerous one for our country.

Ladies and gentlemen of the media, it is apparent from the foregoing that the people of Nzema are not resisting Dr Asantes appointment to Ghana Gas as the impression was earlier created. It is only the three chiefs who are dissenting. But it is instructive to note that, that brand of tribal chauvinism being demonstrated by our respected Awulaemo is aesthetically ugly, intellectually illogical and practically inefficient, very alien to the well known rich Nzema culture and hospitality.

We, therefore, wish to state it emphatically that the good people of Nzema are not tribal bigots. We have no objection whatsoever against Dr Asantes appointment.

Let me, at this juncture, avert your minds to the main underlying factor influencing the decision of the three chiefs, as we have gathered.

As I stated earlier, Dr Asantes appointment was made on January 30, so:

i. Why did it take the chiefs this long while to protest it if indeed they had wanted the President to appoint Prof Nokoe right from the beginning?

ii. Why is it that the three chiefs are the only people protesting Dr Asantes appointment when industry experts and Civil Society Organisations, including IMANI and the Civil Society Platform on Oil and Gas (CSPOG), have all hailed Dr Asantes appointment to Ghana Gas as the best?

iii. At least, there were two other individuals, each from Jomoro and Ellembelle districts, who were also interested in the Ghana Gas CEO position. Why did Awulae Agyamfi and his colleagues ignore the Jomoro and Ellembelle aspirants to proffer Prof Nokoe who comes from the Nzema East district within the jurisdiction of Awulae Agyemfi?

Ladies and gentlemen of the media, from the above questions, isnt it obvious why Awulaemo are making this last minute protest?

Without prejudice to Awulaemo and the noble Nzema Maanle Council, we wish to point it out in no uncertain terms that such actions by some members of the Nzema Maanle Council makes the Council part of the problems confronting Nzema, if not the real problem bedevilling Nzemaland.

We say so because their solutions that they have been proffering and imposing on the people of Nzema all this while have not yielded the desired results, yet they insist on those ideas.

Here, we cite a few examples among many. In 2003, this same Nzema Maanle Council established the Kwame Nkrumah Education Trust Fund (KNETFund) with the aim of supporting brilliant but needy children and for the improvement of education in Nzemaland. They themselves scouted and assembled what they believed to be the best indigenes of Nzemaland and entrusted the management of the fund to them. The then President, President John Agyekum Kufuor, came to Nzema to launch the fund. We ask them, where is that fund? Today, as I speak to you, that fund is defunct, whiles the children who should have benefited from such a laudable scheme are dropping out of school and wasting away as Okada riders and the females getting pregnant, all because their fathers are not the chiefs.

When a member of the Nzema Maanle Council threatened secession from Ghana to Ivory Coast as a result of lack of payment of their oil royalties, werent both the Petroleum Minister and Ghana Gas CEO at the time from Nzema? Did that solve the Nzema problems?

It is also worth noting that in the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, a good number of native Nzemas served in ministerial, ambassadorial and other high level positions. Did that solve the Nzema problems? So, why are our chiefs insisting that making an Nzema the CEO of Ghana Gas is the solution to the Nzema problems?

The Prof Nokoe that Awulaemo want to foist on Ghana Gas, wasnt he the Pro-Vice Chancellor and later acting Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies in the Northern part of our country? Did the chiefs and people of the North protest his appointment citing tribalism as our chiefs are doing?

The stance taken by Awulaemo is regressive, divisive and corrosive. We do not want to countenance it because of its propensity to heighten tribal tension in our country. We are not tribal bigots. That is not the ideals the founders of our country devoted their lives to.

We the youth of Nzema regret the conduct exhibited by Awulaemo using the Nzema Maanle Council because that attitude is not embedded in our Nzema culture and values being inculcated in us to accept and work with everyone without discrimination and prejudice.

Our great grandfather, the greatest person to have come from Nzema, the greatest personality Ghana has produced and the greatest personality from Africa, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who was the embodiment of the Nzema culture, beautifully demonstrated that a nation does not attain greatness on the back of tribalism, but rather in the arms of nationalism. He thought us that we are one people, one nation with a shared destiny.

These are the ideals we need to take inspirations from, and be dedicated to.

In as much as we admit that development in Nzema here has been very slow despite the abundance of rich resources in this area, we also do not believe making an ethnic Nzema the CEO of Ghana Gas is the panacea.

We are very much convinced that sustainable policies  not positions  are what Nzemaland requires for the accelerated development we seek. Policies that develop the petrochemical industry in Nzema to offer direct employment or ancillary services for the many unemployed residents to earn descent salaries to meet the high cost of living the oil discovery has brought in its wake; policies that improve education facilities in Nzema here and provide scholarships for needy students to expand their knowledge base and acquire relevant competencies for employment into the oil sector; policies that offer apprenticeship and vocational training for the youth who are unable to acquire formal education so that they are also not left out of employment; policies that develop infrastructures in Nzema are what we need.

That, however, is not to say deserving Nzemas should not be appointed to occupy any position anywhere in the country. We are very much aware President Akufo-Addo has made at least two appointments of people from Nzema to two Boards of State companies, following the appointment of Hon Catherine Abelema Afeku as the Minister for Tourism and Culture. We are proud of them and very much grateful to Mr President. But, like Oliver Twist, we would appreciate more.

Regarding the Ghana Gas CEO position, we couldnt have agreed more with His Excellency President Nana Akufo-Addo for the appointment of Dr Asante.

Dr Asante, a much sought after Petrochemical Engineer of 25 years work experience, a world-renowned authority on the Gas industry who has worked for reputable oil and Gas companies in 25 countries is the best candidate to transform Ghana Gas to the world-class company we all expect.

It is also worth stating that Dr Asante is the only Ghanaian invited among a handful Africans by the US Department of Energy to contribute to the writing of a book entitled Understanding Natural Gas and LNG Options.

Again, with Dr Asante as CEO, Ghana Gas will save funds hitherto spent on consultants, since he himself is the consultant.

We know Dr Asante, a cent pour cent Ghanaian, is a top notch quality. We believe his competence is unrivalled. We know his hallmark is excellence.

It is based on that conviction that we herein add our voice to the appeal by Dr Steve Manteaw of the Civil Society Platform on Oil and Gas to His Excellency President Akufo-Addo to confirm Dr Asante as the substantive Ghana Gas CEO.

A major appeal we wish to make to Dr Asante is to help set up an industrial park in Nzema, preferably in Jomoro to open up the local economy to create employment opportunities for our people.

We have absolute confidence in him that he will live up to expectations.

Nzema is for Dr Asante. We pledge to give him a hospitable environment devoid of any tribal animosity. The good people of Nzema, right from Axim through Nkroful to Half-Assini, say akwaaba, Dr Asante. You are one of us and we are your people. Together as Ghanaians.

May God bless our country.

We take this opportunity to assure investors, in and outside Ghana, that Nzema is a very safe investment destination. Please take advantage of the various investment opportunities springing up in Nzema and invest here.

Thank you.

David Ackah-Miezah

For more information contact

President Phone: 0242662534

NYAC&D E-mail: [email protected]
28.02.2017 LISTEN

The management of the Ghana Education Trust Fund says it is committed to its obligation to students studying abroad under the scholarship scheme.

A statement released Tuesday, said the Fund is aware of fees and stipends it has to pay for students studying abroad and will do so despite the delays.

The statement is in reaction to reports of unnecessary delays in the payment of stipends which has kept Ghanaian students studying in China in limbo.

The students have since September 2016 been complaining about the delays in the payment of their fees and stipends.

They say several attempts to get officials to pay the fees have yet to bear fruits even though attempts have been made to get their bank details.

But officials of GETFund whose responsibility it is to make the payments have attributed the delays to some transition challenges following the change in government.

"The GETFund has since the beginning of the year been corresponding with some schools and students as to our arrangement to settle our obligations.

"The GETFund has been confronted with some transition challenges recently but are being resolved. Parents and students are thus assured that our obligations regarding the scholarships will be honoured soon," the statement said.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com
Kumasi  28th February, 2017: Vivo Energy Ghana, the award-winning licensee of the Shell brand in Ghana,has donated to the Otumfuo Education Trust Fund during a courtesy call on the King of the Asante Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

The donation, which amounted to GHS20,000, will go towards catering to a myriad of educational needs for children in the country through the fund set up byOtumfuo Osei Tutu II.Vivo Energy Ghana, which recently reopened its newly refurbished Shell service station in Bantama, has long been invested in the cause of education in Ghana.

At the donation ceremony, the Managing Director of Vivo Energy Ghana, Mr. Ebenezer Faulkner, highlighted Vivo Energy Ghanas long-standing support of the Otumfuo Education Fund and lauded theAsantehenes initiatives in this domain.

Vivo Energy Ghana is apassionate contributor to the Otumfuo Teachers Award which aims to motivate teachers from deprived communities in the country to promote academic excellence. In support of this honourable initiative, Vivo Energy Ghana is pleased to present GHS20,000 to the Otumfuo Education Fund to support the advancement of education in the region, ultimately benefitting all Ghanaians. he said.

His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu IIwas full of praise for Vivo Energy Ghana: Vivo Energy Ghana has continuously supported the education fund over the years, aiding us greatly in our goal to provide quality education for all.

...As a business, it has also contributed significantly to the economic growth of the region through the expansion and upgrade of its Shell service stations and with this, the introduction of renowned quick service restaurants such as KFC and Starbites, said the Asantehene.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II also implored Vivo Energy Ghana to further support the government agenda of promoting private sector participation in the development of the nation.
President John Mahama's Senior Communications Advisor Ben Dotse Malor has urged President Akufo-Addo's appointees to devote themselves to selfless service to improve the lives of the ordinary Ghanaian.

Sounding more like a motivational speaker on Joy News' Pulse program, Tuesday, Ben Dotse Malor urged appointees to hang a picture of a headporter known as 'kayayo' in their offices to serve as a reminder of their call to duty.

'People die for us to have an opportunity to serve...they sacrificed for us to get to where we are'.

Mr. Malor was appointed the President's Senior Communications Advisor in January 2014 but left after a year to rejoin the UN as the head of the Public Information Unit at the UN Headquarters.

It was explained, his one-year contract had ended. But there were reports turf war at the seat of government which forced him out.

Others saw his role as overlapping with that of the Information and Media Relations Minister at the time, Mahama Ayariga.

To be the presidential spokesperson, you need a certain depth of current happenings in Ghana; I am not so sure that that grasp is there. What necessitated the presidents decision to bring such a person? Was something wrong? What was it? And if everything was alright within the communication team, then why this change? veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt said following his appointment.

Malor was seen as an outsider by members of the then ruling party and therefore undeserving of his position as Communications Advisor. He was thought to be too polished and too refined for Ghanas tempestuous politics.

Malor was part of a gang of three who left the presidency at the same time . They include the presidents Executive Secretary, Dr. Raymond Atuguba and Chief of Staff Prosper Bani, who later returned as Interior Minister.

Ben Dotse Malor, Prosper Bani, Raymond Atuguba

'I wish I could have done more' Malor reminisced on his time in government. It was 'a huge privilege, a fantastic experience. It had its ups and downs' the ordained reverend minister of the Victory Bible church international described his time.

'I came with a basic notion of dying a little for the President to succeed', he explained his motivation for leaving his private job to join government.

Ben Dotse Malor who served the 66th president of the UN General Assembly His Excellency Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser (Qatar) as communications advisor said he came to government convinced 'only the best will be good for the president and for Ghana'.

Mr. Malor, a 'big believer in excellence' said his plan was to introduce UN communication systems in how the Ghanaian government run its communications deemed to be chaotic at the time.

At the UN, activities are structured to operate with minimum reliance on the presence of personnel to get work going. Targets are set and met and there is a hurry to meet deadlines and a respect for details.

The widely travelled former BBC presenter said he had observed that the Ghanaian attitude towards planning is sub-standard compared to Kenyans.

Mr. Malor said he was always pushing to continuously improve the handling of communications to international standards like is done in the White House.

He insisted he was not frustrated within the administration.

Providing an international perspective on Ghana's recent general elections, Ben Malor said he received several congratulatory messages from his friends across Africa who were proud that once again Ghana has gone through a political transition without violence.

Story by Ghana|myjoyonline.com|[email protected]
A former Senior Communications Advisor to former President John Mahama says he did his best to serve the interest of the President.

Ben Dotse Malor said he put his expertise in communications and information at the disposal of the former Ghanaian leader for him to succeed in the country.

Speaking to Gifty Andoh on The Pulse programme on the JOYNEWS channel on MultiTV Tuesday, he said he discharged his role as expected by former President Mahama.

The former President appointed Mr Dotse Malor together with two others who were considered outsiders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2014 after his victory in the 2012 presidential poll.

[L-R] Messrs Dotse Malor, Prosper Bani, and Raymond Atuguba

Law lecturer Raymond Atuguba was also appointed as the Executive Secretary to the President and Prosper Bani was handed the Chief of Staff position.

However, the three considered as heavyweights in the Mahama-led government found their way out a year into the four-year term of the government.

Mr Atuguba went to back to the lecture room while Mr Malor was offered a job at the United Nations (UN) where he was working before he was invited to serve as the Communications Advisor.

Rumors were rife that the three could not stay because they were ignored in meetings of government officials as a result of their opposition to certain practices.

Mr Bani was later to make a comeback in 2016 as the Interior Minister replacing former Navrongo Central Member of Parliament (MP), Mark Woyongo.

Recalling his days at the Presidency, Mr Dotse Malor said he had no regret for serving former President Mahama.

It was a fantastic experience, I learned a lot and I wish I could have done more, he said.

He said he had wanted to streamline communications at the Presidency to conform to how it is done at the White House in the United States (U.S.) and Britains Downing Street.

I came with the basic notion of dying a little serving the President for him to succeed, he said.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brako-Powers | [email protected]
The Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, has finally unlocked the office of the Tamale Teaching Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Dr. Prosper Akambong's office has for the past one week been under lock and key by a vigilante group affiliated to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kandahar Boys.

Dr. Prosper Akambong (extreme right)

The Kandahar Boys action followed other pressure group's call for Dr. Prosper Akambong's removal from office.

This happened when Salifu Saeed was not inducted into office as regional Minister. The regional Minister on Tuesday February 28, 2017, visited the Tamale Teaching Hospital and unlocked the CEO's office.

He condemned the nationwide post election violence, and impressed upon members of pressure groups in the region to use the appropriate administrative structures to address their grievances.

He unequivocally served notice that the Nana Addo-Bawumia led NPP administration will not tolerate lawlessness. Salifu Saeed assured the hospital management of cordial relations to improve efficiency at the major health referral facility.

Dr. Prosper Akambong thanked the regional Minister for his intervention. He dispelled allegations of corruption, nepotism and selective justice leveled against him, and assured government of competent leadership.

Tamale Metropolitan YEA secretariat

The regional Minister also opened the Tamale Metropolitan Secretariat of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) at Choggu, Hilltop.

He reiterated the need for some aggrieved youth groups affiliated to the governing NPP to desist from locking state institutions. Salifu Saeed promised to administer the region in line with the government's transformational agenda.

Background

It would be recalled that the Kandahar Boys Secretary, Iddris Abdul Hack, on Tuesday February 21, 2017, masterminded the closure of Dr. Akambong's office.

He revealed that, the group's action foiled other NPP youth group's intention to picket at the hospital premises, Wednesday February 22. Iddris Abdul Hack reaffirmed his groups commitment to zealously protect the hospital.

Northern Young Patriots demand

The Northern Young Patriots earlier at a news conference, also demanded the immediate dismissal of the Tamale Teaching Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Prosper Akambong.

The group's Chairman, Bashiru Baba, insinuated that Dr. Akambong was superintending over corruption, nepotism and abuse of human rights of staff.

He further claimed Dr. Prosper Akambong reduced the major referral health facility to a death trap.

Bashiru Baba called for forensic audit of the hospital's accounts and the establishment of a bipartisan committee to investigate the allegations leveled against the CEO and his surrogates.



By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
To my horror, it seems that while careening from crisis to crisis to keep up with the outrages of Donald Trump, I have lollygagged, emphasis on the gag, around too long to do anything about it. Sadly, while I dithered, Trump apparently had turned his stumbling administration into a political juggernaut. He sounded pretty certain of that.

That pretty well took the wind out of my sails. In the spirit of healing our divided nation, Im ready to admit defeat, as Trumps adoring fans have been demanding since he captured the Electoral College votes. I now realize that Trumps genius should extend as long as possible and Im prepared to help propel his well-oiled machine into a second term. The most important job will be to spare him the wrenching type of re-election campaign that accompanied his first foray into politics, which could cripple a well-oiled ship of state.

The solution is startlingly apparent: we eliminate the cumbersome polling-place type of voting, and instead put ballot boxes in all the FBI headquarters across the nation. Voters who live too far from FBI sites can mail their ballots directly to Moscow, Russia. Couldnt be simpler.

Bob Copperstone, Wahoo
28.02.2017 LISTEN

Khartoum, Sudan, February 28, 2017  On Monday, February 27, 2017, the President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, met the Sector Ministers of the Government of Sudan to reinforce the Banks support to the countrys economic development.

The meeting, which discussed the Banks current and future interventions in Sudan, was chaired by Badreldin Mahmoud Abass Mukhtar, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning (MoFEP) and Governor of the AfDB.

The meeting was attended by the Ministers of Agriculture and Forests, Industry, Water Resources and Electricity, Welfare and Social Security, Health, and Education.

Discussions with the Ministers focused on the challenges confronting their respective Ministries as well as the assistance required from the Bank.

The Minister of Education, Suad Abdurrazeq Mohamed Saeed, expressed the need for vocational and technical education as a means of addressing youth unemployment and poverty.

She expressed the need for enrolling at least 15% of the students in technical education in order to address the twin scourges of unemployment and poverty. She said such support, amounting to about US $42 million, will be catalytic in attracting other development partners to the technical education.

For his part, President Adesina expressed concerns over the low retention and high drop-out rates for girls, as well as high proportion of girls out of school (3 million), which he said should be addressed head on.

The State Minister of Health, Somaya Akad, focused on three areas, including the need for human resource development, a national centre for cancer treatment, and a surgery centre.

The Minister noted that the Governments policy is to ensure that a health facility is available within 5 kilometres across the country. Currently, national health insurance coverage stands at 43%.

The Undersecretary in the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security, Ali Mohamed Kheri, gave an overview of the Bank-financed Inclusive Service Delivery Project, which is supplementing the Governments social safety net program providing cash transfers to about 5,000 households. She noted that the Bank-financed projects will go a long way in complementing the Governments efforts in alleviating poverty. President Adesina noted that the national poverty survey conducted by the Bank will be useful in identifying eligible participants under Governments social safety net program, while at the same time feed into the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) under preparation.

The Minister of Water and Electricity, Mutaz Musa Abdallah Salim, expressed three main concerns including the interconnection with the Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia, technical losses of about 24%, and solar power generation of about 1,000 MW. President Adesina raised questions relating to utility efficiency, role of the private sector in solar generation, tariffs, and non-technical losses, which were all addressed by the Minister.

The Minister of Agriculture and Forests, Ibrahim Adam Ahmed Eldukheri, outlined his Ministrys needs as restructuring of the financial system, restructuring of farmers associations, the need for proper technologies, and scaling up improved technologies.

According to the Minister for Animal Resources, Musa Tibin Musa, challenges in his Ministry include traditional systems of rearing, migration of livestock owners to neighbouring countries, lack of incentives due to sanctions, inadequate amount of vaccines and sanctions. On account of these constraints, he expressed the need to develop cattle ranches to promote keeping large-scale livestock in enclosed places and thus prevent migration, aquaculture, and reduce transboundary diseases. The Minister identified seven projects costing US $16 million, which will be presented to development partners including the Bank for financing.

In response to these concerns, President Adesina intimated that the Bank has undertaken two interventions which will go a long way in addressing conflicts between pastoralists and farmers. These interventions include the Water Sector Reform Project in West Kordofan and the Drought Resilience and Sustainable Livelihood Program for the Horn of Africa. He also noted that the Bank is working on the Technology for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) program, which he said will be useful in scaling up improved technologies to boost food production in the context of the High 5s (particularly Feed Africa), and underscored its importance of the TAAT for reducing malnutrition, which currently stands at 16% in Sudan, and stunting, which is currently at 33%, among others.

The Minister of Industry, Mohamed Ali Yousif, indicated that the Economic Reform Programme (ERP) places great emphasis on industrialization. However, despite this emphasis, he lamented that industrialization in Sudan is slow because of lack of industrial skills, infrastructure and sanctions. He indicated that the Government needs US $500 million, of which US $200 million will be provided by the private sector to create industrial zones. He requested the Bank to launch an Initiative called Made in Africa. He also requested the Bank to establish an Industrial Institute to develop industrial skills for making spare parts, among other things.

The AfDB President, Akinwumi Adesina, expressed the need for the participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Governments industrialization program, which should be the cornerstone of the industrial zones that the Government intends to create in six states.

The Minister for Mineral Resources, Ahmed Mohamed Sadiq Al-Karuri, noted the Governments intention to stop the use of mercury by 2020 in conformity with international agreements. He requested for an Integrated Laboratory Project to analyse samples locally with a view to saving foreign exchange.

The Minister of Oil and Gas, Mohamed Zayid Awad, requested for support for Khartoum Refinery in the sum of US $200 million to enhance its sustainability.
The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli state of the Volta Region, Togbe Afede XIV, has sued the Ghana Army over the construction of a military building near his private residence.

He said the construction of the 6-storey building has resulted in the destruction of his security lights and forced the abandonment of his private car park due to fallen debris from the structure.

The suit sighted by citifmonline.com was filed at the Human rights division of the Accra High Court on Tuesday, 28th February 2017.

It has the Chief of Defence Staff, the Minister for Defence, the Attorney General, and Yao Addo Developments Limited as defendants.

According to the suit, the structure, which looks like a commercial property with towers and wings overlooking Mr. Afedes private property in Accra, started around September 2016.

The suit said Mr Afede feared that if the structure is allowed to be completed in its current form without any modification, his rights to privacy of his home will be compromised.

 I am again advised by Counsel and I verily believe same to be true that privacy is a foundation bedrock of right on which other human rights are built, and that if the Respondents are not restrained, the Applicants [Togbe Afedes] rights would be greatly violated.

.. I am further advised by Counsel and I verily believe same to be true that the wing that overlooks Applicants home also violates Article 12 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 1948, which provides that no one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

He said the unlawful and arbitrary interference with his privacy has caused him considerable damage which includes the loss of human dignity and sense of security, a threat to his life, emotional and psychological trauma, destruction of security lights and abandonment of his private car park due to fallen debris from the structure.

He is praying the court to declare the structure as a violation of his right to privacy, and also the removal of its wing overlooking his home or alternatively, a screen on part of the structure to guarantee his privacy.

He is also praying the court for an injunction to halt any further construction on the wings of the structure.



By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @jnyabor
28.02.2017 LISTEN

President of the National House of Chiefs is accusing the Military High Command of violating his privacy and has proceeded to court to sue them.

Togbui Afede XIV claims a six storey structure being put up by the military close to his Cantonment residence has left his house hugely exposed and has filed a motion to enforce his fundamental human rights guaranteed under Article 33 of the 1192 Constitution and Order 67 OF C.1 47.

He is also complaining about the noise he and his family members have been subjected to due to the construction works and the possible health implications that come with the dusty nature of the construction works.

He has therefore filed for an order of interlocutory injunction to stop the construction works at least until the substantive suit has been heard.

In a motion on notice filed on February 28, 2017, which has the Chief of Defence Staff, the Minister of Defence, the Attorney General as well as the construction firm as defendants, the applicant is asking the court to, among other reliefs, declare that the six storey structure overlooking his home amounts to a violation of the right of privacy of the applicant in breach of Article 18 of the 1992 constituition and other international instruments.

He is also asking the court to order the removal of the wing of the structure that overlooks his home or in the alternative a construction of a screen that completely guarantees the privacy of his home.

His lawyer Francis Xavier Sosu who spoke to Joy News Tuesday said all attempts to get the military high command to respect his right to privacy has proved futile.

According to him, in April 2016, his client observed that some old structures in the adjourning land belonging to the Republic of Ghana and the Ghana Armed Forces under the control of the Respondents were demolished without any warning or notice to him as a neighbour.

He said his client suffered unduly as the demolition and excavation works led to the pouring of dust and sand into client's compound on a daily basis, including the noise from the heavy duty machinery.

In the motion, the applicant said he has written to the military high command on several occasions to discuss ways of solving the problem but nothing substantive has been achieved.

Xavier Sosu is hoping the construction works will be halted until the case has been heard.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com|Nathan Gadugah
Samer Abu Ltaif

28.02.2017 LISTEN

Lagos, Nigeria. 28.02.17.  Microsoft today announced the appointment of Samer Abu Ltaif as the president of its Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.

Abu Ltaif, who joined Microsoft in 2004, has held many senior roles within the organisation including regional director for enterprise and partner group across MEA. Most recently, he was the regional general manager of Microsoft Gulf. During his tenure, he led landmark Microsoft initiatives aimed at empowering governments and citizens through innovation, revolutionizing education, stimulating SME growth and entrepreneurship; all to enhance the regions global competitiveness and modernization. Abu Ltaif played a key role in growing Microsofts presence in the Gulf and developing the companys ecosystem of over 1,400 channel partners.

His vision for Microsoft in MEA is to contribute to the economic and social development of the region. MEA has tremendous potential. The rich diversity across the region, combined with the fast-growing youth population and innovative spirit, opens up enormous opportunity, says Abu Ltaif. As Microsoft, we have an important role to play, not only through the innovative technology that we bring to market, but also through our presence across the region, our focus on developing local talent, and our deep commitment to the communities in which we operate.

A key part of Abu Ltaifs role will be to drive the digital transformation agenda of the region across governments, enterprises, developers and small and medium businesses. His leadership will be instrumental in progressing Microsofts commitment to empower people, transform businesses, impact societies and fuel a knowledge economy in MEA.

Abu Ltaif will continue to be based in Dubai, which serves as one of the major hubs for Microsoft in the region.

He takes over the reins from Microsoft Corporate Vice President, Ali Faramawy, who has headed the region for thirteen years. Faramawy, in turn, takes on a newly announced global role as the head of the Emerging Markets Digital Transformation Organization which has been established within Microsoft.

The new organization will focus primarily on building the capability in emerging markets to drive the adoption of cloud technologies and contribute to sustainable growth. Innovation, agility, strategic partnerships, modern business models and building cloud skills for Microsoft partners, will be the core focus of this team.
Ghanas energy sector debt is GHS1.3billion not GHS2.4billion as announced to parliament by President Nana Akufo-Addo during his maiden State of the Nation Address, former Deputy Energy Minister John Jinapor has said.

According to the Yapei legislator, a reconciliation of the entire energy sector debt between the Mahama government and the World Bank in November 2016 showed that the net debt was GHS1.3billion and not GHS2.4billion, which is the gross figure.

No business in this world deals with gross figures because gross figures are nominal, Mr Jinapor said.

In his view, therefore, under no circumstance, given the positive stride, given the resilient, robust nature of the energy sector that we (Mahama administration) handed over, should we ever have dumsor.

The country has been dealing with intermittent power outages over the past week, a situation which has raised fears as to whether Ghana was returning to the days of load shedding.

President Akufo-Addo on Tuesday 21 February said the Mahama administration left behind a heavily indebted energy sector which needed fixing.

The attempts by the previous government to resolve the dumsor crisis have led to a gargantuan debt overhang in the sector, Nana Akufo-Addo told parliament.

We have inherited a heavily indebted energy sector, with the net debt reaching $2.4 billion as of December 2016, the president said, adding: I have to point out the alarming fact that $800 million of this debt is owed to local banks, which threatens their stability.

Huge indebtedness of the energy sector constitutes the single major hurdle to Ghanaians enjoying reliable and affordable electricity supply

The cost of energy destroys businesses large and small. It destroys jobs. It compounds poverty. The current state of the energy situation in our country is unsatisfactory, he said.

As part of fixing the problem, the president said his government has begun to develop a national electricity masterplan, which will also explore the benefits of listing VRA and GRIDCO on the Stock Exchange.

My government will enforce the procurement law. We will insist on open and competitive bidding for power capacity procurement.
The Government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should reach out to the erstwhile John Mahama administration to provide them with tuition on how to fix the prevailing erratic power supply in the country, locally christened dumsor, John Jinapor, a former Deputy Minister of Power and Member of Parliament for Yapei, has said.

According to him, the Mahama administration dealt with the energy situation in the country in a comprehensive and coherent manner and so there was no reason why the country should be having issues with energy.

Speaking on Asempa FMs Ekosii Sen on Tuesday February 28, Mr Jinapor said: Under no circumstance should we be experiencing dumsor given the positive stride and the resilient robust nature of the power sector we handed over to them. And, so, if dumsor is recurring under this administration, they should solve it and not blame the John Mahama administration. We dealt with it in a comprehensive and coherent manner. If we were to be in government by now we wouldnt be experiencing dumsor.

Under the NDC administration the FPSO went down for almost two months, at a point Ameri was not running, they were not producing gas at all but we sustained power. Around August 2016 thereabout, FPSO went down again but we sustained the power and so if they want they should invite us to teach them how to deal with the power crisis and how to sustain it.

Meanwhile, on Monday, 27 February, the Ministry of Energy in a press statement said maintenance work to allow for the connection and commissioning of the gas supply systems from the TEN fields to the Atuabo processing plant had been successfully completed, hence an end to the power outages.

The statement explained that completion of the works, originally slated from 3 to 20 February, 2017, had to be extended to 26 February, 2017 due to some operational difficulties experienced by Tullow Oil, the operators of the TEN fields.

Following the joint press release by VRA, Gridco, and ECG on January 23, 2017 in connection with the planned shutdown by the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) for maintenance and also to allow for the connection and commissioning of the gas supply systems from the TEN fields to the Atuabo processing plant, we wish to advise that the work has been successfully completed and it is our expectation that power supply will return to normal by February 27, 2017, the statement signed by the Communications Officer of the Ministry, King A Wellington, said.

Government said its first major objective upon assumption of office was to stop a looming dumsor resulting from these operational challenges.
I do not want to be seen as a blithe doomsayer, or a gleeful grumbling geezer. But whatever the case, I will continue to squall and censure individuals over the apparent menace, because as it stands at the moment, and no serious attempts to curb the illegal activities of the recalcitrant illegal Chinese and other illegal miners in our countryside, I am afraid, we are, of course, heading towards a gargantuan environmental catastrophe.

I can hardly let go my puzzlement when some people continue to argue that it is somehow hackneyed and oxymoronic to suggest that after sixty years of independence, one would expect a nation like Ghana to be in contention with the likes of South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore, but due to the apparent leadership paralysis, we are at where we are today.

Somehow, we are surrounded by public servants we may call leaders, but in actual fact, a sizeable number of them do not offer a true leadership.

My dearest reader let me crave your indulgence just a moment longer to pose: Which independent country on this planet (Earth) would its law enforcers sit idly while some obstreperous Chinese illegal immigrants despoil its natural resources? The answer is Ghana!

How could the mining sector regulators and other law enforcement bodies look on unconcerned and allow illegal miners to seize our countryside, and forcibly dig our gold, destroy the environment and worst of all terrorise the rural dwellers? Where is the paradigmatic leadership?

However liberal they would want to portray to the Chinese authorities and the whole world, the leadership should not and cannot allow the lunatic fringe of illegal Chinese immigrants to presume on our hospitability, because after all, they presumed to invite themselves to Ghana.

But then again, must we put all the blame on the foreign infiltrators?

No, we must not single out the foreign infiltrators for blame, because after all, they are being led in our countryside by some irresponsible Ghanaians.

Apparently, according to credible sources, some Ghanaians are acting as middlemen. They would manage to procure the mining concessions and then pass them over to the Chinese miners.

Unfortunately, however, no one seems to be policing the illegal activities of the wayward Ghanaians and the Chinese immigrants.

Clearly, the small scale mining operation is capital intensive. Thus Ghanaians who do not have the upfront capital, albeit would manage to secure the mining concessions end up passing such concessions to their Chinese minions.

Consequently, the unconcerned Chinese end up violating the laws which govern the small scale mining. So, my question again is: Why is it that the regulator (the Ghana Minerals Commission) not keeping a close eye on the illegal activities of the Chinese miners, many of whom are bent on destroying the environment?

However the lack of supervision, the Chinese and their colluders should neither take the hospitability of discerning Ghanaians as a sign of weakness nor assume that their activities are not harming our environment.

In any case, the leadership must not lose sight of the fact that Communist China will never buy such shenanigans from its own nationals, let alone immigrants.

Indeed, it is only a supposedly democratic Ghana where incompliant Chinese and other illegal immigrants can flout the laws of the land without facing any punitive actions.

As a nation, we cannot and must not stand aside and watch while foreign invaders are heedlessly seizing our countryside, digging our mineral resources forcibly, terrorising the rural dwellers and destroying their livelihoods. How bizarre?

Tell me, how long shall we continue to show blithe ignorance to the seriousness of the Chinese illegal activities in our rural areas?

Make no mistake, the Chinese menace is real, so it is incumbent on the leadership of Ghana to take a leading role in combating such menace, and cease approaching it blithesomely.

Why do we need regulators and law enforcers in Ghana if they cannot hold in high esteem the heritage won for us through the blood and toil of our Forefathers?

You lots have pledged to uphold and defend the good name of Ghana, so show it, and stop behaving as mirthful leaders.

Go on and act now, because procrastination is not the solution to a potential problem.

K. Badu, UK.
What happened to the Qantas share price on Tuesday?

Shares of Qantas Airways Ltd [ASX:QAN] took off by more than 1.8% today as the company continued to soar after last weeks better-than-expected results.

Why did the QAN share price rise?

Qantas has faced a lot of pressure with competition, higher fuel prices, and more discounting of airfares.

However, a report in todays Australian Financial Review suggested that an increase in tourism, particularly from Asia, would help boost Qantas domestic air-travel business.

The article notes that Qantas and its Jetstar subsidiary only command around 25% of inbound and outbound traffic in Australia. However, on the domestic front, Qantas maintains a dominant position. In 2016, Qantas and Jetstar accounted for nearly 60% of domestic airline traffic.

As a point of comparison, Virgin Australia accounts for 30% of domestic traffic.

If tourism numbers do increase, that could spell a good opportunity for Qantas, especially when you take into account its key membership of the One World Alliance, which allows for code-sharing deals with a number of international players.

Should You Buy Qantas Shares?

The stock price is up, and has recovered almost all of the ground it lost in early 2016. However, as we say, the airline industry is volatile. Small changes in the market can have a magnified impact on the bottom line. For investors tempted to look at Qantas now, we would suggest extreme caution.

By Kris Sayce

[ampBannerMM]
Now, every man wants to wear unique and also classy Nigerian native styles for men, no matter its for a wedding, a business meeting, any casual outing or any other form of social occasion. Our traditional Nigerian fashion clothing is called one of the most beautiful and unique African attires. The latest Naija fashion already becomes popular worldwide.

Nigerian native styles for men

African Ankara is a popular fabric, which has been sold in the market for a lot of years. Nigerian designers make a sophisticated, elegant and classy style from a fabric called Ankara combining it with different materials such as silk, brocade, chiffon, velvet, linen, denim, and lace of all possible kind, and a lot of others.

There may a suit, shirt, blazer or Nigerian native wear designs for men. Every Nigerian guy loves African print. Men prefer to choose the best fabric they can afford. The bright African style inspirations and also influential African print will certainly dominant all the trends this year.

Nigerian native styles for men

In Nigeria, in contrast to some other African countries, where the growing role is played by European clothes, traditional Nigerian clothing for men is still widespread. Along with the fabrics, factory production uses the homespun and hand-painted material. The favorite color of the south men is red, of the north men - white.

Nigerian men fashion styles pictures

Nigerian native styles for men

READ ASLO: Fulani attire: Traditional clothing of the tribe

Nigerian native style for men is a shirt wide spacious cape. The most valued traditional clothing is the clothing made from handmade fabrics.

Nigerian native styles for men

Men's attire is adorned with embroidery. In the large cities, the European clothes become popular, as well as multipurpose African attire: embroidered loose clothes, worn over the head.

Nigerian native styles for men

Native attires are extremely popular among fashionable guys in Africa and especially in our Nigeria where a lot of stylish icons come from. It is very popular outside African continent too.

Nigerian native styles for men

In fact, a lot of foreign celebrities love Nigerian designs and tradition attires. They always look stunning wearing them. For example, American rapper loves this native attire and is always spotted wearing it.

READ ALSO: Yoruba traditional wedding attire

Source: Legit.ng
The system of local governments of Nigeria has gained the constitutional recognition only with the adoption of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1979. Up to this point, the structure of municipal authorities didn't exist, and the communal type of the organization of the power and management prevailed when the representative of some tribe became the head of the settlement. Reform of local governments has fixed the constitutional status of municipalities. So what things have changed and how many local governments do we have in Nigeria now? Read it in the article below.

How many local governments in Nigeria?

History

Before coming of colonialists on the territory of present Nigeria, numerous tribes at which state formations appeared already for the first centuries of our era, lived there. People of Northern Nigeria (The Bourne Kingdom and Fulani Empire) were under the influence of the Arab culture. In 1861, the English troops occupied Lagos, and then the whole coast of Nigeria. In 1897, they occupied the kingdom Benin and the southern regions of the country. By 1900, the British influence extended also to northern regions of the country. In 1914, the southern colonies and northern protectorates were administratively united under the general name Nigeria. In 1947, the country was divided into three areas: Western, Northern, and Eastern. In 1960, Nigeria achieved political independence.

How many local governments in Nigeria?

The subsequent history of the country is characterized by series of military coups and the fierce fight between regional ethnic groups. The attempt of the department of East area from federation and creation of the Republic of Biafra led to a civil war in 1967-1969. After the small period of the civil board in 1979-1983, power was seized by military people again. The plan of transition to civil board announced in 1987 failed, the Constitution accepted didn't come into force in 1989. In 1993, the military government announced the program of phased transition to the civil form of government by October 1998 again. Within this program, the military authorities organized carrying out the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) for the purpose of development of the new Fundamental law of Nigeria in 1994. The ban on political activities was withdrawn, the process of creation of a multi-party system gained development. Elections to regional authorities and elections of governors and members of legislative assemblies took place. In May 1999, the civil president of the country was elected for the first time in 15 years. So how many local governments in Nigeria now?

How many local governments in Nigeria?

READ ALSO: Kungiyar Boko Haram ya dauki yara sama da 2,000 a matsayin mayaka a 2016 -UN

How many local governments in Nigeria?

Today Nigeria is a federation, the parts of which are 36 states with local governments and the federal capital Abuja.

The current Constitution is approved in May 1999 by the Decree of the Head of the state. As well as previous, it fixes a presidential government. A political regime is transitional.

How many local governments in Nigeria?

READ ALSO: WAEC May/June timetable 2017 released (See full timetable)

The supreme legislative body of Nigeria is the National assembly consisting of two chambers  the Senate and the House of Representatives. The senate consists of 109 members, each 3 of them are elected from each of 36 states of the federation, and 1 representative from the federal capital territory of Abuja. 360 deputies of the House of Representatives are elected in 360 constituencies, at the rate of 150 thousand voters to the district. The term of office of members of parliament constitutes 4 years. The president of Nigeria has no right to dismiss National assembly.

How many local governments in Nigeria?

Distribution of powers between the Senate and the House of Representatives in Nigeria in many respects follows a sample of the USA. The National assembly adopts bills by a simple majority of votes in each of two chambers for the subsequent transfer for the signature to the President of Nigeria. Then bills get a law force. In the case of refusal of the Head of the state to approve the bill, it returns to the Senate and the House of Representatives again. After repeated voting of 2/3 of each of chambers for the bill, it automatically becomes the federal law.

The Head of the state, the executive authority, and the Supreme Commander is the President elected by general direct election for a period of 4 years. Together with the President, the vice-president is elected.

The executive authority in the regions is the executive council of the Federation, the members of which are appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate.

How many local governments in Nigeria?

Conclusion

In total, there are 36 local governments in Nigeria in 2017. Maybe sometimes this situation will change, but now we have this state system.

Source: Legit.ng
I am writing in response to your coverage of the new president and Congress. Politicians often vow to stand up and defend the interests of ordinary Americans who feel left behind by deepening economic inequality but actions speak louder than words.

Almost one in seven Americans still live below the poverty line in this country. However, anti-poverty policies are making an impact, reducing the poverty rate by half. SNAP, for example, serves as a lifeline to 43 million people, nearly half of them children. It's truly puzzling that some members of Congress are preparing to attack key pillars of our safety net programs: programs their constituents depend on to survive, like SNAP and Medicaid.

Now more than ever, we need to focus on helping hardworking people across the country make ends meet, not put up roadblocks in their way. We must stand up against schemes to undermine the effectiveness of anti-poverty health and nutrition programs via structural changes such as "block grants," and efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. I hope we can count on our elected officials to reject any proposals that undo what we know works.

Shams Al-Badry, Lincoln
Have you ever thought about recruitment in Peace orps of Nigeria? What do you know about Peace Corps civil defence? If you still want to join it for employment, then have a look at the salary table and go through the application to the Peace Corps.

Peace orps of Nigeria  SALARY!

Peace Corps supposed to be an independent Federal Agency which belongs to the U.S. government. It was established on the 1st of March in 1961, this important institution was approved by Congress on the 21st September in1961 by Peace Corps Act Public Law 87-293. Its employment means you are involved in a humanitarian organization that sends volunteers to poor countries to assist its residents and other people who seek for urgent assistance.

According to the law, application to Peace Corps will mean the fulfillment of Peace Corps MAIN DUTY:

To promote world peace and friendship through the Peace Corps, which is to sent men and women from the United States who are qualified for the service abroad and are willing to serve, if necessary, in difficult conditions to help people from these countries and territories and to provide them with trained personnel.

Peace orps of Nigeria  SALARY!

The program of the Peace Corps employment, officially comprises three tasks:

1. to help people of interested countries and areas in meeting their needs for trained personnel

2. a help to promote better understanding of Americans from the Nations, whom we serve.

3. a help to promote better understanding of other Nations from the Americans.

Peace corps send volunteers to various countries of the world (to more than 70 countries) to collaborate with government agencies, schools, nonprofit organizations, non-governmental organizations and entrepreneurs in the areas of education, entrepreneurship, information technology, agriculture and ecology.

Peace orps of Nigeria  SALARY!

READ ALSO: Best NYSC orientation camp in Nigeria

Initially, Peace Corps announce its availability to foreign governments. Then these governments determine the territory in which Corps activities may take place. Then the Corps verify the tasks with their training opportunities and direct volunteers with the right skills to those countries which previously sent their requests.

Peace Corps Volunteers

Volunteer service improves the lives of people in communities around the world. Volunteers will receive practical benefits, learn new languages, gain leadership, get international development experience.

The threat of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa has forced the American Peace Corps to immediately suspend its mission in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, where the deadly disease has killed more than 670 people. Reportedly, 340 volunteers from Peace Corps will soon be evacuated from the African countries, where some staff members had contact with sick people.

According to the world health organization, the epidemiological situation continues to deteriorate and there is a risk that the virus from West Africa can spread to countries in other continents.

Peace orps of Nigeria  SALARY!

READ ALSO: Police ranking in Nigeria

The EU has allocated 2 million to Africa to fight the Ebola.

Nigeria is now actively identifying those who might have come in contact with the first man who died of Ebola virus in the country. He arrived in Nigeria by plane from Liberia, via Ghana and Togo.

Peace Corps salary

The Peace Corps in Nigeria provides standard federal employment benefits, including highly competitive salaries, vacation days (starting from 13 and extended to 19.5 days after 3 years of service), 13 days of sick leave. There is also a wide choice of health and life insurance programs, benefits for retirees, and a special savings plan. To learn more about Peace Corps salaries, please, visit the official website in Nigeria.

Hope that now you know more about Peace Corps!

Source: Legit.ng
History of islam in Nigeria - how many years does it number? It is worth bearing in mind the importance of historical development of Islam in Nigeria, so read the article.

History of ISLAM in Nigeria

Source: UGC

Religion in Nigeria

About 55% of the population are Muslims, 40% are representatives of Christianity (the majority consists of Protestants), about 5% of Nigerians adhere to traditional African beliefs (animism, fetishism, the worship of ancestors and forces of nature). Islamic movement began in the 12th century AD during the existence of the centralized state Kanem-bornu (present-day Northern Nigeria).

History of ISLAM in Nigeria

History of islam in Nigeria

First major centralized state in Northern Nigeria was Kanem-bornu, the occurrence of which belongs to the late 8th century A. D. To the 15th century in Nigeria was strengthened Islam, it was brought here through the desert traders-Muslims. Since the 12th century, all rulers - were Muslims. The influence of Islam affected the management system and legal proceedings, and also contributed to the creation of the Muslim elite.

History of ISLAM in Nigeria

Hajj

Every year about 100 thousand pilgrims from Nigeria to make Hajj. The Nigerian government claims that authorities are doing everything possible to ensure the comfort of piligrims and help in committing their sacred duty. The Nigerian government every year pays off 25% of the cost of Hajj. In addition, thousands of pilgrims, who are unable to pay for the spiritual journey, go to Hajj at the expense of the government. Trying to repeal the law on subsidising Hajj, the government is faced with such determined resistance, this idea was abandoned.

History of ISLAM in Nigeria

The splitting line NorthSouth OR impact of Islam in Nigeria

In Nigeria, one of the world's largest oil traders, the main interdenominational line breaks the territory of the country from North to South. In 1960, Nigeria, which at that time belonged to great Britain, gained independence. During the long period of colonial years were artificially created all the conditions for inter-ethnic tensions. Full-scale inter-ethnic and inter-religious conflicts have led to Civil war in 1967-1970 years and installed a brutal military dictatorship.

History of ISLAM in Nigeria

1. In the late 1990s in the country deteriorated interethnic and interreligious conflicts.

2. In 1999 there were clashes between ethnic groups, itsekiri, urhobo and ijaw, which killed about 200 people.

3. In 2001, these conflicts have claimed the lives of nearly a thousand people in 2004, killing about seven hundred people.

History of ISLAM in Nigeria

4. In 2006, there were clashes between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria that killed more than 100 people.

5. In November 2008 300 people were killed, the reason for the massacre was a victory in the local elections of the Muslim party. Bloody clashes in Nigeria occurred in 2010.

6. On the 16th of January 2011 there were new sectarian clashes between the Muslim and Christian communities in Jos, located in Central Nigeria.

History of ISLAM in Nigeria

In the main mosque for later burials over 150 bodies of killed during violent acts were collected. It is not excluded that there could be more dead people. The situation in the city was extremely tense. In addition to the many people killed, hundreds were injured. Damaged buildings, part of which was burned by aggressive rioters. About five thousand local residents left their permanent places of residence for fear of violence. The causes of the conflict from both warring sides are different. According to one version, the conflict occurred because of the unwillingness of some to live next door to "alien" Muslims. A few times the start of the conflict situations was given after a series of offensive attacks against Islam on the part of some missionaries-preachers.

READ ALSO: Corruption in Nigeria aiding Boko Haram insurgency - Report

History of ISLAM in Nigeria

Corruption, poverty, economic and social problems and religious contradictions - act as a catalyst, and in the end it all comes to bloodshed. The roots of religious conflicts - artificial and controlled from the outside. In Northern Nigeria, where Islam is widespread, the Western Protestant colonists founded their settlements and arranged a farm on the territories of the Muslim communities. Support is provided to them by the Nigerian military and official authorities, who took a Pro-Western course. All this contributes to the escalation of tension in the country. In turn, the world of Islamic scholars is never tired of calling for ethnic and religious peace and good-neighbourly relations.

History of ISLAM in Nigeria

In 2010, the head of Libya Muammar Gaddafi proposed to divide Nigeria into two States, Christian and Muslim - to end inter-religious violence in the country. The Libyan leader called on to divide the country on the model of the separation of Pakistan from India in 1947. Lagos would be the capital of the Christians in southern Nigeria, and Abuja - the capital of Muslims in the North. But in response, the Ministry of foreign Affairs of Nigeria, announced the recall of its Ambassador from Libya.

Islamic Sharia law in Nigeria

History of ISLAM in Nigeria

In the 1990s the situation in Nigeria was very difficult, and in search of ways of its normalization, the vast majority of the population of the Northern States of Nigeria has initiated the introduction of Sharia in the Northern States.

In 1999, Sharia law was introduced in one of the Nigerian States for the first time. In some States (mostly in the Northern), there are Sharia courts which are in charge respectively of cases involving Islamic law or customary law (the courts of chiefs). Sharia law is only provided for Muslims, Christians and animists apply customary law.

History of ISLAM in Nigeria

The introduction of the Sharia has become a convenient pretext for the prosecution of Muslims in provoking inter-religious conflict, and violation of the Constitution. The world's media and especially the US, tried really hard not to put in the best light Nigerian Muslims who want order in the country.

Against this background, the approval of Muslim leaders of Nigeria that Sharia is today actually the only real shield that can protect the country from the AIDS epidemic and the repetition of the fate of Uganda and South Africa, a huge part of the non-Muslim population which is HIV-infected, remained without attention of the government and the forces supporting them abroad.

History of Islamic education in Nigeria

History of ISLAM in Nigeria

For Muslims living in non-Islamic countries, one of the main problems in the education of full Islamic community, the transmission of Islamic knowledge to their children. It can't be said that this problem is completely solved, even in countries in which there is a Muslim community which has achieved the greatest results and success in building Islamic infrastructure.

History of ISLAM in Nigeria

Muhammadu Buhari is to introduce Islam in the public secondary education. However, the teachers believe that this is the first step in combating discrimination of Islamic Sciences. In many schools there are even teachers for Islamic studies, for example in Lagos state.

President Buhari invited the Federal schools to adopt two textbooks, written by famous Sambo Bashir. By the way, one of the books of the scientist is  "The Quran and its Tafsir".

History of ISLAM in Nigeria

The President also expressed the opinion that the revival of teaching of the Islamic Sciences is of paramount importance in the background of the decline of morality and religious values in the country.

READ ALSO: Pastor and 14 other Christians allegedly convert to Islam in Kwara state

Meanwhile, Muslim teachers, and organizations are cautioned that this measure is insufficient to fill the gap that emerged during the years of neglecting Islamic education.

History of ISLAM in Nigeria

We need to tell the truth: only legislative measures and strict control in the implementation of the state anti-discrimination policy will provide equal educational opportunities in public schools, unable to resist the forces that continue to suppress the collective desire of Muslim parents and to deprive children of education in accordance with clear Islamic ideals.

He also stressed the need for substantial investment to improve educational infrastructure, training and promotion of teachers of Islam.

Source: Legit.ng
How much is your average monthly bill for mobile phone calls? Do you crave for the cheapjack tariff ever? We will help you to choose the most convenient among MTN Nigeria tariff plans.

To purchase data from any telecom and recharge your mobile instantly, you can use pay.legit.ng.

You will see that it is very easy and even pleasant choose the tariff plan that befits you best. Do you spend hundreds of naira on phone calls? Stop reading this article, because you will be shocked! Are you still here? We will show MTN tariff plans that will positively surprise you!

MTN is a telecommunication giant that makes everything possible to rope in more customers. It will be more than useful to learn about MTN tariff plans and migration codes.

READ ALSO: How to share data on Mtn?

MTN tariff plans and their benefits

MTN TruTalk+

This tariff plan that will provide a means for making calls at lower rates.

Local numbers: 11 kobo/sec

International numbers: 20 kobo/sec

Day-to-day accession fee of N5

MTN zone

This tariff plan enables performing MTN - MTN calls for the lowest 4k/sec (the matter is in the part of the day).

MTN Xtra Pro

Calls: 11 kobo/sec

Daily accession: N5

MTN XtraSpecial

It can become a perfect tool for international calls.

Calls: 15 kobo/sec (both local and international)

All networks in Nigeria without day-to-day accession fee, no first-minute charge.

MTN prepaid plans

MTN BetaTalk

Prepayment N100 and more

200% airtime bonus (after you finish your bonuses your main airtime will start to count).

10MB/weekly

National calls: 40 kobo/sec

Lets make back-of-the-envelope estimate:

If you prepay N100 you get N100+N200, so you will have N300.

If you prepay N200 you get N200+N400, so you will have N600.

If you prepay N300 you get N300+N600, so you will have N900. And so on.

Can you imagine this? A rather cool motivation for prepayment.

MTN iPulse

This MTN plan should be called no other way as mind-blowing and one of the most advertised!

Calls in MTN line: 15 kobo/sec or 11 kobo/sec after 40 kobo/sec for the first 60 secs to MTN line.

Non-MTN lines: 40 kobo/sec

1GB/for a week: N500

500MB/night: N25

Prepayment for N100= data bonus of 10MB (once a week/24 hrs)

MTN XtraValue Bundles

MTN tariff plan with one of the coolest advert. By the way, very promising, if to look closer to the Bundles and Offerings. Lets calculate together what will be our actual rate. If you will migrate to MTN XtraValue XS you will pay for national calls N40/sec, so we can say that MTN XtraValue = MTN XtraPro + data bonus.

MTN tariff plans and migration codes

MTN migration codes

MTN Tru Talk+ Code

*123*20#

MTN Beta Talk Code

*123*2*6#

MTN ZONE Code

Dial *135*1#

MTN XtraPro Code

Dial *401# and select 1

MTN Xtra Special Code

Dial *408# and select 1

MTN iPulse Code

Dial *406# and select 1

Hope you have found this article useful. What is the most important about communication? It is the joy, which you get while speaking with family and friends. Enjoy the communication!

READ ALSO: NCC begins tariff review

Source: Legit.ng
It is about time for our elected representatives to listen to their constituents. I recently wrote Deb Fischer before she cast her support behind Betsy DeVos, the new Secretary of Education, to look at Nebraska and the movement happening here by listening to the diverse voices of her constituents, not just the Lincoln Independent Business Association ("Hundreds gather at private event to demand dialogue," Feb. 22). At least, Ben Sasse has come out in opposition to Present Donald Trumps string of executive orders aimed at hurting immigrants and our community ("Sasse points finger at Russia," Feb. 23). However, Ben Sasse can do a lot more to voice his opposition to policies that will hurt us here at home.

Deb Fischer attended an event in Lincoln where she met with very wealthy and ideologically similar people to herself. This is just another action of hers where she has yet to prove herself to be a true representative of the people of Nebraska. She quietly criticizes our intelligence, the people she represents, by avoiding the fact that the Senate has received the most phone calls, letters, and e-mails ever in US history. She has yet to address any of her constituents concerns in a real meaningful way.

It is time for Deb Fischer and our other elected representatives to meet with the people of Nebraska, not just the very wealthy. It is time for Deb Fischer to come back to Nebraska and visit our schools, our associations, our police stations, our town halls and other important community centers in Nebraska that make our state great.

Carol Flora, Lincoln
- Senator Ben Bruce said cabals have hijacked the Nigerian presidency

- The senator alleged that neither Acting President Yemi Osinbajo nor President Buhari is in charge of Nigeria at the moment

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, the senator representing Bayelsa East recently said cabals have hijacked the Nigerian government from both President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

Bruce, in an interview with Vanguard, described Osinbajo as a good man, who according to him was not responsible for the nations problem.

Cabals now in charge of Nigerian presidency - Ben Bruce

READ ALSO: Stop saying life was better during corruption - Sagay

He said: The answer is simply because the government is not being led by Buhari and is not being led by Osinbajo. They have people leading the government from behind. The vice president that I know is a good man and is quite a wonderful human being.

Osinbajo is not the problem. There are people pushing this government for their own personal and selfish interests. Things are not working well because the people have not applied the proper measures and policies to propel the country out of recession.

Bruce also said the current steps by the Nigerian government cannot end recession.

He said: What they are doing cannot end the recession. A budget during recession must be different from the one that should be operated when an economy is doing well.

This government cannot run the same type of economic policies that the Jonathan administration used because the times are not the same. This government needs the smartest people to run this economy. But the argument is that this government inherited the economic problems from the previous one and is, therefore, a child of circumstance.

PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest News on Legit.ng News App

No, that will not suffice anymore because if you recall, in 1999 when Obasanjo and Atiku took over the reins of power, they quietly recovered over $4 billion from those who had stolen money and put it in the system, and nobody heard about it.

I want you to know that the current recession is caused by a cabal working for their selfish interest and a gamut of poor economic policies and they are going to get worse because the brains that should run the economy are not there.

That is why Osinbajo must take charge of this economy because I want this government to succeed so that we can have something to take over in 2019. It is certain Nigerians will reject APC in 2019 and PDP is surely going to take over. We will beat APC any day, and they must leave.

Meanwhile, Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha has said Nigerians should not outstanding growths like building of skyscrapers and historic tunnels from President Muhammadu Buhari's administrations but rather trust in the fact that the Buhari's government is building a foundation for coming governments to build on.

Source: Legit.ng
- The Ekiti state governor Ayodele Fayose has cautioned the Igbo people not to rely on the words of former president Olusegun Obasanjo

- In an interview with Sun News, Fayose said the defection of political bigwigs from the Peoples Democratic Party to All Progressives Congress is a show of lack of principles

- Obasanjo had said that the Igbo people can vie for presidency in 2019

The Ekiti state governor Ayodele Fayose has cautioned the Igbo people not to rely on the words of former president Olusgeun Obasanjo.

In an interview with Sun News, Fayose said the defection of political bigwigs from the Peoples Democratic Party to All Progressives Congress is a show of lack of principles.

Obasanjo had said that the Igbo people can vie for presidency in 2019.

However, Fayose said: "Do you ever take Obasanjo seriously? I dont take him seriously. By his nature, Obasanjo wants relevance at all times. We have worked with him and used to be his foot soldiers. I know him more than anybody in this country."

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Makarfi faction threatens war with Sheriff over PDP secretariat

"He just talks, so that he would remain relevant. Do you see any other former President in the country running his mouth like his? If it is not the fact that he has a voice as a former head of state, where is Obasanjos constituency? Who are his followers?

"How many votes can Obasanjo win in his ward? We must say the truth and we must face the truth. Lets give it to him, as a leader in this country, whoever has governed this country before would remain our leader, but he must equally recall and admit that he is becoming more fairly negative than working towards national building," Fayose added.

READ ALSO: Ekiti PDP Senator shuns Fayose, declares support for Sheriff

He said most of the politicians who have criticized APC in the past have also joined to dine with the party.

"Certainly, I cant be party to that. But good luck to them, in life, they say time is of the essence and time will catch up with everybody. But you see, if you are patient in life, you would discover that what goes round comes round," Fayose said.

The governor further added: "It is a matter of time and when the table turns where would they then run to? Will they run back? I remember when a lady senator who had a re-run and was supposed to wait for her re-run in PDP, left her own platform and went to the APC."

"The APC played her into coming and denied her of that ticket. You see, when you are too desperate and you are looking for manna at all cost, looking for snail in the heat of January and February in a Sahara desert. If you are not careful you meet snakes on the way," he said.

Source: Legit.ng
MADISON  A 28-year-old Norfolk man has been sentenced to six to nine years in prison for beating up his 79-year-old grandfather.

Brandon Schoen had pleaded guilty to the Sept. 27 assault and was sentenced Monday in Madison County District Court.

The victim told police his grandson began to "freak out" after an altercation with another family member, then threw the grandfather's walker into a television before knocking him down and punching him repeatedly in the face.

The grandfather needed reconstructive surgery on his face afterward.

Schoen was released from prison in April 2013 after serving a prison sentence for domestic assault.
- United Nations Human Rights Council has faulted the new Lagos environmental bill

- The bill seeks to stop Lagos residents from seeking water from natural sources like wells and rivers

Lagos state House of Assembly has recently passed an environmental bill that criminalises the sourcing of water from natural sources like rivers, lake and so many others.

The United Nations Rapporteur on the human rights to water and sanitation has however faulted this bill saying the Lagos government plan to arrest, prosecute and fine ordinary Lagos residents seeking water is too harsh.

Lagos government environmental bill is unfair to residents - United Nations expert

Premium Times reports that Leo Heller of the UN criticised the state government for failing to provide adequate access to drinking water, and then criminalising or imposing fines for fetching water from lakes, rivers, or any other natural sources.

READ ALSO: Lagos unveils new vehicles that will replace danfo buses (photos)

Heller said: The government is taking a step too far by imposing fines of the equivalent of $310 (N175,000) on ordinary individuals fetching water for survival, when the minimum wage stands at approximately $60."

Heller made this statement after the Lagos State House of Assembly passed the Lagos Environment Bill on February 20.

Heller said even though the law is a good one to regulate water borne disease, but more than 90 per cent of Lagos residents lack water pipeline.

When only 10 per cent of the population are connected to piped networks and the rest of the population rely on natural water sources for drinking water, a blanket prohibition of accessing natural water is not the way forward.

PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest News on Legit.ng News App

Meanwhile, the Lagos government has recently reiterated its ban on motorcycles, claiming that criminals are now using it as a way to rob residents.

The new ban on motorcycles now extends to passengers and not just riders. Lagos commissioner of police, Fatai Owoseni said that both riders and passengers of motorcycles will be arrested and prosecuted in a mobile court.

Source: Legit.ng
The second day of the Social Media Week Lagos (SMWLagos) kicked off on a wonderful note. Legit.ng was on hand at the social media event moderated by Stanley Azuakola which discussed the damage social media is having on truthful news in Nigeria.

Tolu Ogunlesi speaking at Social Media Week Lagos

President Buhari's adviser on digital media and the head of office of digital engagement, Tolu Ogunlesi was on hand to reveal the following facts about what the presidency plans to do about it.

1. We need to educate people on social media

Speaking on the wrong use of social media in Nigeria, Mr Tolu Ogunlesi emphasized that Nigerians need to be educated on the proper use of social media and the consequences of publishing falshoods on their social media platforms.

2. We don't have a social media policy

Speaking on the federal governemt's social media policy, the aide to Buhari revealed that the government had no firm policy yet, but they were working on a proper policy that would guide government and citizen engagement.

3. Xenopohbia in South Africa

In the same vein of fake news, he said: "Some of the videos been circulated about Xenophobia in South Africa are fake and have nothing to do with South Africa, so we need to be careful."

4. Government regulating social media will bring trouble

Will the government regulate social media? Ogunlesi was of the opinion that it could spell trouble. "We need to regulate ourselves and caution ourselves," he said.

READ ALSO: Exclusive: I do not want to comment on Buhari's call - Presidential aide

5. We need to adapt regulatory laws

The head of digital engagement also said that the regulatory laws on hate speech and libel needed to be modified to suit the rapidly changing social and digital media space of this new age.

6. If someone libels you, go to court

"The laws need to be tested, if someone libels you, take the matter to court," he also urged the audience. If people took their grievances to the law courts in matters of libel and hate speech, it would help curb the damage caused by wrong use of social media.

7. Government is yet to catch up with social media

He also said the government was a bit slow catching up with social media, but soon they would catch up by implementing a social media policy that would guide engagement with citizens.

8. How we will combat fake news

The government plans to work better at releasing news promptly in order to combat fake news in the social media space.

9. Facebook and Google need to penalize people who publish fake news

Speaking on regulating social media, he was of the opinion that self regulation among journalists, bloggers and owners of social media platforms would go a long way to curb the proliferation of fake news.

"Facebook and Google need to penalize people that publish fake news," he concluded.

Watch a video of Nigerians speaking on President Buhari below:

Source: Legit.ng
The Nigerian Senate has summoned the foreign affairs minister Geoffrey Onyeama to explain what the executive arm of government is doing over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

The senate also resolved to send a high-powered delegation of Nigerian lawmakers to the South African parliament to find a way to stop the attacks on Nigerians.

READ ALSO: Senate kicks off investigation into 661 guns seized by Customs in Lagos

Senate president Bukola Saraki also urged the committees to swiftly complete their work on the list of ambassadors submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari so that the upper house of legislature can quickly approve their appointments and Nigeria can have its representatives in places like South Africa.

Meanwhile, president of the Nigerian Senate Saraki has revealed during plenary on Tuesday, February 28 that the confirmation hearing for the chief justice would be held on Wednesday.

Recall that the Senate confirmed reception of acting president Prof. Yemi Osinbajo's confirmation letter of acting chief justice of Nigeria Justice Walter Onnoghen to the upper house of legislature last week.

Source: Legit.ng
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has take a new dimension to celebrate his 80th birthday .

Daily Trust reports that the ex-president took the train of celebration to some public-school students at his Ibogun village, near Ifo, Ogun state. He was spotted in a reading session with them. This is part of activities to mark his 80th birthday celebrations.

PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App

Obasanjo in reading session with public school children

He was in the company of his wife, Bola and some of his close allies as they were received by the school children drawn from Berly Chrysolite school (primary and secondary), Ewupe, Baptist Day school, Ibogun and baptist day school, Idi aga among others.

As at time of this report, the former president was telling a popular fable of the legendary tortoise.

How nice!

Source: Legit.ng
DAVID CITY -- Moving a highly specialized manufacturing plant from one end of the state to the other is no easy task, even if you've got planes.

Just ask the management and staff at the newly opened Hershey Flying Service in David City.

It has been a very difficult process to get Hershey Flying Service to where we are at now, said Jared Storm, owner of the $1.2 million aircraft repair station.

Storm, who has a crop-dusting service in Wahoo, bought the Hershey-based company in 2011 with the plan to move it from Hershey, which is west of North Platte. He considered Wahoo, and other cities came calling, including Columbus.

David City landed the company by providing a long-term lease and a new water main to the site at David City Municipal Airport.

Mayor Alan Zavodny said he hopes the companys arrival marks the start of a trend for the Butler County seat of 2,900 people.

Hershey Flying Service coming to David City is an exciting development. Mr. Storm is an entrepreneur and has a passion for airplanes and flying, Zavodny said.

To keep taxes and utility rates down, the city needs to expand its tax base, he said.

"Hershey Flying Service is one step in doing that. It offers employment for local people and could eventually help us in other ways. There may come a day when airplanes are not only repaired here, but who knows, maybe they will be built here.

The companys specialty is building components for, and repairing, the Grumman Ag Cat, a plane designed in the late 1950s and built through the 1970s. It also builds some parts for Piper Braves, Weatherly and Air Tractors.

Storm said he moved the company east to be closer to a broader base of workers who specialize in welding and metal fabrication. Hershey Flying Service has eight employees, including General Manager Kevin Woockman, a native of the Stanton area.

The last of the specialized inventory was shipped from Hershey to David City by November, and workers are setting up for full operation while handling incoming orders.

Storm said the move was complex and challenging. First, there were regulatory demands of the Federal Aviation Administration. Add in rain delays in preparing the building site on swampy ground. And last year, the city built a grass taxiway from the new facility to the airport runway.

The building covers 22,000 square feet and is equipped with a sub-floor heating system, a state-of-the-art paint booth and advanced computer numeric control equipment.

In addition to repairs, the company develops new components to make flying safer for pilots.

Two of its recent innovations, the Storm Cutters and the Storm Shield, are intended to decrease hazards of crop dusting, which requires low-level flights and sharp turns while avoiding power lines, poles, birds and, increasingly, drone aircraft.

Already on the market, Storm Cutters are thin bars attached to the planes landing gear and designed to cut through power lines if necessary.

The Storm Shield, a replacement windshield that has tested eight times stronger than the factory-installed glass, is awaiting FAA approval.

Storm said he's grateful for support from the city and its council members and hopes they continue support of infrastructure projects at the airport.

"The seed has been planted and as this seed grows it will continue to bear fruit for the city in the form of jobs and tax revenue.
After returning a record amount of $16.3 million in 2016 to Nebraskans and former Nebraskans in unclaimed property, the State Treasurer's Office is preparing to publish its 2017 report in Nebraska newspapers in March.

In all, the office is holding more than $170 million for more than 35,000 owners, according to a news release from State Treasurer Don Stenberg's office.

The listing to be published includes properties received in 2016, but Nebraskans can check anytime for their name on the website, treasurer.nebraska.gov, for properties received before 2016.

"We may have money for you, and we want to return it to you as quickly as possible. We love happy endings, Stenberg said.

Property included in the 2017 report is valued at more than $20.3 million.

Stenberg said 2016 was a milestone in the program. A record $16.3 million was returned to Nebraskans, former Nebraskans, and heirs -- a 38 percent increase from the $11.8 million returned in 2015. Also significant is the fact that 16,984 claims were paid, raising the average claim from $725 to $962.

The tabloid will be published in daily newspapers beginning Sunday in Omaha and Scottsbluff and in other area daily newspapers according to the following schedule.

* March 18: Beatrice Daily Sun, Columbus Telegram, Fremont Tribune, Norfolk Daily News, York News-Times.

* March 19: Lincoln Journal Star.

Readers are encouraged to look for their own names as well as the names of relatives, businesses and friends. Each name is listed by last-known county of residence. Readers who find their names should use one of the following methods to file claims:

* Check the Nebraska State Treasurers website at treasurer.nebraska.gov. Type a name in the box on the home page, or click on the Search for Unclaimed Property link in the left navigation pane. For amounts under $500, owners may be able to file their claims online through the website.

* Or call the Unclaimed Property Division at 877-572-9688 or 402-471-8497, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.

* Or complete the claim form found inside the front cover of the tabloid, have it notarized and mailed to the State Treasurers Office, Unclaimed Property Division, 809 P St., Lincoln, NE 68508-1390.

* Visit the Unclaimed Property office at 809 P St. in Lincoln or in the Treasurers Office in Suite 2005 of the state Capitol. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. An owner should bring a drivers license and Social Security card.
The use of the word sick while referring to President Muhammadu Buhari triggered a noisy plenary session in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, February 28.

According to a report on The Punch, members of the House of Representatives exchanged words on Tuesday over the health status of President Buhari.

Reps reportedly clash over Buharis health status

Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet

It was gathered that the disagreement, which was more pronounced among members of the ruling All Progressives Congress started after the House Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila tried to stop the Chief Whip, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, from describing the president as a sick man.

Gbajabiamila claimed that Buhari was on medical vacation while Ado-Doguwa said the president was sick and was away to treat himself.

Both Gbajabiamila, who is from Lagos state, and Ado-Doguwa, who is from Kano state, are members of the APC.

Ado-Doguwa reportedly made the statement while he was contributing and opposing a motion seeking to investigate the alleged harassment of members of Kwankwasia followers, a political group loyal to former Kano state governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

He had stated that the motion, which was moved by a fellow Kano lawmaker, Aliyu Madaki, was baseless because the Kwankwasia group was known for moving around the state and inciting people against the political leadership.

Ado-Doguwa observed that the country was already under tension owing to the absence of Buhari and could not afford any partisan activities that could lead to insecurity.

He said that the group was already campaigning for the 2019 presidential elections in a volatile place like Kano.

He said: Our beloved President is sick abroad.

These partisan activities are completely unnecessary and baseless. The police must do their work of protecting lives and property anywhere in the country.

President Buhari left Nigeria for London on annual vacation January 19, with a promise to return on February 6. He also noted that he would see his doctors while there and handed over power to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

But on February 5, a day before he was due to return, the president sent another letter to the National Assembly, informing lawmakers of his intention to extend the trip until his doctors complete a cycle of medical examination on him.

The prolonged absence got many Nigerians worried and triggered speculation that the president is bedridden.

But photos of the president with a former Interim National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Chief Bisi Akande and the partys national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in London on Thursday, February 9, silenced speculators.

Source: Legit.ng
Governor Ayodele Fayose has lashed out at former president; Olusegun Obasanjo for saying his generation failed Nigeria insisting there are still some shining lights.

Vanguard reports that Fayose in a statement released by his chief press secretary, Idowu Adelusi, responded to a statement credited to Obasanjo where he said his generation failed the country.

Fayose said Obasanjo was the pioneer of corruption in Nigeria even though he had all the opportunities to turn Nigeria around for good.

READ ALSO: Stop troubling God, he is not responsible for Nigeria's problems - Obasanjo

There is much suffering in the land. The people are hungry. Yet, one of those responsible for this unsavoury state of affairs relishes in adding insult to the peoples injury. He makes statements that are not only reckless but also untrue.

Obasanjo, truly, has failed this country many times over but not all members of his generation failed this country. There are shinning lights in that generation that have served the nation well.

How about Emeka Anyaoku, Wole Soyinka, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Prof. Ayodele Awojobi? The list is endless and they are to be found in all the nooks and crannies of this country who belong in the same generation as Obasanjo and who have done this country proud

It is too late in the day for him to now cry over other countries that have passed Nigeria by. This is mere crocodile tears when we realise that no other Nigerian leader had the opportunities that Obasanjo had to make this country great but he bungled them all.

He should speak for himself and not rope his entire generation into his misadventure in governance. Here is a man who neither recognised nor encouraged any star except himself. He must shoot them down or disparage them. For him, Obafemi Awolowo was not patriotic; MKO Abiola was not the messiah Nigeria needed; Tinubu was a rascal; Jonathan was not good; and President Muhammadu Buhari did not understand economics. Only Obasanjo is good. Only Obasanjo fought and won the civil war. Only Obasanjo understands everything  from economics to military to foreign affairs

Yet, this is the same Obasanjo that laid the foundation for corruption in this country with his ill-fated third-term misadventure when billions of Naira was used to bribe National Assembly members. This is the same Obasanjo that turned EFCC under Nuhu Ribadu into his private army to harass political opponents. Under this same Obasanjo, eight civilian governors were illegally and unceremoniously removed from office through kangaroo impeachments. Minority members of the Houses of Assembly were empowered to override the majority members. Under Obasanjo, our elections were iwuru-wuru and mago-mago and we were the laughing stock of the international community.

READ ALSO: Obasanjo spotted in reading session with school children (photo)

This same Obasanjo, who came back from prison a pauper, ask him how much he is worth today and how he made the money? The launching of his Presidential Library, which he is preparing to commission soon, attracted donations that ran into billions of Naira while he was in office. Only God knows how many more billions the commissioning will garner this time around.

Obasanjo should give us a break. There is no denying the fact that he failed the country. The least he can now do is leave us alone to clear the peculiar mess he and others of his ilk got this country into. Let him retire into obscurity; fade away from the limelight; and allow us our peace and serenity.

Source: Legit.ng
Season 1, Episode 3

In 1921, Greenwood, Okla., a suburb of Tulsa that was home to a thriving and prosperous black community, was burned to the ground by a white mob. The community, colloquially referred to as Black Wall Street, represented a legacy that black people are still trying to rebuild. It is estimated that as many as 300 black people were killed and more than 8,000 were left homeless. But whats most profound was the silence that followed. It was only in 2012 that this brutal event began to be taught in Tulsas public schools. Its lack of historical prominence carries a lesson many black people in America learn in one way or another  legacies are important and can easily be rewritten by outside forces.

In this weeks episode of The Good Fight, Boseman suggests that Barbaras insistence on putting Lucca on Dianes case is simply a power play. But Barbaras sly insults indicate her fear and speak to something far more complex. Her machinations speak to a desire to cement the legacy of the firm that bears her name so it wont come undone like many black institutions  like Greenwood  have throughout American history. The presence of Maia, Marissa and Diane disrupt the image of the company, a historically all-black law firm in a overwhelmingly segregated city. Nothing explosive happens, but there is enough tension to suggest that the polite smiles will only last for so long.

The show shares more than a little DNA with The Good Wife. Showrunners Robert and Michelle King continue to show an interest in the ways technology affects modern life. Here, Dianes client, Dr. Picot (Zachary Knighton), is arrested after guiding a dentist in Syria to perform open-heart surgery over video chat. The opening is expertly constructed, utilizing silence and a fine eye for details like Jaxs (Tom McGowan) bare feet to place us firmly in Maias perspective.

Dr. Picots arrest on conspiracy for aiding a man suspected of terrorism introduces several moral quagmires ripe for exploration. Did Dr. Picot really know that the man on the operating table in Syria was suspected of being a terrorist? And if he did, what does that mean in terms of his responsibilities as a health care professional? The case ends up being an elaborate ruse. It isnt the man on the operating table that is linked to ISIS, but rather his brother, whom the government wanted to draw out of hiding. The ending, in which everyone in the makeshift Syria hospital is killed, ultimately makes this story a lesson in futility. The case lacks the emotional pull and moral complexity it deserves. But it does introduce a fascinating new character, Assistant United States Attorney Colin Morello (Justin Bartha).
President Trump said a politically charged atmosphere led to the historic best picture mistake at the Oscars, in an interview published Monday on Breitbart News.

I think they were focused so hard on politics that they didnt get the act together at the end, Mr. Trump said. It was a little sad. It took away from the glamour of the Oscars. 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.

It was Mr. Trumps first reaction to the now-infamous mistake, in which La La Land was announced on Sunday night as winner in the best picture category, when the winner was really Moonlight. The correct movie was announced minutes later after a brief but stunning spectacle of confusion and shock.

Mr. Trumps response was a marked departure from the way he had responded to the Oscars in the past; he usually posted his remarks, often scathing broadsides, on Twitter.
An investigation into the financial dealings of Lisa S. Coico, a former president of the City College of New York, has expanded to include the question of whether she received thousands of dollars in unauthorized payments from the colleges oldest alumni fund, The New York Times reported last week.

That development, along with an inquiry into possible misuse of federal research money, has raised concerns among officials at the City University of New York (the system of which City College is a part) and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Here is a guide to understanding the situation:

What happened?

The Times reported in May 2016 that the 21st Century Foundation, a nonprofit group affiliated with the college, had paid for some of Ms. Coicos personal expenses, including furniture and fruit baskets, when she took office in 2010. The foundation was then reimbursed for more than $150,000 by the Research Foundation of CUNY, which manages research funds for the entire system. This happened despite calls by some college officials that Ms. Coico repay the funds.

Questions were later raised over the handling of Ms. Coicos expenses. The United States attorney for the Eastern District of New York issued a subpoena seeking records.
Fritz Koenig hoped to see his monumental Sphere  a sculptural symbol of the promise, destruction and resilience of the original World Trade Center  return to its intended site in Lower Manhattan.

But the effort to bring the battered artwork home, like every other element of the trade center redevelopment project, was waylaid by battles over political and physical turf.

As it stands now, Mr. Koenigs 27-foot-high bronze sculpture, still badly scarred from the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001, is not scheduled to return to the trade center from a nearby park until late summer or early fall.

But when he died on Feb. 22 at 92 at his home in Ganslberg, Germany, he knew at least that the fate of his Sphere finally seemed secure.
The changes were part of a multipronged effort to reduce homelessness by offering more affordable housing, rental subsidy programs for low-income residents struggling to afford their homes, and legal assistance to tenants on the verge of eviction. But the sweeping approach has not put a discernible dent in homelessness.

Mr. de Blasios shelter plan was to come a day after the City Council released a report on a legislative package aimed at overhauling the citys Fair Share law, which is supposed to bring more parity to the way public facilities, including homeless shelters, are distributed throughout the city. The report found that homeless shelters, drug and mental treatment centers and foster care group homes were concentrated in 10 community districts, with an average of 21.7 beds per 1,000 residents in those districts, a balance five times the city average; that would change if legislation restricting such clustering is adopted.

The Coalition for the Homeless is opposed, saying the revamp could inadvertently stall the opening of shelters and would exacerbate the problem of homeless families with children being placed in shelters far away from their neighborhoods, saddling students with long commutes or temporary school transfers that threaten to hurt them academically.

What we end up with is the inability to locate in any neighborhood, said Giselle Routhier, policy director at the coalition. It would inhibit the city from locating shelters in neighborhoods where families may need more support.

It was unclear whether the councils Fair Share legislative package would hinder or help the mayors plan to build more shelters, which would open over the next five years.

But hotels turned into makeshift shelters are problematic, offering little privacy and space for families crammed into rooms with double beds. There are generally no kitchens  an especially difficult hardship for families with children, unable to get a home-cooked meal for weeks, even months, at a time. Cluster housing, consisting of units within private apartment buildings, has also been troubling, for its poor conditions and an inability to provide people with the services they need to move into permanent housing.
Hours after federal prosecutors and F.B.I. agents finished questioning Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday as part of their investigation into his campaign fund-raising, a senior manager at an obscure New York City agency was unexpectedly called into a conference room.

The manager, Ricardo Morales, the deputy commissioner of asset management at the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, was told he was being fired.

And as the mayor, who answered prosecutors questions for four hours, was on his way to Atlanta for a meeting of the Democratic National Committee, Mr. Morales was escorted out of the agencys headquarters, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

Mr. Moraless work helping oversee the management of city assets at the agency had brought him into the middle of two of the dozen or so matters that have come under federal scrutiny, as investigators have sought to determine whether the mayor or his aides traded favorable city action for donations to Mr. de Blasios campaign or his now-defunct political nonprofit organization.
Ms. Dumala and millions of other members of minorities are integral to the United States, which is almost entirely made up of immigrants and their descendants. But this history might not comfort marginalized groups who hear the administrations words and see what is happening in this country and wonder if it is safe to stay here, or come here.

Mr. Trumps denunciations of and policies targeting Mexicans, Muslims and others have reawakened and energized the demons of bigotry. Hate crimes and other incidents of bias have flared up, as documented by many news organizations. Mr. Kuchibhotlas murder is one end of a continuum of hate. Elsewhere, people have defiled or threatened violence at Jewish cemeteries and synagogues.

Mr. Trump has been shockingly slow to condemn these acts of hate. When asked about anti-Semitic threats on Feb. 15, he talked about his election victory. The next day he told a Jewish reporter who asked a similar question to sit down. It was not until last week that Mr. Trump called the rise of anti-Semitism horrible. He has not said anything about the Kansas shooting. The White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, initially dismissed as absurd any link between it and Mr. Trumps rhetoric, but on Monday called the anti-Semitic attacks and the Kansas shooting equally disturbing. Each act of hate is easily explained away as the work of a disturbed person. Yet, had these attacks been perpetrated by a Muslim or an undocumented immigrant, the president would surely have claimed that he was right all along.

Rather than tamp down hate, the president has stoked it. He has given immigration officials greater discretion to deport otherwise law-abiding undocumented immigrants and to harass travelers with valid papers. Some foreigners are avoiding the United States, and immigrants already here say they are not going abroad, to avoid being hassled at the border on their return.

One Oscar winner, the Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, refused to collect his award in protest of Mr. Trumps executive order banning travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries, which was stayed by federal courts. Dividing the world into the us and our enemies categories creates fears  a deceitful justification for aggression and war, Mr. Farhadi said in a statement.
FRONT PAGE

An article on Jan. 30 about the conspicuous silence from some Muslim nations after President Trump decided to bar millions of refugees and citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from the United States gave an outdated position for Rami G. Khouri, who said some Muslim leaders dont have a strong basis of legitimacy at home. He is a senior fellow at the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, and no longer its director.

NATIONAL

An article on Monday about young undocumented immigrants known as Dreamers described incorrectly part of a 2014 executive order by President Barack Obama that expanded eligibility for a program that awards work permits to undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children. The order gave legal status only to parents of citizens and legal permanent residents, not to parents of Dreamers.

BUSINESS DAY

An article on Friday about the relationship between the creators of Snap and the Silicon Valley venture capital firm Lightspeed misstated terms that Lightspeed was granted when it became the first investor in Snap. Lightspeed was granted the right of first refusal to invest and the ability to increase its share of the company in the next round of funding for Snap, not in multiple future rounds of funding.



An article on Monday about coal companies efforts to frame a new image for coal as a contributor to a clean-energy future misstated the amount of a proposed increase in a federal tax credit for capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide, as well as the current amount. Legislation would raise the credit to $50 per ton (not $20), from the current $20 (not $10). The article also misstated a former role of Senator Heidi Heitkamp at a coal-gasification company. She was a director, not an executive.
SpaceX, the ambitious rocket company headed by Elon Musk, wants to send a couple of tourists around the moon and back to Earth before the end of next year. If they manage that feat, the passengers would be the first humans to venture that far into space in more than 40 years.

Mr. Musk made the announcement on Monday in a telephone news conference. He said two private individuals approached the company to see if SpaceX would be willing to send them on a weeklong cruise, which would fly past the surface of the moon  but not land  and continue outward before gravity turned the spacecraft around and brought it back to Earth for a landing.

This would do a long loop around the moon, Mr. Musk said. The company is aiming to launch this moon mission in late 2018.

The two people would spend about a week inside one of SpaceXs Dragon 2 capsules, launched on SpaceXs Falcon Heavy rocket. The spacecraft would be automated, but the travelers would undergo training for emergencies.
Juliet Evancho, a transgender woman whose sister performed at President Trumps inauguration, scored a temporary legal victory on Monday when a federal judge ruled that she and two other transgender students at a Pennsylvania high school must be given access to restrooms corresponding to their gender identity.

In his ruling, Judge Mark R. Hornak, of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, concluded that the three students had a reasonable likelihood of success in arguing that the Pine-Richland School Districts decision last fall to bar them from using those bathrooms was unconstitutional. As a result, he granted a preliminary injunction that they had sought against the policy.

The ruling is a reminder to school districts across Pennsylvania and across America that they have a legal duty to respect the gender identity of all their students, said Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, a lawyer with Lambda Legal, the nonprofit civil rights group that is representing the three students.

The decision came amid renewed national focus on transgender rights. On Wednesday, Mr. Trump rescinded rules allowing transgender students access to bathrooms in line with their gender identity, prompting a strong response from advocates. Among them was Ms. Evanchos sister, Jackie, who had performed at the inauguration.
Writer, storyteller and speaker Kimberly Dark will present "Things I Learned from Fat People on the Plane" at 8 p.m. Monday (March 6) in the Nebraska Union's Centennial Room, 1400 R St.

The event, sponsored by the University Program Council, Women's Center and Healthy Outlook Peer Educators, is free for University of Nebraska-Lincoln students with a valid NCard and $5 for faculty, staff and the public.

Dark's performance is the final event of the university's Eating Disorders Awareness Week, which begins Feb. 27.

Dark is the author of seven award-winning performance scripts and a number of educational programs regarding the body in culture  how appearances and identities influence experiences related to gender, race, body type/size, beauty and ability. She uses humor and intimacy to prompt audiences to discover their influences and reclaim their power as social creators.

Dark has contributed to such news and literary outlets as Decolonizing Yoga, Ms. Magazine, Everyday Feminism and Full Grown People. She has presented and held workshops at colleges, conferences and festivals in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
The Justice Department, Homeland Security, the F.B.I. and the White House, alongside Congress and local officials, must speak out  and speak out forcefully  against this scourge of anti-Semitism impacting communities across the country, David E. Posner, the JCCs director of strategic performance, said in a statement. Actions speak louder than words. Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in our communities.

Legislators and governors in several states condemned the threats. Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, said at a news briefing on Monday that Mr. Trump continues to be deeply disappointed and concerned by the reports of further vandalism at the Jewish cemeteries.

The president continues to condemn these and any other forms of anti-Semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms, Mr. Spicer said.

Barbara Perle, 66, of Los Angeles said on Monday that several of her family members were buried in the vandalized Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery near St. Louis. That includes her great-grandfather, Nathan Blitz. Seeking religious freedom and an escape from economic oppression, he fled Russia in the early 1900s and settled in St. Louis, where he served as a rabbi and started a new life for his family.

But because all of his surviving great-grandchildren live hundreds of miles away from St. Louis, they do not know if his grave was among the 200 that were vandalized. No matter, Ms. Perle said; in her eyes, an attack on one gravestone in the Jewish cemetery was an attack on them all.

To come to the U.S. and create this amazing life where everyone felt safe and secure and able to be who they were, that was an incredible thing coming from Eastern Europe, Ms. Perle, a hospice medical social worker, said. For this to have happened where my family has been laid to rest was just heartbreaking. These are unconscionable acts.

She said that she had reached out to thank Mr. El-Messidi after reading about the effort and that she had come to understand more about our shared humanity.
WASHINGTON  The top Republican and Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee gave sharply conflicting views on Monday of their panels bipartisan investigation into Russian efforts to influence the presidential election, raising questions about whether they will be able to work together on the inquiry.

The committees chairman, Representative Devin Nunes, Republican of California, said that he had been briefed on the intelligence communitys assessment of the Russians and contended that there was no evidence anyone from the Trump campaign had communicated with the government in Moscow.

We cant have McCarthyism back in this place, Mr. Nunes said at a news conference on Capitol Hill, referring to the congressional investigations in the 1950s into whether Americans were Communist spies. We cant have the government, the U.S. government or the Congress, legislative branch of government, chasing down American citizens, hauling them before the Congress as if theres some secret Russian agent.

Yet the committees ranking member, Representative Adam Schiff, Democrat of California, said that it was too early to rule out ties between Russia and President Trumps associates, because the panel had not yet been provided with any evidence collected by intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
Of course I am concerned, said Gov. Brian Sandoval, the Republican governor of Nevada, where about 300,000 people have gained Medicaid coverage. I am someone who elected to expand Medicaid. Thats been very beneficial to my state, and I want to be sure those individuals can keep their coverage.

Governors are all in agreement, said Gov. Terry McAuliffe of Virginia, a Democrat who is the chairman of the National Governors Association. We do not want one single one of our citizens to lose access to quality health care. We are all unified on that. Actually, we want to expand, so everybody has access to quality health care.

Mr. Trump brushed aside opinion polls suggesting that the 2010 health law was becoming somewhat more popular. People hate it, the president said, but now they see that the end is coming and theyre saying, Oh, maybe we love it. Theres nothing to love. Its a disaster, folks.

Because of the intricate procedures that govern budget legislation and the inherent complexity of health care, Republicans appear unlikely to undo the health law as quickly as they had hoped. Mr. Trump said Congress must tackle the Affordable Care Act before it can overhaul the tax code, also a high priority for Republicans. And those delays could slow work on other priorities like a trillion-dollar infrastructure push.
WASHINGTON  President Trumps proposal to add $54 billion to the Pentagon budget next year sounds huge at first  a 10 percent increase for a department that already receives more of taxpayers money than any other part of government.

But the outgoing Obama administration had forecast a $35 billion increase for the Defense Department in fiscal year 2018, so Mr. Trumps share of the proposed increase over and above that figure is $19 billion, according to budget analysts.

Even so, the proposed Pentagon increase has been greeted with criticism from military spending hawks, in part because White House officials say Mr. Trump will call for a significant cut in foreign aid, including programs that military officials say contribute to global stability and are seen as important in helping avoid future conflicts.

Senior administration officials acknowledged on Monday that there were few specifics attached to the bigger budget number proposed for the Pentagon  so it is not yet possible to assess how many more troops, warships or jet-fighters the Pentagon will be able to field with the $54 billion.
WASHINGTON  The Senate confirmed Wilbur L. Ross, the billionaire investor, as commerce secretary on Monday, installing a key leader for the Trump administrations plans to overhaul trade deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement.

By a vote of 72 to 27, the Senate confirmed Mr. Ross, who has already been advising President Trump on economic policy and helping him to craft ways to rewrite the tax code. A renegotiation of Nafta is expected to be Mr. Rosss top priority when he takes over the job. During his confirmation hearing in January, he warned that all aspects of the agreement between the United States and its northern and southern neighbors are on the table.

With the confirmation of Mr. Ross, the most important members of Mr. Trumps economic team are in place just in time for looming fights over the budget, health care and tax legislation.

Compared with some of Mr. Trumps other cabinet picks, Mr. Ross had his confirmation process move ahead with relative ease. He faced less resistance from Democrats than Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, and Andrew F. Puzder, whose nomination to lead the Labor Department was derailed.
While we do not wish to prejudge the accuracy of these allegations, grave concern is expressed over the serious repression of the Buddhist Tibetans cultural and religious practices and learning in Larung Gar and Yachen Gar, the statement said.

It was signed by six of the United Nations experts, or special rapporteurs, who come from various countries. They each specialize in a single aspect of human rights, including cultural rights, sustainable environment and peaceful assembly. It is unusual for so many of them to collaborate in this manner.

The statement was sent to the Chinese government in November, but was made public only in recent days, before the start of this years session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. The session began Monday and is scheduled to end on March 24.

The United Nations experts have asked Beijing to address the reports of evictions and demolitions. The release of the statement before the session in Geneva puts more pressure on China to explain the actions taking place at the two Tibetan Buddhist institutions. China says matters related to Tibet are internal affairs, but Chinese officials in Beijing have privately expressed some concern over outside perceptions of the demolitions and evictions at Larung Gar and related Western news coverage.

Over the summer, Chinese officials began deporting monks and nuns living at Larung Gar who were not registered residents of Garze, the prefecture where the institution is. Since then, hundreds of clergy members have been forced out, and workers have demolished small homes clustered along the valley walls. One day last fall, I watched workers tearing and cutting apart wooden homes, sometimes using a chain saw.
They believe its all a big conspiracy, he said. But thats not logical. The truth was that young people were fed up and tired of a regime that had been in power for 30 years. They were full of anger.

Some critics saw the move against Mr. Sadat as a pretext to neutralize him in the run-up to the 2018 election. Mr. Sisi, who came to power in 2013 after the military ousted his predecessor, Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood, has not yet said whether he will stand for election. But at this point, it is hard to see how an effective opponent could emerge.

Mr. Sisi and his supporters exert a powerful grip on the security forces, politics and the media. Thousands of political rivals are in jail or in exile. In recent months, the government has gone after prominent lawyers and rights activists with prosecutions that have frozen their bank accounts, rescinded their ability to travel abroad and could ultimately imprison them for lengthy terms.

We are approaching critical times, and the regime needs to eliminate any possible competition, said Rabab el-Mahdi, a political scientist at the American University in Cairo. They want to curtail the public sphere, and cracking down on Sadat, one of the few career politicians who posed any threat, is part of that.

Mr. Sadat is the second person to be expelled from Egypts Parliament in the past 12 months. Tawfiq Okasha, a television presenter turned politician, was expelled in March 2016 after he had dinner with Israels ambassador to Egypt.

In a phone call Monday evening, an aide to Mr. Sadat declined to speculate on whether Mr. Sadat might run for president, saying it was too early to consider.

Western allies have called on Mr. Sisi to reject the proposed regulation of foreign aid, which Senator McCain termed draconian. But after years of lurid tales of foreign meddling in the Egyptian media, public sympathy is limited.
Thomas P. Campbell resigned under pressure on Tuesday as the director and chief executive of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, after months of growing concerns among staff members and some trustees about its financial health and his capacity to lead the largest museum in the country.

Met officials said that Mr. Campbell would stay on until June, the end of the fiscal year, but that Daniel H. Weiss, the Mets president and chief operating officer, would be simultaneously serving as interim chief executive. Mr. Weiss will work with Mr. Campbell and the museums leadership on a transition plan while the Met seeks a new director, one of the most powerful in the art world.

We are not looking to appoint a new director immediately, said Daniel Brodsky, the museums chairman, in a letter to board and staff members, but instead will take some time to consider the leadership needs of the museum in a thoughtful and deliberative way.

The Met said that Mr. Campbell, 54, had made the decision to leave the job he had held for eight years. But the circumstances surrounding his departure point to his being forced out. As The New York Times reported extensively in an article in early February, Mr. Campbells financial decisions and expansion plans had been criticized by some trustees, curators and other staff members. During the last couple of years, despite the museums record attendance, much of his original agenda was rolled back because of the museums economic difficulties, including a soaring deficit.
If it were to happen that it is not in the budget document, I would fight in the appropriation process to continue the funding, he added.

Since federal agencies cannot lobby, the fight to save the N.E.A., the equally endangered National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting falls to advocacy groups like PEN, and the American Alliance of Museums, Americans for the Arts, and the Federation of State Humanities Councils. They plan to flood congressional offices here with hundreds of members in the next few weeks.

This would be crunch season for us even in a normal year, said Ben Kershaw, director of government relations for the American Alliance of Museums, whose members are in Washington this week, but this year we have kind of a lot going on.

Little of the turmoil is evident in the hallways of the large modern building, south of the National Mall, that is home to the N.E.A. The agencys chairwoman, Jane Chu, traveled to Florida last week to meet with a grant recipient, a routine event, and declined to discuss the pressures likely facing her agency, whose budget of $148 million is less than what was allotted two decades ago before big cuts. (As for the N.E.H., it receives about $150 million annually.)

Two transition team members from the Trump administration are working alongside the N.E.A.s 156-member staff. But even as the agencys supporters plan visits to Congress, the idea that it could be on a draft hit list of programs to be eliminated is still unconfirmed.
 President Trump has called for an additional $54 billion in U.S. military spending as he prepares to deliver his first address to a joint session of Congress today.

Critics say cuts to other departments will damage programs that help prevent conflicts.

Former President George W. Bush implicitly criticized Mr. Trump over his approach to immigration and the news media and said that we all need answers on any potential ties between the Trump team and Russia.

And heres what Americans have seen as their countrys biggest problems over the decades, according to Gallup surveys.
STURTEVANT  Racine County Workforce Solutions and The Journal Times are hosting a Spring Career Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at Fountain Banquet Hall, 8505 Durand Ave.

More than 65 companies from Racine County and southeastern Wisconsin will be in attendance seeking candidates for a variety of positions.

The Spring Career Fair partnership includes Racine County Workforce Solutions, The Journal Times, YWCA Southeast Wisconsin Dress for Success and the Job Center of Wisconsin. Area organizations will also be represented at resource tables.

This event is free to job seekers.

Career preparation tips

Job seekers should come prepared:

Bring copies of your resume. People who need help updating their resume can visit the Employment Resource Center at one of the workforce locations: Racine, 1717 Taylor Ave.; Burlington, 209 N. Main St.; Kenosha, 8600 Sheridan Road.

Dress as you would for an interview.

Be prepared to answer questions about yourself.

Show up with a great attitude.

Do your research  know what companies will be there and learn something about the companies you are interested in working for before attending.

If possible, apply online to the companies you are interested in before the event.

For more information, go to www.journaltimes.com/careerfair, or call Racine County Workforce Solutions at 262-638-6424 or the Kenosha County Job Center at 262-697-4705.
Why is poor customer service so maddening?

It is because we end up feeling invisible and disrespected, Kit Yarrow, a consumer psychologist and a professor emerita of psychology and marketing at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, said in an email.

Disrespect can inspire rage because in the most primitive parts of our brains its tied to our survival, she wrote. In days when we were cave dwellers, to be overlooked or irrelevant was to die, she added.

What angers us the most?

The customer rage study found that nearly 50 percent of respondents found the statement Your call is important to us, please continue to hold very annoying, with another 17 percent saying it should be banned. Runners-up were: Thats our policy; We are currently assisting other customers. Your call will be answered in the order in which it was received; and Can I get your account information again?

What are the best ways to get help?

For quick solutions to small specific problems, try online chats, Ms. Yarrow said. They are ideal for handling issues like a promotion code or learning when your product will arrive.

This isnt the place for empathy or to complain, she said.

Check a companys Facebook or Twitter profile because some are savvy social media users, said Justin Robbins, the content director for the customer management institute. Other experts, though, have said that companies are largely slow to respond to complaints posted there, and that social media should be a last resort.

If you call for help

Write down as many details as possible, such as the name of the person you are talking to. Ask how the company is tracking you  is it by your name, or either a phone, account or case number? All of that can be useful if you need to follow up, Mr. Robbins said. You can ask to escalate a call, which is lingo for wanting to speak with a supervisor.
Blockchain is expanding its reach.

The database system  a kind of public ledger that gained attention as the technology underlying the virtual currency Bitcoin  is maintained by many people rather than by a single authority, like the way Wikipedia is maintained by its users.

Blockchains decentralized nature means it is viewed as more difficult to corrupt and hack.

Big corporations have been looking for ways to use blockchain technology to keep track of information generated by multiple companies. Now, Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase and other corporate giants are joining forces to create a computing system based on another virtual currency network, Ethereum. They are set to announce the formation of the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance, which will create a standard version of Ethereum software that businesses can use to track data and contracts.

Some backers of the new alliance described it as a way to ensure that a separate, IBM-led blockchain effort is not the only option for businesses. Ethereum has also won a following among those who view it as being more agile and adaptable than Bitcoin.

Uber Executive Resigns

A little more than a week after accusations that Uber ignored complaints of sexual harassment, the company has dismissed its head of engineering for failing to disclose a sexual harassment accusation from his previous job.
Here, in the states largest city, the conditions that led to the law are in plain view.

Corey Polyoka, 30, and Hannah Ragan, 31, help run Foodshed, a critically acclaimed group of restaurants and cafes that has refined Baltimores seafood-heavy cuisine. Mr. Polyoka partners with the chef Spike Gjerde, managing the family of small locally-sourced businesses that include the Obama-endorsed Woodberry Kitchen.

Mr. Polyoka and Ms. Ragan have over 265 employees, including dishwashers, bartenders, baristas, managers and chefs. Around 85 percent of their workers are millennials or younger.

The company offers health care options to all employees, but has strained to square those costs with the scrambled politics of the Affordable Care Act and the right retirement packages. Over the last two years, independent financial advisers and banks have pitched cumbersome and overpriced retirement plans that do not suit Mr. Polyokas designs for Foodshed. The new law would allow Foodshed to work around that kind of dead end by using state-appointed private money managers.

It can be very tricky to come up with the plans, and it can be very costly to administer it for the business because of the management of them, the turnover of them, the matching of them, Mr. Polyoka said. Any kind of uniform retirement planning approach at Foodshed needs to have the personality to match the company culture, he said.

Ms. Ragan, who trains and handles personnel matters at the restaurants and cafes, says she talks to her staff about negotiating benefits every day. She wants Foodshed to be a place where those in their 20s and 30s think about making their lives here.
He knew that he didnt want to move or return to being a quality engineer. But Mr. Coss did like running plants. Then he saw a Fastsigns franchise, which makes signs and graphics, for sale in 2014. That was a fit. I had some familiarity with graphics, he said, and his management experience would prove especially useful.

That is another key to successful reinvention, Ms. Setzfand said: leaning on hard-won skills.

Start with a cleareyed analysis, said Dorie Clark, author of Reinventing You. Include what youre good at, care about and can make money in.

Trends can change fast and unpredictably when chasing hot careers, she added, so it is important to show that youre adaptable to the times. Use every available resource  including social media like Twitter and LinkedIn  to signal your technology expertise to hiring managers.

This is not to underplay how valuable in-person connections are.

One guy built a brand by starting a local meet-up, she said. If youre that person in Gary, Ind., creating your own meet-up groups, youll get credit and respect.

But digital skill gaps are creating lots of work opportunities, Ms. Setzfand said. According to IDC, a market research analyst, digital inefficiencies in the American workplace cause a 20 percent loss in worker productivity and cost the economy $1.3 trillion a year.

So free programs like TechHire, a federal initiative that helps retrain people for technology careers, are stepping into the skills gap. Big companies like Salesforce.com also offer online training though sites such as Trailhead.com.

Even if youre not in a smart hub, Ms. Setzfand said, every company has a need for technology employees. One example, she said, is Quicken Loans in Detroit, which has a great appetite for coders and others with tech skills.
SEOUL, South Korea  South Korean prosecutors charged the de facto chief of Samsung, Lee Jae-yong, with bribery and embezzlement on Tuesday, the latest development in a graft scandal that has rocked the country.

Mr. Lee, 48, was arrested on Feb. 17 on suspicion of involvement in a corruption scandal that led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. The special prosecutors office said on Tuesday, the last day of its investigation, that it had charged Mr. Lee and four other executives with bribery and embezzlement.

The charges against Mr. Lee include promising bribes to a company and organizations tied to Ms. Parks confidante, Choi Soon-sil, to cement his control of the Samsung Group, whose business activities are as varied as smartphones, washing machines and biopharmaceuticals.

We apologize for the social controversy and distress we have caused, Lee June, executive vice president of the company, told reporters.
Cocktail bartenders, it should come as a surprise to no one, like to drink in cocktail bars.

In Where Bartenders Drink, a new book by Adrienne Stillman published this week by Phaidon, the place most frequently cited by the more than 200 bartenders surveyed was Artesian, the much-awarded London cocktail destination.

It was closely followed by the New York cocktail bars Employees Only, the Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog, NoMad Bar and Attaboy; the London bar Nightjar; and Bar High Five in Tokyo.

At one point, we discussed whether it should be titled, Where to Drink Cocktails, Ms. Stillman said of the book.
The model Naomi Campbell and Valentino Garavani at the memorial Mass for Franca Sozzani, the editor of Italian Vogue, on Monday in the Milan Duomo.

Credit... Alessandro Grassani for The New York Times
Two weeks after concerns arose about air safety at a government lab that handles deadly pathogens, officials said tests had found no risk.

Research was suspended on Feb. 16 in the lab, at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, but resumed a few days later after the test results came in.

The concerns involved 180 nylon hoses that pump air into the protective suits that scientists wear while working with dangerous germs like the Ebola virus. The suits fully enclose the wearer, like a spacesuit, and provide their own air supply to prevent any possible risk that scientists could inhale an airborne germ.

On Feb. 13, the C.D.C. learned that the air hoses, which had been in use since 2005, had not been designed or tested for breathing safety. The potential worry was that the hose material might emit chemicals into the air supply that were unsafe to breathe. About 100 workers had used the equipment.
The basics of tobacco smuggling are relatively simple  people buy cigarettes in a state with low taxes and sell them in a state with higher taxes, dodging the the tax entirely, and keeping the difference.

Its totally illegal," says Apuzzo. But its a great way for criminals, terrorists and mobsters to fund their activities  so great, in fact, that the A.T.F. said we should maybe do the same thing.

Apuzzo, who teaches a journalism class in Washington D.C., says he always tells his students to not be afraid of knocking on doors, which is just what he did next. He had gotten names of people connected with the tobacco companies from court documents, he drove to their homes, knocked on their doors, introduced himself and asked if he might come inside and chat. Even if people arent supposed to talk to you, they will, he says, estimating that nearly 20 percent to 30 percent of the people he approaches when reporting a story let him into their homes and talked with him.

Having found the basic contours of the smuggling scheme, Apuzzo still had (and continues to have) questions about the operation. Did it involve a bunch of rogue agents, for example, or was the operation approved through the chain of command? There is value, he says, in what the F.B.I. calls tickling the wire, meaning running an article when you have some, but not all of the answers. Often stories like this lead to tips, sources and new information.

Apuzzo says the story is one of straight government accountability which he sees both as his job and the core mission of the Times.

When there is $24 million that basically goes into an off-the books account, you can bet someone is making money, he says. The conversation suggests Apuzzo is not finished finding out who profited here and at whose direction.

Susan Lehman is host.
Article: Harriet Tubman's Path to Freedom

Before Reading

How much do you know about Harriet Tubman?

Do a quick brainstorm, then read this page from the Harriet Tubman Museum and Education Center website. Scroll down to read one or two items from the Dispelling Myths About Harriet Tubman list.

Questions for Comprehension and Analysis

1. Where is the Harriet Tubman Museum and Education Center? After she freed herself from slavery, how many times did Harriet Tubman return home, to liberate family and friends?

2. What did the Times reporter Ron Stodghill hope to gain by traveling Marylands Eastern Shore along the secret paths of the Underground Railroad? Why is his trip a timely one? Why is the Chesapeake Bay region notable in terms of slavery and its history?

3. What is the Joseph Steward Canal and what happened there from 1810 to 1832?

4. Where did Tubman go when she walked to freedom, and who helped her along the way? Why did she risk the trip back home? What is the story of her first rescue?
RACINE  Employees at Premier Aluminum LLC learned last week that the companys W-2 tax forms may have been compromised.

Kathy Zdanowski, controller for the company, 3633 S. Memorial Drive, said in-person meetings and letters were sent to everyone affected.

We had the IT system locked down for a couple days, Zdanowski said. It happened in the middle of last week and we realized it within 24 hours.

Any employee who had a 2016 W-2 form was potentially affected by this issue. When asked if that meant the whole company was compromised, Zdanowski said pretty much.

For security reasons, Zdanowski said the company is not releasing information as to how the company was hacked so it cant be duplicated in the future.

The company informed the Racine Police Department, the Internal Revenue Service and the State of Wisconsin. The FBI was not notified.

None of the data that was compromised went out of the state of Wisconsin, so its not a federal issue, Zdanowski said, adding that the companys IT services locked down the server and fixed the issues.

So far no one has been arrested and Zdanowski said there are no suspicions of any Premier Aluminum employees being involved in the hack.
One night in September 2014, when he was chief executive of Breitbart News, Stephen Bannon hosted cocktails and dinner at the Washington townhouse where he lived, a mansion near the Supreme Court that he liked to call the Breitbart Embassy. Beneath elaborate chandeliers and flanked by gold drapes and stately oil paintings, Jeff Sessions, then a senator from Alabama, sat next to the guest of honor: Nigel Farage, the insurgent British politician, who first met Sessions two years earlier when Bannon introduced them. Farage was building support for his right-wing party by complaining in the British press about uncontrolled mass immigration. Sessions, like other attendees, was celebrating the recent collapse in Congress of bipartisan immigration reform, which would have provided a path to citizenship for some undocumented people. At the dinner, Sessions told a writer for Vice, Reid Cherlin, that Bannons site was instrumental in defeating the measure. Sessions read Breitbart almost every day, he explained, because it was putting out cutting-edge information.

Bannons role in blocking the reform had gone beyond sympathetic coverage on his site. Over the previous year, he, Sessions and one of Sessionss top aides, Stephen Miller, spent an enormous amount of time meeting in person, developing plans and messaging and strategy, as Miller later explained to Rosie Gray in The Atlantic. Breitbart writers also reportedly met with Sessionss staff for a weekly happy hour at the Union Pub. For most Republicans in Washington, immigration was an issue they wished would go away, a persistent source of conflict between the partys elites, who saw it as a straightforward economic good, and its middle-class voting base, who mistrusted the effects of immigration on employment. But for Bannon, Sessions and Miller, immigration was a galvanizing issue, lying at the center of their apparent vision for reshaping the United States by tethering it to its European and Christian origins. (None of them would comment for this article.) That September evening, as they celebrated the collapse of the reform effort  and the rise of Farage, whose own anti-immigration party in Britain represented the new brand of nativism  it felt like the beginning of something new. I was privileged enough to be at it, Miller said about the gathering last June, while a guest on Breitbarts SiriusXM radio show. Its going to sound like a motivational speech, but its true. To all the voters out there: The only limits to what we can achieve is what we believe we can achieve.

The answer to what they could achieve, of course, is now obvious: everything. Bannon and Miller are ensconced in the West Wing, as arguably the two most influential policy advisers to Donald J. Trump. And Jeff Sessions is now the attorney general of the United States. The genesis of their working relationship is crucial to understanding the far-reaching domestic goals of the Trump presidency and how the law may be used to attain them over the next four years. Bannon and Sessions have effectively presented the countrys changing demographics  the rising number of minority and foreign-born residents  as Americas chief internal threat. Sessions has long been an outlier in his party on this subject; in 2013, when his Republican colleagues were talking primarily about curbing illegal immigration, he offered a proposal to curb legal immigration. (It failed in committee, 17 to one.)

Talking to Bannon on air in September 2015, Sessions, who has received awards from virulently anti-immigrant groups, described the present day as a dangerous period of radical change for America, comparing it to the decades of the early 20th century, when waves of immigrants flooded the country. He said that the 1924 immigration quota system, which barred most Asians and tightly capped the entry of Italians, Jews, Africans and Middle Easterners, was good for America. Bannon is also uncomfortable with the changing face of the country. When two-thirds or three-quarters of the C.E.O.s in Silicon Valley are from South Asia or from Asia, I think   he said on the radio with Trump in November 2015, vastly exaggerating the actual numbers. A country is more than an economy. Were a civic society.
Is it everything we want it to be? Mr. de Blasio said. No. Its the honest goal. This is what we can tell the people of New York City can be done and can be sustained.

The modest target and frank comments were a new tack for the mayor, who entered office in 2014 with an ambitious agenda to narrow the gap between New Yorks rich and poor and to cut the number of people in the main shelter system, which was a record 53,000 people at the time.

Now, as he seeks re-election, Mr. de Blasio is shifting his focus toward moving homeless people out of hotels and so-called cluster apartments, and into more stable shelters where they can receive effective services and get on a path to permanent housing.

Its taken us three years to realize some of these hard truths, he said. There was a lot of trial and error.

The mayor urged the public to be more compassionate, emphasizing that the vast majority of those living in shelters are families with children, not the stereotypical person on the street. He described them as Everyman riding the subway, in line at the grocery store and on the way to school and work. They dont wear a badge that says, Im homeless, he said.
For the first time in seven years, New York City officials expect the number of foreign visitors to decrease, a drop they attribute to the protectionist policies and rhetoric of President Trump  saying that those moves are scaring off many of the visitors who have helped fuel the citys robust growth since the last recession.

On Tuesday, the citys tourism marketing agency, NYC & Company, plans to announce that its forecast for international visitors has turned from positive to negative since Mr. Trump was elected in November. The city now expects to draw 300,000 fewer foreigners this year than in 2016, when 12.7 million international visitors came, a decline that will cost businesses in the city that cater to tourists at least $600 million in sales, the agency estimates.

Fred Dixon, the chief executive of NYC & Company, said Mr. Trumps statements and actions had changed perceptions about the hospitality of the United States just as prospective tourists are making vacation plans for 2017. The Europeans start coming to New York around Easter and continue through summer, Mr. Dixon said in an interview. Thats when youll see the rhetoric out of Washington really having an impact on travel.

He said American tourism promoters were just sort of holding our breath in anticipation of a revision of Mr. Trumps aborted plan to ban arrivals from seven mostly Muslim countries. Regardless of the specifics, its pretty clear the message is going to be unwelcoming, Mr. Dixon said.
The United States already spends more on the military than the next seven countries combined, and maintains the most advanced fighting force in the world. For nearly a decade after Sept. 11, the Pentagon had a virtual blank check, receiving an 11 percent increase in 2002 and a 10 percent increase in 2008, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. President Barack Obamas proposed increase for the 2018 fiscal year, at 6 percent, was already excessive, and now Mr. Trump has gone significantly higher.

While he argued in a speech on Friday for making one of the greatest military buildups in American history, Mr. Trump has offered no coherent case for more money or how it would be spent. Certainly, he hasnt suggested that the United States should prosecute another war, having talked broadly about avoiding new conflicts and retreating from international leadership.

Yet, experts say the $54 billion increase, which he is expected to unveil formally in a speech to Congress on Tuesday night, could only be justified by a whole new level of force deployment in regions where the American military presence is relatively limited. One administration official said Mr. Trumps request would include more money for new ships and aircraft and for establishing a robust presence in key international waterways and choke points, like the Straits of Hormuz and the South China Sea, Reuters reported. This appears at odds with Mr. Trumps rhetoric about prompting allies to take more responsibility for defending themselves while America focuses on securing its own borders.

Mr. Trumps plan, administration officials say, would impose spending cuts on nondefense programs  while sparing Social Security and Medicare from any cuts  to pay for the gigantic Pentagon increase. Thats a choice that would harm millions of Americans while shoveling more profits to military contractors.
MONTREAL  Where is it written in the criminal code that I dont have the right to leave someone a pigs head? Is it Islamophobic? Well, no, its just an anodyne gesture.

So said the Quebec City radio host Eric Duhaime last summer, two days after a pigs head was left on the doorstep of the Islamic Cultural Center of Quebec, the citys largest mosque. The severed bloodied head was wrapped in cellophane and festooned with ribbons.

The culprits were never caught, though Mr. Duhaime was quick to come to their defense. The infraction, he said on air, was only a bad joke, comparing it to the times when, as a teenager, he would order pizzas to be delivered late at night to his neighbors house. Just over seven months later, a gunman entered that mosque and killed six men as they finished Sunday night prayers.

The blame for the shooting should not be laid on Mr. Duhaime and other radio hosts like him who gush with anti-Muslim sentiment. Quebecs 243,000 Muslims face far greater problems than a few radio personalities.
Mylan points out, though, that the EpiPen is designed specifically to administer epinephrine quickly and properly in an emergency situation and quotes the Food and Drug Administration in saying that the the device that delivers the medication is just as critical. Nevertheless, critics say that doesnt justify the skyrocketing of the price paid for a device that has remained unchanged for years.

In the past, insurance shielded consumers from most of the rising costs of prescription medicine. But thats changed in recent years, as health insurance plans have increasingly required greater cost sharing  typically through the form of so-called high-deductible health plans in which beneficiaries pay more out of pocket before coverage kicks in. Many of the health care plans now under consideration by Republicans in their efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act emphasize this style of coverage, meaning that more allergy patients would experience directly the consequences of this price surge, which has already drawn scrutiny from the Senate Judiciary Committee. The issue also came up during a recent confirmation hearing for the Trump administrations choice to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, this time in regard to costs for federal health programs.

Dr. London helps her patients sidestep the costs of an EpiPen by purchasing reusable auto-injectors manufactured by the British company Owen Mumford. She fills it with epinephrine herself. (Both the auto-injector and hormone are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.) Patients can come in for an epinephrine refill after theyve used the dose, or after its expired.

Its just a no-brainer to do this, she said.

Experts say theres no easy way to calculate what is spent annually on EpiPens that are thrown away because they are past their expiration date. But given the price tag, its likely to be many millions of dollars.

Workarounds like Dr. Londons can help individuals mitigate climbing costs, though they require extraordinary effort on the part of the doctor and trust on the part of the patient. Dr. London did a lot of research to find an auto-injector that was appropriate. The one she settled on is generally marketed for use with insulin syringes, but can also be used for many medications.

The strategy is also not without risks, noted Schondelmeyer, who worries about issues of sterility in a reusable device and other safeguards that come when products are made outside of the F.D.A.s watchful eye. Thats why he is among those who caution against do-it-yourself remedies and against applying such approaches on a large scale.
The Pentagon routinely conducts investigations into the deaths of service members, the destruction of military equipment in battle and credible reports of civilian casualties. Such inquiries are now underway regarding the Yemen mission, which the Pentagon says was carried out primarily to gather intelligence on the branch of Al Qaeda in that country.

But there are broader questions those reviews are unlikely to address that Congress should demand answers to. The most important is whether national security officials in the Trump administration carefully considered the risks and potential benefits of the operation, and explained them to Mr. Trump before the president approved it just five days after taking office. The military had considered carrying out the raid for months, but Obama administration officials did not sign off on it before the end of Mr. Obamas term.

Mr. Trump was reportedly briefed on the plans over dinner with members of the national security team, his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and his domestic policy counselor, Stephen Bannon.

Another question is whether the operation yielded valuable intelligence. In the immediate aftermath of the raid, White House officials described it as an intelligence coup that would save American lives. That assertion was called into question after the Pentagon, in an unusual move, released footage seized during the raid in an effort to highlight the value of the intelligence gathered, only to later acknowledge that a version of that video had been available online for years.

When Senator John McCain, who heads the Senate Armed Services Committee, suggested the raid had been a failure, Mr. Trump attacked him in a series of tweets, defiantly claiming that Ryan died on a winning mission and that debating the success or failure of a military operation only emboldens the enemy!
I mean, the best lighting angle are  are from over here.  O.K. But when youre going to do cosmetic shots of the sculpture, it should be in the best light there is. Pick up a little more. Its still not the best light for it. Um  Hows that? How does it look in the light there? Is that the right angle? Come on, boy. Lets see. We talk to our cars, so I dont think theres anything wrong with talking to a furry  creature, here. O.K.  O.K. Gonna work with him today a little bit, so  well see his fur. Well see how he looks today. Oh, you look good today, Benjamin. You look good, today. [music] A new president at the White House means a new painting at the National Portrait Gallery. And this morning the artist, Allen Hirsch, is next to his work. And Mr. Hirsch, good morning. [music] [sighs] How you feeling? O.K. So tell me about how you met Benjamin. [static] Belkis came walking in through the gate below, holding this box. Something about her, how she was walking and how she looked, made me stop what I was doing. Belkis: There was this little boy with a shoe box. And inside the shoe box, there was this tiny, little animal. I said, what happened? He told me that there were two little monkeys before, and one of them died. And I said, Look at  look at this one, its not eating, we have to take it to the vet. Probably a hunter shot the mother down. The mother fell from the tree, like really high up. Allen: He was dying, so  went immediately to the pharmacy and got him some baby milk. Belkis: Its very sad, because monkeys go with the mom for at least two years before to be independent. And this little baby didnt have anything to hold onto. So I started to read a lot about monkeys and their development, especially Capuchins. Allen: I knew that he needed to hold something right away, because monkeys are  thats how they survive  by holding. So we got him a stuffed animal, and I got him a walrus. It had a nice texture. The hair had to be a certain length that he could really grab onto. And I could also stick my hand inside and sort of make it feel alive to him. Belkis: In general, Allen is the one who became his guardian, his  This figure. Allen: I wasnt looking for it, but it just felt natural to really  fall in love with this creature and take care of him. I thought about putting him in different stuffed toys. I thought about making him up like a cat and getting cats  like a cat makeup. I thought about burying him in my wifes stomach. She would be a pregnant mother going through the gate. And if she was to be X-rayed, she would have a little fetus. It might look a little bit like a monkey fetus. But probably the best thing would be to put him in a cat, get a Hollywood artist to make him look like a cat, and get a cat permit. I said to him, I dont want anything to do with that. I simply was saying how crazy, and far-fetched, and kind of ridiculous the idea was. I was so terrified that, you know  hes going to go to jail or something. Allen: I put him in the inside pocket of my sport jacket. I kept him up all night before the flight, so he would sleep, and he slept the whole flight. Belkis: You know, JFK, they had dogs searching for drugs. So he was lucky. We made a beeline for a yellow taxi and jumped in, took Benjamin out of the bag. Said, Welcome to New York, Benjamin. It was something I needed at that point in my life too, I guess. Belkis: I heard stories in the past how difficult it is to raise a wild animal. But at this point, we didnt have any other option. [music]
BELFAST, Northern Ireland  The most striking thing about Irelands only land border is its absence. No posts or fences mark its circuitous 310-mile length. There is neither razor wire nor checkpoints.

When, a couple of years ago, I often took a rickety bus from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland, I would occasionally pass the time by trying to figure out if we had crossed the invisible line based on when my cellphone switched providers. I was seldom certain. The hedgerows and fields, the fog-capped hills, look the same on either side.

Now, in the wake of the Brexit referendum, the border has returned to Irish politics. When Britain leaves the European Union, which is expected to happen some time before the summer of 2019, the undulating border counties will become a European Union frontier, raising the prospect of dislocation, violence and political disintegration in Ireland  and in Britain.

On March 2, elections will be held for Northern Irelands Parliament, which is responsible for devolved issues like health and education. Ostensibly, the vote  the second in less than 10 months  was set off by a scandal over spending on renewable heating. But it is as much the product of the European Union referendum as local incompetence.
RACINE  The city's event center project took a significant step forward Monday as two committees affirmed city staff's recommendations, all but guaranteeing that the city will spend as much as $600,000 on additional feasibility assessments for the project.

At a joint meeting of the City Council's Committee of the Whole and the city Redevelopment Authority, City Development Director Amy Connolly and representatives of development firm SB Friedman presented the proposals to the two committees.

The Redevelopment Authority unanimously affirmed the city's choice of Madison-based Hammes Co. to serve as "owner's representative," while the Committee of the Whole approved the use of up to $600,000 to fund Phase I of the project by a 13-1 vote, with only 15th District Alderman Melissa Lemke opposed and 10th District Dennis Wiser not voting because he serves as City Council president and only casts a vote in the event of a tie.

The two votes mean the city will likely spend the money for Phase I, since the only approval remaining is from the City Council on March 7 and 13 alderman voted in favor of recommending the spending Monday. Of the $600,000, $225,000 will go to Hammes to cover its initial duties as owner's representative, including project design.

The remaining $375,000, according to Connolly, will cover various pre-development costs, including bringing in other firms to help with certain aspects of pre-development.

"It will be used for conceptual architecture, engineering, structural engineering, geo-technical, environmental (matters)," Connolly said. "We're going to have to bring in an architecture firm, an engineering firm, all of these firms that will contribute to the final conceptual plans."

The city will also have an updated cost estimate after Phase I. Currently, the entire project is projected to cost between $43 million and $49 million.

The $600,000 will come from the city's Intergovernmental Revenue Sharing Fund, which draws money from surrounding communities based on how much they expand in exchange for sewer access. The $4.5 million loaned to former Machinery Row developer Rodney Blackwell came from the fund. The sharing fund agreement runs through 2032 and is expected to generate $1.6 million this year.

City Administrator Tom Friedel said the fund, which is typically used for large-scale city developments such as the event center project, has about $3 million in it. Connolly had called the fund's balance "healthy" on Friday.

Hammes Co. picked

Hammes Co., which is moving to Milwaukee, was the firm behind the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Kohl Center as well as the arena city staff has often compared Racine's project to  the PPL Center in Allentown, Pa.

Hammes was the most expensive of the three finalists, which also included Scottsdale, Ariz.-based International Coliseums Company and Chicago-based International Facilities Group. The city will have to pay Hammes more than it would have had to pay the other two choices combined in Phase I. ICC bid $60,000 and IFG's estimate was between $70,000 and $105,000.

If the project is taken to completion, the city will owe Hammes $2.29 million, which was the more expensive option of the two with direct quotes. ICC proposed to be paid a percentage of the final cost.

The city preferred Hammes for several reasons, not the least of which is that Hammes is based in Wisconsin and its "Racine ties." The Hammes family name has been connected for generations to various industrial, civic and commercial endeavors.

"They're well-known to have a very good reputation throughout Racine and throughout Wisconsin," said Steve Friedman of SB Friedman.

Friedman added that the city particularly liked that Hammes had "advanced, proprietary project management reporting software" to help the city track the progress of the project.

"It offers much greater transparency into what is happening with the project and a better ability to understand, and to intervene and to get involved in critical decisions if anything is moving off course," Friedman said. "The other two did offer a spreadsheet-based method, but this method had greater transparency and accessibility."

Bigger picture

City officials last week cited Allentown's arena as an example of what city staff hopes the event center could do for Downtown Racine. Friedman on Monday cited Hammes' experience "in looking at these facilities as a part of a larger downtown whole," a clear nod to Hammes' work in Allentown.

"They have the expertise to work with the city on additional efforts to capitalize on the event center," Friedman added.
Being around a college classroom can really expand your perspective. For example, last week we were finishing off a seminar in grand strategy when one of my Yale colleagues, Charles Hill, drew a diagram on the board that put todays events in a sweeping historical perspective.

Running through the center of the diagram was the long line of Enlightenment thought. The Enlightenment included thinkers like John Locke and Immanuel Kant who argued that people should stop deferring blindly to authority for how to live. Instead, they should think things through from the ground up, respect facts and skeptically re-examine their own assumptions and convictions.

Enlightenment thinkers turned their skeptical ideas into skeptical institutions, notably the U.S. Constitution. Americas founders didnt trust the people or themselves, so they built a system of rules, providing checks and balances to pit interest against interest.

De Tocqueville came along and said that if a rules-based democratic government was going to work anywhere it was going to be the United States. America became the test case for the entire Enlightenment project. With his distrust of mob rule and his reverence for law, Abraham Lincoln was a classic Enlightenment man. His success in the Civil War seemed to vindicate faith in democracy and the entire Enlightenment cause.
The campaign to let 20 million Americans keep their health insurance is working.

It still has a long way to go, and its not guaranteed to succeed. But the progress of the last couple months is remarkable.

Thanks in part to a surge of activism  town hall meetings, online postings, calls to Congress  the politics of Obamacare have flipped. Many Americans have come to realize that the care part of the law matters much more than the Obama part. As a result, the Republicans no longer have a clear path to repeal.

President Trump, in his speech to Congress on Tuesday night, will probably pretend otherwise. He may repeat the same magical promises to pass a bill thats better and cheaper and covers everyone. Privately, though, he and his aides have begun to realize the mess they have made by promising the impossible.

On Monday, Trump himself lamented that health care was complicated. The clearest sign of anxiety came in a Washington Post report: Four top advisers  Stephen Bannon, Gary Cohn, Jared Kushner and Stephen Miller  have emphasized the potential political costs to moving aggressively. Those costs include taking the blame (fairly or not) for every problem in the insurance market.
Dr. Sommers was critiquing campus politics and intersectional feminism, so things were bound to get heated. Issues deserve spirited debate. But baseline hostility to conservative thought makes productive conversation difficult.

Paradoxically, a result of being discouraged from discussing conservatism is that conservatives and libertarians are drawn to more inflammatory figures. Even if we dont agree with their divisive speech, listening to polemics push back against the endless rules that govern political correctness can be a real relief.

Last spring, I invited Milo Yiannopoulos, the right-wing provocateur, to speak at Bucknell. He was controversial at the time for a flamboyant, over-the-top act in which he said whatever he wanted. There are limits to this shtick: Mr. Yiannopoulos recently resigned from his job as an editor of Breitbart when an ugly joke he made about Catholic priests and young boys was interpreted as an endorsement of pederasty. I am not blind to the concerns over Mr. Yiannopoulos. But there is a reason for his immense popularity as a campus speaker.

Still, because I invited Mr. Yiannopoulos, a professor said publicly that other students at Bucknell should impose a steep and lasting price on me and my peers. We were singled out as racists and fascists, and I returned to my dorm one evening to find Tom is a fascist written on the door. The Bucknell administration was silent.

I understand the irony here. Conservative students criticize the left for seeking protection from ideas they dont agree with  for defining themselves as victims  and here I am arguing for protection for conservative and libertarian students. But when educators react so violently to ideas and controversy, they shrink the intellectual space of the university environment. They foster an academic atmosphere in which students refuse to question progressive orthodoxy. Worse, some students shy away from asking questions, knowing the social price they might pay.

Political intolerance is hardly confined to one side of the aisle. If conservatives represented the majority of students on campus, I am sure they would be silencing liberals. Universities must push back against the narrowing of ideology generally to guarantee an open intellectual space for all students.

At a time of increased political tension in the country, it is also important for colleges to push students to learn how to grapple with different views. It was Mario Savio, the socialist leader of Berkeleys free speech movement in the 1960s, who argued that the university should be an intellectual realm where the hard light of free inquiry can be brought upon any and all ideas  be they liberal or conservative.
For four years, I was responsible for President Obamas monologue at the White House Correspondents Association dinner. During those years, a growing number of critics argued that the dinner  with its celebrity guests and expanding galaxy of pre- and after-parties  had jumped the shark.

Now that I no longer write jokes for the president, Im free to admit the critics have a point. The correspondents dinner has become, in a word, gross. The competition to see which news outlets can score the biggest stars. The government officials walking the red carpet. The lengths some people will go to (heck, the lengths I discovered I was willing to go) to be invited to a morning-of brunch.

Given all this, you might think I was delighted to hear of President Trumps decision, announced on Saturday, to turn down the annual invite. Good riddance! Its about time! In fact, however, its just the opposite. President Trumps decision to skip this years event is a reminder that, for all its excesses, the correspondents dinner still matters.

The most important part of my job as a joke writer for the leader of the free world was also the least glamorous: Self-deprecation. I will not be a perfect president, admitted then-candidate Barack Obama in 2008. As president, he was willing to joke about those imperfections, from his sliding poll numbers (in 2010), to his reputation for acting professorial (2011), to his rapid aging (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016). Now thats not even funny, the commander-in-chief once remarked, after we suggested he would resemble Morgan Freeman by the end of his second term.
WASHINGTON  When he addresses Congress for the first time on Tuesday night, Donald J. Trump will do so as one of the most untraditional and unexpected presidents in American history. The election, however close, was a decisive statement by the American people against the status quo, an expression of the hope that he would break the stalemate in Washington and lead the country in a new direction.

Mr. Trump can take pride in his cabinet choices, the deregulatory thrust he and the Republican Congress have initiated and the boldness he has shown in shaking up the established order and the elites in Washington. His decision to push ahead on the Keystone pipeline is the triumph of common sense over environmental orthodoxy. And his nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court is a master stroke that conservatives celebrate and even liberal jurists respect.

I have no doubt that President Trump will spend much of his speech making the case for three initiatives that are already underway in Congress: the rebuilding of the military, the repeal and replacement of the failing Affordable Care Act and the long overdue reform of the tax code. And he will surely discuss his proposals for something most Americans strongly favor  enhanced border security.

However, President Trump will need to do more than merely wait upon a Republican Congress to produce the legislation he has championed. He must become an active participant in the legislative process.
The story starts at a party they both attended.

On todays episode:

 What a dinner party in Washington held long before Donald Trump announced his run for president tells us about the origins of his sweeping immigration plans. Emily Bazelon, a staff writer at The New York Times Magazine, writes this week about the relationship between Stephen Bannon, Jeff Sessions and the Justice Department.

 Part Two in the story of Samie, the young refugee from Afghanistan who made a dash for the United States, uncertain whether the presidents executive order on immigration would block him from becoming an American.

Background reading:

 Ms. Bazelons reported essay on the state of the Justice Department under Mr. Trump.

 Part One of our search for Samie, and the original article that inspired the search.

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 how to subscribe to The Daily for free, follow the instructions below.
9. It Was a Good Week for the New Generation of Italian Designers

Amongst all the big luxury fashion brands to show during the week, theres an exciting new crop of independent female designers in Milan. Attico, Sara Battaglia and F.R.S (For Restless Sleepers) are relatively new to the citys show calendar  but theyre already paving the way for a new Italian aesthetic. Each brand showed their collections in small presentations at home rather than big runway shows. And each designer makes clothes for women that feels like an extension of their personal style ethos. Its exciting to see women who are really shaking up Italian fashion.
Velasquez told me that one advantage to launching in the wake of an economic crisis was that longevity depended on exhibiting creativity in spades, and Quixotic Projects certainly excelled in that area. Only the people with the strongest ideas and the gumption to fight for them would find success. Hospitality, gastronomy, and bartending have been part of French culture for ages. Today, were seeing a renaissance of artisanal professions that had been banalized for far too long, she remarked.

Whats behind the movement? In her book Paris Cocktails, author Doni Belau sums it up beautifully. Take the locavore movement, the artisanal quest, the DIY urge, and an ever-increasingly sophisticated palate. Combine that in a cocktail shaker with hundreds of specialized small-batch products made in France, garnish with passion and artistry, and youve got the Parisian craft bar movement. And it makes sense. After all, the movement wasnt created in a vacuum; it came on the heels of a food movement that flipped dining and consuming on its head. In France, were lucky to have all the best products (its one of our biggest strengths!) and it allows us to be super creative. And because we make our own syrups, we can talk to clients knowledgeably about whats really in each drink, Cafe Modernes owner and award-winning head barman Ahmed Mido Yahi, a self-taught mixologist who learned by letting his palate guide the way, told me over drinks in his bar. Today, you can offer a tarragon-ginger syrup or a foie gras cocktail and guests wont think its weird because flavor experimentation is more widely accepted, in both food and drink. Bars are basically like restaurants at this point; they use extremely fresh products. Even better, hes excited by the idea that todays adolescents will grow up into an existing cocktail culture that is celebrated. I already get fathers who come in with their eighteen-year-old sons for meatballs and cocktails; its awesome. Family bonding certainly isnt something youre likely to see in a nightclub!

More than ever, Parisians are more curious and willing to try new things, with a little guidance from the experts. With Candelarias South American spirit, we, of course, incorporated tequila and mezcal in particular, neither of which had a market in Paris before we opened. Now, we sell more Del Maguey than anyone else in continental Europe, Fontaine says. Because of that openness, there are fewer limits for the barman. Amaury Guyot of the whiskey-centric bar Sherry Butt and Dersou, for example, tailors his drinks to his partner Taku Sekines dishes, many of which rotate daily according to the ingredients available from small purveyors.

When it comes to educating the cocktail-curious, a few people and places have made their mark on the industry, including Joseph Akhavan. As part of the team that opened Mama Shelter, the first of the Starck-designed boutique hotels, in 2008, and then as key recipe developer at La Conserverie, Joseph was part of the craft cocktail movements first wave in Paris. But hes earned high marks in more recent years for his rum den and grilled cheese bar Mabel, located in the Silicon Sentier, the 2nd arrondissements tech hub, which he runs with his partner, Samantha Sanford. We wanted to break the codes of rum bars, which are usually tropical or tiki themed. We take it somewhere different, Akhavan told me as he prepared a drink for me to try. And it was certainly easy to do with a toolbox of more than 120 references and an intense passion for the product. Their goal was to make clients see rum as a more noble product, one that could be as interesting and versatile as any other spirit, especially in cocktails. Rum has often been associated with cheap brands and still is, perhaps because of what you can find in supermarkets or at clubs. When you have a bad experience with a spirit, you rarely go back to it. And as a result, Akhavan and Sanford offer Routes des Rhums, a menu option where guests can try three different rums from the same region and taste their complexities firsthand. As part of the anti-rum contingent for most of my adult life, I can speak from experience that Akhavan has a talent, not merely for persuasion (you cant say you dont like it if you dont try it) but for targeting his recommendations. He knows his product, he understands the subtleties in flavor that emerge from his drinks, and he rises to the challenge of concocting a drink that will please even the most amateur of palates.

The development in the cocktail scene that Ive been most excited about, though, is the return of products sourced closer to home. Globalization has made access to products from all over the world much easier, and thats particularly true in the bar world. To fight the uniformity in offerings, bartenders have begun looking inward to tell stories with their drinks.

Leading the way in the revivalist category is Sullivan Doh, a young mixologist and Ferrandi graduate who gained experience at two of the citys best barsPrescription Cocktail Club and Sherry Buttwho took his penchant for Cognac, Armagnac, and Calvados and ran with it in a big way at Le Syndicat. His focus? All French spirits. The market was full of cocktail bars when Romain Le Mouellic, my business partner, approached me about opening my own bar. I knew it was going to take a strong, sustainable concept, he told me. Featuring everything from absinthe, Pineau des Charentes, and vermouth to Picon and Suze on their menus, bartenders like Doh are raising their glasses to once-forgotten spirits. The whole world knows or at least has heard of French alcohols and liqueurs and associates them with savoir faire and quality. And yet theyre not at all popular in France, said Doh, who was inducted with his partner into the Compagnie des Mousquetaires dArmagnac (Armagnac Musketeers), a prestigious club whose members do their utmost to promote Armagnac.

Thats especially true for Cognac, the French luxury spirit par excellence, which is consumed largely beyond the region where it is produced. According to the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac, nearly 98 percent of the countrys Cognac production is exported outside of France, primarily to the United States, the UK, and Asia. Knowing this, Doh and his partner wanted to galvanize Parisian drinkers around French heritage products. Their mission is even woven into their name: Le Syndicat: Organisation de Defense des Spiritueux Francais. French spirits, they insist, are steeped in history and reflect the identity of France and its regions. Faced with the influx of foreign concepts, shops, and products, its becoming even more important to preserve and honor what the country does best. And the wider cocktail audience took notice: In under a year, Le Syndicat was nominated for Best New International Bar in the Spirited Awards (given by Tales of the Cocktail) and then one of six Bars to Visit in 2016 by Spirits Business magazine.
Calvin Coffey, a professor of surgery at the University of Limerick in Ireland, has a world of gadgetry, scientific equipment and medical tests at his disposal.

Recently, he added another tool: social media.

During a monthslong project to prove that the mesentery  folded tissue that connects the intestines to the wall of the abdomen  was in fact a human organ, Professor Coffey regularly turned to his followers on ResearchGate, a free Facebook-style social network aimed solely at scientists worldwide, for tips and suggestions on where his four-person team should focus their research.

Its real-time feedback from people who are experts in this field, said Professor Coffey, who published his findings last month in the The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, a prestigious British medical journal. Its not like your typical social media.

That paper was, in part, shaped by his interactions on the social network, indicative of a shift in how scientific research is conducted. As Professor Coffey noted, researchers once faced difficulty in getting feedback from peers before publication, and their projects were often closed to outsiders.
When Republicans won in November, it looked as if 2017 would mean a major legislative shift to the right. But two months into the 115th Congress and six weeks into the Trump administration, progress on fulfilling Republicans major domestic policy goals is looking further away, not closer.

Plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act have quickly become a quagmire as lawmakers grapple with the risk of millions losing their health insurance. A corporate tax overhaul that has backing from House Republicans is running into serious opposition among Senate Republicans. Work on a major infrastructure bill, which President Trump has always been more enthusiastic about than congressional Republicans, has been punted to next year. Overhauling the Dodd-Frank financial reform law, it is clear, will be no quick task.

This is partly just the usual slow grinding of legislative gears; dont forget that it took the Obama administration 14 months to pass its health care overhaul. And its partly a result of Democrats in the Senate slowing down confirmation of most of President Trumps nominees, which leaves less time for legislating.

But theres another element in the sluggish or nonexistent progress on major elements of the Republican agenda. Large portions of the Republican caucus embrace a kind of policy nihilism. They criticize any piece of legislation that doesnt completely accomplish conservative goals, but dont build coalitions to devise complex legislation themselves.
RACINE  State Sen. Van Wanggaard reiterated Monday he may not vote for the state budget if it does not include money for Interstate 94 construction in Racine County.

Gov. Scott Walkers proposed state budget funds major road projects outside southeastern Wisconsin but not the Interstate 94 north-south project, which extends from Illinois to Milwaukee.

Elected officials representing Racine County have pushed for the project to be included, to no avail so far.

Im going to have a real challenge voting for the budget if they dont take care of I-94 out here. Period, Wanggaard, R-Racine, said during a meeting on Monday with The Journal Times Editorial Board.

GOP split on fee hikes

Walkers budget is in the hands of the state Legislature, which begins deliberations this spring.

Wanggaard said all ideas to increase revenue for the transportation fund, including express lanes, toll roads and raising registration fees and gas taxes, should be considered. He also said mass transit should be funded separately from the transportation fund.

The discussion should be whats going to be sustainable, not just a short-term fix, he said.

You are getting into a time now where even our side of the aisle is saying, everything is on the table, he said. We want to look at all options that are available.

But Walker has rejected calls to increase fees or taxes to shore up a nearly $1 billion deficit in the transportation fund, putting any revenue-raising measures in jeopardy of getting vetoed. The governor has touted his budget for increasing funding to local governments to fix roads and allocating $1.7 billion for state highway rehabilitation.

About $31 million in the budget would go toward I-94 work in Racine and Kenosha counties, likely enough to pay only for some maintenance work on the freeway and far below the hundreds of millions of dollars needed for a full rebuild that had been planned.

Wanggaard pointed to an American Road & Transportation Builders Association study that showed the Interstate 94 bridge over Highway 11 as the fourth-most structurally deficient bridge in the state. That means one of the bridges key elements, such as the deck, superstructure or substructure, is considered to be in poor or worse condition, according to the study.

Delaying reconstruction would also hamstring economic development efforts at Highway K and elsewhere in the corridor, Wanggaard said. The Village of Caledonia is in the process of developing a large industrial park just northeast of the Highway K/I-94 interchange.

This makes absolutely no sense to me that we wouldnt finish those lane miles first before we start (doing) other projects, Wanggaard said.
Good morning.

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The Democrats power in the State Capitol is ironclad.

And it was wielded in startling fashion last week when a Republican state senator defied a demand to stop speaking and was physically removed from the Senate floor by law enforcement.

The senator, Janet Nguyen, had stood up to criticize Tom Hayden, the 1960s radical, over his opposition to the Vietnam War. Days earlier, Mr. Hayden had been honored in the Capitol for his service in the Legislature. He died in October.

But as Ms. Nguyen, who fled Communist Vietnam as a child, was speaking, the presiding senator declared her out of order. When she refused to sit, he summoned the sergeant-at-arms.
WASHINGTON  Three relatives of Americans who the authorities said were killed by immigrants living in the United States illegally will attend President Trumps first address to Congress on Tuesday, signaling his plans to showcase his administrations early efforts to crack down on immigration as a security issue.

Jamiel Shaw Sr., whose son was shot and killed in 2008 by an undocumented immigrant, will also be among the six guests invited to sit with the first lady, Melania Trump, during the speech. Mr. Shaw became one of the most vocal advocates of Mr. Trumps tough stance on immigration during his presidential run, appearing in a television ad on his behalf and giving a prime-time speech at the Republican National Convention.

Mrs. Trump will be joined by Jessica Davis and Susan Oliver, the widows of two California law enforcement officers who, officials have said, were shot and killed in 2014 by a Mexican immigrant who was in the country illegally. The officers were Michael Davis Jr. and Danny Oliver.
WASHINGTON  Attorney General Jeff Sessions indicated on Tuesday that the federal government would back away from monitoring troubled police departments, which was the central strategy of the Obama administration to force accountability onto local law enforcement amid rising racial tensions.

In his first speech as attorney general, Mr. Sessions did not name any specific cities, but he indicated that Justice Department scrutiny from afar was undermining the effectiveness of the police across the country. It was a clear reference to the aggressive efforts of the Obama administration to oversee law enforcement agencies charged with civil rights abuses.

We need, so far as we can, in my view, help police departments get better, not diminish their effectiveness, Mr. Sessions said in remarks to the National Association of Attorneys General. And Im afraid weve done some of that. So were going to try to pull back on this, and I dont think its wrong or mean or insensitive to civil rights or human rights.

The Trump administration, Mr. Sessions said, is working out of a concern to make the lives of people in particularly the poor communities, minority communities, live a safer, happier life so that theyre able to have their children outside and go to school in safety and they can go to the grocery store in safety and not be accosted by drug dealers and get caught in crossfires or have their children seduced into some gang.
WASHINGTON  President Trumps first address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday will be part of an annual rite of modern presidents looking to lay out an agenda for governing and a stirring argument to support it.

While the speech has all the trappings of grand ceremony, it more often than not slides as easily out of the countrys collective political consciousness as in.

A few, though, have managed to stand apart, capturing  intentionally or not  a particular moment in American public life.
The president has been very clear in his process that the immigration system is broken and needs massive reform, and hes made clear that hes open to having conversations about that moving forward, Ms. Sanders said. Right now, his primary focus, as he has made over and over again, is border control and security at the border and deporting criminals from our country, and keeping our country safe, and those priorities have not changed.

The presidents remarks about immigration came as he prepares to issue a new version of his executive order banning travel to the United States from seven predominantly Muslim countries and suspending the acceptance of refugees. The ban has been revised because of legal challenges.

Mr. Trump defended that order in his address to Congress.

It is not compassionate, but reckless, to allow uncontrolled entry from places where proper vetting cannot occur, Mr. Trump said. Those given the high honor of admission to the United States should support this country and love its people and its values. We cannot allow a beachhead of terrorism to form inside America  we cannot allow our nation to become a sanctuary for extremists.

The speech reflected the war Mr. Trump is fighting with himself and his inner circle. Even as he held out the possibility of legal status for millions of undocumented immigrants, Melania Trump, the first lady, was hosting the families of victims of violent crime by such immigrants  a way of highlighting the presidents belief that immigrants who lack legal status pose a grave threat to Americans and should be feared and removed, not embraced.

Mr. Trump singled out the victims families, saying, Your loved ones will never be forgotten.

Giving the official Democratic response, former Gov. Steven L. Beshear of Kentucky offered an implicit contrast to the president by noting his own humble background and military service, accusing Mr. Trump and his cabinet of billionaires and Wall Street insiders of favoring banks and the wealthy over ordinary people.

You and your Republican allies in Congress seem determined to rip affordable health care away from millions of people who most need it, Mr. Beshear said. This isnt a game. Its life and death for people.

For Mr. Trumps speech, the president turned to the top advisers who helped develop his inaugural address: Stephen Miller, his senior policy adviser, and Stephen K. Bannon, his chief strategist. The two were still working on the speech late Monday, aides said.

Mr. Miller and Mr. Bannon, both architects of the presidents tough immigration policies, were responsible for shaping the dark themes of the presidents speech on Inauguration Day.
I was a little surprised by it, and others were, too, Republicans and Democrats, Mr. Shapiro said. The question I asked was a genuine one and one of great concern to people in my state.

Mr. Trump told the attorneys general that he planned to discuss the issue during his address to Congress on Tuesday night.

Trump: I think Ive done great things

Mr. Trump gave his presidency an A so far in an interview broadcast Tuesday morning, but he added that he would only give himself a C for communicating how great he has been.

Appearing on Fox and Friends, which he has called one of his favorite shows, Mr. Trump blamed former President Barack Obama for organizing opposition against him, called Representative Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic leader, incompetent and gently criticized his own press secretary for how he has handled leaks.

The interview, shown just hours before Mr. Trump was to deliver his first address to a joint session of Congress, set the stage for a day when he will have perhaps the biggest audience available to him for the rest of his first year in office. He highlighted his plans to increase military spending, tighten borders and replace Mr. Obamas health care program, and he boasted that he had already brought back jobs to America.

I think Ive done great things, but I dont think I have  I and my people  I dont think weve explained it well enough to the American public, he said. I think I get an A in terms of what Ive actually done, but in terms of messaging, Id give myself a C or a C-plus.

He acknowledged that he did not have the support of a majority of Americans in polls, but he said those who do back him were more intense. The love is great, he said. And I saw a poll where I was at 45 or 46 percent, but one of the things they said is that the level of enthusiasm for me is as strong as theyve ever seen.
Were going to aggressively push back, Mr. Spicer said, according to a recording of the session provided by a reporter who was allowed to attend. Were just not going to sit back and let, you know, false narratives, false stories, inaccurate facts get out there.

Public officials are not required to give reporters perfectly equal access, of course, and exclusive interviews and selective leaks are commonplace and lawful. But First Amendment experts said the allocation of government resources like press passes and access to public forums like news conferences must be based on neutral criteria rather than discrimination based on what the journalists had written.

Lots of interactions between the government and the news media do not implicate those kinds of First Amendment concerns. In 2006, for instance, a federal appeals court ruled that Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. of Maryland did not violate the First Amendment rights of two Baltimore Sun reporters by prohibiting state employees from talking to them because he was unhappy with their reporting.

It is common knowledge, Judge Paul V. Niemeyer wrote for a unanimous three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, in Richmond, Va., that reporting is highly competitive, and reporters cultivate access  sometimes exclusive access  to sources, including government officials. Public officials routinely select among reporters when granting interviews or providing access to nonpublic information.

But press credentials and seats at government news conferences are a different matter, according to a 1977 decision from the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

White House press facilities having been made publicly available as a source of information for newsmen, the protection afforded news gathering under the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of the press, requires that this access not be denied arbitrarily or for less than compelling reasons, Judge Carl E. McGowan wrote for a unanimous three-judge panel. Not only newsmen and the publications for which they write, but also the public at large have an interest protected by the First Amendment in assuring that restrictions on news gathering be no more arduous than necessary, and that individual newsmen not be arbitrarily excluded from sources of information.
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria  A wheelbarrow saved his life.

Sprawled across it, Babagana felt every bump, moaning in pain from four bullet wounds. Covered in his blood, his pregnant wife helped roll him across the Nigerian countryside to a hospital.

Somehow, Babagana survived the makeshift ambulance ride. More than 80 men from his village had been shot to death, he said, all of them forced to strip to the waist and lie face down. The gunmen then burned their small farming village before speeding away.

The attack fit the pattern of rampages by Boko Haram, the terrorist group that has killed poor people in this region for years. But Babagana and multiple witnesses to the attack in June, as well as another one days before in a neighboring village, say the radicals were not to blame this time.

Instead, they say, the massacres were carried out by the Nigerian military.

They told us they were here to help us, said a resident, Falmata, 20, adding that soldiers in uniform shouted for villagers to point out the Boko Haram members among them. When none were identified, the killings began, she and other witnesses said.
A 2015 survey by the Health Department that found that 57 percent of young gay men at risk for infection are currently high school or college students, and 67 percent of people currently living with H.I.V. are between the ages of 15 and 24.

While the department runs several anti-H.I.V. programs, it faces a huge gap in reaching young people. Filipinos under 18 are required by law to have parental consent to buy condoms, to get them from health centers or to get tested for H.I.V.

Laws limiting government distribution of contraceptives have played a large part in preventing extensive condom distribution drives, a proved method of prevention. People who want condoms can get them from the health centers, but the centers do not do outreach to the people mostly likely to be exposed to H.I.V., and there are few public health services specifically aimed at those vulnerable groups.

These barriers leave authorities relying more heavily on a strategy known as treatment as prevention  using antiretroviral therapy to decrease the chances of passing H.I.V. to others, coupled with testing drives, as a way to stop the spread of the virus.

While such an approach can be helpful if a large number of people who have H.I.V. know they have it and get treatment, in the Philippines both testing and awareness are low, and experts say that effective H.I.V. prevention requires a response that combines all proved methods. Focusing on treatment as prevention, they say, is more expensive and less effective than an approach that emphasizes safe-sex practices and education.

All good and successful national AIDS programs use condoms, Mr. Kraus said. Of the countries that have posted 30 to 35 percent reductions in new H.I.V. infections, a lot of those reductions have been the result of comprehensive condom programming.
HYDERABAD, India  Just after 2 p.m. Indian Standard Time on Tuesday, the body of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, an Indian immigrant fatally shot in a bar outside Kansas City, Kan., was placed on a pyre made of logs.

Grains of rice were placed around his mouth, as per Hindu tradition, to signify his last earthly meal, and his forehead was smeared with sandalwood paste. His father poured clarified butter on his head, as a sign of purification, and used a burning stick to light the fire.

But before the ancient rituals could be completed, a cluster of young mourners  mostly information technology professionals or engineers, like the dead man  began shouting. Trump, down, down! they said. Down with racism! Down with hatred!

Here in Hyderabad, a city so immigration-minded that a particular temple deity is believed to help grant United States visas, Mr. Kuchibhotlas violent death is seen by many as a harbinger of rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States.
HONG KONG  In a sign that President Trumps criticism of the news media may be having a ripple effect overseas, a government spokesman in Cambodia has cited the American leader in threatening to shutter foreign news outlets, including some that receive money from Washington.

The spokesman, Phay Siphan, said that foreign news groups, including the United States-financed Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, should reconsider how they broadcast  or risk a government response if their reports are deemed to spread disinformation or threaten peace and stability.

The White House decision to bar several news outlets, including The New York Times, CNN and Politico, from a briefing last week, Mr. Phay Siphan said in a Facebook post on Saturday, sends a clear message that Mr. Trump sees that news broadcast by those media outlets does not reflect the truth, which is the responsibility of professional journalists.

Freedom of expression, he wrote, is subject to the law and must respect the states power.

Prime Minister Hun Sen echoed Mr. Phay Siphans remarks but stopped short of threatening to close problematic news outlets, according to a report in The Phnom Penh Post.
SEOUL, South Korea  The head of Samsung, one of the worlds largest conglomerates, was indicted on bribery and embezzlement charges on Tuesday, becoming one of the most prominent business tycoons ever to face trial in South Korea.

The indictment of Lee Jae-yong, the companys de facto leader, came at the end of a special prosecutors 90-day investigation of a corruption scandal that has already led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. When huge crowds took to the streets in recent months to demand that she leave office, they also called for the toppling of Mr. Lee and other corporate titans.

Mr. Lee was arrested on Feb. 17, a dramatic development in South Koreas struggle to end collusive ties between the government and the family-controlled conglomerates, or chaebol, that dominate the economy.

Four other senior executives of Samsung were also indicted Tuesday, but not arrested, on the same corruption charges as Mr. Lee, and three of the four resigned. Those indictments had been expected and were not seen as indications of a threat to the Lee familys control of the business.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia  Two women were charged with murder in a Kuala Lumpur court on Wednesday in connection with the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half brother of the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un.

Siti Aisyah, 25, of Indonesia, and Doan Thi Huong, 28, of Vietnam, could receive the death penalty. The police said the two women rubbed a deadly nerve agent on Mr. Kims face as he prepared to check in for a flight at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on the morning of Feb. 13.

The women were charged as North Korea began a diplomatic effort to repair the damage from the killing, sending delegations to Beijing and Kuala Lumpur in a rare bit of outreach by the reclusive nation as it faced accusations that it had carried out the brazen assassination.

The delegation to Beijing was led by Vice Foreign Minister Ri Gil-song, said the Norths official Korean Central News Agency, which did not provide further details. The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that Mr. Ri was visiting at its invitation and would meet with Chinas foreign minister, Wang Yi.
SYDNEY, Australia  The multimillion-dollar annual compensation package paid to the head of Australias postal agency has suddenly cast a spotlight on executive salaries and growing levels of inequality in the country.

Public outrage over the 5.6 million Australian dollars, or $4.3 million, that was paid to Ahmed Fahour of Australia Post has prompted Senate hearings, and the chairman of the agency defended Mr. Fahours compensation at one such hearing on Tuesday.

John Stanhope, the chairman of Australia Post, said that as managing director and group chief executive, Mr. Fahour did not just run a postal service operation but rather an e-commerce company. He argued that taxpayers had received a good return on their investment.

Mr. Fahour announced last week that he would resign from the government-owned business in July after seven years on the job. The move followed a torrent of criticism after his pay was recently revealed publicly.
With a degree in history and studies in geography, Mr. Jourdain published an online map, with a skull-and-crossbones marking each vacant store. He discovered that nearly 40 percent of the remaining shops sold clothes, and he suspected that much of the trade was with tourists. Only a single traditional boulangerie, or bakery, remained in Albis old core, and not a single free-standing butcher shop.

A Parisian by origin, Mr. Jourdain worked quasi-undercover, and few in town, even among his allies, seemed to know his last name. I met him on a Friday morning in the windswept plaza of the looming Cathedrale Sainte-Cecile, a giant brick fortress built eight centuries ago to awe the regions restive heretics. As we started on the Rue Maries, the citys main commercial street, Mr. Jourdain pulled his hood down over his head to avoid being recognized, as I struggled to mentally repopulate the empty street with the liveliness that had delighted me 35 years before.

For me, if you are precise, you cant be attacked, he said of his work. Its a big problem for me that there are no grocery stores in the center of the city. There is no neighborhood cafe.

Street after street, we took the measure of the towns fragility. Name tags were missing from buzzers at the doorways of the old buildings. Above them the shutters stayed closed night and day, with estimates that 15 percent of these old houses are vacant.

Mr. Jourdain knew something was amiss soon after arriving from Paris in 2013. Right away I realized it, he said. Just across from us, and right next to us, there were two magnificent buildings, vacant. I thought it was strange. And then I started to see more and more empty stores.

We came to the Place Laperouse, named after the great French explorer who was born in Albi in the 18th century. I had a flashback. On a warm afternoon many years before, I sat on a bench here, gazing at the old buildings around me. It had been quiet enough to hear the birds in the centenarian plane trees shading the square.

Now, it was a frigid intersection combined with a soulless pedestrian plaza. Cars whizzed past.

We moved on, passing two storefronts with total liquidation written across them. The sense I had many years before, of a dense urban space that was a living, breathing organism, was gone.
CAIRO  Mostafa A. H. el-Abbadi, a Cambridge-educated historian of Greco-Roman antiquity and the soft-spoken visionary behind the revival of the Great Library of Alexandria in Egypt, died on Feb. 13 in Alexandria. He was 88.

His daughter, Dr. Mohga el-Abbadi, said the cause was heart failure.

Professor Abbadis dream of a new library  a modern version of the magnificent center of learning of ancient times  could be traced to 1972, when, as a scholar at the University of Alexandria, he concluded a lecture with an impassioned challenge.

At the end, I said, It is sad to see the new University of Alexandria without a library, without a proper library, he recalled in 2010. And if we want to justify our claim to be connected spiritually with the ancient tradition, we must follow the ancient example by starting a great universal library.

It was President Richard M. Nixon who blew wind into the sails of Professor Abbadis ambitious proposal. When Nixon visited Egypt in 1974, he and President Anwar el-Sadat rode by train to Alexandrias ancient ruins to observe their faded grandeur. When Nixon asked about the ancient librarys location and history, no one in the Egyptian entourage had an answer.
KABUL, Afghanistan  After 16 years, Afghanistans long war shows no sign of taking a day off, even in midwinter.

On Tuesday, 11 police officers were killed in a Taliban attack in the south, but that was only one in a long and not unusual series of assaults against Afghan security forces. In recent weeks, there have been several episodes in which two or three Afghan police officers were killed.

Last year, 10 police officers were killed in one attack, a few days after 17 were killed. On Jan. 31, the Taliban tunneled under an army post in Sangin district and blew it up, killing as many as 20 soldiers.

On the face of it, no single attack was that significant in the context of Afghanistans long and drawn-out conflict. But the steady accumulation of attacks is a relentless reminder of what it is to be a country torn by war.
UNITED NATIONS  Russia and the Trump administration clashed in a vote at the United Nations Security Council for the first time on Tuesday, as the Kremlin vetoed a measure backed by the United States and its Western allies to punish Syria for using chemical weapons.

While the Russians had long signaled their intent to block the resolution, which was supported by dozens of countries, the clash offered insights into the big divisions that remain between the Kremlin and President Trump, who has vowed to improve ties.

Russia and China, two of the five permanent members of the Council, blocked the measure. It was the Kremlins seventh Security Council veto in defense of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria over the war that has been convulsing his country for nearly six years.

The American ambassador, Nikki R. Haley, who has called chemical weapons attacks in Syria barbaric, accused Russia and China of putting their friends in the Assad regime ahead of our global security in her blunt rebuke of the vetoes.


63 Percent Increase in Killings

(Image by Human Rights Watch) Details DMCA



"If they want proof they should come and collect the dead bodies."

The YouTube video posted on February 17, 2017, shows men in Congolese army uniforms fatally shooting a group of villagers. A close look at the grainy footage shows that the victims are carrying slingshots, machetes and spears as as they are mowed down by machine gun fire.

The United States reacted through Obama era holdover and State Department interim spokesperson Mark Toner, "The United States is deeply concerned about the images that appear to show elements of the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) carrying out executions of civilians summarily, including women and children."

"Appear," "alleged," and outright denial is the de rigueur response when the innocent are targeted in the Democratic Republic of Congo. There is too much at stake in the mineral rich country and human life is too often not part of the economic equation.

Of course, Lambert Mende, Congo's information minister, denied the authenticity of this video, saying it was filmed elsewhere. This, despite the camera point of view being directly behind the shooters. Allegedly, the group of villagers included members of the Kamuina Nsapu militia (more about this "militia" later), including two women and several children. I do not enjoy examining footage of atrocity, so here is what Human Rights Watch(HRW) has to say about the images. "Several of the seriously wounded are shot at point-blank range, as one of the soldiers calls them 'animals.' Some of the soldiers later mistreat and violate the dignity of the bodies."

Personally, I feel the animals are in the eye of the beholder or the slant of the news.

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Dying America

(Image by Damian Gadal) Details DMCA

"There are a lot of killers. What, you think our country's so innocent?"

-- Donald J. Trump, Feb. 6, 2017

There continues to be a gross underestimation, even among politically aware liberals, of what we are really up against, and how to counter it. Increasingly, our fellow citizens are resorting to the concepts of fascism to describe the current situation, but this is not necessarily followed by any cogent reflection on what the political subject under fascism needs to do. Ordinary liberal prescriptions have no chance of success under a regime that has moved into an overt fascist mode; moreover, the unacknowledged continuities from the recent neoliberal past, which led to the fascist overture in the first place, mar any consistency of thought among intellectuals, activists and ordinary citizens.





The time has come to explore modes of existence that only make sense under a fascist regime, or rather, are the only modes that make sense under fascist conditions. Above all, the question of moral disengagement from any existing political practice must be taken seriously, and this includes so-called "resistance." Are there things that pass under the activist rubric today that are actually strengthening fascism rather than weakening it? If that is the case, then those activities must undergo severe scrutiny, because it may well be that what seems like activism is actually "passivism," and vice versa.





I started writing about a "soft" American totalitarianism for the first time in 1998, in the wake of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. American civic institutions seemed to me to have stopped functioning for the first time in 1994, after the Newt Gingrich takeover, which made me take a step back, only to reemerge, awakened, when the Lewinsky scandal happened. I was not interested in the content of the scandal, which was a mere pretext to engineer reaction in a form we had never seen before without the instrument of 24-hour cable news. But the way perceptions were being manipulated seemed to me to be mortally dangerous for democracy.





After 9/11, I resorted to the vocabulary of fascism for that whole decade, often comparing and contrasting Bush's early years to the Hitlerian model, since this was what I knew best then. Once I started studying Italian fascism seriously about seven years ago, however, it has seemed to me that the original model of fascism presented by Benito Mussolini is more apt, because of some important missing elements in the way fascism has been developing in this country. During the 2016 election campaign, I identified points of similarity between Trump and Mussolini, and considered whether Trump was better seen as a fascist or a populist authoritarian. Clearly, in the month since he took over he has entered an overtly fascist stage, with elements of both Mussolini and Hitler in play.





But I think that instead of these admittedly helpful historical comparisons it might be more clarifying now to conceptualize a new form of fascism: The third important variant, if you will, following the original Mussolini model and the later Hitlerian model, which was a development of and departure from the original in many respects.





Italy was a weak state, certainly militarily so, and had been undergoing serious strife between labor and capital in the years immediately preceding Mussolini's takeover. When Mussolini asserted Italy's grievances against the so-called "plutocratic powers" (above all Britain and France), he was arguing from a position of weakness. Germany was a much stronger state, obviously, in the military, economic and cultural sense, but Hitler's aim was also to become the world's greatest power, even if starting from a position much stronger than Italy's.





America, when it started going down the fascist route (I would say coinciding with the termination of the Cold War), was already the world's undisputed dominant power, arguably stronger than the Roman and British empires ever were at their peak. Starting with the George W. Bush regime, and now accelerated manifold in the Trump regime, American fascism has been pleading irresolvable grievances (against internal and external abusers) from a position of unparalleled strength! That is a remarkable deviance from past fascist models, and one that changes everything.





Furthermore, I would argue that everything Trump has done so far or plans to do fits perfectly well within the neoliberal model: massive tax cuts for corporations; cutting back Social Security, Medicare and essential social services; privatizing healthcare; handing over the task of building infrastructure building to the private sector; and repressing immigrants by driving them underground or expelling them.





All of that is a continuation or an acceleration of neoliberal practices familiar from more than 35 years of governance. The only thing that stands out so far is pulling out from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and making noises about renegotiating NAFTA. But the latter hasn't happened yet and is not likely to in any substantial way, and the former was in deep trouble anyway, a hodgepodge of conflicting corporate monopolies among the negotiating countries that didn't seem to be going anywhere even before Trump withdrew. I suspect that on trade the classic neoliberal position will soon assert itself, and it may be worth taking a pass on trade for a while, from the neoliberal point of view, as long as other elements of the agenda get a radical boost.





So I would argue that if we're seeing fascism, it is a peculiar form of fascism indeed, because it looks like 100 percent neoliberalism from where I am. Nonetheless, it is fascism of a kind: It is neoliberalism's fascist mode. Modern capitalism has a tendency to fall into the fascist style from time to time, and this became inevitable for us once the Soviet Union fell and there was no ideological check on American capitalism. The equations became imbalanced and there was excessive power which had nowhere to flow. It was destined to go this way and it has.





What is truly unfortunate is that the reform elements of globalization -- by which I mean international action on human rights issues such as the environment, agricultural equity, urban poverty, medical care, the price of drugs, indebtedness and servitude and war crimes -- were all on the agenda in the late 1990s. But the onset of overt fascism in America has made the entire world, particularly Europe, put these global civilizational issues on the back burner.





Europe was trending strongly toward global cosmopolitanism, which might have ended up being a transitional stage toward worldwide democratic socialism. But America, in resurrecting an imaginary global Islamic enemy for the past 20 years (recall that the first Osama bin Laden video surfaced in 1998, and that Clinton's launch of missiles against this protagonist's alleged strongholds in Afghanistan and Sudan also occurred in the year of Lewinsky), has probably done irrevocable damage to the global cosmopolitan agenda.





Citizenship, throughout the 1990s -- after the Soviet Union ended as a theoretical pole -- was being reconceptualized as transnational, contingent and fluid, a right not tied to nationalism. This was a radical change that had been awaited by the world's enlightened thinkers for more than 200 years. It was the ultimate promise of liberalism being slowly fulfilled. Sadly, because of the rise of American fascism, it was not to be. That dream is all but dead now. Europe, taking its cues from America, has vastly retreated on immigrant rights, refugee and asylum claims and human rights administration, even within the European Union.





The question for those currently mounting a resistance, aside from its inherent limitations, is what prelapsarian state American liberal activists are trying to get back to. (When I say "limitations," I mean that even Gandhi, with his "successful" salt march of 1930 and other civil disobedience actions didn't see significant results. It took the collapse of the British Empire after World War II for India to finally gain independence.)





First, the Republican Party under Ronald Reagan became the prime transmitter of neoliberalism. Then, once Bill Clinton transformed the Democratic Party in the early '90s, both parties became equal bearers of neoliberal ideology. So what is the aspiration to return to? The Democrats under Obama? It was an ideal carrier of neoliberalism, in every area of governance one can think of. No doubt Trump wants to exert existing immigration powers to a genocidal level, and will try to. But those powers were granted to him under the neoliberal administrations of Clinton and Obama, and fortified by additional powers sought by Bush II.





Clinton's 1996 anti-immigrant legislation was arguably the most draconian American immigration law ever passed. For example, it retroactively punished legal residents for minor crimes, henceforth called "aggravated felonies," provided the authority to expel immigrants who had lived here for decades and enshrining the loathsome concept of expedited removals, meaning deportation without judicial hearings. Likewise, Obama continued the "enforcement"-first policy, for example by deputizing state and local authorities to act as immigration police. Everything Trump wants to do to embark on his ethnic cleansing campaign has been bequeathed to him by neoliberal presidents of both parties. Aside from the repression of immigrants, who have been living under a reign of terror since 1996, what else do we want to go back to? The fascist Trumpian reaction occurred only because neoliberalism set up a situation of economic inequality that was completely unsustainable. When fewer than 10 people own more wealth than half the world's population, that situation can lead to no good outcome. It simply cannot be perpetuated beyond a certain point, as we are seeing in the collapse of American democracy today.





The petty bourgeois liberals who so eagerly supported Hillary Clinton, and were so adamant against Bernie Sanders' meager demands on behalf of aspirational millennials for a modicum of democratic socialist reforms, will be relieved to know that Tom Perez, Barack Obama's labor secretary and an exemplary neoliberal, has now triumphed over Sanders' choice, Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, a true progressive who would have set the Democratic Party on a different path. We are talking about a democratic revolution as the price worthy of participating in American social and political life at this dangerous juncture, and we can't even elect a Democratic chair who is the choice of the candidate who would (probably) have defeated Trump!





Fascism always comes about because of the failures of liberalism. Sometimes these failures are exaggerated, as was true before the Mussolini ascendancy. But in the American case, all the data says that for the health and well-being of the people, neoliberalism over the last 35 years has been a colossal failure. Thus the polity, at least since the 1990s, has been wishing death upon itself, as evidenced in the most successful Hollywood productions and other creations of popular culture.





Had Hillary Clinton not announced her candidacy, there would have been no Sanders, and certainly no Trump. But this is not to blame Hillary, who is merely representative of where the Democratic Party, that is to say the liberal establishment, is. When they had the chance during the primaries, the entire party establishment supported Clinton over Sanders. Though they may be suppressing their true leanings for the moment under the onslaught of a storm that promises to take down every American's security, property and investments, one senses the Clinton supporters ready to take the fight to the Sanders camp, as soon as the opportunity presents itself again.





The Democratic Party today is a fairly accurate reflection of where the country's liberal institutions, from broadcasting and arts and media organizations, to the sensibility in the academy and government at all levels, pretty much rests: Focused on an exaggerated concept of personal responsibility, which is at the least neoliberal and at its worst fascistic. The publishing industry, my own personal bailiwick, operates entirely within the neoliberal paradigm, as I know from 20 years of experience. The well-known American publishing houses are simply extensions of the same thinking that infects CNN or any media organization, a mindset that can neither name the ideology it perpetuates (neoliberalism), nor mount any democratic resistance against it.





To agree with my case for moral disengagement, you would have to be persuaded that each effort of engagement, from activism to voting to articulation of demands of any sort, makes the situation worse rather than better. If participation leaves things unchanged, there may not be enough of a case for disengagement. If participation, including voting, makes things better, then no doubt my case is invalidated.





My argument has to do not with the scope of what needs to happen -- just think of the intolerable situation with regard to totalitarian-style gerrymandering, the influence of the billionaire class on campaigns or the exclusion of third parties, all of which guarantee neoliberal hegemony -- but the logic of American fascism. To resist it, in any form whatsoever, only makes it stronger. When there was a tiny bit of protest, in the form of the anti-globalization movement of 1999-2000 and Ralph Nader's presidential campaign, we got George W. Bush. After eight intolerable years of Obama's neoliberalism, which worsened inequality on a frightening scale, the only thing the Sanders-informed protest movement got us was President Donald Trump. Essentially, neoliberalism is saying: Be quiet and accept things as they are, or we will give you something much, much worse. That's where we are today, once again, as some of us, shell-shocked already, look back with nostalgia to the years of Obama, Bill Clinton and even George W. Bush.





Fascist formalities have become instrumentalized, under neoliberal hegemony, as the means to suppress demands for equality. Fascism's forms are ever-present, deriving strength from collective belief in American ideals, occurring again and again, and with stronger and stronger force, incarnated at will. For things to get better, there would have to be nothing less than a democratic revolution, because the situation before, as I explained, was only slow death, a silent strangling that would have continued under a Hillary Clinton presidency: We would have seen the same terrorist oppression of immigrants and the same radical exclusion of poor, uneducated people of any color from the "meritocracy," all of it couched in the respectable language of neoliberal personal responsibility.





At least Trump expostulates of the same basic ideology in overt fascist terminology. The Democratic Party would have to cease to exist as the ideal neoliberal vehicle for the resistance to be said to have worked. Is that even possible to conceive? Other than Sanders, I do not know of any member of Congress who is not beholden to neoliberalism in its essence. There would have to be room for true democratic expression, including for democratic socialism, whether under third parties or a rejuvenated progressive wing of the Democratic Party.





All of this is so far from the realm of possibility, under normal modes of activism, that the imagination comes up short. On the contrary, the typical forms of resistance, accepting the neoliberal order as given, only worsen the undemocratic nature of our polity. After eight years of activism and resistance under Obama, what have we accomplished? At the state and local levels, more overtly fascist politicians are in control in almost unprecedented numbers, recalling earlier segregationist eras. Human rights, particularly immigrant rights, are more compromised by far than they were at the beginning of the Obama administration. The same goes for any measure of democracy or equality.





Civil resistance, in order for it to work, must escalate gradually. Marches and protests are fine, but that is pretty much the level where the liberal activists seem comfortable. Will there be escalating general strikes? The strike announced for Feb. 17 encountered immediate resistance from those among the petty bourgeoisie; they are said to be fighting a new Hitler, but they cannot imagine taking a day off from work, which would interfere with their routine "obligations." Weekend protests with friends are fine. In order for civil resistance to work, people have to put their bodies on the line, have to court mass arrests, have to gum up the works and grind down the machinery of fascist oppression to a halt.





We are simply not up for the challenge, despite what some naive citizens still think of as the main weapon on our side: the internet. If we are up against a true Hitler, who has the National Guard at his beck and call and who has already signed executive orders to implement mass deportations by decree, then the internet is of little help. It makes us feel better to vent, but that's about it. Of course, I could be wrong about all this. It could be that resistance leads Trump to have second thoughts, makes civil servants across the government push back vigorously against fascism, and revives both the Democratic and Republican parties to go back to their respective liberal and conservative roots rather than being the two-headed neoliberal monster they've become. We could have a mass movement of compassion toward immigrants, Muslims and poor and unhealthy people in this country. The media could become a repository of diverse opinion. We could see mass support for disengagement from our wars in the Middle East and retreat from our worldwide assault on human rights. All of that could happen. In which case, go ahead, participate, engage, remain hopeful that we can go back to the thing that we've lost or make it even better, and I will accept that I'm wrong. But I know that there is nothing to hope for from our entire (neoliberal) intellectual establishment; how can there be a chance for resistance to work in that situation? They, the country's thinkers, especially those who consider themselves progressive, are the conveyors of the virus that has led to fascism. We are not yet ready to give up empire (we call it our "world standing"), and therefore the fascism that goes with it; we just want a nice human face on it, an Obama or a reformed Hillary Clinton. Why do I think that resistance makes fascism worse? Because it creates the illusion, for a while (as under the Obama administration), that things are getting better, but they only get worse. Resistance legitimizes, and fascism, especially, thrives on it. The two missing elements in the George W. Bush version of fascism were the lack of a charismatic leader and the potential of a fascist militia, the first of which has at last come true and the second of which now seems a real possibility. I would say that it's because America is fascist but also the world's strongest power, and because America already possesses total capacity to destroy any entity, internally and externally, that resistance only strengthens the fascist regime. Resistance gives that regime something to fight against. Fascism needs an enemy to build itself against, but what if the enemy were to retreat and disappear? What would it fight against then? Again, what is there to go back to, if in fact the aim of the resistance is to recapture something that we have lost? The liberal intelligentsia, for 15 years, has been convulsed with identity politics. But in these early days of the renewed anti-Muslim and anti-Latino genocide we're witnessing, what has saved (to the extent that anything has) immigrant lives? The judiciary, going back to constitutional principles, which has nothing to do with identity politics. We are possibly witnessing the implosion of American capitalism (i.e., neoliberalism) and hopefully its empire as well. Liberals, those who are protesting today, did not protest the mass incarceration and forceful expulsion of individuals who had been in this country for decades, did not protest the drone wars and illegal killings and fomenting of civil wars and mass displacement under our auspices ever since 9/11. The Obama presidency is destined to go down in history as a footnote; we are simply picking up fascist steam now from where we left off in 2003, before the Iraq War started going awry. The world war that began on 9/11 has resumed. We never left it in the intervening years, because we never sought accountability. It is all too easy, as many liberals are doing today, to experience nostalgia for Bush the younger, but every fascistic impulse Trump is expressing today was fully manifest in the early Bush II years. That was the truly horrifying era that we, as a nation, never really wanted to account for and reconcile, when we embarked on illegal surveillance, torture and detention. There is no an external enemy to fight, the enemy is all the liberal institutions (which in a perverse way is exactly what Trump is saying too). The enemy is all of us who have implicitly supported domestic and international illegality for more than 15 years after 9/11. Trump's fascism is simply the next and perhaps last stage of that process. I started having the thought of total disengagement in the early years of the Obama administration, and it is only now that I'm articulating it. I think I was on the right track even then. What if, instead of eight years of Obama-era activism, the people had delegitimized politics by not voting, not participating, not commenting and simply retreating into private life? And by that I mean constructing healthy, non-consumerist, creative lives, carved with difficulty out of the disastrous environment capitalism forces us to live in, but otherwise oblivious to it? Is that not all the more necessary now that neoliberal capitalism, from everything I understand of it, is in a mortal fight to the end with the health of the planet and all living species, a fight that for a while now I have believed cannot last beyond the middle of this century? We empowered Trump by empowering Obama -- by focusing on the politics of personality, since our liberal intelligentsia is the least equipped of any comparable entity in modern history to articulate matters at a coherent conceptual or theoretical level. We empowered Obama's war against Muslim nations and against Muslim and Latino immigrants at home by asking for small mercies, by being pleased with legalistic cover for what are ultimately irredeemable illegalities. How will the next Democratic president, an Andrew Cuomo or Kirsten Gillibrand, be any different? The point is to end empire, the point is to want to accelerate its end, which Trump surely is embarked on doing already. Let me go back to some historical parallels, particularly from my study of fascist Italy. The conservative (corporate) establishment of that time chose Mussolini's law-and-order message over the turbulence Italy's socialist parties had heralded during the Biennio Rosso (1919-1920), the two years of red uprising after the end of World War I. Had the communists and socialists been able to get along, there would have been no fascism. In our case, we don't have communist or socialist parties, just variants of slightly more progressive thinking than the reigning neoliberalism. But even these sides cannot get along, because, for one thing, identity politics fatally compromises class consciousness of any kind. There is no viable political party that represents the interests of the people. Mussolini faced resistance from socialists, such as Antonio Gramsci and others whom he imprisoned, in the first three years of his reign, before he consolidated his dictatorship and ended all pretense of democratic institutions in 1925. I have to say that the amount of resistance we've already seen in response to Trump, from the judiciary to the intelligence bureaucracies to ordinary people who have come out in historic numbers to try to protect the rights of their fellow citizens who happen to be from other countries, is surprising and welcome, and unlike anything we saw in the Bush years. I see this situation as comparable to that between 1922 and 1925 in Italy, before Mussolini, in the crisis that ensued after the murder of the leading opposition socialist, Giacomo Matteoti, silenced the press and any political opposition once and for all.

Does that mean that there will be a declaration of emergency, following which the press will be silenced? No, again because we are the world's dominant power, and the ideology (neoliberalism) that has spawned fascism was already prevalent in the media, the academy and all the institutions of civil society, so there need not be that level of disruption.

I would ask the question, what enormity can one think of that would bring American society to a halt? Mass deportations? They're already happening, but what if they escalate to a target of 10 million to 20 million people? I don't think we have the power to resist. Of course the escalation of multiple wars in the Middle East is inevitable and would just be a continuation of Clinton-Bush-Obama policies, but what about the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons against, say, Iran? Would that be the turning point that brings society to a halt and renews democracy?

I have believed for a long time that there is no bridge too far to cross, no enormity so great that it would end our ideas of American exceptionalism, an innocence that the resisters are feeding into, strengthening it all the time, even as the noose tightens around our necks.

But what does it mean to disengage? People have children to feed, jobs to perform, which in many cases may be jobs that help people, in education and social services for example. But there are also single people, younger people, those with greater mobility and options. If one can leave the country, I would say, do so; America is not a project worth salvaging. A fascist power that is the leading roadblock to world progress, in places as far away as South America and India, is not something to devote one's only precious life to. Even if Hitler is winning, do you want to join him as an ally, do you want to entertain ideas of moderating and refining and containing him, do you want to keep looking for the good Germans to overturn the oppressive order once and for all? And what if, in that effort, you become collateral damage?

Instead of the wasted energy spent during the Obama years to try to normalize what was ultimately not normalizable, i.e. the unconstitutional regime that has existed since 9/11, what if young people had refrained from investing hope in politics? All kinds of ethical choices outside capitalism then become possible, ranging from living communally on a small scale, reclaiming territory outside the stressful purview of urban gentrification, growing one's own food and exiting the capitalist health care system, and engaging in barter and cooperation to create a sustainable and aesthetically fulfilling existence. Call it socialism, call it anarchism, but to want to want to reform the unreformable only empowers those who want to take away the very possibility of alternative spaces.

If I were a little younger, I would leave America and put down roots somewhere else. If there is a country where there seems a greater hope for promoting democracy, then that is a choice people should explore. Is America so much better than everyplace else? Why can't we take our democratic ideas elsewhere and make those places better, by our example and productivity? Why should we feed this particular machine with our minds and bodies?

What needs to happen is to strengthen countries like Canada and those in Europe that are still struggling against fascism, and everywhere else there is hope in Latin America and Africa and Asia, against the global hegemony America wants to impose. If one is older or is restricted or does not have the mobility I speak of, then one can stay in place, but at the very least one should downshift, retreat from capitalism and morally disengage from anything having to do with saving this country's place in world politics (i.e., its empire). One can, out of a sense of duty, provide for one's children and family but not be morally committed to the idea of America, which has become toxic beyond rescue, because it is not America of the old we're talking about, but a new form of neoliberal fascism that is in mortal combat with the principle of life itself.

The preservation of life is all-important, not the principle of America, and I am sure that these two principles are in absolute conflict at the moment. Moral disengagement is a form of civil resistance, perhaps the most powerful form.

The main counterargument to what I'm saying would be: Are we just going to let the fascists take over? Will we let them do whatever they want to do, deport 10 million people, start catastrophic wars? And the answer would be: Well, aren't we doing that already?

That moment was long ago, when we could have chosen social democracy over neoliberalism, but we as a people, particularly our intelligentsia, decided not to, over a period of 30 years. More specifically, we deliberately sacrificed whatever remained of our democracy to make sure that the collective good had no chance of ascendancy when we went for Hillary over Bernie.

Suppose all public resistance, i.e., engagement, ceases tomorrow. What would happen? Would Trump be more or less emboldened to expel millions of people or start a new war in the Middle East? He's going to do it regardless, but his power in doing so will be much greater -- it will again come packaged as a real war of ideas when he does so -- if resistance in the way we think of it continues. In the absence of reaction, his actions will go forward anyway but will not have the same meaning.

Mass deportation has been going on for 20 years and the wars in the Middle East in their current form have been going on for 25. They will continue to happen, but our participation gives more strength to these violations, gives them legitimacy because there is an appearance of a democratic contest.

If we have to boycott someone, shouldn't we start with the Democratic Party? Can resistance operate through a vehicle so compromised? Shouldn't we delegitimize it by non-participation?

I am arguing that the only moral thing to do in reaction to the fascist onset is to disengage, in every way possible: physically, economically, spiritually, philosophically. And I am arguing that to engage in any way is to be morally supportive of fascism -- which probably includes this essay as well, and any thought processes I might have toward fascism, because in that way too I am strengthening it. I only know that the normal democratic means are no longer relevant, since we have nobody in power to represent our moral position, nor are we likely to, now that things have gone this far.

Mussolini experienced the peak of his power long after the consolidation of his dictatorship in the 1925-1929 period. It was in the 1930s, all the way up to the Ethiopian war in 1936, that consensus was greatest toward the fascist principle. It took abject defeat in World War II to finally end fascism, and for people to come out of the woodwork and claim that they had always been anti-fascist, even if they hadn't expressed it. Hitlerism likewise only ended with total defeat in war. Every totalitarianism, once it gets past a certain point, ends in the same familiar way. There is simply no historical precedent for a peaceful conclusion.

I need not spell out in any more detail what awaits American fascism, and what people have to think about doing for their own safety and well-being. Our task is to protect the only lives we have been given, which are now under assault by the determined enemies of life itself.

Anis Shivani is at work on a novel called "Abruzzi, 1936." His most recent books are "Karachi Raj: A Novel," "Whatever Speaks on Behalf of Hashish: Poems" and "Soraya: Sonnets." "Literary Writing in the Twenty-First Century: Conversations" comes out in April 2017.
American futurist predicts spiritualization of the economy



1

The American futurist Lawrence (Larry) Taub is not an economist, but his book "The Spiritual Imperative: Sex, Age, and Caste Move the Future" predicts a gradual transformation of the current economic system into alternative social structures that has features of both anarchism (in the sense of self-organizing entities) and cooperative communities (similar to the Kibbutz model). Making this possible and even inevitable is a gradual change in human values leading to what he calls a "spiritualization of the economy."



2

Claiming that the current economic system will be replaced is arguably setting a low bar. OECD countries today have some $300 trillion in public debt. This means there are also creditors who are owed $300 trillion. Note the correlation between growing debt and the growing wealth gap in recent years. In 2010, some 300 billionaires owned as much as the poorest 50% of the world's population. Today, some 80 billionaires have the same ratio of wealth. Plotting this trend on a chart into the next 10 or 15 years leads to an inevitable conclusion: if we don't change course, at some point one billionaire would own as much as the poorest half of humanity. He or she (most likely a he) would be a modern-day Pharaoh.



3

Let's ignore the opportunity cost of this massive debt, just like economists and policy makers habitually do. How many economists offer a plausible model that gives us a sense of what the economy will be like in, say, twenty or thirty years, when our (grand) children will have to eke out an existence on this fragile planet. Taub doesn't need an economic model to give us a likely scenario. He looks at underlying trends in culture, technology and gender to reveal how human values changes, and with them economic and social structures and organization. Using three models - Sex, Age and Caste - Taub confronts us with a simple truth we have seen time and again in history: what seems logical, practical, moral or even desirable today may not do so in the future.

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Taub mentions slavery as one of many examples. Up to the 19th century, slave owners felt no moral compunction to owning the body and soul of other men and women. Slaves were part of the "economic model" of their days; they helped with the calculus that built western empires. But then, says Taub, something changed. In the mid-19th century people started to question the ethics and morality of the slave trade and slave ownership. There was a growing consensus that slavery contradicted evolving notions of morality, ethics and humanism. In a few decades, humankind made a moral jump and abolished slavery. Ending slavery, as Taub shows, was an inevitable evolution of humankind, a spiritual imperative.

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In the foreword to the Japanese edition of Taub's book, the famed Japanese economist and efficiency guru Masanori Kanda said Taub was Alvin Toffler, Peter Drucker and John Kenneth Galbraith all rolled into one. The truth is that Taub is in a league of his own. Toffler's macro-historical model sees humankind moving from an agricultural to an industrial and finally to a post-industrial society. That's fair enough, but Toffler uses just one (economic-technological) parameter to plot the future. The same can be said about Drucker, Galbraith and other macro historians from Marx to Paul Kennedy and Samual Huntington. Taub does not use one but three parameters. He doesn't just give us a road map, he gives us a GPS. We can not only anticipate what will happen, but also where and approximately when.

[FIGURE 1] The four basic castes of the world



The Four Castes of the World

(Image by Larry Taub) Details DMCA



Copyright Larry Taub

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The center piece of Taub's macro history is the Caste Model, based on the earliest form of psychological profiling known to humankind. Taub used the Caste Model to explain that our current values and identity are based on our work. We define ourselves (and others) by the job or skill set we have -- teacher, trader, plumber, artist, etc. When people first meet, one of the first questions they ask is: "What kind of work do you do?" Work defines our "station" in life. It wasn't always like that. 200 years ago, your family name defined your identity and status in society. In still earlier times, your tribe defined your identity. Taub uses the four broad Indian castes (four generic archetypes of human nature) to explain the changing identities and values in human history and that there is a place and time for each of them.



7

The Caste Model shows that the world is in the midst of the Worker Caste Age. In most countries, workers and worker ethics and values rule the roost. The worker-caste elite, consisting of the top executives of the largest corporations, both high- and low-tech, that dominate half of the world's economy, are the world's ruling elite. (Even self-made billionaires commonly pride themselves on their "hard work".) The Worker Caste Age, which replaced the previous Merchant Caste Age, started in the late 19th century (with the socialist uprisings and later revolutions) and will culminate in the Far East. China and its "Confucian cousins," Japan and Korea, will form the world's dominant economic-political union in the next few decades. "Confucio", as Taub calls it, is most in tune with the Worker-Caste type. The rise of Confucio may also herald the end of "democratic capitalism" as we know it.



8

Unfortunately for Confucio, its place in the sun will be short-lived (and it may very well be "old" before it is "rich"). The Worker Caste Age brings material benefits and basic material needs to people around the globe, but the hyper-materialism of today also damages the human spirit - and the planet. Taub: "The Worker Caste Age has led to indiscriminate production and consumption, unlimited industrial growth and waste of non-renewable resources. Our Worker Caste Age cities are overgrown, impersonal, complicated, and stress-inducing. They breed crime, high rents, ugliness, congestion, smog, accidents, speed, greenlessness, poor public transportation, noise, urban-rural imbalance, lack of decent housing for the poor, and homelessness."

9

The Caste Model makes clear that the accumulation of extreme wealth, which started in the previous Merchant Caste age, is still rampant. Scorched-earth competition values individual and corporate wealth over the common good and solidarity. The methods of the two ages may be different but the aims are the same -- wealth at all cost, rights without obligations, and destruction of the social fabric come what may.



10

The "spiritual backlash" against materialistic Merchant and Worker Caste excesses is well under way -- in both good ways and bad. We see people questioning democratic capitalism, the rise of economic nationalism, and demanding devolution of centralized power. We also see millions of people turning to yoga, meditation, and "mindfulness" in a journey of self-discovery. And we see other signs of humankind evolving in the animal-rights movement and increasing ecological consciousness. Moreover, as Taub's Sex Model makes clear, we see the growing influence of women.

[FIGURE 2] The Caste Model



The Caste Model

(Image by Larry Taub) Details DMCA



Copyright Larry Taub

11

Taub's Sex Model is, like the Caste Model, a macro-historical model. In prehistory, most societies tended toward sexual equality. This changed with the patriarchal revolution around 4000 to 2000 BC. Since then societies, as we know them today, have developed along patriarchic lines. The male-dominated system went unchallenged until the 19th-century suffragettes, especially with the new Feminist Revolution in the 1960s. While naturally less violent than Caste struggles, women engaged in a battle against centuries of female oppression, and with great effect. (In a subtle dig at outspoken "conservative" women Taub says, "Even women opposed to feminism have been influenced by it.)





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From Reader Supported News



Passengers from SFO to JFK were told they couldn't disembark without showing CBP their 'documents.'

(Image by (photo: Ann Garrett/Twitter)) Details DMCA



One passenger tweeted, "We were told we couldn't disembark without showing our 'documents.'" A Delta flight attendant announced to passengers, "You'll need to show your papers to agents waiting outside the door."

After a Rolling Stone reporter pointed out that the agency did not have domestic law enforcement authority, a CBP spokesman said that the action was "nothing new" and that there was "no new policy." When the reporter persisted, the spokesman read CBP's authorities from the US Code, saying, "All persons, baggage, and merchandise arriving in the Customs territory of the United States from places outside thereof are liable to inspection by a CBP officer ... CBP has the authority to collect passenger name record information on all travelers entering or leaving the United States."

Apparently oblivious to the fact that this was a domestic flight and was outside of CBP's statutory purview, the spokesman said, "That's all that I have at this time," and ended the conversation.

Once the story hit the press, another CBP spokesman told Rolling Stone that the identification check was nothing more than "consensual assistance from passengers aboard the flight" and that "CBP did not compel" anybody to show ID.

Whether that's true or not, there's a bigger issue here. Most Americans simply don't know what their rights are, either on domestic flights or at the border.

First, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, you can be stopped at the border and questioned, whether you're an American citizen or not. You can also be sent to secondary inspection. But if you are an American, you have the right to be represented by counsel prior to any questioning. A CBP officer recently stopped me when I was reentering the country at Dulles Airport in Virginia. I am still on federal probation after blowing the whistle on the CIA's torture program, and that probation popped up on the CBP officer's computer. He asked if I was on probation. I said that I was. He then asked me what my crime was. I responded factually that I had violated the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982. "I'm not familiar with that," he said. "What were the circumstances of your case?" I said that I was represented by counsel and that I never, ever discuss my case with any federal employee. He had to let me in. He couldn't prevent me from entering my own country, after all. He did let me in, but only after I had sat in the CBP office for two hours.

Second, the ACLU says you can be searched at the border. The Fourth Amendment notwithstanding, CBP does not need probable cause or reasonable suspicion to search you. Again, though, you can request to speak to your attorney if you're an American citizen.

Third, CBP can ask to search your laptop, phone, or other electronic device. Last month, Sidd Bikkannavar, a US citizen and NASA engineer, was stopped at the Houston Airport on his way back from a vacation in Chile. He was asked for his phone and his PIN number to access it. This was a government-issued phone, by the way. He complied. And, according to the ACLU, he had to. The federal courts have ruled that phone pass-codes are protected by the 5th Amendment, but fingerprints are not.

The issue of whether CBP can go further and search your social media or the data on your phone is less settled legally. A federal appellate court ruled in 2013 that if border agents want to conduct a "forensic search" they have to suspect you of criminal wrongdoing. But that hasn't stopped CBP agents from asking for access.

Finally, what happens if you refuse to turn over your information? If you're an American citizen, CBP agents can certainly inconvenience you. They can make you sit in a little room, potentially for hours, while they figure out what to do next. But like I said, they can't stop you from entering your own country.

Worse, though, CBP has the right to keep your phone, laptop, or other devices for as long as it needs, even months, "pending an investigation." In that case, you'll likely need an attorney. But a better idea is to either not take devices with you overseas or, if that's not possible, back everything up, wipe your devices of all data, and take those. Fighting Big Brother is hard work, and it's going to be a million little battles.

Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader Supported News.


In respective post-election "taking stock" articles, Columbia history Professor Mark Lilla for the New York Times and Alex Seitz-Wald at NBC suggest how the Democratic Party can return to prominence. Lilla contends that Trump's victory should mark the End of Identity Liberalism. Identity liberalism, as practiced by Democrats like Hillary Clinton, consists of appeals to discrete groups identified by race, ethnicity, gender, and sexually orientation. This is a losing strategy, Lilla argues, and must be rejected in favor of one that seeks to attract voters based on shared economic interests and overarching national goals.

Seitz-Wald is less dogmatic. In Democrats: Left in the Lurch, he contends that Democrats must choose between two strategies, which he dubs the Ohio Path and the Arizona Path. Similar to Lilla's prescription, the former consists of communicating to white working-class voters an overt populist economic message while "de-prioritiz[ing] policies that are either unimportant or alienating to these voters, like immigration reform, and so-called identity issues." Following the Arizona Path means more group-identity politics based on near-term forecasts that the electorate will consist of an increasing percentage of Democratic voters of color. Seitz-Wald does not state a preference between the two paths.

What neither Lilla nor Seitz-Wald contemplate is an approach that recognizes that the white working class and the great majority of non-white voters share nearly identical economic interests and the differences between the groups will likely be ameliorated in a growing economy in which the bottom 50% reaps the preponderance of income gains.

Indeed, American history since the New Deal demonstrates that the fortunes of the white working class and minorities are joined at the hip. From the 1930s through the late '60s, African-Americans and other poor and working-class Americans saw their economic fortunes relative to the affluent rise substantially. It's no coincidence that during the last fifteen years of this period, blacks achieved remarkable gains in civil rights.

While fortunes for the lower middle-class stagnated in the '70s, the poorest Americans saw their relative status continue to rise until Ronald Reagan took office. The whites who abandoned the Democratic party in 1980 may well have been motivated in part by resentment at their worsening economic condition under Jimmy Carter. Once in office, Reagan attacked unions and slashed the safety net and, with Democratic assistance, taxes on the wealthy. Since then, both the white lower middle-class African-Americans have seen their share of the nation's wealth evanesce - a destabilizing trend made far worse by the free-trade deals vigorously championed by Presidents from both parties.

Besides economic justice and civil rights for blacks, liberals made remarkable gains in a number of other areas from the mid-'50s to the '70s. The environmental movement came to the fore as did the women's rights and closely related reproductive-rights movements, and the United Farm Workers enjoyed important wins towards the end of this period. Over the past 36 years, however, all of these progressive groups have been fighting rear-guard actions. The only identity group in America to see a meaningful improvement in its legal, and possibly economic, status since 1980 is gays.

To become the dominant national party again, Democrats must unite behind policies that serve the economic interests of poor, working-class, and middle-class Americans. This means fighting against every trade deal that pits fairly paid domestic workers against overseas laborers making 90% less. It also means fighting for, among other things, 1) higher taxes on the wealthy, 2) unions, 3) universal healthcare, 4) a tight safety net from birth to death, and 5) truly affordable higher education for all who are qualified. Indeed, this is so crucial for the party's success that it must adopt as a litmus test for its candidates a demonstrated commitment to redistribution of wealth and income.

Democratic wins will result in a better quality of life for the great majority of Americans of color and the white working class. Other important progressive priorities will also get attention. For example, when Americans feel economically secure, they are more likely to support initiatives to protect the environment just as they supported civil rights in the mid-1960s.

Assuming the truth of this political paradigm, Democratic primary voters should have rallied behind Bernie Sanders. His long and documented record opposing "free-trade" deals meant he would have had a better chance to attract sufficient numbers of the white working class to beat Trump in the crucial Midwest. Were he elected, he would have fought harder for the working class and they would have fared better than under a Clinton presidency. Ultimately, this would have led to a greater willingness throughout the nation to address important social-justice issues.

Still a major schism emerged between white and black Democrats. While whites narrowly preferred the more progressive Bernie Sanders, more than three times as many African-Americans voted for Hillary Clinton as they did for Sanders. This overwhelming support, which accounted for her comfortable margin of victory, puzzled many of us on the left. We believed Sanders' record and rhetoric demonstrated not only a greater commitment to the poor and working-class who are disproportionately black, but also to issues like police brutality and incarceration that are of particular importance to black Americans. Clinton, however, succeeded in convincing many African-Americans that Sanders' focus on economic injustice bespoke an insufficient commitment to racial justice.

In order to regain power, therefore, Democrats must continually stress the commonality of interests between the white working-class and voters of color. They must also recognize that the latter along with women and those whose sexuality falls outside of the heteronormative have struggles that are distinct from those of poor and working-class whites. But they must do so in a way that does not diminish the outsize role that class and wealth at birth play in determining one's future.

In their respective columns, Lilla and Seitz-Wald neglect to mention another critical priority for Democrats: Nominating candidates whose history is free of financial peccadilloes and any whiff of corruption. In seeking power, Democrats rightly stress the need for a government that is big and powerful enough to rein in integrated multi-national corporations and to protect the less fortunate from capitalism's sharp edges.

There is a danger for wealthy, ostensibly progressive candidates, however, in making this argument. When criticizing a system that has richly rewarded them, they risk charges of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. Many of Hillary Clinton's supporters were baffled by the fact that their candidate was dogged by corruption charges and questions about her honesty. They argued that by any reasonable measure Donald Trump's record in these areas is more egregious. Of course, most voters didn't like Trump either and he ended up with many fewer votes nationally than Clinton.

But Clinton called for government to play a much greater role in alleviating various societal pathologies exacerbated by corporatism. Accordingly, her close relationship with Wall Street, which enriched her and her family beyond the wildest dreams of most Americans, and her refusal to publish her speeches to Goldman Sachs, called into question her commitment to social justice - doubts that her decades-long record in public service failed to dispel.

It is important to note that President Obama has a remarkably scandal-free record and never faced any questions about his personal probity. Likewise, Bill Clinton was perceived as a crude parvenu and a cheater. But the only corruption charge against him was Whitewater, which proved to be at the very worst a penny-ante scheme that cost the Clintons money.

Democrats must recognize that voters and the media hold them to a higher standard when it comes to allegations of dishonesty and self-dealing. Those who decry concentrated wealth and power have little credibility when they personally have parlayed political connections into many millions.

In sum, Democrats can return to power only if they run squeaky-clean candidates with a documented commitment to economic and social justice. It's going to be long road.
The assault on so-called "far-right firebrand" Milo Yiannopoulos (Milo) is very disturbing, if not damaging to proponents of the First Amendment.

As an antiwar activist I rely on free speech, so even though I strongly disagree with Milo on many issues, I appreciate him being an impactful promoter of open expression.

Milo, who is a fan of Donald Trump, has been accused of being a white supremacist and a supporter of pedophilia and child sexual abuse. Due to the latest accusations, Milo lost a book deal with Simon & Schuster (the book was #1 on the Amazon best-seller list), as well as a speaking spot at last week's influential Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Milo also resigned from his employment at Breitbart.

A self-described "longtime critic of colleges shutting people up," Milo has created a stir on his popular nationwide tour of campuses where he lambasts political correctness. Opponents of Milo believe he is engaging in 'hate speech' and that such speech is not afforded Constitutional protection. (PolitiFact wrote otherwise, stating that 'hate speech' is not excluded from protection.)

Ironically, some students have resorted to saying that Milo is "a racist " misogynistic demagogue " twisted psychopath " neo-fascist " and defender of rape," without acknowledging that some people may consider their words as 'hate speech'.

And to go further, some students and groups believe that using physical violence to stop Milo from speaking is justified.

Watch rioters at UC Berkeley prevent a speech by Milo and assault his supporters

Such behavior affirms Milo's assertion that many of today's liberals and college campuses have become intolerant, bigoted, opposed to free speech, and perpetrators of hatred and violence. In addition to the aforementioned riots at UC Berkeley, recent months are littered with incidents to support Milo's claims.

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Oh Canada

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At a recent White House press conference with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President Trump said, "We have a very outstanding trade relationship with Canada. We'll be tweaking it. 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." The President apparently does not want to acknowledge that Canada has been cheating us on trade for decades.

Currently, we have an $11 billion dollar annual trade deficit with Canada. This translates to be a deficit of nearly $1 billion per month. Geographically, Canada is an expansive country but with a significantly smaller population than California. Yet, per capita, our trade deficit with Canada exceeds our per-capita trade deficit with China.

Trump supporters are big fans of red meat, beer, cheese and movies--four products that Canada trades unfairly. During the Obama administration, Canada challenged our Country of Original Labeling (COOL) requiring Canada to label its beef as a "Product of Canada." Canada, along with Mexico, brought a bogus complaint against the United States to the World Trade Organization challenging COOL's meat-labeling requirement. The WTO, with an ad hoc Mexican "judge-for-a-day kind of judge", predictably ruled in favor of Mexico and Canada. The result of this biased ruling was that our wimpy Congress caved in and changed COOL. It is because of our "friends" in Canada that we can now no longer have country-of-origin labeling on beef imported from any foreign country.

Say Cheese!

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was supposed to bring us free trade, but it has failed to do so. Canada charges a whopping tariff of 245.5% for any cheese imported from the United States. As a result, it is understandable that we are not shipping to Canada a lot of tasty cheese from Wisconsin or Vermont even though our biggest cheese producers are in states that border our northern neighbor. This is unquestionably unfair, and definitely, not very neighborly.

Beer Nuts

There is no doubt that Canada brews some fine beer. So why are the Canadians afraid of a little competition? Canada's provinces prohibit the importation of beer. This means that all American-brewed beer is banned in Canada. No Sam Adams, no Sierra Nevada, no Blue Moon, etc. In other words, no American beer whatsoever unless it is brewed in Canada. "Canadian wine and beer producers have long complained of interprovincial hurdles, such as many provinces' restrictions on shipping directly from an out-of-province winery to a consumer, or the decision last December by [Alberta's] Premier Rachel Notley's government to slap a 525-per-cent tax hike on craft beer from outside Alberta." Globe and Mail, April 29, 2016.

Movie Madness

Canada has taken billions of dollars in film-production business away from Hollywood; not because of its notorious sunshine, but because of illegal film subsidies. An agreement called "The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade", signed by most nations of the world, prohibits subsidies for products and services. Over the years, Canada has spent billions of dollars in illegal tax subsidies to create a lucrative film industry and it has succeeded at our economic expense. Brokeback Mountain, Titanic, Texas Rangers, The Incredible Hulk, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and numerous other films were shot in Canada to take advantage of these huge Canadian subsidies.

Time to Get Tough, Mr. President

Mr. President, if you can't get tough with Canada, how are you going to deal with China and Russia? You were way too nice, and naive, in your recent meetings with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. While I mentioned beer, cheese and movies, the largest share of our deficit with Canada concerns domestic automobile manufacturing. Unlike our U.S. car manufacturers, Canada doesn't have to tack on an additional $1,500 per car to cover the cost of employee health insurance because they have socialized medicine north of the border . When you repeal and replace Obamacare, make sure that you consider how we finance our health coverage so that our domestic manufacturers are not put at a real and distinct disadvantage.

By Joel D. Joseph, Chairman, Made in the USA Foundation
Liberals Want Shock to End Conversations; We Want It to Start Them



Progressive or Bust's provocative new meme

(Image by progressiveorbust.com) Details DMCA



Progressive or Bust --Bernie or Bust's successor movement--just started publishing a provocative, controversial new meme. Even if you're aware of us, and sympathetic to our movement's aims, our meme's willingness to tread on tabooed racial turf may have shocked you. We have no right to complain or get angry about that; as political revolutionaries seeking to kill off the "sacred cows" of destructive old thought patterns and replace them with new ones, occasionally giving shock is an inevitable part of our job.

And, I'd be dishonest not to admit, it's a part of the job I personally relish. At Progressive or Bust, we strongly believe that even noble-purposed, peaceful revolution can be fun. See, just as in violent revolution, you still get to blow things up. Only--as in the present case--the "things" you get to blow up are often people's false and paralyzing worldviews. But don't think for one second you don't get all the joys of creating "shock and awe." You just don't get to leave behind the rubble of pulverized cities or legions of dead foreign bodies. That's a job for neocons and neoliberals.

Which brings us to our current topic. At Progressive or Bust, we believe that the Democrat liberal model of identity politics, with the paralyzing, knee-jerk censorship it imposes on thought and language, has to go. Not only has it turned liberal Democrats into the worst of moral Pharisees, self-righteously thumping their chests as they blithely condone the grave evils of economic inequality, mass incarceration, climate destruction, unconstitutional surveillance, and endless war, but it has widened the very racial breaches it falsely claims to bridge.

Our daring new meme--inevitably shocking to minds shaped by liberal identity politics (and what progressive's mind to some extent isn't?)--seeks to explode that outmoded, degrading worldview and replace it with a mindset far better suited to a "new civil rights movement for all."

MLK's Liberal Embalmers and Their Sick Cult of Victimization

In his fascinating, controversial bookBreaking the Spell, atheist philosopher Daniel Dennett discusses the idea that human religions themselves are memes--bundles of beliefs and practices that are, like organisms or genes, capable of replicating themselves and evolving to better ensure their own survival. (Indeed, it's from scientists' and philosophers' original depiction of memes as "social replicators" that we get the more familiar, popular usage of memes for catchy combos of pictures and captions spread via social media.)

Now, as builders of a progressive movement seeking to span differences (including religious ones) between people, the last thing we at Progressive or Bust wish to do is take sides with Dennett and his fellow atheists against religious believers. And while I personally find his skeptical analysis of "the sacred" important and intend to make good use of it against liberal Democrats, I'm not exactly comfortable with the view that "nothing is sacred" and am in no hurry to see humanity go there. Indeed, as a progressive I find something meriting the term "sacred" about our common humanity and feel typical liberals sin deeply against that common humanity by investing such necessarily divisive categories as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender--especially when allied with victimization--with an undeserved sacredness and all the related taboos. This is where Dennett's analysis will prove crucial.

For our purposes, the key fact Dennett cites is that successful religions, like other successful memes, evolve use "good tricks" to ensure their own survival and reproduction. And these good tricks are useful to the survival of those religions whether or not they have any real value for human beings; indeed, as an atheist Dennett is deeply interested in the hypothesis that religions are harmful "parasites" that prey on their human "hosts." But whether religions are ultimately helpful, harmful, or neutral for people--and as a devotee of the scientific method, Dennett is willing to explore all three hypotheses--all successful religions develop (or "evolve") certain "good tricks" that help them win the struggle for survival among literally thousands of historically competing options. One such widely observed "good trick," common to many religions living or now extinct, is the concept of "the sacred." And the sacred is always related to the concept of taboo: there are certain things that it's forbidden to examine too closely--or even think or talk about. Obviously, the concept of the sacred (whatever its ultimate justification) plays a vital role in helping religious beliefs and practices survive, by shielding them from potentially destructive scrutiny and critique.

Now, any tightly packaged bundle of ideas and practices--like a political ideology or philosophy--is open to the same sort of "meme" analysis that Dennett applies to religions. And for critics of liberal Democrats' identity politics, like members of Progressive or Bust, this is precisely where the rubber meets the road. We believe that identity liberals have successfully propagated a religion-like cult--one incapable of surviving rational scrutiny--around the "sacred" (and necessarily divisive) concepts of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and, above all, victimization. We feel that if our meme shocks you, it's not because--as knee-jerk liberals insist--there's anything racist, white-privileged, or morally questionable about it, but because we've dared violate a "sacred" taboo by drawing a potent analogy between progressives' treatment as second-class citizens in the Democratic Party and blacks' treatment as lesser human beings in the Jim Crow South.

Progressive or Bust would argue that this religious cult of "sacred victims"--to the point that no other victims can even analogously be like them--is inherently divisive, harms the development of mutual sympathy and understanding between races, and makes a mockery of Martin Luther King's heritage by making the civil rights movement itself taboo "sacred history," unavailable for reference or replication by other human rights activists. In this model, King himself becomes a black-issues-only "plaster saint" rather than than the race-transcending crusader for peace and economic justice he in reality was.

And, we'd add, political cover by self-righteous liberals for neoliberal Democrat politicians who share none of King's universalist concern for peace and economic justice. Or the desire to combat climate change he likely would have shared had he lived to our day.

Usable History: The Civil Rights Movement as Everyone's Common Heritage

For people schooled by identity liberals--as most of us have been--Progressive of Bust's violation of identity liberal taboos is truly shocking. But--to make another tabooed analogy--we hope it, like Rosa Parks's shocking move to the front of the bus, is truly liberating.

For analogies--essential to effective human thought--are themselves liberating, and we feel the daring ones we're making are long overdue. Sacred victimization based on race is truly divisive, for those of us who are white can never experience Jim Crow, can never grow up black in a still-racist society, and can never be free of the white privilege entailed in not having to. But that is simply not our fault, and nothing harms race relations more than making us uncomfortable for not being victims of racism, or making us feel guilty for not being black. To treat black people primarily as victims made sacred by their skin color removes all possible common bonds we could have with them, all possible interest, based on our common humanity and common sense of justice, in improving their plight. By contrast, analogies with their experience give us a way of relating to it, of imaginatively feeling our way into it. Provided, of course, those analogies are used properly.

An improper use of Progressive or Bust's meme--one we strongly discourage--is to see political progressives in the Democratic Party as suffering the same type or intensity of pain as U.S. blacks in the Deep South, as being victims in anything like a comparable sense. But no analogy is ever perfect, and for many of us, our main suffering at the hands of Democrat neoliberals is simply frustration and inconvenience, not the scourge of real second-class citizenship in an openly racist society. But that's simply common sense, and we have to ask why anyone in their right mind would read our meme as a whiny, entitled claim to sacred victimhood. The answer, we believe, is the suspension of reason and common sense, due to unhealthy training in identity liberals' "sacred victim" cult. Once you've shrugged off the initial shock, it's easy to understand the meme as intended.

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pie chart

(Image by WorldBeyondWar.org) Details DMCA



Trump proposes to increase U.S. military spending by $54 billion, and to take that $54 billion out of the other portions of the above budget, including in particular, he says, foreign aid. If you can't find foreign aid on the chart above, that's because it is a portion of that little dark green slice called International Affairs. To take $54 billion out of foreign aid, you would have to cut foreign aid by approximately 200 percent.

Alternative math!

But let's not focus on the $54 billion. The blue section above (in the 2015 budget) is already 54% of discretionary spending (that is, 54% of all the money that the U.S. government chooses what to do with every year). It's already 60% if you add in Veterans' Benefits. (We should take care of everyone, of course, but we wouldn't have to take care of amputations and brain injuries from wars if we stopped having the wars.) Trump wants to shift another 5% to the military, boosting that total to 65%.

Now I'd like to show you a ski slope that Denmark is opening on the roof of a clean power plant -- a clean power plant that cost 0.06% of Trump's military budget.



Ski Plant

(Image by WorldBeyondWar.org) Details DMCA



Trump's pretense that he's going to just screw the no-good foreigners by taking $54 billion out of foreign aid is misleading on many levels. First, that kind of money just isn't there. Second, foreign aid actually makes the United States safer, unlike all the "defense" spending that endangers us. Third, the $700 billion that Trump wants to borrow and blow on militarism every year would not only get us close in 8 years to wasting directly (without considering missed opportunities, interest payments, etc.) the same $6 trillion that Trump laments blowing on recent failed wars (unlike his imaginary successful wars), but that same $700 billion is more than enough to transform domestic and foreign spending alike.

It would cost about $30 billion per year to end starvation and hunger around the world. It would cost about $11 billion per year to provide the world with clean water. These are massive projects, but these costs as projected by the United Nations are tiny fractions of U.S. military spending. This is why the top way in which military spending kills is not with any weapon, but purely through the diversion of resources.

For similar fractions of military spending, the United States could radically improve U.S. lives in each of those other areas in that pie chart. What would you say to free, top-quality education for anyone who wants it from preschool through college, plus free job-training as needed in career changes? Would you object to free clean energy? Free fast trains to everywhere? Beautiful parks? These are not wild dreams. These are the sorts of things you can have for this kind of money, money that radically dwarfs the money hoarded by billionaires.

If those sorts of things were provided equally to all, without any bureaucracy needed to distinguish the worthy from the unworthy, popular opposition to them would be minimal. And so might be opposition to foreign aid.

U.S. foreign aid right now is about $25 billion a year. Taking it up to $100 billion would have a number of interesting impacts, including the saving of a great many lives and the prevention of a tremendous amount of suffering. It would also, if one other factor were added, make the nation that did it the most beloved nation on earth. A December 2014 Gallup poll of 65 nations found that the United States was far and away the most feared country, the country considered the largest threat to peace in the world. Were the United States responsible for providing schools and medicine and solar panels, the idea of anti-American terrorist groups would be as laughable as anti-Switzerland or anti-Canada terrorist groups, especially if one other factor were added: if the $100 billion came from the military budget. People don't appreciate the schools you give them as much if you're bombing them.

Instead of investing in all good things, foreign and domestic, Trump is proposing to cut them in order to invest in war. New Haven, Connecticut, just passed a resolution urging Congress to reduce the military budget, cut spending on wars and move funds to human needs. Every town, county, and city should be passing a similar resolution.

If people stopped dying in war, we would all still die of war spending.

War is not needed in order to maintain our lifestyle, as the saying goes. And wouldn't that be reprehensible if it were true? We imagine that for 4 percent of humanity to go on using 30 percent of the world's resources we need war or the threat of war. But the earth has no shortage of sunlight or wind. Our lifestyles can be improved with less destruction and less consumption. Our energy needs must be met in sustainable ways, or we will destroy ourselves, with or without war. That's what's meant by unsustainable.

So, why continue an institution of mass killing in order to prolong the use of exploitative behaviors that will ruin the earth if war doesn't do it first? Why risk the proliferation of nuclear and other catastrophic weapons in order to continue catastrophic impacts on the earth's climate and ecosystems?

Isn't it time we made a choice: war or everything else?
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February 7: Muhammad Ali, Jr., returning to the US from a speaking engagement in Jamaica, is detained for two hours at Florida's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and questioned about his name and religious beliefs.

February 22: Passengers disembarking from a domestic (San Francisco to New York) flight at JFK airport are held up by US Customs and Border Protection agents demanding their IDs.

February 24: Jeffrey Tucker of the Foundation for Economic Education clears the usual security checks at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport en route to Mexico. Then, while actually boarding the plane, he and the other passengers on the flight are stopped by US Marshals demanding that they submit to retinal scans.

You're probably thinking that this is the point where I'll take a break to blame Donald Trump. It isn't. It's the point where I'll take a break to remind Americans who've been voting for politicians who promise to "secure the border" and other such authoritarian nonsense that THIS is exactly what they've been voting for.

When advocating for the libertarian position on immigration ("open borders," which also happens to have been the position Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush both took in the 1980 Republican presidential primary debates) I usually prefer to stick to the moral argument. That argument, put simply, is that where peaceful people move to, settle or work is nobody's business but theirs.

But there are practical arguments against America's increasingly draconian immigration laws too. Enforcement is expensive but, fortunately, almost certain to be ineffectual (if it worked, severe economic downturn would be the result).

The most important of the practical arguments, in my opinion, is that a police state built to persecute immigrants will necessarily persecute everyone else as well.

I've spoken with friends who traveled in the old Soviet Union and eastern Europe before the Berlin Wall came down. They see near-complete similarity between those regimes and the operations of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol forces.

The difference between pre-reunification East Germany and the 100-mile wide "constitution-free zone" along the US-Mexico border is the flag the agencies in question salute. Recent administrations have worked to expand that zone to cover the entire country and the Trump administration seems bent on finishing the job.

The near-total police state blossoming before our eyes is the inevitable result of America's 70-year romance with the astoundingly stupid idea that it's the government's business to monitor and control who travels, lives and works where.

America had legally open borders for its first century as a nation, and nearly so for half a century after that. It wasn't until after World War Two that one even needed a passport to enter or leave the United States.

Open borders worked. Freedom worked.

The subsequent seven decades of attempts at rigorous immigration control have irrefutably established that our choice is not between open borders and closed borders, but between immigration freedom or totalitarian government. And Americans' time to stop the stampede toward the latter is running short.
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.

If you had asked Americans about Afghanistan before 1979, it's a reasonable bet that most of us wouldn't have known much about that country or even been able to locate it on a map. Perhaps only to the "freaks" of that era, in search of a superb hashish high, would its name have rung a special bell. It was, after all, a key stop -- considered particularly friendly and welcoming -- on what was then called "the hippy trail." In those years, you would have been taken for either an idiot or a mad person if you had told any American, freak or not, that between 1979 and 2017, the United States would engage in two wars in that country, the first against the Soviet Union and the second against the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and other terror outfits; that Washington would be at war there for more than a quarter of a century (with a decade-plus off during a brutal Afghan civil war and the rise of the Taliban); and that almost 16 years into its second Afghan War, its generals would be considering how many more U.S. troops to recommend that a new president send in to continue the conflict into the distant future.

And yet that's a perfectly reasonable summary of the situation from the moment Washington dispatched the CIA (and piles of money) to that region to give the Soviet Union, which had sent the Red Army into Kabul in 1979, a "bloody nose" and its own "Vietnam." The irony: they succeeded. Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev called his country's war there "the bleeding wound" and when the Red Army finally limped out of Afghanistan in 1989, the Soviet Union itself was at the edge of implosion. From that experience, the political leadership in Washington seemed to draw only one lesson: it could never happen to us. Sending an American army of occupation into Kabul and then, like the Soviets, pouring money into the military and the wars that followed would never result in a "bleeding wound," not for the "sole superpower" on planet Earth. The result, as TomDispatchregular and retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel William Astore writes today, has been a bloody wound par excellence or at least one hell of a bloody nose. As once again an American commander there calls for yet more U.S. troops and Defense Secretary James Mattis, who as the head of Central Command once oversaw the Afghan War, considers just what Washington's next steps should be, rest assured of one thing: based on the record to date, they're not likely to be steps in the direction the Russians took in 1989 -- not yet, anyway. Tom

Losing a War One Bad Metaphor at a Time

Thrashing About in the Afghan Petri Dish

By William J. Astore America's war in Afghanistan is now in its 16th year, the longest foreign war in our history. The phrase "no end in sight" barely covers the situation. Prospects of victory -- if victory is defined as eliminating that country as a haven for Islamist terrorists while creating a representative government in Kabul -- are arguably more tenuous today than at any point since the U.S. military invaded in 2001 and routed the Taliban. Such "progress" has, over the years, invariably proven "fragile" and "reversible," to use the weasel words of General David Petraeus who oversaw the Afghan "surge" of 2010-2011 under President Obama. To cite just one recent data point: the Taliban now controls 15% more territory than it did in 2015. That statistic came up in recent Senate testimony by the U.S. commanding general in Afghanistan, John "Mick" Nicholson Jr., who is (to give no-end-in-sight further context) the 12th U.S. commander since the war began. Appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, he called for several thousand more U.S. troops to break what he optimistically described as a "stalemate." Those troops would, he added, serve mainly as advisers and trainers to Afghan forces, facilitating what he labeled "hold-fight-disrupt" operations. As to how long they would be needed, the general was vague indeed. He spoke of the necessity of sustaining "an enduring counter-terrorism (CT) platform" in Afghanistan to bottle up terrorist forces, so they wouldn't, as he put it, hit us in the "homeland." Indeed, the U.S. military considers what it has begun to speak of as a "generational" war in that country "successful" because no major attacks on the United States have had their roots in Afghanistan since September 11, 2001. And that certainly qualifies as one of the stranger definitions of success in a perpetual war that lacks a sound strategy. Of Stalemates and Petri Dishes You know America is losing a war when its officials resort to bad metaphors to describe its progress and prospects. A classic case was the infamous "light at the end of the tunnel" metaphor from the Vietnam War years. It implied that, although prospects might appear dark -- that "tunnel" of war -- progress was indeed being made and, in the distance, victory (that "light") could be glimpsed. Contrast this with World War II, when progress was measured not by empty words (or misleading metrics like body counts or truck counts) but by land masses invaded and cities and islands wrested from the enemy. Normandy and Berlin, Iwo Jima and Okinawa are place names that still resonate with Allied heroism and sacrifice. That kind of progress could be seen on a map and was felt in the gut; metaphors were superfluous. Afghanistan, U.S. military theorists claim, is a different kind of war, a fourth-generation war fought in a "gray zone"; a mish-mash, that is, of low-intensity and asymmetric conflicts, involving non-state actors, worsened by the meddling of foreign powers like Pakistan, Iran, and Russia -- all mentioned in General Nicholson's testimony. (It goes without saying that the U.S. doesn't see its military presence there as foreign.) A skeptic might be excused for concluding that, to the U.S. military, fourth-generation warfare really means a conflict that will last four generations. Long and losing wars seem to encourage face-saving analogies and butt-covering metaphors. For General Nicholson, Afghanistan is actually a "petri dish" that, as in a laboratory of terror, has cultivated no fewer than 20 "DNA strands" of terrorist bad guys joined by three violent extremist organizations -- VEOs in military-speak. To prevent a "convergence" of all these strands and outfits and so, assumedly, the creation of a super terror bug of some sort, Nicholson suggested, America and its 39-member coalition in Afghanistan must stand tall and send in yet more troops. As it turns out, our 12th commanding general there isn't the first to resort to biology and a "petri dish" to explain a war that just won't end. In 2010, during the Afghan surge, General Stanley McChrystal referred to the community of Nawa in southern Afghanistan as his "number one petri dish." As the Washington Post reported at the time, McChrystal "had hoped the antibodies generated there [during its pacification] could be harnessed and replicated [elsewhere in Afghanistan]. But that hasn't yet happened." Nor has it happened in the intervening seven years. McChrystal's petri dish experiment failed, yet his metaphor lives on, even if now used in a somewhat different way, with the entire country (including parts of Pakistan) serving as that "dish" and terrorists, not American troops and friendly Afghans, multiplying in it. It may not be the most appetizing metaphor, but you can at least understand why American leaders might prefer it to the classic one applied to foreign attempts to pacify Afghanistan back in the ancient days of European colonial experiments: "graveyard of empires." To summarize Nicholson mixed-metaphorically: Afghanistan is a "petri dish" in which terrorist "strands" are "converging" to create a "stalemate" that is weakening America's "enduring CT platform," which could lead to terrorist attacks on the "homeland." Now, let's take that one apart, piece by piece. Is the Afghan War truly a stalemate, as in a game of chess? That hardly seems to fit a situation in which the end game is -- as the Pentagon with its generational thinking and Nicholson with his request for more troops suggest -- hardly in sight. In fact, at a time when the Afghan government may control less than 60% of its territory and its security forces are taking staggering, possibly unsustainable casualties, other players, not the U.S.-led coalition, seem to have the momentum. What about that "enduring CT platform" -- the presence, that is, of those U.S. and NATO troops (together with private military contractors), all showing "resolute support" for the Afghan people so as to keep us safe at home? What if, in fact, their presence is perpetuating the very war they say they are seeking to end? Can Afghanistan of the present moment truly be described as an experiment in terrorist biology, and if so are U.S.-led "kinetic" efforts to kill those strands of terror working instead to create an even nastier virus? Above all, are such metaphors just a way of avoiding the absurdity of suggesting that a few thousand (or even a surge-worthy 30,000) more U.S. troops could possibly turn a never-ending, losing war into a victorious one almost 16 years later?

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From RT



NATO military training exercise

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When US President Donald Trump dismisses the NATO alliance as "obsolete" what he really means is not withdrawing from the military pact, but rather offloading running costs onto European nations.

Several times during his election campaign, Trump sounded contemptuous about the 28-member North Atlantic Treaty Organization. His comments about it being "obsolete" raised hopes in certain quarters that the 45th president would scale back American military participation in NATO as part of a wider move to reduce US belligerence.

When Trump gave his inauguration speech on January 20, the thrust of his "America First" theme appeared to be a new focus on building US society and infrastructure, as opposed to squandering resources by intervening militarily around the world as under previous administrations.

Trump's oft-stated desire to restore friendly relations with Russia also seemed in keeping with his apparently jaundiced view of NATO. The eastward expansion of the military alliance since the 1990s has been a continual provocation to Moscow. When Trump called the pact "obsolete," that suggested willingness for a new US-Russia detente.

Unfortunately, expectations of a more peaceful, less militaristic US administration are rapidly crumbling.

Only days ago, President Trump delivered a barnstorming jingoistic speech to the Conservative Political Action Committee in Washington DC in which he declared he would oversee the "biggest military build-up in American history."

"No-one is ever going to mess with us," announced Trump to chest-thumping cheers from the audience of "USA! USA!"

Last week, Trump also gave notice he was prepared to launch a new global nuclear arms race. In an interview with the Reuters news agency, he vowed the US must always be "top of the pack" in having nuclear supremacy.

"We're never going to fall behind any country even if it is a friendly country. We're never going to fall behind on nuclear power," said the president.

This follows Trump's reported comments to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call earlier this month when he repudiated the New START nuclear reduction treaty as a "bad deal" for the US, suggesting he would unilaterally walk away from obligations.

Such a move is reminiscent of former US President George W Bush unilaterally withdrawing from the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty in 2002, which has had ongoing destabilizing repercussions for US-Russian relations.

What we are seeing is a lot Trump rhetoric about "making America great again" and not "imposing our way of life on others" being flatly contradicted by ongoing, hard-boiled practice of American militarism as an essential cornerstone of US policy.

The reality is that the US economy is not the claimed rosy paradigm of "free market capitalism." It is much more a centrally planned, government-subsidized military economy -- a form of corporate welfare, rather than private enterprise. And it has been this way since at least the Second World War.

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From The Guardian

The speaker of the House poses as a moderate in comparison to Trump. In reality, he's paving the way for the president's cruelest policies



Paul Ryan

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Nearly all the oxygen and outrage in DC is being sucked up by Donald Trump and his outrageous executive orders. But let's not forget about the man without whom Trump could not accomplish his larger agenda: the spineless speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, Trump's mainstream defender and apologist at every turn.

Ryan, who has cultivated a sham image as the "reasonable" Republican for years, has backed virtually all of Trump's most controversial and cruel policies. Ryan manages to never buck Trump on anything of significance, while getting publicity for meaningless, quasi-critical statements. He is the biggest fraud in

American politics. That much was clear yet again over the weekend, as the New York Times' Jim Rotenberg reported that Ryan's office "declined to engage" with him on any questions about Trump's despicable war on the press, which even Republicans who haven't dared to break with Trump on much of anything decried as a move befitting a dictator. Instead, Rotenberg wrote, Ryan's office said it "disputed the premise of the question."





It's just one in a long line of cowardly and slimy moves by Ryan, who is really just Trump in a more aesthetically appealing wrapper.





Commentators fell over themselves to heap praise on him back in May 2016 when he hesitated for a few days to endorse Trump after it became clear the controversial Republican candidate would become the party's nominee. Ryan was portrayed as brave and courageous, when it was blindingly obvious at the time that he would quickly find an excuse to back Trump, which he did only a few days later.





After his endorsement, Ryan received more plaudits by calling Trump's comments about a judge of Mexican heritage overseeing the lawsuit against Trump University "racist." Of course Trump being racist didn't change any of Ryan's actual actions, and in his next breath explained he continued to support Trump's candidacy over that of Hillary Clinton. Then, when Trump attacked the legitimacy of another judge after he assumed office -- this time over her ruling against the Muslim ban -- guess who came to his defense? Paul Ryan.

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Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"Rob Kall's Bottom Up is a revaluation of values, not the empty mouthing of the word 'democracy' that is so common, but the application of belief in popular wisdom to every aspect of life. Actually believing that the views of more people is better, means a new way of thinking about the world that is democratic, feminist, localist, populist, and radically richer than the elitist perspectives that are more common even in the parts of the world that shout the word 'democracy' the most. Here we come to understand both the power of small groups and the upsides to internet crowd sourcing, the potential of nonviolent movements and ways in which the past has not been what we supposed. Don't just read this book; get lots of people to read and talk about it."



David Swanson, host, Talk Nation Radio, author of War No More: The Case for Abolition.
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Parts of a 2015 statement from the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents supporting the open exchange of ideas on campus  including those considered offensive  would become state law under a proposal in Gov. Scott Walkers budget.

The budget provision would write into statute, often word for word, large chunks of the Regents statement, which was written with help from a group of UW professors and inspired by free speech controversies at other universities.

The measure comes as conservative lawmakers in Wisconsin and across the country criticize university policies and student protests against controversial speakers on campus, and propose legislation they say is meant to protect free speech.

But its unclear what practical impact Walkers proposal would have at UW institutions.

Similar legislation in other states would require universities to punish students who disrupt campus speakers, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, but Walkers provision does not take that step.

Still, the governors executive budget includes $10,000 for any administration costs to update UWs policies as a result of the free speech law, said Tom Evenson, a spokesman for Walker.

UW System spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis did not say what policy changes the budget provision could require, saying it was not something the UW System requested.

We look forward to working with the governor and Legislature on this topic, Marquis said.

The Regents statement, which the board approved at its December 2015 meeting, was described at the time as UW officials reaffirming their commitment to free speech.

Using nearly identical language from the Regents statement, Walkers budget says UW institutions shall guarantee all members of the Systems community the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn.

While people may have conflicting opinions, It is not the proper role of the board or any institution or college campus to attempt to shield individuals from ideas and opinions they find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive, the proposal reads in another passage taken from the Regents statement.

Donald Downs, a UW-Madison professor emeritus of political science and constitutional law who helped write the statement, said in 2015 that it could provide protections for professors or others accused of making controversial statements, and also had a very significant symbolic effect.

Former Regent Jose Vasquez, one of two board members who voted against the statement, said it seemed to him like a solution in search of a problem.

I havent heard from anyone saying Were not being allowed to express ourselves at UW institutions, Vasquez said in 2015.
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From Consortium News

Activist and author Keith McHenry, who co-founded Food Not Bombs in Boston in 1980, says cities across the U.S. have begun to take various steps to "criminalize" the homeless and those who try to help them.

I spoke to McHenry, author of Hungry for Peace: How You Can Help End Poverty and War with Food Not Bombs, in the seaside city of Santa Cruz, California, where he says there is an ongoing crackdown against Food Not Bombs workers as well as those who they are trying to feed.

"The most common government response to the suffering of those being forced into homelessness is for local authorities to make laws against being homeless," said McHenry. "Laws against sleeping, sitting, asking for money or what officials call 'Quality of Life Crimes,' living outside and lower[ing] the quality of life of those fortunate enough to not yet be forced out into the streets.

"Another [tactic] is to pass laws seeking to end the sharing of meals to the hungry in public ... hoping that by hiding the 'problem' of seeing so many of our neighbors living [on the streets], it will go away. Over 70 cities have passed laws regulating or banning the sharing of free food with the homeless outside."

According to a recent report from the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, 21.8 percent of the nation's children and 15 percent of the population overall are poor and often hungry. Despite the growing needs of the homeless, the Federal government continues to cut vital services and assistance meant to help the most at-risk among us, said Jennifer Jones, Executive Director of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA), including "funding cuts for meals for home-bound seniors, vocational training programs for those who've lost their jobs, food for low income families, and the list goes on. At a time when our nation needs to protect people from continued and increasing hardship, and support economic growth, the Federal government has imposed sequestration cuts and proposes further budget cuts that take us backwards."

According to the National Center on Family Homelessness, using the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education and the 2013 U.S. Census, at least "2.5 million children in America -- one in every 30 children -- go to sleep without a home of their own each year."

I spoke to Keith McHenry in Santa Cruz on Feb. 23 about the continuing attacks on those who have devoted themselves to distributing free food to the poor, homeless and hungry.

Dennis Bernstein: Please talk a little bit in general about what you do in terms of trying to give out food. And a bit about how the need for food has increased in recent years.

Keith McHenry: Recently, I've been involved in this project called the Freedom Sleepers, with the right for people to sleep in Santa Cruz. And it's illegal now to sleep here between the hours of 11 at night and 8:30 in the morning, outside, in a vehicle, or in the streets, or anywhere in the parks.

And the number of people that you see coming to our meals, it's just always getting larger and larger. And downtown Santa Cruz, like many ... downtowns -- L.A., I was just down there -- it's incredible the amount of people living on America's streets.

There's a study that just was reported in the Washington Post... and several articles about homeless children. There's estimated to be, using the federal government's own statistics, 2.5 million homeless children in America.



The Food Not Bombs logo, designed by Keith McHenry. According to FNB, 'The leaves of the carrot were drawn to represent the torch of liberty and the fist idea was a symbol borrowed from the left idea of united we are strong as in the logo of Students for

(Image by Food Not Bombs) Details DMCA



DB: ...2.5 million homeless children.

KM: It's just astounding. It's heartbreaking. To me, it's starting to have that sense of [Charles] Dickens, or the Great Depression, or something like that.

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Exclusive to OpEd News: General News 2/28/2017 at 1:15 AM EST H1'ed 2/28/17



Photo by Meryl Ann Butler

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Gerrymandering has subtle but treacherous power: it allows the party in power to draw the lines of voting districts to serve their own interests, instead of the interests of constituents.



Examples of gerrymandered districts in Virginia

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In effect, the legislators choose their voters, instead of the voters choosing their legislators.

Contrary to one popular misconception about the practice, the point of gerrymandering isn't to draw yourself a collection of overwhelmingly safe seats. Rather, it's to give your opponents a small number of safe seats, while drawing yourself a larger number of seats that are not quite as safe, but that you can expect to win comfortably. -- WaPo



This is a simplified visual representation showing how Gerrymandering works:



A Visual Guide to Gerrymandering: Pigs vs Frogs

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A Visual Guide to Gerrymandering: Pigs vs Frogs

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Virginia, the "Mother of Presidents," has one of the worst records for gerrymandering in the country.



'high time we did something about it'

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But the nonprofit, OneVirginia2021, is taking a stand.

Brian Cannon is Executive Director of OneVirginia2021, an organization which advocates for fair redistricting in the Commonwealth of Virginia through local, regional, and statewide efforts. The organization works to "raise awareness, provide information, and work with legislators to implement meaningful reform."



Brian Cannon

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Two years ago OneVirginia2021 had 3,500 supporters. Today there are 44,000.

The documentary, GerryRIGGED: Turning Democracy On Its Head, is partly responsible for the increase. It was produced by Community Idea Stations (Richmond PBS) in cooperation with OneVirginia2021.

Bill Oglesby, produced and directed the film. Oglesby is an assistant professor at The Robertson School of Media and Culture at Virginia Commonwealth University, and also owner of Bill Oglesby Media Consulting, a firm specializing in strategic media consultation.

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Do You Really Think It Will Be This Obvious?

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As a long-in-the-tooth, organizational psychologist, I have noticed that my field generally knows little about the organization of government or the art of governing, concentrating as it does on the other part of the corpocracy, corporate America. In this short essay I define governing, list its various forms throughout the ages and in America, and then close by proposing a model for governing in America that is definitely different from the way she has always been governed.

What Does Governing a Nation Mean?

Governing a nation means whatever "relevant" people define it to be and however it is practiced. Relevant people, I suppose, would include political scientists, an oxymoron, because both politics and governing are forms of art, not science. To me the most relevant definition of governing is not a single one but the many as seen in how it is practiced in its myriad forms, but that is begging the question. So here is my simple definition; governing is the act of managing publicly funded organizations that may or may not help the common good of the public being governed.

It is about as dry a definition as one can get but it does cover the waterfront. What animate it are the diverse forms of governing actually practiced down through the ages. I will list only the earliest and the more prominent ones. Two common denominators of most if not all forms are their creation by the power elite and their warfare, two features that are very detrimental to the common good.

Governing Down Through the Ages

Kinship. Families may have been the earliest form by which people governed themselves collectively. Extended families converged into tribes with tribal lords and councils.

Absolute and Constitutional Monarchies. In the former a monarch's rule is ironclad. In the latter the monarch's power is constrained by law and a political body.

Empires. The people of a land are conquered by a superpower and thereafter ruled by an Emperor. There have been nearly 200 empires throughout history. Egypt's empire lasted the longest, 3,000 years. No new ones have arisen for quite some time.

Early City/Nation States. Ancient Greeks, who were fixated on how to govern and by whom, were governed and taxed by city/state governments. Perhaps the earliest precursor to America's tallest hierarchically structured government was China at least two millennia ago when Ch'in, the "First Exalted Emperor" established a hierarchical bureaucracy to control the newly unified China.

Pre-America Land. Many thousands of years before the land later called "America" was stolen by rapacious, fanatical, and savage European settlers, that land was inhabited by successive waves of what became known generically as "Indians." Over time they developed more sophisticated forms of governing themselves. Perhaps the most often cited is the Iroquois League of Nations, a confederacy model copied from the mid-15 th century. Chiefs were chosen by the senior women of their tribe. Tribal decisions were made by consensus, not by voting.

Corpocracies. An outgrowth of the industrial revolution was the corporation. Benito Mussolini, the founder of Italian Fascism, reportedly said at the height of his dictatorship that "fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." Hitler honed corporatism into the Third Reich, then the pinnacle of fascism. My name for "corporatism" is "corpocracy," and in America it is the unequal merger of state and subservient government. Ipso facto, America is a fascist state and has been from its beginning.

That concludes the list, but before moving on to the proposed model I want to ask readers this question, "Do you notice what is missing from the list?"

Democracy is what is missing because it is pure myth, a hoax perpetrated and sustained by the power elite. America's "democracy" is said to have been inspired by the putative "crucible of democracy," Greece. Bunkum! Not even during the so-called "halcyon era of democracy" when Pericles ruled Greece did she have a democracy. Only about one-tenth of Athens' populace was officially designated citizens. Slaves, women, and men who had not served in the military were all non-citizens. Military service was an absolute necessity since Pericles presided over the remaining years of the war with Persia and the first few years of the 30 year war between Athens and Sparta. What ancient Greece inspired, it seems, is the habit of getting things through war.

America's power elite and its lackeys proclaim democracy while practicing corpocracy. They know it is not a democracy. Only three groups of Americans, the deceived, the deluded and the deniers believe it to be so. Americans who know and detest the corpocracy for what it is and does are outnumbered but also subjugated as are those three groups. That being so, is not any proposed alternative for governing useless and having only a short shelf life? My answer has to be "probably yes," but we live in desperate times and desperately need to start building a livable future if there are to be any future generations much longer other than for microorganisms.

Governing Smaller Americas: The Model's Four Principles

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Partisan objection to presidential cabinet nominees is nothing new. It manifested under Republican President George W. Bush, and reached new heights under Democratic President Barack Obama.

After votes on 14 of his nominees, Republican President Donald Trump's cabinet has had the second-most total "no" votes of any president's in history. Obama's nominees, over two terms, had the most at 406.

Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin has supplied nine of the "no" votes against Trump's picks. Opposition from Baldwin's fellow Senate Democrats to Trump's nominees is largely symbolic; they can't prevent confirmations, but they can delay them. And they have.

In many cases, the symbolic opposition is tied to the 2018 election. Democratic senators face different kinds of pressures depending on the politics of their states. Democrats from blue states, like Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, can appease their base by casting "no" votes. Democrats from red and swing states can do the same, but not without catching the attention of national groups on the right looking to target them in ad campaigns.

That's already happening to Baldwin. In addition to opposing nine of Trump's nominees, Baldwin also voted against a waiver to allow retired Gen. James Mattis to serve as defense secretary, but voted in favor of his confirmation.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, has the most "no" votes, at 12. Six senators, including Warren and Vermont Independent Bernie Sanders, have opposed 11 nominees, and three have opposed 10. Baldwin is one of seven senators to have voted "no" nine times.

Among red-state Democrats up for re-election in 2018, Baldwin is joined by Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and Montana Sen. Jon Tester in having voted against nine appointees. At the low end is West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who has only voted "no" three times.

Baldwin's classification as a red-state Democrat is new. In 2016, Wisconsin's 10 electoral votes went to a Republican presidential candidate for the first time since 1984. But groups that back Republican candidates have been quick to target her as they assess 2018.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee took aim at Baldwin with a TV ad earlier this month pressing her not to filibuster Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Judge Neil Gorsuch. Groups like NRSC, America Rising PAC and America Rising Squared have been pushing the narrative throughout the confirmation process that Baldwin is a far-left obstructionist who has flip-flopped on her position when it comes to confirming Supreme Court nominees.

Gov. Scott Walker has joined the push against Baldwin, sparring with her on Twitter and calling on her to support a confirmation vote for Gorsuch at a news conference held by the conservative Judicial Crisis Network.

Baldwin has said she supports a hearing and confirmation for Gorsuch, but that she will not vote to confirm him.

"I believe Judge Gorsuch needs to earn bipartisan support and 60 votes in Senate, but I will not be one of them," Baldwin said in a statement this week.

There is no standard requiring 60 votes to confirm a Supreme Court candidate, however, 60 votes would be needed to end a filibuster if Democrats use one to block a vote.

Wisconsin's Republican Sen. Ron Johnson supports Gorsuch, but last year joined Senate Republicans in blocking a vote on Obama's nominee, Judge Merrick Garland.

Johnson, announcing his support of Gorsuch, praised his "fidelity to the Constitution and integrity to apply the law as a judge, not a superlegislator."

Baldwin said she has "deep concerns about Judge Gorsuchs record of ruling against disabled students, against workers, and against womens reproductive health care."

This year, Baldwin and Johnson have diverged on every nominee she has opposed. Johnson has voted to confirm each of Trump's nominees, including Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, whose nomination sparked a flood of phone calls from constituents lobbying against her confirmation.

"I have heard senators on a bipartisan fashion talk about how elections matter, how presidents do deserve to surround themselves with advisers that agree with them, not necessarily with the members of the opposing party," Johnson said during a Feb. 16 telephone town hall. "Certainly my track record was voting to confirm the vast majority of the nominees put forward by President Obama."

Johnson, who took office two years after Obama began his first term, voted to confirm 17 cabinet nominees and voted against eight, including former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and former Secretary of Labor Tom Perez, who was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee over the weekend.

Baldwin has been especially vocal about her opposition to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, whose commitment to defending civil rights she questioned; to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, whom she called a "billionaire oil tycoon;" and to DeVos, who she said is unqualified for the role.

"I look to make a judgment about each nominee individually, and when I do, Im thinking about Wisconsinites and why they sent me here," Baldwin said in an emailed statement. "In 2012, I was elected by the people of Wisconsin to take on powerful interests in Washington and to fight for Wisconsin's working class. That is what I have done and that is what I will continue to do as I examine each nomination."

The Wisconsin GOP slammed Baldwin for her opposition to those nominees.

"After nearly 20 years in Washington, Senator Baldwin is radically out of touch with Wisconsin voters. Instead of fighting for hardworking Wisconsin families, Senator Baldwin has aligned herself with the far-left wing of her party to defend liberal special interests and the Washington status quo," said Republican Party of Wisconsin spokesman Alec Zimmerman.

Baldwin argued Trump has not followed through on his campaign promise to "drain the swamp" by reducing special-interest influence on government.

"Many of his cabinet nominations present serious ethics concerns and are industry insiders poised to write rules to make a rigged system even worse," she said.

A Los Angeles Times analysis found that Trump has nominated fewer cabinet members with political experience than Obama and Bush did. Trump's cabinet has less executive business experience than Bush's did, but more than Obama's did. The analysis also showed that Trump has nominated fewer non-white cabinet members than Obama and Bush did.

So far, Trump has not nominated any Democrats to his cabinet. Obama nominated two Republicans to his cabinet, and Bush nominated one Democrat to his.

Baldwin has voted to confirm Mattis, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin.
From Paul Craig Roberts Website



Donald Trump

(Image by david_shankbone) Details DMCA



"The U.S. intelligence community's extraordinary campaign of leaks claiming improper ties between President Trump's team and Russia seeks to ensure a lucrative New Cold War by blocking detente." -- Gareth Porter

It only required 24 days for the Deep State to castrate President Donald Trump and terminate the promise that the high tensions with Russia created during the Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama regimes would be terminated by Trump's presidency.

As Gareth Porter shows conclusively, the case against General Flynn, Trump's 24-day National Security Adviser, and by implication against Trump himself, is a fake news creation.

Obama's CIA director, John Brennan, planted fake reports, none of which contained any evidence whatsoever, on the CIA-compliant media whores known as "presstitutes." The CIA's media whores knew that the reports were a CIA response to the threat to the $1,000 billion annual budget of the military/security complex that desperately needs "the Russian threat" for its justification. But the media whores -- principally the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC -- and all the rest as well are more dedicated to serving their CIA master than they are to serving peace between nuclear powers. Interesting, isn't it, that the US and Western media are more committed to conflict with Russia than they are to peace, despite the brutal fact that 10 percent of the nuclear arsenal of either the US or Russia is sufficient to terminate all life on earth.

As Patrick Lawrence says: "The lights upon us are dimming. We have been more or less abandoned by a press that proves incapable of informing us in anything approaching a disinterested fashion. As suggested, either the media are Clintonian liberals before they are newspapers and broadcasters, or they are servants of power before they serve us."

All we have left, says Lawrence, is the alternative media. "To put this simply and briefly, they and we must learn that they are not 'alternative' to anything. In the end there is no such thing as 'alternative media,' as I often argue. There are only media, and most of ours have turned irretrievably bad."

The alternative media is the Internet media, websites such as this one, RT, the Intercept, USAWatchdog, Alex Jones, Information Clearing House, Global Research, Unz Review, etc. These independent news sites are under attack. Remember the list of 200 "Russian agents/dupes"? Every source of information that does not subscribe to the Deep States' Matrix creation of "the Russian Threat," which is the Deep State's replacement for the orchestrated "Soviet Threat," has been selected for shutdown. Apparently, Alex Jones is already having problems with Google. Several websites managed to get off the 200 List, and those that have seem to have collapsed as members of the opposition.

As the Nazis said, all it takes is fear, and the people collapse.

Trump's presidency is effectively over. Even if he is permitted to remain in office, he will be a figurehead for the Deep State's presidency. President Trump has already fallen into line with the military/security complex. He has said Russia has to return Crimea to Ukraine, whereas in fact Crimea returned itself to Russia. He has rejected a new strategic arms limitations treaty (START) with Russia, stating that he wants supremacy in nuclear armaments, not equality. Obama's one trillion dollar upgrade of the US nuclear arsenal is likely to get a boost from Trump.

After one month in office the goal has changed from reduced tensions with Russia to greater tensions. Greater tensions might soon be upon us. There are plans to occupy part of Syria with US troops in order to prevent Syria with Russia's help from reuniting the country. Part of Syria is to go to Turkey, part to the Kurds, and Washington will keep a chunk. This way Washington can keep the turmoil going forever. The Russians brought this problem on themselves. Ever hopeful for Washington's cooperation against ISIS, Russia dallied in cleaning out ISIS. The prospect that Trump would work with Russia as part of better relations assumed that Trump would actually be in charge, which has turned out to be delusional.

It is difficult to know if the new Trump regime is more Iranophobic than Russophobic. The Trump regime's inclination to jettison the Iran agreement and reopen the conflict means more conflict with Russia. Washington's continued provocations of both Russia and China will dispel any lingering Russian expectations of better relations with Washington.

It is bizarre to see the liberal-progressive-left allied with the warmongers against Trump. As the neoconservatives pull nuclear Armageddon out of the grave that Reagan and Gorbachev put it in, the American left demands the impeachment of the president whose goal was better relations with Russia. Once the champion of the working class, the left now champions Identity Politics. Trump's goal of jobs for the working class leaves the left-wing cold. The left wants to destroy the "Trump deplorables," which the left describes as "racist, misogynist, homophobic, gun nuts." In Identity Politics, every identity is a victim except the oppressor identity -- white heterosexual males.

Where then is the opposition to the neoconservative ideology that is driving US foreign policy toward world hegemony? There are a few of us, but we are being cast as "Putin agents." In other words, those who have sufficient intelligence to understand that Washington is not going to achieve hegemony over Russia and China or even Iran, but is likely to provoke nuclear war by trying, are relegated to the traitor class.

The reason that there is still life on earth after more than a half century of nuclear weapons is that American presidents and Soviet leaders worked together to reduce tensions. During these decades, there were numerous false alarms of incoming ICBMs. However, because the leadership of both countries were working together to avoid nuclear conflict, the warnings were disbelieved both by the Soviets and Americans.

Today the situation is vastly different. The last three US presidents, and now apparently Trump also, worked overtime to increase tensions between the two nuclear powers. Moreover, it was done in ways that convinced the Russian government that Washington is completely untrustworthy. The ongoing vicious lies about the Russian connections of Trump and his associates are so obviously false as to be laughable, but the Russians are seeing that the falsity of the charges notwithstanding, Trump's National Security Adviser has fallen and Trump himself might be next.

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
As new EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced plans to roll back his agencys influence on energy and pollution regulations, and President Trump intimated his intention to cut a number of federal agencies budgets in 2017, achieving meaningful solutions on climate change appears dead on arrival in the near term.

But actions taken overseas by nations as geographically and economically diverse as Germany, China, India, Chile and Mexico, among others, highlight a growing solidarity in moving forward on clean energy initiativesa blueprint many U.S. governors, congressmen and voters wish the federal government would emulate.

In the recent months since Trumps election victory, state governments have shown a remarkable desire to push progressive renewable energy policies in spite of the new administrations seemingly volatile stance toward non-fossil fuel energy sources. Such comradery is cutting across party lines as well, with red-state governors eager to bring new jobs and tax revenues to their constituents lest they miss out on the swelling clean energy boom.

These efforts come at a time when new research in The Anthropocene Review indicates humans are changing the climate 170 times more quickly than nature itself, forcing global temperatures and sea levels to rise faster than originally predicted. Under the shadow of this bleak assessment, the incentive to take large steps toward true energy independence has not been lost on the majority of Americans.

On Feb. 27, 2017, President Trump announced plans to slash the EPAs budget by 24 percent, seriously hampering the agencys ability to execute effectively as an institution tasked with overseeing environmental and energy policy. A few weeks prior, a group of 20 governors (12 Dem, 8 Rep) sent Trumps office a letter advocating for strong government support for a number of renewable energy initiatives such as further research and development, grid modernization, offshore wind farms and robust development of battery, storage and distribution technology. The Governors Wind & Solar Energy Coalition holds considerable clout due to its bipartisan collection of successes already seen across the United States. Discouraging Trump from following through on gutting the EPA may be a tall order, though.

The coalition is chaired and vice-chaired by Rhode Islands Democratic Governor, Gina Raimondo, and Kansas Republican Governor, Sam Brownback, and is soliciting further support from all 50 states in the union.

Red states like Illinois, Michigan and Ohio have already passed and began implementing renewable energy policies that would incentivize creation of clean jobs and set defined energy efficiency goals. Because the widespread benefits of ramping up renewable energy production affect every single state (and voter), traditionally conservative governors are setting aside some of their previously held beliefs on climate change in an effort to carve out their own success stories in reshoring American jobs to their respective states. These jobs are both white and blue collar, ranging from manufacturing solar batteries and installing panels and turbines to researching new technologies and bargaining for greater control of utility rates, in addition to the many ancillary positions needed under a new energy landscape (sales, retail/commercial marketing and customer service and maintenance).

In Kansas, for instance, 30 percent of the states electricity comes from wind power, which supports roughly 6,000 jobs. Despite Kansas being a deeply conservative state, Governor Brownback is now advocating for even more tax subsidies and beneficial regulations that would help his states energy grid continue to churn out clean power and create more jobs, a position that just a few years ago wouldve been viewed as the complete antithesis of conservative ideology.

Creating a new conservative paradigm on renewable energy may not be as difficult as it seems.

The solar market expanded by 95 percent in 2016, making it a surefire business generator regardless of opinions on the size or role of the government. Governors are realizing this more and more, and are adjusting their policy positions to conform to this new reality.

A prominent example of this transformation is in the number of states that have adopted renewable portfolio standards (RPS). Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have written into law the minimum amount of electricity generation and usage that must come from renewable energy sources. These RPSs are benchmarked to increase over time, gradually transitioning state energy usage away from fossil fuels. The majority of RPS requirements hinge upon wind power.

Some states are going even further.

A state senator recently introduced a bill that would propel California toward a 100 percent renewable energy portfolio by 2045. Californias current RPS mandates 33 percent of its electricity be sourced from renewables, a figure that is pegged to jump to 50 percent in 2025. Hawaii passed a similar portfolio target in 2015, and is also slated to run on 100 percent renewable energy by 2045.

The Maryland legislature actually overrode Governor Larry Hogans veto on its states RPS, putting into effect a 25 percent renewable energy minimum by 2020, showing just how persistent state assemblies are in taking action as well.

Converting the U.S.s grid toward clean energy will be one long journey; however, states are uniting in their mission to not only pursue renewable energy policies but to stem the loss of jobs to overseas companies.

As noted by the National Resources Defense Council, the largest solar manufacturers are Chinese. Wind power is nearly ubiquitous in Europe. Latin America is making quick work of its move toward renewables as well. Every day that foreign nations expand their renewable footprint is a day the U.S. potentially loses current and future jobs, and it is state governors who will be the first to have to answer to their constituents on why they allowed well-paid jobs to leave their states.

Conservative proponents of renewable energy are finding success in pitching their ideas not as steps to combat climate change (which is still a politically charged term), but as methods for energy savings, job creation and national security. Within this mindset, its much easier to garner support while reaching across the aisle in agreement with progressives. And while its still very uncertain just how much change governors from both parties will be able to enact without federal support, their unity is still a promising reminder of how collective action at the state level has the potential to effectively shift public consensus on the most critical policy issues of our time.
In the race for powerful computing, Lenovos refreshed convertible lineup announced at Mobile World Congress this year is giving its rivals a run for their money. The star of the show is Lenovos mid-range Yoga 720, a laptop with a 360-degree hinge that can be used in a variety of different modes, including as a tablet.

While the Yoga 720 may seem more like a stale mid-range laptopits numbering convention places it behind of Lenovos flagship Yoga 910 that we recently revieweddont let the device full you. Although the 720 makes due with a more generic hinge mechanism than Lenovos overly engineered watchband hinge on the flagship Yoga 900 series, the 720 packs in plenty of power. On paper, it looks like the Yoga 720 can outperform the venerable Yoga 910 and beloved competitors like HPs Spectre x360 in both 13-inch and 15-inch configurations.

The Yoga 720, like the Spectre that it goes up against, is available in either 13-inch or 15-inch configurations and comes with Intels latest 7th generation Core i7 processor. The smaller model is just 0.56-inch thick and comes in at 2.86 pounds, while the larger version is 0.74 inches thick and weighs a heftier 4.40 pounds. Both models can be equipped with up to a high resolution 4K UHD screen.

Lenovo even addressed our complaint when reviewing the Yoga 910, and both configurations of the Yoga 720 come with Thunderbolt support on the USB Type-C port, making it even more versatile when it comes to data transfer speeds. While the smaller 13-inch 720 comes with integrated Intel HD Graphics 620, the 15-inch is VR-ready with a capable Nvidia GTX 1050 discrete GPU. On paper, the Yoga 720 bests the recently released HP Spectre x360 15-inch in the graphics department and matches the performance of Dells laptop-only XPS 15 configuration. The Yoga 720 is more versatile than the Dell with its 360-degree hinge.

Add to that Dolby and JBL speaker and audio tuning, support for an optional active stylus and up to nine hours of battery life on the FHD configuration or eight hours with the higher resolution UHD panel, and the Yoga 720 sounds like it could be a winner. Also, unlike the Dell, even though the Yoga 720 comes with a huge chin, the webcam is placed at a more appropriate top-mounted location for more flattering video chats. The design makes use of slim side and top bezels, giving the device a nearly bezel-less effect.

The 13-inch model starts at $859, while the 15-inch starts at $1,099 when the devices go on sale in April. Expect to pay more if you want upgrades, like more SSD storage, a UHD panel and the discrete GPU option. The 15-inch Yoga 720, despite its heftier weight, looks like it could be the convertible to beat if you need power, performance and an attractive convertible design.

If you want to save a bit of money, Lenovo is offering 0.78-inch Yoga 520 with a full HD 14-inch display that retails for $799 in May. At that price, youll get the same Intels 7th Generation Core i7 processor thats on the Yoga 910 and Yoga 720, along with Nvidias GeForce 940MX discrete GPU, 16GB DDR4 RAM and either a 512GB SSD or 1TB HDD. The Yoga 520 comes with USB Type-C support, but not Thunderbolt 3.
What is the IT Band?

How does it get tight?

Everything in the body is connected

compensation patterns

The dangers of over-stretching the IT band

How yoga can help

Warning

Poses

1. Low Lunge and Half Monkey

2. Low Lunge with Sidebend

3. Low Lunge with Quad Stretch

4. Seated Spinal Twist

5. Wind-Relieving Pose

6. Dead Pigeon

7. Reclining Spinal Twist

8. Downward Dog to Pigeon

Previous Yoga with Abi

In this article, Im going to give you a series of yoga poses designed to release tension in the iliotibial (IT) band and relieve associated hip, knee and outer thigh pain.- The IT band is a thick band of connective tissue that runs along the outside of your thigh, from your hip to just below the knee.- It acts like a spring when you walk, run or ride your bike, storing and releasing elastic energy.- It helps to stabilize the knee.- The IT band gets tight from overuse, especially in cyclists and runners.- Tight muscles in the surrounding area pull the IT band out of alignment, causing tension in the band itself.As Ive mentioned in several of my previous articles, when one muscle group is weak or tight, the surrounding musculature adapts to take up the slack. Over time, theselead to muscular imbalances and misalignment issues.In this case, if the IT band is tight, we also need to look at stretching the glutes, quads, tensor fascia latae (a small muscle on the outside of the hip), hamstrings and calves, as well as strengthening the core and intrinsic foot muscles.The IT band is a thick, dense band of connective tissue which is less elastic than muscle and which therefore doesnt respond to stretching in the same way. The most effective approach to releasing tension in the IT band  without compromising its ability to stabilize the knee  is to stretch the surrounding musculature and increase mobility in the hips, taking pressure off the IT band as a result.Yoga is a multi-dimensional recovery tool which simultaneously stretches tight muscles, strengthens weak structures and increases joint mobility.If you have the Yoga For Mountain Bikers series, the key routines for you to practice for this condition are:- Post-Ride Stretch- Unlock Tight Hips- Twists To Increase Joint Mobility- Core StrengthenersHere are some additional stretches you can do after your ride and in fact, after all your workouts.If you think you may have Iliotibial Band Syndrome, please make sure you check with your doctor or physical therapist before attempting these stretches.Hold each pose for 5-10 deep breaths, in and out through your nose. As always, be careful not to use force. Slow down your breath and sink deeper into the stretch on every exhalation.You may need to modify the poses, depending on your own personal level of flexibility. If you're out on the trails without access to blocks and cushions, check which muscle group the pose is primarily targeted at and take hold of whatever you need, to get at it the best you can. You'll find variations and modifications for all these poses on my site - Spend 5-10 breaths stretching your hip flexors in Low Lunge and 5-10 breaths on your hamstrings in Half Monkey, then switch to the other side.- In Low Lunge, check that your front knee doesn't come forward over your ankle.- Keep your front foot flexed in Half Monkey to increase the stretch in your calves and hamstrings. If you can, take hold of the top of your foot and pull your toes back towards you, being careful not to strain your lower back.- This variation of Low Lunge stretches the hip flexors, IT band and tensor fascia latae (outer hip).- If you can't reach the ground with your bottom hand, just rest it on your hip.- You can also bring your back knee forward to help with your balance.- Remember not to let your front knee come forward over your ankle.- Walk your front foot out to the side and grab your back foot or ankle to move the stretch to your quad.- Try not to collapse your bottom shoulder.- This pose stretches the IT band, glutes, and outer hips.- Skip it if you can't do it comfortably, keeping your lower back flat. If you're at home, you can sit on the edge of a cushion to help with the alignment.- This pose loosens up the hips.- Relax completely and let gravity and the weight of your arms do the work.- This is arguably the most important pose for you to do after a long ride.- It stretches the outer hips, glutes, piriformis, groin, knees and ankles and releases the lower back.- Stay longer than 10 breaths if you can.- This pose stretches the IT band, hips, glutes, abs, obliques, chest, shoulders and neck.- You'll find modifications on my site: www.yoga15.com/reclining-spinal-twist . Try Eagle legs if you have the flexibility.- Pigeon pose stretches the outsides of the hips and the hip flexors.- Walk out your feet in Downward Dog in between sides, to give your hamstrings a good stretch.Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below and if there are any other issues you're struggling with.You can download the full Yoga For Mountain Bikers series here
2017 News Archive

This page includes links to all the news articles published on pokernews.com during 2017. For your convenience, the articles are segmented by month.
Niall McAree Crowned Grand Prix Cork Champion

February 28, 2017 Matthew Pitt Editor

The 100,000 guaranteed partypoker Grand Prix Cork Main Event attracted 426 players to the Macau Sporting Club in Cork, Ireland over the weekend and they were all outlasted by Niall McAree who turned his 340 investment into 25,000.

Grand Prix Cork Final Table Results

Place Player Prize 1 Niall McAree 25,000 2 Dwyer Monaghan 15,800 3 Thomas FItzgerald 11,790 4 Leo Nash 9,600 5 Kalle Kampus 7,565 6 David Connolly 5,775 7 Stephen OHara 4,210 8 Nole Mannion 3,120 9 Liam Chevalier 2,555

Parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland were battered by Storm Doris and dozens of flights to Ireland were cancelled as a result. Despite the horrendous weather, the 426 entrants created a guarantee-busting 127,800 prize pool that was distributed among the top 47 finishers. A final table appearance was worth 2,555 and an outright win weighed in at 25,000.

Liam Chevalier bust on the first hand of the nine-handed final table. Chevalier pushed 17 big blinds into the middle with pocket jacks after Leo Nash had opened with a raise. Unfortunately for Chevalier, Nash had initially raised with a pair of kings and he made the call. Nashs kings held and Chevaliers tournament ended.

Nole Mannion and Stephen OHara then bust while holding a pair of three. Mannions threes lost to the pocket sevens of David Connolly before OHaras lowly pair lost a coin flip against the ace-queen of McAree.

Connolly then fell in sixth place when his king-queen fell foul to the ace-three of Thomas Fitzgerald. Connolly caught a queen on the flop, Fitzgerald a three and the turn brought another three into play to gift Fitzgerald trips. The river was a brick and Connolly was gone.

Fifth place went to Kalle Kampus who lost two hands in quick succession while holding king-jack both times. First, Kampus king-jack lost to Fitzgerald's ace-seven before the rest of Kampus stack went into the middle. Then, Kampus lost to McArees king-five when McAree spiked a five on the river.

Next to be eliminated was Nash before Fitzgeralds run ended in third place to secure the first five-figure score of the tournament.

Going into heads-up, McAree held a 7,150,000 to 3,500,000 chip lead over Dwyer Monaghan but Monaghan fought back and even claimed the chip lead for himself at one point. The last laugh, however, was McArees.

The final hand saw Monaghan move all in for 2,300,000 with queen-nine and McAree call with ace-ten of clubs. McAree improved to a pair of tens on the flop and when neither player improved on the turn or river, the Grand Prix Cork Main Event had its champion.
UK Supreme Court Grants Phil Ivey Permission to Appeal Crockfords Case

February 28, 2017 Katie Callahan

The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom granted Phil Ivey permission to appeal the order made by the Court of Appeal in November 2016 regarding a dispute with Crockfords Casino in London. The court made its announcement Feb. 28, according to a release from a consulting firm.

Ivey won 7.8 million there playing Punto Banco, a form of baccarat, in August 2012.

"Last Novembers Court of Appeal ruling made no sense to me," Ivey said in a release. "The original trial judge ruled that I was not dishonest and none of the three Appeal Court judges disagreed and yet the decision went against me by a majority of 2 to 1."

In the U.K., the Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal for civil cases and will only review cases of general public importance, the release stated. Ivey has largely been tied up in legal proceedings this year and last for his edge sorting.

"I am so pleased that the Supreme Court has granted me permission to fight for what I genuinely believe is the right thing to do in my circumstances and for the entire gaming industry," Ivey said. "I look forward to the Supreme Court reversing the decision against me."

Ivey is represented by two lawyers, Richard Spearman and Max Mallin of Thirty Nine Essex Chambers and Wilberforce Chambers, respectively, and Matthew Dowd of Archerfield Partners LLP.

"The Court of Appeals ruling left the interpretation of Section 42 of the Gambling Act totally unclear and the decision to grant permission to appeal demonstrates that the Supreme Court agrees with that view," Dowd said.

Timeline of Ivey's Legal Proceedings at Crockfords

Date Description August 2012 Ivey wins 7.8 million playing baccarat at Crockfords Club in London. The casino refuses to pay out. May 2013 Ivey issues proceedings at London's High Court against the casino owners for not paying him his winnings. October 2014 Ivey loses his claim against the owners. January 2015 Ivey granted permission to appeal the High Court's decision. April 2016 The Court of Appeals upholds the High Court decision. February 2017 The U.K. Supreme Court grants permission for Ivey to appeal the order from the Court of Appeals.
The Phoenix-Based Contract Security Provider Gains Almost 1,900% in Revenue Growth in Under Three Years - Fueled by a Rising Demand for On-Site Security Services, Mobile Security Patrols, and Security-Related Technologies

Media Contact

Transcend Media Department

***@transcendsecurity.com Transcend Media Department

End

-- The Phoenix Business Journal is the leading source of comprehensive local business news for the Greater Phoenix area. And each year, the Phoenix Business Journal releases its Book of Lists, Phoenix's essential business playbook which highlights the best and brightest companies in the area.Transcend Security's continued growth contributed to the contract security firm being ranked as one of Greater Phoenix's largest Security Guard Firms for 2016-2017. This tremendous growth rate (after less than three years in business), is highlighted in the Phoenix Business Journal's Book of Lists. This is the first year Transcend has been recognized in the Journal's Book of Lists; and this is the highest ranking for a company that has not before been recognized prior to this year."We are extremely excited about the recognition Transcend Security has received from the Phoenix Business Journal," said Executive Vice President and Co-Founder Shawn Crane. "We take very seriously the security services that we provide to our clientele, and have worked extremely hard to cultivate a culture of excellence; and this is evidenced by the substantial increase in our number of employees, projects, clients, and service offerings over the past year. We look forward to continuing these efforts over the course of 2017 and beyond."Transcend Security has had noteworthy success since its inception, not just in growth, but in recognition as well. This latest recognition adds to the list of honors that Transcend has received, honors that include Best of Scottsdale for Business Services, Best of Scottsdale for Security Services, Arizona Big Media's Ranking Arizona List (which ranks the best companies to do business with in Arizona), among others.Founded in 2014, Transcend Security Solutions is Arizona's fastest growing private security company and a premier provider of highly trained security personnel to multiple vertical markets. Transcend Security delivers superior physical security services that protect people, homes, and businesses. The Transcend Security Mission Statement guides them in everything they do: "To provide a level of service that transcends good work, and discovers the tremendous experience of doing great work." For more information, please visit Transcend Security Solutions at www.transcendsecurity.com If you would like more information about this topic, please contact the Transcend Media Department at (480) 656-6500.
Business consultant and professional organizer Emily Parks has created a six part blog series detailing her unique definition of what productivity is and how she helps clients achieve greater success with increased productivity.

By: Organize for Success

Technology Specialist Emily Parks Redefines Productivity to Help You Succeed

Contact

Emily Parks

eparks@organizeforsuccess.biz Emily Parks

End

-- Parks expressed, "As a productivity consultant, I work with entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, and time-crunched, high achievers. All of my clients are looking to increase their productivity. I have found six common themes that enable me to help my clients become more productive and fuel greater success."Theblog series began February 13and runs for six consecutive Mondays throughout February and March: 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20 and 3/27. All blogs are archived and may be viewed at any time.As a technology specialist and productivity consultant, Parks focuses herblog serieson six tenants that she has discovered help achieve greater productivity and business success. Each blog goes into greater detail with actionable suggestions that can be implemented to increase productivity. Parks explains the following themes and how they help one become more productive:To read all six blog posts in this series on, visit: http://organizeforsuccess.biz/ blog/ Organize for Success is also available to work with teams, provide individual help getting organized or increasing productivity, as well as provide presentations to achieve success. As an Evernote Certified Consultant, Parks is trained to teach people how to use Evernote. Contact Emily at 919-981-6397 or eparks@organizeforsuccess.biz Parks is also actively involved in the community and volunteers with the Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina whose mission is to save lives and provide support to those affected by lung cancer through research, awareness, education and access programs. At the end of February, she will be appointed secretary for the Board of Directors.One of Parks' themes in increasing productivity is to proactively plan. In this short video, Parks shares tips on how to prepare your business for a potential fire: https://youtu.be/Uh2agaolxqUPartner with Emily ParksThe mission of Organize for Success is "Maximize work/life solutions for meaningful results with your very limited time" while our vision is "Make life efficient for time-crunched leaders." Organize for Success provides one on one and team consulting; customized workshops & trainings; workflow processes; and how to organize your workspace statewide in North Carolina.Owner Emily Parks is an Evernote Certified Consultant as well as an Instructor at North Carolina State University's Technology Training Solutions Center. Parks was recognized in the 2015 class of 40 Under 40 Leadership Awards from the Triangle Business Journal. She was also awarded the 2015 Member of the Year from the National Association of Women Business Owners, Greater Raleigh.
Barnhart, Missouri agency becomes member of insurance alliance

By: Valley Insurance Agency Alliance

American Insurance Alliance's Randy Kraemer

Contact

Elizabeth Powers

***@viaa4u.com Elizabeth Powers

End

-- American Insurance Alliance recently joined Valley Insurance Agency Alliance (VIAA), a cohesive family of over 100 independent insurance agencies in Missouri and Illinois.American Insurance Alliance is a full-service insurance agency founded in 2016 that specializes in auto, home, health, business and life insurance. The company, which is owned by Sarae Glaenzer and Randy Kraemer, is located at 7004 Monticello in Barnhart, Mo. Glaenzer has worked in the insurance industry for 18 years and Kraemer for 34 years."We joined the alliance because we can continue to operate as our own independent agency while having access to all of VIAA's products and services," said American Insurance Alliance co-owner Randy Kraemer. "I also like the fact that this alliance is a family-owned and operated business."Founded in 2006, VIAA generates more than $150 million in written premium and is the regional founding member for the Strategic Insurance Agency Alliance (SIAA), a $6 billion national alliance.For more information about American Insurance Alliance, call (636) 464-1221 or visit http://www.ainsalliance.com
When President Donald Trump speaks to the nation Tuesday night, Wisconsin lawmakers say theyre hoping for a glimpse of what to expect from a new president unlike any of his predecessors.

The Joint Address to Congress will be Trumps first presidential prime-time address to the nation. Hes expected to outline an agenda that includes curtailing immigration, rejecting multilateral trade deals and repealing former President Barack Obamas health care law.

Trump also may detail his administrations forthcoming federal budget proposal, which is expected to boost defense spending while slashing funds for environmental protection.

Republicans such as Rep. Glenn Grothman of Glenbeulah said the speech is Trumps biggest opportunity yet to chart a course for him and fellow Republicans who control Congress.

Reducing federal spending, curtailing immigration and simplifying the tax code are three areas on which Grothman said he hopes Trump will urge Congress to act.

I hope he takes a leadership role, Grothman said.

Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, said hes unsure what to expect from Trump given how unconventional his first few weeks have been.

Kind and other Democratic lawmakers told the Wisconsin State Journal they hope Trump will use the speech to explain how he will create jobs.

With the guest accompanying him at the address, Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Black Earth, aims to send a message to Trump. Pocan is inviting Lupe Salmeron, a college student whos a recent graduate of  and former class president at  Madison East High School.

Salmeron is enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program created by Obama.

DACA gives protection from deportation and work-permit eligibility to so-called DREAMers who live in the U.S. without legal documentation after having been brought to the country as children.

Trump has used the presidency to spread lies, fear and hatred about immigrants, Pocan said in a statement. Its important to share Lupes story and highlight the many positive contributions immigrants make to our communities.

Grothman takes the opposite view on immigration. He said Trump can use the address to make a case for deporting some of the people living in the U.S. illegally on the basis that it would reduce government spending on social programs.

He can connect removal of the most unproductive illegals with balancing the budget, Grothman said.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, said in a statement that she hopes Trump will lay out a clear plan of action to keep the promises he has made to American workers and manufacturers. Baldwin said she hopes Trump will embrace a Buy America measure she has championed, which would require that federal infrastructure funds be used to buy U.S.-made products and materials.

In an op-ed in the Appleton Post-Crescent, Baldwin wrote that she hopes Trump will use the address to follow through on his call for a $1 trillion national infrastructure initiative.

The office of Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, on Monday did not provide comments from Johnson regarding Trumps address.

Kind said he hopes Trump will use the speech to acknowledge he understands the impact a global trade war could have on the U.S. economy, particularly for Wisconsin farmers who export their products.

During the campaign, Trump proposed tariffs on goods from Mexico and China.

Kind also said he hopes Trump will outline plans to create jobs in parts of the U.S. that are struggling.
Pamela C. Enslen, a Warner Norcross & Judd LLP partner, has been recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of the year's "Leaders in the Law."

By: Warner Norcross & Judd LLP

Contact

Sabo PR

***@sabo-pr.com Sabo PR

End

-- The award, which will be presented in a special ceremony on March 26, recognizes attorneys who are changing the law by expanding access to justice as well as improving the profession and their communities. Enslen currently serves as chair of the firm's Higher Education Practice Group and has extensive experience in business, employment and commercial litigation.Her nomination read in part, "Pam is a key role model for women and girls in Michigan through her experience as a successful lawyer and law firm leader, her leadership in the legal profession, on both a statewide and national level, and her unparalleled commitment to serve others through her community's leadership."Enslen serves as chair of the Dispute Resolution Advisory Committee of the U. S. District Court, Western District of Michigan and on the editorial board of the Journal of College and University Law of the National Association of College and University Attorneys. She is recognized byand. In 2015, she was recognized as the Employment Law-Management Lawyer of the Year for Kalamazoo byEnslen is a Fellow of the Michigan Bar Foundation, a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. She has held numerous leadership positions with the American Bar Association, recently completing a three-year term as a member of the ABA Executive Committee of the Board of Governors. She served as the ABA's official observer during portions of the of 9/11 terrorist trial proceedings in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.Enslen was the recipient of the Nancy S. Klein Award from the State Bar of Michigan in 2013 for her contributions to the field of dispute resolution. Enslen co-authored a book on dispute resolution and frequently presents on the subject.Active in her community, Enslen serves as chair of the Michigan Women's Foundation, chair-elect of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, and sits on the board of Directors of Communities in Schools and the Western Michigan University Theater Guild.By providing discerning and proactive legal advice, Warner Norcross & Judd LLP builds a better partnership with its clients. Warner Norcross is a corporate law firm with 230 attorneys practicing in eight offices throughout Michigan: Grand Rapids, Southfield, Macomb County, Midland, Muskegon, Kalamazoo, Holland and Lansing. To learn more, visit www.wnj.com , follow us on Twitter @WNJLLP or connect on LinkedIn.
Violet Su, a flight attendant turned fashionista, kicks off uplifting Kickstarter campaign to change the worldone t-shirt purchase at a time.

By: Honey Coast

Pictured (Right): Violet Su, Honey Coast CEO

Contact

Violet Su

***@honeycoastusa.com Violet Su

End

-- Honey Coast might be in its early stages, however, that hasn't stopped Violet Su, who splits her time between California and her native Taiwan, from reaching a pretty big milestone. In just a few short months, she has distributed approximately 1,000 meals to people in need in major cities all over the world and has plans to donate even more."Giving back feels better than eating a gallon of Haagen-Dazs Coconut Pineapple ice cream!" exclaimed Su. "Most of the people I meet are friendly and definitely grateful to receive the free meals. At Honey Coast, we love to have fun, but we take giving seriously."The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that about 795 million people of the 7.3 billion people in the world, or one in nine, suffer from chronic undernourishment. Honey Coast hopes to help lower those startling statistics by doing its part.According to Su, it was an encounter several years ago with a homeless man in downtown Sydney, Australia that inspired the launch of her company. While grabbing lunch, she found a disheveled man on the ground begging for food. Compelled to help, she handed him her own meal without hesitation."We both smiled, and the experience inspired me to combine my passion for fashion and love of food into a company that does two things: onemakes a difference in the community and twomakes people feel and look good with each t-shirt purchase," explained Su.And that's exactly what she did. She launched her startup, Honey Coast, in summer 2016. Over the past year she's been working carefully with highly experienced manufacturers in Los Angeles to develop a new range of casual chic t-shirts that women can feel both comfortable and sexy in while eliminating hunger."I want our shirts to always be comfy, high quality and stylish. I think with t-shirts, girls love to mix and match andtheir look. So it's important to create versatile designs with a 'lil fun or edge," explained Su. "With every shirt purchase, one meal will be donated to a person in need."As with any new startup company, funding is a necessity for long term success. That's why Su recently launched her very first Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign with a goal of raising at least $5,000. The money pledged by generous backers will help the young entrepreneur's company meet its minimum order requirements for production. In doing so, the money raised will help Honey Coast launch its very first set of t-shirt designs for purchase."Money is so important for a young social enterprise. It has the power to do so many good things if used wisely," stressed Su. "Launching Honey Coast has been such a journey. I've poured a lot of heart and soul into the company and believe in it 100 percent."To back Honey Coast's Kickstarter campaign, click here. ( https://www.kickstarter.com/ projects/honeycoastusa/ 508628... ) Pledges can be as small as $1 or as much as $399. In return, backers will receive such gifts as t-shirts, choker necklaces, tote bags and more!Through your support, Su hopes to play a small part in curbing hunger in every part of the world. Along with handing out free meals, Honey Coast will donate funds to reputable food charity partners, too."In five years, I hope we can give away 1 million meals!" stated Su.With a love for fashion, design and styling, Su is a self-proclaimed rebel who follows the beat of her own drum. Oh, and she loves unicorns, too! They just ooze happiness and positive vibes. For the last five years, she's traveled the world as a dedicated, friendly flight attendant. While her fabulous job has allowed her to see some of the greatest fashion from around the globe, it's also reminded her that hunger is prevalentand that no country is immune to it. Through her newly launched company, she hopes to be a beacon of change.
Photo 1

Contact

Hailey Lai

***@polyu.edu.hk Hailey Lai

End

-- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) organised the Social Innovation Forum and Good Seed Award Presentation Ceremony on 25 February 2017 in celebration of PolyU's 80th Anniversary. With the theme "Youth Power: Dare to Dream, Dare to Change", the forum aims to promote entrepreneurial culture of "Do Well Do Good" spirit and drive sustainable development of local entrepreneurial eco-system through inspirational sharing, exchange and networking activities.At the ceremony, Professor Timothy W. Tong, President of PolyU, encouraged young people to pursue the spirit of dare to dream, dare to change. He said, "I often encourage young people especially PolyU students to become 'practical dreamers'. They dare to dream and act to make a change to bring positive changes for society."Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Stephen Cheung Yan-leung, Chairperson of The Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund) Task Force, commended PolyU for its contribution to the development of Hong Kong and said, "Over the years, PolyU has been dedicated to working on application-oriented research, turning innovative ideas into practical value for the social good." Professor Cheung added that the SIE Fund would continue to promote cross-sector collaboration and to facilitate the development of social innovation ecosystem.Since its launch in 2015, Good Seed Programme has attracted around 500 young social entrepreneurs. After a stringent assessment process, 18 social innovation projects were awarded in 2016 and received HK$100,000 each from the SIE Fund to provide appropriate services to people in need including ethnic minorities, elderly people in need, students with special educational needs, visually impaired persons, Dyslexic patients, Autistic children for improving their quality of life and promoting social inclusion.PolyU invited a number of renowned social entrepreneurs to deliver keynote speeches on "Re-imagine our World with Social Innovation" at the Social Innovation Forum, including Mr. Kim Hyung-soo, CEO, Tree Planet from Korea, and Dr. Kevin Yang, CEO of 5% Design Action from Taiwan . Besides, nearly 20 local social entrepreneurs were invited as panel speakers to host the panel discussions on various topics like "Booming Young Social Innovators with "Do Well Do Good" Spirit", "Reshaping our Future Environment:Building a Better and Sustainable World", "Youth Empowerment:Making an Impact by Unleashing Creativity and Innovation in Education" and "Transforming Our World: Social inclusion for Sustainable Livelihoods". Over 200 social entrepreneurs, practitioners from social enterprise and NGO sectors, academics and students attended the forum.Good Seed Programme 2017 is now open to students and graduates of all local tertiary institutions until 1 March 2017. For event details, please visit Good Seed Programme website at www.goodseed.hk.
Technicolor's Diego Gastaldi: How Network Service Providers Can Tap the Power of Cloud to Create the Next-Gen Home Gateways of the Future Technicolor and Amazon Web Services Open Gateway Initiative Showcased at MWC 2017 By: Technicolor Diego Gastaldi, Technicolor BARCELONA, Spain - Feb. 28, 2017 - PRLog -- MWC 2017 -- Gateways are traditionally hard-wired and hard coded for specific services. Before a new service can be launched they must be designed and manufactured and made available for customers. But that is changing, says Diego Gastaldi, Senior Vice President for Business Development with Technicolor Connected Home, in a podcast interview for journalists attending the Mobile World Congress 2017 Conference in Barcelona.



There is now a new paradigm, the Open Gateway Initiative, where gateways are standard devices and the software and functionality to support any specific service is provided in conjunction with software in the cloud.



"We have an opportunity to flip the model completely," says Gastaldi. "Now you can launch a platform and all you have to worry about is that it is capable of downloading and executing the functions stored in the cloud. This makes it possible for new services to be created dynamically in the cloud, so you have an almost unlimited portfolio of services that you can create and roll out. This can be done by taking advantage of the processing power and storage capacity of the cloud."



Technicolor, he says, is realizing the potential of this new paradigm in partnership with Amazon Web Services. "AWS has put the functions used to communicate with their cloud infrastructure onto a software platform called Greengrass that can be loaded onto a gateway. It enables service providers to dynamically execute functions in the cloud using AWS Lambda, which runs code without the need to provision or manage servers."



However, Gastaldi says, Technicolor is going beyond putting basic gateway functions into the cloud. It is incorporating the functions of the Amazon Alexa personal assistant into its gateways for installation assistance, problem diagnosis and customer support.



"Right now, we are focused on lowering the opex cost of deployment by making it easy for the consumer to self-install," Gastaldi says. "We're also working to avoid having the customer contact the call center just because something is not working properly  to having the problem triaged before they call in. The service provider will know what is going on in the home before they get the call from the customer."



He sees the market for this new technology extending beyond the satellite, cable and broadband service providers, to industry verticals such as insurance and healthcare.



"In the home of an elderly person you could have a couple of sensors in things they use regularly, extract data from those, use Greengrass to export that data to the cloud and do analytics to establish patterns and take action if something changes."



Gastaldi says Technicolor and AWS are collaborating closely to explore possibilities. "We are making sure we capitalize on the relationships they have with some of our customers and with some of the verticals. It is a great combination and I think we are doing great things together."



To read or listen in on the podcast with Gastaldi, visit:



http://thefuturetrust.technicolor.com/ article/content- exp...



Journalists and analysts are free to pull quotes from this Q&A feature with attribution in media and market reports. For more details and context, contact:



Lane Cooper

+1 323 817 7547

Lane.cooper@ technicolorpr.com



Alicia Garcia Llanas

Alicia.Garcia- Llanas@technicolor.com

+44 (0) 7896 954 944



Andre Rodriguez

+1 323 817 6716

andre.rodriguez@ technicolor.com



Jayne Garfitt

Proactive PR

jayne.garfitt@ proactive-pr.com

+44 7788 315587



Photo:

https://www.prlog.org/ 12622924/1 End -- MWC 2017 -- Gateways are traditionally hard-wired and hard coded for specific services. Before a new service can be launched they must be designed and manufactured and made available for customers. But that is changing, says Diego Gastaldi, Senior Vice President for Business Development with Technicolor Connected Home, in a podcast interview for journalists attending the Mobile World Congress 2017 Conference in Barcelona.There is now a new paradigm, the Open Gateway Initiative, where gateways are standard devices and the software and functionality to support any specific service is provided in conjunction with software in the cloud."We have an opportunity to flip the model completely,"says Gastaldi. "Now you can launch a platform and all you have to worry about is that it is capable of downloading and executing the functions stored in the cloud. This makes it possible for new services to be created dynamically in the cloud, so you have an almost unlimited portfolio of services that you can create and roll out. This can be done by taking advantage of the processing power and storage capacity of the cloud."Technicolor, he says, is realizing the potential of this new paradigm in partnership with Amazon Web Services. "AWS has put the functions used to communicate with their cloud infrastructure onto a software platform called Greengrass that can be loaded onto a gateway. It enables service providers to dynamically execute functions in the cloud using AWS Lambda, which runs code without the need to provision or manage servers."However, Gastaldi says, Technicolor is going beyond putting basic gateway functions into the cloud. It is incorporating the functions of the Amazon Alexa personal assistant into its gateways for installation assistance, problem diagnosis and customer support."Right now, we are focused on lowering the opex cost of deployment by making it easy for the consumer to self-install,"Gastaldi says. "We're also working to avoid having the customer contact the call center just because something is not working properly  to having the problem triaged before they call in. The service provider will know what is going on in the home before they get the call from the customer."He sees the market for this new technology extending beyond the satellite, cable and broadband service providers, to industry verticals such as insurance and healthcare."In the home of an elderly person you could have a couple of sensors in things they use regularly, extract data from those, use Greengrass to export that data to the cloud and do analytics to establish patterns and take action if something changes."Gastaldi says Technicolor and AWS are collaborating closely to explore possibilities. "We are making sure we capitalize on the relationships they have with some of our customers and with some of the verticals. It is a great combination and I think we are doing great things together."To read or listen in on the podcast with Gastaldi, visit:Journalists and analysts are free to pull quotes from this Q&A feature with attribution in media and market reports. For more details and context, contact:Lane Cooper+1 323 817 7547Alicia Garcia Llanas+44 (0) 7896 954 944Andre Rodriguez+1 323 817 6716Jayne GarfittProactive PR+44 7788 315587 Email : ***@technicolor.com Tags : Technicolor , Gateway , Open Gateway , Amazon Web Services , Aws Industry : Media , Technology , Telecom Location : Barcelona - Barcelona - Spain Account Phone Number Disclaimer Report Abuse Account Email AddressAccount Phone Number


New World Production announces the worldwide debut of critically acclaimed historical war-drama The Road To Mother.

By: New World Production

Media Contact

Ginger Liu

***@gingerliu.com Ginger Liu

End

-- Hot on the tails of its successful theatrical release in Kazakhstan in September 2016,attracted the attention of many HFPA Members (Hollywood Foreign Press Association)who were present during its Golden Globe screening in Los Angeles.stars Adil Akhmetov and Altynay Nogerbek in a moving and visually stunning drama of a son's separation from mother and homeland during one of the most turbulent periods of 20th-century history, set against the backdrop of Kazakhstan's enforced collectivization, famine and the violence of World War II.Akan Satayev is one of the most exciting directors of contemporary Kazakh cinema and television, helming the historical epic hit "Zhauzhurek Myn Bala" ("Thousand Young Warriors"), popular television series "Againdy" ("Brothers") and one of the highest-grossing films in recent years, "Reketir" ("Racketeer"). Satayev's latest success is the 2016 American crime thrillerThe Road To Mother is shot in Kazakhstan, Belarus, Azerbaijan by cinematographer Khassan Kydyraliev and features sweeping battle scenes and a cast of thousands. In addition, Aliya Nazarbayeva - President Nursultan Nazarbayev's youngest daughter - is a producer of the picture.IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/ title/tt4470016/? ref_=nm_flmg_ dr_2
Free and open to the public, meet and greet with current artists in residence.

Media Contact

Sculpture Space, Inc.

info@sculpturespace.org

3157248381 Sculpture Space, Inc.3157248381

End

-- The public is invited to attend an Open Studio Reception on Wednesday, March 22 from 5:00 to 7:00pm, at the Sculpture Space studio at 12 Gates Street, West Utica. The reception provides an opportunity for the public to meet current artists-in-residence, view their artwork in progress and learn more about their creative process.Many of these artists have been working on these pieces for many weeks and have been experimenting with new techniques and materials.The artists-in-residence come to Utica to work in the studio at Sculpture Space without interruption and create new and often groundbreaking work, with support from the Sculpture Space Residency. This quarterly event is a rare opportunity to "See Art Happening" by some of today's most promising contemporary sculptors.The reception will feature current artists-in-residence Koos Buist (Groningen, Netherlands), Leah Byrne (New York, NY) and Sean Procyk (Hamilton, Canada), Gina Siepel (Greenfield, MA), Cein Watson (New York, NY), and Rhonda Weppler (New York, NY). For more information on each artist, please visit http://www.sculpturespace.org/ march-2017/ These receptions are free to the public due, in part, to the generosity of the event sponsors - Bank of Utica and Coldwell Banker Faith Properties. The restaurant sponsor is Trackside Restaurant & Banquet.About Sculpture Space Sculpture Space is a cultural resource within the City of Utica, the Mohawk Valley and Upstate New York, Sculpture Space promotes interaction between international visiting artists and the local community through installations in public spaces, studio tours and collaborations with other organizations to realize artists' projects. Eighteen national and international artists are accepted each year to enjoy two-month residencies, receiving stipends to offset materials and travel costs, subsidized housing, 24-hour access to the studio and technical assistance. The program is in part made possible with support from the New York State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties Inc., area foundations, corporations and generous friends. For more information on Sculpture Space, please call 315-724-8381 or visit www.sculpturespace.org
Correlata CorreAssess version 5.0 new release provides better and comprehensive UI, deep and wide analysis capabilities and new methods to deploy the solution faster while reducing time, risks, CapEx and OpEx.

By: Ofer Laksman

Picture1

Media Contact

Correlata Solutions Ltd.

Ofer Laksman

o.laksman@correlata.com

+972 52 636 9991



Photo:

https://www.prlog.org/ 12623021/1 Correlata Solutions Ltd.Ofer Laksman+972 52 636 9991

End

-- Correlata Solutions Ltd. announced the latest release of Correlata CorreAssess platform, the innovative of business IT collaboration software, during the 2017 kick-off meeting with Correlata European VAR, Softprom in Vienna.The new version 5.0 release offers new comprehensive capabilities such as easier deployment, UI enhancements and drill down and wider analysis capabilities.A major enhancement includes focus on business metrics such as IT business alignment, investment efficiency, service availability and data loss risks in context with applications and/or environments with the ability to emphasize the business impact along with the option to drag and drop directly into specific IT areas and highlight the specific IT objects involved.One of the new capabilities is exposing and visualizing the true IT Sizing and enabling chargeback of IT Infrastructure services to help companies to concentrate on their business objectives.A new application is provided to facilitate the deployment of CorreAssess platform, using an intuitive UI to configure ALL the data sources of information, verify connectivity, control, automate and audit the whole deployment cycle.Based on customers' feedback, the company has added a new licensing option, letting customers transfer the share revenue findings into a multi-year service engagement, allowing customers to get Correlata benefits based on the revenue share during OTAs (One Time Assessments), said, "The new release will empower management roles to be more involved and connected to the main IT challenges of their organizations. Correlata's new release is available to help customers transform Correlata findings into actionable tasks based on Correlata findings."Correlata encourages customers to use professional services in order to find the best way to enhance IT stability and efficiency among various alternatives,"added"We now offer a unique proposition to our customers. We allow customers to build a strong and long-term relationship to embrace a full cycle of analysis and remediation over time," addedCorrelata is the pioneer of Business IT collaboration solutions, the most powerful platform for business IT leaders that will gain new insights into the daily well-being of their business IT operations and detect organizations' vulnerabilities in advance, before they will impact the business.Correlata provides a new business-centric IT management layer that transforms IT operations and service metrics into business metrics, helping companies gain the highest level of visibility and control on ALL their IT Infrastructure environments to senior management, ensuring companies use their Data Center infrastructure investments in coordination with their design intentions and business objectives.The company's breakthrough technology is the first to solve the inherent silo effect in all current Data Center Infrastructure environments, by applying an advanced analytic engine with embedded and sophisticated rules. The Correlata engine generates valuable information regarding wise usage of IT infrastructure investments, resource allocation efficiency, IT alignment to define SLAs, service availability and data recovery risks  building a transparent ecosystem.Correlata ensures you're not just up and running, but highly available, resilient per your design intentions and business objectives so that the companies will get the full benefits out of the existing systems that they already have purchased.Check out the video on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=GeXCoLlbajM
Contact

Kapital wealth Kapitalanlagegesellschaft m.b.H.

Kartner Ring 5-7,1010 Wien,Osterreich

info@kapitalwealth.com

0043720230780 Kapital wealth Kapitalanlagegesellschaft m.b.H.Kartner Ring 5-7,1010 Wien,Osterreich0043720230780

End

-- Forex Deposits from EU and Middle East Lead the Way in December.Kapital Wealth m.b.H. has come out with the latest details on the size of forex deposits worldwide. The data shows that despite the recent regulatory clampdown, the industry is very much relying on European Union member countries.Kapitalwealth m.b.H. noticed that aside from Europe, they are also seeing a substantial increase in activity from countries in the Middle East  Israel, the UAE and Qatar are all in the top 5 in December. The research and analysis work conducted for preparing this index was powered by the retention automation firm Cpattern.The FOREX department of Kapitalwealth index recorded the top ten average deposits and the average first time deposits at forex brokers during December, adjusted for GDP per capita.This normalized version of Kapitalwealth index shows that African countries were also quite important for the industry during the final month of 2016. Kenya, Lesotho and Botswana were all in the top 10 for first time deposits.Many of the top 10 are of EU member states  Spain, France, the Netherlands, the UK and Germany. Companies appear to have preemptively targeted French and Dutch residents due to the impending advertising ban in these countries.First Time DepositsThe average first time deposits data shows us an even bigger surprise  Israel is leading the top 10. This happens just as the country has formally introduced legislation that is going to forbid the marketing of products in and outside of the country for unregulated brokers. The steep changes to the Israeli industry are likely to affect future data releases materially.Notably, we see three countries from Latin America in this section  Ecuador, Brazil and Costa Rica. The challenges for the industry in this region, mainly related to payment processing, appear to be diminishing.Kapital wealth FOREX Business IntelligenceThis is the latest publication from Kapital wealth Indices  a new cross-industry benchmark created with a methodological formula that matriculates data from three main sources: insider information, our unique database and technological BI tools.In today's business world, big-data analysis and access to objective information sources are crucial to success , according to Heinz Bednar, CEO of Kapital wealth m.b.H. based in Vienna. Until now it has been very difficult and costly, if possible at all, to find any reliable benchmarks for operations in social, FX, binary options and CFDs trading.For this reason, Kapital wealth m.b.H. has launched a new project, creating a set of indices encompassing various aspects of the online trading industry. These indices will provide them with unique data points gathered by FOREX analysts worldwide that will serve as a valuable knowledge base to make a decision.www.kapitalwealth.com
The Rise of a Woman in Power and How She Became a Legend Amongst Men

By: Candice Nicole PR

WWWBK Flyer

Media Contact

Candice Nicole PR

candice@candicenicolepr.com

3016133403 Candice Nicole PR3016133403

End

-- "R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me!" On March 25th, The Woman Who Would Be King is making its way from South Africa all the way to Washington, DC. This one woman fictional play is inspired by the life of Hatshepsut, who is known as one of the greatest women in history. In this play, the audience will be able to step into the shoes of a woman who strategically mastered her adversities to emerge as the first female ruler of ancient Egypt."I'm very excited to bring my one woman show to the DMV-area," Esosa E., Creator of The Woman Who Would Be King said, "Although I am from here, this is the first time I've had the privilege to share my work with the community. Hatshepsut's story really resonates with me and I am honored to share it for Women's History month. She's a woman who defied the traditions of her time, took power, and ruled peacefully for over twenty years. Right now our world needs more stories and examples of female leadership."Esosa E. is an award winning producer, writer, actress, health expert and fashion designer. She has been named an "Afro-Renaissance Woman" by the Weekend Argus and a "Young African Visionary," by Obaasema Magazine. She has been included in Applause Africa's list of "30 Most Intriguing Africans in New York," and featured in The Roots list of "10 African Artists and Entrepreneurs You Should Know." Currently she plays the role of Ngozi on the hit international TV and web series An African City, which has been featured by the New York Times, BBC, NPR, CNN, Vogue, Ebony, ELLE Magazine and the list goes on. She is a woman with many talents and is constantly adding accolades to her resume. If you want to learn more about Esosa E, you can visit her website www.esosae.com You can witness The Woman Who Would Be King : A One Woman Play live on the following dates: March 25th, 2017 at 2PM: Smithsonian - National Museum of African Art April 27th & 29th, 2017 at 7:30 PM: Anacostia Arts Center - Black Box TheatreFor More Information, please visit www.womanwhowouldbeking.com/ and to RSVP, please visit http://bit.ly/womanking2.If you're a media outlet or photographer interested in covering The Woman Who Would Be King, please send your inquiry to Candice@CandiceNicolePR.com.
DIDX, wholesale direct inward dialing service, announces it is the first VoIP market to make available 9 brand new Austria DID phone number areas, thanks to popular demand during Austria, home of 1st Bitcoin Bank and 2017 Special Olympics.

Contact

Super Technologies, Inc., DIDX.net, Suzanne Bowen

***@didx.net Super Technologies, Inc., DIDX.net, Suzanne Bowen

End

-- DIDX, the wholesale direct inward dialing service since 2005, announces that it is the first telecom and VoIP marketplace to make available the following brand new Austria DID phone number areas for buy and sell among MVNOs, CLECs, VoIP and IoT companies, multi-location contact centers and more anywhere. The list includes:+43-1 Vienna+43-732 Linz+43-316 Graz+43-512 Innsbruck+43-662 SalzburgThe above Austria DID phone number areas available on DIDX.net are in addition to the previous inventory:+43-678 Mobile+43-70 Linz+43-720 National+43-800The +43-678 Austria mobile phone number exchange is ready as of today in February 2017, for not only incoming voice, but also incoming SMS, very important in an age where opt-in business use of text as well as texting seen as the preferred method of communication among young people, the future."We work smart as possible to empower our wholesale DIDX buyer members with direct inward dialing services that will help them grow in sales and customers and encourage retention and satisfaction. Austria is a popular area for phone numbers among business end-users of our buyer members. There has been a big spike upward because of the upcoming 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games set in Graz and the world's first bitcoin bank opening up in Austria," states Ali Muhammad, a Sales Manager at DIDX.Why would organizations and individuals need one or more local phone numbers of Austria in order to pursue goals? Austria is known for innovation, global collaboration and being a trendsetter among nations. Recently, the Austria government has provided incentives to businesses for employing locals. It has also pushed discussions with a Punjab minister about energy project collaborations in Pakistan. The 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games are scheduled on March 14- 25, 2017 in Graz, Schladming, Ramsau, and Styria, Austria. The world's first dedicated bitcoin bank opened in the Austrian capital Vienna in early February 2017. Austrian energy giant Wien Energie is joining a growing number of groups around the globe from the industry to participate in a blockchain pilot with a goal to cut costs related to energy trading. Human resources, global energy projects, the evolving currency industry and big sporting events are just some of the reasons to own one or more local phone numbers of Austria."The DIDX direct inward dialing marketplace is made up of approximately 400 wholesale level phone number vendors (sellers) from 85 nations. They tend to be MVNOs, CLECs, and wholesale VoIP providers. On the other hand, our growing number of wholesale buyers, over 35,000 from 136 nations, is the perfect buying audience for our current sellers, but we need more sellers offering more DID exchanges and inventory. We're at GSMA Mobile World Congress this week in Barcelona and were at ITEXPO in Fort Lauderdale a few weeks ago. Communications technology as well as social media, big data, IoT and such are where DIDX gains 100s of new buyers and sellers of DID per event. With especially the sharp increase in number of buyers, it truly makes bringing on quality DID providers a must," says Anas Moiz, DIDX seller manager.About DIDX.netAs a cloud service provider since 1999, Super Technologies, Inc. and its star service DIDX.net is in the business of connecting wholesale direct inward dialing phone number vendors with buyers who buy and resell the same. Through the innovative technology that one of its two co-founders, Rehan Allahwala, it has made wholesale virtual phone number sales more productive and efficient. It delivers the ability for buyers such as large multi-national contact center companies, small to large voice over Internet companies, mobile app and social media companies to expand their services to become as global as needed with no startup funds needed. It assists the same to grab new customers and keep them and to please their current customers with a sudden increase in DID phone number across the globe. Visit http://www.didx.net today.
By: JIFFD

End

-- April is National Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Month and Jamaica International Female Development (JIFFD) in Association with Kiwanis Club of Lauderhill invites youth andchildren advocates to the second annual Protect the Children Gala. Local and international leaders will gatherfor an elegant evening designed to inspire activities and funds to support organizations in South Florida and Jamaica working with the survivors of child sexual abuse."Everyone is affected by child sexual abuse," said Lavern Deer, the event's organizer. "Many of us know someone who has been victimized, most of us worry about our children and those we love becoming victims, and unfortunately, some may even know perpetrators. So this is everyone's issue and as such, we must all rally for education and awareness towards the goal of prevention."This formal black-tie affair includes a cocktail reception and silent auction where guests will have opportunities to network with international leaders in business, arts, politics, community and culture. Throughout the evening guests will have a chance to learn more about the epidemic and ways in which they can become involved to protect the children.Sponsors include Florida Power and Light (FPL), Tuff Gong International, IRIE FM, and Caribbean National Weekly. Sponsorship opportunities are available and community and business leaders are invited to partner in the cause.Protect the Children 2016  the inaugural event- was a widely-touted success and has been endorsed by Jamaica's Minister of Education Youth and Information the Honorable Senator Ruel Reid as well as UNICEF Jamaica. Business, community, faith and cultural leaders are encouraged to also lend a voice, by purchasing tickets or tables for this necessary event.Tickets are currently available at early-bird rates and can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/ e/protect-the- children-gala- tickets-31531822530? aff=ehomecard
By: Behavioral Concepts, Inc.

Contact

Steve Dubin

***@prworkzone.com Steve Dubin

End

-- Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with autism in Central Massachusetts, will once again be a major sponsor of the 5K Run & Walk for Autism Acceptance to benefit HMEA's Autism Resource Central in West Boylston, MA. BCI contributed $7,500 to the annual run/walk, which will take place on Saturday, April 29 at DCR's Lake Park in Worcester."The Autism Resource Centrals's run/walk is our signature event for Autism Awareness month," said Dr. Jeff Robinson, BCI founder and director. "Beyond this donation, we will also be hosting the 'Kids Corner' booth where children can take part in fun, interactive activities before, during and after the run."BCI will also field a team of runners and walkers helping to raise money for Autism Resource Central.Located at 71 Sterling Street in West Boylston, Massachusetts (508-835-4278), HMEA Autism Resource Central of Central Massachusetts is a non-profit organization that serves as an information and referral service for children and families affected by disorders within the Autism Spectrum; Autism, PDD NOS and Asperger's. Annually, Autism Resource Central supports the needs of more than 3,000 families in Central Massachusetts."With one in 68 births resulting in an autism diagnosis, the need for The Resource Center grows every year," said Robinson. "We're delighted to help and encourage other companies and individuals to help support this invaluable resource for the community."For more information about HMEA Autism Resource Central at autismresourcecentral.org. For sponsorship information, call 508-835-4278.Founded in 2002, BCI provides educational, behavioral, consultative and assessment services to children with autism and their families. These services are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and are tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. It's BCI's goal to maximize individual potential, increase independence and enhance our clients' quality of life within their home, school and community.BCI provides center- and home-based services through health insurance and is an approved provider of Specialty ABA Services for Early Intervention in Central Massachusetts. BCI's main care center, located at 345A Greenwood Street in Worcester, Massachusetts, offers intensive treatment for young children aged 3 to 6 years of age, an after-school program for all school aged children and a weekend social skills program. BCI offers similar services at a second location at 207 Authority Drive in Fitchburg, Mass. BCI also provides in-home services within a one-hour radius of Worcester.For complete information, visit http://bciaba.com or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200.
Three students pit their brainpower against the world's best in eight-hour practical challenge in Shenzhen

By: Huawei ICT Academy

Media Contact

Sarah Chidgey

***@makehoney.com Sarah Chidgey

End

-- The best ICT students across Europe have been flown to China for a day-long challenge that highlights the need for a global workforce fit for a connected world.Each student undertook a gruelling online examination, with a 60% pass rate, to test their knowledge of IP and IT subjects, to be eligible for the trip, which saw delegates converge in China from across the world. Just 96 students from 7,500 around the world who sat the preliminary testing rounds, attended.The European students are members of the Huawei ICT Academy at Reading University, Edinburgh Napier University, and Alicante University, respectively. The Academy is a global not-for-profit programme that encourages the next generation of ICT professionals for a better connected world.Huawei, known for its mobile phones, hosted 32 teams, including six overseas teams, from across the globe at the inaugural event at its Shenzhen HQ, including teams from Pakistan, South Africa, Australia, and Russia.The eight-hour practical challenge thoroughly tests knowledge of routers, switching, security, WLAN, plus cloud, storage, and Big Data. The top three teams are announced at the end, along with six of the best mentors.A shortfall of up to 900,000 ICT roles is expected on the continent by 2020(1).Lintuo Wu, Huawei ICT Academy director, said: "Europe is awash with digital start-ups however, around 40% of employers on the continent say they have difficulties recruiting skilled workers(2)."Security, the cloud, and data storage are significant issues for companies. The Huawei ICT Academy hopes to influence the upskilling of the European ICT workforce through educational opportunities to create a better ICT talent ecosystem."Pallavi Malhotra, Huawei ICT Academy manager, said: "More and more university students, and those wanting to embark on an ICT career realise they need the full suite of academic knowledge and practical know-how to enter the current ICT workplace. Huawei ICT Academy qualifications provide the foundations, from routers or switching, to cloud computing, or security, to help students find those roles. We can also provide a career path for ICT professionals right up to certification, to enable them to aim for middle to senior level positions."References:(1) "On the way to 2020: data for vocational education and training policies" report published 15th February 2017 byCedefop, The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training(2) European Commission in discussions about their "New Skills Agenda for Europe"About Huawei ICT AcademyThe Huawei ICT Academy is part of a number of Huawei outreach programmes to enrich life and improve efficiency around the world.Huawei works with over 200 global colleges and universities, including the University of Reading in the UK, University of Sydney in Australia, University of Alicante in Spain, National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences (FAST-NU) in Pakistan, and University of Sao Paulo in Brazil City University of Hong Kong, and has trained more than 200,000 students up to 2016 .To date, Huawei has provided cloud services to over 2,500 customers in the government and public utility, telecom, energy, and finance sectors across 108 countries and regions, deploying more than 1.4 million virtual machines. It has also built 660 data centers worldwide, including 255 cloud data centers.Its ICT solutions, products, and services are used in more than 170 countries and regions, serving over one-third of the world's population. With more than 170,000 employees, Huawei is committed to enabling the future information society, and building a better connected world.See: www.huaweiacad.com https://www.facebook.com/ huawei.certifications and https://twitter.com/HWCertification
Kungsleden AB has signed a lease for 1,200 square meters in the Rotterdam 1 property with the media company Kanal 75. The property is located in Kungsledens Stockholm City East cluster, in the neighbourhood Gardet/Frihamnen. Kungsleden has four properties totalling 89,000 square meters in the Stockholm City East cluster in

[]
2018 Volvo XC60 is a luxury crossover which made its global debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show earlier today. New XC60 is in line with the Swedish brands latest design language but its not merely a shrunken XC90. For instance, the Thors Hammer LED light signature extends all the way to the grille, and the rear taillamp detailing is fresh.

As with the recent Volvos, 2018 XC60 will incorporate a completely revamped and much more upmarket interior but the extent of commonality with the 90 series models remains to be seen. The Mercedes GLC rival will feature a comprehensive Sensus Connected Touch infotainment system.

Underpinning the 2018 Volvo XC60 are the familiar Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) which also serves XC90, S90 and V90. The range of 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines will be on offer. Hybrids, three-cylinder variants, and a pure electric version are expected at later stages.

2018 Volvo XC60 would play a crucial role in the automakers global sales performance in 2017. Going by the reception its big brother received at the time of launch, the new mid-size premium SUV could very well become Volvos best selling product in no time. Sales in Europe is expected to commence in mid-2017. India launch is likely to be slated for end-2017.

We have a strong heritage in designing stylish and dynamic SUVs that offer the latest in technology. The new XC60 will be no exception. Its the perfect car for an active lifestyle, and it represents the next step in our transformation plan, said Hakan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive, Volvo Car Group.
Physical differences between males and females in species are common, but there remains much to learn about the genetic mechanisms behind these differences.

New research by scientists at Indiana University finds that the "master gene" that regulates these differences plays a complex role in matching the right physical trait to the right sex. The study, published Feb. 27 in the journal Nature Communications, reveals new details about the behavior of the gene called "doublesex," or dsx.

"We want to know more about this gene because it helps us answer a major question about development and evolution: How do animals with similar genomes -- such as males and females of the same species -- produce different versions of the same trait? And why do some traits, like ornamental features that attract mates, vary so widely, while others, like legs, don't?" said Cris Ledon-Rettig, a postdoctoral researcher in the IU Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Biology, who led the study.

The study is significant because it's the first to look at the effect of dsx across the whole genome. It finds that the gene isn't simply a "switch" that turns off certain male traits in females, as previously thought. Rather, it plays a highly complex role in controlling the expression of physical differences at different points in the genome based upon sex.

The paper's co-lead author is Eduardo Zattara, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Biology. The senior author is Armin Moczek, a professor in the department.

The fine-grained control that dsx exerts over male and female traits is possible because the gene acts in a surprising variety of ways, Ledon-Rettig said. By activating different genes in males and females, for example, it can promote male or female versions of the same trait, such as genitalia. Or, by activating the same genes in males while simultaneously inhibiting them in females, it can promote opposite traits.

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"The power to prevent the expression of male traits in females, and vice versa, is a critical feature," Moczek said. "It buffers traits that benefit only members of one sex from causing harm in members of the other."

For instance, in the species used by IU researchers to study dsx -- the beetle Onthophagus taurus -- males possess elaborate horns to battle rivals over females. These horns do not offer a similar reproductive advantage to females, however -- large horns would interfere with their ability to dig tunnels used to nest offspring.

A similar dynamic exists in birds. Higher testosterone attracts more mates in male birds due to greater aggression but decreases maternal instinct in females.

Both examples underline the tension that can exist between natural selection, which favors traits that promote a species' survival, and sexual selection, which favors traits that attract mates. If a species lacks this ability to "buffer" between male and female traits, it can go extinct.

To conduct the study, the IU scientists compared genes expressed in normal beetles to genes expressed beetles in which dsx was suppressed. The comparison revealed over 1,000 points on the genome in normal beetles where dsx affected gene expression in males and over 250 points where it affected gene expression in females.

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Importantly, Ledon-Rettig said, the majority of these points did not overlap. This indicated that dsx didn't simply turn certain genes "on" or "off" for most of the traits studied but rather affected gene expression at different locations in the genome based on sex.

"Essentially, dsx instructs the development of male and female versions of the same trait by influencing different genes in each sex," she said.

This was especially the case when they looked at the effect of dsx on the brains, which regulates sex-specific behaviors, and genitalia, used in reproduction. But for one trait -- head horns -- the study showed that dsx sometimes targets the exact same genes in both sexes. In this situation, dsx regulated the genes in opposite directions, creating completely horned males and completely hornless females. When the scientists disabled dsx, both sexes developed similarly sized intermediate horns.

Onthophagus taurus is one of the few insect species in which it's possible to conduct a whole genome analysis since their genome has been sequenced by the i5k Project, a.k.a. "The Manhattan Project of Entomology," a large-scale effort supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that aims to transcribe the genomes of 5,000 insects and other arthropods.

Genetic sequencing of the species was conducted through the project using insects provided by Moczek's lab at IU, which has pioneered the use of insects to study fundamental principles in evolution. Ledon-Rettig and Zattara are members of Moczek's lab.

"We're eager to extend our work on role of dsx -- and other genes -- to sexual differences across other, closely related species of beetles," Ledon-Rettig said. "These beetles are really a powerful platform for unraveling the fundamental mechanisms that underlie evolutionary diversification of sexual traits across species."
Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions involving abnormal folding of proteins, may help explain the emergence of life -- and how to create it.

Researchers at Emory University and Georgia Tech demonstrated this connection in two new papers published by Nature Chemistry: "Design of multi-phase dynamic chemical networks" and "Catalytic diversity in self-propagating peptide assemblies."

"In the first paper we showed that you can create tension between a chemical and physical system to give rise to more complex systems. And in the second paper, we showed that these complex systems can have remarkable and unexpected functions," says David Lynn, a systems chemist in Emory's Department of Chemistry who led the research. "The work was inspired by our current understanding of Darwinian selection of protein misfolding in neurodegenerative diseases."

The Lynn lab is exploring ways to potentially control and direct the processes of these proteins -- known as prions -- adding to knowledge that might one day help to prevent disease, as well as open new realms of synthetic biology. For the current papers, Emory collaborated with the research group of Martha Grover, a professor in the Georgia Tech School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, to develop molecular models for the processes.

"Modeling requires us to formulate our hypotheses in the language of mathematics, and then we use the models to design further experiments to test the hypotheses," Grover says.

Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is well-established -- organisms adapt over time in response to environmental changes. But theories about how life emerges -- the movement through a pre-Darwinian world to the Darwinian threshold -- remain murkier.

The researchers started with single peptides and engineered in the capacity to spontaneously form small proteins, or short polymers. "These protein polymers can fold into a seemingly endless array of forms, and sometimes behave like origami," Lynn explains. "They can stack into assemblies that carry new functions, like prions that move from cell-to-cell, causing disease."

This protein misfolding provided the model for how physical changes could carry information with function, a critical component for evolution. To try to kickstart that evolution, the researchers engineered a chemical system of peptides and coupled it to the physical system of protein misfolding. The combination results in a system that generates step-by-step, progressive changes, through self-driven environmental changes.

"The folding events, or phase changes, drive the chemistry and the chemistry drives the replication of the protein molecules," Lynn says. "The simple system we designed requires only the initial intervention from us to achieve progressive growth in molecular order. The challenge now becomes the discovery of positive feedback mechanisms that allow the system to continue to grow."
Humans have dramatically increased the spatial and seasonal extent of wildfires across the U.S. in recent decades and ignited more than 840,000 blazes in the spring, fall and winter seasons over a 21-year period, according to new research.

After analyzing two decades' worth of U.S. government agency wildfire records spanning 1992-2012, the researchers found that human-ignited wildfires accounted for 84 percent of all wildfires, tripling the length of the average fire season and accounting for nearly half of the total acreage burned.

The findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"There cannot be a fire without a spark," said Jennifer Balch, Director of CU Boulder's Earth Lab and an assistant professor in the Department of Geography and lead author of the new study. "Our results highlight the importance of considering where the ignitions that start wildfires come from, instead of focusing only on the fuel that carries fire or the weather that helps it spread. Thanks to people, the wildfire season is almost year-round."

The U.S. has experienced some of its largest wildfires on record over the past decade, especially in the western half of the country. The duration and intensity of future wildfire seasons is a point of national concern given the potentially severe impact on agriculture, ecosystems, recreation and other economic sectors, as well as the high cost of extinguishing blazes.

The annual cost of fighting wildfires in the U.S. has exceeded $2 billion in recent years.

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The CU Boulder researchers used the U.S. Forest Service Fire Program Analysis-Fire Occurrence Database to study records of all wildfires that required a response from a state or federal agency between 1992 and 2012, omitting intentionally set prescribed burns and managed agricultural fires. Human-ignited wildfires accounted for 84 percent of 1.5 million total wildfires studied, with lightning-ignited fires accounting for the rest.

In Colorado, 30 percent of wildfires from 1992-2012 were started by people, burning over 1.2 million acres. The fire season length for human-started fires was 50 days longer than the lightning-started fire season (93 days compared to 43 days), a twofold increase.

"These findings do not discount the ongoing role of climate change, but instead suggest we should be most concerned about where it overlaps with human impact," said Balch. "Climate change is making our fields, forests and grasslands drier and hotter for longer periods, creating a greater window of opportunity for human-related ignitions to start wildfires."

While lightning-driven fires tend to be heavily concentrated in the summer months, human-ignited fires were found to be more evenly distributed across all seasons. Overall, humans added an average of 40,000 wildfires during the spring, fall and winter seasons annually -- over 35 times the number of lightning-started fires in those seasons.

"We saw significant increases in the numbers of large, human-started fires over time, especially in the spring," said Bethany Bradley, an associate professor at University of Massachusetts Amherst and co-lead author of the research. "I think that's interesting, and scary, because it suggests that as spring seasons get warmer and earlier due to climate change, human ignitions are putting us at increasing risk of some of the largest, most damaging wildfires."

"Not all fire is bad, but humans are intentionally and unintentionally adding ignitions to the landscape in areas and seasons when natural ignitions are sparse," said John Abatzoglou, an associate professor of geography at the University of Idaho and a co-author of the paper. "We can't easily control how dry fuels get, or lightning, but we do have some control over human started ignitions."

The most common day for human-started fire by far, however, was July 4, with 7,762 total wildfires started on that day over the course of the 21-year period.

The new findings have wide-ranging implications for fire management policy and suggest that human behavior can have dramatic impact on wildfire totals, for good or for ill.

"The hopeful news here is that we could, in theory, reduce human-started wildfires in the medium term," said Balch. "But at the same time, we also need to focus on living more sustainably with fire by shifting the human contribution to ignitions to more controlled, well-managed burns."
Cotton, a longtime staple crop on the South Plains and major part of the region's economy, is growing into a new sector: environmental cleanup following oil spills.

The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH) at Texas Tech University has found that finer raw cotton in loose form performs best for absorbing oil, according to a study in the March/April 2017 issue of the AATCC Journal of Research published by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC).

"The oil spill issue has become a global issue, as it affects human health and environment," said Seshadri Ramkumar, lead author of the study and a professor in the institute's Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory, where the research was conducted. "So far, most oil sorbents are synthetic-based, which also leads to problems in marine environments. Our goal is to enable a biodegradable and natural product to be an efficient and cost-effective oil sorbent."

The study compared the oil absorption characteristics of finer and coarser cotton in loose, needlepunched nonwoven and hydroentangled nonwoven forms. Finer cotton in loose forms was proven superior for oil absorbency. The study showed the importance of cotton micronaire for oleophilic applications such as spill remediation. Among the important characteristics of cotton, micronaire -- a measure based on cotton's air permeability -- is an indicator of its fineness and maturity.

The project was a collaborative effort between faculty in TIEHH and the Texas Tech Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory and the Southern Regional Research Center of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service in New Orleans, where samples were prepared. It also involved a future generation of scientists in the research process with the addition of Ronald Kendall Jr. and Luke Kitten. The two were seniors at Coronado High School and Lubbock's Trinity Christian High School, respectively, during the study.

"We believe in preparing high school students to go into STEM fields," Ramkumar said. "More importantly, we would like to work with the young generation from the producer community. That is the reason Luke Kitten, whose family owns Kitten Land Company, was involved. The work trained both high school and graduate-level students."

Ramkumar has worked to introduce cotton to the field of technical textiles for more than a decade. He is the creator of FiberTectTM, a nonwoven decontamination wipe capable of cleaning toxic chemical agents.

"The work done by Dr. Ramkumar and his team is to be commended," said Steve Verett, executive vice president of Plains Cotton Growers Inc., which supports research in the Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory. "It is vital that we continue to explore new markets for cotton, and Dr. Ramkumar's research has contributed greatly to the advancement of cotton, especially in the nonwovens sector."

Ramkumar said the goal is to find industrial applications as well as new and value-added technical applications for cotton.

"One of the strengths of cotton research at Texas Tech is the connection with the local economic engine that cotton provides," said Kater Hake, vice president of agricultural research at Cotton Incorporated, which funded the research. "Not only do researchers address local challenges and opportunities, but some such as Dr. Ramkumar, take this connection to the next level by engaging local students and communities in the research."
VA: Governor McAuliffe

vetoes Knife Law Reform

By Dean Weingarten. February 27th, 2017

Article Source

On 20 February, 2017, Governor McAuliffe (D) Virginia vetoed HB 1432. The bill would have reformed Virginia law to remove the blanket prohibition on carrying, possessing, trading or selling switchblade knives.

The law was a holdover from the 1950's when bans on the ownership of switchblade knives swept the nation. The bans were based on groundless hysteria about their supposed use by street gangs. The play "West Side Story" was said to have a role in the passage of these laws. A federal statute banning the interstate sale of switchblade knives was passed. From the excellent article by Bernard Levine, published in 1990, which details how the ban came into existence:

Congressman Delaney's mind was made up, so it probably would have been pointless to confuse him with the facts. Switchblades came into common use in the United States, not around 1950 as he stated, but around 1850. After the turn of the century, thanks to the inventive genius of George Schrade (and the "protection" of the Tariff Acts of 1891 and 1897), American made switchblades of all sizes became popular and commonplace.

Wikipedia has a good bit of the history on their article about switchblades. From Wikipedia:

In 1954, Democratic Rep. James J. Delaney of New York authored the first bill submitted to the U.S. Congress banning the manufacture and sale of switchblades, beginning a wave of legal restrictions worldwide and a consequent decline in their popularity. In 1955, U.S. newspapers promoted the image of a young delinquent with a stiletto switchblade or flick knife with lurid stories of urban youth gang warfare, often featuring lower class youth and/or racial minorities.[4]

All of the laws were pushed based on propaganda and unfounded assertions by a congressman from New York City. It sounds eerily familiar to gun control efforts made during the last eight years. Bans on rifles such as the AR-15, that are used in a minuscule number of murders. Bans on rifles because they have a bayonet lug, even though bayonetting murders are never heard of.

Knife Rights has had considerable success in removing these antiquated and irrational knife bans. Reforms have been passed in Wisconsin, Nevada, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, Indiana, Alaska, Missouri, Maine, and New Hampshire.

Gun Rights has found that when legislators are educated about the history and effect of these knife bans, they can be persuaded to remove them. In Virginia this year, the process happened fairly quickly.

On January 14, HB 1432 as introduced by Delegates Scott Lingamfelter and Lee Ware. On January 24th, the bill was passed out of the Courts of Justice Committee. The vote was 13 for, 7 against. On January 30, the bill passed the house 57-Y to 39-N. On February 2nd, HB 1432 passed the Senate, 22-Y to 16-N. On February 20th, Governor McAuliffe (D) Virginia, vetoed House Bill 1432.

With house votes of 57 - 39, and Senate votes of 22-16, there were not enough votes for a veto override.

Switchblade knives are just another tool that has been demonized by those who worship the power of the state. It never made any sense to ban them. Knife law reform in Virginia awaits a Governor who is willing to move forward.

2017 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included. Gun Watch.

Not 'gun control' but in a similar vein. This is an example of typical paranoia over a design - the ''cosmetics'' factor such as we have seen with, for example, the 'scary' features on an AR-15. Pistol grip, bayonet lug, adjustable stock etc. A knife is a knife is a knife - it is a blade whether that is retractable or not, and as most know the famous box cutter is potentially a dangerous weapon itself. Perhaps screwdrivers should be off limits too!

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Pulling data from 180 different lines of fruit flies, researchers from Michigan Technological University compared resistance to a toxin found in mushrooms like the Death Cap and Destroying Angel. Their results were published by PLOS ONE this week.

The team's main finding is the genetic mechanisms that control the toxin resistance correspond to the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway that regulates cell physiology and metabolism in humans and other mammals. The findings could open up new possibilities for studying cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, depression and neurodegenerative diseases.

Alpha-amanitin Resistance

Not all fruit flies come into the kitchen on grocery store bananas; not all fruit flies like mushrooms. With a surprising amount of diversity, fruit fly species have adapted many niche preferences, such as a tolerance for alpha-amanitin, or alpha-amanitin, a toxin found in the Amanita genus of poisonous mushrooms.

Thomas Werner, an assistant professor of biological sciences at Michigan Tech, is the corresponding author of the new PLOS ONE paper, and the study builds on his previous work showing how alpha-amanitin resistance may be related to pesticide resistance in Asian fruit fly strains. Ever since, he and his team have worked on figuring out how fruit flies build resistance to the toxins and the resistance's effects on longevity.

"We found that there are multiple mechanisms that make sense," Werner says, explaining that the mechanisms focused on the genetic regulation of detoxification enzymes. "And the more resistant the fruit flies were, the longer they lived."

Initially, the team looked at a single, highly resistant strain of Drosophila melanogaster from Taiwan. Then they pulled in 180 lines of fruit flies collected at a Raleigh, North Carolina farmer's market for comparison. The crew relied on nearly 30 undergraduates to help do prep in the lab; eight are co-authors on the paper.

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mTOR Pathway

Werner's team used genome-wide association mapping to help connect the dots between varying levels of fruit fly resistance. By putting big data techniques to work, they were able to screen genetic traits and nucleotide sequences to better discern candidate genes that control the toxin resistance.

"To do the analysis, we decide on a trait, which we will test in all 180 lines," Werner says. "We selected mushroom toxin resistance and found continuous variation in the lines."

From there, the data are sorted into two columns. Werner and his team then had to look for corresponding sequences of genetic code -- like an elaborate children's matching game. The result: the matches kept pointing to the mTOR pathway, which is shared among mammals and insects.

"It's a central metabolic pathway that is very complicated -- it's a key hub that is being widely researched right now," Werner says.

This initial connection to mTOR opens up many new lines of study, particularly in human health. Werner also says digging deeper into why fruit flies evolve this resistance could shed light on its advantage as a pre-adaptation device. A better understanding of the resistance's evolution mechanisms could offer insight into many diseases including cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, depression and neurodegenerative diseases.
Fossil hunters have found part of an ancient primate jawbone related to lemurs -- the primitive primate group distantly connected to monkeys, apes and humans, a USC researcher said.

Biren Patel, an associate professor of clinical cell and neurobiology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, has been digging for fossils in a paleontologically rich area of Kashmir in northern India for six years. Although paleontologists have scoured this region for a century, relics of small extinct primates were rarely found or studied.

Scientists named the new species Ramadapis sahnii and said that it existed 11 to 14 million years ago. It is a member of the ancient Sivaladapidae primate family, consumed leaves and was about the size of a house cat, said Patel, co-author of the new study in the Journal of Human Evolution.

"Among the primates, the most common ones in the Kashmir region are from a genus called Sivapithecus, which were ancestral forms of orangutans," Patel said. "The fossil we found is from a different group on the primate family tree -- one that is poorly known in Asia. We are filling an ecological and biogeographical gap that wasn't really well documented. Every little step adds to the understanding of our human family tree because we're also primates."

The last primate found in the area was 38 years ago. So, in addition to being a new species, this is the first primate fossil found in the area in decades.

"In the past, people were interested in searching for big things -- things they could show off to other people," Patel said. "A lot of the small fossils were not on their radar."

The inch-and-a-quarter partial mandible belongs to a primate weighing less than 11 pounds that had outlived its other adapidae cousins found in North America, Europe and Africa by millions of years.

"New primates are always a hot topic, and this one is the first of its kind from its area in Asia, which has significant consequences for understanding primate evolution in the Old World," said Michael Habib, an assistant professor of clinical cell and neurobiology at the Keck School of Medicine who was not involved in the study.

The question that remains is how the ecosystem in northern India supported this species when its relatives elsewhere were disappearing or had already gone extinct. Future fieldwork and recovering more fossil primates will help answer this question.

"People want to know about human origins, but to fully understand human origins, you need to understand all of primate origins, including the lemurs and these Sivaladapids," Patel said. "Lemurs and sivaladapids are sister groups to what we are -- the anthropoids -- and we are all primates."

Researchers from Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, Arizona State University, Stony Brook University and Panjab University also contributed to this study, which was supported by the Wenner-Gren Foundation, the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, the Institute of Human Origins and funding from some of the involved universities.
When the universe was young, a supermassive black hole -- bloated to the bursting point with stupendous power -- heaved out a jet of particle-infused energy that raced through the vastness of space at nearly the speed of light.

Billions of years later, a trio of Clemson University scientists, led by College of Science astrophysicist Marco Ajello, has identified this black hole and four others similar to it that range in age from 1.4 billion to 1.9 billion years old. These objects emit copious gamma rays, light of the highest energy, that are billions of times more energetic than light that is visible to the human eye.

The previously known earliest gamma-ray blazars -- a type of galaxy whose intense emission is powered by extremely powerful relativistic jets launched by monstrous black holes -- were more than 2 billion years old. Currently, the universe is estimated to be approximately 14 billion years old.

"The discovery of these supermassive black holes, which launch jets that emit more energy in one second than our sun will produce in its entire lifetime, was the culmination of a yearlong research project," said Ajello, who has spent much of his career studying the evolution of distant galaxies. "Our next step is to increase our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the formation, development and activities of these amazing objects, which are the most powerful accelerators in the universe. We can't even come close to replicating such massive outputs of energy in our laboratories. The complexities we're attempting to unravel seem almost as mysterious as the black holes themselves."

Ajello conducted his research in conjunction with Clemson post-doc Vaidehi Paliya and Ph.D candidate Lea Marcotulli. The trio worked closely with the Fermi-Large Area Telescope collaboration, which is an international team of scientists that includes Roopesh Ojha, an astronomer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland; and Dario Gasparrini of the Italian Space Agency.

The Clemson team's breakthroughs were made possible by recently juiced-up software on NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Telescope. The refurbished software significantly boosted the orbiting telescope's sensitivity to a level that made these latest discoveries possible.

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"People are calling it the cheapest refurbishment in history," Ajello said. "Normally, for the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA had to send someone up to space to physically make these kinds of improvements. But in this case, they were able to do it remotely from an Earth-bound location. And of equal importance, the improvements were retroactive, which meant that the previous six years of data were also entirely reprocessed. This helped provide us with the information we needed to complete the first step of our research and also to strive onward in the learning process."

Using Fermi data, Ajello and Paliya began with a catalog of 1.4 million quasars, which are galaxies that harbor at their centers active supermassive black holes. Over the course of a year, they narrowed their search to 1,100 objects. Of these, five were finally determined to be newly discovered gamma-ray blazars that were the farthest away -- and youngest -- ever identified.

"After using our filters and other devices, we were left with about 1,100 sources. And then we did the diagnostics for all of these and were able to narrow them down to 25 to 30 sources," Paliya said. "But we still had to confirm that what we had detected was scientifically authentic. So we performed a number of other simulations and were able to derive properties such as black hole mass and jet power. Ultimately, we confirmed that these five sources were guaranteed to be gamma-ray blazars, with the farthest one being about 1.4 billion years old from the beginning of time."

Marcotulli, who joined Ajello's group as a Ph.D student in 2016, has been studying the blazars' mechanisms by using images and data delivered from another orbiting NASA telescope, the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR). At first, Marcotulli's role was to understand the emission mechanism of gamma-ray blazars closer to us. Now she is turning her attention toward the most distant objects in a quest to understand what makes them so powerful.

"We're trying to understand the full spectrum of the energy distribution of these objects by using physical models," Marcotulli said. "We are currently able to model what's happening far more accurately than previously devised, and eventually we'll be able to better understand what processes are occurring in the jets and which particles are radiating all the energy that we see. Are they electrons? Or protons? How are they interacting with surrounding photons? All these parameters are not fully understood right now. But every day we are deepening our understanding."

All galaxies have black holes at their centers -- some actively feeding on the matter surrounding them, others lying relatively dormant. Our own galaxy has at its center a super-sized black hole that is currently dormant. Ajello said that only one of every 10 black holes in today's universe are active. But when the universe was much younger, it was closer to a 50-50 ratio.

The supermassive black holes at the center of the five newly discovered blazar galaxies are among the largest types of black holes ever observed, on the order of hundreds of thousands to billions of times the mass of our own sun. And their accompanying accretion disks -- rotating swirls of matter that orbit the black holes -- emit more than two trillion times the energy output of our sun.

One of the most surprising elements of Ajello's research is how quickly -- by cosmic measures -- these supersized black holes must have grown in only 1.4 billion years. In terms of our current knowledge of how black holes grow, 1.4 billion years is barely enough time for a black hole to reach the mass of the ones discovered by Ajello's team.

"How did these incomprehensibly enormous and energy-laden black holes form so quickly?" Ajello said. "Is it because one black hole ate a lot all the time for a very long time? Or maybe because it bumped into other black holes and merged into one? To be honest, we have no observations supporting either argument. There are mechanisms at work that we have yet to unravel. Puzzles that we have yet to solve. When we do eventually solve them, we will learn amazing things about how the universe was born, how it grew into what it has become, and what the distant future might hold as the universe continues to progress toward old age."
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A U.S. Army unit in Colorado lost one of its RQ-7B Shadow 200 UAVs on January 31s when the ground controller could no longer communicate with the UAV. The army was using data from local ground radar data and the ground controller equipment to try and figure out where the UAV went but that indicated a huge search area in rural Colorado. Endurance of the RQ-7 is only about nine hours and the army was still trying to find out where the RQ-7 was (there were no reports of it) when a hiker came across it about a thousand kilometers away in some remote mountains. There was no fire, so the RQ-7 apparently had kept going until it ran out of fuel. The investigation continues. What this highlights is the continuing problems with UAV flight control software, especially for when a UAV losses contact with its ground controller. There are various solutions to this and the most common one is the go home response. For this the flight software automatically carries out a return to base when contact with the ground controller is lost. The exact cause of this RQ-7B loss wont be known for months because of the accident investigation process that examines just about every possibility.

The RQ-7B has been one of the most heavily used medium UAV Each 200 kg (440 pound) RQ-7BV2 Shadow 200 UAV costs over $2,000,000 and over 500 have been manufactured since 1990. A day camera and night vision camera is carried as well as accessories like laser designators. Able to fly as high as 4,900 meters (15,000 feet), the Shadow can go into hostile territory and stay high enough (over 3,200 meters/10,000 feet) to be safe from hostile rifle and machine-gun fire. The Shadow can carry 25.5 kg (56 pounds) of equipment, and is 3.5 meters (11 feet long) and has a wingspan of 4.1 meters (12.75 feet). The Shadow ground controller has a range of about 50 kilometers. The U.S. Army has had great success with the Shadow 200, which is what caught the attention of foreign customers and led to several export sales.

Shadows are deployed as platoons; each containing four UAVs, a truck mounted hydraulic launcher, ground control, support gear and at least six vehicles. Each platoon has about $30 million of equipment that is operated by 22 troops. Typically, each combat brigade has one Shadow UAV platoon. The army has developed a lightweight laser designator for the Shadow 200. This enables the UAV to carry and fire small missiles.

The RQ-7 was supposed to be replaced by a Predator class replacement the 1.4 ton MQ-1C Sky Warrior. But because of continued enormous demand for UAVs and budget cuts there have been fewer MQ-1Cs available and the RQ-7 still gets the job done. RQ-7s in service are being worked hard (they have already flown about a million hours) and will probably be heavily used until worn out or lost in action. But foreign demand for Shadow 200 is also keeping the aircraft in production.
A UAE (United Arab Emirates) firm (NIMR Automotive) is entering the special operations ATV (all-terrain vehicles) market, which is currently dominated by American and British firms. The NIMR RIV (Rapid Intervention Vehicle) is four ton vehicle with a 1.5 ton payload. RIV is a 4.9 meters (15.6 feet) long four seater that can mount a 12.7mm machine-gun atop the roll bars.

The RIV is similar in layout to the existing (and very popular) MRZR4 which weighs 1.5 tons (loaded with nearly 700 kg of fuel, passengers, and cargo). MRZR4 is a 4x4 vehicle that is 3.6 meters (11.8 feet) long and has no doors, four seats, and a steel framework on top which is usually left open for maximum visibility. The vehicle is optimized for cross country operations and powered by an 88 horsepower engine. Fuel capacity is 7.25 gallons (27.4 liters) and range depends on what sort of terrain is being crossed. MRZRs can tow a load of up to 680 kg. Cost per vehicle varies depending on accessories. MRZR can be equipped various electronic navigation and night movement equipment. The latest versions have improved electronic automatic power steering. There are a lot of accessories for storing different types of cargo on a MRZR.

RIV has a more powerful 300 horsepower engine giving it a top speed of 160 kilometers an hour on roads. RIV is built to use quickly attached lightweight bullet proof panels and comes standard with a blast resistant bottom. RIV is appealing to the special operations and special (SWAT type) police units in Moslem countries where special operations capability is often part of regular police work. Thus RIV is built to operate on paved roads and at high speed while still capable of cross country patrols.

The RIV is part of a trend because In 2016 NIMR began offering an armored version of its popular NIMR military truck as the Ajban SOV (Special Operations Vehicle) and in 2017 offered an updated version. Ajban SOV is an open top vehicle meant for reconnaissance, border patrol or any mission that requires the mobility of a 4x4 military vehicle plus some armor protection. Ajban SOV is a 7.5 ton vehicle with a 2.5 ton payload. That can vary depending on the degree of armor protection carried. The 2017 has various technical improvements as well as a higher (three ton) payload.

Ajban is based on the older (introduced in 2005) NIMR military truck. This is a 4x4 vehicle similar to the American hummer and designed to cope with the high heat and abundant sand and dust found in the Middle East. The basic NIMR weighs 4.4 tons, can carry 1.5 tons (or up to eight people), and can be equipped with a remote control 12.7mm machine-gun turret. Top speed is 140 kilometers an hour on roads. This version costs about $82,000 each. There is a larger 6x6 version for carrying cargo. There is also an anti-aircraft version armed with four Mistral missiles ready-to-fire and four more as reloads. An anti-tank version comes equipped with four Milan ATGM (anti-tank guided missiles) ready to fire and four more as reloads. All NIMRs are equipped to take a variety of armor kits (providing different degrees of protection against bullets and explosions). Ajban SOV also can mount a machine-gun and comes in configurations for carrying cargo.

NIMR development began in the late 1990s and production began in 2005. NIMR was designed with the help of Russian automotive company GAZ, which also helped set up the manufacturing operation and supplies some of the components. The UAE has so far ordered over 2,000 NIMR vehicles for its armed forces. The new Libyan armed forces, as well as Lebanon, Tunisia, and Algeria, have ordered or are evaluating NIMR vehicles. NIMR and Ajban SOV are produced in an assembly plant in Jordan.

NIMR and several other manufacturing operations are part of an effort by oil-rich Arab countries to develop their economies and not just be dependent on exporting oil and gas. This is difficult because most Arab countries, especially the oil-rich Gulf States, dont have much industrial infrastructure or a population with the motivation or skills to create one.
Homicides in Mexico increased in 2016. In the first two months of 2017 that trend continues, particularly in Baja California, Chihuahua, and Sinaloa states (all near the U.S. border). States with seaports on the Pacific Ocean have also seen substantial increases. Overall, January 2017 saw 1,938 murders which was 34 percent more than the 1,442 in January 2016. Officials attribute Januarys increase to drug cartel violence related to the arrest and extradition of Sinaloa Cartel drug lord Joaquin Guzman. Cartels are fighting for control of the business and smuggling routes. Some cartel members, particularly in the Sinaloa Cartel, see an opportunity to increase their own personal power. The cartel has been riven by factional fighting, but the fighting has become more frequent and more intense.

February 27, 2017: Guerrero state security officials said they believe eight people have been kidnapped by a drug gang. Six of the people are bull riders (jaripeo). There has been at least one ransom demand. Jaripeo is a style of bull riding popular in Central and Southern Mexico and events attract large crowds and lots of cash for the winning riders.

February 26, 2017: The U.S. extradited another murder suspect from Mexico. This suspect was involved in a 2008 murder in Arizona. The suspect fled to Mexico and Oaxaca State police arrested him in May 2015.

February 22, 2017: Canada and Mexico said that renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) requires agreement by all three nations. NAFTA is a three-country agreement. The U.S. disagrees.

February 18, 2017: A former government senior security official recently estimated that every year narcotics trafficking cartels smuggle $64 billion worth of drugs into the United States. An outrageous figure? Maybe, maybe not. The estimate range usually runs from $55 billion to $70 billion.

February 17, 2017: In the north (Tamaulipas State, near the Texas border) soldiers and marines killed at least 13 cartel gunmen in a series of firefights in and around the city of Reynosa. Authorities believe the gunmen work for the Gulf Cartel.

February 16, 2017: Mexico continues to buy more U.S.-produced natural gas. Over the first six weeks of 2017 pipelines have shipped 4.2 billion cubic feet per day to Mexico. Thats up 45 percent from 2015 when it was 2.9 billion cubic feet per day. New pipeline capacity has been built and more is being built. By 2020, U.S. and Mexican companies estimate Mexico will purchase up to 7 billion cubic feet per day. Mexico is building new electricity generation facilities that burn natural gas rather than oil or coal.

February 15, 2017: In the north (Tamaulipas State, near the Texas border) a death squad identified as La Barredora murdered at least four people and burned their bodies in a farm area. Investigators believe the group works for a new faction of Los Zetas cartel. Several Zetas factions are fighting a turf war for control of Ciudad Victoria, which is on the Texas border.

February 13, 2017: Mexican corn importers and members of the legislature are threatening to boycott U.S. corn producers. The U.S. is the worlds largest corn producer and Mexico is one of the worlds biggest markets for corn. A Mexican senator said he intends to file a bill that requires the country to buy corn from Argentina and Brazil. He said his bill is a response to threats to Mexico by the new U.S. government. In 2015 Mexico bought $2.4 billion worth of U.S> corn.

February 11, 2017: Marines confirmed they killed Juan Francisco Patron Sanchez, a senior commander in the Beltran Leyva Organization (BLO) drug cartel during a February 9 raid in Nayarit State, on the Pacific coast. Seven other suspected cartel members also died. The marines were supported by a helicopter gunship armed with a minigun. Cell phone video of the helicopter attacking the suspects is showing up on the internet. Marines employed the helicopter because gunmen fired at them with 12.7mm (.50 caliber) sniper rifles. The BLO was an ally of the Sinaloa Cartel, but the alliance ended in 2008 when Alfredo Beltran Leyva was arrested. At the time he was the BLOs most senior leader,

February 10, 2017: In the north (Nuevo Leon State bordering Texas) police state arrested Fernando Alejandro Cano Martinez. Cano is wanted in the U.S. on money-laundering charges. In fact, he is wanted on nine counts of money-laundering. However, several hours after his arrest, federal authorities (Attorney Generals Office in Mexico City) released Cano because the police did not have an arrest warrant.

February 9, 2017: Military leaders continue to talk with media about the Defense Ministers December 2016 statement that the military should not be the lead agency in the Cartel War. The accusation was that the military is not designed to do police work. The chatter continues because many officers are worried that drug cartels are trying to corrupt the military forces.

February 8, 2017: On the west coast (Sinaloa state) a marine and five cartel gunmen died in a firefight that began when a marine patrol encountered a group of men wearing bullet-proof vests and carrying AK-47 and AR-15 assault rifles.

February 4, 2017: The government reported that the number of homicides increased 22 percent in 2016 (from 17,034 during 2015 to 20,789).

February 2, 2017: There is anecdotal evidence that Central American migrants are deciding to remain in Mexico rather than attempt to enter the U.S. Thus there was an increase in asylum requests during January by Central Americans. Most Central American migrants into Mexico comes from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala

February 1, 2017: The government denied reports that the U.S. government threatened to send U.S. soldiers to Mexico. A senior presidential spokesman said The things that have been said are nonsense and a downright lie." He was responding to a report that the new U.S. president had told his Mexican counterpart that he would send American soldiers to Mexico to stop bad hombres down there unless the Mexican military controls them.
Labour Leader Andrew Little continues his visits to regional New Zealand this week with a meeting at Cornerstone Pub on The Strand in Tauranga tonight.

The pub meeting is part of his State of the Regions national tour and will see Andrew discuss local issues with Tauranga locals, plus how they relate to both national politics and Labours plans for 2017.

A party spokesperson says so far the tour has received a great response from the public.

He tends to speak for about 25 minutes outlining his vision and then takes questions from the floor.

Weve had a really interesting cross section of people coming along to these events. Its not just Labour Party activists, thats for sure.

Good crowds have greeted Andrew so far, with more than 300 people showing up to a pub meeting In Christchurch, similar to the one being organized for Tauranga.

While a lecture hall speech in Dunedin attracted more than 400, and was reported by the Otago Daily Times as the biggest community meeting in memory, adds the spokesman.

Labour Leader Andrew Littles State of the Regions tour stops in at Cornerstone Pub on The Strand in Tauranga today, Wednesday, March 1, from 5.30pm.
MDA Ltd. designs, manufactures, and services space robotics, satellite systems and components, and intelligence systems in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and internationally. It offers geointelligence solutions that provide satellite-generated imagery and analytic services to deliver critical and value-added insights in the areas of national security, climate change monitoring, and maritime surveillance. The company also provides robotics and space operations that enable humanity's exploration by providing autonomous robotics and vision sensors that operate in space and on the surfaces of the moon and mars. In addition, it offers satellite systems and spacecraft to enable space-based services, including space-based broadband internet connectivity from low earth orbit satellite constellations. Further, the company provides products and services of defense intelligence systems. It serves government agencies, prime contractors, and space companies. The company was formerly known as Neptune Acquisition Holdings Inc. and changed its name to MDA Ltd. in March 2021. MDA Ltd. was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Brampton, Canada.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, a pharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes generic medicines, specialty medicines, and biopharmaceutical products in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company offers sterile products, hormones, high-potency drugs, and cytotoxic substances in various dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, injectables, inhalants, liquids, transdermal patches, ointments, and creams. It also develops, manufactures, and sells active pharmaceutical ingredients. In addition, it focuses on the central nervous system, pain, respiratory, and oncology areas. Its products in the central nervous system include Copaxone for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis; AJOVY for the preventive treatment of migraine; and AUSTEDO for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia and chorea associated with Huntington disease. The company's products in the respiratory market comprise ProAir, QVAR, ProAir Digihaler, AirDuo Digihaler, and ArmonAir Digihaler, BRALTUS, CINQAIR/CINQAERO, DuoResp Spiromax, and AirDuo RespiClick/ArmonAir RespiClick for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Its products in the oncology market include Bendeka, Treanda, Granix, Trisenox, Lonquex, and Tevagrastim/Ratiograstim. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has a collaboration MedinCell for the development and commercialization of multiple long-acting injectable products, a risperidone suspension for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. The company was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel.
It took just one bullet to change Zongoloni's life forever. In September 2013, people spotted an injured mother elephant stumbling around the bush in Kenya. She had a baby calf with her - Zongoloni, who was only around 18 months old at the time.

Zongoloni with her dying mother | DSWT

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) and Kenya Wildlife Service Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit quickly dispatched a team. When they found the pair, they anaesthetised them so they could treat the mom's injury - a poacher's bullet had struck her in the right leg, shattering the bone. The vet team cleaned the mother's wound and gave her painkillers, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. But since the bullet was embedded so deeply into her bone, they worried that she might not make it. "Although the team did all they could, the prognosis was relatively poor as she was struggling to walk far and with a young calf," Robert Brandford, executive director of DSWT UK, told The Dodo. "This was a very difficult position to be in."

Dodo Shows Faith = Restored Rescued Animals Melt Into This Woman's Arms When She Sings To Them

Zongoloni with her dying mother | DSWT

Two weeks later, the worst happened. The mother elephant collapsed and couldn't get back up. Zongoloni stayed with her mom, bravely chasing off any intruders, and stroking her mom with her trunk. But without her mom's milk, Zongoloni became weak and tired. The rescue team returned. At this point, they couldn't do anything to save the mom. However, they could help Zongoloni.

DSWT

"The saddest part was knowing that when we found her collapsed, both mother and calf had been without food or water for some time as the bullet wound had left her almost completely immobile," Brandford said. "This agony, pain and heartbreak had been caused from a single bullet. Zongoloni's mother was clearly targeted for her ivory tusks." The rescue team tranquilized Zongoloni to keep her calm, and transported her to DSWT's Nairobi nursery, a place that cares for orphaned elephants and other animals who have lost their families to poaching. Initially, Zongoloni was quite aggressive with the keepers, and she refused to take a bottle. But when she met some of the other elephant orphans at the nursery, she seemed to calm down.

Zongoloni with her friends at the DSWT orphanage | DSWT

"Zongoloni had a very clear recollection of her upbringing and time with her mother in the wild," Brandford said. "To help with her emotional stress, we would bring the other orphans to feed just outside of Zongoloni's stable so she could feel part of the orphan herd. This helps immeasurably with all new arrivals and gives them a sense of belonging once more." Zongoloni's life was never the same after losing her mom, but in time, she fell into a routine at the nursery and bonded with the other orphans.

DSWT

Now, four years later, Zongoloni lives at DSWT's rehabilitation unit at Umani Springs in Kenya, which brings her a step closer to returning to the wild. "Zongoloni enjoys frolicking around in the mud bath following her morning milk feed," Brandford said. "She is also feeling the call of the wild and spending more time with wild elephant herds!"

Zongoloni with her friends at the rehabilitation center | DSWT
When Muslihudin Sharbinie finally arrived at the clinic - after a nearly three-hour scooter ride along the winding, mountainous roads near Bogor, Indonesia - the veterinarian had some discouraging words for him.

Uli Sharbinie

The cat he had brought all that way - the stray he found just after being hit by a car - wasn't going to make it. It would be too expensive to even try to save her life. Better to let her go. But Sharbinie, who goes by Uli, had words of his own for the veterinarian. "My friends will pay for this," Uli told the vet. "We will save her." Those friends live thousands of miles away - in the U.S., Germany and the UK. Uli calls them his angels. They, too, have a name for him: The Gandhi of Bogor.

Uli Sharbinie

Through crowdfunding, Uli's Angels helped him save countless cats around his village - by getting much-needed medicine to them, arranging for spaying and neutering, and, in this cat's case, covering cost of surgery that would save her life.

Uli Sharbinie

Before they got involved, Uli could do little more than feed and prepare natural remedies for the cats he found. But they were often grievously injured or desperately sick. And some locals, seeing the cat population only grow, treated them as a nuisance. Many were poisoned and killed. Kittens were left mewling in the streets, some orphaned before they could even open their eyes.

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Uli Sharbinie

Uli, who still remembers the love his great grandparents used to show for stray cats, would try to save every last one. "There is no one else here in my area to help them," he tells The Dodo. "Their lives depend on us. They don't have any choice. But we do."

Uli Sharbinie

But Uli, a married father of five who holds down three jobs, couldn't do it alone. "The problem in my area was the number of stray cats increasing dramatically," he says. "A newborn baby could not reach adulthood because of the lack of attention given to them - to give medicine when they're sick." Then he found his angels. In 2014, Kristen Connelly, who lives in Oxnard, California, stumbled upon Uli's Facebook profile. "He has such an amazing interest in cats," she tells The Dodo. "And I thought, I really need to know this person." So she sent him a friend request. And then Connelly asked him if there was anything she do to to help him. Well, now that she mentioned it ... There were scores of cats and kittens in his village who could use an intervention.

Uli Sharbinie

Connelly networked with other animal lovers - Daniela Langer, Trish Delahaye and Cher Callaway. "The four of us, we decided, no matter what we do, we're going to do everything we can for Uli," Connelly says.

Uli Sharbinie

They started a GofundMe account for his cat-saving crusade. Soon, they raised enough money to schedule visits from the Jakarta Animal Aid Network to spay and neuter the village cats.

Uli Sharbinie

"When he started realizing we were helping him - that he didn't have to turn them away any more or just drop off a piece of fish and some rice in one of the local markets - we encouraged him to bring them home," Connelly explains.

Uli Sharbinie

But Uli, who built a school in his village from scratch, didn't need help building a sanctuary for them. He scavenged local dumps for fencing and lumber, eventually building a multistory cat city, complete with welcome signs and colorful painted cats. The sanctuary proved a beacon for sick and hungry cats.

Uli Sharbinie

"Strays will come to him," Connelly says. "And a lot of them just come for medicine or food or a place to sleep and seek shelter for a while."

Uli Sharbinie

Uli's compassion would prove contagious. "His neighbors are no longer literally dumping cats in the dump yards and at the schools," Connelly explains. "They're bringing them to him." Some even volunteered to help Uli with his ever-growing sanctuary.

Uli Sharbinie

"He's not paying them any money," Connelly says. "They're just there helping because they've now become cat people also." And the village, a place where cats were once widely seen as a menace, has become a vital refuge for them.

Uli Sharbinie

"They deserve to have a better life," Uli says

Uli Sharbinie
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Linkedin Panca Nugraha (The Jakarta Post) Mataram  Mon, February 27, 2017

A migrant worker from North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, is suspected of having fallen victim to organ trafficking while working in Doha, Qatar.

Sri Rabitah, 25, who started working as a housemaid in Doha in 2014, also claims to have been abused by her first employer.

She said she had been taken to the hospital on her third day of employment and was unknowingly operated on.

She woke up the next day in pain and discovered stiches on her stomach.

Her employer said nothing about the matter and later returned her to the agency that had assigned her to the job. She was assigned to other employers but was sent back home the same year because as she had fallen ill frequently.

The resident of Sesait village found out earlier this year that one of her kidneys had been removed after a checkup at a hospital. She visited the office of the North Lombok regent on Monday to seek help.

I want the government to sue the perpetrator. My kidney was stolen, said Sri. (wit)
DETROITJapanese auto parts maker Takata Corp. pleaded guilty to fraud Monday and agreed to pay a $1-billion (U.S.) penalty for concealing a deadly defect in millions of its airbags.

Takata admitted hiding evidence that its airbag inflators can explode with too much force, hurling shrapnel into drivers and passengers.

The inflators are blamed for at least 16 deaths worldwide  11 of them in the U.S.  and more than 180 injuries. The problem touched off the biggest recall in U.S. automotive history, involving 42 million vehicles and up to 69 million inflators.

Read more:

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The companys chief financial officer, Yoichiro Nomura, entered the guilty plea on Takatas behalf in federal court in Detroit. He also agreed that Takata will be sold or merge with another company.

The penalties include $850 million in restitution to automakers, $125 million for victims and families and a $25-million criminal fine.

Separately, three former executives are charged with falsifying test reports. They remain in Japan.

Takatas inflators use ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion that inflates airbags in a crash. But when exposed to prolonged high temperatures and humidity, the chemical can deteriorate and burn too fast. That can blow apart a metal canister.

In the U.S., 19 automakers are recalling the inflators. Worldwide, the total number of inflators being recalled is over 100 million.

Takatas penalty is small compared with the one imposed on Volkswagen, which must buy back cars and pay up to $21 billion in penalties and compensation to owners over its emissions-cheating scandal.

Karl Brauer, executive publisher of Kelley Blue Book, said authorities may have kept the penalty manageable so Takata could stay in business and continue to carry out the giant recall.

My sense is there has been more kid-gloves treatment of Tataka simply because destroying them makes the problem much worse, Brauer said.

Takata, which also makes seatbelts, has racked up two straight years of losses over the recalls but said it hopes to start turning a profit again this fiscal year.

Meanwhile, plaintiffs in dozens of lawsuits over the defect charged in court papers filed Monday in Miami that Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Ford and BMW had independent knowledge that Takatas airbags were unsafe before putting them in millions of vehicles.

After an inflator ruptured in 2009, one of the auto companies described the problem as one in which a passenger protection device was transformed into a killing weapon, the court filing said. The company was not identified in the document.

The filing marks the broadest allegation yet that automakers knowingly put their customers in danger.

The automotive defendants were aware that rupture after rupture, both during testing and in the field, confirmed how dangerous and defective Takatas airbags were, the plaintiffs attorneys said.

The auto companies have asserted that they were deceived by Takata and shouldnt be held liable.

In fact, in Takatas plea agreement, the Justice Department says Takata got the car companies to keep buying its inflators through submission of false and fraudulent reports and other information that concealed the true and accurate test results.

The plaintiffs are suing not only over the deaths and injuries, but over what they say is the vehicles loss in value because of the defect.

The filing Monday includes specific allegations against each of the automakers:

Honda, Takatas biggest customer, was intimately involved in designing Takata inflators, and two of them exploded and ruptured at Honda facilities in 1999 and 2000.

Toyota had quality concerns about Takata in 2003, the same year an inflator ruptured at a Toyota testing facility. At least 15 inflators in Toyotas had blown apart by 2014.

Ford picked Takata inflators over the objections of its own inflator expert because Takata was apparently the only company that could provide the number Ford needed, the lawyers wrote. One document said Ford had a gun to its head, so it had to accept ammonium nitrate.

Nissan switched to Takata inflators primarily, if not solely to save about $4 per inflator. Another automaker told Nissan about the risky inflators in 2006.

BMW went to Takata seeking cost savings. As early as 2003, a Takata inflator ruptured in a BMW in Switzerland.

BMW, Nissan and Toyota declined to comment. Honda said it was preparing a statement. Ford did not immediately respond to a message for comment.

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For more than two years, it has been widely accepted that Hootsuite is one of Canadas very few unicorns  startups worth at least $1 billion. Turns out it was never worth that much.

Hootsuite Media Inc., whose software helps businesses manage their social media accounts and advertising campaigns, raised $60 million at a reported valuation of $1 billion in September 2014. In fact, the true valuation was between $700 million and $750 million, according to people familiar with the matter.

Hootsuite and its investors have never publicly contradicted its unicorn status, which can help startups attract top-drawer talent and brings with it a hefty dose of free marketing. As Hootsuite approaches a potential initial public offering, itll need all the positive publicity it can get.

A spokesperson for Hootsuite declined to comment on the companys valuation or its status as a unicorn.

The term unicorn became a thing at the end of 2013 after venture capitalist Aileen Lee used it to describe the kind of billion-dollar exits the biggest venture funds now needed to justify their size. Lee found 39 so-called unicorns that November. Over the next two years, as valuations ballooned and pension managers, sovereign wealth funds and private equity investors chased venture capitalists into private tech, that number grew to more than 150.

Hootsuites $60 million funding round and corresponding valuation were certainly large, especially by Canadian standards. And the company attracted some big backers, including Fidelity and the VC arm of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System pension fund. Canadian journalists and politicians, keen to show that Silicon Valley-type success was possible north of the border, heaped attention on Hootsuite. The valuation, when translated into Canadian dollars, was closer to the billion-dollar mark anyway, so investors and executives left the unicorn label unchallenged, said one of the people, who requested anonymity discuss private information.

Valuations at private companies are based on whatever factors backers think are most important, and can differ widely from investor to investor. Fidelity, which led the $60 million round, has since written down the value of its investment in Hootsuite. Another investor in the round has kept its valuation around the same as it was at the time of the deal, one of the people said.

CB Insights, a popular resource for venture capital and startup data, has Hootsuite on its list of unicorns, one of only two Canadian companies to make the cut (the other one is messaging app Kik). Publications, including Bloomberg News, have cited CB Insights when calling Hootsuite a unicorn in the past.

Hootsuites inclusion on the CB Insights list was based on a September 2014 TechCrunch story that reported on the companys $60 million funding round, a spokesperson for CB Insights said. That story isnt concrete about the valuation though, saying only there are murmurs that its now valued at around $1 billion.

TechCrunchs own unicorn list doesnt include Hootsuite.

The revelation reveals the limits of the unicorn moniker. The term has surpassed buzzword status and become an eye-roll inducing annoyance. Last April, influential venture investor Bill Gurley called the end of the age of unicorns in a 5,700 word essay, arguing the industrys obsession with high valuations was contributing to toxic deal terms.

Hootsuite is still one of Canadas most promising tech companies. It hit cash flow positive last year and recently bought social media advertising tool AdEspresso and analytics company LiftMetrix. Its on a shortlist of Canadian tech firms considering going public in 2017, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg in November.

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Fox News host Bill OReilly has weighed in on the mystery surrounding Nils Bildt, a recent guest on his show whom producers falsely identified as a Swedish defence and national security adviser.

During an appearance on The OReilly Factor last Thursday, Bildt argued that Muslim immigrants in Sweden had driven up crime and created social problems. But Swedish officials and national security experts quickly pointed out that Bildt did not work with the Swedish government and was not known in the countrys professional circles.

OReilly sought to clear the air during his show Monday night. In a segment titled owning up to an error, he said criticism from the Swedish government and left-wing people over Bildts qualifications was valid.

Mr. Bildt does consulting work on terrorism, that is true, but we should have clarified that he had no direct role with the Swedish government, OReilly said. The information we gave you in the segment was accurate, but in hindsight a more relevant guest should have been used on the anti-immigrant side.

Earlier Monday, Bildt accused Fox News of making up his fake title, which was displayed in the caption during his appearance on the network. He said he made clear that he was an independent adviser.

I have never claimed to be a representative of, nor for, the Swedish Government  or any institution thereof, Bildt told the New York Times. Fox News was responsible for the title used  I think it was an unfortunate choice of words, but it is something they will need to answer for.

Fox denied the accusation, according to the Times.

In his appearance last week, Bildt sparred with Anne-Sofie Naslund, a Swedish newspaper journalist, over claims that Sweden had become more dangerous in recent years due to the countrys relatively soft stance on immigration. Naslund argued that Sweden was safer than OReilly and others had portrayed it. Bildt disagreed, telling OReilly that the country had struggled to integrate immigrants into Swedish society. These things are not being openly and honestly discussed, he said.

The debate was prompted by comments U.S. President Donald Trump made recently during a recent rally in Florida, in which he suggested that Sweden had been attacked by terrorists. He later clarified that he was referring to a Fox News documentary that linked refugees and crime spikes in the country  a position Swedish scholars say is oversimplified, as The Washington Post has reported.

Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump

Bildts appearance week caused an immediate backlash in Sweden. The newspaper Dagens Nyheter reported that Bildt was originally named Nils Tolling and ad left the country in 1994. He was unknown to the military and the Foreign Ministry, the newspaper reported. Prominent academics and national security experts also said theyd never heard of him. One academic, Robert Egnell, a professor at Swedish Defence University, told The Post that he had studied with Bildt at Kings College London in 2002, but echoed others concerns about Bildts credentials.

Initially, Fox News defended its decision to book Bildt. Our booker made numerous inquiries and spoke to people who recommended Nils Bildt and after pre-interviewing him and reviewing his bio, we agreed that he would make a good guest for the topic that evening, David Tabacoff, executive producer of The OReilly Factor, said in a statement. The network said later that OReilly would address the controversy on his Monday show, a promise he made good on.

Fox News recently came under fire when another one of its guests was exposed as having faked his credentials. For years, Wayne Simmons made unpaid appearances on The OReilly Factor and other shows as a purported former CIA operative, commenting on terrorism and national security issues, including the 2012 attack on a U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya. In 2015, he was charged with fabricating career with the CIA and pleaded guilty to fraud last year. Fox News distanced itself from Simmons when the charges came down, and host Neil Cavuto issued an on-air apology for having brought Simmons onto his show.

Egnell said that Bildt had left the program early and moved to Japan, after which they had gradually lost touch. He is in not in any way a known quantity in Sweden and has never been part of the Swedish debate, Egnell said in an email. He has not lived in Sweden for a very long time and no one within the Swedish security community (which is not a very big pond) seems to know him.

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Come from Away, which played to sold-out, standing-room-only audiences before heading to Broadway this spring, is returning for the 2017-2018 Mirvish theatre season.

The surprise hit musical by Irene Sankoff and David Hein looks at how Gander, N.L., responded to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks after the town was inundated with unexpected visitors.

We didnt expect the emotional reaction that Come from Away received when it first ran; it took us totally by surprise, says Mirvish Productions spokesperson John Karastamatis. In the 26 years Ive been here I havent seen this kind of audience response to a show.

Come from Away is in some ways a safe bet for Mirvish because of the reaction here, but its also a gamble. The shows Broadway debut is in March and critical reviews could deflate the hype surrounding the show when it returns in February 2018.

I think David Mirvishs reasoning was that were not going to wait to see what New York thinks. The audiences in Toronto have already said they love it, said Karastamatis. I think it also did well because of the political climate. Its a show about acceptance and welcoming people from all over the world when there is talk about building walls and closing off borders.

Theatre impresario Mirvish announced six other main subscription shows, for a total of five musicals and two plays, including the North American premiere of Alfred Hitchcocks North by Northwest, the Canadian premiere of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, the Old Vic production of Dr. Seuss The Lorax, Australian musical Muriels Wedding, the Lincoln Center revival of The King and I and the Tony Award-winning An American in Paris.

North by Northwest, adapted by Carolyn Burns and directed by Simon Phillips, is based on the 1959 film that starred Cary Grant as an advertising executive pursued by sinister men who think he is someone else. It runs Sept. 19 to Oct. 29 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre

Curious Incident, adapted by Simon Stephens from the novel by Mark Haddon about a 15-year-old math whiz with behavioural difficulties, will be directed by Marianne Elliott, who won a Tony for War Horse. Its at the Princess of Wales Theatre Oct. 10 to Nov. 19.

Muriels Wedding is another film-to-stage adaptation, with songs by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA and the bands former manager, Stig Anderson. Writer-director P.J. Hogan has adapted his 1994 film, which launched the career of actress Toni Collette. The show has its world premiere in Sydney, Australia, in November before playing the Ed Mirvish Theatre April 3 to May 28, 2018.

An American in Paris, inspired by the 1951 film of the same name, won the Best Choreography Tony for ballet dancemaker Christopher Wheeldon. National Ballet of Canada principal dancer McGee Maddox will star as Jerry Mulligan, the role played by Gene Kelly in the movie. Its at the Princess of Wales March 27 to April 29.

Its an eclectic season. In addition to Broadway productions we have shows originating from Australia and England. We are appealing to everyone from people who love plays, to those who love musicals, to audiences who are looking for challenging work, Karastamatis said.

Mirvish will present another nine shows in 2017-18.

Those include three Off-Mirvish productions, David Frenchs Salt-Water Moon, the Olivier Award-winning King Charles III and the Tony-winning musical Fun Home.

Six bonus shows include Bat Out of Hell  The Musical, The Sound of Music, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, Disgraced, The Illusionists  Live From Broadway and Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles.

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The federal government will once again track fire-related deaths in Canadas First Nations communities, Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett said on Monday.

She also committed to creating an indigenous fire marshals office, which would oversee data collection and spearhead fire prevention, should the Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada recommend the step in a report due in May.

The rate of on-reserve deaths due to fires is just horrific in terms of the numbers, Bennett told the Star.

Both promises come on the heels of a Star investigation that found at least 173 people have died in house fires on First Nations reserves since the previous Conservative government under Stephen Harper stopped tracking the death toll in 2010.

Star Investigation: Fire and death in Canadas first nations

The government at the time said it stopped counting to ease the reporting burden on First Nations communities.

First Nations people who live on reserve are 10.4 times more likely to die in a fire than those in the rest of the country, according to a 2007 Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation report, compiled when the government was still collecting the data.

The reason to collect data is to know youre winning, to know that youre actually making a difference, Bennett said.

How and when the data collection and fire marshals office will be put in place will depend on what the aboriginal firefighters report recommends, Bennett said.

Indigenous Affairs has identified both steps as short-term priorities since at least 2013, but Bennetts comments on Monday are the governments first public pledge to actually implement them.

This demonstrates the leadership and willingness of this minister to do the right thing, said Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day.

Day said renewed tracking of fire data will help indigenous communities in Canada get a better understanding of the problems on the ground and help craft indigenous-led solutions.

While aboriginal firefighters executive director Blaine Wiggins said he couldnt comment on the details of the upcoming report, he said his organization and the government are on the same page.

We certainly agree on the need for support for a national fire marshal-type service, and we certainly agree for the need of a comprehensive and robust fire incidence reporting system, Wiggins said.

The aboriginal firefighters association first called for an indigenous fire marshals office in 2013. That same year Bennett herself called for it in a letter to then-minister Bernard Valcourt. She also pushed for the creation of legislation that applies a national building and fire code on First Nations reserves.

Wiggins said his organization has spent the past year, with support from Indigenous Affairs, consulting with provincial and territorial fire marshals offices on a road map for a national office responsible for First Nations communities.

But creating a fire marshals office wont be of much use without legislation enforcing national building and fire codes on First Nations reserves, Wiggins said.

If we dont have that act  its like having police doing highway patrol, but having no safety laws on the highway, he said.

You can stand on the side of the road and encourage them to do safe things, but if there are not parameters in place theres still going to be a catastrophe, Wiggins said.

Bennett said she will wait to see what the May report recommends about building and fire codes before committing to new legislation.

Regional Chief Day worries that promises of a fire marshals office and data collection could be rolled back in five years if another government comes into power.

He wants also to see Bennett enshrine on-reserve fire protection in law.

I think the minister has a great opportunity right in front of her to do the right thing. Lets go three for three. Go all the way and put legislation in place, he said.

Bennett said the death toll found by the Star is awful.

Bennett referenced last years deaths of the nine people in a house fire in Pikangikum First Nation as a particularly heart-wrenching example.

The roads were impassable. The fire truck could only move about one mile per hour, she said.

It shows the real importance of infrastructure, not just having a fire truck and a fire hall and a well-trained volunteer fire department.

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SAINT JOHN, N.B.A New Brunswick senior has pleaded guilty to running down a man after he was captured on video racing through a parking lot and striking a pedestrian, sending him flying through the air.

Saint John Police Force Sgt. Charles Breen said Gene Williams got into an argument with several men in another vehicle last Thursday in Grand Bay, about 25 minutes outside the city.

They had words in the parking lot and Mr. Williams took exception to it and followed them, he said.

Breen said he couldnt reveal the nature of the disagreement, but he said the 69-year-old pursued the car to a Saint John parking lot, where he turned around his Audi SUV and hit one of the passengers.

Its been classified as a road rage  this type of an incident is pretty rare, actually, Breen said. We dont get a lot of calls concerning incidents like that, not where its taken to the extreme that this one was.

A woman with the victim shot video of the incident and can be heard calmly describing the scene to police as two men appear to shout at the black SUV after it enters the lot in Saint John. Then the vehicle turns around and races toward the men, hitting one of them.

Oh my God, he just hit my friend! she shrieks as the car zooms off. He smoked him. Yes, he cant move his arm. I need an ambulance.

The video, which has been viewed more than 190,000 times on YouTube, shows the man laying on the ground, and he can be heard saying he cant move his arm. Breen says he was later treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

(He was) very lucky, he said. If you watch the video, he was struck pretty hard by the vehicle.

Breen said police apprehended Williams about 10 minutes later and took him into custody for a court hearing Friday, when he pleaded guilty to three charges, including assault with weapon, dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

Williams, who lives in Saint John, is to be held in custody until his April 10 sentencing.

Breen said the man who was hit was with four other people, none of whom appeared to know Williams.

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White ribbons with the words peace, hope, love, celebrate diversity flutter in the cold breeze along Roncesvalles Ave., tied to poles and trees.

After last months shooting at a Quebec mosque that left six people dead, and other events around the world targetting minority groups, some Roncesvalles-area residents decided to make their neighbours feel more welcome with the white ribbons.

There is something happening in the world right now, said Sara Krynitzki, one of the first residents to put up a ribbon.

Krynitzki said her neighbour told her about a Muslim mother who wears a hijab who was afraid to even walk out of the house after the Quebec shooting. But seeing those white ribbons one morning made her day.

I feel like its a tiny, tiny, tiny little thing that I can do . . . , she said.

While there has always been hate and violence in the world, Krynitzki said she believes the election of U.S. President Donald Trump brought those emotions to the forefront and has almost made it socially acceptable.

I think its very scary and really dangerous, she said.

Theres something about this uprising and hate that is making her very nervous and scared, Krynitzki said.

So, among the other things she does to make the world less dark is to put up a white ribbon with handwritten words of harmony. She hopes these ribbons, almost looking like white-winged doves, will make a difference to simply just one person and brighten their day.

Its done just that, according to passersby the Star spoke to this week.

These messages in black marker certainly make the area feel friendlier, said Monique Munoz, who lives around the area.

Area resident Jeff Churchill said its times like these that bring out the best in people.

Its always nice to have a little bit of positivity when you walk home, eh? Churchill said.

Its important to unite and take a stance against the hate that is spilling over, said Samaza Murava, another Roncesvalles-area resident.

While others have joined in tying white ribbons, almost all say they are hard to see.

Part of the problem is nobody knows where to get such big ribbon from, said Krynitzki.

Some people have even used shower curtains, she said.

Whether shower curtains or white satin sashes, the message remains the same.

Its not going to change the world but its something I can do, Krynitzki said. And if its something that could be spread throughout the city, it could be really nice.

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The site of the old pulp and paper mill upstream from Grassy Narrows First Nation is very likely still leaking mercury into the river, a new scientific study has found.

The scientists made this conclusion after their recent tests of the riverbed mud revealed that at the area where the Wabigoon River passes the plant site, the mercury in the sediment soars super high to 130 times normal levels.

(This is) strong evidence that the mill site is an ongoing source of mercury to the river, the report said. This warrants further investigation of the former ... plant site and its surroundings.

The province recently announced it is completely committed to finding and cleaning up the mercury. These new test results greatly clarify the pathway to fixing the problem, the report said.

Between 1962 and 1970, the Dryden paper plant, then owned by Reed Paper, dumped 10 tonnes of mercury into the river. The site of the plant, now owned by Domtar, is about 100 kilometres upstream from Grassy Narrows and nearby Whitedog.

There is no suggestion that Domtar, a pulp manufacturer several owners removed from Reed Paper, is responsible for any source of mercury.

Mercury contamination, a serious health risk, still plagues these indigenous communities in northern Ontario. The river has not cleaned naturally, and scientists have wondered if it is still carrying mercury downstream. But the province had denied the possibility that the site of the old mill could be responsible.

Now we have strong, circumstantial evidence that theres leakage going on, Dr. John Rudd, one of the scientists, told the Star. If this finding is confirmed, it would mean that there has likely been ongoing contamination all this time.

This dramatic finding was not brought to light sooner because the provincial government has not tested the river in the area since 1980.

Im very disappointed that Ontario didnt do any more monitoring over the years, said Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister. If they had done so, they would have known earlier that there was still mercury being leaked from the old mill site and they probably would have done some remediation a long, long time ago.

As recently as last year, officials have said that the site of the old mill was not a source of mercury and that a river cleanup was not necessary.

But in recent months, mercury data from fish, soil dug up behind the factory and now the river sediment are telling a different story: There is likely an ongoing mercury source and the mill property is it, or near it.

It is a story that government officials are finally listening to. In addition to the provincial commitment to clean the river, the Prime Ministers Office told the Star it would help deal with the mercury problem once and for all.

Though the province received a draft of the report in early February, it is not clear how much it factored into the Feb. 13 announcement that the province was committed to cleaning up the mercury.

In an email to the Star Monday, environment ministry spokesperson Gary Wheeler said the province was already working with the current property owner and the First Nations to conduct a comprehensive mercury contamination assessment at the Dryden mill site.

If the Dryden mill site is an ongoing source of mercury, we will ensure appropriate measures are taken to stop further mercury from entering the river, Wheeler said.

This historic commitment follows a Star investigation that since May has probed the impact of the poisoning and decades-long lack of action by government. It was made after the Star and volunteers from an environmental group called Earthroots found mercury-contaminated soil behind the Dryden mill.

This soil was found in an area identified by Kas Glowacki, a former mill worker who told the Star that in 1972 he was part of a crew that haphazardly buried drums filled with mercury behind the old mill.

The new research  conducted by Rudd and his team  was funded by the province, which has been under increasing pressure to deal with the mercury that has sickened the people of Grassy Narrows and nearby Whitedog. Rudd and the team of scientists he worked with was picked by and reports to Grassy Narrows leadership.

Another Star story, published in November, revealed the fish the people are eating are the most mercury-contaminated in the province.

The mercury found by the scientists is what they suspect is legacy mercury  that is, mercury used in production decades ago that spilled onto the property and seeped into groundwater, said Rudd.

The mill property needs to be carefully examined to confirm that the mercury is coming from there, and if so, a pump-and-treat system should be installed to intercept the mercury and remove it from groundwater before it reaches the river, the report recommended.

The source has to be found and stopped, Rudd said. Ontario has now committed to doing that.

A Domtar spokesperson did not respond to questions from the Star. Earlier this month, the spokesperson told the Star that the company had volunteered to pay for some additional sampling by independent experts on mill property. Also, the spokesperson, aware the river sediment report would soon be released, said in mid February: Understanding what is happening in the rivers sediment may help determine if there are any significant, historical sources of mercury that are contributing to ongoing exposure.

A report released on Feb. 28 from a team of scientists including Brian Branfireun, a biology professor at Western University, indicates that mercury continues to leak from an old mill site into the river system upstream from the Grassy Narrows First Nation in Northwestern Ontario.

Rudd and the team determined there are two likely sources of the mercury found in the riverbed:

Legacy mercury that has leaked from the site of the old mill into the river  a scenario found at other North American industrial sites that once used mercury in production processes. The factory buildings that used mercury were called chlor-alkali plants.

Mercury initially dumped in Dryden in the 1960s could have been trapped or concentrated in the river banks or sediment beds outside the plant and then released downstream over time during high flows or other disturbances.

Conducting tests that revealed the presence of a particular isotope in the sediment samples, the scientists confirmed that at least some of the mercury found in the riverbed last summer was relatively new to the sediment. In other words, it is likely coming from the mill property.

Another reason Rudd believes the mill property in Dryden is likely leaking mercury is that other North American plant remediations have shown that once mercury leaks are stopped, sediment cleans itself naturally within 45 years. It has been nearly 50 years in Drydens case, and the levels, the new report found, are still very high.

In the 1960s in Dryden, Rudd said, some of the mercury may have spilled as commonly happened in these industrial situations, and it may have gone through the concrete floor, through cracks in the concrete, ... or some of it may have been disposed of on-site and as a result of the spillages, the groundwater on what is now the Domtar site may have become contaminated.

Exactly how mercury is reaching the river from the plant is unknown, though the report says it could be via groundwater flowing from the mill property or discharge leaking from abandoned sewer pipes that act as conduits for mercury-contaminated groundwater.

Once the source of the mercury leak has been found and stopped, Rudd and the team have recommended two techniques to clean the river. One involves injecting nitrate or oxygen into the bottom of lakes and the other puts clean sediment in the water so that it eventually settles on the bottom to dilute the mercury-contaminated sediment. This method of cleaning, called enhanced natural recovery, was also recommended by Ontarios Environment Minister in 1984.

The government of the day chose instead to allow the river system to recover naturally.

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WASHINGTONThe Senate confirmed Wilbur Ross as commerce secretary Monday night after two Democratic senators criticized the White House for refusing to release Ross written response to questions about his banking ties to Russias oligarchs.

Ross is a billionaire who has turned around high-profile companies in the steel, coal, textile and auto-parts sectors. Most of his life, hes been a Democrat, and his nomination had bipartisan support. He encountered opposition from some Democrats after revelations that his majority ownership of Bank of Cyprus made him a business associate of Russian oligarchs tied to Putin.

Despite those concerns, the Senate confirmed him on a 72-27 vote. But that was only after a sharp attack on the White House by Sen. Bill Nelson, the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee. Nelson voted for Ross but said in a floor speech that the White House had done Ross no favours by refusing to release his answers to questions about his relationship with Russian investors in Bank of Cyprus.

Theyve refused to provide them to the Senate prior to tonights vote. Now this is despite repeated phone calls to the White House; its also despite repeated phone calls from me to Mr. Ross to ask him to get the White House off the dime, Nelson said in a floor speech before the vote. He had told me he filled out the answers. There is somebody in the White House making the decision that they dont want to have in writing what Mr. Ross has told me in private conversation verbally.

Nelson said he would vote for Ross, a resident of Palm Beach, Fla., because he was a constituent and an admired businessman. But, he noted, the White House lost votes for Ross by not addressing the questions.

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer decried the breach of protocol as another example of this administration abandoning transparency and trying to jam nominees through. He called the refusal to release the questions so typical of this administration that stonewalls.

Sen. Jeff Merkley said Ross should be disqualified. Americans have the right to know about all the conflicts of interest that could affect the judgment of a cabinet official, he said.

An investment group led by Ross took a majority stake in the Russia-tied bank in September 2014, with Ross becoming its vice-chairman. Reporting by McClatchy and other news organizations showed that the largest stakeholder in Bank of Cyprus  after Ross group was Viktor Vekselberg, one of Russias wealthiest businessmen and a longtime ally of President Vladimir Putin. The previous vice-chairman of the bank was Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, reportedly a former KGB agent believed to be a longtime Putin associate.

Before Bank of Cyprus was engulfed in that nations banking crisis in 2013, another powerful Russian businessman  Dmitry Ryvolovev  had a 10 per cent stake in the bank. In 2008, during the U.S. financial crisis and with real estate prices falling, Ryvolovev purchased Donald Trumps mansion in Palm Beach for almost $100 million, about $60 million more than Trump had paid for the property.

Six Democratic senators, led by Nelson, sent a letter to Ross Feb. 16 asking specific questions about Vekselberg and Russian contacts with Bank of Cyprus. Nelson said on the Senate floor Monday night that he had spoken twice to Ross, and that the commerce secretary nominee had offered verbal explanations. Nelson said Ross assured him that he knew of no nexus among Russians, the Cyprus bank and figures in the Trump campaign, and suggested that Ross had met Vekselberg once for an hour, well before Trump announced his presidential candidacy.

Because the nomination was under the overhanging question of the unlawful Russian involvement in a U.S. election, Nelson said he sought assurances about Russian investors in Bank of Cyprus.

Read more:Trump nominates NAFTA critic Wilbur Ross to head U.S. Commerce portfolio

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An Australian politician has apologized for comparing refugees and asylum seekers to fleas during a parliamentary hearing.

Liberal Senator David Fawcett made the remark while attending a hearing Monday on the countrys resource-strained immigration and border department.

I just do question the ethics of nitpicking when your particular group perhaps brought the fleas in the first place, he said to Labor senators.

The remark was met not with rebuke, but chuckles, a hear, hear, and a nicely put from fellow Liberal senator Ian MacDonald.

Fawcett apologized for his remarks, saying they were misconstrued. The metaphor was that if they were nitpicking they were responsible for the cause of that irritation, he said. It is certainly not intended to apply to people who are refugees, he added.

Despite his apology, the incident sparked outrage across the country. It is beyond belief that a Turnbull Government senator would ever refer to vulnerable people seeking asylum as fleas, and even worse, to have other Coalition senators laugh, cheer and eagerly agree, Shadow Immigration Minister Shayne Neumann said, referring to prime minister and Liberal party leader Malcolm Turnbull.

Australia has drawn international condemnation for its controversial refugee policies, which includes turning back refugee on boats from its shores and holding asylum seekers in poorly-maintained processing facilities in Papua New Guinea and Nauru. One legal expert argued in Foreign Policy that Australias policies amounted to a crime against humanity.

The government is determined to strip away every last shred of dignity and self-respect from people who have sought Australias protection, Greens party Senator Nick McKim said after Fawcetts remarks.

The Refugee Council of Australia published a report on Feb. 22 saying Australias punitive asylum approach is harming thousands of people, damaging Australias international reputation and wasting billions that could be better spent looking after refugees when they flee.

This may sound familiar for those following U.S. immigration and refugee policy. In fact, the heated debates in the United States and Australia are interlinked. During his first weeks in office, U.S. President Donald Trump chewed out Turnbull in what he reportedly said was his worst call by far over a dispute on refugees. Former U.S. president Barack Obama pledged to accept 1,250 refugees from Australia. Trump later tweeted he would study this dumb deal. The U.S. government is still reportedly studying the deal.

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NEW YORKWhen White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer wanted to crack down on leaks last week, he collected his aides cellphones to check for communication with reporters. The crackdown quickly leaked.

Spicers losing round in Washingtons perpetual game of information whack-a-mole was hardly a surprise. In trying to plug leaks from anonymous sources, U.S. President Donald Trump and his aides are going after one of the most entrenched practices in Washington politics and journalism, an exercise that has exposed corruption, fueled scandals and spread gossip for decades.

But the practice has created several headaches for the new president, leading Trump, just weeks into his presidency, to publicly vow to try to punish low-life leakers in his own administration.

Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump

Let their name be put out there, Trump said before the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday, accusing reporters of making up anonymous sources and stories. He declared reporters shouldnt be allowed to use sources unless they use somebodys name.

A source says that Donald Trump is a horrible, horrible human being. Let em say it to my face.

But Trumps administration has not been practicing what the boss preached. Despite the presidents anger about unnamed sources, White House budget officials insisted on anonymity Monday as they outlined details of Trumps spending plans to reporters on a conference call. The budget officials ignored requests to put the briefing on the record.

Several anonymously sourced stories have driven Trump coverage: revelations that former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn had lied about conversations with Russians about sanctions; details of private phone calls Trump had with leaders of Australia and Mexico; draft memos of policy plans for actions like rounding up undocumented aliens.

Read more:

In front of a roaring crowd, Trump again calls the media the enemy of the people

Trump scolds media over anonymous sources  after White House uses them

Protesters gather to support the media, from Fox News to New York Times

Trump isnt the first president to be frustrated by leaks.

From the release of the Pentagon Papers on Vietnam policy, the Watergate scandal that brought down President Richard Nixon to Edward Snowdens data dump of national security files, American history is filled with stories of government misconduct that came to light through information passed privately into the hands of journalists.

Leaking is gigantically important in modern presidential coverage and Washington history, said Frank Sesno, a former CNN Washington bureau chief and now a journalism professor at George Washington University.

Sources have countless reasons for leaking, Sesno said. Maybe theyre raising a trial balloon, or shooting one down. Maybe they dont like a policy being considered or want to report wrongdoing. Maybe they just want to talk back to the boss.

Journalists prefer sources go on the record; it lends more credibility to the stories. But on important areas of national security, its understandable when people insist upon anonymity, said Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times, on CNNs Reliable Sources Sunday.

These are not people who pull us aside because they want to screw Donald Trump, Baquet said. These are people who are worried about the direction of the government. These are people who are taking risks to talk to the media because they think these things need to be exposed. And I have to say, in an administration that has expressed so much distaste for the press and so much distaste for our role, are you surprised that some of the people who want to criticize the administration want to do it without their names attached? Im not.

Leaks have progressed beyond the days of clandestine meetings in darkened parking garages  although that still happens. Since leakers can be tracked if they use government-issued phones, journalists and sources have increasingly turned to encrypted messaging services, such as Signal, that arent logged by phone companies, with messages that can be programmed to self-destruct after they are viewed.

Spicer called the White House communications staff into his office to express his frustration with unauthorized leaks to reporters, according to two people with knowledge of the meeting but not authorized to discuss it publicly. He asked the aides to provide him with both their government-issued and personal cellphones so he could check communications with journalists.

He also told them that use of encrypted texting apps was a violation of the Federal Records Act and had representatives from the White House counsels office in the meeting, according to one person with knowledge of the meeting. That person said Monday that Trump was not aware of the inquiry.

Spicer also requested that details of the meeting not be shared with the press. Politico first reported the meeting Sunday.

Trump said he probably would have handled the situation differently than his press secretary, meeting with staff one-on-one instead, but perhaps still demanding to look at their phones.

In an interview with Fox News Channels Fox & Friends that aired Tuesday, the president denied there was a major leak process at the White House.

So who leaked this story?

We have sort of ideas, Trump said. But dont forget, we have people from other campaigns, we have people from other governments. Weve got a lot of people here.

Sesno said the Trump White Houses battle against leakers is likely fueled by a combination of being new to Washington and a genuine desire to control the message. But to some who knew Trump from a different era, its a little jarring.

In the 1990s, Trump was a frequent anonymous source of information about his social life and television series, The Apprentice, said newspaper columnist Linda Stasi, who covered Trump at the New York Daily News and New York Post. Once Trump called and pretended to be someone else delivering information about him; Stasi said she could easily recognize his voice.

I think he was surprised to find out that its not the same when youre talking about the most important things in the world, as opposed to when your mistress is saying she was having good sex with him, Stasi said.

Stasi said she got along well with Trump, even though she felt the relationship was more beneficial for her than it was for him.

When it comes to politics, its a different game, she said. Hes turned into someone I dont know.

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DOUGLASVILLE, GA.A white man and a white woman who were among a large group of people waving Confederate flags and threatening violence at a black childs birthday party in 2015 have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms.

Jose Ismael Torres, 26, and Kayla Rae Norton, 25, were part of a group of 15 people who disrupted the 8-year-olds party in Douglasville in July 2015, less than a month after white supremacist Dylann Roof killed nine African-Americans at a historic black church in South Carolina.

Roof brandished Confederate flags in several photographs that came to light soon after his arrest and had said he intended to start a race war with the killings.

Torres and Norton were found guilty Monday of yelling racial slurs and threatening to kill partygoers, even the kids. At one point, Torres aimed a shotgun at the party, prosecutors said.

Torres was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Norton received six years, news outlets reported.

They were among four people in the group charged with felonies. The other two pleaded guilty and are serving shorter prison sentences.

Torres and Norton wept as the sentences were handed down.

Their actions were motivated by racial hatred, said Superior Court Judge William McClain.

The judge ordered the two permanently banished from Douglas County once they are released.

This is behaviour that even supporters of the Confederate battle flag can agree is criminal and shouldnt be allowed, Douglas County District Attorney Brian Fortner said in a statement.

Norton was sentenced on one count of violating Georgias street gang act and one count of making terroristic threats. Torres was sentenced on three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of terroristic threats and one count of violating the street gang act.

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Opening a new front in the war against big pharma, Sen. Bernie Sanders and a slew of Democratic colleagues introduced a bill Tuesday to allow commercial importation of drugs from Canada.

The appeal is obvious; through cheap imported drugs, the U.S. would be able to take advantage of the government levers and regulation that other countries have used to bring down pharmaceutical prices. Its a far more politically palatable way to attack the problem of soaring drug prices than opening up an even more contentious fight over whether the U.S. government should meddle directly in pricing  and it has had wide popular and bipartisan support, including from Hillary Clinton and U.S. President Donald Trump during the presidential campaign.

A drug importation amendment was previously advanced during the budget resolution vote in the Senate in January. It was rejected, with 13 Democrats voting against the measure. Four of those who voted against the amendment signed on as co-sponsors of the bill.

Read more:

Pharmaceutical executives embrace Trumps calls for lower taxes, fewer regulations

U.S. health care rallies draw thousands across the country

In an afternoon press conference unveiling the bill, Democratic and independent lawmakers threw down the gauntlet, calling on Trump  who has repeatedly said that he will do something to reign in rising drug prices  to support their effort.

I want to finally say about our president, who has said a lot of talk about health care, and has recently confessed how complicated he thinks it is. He has made promises to the American people about prescription drug prices; he has made promises to the American people, and now its time for him to put up or shut up, said Sen. Cory Booker who joined as a co-sponsor after earlier voting against drug importation when it was an amendment. Its time for him to join with us, or, in my opinion, to confess his lies to the American people.

The bill was immediately criticized by pharmaceutical industrys trade group, arguing that the policy could cause patient harm if bogus and possibly unsafe drugs make it into the market.

The bill lacks sufficient safety controls, would exacerbate threats to public health from counterfeit, adulterated or diverted medicines, and increase the burden on law enforcement to prevent unregulated medicines and other dangerous products from harming consumers, said Nicole Longo, a spokeswoman for PhRMA, the trade group for the drug industry. An importation scheme would open new avenues for unscrupulous organizations and individuals to take advantage of American patients.

Partnership for Safe Medicines, a coalition that includes PhRMA and many public health groups, said in a letter that the proposal would undermine nearly two decades of drug safety and policy.

But supporters of the law argue that the spectre of patient harm is a boogeyman, trotted out by an industry trying to protect its business model. The bill has safety protections embedded in it, some of which were what convinced Democrats who voted against a previous importation proposal to sign on in support. For example, it requires exporters to be certified and requires the drugs sold to have been manufactured in facilities inspected by the FDA. The proposed law includes penalties, of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 (U.S.) fine against people who sell counterfeit or adulterated products.

There is no argument. The drugs that come into this country must be 100 per cent safe, and we will do that. We will not tolerate rogue outfits, Sanders said at the press conference.

Pharmaceutical companies have also argued that the conversation about high prices is the wrong one to be having, pointing out that the list prices that usually attract politicians ire do not represent a price that almost anyone pays. Major companies are embracing measures such as limiting price hikes to less than 10 per cent a year and theres a growing effort to redirect pricing critiques to a discussion of the value that medicines provide. This week, Johnson & Johnson published a transparency report disclosing that while the average list price across all its products went up 8.5 per cent list year, the increase after rebates was 3.5 per cent.

Allan Coukell, senior director of health programs at the Pew Charitable Trusts, said that importing drugs could give patients access to lower-priced medications, and that policy could exert downward pressure on U.S. prices  if it occurred at a broad enough scale. But he noted that past analyses of importation proposals suggest small savings overall and that those benefits must be weighed against the way importation could undermine supply chain protections  such as individual serial numbers on all U.S. drugs  intended to keep counterfeits out of the U.S. market.

The other question is how well the solution would work in the long term as a solution to high drug prices, if implemented.

Obviously, manufacturers respond to these sorts of threats of importation by trying to raise prices in the countries that could become sources of export, said Patricia Danzon, a professor emeritus at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. And if they cant get the country, such as Canada, to agree to a higher price, they may limit the supply of the drug or provide access to new medications later.

The bill prohibits drugmakers from restricting, prohibiting or delaying the importation of drugs under the program unless there is a shortage. It says it would be unlawful to charge a higher price for a drug if its sold to a foreign entity that plans to sell it back to the U.S. But Coukell said it was difficult to know how that would play out in the real world.

If countries have a limited supply of a drug, Danzon argued, they could be tempted to divert what they have to the United States, where patients will pay higher prices than at home  creating shortages among their own citizens.

Its a very beg-your-neighbour approach, in which, rather than solving our problem to fix our high prices, were in a rather haphazard way exporting it to other countries, Danzon said.

Joshua Sharfstein, a former deputy commissioner at the Food and Drug Administration now at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health said that he understands the rationale for the proposal but thinks that importation is not an optimal solution.

The rising prices for drugs are not sustainable in this country, and theres a major concern for affordability and thats why people are seriously considering these sorts of solutions, Sharfstein said. But Id like to think we could have a more rational approach that doesnt require what is, in effect, a massive workaround.

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SINGAPOREA Singaporean grandmother who was deported from Britain because her immigration status had lapsed said Tuesday that police treated her like a terrorist before putting her on a plane back to Asia.

Irene Clennell, 53, was removed from Britain on Sunday after being sent to an immigration detention centre.

Im a tiny person and two of the officers were holding my hand, like Im going to run away or something, like a terrorist, she told The Associated Press in Singapore. It was quite embarrassing.

Clennell arrived in Britain in 1988, married two years later and has two adult sons and a granddaughter. She and her husband lived in the north of the country.

She spent periods in Singapore throughout her marriage; one stretch lasted seven years and her British husband and children  who were small at the time  were with her for most of that time, she said.

Her husband of 27 years, John, has serious health problems and Clennell was his sole caregiver, her sister-in-law, Angela Clennell, said in Britain.

Irene Clennell said he was inconsolable when she was deported.

He was in tears and stuff, she said. He is suffering from depression.

The British governments spousal visa system requires that a foreign spouse spend substantial uninterrupted time in the country. Clennell had been granted indefinite permission to remain in Britain in 1992, but this lapsed after she stayed outside the country for more than two years. She returned to Britain as a visitor in 2013, and that year applied to remain in the country as a spouse; her application was turned down without explanation.

She has had no legal basis for remaining in Britain since July 2014, when her appeal rights were exhausted. Britains Home Office said people with no legal right to remain in the country are expected to leave.

Clennell said British officials who accompanied her on the flight promised that she would have help in getting a job and integrating into Singapore society.

But everything changed when we arrived in Singapore. The officers turned their faces, she said.

I have no intention of staying in Singapore. Ive got nothing here. Everything Ive got is there, she said.

For now, she is staying with her sister but she said the situation is untenable.

Ill take whatever help I can get, she said. My sisters house is too cramped up. Her sons are here and the both of them are married. They deserve their peace. I used to be quite independent and now I have to walk on eggshells so I dont offend anybody.

She plans to file an appeal for return to Britain.

Im not asking them to reinstate. Im putting in new applications, but why was it not given? Were still married. Im still with him. So I dont see why the rule changed.

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The heavy-set man got out of a taxi one night last September and headed for the lobby bar of the Wynn Macau  a quiet place, where women are often in evening dresses and gamblers can relax with $300 Cuban cigars. He was dressed casually. There were no bodyguards, no flashy women.

It wasnt what youd expect of a man once tipped to be the next dictator of North Korea.

Kim Jong Nam had spent years in exile, gambling and drinking and arranging the occasional business deal as he travelled across Asia and Europe. In recent years, his fortunes had apparently declined, and hed moved his family from a luxurious seafront condominium complex in Macau to a more affordable apartment building. He was looking for company when he bumped into a friend outside the Wynn.

He wanted us to join him because he didnt want to drink alone, said an insider in Macaus gambling industry who was introduced to Kim that night by a mutual friend. In a city awash in new money and Chinese gamblers flaunting their wealth, Kim was low-key and polite, making no mention of his powerful family.

It just seemed odd that the son of a dictator would just be  you wouldnt know him from an average dude on the street, said the insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, not wanting to alienate the city-states gambling fraternity, where privacy is deeply valued.

Kim may have seemed easygoing, but he had reason to worry. Hed known for years that his younger half-brother, now the ruler of North Korea, had ordered him hunted down, South Korean intelligence officials say.

On a Monday morning in mid-February, that order apparently was carried out.

Kim was walking through Kuala Lumpurs cavernous budget airport terminal, a few steps past a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop, when a pair of women, who Malaysian police say were recruited by a team of North Koreans, approached.

At least one of the women suddenly wiped a powerful toxin on Kims face, smearing him with VX nerve agent before quickly walking away. Minutes later, after walking to the airports medical clinic, Kim went into convulsions.

A few minutes after that, as an ambulance rushed him to a hospital, Kim Jong Nam died. He was 45 years old.

Kims mother was one of North Koreas most famous movie stars. His father was the dictator-prince of North Korea, a deeply isolated country where the same family has been in power since 1948 and the rulers are worshipped in all-encompassing cults of personality.

But Kim Jong Nams grandfather, the founding ruler Kim Il Sung, didnt approve of his mother, and refused to allow his parents to marry. So Kim spent his childhood in luxurious isolation, hidden from his grandfather, shuttled among Pyongyang mansions and watched over by platoons of bodyguards. When his mother fell ill, reportedly suffering from depression, she was sent to Moscow for treatment and Kim was raised by his maternal aunt.

In those days, his father, Kim Jong Il, loved him deeply, almost desperately. He rocked his son to sleep, and cooed to him the way a mother calms a crying baby, the aunt, Song Hye-rang, wrote in a memoir after she defected to South Korea in the 1990s.

At some point in his childhood, Kim Jong Nam left home, spending years living either with his mother or in boarding schools in Moscow and Geneva. He came back as a worldly teenager, a young man conversant in a string of languages who found himself back in the walled-off mansions and with just a cousin, his aunts daughter, for company.

They had nothing to do. They had no place to go, Song wrote in her memoir. They would occasionally be driven around the city, but werent allowed out of the car. At the seaside, theyd be kept in a sealed-off area where they experienced the sorrow of being on the vast empty beach.

By that time, Kim Jong Il also had another family, with a dancer named Ko Yong-hui who gave birth to current ruler Kim Jong Un, and his brother and sister. Kim Jong Il, who succeeded his father in 1994, shifted what Song called his abnormal, tearful love of Kim Jong Nam to his new children.

It was probably around this point that Kim Jong Nam  then seen by most analysts as his fathers successor-in-waiting  was pushed aside, almost certainly by his stepmother.

I think Kim Jong Nam was already out of the succession race because of the proximity to Kim Jong Il of Ko and her children, said Chang Yong Seok, a senior researcher at Seoul National Universitys Institute for Peace and Unification studies.

A queen can play a very important role when a crown prince is proclaimed, he added.

Kim Jong Nam began travelling more as he grew into adulthood, setting up homes in Beijing and Macau, where he had children with two women.

In 2001, he was caught with his family trying to enter Japan using a fake passport. He told Japanese officials they were going to Disneyland and was quickly expelled, a major embarrassment for Kim Jong Il that seemingly ended any chance he could succeed his father.

Still, most analysts believe he was financially supported by his father, as well as by the Chinese government, North Koreas main ally. He also reportedly worked as a freelance businessman, arranging deals where he could.

It was not always a lonely life.

He had mistresses abroad, used to meet North Korean diplomats and had a network of friends in North Korea, said Nicolas Levi, a researcher with the Polish Center of Asian Studies. For a while, he also travelled back to North Korea, though he did not attend his fathers 2011 funeral.

In Macau, a former Portuguese colony turned Chinese gambling centre, Kims son and daughter joined the Portuguese-language Lusophone Scouts and the family attended Mass, hoping to fit in better.

The family was trying as much as possible to live normal lives, said Ricardo Pinto, a Macau magazine publisher who closely watched the family for years.

Theres no evidence Kim ever got involved in his homelands politics, though he told journalists that he didnt believe in the regimes system of hereditary dictatorship.

While Kim never fell on hard times, his jet-setting ways appeared to have slowed in recent years. Two years after his father died, his powerful uncle, Jang Song Thaek, was arrested and executed by Kim Jong Uns government. Jang had been close to Kim Jong Nam, and also may have financially supported him, said Chang, the South Korea-based analyst.

He also knew that his brother wanted him dead, apparently fearing he  and his illustrious bloodline  could someday be used against the regime, South Korean intelligence officials have said.

After a mysterious failed attempt to kill him in 2012, South Korean officials say Kim sent his brother a letter, begging for the assassination order to be lifted.

We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide, and we know that the only way to escape is to commit suicide, he wrote.

Instead, two women  one Indonesian and the other Vietnamese  were recruited to kill him, with the Indonesian woman telling authorities that a group of men had recruited her for what she believed was a harmless prank.

They paid her $90.

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VIENNAAustrian police say they have arrested two Nigerian nationals on suspicion of forcing young women into prostitution, in part through voodoo rites.

Police spokesman Johann Baumschlager says the man and woman are accused of being part of a criminal organization, human trafficking and engaging in the international prostitution trade.

He says they forced at least 10 young Nigerian women into the sex trade in part by engaging a voodoo priest, who made them submissive through certain rites.

Baumschlager said Tuesday the victims were repeatedly threatened with new voodoo spells and told they each owed 50,000 euros ($53,000) for their transport to Europe.

He says the male suspect is co-operating with police but the woman denies the accusations.

Neither is being named in keeping with Austrian privacy laws.

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Brexit, Britain, United Kingdom, Independence Party, politics, Nigel Carswell, Nigel Farage

Brexit has turned out to be something of a curse for the U.K. Independence Party.

After helping convince a majority of Britons to leave the European Union, the political fortunes of the anti-immigration party have been on a downward spiral. Two leaders have quit and last week it failed to win a second member of parliament in Stoke-on-Trent, dubbed the Brexit Capital.

The latest and seemingly trivial row is over a royal honorific. Yet it could unleash the most damage: the expulsion of the only UKIP lawmaker in the House of Commons.

Read more:

Trump suggests Brexits Nigel Farage as ambassador, U.K. says no vacancy

Nigel Farage, who helped lead Brexit, to become Fox News contributor

Nigel Farage, the ex-leader who dined with Donald Trump in Washington over the weekend, demanded in writing that Douglas Carswell be given the boot. While he cited splits over policy, the Daily Telegraph has reported that the row was fueled by Carswells failure to support a knighthood for Farage.

Since the general election he has brought nothing to the party at all other than constant division, at times I believe deliberately stirred up to cause maximum damage to the party, Farage wrote in the Telegraph of Carswell. The time for him to go is now.

The split reflects wider divisions among those who supported Britains departure from the 28-nation bloc. Farage and UKIP campaigned on the grounds of stopping immigration. Carswell, an economic liberal who defected from the governing Conservative Party, saw the debate as being about sovereignty, and opposed Farages line.

A few weeks ago, UKIPs newest leader, Paul Nuttall, had hoped that the Feb. 23 special election in Stoke would see him join Carswell in Parliament. More than two-thirds of the city dwellers voted to leave. In the event, the Labour Party held the seat, with Nuttall in second place, barely ahead of the Tories.

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Russia in 1882. Yuri and Olya were Jews from what is now Ukraine, and while the pogroms hadnt hit them personally they had lost family members to the whole-scale anti-Semitic slaughter.

It was especially hurtful to Yuri as hed served in the Czars army for more than 10 years. His village was raided when he was just 13-years-old and he was taken off to fight. The assumption was that Jews would convert to Russian Orthodoxy and effectively disappear. This was the governments solution to the Jewish problem. Like most of his co-religionists, Yuri remained Jewish and that meant persecution was never far away.

The two of them walked for miles beyond counting through snow and cold, eventually boarded a decaying ship bound for London, and set up in a single room in the East End that would be their home for the rest of their lives. They worked all the hours God sent, had a large family, and while always poor were at least safe.

Not that they were always made welcome. Their neighbours  other Jews, Irish Catholics, and poor locals  were generally fine. It was outsiders who made a fuss. There were even MPs who condemned alien Jews, claiming they spread disease, were revolutionaries, and were behind organized crime. Yuri and Olya were too exhausted to pay much attention.

One of their children was named Rose, she married Harry, and they moved to Tottenham, a little to the north but still rough. They had four children, one of whom was named Phil. He was streetwise and tough. When Phil was a teenager the British Union of Fascists, dressed in their black shirts, marched around the place screaming that Jews should be expelled or killed. There was plenty of violence, and Phil was there when the labour unions, the Communists and socialists stood with the Jews to fight the Nazis. The good guys won a famous victory.

A few years later Phil was given more opportunities to fight fascism and serve his country, in the RAFs Bomber Command. No longer a refugee, just the grandson of immigrants, he still encountered a few haters. But he also found romance, married a cockney girl named Sheila and settled down to married life. They had a son, who was the first in the history of the family to go to university. This refugee clan had done OK.

Im not unworldly, not blind to some of the challenges that an evolving and changing society and culture present. But I also know that the great, glorious reality of humanity is not what separates but what unifies. Family, love, sacrifice, the desire for safety and stability, the dream of children having what parents did not  these are universal and not confined to any one religion or race.

Hatred is not a natural phenomenon but is contrived and is encouraged by the unscrupulous and the base. We see it at the highest levels of American governance but in Canada its largely on the right of the Conservative Party and within one or two acidic website and media blogs. Their shame and sin is splattered with the mud of exploitation and lies.

I find the word sin to be crisply pertinent in this case. The etymology is found in archery  not hitting the target. If we refuse to welcome the newcomer, if we reject the stranger, we have missed the mark by a mile.

To those in Canada as well as the United States who want to close gates and build walls I urge you to think again. It pains me that many of these people claim their Christian faith justifies their actions. Contrary to what they might believe, the Bible doesnt speak of abortion and hardly refers to homosexuality but it screams about justice for the refugee.

Being born again doesnt mean being born yesterday, so grow up and look at why people are dispossessed and exiled. Much of the blame is solidly with us in the West.

Canada is not perfect but we have generally formed ranks with Northern Europe rather than Washington and the new right, and for that we should be proud. But there is so much work still to be done.

Oh, and as for Phil and Sheilas son  that was me.

Michael Coren is a Toronto author. mcoren@sympatico.ca

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Re: Prescription from ER doctor: expand public dental programs, Feb. 21

Prescription from ER doctor: expand public dental programs, Feb. 21

I applaud Dr. Hasan Sheikh for bringing much-needed attention to the pain and suffering of patients with limited access to oral health care. The Ontario Dental Association has been trying to bring attention to this issue for well over a decade.

Dental problems left undiagnosed and untreated lead to needless suffering. In addition to the almost 61,000 visits to emergency departments mentioned, the Association of Ontario Health Centres cites nearly 222,000 visits made to physicians offices for dental problems in 2014. Together, the costs of these visits is estimated to be in excess of $38 million dollars per year.

As Dr. Sheikh quite openly acknowledges, most physicians have difficulty addressing oral health concerns  antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and painkillers do not definitively treat dental problems. Sadly, this means many people end up back in the emergency room or at their physicians office, receive more pills and continue in a cycle where their oral health deteriorates.

It would be more effective to adequately fund prevention and early intervention than costly and often ineffective emergency room visits for dental problems. The government of Ontario provides various dental programs for low-income children, youth and adults; however, they are grossly underfunded. The solution is obvious  the government of Ontario must make significant investments in publicly funded dental programs. Children, low-income adults and seniors should be able to access the care they need, in their own communities. Many people have a part to play in the solution to this crisis, including dentists who provide care in practices across our province.

Ontario has the worst per capita public spending on oral health care in the country  $5.67 per capita, far below the Canadian average of $19.54 per capita. Unfortunately, we have a significant hill to climb.

Dr. Jerry Smith, past president, chair, Sustainable and Equitable Funding Advisory Committee, Ontario Dental Association, Toronto

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The U.S. Senate confirmed Wilbur Ross as the 39th Secretary of Commerce on Monday in a 72-27 vote. The billionaire investor will now take on the task of overseeing a sprawling department and negotiating President Trump's agenda on trade.

Ross' confirmation vote comes more than a month after his confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee. Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) speaking from the Senate floor on Monday afternoon criticized his colleagues for the sluggish pace of cabinet confirmations.

"It's been a slow walk," he said. "I'm grateful to Mr. Ross for wanting to serve the country this way, and I think President Trump has chosen wisely as Commerce Secretary."

Ross, a 79-year-old billionaire who built his fortune in private equity, will now take the helm of an expansive 12-bureau Commerce Department that includes the International Trade Administration, the Census Bureau and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and accounts for more than one-third of public federal data.

He will take a leading role in negotiating trade relations with countries like Mexico and China alongside Peter Navarro, director of the National Trade Council, and Robert Lighthizer, Trump's U.S. Trade Representative nominee.

"He's interested in updating NAFTA...rather than throwing out the baby with the bathwater. I think that's a positive approach," Cornyn said on Monday.

The U.S. and Mexican governments have engaged, at times, in a heated back-and-forth in setting the stage for trade negotiations.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto cancelled a trip to Washington, D.C., in January after Trump continued to insist Mexico pay for his border wall. Despite a phone call between the two presidents, continuing conversations among top advisers and a visit from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to Mexico, all does not appear to be conflict-free. Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo told Bloomberg on Monday that the country will cut off NAFTA talks if the U.S. imposes tariffs.

"The moment that they say, 'We're going to put a 20% tariff on cars,' I get up from the table," he said. "Bye-bye."

Press Secretary Sean Spicer in January floated the idea of imposing a 20% tariff on Mexican imports in January, though the White House later rolled back the assertion, saying the measure is just one of a "buffet of options" on the table.

Ross will also step into negotiations with China. At his confirmation hearing, he said he would seek to "level the playing field" with the country.

Ross has sought to cast himself as a business-savvy figure focused on fair trade.

"I've made my livelihood for over five decades dealing in international commerce," he said in prepared remarks at his Senate committee hearing. "I am very well aware of the issues many companies face and I'm sensitive to both the issues abroad and the issues here at home."

He assured senators he is "pro-sensible trade" and "not trade that is detrimental to the American worker and to the domestic manufacturing base."

Ross built a name for himself in investing in distressed companies, first at Rothschild and then at his own firm, WL Ross & Co., which he sold to Invesco (INV) in 2006 for $375 million. Forbes estimates his net worth to be $2.5 billion.

As Commerce Secretary, he will now be tasked with divesting dozens of business assets and investments funds, but not all. He will retain millions of dollars of interests in a handful of offshore entities.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) speaking in opposition to Ross' confirmation on the Senate floor on Monday, criticized Trump for appointing a number of ultra-wealthy individuals to his cabinet -- people like Steve Mnuchin, Rex Tillerson and Betsy DeVos.

"Billionaires do not actually have a monopoly on wisdom in the country," he said. "But it doesn't seem that's what our new president thinks."

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) was among the Democrats who voted against Ross. Manchin has voted to support a number of Trump cabinet appointments and was the only Democrat to back the president's Treasury Secretary choice. However, Manchin said in a statement he was opposed to Ross, in part because a company Ross previously controlled, International Coal Group, had made an acquisition of a West Virginia mine operation, Sago Mine, which faced safety violations in 2005 while under ICG's control before an explosion ultimately cost the lives of 12 miners. "He was the owner of the Sago Mine when we lost 12 brave men," said Manchin.

In addition, Manchin also raised concerns with a Ross company acquisition of Weirton Steel, which later experienced layoffs. "Following my extensive vetting, meeting with him, watching his nomination and reaching out to West Virginians who have worked with him directly, I cannot in good conscience look the families of the fallen Sago miners or the Weirton Steel workers who lost their jobs in the eye knowing I voted to give Wilbur Ross a promotion," Manchin said.

Nevertheless, as Commerce Secretary Ross will not be responsible for overseeing mining regulations. That will fall under the purview of the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

-- Ronald Orol contributed to this report
200 kg marijuana seized from ambulance in Sunsari

Police seized a huge cache of marijuana from Bhantabari of Haripur-9, Inaruwa, Sunsari district on Tuesday.
Samsung Electronics' (SSNLF) link to a scandal that has gripped South Korea and lead to the impeachment of its President deepened Tuesday after authorities formally charged the heir to the company's founder with bribery and embezzlement.

Jay Y. Lee, vice chairman of the executive board and four other senior Samsung executives were charged Tuesday in Seoul, with Lee facing and added allegation of perjury to parliament. Lee, 48, has been the subject of an investigation into a cash-for-influence scandal that brought down Park Geun-hye late last year.

Samsung stock closed 1% higher at 1,922,000 won each Tuesay, against a 0.029% advance for the benchmark KOSPI Composite index. Year-to-date, however, the shares are still holding on to a 5.1% gain.

Vice chairman Lee, who has effectively been in charge of the Samsung Group since his father (chairman Lee Kun-hee) was incapacitated by a heart attack in 2014, is accused of directing 43 billion won ($37 million) to entities linked to Choi Soon-sil, a confidante of President Park.

The payments were allegedly made to help win government approval of a 2015 merger between Samsung holding company Cheil Industries and construction firm Samsung C&T Corp., a move that solidified Lee's control over Samsung.

The arrest comes as Samsung is grappling with an increasingly competitive smartphone market and attempting to put the ill-fated release of its Galaxy 7 behind it.

Earlier this week, Samsung disappointed some fans by choosing to not release their much-anticipated Galaxy S8 device at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and instead unveiled two cutting-edge new tablets signal a move away from the company's tradition of announcing its flagship Galaxy S smartphone series at the MWC every year.

Samsung is expected to release the Galaxy S8 at a smartphone-related event on Mar. 29 in New York City.

Park Geun-hye was impeached on Dec. 9 over allegations that she used presidential influence to curry donations for a foundation ran by Choi Tae-min, who has since been arrested and placed on trial for offences including fraud. It has been alleged that she used her connections to South Korea's then president to pressure companies to make donations to her foundation.

Prosecutors will conclude their investigation on March 6 and the country's Constitutional Court is expected to rule on Park's impeachment sometime later next month.
Microsoft's (MSFT) Xbox will unveil a new subscription called "Xbox Game Pass," coming later this spring, the company announced on Tuesday.

For $9.99 per month, Xbox Game Pass will allow users unlimited access to over 100 Xbox One, and backward compatible Xbox 360 games.

Xbox Games Pass gives users the ability to download games to their Xbox consoles directly.

Every month new games will cycle in and out of the subscription, allowing subscribers to update their library of games consistently.
Comcast's (CMCSA) NBCUniversal has agreed to acquire the remaining 49% stake of Universal Studios Japan from its current partners including Goldman Sachs (GS) , former Universal Studios Japan CEO Glenn Gumpel, Asian private-equity firm MBK Partners and U.S. hedge fund Owl Creek Asset Management, the company announced Tuesday.

The purchase price for the transaction is $2.3 billion, valuing Universal Studios Japan at $7.4 billion.

The acquisition demonstrates the continued sense of confidence NBCUniversal has in the future growth prospects of Japan and its keen interest in the Asian market.

(Comcast is a holding in Jim Cramer'sAction Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio.Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells CMCSA? Learn more now.)
Put kindly, Laureate Education's (LAUR) IPO was a disappointment. Shares in the world's largest operator of for-profit colleges priced at $14, south of their expected $17-20 range. The stock's traded mostly sideways since it fell to $13.25 on its Feb. 1 debut; it closed at $13.02 Tuesday afternoon.

Despite Laureate's sputtering market debut Wall Street analysts remain confident in its business, which carries a different set of connotations around the globe than it does in the U.S.

"If they're able to show that this is an underlying good business and is really diversified relative to the U.S. peer group, I think you'll probably see the IPO successful over the long term," Macquarie analyst Hamzah Mazari said in an interview. "In the near-term, I think it's a show-me story."

Publicly traded for-profit educators like DeVry (DV) and Grand Canyon Education (LOPE) draw their students and revenue from the U.S. marketplace. Laureate prefers to operate in Latin America. Morgan Stanley estimates that 79% of students at Laureate schools are enrolled at one of its Latin American institutions and that operations in the region comprise 56% of the company's EBITDA.

Laureate has 29 institutions in Latin America: 13 in Brazil, five in Chile, four in Peru, two apiece in Mexico and Costa Rica and one each in Ecuador, Honduras and Panama.

The company tries to funnel its students into high-return career paths like business, medicine and engineering and the results suggest that its schools are a credible value proposition for its students. Third-party research from Millward Brown - commissioned at the behest of the company and conducted from 2010 to 2012 - showed that students at of 12 of 13 surveyed Laureate institutions achieved equal or higher employment rates within 12 months of graduation compared to similar schools in their respective countries, such as Chile and Peru.

"On average, [Laureate's] institutions generate above average salary benefits for their graduates," Credit Suisse analyst Trace Urdan wrote in a research note.

Laureate is classified as a public benefit corporation - a company whose board is required to balance the financial interests of its shareholders with its proclaimed social mission. It is the first of its kind to be traded publicly in the U.S.

By building private universities in Brazil, where the higher-education participation rate sits just north of 30% (according to UNESCO data gathered by Credit Suisse), Laureate can argue that it gets to have its cake and eat it, too. The shortage of public postsecondary institutions in Latin America to fit the needs of an ascendant middle class gives Laureate access to a significant revenue stream as it expands educational opportunities around the globe.

"We think they already have significant scale in Latin America," Mazari said.

One look at Laureate's U.S. operations, however, shows the holes in the narrative that for-profit educators have tried to build. Doctoral students at Walden University - a Laureate school in Minnesota - filed a suit seeking class action status against the company in December, alleging that the school dragged out the Ph.D. program for the sake of extracting more tuition checks from participants.

The Chilean government is also contemplating reforms that would effectively ban for-profit educators from operating in the country, but analysts consider them unlikely to pass.

"The proposal seems to have little political support to pass Congress," Urdan wrote.

Laureate also has problems on its balance sheet. The company is highly levered went public to help cut down its $4.2 billion debt load and admitted in Securities and Exchange Commission filings that it has weaknesses in its financial reporting processes.

"Post-IPO, we think that leverage is going to come out at slightly above 4.5x EBITDA," Mazari said. "Now we will say, that's considered relatively high in the education space. In general, I would say it's considered relatively high in the business services universe. We think there's a debt-for-equity exchange they're going to likely do with investors that's about $250 million, and that, we think, will bring leverage down by the end of 2017 to below 4x EBITDA."
CG hands over 166 houses

Chaudhary Foundation has handed over 166 transitional shelter homes to survivors of 2015 earthquakes in Kumpur village development committee of Dhading district.
The following companies are subsidiares of Sonic Automotive: AM GA LLC, AM Realty GA LLC, AnTrev LLC, Arngar Inc., Autobahn Inc., Avalon Ford Inc., Car Cash of North Carolina Inc., Cornerstone Acceptance Corporation, ECHOPARK: AM GA LLC, ECHOPARK: AM Realty GA LLC, ECHOPARK: EP Realty NC LLC, ECHOPARK: EP Realty SC LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark AZ LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark CA LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark Driver Education LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark FL LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark NC LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark Realty TX LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark SC LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark TX LLC, ECHOPARK: Echopark Automotive Inc., ECHOPARK: SAI DS LLC, ECHOPARK: SAI DS Realty TX LLC, ECHOPARK: SAI Vehicle Subscription Inc., ECHOPARK: TT Denver LLC, ECHOPARK: TTRE CO 1 LLC, FAA Beverly Hills Inc., FAA Capitol N Inc., FAA Concord H Inc., FAA Concord T Inc., FAA Dublin N Inc., FAA Dublin VWD Inc., FAA Holding Corp., FAA Las Vegas H Inc., FAA Poway H Inc., FAA Poway T Inc., FAA San Bruno Inc., FAA Santa Monica V Inc., FAA Serramonte H Inc., FAA Serramonte Inc., FAA Serramonte L Inc., FAA Stevens Creek Inc., FAA Torrance CPJ Inc., FirstAmerica Automotive Inc., Fort Mill Ford Inc., Franciscan Motors Inc., Frontier Oldsmobile-Cadillac Inc., Kramer Motors Incorporated, L Dealership Group Inc., Marcus David Corporation, Massey Cadillac Inc. (TN-MI), Mountain States Motors Co. Inc., North Point Imports LLC, Ontario L LLC, Philpott Motors Ltd., SAI AL HC1 Inc., SAI AL HC2 Inc., SAI Ann Arbor Imports LLC, SAI Atlanta B LLC, SAI Broken Arrow C LLC, SAI Calabasas A LLC, SAI Chamblee V LLC, SAI Charlotte M LLC, SAI Chattanooga N LLC, SAI Clearwater T LLC, SAI Cleveland N LLC, SAI Columbus Motors LLC, SAI Columbus T LLC, SAI Columbus VWK LLC, SAI Conroe N LLC, SAI Denver B Inc., SAI Denver C Inc., SAI Denver M Inc., SAI FL HC1 Inc., SAI FL HC2 Inc., SAI FL HC3 Inc., SAI FL HC4 Inc., SAI FL HC7 Inc., SAI Fairfax B LLC, SAI Fort Myers B LLC, SAI Fort Myers H LLC, SAI Fort Myers M LLC, SAI Fort Myers VW LLC, SAI GA HC1 LLC, SAI Irondale Imports LLC, SAI Irondale L LLC, SAI Long Beach B Inc., SAI MD HC1 Inc., SAI McKinney M LLC, SAI Monrovia B Inc., SAI Montgomery B LLC, SAI Montgomery BCH LLC, SAI Montgomery CH LLC, SAI Nashville CSH LLC, SAI Nashville H LLC, SAI Nashville M LLC, SAI Nashville Motors LLC, SAI OK HC1 Inc., SAI Oklahoma City C LLC, SAI Oklahoma City H LLC, SAI Oklahoma City T LLC, SAI Orlando CS LLC, SAI Peachtree LLC, SAI Pensacola A LLC, SAI Philpott T LLC, SAI Riverside C LLC, SAI Roaring Fork LR Inc., SAI Rockville Imports LLC, SAI Rockville L LLC, SAI S. Atlanta JLR LLC, SAI SIC Inc., SAI Santa Clara K Inc., SAI Stone Mountain T LLC, SAI TN HC1 LLC, SAI TN HC2 LLC, SAI TN HC3 LLC, SAI Tulsa N LLC, SAI Tulsa T LLC, SAI Tysons Corner H LLC, SAI Tysons Corner I LLC, SAI VA HC1 Inc., SAI VS GA LLC, SAI VS TX LLC, SAI Vehicle Subscription Inc., SAI West Houston B LLC, SRE Alabama  2 LLC, SRE Alabama  5 LLC, SRE Alabama  6 LLC, SRE California 10 LBB LLC, SRE California 11 PH LLC, SRE California  1 LLC, SRE California  2 LLC, SRE California  3 LLC, SRE California  4 LLC, SRE California  5 LLC, SRE California  6 LLC, SRE California  7 SCB LLC, SRE California  8 SCH LLC, SRE California  9 BHB LLC, SRE Colorado  1 LLC, SRE Colorado  2 LLC, SRE Colorado  3 LLC, SRE Colorado  4 RF LLC, SRE Colorado  5 CC LLC, SRE Florida  1 LLC, SRE Florida  2 LLC, SRE Georgia 4 LLC, SRE Georgia 5 LLC, SRE Georgia 6 LLC, SRE Holding LLC, SRE Maryland  1 LLC, SRE Nevada  2 LLC, SRE North Carolina  2 LLC, SRE North Carolina  3 LLC, SRE Ohio 1 LLC, SRE Ohio 2 LLC, SRE Oklahoma  1 LLC, SRE Oklahoma  2 LLC, SRE Oklahoma  5 LLC, SRE South Carolina  2 LLC, SRE South Carolina  3 LLC, SRE South Carolina  4 LLC, SRE Tennessee 6 LLC, SRE Tennessee 7 LLC, SRE Tennessee  1 LLC, SRE Tennessee  2 LLC, SRE Tennessee  3 LLC, SRE Tennessee  4 LLC, SRE Tennessee  5 LLC, SRE Texas 10 LLC, SRE Texas 11 LLC, SRE Texas 12 LLC, SRE Texas 13 LLC, SRE Texas 14 LLC, SRE Texas 15 LLC, SRE Texas 16 LLC, SRE Texas 9 LLC, SRE Texas  1 LP, SRE Texas  2 LP, SRE Texas  3 LP, SRE Texas  4 LP, SRE Texas  5 LP, SRE Texas  6 LP, SRE Texas  7 LP, SRE Texas  8 LP, SRE Virginia - 1 LLC, SRE Virginia  2 LLC, SRM Assurance Ltd., Santa Clara Imported Cars Inc., Sonic 2185 Chapman Rd. Chattanooga LLC, Sonic Advantage PA LP, Sonic Automotive - 1720 Mason Ave. DB LLC, Sonic Automotive 2424 Laurens Rd. Greenville Inc., Sonic Automotive 2752 Laurens Rd. Greenville Inc., Sonic Automotive Aviation LLC, Sonic Automotive F&I LLC, Sonic Automotive Support LLC, Sonic Automotive West LLC, Sonic Automotive of Chattanooga LLC, Sonic Automotive of Nashville LLC, Sonic Automotive of Nevada Inc., Sonic Automotive of Texas LP, Sonic Automotive  1495 Automall Drive Columbus Inc., Sonic Automotive  1720 Mason Ave. DB Inc., Sonic Automotive  2490 South Lee Highway LLC, Sonic Automotive  3401 N. Main TX LP, Sonic Automotive  4701 I-10 East TX LP, Sonic Automotive  6008 N. Dale Mabry FL Inc., Sonic Automotive  9103 E. Independence NC LLC, Sonic Calabasas M Inc., Sonic Development LLC, Sonic Divisional Operations LLC, Sonic FFC 1 Inc., Sonic FFC 2 Inc., Sonic FFC 3 Inc., Sonic Fremont Inc., Sonic Houston JLR LP, Sonic Houston LR LP, Sonic Momentum B LP, Sonic Momentum JVP LP, Sonic Momentum VWA LP, Sonic Resources Inc., Sonic Santa Monica M Inc., Sonic Santa Monica S Inc., Sonic Walnut Creek M Inc., Sonic Wilshire Cadillac Inc., Sonic eStore Inc., Sonic of Texas Inc., Sonic  Buena Park H Inc., Sonic  Cadillac D LP, Sonic  Calabasas A Inc., Sonic  Calabasas V Inc., Sonic  Camp Ford LP, Sonic  Capitol Cadillac Inc., Sonic  Capitol Imports Inc., Sonic  Carrollton V LP, Sonic  Carson F Inc., Sonic  Carson LM Inc., Sonic  Clear Lake N LP, Sonic  Clear Lake Volkswagen LP, Sonic  Denver T Inc., Sonic  Downey Cadillac Inc., Sonic  Fort Mill Chrysler Jeep Inc., Sonic  Fort Mill Dodge Inc., Sonic  Fort Worth T LP, Sonic  Frank Parra Autoplex LP, Sonic  Harbor City H Inc., Sonic  Houston V LP, Sonic  Integrity Dodge LV LLC, Sonic  Jersey Village Volkswagen LP, Sonic  LS Chevrolet LP, Sonic  LS LLC, Sonic  Lake Norman Chrysler Jeep LLC, Sonic  Las Vegas C West LLC, Sonic  Lloyd Nissan Inc., Sonic  Lloyd Pontiac  Cadillac Inc., Sonic  Lone Tree Cadillac Inc., Sonic  Lute Riley LP, Sonic  Massey Cadillac LP, Sonic  Massey Chevrolet Inc., Sonic  Mesquite Hyundai LP, Sonic  Newsome Chevrolet World Inc., Sonic  Newsome of Florence Inc., Sonic  North Charleston Dodge Inc., Sonic  North Charleston Inc., Sonic  Plymouth Cadillac Inc., Sonic  Richardson F LP, Sonic  Sanford Cadillac Inc., Sonic  Shottenkirk Inc., Sonic  Stevens Creek B Inc., Sonic  Volvo LV LLC, Sonic  West Covina T Inc., Sonic  Williams Cadillac Inc., Stevens Creek Cadillac Inc., The Sonic Automotive Family Emergency Fund (SAFE), Town and Country Ford Incorporated, and Windward Inc..

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- Some ODM members from one of the party strongholds have been exposed for engaging in witch craft

- Migori county leaders are using it as a weapon to beat their opponents in the run up to the August 8 General Election

A section of Orange Democratic Movement elected leaders are trooping to Tanzania to seek the services of witch doctors.

ODM members with their party leader, Raila Odinga (stripped tie).

READ ALSO: Kenyans go with the bare truth on whether they would vote President Uhuru in again (Poll)

The leaders from Migori county are seeking these services in the run up to the August 8 General Election.

Speaking to a local Kenyan daily, one witch doctor said those in his profession make too much money when election season rolls around in Kenya.

Political aspirants come for our services and pay whatever we tell them to. They fulfill all the requirements and make the payments upfront, said Mohamed Yaya, a Tz based witch doctor.

READ ALSO: Isaac Ruto, Gideon Moi deal which will completely FINISH William Ruto

Migori leaders have been exposed for seeking dark magic powers in Tanzania to beat their opponents on August 8.

READ ALSO: Raila with kids vs Uhuru with kids, who did it better? (photos)

According to Nairobi News, these politicians believe the witches can make them beat their opponents, and they pay up to KSh 150,000 for these services.

One aide in the Migori county who opted to remain anonymous said his boss recently visited Mwanza and shelled out that money.

I was particularly against it but some of our campaign committee members encouraged him to seek the intervention of witch doctors, said the aide.

It takes only 4 hours to travel to Mwanza from Migori, and 50 minutes to Tarime.

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It is illegal to influence voters in any way in the lead up to an election in Kenya. Using witch craft is one of the offenses.

READ ALSO: Moi sends Ruto a COLD message 3 days after KANU announced support for Uhuru

It was found that self-confessed Christian politicians are also doing this.

According to the constitution, it is illegal for anyone vying for a political post to influence the electorate in any way before they vote. Witchcraft is listed too.

This person will be subject to punishment as was in the case of former cabinet minister Musikari Kombo who lost his Webuye parliamentary seat in 1994 for engaging in witchcraft.

Have something to add to this article or suggestions? send to news@tuko.co.ke

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- US President Donald Trump has insisted his administration has no preferred candidate in the August General Election

- The American government also called for a peaceful and democratic election in Kenya

- Trump also called on Kenyan leaders to use constitutional bodies to address their dissatisfaction with election results

US President Donald Trump has again made it clear his administration has no preferred candidate in the August General Election.

US President Donald Trump.

READ ALSO: Uhuru says what he expects from Donald Trump

According to US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec, the Trump administration will remain neutral as Kenyans decide who will be the president to lead them.

Speaking in Gasi, Kwale county, on Monday, February 27, Godec said the US government hopes to see a fair, transparent and democratic election in August.

According to US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec, the US administration will remain neutral as Kenyans decide who will be the president to lead them.

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READ ALSO: DP Ruto closest ally makes a very mean comment about President Trump, he did not expect this to happen

The Trump administration also called on Kenyan leaders to use constitutional bodies to address their dissatisfaction with election results.

According to the Standard, the Trump regime would like to see a peaceful election and democratic outcome in August.

"Those who were unsatisfied with the outcome of the election results or the process should seek constitutional bodies like the courts to address their issues," the Standard reported.

READ ALSO: Kenyan girl ejected out of the US amidst Trump's move to kick out immigrants

US President Donald Trump has again made it clear his administration has no preferred candidate in the August General Election.

READ ALSO: Donald Trump angers Kenyans, including Nkaissery again

In early February, Kenyans were alarmed after Trump seemed to have ignored President Uhuru Kenyatta when he made calls to some African leaders.

Trump is reported to have called Nigerian President Mamadou Buhari and Jacob Zuma of South Africa.

But the US government proved it was not ignoring Kenya which is a strategic ally in East Africa, by awarding Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) a category 1 status.

With this status Kenyans can expect direct flights from Nairobi to the US.

Have something to add to this article or suggestions? send to news@tuko.co.ke

Source: TUKO.co.ke
Constitution amendment first condition for polls: Bhattarai

Coordinator of Naya Shakti Party Nepal Baburam Bhattarai has said that amending the constitution with revision in the existing bill is the first precondition for polls.
Militants launched 84 attacks on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in ATO area in Donbas over the past day. One Ukrainian soldier was wounded.

This is reported by the ATO press center. In Mariupol direction, the enemy used mortars of different calibers to shell Vodiane (16km north-west of Donetsk), Marinka (35 km south-west of Donetsk), and Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol).
No Ukrainian soldiers were killed, but one was wounded in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone in eastern Ukraine over the last day.

Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Spokesperson for ATO issues Andriy Lysenko said this at a press briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"No Ukrainian soldiers were killed, but one was wounded as a resalt of combat actions over the past day. This took place near Lobachevo [village in Luhansk region] as a result of enemy attacks," Lysenko said.

iy
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, in the course of the working trip to Dnipropetrovsk region, visited a subway construction site in the city of Dnipro, the presidents press service reported on Monday, February 27.

Subway construction in Dnipro is a symbol of our cooperation with the European Union, President Poroshenko stressed.

He reminded that loan agreements totaling 300 million euros for the construction of the Dnipro subway were concluded with European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and European Investment Bank (EIB).

President Poroshenko noted that it is an important event for Dnipro, because the last subway station in the city was open more than 20 years ago.

President Poroshenko expressed hope that the construction would be completed within upcoming 3-4 years.

iy
Quality pharmaceutical products of India will allow Ukraine to save money on drug imports.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to Ukraine Manoj Kumar Bharti has stated this at a press conference in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"I continue to repeat the Ukrainian Government and the Health Ministry that the import of quality pharmaceutical products from India to Ukraine is for the benefit of the Ukrainian state budget. For Ukraine, it will be very profitable to import more and more pharmaceutical products from India as they are tested and passed all the necessary quality checks," the ambassador said.

As we know, Ukrainian imports of Indian pharmaceutical products declined from $500 million to $115 million for the past three years.

ish
Starobilsky District Court of Luhansk region on February 28 ruled to extend a pre-trial detention term in the form of custody to the former leader of the Party of Regions parliamentary faction of the previous convocation, Oleksandr Yefremov, till April 28, 2017.

To extend the pre-trial detention term for Oleksandr Serhiyovych Yefremov till April 28, 2017 inclusively, according to the courts ruling, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

As a reminder, Yefremov is accused of organizing the seizure of the Luhansk Regional State Administrations building and of assisting in the takeover of Ukraines Security Service office in Luhansk region. Also, he faces charges of committing deliberate actions aimed at changing borders of the territory and the state border of Ukraine in violation of the procedure, established by the Constitution, by the person, who is a government official, on preliminary deal with a group of persons that led to grave consequences. He is also accused of organization and assistance in establishing and activities of the terrorist organization "Luhansk People's Republic". In addition, Yefremov is suspected in state treason

iy
The European Parliament has called on the international community to increase pressure on Russia due to unlawful criminal prosecution of Ukrainian citizens on political grounds.

This has been discussed in the European Parliament on Tuesday at an international conference on the problems of Ukrainian political prisoners, who are kept in Russia, an Ukrinform correspondent reported from Brussels.

"Within the LetMyPeopleGo campaign the Open Dialogue Fund and the Center for Civil Liberties call upon the international community to increase pressure on the Russian government to stop politically motivated persecution of Ukrainian citizens in Russia and in occupied Crimea," the organizers of the action said.

These requirements have been supported by MEPs, in particular Mary Lauritsen (Estonia), Petras Austrevicius (Lithuania), Anna Fotyga (Poland).

ish
The Mechnikov Regional Clinical Hospital in Dnipro saved 99.4% of wounded soldiers hospitalized in 2016.

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said this during his visit to the medical institution, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"The figure that surprised me is 99.4%. This is a number of saved wounded soldiers in the regional hospital in 2016. This tells about the quality of your work. And I thank each of you for this quality, for your fantastic hands and hearts. Thank you very much," the President said.

In general, he said that 2,200 wounded soldiers were put on the legs, 40% of whom were in the intensive care unit.

During the visit to the hospital, the President has presented state awards to the servicemen, who are treated here, and the hospital workers.

ish
EC in rush to acquire ballot boxes

With just 75 days to go for the local level elections, the Election Commission is scrambling to manage the ballot boxes, as it will require around 85,000 of them. The poll body currently has 65,000 ballot boxes at its disposal.
Energy Minister vows of ending loadshedding across the country

Minister for Energy Janardan Sharma has said that the public needs could be fulfilled if natural resources were properly utilised.
UNICEF/UN052608/Romenzi

Download multimedia materials: http://uni.cf/2lhQM0Q

NEW YORK/GENEVA, 28 February 2017  Refugee and migrant children and women are routinely suffering sexual violence, exploitation, abuse and detention along the Central Mediterranean migration route from North Africa to Italy, UNICEF warned in a new report.

A Deadly Journey for Children: The Central Mediterranean Migrant Route provides an in-depth look at the extreme risks facing refugee and migrant children as they make the perilous journey from sub-Saharan Africa into Libya and across the sea to Italy. Three quarters of the refugee and migrant children interviewed as part of a survey said they had experienced violence, harassment or aggression at the hands of adults at some point over the course of their journey, while nearly half of the women and children interviewed reported sexual abuse during migration  often multiple times and in multiple locations.

Last year, at least 4,579 people died attempting to cross the Mediterranean from Libya, or 1 in every 40 of those who made the attempt. It is estimated that at least 700 of those who lost their lives were children.

The Central Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe is among the worlds deadliest and most dangerous migrant routes for children and women, said Afshan Khan, UNICEF Regional Director and Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Crisis in Europe. The route is mostly controlled by smugglers, traffickers and other people seeking to prey upon desperate children and women who are simply seeking refuge or a better life. We need safe and legal pathways and safeguards to protect migrating children that keep them safe and keep predators at bay.

Recent data in a survey of women and child migrants in Libya during late 2016 reveal the appalling level of abuse along the migration route. At the time of the survey, 256,000 migrants were recorded in Libya, including 30,803 women and 23,102 children - a third of whom were unaccompanied. The real figures, however, are believed to be at least three times higher.

Most children and women indicated that they had paid smugglers at the beginning of their journey, leaving many in debt under pay as you go arrangements and vulnerable to abuse, abduction and trafficking.

Women and children also reported harsh and overcrowded conditions, including lack of nutritious food and adequate shelter, in Libyan detention centres run by both Government and armed militias.

Children should not be forced to put their lives in the hands of smugglers because there are simply no alternatives, said Khan. We need to address globally the drivers of migration and work together toward a robust system of safe and legal passage for children on the move, whether refugees or migrants.

UNICEF has developed a six-point agenda for action for children uprooted, including:

1. Protect child refugees and migrants, particularly unaccompanied children, from exploitation and violence.

2. End the detention of children seeking refugee status or migrating by introducing a range of practical alternatives.

3. Keep families together as the best way to protect children and give them legal status.

4. Keep all refugee and migrant children learning and give them access to health and other quality services.

5. Press for action on the underlying causes of large-scale movements of refugees and migrants.

6. Promote measures to combat xenophobia, discrimination and marginalization in countries of transit and destination.

UNICEF is urging governments and the EU to support and adopt this agenda for action.

Since the start of the response in late 2015, UNICEF has continued to respond to the needs of children who are on the move, stranded or seeking asylum in Europe. This includes providing 182,500 refugee and migrant children with a wide range of services. The childrens agency is also expanding its Mediterranean program in Greece and Italy, supporting government efforts to improve reunification and child protection services.

Despite operating challenges in Libya, UNICEF, along with its partners, continues its efforts to address the protection and humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable children in the country, including refugee and migrant children through municipalities with which UNICEF signed memoranda of cooperation in April 2015.

###




Apply Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) in the urologic practice to better diagnose, triage, and manage patients in various stages of urologic diseases

Integrate new and modified testing and optimal medical treatment selection for prevention of stone disease and optimal outcomes

Devise treatment algorithms and coordinate multi-specialty care for patients presenting with gender identity issues

Develop collaboration between urologists, genitourinary oncologists, and radiation oncologists for patient care from diagnosis to management

Review common coding questions, update CPT coding skills, ICD-10 coding, and modifiers in billing to optimize reimbursement

Analyze current indications for minimally invasive approaches to upper tract urothelial cancer identifying appropriate candidates and interventions in various stages of disease

Identify the genomic and proteomic tests available, their practical application, and where they fit in the management of prostate cancer

Assess the evolving knowledge regarding the biology of advanced prostate, kidney and bladder cancer coupled with the release of practice changing clinical trials and approvals that help define outcomes and treatment choices for patients

Integrate new and modified imaging modalities in determining stone composition and potential impact on treatment selection for optimal outcomes

Join an outstanding roster of Duke and national urologists, oncologists, radiologists, and coding experts participating in a comprehensive scientific program that encompasses leading edge updates on the most effective and efficient diagnoses and treatments in the sub-specialties of urology.There continues to be significant educational need for this annual meeting and scientific program. Urologic abnormalities can present with a myriad of clinical symptoms and signs. In addition, the rapid evolution of knowledge coupled with an unprecedented release of practice changing clinical trials require an ongoing review to ensure accurate diagnosis and disease management, meeting current standards of care, as well as the appropriate use of safe and cost-effective imaging modalities and various pharmacologic, minimally invasive and operative management options by all levels of the urologic community.Healthcare professionals attending this symposium will be engaged through interactive talks, supplemented with video surgical presentations, interactive case presentations, and panel discussions on the latest evidence-based clinical approaches to managing a wide range of urologic conditions.At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:This program is designed to meet the continuing educational needs of urologists, oncologists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, urology residents and allied health professionals.
Ex-prez urges parties to unite

Former president Ram Baran Yadav has expressed his worries about the protracted deadlock over constitution implementation, stressing that the only way to resolve the impasse is through unity among the political parties.
The Energy Department has delivered a blunt assessment of the work done by one of the worlds biggest companies in the nuclear business: Unsatisfactory.

For a decade, CB&I Areva MOX Services has been under contract with the Energy Departments National Nuclear Security Administration to design, build and operate a facility near the Savannah River in Aiken, S.C.

Yet the project  designed to convert weapons-grade plutonium and uranium into a mixed oxide fuel for commercial nuclear power plants  has been running far beyond budget and way behind schedule. Estimates now put the price tag at $17 billion.

On Dec. 5, the NNSA completed a scathing evaluation that branded several of the companys claims about the state of the project misleading and inaccurate. The agency said CB&I Arevas claims that the project is 70 percent complete are patently false. A separate September 2016 Energy Department report said construction was only 28 percent complete.

The contractor was unable to balance project technical baseline requirements with other elements of project performance, such as cost and schedule, NNSA said in the December assessment. The contractor lacked the fiduciary will to plan and execute work to fully benefit the project and taxpayer.

CB&I Areva is a venture created as a combination of Chicago Iron & Steel and the French nuclear giant Areva. The company did not return calls for comment.

The latest evaluations take place against a larger political canvass. The origin of the project lies in the post-Cold War period, when the United States and Russia each agreed to rid themselves of 34 tons of weapons grade material.

Yet many nuclear experts say the technology the United States planned to use  known as mixed oxide or MOX  is costly and does not eliminate the risk of weapons proliferation.

President Obama tried to kill the Savannah River plant. In the presidents proposed 2017 budget, the administration said it would pursue a dilute and dispose approach as a faster, less-expensive path to meeting the U.S. commitment to dispose of excess weapons grade plutonium. It proposed cutting spending to from $345 million to $275 million to begin winding it down.

One of the projects sharpest critics Tom Clements, director of the public interest group Savannah River Site Watch, obtained the December NNSA assessment through a Freedom of Information Act request. He called the evaluation devastating.

I have never seen an asessment like that. It all but calls them liars, he said.

The Savannah River project, however, has an important ally in Congress: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who has defended this method of converting nuclear weapons fuel. In addition, hundreds of jobs in his state depend on the project moving forward. For a time, Graham held up the confirmation vote on Ernest Moniz as energy secretary over the Obama administratins intentions for the Savannah River MOX project.

In a hearing March 9, 2016, he grilled then-secretary Moniz over the project. He too lamented the soaring costs. I dont know how we fix this but somebody needs to be fired, he said.

The next month Graham and his fellow South Carolina senator Tim Scott (R) said that the Obama administration was failing to live up to its international obligations to Russia to destroy up to 34 metric tons of its military plutonium stockpile by converting it into MOX.

On Oct. 3, Putin withdrew from the agreement.

But the Obama administration continued to say the MOX plant at Savannah River wasnt practical. What started as a $620 million project in 1999 with a 2006 starting date has become a $17 billion project still decades away from a start state. By some estimates, it would require a $1 billion a year appropriation, which the Obama administration said was unlikely at best.

The letter Clements obtained gives a glimpse into whats going awry. Some of the items listed as completed arent. Clements says that sources in the plant have told him that the air conditioning system might need to be ripped out. According to the assessment, the contractors said the duct work was 28 percent complete; the NNSA said only 3 percent was. Contractors said the fire dampers were 38 percent complete; the NNSA said only 17 percent were.

The assessment said that while the contractor boasted of zero order non-compliance, in fact the NNSA found evidence of non-compliance.

Overall, the NNSA awarded nothing from the $2.7 million available for a bonus payment to the contractors. It said, there continued to be a lack of transparency and openness in external communications with key project stakeholders by the contractor including continued release of misleading and inaccurate project information.


Kristin Henry, a former Sterling employee, is seen in her apartment in Sanford, Fla. Henry says she was 22 when a district manager tried to kiss and touch her. After reporting the incident, she says, she was falsely accused of theft and fired. (Eve Edelheit for The Washington Post)

Hundreds of former employees of Sterling Jewelers, the multibillion-dollar conglomerate behind Jared the Galleria of Jewelry and Kay Jewelers, claim that its chief executive and other company leaders presided over a corporate culture that fostered rampant sexual harassment and discrimination, according to arbitration documents obtained by The Washington Post.

Declarations from roughly 250 women and men who worked at Sterling, filed as part of a private class-action arbitration case, allege that female employees at the company throughout the late 1990s and 2000s were routinely groped, demeaned and urged to sexually cater to their bosses to stay employed. Sterling disputes the allegations.

The arbitration was first filed in 2008 by more than a dozen women who accused the company of widespread gender discrimination. The class-action case, still unresolved, now includes 69,000 women who are current and former employees of Sterling, which operates about 1,500 stores across the country.

Most of the sworn statements were written years ago, but the employees attorneys were only granted permission to release them publicly Sunday evening. One of the original women who brought the case, those lawyers said, died in 2014 as proceedings crawled on without resolution.

The statements allege that top male managers, some at the companys headquarters near Akron, Ohio, dispatched scouting parties to stores to find female employees they wanted to sleep with, laughed about womens bodies in the workplace, and pushed female subordinates into sex by pledging better jobs, higher pay or protection from punishment.

Kay Jewelers is one of the chains under Sterling Jewelers, which also includes Jared the Galleria of Jewelry. (James Leynse/Corbis via Getty Images)

Though women made up a large part of Sterlings sales force, many said they felt they had little recourse with their mostly male management. Sanya Douglas, a Kay sales associate and manager in New York between 2003 and 2008, said a manager even had a saying for male leaders coaxing women into sexual favors to advance their careers, calling it going to the big stage.

If you didnt do what he wanted with him, she said in the 2012 sworn statement, you wouldnt get your (preferred) store or raise.

Sterling spokesman David Bouffard told The Post in a statement Monday that company officials have thoroughly investigated the allegations and have concluded they are not substantiated by the facts and certainly do not reflect our culture.

The company has created strong career opportunities for many thousands of women working at our stores nationwide and takes allegations of pay and promotion discrimination seriously, with multiple processes in place to receive and investigate allegations of misconduct, Bouffard said.

Allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination involve a very small number of individuals, he said, adding that their claims were included in arbitration filings by employees attorneys to paint a negative and distorted picture of the company.

In arbitration, Sterling presented experts it said had reviewed some employee allegations and concluded that the company devotes adequate resources to manage complaints of unwanted sex-related behavior, according to a 2015 filing.

(Jayne Orenstein/The Washington Post)

Complaints that were reported to the company were thoroughly investigated, Bouffard said, and action was taken where appropriate. He added that the company encourages all employees to report any workplace concerns so officials can investigate and respond appropriately.

Not all of the 69,000 class members are alleging sexual impropriety. Many are accusing Sterling of wage violations, arguing women were systematically paid less than men and passed over for promotions given to less experienced male colleagues.

The former and current employees are seeking punitive damages and years of back pay, though no estimate of the potential damages has been given. A class hearing, during which witnesses will be called to testify before the arbitration judge for the first time, is scheduled for early next year.

Sterling, like other U.S. companies, requires all workers to waive their right to bring any employment-related disputes against their employer in public courts. Instead, complaints must be decided in arbitration  a private, quasi-legal system where cases are guaranteed little transparency.

Signet Jewelers, the parent company of Sterling, has its headquarters in Fairlawn, Ohio. (Dustin Franz for The Washington Post)

Since 2015, The Post has requested to review the employee statements submitted as part of arbitration, all of which were designated as confidential. Employees attorneys have also sought to make them publicly available. Attorneys for the employees and the company recently reached an agreement that the documents could be made public on the condition that they not identify any of the individuals to whom conduct was attributed.

More than 1,300 pages of sworn statements were released Sunday and feature company-approved redactions that obscure the names of managers and executives accused of harassment or abuse. But a memorandum by the employees attorneys supporting their motion for class certification, filed in 2013, revealed that top executives including Mark Light, now chief executive of Sterlings parent company, Signet Jewelers, were among those accused of having sex with female employees and promoting women based upon how they responded to sexual demands.



Mark Light, seen June 15, 2016, in New York, is chief executive of Signet Jewelers, Sterlings parent company. A memo filed in 2013 as part of the case says that top executives including Light were among those accused of having sex with female employees and promoting women based upon how they responded to sexual demands. (Chris Goodney/Bloomberg News)

Light did not respond to requests for comment, and the company did not make him available for an interview. The company declined to address detailed questions about the allegations made by former employees against Light and other managers.

Many of the most striking allegations stem from the companys annual managers meetings, which former employees described as a boozy, no-spouses-allowed sex-fest where attendance was mandatory and women were aggressively pursued, grabbed and harassed.

Multiple witnesses told attorneys that they saw Light being entertained as he watched and joined nude and partially undressed female employees in a swimming pool, according to the 2013 memorandum.

Routine sexual preying at company events was done out in the open and appeared to be encouraged, or at least condoned, by the company, Melissa Corey, a manager of Sterling stores in Massachusetts and Florida between 2002 and 2008, said in her declaration.

Ellen Contaldi, a Sterling manager in Massachusetts between 1994 and 2008, said in her declaration that male executives prowled around the (resort) like dogs that were let out of their cage and there was no one to protect the female managers from them.

I didnt like being alone, anywhere. I used to dread going to the meetings, Contaldi told The Post in an interview. If you were even remotely attractive or outgoing, which most salespeople are, you were meat, being shopped.

It was like nobody knew right from wrong, and there was nobody trying to show anybody right from wrong, Contaldi added. There was no discipline. There was no consequence. You were on your own.

Former employees who sought help or reported abuse through an internal hotline alleged in their declarations that they were verbally attacked or terminated. Kristin Henry, a five-year Sterling employee who said she was 22 when an older district manager tried to kiss and touch her at a managers event, told The Post she was falsely accused of theft and quickly fired after reporting his advances to superiors at Sterling.

Theyre still hiring younger women, and I worry about those women, Kristin Henry said. (Eve Edelheit for The Washington Post)

The case, Jock et al. v. Sterling Jewelers, was filed before the American Arbitration Association, one of the nations largest arbitration organizations. Kathleen A. Roberts, the cases arbitrator and a retired federal magistrate, is forbidden by association rules from speaking with the media. Like other arbitrations, the case before Roberts is conducted in private and is legally binding. While arbitrator decisions are appealable, there are very limited grounds on which decisions can be overturned. The confidential nature of the case has made it difficult to determine why it has taken so long to resolve.

In a 2015 decision to grant class-action status to the women, Roberts wrote that the testimony includes references to soliciting sexual relations with women (sometimes as a quid pro quo for employment benefits), and creating an environment at often-mandatory Company events in which women are expected to undress publicly, accede to sexual overtures and refrain from complaining about the treatment to which they have been subjected.

For the most part Sterling has not sought to refute this evidence, Roberts wrote. Instead, she wrote, Sterling argues that it is inadmissible, irrelevant and insufficient to establish a corporate culture that demeans women.

The case could deeply tarnish a business that sells billions of dollars worth of jewelry a year through romance-centered marketing campaigns such as Every Kiss Begins with Kay. Signet told shareholders in an annual report last year that it would have to pay substantial damages if it lost the case.

Sterlings mall outlets and storefronts account for a large chunk of Americas jewelry market, as well as more than 18,000 jobs across all 50 states. Its parent company, Signet, which is domiciled in Bermuda but headquartered in Ohio, is the worlds largest retailer of diamond jewelry, selling more than $6 billion of jewelry, watches and services in 2015, company filings show.

Joseph M. Sellers, a partner at the Cohen Milstein law firm and lead counsel for the case, told The Post in an interview that the former employees statements provide breathtaking evidence of ways in which women were mistreated in the workplace.

It was terribly demeaning to them as women, Sellers said, not just because they themselves were mistreated but because they saw how their co-workers were treated as sexual objects.

Backed into a corner

When Heather Ballou left her job at a small jewelry store and moved to a Kay retail outlet in Pensacola, Fla., in 2000, she believed she had made the right move to advance her young career. Sterling seemed to offer high standards, a professional atmosphere and managers willing to groom and mentor new employees, Ballou, a class member in the arbitration, said in an interview with The Post.

As she worked her way up to store manager, though, she said, she became increasingly disturbed at the frequency of sexual harassment from the companys crude boys club. At a managers meeting in 2005, a district manager promised to help transfer her to a better store if she had sex with him, she said in her sworn statement. That night, she did, believing she was backed into a corner and had no other way to advance.

Looking back, I cant believe I did some of the things I had to do, Ballou, 41, told The Post, adding that in the moment she thought: You suck it up and do what you have to do for your family. You need this job.



Heather Ballou, seen in Gulf Breeze, Fla., said while she was at a managers meeting in 2005, a district manager promised to help transfer her to a better store if she had sex with him. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)

Ballou attended four of Sterlings multi-day managers meetings, where attendance was mandatory for managers at company stores nationwide. The events, which were mostly held in Orlando, included daytime work seminars but were infamous for their wild parties at night, employees said. It was common practice, former employees said, for executives and high-level managers to ply subordinates with alcohol.

One night, Ballou told The Post, she saw a top executive watching as female managers in varying stages of undress splashed in a hotel pool. He had a drink in one hand and a cigar in the other, just taking it all in, like, I am the king and this is my harem,  she told The Post. She was prevented by her attorneys from naming which executive was involved, because of the condition of the arbitration documents release. The 2013 class-action motion states Light took part in a pool-related incident similar to the one Ballou described.

Henry, who attended the 2005 meeting, said she was retrieving her shawl from a hotel room when a male district manager who was her fathers age, and whom she had been told to treat like a mentor, forcibly tried to kiss and touch her. Stunned, she left immediately afterward and called her parents for advice.

I was so embarrassed, she told The Post. I was afraid of what would happen next, how I would be treated, if it was something he would tell other employees about.

A few days later, she called an internal hotline to report the encounter, believing her identity would be protected. But within days of her report, a regional boss visited her store for two days, interviewed her co-workers and reviewed surveillance video before accusing her of stealing a gold necklace and $100 in cash. She told The Post she showed the boss evidence that she had not stolen anything, but Sterling fired her, a few days before she was set to receive an annual commission payment worth roughly $30,000, she alleged.

Because she was fired and accused of theft, she told The Post, she was unable to find a job at another jewelry store. Now 34, she works as a nurse in Florida.

Friends to this day ask: What ever happened to that job? And its one of those situations: Do I tell the truth? Or do I say I just moved on, to save myself the embarrassment? she told The Post. Seeing Kay commercials, she said, continues to unnerve her.

Theyre still hiring younger women, and I worry about those women, she told The Post. I worry about what might happen to them.

I cant even go into a Kay anymore. It just turns my stomach, says Ballou, who now works as an office manager. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)

Julia Highfill, a nine-year Sterling manager in Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, said in her sworn statement that the company did not have an effective or serious mechanism by which female employees could complain about their mistreatment. After calling the company to report that a district manager had arrived to work late and reeking of alcohol, she alleged that he called soon after to warn her against calling again. He told her, Anything you say, Im going to know, she recalled in an interview.

Men who are not part of the class also filed sworn statements alleging Sterling was a hostile workplace for women. Richard Sumen, who worked for Sterling in Ohio from 1992 until 2005, said in his declaration that a group of managers and officers commonly known as the good ole boys was infamous for protecting and promoting their friends, and wild escapades of sex, drugs, excessive drinking and womanizing. He recalled one former Ohio-based executive saying, Why pay women more when they just get pregnant and have families?

In his sworn statement, Sumen also recounted an incident at corporate headquarters in which an executive pointed to a female secretary and asked a district manager, Are you doing her? The secretary looked visibly uncomfortable, Sumen said, but the executive said again, louder, I want to f---ing know if you are f---ing doing her.

Sumen told The Post that he remained troubled by what he called Sterlings discriminatory corporate climate. He wrote in his 2008 declaration, This culture of sexism and womanizing was so prevalent that female management employees were pressured to acquiesce and participate.



Sterling spokesman David Bouffard says that company officials have thoroughly investigated the allegations and have concluded they are not substantiated by the facts and certainly do not reflect our culture. (Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg News via Getty Images)

Like an abusive relationship

This culture seemingly arose in a company whose sales force was mostly women. More than 68 percent of Sterlings store managers are women, the company told The Post. Three of Signets 10 executive officers are women. A job-recruitment video calls Sterling your place to shine and promises an exciting and fulfilling career.

Light was made Sterlings chief executive in 2006 and presided over an eight-year growth streak during which the companys sales more than tripled. Light, now 54 and chief executive of Signet, earned about $7.4 million in salary, stock and bonuses in fiscal 2016, up from $2.4 million in 2014, company filings show.

Signet, the parent company of Sterling, Zales and other jewelry brands, has struggled in recent months because of disappointing holiday sales, investors worries over how much of its jewelry is bought on credit, and a scandal during which Kay customers alleged diamonds they had brought in for cleaning were swapped for lesser-quality stones. The company denied the diamond-swapping allegations. Its share price has dropped by half since its late-2015 peak.

Since 1998, Sterling has forced all employees to agree to arbitration  a no-judge, no-jury resolution system that allows companies to keep potentially embarrassing labor disputes and case records mostly confidential.

The nonprofit American Arbitration Association, where the Sterling case is being heard, allows companies to refuse arbitrators they believe will not fairly rule on their case.

Some companies have argued that arbitration allows them a quicker path to resolving employee disputes beyond traditional courts. Workers effectively consent to the rules when they sign agreements requiring arbitration as a condition of their employment, as seen with Sterlings contracts.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said in a report last year that mandatory arbitration policies can prevent employees from learning about similar concerns shared by others in their workplace.

Ballou, who left the company in 2009, is hoping the case leads to more than back pay. Now 41, the single mother is back in school studying to become a registered nurse and working as an office manager for a real estate company, where she told The Post she hasnt encountered an inkling of what she saw at Sterling.

Whats sad is that I was there for so long, it was almost like when someone is in an abusive relationship: You think thats what normal is, she told The Post.

I cant even go into a Kay anymore. It just turns my stomach, she added. Even seeing those Every Kiss Begins with Kay commercials revolts me, thinking of whats behind them. All the good things they do, all the lovely things they promise. Its a lie.

She told The Post she wanted to speak out in hopes that it could help other women, as well as her 8-year-old daughter.

I was a victim, and I didnt have anyone to speak for me, Ballou said. As humiliating as it was, it was worth it, because now maybe it wont happen to her.
A year ago, Warren Buffett lavished praise on 3G Capital, the Brazilian private-equity crew that controls Kraft Heinz. 3Gs specialty is firing thousands of people at the companies it buys. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Lots of people have been giving you their views about what Warren Buffett had to say in his recent annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders.

What Im going to do, however, is something different  talk with you about what Buffett didnt say. Think of it as a modern-day version of Silver Blaze, the famous Sherlock Holmes story involving the dog that didnt bark.

In his letter, containing his usual deft combination of one-liners (what is smart at one price is stupid at another), self-deprecation (my error caused Berkshire shareholders to give far more than they received) and attacks on Wall Street greedmeisters, there was one thing conspicuously missing. To wit: any serious discussion of Berkshires two largest stock investments  the Kraft Heinz food conglomerate and the Wells Fargo bank, whose combined $60 billion value at year-end matters even to a company like Berkshire, whose stock is worth more than $400 billion.

In his 2015 letter, Buffett lavished praise on 3G Capital, the Brazilian private-equity crew that controls Kraft Heinz and that Berkshire has backed with tens of billions of dollars of capital in various deals. 3Gs specialty is firing thousands of people at the companies it buys, which Buffett thought was just fine.

Their method, at which they have been extraordinarily successful, he wrote, is to buy companies that offer an opportunity for eliminating many unnecessary costs and then  very promptly  to make the moves that will get the job done.

He also had nice things to say about the management of Wells Fargo and managers of three other companies in which Berkshire holds major stakes: Coca-Cola, American Express and IBM. These four investees possess excellent businesses and are run by managers who are both talented and shareholder-oriented, he wrote.

This year, the only discussion of Kraft Heinz involved accounting quirks. There was no discussion whatever of Wells Fargo. Given that Berkshires 27 percent Kraft Heinz stake was worth $28.4 billion and its 10 percent Wells stake was worth $27.6 billion  and Buffett isnt subject to space limitations in his shareholder letter  I found that silence striking.

I sent an email to Buffett asking for an explanation. However, I didnt hear back. Buffett, with whom I was friendly for decades, has declined to speak to me since I criticized his role facilitating the 3G corporate desertion transaction in which Florida-based Burger King bought Tim Horton of Oakville, Ontario and became Canadian.

But I think its quite clear why Buffett didnt discuss Kraft Heinz or Wells. Its climate change. The social climate, that is.

Now that weve got a president elected with huge support from aggrieved working class voters  the kind of people whose jobs vanish when 3G appears  it would be needlessly provocative for Saint Warren to publicly support firing people.

And as for Wells Fargo  these days, given its numerous missteps, it feels like Scandal-Ridden should be added to its name.

Look, in many ways, Im a Buffett fan. I own a substantial (by my standards) chunk of Berkshire stock, and I have enormous respect for his decision to give virtually all his wealth to charity, and for his campaign to get fellow billionaires to agree to donate at least half their wealth. Ive seen him be incredibly gracious to people, including one of my children to whom I introduced him.

But when it comes to business, as Ive said before, Buffett is no saint. Get between him and something he wants, and youll find a hole in yourself the size of Warren Edward Buffett.

In 2015, I was struck by the way that Kraft Heinz, which he helped create and on whose board he sits, announced it was firing 2,600 workers the day before Berkshire reported record quarterly profits because it was required to write up the value of its Kraft Heinz stake by $4.4 billion.

This year, Im struck by the contrast between his lavish 2015 praise of the managements of 3G and Wells Fargo, and his 2016 silence. What hes not saying this year is even more interesting than what he did say last year. The Silver Blaze syndrome strikes again.


Joel Finkelstein of Qualia Coffee and Tito Pena of Wydown Coffeebar break out a bunch of tools in an attempt to improve Keurig K-Cup coffee. (Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)

To produce the best possible cup from your Keurig machine, you must do something antithetical to the whole instant-gratification, K-Cup pod culture: You must learn a few basic things about brewing coffee.

Im sorry, I know this isnt why you bought a Keurig brewer. The whole point of the contraption is to provide the fastest possible path to your stimulant  without the time, labor or brain power required for even an automated drip maker, like a Mr. Coffee. The Keurig allows you to stumble from bed, plop in a pod, press a button and, in less than a minute, sip on a steaming cup of joe. You could be hung over or half-asleep and still make a cup as well as a dead-sober judge.

This is called convenience, and caffeine addicts drink it up. More than 23 million of the companys brewers sit on countertops in American homes, gobbling up millions and millions of pods annually, despite the fact that the ecological impact of all that trash prompted one of Keurigs founders to wish he had never invented the machine. Environmental considerations dont seem to have blunted the Keurigs popularity, which says something either about our love of convenience or our willingness to buy recyclable pods (which Keurig expects to manufacture for all its coffees by 2020).

(Daron Taylor/The Washington Post)

Whatever our affection for pod water, the Keurig is here to stay, no matter how much elitists (like me) rail against the madness of a machine that, more or less, undercuts much of the known science behind brewed coffee. Its as if Keurig has developed its own caffeinated set of alternative facts, in which coffee can be brewed in less than a minute with beans that were ground two years ago, their aromatic compounds maybe degraded beyond recognition. Just as worrisome, millions of drinkers may think the roasty, petrochemical-like flavors in their cups are natural, a true reflection of the beans at their peak.



Joel Finkelstein of Qualia Coffee fills a Keurig cup in an attempt to improve the ubiquitous brew. (Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)

Finkelstein pours some of the doctored coffee. (Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)

Coffee die-hards know better. They know the best cups  those full-bodied brews that balance acidity, sweetness and bitterness, without the off-flavors of over- or under-extraction  can be achieved only with the proper water temperature, the proper brew period and the proper ratio of grounds to water. They know a push-button machine can never hope to produce a coffee as good as a pourover from a barista who understands that low water temperatures or fast brew times can leave vital flavor compounds still locked in your beans.

So this is the breach into which we decided to step. We tried to build a bridge between Keurig Nation convenience and the obsessive, third-wave, neo-Amish coffee society that inspires Portlandia parodies: Were here, in other words, to hack the Keurig for the benefit of all.

To help, I drafted Joel Finkelstein, the owner and roaster of Qualia Coffee in Petworth, and Tito Pena, coffee director at the Wydown shops and a former chef. The first thing they did was test the Keurigs water temperature and brew time for a single pod, to determine if both fit within the ideal ranges to extract the right flavors. For a single serving of around 12 ounces, the Specialty Coffee Association of America recommends a water temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit and a brew time of at least 2 minutes and 30 seconds. (The water temperature can fluctuate plus or minus five degrees, while the brew time can extend to 3 minutes.)

The Keurig K575 machine was deficient on both, despite a feature that allows you to control water temperature. Keurig spokeswoman Amy Doyle says the K575 heats water to between 187 to 197 degrees, but when we measured the stream without a pod installed, the hottest temperature we recorded was 187 degrees. By using the strong brew feature and grinding beans fairly fine into a reusable K-Cup filter, we were able to extend the brew time to 1 minute 30 seconds, still a minute short of the optimal time.



The first step in getting better coffee out of a pod was finding out what was in them. (Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)

But we also had to determine the amount of coffee inside those K-Cup pods, and the only way to do that was to rip them open. We weighed the contents in eight pods, and they ranged from 9 grams (Keurig Green Mountain breakfast blend) to 13.1 grams (Keurig Green Mountain organic Ethiopia Yirgacheffe). Experts argue about the perfect ratio of coffee grounds to water but generally agree that for one part coffee, you should use between 15 and 18 parts water.

Put this in context: Those 9 grams of breakfast blend should, at most, yield 5.4 ounces of coffee. The Ethiopia Yirgacheffe should yield, at most, about eight ounces of coffee. The K575 machine allows you to brew cups much larger than five or eight ounces, which will contribute to weak and under-extracted coffee with these pods.

Clearly, the machine presents challenges, and thats not even taking into account the freshness of the coffee. The coffee for each K-Cup pod is roasted, packaged and sealed with an aluminum lid which is resistant to moisture, oxygen and light after being nitrogen-flushed to help ensure freshness, emails Doyle. The companys packaging gives the pods a shelf life thats the envy of the caffeinated world: Keurigs coffee products can be experienced at the highest standards of quality within a 24-month window, she notes.

Then again, what one coffee drinker deems the highest standards of quality can be anothers brown dreck, which is why our Keurig hacking team went about these experiments systematically. We moved from simple changes to improve the K-Cup pod experience to wholesale, high-maintenance improvements that will appeal only to obsessives.



Tito Pena of Wydown Coffeebar goes nose deep in the quest for an upgrade. (Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)

Novice Level

Even if your idea of brewing coffee involves nothing more than pressing a button, you can improve your Keurig output with a few extra steps. First thing is to use filtered water. Tap water may be drinkable by municipal standards, but its often not ideal for brewing coffee. The pH may be too high, which will result in flat-tasting coffee, or it may be too high in sodium, which can affect the way sweetness or sourness is perceived, according to the Specialty Coffee Association of America.

Next, avoid the larger cup sizes when brewing. K-Cup pods typically dont contain enough grounds to handle higher water volumes, so ignore the 10- or 12-ounce cup options. If you have a brewer with water temperature settings, such as the K575, keep it on high. Likewise, if your machine has a strong brew option, always select it. The strong setting will add another 30 seconds or so to your brew time, which can help balance out the acidic flavors of under-extracted coffee.

The best pod coffee we made was a single-origin Ethiopia Sidama from Laughing Man. We brewed it as a 4-ounce cup, on the strong setting, with filtered water. I think this is the best of the straight-up pod coffees, said Pena. Its got that silky body.

Added Finkelstein, But if you want to have an actual cup of coffee, you have to [brew] three pods, one after another, all into the same cup. Which eliminates the convenience of speed.



Weighing the beans. (Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)

Making calculations. (Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)

Intermediate Level

Youll get your hands dirty on this level: Cut open a pod and determine how much coffee it contains. Youll need a kitchen scale to weigh the grounds. Youll also need to apply a little math: If your pod contains, say, 11.5 grams of coffee, multiply that number by 16. The resulting number, 184, is the grams of water needed for a classic 1:16 ratio of coffee to water. Divide the 184 by 29.5, which is the number of grams in a fluid ounce. The final number, 6.2, tells you how large of cup you should brew with that pod. In this example, you would select the 6-ounce option or the smallest cup on brewers without ounce-per-cup settings.

Now, you could either dump those grounds in the trash or compost and consider it the price you pay for brewing precision. Or, you could purchase a reusable K-Cup filter (around $14.99) and dump in the grounds to brew your coffee. In fact, you could break open a second pod (or use another pre-ground coffee of your choice) and add more grounds to the filter, until you reach the max line. This will give you more coffee to play with. (Remember to weigh the total grams and follow the math above for cup size.) You could either brew a larger cup of coffee or a potentially richer one with a lower ratio of coffee to water.

As with the Novice Level, use filtered water and select the high water temperature and strong brew setting, if possible.



An attempt to brew Ethiopia Adola beans resulted in an extracted that was more reminiscent of tea. (Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)

Advanced Level

Ditch the pods altogether and grind your own beans. Its the only way to guarantee fresh coffee. We brewed numerous K-Cup pods that contained off flavors. One pod, a Colombia Huila from Laughing Man, tasted particularly foul to Finkelstein, who thought it went down like rancid oil. It could have been a sign the coffees oils had become oxidized, despite the high-tech packaging.

Youll need a burr grinder to ensure an even grind, as well as a scale to know how much coffee you ultimately dump into the reusable filter. (Follow the math above for the cup size.) Youll also need fresh beans, nothing older than three weeks past the roast date. Yet all beans are not created equal with a Keurig brewer. A natural, light-roast Ethiopia Adola from Sump Coffee in St. Louis produced a cup so underextracted that it reminded us of tea, not coffee. Its like Earl Grey, Pena said. Our light-roast fail underscored a truism about Keurig brewers: They handle darker roasts better because the flavor of the roast itself dominates the other aromatics left in the bean.

But grinding your own beans allows you to adjust the ratios and, to a certain degree, lengthen the brew time. One of our best cups was brewed with natural Ethiopia Guji beans from Qualia. We stuffed 14.5 grams of finely ground coffee into the reusable basket, despite warnings from Keurig that finer grinds can clog the filter. We brewed it strong on the 8-ounce setting.

This is the best coffee of the day, said Pena. It tastes like an Ethiopian should.

Finkelstein thought the coffee would show better if it were brewed with hotter water, but thats one variable we couldnt change. (And I tried: I poured 160-degree water into the machines well, thinking the Keurig might always use the same amount of time to heat the water, thereby increasing the final temperature into the ideal 195-to-205-degree range. Nope: The brewing water measured in the same mid-180s range.)



An attempt to strengthen the coffee but compacting a finer grind of beans into a reusable pod failed when the machine wouldnt pass through. (Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)

Master Level

In our search for the longest brew time, we discovered the limits of the K575. It came when we ground Colombia Huila beans from Qualia super-fine and stuffed them into the reusable filter. The machine quickly flashed a Sorry, brew interrupted sign. The water wouldnt pass through the compacted grounds. Fortunately, the brewer shut down before turning my kitchen table into a swamp that Id have to drain myself.

The final modification we made was another water upgrade. Pena brought a gallon of distilled water, which he dosed with Global Customized Waters AB Formula, a mix of minerals that extract a more balanced cup of coffee. We used the water on the same Ethiopia Guji beans from Qualia, relying on the same ratio and settings as before. As advertised, the water extracted more sweetness from the beans, which helped balance out its fruity acidity.

This is approaching what you might get at a coffee shop, Pena said.

Finkelstein, serving as the grumpy realist in our session, didnt disagree with Penas assessment, but he also wondered if this wasnt the tipping point.

The amount of work to get there, Finkelstein said, pausing for emphasis. It seems like you might as well do a pourover.
Oysters from Rappahannock Oyster Company are among the offerings at this years Spring Oyster Festival at Early Mountain Vineyards. (Jahi Chikwendiu/WASHINGTON POST)

NOTE: Chef Adam Howards cooking class on Saturday at the Hill Center has been canceled. The calendar below reflects the change.

THURSDAY

AN EVENING WITH CLAUS MEYER: Claus Meyer of Agern restaurant and the Great Northern Food Hall in New York discusses food in the modern world. 6:30 p.m. $30. Halcyon House, 3400 Prospect St. NW. halcyonstage.org.

WHISKYFEST: Event features samples of more than 300 whiskeys from around the world. 6:30 p.m. $275-$345. Marriott Marquis, 901 Massachusetts Ave. NW. whiskyadvocate.com/events.

SATURDAY

SPRING OYSTER FESTIVAL: Live music, Virginia wine and oysters from Rappahannock Oyster Company. Saturday and Sunday, noon-4 p.m. $15-$20. Early Mountain Vineyards, 6109 Wolftown-Hood Rd., Madison, Va. bit.ly/2l837Ev.

MONDAY

WINE DINNER: Five courses paired with wine. 6:30 p.m. $125. Ripple, 3417 Connecticut Ave NW. 202-244-7995. bit.ly/2lNwksz.

TUESDAY

WINE CLASS: Participants learn about and taste lesser-known wines. 7-9 p.m. $50. Vinoteca Wine Bar & Bistro, 1940 11th St. NW. 202-332-9463. vinotecadc.com.

RESERVE NOW

MARCH 8

WHISKEY DINNER: Four courses paired with whiskey from North America. 6:30 p.m. $95. Carmellos, 9108 Center St., Manassas, Va. 703-368-5522. carmellos.com.

MARCH 9

COOKING CLASS: Chef Mark Haskell teaches how to cure and preserve meat and fish at home with limited equipment. 7-9 p.m. $49. Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. hillcenterdc.org.
Video from President Donald Trump's Thursday news conference plays on Fox & Friends, seen on a monitor outside of the Fox News studios, on Feb. 17 in New York. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

President Trump and his aides despise and condemn anonymous leaks to reporters.

Except, of course, when they are the ones doing the leaking.

On the Fox & Friends program Tuesday on Fox News, the president blamed former president Barack Obama (& friends) for recent leaks, which Trump called really serious because they are very bad in terms of national security.

He has sicced the Justice Department on inside-government leakers. And his press secretary confiscated his staffs phones in an emergency internal-leak crackdown.

Sounds serious, doesnt it? But just offstage, quite the contrary.

(Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post)

Highlights of Tuesday nights address to Congress were anonymously provided to the conspiracy-mongering Infowars site: (The story  excellent stenography!  includes this bizarre disclaimer: It should be noted this was not a leak, but was given directly to Infowars.)

Last weekend, the White House enlisted two unnamed sources  a senior intelligence officer in the Trump administration and a senior member of the intelligence community  to talk to reporters, as part of an effort to knock down a New York Times story about Trump associates contact with Russia.

And White House background briefings continue as always, meaning that White House officials are  by design  quoted in news stories as anonymous sources.

The result, especially for the average news consumer, is mind-spinning.

Its almost impossible to know whether an unnamed source is someone courageously taking a risk to get information out or a powerful official who is eluding responsibility, New York University journalism professor Jay Rosen said in an interview.

And, he added, you could have both of these kinds of unnamed sources in the same news story  maybe in the same paragraph.

Yes, the Trump media strategy is looking more and more like a hall of mirrors, where real leaks provide what the president blasts as fake news  but that same news, vociferously denied, can get a top official fired, as with the former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

In this fun house, a president who, during the campaign, proclaimed I love WikiLeaks! because that organizations leaks were causing political damage to his opponent, now bemoans the dangers of leaks that cause political damage to him.

Journalists shouldnt be allowed to use sources unless they use somebodys name, Trump said at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

Strange-but-true sentences in news stories point out the contradictions.

Two of those officials spoke on the condition of anonymity  a practice President Trump has condemned, wrote Greg Miller and Adam Entous of The Washington Post in the Russia story mentioned earlier.

And in the Associated Press (about an executive order on environmental regulations): The official briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity, despite the presidents recent complaints about unnamed sources.

Beyond the inconsistency lies a strategy  chaos, distraction and contradiction serve the president well. The keep-them-guessing school of political communication.

Not caring about the confusion certainly is part of Trumps political style, Rosen said.

Of course, not all leaks are created equal.

There are true leaks, like the partial Trump tax return sent anonymously in the U.S. mail to a New York Times reporter during the campaign.

As Glenn Greenwald of the Intercept wrote recently, some of these can be both serious crimes and wholly justified. In the Flynn case, the leaks revealed that a high government official blatantly lied to the public about a material matter  his conversations with Russian diplomats  and the public has the absolute right to know this.

Then there are leaks that are really plants from government sources (sound familiar, Infowars?) and, third, an in-between category that Columbia University law professor David Pozen calls pleaks. These may emerge in dogged reporting from confidential sources.

Its hardly new that American presidents both decry leaks and use them.

But in the extremes of behavior on one side and rhetoric on the other, Trump may be setting a new standard for trying to have it both ways.

For more by Margaret Sullivan visit wapo.st/sullivan
Finance cos permitted to provide ASBA service

Finance companies will be permitted to provide Application Supported by Blocked Amount (ASBA) service from Tuesday, the Securities Board of Nepal (Sebon) said.
The two checks totaled $426,038.25. Who can say for sure why Robert Fastov never cashed them? Maybe he didnt need the money. Whatever the reason, those checks are at the center of two civil cases soon to go before a judge in Montgomery County.

The checks were the proceeds from the February 2013 sale of Fastovs extensive art collection, held at Sloans & Kenyon, an auction house in Chevy Chase, Md. The auction included more than 1,500 items, everything from pewter candlesticks to Chinese vases, Colonial-era portraits to watercolors of Rock Creek Park.

The sale was not a success. Over the two-day auction, fewer than half the lots sold. One of the items that did sell, a circa 1917 painting of New Orleans by Ellsworth Woodward, was lost by the auction house, prompting a lawsuit against Sloans & Kenyon from the buyer. (The painting has not been found.)

[Missing: A painting by artist Ellsworth Woodward. Anyone seen it?]

But the auction did bring in six figures. Sloans & Kenyon sent the two checks to Fastov. In August of 2014, Fastov died.

That was 18 months after the auction, and in all that time, Fastov had never cashed them. His daughter, Alexandra Blair Fastov, the executor of his estate, found them among her fathers possessions. They had expired, so she asked Sloans & Kenyon to reissue them.

They did not, explaining that Fastov had never picked up all his unsold artwork, requiring Sloans & Kenyon to store it and insure it. These fees had eaten up that $426,038.25. Alexandra sued, and Sloans & Kenyon countersued, claiming it was owed more money for storage fees.

And thats pretty much where things stand now. A hearing is scheduled for next week in Montgomery County Circuit Court. It sounds like a contracts matter, but the two parties disagree on an addendum to the contract Fastov wrote. His daughter says it waived the storage fees. The auction house says no such agreement was reached.

Whats clear to me is that the sale was cursed from the start. I wrote two previous columns about Fastov and his collection, one previewing the big sale and another about the lost Woodward painting. When I met Fastov before the sale, he couldnt hide his apparent displeasure with Sloans & Kenyon and its owner, Stephanie Kenyon.

Kenyon and her attorney declined to comment for this column.

[A Washington art collection heads for the auction block]

Fastov felt she hadnt done enough to publicize the sale. And he was unhappy with the catalogue, despite the fact that he had written it himself. (That was unusual. Even more unusual: Fastov came up with the sales estimates himself, too  high ones, which may explain why so much stuff didnt sell.)

I think I may have to sue her, Fastov told me.

But thats how Fastov talked. There may be art collectors who are quiet, contemplative, bow-tied aesthetes. Fastov was not one of them. A lawyer who had been a litigator at the Commerce Department, Fastov was big and loud and not afraid to go to court.

Things did not always end well for him there. In 1993, Fastov tried to get Christies of London to sell a landscape he said was by Emil Jakob Schindler, a well-known, 19th-century Austrian painter. Christies, however, declined to auction the painting after Fastov rejected its request to send it to an expert for his review. Nearly four years later, Fastov sued Christies, seeking more than $5 million in punitive damages and attorneys fees.

A judge dismissed the case and excoriated Fastov for abusing the litigation process with numerous verbose filings. He also ordered Fastov to pay Christies $630,000.

It was truly kind of a Shakespearean tragedy, Alexandra Fastov said of her fathers battle with Christies. She was a teenager at the time and had grown up spending weekends antiquing with her father.

In an interview, she agreed that some people might have found her father brash, but, after all, she said, he had been a litigator. The truth is, personality is not something that goes into a contract, she said.

The Christies case and her own against Sloans & Kenyon really dont have anything to do with each other, Alexandra said.

It is standard practice for an auction house to charge storage fees for uncollected property  and Fastov had a lot of uncollected property, hundreds of items. He could have put it up for auction again at Sloans & Kenyon, but he didnt.

Alexandra could have done that, too, but she didnt. She did not move it for almost a year, when she distributed it among auction houses across the country.

Why didnt Fastov cash those checks? Alexandra claims that he was keeping his options open in case he decided he did want to sue.

Kenyon and her attorney declined to comment, but in court documents, Kenyon says Fastov told her that he was going to destroy the checks because of the work that she and Sloans & Kenyon had performed for Mr. Fastov over their 35-year business association.

Im guessing thats an association everyone is regretting now.

Twitter: @johnkelly

For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/johnkelly.
D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton addresses a crowd on Feb. 13, 2017, gathered to protest Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), who wants to take back congressional control over District laws and money. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

After flooding his office phone lines with complaints and mocking him on social media, District activists are starting a political action committee to target a Utah congressman who has sought to use his powerful House post to overturn D.C. laws.

A photograph of Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) is the first image that appears on the web site begun by the Americans for Self-Rule PAC, along with the words, This guy doesnt represent D.C.

Chaffetz is chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which reviews legislation enacted by the D.C. Council.In mid-February, the committee voted to overturn the Districts assisted-suicide law, an effort that stalled on the House floor.

Lynette Craig, a Brookland resident active in the statehood movement, said she and other activists started the fundraising PAC to target Chaffetz after growing frustrated that protests and lobbying have not halted Republican interference in District affairs.

People are begging me  Where do I throw my money?  Craig said, adding that her initial goal is to raise at least $100,000. The funds would be used to oppose Chaffetz, who in November won reelection by a landslide in his overwhelmingly Republican district.

Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C). talks with Rep. Jason Chaffetz, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, before a business meeting at the Rayburn House Office Building on Feb. 13, 2017. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

I have big hopes, big dreams, but out-of-the-gate six figures would feel like a win, said Craig, who described Chaffetz as a would-be despot who is trying to nullify the laws that we have democratically passed.

The potential feels huge, Craig said, adding that she has received informal pledges amounting to 10 grand in the past couple of weeks since word has spread of the new PAC.

A Chaffetz spokesperson said the congressman was unavailable to comment.

No prominent Republican has stepped forward to challenge Chaffetz, now in his fourth term representing a district that extends south of the Salt Lake City suburbs to the Arizona border.

But Evan McMullin, a Utah native who ran as an independent in the presidential race, has said he is considering a challenge. On Twitter, McMullin has been critical of Chaffetz for not using his committee to investigate President Trump.

Damian Kidd, 41, a Utah lawyer who has never run for office, said he will run against Chaffetz in the Republican primary in 2018. Kidd said he will seek support among Utah Republicans who are unhappy that Chaffetz is not staking out a more adversarial position against Trump.

You have a lot of Never Trumpers here, and they are frustrated with Chaffetz being partisan with the oversight committee, he said. Its a tough road to hoe, but hes vulnerable.

Lynette Craig has started a PAC in the District of Columbia that's trying to unseat Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah). (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

While Trump won Chaffetzs district, McMullin captured nearly 30 percent of the vote.

Kidd said he is eager to forge ties with District residents angry with Chaffetz. He is planning a mid-March trip to Washington, when he will meet with statehood activists. If they want to donate, wed be appreciative, he said.

Since Trumps election, District residents have grown increasingly irate towards Chaffetz and his Republican colleagues, fearful that they will use their control of the White House and Congress to overturn District initiatives.

On the day Chaffetzs committee voted to oppose the assisted-suicide law, upwards of a thousand District residents attended a Hands off DC rally and then a town hall meeting organized by D.C. Council member Charles Allen (D-Ward 6).

In addition to assisted suicide, Chaffetz has recently expressed opposition to the District using tax dollars to help undocumented immigrants fight deportation. He also opposed D.C. Council legislation that legalized marijuana.

Craig, 40, a medical-contracts salesperson who is now a stay-at-home mother, helped start DC Families for Gun Safety, a group of parents advocating for gun-control laws. She has joined in D.C. statehood advocacy, although she questions whether protests, phone calls and letter-writing campaigns are effective.

Weve asked nicely, and Im tired of asking nicely, she said.

Craig said the fundraising committee was incorporated in the past two weeks and has not yet accepted any contributions. She said it will be structured as a hybrid of a super PAC, which is able to raise unlimited funds to be spent independently of any candidate, and a regular PAC, which can make limited contributions to individual campaigns.

Craig said the PAC has been contacted by several people representing potential Chaffetz challengers. But Craig said she has declined all contact with those representatives until the committee decides on a road map.

All that is resolved at the moment, she said, is that Chaffetz is our No. 1 priority.
During her time at American University, Holly Dancy pursued a degree in international studies and looked for opportunities to make connections with the subject in the real world. After graduating in 2014, she decided on volunteering with the Peace Corps to immerse herself in a foreign culture, learn a new language and work with children as a teacher.

Now, the Philadelphia native is serving in the Southern Province of Rwanda, teaching English to high school students.

I decided to join the Peace Corps, because I wanted the opportunity to teach and also travel and see different cultures, Dancy said The warmth that I get from the people here in my village  the families have basically adopted me.

The experience, Dancy said, has already proven richer than she could have predicted. The allure of life abroad is part of why young people have shown renewed interest in the Peace Corps in recent years. Dancy is among 74 AU alumni, from undergraduate and graduate programs, now in the organization.

Holly Dancy, left, an American University graduate, is serving in the Southern Province of Rwanda, teaching English to high school students. (Courtesy of the Peace Corps)

The Peace Corps on Monday released a new study showing that AU is among the top medium-sized colleges producing volunteers for the service organization founded in 1961.

Other colleges from the Washington region sending large numbers of Peace Corps volunteers abroad include the University of Maryland, the University of Virginia, James Madison University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Howard University, the College of William & Mary, the University of Mary Washington and St. Marys College of Maryland.

The Peace Corps has seen a renaissance in recent years after stagnant growth. In fiscal 2015, the organization received 23,000 applications for volunteer service, double what it drew in 2013. Since its inception, more than 225,000 Americans have deployed overseas with the Peace Corps, founded under President John F. Kennedy.

How many of you who are going to be doctors, are willing to spend your days in Ghana? Kennedy asked in October 1960 during a campaign speech at the University of Michigan where he outlined what became the mission of the Peace Corps.

Since then, Peace Corps volunteers have served in 141 countries. Some volunteers contribute to public health projects, others to agricultural production. And some are teachers like Dancy.

[From 2016: Many top Peace Corps colleges in Washington state and D.C.]

Peace Corps volunteers have helped build bathrooms in elementary schools in Senegal and improve beekeeper honey production in Ghana. Among the thousands of college graduates who served was an alumnus from Providence College, who, armed with a degree in English, volunteered in 1966 to serve two years in the Dominican Republic. Years later, as a Democratic U.S. senator from Connecticut, Christopher J. Dodd became a strong advocate on Capitol Hill for the program.

The Peace Corps stands today as one of the singular accomplishments of the 20th century. Let us never lose that spirit, that idealism, that ambition that led a young president of a young nation to ask a generation to serve, Dodd told the Senate in 2009.

In Peace Corps history, no campus has sent more volunteers abroad than the University of California at Berkeley, with 3,640 alumni who have joined the Peace Corps. Second is the University of Wisconsin at Madison, having sent 3,239 alumni to the service organization. The Wisconsin flagship was also the top-producing campus in 2016, with 87 undergraduate alumni now serving overseas.

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When President Trump delivers his first joint address to Congress Tuesday night, Denisha Merriweather will be there as his invited guest  and her attendance offers a clue about how Trump might fulfill his promise to spend $20 billion on expanding vouchers and other alternatives to traditional public schools.

Merriweather is a young woman who twice failed third grade at a Florida public school before her godmother placed her in a private school. She paid tuition with help from Floridas tax-credit scholarship program, which gives corporations tax breaks when they donate to nonprofits that then distribute the money in the form of scholarships to private and religious schools.

Attending private school turned her life around, Merriweather says. She graduated from college and expects to receive a masters degree this spring.

Trump and his education secretary, Betsy DeVos, have both said they believe public education is failing too many students and that the solution is to make sure students have more access to alternatives, including private schools.

[DeVos defiant at CPAC: My job isnt to win a popularity contest]

One of the easiest ways Trump could make good on his promise to expand that access is to create a federal tax credit that incentivizes corporations to donate to state programs such as Floridas. Such a credit could be embedded in a broader tax code overhaul that would need a simple majority in Congress to pass.

Floridas program, established in 2001, provides is the largest of 17 state tax-credit scholarships in the nation. Such tax-credit programs effectively direct public funds to private-school tuition, just like traditional vouchers. But they dont violate the separation of church and state, courts have found, because money going to religious schools isnt coming directly from the government.

Also just like traditional vouchers, tax-credit scholarships have fierce critics.

They argue that the tax-credit programs draw needed funds out of the public school system, redirecting money to private schools that arent accountable for student performance. (Some state programs require participating private schools to administer standardized tests, but others dont.)

Critics also argue that, despite the court rulings, the programs do violate the spirit of the separation of church and state. Some nonprofits that distribute tax-credit scholarships, for example, only allow the tuition to be used at certain religious schools, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

[DeVos criticized teachers at a D.C. school she visited  and they arent having it]

Merriweather is one of six guests that the president and first lady invited to Tuesdays speech. She has told her story publicly previously, including in testimony before Congress, in an effort to build support for the notion of tax-credit scholarships and other such programs that direct public money to private schools.

She has also been an ally and booster of DeVos, a longtime voucher advocate who earlier this month was narrowly confirmed as education secretary. She joined DeVos on a panel of speakers at the Republican National Convention last summer  even though I am not a Republican, she wrote in the Hill newspaper in December, endorsing DeVos for education secretary.

The prospect of a U.S. education secretary who grasps the importance of providing low-income students and their parents with the right to access better options is long overdue, Merriweather wrote in the Hill newspaper in December. Unfortunately, those who cast Betsy DeVos support for school choice as an attack on public education disregard the extent to which the status quo is often a dead end for students like me.

DeVos invited Merriweather to attend her Senate confirmation hearing, during which she referred to the young womans story. She is just a tremendous example of what can happen when you get an opportunity to go to the right school, DeVos said.
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health recommend that Baltimore turn to an unorthodox way of dealing with its heroin epidemic by opening two facilities that provide people a safe place to take drugs.

In a report published and commissioned by the nonprofit Abell Foundation, the researchers suggest opening one facility on the citys east side and another on the west. They say such facilities would prevent overdose deaths and other harms that addicts face.

While the idea of safe drug- consumption spaces is just starting to gain traction in the United States, the researchers said such facilities have helped stop deaths in other countries. There are 97 safe spaces in 66 cities and 11 countries, according to the report.

The report comes as the nation faces a growing opioid epidemic. In Baltimore alone, an estimated 19,000 people inject drugs, and there were 481 fatal overdoses during the first nine months of 2016, a 65 percent increase over the same period the year before.

It is a public health emergency, and we need every single evidence-based tool that is at our disposal, said Susan Sherman, a professor at the Bloomberg School and the reports lead author.

[Maryland overdose deaths continue steep climb]

But Sherman acknowledged there are legal hurdles, and critics blasted the idea. One said the government should focus its efforts on opening more treatment facilities.

The government should be spending our resources on helping people get off drugs, not helping them get high, said Mike Gimbel, former director of the Baltimore County Office of Substance Abuse and now a private consultant.

The facilities would be akin to allowing legal drug dealing, Gimbel said. He said addicts probably wouldnt use the centers because they like to get high several times a day and it would be inconvenient to travel to a center. They also might fear police are watching, he said.

There are also questions about the legality of allowing people to use illegal drugs.

It is illegal under federal law and the Maryland criminal code to possess controlled substances, so anybody who used the safe spaces to use illegal drugs could be arrested. People who work and run the facilities could be open to criminal charges, too.

Breaking federal law also could endanger federal funding the city receives, Baltimore Health Commissioner Leana Wen said.

While Wen said that the safe space concept is a model the city could explore, she doesnt think the idea could move forward without the blessing of the federal government.

As I understand, it depends on interpretation of federal law, Wen said. We have a new presidential administration that has yet to weigh in on a safe injection facility.

Legislation pending in the General Assembly would allow for the creation of such sites, but it is unclear whether it will pass.

Sherman said a state law could provide some legal protection, conceding, If there is no state protection, people are a lot more exposed.

In the meantime, a coalition of groups that includes the Abell Foundation and the Open Society Institute-Baltimore already have been studying and discussing the idea of opening safe drug-consumption spaces.

Open Society has provided Sherman funding to hire a community organizer to build support for opening such centers in the city. The foundation that owns the nonprofit has provided funding to safe space facilities in European countries and Australia. It also has been involved with a site in Vancouver, British Columbia.

One of the questions is, are we in a moment where we can move on this? I believe that we can, said Scott Nolen, director of drug addiction treatment programs at the Open Society Institute-Baltimore. We have blown epidemic out of the water; we are now in unchartered territory the way people are overdosing.

[Heroin deaths surpass gun homicides for the first time, CDC data shows]

Several cities are looking at opening safe spaces, according to the Abell Foundation report, including New York; Ithaca, N.Y.; and San Francisco. Last month, the King County (Wash.) Board of Health voted to open two facilities  one in Seattle and another in the surrounding county.

The safe spaces involve a form of treatment called harm prevention. The priority is not necessarily to get people into treatment but to prevent them from dying or getting HIV from using dirty needles or abscesses from too many injections. They also keep people from walking around the streets high, which can put them in dangerous situations.

The report found that Vancouver saw a 35 percent reduction in overdose events around one of its safe consumption spaces, compared with the city as a whole. In Australia, Sydney saw a 68 percent reduction in ambulance calls in the vicinity of its safe space.

The facilities also would provide services such as counseling and access to drug treatment. Over time, use of the safe space can lead people to seek treatment, the report said. In Vancouver, 57 percent of people who inject drugs at one safe site started addiction treatment, and 23 percent stopped injecting drugs altogether.

The safe spaces can also be cost-effective, Sherman said. A recent study of the Institute Safe Center in Vancouver said it generated an annual benefit to society exceeding $6 million. Baltimore likely would see similar savings, through reduced overdose deaths and averted cases of HIV and other infections, the report said.

Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) said such facilities would only make the underlying problem worse.

Instead of concentrating on methods to provide adequate drug rehab programs, especially supporting and expanding access to faith-based programs that work for those afflicted with the scourge of illegal drug addiction, this study suggests that essentially legalizing heroin dens and crack houses in Baltimore is the answer, Harris said in a statement.

The real answer lies in improving our education system, providing job opportunities in a growing economy, and, most importantly, making sure that we have adequate treatment programs to accommodate the growing number of addicts, and bringing these addicts into those programs through the justice system if necessary, he said.
Former NAACP president Benjamin Jealous addresses the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 25. (Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post)

Benjamin Jealous, the former president of the NAACP, said Tuesday that he is seriously considering a bid for the Democratic nomination to challenge popular Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in 2018.

Jealous, a big supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and a leading voice among progressive Democrats, said several people began asking him about running shortly after Sanderss presidential campaign. The calls, he said, became more frequent after his speech last summer at the Democratic National Convention.

Ive begun to weigh it seriously, said Jealous, who also considered, but opted against, a run for U.S. Senate in 2015 after former senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D) announced her retirement.

Jealous said he is contemplating a gubernatorial run in large part because of the times were living in.

President Trumps victory, he said, calls on all of us to dig down deep and figure out how we can be of service.

[Goucher poll: Hogan still popular, but approval ticks down slightly]

Jealous joins a growing list of elected officials  current and former  who are considering a run against Hogan and his well-heeled reelection campaign.

Potential Democratic challengers include Prince Georges County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, who has said he will decide after Marylands General Assembly session ends in mid-April; Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, who is raising campaign cash even though term limits prevent him from seeking another four years in his current job; U.S. Rep. John Delaney; Del. Maggie L. McIntosh (Baltimore); and former state attorney general Douglas F. Gansler.

Delaney, Gansler and McIntosh supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary; Baker and Kamenetz initially supported former governor Martin OMalley.

In the wake of Donald Trump becoming president, there has been a renewed urgency by the Democratic Party to find the right person to challenge Hogan, said Gansler, who was recently in Annapolis gauging support for his potential candidacy. He said party leaders and the regular Democrat on the street all share the same interest of taking Maryland back for the Democratic Party.

Former U.S. secretary of labor Thomas Perez, whose name circulated as a potential gubernatorial candidate late last year, ruled out a run during his successful bid to lead the Democratic National Committee.

Despite efforts by Democrats to tie Hogan to Trump, who is deeply unpopular in the state, the governor continues to enjoy strong support in Maryland. In a Goucher College poll released Monday, Hogan had a 63 percent approval rating among Maryland adults, a slight drop from the 70 percent approval rating he held in September but the same as his rating a year ago.

The governor has more than $5 million available for his reelection bid, according to 2016 campaign finance disclosures filed in January.

Jealous, 44, served as the president and chief executive of the NAACP, the countrys oldest civil rights organization, from 2008 to 2013. From its national headquarters in Baltimore, he campaigned to end the death penalty, mobilized younger voters and took on the tea party movement.

He left to spend more time with family and to raise money for African Americans running for political office. A former journalist and community organizer, Jealous is a partner at Kapor Capital, an Oakland, Calif.-based venture capital investment firm.

On Tuesday, Jealous attended a news conference held by the state teachers union urging the legislature to reject Hogans request to add more spending to the school voucher program.

Instead, the union wants the state to do away with the program.

Kamenetz and Baker were also at the news conference.

Jealous said that he is in the early stages of exploring a gubernatorial run. Were looking very seriously, he said. And if I announce, it is because we believe there is a real path to win.

Fenit Nirappil contributed to this report.
Four wanted for Kim death 'are spies'

South Korea's intelligence agency believes that four of the North Korean men suspected of involvement in the death of Kim Jong-nam are spies.
Supporters of a traditional biology curriculum scored a victory in Annapolis on Monday night when the state Senate rejected a proposal to allow students to opt out of dissecting animals in class if they have religious or ethical objections.

The bill, introduced by Sen. Ronald N. Young (D-Frederick), would have required the states 24 school districts to develop a policy that would let students decline opportunities to probe the insides of frogs, worms, fetal pigs and other animals  assignments that have been part of science classes for decades.

That prompted objections from, among others, Senate Minority Leader J.B. Jennings (R-Baltimore County), who said he didnt think that students should be given choices about what they will and wont do in class, especially without parental consent.

I dont like to run, Jennings said. Will I be able to opt out of gym?

Sen. Nathaniel J. McFadden (D-Baltimore City), a former educator, said he thought the bill was an overreach and involved legislators in an issue better dealt with in schools and classrooms.

Young said his concern was for students who are penalized because they refuse to dissect animals for ethical or religious reasons.

He introduced the bill last year, but the measure didnt make it out of committee.

This year, it made it to the Senate floor, but it was voted down 30 to 13.
The rejection notices from the graduate programs at Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Missouri didnt offer Stanley Andrisse an explanation. But the former drug dealer thinks he knows why the schools turned him down: He checked the box on the application that asked whether hed been convicted of a crime.

It took a former professor personally vouching for him before he finally won admission to St. Louis University, where he earned a doctorate.

I am a convicted felon, Andrisse, now a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, told Maryland lawmakers this month at a hearing on whether the state should forbid questions about criminal records on college applications. But I am also a doctor, a scientist . . . a youth mentor, a published author and many other things. Eliminating me before you know all of these other great things is an injustice to society.

A bill being debated by the General Assembly would make Maryland the first state to prohibit public and private colleges and universities from including questions about criminal history on their applications. Admissions offices could still ask applicants who have been accepted whether they have been convicted of a crime, but could not withdraw an offer of admission based on the answer.

Advocates say having the question on applications can disqualify some candidates and scare away others. Getting rid of it, in their view, would be the next step in Marylands quest to level the criminal justice playing field and help felons remake their lives.

Chris Wilson, 38, a business owner in Baltimore, went to prison for murder as a teenager but earned his associates degree in prison and was later able to attend the University of Baltimore. (Evelyn Hockstein for The Washington Post)

Opponents, including some college administrators, say the question yields valuable information about potential students and would be hard to excise from application forms, given that many institutions rely on the Common Application, which asks about criminal history.

I think it is in the campuses best interest to know, said Sen. James Brochin (D-Baltimore County), a member of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and a former adjunct professor at Towson University. Rape, murder, inappropriate contact with a minor  thats pretty relevant stuff. Misdemeanors, theft under $100  not so much.

The push to remove questions about criminal convictions is part of a broader criminal justice reform effort underway in Maryland and across the country. More than a dozen states, including Maryland, already prohibit most public employers from inquiring about past convictions on job applications, though they can ask after agreeing to interview a prospective employee. Two years ago, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) signed the Second Chance Act, which shields certain nonviolent offenses from online criminal records.

But despite a strong effort from advocates, and a push by the administration of former president Barack Obama, no states so far have taken the additional step of banning the box on college applications. New York is considering a bill similar to Marylands, according to state legislative analysts, and the State University of New York and the University of California system have removed the question from applications on their own.

Sen. Joan Conway (D-Baltimore), the lead sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, said she expects an amended version of the proposal to be approved by the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, which she chairs. Del. Maggie McIntosh (D-Baltimore), House bill sponsor and chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, also anticipates the measure receiving a favorable vote in her committee.

Both lawmakers said the legislation would remove an obstacle that keeps convicts out of college, but would still allow universities to get the information that they need later in the admissions process.

I do think the question inhibits many of them from even applying. And that is really the point that were trying to make and the hurdle were trying to overcome, McIntosh said.

Del. Erek Barron (D-Prince Georges), a co-sponsor, said that having a question about past convictions on a college applications constitutes unnecessary scrutiny of ex-offenders.

We expect Marylanders who have criminal histories to have learned their lesson and move on to productive, positive citizenship, Barron said. But [they] are often thwarted when they encounter college applications that ask if they have ever been convicted of crimes.

Some legislators argue that the measure may be too broad. During a recent hearing, they questioned whether the state should impose the law on private universities, whether schools should be able to rescind an applicants acceptance after a background check is conducted and whether it made sense not to know if applicants have been charged with violent crimes.

The institutions have a responsibility for their students and their safety, said Sen. Bryan W. Simonaire (R-Anne Arundel), a member of Conways committee.

More than 600 colleges across the country use the Common Application, which has asked applicants about their criminal history since 2006. After the Obama administration urged colleges last year to consider dropping the question, the Common Application changed its wording but continued to ask about criminal convictions.

Joann Boughman, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University System of Maryland, testified against the bill. Responding yes to the question does not disqualify an applicant from being admitted, Boughman said. Rather, it allows a college or university to assess the applicants qualifications, provide support and guide the applicant on fields of study.

A 2013 survey of 50 Maryland colleges showed that 40 percent included a question about criminal history on their online applications. Natalie J. Sokoloff, a professor emerita of sociology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice who conducted the study, found that private and four-year colleges were more likely to include the question than other institutions.

The applications from prospective students with criminal histories were forwarded to a special review committee, Sokoloff said, and most schools offered an appeals process to applicants who were rejected because of their past.

Among those who testified in support of the bill was Chris Wilson, who was sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder in 1997, when he was barely 18. While locked up, he learned foreign languages and earned his high school equivalency and an associates degree.

Wilson was released in 2011 and was admitted to the University of Baltimore after writing a letter to the admissions office to explain his incarceration. Today, he owns a construction company and a furniture restoration business. He employees other ex-offenders and is still taking university courses so he can earn a bachelors degree.

I wouldnt be here if I didnt get a second chance, Wilson told lawmakers.

Andrisse testified that going to graduate school was a game-changer for him, one that he said would have come much more easily had he not been asked about criminal convictions on his applications.

As small as that one sentence may be, it is a mountainous barrier to someone like myself, Andrisse said.


The bronze statue of a Confederate soldier stands in a grove outside the Red Brick Courthouse in Rockville. ( Eric Kruszewski /For The Washington Post)

More than 18 months after Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett ordered it off government property, officials have found a home for a bronze statue of a Confederate soldier: the docking site of a Potomac River ferry that is named for a Confederate general and has operated since before the Civil War.

County officials announced Tuesday that the county will move the statue to land owned by the proprietor of Whites Ferry, which shuttles vehicles between Poolesville and Leesburg.

The move, paid for by the county, is expected to be made in late spring or early summer.

Leggett ordered the statue removed from the lawn next to Rockvilles Red Brick Courthouse in the summer of 2015, when there was a national debate about symbols of the Confederacy.

The county executive, who was Montgomerys first black elected official when he won a seat on the council in 1986, made the decision shortly after South Carolina removed the Rebel battle flag from its state capitol grounds.

I fully understand that the statue reflects a piece of County history and that many County residents are proud of the sacrifices and bravery shown by their ancestors, Leggett said in a statement Tuesday.

Nonetheless, as originally enacted, it was not, and is not, part of the heritage of all of our residents. When originally constructed and placed on County property, it failed to reflect both sides of this unfortunate struggle in our history.

The 103-year-old monument, which was donated to the county in 1913 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, depicts a young cavalry private, arms folded and saber hanging from his left hip.

A protective box was placed around the statue of the confederate soldier after someone spray-painted Black Lives Matter on its base. ( Bill Turque/TWP )

It is 16 feet tall and, with its base, weighs 25,000 pounds, the county said. The inscription reads: To Our Heroes of Montgomery County Maryland: That We Through Life May Not Forget to Love the Thin Gray Line.

Since 2015, when vandals spray-painted it with graffiti, the statue has been encased in a wooden box. Officials said it will remain in the box until the move.

The question of where to relocate the statue sparked extended community discussion. A poll by Bethesda magazine found considerable support for keeping the private where he was, but with signage to provide historical context.

But Leggett stood fast, insisting that the statue did not belong in such a prominent location.

After several sites were considered, he approved a proposal to move the statue to the grounds of the Beall-Dawson house, a pre-Civil War home owned by the city of Rockville and operated as a museum by the Montgomery County Historical Society.

The relocation was rejected by the Rockville City Council in 2016.

R. Edwin Brown, whose family has owned Whites Ferry since the mid-1940s, could not be reached to comment Tuesday. In the statement issued by the county, he said: I am happy to provide a place for the statue to be relocated. Those who wish to visit it will be able to do just that.

Whites Ferry is the last of numerous ferries that plied the Potomac from the early 19th century. The boat is named the Gen. Jubal A. Early, for the Confederate Civil War general.

The trip from the Maryland side of the river to the Virginia side takes less than four minutes, and the ferry goes back and forth from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., 365 days a year, according to a recorded message on its phone line.

The one-way cost is $5 for cars, $3 for motorcycles, $2 for bicycles and $1 for pedestrians. Credit cards are not accepted.



Whites Ferry ( Ricky Carioti /The Washington Post)
The night before the final Obama administration event centered on issues important to the transgender community, two dozen activists from across the country gathered for a festive seven-course dinner at the Northwest Washington apartment of local advocate Lourdes Ashley Hunter.

As the party went on, with deviled eggs, peach cobbler and gospel music, two neighbors in the complex knocked on Hunters door to complain about the noise and called D.C. police. Those calls led to a chaotic confrontation involving four officers and to Hunters arrest, a police report shows.

The American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia on Tuesday sued D.C. police and the city, accusing the officers in court filings of entering Hunters apartment and arresting her without a warrant, in violation of local and federal laws. The lawsuit resurrects the issue of warrantless entries by police into private homes  identified as a problem four years ago by a civilian oversight agency.

In response to the 2013 report by the Police Complaints Board, the department told the D.C. Council it had revamped its policies and training for recruits and veteran officers.

This is not the first time that MPD has gotten notice of these violations, said ACLU lawyer Shana Knizhnik, referring to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. Whats clear is that the training wasnt sufficient to prevent the violation that occurred in this case. They need to get it right.

Lourdes Ashley Hunter, center, has filed a lawsuit against the D.C. police alleging they entered her apartment illegally without a warrant. (Courtesy of Lourdes Ashley Hunter)

Hunter, 41, said in an interview that the problem was compounded because of what she said is a fraught relationship between the police and the community her organization, TransWomen of Color Collective, represents. On the night of her arrest, Hunter was locked up for several hours at the local police precinct on misdemeanor charges of simple assault and resisting arrest. The U.S. attorneys office later declined to prosecute Hunter.

There was no reason for the police to respond with such aggression and excess, Hunter said in a statement. I hope that elevating this humiliating and painful incident helps us work toward a system in which police protect us and enforce the laws  not break them.

D.C. police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck said he could not comment on the arrest or the assertions in the lawsuit.

Sheila Alexander-Reid, director of Mayor Muriel E. Bowsers office of LGBT affairs, said that concerns about the safety of transgender women of color are valid and that there has long been the perception that police and prosecutors do not care about the community.

But Alexander-Reid called the District an inclusive city and pointed to mandatory training for the police that her office helped create. She said the citys newly appointed police chief, Peter Newsham, has already demonstrated his commitment to the community in how thoughtfully he handled as interim chief the investigation into the deadly shooting of a transgender woman last year.

[Suspects in slaying targeted transgender women for robberies, police say]

Hunters attorneys said in their court filings Tuesday that the entry into her two-bedroom apartment without a warrant was illegal and unjustified. D.C. law expressly prohibits arrests without a warrant for alleged misdemeanor crimes that occur before officers arrive on the scene unless the suspect is dangerous or a flight risk or if evidence could be destroyed. The entry into Hunters home by police without a warrant also violates Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in D.C.

Since the 2013 oversight report, the police board has received more than 50 complaints involving allegations of warrantless entry or a warrantless search, and in some cases both, according to Michael Tobin, executive director of the D.C. Office of Police Complaints.

The ACLUs Knizhnik said: Police cant just come in because the door is open. They didnt have a right to arrest her at any point  in the hallway or inside the door  because D.C. law is very clear. Rather than let her give her side of the story, they jumped to a conclusion and arrested her.

[Read the full complaint here]

The arrest took place one week after the November presidential election, and the activists dining in Hunters third-floor apartment were eagerly awaiting the White House Transgender Community Briefing the next afternoon, with then-Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch as the keynote speaker.

About 8 p.m., Hunters downstairs neighbor complained that the party was too loud, according to Hunter. Two hours later, another neighbor complained.

We exchanged words, Hunter said in an interview. She was ruining my party.

Ten minutes later, four police officers came to the apartment for what the lawsuit describes as an investigation of a possible assault.

An officer asked one of the neighbors standing outside Hunters apartment to indicate who had pushed him. He pointed to Hunter, according to the lawsuit.

I pushed you? I pushed you? Hunter responded, according to the court filing. She told the officers there had not been an assault or excessive noise.

When one of the officers began to move toward her, Hunter stepped back into her apartment. She was followed inside by the officer, who grabbed her by her arm and neck, according to the complaint, which seeks unspecified damages from the four officers and the District government.

A video of the arrest recorded by one of Hunters friends shows an extended standoff and brief physical struggle involving the officers, Hunter and her dinner-party guests, with Hunter repeatedly shouting, Let me go!

Hunter was eventually handcuffed and pulled out of her apartment before being taken to the police station, according to the lawsuit.

She was held from about 11 p.m. until 3 a.m., returning home in time to get ready to go to the White House.
D.C. police officers responding to violent protests at last months presidential inauguration may have been overzealous in using crowd-control devices such as pepper spray and sting grenades to disperse large groups of people, according to a report issued Monday by a civilian oversight agency.

The Police Complaints Board, which sent monitors to watch how officers handled the demonstrations, also raised questions about the procedures used to arrest 231 people on charges of felony rioting after a group rampaged through a four-block area of downtown, breaking store and vehicle windows and setting fire to a limousine.

In some cases, investigators said rules governing day-to-day policing contradicted regulations for First Amendment gatherings. The complaints board concluded officers did not have clear direction on the use of pepper spray and sting grenades and they appeared to be deployed as a means of crowd control, and not necessarily in response to unlawful action.

[Read the report on protests from Office of Police Complaints]

Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) and acting police chief Peter Newsham, who was interim chief during the protests, have defended the arrests and the crowd-control techniques.

Police said in a statement Monday that the department stands by its assertion that our officers acted responsibly and professionally during Inauguration Day. In response to the riots, the men and women of [the Metropolitan Police Department] made reasonable decisions during extremely volatile circumstances.

Police said they will consider recommendations by the board. Those include having an independent consultant review the actions of police on Inauguration Day and clarifying rules for the use of crowd-control devices.

The U.S. attorneys office has said most of the arrested protesters used so-called black bloc tactics, setting out to cause violence while disguising their identities with ski masks or scarves. Six police officers were injured, including one who was knocked unconscious when a brick or piece of metal thrown by a protester hit him in the head.

While naming Newsham, a 28-year veteran of the force, as her pick for permanent police chief last week, Bowser noted that prosecutors examined each arrest and a grand jury returned indictments against 214 of those arrested. Prosecutors dropped charges against some bystanders and journalists caught up in the arrests, and Bowser said the indictments against all but a handful of those taken into custody demonstrates the police response was sound.

[Defense attorneys allege police trapped, then arrested protesters]

At least one lawsuit against D.C. police that is pending in federal court argues that the arrests were unlawful. And the executive director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund, which has been critical of previous police conduct involving demonstrations, calledthe inauguration arrests yet another illegal dragnet.

The Office of Police Complaints, the staff of the Police Complaints Board, praised police for the way they handled most demonstrations, including those by people who linked arms to blockade checkpoints at entrances to the Mall and the inaugural parade route. Although a few officers badges were not visible and there were scattered reports of misconduct, the monitoring agency said the overall impression is that MPD performed in a professional manner and effectively and lawfully balanced the interests of public safety with the right to free expression. . . . MPDs general interaction with the public appeared cordial, helpful and respectful.

Most criticism was leveled at police handling protests that turned violent at and near Franklin Square and the arrests a few blocks away at 12th and L streets Northwest. The report says demonstrators set off fireworks and were seen throwing bricks and rocks at police and setting fires in the street.

[Grand jury indicts 214 on felony rioting charges]

The report documents numerous uses of pepper spray and stingers, the sting grenades that produce a loud noise, a flash and smoke and shoot out small rubber pellets that sting but arent supposed to embed in flesh. The report says that police protocol for handling demonstrations does not provide a specific procedure to follow for their use and is silent as to whether a warning is required in advance of deploying a less than lethal weapon.

The complaints board said that in most instances the departments general orders require officers to give warnings before firing pepper spray. The department specifically prohibits use of [pepper] spray to disperse a crowd . . . or on a person whom the officer does not have legal cause to take into custody, the report said.

The oversight board criticized police for making the mass arrest at 12th and L streets, where officers corralled more than 200 people chased from Franklin Square. Protesters and the complaints board said demonstrators were trapped at the corner, were not allowed to leave and were arrested without being given an order or a chance to disperse.

Police have defended that tactic, saying orders to disperse were given previously, while the demonstrators were on K Street. Police said the group did not comply, so police pushed them to 12th and L streets. At that spot, police said, the people were already considered to be under arrest and were detained until they could be handcuffed and processed.
A soccer player waits to enter a game at Woodrow Wilson High School on Oct. 30, 2013, in Washington. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

A 17-year-old has been charged with a firearms offense after D.C. police said he tried to take a gun into Woodrow Wilson High School in Northwest Washington on Monday.

A police report says a security guard found a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson pistol in a book bag about 9:10 a.m., before the teenager got into the school in the 3900 block of Chesapeake Street NW.

Police said he was charged as a juvenile with carrying a pistol without a license. It was not immediately clear whether the teenager is a student.
THE DISTRICT

Police: Teen entering school found with gun

A 17-year-old has been charged with a firearms offense after D.C. police said he tried to take a gun into Woodrow Wilson High School in Northwest Washington on Monday.

A police report says a security guard found a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson pistol in a book bag about 9:10 a.m., before the teenager got into the school.

Police said he was charged as a juvenile with carrying a pistol without a license. It was not immediately clear whether the teenager is a student.

 Peter Hermann

Worker dies after trench collapse

A man died Tuesday after he was trapped in dirt up to his waist while working at a home construction site, authorities said.

The incident happened in the 4600 block of Dexter Street NW. Vito Maggiolo, a spokesman for the D.C. Fire and Emergency Department, said the man  who was a construction worker on the site  had become trapped after a trench collapsed.

The mans identity was not immediately released.

 Dana Hedgpeth

MARYLAND

Police identify shooting victim

Police have identified a woman who was fatally shot Saturday in Springdale as Shamica Briggs, 18.

Briggs was found with gunshot wounds about 2:35 a.m. in the 10000 block of Yellowwood Lane.

 Lynh Bui

Woman found dead in Potomac identified

Authorities identified a woman found dead in the Potomac River last week as 56-year-old Becky McCleskey of Virginia.

U.S. Park Police said there was no indication of foul play.

 Clarence Williams

VIRGINIA

Fairfax County wont raise property tax rate

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors wont raise property tax rates for the next year, deciding Tuesday to advertise a proposed tax rate of $1.13 per $100 of assessed value on a $4.01 billion general-fund budget.

Residents whose property has increased in value may still see a higher tax bill next year  the average bill is projected to rise by $40.69 if the current tax rate is adopted  but the supervisors by law cannot raise it any higher than the advertised rate for the year. The actual budget and tax rate will be set May 2, after forums and public hearings.

 Patricia Sullivan
Govt extends term of taskforce on LLRC report by 3 days

The government has extended the term of taskforce formed to study the report prepared by the Local Level Restructuring Commission (LLRC) by three days.
President Trump speaks to a meeting of the National Governors Association on Feb. 27 at the White House. (Evan Vucci/Associated Press)

Health-care recipients. Immigrants with relatives who are barred from entering the United States. A champion of science education.

Some Democratic members of Congress from Virginia and Maryland are protesting the policy goals of President Trump and the Republican majority with the guests they plan to bring to his big speech Tuesday night.

A few of these members skipped Trumps inauguration last month but have settled on a different approach to express their displeasure.

Heres a sampling of the guests Democrats hope will send a message just with their presence in the House chamber:

* Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.)

Shannon Linford of Loudoun County has suffered from a neurological disorder since she was a child and benefited from the Affordable Care Act provision barring insurance companies from denying coverage to patients with preexisting conditions.

I was born with it, my family and I would go into bankruptcy trying to give me basic care. My health is finally under good management. That would not have been possible were it not for the provisions in the ACA, said Linford, 24.

* Sen. Mark R. Warner (Va.)

The Rev. Keary Kincannon ministers to the homeless and others in need at Fairfax Countys Rising Hope Mission Church, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents recently arrested a group of undocumented immigrants as they were leaving the churchs overnight shelter program.

Houses of worship and shelters are both places where the vulnerable come for sanctuary  to get out of the cold, or to get assistance because they are in a desperate situation. We should be helping them, not instilling fear that they could be targeted. Sacred places should remain sacred places, Kincannon said.

* Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer (Md.)

Ola Ojewumi, a community health organizer and womens health advocate, received heart and kidney transplants as a child, and benefited from provisions in the ACA when she developed cancer as an adult.

She was born and raised in Prince Georges County and now lives in Beltsville, Md.

* Rep. John P. Sarbanes (Md.)

Vincent DeMarco, a longtime advocate for public health causes and president of the Maryland Citizens Health Initiative, will join Democrats this week in the Maryland legislature in support of a bill to protect state residents from congressional action undermining the Affordable Care Act. He teaches at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

* Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (Va.)

Farah Al-Khafaji is the sister of an Iraqi interpreter who was initially refused entry into the United States because of Trumps executive order on immigration.

Her first husband was killed for working with the U.S. military in Iraq, and she later moved to Northern Virginia and married a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy. Last month, she passed her U.S. citizenship test.

* Rep. Don Beyer (Va.)

As principal of Alexandrias Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Evan Glazer runs one of the most diverse and competitive high schools in Northern Virginia. Minority students make up three-quarters of the enrollment and about 15 percent come from immigrant families.

* Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.)

At age 15, Claudette Monroy, a native of Torreon, Mexico, was brought with her younger sister to the United States by their mother.

As a dreamer, she was granted temporary protection to stay in the country and earned a bachelors degree studying economics and justice, peace and conflict at Eastern Mennonite University. She is working toward a masters degree in education at George Washington University.
MARYLAND

Woman found slain in Prince Georges

Prince Georges County police are investigating a homicide involving a woman who was found shot to death at Ardwick Ardmore Road and Yellowwood Lane, south of Route 50 in the eastern side of the county.

Officers responded to a call about 2:40 a.m. Saturday and found the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Police are trying to determine a suspect and a motive, said a spokesman, Lamar Robinson.

 Susan Svrluga

Several people injured

in Gaithersburg crash

A crash that involved a bus left several people injured in Gaithersburg.

The incident happened just before 8 a.m. Monday at Woodfield and Muncaster Mill roads, according to Montgomery County fire department officials. Those who were hurt suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, officials said.

It was not known how many people were on the bus at the time.

VIRGINIA

McLean man arrested on hate crime charges

A McLean man is facing hate crime charges after police said he bit another mans face in November after an altercation in which he used anti-Muslim slurs.

Robin McGreer, 35, approached a 31-year-old man in a Tysons Corner Center parking lot Nov. 27, started a conversation and then threatened him using anti-Muslim slurs, Fairfax County police said.

An altercation ensued and McGreer bit the mans face, leaving him with a significant face wound, police said.

The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening, police said.

McGreer was arrested Monday and charged with bias-related malicious bodily injury.

 Justin Jouvenal

THE REGION

Womans body pulled

from Potomac River

A body that appeared to be that of a woman was pulled from the Potomac River on Friday near Great Falls, Montgomery County authorities said.

The body was spotted near Purple Horse Beach, which is downstream from the falls, said Pete Piringer, a spokesman for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.

No identity or cause of death was released, and it was unclear how long the body had been in the water.

 Clarence Williams
A civil defense crew works at a site hit at dawn Monday by an airstrike in the rebel-controlled town of Ariha in Idlib province, Syria. (Ammar Abdullah/Reuters)

SYRIA

Strikes kill 11 in Idlib as Geneva talks continue

Airstrikes on Syrias rebel-held Idlib province killed at least 11 people on Monday, opposition activists said, in the latest spasm of violence to mar U.N.-brokered talks in Geneva between the government and the opposition.

Separately, there were unconfirmed reports that a top al-Qaeda official was killed in an airstrike, also in Idlib.

The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist groups, said Abdullah Muhammad Rajab Abdulrahman, deputy to al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri and known more widely by his nom de guerre, Abu al-Khayr al-Masri, may have been killed in a U.S. airstrike on Sunday. It cited reports circulating on extremist social-media accounts.

There was no comment from the Pentagon.

Also Monday, pro-government forces drove Islamic State militants out of a line of villages in the congested Turkish frontier region, effectively preventing Turkish-backed rebel forces from heading south toward the de facto capital of the Islamic State, Raqqa, opposition activists said.

Meanwhile, an opposition delegation met with U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura to continue talks aimed at resolving Syrias nearly six-year-old conflict. Talks began last week.

 Associated Press

ISRAEL

Hamas sites hit after rocket fire from Gaza

Israel carried out airstrikes on militant sites across the Gaza Strip on Monday, wounding at least four people, officials said, in response to a rocket attack in southern Israel.

Israels military said it targeted five positions of the ruling Hamas militant group in Gaza.

Local media said training bases used by Hamas, as well as the smaller Islamic Jihad militant group, were among the sites struck in Gaza.

Earlier Monday, a rocket was fired from Gaza into Israel, landing in an empty field. There were no reports of injuries.

Meanwhile, Israeli police said an investigation is underway after forces at a West Bank checkpoint shot and wounded a woman, thinking she was planning an attack. She was later found to be unarmed.

A police spokeswoman said the woman entered a vehicle-only lane, advanced toward officers holding something and was shot after she ignored calls to stop.

 Associated Press

HUNGARY

2nd border fence being built to stop migrants

Hungary has begun building a second line of fence along its southern border with Serbia, a government spokesman said Monday, a move likely to exacerbate criticism from some of the nations European Union partners.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbans right-wing government considers migration one of the largest threats to the E.U. status quo.

A barbed-wire fence is already in place, erected in 2015, when Hungary was part of the main overland route for hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees, many fleeing Syria.

It effectively blocked that route to Germany, where many were heading, but Hungary has said a second fence would make the barrier more effective.

Poles for the second fence are already standing near the Kelebia border station, and construction materials have been shipped to the border elsewhere.

 Reuters

4 N. Korean spies involved in Malaysia killing, Seoul says: South Koreas intelligence service told lawmakers that four North Korean spies were involved in the killing of the estranged half brother of North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un. Lawmakers said they were told in a private briefing that four of the North Koreans identified as suspects by Malaysian police investigating the Feb. 13 death of Kim Jong Nam at the Kuala Lumpur airport are from the Norths spy organ. Malaysia is pursuing several North Korean suspects.

More looting in Johannesburg amid anti-immigrant anger: About 100 people ransacked shops in Johannesburg overnight, police said, in the latest of a wave of looting in South African cities. Similar incidents have occurred in Pretoria this month, but police have been reluctant to characterize the attacks as being directed against foreigners. Anti-immigrant violence has flared sporadically in South Africa against a background of near-record unemployment.

 From news services
Regarding the Feb. 26 news article  I would be scared to study in the U.S. :

I am astonished that the likes of Stephen K. Bannon and President Trump do not see that native-born Americans can be as murderous as any so-called Islamic terrorist.

Killers come from everywhere. How about Dylann Roof, who accepted the hospitality of a church study group and then repaid that hospitality by murdering nine people? How about Adam Purinton, who allegedly shot two Indian men in a Kansas bar while shouting racial slurs?

Thinking Americans are any better than others is obviously wrong. It is understandable that the best and brightest foreign students would look elsewhere to study because they fear us and, incidentally, would contribute their research elsewhere. We are a nation to fear.

Abby Thomas, Silver Spring
Two sets of remarks, a day apart, by two men more accustomed to being behind the scenes.

Stephen K. Bannon, appearing Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference, made the case for economic nationalism and called President Trumps withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership one of the most pivotal moments in modern American history. The passage of the Civil Rights Act and the defeat of the Soviet Union finally have some company.

As the ideologist in Trumps inner circle, Bannon is a practitioner of Newt Gingrichs mystic arts. Take some partially valid insight at the crossroads of pop economics, pop history and pop psychology; declare it an inexorable world-historic force; and, by implication, take credit for being the only one who sees the inner workings of reality.

For Bannon, it has something to do with the fourth turning, or maybe the fifth progression, or the third cataclysm. At any rate, it apparently involves cycles of discontent and disruption. Lots of disruption. Across the West, as he sees it, the victims of globalization  the victims of immigration, free trade and internationalism in general  are rising against their cosmopolitan oppressors. Institutions will crash and rise in new forms. And this restless world spirit takes human form in . . . Nigel Farage and Donald Trump.

[Trumps machismo vs. Swedens feminist foreign policy]

Like many philosophies that can be derived entirely from an airport bookstore, this one has an element of truth. The beneficiaries of the liberal international order have not paid sufficient attention to the human costs of rapid economic change. (Just as the critics of internationalism have not paid sufficient attention to the nearly 1 billion people who have left extreme poverty during the past two decades.)

But there is a problem with the response of economic nationalism and ethno-nationalism. It is morally degraded and dangerous to the country.

Which brings us to the second set of remarks, at a State Department retirement party, complete with cake. This speech was from one of the most distinguished diplomats our nation has recently produced, Ambassador Dan Fried. Fried was on diplomatic duty for 40 years, focusing mainly on Europe. He was ambassador to Poland and pulled into the White House as a special adviser on Central and Eastern Europe to both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Most populists would probably view Fried as the pinstriped enemy. I came to know him in the Bush administration as a freedom fighter, deeply and personally offended by oppression. He had been an enemy  not an opponent, but an enemy  of the Soviet Union, and remains a committed friend to 100 million liberated Europeans.

Fried used his retirement remarks to describe Americas Grand Strategy. For decades, the U.S. has stood for an open, rules-based world, with a united West at its core. Despite occasional failures and blunders, the world America made after 1945 and 1989 has enjoyed the longest period of general peace in the West since Roman times.

What would happen if the United States were to leave the global order and pursue its own ethno-national greatness? This is the proposal that the populists have placed on the table, in which blowing up the TPP is a sign of things to come. By abandoning our American Grand Strategy, argued Fried, we would diminish to being just another zero-sum great power. This would result in a system entirely based on spheres of influence, which are admired by those who dont have to suffer the consequences. And accepting spheres of influence would mean our acquiescence when great powers, starting with China and Russia, dominated their neighbors through force and fear.

[Trumps GOP enablers take a page from the fascist-era Vatican]

Some so-called realists, said Fried, might accept such a world as making the best of a harsh world, but it is not realistic to expect that it would be peaceful or stable. Rather the reverse: A sphere of influence system would lead to cycles of rebellion and repression, and, if the past 1,000 years is any guide, lead to war between the great powers, because no power would be satisfied with its sphere. They never are.

This is a foreign policy cycle more substantial than a fourth turning. The disrupters of international order  the liberal democratic order built and defended by FDR, Truman, Kennedy and Reagan  are thoughtless, careless and reckless. And they must be resisted.

The founding fathers of the ethno-state are also in violation of the countrys defining values. The United States was summoned into existence by the clear bell of unifying aspirations, not by the primal scream of blood and soil. And this great ideal of universal freedom and dignity is not disrupted; it disrupts.

Read more from Michael Gersons archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook .
The Trump administration so far has been smoke and mirrors, sound and fury, self-proclaimed victimhood and angry tweets. Where is the substance? Where is the competence? And where  increasingly  is the public support?

President Trumps approval rating of 42 percent is the lowest that Gallup has ever measured for a president this early in his term. It should be no surprise that Trump isnt having a hearts-and-flowers honeymoon, given that his inauguration was followed a day later by the biggest mass protest in the nations history. But it usually takes more than a few weeks for the relationship between POTUS and populace to become so curdled.

It is true that most of those who voted for Trump are sticking with him. But they, you will recall, were in the minority  try as he might, Trump will never erase the fact that he lost the popular vote. And he has done essentially nothing to bring skeptics over to his side.

[America first really means Americans last]

Instead, he has worried his political allies and galvanized his opponents. To me, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) sound a bit uncertain and defensive these days. By contrast, the House and Senate minority leaders, Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), seem full of energy and purpose. Its awfully hard to tell from body language who won the election.

1 of 83 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  See photos of White House senior staff being sworn-in at the White House View Photos President Donld Trump staff members, including advisor Kellyanne Conway and Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, are sworn-in in the East Room. 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.

Why wouldnt the Republican leadership be nervous, given the performance of the Trump White House?

The administrations boldest and most sweeping action  the executive order barring U.S. entry to refugees worldwide and foreign-national travelers from seven majority-Muslim countries  was so amateurishly written and implemented that it was promptly blocked in federal court. Trump, who says the measure is needed to prevent terrorist attacks, rashly tweeted that judges will be to blame if something happens. It was a typical reaction: lashing out at others to cover for his own failings.

Trump said that another order, greatly expanding the number of undocumented immigrants prioritized for deportation, meant the start of a military operation to expel really bad dudes. Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly quickly clarified that there would be no mass deportations and no use of military force. White House press secretary Sean Spicer later said that Trump was using military as an adjective, apparently intending it to mean non-military.

The question is inevitable: How much does the president even know about his administrations policies?

Not much, it appears. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters in Baghdad that the United States was not in Iraq to seize anybodys oil  after Trump had said in a speech at the CIA that U.S. troops should have done just that. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said that we absolutely support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict  after Trump opined that either one state or two states would do. And Vice President Pence reassured European leaders that the United States remains fully devoted to the NATO alliance  even as Trump continues to pine for warmer relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who seeks to destabilize and ultimately destroy NATO.

Speaking of Russia, questions continue to mount about contacts between the Trump campaign and Russians working for or connected to the Putin regime. The issue is potentially explosive because, according to U.S. intelligence officials, the Russian government actively meddled in the November election in an attempt to boost Trumps chances of winning.

[Bannons reckless pursuit of ethno-nationalist greatness]

President Trump smiles as he arrives for a National Governors Association meeting at the White House. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), a staunch conservative not known as a voice for bipartisan compromise, called Friday for a special prosecutor to investigate the Russia allegations; Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Issa said, should recuse himself because he was part of the inner circle of the Trump campaign. Republican leaders in Congress are resisting calls for full-blown public congressional probes, but the drip-drip-drip of revelations may wear them down.

Meanwhile, the fate of the Affordable Care Act is emerging as potentially a massive political crisis. At packed town halls across the country, Republicans have been hearing from constituents who will lose health insurance if the ACA is repealed but not immediately replaced, which had been the GOPs plan. The party has come to realize that when it comes to health care, no deed (good or bad) goes unpunished.

You might think the president would be fully engaged in some of these issues, but youd be wrong. Instead, he has been waging a ridiculous war against the media. His cries of fake news may play well with the base, but hes not running for president at the moment. Hes supposed to be doing the job.

Read more from Eugene Robinsons archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. You can also join him Tuesdays at 1 p.m. for a live Q&A.
Govt to withdraw two ambassadorial picks

The government is likely to withdraw names of two individuals it had earlier picked for ambassadorial positions in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
AMONG THE unfortunate consequences of Congresss failure to come up with a permanent replacement for the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, none carried more mischievous potential than the long-running attempt by hedge funds to gain control of the companies by court order  and make a taxpayer-subsidized killing in the process. To its great credit, however, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has delivered what we can only hope is the final judicial blow to this opportunistic lawsuit.

To review: As Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac headed toward bankruptcy amid the housing meltdown of 2008, their federal regulator took them over pursuant to fresh legal authority from Congress. Over the next several years, the U.S. treasury, in effect, advanced the twins $187 billion to prevent them from collapsing and triggering what could have been a global financial catastrophe. In 2012, the regulator and Treasury rewrote the takeover to make sure that all future profits would accrue to the government, not the speculators who had meanwhile snapped up beaten-down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac stock at pennies a share. This reflected the Obama administrations reasonable view that bottom-feeding hedge funds should not reap a windfall from a recovery that massive investment by taxpayers made possible.

Amid much high-minded rhetoric about property rights and the rule of law, the funds took their case to federal court, arguing that Fannie Mae and Freddie Macs regulator lacked specific statutory authority to carry out the 2012 profit sweep. Proving that legal costs are no object in pursuit of a multibillion-dollar potential payoff, the hedge funds persisted in their lawsuit even after an adverse ruling by Judge Royce H. Lamberth of the U.S. District Court in Washington two and a half years ago.

It was that appeal whose most consequential argument the D.C. Circuit dismissed last Tuesday , in an opinion written by Judge Patricia Millett and Senior Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg that basically confirmed Judge Lamberths reasoning. Key to the case, they wrote, was Congresss instruction, in the law establishing Fannie Mae-Freddie Mac s regulator, that no court may take any action to restrain or affect the exercise of [its] powers or functions over the distressed entities. A dissenting judge, Janice Rogers Brown, objected that this rule should not apply since Fannie Mae and Freddie Macs regulator exceeded its authority by turning over all the profits to the Treasury in the first place. This, she wrote, was the act of a banana republic.

What that hyperbole overlooks is the fact that there might not have been a republic  or at least an economy  left to argue about if the agency had not rescued Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Second-guessing that at the behest of speculators would be the height of injustice. Still, Judge Brown has half a point: The extraordinary situation at the two entities has gone on too long.

The chances that Congress will finally bring a fair and reasonable end to this situation may be better now that the D.C. Circuit has ruled against the one thing worse than endless limbo at the mortgage-finance giants  turning them over for a pittance to Wall Street gamblers.
The Feb. 21 editorial Ms. Bowsers feckless decision called the Districts paid-leave program expensive and ill-designed. The editorial board assumed the law would be bad for business because the program is funded by employers, not workers.

This is far from certain. Similar fears were raised about Californias first-in-the-nation paid-leave program when it was passed 15 years ago, but those fears did not come to fruition. The editorial board suggested that private-sector initiatives could play a large role in solving the problem of paid leave. But such solutions generally apply only to high-wage jobs where competition for labor is stiff.

As an attorney who represents pregnant women and caregivers, I know that private-sector solutions often fall far short of the mark. Is the Districts law perfect? Certainly not. Will it be difficult to implement? Probably. But difficult issues such as paid leave will be solved only through bold actions such as the one enacted by the D.C. Council. It will provide District residents with a more stable workforce that will attract and keep the best and the brightest.

Tom Spiggle, Arlington
TRY AS it might, the Trump administration has made scant progress in its effort to find intelligence that might justify its proposed temporary travel ban on citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries. Even as it scours the federal government for data to validate its proposed policy  an inversion of a systematic, rational decision-making process  the administration keeps running into obstacles in the form of stubborn facts that provide no basis for a ban.

The latest such example arrived in the form of a report from the Intelligence and Analysis branch of the Department of Homeland Security. Tasked with compiling a report on the terrorist threat posed by citizens of the seven countries in President Trumps crosshairs, the DHS study found, first, that citizenship itself is an unlikely indicator of danger to the United States and, second, that very few people from the seven nations in question have been linked to terrorism in the United States over the past six years.

Thats a damning conclusion, and one that eviscerates the rationale for Mr. Trumps proposed ban, issuing as it does from an agency intimately involved with safeguarding the United States from terrorist attacks. A DHS spokeswoman hastened to belittle the analysis as mere commentary, based on unclassified sources and lacking the full weight of what she called an official, robust document with thorough interagency sourcing. Specifically, said the spokeswoman, Gillian Christensen, the report does not include data from other intelligence community sources.

Fair enough. Fortuitously, a former top CIA official, Michael Morell, who twice served as the agencys acting director, and an intelligence scholar, Robert Pape, weighed in days later with a conclusion widely shared in the U.S. intelligence community: that the most serious terrorist peril to America is home-grown, from U.S. citizens who have been radicalized by Islamic State propaganda. (Similarly, most of the bloodiest terror attacks in Europe, including the 2015 carnage in Paris, were carried out by individuals born in Europe, not the Mideast.)

Citing comprehensive research by the Chicago Project on Security and Threats, a program associated with the University of Chicago, Mr. Morell and Mr. Pape pointed out that of 125 terrorists in the past three years who had either been indicted for crimes tied to the Islamic State or died before they could be indicted, more than 80 percent were U.S. citizens; of them, more than three-quarters were born in the United States. Of the handful who remained, just over one-third were from the seven countries singled out by Mr. Trumps executive order.

That report jibed with the DHS report, as well as with other intelligence analyses that agree that the administrations proposed ban does virtually nothing to enhance national security  and in fact may have the opposite effect.

Undeterred, the administration is preparing to release an updated travel-ban order this week . The idea is to convince federal courts that the proposed ban is more than a manifestation of a prejudice against Islam masquerading as the legitimate exercise of the executive branchs responsibility to promote national security. It remains to be seen what evidence can be mustered to make that case.
While the United States and Russia possess more than 90 percent of the worlds nuclear weapons, the fact that seven other nations have nuclear weapons, albeit in smaller quantities, is highly significant.

The report Nuclear Famine: Two Billion People at Risk? by Ira Helfand warns that even a limited, regional nuclear war between India and Pakistan would cause significant climate disruption worldwide. The resulting global cooling would significantly affect agriculture, food supplies, and human nutrition and could result in billions of deaths.

Even North Koreas handful of nuclear weapons is dangerously destabilizing [Former U.S. officials plan talks with N. Koreans, front page, Feb. 20]. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists Doomsday Clock is at two and a half minutes to midnight, due in large part to President Trumps provocative statements. Its high time to take President John F. Kennedys 1961 warning to heart: The weapons of war must be abolished before they abolish us.

Kevin Kamps, Takoma Park

The writer is a radioactive waste specialist for Beyond Nuclear.
Samuel G. Freedman, a former religion columnist for the New York Times, is author of Jew vs. Jew: The Struggle for the Soul of American Jewry.

Since the end of World War II, American Jewish identity has rested on a three-legged stool. Those legs, the positions that were embraced by virtually the entire community, were Holocaust remembrance, support for Israel and vigilant opposition to domestic anti-Semitism.

Admittedly, this formula for personal and collective definition had its limits. It depended too much, perhaps, on the reinforcement of Jewish suffering. It scrupulously avoided differentiating between the practice of Judaism as a religion and the enactment of Jewishness as ethnicity or peoplehood. Still, that stool largely served its unifying purpose for a famously fractious people.

The new alliance of Donald Trump as Americas president and Benjamin Netanyahu as Israels prime minister, however, has smashed the stool. American Jews are being forced to choose between their Zionism and their battle against anti-Semitism. Suddenly, by dint of Trump and Netanyahu, those stances cannot be readily reconciled.

Trumps feeble and belated bemoaning last week that anti-Semitism is horrible and painful only accentuates the problem. The same president who touts his no daylight partnership with Netanyahus right-wing regime could manage his statement only after months of strenuously avoiding a condemnation of anti-Semitism, which in normal times is not exactly a politically risky position.

Along the way, Netanyahu served as the public guarantor of Trumps putative tolerance. During their joint news conference on Feb. 15 at the White House, after the president offered an evasive response to an Israeli journalists question about the rising incidence of anti-Semitic vandalism and rhetoric, the prime minister hailed Trump as a great friend of the Jewish people. He also echoed one of Trumps own defensive talking points: the fact he has an Orthodox Jewish son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

None of these assurances come near repairing the damage the American and Israeli leaders have done to American Jewish comity. Rather, the mens political actions have compounded problems that have been building for decades.

For the majority of American Jews who are liberal or moderate  that is, most of the three-quarters who did not vote for Trump  an ongoing commitment to Zionism relied on viewing Israel as a valiant, outnumbered innocent that is eager to equitably solve its conflict with the Palestinians.

Such attitudes were easy enough for such American Jews to harbor during the existential wars of 1948, 1967 and 1973 and during the terms of leaders jointly seeking a two-state solution, namely the Israeli prime ministers Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, Ehud Barak, Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert and the American presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

But American Jews of the center and the left saw as well as anybody else how Netanyahu sought to undermine then-President Obama by aligning with the Republican opposition and how he has carried on a visible bromance with Trump. A big part of their chumminess is Trumps diminution of U.S. support for a two-state solution, which his supporters wrote into the Republican platform last summer, and the close ties of his ambassadorial nominee, David Friedman, to the settlement enterprise.

For American Jews who skew conservative in politics, the fight against anti-Semitism in the United States was once invariably and conveniently framed as one against left-wing campus activists and Palestinian advocates. The discomfort of Jewish college students when put on the ideological defensive by events such as Israel Apartheid Week was treated as a mortal threat to Jewish survival.

Well, now both subsets of Jews have had their respective illusions dashed. Since Trump was a long-shot candidate, he has dallied with the words and images of classic anti-Semitism  that Jews control the world economy, that Jewish money buys the allegiance of politicians. The alt-right movement that supplied so much of the energy to Trumps campaign has been a safe zone for Jew-hating.

So the most recent examples of bigotry  the bomb threats against Jewish community centers, the toppling of gravestones in several Jewish cemeteries across the country  did not come from nowhere. And they sure did not come from campus professors and protesters who assail Israel in acceptable forums of public discourse. Vice President Pences spin-control visit to a vandalized cemetery in St. Louis and his later remarks to the Republican Jewish Coalition were way too little, way too late.

The trade-off that Trump and Netanyahu have almost literally offered American Jews is a blunt one: If you want lockstep support of Israel, then shut your mouth about anti-Semitism here.

Dont complain when the official White House statement for International Holocaust Remembrance Day omits mention of the extermination of 6 million Jews. Dont call attention to growing examples of anti-Semitism when they appear enabled, if not inspired, by Trumps white nationalism. Dont get upset when the president ridicules and humiliates a journalist from an Orthodox Jewish magazine who asks him an explicitly polite question about anti-Semitism. One can only imagine the wrath of the American Jewish right had Obama done any such thing.

For the vast majority of American Jews, though, an anguishing reality is now clear. To support Israel when it is cross-branded with Trumps intolerance is to avert their eyes from a threat right here at home. To rest on the three-legged stool is to find yourself abruptly crashing to the floor.
It has long been said  though perhaps never by Abraham Lincoln  that you can fool some of the people all of the time. Now, thanks to the wonders of modern social science, we can quantify this aphorism:

You can fool 37 percent of the people 100 percent of the time.

This is to be extrapolated from last weeks Quinnipiac University survey, which found that 37 percent of the public and, alas, a large majority of Republicans, trust President Trump more than the media to tell you the truth about important issues.

But Trump is unlikely to be satisfied with this achievement. Once you can fool some of the people all of the time, a natural follow-up goal is to fool most of the people most of the time. Expand deportations and youve got a shot at all of the people all of the time.

Hence the escalated attacks on the press. Renewing his charge that the fake news media are the enemy of the American people on Friday, Trump also suggested that were going to do something about it and proposed that the media shouldnt be allowed to use anonymous sources  or perhaps any sources at all.

(The Washington Post)

Let there be no more sources, Trump declared.

No sources: Nobody and nothing to contradict Trump, to refute his claims, to blow the whistle on misconduct. Trump would be the sole source of information, never contradicted by lawmakers, bureaucrats, experts, documents or even Google searches. It would go something like this:

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP TO A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you for that applause, which was the longest, loudest and most enthusiastic applause any president has ever received from Congress  period. It is probably the most applause that anybody has ever received anywhere.

As you know, I won the largest electoral college victory in history, even though 11 million illegal immigrants in this country voted illegally for my opponent  some of them twice. Even some of the dead people who voted for Hillary now regret their vote and say they should have voted for me. One of them is seated in the gallery tonight with Melania, and more and more people are recognizing him lately. Ladies and gentlemen, please recognize Frederick Douglass.

My fellow Americans, I inherited a mess. I heard this statistic: Ninety percent of Americans were starving. School bathrooms were jammed with transgender students. Ceiling tiles were falling from tunnels and killing people. Almost everybody in Chicago had been murdered. We had been attacked by terrorists 78 times and the media didnt report it. Each month, millions of jobs were shipped overseas, where American workers were murdered and tortured by ISIS.

But now that we have eliminated all sources of information other than me, we are making America great again. I agreed to pay Boeing only one dollar for the new Air Force One. Lockheed-Martin is paying me $600 million to let them build the F-35. Carrier is now employing millions of people at its plant in Indiana. My cabinet nominees were all confirmed unanimously, and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos was just offered membership in Mensa.

The FBI, under new director Steve Bannon, has completed its review and determined that the Democratic National Committee was not hacked by Russia but by some guy in his bedroom who weighs 400 pounds. The FBI also said that the disruptions that occurred in American cities the day after my inauguration, followed by actions at airports after my travel ban, were because of frustration with Deltas reservation system.

Internationally, ISIS has been defeated, Mexico has paid for the wall in advance, China has abolished its currency, and Australia has apologized for treating us so badly. Our military action in Yemen was a huge success. The incident in Sweden is finally under control.

Here at home, crime has stopped, and there are no more drugs. Calm has returned to Bowling Green. Thousands of Muslims in New Jersey cheered when I issued my travel ban. We have replaced Obamacare with something much better that costs nothing. Vanity Fair has given the Trump Grill in Trump Tower 5 stars, and a major retailer has been rebranded Nordstrom by Ivanka Trump. My support is 98 percent in a Rasmussen poll.

My budget has a huge tax cut and the largest military expansion and infrastructure spending program in history. It also protects Medicare and Social Security, eliminates the federal debt and buys every American a pony. I have eliminated dangerous leaks by abolishing the CIA and saved costs by having Russia maintain our nuclear arsenal. I deregulated the environment and left it to the states to set spelling rules.

The State of the Union is great. If anybody says otherwise, consider the source.

Twitter: @Milbank

Read more from Dana Milbanks archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Despite his jutting jaw and comical bravado, President Trump is not another Benito Mussolini. The Italian dictator had six children, one wife and several mistresses, the most loyal of whom, Claretta Petacci, chose to die with him and was hanged upside down in a Milan gas station. Most of Trumps women have fared better.

On the other hand, the similarities between Trump and Mussolini are so obvious that it would amount to journalistic malpractice not to mention some of them. Mussolini was vain, bombastic, vulgar and, while the creator of fascism, he believed in nothing aside from himself. A former Italian prime minister, quoted in David Kertzers book The Pope and Mussolini, thought that Mussolinis chief attribute was his devotion to the cult of his own personality. Is this our guy or what?

Kertzers book was published in 2014 at a time when Trumps presidency seemed likely only to Jared Kushner. So clearly no analogy was intended, although one is certainly there. The most cogent parallel is contained in the books very title: the pope. Strip him of his vestments, and Pius XI becomes a politician much like Reince Priebus, Mike Pence or any other member of the Republican establishment for whom, in exchange for something of value  lower taxes, less regulation or, in the case of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a comforting certainty in the loo  a deal can be made. These Republicans and others would accept Trump and gamble on American democracy and world peace.

In Mussolinis day, the Catholic Church, too, had its demands and grievances. The Italian state had seized church lands, reducing the popes realm to itsy-bitsy Vatican City. The state had taken over the schools. It was no longer financially supporting the church. It had permitted divorce. Pius XI wanted to return to the status quo ante. In exchange for recognition of Mussolinis fascist government, by 1929 Il Duce was willing to oblige.

Mussolini was hardly religious. On the contrary, as a one-time doctrinaire socialist, he reviled the church, considering it an anachronistic picker of the average mans pocket. Still, he was willing to do business with the Vatican. Mussolinis only principle was his own self-interest.

As for Pius XI, he had many principles  but none of them stood in the way of making a deal with a fascist whose goons routinely beat up priests, attacked Catholic social centers and murdered the occasional dissident. Violence displeased the pope. What displeased him more, however, were current church-state relations. What the pope feared most of all was the threat of communism and, of course, the entirely hallucinatory power he attributed to the Jews. Mussolini was willing to destroy them both.

Pius XI did not like Mussolini  not his swagger, not his use of violence, not his libidinous ramblings and not his vanity. Bit by bit, however, he came to terms with what he loathed and instead concentrated on what was good for the church. This amorality is often called pragmatism.

In todays Republican Party, a similar process is under way. The princes of the GOP have elevated business concerns to the level of national interest. This accounts for the procession of Wall Street types who have backed Trump almost from the start  Wilbur Ross, Carl Icahn and Steve Schwarzman, who once said of a possible tax increase on private-equity firms: Its a war. Its like when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939.

Its not that these billionaires live in a world totally of their own. They all are philanthropists. But when it comes to Trump, they have managed to overlook his mocking of the disabled, his insults regarding Mexicans, his attacks on the press, his cooing at Russian President Vladimir Putin, his name-calling, his spectacular lying and his daunting ignorance.

In a recent speech at UCLA, Bret Stephens, the deputy editorial page editor of the Wall Street Journal and an unquestioned conservative, likened the way the new Trumpian conservatives have made their peace with their new political master to those pathetic souls who once found virtue, if not inevitability, in Stalinism. But the billionaires and politicians who sit around Trumps table and chortle cravenly at the bosss jokes do not fear for their lives or their jobs. No Siberia awaits them.

It is instructive to read how the Vatican, a moral institution, once put its own self-interest above its moral duty and embraced Mussolini. It is just plain depressing to note how history repeats itself. The Vatican, at least, sold out for church privileges. The GOP business and political class has sold out for greed.

Read more from Richard Cohens archive.
At a rally in Florida this month, President Trump sparked an international uproar when he seemingly cited a terrorist attack in Sweden that never actually happened. Trump later clarified that he was alluding to a segment hed seen on Fox News regarding Swedens immigration policies, which isnt much of a defense, but the damage was already done. His comment became a punch line on late-night television and social media. Even the Swedish embassy in Washington piled on, tweeting that it looked forward to informing the president.

Yet the widespread mockery of Trumps flub, while entertaining, somewhat overshadowed the particularly relevant context in which it occurred. Trump was attempting to defend his deplorable Muslim travel ban by invoking the need to keep our country safe. And he was doing it by calling attention to a country, Sweden, whose unconventional approach to foreign policy and security issues underscores the senselessness of the agenda that Trump and his chief strategist, Stephen Bannon, are advancing.

When it comes to national security, Trumps ostensible strategy is rooted in jingoism and outward displays of strength. Aside from Bannon, whose unusual role on the National Security Council is a matter of grave concern, Trump has surrounded himself largely with generals (including, until his resignation, Michael Flynn) who enable him to project an image of military might. His policies and statements often seem to be driven by an archaic and self-defeating notion of toughness: immigration raids, the border wall, support for torture, even his all-caps tweets. If we dont get tough and we dont get smart  and fast  were not going to have a country anymore, Trump said in a campaign speech on terrorism. There will be nothing left.

In contrast with Trumps machismo, Sweden, which recently began a two-year term on the U.N. Security Council, has adopted what Swedish foreign minister Margot Wallstrom calls a feminist foreign policy. This approach puts the pursuit of gender equality at the center of nearly all of Swedens foreign policy initiatives, from pushing for more female negotiators in peace talks to supporting international development programs for women and girls. In one case, Wallstrom even pulled out of an arms deal with Saudi Arabia over concerns about womens and human rights.

Some have charged that a feminist foreign policy is naive, but for Sweden its strategic. As Wallstrom said in a 2015 speech at the U.S. Institute of Peace, Striving toward gender equality is therefore not only a goal in itself, but also a precondition for achieving our wider foreign, development and security policy objectives. And in December, Wallstrom called on Trump to make gender equality a U.S. priority. Without it, he will not be able to make America great again, she said. It is smart policy. It is not just the right thing to do.

Indeed, there is a growing body of evidence that supporting womens rights leads to more security. Over a decades worth of research shows that womens advancement is critical to stability and to reducing political violence, Valerie M. Hudson and Dara Kay Cohen recently wrote in the New York Times. Countries where women are empowered are vastly more secure, whether the issue is food security, countering violent extremism or resolving disputes with other nations peacefully.

For Sweden, of course, taking a different approach to engaging the world is nothing new. Sweden has long maintained a policy of military non-alignment, although there is now a serious debate within the country about whether to join NATO. Likewise, there is a long history of Swedish leaders emphasizing the link between inequality and security. For example, former prime minister Olof Palme warned in 1980 that growing economic and social differences between and within nations pose a direct threat to world peace.

Obviously, the United States has different security concerns, but Trump, Bannon and many other U.S. leaders could still learn from Swedens example. Instead of walling our country off, they should realize that bluster and fear-mongering are no substitute for real security; that if we dont address the root causes of the threats we face, new threats will always continue to emerge; and that investing in women and girls does much more to keep us safe and promote peace than does spending even greater amounts on weapons designed to cause mass devastation.

Despite his desire to look tough, Trumps policies are ultimately fueled by fear. What takes real courage, however, is to reject the failed thinking that has long dominated U.S. foreign policy and embrace a different way of thinking about our security. As Wallstrom has said, Its time to become a little braver in foreign policy. If Trump cant do that, perhaps the women who are rising up and leading the resistance against him will.

Read more from Katrina vanden Heuvels archive or follow her on Twitter.
Lester Gerard Packingham praised Jesus on his Facebook page and simultaneously committed a felony. But his conviction may not stand for long.

A majority of the Supreme Court on Monday seemed prepared to strike down a North Carolina law that makes it a crime for a registered sex offender such as Packingham to access social media sites even years after they have served their sentences or completed probation.

Packingham, then 21, pleaded guilty 15 years ago to having sex with a 13-year-old and received a suspended sentence. But in 2010, he violated the states social media prohibition by posting a jubilant Facebook message about escaping punishment in traffic court.

Man God is Good! How about I got so much favor they dismissed the ticket before court even started? . . . Praise be to GOD, WOW! Thanks JESUS!

Justice Elena Kagan was perhaps the most outspoken of the justices who indicated North Carolina had gone so far in restricting sex offenders use of the Internet that the state was violating First Amendment rights.

Everyone knows that the president communicates via Twitter, she said, but so do all 50 governors, and members of Congress maintain accounts or Facebook pages as a way to connect with their constituents, she said.

So whether its political community, whether its religious community, I mean, these sites have become embedded in our culture as ways to communicate and ways to exercise our constitutional rights, havent they? Kagan asked North Carolina Deputy Attorney General Robert C. Montgomery, who was defending the law.

Montgomery agreed they had, but said the state wasnt restricting everything.

This is a part of the Internet, but its not the entire Internet that is being taken away from these offenders, Montgomery said. They can still have their own blog. They can read blogs. They can do podcasts.

Montgomery said people who have been convicted could also access news media sites, but there was a lively dispute about whether the law was so broad that even that was forbidden.

Even if specific news organizations are not off-limits, said Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the point is that these people are being cut off from a very large part of the marketplace of ideas. And the First Amendment includes not only the right to speak, but the right to receive information.

After Packingham pleaded guilty to the 2002 offense, he received the lightest possible sentence  10 to 12 months  which was then suspended. He did two years of supervised probation.

A Durham police officer searching Facebook for registered sex offenders saw Packinghams posting about the traffic ticket. He was charged with violating the state law and convicted. Again, he received a suspended sentence.

One court agreed with Packingham that the law violated the First Amendment. But the North Carolina Supreme Court reversed the decision.

Montgomery on Monday told the justices that if the state can keep sex offenders away from parks, schools and other places where children congregate, it could also keep them away from virtual places where children congregate online; specifically, commercial social networking websites.

But Packinghams lawyer, Stanford law professor David T. Goldberg, told the justices Monday that the North Carolina law covers vast swaths of core First Amendment activity that is totally unrelated to the governments preventative purpose.

Goldberg said his client is not accused of communicating with or viewing the profile of a minor. Instead, he violated the law by speaking to his friends and family about his experience in traffic court.

Under mild questioning by the justices, Goldberg acknowledged it would be difficult for law enforcement to monitor Packingham to make sure he was not communicating with minors, and that it probably would be lawful for an Internet ban to be imposed as a condition of parole.

Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. reminded Goldberg that there were alternative channels available to Packingham. Now, I know there are people who think that life is not possible without Twitter and Facebook and these things and that 2003 was the dark ages, he said to laughter in the courtroom.

But Montgomery got the toughest questions. Justice Stephen G. Breyer ran through the checklist of how the court considers government action that affects speech: The state has a reason? Yeah, it does. Does it limit free speech? Dramatically. Are there other, less restrictive ways of doing it? Were not sure, but we think probably. . . . Okay. End of case, right?

Montgomery noted that the court in the past has approved broad restrictions on speech, such as prohibiting politicking within 100 feet of a polling place.

But Kagan responded, that is like one out of a zillion First Amendment cases that weve decided in our history.

And Justice Anthony M. Kennedy told Montgomery that if that is the best precedent on his side, I think you lose.

The case is Packingham v. North Carolina.
Handicraft exports increase 21pc in H1

Handicraft exports grew 21 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, driven by a hike in demand for Nepali handmade goods in the international market.
President Trump signs an executive order to impose tighter vetting of travelers entering the United States, at the Pentagon on Jan. 27. (CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS)

President Trump will feature family members of Americans killed by illegal immigrants during his speech Tuesday to a joint session of Congress, seeking to make an emotional appeal to build support for stronger border-control measures.

Trump met in the Oval Office ahead of the prime-time address with Jamiel Shaw Sr., whose son was shot by a gang member in Los Angeles in 2008, and Jessica Davis and Susan Oliver, who were married to California police officers killed in the line of duty in 2014.

Their presence in the presidential box in the House chamber Tuesday evening represents a pointed message about the costs of illegal immigration a week after the Department of Homeland Security rolled out sweeping new enforcement guidelines. Trump said the measures are aimed at ramping up the deportations of immigrants who present a public safety risk, part of a broader effort that includes plans for a border wall with Mexico and attempts to restrict refugees from seven majority-Muslim nations.

Trumps spotlight on the victims families has sparked an outcry among those who charge the president is exaggerating the risks to sow public fear to make his proposals more politically expedient. Studies have shown that immigrants, including the estimated 11 million living here illegally, have lower crime rates than the native-born population.

On the campaign trail, Trump said he would seek to quickly deport between 2 million and 3 million immigrants with criminal records. But a study by the Migration Policy Institute found that 820,000 unauthorized immigrants had committed other crimes, including about 300,000 with felony records.

It is consistent with the campaign and also with the political tone of the executive orders he signed, said Randy Capps, director of research at the institute. They are very clearly trying to highlight a criminal element that does exist in the unauthorized population. But they are implying its a broad population, when we believe its a narrow population from the statistics weve seen.

Proponents of stricter immigration policies said the president is trying to reframe the debate by focusing it around the harmful effects U.S. immigration laws can have on Americans.

The media tends to cover immigration issues through the frame of how it impacts everybody but actual citizens of the United States, Stephen Miller, Trumps senior policy adviser, said in an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek published Tuesday.

Trump is expected to make immigration enforcement a focus of his speech, but a senior administration official told news anchors at a White House meeting Tuesday that the president may also use the address to indicate that he wants to work on bipartisan legislation to overhaul immigration law, according to one attendee.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House principal deputy press secretary, declined to confirm whether the president supports bipartisan reforms and emphasized that the current focus is on enforcement.

The president has been very clear in his process that the immigration system is broken and needs massive reform and hes made clear that hes open to having conversations about that moving forward, she said. Right now his primary focus, as he has made over and over again, is border control and security at the border.

On the campaign trail, Trump railed against legal restrictions and federal and local policies that obstructed the deportations of some convicted criminals.

In a 2015 letter to the Obama administration, Sens. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) cited federal data showing that 121 killings were carried out between 2010 and 2014 by unauthorized immigrants who had been convicted of crimes but were not deported. Sessions is now the U.S. attorney general.

In a statement, Grassley said Trump is highlighting a real concern for Americans  Theres tremendous support for detaining and returning to their home countries criminal illegal immigrants, who have, for instance committed dangerous crimes such as murder, sexual assault and drunk driving, so its good to see President Trump draw attention to the problem and begin carrying out the promise from the campaign.

In many cases, immigrants convicted of crimes are released from federal custody because of a Supreme Court ruling that prevents indefinite detention because their countries will not accept them back.

People who come here unlawfully and commit crimes, theyre going to be out of here, Sessions said Tuesday in a speech to the National Association of Attorneys General. Some of these countries refusing to take them back, we have the ability and the power and the legal requirement to confront them and take action against them if they dont take them back. Were housing a lot of people who commit serious crimes, who entered the country unlawfully, who have long since been due to be deported.

In other cases, local jurisdictions known as sanctuary cities have passed laws that prohibit officials from sharing information with federal authorities about illegal immigrants who pass through the judicial system. In 2015, Kathryn Steinle, a San Francisco woman, was shot and killed by an undocumented immigrant from Mexico who had been deported five times, a case that drew national attention.

Trump was joined several times on the campaign trail by family members of victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants, including so-called angel moms, whose children had been killed. As president, Trump has pledged to raise their profiles, and the new DHS guidelines issued last week included a provision to create a new office to support such victims and their families.

The point of having the angel families there is not to say, Look at the foreigners that are coming to get you,  said Mark Krikorian, executive director for the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for lower immigration levels. The point is that the policies are dysfunctional and have resulted in tragedy for families.

Trumps approach stands in stark contrast to his predecessor. At several of his State of the Union addresses, President Barack Obama invited younger unauthorized immigrants, known as dreamers, who had arrived in the country illegally as children. Obama pursued more liberal policies that protected their rights to go to school and work in the country.

After deportations rose to record levels in his first term, Obama moved to prioritize enforcement actions around hardened criminals and those who had recently arrived in the country. He established a deferred action program that has granted renewable, two-year work permits to more than 750,000 dreamers, a program Trump has threatened to overturn.

The guidelines issued last week by Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly significantly broadened the pool of immigrants that could be targeted for removal. And Trump has promised to unveil a new executive order this week to reestablish a travel ban on refugees and immigrants from several majority-Muslim countries over national security concerns after a similar order in January was blocked by a federal court.

Democratic Congress members have invited dreamers, refugees and other immigrants to join them in the chamber for Trumps address, aiming to create a visual contrast with the president.

Several Latino members said Trump was using extreme cases to obscure how his administration was randomly enforcing the law. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) said Democrats favored the Obama administrations guidelines that prioritized the deportation of violent criminals.

There are felonies that should be a high priority, and there are multiple misdemeanors; if someone has a DUI, there are multiple levels of that, said Gallego. But Trumps executive orders are encouraging ICE to skip due process.

Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who like Gallego is bringing a guest whose mother had been deported, said Trump and other hard-liners had already learned how sympathetic stories hurt their cause.

Once the dreamers became public, that whole public opinion shift occurred, said Gallego. Dreamers are a fight he doesnt want to take on.

And both Grijalva and Gallego said the political experience of Arizona, where Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio lost reelection despite a Republican tide last year, previewed how Trumps experiment would end.

Its got a short shelf life, said Grijalva. That kind of bull---- doesnt last forever.

David Weigel and Philip Rucker contributed to this report.
Former senator Daniel Coats, the nominee for national intelligence director, waits for the start of a meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Capitol Hill on Jan. 23. (J. Scott Applewhite/APs)

Former senator Daniel Coats pledged on Tuesday that in his role as the nations next spy chief he would work with Congress to investigate allegations that Russia interfered in the 2016 elections.

Its our responsibility to provide you access to sources and raw intelligence, Coats told Sen. Mark R. Warner (Va.), the Senate Intelligence Committees lead Democrat, during his confirmation hearing to become director of national intelligence.

The Indiana Republican noted that Russia has a long history of propaganda and trying to influence elections and that recent events suggest Kremlin officials have stepped up their game.

The Senate and House intelligence panels are probing charges leveled by the intelligence community that Russia intervened in the election to benefit Republican Donald Trump, who has frequently dismissed the idea that the allegations influenced the outcome of the contest in any way.

Coats said he would follow the law when it comes to interrogation tactics used to question suspected terrorists. President Trump has said he will defer to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on the issue of waterboarding, for instance (something the president said as a candidate that he believes works). Mattis opposes the practice.

(Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post)

But Coats said he thinks it is worth discussing what might happen in a situation where an attack is imminent and there is no time for the intelligence community to follow the process.

Congress legally ended the CIAs use of enhanced interrogation techniques in 2015, through an amendment Coats  then a senator  voted against. He did so for one reason, he said on Tuesday  his concerns that in a pressing situation, such interrogation techniques might be the only way to learn information that could help prevent an imminent attack.

Coatss audience before the Intelligence Committee offered a rare chance to see the dynamics of the panel  which conducts most of its processes in secret  on display. The last time the committee held an open hearing, it was to grill then-Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), Trumps pick for CIA director.

A former Intelligence Committee member who was well liked by his colleagues, Coats is expected to easily win enough support to be confirmed by the committee. But his confirmation hearing came amid standoff between the White House and much of Congress.

Trump has questioned the intelligence communitys findings that Russia intervened in the election to aid his chances of victory, and he challenges inquiries about communications between his aides and the Kremlin. Lately, the Trump administration has even enlisted the help of lawmakers to make their case to the media, alarming some rank-and-file Republicans.

But on Tuesday, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) became the latest senior Republican to rebut allegations that Trump team members may have had improper contacts with Russian officials.

No one has ever showed us any evidence that any collusion had occurred between an American involved with the political system and the Russians, Ryan said at a breakfast with television correspondents, according to NBC News.

The speakers comments echoed those of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), who told reporters Monday that he had seen no evidence of communications between Trump aides and Russian officials and that intelligence community officials had led him to think that theres nothing there.

[Nunes says he hasnt found evidence of Trumps teams ties to Russia]

Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the intelligence panel, insisted later Monday that it was too soon to draw conclusions about what evidence might exist, because the committee had not yet received any documents or interviewed any witnesses.

The Senates process has been more bipartisan, with Democrats praising Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) for his commitment to the investigation. But that camaraderie was shattered over the weekend after Burr and Nunes called reporters at the White Houses request in an effort to debunk reports about ties between the Trump administration and Russian officials.

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Monday that Burr was on notice. Over the weekend, Warner said he had grave concerns about Burr cooperating with the White House, stressing that he will not accept any process that is undermined by political interference.

Some Republicans on the Senate Intelligence Committee also objected, with Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) stressing the importance of a bipartisan process and the need to avoid any actions that might be perceived as compromising the integrity of our work.

Collins was also one of several committee members expressing alarm that Coats might not have a permanent seat on the Principals Committee of the National Security Council, citing the presidents Jan. 28 executive order that appeared to downgrade the director of national intelligence to an as-needed status, while including White House strategist Stephen K. Bannon in all meetings.

Collins said she was concerned about how Coats would fulfill the mandate to serve as director if he is not afforded full access to all decisions made by the presidents inner circle.

Coats told senators that he had advised the White House how to modify the executive order to elevate the directors position on the NSC but acknowledged that it has not been addressed yet.

In the meantime, he said, he has been assured that I have the authority to be a member of that committee and be at that committee in every one of its meetings.

Coats also sought to play down reports that Trump might seek to overhaul the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, or at least downsize it significantly.

Recent commentary on the size of the ODNI doesnt mesh well with what Ive seen firsthand, Coats noted in his opening comments, adding that I believe it does a disservice to this committee and your efforts to keep the size of the ODNI in check.

But Coats  who was known as a senator for highlighting excess government spending in floor speeches about the Waste of the Week  said he is already eyeing ways to do things more efficiently and effectively. We dont have a choice.

Coats would not commit to entreaties from Democrats to tell Congress how many Americans are under government surveillance for the content of their communications under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Lawmakers must reauthorize by the end of the year for it to continue.

Save for that point, the hearing was not contentious, with even Democrats noting that Coats was one of the more affable and likable senators they had served with.

Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) noted that Coatss easygoing nature might be his one detriment, asking the former senator if he was prepared to be mean and tough enough to stand up to Trump when necessary.

Coats promised to provide the president and Congress with intelligence that was the best, most objective, nonpolitical, timely and unvarnished.

Read more at PowerPost
French President Francois Hollande, seen in this image taken from video, turns to look after a police sharpshooter accidentally fired a shot that injured two people while he was giving a speech in Villognon. (Reuters Tv)

A sniper mistakenly fired his weapon during a Tuesday speech by President Francois Hollande in southwestern France, slightly injuring two people, according to a regional official.

Video footage of the speech  on the opening of a high-speed train between Tours and Bordeaux  shows Hollande stopping mid-sentence at the sound of gunfire about 17 minutes into his remarks.

I hope its nothing serious, Hollande said, turning to look in the direction of the commotion. I dont think so, he concluded a few seconds later, launching back into his speech.

[After Louvre attack, France foils another terrorist plot]

According to the Figaro newspaper, whose reporter was on site, the sniper was stationed under a marquee near where guests were to gather for a cocktail reception. The sniper apparently belonged to the PSPG, an elite protection platoon, and had fired accidentally when he changed his position, the Figaro reported.

The prefect of the Charente region, where Hollande was speaking, told reporters gathered for the speech in the town of Villognon that the victims injuries were not life-threatening.

Their days are not numbered, Pierre NGahane said of the victims, who were not identified. We were able to talk with them immediately afterwards.

NGahane said the local prosecutors office would launch an investigation.

Hollandes speech comes toward the end of a five-year presidency rocked by terrorist attacks. During his tenure, 230 people have been killed in attacks in Paris, Nice and elsewhere in the country.

In December, Hollande, a Socialist whose approval ratings had fallen to a historic low, made the highly unusual announcement that he would not seek reelection.

Read more:

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The dapper Frenchman running for president as the best bet against the far right

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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Indian, Chinese envoys call on PM Dahal

Indian Ambassador and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae and Yu Hong separately called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the latters residence in Baluwatar on Tuesday.
Anne Sinclair stands among a newly hung art exhibition of her family's collection at Musee Maillol in Paris on Monday. She is the granddaughter of the art dealer Paul Rosenberg. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

If only the paintings could talk, she said.

For Anne Sinclair, the prominent French journalist and granddaughter of the legendary Parisian art dealer Paul Rosenberg, the modernist masterpieces in her familys collection contain multitudes of often dissonant stories. They represent major developments in 20th-century art: fauvism, expressionism, cubism. But they also testify to the darkness and brutality of the Holocaust.

After Adolf Hitler invaded France in 1940, the Nazis seized hundreds of thousands of works of art from Jewish collectors and dealers: The French government estimates around 100,000, but experts say the real figure is at least three times higher. Rosenberg, an early champion of Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Georges Braque, was among the notable targets. Several of his most-prized pieces, including a 1918 Picasso portrait of the dealers wife and daughter, made their way into the hands of Hermann Goring, the high-ranking Nazi official and connoisseur of stolen art.

Since her grandfathers death in 1959, Sinclair and her family have worked to recover as many missing works from the Rosenberg collection as possible  sometimes engaging in lengthy legal battles. On Thursday, Sinclair will open an exhibition at Pariss Musee Maillol of 66 paintings that once passed through her grandfathers gallery. But in the Europe of 2017, as nationalist parties soar in popularity  including in France  Sinclair, now 68, sees the exposition as a warning of what that type of regime can do when put in power.

For the first time, I understood what my grandparents and my parents used to say about the 1930s, she said. This is not to say we live in the same kind of moment. Its different. But I feel I am also facing a world that all of a sudden seems totally foreign  and a world that disdains culture.

Paul Rosenberg shows a Renoir canvas to writer Somerset Maugham. (Archives Paul Rosenberg & Co, New York)

The exposition  an earlier version of which opened in Liege, Belgium, last fall  is titled 21 Rue La Boetie, after the address of Paul Rosenbergs original Paris gallery and the French title of Sinclairs memoir. In a cruel irony, the Nazis transformed the elegant mansion into what they called the Institute for the Study of the Jewish Question during the war.

[Art looted by the Nazis could be hiding in plain sight on the walls of Europes great museums]

The Nazis tried to destroy European civilization, Sinclair said. They saw in art what they wanted to attack, to destroy. This, she noted, is the point in recovering and presenting these artworks  even more than preserving family memories: Of course, we have to know what their story is, but the memory they preserve is ultimately the memory of a civilization.

The major restitutions to the Rosenberg familytwo canvases by Henri Matisse, Femme Assise from the Cornelius Gurlitt collection discovered in Munich and Robe bleue dans un fauteuil ocre from a museum outside Oslo, Norwaywere lead by Art Recovery International, an organization founded by the lawyer Christopher Marinello in 2013.

For Emmanuelle Polack, a Paris-based art historian who also researched the two Matisse canvases, the project of restitution is both personal and collective. When you give back a painting, you give back an identity, a family, a memory  but also a culture, she said.

More than 70 years after the end of World War II, the story of the Nazi assault on European art  Jewish-owned or otherwise  is well known. After the war, the Nuremberg trials established looting as a war crime, and after decades of delays, a number of high-profile restitution cases have been successful.

In 2006, for example, the Austrian government was forced to return a famous Gustav Klimt portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer  the wife of a Jewish industrialist who later died in exile following Nazi persecution  to her niece, the Los Angeles resident Maria Altmann, who had fled to the United States as a young woman and who died in 2011.

Pablo Picasso, "Portrait de Madame Rosenberg et sa fille," 1918. (Musee Picasso Paris)

In most cases, however, restitution is the exception, not the rule. The burden of proof lies with the plaintiff, and public institutions typically are loath to part with works of art they have held for decades. Also complicating matters is the fact that a particular artwork may have been stolen by the Nazis from its original Jewish owner but then legally acquired by an unsuspecting buyer after the war. In addition, few claimants have the means to fight a case that can last more than a decade.

Despite public fascination with restitution cases, some European governments have stopped actively searching for the rightful owners of stolen artworks. According to Agnes Peresztegi, a Paris-based lawyer and president of the Commission for Art Recovery, France is chief among them.

Some countries have at least started, she said. France hasnt scratched the surface.

According to statistics from the French Ministry of Culture, more than 60,000 stolen works of art were returned from Germany after the war. While more than half were reclaimed by their original owners in the late 1940s, a quarter were kept by the French state. Some 13,000 of those were sold, with the proceeds going into Frances coffers, while the remaining 2,000 went to French museums.

Many are still on public display, marked with the anonymous MNR, the French initials for National Museums Recovery.

In the mid-1990s, when then-President Jacques Chirac for the first time formally apologized for Frances collaboration in the Holocaust, the French government did launch an investigation into the provenance of these orphaned artworks. But since restitution began in 1951, only 107 of the works kept by the French government have been returned, 79 from the MNR collection.

Progress has slowed since then  mostly, researchers say, because the government does not have the funds for arduous searches. Despite a push in recent years by French Sen. Corinne Bouchoux to reopen the restitution project, critics say little has changed.

What I would like is for there to be put in place a welcome center that could orient people who have questions, said Polack, the historian, noting that many descendants are daunted by the bureaucratic red tape involved in filing such a claim. It should be the honor of France to do this, an honor for citizens to work on this. If there is ever the possibility to repair  even a little bit  why not?

Sinclairs exhibition presents just a sliver of the art that left Paris in the 1940s  a collection she hopes can testify to the power of European culture in a Europe where growing numbers no longer seem moved by the memory of the Holocaust and World War II.

Ahead of Frances presidential election this spring, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Front party, appears almost certain to at least qualify for the final round of the vote. Le Pens father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, now 88, who co-founded the party in the mid-1970s, is a convicted Holocaust denier.

Even if Marine Le Pen loses, Sinclair said, what does it mean for France  as a refuge, an asylum and a country of human rights  that so many French will have supported her? For me, thats a country that makes me afraid.

In the meantime, there are the canvases of Picasso, Matisse and Braque. What we hope to show in this exposition, Sinclair said, are, well, the forces of culture.

Read more:

The dapper Frenchman running for president as the best bet against the far right

Justice must pass: French president makes rare appearance in Paris suburbs to address riots

A French farmer fed and sheltered migrants. Today he was fined $3,200.

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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People protest the detention of German journalist Deniz Yucel in front of the Turkish Embassy in Berlin on Feb. 28. Yucel, 43, was detained Feb. 18 and his apartment searched in connection with news reports on an attack by hackers on the email account of Turkey's energy minister. (John MacDougall/AFP/Getty Images)

The arrest of a German journalist in Turkey on terrorism-related charges sparked demonstrations in Germany on Tuesday and a growing diplomatic rift between the two NATO allies, as Germanys Foreign Ministry summoned the Turkish ambassador in protest.

The journalist, Deniz Yucel, a Turkey correspondent for the daily Die Welt newspaper, was formally charged Monday after being detained for about two weeks, according to his attorney, Veysel Ok. The accusations related to several articles by Yucel and included charges of spreading propaganda of a terrorist organization and for inciting the public to hatred  a reference to the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, which is considered a terrorist group by Turkey, according to a summary of the case by P24, a Turkish civil society group that tracks press freedoms.

The charges were part of a sweeping crackdown by the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after an attempted coup in July that has led to the arrests of tens of thousands of people, including journalists, and the shuttering of media outlets. Yucel, a dual citizen of Turkey and Germany, was the 155th journalist to be imprisoned in Turkey, according to records compiled by P24.

His case has attracted attention in part because Turkish authorities have rarely prosecuted correspondents working for foreign media outlets. It has also highlighted Turkeys increasingly strained relationship with the German government, which has emerged as one of the more persistent critics of the Turkish crackdown. At the same time, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has sought to balance the criticism with the need to preserve cordial relations because of a deal between Turkey and the European Union that limits the number of Syrian refugees leaving Turkey for Europe.

In a statement Monday, Merkel called the arrest bitter and disappointing and disproportionately tough.

The German government expects the Turkish judiciary to take into account the high value of press freedom for each democratic society when dealing with Yucels case, the statement said.

Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel released a statement Monday that was less restrained, calling the arrest inappropriate and saying it came during difficult times for German-Turkish relations.

The case, he added, shines a bright spotlight onto the differences our two countries have when it comes to the implementation of fundamental principles of the rule of law and valuing press freedom and freedom of speech. On Tuesday, he said the Foreign Ministry had summoned Turkeys ambassador to discuss the case.

Turkish officials have cast the arrests as necessary security measures as the governments war with Kurdish militants intensifies and as Turkey faces a growing number of deadly attacks by extremists belonging to the Islamic State militant group. Human rights groups say the security campaign has moved far beyond legitimate threats and swept up the governments political opponents while penalizing free speech.

There were signs this week that the arrest of Yucel was considered a step too far, even by some government loyalists. Mustafa Yeneroglu, a parliament member from Istanbul with the ruling Justice and Development Party, called Yucel an activist in a Twitter post but said the arrest was very problematic.

The concept of propaganda is being stretched, he wrote.

Fahim reported from Istanbul.
The Jabal al-Rayyes area of the Gaza Strip is hit by Israeli airstrikes on July 29, 2014. (Max Becherer/Polaris Images For The Washington Post)

Israels intelligence was severely lacking and its military not adequately prepared to swiftly destroy the network of offensive tunnels used by the Palestinian militant group Hamas during the 2014 war in the Gaza Strip, according to a scathing official report released Tuesday.

Critics seized on the report by Israels state comptroller to argue that the failures prolonged the war, which lasted 50 days, and led to greater losses on both sides.

The report highlights systemic shortfalls in the planning, preparations and real-time decisions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, then-Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, the armys chief of staff at the time and others in the security cabinet.

If Israels objective in the war was to find and destroy dozens of attack tunnels dug by Gazas militant Islamist organizations to infiltrate into Israel, its mission failed, the report states.

The investigators estimated that only half of the tunnels were neutralized by the wars end in August 2014, despite claims by Israels military that it had eliminated the threat.

Even though the threat of the tunnels was severe and was known to the armys southern command since 2008, the militarys southern command had no strategic operational plan to deal with the threat, the investigators said.

[Hamas tunnels stoke anxiety, bolstering Israelis support of war]

The report was written by an Israeli general and released by the comptroller, Yosef Shapira, after an audit from September 2014 to August 2016. In Israeli eyes, the report is far more important than those previously released by human rights groups and the United Nations.

The comptrollers report does not address exactly how many of the tunnels are still operational. Israeli forces continue to report that Hamas is digging new tunnels and expanding older ones. Since the wars end, the Gaza front has been relatively quiet, though Salafist groups in the coastal enclave occasionally fire rockets into Israeli territory.

The report highlights that in the months between the creation of Netanyahus previous administration, in March 2013, and the start of hostilities with Hamas in July 2014, his security cabinet did not discuss how conditions in the Gaza Strip  soaring unemployment, lack of water and electricity blackouts  could pressure Hamas to go to war.

The war was preceded by weeks of Israeli pressure on Hamas militants in the West Bank, including hundreds of arrests, after three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped by a Hamas cell near Hebron. The teens were found dead a week before the war began July 7.

Seventy-four Israelis, including 68 soldiers, and more than 2,100 Palestinians were killed in the fighting. The United Nations and human rights groups say that 7 in 10 Palestinians killed were civilians, including 500 minors. Israel says that about half the Palestinian dead were combatants and accuses Hamas of employing human shields, leading to large numbers of civilian fatalities.

Israeli airstrikes and ground troops also caused extensive damage to Gazas infrastructure, much of which has not yet been rebuilt.

The comptrollers investigators concluded that Netanyahu and his government did not actively seek diplomatic alternatives to a war.

[Hamas shows resilience in face of Israeli ground incursion]

At the wars start, the most pressing challenge was stopping the constant barrage of Hamas rockets and mortar shells.

The report concludes that the military initially believed it could quickly neutralize the threat of tunnels from outside Gaza. After 10 days of Israeli bombing  and rocket salvos by Hamas  the Israel Defense Forces sent tanks and troops, alongside sappers and combat bulldozers, into the enclave to destroy the tunnels. Most of the casualties on both sides occurred during this period of the war.

While the report is the most in-depth investigation to date into events that led to the war and Israels actions during it, the comptroller notes that the inquiry does not assess the validity of Israels decisions or the overall results of the war.

Embargoed copies of the report were distributed to politicians and journalists days earlier, leading to lengthy analyses by Israeli commentators and finger-pointing by leaders involved in shaping the outcome of the war.

The report stresses that Netanyahu, Yaalon and senior members of the defense, intelligence and security establishment failed to share crucial information with the decision-makers, primarily the select handful of ministers on the security cabinet.

The audit notes that during the security cabinet briefings starting with the disappearance of three Israeli teens in June and until the start of the war in July 2014, the tunnel threat was not discussed, nor was it brought up by the ministers, the report says. And that is despite the fact that the escalation with Gaza had already begun, with rockets being shot into Israel.

A member of the security cabinet who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity said: I can tell you that they did not tell us anything. The prime minister does not need to tell the inner security cabinet every problem if he has a plan to take care of it. But there was no defensive plan, and security mechanisms were even removed from Israeli communities around Gaza in the lead-up to the operation.

Yaalon dismissed the complaints as untrue and grandstanding.

And the biggest lie of all? That we werent prepared and lost. Its nonsense, he wrote on his Facebook page.

Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, the former chief of staff, said that there was fine intelligence, excellent, accessible, not always perfect, according to a report in the Israeli newspaper Maariv.

The outcome of the operation was a severe blow to Hamas, a disruption of the tunnels, the establishment of deterrence and Hamas remaining as the sovereign power on the ground, he said. Forget about what people say.

[U.N. report on Gaza: Israel, Hamas may both have committed war crimes]

Netanyahu wrote on his Facebook page that the army had achieved great success in the war.

The army hit Hamas hard, we took out around 1000 terrorists and destroyed thousands of Hamass rockets, he wrote. We prevented attacks on Israeli cities with the Iron Dome batteries and foiled Hamass plans to tunnel into southern Israel to kidnap civilians.

Netanyahu also said that the security cabinet discussed the issue of the tunnels 13 times before the war and that its severity was highlighted.

However, parents of Israeli troops killed in the fighting said it was time that certain leaders accepted blame for what they now see as a failed war.

Speaking to Israels Channel 2 News, Ilan Sagi, whose son Erez was killed in the fighting, called the government and militarys handling of the war shameful.

Politicians are celebrating, and all of them are denying what happened, he said. My child was killed for this state and for his people. Those who made mistakes should pay the price.

Read more:

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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U.N. special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, second right, attends a meeting with Syrian government representatives at the United Nations in Geneva on Feb. 28, 2017. (AP)

The vacuum in U.S. policy on Syria is being keenly felt at the latest round of peace talks aimed at negotiating a political solution to the Syrian war  talks that seem destined to wind down this week without meaningful progress.

Five days into a round of discussions intended to take place between delegations representing the Syrian government and the opposition, government and opposition negotiators still have not met. Instead, the talks, due to end Friday, have become snarled in debates about procedures and process without yet addressing the major issues surrounding the remote possibility of finding a political solution to the nearly six-year-old war.

These talks, known as Geneva IV because they represent the fourth round of discussions aimed at securing a political settlement on the basis of a communique drafted in Geneva by the United States and Russia in 2012, are taking place against the backdrop of a new regional balance of power in which Russia has the leading role in Syria.

For the first time, the United States is not taking the initiative in pushing for a negotiated settlement. The rout of rebels from their stronghold in eastern Aleppo in December was a defeat for U.S. policy as well as for the Syrian opposition, and it effectively left a vacuum of U.S. decision-making on Syria that has yet to be filled by the new Trump administration.

Although Russia has since sought to position itself as a mediating power between the government and the opposition, there are growing questions over how much pressure it is prepared to put on President Bashar al-Assad to make concessions, diplomats said. Russias veto of a U.S.-backed U.N. Security Council resolution Tuesday that would have imposed sanctions on the Assad government for its continued use of chemical weapons has further exposed the gulf between opposition and Russian perspectives on the war.

Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations and head of the government delegation Bashar al-Jaafari, arrives for peace talks at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on Feb. 28, 1017. (Xu Jinquan/Pool Photo via AP)

We all desperately need the U.S. to engage in this and drive this forward with the Russians. The process is skewed in one direction. There is no other counterweight, said a Western diplomat attending the talks, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. There is a vacuum here, and I am not sure the Russians have enough incentive to move forward to fill the vacuum.

U.S. diplomats have been present at the talks alongside representatives of European and regional allies. But until the Trump administration articulates its policy on Syria, participants and diplomats said, there is little reason for either the Syrian government or the opposition to make substantial concessions.

Both sides have been encouraged by President Trumps often contradictory statements on the Middle East to think that the new administration may shift its policy in their favor.

His emphasis on the importance of fighting the Islamic State has raised hopes in Damascus of the United States dropping its support for the Syrian opposition and joining an alliance with Assad against terrorism.

As was the case in previous years, Bashar al-Jaafari, the lead negotiator for the Assad government, has stressed that the focus of the talks should be on fighting terrorism, not on a political transition from Assads rule that the United States had demanded in previous years or the milder political reforms that Russia has been promoting.

The opposition is likewise optimistic that Trumps pledges to roll back Iranian influence will translate into more robust support for the rebels than was the case under the Obama administration. Assad owes his survival in large part to Irans immense support, and backing Assad means empowering Iran in Syria, opposition figures argue.

Mindful that it has much to lose or gain from whatever the Trump administration decides, the opposition delegation has sought to be on its best behavior. It announced ahead of the talks that it would not walk out  as it did last time  and it has agreed to discuss all the items on the agenda set by Staffan de Mistura, the U.N. envoy mediating the discussions.

Our aim now is to continue with the political process to show Mr. Trump we are serious about a relationship, about a political solution and about limiting the role of Iran, said Nasr al-Hariri, head of the opposition delegation. But if the U.S. vacuum continues, I think Mr. de Mistura will face a lot of obstacles on the way to a political solution.

A review of U.S. policy on Syria is expected to be included in a broader review of strategy against the Islamic State ordered by Trump and due to be delivered to the White House on Tuesday. Although the focus of the review is on ways to speed up the fight against the Islamic State, there is a recognition, U.S. officials said, that the war against the militants cannot be won without also addressing the wider Syrian conflict.

We do need to have a vision of how our military actions set conditions on the ground that actually then become the platform from which Secretary [of State Rex] Tillerson goes to Geneva to come up with a political solution, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a forum at the Brookings Institution last week.

Whether a political settlement is even possible, given the current circumstances on the battlefield, is in question, however, analysts said. Russias intervention and the governments victory in Aleppo decisively tilted the balance in favor of Assad, who is now in no danger of being toppled militarily by the rebels.

Logically speaking, why would the regime give up something in Geneva that the armed opposition failed to gain militarily on the ground? said Jihad Makdissi, who leads a separate opposition organization called the Cairo Group. The word concession is not now in the dictionary of the regimes mind. As long as the regime cant manage to get international recognition again, why would they give concessions?

Given the obstacles, de Mistura, the U.N. envoy, set expectations low as he opened the talks last week, telling journalists that he anticipated no breakthrough.

The Geneva talks seem to be something that everyone wants because they want to have talks, said Aron Lund, a fellow at the U.S.-based Century Foundation think tank. But no one really knows what they are going to say.

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The Texas case is the first window into how the Trump administration and Attorney General Jeff Sessions will approach the issue of voting rights. (Alex Brandon/AP)

The Justice Department on Monday dropped its long-standing position that Texas intended to discriminate when it passed a strict voter-ID law, a sharp turn from the Obama administrations push to challenge restrictive state voting laws.

The Texas case is the first window into how the Trump administration and Attorney General Jeff Sessions will approach the highly charged issue of voting rights. President Trump has alleged without evidence that massive voter fraud led to his loss of the popular vote in November to Democrat Hillary Clinton. Voter advocates fear that these claims will be used to justify more restrictions on voters.

The new position on the Texas law, one of the strictest in the country, came in advance of a court hearing scheduled before a federal judge in Corpus Christi on Tuesday. In its motion filed Monday, the department sought to dismiss the discriminatory purpose claim, or, in other words, abandon its argument that the Texas law is intentionally racially discriminatory.

The law, passed in 2011, requires that voters present certain forms of identification, such as a drivers license, a military ID, a passport or a weapons permit, in order to cast their ballots. Compared with voter rules passed elsewhere in the country, the Texas law is particularly stringent since it does not accept some IDs, such as those issued by universities, that other states consider valid.

Critics said these restrictions target voters, such as young people and minorities, who are more likely to vote Democratic. Several courts have found the Texas law to be unconstitutional.

(Senate Judiciary Committee)

Justice Department lawyers said in their filing Monday that rather than continuing to litigate the question of the Texas legislatures intention in passing the law, the federal government wants to give state lawmakers an opportunity to adjust the rule. The Texas legislature is now considering an amendment to its voter-ID law.

While a number of states, such as North Carolina, have passed new requirements for voter IDs in recent years, Texas in particular has attracted attention because of the large number of people affected. A federal court in Texas found that 608,470 registered voters did not have the IDs the state required for voting.

The practical effect of the Justice Departments decision is that civil rights groups will continue, without the backing of the federal government, to contest the purpose of the Texas law.

DOJs reversal in position defies rationality after years of vigorously defending the case, said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, who vowed to continue challenging the Texas law.

The Justice Department, which had wanted more time, had to take a position because of the deadline for the Tuesday hearing on whether the law was intended to be racially discriminatory. The department did not withdraw altogether from the Texas lawsuit. It remains to be seen whether the government will change its position on whether the effect of the law is discriminatory  a separate claim in the lawsuit.

But election law expert Rick Hasen said that the departments action Monday indicates a pullback of the DOJ . . . and a sign of possible things to come.

This development is notable, Hasen said in his Election Law Blog. It means DOJ is pulling back from aggressive defense of voting rights. And I predict, in cases like Texas and North Carolina, eventually DOJ will be on the other side of this issue, supporting the right of states to make it harder to register and vote.

Government lawyers who challenged the Texas law under President Barack Obama said the Trump administration is failing to protect the right to vote.

While elections are inherently political, protecting the franchise should never be, said Vanita Gupta, who served as head of the Justice Departments civil rights division under Obama. The Justice Departments reversal of its longstanding position, advocated by career lawyers, in a case theyve been litigating since 2011, troublingly advocates letting Texas off the hook before state officials fix a voter ID law that courts have deemed discriminatory.

On Jan. 20, the day of Trumps inauguration, the department asked for and was granted a one-month delay of the hearing. Government lawyers asked for another delay until at least June, but last week the judge denied that request.

The Justice Department, under then-Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., sued Texas in 2011. Last summer, the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, which is one of the most conservative in the country, ruled that the Texas law, which requires certain IDs to vote, discriminated against minority voters.

The 5th Circuit ordered a lower court to come up with a fix in time for the November elections, to allow voters who lacked the specific ID required by the law to cast votes. The federal court also asked the lower court to determine whether the law was intentionally discriminatory.

The Justice Departments move undercuts perhaps the most critical argument by advocates in the Texas case. If the court ruled that the legislature passed the law with the intention to discriminate, judges could throw out the entire law, and Texas could be put under federal supervision regarding any voting laws for up to 10 years, Hasen said.

Wendy R. Weiser, director of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, said that her group is extremely disappointed that DOJ is abandoning this claim after spending years building such a strong case that the Texas law was intended to discriminate against minority voters.

Fortunately, the other voter advocates will continue to press the case in court and will make clear that this kind of discrimination is unacceptable in our democracy, said Weiser, whose organization co-represents the Mexican American Legislative Caucus and the Texas NAACP.

Read more:

Appeals court says Texas voter-ID law has discriminatory effect
President Trump holds up a hat that reads Make Counties Great Again before signing the Waters of the United States executive order Tuesday in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

The Trump administration is finalizing a revised travel ban that exempts current visa holders, according to people familiar with the matter.

The revision marks a significant departure from the now-

frozen first executive order, which temporarily barred citizens of seven majority-Muslim countries and all refugees from entering the United States and resulted in the State Department revoking tens of thousands of visas. Justice Department lawyers hope the new order will be more likely to withstand legal challenges and will not leave any travelers detained at U.S. airports.

The new order also removes an exception to the refugee prohibition for religious minorities, one person said. Critics of the order had said that that exception proved the order was meant to discriminate on the basis of religion, because it allowed only Christians into the country.

The new order, the details of which were first reported by the Wall Street Journal, was expected to be signed Wednesday, but the White House canceled that after Trumps speech Tuesday night.

The people who described it to The Washington Post did so on the condition of anonymity because the administration had not authorized the release of details. The people said that the situation is fluid and that changes are still possible.

There will be a period between when the order is signed and when it takes effect, in hopes of avoiding the problems that occurred when the last order was implemented. While blocking only the issuance of new visas marks a substantial change, analysts have said that this would not necessarily be enough for the order to pass legal muster.

Spokesmen for the White House, Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security declined to comment for this report.

A federal district judge in Washington state first suspended the travel ban Feb. 3, and a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit later upheld that freeze. The Justice Department has since asked the courts to hold off on further litigation while a new executive order was crafted, although the Court of Appeals told the parties to press ahead with the case.

While that has been ongoing, refugees as well as people from the seven affected countries have been able to enter the United States subject to normal individual screenings on arrival.

The president has broad authority to set immigration policy, although Trumps first executive order was implemented in such a way that most judges agreed that the directive  or at least aspects of it  should be suspended. Judges have yet to weigh whether the ban is constitutional. Trump and his top spokesmen have asserted that they feel they are on strong legal footing, despite short-term losses.

The White House counsel already had clarified that the ban did not apply to legal permanent residents, although courts have said they could not rely on that assertion because it was a separate statement and not part of the executive order. Officials hope the new executive order will allay that concern and also reduce the number of plaintiffs who have the right to sue.

Even that, though, might not go far enough. The 9th Circuit panel that ruled the ban should remain frozen said such a revision would not address claims by citizens who have an interest in specific noncitizens ability to travel to the United States. That, analysts have said, might be referring to the foreign wife of a U.S. citizen who is seeking a visa.

A spokesman for Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who had successfully sued to freeze the ban, said, Our current stance is to wait and see the particulars, which could make all the difference.

Lee Gelernt, the deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Unions national Immigrants Rights Project, who is involved in a separate legal challenge, said, If the new executive order contains a ban, we believe it is unconstitutional religious discrimination and will therefore continue our legal challenges.

The administration must also contend with comments the president and top allies and his advisers have made, which could serve as evidence that the ban was intended to discriminate on religious grounds. On the campaign trail, Trump called for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States. And after the election, former New York City mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani said: So when [Trump] first announced it, he said, Muslim ban. He called me up. He said, Put a commission together. Show me the right way to do it legally. 

A federal judge in Virginia referenced those comments in ordering the ban frozen with respect to Virginia residents and institutions, calling it unrebutted evidence that Trumps directive might violate the First Amendment. That is important, because if judges found that even the new order was designed to discriminate against Muslims  and not to protect national security  they might similarly strike it down.

Justice Department lawyers will have to try to convince judges that there is a national security reason for the ban and that it is not a tool for discrimination. That the new order will not include an exception for religious minorities  which had been seen as a way to get only Christians into the country  is likely to bolster the governments case, particularly if Justice Department lawyers persuade the judiciary to look mostly at the executive order itself for evidence of the administrations purpose.

But analysts said the new order cannot wash away completely the stains of the old one  especially after senior policy adviser Stephen Miller said that the revised version would have mostly minor technical differences and that Americans would see the same basic policy outcome for the country.

And the Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Intelligence and Analysis recently produced a report casting doubt on the need for the executive order, concluding that citizenship of a particular country is an unreliable threat indicator and that people from the seven countries named in the original ban have rarely been implicated in U.S.-based terrorism.
The Trump administration accused Russia and China of outrageous and indefensible action Tuesday after they vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that would have imposed new sanctions on Syria for using chemical weapons against its own citizens.

In a sharply worded speech after the vote, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said the message the council was sending to the world was that if you are allies with Russia and China, they will cover the backs of their friends who use chemical weapons to kill their own people.

Her comments marked a rare administration criticism of Russia, which President Trump has said could be a partner in counterterrorism operations in Syria, and of the Syrian governments behavior in that countrys five-year civil war.

Russian envoy Vladimir Safronkov called Haleys statement outrageous and said that God shall judge attempts by the West to discredit the legitimate Syrian government.

[As U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley would face worlds most intractable conflicts]

The United States sponsored the resolution, along with Britain and France. It followed the October conclusion of a joint investigation by the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons that the Syrian government had dropped munitions containing chlorine on at least three occasions in 2014 and 2015.

The OPCW concluded after the alleged attacks that they had taken place, but it had no mandate to assess responsibility. That led the Security Council, with Russian and Chinese backing, to establish the joint investigation to identify the perpetrators.

In a report issued in October, investigators concluded that the Syrian government had dropped chlorine-filled munitions on the three dates in question. The investigation also concluded that the Islamic State had used mustard gas on at least one occasion.

The Tuesday resolution called for travel and economic sanctions against several Syrian air force and intelligence officers linked to the attacks by investigators, along with asset freezes of several Syrian companies and government-linked organizations. It also established a mechanism to monitor compliance.

A single veto from one of the 15-nation councils five permanent members  Russia, China, the United States, Britain and France  can kill a resolution. Bolivia, one of 10 nonpermanent, rotating members, also voted against Tuesdays measure.

In denouncing the resolution, Safronkov suggested that evidence was uncorroborated and came from suspicious eyewitness accounts . . . armed opponents, sympathetic [nongovernmental organizations], media and also the so-called Friends of Syria.

The latter is an international group, made up largely of U.S. allies, set up in 2012 in response to Russian and Chinese vetoes of previous U.N. resolutions on Syria.

Russia, Safronkov said, saw no convincing evidence on the basis of which any sort of allegations could be made.

The United States and Russia have been on opposing sides of Syrias civil war since its outset. While the United States and European and regional allies have supported armed fighters and political opponents against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Russia has been Assads primary foreign backer.

In 2012, President Barack Obama said that he did not intend to intervene in the Syrian war but also that Assads deployment of Syrias known chemical arsenal could change his calculation. When chemical attacks were reported in the summer of 2013, Obama first said he would use U.S. and allied air power in Syria, but he later backed down when Congress refused to authorize such attacks.

The United States and Russia then forged an agreement  to which Assad acceded under Russian pressure  for the removal and destruction of Syrias stockpile of mustard gas and nerve agents, a task that was completed in the summer of 2014. Syria also signed the international Chemical Weapons Convention.

But the war continued, including Russias decision to supplement Assads airstrikes with its own warplanes starting in the fall of 2015.

While chlorine is technically not listed as a chemical weapon, the Security Council in early 2015 passed a resolution, supported by Russia, condemning the use of any toxic chemicals as weapons of war and saying that those responsible would be held accountable.

But Russia, with support from China, continued to veto resolutions that were specifically directed at Syria.

President Trump, who has suggested a possible coalition with Russia against the Islamic State in Syria, has given less attention to the civil war there and has indicated that he may cut back assistance to the armed opposition.

At the United Nations, however, Haley has condemned Russian actions in both Ukraine and Syria.

On Tuesday, a day after meetings at the White House, she said it was sad day when Security Council members start making excuses for perpetrators of chemical attacks. In vetoing the resolution, she said, Russia and China had ignored the facts and put their friends in the Assad regime ahead of our global security.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions, in his first significant speech as the nations top law enforcement official, warned that recent increases in serious crime might portend a violent new period in the countrys history and vowed to work to stop it.

Speaking to the National Association of Attorneys General on Tuesday, Sessions said that the country has seen warning signs, and that he fears that the era of historically low crime rates might be coming to an end. He said law enforcement cant become overconfident because violence is near historic lows, and he cited rising crimes rates in the 1970s as an indicator of what might happen.

Weve done a lot of good. We need to not give up on that progress, Sessions said. That is the thing that has concerned me the most.

[In executive actions, President Trump vows crackdown on violent crime. Is America as unsafe as he thinks?]

Sessions, a Republican former senator from Alabama, has long spoken of reinvigorating the fight against violent crime, and his bleak view of the United States is in line with that of President Trump, who has cast his administration as one that values law and order. Sessionss remarks confirm that he is likely to break with his predecessors in President Barack Obamas Justice Department, who worked to grant clemency to drug and other offenders they said were serving sentences far out of proportion with the crimes they committed.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions is greeted by employees as he arrives at the Justice Department in Washington. (Susan Walsh/Associated Press)

Sessions has deviated from past administrations in other areas. He said in a recent memo that the Justice Department will continue to use private prisons, contrary to a directive from Sally Yates when she was deputyattorney general. He similarly revoked guidance from the prior administration on students being allowed to use the bathrooms matching their gender identities. And on Monday, his Justice Department dropped its long-standing position that Texas intended to discriminate when it passed a strict voter-ID law.

On crime and drugs, Sessions seems likely to take a harder stance than those of his predecessors. He spoke to reporters Monday and to the attorneys general Tuesday about how he does not think marijuana should be legalized, and he said that he will revisit guidance from former deputy attorney general James Cole on how federal authorities should act in states that have done so.

[Sessions says increase in crime represents a trend due to increase in drugs]

Cole had written that in states with robust regulatory systems, federal officials should continue to leave the matter to local law enforcement. But states without such systems might face challenges from the federal government, Cole wrote.

States, you know, can pass whatever laws they choose, but Im not sure were going to be a better, healthier nation if we have marijuana being sold at every corner grocery store, Sessions said Tuesday. Well have to work our way through that.

Sessions said that increases in crime tend to follow increases in drug use, and he worried about the beginning of a trend.

Combating violent crime has been a signature issue for both him and Trump. Less than a month into office, Trump signed three executive actions directing the Justice Department to form a task force and take other steps to target criminal gangs, and reduce violent crime and attacks on police.

In his speech, Sessions  unlike Trump  offered context for his warning about rising crime. He cited data showing that homicides had increased by nearly 11 percent from 2014, and said he did not believe that this pop in crime, this increase in crime is necessarily an aberration, a one time blip. But he also noted the homicide rate had been cut in half from what it once was.

[Spicer: Feds could step up enforcement against marijuana use in states]

Sessions also seemed to foreshadow a Justice Department that is friendlier to police than it had been in the past, and perhaps less likely to prosecute officers when they are accused of wrongdoing. He said he had not decided how to proceed with a possible consent decree mandating reform at the Chicago Police Department  where a Justice Department investigation found officers routinely use excessive force  and even suggested that less heavy-handed policing may be to blame for that citys increase in crime

One of the metrics that has been reported in Chicago shows a dramatic reduction in stops and arrests in Chicago by the police department, he said. That has got to be a factor in the increase in violence in the city.

Sessions said he had not read reports on the police departments in Chicago and Ferguson, Mo., where 18-year-old Michael Brown was fatally shot by a police officer, sparking riots, but he minimized the summaries he had reviewed. Some of it was pretty anecdotal and not so scientifically based, he said.

In his speech, he also suggested that second-guessing of police is hindering the fight against crime.

Somehow, some way, weve undermined the respect for our police, and made, oftentimes, their job more difficult, and its not been well received by them, and were not seeing the kind of effective community-based, street-based policing that we found to be so effective in reducing crime, he said.

Read more:

Violent crime and murders both went up in 2015, FBI says

Justice Department will again use private prisons

Chicago police officers have pattern of using excessive force, scathing Justice Dept. report says
Lee Jae-yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, arrives for a hearing at the Central District Court in Seoul on Jan. 18. (Lee Jin-Man/AP)

The heir apparent to South Koreas Samsung Group will be indicted on charges including bribery, special prosecutors said Tuesday, triggering the announcement of a wide-ranging shake-up at the gigantic conglomerate.

Lee Jae-yong, the 48-year-old de facto leader of Samsung, and four other executives who will also be indicted are the latest victims of the sensational corruption scandal centered on South Koreas president. The scandal is now reaching its climax, with the special prosecutors investigation wrapping up Tuesday and the Constitutional Court expected to decide by mid-March whether to impeach President Park Geun-hye.

It all stems from Choi Soon-sil, a secret confidante of Park, who is accused of extracting money from major South Korean businesses in return for using her connections with the government to win favorable treatment for the companies.

Samsung is accused of paying, on Lees orders, about $36 million in bribes to Choi in exchange for the governments support for a merger of two Samsung affiliates in 2015. The deal  which went through, despite the objections of international investors  was considered crucial for the Lee family to maintain its grip on the group, which it controls through a complex web of shareholdings.

Special prosecutors arrested Lee on Feb. 17 for questioning on charges including bribery, embezzlement, perjury and violating the law on transferring assets overseas. He has been effectively running the huge conglomerate since his father, Lee Kun-hee, was hospitalized almost three years ago.

The heir to a multibillion-dollar fortune has been held in a 70-square-foot solitary cell with a foldable mattress, receiving meals three times a day on a metal tray, which he must wash himself.

While his father, the second-generation leader of Samsung, was once convicted of charges including embezzlement and tax evasion, this is the first time someone from the Lee family that runs Samsung has been detained  a development that many in South Korea attribute to widespread outrage about the scandal.

[Samsung boss arrested in South Korea's explosive corruption scandal]

At a parliamentary hearing in December, Lee denied involvement in any bribery scheme but admitted that Samsung had given a $900,000 horse to Chois daughter, an Olympic equestrian hopeful.

Samsung declined to comment on Tuesdays indictment. Company spokeswoman Rhee So-eui instead referred to previous statements saying that Samsung has not paid bribes nor made improper requests to the president seeking favors and pledging to do our best to ensure that the truth is revealed in future court proceedings.

Almost immediately after the indictment was announced, Samsung unveiled wholesale changes at the conglomerate.

The group said it would close its Corporate Strategy Office, a powerful unit sometimes referred as the groups control tower, and that the vice chairman, president and all team managers would resign. Samsung said that Park Sang-jin, a president at the flagship Samsung Electronics, also stepped down.

Samsung furthermore said it would disband its government relations division in response to allegations that the conglomerate had been lobbying at various levels of government.

The indictment and shake-up represent another blow to Samsung, already reeling from the embarrassing recall of its exploding Galaxy Note 7 smartphone last year and stuck in a kind of limbo while Lee Kun-hee remains unconscious in a hospital.

Samsung is so ubiquitous in South Korea  its holdings range from shipbuilding and construction ventures to a life insurance company and a baseball team  that some critics deride the country as the Republic of Samsung and Lee Kun-hee as its emperor.

[South Korean court to begin considering President Park Geun-hyes impeachment]

While the four-month-long special prosecutors investigation into the scandal finished on Tuesday, the Constitutional Court heard final arguments Monday in the case of the presidents impeachment. The National Assembly voted overwhelmingly in December to impeach Park, and the court is now deciding whether to uphold the motion.

The court is already down to eight judges following the scheduled retirement of the chief justice in January, so it is expected to issue its verdict before another judge, acting Chief Justice Lee Jung-mi, finishes her term on March 13.

Park, who refused to be questioned by prosecutors investigating the case, decided against appearing before the court. Instead, her lawyers on Monday submitted a statement to the judges in which she again denied any wrongdoing.

I did not go after private gain, Park said in the statement. I apologize for hurting the peoples hearts with my carelessness in supervising my associates.

The special prosecutors had asked for another month to carry out their investigation, but the prime minister, Hwang Kyo-ahn, who was appointed by Park and is performing her duties while she is suspended, declined the extension Monday.

After a long deliberation, I decided to reject it, Hwang said, citing the need to put an end to the political vacuum.

Read more:

South Korean prosecutors seek warrant to arrest Samsung head for bribery

For South Koreas Samsung, 2016 was an explosive year. Literally.

Scandal shows that Korean disease of corruption is far from cured

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
Insignia conferred on Maj Gen Karki

Chief of Army General Staff Rajendra Chhetri on Monday conferred insignia on Major General Tara Bahadur Karki, information officer and spokesperson for the Nepal Army,
Vowing to end contraband from entering Ukraine, nationalist far-right militia groups have blockaded trains, roads and other conduits of goods from the separatist-controlled Lugansk and Donetsk provinces in the Donbass region. As a result, Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman announced last week that the country had been forced into a state of emergency due to the loss of coal resources from the Donbass region.

The area has long been the major producer of anthracite coal that is used for heating and electricity both in Ukraine and throughout the former Soviet Union. Lacking coal, millions could be left without heat and electricity within weeks, including the major Ukrainian cities of Kiev and Kharkiv.

The far-right forces behind the coal blockade also regularly prevent food, water, medicine and other humanitarian assistance from reaching the Donbass, which is a direct violation of the Minsk II protocol agreements signed by the Ukrainian government in February 2015.

Due to the present crisis, Ukraine could be forced to import coal from Russia, according to Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Ihor Nasalyk. Other sources, such as South Africa, are experiencing high demand and would be unable to supply Ukraine with the coal necessary to keep the country running. Imported coal from Russia would likely also be seen as unacceptable to Ukraines far-right militia groups that were essential in bringing the Poroshenko regime to power in a western-backed coup three years ago.

The coal crisis coincides with news of a forthcoming gas price hike of up to 40 percent on April 1, the date Ukraine agreed to deregulate its gas prices according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreements. According to Nafto-Gaz director Yuri Vitrenko, If government regulation of consumers prices doesnt continue, so-called special obligations, then going by current prices in the European market, the value of the Ukrainian currency and other factors, we can expect consumer prices for gas to grow by up to 40 percent.

The continuation of discounted gas prices for consumers would be a violation of the IMF agreements. It could jeopardize the continued financial backing of the IMF, which is essential to keeping the current government in power.

Poroshenko has responded to the coal crisis by vowing to end the blockade. Speaking before the countrys National Security and Defence Council, he stated, If the blockade is not lifted, the Ukrainian steel industry could lose up to 300,000 jobs. And the state will lose up to $2 billion in foreign exchange earnings. Poroshenko added that the militia forces were harming the Ukrainian governments attempts to protect its territorial integrity and accused the groups of carrying out a PR campaign of blood.

Despite the Poroshenko governments public opposition to the blockade, it was well aware of the far-right militias blockade plans for several months prior to the current energy crisis.

Anatoly Vinogrodsky, one of the main organizers of the blockade, claimed that blockade forces had notified the government in December 2016 of their plans.

Rinat Akhmetov, a coal and steel oligarch from Donetsk who possesses a net worth of over $3 billion, is often identified as one of the targets of the blockade. In October 2016, Russian opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta published an investigative report into the smuggling operations of Donbass separatist groups. The report showed that, free from government taxes and regulations, separatist leaders and oligarchs such as Rinat Akhmetov have enriched themselves while war continues and the working class suffers the consequences. Despite backing the Donbass separatists for financial gain, Akhmetov himself lives in the capital of Kiev to stay close to the Poroshenko regime.

Fearful that the blockade could further undermine its allies in Kiev, the European Union (EU) has called for an immediate end to the action. Those responsible for the blockade must cease their actions and the authorities must address this problem as a matter of priority, stated an EU spokesman on February 16.

The US administration of President Donald Trump, still undecided in its attitude toward the Poroshenko regime, refused to offer outright support for the Ukrainian government, remarking only, We are concerned by the current disruption to the coal supply from the on-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk and its potential impact on Ukraines energy system, the Ukrainian economy, and the Ukrainian people.

Due to Kievs domestic unpopularity and reliance on western imperialist backing, relatively small nationalist, far-right political parties in the country, such as Right Sector, have been able to gain a degree of power that is disproportionate to their size or level of support within the populations.

Regardless of its present confrontation with these forces, right-wing militia groups, such as the Azov Battalion, are essential to the Poroshenko governments continued war against the Donbass.
In a continuing surge of anti-Semitic acts and threats across the US, several hundred gravestones were toppled or damaged at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, late Saturday night.

The attack came amid a wave of bomb threats against Jewish community centers and schools and less than a week after vandals overturned some 200 headstones at Jewish cemetery in University City, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri.

While police initially reported that upward of 100 headstones were vandalized at the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Philadelphia, volunteers helping clean up on Sunday stated that more than 500 grave sites had been damaged. Destruction at the cemetery was extensive, with row after row of headstones knocked over; some stones, more than a century old, were split in half.

A group of activists calling themselves Muslims Unite to Repair Jewish Cemetery, who had raised $133,000 to assist in cleaning up the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery near St. Louis, announced Sunday that they will also donate some of the money to help clean up the Mount Carmel Cemetery.

As of this writing, no suspects have been identified in either the cemetery desecrations or the bomb threats, and there is no evidence that the incidents are directly connected.

Aaron Mallin, who discovered the turned-over gravestones while visiting his fathers gravesite Sunday morning, expressed deep concerns. Im hoping it was maybe just some drunk kids. But the fact that theres so many, it leads one to think it could have been targeted, Mallin told local news station WPVI.

Other residents of Philadelphia voiced shock and dismay over the anti-Semitic incident in their city. Im a child of a Holocaust survivor so I grew up with stories of destruction of Jewish cemeteries, Rebecka Hess told WPVI. I always thought we were done with that.

The Mizel Family Foundation, in conjunction with the Anti-Defamation League, is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any suspects.

This weekends cemetery attack was followed by the latest in a wave of anti-Semitic bomb threats against Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) and Jewish schools across the country. The JCC Association reported that there were 21 separate bomb threats on Monday against 13 community centers and eight Jewish day schools across the US.

Three locations in the Philadelphia suburbs were evacuated on Monday: the Kaiserman JCC and Perelman Jewish Day School in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, and the Katz JCC in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

The targeted organizations in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia were all evacuated by local police, searched and found to be clear of any explosive devices. The evacuations across the country affected hundreds of staff members, senior citizens attending aerobics classes, and children in school or day care.

Has there been anything like this in our lifetime? Its just devastating, Jennifer Weiss, the executive director of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, told the Philadelphia Inquirer. Its unbelievable.

Mondays incidents brings the total number of bomb threats against JCCs and day schools since the beginning of January to 90, affecting 73 institutions in 30 states and Canada in five separate waves.

David Posner, director of strategic performance at JCC Association of North America, released a statement on Monday appealing to the federal government to act swiftly to find those responsible for the continuing anti-Semitic threats.

Actions speak louder than words. Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in our communities, Posner demanded.

President Donald Trump made a halfhearted and belated denunciation of anti-Semitism last week after coming under pressure from Jewish organizations. Vice President Mike Pence made a trip to the Missouri cemetery on Wednesday, where he made a show of helping the cleanup effort.

Reacting to the latest acts of vandalism in Philadelphia, White House press secretary Sean Spicer told a press conference Monday that Trump was deeply disappointed and concerned.

Despite the hollow condemnations of anti-Semitism coming from Trump and his surrogates, it is clear that anti-Semitic elements in the US have been emboldened by his election and the nationalist and anti-immigrant policies being pursued by his administration. Trump has filled his White House with virulent nationalists and outright fascists. Steven Bannon, the former editor of Breitbart Newsan online bastion of the alt-right neo-Nazis and anti-Semitesis Trumps chief strategist.

The latest survey of active hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center found that the number grew for the second year in a row in 2016 from 892 to 917, the highest number since 2011. At least 407 of these were Ku Klux Klan, Neo-Nazi, white nationalist or racist skinhead organizations.
Photo credit: Brad Barket / Stringer / Getty

From Cosmopolitan

The last Republican to serve in the Oval Office wants clarity on President Trump's ties to Russia.

In a Monday appearance on the Today show, former President George W. Bush told NBC's Matt Lauer that "I think we all need answers" on the connections between Trump and Russia. Lauer had asked Bush - who was there to promote his new book featuring oil paintings of veterans - whether he'd like to see a special prosecutor assigned to investigate the connections. On that, Bush demurred: "Whether or not the special prosecutor is the right way to go or not," he said, "you're talking to the wrong guy."

Like his turbulent campaign, Trump's fledgling presidency has been dogged by its alleged ties to Russia. A report earlier this month showed that in the year leading up to the 2016 election, campaign officials and other Trump associates contacted Russian officials multiple times. Just weeks into the new administration, Gen. Michael Flynn was forced to resign as national security adviser over reports that he had had repeated contact with Russia's ambassador to the United States.

On Friday, Rep. Darrell Issa, another Republican, called for a special prosecutor to investigate the Trump campaign's ties to the Kremlin.

Follow Rebecca on Twitter .

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A judge sentenced two people to lengthy prison terms on Monday for disrupting an 8-year-old black girls birthday party in 2015 by using racial slurs, showing the Confederate flag and making armed threats.

According to court testimony, Kayla Rae Norton, 25, and Jose Ismael Torres, 26, were acting as part of a group that called themselves Respect the Flag. On July 24 and 25, 2015, the group rode through Douglaston, Georgia, in pickup trucks that were flying American, military and Confederate flags. Several of them were brandishing guns.

Prosecutors said that the group threatened black motorists and walked up to one of their cars with a gun. They also threatened black shoppers at a convenience store and a Wal-Mart.

At some point, Norton and Torres confronted a black family that was throwing an 8-year-olds birthday party in the front yard of their home. Prosecutors say that Norton and Torres started using menacing language.

They repeatedly yelled death threats saying they were going to killing all the n, Assistant District Attorney David Emadi said in court. Some members pointed guns at the group.

 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.

Norton and Torres were charged with aggravated assault, making terroristic treats and violating the Georgia Street Gang Act. They were found guilty earlier this month.

Prosecutors acknowledge that Norton was not one of riders who pointed shotguns at the group, but prosecutors say that she hurled menacing threats while yelling a racial epithet.

On Monday morning, judge William McClain sentenced Torres to 20 years in jail, with a mandatory minimum of 13 years. Norton was sentenced to 15 years, with a minimum of six to serve.

As he sentenced the duo, judge McClain castigated them for their behavior. If you drive around town with a Confederate flag, yelling the N-word, you know how its going to be interpreted, he said. Its inexplicable to me that you werent arrested by the police that day.

Story continues

Before sentencing, Norton spoke directly to the family members who were at the party.

 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.

What happened to you was horrible, she said, as she wiped away tears. Mother-to-mother, I cant imagine what it was like to explain what that word means to a child. I accept responsibility for what I did, but that was not me.

Hyesha Bryant, who was with her 3 children at the party, accepted the apology.

I forgive you. I forgive all of you, Bryant said as Norton and Torres wept. I am not a mean spirited person and Im sorry for your family that it had to come this far.

As he handed down the sentence, Judge McClain noted the timing of the incident I dont think its a coincidence that this happened one month after the Charleston shooting, he said, referencing the mass shooting of nine black people inside Charlestons Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

I suppose Confederate flags can be interpreted different ways and in different context. But if youre driving around waving Confederate flags and using the N-word everywhere you go, then theres only one way to interpret that.




President Donald Trumps executive order banning citizens from seven Middle Eastern countries from entering the U.S. may be lifted, but an Iranian director previously affected by the controversial directive made good on his promise to sit out the awards show for political reasons.

On Sunday night, Asghar Farhadi was not present to accept his Best Foreign Film Oscar for The Salesman.

Instead, he sent Iranian American engineer Anousheh Ansari, known as the first female space tourist, to accept the award on his behalf and read a statement from the filmmaker.

Im sorry Im not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S., she read on his behalf. Dividing the world into the us and our enemies categories creates fear: A deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression.

Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others. An empathy we need today more than ever. And break stereotypes and religions. They create empathy between us and others. An empathy we need today more than ever, she also said on his behalf.

On Sunday, just hours before the Oscars telecast, Farhadi addressed about 10,000 protesters in London who gathered for a screening of The Salesman in a show of unity and strength against Trumps travel ban, per The Guardian.

This solidarity is off to a great start. I hope this movement will continue and spread for it has within itself the power to stand up to fascism, be victorious in the face of extremism and say no to oppressive political powers everywhere, he said via videolink from Tehran to a crowd that included London mayor Sadiq Khan and and Palme dOr winner Mike Leigh.

Story continues

Farhadi at the Oscars in 2012

Farhadi released a statement to The New York Times last month detailing his decision to forgo the Academy Awards, where his movie is nominated for Best Foreign Film, shortly after reports that he might be barred from the prestigious event made worldwide headlines. The Oscar-winning director took home the trophy in the same category in 2012 for A Separation.

I regret to announce via this statement that I have decided to not attend the Academy Awards Ceremony alongside my fellow members of the cinematic community, he said, adding that he originally planned to attend the event. It now seems that the possibility of this presence is being accompanied by ifs and buts which are in no way acceptable to me even if exceptions were to be made for my trip.

Hard-liners, despite their nationalities, political arguments and wars, regard and understand the world in very much the same way, Farhadi continued. In order to understand the world, they have no choice but to regard it via an us and them mentality, which they use to create a fearful image of them and inflict fear in the people of their own countries. For years on both sides of the ocean, groups of hardliners have tried to present to their people unrealistic and fearful images of various nations and cultures in order to turn their differences into disagreements, their disagreements into enmities and their enmities into fears.

Instilling fear in the people is an important tool used to justify extremist and fanatic behavior by narrow-minded individuals, he added.

Trumps controversial executive order suspended entry of all refugees to the U.S. for 120 days, barred Syrian refugees indefinitely, and for 90 days blocked entry into the U.S. for nationals from seven predominantly Muslim countries: Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Farhadis native country of Iran.

RELATED VIDEO: Is an Oscar Really Only Worth $1?

But Farhadi wasnt the only potential Oscar attendee affected by the order, which was later put on hold by the courts.

Khaled Khateeb, a Syrian cinematographer who worked on the Academy Award-nominated documentary The White Helmets, was barred by the Department of Homeland Security from entering the country, citing derogatory information about the filmmaker.

Khateeb, also a member of the volunteer search-and-rescue organization known as the White Helmets, was initially banned from attending the ceremony, but was later granted a visa to attend. The film is nominated in the Best Documentary Short category.

According to the Associated Press, Khateeb was detained by Turkish authorities and told he needed a waiver from the U.S. to make it into the country, something he had never received.




The Salesman won Best Foreign Language Film at the 2017 Oscars. It was directed by acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, who had made headlines prior to the Oscars. In a statement to the New York Times, Farhadi explained that he would not be attending the ceremony.

He was angered over President Trumps travel ban that restricted entry from seven countries, including Iran, his home. I hereby express my condemnation of the unjust conditions forced upon some of my compatriots and the citizens of the other six countries trying to legally enter the United States of America and hope that the current situation will not give rise to further divide between nations, part of his statement read.

Iranian-American Anousheh Ansari represented Farhadi at the ceremony and read a statement from him when The Salesman won. Dividing the world into the us and our enemies categories creates fear, a deceitful justification for aggression and war, she said.

After his win, the U.S. State Departments Farsi-language Twitter account tweeted its congratulations, but the tweet was then deleted. A State Department spokeswoman explained why to Reuters. A congratulatory tweet was posted, she said. We later removed the post to avoid any misperception that the USG (U.S. government) endorsed the comments made in the acceptance speech. Reuters says that the State Department says the decision came from the State Department itself.

The Movies of Asghar Farhadi:

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The Daily Beast

GettyIt only took a few hours after Russias Vladimir Putin hailed his mobilization as a sparkling success Friday for a torrent of humiliating reports to emerge that suggest the war effort has been more successful in turning the country against him than defeating mythical Nazis in Ukraine.The most staggering contradiction to the Russian presidents boastful claims came perhaps in Kazan, where dozens of drafted troops were captured on video late Friday berating military leadership outside a colle
The U.S. News Short List, separate from our overall rankings, is a regular series that magnifies individual data points in hopes of providing students and parents a way to find which undergraduate or graduate programs excel or have room to grow in specific areas. Be sure to explore The Short List: College, The Short List: Grad School and The Short List: Online Programs to find data that matter to you in your college or grad school search.

Attending a four-year public institution as an in-state student is one way to keep college expenses down.

In fact, nearly 60 percent of college freshmen attend a four-year public institution within 100 miles of their permanent home, according to a survey conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California--Los Angeles.

But not all four-year public institutions are inexpensive for in-state students. In-state tuition and fees at a four-year school can range from slightly more than $4,150 to more than $18,500 annually, according to data submitted by 299 ranked public institutions to U.S. News in an annual survey.

[Explore the 10 colleges with the highest four-year graduation rates.]

Gordon State College in Georgia charged $4,164 in tuition and fees for the 2016-2017 school year, the least among any four-year public institution, U.S. News data show.

Most of the 10 schools on this list are Regional Colleges and Regional Universities.

The College of Coastal Georgia, as an example, is a Regional College that charged the second cheapest amount in tuition and fees: $4,434. Regional Colleges focus on undergraduate education, but grant fewer than half their degrees in liberal arts disciplines.

[Find out the 10 most and least expensive private colleges.]

The least expensive public Regional University on the list was Elizabeth City State University; the North Carolina school billed students $4,858 for the 2016-2017 year. Regional Universities, such as this school, offer a full range of undergraduate programs and a few graduate-level programs.

Story continues

Among the 10 schools with the cheapest in-state student tuition and fees for the 2016-2017 school year, the average charge was around $5,086. For all the four-year public institutions that submitted data, the average was around $9,169.

Of all the schools that submitted these data to U.S. News, the College of William & Mary in Virginia charged in-state students the most: $18,687. Federal military academies -- which ask for service in lieu of tuition -- were not included in this list.

Below is a list of the 10 public schools where in-state students paid the least for the 2016-2017 school year. Unranked schools, which did not meet certain criteria required by U.S. News to be numerically ranked, were not considered for this report.

* RNP denotes an institution that is ranked in the bottom one-fourth of its ranking category. U.S. News calculates a rank for the school but has decided not to publish it.

Don't see your school in the top 10? Access the U.S. News College Compass to find tuition and fees data, complete rankings and much more. School officials can access historical data and rankings, including of peer institutions, via U.S. News Academic Insights.

U.S. News surveyed more than 1,800 colleges and universities for our 2016 survey of undergraduate programs. Schools self-reported myriad data regarding their academic programs and the makeup of their student body, among other areas, making U.S. News' data the most accurate and detailed collection of college facts and figures of its kind. While U.S. News uses much of this survey data to rank schools for our annual Best Colleges rankings, the data can also be useful when examined on a smaller scale. U.S. News will now produce lists of data, separate from the overall rankings, meant to provide students and parents a means to find which schools excel, or have room to grow, in specific areas that are important to them. While the data come from the schools themselves, these lists are not related to, and have no influence over, U.S. News' rankings of Best Colleges, Best Graduate Schools or Best Online Programs. The tuition and fees data above are correct as of Feb. 28, 2017.

Farran Powell is an education reporter at U.S. News, covering paying for college and graduate school. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at fpowell@usnews.com.
Donald Trumps speech tonight will be, like everything he does, a spectacle. The last time Trump had such a stage was his inaugural, where all of official Washington stood behind him as he looked out over what (in his mind) were trillions of people. But tonight, he will be looking right into the eyes of Congress, his Cabinet, the Joint Chiefs, the Supreme Court, and diplomatic corps. He cant resist working the room  name-checking, fawning, heckling  so expect this to be the wackiest joint session address youve ever seen.

But well be listening for what Trump says about substance (that is, if he can refrain from attacking the press and refuting the numbers at his inauguration). So in that spirit, here are the top 10 things we hope to hear about in Trumps speech tonight. These can be used as checklist to grade the president  and well offer our take on how we think he did later in the week.

The first three are questions that President Barack Obama posed in his final State of the Union address over a year ago, but are even more relevant today.

First, how do we give everyone a fair shot at opportunity and security in this new economy?

Second, how do we make technology work for us, and not against us, especially when it comes to solving urgent challenges like climate change?

Third, how do we keep America safe and lead the world without becoming its policeman?

Fourth, how will America work with its longstanding democratic allies in Europe and Asia?

Fifth, what more should we know about Russia meddling in our election, and how can we better defend our country (and work with our partners) to ensure that future elections are free and fair, protected from Russian influence?

Sixth, what is the strategy behind the defense spending increases Trump plans to unveil, and how does paying for those increases by slashing money for diplomacy and foreign assistance make America stronger and safer?

Seventh, how will President Trump denounce hate crimes, especially the alarming wave of anti-Semitism and targeting of immigrants and people of color?

Story continues

Eighth, we have heard next to nothing from President Trump or his administration about future of Afghanistan and the mission of the 8,400 U.S. troops that are still fighting there. What are Trumps goals?

Ninth, does Trump believe it is in Americas interests to promote democracy abroad? If so, how does he suggest we do it better?

Finally, Trump has put Iran on notice, but said little about his intentions regarding the Iran nuclear deal. Does he plan to stand by it? And if he takes a more confrontational approach toward Iran, how does he plan to avoid a spiral to war?

So this is what well be looking for tonight. Tune in later this week to see how we think he did.

Photo credit: ALEX WONG/Getty Images
HOUSTON (AP)  Two Houston police officers were shot and taken to hospitals, one of them in critical condition, as they were investigating a home burglary Tuesday, authorities said.

One suspect was killed in a shootout with the officers and one other man was being sought, police said.

"If he's hiding somewhere, we're not leaving," Police Chief Art Acevedo said as hundreds of officers combed the southwest Houston neighborhood. "We ain't going away."

Acevdeo lifted a lockdown on the southwest Houston neighborhood of about 1,800 homes, including three schools, more than four hours later and urged residents to notify police of anything suspicious.

"We'd rather you report it and be on the safe side," he said. "We don't want to leave any stone unturned."

The chief said three homes in the neighborhood were burglarized Tuesday and while police didn't know if all three were connected, the suspect killed in the shootout was involved in at least one of them.

"My primary concern now is for the condition of the two officers," Mayor Sylvester Turner said outside one of the hospitals where the officers were being treated.

One officer, Jose Munoz, was shot in the foot and his condition was not considered life-threatening. The other officer, Ronny Cortez, had a bullet lodged near his spine, the mayor said.

Cortez is a 24-year veteran of the department and was at Memorial Hermann Hospital. Munoz has been an officer for 10 years and was at Ben Taub Hospital.

Houston Emergency Services Director Dr. David Persse said Cortez's condition "is improved since he first got here."

"He is awake and talking and is with his family," Persse said.

Acevedo said Cortez was "in pain but he's alert. ... Both these officers have hearts of lions."

Acevedo said the officers were among several called late Tuesday morning to investigate a burglary in the neighborhood. A woman at one of the homes alerted them that a door at a storage shed behind her home was ajar and appeared to be suspicious.

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"Two of our officers actually jumped the fence and went into that backyard to clear that storage shed when a male Hispanic suspect opened the door, came out and opened fire on our officers," he said. "Officers were able to return gunfire."

One gunman was killed there. He described the second suspect as a Hispanic man dressed in black and with a blue bandanna.

"We will assume the second suspect at large is armed and dangerous," Acevedo said. He apologized for the inconvenience to the neighborhood, "but someone that's willing to shoot and try to kill two fully uniformed officers in broad daylight after committing a burglary, which is a property crime, is someone that will not hesitate to kill a member of that community."

___

Associated Press reporter Juan A. Lozano contributed to this story
Insurgency  era socket bombs disposed in Rukum

Two socket bombs found at Ghartikanda of Chaurjahari Municipality  8 in Rukum was disposed after four days on Monday.
Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the compression-ignition engine that bears his name, allegedly drowned in the English Channel 103 years ago. While tragically unfortunate for the inventor himself, this is also bad news for those looking for a metaphor to frame the modern dilemma in which the diesel engine finds itself. At risk of sounding grossly insensitive, it would be much better for us if he had met his watery demise in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, illustrating the radically different views that Europe and the U.S. have with regard to the automotive applications of his famous invention.

For BMW, diesels represented 6 percent of its U.S. sales in 2014, the last calendar year before the Volkswagen scandal limited their appeal further still. Meanwhile in Europe, compression-ignition remains utterly dominant, especially among premium automakers; in some European countries it is anticipated that 90 percent of sales of the new 5-series will be diesels. BMWs recent commitment to U.S. diesel sales puts an optimistic spin on things, but there is as yet no confirmation that we will ever see a d-badged version of the new 5-series.

Sparkless of Interest

In the European Opposite Land, 5-series buyers can choose among as many diesel variants as we can gasoline engines. Theres a basic 2.0-liter inline-four 520d likely to spawn a detuned 518d variant, and then a 3.0-liter inline-six that gets progressively more powerful in its 530d and forthcoming 540d and M550d guises. The Euro-spec 530d M Sport that we drove for this review, complete with the optional all-wheel drive that BMW calls xDrive, stands the best chance of making it to the U.S. market.

Its good; indeed, our time with it left us wondering whetherin anything barring raw output numbersthere is currently a better diesel engine on the market. Refinement of this new-generation B57 diesel is outstanding, a point emphasized by just how quiet the new 5-series has become in terms of reduced wind and road noise. From inside the car at lower speeds, its pretty much impossible to tell that youre running without spark plugs thanks to a soundtrack as refined as a gas engines. Even full load doesnt produce anything more than a purposeful and pleasant growl. Although we didnt have one handy for back-to-back comparison, were fairly certain it sounds at least as good as, if not better than, the gasoline 530i with its turbocharged four-cylinder.

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Performance of the 530d is entirely adequate, if short of the face-distorting shove mustered by some of Europes brawnier performance diesels (and which we can safely predict the M550d will deliver). The 530ds peak output of 261 horsepower is respectable, although its the 457-lb-ft torque peakavailable from 2000 rpmthat gives the car its effortless demeanor. The standard ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic works best with the driving-mode switch left in its default Comfort setting because Sport has it changing down a gear on small accelerator applications when it doesnt really need to, and we also have to criticize the light operation and plasticky feel of the steering-wheel shift paddles. Oh, and even Europeans cant get a manual transmission with this model; sob!

Only when pushed hard does the 530d really speak to the truth of its fuel type, with the reluctance to rev characteristic of its genre. In drive, the gearbox upshifts at 4500 rpm, even at full, matted throttle. It can be made to rev higher in manual override, although no higher than 5250 rpm, still 250 revs shy of the indicated redline on the tachometer. Its quickest when left to its own devices, with BMWs claimed 5.4-second zero-to-62-mph time making it marginally quicker than the companys claim for the 530i xDrive. The last U.S.-market 5-series diesel we tested, a 2014 535d, ran to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds.

The rest of the dynamic experience delivers the same speedy-but-sensible brief. While this 5-series definitely has sharper tack than non-AMG Mercedes-Benz E-classes, its still a fair way off the level of involvement offered by its predecessors, with electrically assisted power steering that delivers crisp front-end responses but nothing more than simulated feedback. And the xDrive system does a good impression of a Quattro-equipped Audi in terms of lack of drama. An electronically controlled clutch distributes torque between front and rear axles almost instantly, and its efficient operation effectively removes any of the rear-drive sensation we normally associate with brawny BMWs. A gain in failsafe motoring, but a loss in driver involvement.

Connected and Frugal

BMW is keen to emphasize the 5-seriess high level of connectivityexciting news if you deeply desire a car only because it can synchronize with your diary and Microsoft Exchange emailas well as its plethora of advanced safety systems. Most of these keep a watchful eye in the background, but a stretch of Spanish autopista gave us a chance to test the semi-autonomous cruise control. While this manages straight stretches well, it struggled to apply enough steering to keep the car on track in tighter highway corners and wouldnt change lanes when the turn-signal stalk was pressed. (Maybe we werent within the 43-to-112-mph window in which Lane Change Assistant functions, or maybe we didnt hold the directional stalk long enough for its tastes.) Its probably the one area where the 5-series feels notably inferior to the Drive Pilotequipped E-class.

We hope BMWs ongoing commitment to diesel power in the U.S. means that the 530d will make the trip across the Atlantic, because it would be a huge shame if we were denied this characterful and impressively frugal engineour test car managed an indicated 37 mpg under enthusiastic use. Our test of the previous-generation model returned 32 mpg and wore a base price of $57,525. Based on our European drive, this new one is probably the most interesting new-generation 5-series so far, certainly this side of the forthcoming V-8powered M550i xDrive. We think Americans would appreciate it.

Specifications >

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear- or all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan



ESTIMATED BASE PRICE: $62,000



ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve diesel inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection



Displacement: 183 cu in, 2993 cc

Power: 261 hp @ 4000 rpm

Torque: 457 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm



TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode



DIMENSIONS:

Wheelbase: 117.1 in

Length: 194.3 in

Width: 73.5 in Height: 58.2 in

Passenger volume: 99 cu ft

Trunk volume: 19 cu ft

Curb weight (C/D est): 4200-4350 lb



PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):

Zero to 60 mph: 4.9-5.1 sec

Zero to 100 mph: 11.5-11.6 sec

Standing -mile: 13.4-13.5 sec

Top speed: 155 mph



FUEL ECONOMY:

EPA combined/city/highway: 3234/2930/3840 mpg (C/D est)




Experience lesser-visited seaside escapes across the Sunshine State.

When most travelers think of Florida, amusement parks, mouse ears and fanny packs tend to come to mind. But those who go only for Disney's Magic Kingdom and popular amusement park rides are missing out on a whole side to the state that feels oceans away from the kitschy thrills they remember. So, if you want to embrace out-of-the-ordinary experiences this spring or summer, skip the twirling teacups and explore Florida's wild, unexpected side in these off-the-beaten-path locales.

Discover glitz and glamour in St. Pete.

If you're nostalgic for a bit of old-school Hollywood charm, plan your getaway to one of St. Pete's sophisticated hideaways, such as the Don CeSar Hotel and the Beach House Suites by The Don CeSar. The resort is a picturesque pink retreat on the Gulf of Mexico that has a history-filled past with iconic American figures. The property has hosted the likes of Al Capone, F. Scott Fitzgerald, the New York Yankees and former President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Immerse yourself in nature on Marco Island.

Marco Island is not only one of Florida's most beautiful islands, but it's also the largest. The area's sugary sands and laid-back atmosphere draws international visitors, but those aren't its only allures. Marco Island also happens to sit on the entrance of the Everglades National Park and the famed mangroves that line the estuaries of the Ten Thousand Islands. Everglades National Park is America's main subtropical territory and home to the American crocodile, Florida panther and manatee. For a wildlife-viewing expedition to remember, consider an Everglades Island airboat tour.

Slip away to a private island in Key West.

While many travelers crave seclusion at a high-end hideaway outside of the country, there's no need to break out your passport to slip away to a private island getaway. Key West, located along the southernmost tip of Florida, is a city made up of islands, so it's easy to find the remote isle that best suits your needs. Even better, lavish retreats like the Little Palm Resort & Spa, a Noble House Resort offer luxurious and romantic touches, from in-room dining to Balinese-inspired spa treatments to eco-tours to kiteboarding lessons.

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Ride the waves in Cocoa Beach.

Sunbathing and strolling with the sand between your toes are classic beach activities, but Cocoa Beach is the perfect antidote for those adrenaline junkies looking to steer away from lazing along a beach towel all day and doing nothing at all. As Florida's "Surf City," Cocoa Beach offers excellent surfing conditions. At Cocoa Beach, you can find surf competitions and the famous Ron Jon Surf Shop, plus keep your eyes peeled for six-time world champion surfing pro Kelly Slater, who grew up here.

Explore Little Havana in Miami.

The U.S. offers a melting pot of cultural influences, and Miami is no exception. While Miami Beach has its own party-heavy reputation, just a few miles west of downtown Miami in Little Havana, you'll find a lively atmosphere, top-notch cuisine and an authentic Cuban-American experience. Calle Ocho (or 8th Street) is a testament to the strong Cuban ties here. Cigar shops, locally owned eateries and Latin music stores line the street. Plan your visit around the annual Calle Ocho Festival in March to immerse yourself in an unforgettable Cuban party, complete with Latin Music, street performers and international cuisine.

Join a turtle walk along Juno Beach.

Florida's lush landscape beckons to those looking to experience diverse natural wonders and marine life. The Turtle Walk on Juno Beach is a must for anyone looking to get up close and personal with fascinating sea turtles. From May to October, thousands of endangered sea turtles across Florida's eastern coastline head to the beach to lay their eggs. The hatchlings then cross from their habitat along the beach to the water. This ancient race is legendary in Juno Beach, as the number of sea turtle sightings soars. The turtle walks ensure the safety of the turtle offspring, but are also a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Attend the Sunset Celebration in Mallory Square.

While some may view the sunset as an ordinary part of the day, Floridians never take the moment for granted. In fact, the sunset is a large part of the culture in Key West. The most noteworthy events take place nightly for the free festival known as the Sunset Celebration in Key West's Mallory Square, located along the northwest edge of the island. Every night, local artists, musicians and restaurants celebrate another day gone by as the sun drifts down.

Plan a Space Coast vacation in Cape Canaveral.

Ever wanted to see a rocket launch into space? Here's your chance. Head to Cape Canaveral and the John F. Kennedy Space Center to get your fix. Because the Space Center is the headquarters for America's space program, you can retrace the steps of iconic astronauts. Tours of the launch pads, museum and rockets are all available. And while a rocket does not go into space every day, you can plan your trip around the next launch. Best of all, there are plenty of fascinating attractions catering to the young and the young at heart, including Cosmic Quest, where visitors can conduct scientific experiments and complete other mission goals.

Erin S. Block is a freelance travel writer and TV/documentary producer in Washington, DC. Her work has been published by BBC.com, The Huffington Post, Mashable.com and National Geographic's Intelligent Travel Blog. Erin has also worked on specials and programs for the National Geographic Channel, PBS and the Discovery Channels. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, she spent two years with National Geographic Traveler magazine. Erin is currently working on projects for PBS. Follow @erinsblock on Instagram and Twitter to see her full story.
MILAN (AP)  AC Milan has announced a shareholders' meeting for Friday to complete the sale of the club.

Closing the sale to a group of Chinese investors has been scheduled for Friday since a postponement was agreed at the end of last year by Silvio Berlusconi's holding company and Sino-Europe Sports.

The meeting is a formality as Berlusconi owns 99.93 percent of the club, which he purchased 30 years ago.

The deal with the Chinese group, which includes the participation of a Chinese state investment fund, values the club at 740 million euros (around $800 million), and requires the investors to spend 350 million euros over three years on improvements.

A press conference is expected on Saturday.
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP)  An Afghan policeman turned his rifle on his colleagues at a checkpoint in southern Helmand province, killing 11 of them before fleeing the scene, officials said Tuesday.

The attack happened late on Monday night in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, said Omer Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor.

The attacker collected all the firearms and ammunition from his colleagues, then fled the scene in a police vehicle  presumably to join the Taliban. "An investigation is underway," Zwak added.

Dr. Din Mohammad at the Lashkar Gah Hospital said the hospital morgue received 11 bodies of slain policemen, all with gunshot wounds.

The Taliban made no official statement or claim about the attack but Afghanistan has seen several such incidents over the past years, cases in which Afghan troops or policemen  or Taliban militants dressed in Afghan uniforms  turn their guns on their colleagues or U.S.-led coalition partners.

Earlier this month, an Afghan policeman turned his rifle on his colleagues in northern Faryab province, killing eight of his fellow policemen as they were sleeping in an outpost in the district of Almar. He then collected all their firearms and fled the scene.

In another similar incident, a member of a state-backed militia shot and killed five fellow militiamen in December in northeastern Kunduz province. The attacker, who was on guard duty, shot and killed his colleagues as they were sleeping, then made off with weapons and ammunition.

And last October, a U.S. soldier and an American civilian contractor were killed when an Afghan man in army uniform opened fire on them inside a military base in the capital, Kabul. The attacker died in a subsequent shootout with other U.S. and Afghan forces.
SEATTLE (AP)  Airport officials and civil rights lawyers around the country are getting ready for President Donald Trump's new travel ban  mindful of the chaos that accompanied his initial executive order but hopeful the forthcoming version will be rolled out in a more orderly way.

The new order was expected as soon as Wednesday. A draft suggested it would target people from the same seven predominantly Muslim countries but would exempt travelers who already have visas to come to the U.S.

Since last month's ban, which courts have put on hold, a section of the international arrivals area at Dulles International Airport outside the nation's capital has been transformed into a virtual law firm, with legal volunteers ready to greet travelers from affected countries and ask if they saw anyone being detained.

Similar efforts are underway at other airports, including Seattle-Tacoma International, where officials have drawn up plans for crowd control after thousands crammed the baggage claim area to protest the original ban.

"The plan is to be as ready as possible," said Lindsay Nash, an immigration law professor at Cardozo School of Law in New York who has been helping prepare emergency petitions on behalf of those who might be detained.

Trump's initial action, issued Jan. 27, temporarily barred citizens of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan and Libya from coming to the U.S. and halted acceptance of all refugees. The president said his administration would review vetting procedures amid concerns about terrorism in those seven nations.

Protesters flooded U.S. airports that weekend, seeking to free travelers detained by customs officials amid confusion about who could enter the country, including U.S. permanent residents known as green-card holders.

Attorneys also challenged the order in court, including officials from Washington state. That lawsuit, which Minnesota joined, resulted in a federal judge temporarily blocking the government from enforcing the travel ban, a decision unanimously upheld by a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

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Many civil rights lawyers and activists have said they don't believe a new order would cure all the constitutional problems of the original, including the claim that it was motivated by anti-Muslim discrimination.

Trump has said he singled out the seven countries because they had already been deemed a security concern by the Obama administration.

In his first address to Congress on Tuesday night, Trump said his administration "is taking strong measures to protect our nation from radical Islamic terrorism" and is working on improved vetting procedures.

"And we will shortly take new steps to keep our nation safe  and to keep out those who would do us harm," Trump said.

Last week, analysts at the Homeland Security Department's intelligence arm found insufficient evidence that citizens of the seven Muslim-majority countries pose a terror threat to the United States.

"It's not enough to just tweak an order and not change the nature of why it was issued in the first place," said Rula Aoun, director of the Arab American Civil Rights League in Dearborn, Michigan, which sued over the initial ban and is prepared to do the same with the rewrite if necessary.

In New York, American Civil Liberties Union attorney Lee Gelernt said the organization was ready to go to court if the administration tries to immediately enforce its new order.

"The primary focus is being able to respond immediately to any request by the government to lift any of the injunctions, before the courts have had a chance to examine the new order," he said.

Activists and airport officials alike said they hoped it would be phased in to give travelers fair warning, which might preclude any detentions from arriving flights.

"We are prepared and willing," said Rebecca Sharpless, who runs the immigration clinic at the University of Miami School of Law. "But it's unlikely to cause the same kind of chaos of last time."

At Dulles, Sea-Tac, Minneapolis-St. Paul and other airports, legal volunteers have greeted arriving travelers in shifts every day since the initial ban, wearing name tags or posting signs in different languages to identify themselves.

The legal-services nonprofit OneJustice was ready to send email alerts to 3,000 volunteers in California if needed, deploying them to San Francisco and Los Angeles airports for people affected by any new order, chief executive Julia Wilson said.

In Chicago, travelers have been signing up for an assistance program started by the local Council on American-Islamic Relations office to ensure swift legal help if they're detained.

Groups urged those arriving at 17 other airports, including Miami, Atlanta and San Diego, to register with Airport Lawyer , a secure website and free mobile app that alerts volunteer lawyers to ensure travelers make it through customs without trouble.

Asti Gallina, a third-year student at the University of Washington Law School, volunteered at Sea-Tac for the first time Tuesday. It was quiet, she said.

"An essential part of the American narrative is the ability to come to America," Gallina said. "Any infringement of that is something that needs to be resisted."

___

Associated Press writers Tammy Webber and Sophia Tareen in Chicago; Deepti Hajela and Larry Neumeister in New York; Matthew Barakat in Alexandria, Virginia; Adriana Gomez Licon in Miami; and Amy Forliti in Minneapolis contributed to this report.

___

This story has been corrected to show that Cardozo Law School is in New York, not affiliated with New York University
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  A resolution aimed at promoting inclusivity in a small Alaska fishing community has been rejected after it proved too divisive.

The Homer City Council on Monday night voted 5-1 against the measure, which was aimed at affirming Homer's commitment to inclusion amid national concerns about the treatment of immigrants, religious groups, the LGBTQ community and others.

In an interview Tuesday, council member Donna Aderhold said the resolution's wording was unclear and that people took their own message from it. She said it isn't good legislation if it's ambiguous.

She joined with four others in voting it down, even though she personally agreed with what she saw as the measure's aim to uphold human rights and "reaffirm that for individuals in this town who feel vulnerable at this time or at any time."

"What I read was very different from what other people read," Aderhold said. "You don't want things out there that are that open to interpretation."

The resolution stated that Homer would resist any efforts to profile "vulnerable populations" and reject any expressions of fear and hate.

It said that before "and especially since the election," some people on extreme ends of the political spectrum have been emboldened to express an intolerance of diversity, but most others disagree with their actions.

The resolution had been softened from an earlier draft, which was posted online, that said President Donald Trump took power without a popular mandate, and he had stated a "disregard" for the First Amendment.

Even with the revisions, some residents considered the measure unnecessary for a community they already consider welcoming. Some had a hard time separating it from the earlier draft they considered distasteful.

Mayor Bryan Zak called the earlier draft damaging and worried about potential economic fallout.

"Now, we want to move forward," he said Tuesday. "A lot of people put a lot of effort into communicating Homer as a beautiful, wonderful, sharing place, where people help each other, where we have beautiful views, and we have just an incredible quality of life. That's the message we want to continue to share."

Homer, a community of about 5,200, bills itself as the "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World" and has a history of political activism. It's literally where the road  the Sterling Highway  ends on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula.

If the measure had passed, Homer would have joined other cities like Boise, Idaho, that in recent weeks have branded themselves as welcoming. It wouldn't have gone as far as places like Seattle, San Francisco and New York, which offer sanctuary protections for people in the country illegally.
Journo Mishra quits BBC job to enter politics

Journalist and philanthropist Rabindra Mishra resigned as the Head of BBC Nepali Service to enter politics.
Asian nations must spend $26 trillion by 2030 on infrastructure to battle poverty, boost economic growth and fight climate change, the Asian Development Bank warned on Tuesday.

In its "Meeting Asia's infrastructure needs" report, the lender said governments in some of the poorest countries in the world should invest in everything from transport, telecommunications, power and water and sanitation.

It added that despite dramatic infrastructure growth in recent decades, more than 400 million people have no access to electricity, 300 million lack safe drinking water and around 1.5 billion are without basic sanitation.

The demand for infrastructure across Asia and the Pacific far outstrips current supply, ADB President Takehiko Nakao said in a statement released alongside the report.

"Asia needs new and upgraded infrastructure that will set the standard for quality, encourage economic growth, and respond to the pressing global challenge that is climate change, Nakao said.

The more than $1.7 trillion needed each year -- from 2016 to 2030 -- is twice the $881 billion invested at the moment, the Bank said.

The Manila-based lender suggested the bulk of the cash, $14.7 trillion, should go on power, while $8.4 trillion should be spent on transport and $2.3 trillion on telecoms. It indicated $800 billion for water and sanitation.

Its report also said that of the total annual amount, $200 billion should be invested in mitigating climate change,renewable energy and public transport.

But it said a substantial infrastructure gap still remains in the 45 countries included in the report.

However, the warning comes as many economies in the region continue to struggle with a global slowdown while there are growing concerns US President Donald Trump could embark on a protectionist agenda that would batter world trade.

And while several countries around the region have promised hundreds of billions for new building programmes -- including India, Indonesia and the Philippines -- problems such as bureaucracy and corruption act as a drag.

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Analysts also say governments should look to private finance for help. "Mobilising private capital flows to fund the financing gap that cannot be met by public financing is still a major challenge," said Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific chief economist at IHS Global Insight in Singapore.

The lender, set up in 1966, is owned by 67 member-countries, 48 of which are in Asia. It approved a record $16.3 billion in loans and grants to the region in 2015.

In a separate report, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said India's rapid economic growth has lifted 140 million people out of poverty in the past decade but large parts of the population still lack access to electricity and toilets.

The OECD said growth was not "sufficiently inclusive on a number of dimentions", adding that spending on health care amounted to barely one percent of gross domestic product.

-- Bloomberg News contributed to this report --
LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May, who is not known for her self-indulgence, has revealed she will be giving up crisps in the run-up to Easter -- a period called Lent when many Christians fast or give up luxuries. Lent, which begins on Wednesday, commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert preparing for his ministry. May, a vicar's daughter, is a regular church goer. Crisps, known as potato chips in the United States and often high in salt and saturated fat, are a staple snack in Britain. "The prime minister will be giving up for Lent: crisps," her spokesman told reporters, adding that May's favorite flavor was salt and vinegar. He was unable to say how many packets of crisps the prime minister consumes in a typical day. (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Gareth Jones)
An Australian politician apologized for comparing refugees and asylum seekers to fleas during a parliamentary hearing Monday. Liberal Senator David Fawcett made the remark while attending a hearing on the countrys resource-strained immigration and border department.

I just do question the ethics of nitpicking when your particular group perhaps brought the fleas in the first place, he said to Labor senators.

The remark was met not with rebuke, but chuckles, a hear, hear, and a nicely put from fellow Liberal senator Ian MacDonald.

Help me out here. Did Senator David Fawcett just describe boat arrivals as fleas? #estimates #auspol pic.twitter.com/iWkjwc2eio  Jackson Gothe-Snape (@jacksongs) February 27, 2017

Fawcett apologized for his remarks, saying they were misconstrued. The metaphor was that if they were nitpicking they were responsible for the cause of that irritation, he said. It is certainly not intended to apply to people who are refugees, he added.

Despite his apology, the incident sparked outrage across the country. It is beyond belief that a Turnbull Government senator would ever refer to vulnerable people seeking asylum as fleas, and even worse, to have other Coalition senators laugh, cheer and eagerly agree, Shadow Immigration Minister Shayne Neumann said, referring to prime minister and Liberal party leader Malcolm Turnbull.

Australia has drawn international condemnation for its controversial refugee policies, which includes turning back refugee on boats from its shores and holding asylum seekers in poorly-maintained processing facilities in Papua New Guinea and Nauru. One legal expert argued in Foreign Policy that Australias policies amounted to a crime against humanity.

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The government is determined to strip away every last shred of dignity and self-respect from people who have sought Australias protection, Greens party Senator Nick McKim said after Fawcetts remarks.

The Refugee Council of Australia published a report on Feb. 22 saying Australias punitive asylum approach is harming thousands of people, damaging Australias international reputation and wasting billions that could be better spent looking after refugees when they flee.

This may sound familiar for those following U.S. immigration and refugee policy. In fact, the heated debates in the United States and Australia are interlinked. During his first weeks in office, U.S. President Donald Trump chewed out Turnbull in what he reportedly said was his worst call by far over a dispute on refugees. Former U.S. President Barack Obama pledged to accept 1,250 refugees from Australia. Trump later tweeted he would study this dumb deal. The U.S. government is still reportedly studying the deal.

Photo credit: PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images
BALI, Indonesia (AP)  An Australian woman on trial with her British boyfriend in the death of a police officer on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali expressed deep regret Tuesday and apologized, but said she did not personally kill the victim.

Prosecutors are seeking eight-year prison terms for Sara Connor and David James Taylor, who were arrested last August in the death of traffic police officer Wayan Sudarsa, whose bloodied body was found on the beach outside the Pullman Hotel in the popular tourist area of Kuta.

They are charged with committing violence leading to death, which carries a maximum 12-year prison term under Indonesia's criminal code.

"If this is what God had planned for my life, to punish me so harshly and deprive my children of their mother, I hope he will give my children the strength to cope," Connor, weeping, told Denpasar District Court in her defense plea.

Connor, 46, said she believed her boyfriend when he told her the assault was not serious.

Taylor has admitted hitting the Indonesian repeatedly with a cellphone, binoculars and a broken beer bottle, leaving him face down and unconscious. But he said he didn't realize Sudarsa would die.

Connor and Taylor had been drinking beer on the beach in the hours before the late-night incident. Taylor has said he got into a fight with Sudarsa, who was on duty, after Connor realized she had lost her handbag and accused Sudarsa of being a fake police officer and stealing it.

Connor said she never tried to escape, even though she said she could have fled using her Italian passport which has a different surname.

"I deeply regret and I apologize for any mistakes made unknowingly and unintentionally by me but none of my actions caused the death of the victim," she said. "I feel terribly sorry for all the pain that this situation has created."

She expressed deep condolences and sadness to the victim's family, to the Balinese people, to Indonesia, and to her family, especially her children.

The trial is to resume Thursday for the prosecutors' response.
VIENNA (AP)  Austrian police say they have arrested two Nigerian nationals on suspicion of forcing young women into prostitution, in part through voodoo rites.

Police spokesman Johann Baumschlager says the man and woman are accused of being part of a criminal organization, human trafficking and engaging in the international prostitution trade.

He says they forced at least 10 young Nigerian women into the sex trade in part by engaging "a voodoo priest, who made them submissive through certain rites."

Baumschlager said Tuesday the victims were repeatedly threatened with new voodoo spells and told they each owed 50,000 euros ($53,000) for their transport to Europe.

He says the male suspect is cooperating with police but the woman denies the accusations.

Neither is being named in keeping with Austrian privacy laws.
Minister Mahat calls for more Swiss assistance

Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat called on his Swiss counterpart Didier Burkhalter on Sunday and urged him to put Nepal in Swiss assistance priority.
With Autonomous Cars, How Safe Is Safe Enough?

When it comes to autonomous vehicles, the fundamental question the auto industry is asking and government regulators and safety advocates are now mulling is this: How safe is safe enough?

But theres a bit of a strategy battle going on among automakers and the wide range of approaches theyre taking to develop and introduce these new technologies.

Tesla is rolling out autonomous features to its cars incrementally when the company decides theyre road-ready. To do otherwise, Tesla CEO Elon Musk says, would result in more overall driving fatalities.

It would be morally wrong to withhold functionalities that improve safety simply in order to avoid criticisms or for fear of being involved in lawsuits, Musk says.

Then theres the company Waymo, formerly the Google self-driving car project, which is abiding by a more conservative premise that self-driving cars shouldnt be sold until human action isnt required at all.

More on Self-Driving Cars

Self-Driving Cars: Driving Into the Future

What Manufacturers Have in Store

From Human to Machine: Levels of Automation

Guide to Self-Driving Cars

Other companies actively developing self-driving vehicles or technology fall somewhere in the middle of those two approaches.

Theyre all trying to answer the basic questions that need to be worked out for the technology to develop: Is it okay to use human drivers as test subjects? How do humans react when a self-driving system fails? And would delaying an imperfect system that is, on average, better than a human driver but not fully tested result in more or fewer deaths on roads?

Theres no way we as a society would accept self-driving cars that cause the same number of fatalities as humans, says Gill Pratt, CEO of the Toyota Research Institute, referring to the roughly 35,000 traffic deaths in the U.S. in 2015. Society tolerates a lot of human error, Pratt said earlier this year. But we expect machines to be much better than us.

The fatal crash last May involving a Tesla Model S owner using Autopilot mode was a wake-up call for the industry and regulators. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations (NHTSA) investigation into the incident said it did not find any safety defect at the time.

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It was the first death involving a car with Teslas Autopilot engaged. Tesla contends neither the driver nor the car could distinguish or respond to a white tractor-trailer crossing the road up ahead, against a bright sky.

Teslas Autopilot and similar systemsincluding those by Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volvoare considered early steps toward automation. But even these modest steps can be safety risks if drivers arent aware of their cars capabilities and limitations.

Early levels of automation rely on drivers to take over control in an emergency. Some automakers, like Tesla, Nissan, and Audi, consider human drivers their backup-safety system. Their logic: If humans can be relied upon to take over, then the technology can be rolled out incrementally and doesnt have to be perfect right away.

Clarity for Consumers

Consumer Reports believes automakers are sending a mixed message by rolling out these systems in a way that makes drivers falsely believe they can take their hands off the wheel despite warnings to do the opposite. We dont think humans should be used as test subjects. Automakers need to do a better job at communicating system capabilities and limitations.

As Jake Fisher, director of auto testing at CR, explains, Its very easy to get distracted when you are no longer directly responsible for driving the car. And when the car controls both speed and steering, its unreasonable to assume the driver will be alert enough to take over again in a moments notice.

Consumer Reports supports any new technology that advances the needs and interests of consumers, but at CR, were always going to make safety our priority.

Waymo is focused on creating self-driving cars without pedals or steering wheelsor human drivers as backup. Its cars are expected to have enough safety technology that a sensor failure wont bring them to a grinding stop. The downside is it will take longer to perfect and bring to market.

NHTSAs approach to regulating this area of innovation has been to stay out of the way as much as possible. Automakers say they welcome some basic federal ground rules so states dont come up with their own laws.

NHTSA unveiled a voluntary set of 15 safety measures in September that it would like any company bringing a self-driving car to market to address, such as how and in what circumstances the vehicle drives itself, how it was tested, and how it was engineered to be safe.

The Future of Safety

So far, the industry reaction to the guidelines has been positive. And during her confirmation hearing, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao hinted at the new administrations approach, saying she sees the governments role as a catalyst for safe, efficient technologies, not as an impediment.

Finally, there are differences of opinion about how much testing is needed. Philip Koopman, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, says theres so much uncertainty around the technology that you might need close to a billion miles of test-driving data to ensure safety on roads populated with both human and machine-driven cars. Koopman also says he worries the industry is seriously underestimating how hard it will be to build innate safety features into artificially intelligent cars. Theres a possibility at least some companies are just going to put the technology out there and roll the dice, Koopman says. My fear is this will really happen, and it will be bad technology.



More From the 2017 Autos Spotlight

10 Top Picks of 2017: Best Cars of the Year

Which Car Brands Make the Best Vehicles?

America's Favorite Cars: SUVs

With Automatic Shifters, It's Proceed With Caution

Self-Driving Cars: Driving Into the Future

When to Replace Your Tires

2017 Autos Spotlight Guide

Quiz: How Well Do You Know Car Brand Logos?

Editor's Note: This article also appeared in the April 2017 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.





More from Consumer Reports:

Top pick tires for 2016

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Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright  2006-2017 Consumers Union of U.S.
The nation was transfixed Monday afternoon after footage emerged of an incident on a train involving bagels, which has been dubbed #Bagelgate.

A brawl erupted on a train in London when a group of passengers placed bagels on other passengers' heads.

SEE ALSO: You've been saying these emoji names wrong your whole life

Some people didn't take too kindly to having a piece of bread placed on their head, and some resorted to throwing the bagels out the window of the train, while others resorted to intimidating behaviour, which resulted in police intervention.

During the fray, a cacophony of shouting and chanting can be heard as passengers sing: "he's got a bagel on 'is 'ead" [he's got a bagel on his head]".

The British Transport Police (BTP)  who can be seen intervening at the end of the video  issued a stark warning to those considering harming bagels.

#BagelGate



Let's be clear, no bagel should be treated so cruelly



And no one subjected to intimidating behaviour



Ever need us text 61016   BTP (@BTP) February 27, 2017

Some suggested the BTP should be renamed to better reflect #Bagelgate.

From henceforth, the @BTP shall be known as the Bagel Trajectory Police #BAGELGATE  https://t.co/YPoP50K2JR  Melissa Jardine (@majardine) February 28, 2017

Someone named Mark took to Twitter to express his disapproval at the incident, suggesting that #Bagelgate was akin to something likely to arise in Britain's poshest supermarket, Waitrose.

Story continues

Seriously? Who throws a bagel? Is this some kind of middle class Waitrose banter? #BAGELGATE #bagel https://t.co/6dMZTvfATF  Mark (@Mark_in_Romania) February 28, 2017

A chap named Andrew thought the "old bill"  or police  intervention was like getting told off by the headteacher at school.

#bagelgate is brilliant, when the old bill arrive everyone acts like they're at school when the head asks who stuck porn mags to the wall  Andrew (@OiHainesy) February 27, 2017

The ending thou!! It's like whenever the teacher walks back into class  #BAGELGATE #bagelonhishead https://t.co/63zmtN7buS  lew lew (@lewisjwheeler) February 28, 2017

An employee of the Royal Albert Hall joked that #Bagelgate could well get its own stage production. Fingers crossed!

I can neither confirm nor deny the rumours that @RoyalAlbertHall have secured the rights to screen #Bagelgate with live orchestra  Matt Griffin (@MattMightSay) February 28, 2017

Naturally, Brexit got a mention. And some raised an important point about how the EU would feel about #Bagelgate.

Can't imagine European Union are watching #BagelGate and thinking..

"Gonna really miss those guys"  Mick Stewart (@StewedMick) February 28, 2017

Is #Bagelgate indicative of the post-Brexit condition?

I want a 2000 word essay on how #BagelGate reflects the post-Brexit condition of the British people, excluding footnotes and references.  tyler (@_tylerjohn) February 27, 2017

Some pointed the finger at other offenders on the train, who were guilty of another crime: littering.

@DougieStew Is that blonde guy with the glasses getting arrested for littering?? #BAGELGATE That's the real crime right there   Bruno Rivera (@ManyPeregrine81) February 28, 2017

"He's got a bagel ON 'IS 'EAD" is British poetry at its best.

'He's got a bagel ON 'IS 'EAD.' It's like hearing poetry for the first time. #BAGELGATE  Hayley Crossland (@Crosslo) February 28, 2017

The overwhelming feeling, however, was that #Bagelgate is entirely representative of modern Britain and it's a far cry from the Great British Bake Off.

Dear non-UK followers, Bake Off is not representative of modern Britain. Rather, #BagelGate is. So many storylines in that one video.  Arshia Hashemi (@arshhashemi) February 27, 2017

#BagelGate is seriously the most London thing I've ever seen. Ever.  Mihai Bumbu (@LEGEN_wait4it__) February 28, 2017

#BagelGate is the most British (and ridiculous) thing you'll see online.  Ronke Lawal (@ronkelawal) February 28, 2017

Welcome to the 'United (unless a bagel is at stake) Kingdom'. #BagelGate  Miamii  Mansour (@_Miamii_) February 28, 2017

Welcome to Britain, everyone.
Five Islamist extremists who murdered a Japanese farmer in a drive-by shooting in 2015 were sentenced to death by a Bangladeshi court Tuesday.

The sentence on the five members of the Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) was handed down by a judge who found them guilty of murdering Kunio Hoshi in October 2015.

He was one of a number of foreigners to be murdered in recent years in a campaign which has battered Bangladesh's international image.

Judge Naresh Sarker said the five had killed Hoshi as part of a "campaign to destabilise the country and smear its image".

"It was a premeditated murder," the judge told the court in the northern city of Rangpur.

Four of the men were in the court amid heavy security but one of was sentenced in absentia.

A defence lawyer said they were disappointed with the verdict and would appeal to a higher court.

The 66-year-old Hoshi was shot dead by a gunman riding on the back of a motorbike on a dirt road where he was working on a project to grow grass for cattle.

Among those sentenced was Masud Rana, the JMB's 24-year-old area chief. Prosecutors say he fired the fatal shot at Hoshi near his farm near Rangpur.

Chief prosecutor Abdul Malek said two other people who had helped plan the attack, including the alleged mastermind Saddam Hossain, had already been killed in shootouts with police.

"They recced Hoshi's home and his movements for days," Malek told AFP.

"It was a targeted killing aimed at launching an Islamic movement in the country."

- Muslim convert -

Friends of Hoshi revealed after his death that he had converted to Islam but Malek said the attackers were not aware that he was Muslim. Hoshi was later buried in a Muslim graveyard in Rangpur.

His killing came just days after the murder of an Italian aid worker in the capital Dhaka, one of a string of attacks to be claimed by the Islamic State group.

Although both IS and a branch of Al-Qaeda have claimed responsibility for many of the attacks, the government insists the JMB are to blame for most of them and denies that international jihadist networks have a presence in Bangladesh.

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Authorities have also blamed the JMB for the killing of 20 hostages, including seven Japanese nationals, during a siege at an upscale cafe in Dhaka in July last year.

The killings of foreigners such as Hoshi have been a major blow to the international reputation of Bangladesh, which has been trying to attract foreign investment to fuel its economic growth.

Work on Japanese-funded infrastructure projects such as coal-fired power plants and a metro system in Dhaka were temporarily halted after the attack on the cafe last year.

Analysts say Islamist militants pose a growing danger in conservative Bangladesh, and a long-running political crisis has radicalised opponents of the government.

There was no immediate reaction from the Japanese embassy to Tuesday's judgement, but the prosecutor said embassy officials have been following the case closely.

Bangladesh prides itself on being a mainly moderate Muslim country. But the gruesome killings of a series of atheist bloggers, foreigners and religious minorities have rocked the nation.

Since the cafe attack security forces have launched a nationwide crackdown on Islamist extremist groups, killing around 50 suspected militants including the founders of a new JMB faction.
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP)  Five members of a banned militant group were sentenced to death by a Bangladesh court Tuesday for involvement in the slaying of a Japanese agricultural researcher two years ago.

Judge Noresh Chandra Sarker acquitted a sixth defendant belonging to the militant group, Jumatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh, in the northern Bangladeshi district of Rangpur.

Four of the defendants are in custody and a fifth man was tried in absentia.

Three masked men riding on a motorbike shot and killed Kunio Hoshi while he was riding in a rickshaw to his grass farm in Rangpur, a northern Bangladesh city, in October 2015. The area is 300 kilometers (185 miles) north of Dhaka, the capital.

The Islamic State group issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi postings online. The report could not be independently confirmed.

Bangladesh has experienced a renewed level of Islamic militancy in recent years. Dozens of atheists, liberal writers, bloggers and publishers and members of minority communities and foreigners have been targeted and killed.
Bangladesh authorities have began a census of Rohingya refugees living in the country's southeast as part of a controversial move to relocate them to an uninhabited island, officials said Tuesday.

The government statistics officers fanned out in refugee camps in Cox's Bazar district to count the number of refugees who have fled persecution in Rakhine state in neighbouring Myanmar.

"Initially we'll make a list of families of Myanmar nationals who are living in the camps and outside, then we'll do the head count," said Wahidur Rahman, an official of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

He told AFP the government's plan to relocate the Rohingya population to Thengar Char island in the Bay of Bengal "is one of the key reasons for the census".

Ali Hossain, the chief administrator of Cox's Bazar, said the census would take at least three months and "will benefit the government's (relocation) initiative".

Dhaka estimates 400,000 Rohingya refugees are living in the country, including nearly 73,000 who fled a military crackdown across the border since October.

The government last month pushed forward with the relocation plan despite warnings that the island is prone to flooding that leaves it entirely underwater at times.

Rights groups slammed the plan despite the government's request to the international community to back the proposal.

The idea caused an outcry when first mooted in 2015. Government officials have described it as a temporary measure and claim that refugees would have better access to humanitarian assistance.

The authorities have already ordered the construction of a jetty, helipad and visitor facilities on the 6,000-acre (2,430-hectare) island on an estuary of the Meghna river.

Most of the Rohingya refugees who fled to Bangladesh live in squalid conditions in refugee camps in Cox's Bazar -- the country's biggest tourist resort district -- which borders Rakhine.

A UN special rapporteur last week visited the camps in Bangladesh and decried the Myanmar army's violence as she heard harrowing stories of murders, arson and gang-rape from the stateless Muslim minority people.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  Advocates for the elderly say each year con artists and greedy family members cheat New York seniors out of $1.5 billion in assets but they worry the number of reported cases is only the tip of the financial abuse iceberg.

The Senate and Assembly's Joint Committee on Aging heard testimony Tuesday from advocates, bankers and lawyers pushing for increased prevention of financial abuse of the elderly.

Ann Marie Cook, Greater Rochester president of aging adult advocacy group Lifespan, said financial abuse is the most common form of abuse reported each year.

The attorney general's elder abuse coordinator, Gary Brown, said only 1 of 44 cases of financial abuse is reported to authorities because seniors are unaware or embarrassed they fell for schemes.

Brown said scams can affect any senior, not only seniors with dementia, because con artists rely on complex stories such as a grandchild who has been arrested or a potential romantic interest.

"Essence of a good con is to trigger an emotional response and take the brain out of the equation," Brown said.

Prosecuting cons and recovering savings is difficult because funds are often transferred anonymously through wires or prepaid debit cards. Advocates also say in more than half the cases of financial abuse the perpetrator is a family member trying to persuade or coerce a senior to funnel money into his or her own account.

The groups are pushing for a Senate bill that would allow banks to immediately place holds on seniors' accounts that show suspicious activity, facilitate bank reporting of suspected cases and release financial institutions from liability. Most New York banks already have their own standards for reporting this activity, New York Bankers Association general counsel Roberta Kotkin said.

Kotkin told lawmakers support from state law would encourage bank staff to report suspicious activity sooner.

In previous years the legislation has passed the Senate but stalled in the Assembly.

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Lawmakers asked prosecutors and advocates whether the state should codify situations that hinge on subjective family dynamics and mental health conditions.

Democratic Assemblywoman Donna A. Lupardo said the "reasonable belief" the bill requires from banking staff strikes a fine line between preventing abuse and stereotyping seniors.

"It's hard to legislate a balancing act," she said.

Former prosecutor Liz Loewy, counsel for industry relations at fraud prevention group Eversafe, said New York is in the minority because 34 other states have laws addressing what banks, firms and financial services should do when they notice suspicious activity and 28 mandate reporting.
In an unprecedented move, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has been banned from filming in India's tiger reserves for five years.

The ban was reportedly caused due to misrepresentation of facts in BBC South Asia Correspondent Justin Rowlatt's documentary on Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.

SEE ALSO: This national park tracked down rhino poachers thanks to a selfie

In his documentary titled Killing for Conservation, Rowlatt highlighted the Indian governments "ruthless" anti-poaching policies. He claimed that Kaziranga has a "shoot-at-sight" order for poachers.

He details in his written account: "The way the park protects the animals is controversial. Its rangers have been given the kind of powers to shoot and kill normally only conferred on armed forces policing civil unrest."

He further says: "At one stage the park rangers were killing an average of two people every month - more than 20 people a year. Indeed, in 2015 more people were shot dead by park guards than rhinos were killed by poachers."

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) found BBC's depiction "grossly erroneous" and called for a mandatory preview of the documentary at the Environment Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs.

When BBC failed to submit the documentary, the NTCA announced its ban. It has now asked chief wildlife wardens of all tiger range states and field directors of tiger reserves to disallow any filming permission to the BBC until 2022.

Two week ago, the Environment Ministry had recommended blacklisting the television station. They [BBC] have misrepresented facts and selectively over-dramatized interviews and old footage. They had a different agenda fueled by certain foreign NGOs and local elements opposed to conservation," it had said.

Mashable reached out to BBC for comment.

"We have not received any notification of a ban from the authorities. Any such reaction to a report on an important global issue like the appropriate way to combat poaching would be extremely disappointing. The program was a balanced and impartial report which covered both the successes achieved through Indias conservation policies and the challenges, which includes the impact on communities living next to the parks. We approached the relevant government authorities to ensure their position was fully reflected but they declined to take part," said a spokesperson via email.

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Kaziranga National Park, set up a century ago in India's far eastern state of Assam, is home to two-thirds of the planet's one-horned rhinos (2,400 of them). It is also a UNESCO world heritage site and northeast India's principal tourist attraction with annual footfalls of 170,000.

Last year, William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, visited the park.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge feed baby rhinos and elephants at Kaziranga National Park in April, 2016.

Image: Silverhub/REX/Shutterstock

And David Attenborough's Planet Earth II was filmed here too.

However, poaching of wild animals has been a concern in the area as well as in the rest of India. It is more rampant than ever, say reports. In Kaziranga, cops successfully chased down two poachers with the help of a selfie recently.

Even Rowlatt admitted that the park "is an incredible story of conservation success". But that wasn't enough to evade the ban, sadly.
Berlin (AFP) - Germany's foreign ministry on Tuesday called in Turkey's ambassador to protest Ankara's provisional detention of a German journalist on terrorism-related charges.

The ministry initially said on Twitter that State Secretary Walter Lindner had "summoned" the ambassador of Turkey, before clarifying that the envoy was "asked in".

"It was not a formal summons, the Turkish envoy was asked in for talks," it said in a second tweet.

The talks came after a court in Istanbul on Monday ordered provisional detention for Deniz Yucel, 43, a correspondent of the German newspaper Die Welt.

Yucel, who holds dual Turkish and German nationality, had been held since February 18 in connection with news reports on an attack by hackers against the email account of Turkey's energy minister.

His employer said he had been charged with spreading terrorist propaganda and inciting hatred.

Deploring Ankara's treatment of Yucel, German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said the case "made it very clear that there are major differences in Germany and Turkey ... in how the principles of the rule of law and how press and media freedom is evaluated".

He added the Turkish envoy was told that "these times are less than easy for Turkish-German relations, and that the Yucel case would only make everything harder".

Urging the release of Yucel, Gabriel said Berlin has also demanded full consular access to the journalist.

Relations between Berlin and Ankara have been strained by a series of disputes since the failed coup aiming to oust Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in July 2016.

Germany has been a vocal critic of Ankara's massive crackdown following the putsch, in which some 43,000 people were arrested, and 100,000 fired or suspended.

Turkey has also clamped down on the press, arresting hundreds of journalists without trial.

About 170 media outlets have been closed and nearly 800 press cards cancelled, according to journalists' associations.

The Yucel case has sparked an outcry in Germany, with Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday calling the Istanbul court's decision "bitter and disappointing".

Some 166 lawmakers in Germany's lower house of parliament last week also wrote an open letter calling for Yucel's release.
(Reuters) - West Ham United's recent form has given manager Slaven Bilic belief that his side can repeat their October League Cup victory over Chelsea when the London rivals meet in the Premier League at the London Stadium next Monday. West Ham have lost just once in their last six league games but will be the underdogs when they come up against a formidable Chelsea side that appear on course for the title with a 10-point lead at the top of the standings. "Hopefully we are going to do the same (as the 2-1 League Cup win). They are doing fantastic, they are winning and they are everything," Bilic, whose side sit ninth in the table, told the club's website. "They are solid and up front they have that unbelievable pace, strength and quality that is hard to stop. But we are a good team now, and we have been really good for a period of seven or eight games," the Croatian added. "We are good physically, we are good mentally, we are good on the ball, we are good in transition, and that is why there is always belief." (Reporting by Shravanth Vijayakumar in Bengaluru)
Old public vehicles will be banned from March 1

Public transport vehicles that are more than 20 years old will be banned from the streets of Kathmandu from Wednesday, the Department of Transport Management (DoTM) said.
By Felix Onuah and Ulf Laessing ABUJA/LAGOS (Reuters) - When protesters marched on Nigeria's presidential villa earlier this month to complain about a biting recession, they were not repelled by baton-wielding policemen, the usual fate for anyone arriving uninvited at the gate of the country's power center. Instead, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is standing in for the country's sick leader, sent a vehicle to ferry the protest leaders to his office, where they complained about widespread corruption. In a frank admission, Osinbajo acknowledged the government had failed to make as much progress fighting graft as it had hoped. "We hear you loud and clear," he told the protesters. President Muhammadu Buhari has been in London for six weeks on medical leave, raising questions over his capacity to govern Africa's largest economy. In his absence, diplomats and business leaders say the presidency has acted with an energy rarely seen in the two years since Buhari, 74, was elected. Civil servants say they are handling heftier workloads, while investors are praising a new, long-needed foreign exchange policy. Meanwhile, diplomats say Osinbajo's inner circle is gaining influence inside the presidency. To be sure, Osinbajo has made clear his loyalty lies with Buhari, a retired general who has struggled to define a clear strategy to deal with Nigeria's slide into recession and stands accused by opponents of inaction. But the 59-year-old lawyer is getting work done. He has relaxed visa rules to lure foreign investors -- a plan drawn up by Buhari but which like others got stuck in his chief of staff's office, according to diplomats. Officials in the Aso Rock presidential complex in Abuja have seen their working hours extended to 7 p.m. when Osinbajo leaves, or later. Buhari and his aides typically close shop at 4 p.m., officials said. "This man is a workaholic," one presidency insider said. "I wonder whether he rests at all because he even shifts some of the meetings to his official residence." "BACK ON TRACK" Nigeria tumbled into a full-year recession in 2016 for the first time in a quarter of a century as a slump in crude oil revenues hammered the OPEC member's public finances. The Treasury has faced an acute shortage of hard currency that has piled pressure on the Naira, which still trades at a more-than 30 percent premium on the black market even after policymakers effectively devalued the currency for private individuals last Monday. After stiff resistance from Buhari for a full devaluation throughout last year. With the president absent, last week's move was seen as testing the waters for a broader weakening. The central bank's move came after the National Economic Council, an advisory body headed by the vice president, called for an urgent review. "We believe the reform agenda is back on track," said Bismarck Rewane, CEO of Lagos consultancy Financial Derivatives. "The reform agenda has always been there but is more visible now with the vice president," he said. The president's office has posted pictures on social media of Buhari recuperating to allay rumors his health was worse than publicly acknowledged, though none have been published for more than a week. For now, there is no clarity on when Buhari, from the predominantly Muslim north, will return. BUHARI'S BACKING Osinbajo's leadership appears to have been accepted in the north, which under an informal deal with the Christian south should have its turn at the helm of power. And he has won praise from southerners who felt neglected by Buhari, visiting both the commercial capital, Lagos, and the oil producing Niger Delta on several occasions. Buhari has visited neither as president. Local residents say militant attacks on pipelines in the Delta have fallen since Osinbajo promised to drag the region out of poverty in a flurry of speeches. Moreover, Osinbajo has showed himself to be swift to act. On one trip to Lagos' international airport, he challenged officials on why the air conditioning and a luggage carousel were not working, and even inspected the toilets. The next day he fired the bosses of Nigeria's civil aviation. Aides to Osinbajo stress that he is acting with Buhari's consent. "President Buhari ... ensures that everyone falls in line," said Osinbajo's spokesman, Laolu Akande. It is a message that Buhari loyalists are quick to reinforce. The president's political adviser, Babafemi Ojodu, said the two men spoke every day. "There is nothing that has been done since the vice president started acting that is not something that started far back in the past," said Ojodu. (Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Richard Lough)
Ouagadougou (AFP) - A night attack on two police positions in Burkina Faso was claimed by jihadists who killed 12 soldiers in the area in December, a senior official said Tuesday.

There were no deaths in the raids, which happened late on Monday, but a woman police officer was injured, Mohamed Dah, the top official of the Soum region near Mali, told AFP.

The attack coincided with Africa's biggest film festival Fespaco, which is being held in the capital Ouagadougou with tight security in place.

Dah said the assailants, who were travelling by motorbike, attacked police posts in two villages.

In Tongomayel, they "torched the police station" leaving a poster in Arabic in the name of the Ansarul Islam jihadist group. In Baraboule, they sprayed the police station with bullets and stole two computers from an adjoining government office, he said.

Ansarul Islam claimed the December 16 attack on an army squad near the Malian border in what was the deadliest-ever assault on the military.

The group is led by Burkinabe Malam Ibrahim Dicko, a radical preacher who wants to create an Islamist "kingdom" in the region, experts say.

Long spared the Islamist violence affecting several nations in the region, notably Mali and Niger, Burkina has been hit by a series of attacks and kidnappings since April 2015.

Most of the raids have occurred near the northern border, but in January 2016, 30 people were killed and 71 wounded in Ouagadougou after gunmen stormed a restaurant and a four-star hotel, taking hostages.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claimed responsibility for the attacks.
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia's authoritarian Prime Minister Hun Sen has expressed sympathy for U.S. President Donald Trump's antipathy toward the media, saying both he and Trump saw the media as stirring anarchy. Hun Sen, whose rule of more than 30 years has been marked by accusations of human rights abuses and corruption, said Cambodian journalists who reported on human rights could undermine national security. "Donald Trump understands that they are an anarchic group," Hun Sen said of journalists at an event on Monday, in comments later posted on his Facebook page. Hun Sen had said before the U.S. election in November that he hoped Trump would win as he would be good for world peace. Political tension has been increasing in Cambodia in recent months as opponents of Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge guerrilla, accuse him of unfair maneuvering to maintain his grip on power in local elections in June and a general election next year. Hun Sen has warned that an opposition election win could lead to the return of civil war. He has long dismissed Western concerns about human rights, democracy and corruption. Last week, the U.S. embassy said it was deeply concerned about legislation introduced by Hun Sen's ruling party to make it easier for the government to dissolve political parties, saying it restricted freedom of expression and legitimate political activity. The change to a 1998 election law gives the government the power to dissolve parties under what the embassy described as "vaguely defined circumstances", including incitement, promoting secession or anything that could harm national security. Hun Sen criticized what he said was the media's focus on human rights, which he said could endanger peace and security. "Anarchic human rights are rights that destroy the nation. I hope foreign friends understand this," he said. The media in Cambodia has for years enjoyed more freedom than that in many of its neighbors. Hun Sen has often accused U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia and Voice of America radio of supporting opposition parties. Media, in particular domestic outlets, are frequently accused of being unfair to his government. Trump has regularly attacked the media and last week he criticized news organizations that he said put out "fake news", calling them the "enemy of the American people". (Reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Editing by Robert Birsel)
Which Car Brands Make the Best Vehicles?

Consistency is key. Consumer Reports' annual analysis reveals that some brands exhibit high-level performance across their lines. Many others do not.

In our 2017 analysis of which car brands make the best vehicles, Audi takes the top position for the second year in a row, followed by Porsche, BMW, Lexus, and Subaru. Although these are the same top five as last year, Porsche and BMW rose, and Lexus and Subaru moved down.

This year Chrysler, Acura, Infiniti, and Cadillac were the most upwardly mobile. Chrysler rose seven places, and the other three brands each moved up six places compared with last year.

Some of the standout brands benefit from a tiny roster. Tesla, the highest-ranked American brand, earns its position based on just two models. Likewise, Chrysler has one of the higher average road-test scores, but thats also based on just two models: the 300 and Pacifica (low Overall Scores keep both from being recommended). Fiat, Jeep, Mitsubishi, and Land Rover remain stubbornly stuck at the bottom of the list.

To arrive at the rankings, we averaged the Overall Scores for new cars from every major automotive brand based on the vehicles we have purchased and tested, then we ranked them. Brands with just one tested model were omitted.

More From the 2017 Autos Spotlight

10 Top Picks of 2017: Best Cars of the Year

America's Favorite Cars: SUVs

With Automatic Shifters, It's Proceed With Caution

Self-Driving Cars: Driving Into the Future

When to Replace Your Tires

2017 Autos Spotlight Guide

Quiz: How Well Do You Know Car Brand Logos?

The Overall Score is the combination of our road tests, predicted reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety. For each brand we indicate the percentage of tested models that earned a recommended designation. This percentage reveals a meaningful differentiation. Only Porsche, BMW, and Mazda earned a recommendation on every model we tested. Audi, Honda, and Hyundai lead the other brands, with 86 percent of their tested lines being recommended.

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From year to year we see movements in brand rankings because of changes in reliability and new road tests. Subaru dropped from second to fifth place because the previously very reliable Legacy and Outback are now rated only average, and the WRX/STI dropped to below average. Similarly, Mini dropped 11 places because the unreliable Cooper and Clubman weighed down the average Overall Score. Volkswagen tumbled eight spots because its reliability slid from average last year to below average for 2017.

Finally, the rankings do not reflect corporate behavior. Consumer Reports continues to push for consumers to be fully compensated for Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, and other vehicles potentially affected by emissions cheating scandals.

Brand Report Card

To show how the car brands compare, we present them in rank order below based on the Overall Score. Roll your cursor over the brand name to see each brand's predicted reliability and owner satisfaction highlighted.

For further insights, a box appears during the rollover listing the selected brand's average Overall Score and road-test score.

Combined, these key factors show each brand measures up. Through this interactive, you'll see that every brand has its own combination of scores, with some being strong across the board and others having varied performance.

For example, top-ranked Audi has better-than-average predicted reliability and owner satisfactionrather than receiving the highest scores. But the brand shines with an impressive 86-point average road-test score, contributing to the highest Overall Score of 81.

If you're reading this article on a smartphone, you will not be able to view the interactive.

Editor's Note: This article also appeared in the April 2017 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.





More from Consumer Reports:

Top pick tires for 2016

Best used cars for $25,000 and less

7 best mattresses for couples



Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright  2006-2017 Consumers Union of U.S.
The U.S. and Mexican auto sectors have become so intertwined since the inception of the North American Free Trade Agreement that the industry itself is baffled as to how it would wean itself off the brisk cross-border trade in car parts. President Donald Trump has vowed to renegotiate the 23-year-old trade pact, a move he says would shift plants  and jobs  back to the United States, but its not clear that even tearing up NAFTA and existing supply chains would do that.

The automotive industry is at the heart of U.S.-Mexico trade  and not just in finished vehicles. Steering wheels, dashboards, circuits, and other car parts zigzag across the borders of Canada, Mexico, and the United States many times before ending up in a vehicle in Detroit or Monterrey, Mexico. Disentangling those complex international supply chains could imperil the industry, more than a dozen industry participants and experts told Foreign Policy.

Many firms, and the auto industry itself, cant trace the routes of the components they produce beyond their tiny slice of the supply chain. A generation after the landmark trade deal went into effect, U.S. automakers dont know how they would turn back time.

Manufacturing has become heavily dependent on cross-border activity, on that global supply chain, Michael Davis, an economics expert at Southern Methodist University in Texas, said. Its not exactly clear how the [auto] industry would reorganize itself. Looking for new suppliers, it would be ugly.

General Motors, Ford Motor Co., and the U.S. branch of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles  known collectively as the Big Three American automakers  did not respond to requests for comment.

By slashing or eliminating tariffs on regional goods, NAFTA transformed supply chains in a range of sectors, unleashing huge cross-border flows in component parts. By 2010, 40 percent of the goods Americans imported from their southern neighbor had started off in the United States as components and were turned into finished goods in Mexico, according to a 2010 National Bureau of Economic Research working paper. In Canada, a quarter of imports began as pieces built in America.

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This cross-border activity is most extensive in the auto sector. Prior to NAFTA, American cars sold in the United States were made in places like Detroit with American-made parts, and across the region most vehicles were sold in the market where they were made.

All of that changed when NAFTA was ratified in 1994. U.S. carmakers began spreading their production throughout the trade zone, taking advantage of cheaper Mexican labor to lower production costs. Accessories for car bodies, engines, audio and video devices, seats, air bags, automatic gearboxes, and other products are now made in Mexico. Some of these larger parts are then shipped back to the United States. For instance, Chryslers Jeep Patriot is built in Belvidere, Illinois, but its transmission comes from Mexico. Fords Michigan-assembled Mustang also has a transmission made south of the border. The shift translated into cheaper car prices.

Now this cross-border trade is under threat from a protectionist president who attacked NAFTA repeatedly on the campaign trail, vowing to revamp or scrap it. Canada and Mexico have agreed to start talks on renegotiating the deal, though they havent been scheduled yet. Trumps commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, says hed like to change rules that dictate what share of a product must be manufactured in North America in order for it to move tariff-free through the trade zone.

Right now, 62.5 percent of car parts must come from North America for the vehicle to move between Mexico, the United States, and Canada without a tariff. The remaining 37.5 percent can come from anywhere in the world, including China, Japan, Germany, and France, all of which provide car parts to American automakers. Ross says he wants to raise the share that comes from North America with an eye toward benefiting American companies.

The auto industry is scrambling to figure out exactly what impact that would have on its supply chains. But the task is easier said than done.

The average car has about 30,000 parts. Industry supply chains are now so complex that its almost impossible to accurately source the origin for all the components of a North American-made car, said Bernard Swiecki, a senior analyst at the Center for Automotive Research, a think tank in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that tracks the car industry. Even the big automakers likely dont know enough about the source of their components to comply with a change in the origin rules, he suggested.

These companies have taken a deep dive down the value chain, Swiecki said. They know they are complying with the current rules of origin. But if the rules change, we believe the car companies dont have the visibility they need to rejigger their supply chains to meet new requirements.

A top auto industry executive confirmed that assessment: The automakers dont know where all the parts come from. They only know that the vehicles meet the current origin requirements.

We are doing forensic work to find out how much NAFTA content we have in our vehicles, the official said. Once we get to 62.5 percent, it doesnt really matter to us where the other 37.5 comes from.

Supply chain disruptions would not only hurt large companies. Smaller firms who do business in Mexico would also have to change the way they operate, sending shocks cascading down the value chain. Ernesto Bravo, president of the West division at Tecma, a company that helps firms manufacture in Mexico, told FP that any change to origin rules would just make products more expensive and less competitive with global suppliers.

Economists suggested phasing in changes to avoid immediate chaos. Any kind of change to this system is going to be totally disruptive and send things into disarray, Susan Helper, a former chief economist at the U.S. Department of Commerce, said. She added that the pain could be minimized by phasing changes in over time, which would give companies lead time to adjust supply chains to meet new requirements.

An unlikelier option for the big automakers: building new plants to replace foreign suppliers that could get locked out of a redesigned NAFTA, a move that could help Trump fulfill his pledge to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States. But the same economics that drove cross-border operations in the first place likely counsels against this.

For the big automakers, it may not be worth building a billion-dollar factory just to escape some tariffs on components, especially with sales projections flat for the next few years, Swiecki argued.

A billion dollars is a lot of money to spend, even when sales are going up, he said. A lot of people are going to be trigger-shy.

Photo credit: BILL PUGLIANO/Getty Images
Authorities said at least one person was dead and five were injured after a small plane crash crashed into two homes in Riverside, California, Monday in a residential neighborhood. At least one home was set on fire and about 30 people were evacuated from nearby homes, according to local media.

The Cessna 310 plane was traveling from Riverside to San Jose, said Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administrations Pacific Division. The four people on the plane and two other victims were pulled from the house on fire, Riverside fire Capt. Tyler Reynolds.

The person who died was not immediately identified. The plane is registered to Hijazi Nouri of San Jose, according to FAA records. It was built in 1974.

Firefighters are doing everything they can, Reynolds said, CBS Los Angeles reported. Theyre going inside the involved structure. We have it surrounded on all four sides, along with firefighters on the roof cutting holes to get the smoke out of the structure.

A neighbor named Ernesto who saw the explosion and rushed to the scene told CBS Los Angeles he assisted in rescuing the pilot. It was a girl, it was a lady, Ernesto said. She was speaking. She said there was three others on the plane... we looked inside and couldnt see anything, the plane was just gone. She was able to talk, she was able to walk."

Bystander Amador Islaf, who lives nearby, told reporters he felt the ground move  it felt like a little earthquake.

Small plane crashes are not uncommon. More than 1,5000 general aviation accidents have left 466 people died and 384 people injured since 2015, according to data from the National Transportation Safety Board through May 17, 2016. That covers small planes, helicopters, balloons and gliders.

Related Articles
CREPY-EN-VALOIS, France (AP)  A handwritten sign invited market-goers in Crepy-en-Valois, a down-and-out town north of Paris, to make their voices heard ahead of France's pivotal presidential election.

"What should be changed in France in 2017?" it asked. One by one, voters submitted their answers on multicolored papers that were suspended with clothespins on a line strung around a mall in the center of town.

The responses reflected the key concerns, hopes and tensions in the campaign for the April-May election: jobs, immigration, discrimination, pensions and the bleak prospects for French youth.

Activists from the far-left party of presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon were behind the weekend initiative, but they said their goal was inspiring disenchanted voters to talk politics as much as getting votes for Melenchon.

"Some people said they were not even sure if they would go and vote. So this is worrying, because it means they don't have a handle on politics," said activist Florence Fusin, 48, of Melenchon's Left Front party. "I think it's upsetting and sad to see people giving in."

Fusin said party members working on the project did not immediately disclose their Left Front affiliation.

"There's no censorship. We listen, people talk to us, offload what they think," she said. "Now, if we want to go further and if we see they are interested, we can talk to them about our candidate, but it's not the main objective."

The working-class town of Crepy is fertile ground for candidates on the extremes of the spectrum after years of economic decline. Unemployment is high and crime is up since a car carpet factory shut down. Some employees had even threated to bomb the factory.

It's the kind of town where the far-left will probably do well again this year on Melenchon's promises to take back power from vested interests and to wield it on behalf of the working class.

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It's also the kind of town where support is broad for far-right candidate Marine Le Pen of the anti-immigrant National Front party, thanks to her pledges to protect French jobs and industry from both global trade and immigrants.

France is holding a two-round presidential election this spring. The two top vote-getters in the April 23 ballot move on to a presidential runoff on May 7. Current national polls suggest Le Pen would win the first round of voting, but lose the ensuing runoff.

"Work for French people first, before foreigners," one voter suggested, a woman named Chantal.

Others fear Le Pen's message will further strain French society.

"More justice and equality," suggested 47-year-old Aubertin.

"Less racism," pleaded 52-year-old Jean-Claude.

Some proposals were more pragmatic: One 2-year-old dictated a wish for "more playgrounds."
PM for moving issues forward in two phases

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has called on the leaders of the agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) for a political agreement as per which the possible issues from among the amendment proposals registered on constitution amendment would be addressed now and the Morcha will participate in the local level elections set for May 14.
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said it hoped U.S. defense spending would be beneficial to maintaining global peace and stability, after the White House proposed a 10 percent increase in military spending. The proposed rise in the Pentagon budget to $603 billion comes as the United States has wound down major wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and remains the world's strongest military power. An official familiar with the proposal said U.S. President Donald Trump's request for the Pentagon included more money for shipbuilding, military aircraft and establishing "a more robust presence in key international waterways and choke points" such as the Strait of Hormuz and the disputed South China Sea. That could put Washington at odds with China, which claims most of the South China Sea and has alarmed its neighbors by building artificial islands and airports there, among other facilities. "We hope that relevant U.S. policies and measures can benefit the maintenance of global peace and stability," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a daily news briefing, when asked about the proposed U.S. increase. It was hypothetical to link the rise to the situation in the South China Sea, Geng added. "But on the South China Sea issue we have repeatedly said that the situation is at present developing well, in a positive direction, and is stable," he said. China hopes countries outside the region - usually a reference to the United States - can respect the efforts of China and Southeast Asian nations to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, Geng said. The United States already has the world's most powerful fighting force and spends far more on defense than any other country. China unveils its defense budget for the year at this weekend's opening of the annual meeting of its largely rubber stamp parliament. China last year set military spending at 954.35 billion yuan ($138.93 billion), likely understating its investment, according to diplomats. The 7.6 percent increase was China's lowest in six years, however, and its first single-digit rise since 2010, following a nearly unbroken two-decade run of double-digit jumps. The influential state-run Global Times tabloid on Tuesday called for a rise of at least 10 percent this year, to deal with the uncertainty brought by Trump. "The U.S. is a military superpower," it said in an editorial. "But it still wants to expand its military, which foreshadows the unavoidability of further strategic turbulence internationally." (Reporting by Ben Blanchard)
Beijing (AFP) - China said it has broken up an underground banking operation that conducted $7.3 billion in illegal foreign-currency transfers, trumpeting the bust as a sign of its resolve in stemming massive capital flight.

The State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) said in a statement late Monday that it had investigated six companies suspected of illegal forex transfers in the southern city of Shenzhen.

An unspecified number of other firms were found to have used false documentation, fabricated trades, and other methods to funnel money out of the country, the forex regulator said.

These include "ant moving" -- the process of transferring large sums of money out in small portions to avoid detection.

SAFE vowed that this year it would "strengthen foreign exchange market supervision and seriously attack foreign exchange violations in order to protect China's international balance of payments."

"At the same time, (we) will increase policy transparency and promote financial markets' opening to the outside world."

A huge wave of overseas investment last year by Chinese companies seeking better returns abroad prompted the government to rail against "irrational" spending.

It began rolling out a series of restrictions on overseas money movements as leaders grow increasingly concerned over capital flight, slowing domestic economic growth and a weakening yuan currency.

China's vast foreign exchange reserves in 2016 fell below $3 trillion for the first time in six years, as the authorities spent heavily to prop up the value of the yuan and cut down on outflows.

At the same time, the government has announced loosened restrictions on foreign investment coming into China to help stimulate economic growth and attract inflows.

In February, SAFE approved $89.2 billion in investments by Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors in the country's onshore financial market as of February 24, it said, up from $87.31 billion in January.
South of Mosul (Iraq) (AFP) - Hundreds of civilians fled through the desert Tuesday to escape fighting and privation in Mosul, joining thousands of others who left their homes amid dire conditions in the city's west.

Iraqi forces launched a major push on February 19 to recapture the west of Mosul from the Islamic State jihadist group, retaking the airport and then advancing north.

Security forces reached the southernmost of Mosul's five damaged or destroyed bridges across the Tigris River on Monday, a step that could allow troops to extend a floating bridge between the city's east and west sides.

But even if Iraqi forces link the recaptured east bank with the west, tough fighting still lies ahead, and civilians will be caught in the middle.

"So far today (Tuesday), we have around 300 displaced people -- men and women and children," Brigadier General Salman Hashem of the Counter-Terrorism Service told AFP.

"There are more coming. They're stopped at a checkpoint when they arrive and separated. The men are searched and then checked against a database," Hashem said.

Twenty-three men were pulled aside for additional investigation after their names were flagged in the database, he said.

Those fleeing the city have faced dire conditions.

"They're coming to us after days without food," Hashem said.

While the men are taken to be checked, the women and children sit on sheets on the dusty ground, and security forces bring them water, food and condensed milk.

Eighteen-year-old Baidaa, wearing a ragged black scarf and holding her young daughter, said she and her family had fled early on Tuesday.

"We left at five o'clock this morning. We started running and then we walked the rest of the way. We had to run because we were afraid of fire from (IS)," Baidaa said.

"They trapped us and they didn't want us to leave," she said of the jihadists.

Her two children did not "understand what's happening, they just followed us. They were so afraid of the firing from the fighting."

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- Hundreds of thousands trapped -

According to the ministry of displacement and migration, at least 16,000 people have been displaced since the battle for west Mosul began -- a small fraction of the area's total population.

"There is serious concern for the 750,000 trapped in the densely populated western sector, with conditions worsening daily, according to reports and testimonies from those who have managed to escape," Hala Jaber of the International Organization for Migration said in a statement.

Those still in Mosul have to face IS's strict rule along with a lack of basic goods and the danger from the fighting.

"Women had to cover up, you couldn't walk in the street without a guardian. The rules were very harsh and food was very expensive -- we could only afford to eat rice and bread," Baidaa said.

Fawzia Mohammed, a mother of 16 who also fled on Tuesday, said she and her family were trapped in their homes with little to eat.

"The last days were terrible. We were trapped inside by the fighting, we had no food," she said.

"The women were forced (by IS) to cover their faces, or stay at home. But that was okay -- the worst was the violence, lashings, executions, cutting people," Mohammed said.

One man who arrived with his wife and elderly mother asked Iraqi forces for medicine, but there was none on hand.

"My mother is old, she has diabetes, we don't have any medicine for her," he said.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces backed by air strikes and other support from a US-led coalition have since regained much of the territory they lost.

Iraqi forces launched a massive operation to retake Mosul on October 17, recapturing the east bank about three months later and then setting their sights on its smaller but more densely populated west side.
AIN EL-HILWEH, Lebanon (Reuters) - At least one man was killed on Tuesday in clashes between Islamist militants and the Palestinian Fatah faction at a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon where a power struggle has fueled days of violence. The Ain el-Hilweh camp, on the outskirts of the southern coastal city of Sidon, has often seen factional disputes spiral into violence. Medical sources said the man killed was a civilian. Three other people, including a child, were wounded. Gunmen from Fatah, the party of West Bank-based Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, have regularly clashed with Islamist militants in the camp, including supporters of Islamic State and al Qaeda. Palestinian activists inside the camp urged people to protest against the violence, in which machineguns and rocket-propelled grenades have been used. A loudspeaker on a mosque implored the warring sides to stop shooting to avoid civilian casualties, as gunfire rang out. Shops and schools nearby closed as stray bullets landed in the area around the camp. The latest wave of violence began on Feb. 23. The U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which aids Palestinian refugees, said it had suspended all services in the camp on Monday and Tuesday because of the violence. "There are reports of injuries to civilians and damage to shelters as a result of the weekends clashes," it said in a statement. "An UNRWA installation is reported as sustaining minor damage and the unauthorised entry of armed actors into one UNRWA school was reported." On a visit to Beirut last week, Abbas discussed with Lebanese officials the security arrangements in Palestinian camps in the country, which are home to nearly 450,000 Palestinian refugees. Fatah has an agreement with Lebanese authorities to hand over wanted Islamist militants hiding out in Ain el-Hilweh, which is outside Lebanese security forces' jurisdiction, a security source said. Attempted crackdowns by Fatah are a source of tension between it and the Islamists, the source added. (Writing by John Davison and Tom Perry in Beirut; Editing by Andrew Roche)
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  To see an alternative Carnival celebration called bate-bola, most likely you need to live in a poor area of Rio de Janeiro, a world away from the glitzy parades of Brazil's famous party, or receive an invitation by word of mouth.

Participants dress in colorful clown costumes, running wild, yelling and using sticks to slam balls into the ground  and sometimes each other  in rough-and-tumble areas in north or west Rio. Over the years, balls have ranged from cow bladders drenched in salt to plastic oval-shaped balls wrapped in cords, which are the most common today in bate-bola, or bat-ball.

"These masked men and women create an identity and a social network among themselves," said Luiz Antonio Simas, an historian and Carnival columnist for Rio daily "O Dia." ''That is what makes them plan for this during the entire year."

Members of one bate-bola group gathered Monday night in the City of God slum, one of Rio's most violent and notorious slums made famous by an Academy-Award nominated film with its namesake. For hours, they slammed balls to the ground, drank beer and talked about trying to meet up with other groups.

Bate-bola veteran Anderson, who goes by "Playboy" and declined to give his last name, said he recently founded the group, called "Badalados," or "Trendy" in English.

"Here we have nothing but social projects and we wanted something new," said Anderson as he prepared his group of 25 members to try to meet other bate-bola fans a few miles away. "We are not here to cause any trouble. We just want to have a good time without traveling to the other side of the city."

The bate-bola tradition dates to the beginning of the 20th century. Revelers would go around looking for other groups to gather, make noise, and hit balls. But with the growing influence of drug gangs in slums, or favelas, these encounters now sometimes end in shootings, stabbings and killings.

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That is why many Cariocas, as Rio residents are known, instead celebrate in the glitzy samba school parades or in more than 450 street parties in the safer south and central areas of the city.

Part of the danger lies in the disorganized nature of the celebrations. For a few hours Monday night, the group went to different areas looking for other groups or a larger "bate-bala party" and by midnight had not found one.

As the group paraded through an avenue in the region of Taquara, also on Rio's west zone, gas station staffer Alan de Sousa looked on.

"I did this for many years until a friend was killed in front of us," he said. "The clown costumes have very long sleeves, so an enemy of his was carrying a knife."

Still, Sousa said he still feels goosebumps when he hears the balls.

"Only people that do bate-bola know what a thrill it is. That is probably why it is never on television, you have to live it to like it," he said.

While such celebrations happen in predominantly poor areas, the clown costumes can cost more than 2,000 Brazilian reals ($645), much more than national monthly minimum wage of 937 Brazilian reals ($ 300).

Some costumes are more improvised. A teenage boy with Badalados, who refused to give his name, wore a gorilla outfit and a fake assault weapon. Many teenage girls wore Wonder Woman costumes and practiced slamming their balls on the ground.

"We tried to make it accessible for everyone this year" by making cheaper costumes, said Caique Nunes, also an organizer at Badalados. "Next year, the economy will be better. I am sure we will have 50 members."

____

Associated Press video journalist Yesica Fisch and photographer Felipe Dana contributed to this report.
San Jose de Oriente (Colombia) (AFP) - Colombia's FARC rebels began disarming Wednesday under a historic peace deal, beginning the delicate transition from guerrilla army to political party after more than half a century at war.

After weeks of mustering its troops at designated disarmament zones, the FARC, or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, was set to begin an inventory of its weapons and destroying munitions under United Nations supervision.

"I'm abandoning my rifle for a broom," said guerrilla Maritza Gonzalez at the FARC's hot, dusty camp in San Jose de Oriente, in northern Colombia.

Three armed guerrillas in combat fatigues guarded the entrance to the rudimentary camp, where a steady stream of trucks delivered bags of cement and workers scrambled to finish building a kitchen, mess hall, bathrooms and a laundry area.

Gonzalez, 54, has been a guerrilla since the age of 14. She said she was hopeful for the future and planned to reunite with her five brothers and four sisters.

"Let's hope this leads to peace," she told AFP.

President Juan Manuel Santos, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in October for his efforts to end the country's 53-year conflict, called the disarmament "historic news for Colombians" in a tweet.

FARC leader Rodrigo "Timochenko" Londono tweeted that the leftist rebels were laying down their guns "with enthusiasm."

Another senior FARC commander, Carlos Antonio Lozada, called it on Caracol Radio "a transcendental moment in the life of any fighter."

"Those weapons guaranteed our lives," he said. "But I think we will feel safe in the belief that we are doing the right thing."

- Towards 'complete peace' -

The disarmament of the country's largest guerrilla army will leave rival movement ELN -- currently engaged in rocky peace talks with the government -- as the only rebel group still waging a multi-sided war that has killed 260,000 people.

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The Cold War-era conflict, which has also left 60,000 people missing and uprooted 6.9 million, is the last major armed conflict in the Americas.

Colombia, South America's third-largest economy and the world's biggest cocaine producer, has been torn since the 1960s by fighting that has drawn in numerous leftist rebel groups, right-wing paramilitary units, drug cartels and the army.

Santos is hoping to seal a "complete peace" with both the FARC and the ELN.

Both leftist rebel groups took up arms against the government in 1964, in the aftermath of a crushed peasant uprising.

- Next challenge: the ELN -

The FARC has some 6,900 guerrillas.

It signed a peace deal with the government in November after four years of negotiations in Cuba, but implementation is running slightly behind schedule.

Under the deal, the FARC was originally due to surrender 30 percent of its weapons to the UN by Wednesday. But that can only happen once the inventory is complete.

The government's high commissioner for peace, Sergio Jaramillo, said Tuesday that the 180-day deadline for the rebels to fully disarm would be maintained, however.

The UN said in a statement that the FARC has until May 29 to disarm.

The first to surrender their weapons will be the 322 FARC members taking part in a joint monitoring commission with the government and the UN.

Separate talks with the ELN, or National Liberation Army, took a hit this week when the rebels claimed responsibility for a series of recent attacks -- a bloody reminder of the violence Colombia still faces.

Experts warn the ELN could be a tougher negotiating partner than the FARC because it has more hardline demands for sweeping social change.

It also has a decentralized command structure that could make it harder to convince the rank and file to accept an eventual deal.
When It Comes to Automatic Shifters, It's Proceed With Caution

Many new-car buyers over the past few years have probably been surprised to find a dial or a row of buttons where they expected to find the automatic transmission lever. Some cars have shifters that lookat first glancelike familiar gear selectors in the center console or on the steering column, but which function in complicated or counterintuitive ways.

The result is that one of the most fundamental systems in a car can end up being confusing to drivers, and, if used improperly, dangerous. Since its not always immediately obvious whether these unfamiliar transmissions are in gear, Neutral, or Park, its possible for rollaways to happen after a driver exits the car.

BMW began to deploy unusual shifter designs in the early 2000s. Since then, many other manufacturers have introduced new takes on the conventional PRNDL shifter in more mainstream cars.

Some cars have built-in safeguards to prevent rollaways. But other vehicles have needed fixes to their transmissions after problems surfaced in the field. In April 2016, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) had to recall 1.1 million vehicles after 41 people were reported injured. In June of that year, actor Anton Yelchin was killed when his Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled into him.

Consumer Reports believes so strongly that these types of shifters have the potential for harm that we are now deducting points from the Overall Score of any vehicle we determine has a shifter that is difficult to operate or that can be confused for other controls. We are also now deducting additional points from the Overall Score if a tested vehicle does not automatically return to Park or engage the parking brake when the engine is shut off, or when the drivers door is opened with the engine running. Some vehicles, from manufacturers such as Ford and Honda, already employ both of these fail-safes.

While more than 50 vehicles are affected, Consumer Reports is no longer recommending the following cars because their specific deductions from among our criteria drop their Overall Score below our threshold: the Chrysler 300, Lexus CT 200h, and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and GLE.

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We reached out to those automakers for a response. Chrysler told us it plans changes in the design of the shifter function in the Chrysler 300 that will address the issues we raised. Neither Mercedes-Benz nor Lexus indicated any plans to change its vehicles. Both companies point to safeguards they do employ, such as audible and visual alerts.

If done right, new shifter designs can actually result in safer cars, says CRs director of auto testing, Jake Fisher. CR encourages innovations in design and engineering, but safety needs to be a priority.

(Top photo: The rotary shifter on the 2017 Ford Fusion represents an innovation that actually improves safety. Fords system is easy to use and will automatically return to Park if the engine is shut off or the door is opened while the engine is running.)

More From the 2017 Autos Spotlight

10 Top Picks of 2017: Best Cars of the Year

Which Car Brands Make the Best Vehicles?

America's Favorite Cars: SUVs

Self-Driving Cars: Driving Into the Future

When to Replace Your Tires

2017 Autos Spotlight Guide

Quiz: How Well Do You Know Car Brand Logos?

A Daunting Dozen

A sampling of shifters that may leave you dazed and confused.

What's problematic: These shifters can be confusing to use.

What's problematic: Lack automatic rollaway preventions when the driver exits or tries to shut down the vehicle.

What's problematic: Lack automatic rollaway preventions when the driver exits or tries to shut down the vehicle, and can be confusing to use.

Test Vehicles That Lost Points in Overall Score Due to Poor Shifter Design

Acura: MDX, TLX (SH-AWD)

Audi: A4, A8, Q7

BMW: 328d xDrive, 330i xDrive, 750i xDrive, i3 Giga, X3 xDrive28i (2.0T), X5 xDrive35i,

Buick: LaCrosse Essence

Cadillac: XT5 Luxury

Chrysler: 300 C (V8), 300 Limited (V6), Pacifica Touring L

Dodge: Durango GT (V6)

Infiniti: QX30

Jaguar: F-Pace Prestige, XF Prestige (V6), XJL Portfolio

Land Rover: Discovery Sport HSE, Range Rover HSE (3.0L), Range Rover Sport HSE (3.0L)

Lexus: CT 200h Premium

Lincoln: MKC Reserve, MKX (2.7 EcoBoost), MKZ (2.0 EcoBoost), MKZ Hybrid

Maserati: Ghibli S Q4

Mercedes-Benz: C300 4MATIC, CLA250, E300 4MATIC, GLA250, GLC 300, GLE350, GLS 350d, S550

Nissan: Leaf

Ram: 1500 Big Horn (5.7L V8), 1500 Big Horn (V6 diesel)

Tesla: Model S P85D, Model X90D

Toyota: Prius Three, Prius V Three





Editor's Note: This article also appeared in the April 2017 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.





More from Consumer Reports:

Top pick tires for 2016

Best used cars for $25,000 and less

7 best mattresses for couples



Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright  2006-2017 Consumers Union of U.S.
When China announced last week plans to cut off imports of coal from North Korea, a vital source of revenue for the cash-starved Hermit Kingdom, it fueled optimism that Beijing may be getting serious about reining in its erratic neighbor.

But an unpublished U.N. report obtained by Foreign Policy that documents sophisticated North Korean efforts to evade sanctions shows that China has proved a fickle partner at best in Washingtons effort to stymie Pyongyangs nuclear ambitions.

That poses a fresh challenge for U.S. President Donald Trump, whose prospects of containing North Koreas nuclear weapons program  which has made great strides lately  rest largely with Beijing. But instead of low-key diplomatic spadework, Trump has sought to browbeat China into helping, blaming the Asian powerhouse with failing to use its influence to clip Pyongyangs atomic aspirations.

North Korea is flouting sanctions through trade in prohibited goods, with evasion techniques that are increasing in scale, scope and sophistication, according to the report compiled by an eight-member panel, which is chaired by a British national and includes experts from China, Russia, and the United States. The North Korean schemes are combining to significantly negate the impact of international sanctions.

China, despite its apparent cooperation of late with international efforts to sanction North Korea, has instead served as Pyongyangs economic lifeline, purchasing the vast majority of its coal, gold, and iron ore and serving as the primary hub for illicit trade that undermines a raft of U.N. sanctions that China nominally supports, the reports findings suggest.

As early as December 2016, China had blown past a U.N.-imposed ceiling of 1 million metric tons on coal imports, purchasing twice that amount. China then shrugged off a requirement to report its North Korean coal imports to the U.N. Security Council sanctions committee. When U.S. and Japanese diplomats pressed their Chinese counterpart for an explanation in a closed-door meeting this month, the Chinese diplomat said nothing, according to a U.N.-based official.

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North Korean banks and firms, meanwhile, have maintained access to international financial markets through a vast network of Chinese-based front companies, enabling Pyongyang to evade sanctions. That includes trades in cash and gold bullion and concealing financial transactions behind a network of foreign countries and individuals, allowing North Korea to gain ready access to the international financial system, as well as to banks in China and New York. North Koreas business networks are adapting by using greater ingenuity in accessing formal banking channels as well as bulk cash and gold transfers, the report found.

There is no direct evidence that the Chinese government is actively supporting North Koreas sanctions busters.

But William Newcomb, a former member of the U.N. sanctions panel on North Korea, said it is hard to believe China is unaware of the illicit trade.

You have designated entities that have continued to operate in China, he told FP. Its not an accident. Chinas security services are good enough to know who is doing what inside their country.

China has a pattern of showing goodwill in the U.N. Security Council by supporting a succession of sanctions resolutions aimed at curtailing Pyongyangs nuclear trade, according to Newcomb. But it has shown less commitment to enforcing those measures.

And it has used its power in an obscure Security Council sanctions subcommittee  which makes its decisions by consensus and in secret  to slow-roll efforts to ensure that sanctions are respected, Newcomb said.

The Chinese mission to the United Nations did not respond to a request for comment. An official at the North Korean mission who declined to identify himself said: I dont think there is anyone available for this issue.

The evasions raise fresh questions about Chinas commitment and pose a major challenge to Trump, who has vowed to prevent North Korea from achieving its goal of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a nuclear explosive to American cities.

Pyongyang has already conducted five nuclear tests since 2006, and it has made huge strides in missile technology, conducting a record 26 ballistic missile tests in 2016, including the firing in April of a submarine-launched ballistic missile using solid fuel. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears poised to test an ICBM with much greater reach.

The unprecedented frequency and intensity of the nuclear and ballistic missile tests conducted during the reporting period helped the country to achieve technological milestones in weapons of mass destruction capability, and all indications are that this pace will continue, according to the reports findings.

The report  which is expected to be made public next week  shows once again that the North Korean regime continues its methodical effort to develop a nuclear military program and the means to deliver the corresponding weapons, said Francois Delattre, Frances U.N. ambassador. It is a real challenge to the [nuclear] nonproliferation regime.

The extent of Chinese companies role in enabling North Koreas evasion of sanctions is detailed deep in the fine print of the still unpublished 105-page report. For instance, North Koreas Daedong Credit Bank (DCB) and Korea Daesong Bank, both subject to U.S. and U.N. sanctions, continue to operate in the Chinese cities of Dalian, Dandong, and Shenyang in violation of U.N. resolutions. The panel suspects that one of the banks, Daedong, may in fact be majority-owned by Chinese shareholders, citing July 2011 documents indicating the sale of a controlling stake, 60 percent, to a Chinese firm.

Daedong effectively accesses the international financial system through a network of offshore accounts and representative offices in China, the panel report states. Its operations, according to the report, provide evidence that North Korean banks manage to operate abroad through the establishment of front companies that are not registered as financial institutions but function as such.

The United States sanctioned Daedong; its finance wing, DCB Finance; and their Dalian-based North Korean representative, Kim Chol Sam, in June 2013 for providing financial services to the Korea Mining Development Trading Corp., or KOMID, North Koreas chief arms dealer.

Kim has established a series of front companies in China, including a Hong Kong firm he opened with a fake ID indicating he was a citizen of South Korea, according to the report. He has facilitated millions of dollars in payments and loans between companies linked to DCB and exchanged large quantities of bulk cash transferred to China from the Democratic Republic of Korea. The report says member states  an obvious reference to China  are obliged to expel Kim and freeze all property, assets and other economic resources owned or controlled by him.

The Chinese connection is at the center of an international web that stretches from Angola to Malaysia and the Caribbean and involves a large network of North Korean diplomats, entrepreneurs, smugglers, and foreign facilitators. The off-the-books trade includes the export of gold, coal, and rare-earth metals and the sale of rockets, Scud missile parts, government monuments, and high-tech battlefield communications equipment, among other things.

Last year, the panels investigations exposed trade in encrypted military communications, man-portable air-defense systems, and satellite-guided missiles that may involve large teams of the countrys technicians deployed to assemble or service the banned items, according to the report.

One example of a new niche market: North Korea buys cheap electronics in Hong Kong for a pittance and then turns them into military-grade radios it sells to developing countries for $8,000 a pop.

In July 2016, authorities from an unidentified nation seized an air shipment containing 45 boxes of battlefield radios, and assorted high-tech communications gear, from China to a technology company in Eritrea.

By the standards of North Koreas multibillion-dollar black-market trade, the Eritrea haul was a drop in the bucket; North Korea earned $1.2 billion in coal sales to China last year. But the case provided insights into Pyongyangs elaborate, and ever evolving, financial scheme to evade U.N. sanctions and stay two steps ahead of the United States and other key powers seeking to thwart North Koreas illicit trade.

The equipment bore the trademark of Global Communications Co., or Glocom, a Malaysia-based front company for North Korean firm Pan Systems Pyongyang, which operates a network of front companies and agents in Malaysia and China. The company also has a branch in Singapore. Efforts to reach the company were unsuccessful.

But the head of Pan Systems in Singapore, Louis Low, told Reuters  which first reported on the scheme  that his company set up an office in Pyongyang in 1996 but that it severed relations with North Korea in 2010 and has had no dealings with Glocom. He suggested that North Koreans might still be using the companys name without his agreement.

The mastermind behind the operation is North Koreas premier intelligence agency, the Reconnaissance General Bureau, which runs Pan Systems and other front companies.

The global network consisted of individuals, companies and bank accounts in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Middle East, the report stated.

Photo credit: KCNA/AFP/Getty Images
Corinne Olympios may be the most evil villain The Bachelor has ever known. Her behavior on the ABC series cost her a few friends, but shes not making any apologies.

After she got sent packing in Season 21, episode 9, Corinne appeared on Good Morning America to clear her name. She told host Michael Strahan it wasnt fair of the network to make her look like a villain. Corinne defined the term as someone who hurts people on purpose  something shed never do.

I was just doing me, the Miami native said.

She maintained that she was 100 percent authentic on The Bachelor, admitting she has a big personality. Corinne blamed editing for making her look evil and vapid. It wasnt all so sexy and flirty all the time, Corinne promised.

She may not see herself as a villain, but Corinnes aligned herself with an interesting cast of Bachelor characters. On Feb. 20, Chad Johnson of Bachelorette Season 12 fame revealed to ET Online that he and Corinne had been texting. Chad suggested that he and Corinne bonded over their similar experiences. She confided in him when The Bachelor Season 21 started getting kind of tough.

Shes good [now]. I think at first, she had the same emotion as me. She was like, No Im good. I got this and then a couple weeks down the line, I think she texted me like, This is getting kind of tough, Chad said. But yeah, she seems pretty cool...she obviously doesnt care at all what anybody thinks.

Editing may be to blame though. Corinne has expressed that sentiment before and her family backed her on it. Her mother Peri spoke with In Touch Weekly about several especially controversial moments.

She confirmed that Corinne was not topless during episode 3 of The Bachelor. Peri told the publication her daughter had cover ups on during the infamous bikini photo shoot. She added that the now-infamous trench coat scene appeared more scandalous than it was because of editing.

Corinne will get the chance to speak her truth on Monday, March 6. The Bachelor will bring back all the eliminated cast members for a women tell all special. Tune in to ABC at 8 p.m. EST for the 3-hour show.

Story continues

Corinne Olympios

Photo: ABC

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Rajbiraj school bomb scare ends

A socket bomb that was found near the Peace Zone Boarding School based in Rajbiraj Municipality-9 on Tuesday has been defused.
London (AFP) - A crowdfunding campaign for legal fees to help a Singaporean grandmother deported from Britain for breaching immigration rules had raised more than A46,000 (53,900 euro, $57,100) by Tuesday.

Irene Clennell, who first arrived in Britain in 1988 and is married to a British man, was deported to Singapore on Sunday despite a high-profile campaign for her to stay on compassionate grounds.

Her sister-in-law, Angela Clennell, set up the crowdfunding campaign, saying that her brother was seriously ill and Irene was his "sole caretaker".

"Irene has nowhere to go in Singapore, both her parents have passed away -- her whole life is here in Britain," Clennell said on the website gofundme.com.

"As you can imagine it was a great shock receiving the phonecall from Irene at 11am to inform us she was being deported at 3.30" on Sunday, she said.

Clennell is staying with her sister in Singapore.

She and her husband John have two children and a two-year-old granddaughter.

She spent periods of time in Singapore to care for her parents before they died and lost her leave to remain as a result of Britain's spousal visa system.

The controversial system means that the British partner in a marriage has to prove earnings of at least A18,600 and the couple have to demonstrate long stretches of uninterrupted time living in Britain.

The threshold was put in place in 2012 as part of efforts to drive down the number of immigrants arriving in Britain from outside the European Union.

"All applications for leave to remain in the UK are considered on their individual merits and in line with immigration rules," a Home Office spokesman said.

"We expect those with no legal right to remain in the country to leave," he said.
Fifty-eight-year-old Vasily Babina was released from Russian prison this month after nearly three decades behind bars. But his newfound freedom came with a very big asterisk: Hes technically still a citizen of the Soviet Union.

Babina was thrown in prison before the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, back when his home country still existed. He served his sentence for burglary, robbery, and murder in a prison system near the Russian city of Yekaterinburg.

Upon his release, he was handed back his Soviet passport and Yekaterinburg was handed a vexing legal quandary: what to do with the last Soviet citizen.

They think theyve figured it out  though its not great news for Babina. A city court deemed Babina a stateless person and ruled he be detained (again) in a city migration center with other illegal immigrants through May, Russian news site E1.RU reported. Thats when the court will consider extending his detention until they sort out what still-existing country he belongs to.

Babina is originally from what is now Kazakhstan, where Russian officials hope to deport him. The Ministry of Justice has decreed that it does not want Vasily Babina to remain in RussiaThey havent explained why, Roman Kachanov, his lawyer, told E1.RU. But activists are working to keep him in Russia to reunite him with family in the countrys Altai region, the Moscow Times reports.

Babina isnt the only stateless person. There are groups of stateless groups of people across the world, often extremely oppressed minority groups such as the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Stateless people can have difficulty accessing basic rights, and face a lifetime of obstacles and disappointment, according to the U.N. Refugee Agency.

The State Department estimates there are anywhere from 3.5 million to 12 million stateless people worldwide. But Babinas case is unique; there appears to be no other reported cases of Soviet citizens in modern limbo.

Photo credit: SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images
Seeking a path back to power in Congress, Democrats first want to hold on to the governorship in Virginia this year. Then they're setting their sights in 2018 on crucial governors' contests in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and elsewhere.

The targeted races are part of a strategy by a new Democratic coalition led by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder that aims to undo what he denounces as the "rigged political process" that has favored Republicans since congressional and state legislative districts were redrawn after the 2010 Census.

To win in Washington, Democrats have come to believe that they must first gain ground locally  through elections for governors and state legislators, court cases or ballot initiatives. Most governors elected in 2017 and 2018 will still be in office when the next round of redistricting occurs after the 2020 Census, wielding a potential veto pen over maps drawn by legislatures.

Democratic-backed legal challenges to the current districts in some states also could set new precedents for how redistricting must occur nationally. And in some states, Democratic-aligned groups are considering state ballot initiatives that could diminish the power of legislatures to draw districts, instead entrusting the process to bipartisan or independent commissions.

Republicans won a 241-194 majority over Democrats in last year's U.S. House elections, claiming more than 55 percent of the seats even though they edged Democrats by just 1 percentage point in the nationwide popular vote. Holder contends that disproportionate ratio is partly the result of partisan gerrymandering engineered by Republicans, who now control about two-thirds of all state legislatures.

"The will of the people, I think, has ultimately been frustrated  both at the state level and at the federal level," Holder said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Because of the way districts are drawn, Holder says it will be difficult for Democrats to regain control of Congress in the 2018 elections during the middle of Republican President Donald Trump's term. But he's hopeful of laying a foundation for future success.

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Holder, who was attorney general under former President Barack Obama, is chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, a new alliance of Democratic leaders, unions and progressive groups trying to bolster Democratic prospects ahead of the next round of redistricting.

"The mission is simple: Better maps in 2021 than we got coming out of the census in 2010," Holder told a group of reporters in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.

He views the effort as a continuation of his work as attorney general "protecting voting rights" against Republican initiatives such as photo identification requirements, although the new committee will leave it to others to challenge such laws.

Obama also will be involved in the redistricting effort and already has helped with fundraising, Holder said. He declined to say how much money has been raised so far.

The Democratic initiative is modeled after the Republicans' successful Redistricting Majority Project, which contributed to a wave of state legislative and gubernatorial victories in 2010. Those new Republican majorities then were able to control the 2011 redistricting, helping to lock in favorable political maps for years to come.

Since then, Republicans have seized even more states, now controlling the governorship and full legislature in 25 states while total Democratic control has diminished to about a half-dozen states. Republicans contend their dominance is due primarily to superior candidates and issues, not manipulated maps.

"Right now, the Democrats are in their nightmare scenario, and they're responding" with talented strategists and fundraisers, said Matt Walter, president of the Republican State Leadership Committee.

But he said if Democrats take a top-down approach to targeting local races, "we'll continue to win."

Many Democrats say the party failed to focus enough on local candidates during Obama's tenure. Newly elected Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez is pledging to rebuild the party at all levels, from the "school board to the Senate."

Holder's redistricting initiative is dividing states into four tiers, focusing foremost on those with the largest gaps between the partisan popular votes and seats won, and where Democrats can have the greatest impact by winning a key election or court battle. At the bottom are states with few members of Congress, unlikely to flip to Democrats or where there is little ability to influence the redistricting process.

Among their top targets is Virginia, where Democratic congressional candidates received about 16,000 more votes than Republicans last November yet won just four of the state's 11 U.S. House seats. Even that marked a gain: Democrats flipped one Republican seat after a federal appeals court ordered new district boundaries because too many black voters had been packed into a single district under the Republican-drawn maps.

Democrats want to retain the governor's office, now held by term-limited Gov. Terry McAuliffe, to provide leverage during the 2021 redistricting against a state legislature currently led by Republicans.

A similar scenario exists in Michigan, where Republican congressional candidates edged Democrats by a single percentage point in last year's statewide vote yet won 9 of the 14 districts, which were drawn under a GOP legislature and governor. Democrats are taking a three-pronged approach: considering filing suit against the current districts; backing a ballot initiative to change the future redistricting process; and trying to win the governor's office being vacated by term-limited Republican Rick Snyder.

"There are a lot of big governors' races in states where maps are particularly egregious," said Kelly Ward, executive director of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee.

Where Republicans control the state legislature, those governors are essential "to get a Democrat at the table in the redistricting process," she added.

Governors' races also will be the top targets for Democrats in Ohio and Pennsylvania, two places with Republican state legislatures where GOP congressional candidates' received a mid-50s percent share of the statewide vote yet won around 75 percent of their U.S. House seats.

Florida is another high-stakes state, with a term-limited Republican governor in 2018, a GOP-led state legislature and a 16-11 Republican advantage in U.S. House seats.

Republicans will be mounting similar offensives in Illinois and Maryland, hoping to hold on to GOP governorships as a redistricting buffer against Democratic-dominated state legislatures that drew congressional maps in their favor after the 2010 Census.

___

Associated Press writer Mark Sherman in Washington, D.C., contributed to this story.

___

Follow David A. Lieb at: http://twitter.com/DavidALieb
Many Congressional Democrats opted to sit out the inauguration of President Donald Trump as a form of protest, but on Tuesday when Trump delivers his first address to a joint session of Congress, Democrats will express their discontent with the President in a different way: by inviting immigrants, Muslims and refugees affected by the presidents early policies.

At least 21 Democrats will have guests who have been either impacted by the presidents executive order banning travel from seven majority-Muslim countries and pausing refugee resettlement or his aggressive new immigration enforcement orders.

The American Civil Liberties Union, whose clients will be joining Reps. Judy Chu of California and Nydia Velazquez of New York, says the Democrats will demonstrate the importance of inclusion and equality alongside community members who represent diversity in America. Iranian graduate student Sara Yarjani will join Chu at Tuesdays address. The ACLU says was detained at the Los Angeles airport for 23 hours as a result of the presidents ban, despite having a valid two year-student visa. Velazquezs guest is Hameed Darweesh, an Iraqi former interpreter for the U.S. military who was detained at New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport for 18 hours.

These guests, who will sit in the House gallery during Tuesdays address, have overcome discrimination and made positive contributions to society, exemplifying the ideals of our great nation, a statement from the ACLU reads.

Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia is bringing Rev. Keary Kincannon, a pastor from a Northern Virginia church where a group of Latino men were detained by ICE agents after utilizing its a hypothermia shelter. Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren is bringing Tiba Faraj, an Iraqi refugee who came to the U.S. in 2010. Warren said Faraj represents the very best of the American spirit. Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada is hosting immigration reform activist and DREAMer Astrid Silva. Silva has also been tapped to deliver the Spanish-language response to the presidents address on Tuesday.

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At a time when immigrant are constantly under attack, Astrid serves as a reminder that we are a country that fights for those who need protection, and one that gives opportunities for all to live up to their full potential regardless of where you come from, Cortez Masto said in a statement.

Other members of Congress are bringing Muslims who have faced discrimination and attacks over the past year and a half, including Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, whose guest Aneelah Afzali saw her mosque defaced after the 2016 election. The biggest troll of the night will surely go to Rep. Filemon Vela of Texas, who has invited celebrity chef Jose Andres to join him in the chamber. Andres was infamously sued by Trump after backing out of a deal to open a restaurant at the presidents new D.C. hotel.

The lives these guests lead stand in stark contrast to Trumps relentless campaign of xenophobia and scapegoating. They came to America, and stay in America, because it is a land of opportunity, said Frank Sharry, the executive director of the Americas Voice Education Fund, a immigration advocacy group.

The Democrats guests stand in stark contrast to the announced guests of President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. Three of the people joining the Trumps on Tuesday have family members who were killed by illegal immigrants.
SINGAPORE (AP)  A Singaporean grandmother who was deported from Britain because her immigration status had lapsed said Tuesday that police treated her "like a terrorist" before putting her on a plane back to Asia.

Irene Clennell, 53, was removed from Britain on Sunday after being sent to an immigration detention center.

"I'm a tiny person and two of the officers were holding my hand, like I'm going to run away or something, like a terrorist," she told The Associated Press in Singapore. "It was quite embarrassing."

Clennell arrived in Britain in 1988, married two years later and has two adult sons and a granddaughter. She and her husband lived in the north of the country.

She spent periods in Singapore throughout her marriage; one stretch lasted seven years and her British husband and children  who were small at the time  were with her for most of that time, she said.

Her husband of 27 years, John, has serious health problems and Clennell was his sole caregiver, her sister-in-law, Angela Clennell, said in Britain. He has been unemployed since last July.

Irene Clennell said he was inconsolable when she was deported.

"He was in tears and stuff," she said. "He is suffering from depression."

The British government's spousal visa system requires that a foreign spouse spend substantial uninterrupted time in the country, and that the British spouse earn at least 18,600 ($23,000) a year. Clennell had been granted indefinite permission to remain in Britain in 1992, but this lapsed after she stayed outside the country for more than two years. She returned to Britain as a visitor in 2013, and that year applied to remain in the country as a spouse; her application was turned down without explanation.

She has had no legal basis for remaining in Britain since July 2014, when her appeal rights were exhausted. Britain's Home Office said people with no legal right to remain in the country are expected to leave.

Story continues

Clennell said British officials who accompanied her on the flight promised that she would have help in getting a job and integrating into Singapore society.

"But everything changed when we arrived in Singapore. The officers turned their faces," she said.

"I have no intention of staying in Singapore. I've got nothing here. Everything I've got is there," she said.

For now, she is staying with her sister but she said the situation is untenable.

"I'll take whatever help I can get," she said. "My sister's house is too cramped up. Her sons are here and the both of them are married. They deserve their peace. I used to be quite independent and now I have to walk on eggshells so I don't offend anybody."

She plans to file an appeal for return to Britain.

"I'm not asking them to reinstate. I'm putting in new applications, but why was it not given? We're still married. I'm still with him. So I don't see why the rule changed."

___

Associated Press writer Lynne O'Donnell in London contributed to this story.
Six years ago this summer, Casey Anthony was found not guilty of murdering her toddler daughter, Caylee, following a lengthy and controversial trial in Orlando, Florida. But according to the judge who presided over the so-called "social media trial of the century," the mother may have caused the death of the 2-year-old  accidentally.

Judge Belvin Perry, now retired and working for the law firm Morgan & Morgan, told the Orlando Political Observer recently he thought investigators should have devoted more time to looking into the role chloroform  which evidence showed someone on the Anthony family laptop searched online for months before Caylee vanished  may have played in the case. us

"Did I think she intentionally killed the kid? No," Perry told the Observer, a small blog that is owned by KMH Media Corp and has about 7,000 Facebook likes. "The most logical thing based upon the facts was that chloroform was somewhere involved in it. I think she was angry with her mom as a result of something that happened the night before and that she wanted the child to be quiet. She wanted to knock her out."

Perry added that he thought Anthony accidentally gave Caylee a fatal dose of chloroform and then "didnt know what to do," according to the Observer's story, which was published Sunday.

Anthony's mom, Cindy Anthony, reported Caylee missing in July 2008 after not having seen her for a month. Casey Anthony initially blamed her toddler's disappearance on a nanny named Zenaida Gonzalez but was indicted when police found evidence of human decomposition in the trunk of her car, according to CNN. Caylee's remains were later found near the Anthony family house.

Anthony was acquitted of first-degree murder, child abuse and manslaughter in July 2011. She was convicted on four counts of giving false information to law enforcement but was released from jail that month.

After the verdict years ago, Perry said he was surprised by the decision.

Story continues

"Well, justice has been served in that the jury has spoken. But justice will be served one day by the Judge of Judges," he told the "TODAY Show." "And she will have to deal with this and live with this the rest of her life."

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Newly elected Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez believes President Trump hasnt done anything to improve life for Americans since taking office Jan. 20.

I cant think of a damn thing, said Perez in a Tuesday interview with Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric when asked if Trump has done anything well. Hes dividing America, he purports to be making America safer, but he deports abuelita or the DREAMer. The Muslim ban was unconstitutional. Dont ask me  talk to the Republican judge who took a look at it.

He continued: You look at the divisiveness every single day. You look at our standing around the world. He hasnt made us safer. He hasnt made it easier to buy a home. He hasnt done anything to lift peoples wages. This is an unmitigated disaster.

Perez also defended Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., who was dogged by his past associations with the Nation of Islam and his past defense of its founder, Louis Farrakhan, who had made anti-Semitic comments. Ellison was the runner-up to Perez in DNC chair balloting and will be bringing Perez to Trumps joint address to Congress as his guest.

I think its important to look at the totality of everything, said Perez, who made Ellison deputy chair at the DNC after winning the Saturday competition to lead the party. Keith Ellison is a friend of the Jewish community. Keith Ellison and I are working together to make sure were moving forward. We know that a united Israel, an Israel in which we are defending them, an Israel where we are collaborating with them on a two-state solution.

Read more from Yahoo News:
By Rod Nickel EMERSON, Manitoba (Reuters) - Jaime French was jarred out of bed in Emerson, Manitoba early one morning this month by pounding at her front door, just yards from the U.S. border. A face peered in through the window, flanked in the darkness by others. Outside were 16 asylum seekers, arriving at one of the first houses they saw after crossing a lightly monitored border between Canada and the United States. "They banged pretty hard, then 'ring ring ring' the doorbell," said French, a mother of two young girls. "It was scary. That really woke me up." The town has become the front line of an emerging political crisis that is testing Canada's will to welcome asylum seekers. Hundreds of people, mainly from Africa but also the Middle East, are fleeing U.S. President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigrants, migrants and refugee agencies say. Many asylum seekers say Trump's election and subsequent crackdown on illegal migrants spurred their plans to head north. Those arriving in Emerson come on foot in the dead of night, unnerving its 650 residents. Some fear the influx of unscreened migrants while others are frustrated by the cost and effort forced on the community. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is under increased pressure from the left, which wants him to let more in, and from the right, which is fearful of an increased security risk. Trudeau must tread carefully to ensure the issue does not complicate relations with Trump. The cooling welcome in Emerson is a microcosm of growing discontent over Canadas open door policy for refugees. Last week, an Angus Reid poll found that while 47 percent of respondents said Canada is taking in the right number of refugees, 41 percent said the number is already too high. (See the report) (http://angusreid.org/syrian-refugee-travel-ban/) "It could become a real political liability for the government," said Christian Leuprecht, a politics professor at the Royal Military College of Canada, noting that spring will lead to more crossings as travel gets easier. THAWING OUT IN THE KITCHEN After the 16 migrants left French's home, without being admitted, they found truck driver Brad Renout two doors down leaving for work. "I was going to leave them all outside," Renout said. "I figured, to hell with (them) for coming over the border in winter." When he saw children among the group, Renout allowed three women, three toddlers and two teenagers into his kitchen. Early Sunday, Reuters witnessed at least seven migrants bundled in new parkas and bulging backpacks walking into Canada from Minnesota, following railway tracks in the icy dark. Ismail, a 25-year-old Somali man, said they had walked for 22 hours without sleep across North Dakota. As police lights flashed distantly, Ismail said he was afraid to walk toward them. He thought the group was still on U.S. soil. Canadian police caught up with them shortly afterward and arrested them for illegally entering Canada. The group squeezed, uncuffed, into a police minivan and headed to a government office for questioning. "We feel sorry for the people," said retired grain farmer Ken Schwark. "I just wish they would come through the legal way." A 2004 agreement between Canada and the United States means asylum seekers must submit applications in the United States if they arrive there first. But if they find a way into Canada, they can apply for refugee status there. It's an avenue that has spurred north illegal migrants in the United States, especially Somalis settled in Minnesota, which shares a land border with Manitoba. After pricey taxi rides to North Dakota, many like Ismail walk for hours in darkness and -20 C (-4F) temperatures to dimly lit Emerson, in the shadow of the bright glare of the international border crossing. The lucky migrants get rides dropping them off less than a mile from Noyes, Minnesota, within sight of Emerson's southern edge. From there they duck under a metal crossing-arm gate, walk across the border and often use their own cellphones to dial police. Others are dropped 30 or more kilometers (19 miles) from the border, and follow rail lines into Emerson, crossing a border marked in most areas only by scattered concrete boundary markers. Faye Suderman, a four-decade Emerson resident, said she is sympathetic but draws a line between those fleeing persecution and those who have simply run out of chances in the United States: "How difficult is it to get rid of those people and give help to those truly in need?" Emerson Cafe manager Jacquelyn Reimer, who has fed shivering asylum seekers for free, wondered why the Canadian government is helping refugees when the country has its own homeless problem. "We can't even take care of our own," she said. MAKESHIFT BEDS, NUTELLA SANDWICHES Due to its border-hugging location, Emerson's encounters with migrants are not new, but the scale of their arrivals is. In the first two months of 2017, 143 mainly Somali people walked illegally over the border into Emerson, representing 40 percent of Manitoba's full-year total in 2015/16. Quebec and British Columbia are the two other major illegal crossing points, but police there refused to provide data. Emerson residents dont encounter the migrants for long before police arrive and whisk them to the local Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) office for questioning. From there, they are ferried to Winnipeg, Manitoba's capital, to file asylum claims. Despite some residents fears, asylum-seekers have not caused any trouble, said Bill Spanjer, Emerson's emergency coordinator. "They're going to be on their best behavior because otherwise their refugee claim is certainly going to be affected," he said. When police receive a call, they summon the town's volunteer firefighters to treat any health concerns, as the nearest ambulance is 25 minutes away. In December, two men from Ghana lost all of their fingers to frostbite. Firefighter callouts cost Emerson about C$500 each time. The costs may add up to C$30,000 since last spring, representing 10 percent of its firefighting budget, said Emerson-Franklin's elected leader Greg Janzen. The provincial government directed more resources to Emerson last week, including paramedics and paralegal and transportation services. Since the influx sped up in January, the strain on Emerson has grown. In early February, police intercepted 18 migrants from Somalia and Djibouti and CBSA asked Emerson to temporarily house them in the town's ice rink. Brenda Piett and other volunteers laid folding banquet tables on the concrete floor, and layered them with blankets for makeshift mattresses. At the migrants request, they served white bread sandwiches with Nutella hazelnut spread. "The groups are getting bigger, and the stories are scary, how far theyve walked," said Piett, an inventory clerk at Emerson's duty-free store. "But it does affect our town. Some people are very scared of it." (Additional reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa and Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Amran Abocar and Ross Colvin)
During the campaign and through the early days of the Trump administration, policymakers and pundits have zeroed in on the U.S. economic relationship with China, in particular whether Beijing artificially manipulates its currency and whether the terms of Americas economic engagement are fair.

While important, this focus misses Beijings foray into other, powerful forms of economic statecraft. China has begun increasingly relying on economic coercion  much in the same way the United States has in the last two decades  to pressure its neighbors and threaten U.S. interests in the Pacific. For example, in response to the prospective deployment of the United States Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system in South Korea  designed to protect a U.S. ally from North Korea  China has limited commercial flights to and from South Korea as a way to increase economic pressure on Seoul and signal its displeasure with the planned deployment.

This move parallels increased Chinese economic pressure on South Korean conglomerate Lotte Group, a holding company that agreed to allow the United States to use some of its property in South Korea to base the THAAD system. Subsequently, Chinese regulators launched coordinated investigations into the companys operations in China, a move which analysts believe was designed to increase economic pressure on a major South Korean business and to cause it to rethink its decision to provide property for the missile defense system.

If this story seems familiar, it should. In recent years, China has gone to school on the impressive record of U.S. economic statecraft and sanctions and has followed suit. Yet as Peter Feaver and I noted in a report for the Center for a New American Security in fall 2015, Chinas sanctions strategy is often more subtle; instead of applying blanket sanctions against target states to coerce changes in their behavior, China creates coercive leverage with regulations, purchasing decisions, the refusal to allow the import of certain goods into Chinese markets, and limiting exports of strategic materials to the markets of its adversaries.

Notable examples of Beijings willingness to use its economic clout for political ends include the Chinese restriction of exports to Japan of rare earth minerals in 2010 following the arrest of a Chinese ship captain after he rammed a Japanese Coast Guard vessel in the disputed maritime region; as well as a 2012 dispute with the Philippines over Chinese fishermen operating in the Scarborough Shoal, where authorities in Beijing imposed tighter measures on agricultural imports from the Philippines, and in particular on bananas. Given the importance of bananas and other agricultural exports for the Philippine economy, Chinas economic pressure convinced Manila to settle the dispute quickly.

But Chinas use of economic coercion  and the threats it may pose to U.S. interests  is not limited to sanctions-like measures that prevent access to Chinese markets. In recent years, Chinese direct investment into the United States has increased significantly, and while the vast majority of this investment is innocuous and ultimately a boon to the U.S. economy, there are reasons to be concerned. For one, China has tried to engage in notable purchases of property on or near U.S. military installations, such as when the Chinese-owned Ralls Corporation attempted to acquire a facility located next to a U.S. naval weapons systems training facility in Oregon. Second, Chinese state-owned companies have attempted to purchase elements of our allies critical infrastructure, raising concerns about leverage that Beijing could exert on our partners during crises and conflict. In one recent example, Australia blocked a Chinese state-owned enterprises attempt to purchase a majority share in Ausgrid, the Australian state-owned power grid. The Australian government, when reviewing the sale, concluded that in the event of a conflict, Chinese ownership of critical infrastructure could seriously undermine Australias national security.

In recent weeks, legislators on Capitol Hill and administration officials have begun seriously thinking through how to blunt threatening Chinese strategic investment into the United States. While the United States should broadly encourage foreign investment, it can also take additional measures to limit threatening efforts.

As suggested my recent report for the Center on Sanctions and Illicit Finance at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, the United States could adjust the scope of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)  the interagency body tasked with reviewing the acquisition of U.S. companies for national security concerns  to impose a mandatory submission requirement for transactions involving Chinese state-owned enterprises and U.S. technology firms. (Under current U.S. law, filing information about proposed transactions to CFIUS is optional.)

Likewise, Congress could create a CFIUS subcommittee focusing specifically on Chinese foreign investment into startups and high-tech that could pose national security risks in the medium to long-term. Such a subcommittee would help blunt Chinas ability to invest in U.S. companies before they either obtain the developed technology or shutter U.S. companies that may be developing defense-related technologies important for the United States.

The Trump administration should also work with like-minded countries  for example Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom  to share information about Chinas strategic investments, strategies, and actions, as a way to ensure that our allies and partners are not subject to future coercion.

This information sharing should not be limited to Beijings strategic investments, however. Congress and the administration should also pay close attention to Chinas continued use of economic sanctions-like measures that are aimed at pressuring South Korea, Japan, and other countries in the region. In particular, the administration could establish a formal feedback mechanism through the State Department for countries to report formal and informal Chinese attempts to exert economic pressure.

In such cases, the United States should be prepared to assist its allies if they are threatened with measures. For example, if Beijing attempts to use economic coercion against Japan or the Philippines in the East and South China Seas, then Washington should provide these countries with or facilitate access to key materials that China has cut off, such as rare earth minerals. The United States could also incentivize the diversification of export/import markets to decrease dependence on Chinese materials. Specific policies to accomplish this might include tax breaks to export key materials to Japan, or deregulation on some export materials. Likewise, if China bans imports of some agricultural products from neighboring countries, the United States can pledge to buy previously banned imports or provide tax incentives for U.S. companies to import from these countries. In addition, Washington should consider limited economic sanctions against China for its actions.

After years of the United States developing its own tools of economic coercion, its time to pay more attention to defense.

Photo credit: FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images
Stop meddling

The practice of wielding influence to grab a stake in infrastructure projects should end
By Nashat Hamdy and Mahmoud Mourad CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's parliament on Monday kicked out a prominent legislator with a reputation for being critical of the government because he allegedly "belittled" the assembly in correspondence with foreign organisations. Mohamed Anwar al-Sadat, the nephew of late President Anwar al-Sadat, was also accused of forging lawmaker' signatures on a draft bill. He denies the accusation. Speaker Ali Abdelaal said 468 members out of the chamber's 596 members voted to unseat Sadat and that there would be a by-election for his seat in the Nile Delta province of Monofiya. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's supporters dominate the legislature. Sadat had chaired the House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights until he resigned in August citing parliament's failing to address citizens' complaints of abuse. In a statement on Monday he said the allegations against him were false. "I answered the accusations with documents and demanded they be investigated by the judiciary," he said in a statement. Sadat was an outspoken critic of Egypt's human rights record and called for the release of hundreds of activists during anti-government protests. A report by the House Committee on Constitutional and Legislative Affairs had found Sadat sent several statements in English to foreign entities including the Inter-Parliamentary Union that discussed the Egyptian parliament's inner workings which could "belittle the stature of the House and its image". The committee recommended his removal from office. Sadat said his messages were press statements that he sent to journalists and others. "These are my public political opinions so if you put me on trial for them then I welcome your verdict," he said. Last month, Sadat criticised parliament's leaders, alleging that the speaker and his two deputies had received three armoured cars worth 18 million Egyptian pounds (over $1 million) at a time of economic hardship for millions of Egyptians. This is not the first time Sadat has lost his parliamentary seat. His peers also expelled him in 2007 after he declared bankruptcy. At the time he opposed President Hosni Mubarak, his uncle's successor and one-time vice president. Mubarak was ousted in a 2011 mass uprising. "It's not the end of the world," Sadat told journalists as he left parliament on Monday. (Writing by Ahmed Aboulenein; editing by Richard Lough)
An Afghan policeman linked to the Taliban shot dead 11 of his colleagues at a checkpoint in the southern province of Helmand, officials said Tuesday, in the latest so-called "insider attack".

The incident occurred late Monday while the policemen were sleeping in their barracks in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah, as the Taliban escalate a deadly winter campaign of violence.

Bloodied corpses of the policemen were strewn around the checkpoint, many of them shot from close range, witnesses said, in a setback for Afghan forces before what is expected to be another fierce spring fighting season.

"A policeman affiliated to the Taliban shot 11 of his colleagues, killing all of them," a provincial official told AFP, declining to be named.

"He then fled the area, taking all the ammunition and firearms with him," he said, adding that police had launched a search for the Taliban infiltrator.

The Boost government hospital in Lashkar Gah had received the bodies of the 11 policemen, a health official told AFP.

Taliban insurgents, who control vast swathes of the opium-ravaged province, claimed responsibility for the killings.

So-called insider attacks -- when Afghan soldiers and police turn their guns on their colleagues or on international troops -- have been a major problem during the more than 15-year-long war.

Such attacks have sapped morale and caused deep mistrust within security ranks.

In a similar incident last September, two Afghan soldiers with suspected Taliban links killed at least 12 of their comrades as they slept in the volatile northern province of Kunduz.

Afghan security forces are battling a resurgent Taliban amid record casualties and mass desertions.

For years Helmand was the centrepiece of the Western military intervention in Afghanistan, only for it to slip deeper into a quagmire of instability.

The Taliban effectively control or contest 10 of the 14 districts in Helmand, the deadliest province for British and US troops over the past decade and blighted by a huge opium harvest that helps fund the insurgency.

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Lashkar Gah -- one of the last government-held enclaves in Helmand -- also risks falling to the Taliban's repeated ferocious assaults.

The intensified fighting in the province last year forced thousands to flee to the city from outlying districts.

Repeated bids to launch peace negotiations with the Taliban have failed and an intense new fighting season is expected to kick off in the spring.

The Pentagon this year said it will deploy some 300 US Marines this spring to Helmand.

NATO officially ended its combat mission in December 2014, but US forces were granted greater powers last June to strike at the insurgents as Washington vowed a more aggressive campaign.

The US Marines will assist a NATO-led mission to train Afghan forces, in the latest sign that foreign forces are increasingly being drawn back into the worsening conflict.
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has announced that a college junior who came to the U.S. as an Iraqi refugee will accompany her to President Trumps address to a joint session of Congress in Washington Wednesday night.

Tiba Faraj arrived in Massachusetts in 2010 from Iraq with her family, a statement on Warrens website said. Farajs father was shot and left permanently disabled in 2006 while working for a U.S. backed development organization in Iraq.

The family then fled to Jordan and applied for refugee status in the U.S. Faraj became a U.S. citizen last year and majors in accounting with a minor in international relations at UMass Dartmouth.

Warrens move is a clear response to the Presidents controversial immigration policies that include barring Iraqis from the U.S. and suspending the U.S. refugee program.

Tibas courage, resilience and optimism embody the very best of the American spirit. Our strength as a country is rooted in our diversity, and Tibas many contributions have made us that much stronger, the senator said in a prepared statement.
Somewhere on this planet, two people are getting ready for the biggest trip of their lives: a weeklong, scenic loop around the moon.

On Monday, Elon Musk announced that his company SpaceX would send two space tourists on the journey next year, but said little about who they were. Theyre not astronauts, they asked SpaceX to take them, theyre paying a lot of money for it, and its nobody from Hollywood. He wouldnt even give their genders.

And this is where it gets interesting. Only 24 people, all Americans, have flown to the moon, and 12 of them have walked on its surface. They had one important thing in common: they were all men.

If even one of those mystery passengers is a woman, SpaceX would be making history.

Americans have not sent anyone to the moon in 45 years. To make a triumphant return with two dudes on board would make that return seem, well, less triumphant.

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While the Apollo program was launching man after man into orbit in the 1960s and 1970s, a womens rights movement swept more women than ever before into the workforce, including into the sciences, engineering, and other fields that contribute to human space exploration. In the last decade or so, the number of aerospace engineers inside NASA rose by 76 percent. And yet, many women in these male-dominated fields continue to be overlooked and underpaid. But times have changed in one respect. The idea of a female astronaut, considered by many to be ridiculous during the Apollo era, is now anything but.

Musk said the individuals approached SpaceX, so the company likely couldnt dictate the gender breakdown of the trip, especially with bags of money on the table. But they should be aware of the optics that would come with a two-man trip set against a backdrop of visible achievements by women in science, imagined or real. The American public has watched Sandra Bullock hurtle from space to Earth in one piece in Gravity and Amy Adams learn to talk to aliens in Arrival. Theyve read about Kate Rubins sequencing DNA on the International Space Station for the first time in history, and heard the real-life stories of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson in Hidden Figures.

Story continues

Like the Apollo astronauts before them, these individuals will travel into space carrying the hopes and dreams of all humankind, driven by the universal human spirit of exploration, the company said of the trip. Surely humankind must include a representative of half of the worlds population. When reached for comment Tuesday, SpaceX declined to comment on the genders of the passengers.

Recommended: Whats Dangerous About an Early Spring

Americans got a late start to sending women to space, for all the reasons one would expect: exploring the cosmoslike serving in the military, running a company, and otherwise bringing home the baconwas considered mans work. In 1962, John Glenn, a few months after he became the first American to orbit the Earth, appeared at a congressional committee about the possibility of training female astronauts and said women cant do what he did.

The men go off and fight the wars and fly the airplanes and come back and help design and build and test them, he said. The fact that women are not in this field is a fact of our social order. Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, flew aboard the space shuttle in 1983, a full 20 years after the Russians sent Valentina Tereshkova on a Vostok mission to orbit the Earth. The U.S. soon outpaced the Russians, and have now sent nearly 60 women to space compared to Russias measly four. Female astronauts may face the same challenges that female employees face in workplaces elsewhere, but at least NASA is no longerI hopeasking them, as they asked Ride back in 1983, whether 100 tampons would be enough for a weeklong mission.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
Sunday night amidst Oscar buzz Elon Musk tweeted that he would be making a SpaceX announcement Monday afternoon.

Today, Musk announced that his company SpaceX would be sending two private citizens into outer space and around the moon in 2018, according to a press release from the company. They will travel in the Dragon 2 spacecraft, the spacecraft already used for delivering supplies to the International Space Station, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rocket used to bring the spacecraft to space will be the Falcon Heavy, a new rocket developed by SpaceX, it will be tested this summer.

The trip will take about a week and the individuals paid a large fee Musk said, according to tweets from National Public Radio.

The individuals will under physical fitness tests as well as training before embarking on their mission.

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By David Mardiste TALLINN (Reuters) - Estonia's prime minister says the Baltic state is well placed to resist the kind of "fake news" reports that could proliferate when NATO troops start arriving next month, against a background of heightened tensions with Russia. Estonia, which borders Russia, won independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Since then it has had more than 25 years' experience of responding to incidents ranging from false news reports to a wave of digital attacks in 2007 whose targets included the government, companies and banks. Earlier this month, NATO accused Russia of being behind a false report of a rape by German soldiers deployed to another Baltic state, Lithuania, and said the alliance expected more of this kind of propaganda. Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas said there could be more information attacks when 1,000 troops from Britain, France and Denmark start arriving in March, but the country was ready. "We are building today much ... stronger strategic communications inside here in the government," he told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday, citing as an example the recruitment of more communications professionals. "These fake stories aren't a very big influence in our society. I hope and am sure we are ready to stand against these kind of fake stories or fake news." Governments everywhere are stepping up defenses against cyberattacks and information warfare after last year's campaign of hacking and leaks against Hillary Clinton's presidential election campaign, which U.S. intelligence agencies concluded, despite Kremlin denials, was ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ratas' foreign intelligence service said this month that the country could expect an uptick in Russian activity in 2017 around four main events: the NATO deployment; Estonia's European Union presidency in the second half of the year; local elections due in October; and Russian military exercises codenamed Zapad (West). "All of these events may be accompanied by campaigns to spread disinformation in the Russian language and non-Russian-language media and social networks with the purpose of discrediting Estonia and creating tensions in Estonian society and relations with other countries," it said. One-quarter of Estonia's population is Russian-speaking and many of them watch the slickly presented Russian news bulletins broadcast from across the border, which are overwhelmingly favorable to Putin. Ratas, who is himself learning Russian, said Estonia needed to build up its own programming for this linguistic minority. "I think both ways, the social media and also traditional media, it's important to invest more here in Estonia, to give this information also in the Russian language," he said. Dmitri Teperik, head of the Tallinn-based International Centre for Defence and Security think tank, gave qualified support to Ratas' comments on Estonians' resistance to fake news. "Ethnic Estonians are much more immune than Russian-speakers, and the reasons are many," he said. "He is right, to an extent, but how you measure it is a another question." (Reporting by David Mardiste; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
By Francesco Guarascio BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union lawmakers "overwhelmingly" voted on Tuesday to lift the EU parliamentary immunity of French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen for tweeting pictures of Islamic State violence. Le Pen, a member of the European parliament, is under investigation in France for posting three graphic images of IS executions on Twitter in 2015, including the beheading of the United States journalist James Foley. Responding to a request from the French judiciary, the EU lawmakers in the legal affairs committee voted to lift her immunity, EU officials said. The committee's decision will have to be backed by the whole parliament in a second vote, possibly this week. Le Pen's immunity shields her from prosecution; lifting it would permit legal action against her. The offense being considered is "publishing violent images," which under certain circumstances can carry a penalty of three years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros ($79,650). MEPs "overwhelmingly voted to lift Le Pen's immunity," said euroskeptic 5 Star Movement lawmaker Laura Ferrara. A Parliament official said 18 lawmakers voted in favor of removing Le Pen's immunity and three voted against. Le Pen could not immediately be reached for comment. "Showing and naming the horror of Islamism allow us to fight against it," Florian Philippot, the vice president of Le Pen's far-right National Front party, told Reuters. Le Pen, locked in an increasingly tight three-way race to succeed Francois Hollande this spring, has already seen her earnings as MEP cut for a different case involving alleged misuse of EU funds. She has denounced the legal proceedings against her as political interference in the campaign, where she is the lead candidate, and called for a moratorium on judicial investigations until the election period has passed. Polls say Le Pen should win the first of the two election rounds but lose in the runoff. They also show that her legal battles seem to have little effect on her supporters. Le Pen's immunity has been lifted before, in 2013. She was then prosecuted in 2015 with "incitement to discrimination over people's religious beliefs", for comparing Muslims praying in public to the Nazi occupation of France during World War Two. Prosecutors eventually recommended the charges be dropped. (Additional reporting by Chine Labbe and Yves Clarisse in Paris; editing by Larry King)
By Eric Auchard and Sophie Sassard BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) - The European Commission is opening up to some policy changes that telecoms companies want but is still but resisting mobile operators' efforts to merge with competitors inside national markets, executives said on Tuesday. The CEOs of Vodafone and Orange used an annual mobile industry gathering here to renew calls to regulators to help operators build scale and boost investment after years of what they see as overly consumer-friendly policies that cut into revenues. At a closed-door meeting on Monday with senior mobile industry executives, commissioner Andrus Ansip said he supported compromise on an issue the industry considers critical, longer-term licences for airwave spectrums, according to a senior source present at the meeting. The meeting participant quoted Ansip as saying he was open to extending the length of airwave spectrum licences in Europe to 25 years from the current 10-15 years. "It could be 25 years - that's what (Ansip) said." The source added: "When we had our roundtable, he was saying the right things about light-touch regulation, about having the same rules for equivalent services and on one of the biggest pain points: the duration of spectrum." Under a patchwork of national rules, European governments typically rent radio spectrum for limited periods of up to 10-15 years to network operators to build new wireless services. By contrast, U.S. rules let operators buy spectrum indefinitely. European operators must thus invest in networks to tap licensed frequencies with no certainty as to how long they will have access to these airwaves. Executives in the meeting called for a policy of 35-year or indefinite licence duration, as in the United States, the industry source said. "But that's a good step forward," the source said, referring to the 25-year licensing proposal. DRAWING THE LINE European regulators are still underestimating how much the present framework hinders the capacity of telecoms operators to sustain investment, unlike the regulatory landscape enjoyed by their U.S. peers, the region's industry leaders argue. "Obviously, it is easier for a company to get some return out of huge investments that we have to make in the networks when we have credible size. It's so obvious," Orange CEO Stephane Richard said during a panel session with regulators at the Mobile World Congress trade fair in Barcelona. The competition regulator rejects the industry's arguments that mergers are necessary to enable big new investments in mobile broadband networks, saying that effective competition is the main driver for investment. The European Commission last year blocked Hutchison's <0001.HK> 10 billion pound ($12 billion) bid to buy O2 UK from Telefonica , saying it would have led to higher U.K. prices by leaving only two other network operators. That followed TeliaSonera and Telenor's scrapping of a planned merger in Denmark after EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said the national market needed at least four mobile network operators. "There continues to be a missing element in the debate: the awareness of how much investment is needed and how low the returns are," Vodafone CEO Colao told reporters in Barcelona. Executives pointed to the looming loss of revenue from a deal clinched by European lawmakers this month to pave the way for the abolition of roaming fees consumers pay when using mobile phones in other countries. "We are celebrating the death of roaming but nobody has figured out how to replace revenues for telcos," Colao said. Colao compared the position of operators in Europe to the United States, where the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Ajit Pai, said this week that he sees no reason to review AT&T's planned $85 billion acquisition of Time Warner. In a keynote speech in Barcelona, Pai said: "Our approach will not be zero regulation but light-touch regulation ... acting with humility as we seek to regulate the most dynamic marketplace that history has ever known." "Big deals are getting done in the U.S. while in Europe small deals are being blocked," Colao said, adding that he was frustrated that the sale of Vodafone's operations in New Zealand to Sky Network Television was blocked. Colao said that he had a good meeting with Ansip, who said he was open to cross-border mergers but consolidation within national markets was more tricky. "It depends on the concrete situation and Commissioner Vestager will deal with those very specific situations. But cross-border consolidation is more than welcome," Ansip said while speaking on the panel with U.S. FCC Commissioner Pai. (Writing by Georgina Prodhan; Editing by David Goodman/Ruth Pitchford)
Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - Germany and other net contributors to the EU will have to pay more into the bloc's budget once Britain has walked out, budget commissioner Guenther Oettinger said Tuesday, insisting however that they would not foot all of the UK's share.

"I don't think that net contributors are ready to take on all of Britain's contribution," Guenther Oettinger told business newspaper Handelsblatt.

"At the same time, Poland and the other net beneficiaries will not accept it if help for structurally weak regions were to be cut by nine billion euros annually.

"A compromise will have to be found," he added.

With new financial burdens arising from the refugee crisis, embryonic collective defence plans, and the fight against terrorism, the EU could slash traditional areas of spending, such as agriculture subsidies.

Oettinger told Handelsblatt that he was opposed to a specific tax to pay for the EU, as suggested recently by former Italian prime minister Mario Monti.

Instead, part of the bloc's cash could be tapped from fuel taxes in the member states -- "one or two cents a litre," he suggested.

London will continue to finance EU projects it had a hand in creating even after its planned final departure date in 2019, Oettinger said.

"British payments into the EU budget won't end suddenly when they leave," the recently-installed budget chief said.

Brussels is gearing up now to decide on spending in its next seven-year budget, set to come into effect in 2021.

But Oettinger suggested that Brexit could be an opportunity to shorten the planning period to five years -- a longstanding demand of European Parliament lawmakers that would see budgets match the length of their terms in office.

The EU could bring forward the start of its next budget period to 2020, the German commissioner said -- leaving Britain on the hook for EU contributions until the start of a new budget in 2026.
On Tuesday night, U.S. President Donald Trump will address both houses of Congress in his first joint address to Congress. The address  which is like a State of the Union in all respects except that it is not technically a State of the Union  is typically used by the U.S. president to present his vision for the coming year, and to call on Congress to see that vision.

Trumps speech probably wont be an exception to that, although it may be different in tone. Based on speeches and statements he has made since his inauguration, the address could take on the feel of a campaign speech filtered through the frustration that comes with the responsibilities of governing and doing daily battle with the media.

This is what we expect to hear tonight. (If you are the drinking game type, please feel free to pair each of these with a sip. If you feel that treating this as a drinking game is inappropriate given the gravitas of this situation, feel free to ignore this parenthetical):

The phrase radical Islamic terrorism. Much was made by Republicans of U.S. President Barack Obamas refusal to use the phrase tying terrorism to Islam. Trump has no such qualms, although some around him do  his new National Security Advisor, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, apparently tried to caution Trump against using the phrase, or at least to change it to radical Islamist terrorism, which draws more of a distinction between fundamentalist Muslims and the rest of the 1.6 billion Muslims in the world. Some suspect Trump will use it anyway.

Reaffirmation that his stance on immigration is the correct one. Trump ran into some trouble with respect to immigration in his first five weeks in office, what with his ban on individuals from seven Muslim majority countries blocked (for now) and Mexico staying firm in its refusal to pay for a border wall. He may use this speech to note that Americans want his immigration and border policies to be implemented.

Story continues

Some reference to his margin of Electoral College victory. If he mentioned it in response to a question on anti-Semitism in front of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he could very well mention it in front of Congress.

A brief explanation of why his victory means Congress should confirm his nominations more quickly. This has been a favorite refrain of U.S. press secretary Sean Spicer at White House press briefings, and Trump could take his opportunity speaking before Congress to say the same.

A brief explanation of why intelligence leaks are a threat to America. Trump may avoid this subject all together, given that it is directly connected to what Trump says is the lesser story  his potential ties to Russia. However, mentioning only the importance of intelligence and the need to stop leaks could be both a chance to repair ties with the intelligence community and to insist to Congress that leaks are indeed more problematic than the presidents potential relationship to Russia.

Insistence that Obamacare will, in time, be repealed and replaced with a better plan. Trump surprised some by his remarks on Monday that nobody knew how complicated replacing Obamacare would be. The speech could serve as a corrective to that.

Insistence that the economy will dramatically improve. Trump already took credit on Twitter for how much lower the national debt is now than it was during Obamas first month in office. The speech could contain some promise of how the economic best is yet to come (and how that will be achieved through bilateral, not multilateral, trade).

America first. Last Friday, Trump told the Conservative Political Action Conference that there is no global flag or anthem, and that his job is to consider Americans. This idea could make a verbal appearance tonight.

The country needs to come together. Trump has said that, while he could give his achievements so far in office an A, his messaging deserves more of a C. Some close to Trump have reportedly suggested the speech will be an optimistic one, reestablishing the presidents tone. And it might be. Alternatively, it might include lines like this, which seem to be calling for America to come together, but in effect call for one part of America to come over to the other.

We will make America great again.

Correction: This piece originally misidentified the joint address as a State of the Union.

Photo credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Students break norms as FSU election nears

Student unions close to different political parties are engaged in disruptive activities such as bombing, arson, clashes and padlocking on the premises of Tribhuvan University campuses as the Free Student Union election day inches closer.
Hyderabad (India) (AFP) - Grieving family and friends mourned an Indian engineer Tuesday whose killing at a Kansas bar has shocked the country and raised fears about the safety of Indians in America.

A US Navy veteran was charged with the murder of 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla last week in a case that American authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime.

On Tuesday, Kuchibhotla's wife, family members and friends gathered for funeral services in the southern Hyderabad city.

Kuchibhotla's father performed the last rites according to Hindu rituals while his wife sitting next to the garlanded body broke down in tears.

A second Indian engineer was injured by the drunk white man who allegedly screamed "Get out of my country" as he opened fire at a bar in Olathe.

The shooting has made headlines in the Indian media amid concerns that the hardline immigration policies of president Donald Trump may have created the climate for such an attack.

On Tuesday, some of Kuchibhotla's supporters were seen carrying placards that read "Down with racism" and "Down with Trump" in front of the burning funeral pyre.

In the wake of the killing, there has been a growing chorus of demand for Washington to act.

"USA should respond to this incident. American President and people of America, they should come out openly to condemn such actions... and then take strongest action," Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu was quoted over the weekend by the Press Trust of India as saying.

The Times of India said in an editorial Monday that the shooting had shocked the Indian community in the US and urged Trump to "make it clear that such hate is not acceptable in his America".
LONDON (AP)  Former U.K. Independence Party leader Nigel Farage is calling for the ouster of the party's only lawmaker in Parliament, as internal squabbling threatens to split the right-wing anti-EU party.

Farage says in an article for Tuesday's Daily Telegraph newspaper that Douglas Carswell has sought to divide and damage UKIP, and "the time for him to go is now."

The newspaper also published what it described as leaked emails between Carswell and a party official suggesting Carswell made only a half-hearted attempt to get Farage a knighthood. In one, Carswell suggested Farage should get a lesser honor, "for services to headline writers."

Some UKIP members are at odds with the flamboyant Farage, who put immigration at the center of the successful campaign for Britain to leave the EU. He stepped down as leader after last year's referendum but retains a high profile and has made several trips to the United States to meet President Donald Trump.

Trump has suggested that Farage should be Britain's ambassador to the U.S.

Carswell appeared to make light of the dispute late Monday, tweeting: "Knight night."

If Farage wanted to raise any concerns with UKIP members of Parliament, Carswell said Tuesday he'd be happy to respond. "It won't take long, it's just me," Carswell said.
Federal authorities have launched a hate crime probe after a white man allegedly opened fire on two Indian men inside a Kansas bar last week, fatally shooting one of them.

The FBI said in a statement Tuesday that it is working with the U.S. Attorneys Office to investigate the Kansas shooting as a hate crime based upon the initial investigative activity.

Adam Purinton, 51, is accused of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a 32-year-old engineer from India, and wounding two other men last Wednesday in what witnesses say may have been a racially motivated attack.

While Purintons motive is under investigation, witnesses said he yelled get out of my county at the men before firing multiple rounds at them, according to the Associated Press.

Purinton has been charged with murder and attempted murder. He faces up to 50 years in prison without parole if convicted of the charges in district court, the Johnson County Kansas District Attorneys office said.

The local prosecutors said Kansas does not have a hate-crime statute so any charges of civil rights violations would have to come from federal authorities.
By Kevin Murphy KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Reuters) - The deadly shooting of an Indian engineer and wounding of his co-worker last Wednesday at a bar in Kansas is being investigated as a hate crime, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said on Tuesday. Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was killed, and Alok Madasani, both 32, worked as engineers at U.S. company Garmin, which makes navigational devices. They were at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, a Kansas City suburb, when the shootings occurred. Another man, Ian Grillot, was wounded when he chased after the accused gunman, U.S. Navy veteran Adam Purinton, 51, who has been charged in the shootings. Purinton's attorney, Michael McCulloch, could not be reached for comment. "Based upon the initial investigative activity, the FBI, in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, is investigating this incident as a hate crime," the FBI said in a statement. The agency said it would work with the Olathe Police Department and state and local partners regarding the investigation. The Kansas City Star newspaper reported that at least one bystander said Purinton shouted "Get out of my country" before opening fire. The shooting received international attention and in India some suggested on social media that a climate of intolerance in the United States had been fueled by President Donald Trump's statements on immigration. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said on Friday that it was absurd to link the killing to Trump's "America First" stance. On Tuesday, the White House said it was looking more like the shooting was based on race. "As more facts come to light and it begins to look like this was an act of racially motivated hatred, we want to reiterate that the president condemns these or any other racially or religiously motivated attacks in the strongest terms," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters. The Indian Embassy in Washington previously expressed concern to the U.S. government over the shooting and requested a thorough investigation. Officials there could not be reached for comment on Tuesday. Purinton was arrested hours after the shooting at an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, about 80 miles (130 km) south of Olathe. According to a recording of a 911 call made by a bartender at the Applebee's, Purinton said he needed to hide because he had killed two Iranian men, local NBC affiliate KSHB-TV reported. On Tuesday, Grillot, 24, who is being treated at a Kansas City hospital with gunshot wounds to his hand and chest, told a news briefing that Purinton told him before the shootings that he was surprised Grillot was standing up for two foreigners. Grillot said he helped escort Purinton out of the bar about a half hour before the shooting. "He was saying, You're going to stick up for them and not me?' Grillot recalled. Grillot was later shot when he tried to pursue Purinton. Dozens of people gathered in the Indian city of Hyderabad on Tuesday for the funeral of Kuchibhotla. (Reporting and writing by Timothy McLaughlin in Chicago Additional reporting by Ayesha Rascoe, Timothy Ahmann and Ian Simpson in Washington, and Ben Klayman in Detroit.; Editing by Alan Crosby, Bernard Orr)
(Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Pfizer Inc's process for manufacturing sterile injectable drugs at a plant in McPherson, Kansas was "out of control" and put patients at risk, according to a warning letter made public on Tuesday. In the Feb. 14 letter, the FDA said that several products were contaminated with multiple foreign particulates and that the injectable antibiotic vancomycin had been compromised by cardboard pieces. It warned the company it had failed to take corrective action. The presence of the foreign matter is "unacceptable" and suggests "a significant loss of control in your manufacturing process" that represents a "severe risk of harm to patients," the FDA wrote. Pfizer said in a statement it has been "diligently implementing commitments made to the FDA" to ensure the agencys concerns are addressed. The warning letter followed an investigation that took place between May 16 and June 8, 2016 into the facility in Kansas that Pfizer acquired with its $17 billion deal for Hospira in 2015. Pfizer said the issues cited in the letter "do not have any impact on products that are currently on the market that were manufactured at the McPherson site." The FDA said the company's investigation into the matter was "inadequate" and said similar manufacturing violations had been found at other facilities in the Hospira network going back several years. "These repeated failures at multiple sites demonstrate that your company's oversight and control over the manufacturer of drugs is inadequate," the FDA said. (Reporting by Toni Clarke in Washington and Caroline Humer in New York; Editing by Bill Rigby)
DUBAI (Reuters) - Roger Federer breezed back into action to reach the second round of the Dubai Open with a straightforward 6-1 6-3 win over erratic Frenchman Benoit Paire on Monday. In his first match since memorably claiming his 18th grand slam title by beating Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open a month ago, the 35-year-old was immediately back in the old routine to give Paire the runaround. There was precious little resistance from the Frenchman as Swiss maestro Federer, the seven-times champion and third seed, delighted a large Centre Court crowd with flashes of brilliance. Paire was warned for unsportsmanlike behaviour at one point after hurling his racket and also needed treatment on a foot injury. Federer claimed victory in less than an hour. "I think I returned very well for a first round. I was able to get my second serves in deep, was able to go into the offensive quickly," Federer, who does much of his training in Dubai, told a news conference. "Didn't have to move that much. It was very quick rallies. So we'll see how that's going to turn out. But obviously couldn't be a better first round for me here in Dubai." Top seed and world number one Andy Murray also returns after a lengthy layoff, which included a bout of shingles, when he takes on Tunisia's Malek Jaziri on Tuesday. (Writing by Martyn Herman; Editing by Alison Williams and Clare Fallon)
Pain -- unlike, say, blood pressure -- is not a simple thing to measure.

Though just as real, clinicians note that the experience of pain is subjective, varying from patient to patient. Not surprisingly then as the rate at which opioids are prescribed has skyrocketed following a push to better treat pain, there's wide variation in how frequently doctors recommend the powerful pain narcotics -- from oxycodone to fentanyl.

Opioids can have serious side effects -- from nausea and vomiting to increasing fall risk, particularly in the elderly -- and are highly addictive. And in an effort to curb overuse, the marked differences in the rate at which some doctors prescribe opioids has become a point of focus.

[See: 11 Ways to Cope With Back Pain.]

Doctors Vary Widely in How Frequently They Prescribe Opioids

To better understand the extent to which physicians vary in opioid prescribing -- and the implications for patients -- research published this month in the New England Journal of Medicine evaluated this variation within emergency departments. The research reviewed data for Medicare patients who hadn't received prescriptions for opioids within six months prior to that emergency room visit. "ER physicians are more or less seeing a random sample of patients" within a given hospital, says lead study author Dr. Michael Barnett, an assistant professor of health policy and management at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. In addition, he notes that the emergency room is a common place for opioids to be prescribed.

The results showed wide variation in how frequently different doctors prescribed opioids. Even within the same hospital, ER physicians varied by three-fold in the rate that they prescribed opioids to Medicare patients, Barnett says: "from 7 percent to 24, which is a really wide gulf." In other words, about 1 in 14 Medicare patients studied who were seen by a a so-called "low-intensity" opioid prescribing physician in the ER got a pain narcotic prescription, while"high-intensity" prescribers put roughly 1 in 4 Medicare patients on opioids, according to an evaluation of prescription claims data examined after the patients left the ER. Patients who saw a high-intensity opioid prescribing physician were 30 percent more likely to use opioids long-term -- or for at least six months in the subsequent year following their visit to the ER.

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Additionally, physicians were classified according to the median dose of opioids they prescribed, measured in morphine equivalents. "We found that there was also a 30 percent higher rate of long-term use among patients treated by high-dose physicians," Barnett says, compared to physicians who typically prescribed a low-dose of opioids.

"The takeaway for patients is that even a single opioid prescription carries quantifiable risks for developing risks for long-term use," he says. Among the limitations of the research, it didn't establish a cause-and-effect relationship between physician prescribing habits and patient's long-term use of opioids, or determine whether that contributed to addiction. "We can't say how strong of a relationship it has to addiction or dependence," Barnett says. "But I think most people would still view that as a negative outcome, if it's potentially preventable without undertreating pain."

[See: Your Guide to Over-the-Counter Pain Relief.]

Do You Need a Prescription Narcotic for Your Pain?

Experts say before taking an opioid, patients should first discuss with their doctor the risks and potential benefits, as well as the perceived need for the pain narcotics; alternative options to treat the pain; and -- if the doctor feels strongly that an opioid is needed -- whether a lower dose would suffice and how long it should be taken. Often, experts say, over-the-counter medicine is sufficient to address pain or discomfort.

Patients who leave the hospital with an opioid prescription should also take additional steps to proceed with caution. The NEJM study suggests that if patients fill the opioid prescription, they're more likely to continue to be prescribed opioids, says Dr. Ajay Wasan, vice chair for pain medicine at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "One implication of the study is that it might be better to wait, and if the pain gets worse, then fill the prescription," he says. "This strategy might reduce the chances that a patient might be continued on opioids long term."

Unlike when patients are advised to take other drugs to address asymptomatic health issues, such as controlling blood pressure, experts say the point of opioids is to address the symptom of pain. So patients should use their own discretion based on their level of discomfort and their pain threshold, and needn't take all pills prescribed either.

"Federal law now allows a partial filling of an opioid prescription, with the unfilled balance being available within 30 days," says Lowell Anderson, a professor of pharmacy practice at University of Minnesota's College of Pharmacy. "This partial filling option contributes to the reduction of unused medications sitting in the medicine cabinet and ultimately being used by someone other than the patient or disposed of in the environment." He notes there may still be some state restrictions since the federal law took effect last year.

He adds that patients shouldn't try to get the maximum number of tablets or capsules that their health plan allows -- whether that's a 30-, 60- or 90-day supply. "Rather limit [it] to a responsible quantity," he says, since you can always request another prescription if needed.

Patients who have struggled with past addictions -- including to drugs or alcohol -- should be particularly cautious in treating pain with opioids. Though doctors should be asking about such risk factors, in medical settings where patient-doctor interactions may be brief -- from the ER to the primary care office -- that's not always done, says Dr. Shawn Ryan, president of the Ohio Society of Addiction Medicine. States also have prescription drug monitoring programs through which doctors and pharmacists can see if patients have filled prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances elsewhere and be more alert to signs of a potential problems like opioid abuse.

Even if it's uncomfortable to have the conversation with a doctor, discuss any concerns about misuse, abuse or long-term dependence on opioids upfront if the drugs are recommended to treat pain, experts say; ask, too, about ways to reduce risk of addiction, misuse or abuse. These may include shortened prescriptions, abuse-deterrent formulations (that can't be easily crushed or snorted, for example), longer-acting medications and family member mitigation strategies, where appropriate. So if the family member, like a spouse, knows a loved one has an opioid use disorder, he or she may control the release of the medications to help prevent misuse, Ryan says.

[See: How to Help Aging Parents Manage Medications.]

In addition to speaking with the health provider who prescribes the opioids, he recommends patients who haven't taken opioids previously do their homework in reading educational materials, like those from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that offer guidance on taking the medications properly. Before refilling a prescription, experts say, take time to speak with a health provider who knows you best -- typically a primary care physician -- about whether it's appropriate to continue on the medications.

Michael Schroeder is a health editor at U.S. News. He covers a wide array of topics ranging from cancer to depression and prevention to overtreatment. He's been reporting on health since 2005. You can follow him on Twitter or email him at mschroeder@usnews.com.
Helsinki (AFP) - A Finnish police officer on Tuesday was cleared of charges of negligence over the appearance of Russian President Vladimir Putin's name on a database of criminal suspects.

Putin's name was discovered on the list in 2013 as an alleged contributor to gang-related crime in his homeland.

The media revelation of the unfounded entry caused a scandal, forcing the Finnish police to publicly apologise for its "serious error" and triggering an investigation.

The police officer on trial, who was not publicly identified, was in charge of the internal police database, which contains the names of people suspected of having committed crimes punishable by at least six months in jail.

The Helsinki Court of Appeal ruled that the officer's responsibilities in managing the list had not been defined clearly enough to hold him criminally liable for the mistake.

Similar charges of negligence against two other police officers were previously dismissed by a lower court.

After the scandal broke, Putin's spokesperson said the president reacted to the news "with irony" and did not request any action be taken against the officers.

The Russian leader's name had been on the list for about two weeks before it was deleted.

But it was unclear how it had appeared there.

Finland state prosecutor Jarmo Hirvonen said in 2015 that the register contained a "barrage" of entries claimed to be erroneous.

"The Putin entry is just one of them," he said.

The Finnish police have been given stricter rules over using the database and revised all the entries to verify if they were legitimate.

The previous vague use of the register had led, for instance, to all participants to a gang member's funeral to be listed in the database.

The prosecutor has 60 days to decide if she will appeal to the High Court.

Finland has a delicate relationship with giant neighbour, with which it fought a war in 1939-1940 and again from 1941 to 1944.

Earlier this month, Finland's government announced plans to strengthen the country's military capacity due to concerns over assertive behaviour from Russia.
'Taliban infiltrator' aids police killing in Helmand province

Twelve policemen have been killed in an "insider attack" in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, officials say.
Photo credit: Getty

From Redbook

On November 9, the day after the election, I had an annual appointment with my OB/GYN, whom I've seen for more than 15 years. It was such a weird day - I was walking around in shock and disbelief that Donald Trump had just been elected President of the United States. I'd voted for Hillary Clinton and had cried myself to sleep watching the results roll in. In the middle of the night, I'd woken up in a panic, sure that Trump winning was just a nightmare.

While lying on the exam table that afternoon, I started a conversation with my doctor. I had never discussed politics with her or any other doctor before, but I had also never felt so devastated by the outcome of an election. It was the only thing I could think about.

"Can you believe Trump is going to be our president?" I asked her, assuming she would commiserate.

"I'm excited for what he'll be able to do for our economy," she replied. "He's going to do great things for us."

I felt a wave of anxiety, and my blood began to boil. I couldn't wait to get out of there. I kept my mouth shut, because I didn't want to get into a confrontation while she had a speculum inside me. It was hell. I had to lay there and be polite and, as soon as she was finished, I left as quickly as I could.

Since I was a teenager, I had been really happy with her as my doctor. My mom has been a patient of hers for more than 20 years. But I suddenly felt like this woman who I'd trusted with my health for more than a decade was someone I couldn't relate to on a human level. I don't think she's a bad person, but I was disgusted she could support a candidate who brags about sexually assaulting women and had promised mass deportations.

Photo credit: Getty

As a woman in my 30s, I'm entering a new chapter of my life. I'm planning on starting a family soon, and freedom of choice, and making decisions about my body are of utmost importance to me. I can't wrap my head around the fact that a female doctor could support a man who says things like "Grab them by the pussy!" I'm pro-choice and she supported a presidential candidate who said women who seek abortions should be subject to "some form of punishment."

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My doctor seemed more impressed with President Trump's plan to reduce taxes, and I care more about human rights. I'm a small business owner in California, and the majority of my team is made up of immigrants. I love my employees and consider them family. Without them and their dedication and skill, I wouldn't be operating a successful company. Trump's executive order banning travel from majority-Muslim countries and aggressive enforcement of immigration laws are heartbreaking - I believe in unity, not division.

Knowing where she stands on issues that mean so much to me is enough to change the way I feel about her.

I have no doubt my doctor is qualified to deliver babies and provide medical care but knowing where she stands on issues that mean so much to me is enough to change the way I feel about her. I know I wouldn't be able to be myself or feel comfortable discussing women's issues with her, which is why I've decided not to go back and see her again. I've started doing research on new obstetricians in my area, but I don't think it's necessary to confront my doctor about why I'm leaving her practice. I don't think her opinions are going to change, and I don't want to create tension for the other members of my family who will continue to see her.

The decision to find a new physician is an extremely personal one. I haven't discussed it with my husband or my family. That said, they know how I feel about Trump, and I'm sure they would want me to feel supported by whomever I choose to care for me during my childbearing years.

Follow Redbook on Facebook.

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PARIS (Reuters) - French authorities arrested four teenage girls on Tuesday on suspicion of communicating with jihadists in Syria via the encrypted messaging app Telegram, a judicial source told Reuters. In a chatroom the suspects discussed the possibility of preparing violent attacks, the source said, without elaborating. Three of the four girls are minors, aged between 15 and 17 years, and the fourth is 18 years old. French TV channel France 3 reported that one of the girls was in contact with Rachid Kassim, a French Islamist militant who is suspected of having inspired some of the recent attacks in France. The U.S. military said in early February it had targeted Kassim in a strike near the Iraqi city of Mosul. (Reporting by Chine Labbe and Gerard Bon; Writing by Maya Nikolaeva; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Rennes (France) (AFP) - The disappearance of a family of four nearly two weeks ago, leaving behind a home "frozen in time", has prompted a murder probe in a case that has stumped the nation.

Bloodstains found in the house in a suburb of the western city of Nantes so far match the DNA of three of the four missing persons, prosecutor Pierre Sennes said late Monday.

The Troadec family -- Pascal and Brigitte, both aged around 50, their son Sebastien, 21, and his sister Charlotte, 18 -- have not been seen since February 16.

Sennes said a probe has been opened into murder, abduction and illegal confinement in a case that has prompted lurid headlines.

Several reports recalled a murder in 2011 of five members of the same family, also in the Nantes area, noting that Sebastien attended the same high school as one of the victims.

The father, Xavier Dupont de Ligonnes, remains at large and is the suspect of an international arrest warrant.

Neighbours and a source close to the probe said Sebastien had had psychological problems and Pascal had suffered from depression in the past.

Sennes noted that Sebastien had been sentenced to carry out community service after being convicted in 2013, when he was a minor, for making death threats on his blog.

- Home for the holidays -

But classmates of Sebastien's interviewed by French media described a quiet, friendly youth, with one saying he was "always ready to help out".

Both Sebastien and Charlotte had been at the family home during the just-ended school holidays.

Sennes said investigators had been unable to find Sebastien's car. The parents' car was parked outside the house.

The prosecutor said bloodstains were found throughout the two-storey house, including on Sebastien's cellphone and on Brigitte's watch, as well as efforts to wipe some of them away.

No toothbrushes or hairbrushes were found in the house, and the beds had been stripped, with some sheets drying on an indoor rack.

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Food was going off in the refrigerator and there were dishes in the sink, Sennes said, adding that there had been no activity in any of the four family members' bank accounts, and their cellphones had not been activated since February 17.

Sebastien's cellphone was the last to be switched off, he said.

"It's as if the life of the house was frozen in time," Sennes said.

we-cor-gvy-mcl/gd/gj/ri
The Scottish group will be spending late spring/summer in North America, having announced their first extended tour in three years.

Already confirmed to perform at Hangout Music Festival, NYC's Governors Ball Music Festival and Firefly Music Festival, Franz Ferdinand have announced that they will be adding 24 more dates to their American trip. The tour will be the first without founding member and guitarist Nick McCarthy.

Following the Hangout Music Festival in Alabama on May 21, Franz Ferdinand will head to Nashville, and eventually wrap up the American leg of the tour on June 16 in Delaware before heading to Europe.

Tickets (for most dates) go on sale March 3.

More information here: www.franzferdinand.com/gigs
STORRS, Conn. (AP)  The governing council for several University of Connecticut fraternity chapters is denouncing "Frat Lives Matter" messages spray-painted on so-called spirit rocks on campus.

WVIT-TV reports (http://bit.ly/2mFjLNf ) UConn's Interfraternity Council says the messages were found on rocks throughout the university's Storrs campus Monday.

The incident comes after six Kappa Sigma fraternity members were charged last week in the October death of 19-year-old Jeffny Pally.

Police say Pally had been sitting against a garage door of the UConn Public Safety Complex when she was run over by a fire vehicle.

The fraternity lost its recognition and housing due to off-campus incidents unrelated to Pally's death.

Authorities say they don't know who wrote the "Frat Lives Matter" messages. The rocks have since been repainted to include messages of unity.

___

Information from: WVIT-TV, http://www.nbcconnecticut.com
A French historian was arrested and detained for 10 hours at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston after flying in from Paris to attend a symposium at Texas A&M University.

Henry Rousso, a pre-eminent scholar on the Holocaust, wrote about the recent ordeal for the Huffington Post. Rousso said a policeman who took issue with his tourist visa interrogated him for several hours on Feb. 22, including the recording of my fingerprints and a search of the body. The policeman suspected Rousso was traveling to the U.S. to work illegally after noting his recently issued J-1 visa (a non-immigrant visa issued to academics) expired this past January.

Rousso was eventually allowed to enter the U.S. at 1.30 a.m., but only after a colleague called the president of Texas A&M, who immediately alerted a law professor in charge of immigration issues, he later learned. Without them, I would have probably been handcuffed, chained, and shackled back to Paris.

I confirm. I have been detained 10 hours at Houston Itl Airport about to be deported. The officer who arrested me was "inexperienced" https://t.co/SdIKWKQbnr  Henry Rousso (@Henry_Rousso) February 26, 2017

Thank you so much for your reactions. My situation was nothing compared to some of the people I saw who couldn't be defended as I was.  Henry Rousso (@Henry_Rousso) February 26, 2017

Richard J. Golsan, director of the Center for Humanities Research at Texas A&M, who invited Rousso to the conference, told CNN that Rousso was left shaken by the incident. At this point he loves this country but is frankly disturbed about what is going on.

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French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron has also tweeted a message of support for Rousso:

There is no excuse for what happened to @Henry_Rousso. Our country is open to scientists and intellectuals. #WelcomeToFrance https://t.co/grMSltIUVy  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 26, 2017

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) did not immediately respond to TIMEs request for comment.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told CNN: The United States has been and continues to be a welcoming nation. Applicants for admission bear the burden of proof to establish that they are clearly eligible to enter the United States. In order to demonstrate that they are admissible, the applicant must overcome all grounds of inadmissibility.
Paris (AFP) - Candidates in France's presidential election from far-right leader Marine Le Pen to embattled conservative Francois Fillon are attacking media coverage in a strategy that resembles Donald Trump's assault in the United States.

Le Pen has sharpened her attacks on the media in recent weeks, apparently believing it plays well with supporters of her attempt to portray herself as an anti-establishment outsider -- a strategy that has helped propel her into the lead in the polls.

At a rally in the western city of Nantes on Sunday, Le Pen accused the media of "campaigning hysterically" for Emmanuel Macron, her business-friendly centrist rival for the presidency, as polls showed him enjoying an increase in support.

Le Pen aimed particular vitriol at Pierre Berge, the former partner of late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and one of the owners of centre-left newspaper Le Monde newspaper.

At the other end of the political spectrum, the Communist-backed Melenchon has set up his own YouTube channel to bypass the "traditional media".

Melenchon accused France Inter radio of being "disingenuous" and accused Agence France-Presse (AFP) of having published "two false stories" about his position on Syria and the involvement of Russia in the conflict.

- Adopting Trump's tactic -

Media historian Patrick Eveno said the phenomenon was not new -- but its tone was harsher than before.

"Attacks against journalists are nothing new, you used to get them in the 1930s," he said.

Former French presidents Francois Mitterrand, Charles Pompidou and Charles De Gaulle were also not above putting the boot into the media, he recalled.

"But the situation is more aggressive now," Eveno said.

"The public has a worse and worse view of politicians, and of journalists too, and so each side blames the other."

In early February, Fillon -- the one-time frontrunner in the contest -- angrily accused the media of trying to "lynch" him over a scandal surrounding fake jobs he is said to have given to his wife and children.

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Dominique Wolton, a specialist in political communication, said he detected the same tactics apparently being used by Trump and his White House team of "trying to get the public on your side against the media".

Trump routinely dismisses stories as "fake news" and delights in describing the New York Times as "failing".

Last week, White House spokesman Sean Spicer barred journalists from many mainstream media outlets from attending a briefing, choosing to invite pro-Trump correspondents instead.

- 'Climate of tension' -

The "fake news" label was picked up in recent weeks by Florian Philippot, the number two of Le Pen's National Front (FN) party, when describing a graphic done by AFP on the presidential candidates' policies.

"The way that Trump defies the justice system and insults the media, with his descriptions of 'fake news', is somehow being emulated by Fillon and Marine Le Pen," veteran political observer and academic Herve Le Bras noted.

Michele Leridon, AFP's director of news, said: "Since Trump's election, the criticism, even harassment, of the media has become a strategy for some politicians.

"They use the term 'fake news' for news items that are correct, but which they don't like... Our best response is to be as rigorous as possible."

Le Monde chief Jerome Fenoglio said: "If you want to give the impression that you are 'anti-system', the simplest way is to attack the media."

He believes that politicians' growing use of blogs and Twitter has caused "a climate of tension".

Perhaps, though, French voters are not fooled.

A recent survey by Odoxa said that while they did have concerns about journalists' impartiality, 74 percent said they thought politicians' criticism was "a way of avoiding questions they don't like".
KRAMER, Calif. (AP)  A charter bus was traveling through the Southern California high desert from Fresno to Las Vegas when it crossed into oncoming traffic and ran into two cars, leaving one woman dead and injuring 26 people, authorities said.

Investigators were trying to learn why the tour bus crossed into the westbound lanes of State Route 58 near Kramer, about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California Highway Patrol Officer Brian Benson said.

The woman killed was 55 years old and was in one of the two cars the bus hit, Benson said.

Nine people suffered life-threatening injuries in Monday afternoon's crash, and 17 others were taken to hospitals with injuries that weren't considered to be life-threatening, said Eric Sherwin, a San Bernardino County Fire spokesman.

Benson said the bus, owned by Arcadia, California-based A&F Tours Inc., seats about 30 passengers. The company didn't respond to a message seeking comment.

The company's vehicles have been inspected 22 times in the last two years, and a vehicle was taken out of service during one of the inspections, according to U.S. Department of Transportation records. The company did not report any crashes in the last two years, the records showed.

Duane DeBruyne, a spokesman for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, said the agency would assist in a post-crash assessment, including an examination of both the vehicle and the bus company's safety record.

Video footage at the scene posted online shows debris strewn all over the side of the highway as firefighters worked to remove the victims from the cars. The footage also shows firefighters placing a woman in a neck brace and carrying another on a stretcher, a woman comforting a puppy, and a man holding a child. The front end of the bus was badly damaged.

The highway was closed in both directions for several hours.
Tharu leaders district meetings to plan protests against polls

Tharu leaders from across the party line are meeting in the Tarai districts on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of reviving the campaign for a united Tharuhat/Tharuwan province ahead of the planned local level elections.
Banjul (Gambia) (AFP) - The Gambian parliament on Tuesday scrapped the constitutional age limit on presidential election candidates after new President Adama Barrow faced questions over his deputy's eligibility due to her age.

Anyone over 65 has been barred from running for The Gambia's highest office under a constitutional amendment that came into force in the west African country in 1997.

The new change comes after Barrow -- who took office on February 18 after 22 years of iron-fisted rule by his predecessor Yahya Jammeh -- faced criticism over his decision to nominate 68-year-old Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang as his vice president.

According to the constitution, the vice president must fulfil the qualifications required for a president -- which made Tambajang overage.

Tambajang was last week named women's minister instead, with a mandate to oversee the vice-presidency.

The constitutional change adopted by parliament Tuesday will have to be approved by Barrow to enter into force -- a move that would allow him to name Tambajang officially to the vice-presidency again, according to observers.

Lawmakers also voted to lift the retirement age of judges by five years to 75.

Interior Minister Mai Fatty defended the changes, saying: "It is envisaged that this will facilitate and encourage qualified, competent and experienced Gambians to be appointed as judges of the superior courts or be elected to political office."

The national assembly remains dominated by Jammeh's Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction party.

The former strongman went into exile in Equatorial Guinea after finally ceding power to Barrow following intense international political and military pressure.
Former President George W. Bush seemed to criticize President Donald Trump in an interview with the Today Show Monday morning, saying the news media and freedom of religion are crucial to American democracy. There should also be an investigation into the alleged Russian hacking into the U.S. election, Bush said.

Those are all issues that Trump has dealt with in his first month in office. He has called the Russia story fake news, a distraction and even fabrication by the press, despite the fact that the CIA said in December Russia interfered with U.S. elections; he's been hostile toward the news media, which culminated in his announcement last weekend that he'd boycott the White House Correspondents Dinner, a traditional event showing goodwill between the press and the president; and his administration has been revising an executive order that would temporarily ban visitors and immigrants from seven majority-Muslim nations.

I considered the media to be indispensable to democracy, Bush said after Matt Lauer asked whether the former president ever considered the news media to be the enemy of the American people, a reference to a tweet from Trump.

We need the media to hold people like me to account, Bush added. Power can be very addictive, and it can be corrosive, and its important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power whether it be here or it be elsewhere.

He also said he spent time trying to convince a person like Vladimir Putin, for example, to accept the notion of an independent press. It's kind of hard to tell others to have an independent, free press when we're not willing to have one ourselves."

With regard to Russia, Bush said, "I think we all need answers, although he did not specify whether the investigation should be done by a special prosecutor.

After the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in 2001, Bush famously denounced the extremists while defending the right of Muslims to worship freely in the U.S., a statement that has been referenced to contrast Trumps immigration policies and rhetoric about Muslims. Sixteen years after the 9/11 attacks, Bush echoed his original sentiment in the interview with Lauer.

Story continues

Its important for all of us to recognize one or our great strengths is for people to be able to be able to worship the way they want to a bedrock of our nation is the right to worship freely, Bush said.

Watch the full interview here.

Related Articles
By Letitia Stein

(Reuters) - A Georgia judge sentenced a man and a woman to spend years in prison on Monday for their roles in a 2015 Confederate flag display that disturbed a group of black people attending a child's birthday party, prosecutors said.

Defendants Jose Torres, 26, and Kayla Norton, 25, were convicted earlier this month of charges that include making "terroristic threats" during the confrontation in Douglas County near Atlanta, which occurred at a time of heated national debate about a flag that many consider a symbol of racism.

Georgia Superior Court Judge William McClain sentenced Torres to serve 13 years in prison, and Norton to serve 6 years in prison, Douglas County District Attorney Brian Fortner said in a phone interview. Both face probation after their release, and were banished from Douglas County.

Attorneys for Torres and Norton could not immediately be reached for comment.

The sentences were a year longer than prosecutors had asked for, said Fortner, noting the crimes went beyond disagreements over the battle flag used by the pro-slavery South during the U.S. Civil War, which some defend as part of its heritage.

"This was a case where these people pulled out a shotgun and threatened to kill people at a party, including children," he said.

The incident played out during heightened debate over the symbolism of the flag, triggered by the racially-motivated shooting deaths of nine black churchgoers in South Carolina weeks earlier.

Prosecutors said witnesses attending the birthday party, featuring a bouncy castle and snow cone machine, testified that people in a convoy of trucks displaying the flag shouted racial slurs as they drove by, stopping next to the party.

Torres was accused of pointing a shotgun at the predominately black party-goers and threatening to kill them, prosecutors said in a news release. Norton loaded the shotgun and gave it to him, they said.

The pair faced some of the most serious charges out of 15 members of the group "Respect the Flag" indicted over the incident, Fortner said. Two others facing similar charges pleaded guilty and were sentenced to lesser prison sentences.

(Reporting by Letitia Stein; editing by Grant McCool)
A man and woman in Douglas County, in Georgia, have each been given double-digit sentences for their part in crashing an African-American childs birthday party, in what the judge said was a hate crime.

Jose Ismael Torres, 26, and Kayla Rae Norton, 25  reportedly parents of three children  were found guilty earlier this month of violating the states street-gang terrorism law. The pair had joined a group called Respect the Flag that drunkenly drove around Georgias Douglas and Paulding counties over two days in July 2015. They waved Confederate flags from pickup trucks, made armed threats against black motorists, and hurled racial epithets at attendees to the 8-year-olds birthday party, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

On Monday, Superior Court Judge William McClain, who described the pairs actions as being motivated by racial hatred, sentenced Torres to 20 years, with 13 to serve in prison, and Norton to 15, with six to serve. He noted that the pair would both have been aware of white supremacist Dylann Roofs attack on a predominantly black Charleston church that left nine dead less than a month before.

Addressing several of the victims who had come to court to witness the sentencing, Norton expressed remorse, saying: I do accept responsibility for what Ive done. What happened to you is absolutely awful.

Two others had earlier pleaded guilty to similar charges and received lesser sentences.

[AJC]
By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - German automakers dominated Consumer Reports' annual ranking of automotive brands released on Tuesday, with Volkswagen AG's Audi leading the pack, while U.S. brands continued to lag despite gains for many. Jake Fisher, director of auto testing at the magazine, said German automakers rose largely due to improvements in reliability. "Building one or two great vehicles is achievable, but making a whole lineup of excellent ones is much more difficult, Fisher said. Volkswagen's Porsche unit and rival BMW AG came in second and third. General Motors Co's Buick brand was the highest-ranked U.S. brand in 10th, down from seventh in 2016, while Ford Motor Co's Lincoln brand was 15th, up from 17th. The Ford brand fell from 16th to 21th. GM's Chevrolet brand moved up to 17th from 20th and its Cadillac brand moved up to 18th from 24th. Toyota Motor Corp's flagship brand fell from eighth to 11th place, falling out of the top 10 for the first time in recent years, after the magazine said its Tacoma pickup had reliability issues. Toyota's luxury Lexus unit fell from third to fourth. Fuji Heavy Industries' Subaru unit fell from second to fifth, while Korean auto brand Kia jumped to sixth, up five spots, followed by Mazda Motor Corp in seventh. Tesla Inc was ranked eighth among auto brands after previously not having enough models to be ranked. The California automaker was followed by Honda Motor Co's namesake brand in ninth. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' Chrysler brand jumped from 26th to 19th. GM's Chevrolet Cruze was named best compact car, while its Impala won best large sedan. Other top picks included the Honda Ridgeline as best compact pickup, Kia Optima best midsized sedan and Audi Q7 best luxury SUV. Nissan Motor Co's luxury Infiniti brand moved up six spots to 16, while its Nissan brand fell one spot to 22. Some German automakers struggled. The Volkswagen brand fell eight spots to 23rd and Daimler's Mercedes-Benz fell six spots to 20th. The Fiat brand remained last again among all brands rated, and FCA's Jeep brand remained second-lowest overall. Consumer Reports does not recommend any Fiat Chrysler vehicles, while it recommends all Porsche, Mazda and BMW vehicles. Fisher said Fiat Chrysler models suffered from serious reliability problems and are "not competitive" in most segments. The non-profit magazine has more than 8 million subscribers and surveys hundreds of thousands of car owners. Many shoppers consult the ratings, and automakers routinely tout favorable ratings in advertising. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Berlin (AFP) - German police launched pre-dawn raids Tuesday against a Berlin mosque frequented by Tunisian Christmas market attack suspect Anis Amri and against 23 other locations, authorities said.

A total of 460 police also swooped on apartments, two businesses and six cells in two prisons in the German capital, to gather evidence against radical Islamists. No arrests were reported.

Authorities said the mosque or Islamic prayer rooms known as Fussilet 33 had been formally banned, in line with a February 15 court order, about a week after it had preemptively shut its doors.

Security service had often named the mosque space located in an apartment as the Islamic State group's mosque in Berlin, accused of recruiting radical Islamists and collecting funds for jihadists in Syria.

The Berlin city-state's interior minister, Andreas Geisel, in charge of security affairs, said the Fussilet association had recently ended its rental contract for the space.

Amri had been there several times before he hijacked a truck on December 19, killed its Polish driver and ploughed the vehicle through a Christmas market in an IS-claimed attack that took 11 more lives.
Berlin (AFP) - With seven months until German elections, support for the right-wing populist AfD party has slipped from highs seen during the mass migrant influx to single digits in the polls, alarming its divided leadership.

The Alternative for Germany party has struggled to reunite after a damaging split deepened by a hard-right member's comments on Germany's Holocaust guilt.

The protest party has also bled support as a strong mainstream candidate, the Social Democrat Martin Schulz, has emerged with a bold pledge to defeat their declared enemy, Chancellor Angela Merkel, in September elections.

This week, the AfD leadership sent out a letter to their almost 27,000 rank-and-file members, urging unity after a surge of infighting sparked by right-wing member Bjoern Hoecke.

Hoecke sparked national outrage in January when he labelled Berlin's Holocaust monument a "memorial of shame" and called for "a 180-degree shift" in the country's culture of remembrance.

The widely-deplored comments moved the AfD close to neo-Nazi rhetoric just as its public face, Frauke Petry, has sought to portray it as an acceptable conservative-nationalist movement, copying her French ally the far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

With the four-year-old party embroiled in civil war between its right and far-right wings, and Petry seeking to expel Hoecke, the AfD urged members to "close ranks against the establishment parties".

The appeal came as the party, after a string of state election successes, dipped from 15-percent poll support in December back to as low as eight percent in a recent survey.

For a long time, "a double-digit result in the national elections seemed a given," wrote news site Spiegel Online. For the moment, it judged, "the euphoria is finished."

- Trump factor -

The split is not the first for the AfD, formed in 2013 at the height of the eurozone crisis to protest against bailouts for indebted Greece and demand the abolition of the euro currency.

Story continues

Petry led a leadership coup in 2015 as the party shifted focus to conservative law-and-order issues and "family values" and, above all, opposition to immigration, multiculturalism and Islam in German public life.

As a mass refugee crisis has brought more than a million asylum seekers to the EU's top economy since 2015, the AfD went from strength to strength, entering the opposition benches of 10 of Germany's 16 regional states.

In its most spectacular result, it won 20.8 percent in the ex-communist state where Merkel has her electoral district.

Political analysts now see multiple causes for the AfD's recent change of electoral fortunes -- including fears sparked by the election of US President Donald Trump and his rapid and radical series of policy pronouncements on issues from trade to NATO.

"The chaotic administration of US President Donald Trump, who was celebrated at first, is now causing concern in view of the multiple crises all around the world," said Manfred Guellner of the Forsa polling institute.

- Schulz challenge -

Other observers point to the fact that Merkel, an object of hatred for AfD followers for her liberal migrant policy, has increasingly moved to stop the influx.

Her government's focus has shifted to expelling rejected asylum seekers, boosting internal security after several jihadist attacks, and pushing North African countries to stem the migrant flow.

"The AfD is losing importance because many of their policies have been adopted," observed the Koelner Stadt-Anzeiger daily.

Guellner also argued that AfD supporters whose main aim is to end Merkel's 11-year reign are throwing their support behind Schulz, a candidate seen to have a decent shot at victory.

Since the outspoken former European parliament president declared his candidacy, his re-energised SPD has surged by around 10 points, beating Merkel's conservatives in several surveys.

Timo Lochocki, of think tank the German Marshall Fund of the United States, agreed that "if you want to get rid of Angela Merkel, you now have an alternative within the system".

The AfD, meanwhile, could be due for another coup attempt, he predicted.

"Now that the party is dropping in the polls," he argued, "the opponent of Frauke Petry can make a case saying 'your leadership is damaging the party'."
Trump lays out hike in military spending

US President Donald Trump is seeking to boost defence spending by 10% in his proposed budget plan for 2018.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  Gunmen wounded an Argentine tourist visiting Rio de Janeiro for Carnival when the car she was riding in strayed into a slum, police said.

The shooting occurred Monday afternoon in the Morro dos Prazeres slum next to the bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood.

Police said Natalia Lorena Cappetti was in stable condition in a hospital, where she was taken with wounds to her legs and stomach.

Capetti's husband and a Spanish couple were also in the car but were unhurt.

Police said the gunmen fled without stealing anything.
A new engineering executive at Uber has left after the ride-sharing titan learned he ended his career at Google after a sexual harassment complaint, according to US media reports.

Amit Singhal has denied acting in any such improper manner while head of search at Google but did not disclose that there had been an internal investigation that ended with the complaining employee found "credible," according to tech news website Recode, which shared what it had learned about the situation with Uber.

Singhal, a well known figure in Silicon Valley, worked at Google for 15 years before retiring early last year. He was recently hired by Uber as senior vice president of engineering.

Nothing about the complaint at Google was uncovered in a background check done on Singhal before being hired by Uber, Recode and other outlets reported.

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick asked Singhal to resign early Monday for not disclosing the investigation, according to Recode.

In a statement published in Recode and USA Today, Singhal condemned harassment in any setting and said "I do not condone and have not committed such behavior."

Accusations of sexism, cut-throat management, and a toxic work environment have Uber trying to pull its image out of a skid as competition revs in the on-demand ride market.

Uber hired former attorney general Eric Holder to review workplace conditions after ex-employee Susan Fowler alleged sexual harassment and sexism at the firm in a detailed online post.

A New York Times report on Friday depicted an environment at Uber in which workers were pitted against one another and misbehavior by top performers was overlooked.

Controversies threaten to revive a #DeleteUber campaign triggered by Kalanick's short-lived plan to be part of a business advisory group for US President Donald Trump.

Kalanick quit the group under pressure from a growing movement to stop using the ride-sharing service because of his connection to the new administration, and by extension an anti-immigrant agenda.

Story continues

As the campaign picked up speed, rival Lyft's popularity accelerated.

Meanwhile, the race to develop self-driving vehicles took a turn last week when Google's parent company Alphabet filed a lawsuit against Uber, accusing it of using stolen technology.

Alphabet contends that a manager at its autonomous car subsidiary Waymo took technical data with him when he left to launch a competing venture that went on to become Otto, Uber's self-driving vehicle unit, in a reported $680 million deal.

San Francisco-based Uber acquired commercial transport-focused tech startup Otto last year as it pressed ahead with a pursuit of self-driving technology.

In the eyes of consumers, Uber's controversies pack together into "a snowball of trouble rolling down the hill getting bigger and bigger," said brand management specialists Bruce Turkel.
(Reuters) - Highlights of the day for U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Tuesday: ADDRESS TO CONGRESS After a turbulent start to his presidency, Trump goes before Congress on Tuesday night to give a speech that will be closely watched for details of his plans for the economy and whether he can strike a more conciliatory tone. The White House and Congress lack agreement on a plan to repeal and replace Obamacare amid signs of growing Republican division on the issue, as Trump prepares to address lawmakers about his 2017 agenda. IMMIGRATION Trump is considering introducing legislation to provide illegal immigrants a pathway to legal status - but not immediately to citizenship, CNN reported. Trump says "maybe it's my fault" that his immigration policy was not communicated effectively, but gives himself a grade of A for "what I've actually done." SECURITY Trump's nominee to be director of national intelligence pledges to back thorough investigation of any Russian efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election, seeking to reassure lawmakers worried that partisan politics might interfere with a probe. The National Security Agency risks a brain-drain of hackers and cyber spies because of a tumultuous reorganization and worries about the acrimonious relationship between the intelligence community and Trump, according to current and former NSA officials and cyber security industry sources. RENEWABLE FUELS The White House denies that Trump plans to issue an executive order to change the national biofuels program, after the U.S. Renewable Fuels Association says the president's team had informed the group an order was pending. LAW AND ORDER Trump's attorney general, Jeff Sessions, says the federal government should stop suing local police departments, signaling a sharp departure from the Obama administration's policy toward law enforcement exhibiting patterns of racism or excessive force. SPENDING There could be stiff opposition from Democrats and even Republicans to Trump's proposal to slash funding for the State Department and foreign aid. TAXES Major U.S. corporations are going to war in Washington over a Republican "border adjustment" tax proposal meant to boost exports over imports, with lawmakers coming under pressure from some of the nation's biggest employers. ENVIRONMENT Trump signs an order directing regulators to review an Obama administration rule that expanded the number of federally protected waterways as the new president targets environmental regulations conservatives label as government overreach. (Compiled by Bill Trott and Jonathan Oatis; Editing by Leslie Adler and Grant McCool)
A beloved hippo was beaten and killed inside his exhibit at El Salvadors National Zoo in an attack authorities condemned as cowardly and inhumane.

The 15-year-old animal named Gustavito died Sunday, days after he was found slashed and stabbed by unknown attackers, officials said. He sustained multiple blows on different parts of the body from blunt and sharp objects, El Salvadors Ministry of Culture said in a statement to CNN. The Ministry and Zoo director Vladen Henriquez said Gustavito had bruises, puncture wounds and cuts on his head, body and feet and inside his mouth.

Zookeepers discovered the hippos wounds last Thursday after he finally emerged from his pool following days hidden from sight. Officials believe he was beaten late Tuesday, according to CNN.

Details surrounding the attack and Gustavitos cause of death remain unclear. The incident, which is under investigation, has sparked national outrage. They killed an animal that only entertained us, Martin Castillo, an El Salvador street vendor, told the Associated Press.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday aimed at signaling his commitment to historically black colleges and universities, saying that those schools will be "an absolute priority for this White House."

HBCU presidents are hoping Congress will bolster Trump's actions to strengthen the schools with dramatically increased funding in the upcoming federal budget. They are calling for $25 billion for infrastructure, college readiness, financial aid and other priorities. Under President Barack Obama's administration, historically black colleges and universities received $4 billion over seven years.

"The next step is the budget. You cannot have mission without money," Thurgood Marshall College Fund President Johnny Taylor told reporters outside the White House after the signing ceremony.

Many of the college presidents also went to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to lobby Congress for more funding. Taylor said the $25 billion is needed to make up for years of underfunding and would cover the country's more than 100 HBCUs.

Several presidents and HBCU advocacy organizations echoed Taylor's sentiments.

"This is a great day for my membership and a great day for America," said Lezli Baskerville, head of the National Association For Equal Opportunity in Education, an umbrella group for public, private and land-grant HBCUs.

GOP lawmakers said there were currently no concrete plans for increased funding. Several of them attended meetings Tuesday that Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., arranged with HBCU presidents, GOP officials and business leaders.

Scott said he and Walker planned to personally push for more money for black colleges, and "hopefully we will be more successful than they have been in the last few years."

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said if Trump was interested in helping HBCUs, he would increase spending on education instead of proposing cuts.

Story continues

Related:

For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android.





"President Trump's HBCU executive order is more empty symbolism that will do nothing to strengthen these vital institutions and the students they serve, Pelosi said. "HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions need resources and opportunities, not empty rhetoric from a president planning to devastate education funding in America."

Trump's order moves the Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities from the Department of Education into the executive office of the White House. It directs the initiative to work with the private sector to strengthen the fiscal stability of HBCUS, make infrastructure improvements, provide job opportunities for students, work with secondary schools to create a college pipeline and increase access and opportunity for federal grants and contracts.

It does not specify how much federal money the colleges should receive.

The moves are among the actions some college presidents said they would like to see from the new administration. Some of them decided to come to Washington over the objections of students and alumni, saying they can ill afford to play politics while Trump moves quickly to set priorities.

Larry Robinson, interim president of Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida, said he felt it was incumbent upon black college leaders to engage federal officials, "regardless of who's sitting in the White House, or what their political affiliations are."

"We're appealing to his good business sense and hoping he finds an investment worth paying for," said Roslyn Artis, president of Florida Memorial University in Miami. She said she favors tax incentives that would attract government contractors and private companies to invest in historically black schools.

Trump met briefly with the college leaders on Monday, as did Vice President Mike Pence and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Present alongside Trump was one of his most visible black aides, Omarosa Manigault, who holds degrees from two HBCUs: Central State University in Ohio and Howard University in Washington.

President Ronald Reagan created the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities by executive order in 1981. In 1989, President George H.W. Bush established a Presidential Advisory Board on HBCUs, and in 2002, President George W. Bush transferred the initiative from the White House to the Department of Education.

Nearly 300,000 students are enrolled at historically black colleges, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. While the number has increased over the past generation, the percentage of HBCU attendees among the overall black college student population has decreased from 18 percent in 1976 to 8 percent in 2014.

The Washington trip was led by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the nonprofit umbrella organization of public HBCUs. Taylor pointed out that two-thirds of such schools are in red, or Republican-controlled states, and that the colleges are heavily reliant on federal and state funding to survive.

Several of the presidents may have a tough time explaining to their students and alumni why they were willing to meet with Trump and GOP lawmakers. Trump only received 8 percent of votes from African-Americans during his election, and far more blacks vote Democrat than Republican.

Any funding coming from the federal government will have to have Republican approval, several presidents said. "We owe it to our alumni, we owe it to our students to be at the table," said Ray Belton, president of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

While some HBCU presidents in attendance are proceeding with cautious optimism, some African-Americans are wary of the administration's intentions - concerns underscored by DeVos' seemingly tone-deaf comments Monday praising HBCUs as "pioneers" in school choice that gave black students more options to pursue higher education.

In fact, many of the HBCUs - including some established in the aftermath of the Civil War - were the only option, as state-sanctioned segregation blocked generations of blacks from enrolling at white colleges.

Grambling State University President Rick Gallot pointed out that more than 90 percent of the students at his Louisiana college are eligible for the federal Pell grant, and added he would like to see the program strengthened and made into a year-round opportunity.

"As HBCUs, we've always done what politicians stress to agencies: To do more with less," Gallot said. "Think of the opportunities that would be there to do more with more."

___

Jesse J. Holland and Jill Colvin 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.
A top Republican and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee said Monday he had not seen any evidence from any of the top U.S. intelligence agencies that anyone associated with President Donald Trumps campaign had continuous contact with Russian officials last year, the Hill reported.

Even as Democrats continue to clamor for a full-fledged investigation, complete with a special and impartial prosecutor instead of Trump appointee, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., appeared to shoot down any ties between the Trump campaign and the Russians.

There is no evidence that Ive been presented [by the intelligence community] of regular contact with anybody in the Trump campaign, Nunes said. The way it sounds like to me is, its been looked into and theres no evidence of anything there.

Still, Nunes also admitted he had yet to receive all of the alleged evidence unearthed in stories by the New York Times and CNN  reports based on anonymous sources within the intelligence community that claimed members of Trumps campaign had repeated or constant contact with Russian intelligence officials last year. The Hill said Nunes labeled his requests to the intelligence agencies as initial.

Nunes insisted the investigation was ongoing and answered calls by some Democrats for a special prosecutor to look into the allegations by saying that such a step should wait until there's evidence of a crime. He also alluded to the idea that former national security adviser Michael Flynns contact with Russia's ambassador prior to Trumps inauguration could have been inadvertently captured by normal surveillance and kept due to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

The good thing about FISA and the way it works, there should be a record of who in the government knew about General Flynn talking to the Russian ambassador and from there we should be able to know whos in the realm of the possibles of who we would need to talk to, Nunes said.

Story continues

Trump has repeatedly denied any ties to Russia and said he didnt know of anyone on his campaign talking to Moscow in a press conference earlier this month. However, according to several media reports, while meeting with healthcare executives in Washington Monday he was asked about a special prosecutor looking into the Russian allegations: I havent called Russia in 10 years."

Its unclear what the president meant by the statement.

Related Articles
(WASHINGTON)  A simmering dispute between leaders of the House intelligence committee spilled into the public Monday over an investigation into whether President Donald Trump has ties to Russia, even as they pledged to conduct a bipartisan probe.

The Republican committee chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes of California, said he has heard no evidence so far that anyone in Trumps orbit was in contact with Russians during the presidential campaign. The top Democrat on the committee, Adam Schiff, also of California, said the committees investigation was hardly off the ground and it was premature to make any conclusions.

The nature of ties between Trumps associates and Russia has dogged him throughout his nascent presidency, and Monday brought renewed calls for a special prosecutor to investigate the unusual situation. Federal investigators have been looking into contacts between Trump advisers and Russia for months, along with Russias role in political hacking during the campaign aimed at Democrats. Trump, on Monday, said he hasnt called Russia in 10 years.

The House and Senate intelligence committees are conducting separate investigations. But revelations last week that the White House enlisted the Republican chairmen of those committees to push back against news reports have intensified concerns over whether the congressional investigations will be tainted by political influence.

Nunes has said the White House asked him to talk with one reporter, but didnt give him any guidance on what to say. He said he told that reporter the same thing hes said to many other reporters in the course of discussions.

Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina said he wasnt taking questions about whether the White House enlisted him to talk to reporters, as reported by The Washington Post. He said he doesnt need to talk about it.

Im in a comfortable place. I didnt do anything to jeopardize my investigation. Burr told The Associated Press on his way out of the Capitol after Senate votes Monday night.

Story continues

The issue was likely to come up at Tuesdays Senate confirmation hearing for Dan Coats, a former senator who is Trumps pick to be the next director of intelligence.

Speaking to reporters earlier Monday, Nunes  a member of Trumps presidential transition team  said Congress should not begin a McCarthy-style investigation based on news reports that a few Americans with ties to Trump had contacted Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign.

We cant have McCarthyism back in this place, Nunes said. We cant have the government, the U.S. government or the Congress, legislative branch of government, chasing down American citizens, hauling them before the Congress as if theyre some secret Russian agent.

Former Sen. Joe McCarthy led a hunt for communists in the 1950s that was fueled by anonymous informants. Nunes said if evidence surfaces, the committee will investigate.

Schiff, who worked as an assistant U.S. attorney for six years, said its not proper to start an investigation by stating your views of the outcome.

The committee has reached no conclusion on whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia, Russian officials or any Russian contacts  nor could we, Schiff said. We have called no witnesses thus far. We have obtained no documents on any counterintelligence investigation and we have yet to receive any testimony from the FBI of potential links between the Trump campaign and Russia.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Russias activity with regard to the 2016 election has been investigated up and down.

If theres nothing to further investigate, what are you asking people to investigate, Spicer said.

Trump was asked Monday whether he would support a special prosecutor to investigate Russias influence on the 2016 election. Instead of answering that question, he said, I havent called Russia in 10 years. Trump did not say why he called Russia a decade ago.

According to a White House description, the last time Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin was Jan. 28 and the White House said Putin had initiated the call. Trump also traveled to Russia in 2013 for the Miss Universe beauty pageant in Moscow.

Trump has denied knowing that any of his campaign advisers were in contact with Russians during the campaign. He has also said he has no financial ties or other connections to Russia.

Previously, mostly Democrats have requested a special prosecutor, but Republican Rep. Darrell Issa late Friday said Attorney General Jeff Sessions  who worked on Trumps presidential campaign  is not in a position to oversee such an investigation and urged the administration to appoint an independent prosecutor.

Any review conducted must have the full confidence of the American people, which is why I recommended an independent review, Issa said Monday in a statement.

Issa was the first Republican to break ranks on the subject, although House Speaker Paul Ryan said again Monday there should be no special prosecutor.

The proper place, in my opinion, is the intelligence committees. Theyre the ones that have access to methods of intelligence gathering.

Sessions on Monday told reporters the FBI and Justice Department will remain independent.

I would recuse myself from anything that I should recuse myself on, Sessions said. Thats all I can tell you.

Democratic Sen. Richard Durbin, of Illinois, also said a special prosecutor was needed. Durbin noted on MSNBC that any report the intelligence committees produce as a result of their investigations would likely be initially classified, and the Trump administration would be responsible for declassifying portions and releasing them to the public.

Conducting the investigation in the Republican-controlled Senate intelligence committee guarantees the American people will not know what is said, Durbin said.

___

Associated Press writers Vivian Salama, Eric Tucker, Julie Pace and Chad Day contributed to this report.

___

This story has been corrected to say that Dan Coats is a former senator, not a former representative.
Innovations in any field begin as someone's vision of a great idea. This is absolutely true in medicine. Each great "aha" moment is often met with skepticism if not outrage. And yet, somehow, we continue to push the envelope, discovering and refining new technologies and treatments that have extended human life expectancy beyond what was ever dreamed.

Most of these great steps forward have been efforts to improve the human condition, decrease premature loss of life and ease suffering. In the last decade, we have moved in a direction called personalized medicine, customizing therapy based on the genetic makeup of an individual patient with a certain type of condition. The question becomes: Where do we draw the line?

[See: 10 Lessons From Empowered Patients.]

That line was most recently blurred in the field of organ transplantation. Ever since the first kidney transplant was performed in 1954, this area of medicine has seen significant advances, including living related donors (organs from blood relatives), animal organs (known as xenotransplants) and even artificial organs. Each of these advances has expanded the pool of available organs for transplantation. Yet the need for organs still far outweighs their availability, according to federal statistics on transplants.

Approximately 119,000 people sit on the national transplant waiting list, with someone added every 10 minutes. And while about 31,000 people received a transplant in 2015, 22 others died daily awaiting the call that an organ was on its way. The major reason? Lack of organs available for transplant. Despite the numbers of people who sign up to be organ donors, not all of them will be usable. In fact, only about 3 in every 1,000 people who die will be eligible to donate depending on the condition of their organs. So while the numbers of potential donors and transplants have stayed steady for the last decade, the need for organs continues to increase nearly exponentially.

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The lack of access to health care is always a major dilemma, and typically leads to discussions about disparities. Especially when it comes to organ transplants. Since the basic need outweighs the organ supply, how do we decide who gets the organs that are available? The ethical principles that are generally employed here include the concept of distributive justice and maximal benefit.

In distributive justice, we try to divide resources fairly. If there were no scarcity of organs, the distribution would be equal across all people. Since this is not the case, the question of maximal benefit enters the conversation:

-- Who would get the most mileage out of a transplant?

-- Who has the most to gain from receiving an organ?

-- Should there be a calculation made to assess the worthiness of the potential transplant recipient, taking into account lifestyle factors such as smoking and drinking alcohol, or whether the individual is awaiting a first-time organ or a subsequent replacement?

-- What about societal factors, such as whether the patient is a civilian or needing an organ transplant while serving time in prison?

These issues are so complex that certain tenets are accepted. Distance from the site where the organ will be harvested, severity of disease and time on the waitlist are factors used to determine the order of transplant recipients. The resulting system is the closest to fair that the medical community has gotten to date, yet it may not seem so if you are one of the 85,000 people left waiting on the list.

[See: 10 Seemingly Innocent Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore.]

As with many great advances in medicine, scientists see this as a problem to be solved, not an insurmountable challenge. And recently, there have been reports of promise in a potentially new avenue: growing human organs in other animals, such as pigs and sheep.

This would be accomplished through something called embryo complementation, where stem cell therapy and gene editing can be used to inject desired stem cells into animal embryos, allowing organs to grow that are a mixture of animal and human cells, known as chimera. The organ shortage could then be mitigated, the thinking goes, and, since these stem cells would be harvested from the patient's own skin cells, the chance of the patient rejecting the transplanted organ would be less. Decreasing the need for transplant-rejection medications is significant, since these drugs cost upwards of $20,000 to $30,000 for a six-month supply. In the mind of the physician-scientist, this all good news: solving the issues of shortage, distributive justice, health care disparity and cost, all in one discovery.

On the other hand, this type of innovation has raised new and even more complex ethical and societal issues. Firstly, consider the technical challenges that must be overcome to join material from two life forms that have been genetically distinct for about 90 million years. Significant studies would be required to perfect the method, necessitating major funding dollars, potentially taking support away from research in many other areas of medicine.

Secondly, what if animals injected with these human stem cells began to develop human characteristics, particularly with respect to things like human consciousness and feelings? The name chimera itself characterizes the concerns: It comes from Greek mythology and means part lion, part goat and part snake. Now let's be clear: No one suspects we would revisit the images from mythology or even the musical "Wicked," where pigs walk on two feet and goats can speak. However, even scientists agree that the stem cell research needs to target certain organs only and avoid others such as the animal brain. Most agree that if small amounts of stem cells are transplanted, say 0.5 percent, the effect on organs other than those you are targeting would likely be minimal. There is concern, however, that at higher levels, like 40 percent, those stem cells could affect organs beyond the ones desired. The critical point is knowing how much is too much.

The National Institutes of Health currently has a moratorium on funding any initiatives on this due to the procedural and ethical concerns. All research is currently being done in individual laboratory settings with private funding. Many have questioned whether the moratorium is a threat to scientific progress, while others note it may protect public and animal safety from trials where there are so many unknowns. Others question whether this is truly the next frontier in medical discovery or simply the next step in the effort to transcend death.

[See: In Vitro Fertilization Grows Up.]

Just think about it. One day you could be told you need an organ transplant. You could call and order a chimera -- and in less than a year, you could have a custom organ. That is less time than it takes to get the trendiest designer bag on the market or a custom-made car in some cases. Will we live in the brave new world forecast by Aldous Huxley where we can visit an organ website and place an order? Would it be such a bad thing if everyone on the transplant waiting list could get a new organ and not die before one arrives? Is our discomfort any worse than considering the use of mold to fight infections, a "eureka" moment that changed the practice of medicine forever, as happened with the discovery of penicillin? Or would this just be too personal for medicine? Is anything too personal when it comes to the health of our loved ones, if they are sitting on the transplant waitlist? If the practice of ethics is truly knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do, this debate will rage on for quite some time.

Dr. Elaine Cox is the medical director of infection prevention at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis. She is also the Riley clinical safety officer. Dr. Cox practices as a pediatric infectious disease specialist and also instructs students as a professor of clinical pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine. The former director of the pediatric HIV and AIDS program, Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Riley, Dr. Cox helped lead the effort to change Indiana law to provide universal HIV testing for expectant mothers.
Budapest (AFP) - Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Tuesday that "ethnic homogeneity" was vital for the country's economic success, in a fresh tirade against importing workers to solve labour shortages.

Addressing the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Budapest, Orban said that improving competitiveness was not the only way to bolster economic growth and "enhance the value" of the "homeland".

"How to do this? First, by preserving ethnic homogeneity. One can say such things now, which you would have been executed for during the past few years, as life has proven that too much mixing causes trouble," he said.

Hungary's population, like those of many European nations, has a mix of ethnic backgrounds, but Orban said this diversity "is within a certain band ethnically... within one civilisation".

Orban, an admirer of US President Donald Trump, has called the wave of mostly Muslim migrants into Europe since 2015 a threat to the continent's cultural and religious heritage, and has built border fences to try to keep them out.

Hungary's government "cannot risk changing the fundamental ethnic character of the country," he said.

"That would not enhance the value of the country but downgrade it instead, and toss it into chaos."

He also claimed that limited diversity was culturally important because "the problem of parallel societies is undesirable," an allusion to worries that societies unable to integrate migrants can increase crime levels and terrorism.

Hungary, an EU member with a record-low unemployment rate of just above four percent, is facing an acute shortage of workers, with many employers saying they are struggling to fill vacancies.

But Orban warned against a recourse to so-called "guest worker" programmes, saying he would support them only on an ad hoc basis for short-term contracts.

"I would not like to see the country drift toward a situation where lower-skilled work would only be carried out by foreigners," he said.

"We ourselves have to do the work required to keep our country going, from scrubbing toilets to nuclear science," he said.
Working together

Volunteerism in Nepal is at a critical juncture. Occasionally praised but more often neglected and forgotten, Nepal is losing a great opportunity to harness the power of service.
Syfy has canceled Incorporated after one season.

A few hours after Deadline broke the news that the show wont be returning for Season 2, series star Eddie Ramos took to Instagram to address the cancellation.

In a lengthy post, Ramos expressed his sadness over the shows fate, noting that television is such a fickle business. Although he admitted that he knows nothing about keeping a show in the network and executive level, Ramos wrote that he did his best to give the viewers a kickass show and portray his character, Theo, as real as possible.

Ramos also wrote that hes going to miss the people he met in Toronto where they filmed the first season of the show. At the end of his post, the young actor thanked the cast and crew as well as the shows producers and the network for believing in his talent and giving him an opportunity to shine.

The Teen Wolf alum revealed that hes already working on a new project and is excited to see what the future has in store for him.

Incorporated, which was executive produced by Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Ted Humphrey and Jennifer Todd, was set in a dystopian Milwaukee in the year 2074 when many countries have gone bankrupt. It follows the story of Ben Larson (Sean Teale), a young executive who assumes a completely different identity to infiltrate a very dangerous corporate world to save the woman (Denyse Tontz) he loves. In addition to Ramos, Teale and Tontz, the series also starred Allison Miller, Julia Ormond and Dennis Haysbert, who was already cast as the male lead of the drama pilot Reverie for NBC.

Although the series was lauded by critics and viewers alike, it ranked below most other Syfy series such as The Magicians, Z Nation and The Expanse in the ratings game. According to Variety, Incorporated averaged a Live+Same Day audience of less than 500,000 and a 0.16 in the 18-49 demographic, with delayed viewing not doubling those base numbers.

What do you think of Incorporateds cancellation? Sound off in the comments below!

Story continues

Eddie Ramos as Theo

Photo: Ben Mark Holzberg/Syfy

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India's top court Tuesday denied a plea by a pregnant woman to terminate her 26-week old foetus diagnosed with Down's Syndrome, the latest in a string of women to have her abortion request rejected.

Indian law does not permit terminations after 20 weeks but the Supreme Court has made exceptions in cases where there is a danger to the life of the mother or baby.

The latest petition was denied after the court relied on a report by doctors which said there was "no physical risk" to the life of the 37-year-old mother if she continued with the pregnancy.

The two-judge bench also said it was not confirmed the foetus would suffer from severe mental and physical challenges.

Down's Syndrome is a genetic disorder typically associated with physical growth delays and intellectual disability.

"The medical report clearly does not, and possibly cannot, observe that this particular foetus will have severe mental and physical challenges," the bench said, according to a copy of the order seen by AFP.

"It states that the 'baby is likely to have mental and physical challenges'."

In recent months India's top court has received a number of petitions from women -- including rape survivors and trafficked victims -- seeking abortions where pregnancies had gone beyond 20 weeks.

Activists say the restriction should be extended to 24 weeks as victims of rape are often late to report their pregnancies.

In 2015, the Supreme Court allowed a 14-year-old rape victim to abort a foetus after the 20-week limit.
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Dozens of people gathered in the Indian city of Hyderabad on Tuesday for the funeral of an engineer shot dead in the United States last week, an attack that has raised fears for the safety of Indians abroad.

A white U.S. Navy veteran has been charged with the murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, in a case that U.S. authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime, the official term for crimes motivated by bias or prejudice.

Friends stood around Kuchibhotla's body which was garlanded with flowers ahead of his last rites, while some relatives wiped away tears, television footage showed.

Related video:

For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android.

Kuchibhotla's body was flown in late on Monday from Kansas where he was shot in a bar while another Indian and an American, who tried to intervene, were wounded.

Married four years ago, Kuchibhotla worked as an aviation engineer in the United States, one of the many Indians who go abroad each year in search of a better education or career prospects.

Kuchibhotla and his wife spent the initial years of their marriage living their American Dream, working, partying and traveling across the United States.

His death has raised concern about safety among members of the Indian-American community. More than 3 million Indians live in the United States, many of whom have taken part in candlelight vigils and marches in Kuchibhotla's memory.

Alok Madasani, Kuchibhotla's friend who was wounded in the shooting, sought to play down any implications for the safety of Indians in the United States after the "senseless crime".

"It was an isolated incident that doesn't reflect the true spirit of Kansas, MidWest and the United States," Madasani, who was on crutches, told reporters in Kansas.

(Reporting by Aditya Kalra; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)
Prisons reflect the societies they inhabit, says Magnum photographer Paolo Pellegrin. Frances over-stuffed penitentiaries, in which over half the population is estimated to be Muslim, offer a rather unsettling mirror for an electorate soon to decide on the future of their country.

Pellegrin  whose nearly three-decade-long career brought him to penitentiaries in Guantanamo Bay, Liberia, Brazil and Cambodia  spent five days documenting life in the French prison of Meaux-Chauconin, 35 miles northeast of Paris. Meaux-Chauconin is one of 185 French prisons that have been thrust to the forefront of political campaigns ahead of first round presidential elections in April; elections that polls suggests a second-round run-off in May between far right, National Front leader Marine Le Pen and centrist candidate, Emmanuel Macron.

Human rights groups have deplored the deteriorating conditions of French prisons for more than a decade, a situation caused by a prison population growing faster than available cells. A 2006 Council of Europe report detailed endemic overcrowding, dirty cells, unsanitary toilets and inmates sleeping on mattresses on the ground. The issue has yet to be remedied. Today, according to the Ministry of Justice, there are 68,500 inmates against a nominal capacity of 54,600.

But it took recent terrorist attacks to bring this issue to the forefront of public discourse. While serving time in Fleury-Merogis, Europes largest prison, Cherif Kouachi met Amedy Coulibaly. Kouachi attacked the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo with his brother, Said, days before Coulibalys raid on a kosher supermarket in Jan. 2015, killing a policeman and four Jewish shoppers. In June 2016, Larossi Abballa, a former prisoner flagged by prison officials for attempting to make other inmates join him in jihad, killed a police officer and his wife in an incident described by President Francois Holland as unquestionably a terrorist act.

In the aftermath of these attacks, politicians railed against the radicalization in prisons while numerous reports on the notoriously overcrowded facilities highlighted how weaker cellmates languishing in dangerous conditions could be indoctrinated. Frances Prime Minister Manuel Valls has since promised to build 33 more prisons by 2025, but prison officials say this is insufficient to alleviate the burden.

Responding to the terrorist threat, judges have started to deliver harsher sentences that push the conviction rate up and exacerbate the problem of overcrowding. French people are becoming more and more traumatized and they want to see tough systems to terrorism, Farhad Khosrokhavar, an expert on radicalization at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), tells TIME. When two attacks kill more than 250, authorities cannot [react] liberally to it.

Officials have tried different initiatives to address these issues. De-radicalization programs are already in place, which see extremists and those susceptible to extremism corralled off from the general population and placed in high security units, where they receive visits from imams, teachers, sociologists and psychologists. Macron has reportedly suggested taking this one step further by creating separate prisons for French citizens who have fought for Islamic State. Le Pen, meanwhile, visited Meaux-Chauconin on Feb. 22, pledging an extra $2.3 billion in funding to create 40,000 extra cells, and reiterated her promise to make life imprisonment real.

Yet the problem goes beyond the prisons, where the susceptibility of inmates to radicalization is reflective of more complex problems in French society. Many Muslims, who come from impoverished backgrounds, feel rejected by the society due to the strong arm of the French state, and are arrested at a higher rate than other demographic groups. Khosrokhavar estimates that Muslims make up between 40-60% of inmates; a population highly susceptible to messages that promise them an alternative sense of solidarity.

A 2015 study found that Muslim men are four times less likely to secure job interview compared to their Catholic counterpart in France. This sense of discrimination has been further exacerbated by the French form of secularism known as laicite, which separates religion from public life, leading to the ban on face veils in public. Laicite has become a religion itself Khosrokhavar says, they [Muslims] feel rejected by the system, and there is a kind of suspicion [in French society] that once you are a Muslim, you are not a good citizen.

Paolo Pellegrin is a photographer represented by Magnum Photos.

Alice Gabriner, who edited this photo essay, is TIMEs international photo editor.

Tara John is a reporter at TIME.
Moscow (AFP) - Investigators on Tuesday searched the flat of prominent opposition journalist Zoya Svetova, saying it was related to an ongoing probe into alleged money laundering by the former heads of Yukos oil company including Kremlin foe Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

Svetova, 57, who writes hard-hitting articles for opposition media including New Times magazine, has focused on writing about prisoner abuse in high-profile cases and has interviewed many of them in jail.

Until last year, she was a long-time member of a public commission that monitors jail conditions in Moscow.

Russia's Investigative Committee in a statement said its officers had information that Svetova had documents about the "transfer to Russia and subsequent spending of money previously stolen by Khodorkovsky and his accomplices."

It stressed the search was "not linked to Svetova's professional activities or rights activism."

A source familiar with the situation told Interfax news agency that the search was "ordinary routine work that will not lead to any procedural status for the rights activist (Svetova)."

Khodorkovsky was arrested in 2003 after openly opposing Vladimir Putin during his first term as president, and went on to spend a decade in jail on tax evasion charges. He now lives in London.

The Yukos case under investigation on Tuesday concerns embezzlement from the state and dates back to 2003, said rights lawyer Anna Stavitskaya, who went to Svetova's flat to support her.

- 'Stealing of assets' -

The Investigative Committee said the search was part of a continuing investigation into alleged "stealing of the assets" of Yukos and the Russian state "and their subsequent legalisation" by the oil company's former leadership and owners.

The search appeared to be linked to "the main Yukos case," Khodorkovsky's Open Russia foundation said on its website.

Svetova has published articles on Open Russia's website.

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Khodorkovsky wrote on Twitter: "They've come to search Zoya Svetova's flat over the Yukos case... They've completely lost it."

Svetova's husband Viktor Dzyadko told AFP by telephone that around 10 people took part in the search, which began at 11am (0800 GMT) and lasted some six hours.

Stavitskaya said on Facebook that officers had finished going through the flat and were drawing up an inventory of everything they had confiscated.

She said officers had read documents and downloaded files from computers in the search, which had been sanctioned by a court.

Supporters and friends including novelist Lyudmila Ulitskaya gathered outside Svetova's flat but were not allowed in by investigators.

"She is a rights activist, she is an absolutely honest person who has always worked with prisoners and has done a lot for them," said Ulitskaya.

The 74-year-old novelist added that she remembered witnessing a Soviet-era search of Svetova's father, Felix Svetov, a well-known political dissident.

"We lived through all this once and it seemed that it had ended forever. But evidently it was not forever."

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A baby initially barred from the U.S. due to President Donald Trumps controversial travel ban has received life saving medical treatment in Oregon.

Fatemah Reshad is recovering after a procedure to repair a heart defect at Oregon Health & Science Universitys Doernbecher Childrens Hospital, CNN reports.

Her parents had travelled from Tehran in order to meet with doctors in early February, but were initially prevented from doing so because of President Trumps restrictions on seven predominantly Muslim countries, one of which was Iran.

Immigration attorneys and state and federal officials assisted the family in order to grant Fatemah and her family a waiver while the ban was in force. The ban has since been halted in the courts, although a fresh version is expected soon from the Trump administration. The hospital also agreed to waive most of the costs involved.

It was a miracle, Samad Teghizadeh, the babys uncle, said.
By Padraic Halpin DUBLIN (Reuters) - An Irishman accused of helping run the Silk Road underground website lost an appeal on Tuesday against extradition to the United States to face charges relating to more than $200 million worth of alleged anonymous online drug sales. Silk Road operated for more than two years, allowing users to buy drugs and other illicit goods using the digital currency bitcoin. U.S. authorities have accused Gary Davis, 28, of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, conspiracy to commit computer hacking and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He might face life in prison if is found guilty of the narcotics charge. Ireland's Court of Appeal said it was alleged that Davis, who was not obliged to make a plea as part of the extradition hearing, earned $1,500 a week for his services on Silk Road. Lawyers for Davis had argued that the judge who ordered his extradition last year made a mistake in deciding that mental health conditions including Asperger's syndrome, depression and anxiety did not give rise to a real risk of a violation of his rights under Irish and European law. The three-judge appeal court said on Tuesday it agreed with the extradition judge's decision that U.S. authorities would act to protect his mental and physical health. They said they took into account concerns that the prospect of extradition and imprisonment "would be daunting for an individual in robust mental health let alone someone coping with a significant mental health condition such Mr Davis". Davis, whom the United States claims was an administrator for the Silk Road website, was ordered into custody immediately as some family members and friends broke down in tears in court. His lawyers did not indicate whether they would lodge a further appeal to Ireland's Supreme Court.
The U.S. president might doubt the reality of human-driven climate change, but you know who doesn't? Major oil companies. In fact, they've known the reality of the problem for decades.

Take Royal Dutch Shell, for instance.

In 1991, the Anglo-Dutch oil giant produced a film, called "Climate of Concern," that warns of potentially catastrophic risks from burning the very oil and gas that companies like Shell produce.

SEE ALSO: Trump gives second life to Keystone XL, Dakota Access oil pipelines

Its narrator speaks of a "new sense of urgency" driven by the "realization that our energy-consuming way of life may be causing climatic changes, with adverse consequences for us all"  like famine, flooding, waves of climate refugees and extreme weather.

Many of these consequences have now become apparent, and are predicted to worsen in the coming decades.

The Correspondent, a Dutch online journalism platform, recently unearthed the video and shared it with the Guardian newspaper. Both outlets published stories on Tuesday, sparking the hashtag #ShellKnew.

The phrase invokes #ExxonKnew, the slogan referring to recent revelations that ExxonMobil rigorously studied climate science in the 1970s and '80s and then worked to protect its bottom line by lobbying groups to sow confusion about the ties between burning fossil fuels and global warming.

Exxon is now under investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and state attorneys general for allegedly misleading investors about the risks climate change and regulations pose to its bottom line. Rex Tillerson, the company's CEO until Dec. 31, is now the U.S. secretary of state.

Compared to Exxon, Shell has been more forthcoming about the reality of human-caused climate change.

"We believe that climate change is real and we believe that action will be needed," Ben van Beurden, Shell's CEO, told reporters on Feb. 2 during an annual earnings presentation.

Story continues

A Shell spokeswoman confirmed to Mashable that it produced the 26-year-old educational film, and said the company never tried to conceal the video from the public.

"Our position on climate change is well known; recognizing the climate challenge and the role energy has in enabling a decent quality of life," she said in an email.

Projections for future global warming in Shell's 1991 video.

Image: climate of concern/shell

For environmental groups and climate advocates, Shell's film is yet another example of an oil company knowing that its products damage the climate  and continuing to drill, frack, mine and otherwise extract fossil fuels anyway.

Shell is a major player in the Canadian tar sands region and has spent billions of dollars exploring the Arctic Ocean for potential oil and gas drilling. However, its ventures in both regions have recently suffered setbacks due to low oil prices and high exploration costs.

"Having known in very straightforward terms the trouble we were in, they not only kept at their core business undeterred, but indeed proposed opening up the Arctic to oil drilling as recently as two years ago," Bill McKibben, a leading environmental activist and journalist, said in an email.

"Think about that for a minute," he added. "If there are business schools a hundred years from now, Exxon and Shell will be the case studies in cowardice."

"ShellNo" flotilla participants float near the Polar Pioneer oil drilling rig during demonstrations against Shell's Arctic exploration efforts, May 16, 2015.

Image: DAVID ryder/Getty Images

Yet Shell is also making important investments in clean energy technologies, including wind power and sugarcane ethanol. The company, which is Europe's biggest oil producer, last year created a New Energies division to invest at least $1.7 billion in renewable and low-carbon energy.

Shell has also advocated for putting a price on carbon emissions, a policy tool that would make it more expensive to emit greenhouse gases and provide more funding for clean energy investments. Shell's spokeswoman said the company generally applies its own internal carbon price, of about $40 per metric ton, to guide decisions on future investments.

"We believe that we are in the middle of an energy transition that is unstoppable and we want to be in the vanguard of that," van Beurden said.
The Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, sent a puppy strapped with explosives to Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), according to a video released by the militia. This appears to be to first instance where the terrorist group has used an animal as a suicide bomber.

The pup survived the attack after being spotted by PMF members. The Arabic-language video showed three militia members bent over the pup tied with four bottles filled with a white and yellow substance  believed to be explosives  and electrical wires attached.

This is the latest from Daesh, abusing an animal, one of the soldiers said, using the Arabic acronym for the Sunni group, according to Iraqi News.

What sin did it commit? another soldier reportedly questioned.

The explosives were defused before it could cause any harm to the puppy.

In the past, the militant group is reported to have used children and mentally-challenged people as suicide bombers to carry out attacks and has even made minor boys behead hostages accused of spying.

An ultra-militant offshoot of the al Qaeda, ISIS took control of vast chunks of Iraqi and Syrian territories in 2013 and 2014. It has since maintained presence in both countries. Several air campaigns have since been launched to attack the militant group, which is responsible for waging a sectarian campaign of bombing against Shiites and U.S. forces.

Earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered the countrys air force to attack ISIS-held areas in neighboring Syria after the group claimed responsibility for several deadly car bombings across Baghdad, which killed dozens of people.

"We are determined to chase terrorism that tries to kill our sons and citizens wherever it is found, so we gave orders to the air force command to strike Islamic State positions in Husseibah and Boukamal inside Syrian territory as they were responsible for recent bombings in Baghdad," Abadi said. "The heroes of the sky executed the operation and responded to the terrorists with amazing success."

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Israeli policemen comfort a pro-settlement activist during an operation by Israeli forces to evict residents from several homes in the Israeli settlement of Ofra, in the occupied West Bank Israeli police comfort a pro-settlement activist during an operation by Israeli forces to evict settlers from the West Bank settlement of Ofra, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. Israeli forces began evacuating nine homes in the settlement following a Supreme Court decision that ruled they were built on private Palestinian land. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

Israeli forces began evacuating nine homes in the West Bank settlement of Ofra, following a Supreme Court decision that ruled they were built on private Palestinian land.

Dozens of settlers and their supporters were protesting on the rooftops as military and police forces handed the evacuation orders to settler leaders and asked them to cooperate peacefully and avoid confrontation.

>>> Read more about the settler evacuation at the AP.

See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Tumblr
Jerusalem (AFP) - An Israeli state inquiry accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top army brass Tuesday of being unprepared for the strategic threat of tunnels used by Hamas during the 2014 Gaza war.

The findings of the two-year inquiry sparked a frenzy among Israel's political establishment on their official release, with Netanyahu critics using the opportunity to slam the premier's allegedly flawed decision-making process.

"The political establishment, the military establishment and the intelligence bodies were aware of the tunnel threat and even defined it as strategic. And yet the actions taken to deal with the threat did not match this definition," state comptroller Yossef Shapira wrote in the report.

It said Netanyahu and then-defence minister Moshe Yaalon did not fully share information they had on the tunnels with other members of the security cabinet, speaking instead in "sparse and general" terms.

The two also failed to provide ministers with "significant and essential information," necessary to make "well-informed decisions" on the situation in Gaza before the war, the report said.

After the report's release Netanyahu again defended his record, saying in a statement the tunnel threat was discussed 13 times in cabinet.

He said the war was a "success" as Israel dealt the "harshest blow to Hamas since its inception".

"Israel killed around 1,000 terrorists and destroyed thousands of rockets," he added, saying "tangible and real lessons" had been learned.

Destroying the tunnels and stopping Gaza-based Palestinian militants, particularly Hamas, from launching rockets into Israel were the key declared goals of Israel's third offensive in the coastal territory in six years.

The tunnels were among the Palestinians' most effective weapons during the 50-day conflict.

In one particularly notable attack, five soldiers were killed when a Hamas fighter emerged from a tunnel near the Nahal Oz kibbutz inside Israel on July 29, 2014.

Story continues

But tunnels were also used inside Gaza once Israeli forces invaded, with a number of soldiers allegedly killed when Hamas fighters emerged from them.

Shapira's report concluded Netanyahu, Yaalon and the chief of staff "did not ensure the army had operational plans for fighting in urban areas with tunnels".

The war killed 2,251 Palestinians and left 100,000 homeless, according to the UN.

On the Israeli side, 74 people were killed, all but six of them soldiers.

Yaalon, who during the war was a close ally of the premier only to resign last year from Netanyahu's Likud party and political life in acrimony after a dispute, also defended his record.

"Those who played politics in the security cabinet in an unprecedented way during the war will continue to do so this week," Yaalon wrote on Facebook before the report's release.

On Tuesday, in a video posted on YouTube, he denounced what he called a "political" report on "partial aspects of a complex deployment".

- Resignation call -

The fallout from the report is likely to pit Netanyahu against coalition partner and political rival Naftali Bennett, head of the right-wing Jewish Home party.

Bennett has said he and fellow members of the security cabinet were not properly briefed by Netanyahu on the tunnel threat.

Bennett did not immediately comment after the report.

Opposition head Isaac Herzog called on Netanyahu to resign and said the report should put "anxiety and worry in the heart" of every Israeli.

Yair Lapid, another senior opposition figure, said the report was "extremely concerning" and that Netanyahu misled the public.

"Worst of all, nothing has been done since to ensure it doesn't happen again," he said in a statement.

But analysts doubt the report will have a significant effect on Netanyahu's governing coalition.

Avraham Diskin, a political scientist from Jerusalem's Hebrew University, said he did not expect any major political upheaval or resignations, noting that such inquiries rarely have dramatic long-term impacts.

Much of the report was leaked in November.

"The report won't cause an earthquake," he said.

Israel's military found 32 tunnels, including 14 from the Gaza Strip into Israel, according to a UN inquiry on the war. Hamas says it has continued to dig new ones.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is fractious, with a rocket fired from Gaza hitting southern Israel without causing any damage Monday.

The army retaliated by bombing Hamas targets in Gaza.
ROME (AP)  The Italian president granted partial clemency late Tuesday to an American ex-CIA agent on the eve of her expected extradition from Portugal to serve a prison sentence for her alleged role in the kidnapping of a Muslim cleric.

The presidential palace said President Sergio Mattarella had shaved one year off Sabrina de Sousa's four-year sentence for her role in the abduction of the cleric, Osama Moustafa Hassan Nas. Also known as Abu Omar, he was kidnapped from a Milan street in February 2003.

The kidnapping was carried out under the United States' "extraordinary rendition" anti-terrorism program, which was launched after the September 11, 2001 attacks. The program saw suspects kidnapped and transferred to centers abroad, where they were interrogated and often tortured.

De Sousa denied involvement.

De Sousa, who has dual U.S.-Portuguese citizenship, had been due to be flown from Lisbon to Milan on Wednesday to start serving her sentence. The palace noted that because her sentence was reduced to three years, she can serve out the remainder of her term outside prison, although it was unclear if she would be able to do that in Portugal.

In evaluating de Sousa's request for clemency, Mattarella took into account "that the United States has interrupted the practice of extraordinary renditions," a reference to the Obama administration's decision to halt the program.

Mattarella and his predecessor cited the same circumstances in previously granting clemency to other defendants in the case. She was one of 26 Americans who were tried and convicted in absentia for the cleric's kidnapping.

Her lawyer in Italy couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

Italian military intelligence officers also were convicted in the abduction, but the nation's top criminal court ultimately threw out those convictions, ruling that the cases against them couldn't be prosecuted due to state secrecy.

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Italy was the first country to prosecute U.S. intelligence agents for roles in the rendition program.

De Sousa was detained on an international warrant at the Lisbon airport in October 2015 while en route to India to visit her mother. She has said she had been living in Portugal and intended to settle there.

She repeatedly fought her extradition and lost several appeals after her arrest. She had argued she was never officially informed of the Italian court conviction and could not use confidential U.S. government information to defend herself.
Japan's emperor arrived in Vietnam on Tuesday for a whirlwind tour that will include a meeting with families of Japanese soldiers who stayed there after World War II.

The emperor and empress were received by Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh and guards of honour at the Hanoi airport, where national flags were displayed.

The 83-year-old Akihito and his wife, Michiko, are on their first visit to the country, the latest in a series of trips to former battlegrounds.

"It is our hope that our visit to Vietnam will contribute to the further development of the mutual understanding and friendly relations between our two countries," Akihito said earlier at Tokyo's Haneda airport.

Akihito and Michiko are scheduled to visit Hanoi and the former imperial capital of Hue, according to the official programme.

On Thursday they are set to meet family members of some of the Japanese soldiers who stayed in Vietnam after the end of Japan's five-year occupation in 1945.

Many of the 700 soldiers joined forces with Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh in his fight for independence from colonial ruler France.

They were ordered to return home by Japanese authorities after France was defeated in 1954, but the first wave was not allowed to bring their Vietnamese wives or children.

Their families were often left in poverty and faced accusations of treachery for setting up house with the former enemy.

"This is a very meaningful visit for both Japan and Vietnam as the emperor, who is expected to retire soon, shows his deep sympathy towards people who suffered from history, even if he can't apologise," Yuji Otabe, professor at Shizuoka University of Welfare and expert on Japanese modern history, told AFP.

Japan is a leading investor in rapidly industrialising Vietnam and its top aid donor.

The countries have grown cosy in recent years as they wage separate maritime disputes with China.

The alliance is even more important since the election of US President Donald Trump which has thrown regional relations into question, according to Netherlands-based Vietnam analyst Jonathan London.

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"The election of Trump and all the chaos that that has and continues to generate has produced a profound destabilising element in the region," he told AFP.

"Vietnam and Japan are keen to promote or project greater strength and certainty about their relationship."

The pair fly on to Thailand on Sunday to pay respects to King Vajiralongkorn, who came to the throne after the death of his father Bhumibol Adulyadej in October.

The tour comes after Akihito suggested last year he is ready to step down, citing his age and increasing frailty.
HANOI, Vietnam (AP)  Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrived in Vietnam on Tuesday for a visit to promote goodwill and soothe some of the wounds of World War II by meeting with the abandoned wives of former Japanese soldiers.

The 83-year-old Akihito, the first-ever Japanese emperor to visit Vietnam, will be given a red carpet welcome by Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang on Wednesday.

During their six-day visit, the imperial couple is scheduled to meet with a dozen surviving widows and families members of Japanese war veterans. The wives and their families used to face discrimination because the women had married Japanese men.

Japanese troops invaded Vietnam in 1940 and remained there until Japan surrendered to the allies in 1945, but some 700 Japanese soldiers, most of them married to Vietnamese women, stayed in Vietnam after revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh declared independence from French colonial rule shortly after that.

The Japanese soldiers provided Ho Chi Minh's Viet Minh with their military expertise to fight the French. By the time the Viet Minh defeated the colonial forces in 1954, placing the North under Communist rule, about half of the Japanese soldiers died from fighting or illness and the first group of 71 had to leave without being able to bring their families in 1954. The rest had to leave in 1960, but this time with their families because Japan was on the other side of the Cold War.

Despite their stormy relations in the past, the two countries have steadily improved their ties since Vietnam's Communists launched reform policies in the mid-1980s and opened up to the world in early 1990s.

Today, Japan is Vietnam's biggest foreign donor and one of its top investors and trading partners.

The two countries have enjoyed closer military and security ties in recent years, with both facing separate maritime disputes with China. The emperor's visit follows one by Japanese Prime Minister in January during which he pledged to provide Vietnam with new patrol vessels.

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"The state visit to Vietnam by the Japanese emperor and empress is an event of symbolic significance, a historic milestone in the friendship and cooperation between the two countries," Vietnam's government said in a statement on its website Tuesday. "It demonstrates the sentiment and interests of Japan to the country and people of Vietnam."

The visit will help to further promote the strategic partnership and understanding between the two countries, it said.

Despite his age, Emperor Akihito has maintained a busy schedule, greeting foreign dignitaries and traveling overseas and around Japan.

He has attempted to soothe some of the wounds from World War II, traveling to China early in his reign. He has visited other major battlefields overseas  the western Pacific island of Saipan in 2005, the western Pacific nation of Palau in 2016 and the Philippines earlier this year.

The emperor is scheduled to meet with other Vietnamese leaders and tour Vietnam's ancient capital of Hue before heading Sunday to Thailand, where he will pay respects to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in October, and meet with new King Maha Vajiralongkorn before going home.
Tokyo-based Takata formally pleaded guilty to fraud and will pay a billion-dollar fine to settle suits over its defective airbags, the Justice Department said.

A Michigan court gave a green light to the agreement reached last month on the scandal at the heart of the biggest car recall in history (about 100 million vehicles worldwide).

The defect has been linked to 16 deaths and scores of injuries.

The car parts maker had agreed to plead guilty to fraud and pay $1 billion to settle the issue with US regulators.

The recall of more than 100 million airbags has affected almost every major automaker.

The problem is linked to a defect that can cause safety devices to inflate with excessive force, sending shrapnel from the inflator canister hurtling toward drivers and passengers.

Takata has admitted that from 2000-2015 it defrauded "customers and auto manufacturers by providing false and manipulated airbag inflator test data that made the performance of the company's airbag inflators appear better than it actually was," a Justice Department statement said.

"Even after the inflators began to experience repeated problems in the field - including ruptures causing injuries and deaths -- Takata executives continued to withhold the true and accurate inflator test information and data from their customers."

Almost every major automaker has been affected: BMW, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan and Toyota.

"We hope that today's guilty plea and sentence will send a message to suppliers of consumer safety products that they must put safety ahead of profits," US Attorney Barbara McQuade said.
TheStreet's Action Alerts PLUS Portfolio Manager Jim Cramer looks ahead to President Trump's speech to Congress on Tuesday night, and analyzes a host of trending stocks including Target , Valeant Pharmaceuticals , Domino's Pizza and Salesforce One stock Cramer likes heading into Trump's speech is Martin Marietta Materials . "It's a play on infrastructure and the wall and I think the wall is going to be with us as long as President Trump is president." Cramer also likes U.S. Concrete . "They're doing great even before we get the infrastructure bill," he said. As for Target's disappointing results, Cramer said the company can't get ahead of the problems in retail. "Things are moving too fast," he said.
Jon Stewart is back.

For the second time since Donald Trump became president, former Daily Show host Jon Stewart has appeared on Stephen Colbert's Late Show.

SEE ALSO: Jon Stewart returns with a few executive orders of his own

And this time he addressed the media after Sean Spicer banned reporters from CNN, The New York Times, Politico, the Los Angeles Times and BuzzFeed from a White House briefing.

I heard Donald Trump broke up with you. Stings a little, doesnt it? You finally thought youd met your match: a blabbermouth whos as thin-skinned and narcissistic as you are. Well, now its over! Well, good riddance, I say. Kick. Him. To. The. Curb.

If this is not a call to arms, we don't know what is. Take notes, MSM.
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker will present a white paper to the European Parliament on Wednesday on options for shoring up unity once Britain launches its withdrawal process, a spokesman said. The European Commission president wants some states to be able to deepen cooperation further and faster without the whole bloc having to follow suit. This idea has raised concerns, especially among poorer eastern countries, that their richer neighbors may use Brexit to cut EU subsidies to them. Juncker will go to the European Parliament on Wednesday afternoon, Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas told a briefing on Tuesday, to present the white paper. By setting out four or five practical "pathways to unity" or "alternative avenues for cooperation at 27", EU officials say Juncker aims to give the 27 leaders of the post-Brexit Union some broad choices to start considering at a March 25 summit in Rome, where they will mark 60 years of the bloc. "After Rome we want to launch a public debate on these options ... this has to be about the people and we very much hope that the leaders will launch such a process," Schinas said. A diplomat in Brussels, who was briefed on the document, said the options would range from largely leaving things as they are, to more ambitious proposals to pull EU states closer together on economic and political matters and, in the most ambitious option, to create something akin to a federalist EU. Talk of a so-called "two-speed" Europe is anathema to the likes of Poland, which will become the biggest EU member outside the euro zone after Britain leaves. The euroskeptic government in Warsaw wants changes in the EU to take away powers from Brussels and return them to national states. It fears, however, that some EU members could move closer together and make decisions that would have an impact on the whole of EU but without giving Warsaw a say in the process. (Reporting by Julia Fioretti and Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Andrew Roche)
By Akankshita Mukhopadhyay (Reuters) - Kite Pharma Inc said on Tuesday its experimental CAR T-cell therapy, which helps the immune system fight cancer, was highly effective in treating aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, meeting the main goal of a key study. Kite's shares were up 15.85 percent at $65.84 after touching a more than one-year high of $69.59 CAR T-cell drugs are made by genetically altering patients' own T-cells to add a component of antibodies that makes them better able to spot and kill cancer cells. A number of drugmakers, including Juno Therapeutics Inc, Novartis AG and bluebird bio Inc, are testing CAR T-cell therapies, which are in various stages of development. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma occurs when the body produces too many abnormal lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, chest pain and loss of appetite. Kite, citing an interim data from a mid-stage trial, said in September that the experimental therapy was highly effective in treating aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, although two of the 62 trial patients died. The company said on Tuesday that its primary analysis included all 101 patients and there were no additional deaths due to adverse events. "Data looks very good and above expectations, demonstrating a solid risk/benefit efficacy profile that should support rapid FDA approval, possibly by the end of this year" RBC Capital Markets analyst Michael Yee said in a note. Kite said it plans to submit a marketing application for the therapy with European regulators this year. Jefferies analyst Biren Amin said he expected accelerated approval for the drug from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by the end of 2017. Bluebird's drug, being developed in partnership with Celgene Inc, was able to induce remission in several patients with advanced multiple myeloma with no worrisome side effects in a small study. But Juno said in November that five leukemia patients died due to severe brain swelling, raising concerns about its therapy. "We think the results are incrementally positive for Juno and the CAR-T category more broadly as some investors have questioned the ability of CAR-T cell therapy to generate durable remissions in lymphoma," Leerink analyst Michael Schmidt said in a note. (Reporting by Akankshita Mukhopadhyay in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza and Maju Samuel)
Mitchell Starc may have won the opening duel against Indian skipper Virat Kohli by getting the star batsman out for a duck in the first Test, but the Australian fast bowler insists the battle has just begun.

Starc triggered India's downfall in last week's first Test in Pune by claiming the wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara and Kohli in quick succession in the first innings before left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe took charge.

Australia bowled out India for paltry totals of 105 and 107 in the two innings, with O'Keefe taking a total of 12 wickets as the visitors wrapped up a 333-run win inside three days.

Kohli, who has been in red-hot form in recent months, had a rare failure with scores of 0 and 13 in his two outings.

Guilty of chasing Starc's wide delivery outside the off-stump, Kohli gave away a catch to Peter Handscomb at first slip and the batting soon fell apart on a sharply turning wicket.

"We know (Kohli) is going to be another key wicket for the rest of the series. There's six more times we've got to get him out to really cement this series," Starc told reporters.

"We know he'll come back bigger and stronger, but he's one I'll take over Pujara at the moment," Starc said when asked to rate the importance of his twin strikes in Pune.

Starc and Kohli are former team-mates for the Indian Premier League (IPL) side Royal Challengers Bangalore, and the Australian is well aware of how dangerous the Indian skipper can be once he gets his eye in.

"He's a class player, we all know that. He's scored a mountain of runs already this year. We're going to have to be wary of that Virat comeback," Starc said of Kohli, who has scored double centuries in four successive series.

"We are really happy that it happened that way for us, but we know that one Test is not going to win us the series. It's three important Test matches to go."

After the next Test in Bangalore, the two teams are also due to play in Ranchi and Dharamsala.
From the beautiful coastline of the French Riviera in St. Tropez, CEO and founder Lionel Azoulay and chef Laurent Cavazza have opened La Tropezienne Bakery (211 S. La Brea Ave.) where the exquisite French cuisine meets the city of Los Angeles.

Laurent Cavazza

Photo: Courtesy of La Tropezienne Bakery

With a design reminiscent of traditional St. Tropez, white marble walls touched with a hint of gold, La Tropenzienne exhibits architectural excellence. Displayed along the walls are nostalgic photographs taken from St. Tropez, allowing guests to relish the classic beauty. Sitting on the charming terrace that oversees La Brea Avenue, newcomers can indulge in French delicacies.

I'm so excited to bring authentic French cuisine to Los Angeles," Azoulay said. "La Tropezienne will be the first full French eatery not only in LA but all of the U.S. Each pastry is delicately crafted to model after the classic St. Tropez taste. The quality ingredients along with the exquisite preparation by chef Laurent Cavazza and his team is undoubtedly something the city of Los Angeles has never tasted or experienced before.

Raspberry Tart

Photo: Courtesy of La Tropezienne Bakery

When he was 18, Azoulay ran his own digital marketing company. As he transitioned to LA, his driving passion for the food industry and his love for the classic St. Tropez delicacies allowed him to import La Tropezienne Bakery to the U.S. Azoulay spent a lot of time in St. Tropez in the past three years convincing Cavazza to join the project and conquer the U.S. market with him.

Today, both are proud to bring a taste of the French Riviera in Los Angeles. Cavazza, famous for his pastries and in particular La Tropezienne, has created a menu consisting of pastries, sandwiches, salads and other options, a number of them specialties from his hometown. Cavazza spent months in LA training the pastry team and hired executive chef Aurelie Banounn. Additionally, Cavazza will visit and work with the team twice a year.

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Pastries Display

Photo: Courtesy of La Tropezienne Bakery

I am really proud today to be in Los Angeles and continue my grandfather's legacy," Cavazza said. "I learned from him many years ago and have worked very hard to create my own bakery in St. Tropez. Today, I have the chance to introduce La Tropezienne to Angelinos and tell them my story.

Modeled after the pastries and delicacies of St. Tropez, guests can enjoy a Tarte Tropezienne, a specialty dessert pastry consisting of a filled brioche. Paired with a morning cappuccino, the Tarte Tropeziennee is a delightful way to begin the day. At the lunch hour, guests can snack on sandwiches such as the Salmon Lemon Butte and a variety of specialty pizzas. For those who need to satisfy an afternoon sweet tooth, the bakery offers pastry items, including Eclair Tropezien, Macaron St. Tropez and creme puffs.

Breads

Photo: Courtesy of La Tropezienne Bakery

The French bistro and cafe bakery will be open daily Monday-Wednesday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Thursday at 8 a.m. through Sunday at 9 p.m.

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Sincan (Turkey) (AFP) - The biggest trial of suspects accused of involvement in last year's failed July coup opened in Turkey on Tuesday in a courtroom specially built to hold more than 1,500 people.

Some 330 suspects are being put on trial in Sincan outside the capital Ankara, and if convicted, they face multiple life sentences over their alleged links to the attempted overthrow of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Over 240 of those named in the indictment are in custody, state-run news agency Anadolu reported.

The suspects, many of them from the Polatli artillery and missile school command in Ankara, have been charged with murder or attempted murder.

They also stand accused of attempting to remove the government and parliament of the Turkish republic or trying to prevent those institutions from conducting their work.

The case is being heard at Sincan prison where there was heavy security in place, with a water cannon truck on site and a drone flying overhead as families arrived for the hearing.

The courtroom -- which has space for 1,558 people -- was packed with security forces surrounding the suspects as they testified.

- 'Be prepared' -

The first suspect, a military cadet called Abdulkadir Kahraman, told the court that on the night of the coup, troops had been informed by their commander that there had been a terror attack and were given ammunition.

Other suspects gave similar statements, including Arif Ozan Demir who told the court the commander told them there had been an attack and that they should "be prepared".

Ankara has blamed the failed putsch on Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen -- who lives in self-imposed exile in the United States -- and his movement.

Turkey has denounced the movement as a terrorist organisation and the suspects on trial at Sincan are also accused of belonging to an armed terror group.

The hearing is one of several cases that opened across the country this month, with 47 people going on trial in the western city of Mugla on charges of attempting to assassinate Erdogan.

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Until now, the largest had been in the Aegean city of Izmir where 270 suspects went on trial late last month, among them Gulen who was being tried in absentia.

Following the failed putsch, Ankara declared a state of emergency and began a widespread crackdown, placing more than 43,000 people in pre-trial detention.

The state of emergency remains in place as the trials get under way in the biggest legal process in the country's history.
By Elinor Comlay TRENTON, N.J. (Reuters) - New Jersey Governor Chris Christie laid out plans to spend more money on public pensions and roads and reiterated calls to transform the state's school funding formula in his final budget address as leader of the state on Tuesday. The Republican, once a White House hopeful, said his $36.2 billion budget proposal for fiscal 2018 included a $2.5 billion contribution to the state's retirement system for public employees, up $647 million from last year's contribution. He said he wants to spend an extra $400 million this fiscal year to fix roads and deficient bridges. In October he signed into law a gasoline tax hike of 23 cents a gallon, New Jersey's first increase since 1988, in exchange for reducing other taxes. This latest budget proposal does not call for any new tax increases. Christie said he wanted to work with lawmakers to overhaul the state's education funding formula within 100 days, before primary elections in June, though he did not make any changes to the formula in his proposed budget. His first such proposal in June 2016 to send a flat rate of $6,599 per student to all public school districts has fallen flat in the Democrat-led legislature. Christie is in his eighth and final year as governor. His presidential aspirations and approval rating at home crumbled in the wake of the Bridgegate scandal involving his former top aides. Credit rating agencies have downgraded New Jersey 10 times since Christie took office in 2010, in part because of state pension liabilities. Even so, Christie touted property tax aid, job growth and lower discretionary spending by his administration in his address to lawmakers, as well as an unemployment rate that has fallen to 4.7 percent from 9.8 percent in 2010. His fiscal 2018 budget anticipates a 2.6 percent increase in spending and a 3.6 percent increase in revenues. Christie said he has lowered the amount of one-time budget revenues to 2 percent from 13.2 percent in 2009. He proposed using state lottery revenues to shore up the pension system, saying this could boost the system's funded ratio to 64 percent from 49 percent and cut unfunded liability by about $13 billion. The shortfall is currently about $136 billion, according to S&P Global. "While the need for real and sustainable long-term reform cannot be understated, addressing the continued compounding of our pension crisis requires a substantial increase in State contributions," Christie said. (Reporting by Elinor Comlay in Trenton; Writing by Hilary Russ in New York; Editing by Daniel Bases and David Gregorio)
By Stephen Kalin MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - "My dear family, please forgive me," reads the handwritten letter discarded in the dusty halls of an Islamic State training compound in eastern Mosul. "Don't be sad and don't wear the black clothes (of mourning). I asked to get married and you did not marry me off. So, by God, I will marry the 72 virgins in paradise." They were schoolboy Alaa Abd al-Akeedi's parting words before he set off from the compound to end his life in a suicide bomb attack against Iraqi security forces last year. The letter was written on an Islamic State form marked "Soldiers' Department, Martyrs' Brigade" and in an envelope addressed to his parents' home in western Mosul. Akeedi, aged 15 or 16 when he signed up, was one of dozens of young recruits who passed through the training facility in the past 2-1/2 years as they prepared to wage jihad. In several cases this involved carrying out suicide attacks - Islamic State's most effective weapon against a U.S.-backed military campaign to retake the group's last major urban bastion in Iraq. His letter never reached his family. It was left behind with a handful of other bombers' notes to relatives when Islamic State abandoned the facility in the face of an army offensive that has reclaimed more than half of the city since October. The militants also left a handwritten registry containing the personal details of about 50 recruits. Not all entries had years of birth, and only about a dozen had photographs attached, but many recruits were in their teens or early 20s. These documents, found by Reuters on a trip into eastern Mosul after the army recaptured that area, include some of the first first-hand accounts from Islamic State's suicide bombers to be made public and offer an insight into the mindset of young recruits prepared to die for Islamic State's ultra-hardline ideology. Reuters interviewed relatives of three of the fighters including Akeedi to help determine where they came from and why they chose jihad. In rare testimonies by families of Islamic State suicide bombers, they told of teenagers who joined the jihadists to their dismay and bewilderment, and died within months. Reuters could not independently verify the information about other recruits in the registry. Islamic State does not make itself available to independent media outlets so could not be contacted for comment on the letters, the registry or the phenomenon of teenage suicide bombers. 'BROTHER JIHADI, RESPECT QUIET' Islamic State has attracted thousands of young recruits in Mosul - by far the biggest city in the caliphate it declared in 2014 over territory it seized in Iraq and Syria. The group has carried out hundreds of suicide attacks in the Middle East and plotted or inspired dozens of attacks in the West. The training compound visited by Reuters consisted of three villas confiscated from Mosul residents. Man-sized holes knocked through exterior walls allowed easy access between the villas. Lower floors were littered with IS posters and pamphlets on topics ranging from religion to weaponry, as well as tests on warfare and the Koran. Green paint and bed sheets on the windows obscured the view from outside and gave the rooms an eerie glow. Flak jackets and body-shaped shooting targets filled one room, while medicines and syringes were scattered around another that appeared to have served as a clinic. The rooms upstairs were packed full of bunk beds with space for almost 100 people. Printed signs outlined strict house rules. One ordered: "Brother jihadi, respect quiet and cleanliness". PLEDGING ALLEGIANCE Most of the recruits listed in the registry were Iraqi but there were a few from the United States, Iran, Morocco and India. Akeedi's entry says he pledged allegiance on Dec. 1, 2014, a few months after the jihadists seized Mosul. A relative told Reuters by phone that Akeedi's father was deeply distressed by his son's decision but feared punishment if he tried to remove him from Islamic State's ranks. Reuters was unable to contact his father. Akeedi rarely visited his family after joining the jihadists. On his last trip home he told his father he was going to carry out a suicide attack in Baiji, an oil refinery town south of Mosul where the militants had been fighting off repeated offensives by the Iraqi military. "He told his father, 'I am going to seek martyrdom,'" said the relative, who declined to be named because he feared reprisals from Islamic State or from Iraqi forces preparing to storm the area. A few months later, Akeedi's family was told by the militants that he had succeeded. Another recruit of the same age, Atheer Ali, is listed in the registry beside a passport-sized photo showing a boy with bushy eyebrows and large brown eyes. He wears a dark collar-less tunic, a brown head covering and a cautious smile. His father, Abu Amir, told Reuters his son had been an outstanding student who excelled in science and was always watching the National Geographic TV channel. He loved to swim and fish in a nearby river and would help out on his uncle's vegetable farm after school. TOO YOUNG FOR FACIAL HAIR Ali was shy and slim, lacking a fighter's mentality or build, Abu Amir said in an interview at his eastern Mosul home, sifting through family photos. So the father was horrified when one day in early 2015 Ali didn't come home from school but ran off with seven classmates to join Islamic State. When Abu Amir went to the militants' offices across the city to track down his son, they threatened to jail him. He never saw his son alive again. A few months later, three Islamic State fighters pulled up at Abu Amir's house in a pickup truck and handed him a scrap of paper with his son's name on it. He was dead. Abu Amir retrieved Ali's body from the morgue. His hair had grown long but he was still too young for facial hair. Shrapnel was lodged in his arms and chest. He said the fighters told him he had been hit by an air strike on a mortar position in Bashiqa, northeast of Mosul. They described him as a "hero". Gathered in the family sitting room, Ali's relatives said he was brainwashed. Many of his school friends fled Mosul after the militants took control and Ali fell in with a new crowd, but his family never noticed a change in his behavior. "Even now I'm still astounded. I don't know how they convinced him to join," said Abu Amir. "I'm just glad we could bury him and put this whole thing to rest." 'HIS MIND WAS FRAGILE' Sheet Omar was also 15 or 16 years old when he joined Islamic State in August 2014, weeks after the group captured Mosul. Next to his registry entry is the fatal addendum: "Conducted martyrdom operation". Shalal Younis, Omar's sister's father-in-law, confirmed he had died carrying out a suicide attack, though he was uncertain about the details. He said the teenager, from the Intisar district of eastern Mosul, had been overweight and insecure and joined the jihadists after his father's death. "His mind was fragile and they took advantage of that, promising him virgins and lecturing him about being a good Muslim," said Younis. "If someone had tempted him with drugs and alcohol, he probably would have done that instead." (Editing by Pravin Char)
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Latest on the Senate (all times local):

8:00 p.m.

The Senate has cleared the way for a vote on President Donald Trump's nominee to head the Interior Department.

Senators voted 67-31 Monday evening to limit debate on the nomination of Congressman Ryan Zinke. A final vote on confirmation could occur on Tuesday or Wednesday.

At his confirmation hearing, the Montana Republican rejected Trump's claim that climate change is a hoax, saying it is indisputable that environmental changes are affecting the world's temperature and human activity is a major reason.

The Interior Department and other U.S. agencies control almost a third of the land in the West and even more of the underground "mineral estate" that holds vast amounts of coal, oil and natural gas.

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7:30 p.m.

The Senate has confirmed billionaire investor Wilbur Ross as commerce secretary as President Donald Trump adds to his economic team.

Breaking with Republican orthodoxy, Ross said the Trump administration will work quickly to re-do the North American Free Trade Agreement. That's the massive trade pact with Canada and Mexico that has boosted trade but still stings laid-off workers across the Midwest.

Senators from both political parties were deferential to Ross at his nearly four-hour confirmation hearing, which was much more subdued than the confirmation hearings of other Trump nominees.

Worth an estimated $2.9 billion, Ross has extensive business ties around the globe. In 2000, he founded WL Ross & Co., a private equity firm. As part of his ethics agreement, Ross will divest from the firm.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  The Latest on Mardi Gras celebrations that end with Fat Tuesday, the culmination of the Carnival season (all times local):

5:21 p.m.

A man watching a Mardi Gras parade in Biloxi, Mississippi, died after falling from the back of a pickup truck onto a piece of exposed rebar.

Biloxi officials told Gulf Coast media that Tuesday's accident happened at an Interstate 110 underpass.

Fire Chief Joe Boney said the man was standing or sitting on the back of a pickup truck, fell off, and the rebar pierced his body.

The Gulf Coast Carnival Association parade was halted so that an ambulance could get to the man.

The man's name was not available. Boney estimated he was in his early 20s.

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3:40 p.m.

Authorities in Gulf Shores, Alabama, are trying to determine why an SUV driven by a 73-year-old man accelerated and hit members of a high school band at the start of a Mardi Gras parade.

Tuesday morning's accident injured 12 students. At a news conference, city spokesman Grand Brown said three were in critical but stable condition as of Tuesday afternoon. Police Chief Ed Delmore said investigators have obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. They hope to get electronic data from the 2008 Ford Expedition. Investigators also were looking at video of the accident.

Officials said the driver is cooperating with authorities and there is no indication drugs or alcohol were involved.

Brown said the band was at the head of the parade and the SUV was staged behind the band.

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This story has been corrected to show the age of the man involved in the crash is 73, not 72.

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2:35 p.m.

A national organization for military officers says one of its chapters was involved in a crash that injured a dozen young people during a Mardi Gras parade on the Alabama coast.

Jonathan Withington of the Virginia-based Military Officers Association of America says a vehicle representing its Baldwin County branch was part of what authorities are calling a horrible accident during the Gulf Shores parade on Fat Tuesday. Officials say four of the injured are in critical condition.

Story continues

Photos from the scene show a large sport-utility vehicle decorated with a banner from the military association. Withington says he doesn't know who was driving or exactly what the vehicle was doing in the area.

Authorities have said a 73-year-old man from Fairhope was driving as part of the parade when the vehicle lurched forward and struck members of the Gulf Shores High School marching band from the rear.

Police say the driver is cooperating with authorities, and there are no signs that alcohol or drugs are involved.

___

1:45 p.m.

Revelry turned to horror on the Alabama coast when a vehicle driven by an elderly man slammed into a high school band marching in a Mardi Gras parade on Fat Tuesday.

A flute and shoes were left lying on a highway following the crash Tuesday in the beach town of Gulf Shores, where authorities say four victims are critically injured and eight others have less-severe injuries.

Video and photos from the scene show emergency workers helping injured members of the Gulf Shores High School band as onlookers wearing Mardi Gras colors looked on. A man who works at a nearby automotive shop, James Reeves, describes the aftermath as "chaos." He says rescue teams did a great job dealing with the horrible scene.

Authorities say a 73-year-old man who was driving a vehicle in the parade plowed into the band from behind. The annual parade was canceled immediately as firefighters and other emergency workers turned from parade participants into caregivers.

Officials say there's no indication of drugs or alcohol being involved, and they're calling the crash a horrible accident.

___

12:10 p.m.

Authorities say an elderly driver slammed into a marching band during a Mardi Gras parade on the Alabama coast, critically injuring four young people and leaving eight with less-severe injuries.

Officials with the city of Gulf Shores told a news conference they don't believe the crash Tuesday morning was anything other than an accident.

City spokesman Grant Brown says the band from Gulf Shores High School had just entered the parade route for Fat Tuesday when a vehicle behind the group lurched forward into the group.

Brown says the vehicle struck multiple people, injuring 12 in all. He says the victims ranged in age from 12 to 17.

Authorities identified the driver only as a 73-year-old man from nearby Fairhope. Police say they're looking into reports that the man was driving a large sport-utility vehicle with a banner on the side.

Details on the most severe injuries weren't immediately available. The parade was canceled after the crash.

Video and photos from the scene show emergency workers helping the injured on the main highway running toward the beach.

___

11:53 a.m.

Boston-native Jennifer Phan was thrilled to be at her first Mardi Gras, carrying a stalk of sunflowers nearly as tall as she was to ensure she and her tall boyfriend could find each other.

"I get lost in the crowds," she explained.

A passing stranger stopped to show her another use, lifting it in her hands high.

He told her, "Hold it higher and use it to catch the beads."

___

11:23 a.m.

Police in the Alabama beach town of Gulf Shores say a car participating in the city's Fat Tuesday parade accidentally plowed into a band, leaving three young people in critical condition and eight others with less-severe injuries.

City spokesman Grant Brown tells The Associated Press that the band had just entered the parade route Tuesday morning when a car behind the group lurched forward into the group.

Brown says the vehicle struck multiple people, injuring 12 in all. Details on the most severe injuries weren't immediately available.

Brown says there is no indication the crash was anything other than what he calls a "horrific accident." Brown says he's not sure whether the band was from a school in Gulf Shores or elsewhere.

Video and photos from the scene show emergency workers helping the injured on the main highway running toward the beach.

___

11:20 a.m.

Candace Crawford, a New Yorker who has lived in New Orleans for three years, wore bright leggings and a black shawl from which a grinning skull nestled against her left cheek.

Skeleton hands emerged as if one arm was around her neck and the outer at her waist.

"This is my little skull and bones guardian, and this is his little friend, "she said, while pointing to a skull near her waist. "Everyone's so colorful at Mardi Gras. I said, 'Oh. I'm going to darken it up."

___

11 a.m.

Although clarinetist Pete Fountain died last year, Pete Fountain's Half-Fast Walking Club strutted from Commander's Palace restaurant to the French Quarter on Tuesday, tossing beads and doubloons to recordings of his music.

A banner bore a photo of Fountain showing his eyes closed and hands folded in prayer.

That was the only solemn note. Club members were decked out from hat to shoes in nearly fluorescent spring green.

___

10:30 a.m.

The sidewalk along St. Charles Avenue near Canal Street barely had room for pedestrians. Either there were two rows of chairs or a row of chairs and ladder seats for small children with ice chests and portable benches along a building wall.

Elaine Thomson of Silver Spring, Maryland, in a group of eight, says she'd been there since 7 a.m. Tuesday. The 48-year-old Thomson's group included two "Mardi Gras virgins" whom she'd met during Day's Bacchus parade.

Melinda Zetrouer (ZET'-roh-uhr), whose chair was in front of Thomson's, had arrived at 5:45 a.m. and got the last four front-row spots.

The 56-year-old Zetrouer said she couldn't count the years since her parents began taking her to parades rather than dropping her off at her grandfather's house.

Thomson says, "This is my 23rd Mardi Gras. Every year they do it bigger and better."

She says she'd go back to her hotel after the Rex parade if she could get across the street. She wasn't sure whether she'd be able to do so before the truck parades began.

___

10 a.m.

Costumes, costumes and more costumes.

And the costumes and creativity were on display Tuesday as hundreds of people gathered in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans for the St. Anne's parade.

Gabrielle Begue describes her costume as "shrubs, greens, topiary" although she conceded that the leaves festooned around her body were a bit unruly to be called topiary.

Begue and her husband, Erik Winkowski, were dressed as what could best be described as large bushes put together with fake ivy and the liberal use of a glue gun.

Begue said with all of the year's heated political commentary they wanted outfits that were "full whimsical."

The St. Anne's parade is a walking parade that goes from the Bywater and Marigny neighborhoods into the French Quarter and features people wearing an eclectic mix of homemade costumes.

___

9:501 a.m.

Jim Segreto of New Orleans was a photo magnet with his Trump's wall costume: blue sateen pants, an Uncle Sam hat and a cardboard box marked with black lines for cinderblocks.

A computer printed label read, "Trump's $26 billion wall. Mexico offers 'nada.' We're stuck with the bill."

He says, "Unlike Trump's plan, it only cost me about 26 cents."

Segreto says he doesn't always wear a costume for Mardi Gras.

He says, "This is a political year. This year I had to have something that made a statement."

___

8:25 a.m.

A half dozen pirates on the ferry from New Orleans' west bank sliver were heading across the Mississippi River to join a much bigger crowd on the city's east bank.

They were all active duty or retired military and families, heading to an annual Navy League breakfast called the Krewe of Eggs.

Charlene Wenrich, wearing an orange-red wig under her tricorn hat, said the group chooses a costume theme each year. "Last year was Harley. This year it's pirates."

Gerry (GAR'-ee) Leonard says pirates made for a much easier costume than motorcycle gang members: "You just throw on an earring and you're good to go."

___

8 a.m.

The 30 or so people taking the 7 a.m. Tuesday ferry to Canal Street includes a couple of groups in tutus and a half-dozen pirates.

Craig Channell (shuh-NEL') says, "this is the one time of year people can act like fools and get away with it."

Channell, his wife, Darlene Channell, and friend Dian Walsh are visiting from Tampa, Florida. Host Bill Tucker is pulling a wagon holding a big cooler and four roll-up chairs.

Tucker says the cooler holds water and soft drinks. All agree that it's too early for drinking anything stronger.

With three of the four wearing tutus, Tucker is accessorized with a wide studded leather belt. Craig Channell's costume consists of a jester's hat. He jokes that his tutu is in the wash.

They went to the glitzy Endymion parade Saturday. Channell says Tampa's Gasparilla parade cannot compare.

___

7:45 a.m.

The port city of Mobile, Alabama, is transforming itself into one big parade route for the climax of Mardi Gras season, Fat Tuesday.

Government offices and many businesses will be closed as parades roll almost continuously through the city starting Tuesday morning.

The weather is supposed to be good, and tens of thousands of people are expected to line parade routes trying to catch colorful beads, Moon Pies and Mardi Gras trinkets.

Alabama parades also are planned in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on the Baldwin County side of Mobile Bay.

New Orleans gets most of the crowds and attention around Mardi Gras, but Mobile bills itself as having the nation's oldest Mardi Gras celebration.

The Christian season of Lent leading up to Easter begins Wednesday.

___

2:35 a.m.

Thousands of people are expected to throng the streets for Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans.

Fat Tuesday is the culmination of the city and region's Carnival season.

Some of the biggest parades will take place along the St. Charles Avenue parade route.

Families, tourists and locals generally set up their chairs and ladders early to get a good seat for catching the trinkets thrown by riders on the floats.

In another part of the city, people dressed in elaborate costumes will take part in the St. Anne's parade, an eclectic walking parade.

At the stroke of midnight, police on horseback will do a ceremonial clearing of revelers on Bourbon Street to mark the formal end of the Mardi Gras season before Lent begins Wednesday.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  The Latest on Mardi Gras celebrations that end with Fat Tuesday, the culmination of the Carnival season (all times local):

8 a.m.

The 30 or so people taking the 7 a.m. Tuesday ferry to Canal Street includes a couple of groups in tutus and a half-dozen pirates.

Craig Channell (shuh-NEL') says, "this is the one time of year people can act like fools and get away with it."

Channell, his wife, Darlene Channell, and friend Dian Walsh are visiting from Tampa, Florida. Host Bill Tucker is pulling a wagon holding a big cooler and four roll-up chairs.

Tucker says the cooler holds water and soft drinks. All agree that it's too early for drinking anything stronger.

With three of the four wearing tutus, Tucker is accessorized with a wide studded leather belt. Craig Channell's costume consists of a jester's hat. He jokes that his tutu is in the wash.

They went to the glitzy Endymion parade Saturday. Channell says Tampa's Gasparilla parade cannot compare.

___

7:45 a.m.

The port city of Mobile, Alabama, is transforming itself into one big parade route for the climax of Mardi Gras season, Fat Tuesday.

Government offices and many businesses will be closed as parades roll almost continuously through the city starting Tuesday morning.

The weather is supposed to be good, and tens of thousands of people are expected to line parade routes trying to catch colorful beads, Moon Pies and Mardi Gras trinkets.

Alabama parades also are planned in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on the Baldwin County side of Mobile Bay.

New Orleans gets most of the crowds and attention around Mardi Gras, but Mobile bills itself as having the nation's oldest Mardi Gras celebration.

The Christian season of Lent leading up to Easter begins Wednesday.

___

2:35 a.m.

Thousands of people are expected to throng the streets for Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans.

Fat Tuesday is the culmination of the city and region's Carnival season.

Story continues

Some of the biggest parades will take place along the St. Charles Avenue parade route.

Families, tourists and locals generally set up their chairs and ladders early to get a good seat for catching the trinkets thrown by riders on the floats.

In another part of the city, people dressed in elaborate costumes will take part in the St. Anne's parade, an eclectic walking parade.

At the stroke of midnight, police on horseback will do a ceremonial clearing of revelers on Bourbon Street to mark the formal end of the Mardi Gras season before Lent begins Wednesday.
Leading auto manufacturers, including BMW and Nissan, equipped their cars with Takata airbags despite knowing they were dangerous, according to legal filings reviewed Tuesday by AFP.

The claims, laid out in a civil case against Takata and leading automakers, broadens responsibility for the scandal to auto manufacturers, who have largely been seen as victims in the exploding airbags scandal.

The debacle led to the largest global auto recall ever following 16 fatalities, 11 in the United States.

On Monday, Tokyo-based Takata formally pleaded guilty and agreed to pay $1 billion after admitting to defrauding customers and auto manufacturers by misrepresenting the performance of airbag inflators.

The $1 billion settlement included $125 million for individuals injured by Takata airbags and $850 million for auto manufacturers to cover airbag recall and replacement costs, the Justice Department said.

But lawyers representing victims in the case said the large automakers were hardly blameless in the fiasco.

"Automotive defendants had independent knowledge ... that Takata's airbags were not safe well before installing them in millions of vehicles," said a filing from plaintiffs attorneys at Podhurst Orseck, a law firm.

The car companies were "aware that rupture after rupture, both during testing and in the field, confirmed how dangerous and defective Takata's airbags were," the filing said.

"For the automotive defendants to call themselves victims insults the real victims here -- hundreds of people who have seriously injured or killed."

Plaintiffs attorneys are still building their case, but said evidence so far pointed to early knowledge of Takata airbag flaws at Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Ford and BMW.

Most of those companies did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. BMW said it could not comment on current litigation.

The problem is linked to a defect that can cause safety devices to inflate with excessive force, sending shrapnel from the inflator canister hurtling toward drivers and passengers.
Brussels (AFP) - European lawmakers paved the way Tuesday for French far-right leader Marine Le Pen to lose her parliamentary immunity over her tweeting of images of Islamic State atrocities, officials said.

French prosecutors opened an investigation in December 2015 into the graphic series of tweets by National Front leader Le Pen, which included a photo of the decapitated body of US reporter James Foley.

The legal committee of the European Parliament on Tuesday backed a request by the prosecutors for Le Pen's immunity as a member of the EU's only elected assembly to be lifted, officials told AFP.

"This only shows French citizens what the EU is, what the European Parliament is and that it's all part of the system that wants to stop the French people's candidate that I am," the anti-EU candidate said in response to the move.

The European Parliament as a whole must now vote on Thursday on the issue, but committee decisions are generally followed by the assembly.

Le Pen has so far refused to attend a police interview over the investigation by police in the Paris suburb of Nanterre, citing her status as an MEP.

But her head of cabinet has been placed under formal investigation for "the dissemination of violent images".

The eventual lifting of her immunity would concern only the tweets and not the ongoing probe into allegations that Le Pen misused public funds by hiring a fake parliamentary aide.

The images were tweeted with the caption "This is Daesh" (an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group) and showed Foley's bloodied body with his decapitated head on his torso, a man on fire in a cage, and a victim being driven over by a tank.

Foley, a freelance journalist, was captured in Syria in 2012 and beheaded in August 2014.

Le Pen, who has over 830,000 Twitter followers, addressed the tweets to BFM TV journalist Jean-Jacques Bourdin, whom she accused of likening her party to the jihadist group.

Story continues

Foley's bereaved parents John and Diane said they wanted the images removed immediately, accusing Le Pen in a statement of using the "shamefully uncensored" image to her own political ends.

A probe was also opened against Gilbert Collard, a National Front lawmaker in France, who had tweeted a similar violent image on the same day and for the same reason.

But last Wednesday the French national assembly refused to consider a request to lift his immunity after deciding it was not "sufficiently specific".
New York (AFP) - Executives at New York's Lincoln Center made a joint appeal Tuesday for the United States to preserve arts funding, warning that steep cuts mulled by President Donald Trump would have devastating effects.

Leaders of the prestigious complex's institutions -- including the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic and New York City Ballet -- said arts funding benefited people from children to veterans and also "anchors communities."

"In American cities and towns, arts institutions and districts are breathing life into neighborhoods -- attracting investment, spurring development, fueling innovation and creating jobs," they wrote in a statement.

Unlike in Europe, cultural funding in the United States is largely private. But the Lincoln Center executives said it was vital to preserve the underlying leadership from the National Endowment for the Arts which last year received $148 million in government appropriations.

The Lincoln Center executives pointed to the endowment's statistics that the arts -- which covers everything from concert tickets to the movie industry -- generated $704.2 billion in economic benefits each year across the United States.

"A great America needs that kind of return," they wrote without explicitly naming Trump.

The Trump administration has proposed major cuts in federal funding, especially foreign aid -- except for a $54 billion boost in military spending.

Arts funding has been a perennial target for some US conservatives, who highlight controversial works and question the need for government support.
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP)  A Lithuanian court has convicted a former air force captain and another man of spying for Russia's secret service.

The Siauliai District Court ruled Tuesday that former Lithuanian air force captain Sergey Pusin, was guilty of spying and gave him a 5-year prison sentence. His co-conspirator, Russian citizen Sergey Moiseenko, also was convicted on espionage charges and was sentenced to 10  years in prison.

The court said Moiseenko recruited Pusin to provide information on NATO's air policing missions and other intelligence information.

Pusin had pleaded guilty. Moiseenko denied any wrongdoing.
Vilnius (AFP) - A Lithuanian court on Tuesday jailed a Russian citizen and one of its own nationals for spying for Moscow, in the latest case of espionage as tension simmers between Russia and the West.

The Lithuanian, a former captain who served at the country's Siauliai military air base, provided the Russian with information about domestic defence, NATO's Baltic air policing mission and operations in Afghanistan during 2012-2014, the court said.

Identified only by his initials for legal reasons, the man pleaded guilty and was handed a five-year sentence.

The Russian citizen, who pleaded innocent, was sentenced to 10 years and six months.

The court in Siauliai, northern Lithuania, said the Russian paid money to the Lithuanian captain during their secret meetings. Tuesday's ruling is subject to appeal.

Last year, Lithuanian prosecutors said another Russian spy had attempted to recruit Lithuanian officials to bug the home of President Dalia Grybauskaite. The trial is still under way.

Also in 2016, a Russian court sentenced two Lithuanian nationals to 13 and 12 years in prison for spying on Moscow.

Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia emerged from nearly five decades of Soviet occupation in the early 1990s and joined NATO and the EU in 2004.

They have been alarmed by Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula in 2014 and its support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Mahershala Ali won the Oscar on Sunday for best supporting actor for his role as a Miami drug dealer named Juan in Moonlight, and he credits his role as Remy Danton in House of Cards for helping him achieve this.

So to be a part of that and that being something that feels really authentic for our culture and a real option in how we view and absorb and embrace content  thats the reason Ive been able to put certain things together and even have this moment because of the  the four years I spent on House of Cards,' he said, according to the Washington Post.

Sadly for House of Cards fans, Ali wont be back as Remy in Season 5. He already talked about his exit from the show several months back, but he reiterated it during the Oscar red carpet.

All due respect to House of Cards. They created an opening for me to be able to do this work and move forward, he told Extra. I also wouldnt be able to be here if I stayed on the show, so it was just time to move on. I just wanted to be more fulfilled as an actor.

Most of the major players will still be back. Kevin Spacey will be reprising his role as President Frank Underwood, Robin Wright as First Lady Claire Underwood, Michael Kelly as Doug Stamper, Paul Sparks as Thomas Yates and Neve Campbell as political consultant LeAnn Harvey.

There will be new players in the series as well, with Oscar nominee Patricia Clarkson and Campbell Scott booking major roles next season, according to The Hollywood Reporter. While details of their roles are still being kept a secret for now, it has already been confirmed that they will both be featured heavily in the new season.

House of Cards Season 5 will premiere on Netflix on May 30.

Mahershala Ali

Photo: Getty Images/Dave Mangels

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By Joseph Sipalan KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Two women - an Indonesian and a Vietnamese - will be charged on Wednesday with murder over the killing in Malaysia of the estranged half-brother of North Korea's leader, Malaysia's attorney general said. Police have said the women smeared VX nerve agent, a chemical on a U.N. list of weapons of mass destruction, on Kim Jong Nam's face in an assault recorded on security cameras in the Malaysian capital's airport on Feb. 13. U.S. and South Korean officials believe Kim was the victim of an assassination orchestrated by North Korea. He had been living in exile, under Beijing's protection, in the Chinese territory of Macau, and had criticised the regime of his family and his half-brother Kim Jong Un. Malaysian police arrested Doan Thi Huong, the Vietnamese woman, and Indonesian Siti Aishah in the days after the attack. Police are also holding one North Korean man and have identified seven other North Koreans wanted in connection with a case that reads like the plot to a spy movie. Both women will be formally charged on Wednesday under section 302 of the penal code, which carries the death penalty. "I can confirm that," Attorney General Mohamed Apandi Ali told Reuters in a text message. He said the North Korean in custody would not be charged yet. His remand period ends on Friday. The security camera footage, which has been released in the media, showed two women assaulting Kim Jong Nam in the departure hall of Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and the victim stumbling into a clinic. He died within 20 minutes of the assault. Both women have told diplomats from their countries that they had been paid to take part in what they believed was a prank for a reality television show. HUMBLE ROOTS Huong, the Vietnamese woman, was detained 48 hours after the murder in the same airport terminal where Kim Jong Nam was killed. She is believed to be the woman wearing a white shirt emblazoned with the acronym "LOL", whose image was caught on security cameras while waiting for a taxi after the attack. The daughter of a rice farmer in northern Vietnam, Huong had left home aged 18 more than a decade ago. She was described by Malaysian police as working for an "entertainment outlet", but they gave no details of where she had been employed or her immigration status. A South Korean police official said Huong visited the holiday destination of Jeju Island in November for four days and they were looking into what she may have been doing there. The Indonesian woman, Siti Aishah, was detained a day after Huong. Indonesian diplomats said Aishah claimed she had been paid around $90 for her role in what she thought was a prank for reality TV. Old neighbours in a slum in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, said before she left to find work in Malaysia, she had lived a quiet life, working from home in her ex-husband's family tailoring business before the couple separated in 2012. Aishah's former father-in-law said she had returned to Jakarta on Jan. 28 to visit her seven-year-old son. Police have said that the women knew what they were doing when they attacked Kim Jong Nam and were instructed to wash their hands afterwards. But regardless of whether they did or not know of the murder plot, both appear to have been viewed as expendable by whoever gave them the VX. Police said Aishah fell sick, vomiting repeatedly while in custody possibly as a side-effect of VX, though Indonesian embassy officials have subsequently said she is in good health. Malaysia's investigation into the killing has sparked diplomatic tension with North Korea, and on Tuesday a high- ranking delegation arrived in Kuala Lumpur from Pyongyang in a bid to smooth ties. Ri Tong Il, North Korea's former deputy ambassador to the United Nations, repeated requests that Malaysia hand over the victim's body to the embassy and release the North Korean in custody. He said he was in Malaysia for "the development of friendly relations between the DPRK and the Malaysian government", media reported. North Korea's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. (Additional reporting by Angie Teo in KUALA LUMPUR and Zahra Matarani in JAKARTA; Writing by Simon Cameron-Moore; Editing by Robert Birsel)
BERLIN (AP)  German police say a 24-year-old man killed his grandmother, then ran over and killed two police officers as he fled from them.

Police in the state of Brandenburg said they started searching for the man, whose identity wasn't released, after finding the body of his 79-year-old grandmother Tuesday in the town of Muellrose, east of Berlin near the Polish border.

Police spokesman Ingo Heese said when the man came to a checkpoint in his car he rammed into two police officers, who died at the scene, the dpa news agency reported.

The suspect was taken into custody a short time later but further details weren't immediately available.
An Indiana man who admitted killing a 15-month-old girl after kidnapping her from a relatives home has been sentenced to 60 years behind bars.

Kyle Parker, 23, agreed to a deal with prosecutors that dropped rape, aggravated battery and other charges against him. An Owen County judge accepted his guilty pleas to kidnapping and murder on Monday.

Read: Family Friend Charged with Rape, Murder of 15-Month-Old Girl Found Dead Miles From Home

Parker was at the home of Shaylyn Ammerman last March, drinking with the childs uncle and grandfather, prosecutors said. He waited until the other adults were asleep, then scooped up baby Shaylyn and slipped out of the familys house in southern Indiana.

Her body was found two days later near a river about nine miles from her home, propped against a tree. She had been choked, raped and killed, authorities said. Bleach had been poured over her small body.

Read: Toddler Allegedly Raped, Killed by Family Friend Is Laid to Rest as He's Put on Suicide Watch

"You, Mr. Parker, have no moral compass," Judge Lori Thatcher Quillen told him in court. His actions, she said, were "pure evil" and gut-wrenching."

After she announced his sentence, the judge told her bailiff: "You can now get him out of my courtroom," WBIW-TV reported.

A medical examiner said in court documents that the baby suffered the worst sexual trauma she had seen in her career.

Watch: Death of 1-Year-Old Girl Ruled Homicide by Asphyxiation

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Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fl.) has proposed legislation to name the street in front of the Russian Embassy in the United States as Boris Nemtsov Plaza.

Nemtsov was a prominent Russian opposition figure murdered in plain view of the Kremlin two years ago. He was 55 years old. The anniversary of his death was marked by thousands of protesters in Moscow on Sunday. Five people  all ethnic Chechens  have been charged for Nemtsovs murder . All have pleaded not guilty.

It is still unclear whether the death is linked to the Kremlin, or whether it was an assassination carried out by Putin supporters, but not with Putins support. The latter is the version presented in All the Kremlins Men, a look at the inner workings of Putins Russia by Mikhail Zygar of independent outlet TV Rain.

Rubio seems to take the first view. Putin may hope Nemtsovs murder deters dissent, Rubio said in a statement sent out on Monday, but we must continue to support Russias pro-democracy movement so that does not happen. The statement continues, The creation of Boris Nemtsov Plaza would permanently remind Putins regime and the Russian people that these dissidents voices live on, and that defenders of liberty will not be silenced. It will also help raise awareness among the American people about the ongoing abuses in Putins Russia.

The move was remarked on appreciatively by Russian opposition figures on Twitter. Mikhail Kasyanov tweeted, Senator Rubio makes a strong move. Vladimir Kara-Murza (who believes he has been poisoned twice by Russian agents for political reasons) also tweeted out the Rubio statement.

But it seems the proposed reminder will not stop abuses in Putins Russia. On Tuesday, Russian journalist and human rights activist Zoya Svetovas house was raided and searched for over six hours. Svetova is an activist with the anti-Kremlin Open Russia organization, which is run by another famous former political prisoner, Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Open Russia employees homes were also raided in 2015, months after the still unsolved murder of Boris Nemtsov.

Photo credit: VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty Images
Mariah Carey just came to her ex-husbands defense. The controversial diva made an official statement about the rumors the media is spreading about her relationship with Nick Cannon as co-parents of their twins, Moroccan Scott and Monroe.

On Monday, Carey took to Instagram to share her statement about Cannon as the father of their kids. Theres no validity or truth to the false allegations looming in the press regarding our family. Nick is the father of my children, we will always stand up for each other, have each others backs and we will always remain a strong family, Careys post read.

Upon learning of his ex-wifes statement, Cannon reposted it on his Instagram account and gave a shoutout to the Emotions hitmaker. Salute to the Queen, he wrote, alongside a praying hands emoji and the hashtag #FamilyFirst.

Many of the former couples fans quickly left them positive messages for their team-up in the face of trials. One fan assured Carey: No worries, fake news is a trend. We dont believe them. Another fan wrote: Good for Nick and Mariah for sticking up for their family.

Careys statement comes in the wake of rumors that there is a custody battle that is about to ensue between her and Cannon. Last week, Cannon himself blasted notorious tabloid The National Enquirer for working on a story about his alleged nervous breakdown and erratic behavior that pushed Carey to petition for sole custody over their twins.

Meanwhile, Americas Got Talent judge Howie Mandel was revealed to have begged Cannon to return to the reality talent show following the latters exit. TMZ did an ambush interview with Mandel and the comedian admitted that he wants the rapper to continue hosting the show, so he is asking him to return.

Previously, Cannon announced his departure from AGT after hearing about NBCs plan to fire him due to a joke he said on Showtime. There is no amount of money worth my dignity or my integrity, Cannon wrote in a lengthy Facebook post of his exit at the time.

Story continues

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon

Photo: Reuters/Fred Prouser

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A Maryland woman, Angelica Ivania Barahona-Rivas, 18, was reported missing Saturday after leaving her job at a restaurant in Gaithersburg, a city in Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Police Department said in a press release. The woman is related to 15-year old Damaris Alexandra Reyes Rivas, who disappeared in December and was later killed in a suspected gang-related attack, police told WTOP.

Barahona-Rivas was last known to be at work in her restaurant located at 9615 Lost Knife Road in Gaithersburg Saturday night at about 9 p.m. It is believed that she left work soon after  before her shift time was scheduled to get over.

She was described to be 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs about 1,590 pounds. She was apparently wearing a tan shirt, a gray jacket, black boots and carried a pink purse, as told by Montgomery County police to WTOP.

Barahona-Rivas' family and friends told police that they had failed to contact her. There are some indications about Barahona-Rivas possibly being in the New Jersey area, police said in the press release.

The Montgomery County police also urged the public to contact them at 301-279-8000 if they find any information about Barahona-Rivas' whereabouts.

Meanwhile, in the gang-related disappearance and death of Reyes Rivas, 10 people have so far been charged. During the investigation of this case, in mid-January, Fairfax County detectives notified Montgomery County investigators that they believed Reyes Rivas might have been in the company of gang members in their jurisdiction. At that time, detectives from both Fairfax County and Montgomery County coordinated the investigation and continued to work together until Reyes Rivas' death was confirmed February 13th, a press release from Montgomery Police Department stated.

The increase in deaths and disappearnaces have been linked to a rise in gang activity in Montgomery County, where predominatly the M-13 gang operates, which has its roots in Los Angeles and Central America, according to several media reports.

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FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German drugmaker Merck KGaA and U.S. partner Pfizer have been granted priority review status in the United States as they seek to widen the use of immunotherapy drug avelumab to include bladder cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will review trial data for the drug against locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) which has worsened despite chemotherapy, within six months instead of the usual 10, Merck said in a statement on Tuesday. Avelumab belongs to a new generation of biotech drugs that stop some tumors from hiding from the immune system, similar to Merck & Co's Keytruda or Roche's Tecentriq. Merck KGaA and Pfizer previously won U.S. priority review status for avelumab's use against a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer. (Reporting by Ludwig Burger; editing by Jason Neely)
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Most Mexican politicians avoid being associated with dinosaurs, a term Mexicans use to describe old-guard, corrupt politicos.

But one politician lent his name to a new species of plesiosaur, a kind of marine reptile with flippers that went extinct about 66 million years ago.

The dinosaur species was dubbed Mauriciosaurus fernandezi after Mauricio Fernandez, the mayor of a suburb of Monterrey in Nuevo Leon state.

The Museum of the Desert in Coahuila state said Monday that Fernandez turned the fossil over to the museum after it was discovered in 2011 by quarry workers in Nuevo Leon.

The museum said the fossil had unusual traces of fossilized skin and soft tissue.

Fernandez has made news in the past, announcing the 2009 death of a kidnapper before police even reported the discovery.
On February 27, the Microsoft-owned Swedish developer Mojang announced that its sandbox video game Minecraft had hit 122 million sales. It currently has the largest active gaming community, according to Business Insider.

The hugely popular video game "Minecraft" has hit a new sales milestone of 122 million copies sold, and its monthly player figures have shot up from by 37.5% to 55 million since previous figures were released in June 2016. The company celebrated the news by releasing animated gifs on social media to relativize the enormity of the numbers.

As Microsoft's Majong simply puts it, "Minecraft" is "a game about placing blocks and going on adventures." Originally developed by Markus "Notch" Persson, the "Minecraft" franchise was bought by Mojang in 2014 for $2.5 billion.
Good morning. These are todays top stories:

President Trump to address Congress

President Donald Trump is set to deliver a critical speech to Congress tonight. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said the theme will be the renewal of the American spirit. Trump is expected to give his remarks about 9 p.m. E.T. Watch his speech live here.

Plane crashes into California homes, kills 3

At least three people were killed and two others were injured when a small plane crashed into a pair of homes in California yesterday. Three of the five passengers on the plane died.

Liberian Ebola fighter dies in childbirth

Salome Karwah, one of the Ebola fighters who was named TIMEs 2014 Person of the Year for helping patients in West Africa, has died from complications in childbirth. Karwah had survived the disease that killed both her parents and several family members.

SpaceX to send two people to the moon

SpaceX will take two paying citizens on a private trip around the moon next year, the company announced. It would be the first time in 45 years that humans returned to deep space. SpaceX said they will travel faster and further into the Solar System than any before them.

Also:

The Minnesota police officer who shot Philando Castile has pleaded not guilty.

Trader Joes has recalled some apple sauces because they may contain glass pieces.

Former President George W. Bushs new book of oil paintings is now on sale.

New Orleans marks the 160th anniversary of its first Mardi Gras parade today.

The Morning Brief is published Mondays through Fridays. Email Morning Brief writer Melissa Chan at melissa.chan@time.com.
NASA on Tuesday commended SpaceX over its ambitious mission to send two private citizens on a trip around the moon late next year. The SpaceX mission, announced Monday, is, in many ways, similar to NASAs Exploration Mission-2  wherein the space agency will, sometime between 2021 and 2023, fly a crewed Orion capsule by the moon.

For more than a decade, NASA has invested in private industry to develop capabilities for the American people and seed commercial innovation to advance humanity's future in space, the space agency said in a statement. "NASA commends its industry partners for reaching higher."

In order to fulfil its mission, SpaceX plans to use a Crew Dragon capsule  currently being developed as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program  that will be launched on board a Falcon Heavy rocket, which, once it take flight, would be the worlds most powerful rocket.

At 5 million pounds of liftoff thrust, Falcon Heavy provides two-thirds the thrust of the 111-metre tall Saturn V rocket used by NASA during its Apollo-era space program.

The names of the two private individuals, who have already paid a significant deposit for the mission, have not yet been revealed.

Like the Apollo astronauts before them, these individuals will travel into space carrying the hopes and dreams of all humankind, driven by the universal human spirit of exploration, SpaceX said. We expect to conduct health and fitness tests, as well as begin initial training later this year.

If the mission is successful, it would vault Elon Musks spaceflight company ahead of NASA, which is planning to carry out the first integrated launch of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft only in 2019, and the first crewed launch in 2021.

In addition, SpaceXs success would, as NASA highlighted in its statement, allow the U.S. to launch astronauts from the home soil, ending its dependence on Russias Soyuz rockets, which are currently the only means of transport for astronauts to and from the ISS.

Story continues

Under its current arrangement, NASA has to shell out nearly $80 million for every seat on the Soyuz rocket. In order to end this dependence, NASA has already awarded several contracts to SpaceX and Boeing for crewed flights to the ISS. SpaceX is currently contracted to perform an average of four Crew Dragon missions to the ISS per year, three carrying cargo and one carrying crew.

We will work closely with SpaceX to ensure it safely meets the contractual obligations to return the launch of astronauts to U.S. soil and continue to successfully deliver supplies to the International Space Station, NASA said in its statement Tuesday.

Related Articles
The U.S. raid in Yemen last month that cost the life of a Navy SEAL and several children reportedly yielded no significant intelligence, NBC News reported just a day after the dead SEALs father called for a full investigation of the action.

Quoting senior U.S. officials, NBC reported the raid had been designed to kill or capture at least one militant, something the military never has acknowledged. Instead, Pentagon officials said the mission was designed to gather intelligence.

The raid was initially planned by the Obama administration, but President Donald Trump gave the go-ahead just five days into his administration.

The White House called the raid a success and Pentagon officials said it produced actionable intelligence.

"We gathered an unbelievable amount of intelligence that will prevent the potential deaths or attacks on American soil," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said earlier this month. Spicer Monday said Chief Special Warfare Officer Ryan Owens did not die in vain.

He was able to obtain through that raid, as I said before, [information that] is going to save American lives, Spicer said. The mission was successful in helping prevent future attack or attacks on this nation.

The only evidence of intelligence the military has released was an old bomb-making video. NBC quoted multiple senior officials as saying they had seen no evidence to support Spicers claim.

I want an investigation, Owens father, William Owens, told the Miami Herald. The government owes my son an investigation.

"Why at this time did there have to be this stupid mission when it wasn't even barely a week into his administration? Why? For two years prior, there were no boots on the ground in Yemen  everything was missiles and drones  because there was not a target worth one American life. Now, all of a sudden we had to make this grand display?"

Owens refused to meet with Trump when his sons remains were returned to Dover Air Force Base because my conscience wouldnt let me talk to him.

Story continues

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended the raid in an appearance Sunday on ABCs This Week.

"The mission has a lot of different critics, but it did yield a substantial amount of very important intel and resources that helped save American lives and other lives," Sanders said.

Fourteen militants were killed in the raid along with at least 25 civilians, nine of them children, including the 8-year-old daughter of U.S.-born al Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who was killed in a 2011 U.S. drone attack, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism reported. Six other service members were injured and a $70 million U.S. aircraft was destroyed.

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South Korean spies have alleged that dictatorial North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently had five security officials brutally executed with an anti-aircraft gun, according to an Associated Press report published Monday.

Kim, 33, reportedly grew enraged over false reports the officials had filed under the leadership of the country's former state security chief Kim Won Hong, who was recently fired from his position. Kim Jong Un's anger then apparently led to the gruesome deaths.

The exact details of the alleged executions, including the nature of the false security reports, remained unclear.

The comments about the executions came during a meeting in which South Korea's National Intelligence Service, known as NIS, briefed lawmakers on the recent assassination of Kim's elder half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, who was poisoned in a Malaysian airport this month. South Korea has blamed the North, and Kim directly, for the death of his brother.

South Korean politician Lee Cheol Woo made the remarks about the executions and cited intelligence from the NIS, according to the Associated Press. She revealed Kim Won Hong, the former security head, had been close to Kim but fell out of favor over corruption accusations and his links to the false reports.

The isolated country hasn't commented on either topic.

Kim has had North Korean officials killed with anti-aircraft guns before, according to the Independent. The leader of the hermetic nation reportedly murdered two officials, one in the education ministry and another in agriculture, in August. Satellite images in 2015 also appeared to capture an execution as it was about to happen on a shooting range. A North Korea expert described at the time described the sheer gruesomeness of the apparent execution.

"Bodies would be nearly pulverized," Greg Scarlatiou, executive director of Human Rights North Korea, said in a statement. "The gut-wrenching viciousness of such an act would make 'cruel and unusual punishment' sound like a gross understatement."

Story continues

Kim has reportedly had hundreds of people murdered over the past five years.

Related Articles
A senior North Korean diplomat arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for talks with government officials, the first known visit since a missile test by Pyongyang that prompted China to sever coal imports from its isolated neighbour.

North Korea's vice foreign minister Ri Kil-Song will be in the country until Saturday to discuss "issues of mutual interest", foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters during a regular press briefing.

Ri will meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other officials, Geng said, calling it a "normal diplomatic exchange."

It is the first known high-level North Korean visit in months and comes amid rising tensions between the two countries over Pyongyang's February 12 missile launch and the subsequent killing of the brother of the North's supreme leader Kim Jong-Un.

South Korea has blamed Kim's government for the killing in Malaysia, which involved the banned VX nerve agent.

Shortly after the murder, China announced it would halt all imports of North Korean coal for the rest of this year, a decision it said was in line with UN sanctions placed on North Korea late last year over its missile and nuclear programmes.

China is the North's sole major ally and by far its largest trading partner.

But in an unusual public attack following the coal decision, North Korean state media last week denounced Beijing for "dancing to the tune of the US."

North Korea blasted off a series of missiles and conducted two nuclear tests in 2016 in its quest to develop a weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland.

The Security Council has imposed six sets of sanctions since Pyongyang first tested an atomic device in 2006.

US President Donald Trump has called on China to do more to rein in North Korea, saying it could easily bring its errant neighbour to heel.

But Beijing denies that, and Geng on Friday urged Washington and Pyongyang to "shoulder their due responsibilities and play their due roles and work together with China to maintain stability" and denuclearise the peninsula.
LELAND, N.C. (AP)  A North Carolina family's dog is alive, thanks to the actions of an off-duty Leland police officer who ran into a burning home to save the animal.

WWAY-TV reports (http://bit.ly/2mGaUuw) that Sgt. Jonathan Hall kicked down the door of the home Sunday night. He didn't find Kia until after he went back outside to take a breath and saw the dog come through the door he'd kicked open.

Two other homes were damaged by the fire that started across the street after a neighbor was burning brush, but single dad John Davidson and his 8-year-old daughter Hali lost everything, including Hali's pet hermit crab and fish.

WWAY-TV says the two were on vacation in Florida when the fire broke out.

___

Information from: WWAY-TV.
U.S. officials claim that no significant intelligence has yet been revealed after a Special Forces raid in Yemen last month that turned into a chaotic firefight, taking the life of one Navy SEAL and possibly dozens of civilians, including children.

The botched mission on Jan. 29, authorized by President Donald Trump just days after his inauguration, had been in the works for months, but former President Barack Obama declined to carry it out under his term, NBC News reports.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters in early February that the U.S. had acquired an unbelievable amount of intelligence that will prevent the potential deaths or attacks on American soil.

An NBC News exclusive report, however, said that while the White House and the Pentagon have both claimed the raid was a success, several senior officials who spoke with the network have seen no evidence of valuable intelligence.

Officials briefed on the matter told NBC that the missions aim was likely to kill or capture one or more militants associated with al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

According to NBC, Pentagon officials have said that actionable intelligence was collected during the operation, but news outlets including NBC and CNN report that the agency has to date released only one video clip that later proved to be nearly a decade old and already publicly available.

Read more: Donald Trump Is About to Inherit These Four Middle East Headaches

Officials said at the time that the video was made public to demonstrate that materials obtained during the raid were valuable. The video was quickly removed after it was found to be obsolete, and a Pentagon official said the Central Command was fully responsibility for its release.

Last month, a joint force of Navy SEALS and elite forces from the United Arab Emirates reportedly came under heavy fire during the mission. Subsequent reports suggested that militants used civilians as human shields when the U.S.-led troops fired back, and that some women then took up arms and joined the fight. Chief Petty Officer William Ryan Owens of SEAL Team 6, died during the raid, and the Pentagon acknowledged that several civilians were likely killed in the crossfire.

Story continues

A report by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism said the casualties totaled 25, including nine children, a number that has not been disputed by the Pentagon.

According to USA Today, three military probes are now underway to address some of the questions surrounding the raid; Owens death, civilian casualties and the loss of a valuable Osprey aircraft.

[NBC News]

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Sidon (Lebanon) (AFP) - One civilian was killed and four wounded on Tuesday in fierce clashes that rocked Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp for the sixth day, a medical source told AFP.

The fighting in Ain al-Hilweh near Lebanon's southern port city of Sidon has pitted members of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah movement against hardline Islamist groups.

Even as factions declared a ceasefire from the Palestinian embassy in Beirut, plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the camp on Tuesday, AFP's correspondent said.

The sharp crackle of gunfire was partly drowned out by the Muslim call to prayer from nearby mosques in Sidon, where hundreds of people displaced from the clashes had sought refuge.

"A 23-year-old civilian was killed in the fighting," a medical source at the Rai hospital in Sidon told AFP.

"We also treated four people including a young boy who was hit by a stray bullet and who is in critical condition," the source added.

Intermittent fighting broke out on Thursday after Fatah pulled out of a joint committee that maintained security in Ain al-Hilweh, but the violence later intensified, AFP's correspondent said.

Palestinian factions meeting at their embassy in Beirut on Tuesday announced that they had agreed on a ceasefire to end the fighting.

According to Lebanon's National News Agency, the groups said they would re-establish the joint security apparatus.

By long-standing convention, Lebanon's army does not enter Palestinian refugee camps, where security is managed by joint committees of Palestinian factions.

In recent years, tensions have risen between Fatah and the Jund al-Sham Islamist group in the camp.

The UN's Palestinian refugee agency said on Tuesday it had halted all services in the camp for the second day because of the unrest.

"Due to the violent clashes that erupted in Ain al-Hilweh and taking into consideration security considerations, all UNRWA services were suspended yesterday and today," the agency's statement said.

Ain al-Hilweh is an impoverished, overcrowded camp near the coastal city of Sidon, and is home to some 61,000 Palestinians, including 6,000 who have fled the war in Syria.
By Alex Lawler and Rania El Gamal LONDON (Reuters) - OPEC has cut its oil output for a second month in February, a Reuters survey found on Tuesday, allowing the exporter group to boost already strong compliance with agreed supply curbs on the back of a steep reduction by Saudi Arabia. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is cutting its output by about 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) from Jan. 1 - the first such deal since 2008 to get rid of a glut. Non-OPEC countries pledged to cut about half as much. Previous OPEC cuts have been mired in mass cheating by its members, making strong compliance by OPEC this time a positive surprise for the market, with prices trading above $55 per barrel -- up from $35 a year ago. Top exporter Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies are hoping the cuts will help oil rise a bit further to around $60, five sources from OPEC countries and the oil industry said, to boost exporters' income and industry investment. "If compliance is high by OPEC and non-OPEC, then I think prices will reach $60," said an OPEC delegate. "If it was higher it would be better, but $60 is fine." In January, OPEC delivered 82 percent of the promised cuts, according to a Reuters survey and over 90 percent according to OPEC's own report. The International Energy Agency has said it was impressed with OPEC's compliance, calling it a record level. In February, supply from the 11 OPEC members with production targets under the deal has averaged 29.87 million bpd, down from a revised figure of 29.96 million bpd in January and 31.17 million bpd in December, according to the Reuters survey. Compared with the levels the countries agreed to make the reductions from, in most cases their October output, this means the OPEC members have cut output by 1.098 million bpd of the pledged 1.164 million bpd, equating to 94 percent compliance. The Reuters survey showed Saudi Arabia's output fell slightly in February from an already deep reduction in January taking the total curb achieved to 744,000 bpd, well above the target cut of 486,000 bpd. Thus, Saudi Arabia continued to compensate for the weaker adherence of other members, including Algeria, Iraq, Venezuela and even its key ally the United Arab Emirates, which cut output by 33,000 bpd -- well below the target reduction of 139,000 bpd. Iraq trimmed exports from its southern ports in February, boosting its compliance, the survey found, and shipping schedules suggest exports may fall more in March. UAE officials and industry sources say the UAE will move closer to its OPEC target in coming months, improving average compliance during the six-month duration of the supply cut rather than focusing on month-by-month performance. Iran's production was up slightly in February versus January even though the country is effectively excluded from output cuts. Nigeria, which is also excluded from cuts, raised output while Libya was flat month-on-month. OPEC announced a production target of 32.5 million bpd at its Nov. 30 meeting, which was based on low figures for Libya and Nigeria and included Indonesia, which has since left the group. The increases in February mean OPEC output has averaged 32.19 million bpd, about 440,000 bpd above its supply target adjusted to remove Indonesia. The Reuters survey is based on shipping data provided by external sources, Thomson Reuters flows data, and information provided by sources at oil companies, OPEC and consulting firms. (Writing by Dmitri Zhdannikov; editing by David Evans)
Ottawa (AFP) - US President Donald Trump's two sons inaugurated a Trump International Hotel and Tower in Vancouver, Canada as protesters outside chanted "Not in my city."

About a hundred protesters demonstrated in front of the building, one of Vancouver's tallest, as Donald Jr and Eric Trump joined Malaysia-based developer Joo Kim Tiah for the ribbing cutting.

Chants of "Dump Trump," "Not in my city" and "Humanity against Trump" went up from the crowd.

Another protest was expected later in the day outside the US consulate in Vancouver.

"We have had an unbelievable past year on so many fronts as a family," Donald Trump Jr said at a ceremony inside the hotel.

"Vancouver is one of the great cities of the world, truly one of the most beautiful places in the world and so fitting for the Trump brand, something we hold in the highest esteem," he said.

The Trump-branded building is the first to open outside the United States since the president's inauguration.

It boasts a spa designed by Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter, a Trump Champagne Lounge and other luxury amenities.

Its construction, however, has been fraught with controversy.

"Trump's name and brand have no more place on Vancouver's skyline than his ignorant ideas have in the modern world," mayor Gregor Robertson said in a letter to the developer seen by AFP.

Vancouver city council member Kerry Lang called it "a beacon of intolerance, sexism and bullying."

Joo Kim Tiah, however, rebuffed calls to remove the Trump name from the 69-storey skyscraper, saying he is locked into a licensing agreement.

During its construction last April, a Mexican-born steel framer climbed to the top to hang his country's flag in protest of Trump's campaign rhetoric bashing Mexicans.

Last month, according to the Vancouver Sun, the board representing residential units in the building voted to increase its insurance coverage for terrorism.

Meanwhile, a survey released to coincide with the tower's grand opening found significant support among Canadians for a boycott of Trump products.

Two in five respondents said they would boycott hotels, restaurants or stores that sell Trump wares. That percentage jumps to three in five in westernmost British Columbia province.
ISLAMABAD (AP)  Leaders from Iran, Turkey and other states arrived in Pakistan's capital on Tuesday amid tight security for a regional conference seeking to improve economic ties by removing trade barriers.

Islamabad is hosting representatives from 10 countries as part of the Economic Cooperation Organization summit on Wednesday to finalize a plan for expanding trade and prosperity among member nations.

Turkey, Iran and Pakistan were the three ECO founding members when the organization was created in 1985. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are among the leaders who will attend the summit. The Afghan ambassador to Pakistan will represent Kabul while China will attend as an observer. Pakistan says the presidents of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, as well as the prime ministers of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and the deputy prime minister of Uzbekistan are scheduled to attend.

On Tuesday, several ministers from ECO member states gathered in Islamabad for preparatory meetings. In a statement, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said the ECO Council of Ministers adopted "the ECO Vision 2025" and renewed their commitment to promote regional economic integration among member states.

Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry described the summit as a key chance for regional economic growth and cooperation and an opportunity for Pakistan to show it cannot be isolated from the international scene.

Islamabad had to cancel several regional cooperation meetings last year after neighboring India and Afghanistan declined to attend. New Delhi cited security concerns amid a surge in violence and tensions over the disputed Kashmir region, which both Pakistan and India claim in its entirety.

Despite a recent string of deadly militant attacks that have killed over 125 people, Pakistan is trying to showcase the country to investors as one of Asia's fastest growing markets.

Story continues

"Our region is faced with a number of challenges, including extremism, terrorism," said Pakistani Foreign Affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz, calling for greater regional cooperation.

___

Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report.
By Saad Sayeed ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's former military ruler, retired general Pervez Musharraf, has launched a career as a political analyst on a weekly television talk show, a prominent role for the ex-leader who lives in Dubai and faces several criminal cases at home. The show, "Pakistan First with President Musharraf", debuted on Sunday on Pakistan's Bol TV, a channel that recently ran afoul of government regulators when one of its hosts was accused of hate speech. Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 military coup and stepped down nine years later amid mass protests, was allowed to leave Pakistan last year for health reasons that his lawyer argued prevented him from standing trial on treason and other charges. Musharraf denied the charges. In the first episode of the program on Sunday, the former general appeared live from Dubai and responded to questions about the security situation in Pakistan, where more than 130 people were killed in militant attacks in February. Speaking about the latest military campaign targeting militant groups, Musharraf argued that the root cause of extremism had to be addressed. Neither Musharraf nor representatives of Bol TV were available for comment. Pakistan's powerful military did not comment when contacted about the show, nor did the television regulatory authority. The criminal cases against Musharraf were lodged by prosecutors under Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted as prime minister in the 1999 coup. Sharif returned to power in elections four years ago. The cases against Musharraf were seen as a source of tension between the military and Sharif's government. Musharraf has not returned to Pakistan since he was allowed to leave last year. (Reporting by Saad Sayeed; Editing by Robert Birsel)
Rabat (AFP) - Geologists in Morocco on Tuesday denounced the planned auction of a 66-million-year-old marine dinosaur skeleton in Paris and demanded that the remains be repatriated.

The nearly nine-metre-long plesiosaur, a marine reptile with a long neck and turtle-like flippers, was discovered in a phosphate basin near the Moroccan city of Khouribga.

The skeleton is set for auction on March 7 at the Drouot auction house in Paris.

"The plesiosaurs were among the most emblematic 'giant primitive beasts' which have intrigued scientists and amateurs for centuries," Drouot said in its auction catalogue, adding that the creatures had probably inspired the legend of the Loch Ness monster in Scotland.

But the Association for the Protection of the Geological Heritage of Morocco (APPGM) on Tuesday criticised the planned auction, saying the skeleton was a "unique patrimonial treasure".

It said it had asked Morocco's chief geologist to find out if it had been authorised for export.

If not, the association would ask the Moroccan authorities to "intervene with the organisers of the sale to restitute the plesiosaurus to its country of origin, Morocco", it said.

Alexandre Giquello, auctioneer and president of Drouot, said the creature was "reconstituted in Europe from four fossils legally bought at the Frankfurt Trade Fair" by Italian collectors.

A Moroccan company had offered them for sale along with the necessary export papers, he said.

"I understand that this sale creates a stir, but we should also respect the private initiative that allowed the reconstruction of this plesiosaur, which is part of humanity's heritage," he added.

Drouot said the specimen had been screened for customs compliance and "checked by customs and heritage authorities in Italy" prior to being prepared for sale.

The skeleton, which Drouot says is 75-percent complete, will be on display at the Paris auction house from March 4-7.

Story continues

APPGM said it was likely to fetch around $477,000 (450,000 euros).

"This specimen is the only complete specimen of... museum quality on the market, and the first available for a private collection," Drouot said.

"The only existing comparable specimen is exhibited in the United States at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis."

Moroccan media, citing an official at the ministry of energy and mines, said the remains had been smuggled out of the country.

The Medias24 website said the foreign ministry had been asked "to inform the French authorities of the illegality of the sale and to request the return of the skeleton to its country of origin".

The Moroccan authorities have not commented publicly on the subject.

APPGM said Morocco's geological heritage was globally recognised for its richness and diversity.

But it added that "in the absence of regulatory texts... this heritage is undergoing a systematic and continuous deterioration."
United States President Donald Trump has "done nothing" over his past month in office. At least, that's according to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

The Democratic congresswoman representing California criticized the commander-in-chief in an interview Sunday with ABC News. Just days ahead of Trump's first major congressional address  a State of the Union of sorts scheduled for 9 p.m. EST Tuesday  Pelosi said Trump had "nothing to show ... but fear" so far.

"What has the Trump administration done?" Pelosi said, according to the Hill. "From their inaugural address, where they talked about decay and carnage, theyve done nothing except put Wall Street first, make America sick again, instill fear in our immigration population in our country and make sure Russia maintains its grip on our foreign policy."

Pelosi went on to label Trump "the deflector-in-chief," arguing that he's been making headlines with rants about the media and immigrants to distract Americans from the fact that he's made little progress with the economy, Politico reported.

"He has no jobs bill, so he has got to talk about the press. He has no jobs bill, so he has to talk about kids, transgender kids in school. He has no jobs bill, so he has to talk about immigrants and have a ban on Muslims," the Democrat added.

In fact, Trump has been busy over his first few days in the Oval Office. According to the White House website, he has issued 13 executive orders on topics like the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and the flow of Syrian refugees into the country. He's also announced two proclamations  one for American Heart Month and one for National School Choice Week  and revealed 12 presidential memoranda covering everything from a federal hiring freeze to his plans to fight the Islamic State group.

"We're taking a firm, bold and decisive measure, we have to, to turn things around. The era of empty talk is over, it's over," Trump said in a speech last week at the Conservative Political Action Conference. "Now is the time for action."

Story continues

While he's been working in the White House, Trump's Republican colleagues in Congress have been working to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. His administration also last week nixed guidance from President Barack Obama that allowed transgender students to choose which bathroom they wanted to use.

Trump has also begun forging relationships with several world leaders, spending time with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and British Prime Minister Theresa May in Washington, D.C. White House press office reports indicate Trump spoke on the phone with Keith Rowley, president of Trinidad and Tobago; Juan Carlos Varela, president of Panama; Juan Manuel Santos, president of Colombia; Haider al-Abadi, prime minister of Iraq; and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, president of Turkey; among others.

And, finally, he's tweeted a lot.

Related Articles
The special guests who will attend President Donald Trumps first address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday include the widow of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and the family of three people who were victims of violence by undocumented immigrants.

Maureen McCarthy Scalia, the widow of the late Supreme Court Kustice, will attend the address, the White House announced. Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to replace Scalia, who died in February of 2016. Democrats, still angry that Republicans held the vacant seat open after President Barack Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland last year, could potentially block confirmation.

Jessica Davis and Susan Oliver, two guests slated for attendance, are the widows of two California police officers who were killed in 2014 by an undocumented immigrant, the White House said. Jamiel Shaw, whose son was killed by an undocumented immigrant in 2008, will also join.

Other guests include Megan Crowley, whose father founded Novazyme Pharmaceuticals after she was diagnosed with Pompe disease when she was a little more than a year old, and Denisha Merriweather, a student who struggled with school until she enrolled in the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program and went to private school, according to the White House.

Trumps speech, which aims to reset his presidency after a rocky first month in office, is set to begin at 9 p.m. E.T. You can watch it live here.
President Trump said hed give himself an A-plus for effort on his presidency so far.

In an interview with Fox & Friends Tuesday morning, Trump was asked what grade he would give himself based on his Administration so far.

I think in terms of effort, which means something, but I give myself an A-plus, OK, effort, but results are more important, he said. In terms of messaging, I would give myself a C or a C-plus.  In terms of achievement, I think Id give myself an A because I think Ive done great things, but I and my people I dont think weve explained it well enough to the American public.

The interview came as Trump is looking to reset his agenda with the American people during his first address to a joint session of Congress.

Trumps comments were fairly typical for presidents who hit a rough patch. In an interview in November, former President Obama blamed Hillary Clintons loss on poor messaging.

Democrat do have to do some thinking about how do we make sure that the message we have is received effectively, he said.
President Trump has never been one for introspection, and an interview with Fox & Friends Tuesday morning reveals that hasnt changed as he reaches his 40th day as president. In the interview, the closest Trump came to self-criticism came as he gave himself an A-plus for effort, a C or a C-plus for messaging, and an A for achievement. I think Ive done great things, but I think I and my people, I dont think weve explained it well enough to the American people. But there were also fresh signs that Trump isnt comfortable accepting responsibility for the actions hes ordered. (He blamed my people too.) And on a far more serious note, when pressed on last months raid in Yemen in which more than a dozen civilians and a U.S. Navy SEAL were killed, Trump seemed to pass the buck to his military commanders. This was something that was, uh, you know, they wanted to do, Trump said. They came to see me, they explained what they wanted to do, the generals, who are very respected. My generals are the most respected that weve had in many decades, I believe. And they lost Ryan. The comments come as the father of Ryan Owens has called for an independent investigation into the raid, and as intelligence officials told NBC the the intelligence-gathering operation didnt produce actionable intelligence.

Trump will face a skeptical lawmakers and an anxious nation tonight as he addresses a joint session of Congress for the first time. His speech, which is set to begin at 9:10 p.m., is expected to be shorter than his predecessors often hour-long remarks. Trump will appeal for unity, aides said, as he tries to rewrite the narrative on his first weeks in office. Hell make special emphasis on his executive orders that have fulfilled campaign promises, while pushing lawmakers to move swiftly on Obamacare and tax reform. Yet Trumps plans on both issuesand on his newly announced budget outlinepit him not only against Democrats, but many in his own party. Trump refuses to touch federal entitlement spending, which is a core component of Speaker of the House Paul Ryans reform plan, which itself is already has some conservative members of Congress speaking out in opposition. In his short time in office, Trump has declined to invest in the gritty business of legislating, instead laying out broad, firm, and often contradictory markers that lawmakers are trying to work around as they seek to craft an agenda Trump can claim as his own. Many on Capitol Hill are hoping for Trump to take a stronger leadership position on lawmaking, but White House officials say to expect Trump to avoid substantive details as he seeks to tell the story of those hes helped and seeks to help.

Story continues

The slow pace of filling out Trumps Administration. Generals call on Trump to keep foreign affairs money. And The West Wing Supreme Court plan gets a Senate backer.

Here are your must reads:

Must Reads

Trump Hopes to Regain His Footing With a Crucial Speech to Congress

The fate of his first 100 days, and first year, may hang in the balance [TIME]

Conservative Lawmakers Threaten to Torpedo Obamacare Repeal

A blow to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan [TIME]

Officials: Yemen SEAL Raid Has Yielded No Significant Intelligence

Casting White House success narrative into doubt [NBC]

Trump Slow to Submit Nominations for Top Administration Posts

Of 549 key positions that require Senate confirmation, just 15 picks have been confirmed [Wall Street Journal]

The House Probe into Trumps Russia Ties Is off to a Rocky Start

Top lawmaker pours cold water on investigation [Associated Press]

Trump to Seek $54 Billion Increase in Military Spending

A generational divide [New York Times]

New NSC Chief Pushed Trump to Moderate his Language on Terrorism

What words the president uses from the podium tonight will give a hint about McMasters clout. [Politico]

Sound Off

We need to get answers. We need to make sure that nothing happened that shouldnt have happened as we go forward.  Speaker of the House Paul Ryan in an interview with NBC on Russias involvement in the 2016 campaign

The president always gets something  White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on what Trump obtained for reaffirming the U.S.s one China policy

Bits and Bites

Heres Who President Trump Is Bringing to His Address to Congress [TIME]

Senate Confirms Wilbur Ross as Commerce Secretary [Associated Press]

Heres How One Senator Plans to Get Merrick Garland on the Supreme Court [TIME]

An unlikely ally for President Trump: liberal actress Jennifer Garner [Washington Post]

President Trump Blames Best Picture Oscar Mix-Up on Politics [TIME]

Do More. Jewish Leaders Are Demanding White House Action After Another Cemetery Was Vandalized [TIME]

More than 100 generals sign letter warning against budget cuts [CBS]

Trump takes on entrenched practice of Washington leaks [Associated Press]

House Speaker Paul Ryan on Trump camps alleged Russia ties: We need to get answers [NBC]
Washington (AFP) - Multiple Republican lawmakers on Tuesday warned that President Donald Trump's reported plan to slash State Department funding by more than a third would face stiff opposition in Congress.

"It's dead on arrival, it's not going to happen," said the hawkish Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who chairs the Senate appropriations subcommittee on state and foreign operations.

It is imperative that the use of "soft power" continues to be a national security priority, he stressed, saying that if Trump unveils a plan to drastically cut funding for foreign assistance, "Congress will reject it."

The Wall Street Journal and other US media reported on Tuesday that the Trump administration is proposing to cut the budget of the State Department and US Agency for International Development by 37 percent to help offset the White House's proposed $54 billion boost in defense spending.

Most of the cuts would target foreign aid programs, the administration has said.

"So we will be spending less overseas and spending more back home," the new White House budget director, Mick Mulvaney, said Monday.

But Congress controls the federal government's purse strings, and top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell did not sound receptive.

Could a budget that slashes such elements by a third pass the Senate? "Probably not," he told reporters.

"The diplomatic portion of the federal budget is very important," and often costs far less to achieve progress than on the defense side, McConnell said, adding he was "not in favor" of reducing State's diplomacy and foreign aid budget.

The current year's State Department and USAID budget is around $50 billion, a miniscule amount of the overall $3 trillion-plus federal budget.

Senator Marco Rubio, who sits on the Foreign Relations Committee, also expressed opposition to slashing funds.

"Foreign Aid is not charity," he tweeted. "We must make sure it is well spent, but it is less than one percent of budget & critical to our national security."
For her graduate studies, Thai national and transgender student Hua Boonyapisomparn chose Trinity Washington University in the U.S. Unsure how welcoming the campus was to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, she decided to visit the school to get a better feel for it.

Boonyapisomparn asked about the school's LGBT policies and whether transgender students are accepted. An admissions officer told her that "Trinity is a progressive campus," she says.

[Consider U.S. college options carefully as a transgender student.]

Depending on the university and its location, LGBT international students may experience varying levels of acceptance and support on campus. Knowing what to expect can make the global university experience more enjoyable.

For prospective LGBT international students, here are three criteria to look for when researching global universities.

1. LGBT-friendly university webpages: Some global university websites have content welcoming LGBT students, with specific emphasis on international students.

The University of Southern California's LGBT Resource Center website, for example, has a page dedicated to international LGBT students and provides links to its LGBT peer mentoring program, which is open to all students, and its monthly rainbow international lunches, opportunities to meet other LGBT international students.

At some universities, LGBT-friendly information can be found directly through the international student services webpage, such as at the University of Wisconsin--Madison, whose site includes a link to international LGBT support services in its resources section.

But just because a school may not have LGBT-devoted webpages doesn't mean students should write off the institution. Many schools, like Yale-National University of Singapore, have nondiscrimination polices on their websites promoting a safe environment for all students.

"All Yale-NUS students, staff and faculty are valued as equal members of the community, and are not only free but also encouraged to express their singular and/or intersecting social and personal identities on campus," said Sara Pervaiz Amjad, intercultural engagement manager at Yale-NUS, via email.

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Some Canadian universities approved a bylaw last fall ensuring their institutions' policies are nondiscriminatory.

Boonyapisomparn recommends prospective LGBT international students contact or visit global universities in person and inquire about their policies. She says Trinity does not discriminate against students based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

2. LGBT support services: Some universities have dedicated LGBT centers and staff to support students. Cardiff University in Wales, for example, offers a variety of support services to LGBT students and staff, earning the school a top rating in the "Gay By Degree 2015" guide by Stonewall, a United Kingdom-based LGBT rights charity.

"We have an excellent counseling and well-being team that has someone specializing in gender identity and links to specific LGBT+ support," says Karen Cooke, organizational development manager and chair of the Enfys LGBT+ staff network at Cardiff.

[Learn what to look for in international student services.]

Cooke says Cardiff has a number of staff in both the international and student services departments, including individuals who identify as LGBT, who are available to support and talk with LGBT international students.

She says the school also works closely with its residences team "to provide support and training so that LGBT+ students can be supported in their time in university accommodations."

While some universities may not have dedicated LGBT support staff, available student support services can still be useful. National University of Singapore doctoral student Mukul Prasad, who has not yet come out to his family in India, says he used NUS' counseling services.

"I was depressed after a string of bad dating experiences," he says. "The counselor was really good, and I did tell him about my sexual orientation and it was kept confidential."

Prasad says the school's "counseling services are excellent" and provide a support system for LGBT students at NUS. He calls the university "a rather safe space for us."

3. Political activism and awareness: Prospective international students can also look to a university's student groups and related social media presence to gauge its LGBT activism, which can measure LGBT presence and advocacy on campus.

Stefanie van Gelderen, marketing and communications adviser for international programs at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, said via email that the school supports and partly finances "student initiatives aimed at bringing together LGBT students." These include groups like the A.S.V.Gay student association and UvA Pride, a platform for LGBT students. Both groups are on Facebook.

Canadian Ian Kenny, a gay grad student at the University of Amsterdam, says he chose the school and the Netherlands because both are open-minded and forward-thinking and that studying there "means getting involved with other like-minded people, whether on an activism side or in the classroom."

Amjad of Yale-NUS said that student LGBT groups like The G Spot host events on campus "to raise awareness around issues of diversity as well as provide support" for LGBT students at Yale-NUS and NUS. For example, The G Spot, which has a Facebook presence, held an event last fall to raise awareness of living with HIV in Singapore.

Trinity student Boonyapisomparn says while the university currently has no LGBT clubs, having an "openly accepting environment is very critical for the success" of LGBT students. She says this is especially true for LGBT international students who also have to adjust to a new culture.

"You will need to feel welcome, no matter how you identify," says Boonyapisomparn.

See the complete rankings of the Best Global Universities.

Anayat Durrani is a Los Angeles-based freelance education reporter for U.S. News, covering global universities, including those in the Arab region.
By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Russia on Tuesday cast its seventh veto to protect the Syrian government from United Nations Security Council action, blocking a bid by Western powers to impose sanctions over accusations of chemical weapons attacks during the six-year Syrian conflict. China backed Russia and cast its sixth veto on Syria. Russia had said the vote on the resolution, drafted by France, Britain and the United States, would harm U.N.-led peace talks between the warring Syrian parties in Geneva, which began last week. Nine council members voted in favor, Bolivia voted against, while Egypt, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan abstained. A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, France, Russia, Britain or China to be adopted. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the draft resolution on Tuesday as "totally inappropriate." "For my friends in Russia, this resolution is very appropriate," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told the council after the vote. "It is a sad day on the Security Council when members start making excuses for other member states killing their own people. The world is definitely a more dangerous place," she said. The vote was one of the first confrontations at the United Nations between Russia and the United States since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January, pledging to build closer ties with Moscow. Russia's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov described the statements made against Moscow in the Security Council as "outrageous" and declared that "God will judge you." "Today's clash or confrontation is not a result of our negative vote. It is a result of the fact that you decided on provocation while you knew well ahead of time our position," said Safronkov. Western powers put forward the resolution in response to the results of an investigation by the U.N. and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The international inquiry found Syrian government forces were responsible for three chlorine gas attacks and that Islamic State militants had used mustard gas. British U.N. Ambassador Matthew Rycroft told the council before the vote: "This is about taking a stand when children are poisoned. It's that simple. It's about taking a stand when civilians are maimed and murdered with toxic weapons." Chlorine's use as a weapon is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013. If inhaled, chlorine gas turns to hydrochloric acid in the lungs and can kill by burning lungs and drowning victims in body fluids. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government has denied its forces have used chemical weapons. Russia has questioned the results of the U.N./OPCW inquiry and long said there was not enough proof for the Security Council to take any action. French U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre said the failure by the council to act would "send a message of impunity." China's U.N. Ambassador Liu Jieyi said it was too early to act because the international investigation was still ongoing. "We oppose the use of chemical weapons," he said. The draft resolution would have banned the sale or supply of helicopters to the Syrian government because the U.N./OPCW inquiry found Syrian government forces had used helicopters to drop barrel bombs containing chlorine gas. It also proposed targeted sanctions - a travel ban and asset freeze - on 11 Syrian military commanders and officials, as well as on 10 government and related entities. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by James Dalgleish)
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Russia and China on Tuesday vetoed a Western-backed UN resolution that would have imposed sanctions on Syria over chemical weapons use, in the first clash at the Security Council since US President Donald Trump took office.

The twin vetoes came as peace talks in Geneva showed no signs of progress on ending the nearly six-year war in Syria.

It was the seventh time that Russia, Syria's top military ally, has used its veto power to shield the Damascus regime. China has backed Moscow by using its veto six times on Syria.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned ahead of the vote that imposing sanctions on Syria was "completely inappropriate" while talks were ongoing in Geneva on ending the war.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley shot back: "This resolution is very appropriate."

"It is a sad day on the Security Council when members start making excuses for other member states killing their own people."

"The world is definitely a more dangerous place," she told the council after the measure was rejected.

The resolution drafted by Britain, France and the United States won nine votes in favor, while three countries opposed it -- Bolivia, China and Russia. Egypt, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan abstained.

UN resolutions require nine positive votes and no veto to be adopted.

- 'Moment of truth' -

The resolution would have put 11 Syrians, mainly military commanders, and 10 entities linked to chemical attacks in 2014 and 2015 on a UN sanctions blacklist.

It included a ban on the sale of helicopters and of chemical agents to the Syrian armed forces or the government.

A UN-led investigation concluded in October that the Syrian air force had dropped chlorine barrel-bombs from helicopters on three opposition-held villages in 2014 and 2015.

French Ambassador Francois Delattre said the vote was a "moment of truth" for the council, arguing that chemical weapons use was a "negation of all civilization."

Story continues

In Paris, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault took aim at Russia, saying it bore a "heavy responsibility toward the Syrian people and humanity as a whole."

British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson called China and Russia's veto "deeply disappointing."

"The Security Council's own investigation has found attacks were committed by the Syrian regime and Daesh on the Syrian people. Despite support from the majority of the Security Council, Russia, along with China, has chosen to prevent action," Johnson said in a statement.

The joint panel by the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) also found that Islamic State jihadists used mustard gas in an attack in 2015.

- US joins Britain, France at UN -

The vote marked the first major council action by the new Trump administration, which is seeking warmer ties with Russia.

The United States has backed rebel groups fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and leads a military coalition fighting the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.

Britain and France had circulated the proposed measure in December and the new US administration joined as a co-sponsor of the draft resolution this month, indicating that it was ready to confront Russia on Syria.

Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov echoed Putin's view that imposing sanctions would have undermined peace talks and described the draft resolution as a "provocation" by the Western "troika".

Chinese Ambassador Liu Jieyi argued that sanctions were premature and that the UN-OPCW panel should be allowed to complete its investigations.

"At present, investigations are still ongoing and therefore it is too early to reach a final conclusion," Liu told the council.

Aside from China and Russia, Britain, France and the United States are the other veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council.

The Syrian government has repeatedly denied using chemical weapons in the war that has killed 310,000 people since March 2011.

UN-brokered talks that opened on Thursday in Geneva ran into hurdles after Russia insisted that counter-terrorism be added to the agenda -- putting pressure on opposition groups with ties to Islamist fighters.

Putin -- whose military intervention in Syria helped turn the tables in favor of Assad -- lamented that the negotiations in Switzerland are "not going as smoothly as hoped."
Moscow (AFP) - Senior Russian and British military officials held rare talks in Moscow on Tuesday aimed at avoiding clashes and lowering tensions that have spiked to their highest levels since the Cold War.

Russia's deputy chief of staff Alexander Zhuravlyov and his British counterpart, vice chief of staff Gordon Messenger, "discussed the state and prospects for re-establishing military cooperation", the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.

Ties between Russia and Britain have frayed in the wake of Moscow's seizure of Crimea from Ukraine and its military intervention in Syria.

The statement said the talks focused on "possible steps to lower tensions, develop mutual trust and prevent incidents during military activities".

Britain's Ministry of Defence called the meeting "an important opportunity in terms of managing risk and avoiding miscalculation."

"They discussed military issues including opportunities to reduce risks in the conduct of our respective defence activity," it said in a statement.

Russia is carrying out a bombing campaign in Syria to support the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, while Britain is part of a US-led coalition targeting the Islamic State group.

Moscow and the coalition have a "deconfliction" system in place to avoid mid-air collisions or clashes over Syria, but they do not coordinate their strikes.

Britain has been one of the strongest opponents of Russian aggression in Ukraine and has sent troops to eastern Europe to bolster NATO's presence in the region.

Officials in London have also been on edge as British jets have repeatedly been scrambled in response to a reported increase in Russian manoeuvres near Britain.
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Russia has now blocked seven UN resolutions regarding Syria since unrest erupted there in 2011, almost always with support from China.

Moscow is an unconditional supporter of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Damascus, and its latest veto adds to the six previous ones listed below.

- 'Unacceptable' -

Six months after the Syrian conflict begins, Russia and China on October 4, 2011 block a proposed UN resolution to impose "targeted measures" against Assad's regime.

Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States are permanent Security Council members with veto powers, while the other 10 members are selected on a rotating basis.

Moscow, which terms the European-sponsored proposal "unacceptable," pushes its own version that emphasizes a need for dialogue and seeks to bring pressure on opposition groups as well as the Syrian government.

- 'Responsibility for the horrors' -

Russia and China again veto a resolution on February 4, 2012 that condemns a Syrian government crackdown on the opposition, while the Security Council's other members vote in favor.

The veto sparks an international outcry, especially because it comes a few hours after Syrian forces bomb the protest city of Homs, killing hundreds of people.

Then US secretary of state Hillary Clinton says that by blocking the resolution, Beijing and Moscow must "bear responsibility for the horrors that are occurring on the ground in Syria."

- Blocking foreign intervention -

On July 19, 2012, Beijing and Moscow again veto a western-backed resolution that threatens Damascus with sanctions if it does not halt its use of heavy weapons.

The resolution seeks to "open the path to the pressure of sanctions and further to external military involvement in Syrian domestic affairs," Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin said afterward.

US Ambassador Susan Rice charges, meanwhile, that "the Security Council has failed utterly."

Story continues

- Russian charges of hypocrisy -

A French-drafted proposal for the Security Council to refer Syrian crimes to the International Criminal Court (ICC) is blocked on May 22, 2014, again by Beijing and Moscow.

Sixty government bodies from around the world voice support for the move, but Churkin accuses France, Britain and the US of hypocrisy in not wanting war crimes in Iraq referred to the ICC.

- Russia goes it alone, presents rival draft -

On October 8, 2016, it is Russia alone that vetoes a text proposed by France to halt to bombing of Aleppo, after presenting a rival draft that urges a ceasefire but makes no mention of halting the bombing campaign.

China abstains.

- 'Provocative step' -

A resolution on December 5, 2016 that calls for a truce in Aleppo is vetoed by both China and Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticizes the proposal as a "provocative step."
Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - Irish low-cost airline Ryanair on Tuesday said it will expand routes from Germany's Frankfurt airport in future, but warned of challenges ahead for the airline industry from Brexit.

The carrier will offer 20 new routes from Frankfurt to "sexy" destinations across Europe in its winter 2017-18 flight plan, chief executive Michael O'Leary told a press conference at the airport.

Ryanair currently flies to Frankfurt-Hahn, situated about 120 kilometres (75 miles) from the city.

Summer 2017 will see the first-ever Ryanair flights depart from Frankfurt's main airport, after it struck a deal with operator Fraport -- riling incumbent Lufthansa, which dominates traffic at Germany's largest hub.

In winter, the airline will boost its presence from two to seven aircraft stationed at the airport and add flights to capital cities like Rome, London and Madrid, as well as adding sun-soaked holiday destinations to those it offered in summer.

Ryanair hopes eventually to account for around 2.0 million of some 61 million passengers passing through Frankfurt each year, O'Leary said, with around 25 percent of those business travellers.

A boosted presence in Frankfurt extends Ryanair's challenge to Lufthansa, already angered by the airport's decision to charge the no-frills insurgent lower fees.

But Frankfurt will "never be a very large airport for Ryanair," the Ryanair chief said, in part because the Irish carrier is not interested in competing with Lufthansa and its low-cost subsidiary Eurowings for domestic German traffic.

Ryanair's presence at Frankfurt will peak at between 10 and 20 aircraft serving eight to 10 million passengers a year, he predicted.

O'Leary went on to offer a sober warning of the consequences of Brexit for the airline industry, a familiar theme for the rambunctious CEO.

Ministers in London "don't have an idea" what will happen once the UK quits common European air travel rules after leaving the EU in 2019, he said.

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"You can't re-regulate this industry" without causing massive disruption, he added -- suggesting that unless a deal is reached quickly, there could be "no flights to or from the UK in March 2019," when the two-year exit negotiations are set to expire.

Britain is one of Ryanair's largest markets, accounting for around one-quarter of its revenues.

The airline has seen profits slide in the wake of the June vote to leave the EU, as the pound has slumped -- meaning a smaller contribution from UK customers to the Irish firm's bottom line, denominated in euros.

"Things are going to change, and they're going to change for the worse" as Brexit approaches, O'Leary predicted, while expressing hope that "the English will change their minds" once the cost of quitting the EU becomes clear.
The heir to the Samsung empire and four other top executives were indicted Tuesday on multiple charges including bribery and embezzlement, South Korean prosecutors said in the latest blow to the world's biggest smartphone maker.

The presentation of formal charges against Lee Jae-Yong and his colleagues makes them almost certain to face trial, casting new uncertainty over South Korea's biggest business group as it seeks to recover from a humiliating recall.

As well as charges of bribery, embezzlement and hiding assets overseas, Lee is accused of perjury, said the spokesman for prosecutors probing a corruption and power abuse scandal that has seen President Park Geun-Hye impeached.

Three of the five men -- but not Lee, the vice-chairman of flagship subsidiary Samsung Electronics -- resigned their positions, the conglomerate said.

The group said it was "dismantling" its Future Strategy Office, the coordinating body that oversees major decisions such as acquisitions or entering new business.

The move, described as a "reform plan", was announced in a brief five-line statement emailed minutes after the indictment.

Under the scheme, each Samsung unit will be allowed to run more independently, a powerful group body handling government lobbying will be disbanded and decisions over donations will be made more transparent, it said.

But Chung Sun-Sup, the head of chaebol.com, a private watchdog forum on conglomerates, said: "It is yet to be seen whether this is another cosmetic measure aimed to divert public criticism."

In the past, he told AFP, "Samsung has dissolved group-controlling organisations when it got caught in breach of laws, only to revive them afterwards under different names".

The Lee family could be "expected to continue wielding power and influence over the whole group", he added, although professionals might get a greater voice in operating each of its subsidiaries.

Story continues

The tech giant, whose group revenues are equivalent to a fifth of the country's GDP, is struggling to recover from the embarrassing recall crisis over its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone last year.

The PR disaster is partly blamed on the group's top-down management style, in which each Samsung unit simply follows orders from the elite Future Strategy Office without question.

- Merger deal -

The corruption scandal centres on Choi Soon-Sil, who is accused of using her close ties with President Park to force local firms to "donate" nearly $70 million to non-profit foundations, money 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 48-year-old Lee, the scion of Samsung's founding Lee family, has effectively been at the helm of the conglomerate since his father suffered a heart attack in 2014.

One of the policy favours which Lee allegedly sought from Park was state approval for a controversial merger in 2015 of two Samsung units seen as a key step to ensure a smooth power transfer to him.

The deal was opposed by many shareholders who said it had wilfully undervalued shares of one of the two firms. But it eventually went through after the national pension fund -- a major Samsung shareholder -- approved it.

A former welfare minister who had overseen the pension fund was charged with abuse of power last month for pressuring it to vote in Samsung's favour.

Lee has denied all accusations.

Samsung Electronics shares closed up one percent on Tuesday, at 1,922,000 won per share.

Tuesday's indictments came a day before the special prosecutors -- who were appointed in December -- were set to hand back the case to state prosecutors after the government rejected a request to extend their inquiry.

It would be up to the state prosecutors to probe other South Korean conglomerates, including Hyundai Motor and retail giant Lotte Group, the special prosecutors' spokesman said.

During their term they indicted a total of 31 suspects -- 17 of them on Tuesday -- including an ex-arts minister and former presidential chief of staff.
By Eveline Danubrata and John Chalmers JAKARTA (Reuters) - A pact to combat terrorism will be the centerpiece of up to 10 agreements that will be signed when Saudi Arabia's king this week visits Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country, the kingdom's envoy to Indonesia said on Tuesday. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who on Sunday kicked off a month-long Asian tour, lands in Indonesia on Wednesday with an entourage that local officials have said could number up to 1,500. Billed as a "mega trip", it would be a Saudi king's first visit to Indonesia in nearly five decades. Apart from a side-trip of several hours to Brunei, King Salman will be in Indonesia until March 12, spending much of the time on the resort island of Bali, ambassador Osama Mohammad Abdullah Alshuaibi told Reuters in an interview. "We know Indonesia has suffered from bombing and terrorism here," he said, singling out the Islamic State for its "different ideology" and disrespect for human life. "We will cooperate with the Indonesians on this field. We can exchange data, we can exchange experience, and we can defeat these people." Authorities in officially secular Indonesia have grown increasingly concerned after a series of attacks over the past year blamed on supporters of Islamic State. ISLAMIC SCHOOLS Indonesian police killed a militant on Monday after he detonated a small bomb in the West Java city of Bandung. Security officials said they were investigating whether he had links to a radical network sympathetic to Islamic State. Alshuaibi said Saudi and Indonesian military officers are training in each other's countries to counter Islamic State. Saudi Arabia is aiming to open more Islamic schools in Indonesia, which will teach religion using the Arabic language, and step up the number of scholarships for students, the envoy said. The king's visit to Indonesia comes as fringe Islamist groups grow in influence and Muslim leaders take an increasingly strict line on Islamic issues, which is at odds with Indonesia's traditional brand of moderate "Islam Nusantara". Underpinning that is a growing conservatism among Indonesians, which analysts say is partly the result of Saudi money being poured into the country over the past several decades to build mosques, schools and universities. The ambassador said the visit could also lay the foundation for developing oil and gas projects and promoting tourism. $25 BILLION Oil giant Saudi Aramco, which has an existing agreement with Indonesian state energy firm Pertamina [PERTM.UL] for a $5 billion refinery upgrade in Central Java, may take on more projects offered by Pertamina later this year, he said. Indonesian President Joko Widodo is hoping the king's visit will bring investment commitments worth up to $25 billion, Indonesian officials have previously said. During his trip to Indonesia, the Saudi king will be accompanied by more than 900 people, including ministers, princes and service staff, Alshuaibi said. Indonesian officials had earlier said the entourage could be up to 1,500 people. The king will visit Jakarta, the state palace in Bogor, a city south of the capital, and spend the last leg of his Indonesian trip in Bali, Alshuaibi said. Indonesia will assign at least 9,000 security personnel to protect the king's entourage, he added. (Reporting by Eveline Danubrata and John Chalmers; Editing by Bill Tarrant)
London (AFP) - British billionaire Philip Green paid A363 million ($452.5 million, 426 million euros) towards settling a deficit in the pension scheme of collapsed retailer BHS on Tuesday following a high-profile dispute.

After 15 year at its helm, Green sold BHS for A1 in 2015 to Dominic Chappell, a former bankrupt businessman with no retail experience.

The retail chain collapsed in early 2016 resulting in the loss of 11,000 jobs and leaving a A571-million deficit in its pension fund.

Green said the cash settlement was a "significantly better outcome" than the schemes entering the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), despite being well below the collapsed retailer's pension fund deficit.

Approximately 22,000 holders were affected.

"I would like to apologise to the BHS pensioners for this last year of uncertainty," he said in a statement.

A high-profile parliamentary inquiry followed the collapse of BHS, in which the tycoon's reputation took a battering.

MPs from across the political spectrum labelled Green -- who is worth a reported A4.8 billion according to Forbes -- a "billionaire spiv" and an "asset stripper".

They also voted to strip him of the knighthood he received for services to the retail sector in a largely symbolic move.

All pensioners will now be given the option to receive pensions at the full starting level that they were promised by BHS schemes, while pensioners who have received lower benefits since the chain's collapse will be given lump sums to make up for unpaid benefits.

"The agreement we have reached with Sir Philip Green represents a strong outcome for the members of the BHS pension schemes," Lesley Titcomb, the chief executive of the Pensions Regulator said.
Thirteen days before Christmas, somewhere in the frigid waters of the Bering Sea, a massive volcano unexpectedly rumbled back to life.

Just like that, Bogoslof volcano began its first continuous eruption since 1992, belching great plumes of ash tens of thousands of feet into the cold sky over the Aleutian islands, generating volcanic lightning, and disrupting air travelthough not much else.

The volcano is on a tiny island about 60 miles west of Unalaska, which is the largest city in the Aleutians. It has a population of about 5,000 people.

Bogoslof hasnt quieted yet. One explosion, in early January, sent ash 33,000 feet into the air. Weeks later, another eruption lasted for hours, eventually sprinkling enough ash on the nearby city to collect on car windshields and dust the snow-white ground with a sulfurous layer of gray. Over the course of two months, Bogoslofs intermittent eruptions have caused the island to triple in size so far, as fragments of rock and ash continue to pile atop one another.

Geologists dont know how long the eruption will last. In 1992, the activity at Bogoslof began and ended within weeks. But more than a century ago, it erupted continuously for years. In the 1880s, volcano observers in the Aleutians had little but their own senses to track what was happening. Today, scientists use satellite data and thermal imagery to watch Bogoslofsigns of elevated temperatures in satellite data indicate that lava has bubbled to the surface, for example. But monitoring efforts are nowhere near what they could be. For the relatively remote Bogoslof, the absence of ground-level sensors is inconvenient, perhaps, but not necessarily alarming. Elsewhere, the dearth of volcano sensors poses a deadly problem.

There are at least 169 active volcanoes in the United States, 55 of which are believed to pose a high or very high threat to people, according to a 2005 U.S. Geological Survey report.

Story continues

The flow of lava from Kilauea as photographed by a NASA satellite in 2014. (NASA / Reuters)

About one-third of the active volcanoes in the U.S. have eruptedsome of them repeatedlywithin the past two centuries. Volcanoes arent just dangerous because of their fiery lava. In 1986, volcanic gas killed more than 1,700 people in Cameroon. And one of the latest theories about the epic eruption at Pompeii, in 79 A.D., is that many people died from head injuries they sustained when boulders rained down on them.

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Hawaiis Kilauea, Washingtons Mt. St. Helens, and Wyomings Yellowstone all have extensive monitoring. But many volcanoes in the Cascades have only a couple of far-field sensors, several geologists told me. The Pacific Northwest, which includes high-population areas in close proximity to active volcanoes, is of particular concern for public safety.

Most people in the U.S. perceive volcanic eruptions as rare, and [believe] that wed be able to get advance notice because of the advance in science and instrumentation, said Estelle Chaussard, an assistant professor of geophysics and volcanology at the State University of New York at Buffalo. However, the massive eruption of Mount St. Helens, in Washington, was only 37 years ago, and it took until the volcano became active again in 2004 to start a truly comprehensive monitoring. ... This kind of assumption is therefore very dangerous, because most of our volcanoes are not as intensively monitored as we think they are or as they should be.

Mount St. Helens spews steam and gray ash from a small explosive eruption in its crater on October 1, 2004.

(John Pallister / USGS / Reuters)

Almost half of the active volcanoes in the country dont have adequate seismometerstools used to track the earthquakes that often occur during volcanic eruptions. And even at the sites that do have seismometers, many instrumentsselected because they are cheaper and consume less powerare unable to take a complete record of the ground shaking around an eruption, meaning the full amplitude of a seismogram may be clipped during recording, rendering the data less useful for in-depth analyses, according to a 2009 report by the U.S. Geological Survey.

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Using satellite radar and other systems, it should be possible to systematically keep a close eye on most all hazardous volcanoes around the world, said Roland Burgmann, a professor of planetary science at the University of California at Berkeley. Currently, some volcanoes in the U.S. and globally are well-monitored, but most are not.

GPS helps fill in some of the gaps. As magma accumulates at the Earths surface, the ground bulges upwardand that bulge can be measured from space, using radar bounced off the ground. Thats a big advance, because you dont need sensors on the ground and, in theory, you could monitor all the Earths volcanoes, said Paul Segall, a professor of geophysics at Stanford University. The trouble is, theres nothing up there that is designed to do that, and the orbital repeat times arent frequent enough to do a really good job.

In my view, he added, We havent even gotten up to bare bones, let alone more sophisticated monitoring.

A plume from the Bogoslof eruption can be seen from Unalaska Island, 53 miles away from the volcano, on February 19, 2017.

(Janet Schaefer / AVO)

Thats part of why a trio of U.S. senators is reintroducing legislation aimed at improving the countrys volcano monitoring efforts. For the past 34 years, we have experienced first-hand the threat of volcanic activity to our daily lives with the ongoing eruption at Kilauea, Senator Mazie Hirono, a Democrat from Hawaii, said in a statement about the bill. As recently as 2014, we had evacuations and damage to critical infrastructure and residences.

Recommended: 'They Really Want to Blow This Place Up': Scenes From Trump's State Department

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, on Hawaiis Big Island, has been monitoring volcanoes since 1912nearly four decades before Hawaii became a state. Today its considered one of the worlds leading observatories. Yet theres little coordination between even the best observatories in the United States. The Senate bill calls for the creation of a Volcano Watch Office that will provide continuous situational awareness of all active volcanoes in the U.S. and its territories, and act as a clearinghouse for the reams of volcanic data that new sensor systems would collect.Long-records of activity are especially important in volcano monitoring to successfully identify behaviors that differ from the ordinary, Chaussard told me in an email, and not all of our volcanoes have such records.

Essentially everything we do now is empirical, Segall told me, but most of the really dangerous volcanoes havent erupted in modern instrumental times.

More data means a better opportunity to identify eruption warning signs, which Segall hopes could eventually make it possible to forecast volcanic activity the way we can predict severe weather like hurricanes. I dont know if its possible, but it seems a worthy goal, he said. We obviously have less ability to peer into the Earth as we do to peer into the sky.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
Edinburgh (AFP) - Scotland's nationalist leader Nicola Sturgeon on Tuesday pressed on with calls for a new independence referendum, saying it might be the only way to protect the country's interests as Brexit approaches.

"Proposing a further decision on independence wouldn't simply be legitimate, it would almost be a necessary way of giving the people of Scotland a say in our own future direction," said Sturgeon, the first minister of the semi-autonomous Scottish government.

Speaking in Edinburgh, she also accused anti-EU campaigners of plotting a "gross betrayal" of promises made to Scotland ahead of last year's Brexit vote.

Scotland voted by 55 percent to stay part of the United Kingdom in 2014, and in the 2016 referendum on European Union membership it voted by 62 percent to remain, sparking a fresh constitutional crisis.

Overall Britain voted by 52 percent in favour of leaving the EU, with England and Wales supporting Brexit while Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay in the bloc.

Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), proposed a "compromise" which would keep Scotland in the European single market, even as the rest of the UK leaves.

But a new paper by the Scottish Conservatives, allied with Britain's ruling Conversative Party, has warned that a separate Scottish deal on EU membership would "result in the fracturing of the UK domestic market... damage the economy and reduce growth in Scotland".

The British government says it is still considering Sturgeon's compromise offer, but the Conservatives' paper has further eroded the possibility of deal.

Sturgeon said if a deal cannot be struck, a second referendum "may offer the only way in which our voice can be heard, our interests protected, and our values upheld".

The Scottish Parliament cannot hold a legally binding referendum without permission from the British government.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who is part of a high-level group to defend the union which includes British government ministers, has confirmed they have a strategy in place if Sturgeon were to propose another referendum.

Story continues

Davidson told Holyrood magazine: "I don't think another independence referendum is inevitable."

But she added: "I certainly don't think we should talk about what moves we would make in response to moves that the SNP haven't made yet... thus showing them our hand."

Prime Minister Theresa May, who is speaking at the Scottish Conservative conference on Friday, has promised to initiate Brexit talks with Brussels by the end of March.

Sturgeon is expected to unveil additional details about her preparations for a new referendum at the SNP conference on March 17.
Sherri Papini, the once-missing California mom whose mysterious disappearance captivated the nation last November, has been struggling since her return to her husband and kids. That's according to the anonymous donor who offered a reverse ransom for Papini last fall and recently spoke to "Crime Watch Daily with Chris Hansen."

The donor, whose identity has still not been publicly confirmed, was set to be featured in an episode of "Crime Watch" Tuesday. A taped interview will air and reveal "how he got involved, his thoughts on what he thinks happened and how Papini is coping," according to a news release. But a media clip of the episode gave a preview showing the donor speaking about Papini's condition.

"She's having a tough time. She can't be around any strangers," he said. "She's seeing some counselors a couple of times a week, and she is just struggling."

The donor was just one part of a case that's fascinated Californians and amateur sleuths alike ever since Papini vanished Nov. 2 while on a jog in Redding, leaving her kids at day care and her husband concerned. Keith Papini gave several interviews about his missing wife and the evidence left behind  including a pair of earbuds and her cell phone  before she turned up, beaten and still in restraints, on the side of the road miles away on Thanksgiving Day. Sherri Papini told investigators she'd been kidnapped by two Hispanic women.

Since then, the Papinis have backed away from the spotlight, and police haven't released many updates. But questions have persisted about her story, the suspects and the donor, who coordinated with hostage negotiator Cameron Gamble to offer a $100,000 reward for the woman's return.

With his face obscured and voice disguised, the donor said in the Hansen interview that he didn't initially know the Papinis but felt compelled to get involved in her abduction. "It seemed to me that, you know, here's a girl who's got two little kids and got a husband at home crying, and I just visualized what that life was like and felt like, you know, 'Let's see if we can be creative here,'" he said.

Story continues

The donor also hypothesized, as experts have, that Papini was likely taken in connection with sex trafficking. He said he did not think her disappearance was a hoax.

"I am very, very good at reading people, and one of my gifts is the gift of discernment, and I definitely believe she was abducted," he said.

See the full interview Tuesday, and read a timeline of the Papini case here.

Related Articles
Cairo (AFP) - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has defended his country's fight against the Islamic State group, after dozens of Christian families fled the Sinai Peninsula following a string of jihadist attacks.

An IS affiliate waging an insurgency in the Sinai last week released a video calling for attacks on Egypt's Coptic Christian minority.

Dozens of families have left the peninsula after seven Christians were killed in suspected jihadist attacks, including a Copt murdered in the north Sinai city of El-Arish whose house was also burned.

"(The attacks aim to) destabilise the fabric of Egypt... to give the impression that one group isn't protected as it should be," Sisi said in remarks broadcast on television late Tuesday.

"(The attacks make) people say that Egyptians are targeted in El-Arish and we are beginning to disunite. Some accuse the state of not helping them."

Copts, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt's 90-million population, say they are sidelined in both the education system and state institutions.

Jihadists and Islamists accuse them of supporting the military overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, which ushered in a deadly crackdown on his supporters.

The IS video last week included an anti-Christian speech by a militant who later detonated an explosive vest in a Coptic church in Cairo last December 11, killing 29 people.

"You say 'don't abandon the Sinai'. At a state level, that means the mobilisation of army and police forces," Sisi said.

He said Egypt was bearing a "huge cost" in battling IS, and paid tribute to army and police "martyrs" killed in north Sinai.

The former army chief said security services were doing their utmost to protect civilians in the region.

"We are like a surgeon who wants to remove the danger without damaging the rest of the patient," Sisi said.
The defense budget that wasnt. President Trump is set to propose a $603 billion budget for the Pentagon, representing a $54 billion increase over current spending. White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney offered few clues as to where the extra money would go but did offer a brief hint that the new budget would aid in restoring our nuclear capabilities. The proposal would fund the Defense Departments increase by slashing spending at the Environmental Protection Agency and from American foreign aid.

Defense hawks like Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), however, remain unmoved by the proposal  saying the increase is actually closer to $18 billion rather than the number touted by the White House. FPs John Hudson and Molly OToole have lots more on what this means for the State Department, and Capitol Hill.

Safe zones. Speaking in Beirut, Lebanon on Monday, Washingtons top military officer in the Middle East said the idea of creating a safe zones in Syria  which President Trump has said is his top national security priority  is a viable concept in areas that have already been secured where we already have humanitarian and stabilization activities ongoing.

But, U.S. Central Command leader Gen. Joseph Votel added it wouldnt be easy. Youve got to have all of the resources in place first, including ground troops, to hold and protect the area. Note, however, that he didnt say U.S. ground forces, meaning it could be a job for local U.S.-trained troops. (FPs Paul McLeary visited Syria this week to meet some of these Syrian militia members.) Plans for any kind of safe zone would likely have been included in the Pentagons package of options for defeating ISIS delivered to the White House this week.

Last call. On the airplane ride home from Beirut, FP had a last one-on-one sitdown with the general for his thoughts on the region.

Turkey and the Kurds. On concerns that Turkey and its allies in the Free Syrian Army will turn their attention to the U.S.-allied Kurds in Manbij, which Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan threatened to do on Tuesday, Votel said any such move could have an impact on the coalition campaign plan, adding, we are fully engaged with our Turkish partners to try and work out of solution in northern Syria which avoid U.S. and Turkish-backed forces fighting one another.

Story continues

U.S. footprint in Syria, and humanitarian aid. There are dozens of U.S. Army Special Forces training Kurdish and Arab fighters in northern Syria, and a small but critical dirt airstrip and logistics hub where U.S. soldiers live behind sand-filled Hesco barriers, ferrying weapons and humanitarian supplies into the country for Syrian Arab fighters and civilians. Votel said there are already U.S. military civil affairs teams on the ground working on an assessment of what more might be needed on the humanitarian front, but stressed there needs to be a broader international effort to tackle the problem.

Iraq. Next door in Iraq, Votel said that he doesnt want to repeat what happened when we left in 2011, which saw increasing sectarianism in Baghdads security forces, and the deterioration of the Iraqi army to the point where several hundred ISIS fighters routed whole divisions in Mosul, Fallujah, and Ramadi in 2014.

Once major combat in western Mosul is finished, the Iraqis understand they will require U.S. and coalition support, he said. They are looking for continuing support that allows them to prevent the reemergence of this enemy, and to give them the ability to handle this on their own.

Iran and Yemen. While former Centcom commander and current SecDef Jim Mattis said he woke up each morning thinking about Iran, Iran, Iran, he didnt have to confront the ISIS fight that Votel does. But Tehrans actions in the region are still a big concern.

When it comes to Iranian support for Yemens Houthi rebels, Votel said flatly that Iran is providing assistance to the Houthis  as I look at some of the capabilities that we have seen displayed in the Red Sea, they look very similar to some of the layered threats that Iran presents in the Gulf. I dont know if the Houthis are sophisticated enough to provide that capability on their own.

Welcome to SitRep. Send any tips, thoughts or national security events to paul.mcleary@foreignpolicy.com or via Twitter: @paulmcleary or @arawnsley.

State budget. While the Pentagon fares better under Trumps first budget proposal, the State Departments bottom line takes a beating. An official tells Reuters that State could see cuts as deep as 30 percent with offices and positions shuttered as a result of the proposed cuts. That idea isnt sitting well with State Department advocates  a group which includes 120 retired generals and admirals who wrote a letter to congress arguing against deep cuts to the departments budget. The letter cites a famous Mattisism from Secretary of Defense James Mattis, who said If you dont fully fund the State Department, then I need to buy more ammunition back when he was commander of U.S. Central Command in the Obama administration.

Yemen raid. The controversial special operations raid in Yemen that resulted in the death of a U.S. Navy SEAL and as many as 25 civilians didnt produce any significant intelligence, NBC News reports. White House press secretary Sean Spicer had said the raid produced an unbelievable amount of intelligence that will prevent the potential deaths or attacks on American soil but sources who spoke to the news outlet say theyve seen little evidence that the operation produced valuable intelligence. The purpose of and motivation behind the operation are still unclear, with Pentagon officials characterizing the raid as a site exploitation mission intended to collect intelligence.

Syria plans. The Defense Departments plan for defeating the Islamic State is on President Trumps desk, according to the AP. The specifics of the document are unclear and Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis characterized it as only the beginnings of a strategy to be fleshed out later. Officials still wont rule out the possibility that the plan could see more U.S. ground troops sent to Syria to finish off remaining Islamic State strongholds there but sources whove seen the document say the plan still puts local Syrian forces, supported by American troops, at the forefront of the fighting.

More American involvement in Syria could also prompt Canada to join in on the operation according to the National Post. Canadian military officials are reportedly studying the possibility of participating in joint operations with the U.S. in Syria although theres no public indication so far that the U.S. has formally request Canadian support for operations to come in Syria. Canada has contributed troops to the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq as part of the U.S.-led coalition but

Tweet of the day

If youve ever seen troops writing snarky messages to the enemy on munitions, its not just a 20th or 21st century thing.

RT @MykeCole 4th C. B.C. lead sling bullet. The slinger carved  into it. Which roughly translates to: Catch! Man, warriors never change.

Photo Credit: Paul McLeary
Better known for looking after Britain's stately homes, the National Trust is organising a series of walking tours on Soho's gay history to celebrate 50 years since homosexuality was decriminalised.

The tours bring to life the hidden stories of a once-seedy and now increasingly gentrified part of London that served as a refuge for gay people in an era when a kiss could send you to prison.

The visits last around 90 minutes and take visitors to six spots tracing the history of the area between World War I and 1967, when homosexuality was partially decriminalised in England and Wales.

The first stop on the tour is 41 Dean Street, now a high-end restaurant that used to be the Colony Room, a famous hang-out for artists and poets that was a favourite haunt for the painter Lucian Freud.

The area was filled with gay bars at the time and, by the end of the tour, names of places and their secret locations become a blur because there are so many.

Along with gay revellers, the central London area was also filled with police -- both in the streets and in the clubs -- many looking for easy prosecutions.

"It was very dangerous to wear lipsticks," said Richard Sutton, one of the volunteer tour guides.

"One of the tests to see if someone was gay was actually to use blotting paper. They put blotting paper on your face and if it came up that you were having make-up it was used as evidence," he said.

Sometimes "just being effeminate was enough to convict you of being gay".

- 'There was life before' -

Some 46,000 people were prosecuted for homosexuality between 1895 -- when the Irish poet Oscar Wilde was convicted for sodomy and sent to prison -- and 1967.

Alan Turing, the legendary mathematician who helped crack Nazi codes during World War II, was arrested for homosexuality in 1952.

He was given the option of chemical castration to avoid prison and was found dead two years later at the age of 41, probably from suicide.

Story continues

The last stop on the tour is a partial reconstruction of the Caravan Club, which was shut down in 1934 and was described at the time as a meeting place for "sexual perverts, lesbians and sodomites".

Inside, there were low chairs, drapes and tea cups.

A typewriter and a police report from when the club was shut down could be seen on one of the tables.

From this time of persecution, the situation has improved immeasurably and gay marriage was legalised in England, Wales and Scotland in 2014.

Soho has also changed.

Some of its most famous clubs and cabarets have shut down and been replaced by cocktail bars and burger restaurants.

According to some residents, it has lost its soul.

"A lot of places have closed. It's all grey! People cannot afford the rents," said Camilo, a shopkeeper at Ze German Clothing on Greek Street.

"There was life before, it was full of colours!".
If we've learned anything from the internet, it's don't put peas on delicious food.

A pizza war broke out last week after the president of Iceland revealed that he would ban pineapple as a pizza topping if he could. The issue of pineapple on pizza now seems petty because some monster decided to top his perfectly good pizza with some peas and mayo. Yes, peas and mayo.

SEE ALSO: The pineapple on pizza debate is tearing us apart

Peas and mayonnaise pizza?! Yes please pic.twitter.com/PQK1TyYrCH  Air-ic (@FOX152) February 27, 2017

Twitter user FOX152 tweeted a photo of the pea and mayo-topped pizza, which looked strikingly similar to toddler vomit.

"Peas and mayonnaise pizza?!" FOX152 asked. "Yes please."

The responses were filled with horrified pizza lovers, determined to squash this food concoction before The New York Times could feature it in its Food section and call it a trend.

While you're at it put some bleach on it https://t.co/qMpM239RPD  Adam Hess (@_adamhess) February 27, 2017

Someone even suggested that pineapple pizza haters and lovers come together to "defeat this evil" pea pizza.

Story continues

pineapple and non-pineapple pizza eaters must put our differences aside and defeat this evil https://t.co/Rgm8HDza4Q  emo dad (@fatsoburgers) February 27, 2017

We reached out to FOX152 for additional information and comments. He is still tweeting, so he does appear to still be alive after consuming the toddler vomit pizza.
By Se Young Lee and Ju-min Park SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean prosecutors charged Samsung Group [SARG.UL] chief Jay Y. Lee with bribery and embezzlement on Tuesday as the top conglomerate announced the dismantling of its corporate strategy office, the latest developments in a graft scandal that has rocked the country. Jay Y. Lee, 48, was arrested on Feb. 17 over his alleged role in the corruption scandal involving impeached President Park Geun-hye, dealing a fresh blow to the standard-bearer for Asia's fourth-largest economy. The special prosecutor's office said on Tuesday, the last day of its investigation, that it had charged Lee, third-generation leader of the tech giant "chaebol", and four other executives with bribery and embezzlement. The charges against Lee included pledging bribes to a company and organizations tied to Park's confidant, Choi Soon-sil, the woman at the center of the scandal, to cement his control of the smartphones-to-biopharmaceuticals business empire. "We apologize for the social controversy and distress we have caused," Samsung Group Executive Vice President Lee June told reporters. The charges came ahead of a Constitutional Court ruling on whether to uphold parliament's December impeachment of Park. That impeachment was triggered by accusations that she colluded with Choi to pressure big businesses, including Samsung, to donate to two foundations set up to back the president's policy initiatives. The 65-year-old daughter of a former military strongman has had her powers suspended. The Constitutional Court's ruling is expected sometime in March. Should it uphold the impeachment, Park would become the country's first democratically elected president to be thrown out of office. While a sitting president cannot be indicted, the special prosecutors nevertheless have classified her as a suspect. They did not disclose specifics of the charges against Lee or other Samsung executives. Samsung Group, which has denied paying bribes to Park or seeking improper favors from her, declined to comment on the indictment. Park, Choi and Lee have all denied wrongdoing. Based on the main charges levied against Lee, he could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. NERVE CENTER SHUT Lee in December promised to shut Samsung's corporate strategy office, a key nerve center responsible for major initiatives such as investment in new businesses, amid accusations by politicians that it was a key organ for illicit lobbying efforts. Composed of around 200 employees hand-picked from various affiliates, the office did not exist as a legal entity but wielded enormous power as the instrument of control for the founding Lee family. Samsung said the chief executives and boards of the various affiliates such as Samsung Electronics and Samsung C&T Corp would set their own course going forward. "It is a shock that Samsung completely dismantled the whole office, cutting the link between group affiliates as if it broke up a fleet," Chung Sun-sup, chief executive of corporate research firm Chaebul.com, said. "This is a significant change to South Korea's chaebol management style." A Samsung Group spokeswoman said it had not yet decided how the conglomerate would deal with group-level issues such as coordination among affiliates. People familiar with the matter told Reuters in November that Lee was already moving towards more board-centric management to improve governance. The executive became a board member of Samsung Electronics last year, which the sources said signaled a desire to bring the conglomerate's management practices up to global standards. The prosecutors also charged four others at Samsung with offences including bribery and hiding assets overseas - group Vice Chairman Choi Gee-sung, President Chang Choong-ki, Samsung Electronics President Park Sang-jin and Executive Vice President Hwang Sung-soo. Samsung Group said in its subsequent announcement that Choi, Chang and Park had resigned. Samsung chief Lee is accused of pledging 43 billion won ($38 million) in bribes to a company and organizations backed by President Park's confidant, Choi, to curry favor and cement his control of the conglomerate. The funding included sponsorship of the equestrian career of Choi's daughter. Samsung Group also said on Tuesday that it would leave the Korean Equestrian Federation that it heads. Special prosecution spokesman Lee Kyu-chul told reporters the case against Park would be handed over to regular prosecutors, while signaling other conglomerates may also become involved in the investigation. It was not immediately clear when Lee's trial would begin. The special prosecutor's office will deliver a final report on its investigation on March 6. (Additional reporting by Christine Kim and Joyce Lee; Editing by Nick Macfie and Jack Kim)
By Stephanie Nebehay and Joseph Sipalan GENEVA/KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - South Korea called for "collective measures" to punish North Korea for using chemical weapons to kill the estranged half-brother of its leader Kim Jong Un, as Malaysia said on Tuesday it would charge two women with murder over the airport attack. Police have said the women smeared VX nerve agent, a chemical on a United Nations list of banned weapons of mass destruction, on Kim Jong Nam's face in an assault captured on security cameras in the Malaysian capital's airport on Feb. 13. U.S. and South Korean officials believe he was the victim of an assassination orchestrated by Pyongyang. North Korea said on Tuesday it "categorically rejects" what it called "fictitious and preposterous assumptions". Speaking at the U.N.-backed Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva on Tuesday, South Korea's Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said the use of chemical weapons was a "wake-up call" and the international community should act - including possibly suspending the isolated North's seat at the United Nations. "Many international media pointed out that North Korea's use of chemical weapons for the targeted killing in a third country sent a very clear message to the world," South Korea's Yun told the Geneva forum. "Namely this impulsive, unpredictable, trigger-happy and brutal regime is ready and willing to strike anyone, anytime, anywhere." North Korea called his comments "despicable and ill-natured". Kim Jong Nam had been living in exile, under Beijing's protection, in the Chinese territory of Macau, and had criticized the regime of his family and his half-brother, Kim Jong Un. Malaysian police arrested a Vietnamese woman, Doan Thi Huong, and an Indonesian, Siti Aishah, in the days after the attack. Police are also holding one North Korean man and have identified seven other North Koreans wanted in connection with a case that reads like the plot to a spy movie. Both women will be formally charged on Wednesday under section 302 of the penal code, which carries the death penalty, Malaysia's attorney general, Mohamed Apandi Ali, confirmed to Reuters in a text message. DEADLY NERVE AGENT VX is one of the deadliest chemical weapons ever created, far more potent than Sarin, the gas used in deadly chemical attacks in Syria in 2013 and in an attack on the Tokyo subway by a Japanese doomsday cult in 1995. "Just a few grams of VX is sufficient for mass killing," Yun said. "North Korea is reported to have not just grams but thousands of tonnes of chemical weapons, including VX, all over the country ... The recent assassination is a wake-up call to all of us to North Korea's chemical weapons capability and its intent to actually use them." States could invoke the Chemical Weapons Convention as the use of such agents was in "flagrant violation of international law", Yun said. Malaysia is part of the 1993 pact prohibiting their production, transfer and use, but North Korea is not. Once the Malaysian government releases the results of its investigation, the U.N. Security Council and state parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention should take up the case as a "high priority agenda", Yun said. States that have ratified the chemical weapons ban could invoke the treaty and "take collective measures", he added. "It could take the form of suspension of North Korea's rights and privileges as a U.N. member," he said. His comment drew an angry response from North Korea. "North Korea totally rejects the despicable, irresponsible, impertinent and illogical remarks made by South Korea," North Korean diplomat Ju Yong Choi told the same meeting in Geneva later on Tuesday. "DPRK has never produced or stockpiled or used chemical weapons and our position is clear," he added, using the abbreviation for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 'REALITY TV PRANK' Security camera footage, which has been broadcast in the media, showed two women assaulting Kim Jong Nam in the departure hall of Kuala Lumpur International Airport. He died within 20 minutes. Both of the women arrested have told diplomats from their countries that they had been paid to take part in what they believed was a prank for a reality television show. Huong, the Vietnamese woman, was detained 48 hours after the murder in the same airport terminal where Kim Jong Nam was killed. She is believed to be the woman wearing a white shirt emblazoned with the acronym "LOL", whose image was caught on security cameras while waiting for a taxi after the attack. The Indonesian woman, Siti Aishah, was detained a day later. Police have said the women knew what they were doing when they attacked Kim Jong Nam and were instructed to wash their hands afterwards. Police said Aishah fell sick, vomiting repeatedly while in custody possibly as a side-effect of VX, though Indonesian embassy officials have subsequently said she was in good health. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay and Tom Miles in GENEVA, Joseph Sipalan and Angie Teo in KUALA LUMPUR and Zahra Matarani in JAKARTA; Writing by Alex Richardson; Editing by Robert Birsel and Mike Collett-White)
Madrid (AFP) - Spain's Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a request to exhume the remains of late dictator Francisco Franco from a mausoleum near Madrid and rebury them elsewhere.

Franco, whose Nationalist forces defeated the Republicans in the 1936-9 civil war, is entombed in a basilica in a giant hillside monument along with tens of thousands of people who died during the conflict and were transferred from other graves around the country.

Families of those killed in the civil war complain that the man who ruled as a fascist dictator for close to four decades should not lie in a monument to victims of the conflict that brought him to power.

Baltasar Garzon, a high-profile former judge turned lawyer and two colleagues made a formal request to the conservative government in 2015 to transfer his remains in an attempt to address a dark, recent past that still remains sensitive.

Receiving no reply, they took the matter to the Supreme Court.

The government did eventually respond last year, saying they should ask the Church to authorise an exhumation as Franco's remains are in a basilica.

On Tuesday, the court said it had "rejected the plea" as the government had already given its response.

Built by Franco's regime between 1940 and 1958 in the granite mountains of the Sierra de Guadarrama, the monument holds the remains of over 30,000 dead from both sides in the civil war.

Franco lies buried behind the high altar of a vast basilica hewn into the rock, which is capped by a huge cross that can be seen for miles around.

The dictator dedicated the site to "all the fallen" of the civil war in an attempt at reconciliation, but the monument was previously built in part by the forced labour of political prisoners, many of whom died during the works.

The Association for the Recovery of Historical Memory, a group seeking justice for people tortured, killed and disappeared in the civil war and the ensuing dictatorship, slammed the court decision.

"The remains of the dictator Francisco Franco will stay in the Valley of the Fallen, financed by public funds, in part by taxes paid by his victims," it said in a statement.

Meanwhile Garzon, his colleagues Manuel Olle and Eduardo Ranz said they may take the case to Spain's Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
President Donald Trumps nominee to become the U.S. spy chief said he would back a congressional probe into Russias meddling into the U.S. election, a sign he may show independence from an administration that has spent its first weeks in power feuding with the intelligence community.

The U.S. intelligence agencies concluded Russia interfered in the recent U.S. election to tilt the outcome in favor of Trump, and the Kremlin campaign is something that needs to be investigated and addressed, former Republican Sen. Dan Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday. The panel is considering his nomination to be the Director of National Intelligence, a role in which Coats will serve as Trumps chief intelligence advisor.

While Coates cautioned the effect of the Russian campaign is difficult to measure, he echoed recent comments by Vice President Michael Pence that there need to be consequences for undermining the American democratic system.

Trump has repeatedly denounced reports about connections between his lieutenants and the Kremlin as fake news and views such reports as a campaign to undermine the legitimacy of his election victory.

Coatss remarks come as congressional probes into Russian interference in the U.S. election comes have become mired in partisan differences. On Friday, the Washington Post reported that the Trump White House had recruited Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and CIA Director Michael Pompeo to bat down news stories claiming that the Trump campaign had extensive contacts with Russian officials.

Burr has said his phone calls to reporters to dispute those reports came as part of his ordinary work as committee chairman and that they did not undermine his independence. But congressional Democrats sharply rebuked the Republicans over the report. They said it also raised questions about the independence of the intelligence community and its ability to provide unbiased and apolitical intelligence to the White House and carry out its own probe into the Russian campaign.

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In Tuesdays hearing, Coats sought to reassure panel Democrats that he would prioritize the intelligence communitys independence. He said he would speak truth to power and vowed to supply policymakers with intelligence free from political influence, in response to questions from Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the panels ranking Democrat. Our job is to do our job, Coats said, adding that he would promptly provide materials to the Senate investigation examining the Russian influence campaign.

Warner had sharply criticized Burrs contacts with reporters and said Tuesday that he would not tolerate political interference into his panels investigation of the Russias election meddling. Following the panels public session, Warner told Foreign Policy he was heartened by statements supporting the investigations independence from Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fl.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine).

Asked whether he wanted the investigation into the Russian campaign to remain within the Intelligence Committee or be carried out by an independent commission, Warner demurred, saying it was vital that the American public learned the facts of Moscows interference.

A former Indiana senator and member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Coats brings a relative lack of national-security experience to a job that in recent years has been held by career military and intelligence officers. The office was created in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of Sept 11, 2001 to coordinate the work of Americas 17 spy agencies and and improve intelligence sharing.

An affable veteran of Washington politics, Coats, 73, is all but certain to win confirmation before the full Senate. The only real criticism of his nomination on Tuesday was a mild one: Sen. Angus King (I-ME) wondered if he might be too nice for the job. You are going to be reporting to a president who may or may not want to hear what you have to say, King warned.

On the campaign trail, Trump feuded with the intelligence community, questioned its conclusion that Russia intervened in the election on his behalf, and argued that the United States should revive the use of interrogation methods amounting to torture. Those interrogation methods have since been outlawed, and Coats pledged Tuesday that he would abide by the ban. But he added that there was at least a discussion about how the United States would treat a prisoner holding time-sensitive information to prevent a terror attack.

Coatss testimony revealed detail on the dysfunction that has marred the early days of the Trump administration. A week after taking office, the Trump White House elevated the presidents chief political strategist, Steve Bannon, to a permanent role on the National Security Council and appeared to demote the director of national intelligence and CIA director.

Coats told lawmakers Tuesday that the Trump aides have provided verbal assurances that he will be able to attend its meetings and told him the earlier omission of the spy chief from the council had been an oversight. Coats is the first Trump administration official to confirm the snafu on the record.

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
ROME (AP)  With Roma leaving the Stadio Olimpico and Lazio wanting to follow suit, the Italian national team could end up with a home of its own.

Roma's long-delayed stadium plans were given the green light by Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi on Friday, prompting Lazio to say it wanted its own stadium, too.

The president of the Italian National Olympic Committee, which owns the Stadio Olimpico, said Monday that would be fine.

"When Roma and Lazio aren't there anymore a deal could be made with the federation like in England where Wembley is the national team's stadium," CONI President Giovanni Malago said. "As CONI we are absolutely as happy for Lazio to have its own stadium and we would give it exactly the same endorsement  no more, no less  than we did for Roma's stadium."

Roma's 1.6 billion euro ($1.7 billion) stadium project, mostly privately financed, was cleared for construction after crunch meetings on Friday, with Raggi agreeing to a scaled down version, including the removal of three office towers from the plans.

The project still faces a number of obstacles but Roma's American president, James Pallotta, is hopeful the club could be playing its first match in its new stadium within three years.

The stadium will be in Tor di Valle, halfway between downtown and Leonardo Da Vinci Airport.

"We are very happy Roma's stadium has been allowed, it's something very important for sport," Malago said. "Even if we are losing a very important client this is the right direction and we are very happy with this decision."

Only three other Italian teams have their own stadiums. The Juventus Stadium was the first when it was inaugurated on Sept. 8, 2011. Sassuolo owner Giorgio Squinzi's company bought his team's stadium in 2013, while Udinese opened its own ground earlier this year.

All three are modelled on British stadiums, where there is no running track around the field, allowing supporters to be closer to the action.
(Reuters) - An SUV driven by a 73-year-old man plowed into a Mardi Gras parade crowd in Alabama, on Tuesday, injuring a dozen members of a high school marching band, but there was no sign the incident was intentional, city and police officials said.

Three of the 12 students were in critical but stable condition, a spokesman for the coastal city of Gulf Shores, Grant Brown, said at a news conference. Officials initially said four students were critically injured.

The driver, who was not identified, did not suffer any injuries and has not been charged.

"This was not involving drugs or alcohol, nor is there any indication that this was an intentional act," Gulf Shores Police Chief Edward Delmore said. "Every indication is that this was just a tragic accident by an elderly man driving his vehicle."

The incident occurred after the Gulf Shores High School band led the annual Mardi Gras parade down a state highway shortly after 10 a.m., followed by a 2008 Ford Expedition that was part of a group participating in the parade, Brown said.

"And then something went terribly wrong and that vehicle that was behind the band accelerated and struck the children," Brown said.

The parade was canceled after the incident.

Police were gathering video footage and eye-witness accounts to help determine what caused the driver to lose control, according to Delmore. The driver was cooperative, offering statements and blood samples voluntarily.

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley said in a statement that he had directed the state law enforcement agency to coordinate and assist local police.

The incident came just days after a drunk driver was accused of hurtling a pickup truck into a crowd of spectators at a weekend Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, injuring 28 people in a crash that brought chaos to the city's signature celebration.

The Gulf Shores Mardi Gras parade dates back to 1978.

"This is the parade that's been going on for 39 years. These are our children, these are our people," Brown said. "I don't know how this happened. It is horrible."

(Reporting by Letitia Stein and Gina Cherelus; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Leslie Adler)
LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Taliban fighters in the southern Afghan province of Helmand attacked a checkpoint with silenced weapons and hand grenades early on Tuesday killing 12 policemen and stealing weapons and ammunition, officials said. But a provincial official said that it could be an insider attack as one of the guards was still missing. "An investigation is ongoing to find out if someone from inside has defected to the Taliban and paved the way for this crime," he said. The attack, in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah, underlined the threat facing Afghan security forces in the opium-producing province, where they struggle to match well-equipped Taliban fighters who now control several districts. The police killed in the attack had been pulled back from the southern district of Khanshin district which security forces abandoned last year. "The Taliban attacked a guard with silenced guns and then entered the check post," Helmand deputy police chief Haji Gulai told reporters. "They attacked other policemen with hand grenades and killed all of them. They later took their weapons and ammunition and escaped." he said. In a separate incident, another 12 policemen were killed in the Marjah district of Helmand after an hour-long gunbattle, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. Taliban fighters now control most of Helmand, including areas in Lashkar Gah. British and U.S. forces suffered their heaviest casualties of the war in the province in years of fighting following the removal of the Taliban in 2001. Afghan security forces now control less than 60 percent of the country, according to U.S. estimates, with the Taliban in control of about 10 percent and the remainder contested between government and insurgent forces. (Reporting by Mohammad Stanekzai, additional reporting by Mirwais Harooni, writing by James Mackenzie; Editing by Michael Perry)
By Brendan Pierson

(Reuters) - A former employee of a Houston electronics exporting company was sentenced on Tuesday to 11 years and three months in prison for his role in a scheme to illegally export about $50 million of microelectronics to Russia.

Alexander Posobilov, 62, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sterling Johnson in Brooklyn, federal prosecutors announced.

Posobilov filed a notice in court on Tuesday that he was appealing his conviction and sentence. His attorney could not be reached for comment.

Posobilov was convicted in October 2015 of exporting and conspiring to export more microchips and other high-tech goods to Russia, including many destined for the military and intelligence agencies. He was also convicted of money laundering.

Posobilov, who came to the United States from Russia in 2001 and became a U.S. citizen in 2008, worked as procurement director for Arc Electronics Inc, according to court filings.

Prosecutors say he acted a right-hand man to Arc founder Alexander Fishenko, who led the conspiracy. Fishenko was sentenced to 10 years in prison last June after pleading guilty to operating as an unauthorized agent of the Russian government and violating export laws.

Prosecutors said Fishenko, Posobilov and others schemed to sell cutting-edge microelectronics frequently used in military systems to the Russian military and others through intermediary Russian companies.

Fishenko and Posobilov hired and trained a cadre of Russian-speaking sales people to lie to vendors about why Arc was seeking these technologies and to falsify export records, prosecutors said.

Seven of Arc's top 10 clients were specially authorized by the Russian Ministry of Defense to procure parts for its military, prosecutors said.

Arc's customers in Russia included a technical research unit for the Russian FSB internal security agency and Russian entities that built air and missile defense systems and that produced electronic warfare systems, prosecutors said.

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Fishenko and Posobilov were among 11 people arrested in 2012 in connection with the alleged scheme.

Two other Arc employees were tried and convicted alongside Posobilov. In addition to Fishenko, four other defendants have pleaded guilty. Three remain at large, according to prosecutors.

Fishenko's lawyers said in court documents that although Fishenko was pleading guilty to acting as an agent for the Russian government under U.S. law, he was not a "spy."

They said he intended Arc to be a lawful exporting company, but wrongly took a "laissez-faire" attitude to licensing requirements.

(Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Bill Trott)
BANGKOK (AP)  Rights groups are urging a university to drop an investigation of a group of lecturers who criticized Thailand's military junta, calling the university's response an attack on free speech and academic freedom.

A group of faculty members at the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies of Thailand's Mahidol University on Saturday denounced the military government's repeated use of a measure that grants it broad powers to search property and make arrests deemed necessary to enforce public order and unity. Article 44 was included in a temporary constitution after the army seized power in a 2014 coup.

University administrators said Sunday the statement had damaged the state university's reputation and was not an exercise of academic freedom and that its signers would be investigated.

"Mahidol University is doing the junta's dirty work by repressing critical academics voicing their opinions," Brad Adams, Asia director at New York-based Human Rights Watch, said in statement issued Tuesday. "As one of Thailand's leading educational institutions, Mahidol University should be a showcase for academic freedom and free speech rather than supporting the punishment of dissenting voices on campus."

A Thai group on Monday also criticized the university.

"University administrators should not resort to the use of threats," said a statement issued by the Thai Academics for Civil Rights. It said the human rights institute "is showing the dangers of using a power which lacks checks and balance... it has shown academic courage, which should be encouraged and protected."

Professor Gothom Arya, a veteran social activist and adviser to the institute who helped draft the statement, said Article 44 is intended to be used by the prime minister only when truly necessary, but was instead being used "for anything and everything," nine times in 27 days.

"It is overused, unnecessary, and against the rule of law," he said.

The timing of the statement may have disturbed the government, as it came after Article 44 was invoked to help police to raid the headquarters temple of a Buddhist sect controversial for its immense wealth and influence. The Dhammakaya sect has tried to mobilize public opinion in its defense, campaigning especially for the use of Article 44 against it to be withdrawn.

The authorities remain in a standoff at the temple north of Bangkok, with police vowing to stay until they arrest the sect's leader, who's wanted in connection with accepting embezzled funds as donations.
Both President Trump and his opposition in Congress look to highlight their sides of ongoing policy battles with their choice of guests for Tuesday nights joint address to Congress.

The act of bringing notable guests, or Lenny Skutniks, to such addresses is a well-established tradition. Skutnik committed an act of heroism following the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 in January 1982 and was subsequently invited to then-President Ronald Reagans 1982 State of the Union address.

For this year, the White House announced that six guests would be joining first lady Melania Trump at the address. Half of that group have lost family members in killings by undocumented immigrants. Jessica Davis and Susan Oliver are both widows of Sacramento, Calif., police officers killed in the line of duty in 2014. Jamiel Shaw Sr. lost his teenage son in 2008 and was a speaker at the Republican National Convention last July. The Trump administration has pledged to publish a weekly list of crime perpetrated by undocumented immigrants.

The first ladys group will also include Megan Crowley, a 20-year-old college student who overcame a rare childhood genetic disorder after her father founded a pharmaceutical company to look for a cure, and Denisha Merriweather, a school choice supporter. Mauren McCarthy Scalia, widow of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, will also be joining the first lady.

Many Democrats have invited guests who benefited from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the proposed DREAM Act to draw a contrast to the presidents messaging and policies. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., is bringing Oscar Juarez-Luna, who moved with his family to the United States when he was a young child. Juarez-Luna said he hopes to put a face on the issue of immigration and the need for Congress to reform the broken immigration system. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., is bringing Rev. Keary Kincannon, a minister at a church whose hypothermia shelter in Fairfax, Va., was targeted by ICE agents earlier this month.

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Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., has invited former Obama labor secretary and newly elected Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez as his guest. Along with Perez naming Ellison the organizations deputy chair, this move appears to be another attempt to smooth things over in the party, which saw the DNC contest both repeating the Hillary Clinton/Bernie Sanders 2016 primary contest and serving as a proxy war between the establishment center and left of the party.

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, who discovered the elevated level of lead in the water supply of Flint, Mich., is attending as the guest of Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich. Hanna-Attisha is an Iraqi-American who has written against Trumps travel ban. She is one of many guests who have spoken out against or been affected by the executive order halting immigration from seven majority-Muslim countries.

Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., invited Christine Leinonen, whose son, Christopher, was killed at the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando last summer. Demings office told Roll Call that Leinonen wanted to send a message to Trump that her son was not killed by an undocumented immigrant or an immigrant from one of the countries included in his travel ban.

Another theme among Democratic legislators is taking constituents who have benefited from Obamacare to highlight some of the programs successes. One example is Kathy Palmer, a Tampa resident and guest of Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla. Palmer paid $179 of $70,000 in emergency medical bills due to her coverage from the Affordable Care Act.

Read more from Yahoo News:
Kut (Iraq) (AFP) - Three people were wounded by gunfire as Iraqi forces dispersed a demonstration Tuesday by students who threw stones at the premier during a visit to Kut, officials and witnesses said.

A student said demonstrators were wounded when security forces fired to disperse them in the city south of Baghdad. An officer and a doctor confirmed that people were hit by gunfire but did not say who was responsible.

The demonstration began as Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi visited Wasit University and later moved to the provincial council headquarters when he changed venues, witnesses and an AFP journalist said.

"We received around 70 (injured). Most of them left and three wounded by gunfire and 19 suffering from poisoning as a result of tear gas remain," said Ahmed al-Quraishi, a doctor at a local hospital.

Mohammed Anayid, a student, said "security forces fired to disperse the protesters, which resulted in the wounding of a number of demonstrators".

Second Lieutenant Ali al-Sarrai, a member of the security forces tasked with protecting the university, said protesters threw "stones and water bottles and shoes" at Abadi.

His guards then fired in the air and targeted demonstrators with tear gas, said Sarrai who also confirmed that three people were shot.

The students were protesting against "the lack of services and the spread of corruption in the government", said Ali al-Aboudi, who took part in the demonstration.

Some protesters threw stones at Abadi's convoy, Aboudi said.

A police captain said 20 protesters were arrested.

Abadi called for "universities to keep away from political conflicts", a statement from his office said.

Video posted on social media showed demonstrators chanting a slogan often used by supporters of populist Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who has repeatedly called for protests against corruption in the Iraqi government.

Sadr issued a statement apologising to Abadi and stating that the premier was not personally involved in corruption.

The injuries at the protest in Kut came after seven people -- five demonstrators and two security personnel -- were killed in clashes between Iraqi forces and protesters in central Baghdad on February 11.
In a speech packed with policy proposals, a dark view of the past, and hope for the future, President Trump addressed a joint session of Congress. More here

Authorities will investigate the shooting at a Kansas bar that resulted in the death of an Indian man as a hate crime, the FBI announced. More here

Were tracking the news stories of the day below. All updates are in Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5).

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP)  Appearing calm and solemn, two young women accused of smearing VX nerve agent on Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half brother of North Korea's leader, were charged with murder Wednesday. The women, who arrived in court under the protection of masked special forces carrying machine guns, are at the center of a bizarre killing at a busy Kuala Lumpur airport terminal. Many speculate the attack was orchestrated by North Korea, but Pyongyang denies any role. "I understand but I am not guilty," Vietnamese suspect Doan Thi Huong told the court in English after the murder charge was read.

Two women accused of smearing VX nerve agent on Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half brother of North Korea's leader, were charged with murder Wednesday after arriving in court under heavy protection. Kim Jong Nam was attacked at a busy Kuala Lumpur airport terminal on Feb. 13 and died shortly after two women went up behind him and wiped something onto his face. Both women have reportedly said they thought they were part of a prank TV show playing harmless tricks on unsuspecting passengers. One of the suspects, an Indonesian woman, told authorities that she was paid the equivalent of $90.

MACAU (AP)  The heavy-set man got out of a taxi one night last September and headed for the lobby bar of the swank Wynn Macau  a quiet place, where women are often in evening dresses and gamblers can relax with $300 Cuban cigars. He was dressed casually. There were no bodyguards, no flashy women. It wasn't what you'd expect of a man once tipped to be the next dictator of North Korea. Kim Jong Nam had spent years in exile, gambling and drinking and arranging the occasional business deal as he traveled across Asia and Europe. In recent years, his fortunes had apparently declined, and he'd moved his family from a luxurious seafront condominium complex in Macau to a more affordable apartment building.

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  North Korea is flouting United Nations sanctions by trading in prohibited weapons and other goods and using evasion techniques "that are increasing in scale, scope and sophistication," U.N. experts say in a new report. The panel of experts monitoring sanctions against Pyongyang said that despite strengthened financial sanctions adopted in 2016 the country is still accessing formal banking channels "by using greater ingenuity." "Their ability to conceal financial activity by using foreign nationals and entities allows them to continue to transact through top global financial centers," the experts said in the report to the Security Council obtained Tuesday by the Associated Press.

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP)  A retired journalist who joined the criminal underworld while researching a book on South America's drug cartels became the first Colombian, and possibly the first Latin American, to be executed in China for drug offenses. The execution Monday night of Ismael Arciniegas occurred amid a last-ditch diplomatic effort by Colombia's government to save the 72-year-old's life. Arciniegas was arrested in 2010 arriving by plane to the southern port city of Guangzhou trying to smuggle almost 4 kilograms of cocaine in exchange for $5,000. But his downfall came decades earlier, in the 1980s, when he began researching a book on drug cartels in his native Cali, according to his son, Juan Jose Herrera, who described to local media the heart-breaking, 20-minute phone conversation he and family members had with his father shortly before he was taken to a room to be killed by lethal injection.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Korean special prosecutors indicted Samsung's de facto chief Tuesday on bribery, embezzlement and other charges linked to a political scandal that has toppled President Park Geun-hye. The indictment of Samsung Electronics vice chairman Lee Jae-yong is a huge hit for the largest and most successful of the big businesses that dominate the South Korean economy. It also signals the still roiling state of South Korea's political and economic circles after weeks of massive demonstrations that led to Park's impeachment. The announcement of the indictment came after a three-month investigation by a special prosecution team that ended Tuesday after the country's acting leader refused a request for an extension.

HANOI, Vietnam (AP)  Vietnam has slammed a fishing ban China has imposed in parts of the disputed South China Sea, saying it violates Vietnamese sovereignty and further complicates the tense situation in the troubled waters. China's Ministry of Agriculture on Monday issued a seasonal fishing ban in parts of the South China Sea, including waters near the Paracel islands claimed by Vietnam but occupied by China. Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh said in a statement Tuesday that Vietnam opposes and rejects the ban, adding Vietnam has the legal grounds and historical evidence to back up its sovereignty claims. He said China's unilateral action seriously violates Vietnam's sovereignty and goes against international law.

ISLAMABAD (AP)  Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has opened a key economic summit aimed at improving trade ties amid unprecedented security. Islamabad is hosting the 10-nation Economic Cooperation Organization summit Wednesday to finalize a plan for expanding trade and prosperity among member nations. Turkey, Iran and Pakistan founded the organization in 1985. Pakistani state TV is providing a live telecast of the one-day conference, which elected Sharif its chairman. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are among heads state in attendance. Pakistan has deployed a heavy security contingent to guard Islamabad, where all offices, schools and businesses are closed for the day.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  Five Samsung executives, including the company's 48-year-old billionaire heir, will stand trial in the coming months on bribery, embezzlement and other charges linked to a massive scandal that toppled South Korea's president. Before being arrested earlier this month, Lee Jae-yong, the third generation of the Samsung founding family, was seen as bringing a string of changes to South Korea's largest business group, such as increasing shareholder returns. The criminal charges can put the Samsung scion, his former mentor and three other Samsung executives behind bars for several years if they are found guilty. What you need to know and what we can expect next: WHY SAMSUNG?

BEIJING (AP)  A senior North Korean diplomat arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for talks following China's ban on coal imports from its neighbor and the killing of the exiled half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Vice Foreign Minister Ri Kil Song will hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on "issues of common concern," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily news briefing. Last week, China suspended all coal imports from North Korea for the rest of the year as it steps up pressure on its once-close Communist ally to give up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi on Tuesday discussed improving and maintaining a "mutually beneficial economic relationship" between the United States and China, the State Department said. Tillerson and Yang, China's top diplomat, affirmed the importance of "regular high-level engagement" between the two countries during their meeting in Washington, and discussed North Korea's nuclear program, the State Department said in a statement. China's state news agency, Xinhua, quoted Yang as saying China was willing to work with Washington "to enhance exchanges on all levels from top down" and to broaden communication and coordination on regional and global issues, while respecting "each other's core interests and major concerns." "This will help promote sustained, steady and healthy development of the China-U.S. relations, which will benefit the peoples of not only both nations but also the whole world," Xinhua quoted Yang as saying. The meeting was the latest exchange aimed at resetting relations between the world's two largest economies following a rocky start after the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president. On Monday, Yang, who outranks China's foreign minister, met at the White House with Trump, who has attacked China on issues from trade, to the South China Sea and North Korea. They discussed shared security interests and a possible meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to a senior U.S. administration official. The State Department said Yang invited Tillerson to visit Beijing, and that Tillerson expressed interest in doing so. Yang's visit to the United States follows a phone call between him and Tillerson last week, during which they affirmed the importance of a constructive U.S.-China relationship. Yang's visit follows months of strong rhetoric from Trump, who has accused China of unfair trade policies, criticized its island-building in the strategic South China Sea, and accused it of doing too little to constrain its neighbor, North Korea. In December, Trump incensed Beijing by saying the United States did not have to stick to the "one China" policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China, of which Taiwan is a part. He later agreed in a phone call with Xi to honor the policy. In an interview with Reuters last week, Trump urged China to do more to rein in North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. China later dismissed Trump's remarks, saying the crux of the matter was a dispute between Washington and Pyongyang. (Reporting by Yeganeh Torbati, David Brunnstrom and Susan Heavey; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence said Tuesday he has been assured that he will be included in the White House's core national security advisors body.

Dan Coats told the US Senate intelligence committee he had been informed that a recent decree excluding the DNI from the principals committee of the National Security Council, was a simple mistake and would be corrected.

The DNI coordinates 17 US intelligence bodies, including the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The January 28 executive order shocked some in the broader US intelligence community for sidelining both the DNI and the chairman of the Pentagon's Joint Chiefs of Staff, both previously members of the core team of presidential advisors.

Meanwhile the order added Trump's controversial strategist Steve Bannon to the body, raising concerns its work would be politicized.

"I have been reassured time and time again, from the president to his advisors, that I am welcome and needed and expected to be a part of the principals committee," Coats told the Senate body reviewing his nomination.

"I was informed that the drafting of that executive order was not intended to not have the director of national intelligence as part of the principals committee."

Coats, 73, served as a Republican senator from Indiana from 1989 to 1999, and then from 2011 to the beginning of January.

He was US ambassador to Germany from 2001 to 2005 under the George W. Bush administration.

As a popular former member of the Intelligence Committee, approval of his appointment seemed assured amid easy questioning Tuesday by both Democrats and Republicans.

Coats told the hearing that he sees Russian and Chinese expansionism, "radical Islamic terrorism," and cyber threats as the country's key security challenges.

He said he was committed to following up the politically sensitive investigations into alleged Russian interference in the US presidential election last year.

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He also said he would adhere to US laws banning torture and ending the use of secret offshore prisons to detain and interrogate terror suspects.

"I have no other obligation but to follow the law" on torture, he said.

Several senators suggested Coats would be "too nice" to handle the job in the Trump White House.

"You're one of the most likeable, affable easy going people I've met," said Senator Angus King.

"I'm not sure likability and affability are the qualities I want in this position," he said.

"You're going to be reporting to a president who may or may not want to hear what you have to say."
By Steve Holland and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump, who has attacked China on issues from trade to the South China Sea, held his first face-to-face talks with a member of the Chinese leadership on Monday, and the White House said it was a chance to discuss shared security interests and a possible meeting with President Xi Jinping. State Councilor Yang Jiechi, China's top diplomat, met Trump briefly after talks with the new U.S. National Security adviser, H.R. McMaster, Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, and White House chief strategist Steve Bannon. A senior U.S. administration official said discussions included bilateral cooperation and the possibility of arranging a meeting between Trump and Xi, but no date was set. The official said the meeting with Trump lasted five to seven minutes. White House spokesman Sean Spicer called it "an opportunity to say 'hi' to the president" before Yang left. "This was an opportunity to begin that conversation and talk to them on shared interests of national security," he said at a regular news briefing. China's Foreign Ministry cited Yang as telling Trump that China was willing to enhance exchanges with the United States at all levels, expand coordination and cooperation, and respect each others' core interests and major concerns. "Ensuring the steady and healthy development of China-U.S. ties will surely benefit both peoples and the world as a whole," the ministry paraphrased Yang as saying. Yang, who outranks China's foreign minister, was the first top Chinese official to visit the White House since Trump took office on Jan. 20. His visit followed a phone call between Yang and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week, during which the two affirmed the importance of a constructive U.S.-China relationship. It was the latest step by the world's two largest economies to try to put relations back on an even keel after a rocky start following Trump's election victory. Trump has been a strong critic of Beijing, accusing China of unfair trade policies, criticizing its island building in the strategic South China Sea, and accusing it of not doing enough to constrain its neighbor, North Korea. Trump incensed Beijing in December by talking to the president of Taiwan and saying the United States did not have to stick to the "one China" policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China, of which Taiwan is a part. Trump later agreed in a phone call with Xi to honor the "one China" policy in a diplomatic boost for Beijing, which vehemently opposes criticism of its claim to self-ruled Taiwan. In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Trump pressed China to do more to rein in North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, saying Beijing could resolve the issue "very easily if it wanted to." China dismissed Trump's remarks, saying on Friday the crux of the matter was a dispute between Washington and Pyongyang. Beijing has repeatedly called for a return to negotiations between Pyongyang and world powers. As Yang held talks at the White House, senior officials from the United States, Japan and South Korea met at the State Department to discuss additional measures to choke off funding to North Korea's weapons program. "The officials considered other possible measures under national authorities, including means to restrict further the revenue sources for North Korea's weapons programs, particularly illicit activities," they said in a joint statement. They also agreed that North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs directly threatened their security and "strong international pressure" was needed to push back at Pyongyang, the statement said. Plans for renewed contacts with North Korea in the United States were canceled last week after the U.S. State Department denied a visa for the top envoy from Pyongyang, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. (Reporting by Steve Holland, David Brunnstrom, Matt Spetalnick and Washington Newsroom, and Ben Blanchard in Beijing; Editing by Andrew Hay and Jonathan Oatis)
Washington (AFP) - Wilbur Ross sailed through Senate confirmation to become the new commerce secretary, despite tough questions about his possible ties with Russian oligarchs through his position on the board of the Bank of Cyprus.

Several Democrats gave their support, for a total of 72 of 100 senators casting their votes for the 79-year-old billionaire who specializes in troubled businesses and is now tasked with implementing Trump's promises to return industrial jobs to the United States.

A total of 21 Democrats voted for him.

Ross, who succeeds another billionaire, Penny Pritzker, will now also coordinate US commerce policies with the US trade representative, a post for which Trump has nominated Robert Lighthizer, who awaits Senate confirmation.

Democrats' questions of Ross's ties with Russia come at a time when Trump is defending his administration's relations with Moscow, following leaks about repeated contacts between members of his campaign team last year and Russian intelligence officials.

Since 2014, Ross has served as vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Cyprus, the largest bank in Cyprus, which was saved from bankruptcy in 2013 by a bailout from the Eurozone countries and the IMF and by forced contributions from most of its savers.

This bank also is the second largest shareholder in the Russian conglomerate Lamesa Holding, owned by the Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg, whose fortune is valued at more than $12 billion by Forbes.

"@CommerceGov nominee Wilbur Ross is practically a cartoon stereotype of a Wall Street fat cat with no interest in anyone but himself," wrote prominent Trump opponent Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Ross's predecessor as vice chairman of bank's board is Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, a former KGB agent known to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The United States Senate and the American public deserve to know the full extent of your connections with Russia and your knowledge of any ties between the Trump Administration, Trump Campaign, or Trump Organization and the Bank of Cyprus," Democratic Senator Cory Booker said in a letter to Ross.

Story continues

In mid-February, Booker and five other Democratic senators sent a letter to Ross asking him whether the Bank of Cyprus had lent to Trump's real estate group, the Trump Organization.

The officials also called on Ross to reveal whether he had any contact with Russian officials or agents during the presidential campaign.

Ross's team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer deplored the fact that the White House would not release Ross's response to the Democrats' queries.

"It is another example of this administration abandoning transparency and trying to jam their nominees through without making all the relevant information public and available," Schumer said on the Senate floor.

"On an issue as sensitive and important to national security as Russia, it is another black mark on this nascent administration."

In mid-February, Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was forced to resign after it was revealed that he misled Vice President Mike Pence and other administration officials about pre-inauguration discussions he had with the Russian ambassador in Washington about US sanctions against Russia.
President Donald Trump met with dozens of educators and officials from historically black colleges and universities in the White House on Monday. The meeting came just days after he pledged to help the institutions of higher learning that are collectively and more commonly known as HBCUs.

That help was likely to come in the form of an executive order, according to Politico.

Trump singled out HBCUs during his weekly address Saturday. "I also want to honor and promote the achievements of Historically Black Colleges and Universities throughout our Nation. They do a fantastic job," the president said. "They are not given the credit that they deserve, and they are going to start getting that credit."

That portion of Trump's weekly address could be an earnest attempt to endear himself to black people, of which 8 percent of the demographic's voters cast ballots for the president on Election Day. His pledge to HBCUs, however, could also be a thinly veiled jab at his predecessor, President Barack Obama, who was widely perceived to have not done enough for black colleges during eight years in Washington.

While Trump has made some questionable comments directed at the black community, some HBCU administrators have said they recognized the efforts he was making to ingratiate himself to African-Americans' educational endeavors. After winning the election, Trump was routinely involved in "listening sessions and sales pitches for the incoming administration to heavily invest in," McClatchy reported in December.

Shortly after that, the then-incoming Trump administration invited the marching band from Talladega College, an HBCU in Alabama, to perform at the inauguration. The band accepted, setting off a firestorm over Talladega's perceived support of a candidate who was openly backed by the Ku Klux Klan and white nationalists. In comparison, Howard University declined the same offer.

Story continues

While not immediately being designated officially as HBCUs, the first black colleges were created in part as a byproduct of slavery, which in many cases didn't allow for the formal education of black people in the U.S. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, was the first ever HBCU, having been founded in 1837.

Black colleges are, however, somewhat of a misnomer: One out of every student enrolled at an HBCU was not black, according to a study called The Changing Face of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, conducted by the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and released in 2014.

There are 80 HBCUs across the country, but just a small handful of them had national name recognition. Among them were Howard University in Washington, D.C., Spelman College in Atlanta and Hampton University in southeastern Virginia. However, many others have rich academic traditions, as well. A full list of historically black colleges and universities follows below.

Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University

Alabama State University

Albany State University

Alcorn State University

Allen University

Arkansas Baptist College

Benedict College

Bennett College

Bethune-Cookman University

Bluefield State College

Bowie State University

Central State University

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

Claflin University

Clark Atlanta University

Concordia College

Coppin State University

Delaware State University

Dillard University

Edward Waters College

Elizabeth City State University

Fayetteville State University

Fisk University

Florida A&M University

Florida Memorial University

Fort Valley State University

Grambling State University

Hampton University

Harris-Stowe State University

Howard University

Huston-Tillotson University

Jackson State University

Jarvis Christian College

Johnson C. Smith University

Kentucky State University

Lane College

Langston University

LeMoyne-Owen College

Lincoln University

Lincoln University

Livingstone College

Miles College

Mississippi Valley State University

Morehouse College

Morgan State University

Morris College

Norfolk State University

North Carolina A&T State University

North Carolina Central University

Oakwood University

Paine College

Philander Smith College

Prairie View A&M University

Rust College

Savannah State University

Shaw University

South Carolina State University

Southern University and A&M College

Southern University--New Orleans

Southwestern Christian College

Spelman College

St. Augustine's University

Stillman College

Talladega College

Tennessee State University

Texas College

Texas Southern University

Tougaloo College

Tuskegee University

University of Arkansas--Pine Bluff

University of Maryland--Eastern Shore

University of the District of Columbia

Virginia State University

Virginia Union University

Voorhees College

West Virginia State University

Wilberforce University

Wiley College

Winston-Salem State University

Xavier University of Louisiana

Related Articles
After House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi slammed him in an interview over the weekend, President Trump responded by accusing her of undermining the Democratic Party. He even suggested that Democrats would end up becoming irrelevant.

In a Fox & Friends interview that aired Tuesday ahead of his address to a joint session of Congress, Trump branded Pelosi incompetent and said shes done a terrible job as a party leader.

You know, if you look at whats going on with the Democrats and the party, its getting smaller and smaller, Trump said.

You know, in a certain way, I hate to see it, because I like a two-party system and were soon going to have a one-party system. I actually think a two-party system is healthy and good. But shes done a terrible job.

Pelosi drew the ire of the president for her comments on ABCs This Week, where she called Trump the deflector in chief, arguing that some of his more attention-grabbing maneuvers were a distraction from the absence of a jobs-creating infrastructure plan.

Listing the accomplishments of former President Barack Obamas first weeks in office, Pelosi said, What has the Trump administration done from their inaugural address, where they talked about decay and carnage? Theyve done nothing except put Wall Street first, make America sick again, instill fear in our immigrant population in our country, and make sure that Russia maintains its grip on our foreign policy.

After Trumps interview aired, Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill provided a statement to Fox News reiterating the congresswomans criticisms.

As Leader Pelosi stated yesterday, this president came into office promising bold action on jobs. Forty days later, the American people see nothing but a squandered four weeks in which this president has done nothing but instill fear. In classic fashion, the president is projecting his incompetence onto others. Instead of calling people names, President Trump should focus on how hes going to grow the American economy and live up to the promises hes made to the American people.

Story continues

Read more from Yahoo News:
Its too soon to tell whether Congress will see another You lie! moment when President Donald Trump gives a speech to both chambers of Congress Tuesday night, but he and his opponents on Capitol Hill have already embraced the storied tradition of using the formal speech to troll each other  this time, over his controversial executive orders on immigration.

Among other guests, Trump and his wife Melania will bring Jessica Davis and Susan Oliver, whose husbands  Detective Michael Davis and Deputy Sheriff Danny Oliver  were killed in 2014 by an undocumented immigrant, according to a White House announcement Monday night. They are joined by Jamiel Shaw, Sr., whose son Jamiel, Jr. was fatally shot by an alleged gang member and undocumented immigrant in 2008.

Under Trump, U.S. immigration officials have ramped up deportations, ostensibly targeting those with criminal records; Trump himself has touted the recent raids as ridding the country of bad dudes and killers. But the cabinet emphasizes there will be no mass deportations, as Trump repeatedly promised during the campaign.

And this is not the first time the Republican has used parents of children were killed by undocumented immigrants as props, as seen at the apocalyptic GOP convention this past summer, where Shaw also spoke.

Thats where our focus is. Its the bad ones  Drug lords, gang members, heads of gangs, killers, murderers. Were getting them out, Trump told an assembly of governors on Monday. And they are bad. They are rough, and tough, and were getting them the hell out of our country.

Illegal crossings are at their lowest levels in decades and theres little evidence of an epidemic of violence at the hands of undocumented immigrants. Trumps recent immigration orders dramatically expanded the focus of the U.S. immigration enforcement regime to include effectively anyone in the country illegally. And the immigration crackdown has already caught up immigrants without criminal records, and others Trump has pledged to exclude from the dragnet, not to mention U.S. citizens.

Story continues

Opponents who are highly critical of Trumps roundup, as well as his earlier executive order to temporarily ban most travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries, shot back with their own guests for Tuesdays address.

Arizona Democratic Reps. Ruben Gallego and Raul Grijalva offered a prebuttal of the speech in a press conference with their guests, two children of Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos, an undocumented immigrant living in the United States for more than two decades who was recently deported from their state. More than a dozen other members of Congress and their guests  including Muslim-Americans, those brought to the United States as children and known as Dreamers, and other immigrants impacted by the travel ban  held their own press conference hours later.

The travel ban has been blocked for now by the courts, but the White House indicated it will issue a new order this week meant to resolve the legal issues  while not modifying its ultimate intent. Even more confusingly, the administration does not plan to rescind the prior executive order.

Freshman Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), who lost both legs when her Black Hawk helicopter was shot down over Iraq in 2004, will host Abdulla Sindi, who worked as a U.S. military interpreter in Iraq  including for visits by former Vice President Joe Biden and Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Sindi was forced to flee Iraqi Kurdistan and became an American citizen in 2006. The new executive order, expected any day, could  if it echoes the prior ban on Iraqi nationals entering the country  bar Sindis wifes parents, who are still in Iraq, from visiting their grandchildren in Virginia, Duckworth noted.

The initial travel ban did not exempt Afghans and Iraqis like Sindi, whose work with the U.S. military endangered their lives and those of their families. While the Department of Homeland Security later clarified they should be exempt, its unclear how the new order will handle this specialized immigrant visa category, especially if the original order is not rescinded.

America saved my life, Sindi said in a statement from Duckworths office, where hes been hired as part of the scheduling and operations team.

Sindis presence at Trumps first big address to Congress will send a message to the president, Duckworth said: Thats not the America I bled to defend.

In a stunning rhetorical reversal later Tuesday, Trump reportedly told television anchors during a lunch ahead of his address that he was open to immigration reform.

The time is right for an immigration bill as long as there is compromise on both sides, a senior administration official said, per Politico.

The dueling guest lists dont indicate much of a chance at that.

Photo credit: Pool
A federal appeals court, apparently relying more on what White House officials have said than on what Justice Department lawyers had conveyed, refused on Monday those lawyers request for an indefinite delay of that courts review of President Trumps January 27 order strictly limiting immigration of people from Mideast nations.

If, as expected, a new presidential order comes out this week, an almost certain challenge to it could mean a two-front courthouse battle with the federal government having to defend itself in both.

Earlier this month, lawyers for the Justice Department in the new administration had told the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that the government was preparing a new presidential order on immigration restrictions, and would then rescind the original version issued in late January.

The original version had been blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court in a temporary ruling that sent administration officials back to the task of drafting what was expected to be a substitute.

However, President Trump and the White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, have since said that the government would continue in court to defend the legality of the first version. Spicer has several times said that the government would be going forward on a dual track  issuing a new order while persisting in the defense of the first one. That directly contradicted what the Ninth Circuit Court had been told by government lawyers.

Late last week, those lawyers asked the Circuit Court to grant an indefinite delay in proceedings before that court involving the first order. They did so because, at least in part, they were due to file a brief in defense of that version this week. Noting that a new order was being prepared, that filing argued that there was thus no need to file further written arguments in the pending case. That document made no mention of a dual track approach.

In reply to that request, lawyers for the two states that successfully challenged the January order  Washington and Minnesota  notified the Circuit Court of the remarks by the president and the White House press secretary of the dual track strategy. This morning, the Circuit Court rejected the request for indefinite delay, although it did give the Justice Department lawyers another week  until March 10  to file the required brief.

Story continues

It now appears almost a certainty that a new version of the Mideast immigration order will face as strong a court challenge as the original did. That is due partly to the perception of the challengers that any new version will be just as vulnerable legally, because the whole idea originated in Donald Trumps campaign commitment to a Muslim ban, barring immigrants based on their religion.

The challengers also have been emboldened by public remarks by a White House strategist  Stephen Miller  who has been centrally involved in the executive order drafting process. Miller has said that a new order would make only fairly minor, technical changes in the original. That has led the challenging states lawyers to conclude that the arguments they mounted the first time will work again.

Further apparent support for the challengers is a leaked report last weekend from the Department of Homeland Security questioning whether there is evidence to support a suspicion of terrorists potentially coming to the U.S. from the Muslim-majority nations targeted by the presidential order.

Thus, developments over the next several days could lead to an intensifying legal battle  on two fronts, not one  that could bring continued uncertainty about who is being banned from the country, and who is not.

Legendary journalist Lyle Denniston is Constitution Dailys Supreme Court correspondent. Denniston has written for us as a contributor since June 2011 and has covered the Supreme Court since 1958. His work also appears on lyldenlawnews.com, where this story first appeared.
During a Fox & Friends interview that aired Tuesday, President Trump defended his performance in office but acknowledged some snags in how his policies are promoted.

Asked how he would grade his presidency so far, Trump volunteered two separate answers, giving himself an A in effort and achievement but a C or a C-plus in messaging.

I think in terms of effort, which means something but I give myself an A-plus, okay, effort, Trump said, according to a transcript. But thats, you know, results are more important. In terms of messaging, I would give myself a C or a C-plus.

The Fox hosts asked Trump, not known for modesty, how he reached that conclusion. He pointed to news stories about the many key posts he has yet to fill in his administration.

So my messaging isnt good. When I see a story about Donald Trump didnt fill hundreds and hundreds of jobs, its because in many cases, we dont want to fill those jobs, he said.

He later added: In terms of achievement, I think Id give myself an A.  I dont think weve explained it well enough to the American public.

Trump cited Tuesdays nights address to a joint session of Congress as an opportunity to rectify that disparity, saying, Well, maybe I change it during the speech.

The president has been dogged by record-low approval ratings for a newly inaugurated president. A recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll gave him just a 44-point approval rating.

Earlier in the interview, Trump defended his immigration policies, including a recent wave of raids and deportations, saying his initiatives would be more popular if they were better understood by the American people.

Reiterating a common refrain, that supposedly only the bad ones would be subject to deportation, Trump was asked whether he believed that point had been communicated effectively.

I dont think so, he replied. No, I dont think its been  maybe its my fault. He added that a lot of people understand it.
By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's nominee to be the director of national intelligence pledged on Tuesday to support thorough investigation of any Russian efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election, seeking to reassure lawmakers worried that partisan politics might interfere with a probe. "I think this is something that needs to be investigated and addressed," former Republican Senator Dan Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee during his confirmation hearing to be the top U.S. intelligence official. Coats, 73, a former member of the intelligence panel, also promised that it would have full access to all of the documents and other materials needed for an investigation. "I have no intention of holding anything back from this committee," Coats said. Trump denounced intelligence agencies for their assessment that Russia sought to influence the election on his behalf, prompting concerns about his support for them. Trump has also repeatedly praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, leading some in Washington worry that he might not take a hard enough line in dealings with Moscow. In his opening statement, Coats addressed that concern by listing activity by Russia, along with that of China and North Korea, as among the main challenges faced by the United States. "Russia's assertiveness in global affairs is something I look upon with great concern, which we need to address with eyes wide open and a healthy degree of skepticism," Coats said. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11 attacks to oversee all 16 U.S. intelligence agencies and improve communications among them. One concern about Coats was his record on the U.S. use after the 2001 attacks of so-called enhanced interrogation techniques, such as waterboarding, which are widely seen as torture. In 2015, he was one of the few lawmakers who opposed legislation sponsored by Republican Senator John McCain that made the use of such techniques illegal. Coats promised that he would follow the law, saying he voted against that legislation because he wanted "to at least have a discussion" about the best way to proceed if intelligence agencies wanted to obtain crucial information quickly. Coats also strongly defended U.S. government surveillance programs, though he said he would "do everything I can" to publicly disclose an estimate of the number of Americans caught in the crosshairs of internet surveillance programs intended to target foreigners. But he stopped short of guaranteeing such a disclosure, which privacy advocates in Congress have requested for years and said is necessary to properly debate possible reforms to a surveillance law that expires at the end of 2017. Although he was ambassador to Germany under President George W. Bush, Coats would be the first director of national intelligence who has not spent most of his career in the military, in intelligence agencies or as a diplomat. Coats, who is popular with Democrats and his fellow Republicans, is expected to be easily confirmed. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle, additional reporting by Dustin Volz; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Grant McCool)
By Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - After a turbulent start to his presidency, Donald Trump goes before the U.S. Congress on Tuesday night to give a speech that will be closely watched for details of his plans for the economy and whether he can strike a more conciliatory tone. World financial markets will be scrutinizing the 9 p.m. address in the House of Representatives for specifics of how the Republican president aims to make good on promises to tackle tax reform, boost infrastructure spending and simplify regulations he says are harming business. White House officials say the speech will include some gestures toward unifying a country polarized by a bitterly fought election and divided in the early days of his presidency. An average of recent polls by Real Clear Politics put his approval rating at about 44 percent, low for a new president. Trump, whose inauguration speech on Jan. 20 painted a dark picture of the United States and referred to American carnage, told Reuters last week that his address would be a speech of optimism. In a rare show of self-criticism, Trump told the "Fox & Friends" television program in an interview broadcast on Tuesday that "maybe it's my fault" the administration's goals on immigration may not have been communicated effectively. He was referring to the troubled rollout of his Jan. 27 order to temporarily ban people from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the country. Overall, Trump said he had performed well in the Oval Office so far. "I think I get an A in terms of what I've actually done, but in terms of messaging, I'd give myself a C or a C+." Invited to say how he would change the messaging, the businessman and former reality TV star said, "Maybe I change it during the speech." Trump has signed a flurry of executive orders, pulled the United States out of a Pacific trade deal and nominated a conservative judge, Neil Gorsuch, to fill a vacant position on the Supreme Court. But his first month has been characterized by missteps, internal dramas and acrimonious disputes with the news media, and he has yet to score any legislative accomplishments. The president's party controls both the House and Senate, giving him a chance to reshape the economy with lawmakers. He faces a host of questions going into his first speech before a joint session of Congress. DETAILS NEEDED Specifics of his plan to overhaul former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law have not been released. Republican efforts to find a way to repeal and replace Obamacare have encountered resistance from party conservatives who say draft legislation emerging in the House will not reduce the cost of healthcare. Trump has yet to describe how to pay for a sharp increase in planned spending on rebuilding U.S. roads and bridges. His proposals to cut taxes for millions of people and corporations have not been sketched out. His strategy for renegotiating international trade deals remains unclear. He took delivery on Monday of a Pentagon proposal for fighting Islamic State militants and must decide on it in the days ahead. Trump seeks a big increase in defense spending but that plan includes a demand that non-defense federal agencies cut funds to offset the cost, painful reductions likely to face opposition in Congress. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday he would not back slashing State Department funding as the administration is expected to propose. Trump is considering introducing legislation to provide a pathway to legal status, but not immediately to citizenship, for illegal immigrants, CNN reported, citing a senior White House official. It said Trump may refer to the idea in his speech. Trump's lack of legislative success so far contrasts with most of his recent predecessors, though not all of them. With the country facing a financial crisis, Obama laid out an economic stimulus plan days after his January 2009 swearing-in and it was approved in mid-February. In early February Obama signed two other bills into law: one providing federally funded healthcare to children and another making it easier for employees to sue employers for wage-based discrimination. George W. Bush sent a sweeping tax cut proposal to Congress less than three weeks after taking office in January 2001. It was enacted four months later. Bill Clinton fulfilled a central campaign promise in his first weeks in office when he enacted a family-leave bill on Feb. 5, 1993. Ronald Reagan sent dozens of detailed budget cut plans to Congress less than a month after his 1981 swearing in but George H.W. Bush accomplished little of note in his first 100 days. DEMOCRATIC DISPLEASURE Trump's travel ban, which he says was needed for national security reasons, caused wide disruption at airports, sparked protests and was blocked by a federal court. He is expected to sign a replacement order on Wednesday. Only three weeks into his term, Trump fired his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, after disclosures surfaced that Flynn had discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office and then misled Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations. Stocks on major markets dipped along with the U.S. dollar and U.S. Treasury yields on Tuesday as investors waited for clues in Trump's address on how he aims to implement his economic agenda. "If he gives minimal detail this evening, then perhaps we might get a little bit wind out of the sails on this recent equity move," said Erik Wytenus, global investment specialist at J.P. Morgan Private Bank. Tim Albrecht, a Republican strategist in Iowa, said the speech was Trump's best opportunity to date to explain where he wants to take the country. Albrecht doubted there would be much in the way of conciliatory language. "Despite those at home or in the audience, hes going to put forward what he believes needs to be done just as he did in the two years he ran for president," he said. "As with everything in Trump land, conventional wisdom is thrown out the window." Democratic lawmakers plan to attend the speech. But at least one, Representative Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, has said he will protest Trump by refusing to applaud or give him a standing ovation, as is a custom at presidential speeches. (Additional reporting by Richard Cowan, Ayesha Rascoe, Jeff Mason, Emily Stephenson, Doina Chiacu; Editing by Peter Cooney and Frances Kerry)
By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to slash funding for the State Department and foreign aid faces stiff opposition in Congress, which must pass any spending plan, not just from Democrats, but also from many of his fellow Republicans. Trump administration officials said on Monday they sought to increase Pentagon spending and offset that with sharp cuts in other areas. One official familiar with discussions about the State Department budget said the agency could see spending cut by as much as 30 percent. Other officials have speculated that the total cut in the combined budgets of the State Department and the Agency for International Development could be as great as 37 percent. The United States spends just over $50 billion annually on the State Department and foreign assistance, compared to $600 billion or more each year on the Pentagon. But the administration's proposals are just the start of negotiations on a federal budget that must be passed by Congress. Several leading lawmakers said diplomacy and foreign aid, often called "soft power," ensure national security in tandem with military forces and weapons.Asked on Tuesday if the Senate would pass a budget that cuts the State Department budget by a third, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell responded, "probably not." 'DEAD ON ARRIVAL' Senator Lindsey Graham, the Republican chairman of the Senate subcommittee responsible for the State and Foreign Aid budgets, said Trump's idea would be "dead on arrival" in Congress. "It would be a disaster. If you take soft power off the table, then you're never going to win the war. What's most disturbing about the cut in the State Department's budget, it shows a lack of understanding of what it takes to win the war," he said on MSNBC. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain said it was short-sighted to cut diplomacy and aid, even though he wants $640 billion in defense spending, far more than the $604 billion proposed by the White House. "I'm very much opposed," McCain told reporters when asked for his view of proposed State Department and aid cuts. "So many of those programs are very important. They're a popular target, but they're very important." Senator Marco Rubio, a member of both the Senate foreign relations and intelligence committees, noted that foreign aid is a tiny portion of the U.S. budget. "Foreign aid is not charity. We must make sure it is well spent, but it is less than 1% of budget & critical to our national security," he said on Twitter. The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Ben Cardin, said he thought enough members of Congress would oppose such a plan to kill it, even though Republicans have majorities in both houses of Congress and a budget bill would need only a simple majority to pass. Trump was due to set out proposals for his broad agenda in a speech to the U.S. Congress at 9 p.m. on Tuesday (0200 GMT Wednesday). (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by John Walcott and Frances Kerry)
By Chris Prentice

(Reuters) - The White House on Tuesday denied that President Donald Trump planned to issue an executive order to change the national biofuels program, after the U.S. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) said Trump's team had informed the group an order was pending.

Trading in U.S. refinery shares, fuel futures and corn prices was turbulent on the news of the pending order and its subsequent denial, as investors puzzled over what it would mean for the price of gasoline, ethanol and shares of companies that produce them.

The RFA issued a statement early on Tuesday that said a member of the Trump administration had called to inform the group the president intended to sign an executive order that would shift the onus on combining biofuels with gasoline away from refiners. The order would require companies further down the supply chain, such as retailers who sell gasoline, to shoulder that load.

Refiners have long requested this change, saying the biofuels program has hammered their profits.

White House spokeswoman Kelly Love, however, said on Tuesday afternoon "there is no ethanol executive order in the works."

Ethanol and fuel retail groups reacted quickly to the reports. Trumps regulation adviser, billionaire investor Carl Icahn, is majority owner of CVR Energy <CVI.N>, a refining company that would benefit from the change. That stock is up 80 percent since Trump's election in November.

Even after the White House denial, RFA Chief Executive Officer Bob Dinneen stuck by his statement, saying there is "certainly something in the works, but they're not going to confirm it until they are ready to roll with it." He declined to identify who in the Trump administration contacted the association.

"Despite our continued opposition to the move, we were told the executive order was not negotiable," Dinneen said.

The Renewable Fuel Standard requires fuel companies to use increasing amounts of biofuel blended with gasoline and diesel. Former U.S. President Barack Obama expanded the rules, which started under his predecessor, George W. Bush, when gasoline prices were near records.

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Refineries without operations designed to blend biofuels such as ethanol into gasoline have to pay for renewable fuel credits, known as RINs, to meet U.S. environmental standards to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The cost for refiners has increased sharply in the last few years; nine major publicly traded refiners paid $2.5 billion in 2016 for RINs costs, a 78 percent increase from 2015.

Among those that have pushed for the change is Icahn, who holds an 82 percent stake of CVR. That company's shares jumped on Tuesday before paring gains after the White House denial; they ended up 3.5 percent on the day to $22.92 a share, on heavier-than-usual trading volume of 1.7 million shares.

Icahn was unavailable for comment, and CVR declined to comment.

Emily Skor, CEO of biofuel trade group Growth Energy, expressed concern about any role Icahn may have played in planning changes to the program.

"I assure you this is no deal for anyone but Carl Icahn," she said. "If we had been approached with this deal, we would have flat-out rejected it."

Seven Democratic senators, including Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, sent a letter to the White House this month, saying Icahns role as an adviser to Trump created financial conflicts of interest and called for a review.

Shares of U.S. refiner Valero <VLO.N>, which would also benefit from the changes, ended up 1 percent on Tuesday to close at $67.95 a share.

'BACKROOM DEAL'

Biofuel organizations and groups representing fuel retailers and integrated oil companies like the U.S. units of Royal Dutch Shell Plc <RDSa.L> and BP Plc <BP.L> have opposed the change, which they say will complicate managing the program.

One source said the RFA was told the executive order would include incentives for ethanol and biodiesel in a tradeoff for the blending shift.

Those changes could include a waiver to allow greater volumes of ethanol to be blended into gasoline in the summer, a review of how the Environmental Protection Agency estimates emission impacts of biofuels, and support for a congressional tax credit for domestic producers of biodiesel, the source said.

Chicago Board of Trade corn futures <Cc1> ended up about 1.7 percent. CBOT soyoil <BOc1>, which is used for biodiesel, rose 4.8 percent.

Compliance credits used to meet the annual biofuel blending standards traded around 43 cents on Tuesday from 47 cents to 48 cents previously, paring big morning losses.

(Additional reporting by Jarrett Renshaw and Michael Hirtzer, Emily Flitter and Jessica Renick-Ault; Writing by Richard Valdmanis; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Chizu Nomiyama)
The Trump Administration on Monday moved to abandon the effort, begun by the Obama administration and civil rights advocates more than three years ago, to prove that the nations strictest voter ID law is unconstitutional. The Texas law, though, will continue to face that challenge because the rights groups plan to continue it before a federal trial judge in Corpus Christi. A hearing on the constitutional question is set for Tuesday.

The federal governments change of position was a new sign that the civil rights agenda has undergone a major shift with the election victory of President Donald Trump. Although state laws limiting voting rights are being challenged across the nation, the Texas law had gained prominence because of its sweeping breadth. It imposed strict limits on the kinds of photo ID that the challengers argued were simply not available to hundreds of thousands of minority citizens in Texas.

The new administration, in papers due to be filed later today in Corpus Christi, contended that it was voluntarily forfeiting its constitutional claim because the Texas legislature is now considering an alternative measure on voter identification. The situation in the pending case, the motion to dismiss said, is now evolving with the legislature now having the opportunity to rectify any alleged infirmities with its voter identification law.

The Texas law has been ruled to be illegal under the federal Voting Rights Act by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the Supreme Court refused last month to block that decision, although it apparently did so on the premise that the appeal by Texas state officials was premature in a procedural sense. Texas could challenge that aspect of the case in a new appeal, after the Texas trial judge  Nelva Gonzales Ramos  rules on the still-open constitutional question. If she rules that the law is unconstitutional, that issue, too, could return to the Supreme Court, although such a new appeal might be affected if the state legislature actually amends the law to create an exception to the photo ID requirement for poor people, which could mainly benefit minority voters. A somewhat similar exception was used, by agreement of both sides in the case, at the general election last November.

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Although that was only an interim measure, state officials have said that the new proposal now before the legislature is similar and has significant support among legislators and state government officials.

In the papers prepared for court filing, the Trump Administration lawyers based their argument for dismissing their claim of unconstitutionality not upon a changed view about that question, but rather relied upon states rights arguments and the Fifth Circuits suggestion that the state legislature should have the opportunity to enact a less restrictive law that might satisfy constitutional requirements.

It is thus unclear whether, or even if, the Texas case will return to the Supreme Court, and in what form.

The Supreme Court now has pending an appeal by North Carolina officials seeking revival of a photo ID law for voters along with several other limits on voting rights, which were struck down last summer by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The states new governor and attorney general have asked the Supreme Court to let them withdraw that case, but that request is now immersed in a dispute over which officials in state government speak for the state in court. State legislative leaders want to press on with the appeal.

The Trump Administration, under the new vice president, Michael Pence, is now assembling a government task force to investigate claims by President Trump and other White House officials of voter fraud in recent elections nationwide.

Civil rights groups have expressed fears that this new investigation will provide an incentive to state legislatures to adopt new restrictions on voters rights. Those groups insist that voter identification fraud is an isolated problem, if it exists at all.

Legendary journalist Lyle Denniston is Constitution Dailys Supreme Court correspondent. Denniston has written for us as a contributor since June 2011 and has covered the Supreme Court since 1958. His work also appears on lyldenlawnews.com, where this story first appeared.
By Joseph Ax and Karen Freifeld

(Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that a spate of bomb threats against Jewish centers could have been an attempt "to make others look bad," according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who attended a White House meeting with other state law enforcement officials.

Trump's comments as described by Shapiro appeared to suggest that some of the threats may have been manufactured for political reasons. Trump made similar remarks at a news conference earlier this month when asked about acts of discrimination, saying some incidents were created by his opponents to generate negative media coverage.

During a meeting at the White House with dozens of state attorneys general on Tuesday, Trump called the threats "reprehensible," said Shapiro, who summarized the president's remarks during a conference call with reporters.

But Trump then added that "the reverse could be true" and that the incidents could be aimed at making "someone else look bad," said Shapiro, a Democrat.

The president's words came in response to a question about the threats from Shapiro, who said two of his children had to be evacuated from their day school on Monday.

"I found that statement to be a bit curious," Shapiro said, though he declined to speculate about what Trump may have meant.

Sarah Sanders, a White House spokeswoman, said she was not part of Tuesday's meeting, referring to it as a "private conversation," but said the president has always condemned anti-Semitic acts.

"What I do know is the conversations I have had with the president," Sanders said. "He's been extremely clear and extremely consistent on this topic: Any act of violence toward people of the Jewish faith is condemned by this administration."

The discussion came a day after Jewish community centers and schools in at least 13 states reported receiving bomb threats, the fifth such wave this year. The incidents, which Shapiro said now total 100, have alarmed Jewish groups fearful that anti-Semitism is on the rise. No explosives have been found in any of the incidents reported this year.

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The Mississippi attorney general, Democrat Jim Hood, largely confirmed Shapiro's account.

"He kind of said something to the effect, maybe that was an insider job," Hood said. "He said something about, some of the time those situations happen to make another look bad."

Another Democratic attorney general, Oregon's Ellen Rosenblum, said she was "utterly confused" by what Trump meant by "reverse."

"It was a cordial exchange, so nobody followed up," Rosenblum said.

Herbert Slatery, the Republican attorney general from Tennessee, said Trump clearly denounced the threats before engaging in what Slatery described as a "hypothetical."

"I thought it was fairly innocuous," Slatery said.

The president told the attorneys general that he would discuss the threats in his address to Congress on Tuesday night.

Trump did not condemn the threats explicitly until last week, prompting criticism from Jewish leaders for what they viewed as a tepid response.

(Additional reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York and Ayesha Rascoe in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler)
President Donald Trump was well on his way this week to cementing a presidential record for the least-approved first 100 days in American history.

A poll released Sunday night by NBC News and the Wall Street Journal indicated Trump was continuing to face the lowest approval ratings for any incoming president in recent years, with the majority of Americans disapproving of Trump's first few weeks on the job. About 48 percent of those surveyed said they viewed the presidents performance unfavorably, compared to 44 percent who approved of Trumps first 100 days thus far.

The joint survey was conducted from Feb. 18-22 and surveyed 1,000 Americans across the United States. But its results weren't out of the ordinary: Trumps approval ratings have continued to sink to new lows amid ongoing investigations into his presidential campaign's ties to Russian government operatives, as well as his continued Twitter spats with everyone from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-V.t, to the national intelligence community's FBI and CIA.

Trump's first couple of weeks in office have also given way to a massive resistance effort, in part led by "Indivisible," a group working to disrupt GOP town halls in an effort to have their progressive views on issues like health care and financial regulation heard by elected Republican officials. Other polls released in recent weeks indicated the majority of Americans were "embarrassed" by their commander-in-chief, saying he wasn't level-headed and remained unconcerned with everyday Americans.

Trump, a well-known fan of good ratings, has repeatedly dismissed demonstrators organizing across the country and his plummeting approval as "paid protesters" and "fake news," likening his popularity to the election polls indicating former Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton would beat him in the 2016 presidential election.

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"The so-called angry crowd in home districts of some Republicans are actually, in numerous cases, planned out by liberal activists," Trump tweeted Feb. 21. "Sad!"

Despite his administrations attempts to curtail the medias reporting on Trumps ties to Russia, the presidents approval ratings seem to have also taken a hit by new developments in the ongoing scandal. Two days after Trump reportedly asked for the resignation of his national security advisor Mike Flynn  after the Department of Justice found he could be subject to Russian blackmail  Trump tweeted the entire story was simply untrue.

"This Russian connection [nonsense] is merely an attempt to [cover up] the many mistakes made in Hillary Clintons losing campaign," Trump tweeted Feb. 15.

Related Articles
TUNIS (Reuters) - A Tunisian investigative judge has charged six security guards with failing to help tourists under attack during a 2015 massacre at a beach resort claimed by Islamic State, a counter-terrorism official said on Tuesday. The details were revealed after a British inquiry on Tuesday found Tunisian security forces had let down the victims of the 2015 beach hotel shooting, making "deliberate and unjustifiable" delays in their journey to the scene. One gunman killed 30 Britons and eight others at the Tunisian resort, walking nearly two miles on his killing spree before being shot dead by security forces. Islamic State claimed responsibility. Sofian Sliti, a spokesman for judicial counter-terrorism investigations, told Reuters six security guards from the Imperial Hotel had been charged with failing to help people in danger, in a manner that caused their deaths. All six remain free pending investigation, he said. Another 14 people have been arrested in the investigation and another 12 are also under investigation. Concluding a six-week inquest, British Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith criticized Tunisian security forces, saying their response had been "at best shambolic and at worst cowardly". An inquest by Tunisian authorities was also critical of the security forces' response. Tunisian officials said the gunman, a young Tunisian, had trained at jihadist camp in neighboring Libya before returning to carry out the attack. He opened fire on tourists on the beach and made his way through the hotel before he was shot outside. (Reporting by Tarek Amara; writing by Patrick Markey; editing by Andrew Roche)
London (AFP) - The Tunisian police response to the 2015 Sousse beach resort massacre was "at best shambolic, at worst cowardly", the judge investigating the deaths of 30 Britons in the attack said Tuesday.

"Their response could and should have been more effective," judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith said in his conclusions after a series of hearings that began in January.

"The response by the police was at best shambolic, at worst cowardly," he said, adding that the hotel guards were not armed and had no walkie-talkies.

But he said there was no "neglect" by the tour operator TUI because the victims were "not in a dependent position" and said there was "nothing that the hotel might have done before the attack".

Gunman Seifeddine Rezgui killed 38 people, including 30 British tourists and three Irish citizens, in a shooting spree in June 2015 at the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse, Tunisia. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group.

"The simple but tragic truth in this case is that a gunman armed with a gun and grenades went to that hotel intending to kill as many tourists as he could," the judge said.

The British inquest, which is in fact a series of individual inquests into the circumstances of death of each British citizen, is not a trial but the ruling could be used in civil lawsuits.

Some families said they were now planning to sue TUI.

"We will now be preparing to commence civil proceedings against TUI," said lawyer Kylie Hutchinson, whose firm represents most of the victims' families.

"It is now crucial that the whole travel industry learns from what happened in Sousse to reduce the risk of similar catastrophic incidents in the future."

TUI managing director Nick Longman said outside court that everyone had been left "shocked and devastated" by the attack.

"I would like to again extend our deepest sympathy. We are so very sorry for the pain and loss those affected have suffered."

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He said changes had been made so that Foreign Office travel advice was now on almost every page of its website and staff in shops had it to hand to inform customers.

- Little security -

Tunisia's ambassador to Britain, Nabil Ammar, told BBC radio on Tuesday: "The police was not ready as it should be".

"A lot has changed now. Many improvements have been made in terms of security services, security efficiency, security of hotels, the level of general security in the whole country".

Britain's Foreign Office warns against all travel to some border regions of Tunisia and "all but essential travel" to the rest of the country.

Tunisia's economy is heavily dependent on tourism and has repeatedly asked for the warning to be lifted.

Samantha Leek, the main lawyer for the inquest, said at one of the hearings that a report by a Tunisian judge had identified failings by local security which could have ended the attack before more police arrived and killed Rezgui.

"He said the units that should have intervened in the events deliberately and unjustifiably slowed down to delay their arrival at the hotel," she said.

"They had the ability to put an end to the attack before the police arrived but wasted a considerable amount of time in getting to the hotel," she added.

But Ammar said the accusation that the police had deliberately delayed their arrival was "exaggerated and unfair".

A report on security at the hotels by a British embassy staff member conducted in January 2015 was also read out in court during one of the hearings by Andrew Ritchie, a lawyer representing 20 victims' families.

"There seems to be little in the way of effective security to prevent or respond to an attack" from the beach, he quoted the report as saying.
Villognon (France) (AFP) - A policeman providing security for Francois Hollande accidentally fired his gun as the French president was giving a speech, injuring two people in the VIP area of the crowd, an official said.

Hollande was inaugurating part of a high-speed rail line in the southwest of the country when the mishap occurred.

"It was an accidental shot by a police officer which injured two waiters, or at least one waiter and an (event) employee. The injuries aren't life threatening," local government chief Pierre N'Gahane said.

"The bullet grazed one person's calf and then lodged in another person's leg," he said, adding that the victims were in a VIP area next to where Hollande was speaking.

The officer, who was helping to provide security for the president, was standing on an elevated point, N'Gahane said.

He made a "mistake in handling while changing positions", an informed source told AFP.

Video from the incident shows Hollande halting his speech after a bullet shot is heard in the background, with the president saying, "I hope there's nothing serious" and holding his hands up to the crowd.

But a few seconds later he says "I don't think so" and resumes talking about the railway project.

The victims were treated at the scene in a separate area from where the French president was speaking, before being taken away by firemen, who confirmed the injuries were minor.

N'Gahane told reporters that neither victim was in danger and that an investigation had been opened.

Hollande spoke briefly to the two injured guests before departing, N'Gahane said.

This is not the first mishap to occur during one of Hollande's speeches.

While he was running for the presidency a woman threw flour over him as he wrapped up a speech on housing problems, in protest over housing laws not being applied.

A shoe was thrown at him at another event on the campaign trail.

He said such events were "occupational hazards" but his security detail was boosted from two to 14 bodyguards after the flour attack.
By Jonathan Allen NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jewish community centers and schools in at least 13 U.S. states reported receiving bomb threats on Monday, the fifth wave of such threats this year that have stoked fears of a resurgence of anti-Semitism. The threats, all of which appeared to be hoaxes, were received in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia, the JCC Association of North America said. For some centers, it was the second or third time this year they had been targeted. Police in Mercer Island, Washington, also reported a community center was targeted by a bomb threat. "Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in our communities," David Posner, a director at the JCC Association, said in a statement. The San Francisco office of the Anti-Defamation League, a watchdog group that monitors hate groups, received a bomb threat and was evacuated while police investigated, the Anti-Defamation League said in a statement. Jewish groups, President Donald Trump and Israeli officials have condemned the surge in disruptive intimidation, as well as the vandalism of Jewish cemeteries. Police said on Sunday about 100 headstones had been toppled at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, about a week after a Jewish cemetery in St. Louis was vandalized. White House spokesman Sean Spicer raised the subject at a news briefing on Monday. "The president continues to condemn these and any other forms of anti-Semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms," he told reporters, saying they were in breach of the country's founding principles. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department's civil rights division have said they are investigating the threats alongside police, but little information has been made public about any perpetrators. The Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Maryland, and the Gesher Jewish Day School in Fairfax, Virginia, also received telephoned bomb threats, the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington said. Police later gave the all clear. The JCC Association said there were 21 incidents of bomb threats called in to 13 JCCs and eight Jewish day schools on Monday. Some Jewish groups see the vandalism and threats as a sign that anti-Semitic groups have been emboldened by Trump's election. His campaign last year drew the support of white supremacists and other right-wing groups, despite his disavowals of them. (Reporting by Jonathan Allen; Editing by David Gregorio and Jonathan Oatis)
By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday appeared poised to strike down a North Carolina law barring convicted sex offenders from Facebook and other social media services, with justices noting the expansive role such online tools play in today's society. Lester Packingham, a registered sex offender due to a statutory rape conviction, challenged the North Carolina law as a violation of his free speech rights under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. The court heard an hour of oral arguments in Packingham's appeal of his conviction for violating the statute in 2010 when he posted a message on Facebook expressing his surprise at a traffic citation being dismissed. Justice Elena Kagan mentioned Donald Trump's Twitter feed, which he used as a candidate and now as U.S. president, as an example of how social media has become vital in the political sphere. "The president is speaking to the people through this medium," Kagan said. The case, which tested the social media smarts of the notoriously tech-averse justices, is the latest of several in recent years that have explored constitutional rights in the digital age. The North Carolina law, enacted in 2008, makes it a felony for people on the state's sex offender registry to use online services that can lead to social interactions with minors. Leading social media companies like Facebook and Twitter are covered by the law. Opponents of it have raised concerns that the law could be interpreted as covering other online activity in which users must create profiles and can interact with other users. That even could include certain news websites. Packingham was on North Carolina's sex offender list because of his 2002 conviction at age 21 on two counts of statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl. Kagan, the youngest of the justices at 56, appeared to speak for the social media generation as she repeatedly mentioned how central to life online interactions have become in recent years. Her questions indicated concerns that the law was written so broadly that it goes beyond the intended purpose of preventing contact between sex offenders and children. "So whether it's political community, whether it's religious community, I mean, these sites have become embedded in our culture as ways to communicate and ways to exercise our constitutional rights, haven't they?" Kagan asked at one point. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the 83-year-old liberal and the oldest member of the court, appeared to share Kagan's view. "The point is that these people are being cut off from a very large part of the marketplace of ideas. And the First Amendment includes not only the right to speak, but the right to receive information," Ginsburg said. Justice Samuel Alito, a conservative who is 10 years older than Kagan, was more skeptical of people's reliance on social media, saying they can get information from other sources as they did a decade ago. But Alito conceded: "Now, I know there are people who think that life is not possible without Twitter and Facebook and these things, and that 2003 was the Dark Ages." The law does not require proof that the user intended to use a particular service for an illegal purpose. It also exempted chatrooms and photo-sharing sites, which Kagan seemed to find perplexing because that would be where what she called "the most dangerous activity" would take place. Packingham was convicted of violating the law after local police saw the Facebook post he wrote upon avoiding the traffic citation. "Praise be to GOD. WOW! Thanks JESUS," he wrote. Some of the justices over the years have shown a lack of familiarity with cutting-edge technology even as they set legal rules on such issues as police surveillance and intellectual property protections worth billions of dollars. Last week, Justice Sonia Sotomayor referred to popular video-sharing website YouTube as "the You Tube," prompting some amused reactions on Twitter.
By Dustin Volz and Warren Strobel WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The National Security Agency risks a brain-drain of hackers and cyber spies due to a tumultuous reorganization and worries about the acrimonious relationship between the intelligence community and President Donald Trump, according to current and former NSA officials and cybersecurity industry sources. Half-a-dozen cybersecurity executives told Reuters they had witnessed a marked increase in the number of U.S. intelligence officers and government contractors seeking employment in the private sector since Trump took office on Jan. 20. One of the executives, who would speak only on condition of anonymity, said he was stunned by the caliber of the would-be recruits. They are coming from a variety of government intelligence and law enforcement agencies, multiple executives said, and their interest stems in part from concerns about the direction of U.S intelligence agencies under Trump. Retaining and recruiting talented technical personnel has become a top national security priority in recent years as Russia, China, Iran and other nation states and criminal groups have sharpened their cyber offensive abilities. NSA and other intelligence agencies have long struggled to deter some of their best employees from leaving for higher-paying jobs in Silicon Valley and elsewhere. The problem is especially acute at NSA, current and former officials said, due to a reorganization known as NSA21 that began last year and aims to merge the agency's electronic eavesdropping and domestic cyber-security operations. [L2N15N1H4] The two-year overhaul includes expanding parts of NSA that deal with business management and human resources and putting them on par with research and engineering. The aim is to "ensure that we're using all of our resources to maximum effect to accomplish our mission, NSA Director Mike Rogers said. The changes include new management structures that have left some career employees uncertain about their missions and prospects. Former employees say the reorganization has failed to address widespread concerns that the agency is falling behind in exploiting private-sector technological breakthroughs. A former top NSA official said he had been told by three current officials that budget problems meant there was too little money for promotions. That is especially important for younger employees, who sometimes need two jobs to make ends meet in the expensive Washington D.C. area, the official said. "Morale is as low as Ive ever seen it," said another former senior NSA official, who maintains close contact with current employees. Asked about the risk of losing talent from NSA and other agencies, White House spokesman Michael Anton said Trump had sought to reassure the intelligence community by visiting the CIA headquarters on his first full day in office. Anton also pointed to the military spending increase in Trump's budget proposal released on Monday. It will likely take more than a visit to the CIA to patch up relations with the intelligence community, the current and former officials said. Trump has attacked findings from intelligence agencies that Russia hacked emails belonging to Democratic Party operatives during the 2016 presidential campaign to help him win, though he did eventually accept the findings. In January, Trump accused intelligence agencies of leaking false information and said it was reminiscent of tactics used in Nazi Germany. HOW MANY? The breadth of any exodus from the NSA and other intelligence agencies is difficult to quantify. The NSA has "seen a steady rise" in the attrition rate among its roughly 36,000 employees since 2009, and it now sits at a "little less than six percent," according to an NSA spokesman. NSA director Michael Rogers said last year that the attrition rate was 3.3 percent in 2015, suggesting a sharp jump in departures since then. Several senior NSA officials who have left or plan to leave, including deputy director Richard Ledgett and the head of cyber defence, Curtis Dukes, have said their departures were unrelated to Trump or the reorganization. Some turnover is normal with any new administration, government and industry officials noted, and a stronger economy has also improved pay and prospects in the private sector. "During this time the economy has been recovering from the recession, unemployment rates have been falling and the demand for highly skilled technical talent has been increasing," an NSA spokesman said, when asked to comment on the reports of employee departures. In a statement, Kathy Hutson, NSA's chief of human resources, said the agency continues "to attract amazing talent necessary to conduct the security mission the nation needs." CONTROVERSIAL BOSS Some NSA veterans attribute the morale issues and staff departures to the leadership style of Rogers, who took over the spy agency in 2014 with the task of dousing an international furore caused by leaks from former contractor Edward Snowden. Concern about Rogers reached an apex last October, when former Defense Secretary Ash Carter and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper recommended to then-President Barack Obama that Rogers be removed. [L1N1DK0NG] The NSA did not respond to a request for comment on the recommendation last fall that Rogers be replaced. Rogers is now expected to retain his job at NSA for at least another year, according to former officials. Rogers acknowledged concerns about potential morale problems last month, telling a congressional committee that Trump's broadsides against the intelligence community could create "a situation where our workforce decides to walk." Trump's criticism of the intelligence community has exacerbated the stress caused by the reorganization at the NSA, said Susan Hennessey, a former NSA lawyer now with Brookings Institution. The "tone coming from the White House makes an already difficult situation worse, by eroding the sense of common purpose and service," she said. A wave of departures of career personnel, Hennessey added, "would represent an incalculable loss to national security." (Reporting by Dustin Volz and Warren Strobel; Additional reporting by John Walcott and Jonathan Landay; Editing by Jonathan Weber and Ross Colvin)
By all accounts, former U.S. President Barack Obama had a stellar start to his retirement (you just cant beat lounging on a billionaires private island, kitesurfing and kick-boarding). But now a chorus of people are calling him back from retirement to to run again for presidentof France.

Amid a heated presidential election season in France, campaign posters for Obama began popping up around Paris with the slogan Oui, on peut, or Yes we can  his famous 2008 presidential campaign slogan.

The movement started as a joke between a group of friends but its gained a conspicuous amount of momentum since then. Now the campaign even has its own website. We want to strike a blow by electing a foreign president to govern our beautiful country, the website says. It also has a petition to garner support for his candidacy thats already received over 42,000 signatures.

Now is a time when France is about to give a massive vote to the extreme right, so we can give a lesson in democracy to the planet by electing a French president who is a foreigner, the website says.

Its referring to Marine Le Pen: The insurgent far-right, anti-immigrant, and potentially Russia-backed candidate who has surged in the polls ahead of the election. Frances divided left and center-right blocs have struggled to block Le Pens rise amid a growing wave of anti-establishment movements across Europe.

The Obama nostalgia may be a reflection of voter disgust with the field of candidates. Le Pen is embroiled in scandal over allegedly misappropriating campaign funds through a fake EU parliament contract and center-right candidate Francois Fillon is accused of siphoning 1 million euros of parliamentary money to his wife and children. Meanwhile, centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron is being dogged by rumors of an extramarital affair and French President Francois Hollande of the Socialist Party had to bow out of reelection after his approval rating dipped to a dismal 4 percent late last year. Yikes.

Despite lagging poll numbers at home at times, Obama maintained widespread popularity in Europe, particularly in France after his visit to Paris in the wake of the citys deadly terror attacks in November, 2015.

Obama hasnt yet responded to his unsolicited presidential campaign. But since French law prohibits foreigners from leading the country, he wont be able to take up that particular hobby in his retirement.

Photo credit: MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images
Prague (AFP) - Nearly three decades after it helped topple communist totalitarian regimes in Eastern Europe, US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is challenging Moscow again, this time with a new 24-hour TV news channel in Russian.

Officially launched in Prague this month, the "Current Time" channel targets an audience of more than 270 million people, mostly in the former Soviet area, with news and views that provide an alternative to the Kremlin's version of reality as channelled through state-controlled media.

The new channel's launch comes as relations between Moscow and the West have hit their lowest point since the Cold War, triggered by Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and its military campaign in Syria a year later.

Suspicions also linger in the West about the extent to which the Kremlin may be using the internet and other means to spread fake news that could boost the popularity of pro-Russian politicians, thereby destabilising NATO and the European Union.

Moscow has been quick to denounce the new channel, with prominent Kremlin-appointed talk show host Dmitry Kiselyov -- known as Russia's chief spin doctor -- labelling it a scam.

It's "mostly money laundering under the guise of fighting Russian propaganda," he said on Russian state TV last week, without elaborating or offering any proof of fraud.

RFE/RL, which reaches 23 countries in 26 languages, has launched the venture jointly with the Washington-based Voice of America.

As the official US international broadcaster, VOA targets more than 236 million people a week in more than 45 languages.

- 'Need for objective news' -

For decades, the stations fought a key ideological battle for the West during the Cold War.

Banned across the communist bloc, the stations regularly had their signal jammed by various regimes, but people behind the Iron Curtain still managed to listen in secret to broadcasts that inspired them to oppose totalitarian rule.

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Current Time executive editor Kenan Aliyev told AFP the new station, known as Nastoyashcheye Vremya in Russian, has similar aims to win viewers in Vladimir Putin's Russia.

"Our ambition is to gain the audience in this important region which has lately been bombarded by a lot of disinformation, lies and propaganda," he said.

"We feel there is a need for objective news and we will try to provide this type of service to our audience."

Current Time programming ranges from breaking news to business, documentaries and even cooking shows. Coverage of issues like poverty, corruption and healthcare also features prominently.

Some programmes focus specifically on the Baltic states, Moldova and Ukraine, all under Moscow's thumb during Soviet times and now home to significant ethnic Russian populations.

The station broadcasts via satellite, cable and the internet from Prague, where RFE/RL has been based since its 1995 move from Munich.

"Most importantly, we do social media and digital coverage for audiences that are particularly hard to reach, like those in Russia," Current Time director Daisy Sindelar told AFP.

- Riga: a hub for independent media -

Conceived during the administration of former US president Barack Obama who took a firm line against Moscow over Crimea, the station officially launched its around-the-clock broadcasts under US President Donald Trump, known for his seemingly pro-Moscow stance.

RFE/RL President Thomas Kent says that while the US Congress has approved funding for "decades", he told AFP that possible federal cost-cutting under the billionaire reality TV star-turned-president could affect programming.

Current Time's operating budget for this year is $10 million (9.5 million euros).

"We hope that the uniqueness of what we do will help preserve our funding," Kent told AFP.

Similar channels that operate free of Kremlin control include the BBC's Russian language service, which is setting up a new bureau in Riga, the Latvian capital.

Ethnic Russians make up a quarter of Latvia's population of two million people. Authorities in Riga are concerned Moscow is trying to target the country's largest minority with propaganda designed to destabilise the Baltic NATO and EU state.

Last April, Latvia banned broadcasts by the Russian-language Rossiya RTR TV channel for six months, claiming it had incited hatred and made anti-Ukrainian statements.

Latvian state broadcaster LTV has a Russian-language TV and radio station as well as a news website to draw ethnic Russians away from almost exclusively pro-Kremlin media beamed in from Russia.

Riga has also recently become a hub for independent Russian media who have trouble operating in Russia itself, including the Meduza website run by former journalists from the Russian news site Lenta.ru.

Estonia's public broadcaster ERR has also created three Russian-language media outlets.

According to a 2016 TNS Emor poll, the stations, including ETV, ETV2 and ETV+, captured an audience of around 20 percent of ethnic Russians who account for a quarter of Estonia's 1.3 million people.
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Russia and the United States were headed for a clash at the UN Security Council on Tuesday as Moscow prepared to veto a draft resolution that would impose sanctions on Syria.

The council will vote on a text drafted by the United States, Britain and France that would put 11 Syrians and 10 entities linked to chemical attacks in 2014 and 2015 on a UN blacklist.

Russia has vowed to use its veto to block the measure, which would mark the seventh time that Moscow has resorted to its veto power to shield its Damascus ally.

"In terms of sanctions against the Syrian leadership, I think that now they are completely inappropriate," Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday at a press conference in Kyrgyzstan.

"This would not help the negotiation process but would only interfere or undermine confidence," Putin said, adding that Russia "will not support any new sanctions in relation to Syria."

The vote scheduled for 11:30 am (1630 GMT) would mark the first major council action by the new US administration of President Donald Trump, who is seeking warmer ties with Russia.

British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said the three countries were united in the view that those responsible for chemical weapons use must be held accountable.

Support for the resolution will send a "strong, clear message... that the international community means business on preventing the use of these abhorrent weapons," Rycroft said.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley was in Washington on Monday to join Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for a White House lunch.

"How much longer is Russia going to continue to babysit and make excuses for the Syrian regime?" she said on Friday following a closed-door council meeting on Syria.

"People have died by being suffocated to death. That's barbaric."

The vote would see the Trump administration joining old allies France and Britain to confront Russia over its support for Syria.

Story continues

"We are very pleased that the new American administration has confirmed it shares completely our view on this and so we are ready to move forward," said French Ambassador Francois Delattre.

Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov said Friday that Moscow would veto the measure because it was "one-sided" and based on "insufficient proof."

The Syrian government has repeatedly denied using chemical weapons in the war that has killed 310,000 people since March 2011.

- Punishing those behind chlorine attacks -

The vote comes as UN-brokered talks in Geneva to end the war in Syria were struggling to get off the ground while government air strikes continued, despite a ceasefire.

The draft resolution follows a UN-led investigation which concluded in October that the Syrian air force had dropped chlorine barrel-bombs from helicopters on three opposition-held villages in 2014 and 2015.

The joint panel of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) also found that Islamic State jihadists used mustard gas in an attack in 2015.

Under the measure, 11 Syrians, mostly military officials, and 10 entities linked to chemical weapons development would be placed on a UN sanctions blacklist, hit by a global travel ban and assets freeze.

The draft resolution would also ban the sale, supply or transfer of helicopters and related materiel, including spare parts, to the Syrian armed forces or the government.

The UN-OPCW panel had identified the Syrian air force units who dropped chlorine barrel-bombs on the villages of Qmenas, Talmenes and Sarmin in 2014 and 2015.

The head of Syrian air force intelligence, Major General Jamil Hassan, and Major General Saji Jamil Darwish, the commander of Syrian air force operations during the attacks on the villages, are among those on the proposed blacklist.

The United States last month imposed sanctions on 18 senior Syrian military officers and officials over the use of chemical weapons.

Chlorine use as a weapon is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013 under pressure from Russia.
Mexico City (AFP) - Mexico will walk away from talks on revamping the North American Free Trade Agreement if US President Donald Trump slaps tariffs on Mexican-made goods, the economy minister says.

"The moment that they say, 'We're going to put a 20 percent tariff on cars,' I get up from the table," said Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo.

"Bye-bye," he added in an interview with Bloomberg News published Monday.

The comments ratchet up Mexico's threats to boycott a renegotiation of its 1994 trade deal with the United States and Canada if Trump insists on hardline changes.

Trump has repeatedly trashed NAFTA as part of a tough stance on trade that has included threats to slap tariffs on imports from Mexico.

He has also floated tariffs as a way to pay for his plan to build a wall on the Mexican border, which he argues is needed to stop undocumented immigrants and drug trafficking.

Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray said Friday that Mexico will retaliate in kind if Trump slaps tariffs on goods made south of the border.

Bilateral trade between Mexico and the United States amounts to half a trillion dollars a year, and some 80 percent of Mexican exports go to the United States.

But Trump has said America's $60 billion trade deficit with Mexico proves NAFTA was a bad deal.
Red-hot, sparkling lava is shooting into the sky in eastern Sicily.

Italy's Mount Etna volcano first became active on Jan. 23 and has experienced a series of eruptions ever since. The latest lava-spewing event began on Monday evening.

SEE ALSO: India's only active volcano is back from the dead after 150 years

In the video below, posted by Storyful, orange explosions of lava are seen spewing from the southeast crater.

Residents in the nearby cities of Catania and Toarmina could see the lava show in the distance. Authorities reported no dangers to communities along the mountains slopes, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

At 10,900 feet high, Mount Etna is Europe's largest active volcano. The "stratavolcano" has a conical shape and is made from many layers of hardened lava, tephra, pumice and volcanic ash.

This Sicilian landmark also has one of the world's longest documented records of historical eruptions, dating back to at least 1,500 B.C.E. Smaller bursts have occurred regularly in recent years, though the last major event was in 1992.

Plumes of smoke and ash erupt from Mount Etna on Oct. 30, 2002.

Image: ISS/NASA/Getty Images

During that eruption, as lava threatened to overtake a Sicilian village, U.S. marines lent a hand during the aptly named Operation Volcano Buster. A team flew helicopters over Etna and dropped concrete blocks at the edge of the lava tunnel to plug the hole.

The marines apparently didn't sweat it.

"Everything is easier when no one is shooting at you," Comdr. John Carpenter of the Navy told the New York Times from Sicily in 1992.

Luckily, no soldiers were needed this time around.
Days after the release of his annual letter to shareholders with the company he took over in the mid-1960s, billionaire investor Warren Buffett offered an optimistic view of the future of the financial sector in an interview on CNBCs Squawk Box early Monday morning.

We are not in bubble territory, he said, referring to the stock markets tendency to overvalue certain industries or products in the form of rapidly escalating share prices, only for them to bottom out, to mass panic. Youd be making a terrible mistake if you stay out of a game you think is going to be very over-time because you think you can pick a better time to enter.

Read on for the highlights of Buffetts CNBC Q&A, including his opinions on Trump, taxes and the newspaper industry.

On President Donald Trump

I will judge President Trump, after four years, based, number one, on how safe the country has been kept. That is the number one of the chief executive of the United States. And that's not an easy job, Buffett told CNBC, clarifying that nuclear weapons were his number one worry. Secondly Ill judge him, to a degreealthough they have less control over this, they need a little luck on weapons of mass destruction tooon how the economy does overall, and then third, Ill judge him on how, if the economy does well, which I expect it to do, how wide the participation in thatin a better economyextends.

On the newspapers with an assured future

Buffett said the New York Times and the Wall Street Journaland, maybe, the Washington Post, thanks to its Amazon buyoutwere the only two papers guaranteed long-term survival, as they have developed an online presence that people will pay for.

"If you look, there are 1,300 daily newspapers left in the United States. [Berkshire Hathaway owns] 31 of them. There were 1,700 or 1,800 not too long ago," he said. "Now, you've got the internet. Aside from the ones I mentioned, 1,400 or 1,300 of them haven't figured out a way to make the digital model complement the print model."

Story continues

On Republicans tax proposals

The origin of the so-called Buffett rule, which would apply a minimum tax rate of 30 percent to individuals making $1 million or more annually, Buffett had a few words for Republicans tax overhaul plans.

"I think they will end up going for something not as dramatic as they might even like to do because they simply don't want to spend the time and the political capital getting it done," he said. "You've got some master legislators in [Senate Majority Leader Mitch] McConnell and [House Speaker Paul] Ryan that will be handling things so as to get as much as possible of what they would like through I just have a feeling when the Treasury secretary says we're trying to have this by August or something, you're not going to get a really 1986-type overhaul or a 1954-type overhaul or a 1969-type overhaul in that kind of a time period.

On long-term bonds

"It absolutely baffles me who buys a 30-year bond," Buffett said. "The idea of committing your money at roughly 3 percent for 30 years ... doesn't make any sense to me."

On Wells Fargos customer fraud

In a scathing critique of the banks recent scandal, in which its employees were pushed to create millions of fake accounts charging customers with fees they often didnt know about, Buffett said Wells Fargo shouldve acted much sooner.

"They made a huge mistake. The huge mistake wasn't necessarily the dumb incentive system. The problem was they didn't do something about it until they learned about it," he said. I keep preaching to our guys: If you see a problem, attack it immediately.

On investors fees

"You don't get better [at investing] because you charge a lot. That does not make you a better judge of securities or anything like that," he said, adding that hedge fund managers compensation structurea management fee equal to 2 percent of the total asset value and another 20 percent fee on profits earnedborders on obscene.

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Warren Buffett sees The New York Times (ticker: NYT) and The Wall Street Journal as the only two newspapers to definitely make it through a rough financial period for the industry.

Citing their online paywalls, he said the two companies have an "assured future."

"If you look, there are 1,300 daily newspapers left in the United States. (Berkshire Hathaway has) 31 of them," the Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B) chairman and CEO told CNBC Monday. "There were 1,700 or 1,800 not too long ago. Now, you've got the internet. Aside from the ones I mentioned, 1,400 or 1,300 of them haven't figured out a way to make the digital model complement the print model."

Buffett adds that The Washington Post could also outlast the industry's struggles. Amazon.com (AMZN) CEO Jeff Bezos purchased the newspaper in 2013.

Berkshire Hathaway's media investments include the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia, The Press of Atlantic City in New Jersey and the Tulsa World in Oklahoma. In addition to 31 daily newspapers, Berkshire Hathaway also has 47 paid weekly newspapers plus 32 print and online products.

The state of newspapers has been in flux for some time, as the decline in print advertising revenue compounded with the fight for digital advertising growth has created financial difficulty. In some cases, the damage seems irreparable.

Aside from financial difficulties, the media contends with the disdain of President Donald Trump, who often critiques the industry. Fortune notes the White House even blocked certain news outlets from attending a press briefing last week. The New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet told CNN Sunday each Trump tweet increases subscriptions. Subscriptions to the legacy outlet have skyrocketed post-election.

Polls have varied in recent weeks as to whom the public trusts more. An Emerson College poll found a small majority of registered voters (49 percent) felt the Trump administration was truthful compared to just 39 percent who saw the media as truthful. A more recent Quinnipiac University poll found people put their trust in the media more than Trump.

Story continues

How 8 CEOs Reacted to Donald Trump's Immigrant Ban

8 of the Most Incredible Investments of the 21st Century

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.
The Polish government and the leadership of the European Union are, at present, displeased with each other.

Last December, EU warnings aside, Polands ruling Law and Justice party took over its constitutional tribunal, refusing to seat judges appointed by the previous government and instead putting in place only its own selections. The European Commission then gave the Polish government a late February deadline to implement measures to protect rule of law and the independence of the constitutional court. On Feb. 20, Poland dismissed those concerns and otherwise ignored the deadline. (It is able to do this because Hungary, its illiberal brother in European arms, has promised to block any sanctions against Poland.)

But the Law and Justice party (PiS) was not content to openly defy the leadership of the European Union. If certain reports are to be believed, it is also looking to overtake it.

EU member states will vote next week on the reelection of EU Council president  and former Polish prime minister  Donald Tusk. But the current prime minister, Beata Szydlo reportedly made efforts on Monday to rally EU member states around a different Pole  Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, a member of the EU parliament.

The current Polish government, which defeated Tusks party in 2015 elections, has said it wont support Tusks reelection. And it appears bent on opposing the imposition of EU standards on Poland. This is perhaps both because the Law and Justice Party leadership considers Tusk a political enemy domestically, and also because it wants to remain in the EU without listening to Brussels on Polish affairs  even if those affairs run counter to EU law, like failure to maintain an independent judiciary.

But Law and Justice is not just tussling with Tusk. Polands foreign minister, Witold Waszczykowski told the European Commissions representative in Poland, Marek Prawda, that he is working against Polish interests. Prawda had been Polands representative to the European Commission until Law and Justice came in and fired him  and which point the European Commission hired him to represent its interests in Poland.

As Poland is an EU member state, one would think that those interests are compatible. But clearly, with Tusks likely reelection less than two weeks away, that is not the case.

Photo credit: WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Washington (AFP) - China's top diplomat wrapped up his first set of meetings in President Donald Trump's Washington on Tuesday satisfied that no breakdown in ties is imminent.

The newly elected US president initially caused consternation in Beijing by flirting with Taiwan, calling into question US support for the One China policy and threatening a trade war.

But he has since walked back his comments on One China, and Washington and Beijing are in talks about a Trump visit to build ties with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Both the State Department and the Chinese embassy said State Councilor Yang Jiechi, China's top foreign affairs official, had had a successful visit.

He was greeted by Trump on Monday after talks with senior White House officials and sat down with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday.

Afterward, the Chinese embassy issued a statement saying Tillerson had expressed a willingness to set a "positive tone" in relations between the two powers.

And it said China is willing to join the United States in upholding the principle of "non-conflict and mutual respect" in relation to each other's "core interests."

State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Yang had invited Tillerson to visit Beijing and that the US envoy hoped to take him up "in the near future."

The pair "discussed the importance of improving and maintaining a mutually beneficial economic relationship between the two largest economies in the world."

Toner said Tillerson also raised US concerns about North Korea. Washington hopes Beijing will help it rein in Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A presidential address to Congress is always part policy speech, part political theater. With President Donald Trump, a former reality TV star, there's extra potential for drama as he makes his first address to Congress.

After a chaotic start to his presidency, Trump will be trying to project his administration as ready to stride forward on top priorities such as changes to President Barack Obama's health care law and a tax overhaul. Congressional Democrats, in turn, will be trying to calibrate how strongly to oppose the Republican president in the staid setting of the House chamber, where manners still matter.

Some things to watch for Tuesday night:

PRE-GAME

Which members of Congress will arrive hours early to stake out seats on the center aisle of the House chamber for Trump's big entrance? Expect core Trump supporters to try to line the aisle. But will some of the Democrats' traditional aisle-huggers continue to angle for prime seats, then make a point of passing up a handshake with the president? Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat who has often positioned herself on the aisle for presidential addresses, does not plan on shaking Trump's hand, according to her office.

THE ROBED ONES

Check out which Supreme Court justices show up this year. Samuel Alito, part of the court's conservative contingent, hasn't gone since he was caught on camera during the 2010 State of the Union address shaking his head and mouthing "not true" when Obama criticized a Supreme Court decision. Clarence Thomas, who has also stayed away in recent years, said in 2010 that the addresses had become so partisan that "it's very uncomfortable for a judge to sit there." Could this be a year for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who leads the court's liberal wing, to opt out? She criticized Trump in interviews before his election but later said she regretted making "ill-advised" comments in which she dismissed Trump as a "faker" who "really has an ego." She went to every one of Obama's speeches (but dozed off in 2015 when, she said, she "wasn't 100 percent sober.")

Story continues

FOCUS FACTOR

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer is promising Trump's speech will be "an optimistic vision for the country, crossing traditional lines of party, race, socio-economic status." Trump has demonstrated that he can stick to a script for high-profile speeches. But there's always interplay between presidents and legislators in such addresses, and even a few presidential ad libs could change the dynamics of the night. If Trump veers into talk about "fake news," and "criminal leaks" from intelligence officials and complaints about the courts blocking his executive order on immigration, that would distract from his effort to show more discipline and focus.

WHITHER KUMBAYA?

Spicer says he expects Trump to get "a very robust and applause-filled reception" from legislators. But dozens of Democratic legislators boycotted Trump's inauguration. And now, they have to decide how to receive the president in their own chambers. Will they applaud the GOP president? Will the decorum of the moment be pierced with boos and heckles? Some of that may be choreographed in advance, but there's always the chance of spontaneous outbursts. In 2009, Republican Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina blurted out "You lie!" during an Obama speech to Congress on health care. Expect to see lots of white in the crowd: Democratic women in the House planned to wear white to honor women's suffrage and "stand in solidarity with the women of our nation."

DETAILS, PLEASE

Republicans in Congress are getting impatient for more detail on Trump's plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and to undertake sweeping tax changes. Trump on Monday called the health care law a "complicated issue" and promised to give states "the flexibility they need to make the end result really, really good for them." The speech is a prime opportunity for Trump to go beyond such generalities, but aides say not to expect a "legislative walkthrough."

LOOKING UP

The action won't all be on the floor of the House. The galleries in the House balcony will offer another tier of commentary. Democratic members of Congress have invited immigrants, foreigners and people who have benefited from the Obama health-care law to be seated in the galleries as their guests. And first lady Melania Trump has invited special guests to sit in her box who are likely to telegraph different messages.

TWITTERAMA

No need to wait for the speech to end to get political commentary. Based on past presidential addresses to Congress, expect legislators to be live tweeting their reactions to what they view as the best and worst of it. And there's always the potential for Trump himself to amplify  or scramble  his own message with presidential tweets before and after the fact. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R.-Kentucky, said he's hoping for a "tweet-free" message from Trump.

COUNTER PROGRAMMING

Expect both official and informal counterprogramming. Former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, who helped expand health care coverage in his state under Obama's health care law, will deliver the Democrats' response to Trump's address. And immigration activist Astrid Silva, who came to the U.S. illegally when she was 5, will offer the party's Spanish-language response. Before Trump's speech, opponents of the president planned a "resistance address" and rally at Lafayette Park across from the White House, with Rosie O'Donnell as a headliner. She and Trump have been feuding for years.

___

Follow Nancy Benac on Twitter at http://twitter.com/nbenac
As Iraqi forces advance on ISIS' last urban stronghold in the country, the US-led coalition continues to strike the terrorist group in Syria to support its various allies in the fight there.

In a Feb. 17 strike, seen below in footage provided by the US Defense Department, coalition aircraft struck an ISIS-held building near Al Bab, a town in northwest Syria.

The strike was one of 15 in Syria that day, but it was the only one near Al Bab. According to an Operation Inherent Resolve release issued the next day, the strike near the city targeted an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.

Days later, on Feb. 23, Turkish-backed forces retook the town from ISIS fighters after a long and bloody fight that led to the deaths of dozens of fighters and hundreds of civilians, requiring Turkey to triple the size of its original detachment.

The Turkish victory in Al Bab is likely to further strain US-Turkey cooperation in Syria, according to The Washington Post. The US had, at first, backed a Kurdish-led force to retake the town, which sits 15 miles south of the Syria-Turkey border. The government in Ankara views those Kurdish fighters as terrorists.

afp suicide bomber kills 29 near syria town taken from is monitor

Turkey's advance on Al Bab is also intended to prevent Kurds in Syria from linking the territories they hold east and west of the town and creating an autonomous zone in northern Syria.

Turkey's grip on Al Bab and the area around it may be tenuous, however. An ISIS suicide attack nearby on Friday killed 29 people, leaving a large number wounded and destroying two rebel command posts.

Efforts to reach a peaceful end of the fighting in Syria have been bogged down for some time.

Amid the ongoing killing in Syria itself, a UN envoy at talks in Geneva issued orders banning mobile phones, recording devices, and "offensive language" to government and opposition negotiators in an effort to ease the fractious environment at peace talks.

Story continues

Al Qaeda's former Syria branch, Fateh al-Sham, claimed on Friday that suicide bombings in Homs over the weekend were a message to opposition representatives in Geneva to "step aside."

assad putin russia syria

Fateh al-Sham has been excluded from the opposition committee in Switzerland and said the bombings in Homs were "just one episode in a series that will follow."

Russia, a stalwart ally of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, has also thwarted resolutions against the Syrian government at the UN.

Vladimir Putin said a draft resolution issued by Western powers meant to sanction Syrian government leaders over their alleged use of chemical weapons was "inappropriate" and that Russia would not support it.

While the US presence in Syria has been limited, demands by President Donald Trump for a new strategy to "obliterate" ISIS may ultimately require more US troops on the ground in the war-torn country.

US military officials have stressed that any new US initiative against the terrorist group and others like it would not be solely a military one.

"This is a political-military plan," Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Thursday. "It is not a military plan."

NOW WATCH: 'There have been times where we have differed': Trudeau reacts to Trump's travel ban during a joint conference





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By Jeffrey Heller JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was criticized on Tuesday by Israel's main government watchdog over what it said was a lack of preparation and cabinet consultation over a network of Hamas tunnels that confounded the military in the 2014 Gaza war. Political commentators did not expect the report, released by State Comptroller Joseph Shapira on the government's and military's handling of several aspects of the 50-day conflict, to seriously weaken the prime minister's grip on power. But the findings pose another challenge for Netanyahu as he tries to maintain an image as an indispensable leader and important player on the international stage amid ongoing criminal investigations into suspected abuse of power, an allegation he rejects. The long-awaited report accused Netanyahu and his defense and intelligence chiefs of failing, prior to the war, to make his security cabinet - which formulates strategies and approves military action - aware in a timely fashion of the strategic threat they knew the Hamas tunnel network presented. "Significant and necessary information that the cabinet ministers required in order to make their best decisions ... was not brought before the ministers in a satisfactory manner in the discussions that preceded the (war)," the report said. In response, Netanyahu said on Facebook that "the tunnel threat was presented in detail to the security cabinet in 13 separate sessions and was discussed in all its severity while examining all of the strategic and operational scenarios". The report also pointed a finger at the Israeli military, saying it had failed to prepare a proper and detailed strategy to destroy the tunnels and had improvised ways to deal with them only as the fighting progressed. Hamas fighters used the tunnel network to move between positions in the Gaza Strip and attack Israeli soldiers during the conflict and to mount cross-border raids into southern Israel. Israel said its military engineers unearthed and destroyed 32 tunnels during the war. Israel has since begun construction of an underground barrier along the frontier with the Gaza Strip that is meant to block such passages, defense and political sources said. According to Gaza health officials, 2,100 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were killed in 50 days of fighting. Israel put the number of its dead at 67 soldiers and six civilians. (Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
March 1 is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of 2017s Lent season, a 40-day period dedicated to reflection, prayer and fasting ahead of Easter.

On Ash Wednesday, Catholics and many other Christians will have ashes applied to their foreheads in the shape of a cross. People generally wear the ashes  which symbolize penance, mourning and mortality  throughout the day to publicly express their faith and penance.

The ashes used on Ash Wednesday are made from the burning of palms blessed in the previous years Palm Sunday celebration, when Christians carry palms to recognize the Gospels reference to Jesuss path being covered in palm fronds on the day he entered Jerusalem. On Palm Sunday, churches bless and hand out palm fronds that come from distributors in tropical and subtropical climates, according to Catholic Online. In the U.S., many palm suppliers, based primarily in Florida, Texas, California and other warm parts of the country, provide fresh palms to nearly 18,000 Catholic parishes before Palm Sunday, Catholic Online reported. Church-goers wave the palm leaves to mark the feast day that begins Holy Week.

The following year, the fronds are burned to create the ashes for Ash Wednesday. The ashes are usually mixed with Holy Water or oil, and carry the scent of incense.

Those observing Lent will typically fast on Ash Wednesday by eating only one large meal or two small meals that do not contain any meat. Many Catholics will also give up something or adjust an ingrained habit during the 40 days before Easter.
Washingtons focus has been consumed of late by the almost daily, worrisome revelations about lack of interagency process on important foreign policy decisions; opposing messages transmitted by the president, his political advisors, the vice president, and Cabinet secretaries; and significant actions taken seemingly without the input of the secretary of state or the State Department more generally.

Its certainly enough to chew on, but mostly lost amid all the navel-gazing and churn is the worrying crush of serious foreign-policy issues that deserve far more attention than theyve been getting from the Trump administration, whose seeming absence raises real questions about U.S. leadership and engagement. The list of issues in the inbox is long, as it always is, but a few are worth highlighting.

The six year-old Syrian civil war has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions. A recent Amnesty International report detailed the gruesome and regular execution of prisoners in Bashar al-Assads jails, with up to 13,000 people reportedly having been summarily executed. And while a Russia-Turkey agreed ceasefire is nominally in place, the brutal tactics of the Assad regime and its Russian and Iranian backers continue to lie in wait.

Against this grim backdrop, the dogged U.N. special envoy, Staffan de Mistura, has started political talks on ending the conflict in Geneva this week, the first such movement in 10 months. Both de Mistura and U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres have set deliberately low expectations for any breakthrough in this round of talks, but their task is assuredly more challenging given the uncertainties around the U.S. position on the Syria conflict under the Trump administration. U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Michael Ratney is in Geneva for the talks this week, but it is clear that the United States has, at least for now, pulled back from a leadership role in trying to drive diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. As de Mistura said last week: Where are the United States? I cant tell you, because I dont know. One thing Im missing at the moment in order to have a clear equation  is a clear U.S. strategy.

In South Sudan, another country ravaged by a brutal and senseless civil war, the United Nations declared a famine in certain parts of the country last week, stating that 100,000 people are at risk of starvation and up to a million more in danger of sliding into the same grim fate. U.N. agencies made a plea for unimpeded humanitarian access across South Sudan, something the government has blocked for several years. The United States to date is the largest humanitarian donor to South Sudan, but determined, strong U.S. leadership is needed to prod South Sudans leaders, to work with key regional actors like Ethiopia, to cajole other donors to commit funds to address this massive crisis, and to use the Security Council and other venues to keep up the political pressure on South Sudans government.

To be fair, the United States called for a Security Council discussion last week, and the State Department dutifully issued a press statement expressing the grave concern of the United States about the famine declaration. But as my Shadow Government colleague Reuben Brigety recently noted, we as of yet have no sense of where and how the Trump administration will engage on Africa issues. With millions of people potentially at risk of starvation in South Sudan (as well as Yemen, Nigeria, and Somalia  which the U.N. warns are also at risk of famine), the world cannot afford an abdication of the traditionally strong leadership role Washington has played in the short life of South Sudan, or more broadly on humanitarian issues.

Close by, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, recent reports and video footage surfaced, suggesting that armed forces had summarily executed a number of civilians. The U.S. response, again, came in the form of a brief statement from the State Department acting press secretary expressing deep concern. Interestingly, the statement also called on the government of the DRC to work with international organizations to launch an immediate investigation, and to ensure accountability for the alleged acts. It is, of course, unclear to what extent the United States will continue to engage with those international organizations that could play such a role, in particular the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. But more fundamentally, given that the State Department has been largely sidelined thus far in the Trump administration, lacks senior staff, and has yet to hold a single press briefing, a statement issued from the acting press secretarys office seems unlikely to hold much sway with the DRC government, and can hardly bring much comfort to victims families.

The United Nations last week also sounded the alarm bells, once again, about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen, warning that 7 million people may be at risk of starvation and raising the specter of a possible famine in that country. Three years in, Yemens civil war grinds on, and the diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, led through an able U.N. special envoy, have stalled. As Jon Finer encouraged a few weeks ago, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson could make an early diplomatic mark by putting his shoulder to the wheel of the stalled efforts to put an end to Yemens civil war. Thus far, though, the Trump administration has focused instead on vague but ominous sounding warnings to Iran (putting it on notice) and signing off on a risky and unsuccessful raid that led to the death of one American Navy SEAL and several Yemeni civilians. As on Syria, the administration has thus far signaled a heavy emphasis on the separate but related counterterrorism efforts in Yemen, but it has yet to lay down markers with respect to what role, if any, it might play in helping to end Yemens brutal civil war. In the meantime, Yemens civilians remain desperate and U.N. officials are left to gamely sound alarm bells, hoping they dont continue to fall on deaf ears.

This list of crisis hot spots is hardly all-inclusive. Theres the brutal, months-long military assault in Myanmars Rakhine state that killed hundreds of people and caused tens of thousands of others to flee to Bangladesh; dire food insecurity in Nigeria and Somalia; the Iraqi militarys Mosul offensive, which could cause serious humanitarian challenges; and more.

This brief rundown provides a sense of the real-life events that continue apace, and which cant afford to wait while the Trump administration dithers in allowing the secretary of state to fill out the departments ranks or ignores the advice of seasoned and dedicated professionals at the State Department and National Security Council altogether.

The world is accustomed to the United States playing a leadership role in addressing such challenges. Washingtons diplomatic might can help bring reluctant warring parties to the table, persuade other countries to contribute funds and attend peace talks, help protect innocent civilians, and drive efforts to ensure justice and accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and human rights abuses.

It is just too early to tell how and whether the United States under President Trump will pursue such aims. But its still worth remembering that while Washington navel-gazes, millions of people are trapped in brutal conflicts around the world, and face potentially grave consequences that may not wait it out while the Trump administration figures out the role it will play on the world stage. As the U.N.s de Mistura noted this week, in explaining his push to restart talks even in the absence of knowing what the United States strategy will be: In the meantime, history goes on.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Foreign Policy illustration
Tarek El-Messidi had been planning to leave Philadelphia to visit family on Sunday night. But when he heard that Mount Carmel Jewish Cemetery had been desecrated, he cancelled his flight. El-Messidi is Muslim, but he felt it was important to be with his hometown Jewish community at that moment, he said. Both communities in America are being targeted right now. Theres a rise in Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, he said. That could have just as easily been a Muslim cemetery.

Just one week after a Jewish cemetery in Missouri was vandalized, Philadelphia police reported that roughly 100 headstones have been toppled or damaged in the Mount Carmel cemetery. These are not easy monuments to knock down, El-Messidi said: He saw several toppled stones that were three or four feet wide at the base. El-Messidi and the local rabbis who showed up on Sunday night said their group observed far more extensive damage than police reported, with more than 500 headstones affected throughout the cemetery. Its not clear when that damage happened, though, or whether it was all intentional.

Like El-Messidi, Philadelphia Jewish leaders have been quick to condemn the vandalism as an act of targeted anti-Semitism. After you start walking from row to row, said Shawn Zevit, the lead rabbi at Mishkan Shalom, a local Reconstructionist synagogue, it quickly moves from a random act of vandalism to something with larger intentions and a systematic approach to things.

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Proving those larger intentions of anti-Semitism may be harder than it seems. While the timing of the two acts of vandalism may seem deliberate and discriminatory, religiously motivated hate crimes are notoriously difficult to prove. Whats clear is that people are scared, and they see the destruction of cemeteries as an implicit threat. On Monday, 13 Jewish Community Centers around the country received bomb threats, according to a spokesperson, the most recent wave of threats since January. Muslims and Jews strong reactions to the cemetery vandalism underscores the heightened sense of discrimination both groups feel right now. As each community continues dealing with attacks like this, they may feel drawn to act together more frequentlyin part because theyre operating in similar environments of religious hatred.

Story continues

To prosecute an act of vandalism as a hate crime, law-enforcement officers face several important challenges, said Jack Levin, a professor emeritus of criminology at Northeastern University who studies hate crimes. First, they have to identify the culprits. Then, they have to provide evidence, from bigoted graffiti to suspects statements, that crimes were motivated by religious hatred. In many hate crimes, the offenders are simply not that stupid to leave evidence of the motivation at the crime scene, Levin said. We may all think a hate crime has occurred, but prosecutors refuse to charge because of a lack of evidence.

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Hatemongers dont specialize.

Sometimes, crimes like this are motivated by youthful stupidity. Chances are, they are teenagers or young adults in a group who went out on a Saturday night looking for a little fun at the expense of the outsidersin this case, Jews, Levin said. He thinks Jewish institutionsincluding the many Jewish Community Centers that have been getting bomb threats in recent weeksare often targeted because there are so many of them. The perpetrators may as well have chosen a Muslim cemetery, he said. Hatemongers dont specialize.

And yet, the fear people have expressed in the wake of these cemetery attacks is distinctive. When headstones are tipped over in Christian cemeteries or family plots, it typically doesnt become a national news story. Why is there a stronger reaction to the desecration of a Jewish cemetery than to a Catholic cemetery? Levin said. The answer has to be given in historical context. Anti-Semitism has reared its ugly head for thousands of years.

This history seemed to be on the minds of some of the rabbis and other community members who gathered at Mount Carmel on Sunday night.It comes in the context of systemic anti-Semitism, said Ari Lev Fornari, the rabbi at Kol Tzedek, a Reconstructionist synagogue in West Philadelphia, on Monday, referring to Americas political atmosphere. Levin cautioned, though, that its kind of hard to make the case that [Trump] is in any way responsible for anti-Semitic hate crimes, especially because the presidents daughter and son-in-law are Jewish. Trump has condemned recent acts of anti-Semitism, and Vice President Mike Pence visited the Missouri cemetery last week following the vandalism.

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If anything, Jews are experiencing an intensification of a hatred that was already present, as are American Muslims. According to the FBI, Jews and Muslims together account for the vast majority of religiously motivated hate crimes: In 2015, 51 percent were committed against Jews, while 22 percent were against Muslimsand those are just the crimes for which the motive can be proven. This isnt even the first time Mount Carmel has been desecrated: In 1989, dozens of tombstones were shattered and scrawled with graffiti, according to a story from the time by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The silver lining in  this kind of eco-system of hate is that both communities are reaching out.

What does seem to be new, though, is some Muslims and Jews urgent desire to collaborate in the wake of attacks. After the Missouri cemetery attack, El-Messidi, who runs a Muslim non-profit called Celebrate Mercy, started a fundraising campaign with the political organizer Linda Sarsour. He said they felt motivated by a story about Prophet Muhammad, who stood as a Jewish funeral procession went by as a sign of respect. The Missouri fund quickly reached its goal, and the pair plan to use the extra money to help out in Philadelphia. By Monday, El-Messidi said, the total was over $130,000.

Things havent always been this way. The Jewish and Muslim communities in America havent worked that closely together before, El-Messidi said. Issues like Israel-Palestine often divide the two communities, he said, but Im not asking about the politics of the dead people whose graves were trying to repair. Despite the sadness of the desecrated headstones, he said, the silver lining in this tragedy, and this kind of eco-system of hate, is that both communities are reaching out, getting to know one another, and standing together to defend each other against this kind of bigotry.

Thats why the graveyard solidarity between Jews and Muslims is so significant: It suggests that at least some representatives of both groups, particularly those who are progressive and strongly anti-Trump, are looking to reframe their relationship. Although the conservative voices in both Islam and Judaism, especially related to Israel and Palestine, have attempted to create a narrative that divides us, Fornari said, we long to be connected to each other. We are both religious minorities persecuted by white supremacy in this country.

Zevit agreed that the atmosphere of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia is bringing the two communities closer in Philadelphia, although he has worked with local imams for a long time, he said. I wont deny my own heartbreak in what I saw, he said. But Im not feeling fear, because I know our similarities and our relationships are much stronger, and these incidents are bringing us together and forging solidarity. This certainly wasnt what the graveyard vandals wanted, he said. In fact, it is perhaps the opposite.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
In this undated photo provided by Kranti Shalia, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, right, poses with his wife, Sunayana Dumala, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Kranti Shalia via AP)

WASHINGTON  The widow of an engineer shot dead in Kansas by a man allegedly shouting Get out of my country! has demanded that the government stop future hate crimes. But will President Trumps Justice Department pursue federal hate crime charges against the perpetrator?

I need an answer from the government, Sunayana Dumala, widow of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, said during a press conference last week. What are they going to do to stop this hate crime?

Authorities say Kuchibhotla was shot dead at a tavern by suspect Adam Purinton, 51, who reportedly questioned Kuchibhotla and his friend, both software engineers from India, about whether they were in the country legally. Other witnesses said he hurled racial slurs at the pair, and later told a witness he had shot two Iranian men. Bystander Ian Grillot, 24, tried to tackle the gunman and was also wounded.

The FBI has not labeled the attack a hate crime yet and is still investigating whether it qualifies as one. A hate crime is defined by federal law as an offense motivated by hatred for someones race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender or gender identity. Kansas does not have a hate crime statute, which means that Purinton will not face those charges if the federal government doesnt bring them.

The local district attorney has already charged Purinton with first-degree murder, which means he could face the death penalty in Kansas if convicted. But the federal government sometimes brings additional charges, to convey the message that hate crimes will not be tolerated. In a recent case, white supremacist Dylann Roof, who killed nine people in a black church in South Carolina in 2015, was tried and convicted on federal murder and hate crime charges last year and sentenced to death; he still faces state murder charges.

FBI spokeswoman Bridget Patton told Yahoo News that the FBI is actively probing whether a hate crime occurred. Our role in this investigation is to see if anyones civil rights were violated, in addition to assisting local law enforcement, Patton said. The ultimate decision could come from the civil rights division of the Justice Department, currently run by interim head Thomas Wheeler, or by the U.S. Attorney in Kansas, Tom Beall, who took the job last year. A spokesman for Beall did not return a request for comment.

Story continues

The president has not yet spoken out about the crime, though his press secretary addressed the incident Monday after also condemning a recent spate of threats to Jewish schools and community centers. I dont want to get ahead of law enforcement, but I was asked the other day about the story in Kansas, the shooting in Kansas, Press Secretary Sean Spicer said. And while the story is evolving, early reports out of Kansas are equally disturbing.

Trumps former rival, Hillary Clinton, tweeted Monday that the president must step up and speak out about the crime.

With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out.https://t.co/QKKyXyuqNM  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 27, 2017

Matt Miller, a spokesman for the Justice Department under President Barack Obama, said the anti-Semitic incidents Spicer mentioned constitute a reason for the Justice Department to intervene in the Kansas case. The federal government should bring charges to send a message that hate crimes wont be tolerated, he said.

Given vandalization of Jewish cemeteries, given the repeated bomb threats to Jewish schools, I think youd look to see the Department of Justice to send a message that at the federal level, this wont be tolerated, Miller said.

Miller added that the federal prosecutor could also bring its own, separate hate crime charges, while allowing the local prosecutor to handle the murder charge.

Provided the evidence is as clear as it looks, I think the Justice Department would look to bring charges at the federal level but would also coordinate with the local prosecutor to make sure the two arent getting into each others way, he said.

Federal hate crime prosecutions are rare, with federal prosecutors turning down nearly 90 percent of cases referred to them since the hate crime statute became law in 2009. The most common reason prosecutors gave for not bringing charges was insufficient evidence.

A federal prosecution could mean a tougher sentence for Purinton if hes convicted of the crime.

A hate crime charge could be used as an aggravating factor in sentencing, said Jack Levin, a criminologist and a professor emeritus at Northeastern University. It could mean the difference between life in prison without parole eligibility, versus the death penalty.

Read more from Yahoo News:
Taipei (AFP) - Actor Hugh Jackman has not turned his nose up at the chance to sample Taiwan's famous snack "stinky tofu" as he tours Taipei to promote his last film in the superhero "Wolverine" franchise.

Jackman and Patrick Stewart arrived in the Taiwanese capital over the weekend for the local premier of "Logan," which sees Wolverine reunited with his ailing father figure Professor X and introduced to Laura, the mutant daughter created in a Mexican lab.

Thousands of fans -- some dressed up as the blade-fingered superhero character -- thronged the landmark Taipei 101 skyscraper late Monday to see Jackman, who later ventured into the city armed with local food recommendations.

"We went to the night market last night. It was so much fun. We had stinky tofu ... It's not as stinky as I thought," Jackman told a press conference Tuesday.

Joking that he is "part Taiwanese" to explain his convincing pronunciation of "stinky tofu" in Mandarin, Jackman said his late night feast had also included another favourite Taiwanese snack -- skewers of chicken hearts.

Both actors were given Taiwanese puppets in the likeness of their X-Men characters.

"Logan" premiered at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this month and hit cinemas in Taiwan Tuesday ahead of its United States release on March 3.
HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwean public sector workers will hold a demonstration on Monday calling on the government to pay bonuses for 2016, the civil service union said, setting them on a collision course with President Robert Mugabe's cash strapped administration. Without balance of payment support from foreign lenders, the southern African nation is spending more than 90 percent of the national budget on salaries, leaving no money for infrastructure or bonuses that were due by December. Last July, doctors joined nurses, teachers and other civil servants in a national shutdown over unpaid wages, which coincided with anti-government protests called by social media groups over a deteriorating economy. The Apex Council, which represents all civil service unions, issued a notice of the strike to the government. It accused the government of trying to undermine unions by directly engaging workers in a survey to determine whether public employees could opt for residential land in lieu of the bonuses. Public sector unions last month rejected the land proposal. The government then issued forms to every civil servant asking whether they preferred residential land instead of cash bonuses, angering the unions. "Bonuses are part of our conditions of service so we can't mix that with land. The government is being provocative and disrespectful by engaging workers directly," Apex Council president Cecilia Alexander said. Alexander said next Monday's demonstration "will show that we have a constituency that we represent." Public Service and Labour Minister Prisca Mupfumira defended the survey, saying it would determine how the government should proceed on the issue of bonuses. "We will continue to dialogue with them but we do not tolerate threats," Mupfumira said. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by James Macharia and Janet Lawrence)
Ten days after the Outdoor Retailer trade show said it would no longer host its biannual event in Utah, other states are rolling out the welcome mat.

Colorados top politicians on Monday sent a letter to Emerald Expositions, the owner of the industry expo, in an attempt to entice it to move to the Centennial State.

Gov. John Hickenlooper, along with state Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner, said Colorado offers tremendous business opportunity for the outdoor recreation community, and we want to emphasize our ongoing commitment to protect the public lands that support a robust outdoor recreation economy in our state.

In particular, state leaders highlighted that 80 percent of its residents regularly participate in trail-related activities, and that outdoor recreation is good for the local economy  to the tune of $19.9 billion in Colorados gross domestic product.

Executives from Outdoor Retailer said earlier this month it would end its two-decade relationship with Utah in 2018 after it held a pivotal conference call with Utah Gov. Gary Herbert about the states plan to rescind the national monument status of the Bears Ears National Monument.

Industry executives from Patagonia, REI and The North Face didnt like the outcome of the call, and reportedly felt Utahs policy position would jeopardize public lands.

We are doing the work necessary to procure an alternative location for Outdoor Retailer, Marisa Nicholson, show director for Outdoor Retailer, said a day after the call. Though we may wish it different, this is far from a snap-of-the-fingers thing to make happen. Convention centers and hotels are not sitting idle. In every instance at every potential venue, there are hurdles that have to be cleared, and that simply cannot be done overnight.

Some states, though, are aiming to make the process go smooth.

[Our] collective values regarding our public lands complement a healthy economy and make Colorado an ideal location for the Outdoor Retailer show, read the letter from Colorado officials. We encourage you to come visit the many trails, lakes and rivers, and mountains, including on the Western Slope and the Front Range. As you consider investing in Colorado, we assure you that while our state will continue to grow and change over time, we will remain steadfast in our commitment to maintain and protect our public lands, for Coloradans and all Americans.

Story continues

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Credit: Courtesy of Net-a-Porter

Scenario: You're one of the most important women in the fashion industry and are knee-deep in work. You have six fashion shows, eight meetings, and also have to find time to FaceTime your kids back at home. Oh, and you should probably eat lunch and dinner somehow in between. This is the situation Net-a-Porter's president, Alison Loehnis, finds herself in during fashion month.

From New York to London, Milan to Paris, Loehnis is constantly juggling a million (very chic) things at once. How does she relax? By having her go-to spots in all the cities she travels to. Here, she takes us through her favorites in Milan.

Where to Grab Coffee

"I like to sneak out in the morning and go to the original Pasticceria Marchesi on Via Santa Maria alla Porta. This location is quite historic with a warm and cozy Italian feel. I love a double espresso and from time to time indulge in their famous brioche."

Where to Eat Lunch in Under 30 Minutes

Lunchtime in the fashion district. #ilsalumaiodimontenapoleone #chezdede in #milano A post shared by C H E Z D E D E (@chezdede) on Feb 22, 2017 at 9:18am PST

"Well, that concept doesn't really exist in Italy! If I have time to enjoy a lovely long Italian lunch, I'll go to Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone--right in the center of town, yet tucked away in a quaint courtyard. Everything they make is delicious and their veal Milanese is justly famous."

VIDEO: Watch Our Recap of Milan Fashion Week Fall 2017

Best Place to Go to Ensure You Won't Run Into Anyone

Today is all about #architecturemw What's your favourite spot @pinacotecaambrosiana? #museumweek #museumweek2016 A post shared by Pinacoteca Ambrosiana (@pinacotecaambrosiana) on Mar 30, 2016 at 2:34am PDT

"I studied art history at university and always wish that I have more time in Milan to explore the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana--a very quiet museum built in the early 1600s with amazing pieces by Leonardo, Caravaggio, and Botticelli (just to name a few of the many artists whose work is included in their collection). You are unlikely to run into the fashion week crowd in this gem of a place."

Story continues

Favorite Place to Grab a Night Cap

"A while ago I was taken by a local to N'ombra de Vin in Brera, and have since been there many times for a late night bite and a quick drink--they have a wine cellar filled with amazing choices. Ideally, I go during the week when the restaurant is slightly more relaxed and quiet."

The Best Drugstore

"Parashop is incredible! It's like a French pharmacy with unique beauty brands, soaps and perfumes. My beauty items mostly come from Net-a-Porter, but I love supplementing them with some unique French or Italian products that you can only get at this store."

Where I Lay My Head at Night

"I stay at the Grand Hotel et de Milan. I love that it is super professionally run with smiling and great service but that it has a very old school, traditional vibe. It is the first hotel I ever stayed in in Milan when I visited the city with my parents. And we all still stay there! During fashion week, by the time I get home, it will always be too late to call my kids (who I have spoken to earlier in the day, and en route to dinner). A call to my hubs is always the last thing I do at night."

Best Place to Get a Souvenir

#merendaitaliana #cioccolato #metapomeriggio #delizia #bonta #milano #pasticceria #montenapoleone A post shared by Cova Montenapoleone (@pasticceriacova) on Nov 3, 2015 at 7:55am PST

"I make a point of never coming home empty handed after a work trip. My children love surprises and I try to mix it up each time I travel. That said I make a point of stopping by Pasticceria Cova and picking up their incredible homemade chocolates and/or pralines (or in most cases, both). My husband loves anything I bring home from Peck--especially prosciutto and bottarga."

Check back next week for Loehnis's Paris favorites!
Photo credit: Getty

From Good Housekeeping

Homework is the bane of every kid's existence. But for some lucky elementary schoolers, it's also a thing of the past. The Washington Post reports that the Orchard School in South Burlington, Vermont, which educates students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade, instituted a no-homework policy six months ago and has seen kids flourish ever since.

Principal Mark Trifilio told the Post that he and a unanimous group of teachers came up with the policy because different classes had different loads of homework, and that research found homework in elementary school wasn't necessarily linked to success. The only thing that was proven to work was reading after school.

So the new policy was this: No homework, but kids must read "just-right books" every night, and have their parents read to them, too. Also, they must pledge to get outside and play (without their screens), eat dinner with their families, and get a good night's sleep. The school provides suggestions for books, but doesn't require written logs of how often kids read.

"They're just kids. They're pretty young and they just put in a full day's shift at work and so we just don't believe in adding more to their day. We also feel that we are squashing their other passions and interest in learning," Trifilio told The Associated Press back in September.

Now, six months later, Trifilio says students have not suffered whatsoever, and have not fallen behind in their subjects. Most parents have supported the new policy, and some even say their kids are reading on their own more than before.

However, some parents worry their kids won't be ready when homework hits in middle school. Trifilio says he's working on solutions to that, including assigning bigger projects that require kids to learn long-term planning, like presentations or science experiments.

"We have a first grader, and at her age [homework is] as much a chore for the parents as the kids," parent Rani Philip told the Burlington Free Press. "Instead we've been spending time reading. We don't have to rush."

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Models prepare backstage during an event known as Modest Fashion Day. (Photo: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)

For women who dress conservatively, Israel has launched a Modest Fashion Day.

Local designers and models gathered in Jerusalem last Thursday for a fashion show that catered specifically to Orthodox Jewish women  and hundreds of humbled fashionistas attended to witness the work walk down the runway.

Most dresses were long-sleeved and knee-length, while some were floor-skimming gowns. (Photo: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)

Designers add their final touch before the models took the runway. (Photo: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)

People are looking in our direction now to find that modest kind of look, which is very interesting to see, Jewish stylist Miri Beillin told Reuters. We are working for this amazing day, fashion modesty, which is a complete, amazing experience for us as religious women.

Israeli models wearing modest designs took to the catwalk on Thursday. (REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)

More than 20 fashion designers participated in the event catering to ultra-Orthodox community which makes up about 10 percent of Israels population.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.




We seem to know everything there is to know about the design of the next family of iPhones, including the iPhone 8, iPhone 7s, and iPhone 7s Plus. But theres a huge piece of the puzzle that wont be revealed to us for quite a while, and thats iOS 11, which is one of the iPhones best features. A new report indicates that Apple may include augmented reality (AR) features into iOS as soon as this year, in time for the iPhone 8s launch.

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AR is a major technology for Apple, one that Tim Cook teased a number of times in recent interviews. In fact, it appears that Apple loves AR more than the other kind of reality that the competition is pushing, the virtual one (VR).

In a note to clients seen by Business Insider, UBS analyst Steven Milunovich said that AR will likely be Apples next major product innovation.

According to some industry sources, the company may have over 1,000 engineers working on a project in Israel that could be related to AR, the analyst said. On top of that, Apple already purchased in recent years various companies who deal in AR, including PrimeSense and RealFace (both from Tel Aviv, Israel), and German-based Metaio.

Apple likes AR better than VR because its AR applications can connect people, whereas the latter isolates them from the world because of the required handset that would render them blind to whats happening outside, Milunovich added.

He also noted that Apple is well positioned to be the winner of AR in the near future. Thats because AR would not be exclusive to the iPhone 8, even though it might debut as a major feature of the new handset. Instead. Apple can leverage its existing iPhone and iPad user base to unleash its AR attack.

Its already proven that AR works on various iOS devices, without requiring any extra features  just install Pokemon Go on your iPhone or iPad and, voila, youre playing an AR game.

Story continues

That said, UBS expects Apple to implement AR products in the next iPhone, including moderate 3D mapping  and possibly an AR software development kit.

Trending right now:

See the original version of this article on BGR.com
Barcelona (AFP) - The Wikimedia Foundation, which runs online encyclopaedia Wikipedia, said Tuesday that telecoms operator Asiacell will offer free access to the website to its nearly 12 million mobile phone customers in war-torn Iraq.

The partnership is the first by a telecoms operator in Iraq and the foundation's Wikipedia Zero project, which waives mobile data fees to subscribers of participating telecom operators so they can access Wikipedia without using their mobile data.

The news was announced at the Mobile World Congress, the biggest mobile event of the year, in Barcelona in northeastern Spain, which wraps up on Thursday.

"Asiacell customers will be able to edit Wikipedia without mobile data charges -- adding to and improving articles in their preferred language and sharing knowledge of Iraq's rich cultural history, heritage and its people with the rest of the world," the foundation said in a statement.

Like Wikipedia, Facebook and Google also operate programmes internationally that exempt from users' data caps to help boost access to information in developing nations.

Asiacell was the first mobile telecommunications provider in Iraq to achieve nationwide coverage. Its network covers 99 percent of the Iraqi population.

Wikipedia, which has over 40 million articles in nearly 300 languages, is written by volunteers around the world and its articles are edited by registered users.

It has been run since 2003 by a non-profit organisation, the Wikimedia Foundation, which is headquartered in San Francisco in the United States.

Wikipedia receives more than a billion single visits a month, making it one of the most visited websites in the world, according to the foundation.
As the space industry gradually moves from government-run programs to the commercial sector we knew there would come a day when the first paying customer was launched into space simply because they wanted to do it. Yesterday, SpaceX announced that it plans to do just that starting in 2018, with a pair of unnamed by obviously wealthy passengers who want to see what its like to slingshot themselves around the Moon in a space capsule. Now, the organization that first sent a man to the surface of Earths celestial satellite is weighing in on the bold endeavor, and its response is pretty much what youd expect.

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NASA, which, by the way, pays SpaceX large sums of money to launch supplies to the International Space Station, is totally cool with sending random folks out of Earths atmosphere  or at least thats how theyre playing it off. NASA commends its industry partners for reaching higher, the organization said in a statement. We will work closely with SpaceX to ensure it safely meets the contractual obligations to return the launch of astronauts to U.S. soil and continue to successfully deliver supplies to the International Space Station.

So, in short, NASA is fine with SpaceX making heaps of cash by flying rich people around the Moon, so long as it doesnt interfere with the agencys own agreements with the company to send materials and conduct actual science. Thats a pretty fair and even line to take, and SpaceXs continued success is obviously also in the best interest of NASA as well, as the two have shown that their partnership is extremely beneficial for both sides.

Trending right now:

See the original version of this article on BGR.com
HMD Global might already be doing a lot to reinvigorate the Nokia brand with a trio of new Android smartphones and a modern twist to the 3310. But now, the brand appears to be making its way to smartwatches.

Back in May 2016, Nokia acquired the French tech company Withings along with all of its smartwatch portfolio. This past Sunday during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Nokia confirmed that all existing Withings products will be rebranded starting this summer.

Withings Steel HR

Photo: Wareable

During MWC, Nokia already showed off the Withings Steel HR smartwatch with the Nokia logo right on its watch face. Unlike most recent smartwatches, the Steel HR is mostly a fitness tracker with a classic/traditional watch design. Its able to track heart rate, steps and distance traveled, and can be paired with an iPhone or most Android devices through its companion app.

Nokia CEO Rajeev Suuri said that it will not be competing with standard smartwatches, and that they will focus on medical grade devices, according to CNET. As part of the Withings acquisition, the Nokia Health Mate app will be upgraded, while Nokias Patient Care Platform is set to debut soon.

Cedric Hutchings, Nokias head of digital health division, was asked recently if they plan on making entirely new products besides Withings existing portfolio. You should [expect more watches from Nokia], yes, Hutchings told Wareable.

Hutchings said that Nokias digital health division has been growing significantly, and that consumers should expect more announcements later this year. He also didnt rule out the possibility of coming out with a new smartwatch with an AMOLED display. However, Nokia is currently focused on delivering long battery life for its rebranded Withings products.

We love our watch for the simplicity and also for the battery life. If you offer me a technology where you have the screen and the battery life, both, why not? Hutchings said. Aside from long battery life, he also emphasized that most smartwatch users focus more on fitness tracking and notifications.

Story continues

Nokia appears to be cautious when it comes to smartwatches, but it does seem like the company is preparing for all possibilities.

Withing Steel HR

Photo: Withings

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Because Samsung focused on showcasing its Galaxy Tab S3 and Galaxy Book tablets at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, many of its loyal consumers and fans have become more eager to know more about its rumored Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ smartphones. Thankfully, new leaks arrived this Monday to quench the thirst of techies in search for vital information about what Apples biggest rival is planning to launch this March 29.

On various social media platforms, many materials featuring the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ have surfaced out of nowhere. The leaks were mostly shared online by Chinese tipsters who are helping in building up the hype over the Android handsets. Video leaks that landed on Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo managed to crawl their way to YouTube. On the other hand, photo leaks from Chinese insiders found their way to Twitter.

In a video originally posted on Weibo but was uploaded on YouTube by Slashleaks, the Galaxy S8 and its bigger brother, the S8+, could be seen next to each other. Both noticeably sport LG G6-looking front panels because of the interesting screen-to-body ratio that makes more room for the display and minimizes bezels on all sides. Very evident in the clip is how the sides of the phone is curved to make it seem bezel-less.

The same video shows the Galaxy S8 rocking what seems like a minimally tweaked TouchWiz launcher of the Galaxy S7. For example, instead of the rectangular shaped Search bar, the one shown on the S8s screen has curved corners. As for the Galaxy S8+, it is initially shown with the Always-on display, but eventually the leaker launches the Google Search home screen. Unfortunately, there is no way to confirm the printed monikers at the back of the devices, for both have back covers in the video.

In another video that was also uploaded on YouTube by MobileFunTV, the Galaxy S8s onboard keyboard is showcased. It does not tell us new things about the keyboard, but it confirms the inclusion of predictive text as one of its features. A close-up scene in the hands-on video also shows the rounded or curved corners of the screen.

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Meanwhile, Benjamin Geskin, who describes himself as someone who makes realistic renders based off of leaks and rumors, recently got hold of some Galaxy S8 pics and shared them on Twitter. One of the pics reveals that the sim card tray is now situated at the top, while the bottom is home to the headphone jack, the charging port, microphone and speaker grille. Another snap shows the S8 and the S8+ side by side, while another simply presents the back of the device that is still covered by a black case. Based on the last photo, the new flagship could indeed sport the fingerprint scanner in a weird location next to the primary camera lens.

In a very recent tweet, Geskin also shared formal renders of the Galaxy S8 and the S8+. This time, the photos do appear official as they present the phones next to each other with their screens are on. Another snap, on the contrary, just shows the flagship devices facing front and facing back. Very noticeable in the latter is the Tuned by AKG words at the bottom to indicate the presence of quality audio technology in the handset. On the upper half of the devices back is the Samsung branding and just above it are the flash, the back camera lens and what seems to be the migrated home button with fingerprint scanner.







Samsung Galaxy S8

Photo: YouTube/AngelHomeLife

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SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's Samsung Group [SAGR.UL] on Tuesday said it has dismantled its corporate strategy office, the nerve center of operations for the sprawling conglomerate, following its chief's arrest amid a graft scandal that could bring down President Park Geun-hye.

Samsung, in a statement, said top group executives including Vice Chairman Choi Gee-sung and President Chang Choong-ki had resigned and that its affiliates would manage themselves independently through cooperation between individual firms' chief executives and the boards of directors.

Jay Y. Lee, third-generation leader of Samsung Group, promised in December to dismantle the corporate strategy office amid accusations that he and the office worked to bribe President Park and her confidant, Choi Soon-sil, to curry favor and cement his control of the smartphones-to-biopharmaceuticals business empire.

The 48-year-old Samsung chief, arrested on Feb. 17, and four other Samsung executives will be charged with bribery and embezzlement.

Lee is accused of pledging 43 billion won ($38 million) in bribes to a company and foundations controlled by Choi. He denies wrongdoing.

(Reporting by Se Young Lee; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Were smack in the middle of the annual Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona, Spain, and were almost exactly one month away from seeing Samsung unveil its next-generation Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ flagship smartphones. So, needless to say, all attention has turned to Apple. The company is still nearly seven months away from taking the wraps off its next-generation iPhone 8 flagship phone, but the rumor mill is already heating up. Why? Because Apples new tenth-anniversary iPhone is expected to be the first new Apple smartphone in three years to sport a bold new design and multiple exciting new features.

A new report published on Tuesday morning appears to confirm one of the biggest changes we expect to see in the upcoming new iPhone 8 later this year. But before you get too excited, lets turn back the clock a bit to make sure our feet stay planted firmly on the ground.

Don't Miss: The Jet White iPhone is real

First, lets take a look at exactly what The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday morning.

Apple Inc. has decided to adopt a flexible display for one model of the new iPhone coming out this year and has ordered sufficient components to enable mass production, Takashi Mochizuki said in his report.

He continued, People with direct knowledge of Apples production plans said the Cupertino, Calif., company has decided to go ahead with the technology, and it will release a phone model using the OLED screens this year.

That is the extent of the information Mochizuki was able to confirm with his unnamed sources. Then, he added a note about the capabilities of the display technology Apple will be adopting in its new iPhone. The technology allows manufacturers to bend screens in ways they couldnt previouslysuch as by introducing a curve at the edge of the phone as in some Samsung models,he wrote. However, once the phone is manufactured, the OLED screen cant be bent or folded by the user, at least with current technology.

Story continues

At no point do Mochizukis sources state that the iPhone 8s display will actually be curved, at least not according to the report. He simply makes a leap from the iPhone 8 will include a flexible OLED display panel to the iPhone 8 will have a curved display. In fact, the articles headline empirically states: Apples Next iPhone Will Have a Curved Screen.

From this report and past rumors like it, industry watchers and Apple fans have connected the dots and begun to state that the iPhone 8 will feature a design similar to the one seen on various Samsung phones, like the Galaxy S7 edge and the Galaxy Note 7. These phones feature displays that curve down sharply on either side, creating a rounded design that fits nicely in the hand. I do not think Apples iPhone 8 design will be anything like those Samsung phones.

First, in the case of the iPhone 8, there is absolutely no reason for the phone to have a display with steep curves on either side. According to a recent report from Ming-Chi Kuo, the most accurate Apple insider in the world, the iPhone 8 will feature a display thats similar in size to the iPhone 7 Plus screen, but itll be stuffed into a phone thats about the same size as the smaller 4.7-inch iPhone 7. A phone with a footprint that small isnt like a monstrous Galaxy S7 edge or a Note 7. It doesnt need dramatically curved sides to fit comfortably in the hand. Theres no other reason related to functionality to use a shape like this. So why would Apple release phone with that design?

Samsung is about to bring its curved edges to the smaller Galaxy S8, but for Samsung this is a signature design feature. And remember, Apple doesnt steal signature design features, other companies steal signature design features from Apple.

Heres what I think. The industry as a whole is moving toward flexible OLED display panels, and Apple will use these panels in its new iPhone. They offer better contrast, more vivid colors, deeper blacks, and better energy efficiency. Does that mean Apple necessarily plans to utilize the flexible properties of the panel to reshape it? Not necessarily.

If Apple does launch an iPhone 8 with a curved display, I would bet that the curves will be far more subtle than the iPhone people are imagining right now. Remember in 2014 when reports first emerged that Apples upcoming new iPhone 6 would feature a curved glass face, and everyone took that little tidbit and ran with it? Then the new iPhone was released and we saw that the face was merely 2.5D glass, featuring a subtle curve around the edges so that it fits more comfortably in the hand.

That, I would speculate, is where the truth lies. The OLED display on Apples iPhone 8 is rumored to stretch from one side of the phone all the way to the other, with almost no bezels on either side. With that in mind, its entirely possible that the sides of the screen will curve ever so slightly to follow the slope of the 2.5D glass (like the concept phone pictured at the top of this post). But if you believe Apple plans to ape Samsungs design and release a new iPhone with sides akin to what weve seen on its Galaxy S phones and on the Note 7, youve got another think coming.

Trending right now:

See the original version of this article on BGR.com
Fox News host Bill OReilly used his tip of the day segment on Monday to state that criticism is valid regarding Nils Bildt, who was inaccurately described as a Swedish official during an appearance on the show.

On Thursday, an OReilly Factor segment on Swedens status as a refugee-friendly country featuredBildt, who Fox News described as a Swedish Defense and National Security Advisor.

After the segment, some left-wing people objected to one guest, Nils Bildt, OReilly said on Monday. The Swedish government also weighed in, saying theyve had no contact with Mr. Bildt. Now, we looked into the situation and the criticism is valid. Its valid.

Also Read: Tucker Carlson Mocks Oscars Chaos: 'It Couldn't Happen to Better People' (Video)

He continued: Mr Bildt does consulting work, on terrorism, thats true. But we should have clarified that he had no direct role with the Swedish government in hindsight, a more relevant guest should have been used.

Bildts title, which was displayed on the networks chyron and mentioned by OReilly, was inaccurate. Bildt now claims he is an independent political advisor and Fox News is solely responsible for the inaccurate title.

Bildt told OReilly that Swedish officials were essentially clueless, with no systemic plan for integrating mass amounts of immigrants to become productive members of society. He also said the country has a problem with socially deviant activity and hot spots of crime, because of complications with immigrants.

Also Read: Twitter Goes Wild After President Trump Gets Caught Parroting Fox News

However, It turns out that Bildt wasnt exactly qualified to speak on the nations politics.

Our booker made numerous inquiries and spoke to people who recommended Nils Bildt and after pre-interviewing him and reviewing his bio, we agreed that he would make a good guest for the topic that evening, OReilly Factor executive producer David Tabacoff said in a statement prior to Mondays show.

Story continues

Bildt issued his own statement to Mediaite: Suffice to say I am an independent political advisor. Fox News is solely responsible for the header or title used. I cannot comment on that. Sorry for any confusion caused, but needless to say I think that is not really the issue, the issue is Swedish refusal to discuss their social problems and issues.

The situation surrounding Bildt is bizarre and Mediaite reported that he even deleted photos of a trip to Moscow from his personal site when the media watchdog confronted him about them. According to the site, Bildt called Moscows Red Square the the Center of the Universe in a caption.

Related stories from TheWrap:

Twitter Goes Wild After President Trump Gets Caught Parroting Fox News

Cable Ratings: Rachel Maddow Posts Best Week Since 2008 as Fox News Dominates

Tucker Carlson Mocks Oscars Chaos: 'It Couldn't Happen to Better People' (Video)
At the rose ceremony in Brooklyn. (Photo: Chris Harrison)

Its been another incredibly emotional week here in Bachelor Nation, and to say that next week is going to really blow you away would be a massive understatement. We only had one hour this week to show you what went down between Andis surprise appearance, the rose ceremony, and the beginning of the overnight dates in Finland  so next week is going to be a full three hours. Well take one more step toward the finale, and also take a step into the past, as 19 women come back for The Women Tell All.

Related: The Bachelor Recap: Why Cant I Just Have a Normal Relationship?

When relationships dissolve, there is often a fair amount of unsettled business. Andi and Nick had a very close but also a very tumultuous relationship a few years back on The Bachelorette, and when we were in New York, where Andi lives now, she decided to pay Nick a visit. Now, I want to be clear in stating that I am absolutely confident that Andi is over Nick and that Nick is over Andi. But they shared some really meaningful time together, and I think seeing each other was positive and healthy for both of them. You never have to live in the past, but when you can look back, learn from it, and even laugh a little bit, its always a good thing. Andi is also a beloved member of Bachelor Nation, and we always like seeing her around, so we were very happy she decided to show up.

Nick hands out the post-hometown dates roses. (Photo: Chris Harrison)

Soon after Nick and Andi said their final goodbyes again, it was time for the much-anticipated rose ceremony. We know youve been waiting for this one, and even though it seemed like it might never happen, Nick said goodbye to Corinne. Corinne had an amazing journey on this season. First she was the one that everyone loved to hate, but all season long she was the one that everyone talked about. I think Corinne is multifaceted and truly an interesting young woman. Shes funny, shes sassy, and shes unapologetic. We will miss her. But you wont have to for long because shell be back at The Women Tell All next week to see Taylor and Nick for the first time since the two-on-one date in the swamp.

Story continues

Vanessa, Rachel, and Raven. Three very wonderful and three very different women. And Finland! What a different place for exotic overnight dates. We havent been to a cold destination for a finale in five years, and Finland, especially Finnish Lapland, was somewhere we were all very excited to go. The overnight dates took place in Inari Saariselka, which is very far up north in Finland, and it was an amazing place to see the northern lights. It was also very cold, and very quiet. The sun didnt really rise until about 10 a.m., and it started setting at 3 p.m. This, obviously meant longer nights, and longer overnights, which is great  because at this point, Nick needs every moment he can get with these women to find out what to do next. We saw Ravens VERY interesting date, and well hear more about that next week, followed by Rachel and Vanessas dates. And youll also get to see all the women, back for one more chance to set the record straight and to see Nick at The Women Tell All. See you next week, Bachelor Nation!

The Bachelor airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC. Watch clips and full episodes of The Bachelor for free on Yahoo View.



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By Sam Sebuliba

The elected leaders of Kampala led by the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago are to petition of the speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga over yesterdays eviction of traders and demolition of stalls at the Nakivubo Park Yard Market.

Yesterday morning unknown persons backed by police razed down the market on the directive of Kampala minister Betty Kamya who had given them 30 days to vacate and allow room for redevelopment of the area. The minister argued that the market did not meet basic planning requirements and that KCCA would not gazette it because it is illegal.

Now according to Lukwago, this is a matter which needs parliaments intervention, adding that they have already secured an appointment with the speaker and are set to deliberate on the matter on Wednesday .

He said that the ongoing trend of redevelopment in the city is not sustainable and the only option they have is to engage the speaker.

Over 15,000 traders were operating from the market with many working there for the last 30 years.

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By Sam Sebuliba

The speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga is concerned about the high levels of poverty in Uganda despite government efforts to reverse the trend.

According to the 2016 Poverty Assessment Report by the World Bank, Ugandas population living below the national poverty line declined from 31.1% in 2006 to 19.7% in 2013.

While announcing the upcoming regional seminar on Sustainable Development Goals scheduled for 1st  to 3rd March in Kampala, Kadaga said many Ugandans are still surviving on less than one dollar a day which is a worrying trend.

She adds that despite the glossy poverty reports, more practical actions are needed to be implemented to lift Ugandans from poverty.
Voting for the 9 people to represent Uganda at the regional parliament is underway with results expected to be announced by 9:00pm.

While presiding over this afternoons session, the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has implored the MPs to vote for the nine candidates to represent Uganda, based on their capability and not simply party affiliation.

Earlier this afternoon, parliament was treated to dramatic scenes as different candidates defended their aspirations to represent Uganda at the East African Legislative Assembly.

Legislators from the ruling National Resistance Movement made it almost impossible for other candidates to make their points as they sung in praise of their own six candidates and heckled others.

NRMs George Stephen Odongo was one of those who received a treat amid efforts from the speaker to restore calm.

However, Forum for Democratic Changes Ingrid Turinawe had a tough time making her final appeal as members heckled and booed her, with others accusing her of arrogance and defiance but she stood her ground.

One of the charges floated against Turinawe was that she is one of the Ugandans who derogatively refer to Members of Parliament (MPs) as MPigs. The tag, traced to Kenyan political activist Boniface Mwangi, compares MPs, who usually ask for pay increments, to pigs. Pigs, like hyenas, are known for their appetites.
By

The invitation to speak came in the form of a message, a night with the Qatar Professional Womens Network, would I be interested in speaking? I checked out the evite Hear our speakers talk about how they reinvented their careers since moving to Doha.

So how do you re-invent your career?

How did I re-invent mine?

Lets start from the beginning. I promise Ill be quick.

What were you? What are you? What did you enjoy the most about your old career?

My background or my first real grown up career was in human resources and recruitment, but I didnt make a straight line to get there. If I was to go back, way way back, it would probably be easier to list the industries I didnt work in rather than the ones I did. I was lucky enough to do some temp work while I studied which gave me access to the water coolers of many different offices, but it definitely wasnt always white collar. In between office work I packed oranges, sorted almonds, picked the mice out of apricots, and served beers at the local footy club. Anyone else have memories of washing ashtrays at 2 am in the morning? Fancy.

There was also some great gigs. I worked in radio, trained with the long term unemployed (there is nothing more satisfying than watching a young guy who is third generation welfare receive his first pay slip) and I did some great project work. Then finally I fell into what I considered to be my dream job, I landed a role with one of the biggest recruitment companies in the world at the time. And from the minute I started I just knew I was meant to be there. I loved it.

Now I was lucky enough to move around with my career. I picked up work here and there amongst having children in a rather irresponsible and haphazard manner (four kids, four different countries) and when we landed in Canada I went back to work in my field  just with people with different accents. It was when we got to Qatar that I realized I wasnt going to be able to work in the same capacity that I had been. We had four children in two different forms of schooling, at the time we didnt have child care, and wed moved for my husbands role. I needed something more flexible.

Id love to be able to tell you that I then came up with a grand plan that led me here today  but I didnt. Once again, it wasnt a straight line, it was at times, and continues to be an obstacle course.

I started my website by accident. It wasnt meant to be a public thing. It was going to be a family blog, private, just for the family. Ironically I started the blog to avoid over sharing  which is really really funny when you think about how much I have consequently shared in this space.

Once I began writing I realized I really enjoyed it. It helped me clear my mind, it helped me realize how I felt about things. The bonus prize is that I now have a space that both myself and my children can return to when we want to remember this life, this moment. And when youve been diagnosed with breast cancer I can honestly say its a comforting thought that this space exists. Our stories are here, and you were here too (thats you, my dear reader), you were here to talk me through it all.

Anyway, back to the re-invention.

The next step on from writing was joining other writers and bloggers groups. It was then that I learnt about the world of social media. Writers are sadists, while theyre all riddled with crippling self-doubt they continue to share their work. I shared along with everyone else and began to find my people. I got busy on twitter, interacted on Facebook, scrolled my way around the internet reading, listening, learning. I wrote nearly every day and from there I developed my own style without really thinking about it.

The biggest lesson along the way?

I stopped worrying about what other people thought about me.

I used to worry way too much about what people thought about me. I thought I was a fraud for trying to write. I thought (and mostly still do) that I was a terrible writer, and that when people told me I was any good they were generally just trying to be nice. I often chose to listen to the wrong voices. Heres a few things my frenemies have said to me along the way.

I could never do what you do? Im very private I could never tell people the things you do

Does anyone really care though? I mean who wants to hear from a bored expat housewife?

Are you worried about your kids? What do they think about you sharing all this stuff online, are they embarrassed?

But heres the thing. Somehow, as much as these comments stung, as time went by I almost used them to fuel my energy. I learnt to focus in on the beautiful stuff, the support. Have you ever noticed that you can have 2o compliments on your new haircut but one dumb comment will have you reconsidering your choice?

As my blog grew so did my interest in social media. I started going to blogging conferences and learning about new technology. I learnt about YouTube (and realized it wasnt for me), I learnt about Instagram (again, not really me), and I learnt about podcasts  now that, that could be me.

I taught myself how to record a podcast, and how to get it on iTunes. I read blogs about podcasts, followed Facebook pages, and then I asked a gorgeous and funny friend if shed be interested in giving it a go with me. We giggled our way through the first few episodes  stuffed up the sound, got off topic, erased the wrong bitsbut we had so much fun doing it.

Again, the self-doubt came.

Do you think anyone actually listens?

Whats a podcast?

Do you make any money out of it?

That podcast has now had over 100,000 downloads and reached women in over 60 countries. Weve done live events, interviewed hundred of expat women and shared thousands of stories and opinions.

I cant get paid what Im worth  its insulting.

Ive had plenty of conversations with expat woman about money and the injustice of an employer knowing that youre a little bit trapped by work visas and opportunities. Ive written before about Grocery Money. Heres my answer about whether you should be driven by money, and by that, do I think you should work for less than your worth?

Make your own calculations.

How long are you going to be in the country for? Can you afford to have an empty resume for that time? Is it time to choose a different career? Is it time to study? Is 12 months of underpaid work worth more to you when you get to your next destination e.g.. is the experience good experience for you? Will this job get you to where you want to go next?

The reason I ask you this is because 18 months ago I landed a job that gave me complete flexibility to work wherever I wanted. It didnt matter if I was in Australia or Qatar. It was a job that covered all of the aspects Id spent the last few years learning about  writing, editing, online marketing and social media. There is absolutely no way I would have been offered that job had I not put the (unpaid) hours into learning a new craft. Remember, its not always a straight line.

Do you need to find your passion?

Im not sure it works that way, maybe your passion will find you? Its not going to just pop up and identify itself though  you need to go out and chase it. How? Start something. Go and do something, anything! Think of something youd really like to do in the country youre currently in. Whether its a hobby, a skill or an entry-level position in an area that interests you  just go and start. I promise youll find your way to where you need to go  and when you do  shoot me a message and tell me.

Fake it until you make it.

Its not going to happen straight away so build a support network to give you encouragement along the way. Get rid of the haters. Join a group, like a womens network or an industry group or a meetup page on Google  but start to surround yourself with people who are doing the sort of work you want to do.

Are you ready to re-invent your career? I dare you to start right now.

Sign up for the best bits here Your favourite posts from the group as well as the gems from the podcast. We'll send it straight to your inbox to save you searching Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.
VIG happy with Burger King, CVC tumbles with KFC



By Nam Hyun-woo





CVC Asia Pacific Chairman of Korea Steve Lim VIG Partners Managing Partner Park Byung-moo

Two private equity funds (PEFs) are showing contrasting performances in their exits from domestic fast food chains.



According to industry sources, CVC Capital Partners, a PEF headquartered in Luxembourg, signed a selling and purchase agreement over SRS Korea, which runs KFC here, with KG Group on Feb. 23. The deal is reportedly worth 45 billion won to 50 billion won ($39.77 million to 44.19 million).



CVC Capital Partners holds a 100 percent stake in SRS Korea. If Yum! Brands, the worldwide owner of the chicken restaurant brand, approves the deal, KG Group will own KFC Korea.



The deal will be a bitter exit for CVC Capital Partners, which purchased KFC Korea at 100 billion won in 2014 from Doosan Group. CVC reportedly believes it has already recovered what it invested, but the sale at half price draws questions in the investment banking industry here.



The decline in KFC Korea's value stems from the chain's poor earnings. According to the Korea Fair Trade Commission and SRS Korea, KFC Korea's operating profit stood at 11.6 billion won in 2013, but declined to 6.9 billion won in 2014 and plunged to 1.1 billion won in 2015.



During its management, CVC employed various marketing strategies such as expanding around-the-clock branches and expanding its menu. However, it failed to raise the profitability and put the brand up for sale just a year after the purchase.



Market observers compare CVC's dismal exit with VIG Partners' sale of Burger King.



Last April, the homegrown buyout fund sold its 100 percent stake in BKR, which runs the Burger King brand here, to Affinity Equity Partners for 210 billion won, just three years after purchasing the company also from Doosan Group at 110 billion won in November 2012. When including other profits, observers estimate VIG retrieved at least 2.3 times what it had invested.



VIG's successful management garnered keen attention because it drove the growth of Burger King despite a domestic slowdown in the restaurant industry.



According to BKL, a law firm that consulted VIG during the sale, the hamburger chain's sales topped 200 billion won just a year after the VIG's acquisition. In 2015, its sales amounted to 278.5 billion won despite an outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Korea. The number of branches also increased to 236 in 2015 from 130 in 2012.



For CVC Capital Partners, its unfavorable performance in Korea is dealing a blow to its global reputation. In recent years, CVC made a series of botched attempts in major merger and acquisition deals in the country.



Last year, CVC withdrew from a bidding for Woori Bank stakes, while its rival IMM Private Equity purchased a 6 percent stake in the bank. In its bid to acquire Tong Yang Magic, it earned a spot in the shortlist, but again withdrew to let SK Networks to acquire the home appliance maker.



Its deal to purchase Logen Logistics, Korea's fourth-largest package delivery firm, is also facing setbacks as CVC and seller Baring Private Equity Asia are tangled in a legal dispute over sales terms.
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Genre: Comedy, Action

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, Hector Elizondo

When his boss is killed, Detroit cop Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) finds evidence that the murderer had ties to a California amusement park called Wonder World. Returning to Beverly Hills once more, Foley reunites with Detective Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) to solve the case. Along with Billy's new partner, Jon Flint (Hector Elizondo), they discover that the security force of Wonder World is actually part of a counterfeit money operation headed by park manager Orrin Sanderson (John Saxon).
HOLMEN  Rector E. Wall, 92, of Holmen passed away Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, at Hillview Health Care Center in La Crosse.

Rector was born in La Crosse, June 17, 1924, to Rector B. and Ellen O. (Helgeson) Wall. He was baptized and confirmed at Holmen Lutheran Church. Rector graduated from Holmen High School in 1942 and then enrolled at La Crosse Teachers College. He was drafted in the service in January of 1943, mustered into the U.S. Navy and served on the U.S.S. Whitney in the South Pacific Theater. Upon returning from World War II he enrolled at UW-Madison and graduated in 1949. Rector married Darlene Hollnagel Oct. 15, 1949.

He worked as an internal auditor at Trane Company in La Crosse from 1949 until 1952. Rector then took over as office manager and accountant at the Holmen Cooperative Creamery from 1952 until 1961. From 1961 until 1963, he worked as the controller of Sorge Dairy in Manitowoc, Wis. He returned to Galesville, in June of 1963 and went into partnership with Mike Flaherty in the grocery business until 1964. In January of 1964, Rector began working as an accountant and auditor for the Hawkins, Ash, and Baptie Accounting Firm in La Crosse, and worked there until 1989, when he retired.

Rector was a member of the Morris Snuggerud American Legion Post 284 from 1946 on. He was also a charter member of the Holmen Lions Club formed in 1960. Rector received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award from the Lions Club in 2006, and was the Holmen Kornfest Parade Marshall in 1993. He was also very honored to receive the Holmen High School Alumni Award in 2007. Rector was a member of the Sons of Norway Wergeland Lodge, and the Holmen Historical Society.

He also served as treasurer of the Holmen Lutheran Church for many years. He was clerk of the Village of Holmen from 1952 until 1961 and was elected as a trustee of the Village Board in Holmen from 1961 until 1968.

Survivors include four children, Betty (Kevin) Baird of Holmen, Diane (Robert) Johnson and Sally (Dennis Solberg) Gordon, both of Eau Claire, Wis., and Richard (Eve) Wall of Missoula, Mont.; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law, Lillian Wall of Calgary, Canada.

Rector was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene, in August of 2013; his parents; sisters, Evelyn Turner and Constance Knudson; brothers, Owen, Sidney and Gordon; sister-in-law, Nona Wall; and brother-in-law, Ernest Knudson.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 3, at Holmen Lutheran Church, 228 Morris St., Holmen. Pastor Matt Toso will officiate. Burial will follow in Long Coulee Cemetery with military honors to be rendered by the Holmen American Legion Post 284 and the U.S. Navy Funeral Honor Guard. A visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday, both at Holmen Lutheran Church.

Memorials are preferred to Holmen Lutheran Church. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Jostad Chapel, West Salem, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.jandtfredrickson.com.

The family would like to thank the staff at Hearten House 3 in Holmen, especially the CNAs and the nursing staff for their long, loving care of Dad, and to the staff at Hillview in La Crosse for their amazing care of Dad in his short stay there.

Rector loved Holmen and he loved his family. He was a kind and gentle man. Thanks Grandpa for the character of your life and the life lessons shared...Enjoy dancing with Grandma once again.
For most Wisconsinites, the arrival of spring is usually welcome change from the cold and snow of winter. However, the lack of a blanket of snow brings a greater chance of brush fires.

Dealing with brush fires, also referred to as wildfires, will be the topic of the March 8 Friends of the Black River meeting. The meeting will be held in the Jackson County Bank beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources forestry team leader Eric Zenz and forestry specialist Amy Luebke will present a program related to wildfire risk in the Black River Falls area. Their program will also include an overview of the 1977 Brockway Fire.

Zenz, a 15-year veteran of the DNRs forestry program, works out of the Black River Falls Service Center. Luebke has been with the agency since 2008 and works out of the Wisconsin Rapids Service Center. She serves as outreach educator in wildfire prevention, preparation and planning.

The forestry personnel will explain how homeowners can take steps to reduce the ignitability of their homes and how to prepare for wildfires and to protect their homes.

With the fire-prone nature of our area, firefighters say that it is not a matter of if a wildfire will occur, but when it will occur, said Zenz.

The spring of 1977 proved to be a particularly challenging brush fire season in the Black River Falls region. The Brockway fire burned more than 17,000 acres in Jackson County. The fire was caused by a westbound Chicago and Northwestern train which ignited areas along the track almost all the way to BRF before the train was stopped. The series of small fires combined to form one large fire. In addition, an illegal cooking fire escaped and joined the railroad fires. Along with the acres of natural area, the Brockway Fire burned 14 houses with damages totaling over $1.4 million before the wildfire was finally brought under control.

The fire suppression effort was made more difficult because of the lack of tractor plows which were already in use fighting a fire in the Saratoga area. The Saratoga fire destroyed five homes, one house trailer, 10 barns and 84 out-buildings and burned a total 6,159 acres. Damages in that fire totaled more than a million dollars.

About the time mop-up of those two fires was underway, two more fires in the Black River Falls area broke out April 30.

Sixty-three fire departments assisted with the blaze that started when a chain saw exploded and was shortly joined by a backfire set on private property. With the wind blowing the fire toward Brockway and BRF, 1,500 people were evacuated. Fortunately, no buildings were lost but more than 3,000 acres were burned.

About the same time, another fire broke out near Minong, started by sparks from a campfire. The Five-Mile Tower Fire destroyed 13,375 acres of pine forest and was about 15 miles long at its longest point.

The public is encouraged to attend the free program to be better informed of how to prevent brush fires and protect their properties.

For more information about the program and FBR, email info_fbr@yahoo.com.
Smart Rating: 30.64

Genre: Action, Comedy

Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Katherine Heigl, Tom Selleck

Three years after a fateful trip to the French Riviera, Jen (Katherine Heigl) enjoys the good life in suburbia with her handsome husband, Spencer (Ashton Kutcher). That comes crashing down, however, when gunfire rings out the morning after his 30th birthday. It turns out that Spencer has not been honest with Jen about his job; he's a deadly spy. Now she must learn to dodge bullets while keeping up an appearance of normalcy.
Louise Boyle (1910-2005)

Because of photographers such as Louise Boyle, people around the world were able to see the devastating effects of the Great Depression on U.S
A West Salem man charged with killing his wife and trying to cover up the crime by staging a traffic crash will be tried for her death late th
A controversial telecommunications tower in the town of Holland was voted down Monday, but its not out yet.

The La Crosse County Boards Planning, Resources and Development Committee voted 4-2 against approval of a conditional-use permit for a 195-foot tower at W7520 Old Hwy. NA, west of Hwy. 35. The vote came a month after the committee decided to delay a decision on the proposal by Green Bay-based Bug Tussel Wireless.

The full county board has the final say on the towers permit, but some would argue the board really doesnt have a say because of state-imposed restrictions on local control over location of telecommunications towers.

Under regulations included in the states 2013 budget bill, local governments can no longer deny tower permits solely for aesthetic reasons, limit the height of towers to under 200 feet, or require that antennas and structures be placed on public property, such as water towers.

If the full county board follows the committees example and votes to deny a permit for the tower when it meets March 16, Bug Tussel can appeal that decision in circuit court. The likelihood is they (Bug Tussel) would win that appeal, said county planner Charlie Handy.

People who live on Huntington Street, a subdivision just south of Holmens Prairie View Elementary and less than a quarter mile north of the tower site, have been vocal in opposition to the tower since it was first proposed in November. Residents have cited concerns about safety, aesthetics and property values, arguing there isnt a need for the tower as there is already a tower a quarter mile west of the proposed tower.

In addition, the Holland Town Board went on record at its February meeting opposing the tower, and the village of Holmen also has raised objections.

If they cant come to us and have us fight for something we believe in, who else is going to do it, said county board member Tina Wehrs, who chairs the PRD committee. Realistically, I dont know if we can expect to win (an appeal), but were taking a stand. We just felt it was the right thing to do.

Board member Matt Nikolay, the committees vice chair, agreed that the committee needed to consider the publics concerns. My issue is the lack of public support for this project, he said. Just about any other issue that comes before this committee that does not have local support is denied.

Patrick Scheller and Dave Holtze also voted to deny the permit.

Rejecting the permit has its risks, though. If the county approves a permit, it can include some conditions, such as requiring a bond to ensure that when the tower is no longer in use that it will be properly removed.

Committee members Jerome Gundersen and Dan Hesse voted against denying the permit, in part because of that concern.

Gundersen said he knows someone who lives on Huntington Street who has no problem with the tower, and he argued that just because people who didnt oppose the tower didnt come to the public hearings doesnt mean that they should be discounted.

I believe this is something that is out of our hands and we should support it, Gundersen said. Cell towers are a fact of life.  This is a business. They deserve a chance to try to do business.
EAU CLAIRE, Wis.  Scott Rogers envisions a high-speed passenger line, with rail cars traveling at 80 mph, heading from Eau Claire to St. Paul on existing Union Pacific tracks. Four trains daily would head to the Twin Cities, with a handful of stops along the way.

It would be competitive to highway (travel), and reliable, Rogers said.

Passengers also could get work done on the train, on their way to Union Depot in St. Paul.

You dont have to spend that hour and a half, two hours, with your hands glued to the wheel, he said.

Rogers, chairman of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition and the government affairs and workforce director for the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, has been working on getting the passenger train line going for more than a decade.

The whole idea has been percolating quite a while, Rogers said. Its really continued to come up as being an important aspect of being competitive.

Rogers said there are at least five private commuter rail providers active in the country, and he believes there is interest for a private firm to operate the line in western Wisconsin.

The goal is to get the commuter line operational with no government money. The rail corridor is used now, but by trains going at a much slower pace. Rogers said a study is being done to determine how much it would cost to upgrade the track so it can handle rail cars traveling at 80 mph.

The first step is to determine the requirements of the line, Rogers said. We have a general idea. Well have a better idea this fall (after the study). Theyve actually invested a lot into those tracks recently.

Aside from the study of the needs of the track corridor, Rogers said there isnt a timeline for the next step in moving the plan forward.

Cost would be roughly $32 full fare to St. Paul, but with discounts for regular travel.

It is unclear exactly how many cars would be part of the train.

There would be enough for capacity each day, Rogers said, adding that preliminary estimates would be 1,000 to 1,200 passengers daily among the four trains.

So far, both the Eau Claire and Chippewa county boards have approved resolutions supporting the idea. Rogers said those resolutions are valuable to his organization.

Its a positive; it shows interest, Rogers said.

The Eau Claire County Board approved its resolution Dec. 20. Chairman Gregg Moore said he likes the idea of providing another means of travel, which would make the area more attractive.

We werent asked to (provide) money, Moore said. Im not aware of any additional plans coming to the County Board. If it can be worked out, it would be a very positive thing.

The Chippewa County Board approved its resolution of support Feb. 14 on an 11-3 vote. Board member Chuck Hull of Chippewa Falls was one of the supervisors who voted against the measure, saying he isnt sure why a government municipality would be asked to show support for it.

Im definitely for rail, Hull said. The vote against it is why a government entity needs to endorse it. If they want to do it privately, thats fine.

Hull said his concerns are that costs would somehow be passed on to taxpayers  he doesnt favor that  and he isnt sure how Chippewa County would benefit.

A goal of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition is to eventually expand and offer passenger train service to Madison and Milwaukee. Information is on its website, westwisconsinrail.org.
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"President Donald Trump said he believes former President Barack Obama has been behind the leaks within his administration and the sizable, angry town hall crowds Republicans have faced across the country.



Trump was asked in an interview on Fox News' "Fox and Friends" if he believed Obama was responsible for the town hall protests against Republicans this month.

"It turns out his organization seems to do a lot of these organizing to some of the protests that these Republicans are seeing around the country against you. Do you believe President Obama is behind it and if he is, is that a violation of the so-called unsaid presidents' code?" Trump was asked.

"No, I think he is behind it." Trump replied."

They lost Ryan: Trump blames his own generals for Yemen raid that killed Navy SEAL...This was a mission that was started before I got here, Trump said. This was something that was, uh, you know, they wanted to do. They came to see me, they explained what they wanted to do, the generals, who are very respected. My generals are the most respected that weve had in many decades, I believe. And they lost Ryan.



"Trump is flirting with the idea that anti-Semitic incidents are false flags...President Trump seemed to suggest Tuesday that the recent bomb threats and vandalism at Jewish community centers and cemeteries across the country might be false flags, according to a Democratic attorney general who met with him.



Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro (D) told reporters Tuesday that Trump...appeared to suggest it might not be anti-Semitism and that it could be the reverse,

Shapiro told BuzzFeed: He just said, Sometimes its the reverse, to make people  or to make others  look bad, and he used the word reverse I would say two to three times in his comments. He did correctly say at the top that it was reprehensible.

NOTE: PLEASE SEE THE UPDATE AT THE END OF THIS POST.I guess the enraged, infantile behavior in the White House has hit a new low with this disgusting remark by Donald Trump, attempting to duck responsibility for his miserable administration's leaking embarrassing reports like a sieve:Funny, the CNN reporter interviewing him didn't think to ask him if treasonously selling the country out to a foreign dictator didn't violate the "unsaid President's code." Or maybe actually the very well said President's code that is found in the Constitution.But wait, there's more! With Donald Trump, there are always more depths to plumb when it comes to explaining away his almost inevitable failure. Here he is talking about his disastrous Yemen raid:Yeah, the mission was "started" before Trump got there. And it was called off before Trump got there, because the previous President (what was his name now?) realized that it was poorly planned and likely to go wrong. So Obama and the generals are both at fault for this failure, but not the actual guy who ordered that the raid should go ahead. Remember this famous sign?The buck doesn't stop there any more, I guess. Maybe we could all chip in for a new sign- something like "the jerk sits here."Let's be clear here. As far as I know, there has never, in the entire history of the United States, been a President who behaves in the nauseating way the Trump does, every single day. And yet his party, and a good part of the press, are still working as hard as they can to pretend that this is normal, or within the range of the acceptable. We are on a fast ride to hell if these people do not develop some sort of consciousness, and given the fact that they never have in the past, I'm not holding out too much hope.UPDATE: And when you thought this couldn't get any worse, Trump has really gone to the bottom of the sewer now. From theWell, I hope that there is not a single person that hears about this that has one second's doubt about what it is. This is open Naziism, from the President of the United States. It took him only a little over four weeks to sink to absolutely the lowest possible form of degradation known to man. It is truly frightening to imagine where we are going to go from here.
An American mining company has suspended work at the worlds largest gold mine in West Papua, New Guinea in a dispute with the Indonesian government.

Indonesia wants changes to the mining company Freeport-McMoRans business. It also wants a majority ownership share to go to Indonesians.

The company chief says Indonesia is breaking its contract in seeking the changes. And the company may seek arbitration in the case and bring a legal case against the government.

Freeport-MacMoRan is based in Phoenix, Arizona. Besides operating the worlds largest gold mine, it also mines copper and other minerals in the Indonesian territory.

The company employs about 32,000 people in Indonesia. It has laid off 10 percent of its foreign workforce. Observers in Indonesia are concerned that the dispute will severely harm the local economy, which is dependent on mining.

Concerns about the local situation are rising

West Papua has long been a troubled territory in Indonesia. It has an independence movement that has been forcibly suppressed by military action.

Mining is the main economic activity of the area.

One local newspaper editor notes that Freeport-McMoRan also provides social services to the area. Octovianus Danunan of the Radar Timika says, Freeport runs two hospitals here, gives hundreds of scholarships to local students, and of course, provides jobs to thousands of Papuans.

John Gobai is a member of the Papua parliament. He said, These layoffs have eliminated the livelihoods of a lot of people. He says people native to the area are suffering.

Reports from the company say 36 percent of the full-time employees in the area are native Papuans.

Andreas Harsono is a researcher with the activist group Human Rights Watch. He says Timika, where the mining facility is, is a wild area. He says violence is a possibility.

Contract of work disputed

The Indonesian government wants changes to a 30-year contract signed in 1991. The contract was signed when Suharto, a military ruler, was the president. However, relations between the government and Freeport-McMoRan have cooled under democratically elected presidents.

In 2009, the government passed a mining law requiring the company to build a $2.9 billion smelter. The facility would melt down metal ore to increase the value of exported materials. The country also wants a majority of the shares in the company to go to Indonesian ownership within 10 years.

Indonesian officials have increased pressure on the company to change its contract to a Special Business License under the 2009 law. Mines and Energy Minister Ignasius Jonan has led the effort.

The contract is set to end in 2021. However, the government has passed rules in January and February increasing pressure on the company, according to a company press release.

The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources could not be reached for comment on the issue.

The chief executive officer of the company, Richard Adkerson, has told Reuters news service that Freeport-McMoRan is committed to remaining in Indonesia. He notes that one third of West Papuas economy comes from the Grasberg mine.

Both sides face large financial losses because of the dispute. Indonesia appears committed to the changes it is seeking.

During the dispute, Papua parliament member John Gobai says the government must do something for the local people.

What the government really needs to think about is what compensation they can give the layoff victims in the present. These people are employees, but they are also citizens, Gobai said.

Im Mario Ritter.

Krithika Varagur reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

arbitration n. the process of seeking judgement from a third party in a dispute between two sides

smelter n. a facility used to melt down and remove impurities from metal ores

ore n. rock that contains high concentrations of metal

license n. a document that gives official permission to do some activity

compensation n. something provided to make up for damage or trouble

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.
Rahul Kolli was happy when he gained admission to Michigan Technological University in the United States.

Kolli, a 23-year-old from southern India, studied engineering before graduating from college. He wanted to continue his education by studying data analytics at Michigan Tech.

He had the same goal as tens of thousands of Indian students: study in an American university, work in the United States for a few years and perhaps stay there.

But in November, Kolli decided not to go to the U.S. school. He chose instead to study at a university in Ireland.

His main concern was U.S. President Donald Trumps promise to protect jobs for Americans. Kolli thought that after spending a huge amount in the United States, he might have difficulty finding a job here.

Kolli says many of his Indian friends at American universities urged him not to come to the U.S. They said some companies had told them U.S. citizens would be preferred for new jobs.

Before Trump, yes -- they were asking me to come, he said. But after Trump (was) elected, they were like: Think over your decision. I dont suggest you come to the U.S. Why dont you try some other country?

The number of Indians studying in the United States has grown in recent years. More than 200,000 Indians attended an American college or university last year. That is the second-highest number of foreign students from one country.

The lack of high-quality universities in India forces many students to consider foreign countries for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

For many years, the Preston Education Consultancy in Chennai sent almost all students who used its services to the United States.

Ilaya Bharathi heads the company. He says about 40 percent of students it works with chose such countries as Ireland, Canada, Germany and Australia even after gaining admission to an American university.

Its basically what is called in the market the Trump effect. They are reluctant to take the U.S. as an option now, says Bharathi.

He notes growing nervousness among both Indian students and their parents. They are worried about a possible change in American immigration policy. They fear such a change could make it difficult for foreign students to stay and work in the United States.

Bharathi says most Indians studying in other countries are computer software engineers. He says many have decided to study in Ireland, which is a growing information technology center in Europe.

Ireland now permits students to work for two years after they have completed their education, instead of one.

In addition to worries about jobs, some Indians wonder whether the United States will continue to be a safe and welcoming place for foreign students and workers. Many of them have heard anti-immigrant statements from President Trump and his supporters.

Such worries have grown after two Indian engineers were shot last month in the state of Kansas. The death of one of the two was reported throughout India.

The suspected gunman is a U.S. Navy veteran who shouted get out of my country at the men. Police are investigating the shooting as a possible hate crime.

Kavita Singh operates FutureWorks Consulting in New Delhi. The company helps Indian students gain admission to colleges. She says she is hearing questions about the United States that she has not heard before. The questions have included, What is the environment going to be like on campus? and Is it going to change and is it going to be different?

Singh says this concern is greater among those students hoping to receive an undergraduate education in the U.S. Students from richer families often do not want to work and live in the U.S. And they fear the environment may turn more hostile.

Some even say we only want to look maybe now at colleges on the East and West Coast which voted blue (Democrat) and we are not really sure we want to look at the middle of the country, said Singh. She earned a Masters of Business Administration degree in the United States.

Education experts say many postgraduate students are watching how policies on students staying to work in the country develop under the Trump administration.

But not everyone is disheartened. Shraddha Gulati, a student in a Delhi University college, says she wants to study in the United States.

There are so many good colleges there -- the top 50 and 100 -- and not in India, she said.

Im Alice Bryant.

Anjana Pasricha reported this story from New Delhi. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted her report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

graduate - v. to earn a degree or diploma from a school, college or university

prefer - v. to like someone or something better than someone or something else

undergraduate - adj. relating the first years of study at a college or university - usually in reference to a bachelor's education

postgraduate - adj. relating to the years following a bachelor's degree

option - n. the opportunity or ability to choose something or to choose between two or more things

campus - n. the area and buildings around a university, college, or school

degree - n. an official document and title that is given to someone who has successfully completed a series of classes at a college or university
On Nov. 1, Linn Benton Food Shares warehouse in Tangent received two truckloads of food and household supplies arranged by the local branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A homicide investigation is ongoing in St. Petersburg after a man was stabbed to death Monday evening.

St. Petersburg man, 22, arrested in stabbing death

Thomas Peruchi arrested

Trevor Scott dies after being stabbed

According to St. Petersburg police, Thomas Peruchi drove to Trevor Scott's at 939 45th Street North and an argument ensued.

Officers said the men knew each other but details of the argument have not been released.

During the argument, Peruchi, 23, stabbed Scott and then left the scene. An ambulance transported Scott, 22, to Bayfront Health, where he was later pronounced dead.

A short time later, police received a medical call at 4643 5th Avenue South.

When officers arrived, they found Peruchi with lacerations to his leg. Through their investigation, officers were able to link the two incidents together.

Peruchi was taken to Bayfront Health for treatment before being transported to the Pinellas County Jail.

Police have not released any charges as of yet.
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Australias prime minister yesterday blamed recent criticism from his predecessor for a dip in the governments popularity in a closely watched opinion poll.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said comments by Tony Abbotts in a speech last week that the conservative government risked a drift to defeat were aimed at damaging the ruling coalition.

He said the comments were the reason why to the center-left Labor Party opposition had extended its lead over the government in the Newspoll published in The Australian newspaper yesterday.

We saw an outburst on Thursday and it had its desired impact on the Newspoll, Turnbull told reporters. It was exactly as predicted and as calculated.

Abbott was prime minister before Turnbull replaced him after a bitter internal challenge in the ruling party in September 2015.

Turnbull justified his challenge by pointing to the governments poor results in a series of Newspoll surveys under Abbotts leadership.

The governments popularity initially surged with the more centrist Turnbull at its helm, but has fallen behind Labor since scraping back into power at July elections.

Abbott remains a government lawmaker but Turnbull has excluded him from his Cabinet. Abbott used a speech and television interview on Thursday to urge the government to adopt more conservative policies, such as reducing Australias immigration and clean energy targets.

The Newspoll found that the proportion of voters satisfied with Turnbull performance as prime minister had dropped 4 percentage points to 29 percent in three weeks. Those dissatisfied with his performance had increased 5 percentage points to 59 percent.

Labor extended its lead over the government by 2 percentage points over three weeks ago. Labor is supported by 55 percent of the voters, while 45 percent support the government.

The nationwide survey of 1,682 voters at the weekend had a 2.4 percentage margin of error.

Turnbull dismissed speculation that his party might seek to replace him as leader. AP
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. increased its stake in iPhone maker Apple Inc. to about 133 million shares, Chairman Warren Buffett told CNBC.

Thats more than twice as much as Berkshire held as of Dec. 31, the billionaire told the cable network in an interview yesterday. The stake is valued at more than USD18 billion, based on Fridays closing price of $136.66.

Berkshire has been accelerating stock purchases in recent months, adding to stakes in the largest U.S. airlines and Apple. Buffett said the 2017 Apple purchases were made before the company posted quarterly earnings on Jan. 31, a report that pushed shares higher than he wanted to pay.

Apple strikes me as having quite a sticky product and an enormously useful product to people that use it, not that I do, Buffett said, praising Tim Cook, the technology companys chief executive officer. Hes been very intelligent about capital deployment.

Buffett said he accumulated about 123 million of the Apple shares, and that one of his deputies acquired the rest, without identifying the investment manager. Berkshire hired Todd Combs in 2010 and Ted Weschler in 2011 to help pick stocks and eventually assume his role managing the companys investment portfolio.

Buffett also discussed the airline bets, saying that one of his deputies oversees a stake in American Airlines Group Inc., and I have the other three. Berkshire also holds stock in Delta Air Lines Inc., Southwest Airlines Co. and United Continental Holdings Inc., with stakes of more than 7 percent in each company.

We dont want to go over 10 percent, virtually on any stock. It complicates life for us, Buffett said. We do it occasionally, but its a big decision to make, whether to go over 10 percent.

Weschler invested in the airline industry before joining Berkshire and took a fresh look at the business after American CEO Doug Parker gave an investor presentation in March, people familiar with the matter said earlier this year. Katherine Chiglinsky, Bloomberg
A senior Cambodia government official says President Donald Trumps attacks on the media are an inspiration to his own country to observe limits on freedom of expression.

Cabinet spokesman Phay Siphon warned media companies, including specifically two radio outlets funded by the U.S. government, that Cambodian authorities might have to act against them if they do not take care to avoid alleged exaggeration and threats to the countrys stability.

He wrote in comments posted over the weekend on his Facebook page  in apparent reference to Trumps assertion that major U.S. media are an enemy of the American people  that the president was saying the medias reporting had legal limits and must respect the states responsibility to ensure stability and the peoples welfare.
China is sending its first senior official to visit the United States since President Donald Trump took office, amid uncertainties over trade relations and new security tensions in east Asia.

The Foreign Ministry said State Councilor Yang Jiechi is scheduled to exchange views on bilateral ties and issues of mutual concern in meetings with high- ranking U.S. officials during his two-day visit.

Yang is Chinese President Xi Jinpings top foreign policy adviser and a familiar face in Washington. He has served as foreign minister and ambassador to the U.S., presenting a degree of continuity in a relationship now seen as somewhat in flux.

His visit comes as the future direction of relations between the worlds two largest economies has grown more uncertain following Trumps accusation that China was cheating at trade and threats to raise import tariffs.

Trump has also criticized Chinas activities in the South China Sea, where it has built man-made islands with military features. He has suggested he might use Beijings rival Taiwan as leverage in negotiations and accused China of exerting too little pressure on communist neighbor North Korea to rein in its nuclear and missile programs.

China has responded in relatively mild terms and last week Premier Li Keqiang expressed hope that disputes with Trumps government could be settled amicably, saying that a trade war would benefit nobody.

Trump has also appeared to moderate his approach, saying in a call with Xi earlier this month that his administration affirms Washingtons long-standing policy of not maintaining official ties with Taiwan and acknowledging Chinas stance that the self-governing island is part of Chinese territory.

In a report out yesterday, the Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property says the annual losses range from about USD225 billion to $600 billion. The theft of trade secrets alone costs the United States between $180 billion and $540 billion annually. Counterfeit goods cost the United States $29 billion to $41 billion annual; pirated software costs an additional $18 billion a year.

The findings echo those of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which in 2015 pegged the annual cost of economic espionage by computer hacking at $400 billion.

The commission labels China the worlds No. 1 culprit. Including Hong Kong, China accounts for 87 percent of counterfeit goods seized entering the United States. The report says the Chinese government encourages intellectual property theft.

The commission is led by former Republican presidential candidate and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who also served as U.S. ambassador to China, and Adm. Dennis Blair, a former director of U.S. national intelligence.

The vast, illicit transfer of American innovation is one of the most significant economic issues impacting U.S. competitiveness that the nation has not fully addressed, Huntsman said. It looks to be, must be, a top priority of the new administration. AP
Finnish company HMD Global Oy unveiled a range of new phones, including a redesign of the classic Nokia 3310, in a bid to win back mobile consumers.

Two new smartphones, the Nokia 3 and Nokia 5, are set to come to market in the second quarter, HMD executives said Sunday at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The phones will run Googles Android operating system and Google Assist, and will retail for 139 euros (USD147) and 189 euros, respectively. HMD also showcased the re-release of the Nokia 3310, a lower-cost feature phone first sold just under 17 years ago.

The release is the first major push by HMD to revive Nokias glory days as a global mobile producer. After the collapse in its fortunes, Nokia Oyj sold the business to Microsoft Corp. in 2014, and staffing in mobile-phone operations in Finland fell to under 1,000, from more than 24,000.

HMD  run by Chief Executive Officer Arto Nummela, a former Nokia executive  has previously said it will invest more than $500 million in the next three years to market the phones and tablets.

While HMD controls the sales, marketing and distribution of the Nokia brand for smartphones, the manufacturing operations were sold by Microsoft to a subsidiary of Foxconn Technology Co. The Nokia 6 has already been released in China in January, and is set to be introduced globally.

First launched in 2000, the Nokia 3310 featured a small monochrome display and became known for its durability. It went on to sell millions of handsets. The revamped, slimmer version now has a color screen, but many of the phones basic features remain. The phone will have original games such as Snake, as well as new features including a camera, will sell for about 49 euros.

Nokia, which now focuses on mobile networks, gets royalty payments from HMD, but doesnt have an ownership stake. Withings, the consumer business making fitness bands and connected scales that Nokia acquired last year, will take the Nokia name, the company said. Giles Turner, Bloomberg
Macau is fit to become a focal point for triangular cooperation between China and Portugal and the Portuguese-speaking countries (PSC), on which the Portuguese and Chinese authorities have said they are focused.

At the Macau  A bridge in the economic relationship between China and Portuguese Speaking Countries conference held last week in Lisbon, Nie Quan, the Chinese Embassy political attache in Lisbon, said that economic cooperation is no longer limited to bilateral issues, and is launching, trilateral projects.

This world is full of uncertainty, but we are sure that Macau has played a key role in accelerating economic relations between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, said the Chinese diplomat, a former resident of Macau himself.

In addition to the growth of economic and trade relations, he said, the Macau bridge is based on its particular characteristics: bilingualism, privileged geographical location, infrastructure and environment for trade, in addition to longstanding historical and cultural ties with Portuguese-speaking countries.

Other pillars, said Quan, are the recognition of Macaus role by the Portuguese-speaking countries and the strong support of the central government of China to its role in relation to the Portuguese-speaking countries, supported by specific measures adopted at the ministerial conference of Forum Macau.

The last pillar is Macaus need to diversify its economy which, combined with the mission given to it by the central government creates the conditions for it to make the most of the opportunity created.

Fernanda Ilheu, a researcher at Lisbons Institute of Economics and Management (ISEG) and coordinator of China Logus (an advisory hub of the ISEG Management Studies Centre), said that Macau will now be home to the institutions that manage Chinas funds for Portuguese-speaking countries, which may be beneficial for all parties, increasing triangular cooperation opportunities at a time when investments that are part of the One Belt, One Road strategy are starting to arrive.

I think we all want to be together with China in this belt and this road to do that we needed Macau to have an even more active role, in terms of the relationship and knowledge, said the researcher.

Severino Cabral, president of the Brazilian Institute of China and Asia-Pacific Studies (IBECAP), said that the current situation also brings an opportunity for Portugal to reemerge, taking advantage of its leadership in the special relationship with the Chinese world, through Macau.

Macau, by being created within this extraordinary concept of one country, two systems, kept Portuguese as an official language [] symbolises the creation of the world of Chinese language and culture and the Portuguese culture and language, in several continents, said the Brazilian academic.

The one-day conference was attended by financial sector officials, including Pedro Cardoso of Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU), as well as heads of Banco Santander Totta, BCP Capital, Fosun, Energias de Portugal (EDP), Redes Energeticas Nacionais (REN) and the Port of Sines.

The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, closed the conference noting that 2017 may prove to be a particularly significant year in the deepening of relations between Portugal and China, and that the Chinese approach is beneficial for the European Union.

Everything points to a deepening of the relations between that world and China in the next few years. And Portugal  in all three communities [European Union, Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) and the Ibero-American community]  will be an active and important player in this relationship, he said.

But the world is made of additions, not subtractions. It is adding new strategic vectors. Portugal is not discovering China for the first time. Macau is sign of that, said the Portuguese head of state. MDT/Macauhub
The trial of the regions former top prosecutor, Ho Chio Meng, continued yesterday at the Court of Final Appeal. The witnesses present all used to provide services for the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) and the Office of the Prosecutor-General.

The witnesses worked for companies that obtained contracts from the shelf companies which were allegedly opened by Ho in accordance with other businessmen, including Wong Kuok Wai.

The first witness was a former employee at a company that provided remote supervision services to the MP. In his testimony, the witness said that until his company received a contract from the alleged shelf companies, the MPs security CCTV was connected to the Public Security Police Force (PSP) and to CTM. After the contract was awarded to the witness company, MPs CCTV was disconnected from the PSP.

The second witness, a woman surnamed Leong who is currently the owner of a cleaning company, previously cleaned some of the MPs properties.

The prosecution displayed some pictures of the MPs Teachers Resting Room at the Hotline Center 16th floor.

The witness said that she never saw as many items inside the rooms as was showed in the pictures, although she did remember seeing a bed in the room.

She testified that when she had finished her cleaning duties, she would go to the Hotline Center to pick up her payment which she presumed came from the MP.

In response to a question by Ho Chio Mengs lawyer, Leong Weng Pun, the witness said that she cleaned places for other governmental departments such as the Civil and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM).

These departments would invite her company to bid for a public tender, or she would simply provide them with a quote when she saw they were advertising, noting that she would provide these quotes before her company was awarded the contract for the work.

According to a picture displayed by the lawyer, for one public tender, the witness quoted a figure that was higher, (a minimum of MOP300,000 higher) than the quotes of other companies.

She explained that there were no unified standards within the cleaning industry.

After this question, presiding judge Sam Hou Fai pointed out that the lawyer had already posed this question to many witnesses, pointing out that every company is allowed to calculate its own budget and standards within a free market.

The third witness of the day currently owns a pest control company. The man, from 2004 until 2015, provided pest control services to several offices under the MPs administration, including Cheoc Van Villas.

He noted that he was awarded all of his MP contracts by Wong Kuok Wai, noting that two shelf companies allegedly run by Wong Kuok Wai and others definitely did not have specific pest control services and as such, his company provided them.

The witness visited every location involved in the cases currently related to the trial where he was requested to provide services, accompanied by Wong, who also accompanied the witnesss employees to MPs offices.

He explained that when he provided services to other governmental departments, they would contract his company directly.

However, in some cases, his company would also be invited by another company, which had aquired a government contract but was unsuited for carrying out a particular task. The witness gave the example of a renovation company requiring help from a pest control company

Another witness, a man surnamed Chu, previously provided printer maintenance services to the MP. He said that a person surnamed Lam invited him to provide the services.

Another witness was a man surnamed Lam who is currently a civil servant working for the Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ). Previously, Lam worked for an advertisement company that served the MP.

Lam said that government departments would normally contact his company directly if they needed services. However, he said that he did not find it strange that his company was contacted by another company to provide services for a governmental department, as happened with his companys contract award for the MP. According to Lam, sometimes the first company was unable to finish all works or did not have the necessary technology. In those situations, the company would look for another one with the necessary skills to subcontract the work to them.

Lam revealed that in the instance when another company engaged his own, he would normally add a specific percentage on top of the price.

All witnesses who were questioned in the morning said that their companies provided half-

year, one-year or two-year services to governmental departments.

When the afternoon trial resumed at 3 p.m., five more witnesses were called to testify.

All five were responsible for companies that previously provided services to the MP, although their companies received the service requests from the alleged shelf companies rather than the MP directly.

Among the services provided by the companies of the various witnesses were air conditioning maintenance, sale of flowers and electronic devices, and travel agency related services.

The first witness said that his company bid for an MP public tender, but it failed. However, he was later approached by Wong to provide services to the MP.

Another witness said that when he started providing services to the MP, it was because one of the alleged shelf companies contacted him.

The last witness, surnamed Tse, worked for a travel agency. The public relations company involved in Hos case booked flights and hotels from Hos company. Alex Lam (another defendant in Hos case) allegedly contracted Tse to book the tickets and rooms.

The court will resume tomorrow.
The Swedish prime minister has died after being shot in a street ambush in central Stockholm. His wife was wounded.

Olof and Lisbeth Palme were attacked as they were leaving a cinema at about 2330 local time. Mr Palme was shot twice in the stomach, his wife was shot in the back.

Police say a taxi-driver used his mobile radio to raise the alarm. Two young girls sitting in a car close to the scene of the shooting tried to help the Prime Minister.

He was rushed to hospital but was dead on arrival. Mrs Palme is being treated for her injury, but it is not thought to be life threatening.

Mr Palme, 59, and a social democrat, was serving his second term as leader. He believed in open government and shunned tight security.

He had two bodyguards to protect him on official functions but frequently walked unattended through the Swedish capital and went on holidays unescorted to his summer cottage on the island of Gotland.

His assassination will come as a shock to the Swedes. They have always taken great pride in the fact their prime minister could walk openly in the streets without the security which accompanies other heads of state.

Mr Palme will be remembered as a campaigner for the working classes and Third World causes. He was first elected as prime minister in 1969.

He became a leading advocate of peace and non violence and campaigned for an end to the war in Vietnam.

He saw himself carrying the banner of Social Democracy through Europe at a time when the Right was only temporarily in triumph.

He once said: I know that the Thatchers and the Reagans will be out in a few years. We have to survive till then.

Courtesy BBC News

In

context

Olof Palmes deputy Ingvar Carlsson was chosen to succeed him as Social Democratic party leader.

At the time of his death, Mr Palme had been accused of being pro-Soviet and not safeguarding Swedens interests. Arrangements had been made for a trip to Moscow to discuss Soviet submarine incursions into Swedish waters.

A drug addict and social outcast, Christer Pettersson, 42, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder in July 1989.

The verdict immediately became controversial as the courts two judges voted for acquittal but six lay assessors disagreed.

In October 1989, Pettersson was cleared. Although several witnesses thought they could place him at the scene of the crime, no motive was ever found for the killing.

Pettersson died in September 2004. He was reported to have confessed to the killing before his death.

The investigation into Olof Palmes death remains open.

In November 2006 police recovered a Smith and Wesson revolver believed to have been used in the murder. It was found in a lake in central Sweden.
Jason Chao, former vice- president of the New Macau Association (ANM) yesterday stressed that his upcoming project  a civil platform to monitor election fairness  is a result of his deep reflection on the development of Macau civil society.

Speaking to the English and Portuguese language press yesterday in an informal meeting, the activist reiterated that Macaus civil society activism remains lethargic when compared to that of Hong Kong.

Chao, who announced his resignation from ANM last week, recalled that there are human rights groups in Hong Kong who oversee elections and produce reports about the fairness of elections, offering a public service which Macau lacks; thus he wished to fill the gap.

[In] the Chinese-speaking media, we know that the mainstream media are heavily biased. So we run our [ANM] own media outlet to fill the gap of disseminating information to the public, Chao said.

In the Legislative Assembly (AL) election later this year, the co-founder of LGBT rights group Rainbow of Macau will play the role of monitor  which he claimed was non-existent in previous elections.

The pro-LGBT activist failed to secure a seat at the AL during September 2013s elections.

Yesterday, Chao claimed that he experienced an abuse of power at the hands of Public Prosecutor general Ip Son Sang when he allegedly imposed political censorship over his election platform.

I should take a role in monitoring the election so thats why its time for me to play a more independent role, he stated.

Questioned by reporters, Chao declined to reveal details of his plans for his election monitoring project, noting he would reveal information only during the schemes launch.

You will know what Im going to do, stay tuned, he told the press, remarking additionally that it is not a thunderbolt plan.

He assured the press that he would not run an election guidance platform similar to the controversial thunderbolt plan Occupy Central co-founder Benny Tai Yiu-ting mapped out.

Im not going to run the same kind of election guidance platform as Benny Tai did in Hong Kong. [] I dislike that model. Please be assured that Im not running a kind of voting guidelines based on the suggestion of the likelihood of being elected, the activist clarified.

Meanwhile, Chao hoped he could form a team to launch the project, although he gave assurances that in the absence of a team he would go forward with the plan.

Chao also assured that he would publicize information gathered throughout the project, including candidates who will refuse to be monitored.

When questioned how the project would be executed if turnout is low, Chao said: Thats the little secret I need to keep from public knowledge for the time being but you will see.

The activist will run the project until the end of election day, but assured that after its completion, he is unlikely to return to the association of ANM, despite the fact that he has been a member of it for 11 years.

Meanwhile Scott Chiang who was present at the meeting implied that he would run for this years AL election.

He gave a vague comment, saying, the king ought to get on his horse and fight the battle even if hes not the best warrior in the whole kingdom, right?

ANM has been seeking a foot-

hold in the assembly for 24 years, I see no circumstances [that] has changed that now, Chiang added.

Activist diagnosed with asperger

Jason Chao revealed that he was recently diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. The activist cited his medical condition as one of the reasons that lead him to withdraw from running in the next election. Asperger syndrome is considered a milder autism spectrum disorder. In Macau, reaching out to a broad community is essential to winning a seat and Im not a good fit for this role. In order to come to a decision, we have to take a lot of factors into account and I have to admit that is one of the factors, Chao said.
Malaysian police investigating the killing of North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns estranged half brother believe they know somebody who might help them solve one of the most bizarre murder mysteries they have ever faced. They know his name, his nationality and have a pretty good idea where hes holed up. The problem is hes a North Korean diplomat.

Its unusual for any country to simply hand over a diplomat, no matter the alleged crime. But for North Korea, in particular, the line between immunity and impunity can seem to be a pretty fine one.

Take the 2015 case of the first secretary of North Koreas embassy in Bangladesh, who was found to be carrying a diplomatic bag full of 170 undeclared gold bars worth an estimated USD1.4 million. He was arrested but later released, with no charges filed, and left the country. The following year, another official at the same embassy was asked to leave the country after an attempt to smuggle a shipping container full of 1 million cigarettes and electronics worth another $1 million.

First secretary Hyon Kwang Song is the current person of interest. Most North Korean nationals suspects have left the country, but authorities say they believe three  diplomat Hyon, an employee of Air Koryo, the countrys flag carrier, and a person named Ri Ji U  remain.

If so, its not hard to imagine where they might be: the North Korean Embassy, a plain, yellow two-story house in an affluent neighborhood just 10 minutes from downtown.

Whether they are indeed at the embassy is anybodys guess. Police cant check because to do so they need permission from North Korea, which so far has said absolutely not and suggested the investigation is a witch hunt inspired by some unnamed foreign power.

National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said investigators have submitted a request through Malaysias foreign ministry to the North Korean Embassy to interview the diplomat. If you have nothing to hide, you do not have to be afraid, he said. You should cooperate.

But thats not what international practice says. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations says a foreign diplomat is inviolable and is not liable to any form of arrest or detention. It says the host country must treat a foreign diplomat with due respect and shall take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on his person, freedom or dignity. It also adds that a diplomatic agent shall enjoy immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the receiving state. That can only be waived by the diplomats own government.

While diplomats arent always the perfectly law-abiding citizens that we might hope, when diplomatic immunity and the realities of a criminal investigation butt heads, local police tend to have the weaker hand.

And that doesnt bode well for Malaysian investigators hoping North Korea will open its doors.

If he is a Korean diplomat with a diplomatic passport, then he has immunity no matter a criminal case or otherwise, lawyer Sankara Nair, who has handled several cases involving diplomats, told The Associated Press in Kuala Lumpur. The police can apply any warrants they want but it can easily be set aside by the embassy. Eric Talmadge, Tokyo, AP

Seoul: four spies involved in murder

South Koreas National Intelligence Service told lawmakers yesterday that four North Korean government spies were involved in the killing of Kim Jong Nam. Lawmakers cited the agency telling them in a private briefing that four of the North Koreans identified as suspects by Malaysian police investigating the Feb. 13 murder are from the Ministry of State Security, the Norths spy organ.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said yesterday that oil major Saudi Aramco will invest USD7 billion in a mammoth oil processing hub in Malaysia, making it the single largest investor in the Southeast Asian country.

The announcement came on the second day of a visit by Saudi King Salman, who is on a multi-nation tour to boost economic ties with Asia.

Najib said Aramco and Malaysias national oil company Petronas, which is leading the project, will sign the agreement today.

This is a significant investment and more details will be announced tomorrow, Najib told a news conference after meeting with the king. He said Aramcos investment is a strong vote of confidence in Malaysias economy and that bilateral relations are at an all-time high.

The Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development hub is being developed at a total cost of $27 billion in Malaysias southern Johor state bordering Singapore and is due to start operations in 2019. It includes a refinery with the capacity to churn out 300,000 barrels of oil a day and a petrochemical complex with a production capacity of 7.7 million metric tons.

Earlier yesterday, Malaysian and Saudi Arabian officials signed several other agreements on trade, human resources and scientific and educational cooperation.

In 2016, bilateral trade rose 28 percent from a year earlier to 14 billion ringgit ($3.2 billion).

King Salman, accompanied by a 600-member entourage, arrived Sunday for a four-day visit, his first to Muslim-majority Malaysia since he took the throne in January 2015. His predecessor, King Abdullah, visited in 2006.

Ties between the two countries came under a spotlight last year when Malaysias attorney-general said about $700 million transferred to Najibs personal bank account in 2013 was a donation from the Saudi royal family and that most of it was returned.

Najib has denied that the money was from the indebted Malaysian state fund 1MDB that he founded. The 1MDB fund, which is at the center of allegations of a vast international scheme of embezzlement and money-laundering, is being investigated by several countries including the U.S., Switzerland and Singapore.

After Malaysia, King Salman is to visit Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, China and the Maldives, the official Saudi Press Agency said. The monarch will also visit Saudi Arabias neighbor Jordan before returning home.

Saudi Arabia is the worlds largest oil exporter, with much of its crude destined for customers in Asia.

The kingdom is eager to attract investment as it diversifies its economy, including its upcoming initial public offering of part of state oil giant Saudi Aramco. AP
A high-level North Korean delegation arrived in Kuala Lumpur today (Tuesday) seeking the body of leader Kim Jong Uns half brother, the victim of a nerve-agent attack that many suspect Pyongyang itself of orchestrating, the Associated Press reported from KL.

The body of Kim Jong Nam, killed Feb. 13 at Kuala Lumpurs airport, is at the center of a heated diplomatic battle between North Korea and Malaysia. Pyongyang opposed Malaysian officials even conducting an autopsy, while Malaysia has resisted giving up the body without getting DNA samples and confirmation from next of kin.

The delegation includes Ri Tong Il, former North Korean deputy ambassador to the United Nations, who told reporters today (Tuesday) outside the North Korean Embassy that the diplomats were in Malaysia to seek the retrieval of the body and the release of a North Korean arrested in the case.

According to the AP dispatch, Ri said the delegation also seeks the development of friendly relationships between North Korea and Malaysia.

Malaysia has confirmed that the victim of the attack is Kim Jong Nam, half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. North Korea, however, has identified the victim only as a North Korean national with a diplomatic passport.

The mysterious killing of the high-profile Macau resident was at the center of talks senior diplomats from South Korea, the United States and Japan are having in Washington today [Macau time], Yonhap News Agency reported.

The trilateral meeting is a focus of attention as it could reveal for the first time how the U.S. views the death of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half brother of the Norths leader, amid mounting evidence that Pyongyang is behind the poison attack. Eight North Koreans have been named as suspects, but the North has denied its involvement.

Kim Hong-kyun, Seouls chief envoy on North Korea issues, said upon arrival in Washington on Sunday that the killing will be a key topic when he hold talks with Joseph Yun, U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, and Kenji Kanasugi, director-general for Asian and Oceanian affairs at Japans Foreign Ministry, the agency reported.

A lot of opinions will be exchanged with regard to the killing of Kim Jong-nam, Kim told Yonhap at the airport. In particular, as Malaysia has determined that the chemical weapons agent VX was used in Kim Jong-nams killing, there will be discussions on how to deal with that.
When Nguyen Thi Xuan said goodbye to her Japanese husband in 1954, she thought he was going off for a year or two on another long assignment. She never imagined it would be more than half a century before shed see him again.

Like many Vietnamese women married to Japanese soldiers, Xuans family was split up, victimized by the stormy relationship between the countries.

Today, the former foes enjoy strong bilateral ties, with Japan and Vietnam cooperating economically as well as in other areas, including defense and security.

In a sign of just how far the relationship has come, several surviving widows and families of former Japanese soldiers  including Xuan  will have an opportunity to meet with Japanese Emperor Akihito when he visits Vietnam for the first time this week.

Japanese troops invaded Vietnam in 1940 and remained there until Japan surrendered to the allies in 1945, ending World War II. Xuans husband, however, was among some 700 Japanese soldiers who remained in Vietnam after revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh declared independence from French colonial rule in 1945.

The Japanese soldiers helped train Ho Chi Minhs Viet Minh to fight the French. But after the Viet Minh defeated the colonial forces in 1954, Xuans husband was one of 71 former Japanese soldiers who had to leave the communist North without being able to bring their families, because Japan was on the other side of the Cold War. He left behind his two children and his pregnant 29-year-old wife.

I thought he was on an assignment for one or two years, but we then had no information about him, Xuan, 92, said recently.

She said that after not hearing from her husband for six years, she and her family thought he had died, and set up an altar to worship him.

Xuan had to raise her three children on her own by working on a rice farm in a village outside Hanoi. Villagers would call her Xuan Nhat, or Japanese Xuan, mocking her marriage to a Japanese man. Her children also were mocked.

People called me Japanese son, son of a fascist. There used to be a lot of discrimination. But it is better now, said Nguyen Xuan Phi, Xuans eldest son.

But anti-Japanese sentiment started to dissipate after communist Vietnam launched reforms in the mid-1980s and opened up to the outside world in the early 1990s.

In 2005, Xuan learned that her husband was alive and living in Japan through a Vietnamese woman living in the country with her Japanese husband, also a former soldier. The following year, Xuans husband, who had married a Japanese woman, arranged to visit her.

Xuan said she was very happy to see him again after all those years.

You look great, Xuan quoted her husband as telling her in still fluent Vietnamese when they reunited.

Yes, Im fine. I still have been waiting for you, she said she told her husband, who was in a wheelchair after suffering a stroke and visited Xuan with his Japanese wife. Xuan has not remarried, and her husband died several years after his 2006 visit.

While Xuans family was unable to stay together, when the last group of Japanese soldiers was asked by communist North Vietnam to leave in 1960, they were allowed to bring their families.

But Hoang Thi Thanh Hoais father, the son of a Japanese soldier, decided to stay behind to take care of his Vietnamese grandmother. He did not reunite with his brothers and sisters in Japan until 1995, when he and Hoai spent six weeks in Japan visiting their relatives.

Hoai, who is now 43 and works at a Japanese eye clinic in Hanoi, decided to study Japanese after seeing how her father was unable to communicate with his siblings after reuniting with them.

Learning Japanese helps me feel like a bridge of my two families, and more broadly a bridge between Vietnam and Japan, she said.

Today, Japan is Vietnams biggest foreign donor and one of its top investors and trading partners.

Even defense and security ties have gotten closer in recent years, with both countries facing maritime disputes with China. During a visit to Vietnam in January, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to provide Vietnam with new patrol vessels.

The upcoming visit by Emperor Akihito, whose six-day trip starts today, further underscores the strength of the bilateral relationship.

Xuan is scheduled to meet Akihito on Thursday. For her, the opportunity to meet the emperor comes late in her life, but is something shes looking forward to.

I am too old, even my children are getting old, Xuan said in her small home, the walls decorated with photos of her husband and other family members. I just hope the two governments could take better care of my grandchildren, who are also grandchildren of Japanese people, so that they could have an education and jobs. Tran Van Minh, Hanoi, AP
A bill to charge heroin dealers with second-degree murder if a customer overdoses and dies ran into opposition but still made it out of committee on Monday.

The drug pushers are selling death and I think we should prosecute accordingly," said Rep. James Holtzclaw, R-Meridian, who is co-sponsoring the bill with Rep. John Gannon, D-Boise.

I am very supportive of any kind of help that we can provide as a state, as a city, as a county for the users," Gannon told the House Judiciary and Rules Committee. "But for those people who are out there selling this stuff, I dont have a lot of tolerance. And I dont have a lot of sympathy.

As heroin use has been growing more common, reaching epidemic proportions in some parts of the country, other states have passed similar laws. Gannon and Holtzclaw said their bill would send a message that drug dealers are not wanted in Idaho, and that they wrote the bill narrowly with the intent of only ensnaring dealers, not addicts who share or exchange small amounts with each other.

However, several lawmakers worried their proposal could end up doing just that.

I dont think subjecting a fellow addict to potentially second-degree murder charges is going to help another one," said Rep. Greg Chaney, R-Caldwell, who made a motion to hold the bill in committee.

Chaney's motion failed 7-10, with both Democrats and Republicans on both sides of the vote. A motion to send the bill to the full House with a "do pass" recommendation then passed on a voice vote.

The committee heard testimony from several people who have been personally affected by heroin  including a woman whose grandson died of an overdose  who supported the bill, as did representatives of law-enforcement groups. Defense lawyers and the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho's lobbyist testified against the bill.
TWIN FALLS  Nature meets technology inside Clif Bars Twin Falls bakery.

Go into the lobby and youll discover wooden pillars, decorative walls of Idaho rock and handrails of reclaimed wood. Atriums, windows and skylights bring natural light into the building.

In the production room, however, the industrial environment is more apparent. Robotic arms continuously move product as employees monitor systems over a polished concrete floor. The packaged bars are taken overhead into the palletizer room, where forklift operators organize pallets by date in the warehouse. A day-and-a-half later, the bars are shipped out.

Its been less than a year since Clif Bar opened its Twin Falls bakery. And with well over $100 million put into the facility, it isnt stopping there.

Having put its third production line into operation at the end of January, the company expects to soon reach 290 employees, complete an employee gymnasium and install solar panels.

Its pretty critical for the company, General Manager Dale Ducommun said about the bakery. Obviously, we needed the capacity here to meet demand for our organic energy bars. Hopefully its been a good thing for Twin Falls, too.

More capacity

Clif Bars growth has exceeded its own expectations.

When we originally started last May, the plan was just to start with two lines and then add a third as we needed to, Ducommun said. We just needed to have a third a little sooner than we originally anticipated to meet demand.

Construction began last fall on the third line. Clif Bar now employs about 265 people in Twin Falls, but is still hiring for the last of the 75 new positions the line created.

So far, the new line is just producing all Clif Bar flavors  not the Clif Kid ZBars  but running at full capacity, it can even produce more bars than either of the other two production lines.

Right now were third in the bar category and pretty soon we should be second. Weve continued to grow every year, Ducommun said.

The company already has enough wastewater treatment capacity for up to six production lines, he said, so theres opportunity for more expansion when its needed.

Employee retention

Maintenance technicians are among the positions the company still needs to fill. But Clif Bar isnt the only one trying to recruit them.

Everybody is looking for good maintenance techs in the area, Ducommun said.

Most of Clif Bars employees were already living in the Magic Valley when they were hired. Ducommun believes the company is competitive with its wages and benefits.

We do have extremely good benefits, he said. We have a full gym here now, too.

The gymnasium opened in January, but Clif Bar wants to bring in more equipment. The gym already has trainers, and employees can take yoga and Zumba classes. Employees receive a paid half hour to exercise each work day, Ducommun said.

As people are also drawn to the company because of its values, he said, Clif Bar shows its commitment to sustainability by offering incentives. The Cool Commute benefit offers $6,500 toward the purchase of a vehicle that gets high gas mileage.

Weve had over 40 team members take advantage of that so far, Ducommun said.

And Clif Bar offers employees $500 toward the purchase of a bicycle.

Employee retention is very high, he said. I think our turnover is less than 5 percent.  I think weve really attracted people who are drawn to the Clif Bar culture.

But also key are its wages, which had to be above a certain level for the company to receive Urban Renewal Agency funding for infrastructure.

Hopefully it raises the bar for everybody out there, Ducommun said. I just think that its important to value your employees and to make sure theyre able to have a good job where they can sustain their families and have good benefits.

The Magic Valley has reported increased wages in manufacturing positions over the past year, Idaho Department of Labor Regional Economist Jan Roeser said.

I think its just time wages finally moved, she said. Definitely having the competition out there helps, especially with these highly skilled positions.

Giving back

Clif Bars aspirations include things like being good stewards of the community and the planet. Ducommun takes these seriously.

Last year, the company paid employees for 3,725 hours of volunteer service in the area.

Were just really proud of the employees here at our bakery, company spokesman Alfred Torres III said. Theyre being good stewards of the community.

While continuing that initiative, Clif Bar has plans to install solar panels on site, possibly this year. And its already got the ball rolling to help area farmers begin the shift to organic. Thats about a three-year transition, but eventually could lead to the company buying locally.

However, Ducommun noted, there is also a need for facilities in the Magic Valley that could process that grain into usable ingredients.

In the meantime, Clif Bar relies on the areas resources for another purpose: to give employees the environment they want to live in.

We have a culture at Clif, Torres said. But we want to make sure that culture is uniquely Idaho.
RUPERT  The MC Fitness & Community Center, 123 S. C St. in Rupert, will host an open house and ribbon cutting from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.

The community is invited to a free workout day and the first 25 people through the door at 4 p.m. will receive a free water bottle. Non-members must sign a waiver.

The new facility is accepting memberships and is open 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

For information, call 436-9622 or go to the MC Fitness & Community Center Facebook page.
BOISE  The United State Attorney for the District of Idaho resigned Saturday and her top assistant has taken over as acting U.S. Attorney.

Wendy J. Olson had been the top federal law enforcement officer since June 2010 following her appointment by President Barack Obama.

Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., who was Olsons first assistant since September 2010, has taken over as acting U.S. Attorney. He started with the Department of Justice in 1991, has been with the U.S. Attorneys office in Idaho since 1995 and was previously the offices criminal chief.

As United States Attorney for the District of Idaho since 2010, Wendy Olson has been an indispensable and collaborative law enforcement partner in Idaho, Gonzalez said in a statement. Her efforts reflected the highest traditions of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney community. We thank Wendy for her tireless work on behalf of the District of Idaho and the American people over the last 20 years, and we wish her the very best as she begins the next chapter of her distinguished career.

Olson told the Idaho Statesman last month she planned to go into private practice in Boise. She tendered her resignation at the request of Obama, who asked all of his political appointees to resign. This has become standard practice since the 1980s.

President Donald J. Trump must now appoint a new U.S. Attorney for the state. Republican U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch are expected to make recommendations on who should be appointed.

Gonzalez typically would not be allowed to serve as acting U.S. Attorney for more than 210 days. He could serve longer, however, while awaiting Senate confirmation of Trumps nominee.
TWIN FALLS  A Gooding mother who pleaded guilty to treating her sick 3-year-old daughter with marijuana-infused butter put forth an alternative story at her sentencing Tuesday: her boyfriend made the butter and administered it to the sick girl, then passed responsibility to the mother.

Kelsey Irene Osborne, 23, pleaded guilty earlier this month to a misdemeanor count of injury to a child. She was sentenced Tuesday to a year of probation and 100 hours of community service.

But during the sentencing, Osborne and her attorney argued she was threatened into taking the rap by her now ex-boyfriend, who is a Marine veteran, PTSD sufferer (and) very unstable, according to attorney Tom Curl.

I have text messages, recordings  I have it all from the person who actually gave it to her, that made it (and) gave it to her, Osborne said.

Shayne Nope, a deputy city prosecutor, called the argument conjecture.

Quite frankly, for the person who said she was forced to take blame, she was holding up a sign in a news article saying illegal doesnt equal injury, Nope said. (She) doesnt look coerced or threatened.

Osborne and her supporters, including Serra Frank, the founding director of Moms for Marijuana International, held a rally outside the Twin Falls County Courthouse in November after Osbornes arraignment. The Gooding mother has insisted since the case began that she gave her daughter, Madyson, the marijuana-infused butter in a desperate attempt to help the girl, who was hallucinating and suffering seizure-like symptoms.

On Oct. 5, when this happened  (Madyson) was extremely fearful and screaming for her mother to help her, Curl explained in court Tuesday, saying Osborne called a doctor who scheduled an appointment for several hours later. At about 11 a.m., Kelsey could no longer take her daughter yelling save me, mommy. And its debatable who, but someone made marijuana butter (and) gave this to the child.

For prosecutors, there is no debate about who gave the smoothie to Madyson.

Ms. Osborne admitted to mixing a smoothie for her child  who does have medical needs  mixing a smoothie with THC butter, Nope said in court Tuesday. There were other things put forward after all this was said and done, as to maybe someone else gave the marijuana butter to the child, but she was the one who admitted to doing it first-hand, and quite frankly, there were others that were willing to come forward to say that this wasnt at all the first time that she had given marijuana to her child.

Nope said the rallies and the claims that this was a potential medical-marijuana necessity-type claim  are much ado about nothing.

I dont want to wade out into the political debate whether or not medicinal marijuana should be legalized in Idaho, Nope said. Other than to say that has absolutely nothing to do with what happened in this case.

Osborne denied Nopes assertion that shed given her daughter marijuana before Oct. 5, saying a hair follicle from the child proved it had never happened more than that one time.

Osborne is also facing a child-protection case in Jerome County where she is seeking to win back custody of her daughter. Madyson has been with her father since the Oct. 5 incident.

Judge Roy Holloway, filling in for Roger Harris, said he wished he would have had more time to review the case and think about what would be appropriate regarding Osbornes sentence.

Quite frankly, had I had more of a chance to think about this, I may well do something different than Im prepared to do here today, Holloway said.

But the judge went ahead with his order anyway, sentencing Osborne to a 180-day suspended jail sentence, one year supervised probation and 100 hours of community service. He also ordered Osborne to pay fines and court costs totaling more than $515.
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TWIN FALLS  A Twin Falls man arrested on child pornography charges last week uploaded the pictures and videos via Twitter and confessed to looking at child pornography over the last two to three decades, police said.

Judah Carl Thomas Lyda, 44, is set for a preliminary hearing Friday on 33 counts of possessing sexually exploitative material, though an investigator said he found hundreds if not thousands of pornographic images depicting children saved on Lydas external hard drive.

Detectives from Attorney General Lawrence Wasdens special internet crimes task force began investigating Lyda in November when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported Lydas Twitter account was downloading child pornography, court documents said.

After getting a warrant to search the Twitter account, detectives found no less than 18 photos and videos of child pornography, which included young male boys between the approximate ages of 10 to 13, Caldwell Police Detective Aron Streibel wrote in a sworn affidavit.

On Wednesday, Streibel and others from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served a warrant at Lydas Twin Falls apartment, court documents said. During an interview, he admitted to having thousands of images saved on external hard drives.

Lyda admitted he preferred pornography of young boys between the ages of 10 (to) 14 years of age, Streibel said. Lyda admitted that he has been viewing and collecting child pornography for 20 (to) 30 years and knows is wrong.

Lydas case is reminiscent of the case against Andrew Michael Hawley, 33, who was also investigated based on his Twitter account uploading images depicting child pornography. Hawley was at one time charged with 45 counts of the same felony possession charge that Lyda faces.

Hawley ultimately pleaded guilty to four counts and was required to register as a sex offender. He was sentenced last month to four years of probation, though he could have faced prison if a presentence investigation showed he was a higher risk to reoffend.

Lyda is being held at the Twin Falls County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bond while awaiting Fridays preliminary hearing.
BOISE  After about two hours of testimony, an Idaho House panel on Monday cleared a bill to make some major changes to civil asset forfeiture in the state.

The bill, which was put together by Reps. Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, and Steve Harris, R-Meridian, would require law enforcement demonstrate a connection between drugs and property seized other than that they happen to be near each other. Among other changes to the law, it says mere possession of cash is not grounds for a seizure, absent other evidence of illegality.

The law would mean police cant keep property without judicial approval, and the bills says evidence of trafficking, not simple possession, is needed to seize a vehicle. It also establishes a right of replevin, or letting people keep some property under certain circumstances while a case is pending, which would let people keep a vehicle while a case is pending so they can still get to and from work. And, it requires Idaho law enforcement to report information about seizures to the state controllers office.

Were going to make sure our statutes dont allow the kind of abuse youve seen in other states, Harris told the House Judiciary and Rules Committee.

Civil asset forfeiture is often used by police to seize property in drug cases, the idea being to make sure drug offenders cant keep ill-gotten gains or use the property to commit more crimes. However, there have been stories in many states of the process arguably being abused, which has been leading to calls for reform.

The bill has the support of both the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho and the Idaho Freedom Foundation, and some defense lawyers testified in favor of it as well. Wayne Hoffman, head of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, told the committee about a man in Oneida County whose property was raided because of what turned out to be a false tip about him cooking methamphetamine. Police found a personal-use amount of marijuana, and they seized much of his property for some time. He wasnt charged and eventually got most of it back.

This was grossly out of proportion with the crime that he was committing, Hoffman said.

Rubel and Harris said they worked with some in law enforcement while drafting the bill, and that the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association and the Fraternal Order of Police both decided not to oppose it. However, representatives of several other law enforcement groups urged the committee to send the bill to the Houses amending order, with the restrictions on seizing cash being a particular problem for them. Drug cartels live and breathe on cash, said Michael Kane, lobbyist for the Idaho Sheriffs Association. Police should be able to seize cash when they suspect illegal activity, he said, and they can then argue their case in court.

It creates a thumb on the scale in favor of the drug trafficker over law enforcement, Kane said of the bill.

The bill would require other indicia of criminal activity than mere possession of cash, a standard which, Rubel argued, is a very, very low threshold. But just having cash without any other indication of criminal activity, she said, shouldnt be enough to take it.

There are people who have cash for perfectly legitimate reasons, she said.

In the end, the committee voted 5-12 to reject a proposal to send it to the Houses amending order, then decided on a voice vote to send it to the House floor with a do pass recommendation, with a few of the lawmakers who supported amending the bill audibly voting No.
BOISE  The House Revenue and Taxation Committee introduced several new bills Monday, including a tax credit for a Twin Falls anti-domestic violence group and a new attempt to shift the fuel tax money the Idaho State Police gets to roads.

Rep. Clark Kauffmans bill would give a 50 percent tax credit to donations to Voices Against Violence, the organization formerly known as the Magic Valley Crisis Center, that provides services to domestic violence and sexual assault victims. The credit is capped at 20 percent of total tax liability or up to $100 for individuals and 10 percent or up to $500 for corporations and would cost the state an estimated $7,240 a year.

Kauffman, a Republican from Filer, said the group was funded mostly by government grants in the past, but as the Twin Falls area grows so does their client base, unfortunately, so they have been looking for more donor support than they did in the past.

The committee also introduced a bill brought by Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, to guarantee 1 percent of all sales tax collected to ISP and shift the money they get from the fuel tax now to transportation, with 60 percent going to the Idaho Transportation Department and 40 percent to local roads. One percent of sales tax works out to between $17 and $18 million, which is about how much ISP gets now from its 5 percent of the fuel tax.

The House voted 33-37 last week to kill a bill that would have shifted that fuel tax money to roads. The new version guarantees that sales tax money to ISP.

The committee also printed a bill to exempt server equipment buys by data centers from sales tax, which would cost the state an estimated $600,000 a year. Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, chief operations officer at the state Department of Commerce, said Idaho has many advantages that could draw data centers to the state, but that many neighboring states either dont have a sales tax or exempt data centers from sales tax specifically.

The issue we face with putting paper to pencil on these projects is we dont offer tax relief, she said.

And, the committee introduced a new version of a bill that both collects sales tax on short-term rentals by requiring the companies to register with the state Tax Commission and significantly limits local governments ability to regulate them, stating that cites and counties cant ban them or try to regulate the operation of the marketplaces themselves.
BOISE  The Idaho Senate passed a bill Monday to ensure more information is available to women and their doctors about cytomegalovirus, a member of the herpes virus family that may be passed from mother to fetus during pregnancy.

Sponsored by Sen. Lee Heider, R-Twin Falls, and Rep. Paulette Jordan, D-Plummer, the bill requires the state Department of Health and Welfare to make information about the viruss prevalence, transmission, effects and preventative measures to doctors who care for pregnant women and infants, schools, daycare and childcare programs and religious organizations that run programs for children.

The virus is common and is generally asymptomatic or causes mild cold-like symptoms, but it can be far more dangerous to fetuses, causing permanent disability or even miscarriage.

The new requirements are expected to cost the state $5,000 a year. It passed 31-3 and now goes to the House.
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A national health care system is coming. Im not making an endorsement. Call it a prediction. Last week the leader of the liberal party in Twin Falls County wrote a criticism of the Republican majority in the Idaho Legislature. He believes its a waste of time to debate increasing speed limits for passing on two-lane roads. Saturday night I attended the Lincoln Day festivities hosted by the Twin Falls County Republican Party. Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney Grant Loebs cited a figure. An astonishing 84.5 percent of all elective offices in Idaho are now occupied by Republicans and the numbers keep growing. Passing on two-lane highways is about convenience. The leftists dont ever seem to understand even their own kind get stuck behind slowpokes. In the effort to Islamify Idaho and provide Johnny and Jimmy with access to the ladies room, the Democrats overlook Johnny, Jimmy and Ahmed would like an opportunity to pass slower drivers just as much as Republicans.

Unlike liberal dreams of coercing people into a worldview, many of the proposed Republican legislative bills come directly from the suggestions of constituents.

Which brings me to health care. Decent medical care at affordable cost is a universal want and not relegated to party affiliations. Somewhere in the internet ether is a YouTube video starring former Republican U.S. Rep. Ron Paul. The leader of the libertarian wing of the GOP released the video a decade ago. Dr. Paul stands outside the U.S. Capitol and explains in a succinct seven minutes the history of health insurance. The wheels came off in the early 1970s as President Nixon championed Health Maintenance Organizations, and the indemnity plans Dad had through work faded away. Insurance was for protection against catastrophic costs. Otherwise you paid for most visits to your doctor. An old argument explains if automobile insurance worked like medical insurance State Farm would cover a portion of your oil changes. Car insurance would also be very expensive.

On a winter day in 1990 I interviewed the daughter of Dr. Albert Schweitzer. She had worked alongside her father in a hospital in Africa. He died in 1965, but she explained not before predicting we were going to outstrip our ability to pay for modern medicine. Why? Because he saw our desire to live forever carried a heavy burden.

People across the Western world now are conditioned to expect a high level of care and a low level of cost. Economist Walter Williams explains politicians respond by hiding costs and fobbing off services as free. The political class has some unusual allies. The editorial page of the Wall Street Journal has long been friendly to the idea of a government-run health care system. It frees companies from an old covenant, and business tycoons believe it makes American firms more competitive with European and some Asian counterparts. Our new president also has a history of rumblings about a national health care system. You could argue it was one of the key reasons he fared so well in destroying the blue wall in the rustbelt states.

I started reading newspapers in grade school and watched the political activities of my parents from a young age (I was raised in a pro-union household and Mom and Dad were heavily involved in organized labor battles). Over half a century, Ive made some observations about the political class. In order to perpetuate its personal interests, it compromises. It also is beholden to big donors. Really big donors welcome the notion of being free from providing employee health care benefits. Therefore, a national health care system is coming. In solid red states like Idaho itll be welcomed by both parties. Democrats get coverage for an estimated 75,000 to 80,000 without a plan. State Republicans can point at Washington and explain its a federal matter.

Two weeks ago I read a lengthy review of national health systems published by the Heritage Foundation. There are essentially seven different models operating in Europe, East Asia and North America (Canada). Some involve total government control from top to bottom while others are hybrids. None come with a cheap price tag. Most U.S. allies can claim some success because American taxpayers cover the cost of defending neighbors and friends and money is freed for other public promises. Stress some success because all of the systems have flaws, and most are paving the road to bankruptcy. Living in a nation with an estimated $20 trillion in federal debt and trillions more unfunded liabilities, at state and local levels can we afford a universal health system? Of course not! Will debt stop adoption of such a system? Of course not! When did running up the credit card stop our government from taking the easiest if not most costly approach? Of course not!

Business leaders will cheer but wont be paying for the program. Liberals will demand higher corporate taxes, but short of holding the children of business executives as hostages it wont happen. Businesses can pack up and go overseas at any time. High tariffs as punishment? Companies will find newer markets not so heavily indebted. An old phrase says you can have your cake but cant eat it, and now you know the meaning.
The U.S. Constitution is in danger of being destroyed! The Idaho Senate has introduced SCR 108 for an Idaho call for an Article V constitutional convention.

The purpose is to get a Balanced Budget Amendment added to our Constitution. The Idaho House will be introducing a companion bill as well.

Both of these bills need to be opposed!

An Article V convention call is much too dangerous.

Legal scholars have indicated that there can not be a limit on the number of agenda items. It is a trap and could lead to major changes that could strip away our Bill of Rights, etc.

Our only other convention led to the Articles of Confederation being deleted. That could happen again as we do not have the wisdom of Washington, Madison and other inspired Founding Fathers today.

Support for a call is partially by well-meaning, but very naive people. Support also comes from globalist, socialist George Soros who wants to scrap our Constitution in favor of an elitist agenda of redistributing our wealth.

We will lose our individual liberty and national independence!

Congress largely ignores our present Constitution with its present limitations. What makes us feel that they would abide by a Balanced Budget Amendment? The Constitution is not deficient. It is the elected senators and representatives who violate their oaths of office to not abide by it. They should be replaced.

Preserve our Constitution by asking our Idaho state senators and representatives to vote no on all calls for a constitutional convention.

Freedom is not free!

Adrian Arp

Filer
Margaret Schmidt

TWIN FALLS  Margaret Frances Schmidt of Twin Falls, funeral at 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, at First United Methodist Church 360 Shoshone St., Twin Falls; visitation from 6-8 pm Monday, February 27 at White Mortuary, Chapel by the Park, 136 4th Ave E., Twin Falls.

Emilia Ramos

TWIN FALLSEmilia Ramos of Twin Falls, services from 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, at Rosenau Funeral Home. A viewing will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, February 28 at the funeral home.

Shirley James

BURLEYShirley James of Burley, funeral services at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 2, at the Pella LDS Church. A gathering will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, at Morrison Payne Mortuary and one hour prior to services at the church. (Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary)

Erwin Bartlett

BURLEYErwin Bartlett of Burley, funeral at 11 a.m. Friday, March 3, at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, with visitation from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday, preceding to the service.

Carol Joy Shutt

KIMBERLYCarol Joy Shutt of Kimberly, funeral service at 1 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the Church of the Nazarene, 3550 E. 3750 N. Kimberly, Idaho with visitation at 12 p.m..

Lena Rice

BOISELena Rice of Boise, funeral service at 1 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the Cloverdale Funeral Home, Boise.

Edith Brooks

TWIN FALLSEdith Brooks of Twin Falls, graveside services at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at the Jerome Cemetery.A celebration of life will follow at 5:30 p.m. at the Stone House, 330 4th Ave S, Twin Falls.

Rhea Smith

BURLEY  Rhea Smith of Burley, funeral at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at the View LDS Church, 490 E. 550 S. of Burley. Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and 10-10:45 a.m. Saturday, preceding the service at the church.

Tessa Bogue

Farewell party from 1 until 4 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at Louies Pizza & Italian Restaurant, 2500 E Fairview Ave, Meridian, Idaho.

Martin Chapin

KIMBERLYMartin Chapin graveside inurnment service at 1 p.m. Friday, April 7 at Twin FAlls Cemetery. (Serenity Funeral Chapel Life Celebration Center & Cremation Services of Idaho)
THE Azeri people are still seeking justice for the massacre of 613 Azerbaijanis in the town of Khojaly by Armenian troops during the Nagorno-Karabakh War in 1992, the Azerbaijan consulate in Makati City said Tuesday.

Considered as the largest massacre of the conflict, 613 civiliansincluding 106 women, 63 children and 70 elderly peoples were brutally killed on the night of Feb. 26, 1992 by Armenian and Russian troops.

During the attack, 487 inhabitants of Khojaly were wounded, including 76 children, eight families were completely wiped out, 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both.

Of those who died, 56 were killed through violent means, with some burned alive, scalped, beheaded or had eyes gouged out. Pregnant women were stabbed by bayonet in the abdomen.

The Khojaly massacre was described by Human Rights Watch as the largest massacre to date in the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

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Sadly, the consulate said perpetrators of these genocidal acts committed against Azerbaijanis remain unpunished, with some still at large occupying high positions in neighboring Armenia.

The United Nations Security Council issued four resolutions (822, 853, 874 and 884), demanding the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from the territories of Azerbaijan. However, these resolutions have not been implemented, 23 years after their issuance.

In 2010, the European Court of Human Rights ruled the Khojaly massacre as acts of particular gravity which may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity. To date, the perpetrators still go unpunished.

While it is willing to mend fences and co-exist with Armenia, Azerbaijan demands that Armenia withdraw from the lands it seized during the invasion.

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Sacramento area community musical theater (esp. DMTC in Davis), Liberal politics, Meteorology, "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" filming locations reference site, New Mexico and California arcana, and general weirdness.
The Islamic State group (IS) Monday came forward to shoulder responsibility for the Sunday bomb attack that targeted a police station in the Algerian eastern city of Constantine.

Algerian security authorities Sunday said a policeman managed to foil the bomb attack targeting a police station located in a building housing dozens of families.

The policeman heroically fired at the bomber and exploded the explosive belt before he reached his target, authorities indicated.

IS on its official media outlet Amaq said a subside operation carried out by an Islamic State group fighter thanks to a bag laden with explosives targeted yesterday an Algerian police Station in central Constantine.

Authorities said two policemen were injured in the Sunday attack but the terrorist group said a number of people were killed and wounded.

IS early November claimed the killing of a police officer in a restaurant in the same city. Three gunmen attacked the officer and ran away with his gun.

The group entered the North African country in 2014. Around 200 IS militants are reportedly present in the country.

Security forces however claimed having defeated terrorists in army operations nationwide.

Last week the army claimed it killed 14 alleged terrorists during a search operation in Bouira region, 125 kilometers southeast of Algiers.
Maroc Telcom Group closed the year 2016 with a turnover put at 35.25 billion dirham, accounting for 3.3 per cent growth over 2015 figures, the company said on Monday.

The significant growth according to the companys statement has been possible thanks to the groups international performance through its branches, mainly in Cote dIvoire, Niger, Benin and Togo.

Growth generated by the branches has been put at 7.1 per cent, i.e. 15.3 billion dirham.

Local performance also hiked up by one per cent to hit 21 billion dirham in turnover.

If internet and landline services helped to scale up the companys figures, mobile phone sales have on the other hand gone down slightly, a 1.1 per cent decrease, the companys statement said quoting group CEO, Abdeslame Ahizoune.

Thanks to its international service, the group now enjoys 45 million clients around the world. The company for the year 2017 plans to maintain its youth-oriented policy in Morocco which has enabled the institution to recruit skillful youths.

Ahizoune also announced a number of incentives such as the companys leadership strengthening program, growth of international branches as well as improvement of its networks for better services supported by strong investments.
The United Nations human rights office Tuesday urged all warring parties in Yemen to immediately release child soldiers, noting that the UN has verified the recruitment of 1,476 children, all boys, between 26 March 2015 and 31 January 2017, a UN press release said.

The numbers are likely to be much higher as most families are not willing to talk about the recruitment of their children, for fear of reprisals, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), told reporters at the regular bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva.

She said her Office received numerous reports of the recruitment of children in Yemen for use in the armed conflict, mostly by the Popular Committees affiliated with the Houthis.

Since 2015, the southern Arabian nation has been in a conflict between forces loyal to President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi and those allied to the Houthi rebel movement.

Just last week, OHCHR received new reports of children who were recruited without the knowledge of their families, the press release said.

In her briefing, Ms. Shamdasani reminded all parties to the conflict that the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict is strictly forbidden by international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and when concerning cases of recruitment of children under fifteen may amount to a war crime.

At the same briefing, Christophe Boulierac, spokesperson for the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF), said that every 10 minutes, a child under the age of five died in Yemen from preventable diseases such as diarrhoea, pneumonia or measles, because the health system is on the verge of collapse. Some 50 per cent of the health facilities in the country were not functioning.

The rate of severe acute malnutrition in children under five had tripled between 2014 and 2016. There are currently approximately 2.2 million malnourished children in the country, including 462,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, he said.
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.
As Moroccos relations with African countries are gaining momentum thanks to its African strategy underpinned by south-south cooperation, based on co-development and solidarity, and as the Kingdoms return to the African Union is hailed as a landmark event for the development and stability of the continent, the Algeria-backed Polisario is losing its last remaining strongholds in Africa.

The separatists hunting bag is actually shrinking increasingly.

Hardly a month goes by without announcements that such or such Government is withdrawing its recognition of the Polisarios self-proclaimed Sahrawi Republic SADR.

This weekend, the news came from Lusaka as the Zambian Foreign Minister Harry Kalaba reiterated that his country has withdrawn its recognition of the pseudo-SADR and severed all relations with the entity.

The Zambian decision was first announced by the Zambian top diplomat last July while he was on a visit to Morocco and was confirmed this weekend following the visit King Mohammed VI paid to this English speaking African country.

This visit, the first of its king by a Moroccan Monarch, was highlighted by summit talks between King Mohammed VI and President Edgar Chagwa Lungu who welcomed Moroccos reinstatement within the African Union as a historic moment paving the way for a promising contribution from Morocco to the development and stability of Africa.

During their talks, the two Heads of state agreed to pool efforts to fight terrorism and to promote peace, security and stability on the continent, and also to find lasting solutions to ongoing conflicts in Africa.

Morocco has been carrying out a vast diplomatic offensive in the continent over the past few years, an offensive that proved successful and enabled Morocco to get closer to English-speaking African countries that were once the Polisarios main supporters in the continent.

Many analysts expect Moroccos diplomatic breakthrough to isolate further the pseudo-SADR, which will hardly have any supporters in Africa and in the African Union.
Morocco took a laudable move Sunday as it began withdrawing its military from Guerguarat, a buffer strip between its southern Saharan provinces and the Mauritanian border, a move meant to preserve peace and stability in the region.

Morocco announced officially Sunday that it is beginning unilateral and immediate withdrawal from Guerguarat.

King Mohammed had ordered a unilateral and immediate withdrawal from the zone, said the Moroccan foreign Ministry in a statement.

Moroccos decision came two days after the Moroccan King alerted, in a phone call, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to the recurrent violations by the Polisario of the ceasefire and warned of the repercussions such violations can have on regional peace and security.

The following day, the UN Secretary-General issued a statement calling on the parties to exercise maximum restraint and take all necessary steps to avoid escalation near Guerguarat in the Moroccan berm, near Mauritanian border.

The Moroccan Foreign Ministry said that Morocco took note of the statement made on Saturday (February 25) by the UN Secretary-General over the tense situation in the Guerguarat region in the Moroccan Sahara, and of the recommendations and assessments made by the UN Chief.

As soon as Morocco announced its unilateral withdrawal, France, Spain and the United States welcomed the move meant to deescalate tension with the Algeria-based Polisario separatist front.

France described Moroccos retreat as an important step towards de-escalation in favor of regional stability.

France calls on all parties to show responsibility by retreating unconditionally and immediately their armed men from the buffer strip in implementation of the provisions of the ceasefire agreement, the Spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry Romain Nadal said.

The Spanish foreign ministry, which lauded Moroccos decision, called on other parties to follow suit by retreating immediately their armed men from the buffer zone.

The Spanish government hopes that talks will resume soon under the supervision of the UN Secretary General in order to find a political, lasting and mutually acceptable solution, to the Sahara issue, the Spanish Foreign Department said.

The US embassy in Rabat also issued a statement welcoming Moroccos move to appease tensions in the region.

In its Sunday statement, the Moroccan Foreign Ministry said, Morocco now hopes the Secretary-Generals intervention will allow a return to the previous situation in the zone concerned, keep its status intact, allow the flow of normal road traffic and thus safeguard the cease-fire.

The Secretary-General had underlined that regular commercial traffic should not be obstructed and that no action should be taken, which may constitute a change to the status quo.

The UN chief strongly urged the parties to unconditionally withdraw all armed elements () as soon as possible, to create an environment conducive to a resumption of the dialogue in the context of the political process led by the UN.

Tension in the Guerguarat buffer strip began last year after Morocco launched the asphalting of a road in a bid to monitor the swarming illegal activities in the area, including drug and arms trafficking.

The Polisario, describing the Moroccan security operation as a breach to the ceasefire, moved to position its armed militiamen, at just few meters from the Moroccan forces, although the UN mission to the Sahara, MINURSO, refuted the Fronts claims saying that the Moroccan anti-smuggling operation in Guerguarat had a police character and was undertaken in coordination with the UN.

The MINURSO is monitoring the ceasefire brokered in 1991 between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Separatist front, which claims the independence of the Sahara provinces.
Georgia-EU trade turnover increases 27%, reaches $174m

Georgia is increasing its trade power with the European Union (EU), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and other countries, reports the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat).In January 2017, Georgias external trade turnover with EU countries increased by 27 percent year-on-year (y/y) and amounted to $174 million, while with CIS countries trade turnover totalled $220 million  a 32 percent increase y/y.Georgias top 10 trade partners in January 2017 made for 67 percent of the countrys total trade turnover, with Turkey ($86 million), Azerbaijan ($73 million) and Russia ($72 million) filling the top three spots.Overall, Georgias external trade grew by 22 percent in January 2017 and totalled $651 million, said Geostat.Last month the value of Georgias exports increased by 45 percent to $177 million, while the value of imports increased by 15 percent to $474 million.The negative trade balance in January 2017 was $297 million and its share in external trade turnover constituted 46 percent. Export excluding re-export amounted to $143 million, 47 percent higher y/y.Georgia's top exported commodities in January 2017 were: Copper ores and concentrates (worth $33 million, or 19 percent of total exports) Ferro-alloys (worth $24 million, or 13 percent of total exports) Mineral or chemical fertilizers (worth $11 million, or six percent of the total exports)Georgia's top imported commodities were: Petroleum gases and other gaseous (worth $53 million, or 11 percent of total imports) Motor cars (worth $27 million, or six percent of total imports) Petroleum and petroleum oils (worth $23 million or five percent of total imports)
Turkey, Azerbaijan may soon use national currency in trade

Turkey and Azerbaijan continue technical discussions on the draft of a preferential trade agreement, Turkish Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Faruk Ozlu said at the 5th Turkey-Azerbaijan-Georgia business forum in Istanbul.Ozlu expressed hope that the volume of mutual trade in the national currency between Azerbaijan and Turkey will increase soon.In 2016, 6.5 percent of Turkeys foreign trade operations were carried out in the national currency, he said. Switching to national currency in mutual trade will protect businessmen from external financial factors and changes in the US dollar exchange rate.The minister noted that last year, the volume of mutual trade between Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan reached $4.2 billion.The national income of these three countries as a whole is $890 billion, the total foreign trade volume amounts to $363 billion, Ozlu said, noting that the current level of mutual trade doesnt reflect the existing potential between the countries.The Turkish minister added that Turkey has so far invested $7.6 billion in Azerbaijans economy and Azerbaijans investments to Turkey amount to $4.7 billion.
@PatriciaMazzei

Continuing his Washington swing, Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday is scheduled to attend President Trump's prime time speech to a joint session of Congress.

Scott will spend most of the day in meetings, including with Miami Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and Argentina Ambassador to the U.S. Martin Lousteau. He will also give interviews to Fox News and the Washington Examiner.
(AP File Photo)

@JeremySWallace

It is hardly a reprieve, but Republican leaders in the Florida House took a symbolic step that might keep the doors to the embattled Visit Florida around for years to come.

Three weeks ago, GOP leaders filed a bill that would completely eliminate that tourism marketing agency and Enterprise Florida, the states primary economic development agency. Then last week, they changed course and agreed on a new version of the bill to keep Visit Florida, but were ready to force it to survive on a $25 million budget - a more than $50 million cut in programs that would have decimated the agency.

Now comes another step back. House leaders on Monday said they have a new plan to have a different bill that will separate the Visit Florida debate completely from the Enterprise Florida one. And the new Visit Florida bill drops the insistence on a $25 million budget. The bill would still require new transparency efforts to assure larger contracts - like the controversial $1 million deal with Pitbull or $2.8 million advertising deal with a racing car team - go before the Florida Legislature leaders before they are approved and assure the head of Visit Florida has to be confirmed by the Florida Senate in order to hold the position, among other changes.

Politically keeping Visit Florida and Enterprise Florida in the same bill was becoming a problem for some House members from tourism rich areas. Even if they wanted to kill Enterprise Florida, they couldnt swallow killing Visit Florida in the process. State Rep. David Richardson, D-Miami Beach, was among those last week in a committee hearing on the issues who told Republicans backing the bill that he would be happy to kill Enterprise Florida with them, but hed couldnt support a bill that also risks Floridas tourism industry.

I would love to see these two things split into two different bills so we can talk about them separately, Richardson said.

That is exactly what State Rep. Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, opted to do on Monday. He filed a new bill - House Bill 9 - that deals only with Visit Florida. House Bill 7005 will be amended to become only a bill dealing with Enterprise Florida and related economic incentive programs. Renner has been leading the legislation on both issues because he has called both a version of the government getting too involved and favoring some businesses over others in the private marketplace.

Still, both bills face tough roads to become law. Even if the Florida Senate passed the same bills (which they have shown no signs of doing) the legislation would have to go to Gov. Rick Scott for his approval. Scott has been so offended by the House Republicans efforts that he has used political campaign donations to fund automated phone calls and visited the districts of key members to publicly call them out for trying to kill the two agencies, both of which he credits for helping the states economy rebound since he took office in 2011. Scott is unlikely to sign a bill into law that would kill the two agencies hes relied heavily on to try to fulfill his campaign promises.
via @learyreports

A Florida woman who became an ally of Jeb Bush on school reform will be a guest of President Donald Trump's for the Tuesday night address to a joint session of Congress.

Denisha Merriweather of Jacksonville was named in a White House news release. "After struggling with coursework as a child and switching schools often, Denisha moved in with her godmother and enrolled in the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program," the description reads. "She began going to a private school, Esprit de Corps Center for Learning, and would go on to be the first member of her family to graduate from high school and college."

Merriweather's success was championed by Bush, and he frequently invoked her on the campaign trail.

Keep reading here for the rest of Trump's guests.
@joeflech

Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, who is serving his last year in City Hall and is seriously mulling a run for governor, will be in Washington on Wednesday to testify before a U.S. Senate Committee during a discussion on infrastructure.

Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota and chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, invited Levine to speak at a 10 a.m. hearing Wednesday entitled "Connecting America: Improving Access to Infrastructure for Communities Across the Country."

"This hearing will focus on improving our transportation and information networks to better connect communities across the country," Thune writes in his invitation letter.

Levine made a light rail system in South Beach a central issue of his second term when he was re-elected in 2015, but that train never left the station. He pushed for the city to move fast on building a local loop before the county considered building a connection to Downtown Miami, but that push failed when residents either completely opposed the plan or considered it useless without a connection to the mainland. The project is now indefinitely stalled.

While the city was moving quickly, Levine and fellow commissioners were skipping out on the possibility of federal funding for construction costs. Levine stridently grumbled that the federal process to qualify for subsidies took too long. Now, the mayor wants the broach the topic of federal dollars flowing to local projects.

In Miami Beach and in cities across the country, we know that we need the federal government to be an active partner as we build high speed rail systems, repair aging roads and bridges and invest in resiliency efforts for communities along the coast, " said Levine, in a news release.

Levine has also long called for federal and state subsidies to pay for infrastructure work to safeguard the Beach's streets from tidal flooding, which threatens to become more intense and frequent as the sea levels rise. The city has raised stormwater rates for property owners twice in the past three years to fund $400-$500 million worth of work that include raising roads and installing anti-flooding pumps across the island.

Levine, a Democrat, has said he's expecting to make a final decision on a gubernatorial run later in the spring.
via @learyreports

WASHINGTON  For the second consecutive day, top members of the Florida Legislature will meet behind closed doors Tuesday with Sen. Marco Rubio.

An itinerary obtained by the Tampa Bay Times shows topics Monday included flood insurance, the Affordable Care Act then a social hour and dinner with Rubio and Rep. Vern Buchanan.

Tuesday brings a working breakfast at Rubios office to discuss water issues, including the Everglades, followed by tax reform. Then state lawmakers will have individual meetings with congressional members and staff.

Rubios office would not say why the meetings, being attended by House Speaker Richard Corcoran and other lawmakers, are closed. Reporters this morning have been offered the opportunity to briefly see the group but not listen in.
In a letter sent to President Trump and to the U.S. departments of State and Homeland Security, the organization, called Politically Persecuted Venezuelans Abroad, or Veppex, said Venezuelas political situation needs to be taken into account when considering deportations.

The chaotic situation in Venezuela, where human rights are not respected and criminals control the institutions, has turned Venezuela into a failed state whose authorities are the main threat against its citizens, Veppex Vice President Henry Clement wrote.

Clement also asked the Trump administration to study the possibility of a migratory relief for the thousands of Venezuelans who are in the United States seeking refuge and asylum fleeing from the ferocious dictatorship that rules the country.

As of 2013, some 248,000 Venezuelans lived in the United States, according to the PEW Research Center, amid a migratory wave driven by that nations economic, political and social chaos. Since then, the economic crisis in Venezuela has worsened, with continuing food and medicine shortages. And earlier this month, the Trump administration slapped sanctions on Venezuelas vice president accusing him of being a major drug trafficker.

More here.

Photo credit: Jose A. Iglesias, el Nuevo Herald
By Jason Barone, CAS director of communications

Miami Universitys Michele Navakas and Jose Amador both received fellowships for 2017-2018 from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the National Humanities Center (NHC), respectively.

Navakas is assistant professor of English and Amador is associate professor of global and intercultural studies.

An NEH Fellowship for University Teachers will support Navakas as she writes a book titled Coral in Early American Literature, Science, and Culture. Amadors NHC residential fellowship (site to be updated to reflect new honorees) allows him to work on his book, Transitioning in Brazil: Gender Policing, Trans Activism, and the Politics of Health.

Michele Navakas

Navakas award is worth more than $50,000 and will support 12 months of research. Much of her research will be conducted during 2017-2018 at the Huntington Library in Pasadena, Calif., where she will become part of a community of long-term Huntington fellows.

NEH Fellowships for University Teachers support individuals pursuing advanced research that is of value to humanities scholars and/or general audiences. They are part of a total of $16.3 million that the NEH recently announced for 290 humanities projects.

Scholarship in the humanities is vital to our ability to assess the full stakes of the ecological crises we now face, said Navakas, whose teaching and scholarship focus on literature and the environment. While it is the job of scientists to assess the ecological consequences of rising seas or the loss of coral, only humanistic inquiry  in fields such as literature and history  can reveal the enormous ramifications these changes will have on the ways that humans conceive of and relate to the natural world and one another.

Jose Amador

Amador, as an NHC Fellow, represents one of 30 scholars chosen from hundreds of applicants, all of them representing different areas of expertise. Each fellow is provided at least half salary while focusing on an individual research project and may engage in NHC seminars, lectures and conferences with his or her peers.

My work deals with the technological, political, legal and ethical challenges of providing health care to one of the most vulnerable communities in Brazil, Amador said. The humanities provide the foundation for the creative and critical inquiry of medicine and public health, and I am honored to have the opportunity to enrich my scholarly work via the NHCs intellectually stimulating environment and unparalleled library resources.

Coral played a crucial role in the lives of early Americans

Since the founding of the NEH in 1965, Navakas is the ninth Miami professor to receive this competitive fellowship, one of around 80 selected from more than 1200 applications. Besides English, she is also a faculty affiliate of American studies, part of Miamis department of global and intercultural studies. In addition, she is a co-coordinator of the universitys American Cultures Seminar, a faculty research group supported by the Miami University Humanities Center.

For her book in progress, she has conducted research on how the marine invertebrates known as coral became an intrinsic part of the way people imagined the social and racial identities of early Americans, as depicted in literature.

Coral was an intellectually vital natural material to early Americans. In songs, poems, short stories, paintings, travel narratives, and classic works of fiction such as Moby Dick, coral plays a crucial role, she said. By analyzing the importance of coral to so many 18th- and 19th-century women and men of different political affiliations, class backgrounds, and racial identities, my book will show that coral was far more than a decorative object. It really gave many people new ways to imagine the variety of forms that human being and belonging might take.

Trans identity in Brazil study introduces new framework for understanding

Amador teaches courses on race, science and culture in early 20th-century Cuba, Brazil, and his home, Puerto Rico. He also teaches comparative history of slavery and emancipation in the Americas.

My project proposes a novel framework for understanding the ways in which the expansion of trans rights and transphobic violence exist side by side  an intervention that has gained urgency in recent years, he said.

According to a report released by Transgender Europe, Brazil is the country with the highest number of murders of trans people. Between January 2008 and December 2015, there were more than 800 deaths.

Im also examining how medicine, activist organizations, and the state came to constitute trans as a flexible and politically useful category of identification, Amador added. The mobilization of this category in Brazil ultimately made access to biomedical procedures of body and gender modification a right.

In 2008, Brazils public health care system began providing free sex reassignment surgeries and hormone treatments for self-identifying transexuals.

Miami dedicated to the humanities

I am delighted that Michele and Jose have been recognized for their outstanding scholarship, said Timothy Melley, director of the Miami University Humanities Center. These fellowships signal not only the exceptional quality of our faculty but also the social value of their work.

In 2015, the NEH awarded the Miami University Humanities Center a five-year, $500,000 Challenge Grant to recognize the centers innovative humanities programming. The grant will lead to a new $2 million permanent endowment to support faculty and student research and collaborative inquiry.

This prominent recognition by the NEH and the NHC comes at a very critical time for us at the College of Arts and Science, said Chris Makaroff, dean. As I meet with alumni and students and their parents, part of my job is to demonstrate the enormous importance the humanities and liberal arts play in not only a university education but also in a great, diverse array of careers. Michele and Jose have helped make that task a bit easier.

Michele and Jose embody the teacher-scholar model at Miami, where ones deep exploration of research is interwoven throughout the classroom and one-on-one learning experiences and then are communicated to the global community, said James Oris, associate provost for research. These prestigious awards highlight the talent and dedication these faculty members bring every day to the university and to society.

An independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy and other areas of the humanities by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation.

Like the NEH, the private, nonprofit National Humanities Center is also dedicated exclusively to advanced study in all areas of the humanities. Through its Fellows, it has produced more than 1500 scholarly books over the past four decades.
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Black Coffee Roasting Co., a successful eight-year-old business in Missoula that employs 20 people, almost never existed because of one simple typo in an Excel spreadsheet.

Back when they were first writing their business plan, co-owners Matt McQuilkin and Jim Chapman had accidentally entered a wrong number  something like the cost of a bag of unroasted beans  and that one error made the whole business idea mathematically unprofitable on paper.

The two men nearly scrapped their entire plan right then and there. Luckily, though, they went back and spotted the mistake, and now people all over western Montana enjoy their coffee every day.

Attention to detail and the importance of having a strong business plan were just a couple of themes McQuilkin stressed as a group of St. Regis High School and Hellgate High School students toured Black Coffee on Monday. The event was part of the sixth annual Rural-Urban Student Entrepreneur Exchange, an initiative launched by Bozeman nonprofit One Montana to give kids in small-town schools a glimpse of economic development in the states cities, and vice-versa.

This program opens up new perspectives students havent considered, while also giving them practical knowledge about starting their own enterprises, said Bobbi Geise, program director of One Montana. Creativity and innovation are encouraged by exposure to diverse ideas and people, which is a key starting point for this program. In essence, we want our Montana students to have the skills to be masters of their own destinies.

The kids also toured Felco Industries, Biga Pizza, Audience Awards, Partners Creative and Zoo Apparel. The Missoula kids will visit St. Regis businesses and entrepreneurs in early March.

This program engages students from many disciplines  not just business, Geise said. Because we know that entrepreneurs can come from a variety of backgrounds and interests. You never know where the next great idea will emerge. And, even if a student opts not to start his or her own enterprise, the exercise of developing and executing projects and seeing the potential for staying in Montana economically benefits both the student and future employers.

McQuilkin gave the kids a detailed, in-depth overview of the difficulties involved in starting a business, including the fact that banks will want a 20 percent down payment on a loan. He also said communicating well with employees  and paying them a living wage  has helped him get the best staff he has ever had right now.

Even though he spent years working 70 hours a week and often warns people that they shouldnt start a small business in Missoula as a get-rich-quick scheme, McQuilkin said he has absolutely no regrets and has been able to raise a family here.

Just make sure you are starting a business for the right reasons, he told the kids.

At Felco Industries, international product specialist Kirt Weishaar showed the kids how employees manufacture attachments for excavators in a spacious warehouse on Grant Creek Road. He also explained to the kids how he made the jump from hands-on welding work to working in the sales office, selling expensive parts to customers around the world. It was obvious the class had never pondered that they could make a living in western Montana making backhoe parts.

Not a lot of people are aware that weve been doing business from Missoula for 35 years, Weishaar said. And we are one of the few businesses that actually brings money into Montana.

The kids will be required to create their own needs-driven business plan for a new or existing business or project to encourage thinking about entrepreneurship.

Applying what theyve learned is a critical component to the success of the program, Geise said. And thats where the real education happens. Student plans from Great Falls, Ashland, Twin Bridges and Simms have since been pitched and won financial and mentor support through One Montanas annual Montana Teenpreneur Challenge.

More than 130 kids will take part in the program this year.

While all of Montana may seem rural to those living out of state, those of us who live here see the rural-urban divide play out in Montana as it does around the country, said Bill Bryan, president of One Montana. Increasing a rural-urban division can have a negative effect. Our goal is to instead strengthen these connections and open up new avenues for creating prosperity together. And we believe the Made in Montana focus will also raise awareness of how we can develop our own opportunities right in this state.
Ex-presidents tend to recede from public view, particularly when they leave office -- as George W. Bush did -- with a Gallup approval rating hovering around 30%.

But Bush is returning to the national stage this week in the role of an elder statesman. He's promoting his new book "Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors" in television appearances and before a sold-out crowd Wednesday evening at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

His return to the political scene comes as President Donald Trump's new administration is rocking Washington with upheaval and instability. It underscores the contrast in tone between the two most recent Republican presidents and serves as a reminder of how the expectations surrounding presidential rhetoric and tone have changed over the years.

Bush "was a president who after 9/11 talked about Islam as a religion of peace," said Steve Schmidt, a Republican strategist and former Bush aide. "He talked about the act of illegal immigration -- people who took great risk coming across the desert -- as an act of love for their families."

"All presidents have been in difficult times and divisive fights, but there was a normalcy of behavior expected of the American head of state rhetorically," Schmidt said.

He cited the recent example of Trump blaming generals for the loss of Senior Chief Petty Officer William "Ryan" Owens during a covert mission in Yemen. ("They lost Ryan," Trump said in an interview with Fox News that aired Tuesday).

"That's not how George W. Bush, or Barack Obama, or Bill Clinton, or George Herbert Walker Bush, or Ronald Reagan talked about the military," Schmidt said. "He was a president who served in turbulent times and was controversial, but as is always the case -- when a president has distance from their presidency, voters look at them and are much more likely to see their virtues than their flaws."

Trump tempered his tone -- at least temporarily -- with a strong performance at Tuesday's joint address to Congress. The emotional high point of his speech came when he spoke directly to Owens' wife, Carryn, who watched the speech from the first lady's box.

He also spoke in more measured terms about race and the need for the country to unify even as he maintained hardline positions on issues such as building a wall along the US border with Mexico and repealing and replacing Obamacare.

On the news interview circuit this week, Bush has been peppered with questions about Trump's controversial actions on immigration and his targeted travel ban (which was halted by the federal courts).

Bush, whose brother Jeb was hazed by Trump during the Republican primaries, never warmed to Trump in the general election. In interviews this week, he has been careful to avoid personal criticism Trump, but made his displeasure clear about both the political climate and some of the President's policies.

"I don't like the racism, and I don't like the name-calling, and I don't like the people feeling alienated," Bush told People Magazine. "Nobody likes that."

Bush took issue with Trump's characterization of the press as the enemy.

"I considered the media to be indispensible to democracy, that we need an independent media to hold people like me to account," Bush said on NBC's "Today" earlier this week. "Power can be very addictive, and it can be corrosive, and it's important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power, whether it be here or elsewhere."

During an interview with "Sunday Today" host Willie Geist, Bush also seemed to make the case for the so-called "Dreamers," who were brought to America as young children, to stay in this country.

"I think somebody who has vested time and effort and can make a contribution to our country will be a really good citizen," the former President told Geist. "See in Texas, we grew up with a lot of people of Hispanic heritage and we're used to the contributions they have made to our state and to our country."

At the same time, he acknowledged the political difficulty in finding compromise on changes to the immigration system.

"I tried to reform it and one of my big regrets was that I couldn't get Congress to respond," he said. "And I think the plan I laid out ultimately would be the plan that would be accepted."
WASHINGTON (AP)  A presidential address to Congress is always part policy speech, part political theater. With President Donald Trump, a former reality TV star, there's extra potential for drama as he makes his first address to Congress.

After a chaotic start to his presidency, Trump will be trying to project his administration as ready to stride forward on top priorities such as changes to President Barack Obama's health care law and a tax overhaul. Congressional Democrats, in turn, will be trying to calibrate how strongly to oppose the Republican president in the staid setting of the House chamber, where manners still matter.

Some things to watch for Tuesday night:

PRE-GAME

Which members of Congress will arrive hours early to stake out seats on the center aisle of the House chamber for Trump's big entrance? Expect core Trump supporters to try to line the aisle. But will some of the Democrats' traditional aisle-huggers continue to angle for prime seats, then make a point of passing up a handshake with the president? Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat who has often positioned herself on the aisle for presidential addresses, does not plan on shaking Trump's hand, according to her office.

THE ROBED ONES

Check out which Supreme Court justices show up this year. Samuel Alito, part of the court's conservative contingent, hasn't gone since he was caught on camera during the 2010 State of the Union address shaking his head and mouthing "not true" when Obama criticized a Supreme Court decision. Clarence Thomas, who has also stayed away in recent years, said in 2010 that the addresses had become so partisan that "it's very uncomfortable for a judge to sit there." Could this be a year for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who leads the court's liberal wing, to opt out? She criticized Trump in interviews before his election but later said she regretted making "ill-advised" comments in which she dismissed Trump as a "faker" who "really has an ego." She went to every one of Obama's speeches (but dozed off in 2015 when, she said, she "wasn't 100 percent sober.")

FOCUS FACTOR

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer is promising Trump's speech will be "an optimistic vision for the country, crossing traditional lines of party, race, socio-economic status." Trump has demonstrated that he can stick to a script for high-profile speeches. But there's always interplay between presidents and legislators in such addresses, and even a few presidential ad libs could change the dynamics of the night. If Trump veers into talk about "fake news," and "criminal leaks" from intelligence officials and complaints about the courts blocking his executive order on immigration, that would distract from his effort to show more discipline and focus.

WHITHER KUMBAYA?

Spicer says he expects Trump to get "a very robust and applause-filled reception" from legislators. But dozens of Democratic legislators boycotted Trump's inauguration. And now, they have to decide how to receive the president in their own chambers. Will they applaud the GOP president? Will the decorum of the moment be pierced with boos and heckles? Some of that may be choreographed in advance, but there's always the chance of spontaneous outbursts. In 2009, Republican Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina blurted out "You lie!" during an Obama speech to Congress on health care. Expect to see lots of white in the crowd: Democratic women in the House planned to wear white to honor women's suffrage and "stand in solidarity with the women of our nation."

DETAILS, PLEASE

Republicans in Congress are getting impatient for more detail on Trump's plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and to undertake sweeping tax changes. Trump on Monday called the health care law a "complicated issue" and promised to give states "the flexibility they need to make the end result really, really good for them." The speech is a prime opportunity for Trump to go beyond such generalities, but aides say not to expect a "legislative walkthrough."

LOOKING UP

The action won't all be on the floor of the House. The galleries in the House balcony will offer another tier of commentary. Democratic members of Congress have invited immigrants, foreigners and people who have benefited from the Obama health-care law to be seated in the galleries as their guests. And first lady Melania Trump has invited special guests to sit in her box who are likely to telegraph different messages. Those guests so far include Maureen McCarthy Scalia, the widow of late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, and Denisha Merriweather, who has written about how her life changed because she was able to use the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program to attend a private high school.

TWITTERAMA

No need to wait for the speech to end to get political commentary. Based on past presidential addresses to Congress, expect legislators to be live tweeting their reactions to what they view as the best and worst of it. And there's always the potential for Trump himself to amplify  or scramble  his own message with presidential tweets before and after the fact. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R.-Kentucky, said he's hoping for a "tweet-free" message from Trump.

COUNTER PROGRAMMING

Expect both official and informal counterprogramming. Former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, who helped expand health care coverage in his state under Obama's health care law, will deliver the Democrats' response to Trump's address. And immigration activist Astrid Silva, who came to the U.S. illegally when she was 5, will offer the party's Spanish-language response. Before Trump's speech, opponents of the president planned a "resistance address" and rally at Lafayette Park across from the White House, with Rosie O'Donnell as a headliner. She and Trump have been feuding for years.

___

Follow Nancy Benac on Twitter at http://twitter.com/nbenac
In 1929, just 26 years after the Wright brothers flight at Kitty Hawk, a national airway beacon system was christened to safely guide pilots across America in all kinds of weather. This modest but practical network blazed the trail for todays sophisticated modern airliners that almost fly themselves with previously unheard-of levels of safety.

Today, that system exists in only one place in the entire United States: Montana. Seventeen beacons stand silent sentry on craggy passes from Bozeman to Great Falls, from Helena to Missoula, and on to the Idaho border. When operational, they provide safe nighttime guideposts for pilots flying through the mountains of western Montana. The annual cost for keeping them operating is about $35,000, supported through an aviation fuel tax (paid by pilots) that funds Montana Aeronautics, the entity responsible for beacon operation and maintenance. Aeronautics is a division of the Montana Department of Transportation.

In late December 2016, citing budget considerations and describing them as nostalgic relics of bygone days, Aeronautics announced their intention to shutter all but three of the lights. They ceased maintaining the other 14, allowing them to begin a slow, spiraling descent into disrepair, growing dark one by one. Ask any group of pilots and youll get differing points of view on the system. But it was the route flown to arrive at that decision that raises a far greater issue affecting all Montanans, be they pilots or not: good government.

Aeronautics did not land at this point by reaching out and engaging the public, leading an open, thoughtful discussion and dialogue about the issues, and then arriving at an informed choice. Instead, they talked among themselves and a handful of other people and then rendered a decision. During that time, they offered scant background information, and took little initiative to examine, explain, document or publicize their deliberations. They overlooked a wide range of citizenry outside their limited, narrow circle, ignoring many people who have a legitimate stake in the beacons future.

Despite meager efforts at public outreach, Aeronautics defended their decision by saying that they had received only a few letters or calls regarding the beacons' disposition. A couple of articles published in limited-circulation publications were held up as examples of public involvement  news pieces that Aeronautics had no hand whatsoever in initiating. When asked why a formal process did not occur, they responded that theyd consulted with the agency's legal unit and were told they didn't have to. As a result, the full burden to become aware, search out, engage and act on this issue was placed squarely on shoulders of the public.

Aeronautics is a small division that serves some important and valuable functions for pilots, aviation and the public as a part of MDT. That parent agency, in turn, is one of the states largest, with a several hundred million dollar budget. A large portion of their website is dedicated to public involvement, boasting an extensive Public Participation Plan and policies, as well as a public participation coordinator who serves on the MDT directors staff. Yet, in spite of stating their legal and ethical obligations to engage in transparent operation and good government, a broad and sweeping decision was rendered with scant public notification, information, participation or discussion.

Regardless of its size, the Aeronautics Division is accountable to act legally and responsibly. They should and must be held to the same standards as the rest of their agency and Montana government and a whole. Its time for Aeronautics to back up, rescind their decision and engage in a full, transparent, public discussion on the future of the beacons. They need to get it "plane" right.
Apparently U.S. Sen. Steve Daines is now taking lessons from President Trump on alternative facts, as he asserts that the Medicaid budget is equal to that of the U.S. military (Missoulian, Feb. 17, "Daines defends actions in town hall").

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services list the current fiscal year Medicaid budget at $385.69 billion, while the appropriation passed in the fiscal year 2017 Defense Authorization bill is for a total of $619 billion. Even if you only looked at the Department of Defense base budget of $532 billion, it still exceeds that of Medicaid by a significantly large amount.

We, as Senator Daines' constituents, deserve better from him than bluster and misleading information. How can we trust that he can make appropriate decisions when he can't get the numbers right?

Linda Henderson,

Missoula
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, I tried to call your office, but as usual, the phone was "busy." I still live under the illusion that you care what your constituents think, though.

I grew up in El Paso, Texas. As a child living near irrigation ditches, I was regularly dosed with DDT when airplanes let their spray drift over Valley View Drive while we were outside playing. You could always tell the direction of the wind from the smell and nature of lung irritation: east wind brought the oil refineries, north winds brought ASARCO's sulfur, and west winds brought the open sewer fields. We avoided getting irrigation water on the leaves of plants because the chemicals in the water burned them.

When considering graduate school, I wanted to attend University of Montana's Wildlife Program in 1970, but my sister, who had spent time in Missoula, warned me off. She told me about the horrible air pollution and feared that it would exacerbate my asthma. I did not apply to UM.

I don't want anywhere in the U.S. to go back to those conditions, and believe that Scott Pruitt's philosophy of profit before purity will throw us back into the "swamp."

Pat Hurley,

Ravalli
BUTTE  Butte police arrested a man at 11 p.m. Saturday who admitted on the way to jail that he had 22 prior DUI convictions in various states, authorities said.

Clinton Sproles, 54, was arrested on the 700 block of Front Street after a traffic stop for DUI refusal, driving with a revoked license and violating parole. Police were originally responding to a domestic disturbance and found Sproles driving away.

Police said Sproles was not involved in the domestic disturbance, but smelled of alcohol and failed field sobriety tests. Sproles refused a Breathalyzer test claiming they are untrustworthy, and requested a blood test instead, according to police.

Butte police were unable to immediately verify Sproles claim of 22 prior DUI convictions, but are working with the Butte-Silver Bow County Attorney's office to determine the extent of Sproles' criminal history and believe the number to be at least roughly accurate.

The Gallatin County Attorney's Office listed 18 prior DUI convictions in various states dating back to the 1970s for Sproles when he was arrested in 2008 for hitting a vehicle while driving with a 0.179 blood alcohol level.

A Bozeman judge sentenced Sproles as a repeat felony offender to a 240-month prison sentence, but state law typically excludes prison sentences for DUI. Instead those convicted of a fourth or subsequent DUI serve six months in the Warm Springs Addictions Treatment and Change Program (WATCh) and upon completion of the program are released on probation for the remainder of their sentence.

Sproles was previously sentenced in Granite County to 73 months in prison, partially suspended, for persistent DUI offenses in 2006. Court records show his drivers license has been revoked in Montana, Colorado and Georgia.

In 2015 Sproles was allowed to enter WATCh and upon completion was in pre-release. Butte-Silver Bow County Deputy Attorney Ann Shea said that if Sproles completed the WATCh program and reoffended, he may not be eligible to return to the program, and could serve a jail sentence.

Officials at the WATCh program did not respond to requests for Sproles' history with the facility.
The Mount News Center

Featuring the extraordinary people, stories and news of Mount St. Mary's University, America's oldest independent Catholic university. Members of the media looking for information about setting up interviews, finding faculty experts or gaining access to campus for stories should contact Executive Director of Communications Donna Klinger at 301-447-5657 or d.j.klinger@msmary.edu.

Have a question, comment to share or want to find a photo from this week's big event? Check out the Mount on our social media channels!
Over 375 students from 23 middle schools across southwest Montana participated in the 32nd annual Montana Tech Regional Division II Science Fair Monday at the campus.

The top six project winners will have the opportunity to participate in an all-expense paid five-day hands-on science camp at Montana Learning Center near Helena. The winners are Sam Lane, Townsend Middle School; Macey Bauman, Townsend Middle School; Rebekah Cook, Ennis School; Ella Lee, Ennis School; Jakob Ritzdorf, Kalispell Middle School; and Cami Yovich, Chief Joseph Middle School.

The fair stimulates student interest in science and engineering, exposes kids to professional level judges, provides public recognition of talent and increases awareness of the importance of science education, according to a news release from Tech.

We had such an amazing day  the students hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm is not only contagious but shows through their projects, said Amanda Shroyer, science fair director.

The major sponsors, Montana Tech, the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, NorthWestern Energy, Talen Energy and Montana Learning Center contributed to make this years fair a success, Shroyer said.

Techs fair is one of the five regional fairs in Montana, and is known for its high quality judges and the enormous volume of community-sponsored prizes awarded to young researchers.

For the full list of all awards earned at the fair, visit http://institute.mtech.edu/division-ii-awards/. For more information, please contact Amanda Shroyer at ashroyer@mtech.edu.
HELENA  The Montana House on Tuesday raced to beat a mid-session deadline to consider a final slate of bills before adjourning for a break later this week.

The state Senate is already in recess, after breaking Friday for a weeklong hiatus. The House reconvenes Wednesday to finalize several bills.

On Tuesday, House members spent more than four hours approving 18 more bills they will send to the Senate for consideration. The House gave preliminary approval to 19 other bills, some the subject of heated debate. The House moved to:

- Allow prosecutors to charge doctors with homicide who help terminally ill patients kill themselves. It moved forward for final consideration Wednesday by a 52-48 vote.

- Encourage the Montana Congressional delegation to seek the delisting of grizzly bears as a federally protected species.

- Rename Columbus Day to "Montana Heritage Day." The bill had originally sought to rename the holiday "Indigenous Peoples Day," but the proposal was amended to garner more support. Despite emotionally charged debate, the chamber overwhelmingly endorsed the measure, 73-27.

- Urge Montana's three-member congressional delegation to seek delisting the grizzly as an endangered species. The resolution was pushed forward by a 63-37 vote.

- Give cities, counties and other local jurisdictions authority to act as first responders to combat wildfires on federal property. The measure was endorsed by a 61-39 vote.

- Push the U.S. Congress to release 663,000 acres placed off limits to recreation, logging and other uses because of their status as wilderness study areas.

- Extend rules protecting children from concussions to sporting events run by private schools and other youth athletic groups.

Both chambers will return from recess Monday to begin wading through a heap of legislation that survived the so-called transmittal deadline. Legislators also are expected to intensify debate over the state budget and cobble together an infrastructure package.
Youth science fair continues at Tech

The annual Montana Tech Regional Division II Science Fair continues Tuesday on the Montana Tech campus.

On Monday, over 400 middle school students from 20 schools across southwest Montana participated in the Tech HPER complex.

On Tuesday, the campus hosts 40 high school students from six schools across southwest Montana. The fair will conclude followed immediately by the kick-off of the Intermountain Junior Science & Humanities Symposium with special guest speaker Tarun Gupta, Ph.D. in the Library Auditorium at 3:30 p.m.

Ash Wednesday prayer set on street corner

The church season of Lent begins March 1 with Ash Wednesday.

For the second year, pastors from several area congregations will provide an opportunity for people to receive ashes and a brief prayer on the corner of Montana and Broadway beginning at noon. They are taking ashes to the street corner, according to the pastors, because that reminder of need, humility, and healing should be offered to all and not confined to a church building, a spokesman said.

Firefighters bingo fundraiser set Friday

Butte-Silver Bow firefighters are hosting a bingo fundraiser Friday, March 3, in the Knights of Columbus Hall, Park and Idaho. Doors open at 6 p.m., and bingo starts at 7 p.m.

Proceeds will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Also, the department is sending five firefighters to Seattle for the March 12 Scott Firefighters Stairclimb, which raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. They are team captains Mark McCarthy and Chad Silk, and Brant Bristol, Matt Doble and Matt Pokorny.

These men will accept the challenge to climb 69 flights  1,311 steps (788 vertical feet) in Seattle's Columbia Center. They will be wearing full structural firefighting gear and breathing through oxygen tanks. McCarthy, Silk, Bristol and Doble have competed previously; this is Pokornys first time representing the Butte-Silver Bow Fire Department.

Alcohol service training classes offered

Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service Training Classes will be held in Butte and Fairmont on the following schedule dates for March by state certified trainers Jim and Laura Cross:

Tuesday, March 7, 4:30 p.m., Business Development Building, 305 W. Mercury St.

Tuesday, March 14, 4:30 p.m., Comfort Inn, 2777 Harrison Ave., Butte

Thursday, March 16, 6 p.m., Fairmont Hot Springs.

Tuesday, March 28, 4:30 p.m., Comfort Inn, 2777 Harrison Ave., Butte

This class is for anyone serving or selling alcohol to include bar owners, bartenders, convenience store clerks, grocery store clerks, servers and for special events, such as festivals, where alcohol will be sold or consumed. The classes are free and its the LAW to be certified within 60 days of hire and every three years thereafter to serve or sell alcohol.

Details: Butte Cares, 406-565-5226, or email to rassbutte@gmail.com

Church to host guest speaker

To enrich the Lenten experience, St. Patricks Church announces the visit of guest speaker Father Harry Clarke who will speak at Masses at 12:10 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, March 22, 23, and 24, and at all Masses Saturday and Sunday, March 25-26.

Father Clarke, a writer and storyteller, makes wide use of stories and literary references to shed light on the drama of human destiny and the meaning of life. His message is an invitation to find healing and fulfillment in a more authentic and deeper friendship with Jesus, according to a news release.

Father Clarke, a native of County Mayo, Ireland, has been a pastor for many years in British Columbia, Canada. He said he is fascinated by the history of Butte and its Irish heritage.

Choral group practices Thursday

ANACONDA  The Voices of the Pintlers Choral Group will practice this week only on Thursday, March 2, in the Anaconda High School Band Room at 6:30 p.m.
Last week I declared that I didn't want to write about the media and President Donald Trump anymore because 1) those of us in newsbiz spend far too much time publicly focusing on ourselves when there are so many other important issues to dissect and 2) we/I can't possibly appear to be fair when we discuss matters so close to our hearts  and wallets.

So, what will I write about? The media and President Trump. What else? All of which proves that I am as reliable as a Donald Trump tweet. Not only that but  brace yourselves  I wholeheartedly agree with a decision he's made. He announced on Twitter: "I will not be attending the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner this year. Please wish everyone well and have a great evening!"

First of all, that may be one of the most gracious Trump tweets ever. Unless he's being sarcastic. Beyond that, it's hard to imagine a more obvious choice than the one he made. To attack news organizations as aggressively and as relentlessly as he has, it would have been ludicrous for him to show up at the big country-come-to-town dinner where journalists celebrate themselves. It has become a huge dress-up parody  the Nerd Prom, so-called because it is put on as a show of glamour by a group of nature's most unglamorous creatures. In fact, to achieve any glamour at all, the scruffy media types import a flock of Hollywood stars, jocks and other celebrities. Worst of all, the working reporters invite the various officials they cover, making nice with those they're supposed to be making nasty with.

It's awkward and pompous and an embarrassment. The White House Correspondents' Association always contends that it is put on to celebrate the First Amendment  freedom of the press and all that jazz  but, as I said, it's a celebration of themselves. I should confess here that I went to these dinners and the surrounding parties that took up entire weekends, but no more. It's silly and phony, even in a community where the operating premise is phoniness.

More than a few major media companies are pulling out or cutting back. Comedian Samantha Bee is holding an alternative event. Don't expect President Trump to show up at that one, either.

He and his administration accessories are too busy dreaming up ways to thwart those who cover him from covering him. Or at least covering him independently and effectively. Anytime anyone does a story that displeases him (which is just about every story but the most sycophantic), he goes on a rampage about "fake news" or "dishonest reporters" trying to distract from the merits of the story. It's his time-tested way of deflecting scandal and accountability.

His other shtick is to go on tirades about leaks and anonymous sources, although he has always been a serial leaker when it comes to promoting himself. Furthermore, these days, his people go "on background" constantly. "Background" is shorthand for "providing information to reporters without being identified by name." From my perspective, it was always a deal with the devil I was willing to make to get information. But perhaps POTUS is correct. Maybe we should all decide not to discuss anything unless it's on the record and there's a name attached to the quotes or facts that are provided. That would be more honest. It also would stifle coverage of anything but government announcements or other forms of propaganda that officeholders and other politicians would have you believe. So let's forget about purity. Trump always has. Now it's expedient to relentlessly brutalize the media. And he does.

So it's easy to see why he won't show up at the self-important Correspondents' dinner. It's dopey. Besides, he'd be Donald in the lion's den  or, as wimpy as we have been during his assaults, the kitten's den.
John Tester joined local business owners, loggers, conservationists, ranchers, and snowmobilers at Seeley Lake to announce The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act (BCSA). This bill builds upon current timber harvests and stream restoration efforts and opens up new land for snowmobiling, protects public access for bikers, creates new trails for recreation, and adds new land to the Bob Marshall, Scapegoat, and Mission Mountain Wilderness Areas.

This bill is the result of a truly collaborative process among folks on the ground in western Montana and across the political spectrum who wanted to break through the gridlock that has hindered active forest management. It will create jobs, strengthen the local economy, and preserve our outdoor way of life for future generations.

Montana has a robust, admirable and enviable wild landscape. First-time visitors are in awe, destined to cherish their Montana Experience forever. Many will return; others will relocate here to live a lifestyle that captured their very soul so profoundly that they just couldnt bear to stay away. Those of us fortunate enough to be generations in the state pinch ourselves at the realization of our great good fortune.

We all recognize our wild landscape is limited, and we want to make sure it doesnt shrink. Ranchers, the timber industry, hunters and anglers, local business, snowmobilers, conservationists, mountain bikers and more have all endorsed the BCSA. Three county commissions as well as the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission and the International Mountain Biking Association have all joined the diverse and broad support of the BCSA.

Tourism and outdoor recreation are the fastest growing sectors of our economy in Montana. Over 65,000 jobs are due to our outdoor recreation opportunities, and over $5.8 billion in outdoor recreation spending. The BCSA capitalizes and enhances recreational opportunities. Hunting and fishing are part of our Montana heritage. The wilderness designations the BCSA proposes would protect vital wildlife habitat for big game such as elk, as well as for sensitive species like grizzlies, wolverine and mountain goats. It also guarantees access to some of our most storied and cherished fisheries such as the North Fork of the Blackfoot and Monture Creek.

Some will lend their skills to preserve and protect wild country in this great state for future generations. I want to say Thank You to Senator Tester for being a committed champion for our public lands a in Montana & introducing the BCSA.

 Frances Galvin, Anaconda
County officials are now looking at four locations as a possible new home to the countys vehicle and maintenance shops, including 33 acres near Skyline Park not previously in the mix.

The site of the old Montana Pole plant is on the list again and so is another area close to the Metro Sewer Plant on Centennial Avenue, where two other nearby spots had been considered.

But one site in the running again  just across the street from the current shops by the Civic Center  was dropped temporarily last summer after heated objections by a group that wants a park and a flowing Silver Bow Creek in that area.

Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive Dave Palmer said the site is on the new list in part because the state wants a definitive answer about it for planning purposes.

The state is in charge of removing the polluted Parrot mine tailings from beneath a large area that includes the current shops and the site across the street. Although former Chief Executive Matt Vincent put that site on a backburner last July, no final decision was made.

They (state officials) have to have an answer, Palmer said late last week. It is not where we are going to move the shops necessarily but they would like to know if they are going on the other side of the road so they can fit it into their planning.

Some top county officials have said the site is ideal because it is just across the street, it is county-owned land and it would keep the shops at a central location in Butte.

But a coalition called Restore Our Creek says once the tailings are removed, the area should become a park with a flowing Silver Bow Creek and other amenities.

Palmer said there would still be a lot of outcry if the site is chosen but it will be up for the council to decide if its feasible or not.

Palmer has sent a list of four possible locations to the council and wants commissioners to tour all of them next week. It is possible the state will put out bids for beginning work on the tailings next month, so he wants the council to make a decision on the shops soon.

County officials and commissioners have been considering  and even voting on  possible sites for more than a year.

They rejected the site of the old Montana Pole plant just south of the Interstate 15-90 overpass off of Montana Street months ago because of lingering environmental issues. But Palmer says state regulators who have overseen a years-long cleanup of the area now believe it will be complete by late 2018.

Commissioners voted for a site near the sewer plant off of Centennial Avenue owned by Jim Gilman, but a deal could not be reached to buy the land. The new list includes land nearby, some of it owned by the county, Palmer said.

The new area under consideration is north of Skyline Park off of Continental Drive, just behind the building that used to be St. James Hospital before the new one was built on Butte's West Side.

The 33 acres are owned by the Sisters of Charity, who own St. James, Palmer said, so the county would have to purchase the land or work out a deal.

The Sisters of Charity already have donated 10 acres in the area to Our Lady of the Rockies as a possible home base for a tram to the towering statue on the East Ridge. Plans for a tram have yet to be realized.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  Alexis Kirk, 11, was about to go to bed one night when her phone started buzzing incessantly.

Someone had added her to a group chat on Facebook Messenger, to which her peers were posting insults about a friend.

Alexis showed the phone to her mom, Angie Kirk.

I read it and I got on (her Facebook) and I typed This is Alexis mom and I highly suggest that every one of you get to bed right now cause Im getting a hold of your parents, Angie said.

Angie called the vice principal at Colorado Elementary and the mother of the girl who was being bullied.

Alexis said friends have been bullied on Facebook and Snapchat.

"It can happen to anybody," she said.

In a survey of more than 2,700 students, teachers, parents and staff in the Muscatine Community School District, 65 percent of those who responded said they were concerned about bullying. In follow-up conversations, students identified cyberbullying  insulting someone through social media and other technologies  as a concern.

It is unclear how many students in the district experience cyberbullying, but research suggests that roughly 1 in 4 students nationwide experience it, with most incidents happening in middle school.

West Middle School counselor Theresa White said she deals with cyberbullying daily, most cases are between girls.

Id say last year we started seeing (cyberbullying) a lot, and this year it doubled, because kids are so connected to their phone, its like their lifeline, White said.

Certain types of incidents trend, she said.

Snapchat was big last year, where they would be roasting someone, they called it the 'Muscatine roast,'" White said. "They would get on and they would put all negatives about a person."

That has died down, but White said cyberbullying is much the same as other forms of bullying.

What they do now is what we did with passing notes  we would write and communicate with each other through notes and see each other in class, White said.

To combat the issue, the school limits use of cellphones to breaks, and then only in hallways and the lunch room. If students are caught using their phone in class, their phone can be confiscated for the day. White said school officials intervene in cases where a message was sent during school hours.

If this happened over the weekend, we try to stay away from that, White said. If it happens at school, we try to deal with that. But sometimes it carries over into school  and then they cant focus on their classroom assignments or class and lectures.

In these cases, officials may intervene even if the message was sent outside of school.

Alexis, who uses Snapchat to share images with her friends, thinks social media can be good sometimes.

"You can keep in touch, and also it's fun to look at stuff on Snapchat, but it can also ruin people's lives," she said.
WAPELLO, Iowa  A Jan. 10 decision by the Louisa County Board of Supervisors to remove two members of the Louisa County Board of Health was arbitrary and capricious, their lawyer said during the public hearing on their appeal Monday.

New London attorney Steven Ort, who is representing BOH members Rita Adam and Craig Helmick, both of Columbus Junction, in their effort to be reinstated to the BOH, told the supervisors his clients were wrongly targeted.

It would appear to me your dispute is with the Board of Health, but you have elected to take action against individual members, Ort said.

The supervisors removed the pair from their volunteer positions on the board, alleging they refused to meet or communicate with the supervisors when requested.

Adam and Helmick have denied the allegations, and allege their terminations were because the BOH approved wage increases in June for six of the nine employees of the Louisa County Public Health Service.

Both sides agree county boards of health are authorized under state law to set wages for county public health workers.

On Monday, Ort challenged the supervisors to provide evidence in meeting records or elsewhere that supported the supervisors claim that Helmick and Adam had refused to meet or communicate.

Is there a piece of correspondence from the supervisors (they) did not respond to? he asked, adding the supervisors must identify which board members they communicated with.

Ort also provided minutes from more than a half-dozen BOH and BOS meetings from July to December 2016 where issues were discussed, including some meetings that both BOH and BOS members attended.

If they are going to be removed, at least some finding of fact as to what they did would seem to be appropriate, he said.

He also challenged whether the BOS had the authority to proceed with the removal action under Iowa code.

He used a similar argument last week in Louisa County District Court, where Helmick and Adam have filed a lawsuit challenging their removal. The judge in that case has agreed to allow the two to amend that suit, depending on the outcome of Mondays hearing.

The supervisors did not respond to Orts charges, but asked Louisa County Attorney Adam Parsons if he wished to make any comments.

Its my understanding the (BOS) is not required to present any evidence at this hearing, its a public hearing for the benefit of the people being removed, so I will forgo any other statement, Parsons said.

The supervisors will meet Tuesday and the issue is on their agenda for discussion and possible action.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  The Muscatine Community School District more than doubled its fundraising for United Way of Muscatine's 2017 Campaign, and the woman who organized the efforts was named Outstanding Campaign Volunteer of the Year.

Lisa Mosier Bunn is the Board of Education secretary, communications specialist and administrative assistant for Muscatine Community School District Superintendent Jerry Riibe. Moiser Bunn said the district wanted to increase its donations in the campaign because of programs such as the Kids First Fund and the summer lunch program.

"Definitely because of what they do for our students," she said.

Mosier Bunn has lived in the Muscatine area all her life, and attended Louisa-Muscatine High School. She began working with the Muscatine Community School District as an administrative assistant to the assistant superintendent in 1988.

As a communications specialist for the district, Moiser Bunn said one of her favorite duties is releasing the weekly blog, This Week in Our Schools, which includes photos from various classes around the district.

"Basically its just trying to tell our student stories or our district's stories to the community," she said.

Organizing the fundraising for United Way was her first experience raising money, Moiser Bunn said.

"I had been wanting to get more involved with our community and this kind of presented itself," she said.

Mosier Bunn organized a building-wide T-shirt contest, in which McKinley Elementary won the award with more than 50 percent of the staff participating.

"We purchased United Way T-shirts, so half the proceeds, it was like $10, half the proceeds went to United Way," she said.

Students also could participate in the campaign, by purchasing a bracelet for $2, with $1 going to United Way. Staff members in each building helped Mosier Bunn organize the fundraising efforts.

"It wasn't just me, I wouldn't have been able to do it without my building representatives," she said.
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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 []


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Deputy President William Ruto on Monday commissioned an integrated police reservists programme to step up the fight against bandits and cattle rustlers in clash-hit Kerio Valley.

Mr Ruto, who was accompanied by Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, installed an additional 230 reservists at Chesongoch, Marakwet East.

The second in command also addressed a closed-door security meeting at Chesongoch Sisters Convent and warned politicians to stop using the plight of those suffering as an attempt to score cheap political goals.

Leaders should take a stand that will help bring peace in this region instead of introducing cheap politics into such issues, said Mr Ruto.

We should be part of the solution to the insecurity problem in this area and not part of the problem, added Ruto.

Ruto said the reservists will complement the efforts of the 400 officers drawn from regular, anti-stock theft and general service (GSU) units.

The 230 new National Police Reservists will work with regular police to stop the menace of cattle rustling that has led to deaths. We are setting up police camps at hotspots and using aerial support to ensure quick response. The misery visited on the people must end, said Ruto.

He said the volatile Kerio Valley would be under one police command, and the commander will be answerable to the highest authorities.
Police officers have identified the four men whose bodies were found dumped at a garage in Gitaru on Thursday last week.

Three of the men were identified as Martin Musyoka, 38, from Mwea; Shadrack Juma Njuguna, 38, and Joseph Mwangi from Dandora.

This followed the earlier positive identification of David Chege  a 51-year-old medical doctor whose son Alex Ngugi, 18, had been shot dead on Monday last week.

Mr Chege had reportedly led a protest to the Kinyago AP camp with his friends demanding information on his sons shooting.

He is the one who had allegedly hired the car, in which their bodies were discovered, for an unknown mission.

Musyoka was found out to be a car dealer in Mwea whereas Mwangi was a tout in Nairobis South B route.

Detectives are trying to establish the relationship between the four who appeared to have been strangled.

Kabete police boss Joseph Ongaya said they are conducting investigations into the cause of their death.

The probe is to find out the motive of their killingand if it had anything to do with the death of the doctors son, he said.
AMMAN, Jordan  In an office cubicle at the U.N. refugee agency, a Syrian woman and her three daughters took turns staring into a camera for iris scans. Their biometric registration, a first step toward possible resettlement in the West, is to be followed by interviews and background checks that can take months or even years.

The 31-year-old part-time hairdresser, who fled to Jordan in 2014 after her husband went missing in Syria's civil war, feels fortunate. But the long road ahead for many Syrian refugees could grow even more arduous if U.S. President Donald Trump fulfils campaign vows to impose "extreme vetting."

Many of the 5 million Syrian refugees who scratch out a living in overwhelmed neighboring states such as Jordan aren't necessarily candidates for a rare slot in the resettlement program. Priority is given to the most vulnerable, including women heading households, medical patients and victims of torture.

Still, the vetting process has come under intense scrutiny since Trump took office.

A week after his inauguration, Trump suspended refugee admissions, arguing that the displaced pose a potential terrorism threat and that his administration needs time to impose more stringent vetting procedures. A federal judge blocked the order, but Trump has said a new version will be announced soon.

U.S. involvement in refugee resettlement is bound to shrink this year, even if a new executive order softens earlier provisions, such as the open-ended ban on the entry of displaced Syrians.

Trump has announced that he is reducing the U.S. limit for taking in refugees from all over the world from 110,000 to 50,000 a year, leaving even fewer spots for refugees from the conflict-scarred Middle East.

The U.S. has been a leading resettlement destination, taking in about half of the 20,000 refugees, most of them Syrians, who left to the West from Jordan in 2016, said Daniela Cicchella, a senior refugee agency official in Jordan.

Cicchella described the vetting as stringent, but said all involved are open to ways of improving it.

The program is "one of the most scrutinized" ways of entering the United States, Cicchella said during a tour of the vetting area at the agency headquarters in Jordan's capital.

"We have been working very closely with different countries, including with the U.S. authorities, in the last years," she said.

Trump's initial order asked officials to review the refugee approval process in search of possible security loopholes, but did not say what additional vetting he wants to see.

For now, the process includes in-person interviews during which refugees provide information about families, friendships, social or political activities, employment, phone numbers and email accounts.

They also provide biometric information, including fingerprints, and federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies are consulted for background checks. Syrians are subject to additional classified checks. Their vetting can take up to two years.

Last year, the U.S. Homeland Security Department said it planned to look more closely at social media postings of people seeking to come to the United States.

The Syrian hairdresser said she hoped to move with her daughters, ranging in age from 7 to 13, to Britain, where she has family. In a small office, a U.N. staffer logged their details into a computer, including the names and ages of the woman's siblings.

After registration, they were led to another cubicle for an in-depth interview with another U.N. staffer. After the first hurdle, there'll be more refugee agency interviews and checks by the prospective new host country. Jordan's security agencies also get involved in clearing refugees for departure.

"I want to leave Jordan, and it is a chance to improve my daughters' education levels," said the woman, whose name was withheld at the request of the refugee agency, which cited protection concerns.

She said she understood Western concerns about weeding out potential terrorists. "But I don't think I will pose any threat," she said, adding that she and her daughters "want to live in peace."

Analysts at the Homeland Security Department's intelligence arm have found insufficient evidence that citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries covered by Trump's travel ban, including Syria, pose a terror threat to the U.S.

A draft document that surfaced last week concluded that citizenship is an "unlikely indicator" of terrorism threats and that few people from the seven Muslim-majority countries listed in the travel ban carried out attacks or were involved in terrorism-related activities since the 2011 start of Syria's civil war.

A Homeland Security official said at the time that the document is not a final comprehensive review of the government's intelligence.

The initial travel ban created confusion among refugees awaiting resettlement.

At the time, about 300 Syrian refugees had tickets to fly from Jordan to the United States, said Cicchella.

"They were shocked, they were sad," she said. Many had sold their belongings and were left stranded. Flights were rebooked a few days later, after the court suspension of the ban, and most have since reached the United States, she said.

Overall, 673 Syrian refugees arrived in the U.S. in the past month, according to a U.S. refugee aid agency, citing government statistics.

Several thousand others are in the pipeline, having been submitted to the U.S. as candidates for resettlement after initial screenings by the refugee agency. With shrinking U.S. refugee quotas, their prospects are uncertain.

In 2017, the U.N. refugee agency hopes to resettle 76,800 refugees from the Middle East and North Africa and 169,000 globally, but the scope depends on the quotas being offered by host countries.

Jordan, a key U.S. military ally in the fight against the Islamic State group and a major recipient of U.S. aid, has refrained from criticizing Trump's immigration policies.

However, the kingdom views resettlement as one of the ways, along with international financial aid, to ease the disproportionately heavy refugee burden on regional host countries.

More than 650,000 Syrian refugees live in Jordan, close to 3 million in Turkey and more than 1 million in Lebanon. Schools, hospitals and state budgets, especially in Jordan and Lebanon, have been strained by the mass influx.

Government spokesman Mohammed Momani said Sunday that the international community must do more to help Syrian refugees.

"If we don't do this, then we will have generations of lost refugees, uneducated refugees, abandoned refugees that will continue to create further problems to the host communities (in the region)," he said.
WASHINGTON  A simmering dispute between leaders of the House intelligence committee spilled into the public Monday over an investigation into whether President Donald Trump has ties to Russia, even as they pledged to conduct a bipartisan probe.

The Republican committee chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes of California, said he has heard no evidence so far that anyone in Trumps orbit was in contact with Russians during the presidential campaign. The top Democrat on the committee, Adam Schiff, also of California, said the committees investigation was hardly off the ground and it was premature to make any conclusions.

The nature of ties between Trumps associates and Russia has dogged him throughout his nascent presidency, and Monday brought renewed calls for a special prosecutor to investigate the unusual situation. Federal investigators have been looking into contacts between Trump advisers and Russia for months, along with Russias role in political hacking during the campaign aimed at Democrats. Trump, on Monday, said he hasnt called Russia in 10 years.

The House and Senate intelligence committees are conducting separate investigations. But revelations last week that the White House enlisted the chairmen of those committees to push back against news reports have intensified concerns over whether the congressional investigations will be tainted by political influence. The issue was likely to come up at Tuesdays Senate confirmation hearing for former Rep. Dan Coats, Trumps pick to be the next director of intelligence.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Nunes  a member of Trumps presidential transition team  said Congress should not begin a McCarthy-style investigation based on news reports that a few Americans with ties to Trump had contacted Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign.

I want to warn all of you, Nunes said. We cant have McCarthyism back in this place. We cant have the government, the U.S. government or the Congress, legislative branch of government, chasing down American citizens, hauling them before the Congress as if theyre some secret Russian agent.

Schiff, who worked as an assistant U.S. attorney for six years, said its not proper to start an investigation by stating your views of the outcome.

The committee has reached no conclusion on whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia, Russian officials or any Russian contacts  nor could we, Schiff said. We have called no witnesses thus far. We have obtained no documents on any counterintelligence investigation and we have yet to receive any testimony from the FBI of potential links between the Trump campaign and Russia.
In Rutherford, a unique girl/dog friendship is now helping a family manage a childs serious health issue. The outcome may define a young girls childhood and the dogs useful career.

Sophia Honig is an active 9-year-old girl with long, chestnut-colored hair and a bright smile. She said she loves St. Helena Elementary School where she is in the fourth grade in Angie Mooneyhams classroom.

But Sophia has Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that, in another context, could be a limiting factor in her activities.

If Sophias blood sugar drops too low, it can lead to seizures, or brain damage, and the results can be life threatening. Consequently, Sophia wears two medical devices  an insulin pump, and continuous glucose monitor  to oversee and deliver the insulin her body cannot produce. She takes 15 to 20 blood glucose checks a day.

Still, it would be great if there were a quicker way to know when those levels are beginning to drop  especially when Sophia is sleeping, her mother, Stephanie Honig said.

Thats where Honey, Sophias young Yellow Labrador puppy, is learning to help. The dog is being trained to detect when Sophias blood sugar drops below an acceptable level  15 minutes before the glucose monitor can. When Honey determines that Sophias sugars are too low, she will signal Sophia or her parents by nudging them.

Honey is being trained by Carleigh Long of Santa Rosas Bergin University of Canine Studies, formerly the Assistance Dog Institute.

At present, Honeys attention is shared between Long and Sophia, but clearly the dog is falling in love with the little girl day-by-day. And the initial goal is that, in several months, the dog will be fully acclimated to Sophias needs. Then Honey will be Sophias constant companion, attending school with her, sleeping beside her bed, performing her job as an early-warning detector of Sophias sugar levels.

Her father, Michael Honig, said the St. Helena Unified School District has been receptive to the idea of Honey attending school with Sophia. He said that hes a believer in public education and praises the teachers and the school administration. He said the school has been extremely receptive to the idea of Honeys role as a service dog.

Still, these are early training days for Honey as the dog and Long visit with Sophia as a part of Honeys rigorous training schedule. Carleigh lives close by, Michael Honig said. So the whole arrangement is very much a family thing.

Michael Honig, president of Honig Vineyard and Winery, said the winery has already had a long history of tapping a dogs natural detection talents.

In 2007, Honig worked with Dr. Bonnie Bergin, founder of Assistance Dog Institute (now known as Bergin University) in Santa Rosa, to help train Golden Retrievers to be sniffer dogs. Those dogs mission was to detect the female mealybug pheromone. Vine mealybugs are notoriously difficult to detect, being nearly invisible to the naked eye, hiding under bark and roots. Early detection of the bug allows the grower to treat or remove a vine or two, alleviating any broad use of pesticides.

Honig said later on Honey also will get separate training to be a mealy bug sniffer. Honey will learn a separate list of behaviors to communicate her findings. This will make Honey the worlds first dual-purpose sniffer canine.

But these days the focus is on Sophias needs, and Long is busy teaching Honey the 60 to 80 general commands she will need to be an effective service dog for Sophia in the household and at school.

Asked how Honey was chosen for the job, Long said she watched Honeys litter of brothers and sisters for some time, looking for specific attentiveness to people and smells.

Labs have great noses, Long said. They have incredible sensory abilities compared to other dogs. Theyre such good learners. They have a very high drive to work and to please. Theyre are always looking to do something. They have a very high work ethic.

Long said the challenge will be to keep the dogs duties separate, because the Honigs live on the vineyard property and Honeys primary duties are with their daughter. Consequently, the dog must be trained with separate commands for when to sniff out the vines, paying special attention and smelling each vine to determine precisely which vines are affected by the insect pest. At present, according to Michael Honig, there is no problem with mealy bugs, but its important to be vigilant.

Meanwhile, Sophia seems to be counting the days until her puppy will become a permanent member of the family. She has already made two brightly-colored dog dishes in a ceramics class at Nimbus Arts.

Of course, Honey was quick-on-the-scene the moment Sophia dropped a special treat into one of them, her tail a blur of wagging happy puppy pleasure.

Can I invite my friends from school to meet Honey yet? Sophia asked her mother.

Of course, was her mothers answer.
It all started with an email from a fourth grader in Folsom, California.

The student emailed Kristi Jourdan, public information officer for Napa County, last year in order to get information for a school project focused on counties. His inquiry got her thinking: How do you make local government cool?

The answer  at least for elementary-aged children  is putting the information in a coloring book. At least thats what Jourdan is hoping.

This is a test run, she said. Jourdan currently has 100 copies of the 12-page coloring book, which she plans to distribute throughout the community at public places such as the Napa County Library and the Napa County Animal Shelter. Jourdan said she may also bring the coloring books to events around the county including career days.

I may need more than 100 at some point.

Jourdans vision for the coloring book came to life with help from library staff, a local teen artist and a strict $500 budget. Jourdan said she worked with staff at the library to make sure the information in the coloring book was kid-friendly and age-appropriate. She also worked with staff to translate the story into Spanish.

Each page features a cartoon version of a service offered by Napa County along with a description of the department that offers it. For example, one of the first pages in the coloring book features a mustached firefighter standing next to a fire hydrant, holding a fire hose and putting out some flames. Accompanying the drawing is the text: The Fire Department protects us from fires. They have special equipment to rescue people from various types of dangerous situations such as floods or car accidents.

The artist behind the drawing is 18-year-old Paola Delgado. Delgado, who won the Napa Valley Latino Heritage Month poster contest several years in a row, was recommended to Jourdan by library staff.

When I first met with Kristi and she was telling me about the idea I really liked it, Delgado said. I thought it was something different  something exciting.

Delgado, a graduate of New Technology High School in Napa, drew the images over the course of three months while taking classes at Napa Valley College. She is now studying animation at Laguna College of Art and Design in Laguna Beach.

Delgado said she tried to stay true to Jourdans idea for the coloring book, which was presented to her in a mock-up, while also putting her own artistic spin on it.

How can I get this whole concept down in this one drawing so kids can look at it and understand whats going on, Delgado remembered thinking. Delgado decided she needed to make simple drawings, some of which are a little stereotypical but easily get the point across.

One example of this is the Public Health Division page that features a female nurse wearing a dress and holding a clipboard in one hand and a syringe in the other.

Its silly, Jourdan said. But you get something out of it.

Its not a story that goes A through Z, but Jourdan said, the coloring book covers the structure of government without being boring. Plus, any kid can pick it up and know that its a coloring book.

The Napa County Sheriffs Office, Public Health Division, Emergency Medical Services, Public Works, Agricultural Commissioners Office and County Executive Office are all included in the pages in addition to Cal Fire/Napa County Fire, the Napa County Library and the Napa County Animal Shelter.

The coloring book isnt all-inclusive and doesnt include every county department, but Jourdan said if the coloring book is a success, additional pages to include more services could be added later or a second edition of Napa County Colors may be published in the future.
Environmentalists and developers, often on opposite sides of issues, have found common ground in south Napa to remove rat poison from the local ecosystem and help protect wildlife.

Napa Wildlife Rescue, which annually cares for hundreds of sick, wounded and orphaned birds and animals, convinced the Gasser Foundation  which has been responsible for much of the recent commercial development west of Soscol Avenue  to stop using poisonous traps on its many properties.

The Gasser Foundation also built nesting boxes to attract Barn Owls in the hope of fostering a non-poisonous method for rodent control.

Whats cool about Gasser, an organization thats prestigious and been around for a while, said John Comisky, Napa Wildlife Rescues vice president, is that once they realized the problem with the poison, they took care of it.

John Stewart, the foundations property and project manager, said Gasser moved away from using rodenticide because it is about doing the right thing in Napa.

We want to make Napa a better place to live, said Stewart. Less poison in the environment is a good thing.

The alliance between the two organizations began when local resident Rusty Cohn noticed a rodent trap near the ATM he uses at the Gasser Building on Soscol.

Cohn, who photographs and monitors the beavers living in Tulocay Creek, had heard about the impact of rodenticide on the environment, and how it can spread through the food chain.

The problem with [the poison] is the rodents eating that stuff, they dont die instantly, said Cohn. They get weak and get caught by hawks, foxes, coyotes, peoples pets that eat the rats and ingest the poison, too.

Its just nasty stuff, said Cohn of rodenticide.

Comisky, whose organization is spending more time these days educating the public about poisons and other human impacts on wildlife, said the dynamic of predators eating poisoned rodents actually escalates the poison up the food chain.

To combat this problem, the environmental advocates employed a chain of communication to get Gasser to stop using poison.

After seeing the traps outside the Gasser Building, Cohn told Comisky about them. Comisky, in turn, told one of Napa Wildlife Rescues board members, Carol Poole, who knows Joe Peatman, the Gasser Foundations president, and informed him about the use of poison outside his headquarters.

Peatman instructed Stewart to take action.

I think we would rather put up with the rats than kill owls, hawks, coyotes and foxes, said Peatman in an email to Stewart.

Stewart contacted the foundations exterminator, and told them to remove the rodenticide on Gasser properties.

He then went a step further and did some research on natural ways to control rodent populations. Namely, Barn Owls.

The flying predator not only eats rats and mice, but quite a lot of them, according to the Hungry Owl Project, a Marin County ecology group that urges businesses and consumers to avoid using rodenticides like brodifacoum, which causes secondary poisoning of predators that consume rodents.

The Hungry Owl Projects website says Barn Owls are superb hunters with voracious appetites.

A single Barn Owl family can consume 3,000 rodents in a single 4-month breeding cycle, states the groups website.

Stewart used the Hungry Owl Project to learn how to build Barn Owl boxes, which the birds will inhabit and call home.

A craftsman with his own wood shop, Stewart built eight of the boxes himself. I was more than happy to do it, said Stewart.

Once the rainy season is over, the Gasser Foundation intends to install the boxes in the flood plain behind its headquarters, and along the Vine Trail near In-Shape.

We can hopefully attract owls and have them doing the job of rodent control, said Stewart.

Comisky said he was thrilled with the Gasser Foundations willingness to stop using poison, and go in a eco-friendly direction.

They not only switched the poison out, said Comisky, what theyre doing is facilitating the population of predators around their properties, which should do a better job overall.

Comisky said putting up the boxes will be a smart move for the environment and for Gassers operations. Barn Owls dont take vacations, theyre there seven days a week, and they dont ask for raises, he said with a laugh.

Stewart said he thinks it would be cool to have owls living around here at the Gasser building, as well as near his own property.

I have horses, chickens, goats, all that stuff at home, said Stewart. Im going to put one of these owl boxes up in our pasture and see how it works.

Both Stewart and Comisky said they wanted to tell this story to better inform people about the dangers of rodenticide, and the alternatives for dealing with rats and mice, so that the idea might spread in Napa and beyond.

I hope it [the story] attracts a lot of community attention, said Stewart, and that other people will follow suit.
A St. Helena man was sentenced last week in Napa County Superior Court to 180 days in jail and three years of probation after pleading no contest to assaulting his girlfriend and an EMT who came to help her.

Carlo Trinchero, 29, was arrested last spring following a domestic dispute with his girlfriend at their home on Lydia Court.

His girlfriend said she was knocked unconscious when Trinchero picked her up off the ground and threw her into the closet where she struck her head on a built-in shelf, according to court documents.

When she awoke, the woman called 911 and waited outside for emergency responders. While she was being helped by EMTs, Trinchero demanded her cellphone and threatened EMTs, the court reported.

The EMT told investigators that after the ambulance doors were shut and locked, Trinchero pushed him to the ground and punched him in the left side of the head.

Trinchero was arrested the same day, May 15, and pleaded no contest to the felony charges  inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant and battery with injury on a custodial officer  on Dec. 14.

In a letter to Judge Mark Boessenecker, Trinchero said that he has sought counseling since the incident and that there is no excuse for what he did.

I will regret it for the rest of my life, Trinchero wrote. He said that he loves the victim, now his fiance, and that the two plan to get married and raise a family.

According to the probation officers report, its plausible that Trincheros behavior that night, although egregious, was out of character.

Trinchero works as a director of fine wine for the Trinchero Family Estates  the family business, according to court documents.

Trinchero is scheduled to be remanded into custody on April 11.
There have been two so-called workshop meetings pertaining to what to do with the Health and Human Services land at the Old Sonoma Road site; however, it appears that the county administrators have pretty much decided on a multilevel apartment complex. A one-sided decision.

Years ago, the City Council established a policy of having designated areas such as single-family homes, multi-unit apartments (which are now scattered throughout the city) and commercial property.

The City of Napa probably has one of the largest concentrations, per capita, of apartment complexes in the North Bay. Now the county wants to put multi-storied apartments complexes right in the middle of a single- family home district. Except for the Mayacamas Village apartments, which are hidden from view, and the three two-story units across from the subject property on Old Sonoma Road that are not completed and have not been worked on for several years, there are no other multi-storied units in the immediate area.

The county could house hundreds of people in multi-level apartments along the west side of Highway 29 between Golden Gate Drive and Foster Road. There are also many acres of vineyard land at the north east end of Napa on Highway 29 between Salvador Avenue and Oak Knoll Avenue. This would give the city a chance to expand its borders.

Let us use areas designated for single-family homes for that purpose! I'm sure the county could find a developer that would build single-family homes on the Health and Human Services property and maybe even lower their asking price. How many county planners and or supervisors would like some multi-level rental units built next to their homes?

Clifford Nelson

Napa

Editor's note: According to the California Department of Finance, the city of Napa is roughly in the middle in the Bay Area in the number of apartment units per capita: it is No. 50 out of 103 cities examined by the department in 2016. Calistoga is No.49. St. Helena is No.34, the highest-ranking city in the county. Yountville is No.53 and American Canyon is near the bottom, at No.97. The highest-ranking city in the region is Emeryville, with more than five times as many multi-family units per capita as Napa. Napa County as a whole is No. 8 of the nine Bay Area counties, according to the department.
Mandy Epperson was happy to graduate from Napa Valley College with an Associate of Science degree in welding technology, and even happier to land a welding job right out of college with Ogletrees Welding of St. Helena.

But she never pictured herself teaching a college welding class at St. Helena High School, as part of the agricultural mechanics program managed by Randy Mendes.

Approximately 26 beginning welders have enrolled in the class, with about 18 attending on a regular basis every Tuesday and Thursday evening.

There are many people who live Upvalley who are interested in taking a welding course, but are not interested in the drive to the Napa campus, Epperson said.

Born and raised in Napa, the 27-year-old graduated from Napa Valley College in 2015. After she began working for Ogletrees she returned to the Napa campus to visit with her instructors, Eric Wade and James Calhoun.

When St. Helena High School asked to have a class taught on their campus Mandy came to mind for the instructor position, said Wade, who coordinates the college welding program. She is well qualified and passionate about sharing her craft with others. I see a great future for her as a welder trainer and an example to other women, showing that you can do anything you put your mind to.

Epperson was surprised by Wades suggestion that she think about teaching.

Eric was talking about the welding program and asked if I ever thought of becoming an instructor, she said. I never thought of it, but I really like helping people when I get a chance, and I love welding, so I decided to teach.

Occasionally, she said, she is asked what its like to be a professional woman in a male-dominated occupation.

When I encounter people, both men and women who are interested in welding, but they dont believe they are capable, it sparks an interest in me. From the outside, I myself may not look like your typical welder, but my drive and determination will show you otherwise.

Ive been working in this industry for over nine years, and Ive seen many capable individuals leave this industry because they didnt believe they could make it or were not ideal for this kind of work. I plan on changing that. What drives me is giving someone the belief in themselves along with the skill set to weld and make it in this industry.

Epperson said welding students learn more than welding.

Whether students join this course for the welding certifications to go straight into the working world, or they want to learn about metallurgy and the science behind different metal alloys while learning about welding  whatever direction they want to go  they can do it.

She said many welding-related jobs may not involve physically welding, because the profession often requires inspectors.

You can make great money without doing heavy physical work by becoming a welding inspector, for instance. Ive met many inspectors who love what they do and get a great paycheck for doing it, she said.

Mandy shows an amazing amount of determination to succeed, said Wade. She is thriving in a male-dominated trade, able to do anything the guys can do.

St. Helena High Principal Ben Scinto and Mendes agreed.

SHHS is grateful for the relationship we have developed with Napa Valley College, recognizing the mutual benefit to both their and our students, said Scinto. The NVC welding class and articulation agreement with Mr. Mendess Ag Mechanics Pathway are another step in building student capacity and readiness.

Mendes said Epperson is welding the relationship.

Mandy has been doing a great job, said Mendes. She brings industry experience and enthusiasm to this class. It is great that community members are able to learn new skills in our facility right here in St. Helena.
I am concerned by the announced closure of two crossing points along the administrative boundary line of the Abkhazia region of Georgia. Closing these crossing points, which are used daily by hundreds of citizens, will have a negative impact on the situation on the ground and stability in the region. It will restrict freedom of movement, affecting the livelihoods of local residents.

We call for the reconsideration of these proposed closings, to ensure freedom of movement for citizens.

As stated at the Warsaw Summit, NATO continues to support Georgias territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognised borders. We call on Russia to reverse its recognition of the South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of Georgia as independent states.
"The frigate Neustrashimy is expected to be handed over to the fleet in November," Mikhailov said.



According to the spokesman, the ship has recently arrived at the shipyards dock where "its shaft line and hull will be repaired". It will pass about four months there.



Earlier, the frigate Neustrashimy was planned to re-enter service in late 2016. According to Shipyard Chief for Repairs Denis Zabaluyev, "a wide range of defects have been revealed during the fault examination, and we have signed an agreement with the customer, under which the ship will be handed over in November 2017."



As of today, the ships hull and hull structures have been repaired, he added. The Project 11540 Yastreb-class frigate Neustrashimy was built by the Yantar Shipyard in 1993. The frigate is designed to search for, detect, track and destroy submarines, provide anti-ship and antisubmarine defense for warships, sink submarines and surface ships at sea and bases and support land forces and marines.



 Copyright 2017 TASS. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, president of the North Carolina NAACP and architect of the Moral Monday protest movement, will give the keynote address at Candler School of Theologys Bandy Preaching Conference at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 23, in Emory Universitys Glenn Memorial Auditorium.

Barbers address is part of Preaching a Relevant Word: Politics, Policy & the People, scheduled March 23-24, a conference designed to help pastors and congregants better understand contemporary sociopolitical issues and provide strategies to address them through proclamation.

The conference will feature workshops, worship and a closing plenary on March 24. The keynote by Barber and conference are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Guests may register for the keynote alone or the full conference. Register here.

Bandy Professor of Preaching Teresa L. Fry Brown says that the conference theme was conceived in response to questions from pastors, seminary students and congregations across the U.S. regarding the necessity, delivery and efficacy of 21st-century prophetic preaching  questions that Barber is well-suited to address.

William Barber is an embodied 21st-century Prophet Micah, Fry Brown says. He advocates tirelessly for the rights of the poor, the imprisoned, the disenfranchised and the working class, obliterating social, cultural, religious and political barriers in society.

Barbers Forward Together Moral Movement gained national acclaim with its Moral Monday protests at the North Carolina General Assembly in 2013. These weekly actions drew tens of thousands of North Carolinians and other moral witnesses to the state legislature. More than 1,050 peaceful protesters were arrested, handcuffed and jailed, bringing attention to the actions of the legislature.

A highly sought after speaker, Barber has keynoted hundreds of national and state conferences, including the 2016 Democratic National Convention. He has served as president of the North Carolina NAACP, the largest state conference in the South, since 2006 and sits on the National NAACP Board of Directors. He is known as one of the nations foremost public theologians and is regularly featured in media outlets such as MSNBC, CNN, the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Nation Magazine.

His two most recent books include Forward Together: A Moral Message for the Nation and The Third Reconstruction: Moral Mondays, Fusion Politics and the Rise of a New Justice Movement.

Along with Barbers keynote, the conference will include worship services with sermons by the Rev. Emily Michelle Ledder 10T 19G of the United Methodist Churchs General Commission on Religion and Race and the Rev. Billy Honor 10T of Atlantas Pulse Church, plus a closing plenary with the Rev. Dr. Ted A. Smith 04G, associate professor of preaching and ethics at Candler.

Conference attendees will also have the opportunity to attend one of four workshops Friday morning: ministry in a digital age, transformative worship liturgies, using social media to enhance preaching, or the sermon as a liturgical event. Workshops will be led by doctoral students in homiletics, an element Fry Brown believes is necessary for such a forward-looking conference.

It is imperative that any 21st-century preaching conference include the voices and perspectives of those who will shape the disciplines of homiletics and liturgy over the next decades, she says.

The conference is made possible through Candlers Bandy Chair in Preaching. The Bandy Chair was created in 1986 with a gift from Mr. B. Jackson Bandy, and is considered by many to be the premier chair in homiletics in the country.

The full conference schedule is below:

Thursday, March 23

11:05 a.m.-12 p.m.: Opening Worship Service

Preacher: The Rev. Emily Michelle Ledder 10T, When Woke is Not Enough

7 p.m.: Keynote Address

Speaker: The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II

A book signing will follow the address.

Friday, March 24

9-10:15 a.m.: Concurrent Preaching Workshops

The Church in a Digital Age, Hyemin Na

Nothing New Under the Sun: Liturgies that Transform, Nick Peterson

iHomiletic: Preaching That Clicks, Dominique Robinson 10T 11T

Preaching (and) the Liturgy, Layla Karst

10:30-11 a.m.: Closing Plenary

Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Ted A. Smith

11:05 a.m.-12 p.m.: Closing Worship Service

Preacher: The Rev. Billy Honor 10T, The Curse of a Closed Mouth

The Bandy Preaching Conference is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register here.
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Why Trumps EPA is far more vulnerable to attack than Reagans or Bushs

Walter Rosenbaum, UF professor emeritus of political science, observes that todays political climate gives new EPA head Scott Pruitt a clear path to seriously cut back EPA enforcement  more so than previous administrations.

For people concerned with environmental protection, including many EPA employees, there is broad agreement: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is in deep trouble.

The Trump administration has begun the third, most formidable White House-led attempt in EPAs brief history to diminish the agencys regulatory capacity.

Scott Pruitt, Trumps newly appointed EPA administrator, is a harsh critic and self-described leading advocate against EPAs activist agenda. Pruitts intention to reduce EPAs budget, workforce and authority is powerfully fortified by President Donald Trumps own determination to repeal major EPA regulations like the Obamas Clean Power Plan and Climate Action Plan.

Previous presidents have tried to scale back the work of the EPA, but as a former EPA staff member and researcher in environmental policy and politics, I believe the current administration is likely to seriously degrade EPAs authority and enforcement capacity.

The vanished majorities

This latest assault on EPA is more menacing than previous ones in part because of todays Republican-led Congress. The Democratic congressional majorities forestalled most past White House efforts to impair the agencys rulemaking and protected EPA from prolonged damage to its enforcement capability.

Presidents Ronald Reagan (1981-1988) and George H. W. Bush (1989-1993) both sought to cut back EPAs regulatory activism. Reagan was fixated on governmental deregulation and EPA was a favorite target. His powerful assault on EPAs authority began with the appointment of Anne Gorsuch, an outspoken EPA critic, as EPA administrator. Gorsuch populated the agencys leadership positions with like-minded reformers and supervised progressive reductions in EPAs budget, especially for EPAs critically important enforcement division, and hobbled the agencys rule-making  a key step in the regulatory process  while reducing scientific support services.

Bushs forays against EPA authority were milder, consisting primarily of progressive budget cuts, impaired rule-making and disengagement from international environmental activism.

During the Reagan years, Democratic majorities in the House (1981-1991) and Senate (1987-89) launched continuing committee investigations that revealed the agency leaderships pervasive obstruction of regulatory rule-making and forestalled massive damage to EPA programs.

Gorsuch was forced from office together with many upper and middle politically appointed managers; the budget stabilized, and new administrators William Ruckelshaus (who returned after serving as the first EPA administrator) and Lee Thomas revived staff morale, rule-making and scientific research. In the end, Reagan impeded and delayed regulation but ultimately failed to impair permanently major air, water and toxic waste programs.

I worked for one of EPAs assistant administrators during the first Bush administration, when EPAs leadership and staff were acutely aware of White House aversion to much of EPAs regulations. But it was nothing like the state-of-siege mindset so pervasive at EPA during the Reagan years and already returning to EPA now, as witnessed by protests by former and current EPA employees to Pruitts nomination.

The agencys budget, rule-making and regulatory impact were sometimes impaired during the Bush years, but then EPA administrator William Reilly was committed to EPAs mission, and congressional Democrats prevented severe reductions in the agencys budget, workforce and regulatory authority.

An unfortunate time to regulate

Paradoxically, EPAs accomplishments may also leave it vulnerable to its opponents. Forty years of regulation have diminished such publicly convincing evidence of severe pollution that led to EPA regulation in the first place, including rivers polluted by raw sewage, hidden toxic waste dumps like New Yorks Love Canal, smokestacks emitting dense clouds of pollutants and uncontained mine wastes contaminating Appalachian mountainsides.

Todays most significant environmental hazards, such as climate warming or plasticizers in rubber products, are less visible, their adverse consequences requiring years or decades, to become apparent. To a certain extent, EPAs first administrator, William Ruckelshaus, has observed, we are victims of our own success. Right now, EPA is under sharp criticism partly because it is not so obvious to people that pollution problems exist and that we need to deal with them.

AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Additionally, a public rally to EPAs defense seems improbable. Most Americans customarily express to pollsters considerable concern for environmental protection when asked, but it is a passive attitude. Neither EPA nor the environment are important issues when most Americans vote  and thats what most concerns Congress and the White House.

For instance, in the 2016 presidential elections, the Pew Research Center poll revealed the environment was only twelfth in importance among registered voters, well behind the leading concerns about the economy, terrorism and foreign policy. Exit polls in the 2016 presidential elections indicate that environmental issues are irrelevant to voters candidate preferences. Moreover, the currently pervasive public distrust and anger directed toward the federal government may further inhibit public engagement in EPAs defense.

Pruitt and his administrative team can also inflict immense damage upon regulatory capacity in ways that are not very evident to the public. Almost half of the EPA budget supports such crucial pollution abatement activities as regulation enforcement, scientific research and international collaboration. Moreover, public doubts about the credibility of climate warming science and environmental risk analysis can be deliberately amplified through public discourse during efforts to rescind existing regulations and to abort new ones.

Defense strategies

Environmentalists, deeply apprehensive and infuriated by this new EPA onslaught, have a multitude of opposition options. Lawsuits  a traditionally effective strategy  can be initiated in federal courts to suspend or reverse unacceptable EPA regulatory decisions. But a new wave of litigation will impose considerable delay in important rule-making, and a court-imposed impasse can discourage compliance by regulated interests, such as polluters.

Environmental organizations can attempt to mobilize public support and pressure Congress to counteract Pruitt-led revisions of EPAs organization and rule-making. In particular, increased activism at the state level can be a countervailing force to federal environmental retrenchment. Since major federal environmental legislation has often been crisis-driven, a new environmental disaster may be the perverse catalyst to renewed regulatory vigor at EPA.

None of these alternatives, however, will likely avert an early, comprehensive onset of Pruitts regulatory regression at EPA. In short, EPAs time of trouble will be dangerous and tenacious.

Article updated on Feb. 24 to correct the state that Love Canal is located in.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Afghanistan did not send any high-level representation in the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit here amid high tension between the two nations following terror attacks in Pakistan. Neither Afghan President Ashraf Ghani nor Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah would take part in the event, to be attended by 10 member nations on Wednesday, Dawn online reported. Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani would also stay away from the summit. A session of the council of ministers is being held on Tuesday. Afghanistan's ambassador to Pakistan and President's special envoy Omar Zakhilwal would attend the meeting, Pakistani officials said on Monday as a meeting of senior officials of participating countries concluded. Heads of states or governments of all other member countries, except Uzbekistan whose Deputy Prime Minister is coming for the summit, have confirmed their participation. The already tense relations with Afghanistan got further frayed earlier this month following a spate of terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Islamabad blamed militants operating in Afghanistan for the attacks. Soon after the February 15 attack at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sindh province in which 88 persons died, the Pakistan Army closed border crossings with Afghanistan due to security concerns. The army also pounded on terrorist hideouts across the border in Afghanistan. Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had over the weekend said Pakistan and Afghanistan were negotiating a joint mechanism for dealing with terrorism. He expressed hope that progress would take place on the sidelines of the summit. Kabul has so far been weighing whether or not it should attend at the highest level. Aziz had earlier said Rabbani's participation was confirmed, but Pakistan was expecting higher level attendance. "We want Afghanistan to join this journey of prosperity as a peaceful neighbour," Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry said. He said Islamabad wanted peace with Kabul and was ready to take efforts in that direction, but expected Afghanistan to prevent its soil from being used against Pakistan. The ECO summit aims at promoting connectivity and cooperation in energy, infrastructure, transport and trade sectors. "Such a high-level participation (in the ECO summit) is not common. It shows Pakistan was never isolated and would never be isolated. No one can do so," the Foreign Secretary said, referring to India's bid to isolate Pakistan in the international community. --IANS py/vm ( 394 Words) 2017-02-28-13:30:08 (IANS)
They met at the reception dinner marking UK-India Year Of Culture. The designer attended the event on Monday and said that it was lovely meeting Middleton, who wore a jewellery piece from Dongre's Pinkcity line for the gala.

"Was lovely meeting the Duchess of Cambridge last evening. We chatted about our love for Rajasthan and she chose to wear Pinkcity earrings," Dongre tweeted.

Middleton wore a delicate pair of uncut diamond and pearl-drop earrings from Pinkcity.

During her visit to India in early 2016, Middleton wore a hand blockprinted tunic dress from the Anita Dongre couture label.

--IANS dc/rb/vm

( 140 Words)

2017-02-28-12:44:11 (IANS)
Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said the nation would have to rise up and rethink whether the Congress is a party which could ever in future be handed over the reins of power and governance without risking the sovereignty of Indian republic. His response came after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi came out in support of Gurmehar Kaur, a Delhi University student and daughter of a Kargil martyr saying, "Against tyranny of fear we stand with our students. For every voice raised in anger, intolerance and ignorance there'll be a Gurmehar." "I think Mr. Rahul Gandhi owes it to the nation to clarify whether he, his party leadership stand by the statements issued by some of his colleagues which tends to instigate anti-India activism and if he does so then I think the nation would have to rise up and rethink whether indeed this is a party which could ever in future be handed over the reins of power and governance without risking the sovereignty of Indian republic," he told ANI. Further slamming the grand old party, Singh said the Congress Party is in a state of confusion after being rattled by series of electoral reverses in the last few months. "Having being resorted to walls they are speaking the language of the fringe elements but this indeed would hasten the process of extinction of this party which has largely eroded itself by depending upon dynastic succession as a result of which it is trapped under serious crisis of leadership," he added. Singh yesterday said the country would not allow premium on anti-India activism and there is a need for drawing a bottom line to check such activities He was responding to questions regarding ongoing row over the clashes between students unions -- Left-affiliated AISA and the RSS-backed ABVP -- in Delhi University's North Campus. "Message should go out loud and clear that India will not allow premium on anti-India activism. Even the most liberated democracies of the world including the US and UK have drawn bottom line for it," he added. Gandhi yesterday expressed his complete support towards Gurmehar, who has allegedly received rape threats over her social media campaign in support of students of the Delhi University following unrest in Ramjas College. "Against the tyranny of fear we stand with our students. For every voice raised in anger, intolerance and ignorance there will be a Gurmehar Kaur," tweeted Gandhi. Gandhi's comments come in the wake of the Centre accusing the Opposition, especially the Congress, of giving a political tinge to the developments over the Ramjas College clash. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Venkaiah Naidu had blamed the Congress for politicising the issue. "I'm surprised about the efforts made by the Congress and the Left to give a different colour to the issues that are happening in a few universities, saying that it is an assault on freedom of expression. Certain misguided and misleading sections are trying to mislead the young population and create social tensions and hurt sentiments of the Indian people," Naidu said. Meanwhile, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has written to the Delhi Police seeking swift action against the miscreants who have harassed Gurmehar. (ANI)
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has assured that the government would stand by Anganwadi workers who are working relentlessly for the protection of pregnant women, lactating mothers and infants. In this context, the Chief Minister said that the government had already taken several programmes for the women in both rural and urban areas in the state and some more programmes will be taken up in future. The Chief Minister said for the successful implementation of all these programme, Anganwadi teachers have to play a major role. Rao held a meeting with the Anganwadi workers, helpers here at Janahita. He gave a patient hearing to the issues raised by the Anganwadi workers and helpers and gave an instant solution to some of their grievances. The Chief Minister hosted a lunch with them in Pragathi Bhavan and held an exclusive meeting. Each and every Anganwadi worker individually interacted with the CM and he took some decisions on the spot. The decisions taken by the Chief Minister are the status of Anganwadi workers is elevated to that of Anganwadi teachers and instructions are given to refer to Anganwadi workers as Anganwadi teachers. At the time when the Telangana state was formed the salary of Anganwadi teacher was Rs. 4,200 per month. The Chief Minister had enhanced the salary to Rs. 7,000 per month when he had a meeting with Anganwadi teachers on Feb 28, 2015 in Secretariat. Now the salary is hiked to Rs. 10,500 per month. This will mean that each Anganwadi teacher's salary per month is increased by Rs. 3,500 per month which 50 percent hike. If the hike is calculated from Telangana was formed it is 150 percent. When the Telangana state was formed the salary of each Anganwadi workers working at the Mini Anganwadi and helpers was Rs. 2,200 per month. It was increased to Rs. 4,500 per month when they had their first meeting with the Chief Minister. Now it is increased to Rs. 6,000 per month which is Rs. 1500 hike per month (33.3 percent). If the hike is calculated from the Telangana state formation it is 172 percent. The decision to hike salaries of the Anganwadi Teachers, helpers will benefit 67,411 employees working in 35,700 Anganwadi Centres. Taking in account the seniority, qualifications, Anganwadi teachers will be promoted as Supervisors. Insurance scheme will be extended to Anganwadi teachers and helpers. Priority will be given to the Anganwadi workers while allotting double bed room houses. Fine rice will be supplied to the Anganwadi centres to cook rice for the pregnant, lactating mothers and the infants. Fine rice will be supplied from the coming month. During the month of May it may be difficult for the pregnant women, lactating mothers and children to come to the Centres, hence food will be supplied to their homes. "In Telangana, most priority will be given to the welfare of mother and child. We will ensure their good health. It is painful to see pregnant women going to work even if they are in the advanced stage of pregnancy. This is the reason why we want to take care of the mother and child pre and post Natal stages. Under the Arogya Laxmi Scheme, pregnant women, lactating mothers and children will be given nutritious food, milk and eggs," rao said. The Chief Minister said if the pregnant mothers are healthy their newborn will also be healthy. "These new born are the prosperity of the Telangana State in future. If they are healthy, the State will be good. This is the precisely the reason the government is spending money without even bothering about the financial burden on schemes like Arogya Laxmi. We have decided to given Rs 12,000 in three installments to those women who deliver their babies in the government hospitals. If the newborn is a female child an additional amount of Rs 1,000 is given. This scheme will start from April 1," he added. "For the just born babies, a special Rs. 2000 worth Kit having all the necessary items that require for a new born is given to each mother. And people desired that the Kit should be named as KCR Kit. Since the government has decided to compensate the daily wages for pregnant and lactating women, we are introducing the scheme. Women should take advantage of this scheme and pregnant women should be careful. Get the delivery done in the hospital only. Take nutritious food and the government scheme is meant for this. Anganwadi teachers should make this programme successful," he said. Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, Women and Child welfare Secretary Jagdeesh, Director Indira, CMs Additionall Principal Secretary, Shanthi Kumari, Secretary Smita Sabharwal, Anganwadi teachers from different parts of the state participated. (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal today said that he will meet Lt Governor Anil Baijal on the issue of Ramjas incident and seek action against ABVP's "goondaism" and alleged rape threats to Gurmehar Kaur. "Will meet Hon'ble LG today at 1430 hrs to demand action against ABVP goondaism and rape threats to Gurmehar Kaur," the Delhi Chief Minister tweeted. Yesterday, the political environment soared up in the national capital over issue of the Kargil martyr's daugther, with united Opposition attacking the ruling dispension, demanding action against the culprits. Gurmehar alleged that she was threatened with rape for her campaign against violence in Ramjas College. The genesis of the entire incident was the invitation of two JNU leaders to speak at a seminar in the college, which was called off after ABVP's protest last week. UNI DS SB 1130 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-1168301.Xml
Jammu Court has awarded three years rigorous imprisonment and fine to Burma resident here. Additional Sessions Judge Jammu, Shahzad Azeem yesterday awarded three years RI and a fine Rs 10,000 to Zakria, resident of village Monipara, Police Station Mandu, District Rakiapani Myanmar-Burma. As per case on November 13, 2014, police party of Police Station R S Pura apprehended the Burma resident.As he could not produce any document required for such entry or stay within the territory of India, therefore, booked under section 14 of Foreigners Act and section 3/6 of Indian Passport Act. Additional Sessions Judge Jammu, Shahzad Azeem observed that accused is convicted for commission of offence punishable under section 14 A (b) of Foreigners Act 1946 and sentenced to undergo imprisonment for a period of 3 years and a fine of Rs 10,000. In default of payment of fine, the accused shall further serve imprisonment for a period of one month.UNI VBH SDR 1243 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-1168394.Xml
"Yesterday, DCW forwarded a complaint of a DU student regarding online abuse. Immediately, area DCP spoke to her and provided necessary security," Delhi police tweeted.

In another tweet, it said, "Her complaint was examined by Cyber Cell and an FIR No 32/17, u/s 354-A,506 IPC & 67 IT Act,PS EOW has been registered & investigation taken up."

"Thank @DelhiPolice for taking urgent action. Hope accused will be arrested soon. That will strongly deter online abusers," DCW chief Swati Maliwal tweeted.

Earlier this morning, the Kargil martyr's daughter said she was withdrawing from the campaign.

In a series of tweets, Gurmehar requested to be left alone.

''I have been through a lot and this is all my 20-year self could take. I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say,'' Gurmehar said in a tweet.

She called on students to join the peace march being organised by the AISA and NSUI in the North campus today.

The genesis of the entire incident was the invitation of two JNU leaders to speak at a seminar in the college, which was called off after ABVP's protest last week.UNI DS SB 1333

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0177-1168459.Xml
"Three of the firemen have suffered minor injuries. The fire fight is still on," a fire brigade official said.

The fire was first noticed at 9.30 p.m. on Monday at a plastic warehouse on the ground floor of 3, Amaratala Lane.

There were no reports of any casualty, but the century-old building -- evacuated soon after the fire was noticed -- was gutted. Its roof and wooden staircase gave way with experts apprehensive that the entire structure could collapse.

State Fire Service Minister Sovan Chatterjee monitored the fire fighting operation from the spot for a major part of the night.

Sixteen fire tenders were at the spot.

--IANS ssp/sm/dg

( 149 Words)

2017-02-28-14:30:11 (IANS)
In a condolence message to his wife, Dr P Lakshmibai, the President said, "I am sad to learn about the passing away of your husband, P Shiv Shankar, a friend and colleague for long years.

A veteran Parliamentarian, Shiv Shankar made a valuable contribution to Indian politics in his various capacities including as Union Cabinet Minister, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission and as Governor of Sikkim as well as Kerala. He was associated with a large number of social and educational institutions. I have fond memories of my interactions with him. ''

'' In his death, the nation has lost an eminent public figure, who shall always be remembered for his selfless service to his people,'' the President said.

''Please accept my heartfelt condolences and convey my deepest sympathies to the members of your family. I pray to the Almighty to give your family the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss," he said UNI AR SB 1426

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-1168470.Xml
On March 2, the President will inaugurate a Seminar on 'Importance of Sustainable Culture Building' being organised as part of the third edition of the Muziris Biennale in Kochi.

On the same day, he will also deliver the Sixth KS Rajamony Memorial Lecture at Kochi. On March 3, the President will present Standard to 125 (H) Sqn and Colours to MTI of Indian Air Force at Tambaram, Tamil Nadu.

On the same day, he will also inaugurate the Centenary Celebrations of Women's Indian Association at Theosophical Society, Adyar, Chennai.

The Kochi Muziris Biennale is an international festival of contemporary art organised by the Kochi Muziris Foundation in association with the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. Its three editions, since 2012, have resulted in Kochi occupying a prominent position on the global art calendar.

The Biennale has till date exhibited over 300 artworks by over 250 artists from all over the world and hosted more than a million visitors. This edition showcases 97 artists from 31 countries such as UK, the US, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. It has received around four lakh visitors till date.

The Memorial Lecture in Kochi is being organised in memory of Late K S Rajamony, prominent lawyer and former Member of the Kerala Public Men's Inquiry Commission (with the rank of a High Court Judge) from 1992 to 1997.

Initiated in 2002, the K S Rajamony Memorial Lectures have been delivered in the past by eminent persons like Justice V R Krishna Iyer, Justice K T Thomas, Justice K P Balasubramanian, former Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan and former Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid.UNI AR ADG SHK 1524

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0092-1168584.Xml
Noted writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar today attacked Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju for trolling Gurmehar Kaur, the daughetr of Kargyl martyr Mandeep Singh, after she lend her support for the campaign against the violence in Ramjas college.Re-tweeting a tweet shared by Actor Randeep Hooda, Mr Rijiju had yesterday said,''who's polluting this young girl's mind? A strong Arm Force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded."Gurmehar Kaur, in one of her earlier videos which had gone viral in May, had posted: "Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him."Taking to twitter, Javed Akhtar, without naming Mr Rijiju, said, "I don't know about her but Mr Minister I know who is polluting your mind."After the clashes between AISA and ABVP in the Ramjas college following the latter's disruption of a seminar in the college over invitations to JNU leaders Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid, Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of Kargil martyr Mandeep Singh, had started a campaign on the social media against the ABVP which had gone viral.However, she alleged that she received rape threats and was trolled on social media for her campaign.UNI AR ADG SHK 1531 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0092-1168629.Xml
Senior Congress Leader and General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee Ghulam Nabi Azad today expressed his heartfelt condolences at the demise of former Union Minister P Shiv Shankar. In a condolence message over the death of Shiv Shankar, Mr Azad said,''Mr P Shiv Shankar, a former judge of Andhra Pradesh high court, was a very senior and eminent Congressman who became Minister of Law in 1980 and thereafter held many portfolios including External Affairs and Petroleum. He being a senior colleague in the Cabinet when I was also a Minister, I have happy memories of time spent with him and also had the opportunity of seeking his advise on legal issues, given his experience at the bench and bar. I am also privileged to be Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, the position which he once held from 1989 to 1991.'' Mr Azad said that the country has lost a tall secular leader who always fought for the cause of backward classes, SCs, STs and minorities and as a minister, tried his best to reach out to these sections of the society. He prayed to Almighty to give strength and courage to the near and dear ones in this moment of grief and also prayed that his departed soul may rest in peace. UNI AR ADG SHK 1546 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0092-1168696.Xml
Hitting out at Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan by referring to his Mangaluru visit recently, firebrand Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Shobha Surendran today said the CM would not be able to walk around freely in the state if the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) takes a decision on the issue, Denying reported threat given by Sangh Parivar not to allow Mr Vijayan to enter Mangluru to attend a function last week, she said if the RSS takes a decision it would be implemented at any cost. ''RSS is a strong organization spread across the country and coordinating a political party that run 14 state governments where as the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is comparatively a small entity with only four per cent vote share''. She said the party women front is firm to immerse the ashes of activist Vimala Devi, who was burnt to death in Palakkad recently, in Majeswaram despite threat. Accusing the CPI (M) for continuing violent politics in the state she said one more party activist -- Ravindran -- was done to death in Kollam recently despite peace initiative launched by none other than the Chief Minister himself. She urged CPI(M) state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishan to give up arms aimed at bringing lasting peace in the state. Demanding a probe by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the abduction of leading actress in Kochi recently, she said even celebraties are not safe in the state. She alleged that Mr Vijayan and his party state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had hatched a conspiracy to protect Pulzar Suni, the key accused in the case.UNI PCH CS 1532 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1168718.Xml
Deploring attacks on campuses across the country, the pro-CPI (M) Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) today said it would conduct mass congregations in varsities from March 6 to 10 and other forms of agitations against the move. Talking to reporters here DYFI President Adv. Mohammed Riyaz said denigrating Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of a Kargil martyr, through social media for protesting against attack by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Ramjas College in Delhi, was shameful. He said Gurmehar was targeted as she had posted her photo on social media stating that she was not afraid of the ABVP and ''I am not alone and every student of the country is with me.'' Stating similar violence was unleashed in different parts of the country, he said this was a clear indication of major threat to the country paused by right wing forces with political patronage and should be resisted. The youth front would also launch leaflet distribution in trains and buses from March 15 to 20 and awareness campaign on two wheelers on March 23, he added.UNI PCH CS 1600 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0300-1168754.Xml
Shouting "ABVP Go Back", hundreds of students marched through Delhi University on Tuesday to denounce the RSS-affiliated body for attacking students, teachers and journalists in the campus. Some 2,000 students, both boys and girls, walked from Khalsa College at the edge of the university through the sprawling campus and later gathered at the Arts Faculty, shouting slogans all the time. Many held banners demanding the right to freedom of speech and condemning the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the February 21-22 disturbances in the otherwise placid campus. "We are here to show solidarity and to make the ABVP understand that DU (Delhi University) stands together against violence," student Hindolee Datta told IANS. Datta was from Lady Shri Ram College, whose student Gurmehar Kaur received death and rape threats after launching a social media campaign against the ABVP. Gurpreet, a student of Delhi's Ambedkar University, told IANS: "There have been increasing threats to the rights of citizens and students. Our right to protest has been taken away by the ABVP and RSS. "This is not just about Delhi University but the whole nation." Hindolee and Gurpreet spoke as a mass of students walked slowly towards the Arts Faculty holding banners and shouting slogans. A large contingent of police accompanied them. The protest mainly drew students from Delhi University, one of the oldest in the country, as well as a sprinkling from the Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia Islamia. Several lecturers also joined the march. On February 21, the ABVP forced the Ramjas College in the university to cancel a seminar because of the participation of a JNU student charged with sedition last year. The next day, ABVP activists were accused of attacking students, teachers and journalists during a protest march in the Delhi University campus. Protesters insisted their march on Tuesday was not political but for freedom in the campuses. "I was bruised on the 22nd because of stone pelting. I don't belong to any political party. I am here to protest against violence," said a Ramjas College student who did not want to be named. A lecturer who joined the show of strength underlined that she was there "for the safety of students threatened by the ABVP". Another teacher, Avinash, added: "This is not about ABVP, this is about hooliganism. The people who indulged in violence are not nationalists, they are macho elements." "ABVP Down Down," "ABVP Go Back" and "ABVP Dont be so Creepy" were among the slogans the students kept raising. Another was: "Delhi Police, Sanghi Police." The call for Tuesday's march was given by the Left-leaning All India Students Association but drew even those who do not agree with the group. Former JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar also joined the protest. Also on Tuesday, members of the Congress-affiliated National Students Union of India (NSUI) staged a hunger strike in the campus, also against the ABVP. "After the Ramjas violence, a majority of students who want a peaceful campus are scared... There is hardly any space for debate," NSUI President Amrita Dhawan told IANS. "Nothing justifies violence. We live in a democratic country where people can have different opinions," Dhawan added. On Monday, the ABVP held a "Tiranga march" in the campus. --IANS mg/mr/py/vd ( 550 Words) 2017-02-28-16:10:13 (IANS)
Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal today said that Lt Governor Anil Baijal assured that strict action would be taken against the perpetrators of the Ramjas College incident and on alleged rape threats to Kargil martyr's daughter Gurmehar Kaur, after the former met him here this afternoon. "Met LG Demanded arrest of those who caused violence in DU, shouted anti-India slogans n who threatened Gurmehar. He assured strict action," the Delhi Chief Minister tweeted. Talking to reporters after meeting the LG, Mr Kejriwal alleged BJP's hand in the entire violence in the Ramjas College saying, "It was none other than the BJP, who first send their workers to raise anti-Indian slogans and later thrash others calling them anti-nationals." On Gurmehar's issue, the Chief Minister said filing an FIR was a good move of the Delhi police but also demanded that the accused should be immediately arrested as their (abusers) social media accounts details are available online. Meanwhile, the LG in a tweet said, "Hon'ble Chief Minister, Delhi met me at Raj Niwas..Have assured him that strict immediate action will be taken against those violating law." Earlier, Gurmehar alleged that she was threatened with rape for her campaign against violence in Ramjas College.UNI DS ADG SHK 1623 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0177-1168767.Xml
Thirty-seven-year-old Sk Salim, a resident of Tollygunj in south Kolkata, who was hit by a Minidor van while crossing the Tollygunj Circular Road last night, was today dead in the gutter on Prince Anwar Shah Road, few hundreds yards from his home. Eye witnesses said the victim was hit by the four-wheeler last night, however, the driver assured the local people to admit him nearby M R Bangur Hospital. But after a search by the relatives in the hospital, they informed the matter to the police. This morning Sk Salim was found in the gutter on Prince Anwar Shah Road and when he was taken to the M R Bangur Hospital, the medics told the victim died much earlier time.UNI PC AKM 1614 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0213-1168797.Xml
Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management-Kerala (IIITM-K) will organize a workshop on 'Blockchain', a cutting edge technology designed to provide a tamper-proof and immutable data storage system and transparency in digital applications, at Technopark here on March 3. Described as the most promising technological innovation after the advent of Internet, the Blockchain technology leverages the idea of a distributed and decentralized ledger. The history of all the transactions that had ever occurred is stored in the ledger as "blocks" and distributed across the decentralized peer-to-peer network. All the validated transaction blocks are linked from the beginning of the chain to the most recent block, hence it was named as "blockchain". A clutch of experts, including Dr. Dilip Krishnaswamy, Senior Research Scientist, IBM Research Labs; Mr. Michael Gord (Blockchain Education Network); and Mr. Harsh Pokharna, Blockchain System Architect Co-founder, will be the main speakers. Dr Asharaf S. Associate Professor, IITM-K, will chair the workshop which is to deliberate on a slew of issues like 'Concept of Block Technology', 'Business Potentials', 'Research Opportunities' and 'Future Models and Practical Use cases'. The workshop will explore the upcoming research opportunities, business innovations and employment opportunities provided by blockchain technology. A panel discussion will cover the upcoming ideas and challenges in the domain of blockchains. There will also be sessions to explore the potential application of blockchains in various business domains like banking, supply chain, financial services (fintech), asset registry, decentralized IoT, inventory, identity management, healthcare, insurance, public notary, e-KYC, besides managing and intangible assets (votes, ideas, reputation, intention, and health data). The Blockchain technology has caught the fancy of technocrats and business executives across the globe. The workshop will be an interactive platform for students, researchers, software professionals and business executives to explore deep into the concept of blockchains. Hailed as the backbone technology, it helps to establish trust among unknown entities without the need of middleman or third parties, thereby ensuring transparency in digital transactions. Most of the big players in the market predict that blockchains have the potential to disrupt various business domains such as cyber security and banking services in near future by performing quicker, secure and transparent transactions. UNI DS CS 1756 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0324-1169022.Xml
It was day of rallies in the North Campus of the Delhi University with students participating in protest march against alleged 'hooliganism' of ABVP at an event in the Ramjas College. Scores of students marched from Khalsa College of the University, holding placards in their hands, raising slogans against the ABVP and later gathered at the Arts Faculty. The march was carried out amid tight security to avoid any untoward incident. It was taken out by left-affiliated AISA. Several Opposition leaders were also seen making beeline at the campus to show their solidarity with students. Leaders like Manish Tewari, D Raja, Sitaram Yechury, KC Tyagi and others also visited the University. Talking to reporters, a student activist said they won't tolerate the 'hooliganism' of ABVP in the name of nationalism. Mr Yechury and Mr Raja today indicated that the Ramjas issue would be raised in Parliament afterthey joined in solidarity the Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University students' protest march. Senior Congress leader Manish Tewari also joined the NSUI students, who sat on a hunger strike outside Arts Faculty of the University against the violence caused by left and right wing students organisation. In the eveing, the NSUI took out a 'Mashaal' rally in the North Campus of the varsity. CYSS, student wing of the Aam Aadmi Party also participated in the protest march. Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said that Lt Governor Anil Baijal assured that strict action would be taken against the perpetrators of the Ramjas College incident and on alleged rape threats to Kargil martyr's daughter Gurmehar Kaur, after the former met him here at Raj Niwas. Talking to reporters after meeting the LG, Mr Kejriwal alleged BJP's hand in the entire violence in the Ramjas College saying, "It was none other than the BJP, who first send their workers to raise anti-Indian slogans and later thrash others calling them anti-nationals." The genesis of the entire incident was the invitation of two JNU leaders to speak at a seminar in the college, which was called off after ABVP's protest last week.UNI DS ADG SHK 1957 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0177-1169314.Xml
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has spent more than Rs 30 crore on air travel during the last five years, state Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Bikra, Keshari Arukh told the state Assembly today. Replying to a question of Mr Dillip Ray (BJP), the Minister said a sum of Rs 30,81,42,507 was spent towards the Chief Minister's tour by air during the last five years to different places including his tour to Delhi and London. Mr Arukh said the Chief Minister travelled 30 times to Delhi and once to London during March 6, 2012 to July 18, 2016. He said a sum of Rs 19,74,359 was spent towards the air travel cost of the Chief Minister during 2012-13 to 2016-17 financial year. The minister said in addition to it the Chief Minister has travelled by air 215 times in private planes from May 10, 2012 to December 24, 2016. Out of it the Chief Minister has used five chartered flights and 16 Air crafts and used passenger helicopter for the rest of his journey. The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said during the period a sum of Rs 336.51 lakh was spent for the use of chartered flight and Aircraft by the Chief Minister.In addition to it a sum of Rs 27,25,17,148 was spent towards the air travel of the Chief Minister and other Ministers accompanying him during the period. Mr Arukh said the Chief Minister has visited Chenai, Vizag, Raipur, New Delhi by chartered flights. He also flew to his constituency Hinjli by helicopter during the period.The Chief Minister has also flown by chartered helicopter to Cuttack, Puri, Mancheswar, Delang, Khordha, Deras, Begunia, Balikuda, Nischitakoili and Salipur. Mr Patnaik has also used chartered helicopter to fly to Tirtol, Paradip, Chari chhak, Kanas, Badasahi, Nayagarha, Ranapur, Banpur, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Konark,Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Banki, Tigira, Athagarha, Nimapada, Nagpur, Tarang, Kalinga Nagar, Kakatpur, Karandia and Niali during the period. Mr Arukh said the Home and the Water resources Departments have provided a car each for the use of Chief Minister. He said while the car provided by the Home Department has run 56,600 KM during the last five years and a sum of Rs 4,98,198 was spent for the vehicle during the period. Similarly the vehicle provided by the Water Resources department has run 89,990 KM during the last five years and a sum of Rs 7,90,650 was spent for the period for the car.UNI BD DP BM -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0214-1169228.Xml
Popular Tamil actor Dhanush today appeared before the Madras High Court Bench here in an ongoing paternity claim case. An elderly couple R.Kathiresan (65) and K.Meenakshi (53) of Malampatti village in Melur Taluk of Madurai district filed a petition before the Judicial Magistrate (JM) Court at Melur during November last, claiming that the actor is their biological son and sought Rs 65,000 from him towards monthly maintenance. The couple also claimed that Dhanush had several identification marks that included a mole on his right collarbone and a scar on his forearm. Both the marks are mentioned in the School Transfer Certificate of their son, they said. Denying their claim, Dhanush moved the HC Bench seeking to quash the case by stating that he was born to film director R.Krishnamoorthy alias Kasthuri Raja and Vijayalakshmi in Chennai on July 28, 1983. He claimed to have changed his birth name R.K.Venkatesh Prabhu to Dhanush K.Raja in 2003 and produced a government gazette notification in support of his claim. In view of contradictions over claims from both sides, Justice G.Chockalingam directed Dhanush to appear before the court today. When the actor appeared before the HC Bench, the Judge ordered to verify his identification marks by government doctors at the Registrar (Judicial) G.Ilangovan's chambers and to submit their report. Accordingly, a team of doctors from Government Rajaji Hospital verified his identification marks. The case was adjourned to March two for final hearing. UNI GSM CS 1903 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1169143.Xml
The ghastly bus accident, which took place at Mulapadu village in Penugranthiprolu mandal, about 40 km from here, in which 11 people were killed and 32 passengers were injured, assumed political colours as the ill-fated bus belonged to the Diwakar Road Lines, owned by the family of ruling Telugu Desam party MLA J C Prabbhakar Reddy. Official sources said that the Diwakar Road Lines was registered in the name of J C Uma Reddy, wife of J C Prabhakar Reddy, ruling party MLA of Tadiparthi,who is the younger brother of J C Diwakar Reddy, MP of Anantapuram. Talking to media in Ananthapuram, J C Prabhakar Reddy said that he is ready to take responsibility of the accident. Describing the accident as unfortunate, he made it clear that as his family had been running the Travel company for few decades. They were unable to give it up, despite a lot of risk in running the private travels, he said. He announced that compensation would be disbursed by the company. Mr Reddy said that the ill-fated bus was a Volvo bus with all modern facility. Taking political advantage of the accident, Prabhakar Reddy's arch political rival, YSRCP President Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy visited the accident site and the consoled the injured at the government hospital in Nandigama today. He alleged that since the private travels belongs to TDP MP's family, they were violating all norms. They take one permit and run buses in three routes. The government is extending patronage to the travels, he alleged. The bus driver might have been under the influence of alcohol which led to the accident. The post-mortem to the deceased bus driver was not conducted to conceal the fact, Mr Jagan said. Meanwhile, the Congress Party demanded the resignation of Transport Minister Sidda Raghava Rao. Talking to media here today, city Congress president Malladi Vishnu, APCC official Spokesperson Kolanukonda Shivaji alleged that the government did not respond properly on the bus accident, since the bus belonged to the ruling party MP. They attributed the ghastly accident to the negligence driving.UNI DP CS 1908 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1169165.Xml
Stepping up their drive against extremists, police today arrested four dreaded Maoists including a self proclaimed zonal commander from bordering areas of Khagaria and Begusari districts. State Inspector General of Police (Operation) Kundan Krishnan said here that jawans of Special Task Force (STF) arrested four extremists of outlawed CPI (Maoist) from their hideout in the bordering areas of Khagaria and Begusarai districts following a tip off. He said the nabbed ultras were identified as self proclaimed zonal commander of the ultra left outfit Chandeshwar Sada alias Azad Ji, 'sub zonal commander' Ramudar Sahni and their two associates. Extremists were involved in extorting money from various people in the two districts, he added. An intensive interrogation of extremists is on to nab other members of their organisation.UNI DH BM -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0214-1169423.Xml
Asserting that space technology and research has taken India to a level globally that the country could be proud of, Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) Director P Kunhikrishnan today said that "the journey of ISRO was not smooth, but we now have a centre of excellence with a rare blend of technology and nature". Speaking at the sixth edition of Research Day at SRM Universitt at its campus in suburban Kattankulathur, he said revolutionary inventions and discoveries have changed science globally. ''Space research and technology has taken India to a level internationally that the country can be proud of'', he added. "The perfection with which we fulfill is the pride of every Indian", he said. He said ''the journey of ISRO was not smooth but we now have a centre of excellence with a rare blend of technology and nature". Recalling his association with the students and faculty of SRM University in designing and development the nano satellite SRMSAT in 2011, the SDSC Director said ''it is not easy to build a satellite that has done thousands of orbits". "You may stumble in between, but failures are not the end of the road. Fresh ideas bring about fresh solutions'', he noted. '' Advances in space research and technology have made rich contributions to the development of society as well'', he said while referring to areas such as communications, remote sensing, tele medicine and weather forecasting. Speaking on the occasion, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Supercomputer Education and Research Centre, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Honorary Professor N Balakrishnan said putting money in research was far less risky than starting an airline. Observing that investment in science was not philanthropy, he said ''investments in science do not bring about immediate returns.'' ''The returns in science come late. But when they come, it will come with a thundering effect'', he added. SRM University Chancellor T R Paarivendhar stressed the importance of research and invention in an academic institution. "A University is rated on the research work they do. We have to be serious for we have to maintain our name. Everybody has to do some research. We have to thrive and you can", he added. Calling research as an ongoing process and not something of a one-day affair to be boast of, SRM University President Dr P Sathyanarayanan said research was not confined to higher education only. ''Research should be encouraged right from the level of primary education. The curiosity and inquisitiveness of the mind of the children should be encouraged", he added. Mr Kunhikrishnan later presented gold and silver medals to researchers of the University to mark the occasion.UNI GV 2125 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1169507.Xml
Approaching the Supreme Court, Jiah's mother, Rabia Khan, a British national, challenged Bombay High Court's order rejecting her plea against the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chargesheet terming the death as suicide and not homicide.

Khan sought formation of an SIT to probe the causes leading to the death of her daughter on June 3, 2013.

Claiming that her US citizen daughter was murdered, Khan has also contested the investigators' version that Jiah allegedly committed suicide by hanging at her home in Sagar Sangeet Apartments in the posh Juhu area that evening.

On February 9, the Bombay HC has said that since the matter is already being probed by the CBI there was no need to interfere, andAhad paved way for commencement of trial against actor Sooraj Pancholi, who is charged with abetment of Jiah's suicide.

Initially, Mumbai Police had investigated the sensational case of the celebrity which was later transferred to the CBI.

Jiah, 25, left behind a note allegedly pointing a finger at Pancholi, her then boyfriend and son of actor-couple Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab.

Later, Mumbai police had arrested Sooraj Pancholi on charges of 'abetment to (Jiah's) suicide' and he was later granted bail. The CBI had concurred with Mumbai police that Jiah's death was a suicide and not a murder.

--IANS gt/vd

( 262 Words)

2017-02-28-22:08:08 (IANS)
Police today recovered at least 60 live crude bombs at Haripur village near Katwa in Burdwan district of West Bengal. Acting on a tip off, police raided an isolated house at Haripur village in Katwa and recovered 60 live crude bombs from the location this morning, a senior district police official said "Today we seized as many as 60 crude bombs and raw materials used for making bombs from Katwa police station area," he said. Later, the bombs were taken to an open ground and state Criminal Investigation Department (CID)'s bomb disposal unit defused those bombs. However, none has been arrested so far in connection with the case, police have begun probe into the matter, the district police official added.UNI XC-BM -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0214-1169535.Xml
Speaking at a function of Centenary Celebration of Bharat Sevasram Sangha at Netaji Indoor Stadium here, Ms Banerjee said, nobody has the right to incite people against each other. "Everyone has the freedom of choice which religion they want to follow, what they eat, what they wear. Hindu Muslim Sikh Isai, apas mein rehna bhai bhai. This is our motto," she said adding that Ramakrishna Paramhansa taught us about Sarva Dharma Samannay and there is no bigger Hindu than him.

Ms Banerjee said that true service does not discriminate on the basis of caste, creed or community.

The Chief minister commended Bharat Sevasram Sangha for their social work, specially during rescue operations after any disaster.

"I am glad Bharat Sevasram Sangha is setting up a hospital in Joka," Ms Banerjee said.

"You will find a branch of Ramakrishna Mission or Bharat Sevasram Sangha in any part of the world," she said.

The chief minister said Bharat Sevasram Sangha is always at the forefront of rescue ops after any disaster.

"We will set up a gateway outside Bharat Sevasram Sangha. A statue of Pranabananda ji will be erected," she said.

Ms Banerjee said, "We handed over the house where Sister Nivedita breathed her last in Darjeeling to RKM."

Maa, Mother, Ammi - difference is only in language. The emotion is the same, she added. UNI BM

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0214-1169560.Xml
U.S. President Donald Trump has said that nobody knew health care could be so complicated, adding that his administration has come up with a solution which is very good. "We have come up with a solution that's really, really I think very good. Now, I have to tell you, it's an unbelievably complex subject. Nobody knew health care could be so complicated, CNN quoted Trump as saying during a meeting of the nation's governors at the White House. Trump was speaking as Republicans on Capitol Hill continue to work toward developing a plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, the Obama-era law which they argue is too costly and complicated. The Republicans have long pledged to repeal Obamacare, which they say is too costly and complicated. Trump is likely to speak on health care during his first address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. Trump also met with CEOs of leading U.S. health insurance companies and said that a replacement plan would be revealed soon. "We have a plan that I think is going to be fantastic. It's going to be released fairly soon," Trump said Monday. "I think it's going to be something special ... I think you're going to like what you hear," he said. Trump described his meeting with the CEOs as 'Great'. "Great meeting with CEOs of leading U.S. health insurance companies who provide great healthcare to the American people," Trump tweeted. (ANI)
A youth named by China as the second-highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism, but reviled as a fake by many Tibetans, has praised the Communist Party's religious policies in Tibet in a lunar new year message, saying they made him feel "very happy".Although officially atheist, China selected Gyaltsen Norbu as the 11th Panchen Lama in 1995 in a drive to win the hearts and minds of Tibetans.Tibet's current spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing brands a dangerous separatist, had announced his own choice of a six-year-old boy, but he was taken away by authorities and has since vanished from public view.In a message to mark the Tibetan lunar new year, carried by the United Front Work Department which helps oversee religious groups, China's Panchen Lama discussed six months of Buddhist activities he carried out in Tibet last year."My deepest impression after the inspection tour was that Tibet's ethnic and religious policies have been carried out very well," he said in comments carried late today."At the same time, the party has formulated a series of special beneficial policies, and the vast majority of Tibetans have received real benefit. After seeing this I felt very happy," he said.He added that he visited herders, where he got to understand the changes that have taken place for Tibetans."This has made me even more confident in Tibet's tomorrow," he said.China has gradually exposed its Panchen Lama in public roles in the hope he will achieve the respect commanded by the Dalai Lama among Tibetans and globally. He made his first trip outside mainland China in 2012, when he visited Hong Kong.Chinese troops marched into Tibet in 1950. China routinely rejects criticism of its rule there, saying it has brought much-needed development to a remote region and that it respects Tibet's culture and religion.After the Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, the 10th Panchen Lama stayed on and was initially seen as a collaborator. It later emerged that his criticism of Beijing had earned him more than a decade spent either in prison or under house arrest.Freed in 1977, he was politically rehabilitated the following year, and died in 1989.REUTERS PS 0603 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1168170.Xml
Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross easily won confirmation as US commerce secretary today, clearing President Donald Trump's top trade official to start work on renegotiating trade relationships with China and Mexico.The US Senate voted 72-27 to confirm the 79-year-old corporate turnaround expert's nomination, with strong support from Democrats.Ross is set to become an influential voice in Trump's economic team after helping shape the president's opposition to multilateral free trade deals such as the now-scrapped Trans-Pacific Partnership.Ross drew votes from 19 Democrats and one independent, partly because of an endorsement from the United Steelworkers union for his efforts in restructuring bankrupt steel companies in the early 2000s, which saved numerous plants and thousands of jobs.Ross was criticized by some Democrats as another billionaire in a Trump Cabinet that says it is focused on the working class, and for being a "vulture" investor who has eliminated some jobs. Reuters reported last month that Ross's companies had shipped some 2,700 jobs overseas since 2004.The investor will oversee a sprawling agency with nearly 44,000 employees responsible for combating the dumping of imports below cost into US markets, collecting census and critical economic data, weather forecasting, fisheries management, promoting the United States to foreign investors and regulating the export of sensitive technologies.While commerce secretaries rarely take the spotlight in Washington, Ross is expected to play an outsize role in pursuing Trump's campaign pledge to slash US trade deficits and bring manufacturing jobs back to America.Trump has designated Ross to lead the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada, a job that in past administrations would have been left to the US Trade Representative's office.Ross will join other major players on the economic team, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Gary Cohn, director of the White House National Economic Council.Some experts said Ross could serve as a counterweight to advisers such as Peter Navarro, the University of California-Irvine economics professor who heads Trump's newly created White House National Trade Council. Navarro has advocated a controversial 45 per cent across-the-board tariff on imports from China that Trump threatened during his campaign."I expect that Ross will quickly become the administration's chief trade spokesman, and that Navarro's influence will be felt indirectly, rather than through public statements or testimony," said Gary Hufbauer, a senior fellow and trade expert at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.At his confirmation hearing, Ross downplayed chances of a trade war with China, while calling it the "most protectionist" large economy. He vowed to level the playing field for US companies competing with Chinese imports and those trying to do business in China's highly restricted economy.Ross, estimated by Forbes to be worth 2.9 billion dollars, built his fortune in the late 1990s and early 2000s by investing in distressed companies in steel, coal, textiles and auto parts, restructuring them and often benefiting from tariff protections put in place by the Commerce Department.REUTERS PS 0635 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1168179.Xml
US President Donald Trump has accused his predecessor Barack Obama of being responsible for the leaks within his administration and the sizable, angry town-hall crowds Republicans have faced across the country. Trump was asked in an interview on Fox News' "Fox and Friends" if he believed Obama was responsible for the town-hall protests against Republicans this month. "It turns out his organisation seems to do a lot of these organising to some of the protests that these Republicans are seeing around the country against you. Do you believe President Obama is behind it and if he is, is that a violation of the so-called unsaid Presidents' code?" Trump was asked. "No, I think he is behind it. I also think it is politics, that's the way it is," Trump said in the interview, a clip of which was released Monday night. Trump then discussed the leaks that have disrupted his first month in office. "You never know what's exactly happening behind the scenes. You know, you're probably right or possibly right, but you never know," Trump said in another preview clip of the interview. "No, I think that President Obama is behind it because his people are certainly behind it. And some of the leaks possibly come from that group, which are really serious because they are very bad in terms of national security. But I also understand that is politics. In terms of him being behind things, that's politics. And it will probably continue." Trump, however, did not offer any evidence for his claim. Earlier this month, Trump told Fox News that reports of his calls with the leaders of Mexico and Australia were caused by leaks from "Obama people". Trump's administration has been beset by leaks within his administration to the media, and he has continually railed against those doing the leaks and against the media since taking office. He has said the leaks are damaging to national security. --IANS soni/vt ( 333 Words) 2017-02-28-14:28:08 (IANS)
Taliban fighters in the southern Afghan province of Helmand attacked a checkpoint with silenced weapons and hand grenades early today killing 12 policemen and stealing weapons and ammunition, officials said.But a provincial official said that it could be an insider attack as one of the guards was still missing."An investigation is ongoing to find out if someone from inside has defected to the Taliban and paved the way for this crime," he said.The attack, in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah, underlined the threat facing Afghan security forces in the opium-producing province, where they struggle to match well-equipped Taliban fighters who now control several districts.The police killed in the attack had been pulled back from the southern district of Khanshin district which security forces abandoned last year."The Taliban attacked a guard with silenced guns and then entered the check post," Helmand deputy police chief Haji Gulai told reporters."They attacked other policemen with hand grenades and killed all of them. They later took their weapons and ammunition and escaped." he said.In a separate incident, another 12 policemen were killed in the Marjah district of Helmand after an hour-long gunbattle, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.Taliban fighters now control most of Helmand, including areas in Lashkar Gah. British and U.S. forces suffered their heaviest casualties of the war in the province in years of fighting following the removal of the Taliban in 2001.Afghan security forces now control less than 60 per cent of the country, according to U.S. estimates, with the Taliban in control of about 10 percent and the remainder contested between government and insurgent forces.REUTERS SHS BL1522 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1168680.Xml
Since the evening in 2004 when policemen arrived unannounced to escort him and his wife to safety, Geert Wilders has lived in safe houses under 24-hour guard to protect him from Islamist militants who threatened to kill him.Film-maker Theo van Gogh had been shot, stabbed and nearly beheaded by a militant Islamist earlier that day, and Wilders, another prominent critic of Islam, was seen as a likely next target.Nearly 13 years under protective seclusion have only strengthened his convictions. Wilders, 53, now wants to halt Muslim immigration, close all mosques and ban the Koran, which he compares to Adolf Hitler's tract Mein Kampf.He is on Taliban and al Qaeda hitlists, and blames Islam for the long confinement that ended his life as a cosmopolitan globetrotter."I can hardly remember what it's like to cross the road alone," he said in February. "I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. But at least I know why I do what I do. My mission is to make sure the Netherlands, unlike my own life, remains free."With a flare for the limelight - he wears his hair in an instantly recognisable platinum bleached-blond quiff - Wilders is within a whisker of leading the largest party in the Dutch parliament after next month's elections.Other parties have ruled out a coalition with him, which is likely to keep him out of government, especially since he was convicted in December of inciting discrimination for leading a crowd in a chat for "Fewer! Fewer! Fewer!" Moroccans. Two weeks ago he repeated calls for a crackdown on "Moroccan scum".Centre-right Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who once led a minority government that excluded Wilders but relied on his support, now says he will never work with him again. "He's against the freedoms and values of our society," Rutte said.But the prospect of Wilders gaining stature even while shut out of power has alarmed Dutch Muslims, who make up 5 percent of the population."It's not about him burning Korans or literally closing mosques, because we know that's very unlikely," said Dounia Jari, a Moroccan-Dutch activist who helps young gay, lesbian and transgender Muslims come to terms with their identities. "But with him spreading hatred, he won't be targeted, but I can be targeted on the streets by someone who shares his ideology."INSIDERThough often compared to outsiders like French nationalist Marine Le Pen, Britain's anti-European Union campaigner Nigel Farage or US President Donald Trump, Wilders emerged from within mainstream Dutch politics.When Van Gogh was killed in 2004, Wilders had just quit the main centre-right liberal party over his opposition to Turkey joining the European Union. In February, 2006 he founded his Party for Freedom (PVV), which combined libertarian promises to raise speed limits with harsh anti-Muslim rhetoric.Most Dutch see openness and religious tolerance as essential national traits of their cosmopolitan seafaring country. Holland has served as a European haven for refugees since the 16th century, when the mainly Protestant Dutch broke away from Catholic Spain, dedicated their new state to religious freedom and offered protection to minorities including Spanish Jews.Wilders says it is precisely that tolerance that is threatened by Islam's "totalitarian ideology". Passionate about the Middle East since he spent time on an Israeli cooperative farm, or kibbutz, as a teenager, he says his opposition to Islam came from contrasting Israel's openness with its neighbours.Even as his party has grown, its opposition to Islam has strengthened. A third of the party's one-page manifesto is devoted to it.ISOLATIONWhen he entered politics in 1990 without a university degree after a stint working for a health insurer, it was as a social policy specialist, advising the liberals on ways to cut back on the Netherlands' then very generous out-of-work allowances.Colleagues remember a driven expert with a skilled politician's command of his technical brief, with little time for socialising. His party started in that technocratic tradition, advocating pro-business, Atlanticist neoconservatism.Over the years of his isolation, anti-Islamism usurped most of that agenda. Under his security regimen, his entire party sits in a secured corridor in parliament, isolated from easy contact with other lawmakers, forbidden from visiting the parliamentary bar.Two armed guards stand in front of his office door. Even when he is in Budapest visiting the family of his Hungarian wife, safe houses are kept ready for emergencies."He's been under guard 24/7 for 13 years," said Cas Mudde, a University of Georgia specialist in populism. "If your whole life has been put on hold because of what you perceive as a religion - it's an existential threat to him."His isolation translates into a willingness to go it alone in politics. He triggered the collapse of Rutte's minority government in 2012 by refusing to back social spending cuts needed to meet European Union deficit spending rules, alienating a political class that prizes constructiveness above all else.Despite polling around 17 per cent, enough for the PVV to emerge as the biggest party, Wilders has the wrong mentality to enter government, said Frits Bolkestein, who led the liberals when Wilders worked there on policy.He "isn't prepared to make the changes needed to govern, because of his mental make-up", Bolkestein said. "If we wanted to cut him down to size, the thing would be to give him responsibility. If he ran a large ministry, he'd probably fail."His own brother, Paul, has taken to Twitter and given interviews distancing himself from his policies."Political exploitation of social unrest is a dangerous thing," Paul Wilders told RTL Nieuws. "Those with the shiniest fruit on the market often sell the most poisonous oranges."Wilders grew up as the youngest child of a family in predominantly Catholic Limburg, a south-eastern prong of the Netherlands that juts out into the borderlands between Belgium and Germany, an ancient crossroads.His father was a middle manager for printing equipment maker Oce, a proud Dutch multinational later sold to Japan's Canon. His mother, a soldier's daughter, was born in Indonesia when that mainly Muslim country was a Dutch colony. He says her parents were Dutch but he had mixed-race Indonesian cousins and that international background influenced his upbringing.Wilders became an inveterate traveller after his first trip to the Middle East, roaming eastern Europe and visiting Iran repeatedly while working for the liberals.He was personable in the years before his confinement, remembers Laszlo Maracz, a Dutch-Hungarian academic who helped Wilders write a report in the 1990s on the rights of ethnic Hungarian minorities in eastern Europe. He liked to play high-stakes dice games to relax."Yahtzee was his favourite," Maracz said. "He always knew how to go all in on a bet, managing to throw a high enough number against the odds."REUTERS SHS PM1549 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1168749.Xml
Major US corporations are going to war in Washington over a Republican 'border adjustment' tax proposal meant to boost exports over imports, with lawmakers in Congress coming under pressure from some of the nation's biggest employers.The political split that is opening, most pronounced in the narrowly divided Senate, could doom the proposal. If it dies, prospects for a thorough tax code reform, a top 2017 goal for President Donald Trump's Republicans, would be diminished.Trump, who has vowed to produce a "phenomenal" tax reform package, without recently offering many specifics, has not taken a clear stand on border adjustment. He spoke favorably about it in a Reuters interview on Thursday.The main thrust of border adjustment is to exempt companies from having to pay federal income tax on export revenues, while ending the deductibility of import costs from taxable income.Border adjustment is a core part of a broad tax reform "blueprint" being pushed by House of Representatives Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan and tax panel chairman Kevin Brady. The blueprint has not been put into formal legislation, but border adjustment is already a sticking point.At least eight Republicans in the Senate have expressed concern about it. Several are from Republican-leaning states where Wal-Mart Stores Inc is a major employer.Wal-Mart is a member of Americans for Affordable Products, a business coalition working against border adjustment. Other members include Best Buy, Costco, Gap Inc , Macy's Inc, Nike Inc and Target.If the Republican-dominated House approves the blueprint and moves it to the 100-seat Senate, Republicans could lose only a handful of votes and still be able to pass the blueprint.REPUBLICANS HAVE CONCERNS"If it came up today, I couldn't support it," Arkansas Republican Senator John Boozman told Reuters. "That's not to say I couldn't (support it) in the future with modifications."Boozman said he was concerned that border adjustment would raise prices for consumer goods such as cars and gasoline. He said he worried that Arkansas farmers could be hurt, too, if border adjustment triggered a global trade war.Boozman's state is home to Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer. Wal-Mart and its employees have been among Boozman's biggest backers in 2011-2016, according to data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics, a campaign finance watchdog.Wal-Mart Chief Financial Officer Brett Biggs, on a conference call with reporters a week ago, said, "The things that are being discussed about the border adjustment tax pose a concern."Republican Senator Tom Cotton, Boozman's Arkansas colleague, has also expressed concerns on border adjustment. "He supports the goals of tax reform and job growth. But he believes that a new tax on working-class Americans is not the best way to achieve those goals," said Cotton spokeswoman Caroline Rabbitt.Perhaps border adjustment's most outspoken Senate critic is Georgia Republican David Perdue. He has called the House proposal "a bad idea" and urged colleagues not to support it.One of Perdue's top backers in 2013-2016, according to data from the center on its website, has been the Club for Growth, a conservative group that donates large sums to like-minded politicians. Club for Growth opposes border adjustment.EXPORTS AND IMPORTSBorder adjustment has attracted opposition not only from retailers, but also from oil refiners and automakers.Texas Republican John Cornyn, a senior senator whose constituents include oil and gas firms, as well as companies that do business with Mexico, told Reuters: "If you're talking about disrupting business models that people have come to depend on, there's a lot in play and a lot at stake."Border adjustment has support from US multinational exporters organized in another group, the American Made Coalition. Its members include Boeing Co, Caterpillar Inc , Dow Chemical Co., General Electric Co, Honeywell International Inc < HON.N, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer Inc and United Technologies Corp.Chief executives of 16 big companies sent a letter this month to lawmakers urging tax reform including border adjustment. In it, the CEOs said border adjustment would make US-manufactured products more competitive abroad and at home.Since Trump's Reuters interview last week, the White House has sent mixed signals on border adjustment. Trump is scheduled to make a major speech to Congress today."We would be surprised if Trump specifically mentions (border adjustment) today night," said Chris Krueger, analyst at financial firm Cowen & Co. in a research report.The proposal "is a 15-round heavyweight fight and we are only in the 3rd round ... It can all end with a single uppercut from Trump in opposition, though that does not seem to be the direction the White House is headed," Krueger said. REUTERS SHS NS1652 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1168834.Xml
Jaime French was jarred out of bed in Emerson, Manitoba early one morning this month by pounding at her front door, just yards from the US border. A face peered in through the window, flanked in the darkness by others.Outside were 16 asylum seekers, arriving at one of the first houses they saw after crossing a lightly monitored border between Canada and the United States."They banged pretty hard, then 'ring ring ring' the doorbell," said French, a mother of two young girls. "It was scary. That really woke me up."The town has become the front line of an emerging political crisis that is testing Canada's will to welcome asylum seekers.Hundreds of people, mainly from Africa but also the Middle East, are fleeing US President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigrants, migrants and refugee agencies say. Many asylum seekers say Trump's election and subsequent crackdown on illegal migrants spurred their plans to head north.Those arriving in Emerson come on foot in the dead of night, unnerving its 650 residents. Some fear the influx of unscreened migrants while others are frustrated by the cost and effort forced on the community.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is under increased pressure from the left, which wants him to let more in, and from the right, which is fearful of an increased security risk. Trudeau must tread carefully to ensure the issue does not complicate relations with Trump.The cooling welcome in Emerson is a microcosm of growing discontent over Canada's open door policy for refugees.Last week, an Angus Reid poll found that while 47 per cent of respondents said Canada is taking in the right number of refugees, 41 per cent said the number is already too high. "It could become a real political liability for the government," said Christian Leuprecht, a politics professor at the Royal Military College of Canada, noting that spring will lead to more crossings as travel gets easier.THAWING OUT IN THE KITCHENAfter the 16 migrants left French's home, without being admitted, they found truck driver Brad Renout two doors down leaving for work."I was going to leave them all outside," Renout said. "I figured, to hell with (them) for coming over the border in winter."When he saw children among the group, Renout allowed three women, three toddlers and two teenagers into his kitchen.Early Sunday, Reuters witnessed at least seven migrants bundled in new parkas and bulging backpacks walking into Canada from Minnesota, following railway tracks in the icy dark.Ismail, a 25-year-old Somali man, said they had walked for 22 hours without sleep across North Dakota. As police lights flashed distantly, Ismail said he was afraid to walk toward them.He thought the group was still on US soil.Canadian police caught up with them shortly afterward and arrested them for illegally entering Canada. The group squeezed, uncuffed, into a police minivan and headed to a government office for questioning."We feel sorry for the people," said retired grain farmer Ken Schwark. "I just wish they would come through the legal way."A 2004 agreement between Canada and the United States means asylum seekers must submit applications in the United States if they arrive there first. But if they find a way into Canada, they can apply for refugee status there.It's an avenue that has spurred north illegal migrants in the United States, especially Somalis settled in Minnesota, which shares a land border with Manitoba. After pricey taxi rides to North Dakota, many like Ismail walk for hours in darkness and -20 C (-4F) temperatures to dimly lit Emerson, in the shadow of the bright glare of the international border crossing.The lucky migrants get rides dropping them off less than a mile from Noyes, Minnesota, within sight of Emerson's southern edge. From there they duck under a metal crossing-arm gate, walk across the border and often use their own cellphones to dial police.Others are dropped 30 or more kilometres from the border, and follow rail lines into Emerson, crossing a border marked in most areas only by scattered concrete boundary markers.Faye Suderman, a four-decade Emerson resident, said she is sympathetic but draws a line between those fleeing persecution and those who have simply run out of chances in the United States: "How difficult is it to get rid of those people and give help to those truly in need?"Emerson Cafe manager Jacquelyn Reimer, who has fed shivering asylum seekers for free, wondered why the Canadian government is helping refugees when the country has its own homeless problem. "We can't even take care of our own," she said.MAKESHIFT BEDS, NUTELLA SANDWICHESDue to its border-hugging location, Emerson's encounters with migrants are not new, but the scale of their arrivals is.In the first two months of 2017, 143 mainly Somali people walked illegally over the border into Emerson, representing 40 percent of Manitoba's full-year total in 2015/16. Quebec and British Columbia are the two other major illegal crossing points, but police there refused to provide data.Emerson residents don't encounter the migrants for long before police arrive and whisk them to the local Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) office for questioning. From there, they are ferried to Winnipeg, Manitoba's capital, to file asylum claims.Despite some residents' fears, asylum-seekers have not caused any trouble, said Bill Spanjer, Emerson's emergency coordinator."They're going to be on their best behavior because otherwise their refugee claim is certainly going to be affected," he said.When police receive a call, they summon the town's volunteer firefighters to treat any health concerns, as the nearest ambulance is 25 minutes away. In December, two men from Ghana lost all of their fingers to frostbite.Firefighter callouts cost Emerson about C 500 dollar each time. The costs may add up to C$30,000 since last spring, representing 10 percent of its firefighting budget, said Emerson-Franklin's elected leader Greg Janzen. The provincial government directed more resources to Emerson last week, including paramedics and paralegal and transportation services.Since the influx sped up in January, the strain on Emerson has grown. In early February, police intercepted 18 migrants from Somalia and Djibouti and CBSA asked Emerson to temporarily house them in the town's ice rink.Brenda Piett and other volunteers laid folding banquet tables on the concrete floor, and layered them with blankets for makeshift mattresses. At the migrants' request, they served white bread sandwiches with Nutella hazelnut spread."The groups are getting bigger, and the stories are scary, how far they've walked," said Piett, an inventory clerk at Emerson's duty-free store. "But it does affect our town. Some people are very scared of it." REUTERS SHS GC1648 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1168840.Xml
Israeli police began removing settlers and hundreds of supporters today from nine houses built illegally on privately owned Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank.Police carried some of the settlers and protesters out of the red-roofed structures in the settlement of Ofra, while others walked out, escorted by officers.Israel's Supreme Court has ordered the demolition of nine buildings in the settlement of more than 3,000 people after finding that those homes were constructed on land where Palestinians proved ownership.Such judicial rulings upholding Palestinian property rights have riled Israel's right-wing, as it promotes plans to expand construction in settlements built on occupied territory Palestinians seek for a state.In one home in Ofra, police and protesters, mainly youths, linked arms and swayed in prayer before the youngsters, offering passive resistance, were taken outside."We feel that this is not right at all, what's being done here: the destruction of these homes in the centre of a Jewish town, in the centre of a populated town that was established legally 42 years ago," said Eliana Passentin, a spokeswoman for the local settler regional council.There was little initial sign of the kind of violence that accompanied a larger-scale evacuation on February 2 of Amona, a West Bank settlement-outpost built without Israeli government permission in 1995.More than 100 youngsters had protested against the removal of Amona's 300 settlers. Some 60 officers and at least four demonstrators were hurt in scuffles there that included bleach being thrown at police.Most countries consider all Israeli settlements on land occupied in the 1967 Middle East war to be illegal. Israel disagrees, citing biblical, historical and political links to the land as well as security interests.Palestinians want to establish a state in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip, which Israeli forces left in 2005, with East Jerusalem as its capital. They say settlement construction could deny them a viable and contiguous country.Some 550,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements and East Jerusalem, areas that are home to more than 2.6 million Palestinians.Three weeks ago, Israel's parliament retroactively legalised about 4,000 settler homes built on privately owned Palestinian land. The new law did not apply to Amona or the nine dwellings in Ofra because of standing court rulings.Since US President Donald Trump took office in January, Israel has announced plans to build 6,000 more settler homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.But at a White House news conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Feb. 15, Trump startled the Israeli leader by saying he would like to see him "hold back on settlements for a bit". Netanyahu later said he hoped to "reach an understanding" with Trump on settlements. REUTERS SHS BL1718 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1168910.Xml
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said today that a UN Security Council resolution put forward by Western powers to punish Syria's government over its alleged use of chemical weapons would harm peace talks in Geneva.The resolution, which comes amid UN-led peace talks between the warring Syrian parties, seeks to ban the supply of helicopters to the Syrian government and to blacklist Syrian military commanders. Moscow has already said it will veto the resolution."It is counter-constructive," Gatilov told reporters. "The climate will be negative, not because we will veto it, but because this resolution was put forward."The Security Council showdown, due later today, will pit Russia, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, against the United States, France, Britain and others, who back rebels.Russia has sought to revive diplomacy since its air force helped the Syrian army and allied militias to defeat rebels in Aleppo in December, Assad's biggest victory in six years of war.Despite the announcement of a ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey and supported by Iran, a weekend of bombings and air strikes in Syria has rattled the talks that began last week.The two sides have traded blame and appear no closer to actual negotiations.Gatilov said he had spoken to the Syrian government delegation earlier today and would meet the opposition on Wednesday. On Monday the opposition called on Moscow to pressure the Syrian government to discuss a political transition rather than just the fight against terrorism.An opposition source said they would first meet the Middle East director at Russia's foreign ministry, Sergei Vershinin, later on Tuesday."The fight against terrorism is a priority and should be on the agenda (in Geneva) along with other issues," Gatilov said. "It should not be ignored in the course of negotiations."Russia, Turkey and Iran sponsored parallel talks in the Kazakh capital Astana, where they reinforced the ceasefire, paving the way for a resumption of UN-led mediations after a 10-month hiatus.In a working paper handed to the two parties UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said the issue of fighting terrorism and the ceasefire should be handled in Astana.The focus in Geneva would be three political issues - a new constitution, UN-supervised elections and accountable governance - based on Security Council resolution 2254."We met with (Syrian government negotiator Bashar) Ja'afari and he reconfirmed that he is not against the agenda proposal, but he said that terrorism should not be ignored and should also be on the agenda," Gatilov said. REUTERS SHS AN1815 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1169074.Xml
South Korea called for "collective measures" to punish North Korea for using chemical weapons to kill the estranged half-brother of its leader Kim Jong Un, as Malaysia said on Tuesday it would charge two women with murder over the airport attack.Police have said the women smeared VX nerve agent, a chemical on a United Nations list of banned weapons of mass destruction, on Kim Jong Nam's face in an assault captured on security cameras in the Malaysian capital's airport on February 13.Speaking at the UN-backed Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva on Tuesday, South Korea's Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said the use of chemical weapons was a "wake-up call" and the international community should act - including possibly suspending the isolated North's seat at the United Nations.North Korea has rejected allegations of its involvement in the killing of Kim Jong Nam, but US and South Korean officials believe he was the victim of an assassination orchestrated by Pyongyang."Many international media pointed out that North Korea's use of chemical weapons for the targeted killing in a third country sent a very clear message to the world," South Korea's Yun told the Geneva forum."Namely this impulsive, unpredictable, trigger-happy and brutal regime is ready and willing to strike anyone, anytime, anywhere."North Korea's delegation at the conference told Reuters it would respond to Yun's speech later on Tuesday.Malaysian police arrested a Vietnamese woman, Doan Thi Huong, and an Indonesian, Siti Aishah, in the days after the attack.Police are also holding one North Korean man and have identified seven other North Koreans wanted in connection with a case that reads like the plot to a spy movie.Both women will be formally charged on Wednesday under section 302 of the penal code, which carries the death penalty, Malaysia's attorney general, Mohamed Apandi Ali, confirmed to Reuters in a text message.DEADLY NERVE AGENTVX is one of the deadliest chemical weapons ever created, far more potent than Sarin, the gas used in deadly chemical attacks in Syria in 2013 and in an attack on the Tokyo subway by a Japanese doomsday cult in 1995."Just a few grams of VX is sufficient for mass killing," Yun said."North Korea is reported to have not just grams but thousands of tonnes of chemical weapons, including VX, all over the country ... The recent assassination is a wake-up call to all of us to North Korea's chemical weapons capability and its intent to actually use them."North Korea has previously denied possessing chemical weapons.States could invoke the Chemical Weapons Convention as the use of such agents was in "flagrant violation of international law", Yun said. Malaysia is part of the 1993 pact prohibiting their production, transfer and use, but North Korea is not.Once the Malaysian government releases the results of its investigation, the UN Security Council and state parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention should take up the case as a "high priority agenda", Yun said.States that have ratified the chemical weapons ban could invoke the treaty and "take collective measures", he added."It could take the form of suspension of North Korea's rights and privileges as a UN member," he said.'REALITY TV PRANK'Malaysia's investigation into the killing has sparked diplomatic tension with North Korea, and today a high- ranking delegation arrived in Kuala Lumpur from Pyongyang in a bid to smooth ties.North Korea's official media has made no mention of Kim Jong Nam, who had been living in exile, under Beijing's protection, in the Chinese territory of Macau, and had criticised the regime of his family and his half-brother, Kim Jong Un.But a report last week from the North's KCNA state news agency blamed Malaysia for the death of one of its citizens there.Security camera footage, which has been broadcast in the media, showed two women assaulting Kim Jong Nam in the departure hall of Kuala Lumpur International Airport. He died within 20 minutes.Both of the women arrested have told diplomats from their countries that they had been paid to take part in what they believed was a prank for a reality television show.Huong, the Vietnamese woman, was detained 48 hours after the murder in the same airport terminal where Kim Jong Nam was killed.She is believed to be the woman wearing a white shirt emblazoned with the acronym "LOL", whose image was caught on security cameras while waiting for a taxi after the attack.The Indonesian woman, Siti Aishah, was detained a day later.Police have said the women knew what they were doing when they attacked Kim Jong Nam and were instructed to wash their hands afterwards.Police said Aishah fell sick, vomiting repeatedly while in custody possibly as a side-effect of VX, though Indonesian embassy officials have subsequently said she was in good health. REUTERS SHS BL1828 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1169103.Xml
One of Britain's most senior military commanders met Russian military chiefs in Moscow today to discuss how to reduce tensions between the two countries, the Interfax news agency reported.British Vice Chief of the Defence Staff General Gordon Messenger met General Alexander Zhuravlev, the deputy chief of Russia's general staff, and discussed how best to prevent accidents and other incidents involving the two countries' militaries, the news agency said.Tensions between London and Moscow escalated after Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea and its intervention in Syria.Britain has complained in particular about what it says are frequent flights by Russian long-range bombers close to its air space, while the movements of Russian naval ships near British waters have garnered widespread media attention. REUTERS SHS BL1846 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1169166.Xml
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was criticised today by Israel's main government watchdog over what it said was a lack of preparation and cabinet consultation over a network of Hamas tunnels that confounded the military in the 2014 Gaza war.Political commentators did not expect the report, released by State Comptroller Joseph Shapira on the government's and military's handling of several aspects of the 50-day conflict, to seriously weaken the prime minister's grip on power.But the findings pose another challenge for Netanyahu as he tries to maintain an image as an indispensable leader and important player on the international stage amid ongoing criminal investigations into suspected abuse of power, an allegation he rejects.The long-awaited report accused Netanyahu and his defence and intelligence chiefs of failing, prior to the war, to make his security cabinet - which formulates strategies and approves military action - aware in a timely fashion of the strategic threat they knew the Hamas tunnel network presented."Significant and necessary information that the cabinet ministers required in order to make their best decisions ... was not brought before the ministers in a satisfactory manner in the discussions that preceded the (war)," the report said.In response, Netanyahu said on Facebook that "the tunnel threat was presented in detail to the security cabinet in 13 separate sessions and was discussed in all its severity while examining all of the strategic and operational scenarios".The report also pointed a finger at the Israeli military, saying it had failed to prepare a proper and detailed strategy to destroy the tunnels and had improvised ways to deal with them only as the fighting progressed.Hamas fighters used the tunnel network to move between positions in the Gaza Strip and attack Israeli soldiers during the conflict and to mount cross-border raids into southern Israel.Israel said its military engineers unearthed and destroyed 32 tunnels during the war. Israel has since begun construction of an underground barrier along the frontier with the Gaza Strip that is meant to block such passages, defence and political sources said.According to Gaza health officials, 2,100 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were killed in 50 days of fighting. Israel put the number of its dead at 67 soldiers and six civilians.REUTERS PY AN2146 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1169518.Xml
BISHKEK, Feb. 27 ( Xinhua ) -- Supporters of a detained opposition leader held a demonstration here on Monday to call for his release, the Bishkek police department said.

Around noon, the supporters of Omurbek Tekebayev, the detained parliament member of Kyrgyz parliament and the leader of the opposition Ata-Meken party, started to gathered in the center of Bishkek, where the Kyrgyz presidential office and the parliament building is located nearby.

According to the organizers, there were about 500 protesters in the gathering, demanding the release of Tekebayev.

A protest was also held in the hometown of Tekebayev in Bazar-Korgon region of Jalal-Abad oblast, which is in the south of the country.

Tekebayev, 58, was detained early Sunday at Manas international airport upon his arrival from Istanbul of Turkey and was taken into custody for 48 hours. After 48 hours, the court will adopt a preventive measure against the detainee.

The Public Prosecutor's Office initiated a criminal case against Tekebayev on Saturday for accepting 1 million U.S. dollar bribe from a Russian investor in 2010 in a take-over deal concerning a local telecommunications company.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 27, 2017. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China and Singapore on Monday pledged to strengthen cooperation in the "Belt and Road" Initiative.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan on the sidelines of a series of high-level cooperative meetings between the two countries.

Stressing the significance of building "a partnership of all-round cooperation keeping with the times", Wang called on both sides to beef up "Belt and Road" cooperation, facilitate regional integration, and promote the building of a closer community of common destiny between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Wang also said he hopes Singapore, a coordinator of China-ASEAN ties, will play a constructive role in helping push for greater development of China's relations with the ASEAN, and promote regional peace, stability and prosperity.

Noting that Singapore attaches great importance to its ties with China, Balakrishnan said the country is willing to become China's long-term reliable cooperation partner.

Singapore welcomes Chinese companies to participate in the bidding of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail program, he added.

Singapore is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with China in regional and international affairs, and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea and the region, he said.
MAPUTO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican parliament opened its session on Monday in Maputo with parliamentary groups of both Frelimo and Renamo calling for a definitive and effective peace agreement in the country.

"The indicators that we registered in the last few months, demonstrate political will for a definitive and effective peace, they are a clear example that it is possible for Mozambicans to reach an effective and long lasting peace through dialogue," said Veronica Macamo, spokesperson of the parliament.

Macamo saluted Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi for his efforts together with Afonso Dlhakama, leader of main opposition party Renamo, for the truce that allowed Mozambicans to celebrate the festive season in a tranquil environment.

"We appeal all Mozambicans, political parties, civil society organizations, church leaders so that in a diversity environment all can contribute to the restoring of peace in a reconciliation spirit of tolerance and national unity," said Margarida Talapa, head of ruling party Frelimo parliamentary group.

"There is a need to provide insurance for peace and political stability to Mozambican families, national and international companies. We need to boost our economy, conquer our credibility internally and externally," said Ivone Soares, head of Renamo parliamentary group.
TIRANA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Some 38 new small hydro-power plants (HPPs) started energy production for the first time during 2016 in Albania, data published by the Albanian Energy Regulatory Entity showed Monday.

Albania's hydropower sector has seen a significant development in recent years as the HPPs started producing in 2016 while the number of small hydropower plants reached 138, the report showed.

Total energy production increased along with the increased number of small hydropower plants given that domestic production of electric energy during 2016 amounted to 7.2 billion kWh, the agency said.

Experts said that there are an increasing number of companies that are investing in the energy sector considering the renewable energy market safe.
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Amina Mohammed, the new deputy UN secretary-general, will formally take office on Tuesday, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here Monday.

"After that, she will speak at the (UN) Economic and Social Council in her first official engagement with that body, followed by a short encounter with the press," Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

Mohammed, who was appointed by Antonio Guterres on Dec. 15, 2016 as his deputy, was supposed to assume office on Jan. 1, when Guterres took office as the new UN secretary-general.

However, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari requested her to complete some ongoing responsibilities, as the Nigerian minister of environment, that she was handling at that time, thus leading to her delayed move to assume her new role at the United Nations.

The office of the UN deputy secretary-general was formally established by the UN General Assembly in 1997 to handle many of the administrative responsibilities of the secretary-general.

As the fifth deputy secretary-general, Mohammed will help to manage the UN Secretariat operations, and ensure inter-sectoral and inter-institutional coherence of activities and programmes.

She will also support the Secretary-General in elevating "the profile and leadership of the UN in the economic and social spheres, including further efforts to strengthen the UN as a leading centre for development policy and development assistance."

Amina served as UN under-secretary-general and special adviser to former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Post-2015 Development Planning. She was instrumental in bringing about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which serves as the blueprint for the global development efforts for the years between 2015 and 2030.
DAMASCUS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The military commander of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front on Monday slammed the Syrian opposition taking part in Geneva intra-Syrian talks, telling them to stay away.

Abu Muhammad al-Jolani's remarks came in a video message, in which he told the Syrian opposition groups "to stay out and leave the war to its people," in the latest effort by the group to undermine the political efforts to resolve Syria's crisis.

Al-Jolani also claimed responsibility for the deadly bombings that targeted two Syrian intelligence centers in the central city of Homs on Saturday, which killed 42 security personnel.

"The attack in Homs was only the beginning of more attacks with different means, including the suicide bombings," he said.

He added that the bombings are a lesson to the "defeated politicians" whether in Geneva, or those who participated in the Syrian talks in Astana last month.

"We hope this action (bombings) has washed the shame of the opposition meeting in Geneva," he said.

The Nusra Front, which recently changed its name to the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, or the Front for Conquering the Levant, has been designated as a terrorist group by the international community.

The group, regardless of its names, was also excluded, along with the Islamic State (IS) group, from any political settlement or the currently-underway ceasefire, which explains its aggressive reactions.

Moreover, the group has become a main target for the U.S.-led anti-terror coalition, which has killed many of its leaders recently.

Jihadi groups said Monday that Abu al-Kheir al-Masri, the former deputy of al-Qaida leader, Ayman al-Zwahiri, was killed in Syria by a recent U.S.-led airstrike.

The man was killed by a drone strike in the northern city of Idlib, along with other jihadists.

According to accounts linked to the Nusra Front, the coalition strikes came after weeks of no strikes at all, adding that the strike targeted Abu al-Kheir's car near Idlib.
TIRANA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Armando Prenga, lawmaker of Albania's ruling Socialist Party, decided to give up his parliamentary mandate on Monday following debates and charges over his alleged criminal past.

The Albanian opposition and the prosecution have accused him of hiding his criminal past in his decriminalization form.

Under the decriminalization law, all public officials in Albania must declare any conflict of interest or past criminal offenses.

But Albanian opposition representatives say that he didn't declare his criminal past, therefore they asked the central elections committee (CEC) to strip him of his mandate.

But the elections committee said that there was no evidence proving oppositions claims, so it rejected such request.

Later on, the Albanian prosecutor's office asked the CEC to remove his mandate. Prosecution request was scheduled to be discussed on Tuesday.

But Prenga decided to resign one day ahead, saying that he took such decision in the interest of his family.

He rejected opposition and prosecution claims as "political and untrue".

According to Albanian prosecution, Prenga didn't declare a previous court verdict on fake documents as well as his criminal activity in Italy where he was accused of falsifying documents, theft and using false identity.
LONDON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A strategy aimed at ensuring Britain becomes the safest place in the world for young people to go online was announced Monday by the government.

It follows a study showing four out of five parents were concerned about their children sexting, a higher proportion than parents who fear their offspring will smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol.

Ministers have begun work on a new Internet Safety Strategy, led by Culture Secretary Karen Bradley. A government green paper is expected to be published in the summer.

A report by leading academic Professor Sonia Livingstone has been commissioned to provide up to date evidence of how young people are using the internet, the dangers they face, and the gaps that exist in keeping them safe.

Ministers will also hold a series of round tables in the coming weeks with social media companies, technology firms, young people, charities and mental health experts to examine online risks and how to tackle them.

The focus will be on preventing children and young people from harm online and making the internet a safer place.

The round tables are also expected to examine concerns around issues like trolling and other aggressive behaviour including rape threats against women.

The discussions will involve ministers and officials from government departments including the interior, education, health and justice.

A government spokesman said Monday: "It comes amid growing fears that the threat from online dangers has grown far more quickly than society's response to them, and worries that tech-savvy young people are being exposed to risks that their parents never were and might not know how to confront, like sexting, cyber bullying, and content which promotes self-harm, suicide and eating disorders."

A recent poll found more parents were concerned about sexting than about their children drinking or smoking.

A YouGov survey showed 78 percent were concerned about sexting, compared to 69 percent concerned about alcohol misuse and 67 percent concerned about smoking.

A study last year for the charity, the NSPCC and the Children's Commissioner, found 13 percent of 11 to 16 year-olds reported that they had taken topless pictures of themselves and 3 percent had taken fully naked pictures of themselves.

More than one in 10 young people say they have been the victim of cyber bullying, and self-harm among children is on the rise amid evidence of a link between internet use and an increased risk of self-harm.

Secretary Bradley said: "The internet has provided young people with amazing opportunities but has also introduced a host of new dangers which children and parents have never faced before.

"It is increasingly clear that some behaviors which are unacceptable offline are being tolerated or even encouraged online, sometimes with devastating consequences.

"We are determined to make Britain the safest place in the world to be online, and to help people protect themselves from the risks they might face," Bradley said.

Measures in a new Digital Economy Bill currently going through parliament will introduce age checks for pornographic websites so under-18s cannot view harmful content.
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations food relief agency on Monday said it is extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation facing more than 750,000 people living in dire conditions in the western sections of Iraq's Mosul city, where fighting is taking place between the government forces and Islamic State (IS/Da'esh) terrorists.

"We are hearing from some families that food has drastically risen in price and is unaffordable. In extreme cases, people cannot access food at all," said the Iraq representative and country director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Sally Haydock, in a news release.

"We appeal to all parties to the conflict to facilitate immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access to all Iraqis in need of assistance," Haydock added, noting that WFP is monitoring the frontlines and remains ready to provide immediate food assistance as soon as families can be reached safely.

Through telephone interviews, many distressed families said that food was unaffordable, while others said they could not access food at all.

"The situation is unbelievable," reported a 46-year-old man from inside the city. "There is no food, no clean water, no gas for heating, no medicine and no services."

So far, WFP has provided ready-to-eat food for over 6,000 people who have fled villages to the south of western Mosul. Most have made their way to Hamam Al Alil, Qayyarah Jeda'a and Haj Ali camps.

WFP has enough food in stock to cover the immediate needs of 770,000 people who reside in western Mosul.

The military offensive to oust ISIL from Mosul began on Oct. 17, 2016. The Iraqi government has since retaken eastern Mosul.

In related news, the UN Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported that alongside its partners, it has provided legal assistance to help more than two and a half thousand Iraqis displaced as a result of the Mosul offensive receive new civil identity cards and other documents that were lost, damaged or destroyed as they fled their homes seeking safety.

As many as 49 percent of displaced Iraqis interviewed by UNHCR protection partners were found to need help in getting new civil documentation, as many families lost documents or had their papers damaged as they fled conflict zones.

Other families were told that birth and marriage documents, which had been issued when their areas were under the control of armed groups, were not legally recognized by the Iraqi government and needed replacement.

"It took considerable time and effort to help displaced families with new documentation," said Bruno Geddo, UNHCR's representative in Iraq. "Our teams and partners have had to adopt some innovative methods and advocate tirelessly in order to get around some of the difficulties and lengthy bureaucratic requirements."

He said that the UN agency is making efforts to assist thousands of people who have been in "legal limbo."

The Iraqi government force's advance toward Mosul came after the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced on Feb. 19 the start of an offensive to drive the extremist militants out of the western side of Mosul, locally known as the right bank of Tigris River which bisects the city.

Late in January, Abadi declared the liberation of the eastern side of Mosul, or the left bank of Tigris, after more than 100 days of fighting against the Islamic State (IS) militants.

However, the western side of Mosul, with its narrow streets and a heavy population of between 750,000 and 800,000, appears to be a bigger challenge to the Iraqi forces, according to the United Nations estimates.

Mosul, 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when Iraqi government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Congress spent at least 14.7 million dollars on taxpayer-funded trips in fiscal year 2016, a 24 percent jump over the year before, according to Congress' own accounting released on Monday.

U.S. taxpayers paid for 557 trips that each costs more than 10,000 dollars for a member of Congress or a staffer, the data show. These trips made up 40 percent of all individual congressional trips for which travel costs were publicly reported.

By comparison, less than 0.2 percent of air tickets bought by Americans through U.S. travel agencies in 2015 and 2016 were more than 10,000 dollars, according to the Airlines Reporting Corp.

In May 2016, four Republican congressmen and three staff members spent 90,000 dollars on a five-day trip to Albania for a NATO summit. Republican lawmaker Mike Turner made the trip for 7,055 dollars while his colleague Jim Sensenbrenner spent 15,222 dollars for transportation.

"The expenses are due to a last-minute return flight," Sensenbrenner spokeswoman Nicole Tieman was quoted by a USA Today report as saying.

In another congressional trip made last summer, then Republican senator David Vitter and one staff member from the Small Business Committee spent a total of 37,000 dollars to travel to Britain and back, according to the congressional records.

There is no set dollar limit for U.S. lawmakers' global trips, the USA Today report explained. When U.S. Congress members decide to travel abroad, the State Department makes the arrangements and Treasury Department pays the bills.

In fact, the Congress' own accounting may be a low estimate. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, congressional travel cost nearly 20 million dollars last year, the highest figure ever recorded, based on data provided by the U.S. State Department. Neither Treasury nor State explain the discrepancy.

The pricey flights were part of a surge in foreign travel by the Congress people, said the report.
MINSK, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Belarus will continue its work with EU towards full removal of sanctions, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

Commenting on the EU decision to extend arms embargo and sanctions against four officials for a year, the Foreign Ministry of Belarus stressed that the sanctions are unjust, counter-productive and they are not consistent with the spirit of cooperation between Belarus and the European Union.

The European Union on February 27 extended a series of restrictive measures against Belarus for one year. These measures include an arms embargo, an assets freeze and a travel ban against four persons listed in connection with the unresolved disappearance of two opposition politicians, one businessman and one journalist in Belarus.

However, Belarus was allowed to purchase biathlon equipment in Europe.
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Kosovo on Monday told the Security Council that "there is no alternative to dialogue," citing the importance of high-level talks between Belgrade and Pristina.

Addressing the Council, Zahir Tanin, the head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) said the resumption of high-level dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina was an "essential step" to chart a path out of a deteriorating situation and to publicly reconfirm their commitment to work together.

"Stability in Kosovo, normalization of relations between Pristina and Belgrade, are part of the wider effort to improve stability in the Western Balkans," said Tanin, who is also the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Kosovo.

He urged the 15 Council's members to "hold leaders to their words" to maintain "a sincere and consistent" commitment to dialogue, implement the agreements reached and avoid making statements which threaten the potential of progress to be made.

Tanin also highlighted the international expectations of Pristina and Belgrade: non-confrontation, resolving issues through dialogue, and placing the objective improvement of the lives of people ahead of more limited and parochial calculations.

The statement comes as Belgrade is engaged in a political campaign for the presidential elections scheduled for April.

The senior UN official warned against allowing electoral politics to disrupt vital processes and progress: "Normalization of relations, reconciliation, and justice all belong to that broader horizon."

Among other issues in his presentation to the Council, Tanin noted the importance of improving the social and economic situation in Kosovo.
TORONTO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Canada's main stock market in Toronto closed at its lowest point since Feb. 2 on Monday, as steep losses in gold stocks outpaced gains in Health Care and Energy sectors.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's benchmark Standard & Poor's/TSX Composite slumped 69.96 points, or 0.45 percent, to begin the week at 15,463.51 points. Four of the ten sub-groups ended the session in negative territory.

After reaching a record high last Tuesday, the TSX has declined in four straight sessions, falling a combined 458.86 points.

The Materials group had the biggest impact, dipping 3.61 percent as the spot price of gold and silver both fell. An ounce of gold slipped 0.38 percent to 1,252.10 U.S. dollars, while the same weight of silver retreated 0.44 percent to 18.24 U.S. dollars.

Gold miners B2Gold Corp. and IAMGOLD Corporation were hit the hardest, plunging 9.11 percent and 8.47 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, Barrick Gold Corporation, the world's largest producer of gold, saw shares tumble 3.66 percent to 24.73 Canadian dollars (18.79 U.S. dollars) a share.

Other groups to lose ground on the day were: Utilities (0.70 percent), Consumer Staples (0.51 percent), and Financials (0.36 percent).

The TSX Financials group, which accounts for the largest weight of any group in the index, experienced a setback after three of the country's largest banks ended the day lower. Shares of Bank of Montreal and Bank of Nova Scotia saw respective declines of 1.40 percent and 1.37 percent. Meanwhile, Toronto-Dominion Bank was the seventh most traded stock with more than 8.1 million shares exchanged to close at 68.91 Canadian dollars (52.35 U.S. dollars), 0.51 percent lower.

On a positive note, Health Care group saw the biggest percentage growth on the day, rising 0.86 percent. Quebec-based drugmaker Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. shares jumped 3.49 percent to 21.94 Canadian dollars (16.67 U.S. dollars) after announcing that they have increased their sales force by nearly 40 percent for their Salix subsidiary. Also finishing higher within the group were ProMetic Life Sciences Inc. (2.22 percent gain) and Knight Therapeutics Inc. (1.12 percent gain).

The TSX Energy group also contributed, gaining 0.41 percent on the day. Enbridge Inc. was the top traded stock on the day with more than 91 million shares exchanged after the firm announced the closing of a merger with Spectra Energy. Shares of the Calgary-based firm climbed 3.97 percent to close the day at 56.35 Canadian dollars (42.81 U.S. dollars).

With April Brent crude oil contracts inching down 9 cents to 55.96 U.S. dollars a barrel, stock price of two other energy firms saw little change. Suncor Energy Inc. faded 0.02 percent, while Encana Corporation fell 0.14 percent.

The remaining groups to finish Monday ahead were: Industrials (0.21 percent), Telecommunications (0.17 percent), Information Technology (0.14 percent), and Consumer Discretionary (0.04 percent).

Industrials was pushed down by Montreal-based Bombardier Inc., falling 1.67 percent to close at 2.36 Canadian dollars (1.79 U.S. dollars).

The Canadian dollar fell 0.31 cents to start the week at 0.7597 U.S. dollars.
BOGOTA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Drug traffickers are targeting unsuspecting travelers and their luggage to ship cocaine and other illicit drugs, Colombia's Caracol News agency warned on Monday.

One all too simple tactic, used by airport personnel with ties to criminal rings, is to remove the baggage tag from a checked suitcase and put it on the drug-filled suitcase they want to plant, the agency said.

The news item came after "police said that security officials at the El Dorado airport (in Bogota) are under investigation for their alleged ties to mafias," the agency said.

"Police and aeronautical officials are on maximum alert due to the so-called 'baggage tag switch' of a traveler to suitcases filled with drugs and in his name that were headed abroad," the agency said in a video report.

"The crime is on the rise," it added.

To prevent tampering with your suitcase, "the anti-drug police called on passengers to protect their luggage with plastic and ensure the added security measure is registered by the airline," the agency said.

Shrink-wrapping stands at some airports will wrap your suitcase in layers of plastic.
ROME, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- On the risk of terror attacks on Italian territory, the main critical issues continue to come from the possible activation of "lone wolves" and "self-starters", or self radicalized people, an Italian official said Monday.

Alessandro Pansa, general director of the Italian Department of Information Security, made the remarks at a press conference to present the 2016 document on security.

According to Italian law, each year the government transmits to the parliament a written report on the information security policy and the results achieved.

The report includes a focus on Jihad in Europe, Pansa said, adding that the terror threat as evidenced not only by the attacks occurred last year, but also by the numerous foiled or failed plans, as well as the growing number of reports about offensive projects.

"There are no signs, elements that suggest a connection between migration flows and the jihadist strategy to infiltrate and send groups of fighting terrorists to the European territories," said Pansa.

"The potential risk remains," he said, adding that services are keeping their guard up.

Italian prime minister Paolo Gentiloni told reporters that more security does not mean less freedom.

"On the contrary, now to have more security is a condition for continuing to live free, to be able to afford an open society," said Gentiloni.

"Italian citizens can be certain, not of the lack of threats, because we do not ignore them, but of the high quality of work of those who learn about these threats, fight them and prevent them," he added.
CANBERRA, Feb 28. (Xinhua) -- Australia's Prime Minister is considered to be intelligent but has been deemed arrogant and out-of-touch with voters, according to the results of a poll released on Tuesday.

An Essential poll, taken for Guardian Australia, showed that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had taken a hit in the eyes of Australian voters; compared to a poll taken in September 2016, Turnbull was considered to be less of a visionary, down 5 percent to 30 percent.

He is also considered to be less trustworthy (down 3 percent to 36 percent) and not as good in a crisis (44 percent, down 3 percent), but 72 percent of voters believe he is intelligent.

Despite falling in a number of categories, Turnbull remains well ahead of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who was ousted by Turnbull in September 2015, Essential Media's Peter Lewis said on Tuesday.

Abbott made headlines last week by declaring the government was "drifting towards defeat" with its current policies, but Lewis said the voters were more receptive to Turnbull compared to the former leader.

"Even with Turnbull's steady decline in personal regard, Abbott's numbers are significantly worse: net 20 percent higher on 'erratic', net 16 on 'aggressive', net 18 on 'narrow-minded'," Lewis told Guardian Australia on Tuesday.

"In terms of positives, Turnbull is up 10 points on 'vision', 10 on 'capability' and a whopping 21 points on 'intelligence'."

Meanwhile voters consider Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to be a hardworking leader (61 percent), intelligent (60 percent), while 48 percent of people think he understands the problems facing everyday Australians.

The Essential poll follows results of a Newspoll which were released on Monday. It said the Turnbull-led government trails the opposition in the two-party preferred terms, 45 percent to 55 percent, while the Essential poll has the government trailing Labor 47 percent to 53 percent.
WELLINGTON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- A record 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine and its precursors were seized at New Zealand borders last year, New Zealand Customs officials said Tuesday.

Just over 413 kilograms of methamphetamine and almost 1.1 tonnes of its precursors, were seized, keeping methamphetamine valued at up to 1.2 billion NZ dollars (862.08 million U.S. dollars) off New Zealand's streets, they said.

The amount of methamphetamine seized compared with 283 kg in 2015, just 82 kg in 2014 and 21 kg in 2013.

Traffickers were coming up with more elaborate and sophisticated ways to hide drugs, Customs northern ports manager Bruce Berry said in a statement.

"We are seeing more finished meth in larger quantities and, in the last couple of years, ephedrine has replaced pseudoephedrine as the precursor of choice," said Berry.

"High frequency, low quantity" drugs sent mainly via international mail were also on the rise, suggesting users were increasingly buying drugs off the dark net and other illegal websites.

Investigations manager Maurice O'Brien said Customs' record drug seizure levels could be attributed to a number of factors.

"We're no different from the rest of the world; drug smuggling is a global issue and there's a glut in the global market. New Zealand's meth and MDMA (ecstasy) prices are much higher compared to many countries, which makes drug smuggling a lucrative business for transnational syndicates," O'Brien said in the statement.

"Customs is constantly improving its intelligence by exchanging information with overseas partners, and using data and technology to target shipments. We don't just seize drugs; we're working closely with police to dismantle local criminal networks, and with international agencies to tackle the overseas supply chain."

Border seizures were at record levels in 2016 compared to previous years.

These included 176 kg of meth located in shipping containers, New Zealand Customs' largest meth seizure, 200 kg of ephedrine found in hollowed out stacks of paper (its largest ephedrine seizure ever), 35 kg cocaine found inside a horse sculpture (its largest cocaine seizure ever), and 20 kg meth found in suitcases (its largest meth seizure at an airport).

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner said Customs received 2.78 million NZ dollars (1.99 million U.S. dollars) in assets seized from drug traffickers.

"This funding will help further boost Customs' ability to target and seize drugs both here and overseas," Wagner said in a statement.
SYDNEY, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Australian scientists have discovered evidence of genes that cause a degenerative eye disease that leads to blindness for the first time.

Research published by the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) and The University of Melbourne established five key regions, or loci, in the genome that influences a person's likelihood of developing Macular Telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel).

Lead researchers Melanie Bahlo and Thomas Scerri from WEHI are hopeful that the study, published in respected journal Nature Genetics on Tuesday, will enable scientists to better understand the disease and potentially stop its progression.

MacTel is a rare and complex degenerative disease that usually begins to affect people from 40 years old onwards.

The disease causes abnormal growth of blood vessels in the macula, which is in the middle of the retina.

Patients slowly experience a loss of central vision crucial for tasks such as driving and reading, leading to blindness.

Bahlo said the study involved investigating detailed analysis of the genes of MacTel patients from around the world using genome wide association studies (GWAS).

"We analysed more than six million genetic markers and identified five regions, called loci, across the genome that had similar patterns in people with the disease, but not healthy individuals," Bahlo said in a media release on Tuesday.

"These five 'genetic risk loci' are our treasure map, telling us where to 'keep digging' in order to discover the specific genes implicated in MacTel."

The team from Melbourne worked with researchers from New York and London to analyse the genetic data from 476 people with MacTel and 1733 people without the disease.

"We were thrilled when our results were corroborated by two further independent validation studies," Bahlo said.
CANBERRA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Australian researchers have discovered than seawater cycles much further below the Earth's surface than first thought, reopening the age-old question about how oceans formed.

Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) found that ocean water cycled up to 2,900 kilometers below the Earth's surface, well in excess of the previously-though 100 kilometers, throwing into doubt previous theories of how oceans and the atmosphere formed.

One theory previously thought to be true was that oceans formed when volcanic activity released gases and water from the Earth's mantle during the planet's first 100 million years.

But Dr Mark Kendrick from the ANU Research School of Earth Sciences on Tuesday said the new discovery throws that theory into doubt.

"Our findings make alternative theories for the origin of the atmosphere and oceans equally plausible, such as icy comets or meteorites bringing water to the Earth," Kendrick said in a statement on Tuesday.

He said seawater is introduced into the Earth's interior when two tectonic plates converge and one plate is pushed underneath the other into the mantle.

Previously it was thought seawater only made it around 100 kilometers under the Earth's mantle before it is returned to the surface, but the ANU study has "overturned" that notion.

Kendrick said the team analysed samples of volcanic glass from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. They found traces of seawater in the galss, showing that ocean water had been deeply cycled throughout Earth's interior.

"The combination of water and halogens found in the volcanic glasses enables us to preclude local seawater contamination and conclusively prove the water in the samples was derived from the mantle," he said.
CANBERRA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Australian scientists have welcomed the World Health Organisation's (WHO) decision to release a list of the world's deadliest superbugs, saying it will be an important aid to government, health authorities and drug companies in battling the "priority pathogens".

Overnight,the WHO published its first ever list of antibiotic-resistant diseases a catalogue of 12 families of bacteria that are known pose the greatest threat to human health, with the "most critical group" including "multidrug-resistant" bacteria such as Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas and various Enterobacteriaceae

Professor Peter Collignon, Infectious Diseases Physician and Microbiologist at the Australian National University (ANU), said the list would assist lawmakers and pharmaceutical companies get a head-start in chasing treatments for the deadly diseases.

"This WHO list is very important to help pharmaceutical companies, researchers, drug regulators and governments to help set priorities for research to find new drug classes to treat life threatening infections where there are few and, in some cases, no antibiotics to treat these infections," Collignon said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Antibiotic resistance is an ever-growing problem. In the developing world half of some common infections such as E.coli are now untreatable with available agents.

"The most resistant bacteria presently are Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas plus bowel bacteria such as E.coli and Klebsiella. The WHO list gives appropriate priority to the different bacteria."

Meanwhile Dr Michael Gillings form Macquarie University said while developing effective antibiotics is "expensive", the list will likely "stimulate" further research and development.

"These bacteria are deadly, are difficult to cure, and spread easily between people and animals. Most importantly, they are resistant to the antibiotics that we normally use to kill bacterial infections," Gillings said.

"Developing new antibiotics is expensive, and often not profitable. However, the WHO hopes that this statement will stimulate much needed research and development of next generation antibiotics."
CANBERRA, Feb 28. (Xinhua) -- The controversial Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) arrived in Australia for the first time overnight, in preparation for its public debut at the Avalon Airshow in Victoria later this week.

The F-35 has been widely criticized by military experts and politicians over the last few years, as the program has been plagued by delays and cost blowouts since it was first announced in 2001.

The F-35s arrived at the Amberley Air Force Base just outside of Brisbane late on Monday, and are expected to fly down to Geelong in Victoria where the Avalon Air Show is set to take place from Friday.

Australia has committed to purchasing at least 72 of the jets despite doubts over the future of the JSF program; earlier this year, U. S. President Donald Trump publicly criticized Lockheed Martin for the "cost overruns" of the jet program.

The jets will be formally welcomed by Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Defense Minister Marise Payne at the airshow, while the jets are only expected to debut in service in 2020.

The cost of Australia's 72 aircraft is expected to hit 13 billion US dollars, while four Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots are currently undergoing training on the jets in the United States.

The F-35s are expected to replace the ageing FA-18 Hornets currently in service with the RAAF.
SYDNEY, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- One of the leading Australian business lobbyists, Ai Group, has warned of nationwide job losses, as power prices skyrocket across the country.

The report released Tuesday also stressed not only would businesses suffer from the price increases, but also households, who will see the cost of electricity increase severely.

Of businesses surveyed in late 2016, over 51 percent were concerned about their costs, with prices expected to increase, with the cost of wholesale electricity rapidly getting higher.

Current price increases that are set to go through, were estimated to cost households an extra 3.6 billion dollars (2.76 billion U.S. dollars), while businesses are set for an 8.7 billion dollar increase in price.

One of the main concerns indicated in the report was the increase exportation of Australia's LNG, which has created supply shortages domestically, with the state of New South Wales pegged to be affected by a gas shortage in the coming years.

In January 2017 alone, prices of LNG in Sydney increased by 23 percent, leaving businesses who rely on the commodity at risk.

Ai Group CEO Ines Wilcox said politically driven policy decisions being made regarding energy are troubling, with "partisan warfare" on the Federal level regarding renewables being a major concern.

"Achieving lower energy prices will not be easy: gas faces international price parity and rising production costs," Wilcox said.

The Ai Group chief went on to say the findings "should be a warning siren to policy makers" and lead them to put jobs and cheap energy solutions above any political manoeuvring.

The report was conducted by surveying CEO's from 285 different private entities across Australia, who together currently employ over 38 thousand workers.
SEOUL, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- South Koreas defense ministry formally signed a land swap contract with Lotte Group for the site to deploy the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in southeast South Korea, the ministry said Tuesday.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Senate on Monday confirmed Wilbur Ross as the commerce secretary, an appointment key to setting U.S. trade policies.

Ross's nomination was approved in a 72-27 vote, with strong support from Democrats.

The 79-year-old billionaire investor is set to play an important role in setting trade policies and negotiating trade deals for the Trump administration.

During his confirmation hearing, Ross told lawmakers that renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement was the top priority for the Trump administration. He downplayed the chances of an overall trade war with trading partners, saying that he was not antitrade and that tariffs played a role both as a negotiating tool and a tool "to punish offenders who don't play by the rules."

He also reiterated his intention that the United States would negotiate bilateral agreements instead of multilateral ones, because it's less likely to "get to a sensible result" from multilateral negotiations.

During the campaign, Ross and Peter Navarro, head of the newly-created National Trade Council at the White House, had worked together to help Trump develop the trade, regulatory and energy policy agenda, which focused on reducing U.S. trade deficit and boosting manufacturing.
by Xinhua writer Yuan Quan

BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Advanced technologies are bringing Beijing's torn-down city gates to life - and it started with a small girl's question for her father.

Subway travelers in Beijing can now see the city's long-gone city gates, using their smartphones to overlay historic scenes on the actual sites in the modern metropolis. The technology used is augmented reality (AR).

Using smartphone app, a three-dimensional animation of the city gates appears to overlay the actual site, along with a short commentary on the long-gone buildings.

These virtual history lessons were the brainwave of Li Yingchao, 34, an AR engineer with Chinese tech giant Baidu - but the inspiration was his 4-year-old daughter.

Li and his daughter were traveling on Beijing's Subway Line Two, which follows the line of the old city wall, when the girl asked, "Why do so many stops have the word 'men' (gate) in their names?"

Eight stations are still named after the dismantled gates.

THE OLD CITY

Beijing, China's capital since the 13th Century, once had 20 city gates, which were built as key passages for different social classes - including the imperial family, civil and military officials, ordinary people and even criminals - to come and go from the city.

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, it had nine big city gates. In the 1960s, they were mostly pulled down with the city wall, to build new roads and subways and to expand the metropolis.

The city planners only left "one and a half" city gates. The one gate is Zhengyangmen, on the south-north axis of Beijing at the south end of Tian'anmen Square. The "half" is the Deshengmen archers' tower.

This was new to Li. Born in Shandong Province, he arrived in Beijing in 2000 to go to college. Then, he found work, got married and had a daughter in the capital. But he knew little about its past.

He decided to use the AR technology to "rebuild" city gates.

His idea resonated with his team of more than 20 developers.

Passengers slowed down in crowded stations and tried the technology. Some enjoyed taking selfies with the virtual model.

"It (AR) helps people to learn the history and the changes of the city," says deputy curator Hu Daxin of Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall.

A SHARED DUTY

The production was shared online and became a public project.

"I was born in the 1940s in Beijing, and I saw the city gates - great world heritage treasures," said a post on the WeChat social network. "When my child told me of their 'revival', I wanted to see."

However, some frowned on the project saying it provided inaccurate information.

The tech engineers received e-mails and comments saying the project had some mistakes.

The AR engineers realized how serious the issue was. "We had a bigger responsibility," says Li.

People can now see the AR effects at home by searching for the gate names online.
NEW YORK, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The New York Police Department (NYPD) has been looking for the owner of a recalled GoPro drone since it crashed through a window of a high-rise apartment building in Manhattan last weekend.

The NYPD said the drone smashed through the window at the 27th floor at about six o'clock Saturday evening. The 66-year-old resident of the apartment was sitting beside her computer desk and didn't get hurt.

The device landed on the floor just four feet (about 1.2 meters) away from the resident, as reported by the New York Post.

The drone was a remote-controlled 2.2-pound GoPro Karma Quadcopter model, according to the police.

The type was included in a GoPro recall last November after it was on sale for only half a month. The GoPro company said in a statement last year that "in a very small number of cases, Karma units lost power during operation."

After a three-month-long recall, the Karma drone returned to store shelves. The company announced in a press release that it has fixed the issue, which led to sudden power loss and falling.
SHANGHAI, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- In the phone conversation with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump earlier this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that he appreciated Trump's willingness to expand China-U.S. cooperation and develop a constructive bilateral relationship that would benefit both countries and the international community.

In the same month 45 years ago, U.S. President Richard Nixon made a historic visit to China. On Feb. 28, 1972, the last day of the trip, the two countries released the Shanghai Communique, laying the foundation for the two countries to resume diplomatic ties.

Forty-five years on, the spirit and legacy of the historic communique continues.

INTERESTS OF TWO PEOPLES

"In 1972, we Chinese staff, including waiters, doormen and cooks, were shy and curious about the guests from the other side of the Pacific," said Qiu Huanxi, a former employee with Jin Jiang Hotel in Shanghai, which hosted Nixon. "We later found the U.S. staff shared almost the same mentality."

"The ice-breaking visit helped the two countries get to know about each other, clear up misunderstandings and open up further, and this was good for the two peoples," Qiu said.

During the phone call, Xi said that building a sound China-U.S. relationship was in the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and it was also the responsibility that China and the United States needed to assume as two of the world's major countries.

Trump said that developing U.S.-China ties had won wide support from the U.S. people.

As the world's first and second-largest economies, the United States and China now shoulder more global responsibility, particularly in the face of economic uncertainty, uneven development, regional turmoil, terrorism, protectionism, and nuclear and climate issues.

"When the Shanghai Communique was released, the world was in the Cold War. After 45 years, the post-Cold War world pattern is still undergoing adjustment," said Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies of Fudan University.

Wu said the spirit of the communique was still followed by the two sides and that one of the key legacies was the one-China policy.

"The U.S. government adherence to the one-China policy is responsible for the interests of the peoples of the two countries," Wu said.

WIN-WIN

In early February, the Walt Disney Company said that the growth of its international parks was largely owing to the success of Shanghai Disneyland, which had received over 7 million visitors since opening in June 2016.

Robert Iger, Walt Disney chairman and CEO, said the number of visitors could potentially exceed 10 million by the first anniversary. He said high satisfaction among tourists and the huge visitor flow during the Chinese New Year had added to their confidence in breaking even in the fiscal year.

The success of Shanghai Disneyland goes against the global economic slowdown, and cashed in on the huge and promising Chinese consumer market.

The United States is China's largest importer and major source of foreign investment. Meanwhile, U.S. exports to China have been growing at an average annual rate of 11 percent during the past decade, with China being the major buyer of U.S. aeroplanes, farm produce, cars and integrated circuits.

The booming trade has helped annual bilateral trade surge to more than 500 billion U.S. dollars in 2016 from only 1 billion dollars in the 1970s.

During his phone call with Trump, Xi said that China was ready to boost mutually beneficial cooperation with the United States in various fields.

Trump said the United States was committed to enhancing win-win cooperation with China in several fields.

The anti-globalization movement in some parts of the world has stoked worries that it could affect the China-U.S. economic and trade relations.

Gao Hucheng, China's former commerce minister, said last week that China's trade and investment had brought huge benefits to the United States.

In January, Xi told the World Economic Forum in Davos that pursuing protectionism was like locking oneself in a dark room.

"While wind and rain will be kept outside, the room will also block light and air," he said.

"No one will emerge as a winner in a trade war," Xi told the forum.

MORE EXPECTED

Charles Newman, a professor with New York University Shanghai, said an increasingly more open China would bring prosperity to the world and let more Americans come to work in China.

With doctoral degrees in mathematics and physics, Newman became a faculty member of New York University in 1971. He has been teaching at NYU Shanghai for nearly four years.

Louis J. Demetroulakes, an American student at NYU Shanghai, said that China-U.S. cooperation would definitely be the key stream for world development in the next three decades, and he wanted to be part of it.

As the first Sino-American higher-education institute, NYU Shanghai has received nearly 1,200 students from 60 countries and regions over the past four years.

Yu Lizhong, president of NYU Shanghai, said the conversation between the Chinese and U.S. leaders reminded him of the Shanghai Communique, which called for promoting bilateral cultural and scientific exchanges.

"The Sino-U.S. relationship is set to transcend the communique as the communique still has stigma from the Cold War," said Wu of the Center for American Studies of Fudan University. "The two countries will gradually build a new type of major country relationship that faces the future as well as human civilization."
WELLINGTON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The top military commander of New Zealand will discuss global peace and security issues with his visiting Dutch counterpart this week, the New Zealand Defence Force announced Tuesday.

The Chief of Defense of the Netherlands, General Tom Middendorp, would hold talks with New Zealand Chief of Defense Force, Lieutenant General Keating and Secretary of Defense Helene Quilter.

The Netherlands was a valuable partner of New Zealand, Keating said in a statement.

"The visit provides a good opportunity to exchange views on security in both Europe and the Asia-Pacific, and challenges such as countering violent extremism," said Keating.

"I look forward to hosting my counterpart from the Netherlands and continuing to advance our defense relationship," Keating said.
WELLINGTON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government and trade unions Tuesday joined forces in a bid to get women the same pay as men, the same day government figures showed a 17-percent pay gap between mothers and fathers.

On average, fathers with dependent children earned 28.30 NZ dollars (20.34 U.S. dollars) an hour, while mothers made 23.40 NZ dollars (16.82 U.S. dollars), according to Statistics New Zealand.

"The difference between the 17-percent gap in what mothers and fathers earn, and the 5-percent pay gap between men and women without children, is significant," the agency's insights manager Stephen Oakley said in a statement.

The negative pay consequences for women with children was internationally referred to as the "motherhood penalty."

International studies cited in the agency's report showed mothers might get less pay than fathers because many women spent time caring for children, which interrupted full-time paid work.

The overall gender pay gap was 12 percent when last measured in June last year.

Meanwhile, State Services Minister Paula Bennett welcomed an agreement with unions that would see new pay equity principles applied for the first time.

The principles would make it easier for women to file pay equity claims with their employers, and assist employers in addressing those claims, rather than having to go through the courts.

"There will no doubt be things we learn as we apply the new principles in a real life negotiation process. This experience will help to refine and improve the changes to legislation that will be required to formally give effect to the principles," Bennett said in a statement.

The first two claims to be progressed under the principles would focus on social workers employed by the Ministry of Social Development and education, behavior and communication support workers employed by the Ministry of Education.
LIMA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Policy decisions by China's top legislature and top political advisory body have an impact on the world at large, two leading Peruvian political observers have said.

Journalists Manuel Tumi and Jennyfer Salazar, who have been following China for a long time, spoke with Xinhua in the lead up to the upcoming fifth annual session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) and the fifth session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in early march.

The annual two sessions "are important not just for China, but for the globe," said Tumi, as "China is the world's second largest economy and any decisions adopted at either gathering are going to have an impact on how the global economy fares."

Salazar, with the Peruvian Institute of Radio and Television (IPRTV), underscored the significance of the sessions in reviewing policy and in giving voice to the various political sectors.

"The importance of these two sessions is obvious, not just for what they represent in terms of analyzing issues such as security, pollution, implementation of rural policies and technology, among others, but these sessions are also forums for the participation of different political groups," said Salazar.

"They combine their ideas, decisions or criteria, so they can all work together toward China's progress," Salazar said, adding "it is important to underline that policy is understood to be at the service of the people, and not the special interests."

BILATERAL TIES PROGRESSIVE

China's decision makers will be tackling both domestic and foreign policy matters, including the country's ties with Latin America, the observers noted.

"China's interest in strengthening bilateral ties with the region is evident," Salazar said, noting the Asian country has "major transactions in raw materials with countries such as Venezuela for its oil, Peru for its copper and Argentina for its soy, just to name a few."

She hoped that China will continue along the line of strengthening trade ties with the region and, as it did in 2016, continue to promote bilateral ties in other areas, such as education, culture and environmental preservation.

She also said that China is much more than an Asian trade giant, and it also serves as a model for many developing countries. "It is one of the most ancient cultures, and has an ethnic and cultural diversity that we Latin Americans want to learn more about," said Salazar.

Like many other countries that rely on trade with China, Peru's private and public sectors are keenly following development in China and its policy-making bodies, said Tumi.

"In Peru, there is special interest in the sessions of the NPC and CPPCC, as China is our country's top trade partner, with investments that surpass 14 billion U.S. dollars," said Tumi.

The two also have a free trade agreement in place since 2009.

"Bilateral ties are making stable progress and cooperation is in a permanent state of expansion, a favorable situation that was bolstered by the official visit that Chinese President Xi Jinping made last year," said Tumi.

Xi made a state visit in November, as Lima hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, where he delivered a keynote speech.

BELT & ROAD BENEFITS

Both in Lima and later at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January this year, Xi championed free trade and globalization, at a time when the world's leading economy, the United States, appears to barricade itself behind import taxes and other protectionist measures, Tumi said.

China is proposing global schemes, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, to help drive economic growth, the analysts noted.

The initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes.

"China's proposal aims to spur the process of economic globalization and is generating a lot of expectation in Peru," given its comprehensive strategic partnership with China, said Tumi.

According to Salazar, "the Belt and Road Initiative will not only promote the process of economic globalization, but also help to unite countries through cultural exchanges and other means, serving as a model to improve peoples' livelihood."
NEW YORK, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. billionaire investor Warren Buffett expressed confidence in the U.S. economy and praised immigrants in helping the U.S. economy to prosper in his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders.

"American business -- and consequently a basket of stocks -- is virtually certain to be worth far more in the years ahead," Buffett forecast in the letter released Saturday.

"Innovation, productivity gains, entrepreneurial spirit and an abundance of capital will see to that. Ever-present naysayers may prosper by marketing their gloomy forecasts," he wrote.

As a supporter to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in last year's U.S. presidential election, Buffett avoided mentioning neither politics nor Donald Trump's policies in the letter.

However, he did believe that the talented, ambitious immigrants have played a role in the prosperity of the U.S. economy.

"Americans have combined human ingenuity, a market system, a tide of talented and ambitious immigrants, and the rule of law to deliver abundance beyond any dreams of our forefathers," Buffett said.

The billionaire investor is on course to win a 2008 bet that an investment in the Standard & Poor's 500 share index would beat five hedge funds over 10 years.

However, his firm, Berkshire Hathaway, underperformed the S&P 500 share index for the fourth time in the last five years, according to a BBC report.

The growth in the company's book value was 10.7 percent in 2016, while the S&P 500 rose 12.0 percent, the BBC reported.

Berkshire Hathaway, headed by Buffett, owns dozens of U.S. stocks including Apple, Coca-Cola and the four biggest U.S. airlines.
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Seven young girls drowned while playing waters in a lake in southwestern Cambodia's Preah Sihanouk Province on Tuesday morning, a provincial police official told Xinhua.

Major General Chuon Narin, police chief of the province, said a group of nine local children went to play waters but two of them did not get down.

"All seven girls, who bathed in the lake, died of drowning," he told Xinhua via telephone, adding that the victims aged between eight and 13 years old.

According to Narin, the lake was a bit far from a nearby village, and there was no adult over there when the accident occurred.

Drownings happen very often in Cambodia, particularly in rural areas, where parents or legal guardians are busy with their farming work and leave their small children at home alone.

On Feb. 7, three children, aged between four and six years old, drowned in a pond in central Kampong Thom Province when their parents were at work.
SYDNEY, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Federal Police raided a property in the New South Wales town of Young on Tuesday, to arrest a man accused of having links to the Islamic State (IS).

The raids were conducted as part of a joint 18-month investigation by the Australian Federal Police and New South Wales Police, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull stressing the arrest is not indicative of a current terror threat.

"Police will allege that this individual, in a regional centre, acted with intent to provide ISIL with the ... technical capability, and high-tech capability, to detect and develop missiles," Turnbull said.

"This highlights that terrorism, support for terrorist groups, and Islamist extremism is not limited to our major cities."

The Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, Andrew Colvin, said the 42-year-old man had allegedly "utilised the internet" to assist IS, and designed a laser warning device to warn IS terrorists when laser-guided missiles were going to be used against them in Syria and Iraq.

"Secondly, we will also allege that he has been researching, designing and modelling systems to assist ISIL's efforts to develop their own long-range guided missile capabilities," Colvin said.

The man is set to appear in Young Local Court Tuesday, where he will be formally charged with terrorism offences.
Liu Jieyi (C), China's permanent representative to the UN, addresses a meeting of the UN Security Council on Kosovo at the UN headquarters in New York Feb. 27, 2017. China on Monday urged all parties concerned to continue pushing ahead with the process of dialogue on the Kosovo issue and find a political solution to it. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday called on all parties concerned to continue to push ahead with the process of dialogue on the Kosovo issue, and find a political solution to it.

Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, made the appeal at a meeting of the Security Council on Kosovo.

"China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia and understands the legitimate concerns of that country on the question of Kosovo," Liu told the meeting, noting that Security Council Resolution 1244 provides the essential legal basis for finding a solution to the issue.

"China has always maintained that it's imperative to follow the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and within the framework of relevant Security Council resolutions, to carry out dialogue and negotiations to reach proper settlement acceptable to all parties concerned," he said.

Noting that the situation in Kosovo is basically stable, but deep-rooted problems remain complicated and unsolved, the Chinese envoy urged all parties concerned to push forward high-level dialogue, remove differences through pragmatic and constructive dialogue, and implement the bilateral agreements that have already been reached.

Kosovo is the subject of a long-running political and territorial dispute between Belgrade and Pristina. Serbia categorically refuses to recognize Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence in 2008, though most leading European countries and the United States have exchanged diplomats with Kosovo.
SEOUL, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- South Korean special prosecutors investigating the scandal embroiling President Park Geun-hye planned to indict Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong on bribery charge, their spokesman said Tuesday.
KATHMANDU, Feb. 28 (Xinhua)-- Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has reiterated that Nepal and China will carry out bilateral development cooperation projects under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China.

Dahal made such remarks when Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong met the prime minister at his official residence on Tuesday morning.

The prime minister informed the ambassador that his government is working for the effective implementation of previous agreements reached between China and Nepal to enhance cross-border connectivity, trade and physical infrastructure development in Nepal, according to the Foreign Relations Advisor to Prime Minister, Rishiraj Adhikari.

"I am confident bilateral cooperation projects will be carried out under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China," Adhikari quoted the prime minister as saying.

Nepal initially signed a framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China in December 2014 though it has yet to finalize cooperation projects to be developed under the initiative.

"Now the foreign ministries of the two countries are holding negotiations to finalize another MoU for cooperation projects to be developed under the Belt and Road Initiative in future," Advisor Adhikari said.

Nepal and China agreed to enhance cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative introduced by the Chinese leadership when Former Prime Minister K.P Sharma Oli visited Beijing in March last year.

"Regarding Nepal-China bilateral cooperation, both sides agreed to synergize each other's development planning, formulate appropriate bilateral cooperation programs and to carry out major projects under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative," part of a joint communique issued during the former prime minister's visit stated.

"Both sides agreed to strengthen connectivity, further step up the land and air links and improve the land transport infrastructure," the communique stated.

The prime minister thanked the Chinese government for continuous support in Nepal's infrastructure development while seeking more support from China in Nepal's socio-economic development in the days to come.

During the meeting, the prime minister briefed the ambassador regarding his government's preparations to hold the local body elections on May 14 this year.

"We expect goodwill and support from China as my government is in a crucial phase of constitution implementation and holding local body elections in May this year," the prime minister told the ambassador.

Ambassador Yu noted that the two countries are enjoying excellent relations and China is ready to enhance support in Nepal's physical infrastructure development. She also pledged to support in Nepal's constitution implementation process and forthcoming elections as per the need and wishes of the Nepalese government and the people.
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong (C) enters a Seoul court for hearings in Seoul, South Korea, on Feb. 16, 2017. 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. (Xinhua/Lee Sang-ho)

SEOUL, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- South Korean special prosecutors investigating the scandal embroiling President Park Geun-hye planned Tuesday to indict Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong on bribery charge.

Lee Kyu-chul, spokesman of the independent counsel team, told the last press briefing that Lee and four senior Samsung executives will be indicted later in the day for multiple charges, including bribery.

Investigation by the special prosecutors is scheduled to end Tuesday as Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn rejected the request for an extended probe into the corruption scandal that led to President Park's impeachment.

The spokesman said the overall investigation results will be formally announced on March 6.

Related:

Samsung heir's arrest not affect Samsung Electronics' credit rating: S&P

SEOUL, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Global credit rating company S&P said Monday that its ratings on Samsung Electronics will not be affected by the arrest of Samsung's heir apparent over his alleged involvement in a corruption scandal that has roiled South Korea in recent months.

S&P said in a statement that Samsung's ratings are not affected by the arrest of the company's vice chairman Lee Jae-yong as the impact will be limited at this stage. Full story

Samsung heir's arrest raises possibility for extended probe into S.Korean presidential scandal

SEOUL, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Possibility rose for an extended probe by special prosecutors into a scandal embroiling President Park Geun-hye after the arrest of Samsung's heir apparent on Friday.

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong was taken into custody early in the day as a Seoul court issued an arrest warrant for him, sought by the independent counsel team for a second time. Full story

S. Korean court issues arrest warrant for Samsung heir on bribery charges

SEOUL, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- A South Korean court on Friday issued an arrest warrant for the heir apparent of Samsung Group, the country's largest family-controlled conglomerate, on bribery charges linked to the corruption scandal that led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.
SEOUL, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- South Korean special prosecutors independently investigating the presidential scandal on Tuesday identified impeached President Park Geun-hye as a criminal suspect for bribery charge together with her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil who is now in custody.
LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- A total of 12 police personnel were killed in a checkpoint in Helmand's provincial capital Lashkar Gah 555 km south of Kabul on on Tuesday, a security official said.

"Obviously it was an insider attack and happened early morning in the second precinct of Lashkar Gah city after a police who apparently affiliated with the Taliban, during his duty at midnight contacted the Taliban militants and after committing the crime took their weapons and joined the enemies," the official told Xinhua.

However, he declined to be identified, saying authorized officials would brief the media.

Meanwhile, Qari Yusuf Ahmadi who claims to speak for the Taliban outfit in contact with media claimed of responsibility and insisted that 12 policemen had been killed in attack on police checkpoint in Lashkar Gah.

However, spokesman for Helmand's provincial government Omar Zawak has confirmed the attack on police checkpoint by saying, "the incident happened and the case being investigated".

A similar incident in the Helmand's neighboring Kandahar province claimed the lives of 16 police personnel on a checkpoint some 40 days ago.

The poppy growing and restive Helmand province has been the scene of fierce fighting between government forces and the Taliban militants over the past couple of years.
HAVANA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China is a "very significant" market for Cuban cigars and will become more important in the near future, said a well-known Cuban cigar manufacturer here on Monday.

The company is eyeing on an expansion in the emerging markets and China "will be a very important market for Habanos," Javier Terres, vice president of development for the joint Cuban-Spanish company Habanos S.A., told Xinhua on the sidelines of the annual Cuban Cigar Festival.

Terres said China is the firm's third most important market worldwide and Chinese customers "highly value" the quality of Cuban premium brands.

"We're the main foreign brand in terms of market share," he added.

Founded in 1994, Habanos S.A. owns the trademarks of every brand of Cuban-made cigars and cigarettes in all places that they are exported to, including the top-quality brands like Montecristo, Cohiba, Partagas and Romeo y Julieta, which are all sold in China.

Those brands are key to boost Habanos' sales in China, said the Spanish executive. "We hope to have a steady growth in the Chinese market," he added.

In 2016, the company's international sales revenue jumped by 5 percent from a year earlier, reaching about 445 million U.S. dollars, according to data provided by the company.

The stable performance of the traditional markets such as Spain, France, Germany and Britain had a positive effect on the satisfactory result.

"It was a good year, a tremendous success among the premium and luxury brands and items around the world," said Terres.

The company also saw an annual increase of 13 percent last year in the domestic market, where it ranks the fifth among its clients.

Increasing foreign visitors to the island and the lift of a U.S. sanction on Cuban cigar import contributed to the big leap in 2016, said Terres.

In October, 2016, then U.S. President Barack Obama unveiled a new round of loosened trade rules, including lifting limits on rum and cigar imports from the island. American travelers to Cuba now can bring back an unlimited amount of Cuban tobacco for personal use.

Meanwhile, U.S. restrictions still prohibit the sale of Cuban cigars in the country.

Cuban Cigar Festival is an activity held annually in Havana. This year, the five-day event is expected to attract around 2,000 businessmen, wine experts, collectors, artists and cigar aficionados from 50 countries and regions.
Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi (R) shakes hands with French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault in Jakarta, Indonesia, Feb. 28, 2017. Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi met with her French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault on Tuesday, discussing ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries. (Xinhua/Agung Kuncahya B.)

JAKARTA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi met with her French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault on Tuesday, discussing ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, two Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) documents were signed by related officials of the two countries on education and diplomatic training and space activities sectors.

Besides discussing development of regional and international issues in which Indonesia and France have interests in, Retno and Ayrault also identified further cooperation in economy, trade and investment that can be expanded by the two countries.

Regarding the ongoing negotiation process of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and European Union (EU), the two ministers agreed on the need to speed up the process so as to reach agreement that paves the way for the implementation.

Possibilities to expand cooperation in counter terrorism, maritime, palm oil, tourism and efforts to build smart cities were also featured in the discussions of the two ministers.

Ayrault's visit to Indonesia was also intended to prepare for the official visit of French President Francois Hollande to Indonesia scheduled next month.

Prior to his meeting with Retno, Ayrault was officially received by Indonesian President Joko Widodo in the presidential palace.

France is a significant European trade partner to Indonesia with two-way trade recorded at 2.34 billion U.S. dollars last year.

Indonesia exports electrical equipment, rubber, footwear, garments, fishery products, coffee, tea, woods and cacao to France.

French investment in Indonesia was recorded at 730.08 million U.S. dollars from 2010 to 2015, comprised of various projects in telecommunications, warehouse, transportation, water, electrical, food processing, chemical and pharmacy sectors.
MANAGUA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Nicaragua's government is on alert due to a 35 percent increase in the number of malaria cases recently, Vice President Rosario Murillo said Monday.

The Central American country "remains attentive" to the situation, after the number of cases reported last week rose to 135, an increase of 35 percent from the previous week, said Murillo.

Officials are taking steps to prevent the spread of the infectious mosquito-borne disease, she added.

"We are attending to the causes and reasons of the increase. The Health Ministry has been deployed to stop the continued spread of malaria," she said.
LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least one person was killed and two others injured as a roadside bomb struck a police vehicle in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province on Tuesday, a police official Abdul Sattar Norzai said.

"A mine planted by militants struck a police vehicle on a road in Nahr-e-Saraj district at around 11:00 a.m. local time killing one person and injuring two others," Norzai told Xinhua.

Without giving more details, the official added that investigation is underway.

Meantime, another official on condition of anonymity said a police convoy was taking some prisoners to Kandahar province, but on the way a roadside bomb organized by militants struck a vehicle killing two prisoners and injuring three police personnel.

The poppy growing and militancy plagued Helmand province, with Lashkar Gah as its capital 555 km south of Kabul, has been the scene of bloody fighting between government forces and Taliban militants over the past few years.
ANKARA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Five people were injured late Monday in a conflict between Syrian refugees and local residents in the southern Turkish city of Adana, local media reported Tuesday.

The conflict broke out after some neighborhood residents went into a tent of the refugees for undetermined reasons, the Hurriyet daily said, adding that the injured were two Syrians and three local residents.

During the conflict, tents were set on fire and the windows of vehicles were smashed, said the report.

Police were dispatched to the scene and confiscated some pump guns.

Adana is the fifth most populous city in Turkey, which now hosts the world's largest community of Syrian refugees.

By the end of 2016, more than 2 million Syrian refugees lived in the whole country.
The national flags of the United States and China wave out of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, the United States, Jan. 5, 2009. (Xinhua/Hou Jun)

by Xinhua writer Zhu Junqing

BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese diplomat's meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday was a positive signal for China-U.S. relations and might pave the way for a summit meeting between Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi was the highest-ranking Chinese official to visit the White House since Trump took office on Jan. 20. The visit came after Xi and Trump had a phone conversation, which set the direction of future ties.

In the conversation, Trump said that Washington honors the one-China policy, the bedrock of China-U.S. relations, and expressed the hope to meet Xi.

Guided by the spirit of the conversation, the two sides have enhanced all-level communication and coordination, and affirmed the importance of a constructive bilateral relationship.

There was a face-to-face meeting between the two foreign ministers and a phone conversation between Yang and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

After all, China-U.S. relations are the most important bilateral relationship in the world.

Sound political interaction is of crucial significance to the long-term healthy and stable development of China-U.S. relations, which not only serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but also chimes with the aspiration of the international community.

During former President Barack Obama's eight-year term, China-U.S. ties have witnessed significant progress and yielded many achievements, showing that the common interests between the two countries go far beyond their differences, and that cooperation can deliver benefits to the two countries as well as the world.

China is always ready to work with the United States to enhance communication and expand cooperation, following the principles of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation.

Only trying to be friends and partners rather than opponents or enemies can the two sides conduct in-depth communication and dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect, to manage sensitive issues and differences in a constructive way.
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Some 815 trafficked Cambodian migrant workers and citizens were rescued abroad and sent home last year, a Cambodian Foreign Ministry's senior official said on Tuesday.

"In 2016, the ministry had rescued and repatriated a total of 815 Cambodians from abroad, including 366 victims of human trafficking," Foreign Ministry Secretary of State Ouch Borith said in a report during the ministry's annual meeting.

Those Cambodians had been repatriated from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Japan, Singapore, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Laos.

According the ministry, those rescued Cambodians had encountered problems such as labor exploitation and abuse from employers.
MANILA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Developing Asia needs investment of 26 trillion U.S. dollars through 2030, or 1.7 trillion U.S. dollars per year, to maintain its growth momentum, eradicate poverty, and to cushion the impact of climate change, a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) report said on Tuesday.

"The demand for infrastructure across Asia and the Pacific far outstrips current supply," said ADB President Tahehiko Nakao. He said Asia needs "new and upgraded infrastructure that will set the standard for quality, encourage economic growth, and respond to the pressing global challenge that is climate change."

The report predicts that infrastructure needs in developing Asia and the Pacific will exceed 22.6 trillion U.S. dollars through 2030, or 1.5 trillion per year, if the region is to maintain growth momentum.

"The estimates rise to over 26 trillion, or 1.7 trillion U.S. dollars per year, when climate change mitigation and adaptation costs are incorporated," the report says.

The new report focuses on the region's power, transport, telecommunications, and water and sanitation infrastructure. It comprehensively examines current infrastructure stocks and investments, future investment needs, and financing mechanisms for developing Asia.

The report says that infrastructure development in the countries covered in the study has grown dramatically in recent decades - spurring growth, reducing poverty, and improving people's lives. "But a substantial infrastructure gap remains, with over 400 million people still lacking electricity, 300 million without access to safe drinking water, and about 1.5 billion lacking access to basic sanitation," the report says.

Moreover, it says that many economies in the region lack adequate ports, railways, and roads that could connect them efficiently to larger domestic and global markets.

Of the total climate-adjusted investment needs over 2016 to 2030, the report says that 14.7 trillion U.S. dollars will be for power and 8.4 trillion for transport. Investments in telecommunications will reach 2.3 trillion, with water and sanitation costs at 800 billion over the period, the report says.

It says East Asia will account for 61 percent of climate-adjusted investment needs through 2030.

The reports says that the 1.7 trillion annual climate-adjusted estimate is more than double the 750 billion ADB estimated in 2009, adding that the inclusion of climate-related investments is a major contributing factor.

"An even more important factor is the continued rapid growth forecasted for the region, which generates new infrastructure demand," the report says.

Currently, the report says the region annually invests an estimated 881 billion U.S. dollars in infrastructure for 25 economies with adequate data, comprising 96 percent of the region's population.

"The infrastructure investment gap or the difference between investment needs and current investment levels, equals 2.4 percent of projected GDP for the 5-year period from 2016-2020," the report says.
HANOI, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- A flag-raising ceremony was held Tuesday for Vietnam's two newly-received submarines at a military seaport of Submarine Brigade 189 in Vietnam's south central coastal Khanh Hoa province.

The two submarines namely Da Nang and Ba Ria-Vung Tau are the last among six Kilo-class submarines that Vietnam ordered from Russia following a nearly 2 billion-U.S. dollar contract between Vietnam and Russia signed in 2009, reported Vietnamese government's e-Portal (VGP) on Tuesday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said the fact that the submarines are included in the payroll of Submarine Brigade 189 affirmed the strategy of the party and state which aims at enhancing defense capacities at sea, bringing Vietnam People's Navy to be closer to common qualification of other navies in the region and in the world.

In total, Vietnam received six Russian-made submarines in January and March 2014, February and June 2015, February 2016 and January 2017.

Each submarine is nearly 74 meters in length with displacement of 3,000-3,950 tons. It is able to operate at a maximum depth of 300 meters and at a speed of 20 nautical miles per hour with 52 crew members on board, said the VGP.
A woman protests against the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system in front of the Lotte Headquarters in Seoul,South Korea, Feb. 27, 2017. Lotte Group, South Korea's fifth-largest conglomerate, decided Monday to offer its golf course to be used as a site for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD). (Xinhua/Lee Sang-ho)

BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Prospects for the retail business run by South Korea's Lotte Group in China are brought in public spotlight by its Monday approval of a land swap to enable an early deployment of the controversial U.S. missile defense system known as THAAD.

Giving a strong warning for all the "consequences" on the part of South Korea and the United States for its deployment, the Chinese foreign ministry fell short of mentioning anything against the Lotte Group.

Lotte, a business group focusing on retail and food, has benefited much from China's opening up for foreign investment. By the end of 2015, Lotte shops and supermarkets have covered 24 provinces in China.

A brisk business has prompted its tax-free shops to expand in size so as to serve increasing numbers of Chinese consumers, who contribute 70 percent of its total sales volume.

The THAAD system is being installed in the name of protecting South Korea's security from the neighboring Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

However, its ranges go far beyond into Chinese and Russian territories, allowing the United States to monitor flights and missile launches of the two countries conveniently.

It has sacrificed the delicate strategic balance in the region for an illuded target of achieving peace through muscle-flexing.

Lotte may have its case in allowing the land swap for the THAAD installment, however it is not Chinese consumers' job to verify it.

It may be just that they would like to share a stance against anyone who damages the security interests of their country.

Nevertheless, possible complicacy Lotte may run into in China is obvious an isolated case and China will definitely go ahead with its opening up endeavor and further embrace the foreign investments.

Addressing a meeting in Beijing on Monday, Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan promised more efforts in briskly introducing foreign investment.

This includes propelling the development of free trade zones, pushing for reforms in foreign investment management, and improving the business environment, said Zhong.

Foreign direct investment on the Chinese mainland rose 4.1 percent year on year last year.

China has been loosening the grip on the inflow of foreign capital as part of efforts to facilitate its opening up, reducing restrictive measures and opening more sectors. In 2016, laws on foreign investment were amended, and measures were unveiled to simplify the approval procedure for foreign companies.
HANOI, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese capital Hanoi will build three underground parking lots, including a five-storey underground car park, according to the city's People's Committee on Tuesday.

Among five floors of the underground car park in the city's Thong Nhat Park, the first underground floor will be used for commercial and service purposes, while the remaining four underground floors will be car parking area, reported local VNEconomy online newspaper.

The total construction area of the car park is over 15,000 square meters with over 5,600 square meters on each floor, providing enough space for 390 cars. On the ground, there should be trees, operating house, and other supporting buildings with total investment of some 100 billion Vietnamese dong (4.48 million U.S. dollars).

Hanoi's departments of planning and investment, finance, construction, taxation as well as natural resources and environment are also urged to coordinate with each other to produce a "special mechanism" to encourage more investors to join the underground project, said the city, adding that investors may be allowed to sell maximum of 30 percent of total park slots.
MOSCOW, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The petrochemical and shipbuilding industries as well as small and medium-sized enterprises are priorities for the Primorsky territory in Russia's Far East, an official said Tuesday.

"We are implementing many major federal projects, for example the Eastern Petrochemical Company project, the Zvezda shipyard project," Primorsky Governor Vladimir Miklushevsky told the TASS news agency at an investment forum in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Miklushevsky also said that the Primorsky region needed to develop its infrastructure in order to facilitate the implementation of major investment projects.

The major infrastructure objects included international transport corridors "Primorye-1" and "Primorye-2," which link Primorsky and Northeast China.

"We need it and our great neighbor -- China also needs it," he said.

Another engine for the region's development was a new law allowing Russian citizens to own, free of charge, 1 hectare of land in the Russian Far East for up to five years, said Miklushevsky.
BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with Ri Kil Song, vice foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), a spokesman said on Tuesday.

The DPRK official will visit China from Tuesday to Saturday at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the ministry's spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily news briefing.

According to Geng, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin and Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou will hold talks with the visiting DPRK official.

"The two sides will exchange views on the China-DPRK relationship and international and regional issues of common concern," said the spokesman.
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has seen progress in border demarcation process with its neighbouring countries, namely Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, a Cambodian Foreign Ministry's senior official said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the ministry's annual meeting here, Foreign Ministry Secretary of State Ouch Borith said that by 2016, the country had achieved 84 percent of border demarcation with Vietnam, and 86 percent with Laos.

With Thailand, he said the two countries' Joint Border Committee had found 65 out of 73 border markers left from the French protectorate, and agreed with 40 border markers and disagreed with 25 markers.

Cambodia shares 1,270-km border with Vietnam to the east, about 533-km border with Laos to the north and northeast and more than 800-km border with Thailand to the north and west.
A man from Seongju county holds a banner to protest against the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), during a rally in Seoul, capital of South Korea, on July 21, 2016.(Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

Hi, here's what you need to know about China!

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday met with visiting Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi at the White House, pledging to enhance bilateral high-level exchanges and cooperation in all areas.

During the meeting, Yang first conveyed greetings to Trump from Chinese President Xi Jinping, while the U.S. president asked Yang to relay his greetings to President Xi.

Yang noted that President Xi not long ago held an important phone conversation with President Trump, which offered clear guidance on the direction of the development of the China-U.S. relations in the next stage.

- - - -

BEIJING -- China on Monday warned against the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system in the Republic of Korea (ROK), saying China's security interests should not be undermined.

There were media reports that the Lotte Group board of directors met on Monday to approve a land swap deal between the military and Lotte -- a move to facilitate the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).

The THAAD deployment initiated by the United States and the ROK seriously undermines regional strategic balance and the strategic security interests of regional countries including China, and is not favorable to safeguarding peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a regular news briefing.

- - - -

BEIJING -- Remains of 20 Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War will be returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on March 22, 2017, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs Monday.

It will be the fourth batch returned following a handover agreement signed by the two countries. From 2014 to 2016, remains of 541 soldiers were returned to China from the ROK, the ministry said.

Before the remains are returned, a ceremony will be held on March 20.

- - - -

GENEVA -- A senior Chinese diplomat on Monday stressed that to realize sustained peace so as to promote and protect human rights, all countries should establish equal partnership, pursue cooperation and maintain peace through development.

Liu Hua, special representative for human rights affairs of China's Foreign Ministry, made the remarks at the 34th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

"Peace has become the common aspiration of people of all countries, as well as the fundamental premise and foundation for the promotion and protection of human rights," she said.

- - - -

GUIYANG -- A coal mine gas explosion killed seven people and injured 11 in southwest China's Guizhou Province Monday, local authorities said.

The explosion occurred in Dahebian Coal Mine in Liupanshui city at 7:32 a.m. when 41 were working underground. Twenty-three have been lifted out of the shaft safely.

The Dahebian coal mine belongs to the state-owned Guizhou Shuicheng Mining Company, which has an annual output of 900,000 tonnes.
COLOMBO, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan investigators on Tuesday found the main vehicle which had been used in a deadly prison shooting a day earlier, which killed seven people and injured several others.

The police said that following a thorough investigation, they were able to find a white van which had been used by a group of unidentified men to open fire on a prison bus in the island's south.

The van had been left abandoned in Moragahahena, just outside the capital.

Five prisoners, including a notorious criminal leader and two prison officers, were killed when the group arrived in the van and opened fire on the prison bus which was on its way to the Kalutara Court Complex.

The police media unit said that according to initial investigations, the gunmen had been wearing clothes similar to police uniforms.

Underworld figure, Anura Udayashantha alias Samayan, who was killed in the shoot out, is believed to be the main target.

Investigators said this was not the first time Samayan had been targetted. In September 2015, he survived serious injuries after an unidentified person shot him at the Kaduwela Magistrate's Court.

Special police teams have been appointed to continue the investigations.
LANZHOU, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Fu Lian's nightmare of constant beatings by his daughter-in-law has ended. She is facing criminal charges for violating a protection order granted by a local court.

Personal protection orders are a powerful legal weapon for victims of family violence and were a major feature of the country's law against domestic violence, which took effect on March 1, 2016.

The law challenges the deep-rooted belief in Chinese culture that domestic violence is a private matter which should be kept within the family to avoid the shame of exposure to police or courts.

Fu lives in a remote village in Huachi County in northwest China's Gansu Province. The wife of Fu's younger son would often beat him due to land disputes and domestic squabbles. For a long time, he hid his suffering from all but close relatives.

However, the old man changed his mind and sought a protection order after being hospitalized following an assault by his son's wife last April, when the county's women's federation was publicizing the new law.

"In the first few days after the protection order was issued, the woman behaved. But then she thought it was just a sheet of paper. She beat Fu again and left him with a bone fracture," said Dong Fengling, head of the women's federation of Huachi, which handed down seven orders over the past year.

As a consequence of violating the order, the daughter-in-law was detained in accordance with the law. A court hearing is pending.

The anti-domestic violence law allows victims of family violence or those who face immediate danger to file for a personal protection order from local courts. The courts are obliged to grant or deny within 72 hours, or within 24 hours in urgent cases.

With the protection order, abusers must stop committing violence. They may also be ordered by the courts to stop contacting victims and their close relatives, or to move out of their home.

If abusers violate the order, they face a fine of up to 1,000 yuan (145 U.S. dollars), as well as a 15-day detention, while perpetrators of serious offences could face criminal charges, according to the protection order rule.

Domestic violence victims are a huge but silent group in China. According to the All-China Women's Federation, nearly 25 percent of Chinese women have suffered domestic violence to different extents in their marriages, though only some 40,000 complaints are lodged with the federation each year.

Before the law against domestic violence came out, some victims reported abuse to the police or filed lawsuits, but often did not get effective help because of the long processing period and unclear items concerning domestic abuse in other laws, according to Sun Wenjie with the Lingyun Law Firm in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

"The protection order fills a gap in legislation and enables victims to shield themselves from violence in a timely, effective way," Sun said.

"The order focuses on protection of the victims, rather than solely punishing the abusers, and it has deterred abusers," said Fang Zhihong, a chief judge with the court in Liwan District of Guangzhou City in south China's Guangdong Province.

The protection order rule still faces multiple challenges, including its conflicts with traditional beliefs and insufficient measures to guarantee its implementation.

Wang Cailing, from Jingyuan County of Gansu, attempted to kill herself by drinking rat poison because of unbearable abuse by her husband, but was saved by doctors. She refused to apply for a protection order as suggested by the county's women's federation.

"She said she was afraid of retaliation from her husband and worried that her family would blame her for disclosing an embarrassing family scandal," said Wu Jingjing from the federation.

Such concerns demonstrate the need to raise awareness about the law to promote the idea that domestic violence is illegal and eliminate the sense of shame victims feel, according to Sun Wenjie.

Another factor that has hindered implementation of the protection order rule is that many applicants face difficulty in presenting evidence.

"Some do not even keep basic evidence, such as clinical records. Their neighbors are not willing to testify in court because they do not want to 'meddle with' the family matters of others," said judge Chen Junwei with the Liwan court.

The court issued only two orders during the past year, while 20 victims failed to apply for it due to a lack of evidence.

Chen suggested the victims report to the police before applying for a protection order from the court, as transcripts of police inquiries can be used as evidence.

In addition, the anti-domestic violence law stipulates that the police and community committees should assist the court in implementing the protection order, but does not specify how, according to Chen, suggesting these details be elaborated.

Ouyang Yanwen, director of the research institute of domestic violence under the Hunan Police Academy, said the power of protection orders could be strengthened if violations were punishable under the country's criminal law, which stipulates that those who refuse to carry out the court decision may face jail terms of up to seven years.

"Compared with other countries and regions that also grant protection orders, our penalty for those who violate the orders is light," Ouyang said.

(Names of domestic violence victims are pseudonyms for the sake of privacy.)
BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with Ri Kil Song, vice foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), a spokesman said on Tuesday.

The DPRK official will visit China from Tuesday to Saturday at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the ministry's spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily news briefing.

According to Geng, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin and Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou will hold talks with the visiting DPRK official.

"The two sides will exchange views on the China-DPRK relationship and international and regional issues of common concern," said the spokesman.

On Tuesday, Assistant Foreign Minister Kong would hold a meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and other issues of common concern, said the spokesman.
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz on Tuesday urged members of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) to transform the grouping into a strong economic block through full exploration of its human and material resources.

Speaking at the opening session the ECO council of foreign ministers, which will finalize agenda for the summit to be held on Wednesday, he said that "immediate attention should be paid to intra-regional trade, which is far below its potential."

He underscored the need for implementation of ECO trade agreement and removal of trade and non-trade barriers besides establishing a Free Trade Area in the region.

Aziz also said that lack of regional connectivity is a major impediment to economic cooperation and said there should be focus on projects for greater connectivity.

Secretary General of ECO Halil Ibrahim said that ECO intra-regional trade has increased to 8.3 percent in 2016 as compared to 5.3 percent in 2000, adding that the ECO has signed 45 documents with the United Nations and other International organizations and these are at various stages of implementation.

Officials said the foreign ministers' council is expected to approve the ECO Vision 2025 and the Islamabad Declaration, recommended by the senior officials of the members during their two-day deliberations.

The Islamabad Declaration 2017 is expected to contain the salient points of cooperation among the members of ECO in connectivity, trade, transport and energy fields.

The ECO summit is expected to review the state of affairs of the organization in the light of the new and emerging global and regional circumstances.

The ECO, established in 1985 by Iran, Turkey and Pakistan, also groups Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The ECO council of foreign ministers will also approve the "Islamabad Declaration" to be adopted in the summit which has the theme of "Connectivity for Regional Prosperity."
CANBERRA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Surging export values of rural goods, iron ore and coal have delivered Australia its largest ever trade surplus of 4.7 billion AU dollars for the December quarter, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo said on Tuesday.

This record result was driven by large increases in export values to economies including China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and Thailand, the minister said.

Among the rural products, vegetables, oil seeds, wool, meat and fresh dairy products have achieved strong gains, leading to the growth in the whole rural product sector.

The December quarter also saw a strong 6.3 billion AU dollar (4.8 billion U.S. dollar) narrowing in the current account deficit to 3.9 billion (3 billion U.S. dollars), Australia's lowest deficit since 2001.

Australia managed to maintain an impressive overall trade position in 2016 thanks to the large increase in export volumes of LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) and coal as major infrastructure projects in those sectors kicked in.

It also helped when the price of iron ore made surprising surge from around 50 U.S. dollar per ton this time last year to around 90 U.S. dollars now.

Tourism also made a significant contribution to Australia's exports, as the country continues to attract a record number of international visitors.

Statistics show that a record number of 554,179 students studied in Australia last year.
ARUSHA, Tanzania, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania is set to include the Africa's tallest indigenous tree into the list of the country's must-visit tourist hotspots, authorities have said.

The 81.5-meter Entandrophragma excelsum sits on one of the foothills of yet Africa's tallest mountain, the world-famous Mountain Kilimanjaro.

Said Mecky Sadiki, Kilimanajaro Regional Commissioner, said Monday he would lead a team of regional senior officials on the tour to tree's location to pave way for its pending launch and international publicity.

"This is one of the untapped products, when it comes towards promoting it so that it lures more visitors as other tourist destinations do," the official said.

The approximately 600-year-old tree matches Africa's previous tree-height record established by a specimen of the introduced Sydney blue gum (Eucalyptus saligna) in Limpopo, South Africa.

The previous South African record-holder died in 2006, making the Tanzania's the reigning tree when it comes to height. If well marketed by the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), the attraction is likely to turn into a cash cow for the country.

It was first spotted by Andreas Hemp of the University of Bayreuth in Germany, a researcher who was exploring Mount Kilimanjaro's vegetation some 20 years ago.

The unusual height of a bunch of trees he saw aroused his curiosity but it was not until recently that his team was able to measure their heights accurately using new tools.

Hemp and his team measured 32 specimens with laser instruments between 2012 and 2016, finding that the 10 tallest individuals ranged from 59.2 to 81.5 meters in height and 0.98 to 2.55 meters in diameter. Hemp estimates from growth rates that the arboreal behemoths are between 500 and 600 years old.

According to records, the world's tallest trees are not normally found in Africa. The world record holder, a 116-metre-tall sequoia tree is found in North America and in second position is a 100-metre-tall eucalyptus in Australia.

Scientists believe that Africa's poor show in the world's tallest tree list may be attributed to both a shortage of studies in the continent and the limited resources that prevent them from getting too tall.

They say this is not the case with Kilimanjaro area known to have nutrient-rich volcanic soils, high temperatures and precipitation that may have helped drive the growth of Africa's tallest tree.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Only a week after Uber was accused by a former female employee of ignoring her harassment complaints, the ride-hailing service asked its new senior vice president of engineering to resign for failing to disclose a sexual harassment allegation against him at his former post in Google.

The executive, Amit Singhal, was asked on Monday by Uber CEO Travis Kalanick to resign after joining the company for roughly a month.

Uber learned the situation after technology news website Recode informed the company of the chain of events between Singhal and Google.

Sources at Uber said that the company did extensive background checks of Singhal and that it did not uncover any hint of the circumstances of his departure from Google, Recode reported.

However, Singhal denied the allegations, although he did acknowledge the dispute with Google, Recode added.

"Harassment is unacceptable in any setting. I certainly want everyone to know that I do not condone and have not committed such behavior," he wrote in a statement emailed to Recode. "In my 20-year career, I've never been accused of anything like this before and the decision to leave Google was my own."

Singhal, a highly regarded engineer in Silicon Valley, oversaw Google's search engine for 15 years before leaving the company in February 2016.

Uber has been trying to restore its battered image in the face of the accusations of sexism, dysfunctional management structure and a toxic corporate culture.

About a week ago, Uber's Kalanick ordered an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment within the company disclosed by Susan Fowler, a former engineer at the company, in a detailed blog post.

Fowler, as well as other current and former employees, have claimed that the company's human resources personnel repeatedly ignored their sexual harassment claims about employees who were "top performers" that the company was reluctant to punish.

Uber has asked former attorney general Eric Holder to review workplace conditions following Fowler's claims.

Adding to the woes of Uber, its decision to cut surge pricing at a New York airport where taxi drivers protested against U.S. President Donald Trump's travel ban last month, as well as Kalanick's short-lived plan to be part of Trump's economic advisory council, has triggered a social media campaign to boycott Uber.

Many Uber users deleted the app from their smartphones and posted pictures or videos about such acts on Twitter, making #DeleteUber a hot trending topic.
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Aramco and Petronas, the two national oil companies from Saudi Arabia and Malaysia respectively, entered into a 50-50 partnership on Tuesday.

Saudi Aramco will invest 7 billion U.S. dollars in a refinery in the southern Malaysian state of Johor, called Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development, or RAPID.

According to a joint statement released after a signing ceremony, both partners will hold equal ownership in selected ventures and assets of the RAPID project within the Pengerang Integrated Complex, upon the completion of the transaction, subject to regulatory approvals and the completion of other associated agreements.

Under the partnership, Saudi Aramco will supply up to 70 percent of the crude feedstock requirements of the refinery, with natural gas, power and other utilities supplied by Petronas, it said.

With capacity to refine 300,000 barrels of crude per day, RAPID's refinery will produce a host of refined petroleum products, including gasoline and diesel as well as feedstock for its integrated petrochemical complex producing 3.5 million tonnes per annum of products, said the statement.
BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities have launched a crackdown on the spread of pornographic content online, including material that uses virtual reality (VR) technology.

A statement issued by the National Office Against Pornographic and Illegal Publications on Tuesday said that the office is cracking down on the use of new technology, such as cloud storage, online livestreaming and VR to spread pornography.

Upon reports from the public and media, the office has organized monitoring and inspections of some suspected e-commerce platforms and social media accounts on Sina Weibo and WeChat, according to the statement.

In one case in November last year, police in Shenzhen held 26 suspects and closed eight illegal sites involved in relevant violations.

The office stressed that spreading pornographic content, whether for profit or not, will be subject to administrative or criminal punishment.

The office also encouraged the public to report offenses via its telephone hotline and promised rewards for such tips.
DAMASCUS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic State (IS) group brought in at least 300 Iraqi and Syrian families from areas under its control in Iraq and Syria to the eastern province of Deir al-Zour in eastern Syria, a monitor group reported Tuesday.

The families were split between Iraqis coming from Iraq's city of Mosul and Syrians comping from Syria's northern city of al-Raqqa, the de facto capital of IS, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The IS militants put the new displaced families in schools in the city of al-Mayadeen in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour, said the Observatory, adding that more families are expected to come.

The new comers are being relocated as a result of the intense battles fought against IS, whether in Mosul, by the Iraqi forces, or in al-Raqqa, where the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were making progress in the countryside of that province.

Meanwhile, the UK-based watchdog monitor group said intense battles were raging between the Syrian army and the IS in the countryside of Deir al-Zour amid airstrikes carried out by the Syrian forces on IS positions.
BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Xiao Yuchen, 25, an illustrator from Taiwan, is pleasantly surprised to find that Dashilan, a popular Beijing tourist area, has undergone changes.

Not having the typical crowded tourists, souvenir stores and brightly decorated buildings, the capital's winding back area has been renovated in a traditional Beijing hutong style.

The quiet hutong is paved with grey bricks, with art studios scattered around old courtyards. Due to its unique atmosphere, Xiao chose Yangmeizhuxie street in Dashilan to set up her design studio.

"Unlike other traditional hutongs, there are no tourist crowds or bustling commercial activity. Art design studios neighbor old Siheyuan courtyards, which makes it comfortable working and living here," Xiao says.

Actually, the less than 500-meter long Yangmeizhuxie street has just been updated as part of an an old city renovation plan.

More than 710 of 1,711 local families moved out of the street, making space for cultural innovation companies, according to the plan.

The new firms must be culture and art related, and their studio style must fit with the surrounding architecture.

"Dashilan is improving its cultural innovation environment to attract more art resources to help revitalize local art," says Jia Rong, director of the update plan.

Many local residents who were born here or lived here for decades chose to stay in Dashilan when the plan started.

Wang Xiuren, 72, was born on the Yangmeizhuxie street, and her ancestors have lived here for 400 years. Her family had been running a drug store here for hundreds of years until it was purchased by a traditional Chinese medicine company.

On retiring, Wang opened a shop here selling medical magazines and books in 2004.

"The business was not so good, but I am not willing to leave this hutong," Wang says.

After the update started, Wang redesigned her two-storey shop.

On the ground floor, she opened a cafe providing food to nearby residents. On the second floor, she built a family museum displaying items related to the drug store such as the old store plaque and well-preserved medicine production tools.

"We can be creative while preserving our cultural tradition," Wang says.

The plan is part of Beijing's moves to clear the capital of non-essential businesses to upgrade through cultural innovation.

The central government has ordered Beijing and neighboring Hebei Province and Tianjin Municipality to pursue coordinated development.

According to a guideline released in April 2015, the key functions of politics, culture, international communication and technical innovation will be prioritized while other sectors will be moved out.
YANGON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar government on Tuesday warned of cracking down on illegal trade starting March 1, according to the Ministry of Planning and Finance.

The ministry's custom department will take action on illegal trade, especially illegal border trade under short-term and long-term plans in cooperation with neighboring countries.

The first phase of the project will be undertaken in the country's northern Kachin state bordering China, followed by the second phase in Shan state bordering China and Kayin state bordering Thailand and Bago region.

The third phase will be implemented in Sagaing bordering India and Taninthayi region bordering Thailand.

U Kyaw Win, Minister for Planning and Finance, highlighted that the public servants who take part in cracking down on smuggling, will be rewarded with 50 percent of the seized goods' value.

Vice President U Myint Swe had urged the private sector in January to cooperate with the government on cracking down on smuggling which is one of the big challenges to economic growth.

The country is suffering the loss of large amount of taxes due to smuggling mostly through border trade every year, said local economists.

The country has 15 border trade points with neighboring Thailand, China, India and Bangladesh.

Myanmar's total trade value reached 24.213 billion U.S. dollars in the first 11 months of the 2016-2017 fiscal year as of Feb. 17.
Photo taken Oct. 9, 2012, shows snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro as seen from Kenya's Amboseli National Park. (Xinhua/Liu Jiang)

ARUSHA, Tanzania, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania is set to include the Africa's tallest indigenous tree into the list of the country's must-visit tourist hotspots, authorities have said.

The 81.5-meter Entandrophragma excelsum sits on one of the foothills of yet Africa's tallest mountain, the world-famous Mountain Kilimanjaro.

Said Mecky Sadiki, Kilimanajaro Regional Commissioner, said Monday he would lead a team of regional senior officials on the tour to tree's location to pave way for its pending launch and international publicity.

"This is one of the untapped products, when it comes towards promoting it so that it lures more visitors as other tourist destinations do," the official said.

The approximately 600-year-old tree matches Africa's previous tree-height record established by a specimen of the introduced Sydney blue gum (Eucalyptus saligna) in Limpopo, South Africa.

The previous South African record-holder died in 2006, making the Tanzania's the reigning tree when it comes to height. If well marketed by the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), the attraction is likely to turn into a cash cow for the country.

It was first spotted by Andreas Hemp of the University of Bayreuth in Germany, a researcher who was exploring Mount Kilimanjaro's vegetation some 20 years ago.

The unusual height of a bunch of trees he saw aroused his curiosity but it was not until recently that his team was able to measure their heights accurately using new tools.

Hemp and his team measured 32 specimens with laser instruments between 2012 and 2016, finding that the 10 tallest individuals ranged from 59.2 to 81.5 meters in height and 0.98 to 2.55 meters in diameter. Hemp estimates from growth rates that the arboreal behemoths are between 500 and 600 years old.

According to records, the world's tallest trees are not normally found in Africa. The world record holder, a 116-metre-tall sequoia tree is found in North America and in second position is a 100-metre-tall eucalyptus in Australia.

Scientists believe that Africa's poor show in the world's tallest tree list may be attributed to both a shortage of studies in the continent and the limited resources that prevent them from getting too tall.

They say this is not the case with Kilimanjaro area known to have nutrient-rich volcanic soils, high temperatures and precipitation that may have helped drive the growth of Africa's tallest tree.
CHIPATA, Zambia, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Residents of Chipata town in eastern Zambia have hailed the solar-powered milling plants installed in the area for availing cheaper mealie-meal and providing jobs for locals.

The project to install solar-powered milling plants was one of the outcomes of Zambian President Edgar Lungu's visit to China in March 2015.

The solar-powered milling plants were procured under a loan from the China Development Bank and in total, about 2,000 plants will be installed across the southern African nation.

Starting in 2015, the installation is being undertaken by the Zambia Cooperative Federation (ZCF) and as of last year, 250 had been installed across the country.

The milling plants are expected to create about 3,000 jobs for local people.

Residents told Xinhua correspondents who visited some of the plants on the eastern outskirts of the town that the plants had come at a right time to ease problems such as long distance they used to cover to have their maize milled.

"The plant is near my house, so I don't need to look for any transport like before for me to take my maize for milling. This is good and we hope more plants could be brought here," one resident Elizabeth Phiri told Xinhua.

Another resident Beatrice Phiri told Xinhua that the solar-powered plant were more reliable compared to the other hammer mills which use electricity and diesel.

"In the past if there is no electricity, we had problems to take our maize for milling. Sometimes you would go to the hammer mill and find that there is no diesel," she added.

Other residents also praised the solar-powered plants for being cheaper than the other hammer mills.

Stephen Phiri, an operator of one of the plants, said the plant started operating in June last year, when the ZCF provided some maize that enabled them to sell the mealie-meal at a cheaper price.

He however said this has changed as the price at which mealie meal was being sold has slightly gone up after the maize supply from ZCF stopped.

"Currently we are selling a 25 kilogram of breakfast mealie meal at 85 Kwacha(about 8.6 U.S. dollars) while roller meal is at 80 kwacha. But when we started with ZCF maize we were selling at 66 kwacha," he said.

He however expressed optimism that the price will come down once the new maize comes on the market in the next few months.

Apart from milling maize for sell, the plant also mills maize for other people as well as sells bran, a by-product in the milling process that is sold to farmers and local people who use it as feedstock for their animals.
JERUSALEM, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli police on Tuesday carried out a court order to evacuate homes, built illegally on private Palestinian land.

Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said police entered nine homes in the West Bank and begun the "first step of the evacuation."

In the same time, Samri said, "the police continue the dialogue with the settlers and the local leadership to avoid unnecessary friction and to allow the mission to be carried out without injuries," she said.

The Supreme Court had decided that the homes on the outskirts of the settlement of Ofra should be demolished because they were illegally built on private Palestinian land.

The settlers petitioned the court after the parliament passed a law on Feb. 6 that allows in certain cases to retroactively legalize settlement and outpost homes that were built without permits.

However, on Monday, the court rejected the petition after it found that the law is not applicable to the homes built on plots that the court had already ruled, such as the homes in Ofra.

Army Radio reported that some police forces already arrived early on Tuesday morning in the settlement to prevent youths from barricading themselves inside the buildings.

On Feb. 1, settler residents and their supporters reacted with violence when the police carried out a court-ordered evacuation of the illegal outpost of Amona, built on private Palestinian land without official permits.

The settlements are considered illegal under international law, and the international community sees them as an obstacle to peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

The settlements were built on lands occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East War.
Chairman of Germany's International Rail Freight Business Association (IBS) Olaf Krueger receives an interview with Xinhua in Berlin, capital of Germany, on Feb. 27, 2017. Germany's International Rail Freight Business Association (IBS) has expressed its hope that China's coming Belt and Road forum will help further boost transnational railway freight. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)

BERLIN, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Germany's International Rail Freight Business Association (IBS) has expressed its hope that China's coming Belt and Road forum will help further boost transnational railway freight.

IBS Chairman Olaf Krueger said in a recent interview with Xinhua that the expectation for the forum, set to take place in Beijing in May, was high, since Beijing plans to host a high-level summit with 60 participating countries.

He believed that unique opinions on reliable links between China and Europe, and high-capacity and high-technology railroad freight corridors would be of great value for the future railway development.

The first freight train from China to Britain arrived in London on Jan. 18. The train departed Yiwu city in east China's Zhejiang province and traveled some 12,000 km in 18 days before reaching Barking in East London. During its journey, the train passed through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Belgium and France.

Since the launch of the China-Europe freight train services, the freight volume has increased substantially and has raised great interest to enterprises or companies wanting to transport Chinese products to Europe while tapping markets along the Belt and Road routes.

The direct rail link between Beijing and western Europe offers a new option for shippers. Some European entrepreneurs call it an "artery" as it provides fresh blood for the existing European rail freight corridors or networks.

It also enables European manufacturers to explore new means to lower transport cost.

However, as Krueger said, some "bottlenecks", especially in eastern Europe countries, were constraining the rail freight transport, as new connections, stations and related infrastructure must be updated.

The IBS, partly functions as a promoter or lobby for efficient train systems and mechanisms in the European Union (EU), welcomes the Belt and Road Initiative put forward by China, as it might provide great opportunities to modernize the existing train lines and create new corridors in these areas.

"At the coming forum, we will set our focus on how to organize the existing rail and future new corridors," Krueger said.

"For me it's very important to concentrate on how to organize these corridors, because it is not so easy. The trains connect a lot of countries with lots of political orientations," Krueger said.

"It is vital to find a model of public-private partnership in the investment and the development of the corridors. If the forum can design a such partnership between public and private, it is a solution for us to build more corridors with good standards and high capacities," he added.

Krueger hoped the participating countries as well as international railway firms "can go a lot steps further in globalization and free trade" at the forum.

The IBS expects the forum to be a place to discuss the modernization of the infrastructure and coordination mechanism along the railway corridors thus to boost the freight volume, said Tufan Khalaji, head of the IBS Eurasia department.

"I'm sure there will be many know-hows at the forum. The next step can go all the way to include the new areas, for example it should also include the North Africa states," said Khalaji.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trade routes. It has won support from over 100 countries and international organizations.
COLOMBO, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has made great progress in preventing and combating torture over the past two years, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera has said.

Samaraweera said the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, the Police Commission, the Ministry of Law and Order, and other agencies are working together to prevent and combat torture, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

The foreign minister stressed that although the national human rights commission has recently indicated that there is a downward spiral of incidents, "even one incident of torture is one too many."

He also noted that as in many other areas, this too is an area in which the country requires technical assistance, calling on countries with experience in this regard to come to assistance.

He said Sri Lanka was committed to strengthening reconciliation and being a shining example that is prosperous, united in its diversity, upholding human rights, justice and the rule of law.
by Chris Mgidu

NAIROBI, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The UN refugee agency said Tuesday that it has repatriated some 49,376 Somali refugees in Kenya since the return exercise begun in December 2014.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in its bi-weekly update that out of the figure, some 10,062 were supported in 2017 alone.

"The number of flights has been significantly increased as it remains the only mean of transportation to Somalia. Returns movements by air are organized to Mogadishu, Kismayu and Baidoa," it said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

According to the UNHCR, road convoys were also organized from Dadaab in northeast Kenyan camp to Dhobley in Somalia respectively on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

"For the time being, flights from Dadaab to Somalia remain suspended owing to the security alerts in Mogadishu since December 23, 2016," it said.

The UNHCR said a total number of persons relocated to Kakuma/Kalobeyei camp in northwest Kenya was 2,431 as of Feb. 13. Out of this number, 2,220 were relocated since the resumption of the relocation process on Jan. 16.

The report came after two UN agencies last week warned that critical shortages in food assistance are affecting some 2 million refugees in ten African countries.

The UNHCR and WFP warned that the shortages could worsen in coming months without new resources to meet food needs.

According to the UN agencies, ten refugee operations in Africa have experienced cuts affecting the quantity and quality of food assistance for approximately 2 million refugees.

The agencies said food rations have been dramatically cut, in some cases by up to 50 percent, in large operations including in Cameroon, Chad, Kenya, Mauritania, South Sudan and Uganda.
BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese farmers apply 70 percent more chemicals on crops than the world average, but the country is taking a step closer to green agriculture by encouraging farmers to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers.

China's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) released an action plan earlier this month to pilot a fertilizer-replacement program in 100 counties and districts this year.

The plan will include vegetables produced in northern China's greenhouses, apples grown in northwest China's Loess Plateau and Bohai Bay area, and key growing areas for oranges, tangerines and tea.

Key growing areas for fruit, greenhouse vegetables and tea should cut chemical fertilizer use by at least 20 percent by 2020, under the plan.

The program is part of China's effort to scale back use of chemical fertilizers and switch to organic alternatives.

National chemical fertilizer use amounts to around one-third of the world's total consumption.

The amount of chemical fertilizers used in fruit growing in China per mu (1/15 hectare) is over twice the figure of Japan, six times the figure of the United States and seven times of that of European Union (EU).

Chemical fertilizer use per mu in vegetable growing is 12.8 kg more than in Japan, 29.7 kg more than the United States and 31.4 kg more than the EU, according to the MOA.

Some farmers have already felt the effects of using excess fertilizer, an issue plaguing the country's high added-value produce.

Three years ago, Yue Zuozhong, a farmer, realized his land needed a rest after suffering low productivity, soil degradation and low fertility caused by excessive chemical fertilizer use.

"The land in my vegetable greenhouses became hard and impervious. I could no longer find earthworms," said Yue from Shouguang city, eastern China's Shandong Province.

Yue decided to reduce use of chemical fertilizers, as encouraged by the city government. He resorted to bio-fertilizers as well as pig and chicken manure for his two vegetable greenhouses.

He said that one mu of vegetables only needed a dozen kilograms of bio-fertilizers and some pig and chicken manure. With government subsidies, farmers in Shouguang like Yue only need to pay 750 yuan to 1,050 yuan (109 to 153 U.S. dollars) per tonne for bio-fertilizer. Pig and chicken manure costs around 120 yuan per cubic meter.

"My costs can be cut by half now," Yue said. "But most importantly, by using organic fertilizers, the hardened land has become soft again and more easily permeated by water."

China is encouraging targeted fertilization, the integration of water and fertilizer, and promoting green disease and pest control to ensure chemical fertilizer and pesticide consumption stops increasing by 2020.

As a major vegetable production and trading center, Shouguang provides one-third of the vegetables for Beijing. It has more than 800,000 mu of greenhouse vegetables, and since 2010 has encouraged farmers to use organic fertilizers to improve arable land.

"Long-time reliance on chemical fertilizers to boost production has resulted in hardening and secondary salinization of soil, as well as environmental pollution," said Guo Yuesheng, vice head of the Soil and Fertilizer Station of Shandong. "Improper use of chemical fertilizers can also lead to a high level of heavy metal elements in the soil, which could threaten people's health."

Data from the MOA shows that using chemical fertilizers damages land fertility, with around 40 percent of workable land degenerating.

"Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are applied at the source of agricultural production. Preventing pollutants from entering soil is fundamental to ensuring safe agricultural produce," said Qin Qingwu, a member of the China Agricultural Economy Society.

However, making the change is difficult as chemical fertilizers are much cheaper than organic alternatives and easier to transport.

To provide the same amount of nutrients, organic fertilizers cost around four times that of chemical fertilizer, according to Guo.

"We still have a long way to go to promote the use of organic fertilizers," he said.

Yue said that little could be achieved without financial support and professional expertise.

"It is our hope that the government can continue to subsidize us and offer help to achieve sustainable farming," he said.
by Chris Mgidu

NAIROBI, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Senior African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) officials met in Nairobi on Tuesday to review its activities and draw up a budget that will guide the operations of the mission in 2017.

The five-day conference which has drawn participants from the African Union (AU) will come up with a detailed plan and budget.

The Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia Francisco Madeira said the meeting will go a long way in helping the mission achieve its objectives.

"This is where we are going to plan in detail what each of our units and clusters is going to do or intends to do in the years to come," he said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

Madeira said the pan-African body's mission is finding it increasingly difficult to fund a number of programs, owing to what he called donor fatigue.

"Not all project plans could be implemented, either because we dreamt so much and thought we could do everything and thus lost so much sight or we trusted our partners so much that we thought they would fund everything," he said.

Madeira, who is also the head of the mission, noted that it is time the donors considered themselves as partners in resolving the crisis in Somalia.

"Donors think stabilizing Somalia is a task of the African Union so they get fatigued. Donor fatigue shouldn't arise. It's the duty of all of us to make Somalia a functional state. Let's be partners," he said.

Among issues being discussed at the Nairobi meeting include support for political processes, security sector, stabilization and recovery, protection of human rights and gender process.

Also on the table is how AMISOM should facilitate access to recovered areas and secure main supply routes. Madeira said AMISOM was forced to devise austerity measures to cope up with the low funding.

The new Somali government has developed a National Development Plan 2017-2020 but the country still faces challenges in combating negative clannism, solidifying the rule of law and human rights, countering violent extremism, and engendering the rights of women and girls.

AMISOM Force Chief of Plans Salifu Yakubu painted a security atmosphere that is fluid, largely due to the unpredictability of the situation.

Al-Shabaab, he noted, has been weakened but still has the capacity to attack. This militia "remains resilient" and has resorted to asymmetric warfare.
RAMALLAH, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian National Unity government decided Tuesday that it will hold local municipalities elections on May 13 in the West Bank only and postpone holding it in the Gaza Strip due to disputes with Islamic Hamas movement that rules the coastal enclave.

The government said that Hamas movement declared its final position by rejecting to hols election in Gaza, so it chose to have it done in the West Bank only.

Deputy Secretary General of Democratic for the Liberation of Palestine Qais Abu Laila told Xinhua that his party will go through the elections, most likely with a leftist coalition.

Expressing regret over Hamas's position to freeze elections in Gaza, Abu Laila said "it is pity that Hamas took this negative decision due to its actual rule of Gaza Strip, informing the Elections Commission that it will not allow holding elections in Gaza, as it would not help eliminate the obstacles in the path of national reconciliation and holding general legislative and presidential elections."

The local elections are also expected to take place in towns and villages around East Jerusalem, but not in Jerusalem city, where a special governance body is to be put up regulated by Palestinian elections law.

Legal expert Issam Abdeen told Xinhua that holding the elections is a must, but there are other issues that need to be dealt with before taking this step, mainly the jurisdiction of elections court.

"Without defining the jurisdiction of a genuinely independent specialized court for elections, we will be entering into another crisis," warned Abdeen, "especially that the segmentation of election phases has never been successfully completed in the past attempts."

The Ramallah-based legal observer said that the political atmosphere is not conducive for elections, and that holding it separately in the West Bank "would probably lead to other issues like not holding general legislative and presidential elections."

Local elections to choose domestic governing bodies like municipalities and village councils were postponed last September by a court ruling that overruled the government's decision to hold the elections, for the first time in 11 years, on Oct. 8, 2016.

The last time Hamas participated in local bodies elections in Gaza Strip and West Bank was in 2004 and 2005.

The Palestinian National Authority held local elections in October 2012, but Hamas did not participate, saying the internal division should be ended before holding elections.
SHANGHAI, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Former vice governor of Anhui Province Yang Zhenchao on Tuesday stood trial on charges of accepting bribes, embezzlement and abuse of power in a local court in Shanghai.

The 1st Municipal Intermediate People's Court of Shanghai handled the case. The 1st Branch of Shanghai Municipal People's Procuratorate is the public prosecutor in the case.

Yang was charged with from 2008 to 2016 at various posts, accepting bribes worth 80.85 million yuan (11.77 million U.S. dollars) from individuals or companies whom he helped in land requisition, promotion and other issues.

From 2008 to 2013, Yang embezzled public funds worth 1.16 million yuan by making fake receipts for reimbursement of his and his family's expenses.

From 2010 to 2013, Yang, acting as Party chief of Huainan City, violated relevant laws in land management, government procurement and tendering and bidding, leading to public economic losses worth 915 million yuan.

Yang pled guilty in court.

Over 50 lawmakers, journalists and citizens attended the open trial.

The verdict will be announced at a later date.
CHANGSHA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Central China's Hunan Province is preparing to build more middle-to-low speed magnetically levitated (maglev) rail lines after the successful launch of the first domestic line in the province in 2016.

The first Chinese middle-to-low speed maglev rail line started operation in May 2016 in the provincial capital, Changsha. It travels between Changsha's south railway station and the airport, with a maximum speed of 100 km per hour.

Changsha plans to build another maglev line in the city's Xiangjiang New Area, the first "state-level new area" in central China, according to the city's development and reform commission earlier this month.

After the train's launch, it will only take 30 minutes to travel to the south railway station, and 45 minutes to Changsha Huanghua Airport.

Another maglev line is expected to be built within the year, in the province's Zhuzhou city. The 27.9-km line will have 24 stops and start operation after a three-year construction period, according to the city government.

Middle-to-low speed trains produce little noise, according to Peng Qibiao, head of the maglev research institute of CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Company.

"Maglev trains are safer and cheaper compared to current metro and light rail cars. They can also operate in severe weather, with zero emissions," Peng said.

Beijing is also expecting its first medium-low speed maglev rail line, which will start operation this year.
MOGADISHU, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed on Tuesday declared drought, which has been ravaging the Horn of Africa nation, a national disaster.

The president, widely known as Farmajo, also appealed to the international community to urgently respond to the calamity in order to help families and individuals and avoid humanitarian tragedy.

"President Farmajo has declared a national disaster to deal with the humanitarian emergency in all areas affected by the current drought," said a statement issued in Mogadishu.

The statement came after the UN warned that Somalia is in the grip of an intense drought, induced by two consecutive seasons of poor rainfall.

In the worst-affected areas, inadequate rainfall and lack of water has wiped out crops and killed livestock, while communities are being forced to sell their assets and borrow food and money to survive.

The Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET), managed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), have found that over 6.2 million people, or more than half of the country's population, are in need of assistance, up from 5 million in September last year.

Farmajo also called on the Somali business community and diaspora to participate in the recovery efforts in the affected area, the statement said.
KIGALI, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The global wildlife television channel is set to screen the reintroduction of lions from South Africa to Rwanda in an hour-long documentary, according to Akagera National Park authority.

It will be the first time that the Rwandan national park will feature on the National Geographic wild channel, a television focused primarily on wildlife and natural history programming.

The return of Rwanda lions will be screened on March 9 in Kigali by Akagera Management authority, according to Sarah Hall, Tourism and Marketing Manager for Akagera Management.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Hall said that the film narrates a story of reintroduction of lions from South Africa to Rwanda in a ground-breaking conservation initiative.

"Seven lions have made the arduous journey from South Africa to Rwanda-Akagera National Park. The documentary film will feature lions' journey for survival in Return of the Lion - a tale of hope, courage, challenges and rebirth," she added.

The film shooting started quite after arrival of lions from South Africa in July 2015 with an intention to see how the big cats adapt to the tropical savannah.

In 2015, Rwanda re-introduced seven lions (five females and two males) into the Akagera National Park following decades of absence of big cats in the savanna grassland game reserve.

Akagera's declining wildlife population is attributed to widespread poaching, especially during the 1980s and 1990s.

Rwanda also plans to re-introduce black rhinos in the Akagera National Park, in a bid to boost tourism industry that is the country's largest foreign exchange earner.

In 2015, the national park received about 32,000 tourists, with Rwandans representing 44 percent of this number.

The Akagera National Park is the country's famous savanna animal sanctuary with a wide range of game that include buffalos, elephants, zebras, giraffes, leopards, hyenas, hippos, and antelopes.

Rwanda Development Board statistics indicate that, in 2014 the country's tourism industry registered revenue receipts worth 304.9 million U.S. dollars.

Rwanda hosted a total number of about 1.22 million visitors in the same year.
by Christine Lagat

NAIROBI, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Countries in sub-Saharan Africa should prioritize new investments in diagnostic equipments, case management and public awareness to reduce the burden of tuberculosis (TB), policymakers said Tuesday.

They told a forum in Nairobi that innovative financing options were an imperative in order to revitalize the war against TB that has surpassed HIV/AIDS to become a leading killer in Africa.

Principal Secretary in Kenya's Ministry of Health Nicholas Muraguri said at the forum that shrinking budgetary allocation, incoherent policies and competing priorities could reverse gains made in the war against TB in Africa.

"Our continent has a disproportionate burden of tuberculosis that has mainly been fueled by HIV/AIDS and poverty. We must therefore increase investments in prevention and management of the disease," Muraguri said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) contends that Africa accounts for 25 percent of the global TB burden while 16 out of 30 TB high-burden countries are found in the continent.

Muraguri stressed that political goodwill coupled with smart investing and robust public awareness is key to reinvigorate TB control programs in Africa.

Kenya is among five African countries with the highest burden of tuberculosis but state-led interventions have in the last decade averted half a million deaths thanks to increased funding towards TB diagnoses and treatment.

Eliud Wandwalo, senior coordinator for TB at the Geneva based Global Fund, said funding agencies have prioritized investments in homegrown programs to reduce the burden of tuberculosis in Africa.

He revealed that Sub-Saharan Africa would receive the bulk of the 1.8 billion U.S. dollars the Global Fund has set aside to combat tuberculosis globally in the next two years.
TAIYUAN, Feb.28 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Liping, a former senior political advisor in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, was sentenced to death on charges of murder, taking bribes and possession of firearms, according to a second trial verdict, issued Tuesday.

The provincial higher people's court of northern China's Shanxi Province rejected Zhao's appeal against the first trial verdict, issued by the Intermediate People's Court of Taiyuan City.

The court upheld the verdict in November 2016, which stripped Zhao of his political rights, confiscated personal property worth 2 million yuan (291,100 U.S. dollars) and sentenced him to death.

As the former vice chairman of the Inner Mongolia regional committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Zhao was found to have shot and killed a person, identified as Li, in Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, in March 2015.

He also took advantage of his post to secure business contracts and official positions for associates, and accepted bribes totaling 23.68 million yuan from 2008 to 2010, as the chief of the Public Security Department of Inner Mongolia.

The Shanxi Provincial Higher People's Court said the first trial verdict was based on clear facts and sufficient evidence, and passed Zhao's case to the Supreme People's Court for approval.
ISTANBUL, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday reiterated his resolve to capture northern Syrian town of Manbij as part of Turkey's ongoing military operation.

"Our determination continues," the president told reporters at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport prior to his departure for Pakistan. "The next phase is Manbij as we have earlier determined."

He said if Ankara agrees with Russia and the United States, there are steps to be taken for the capture of both Manbij and Raqqa, a stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) in northern Syria.

"It is important for us to discuss the issue with Russia as a close country to us and at the same time to be in solidarity with the United States as a strategic partner of Turkey and the coalition forces as well," Erdogan said. "If our allies are really sincere, we will act with you so long as we cleanse Raqqa from Daesh and give it back to its original owners."

He once again ruled out cooperation with the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party and its military wing, the People's Protection Units, which are controlling Manbij but seen as terror groups by Ankara, in the upcoming battle for Raqqa held by IS, also known as Daesh by its Arabic language acronym.

The Syrian Kurdish militias, however, are regarded by the U.S. as reliable partners on the ground in the fight against IS.

Turkey launched a military offensive in northern Syria in August last year backed by the rebel Free Syrian Army, taking Jarabulus and al-Bab from IS.
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank announced on Tuesday that it has approved 130 million U.S. dollars in additional financing for infrastructure investments in seven cities in Tanzania.

The bank said in a statement that residents in the seven rapidly urbanizing cities in the East African nation will benefit from the funding to scale up infrastructure investments and promote growth.

The statement said the Tanzania Strategic Cities Project (TSCP) covering seven strategically important cities of Tanga, Arusha, Mwanza, Kigoma, Dodoma, Mbeya and Mtwara will enable them to keep up with the pace of rapid urbanization.

"Improving services in Tanzania's medium-sized cities is critical to support the government's industrialization goals," said Bella Bird, the World Bank Country Director for Tanzania, Malawi, Somalia and Burundi.

"These cities play a key role to strengthen broader regional development, to connect people with markets, and provide the foundation to promote the growth of industries across the country," she added.

With the objective of improving the quality of and access to basic urban services in participating local government authorities, the TSCP has been under implementation since September 2010, focusing on three components of core urban infrastructure and services, institutional strengthening and implementation support.

TSCP was initially financed by 175.5 million U.S. dollars, of which 163 million dollars was from the World Bank and 12.5 million dollars from Denmark.

The project first received additional financing in 2014 amounting to 50 million dollars from the World Bank and 6 million dollars from the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).
Zhang Dejiang (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, meets with Grzegorz Czelej, deputy speaker of the Senate of Poland, in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday said it hoped that Poland would continue to play a positive role in developing China's cooperation with Europe, as well as with Central Eastern European (CEE) countries.

China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang made the remarks when meeting Grzegorz Czelej, deputy speaker of the Senate of Poland, in Beijing.

Zhang said China-Poland relations had entered a new phase of development since the two countries agreed on a comprehensive strategic partnership, during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Poland last June.

"China is willing to work with Poland to cement traditional friendship, enhance political mutual trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and push forward the Belt and Road construction, in a bid to push for an in-depth development of bilateral ties," said Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

Zhang said that the congress and the Polish parliament should strengthen mutual understanding and trust as well as beef up cooperation, to better implement the consensus reached by both countries.

Czelej said the Belt and Road construction had brought opportunities for Poland's development, and the Polish parliament was ready to fuel cooperation between the two nations.
GENEVA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- A total of 16,775 migrants and refugees have crossed the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe since the start of the year, down from almost 125,000 arrivals over the same period in 2016, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported Tuesday.

According to IOM's latest figures, 13,457 arrivals have been documented in Italy, up from 8,981 in the first two months of last year.

A further 2,318 have been registered in Greece and 1,000 migrants have landed in Spain.

IOM reported that 485 people, including children, had lost their lives so far this year, 60 more than the number of migrants who died on sea routes to Europe last year.

Most deaths, which are 444, have been recorded on the central Mediterranean Sea passage linking North Africa with Italy.

A further 41 have died on eastern and western Mediterranean routes.

A record 5,079 migrants and refugees died last year while crossing the Mediterranean Sea, up from 3,771 fatalities in 2015.
ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia and Liberia have agreed to expand and deepen their relationship.

This came on Tuesday when visiting Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf held talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in Addis Ababa, capital of the East African country.

The two sides have inked cooperation agreements in four areas including technical and vocational education, health and medical sciences, livestock and fisheries, and industrial development.

Sirleaf and Desalegn have exchanged views on current regional and continental development matters as well as political and security issues, agreeing to strengthen cooperation and have closer consultation and coordination of positions.

The Liberian president also said the two countries would improve upon intra-Africa trade and ensure through collaborative endeavor to make Africa more competitive.

Reiterating that Ethiopia and Liberia share commonalities, the Ethiopian prime minister said they have agreed to work very closely on different areas including climate change and the implementation of reform programs of the African Union.

"We have ample opportunity to share experiences between our two countries; we need to streamline our policies towards poverty eradication and prosperity in both countries," said Desalegn.
SHANGHAI, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- More Chinese are set to go on more road trips in France, after China and the country signed a reciprocal driving license agreement last week, according to a popular online Chinese travel agency on Tuesday.

Under the agreement, China and France will allow holders of driving licenses issued in either country to drive directly or obtain driving permits without an additional test.

The agreement will benefit Chinese who work, study and travel in France and more are expecting to choose driving tours in the future, according to a report by Ctrip, an online Chinese travel agency.

The deal would also prompt Chinese and French travel agencies to diversify their travel products, it said.

The amount of driving tours Chinese people made abroad increased by 300 percent year-on-year in 2016, according to online travel agency Lvmama. The United States, Australia and New Zealand were the top three destinations for such tours.

"Compared with group tours, driving tours allow more open schedules and they also help tourists learn more about the destinations and their people," Lvmama said.

Previously, China has reached reciprocal driving license agreements with Belgium and the United Arab Emirates.
BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Archives and witness statements have indicated that Taiwan's "February 28 Uprising" had nothing to do with "Taiwan independence".

Tuesday marks the 70th anniversary of the uprising.

Some witnesses recalled the occasion, saying that there were no slogans or leaflets advocating "Taiwan independence" during the campaign, and most Taiwan people believed that ideas advocating "Taiwan independence" are false and absurd.

"What the Taiwan people are seeking is local autonomy, rather than separating from the motherland," Li Wei-kuang, head of a Taiwan people association in Shanghai, was quoted by archives as saying.

As "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces described the uprising as a conflict between provinces, Li recalled that people in Taiwan were not against people from other provinces, but only hoped to seek their help and cooperate with them.

On Feb. 28, 1947, a Kuomintang (KMT) party enforcement team assaulted a woman near Taipei railway station as she was selling contraband cigarettes.

The incident caused a bloody confrontation between Taiwan civilians and the KMT authorities, which developed into an island-wide movement against the despotic rule of the KMT.

The uprising was a spontaneous mass movement of the people of Taiwan for democracy and autonomy, but some people in Taiwan interpret the uprising as a "Taiwan independence" movement, completely distorting the true story.

An Fengshan, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, told a press conference last month that "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces twisted the uprising for their own gain, adding that their intentions are despicable.

The Taiwan people have a glorious tradition of patriotism, and participants of the uprising made enormous contributions to territorial integrity.
KATHMANDU, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador Yu Hong said on Tuesday that China is hoping Nepal will soon become member of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The ambassador made such remarks while addressing the 14th Annual General Meeting of the Nepal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Nepalese capital.

"China and Nepal are negotiating to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on jointly promoting the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. We hope Nepal will become a member of the circle of friends for the Belt and Road," Ambassador Yu said.

The ambassador said that as many as 100 countries have expressed their intention to support and jointly contribute to the Belt and Road Initiative while over 40 countries and international organizations of the world have signed cooperation agreement with China for jointly building the Belt and Road.

"The China-Nepal relations are facing great opportunities. We are expected to promote bilateral cooperation by joint efforts of our two sides within the framework of building the Belt and Road," she said.

The Belt and Road initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.

Addressing the function, Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who is also in charge of finance, said the Nepal government wants to enhance economic relationship with China.

"The Nepal government believes that the economic relationship with China needs to be deepened to a greater level," he said, adding "We will take more decisions and policies to attract more Chinese investment in the days to come."

Calling it a great opportunity for Nepal to enhance connectivity with China and rest of the world, former Secretary of Nepalese government Purushottam Ojha said Nepal can reap benefit from the Belt and Road Initiative.

"It is very pertinent Nepal and Bhutan to be aligned with the Belt and Road Initiative introduced by China so that these two countries can further enhance their trade and connectivity with rest of the world through economic corridors and trade networks," Ojha said.

He stressed on the need to develop cross-border road and railway connectivity between Nepal and China to promote bilateral cooperation and people-to-people contacts.
SHENZHEN, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Wang Shuaiting, former executive of China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Ltd., was sentenced to 16 years in prison for accepting bribes and embezzling public funds, a court said Tuesday.

According to Shenzhen Municipal Intermediate People's Court, south China's Guangdong Province, Wang was also fined 1.2 million yuan (174,545 U.S. dollars). His illegal gains will be confiscated.

Wang took advantage of his posts from 2003 to 2013 to seek benefit for institutions or employees, in capital investment, stock right transfers and promotions, according to the court. He also accepted bribes totaling over 40 million yuan.

The court showed lenience to Wang as he confessed, gave evidence on other criminals, expressed remorse and cooperated in returning bribes.
BISHKEK, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Russia is ready to withdraw its military base from Kyrgyzstan at any time, visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday at a joint press conference following a meeting with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev here.

Putin said the air force base in Kant was opened in 1999-2000 at the request of the then Kyrgyz leadership when the country suffered from terrorist attacks by terrorists from Afghanistan that crossed the border.

"It was opened to be able to effectively fight with international terrorists. Whenever Kyrgyzstan says that the country has strengthened its armed forces, we will immediately withdraw our military base," Putin said.

The Russian president stressed that the presence of the Russian military base in Kyrgyzstan is to ensure safety in the country.

"Since we started to strengthen relations within the Collective Security Treaty organization, it goes without saying that we will further strengthen the armed forces of Kyrgyzstan. If Kyrgyzstan sees it right to do so, we will discuss it," Putin said.

For his part, Atambayev said that the issue of strengthening the Russian military base in Kyrgyzstan was not discussed at the meeting.

"I would like to note that Russia, on the contrary, wants to help us to strengthen our armed forces," said Atambayev.

Putin arrived on Tuesday in Bishkek for an official visit after his visit to Tajikistan on Monday. The two heads of state also discussed the entire spectrum of their bilateral relations, the implementation of joint projects and further cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union.
GENEVA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) urged warring parties in Yemen to release children recruited for armed conflict, adding that the United Nations had verified the enlistment of close to 1,500 children in the war-torn country since March 2015.

"We have received numerous reports of the recruitment of children in Yemen for use in the armed conflict," OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said Tuesday in a biweekly press briefing.

"In all, between March 26, 2015 and Jan. 31 2017, the UN has managed to verify the recruitment of 1,476 children, all boys," she added.

Shamdasani warned that the real number of recruited children was likely to be much higher since many families were unwilling to report the recruitment of their children to authorities for fear of reprisal.

According to findings, children under the age of 18 are often misled into joining armed groups through promises of financial reward or social status.

"Many are then quickly sent to the front lines of the conflict or tasked with manning checkpoints," she explained.

Shamdasani reminded all parties to the conflict that the recruitment and use of children in war was prohibited according to both international human rights and humanitarian law, and that recruiting a child who is less than 15 years old could amount to a war crime.

"We urge them to immediately release such children," she said.
MOSCOW, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Moscow is open for an improvement of relations with Washington through pragmatic dialogue, Russia Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Tuesday.

"There are no alternatives to changing the atmosphere of relations for the better, and especially their quality," Ryabkov was quoted by TASS news agency as saying at a round-table meeting in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament.

"Whatever happens, a pragmatic dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect for the real interests of each other remains the benchmark for Russia," Ryabkov added.

He said Russia-U.S. ties were currently at the lowest point since the Cold War, as the previous U.S. Administration of Barack Obama had "completely destroyed in a short period of time the foundations of cooperation built up over many years".

Therefore Russia will monitor the signals, which may emerge during U.S. President Donald Trump's first speech to Congress later in the day, Ryabkov said.

Noting that an anti-Russian stance and Russophobia sentiment well established in Trump's opponents could hurt the prospects of improving bilateral relations, Ryabkov said Moscow is working hard to minimize such damage.

Meanwhile, Ryabkov said Moscow was ready to hold discussions with Washington regarding security, including the U.S. endeavor to build a global missile defense system, and the development of non-nuclear strategic weaponry within the Prompt Global Strike program.

According to Ryabkov, preparations for meetings between presidents of the two countries are underway, with details on dates and venues undecided.
TUNIS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian military units clashed on Tuesday with some jihadists and killed two of them in Kasserine, central west of Tunisia, a medical source said.

A soldier was also slightly injured, said the source at the regional hospital of Kasserine.

Tunisian defense ministry said that the military operation is still in progress, which was launched Tuesday morning in the mountains of Kasserine to track jihadist elements.
MANILA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Dutere on Tuesday apologized to the German government and the family of Juergen Kantner after the Philippines failed to save the German hostage from being beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf group.

"I am very sorry that the hostage, a national of your country has been beheaded ... But as I said, we tried. There was a massive operation going on," Duterte said adding that the government's air assets had even been tapped in the operations against Abu Sayyaf.

He said he, however, had to admit that the government operations had failed as the execution proceeded.

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza confirmed on Monday the execution of 70-year-old Kantner, who was taken hostage late last year.

The yacht of Kantner was found adrift off Mindanao in November 2016. The body of a woman, later identified as Kantner's partner, Sabine Merz, was found dead on board the vessel with a bullet wound.

The president stressed that the Philippine government stands by its no-ransom policy.

"We have failed. There's nothing wrong in admitting a failure. But it's a matter of policy that we do not surrender to the demands of paying ransom. It will just increase the numbers," Duterte said.

He added that the military operations would continue as Abu Sayyaf is still holding other hostages, both foreigners and Filipinos. It is reported that the Abu Sayyaf is still holding about 27 hostages, including six Vietnamese.

"I would like to assure everybody that for as long as there is the violence being perpetrated, the Philippines will continue with its military operations," he said.

Duterte has said the Philippine-based Abu Sayyaf group has links with the Islamic State militants in the Middle East.

He has ordered the military to launch an all-out offensive against the estimated 500 Abu Sayyaf bandits operating mostly in the hinterlands of southern Philippine provinces of Sulu and Basilan.
OSLO, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- A new study has shown that 55,000 Norwegians are suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), newspaper Aftenposten reported Tuesday.

This corresponds to almost the whole number of Norwegians born in one year, according to a study by SINTEF, an independent research organization in Norway.

There are around 2,400 new cases of PTSD sufferers per year. Those suffering have experienced such events accidents, rape, threats, sexual abuse, natural disasters, and violence, which are referred to as traumas.

The traumas can lead to PTSD, whose symptoms include intrusive memories and nightmares, numbness, reduced reactions to the environment, lack of joy or pleasure, distancing from others, and avoidance of situations reminiscent of the trauma.

SINTEF researcher Eva Lassemo was one of the scientists who conducted the study, which was the first population study on PTSD in Norway.

"The study has shown that Norway has, in the course of time, had an accumulation of PTSD-affected people. In addition to the new cases every year, there is a big number of those who have had this problem from before, without getting rid of it," Lassemo told Aftenposten.

Out of 1,634 interviewed people, women have struggled with the symptoms for nine years on average and men for 17 years. The new analyses have shown that the danger of developing PTSD is most acute if the terrifying action purposefully targeted the victim.

"The answers show clearly that people are not equally vulnerable when exposed to something that happens randomly," Lassemo said.

The study is featured in the magazine Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology and the research was conducted by researchers from the University of Tromso, Cancer Registry, and the Nordland hospital.
BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- More than 90 million Chinese students received financial support from the government in 2016, up 7.6 percent year on year, according to a report Tuesday.

The report, released by the Ministry of Education, said that China spent more than 168 billion yuan (24.4 billion U.S. dollars) in 2016, 12.85 billion yuan more than the previous year, helping students of all levels from pre-school up to university.

Students also enjoyed free tuition and fees in compulsory education, the report said, adding that another fund of 16.74 billion yuan had been allocated to provide free textbooks for 128 million students.

Tian Zuyin, director of the National Center for Student Financial Aid, said that China would improve funds for students in 2017, so that "no one will drop out of school because of family financial difficulty."
BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- China will stick to the basic tone of "seeking progress while maintaining stability" in this year's economic work to ensure stable and healthy development, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday.

"China will strive to improve the quality and efficiency of the economy and deepen supply-side structural reform," Xi said at a meeting of the Central Leading Group on Finance and Economic Affairs.

It was the 15th conference of the leading group, which is headed by Xi. Premier Li Keqiang, the deputy head, also attended the meeting.

The country's economic regulators reported their work plans in excess capacity cutting, financial risk control, property market regulation and the revival of the manufacturing sector.

After hearing the reports, Xi highlighted the handling of loss-making "zombie companies" in excess capacity cutting.

"The government should make more efforts to guarantee subsistence allowance and re-employment for those laid-off, and grab effective methods to dissolve corporate debts and prevent moral hazard," Xi said. "China will accelerate building a supervision coordination mechanism and strengthen macro-prudential regulation to prevent systemic risks."

He also pointed out the role that financial supervision could play in improving the economy.

"Financial supervisors should fix weak links and act hard against illegal activities," he said, calling for reform and innovation to help the financial sector better serve the real economy.

"Houses are built to be lived in, not for speculation," Xi said, when making instructions on house market regulation.

"A long-term mechanism will be established to ensure market stability, with improved policies to stabilize home buying, guide market expectations and enhance land supply systems," Xi said.

Xi stressed quality in reviving the manufacturing sector, saying the sector should shift from the expansion of quantity to the improvement of quality.

"China will channel more energy into reducing prices and administrative fees in monopolized sectors, and strive to lower business burdens," Xi added.

During the meeting, policymakers discussed the work report of the leading group, which has rolled out more than 400 measures to improve economic regulation since 2012.

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Xinhua Insight: Xi's vision on deepening reform

BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Yang Yuxiang had planned to leave his job as a rural school teacher in central China's Hunan Province for a position in a city school, but changed his mind after the central government began to implement measures to improve rural education.

"I don't need to look for a new job now because the school will be renovated and rural teachers, like me, now qualify for attractive remuneration packages," Yang said. Full Story

Economic Watch: China in 2017: anchor of stability, engine of world growth

BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- In a world beset by unpredictabilities, China has stood firm in its pledge for stability and progress, and with each year it has continued to solidify its role as a key engine driving global growth.
OUAGADOUGOU, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Unidentified gunmen attacked two police stations in northern Burkina Faso late on Monday, said the security ministry on Tuesday in a press release.

One person was injured in the attacks against Tongomaye and Baraboule police stations in the Soum region that also caused material damages, said the release.

A sweep operation is underway, it said, urging Burkina Faso people to remain calm.

Local media reported that the Ansarul Islam group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The Islam group might have perpetrated the attack of a military camp that killed about 10 soldiers in December, according to the reports.

Burkina Faso's northern region saw a series of terrorist attacks over the past few years.
BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Archives and witness statements have indicated that Taiwan's "February 28 Uprising" had nothing to do with "Taiwan independence".

Tuesday marks the 70th anniversary of the uprising.

Some witnesses recalled the occasion, saying that there were no slogans or leaflets advocating "Taiwan independence" during the campaign, and most Taiwan people believed that ideas advocating "Taiwan independence" are false and absurd.

"What the Taiwan people are seeking is local autonomy, rather than separating from the motherland," Li Wei-kuang, head of a Taiwan people association in Shanghai, was quoted by archives as saying.

As "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces described the uprising as a conflict between provinces, Li recalled that people in Taiwan were not against people from other provinces, but only hoped to seek their help and cooperate with them.

On Feb. 28, 1947, a Kuomintang (KMT) party enforcement team assaulted a woman near Taipei railway station as she was selling contraband cigarettes.

The incident caused a bloody confrontation between Taiwan civilians and the KMT authorities, which developed into an island-wide movement against the despotic rule of the KMT.

The uprising was a spontaneous mass movement of the people of Taiwan for democracy and autonomy, but some people in Taiwan interpret the uprising as a "Taiwan independence" movement, completely distorting the true story.

An Fengshan, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, told a press conference last week that "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces twisted the uprising for their own gain, adding that their intentions are despicable.

The Taiwan people have a glorious tradition of patriotism, and participants of the uprising made enormous contributions to territorial integrity.

People across Taiwan also marked the civilian uprising to mourn the victims and calling for an understanding of the true nature of the event.

Among various ceremonies held across the island Tuesday, a symposium was held and attended by more than 100 people including participants of the uprising and their family members, as well as historians and academics.

"The Feb. 28 uprising was against the despotic rule of the Kuomintang Party (KMT) on the island at that time, and has no connection with current 'Taiwan independence,'" said Chen Ming-chung, 88, a participant of the uprising.
ATHENS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Two of Greece's largest supermarket chains are merging, commencing operations as a new entity from March 1, it was reported Tuesday.

This comes as relief to thousands of employees whose jobs were at risk in a country where one quarter of the working force is suffering from unemployment.

Sklavenitis Group, the third largest supermarket chain until recently, takes over the operation of troubled rival Marinopoulos, Greek national news agency AMNA reported.

The new subsidiary of Sklavenitis Group named "Greek Hypermarkets Sklavenitis" will operate a combined network of 560 stores in Greece and Cyprus, employing about 30,000 people. It will be the largest supermarket network in Greece.

According to a company announcement, all 360 stores of the debt-laden Marinopoulos chain, which was the top supermarket retailer in the country until two years ago, will remain closed on Tuesday to complete technical works and will be reopened gradually.

Under a 470 million-euro (498 million U.S. dollars) agreement reached in autumn, Sklavenitis will sell 22 stores and retain the existing partnership agreements between Marinopoulos and small local suppliers.

Under the deal, which was also backed by Greece's banking system, suppliers will receive 50 percent of the debts owed by Marinopoulos once Sklavenitis completes the acquisition.

The agreement foresees that Sklavenitis will invest 120 million euros and will get a 350 million-euro loan from Greek lenders to pay off part of the Marinopoulos' debt load and make a new start.

Marinopoulos filed for bankruptcy last June, 54 years after launching its first supermarket in Athens, burdened with approximately 1.3 billion euros of debt to the state, banks, suppliers and its 12,000 member staff.

Company managers cited prolonged deep recession which dramatically shrank domestic consumption since 2008 in combination with liquidity problems as the main reasons for its decline

In 2012, French retailer Carrefour pulled out of its partnership with Marinopoulos. In 2014, Marinopoulos had posted 1.6 billion euros annual turnover. For the same year Sklavenitis, which launched its first supermarket in 1969, posted a 1.27 billion-euro turnover.

The introduction of capital controls in Greece in the summer of 2015 was cited as the death knell for Marinopoulos.

Under the rescue takeover agreement, Sklavenitis pledged to retain most of Marinopoulos' 12,000 employees.

According to latest data of the National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce, since 2008 some 250,000 retailers closed due to the Greek economic crisis, resulting in 850,000 unemployed.
TIRANA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Businesses that employ one to four persons make up for 89.3 percent of all businesses in Albania, and they realize 14.3 percent of the total number of sales, data published by the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) showed Tuesday.

According to INSTAT, tourism and food services sector has the largest number of companies that employ one to four people.

Albania had a total of 104,534 active businesses during 2015 and 93,376 of them employed no more than four people, INSTAT report said.

In terms of employment, the persons employed in this category of businesses make up for 33.2 percent of the total number of people employed in active businesses here, INSTAT said.

These businesses are considered as very important because they give a significant contribution to employment and revenues in Albanian economy in general.

On the other hand, INSTAT reports showed that businesses employing more than 50 employees only make up for 1 percent of active businesses.

According to official figures, the number of businesses that employ between five and nine people is also small, not exceeding 6,000.

Meanwhile, companies that employ 10 up to 49 persons mostly operate in the trade sector, because they require more employees to deliver certain functions.

Albanian economy experts say that the small businesses have more tax facilities as they declare a low level of turnover individually while in total, they generate highest level of turnover.
SKOPJE, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Foreign companies operating in Macedonia have made a strong contribution to country's economy, especially in terms of employment, Stefan Peter, head of the Foreign Investors Council within the Economic Chamber of Macedonia told local media on Tuesday.

According to him, foreign companies in Macedonia have cut the country's unemployment rate by about 10 percent in the last decade.

On the other hand, he said in spite of the prolonged political crisis, the situation of the foreign companies operating in Macedonia was stable.

Foreign companies here employ over 50,000 people, Peter said.

Peter stressed that government subsidies for foreign investors had yielded results, especially in terms of opening over 50,000 jobs, adding cooperation with more than 5,000 domestic companies had boosted the creation of indirect jobs.
MOGADISHU, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Some 44 local and international aid agencies working in Somalia on Tuesday appealed to UN to take urgent action to avert possible famine in the Horn of Africa nation where at least 6.2 million people face acute food shortage.

In a joint letter to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the agencies urged the UN chief to encourage international community to step up its efforts to ensure that the mistakes made in 2011 are not repeated and push for immediate drought relief transitioning to longer restoration of livelihoods.

"We, the national and international humanitarian agencies working in Somalia, are writing to express our alarm about the possibility of famine in Somalia in early 2017," reads the letter.

"We are running out of time. It is time to effectively come together and act in a joined up manner across the international system to keep the promise of 'never again'," said the agencies under an umbrella organization, Somalia NGO Consortium.

While appreciating the initiatives undertaken by the UN so far, the agencies however said the situation requires stronger partnerships and more commitment to coordination across the international system to effectively prevent a famine.

The organizations expressed concern about Somalia's possible famine is not being seen with the urgency it demands globally and urged Guterres to encourage the Member States to expedite pledged allocations of additional resources to support a rapid scale-up of the humanitarian response in Somalia to prevent the loss of thousands of lives and avert a possible famine.

"On-going operations to reach vulnerable communities need to be scaled up rapidly across the country. This must include investment in resilience and be done in a way that enables longer-term prevention so families and communities do not slide further into crisis," the aid agencies said.

In 2010-11, they said, systemic failures on the part of the international community led to a famine in Somalia in which nearly 260,000 people died - half of them children - and the world swore 'never again'.

Following a poor Gu rainy season (April to June) and failed Deyr rainy season (October to December) in 2016, food security, pastures and water levels have deteriorated significantly across Somalia.

It is projected that famine would be expected if purchasing power declines and humanitarian assistance is unable to reach people in need.

More than 6.2 million people, or half of the population in Somalia, is in need of humanitarian assistance. Close to 1 million children are already malnourished.
YEREVAN, Feb 28 (Xinhua) -- Armenia has finalized its negotiations with the European Union on a new agreement related to closer ties with the bloc, the Armenian presidency office said on Tuesday.

According to a statement released by the office, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, who has been on an official visit to Brussels since Monday, made the announcement following a meeting with President of the European Council Donald Tusk.

The new EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement covers a wide range of issues between the EU and Armenia, replacing the current cooperation agreement that was signed between the parties in 1996.

The new deal is expected to be officially signed in May, paving the way for a new level of relations between the European Union and Armenia.
ABUJA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria seeks to attract investment up to the tune of 10 billion U.S. dollars to the country's oil and gas sector in the next five years, the government said on Tuesday at the opening of an international conference and exhibition in Abuja.

Troubled by a myriad of problems, including increased militant operation in the Niger Delta region, the government is working to attract more investors to the country, state oil minister Ibe Emmanuel Kachikwu told participants at the conference.

By attracting this huge investment, Africa's largest oil producer aims to address some of the infrastructure funding gaps of the local oil and gas industry, the official said.

The downstream sector in Nigeria has seen increased investment wth more plans to transform the sector and take the country even closer to meeting its domestic demand of petroleum and becoming an exporter of refined fuel.

Since last July, the country's downstream economy has been relatively stable, but work is in progress to solve the challenges, Kachikwu said.

According to him, the major problem in the upstream economy was a 6 billion dollars Joint Venture (JV) funding debt and other litigations.

An outstanding debt of 5.1 billion dollars would be paid over five years through incremental oil production volumes, he added.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and an array of industry players, including international and local oil service producers, gathered to discuss the Nigerian oil and gas industry transformation plan at the conference.

Speaking at the opening session of the conference, OPEC secretary-general Mohammed Barkindo said due to global demand, oil, which is expected to surpass 99 million barrels a day by 2021, will remain a fuel of choice for the foreseeable future.

"Africa is also expected to see a lot of new long-term additions that will help satisfy its growing demands," the OPEC scribe said, noting "in fact, the continent is well positioned for downstream capacity additions."

Currently, the African region imports about 30 percent of the refined products it consumes, making it by far the largest product importing region, he added.

More than 6,000 delegates, 250 exhibitors, from over 20 countries, many oil and gas experts and hundreds of government representatives from different countries are attending the conference.

Arguably the largest oil and gas conference and exhibition in west Africa, curtains will fall on the annual event on Thursday, after deliberations on how to stay afloat for an upturn in the oil and gas market.
GAZA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian consensus government's cabinet announced its decision to hold the municipal councils' elections only in the West Bank on Tuesday.

The Gaza Strip has been excluded from holding the elections over severe differences with the Islamic Hamas movement which currently rules the coastal enclave.

The cabinet's official statement said that municipal elections will be held only in the West Bank on May 13 and the Gaza Strip's elections will be postponed, adding "the decision was based on the Palestinian law of electing municipal councils."

"The government wishes to convey its regret over Hamas's rejection of holding the elections in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip simultaneously," said the statement, adding that "Hamas's stance deprives the Gazan population from practicing its right to vote."

Hussein el-A'raj, minister of municipal affairs, told Voice of Palestine Radio station that the government reached its final decision after failing to receive any positive response from Palestinian factions and civil society organizations, adding, "Hamas's refusal to hold the elections will not serve our interests."

"It's Hamas's right not to participate in the elections or to boycott them; however it does not have the right to prevent the Gaza Strip population from practicing its right to vote," he said, adding the government has decided that it will wait another four weeks to see what Hamas's final decision will be.

Yousef al-Mahmoud, consensus government spokesman, said in an emailed press statement that Hamas's refusal to hold the municipal elections in the Gaza Strip exacerbates the internal divide and obstructs internal reconciliation efforts.

Hamas's movement leaders announced earlier that they oppose holding the municipal elections "because the Palestinian National Authority and its government did not commit to the previously reached and signed reconciliation agreements."

In 2007, Hamas violently seized control of the Gaza Strip following weeks of internal fighting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's security forces.

The latest parliamentary, municipal and presidential elections held throughout all Palestinian territories were in 2005 and 2006.

Last week, Rami Hamdallah, prime minister of the Palestinian government, stated that his government gave Hamas a week's ultimatum notice to deliberate and reconsider allowing the elections to be held in the Gaza Strip, irrespective of whether Hamas will participate or not.

Hamas spokesman Abdulatif al-Qanou'a told Xinhua in Gaza that the decision to hold the municipal elections only in the West Bank, excluding the Gaza Strip, "will inflame the internal split," adding "Hamas is not afraid to participate in the elections, however it wants the elections and previously reached and signed agreements to be taken seriously."

"West Bank security forces have harassed Hamas members and activists, and these provocations stonewall holding elections in both territories," he said, adding "We asked that these provocations end so we can cooperate in accordance with our joint national interests."

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine criticized in an emailed press statement the Palestinian government's decision "because it intensifies over 10 years of political and geographical discord," adding "we call on both sides to end their disputes and pay attention to our people's best interests."

The Palestinian Central Elections Commission announced that technically, it is ready to supervise the municipal elections only in the West Bank as decided by the Palestinian government.

Its statement added "We hope the elections will be held in the Gaza Strip very soon."

"The commission hopes that the crisis will soon be resolved through peaceful dialogue between Palestinian factions," it said, adding "the commission seeks to cooperate with all Palestinian powers and factions in order to overcome this crisis, end discords, hold the elections as well as reach consensus among Palestinians."
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Tuesday failed to adopt a draft resolution aiming to establish a sanctions regime over use of chemicals weapons in Syria as Russia and China vetoed it.
File photo shows Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) wait to be airlifted to the South Sudanese Northern State of Eastern Nile, in Juba, capital of South Sudan, Janl. 7, 2017. (Xinhua/Gale Julius)

JUBA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The UN top relief official in South Sudan on Tuesday appealed to warring parties to ensure immediate, safe and unhindered access as need surges across the country.

Humanitarian Coordinator, Eugene Owusu also lamented that insecurity forces relocation of 28 aid workers from famine-hit Mayendit a week after localized famine was declared in parts of South Sudan.

"I implore all parties to this conflict to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian law, place the plight of the people first, give aid workers unfettered access, and protect civilians," Owusu said in a statement issued in Juba.

According to the UN, insecurity and lack of access have left some 100,000 people facing starvation in parts of South Sudan where famine was declared on Feb. 20 and a further 1 million are on the brink of famine.

By the height of the lean season in July, it is expected that some 5.5 million people will be severely food insecure across the country.

"The people of South Sudan are suffering beyond measure. The famine that was declared last week represents only the most extreme tip of the iceberg of needs in this country. To avert further catastrophe, it is imperative that humanitarians are able to act swiftly and robustly," Owusu said.

His call follows a series of recent events which have hampered humanitarian operations and placed civilians at risk.

Since late January, clashes on the Western Bank in Upper Nile have caused tens of thousands of people to flee Wau Shilluk and surrounding areas.

Humanitarians remain deeply concerned regarding the safety of these civilians, many of whom are now in Kodok and Aburoc. In Jonglei, clashes have reached new locations in recent days, causing civilians to flee.

During the chaos, humanitarian compounds were looted by armed actors and community members. In Central Equatoria, aid workers were denied access last week to key locations outside of Lainya town, where tens of thousands of people in need have not been reached with aid in months.

And most recently, 28 humanitarians were forced to relocate from Mayendit County, Unity - one of the two counties hit by famine - this past weekend due to insecurity.

Owusu welcomed President Salva Kiir President's reassurance last week that all humanitarian organizations will have unimpeded access to needy populations across the country, said Owusu.

"Time is of the essence, and lives are in the balance, so it is critical that these words be translated into concrete actions on the ground immediately," he said.

Since December 2013, about 3.4 million people have been displaced, including nearly 1.9 million people who have been internally displaced and about 1.5 million who have fled as refugees to neighbouring countries.

Humanitarian organizations are urgently appealing for funding to respond to the escalating crisis, with 1.6 billion U.S. dollars required to provide life-saving assistance and protection to some 5.8 million people across South Sudan in 2017.
DAMASCUS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- As the Islamic State (IS) group is falling apart in the countryside of Syria's Aleppo province, tension started brewing between Kurdish-led rebels on one side, and Turkish forces and allied Syrian militants on the other side.

The IS group has been the target of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels fighting under the Turkey-backed Euphrates Shield campaign, as well as the Syrian army and allied fighters of Hezbollah and Russian air force in the countryside of Aleppo.

The Turkish-backed rebels and the Syrian army have made sweeping progress against IS in the eastern countryside of Aleppo.

The Turkish forces last week captured the city of al-Bab, the largest IS stronghold near the Turkish borders. They also captured several towns and areas around that key city.

For its side, the Syrian army made a huge advance, stripping IS of over 600 square km of territory in eastern Aleppo countryside and are currently advancing into more areas, as the IS started withdrawing and evacuating its positions there.

The Syrian army reached areas under the SDF control in the northern countryside of Aleppo, splitting areas under IS control in half, meaning that the few remaining IS strongholds in the northern countryside of Aleppo are now separated from those in the southern countryside.

The Syrian forces also reached the southern rim of al-Bab, closing the way before the Turkish forces could advance more.

Now that the Euphrates Shield has achieved the main goal of capturing al-Bab from IS, activist sources said the campaign has almost done.

Still, Ilnur Cevik, an advisor of Turkish President Reccep Tayyip Erdogan, said on Monday that his country has plans to end the military operation in Syria after capturing the city of Manbij, which is under the control of the SDF, the Kurdish-led group that enjoys the backing of the United States.

Cevik said Turkey is setting up a 56-mile (about 90 km) "buffer zone" into Manbij after capturing al-Bab.

"Ankara is trying to regain its presence there," Cevik said. "As soon as Manbij is captured, Turkey will stop its operation in Syria," he said, referring to the Euphrates Shield operation which was launched by Turkey and Syrian opposition on Aug. 24, 2016.

Erdogan also said on Tuesday that the Ankara-backed forces will move toward Manbij to complete the plans as originally planned.

He noted that the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which his country deems as a terrorist organization, must be moved out of the eastern bank of the Euphrates River.

He also shunned aside any possibility of cooperation with the SDF, which is led by the YPG, on fighting IS in its stronghold in al-Raqqa city in northern Syria.

Manbij is now controlled by the so-called Manbij Military Council, which is part of the SDF.

Earlier reports said that Washington has agreed with the Turks to let the Kurdish forces out of Manbij, but it doesn't seem the case anymore.

Following the progress in Aleppo countryside, and the near certainty that Ankara was moving toward dislodging the SDF out of Manbij, the U.S.-led anti-terror coalition deployed forces and machines in the vicinity of Manbij on Monday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Pan-Arab al-Mayadeen said on Tuesday that the top U.S. military commander for the Middle East, Gen. Joseph Votel, made a secret trip to northern Syria on Friday to meet with the Kurdish groups.

The trip was the first such visit under the new U.S. administration.

The report by al-Mayadeen said that Votel has given guarantees to the Kurds that Washington will not include Ankara in the war on IS in al-Raqqa, particularly now that the SDF has announced third phase of their offensive on al-Raqqa, as the group succeeded in recent months to capture some towns in its vicinity, to isolate the city from its countryside as a prelude to wage a major offensive against IS there.

The top U.S. commander also gave the Kurds a pledge that the coalition air force will protect Manbij from no matter what attacker, according to the report.

Observers believed that the Kurdish fighters have emerged as a reliable ground ally to Washington, which tried to recruit other rebel factions in northern Syria in the past, but they failed to be reliable.

The Kurdish forces have proven to be a real power, as the groups have unleashed attacks in al-Raqqa countryside, and recently entered parts of the Deir al-Zour province in eastern Syria to fight IS under the cover of the United States.

The U.S. support to the Kurds has apparently raised the ire of Ankara, which repeatedly urged Washington to drop its backing of the Kurds and arm other Syrian rebel groups instead.

Still, backing the Kurdish presence seemed essential for the new U.S. plan of defeating IS in al-Raqqa.

The United States is now under the pressure of both allies, the rival Kurds and Turks.

Nearly 20,000 Arab fighters joined the Kurdish-led armed group recently, which seemed to be Washington's guarantee to Ankara that the Kurds will not have more influence near the Turkish borders.

Analysts here said that even though the tension is rising, it's not yet clear how such a tension would be materialized on the ground.

"We could see battles between the Turks and the Kurds, but I think the United States will work to stop that from happening, because it would be a big mess in northern Syria," Maher Ihsan, a Syrian journalist and political analyst said.

The Observatory, for its part, said Tuesday it had information that one of the groups participating in the Euphrates Shield, known as Tel Rifat Council, is bracing to unleash a wide-scale offensive in the northern countryside of Aleppo against the SDF and other Kurdish-affiliated groups.

As for the Syrian army, its main backer Russia was said to have advised the Syrian government forces not to engage in battles with the Turkish-backed rebels, according to the Observatory, as battles in al-Bab and the Turkish forces capture of that city seemed as part of an agreement with Moscow.

Cevik, the adviser to Erodgan, said Monday that the country would not have carried out its "successful" operation against IS in al-Bab without Russia's support, especially its aerospace force.

Both Turkey and Russia have recently sponsored two rounds of talks in Astana, and also a nationwide ceasefire in Syria that went into effect last December, and the battle of al-Bab seemed part of the agreement between both powers.

As for the Syrian army and the Kurdish-led groups, battles are not expected to happen between them, as the army's top enmity is focused on Turkey.

On the contrary, possible cooperation is also on the table.

The SDF spokesman, Col. Talal Silo, said on Tuesday that they will not engage in battles against the Syrian forces, which are now close to Manbij.

He pointed out the possible benefits of the Syrian military progress in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, in terms of linking areas under the Kurdish control with the Aleppo city.

Silo also said that opening a road between Aleppo and Manbij would benefit the civilians in terms of merchant movements and transportation.

Bashir Othman, a Syrian journalist, was cited by Kurdish news outlets as saying that what Silo probably meant is that the Kurdish forces could cooperate with the Syrian government army to open the road.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting of the Federal Security Service's board in Moscow on February 16, 2017. (AFP PHOTO)

BISHKEK, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Russia is ready to withdraw its military base from Kyrgyzstan at any time, visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday at a joint press conference following a meeting with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev here.

Putin said the air force base in Kant was opened in 1999-2000 at the request of the then Kyrgyz leadership when the country suffered from terrorist attacks by terrorists from Afghanistan that crossed the border.

"It was opened to be able to effectively fight with international terrorists. Whenever Kyrgyzstan says that the country has strengthened its armed forces, we will immediately withdraw our military base," Putin said.

The Russian president stressed that the presence of the Russian military base in Kyrgyzstan is to ensure safety in the country.

"Since we started to strengthen relations within the Collective Security Treaty organization, it goes without saying that we will further strengthen the armed forces of Kyrgyzstan. If Kyrgyzstan sees it right to do so, we will discuss it," Putin said.

For his part, Atambayev said that the issue of strengthening the Russian military base in Kyrgyzstan was not discussed at the meeting.

"I would like to note that Russia, on the contrary, wants to help us to strengthen our armed forces," said Atambayev.

Putin arrived on Tuesday in Bishkek for an official visit after his visit to Tajikistan on Monday. The two heads of state also discussed the entire spectrum of their bilateral relations, the implementation of joint projects and further cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union.
LOME, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Togolese taxi drivers set up barricades during a strike in the capital on Tuesday as a fuel price hike came into effect.

Violent protests were reported in different quarters of the capital as well as in the neighborhoods.

Security forces intervened to restore calm after protesters burned a bus belonging to urban mass transport company Sotral.

The demonstrations followed a fuel price increase, the second within 30 days, from Tuesday as announced in a joint ministerial release in Monday night.

The Togolese government cited "the fluctuations in the global prices in energy commodities," among others, to justify the increase.

As for now, the price per liter of the super unleaded gasoline has steadily increased from 433 CFC francs (0.698 U.S. dollars) to 476 CFA francs (0.768 dollars) on January 27 and to 524 francs (about 0.845 dollars) on February 28.

This represents a total increase of 91 CFA francs (0.146 dollars) within 30 days.
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. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

MOSCOW, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Moscow is open for an improvement of relations with Washington through pragmatic dialogue, Russia Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Tuesday.

"There are no alternatives to changing the atmosphere of relations for the better, and especially their quality," Ryabkov was quoted by TASS news agency as saying at a round-table meeting in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament.

"Whatever happens, a pragmatic dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect for the real interests of each other remains the benchmark for Russia," Ryabkov added.

He said Russia-U.S. ties were currently at the lowest point since the Cold War, as the previous U.S. Administration of Barack Obama had "completely destroyed in a short period of time the foundations of cooperation built up over many years".

Therefore Russia will monitor the signals, which may emerge during U.S. President Donald Trump's first speech to Congress later in the day, Ryabkov said.

Noting that an anti-Russian stance and Russophobia sentiment well established in Trump's opponents could hurt the prospects of improving bilateral relations, Ryabkov said Moscow is working hard to minimize such damage.

Meanwhile, Ryabkov said Moscow was ready to hold discussions with Washington regarding security, including the U.S. endeavor to build a global missile defense system, and the development of non-nuclear strategic weaponry within the Prompt Global Strike program.

According to Ryabkov, preparations for meetings between presidents of the two countries are underway, with details on dates and venues undecided.
Visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev during their meeting in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, on Feb. 28, 2017. Russian President Vladimir Putin paid an official visit to Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday and signed a number of cooperation documents with his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev. (Xinhua/Roman Gainanov)

BISHKEK, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin paid an official visit to Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday and signed a number of cooperation documents with his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev.

During the bilateral meeting the two leaders discussed a wide range of Kyrgyz-Russian relations, the implementation of joint projects in various spheres as well as prospects for expanding cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union, according to the press service of the Kyrgyz president office.

Putin said at the meeting that Kyrgyzstan remains a very important partner for Russia.

The fact that Russia is Kyrgyzstan's number one trading partner is highly satisfying for all of us. Although trade and economic ties slightly declined in value terms, physical volumes showed positive momentum, Putin said.

Atambayev stressed that they have succeeded in not only putting the relations between Kyrgyzstan and Russia back on track, but also elevating them to a strategic partnership, the press service report said.

Kyrgyzstan is the last stop of Putin's three-nation tour to Central Asia. He has already visited Kazakhstan and Tajikistan on Monday and Tuesday.
MOGADISHU, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Somalia was on Tuesday urged to remove all obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian assistance to drought-hit populations amid possible famine in the Horn of Africa nation.

Participants at a high-level roundtable meeting convened by President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, widely known as Farmajo, in Mogadishu urged Mogadishu to temporarily suspend new bureaucratic requirements placed on aid providers at regions to enable aid agencies address the severe drought currently afflicting over 6 million people.

A communique issued after the meeting said the participants agreed on the necessary steps to avert another devastating famine in the country and warned of the risks posed by the drought in undermining the significant progress achieved in the country over the past five years.

"Participants proposed the immediate implementation of a number of specific measures to mitigate the effects of the drought. These include extending to the import and export of foodstuffs, critical supplies and remittances; the provision of security; increased logistical support for access to drought-stricken areas; and the rehabilitation of vital infrastructure," it said.

Participants also identified the drought crisis as the top priority currently facing Somalia and noted its particularly harsh impact on women, children and disabled persons.

Participants in the roundtable discussions welcomed President Farmajo's declaration of a national disaster and adopted a position of zero tolerance to the diversion of humanitarian assistance and pledged to hold accountable anyone engaging in such misconduct.

"The critical role of national and international non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies in providing life-saving assistance and livelihood support to populations at risk was emphasized," the communique said.

The communique also underscored the role of the country's private sector in facilitating the delivery of supplies to reach the most vulnerable communities and called on the Somali Diaspora to increase its remittances to support the drought response.

The meeting resolved to strengthen the role of the National Drought Response Committee and its state-level counterparts in the engagement of all actors in a coordinated plan of action to lessen the impact of the drought and prevent another famine.

"Only through urgent, collective and sustained action will we meet today's urgent challenge and build a more prosperous and safe environment for future generations in Somalia and its neighbours," the communique said.
BELGRADE, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- One person died, three were missing while 25 others were injured during the two explosions at the ammunition depot in the city of Kragujevac in central Serbia on Tuesday, Serbian ministry of defense confirmed.

"One person has died, three were listed missing, while 25 members of Serbian Army and the interior ministry were injured in an explosion that took place during the action to extinguish the fire," the defense ministry said in a statement.

Serbian national broadcaster RTS reported that the first explosion at the depot used to store ammunition for dissembling and safe destruction took place here at around 1:30 p.m. local time while the second followed two hours later, while the fire was extinguished at around 5 p.m.

The defense ministry said the injured people were hospitalized at the Medical Centre in Kragujevac, and they are not in a life threatening situation.

Defense Minister Zoran Djordjevic arrived at the scene following the incident of which more details are not yet available to the public.
BEIRUT, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- One civilian was killed and six others wounded Tuesday in fierce clashes that were renewed in Ain el-Helwe, Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp in Southern Lebanon's port city of Sidon.

Although a ceasefire was agreed upon during a meeting between the warring factions at the Palestinian embassy in Beirut, gunmen are still fighting in the streets.

A United Nations Relief and Works Agency employee and a child, identified as Arafat Sohyouni, were wounded in sniper fire, shelling and gunfire in al-Fawqani neighborhood. They were admitted to the Rai hospital in the southern city of Sidon for treatment.

Tuesday's meeting at the Palestinian Embassy, the second in two days, was intended to restore calm in the camp. Camp factions agreed on a new cease-fire as well as a new joint security force following the disbandment of the Higher Palestinian Security Committee earlier this month.

Despite the agreement, Islamist gunmen continued the violence, while Fatah has ceased fighting.

Clashes erupted last Thursday between the Fatah Movement and Islamist militants. The gun battles renewed Sunday evening as main factions met to broker a cease-fire that saw the removal of forces from the streets.

The recent events coincided with a visit to the camp by dissident Fatah commander Mohammed Dahlan's wife and son. His wife reportedly seeks to increase Dahlan's influence in Ain al-Hilweh's Fatah Movement at the expense of mainstream Fatah commanders who follow the Palestinian Authority under President Mahmoud Abbas.

It also coincided with the end of President Mahmoud Abbas' three-day visit to Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Lebanese schools adjacent to Ain al-Hilweh camp urged parents to pick up their children, fearing a further deterioration in security.

Education Minister Marwan Hamadeh said in a statement released Tuesday that he is monitoring the security situation by the hour.

"Based on the current situation it was decided that classes (will be) cancelled in a number of professional and technical institutes, as well as schools," Hamadeh said in the statement.

"Students were evacuated, in order to avoid exposing them to risk as a result of sniping that surrounds these institutions" Hamadeh concluded.
JERUSALEM, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet are accused by a state report released Tuesday of failure of exploring diplomatic moves that could have prevented the bloody 2014 Gaza war.

State Comptroller Joseph Shapira criticized Israel's political and military leadership in the report over their conduct before and during the military campaign in the Gaza Strip during July-August of 2014.

The 51-day fighting claimed the lives of at least 2,251 Palestinians, 65 percent of them civilians, according to the United Nations, and Israeli figures show that the war also killed 72 Israelis.

Hamas militants launched about 4,250 rockets that reached as far as Tel Aviv and the northern town of Caesarea during the war, and temporarily halted the flights at the Ben Gurion Airport.

According to the 200-page report, which stirred enormous public interest in Israel even ahead of its publication, the cabinet, Netanyahu, and the then-Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon failed to hold a strategic discussion about Gaza. Only military actions to stop the rocket fire were considered.

The report shows that ministers acknowledged that a policy change to ease the distress of the residents of the besieged Palestinian enclave might decrease the hostility but failed to hold a thorough discussion on the issue and take actions.

The report said that policy steps could have averted the escalation.

Shapira also accuses Netanyahu and Ya'alon of keeping the government in the dark about information gathered by the intelligence services over a large-scale attack planned by Hamas.

Netanyahu, Ya'alon, and the former chief of staff, Benny Gantz, are at the center of the report. They are accused of not correctly assessing the Hamas' rocket capabilities and not addressing the threat posed by cross-border tunnels built by Hamas.

These tunnels were one of the main reasons cited by Israeli officials for starting the offensive. At the end of the war, which was concluded with a U.S.-brokered truce, the Israel said it eradicated most of the tunnels.

However, earlier this week, an Israeli government official told Channel 2 that 15 "terror tunnels" are believed to exist untill today.
TEHRAN, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand has signed an agreement with Iran for the resumption of meat exports to the Islamic republic, Tehran Times daily reported on Tuesday.

The agreement was signed between Iranian Veterinary Organization and New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries in Tehran at the presence of visiting New Zealand's Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Iranian Agriculture Minister Mahmoud Hojjati, the report said.

The two sides agreed to provides conditions for resumption of frozen mutton and beef exports to Iran.

"This is a crucial step for New Zealand meat companies as they look to re-enter the Iranian market," Guy said, adding that the sides also discussed an action plan for agricultural cooperation in the year ahead, Guy said.

The report did not provide further reports about the value of volume of the meat exports to Iran.

New Zealand's meat exports to Iran declined critically following the imposition of the western sanctions on Iran after 2012 over the latter's controversial nuclear program.
TEHRAN, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has officially taken over the responsibility of preserving the security of Iranian waters in Persian Gulf, Press TV reported on Tuesday.

According to an agreement with the Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran, the IRGC Navy is tasked with seizing vessels trespassing on Iran's territorial waters in the Persian Gulf, said Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, the commander of the IRGC Navy.

IRGC will seize all intruding vessels in the Persian Gulf and hand them over to the Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran, Fadavi said.

The two sides would also set up and implement a new procedure for cooperation with regard to various maritime issues, including environmental issues as well as search and rescue operations, he said.

In January 2016, Iran's naval forces arrested the crews of two U.S. patrol boats that had trespassed on Iranian territorial waters. Iran released them after establishing that they had done so by mistake.
Chinese Ambassador to the UN Liu Jieyi (C, front) votes against a UN Security Council draft resolution aiming to establish a sanctions regime over use of chemicals weapons in Syria at the UN headquarters in New York, on Feb. 28, 2017. The UN Security Council on Tuesday failed to adopt a draft resolution aiming to establish a sanctions regime over use of chemicals weapons in Syria as Russia and China vetoed it. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Tuesday failed to adopt a draft resolution aiming to impose sanctions over alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria as Russia and China vetoed it.

For the resolution drafted by Britain, France and the United States, nine council members voted in favor. Two veto-wielding powers Russia and China, along with Bolivia, voted against. Kazakhstan, Egypt, Ethiopia abstained.

If adopted, the draft resolution would have imposed asset freeze and travel bans on individuals and entities associated with the Syrian government based on allegations of chemical weapon attacks made by a joint probe of the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The joint inquiry has concluded in its reports that the Syrian government was involved in the use of toxic chemicals as weapons in three cases, and the Islamic States had used mustard gas in one case.

Chinese Ambassador to the UN Liu Jieyi told the council after the vote that investigations on the use of chemical weapons are still ongoing and "it is too early to reach a final conclusion."

He said the council should support the joint inquiry to carry out its investigations in a professional manner and make conclusions with accurate, detailed and solid evidence.

"We oppose the use of chemical weapons by any state, any organization and any individual under any circumstance," he added.

The vote came when a new round of intra-Syrian peace talks in Geneva is underway.

Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov said the draft was put to a vote based on a doctrine of western states in spite of the efforts taken in Geneva to settle the Syrian crisis.

"We see this as an attempt to retard and undermine the current political and diplomatic efforts," he said.

The draft resolution would also have banned supply of helicopters to the Syrian government. Safronkov said the measure would undermine counter-terrorism as well as humanitarian relief efforts in Syria.

Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the UN, told the council that no one should hesitate to impose consequences for chemical weapon attacks.

She said the United States has already designated every person and every entity listed in the draft resolution for sanctions and vowed to work with the EU and other partners to push for similar sanctions as soon as possible.
KAMPALA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan government on Tuesday announced an outbreak of crop-destroying worms in the east African country.

Vincent Ssempijja, minister of agriculture, while speaking at the launch of the country's food security situation report urged farmers to remain calm as measures are being sought to fight the worms.

"We had prepared early enough and our teams have been deployed to assess the outbreak and define the necessary control actions," Ssempijja said.

According to the state owned New Vision daily, the unknown strain of worms have been identified in at least 20 districts that are known for maize production.

Scientists, according to the paper, are carrying out research on whether the unknown strain is the same as the fall armyworm that has ravaged farms in at least eight African countries.

Armyworms derive their name from the habit of marching in large numbers like an army, as they search for food. The pests eat leaves and stems, leaving only rickety stalks and brown residue as they move from one crop to another.

The armyworms come to Uganda as the country is suffering the effects of a long dry spell that led to crop failure causing a food crisis.

Experts warn that if there is no immediate action, the worms may exacerbate the food crisis as they destroy crops.

Fall armyworm is a relatively new pest from the Americas, whose presence on the African continent was first reported in Sao Tome and Principe around January 2016, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

The agency says the pest is known to cause extensive crop losses of up to 73 percent depending on existing conditions and is difficult to control with a single type of pesticide, especially when it has reached an advanced larval development stage.
ACCRA, Feb.28 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday led a solemn wreath-laying ceremony in Accra to honor World War II veterans and heroes.

The event was also to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the killing of three colonial ex-servicemen of the Royal West African Frontier Force on February 28, 1948, by British police.

A contingent drawn from the Ghana Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and the Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG) mounted a parade. Wreaths were laid by representatives of the Ghana government and people, security services, the VAG, traditional authorities and families in remembrance of the fallen heroes.

President Akufo-Addo said the day was truly a sacred one for Ghanaian freedom and independence. "Without this day, perhaps Ghana would not have had independence so quickly," he said.

The Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, said the government would provide financial support to cater for the welfare of veterans in Ghana.

On February 28, 1948, a number of ex-servicemen were marching from Accra to the Christiansborg Castle to present a petition to the Governor on their unpaid war benefits when they were intercepted at the crossroads by a contingent of armed policemen. The leader of the contingent, Colin Imray, ordered that they disperse and when they refused to obey, he gave an order to the police to open fire, killing the three ex-servicemen.

The news about the death of the gallant ex-servicemen spread rapidly, leading to rioting and breakdown of law and order in Accra and other parts of the country. This incidence encouraged anti-colonial movements in the Gold Coast to press the British government to institute a committee to investigate the killings. The committee recommended self-government for the Gold Coast, and subsequently, led to the attainment of political independence for the country on March 6, 1957.
Photo taken on Feb. 28, 2017, shows the UN Security Council voting on a draft resolution aiming to establish a sanctions regime over use of chemicals weapons in Syria at the UN headquarters in New York. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Tuesday failed to adopt a draft resolution aiming to impose sanctions over alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria as Russia and China vetoed it.

For the resolution drafted by Britain, France and the United States, nine council members voted in favor. Two veto-wielding powers Russia and China, along with Bolivia, voted against. Kazakhstan, Egypt, Ethiopia abstained.

If adopted, the draft resolution would have imposed asset freeze and travel bans on individuals and entities associated with the Syrian government based on allegations of chemical weapon attacks made by a joint probe of the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Civil Defence members wear gas masks near damaged ground in Ibleen village from what activists said was a chlorine gas attack, on Kansafra, Ibleen and Josef villages, Idlib countryside, Syria May 3, 2015. (Xinhua/REUTERS)

The joint inquiry has concluded in its reports that the Syrian government was involved in the use of toxic chemicals as weapons in three cases, and the Islamic States had used mustard gas in one case.

Chinese Ambassador to the UN Liu Jieyi told the council after the vote that investigations on the use of chemical weapons are still ongoing and "it is too early to reach a final conclusion."

He said the council should support the joint inquiry to carry out its investigations in a professional manner and make conclusions with accurate, detailed and solid evidence.

"We oppose the use of chemical weapons by any state, any organization and any individual under any circumstance," he added.

The vote came when a new round of intra-Syrian peace talks in Geneva is underway.

Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov said the draft was put to a vote based on a doctrine of Western states in spite of the efforts taken in Geneva to settle the Syrian crisis.

"We see this as an attempt to retard and undermine the current political and diplomatic efforts," he said.

The draft resolution would also have banned supply of helicopters to the Syrian government. Safronkov said the measure would undermine counter-terrorism as well as humanitarian relief efforts in Syria.

Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the UN, told the council that no one should hesitate to impose consequences for chemical weapon attacks.

She said the United States has already designated every person and every entity listed in the draft resolution for sanctions and vowed to work with the EU and other partners to push for similar sanctions as soon as possible.
VILNIUS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The State Defense Council of Lithuania proposed on Tuesday to increase defense spending up to 2.07 per cent of GDP next year amid security tensions in the region.

The State Defense Council, the country's top defense commanding body headed by President Dalia Grybauskaite, met on Tuesday to discuss priorities in development of Lithuanian defense capabilities.

The council decided to propose continuous defense spending hike. According to Grybauskaite, the country has to continue strengthening its defense capabilities taking into account "geopolitical situation, constantly arising threats to national security and the country's international commitments to NATO."

Lithuanian defense leaders have agreed to propose an increase in defense funding for the next year by almost 150 million euros (159 million U.S. dollars).

"Based on the latest economic growth prospects, this would exceed 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP)," Zivile Satuniene, Grybauskaite's chief adviser on national security, told local media.

She added the spending would approximately be 2.07 percent of Lithuania's GDP. This year, Lithuania allocated 1.8 percent of its GDP, or almost 724 million euros, to defense. In recent years, the Baltic countries faced pressure from NATO allies for being short of 2 percent of GDP defense spending target.

According to the President's office, the council has also decided to strengthen air defense capabilities, step up supplies of heavy military equipment to the land forces.

Lithuania, a small Baltic country with a population of less than 3 million, have strengthened its defense capabilities amid security tensions in the Eastern Europe following conflicts in the Eastern Ukraine in 2014. (1 euro=1.06 U.S. dollar)
Police officers patrol at a Christmas market along the Champs-Elysees in Paris, capital of France, on Dec. 20, 2016. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)

PARIS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- A French military police (gendarme) on Tuesday mistakenly shot and wounded two people during President Francois Hollande's speech to inaugurate a new high-speed line in Charente, southwestern France, news channel BFMTV reported.

A gendarme, a sniper one of Hollande's security staff, opened fire accidentally while the Socialist leader addressed a gathering during the inauguration ceremony of the new train linking Tours and Bordeaux.

"I hope that wasn't serious," said Hollande before continuing with his speech at the unveiling of the rail line.

"The wounded were hit at the calf. Their lives are no longer in danger," an official government spokesperson was quoted as saying.

"The prosecutor of the Republic has immediately opened a judicial investigation. The gendarme will have to justify," he added.
Steel workers pack up galvanized plates at a branch of Ma'anshan Iron and Steel Company (Magang Group) in Ma'anshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 22, 2014. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi)

BRUSSELS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) on Tuesday decided to impose definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of heavy steel plates from China, after which China said it is "seriously concerned" by the EU's increasing protectionism in the steel industry.

The European Commission, or the EU executive body, said Chinese exports of heavy steel plates will be taxed with anti-dumping duties ranging from 65.1 percent and 73.7 percent.

The duties are the same as those imposed provisionally in October and are at the level of the injury margin, based on the lesser duty rule.

According to the Commission investigation initiated in February 2016, the dumping margins are between 120 percent and 127 percent and this so-called "unfair competition" is causing "material injury" to the EU producers.

Wang Hejun, head of Trade Remedy and Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce of China, said the European Commission in its investigation continued to use the unfair and unreasonable surrogate country approaches and ignores the active cooperation of Chinese enterprises.

The high anti-dumping tax "seriously damages the interests of Chinese enterprises," Wang added.

He said the Chinese government urged the EU to fully comply with the international treaty obligations under the WTO, terminate the use of surrogate country approach and treat Chinese enterprises in a fair, impartial and non-discriminatory manner.

Wang stressed that the weakness of global economic recovery and shrinking demand is the root cause of difficulties facing the iron and steel industry.

Countries should overcome the difficulties by win-win cooperation whereas trade protectionist measures will only lead to further impact on the international trade order, he said.

"China is willing to strengthen exchanges and communication with the EU in order to properly solve the current problems facing the steel industry," Wang said.
195 sub-Saharan migrants are seen aboard an overcrowded raft during a rescue operation by the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms in the centralMediterranean Sea, 22 miles north of Libyan coastal city of Zuwarah, January 27, 2017.(Xinhua/REUTERS)

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Refugee and migrant children and women are routinely suffering sexual violence, exploitation, abuse and detention along the Central Mediterranean migration route from North Africa to Italy, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned in a new report on Tuesday.

The report, entitled "A Deadly Journey for Children: The Central Mediterranean Migrant Route," provides an in-depth look at the extreme risks facing refugee and migrant children as they make the perilous journey from sub-Saharan Africa into Libya and across the sea to Italy.

Three quarters of the refugee and migrant children interviewed as part of a survey said they had experienced violence, harassment or aggression at the hands of adults at some point over the course of their journey, while nearly half of the women and children interviewed reported sexual abuse during migration -- often multiple times and in multiple locations, according to the report.

Last year, at least 4,579 people died attempting to cross the Mediterranean from Libya, or one in every 40 of those who made the attempt. It is estimated that at least 700 of those who lost their lives were children.

This file photo taken on September 09, 2015 shows a video grab of a Hungarian TV camerawoman kicking a child as she runs with other migrants from a police line during disturbances at Roszke, southern Hungary. (Xinhua/AFP PHOTO)

"The Central Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe is among the world's deadliest and most dangerous migrant routes for children and women," said Afshan Khan, the UNICEF regional director and special coordinator for the refugee and migrant crisis in Europe.

"The route is mostly controlled by smugglers, traffickers and other people seeking to prey upon desperate children and women who are simply seeking refuge or a better life," Khan said. "We need safe and legal pathways and safeguards to protect migrating children that keep them safe and keep predators at bay."

Recent data in a survey of women and child migrants in Libya during late 2016 reveal the appalling level of abuse along the migration route. At the time of the survey, 256,000 migrants were recorded in Libya, including 30,803 women and 23,102 children -- a third of whom were unaccompanied, the report said.

"The real figures, however, are believed to be at least three times higher," UNICEF said in a press release.

Most children and women indicated that they had paid smugglers at the beginning of their journey, leaving many in debt under "pay as you go" arrangements and vulnerable to abuse, abduction and trafficking.

Women and children also reported harsh and overcrowded conditions, including lack of nutritious food and adequate shelter, in Libyan detention centres run by both Government and armed militias.

This file photo taken on March 08, 2016 shows children carrying blankets through the makeshift camp at the Greek Macedonian borders, near the village of Idomeni on March 8, 2016, where thousands of refugees and migrants are stranded. (Xinhua/AFP PHOTO)

"Children should not be forced to put their lives in the hands of smugglers because there are simply no alternatives," said Khan. "We need to address globally the drivers of migration and work together toward a robust system of safe and legal passage for children on the move, whether refugees or migrants."

UNICEF has developed a six-point agenda for action to protect the child migrants and is urging governments and the EU to support and adopt this agenda for action.

Since the start of the response in late 2015, UNICEF has continued to respond to the needs of children who are on the move, stranded or seeking asylum in Europe. This includes providing 182,500 refugee and migrant children with a wide range of services.

The children's agency is also expanding its Mediterranean program in Greece and Italy, supporting government efforts to improve reunification and child protection services.

Despite operating challenges in Libya, UNICEF, along with its partners, continues its efforts to address the protection and humanitarian needs of the vulnerable children in the country, including refugee and migrant children through municipalities with which UNICEF signed memoranda of cooperation in April 2015.
TIRANA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Albania and France will cooperate together in the fight against terrorism, corruption and organized crime, engaging in joint investigative groups, Albanian Interior Minister Sajmir Tahiri said Tuesday.

He made the statements after meeting with the French counterpart Bruno Le Roux, local media reported.

"I informed my French counterpart about our fight against drugs and we also discussed the ways to set up joint investigation groups for organized crime, illegal trafficking and terrorism. What happens in Albania or France is not an isolated case as we face with same challenges and threats," Tahiri said.

Both countries need to increase cooperation and step up efforts to fight such phenomena such as terrorism and organized crime, the two ministers highlighted at a joint press conference.

The French interior minister also tackled the issue of illegal migration, saying though Albanian citizens were welcomed in France, they had to respect the laws of the French state and the law on free visa travel.

Albanian and French Prime Ministers are expected to sign next month agreements on strategic and partnership cooperation, which will further enhance bilateral ties, the French minister said.
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The number of civilians displaced from western Mosul in northern Iraq has risen sharply as the military operation has entered more densely populated areas of the city, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here Tuesday.

Some 16,500 people have been displaced from western Mosul since the operations on the west began on Feb. 19 -- an increase of 12,700 people over the past two days, Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

"This number is expected to increase significantly, as reports of large numbers of civilians on the move today are being verified."

Families displaced from western Mosul are moving primarily south to Hammam al Alil, where security screening is undertaken, then further south to displacement camps and emergency sites, the spokesman said.

"Emergency assistance is being provided to families as they reach camps and emergency sites, and emergency packages of food, water, hygiene items and blankets are provided to families as they reach the Hamam al Alil screening site," he said.

"As space in displacement camps fills up, humanitarian partners and national authorities are racing to prepare for new arrivals," he said, adding that currently, space is available to receive another 85,000 people, and work is ongoing to expand shelter capacities.

Overall, almost 177,000 people are currently displaced from Mosul and its surrounding areas, he said.

The troops' advance toward Mosul came after the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced on Feb. 19 the start of an offensive to drive the extremist militants out of the western side of Mosul.

Late in January, al-Abadi declared the liberation of the eastern side of Mosul after more than 100 days of fighting against the Islamic State (IS) militants.

However, the western side of Mosul, with its narrow streets and a heavy population between 750,000 and 800,000, appears to be a bigger challenge to the Iraqi forces, according to the United Nations estimates.

Mosul, 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, after government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of part of Iraq's northern and western regions.
Photo taken on Feb. 28, 2017, shows the UN Security Council voting on a draft resolution aiming to establish a sanctions regime over use of chemicals weapons in Syria at the UN headquarters in New York. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Tuesday failed to adopt a draft resolution aiming to impose sanctions over alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria as Russia and China vetoed it.

For the resolution drafted by Britain, France and the United States, nine council members voted in favor. Two veto-wielding powers Russia and China, along with Bolivia, voted against. Kazakhstan, Egypt, Ethiopia abstained.

If adopted, the draft resolution would have imposed asset freeze and travel bans on individuals and entities associated with the Syrian government based on allegations of chemical weapon attacks made by a joint probe of the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Civil Defence members wear gas masks near damaged ground in Ibleen village from what activists said was a chlorine gas attack, on Kansafra, Ibleen and Josef villages, Idlib countryside, Syria May 3, 2015. (Xinhua/REUTERS)

The joint inquiry has concluded in its reports that the Syrian government was involved in the use of toxic chemicals as weapons in three cases, and the Islamic States had used mustard gas in one case.

Chinese Ambassador to the UN Liu Jieyi told the council after the vote that investigations on the use of chemical weapons are still ongoing and "it is too early to reach a final conclusion."

He said the council should support the joint inquiry to carry out its investigations in a professional manner and make conclusions with accurate, detailed and solid evidence.

Liu Jieyi(C, front), China's permanent representative to the United Nations, votes against of a Security Council draft resolution aiming to impose sanctions over the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria, at the UN headquarters in New York, Feb. 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

"We oppose the use of chemical weapons by any state, any organization and any individual under any circumstance," he added.

The vote came when a new round of intra-Syrian peace talks in Geneva is underway.

Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov said the draft was put to a vote based on a doctrine of Western states in spite of the efforts taken in Geneva to settle the Syrian crisis.

"We see this as an attempt to retard and undermine the current political and diplomatic efforts," he said.

The draft resolution would also have banned supply of helicopters to the Syrian government. Safronkov said the measure would undermine counter-terrorism as well as humanitarian relief efforts in Syria.

Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the UN, told the council that no one should hesitate to impose consequences for chemical weapon attacks.
TALLINN, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Finnish Minister of Education and Culture, Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, visited Tallinn on Tuesday to discuss cultural and educational cooperation between Finland and Estonia, local media reported.

Estonian Culture Minister Indrek Saar's meeting with Grahn-Laasonen focused on culture funding, as well plans for marking the centenary of the two countries' independence and the 80th anniversary of the Estonian-Finnish cultural cooperation agreement, representatives of the Finnish embassy in Tallinn said.

The accord with Finland is Estonia's oldest international cultural cooperation agreement still valid today. Both countries are planning to celebrate the anniversary of its signing later this year.

While discussing the performance of the Estonia-Finland cultural foundation, which was established in 2015, Saar and Grahn-Laasonen recognized the foundation's role as a good and necessary tool for cooperation.
COPENHAGEN, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Denmark has registered a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 1.1 percent in 2016, lower than the EU average of 1.9 percent for the same year, local media cited Statistics Denmark as saying on Tuesday.

The growth was boosted by private consumption, which grew by 2.1 percent during the year, offsetting a slight decline in public consumption, according to the Danish news agency Ritzau.

Danske Banks chief economist Las Olsen said he had not expected a growth like this as the world economy is recovering.

Frank Oland, chief economist at Food & Agriculture, said the figure was a disappointment.

"We are falling back behind the countries we usually compare ourselves with," Oland was quoted by Ritzau as saying.

"There is talks of a recovery, but the Danish economy is still on the climb course. It is a recovery without much vigor," he said.

Olsen however noted that the country's employment continues to grow in a positive manner, while Oland called for reforms to make the Danish economy into a higher gear than now.
SANTIAGO, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chile's President Michelle Bachelet declared Monday that the year 2017 will mark the consolidation of transformational changes in Chile.

"We are changing the face of education and recovering and guaranteeing rights to the Chilean people," the president told the press during a visit to a school book distribution center.

"At least 200,000 homes already receive free higher education, for university as well as professional training," pointed out Bachelet. "This year, we will prove... that the changes of the education reform are a reality."

Furthermore, Bachelet announced she had sent to Congress drafts of laws to modernize Chile's National Emergencies Office (Onemi) and to restructure the National Forestry Service.

On Monday, the government's spokesperson, Paula Narvaez, announced these two new laws, explaining that these laws were necessary given a succession of natural disasters to hit Chile.

After major forest fires across the country, Santiago is now facing a lack of drinking water in over 30 municipalities due to muddy waters in rivers that cannot be processed by water treatment plans.

Narvaez added that the National Forestry Service would be restructured as part of the government's vision to "treat emergencies as an absolute priority."
HAVANA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Cuba is seeking to revitalize Association of Caribbean States (ACS) as ACS' First Cooperation Conference to be held on March 8, Cuba's foreign ministry announced on Tuesday.

At a press conference, Carlos Zamora, director of Latin America and the Caribbean of the Cuban Foreign Ministry, said this meeting seeks to evaluate the state of implementation of the cooperation programs developed within the ACS.

Furthermore, Caribbean nations will discuss air and maritime connectivity and the ACS agenda for tackling climate change.

"Within the process of revitalizing the association, we have been looking at how to strengthen the issue of cooperation, both internal and external, in order for the ACS to play a vital role in the economic development of the Caribbean. This conference is aimed at that," explained Zamora.

Cuba took over the presidency of the ACS in January 2016 and for more than a year has presented projects to strengthen its cooperation system, confronting the effects of climate change and natural disasters, as well as solidarity initiatives with Haiti.

In addition, the 22nd Ordinary Meeting of the ACS Council of Ministers will be held on March 10 in Havana.

"A few governments have changed in the region, as well as economic and political circumstances have been transformed, and of course this council of ministers will be in the midst of those circumstances," said the high official.

The event will have a wide participation of the 25 foreign ministers of the member states and eight associates, as well as special organizations that have accompanied the ACS since its creation in July 1994 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.
HELSINKI, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- A major delay in the processing of renewals of Finnish residence and work permits from people outside the EU/ETA has dismayed applicants and antagonized employers.

Tiina Suominen, Director of Immigration at the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) told Xinhua on Monday the delays have been caused by the transfer of the processing of renewals from the police to the Migration Service.

Suominen said the number of unfinished cases was a surprise. Many applicants had apparently wanted to hand in their papers locally to the police as it was still feasible.

From the start of 2017, the customer service of Migri has to be used and Migri offices are much fewer in number compared to the police service units. Applications can be done electronically on line, however.

"Some nine thousand residence applications were unprocessed at the time of the administrative change at the turn of the year. Some 900 were work based applications," she said.

A press release from Migri dated on Tuesday said decisions have been made on 2,100 applicants out of the 9,000 in total, some 1,100 are being processed and the rest of about 5,800 are still waiting to be processed.

The backlog is being worked on with overtime, but applicants may have to wait even two months more, she added. Suominen assured the agency will do its best to serve its clients.

The police force had largely used paper documents, and thus Migri has to scan the documents first, which has added to the workload.

The situation is worst for people who have gone outside the EU and presumed the permits to be ready when they return. Now they may have to await abroad.

Mikko Rasanen, a senior adviser in the Confederation of Industries told Xinhua the situation was unexpected. "We had been assured no problems would arise from the transfer, but apparently the paper work transferred from police stations was overwhelming," he said.

Residence and work permit holders are allowed to remain in Finland and continue working while a renewal process is under way, he noted. "But those who have for one reason or another decided to leave the Schengen area face problems in travelling back to Finland, if the permits have expired," Rasanen said.

The average processing time for an expert level employee in Finland has been 18 days only. For regular skilled labor, the time may be as much as half a year as the labour market need has to be verified.

Rasanen underlined it has been the longstanding view of the industries that work-based immigration should be as easy as possible. "It is not always easy to find people who match Finnish needs and who actually want to come to work in Finland," said Rasanen.

"When such a person has been found, the administrative hassle should be minimized. Currently, administrative needs require the applicants to travel to a Finnish mission for identification, for example," Rasanen added.

Settling down in Finland is not always easy either, particularly if family members accompany the permit holder, Rasanen commented.

The delay in processing residence and work permits is not associated with the increase in the number of asylum seekers in Finland, interviewees said.
Pai's Appointment Signals Change at the FCC



A Short History of Net Neutrality

The selection of Ajit Pai to serve as the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) may spell major changes in, or perhaps the end of, Net Neutrality, broadband consumer privacy rights, and other recent measures that have added new and controversial regulations to telecommunications and internet infrastructure. Pai, a Republican member of the FCC, was appointed by the current president to chair the commission after the resignation of Democrat Tom Wheeler. The appointment was expected, as a change in the political party of a new administration is nearly always accompanied by similar changes in the political makeup of administrative agencies and commissions such as the FCC.

The issue of Net Neutrality has been controversial since the beginning. Also known as the Open Internet initiative, it provides that all traffic over the internet should be treated the same, regardless of content type or provider. Advocates in favor of Net Neutrality argue that it represents the best model to ensure that all internet traffic is treated fairly and that users wont be required to pay higher fees or deal with slower download times to access their favorite content. Net Neutrality opponents argue that the internet has changed dramatically over the last 20 years and that bandwidth-intensive content such as streaming video, videoconferencing, and large-file downloading has strained the existing model to the point at which speed and quality are suffering. The ability to prioritize certain content, potentially with higher fees, provides both bandwidth providers and consumers with more flexible options.

Net Neutrality has been part of the FCCs agenda for more than 15 years, with several attempts to impose Net Neutrality rules in some form or other. Early efforts were blocked by lawsuits filed by broadband providers, for which the courts found that the ISPs had previously been classified as enhanced service providers and that the FCC had limited authority to regulate enhanced service providers. However, it had been earlier rulings made in the modem and DSL days that had characterized ISPs as enhanced service providers, and the FCC had the authority to change that characterization.

In February 2015, the FCC approved sweeping changes in how ISPs, particularly broadband providers, are regulated. The changes characterized ISPs as common carriers: services that simply carry information from point A to point B, such as telephone companies. The FCC has much more authority over common carriers, and it used this new authority to implement Net Neutrality through a series of new requirements. These included rules to prevent blocking of access to legal content, applications, and services; to prevent throttling of services by impairing or degrading lawful internet content; and to ban prioritization of some internet traffic over other lawful traffic. Using the same authority it now had to regulate broadband service providers as common carriers, in October 2016, the FCC implemented rules governing how ISPs can collect and share personally identifying information about their customers.

At the time these changes were implemented, there was a three-to-two Democratic majority on the FCC, with a Democrat as the chairman. This is in keeping with standard practice for most such commissionsthat the party in the White House holds the majority on and chairs most of them. Pai was one of the two Republicans on the FCC at the time and had voted in opposition to the February 2015 changes, stating that they represented a radical departure from the bipartisan, market-oriented policies that have served us so well for the last two decades.

Who Is Ajit Pai?

Pai has a varied background that is a mix of government service and work in the telecommunications industry. A lawyer by training, Pai worked for the Department of Justice (DOJ) early in his career, but then left to take a position as an associate general counsel for Verizon. He was with Verizon for 2 years, then returned to government practice, working first as a staff counsel to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, then at the DOJ again, then at the FCC as part of its Office of General Counsel. He left the FCC to return to private practice, but stayed only a year before being appointed by President Barack Obama as an FCC commissioner. (While the presidents party is expected to represent a majority of the commission, no more than three of its five seats can be held by those of the same party. This often requires a Democratic president to appoint a Republican and vice versa.)

TheStreet describes Pai as mild-mannered, a good listener and [one who] believes very strongly in open, vigorous debate. However, he is also well-known for his long-term opposition to Net Neutrality. Following the presidential election, but prior to his appointment as chairman, Pai gave a speech in which he asserted that Net Neutralitys days are numbered. He went on to say, Im hopeful that beginning [in 2017], our general regulatory approach will be a more sober one that is guided by evidence, sound economic analysis, and a good dose of humility.

The FCC Now 

Some early moves of the Pai-led FCC indicate a path of more limited regulation by the agency. On Feb. 23, it approved a 5-year waiver on the broadband transparency requirements for ISPs with fewer than 250,000 subscribers. The original exemption had been for ISPs with fewer than 100,000 subscribers and had been in effect through the end of 2016. Pai describes the move as one that reflects that the FCC should be sensitive to the impact regulations can have on [small] businesses.

More significantly, the FCC recently suspended a series of inquiries into zero-ratings programs implemented by several broadband providers, including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Zero-ratings programs are services for which broadband providers exempt selected data from subscription data limits. Examples of such programs are AT&T allowing subscribers to stream data from its partner DirecTV, Verizons similar exemption for its go90 service, and T-Mobiles Binge On streaming platform. Each service requires additional subscription fees for access, but does not count against users monthly data caps. Previously, the FCC asserted that the programs may violate the February 2015 Net Neutrality rules, but under Pai, it reversed course. In a statement, Pai said, These free-data plans have proven to be popular among consumers.  [The FCC] will not focus on denying Americans free data. Instead, we will concentrate on expanding broadband deployment and encouraging innovative service offerings.

In a late-breaking development last week, the FCC issued a statement announcing Pais intention to roll back one of the October 2016 broadband privacy rules before it takes effect on March 2. The FCC asserts that its rules, which apply to broadband service providers, differ from other less stringent rules issued by the Federal Trade Commission, which apply to websites such as Google and Amazon. All actors in the online space should be subject to the same rules, according to Pai.

 And in the Future

Going forward, there is a growing assumption that significant changes will be coming for Net Neutrality, but exactly what form those changes will take is speculative. The FCC can act on its own by issuing new rules that reverse the 2015 Net Neutrality and 2016 broadband privacy ones. It would take several months to a year to craft the rules, approve them, submit them for public comment, and then issue final rules. The risk is that any future administration could reverse the reversal, which presents the industry with uncertainty. As a lesser step, the FCC could limit its enforcement of the existing policy to only the most egregious situations. Tory Newmyer suggests in FORTUNE that such a step would leave some barebones protections in place, and while this strategy would satisfy nobody  it may be the best, or even only, practicable solution.

Another option, of course, is Congress. It can step in at any time with legislation to address Net Neutrality, broadband privacy, and related issues. According to The Hill, Senate Republicans are prepared to work on legislation to retain rules against paid prioritization, blocking, and throttling, while giving more flexibility to ISPs and broadband providers by limiting the FCCs regulatory authority.

Democrats, not surprisingly, have spoken out in support of maintaining the existing rules and blocking any legislative or FCC changes. According to Bloomberg Law (registration required), a group of six Democratic leaders recently announced that Net Neutrality is working, and they plan to spearhead public opposition to any changes, noting that the vast majority of more than 3.7 million comments submitted to the FCC in 2015 supported Net Neutrality.

Pais appointment signals significant changes in the political and regulatory posture of the FCC, in the same way that the Republican administration and Republican Congress have signaled significant policy changes in many areas. While Net Neutrality is likely to be swept up one way or another in those changes, the outcome is far from clear.
Teen held in Tunapuna shooting

According to police reports, Leon and Valerie Campbell were standing at the corner of Green Street, Tunapuna, when a car pulled alongside them and fired several shots.

The man was shot in his left shoulder while the woman was shot in the palm of her hand.

The two were taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex.

They are said to be in stable condition. Police arrested three persons in connection with the incident. A firearm was also found in the car.
Man planass woman on buttocks

David Arrindell appeared before deputy Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle who read to him the charge that on Thursday last, he struck Kareece Forte on the left buttocks with a cutlass.

Arrindell pleaded guilty to the charge. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a cutlass for the purpose of committing an arrestable offence. He told the magistrate the woman rushed him while he was under his house and as a result he defended himself.

Magistrate Earle-Caddle told him that based on that explanation, she had to record on his behalf, a plea of not guilty as defending oneself when attacked was a defence in law.

Court police prosecutor Sgt Shazeed Mohammed exhibited the cutlass in court and told the magistrate that Forte sought medical attention and was discharged.

Arrindell was granted bail in the sum of $5,000 to reappear on March 6.
Businessman in court for biting wife

The 56-year-old Seelochan appeared before magistrate Indira Misir-Gosine in the San Fernando Magistrates court.

He ws charged with assaulting his wife Roshni Seelochan by biting her on Sunday at Graceland Drive, Bamboo Village, near San Fernando.

Selochan pleaded guilty to the charge.

Police prosecutor Inspector Denzil Alexander, in reading out the facts to the court, said at about 2.45 pm, Seelochan was highly intoxicated at the familys home when he began to physically abuse his 55 year-old wife.

Alexander said during the attack Seelochan bit Roshni on the right shoulder.

The woman left the house and reported the matter to police at the San Fernando Police Station.

Constable Buchoon was detailed to conduct an investigation and he went to the home where he found Seelochan lying on a bed.

The man was arrested and taken to the police station where he was charged.

Seelochan told the magistrate he and his wife who were married for the past 25 years were having problems in the marriage.

He said they were trying to sort out their issues but accused his wife of getting advice from the wrong people. Seelochan said during the confrontation, he tried to defend himself and thats when he bit his wife.

Seelochan, who owns a furniture business at Union Road, Marabella, was fined $400 or two weeks hard labour in default.

He has two weeks in which to pay the fine.
Women in music

The Ministry of Education Curriculum Division, Pan In The Classroom Unit, Pan Trinbago and the Pan in School Co-ordinating Council honoured Michelle Huggins-Watts, Natasha Joseph, Chantelle Esdelle and Nubia Williams for their contribution to steelband music over the years.

All four women have very impressive biographies and have been in pan music for many years.

Here they receive their awards on stage at the Savannah.
Were going for a fifth

Interviewed at the bands Carib Street, San Fernando pan yard yesterday, Smith said Saturdays win had been fully expected by the band.

We were working hard on doing a beaver trick to bring some more pride in the pan fraternity for San Fernando and it worked out for us as we had planned, Smith said.

From since 2014, we realised that we could dominate this category because of the arrangers ability. He, Duvon Stewart, is one of the best in the country, if not the best. From the day we kicked off the preliminaries in the pan yard, we were wondering what kind of sound we would get from our yard. Pan Elders yard is located on the southern side of the San Fernando Hill.

But it worked out where we were in front again by about four points and then the semi-final we went to nine points and then for the final, the victory was by about seven points. Asked what made the difference on Saturday, he said The performance of the band, the band is a show band, because Panorama is not just the music alone, its how you interpret and how you perform on stage. However, Smith said the absence of a full sponsor is proving to be a hindrance to the bands development should it decide to move into the Large Band category.

People are saying why dont we go Large, but going Large is more money. Were surviving in the Medium category but even the prize money is not sufficient to carry you through because when you pay everybody, the band comes back down to zero again. Smith said the band is assisted by Petrotrin, TECU Credit Union and some smaller businesses and they are grateful for the help they have received.

Asked his feelings about the band remaining unsponsored considering its successes over the past few years, he said, Well sometimes I really wonder what we could do.

All we could really do is just keep creating this history and hope that one day somebody would come on board as a full sponsor because we need it. If you watch the pan yard, people getting sick from the dust and we need to restructure the band even better than how it is now.
No more Champs

Thousands of of locals and foreigners alike are in for a massive post-Carnival disappointment as the expected last lap of Carnival will not be presented.

In an interview with Newsday during the final of the Small Band category of the National Panorama competition on Thursday at Skinner Park, San Fernando, Pan Trinbagos president Keith Diaz said, We have no money so we cannot do anything about that show. Normally we use the gate receipts from Panorama to put on the Champs in Steel.

The National Carnival Commission (NCC) has all the money from Panorama. Champs is a Pan Trinbago presentation. We book the artistes, but I am not doing anything that will put the organisation in a bad light. I cannot commit to artistes and then turn around and tell them I cannot pay them for their performances. Artistes are already calling Pan Trinbago about the show. Diaz said Pan Trinbago is the only organisation which gives the winners in mas, pan and calypso/ soca a chance to show off their winning costumes and performances.

We showcase the juniors and seniors in all their glory. The show is a true spectacle to the visitors but that does not seem possible this year. Asked about finances for the show over the years Diaz said, We used the gate receipts, some sponsorship and the ministry also helped. Former ministers Marlene McDonald gave us, Joan Yuille-Williams gave us, Gypsy (Winston Peters) and even Lincoln Douglas contributed to the production of Champs of Steel Plus.

But this minister is not interested in helping culture, she only studying to mash up everything.

The minister not observing that 90 percent of pan players are the youths of this nation, pan keeping them off the streets and away from crime.
Tiny tots take over Port-of-Spain too

There were also vendors offering make-up and face painting services under white tents on the promenade during the parade.

The South Quay judging point had a large number of spectators, both in the stands and on the sidewalk, taking in the cute toddlers in their Carnival finery; some had to be held by one hand while others chipped and twirled on their own with just a little guidance now and then from the adults who accompanied them.

Police officers were stationed along the route, with several based at the judging points, while still more officers passed along the route in their official vehicles.

The sun shone brightly around 2.30 pm yesterday as young boys in lime green and white Fancy Indian costumes, from the Warriors section of the band, The Reservation, danced in front of the judges on South Quay.

Belmont Boys RC School presented Pierrots on Parade, which featured pierrot grenades in various colour combinations as well as a male individual dressed as a black and white midnight robber-pierrot grenade.

Rain started falling shortly after 3.30 pm, prompting the spectators on the sidewalks to seek shelter under the eaves of the Courts store on the corner of South Quay and Chacon Street. The masqueraders however didnt let the drizzle turned light shower affect them - they chipped, twirled and zig-zagged across the stage through it all.

One of the more unusual presentations was by Coco-Lily Productions.

Their presentation, Mama Tell Me When, included children with headpieces that looked like black vinyl records with red centres while another section; Mama Uz To Watch TTT, featured three boys with TV-shaped headpieces with the logo of the now defunct State television company, Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT).
Carnival Plan being revised

In her response, the minister noted that the NCC is the body responsible for the conduct of all Carnival activities under the aegis of the Government an in collaboration with key partners in the industry.

She said while the NCC has an existing strategic plan for 2013 to 2017, the recommendations of that plan are being revised for the 2017/2018 fiscal year.

The long term plan for the Carnival industry remains the objective as identified in the NCC Act: to make Carnival a viable, national, cultural and commercial enterprise, Gadsby-Dolly stated.
Freeport resident complains about damage to home

Mohansingh said he has been living on the land for the past 35 years and has since constructed a five-bedroom house.

It is a year now since the heavy rollers are working on a daily basis at this site which in ten feet away from my house and it is three months now that the floor and walls in my home started cracking, Mohansingh said.

He added that apart form the noise pollution, there is the dust pollution and also pockets of water which has provided a breeding ground for mosquitoes at the back of his house.

Mohansingh said he has since lodged complaints to Courts head-office as well as the Environment Management Authority (EMA) and MP for the area Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie. The EMA said they are investigating the matter and Courts has not replied. He says Tewarie has since taken his information and has sent letters to Minister of Planning and Development Camille Robinson-Regis.

Mohansingh allaged that Courts is now erecting a wall that will block one of the driveways to his home.

He has sought legal advice and intends to take the matter to court.

A call to the Chaguanas branch of Courts was directed to the Portof- Spain office. Someone who identified himself as a manager but who refrained from giving his name, said there was no one in office at the tine to deal with the matter.
Soldier stabbed to death

Reports indicate that shortly after 6.45 am yesterday, 56-year-old Calvert Dexter James attempted to quell an argument that erupted between two men at the corner of Prince and George street in Port-of-Spain.

James attempted to separate the men when a third man approached him from behind stabbing him several times. The killer then fled the scene.

James was discovered by police officers on patrol who rushed him to the Port-of- Spain General Hospital where he later succumbed to injuries.

Officers of the Homicide Bureau visited the scene and cordened off several parts of the road and conducted a search for the knife-wielding assailant to no avail. The stabbing took place just around the corner from a JOuvert party at a bar as revellers seemed unfazed by the recent murder.

Newsday spoke to one of the bars patrons who said that he was unaware of the incident until the police arrived at the scene. I didnt know anything like that had happened, fights and stabbings are pretty common at this time, so it doesnt really frighten me. Also in Port-of- Spain, a 28-year-old man was shot in his right knee during JOuvert celebrations early yesterday morning.

Reports indicate that the man was standing at a corner when he heard gunfire nearby.

The man reportedly felt a burning sensation in his right leg and discovered that he was shot in the right knee.

He was later rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he is receiving treatment for wounds.

In an unrelated incident, members of the Northern Division Task Force were on patrol in Tunapuna at around 9 am yesterday morning when they noticed two men acting suspiciously.

The officers attempted to stop the men, who drew pistols and fired at the officers.

The officers returned fire hitting one of the suspects several times about the body. The man was later rushed to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EW MSC), where he is undergoing treatment.

In Sangre Grande, a man was stabbed following a heated argument with revellers during JOuvert celebrations. Reports indicate that around 4.30 am, Kern Caballero, was involved in a heated argument with a group of men, before one of the men drew a knife stabbing Caballero in the back, puncturing a lung. He is warded in serious condition at the Mount Hope Hospital.

A total of 15 persons were arrested during police operations throughout the city of Port-of-Spain during JOuvert celebrations.

Twelve men were arrested for the possession of a firearm in Woodbrook, in the early hours of yesterday morning. Reports indicate that officers of the Western Division were on patrol in Woodbrook when they carried out a search exercise on a group of men, when they discovered a Glock 19 .9mm pistol.

The 12 men were subsequently detained and were being quizzed by members of the Homicide Bureau up to late yesterday afternoon.

In an unrelated incident, three persons including one woman were arrested for possession of knives and a firearm at City Gate, Port-of-Spain yesterday morning.

Officers of the Northern Division, were reportedly posted at City Gate, shortly after 1 am, where they performed routine searches on persons exiting the terminals, when they made the discoveries. All persons were subsequently detained.
Cop dead, three others injured in road accident

According to police reports, PC Sherwin Cedeno, of La Brea, was driving a black Kia SUV along the south bound lane of the Solomon Hochoy Highway at about 11.45 am when the vehicle crashed into the iron guard rails along the highway, in the vicinity of the Macaulay Flyover in Claxton Bay.

There were three female occupants in the car. They were injured in the accident.

Police said the vehicle was impaled on the iron railing which prevented it from falling several feet onto Hermitage Road.

Cedeno, whose last posting was in the Police K9 Unit, and the three other women were rushed to hospital, where he died. The women are listed in stable condition.

Motorists stopped along the highway to assist in pulling out of the injured occupants from the wreck.

Inspectors Jaikaran and Ramroop and other officers of the Highway Patrol Unit together with Cpl Sookdeo and other officers of the Ste Margarets Police Station visited the scene.
Modern mas takes over Sando JOuvert

From as early as 4 am, scores of bands transformed the streets of San Fernando were transformed into into a sea of colour, powder, paint and gyrating bodies clad mostly in shorts, t-shirts and body suits.

Of the approximately 32 bands registered to parade across the main judging point at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA), yesterday, only two were traditional bands while others were registered as modern bands. There was only one individual ole mas competitor registered.

San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello acknowledged the decline in ole mas characters and bands. He said this was one of the reasons for shifting the ole mas judging point from Harris Promenade to SAPA.

What we had done in the past, we left the steel bands and traditional mas for Harris Promenade but as you can see it is a dwindling and dying art form, Regrello said.

Young people are not interested in that anymore and we have to change with the times and go with the flow, he added.

Regrello admitted that mas on the Promenade has been dying for sometime as the number of spectators have dimished over the years.

Leader of D Blue Boys ole mas band Val Ramsingh begged spectators not to allow the artform to die.

He said JOuvert was not about short pants and jersey but about commentary on social and political issues.

The band kicked off its presentation, just after 7 am, with a placard which read- No prize money for last yearBut we playing still. D Blue Boys band, which won the 2016 traditional band of the year title, is yet to receive its prize money.

The band, which was noticeably smaller than previous years, took aim at local politicians including the National Security Minister as one masquerade, with the name tag Dyllon affixed to his t-shirt, shot a bow and arrow at spectators under the placard Dyllon with a new crime plan. The JOuvert celebrations, which was declared open by Carnival convenor Niagum Joseph at just after 4am, witnessed the furious crossing of bands.

Masqueraders pranced across the parade route to the sounds of the Ultimate Rejects mega hit Full Extreme. Water guns and hoses also seemed to be another feature of the modern JOuvert band as masqueraders were doused with clear and coloured water.

Regrello observed that 2017 Carnival celebrations started off with a bang with the passage of the modern bands.

He said the southern city was alive and JOuvert is alive.

He also congratulated steel band Pan Elders Steel Orchestra which copped the medium band title at the National Panorama Finals., saying they continued to make San Fernando proud with their four consecutive wins.

And as if the underscore their dominance, Pan Elders treated the large crowd of spectators with a stirring rendition of their winning composition Roti and Talkarie as they crossed the judging point.

Up to midday yesterday, the winners of the King and Queen competition were yet to be announced.
Alleyne, Deyalsingh are PoS JOuvert King and Queen

The start of the Carnival revelry began promptly at 4 am at South Quay, Port-of-Spain.

No one was spared public ridicule as veteran masquerader Rondell Pierre delivered a comical impression of popular talk show host Ian Alleyne, earning him the title of JOuvert King.

His presentation of Ian Alleyne Happy Inspector Alexander charged with Assault and Battery featured a mannequin dressed as the embattled police inspector, being delivered a jolt with a bag of salt and a car battery.

JOuvert Queen Lillian Pierre secured her title after a spirited portrayal of Dr Deyalsingh removes some of Kamlas faults.

Pierre, dressed as Health Minister Dr Terrance Deyalsingh, performed surgery on an effigy which supposedly represented the former Prime Minister, removing items such as alcohol and a plant-like substance.

The traditional JOuvert picong did not end there as Lennox Fox delivered a clever performance as United States President Donald Trump in the portrayal From Russia with Love. His offering featured Fox as Trump calling Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on a golden telephone.

Other portrayals for the moning included Herbert Pierres Kamla Selfish with the former PM depicted as a fish vendor and Barbara Pilgrims Presidential Wine.

Port-of-Spain Mayor Joel Martinez said that he was generally pleased with this years turnout, adding that he was impressed with the creativity, of the masqueraders.

Although this is my first Carnival as Mayor, I must say that I am pleased with the overall turnout of persons for this years JOuvert celebrations.

Also, what impressed me the most was the number of young persons I saw at this years King and Queen competition.

Im definitely comfortable knowing that the future of the competition is in good hands. Asked if he thought that the prize money of $1,500 each to the winning masqueraders was enough, Martinez said that the prize money was suitable for the performances and has actually gone on to enhance the creativity and quality of the portrayals from masqueraders.

I think that the prize money is appropriate for the competition. At the end of the day, people play mas not for money but for the passion of Carnival.

The performance is in itself reward enough.
Calexit leader: I want to establish California as a country so we can go in a different direction

In one of my recent articles, I explained why I object to the idea of California, or any state for that matter, seceding from the union. Not only would it be damaging to California, a state that is already teetering on the brink of collapse as it is, but it could also hurt America in general, and in more ways than one.

Breitbart news recently sat down for an interview with Louis Marinelli, the leader and co-founder of the Calexit movement. Marinelli touched on several important topics regarding the secession effort, including short term and long term goals, motivating factors, and potential barriers the movement could face along the way.

I envision a California much like the country that our Founding Fathers envisioned, Marinelli said. A country where all are treated equally under the law; a country that provides for the common defense, promotes the general welfare of its people, and a country that secures our liberty from foreign and domestic threats. (RELATED: What happens if California succeeds with its secession effort?)

The obvious follow-up question, of course, is if your goal is to establish a country like America, why not just live in America? Marinelli even admitted that he wants Californias founding to essentially be identical to the founding of our country  equality under the law, a country that secures the liberty of the people, etc. Why put in the effort to build something when you already have it?

As Marinelli explains, the Calexit movement is all about the corruption and dysfunction in Washington D.C. More specifically, however, Marinelli said that the straw that broke the camels back for me was Congress inability to pass comprehensive immigration reform in 2014 after the Senate passed it and the president promised to sign it, the Calexit leader explained. Even a majority of the House of Representatives would have voted for it if it were brought up to a vote. But partisan political games held that vote up.

Marinelli went on to say that the failure to pass immigration reform had a significant impact on his family and his marriage. It exerted a tremendous amount of stress on my relationship when the woman I brought here from another country couldnt work, study, or really do much more than sit around the house all day because of the political situation in my country.

As you probably already guessed, Marinellis wife is in the country illegally.

Breitbart News then asked Marinelli to explain the steps necessary for secession, given that there is no Constitutional protocol for leaving the union.

At the risk of sounding like a conservative, Marinelli began (because God forbid you sound like a conservative), the power [to secede] is a power reserved to the people, or to the states via the Tenth Amendment. Marinelli stated that he is a big supporter of the Tenth Amendment.

The Calexit co-founder then went on to address law experts who have claimed that secession is either unlawful or unconstitutional. They have only provided their opinions but law experts provide their opinions in a court of law every day only to be rejected by the courts. Ultimately, this will be something determined by judges, not law experts giving their opinion on cable news networks.

There have been reports out in recent weeks suggesting that Louis Marinelli was working with Russian authorities to remove California from the union. When asked whether or not this was true, Marinelli said that he is willing to partner with any group that supports Californian independence  when our goals are aligned. Marinelli made it explicitly clear that while he is not opposed to working with Russian organizations, it is in no way an endorsement of any of their other agendas.

Sources

Breitbart.com

YesCalifornia.org

Submit a correction >>
Flint water found to have deadly link to Legionnaires outbreak

Confirming what local residents, researchers, and observers have long suspected, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found genetic links between the city water in Flint and patients suffering from Legionnaires disease in the area.

While the CDCs molecular testing found the connection between water from McLaren-Flint hospital and three patients last year, Michigans Department of Health and Human Services only found out about it last month. Soon afterward, they told the hospital and the Genesee County Health Department to be prepared to hand over more water samples. However, the information raises a number of new questions.

The three samples studied had more than a 99 percent allele match, which is a genetic match, but one of the victims studied was never a patient at the hospital. This points to Legionella being present in the Flint water system. In 2014 and 2015, when the city got its water from the Flint River without treating it first to make it less corrosive, 78 people came down with the illness and ten people died from it.

Legionnaires is an often lethal type of pneumonia caused by the legionella bacteria that is contracted via airborne exposure to infected water, such as by breathing in its vapors during a hot shower or from condensation in an air conditioning unit. Symptoms include coughing, fever, and chills.

Legionnaire expert Dr. Janet Stout of the University of Pittsburgh said that legionellas presence in Flint was widespread, adding: The [laboratory] results show that strains [of the bacteria] were throughout the water system.

Virginia Tech professor Amy Pruden, who helped author a study on the matter, said that the three genetic matches show how prevalent the bacteria actually was in the citys water. That study found levels of legionella that were 1,000 times higher than those of typical tap water. Moreover, discovering the genetic match in a person who was not at the hospital being blamed for the outbreak seems to suggest that the same strain was in other places.

The Flint water drama started when Governor Rick Snyders administration disconnected the city from Detroits Water and Sewerage Department in a money-saving move, providing residents with water from the Flint River instead. Shortly after the switch, residents started to complain about unpleasant smells and colors in their drinking water. Levels of lead reportedly quadrupled, and other toxic chemicals were also detected. During the two years that locals had to drink the water from the river, cases of Legionnaires disease spiked in Genesee County.

The city of Flint and the state of Michigan are being sued by a group of 31,000 area residents for injuries they obtained by drinking the lead-laden water. They say that authorities were aware the water was contaminated but looked the other way. At least 13 officials have been hit with criminal charges relating to the water crisis. According to the suit, the city has not provided drinkable water to residents since April of 2014. Many area children will be dealing with the health problems associated with lead poisoning for the rest of their lives.

Sources include:

MLive.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

Submit a correction >>
Phase 5 of Uttar Pradesh Elections: Around 57% Voter Turnout Recorded amidst Verbally Glorious Rallies

New Delhi, Tue, 28 Feb 2017 NI Wire

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The voting for the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Assembly elections commenced at 7 am on the Monday morning and by evening 57.36% turnout of polling candidates was recorded. Fighting for the 51 seats, spread across 11 districts, 607 candidates have put their political ambitions on stake in this phase of polling and 40 among the candidates are females. Total registered electorates were reported to be 1,81,71,826, of which 97, 91, 140 were males and 83,79,745 were women.

The voting process guarded by tight security, went out to be quite peaceful, as no major violent acts were reported. However, there were complaints of technical glitches in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at various places. Meanwhile, seizure of 2.20 litres of liquor bottles, and 4.21 crore of cash was done, as per the Election Commissions of India (ECI). Five of the districts fall in the sensitive Terai region near Nepalese border, where central forces held a flag march ahead of the elections, to assure safety to the voters.

The constituencies for which polls were held cover Amethi, Faizabad, Gonda, Ambedkar Nagar (earlier Mau), Shravasti Basti, Bahraich, Siddharth Nagar, Balrampur, Sultanpur and Sant Kabir Nagar. The death of Chandrashekhar Kanaujia, who was nominated from Samajwadi Party (SP), has lead to the deferment of the elections in Alapur to 9th March.

T. Venkatesh, the Chief Electoral officer of UP said, 57.36 per cent polling was recorded till 5pm and the figure is likely to go up as several voters waited in queues to exercise their franchise. Slow pace was noticed during the initial two hours of the beginning of elections, which later accelerated, as the enthusiastic queue of voters moved to the polling booths. It is to be mentioned here that during the first four phases of the state elections 2017, the figures of voting stood at 64, 65, 61.16 and 61respectively.

Interestingly, 117 out of the 608 contesting candidates, in this phase, have criminal cases background as per the self-declarations. BSP has come out with 23 of such candidates, which is highest. BJP is the close second with 21 and SP has 17. The results came out in a study carried out by Association for Democratic Reforms and Uttar Pradesh Election Watch. In this study conducted, the affidavits of 612 candidates belonging to 75 political parties were analysed. The parties consisted of 220 independent candidates, 4 of state, 6 of national stature, while 65 stood as unrecognised.

Gayatri Prasad Prajapati (from SP), is among such controversial figures, who has a face-off with Garima Singh (BJP) and Amita Singh (Congress) in Amethi. The minister is charged with amassing huge wealth and rape offences.

The UP elections has been much sensationalised this time due to the Mulayam-clan split, followed by Akhilesh-Rahul ally and the verbal duels in the rallies, especially of BJP and Congress-SP. The rallies for the fifth phase elections saw some very amusing references like donkeys in Gujarat, getting rid of Kasab (linked to the combination of Congress, SP and BSP)Kattapa of Bahubali and what not. While Modi wave is expected to be a strong obstruction for SP and Congress, BSP may prove to be a determining factor, if not a winner, in this election.

by Vandana Mishra

null
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The 2017 Mobile World Congress (News - Alert) (MWC) in Barcelona had some news from Nokia's old segment, with a retro 3310 reboot phone that grabbed a lot of attention, but these days Nokia is a totally different company. It has licensed its name to HMD Global so it can manufacture the phones, and it has moved on to creating technologies for the connected world we live in with the infrastructure for 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT), as well as emerging applications in virtual reality and digital health with next generation communications. At the MWC, Nokia (News - Alert) outlined its strategy to deliver innovations for communication service providers with faster networks that are more agile and efficient along with expansion in software, utilities and transport markets.





As the company announced its strategy, Nokia President and CEO Rajeev Suri (News - Alert) said, Nokia comes to Mobile World Congress this year with a bigger and fully end-to-end portfolio to sell, and with groundbreaking innovations to share.

The line of products and services Nokia announced at MWC were in part driven by the assets and technologies it gained with the acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent (News - Alert) in 2016. This has increased Nokia's portfolio in the areas of global network capacity.

In addressing this capability, Suri said, All of this is underpinned by an organization squarely focused on the execution of our strategy to lead in high-performance networks with communication service providers, expand to new verticals, build a strong standalone software business and create new business and licensing opportunities in the consumer ecosystem.

One of the new products announced at MWC was 5G FIRST, which according to the company will be essential to connect millions of users, but also interconnect billions of things as part of the IoT, which the company calls the 'global nervous system'.

5G FIRST will help customers prepare for 5G-ready architectures that cover core, software-defined networking, cloud and more with the industry's first commercial 5G product comprised of Nokia's AirScale radio access platform. Communications service providers will be able to transition to new applications so they can benefit from the low-latency and high data rates 5G promises when it comes online in the next three plus years. Nokia is going to collaborate with Intel (News - Alert) on commercial deployments later in 2017 using the Intel 5G Modem as part of this drive.

Nokia also let the public know about the recent launch of WING, a global IoT network grid to deliver the connectivity and tools to manage assets as they move around the globe, whether they are being transported or used as transport vehicles.

Cloud Packet Core, Deepfield analytics technology, and the announcement to purchase Comptel to boost its software portfolio were also part of Nokia's announcement of what it plans in the coming year and moving forward.

Edited by Alicia Young
Head of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) and Presidency Council (PC) Faiez Serraj is expected in Moscow in the coming days for talks with Russian leaders over a potential meeting with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, known as Moscows protege.

If the date is not known yet, Russias deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov suggested that Moscow is inclined to play a role in solving the Libyan political standoff, Libya Herald reports.

We would like Libya to end the protracted crisis as soon as possible and once again become a prosperous state with strong state institutions, a capable army and law enforcement agencies, and also restore its status as an important regional player, Bogdanov said.

UN efforts to reunify the country following the removal of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 have hit roadblocks as UN-backed PC and the countrys internationally recognized parliament, the House of Representatives (HoR), haggle over December 2015 Libyan Political Accord (LPA) signed in Morocco.

The PC has been assigned to lead the reconstruction but the Serraj-led team has been crippled in its progress by the HoR and over the role of Haftar who has become figurehead in the crisis.

The eastern military government has received Moscows political and military support. Moscow has chided the Head of UNSMIL, Martin Kobler for not engaging with other Libyan sides, including Haftar.

Serraj last week indicated that Russia had an important contribution to make and suggested Moscow could help arrange a meeting between him and Haftar.

Egyptian diplomatic efforts earlier this month to bring both men at the negotiating table in Cairo failed. Serraj accused the military commander and HoRs President Ageela Saleh for sticking to their guns.
Cote DIvoire has been receiving most of Moroccos foreign direct investments thanks to sustained efforts by the business community in the two countries and the existence of a strong political willingness evidenced by the close ties between the leadership of the two countries.

The current visit of King Mohammed VI to Abidjan is part of efforts to strengthen ties with Cote DIvoire and prospect new areas of cooperation. In this respect the King together with the Ivorian President Alassane Dramane Ouattara chaired at the presidential palace in Abidjan, on Monday, a ceremony to present the work by the Cote dIvoire-Morocco Economic Impetus Group.

Speaking on this occasion, President of the confederation of Moroccos employers (CGEM) Miriem Bensalah Chaqroun underscored the achievements made by the bilateral impetus group since its inception in June 2015.

She noted that the outcome of the impetus group was reflected in increasing Moroccan investments in Cote DIvoire, contributing thus to job creation and launch of projects notably in the fields of manufacturing, agro-food industry, vocational training, housing and infrastructure.

The group also issued recommendations to further ease trade between the two countries through the creation of Business to Government (B to G) joint groups which will work closely to address obstacles facing commerce, she added.

After this ceremony, the King and his host the Ivorian President chaired the signing ceremony of 14 cooperation agreements cementing their longstanding ties. The agreements cover cooperation in the fields of military, pharmaceutical industry, road infrastructure, finance, small and medium sized enterprises, social development, techno parks, data processing, transportation and logistics.

Cote dIvoire is the fourth stop in a new Royal tour in Africa which led the king to Ghana, Zambia and Guinea. The new tour aims at fostering political and economic ties with African countries as Morocco continues to champion a south-south cooperation model in the continent buoyed by a recent triumphal return to the African Union and an endeavor to join the West African community ECOWAS.
The International community welcomed Moroccos decision to withdraw troops from the southernmost tip of the Saharan provinces, known as Guerguarat, on the borders with Mauritania in the buffer zone.

The decision to retreat from the buffer strip came upon orders from King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), following a phone conversation with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the serious threats to security and stability in the region posed by the poliarios ceasefire violations.

In this respect, a UNs spokesperson confirmed Monday that the Moroccan armed elements have withdrawn from the buffer strip and said the Secretary-General welcomes this withdrawal.

The spokesperson described Moroccos move to de-escalate tension in the region as positive.

The EU for its part welcomed Moroccos restraint calling on all parties to respect the terms of the ceasefire agreement and to continue to work together in favor of the regions stability.

A spokesperson for the EU told Moroccos news agency (MAP) that the EUs position regarding the conflict remains unchanged in support of efforts led by the UN secretary General in order to reach a political, fair, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution to the Sahara issue in line with the UN Charter.

Earlier, the governments of Spain, France and the United States welcomed Moroccos withdrawal of troops from the buffer strip and called on other parties to follow suit and safeguard the regions stability.

Following talks with King Mohammed VI, the UN chief expressed deep concern about the situation in the Guerguarat buffer strip after Moroccan forces and separatist armed militiamen came close to each other.

Morocco hopes that the UN Secretary-Generals intercession will make it possible to return to the situation as it was previously prevailing in the region, keep intact the regions status, secure fluidity of road traffic and thus safeguard the ceasefire and strengthen regional stability, the Foreign Ministry said in the statement announcing Moroccos withdrawal.

In the statement released by his spokesman, Guterres pointed out that regular commercial traffic should not be obstructed and that no action should be taken, which may constitute a change to the status quo of the Buffer Strip.

The UN Secretary General also stressed the need to uphold the letter and spirit of the ceasefire agreement and to withdraw armed elements from the buffer zone.

Tension started building up in the region last August when Morocco launched an anti-smuggling operation that has a police character to clear the southernmost tip of the Saharan provinces of all sorts of illegal commercial activities. Moroccan authorities also started asphalting a road to better monitor the area and bar traffickers and terrorist groups from setting up a safe haven in the buffer zone beyond Moroccos security berm on the borders with Mauritania.

The Polisario tried to portray Moroccos security operation as a breach of the ceasefire, but the UN mission to the Sahara, MINURSO, refuted the separatists claims saying that the Morocco-led anti-smuggling operation in Guerguarat had a police character and was undertaken in coordination with the UN.

Moroccos concerns about growing illegal commercial activities with the involvement of terrorist groups were vindicated by the busting of several drug and arms trafficking networks comprising Polisario members.
Bill Owens holds a photo of his son Ryan. Photo: Emily Michot/TNS via Getty Images

A day after the father of Chief Special Warfare Operator William Ryan Owens, the Navy SEAL who died in last months counterterrorism raid in Yemen, questioned the motivation for the operation, U.S. officials told NBC News that the raid produced no significant intelligence.

Why at this time did there have to be this stupid mission when it wasnt even barely a week into his administration? Why? For two years prior, there were no boots on the ground in Yemen  everything was missiles and drones  because there was not a target worth one American life. Now, all of a sudden we had to make this grand display? Bill Owens told the Miami Herald.



A senior congressional official briefed on the matter told NBC News that the Trump administration has yet to explain what prompted the operation. Echoing Senator John McCains remarks following a classified briefing earlier this month, the official said that the raid was intended to kill or capture certain Al Qaeda militants. NBC News previously reported that Qassim al-Rimi, the leader of Al Qaedas Yemen affiliate, was the intended target, but U.S. Central Command, the Pentagon, and the White House have denied that.

Pentagon officials have said the raid yielded actionable intelligence, and earlier this month White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said, We gathered an unbelievable amount of intelligence that will prevent the potential deaths or attacks on American soil.

Spicer also said that anyone who criticizes the raid does a disservice to the life of Chief Owens. In his remarks over the weekend, Bill Owens said, Dont hide behind my sons death to prevent an investigation.

When asked to respond to Owenss remarks on Tuesday, Spicer reiterated that the operation produced valuable intelligence. I can tell him that on behalf of the president, his son died a hero and the information that he was able to help obtain through that raid, as I said before, is going to save American lives, he said. The mission was successful in helping prevent a future attack or attacks on this nation.

Spicer also noted on Tuesday that the Department of Defense is already conducting a review of the matter, which is standard operating procedure when a U.S. service member is killed.

Owens did not elaborate on what kind of investigation he wanted to see, but on Tuesday VoteVets, a progressive veterans group, said the militarys internal review cannot examine the decision-making process at the top, and called for a congressional investigation. If the Congress can find time to hold multiple and repetitive hearings into Benghazi, it can certainly find the time to hold a single hearing into the botched Yemen raid, ordered by Donald Trump, the group said in a statement.


NYPD officers arresting an anti-Trump protester. Photo: Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images

Last week, New York City Police Commissioner James ONeill sent out a memo on how his department should respond to president Trumps new immigration executive orders. The note was 431-words long, but could be summarized in just three: This changes nothing.

It is critical that everyone who comes into contact with the NYPD, regardless of their immigration status, be able to identify themselves or seek assistance without hesitation, anxiety or fear, ONeill reminded New Yorks finest. The NYPD does not conduct civil immigration enforcement For example, the NYPD does not arrest or detain individuals for immigration violations such as overstaying a lawfully issued visa. However, the NYPD does and will continue to honor federal immigration detainers when there is a risk to public safety.

Since November 2014, the NYPD has refused to enforce administrative warrants from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, except in cases involving undocumented defendants accused of serious crimes. At the time that policy was enacted, it created relatively little friction with federal authorities  midway through its second term, the Obama administration narrowed ICEs deportation priorities to felons and recent arrivals.

But the latest guidance from the Trump administration broadens ICEs priorities to include nearly every undocumented immigrant in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security has instructed immigration enforcement to prioritize the deportation of anyone who engages in fraud or willful misrepresentation in connection with any official matter  a description that fits any undocumented immigrant who has used a fake social security number to qualify for gainful employment.

The NYPDs disinterest in helping the White House with this project is shared by many other big city police departments.

But it may not be shared by most rank-and-file NYPD officers. On Sunday, the Sergeants Benevolent Association president Ed Mullins discussed the Big Apples sanctuary city status on Gristedes owner John Catsimatidiss AM-radio show. Heres how Mullins summarized his union members position on cooperating with ICE (per Gothamists transcription):

Make no mistake about it, the members of law enforcement in the NYPD want to cooperate with ICE. I speak to cops every day. They want to cooperate with ICE, they want to work with fellow law enforcement agentsThere is a point where there is a moral obligation, and as the chief law enforcement officer of the city, you yourself have to be able to follow the direction of law.



We dont get to participate in the laws that we want. If thats the case, then were waiving all the federal laws for law enforcement officials  then they can go out and break the law. I mean, thats total lunacy that something like that could possibly happen.

Here, Mullins argues that it is wrong for police officers to pick and choose which laws to abide by  while also suggesting that cops have a moral obligation to aid immigration authorities in defiance of municipal law.

When New York City decided to withhold resources from immigration enforcement, it did not nullify federal immigration law. Rather, it asserted its 10th Amendment right not to be commandeered by the federal government into enforcing such laws. Ed Mullins may object to the prevailing interpretation of federal powers on this matter, but when he substitutes his judgement for that of the Supreme Court, he is the one encouraging cops to flout the law.

Whether Mullins truly speaks for the average cop on the beat is unclear. But Donald Trump did enjoy outsize support from law-enforcement groups across the country during his campaign.

And the enthusiasm for the president  and his policies  among rank-and-file law enforcement agents has already led some to pick which Constitutional protections they wish to honor. As Thomas Ricks writes in the New York Times:

[T]here definitely seems to be recklessness in the way ICE is operating. In recent days, its agents have taken a woman with a brain tumor out of a hospital, almost deported a distinguished French scholar flying into Houston to deliver a university lecture and scared the daylights out of an Australian childrens author who vowed after the experience never to visit the United States again.



This isnt being done solely to foreigners. The son of the boxer Muhammad Ali, a citizen, was questioned upon arriving in Florida from Jamaica about his religion, which would seem to be a clear violation of the First Amendments guarantee of religious freedom. And passengers on a domestic flight from San Francisco to New York were required to show their identity documents, a violation of the Fourth Amendment and an overreach of ICEs mission of dealing with entry to the country.

As a wise union representative once said, If thats the case, then were waiving all the federal laws for law enforcement officials  I mean, thats total lunacy.
To the GOP base, the crusade to defund Planned Parenthood is as big a deal as the effort to repeal Obamacare. Photo: Marc Piscotty/Getty Images

Most progressive and mainstream media takes on conservative demands to defund Planned Parenthood tend to treat it as a conservative ideological hobby-horse that threatens to complicate bigger issues like the repeal of Obamacare. That significantly underestimates the issues importance to the GOP base. In fact, passionate support for efforts to go after Planned Parenthood may in the end force Republicans to go forward with Obamacare repeal legislation before they have a health-care plan together they can all support.

Obamacare repeal and Planned Parenthood defunding have been repeatedly linked by conservatives in the past, not so much because they both involve health-care policy, but because they represent the two priorities for which Republicans most consistently are willing to risk a government shutdown. Indeed, the last two times Congress narrowly avoided a shutdown (in September and then again in December of 2015), it was the Planned Parenthood issue that nearly screwed up everything, in part because a lot of conservatives had vowed never to vote for an appropriation measure that funded Planned Parenthood, even though its abortion services have not been eligible for federal funding in many decades. The summer 2015 brouhaha over misleading videos purporting to show Planned Parenthood officials planning to make a bundle by selling fetal tissue  or as right-to-lifers prefer to call it, baby parts  revved up conservative hostility to the organization to a high-pitched chattering whine.

While the 2015 shutdown was averted, in part because everyone knew Barack Obama wasnt going to let Congress defund Planned Parenthood, Obamacare, or the Syrian refugee program that was the other big conservative target, there was zero question the same pressure would return with a vengeance if, as turned out to be the case, Republicans won the trifecta in 2016. And indeed, the trial run budget reconciliation bill Obama vetoed early in 2016 included both the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and an end to funding of Planned Parenthood. No one should have been surprised that after the 2016 election Paul Ryan and other Republican leaders reassured conservatives Planned Parenthood defunding would again be included in the first big legislative package of the new era. Its actually never been excluded, and is again in the draft House GOP bill everyone is calling an Obamacare repeal that was leaked last week.

So even as observers wonder if the extremely limited GOP opposition to the Planned Parenthood measure  basically a handful of House members and Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, the last of the dying breed of pro-choice Republicans  will mess up the Obamacare repeal, the question we should probably be asking is whether Republican doubts and divisions over Obamacare will mess up what would otherwise be a narrow but very likely vote to defund Planned Parenthood. With a president ready to sign a Planned Parenthood ban, the right-to-life movement is not going to be pushed aside by Republicans this time. And so if the budget bill repealing and partially replacing Obamacare gets delayed beyond a certain point, efforts to defund Planned Parenthood will shift to the must-pass legislation to renew the current-year appropriations due to run out on April 28. A report from Bloomberg Politics pointed to that possibility:

With the [Obamacare] repeal effort increasingly likely to slip into April, the fight could also spill over into the spending battle to keep the government open after current funding expires on Apr. 28. With Republicans insisting that the next spending measure not fund Planned Parenthood, Democrats could block their bill and set up a shutdown showdown.

And so, the conventional wisdom may have it exactly backward: Instead of the Planned Parenthood defunding effort being an extraneous obstacle to the Obamacare repeal effort, it could force congressional Republicans to get a move on lest the crusade against Planned Parenthood cause a government shutdown (produced by a Democratic filibuster of the underlying appropriations bill in the Senate) that would inevitably be blamed on the GOP as masters of Washington. Indeed, given the current hunger of Democrats for any kind of win, this scenario would likely end in a GOP surrender that would make the whole thing a terrible fiasco that might even leave Planned Parenthood funding in place.

Even as they wring their hands over the risks they are running in repealing Obamacare without assurances that the whole thing wont blow up on them, congressional Republicans will likely obey one of their most important constituency groups by leaping into the void on Obamacare in order to defund Planned Parenthood. That is if, of course, Donald Trump goes along with it, and as we know, he is struggling to get up to speed on all this complicated health-care policy stuff.
Photo: Pool/Getty Images

While President Trump has accomplished more in just a few weeks than many presidents do in an entire administration, according to senior adviser Stephen Miller, somehow he still has historically low approval ratings. And while Trump says his White House is running like a fine-tuned machine, members of Congress are still unclear on his policy objectives for everything from tax reform to infrastructure. Uncertainty over his plans for Obamacare repeal in particular has left Republican lawmakers exposed and uneasy.

On Tuesday night, President Trump will attempt to address these issues and refocus his administration in his first address to a joint session of Congress. The official theme of the speech is renewal of the American spirit. Technically it isnt a state of the union address, but it will look exactly the same  though presumably Trump will put his own twist on his first prime-time speech as president. Heres a rundown of what we know about the address.

When is the speech?

Its scheduled from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Eastern time. The speech will be broadcast on every major TV network and all the cable news channels. For those who dont have access to a TV, it will also be livestreamed by multiple media outlets. You can watch YouTubes broadcast here, and the PBS NewsHour/Twitter stream here.

What's in the speech?

On Monday the White House gave media outlets  including the conspiracy-theory website Infowars  a preview of the speech consisting of 11 bullet points (the presidents preferred style). Most of the points are vague. It says Trump will explain how hes keeping his promises to the American people, call on Congress to act, and look to the future and talk about what we can achieve if we come together. But it also lists elements of the bold agenda Trump intends to work with Congress to achieve. These include:

 Tax and regulatory reform to get relief to hardworking Americans and American businesses.

 Making the workplace better for working parents.

 Saving American families from the disaster of Obamacare.

 Making sure every child in America has access to a good education.

 A great rebuilding of the American military.

 Fulfilling our commitments to our veterans and making sure they have access to the care they need.

The Trump administration hasnt offered many details, but the president is expected to make his case for a $54 billion increase in military spending and a corresponding cut to domestic and foreign-aid programs, including big cuts to the EPA, the IRS, the State Department, and social safety-net programs (but not Social Security or Medicare).

Trump said on Sunday that he would lay out specifics on how he wants to replace Obamacare, a surprisingly complicated topic that he appeared to be rethinking as recently as Friday.

Despite a recent report that Trumps infrastructure plan would be put off to 2018, on Monday the president told governors visiting the White House that hed lay out his plans in Tuesdays address. Were going to make it easier for states to address their infrastructure, and Im going to have a big statement tomorrow night on infrastructure, Trump said. Were going to start spending on infrastructure big.



While the speech will be written by Stephen Miller, who crafted Trumps dystopian inaugural address, the White House said the tone will be optimistic. Though, as NPR notes, Previews from Trump aides have not always panned out. For instance, we were told his inaugural address would focus on unity. It didnt.

Who's coming?

The White House released a list of six people who will be seated with the First Lady during the speech. Guests include a school-voucher success story, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalias widow, and three people whose family members were killed by an undocumented immigrant.

Four Democratic lawmakers plan to bring undocumented immigrants who were given permission to live and work in the U.S. under President Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Senator Dick Durbins guest will be Aaima Sayed, who left Pakistan as a toddler and is now a third-year medical student at Loyola University. I hope her presence reminds President Trump whats at stake in the debate over DACA: the lives of more than 750,000 innocent young people and the wellbeing of entire communities, the senator said.

Representative Luis Gutierrez hopes to highlight the effects of Trumps immigration ban by bringing a Chicago immigration attorney who is the daughter of refugees from Gaza.If he looks up during the speech, Gutierrez said, I want Trump to see the face of a woman, the face of a Muslim, and the face of someone whose family has enriched and contributed to this country despite starting out as refugees.

What happens after the speech?

The Democrats went with a risky choice for their rebuttal: former Kentucky governor Steve Beshear. The 72-year-old has been out of office for more than a year, but he presided over one of the Affordable Care Acts biggest success stories  and in a deeply conservative state. The selection of Beshear is a sign that Democrats intend to stay focused on health care on Tuesday, no matter what drama unfolds around Trump.
Photo: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

In addition to selling you DVDs and pants and five-pound bags of gummy bears, Amazon also happens to run the internet. Not the whole internet, mind you, but a significant portion, thanks to its web-hosting service (on which a number of the websites that make up the internet we know and feel ambivalent about today reside). Today, a pillar of that service, a storage option known as Amazon S3, went down  and a lot of the web went with it.

The outage means that certain sites have not been able to deliver specific assets of a webpage, or an entire webpage altogether, as a result of the interruption. If your favorite site isnt loading at the moment, or its acting sluggish, thats probably why.

Even Amazon employees themselves cant get in. At a demonstration to developers in Chicago this afternoon, a speaker reportedly spoke of the services steadfast reliability right before getting shut out of the system.

At #AWSomeDay in Chicago, during live demo of S3 presenter says "it's H.A. and would be down 1 day in 10M", then service goes down. #fail pic.twitter.com/lcOhu7bf3b  luis guevara (@luisguevara) February 28, 2017

As the great poets once said, Whoooooooops!

According to AWSs Twitter account, theyre working on solving the problems  one of which is that the server on which the error-alert system is hosted, is also failing.
Uber has recently come under fire. Photo: AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Just when Uber thought it might escape February without another negative story, two more dropped on Monday. A week after ex-engineer Susan Fowler published a lengthy tell-all chock full of damning details about the gender discrimination she says she experienced during her year at the company, and Google-owned Waymo (a self-driving-car company) announced it is suing Uber over a laser-scanning detection system Waymo claims Uber stole, Ubers SVP of engineering, Amit Singhal, resigned following the resurfacing of sexual-harassment allegations against him, Recode reports. And The Verge discovered that Ubers self-driving-car-permit fiasco in California could likely have been avoided if the company had only agreed to work with the DMV, which reportedly tried to figure things out with the company months before the problems began.

Singhals departure comes after it was discovered that the SVP didnt disclose the sexual-harassment allegations levied against him by a female employee while he was working at Google. Prior to joining Uber, Singhal spent several years working for Google until he left in February 2016. Recode reports that Singhal denied the allegations against him at Google, and said he was leaving to make an important life change. Singhal, Recode reports, didnt disclose any of this to Uber when he came on board, prompting Uber CEO Travis Kalanick to ask for his resignation today. Its a move that was likely influenced by Fowlers recent allegations which also prompted Kalanick to host an hour-long meeting with 100 female employees, who told him harassment and sexism at the company is a systemic problem. Without the elevated scrutiny currently being placed on Uber following Fowlers allegations, its possible Singhal wouldnt have been forced to resign. (Since Fowlers post, another female ex-Uber employee has come forward anonymously with her own set of allegations of sexism and harassment she claims to have experienced at Uber.)

Meanwhile, in the world of autonomous cars, Uber seems to have tangled itself up with the California DMV following the launch of its self-driving-car program in December 2016. The program would only have a short-lived run on the streets of San Francisco before Uber was forced  following a disagreement over autonomous-vehicle permits with the DMV  to move the cars to Arizona. According to emails between the DMV and Anthony Levandowski, VP of Ubers Advanced Technologies Group, Uber insisted that its cars were not true autonomous vehicles. When what was believed to be an Uber self-driving car was spotted in San Francisco in September, the DMV reached out to Uber about getting permits for the cars that would allow the company to continue testing its automated technology. Levandowski, in a series of decreasingly friendly emails, insisted the car from September was under manual control.

We are not an [autonomous vehicle] and getting a permit further reinforces the misperception that we are an AV, he wrote in one of the emails obtained by The Verge. Worth noting, California law defines an autonomous vehicle as one that has the capability to operate autonomously. Even if a driver had been manually steering Ubers car, the fact that it has autonomous capability  even a dormant capability  means the state classifies it as an AV requiring a permit. The DMV disagreed with Levandowski, and wanted the company to register the cars for AV-testing permits. The permits would also require Uber to submit a report to the DMV every time a driver in one of its cars had to take the wheel, shift out of self-driving mode, and manually drive the car. Something Uber, in the competitive landscape of self-driving technology, might not have wanted its competitors to know.
Indianas state capitol building. Photo: Education Images/UIG via Getty Images

Even without Mike Pence as governor, Indiana is making questionable decisions when it comes to womens health. On Monday, the House of Representatives approved a so-called abortion reversal bill 53 to 41. The bill requires Indiana doctors who perform medical abortions to tell their patients about a procedure that could reverse the process halfway through. This is for those who take that first step and regret it, Republican representative Peggy Mayfield, one of the bills co-authors, told the Indianapolis Star. There is an alternative there. There is hope.

To perform a medical abortion, a doctor gives a patient two pills. The first blocks the hormone progesterone, which helps the uterus sustain a fertilized egg. The second, taken days later, induces cramping and bleeding. Some doctors claim the process can be reversed by injecting a woman with progesterone before she takes the second pill. But, as the Washington Post points out, theres almost no scientific evidence to back up that claim.

Its really concerning that legislatures are passing laws interfering in the doctor-patient relationship and forcing them to tell women about an experimental therapy that is unproven, Dr. Daniel Grossman, a professor at University of California, San Francisco, told the Associated Press. Indiana democrat Linda Lawson was even more blunt: This bill seeks to dictate medical practice based on junk science, she said.

Indiana isnt the only state considering a reversal bill  similar bills are on the table in North Carolina and Utah, and a proposal in Colorados Democratic-led House was killed in committee earlier this month.

But whether or not the procedure works  and whether it puts womens lives at risk  seems to be beside the point to Republicans, who are seeking to put as many obstacles as possible in the path of women seeking abortions. Were just saying you have the right to try, Republican representative Ben Smaltz told the Star. Were not saying its going to work.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi flanked by House Democratic women. Photo: Bill Clark/Getty Images

Back in November, supporters of Hillary Clinton followed her example and wore white (and plenty of pantsuits) to the polls to honor the suffragist movement. Its a wonderful tribute to a historic campaign and what will hopefully be a wonderful presidency, one told the Boston Globe at the time.

That didnt exactly pan out, but Democratic women in the House of Representatives will carry on the gesture during President Trumps first address to Congress on Tuesday night. The Associated Press obtained a letter from the heads of the Democratic Womens Working Group encouraging their colleagues to wear white to the speech in order to stand in solidarity with the women of our nation. Of the 435 members of the House of Representatives, just 66 are Democratic women.

Theirs isnt the only symbolic gesture planned for Trumps speech  four Democratic lawmakers plan to bring undocumented immigrants who were given permission to remain in the U.S. under President Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, and Senator Elizabeth Warren will attend with an Iraqi refugee. If he looks up during the speech, I want Trump to see the face of a woman, the face of a Muslim, and the face of someone whose family has enriched and contributed to this country despite starting out as refugees, said Representative Luis Gutierrez, who will host a Chicago immigration attorney born in Gaza.

Of course, Trump might be too busy renewing the American spirit to catch the symbolism.
The OECD Observer online archive takes you on a journey through half a century of public policy and world progress.

Since November 1962, the OECDs experts and leading guests offer insights on the questions facing our member countries with concise and authoritative analysis, and provide our audiences with an excellent opportunity to understand policy debates and consider solutions.

Each edition of the OECD Observer reports on a core theme of the OECDs on-going work, from economics and society through governance, finance, and the environment, and articles are bolstered by tables and graphs.
LOL, I'm actually pretty excited for this!



And please no Sarah Paulson after her disastrous accent last season (but I'm pretty sure she'll be busy with AHS. Or American Crime Story. I can't remember which one she's supposed to be in).



Edited at 2017-02-28 05:16 pm (UTC)

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just goes to show that accents are like singing: you're tone deaf to 'em

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I need whoever he casts to be English

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Emily Blunt for Diana?

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Oh good, he made it sound like he'd switch to picking something boring. This'll be good too, most likely.

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isnt it usually both at the same time?

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Omg iconic

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Who are these ladies? They are so qt

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Chloe & Halle

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Gaga can finally play Diana. Dreams do come true.

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Don't even make me think of the awful fake accent she'd attempt

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She's made to play Donatella in Versace: ACS

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I would cry. She would be so horrible and pretentious it would just flat out suck.

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She also may be so horrible and pretentious it will be iconic and gifable (eg: ARTPOP era)

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absolutely not

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omg no

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that casting will be interesting

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I hate to agree, but I do. He's been looking reeeeally really tired, and older than his age.

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I feel like English actors should take this up. Otherwise don't give them accents if they are going to be American.

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Romola Garai for Diana? Andrew Cooper for Charles?



Martin Freeman would be perfect for Charles (physically at least) but he'd never do it



Edited at 2017-02-28 05:42 pm (UTC)

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Hate him so I hope not.

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Omg Romola yas

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Emily Blunt maybe for Diana, she was the first people I thought of. But i agree with rovinja above me, Romola Garai could be really great as Diana.

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matthew goode for charles



and i was gonna say gillian anderson bc she physically reminds me of diana sometimes but she's too old sadly

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ryan should absolutely cast british actors for this, and there are enough out there that would be good in the roles



oh man does that mean we're gonna see someone play the queen again, sigh

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Colin Firth for Charles maybe?



Diana is harder, Rosemund Pike?



Edited at 2017-02-28 06:36 pm (UTC)

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Not Sarah Paulson. Please not Sarah Paulson. Her English accent is awful.

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Okay, damn, this could be really good. Just get an all British cast!



Emily Blunt is first person to pop in my head to play Diana

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She was like 30 when all the drama started so Sarah Paulsen is too old anyways.

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He's pretty much the only person hiring older women so I guess that's one thing I can't fault him on.

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After trying repeatedly trying to get into various AHS seasons and jumping ship after ~5 episodes each time, I thought I was 100% done with Ryan Murphy. I finally watched People Vs. OJ and was so impressed by it. I kept waiting for it to turn into complete melodrama or fall apart halfway through, but I found it really compelling from start to finish. Maybe he needs to stick to historical drama instead of original stories.

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He needs to stay developing great ideas and give them to other writers

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Yeah, that's true. I love the look and feel of all of the AHS seasons but it all collapses so quickly.

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He is lucky he had such an amazing cast, especially Courtney B Vance, Sterling, Sarah and even David Schwimmer, John Travolta and Nathan Lane. They really took the material beyond. Cuba was the weakest link in my eyes and he was still decent.

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will we get to see prince charles plotting lady di's murder or???

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In 2013, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto launched the Reforma Energetica (RE) to reverse the nations decline in oil production and encourage green energy initiatives by ending the monopoly of Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) in the nations fossil fuel sector and opening up opportunities for foreign direct investment.

Now, four years after the reforms began, a new presidential hopeful is threatening to derail the liberalization and review any contracts that have been signed since the entire process began.

Lopez Obrador, who currently polls in first place to be elected for Mexicos top public office in 2018, has argued that the current governments position of inviting foreign funds to its nation is unconstitutional.

Recognizing that the reforms have created economic opportunities for thousands of Mexican students and professionals, the candidate has toned down his rhetoric, suggesting a referendum before any decisions regarding the future of the RE are made.

Reuters reports that Obradors rise in popularity can be linked to widespread disenchantment with the newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trumps rhetoric regarding immigrants from the nations southern neighbor as well as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

If the former Mexico City mayor wins the election, this could cause billions of dollars in losses for several multinational oil majors  including Exxon Mobil, which used to be run by the current U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Any hopes that the former CEO will be able to steer Trumps rhetoric to benefit Exxon or his other oil sector buddies in Mexico have been extinguished by new reports that Tillerson has been kept in the dark regarding American foreign policy issues. Related: Have The Majors Given Up On Canadas Oil Sands?

Fundamentally, Obradors suggested policies follow a Mexico-first model, which promises to allow private oil firms to remain active in the country as long as the operations are good for the nation, according to Alfonso Romo, the candidates policy advisor.

"We won't just be scrapping them for the sake of it," Romo, told Reuters last Tuesday. "I don't know, though, if there will be any new ones, to be honest with you."

Since the reform process started, gasoline prices have been on the rise, fueling anti-Nieto sentiments in a nation with historically complicated relationships with foreign powers. The disappearance of national fuel subsidies has given the impression that the finances of the reforms favor international oil companies at the expense of Mexican citizens.

If a referendum confirms a plan to scrap the new liberal policies, the government will review the existing contracts and determine if they are well-made, Romo said. When the Mexican state gives its word, it must be fulfilled.

This isnt Obradors first time participating in a presidential election. In the past two cycles, the leftist candidate representing the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) placed second behind Nietos centrist Institutional Revolutionary Party. If next years elections bring the PRD to power, it would signal a significant leftward shift in the politics of Latin Americas second largest economic power. Related: The Baltic Sea: Europes Forgotten $80 Billion Oil Play?

The differences in economic policy between Nieto and Obrador vary most radically regarding the future of the oil sector. Both leading candidates - Obrador, and whoever the PRI chooses to be Nietos political successor, will defend NAFTA  despite the treatys disastrous effect on Mexicos agricultural sector, especially corn farmers.

As a handful of European countries and the United States take a right-turn politically riding on nationalist sentiments, Mexico is gearing up to head in the opposition direction, but with the same effect. Setting fire to essential liberalization policies will isolate the Mexican oil sector from the boons of globalization as oil prices recover and multinationals resume interest in exploration and production ventures.

By Zainab Calcuttawala for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
U.S. oil inventories are at record levels, but there are a few glimmers of hope that the glut could be starting to subside.

Storing crude oil for sale at a later date is no longer profitable, as the futures curve has flattened out in recent weeks, depriving traders of a strategy that has served them well over the past few years. The market contango, in which front-month oil contracts trade at a discount to oil futures six months or a year out, has all but vanished. The differential must be large enough to cover the cost of storage, and for many time spreads that is no longer the case. After three years of a steep contango, storing oil simply to take advantage of the time spreads is increasingly uneconomical.

One of the more expensive forms of storage is floating on tankers at sea, and because of the narrowing contango, floating storage is unprofitable today. Reuters reports that traders are beginning to unload crude from floating storage along the Gulf Coast. "Right now, traders aren't incentivized (to store)," Sandy Fielden, director of oil and products research at Morningstar, told Reuters in an interview. "It won't all stampede out of the gate, but inventory levels will come down. What will happen is that some of it will go to refineries, but a fair amount will be exported too."

Just as the rapid rise of floating storage in 2015 and 2016 was a sign of the deepening global supply imbalance, draining tankers of stored oil is an early sign that the supply glut is receding.

So far, it is only the most expensive storage facilities that are seeing drawdowns  the U.S. on the whole has seen crude stocks swell to record highs. But oil analysts argue that the surge in crude inventories is a symptom of stepped up imports booked at the end of 2016, when OPEC members pumped out huge volumes of crude just ahead of implementation of their deal to cut production. After a few weeks of transit time, the extra supply started showing up in U.S. storage data in January and February. In other words, the stock builds could be a temporary anomaly.

More recently, the time spreads for Brent futures also indicate increasing tightness in the market. John Kemp of Reuters notes that the spread between futures between April and May has sharply narrowed this month, meaning that the market is betting on a supply deficit as we move into the second quarter. The spreads for May-June and June-July are even smaller, trading at a few cents per barrel. This is a complicated way of saying that there isnt a way to make money by buying oil, paying for storage, and selling it at a later date.

In a separate report, Reuters notes that inventories are also starting to drawdown in Asia, adding further evidence that the glut is not as bad as feared. As OPEC has throttled back on production, Asia is starting to see the impact. Reuters says that unusually large drawdowns took place across key oil hubs in Asia  6.8 million barrels of oil were withdrawn from tanker storage off of Malaysias coast while Singapore saw a 4.1 million barrel decline and Indonesias storage fell by 1.2 million barrels. Related: Oil Prices Arent Breaking Out Any Time Soon



"Dancing contango is now not a profitable thing to do, so we've sold out," an oil trading manager told Reuters. The trader no longer stores oil on tankers because of the disappearing contango.

The details of the contango and the oil futures market may seem complex and arcane, but the shift in time spreads is exactly what OPEC has been targeting with its supply cut. By cutting near-term supply, OPEC has succeeded in changing the economics of oil trading, forcing inventories to draw down. That could cause a short-term supply problem as oil is unloaded from storage, but in the long run OPEC needs to drain that excess supply from storage tanks around the world in order to spark higher prices.

Traders are more and more confident that the oil market will experience tighter conditions as we move into the second quarter, a bet that is reflected in both the time spreads and the exceptional buildup in bullish positions on crude oil. The oil price rally is not without its risks  very notable risks that have been covered in previous articles  but for now, the futures market is offering investors and traders some reasons for bullishness.

By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com

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OPEC members lost over US$2 trillion in revenues and capital expenditure in the oil price crash, the cartels director general Mohammed Barkindo said, speaking to media in Nigeria. About half of this was lost revenues as prices tumbled from over US$140 a barrel to below US$30, and the rest was wiped out as cancelled projects.

Barkindo warned that the loss in capital investments was particularly serious as it threatened the future security of oil supply. Acknowledging the economic diversification efforts of OPEC members that were forced on them by the price crash, Barkindo said the importance of oil in helping to achieve this diversification was not to be underestimated.

The OPEC chief was optimistic about the outcome of the groups concerted market rebalancing effort that should take off some 1.8 million barrels per day from global supply. Indeed, prices have been climbing recently, albeit slightly, thanks to unexpectedly high compliance rates among OPEC members.

The only members that have not yet hit their reduction quotas are Iraq and the UAE, and both have pledged to catch up in the coming months. There is also the growing prospect of cuts being extended into the second half of the year, because of the counter-pressure that U.S. shale producers are applying to prices, which have curbed the upward potential of prices. In the week to February 17, shale producers boosted daily output to more than 9 million barrels.

According to ANZ, as quoted by Reuters, if the cut deal is extended, it will be good for prices. On the other hand, extending the cut will also increase the likelihood of some OPEC members giving in to the temptation to cheat  Middle Eastern producers are already losing market share to exempt co-member Iran and other producers, such as Russia and Angola, whose reduction quotas are much smaller.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Gazprom will increase the price it charges for its natural gas in the European Union this year, to US$180-190 per 1,000 cubic meters, Deputy Chairman Alexander Medvedev told media at an event in Singapore, adding that Europe remains a priority market for the company. To compare, last years average price of Gazproms gas for Europe was US$167 per 1,000 cu m, the lowest in 12 years.

Gazproms market share in Europe rose from 31 percent to 34 percent two years ago, and it is not about to change much in the coming years, Medvedev also said. In fact, he predicted that Gazproms share will rise further to 35 percent. Thats despite efforts on the part of the EU authorities to diversify the sources of natural gas that supply the continent with the commodity.

The Russian giants efforts to keep its foothold in Europe are currently focused on Nord Stream 2  an expansion of the existing pipeline that pumps gas to Germany via the Baltic Sea.

The project was stopped by Polish authorities, and there has been vocal opposition from the European Commission and Ukraine, which will see its gas transit income drop if Nord Stream 2 becomes reality, but Gazprom seems determined to go ahead despite it, supported by its European partners, which include Shell, Engie, OMV, and Wintershall.



Related: Cooking The Books? Saudi Aramco Could Be Overvalued By 500%

In fact, Medvedev also said at the event that Nord Stream 2 could only be stopped for political reasons, since it meets all EU technological standards. Nord Stream is designed to pump 55 billion cu m of natural gas to Germany annually.

Whats more, Gazprom is also considering using an alternative pipeline project, TAP, to increase its supplies for Europe. The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline was specifically planned to diversify the EUs sources of gas by tapping Azeri gas. Alexander Medvedev said earlier this year, however, that Gazprom could use the pipeline under an auction system, which offers open access to any gas supplier.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Hong Kongs stock exchange is vying for a position as an advisor to the Saudi Arabian team preparing for the initial public offering of Saudi Aramco, paving the Chinese financial centers road to become the host of the largest financial event of its kind in history, according to a new report by The Gulf Times.

Access to Chinese investors would make holding the $100 billion IPO in China desirable for the Saudis, according to Charles Li, the CEO of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing.

Saudi Aramco is expected to launch IPO in 2018, valuing the entire company at around $2 trillion. Selling 5 percent of it would fetch about US$100 billion, according to Saudi officials.

For an IPO of that scale, it makes perfect sense to potentially be accessible by the very large capital base and investment wealth onshore in China, Li said during an earnings briefing, emphasizing that it made sense for Aramco to have a listing in Asian markets.

The other stock exchanges in competition to host the IPO are Toronto, New York, London and even Singapore.

Hong Kong is working hard to play a role in the Aramco listing, Li said, just as Saudi King Salman prepares for a world tour to promote foreign investments from Asia in his country. Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and China are all on the monarchs itinerary.



Related: Biofuels May Be The Future Of The Aviation Industry

The KSA has already picked banking partners that would facilitate in the procurement of wealthy Chinese investors.

Aramco picked JPMorgan Chase & Co and Morgan Stanley to advise the company on IPO matters earlier this year. The company is has also been considering the United Kingdoms HSBC Holdings among banks with access to Chinese investors, Reuters reported last Wednesday, citing a source with direct knowledge of the developments.

By Zainab Calcuttawala for Oilprice.com

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Iraqs semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan has recently negotiated deals with Rosneft and with trading houses to secure US$3 billion in loans that would be repaid with future oil sales, the regions natural sources minister Ashti Hawrami told Reuters in an interview published on Tuesday.

Kurdistan, which has been suffering from the oil price slump and fallout with the central government in Baghdad, needs a steady stream of money to pay to the international oil companies and to fight the Islamic State.

Kurdistan has been able to negotiate grace periods of between 3 and 5 years to repay the borrowings, Hawrami told Reuters, adding that such deals would help it to hedge against a decline in oil prices for a few years. In previous deals with trading houses  that have been pre-paying Kurdistan for exports for the past two years  the periods of the deals were typically between 6 and 12 months.

Last week, Russias oil giant Rosneft said that it had signed a pre-financed crude oil purchase and sale contract for Kurdish oil over the period 2017-2019. The purchaser of crude will be Rosnefts trading arm, Rosneft Trading SA, the Russian company said, but did not reveal the sum of the deal.

Commenting on the $3-billion in deals with trading houses and Rosneft, Hawrami told Reuters:

It strengthens our fiscal situation. It means we can pay more regularly to the international oil companies working in Kurdistan and we can invest some money in expanding our oil infrastructure.



Related: Saudi Arabia Eyes $60 Oil



The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has been struggling to make regular payments to companies as it has been locked in arguments with the central government in Baghdad over payments for oil exports, and allegedly over oil shipments made without approval from Baghdad. Political parties in Kurdistan are also quarreling over the share each of them gets from the oil trade. All these factors, coupled with Baghdads contractual commitments to international oil companies, have further supported the idea that Iraq is the most likely OPEC member to produce more what was agreed upon under the November OPEC deal.

Hawrami now said to Reuters that the KRG-Baghdad relations were improving, and In reality, Baghdad has given us some share of oil to export. So we have an arrangement that we both honor. We have real cooperation and we hope to build on that.



By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Despite a respite in attacks on its oil infrastructure, Nigerias crude oil exports in April will drop to 1.54 million bpd from 1.65 million bpd expected to be shipped in March, loading programs compiled by Reuters showed on Tuesday.

The biggest monthly decline in planned exports is expected at the Qua Iboe oil stream, Nigerias largest. Exports for April loading are set at 222,000 bpd, compared to 337,000 bpd for March, with March loadings revised up after delays had postponed some loadings previously planned for February.

According to Reuters, field operator ExxonMobil has adjusted the loading programs at Qua Iboe several times so far this year, although the reasons for the revisions have not been immediately known.

Exxon has had to cope with closure of the main pipeline toward the export terminal, as well as with strikes and a workers standoff in December when it had to shut its Nigerian headquarters after oil workers unions barricaded the office to protest the sacking of local staff.



In April, Nigeria will export more Bonny Light, Escravos, Owkwori and Usan oil, but compared to March, fewer cargoes are set for Agbami, Amenam, Brass River and Erha, despite Italys Eni SpA lifting the force majeure on Brass River earlier this month.

Forcados still remains under force majeure and is now the only Nigerian grade not exporting because of reasons other than field maintenance.



Related: Oil Prices Crumble As OPEC Ups Output And Exports

Nigerian officials have recently been giving diverging figures on how much oil the country  exempt from the OPEC production cut deal due to the militant violence - is currently pumping.

Maikanti Baru, group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said today that crude production had steadily increased to 2.1 million bpd due to some strategic dialogue efforts in the Niger Delta.

Nigeria hopes to increase output to above 2.2 million bpd by the end of 2017, he added.

Last week, Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun said that output was 2.2 million bpd. OPECs latest available secondary sources figures put Nigerias January output at 1.576 million bpd, up by 101,800 bpd from December.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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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...
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Basic Bankroll Management

The first step to making money gambling is knowing how much you can afford. Bankroll management will help prevent the emotional lows that come with massive losses and ensure your profits dont disappear too quickly into thin air!

Learning effective bankroll strategies is critical if you want to win big and have the most fun. Lets get started!

What is Bankroll Management?

Setting a bankroll is essential to playing any game of chance. Your starting capital should be large enough so that you can afford the likely loss before hitting a win, but not too much for unforeseen circumstances where all your wages are going towards living costs instead A good rule-of-thumb would be setting aside at least 10% percent on top if possible (though this will vary depending upon how often casinos offer rebates).

The more you risk, the greater your return. -Card Monte bets are often seen as a way for players to get their feet wet in gambling and learn about different ways that casinos operate before risking any other kind of money on them  this type allows people with no experience whatsoever access to blackjack games where experienced professionals can teach newbies card counting tricks, so they dont stand out too quickly

What do you think is the primary purpose of any investment? To make a profit! Yes, but not only. Many investments aim to achieve the desired social, environmental and other effects. Want to learn more about impact investing? Read this guide!

Regardless of how much you start with, its essential to remember that poker is a game for skilful players. It doesnt matter if your bankroll consists of $10 or 100 thousand dollars; all competitors have one thing in common  their ability and knowledge about the cards theyre dealt will determine whether or not success can be achieved at this particular table!

Finding the Right Amount For You

Once you have set an initial bankroll amount, itll be time to limit your wagers.

When playing blackjack, its essential to have at least 20 buy-ins (some people will consider this too low and prefer double that amount). So if your going table is $5 per bet, then make sure they accept cards and cash.

When youre on a winning or losing streak, its easy to play for hours without stopping. But this isnt good because the game will end before your feet stop tapping! In order not to get too ahead of yourself and wear down in those crucial last few minutes before victory overtakes them completely (or defeat), make sure that every time YOU tap away at whatever score is temporarily etched into stone  whether by 1 point OR 100+you setbacks are temporary; successes durable.

The two-hour playing session should be enough time for you to get a good workout, but if it isnt then just walk away when the timer goes off.

When it comes to limits, many players like setting a loss limit. So just because you have $100 in your pocket doesnt mean that all this money will be lost at once (although possible). You might only choose how much can disappear after some time has passed and when playing sessions end  so dont get too excited about losing everything right away!

Even professional gamblers follow a strict bankroll management strategy.

Quick Tips for Bankroll Management

Set a budget for your session or casino visit

Make one deposit per session if online

Divide your budget for the number of days at an offline casino

Set win and loss limits  and stick to them!

If you lose your bankroll, stop playing

Set winning goals

If you reach a goal, put aside all or some of your winnings

Make bets proportional to your total bankroll

Never chase losses

You can maximize your casino experience by managing money properly.

When you follow these simple guidelines, your time at the casino will be everything that was promised and then some.
The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher,




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Por culpa de Chavez



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Algun dia Colombia volvera a la ideologia de Bolivar







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LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares?



























Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano...



Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos:



Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias.



Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera.



No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje.



En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio.



Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida.



Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella.



Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal.



Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista.



Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen.



Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che?



Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio.



Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora.



Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo.



Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo.



Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania.



No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar.



Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga.





Alguna duda?



Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino



Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia.



OZ1



OZ2



OZ3



OZ4



Homenaje a Jason Galarraga



La Victoria de Samotracia



Odalisca



Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008



























La Sierra Nevada de Merida



Nuestro precioso Churum Meru



Homenaje a Picasso



Autoretrato



Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola?

La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.

Mi profesion?

Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.

Sal en la Coca Cola?

A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.

De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:

Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto

Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)

azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)

Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas

Mucha Cafeina

Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio

Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe

Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion

El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.

Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.

Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.

En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).

Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.

La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.

Bebidas Light?

Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el

Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.



Publicado por loretahur



En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur

MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina:

1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias.

2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina.

3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard.

4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos.

5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla.

6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos.

Ahora... sobre la margarina:

1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) .

2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias.

3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno).

4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer.

5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna.

6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo.

7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina.

Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas:

* No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo).

* No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!!



No a la guerra, Si a la Paz



Misterios de la ciencia...



Los costos de la guerra



medicos y capitalismo...



Capitalismo...



medicos (2)



Quien educa a nuestros hijos?



Los Medios...



Sin Palabras...



Chistes feministas

- Cual es el problema, Eva?

- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz...

- Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.

- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...

- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.

- Que es un hombre?

- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.

- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.

- Cual es el truco?.

- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.

- Cual?

- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.





Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Ellas...



Ellas (2)...



Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1

Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije:

-Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro.

Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria.

Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre?

-Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa!



VENGANZA NUMERO 2

Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris.

A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita:

- Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!!

Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta.

La mujer paso quince dias en Francia.

El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla.

Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es:

- Y amor me trajiste mi francesita??

- Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina.



VENGANZA NUMERO 3

El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion.

- No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo.

- Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz.

Te quiero confesar algo.

- Esta bien, esta bien. Habla!

- He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga.

- Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!!



machismo y cibernetica



Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston.

-Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide.

-Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!.



.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti.

Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos.

Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco.

Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas



Gol !!!!



Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso!



Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy!


For Immediate Release

Physicians for Human Rights today condemns Russia and Chinas veto of a UN Security Council resolution imposing sanctions against those parties responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

The following statement is attributable to Susannah Sirkin, PHRs director of international policy and partnerships:

Russia and Chinas disgraceful veto today shows their willingness to make any and all excuses to shield the Syrian government from accountability for crimes against its own people. This is yet another stain on the United Nations Security Council, and the Councils unwillingness to enforce its own decisions is a serious blow to the bodys credibility. Its an abrogation of the Councils duties to ensure peace and security and a flagrant contradiction of its own previous resolution.

In September 2013, following the deadly sarin gas attacks in rural Damascus, Security Council members unanimously agreed under Resolution 2118 that in the event of future chemical weapons attacks in Syria, they would impose measures under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. The UN Joint Investigative Mechanism has shown beyond the shadow of a doubt that Syrias government deployed chlorine gas against its own people on at least three occasions in 2014 and 2015. Yet today, the Russian Federation and China vetoed the Councils only effort to impose Chapter VII measures  in the form of sanctions  and provide some form of accountability for the Syrian governments egregious violations.

As PHRs research has shown, weaponized chlorine gas can have indiscriminate, devastating, and sometimes fatal effects  and its use as a weapon is banned under international law. The Security Council has repeatedly failed to stop attacks on hospitals, the targeting of civilians, besiegement, and the blockade of aid  and now it shows itself impotent to halt the terrible scourge of chemical weapons. Shame on the Russian Federation, China, and all those who enable the Syrian governments attempts to escape accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is a New York-based advocacy organization that uses science and medicine to prevent mass atrocities and severe human rights violations. Learn more here.
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."
Education officials are wondering how much time President Donald Trump will devote to education in his first address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.

A memo of talking points says that Trump will touch on the topic, stressing that all students should have access to a great education, but did not mention specifics, according to an article on EducationWeeks website.

The article points out that there three topics that Trump could touch on during his speech  career and technical education, early childhood education tax credit and vouchers.

Trump made a big appeal to working class voters, so focusing on career and technical education would be logical, according to the article.

Trumps daughter, Ivanka, has pushed her father to provide tax credits for child care costs. Whether that will be included in a comprehensive overhaul of the tax code remains to be seen.

Trump also made touch on his support for vouchers to allow parents to send their children to a private or parochial school, according to EducationWeek.

Education was not a big focus during Trumps campaign, so it remains to be seen how much of his presidency will be devoted to the subject.
QUEENSBURY -- A Hudson Falls man who stole thousands of dollars from an 80-year-old man is headed to state prison for up to 4 years.

Allen R. Cox Jr., 41, pleaded guilty to felony criminal possession of a controlled substance for cashing more than $2,000 worth of stolen checks at banks around the region.

He was arrested last April after the victim's Bank, TD Bank, noticed unusual activity on the account and notified his family.

Cox has a lengthy criminal record that includes a burglary arrest and was the victim of a drug-related gunpoint home invasion in Hudson Falls in 2015.

Warren County Judge John Hall imposed a 1-1/3- to 4-year prison sentence.
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Home Regional News East
Valeant Pharmaceuticals will report earnings on February 28, and analysts up and down Wall Street remain skeptical that the company can get back on its feet after a nightmarish run.

Here's what Wells Fargo analyst David Maris wrote about it in a recent note:

In 2017, we expect Valeant will try to distance itself from the reality of its current business and current business trends. In our experience, management teams that try to do this usually talk about being excited for non-specific things like pipeline opportunities that are a year or two away, or talk about the number of launches in a given year but not their sales potential, or talk about investing in the launches to justify larger than expected spending for the promise of unattainable peak sales at some far distant time.

Sometimes management teams even undertake a name change to suggest that the problems that remain are not product specific, but reputational. We expect that in 2017 Valeant will attempt to refinance its debt (resulting in lower EPS), and may sell more assets but will back away from the $8 billion it previously targeted (we were recently told it was never a promise).

To review, you'll recall that once upon a time Valeant's stock price was hovering around $257, and the company's biggest cheerleader, hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman of Pershing Square, had nothing to do but smile.

However, since accusations of accounting malfeasance and government scrutiny over Valeant's pricing practices and business model hit the company in October of 2015, its stock has slid to $16.70.

The company has over $30 billion in debt, is the subject of multiple federal investigations, and needs to walk the fine line of selling assets to raise cash without destroying its own product line in the process. Meanwhile, sales are on the decline, even for Xifaxan  a drug management expected to be a $1 billion blockbuster.

From Irinia Koffler at Mizuho, who has a $9 price target on the stock:

Lackluster asset base and pipeline also keep us concerned: We note that total milligrams of Xifaxan grew 16.5% in 2016 but this trajectory flattened to approximately 2% Y/Y growth in 4Q:16. We think the brand is slowing and the overall franchise may only sustain low single-digit growth in 2017, making it the most attractive segment within Valeant.

Expanding into primary care doctors is not expected to halt this trend. Dermatology is also declining, and management is hoping for a boost from its pipeline that may take several years. We view Siliq for psoriasis as a dilutive asset, similar to Addyi. We are finally seeing signs of growth from Relistor but the product is too small to matter, and it sounds like Valeant may try to sell it.

We could go on. Last week, Maris published a report highlighting the fact that CEO Joe Papa hired his own son to as a product manager for Xifaxan. He also pointed out that 50 salespeople may have left the company. Both issues should raise eyebrows for investors.

Perhaps more disconcerting, however, is the fact that Valeant and Ackman signed an agreement to split whatever the legal fees* come out of an ongoing insider trading suit filed against them 60%-40%, respectively.

You'll recall that this suit was filed after Ackman and Valeant's failed hostile takeover of Allergan.

Allergan shareholders including the S sued Ackman and Valeant on the basis of

Ackman made $2.6 billion from the deal, meaning that the fine accompanying a guilty verdict could hit north of $6 billion. This is an especially bad deal for Valeant, as it only got to take home 15% of what Pershing Square made from the Allergan play.

Makes you wonder why they would agree to the 60%-40% legal split in the first place.
The US bank hosted its annual investor day Tuesday February 28, and Doug Petno, chief executive of commercial banking at the company, delivered a presentation.

Commercial banking looks after Middle Market Banking (MMBSI) clients, or companies with between $20 million and $500 million in revenue, and Corporate Client Banking (CCBSI), which covers those with $500 million to $2 billion in revenue.

Smaller companies are served by Chase Business Banking and bigger companies are served by the Corporate and Investment Banking division.

The commercial banking business has been expanding, adding more than 150 revenue-producing bankers between 2014 and 2016, according to a slide.

There has been a 17% year-on-year increase in specialized industry bankers, according to another slide.

The bank has pushed into new markets like Palo Alto and Memphis, and plans to have a presence in the top 50 Metropolitan Statistical Areas ranked by population by the end of this year. Right now, it's in 48.

The number of client calls was up 13% year-on-year, while the number of new relationships is up 14%. The long term target is to generate $1 billion in revenues from expansion markets, up from $411 million in 2016.

Asked by an analyst about the expansion effort, Petno said that "it's not easy to hire good bankers."

"There's not a banker tree ... The good ones are entrenched in the banks, and they're hard to pry out."

He added that employment growth had been limited by JPMorgan's ability to develop its own bankers in certain markets, and acquire bankers in others.
The levy was fined on the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) after it had paid 40,000 to secure exhibition space at the fair but failed to show up, the Daily Graphic reports.

Officials of GEPA have confirmed the imposition of the penalty.

They have, however, denied the claim that Ghana paid 40,000 (about GH187,000) to participate in the event but failed to attend.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GEPA, Mr James Z. Tiigah, told the Daily Graphic that GEPA was fined 10,309 to cover the cost of a stand and its inability to attend Ambiente in 2015; it was fined 3,992.13 for the same reasons in 2016.

He said GEPA failed to attend the just-ended Ambiente, because the trip had not been budgeted for and the authority had no funds to sponsor its officials to travel to Germany for the fair.

We did not deliberately decide not to go but the issue is that there was no budget for us to go. Also, the event coincided with the transition period so we were all busy, he said.

The CEO believed the fine could have been avoided if the authoritys scheduled officer in charge of the Ambiente Fair had notified the organisers of GEPAs inability to be at the programme.

Ambiente 2017 had about 4,500 exhibitors, with some of the worlds leading consumer goods, as well as a variety of events and promotional programmes.
The fishermen who went on their usual fishing expedition in the morning instantly felt their good fortunes when their net weighted heavier than usual.

Initially, they thought their net had been cast in a highly populated region of small fishes but were shocked when they pulled their net to find out the unusual; four manatees popularly known as sea cows.

One of the manatees managed to escape before the fishermen struggled to kill the other three.

Manatees are fully aquatic creatures and herbivorous in nature. Their large size coupled with the feeding habits have earned the marine mammals the name sea cows. Manatees could weigh as much as 590 kilograms and measure up to 4 meters long.

READ MORE: Serena Williams surprised 2 players at a public tennis court and challenged them to a match

The fully aquatic mammals are considered a protected species everywhere and are not to be hunted or killed. They are, however, not classified as an endangered species.
Andrey Artemenko, a member of Ukraine's parliament who used to be part of the country's far-right Radical Party, said he met with Cohen and Sater at the Loews Regency New York on January 27 to discuss Artemenko's proposal for solving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The meeting was organized by Sater, who knew Cohen through his work with the Trump Organization and was introduced to Artemenko by a mutual friend named Yan Aronov, Artemenko said. (Aronov did not respond to a request for comment.) The plan they discussed involved lifting sanctions on Russia and allowing Moscow to lease Crimea for either 50 or 100 years, he said. In return, Russia would have to withdraw its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Controversy erupted earlier this month after The New York Times reported that Cohen said he had "hand-delivered" the plan in a sealed envelope to Michael Flynn before Flynn was forced to resign as national security adviser over a separate Russia-related firestorm. Cohen's initial account largely aligned with what Artemenko and Sater said Cohen told them he would do after their meeting.

But Cohen quickly walked back his initial story, telling The Washington Post hours after the Times story was published that he hadn't delivered the plan to Flynn or discussed it with anyone in the White House. The White House has said it has "no record" of receiving the document.

Both Artemenko and Sater have disputed Cohen's revised account, however. Artemenko told Business Insider, and Sater has told The Post and CNN, that Cohen explicitly said he would show the plan to Flynn.

The Times has stood by its reporting.

"Mr. Cohen told The Times in no uncertain terms that he delivered the Ukraine proposal to Michael Flynn's office at the White House," The Times' deputy managing editor Matthew Purdy said. "Mr. Sater told The Times that Mr. Cohen had told him the same thing."

Artemenko's assertion that Cohen followed through on delivering the plan to Flynn could not be independently confirmed by Business Insider. Cohen said in a text message Sunday that Artemenko's version of events was untrue.

"Untrue. No one could confirm said delivery as it never occurred," Cohen said.

Sater did not return multiple requests for comment.

Whereas Artemenko's and Sater's stories have been largely consistent, however, Cohen appears to have altered his account at least three times since speaking with The Times and The Post.

In a series of text messages to Business Insider last week, Cohen denied "even knowing what the plan is." But he acknowledged in a later text that he met with Artemenko in New York for "under 10 minutes" to discuss a plan Artemenko said "was acknowledged by Russian authorities that would create world peace."

Cohen continued to deny that he delivered the plan to Flynn, but he then appeared to shift his story again in an interview with NBC News. Even if he had taken an envelope with a peace plan to the White House, he said: "So what? What's wrong with that?"

Finally, Cohen told CNN last week that he had dinner with Artemenko but that Ukraine was not discussed.

People like my idea

Artemenko, for his part, was expelled from Ukraine's Radical Party and has been accused of treason by Ukrainian prosecutors for meeting with Cohen and Sater last month. But he insisted in an interview with Business Insider that he did nothing wrong.

"I'm a member of parliament," Artemenko said. "It's my obligation and duty according to Ukrainian law" to try to find a solution to the war.

"This is my motherland, I was born here, and I've realized that we cannot fight against Russia alone until the last Ukrainian soldier has died," he added. "And they accuse me of treason! Nonsense! I have a right to have my personal opinion in a democratic and free country."

Artemenko said he modeled his plan to lease Crimea to Russia off China's lease of Hong Kong to Britain for 99 years in 1898 and the US's contentious "lease" of the Panama Canal from Colombia in 1903. In court filings, however, Ukrainian prosecutors said Artemenko's proposal was an attempt to "legitimize the temporary occupation" of Crimea by Russia, which forcibly annexed the peninsula in 2014.

The prosecutors also accused Artemenko of conspiring with Moscow to commit "subversive acts against Ukraine." But it is unclear what role, if any, Russia played in bolstering the plan.

The New York Times said Artemenko told them he had "received encouragement for his plans from top aides to Mr. Putin." He told Business Insider, however, that he had never spoken with any Russian officials about his ideas. Russia has also denied approving of, or even having any knowledge of, the proposal.

Reached for comment, the Times' Scott Shane said "

"Greed, envy, and pride  it is their main defects," Artemenko said, referring to the Ukrainian government. He said he thought the government felt threatened by him "because I'm alone and I have my own foreign allies, contacts, and supporters."

When asked if he was still trying to get his vision heard by the US, Artemenko replied "Yes."

"I got thousands of phone calls and emails from people all over Ukraine supporting me!" Artmenko said. "People like my idea."

But some Ukrainians have characterized Artemenko as a relatively marginal, if not virtually unknown, player, whose "peace" plan was probably not his own creation but that of Ukraine's pro-Russia Opposition Bloc formed after former President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted in 2014.

"None of us had heard much about [Artemenko]," Natalia Gumenyuk, the head of the Ukrainian news outlet Hromadske.tv, told The Atlantic last week. Gumenyuk described him as "a really obscure member of parliament from a shady political party."

"It's interesting that it's this kind of person who got in touch with someone" in the US, she added.

The January 27 rendezvous was not the first time Artemenko, a self-proclaimed Trump supporter, made contact with the president's allies. Artemenko met with Trump's campaign last year and offered to organize a meeting between Trump and Ukraine's ambassador to the US, Valeriy Chaly. But Chaly ultimately refused to meet with Trump's team, Artemenko said, because the Ukrainian government was backing Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton at the time.

Strana.ua, a Ukrainian news site, recently reported that Artemenko told them in an interview that he began discussing his peace plan with Cohen and Sater last year, "at the time of the primaries, when no one believed that Trump would even be nominated."

Artemenko confirmed to Business Insider that Strana had interviewed him but denied telling it he had met with Cohen in 2016. Cohen also denied ever meeting with Artemenko before this year. Sater did not respond to requests for comment.

In any case, Chaly, the Ukrainian ambassador, told The Times last week that Artemenko's proposal to lease Crimea to Russia constituted "a gross violation of the Constitution.
After President Richard Nixon resigned because of the scandal, President Jimmy Carter sought to give the Justice Department as much insulation from politics as possible, to keep investigations independent of meddling from the White House or Congress.

Other administrations have since strengthened this distinction, explicitly outlining in Department of Justice memoranda what officials can and cannot do.

But President Donald Trump's administration appears to have flouted this longstanding ethical protocol, experts and former FBI and Justice Department officials say, prompting questions about the impartiality of the FBI's look into Trump and his associates' ties to Russia.

CNN on Thursday reported that the FBI, which is housed within the DOJ, rejected a White House request to publicly shoot down a New York Times story reporting that some members of Trump's presidential campaign had multiple contacts with Russian operatives.

The White House on Friday said it was the FBI's deputy director, Andrew McCabe, who spoke up first, telling Trump's chief of staff, Reince Priebus, in an unprompted fashion that the Times story was "bulls---." He also said Priebus could say publicly that "senior intelligence officials" discredited the story, White House officials have said. The FBI has not commented, citing longstanding protocol during ongoing investigations.

No matter what actually happened between Priebus and McCabe, and who may have initiated the comments about the Times story and the Russia investigation, observers have suggested there seem to have been improper communications about an ongoing investigation.

This isnt something new

Timothy Murphy, a former deputy director of the FBI who served under multiple administrations, told Business Insider that he never had any officials try to influence or get information on investigations when he was briefing them at the White House. He said FBI agents are trained not to release any information anyway.

"This White House being new, maybe they think that they can ask the FBI  who knows? You've got a whole new administration  most of them without former government experience  maybe it's something they thought they could ask the FBI to go out and get out front of," he said. "But the FBI did exactly what they were supposed to do, which is say they are not going to comment on active investigations."

That echoed an argument from Gov. Chris Christie, of New Jersey, a political ally of Trump and former US attorney who on Sunday pointed to the fact that "these are all people who have never been in government before."

"I can guarantee this: I don't think the chief of staff will ever have that kind of conversation with the FBI, with an FBI personnel again, nor should he," Christie said on CNN.

The DOJ memo restricting conversations on ongoing investigations says the FBI can inform the White House about investigations if it needs to inform the president about crucial counterintelligence information, which Murphy called a "gray area."

Jane Chong, a national security and law associate at the Hoover Institution, wrote in a post for Lawfare, however, that the national-security exception wouldn't apply in this case.

Murphy added that no one at the White House or the FBI was breaking any US law by discussing investigations.

"You have to be careful about blurring the line between law enforcement and politics," he said. "This isn't something new. Every new administration comes in and they've got to understand where the lines have been drawn, and they rely on memos, they rely on laws, but there is no law about the White House talking to the FBI. There's no law  it's really just been practice and protocol and memos put out by the Department of Justice."

James Wedick, a retired agent who spent 35 years at the FBI, told Business Insider that opening up about ongoing investigations "erodes the public's trust in the bureau."

"The best thing to do if you want to remain independent  and that's what the bureau should be  is to not get yourself involved in the day-to-day operations of the White House," Wedick said. "When bureau executives get themselves into problems of speaking to the White House about investigations, sooner or later you're going to get pulled into the swamp yourself."

It is a massive scandal

Several lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle have criticized Trump for his and his associates' reported ties to Russia. Priebus' conversation with McCabe has only inflamed that criticism.

On Monday, hours after the Republican House Intelligence Committee chair, Devin Nunes, said he had seen "no evidence" of contact between the Trump campaign and Russia, the Democratic ranking member on the committee, Adam Schiff, said a bipartisan commission looking into the matter hadn't started digging yet. He compared the investigation to the commission that investigated the FBI after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and said Congress would need the full cooperation of the FBI to get all the facts.

"I'm concerned that the FBI engaging in conversations with the White House about an ongoing investigation or a potentially ongoing investigation, [and] if the CIA director was brought in to push down news reports," Schiff said. "We have reached no conclusion, nor could we, in terms of issues of collusion, because we haven't called in a single witness or reviewed a single document on that issue as of yet. It's very important that we not prejudge."

Matthew Miller, a former DOJ spokesman under President Barack Obama, has been highly critical of Priebus, and called on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to recuse himself and let a special investigator take over the investigation.

"It is a massive scandal that would lead to the resignation of the chief of staff ... [Priebus] has to go," he said on MSNBC on Thursday night. "Jeff Sessions was also a member of this campaign that is under investigation. He ought to be recused from it  the department's rules are very clear about it. He hasn't recused, and he for all we know is right in the middle of this, too, and he's probably being briefed on the investigation."

The system ... is under stress

Chong, of the Hoover Institution, emphasized in her post on Lawfare the problem with the appearance of someone in Priebus' position trying to influence the FBI.

"The fact that we are left groping in the dark right now, wondering about what happened between the White House and the FBI, means the system ... is under stress," she wrote. "[But] in every version of the story playing out in the press ... the system is at least putting up a strong defense."

If such conversations continue, or the independence of the FBI becomes compromised, Murphy said, it could be a threat to democracy itself.
Phay Siphan, as spokesman for Cambodia's Council of Ministers, the country's executive branch, wrote on Facebook this weekend that the government would "crush" media outlets that posed a danger to the country's "peace and stability."

Siphan's threats invoked Trump's posture toward the US press as justification, according to The Phnom Penh Post.

"Donald Trump's ban of international media giants ... sends a clear message that President Trump sees that news published by those media institutions does not reflect the real situation," Shiphan wrote.

While Trump has not banned any outlets, his campaign did deny credentials to several outlets during the presidential election. More recently, his administration excluded several outlets, including the BBC, from a press gaggle that took place at the White House.

"Freedom of expression must be located within the domain of the law and take into consideration national interests and peace," Siphan wrote, according to The Post. "The president's decision has nothing to do with democracy or freedom of expression."

When asked by phone about his comments, Siphan was insistent, saying his remarks were a "warning to return to professionalism and responsibility."

"We wish to see diversity of ideas, but we are one nation and must be all together," he told The Post. When asked what would happen to outlets that did not follow his admonishment, Siphan said, "Shut it down, very simple. Expel them."

A spokesman for the Cambodian Ministry of Information echoed Siphan's warnings, saying, "Any article or writing that leads to destabilization might face these consequences."

Siphan specifically mentioned Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, both of which receive funding from the US government, in his Facebook post.

His invocation of Trump's attacks on the media coupled with his reference to VoA and RFA lend a recursive element to the situation.

In the early days of his administration, it was feared that Trump would exercise undue influence over Broadcasting Board of Governors, which has an $800 million annual budget and oversees Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcast Networks.

Those concerns were heightened when VoA deleted one of several tweets that seemed to endorse comments about the size of the crowd at Trump's inauguration that were made by press secretary Sean Spicer and widely acknowledged as false.
The Second Deputy Governor of the BoG, Dr Johnson Asiama, told the Graphic Business on the sidelines of the AB & Davids Crystal Ball Africa 2017 in Accra on February 15 that the central bank had "asked the banks to scale up their IT security infrastructures to ward off these risks.

We also want them to regularly review and upgrade their existing IT infrastructure, install stronger firewalls and acquire an ISO certified systems to secure their operations, he added.

Cloned cheques

The incidence of cloned cheques increased by 62 per cent as of November 2016.

According to data from the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) in 2015, fraudsters attempted to cash more than GH923,883.86 million from the banks using 26 cloned cheques.

The fraudsters were able to successfully withdraw eight cloned cheques with the face value of GH88,623.54 million.

Out of the 26 cloned cheques presented to the banks to be cashed, 18 of the cheques with a face value of GH835,260.32 were detected and returned unpaid.

Dr Asiama said some of the suspects have so far been arrested.
Thats not all; a lot of employees who have worked with Indian companies or Indian-led companies in Ghana have reported of gross disrespect and sub-human treatment. I remember one situation where we urgently needed to fill a vacancy for a company and when we finally got a suitably qualified candidate, he inquired whether his new boss would be an Indian. When we confirmed, he turned down the offer. He told us he preferred to be home and go hungry than work with another Indian boss again. That he was regularly insulted by his boss and other Indians in his previous job. That those Indians dont respect we Ghanaians as human beings. They will even insult you, treat you anyhow.

Lets get some facts. The minimum wage in Ghana effective January 2017 is GHC8.80. To be fair, Indians/Indian-led companies in Ghana do pay above the minimum wage. As to whether their typical wages to Ghanaians are living wages is another issue. Secondly, most Indian-led firms in Ghana tend to operate in the manufacturing, FMCG, IT and Service sectors. Some of these industries have had some challenges over the past few years. On the other hand, most of the Chinese companies in Ghana operate in the construction sector. And construction has been on the rise in the past few years. End of facts.

Now some perspectives. In 2016, the recruitment and outsourcing unit of JobHouse Ghana (JobHouse Recruitment Agency) dealt with over 150 organizations. Notable among them CEMTEC (main contractors of newly constructed CMAF cement plant in Tema), Uber Ghana, StarTimes, CIMA Ghana, E-Crime Bureau, Odebrecht Eng & Construction, and a host of government and non-governmental organizations. We have dealt with construction companies, manufacturing companies, companies in IT and services sector, and recruited from entry level to director levels. The only exception is domestic services (which we dont currently cover).

In our dealings with all these organizations from different sectors of the economy, there is always that striking difference when we have a recruitment request or outsourcing request from Indian-led companies;

They are always in a great hurry

They propose the least salary ranges (and eventually pay the least after placement)

Their requests always come with all kinds of conditions

The staff who place the request most often than not, demand to speak with a higher authority or try to schedule a meeting (which must take place in their office) before giving further details.

On the other hand, Chinese companies in Ghana tend to propose relatively higher salaries (40-100% more). The only main drawback is that, Chinese and Korean bosses tend to tend to work every single day. They typically use the same premises as office and residence and they tend to forget that other staff who work with them need to close on time and go home. Despite that downside, the feedback from some of our placed candidates over the years is that, Chinese companies operating in Ghana tend to treat their Ghanaian workers better than their Indian counterparts. For example, a driver to a Chinese executive often gets to eat lunch sponsored by his boss when he takes the boss for lunch. This kind of situation is not likely to happen with an Indian boss.

So why do Indian bosses in Ghana treat their workers (especially the lower level) shabbily whilst their Chinese counterpart and Asian neighbor do far better? The team at JobHouse decided to dig further and this is what we found:

All these low salaries and inhumane treatment we found out, could be attributed to the Indian Caste System. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories  Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and the Shudras. The main castes were further divided into about 3,000 castes and 25,000 sub-castes, each based on their specific occupation.

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How does caste system work?

For centuries, caste dictated almost every aspect of Hindu religious and social life, with each group occupying a specific place in this complex hierarchy.

Rural communities were long arranged on the basis of castes  the upper and lower castes almost always lived in segregated colonies, the water wells were not shared, Brahmins would not accept food or drink from the Shudras, and one could marry only within ones caste.

Traditionally, the system bestowed many privileges on the upper castes while sanctioning repression of the lower castes by privileged groups. Now pause!

Correlation between Indian Caste System and treatment of their staff in Ghana

From our desk research into why many Indians in Ghana treat their low-level staff with disrespect and pay them low salaries, we find a strong correlation between how Indians treat other Indians back home who are from the lower castes. It is more of a cultural or superstitious thing. Indians from the upper caste just feel they cannot mingle with or accord the same level of respect to lower castes. Coincidentally, the lower castes are often found doing lower-end jobs, the odd jobs, the cleaning jobs, the factory-hand jobs etc. Therefore, when a Ghanaian is found in low-level jobs, his Indian boss sees him/her as lower caste. This in our opinion, explains why most Indian-led companies in Ghana seem to be grossly disrespecting and even abusing the poor Ghanaians who work for them. If you are in supervisory or mid-level upwards in an Indian company in Ghana, you will hardly get shabby treatment from your Indian boss. But if you are in low level, your Indian boss might unwittingly treat you as lower caste even if he/she does not mean to treat you with disrespect.

Conclusion

Indian-led companies operating in Ghana need to understand that people found in lower levels at the workplace should not be equated to lower castes. In Ghana (and Africa), the caste system does not exist and ones class does not pre-determine the kind of occupation one is born into. Therefore cleaners, drivers, factory hands, handymen, cooks, etc need to be treated with the same level of respect as others.

Ghanaians who find themselves in Indian-led companies also need to understand that the Indian Caste system predates modern history and have been in practice for hundreds of years. Even though the caste system has been abolished in 1947 by the Indian government, its practice is still rife, though not with state support. Practices like these could take centuries to finally eradicate. The average Indian you meet in Ghana is most likely to hail from the upper caste. Therefore, his behaviour will be that of someone from upper caste.

The labour department and the ministry of labour also need to put in place programmes to reach out to the Indian community in Ghana about the cultural differences. They Indian community needs to be sensitized that people in lower end jobs are not equivalent to lower castes. That in Ghana, all must be treated with respect whether lower or higher levels in the workplace.

Disclaimer:

This article is based on our experiences at the recruitment and outsourcing unit at JobHouse Ghana. It is not based on any research with primary data collection before arriving at a conclusion. The views of this article should therefore not be used as a basis for generalizations or to brand a particular group of people. We also like to assure our all our clients (including Indian-led companies) that this article does not seek to portray any Indian-led company in a bad manner. It only seeks to educate the Ghanaian public.
The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng during a working visit to the Food Research Institute (FRI) said some traders use formalin in preserving 'koobi'. He cautioned traders who engage in such practices to desist from it.

But the traders who sell koobi say they do not use formalin for preserving their koobi.

Awo Dede has been selling koobi for over 15 years. She questioned why she will use such chemical when she consumes some of the koobi she sells.

My son is in the United States, I send him koobi and other Ghanaian products. I also use some for my soup and stew. So why will I use such poisonous chemical to preserve my products.

Another koobe seller, in an angry tone demanded that the Minister retracts his statement since it will reduce their sale.

He must apologise and retract the lies. This will cause a reduction in our sales. Even now without the rumour patronage is low. We will demonstrate if the media does not spreading such stories.
A Michigan court gave a green light to the agreement reached last month on the scandal at the heart of the biggest car recall in history (about 100 million vehicles worldwide).

The defect has been linked to 16 deaths and scores of injuries.

The car parts maker had agreed to plead guilty to fraud and pay $1 billion to settle the issue with US regulators.

The problem is linked to a defect that can cause safety devices to inflate with excessive force, sending shrapnel from the inflator canister hurtling toward drivers and passengers.

Takata has admitted that from 2000-2015 it defrauded "customers and auto manufacturers by providing false and manipulated airbag inflator test data that made the performance of the company's airbag inflators appear better than it actually was," a Justice Department statement said.

"Even after the inflators began to experience repeated problems in the field - including ruptures causing injuries and deaths -- Takata executives continued to withhold the true and accurate inflator test information and data from their customers."

Almost every major automaker has been affected: BMW, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan and Toyota.
The Managing Director of West Blue Consulting, Valentina Mintah told Accra-based Citi FM that even though they missed their set target they able to block many revenue leakages in the period under review.

If you look at revenue, the Ghana Revenue Authority [Customs] collected 28.7 percent improvement compared to the previous years collection. That is quite significant but I must mention they did miss their target but if you look at the revenue collection improvement, that was significant.

If you look at the mandate of customs, which is our key client in association with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry Trade, and the other regulatory agencies. The Customs has three mandates, revenue collection, border security and trade facilitation. We set a number of KPIs for this programme to be able to look at our performance and evaluate it. One of those was to look at the improvement and time and cost of doing business in Ghana, and we benchmarked it with the World Bank Ease of Doing business Rankings, she added.

Mintah also said they have assessed their challenges in the previous year and expect to improve on it.

Today we had a look at where we were when we first started, the key performance indicators we set and the outcomes have been good and we are very pleased to present a positive outlook where significant improvement in the trading across borders index of the World Bank Ease of Doing Business, and also in the logistic performance index where Ghana did particularly well in the Customs component.

She was speaking after a visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism.

The Chairman of the Committee on Trade, Industry, and Tourism, Titus Glover assured the company of the needed support from parliament to ensure more revenue is collected.
The counselor has been a big critic of women who do not regard marriage and he hasnt wasted much time to take on the actress after she disclosed that marriage was the last thing on her mind at the moment.

In an interview with the Sunday Scoop in Nigeria, Juliet Ibrahim stated her focus at this point is my son and business, adding that creating a balance between being a successful business woman and a good mother is a lot to handle and that is my focus.

Her comments seem not to have gone done well with the counselor Lutterodt who thinks only ladies in despair speak in such manner.

According to him, women should prioritize marriage over their businesses.I felt very sad that she wants people to stop putting pressure on her. I see that as one of the disappointments, counselor Lutterodt told StarrFM.
Flags were raised at the Freedom Monument, Osu, to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the shooting to death of three ex-servicemen at the Christianborg Crossroads on February 28, 1948.

The three, Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey, all members of the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force, that fought alongside the allied forces during the Second World War, were killed while the Regiment was going to present a petition to the then British Colonial Governor, Sir Gerald Creasy.

The colonialists had demobilized them promising to resettle them but had reneged on the promise.

Relatives of the fallen heroes, Ministers of State, Parliamentarians as well as other important dignities graced the occasion.

READ MORE: Ghanaians divided over who to blame for comeback of dumsor

On February 28, 1948, a number of ex-servicemen were marching from Accra to Christianborg Castle to present a petition to the Governor on their unpaid war benefits when they were intercepted at the crossroads by a contingent of armed policemen.

The contingent, led by British Police Superintendent, Mr Colin Imray, ordered that they disperse and when they refused to obey, he gave an order to the police to open fire and the three ex-servicemen were killed.

The ex-soldiers had fought alongside the allied forces in the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force during the Second World War and had returned home poor and were not paid their gratuities.

After several appeals to the colonial government to consider their plight had failed, the ex-servicemen decided that a direct appeal should be made to the British Colonial Governor of the Gold Coast.

News about the death of the servicemen spread rapidly, leading to a situation where law and order broke down in Accra and other parts of the country.

It encouraged anti-colonial movements to press the British government to institute a committee to investigate the killings and general disorder.
Dominic Nitiwul said that the president has tasked my ministry to release 200 million Cedis for you. So my ministry will release that 200 million Cedis for you.

He said the president believed that the veterans had served the nation well and need to be taken care of by the state.

The wreath-laying ceremony in remembrance of the 69th anniversary of the 28th February shooting incident was held at the Nationalism Park in Accra.

The Ghana Police, armed forces, and other state security agencies participated in the commemorative ceremony to honour Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe, and Private Odartey Lamptey.

READ ALSO: Nana Addo remembers Christianborg Crossroads Shooting

On February 28, 1948, a number of ex-servicemen were marching from Accra to the Christianborg Castle to present a petition to the governor over their unpaid war benefits when they were intercepted at the crossroads by a contingent of armed policemen.
He said the role the building plays in the Ghanaian history makes it a good choice for such a museum.

You are not now going to look at building something fresh. You are looking at a place where the location or the vicinity is part of history and so the choice is, for example, the Christiansborg or Osu Castle because at the end of the day you know that is where almost all our heads of state lived.

Sackey, however, downplayed concerns raised from the ties the castle has with the slave trade in the country. He argued that slavery is still part of history and it is historically a very key place for us to have a museum like that.

As far as the cost is concerned, Sackey said the amount will be worked out. He said that there were significant financial pledges made that gives the committee little cause for worry.

We had a substantial amount of money being pledged when the logo was unveiled. Now it is up to the subcommittee responsible for sponsorship to follow up.

The 60th-anniversary celebration will cost an estimated GHc 20 million. Sackey said all the major initiatives, from the innovation challenge to the plan to building 60 libraries in 60 deprived communities, have been factored in the estimated cost.
The aggrieved residents did the unthinkable when they decided to tie a local juju to a pole at the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) in a bid to deter officials of the company from cutting power supply to them.

READ ALSO: Ghanaians divided over who to blame for comeback of dumsor

However, the IBEDC argues that the residents were only doing so to avoid paying their electricity bills.

In a tweet, the company said: "Lol, some Nigerians will do anything to avoid paying bills. As seen in Oyo state. Have a great week!"
The Mahama-led government before leaving office insisted that it had fixed the energy crisis.

READ ALSO: Ghanaians divided over who to blame for comeback of dumsor

But the Technical Adviser at the Ministry of Energy, Michael Opam said the claims are false.

Unfortunately, I dont want to apportion blames. Unfortunately, because ofI want to say delays in maintenanceif the TAPCO plant was available we wouldnt have even resorted to Cote DIvoire.

But we had delayed the maintenance of TAPCO to the extent that it was not possible to do it again otherwise that particular plant is gone. So in order to keep the lights going on we have resorted to still running the TAPCO plant when we shouldnt have, Mr Opam said on Accra-based Starr FM.
According to Kufuor, "There is no truth whatsoever in this allegation."

Rawlings in an interview with the Daily Graphic said, "The 31st December Movement suffered bankruptcy in supporting Atta Mills. How many of us bothered to show up in court to offer her moral support in recognition of the foundation she laid in leading the women from the PNDC to the NDC?

READ MORE: Rawlings to vie for NDC Chairman posters out

"During that trial, Peter Ala Adjetey, the then Speaker of Parliament, whose son, NDCs well-fed Larry Adjetey, was charged together with my wife, threatened Kufuor that if he did not drop the false charge against his son, he would personally go to court to defend his son. Kufuor dropped his charges.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Read this story and more for free on your mobile phone

"How many of these qualities of principled solidarity did we demonstrate towards our own? Instead, people got rewarded with appointments by denigrating and trying to destroy some of us. What money did I not borrow to assist some of our colleagues and comrades who were suffering financially under Kufuors regime? Those debts are still on my head today."

But Kufuor in a statement to Mr Rawlings said "I wonder what ails Rawlings to make him always try to impugn my integrity in his interviews.

"It is not true that I tried to prosecute Larry Adjetey but relented because his father, Peter, threatened me. The circumstances of his (Rawlings) wifes (Nana Konadus) trial is a matter of public record, available for anybody who cares to verify. Rawlings should stop posturing as the only person of integrity and truth.
I feel honoured and delighted to be a member of the Advisory Board which I'm fully committed to by playing my part to achieving the objectives of the MGMH within this tenure.

READ ALSO: 4 smart ways to kill sugar cravings

My appointment to the Advisory Board is the first any Ghanaian has risen to that position in the MGMH since its formation, he told the Ghana News Agency in an interview.

Assigned Duties

Mr Taylor is expected to serve in an advisory capacity to the Principal Coordinator on the activities and management of MGMH.

He will be contributing content for the newsletter, website and social media, as well as, assist in sourcing of funding for the biannual Global Mental Health Summit.

Mr Taylor has assured that he will work hard towards the improvement of the country's mental healthcare and persons with mental disorders.

I'll raise up issues about our country at our meetings so that support in various forms can be accessed from other parts of world.

I'll get the Movement to focus attention on Ghana in cases where and when necessary to get our government to do what it takes to address all issues of mental healthcare and the rights of persons with mental disorders, he said.

The tenure of the new Board is from 2017 to 2020.

What is the Movement for Global Mental Health

The Movement is a network of individuals and organisations that aim to improve services for people living with mental health problems and psychosocial disabilities worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries where effective services are often scarce.
According to the group: "We want to entreat the Akufo-Addo government to immediately enact a legislation that would make a mere defence of homosexuality a treasonable offence to control the unnecessary defence of the sacrilegious and abominable act of lesbianism and [gayness] by some unscrupulous individuals and groups in the country."

READ MORE: Ghanaian gay man denied asylum in Canada

The Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye on Monday, February 20, 2017, called for the amendment of the countrys laws to completely ban homosexuality and make it illegal.

He said: "It is unfortunate that people have become so liberal that they will want to liberalise Christianityeven priests are approving of homosexuality and allowing a man and a man [to] marry, a woman and a woman [to] marry and these are manifest abominations."

"I trust that with your kind of insistence, the Parliament of Ghana will find its way clear in strengthening the laws to ban homosexuality as they exist. As for this, may God forbid that it becomes a Ghanaian culture," he added.

The group in a statement signed by the president, Osempakani Kaakyire Kifi said: "We believe Ghana is not ready now or ever to accept this inhuman and ungodly behaviour, but the government must show its commitment not just by word of mouth but rather by a law that will restrict people from trying to defend the act.

"We observed with the greatest disappointment and panic over the past week how the Amnesty International confidently and without any shame came out to defend and called for the legalisation of homosexuality in Ghana in the name of human rights observation."

The statement added: "His Excellency the president of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has all the powers either to accept or decline the legalisation of the act, therefore, we are appealing to the president to see the need to enact harsh laws to deal recklessly with those outcasts who want legalisation of homosexuality in Ghana.
According to him, Government has not appointed a new leader for state owned Goil.

Governments response is in connection with a press statement issued by Professor William Asumaning, the Board Chairman of GOIL, on Saturday February 25 in relation to a purported appointment of a new CEO of the company by the president.In the statement Professor Assumaning accused Akufo-Addo of breaking protocols in his appointment of Mr Osei Prempeh as the new CEO of the company.According to Professor Asumaning, GOIL is a public listed company on the Ghana Stock Exchange with its own regulations which makes it impossible for the president to appoint or dismiss a CEO without observing the necessary procedures.

READ ALSO: GOIL dismisses appointment of new CEOHe added saying, President Akufo-Addo did not follow due procedure in his new appointment of the GOIL CEO.However a statement from the presidency signed by Mr Arhin expressed disappointment in Professor Asumaning for issuing a statement based on Ghanaweb report headlined: Nana Addo Picks New Heads for Forestry Commission, Ghana Health Service, and GOIL, without carrying out checks.
"Free trade is wonderful for the world and the United States. But its benefits are diffused among 320 million people," he said in an interview with CNBC's Becky Quick on Monday. "You buy your bananas cheaper because we don't try and produce them in the United States. But the penalties from free trade are terrible to specific industries."

"And as an investor, I can own  make a dumb decision on owning a shoe company, but if I own a good insurance company, I can diversify away the problems. If you are a 55 year old steel worker, you can't diversify away your talents," he added.

US President Donald Trump, in particular, made the debate over free trade one of the central topics of his campaign. He argued in favor of ripping up trade deals, said NAFTA was "the worst trade deal in the history of the country," and called the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, "a rape of our country."

And during his first week in office, Trump signed an executive regarding his intent to pull the US out of the TTP. Additionally, he has on multiple occasions stated his intent to "renegotiate" NAFTA.
The firm is closing the research function in the US, according to a spokesman. Around 90 jobs in research and support will go as part of the change, while around 85 in other roles such as trading will not be affected.

The US office was set up in 1986 and focused on serving US funds looking to invest in Asia.

In 2009, it started covering US equities too. Then, in 2013, Chinese banking giant CITIC Securities acquired CLSA, becoming the first Chinese brokerage to purchase a global financial institution, according to CLSA's website.

The firm has offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, and San Francisco, according to its site.

The firm had a number of well-known analysts in the US, including banks analyst Mike Mayo, a fixture on the finance TV circuit.

In November, Citic announced it would combine CITIC Securities International Company Limited (CSI) and CLSA Limited under the CLSA brand. It said then that the two were combining "as Chinas unique, off-shore financial platform with unmatched capabilities and coverage across 25 cities in the Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas."
Meyers started the segment with some news from Texas, where two men were shot. They blamed illegal aliens, but it turns out they actually shot each other.

Meyers also cites reports that counter claims from Trump's administration, including that immigrants are actually less likely to commit crimes than people born in the US, and that there are more Mexicans leaving the country than there are coming into the country.

The host also rebuked Trump for "wildly inflating" the number of undocumented immigrants in the US. The president told CNN's Anderson Cooper "it could be 30" million, while official estimates put it at 11 million.

"We do know what the number is. Just because you don't know, doesn't mean no one knows," Meyers said.
McCarthy's portrayal isn't friendly  her version of Spicer obnoxiously chews gum, calls everybody Glenn, makes up facts, and shoots soap into reporters' mouths with a water gun.

Irrationally angry characters are McCarthy's strong suit, but the White House is reportedly not a fan. According to Politico, in a story that says the White House was "rattled" by the spoof, sources close to Trump said that to him, the most problematic thing about the impression is that it was done by a woman.

An unnamed Trump donor also told Politico, "Trump doesn't like his people to look weak."

Some expected backlash from Trump, since he has responded online to Alec Baldwin's impression of him, but he has been silent.

On Monday, Spicer addressed the sketch in an interview with Extra, saying jokingly that McCarthy "needs to slow down on the gum chewing  way too many pieces in there."

But despite Spicer's more genial response, Politico reports that "the caricature of Spicer by McCarthy struck a nerve and was upsetting to the press secretary and to his allies, who immediately saw how damaging it could be in Trump world."

Those around Trump saw the sketch as harmful precisely because it was accurate, according to Politico.

"I thought they had Sean down pretty good," one Trump ally told Politico.
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Oliver's HBO show, "Last Week Tonight," has been off the air recently. But to promote the new season that starts Sunday, he stopped by "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Tuesday and talked about the recent Trump controversies with his old "Daily Show" costar.

"This is going to be exhausting," Oliver told Colbert of covering Trump's presidency.

Oliver also said being on the show on the day Betsy DeVos was confirmed as the secretary of education was not a highlight.

Playing off the main issue that critics took with DeVos during her confirmation process, her limited experience with public schools, he joked that DeVos should serve as an inspiration for kids "because she shows they could be secretary of education one day  in fact, not just one day, they could do it now."

"They are about as well qualified now as she is and have spent arguably longer time in a public school," Oliver said.

Colbert also asked Oliver whether he was worried about being "tossed out" of the US. Oliver, a British native who holds a US green card, used the moment to thoroughly thrash Trump for his executive order temporarily barring most travel to the US from seven majority-Muslim countries and from all refugees.

"I am slightly concerned," Oliver said. "I have an American wife and an American son now, but who knows what is enough. Having a green card used to be enough, and yet what we saw with that executive order on immigration, that debacle, things are not what they were supposed to be. We held up Afghan and Iraqi translators at the border who have bled for a country they have never visited, have sacrificed family members for this country. This president has done neither of those things, so it's a little hard to swallow him telling people whether they should be a benefit to America or not."
Huntsman was said to be a serious candidate for secretary of state before President Donald Trump selected former Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson instead.

Huntsman is a Mandarin-speaking former 2012 GOP presidential candidate who served under former President Barack Obama.

Tillerson earlier this month recommended Elliott Abrams for the deputy post, but Abrams was passed over after Trump learned of Abrams' criticism's during Trump's presidential campaign. Such previous criticisms could also pose a problem for Hunstman. At one point during the 2016 election, Huntsman asked Trump to drop out of the race.

"In a campaign cycle that has been nothing but a race to the bottom  at such a critical moment for our nation  and with so many who have tried to be respectful of a record primary vote, the time has come for Governor Pence to lead the ticket," Huntsmantold the Salt Lake Tribune last fall.

Huntman later said he would support Trump even though he had "fundamental philosophical differences."
Kasich, who sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, did not vote for Trump in the general election and has often been more critical of him than the governor's Republican counterparts. Asked about the meeting, he explained that his criticism of the president was not of a personal nature.

"I think, look, the man is the president of the United States," he said. "It's sort of like being on an airplane: You want to root for the pilot if you're on the airplane with the pilot. You don't want the pilot to screw up."

"And so, look, I've been around too long and I feel so strongly about my faith  not that I succeed all of the time  but to be personal," he said. "I mean I can have my opinion, but now it's time to be constructive. And sometimes being constructive is to not be positive, you know, to make your point."

Kasich said he's glad to have offered a contrast to his Republican colleagues in Washington, DC, about the Affordable Care Act, which Trump and congressional Republicans want to repeal and replace. He called "inadequate" a replacement plan from House Republicans that was leaked Friday by Politico.

"Completely," Kasich said.

During his meeting with Trump, Kasich said the pair discussed combating the opioid epidemic, on which Kasich's state has been particularly hard hit, and human trafficking, among a "whole series of things."

Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Kasich said Trump "listened a great deal to my concerns" and "was very generous with his time."

"I also told him that, I remember back when I first became governor, there was some things that I was doing to the point where my wife said to me 'you're the father of Ohio, act like it,'" Kasich said. "It takes time for people to get stabilized. ... We all want to wish this president the best, but that doesn't mean that when I wish him the best that there might be things that I see that I don't agree with and I'm going to say that."

He said that criticism was not coming from a desire to "pull" Trump down.
"Please wish everyone well and have a great evening!" he tweeted Saturday afternoon.

The announcement comes amid escalating tension between the White House press corps and Trump, who recently dubbed a number of mainstream outlets as the "enemy of the people."

It also follows reports that media outlets such as CNN have been weighing whether to attend the event this year. Bloomberg also announced on Friday it would cancel its after-party, but said it would still attend the dinner.

Jeff Mason, the president of the White House Correspondents' Association, said Saturday that the dinner would go on as planned.

"The WHCA takes note of President Donald Trump's announcement on Twitter that he does not plan to attend the dinner, which has been and will continue to be a celebration of the First Amendment and the important role played by an independent news media in a healthy republic," Mason said.

On Friday, reporters from several outlets, including the New York Times, CNN, and Politico, were barred from attending a press gaggle with White House press secretary Sean Spicer.

The WHCA vehemently objected to the move, saying in a statement it "will be discussing this further with White House staff."

The annual dinner, held in April, is typically attended by an array of media outlets and celebrities, as well as the president, administration officials, and prominent politicians. A high-profile comedian usually emcees the event, and the president delivers a monologue.
The Wall Street Journal dropped a big report on Tuesday about what to expect from the next iPhone  and a lot of the new features are things that have become defining elements of a Samsung device.

Let's break it down:

A curved screen. The Journal's report says the iPhone will have a curved screen. This was a feature that Samsung introduced in 2014 with the Galaxy Note Edge and streamlined a few months later with the Galaxy S6. Samsung's next phone, the Galaxy S8, is also expected to come with a curved screen  there won't be a "flat" screen option.

OLED display. The report backs up several other claims that the next iPhone will use a new type of screen technology called OLED. OLED is more power-efficient and shows color better than the LCD screens Apple has used since the first iPhone. Samsung specializes in OLED displays and has been using them for several years in its phones.

USB-C. This would be Apple's most shocking move. According to The Journal's report, Apple will ditch its proprietary Lightning connector in favor of USB-C, a new standard plug found in all kinds of devices, especially premium Android phones like the ones Samsung makes. This would be a huge reversal for Apple, which usually prefers to use its own connectors to keep users locked into an ecosystem of Apple-approved accessories. USB-C on the next iPhone would theoretically open the device up to a slew of other third-party accessories. This would be the most Samsung-y move Apple has ever made.
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The convict, Binuayo Basirat Iyabo, according to Daily Trust, a married mother of three, was caught in September of 2016 during a check out of passengers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) while smuggling 76 pellets of the drugs she had ingested.

According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Iyabo, a trader at the Dosunmu Market in Lagos State had reportedly tested positive to narcotic ingestion and while on observation, she excreted the 76 pellets of cocaine.

The NDLEA commander at the Abuja airport, Hamisu Lawan, said the convicts, in her statement, agreed to smuggle the drugs for a fee.

I wanted to expand my cosmetic business but I have no money. My sponsor offered to foot my expenses to Saudi on pilgrimage.

I was excited until I was asked to take drugs along. I wanted to decline but considering the offer of N1 million, I accepted, she was reported to have said.

In sentencing her after she was found guilty, Justice B.O. Quadri of the Federal High Court, Abuja, said her sentence would serve as a deterrent to other drug smugglers who hide under the pretext of going on holy pilgrimages to commit crimes and dent the image of the country.
Its spokesman, Mr Bala Elkana, who briefed newsmen on the achievements of the command in February, listed the crimes allegedly committed by the suspects to include cattle rustling, kidnapping, armed robbery and homicide.

Other offences included rape and unlawful possession of firearms, he told newsmen in Minna.

In the month under review, we also recovered a total of 672 cattle stolen from herdsmen, he added.

Elkana said that exhibits recovered from the suspects included three AK 47 riffles with 334 rounds of live ammunition, 12 single barrel guns, four locally made pistols and one revolver pistol.
The accused was placed under incarceration on the orders of Magistrate O.A. Edwin, a female judge who presided over the case.

He was slammed with a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempted kidnap according to the Daily Post News.

Sergeant Adebiyi Abiodun, the police prosecutor on the case told the court that Abdul attempted to kidnap his colleague in a bid to collect a N3 million ransom.

ALSO READ: Men who allegedly lead herdsmen to kill kinsmen arrested in Kaduna

He committed the crime on Sunday, January 15, 2017 according to the prosecutor who also stated that the offences contravened Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Vol.1 Laws of Ondo State, 2006 and Section 4 of the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law of Ondo State, 2010.
The teenager, who was a class six pupil before her passing had reportedly died from a brain tumour disease.

Upon her demise, her father ordered that the corpse be kept in a separate room, but he had ulterior motives which has now led to his death.

NairobiWire reported that Langat was taken to the St. Joseph Hospital, Elburgon where he gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.

Joseph Ngeno, the Sarambei Sub-Location Assistant Chief confirmed the incident stating that the girl's body was being prepared to be moved to the mortuary when her father pounced on her corpse.

The girls body was taken to a separate house in line with Kalenjin traditions as the family waited to transfer it to the mortuary, Ngeno said.

ALSO READ: Mob descend on teenager who used toy gun for robbery
To show their displeasure, angry residents of a community in Oyo State took the fight to the of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), when they tied a local 'Juju' to a pole to deter the officials of the company from climbing the pole and disconnecting them.

However, the IBEDC believes the residents were only doing that to avoid paying their electricity bills as they posted the photo on their Twitter page with the caption:

"Lol, some Nigerians will do anything to avoid paying bills. As seen in Oyo state.

Have a great week!"

But they did not, however, say if they had supplied the electricity to the aggrieved residents to warrant them coming up with this local method of preventing them from climbing the pole.
Punch reports that Bashorun was arrested together with two of her friends, Omobola Shodimu and Aanu Owoade, after they connived and dump the remains of the victim in the bush.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the victim had visited Bashorun at her house to spend the night with her but died in a mysterious manner.

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested three women namely: Rukayat Basorun 37, Omobola Shodimu, and Aanu Owoade, for murder.

The suspects were arrested when information got to the police that they secretly dumped a corpse in a bush.

An investigation revealed that the deceased happened to be Rukayats lover who came to spend some time with her but died in suspicious circumstances in the house of the suspect.

Rukayat then connived with her two other accomplices to take the body and dump it in the bush, he emphasized.

ASP Oyeyemi said on interrogation, Bashorun confessed that the deceased was her man friend who went to visit her but suddenly fell sick.

She stated further that she took him to a private hospital but the money charged by the hospital was too much for her to pay which made her take him to an undisclosed clinic where she said the man gave up the ghost.

When asked the reason why she decided to dump the corpse in the bush, she could not give any reasonable response, ASP Oyeyemi added.
The deputy governors of the states made the call at the Joint Meetings of officials on the Akwa Ibom/Cross River Interstate Boundary on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Moses Ekpo, Deputy Governor, Akwa Ibom, tasked the commission to seek permanent solution to the persisting boundary problem.

I am here with full hope that this meeting will work out and ensure peace in this boundary."

We need a solution to this problem and the solution lies with the NBC because it is their mandate to ensure peaceful co-existence between border communities."

We want normalcy to return to the disputed border and the approved boundary demarcated by identifiable boundary pillars, Ekpo said.

He stressed the need for peaceful co-existence between states, adding that they were brothers and without peace significant development cannot be achieved in the states.

The deputy governor said that if the border is clearly demarcated, they would further enlighten their citizens so that they dont encroach.

Ekpo also called on the Federal Government to provide adequate security in the boundary area.

Also, Prof. Ivara Esu, Deputy Governor of Cross River state, said that boundary demarcation should be firmly established by the commission.

Esu noted that his ultimate goal was to see peace restored in the Itu/Odukpan border community.

He reiterated that members of both communities were brother and needed to co-exist peacefully.

In his address, Dr Mohammed Ahmad, Director-General NBC, said that Akwa Ibom/Cross River boundary has been defined and approved, adding that the physical demarcation would be done soon.

He called on the state governments to muster the political will to accept, respect and enforce the recognition of the affected border communities to ensure peace.

According to him, the people of the two states are one as they share historical and socio-cultural affinity.

The crisis precipitated by differences of positions on farming activities was worrisome."

The current status is that the Akwa Ibom/Cross River interstate boundary has been defined and approved."

What remains is for the boundary to be physically demarcated on the ground in accordance with the approved definition."
This was revealed by Special Adviser to the Minister of Environment, Esther Agbarakwe.

Mohammed officially left President Muhammadu Buharis cabinet on February 22, after a valedictory session held in her honour by the Federal Executive Council.

The session was presided over by Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, and became emotional when Mohammed and Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibril, started weeping.

Mohammeds colleagues described her as a role model and a source of pride to Nigeria while Osinbajo praised her for her contributions to the Buhari administration.

She has been appointed as the Deputy Secretary General of the UN and is expected to resume at the UN headquarters in March.

ALSO READ: No more project abandonment  Amina Mohammed
Brig. -Gen. Rabe Abubakar, the acting Director of Defence Information, said on Monday in Abuja that such act was inimical to national interest, cohesion and unity.

This could be corroborated by inherent lopsidedness in the AI portrayal of Nigeria, its involvement in local politics and taking side with terrorists and other belligerent groups to cause internal disorder, which no country can tolerate.

The military in this new dispensation has maintained open door policy and has been cooperating with all stakeholders in ensuring that Nigerian Armed Forces remains one of the best and a proud institution for all Nigerians.

For AI to be making spurious allegation, especially without substance and cogent reason is uncalled for, apart from those adduced by the AI itself for the reason best known to it and its collaborators.

It is disturbing and unethical of an international organisation that is supposed to stay clear of local politics and to be seen as maintaining neutrality in its reportage of the countries it operates, he said.

Abubakar condemned the organisations over its incessant negative report on Nigeria in general and the Armed Forces in particular.

He said The AI infamous act only succeeds in giving an insight to the possibility of the organisation sponsoring various criminal gangs in our country with a view to achieving the sponsors intent.

As much as the military welcomes comments, criticism and observation that could help the institution to grow higher for the interest of our nation, the activities of the AI, to say the least, is far from being noble.

Al has negative mission in Nigeria. It is an agent of destabilisation, masquerading as a reputable international NGO which Nigerians should rise up to this daunting challenge of not giving AI the chance to truncate our hard earned democracy and unity.

It is not until you write negative report about Nigeria before you are seen working or justifying the huge amount you receive from international bodies.

While the military and other security agencies remain focus in tackling the mirage of security problems in our nation, we urge our citizens, partners and international communities to continue to support Nigeria in its quest to free us from the hands of criminal elements which AI and its cohorts are supporting.

It is our conviction that, in spite of AI fanning the ember of disunity, hate and destabilisation in our land, Nigeria would continue to remain united, strong and prosperous to take her rightful place in the comity of nations.
Ogbeh said this in Umuahia on Monday during the Federal Governments town hall meeting with prominent indigenes of the state.

He said that the machines would also be sold to private millers at reduced rates, adding that the gesture was part of governments interventions to boost local rice production.

According to him, Nigeria is spending 5 million dollars daily on rice importation from Thailand, India and Vietnam.

He expressed delight that Nigeria now ranked second in rice production in the continent, adding that the money spent on importation could be put into infrastructure development.

The minister also spoke on governments efforts to enhance the production of Cocoa and Cashew in the country.

He said that the Federal Government would soon relaunch Cocoa production in three states of Abia, Ondo and Cross River, adding that new fertiliser for the commodity was being developed.

Accordingly, he said that Federal Government also planned to set up six major cashew-processing factories in the country in collaboration with the private sector.

Ogbeh said that Abia had potential for coconut production and urged the state to explore its great potential in agriculture to boost its internally generated revenue.

He said that states in the federation could be financially autonomous and viable, without depending on Federal Allocation, if they could explore and exploit their huge potential in agriculture.

According to him, a scheme for the construction of 10 dams in the 36 states of the federation and Abuja, known as Project 10-37, is underway.

The minister also said that there were plans to restructure the Bank of Industry to enable it meet the demands for facilities by agriculturists in the country.

He said that the Anchor-Borrower Programme would be expanded to include the rice millers at the end of the restructuring.

Also, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Okechukwu Enalema, said that the Federal Government was committed to the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for which Aba was known for.

Enalema said that to achieve its target on SMEs, government placed high premium on the development of dilapidated infrastructure, especially the roads and power.

He also expressed the hope that with the recent efforts made to resolve some issues delaying the take-off of Geometric Power Plant, located in Osisioma, near Aba, the problem of power in Aba would soon be over.

He said that government was determined to create industrial zones and parks in the country and that Aba stood to benefit greatly from governments interventions for the nations industrial growth.

According to him, with governments emphasis on how to promote made-in-Nigeria products, Aba stands an advantage of being a great beneficiary of all the Federal Governments interventions.

The meeting, which was organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Cuture, was attended by some National Assembly members from Abia, including Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, representing Abia North Senatorial District.
A statement signed by Mr Celestine Ogugua, the Commission s Head of Media, on Tuesday in Abuja, said that a Prayer Convocation for Nigeria would hold on March 5, 2017, during the 2016 Pilgrimage Completion Exercise.

In the statement, Uja said that the focus of the Prayer Convocation was to pray for the President, the Acting President and Nigeria as a whole.

We will lead and mobilise the Church to pray for the recovery of Mr. President and for the Acting President to hold forth in dignity and strength."

We will also pray for Nigeria and Nigerians for the holistic recovery of our nation.

The NCPC boss also announced that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, would be the Special Guest of Honour at the prayer session.

He said that the commission would push forward its idea of constructing a Heritage Conference Centre for the orientation of all intending pilgrims before airlift.

Ujah explained that the second objective of the Heritage Conference centre is to work with Israeli Agricultural experts to build a farm centre to train farmers in addition to constructing a secondary school that would bring up young people with good Christian values.

According to him, the current economic recession is an opportunity to build and reconstruct the nation.

He blamed the recession on the failure of people to institute a proper structure to sustain the nations resources.

He said that NCPC would contribute spiritually and socially toward the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the country.

We owe this nation our service; remove sectional barriers and stand for what is right in our nation and in our service to God.

Meanwhile, Ujah, while inaugurating a Committee on Land and Training, urged the committee members to work hard and make the necessary sacrifices to produce the desired results.

In his response, the NCPC Head of Administration, Mr. Danjuma Elabi, who spoke on behalf of the members, thanked the Executive Secretary for the opportunity given to them to serve.
Oshiomhole gave the commendation during the inaugural meeting of the state caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Government House in Benin on Monday.

He also described the governors commitment to develop technical education in the state as laudable, saying the education sector had the potential to create jobs for the teeming youths.

I am very proud that this administration, within the first 100 days in office, has achieved so much.

I commend your initiatives and determination of sustaining your electioneering promises and I want to assure Edo people that the state is in good hands, he said.

Oshiomhole said that the governors partnership with foreign investors was also commendable, adding that there were emerging opportunities in the state that could be harnessed for economic development.

He, however, solicited the prayers and support of members of the party and Edo people for the present administration in the state, saying that the governor was on track with his policies.

Earlier, Gov. Obaseki thanked members of the party for their support for his administration, saying that the goal of his administration was to deliver good governance to the people of the state.

He said that the state government commencement rehabilitation work at the Benin Technical College and signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with Siemens Company among others in its 100 days in office.

The governor said that the MoU was to generate 1,000 Mega Watts of electricity for the state.

Others he said were rehabilitation of 45 roads across the state, ongoing restructuring of the State Universal Basic Education Board and the commencement of work at the fertiliser company in Edo north.

ALSO READ:Governor Obaseki slams oil majors for neglecting host communities

He said that his administration had also commenced Geographic Image system (GIS) capturing of land and houses in the state to ease issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
The Governor also called on striking doctors and nurses to sheath their swords and dialogue with his administration.

He also told the workers that he will set up a committee to look into the issues, with the aim of sorting it out.

Akeredolu said I am aware of your pains and agony. I feel your pains and what you are going through, and I can see your sufferings. I am surprised that you are still able to put up these smiles without seven months salaries. No doubt, a labourer deserves his wages.

A committee will soon be set up to address this salary issue. We are set to move forward and at the end of the day, we will all win. Let us join hands to work together for the development of this state and I can assure you that with God on our side, we shall scale all obstacles to make Ondo great.
Nnadi said that cases pending at the state high court were 36,159, as at Sept.30, 2016.

Nnadi added that 23,192 cases were filed between Oct.1, 2015 and Sept. 30, 2016, while 853 cases were disposed of within the same period.

The chief judge urged legal practitioners to utilize the Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism in the new Imo High Court Civil Procedure, for efficient and expeditious disposal of cases.

Nnadi urged the Legal Aid Council to take up cases of some inmates who had stayed for longer period in custody.

Imo Governor, Mr Rochas Okorocha, who spoke, commended judges for the way they have carried out their duties and called for strict scrutiny of membership of the judiciary.

He urged the judiciary to complement the efforts of the executive to ensure good governance.

Okorocha debunked allegations of sack of 1,100 workers in the state civil service.

He however said that he would not spare any worker found wanting and called for discipline among workers.

Mr Milletus Nlemedim, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, who spoke, said more judicial workers would be appointed within the year in order to boost justice delivery.

He also said that the state government had set up a Law Revision Committee to review and update laws in conjunction with the House of Assembly.

Mr Lawrence Nwakaeti, Imo Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, who also spoke, condemned the interference of the executive arm of government in judicial processes.

He recalled the invasion of the homes of judicial officers by the Department of State Service in 2016, describing it as a sacrilege.

Nwakaeti advised the executive to leave the discipline of judges to the National Judicial Council.

He said the judiciary must stand up in defence of its independence and resist every action of the executive aimed at reducing its independence.

Nwakaeti also accused Imo Government of sacking over 1,100 employees of the local government councils.
Three districts in the predominantly Christian south of the state -- Kaura, Jema'a and Zangon Kataf -- have been riven by conflict for the last three decades.

But the clashes between the Muslim, largely Hausa-speaking Fulani cattle drivers and the mainly Christian farmers have escalated since December, when a Fulani chief was killed.

The Roman Catholic Church last month claimed more than 800 local Christians have died in that time and 27,000 people have been forced to flee, while 16 churches and 1,500 homes were destroyed.

Police and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) disputed the figures but still put the death toll at about 200.

Foreign herdsmen?

Land and grazing rights have long been seen as the root of the fighting, although politics, religion and ethnicity are also driving factors.

The Kaduna state governor, Nasir el-Rufai, blamed the latest attacks on herdsmen from as far away as Chad in the east and Mali to the west.

Traditional cattle routes bring nomadic Fulani from about 14 African countries into southern Kaduna as they seek out pastures for their herds.

Ibrahim Abdullahi, from the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), said foreign-based Fulani lost cattle in post-election violence that hit Kaduna in 2011.

El-Rufai said he had to compensate them for their livestock to prevent further revenge attacks.

But Sunday Ibrahim, secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in northern Nigeria, disagreed with the payments and said they had been ineffective.

"Paying herdsmen who crossed into Nigeria and killed such a large number of people only emboldens them to carry out more killings for which they get paid," he told AFP.

Long-held grievances

Fulani of the Jema'a emirate began ruling the pagan tribes of what is now southern Kaduna state in the early 1800s, as part of the Sokoto caliphate in northern Nigeria.

Solomon Musa, from the Southern Kaduna People's Union, said the Fulani treated indigenous tribes as "second-class citizens" -- and still do, putting "a wedge to peaceful coexistence".

Benedicta Kato, publisher of Minority Report Nigeria that documents the violence, said nothing changed even with the later conversion of tribes to Christianity and British colonial rule.

"The general feeling of oppression of our ancestors is there," she said.

The Kaduna state government has tried to ensure equal rights but tensions remain. Last month, suspected Christian militia ambushed the Jema'a emir's convoy. He escaped unhurt.

'Institutionalised poverty'

Kafanchan is the economic hub of southern Kaduna and the main town in the Jema'a local government area, where Fulani are seen as having a monopoly on jobs.

"There is institutionalised poverty in southern Kaduna where the indigenes have been denied equal opportunities and made not to think beyond low-income jobs," said Kato.

But Abdullahi Sarkin Fada, head of the royal guards at the Jema'a emirate, dismissed the claim.

"While our people toil and struggle to make a living, they waste their time drinking and lazying around," he said.

"This is why they keep burning our investments at the slightest pretext out of envy, with the intention of forcing us out of the town they so much want to take over."

Kafanchan has seen repeated violence since Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999.

"Military rule kept everyone in check and discontent was bottled up for fear of repression by the junta," said Sarkin Fada.

Politics and power

Since 1999, a Muslim from northern Kaduna has always been state governor and his deputy a Christian from the south. That changed in 2010 when Namadi Sambo became Nigeria's vice-president.

Sambo's Christian deputy governor, Patrick Yakowa, took over, heightening tensions. When he died in an air crash in December 2012, Muslim youth reportedly celebrated.

MACBAN's Abdullahi said local politicians had long whipped up ethnic and religious sentiments to shore up support.

Sarkin Fada said all politicians had to do was "vilify the Hausa-Fulani" to get backing while Kato said genuine grievances were being exploited.

The affected areas are subject to curfew. The federal government wants to establish an army base in Kafanchan to deter unrest.
Fielding questions from journalists in Uyo, on Tueswday, Buratai said with the establishment of new army formations in the region, illegal activities were being checkmated.

The army chief was on tour of army formations in Aka Ibom, including the newly established 2 Brigade in Uyo.

Strictly speaking, there is no rise (in illegal bunkering and oil theft) because of the efforts of all the stakeholders, the military and other security agencies, working hard to make sure that the sabotage is checked."

That is why you see so many arrests, so many moves to stop the illegal bunkering. It is a new drive, new effort put by all the security agencies."

You know that we have a new 6 Division (of the Nigerian Army) that has been established."

By that establishment, we have more areas which hitherto have not been touched."

We have an experienced General Officer CommandingGOC of the division, who has gone virtually to those areas that hitherto have been isolated, he said.

According to Buratai, there is heightened activity to stop oil theft and other illegal activities in the region.

At the headquarters of the 2 brigade and 6 Battalion at Wellington Barracks, Ibagwa in Abak Local Government Area of the state, he called on officers and men to be loyal, patriotic and diligent in their duties.

He said there be a lot of activities and intervention in the state, with the establishment of the brigade.

Buratai, who has visited army formations in Cross River and inaugurated some projects is also to visit formations in Bayelsa on Tuesday, including the newly established 16 Brigade in Yenogoa.

Earlier when he paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Udom Emmanuel, he said the 2 Brigade was relocated from Port Harcourt to Akwa Ibom for strategic reason.

The decision to relocate 2 Brigade from to is a strategic reason. The strategic location of to the overall security architecture of the country is quite fundamental..

He commended the governor for his support to enable the brigade take-off properly.

Responding to another question, Buratai described the ambush attacked against troops in the North-East as isolated incident that was expected in a war situation.

We have been in war, so you cannot avoid such incidents. Mind you, these guys  terrorists are on the run but we will continue to pursue them."

They have been boxed sort of because most of their supplies have been blocked."

So, they are trying as much as possible to find weak links to be able to get some supplies in terms of ammunition and weapons and then food stuff."
Presiding judge, Justice Y. Halilu ordered Mrs Obanikoro to forfeit the property until the conclusion of money laundering investigations involving her husband and children.

She had claimed that she bought the house before the probe into her husbands affairs began.

The court also denied Mrs Obanikoros request for the sum of N200 million as compensation from the EFCC for allegedly violating her fundamental human rights.

She has however proceeded to the Appeal Court to challenge the High Court judgment.

The EFCC has accused Obanikoro of fraud to the tune of N4.7 billion in funds which were meant for the purchase of arms for Nigerias military.

The anti-corruption agency traced the money to the Diamond Bank account of Sylvan McNamara, a company allegedly owned by Obanikoros two sons, Gbolahan and Babajide.

ALSO READ: Obanikoro reportedly says Fayose got $5.377M cash
Emir Sanusi also described the act as barbaric adding that he would not allow it to continue in Kano.

He made the comments over the weekend during a mass wedding of 1,520 couples sponsored by the Kano state government.

You should all come back to your senses and stop these barbaric [acts] because we will not allow this to continue in Kano, he said.

I have warned all district heads, village heads, ward heads and imams to also desist from the bad habit of beating their wives and whoever among them is reported to me to have beaten up his wife, would outrightly lose his title," he added.
The decision was taken during the plenary session of the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday, February 28, after Senator Rose Oko moved a motion urging the Senate to intervene in the attacks.

The Senate subsequently decided to send a strong parliamentary delegation to the South African parliament to register its displeasure at the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa had earlier criticized the South African government over the attacks.

She especially condemned comments made by the South African Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba.

Gigaba is reported to have said that the issue of the xenophobic attacks will be settled at a diplomatic level.

Dabiri-Erewa however responded by saying that xenophobia had become a social disease which some South Africans need to be cured of.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Symington spoke in Sokoto on Tuesday when he paid a courtesy call on the sultan.

Symington said: The US is happy with the role the sultan is playing in ensuring sustainable peace and unity in Nigeria, and even beyond."

The sultan is a father to all Nigerians and he is worthy of emulation by all Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike."

So, the visit is aimed at appreciating the role of the sultan in bolstering security in the country.

The US envoy said that his country would sustain the existing mutual relations between it and Nigeria as well as other African nations.

Responding, the sultan commended Symington for the visit, promising to work closely with him to further cement the existing cordial relations between the two countries.

He said he would continue to work selflessly to move the country forward and assured the envoy that Nigeria is now more secured than it was few years back.

Earlier during an interactive session at the Sokoto State University, Symington urged the students to always put Nigeria first.

You should always think of what you can do for Nigeria and not what Nigeria will do for, the US envoy said.

He noted that Nigeria occupied a special place in Africa, saying that the diversity of the nation was its comparative advantage.

Symington called for the strengthening of democracy, good governance, justice and equality, as well as providing enabling environment for youth entrepreneurial development.

The country can also diversify the economy through agriculture, as the sector could provide more job opportunities."

I have just visited the tomb of and those of his children, and what should not be buried with him is his hope to end injustice, he added.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Nuhu Yaqub, commended the US Ambassador for the visit, describing it as encouraging for the university community.
According to Daily Post, community leaders in Kumuya village, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State alerted when they stormed their homes.

A source also revealed that the sect members on seeing the soldiers, engaged them in a gun battle and 18 terrorists lost their lives.

The Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar also confirmed the incident saying The killing of the Boko Haram insurgents in Kumuya is true. We want people to always give the military timely and accurate information so that we can continue to maintain peace and security.

All efforts are now geared towards reconstruction, resettlement and rehabilitation of the communities displaced by the sect.

The source also said There was a call from the community that the terrorists were around the area to unleash mayhem, including ransacking peoples houses for food. The information was so accurate because when the troops got to the location, the Boko Haram members were taken out. Eighteen of them were killed.

The Boko Haram members are hungry and they are coming to some remote villages to attack residents and to look for food. But this time in Kumuya village, luck ran out on them and they were killed by the troops.
Senator Adeyeye stated this while contributing to a motion titled  by Senator Rose Oko on Tuesday, February 28, 2017.

If the xenophobic attack on Nigerians continues, maybe we will expel South African companies like DSTV, MTN and Shoprite from Nigeria," Adeyeye said.

We can also treat South Africans the same way that they are treating us but its not in our character to do so, he added.

Contributing to the motion, deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu noted that Nigeria had assisted South Africa during the apartheid period adding that some citizens of the country were forced to school and live in Nigeria.

Senate President Bukola Saraki noted that both countries have enjoyed healthy diplomatic relations in the past and called for an end to this xenophobic attacks.

"We must preserve our dignity and respect for Nigerians, we must be seen to be defending our people at all times," the Senate President said.

The Senate resolved to send a strong parliamentary delegation to the South African parliament to protest the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

The Red Chamber also invited the minister of foreign affairs to provide insight into governments plans towards engaging the South African government effectively to end the xenophobic attack on Nigerians in the country.

The upper chamber condemned in strong terms the return of xenophobic attacks and extra-judicial killings of Nigerians by the South African Police and citizens of the country.
Fayose also said that Obasanjo makes certain comments so he can stay relevant.

The governor was addressing Obasanjos recent remarks on the likely emergence of an Igbo president in 2019.

Do you ever take Obasanjo serious? I dont take him serious. By his nature, Obasanjo wants relevance at all times. We have worked with him and used to be his foot soldiers. I know him more than anybody in this country, Fayose told The Sun.

He just talks, so that he would remain relevant. Do you see any other former President in the country running his mouth like his? If it is not the fact that he has a voice as a former head of state, where is Obasanjos constituency? Who are his followers?

How many votes can Obasanjo win in his ward? We must say the truth and we must face the truth. Lets give it to him, as a leader in this country, whoever has governed this country before would remain our leader, but he must equally recall and admit that he is becoming more fairly negative than working towards national building, Fayose added.
According to a tweet by Channels Television politics correspondent, Seun Okinbaloye, the meeting is ongoing and its agenda is the internal crisis rocking the party.

The prolonged leadership tussle involving the Ali Modu Sheriff faction and the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the party has deepened the animosity amongst its members.

The PDP had been thrown into chaos following its shocking loss in the 2015 presidential election, which was won by President Muhammadu Buhari of the All progressives Congress (APC).

ALSO READ: Appeal Court says Ali Modu Sheriff is original PDP Chairman
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that the victims were attacked and wounded by Rivers people.

According to him, one of the victims regained consciousness on Sunday.

This is one area that Nigerians should ask questions: over 25 INEC staff members are in hospital today because the people of Rivers State decided to either kill or wound them."

They were all beaten up because they went to those villages to conduct an election."

Let the people of Rivers State tell us the offence of any of them."

What did they do? They were bringing materials for the election; they decided to descend on them, beat them up, collect their personal belongings and run away, he said.

Ikoiwak noted that the victims were on official duties and needed a peaceful environment to achieve success.

He called on Nigerians to condemn the alleged attack.

It is very sad. None of them was beaten up in his home but where they went to conduct an election."

Why shouldnt Nigerians discuss that? Why should people sent to conduct an election be beaten up and their belongings taken away from them? he asked.

NAN reports that about 700 staff members of the commission were mobilised for the supplementary legislative election in Etche.
The senator made the comments while speaking to journalists on Sunday, February 26 in Kano.

Those peddling rumours of Buharis death are enemies who by hook or crook want to be Vice President to Osinbajo but unfortunately they woefully failed because Buhari is coming back safely and healthy, he said.

Unfortunately for them, neither the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, nor Buhari trusts them. Osinbajo is a trusted ally to his boss and he dislikes anything that would make him compromise the trust he enjoys.

Buhari has a daunting task of fumigating his government, cleanse it and flush out these hyenas who eat from the nations treasury without pain. It is open fact that today, politicians are only interested in getting power to use as launching pad of their personal businesses, he added.

Buhari has been out of the country since January 19 when he travelled to London for a 10-day medical vacation.

The president however wrote the Senate on February 5 to extend his vacation indefinitely.
What would have been a meal of Spaghetti, and some water has now led to the death of students of Queen's College, Yaba.

Two female boarding students, Vivian Osuinyi and Bithia Itulua, began vomiting and stooling and eventually died on the 23rd and 24th of February.

The Federal Ministry of Health stepped, ordering the shutdown of the school, and commencing an investigation into the incident. Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, visited the school himself to participate in the investigations. The Lagos State Government also sent officials to conduct their own investigations.

Based on findings, the diarrhoea reports began a month ago, when students started reporting cases of stooling and vomiting to the Sick Bay.

A staff of the school spoke to The Daily Sun, saying:

As soon the SS III students finish their Mathematics examination, today (28th of February), they will go home. We have informed parents about their coming home. The health officials insisted the students must vacate the college to allow for thorough investigation.

The school is supposed to resume for Junior Students next week, but this new development means students will have to stay at home for longer till Health officials deem it safe to resume school.

The Principal of the school, Dr Lami Amodu, has now been transferred to Federal Science and Technical College, Uromi, in the Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Attendees were treated to quick run-throughs of various kinds of fabrication processes using 3D printers and unique software to create interesting items at the GE stand.

While attendees were being treated to the latest in 3D printing and fabrication technology, GE also commenced its next training programme at the Lagos Garage, 3rd-floor Mansard Insurance building, Bishop Aboyode Cole street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The GE Lagos Garage, which just graduated its latest batch of trainees from its 3D printing training programme, is a design and fabrication lab.

ALSO READ: Final 25 participants selected for 3D printing training program

GE created the Garages program in 2012 to reinvigorate Americas interest in the invention, innovation, and manufacturing. In 2014, Garages went global with three weeks of workshops amidst a fully equipped fabrication lab in Lagos, Nigeria, at GEs regional headquarters.

GE engineers will be on hand at the Lagos Garage to teach participants and 3D printing enthusiasts present at the training about the technology.

"It is really interesting how you can put in a shape into the computer and next thing, that shape is coming to life right before your eyes," said David Oluranti, one of the attendees at the kick-off event. "It is such a fascinating thing."

The program is designed for hardware entrepreneurs that have an existing product or idea and want to learn how to manufacture it or components of it in Nigeria using 3D printers, instead of importing it.

The programs select participants will directly interact with the latest manufacturing technologies - including 3D printers and laser cutters - that enable innovation through rapid prototyping, which will transform Nigerian industries.
The panel included Tolu Ogunlesi, Special Adviser to the President on digital media; Simbo Olorunfemi, CEO of Hoofbeats Media; Anthony Esae-Brown, Editor at BusinessDay; Chiamaka Akaniro, UN youth ambassador; and Stanley Azuakola of Scoop.ng who moderated the panel.

The panellists, with the guidance of the moderator, discussed the ills of social media in a society like Nigeria's and the role it plays in public discourse.

ALSO READ: Tech entrepreneurs urge women on successful online businesses

Panellists discussed the threats social media poses to public opinion and how to mitigate those threats, particularly in light of the recent developments in the Nigerian political scene and how Nigerian's have reacted to them.
The Alternative for Germany party has struggled to reunite after a damaging split deepened by a hard-right member's comments on Germany's Holocaust guilt.

The protest party has also bled support as a strong mainstream candidate, the Social DemocratMartin Schulz, has emerged with a bold pledge to defeat their declared enemy, Chancellor Angela Merkel, in September elections.

This week, the AfD leadership sent out a letter to their almost 27,000 rank-and-file members, urging unity after a surge of infighting sparked by right-wing member Bjoern Hoecke.

Hoecke sparked national outrage in January when he labelled Berlin's Holocaust monument a "memorial of shame" and called for "a 180-degree shift" in the country's culture of remembrance.

The widely-deplored comments moved the AfD close to neo-Nazi rhetoric just as its public face, Frauke Petry, has sought to portray it as an acceptable conservative-nationalist movement, copying her French ally the far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

With the four-year-old party embroiled in civil war between its right and far-right wings, and Petry seeking to expel Hoecke, the AfD urged members to "close ranks against the establishment parties".

The appeal came as the party, after a string of state election successes, dipped from 15-percent poll support in December back to as low as eight percent in a recent survey.

For a long time, "a double-digit result in the national elections seemed a given," wrote news site Spiegel Online. For the moment, it judged, "the euphoria is finished."

Trump factor

The split is not the first for the AfD, formed in 2013 at the height of the eurozone crisis to protest against bailouts for indebted Greece and demand the abolition of the euro currency.

Petry led a leadership coup in 2015 as the party shifted focus to conservative law-and-order issues and "family values" and, above all, opposition to immigration, multiculturalism and Islam in German public life.

As a mass refugee crisis has brought more than a million asylum seekers to the EU's top economy since 2015, the AfD went from strength to strength, entering the opposition benches of 10 of Germany's 16 regional states.

In its most spectacular result, it won 20.8 percent in the ex-communist state where Merkel has her electoral district.

Political analysts now see multiple causes for the AfD's recent change of electoral fortunes -- including fears sparked by the election of US President Donald Trump and his rapid and radical series of policy pronouncements on issues from trade to NATO.

"The chaotic administration of US President Donald Trump, who was celebrated at first, is now causing concern in view of the multiple crises all around the world," said Manfred Guellner of the Forsa polling institute.

Schulz challenge

Other observers point to the fact that Merkel, an object of hatred for AfD followers for her liberal migrant policy, has increasingly moved to stop the influx.

Her government's focus has shifted to expelling rejected asylum seekers, boosting internal security after several jihadist attacks, and pushing North African countries to stem the migrant flow.

"The AfD is losing importance because many of their policies have been adopted," observed the Koelner Stadt-Anzeiger daily.

Guellner also argued that AfD supporters whose main aim is to end Merkel's 11-year reign are throwing their support behind Schulz, a candidate seen to have a decent shot at victory.

Since the outspoken former European parliament president declared his candidacy, his re-energised SPD has surged by around 10 points, beating Merkel's conservatives in several surveys.

Timo Lochocki, of think tank the German Marshall Fund of the United States, agreed that "if you want to get rid of Angela Merkel, you now have an alternative within the system".

The AfD, meanwhile, could be due for another coup attempt, he predicted.
Istanbul prosecutors launched an investigation into theHurriyet front page story on Saturday which suggested that the army was not satisfied with the recent actions by the government.

The story listed seven grievances including the lifting of a historic ban on female officers wearing the Islamic headscarf in the officially secular country.

"Let me put it very clearly, what's done here, the headline they have used is insolent," Erdogan told reporters at an Istanbul airport before leaving for Pakistan on an official visit.

Erdogan said nobody had the right to set the army against the government and warned: "Whoever tries to set us against one another will pay a price."

"No offence but I don't find such an approach forgivable at a time when we need unity, fraternity and solidarity more than ever," he added.

Erdogan said he discussed the issue with Chief of Staff General Hulusi Akar on Monday.

The government increased control over the armed forces in the wake of an attempted coup in July last year blamed on followers of preacher Fethullah Gulen.

The Hurriyet newspaper, the flagship daily of Dogan Media Group -- the Turkish media giant which owns television channels Kanal D and CNN-Turk -- is a mainstream daily but houses pro-government columnists as well.

- 'Coup mongering'-

The story headlined "the army headquarters are uneasy", based on military sources, carried the byline of Hurriyet's Ankara bureau chief Hande Firat.

Firat, one of Turkey's most prominent journalists, was fiercely condemned by pro-government media for "coup mongering".

Ironically, Firat played a crucial role in defeating the July 15 coup when she spoke to Erdogan live on her CNN-Turk show by FaceTime on the night of the putsch.

Erdogan used the interview to rally his supporters, calling them into the streets to resist the attempted power-grab.

An Istanbul prosecutor's office on Monday launched an investigation into whether there was a pro-coup faction within the military that was trying to block the government's actions, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

The army on Tuesday dismissed "baseless and intentional criticism" in the Hurriyet story, which it said was a "distortion" aimed at harming the armed forces at a time when it is fighting terror at home and in Syria.

Appearing on CNN-Turk, Firat said the critics had not read her story properly, adding that Hurriyet had sought comment from the military chief of staff.

"We, as Hurriyet newspaper and Dogan Group, will continue to defend democracy," she said.

Erdogan defended the lifting of the headscarf ban in the army and said women would enjoy their freedom.
The authorities had already said they suspected the National Liberation Army (ELN) of carrying out the February 19 attack, which killed a police officer and wounded more than 20 at the Plaza Santamaria bullring in the capital.

But the leftist rebels' claim of responsibility, issued late Sunday on Twitter, pollutes the air at the peace talks as President Juan Manuel Santos seeks a deal with Colombia's last active rebel group to end a conflict that has killed 260,000 people.

The bombing came 12 days after the talks opened -- a bloody reminder of the violence Colombia still faces even as the government implements a historic peace deal with the country's largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

The ELN also claimed responsibility for a February 14 attack on a military patrol in eastern Colombia that wounded two soldiers, as well as several bombings on the Cano Limon Covenas oil pipeline.

The government said the ELN, which initially denied responsibility for the bullring bombing, was "very mistaken" if it thought it could pressure Santos into a ceasefire with attacks.

"The ceasefire will be reached when the ELN understands that it is reached by de-escalating, not escalating, the conflict," the government's chief negotiator at the talks, Juan Camilo Restrepo, wrote on Twitter.

The ELN sought to downplay the tension.

It said Monday morning that talks were resuming as scheduled in the Ecuadoran capital Quito, "with a good atmosphere between the two sides."

The talks are now at a crossroads, said Frederic Masse, an expert on the conflict.

"If the government leaves the negotiating table, it's the end of the (peace) process," he said.

Trading blame

Santos is trying to achieve "complete peace" by reaching a deal with the ELN, Colombia's last active rebel group.

He won the Nobel Peace Prize in October after reaching an accord with the FARC.

This weekend, the FARC's 6,900 fighters finished converging at 26 demobilization zones where they will disarm under UN supervision.

Both the FARC and the ELN took up arms in 1964 at the start of a conflict that drew in multiple leftist guerrilla groups, right-wing paramilitary units, drug cartels and the army.

The FARC opened talks with the Santos government in 2012. But the two sides declared a bilateral ceasefire only in June 2016, when their peace deal was nearly complete.

The government has rejected declaring a ceasefire with the ELN so early in the process, saying it would only strengthen the rebels' hand.

The ELN said the Santos administration was ultimately to blame for the bombing because it insisted on negotiating in mid-conflict.

"It is not coherent on the government's part to sit down to peace talks while delaying a bilateral ceasefire and subjecting the population to the suffering of war," it said.

The ELN has an estimated 1,500 fighters.
Addressing the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Budapest, Orban said that improving competitiveness was not the only way to bolster economic growth and "enhance the value" of the "homeland".

"How to do this? First, by preserving ethnic homogeneity. One can say such things now, which you would have been executed for during the past few years, as life has proven that too much mixing causes trouble," he said.

Hungary's population, like those of many European nations, has a mix of ethnic backgrounds, but Orban said this diversity "is within a certain band ethnically... within one civilisation".

Orban, an admirer of US President Donald Trump, has called the wave of mostly Muslim migrants into Europe since 2015 a threat to the continent's cultural and religious heritage, and has built border fences to try to keep them out.

Hungary's government "cannot risk changing the fundamental ethnic character of the country," he said.

"That would not enhance the value of the country but downgrade it instead, and toss it into chaos."

He also claimed that limited diversity was culturally important because "the problem of parallel societies is undesirable," an allusion to worries that societies unable to integrate migrants can increase crime levels and terrorism.

Hungary, an EU member with a record-low unemployment rate of just above four percent, is facing an acute shortage of workers, with many employers saying they are struggling to fill vacancies.

But Orban warned against a recourse to so-called "guest worker" programmes, saying he would support them only on an ad hoc basis for short-term contracts.

"I would not like to see the country drift toward a situation where lower-skilled work would only be carried out by foreigners," he said.
The arrest of Omurbek Tekebayev following his arrival at the main airport early Sunday triggered a snap protest in the capital Bishkek that peaked at a thousand strong.

A smaller protest of around 500 people took place in the city on Monday, calling on President Almazbek Atambayev to release Tekebayev and even step down from office.

Atambayev is barred from running for another term at the upcoming presidential election in November.

Tekebayev, the leader of the parliamentary Ata-Meken party and a bitter adversary of Atambayev's, is being held in connection with an investigation into corruption at a key telecoms company.

Specifically, he is accused of accepting a $1 million bribe from a Russian businessman to ease the purchase of the company in 2010.

The Ata-Meken party has dismissed the criminal case "fabricated".

In Tekebayev's southern homeland of Jalal-Abad on Monday supporters attempted to block a main road, according to footage broadcast by private Kyrgyz media.

'Without any legal basis'

MP Kanybek Imanaliev told AFP that in the span of a week, separate criminal investigations have been opened "without any legal basis" against three party members.

Aida Salyanova, a former state prosecutor and one of the Ata-Meken MPs currently under investigation on graft charges said on Monday that the protests would go on "indefinitely" until Tekebayev is released.

Atambayev, who is scheduled to host Russian leader Vladimir Putin Tuesday, has so far refused to back down as tensions grow.

Speaking at a meeting with civic groups on Monday, he said there would be "no untouchables" and that the government would not be "strongarmed" into withdrawing charges against opposition members.

While ex-Soviet Kyrgyzstan is the most democratic country in a region dominated by long-ruling autocrats, it has also been the most politically volatile in recent times.

The Muslim-majority country experienced two revolutions that unseated presidents in 2005 and 2010 followed by ethnic violence that left over 400 people dead.

Both Tekebayev and Atambayev were members of the interim government that came to power after the second revolution in 2010.

But Ata-Meken strongly opposed a referendum on constitutional changes that passed in December with a strong push from Atambayev's office, while Tekebayev also called for the president to be impeached last year.

Atambayev is constitutionally restricted to a single six-year term and says he has no intention of easing into the office of prime minister, a position whose powers have been boosted by the recent constitutional changes.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that six persons, alleged to be human traffickers, were also arrested and brought back to the country alongside their victims.

The Hercules C-130 military aircraft, with registration number NAF 913, conveying the returnees landed at 7:45 pm at the Airforce Base of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

They were brought back by the Nigeria Air Force in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant, Diaspora and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

They were received at the Hajj Camp area of the airport by officers of the NAPTIP and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

Addressing newsmen, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended the Chief Of Defence Staff, for facilitating the return of the victims to the country.

We want to thank the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, for making the return of the girls possible, otherwise they would have still be there.

The girls came back voluntarily. Some of these girls are between 15 and 17 years old who thought they were being taken to Europe for greener pastures but ended up with traumatic experiences in the hands of their traffickers and their madam.

So they should not be ashamed of themselves because they are victims. We are going to rehabilitate them through skills acquisition programmes. I am therefore calling on non-governmental organisations to join us in this regard, she said.

Dabiri-Erewa advised Nigerian parents to watch their children carefully and ensure that they dont succumb to peer pressure and other activities that could exposed them to traffickers.

She confirmed that six of the alleged traffickers, who were arrested and brought back to the country, would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.

According to her, the President Muhammadu Buharis administration remains committed to the welfare of Nigerians all over the world, hence this intervention.

Also speaking, Mr Joseph Famakinwa, Zonal Commander, NAPTIP, South-West Zone, said 512 victims were returned to the zone in 2016.

Famakinwa said Nigerians needed to go back to the basics of bringing up their children uprightly and discouraging the get rich quick syndrome.

He said poverty was not solely responsible for the increase in the human trafficking, stressing that other factors such as negligence, peer pressure and greed were also responsible.

Once the girls have been rescued, we take them to our shelter houses where they are received by trained counselors who assist them in overcoming their trauma.

After counseling, for those who dont want to go back to school, we give them a vocational training of their choice and also assist them to set up their businesses.

We also meet with their families to let them know that being victims of human trafficking is not the end of the world and advised them on how to render support to the girls, Famakinwa said.
The incident occurred at a Mardi Gras parade, city spokesman Grant Brown said.

According to Brown, the car was driven by a 73-year-old man who accelerated and hit the band.

Brown also ruled out drugs or alcohol as a possible 'force' behind the man's action.

"Every indication is that it was a tragic accident by an elderly man," Gulf Shores Police Chief Ed Delmore said.

Students were said to be among those who sustained injuries.

Board member for the Baldwin County Board of Education, Angie Swiger, said all students in the parade have been accounted for.

"We've taken the students back to the high school that have not been checked out by parents, and we have accounted for everyone," she said.

Swiger said a crisis counselor is at a local high school to comfort students and parents who witnessed the crash.
A total of 21 Democrats voted for him.

Ross, who succeeds another billionaire, Penny Pritzker, will now also coordinate US commerce policies with the US trade representative, a post for which Trump has nominated Robert Lighthizer, who awaits Senate confirmation.

Democrats' questions of Ross's ties with Russia come at a time when Trump is defending his administration's relations with Moscow, following leaks about repeated contacts between members of his campaign team last year and Russian intelligence officials.

Since 2014, Ross has served as vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Cyprus, the largest bank in Cyprus, which was saved from bankruptcy in 2013 by a bailout from the Eurozone countries and the IMF and by forced contributions from most of its savers.

This bank also is the second largest shareholder in the Russian conglomerate Lamesa Holding, owned by the Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg, whose fortune is valued at more than $12 billion by Forbes.

"@CommerceGov nominee Wilbur Ross is practically a cartoon stereotype of a Wall Street fat cat with no interest in anyone but himself," wrote prominent Trump opponent Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Ross's predecessor as vice chairman of bank's board is Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, a former KGB agent known to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The United States Senate and the American public deserve to know the full extent of your connections with Russia and your knowledge of any ties between the Trump Administration, Trump Campaign, or Trump Organization and the Bank of Cyprus," Democratic Senator Cory Booker said in a letter to Ross.

In mid-February, Booker and five other Democratic senators sent a letter to Ross asking him whether the Bank of Cyprus had lent to Trump's real estate group, the Trump Organization.

The officials also called on Ross to reveal whether he had any contact with Russian officials or agents during the presidential campaign.

Ross's team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer deplored the fact that the White House would not release Ross's response to the Democrats' queries.

"It is another example of this administration abandoning transparency and trying to jam their nominees through without making all the relevant information public and available," Schumer said on the Senate floor.

"On an issue as sensitive and important to national security as Russia, it is another black mark on this nascent administration."
UN resolutions require nine positive votes and no veto to be adopted.

It was the seventh time that Russia, Syria's top military ally, has used its veto power to shield the Damascus regime.

China, also one of the five veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council, has joined Russia in vetoing six resolutions on Syria.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had warned that imposing sanctions on Syria during ongoing peace talks in Geneva was "completely inappropriate" and would undermine the effort to end Syria's nearly six-year war.

"This resolution is very appropriate," US Ambassador Nikki Haley told the council after the measure was defeated in the vote.

"It is a sad day on the Security Council when members start making excuses for other member states killing their own people."

"The world is definitely a more dangerous place," she said.

The resolution would have put 11 Syrians, mainly military commanders, and 10 entities linked to chemical attacks in 2014 and 2015 on a UN sanctions blacklist.

The measure followed a UN-led investigation which concluded in October that the Syrian air force had dropped chlorine barrel-bombs from helicopters on three opposition-held villages in 2014 and 2015.

The joint panel of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) also found that Islamic State jihadists used mustard gas in an attack in 2015.

The vote marked the first major council action by the new US administration, which is seeking warmer ties with Russia.
Russia has vowed to use its veto to block the measure, which would be the seventh time that Moscow has resorted to its veto power to shield its Damascus ally.

The vote scheduled for 11:30 am (1630 GMT) would mark the first major council action by the new US administration of President Donald Trump, who is seeking warmer ties with Russia.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley was in Washington on Monday to join Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for a White House lunch, with foreign policy expected to be a focus of discussion.

"How much longer is Russia going to continue to babysit and make excuses for the Syrian regime?" she said on Friday following a closed-door council meeting to discuss chemical weapons use in Syria.

"People have died by being suffocated to death. That's barbaric."

The vote would see the Trump administration joining old allies France and Britain to confront Russia over its support for Syria.

Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov said Friday that Moscow would veto the measure because it was "one-sided" and based on "insufficient proof."

The Syrian government has repeatedly denied using chemical weapons in the war that has killed 310,000 people since March 2011.

Fears among European allies of a radical US shift on Russia subsided earlier this month when Haley leveled strong criticism at Moscow for its actions in Ukraine.

Punishing those behind chlorine attacks

The vote at the council comes as UN-brokered talks in Geneva to end the war in Syria were struggling to get off the ground while government air strikes continued, despite a ceasefire.

The draft resolution follows a UN-led investigation which concluded in October that the Syrian air force had dropped chlorine barrel-bombs from helicopters on three opposition-held villages in 2014 and 2015.

The joint panel of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) also found that Islamic State jihadists had used mustard gas in an attack in 2015.

Under the measure, 11 Syrians, mostly military officials, and 10 entities linked to chemical weapons development would be placed on a UN sanctions blacklist, hit by a global travel ban and assets freeze.

The draft resolution would also ban the sale, supply or transfer of helicopters and related materiel, including spare parts, to the Syrian armed forces or the government.

Chlorine use as a weapon is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013 under pressure from Russia.

The UN-OPCW panel had identified the Syrian air force units who dropped chlorine barrel-bombs on the villages of Qmenas, Talmenes and Sarmin in 2014 and 2015.

The head of Syrian air force intelligence, Major General Jamil Hassan, and Major General Saji Jamil Darwish, the commander of Syrian air force operations during the attacks on the villages, were on the proposed blacklist.

jpegMpeg4-1280x720The United States last month imposed sanctions on 18 senior Syrian military officers and officials over the use of chemical weapons.
It will reinforce an existing barrier erected in 2015 at the height of Europe's migrant crisis along the 175-kilometre-long (110-mile-long) frontier in southern Hungary.

The new fence will have sensors every 10 to 15 centimetres that trigger alarms, Orban's chief security advisor Gyorgy Bakondi told the Magyar Hirlap newspaper on Monday.

A government spokesman confirmed to AFP a report in pro-government daily Magyar Idok that work has begun, with columns erected close to the Kelebia border crossing.

The newspaper said that the work was being done by prisoners, who in November completed a test section 10.3 kilometres (6.4 miles) long.

Bakondi said that this part "exceeded expectations" and led to a complete stoppage in illegal border crossing there.

The new barrier will be completed within two months before the summer months that could coincide with an increase in migrants attempting to cross, according to Magyar Idok.

Orban's right-wing government hopes that when fully built the fence will cut the numbers of troops and police officers required to patrol Hungary's border with Serbia.

In 2015 over 400,000 migrants trekked through Hungary, a border of the EU's passport-free Schengen zone, toward northern Europe.

After the first fence line was completed in September that year, and another one along the Croatian border a month later, the number of migrants entering Hungary slowed to a trickle.
WWE RAW REPORT: A BAD NIGHT TO BE SECURITY OR A TURNBUCKLE, MORE MATCHES FOR FASTLANE, OWENS AND GOLDBERG, JOE IN ACTION, AND MORE

We are in Green Bay, Wisconsin and your announcers are Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton.

Bill Goldberg's music plays and he walks through the back and then makes his way to the ring.

Bill thanks Green Bay and he says last week, Kevin Owens came out in his nice little shirt, his nice little suit, and his nice little spotlight and he did what he does best. He talked and talked and talked and talked until he couldn't talk any more and he talked some more. Goldberg says he will not do that even if he is in a good mood. He says he is six days out. He says he has never made a promise that he did not follow through with. Bill promises at Fastlane, spear, jackhammer, one two three and Goldberg becomes Universal Champion and he takes it into Wrestlemania where he will face Brock Lesnar.

Bill says that he promises everyone in the arena and everyone watching, his wife, his son, and Kevin Owens that he will deliver so he will see him on Sunday.

Kevin Owens does not wait for Sunday and he makes his way onto the stage.

Kevin says that it is good that Bill is in a good mood because he is in a good mood too. When he was in his nice suit and his nice spotlight, he got a lot off his chest, but there was one thing missing. Bill was not there. He can tell him something to Bill's face. Kevin says he made a promise when he came to the WWE. He said when he came to the WWE, he would grab it by the throat and show everyone what he is about.

On his first night, he beat John Cena. He beat the poster boy for the last decade on night one. Then he beat the crazy guy Dean Ambrose. He beat the Flavor of the Month, AJ Styles. The architect, he beat him. The Big Guy, Roman Reigns. He beat him too. Kevin says he will not bring up what he did to Chris Jericho because he does not matter.

Kevin tells Bill no matter how loud these sheep chant your name (and they chant his name), you're next. Kevin says that he is not saying in the same cute way that Goldberg does because it is his catchphrase. You are next in the evolution of Kevin Owens as Universal Champion.

Bill says that everyone should give Kevin a hand for his rousing speech. Bill says it pissed him off, so why wait until Sunday. He wants to give Green Bay something.

Kevin says he does not speak Neanderthal and fight here right now. Kevin says let's do it in a Green Bay Street Fight.

Kevin stops and says that Green Bay does not deserve to see him fight. They will fight, this Sunday and he cannot wait for the moment when the referee counts to three and he stands over Goldberg with the Universal Title. Kevin says the Goldberg chant dies on Sunday.

The New Day walk in the back as we go to commercial.

We are back and the New Day make their way to the ring.

Xavier says as your hosts for Wrestlemania, they have a lot on their plates.

Kofi says you shouldn't be concerned with what is on their plates.

Big E says you should be concerned about what is in your bowls.

Xavier says you want much more than Booty-Os.

Kofi says y'all want that ice cream. Kofi talks about New Day Pops, a mouthful of magic.

Big E says they have to take the shine off the Shining Stars first.

Before the match, The New Day is handed an envelope. Xavier says they are not going up against them. They have a later tonight against The Big Show.

Xavier opens the envelope and Big E reads that they are facing Rusev and Jinder Mahal

Match Number One: Rusev and Jinder Mahal (with Lana) versus Xavier Woods and Big E (with Kofi Kingston)

Woods with a waist lock but Mahal with a waist lock. Woods with a head scissors and forearm in the corner. Big E tags in and hits a shoulder in the corner. Woods with an Honor Roll for a near fall. Woods with a drop kick off the apron to stop Rusev from interfering. Big E with a splash on the apron and we go to commercial.

We are back and Rusev with a front face lock on Woods. Woods gets to his fet and he hits a jawbreaker. Woods is caught by Rusev when he tries to make a tag. Rusev puts Woods against the ropes and connects with knees and hits a Fallaway Slam for a near fall. Mahal tags in and he kicks Woods and hits a leaping knee drop and gets a near fall. Mahal with a rear chin lock. Mahal with a knee and Rusev tags in and hits an elbow drop. Rusev runs Woods into the corner and connects with shoulders. Rusev with a punch.

Rusev with an Irish whip but Woods gets a boot up and then he kicks Rusev but Rusev keeps Woods from making the tag. Rusev goes for a Fallaway slam but Woods lands on his feet. Rusev blocks a kick but Woods with an enzuigiri. Big E and Mahal tag in and Big E with two overhead belly-to-belly suplexes. Big E ducks a clothesline and hits a belly-to-belly suplex. Woods does a Sexy Party and then he hits the Warrior Splash. Rusev is knocked off the apron. Mahal with a super kick to Big E but Woods makes the tag. Woods with a cross body for a near fall. Rusev with a round kick to Big E to send him to the floor.

Rusev yells at Kofi while Mahal is rolled up in an O'Connor Roll and Woods adds a Backlund bridge and Woods gets the three count.

Winners: Big E and Xavier Woods

After the match, Mahal and Rusev argue in the ring.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Michael Cole mentions they will announce another new inductee into the Hall of Fame.

Michael mentions Fastlane and we take a look at how Anderson and Gallows got opponents for Sunday.

Enzo and Colin are in the locker room. Enzo says he will use the titles to pick up women. He says he will wear the title belt everywhere.

Colin points out that Gallows and Anderson have won titles all over the world while they have never won a title together. He says it changes on Sunday. Colin says he has to focus on his match with Luke Gallows.

Sheamus is yelling at Cesaro but Cesaro tries to explain things metaphorically.

Samoa Joe stops by and he says it has been a long time since he has seen Cesaro, but he is the same guy trying to figure it out.

Cesaro says he can handle this. He has always been able to take care of Joe.

Joe asks Cesaro if he is busy trying to grasp the brass ring.

Cesaro says Joe is holding Hunter's jockstrap.

Joe walks away and Sheamus says he would like to kick his ass, but Cesaro says he has it under control.

Stephanie is signing something and Mick Foley comes in. She says that she needs to apologize to Mick. She goes through the lengths he would go through adversity and fear. That was the Mick Foley she hired to be General Manager. Stephanie says 17 years ago tonight, her husband ended Mick's career and she is not going to apologize for that. She says that Hunter gets stronger while Mick has gotten weaker. She says that Mick is a shell of himself. She says Mick does not measure up to his own expectations. She says that Mick has to realize that with every step he becomes more pathetic and more feeble.

We go to commercial.

We are back with comments from Brian Kendrick. He says he tried to take Tozawa under his wing to become something special in the WWE. Tozawa turned his offer down. He had to be taught a lesson. Lesson one . . . then Lesson Two. Brian says he hopes Tozawa is learning his lessons.

We are told that on the Kickoff Show, we will see Rich Swann and Akira Tozawa against Brian Kendrick and Noam Dar.

Match Number Two: Akira Tozawa versus Noam Dar (with Alicia Fox)

They lock up and Tozawa with a clean break but he screams at Dar. Dar with a sunset flip but Tozawa rolls through and kicks Dar and follows with a back senton for a near fall. Dar with forearms and Tozawa with chops. Tozawa gets Dar to cover up on a chop and Tozawa with a jab. Dar with an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow and Tozawa goes to the turnbuckles and Fox distracts Tozawa. Dar with a kick to the leg and that is where Dar turns his focus for a moment. Dar with an arm bar.

Dar with a head butt to the midsection but Tozawa with a rana and forearm to knock Dar off the apron. Tozawa with a suicide dive. Tozawa goes up top and leaps over Dar when Dar moves. Tozawa with a snap German suplex for the three count.

Winner: Akira Tozawa

After the match, Brian Kendrick attacks Tozawa and sends Tozawa into the ring post and then he hits a running boot from the apron and Tozawa hits the ring post.

Kendrick gets a mic and he says that is Lesson Number Three. Even though you might win your match, you need to have eyes in the back of your head and you don't. Even when the match is over, it's not over. He asks Tozawa if he has any questions. He says that he hopes Tozawa is learning his lesson.

We go to commercial.

Coverage Continues on Next Page

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The Quad-Cities Corporate Partners and Quad-Cities Disability Employment Network will host the 25th annual Career Fair For People With Disabilities on March 7.

The free event for Quad-City area residents with disabilities will be 10 a.m. to noon at the iWireless Center, Moline. An employer panel, moderated by Jennifer Marme-Lowery of Partners in Job Training and Placement, will precede the fair at 8:45 a.m.

The fair will feature about 25 participating area employers and community agencies, including agencies that assist people with disabilities in obtaining employment.

It is sponsored by Quad-Cities Corporate Partners, iWireless Center, The Dispatch/Argus and the Quad-Cities Disability Employment Network.

Participants include these employers: ADDUS Health Care, Black Hawk College, Cintas, Good Samaritan Society, Handicapped Development Center, Happy Joes, Iowa 80 Group, iWireless Center, Levy Restaurants, Mediacom, MetroLINK, Mid-American Energy, Moline Dispatch, Per Mar Security, Quad-Cities River Bandits and UnityPoint - Trinity; and these agencies: Transitions, Handicapped Development Center, ARC of the Quad-Cities, Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services, Black Hawk Area Special Education District and Illinois/Iowa Center for Independent Living.
Western Illinois University demonstrated its commitment to the Quad-Cities with plans for a new Small Business Development Center, or SBDC, and an International Trade Center on the Moline campus.

University officials, including Western Illinois president Jack Thomas, announced Tuesday that it will expand its SBDC operations from its Macomb campus and open the university's first International Trade Center. The programs are led by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs.

Thomas said the programs align with Western's mission "to serve as a driver of economic development across the region."

The two centers fill a gap created in 2015 when budget woes forced Black Hawk College to end funding to the previous Illinois SBDC and International Trade Center. The Quad-Cities Chamber of Commerce ran the SBDC and International Trade Center's operations on an interim basis throughout 2016.

"We want to reach across the region to share knowledge and provide technical assistance wherever we can," Thomas said.

He credited Chris Merrett, the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs director, and his staff with developing a plan for expanding the services to the Quad-Cities campus amid Western's own budget constraints.

"It's opportunities like this where we reach out and do partnerships with our communities that make us proud ...," Thomas said.

Merrett helped the university receive a $300,000 Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant to expand its operations. Western also is partnering with the Small Business Administration.

"A city this size should not be without a Small Business Development Center and an International Trade Center," Merrett said, adding that had the services not been preserved, it would have created a gap in the local economy.

In fact, he said that since 2010, the Macomb SBDC has helped businesses in a 12-county region create or retain 5,099 jobs and secure $21.84 million in new startup capital. Additionally, the Quad-Cities International Trade Center created or retained 43 jobs, which exported $143 million in sales in 2015 alone. The university now will cover a 22-county area in west-central Illinois.

The one-year grant will include funding for a two-person staff, including Michelle Lewis, an international trade specialist who filled a similar role under Black Hawk College and then the Quad-Cities chamber.

"The newly opened Illinois SBDC will provide confidential business planning guidance, training and other resources to entrepreneurs and start-up and existing small businesses in the Quad-Cities region," said Jim Boyd, the Macomb SBDC director, who will oversee the Quad-City operations.

Illinois Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, who attended the announcement, said the expansion is a prime example of the collaboration needed during these financial times to keep the state moving forward. Entrepreneurs will continue to have access to business services, assistance in finding funding and other resources, she said.

"It's also great because our student body is seeing this," she said, adding the resources will let students and other entrepreneurs see Illinois as a "great place" to start a new business.

The new program also will expand services into Western's classrooms to work with aspiring entrepreneurs and to Quad-City residents, including in Moline's Floreciente neighborhood, where it will work to boost minority small businesses. Merrett anticipates the centers to serve larger numbers in the urban Quad-Cities vs. Macomb and its surrounding rural areas.

Joe Rives, Western's vice president for Quad-Cities and planning, said the new centers show the commitment that the university has to stimulating community and economic growth and advancing the chamber-led Q2030 regional vision.

"Western welcomes the opportunity to serve the region and to advance our priorities and goals through workforce development, recruitment, retention and associated economic development," he said.
A Davenport man admitted Tuesday that he killed and shot 29-year-old Brandon Smith in September 2015.

Quantrell L. McDaniel, 20, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder about an hour after lawyers selected a jury to hear his case.

He initially faced the more serious charge of first-degree murder. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors will dismiss a second charge of going armed with intent when he is sentenced April 12.

Second-degree murder is a Class B felony punishable by up to 50 years in prison, of which he would have to serve 35 years before he can be considered for parole.

Scott County Attorney Mike Walton said during Tuesdays short plea hearing that he and the defense that morning had discussed an apparent issue with McDaniels statement to police. That discussion was part of the basis for the plea, he said.

Walton did not say exactly what the issue was, but he cited a section of Iowa Code that states that police must permit a person under arrest to call, consult with or see a member of their family or an attorney.

In a handwritten motion filed Feb. 21, McDaniel offered to plead guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder.

About 9:30 p.m. Sept. 24, 2015, McDaniel and co-defendant Dantawn L. Cole went to the EZ Mart, 2923 Brady St., where they saw Smith make a purchase and leave the store, according to police.

After exchanging words, Cole retrieved a stolen .22-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun from a home in the 2800 block of Brady Street and gave it to McDaniel, who used it to shoot Smith twice around East Garfield and Dubuque streets, according to police.

Smith, 29, of Davenport, was taken to Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, Davenport, where he died from his injuries.

When questioned by District Court Judge Mark Lawson during Tuesday's plea hearing, McDaniel said he killed and shot Mr. Smith and that I did not act in self-defense.

Just before he was led out of the courtroom, McDaniel addressed Smiths family.

To the family, Im sorry about everything that happened, man, he said.

Smiths father, David, said McDaniels apology seemed sincere, but it doesnt take away the pain, doesnt take away the responsibility.

What the family wanted as much as a conviction was answers, he said, answers we would have gotten at trial.

Smiths mother, Jennifer Pieper, didnt buy the apology.

I dont know how you shoot someone out of malice and say Im sorry, she said. I think that maybe the tiniest bit of humanity in him saw the pain in our eyes, and maybe, just maybe, he felt bad.

As the case gets closer to being resolved, the family continues to honor Smith, Pieper said.

We speak his name, we decorate his grave every holiday, she said. Well honor him. Hell (McDaniel) rot in prison.

Cole, 25, pleaded guilty March 22 to lesser charges of involuntary manslaughter by commission of a public offense and going armed with intent. He agreed to testify against McDaniel, per his plea agreement with prosecutors. He will be sentenced next month.
An investigation into "serious allegations of possible employee misconduct pertaining to time theft" has uncovered no criminal wrongdoing, Moline officials wrote in a news release Tuesday.

The Moline City Council was told about the allegations last fall and hired an independent investigator. In a nearly three-hour closed-door meeting on Monday, aldermen learned of the results of the investigation.

Aldermen previously authorized spending up to $100,000 on a forensic audit related to the allegations, but no money was spent on an audit.

According to the city's news release, the investigation by attorney Mikkie Schiltz, "has revealed that no criminal wrongdoing or fraud has occurred, and no laws have been broken.

"The investigation did reveal shortcomings in time keeping and time keeping policies over the past ten years, which have been addressed and will be further addressed in the future."

The time-keeping issues revealed by the investigation are resolved, according to the statement, which added, "since this investigation concerns internal personnel issues, the City cannot release any more details about it. While some have decried the lack of information given about the allegations, the City did so to protect the integrity of the investigation and the privacy of those involved.

"The City Council will take immediate steps to ensure that similar situations never happen again."
Linda Phelan Shaw of Eldridge has been selected as the Irish Mother of the Year for the St. Patrick Society Grand Parade XXXII.

The nations only bi-state St. Patricks parade will start at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 18, at the corner of 4th Avenue and 23rd Street in Rock Island, and end at the RiverCenter at East Third and Perry streets in downtown Davenport.

The mother of four sons and grandmother of seven, Shaw has participated in every Grand Parade but one. She was a member of the first full four-year class to graduate from Assumption High School in 1962.

She was employed at Midland Press and Oscar Mayer and is an active member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Long Grove. She is a long-time blood donor and is a past volunteer at Habitat for Humanity and Kings Harvest. She was married for 29 years to the late Roger Shaw.

The granddaughter of Irish immigrants who came from Kilkenny to America in 1893, Shaw toured Ireland in 2001, visiting Blarney Castle near Cork, and meeting many Phelans in Waterford. My mother Dorothy Phelan was the force behind the Phelan  Shaw  Willis Clans marching in the first Grand Parade in 1986 and I accept this great honor in her memory.
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner can duck the realities of American politics for only so long.

The Republican was among only four no-shows Monday at a confab between 46 governors and President Donald Trump. He, too, skipped out Sunday night on the president's first White House gala, which brought governors to the White House to talk Obamacare over what I can only assume was some pretty good wine.

Rauner's absence is particularly noteworthy. Chicago is a featured component of Trump's American Carnage tour. I'm pretty sure I bought that album in the 1990s. But I digress.

Yes, Illinois' economic center is among Trump's favorite punching bags highlighting what he sees as the breakdown of civil society. Its number of murders  not its actual murder rate, mind you  is one of Trump's primary targets. The president, yet again, smacked Chicago during Sunday night's dinner party.

"What's going on in Chicago?" he asked the governors on hand, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

And yet, Rauner wasn't on hand to argue, respond or generally engage the president on the issue.

Hey, at least Trump didn't threaten to roll out the tanks this time.

Rauner instead opted to roll out his plans to "transform Medicaid Services in Illinois" at Mount Sinai Hospital in Illinois. But his absence poses countless questions and, perhaps, even more causes for concern, should the president continue his verbal assault on the seat of economic power in Illinois.

I asked Rauner's staff Monday morning why he left Washington early following the annual meeting of the National Governors Association. A spokeswoman said the governor referred me to audio of Rauner addressing the matter during a Monday morning media gaggle in Chicago. But the audio, which was supposed to be posted on the state website early Monday afternoon, hadn't appeared by 4 p.m.

Rauner is gearing up for dogfight next year when he seeks re-election. The results of manufactured photo-ops with Trump certainly would be used against him.

Rauner didn't face many good options. Placate Trump and be branded a turncoat against his state. Argue with him and risk offending much of his own party.

But Ohio's anti-Trump Republican Gov. John Kasich showed up. He even held a media conference on Friday to detail his his argument against the gutting of Obamacare's Medicaid expansion. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, also a Republican, showed his face, too. Photographers captured Baker flanking Trump's daughter, Ivanka, with Kentucky's Matt Bevins. And Baker is from a state that's more hostile to Trump than even Rauner's.

This isn't the first time Rauner has demurred when national politics put him on the hot spot. Last month, Trump's travel ban put O'Hare International Airport in the spotlight. Green card holders were detained there. Protesters flooded the place. Rauner, in the past, supported more thorough "vetting" of Syrian refugees during the Obama administration. But such a stand was easy then. Suddenly, peoples' lives were being disrupted  and their rights walked upon  in Illinois.

Rauner responded by saying the courts should figure it out, adding that Trump's ban caused him "serious concern."

There are indeed political risks for Rauner should he publicly hobnob with the Trumps.

But two facts remain: Illinois is the fifth-most populous state and boasts a major metro. It's also a regular target for a president who could further undermine a state that already has enough problems.

Not engaging Trump might seem appealing on its face. But it's Illinois that stands to lose if Rauner continues to decline to defend it.
LAW OFFICERS: A Senate subcommittee agreed Monday to add peace officers to a protected class of Iowans who would be covered by enhanced hate crime penalties if they are the victim of an offense committed against them because of their employment as a law enforcement officer. Coverage under Iowas civil rights law also would be extended to jailers and correctional staff under Senate Study Bill 1007. Sen. Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale, where a recent shooting attack claimed the lives of two peace officers, said the bill would give officers another tool to protect them in the line of duty if perpetrators know they could face up to a Class B felony. I think this is just a little extension to make people think twice before they want to assault a peace officer, he said. Critics of the bill said peace officers already are protected against unlawful attacks like every other citizen. Sen. Rich Taylor, D-Mount Pleasant, a former correctional officer, said he always felt he had this kind of protection. He agreed to support the bill, but he said it appeared to be piling on more laws that really arent necessary. Susan Cameron, a lobbyist for the Iowa Sheriffs & Deputies Association, said her group supported the enhancement, saying police officers are being targeted in this day and age. Its a tough job already. The bill now goes to the full Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.

GUN BILL: A suburban Des Moines mayor and law enforcement officials spoke out Monday against proposed legislation they say will result in higher public safety budgets, more gun-related investigations and more difficult prosecutions. Pleasant Hill Mayor Susan Kurovski, who described herself as a mother, weapons carry permit holder and Republican, said passage of HF 133, especially the stand-your-ground provisions, will make it difficult to prosecute gun-related crime because perpetrators could claim they were defending themselves. She estimated the city would need to spend another $720,000 on law enforcement to provide more coverage to more areas more frequently if more people are going armed. She asked lawmakers not to forget the 1986 shooting of the Mount Pleasant mayor at a council meeting by a man upset over a sewer backup when they consider allowing weapons at the Capitol. Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert expects his officers would have to respond to more gun-related incidents if HF 133 is enacted. What were looking for is less gun trips, less gun violence, not more, he said at a Statehouse news conference.

BIODIESEL CAPACITY: Iowas capacity to produce biodiesel is on the rise by nearly 20 percent, from 334 million gallons a year to almost 400 million gallons. That according to the Iowa Biodiesel Board, which attributed the boost to projects currently under way or that were recently completed. Grant Kimberley, Iowa Biodiesel Board executive director, said proactive state policies have played a pivotal role in keeping the states title as the nation's leading producer, including the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program, which provides grants to help fuel distributors and retailers modernize equipment to include biofuels. On Wednesday, biodiesel supporters will be at the Statehouse to meet with state legislators to ask for funding for the program for another year. The program has resulted in 261 new biodiesel retail pumps and 55 terminal locations throughout the state since 2006, giving all Iowans greater access to the fuel.

SCHOOL SECURITY: Iowa schools would be required to have a security plan establishing protocol in case of an active shooter situation under a bill approved Monday by the House Education Committee.

HF 353 would not tell local school boards and administrators what to include in the plan, but Rep. Jim Carlin, R-Sioux City, said a security plan is important, especially for rural school districts where law enforcement might not be nearby.

The plans would be available to school employees and parents would be notified of its existence, but Carlin said details would not be a public record.

Rep. Wes Breckenridge, D-Newton, a law enforcement officer supported the bill, but said he may offer amendments to make sure the right individual are involved in the plan.

COMPUTER EDUCATION: HSB 107 to require the state Board of Education to adopt computer science education standards for elementary, middle and high schools that receive money from a computer science professional development incentive fund was approved 22-0 by the House Education Committee.

The goal is for each high school to offer at least one high-quality computer science course, each middle school to offer instruction in exploratory computer science and each elementary school to offer instruction in the basics of computer science.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: This is really an invitation to a lot of lawsuits.  Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, in discussing a bill supported by education groups to seek a constitutional amendment giving school districts home rule authority similar to a constitutional change for cities and counties in the 1970s.
DES MOINES  An Iowa bill that effectively could ban abortions by declaring that life begins at conception cleared a major hurdle Monday, passing through a Senate subcommittee before this weeks funnel deadline.

Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, who chaired the judiciary subcommittee, said the bill, SF 253, likely will go before the full Senate Judiciary committee Wednesday or Thursday and then be approved ahead of Fridays funnel for future debate by the full Senate.

The legislation, which womens health organizations argue will have far-reaching and unintended consequences, would make it so that life is protected from the moment of conception  and accorded the same rights and protections guaranteed to all persons.

The so-called personhood bill is meant to align all aspects of Iowa law, said Zaun, one of 21 co-sponsors of the bill. If a pregnant woman is killed by a boyfriend or husband, the prosecutor is able to bring two murder charges, he said, and unborn children are included in Medicaid figures.

Anti-abortion advocates packed the Statehouse; dressed in black, they carried signs, chanted and sang, spilling out of the meeting room and into the Capitol rotunda.

All other rights are worthless if you dont have right to life, said Rebecca Kiessling, a professional speaker and anti-abortion activist from Michigan.

Kiesslings birth mother was raped in the early 1970s, before Roe v Wade made abortion legal. She said that without anti-abortion legislators, she would not be alive today.

But several groups argued that the bill effectively would ban abortion  a legal medical procedure  and have unintended consequences, including limiting in vitro fertilization, limiting birth control options and even hurting the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicines OB-GYN accreditation.

This bill is extreme and reckless, said Erin Davison-Rippey, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. No other legislation of this kind has passed in this entire country.

Davinson-Rippey said that any Iowa woman who has negative results from a pregnancy could be at risk under the bill.

It could endanger the lives of pregnant women by preventing doctors to treat ectopic pregnancies, it could criminalize doctors and investigate women who suffer miscarriage, she said.

The loose language in the bill also could ban the most effective types of birth control, including the pill, the shot, the contraceptive patch, the implant and intrauterine devices, said Jodi Tomlonovic, executive director of the Family Planning Council of Iowa.

Thats because hormonal birth control methods and IUDs prevent pregnancies through stopping the ovulation of an egg; preventing or impairing the motility of sperm; and developing a uterine environment that does not support implantation of a fertilized egg.

It is the last mode that causes all of these methods to be banned under SF 253, Tomlonovic said. In any given instance, we dont know which of the three modes prevents the pregnancy from occurring.

This will negatively impact thousands of Iowans who are attempting to avoid a pregnancy. It will increase the number of unintended pregnancies and the number of abortions.

On Tuesday, the Senate will discuss a bill that would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks.

Also on Tuesday, the Coalition of Pro-Life Leaders, a group of 10 anti-abortion organizations active in Iowa, will hold a news conference at 10 a.m. in the Iowa Capitol, room 116, on its new Shes a Baby marketing campaign.
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for Eldridge, Camanche, Park View, Princeton, Maysville and more until 4:15 p.m.

Stay updated throughout the night with the latest conditions, warnings and radar at qctimes.com/weather. And follow @qctweather on Twitter.

EARLIER UPDATE

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for parts of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Missouri -- including the Quad-Cities -- until 10 p.m.

The National Weather Service warns that a few tornadoes are likely, along with apple-sized hail and wind gusts of up to 70 mph.

Stay updated throughout the night with the latest conditions, warnings and radar at qctimes.com/weather. And follow @qctweather on Twitter.
PIERRE  The Sturgis Water Works Company Supply Works Site has recently been added to the National Register of Historic Places, according to the South Dakota State Historical Society.

The National Register is the official federal list of properties identified as important in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture. The State Historic Preservation Office of the State Historical Society works in conjunction with the National Park Service, which oversees the National Register program, to list the properties.

"South Dakota's history is rich in American Indian culture, pioneer life and change," said Jay D. Vogt, state historic preservation officer and director of the State Historical Society. "Properties listed on the National Register are important for their role in South Dakota's culture, heritage and history. And when properties get listed, it shows that their owners take pride in their role in preserving that culture, heritage and history."

Buildings, sites, structures and objects at least 50 years old possessing historical significance may qualify for the National Register, according to Vogt. Properties must also maintain their historic location, design, materials and association. Listing on the National Register does not place any limitations on private property owners by the federal government.

Joseph J. Davenport and his wife Sara came to Sturgis in 1884. His first venture was to organize the Lawrence County Bank when Sturgis was still part of Lawrence County. With a keen eye for business and the commitment to the betterment of Sturgis, he petitioned the city in 1892 for a franchise to develop and operate a water works system. That franchise was approved on January 12, 1892, and the Sturgis Water Company was officially established in February 1892.

Davenport had already done a great deal of homework in locating a site for the reservoirs and a route for the pipelines. He worked with geologists to determine the best locations for the dams and reservoirs and with civil engineers to plan the best ways to install the pipelines from the reservoirs through the rough terrain to the city.

By 1904, the system had proven itself and on May 21, the Sturgis Water Company became the Sturgis Water Works Company. It is located about 2 miles south of Sturgis in a narrow gulch. The surrounding area is densely forested.

In the 1920s, the site also began serving as a summer home for the Davenport family. For more than fifty years, the Davenports entertained friends and dignitaries there.

Jarvis D. Davenport, Joseph and Saras youngest son, joined the family company in the early 1920s. When Joseph died October 17, 1937, Jarvis became the owner of the company.

In 1978, shortly after the death of Jarvis, the family sold the water works system to the City of Sturgis. The Davenport descendants continue to own twenty acres of the original land.

The Sturgis Water Works Company Supply Works Site is a collection of resources that were recently listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a district. The resources of the 10 acre district date from 1892 to 1953 and include six buildings (cookhouse, barn, summer cabin, bunkhouse, outhouse, shed), three structures (ice house, chlorinator House, bridge), two objects (remnants of two wagons), and a small site (sawmill ruins).

The property retains a high degree of historic integrity. Some alterations done in the 1980s served to preserve the property rather than diminish the integrity. The resources generally are in good condition and are considered contributing resources.

The site is listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its contribution to local commerce and industry. It is also listed for its connection to Joseph and Jarvis Davenport, both of whom made significant contributions to the community by way of this property.

Other properties recently listed in the National Register of Historic Places the Belle Fourche Band Shell, the Canton Carnegie Library, the Herschell-Spillman Steam Riding Gallery (aka Prairie Village Carousel) in Madison, the Rapid City Masonic Temple, and the Raymond Farmers and Citizens Bank.

For more information on the National Register or other historic preservation programs, contact the State Historic Preservation Office at the Cultural Heritage Center, 900 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501-2217; telephone (605) 773-3458 or website history.sd.gov/Preservation, click on National Register of Historic Places in the right column.
The Rapid City Police Department has identified the man found dead Friday under the Interstate 190 bridge in Rapid City as Frank Sioux Bob, 45.

A preliminary autopsy did not indicate foul play in the death of Sioux Bob, police spokesman Brendyn Medina said Tuesday. The incident, Medina said, is still under investigation and the ruling on cause of death will include the results of a toxicology test.

Sioux Bob was found dead just before 2 p.m. Friday under the northern portion of the bridge, which spans Rapid Creek, after police received a report of an unconscious person in the area.
A Rapid City man charged with child-sex crimes in U.S. District Court pleaded guilty Friday to enticement of a minor using the internet.

As part of a plea agreement, Shane Douglass Davison, 37, admitted paying money for nude photos of minors and to view girls in the Philippines engaging in sexual activity in 2015, according to court documents. Homeland Security Investigations and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children investigated the incidents after Xoom.com, a money-transfer service, informed Yahoo! that a number of Yahoo! accounts, including Davison's, were trading in child exploitation material.

"Davison admitted he knew what he was doing was wrong, but felt like he was supporting the adult female in the Philippines who was putting on the show with the children," according to a signed statement he submitted in court.

Davison's enticement charge carries a penalty of 10 years to life in prison. He was originally charged with two other offenses: sexual exploitation of a minor and receipt of child pornography. He is detained at the Pennington County Jail while awaiting sentencing.
PIERRE | State Auditor General Marty Guindon presented on Monday the initial results from a 2016 law that requires audits on nonprofit organizations that receive federal grants that pass through state government.

Guindon said he reviewed 25 of the audits performed so far by certified public accountants. He showed the findings from three of the audits to the state Board of Internal Control that was created by the same new set of laws last year.

None of them are too serious, he said.

The laws came in the wake of the GEAR UP scandal involving Mid-Central Educational Cooperative at Platte. The federal Department of Education sent money to South Dakota through the state Department of Education to the cooperative.

GEAR UP was intended to help lower-income students and their families understand what was needed for post-high school education. The program now operates through Black Hills State University.

Under the new laws, the auditor general compares the money received by a nonprofit to the money distributed by a state agency. This is the first time South Dakota has made the connection, according to Lt. Gov. Matt Michels.

Senior Citizens Services Inc., doing business as Active Generations, made small errors in amounts.

Guindon said the state Department of Social Services plans to see that all amounts are properly reconciled and reported properly within monthly reports from the program.

Said Guindon: This sort of allows the board to follow the money.

He said the audit reports would allow the state Board of Internal Control to become aware of issues and determine their significance.

Said Michels about senior services: The piece thats hard to grab out of this is this is no small (enterprise).

Guindon said $1 million-plus is coming through state government for a $3.5 million program.

This is not small, Michels said.

Feeding South Dakota received money from the federal Department of Agriculture passed through the state Department of Education and money from the federal Department of Homeland Security.

Guindon said Feeding South Dakota didnt ensure that all of its sub-recipients werent on the suspended or disbarred list. Three were found of 11 tested.

They werent aware of the new requirements and didnt get the job done, Guindon said.

Butte Electric Cooperative received money through the state Department of Public Safety. They didnt retain some reports related to the spending of the federal money, Guindon said.

That was a simple one, Guindon said.

Monte Kramer asked what the board members should do with the information. Guindon said the board can gauge what should happen if there are more serious situations.

Guindon said the three sets of findings were minor but he noted that, in the case of Mid-Central, there wasnt an audit of the organization two levels down.

Liza Clark, who is state commissioner of finance and management, said the Board of Internal Control could decide what its future policy should be, such as calling on the agencies and programs to appear before the board.

Michels said it depends on the amount, too. Michels credited Guindon for the idea.

This was the first time ever weve had this interface, Michels said.
PIERRE | State legislators gave final approval Monday to tougher requirements for pharmacies and medical providers regarding drug prescriptions.

The House voted 64-3 for the measure. Senate Bill 1 now goes to Gov. Dennis Daugaard for his decision whether to sign it into law.

It would require drug prescriptions to be recorded in a statewide system within 24 hours. The current standard is one week.

If the bill passes, South Dakotas medical community within the next 12 to 18 months should be able to use a computer network to check against patients trying to get multiple prescriptions, said Rep. Mike Stevens, R-Yankton.

This is one hole in the wall well be able to plug up, Stevens said.

It would affect anyone with a license to prescribe or dispense controlled drugs and substances in South Dakota, other than veterinarians.

Right now we have a very low percentage of physicians who are part of that, said Stevens.

He said 26 percent of physicians participated. The percentages were higher for nurse practitioners and physician assistants, he said. Among pharmacists, 86 percent took part.

Rep. Daniel Kaiser, R-Aberdeen, said the legislation would address all prescriptions and not just opiates. He questioned whether the government should collect more data on citizens.

I have some concerns, Kaiser said.

Rep. Steven McCleerey, D-Sisseton, said people have been driving up Interstate 29 and filling prescriptions in city after city, then selling the drugs.

Its too bad were almost a decade behind, unfortunately, McCleerey said.

The Senate voted 35-0 on Jan. 24 to approve SB 1.
Moscow court to hear appeal against Browders arrest in absentia

MOSCOW, February 28 (RAPSI, Lyudmila Klenko)  The Moscow City Court will consider an appeal against a lower courts ruling to arrest Hermitage Capital Management CEO William Browder in absentia on March 22, the Tverskoy District Courts spokesperson Anastasia Dzyurko told RAPSI on Tuesday.

Browder has been charged with several economic crimes, including deliberate bankruptcy and tax evasion, his attorney Alexander Antipov told RAPSI earlier. Investigation into Browder was completed within the shortest possible time, from February 8 to 17, 2017, the lawyer added. However, neither defendant nor his legal team were notified about investigation. According to Antipov, this fact exemplifies secret justice and violates law.

Earlier, the Tverskoy District Court arrested Browder in absentia on charges of embezzling stock of Russias oil giant Gazprom. According to Russian authorities, Browder illegally bought over 130 million Gazprom shares worth at least 2 billion rubles ($32.6 million at the current exchange rate) at a lower, intra-market price through a Russian company he controlled, Kameya LLC, which amounts to large financial loss for Russia.

However, the United Kingdom refused to extradite its national.

In 2013, a Russian court sentenced Browder in absentia to nine years in a penal colony. The court found that in 1997-2002, Hermitage Capital auditor Sergei Magnitsky created and applied an illegal tax evasion scheme in the interests of Browder.

Magnitsky worked for Firestone Duncan and represented Hermitage Capital, which the Russian authorities accused of tax evasion. Magnitsky was arrested on fraud charges in November 2008 and found dead in a Moscow detention center in November 2009. The lawyers death provoked an international outcry.

In July 2013, Moscows Tverskoy District Court found Magnitsky guilty of tax evasion and closed the case due to his death. According to the case materials, Magnitskys and Hermitage Capital director William Browders actions cost Russia over 500 million rubles (over $8 million).
America must return to conservative principles of less government,reduced taxes, less spending and a balanced budget! Cut,cap and balance!
The Creepsylvanian masked misfits in GHOUL will devour the dead overseas on a near-two-week tour next week. Slated to commence on February 25th, GHOUL will feast on the entrails of the deceased though the United Kingdom, Belgium, Poland, Germany, and Austria, with an included stop in The Netherlands for an appearance at the Netherlands Death Fest.





Proclaims Digestor of the band's latest incursion: "We are excited to travel once again through the socialist hellscapes of Europe. Cinch up your dirndles and prepare yourself for the impending bloodbath, you sausage eating noodnicks. GHOUL is coming and we can't be reasoned with!"





GHOUL:

2/28/2017 Temple Of Boom - Leeds, UK

3/01/2017 Underworld - London, UK

3/02/2017 Het Bos - Antwerpen, BE

3/03-05/2017 Netherlands Death Fest - Tilburg, NL

3/06/2017 Goldgrube - Kassel, DE

3/07/2017 Ciemna Strona Miasta - Wroclaw, PL

3/08/2017 Chemiefabrik - Dresden, DE

3/09/2017 Viper Room- Wien, AU

3/12/2017 Bastard Club - Osnabruck, DE





GHOUL continues to tour in support of their delightfully deviant Dungeon Bastards studio offering. Released via Tankcrimes in July 2016, the record consumed Billboard Charts upon its first week of release debuting at #11 on the Heatseekers Chart, #13 on the Top Vinyl Albums Chart, #13 on the Hard Rock Chart, and #27 on the Independent Albums Chart. The band also earned prime spots on year end lists globally including the #19 position of Decibel's Top 40 Albums Of 2016, the revered rag issuing of the album, "For those who lived through Nancy and Ronald, S.O.D. and D.R.I. GHOUL's sound is like finding a shoebox of discontinued candy, all of it fresh to eat. That said, the gonzo midnight movie vibe and cartoonish energy on Dungeon Bastards perfectly articulates the apocalyptic anxiety that we're all sharing in 2016." Additionally, Loudwire - who earlier in the year voted Dungeon Bastards among its Best Metal Albums Of 2016 So Far - placed "Ghoulunatics" at the #12 spot of their Best Metal Songs Of 2016 poll. Elsewhere, GHOUL secured the #5 position of Metal Sucks' Best Band Masks survey while LA Weekly included the band in their list of Best Concert Photos Of 2016 proving team GHOUL are not only maniacal thrashers but they're good looking too.





Dungeon Bastards was captured and mixed by Scott Evans (Kowloon Walled City) at Antisleep Studios in Oakland, mastered by Dan Randall (Impaled, Annihilation Time, Fucked Up, Necrot) at Mammoth Sound in San Francisco, and wields eleven hemorrhage-inducing tracks of the band's now-patented Creepsylvanian splatterthrash.





HERE HERE HERE Dungeon Bastards is out now on CD and digital formats as well as slime green and blood red vinyl with a gatefold jacket that opens into the Dungeon Bastards board game. Players take turns advancing through a Creepsylvanian map; the first one to get to end of the map and jump the Wall Of Death wins. CD orders are available, vinyl, and digital





"Dungeon Bastards isn't just GHOUL's finest album to date - it's one of 2016's strongest albums to date, a pipe bomb hybrid of thrash, death metal, and hardcore that is effortlessly aggro and fun. Dungeon Bastards is the kind of record that will have you looking cockeyed at anyone who claims not to like it." - MetalSucks





"Infused with the savage technicality of thrash behemoths and legendary crossover beasts such as Blind Illusion and Attitude, the energy and power of early Death and Sodom and the morbid humours of GWAR, GHOUL's lifelong mission has taken another crucial step toward world domination. Thrashing time is here." - Mass Movement





"The production here is crisp and choppy and adds to the fun of this release... add in the sing-a-long choruses and you have a pretty beaking cool release. 7 Fucking Pecks" -- Decibel's For Those About To Squawk column





"...the best thing GHOUL has put out to date." - Ave Noctum








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The Friday Times - 24 Feb 2017

Sindh has long shown warning signs of becoming an ideological battleground

As I watched the television footage of bloodshed unfurl, I shuddered at the manifestation of one idea of God being attacked by another idea. The post-Sehwan commentary has ricocheted between blaming the Sindh government or someone else, to whether the killers were our own or from foreign lands. But what all of this missed, was that this attack was inevitable. In fact, it was not even the first but the ninth in a series that started from Bari Imam in 2005 and included Shah Noorani shrine in Khuzdar in 2016 and Data Darbar in 2010. As the followers of the Sheikh from Marwand or Lal Shahbaz Qalandar started their dhamal, incanting to the Sufias words, their pitch shut out how rapidly the world around them was changing.

This is not to suggest that the whirling of the dervish will stop. There are enough wretched of the earthathe poor, the downtrodden and the heartbrokenathat people will always gather at Sehwan, but as this week demonstrated, the cost of seeking refuge at the shrine of a qalandar has been made astronomically high, especially since these people may be of little interest to the powerful, the PM, the pir, the militant and the mullah.

Violent extremism and radicalism in Sindh can be divided between Deobandi strongholds in upper Sindh, which adjoins South Punjab, and the increasing influence of the Ahle Hadith in lower Sindh

People are understandably angry, frustrated and eager to punish the culprits. Many have given the verdict that this was the work of external elements linked to India and Afghanistan. In a quick two-day poll I conducted on Twitter, out of over 2,000 respondents, 39% said they believed it was India and 12% said Afghanistan. They believe that the enemyas back must be broken which is why the border with Afghanistan was closed and bordering areas bombarded. These reactions from the state may have satisfied some people, but it will not suffice for the 34% who accused Pakistan-based jihadi groups or the 15% who pointed a finger at the state. The perception is that even if the enemy is from without, the attacks will continue as long as violent extremists occupy spaces within.

Can the leadership not sense the creeping danger to Sindh? Even civil society in Sindh has ignored it. I remember talking about this threat as far back as 2008. In 2009, during a meeting with then president Asif Ali Zardari, I tried to draw his attention towards the inorganic growth of madrassas in Sindh. I was told not to worry perhaps because like many of my Sindhi friends, even he thought that the land of Sufis would pull it through. Others thought I was being alarmist and the rise of madrassas was just a sign of increasing conservatism. Every time I wrote about Sindh and growing radicalism I was even snubbed by friends who thought I didnat know Sindh enough. I could only sigh, because this land of Sufis was not very different from my own South Punjab which was transformed right under my eyes and is now one of the major sources of ingress of radicalism into Sindh. Terrorism and radicalism are two problems that fall at the cusp of the changing politics of the state and societal transformation. It is certainly not an issue that will be resolved by arresting 144 people.

Violent extremism and radicalism in Sindh can be divided between Deobandi strongholds in upper Sindh, which adjoins South Punjab, and the increasing influence of the Ahle Hadith in lower Sindh. These influences always existed here. There are numerous large shrines in Sindh that are Deobandi. Similarly, the Ahle Hadith ideology began to grow after the 1950s. Not surprisingly, there was sectarian violence in the province during the late 1950s.

Nonetheless, a significant change took place during and after the first Afghan war in the 1980s. This is when many people from South Punjab were initially radicalized and sent to fight. Many returned and spread the influence. Then came the formation of the Taliban government in Afghanistan that pushed these influences further. During the floods in Sindh militant organizations set foot inside the province. The Ahle Hadith influence spread primarily in lower Sindh, especially in bordering areas and parts dominated by the Hindu population. The Jamaat ud Dawa built madrassas rapidly in areas with no Muslim population. It is during the mid-2000s that madrassas proliferated. These were not traditional seminaries connected with the land and people but strange concrete structures that brought in people from outside. Many were financed by the Middle East and Gulf. In addition to the small madrassas in the rural areas, these were resourceful centers. According to Sindh Counter-Terrorism Department data in 2010, there were over 1,200 of them.

The police was watching but couldnat do much partly because of institutional or political pressures. This is despite the fact that NATO tankers were burnt in Shikarpur and their carcasses can still be found outside the city gates. There was little movement to control either violent extremism or the expansion of extremist networks. The conditions of the police in Sindh are pitiful; there wasnat much they could do to interfere in the business of the then political partner of the ruling Pakistan Peopleas Party: the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam. This was part of the Deobandi network in upper Sindh under the patronage of which militant groups such as Sipah-e-Sahaba, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Jaish-e-Mohammad grew.

The structural growth went hand in hand with three other developments: an increase in poverty, the suspicion among Deobandi groups that Shia conversions were taking place in poverty-stricken areas in Jacobabad and the Sindh-Balochistan border, and the growth of a middle class. While the poor are attracted to madrassas that feed their children, both food and ideology, an even more interesting phenomenon is the middle class that had grown in numbers in bigger towns such as Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Jamshoro and Nawabshah, or smaller towns such as Thatta, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Badin, Mithi and Dadu. This expansion has been accompanied by inter-provincial and inter-regional migration. The expansion of communication networks, foreign remittances, the development of professional groups, agriculture profits, the proliferation of small- and medium-sized businesses, and development assistances have expanded the middle-income group. Contrary to what has been the traditional popularity of Sufi culture, new ideologies have been embraced by a large number of the middle-income class as it has attempted to negotiate its new social position. The access to religious texts and the ability to travel to the holy land has brought a sense of empowerment which has gradually eaten into the influence of the shrine and its culture.

I remember meeting several ordinary non-intellectual Sindhis whose views on society and religion came as a surpriseanot that religion naturally brought empowerment to ordinary people, but it did create new options in a place that had been brutally run by a local and external elite. I was surprised when I heard even a senior member of the Sindh Progressive Movement support Mian Mithu.

Sindh, like South Punjab, now has a new religious formula growing side by side the traditional belief system structured around the shrine. The wave of modernity creeping into the region paints the shrine culture as part of a religious perversion. As a result, the mullah emerges as the winner. There is hardly anyone who can explain to the angry person, who believes that dance and music is sinful and against the Sharia, that the whirling of the dervish is an expression of love and a desire to merge with the Almightyathe basic principle of wahdat-ul-wajood (oneness of God).

In the coming days we will probably see greater security but fewer VIP visits to the shrine. However, the wretched of the earth will continue to dance at Sehwan because they have nothing to gain but ecstasy and nothing to lose but their lives.

The writer is research associate with SOAS South Asia Institute and can be contacted at drayeshasiddiqa.com. She is the author of Military Inc.: Inside Pakistanas Military Economy
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City Hall trivia

What do the palm trees planted near the front of Santa Maria City Hall represent?

Where did the citys flagpole, now at the corner of Broadway and Cook Streets, used to stand?

The Department of Motor Vehicles used to have an office in City Hall. True or false?

What does the Santa Maria City Hall have in common with the Santa Barbara County Courthouse?

In the late 1930s, it cost $550,000 to build Santa Maria City Hall. True or false?

(All the answers can be found in the related story).

Learn more about the city's history by watching the latest Santa Maria Sit Down at santamariatimes.com.
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Photos: Here's what life looks like for child migrants surviving alone in Serbia
After debuting in its native Japan last November, Katabuchi Sunao's In This Corner of the World (Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni) is heading for release in Hong Kong on March 30, and so we have a trailer to gaze upon.

The film, which Shout! Factory plans to release theatrically in the U.S. and Canada sometime this summer, per Deadline, is based on a manga by Kouno Fumiyo about a young woman who moves to ... Hiroshima ... in 1944.

We all know what happened there the following year. The gauzy trailer is filled with wispy colors and strong emotions for a story that's billed as "inspirational" and "poignant."

In his review, Mark Schilling of The Japan Times wrote in part: "Katabuchi is at heart a humanist, not a propagandist. His characters express guilt, bitterness and other morale-lowering, if true-to-life, feelings that would soon have a censor of the era reaching for his red pencil."

Katabuchi's past credits include Black Lagoon, an action-adventure anime series that I quite enjoyed a few years ago, but this, obviously, is quite a different experience.

Watch the trailer below.
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 "Unusual Deference" | Main | Justices seem disinclined to limit federal judicial sentencing discretion in Dean 

Attorney General Jeff Sessions gave this lengthy speech at the winter meeting of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG). The speech is focused on what AG Sessions calls a "disturbing rise in violent crime in our nation," and the full speech should be read by any and everyone eager to get a sense for the perspectives and thinking of our new Attorney General. Here are some passages that especially caught my attention:

First, lets put things in context. Overall, crime rates in the United States remain near historic lows. Murder rates are half of what they were in 1980. The rate of violent crime has fallen by almost half from its peak in the early 1990s. Many neighborhoods that were once in the grip of gangs and drugs and violence are now vibrant places, where kids can play in the park and parents can enjoy a walk after sunset without fear. There is no doubt that in the past four decades  under leadership from both political parties, and thanks above all to the work of prosecutors and good police using science and professional training  we have won great victories against crime in America. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are alive today as a result.

But in the last two years, weve seen clear warning signs  like the first gusts of wind before a summer storm  that this progress is now at risk. The latest FBI official data tell us that from 2014 to 2015, the violent crime rate in the U.S. increased by more than 3 percent  the largest one-year increase since 1991. The murder rate increased 11 percent  the largest increase since 1968. The rape rate increased by over 4 percent, and the aggravated assault rate rose by nearly 4 percent.

If this was a one-year spike, we might not worry too much. But the preliminary data for the first half of 2016 confirmed these trends. The number of violent crimes in the first half of last year was more than 5 percent higher than the same period in 2015. The number of murders was also up 5 percent over the same period the year before, and aggravated assaults rose as well.

Just last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that since 2014, the murder rate in 27 of our countrys 35 largest cities has gone up. Homicide rates in Chicago, Baltimore, Milwaukee and Memphis have returned to levels not seen in two decades. Last year, Chicago had more than 4,000 shooting victims and 762 murders, and Baltimores murder rate was its second-highest ever.

These numbers should trouble all of us. My worry is that this is not a blip or an anomaly, but the start of a dangerous new trend that could reverse the hard-won gains of the past four decades  gains that made America a safer and more prosperous place....

While this spike in violent crime is not happening in every neighborhood or city, the trends should concern all of us. It is a basic civil right to be safe in your home and your neighborhood. We are diminished as a nation when any of our citizens fears for their life when they leave their home; or when terrified parents put their children to sleep in bathtubs to keep them safe from stray bullets; or when entire neighborhoods are at the mercy of drugs dealers, gangs and other violent criminals.

So we need to act decisively at all levels  federal, state and local  to reverse this rise in violent crime and keep our citizens safe. This will be a top priority of the Department of Justice during my time as Attorney General.

We know the first step in fixing something is recognizing you have a problem. For anyone who still doubts that todays rise in violent crime is real and significant, Ive done my best here to make that case. And Im not alone, because police chiefs and sheriffs and mayors across our country are saying the same thing.

Once we recognize the problem, we need to examine the causes and take action. Its still early, but people with long experience in law enforcement and crime research are beginning to draw some conclusions.

We know that our nation is in the throes of a heroin epidemic, with overdose deaths more than tripling between 2010 and 2014. Meanwhile, illegal drugs flood across our southern border and into cities and towns across our country, bringing violence, addiction and misery. In particular, weve seen an increase in the trafficking of new, low-cost heroin by Mexican drug cartels working with local street gangs. As the market for this heroin expands, gangs fight for territory and new customers and neighborhoods are caught in the crossfire.

In recent years, weve also seen a significant shift in the priority given to prosecuting gun and drug offenders at the federal level. While numbers dont tell the whole story, I still find the following statistics troubling: at the end of 2015 there were more than 7 percent fewer federal gun prosecutions than five years before. In that same five-year period, federal drug prosecutions declined by 18 percent.

Under my leadership at the Department of Justice, this trend will end. Our agents and prosecutors will prioritize cases against the most violent offenders, and remove them from our streets so they can no longer do us harm.

Weve also heard from law enforcement leaders, including the FBI Director and many police chiefs, that something is changing in policing. They tell us that in this age of viral videos and targeted killings of police, many of our men and women in law enforcement are becoming more cautious. Theyre more reluctant to get out of their squad cars and do the hard but necessary work of up-close policing that builds trust and prevents violent crime.

This is a terrible place to be, because we know that tough and effective law enforcement can make a real difference. It can reduce crime and save lives. Weve seen it happen in our country over the past four decades  and many of you in this room have been part of this noble work.

The immense social costs of crime are indisputable. Yes, incarceration is painful for the families of inmates, and every conviction represents a failure on multiple levels of society. But the costs of rising crime are even more severe. Drug crimes and violent felonies change the lives of victims forever. Neighborhoods hit by rising crime suffer deep economic harm. And if more young men choose to commit crimes because jail time is less daunting than before, that means they are forgoing more hopeful courses for their lives and their communities. In the midst of a terrible heroin epidemic and a rise in violent crime, we should not roll back the tools law enforcement has to go after federal drug trafficking and firearms felons, or release thousands more.

The federal government has a key role to play in addressing this crisis. I pledge that under my leadership at the Department of Justice, we will systematically prosecute criminals who use guns in committing crimes. We will work to take down drug trafficking cartels and dismantle gangs. And we will enforce our immigration laws and prosecute those who repeatedly violate our borders.

I also pledge to listen to the stories and concerns of those who are most affected by this rise in violent crime. Over the coming months I plan to travel around the country, from border towns to big cities, to talk with and learn from our law enforcement partners, crime victims, community leaders and others.

Earlier this month, the President also gave us clear direction. He signed three executive orders aimed at reducing crime and restoring public safety, protecting our law enforcement personnel, and dismantling the transnational cartels that are bringing drugs and violence into our neighborhoods.

To carry out the first of those orders, today Im announcing the formation of a Department of Justice Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety.

The Deputy Attorney General will chair the task force, which will include crime reduction experts throughout the Department of Justice, including the heads of the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Marshals Service. The task force will evaluate everything we are doing. It will look at deficiencies in our current laws that have made them less effective in reducing crime, and propose new legislation. It will make sure were collecting good crime data, and think of ways to improve that data so we can all better understand crime trends. We will insist that every agent and prosecutor is deployed effectively, fully supported and highly productive. Finally, the task force will consult with our partners in law enforcement at all levels, as well as law enforcement organizations, victims groups and community groups....

Unfortunately, in recent years law enforcement as a whole has been unfairly maligned and blamed for the unacceptable deeds of a few bad actors. Our officers, deputies and troopers believe the political leadership of this country abandoned them. Their morale has suffered. And last year, amid this intense public scrutiny and criticism, the number of police officers killed in the line of duty increased 10 percent over the year before. To confront the challenge of rising crime, we must rely heavily on local law enforcement to lead the way  and they must know they have our steadfast support.

For the federal government, that means this: rather than dictating to local police how to do their jobs  or spending scarce federal resources to sue them in court  we should use our money, research and expertise to help them figure out what is happening and determine the best ways to fight crime. We should strengthen partnerships between federal and state and local officers. And we should encourage proactive policing that ensures our police and citizens are communicating and working well together.

The new challenge of violent crime in our nation is real  and the task that lies before us is clear. As President Reagan used to say, there are no easy answers, but there are simple ones; we only need the courage to do what is right. We need to resist the temptation to ignore or downplay this crisis and instead tackle it head-on, to ensure justice and safety for all Americans. We need to enforce our laws and put bad men behind bars. And we need to support the brave men and women of law enforcement as they work day and night to protect us.


The long-awaited, much-anticipated, biggest-thing-to-happen-to-Chinatown-in-decades project from restaurateur George Chen (Shanghai 1930) is finally opening its doors this week, and it's called China Live (644 Broadway). The opening was initially set for last week, as discussed last month, but that's been pushed to Wednesday, March 1, with only the first floor components, including a 120-seat Market Restaurant, opening for now. The main level also includes a flower stand, a cocktail bar, a retail marketplace, and a tea lounge called Oolong Cafe.

The ambitious, multi-floor project has been in the works for nearly three years and under construction for two, and will ultimately include a fine-dining restaurant called Eight Tables and cocktail lounge on the second floor, and a banquet space on the third floor, but those remain still very much under construction as the Chronicle reported last week. Also, possibly further down the line, there's talk of a rooftop bar as well.

For now, booze-wise, there is just Bar Central, and as Eater reports (along with many pretty photos), consulting on the bar program is former Cantina owner Duggan McDonnell. Chinatown-inspired cocktails include things like Shanghai Kellys Bad Bad Pisco Punch (Pisco, pineapple rum, lime, pineapple, blue curacao, gunpowder green tea, Falernum-spiced liqueur, orange bitters, ginger beer), and the Rooster King (vodka, cognac, lime, five spice malt syrup, plum vinegar, dragonfruit tea, and a spirit called Kweichow moutai, made from fermented sorghum, dried hawthorn, and starfruit vinegar).

The Market Restaurant occupies the biggest portion of the main level, and Chen promises to be in the kitchen every day to start alongside director of culinary operations Joey Altman and chef de cuisine Robin Lin, who moved from Taiwan to work on the project. The daily changing menu is set to include dim sum, Chinese barbecue, soups, salads, noodles, rice bowls, seafood, stir fries, and dessert, and Chen says that average tickets should be between $20 and $30, including a beer.

Rounding out the "Chinese Eataly" concept is the retail market, offering specialty items like teas imported from China by Chen himself, ceramics, whiskey barrel-aged fish sauce, and dried noodles and rice.

Above, some photos of the space from Friday's big opening bash.



China Live - 644 Broadway between Grant and Stockton - Opening March 1 at 5 p.m. Regular retail hours will begin at 11 a.m., with Oolong Cafe open at 7 a.m.
Shannon Coulter, a 45-year-old digital marketing specialist in San Francisco, has been using her skills to moonlight as an anti-Trump activist, but lately, that moonlighting has lasted well into the daytime. According to the New York Times, who profiled Coulter recently, as many as 32,000 people visit her website every hour to see her list of all the retailers who carry items from which Donald Trump, his family, or his close supporters stand to profit.

Coulter's site, called Grab Your Wallet is like a boycott cheat-sheet, founded wiith help from Sue Atencio. Together they write of the site's origin that "a brand strategist and a grandmother simultaneously realized they could no longer in good conscience shop at retailers that do business with the Trump family." The list of no-no retailers includes the likes of LL Bean, where a board member raised funds for a Trump PAC, Macy's, who still carry Ivanka Trump clothing and jewelry, and even Bed Bath & Beyond, a retailer of items like Ivanka Trump-branded diaper bags. Also included are customer service phone numbers and email addresses for registering dissent.

People describe me as an activist in media coverage, I dont know who theyre talking about, Coulter tells the Times. Ive never done anything this organized or structured or purposeful.

The activist seems to consider her biggest victory so far to be with Nordstrom, who eventually dropped Ivanka Trump's line amid intense pressure to do so, though reportedly due to lagging sales rather than political pressure. Nonetheless, to show her renewed support for Nordstrom, Coulter showed off a necklace she had recently purchased from the department store.

Coulter also tracks spikes in interest in her boycott activities and has noticed they're tied to unpopular moves made by the President like his executive order banning travel to the US from Muslim countries. That's how this began for her, too: Something changed for me when the Trump tapes came out, Coulter recalled to the Independent earlier this month, referring to the Access Hollywood tapes in which Trump said he could force himself on women because he was famous. Those words were just ringing in my ears, said Coulter, hence the "grab" in the name of her campaign.

Not to dismiss Coulter's efforts, which she carries out nearly single-handedly, scouring Twitter for tips on companies to add or remove from the list, but it might be a little simpler if Trump were just, I don't know, forced to divest from his business efforts, or if Congress were willing to enforce the emoluments clause or something.

Until then, Coulter plans to keep the pressure on, and her list up to date.

Related: Under Armour CEO Kisses Up To Trump As President Assails Nordstrom Via Twitter
Toward the end of a day during which Jewish Community Centers across the country received a wave of bomb threats, the 720 Market Street offices of the Anti-Defamation League were evacuated late this afternoon when San Francisco police learned of a bomb threat directed at the branch of the anti-bigotry group. Per the group itself, "The Anti-Defamation League fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry in the US and abroad through information, education, legislation, and advocacy." The evacuation was called for at 4:30 p.m. and is ongoing, with Market Street locked down for several blocks near the 3rd Street intersection as the building undergoes a search.

#SFPD investigating bomb threat on 700 block of Market Street. Please avoid area until further notice.  San Francisco Police (@SFPD) February 28, 2017

#SF Anti Defamation League bomb threat prompts #Sfpd to shut down several blocks of Market st pic.twitter.com/gHEsnnoYLH  Jonah Owen Lamb (@jonahowenlamb) February 28, 2017

#Sfpd TL station captain on #sf's Anti Defemation League bomb threat that shut down Market St. pic.twitter.com/7N3KuxogWq  Jonah Owen Lamb (@jonahowenlamb) February 28, 2017

The ADL was founded in 1913 "to secure justice and fair treatment to all citizens alike and to put an end forever to unjust and unfair discrimination against and ridicule of any sect or body of citizens." Its San Francisco offices are the seat of its Central Pacific regional operations.

According to KTVU, of the 21 buildings under threat today, all have been cleared and no bombs have been found. Also today, more than 75 headstones in a Jewish Cemetery in Philadelphia were vandalized, as our sister site Gothamist reports. And, last week, the Anti-defamation League's Headquarters in Manhattan receivd a bomb threat, which was found not to be credible and is now the focus of an investigation by law enforcement.

Prompted by these events, President Trump, who has been celebrated by hate groups such as the KKK, addressed the recent rash of anti-Semitic threats for the first time this week, describing them as "horrible." Given today's events, many advocates are calling on the President for further denunciation.

The ADL has issued the following statement:

And, per the ADL's CEO:
An armed robber raided the pharmacy of an Outer Richmond drug store Monday morning, the second such crime to strike the area in recent weeks.

According to the San Francisco Police Department, the crime happened at a drug store on the first block of Point Lobos Avenue at 9:50 a.m. Monday.

There's a Walgreens located at 25 Point Lobos, the only such business in the area. Per policy, the SFPD declined to name the business at which the incident occurred.

Police say that a man in his 20s entered the store, and approached a 27-year-old male employee. The suspect "produced a handgun" then "went around to the other side of the counter and demanded medication."

The store employee opened the cabinet that contained the medication the suspect sought. The suspect then loaded the stolen drugs into his backpack and fled on foot in an unknown direction. As of Tuesday morning, no arrests have been made in this case.

This crime is strikingly similar to one that took place at 11:01 a.m. on Monday, February 13. In that case, an armed man robbed the CVS located at 377 32nd Avenue, a little more than ten blocks from the scene of yesterday's crime. As with Monday's crime, the suspect in the earlier February robbery remains at large.

Related: Outer Richmond Drugstore Struck By Brazen Midmorning Heist
The Trump Administration had until this week to file an opening brief in their official appeal of the case brought by the states of Washington and Minnesota in his temporary ban on immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries. And after the Department of Justice requested that the Ninth Circuit delay their appeal until the President could sign a new executive order, the circuit court denied that request but gave the administration another week to file their brief, as the Associated Press is reporting.

After a three-judge panel at the court flatly denied the administration's request earlier this month for an emergency stay of the states' restraining order on the travel ban, Trump's tweeted words were "SEE YOU IN COURT," but so far it's looking like his team is instead opting to draft a revised executive order that they hope will pass legal muster this time. The other option would have been to immediately appeal the court's denial to the Supreme Court, which if they're smart they knew they would likely lose.

NBC Bay Area says the administration's new order is expected to be released "any day," but meanwhile SF's tourism industry is on edge after a new report from travel search site Hopper.com that shows San Francisco having the biggest drop in searches for flights from foreign travelers of any US city.

Joe DAlessandro, president of the San Francisco Travel Association, told the Chronicle over the weekend, with regard to the report, We are very concerned. You just dont know what the next policy announcement will be and how that will impact travel to the U.S."

And they point to this piece in the Toronto Star by a Pakistani-born woman who's a Canadian citizen who canceled her trip to California this year because she fears travel hassles because of her brown skin and hijab alone.
The first of four installments of ABC's docu-drama miniseries When We Rise premiered last night, and will be available for your on-demand binging pleasure for a while to come (with the remainder of the two-hour installments airing over three nights later this week). And like Milk before it, also written and produced by the team of screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and director Gus Van Sant, the film portrays the early days of the fight for LGBT civil rights in San Francisco  although here it extends well beyond Milk's assassination and it's a story told from multiple perspectives, including local activist and Milk acolyte Cleve Jones, upon whose recently published memoir a segment of the series is based, and from which it takes its title. Also portrayed in the first installment is a young Roma Guy, co-founder of the Women's Building in the Mission with wife Diane Jones; a young Ken Jones, an African American gay activist who arrived in SF with the Navy and soon discovered the gay community here; and LGBT rights pioneer Jose Sarria, depicted in full Empress Norton attire presiding over the Black Cat Cafe in North Beach and introducing himself as "Mama Jose." (And it's purely coincidence that three of these people are named Jones.)

Sarria passed away in 2013 and had requested a grand funeral at Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill, which he got. Beginning with small-scale activism at the Black Cat, where he regularly performed in drag, Sarria would run unsuccessfully for the Board of Supervisors, pre-dating Milk's efforts by more than a decade, and would go on to found the Imperial Council in his mock role of "widow" to infamous Emperor Norton. Sarria is credited with helping to stamp out police raids on gay bars through clever, grassroots means, and trying to convince other gay men to let go of the stigma that was the cops' only weapon, with threats to print their names in the newspaper  by standing firm and forcing court hearings on each of their "offenses" following these raids, Sarria knew that the court system would get overwhelmed and that cops would stop making these petty arrests, which they ultimately did. While the portrayal of Sarria always in drag may not be totally accurate, he was known to perform frequently and lead patrons at the bar in a parody of "God Save the Queen," "God Save Us Nelly Queens," at the end of each night, sometimes taking them outside to sing it to those in jail across the street from earlier police raids (per Wikipedia).





Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, founders of the Daughters of Bilitis over a decade earlier, in 1955. A young Cleve Jones is shown looking up Martin in the phone book and calling her, eager to bridge the divide between gays and lesbians in the early days of the movement.

Lyon, now 93 years old, remains alive, and she and Martin were the first couple to be married at San Francisco City Hall in June 2008 after the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of legalizing gay marriage, setting the stage for Prop 8 and the ultimate showdown at the Supreme Court in 2015. Sadly, Martin passed away just two months later from complications from a bone fracture.

Roma Guy is portrayed in the first installment as a young woman by Emily Skeggs  who at 25 was nominated for her first Tony Award two years ago for her role as Medium Allison in Fun Home  at a time when she had just arrived in SF from the East Coast where she'd been a part of the historically homophobic National Organization for Women (NOW). She confronts the more radical attitudes of SF feminists, ultimately coming out of the closet herself, and she and wife Diane Jones would go on to create the safe space for women that is the Women's Building. Guy is now a lecturer at SF State and director of the Bay Area Homelessness Program.

Jones worked as an HIV/AIDS nurse for 33 years before retiring last year, and will be portrayed in later episodes by Rachel Griffiths as the AIDS epidemic strikes the city. Jones told the Bay Area Reporter in 2016, "I'm not one who's much for reminiscing about the bad old days of the epidemic or the sentimentality that seems to go along with this. I care about our history, but my passion is for how it informs what we need to be doing today to end this epidemic." She can be seen with Guy in ABC 7 coverage below, and she currently works on Getting to Zero, the SF-based initiative to bring HIV transmissions down by 90 percent by 2020.



Cecilia Chung. Photo: Transgender Law Center Cecilia Chung will be portrayed in later episodes by Ivory Aquino, and she's a pioneering trans activist and Mayor Lee appointee to the Health Commission who helped advocate for getting the city to cover the cost of gender reassignment surgery for city workers and the uninsured. Born in Hong Kong in 1965, she immigrated with her family to LA and would ultimately transition in San Francisco in 1993, first becoming a prostitute. She's a cofounder the annual Trans March, and she was the first transgender and Asian woman to head the Board of Directors of the SF Pride celebration. She currently serves as senior strategist for the Transgender Law Center.





Activist Ken Jones's story portrays the difficult history of black gay men, and veterans, who not only had to struggle for acceptance as gay men, but also faced prejudice among white gay men, and rejection from both the military and African American communities. Jones is portrayed as a young man by Jonathan Majors in the first episode (in subsequent parts he's played by The Wire and Boardwalk Empire star Michael Kenneth Williams), tragically dealing with the death of a lover in the Navy, portrayed by Charlie Carver. Jones was stationed at Treasure Island and charged with counseling Navy officers who were disciplined due to incidents of racial bias. He would later meet Sarria at the Black Cat and become part of the early movement for LGBT rights, as well as the first African-American chair of the SF Pride celebration committee.

And finally, Cleve Jones was discussing on Facebook last night how tickled his late father would be to be portrayed by David Hyde Pierce in episode one of When We Rise, since he was a big fan of Frasier and of the Niles character in particular. Jones is portrayed as a young man by Austin P. McKenzie and as an adult by Guy Pearce, and as he tells ABC 7 of the early days of the movement in San Francisco, "The cops hated us and we hated them right back." Though Jones never held political office himself after helping friend Harvey Milk win his seat on the Board of Supervisors, he would go on to conceive the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt in 1987, and remain an outspoken activist for peace and civil rights of all kinds to this day. As he says in the first episode of the series, "It's all one fight," and talks about being part of labor marches led by Cesar Chavez, and marching for the end of the Vietnam War.

In a no-doubt fictionalized version of real-life events, Cleve Jones, Roma Guy, and Ken Jones are shown all gathered around Jose Sarria at the close of the first installment, ostensibly asking for advice about to accomplish what he had in keeping the cops at bay, and keeping his liquor license.

ABC 7 will be airing interviews with all of the above real-life heroes, except perhaps Ms. Lyon, over the coming week as the series continues to air its next four installments  there is none on tonight, but the series continues Wednesday, March 1 at 9 p.m., with the next two parts airing Thursday and Friday.



Previously: Watch Whoopi Goldberg, Guy Pearce, Rosie O'Donnell And More In 'When We Rise' Trailer
Hugh Jackman must love those prosthetic retractable claws and that steel wool fringe of facial hair. Logan marks his ninth time in the role of Wolverine (aka Logan), one of the most recognizable characters in the Marvel universe, X-Men division.

As Logan begins, Wolverine is sick and in hiding, nursing a bad limp, working as a stretch-limo driver in Texas and living in the back of that limo. Awakened by a Mexican gang trying to steel his wheels, he gives them warning and when they disdain his advisory, Wolverine claws them to death but not before sustaining bullet wounds. Director James Mangold stage manages the scene with precision. Wolverine is next seen in a gas station mens room, wiping off blood and extracting bullets from his flesh as the sound of wailing sirens cuts through the night air. The bodies he left behind have been discovered.

Logan Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart

Directed by James Mangold

Rated R

Logan is set in a near future much like the present, but much worse. The story unfolds in an America where family farms are ground underfoot by violent agribusinesses, self-driving trucks clog the highways and the wall on the southern border stands in place. Its not a good time to be a mutant, perhaps the ultimate other in a world that distrusts difference. Wolverine hopes to lay low, tending to the ailing Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), now a frail old man wobbling on the rim of senescence. But circumstances will draw Wolverine out of isolation. Like Rick in Casablanca or Star Wars Han Solo, the call of greater purpose whispers to the better angels of his being.

With its dark vision of Americas future, Logan could be called superhero noir for its muted color scheme as well as its grounding in poverty and paranoia. Aside from the chop-em-up fight sequences, fantasy is minimized and the rueful Wolverine and Xavier come across as fully rounded and developed human beings. Unlike many one or two-dimensional movie superheroes, Jackman and Stewart bring their characters to life through empathetic acting. They could be surrogate father and son in a Chekov drama, disappointed with each other and regretting what the world has become. They have been left behind by the forward flow of time.

Laura (Dafne Keene), a young girl brought across the border from Mexico under mysterious circumstances, is at the center of the plot. Xavier insists that shes a mutant. Wolverine doubts his mentor until her claws come out. They commence a cross-country odyssey to North Dakota, where a handful of young mutants are hiding, and planning to head north to freedom in Canada. Tension is sustained during the relentless pursuit of the mutants by Pierce (Boyd Holbrook), the smirking security chief of a transnational corporation with a patent on life and the means to produce soulless humanoids, lacking conscience, trained to kill and bred for rage. The partially bionic Pierce and the Blackwater-like thugs of his security force are holding Caliban (Stephen Merchant), torturing him unless he uses his wild gift for tracking mutants to help them find Laura, who escaped from their laboratory.

The screenplay has some weak links but the story pushes forward to a conclusion at once inevitable and surprising. Logans dystopian vision is well developed, as is the prickly yet touching relations between the fragile, unsteady Xavier and the physically and emotionally wounded Wolverine. Despite their powers they are human, all too human, and vulnerable to harm.
This month, The Company of Strangers Theater opens its second show in Milwaukee with a cozy, little staging of The Glass Menagerie in the Underground Collaborative downtown. The Christian theater group looks to stage shows that might not be traditionally considered to be religious and Tennessee Williams play fits the bill quite nicely as it explores themes that echo through corners of the New Testament.

The play begins with a prayer. Then theres a bit of an introduction directing the audience to think about certain aspects of the characters and how they interact with each other...the nature of love and that sort of thing. Its a bit of a bold move. Tradition allows a script (especially a 20th century classic by Tennessee Williams) speak for itself as it flows across the stage without any introduction. It feels a bit stilted watching this kind of introduction before things get underway and before the action returns to the stage from intermission, but I can appreciate the novelty of a desire to show a classic in a slightly more thematically explicit context.

Once introductions are aside, we get a small cast delivering a tale of a few people to a stage close enough to feel compellingly earthbound, which is absolutely perfect for Tennessee Williams domestic drama. Nate Press delivers a textured portrayal of the 40s shoe warehouse employee Tom. Press restless exhaustion and frustration ricochet against each other in the background of a very charismatic presence. The character is frustrated with family and stagnant life. Press portrayal of this restlessness is amplified in the small space of the Underground Collaboratives Arcade Theatre.

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Sandra Baker Renick plays Toms mother. Shes renders the thin wallpaper of the faded Southern belles apparent joy with such thoughtful cheerlessness around the edges that it almost comes across as weak acting...but when the character is called upon to be genuinely genuine, theres clearly a passion beneath it all that suggests clever layering on the actress part.

Kimberly Laberges appearance as Toms older sister Laura might be the most interesting bit of casting Ive seen in a while. Evidently the actress had been an understudy who was asked to stand-in for the role relatively far into rehearsals. Laberge is a senior in high school playing an older sister to a clearly older actor, which might be a bit of a problem for some people who have loved previous incarnations of the drama. I love it, though. The character of Laura was emotionally crippled in high school. Perhaps she really sees herself as a girl in high school. As an audience, we are seeing her the way her family sees her and the way that she sees herself. Laberge is heartbreakingly vulnerable in the role, which is amplified all the more by the fact that shes actually going through high school right now and actually in kind of a vulnerable position having started out rehearsal as an understudy. Laberges scenes at the end of the play are fascinating. Its amazing to see Laberge open-up as Lauras high school crush (a co-worker of Toms played with energetic charisma by J.J. Gatesman) begins to realize her beauty and become emotionally engaged in her. As an audience, were seeing a love expand quite impressively in a endearingly intimate space. This kind of love is so rarely staged in a small space, which is a pity as its really well-suited to such a small space.

The Company of Strangers production of The Glass Menagerie runs through Mar. 3 at the Underground Collaborative on 161 W. Wisconsin Ave. For ticket reservations, visit Eventbrite.
The most likable, inventive and, yes, Wisconsin-connected act of electro-pop's modern wave, Sylvan Esso will release their sophomore album What Now on April 29 on Loma Vista Recordings. They've already released a banger of a single and performed it on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and today they shared the video for its follow-up, a much softer number that shares a title (but nothing else) with Ke$ha's all-time best song, "Die Young."

Like all good album announcements, this one was accompanied by some tour dates. While Milwaukee isn't on their itinerary yet, they will be doing two nights in Madison at the Majestic Theatre (on June 13 with Aero Flynn and June 14 with Field Report) ahead of two nights at Justin Vernon's Eaux Claires festival in Eau Claire, on June 16 and 17.

You can stream the "Die Young" video below.
The Home Builders Association of Greater Siouxland is celebrating Home Shows Diamond anniversary.

We have been presenting this show for SIXTY years. This event will be held at the Sioux City Convention Center March 2-5, 2017. Our show hours on Thursday and Friday will be Noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

The Discovery parking ramp (west of the convention center) will have free parking during the hours of the home show and there will also be limited parking in the parking lot on the east side of the convention center.

The Home Builders Board of Directors and Home Show Committee would also like to give a big thank you to the sponsors of this years show. We will have hourly door prizes throughout the show  items have been donated by our members and/or exhibitors. Since it is our DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY, we are happy to announce that Thorpe & Co. Jewellers has donated diamond jewelry for our Grand Prize giveaway.

We hope that you will attend our show, register for door prizes and get many new ideas for your home remodel or new home.

We have asked Loess Hills Elementary Schools third-grade class to enter into our coloring contest  the pictures will be displayed at the show. A member of our Association, Lowe's, has agreed to donate Build and Grow Kits for the children to put together. This will be done on the upper level of the convention center. A limited number of kits are being donated. On Thursday and Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., 50 kits will be donated; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 100 kits will be donated; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 50 kits will be donated.

The Home Builders Association, in partnership with Western Iowa Techs Carpentry and Electrical classes, is building another project home in the Woodbury Heights Addition at 742 Brentwood St. The building process is still taking place with the completion date set for late May or early June. This home is for sale. If you are interested in more details, please stop at the Home Builders booth at the Home Show or call the HBA office at 712-255-3852.

If you are interested in joining our association, applications will be available at the Home Builders booth at the show or call the HBA office. We have monthly membership meetings where we meet and discuss issues that affect the building industry. We have educational programs, safety training, and share ideas to promote the construction of new homes and remodeling in the Siouxland area.

We hope you enjoy the Home Show and we look forward to serving the Siouxland community.
ABC/Randy HolmesShinedown find themselves on top of Billboard's Mainstream Rock Songs chart for the 11th time in their career, thanks to their single "How Did You Love."

Only two other bands have at least 11 number-ones on Mainstream Rock Songs, which launched in 1981: Three Days Grace, which has 12, and Van Halen, leading the pack with 13.

"How Did You Love" is the third number-one single from Shinedown's latest album, Threat to Survival, following "State of My Head" and "Cut the Cord."

Shinedown will embark on a U.S. headlining tour this spring in support of Threat to Survival, starting March 31 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
SIOUX CITY | Fortunately for most children, they grow up in a home absent chaos such as physical abuse and drug use.

Those who do face these types of situations often find themselves removed from home and stuck in a cycle of court hearings and uncertainty, wondering what's going to happen to them and perhaps wishing they'd have the chance to tell caseworkers, lawyers and judges how they'd like to see their case resolved.

Cammie Mengwasser and other volunteers have given children that voice, looking out for the child's best interests while the child welfare system determines if the family can be reunited.

"I like to focus on how they're feeling about things. I tell the kids, 'I'm going to court, what do you want me to tell the judge,'" said Mengwasser, a volunteer with the Court Appointed Special Advocates program.

Known as CASA, the program serves the child welfare system. Appointed by judges, CASAs, as the volunteers are often called, represent children up to age 18 who have been removed from their home for any number of reasons -- physical or sexual abuse, drug use in the home, domestic violence, neglect. The CASA's role is to make recommendations to the court to ensure the needs of the child are being met.

Mengwasser volunteered with the program for three years before working for CASA while living in Wyoming. After moving to the Sioux City area a year ago, she volunteered to be a CASA in Woodbury County.

"The kids are what keeps me going," she said. "If I'm not here to speak for them, then they have to go it alone. No second spent with a kid is time wasted."

It's not the easiest volunteer job. CASAs work with children who sometimes face heartbreaking situations at home. In many cases, the CASA is the only person who speaks up for the child when authorities are trying to figure out how best to resolve the situation.

It's her job, Mengwasser said, to meet frequently with the child and know how any decision will affect him or her. It can be tough to walk into a meeting with a judge, lawyers, parents and caseworkers, knowing they all might be considering something that might not be best for the child.

"We don't always agree. Actually, a lot of times we don't agree," she said. "This role as a volunteer, it's not all rainbows and butterflies all the time. You're dealing with conflict. You have to be willing to go into a room and say this is what the child is telling me. There are going to be times when you are standing alone."

For that reason, anyone considering volunteering for CASA must carefully consider the commitment involved and not just jump in. The children have already had adults in and out of their lives who haven't followed through on things.

A case can last anywhere from three months to three years, and while the goal is always to reunify the family, that doesn't always happen.

"I've had cases that could not have ended any more perfect. But there are times when it just wasn't safe enough for the kids to return," Mengwasser said.

She brings up a case in Wyoming in which it was determined two little girls would not return to their parents. They ultimately were adopted by foster parents and are now excelling in school. Their birth mother remains involved in their lives, too.

Last year, Woodbury County's 41 CASA volunteers helped 115 children. There are many more cases that could use a CASA's help, Mengwasser said. She believes every child in the system deserves a CASA volunteer on his or her side. It's not always easy, but the knowledge that you're making a difference in a child's life is worth all the tough times.

"I like to think I'm making a difference for these kids even if it's something super small," she said.

In these cases, any gesture of kindness shown toward a child isn't small. It's likely one of the biggest things any one of us can do.
SIOUX CITY | The city of Sioux City has agreed to pay $46,500 to a woman who was struck and injured by a city bus.

The City Council Monday voted 4-0 to approve the payment and negotiated settlement of a lawsuit filed by Linda Hofmeyer. The settlement agreement also calls for the city to pay medical costs to be negotiated with the providers.

The case had been scheduled to go to trial Tuesday in Woodbury County District Court.

Hofmeyer sued the city in November 2013. According to her lawsuit, on Dec. 27, 2012, Hofmeyer was standing at a bus shelter at 520 Jones St. when a city bus fishtailed and pushed her against the bus shelter.

Hofmeyer claimed the driver's negligence was the cause of the incident and her injuries and damages, which totaled more than $10,000.

The settlement is the latest in a series of bus-related lawsuits the city has settled.

A 2013 accident in which a city bus rear-ended a Sioux City Community School District bus resulted in three separate lawsuits. The city settled all three for a total of $97,200.

The city also could face a lawsuit as a result of a Nov. 15 crash in which a city bus driver failed to yield the right-of-way while turning left at the intersection of Lewis Boulevard and Outer Drive and struck a vehicle driven by Chad Plante, who was critically injured and is currently undergoing rehabilitation at a Lincoln, Nebraska, rehabilitation hospital.
SIOUX CITY | Alcohol won't be served at the Woodbury County Fair when the annual festival unfolds in Moville, Iowa, this summer.

The Woodbury County Fair Association Board of Directors on Monday in their regular monthly meeting voted to stop research into serving beer and wine at grandstand events. Fair Director Randy Hayworth said a board member made a motion to end the discussions for this year's fair, Aug. 2-6, and the vote outcome was roughly two-to-one in support of that.

However, Hayworth said some board members believe the time has come to have alcohol at the fair, so he said the issue will return in 2018.

"I can guarantee you it will come up again," he said.

The issue first arose a few weeks ago, as some board members thought people might like to have alcohol at fair events. Others worried having even limited types of alcohol could undercut the family atmosphere of the fair.

"People said it wouldn't be family friendly," Hayworth said.

He said one board member sought public input on the alcohol proposal and heard a strong consensus against it. Hayworth personally didn't make a concerted effort to gauge support for the issue, but said when people brought it up to him, "the predominance of them were against beer."

Hayworth said some board members were concerned about the time commitment for additional workers to handle the beer sales and the cost of fair liability insurance going up.

Hayworth said the sale of hard alcohol was not considered, and noted that any types of alcohol added "would not have been running rampant, but in a restricted area." Moville Mayor Jim Fisher a few weeks ago said he was fine with the addition of some alcohol sales if there was solid oversight.

Hayworth noted the Jones County Fair last year generated $1 million in sales of alcohol at concerts at the eastern Iowa fairgrounds, with the fair clearing about $500,000 in profits. In Northwest Iowa, county fairs in Monona and Clay counties have some alcohol sales. The Iowa State Fair in Des Moines has a large number of stands that sell beer and wine.

Hayworth encouraged county residents on both sides of the alcohol issue to share input on the fair's website or to speak with fair board members.
I have no problem authorizing/forming a committee with the city of Sioux City and the Sioux City school district to study areas of cooperation and recommend cost savings between the three entities, as the Sioux City Journal's editorial board has repeatedly advocated, most recently on Feb. 22. I agree. In fact I would welcome it. I also have no problem with stipulating that those on the committee must not include any public workers or elected leaders, as the editorial board also advocates. But that's also why it hasn't been formed yet.

No person meeting that criteria has ever volunteered to be on such a committee, to the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors in an open meeting, in my three years as supervisor.

The committee creation form, at least for Woodbury County, is on our website. I created it to further transparency. It's hidden under the page inconspicuously labeled "Committee Information." Anyone can fill it out and submit it to the board office, and show up to a board meeting and ask for its approval. The only stipulation is that according to Iowa Code, you must notify our county auditor of a secretary who will take your minutes and you must publicly post agendas, because that's how we ensure transparency.

Incidentally, we have also operated through the entire FY18 budget without input or attendance from the one taxpayer watchdog group locally that I'm aware of.

It's kind of like the constituent who appealed to our board to "think outside the box" by eliminating two of the five county supervisor positions to save money. I had to inform them that's a ballot initiative and petition drive led by eligible electors. That's how it was increased from three to five in the distant past. By you. You, the involved and concerned citizen.

You. Not your government. You.

I believe I can speak for the electorally refreshed board in saying we truly believe in the lost concept that citizens are supposed to be the boss. And so I humbly reinforce the reality that responsibility must be taken seriously enough to actually act as the boss, far beyond each family's living room. Thanks for listening. - Matthew Ung, Sioux City, Woodbury County Board of Supervisors chairman
SOCIEDAD ASIATICA

THE ASIAN SOCIETY

COMISION DIRECTIVA



THE DIRECTIVE BOARD



PRESIDENTE:

Liliana Garcia Daris



Universidad del Salvador.

Argentina

VICEPRESIDENTE:

Won-ho Kim

Universidad de Hankuk de Estudios Extranjeros.

Corea

SECRETARIO:

Luis Diaz Brougton



Universidad de Santiago, Chile



PROSECRETARIO:



Martha Barriga Tello

Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Peru



VOCALES:



Mauricio Martinez



Universidad de los Andes, Colombia



Juan Uriburu Quintana



Universidad de Chenchi, Taiwan

CONSEJEROS ACADEMICOS

ACADEMIC ADVISERS



ASH NARAIN, Roy,

Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi.

India



GARCIA BAZAN, Francisco,



CONICET, Universidad Argentina John F. Kennedy



MATSUSHITA, Hiroshi,



Universidad de Kobe, Japon



MIEMBROS FUNDADORES



FOUNDING MEMBERS



ALBERT, Liliana



Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires, Argentina



ANTON PACHECO, Jose Antonio



Universidad de Sevilla, Espana



ANTONIJEVIC, Ingrid



Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Chile



BARRIGA TELLO, Martha



Universidad Nacional de San Marcos, Peru



BERGMAN, Sergio

Melton Institute de Jerusalem, Israel



BERTOLINI, Luis



Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires, Argentina



CABEZON, Jose



Universidad de Santa Barbara, Estados Unidos



CAGNI, Horacio



Universidad Catolica de La Plata, Argentina



CARRANZA, Francisco



Universidad de Dankook, Corea



CASTLETON, Barbara



Ohio State University of Athens



CASTRO, Jorge

Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires, Argentina



CHAOUL-REICH, Alejandro



Universidad de Texas, Estados Unidos



CHELMICKI, Hanna I.



Universidad del Salvador, Argentina



DIAZ BROUGHTON, Luis



Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Chile



FRANCO, Raul



Universidad del Salvador, Argentina



GADRE, Vasant



Universidad Jawaharlal Nehru, India



GARCIA DARIS, Liliana

Universidad del Salvador, Argentina

GLUCK, Carol



Universidad de Columbia. Estados Unidos

HOPKINS RODRIGUEZ, Eduardo



Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru



KIM, Wonho



Universidad Hankuk de Estudios Extranjeros, Corea



KO, Heysun



Univesidad de Dankook, Corea



LOPEZ DEL CARRIL, Luis Maria



Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires, Argentina



LUCO, Enrique



Universidad del Salvador



MARTINEZ, Mauricio



Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia



MASATERU, Ito



Universidad Nacional de Osaka, Japon



MATSUSHITA, Hiroshi



Universidad de Kobe, Japon



MINKOWICZ, Gabriel

Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires

MONETA, Carlos Juan



Universidad del Salvador, Argentina



MORROW, John Andrew



Minot State University, Dakota del Norte, USA



NGUYEN, Thiet Son



Academia de Ciencias Sociales de Vietnam, Vietnam

OVIEDO, Eduardo

CONICET. Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina

PEREIRA, Ronan Alves

Universidad de Brasilia. Brasil

PEREYRA, Violeta



Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina

REMETE, Andrea

Universidad del Salvador, Argentina



RIMOLDI DE LADMAN, Eve



Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires, Argentina



ROMERO CASTILLA, Alfredo



Universidad Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico

TEDIN URIBURU, Virgilio



Universidad de Harvard, Estados Unidos

UEHARA, Alexander



Universidad de Sao Paulo. Brasil

URIBURU QUINTANA, Juan



Universidad de Chenchi, Taiwan



VITTOR, Luis Alberto



Universidad Argentina John F. Kennedy



XU, Shicheng



Academia China de Ciencias Sociales, Republica Popular China
The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless.



The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well.







By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism.
Thomas Fulton "Terry" Coombs Sr., 62, of Great Mills, MD died February 26, 2017 at his home with his loving family at his side. He was born October 27, 1954 in Leonardtown, MD to the late Ernest Leo Coombs, Sr. and Ruth Adelaide Hammett Coombs.



Terry graduated Great Mills High School in 1972. On April 15, 1988, he married his beloved wife, Louise Sexton, in Leonardtown, MD. Together they celebrated over 28 wonderful years of marriage. He was employed by the St. Mary's County Board of Education for almost nine years as a building service worker. Previously he was employed in the family owned service station in Great Mills as an auto mechanic. He enjoyed working on cars and in his flower beds. He was an avid NASCAR and Dallas Cowboy fan. His favorite vacation was with his wife to Alaska. His greatest love was for his family, who he enjoyed spending time with.



In addition to his wife, Terry is survived by his children, Thomas "Tommy" Coombs, Jr. of San Francisco, CA, Rachael Young (Colvin) of Abingdon, MD and Michele Coombs of Richmond, VA; his sister, Patricia R. Thompson (Joe) of Great Mills, MD; his brother, Brother William R. Coombs of Adelphi, MD; and many extended family and friends. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his siblings, Joseph Ronald Coombs, Mary Lou Guy and Ernest Leo Coombs, Jr.



Family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., with prayers recited at 7:00 p.m., at Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. On Thursday, March 2, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. a Funeral Service will be celebrated by Brother Richard McCann at Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. Interment will follow at Holy Face Catholic Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.




PRINCE FREDERICK, Md.

Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: so.md/presumed-innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at so.md/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at so.md/expungeme.

(Feb. 27, 2017)The Prince Frederick Barrack of the Maryland State Police (MSP) released the following incident and arrest reports.POSSESSION OF HEROIN: On 2/24/2017 at 5:30 am, Trooper First Class Matthews stopped a vehicle on Church St. in Prince Frederick following a broadcast to lookout for a black Pontiac. A K-9 Scan was requested and resulted in a postitve alert. A search was conducted and both CDS and CDS paraphernalia were located., was arrested and incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center.TRESPASSING: On 2/24/2017 at 9:10 am, Trooper First Class Barlow responded to the Calvert Pines Senior Center for a trespassing complaint., previously had been issued a no trespass order and was found in front of the building. He was arrested and incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center.POSSESSION OF FIREARM, POSSESSION OF COCAINE: On 2/25/2017 at 12:58 am, Trooper Jones stopped a vehicle on Rt. 4 near Whispering Dr. in Prince Frederick for traffic violations. [Name redeacted 10/17/2018 as a courtesy. Case was placed on Stet Docket and ultimately not prosecuted], was given a field sobriety test and completed it successfully. A K-9 scan was performed and cocaine was found. [Redacted] was arrested for possession. A passenger,, was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm. Foote and [Redacted] were both incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center.BURGLARY & TRESPASSING: On 2/26/2017 at 10:08 am, Trooper First Class Barlow responded to the Spring Cove Marina in Solomons for a trespassing complaint. A boat at the dock had been broken into and there were six subjects having a party. Investigation determined that the subjects did not have permission to be on the boat.were all placed under arrest and incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center. A juvenile was taken into custody and taken to the MSP Barrack in Prince Frederick and was released to his parent following appropriate charges.Randy B. Lewis, 45, of Huntingtown, arrested on 02/24/2017 @ 01:34 am by CPL. C. EsnesLeonard S. Greene, Jr., 27, of Huntingtown, arrested on 02/26/2017 @ 02:11 am by TFC J. WarrickArnold E. Holder, 45, of Chicago, IL, arrested on 02/27/2017 @ 02:13 am by TFC J. Warrick
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.




Welcome back to a new feature series on Sprudge, Going Somewhere Solo, in which we profile the people behind the new wave of so-called nano-roasters, the tiniest of new coffee concerns pushing quality and entrepreneurship in a big way. These are seasoned coffee pros whove struck out on their own (often in unexpected places) to launch roasting enterprises outside of the traditional coffee shop format, instead growing their businesses within collaborative spaces, home offices, garages, and of course, online. Know of a gutsy coffee startup? Email us!

This weeks spotlight is on Esther Shaw, a longtime Chicago-based coffee professional who recently relocated to Astoria, Oregon to pursue a roasting dream.

Hi! Tell us what your roasting business is called and where youre located.

Coptic Light, located in Astoria, Oregon.

What equipment are you currently roasting on?

A seven-kilo Diedrich for production roasting, and a Quest M3 for sample roasting

Who else is involved in the business right now?

David DAndrea of Samaritan Press designs all of our beautiful packaging. He creates all of the art for our company and presses each box himself on this amazing 100-year-old letterpress machine. JR Robinson is an essential creative force who plays a major role in generating the aesthetic of our company and is in production and sales. And I am in charge of anything coffee-relatedlogistics, roasting, green coffee buying, etc. We each bring something different to the table and collaborate wonderfully togetherI love working with JR and David!

Whats your background in the coffee industry?

My first coffee job ever was as a Quality Control lab assistant at Intelligentsia Coffee in Chicagomy dream job for starting out in coffee. From there, my position expanded fairly quickly. I started managing the lab, building QC data systems, coordinating green coffee inventory, and contributing to coffee buying decisions. After that, I was offered a very appealing position working with the amazing Dark Matter Coffee crew, heading up and building their quality control systems. They were always hugely supportive of my decisions yet always challenged me to view coffee and quality from a different perspective. Then, I did a short stint over at Quasar Coffee as well which was such an immense learning experience.

And drawing from all those valuable experiences, I am now able to run Coptic Light alongside David and JR. I also have a few side projects. I began working with cooperatives in Puer, Yunnan, China a few years ago and actually imported my first partial container last year. I also work as an SCA specialized instructor teaching cupping and roasting classes with a focus on China and Taiwan and help translate curriculum and testing materials from English to Chinese for the SCA.

How are you currently sourcing your coffees? What do you look for?

Being a new business, I knew we would be moving through a smaller quantity of coffee at a slower pace. I focused on sourcing delicious coffees which would be super sturdy and cup well over time. So I started off safe, solely sourcing washed Ethiopian coffees and then gradually some natural Ethiopian coffees. I get them through my friend Sean Capistrant over at Trabocca who is wonderful to work with.

However, as mentioned earlier, I have another passion which is working with coffee cooperatives in Puer to elevate specialty coffee standards. It was a personal venture I started exploring a few years ago. Last year, I started making a conscious effort to connect specialty coffee roasters to quality coffee from Puer. I was actually successful enough in 2016 to import my first partial container. I chose to purchase one of their experimental coffees in order to closely track its quality from start to finish, seeing it all the way through. This will be the next new offering on the Coptic Light menu.

Whator whoinspired you to go out on your own with roasting? Is there a coffee (or other) company you admire and would love to grow up to be like

I was at a point where I needed a bit of solitude in my life and was also realizing that life is fleeting. I felt an urgency to make a huge change in order to pursue all of my dreams and passions. So I chose to move away from my lovely friends and life in Chicago to the small town of Astoria, Oregon. And with that came Coptic Light, which represents this inspiration of starting something new, beautiful, and independent.

Other companies I currently admire or would like to grow up to be likeI have a lot of respect for what Steve Mierisch has done at Pulley Collective. He pursued a concept fairly outside of the box and the resulting collaborative model is so exciting to be around every time I visit them over in Brooklyn. I also really admire coffee roaster guru Chris Schooley and his company Troubador Maltings. He is one of the most giving, intelligent coffee people I know. He works hard, creates wonderful quality products, and naturally draws people to want to be around him.

What kind of risks have you taken in striking out on your own to launch an independent roasting business? Did you make any unusual decisions?

Nothing really out of the ordinary. I knew that starting off it would be difficult to distinguish ourselves from other coffee roasting businesses. I knew it would take time to gain some recognition and grow, so I would need to be patient and smart with the money I had saved up to start this business. I wanted to keep true to a few principlessimplicity, quality, and beauty. I aimed to keep the logistics and initial investment simple. I didnt want to purchase a roaster and rent out a store space right off the bat, so instead we rent roasting time from a local roaster and focus on alternative outlets for sales. By simplifying the logistics, we are able to focus our time and money towards the important stuff, towards pursuing high quality coffee and beautiful packaging. The simplicity allowed us more freedom to execute things the way we wanted to do them.

How are you reaching customers without a retail cafe? Do you plan to have one someday? Where can people buy your coffee?

David DAndrea has a huge following as a talented artist and printmaker. JR Robinson is a wonderfully talented musician with a following of his own as the leader of the band Wrekmeister Harmonies. And meI know some people I guess! We just reach out to the following we currently have via social media by posting photos of our lives, our work and our beautiful product. We sell our coffee on our website copticlight.org, at a few cafes, grocery stores, and interestingly most of our sales happen when we are on tour with Wrekmeister, which I also play in, at the merch table. Its actually my most favorite place to sell. People love seeing our coffee being sold as merch, and it naturally leads to many questions and conversation. I also love seeing when the music world and coffee world collide and chatting with people who are passionate about both.

Yes, we would love to have a retail cafe somedayits the dream. I have a plan for that maybe a few years down the road after we get our current online retail sales and wholesale accounts more steady.

It strikes us as a measurement of where the specialty industry is now that many small roasters are now cropping up across the landscape without a physical location to hang a shingle on. How will you stand out from others competing for shelf space in the worlds decreasing multi-roaster cafes?

Haha, I dont know! I just know I love doing what we do. I love putting out delicious coffees in beautiful packaging and scheming with David and JR about the possibility of future Coptic Light events and pop-up shops. I am happy to keep this company at a small scale but would be happy if it does growlike I said before the simplicity of our business model allows for this freedom.

Lastly, how would you describe your vibe in general? Is there a kind of music you like to listen to when you roast, do you wear lucky shoes, etc.?

Check out the song Coptic Light by Morton Feldmanit is actually what we named our company after and definitely representative of our general vibe. The piece is classical yet experimental. It is quiet and soothing, a bit noisy, mystical and beautiful.

Thanks, Esther!

Find Coptic Light coffees through their website at copticlight. org , follow them on Instagram , and like them on Facebook

Liz Clayton is the associate editor at Sprudge Media Network. Read more Liz Clayton on Sprudge.
The life of trainer Don Pleterski was forever changed last June at Fort Erie Race Track. He was almost killed after a 1,000-pound Thoroughbred flipped over a rail and crushed him. The road back has been daunting to say the least, but, as an in-depth profile piece explains, Pleterski is the man for the challenge.

Many of the horrified onlookers figured that Pleterski, 65, was not going to make if after the incident at the border oval. Without time to spare, the veteran conditioner was rushed across the border to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, New York.

Pleterski suffered fractures to his neck, back, ribs, shoulder, jaw and a laundry list of breaks to bones in his face and head, which was crushed. Both of his lungs had collapsed. To this day he has no memory of the incident or the eight weeks which followed thereafter.

Award-winning racing writer Beverley Smith has penned a tremendous follow-up story which chronicles the magnitude of Pleterskis injuries, which was only rivaled by the trainers unflinching determination to get over them.

I was determined to get out of the wheelchair, Pleterski told Smith. And I managed to get out. It was actually pretty quick. The first part of the recovery went real quick for me, because I was determined to be independent.

To read Smiths article, click here.

(With files from the Paulick Report)
It has been announced that Standardbred Canada member and horse insurer Glen Smith has been named the recipient of the 2016 Joe Fletcher Memorial Award for Rural Citizen of the Year.

News of the honour comes courtesy of an article by the Flamborough Review, which states that Smith will be presented with the award during the Celebration of Rural Excellence banquet at the Binbrook Fairgrounds on Saturday, March 4.

The piece explains that Smith was nominated by the Rockton Agricultural Society, and that his work with Merit Insurance, his efforts to help the community, and his help with the local farming industry were key to him being chosen for the honour.

Its emotional for me, I do it because I love to do it. I love being involved knee-deep helping kids, any charities, church  anything in the community, Smith was quoted as saying.

To read the Flamborough Review article in its entirety, click here.

(With files from the Flamborough Review)
Longtime Quebec trainer Normand Masse, whose biggest horse was the 1988 pacing powerhouse Armbro Hunch, has passed away at the age of 70.

He was rushed to hospital in Montreal early Friday (February 25) after having collapsed at home during the night and died in hospital the next day.

I drove a lot of horses for him. His barn was right in front of mine (at Blue Bonnets) and I can tell you he kept it neat. He was a good guy and hard worker, always at the barn, said hall-of-fame horseman Benoit Cote, who last spoke to Masse last year at the regional circuit races in Bedford, Que.

The two men combined for a memorable season in 1988, when Cote drove Armbro Hunch for Masse against the best two-year-olds in North America. The BGs Bunny colt, a $19,000 (U.S.) yearling purchase by Masse for Montreal nightclub owner Jean-Guy Girard, won 15 of 17 starts that year, with two seconds, and collected $350,000. Victories included a division of the Prix de L`Avenir at Blue Bonnets, in a Canadian record time of 1:55, and the $200,000 Lou Babic final at Freehold, where they set a track record of 1:56.

The Babic was Armbro Hunch`s final race. Weeks later, the colt would be found dead in his stall.

He was the best two-year-old I ever drove, and I drove Semalu Damour, said Cote. That horse was fantastic, but he had a good trainer, too.

Masse, who got his start in the business as a teenager working for horseman Gilles Lachance at the racetrack in Sherbrooke, Que., began training horses full-time at 18, and only stopped about a year ago. His list of equine stars included Johnny Lus and Snazzy Drummond.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Normand Masse.
Video News Release: CPAC Newsmaker Soundbites

Contact: Jill Farrell, Judicial Watch , 202-646-5172WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- Judicial Watch hosted groundbreaking live coverage of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) from Broadcast Row  featuring top newsmaker interviews by news anchor Emily Miller on Facebook live on February 23 and 24, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, at Washington's National Harbor.Among the many special guests were: Dr. Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to the president; David Clarke, sheriff of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; David Keene, opinion editor of The Washington Times and former president of the NRA; comedian Tim Young; intelligence expert, retired U.S. Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Shaffer; artist James McNaughton, famous for his painting "The Forgotten Man;" and Shane Bouvet, who was given $10,000 by President Trump for his father's cancer treatments.Below are newsmaker soundbites from three of the top Judicial Watch interviews at the 2017 CPAC:MORE: www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/video-news-release-cpac-newsmaker-soundbites
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When Tammy White opened the Lower Columbia Veterinary Clinic in 2003, she was the only doctor in her practice.

Now, 14 years later, she has two additional doctors in her employ. Shes added an advanced veterinary dental practice. And now she has large new building. In January, the clinic moved from its previous location on 14th Avenue to 871 12th Ave. in Longview. Whites dental practice, Pacific Northwest Dentistry and Oral Surgery, operates within the clinic.

The new building signifies a big step for White, her employees and her clients. White designed the layout herself, with her own vision for her practice as a guide.

When clients walk in, theyre greeted by a crisp, clean waiting room. To the right side of a check-in desk is a hallway with the word Cats above it. To the left a similar hallway is designated for dogs.

This is not the typical design, but its very efficient and its very pet friendly in the sense that weve got the cat side and the dog side, White said during a tour of the building. Ive seen the difference in the cats and their comfort, being away from the dogs.

White enlisted the help of her father, a licensed engineer and architect, in shaping the new building. He helped her remodel her old building back in 2009.

White said shes thought about moving locations for about four years.

We wanted to make sure financially the business can support it and make sure that it was the right thing to do, White said.

In the previous building, there just wasnt enough space for what she wanted to do. The staff lounge doubled as her office, and the whole building had only three exam rooms: one for cats and two for dogs. The laundry room, dog kennels and dental area also shared one small room, while the doctors offices shared space with laboratory equipment.

Now, White and her employees have the luxury of space, including eight exam rooms, a separate laundry room, separate kennel rooms for cats and dogs, and a full-sized staff room.

I didnt realize this, but its been fun to see (the staff) because as Im eating and theyre eating, we can have a conversation about life instead of about work, White said. Its been a neat aspect of that to hear the personal side of some of the employees.

The dentistry room is another added bonus: its the largest room in the building and has room for up to five dental tables. Right now there are only two, but White hopes to add three more.

I would like to eventually maybe do some teaching in here and not have to travel to teach, said White, a member of the adjunct faculty of the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Pullman, where she travels two to three times a month.

The new dental room also allows her to work side by side with her associate, Dr. Janni Remsberg, who performs the offices general dentistry. At the previous location, the space only allowed for one table, making scheduling dental procedures difficult.

White also hopes to get her second associate, Dr. Stacey Martzall up to speed on veterinary dentistry, because its not something that is often taught in vet school, White said. I just started that six years ago, teaching dentistry at Washington State University. It was brand new.

Eventually, White would like to expand her staff.

My ideal situation for this would be three to four doctors in addition to herself, White said, with each working 20 to 40 hours weekly.

Things I think have changed where people have went from one extreme to the other: They really want a balanced life, White said. I want to create that for them, too, and have a safe and nice place for them to work.

And of course, its also about the well being of both her two- and four-legged clients.

I like to help people, White said. By helping the pet, Im helping the person or educating them to make the best decision and having them enjoy a healthier pet.
IANS

As it aims to become one of the top three smartphone players globally, India will once again be a key market for Nokia, a top company executive has said. The company, once the undisputed leader of the mobile phone space, now operates through HMD Global and unveiled the Nokia 6, Nokia 5, Nokia 3 and a revamped version of the iconic Nokia 3310 at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) here.

"By June, these products will be launched globally and India will serve as a key market for us again. Our attempt is to source 100 per cent from the country because of tax benefits," Ajey Mehta, Vice President-India for HMD Global India Ltd., told IANS on the sidelines of the annual event. "We will make sure that we have a renewed presence in 250 cities and towns before we make new products available.

"Our core strength is offline but we will also go online to reach a wider audience. However, online and offline product ranges will be different," he said, adding that a focus on core experience, design, quality and a pure Android experience will drive the bid to be among the top three smartphone players worldwide. "The market has been cluttered with undifferentiated products and there is fatigue being observed. People are looking for fresh offerings which we aim to provide. We will aim to become the people's brand and have a presence in flagship brands as well as in the low-price segment," Mehta stressed.

Mobile handset shipments touched 265 million in 2016 with feature phones making up about 59 per cent of the overall market. According to Mehta, feature phones are big business in India and the company can't ignore it. "We will have to be innovative in the feature phone segment but we will have to win in the smartphone space too. We are working with our partners like Foxconn to supply both smartphones and feature phones from our India manufacturing unit," Mehta said.

The Nokia factory at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu is one of the largest manufacturing facilities for mobile phones in the world. Nokia 6 features a 5.5-inch full-HD screen and is crafted from a single block of 6000 series aluminium. The device will be available in four colours -- matte black, silver, tempered blue and copper.

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 mobile platform and Qualcomm Adreno 505 graphics processor, Nokia 5 features a 5.2-inch IPS HD display with Corning Gorilla Glass. Thin, light and durable, the $52 (less than Rs 4,000) Nokia 3310 delivers 22-hour talk-time and a month-long stand-by. The device is available in four colours -- Warm Red and Yellow, both with a gloss finish, and Dark Blue and Grey, both with a matte finish.

"We will stick to the core values of Nokia like reliability, consistency, simplicity, human touch, trust... but implement them in a more modern way so that it is appealing to the new consumers. We need to get the best from the past and target new consumers," Mehta told IANS. Nokia announced last year that it had licensed Finnish company HMD Global to produce Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets.

HMD has reached agreements with both Microsoft and Nokia for the use of the Nokia brand and some design rights. HMD is planning to spend some 400 million euros to market the Nokia brand for the next three years.
tech2 News Staff

Jolla, maker of smartphones and open source software, has announced that it will add Sailfish OS support to select Sony Mobile devices as well. The Sailfish OS, which is an open source operating system, will now be available for select Sony Xperia devices, starting with the Xperia X.

Jolla announcing support for Sony's Open Devices Program, means that the company's OS will now be available on more hardware giving more users a chance to experience something different with Sailfish OS.

Jolla even has an Xperia X running its Sailfish OS at its stand at the Mobile World Congress 2017 (MWC).

Sailfish OS customers around the world will soon be able to utilise Sonys advanced mobile hardware in their projects, and Sonys Open Devices program will offer Sailfish community members a chance to get their hands on an exciting new range of Sailfish-powered devices.

Sami Pienimaki, CEO of Jolla comments: Sony Mobile is trusted worldwide for its premium brand and quality, and we believe that Xperia devices are a perfect fit for many Sailfish OS customers and community members around the world. We are thrilled to start this exploration together with Sony Mobile to provide our licensing customers with a solid hardware solution, and to offer our community a follow-up device for the Jolla C launched last year.

Karl-Johan Dahlstrom, Director, Sony Developer Program adds, "We support innovation and development on our open-source platform. The overall aim of Sonys Open Devices program is to build the strongest possible ecosystem of unique software experiences for advanced users and developers  and collaborating with Jolla will only serve to further strengthen that offering.

The goal is to offer the first release to Jollas customers and community members by the end of Q2/2017.

It will indeed be interesting to see Sony adopt a second OS, which could make for a unique offering, something that is lacking in world smartphones today. For now Jolla's Sailfish OS does support Android apps.

Complete coverage of the Mobile World Congress 2017 can be found here.
tech2 News Staff

Lenovo announced a bunch of new notebooks updating its 2-in-1 range. The new products include the Yoga 520 and Yoga 720 laptops as well the low priced Miix 320. Let's dive into what they offer.

Both the new Yoga notebooks feature the latest Intel's seventh generation CPUs and run on Windows 10. While the Yoga 720 will be offered in 13-inch and 15-inch screen sizes, the Yoga 520 will arrive in 14-inch and 15-inch screen options. As always, both the series come with a hinge that can flip the display all the way back so you can use the notebook in a normal mode, tent mode, tablet mode and so on.

The Yoga 720 is the more premium lineup. The 15-inch variant gets an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 graphics along with the latest Intel processors. The 13-inch variant on the other hand gets the same Intel CPU options but only gets integrated Intel graphics. Both the laptops can be configured with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of HDD or 512GB of SSD storage. You also get Thunderbolt 3 ports that double as charging ports and fingerprint sensors for Windows Hello.

The 15-inch and the 13-inch models are available in 4K resolution displays and according to Lenovo offer 8 hours and 7 hours of battery respectively. There is also an option for a 1080p display which is said to add about 1 hour of battery life. Additionally, Lenovo has added support for and active stylus so the laptops can also make use of Windows Ink features.

The 13-inch Yoga 720 starts at 999 Euros (Rs 71,000 approx) while the 15-inch variant of the laptop starts at 1,099.99 Euros (Rs 78,000 approx) and will hit markets in the month of April.

The new Yoga 520 series is comparably affordable and comes in 14-inch and 15-inch screen sizes with up to FullHD screen resolution in 14-inch variants and 4K display resolution in 15-inch variants. Just like the 720 series, you get up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of HDD storage or 512GB of SSD storage and the latest Kaby-lake processors. Other features include USB Type-C, HDMI port, audio jack, 4-in-1 card reader and a fingerprint sensor with Windows Hello. Pricing for Lenovo Yoga 520 laptops start from 599 Euro (Rs 43,000 approx).

Finally, Lenovo announced the Miix 320. Its an affordable notebook where the display can detach and work independently as a tablet. It features a 10.1-inch full-HD display, an Intel Atom X5 processor with Intel HD graphics. There is 4GB of RAM inside with 128GB of eMMC storage. Lenovo says it offers 10 hours of battery life and weighs 1.02kg.

The pricing for Miix 320 starts at 269 Euros (Rs 19,000 approx) and for Miix 320 with LTE starts at 399 Euros (Rs 28,000 approx).
hidden

Softbank's semiconductor subsidiary ARM will deliver about a trillion chips designed for the so-called internet of things (IoT) over the next 20 years, the chairman and CEO of the Japanese company said on Monday.

Speaking at the Mobile World Congress, the industry's largest annual trade show, Softbank's Masayoshi Son said the number of "brain cells" in chips would surpass the number of human brain neurons in 2018, opening up a huge opportunity for smart and connected objects.

"This is why I spent $32 billion to acquire ARM," Son said, explaining his 30-year-vision of a world where the artificial computer brain will have 10,000 intelligence quotient (IQ) capabilities compared with 100 for the average human.

The internet of things is a term used to describe a network of devices other than computers and smartphones that are connected to the internet and can collect and exchange data, such as for controlling heating at home.

Jennifer Belissent, an analyst at Forrester Research who attended Son's keynote speech said the numbers he mentioned were very dramatic.

(Also Read: SoftBank acquires ARM Holdings: Analysts debate the merit of the purchase)

"The greater connectivity and new artificial IQ capabilities offer so much potential. It sets the scene for a Marvel movie. Now, the key question is how to make that new technology available to everyone," she said.

"It's not the number of new devices that is relevant but what you make out of it in terms of analytical capabilities."

Faced with a secular decline in average revenue per user (ARPU) and a smartphone market only expected to grow by 5 percent in the coming years, Son stressed the need for mobile operators to invest in new technology.

Son and Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund have created a technology investment fund that could grow as large as $100 billion and become a kingpin in the high-tech industry.

The Japanese businessman also predicted that by 2040 there would be an army of 10 billion smart robots making human lives easier. But these advances won't come without risks and addressing cybersecurity issues will have to be part of the equation, he said.

"There are about 500 ARM chips in a car today and none of them are secure," said Son, predicting that 64 percent of cyber attacks will be through hacking connected objects.

Last year, for example, hackers attacked websites such as Twitter, Paypal and Spotify by targeting hundreds of thousands of internet-connected devices from millions of internet addresses in one the largest attacks ever seen.

Reuters

Complete coverage of the Mobile World Congress 2017 can be found here.
PTI

Vodafone today told the Delhi High Court that it would amend its plea to challenge the two Trai orders giving a clean chit to the free offers of Reliance Jio.

The submission was made after Jio contended before Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva that Vodafone had not challenged the 20 October 2016 and 2 February 2017, decisions of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) by which it was held that Jio's free offers did not violate any tariff norm.

Even the court told Vodafone that it can either say that Trai took no action, in which case the regulator can be asked to take a decision, or the company can say the orders of Trai were wrong and these will have to be challenged.

"It cannot be both, that they (Trai) have done nothing and that they have passed an administrative order," the court said.

The new entrant in the telecom sector, Jio, said the two orders of Trai have been challenged by Idea and Airtel before the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).

Jio argued that Vodafone's petition alleging inaction by Trai against alleged violation of tariff orders by Reliance was not maintainable in high court and the telecom major ought to have moved TDSAT.

Trai, on the other hand, claimed that its letters of October last year and February this year were not orders that can be appealed before TDSAT.

The regulator said the two letters only communicated to Vodafone the finding arrived at by Trai while disposing of the representations by the telecom major against Jio's free offers.

However, the court was of the view that if Trai examined the issues raised by Vodafone and other telecom companies against Jio's tariffs and came to a finding, then it is an order.

Disclaimer: Reliance Jio is owned by Reliance Industries, who also own Network18, the publisher of Firstpost and tech2.
Anirudh Regidi

In today's world, data is everything. Data points are, by themselves, meaningless. But with context, a little bit of correlation and access to enough computing power, you can paint a picture of the world in more detail than you ever thought possible. With enough data, you might even predict the future.

Data can be used for both good and bad. In a country thats only recently taken its first steps towards its digital future, an understanding of the dangers, as well as advantages, of this digital world is paramount.

Your data is already up for sale

Putting these dangers into stark relief is a recent investigative report by The Economic Times where the publication discovered that the personal data of lakhs of Indians is available for the asking.

The investigation, conducted over many months, revealed that creative and granular data on up to 1 lakh people can be had for as little as Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000. That works out to around Rs 2 per dozen, even bananas are more expensive.

ET reveals that the data they purchased from these brokers was very personal in nature. The expected details like residential address, phone number and email address were leaked, but details on marital status, purchase history (on Amazon and eBay), income, profession, etc., were also leaked.

Logically speaking, if the data is sold for so little, its value must be as limited. But this isnt necessarily the case. The bulk of the data will be used by companies for profiling customers, by agents harassing you to take loans and more. Google, Facebook, Amazon and the like do the same on a much larger scale for a similar, but arguably less intrusive purpose: Ads.

The real danger is identity theft and fraud. Despite the incessant warnings from banks, youll be more willing to hand over your personal data, including CVV and OTP numbers, to someone on a phone if they appear to know more about you than the average scamster.

What if someone were to call you saying that they were from your bank and that there was some trouble with a specific phone you bought on eBay on 28 February? Youd be perfectly willing to accept that theyre legitimate. If they tell you that the transaction failed and that theyll need your CVV and OTP to reconfirm, youre likely to hand over those details without a seconds hesitation.

You might believe that youre smarter than this, and it might even be true in some cases, but the average person will be caught out. How many times have you asked a cop for his badge or a ticket collector for his ID? An implicit faith in the system is but natural in any society.

In India, this system for the digital world just doesnt exist. People are wary, they dont trust it yet. Demonetisation forced this on an unwilling public.

Today, itll be easier for the average Indian to spot a fake cop than it will be to spot a digital scamster. You cant protect yourself against a threat you dont even know exists.

Big data is about the little things

The thing with big data is that its about the little things: What you purchased, how much you spent, the type of card you used, the brands you prefer, etc. All these little things add up.

The data that ET gathered was sourced from agents working for banks and telcos, from merchants selling off their customer data, from copy machine operators keeping digital copies of documents and more.

10 years ago, you could be assured of a reasonable level of data security simply because it wasn't so easy to share data. Sharing one lakh, curated data entries would literally involve one lakh pieces of paper and vast filing cabinets. Today, it's an excel file away. The type of data we're giving out has changed, but not by much. The only thing that's new today is a request for your email ID and, in the case of Aadhar, your biometric data.

And anyway, why would you worry about giving out your email ID when your Facebook profile is open to all?

Professional data mining firms in western markets even gather information from PoS (Point of Sale) machines and relates the data to more data pulled from publicly available social media profiles. Were yet to achieve such heights of data mining prowess, but Im sure well get there eventually.

The collection of this data in India isnt regulated and we have experts who have told us that data privacy is still largely a legal grey area in our country.

Reports suggest that since demonetisation, weve seen a 400-1000 percent increase in digital transactions. Others suggest that digital transactions have grown by 25 percent monthly since November.

Digital payment platforms like PayTM and FreeCharge have seen unprecedented growth since then.

Banks are also reporting an increased use of credit and debit cards and everyone is falling over themselves to get us onto their platform.

20 days after demonetisation, we saw the number of new bank accounts surge by over 30 lakh.

Where do you think all of that data is going? Im sure that banks and digital wallet services will have watertight legal agreements allowing for this (Do you read the terms and conditions?), and whos monitoring the third-party agents who are freely walking around with all this data?

I know for a fact that the number of calls Ive received asking me if I want a loan or a credit card have gone up since I opened a new bank account. These callers know my name, where I work and my designation, and these callers are not affiliated to any particular bank.

Can I do something about it? Of course not. My data is already out there and circulating among untold numbers of agents whether I want it to or not.

For me, this is a minor irritant, but it can get worse. And, I suspect, many of you are in the same boat.

Educate the masses

This data can be used for money laundering, identity theft, running scams and worse. Its out there, whether we wish it or not and there is little that we can do about it. Were also fast moving towards a fully digital world, which is, for many, uncharted territory.

At the very least, the need of the hour is an extensive awareness campaign that highlights the need for vigilance and the importance of protecting essential data.
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How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time. Kindness is a gateway for all of us to connect and care for each other.  Morgan Freeman Whether its a supporting...

MAKING CONNECTIONS Editors note: The following random acts of kindness were emailed or called into County Press editor Jeff Hogan at jhogan@mihomepaper.com. The following acts of kindness experienced by County Press readers...

Ed-Tech students connect with community ATTICA TWP.  The Lapeer County Education and Technology Center (Ed-Tech) is a place where students can get a taste of the career opportunities that exist in their field of...
Trump seeks 'historic' increase of 9pc in defence spending

Donald Trump will seek to boost Pentagon spending in the next fiscal year..

Reuters, Washington :

United States President Donald Trump is seeking what he called a "historic" increase in military spending of more than 9 per cent, a huge rise even as the United States has wound down major wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and remains the world's strongest military power.

Trump will seek to boost Pentagon spending in the next fiscal year by $54 billion in his first budget proposal and slash the same amount from non-defence spending, including a large reduction in foreign aid, a White House budget official said on Monday.

The president does not have the final say on federal spending. His plan to ramp up military spending is part of a budget proposal to Congress, which, while it is controlled by his fellow Republicans, will not necessarily follow his plans.

"This budget will be a public safety and national security budget," Trump told state governors at the White House.

"It will include an historic increase in defence spending to rebuild the depleted military of the United States of America at a time we most need it," he said. Officials familiar with Trump's proposal said the defence budget increase would be financed partly by cuts to the State Department, Environmental Protection Agency and other non-defence programmes.

Such a hike would be unusual given that the US is not engaged in a major war, although its special forces and Air Force are active against the militant Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq and Syria.

An official familiar with the proposal said Trump's request for the Pentagon included more money for shipbuilding, military aircraft and establishing "a more robust presence in key international waterways and choke points" such as the Strait of Hormuz and South China Sea.

That could put the United States at odds with Iran and China.

The United States already has the world's most powerful fighting force and it spends far more than any other country on defence.
Russian frigate heads to Mediterranean on Syria mission

The Russian Navy\'s frigate Admiral Grigorovich sails in the Bosphorus on its way to the Mediterranean Sea, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Reuters, Sevastopol :

The Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich left the port of Sevastopol in Crimea on Monday for the Mediterranean where it will join the country's naval forces deployed near the Syrian coast, a naval official said.

A Reuters witness saw the ship leaving its moorings in the naval port of Sevastopol.

"It (the frigate) will be operating as part of the permanent Russian Navy force in the Mediterranean," the Interfax news agency quoted the navy's Captain Vyacheclav Truhachev, a spokesman for the Black Sea fleet, as saying.

The frigate armed with Kalibr (Caliber) cruise missiles was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea last November as part of Russia's naval task force to Syria where it launched missile strikes against Islamic State targets.

The Admiral Grigorovich is the first in the class of six frigates commissioned by the Russian navy in 2010 for its Black Sea Fleet.

Meanwhile, Turkey-backed Syrian rebel groups clashed with government forces near a city in northern Syria that the rebels recently captured from Islamic State, sources on both sides said, the second such confrontation in the region this month.

The fighting late on Sunday took place in an area where the sides are waging separate campaigns against Islamic State.

Russia, which backs the Syrian government, mediated to bring an end to the confrontation, according to a source in the military alliance fighting in support of President Bashar al-Assad. Russia also intervened to halt the previous clash.

The latest incident occurred near the city of al-Bab, which Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels captured last week from Islamic State. Syrian government forces on Sunday announced the capture of the town of Tadef, 4 km (2.5 miles) to the south.

A rebel official in touch with one of the FSA groups taking part in the Turkey-backed campaign in northern Syria said rebels had opened fire on Sunday in response to an attempt by government forces to advance closer to al-Bab.

An FSA statement said "22 regime members" were killed.

A Syrian military source said the rebels had "targeted our forces in Tadef with artillery and machine guns". The source, who described the FSA factions as "terrorist groups that belong to Turkey", gave no casualty toll.

Earlier this month, a senior Russian official said Tadef marked an agreed dividing line between the Syrian army and the Turkey-backed forces.

Turkey, a major backer of Syrian opposition to Assad, last year began cooperating with Russia in Syria. With Moscow, it has co-sponsored a ceasefire between government and rebel forces in western Syria.

The rebel official said Turkish forces were not involved in the confrontation, adding that government forces appeared to be testing the rebels. "They probably hadn't thought that they would receive such a fierce response," the official said.

The Syrian military source said the incident showed the rebels' "main aim is not fighting Daesh (Islamic State), but realizing other goals including an attempt to obstruct the Syrian army's operation confronting Daesh".

In a narrow rubbish-strewn street lined with broken and blackened stalls, the 30-year-old mother of four told of their suffering in the days before the northern town fell on Thursday to Turkish forces and their Syrian rebel allies.

"Each time they (IS) found a family in a basement, they'd chase them out so they could take their place," the veiled and abaya-wearing Umm Abdo told AFP.

"They wouldn't allow anyone to go out into the street, and at the same time you couldn't take cover in a basement. So you just had to endure the bombardment," she said, one of her sons in a stroller.

At Umm Abdo's side, her three other children appeared to have regained some of their composure.
6 gold bars recovered from man's stomach

Winners and guests of a prize giving ceremony organised by Master Line Social Welfare Parishad in the port city on Sunday.

BSS, Chittagong :

Customs intelligence recovered six gold bars worth about Taka 30 lakh from a passenger's stomach at Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport yesterday.

Customs intelligence sources said Hasan Uddin, 31, arrived here by a Dubai flight from the UAE at 10.30 am.

When he was leaving the green channel, customs officials challenged him for his suspicious movement.

In the face of interrogation, Hasan admitted that he was carrying six gold bars in his stomach. The gold bars were detected by X-ray.

The officials then took out the bars from his stomach by feeding drugs.
Bangladesh Swadhinata Parishad formed a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Tuesday in protest against unrest in the name of hartal.
Criminals on job as security men

NEWS report said several accused charged with criminal cases were working as security guards at a Gazipur garment factory for about a month. They were hired from a security firm where they took the job concealing their identity and using fake names.

They used their time with the new employers' place watching their office and location of money they hold in cash. It took a month to figure out everything and at last they hit the target on January 7 stealing around Tk 3.5 crore and $25,000 in cash from the factory vault. The gang decapitated four security guards, looted the money meant for salary of workers and other expenses and decamped. Over 3000 workers and staff work in the factory and the owner was scheduled to pay them next morning.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested the six-member gang on Sunday and their investigation revealed that the national ID cards the robbers had given their employing firm-- Institute of Safety, Security and Information Technology (ISSIT) -- proved to be false. It is really a critical security issue raising the question about the recruitment process of such security service providers at different industries and such other installations.

The RAB claimed to have recovered Tk 1.17 crore, a truck and a pistol from the possession of the gang members in drives that ended early Monday. The gang had bought garment factory machineries with the looted money to set up a factory of its own.

Five robbers have been arrested while one more was arrested as some of the looted artifacts were found in his possession. The gang had also looted another garment factory in Badda area using the same technique in 2015, RAB officials said. It appears that the robbers deposited some money in bank accounts while using remaining money for collecting materials to set up new garment factories.

What seems to be a matter of grave concern that people accused in different criminal cases, including robbery and murder are taking jobs as security guard employed by security firms without detailed screening of their background. The presence of such criminals in security industry with fake identity is a grievous risk to life and property of the persons and their installation they get employed to protect.

In our view the Gazipur incident must work as eye opener to both security firms and people who employ them at their factories and other business establishments. There is a chance that militants may also misuse secure jobs this way to cause bigger harm to individuals and the society as a whole. It is time for every one to use the highest level of screening before engaging such guards at any place.


9 men of `kidnapping gang` held in city

Staff Reporter :

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested nine members of a kidnapping gang from the city's Agargaon area on Monday night.

The elite force members also rescued a victim named Imon Hossain from the clutch of the kidnappers, RAB official said.

Mufti Mahmud Khan, Director of the Legal and Media Wing Director of the RAB, said, "A team of RAB-2 conducted a drive in the BNP Slum area, arrested

the gang and rescued the victim Imon at night." The elite force official claimed that miscreants demanded ransom of Tk seven lakh from Imon's family.

Several firearms and bullets were recovered from the spot, the RAB official said. A case was filed against the kidnappers with the police station, he said.


Ekushey Boi Mela ends

Amar Ekushey Boi Mela overcrowded on the concluding day at Bangla Academy premises on Tuesday.

DU Correspondent :

The month-long Amar Ekushey Boi Mela ended on Tuesday.

Thousands of people thronged the Bangla Academy premises and Suhrawardy Udyan on the closing day to collect their favourite writers' books.

The visitors were found standing in long queues from the Teachers-Students Centre (TSC) and Curzon Hall on the Dhaka University (DU) campus on Tuesday evening.

On the concluding day, one hundred and eighty new books arrived at the Boi Mela and thirty four new books were also unveiled at Nazrul Mancha.

Publishers and readers expressed satisfaction over the day's turnover and the peaceful completion of the fair this year.

A total of 3646 new titles arrived at the Boi Mela this year with 1122 poetry books followed by 576 novels, 520 books on stories and 168 volumes of Article. Last year, 3444 new books graced the fair while the figure was 3700 in 2015,

2,959 in 2014, 3,070 in 2013, 3,669 in 2012, 3,013 in 2011 and 3,354 in 2010.

The total sales are Tk 65.40 crore this year comparing with 40.50 crore in 2016, 21.95 crore in 2015, 16.50 crore in 2014, 10.15 crore in 2013 and Tk 26 crore in 2012.

The Bangla Academy also sold books worth Tk. 1.54 crore this year. Last year, the academy's turnover was Tk. 1.55 crore,Tk1.60 crore in 2015, Tk 1.10 crore in 2014, Tk 67.40 lakh in 2013 and Tk 82.53 lakh in 2012, Tk 72.83 lakh in 2011 and Tk 68.01 lakh in 2010.

Bangla Academy authority arranged a closing ceremony yesterday evening in the main stage of the fair where Dr Jalal Ahmed, Member Secretary of the Boi Mela organising committee, presented the final report at the Boi Mela.

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor was present at the function, as the chief guest, while Cultural Secretary (acting) Ibrahim Hosen Khan was present as the special guest.

Bangla Academy Director General Shamsuzzaman Khan gave welcome speech while Professor Emeritus Rafiqul Islam presided over the function.

Meanwhile, Poet Shamim Azad and Writer and interpreter Nazmun Nesa Piearia won the 'Syed Waliullah Award' for their contribution to expanding Bengali Literature abroad.


Ex-SP Babul reacts over allegations

bdnews24.com :

Former superintendent of police Babul Aktar chose not to comment on charges of killing a fellow officer, but as his in-laws are speaking about their suspicion over the murder of his wife, he has broken his silence.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Babul detailed the factors that have made him drift away from his in-laws.

He has alleged his in-laws had tried to get him marry a relative of his slain wife Mahmuda Aktar Mitu and put

pressure on him to have him stay in their house. On Sunday, he declined comments on allegations brought by Mitu's father Mosharraf Hossain of having extramarital relationship and fights with Mitu.

"Look, I am an employee of a company now. What will they think if I speak to the media now? But I will call you when the time comes," Babul told bdnews24.com on Sunday.

"Many people are saying many things. But I am not saying anything. I am being with my children. They are my life. I want to forget many things for them," he added.

On Monday, he wrote the over 2,000-word Facebook post titled "Everyone is a judge, and I am the murderer without any evidence." Babul made the headlines after Mitu was murdered in the port city on Jun 5 last year, just days after he had joined his new workplace in Dhaka following a successful drive against militants in Chittagong.

He had been living in his in-laws' house afterwards. Speculations and rumours ran wild when the Mitu murder investigators picked him up from the house for questioning.

His in-laws were at his side at the time. They, however, changed the tone when Babul left the police job and the house.

He made headlines again recently when sub-inspector Akram Hossain's sisters alleged Babul 'plotted the murder' of their brother over the extramarital affair with Akram's wife Banani Binte Bashir Borni.

They alleged Babul and Borni 'plotted the murder' in such a way that it looked like a road traffic accident.

Borni denied having any relationship with Babul. Later on Sunday, Babul's father-in-law Mosharraf, himself a former police officer, told bdnews24.com: "We have told the investigator in detail about Babul's extramarital affair, quarrel with Mitu, her attempt to commit suicide, and failed attempt to come to us."

In reaction to Mosharraf's comments, Babul wrote, "I don't have any headache over those. I am busy with the two motherless children now. Besides this, proving the charges is the duty of the people who brought those."

"...They (his in-laws) had insisted on one thing: 'I will have to marry their girl and stay there."

"...How did they let their daughter stay with me even after knowing that I had an extramarital affair?" he asked.

He admitted that Akram's wife lived in his area in Magura and took legal help from his lawyer brother. "But I was not involved with that," he wrote. "If living in the same area means having an extramarital affair, then the list of my girlfriends beyond marriage will start at the Northern Hemisphere and won't stop at the Southern Hemisphere," he added.

The investigator of Mitu murder case, Detective Branch officer Md Kamruzzaman, spoke to his former colleague Babul along with the victim's parents and sisters.

Police said seven people have so far been arrested over the murder. Two of them were killed in so-called gunfight with police. Police named Kamrul Islam Shikder alias Musa, a source of Babul when he was posted in Chittagong, as the prime suspect.
Attack on Teknaf Ansar camp: Mastermind held

UNB, Cox's Bazar :

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested Nurul Alam, the mastermind of the attack on an Ansar camp in Teknaf upazila that killed an Ansar member, from Kutupalang Rohingya camp of Ukhiya upazila on Tuesday.

Tipped off, a team of Rab-7 launched a drive at Kutupalang Rohingya camp around 7:30pm and arrested Nurul, a Rohingya, said company commander of Rab-7 Lt Commander Ashequr Rahman.

Nurul was the mastermind of the attack on Nayapara Ansar camp inside Kutupalang Rohingya camp carried out on May 13 last year that killed commander Ali Hossain.

Some 13 firearms and 600 bullets were also looted during the attack, said the Rab official.

Locals said Nurul fled to India after the Nayapara Ansar camp attack and returned to Bangladesh recently.

Earlier on January 9 last, the elite force in a drive arrested three Rohingya people along with 13 firearms, including five looted from the Ansar camp, and 95 bullets from deep forest in Ghungdhum border area of Myanmar.

Alamgir Hossain, an Ansar member of the barrack inside the Rohingya camp, filed a case against 35 unidentified people with Teknaf police station.


Left parties protesters clash with police

People`s suffering mounts: 30 hurt, 20 detained: Demo on Mar 15

In absence of public transport, city dwellers suffered immensely while rickshawvans took control the roads carrying passengers during hartal hours enforced by left political parties on Tuesday. This photo was taken from Sayedabad.

Staff Reporter :

Hundreds of activists of left-leaning political parties took to the city streets on Tuesday protesting an increase in the price of gas.

Police charged baton indiscriminately, lobbed teargas canisters and fired water cannon to disperse the agitated demonstrators after they tried to block roads at busy intersection of Shahbagh leaving at least 30 persons injured during the half-day strike.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission last week announced an increase in gas

price by an average 22.7 per cent in the fist phase starting March 1. The second time increase in less than two years will be implemented from the next month despite objections from political parties and industry groups, including the garments sector. Thousands of people use gas for cooking and for running vehicles, and it is also used to generate electricity.

The demonstrators claimed that police detained about a dozen protesters, including Nasir Uddin Prince, general secretary of a fraction of Samajtantrik Chhatra Front. Most of them were detained from Shahbagh area.

On the other hand, police said that they detained some persons on charge of blocking traffic and damaging public properties.

Police officer Sheikh Abul Bashar said: "We had to use water cannon and fire teargas as the protesters paid no heed to our requests to move away."

Communist Party of Bangladesh, Socialist Party of Bangladesh, Ganasanghati Andolan, and Democratic Left Alliance held separate processions and rallies in Paltan and National Press Club areas supporting the strike.

President of Student Union Lucky Akter said: "The government has illogically burdened people with the increase. We demand the government scrap the decision." President of Bangladesh Chhatra Union's Dhaka University unit Tuhin Kanti Das said: "We have been demonstrating peacefully since the morning. Police have attacked us for no reason."

After the six-hour shutdown ended at 12:00 noon, the left alliance parties, including Communist Party of Bangladesh, Socialist Party of Bangladesh, Democratic Left Alliance and Ganatantrik Bam Morcha, announced a march towards the Energy Ministry on March 15. It also announced plans for agitation between March 1 and 15.

Soon after the announcement of the price revision by BERC, the CPB and BaSod next day called for yesterday's [Tuesday] shutdown, which had been supported by several other parties, including the BNP and Jamaat-e Islami. Witnesses said the activists of an alliance of leftist student bodies blocked the Shahbagh intersection since early morning disrupting vehicular traffic in the area. Around 10:30am, a chase and counter chase took place between police and the demonstrators, when the law enforcers resorted to water cannon. The protesters were seen hurling brickbats at the police at that time. However, the police intervention forced agitators to leave the Shahbagh intersection.

After that, they tried to demonstrate on the street in front of the Central Library, but police forced them to leave the spot.

At a rally in front of the National Press Club, the Ban Morcha announced a march towards the Energy Ministry on March 15.

Household gas charge for a single burner stove will be Tk 750 [up from Tk 600 now] from March 1 and TK 800 [up from TK 650 now] for a double burner stove. In the second phase from Jun 1, the monthly charge for a single burner stove will be Tk 900 and for a double burner stove Tk 950.

Those, who pay the gas bills for household use through meters, will have to pay Tk 9.1 per cubic metre from March and Tk 11.2 from June. They are currently paying Tk 7 per cubic metre. It means that stove-based charges are rising by 50 per cent while meter-based gas cost will go up 60 per cent.

Price of compressed natural gas [CNG], used for automobiles, will go up from Tk 35 to 38 per cubic metre in March and to Tk 40 in June. The 14.28 per cent hike will drive up the fares in public transport as well.
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.
Ingram Publishing/iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- The full details of President Trumps budget arent even out yet, and already the blowback against the White House is, in a word, tremendous.



Former top military leaders who served on the frontlines and congressional leaders in the presidents party are all speaking out, trying to stop the administration from slashing funds for foreign

aid and American diplomacy.



"It's going nowhere," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said of the likelihood that Congress would approved such a budget.



The White House announced Monday that it wants a 10 percent increase in military spending, roughly equal to $54 billion, with an equal amount of cuts from the non-defense budget -- historic

levels not seen since the early Reagan administration.



Executive agencies, including the State Department, are reviewing the plan now before the White House submits a final budget to Congress by March 16, but there have been reports that the plan could

include up to a 30 percent cut to the State Departments budget or the elimination of whole divisions, such as the envoys for climate change and anti-Semitism.



While the administration gave no details, Mick Mulvaney, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said foreign aid would be a top priority to cut.



The president said we're going to spend less money overseas and spend more of it here. That's going to be reflected with the number we send to the State Department, Mulvaney said Monday.



The State Department wouldnt confirm any numbers, but acting spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement, The Department is working with the White House and OMB to review its budget priorities ...

[and] remains committed to a U.S. foreign policy that advances the security and prosperity of the American people."



Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with Trump at the White House on Monday, but it remains unclear how hard the former businessman will push back on proposed cuts. The budget for the State

Department and foreign aid together totaled $50.1 billion last year.



But the White House proposal drew a sharp response from even Republicans on the Hill.



Sen. Graham blasted the idea, telling reporters it would not stand a chance in Congress.



This budget destroys soft power, it puts our diplomats at risk, and it's going nowhere, he said today. Clearly they don't understand how soft power is essential to winning the war.



Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a foreign policy hawk like Graham, tweeted his opposition as well.



Foreign Aid is not charity. We must make sure it is well spent, but it is less than 1% of budget & critical to our national security, the former Republican presidential candidate wrote.



Over 120 retired senior military leaders also wrote a letter to Congress, urging it to save the State Departments budget out of our strong conviction that elevating and strengthening diplomacy

and development alongside defense are critical to keeping America safe.



Many of the crises our nation faces do not have military solutions alone, they wrote, highlighting the foreign services non-military counter-terror tools and calling for strong civilian

partners in the battle against the drivers of extremism -- lack of opportunity, insecurity, injustice, and hopelessness.



They also cited foreign aids role in addressing other challenges, from efforts to prevent and contain epidemics like Ebola, to support for fragile but vital ally governments or the worlds 21

million refugees.



Now is not the time to retreat, wrote the military leaders, including David Petraeus, the former top commander in Iraq and Afghanistan and CIA director. Most recently, he was considered for

national security adviser, meeting with President Trump but ultimately withdrawing his name.



The list also includes prominent leaders like former National Security Agency and Cyber Command chief Keith Alexander, former top Iraq war commander George Casey, former top Afghan war commander

John Allen, and former Marine Corps commandants James Conway, Michael Hagee and Charles Krulak.



Almost all of the signatories to the letter are not politically involved, but two were big Trump critics: John Allen, was a vocal Hillary Clinton campaign supporter, and Michael Hayden, who was

George W. Bushs CIA director and was a Never Trumper.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option.
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.
CARBONDALE  Years ago, when Chad Pensoneau-Conway moved to Southern Illinois, he said he was adopted by members of the local Sufi Muslim group, a spiritual community that has called Carbondale home for 20 years.

So he and his wife, Sandy, found their way to Saturday night's Dialogue Dinner hosted by members of the Carbondale Muslim Center on North Wall Street.

They listened, and digested what the various Muslim speakers said, among the estimated 500 to 600 people who crowded into the Carbondale Muslim Center on Saturday night to learn more about the faith group that has taken the front page in recent weeks after President Donald Trump's executive order limiting immigration and travel from seven Muslim-majority countries.

"We thought it was important both to broaden our own perspective  and the only way you broaden your perspective is when you become open to others perspective  and to get just a sense of the Muslim community in Carbondale," said Sandy Pensoneau-Conway, an assistant professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Communication Studies Department. "We wanted to gain a different perspective  especially given the political climate; we thought it was important to show our support as well and also because of the people we know of personally in the (community)."

In addition to the "sheer amount of people who were there," she said she was most impacted by a response from the mosque's imam, or spiritual leader, to one question. Imam Abdul Haqq answered a question about how the Carbondale community could best serve the Muslim community during this time. Pensoneau-Conway said it was similar to a question she'd wanted to ask.

"Just the fact that his response wasnt about the Muslim community  it was about all of us leading a just and a peaceful life toward everyone  was very impactful," she said.

In addition to answering questions from guests, the organizers said they wanted to thank those in the community who have shown their support over the past few weeks. On a table with materials explaining Islam were cards, drawings and notes from people in the community.

Those gathered included Gary Hartlieb and his daughter, Jennifer; Gary said he has neighbors who are Muslim and Jennifer said she teaches the child of one of the Dialogue Dinner organizers.

They, and the others gathered, heard from Muslims who included a high school freshman, who explained how supported and included she felt among her friends and schoolmates; a couple, a cardiologist and his wife, a student, who had the audience laughing as they talked about being married; and parents to a young boy who expressed joy at returning to his hometown in Kansas.

"I couldn't imagine anything harmful coming from them or anyone that they knew or anything they stood for," Chad Pensoneau-Conway said.
CARBONDALE  A new book that chronicles the spirit of Carbondale residents and the campus community also serves as a showcase of the talents of Southern Illinois University Carbondale students.

This is Carbondale was unveiled Feb. 17 at the Carbondale Chamber of Commerces Centennial Celebration Banquet. The 136-page book is available for $20 at the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce office, 131 S. Illinois Ave.

The yearlong project was the sixth in the Weekend series of books highlighting people in local communities. Other books from 2009 to 2014 were: Murphysboro; Cobden and Alto Pass; the Tri-C communities of Cambria, Carterville and Crainville; Chester; and Harrisburg. Each previous edition comprised about 80 pages and was the culmination of an intense, three-day photojournalism project each October.

While many of the more than 200 photographs in This is Carbondale were the result of two intense weekend workshops in March and October involving students and photojournalism professionals, other photos were shot by students throughout the year, Mark Dolan, associate professor in the School of Journalism, said.

Dolan and Kavita Karan, interim director of the School of Journalism, said that students benefit from the intense workshops that are a part of the effort.

The weekend workshops and the final production of the books like This is Carbondale provide photojournalism students with the best hands-on experience, Karan said. The students first work with the faculty and professional photographers in taking the pictures and then work on the editing, captioning, layouts and the final production of the books. Its truly a wonderful practical learning experience for our students.

Les ODell, the chambers executive director, initially approached Dolan a few years ago to suggest Carbondale as a Weekend book subject. But the size of the project for a community of Carbondales size and cost was initially a stumbling block, Dolan said. But ODell persisted, and the result was two workshops with 15 photojournalism professionals and 16 photojournalism students, several of whom were also involved in the books design and editing.

The project was funded by businesses.

This has been a great project that serves as a simple example of ways that the business community and university continue to work together, ODell said. We are delighted to offer this book that captures the essence of Carbondale and showcases the talents of SIU students.

Photos used were shot exclusively from January through December 2016, and include the last public lecture Dec. 21 at the Student Center of then-United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon before he left office.

The myriad of photos includes a full range of activities that make up the community, including schools, celebrations, worship, and fun activities, along with university life. One challenge of shooting a community over a year was trying to keep abreast of events and goings on, Dolan said.

A strength in each of the Weekend series books is that the region comes together to help in challenging economic times, Dolan said. Communities are willing to assist the participating students and visiting professionals. There are not many photojournalism programs in the nation that can point to these kinds of books, he said.

None of us have much when it comes to finances. But if we collaborate and come together, we can combine the resources we do have, Dolan said. And not just our financial resources, but also our creativity and our energy. When we combine those resources, we can make great things happen. I think these projects have been wonderful examples of town/gown relationships and what can be accomplished when we all work together.
Former Mayor Eric Gregg still carries with him a piece of paper with the names of the eight victims who died in the Leap Day tornado in 2012.
WEST FRANKFORT  A West Frankfort man, the subject of an immense outpouring of community support after he was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier this month, is scheduled to appear in federal immigration court Wednesday for a bond hearing.

Carlos Hernandez Pacheco was arrested Feb. 9 at his West Frankfort home following questions about his legal residency status in the U.S. He has been held in an ICE detention center in Montgomery City, Missouri, about an hour west of St. Louis, since his arrest.

His bond hearing will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, where Pacheco and his attorney, Victor Arana, of Austin, Texas, will appear via teleconference.

Arana said he has sent all the appropriate documents to the Office of Chief Counsel. Pacheco's attorney said he is confident he will be able to reach a favorable solution with the court for Pacheco. Arana said because his client has an open petition for legal status with immigration officials, he should be able to move the case along.

Hes not the typical undocumented person in the United States because he has a U.S. citizen wife, Arana said. I think we will be OK.

Arana said there are differences between a criminal trial and a trial in immigration court. In a criminal case, the defendant is indicted or arrested and charged with a crime. Bond is then set or waived, and the defendant enters a plea and is given a jury or bench trial.

Immigration works differently. There is still a bond hearing, where the judge decides if the defendant is a flight risk and whether he or she should remain detained. But, there is no option for a jury trial. All proceedings are heard before an Article I judge.

At the end of an immigration case, instead of guilty or not guilty, you will either be deported or you will get to stay here under some sort of lawful status, Arana said.

This is the process Pacheco could face. However, Arana said he hopes to expedite the case because of Pachecos open petition for legal status.

His entitlement for residency should basically be determinable from paper, Arana said.

As reported by The Southern Illinoisan and later in the New York Times, some Southern Illinois residents are conflicted on the subject of immigration. While the region overwhelmingly voted for Donald Trump, some have had to question their beliefs in his strong immigration policies after Pacheco was detained.

After ICE officials arrested Pacheco, letters of support poured in from West Frankfort, praising him as an active community member.

The Trump administration, which campaigned on a platform of deporting all 11 million undocumented immigrants, has said it will now focus on those with criminal records, a policy not unlike that of President Obamas administration. However, the scope of criminal offenses that qualify someone for deportation have broadened under Trump.

The law didnt change, Arana explained. Everybody (who enters the country without documentation) has been breaking the law, but we are just going to change our priorities and increase the number of people who we are going to deport.

Arana said the United States is unique in how it enforces immigration. Unlike Mexico, the U.S. allows those here illegally to have some due process.

If anything this country gives folks way more rights than anyone else does, Arana said. Even if you have no colorable claim to staying here, you still get the process.

When it comes to Pachecos case, though, Arana is confident. He said in the brief time he has been on the case, he has not seen anything that would disqualify him for legal residency.

Nothing that Im seeing from him would be grounds for denial, he said. Its kind of surprising that it was never extended to him.

Arana hopes this will work to his favor when Pachecos case goes before a judge.
The Captain was the largest coal shovel ever built and was a Southern Illinois mining fixture until it was destroyed by fire in 1991. Those of us who have been around here remember that  the biggest machine every built and it was here in Southern Illinois.
[Breaking news update at 1:04 p.m. ET]

Twelve members of the Gulf Shores High School marching band were injured, four of them critically, when a car plowed into the band at a Mardi Gras parade Tuesday in Gulf Shores, Alabama, city spokesman Grant Brown said.

Brown said the car was driven by a 73-year-old man who accelerated and hit the band. It was not immediately clear why the driver accelerated, but authorities do not believe the crash was intentional.

"Every indication is that it was a tragic accident by an elderly man," Gulf Shores Police Chief Ed Delmore said.

Brown said there was no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved.

[Previous story, published at 12:30 p.m. ET]

A vehicle in a Mardi Gras parade in Gulf Shores, Alabama, plowed into a marching band from behind, sending several people to the hospital Tuesday.

At least 11 people have been injured, including three who were critically hurt, Gulf Shores city spokesman Grant Brown said. He said the parade has been canceled.

At least three people were taken to South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Kim Neal said.

The cause of the crash was not immediately clear.

CNN affiliate WKRG said students were among the injured.

Angie Swiger, board member for the Baldwin County Board of Education, said all students in the parade have been accounted for.

"We've taken the students back to the high school that have not been checked out by parents, and we have accounted for everyone," she said.

Swiger said a crisis counselor is at a local high school to comfort students and parents who witnessed the crash.

"It's going to be a very difficult day," she said. "It is a tight-knit community. We just ask for everyone's thoughts and prayers."

CNN's Ryan Rios, AnneClaire Stapleton and Deanna Hackney contributed to this report.
A 34-year-old bank teller has admitted to stealing almost $300,000 from her employer, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Jennifer Lyons Martin of Ehrhardt pleaded guilty to theft by a bank employee. U.S. District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Columbia will sentence her at a later date.

Martin worked for South State Bank in Bamberg as a vault teller when a 2015 audit of the bank showed over $100,000 was missing, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston David Holliday Jr.

Martin was approached and confessed to taking almost $300,000 beginning in 2013 and lasting through September 2015. She had two personal checking accounts and four savings accounts at South State that she funneled the money into, Holliday said.

She spent almost all of it on restaurants, shopping, travel and living expenses, Holliday said in a press release.

U.S. Attorney Beth Drake said the maximum penalty for the offense is imprisonment for 30 years and a fine of $1 million.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

An indictment filed on Sept. 6, 2016 accused Martin of one count of bank fraud and one count of theft by a bank employee. Martin did not plead guilty to bank fraud.

The indictment says that Martins duties as a vault teller included reconciling cash in and out of the ATM at South State Bank in Bamberg.

The indictment states that Martin force-balanced the ATM and vault accounts to conceal from South State Bank that she had stolen the money for her own purposes.

The indictment claims that she took approximately $296,000 from the bank beginning in 2013.

Martins sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office

Someone broke into the garage area of an auto dealership, stole the keys to a 2004 Honda Civic coupe and stole the car.

At 12:26 p.m. Saturday, deputies responded to Silverback Auto Sales at 2775 Rowesville Road. The business owner reported that the theft took place that day sometime between 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Someone also stole the license plate from the business owners personal vehicle.

The value of the stolen items is $2,580.

In a separate incident, an Elloree man is missing a utility trailer and believes someone may have stolen it.

The man said Friday that the trailer was parked behind the chicken coop on the backside of his Old Number Six Highway residence.

The trailer is a 2013 Comb 7-by-16 foot wooden flatbed. It is valued at $1,000.
One of The Greatest Generation and his wife of almost 70 years have both passed away within days of each other. Albemarle, North Carolina couple, Nathan Owen Cranford, age 97, passed away on Feb. 13, 2017, and Mattie B. Way Cranford, age 94, passed away on Feb. 18, 2017. They were married on March 29, 1947.

Mattie B. Way was born Feb. 9, 1923, in Elloree, and moved to Albemarle, North Carolina as a new bride. She was educated in the Orangeburg school system, then attended Winthrop College for two years before transferring to and graduating from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. with a bachelor's degree in secretarial administration. She worked at the U.S. Treasury Department for six years prior to her marriage.

Mattie was a homemaker for 12 years before she began her 25 year teaching career as the first teacher in Stanly County for the special education students. She taught the Trainable Class for 23 years and the Profound and Severely Handicapped Class for two years. She was active in the ARC (Association for Retarded Citizens) and honored as the ARC Teacher of the Year in Special Education in 1984.

Mattie was also active in the AARP, Stanly County Extension Homemakers, and the Stanly Memorial Hospital Volunteers. Recognized by the Albemarle Junior Woman's Club in 1960 with the coveted "Woman of the Year" Award, she was also a member of the NCAE and the Retired Teachers Association.

Mattie's survivors include nephew Greg Cranford of Orangeburg; nieces Lodie Allen, Jean Allen and Diana Allen of Orangeburg; and nephew Charles Way Jr. of Charleston.

A Celebration of Life service for Owen and Mattie B. was held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Central United Methodist Church, Albemarle, North Carolina, with a reception following in the First Baptist Church fellowship hall for friends and relatives. Memorials can be made to Central United Methodist Church, 172 N. Second St., Albemarle, NC 28001.
His green, wool Army uniform doesnt fit anymore, but an Orangeburg man received a birthday gift that fits all: a quilt made by volunteers of the Quilts of Valor organization.

Hoyt Jackson Jack Dudley turned 87 on Feb. 20.

His high school sweetheart  now wife of nearly 67 years  was by his side as Charles and Heidi Thornton presented a patriotic-themed handcrafted quilt to Dudley in honor of his years of service in the Army and as a veteran of a foreign war.

The Thorntons are volunteer presenters with the Quilts of Valor organization. They said the Quilts of Valor Foundation began in 2003 and its mission is to award quilts to veterans of war.

When presenting the quilt, the Thorntons asked the Dudleys to stand so they could wrap them in the Quilt of Valor.

It felt great to get the quilt, Jack Dudley said.

He was surrounded by his children along with several grandchildren and neighbors.

Dudley became interested in enlisting in the Army his senior year of high school when a recruiter visited his country school in Abbeville.

I knew I wouldnt go to college. I was raised in a mill village, Dudley said. His parents were textile workers.

That was about as low-income as you could find, so they couldnt afford to send me to school, he said.

He said the recruiter told him that the Army could send him to school and then asked him what hed like to do.

I like working with my hands, cobbling wood and things like that, he said.

Dudley said the recruiter gave him a test and then told him he qualified to be a heavy-equipment operator.

Dudley soon found himself at Fort Belvoir in Virginia for training.

When he finished his training, he became an instructor there.

Well, the Korean War was going on and I didnt care about going to Korea to fight a war, although I was prepared to go, Dudley said.

Dudley continued instructing and training at Fort Belvoir, but ended up going to U.S. Army headquarters in Seoul, Korea.

As soon as I got settled into headquarters, they told me they needed me in a certain area, Dudley said.

The enemy blew out a bridge in South Korea and Dudley went to the area to prepare the road to the bridge, he said.

I was gone for about four months working on river dams and roads, Dudley said.

He said his time in Korea was not as bad as I thought it could have been, although when you build a bridge, the first thing the enemy wants to do is knock that bridge out so you cant advance.

Thats what they did on several occasions, he said.

Dudley said Korean War veterans get left behind a little bit.

Theyre not as much talked about, he said.

We did a lot of service over there. It bothers me when I hear about so many other things, but were not even mentioned, Dudley said.

Dudley was honorably discharged in November 1952 at the rank of sergeant.

On Feb. 20, Dudley beamed humbly.

He was wrapped in love by his neighbors, children and grandchildren.

Covered in appreciation and thankfulness.

And by a quilt  a Quilt of Valor.
In 2014, Adam ONeal, mayor of tiny Belhaven, North Carolina, made headlines when he walked 273 miles from his town to Washington, D.C. The mayor put on his walking shoes because of the impending closure of the towns only hospital. ONeal wanted not only to save his own towns hospital but to call attention to the risk for hospitals all over rural America. A self-proclaimed conservative Republican, ONeal wanted North Carolina to expand Medicaid as a way to secure the hospitals finances.

Rural economies have faced tough times since the Great Recession. Long after employment rebounded in urban areas, unemployment in rural America remained stubbornly high. Although rural areas stopped bleeding jobs by 2015, even now rural employment remains well below its pre-recession levels.

As jobs have disappeared, health services  hospitals, clinics and healthcare providers  have become vital economic anchors in rural America. Healthcare jobs account for a greater share of the jobs in rural counties than in urban counties, a recent study of Tennessee found.

And Tennessee is not the only one. In rural areas, local health centers and hospitals are likely to be one of the top two employers. Jobs in healthcare tend to pay well, offer stable employment and provide benefits. Simply having healthcare providers in a community is an economic plus. The National Center for Rural Health Works estimates that the addition of a single physician in a rural hospital generates 26.3 jobs.

The Affordable Care Act has strengthened job markets in rural America. Medicaid expansion under the ACA has put rural hospitals on a stronger financial footing. In a study of the Ascension Health System, a large nonprofit provider, the Kaiser Family Foundation found that hospitals in states that expanded Medicaid experienced financial improvement compared to hospitals in states that did not expand Medicaid.

In fact, three-quarters of the rural hospitals that have closed since 2010 are in states that chose not to expand Medicaid coverage. The community health centers that provide healthcare in underserved areas have benefited from more funding under the ACA. The law directly increased the rural healthcare workforce with increased funding for the National Health Service Corps, which provides loan repayment and grants for healthcare providers who work in underserved areas, especially rural communities.

Today 700 rural hospitals are in danger of closing. The numbers will certainly increase if the ACA is repealed. The National Institutes of Health estimates that a hospital closure reduces per-capita income by an average of $703 and increases the local unemployment rate by 1.6 percent. Rural hospital closures are especially devastating. The loss of healthcare jobs echoes throughout the economy as physicians leave and jobs supported by the health sector vanish.

Hospital closure can tilt a rural county into a downward economic spiral as future economic development prospects take a hit. Rural counties without a hospital find it difficult to attract new employers who are reluctant to locate in areas without an emergency department. Retirees looking for a rural lifestyle avoid counties with inadequate healthcare.

Late last year, after efforts to save it failed, demolition began on Belhavens only hospital. Its closure not only harmed local access to healthcare, it also put the North Carolina towns economic future in jeopardy. Repeal of the Affordable Care Act threatens rural communities across America with a similar fate.
Concord, NH  At a time of political change, one thing is clear and consistent: Americans strongly support conserving the special spaces they love. Since 1988, Five Rivers Conservation Trust, has been doing just that for the people of the Greater Capital Region of New Hampshire. Now Five Rivers announces it has achieved national recognition  joining a network of 27% of over 1300 land trusts across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to professional excellence and to maintaining the publics trust in their work.

Accreditation demonstrates Five Rivers commitment to permanent land conservation, said Beth McGuinn, Executive Director. We are a more professional, resilient and stable organization having prepared for the rigorous accreditation process. The strength of our organization means the local farms, recreation properties, wildlife habitats and iconic landscapes Five Rivers conserves will remain conserved forever. Five Rivers-conserved properties  small farms, recreation lands, wildlife habitat and water resources make important contributions to the quality of life in the Greater Capital Region, for us today and for future generations.

Five Rivers provided extensive documentation and underwent a comprehensive review as part of its accreditation process. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded accreditation, signifying its confidence that Five Rivers conserved lands will be protected forever.

It is exciting to recognize Five Rivers Conservation Trust with this distinction, said Tammara Van Ryn, executive director of the Commission. Accredited land trusts are united behind strong ethical standards ensuring the places people love will be conserved forever. Accreditation recognizes Five Rivers has demonstrated sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship.

The Land Trust Alliances 2016 National Land Trust Census shows that accredited land trusts have made significant achievements.

Accredited land trusts have steadily grown and now steward more than 77% of conservation lands and easements held by all land trusts.

Accredited land trusts protected five times more land from 2010 to 2015 than land trusts that were not yet accredited.

Accredited land trusts also have stronger systems and more resources to steward and defend their conservation lands forever.

A complete list of accredited land trusts and more information about the process and benefits are detailed at www.landtrustaccreditation.org.

About the Five Rivers Conservation Trust

Five Rivers Conservation Trust is a nonprofit membership supported organization that works with communities and landowners to protect local land with important conservation values. The goal of the Trust is to ensure that future generations can experience, utilize, and benefit from the local farms, trails, forests, wetlands, and fields that characterize much of the landscape today. The organization works in seventeen communities across New Hampshires Greater Capital Region and has conserved 69 properties, totaling over 4,300 acres. Become a member at www.5rct.org.





About the Land Trust Accreditation Commission

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission inspires excellence, promotes public trust and ensures permanence in the conservation of open lands by recognizing organizations that meet rigorous quality standards and strive for continuous improvement. The Commission, established in 2006 as an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, is governed by a volunteer board of diverse land conservation and nonprofit management experts. For more, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org.

About the Land Trust Alliance

Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. Based in Washington, D.C., and with several regional offices, the Alliance represents about 1,000 member land trusts nationwide.

The Alliances leadership serves the entire land trust communityour work in the nations capital represents the policy priorities of land conservationists from every state; our education programs improve and empower land trusts from Maine to Alaska; and our comprehensive vision for the future of land conservation includes new partners, new programs and new priorities. Connect with us online at www.landtrustalliance.org.

# # #
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By Azernews





By Amina Nazarli

Hungary has called on Azerbaijan to invest in the countrys tourism market.

Ambassador of Hungary to Baku Imre Laslotski said that his countrys tourism market is open to Azerbaijani investments.

The Hungarian tourism market is quite diverse and well developed, but it is not crowded. There will always be segments that are worth developing. Of course, we would welcome the Azerbaijani capital in sectors such as hospitality management, thermal and health tourism, and the sphere of real estate in general, the ambassador told Trend.



The tourism market is one of the fastest growing sectors of the Hungarian economy, according to Laslotski. Its share in the Hungarian GDP is 10.4 percent. Every year the country receives more than 20 million foreign and about 15 million domestic tourists.

The diplomat went on further noting that experts believe that Hungary is an ideal country for investment in the tourism sector, logistics and informatics.

"Institutionally, the promotion of Hungarian investment projects entrusted to the Hungarian National Agency for Investment Promotion - H?PA. The website of this organization (https://hipa.hu/hip-real-estate) presents a number of investment projects in tourism sphere worth from 7 to 150 million euros, he said.

The embassy regularly informs appropriate structures of Azerbaijan about the investment proposals of Hungary, said the diplomat.

Hungary provides an attractive, multi-step system to encourage foreign investment, including tax incentives, direct government grants, grants for training, as well as raising funds from the European funds. Depending on the region and the number of created jobs, as well as the volume of investments (5, 10 or 20 million euros) investors are provided with individual preferences system, Laslotski explained,

Today Azerbaijani business is investing in the construction of hotels and resort areas in foreign countries, including Montenegro, Georgia and Turkey.

Hungary recognized Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in April 1992.

The two countries enjoy a huge capacity for the development of trade and economic cooperation, as Hungarian companies consider the Azerbaijani market as an alternative to the Russian market, on the background of EU sanctions. Hungary is also a good platform for Azerbaijani investors.

The governments of both countries have expressed interest in increasing bilateral trade.
By Azernews





By Kamila Aliyeva

Tajikistan and Russia have agreed to cooperate in atomic energy and border security. The relevant agreements were achieved within the framework of the visit of Russian leader Vladimir Putin to Tajikistan on February 27.

Thus an agreement on cooperation in peaceful uses of atomic energy was signed by Farhod Rakhimov, President of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, and Alexey Likhachev, Director General of ROSATOM, on behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation.

The deal has provided the legal basis for interaction between Tajikistan and Russia in the nuclear power sector for the first time in history while determining a wide range of cooperation areas including design, construction, operation and decommissioning of research reactors; spent fuel and radioactive waste management; rehabilitation of tailing storage areas and utilization of decommissioned uranium mining and reprocessing facilities; production of radioisotopes; use of nuclear technology in industry, medicine, agriculture; education and training of highly skilled personnel for the nuclear power industry, etc.



Besides, the agreement envisages the formation of joint coordination commission with the view of further consulting in the issues relating to the implementation of the above mentioned peaceful uses of atomic energy and search for mutually beneficial opportunities.

During the visit, Vladimir Putin awarded Tajik President Emomali Rahmon with the highest Order of the Russian Federation  the Order of Alexander Nevsky  for his outstanding contribution to continued expansion and deepening of multifaceted bilateral relations and friendship between the peoples of Tajikistan and Russia.

During their talks, the presidents of Russia and Tajikistan also paid special attention to the problem of restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Russia and Tajikistan stressed the significance of further implementation of the accords on cooperation in the military and military-technical spheres in the interests of effectively countering challenges and threats to national and regional security.

Following the negotiations between the leaders of Russia and Tajikistan, the sides confirmed their resolve to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the struggle against terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, illegal arms trade and other challenges and threats in the interests of ensuring national security and maintaining regional stability.

Furthermore, Putin has expressed his readiness to consider the proposals made by his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon, aimed at boosting bilateral educational cooperation.

Putin also mentioned bilateral trade and economic projects saying that the two countries were willing to further develop the projects.

Rahmon, in turn, said that Putins official visit to Tajikistan was an important step in the development of bilateral relations. The Tajik president stated that it was a good opportunity to discuss the pressing issues related to bilateral cooperation and exchange views on the current regional and global issues. "We are interested in boosting strategic cooperation with Russia which a country close to us in all respects," Rahmon added.

After his talks with President Rahmon, Putin told reporters that Tajikistan is a key country for regional security in Central Asia.



Putin said that he and Rahmon agreed to "step up joint efforts to defend the Tajik-Afghan border, using capacities of the Russian military base located in Tajikistan," RFE/RL reported.



He also said that Russian forces are based in Tajikistan "to provide security for both Tajikistan and the southern frontiers of the Russian Federation."



About 7,000 troops from Russias 201st Motor Rifle Division are stationed at three facilities in Tajikistan that are considered part of a single Russian base.
By Trend





Iran and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on banking cooperation, the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) reported.



The deal was signed by Valiollah Seif, the CBI head and Darmin Nasution, the visiting Indonesian coordinating minister for economic affairs in Tehran on February 27.



Seif said that ?before proceeding with any step to boost trade, it is necessary to create the appropriate atmosphere for ?cooperation of the commercial banks of the two countries.?



Opening a joint bank account between the two countries to settle payments will accelerate mutual trade and economic ties, he added.



He further said that opening a joint account will also allow the two countries to carry out payments in their local currencies or any agreed currency.



The two sides can also use their potential to establish branch of their banks in each others countries, Seif said, adding that considering the tourism capacities of Iran and Indonesia the two parties also can link their banking card systems, so the citizens from the two countries can use their banking cards in Iran and Indonesia.



Nasution, for his part, emphasized that Indonesia welcomed the expansion of banking relations with Iran.



He added that both countries needed to take measures to promote the trust of traders from both sides.



Heading a high-ranking economic delegation Nasution arrived in Tehran Feb. 26 to follow up the negotiations on cooperation in the fields of oil, gas, petrochemical and electricity with Iranian officials.



The Indonesian delegation also held talks with Iranian officials in the fields of trade, banking, agriculture and industrial engineering as well.
By Trend





In a phone conversation with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he will visit Turkmenistan in the near future on the Turkmen counterparts invitation, the Kremlin press service reported on February 28.

In this regard, presidential aides and relevant authorities of the two countries will be given instructions to prepare the visit.

The Russian president expressed regret that he was unable to visit Turkmenistan due to the busy schedule of his trip to Central Asia.

Putin was among the first to congratulate Berdimuhamedov on his re-election as the president of Turkmenistan.

A presidential election was held on Feb. 12 in Turkmenistan.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who has been the president since 2007, was re-elected for a third term with 97.69 percent of votes.
Mastercard, a leading technology company in the global payments industry, has announced key leadership changes aimed at bolstering the companys presence and further streamlining its operations in the Southern Gulf Cluster.



Eyad Al-Kourdi, previously general manager, UAE at Mastercard, has been appointed to the role of general manager- Southern Gulf (UAE and Oman). In addition, he will be taking on division-wide responsibilities as Mena Advisor. In his new roles, he will be working closely with the Government Lead and Public Policy teams, and focusing on key external stakeholder relationships (regulators and policy makers) to drive country and division-wide agendas.



The key changes in the organizational structure across our operations in the Middle East and Africa are a reflection of our rapid growth in this region and have been rolled out to help us consolidate our position as a customer-centric company and facilitate our efforts to expand operations and investments in all the key markets. As we look ahead to another successful year, our team remains committed to Mastercards long-term business strategy and growth plans in this important geography, said Khalid Elgibali, division president, Mena, Mastercard.



Mastercard has also promoted the former country manager for Saudi Arabia, Girish Nanda, to the role of UAE general manager, to further strengthen the companys operations across the country.



Nanda joined Mastercard in 2007 working in several positions of increasing responsibility, spanning strategy, business development and relationships with financial institutions. In 2014, Nanda was appointed country manager for Saudi Arabia; he has since played a pivotal role in establishing the Mastercard brand leadership in the Kingdom.  TradeArabia News Service
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) plans to build 97 new 132/11 kilovolt (kV) substations over the next three years, at a projected cost of Dh10 billion ($2.72 billion).



The new substations will be located at Hassyan, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, and other locations to support the expansion of other power plants in Jebel Ali and Al Aweer.



This will contribute to achieving Dubais ambitious urban objectives. We provide services at the highest levels of efficiency, availability and reliability to over 788,824 customers, with a customer happiness rating of 95 per cent recorded for 2016, said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa.



Dewa is also expanding its electricity and water services by developing new stations and upgrading existing ones, according to the latest world-class practices. Dewa is working to increase its use of clean and renewable energy, launch smart initiatives, and adopt creativity and innovation in all its operations. Dewas total production capacity reached 10,000 megawatts (MW) in 2016, while its peak load was 7,982MW, compared to 7,696MW in 2015. Dewas peak load capacity grew by 4 per cent. We have allocated a total budget of Dh65 billion over the next five years to meet future demand.



Dewa is committed to enhancing the efficiency of electricity transmission networks, while ensuring electricity services for people, industry and the economy. We have started building new stations in Hassyan, and at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, in addition to Jebel Ali and Al Aweer. We intend to launch new projects to enhance the efficiency of our electricity transmission networks, with an allocated investment of Dh1 billion. Dewa continuously adopts new strategies based on innovation, to anticipate future challenges and opportunities, added Al Tayer.



Up until the end of last year, Dewa established a total of 222 132/11kV main substations, 16 of which were commissioned in 2016 at a total cost of Dh2 billion. Dewa pledges to continue its efforts to support Dubai and the UAE, to achieve excellence and first place in all its operations. This reflects Dewas position at the forefront of the international community, reducing losses in power transmission and distribution networks to 3.3 per cent, compared to 67 per cent recorded in Europe and the USA, said Al Tayer.



Dewa recorded a rate of 3.28 customer minutes lost, compared to European companies averaging 15 minutes. Water losses in the distribution network decreased to 8 per cent during 2016, compared to 15 per cent in North America. The UAE, represented by Dewa, has been ranked first in Mena and fourth globally for the fourth consecutive year for getting electricity, as per the World Banks Doing Business 2017 report, Al Tayer concluded.  TradeArabia News Service
The region's most influential annual gathering of global innovators, futurists and thought leaders representing rail transport sector is back for the 11th year with an expanded focus on new markets and a distinguished line-up of expert speakers.



Middle East Rail will be held on March 7 and 8 at Dubai International Convention in partnership with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and the Federal Transport Authority - Land & Maritime.



Over 350 world-class construction and engineering companies, contractors and solution providers, regional and international railway operators will participate to offer their services and present their plans for the future systems, said the event organiser Terrapinn Middle East.



The key exhibitors include Etihad Rail, X Rail, Greenbrier, Hyperloop, Thales, RATP Dev, CAF, Aecom, Network Rail, Autodesk and others.



Announcing the event, Dr Abdulla Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development and chairman of the Federal Transport Authority, said: "Middle East Rail has grown from strength to strength over the past decade and we are truly proud to play a lead role in bringing together government ministers, thought leaders, innovators, and policymakers under one roof to co-ordinate progress in the rail industry as a whole."



"The show demonstrates our support and commitment to build a world-class transport infrastructure system in the region. Furthermore, we look forward to our continued work with Etihad Rail, which will boost economic and trade ties between the GCC states," he stated.



He was speaking at a press conference on Tuesday which was attended by Dr Abdulla S. Al Katheeri, the director general, Federal Transport Authority - Land & Maritime, UAE and Jamie Hosie, the general manager, Terrapinn Middle East.



A series of interactive sessions have been designed to introduce both 2017 tenders and innovative technologies being implemented to build and operate futuristic networks.



The show will once again deliver an unprecedented conference, hosting over 800 c-level executives representing $352 billion worth of rail projects in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia as well as global thought leaders including Sir Peter Hendy, the chairman of Network Rail, UK; Henrik Hololei, the director general - Mobility and Transport, European Commission; Howard Smith, the operations director at Crossrail, UK and Rob Lloyd, CEO of Hyperloop One, US to discuss their experience and insights within the industry.



Addressing the media, Hosie said: "Ten years ahead, we will see a complete transformation of transport infrastructure across the region from west to east. The show brings together the biggest global innovators, futurists and gurus to discuss disruptive forces that are reshaping the competitive landscape, and that augurs well for the industrys future in the region by providing greater visibility of planned investments, driving productivity and technological innovations."



The upcoming show will host four country pavilions from Italy, China, Spain, and UK.



"This year, the Chinese and Spanish pavilion have increased in size by over 55 per cent. We have seen a surge in the participation of railway-wagon manufacturers from Russia and the US, and we have also strengthened maintenance, signalling and communication, and the construction profiles of the show," he noted.



This year, Middle East Rail will be introducing the Manufacturing Zone and Mobility Oriented Development Zone that offers solutions providers and manufacturing suppliers an opportunity to meet with prospective buyers and build their brand.



One of the most important features at the event is a dedicated Career Zone, where university graduates can learn about exciting career prospects within the industry as well as establish contacts with regional rail operators, government authorities and leading multinational rail suppliers, stated Rosie.



According to a report produced by Terrapinn Middle East in collaboration with leading construction projects tracker Ventures Onsite, the value of total GCC rail projects in pipeline stands at over $240 billion, with $69 billion worth of projects currently under construction.



In terms of overall expenditure on rail projects, the Saudi Arabia and the UAE remain atop all of the GCC, he said, citing the report.



Key projects expected to be awarded to contractors in KSA market in 2017 are Zulfi - Al Majmaah Passenger Railway, North South Rail - Waad Al Shimal - Turaif - Al Jouf (ST320), Makkah Mass Rail Transit (MMRT) - Makkah Metro.



The planned investments of $30 billion in UAEs railway networks include Abu Dhabi Metro and Light Rail, skyTran Yas Island, the next stages of the Etihad Rail national network, the Dubai Metro extension for Expo 2020 and the new stages of the Al-Sufouh Tram, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Demonstrating the global standing of the DIFC Courts commercial judiciary, Reem Al Shihhe, chief operating officer and head of business excellence, has been appointed to the Executive Committee of the International Consortium of Court Excellence (ICCE).



ICCE is a prestigious body founded by the US, Singaporean and Australian judiciaries to bring together international judicial institutions with expertise in court excellence.



The ICCE has developed the International Framework for Court Excellence (IFCE), which assesses a courts performance in seven areas: Leadership and management, planning and policies, resources, proceeding and processes, client needs and satisfaction, affordable and accessible services, and public trust and confidence.



Al Shihhe said: To represent the DIFC Courts on the Executive Committee of the International Consortium for Court Excellence is a huge honour, and speaks volumes about the DIFC Courts standing within the international legal community. As a committee member, I look forward to sharing my experience within Dubais English-language legal system to raise global standards of courts across the world.



Mark Beer, chief executive and registrar of the DIFC Courts, said: Reem is an outstanding talent and is thoroughly deserving of this opportunity. Her contribution to the judicial landscape across Dubai has been exceptional, and we are delighted to have her represent the DIFC Courts and wider UAE on the International Consortium of Court Excellence. She has worked tirelessly to position the emirate as a world-class legal hub, and I am confident that she will have a significant contribution to global judicial standards in this prestigious position.



The chair of the International Framework for Court Excellence, Prof Greg Reinhardt, said that term membership of the framework was awarded to those who had embraced its objectives and who, in the opinion of the founding members of the Executive Committee, would be good ambassadors for it. The framework is designed to promote court excellence.



The ICCEs Executive Committee is made up of four permanent representatives from the founding institutions of the Consortium: The National Centre for State Courts (NCSC), Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration (AIJA), State Courts, Singapore, and Federal Judicial Centre (FJC). By consensus, permanent members of the committee may appoint up to three additional individuals to become term members, providing they are a representative of a member organisation of the consortium.



With Al Shihhe's direction, the DIFC Courts were the first Dubai Government entity to receive the five-star Government Service Award for customer service excellence, and the first courts in the world to achieve the high service standards required by The International Customer Service Institute (TISSE). They have also won the UAE Customer Service Award for four consecutive years under her guidance, as well as the 2014 UK Law Society Award for Excellence in the International Legal Services. - TradeArabia News Service
Gulfood 2017, the 22nd edition of the worlds largest annual food industry exhibition, has crowned its Innovation Awards winners at a glittering ceremony held at the Conrad Hotel, Dubai.



The Innovation Awards, sponsored by Al Dahra, recognise and honour new and improved technologies being adopted by the 5,000 local, regional and international exhibitors participating at the 1,000,000-sq ft exhibition running at Dubai World Trade Centre until March 2.



Featuring a whos who of the global industry, one of those rewarded was Green Isle Foods from Ireland, which was crowned as the Best Halal Food Company.



We are delighted to receive this prestigious award for our Goodfellas halal frozen pizza. It is a great testament to the hard work and commitment of our team to developing a pizza range which appeals to consumers in the Mena region. The addition of our new doner kebab variant is another example of the innovative new product development and we look forward to continued success and growth in the frozen pizza category. said Suzanne Conroy, export lead at Green Isle Foods.



Greenyards Frozen, from Belgium, showed it was hot on consumer trends, picking up the award for Best Frozen or Chilled Food. Frankie Vandermeiren, commercial director retail and food service, Greenyards Frozen, said: Our winning product is our convenience line which is premium, higher quality and based on market demand as customers prefer ready to use convenience products without conservatives and frozen into mini portions. Its the ideal solution to avoid food waste.



UAE companies also got in on the action on awards night, with Global Food Industries ( Al Batha Group ) walking off with two awards for Best Fruit and Vegetable Innovation and Best Meat and Poultry Innovation.



Jacek Plewa, general manager of Global Food Industries, said: Being a UAE-based brand, winning not one but two Gulfood Innovation Award brings industry-wide recognition, which resonates far beyond the borders of our operations.



Other winners included New Zealand dairy co-operative Fonterra, which took home the accolade for 'Best Trade Stand between 40 -90 sq m'. The stand is shared by Fonterra's business-to-business brands NZMP and Anchor Food Professionals.

"Our split-stand was designed to demonstrate our high quality dairy products and pure New Zealand origins, and we are honoured that our stand was recognised. Gulfood 2017 is a great opportunity for us to connect with key regional customers and showcase the industry-leading bulk ingredients and foodservice solutions we can offer the Middle East food industry, " said the spokesperson of Fonterra Co-Operative Group.

The following is the full list of Gulfood Innovation Awards winners:

Best soft beverage  Bibita and Cocomojo

Best hot beverage - Automatic Brewers/ Barista Espresso

Best Dairy Innovation - Graham's The Family Dairy

Best Meat or Poultry Innovation - Global Food Industries

Best baked or confectionery - Atlantic Foods

Best condiment or sauce- Magro Brothers Foods Limited

Best frozen or chilled food - Pinguin - Greenyard Frozen

Best fruit and vegetable innovation - Global Food Industries

Best halal food- Green isle Foods

Best artisan or local food- Ghanim International Corporation

Best organic product - Auga Group

Best convenience food - Dumet AG

Best health and wellness product - Kuwait Flour Mills & Bakeries Co.

Best fair trade- Al-Watania Poultry

Best food service innovation- Zila Kavehaz kft.

Best packaging design - Bibita

Best trade stand (up to 40 sq m) -Rastelli Brothers

Best trade stand (between 40-90 sq m) -Fonterra Co-operative Group

Best trade stand (over 100 sq m) - USAPEEC


Volkswagen Middle East and Twitter have launched a pilot programme featuring a bot service to allow for speedier and more personalised responses to customers.



This is the first automated experience developed for the automotive industry worldwide on Twitters new Direct Message platform, which was introduced last year to prompt people to send businesses a Direct Message instead of a public Tweet by simply clicking a button.



The international brands, working together with software firm, Brndstr, have developed a programme hosted on the Volkswagen Middle East Twitter channel @VWMiddleEast. The bot service, aptly named Volksbot has the ability to respond automatically in Arabic and English in rich media format through images and videos. Customers on Twitter can enquire about a range of topics, from information relating to the Volkswagen retail network to booking a test drive through the Twitter channels direct messaging service, and can watch video responses directly within the discussion feed.



Andrew Savvas, brand director Volkswagen Middle East, said: Our focus in 2017 is to digitalise our business with world-class services for our customers. In 2016 the Volkswagen Middle East Twitter platform reached over 11 million impressions  we know our customers are listening and searching for new information across digital platforms  the question for us is to answer how can we best meet their needs on their preferred channel. The industry is changing rapidly; meeting our customers needs above and beyond, through innovation and remaining up-to-date, is a core focus for us as we explore new possibilities with brands that share our vision for the future.



Benjamin Ampen, head of revenue, Middle East and North Africa, Twitter said: Customer service was one of the earliest behaviours on Twitter - and over the last decade, weve seen Twitter become the best place for businesses to provide care to their customers. Twitter is live, its public, and its conversational - and these elements create the ideal climate for brands to be able to deliver the best customer care - publicly, via Tweet, or privately, via Direct Message. This programme falls in line with our efforts to build a canvas for better customer experiences with partners that aim to lead the industry through digitalised revolutionary changes.



Simon Hudson, CEO, Brndstr, "We are extremely honoured to have been selected by Twitter to be one of the worlds first developer partners to build on the new Twitter DM API. By partnering with Memac Ogilvy and Volkswagen Middle East, we have been able to create the first ever test drive booking BOT to live inside Twitter. It has been a fantastic experience and we are excited to let the UAE market book their next test drive with Volkswagen Middle East via their very own Volkster BOT. As the regions first dedicated BOT studio we look forward to developing new digital assistants for brands on Twitter."



The Volksbot is available in English and Arabic, and can respond with video, images or text content to cues provided by the customer, when engaged to book a test drive, learn information about the newest Volkswagen model or learn quirky facts about the brand. The roll out of the software will begin first in the UAE, before being opened to all GCC and Levant market for the Volkswagen Middle East retail network.  TradeArabia News Service


Saudi Aramco and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) today signed a share purchase agreement (SPA), allowing Saudi Aramcos equity participation in Petronas' Refinery & Petrochemical Integrated Development (Rapid) project in the southern Malaysian state of Johor.



Witnessed by Saudi Arabia's King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, the agreement was signed by Amin H Nasser, president and CEO of Saudi Aramco and Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin, president & group CEO, Petronas.



The signing ceremony was held in conjunction with King Salmans state visit to Malaysia. Also present at the ceremony was Khalid A Falih, Saudi Arabias Minister of Energy, Industry & Mineral Resources and chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Aramco.



Upon the completion of the transaction, subject to regulatory approvals and the completion of other associated agreements, both partners will hold equal ownership in selected ventures and assets of the Rapid project within the Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC), a statement said.



The Rapid project is part of the PIC development undertaken by Petronas and is positioned to be a regional downstream oil and gas industrial hub, paving a new frontier of technology and economic development in the Southeast Asia region.



This partnership marks the beginning of a strategic, mutually beneficial relationship providing Rapid with high-impact strengths and synergies from both Saudi Aramco and Petronas, said the statement.



On the occasion of the historic state visit to Malaysia by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and in his presence, Saudi Aramco is proud to be entering into a deeper partnership with our world class partner Petronas via the Rapid project, Nasser said. Together with Malaysia, the Southeast Asia region offers tremendous growth opportunities and todays agreement further strengthens Saudi Aramcos position as the leading supplier of petroleum feedstock to Malaysia and Southeast Asia, and with Rapids strategic location in a prolific hub, it would also serve to enhance energy security in the Asia-Pacific region.



Under the partnership, Saudi Aramco will meet most of the crude feedstock requirements of the refinery, with natural gas, power and other utilities supplied by Petronas.



Wan Zulkiflee said: The PIC is one of the largest industrial developments in the region as well as Petronas' largest downstream investment on a single site to date.



He added: The signing of this agreement is truly a historic moment for the industry as it is not often that two professionally run National Oil Companies enter into a partnership in a world-scale Greenfield project. This partnership will also bring together two organizations with strong reputation, wealth of operational experience and proven record in developing mega projects as well as having commercial networks in different markets globally. I also look forward to continue to explore other potential areas of collaboration and partnership which will further deepen our long-term relationship.



With capacity to refine 300,000 barrels of crude per day, Rapidss refinery will produce a host of refined petroleum products, including gasoline and diesel which meets Euro 5 fuel specifications; as well as feedstock for its integrated petrochemical complex producing 3.5 million tonnes per annum of products.



Situated 400 km south of Malaysias capital Kuala Lumpur, the PIC development is almost 60 percent complete and is on track for refinery start-up in 2019.



Apart from Rapid, which comprises the refinery, cracker and the downstream petrochemical complex, the PIC, located on a 6,242-acre site, also includes the development of associated facilities such as a co-generation plant, an LNG re-gasification terminal, a raw water supply project, a deep water terminal, as well as centralized and shared utility facilities.



The PIC forms part of Malaysias ambitious 22,000-acre Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC) under the governments Economic Transformation Programme to establish new engines of growth and push the nation into a new frontier of technology and economic development in the oil and gas downstream sector, the statement said. - TradeArabia News Service
Samsung Electronics Middle East and North Africa (Mena) unveiled how it is building on its heritage of innovation to reach higher for consumers during its 7th annual Mena Forum, held recently in Singapore.



Samsung demonstrated a renewed commitment to consumers unveiling new products that offer increased choice and flexible options, a design philosophy that is elegant and thoughtful and technology that puts the customer in control.



During the forum, key product announcements included the stunning new QLED TV lineup, FlexWash laundry system, Windless AC and the all-new Galaxy A (2017).



In addition to its product line up, Samsung showcased how it has been developing the Internet of Things (IoT) with an ecosystem of products and devices that can seamlessly connect to one another.



Samsung also held an insight session entitled Mining Minds: Big Data Reveals our Desires with Dr Gilyoung Song, Big Data expert and senior executive vice president of Daumsoft, at the Mena Forum.



During the session, Dr Song detailed his research and claimed that it is possible to capture the global trends prevailing in our society by observing and grasping the changes and dynamics of peoples minds latent in social media. His session covered the fundamental social big data mining methodology as well as several case studies illustrating successful real world applications.



Innovation has always been a part of Samsungs legacy, enabling us to continuously offer consumers unlimited possibilities and new experiences. Over the years, we spoke about our vision of the Internet of Things, and we continue to defy the barriers to ensure our evolution in the IoT space, said Choong Ro Lee, president of Samsung Electronics, Middle East & North Africa office. This year, we will continue our heritage of innovation to deliver elegantly-designed products and services that place consumers firmly at the center.



In line with its efforts to empower communities throughout the region, Samsung announced the Samsung Youngsters Academy Program, which enables youths in the region to embrace technology. Additionally, in collaboration with NGOs, ministries of education and universities around the region, Samsung has expanded its Smart School initiative to 10 additional Mena cities  offering more students the prospect not only to learn, but also experience information technology in classrooms.



Our aim is to deliver technologies that not only bring flexibility and choice to consumer, but that enhance lives and bring about a positive change. We believe its our responsibility to utilise our technologies to contribute to the social wellbeing of the Mena community, added Lee.



During the forum, Samsung also held a TV Tech Seminar for media and partners, detailing its 2017 QLED strategy. The seminar included a familiarisation session with the general features of QLED including picture quality, colour volume dynamic metadata and more.  TradeArabia News Service


Restrata, a global leader in safety and security consultancy and training services, is warning of the continued need for improved hotel security to protect employees and guests from future terror attacks across the Middle East and North Africa.



In a newly launched white paper, the firm addresses how the hospitality industry should step up its efforts to protect itself against potentially deadly attacks by identifying the steps which must be taken to improve security systems, processes and cultures.



Hotels have been seen as a soft target for terrorist attacks because they tend to have large, open spaces and attract a high number of visitors, many of whom are often foreigners.



Between 1970 and January 2016, there have been more than 160 terrorist attacks targeted at hotels worldwide. Over the past five years alone, more than 40 hotel terrorist attacks have occurred.



Restrata believes more must be done to ensure hotel staff are effectively trained and possess the proper knowledge and equipment to detect and prevent future attacks.



Botan Osman, managing director of Restrata, said: Hospitality targeted attacks may rise unless the industry takes a harder stance. This can be done whilst balancing the business needs of the hotel.



Examining the growth in hotel attacks demonstrates a worrying statistic, with a quarter of all hotel attacks since 1970 occurring in the past five years. Documented attacks within the hotel industry focus primarily on North African states where terror levels are already high, yet research suggests a number of hospitality premises in these areas are lacking in basic security design features.



Sadly not all incidents can be prevented. Osman added: Attempts must be made to prevent terrorist attacks, but operators should also have a plan in place to deal with such events.



We live in an interactive world, where terrorist attacks quickly gain traction in the media. As a global hotel brand, this level of coverage means that an assault on one property ultimately impacts overall reputation by association, damaging the overall brand image.



Restratas white paper reports that the challenge for the hotel sector is to strike the right balance between creating a welcoming environment while ensuring the safety and security of visitors, guests and staff.



We have found that appropriate security measures are often not considered early enough in the design stage of most hotel developments. Its frequently seen as an unnecessary cost and theres a belief that installing CCTV cameras will suffice, explained Jas Jaiya, technical design authority at Restrata.



The hotel industry is key to the economic diversification of many countries within the Middle East and Africa. However, the rise in Islamic terrorism and cyber-crime is having a huge impact on these countries which have the potential to become popular tourist destinations if they adopt a more active approach to security, emergency planning and staff training.



One factor leading to the continued allure of hotels as targets has been the hardening of embassies and other diplomatic facilities. Unlike an embassy, a hotel needs to maintain a steady flow of visitors and, on any given day, a large five-star hotel can host hundreds of guests and have hundreds of additional visitors using other facilities.



Many hotel security programmes have dramatically improved in response to the threat against them, however there is so much more to be done.



Serving clients across the world from its offices around the globe, and headquartered in the UAE, Restrata provides a range of safety and security services to establish the necessary security and crisis management arrangements to build resilience within organisations, including consultancy, auditing and risk assessments, situational awareness and tracking, training and workforce development, response services in crisis and continuity management, fire and rescue services, safe journey management, and HSE management. - TradeArabia News Service
The World Government Summit (WGS) 2017 has announced the appointment of Emirates Airline as its strategic partner for the fifth year in a row.



Emirates will be the official carrier for the delegations of the summit that convenes under the theme Shaping Future Governments from February 12 to 14, at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai.



Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional senior vice president of Commercial Operations Centre at Emirates Airline, said: "Emirates' partnership with the World Government Summit is a prime example of effective cooperation between the public and private sectors. We are proud to support the inspiring discussions and forward-looking initiatives of the prestigious event that aims to improve people's lives worldwide and reinforce the status of the UAE as a hub for future knowledge."



He added: The summit is the largest global platform that convenes senior leaders, decision-makers, thinkers and innovators to build a new framework of progress and prosperity through exploring the role of future governments. This strategic partnership aligns with Emirates Airlines objective to promote the UAE as a leading destination for talent from all over the world and contribute to the growth of the tourism sector to significantly drive economic prosperity.



The World Government Summit 2017 will draw the participation of more than 4,000 personalities from 139 countries around the world, reflecting the leading stature of the summit on regional and international levels and the high interest from governments, global organizations, private and public sector entities, decision makers, entrepreneurs, academics and university students as well as scientists and innovators. WGS 2017 will feature 150 speakers across 114 sessions that highlight the worlds most pressing challenges and showcase best practices and cutting-edge solutions to deal with them. - TradeArabia News Service
George W. Bush opens up on Trump's war with the media, Russia and travel ban.

Early on in the exclusive sit-down, the former president expressed a clear-eyed support for the news media, saying a free press was "indispensable to democracy."





"We need an independent media to hold people like me to account," Bush told TODAY'S Matt Lauer.
Meet award-winning artisans and buy their products at Kerala Arts and Crafts Village
Ash Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran

An Ash Wednesday Divine Service will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday March 1 at Trinity Lutheran Church, located on 1240 South Missouri. Midweek Lenten Vespers will be held at 7 p.m. every Wednesday, March 8 through April 5. For more information please call 234-0568.

Re-formation Lenten services

Good Shepherd Lutheran welcomes the community to special Re-Formation Lenten services that were 500 years in the making. Events begin on Ash Wednesday, March 1, with a 7 p.m. worship service. This year, there is a special Lenten emphasis on the 500th observance of the Reformation, as the Lutheran and Catholic churches observe the richness of what we have in common as people of faith, witness and practice. This is with the encouragement of Pope Francis, and of Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, who are asking for world-wide recognition of where Lutherans and Catholics have come closer together in the past five centuries.

The 7 p.m. Wednesday night services after Ash Wednesday (beginning on March 8) will start with a 6 p.m. fellowship hour. During the Wednesday night services, The Paths Where Luther Walked will be observed with images from the monasteries, castles and villages where Luther was born, ordained, taught or nailed the famous 95 Theses on the chapel door. The Sunday morning, 9:30 a.m. services following Ash Wednesday, will focus on images of The People Who Shook the World, including Martin Luther, Pope Leo X, Prince Frederick, Katie Luther and Friar Johann Tetzel.

All are welcome for this exciting and festive Lenten season. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is located at 51 Primrose Street in Paradise Valley, behind Shepherd of the Valley Healthcare Community. For more information, call the church office at 237-3503.

Bethel Baptist Studies

The First Saturday Study on March 4 will be on Asclepios, the Roman God of healing and the New Testament book of Titus. This study, taught by Dr. Steven Gunderson, meets at Bethel Baptist Church 3030 S. Poplar from 9 AM to 10:30 AM. Also Beginning Saturday, March 25 through April 15 Bethel is hosting a special film series entitled Who was Jesus? This is a four-part series with discussion including an ice cream/pop corn social. A great way to prepare for Easter! Starts at 5 p.m. and a warm welcome is guaranteed for all. Phone the church office for more information -234-8812.

Christ Episcopal Lent schedule

Christ Episcopal Church, 415 West Cedar in Glenrock, announces our Lent schedule. On Ash Wednesday, March 1, the Imposition of Ashes liturgy is at 6:00 p.m. On Sunday, March 5, celebrate Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday at the 9:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist service. Services on the Sundays in Lent are at 9:30.m. The Palm Sunday liturgy with participatory Passion Gospel will be at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 9. For info, call Deacon Leigh Earle at 258-2524. The Episcopal Church welcomes you!

Evangelical Free Church of America president to visit





Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church, 4100 Casper Mountain Road welcomes Kevin Kompelein, President of the Evangelical Free Church of America, and his wife Becky to Casper. He will speak at worship services at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 11 and at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 12.

President Kompelein has served as a pastor in California and Minnesota, along with being the ReachGlobal director of missions in Africa. The Evangelical Free Church of America has 350,000 constituents in 1,500 churches in the United States, as well as over 600 missionaries serving in 80 countries. The public is welcome and nursery will be provided at all services. For more information call 235-6363 or visit www.cornerstonefree.org.

Financial Peace course





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 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the church from Feb. 18 to April 25, 2017. To register, please contact Dorothy Brown at 307-377-3509 or via e-mail Wyo_nana@yahoo.com.

UU Casper Events





The public is invited to attend the Unitarian Universalist Community of Casper services and other events at 1040 West 15th Street, just north of the CY Avenue Albertsons. UU Casper is a welcoming, doctrine-free church that fosters individual spiritual growth, ethical living, and inclusive fellowship. UUs are people of many beliefs and backgrounds, but are aligned in the desire to make a difference for the good.

Services are Sundays at 10 a.m.

On March 5 Rev. Kee will introduce the monthly worship theme of World Community.

Childcare and a youth religious exploration program are available, and refreshments and conversation follow each service. The UU weekly coffee talk is held Tuesdays at 10 a.m., and the weekly meditation group meets Sundays at 4 p.m. The next session in the Kindred Spirits.

For more information about these events or about Unitarian Universalism, visit uucasper.org, email info@uucasper.org, visit us on Facebook, or call Laura at 307-259-4469.

Celebrate Recovery every Friday





Looking for a nontraditional approach to recovery from your hurts, habits and hangups? 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.
Poetry Out Loud is the national recitation and memorization contest sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation.

Eleven Wyoming high school students will participate in the state competition. Awards will be announced at a ceremony, 10:30 a.m. March 7 at the Barrett Building, 2301 Central Ave. Awards will include the champion receiving $200 and a trip to Washington, D.C.; for the National Finals.
The Nicolaysen Art Museums new spring shows spotlight some of Wyomings top artistic talent from the past and present. Shows range from nationally-known artists with Wyoming connections to a group of local photographers.

Besides the four temporary exhibits, three galleries feature works from the Nics Permanent Collection. Pieces in each were recently rotated with several different works so visitors can see something new.

Heres a look at Nic galleries now:

Robert I. Russin

Through April 16 in the McMurry Gallery

Reception: 5:30-7:30 p.m. April 6

The Nics largest gallery houses some never-before seen works by the late sculptor, artist and University of Wyoming professor Robert Russin,

Robert Russin is best known for his numerous public sculptures throughout the United States, including the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Monument on I-80 in Wyoming. Wyoming is home to other major outdoor works by Russin, including Fountainhead at Casper City Hall, Man and Energy at the Chamber of Commerce and the Prometheus sculpture at the Natrona County Public Library.

The show consists of several sculptures and studies as well as dozens of drawings and paintings spanning Russins career. Many of the works on paper have never been publicly exhibited and reveal a dynamic artist with broad talents.

Jeb Schenck: Chasing Light

Through May 7 in the Bordewick/Durham Galleries

Reception/Artist Talk: 6-8 p.m. May 4

This series features about 60 color and black and white images by Jeb Schenck. The former science and photography teacher at Hot Springs County High School has traveled the world taking award-winning photos, according to the Thermopolis Independent Record.

Schenck is chasing the light, looking for the combination of light and composition that creates a memorable image, according to information from the Nic. The show includes a series of back stories about creating the images.

Martin John Garhart: Seen and Said

Through May 7 in the Ptasynski Gallery

Reception/Artist Talk: 5:30-7:30 p.m. April 6

Garharts works reside in over forty institutions including the British Museum, Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institute, as well as in numerous private collections, according to his biography. He is a Professor of Art Emeritus from Kenyon College, in Gambier, Ohio.

He grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota and returned to the West, splitting his time between his cabin/studio in the Black Hills and his home/studio in Powell.

At the most basic level I am attempting to make interesting and beautiful things that ask to be considered, he said in his artist statement.

The Casper Photography Association

Through April 9 in the Rosenthal Gallery

The Casper Photography Association is central Wyomings premier organization for professional, amateur, hobbyist and beginning photographers. The association is dedicated to providing opportunities for area photographers to learn, network and enjoy a variety of events and field trips.

Permanent displays with rotating works:

Conrad Schwiering: Inside the Studio

Schwiering is known for his depictions of the Teton Mountain Range in Wyoming. The Nicolaysen Art Museum holds the largest collection of work by Schwiering in the world, along with most of his original studio. Visitors will find this famous Wyoming artists artworks next to the pencils and paints he used.

European Masters

The Nicolasyen houses works by Picasso, Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, Toulouse-Lautrec, Calder, Miro and other iconic European artists of the 20th century. From Post-Impressionism to Surrealism, there something for everyone to enjoy.

Western Masters

The rotating show of artists includes Charlie Russell, Frederic Remington, Thomas Moran, W.R. Leigh, Charles Partridge Adams and other heavy hitters from Western Art. This exhibition a combines private and permanent collections of original paintings and prints from icons of American art history.
Tuesdays Highlights</&h1>

Tuesday support meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous: 6:30 a.m., 917 N. Beech; 8:30 a.m., 500 S. Wolcott; 10 a.m., 328 E. A; noon, 500 S. Wolcott; 2 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 5:30 p.m., 1124 Elma, Imitate the Image Church; 5:30 p.m., 328 E. A; 7 p.m., 520 CY; 8 p.m., 328-1/2 E. A; 8 p.m., 328 E. A; 8 p.m., 917 N. Beech. Douglas: 7:30 p.m., 628 E. Richards (upstairs in back). Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are open. Casper info: 266-9578; Douglas info: (307) 351-1688.

Narcotics Anonymous: Noon, 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 7 p.m., 15th and Melrose, at the church. Web site: http://www.urmrna.org.

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.

Monthly vets ceremony

The Natrona County United Veterans Council and the staff of the Oregon Trail Wyoming State Veterans Cemetery conduct a monthly memorial service for those know Wyoming Veterans who have died since the last memorial service which was held on Jan. 31, when 83 Wyoming veterans were honored.

This months memorial service is at noon in the Tom Walsh Chapel at The Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery. All are welcome to attend.

This memorial service is provided on behalf of a grateful state and nation as an expression of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service rendered by each of these veterans.

The veterans name, Wyoming community and branch of service is read at roll call. There is a rifle salute, taps, and the folding of a flag.

AAUW Readers meet

The AAUW Readers Group meets at 11 a.m. After a no-host lunch, Carolyn Deuel will review Fess Parker: TVs Frontier Hero, by William R. Chemerka.

St. Marks hosts Financial Peace

St. Marks Episcopal Church, 7th and Wolcott, will have classes on money management, using the Financial Peace plan, starting Feb. 28. The classes will run from 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.

Craft night at Elks

Craft Night at the Elks Lodge at 6:30 p.m. 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.

Shrove Tuesday pancakes at

St. Marks

St. Marks Episcopal Church, 7th and Wolcott, will host its annual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper in the parish hall with open seating from 5 to 7 p.m.

Shrove Tuesday, also known as Fat Tuesday, is traditionally held on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which this year is March 1 and the beginning of Lent.

The pancake supper is a family fun event and open to anyone interested. A free will offering will go to a local charity. For further information, contact the church office, 234-0831 or check St. Marks website.

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 in the meeting room at the Casper Senior Center at 1831 East 4th Street.

Constitution Party meets

Constitution Party of Wy/Natrona County Executive and Central Committee meeting will be held at 5 p.m., in the NC Ag Building, next to the Fairgrounds. For more information, visit wyocp.com.

Shrove Tuesday Tacos

Tacos for Shrove Tuesday! Christ Episcopal Church, 415 West Cedar in Glenrock, invites all to a taco dinner to celebrate Mardi Gras, served from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church. Instead of the traditional pancakes, sausage, and eggs this year, FCCLA and FBLA members will serve tacos, including gluten-free tortillas and sides. The free-will donation will benefit these two clubs from Glenrock High School. For more information, call Deacon Leigh Earle at 258-2524.

Pancakes at UCC

UCC, 1511 S. Melrose, hosts the annual feast of pancakes, bacon, sausage, and drinks from 5 to 7 p.m. A free will donation for the meal will be accepted.

Mardi Gras Bingo

Mardi Gras Bingo, sponsored by Reveille Rotary of Casper, is 6 to 8 p.m., 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.

Masquerade Ball at Mountain Plaza

Mountain Plaza Assisted Living, 4154 Talon Dr., hosts a Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Lively music and masquerade costumes or masks. Music will be provided by the Twang Gang. For more information, call 232-0100.

Family Game Night

All ages are invited to play Apples to Apples at the Natrona County Library at 6:30 p.m. Pizza will be provided by the Friends of the Library. Call 577-READ ext. 2 or email reference@natronacountylibrary.org for more information.

Teen Book Club

A teen book discussion, sponsored by the Natrona County Library, will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Metro Coffee Co. This months novel is Before I Fall, by Lauren Oliver. The group is open to teens in grades 9-12. Participants receive a free drink at Metro, courtesy of the Friends of the Library. To participate, pick up a copy of Before I Fall in the Librarys Teen Zone. The Teen Book Club meets the last Tuesday of every month and new members are always welcome. Call 577-READ ext. 101 for more information.

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!Follow community news editor Sally Ann Shurmur on Twitter @WYOSAS
Casper, Wyoming

August 9, 1941  February 24, 2017

A friend, servant, Christ-follower

A celebration service will be held for the life of Marilyn Gail Carrell Smothers on Saturday, March 4 at 11 a.m. The service will be held at Highland Park Community Church at 5725 Highland Drive. Marilyn went to be with her Lord at Wyoming Medical Center on February 24, 2017, at the age of 75.

Marilyn was born on August 9, 1941, in Missoula, Montana; Marilyn was the only daughter and oldest of five.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Helen Carrell and younger brothers, Harold and Norman.

She is survived by her husband, Harry; and their three children, Tami (Tom) Rudkin, Lane (Laura) Smothers, and Deidre (Paul) Franklin; seven grandchildren; and her brothers, Dean (Susan) and Clifford Carrell.

Marilyn married Harry Smothers on October 29, 1960, in Worland, Wyoming. They celebrated 56 years of marriage this past October.

Marilyn attended Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon. Marilyn worked for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service in Wyoming and South Dakota. In 1968, she and Harry moved their family to Casper in response to a vision to help a small, struggling church. Through hard work and sacrificial giving, this little group of believers would become Highland Park Community Church.

Marilyn began her professional career in Casper as an office manager for the anesthesiologists located here. Eventually, she began her own company, Casper Billing Service, which she operated for 30 years.

Though Marilyn enjoyed researching family history and traveling, her love of Christ and Highland Park Community Church was clearly evident to all who knew her. At Highland, she (and Harry) were youth pastors for 15 years, she was the Wyoming State Youth Pastor for the Church of God, she served on the missions committee, womens ministry board and lead a Community Group for over 30 years. At the time of her death, Marilyn was leading a weekly group, greeting visitors on Sunday mornings at Highland Park and was the historian of the Wyoming Medical Center Volunteers.

Marilyns heart was always drawn to the least of these. She took numerous missions trips to many countries where she scraped and painted, cleaned floors and toilets, fed and taught kids, and generally loved on people who felt marginalized and forgotten. Marilyn loved adventure and seeing new places. She traveled the world with her husband, kids, siblings and friends.

Marilyn was most loved for her contagious smile and hugs. Marilyn was passionate about family; she planned and executed many family gatherings, some of which upwards of 40 or 50 people attended. She was devoted to her husband, children and grandchildren. Marilyn was a selfless servant, an adventurer, an entrepreneur and a lover of people.

In memory of Marilyn, donations may be made to Highland Park Community Church Missions.
Casper police arrested a woman Monday evening on suspicion of feeding a marijuana candy to her child.

Police arrested Vanessa Smith after her sister told police that Smith had fed the child a marijuana edible, according to Smiths arrest affidavit.

The sister told police that Smith had returned to Casper from Denver on Sunday night with marijuana edibles from a dispensary.

The next day, Smiths boyfriend dropped the child off at the sisters house. The sister saw that the child had bloodshot eyes, slow speech and was lethargic. The boyfriend then told the sister that Smith had given the child a marijuana gummy the night before to calm (the child) down, according to the affidavit. The sister later told police that the boyfriend was laughing when he told her this.

The sister then took the child to her work and called the Wyoming Department of Family Services.

An agent with the family services took a urine sample from the child and found that it tested positive for the presence of chemicals from marijuana, according to the affidavit. Police officers then took protective custody of the child.

Police arrested Smith on Monday when she came to pick up her child from her sister.

In an interview with officers, Smith said she gave the girl a marijuana gummy Sunday night, the affidavit states. She also said she had recently smoked methamphetamine at her home on North Kimball Street.

Officers later searched Smiths residence and found marijuana and methamphetamine pipes, bags containing methamphetamine residue, marijuana edibles and unidentified pills. They also found marijuana edibles in Smiths purse. In total, the edibles weighed about 46 grams.

Smith was booked into jail on suspicion of two child endangerment charges, two counts of possession of controlled substances and one charge of distributing to a person younger than 18. Prosecutors will later file formal charges against Smith.
The president of the Wyoming Senate killed a bill Friday that would have made broad changes to sentencing and rehabilitation options for those charged with certain crimes.

Sen. Eli Bebout, R-Riverton, said Friday that there were too many issues with the bill, so he decided to keep it in his desk drawer instead of assigning it to a Senate committee. The bill died Friday when the deadline passed for all bills to move out of the committee of the second chamber.

In its original draft, House Bill 94 would have given judges and prosecutors the option to halt court proceedings for people without a previous felony conviction who are charged with a misdemeanor or non-violent felony. The person would then be placed on probation, and if they successfully completed the term, the charges would be dropped. The bill would also offer alternative punishments for people who break conditions of parole or probation instead of sending them to prison for the remainder of their sentence. Another section would have given judges the ability to order substance abuse treatment as a condition of probation or parole.

The bill, sponsored by the Joint Judiciary Committee, passed out of the House judiciary and appropriations committees without any votes against it. A substitute bill was then introduced and then amended before passing the House, 31-26.

The goal of the bill was to reduce the number of years nonviolent offenders spend in prison while maintaining the low recidivism rate and better rehabilitating offenders, Sen. Leland Christensen, one of the chairs of the joint committee, said in January.

Bebouts main concern was the money needed to launch the proposed reforms, he said.

According to an analysis of Department of Corrections data by the Legislative Services Office, the bill would cost the state about $2.5 million a year for contracts with substance abuse treatment programs, contracts with county jails and two new positions. However, the state would save about $7.6 million a year by keeping more people out of prison. The analysis also noted that the reform could have helped the state avoid or defer the construction of up to 160 new prison beds the state is projected to need before 2020.

The one concern is funding, Bebout said. It was a large amount of money to start a new program. And with the issues going on the deficit and revenues that we have and all the other prioritization, its hard to start a new program anyway.

The Legislature has grappled with budget shortfalls brought on by a slump in the energy sector, which provides much of the revenue that fuels state government. To mitigate the shortfalls, the Legislature has considered cutting jobs in state government, increasing the state sales tax and downsizing school class sizes.

I didnt see anyone eliminating other programs to free up dollars for the criminal justice reform proposal, Bebout said.

Bebout also said a friend who is a member of the Wyoming Board of Parole as well as prosecutors had articulated concerns about the bill to him.

Natrona County District Attorney Mike Blonigen told the Star-Tribune in January that the bill took too many decisions away from judges and gave too much power to the Department of Corrections and probation and parole services. Unlike judges, probation and parole agents arent subject to elections, and there isnt much of a system of checks and balances to ensure agents are acting properly, Blonigen said.

Political reporter Laura Hancock contributed to this report.
Charles A. Ruiz

Gillette, Wyoming

November 15, 1949 - February 22, 2017

A celebration of life for Charles A. Ruiz will be held March 4, 2017 at 3:00pm, at the Cam-Plex Frontier Hall in Gillette, WY. Service will begin with prayer and Military Honor Guard. Following will be a celebration with music, food, and drink. Friends are encouraged to share their stories on an open mic.

Charles A Ruiz, of Gillette, WY passed away February 22, 2017 at Close to Home Hospice House. He was born November 15, 1949 in Flagstaff, Arizona to the late Viola Olivia Amado Ruiz and Abraham Charles Ruiz. He was raised at Fort Huachuca until the family moved to Tucson. Charles graduated from Rincon High School in 1967.

He served in the US Army from December 1970 to Sept 1971. Proud and patriotic, one of Chuck's favorite quotes from his father was Son, above all things love your country.

Chuck had many skills; construction laborer and equipment operator, horse wrangler, journeyman carpenter, and telephone lineman. He married Maria Francine Wasserman in 1979 and attended college at California State University, Chico. Charles enjoyed a successful firewood sales business, working on small engine equipment, and cutting in the woods and orchards of Northern California. Chuck had a lifelong involvement with all kinds of motorcycles. Established Deluxe Motor Company in 1986 and was the Harley-Davidson dealer in Yuba City, CA 1986-1990. He soon became known as Chuck Deluxe. He was Executive Vice President of Cycom Business Systems, now known as Harley-Davidson Dealer Systems from 1990-1991. In 1992 he moved to Casper, WY to establish Deluxe Harley-Davidson, 1993 opened a second location in Gillette, WY and in 2010 a third store in Sundance, WY. Chuck loved being a motorcycle mechanic. He became a skilled machinist and built a successful performance cylinder head business. He was passionate about motorcycle dirt track racing. In 2017 he was honored by Harley-Davidson Motor Company with a 25 year Longevity Award.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Maria; nieces, Phyllis Houston and Cindy Tucker.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Norma C. Saunders.

Memorials and Condolences may be sent to the family to Deluxe Harley Davidson, 3300 Conestoga Drive, Gillette, WY 82718.

Memorials and Condolences may be sent to the family to Deluxe Harley Davidson, 3300 Conestoga Drive, Gillette, WY 82718. Condolences may also be expressed online at www.gillettememorialchapel.com or Deluxe Harley Davidson Facebook page.
CHEYENNE  The Wyoming Senate passed a bill Monday morning that would require doctors to offer an ultrasound to patients seeking abortions.

Senators did not debate House Bill 182. The measure would also require doctors to ask patients if they want to hear a fetus heartbeat.

The bill passed the third of three votes in the Senate. It already passed the House. Before the bill is sent to Gov. Matt Mead for a possible signature, the House will need to review a change the Senate made to the bill last week.

Senators removed a provision requiring the doctor to obtain a signed confidential statement from the woman that she was offered the ultrasound.

Another abortion bill was scheduled to be discussed Monday morning, HB116, but Sen. Curt Meier, R-LaGrange, said another day was needed on the bill.

HB116 makes it a felony to sell, transfer or distribute tissue or cells from an aborted fetus.

The Wyoming Medical Society, which represents physicians, has concerns with HB116 that it hopes an amendment can fix, said Sheila Bush, the groups executive director.

About 10 percent of women have miscarriages, which are technically called spontaneous abortions. Sometimes the fetus isnt fully expelled and a doctor needs to remove remaining parts, Bush said. For billing purposes, the procedure is called an abortion.

Researchers often look at the tissue to determine why a miscarriage occurred. The bill would currently make transferring the tissue to a researcher a felony.

The Wyoming Medical Society opposes both abortion-related bills as part of what it described as an ongoing effort to protect medicine from unintended consequences of government intrusion. The society has not taken a position on abortion itself.
CHEYENNE  The Wyoming House on Monday morning killed the Senates attempt at solving a looming education funding crisis.

Senate File 165 died when the House didnt vote on the measure by a key deadline.

The Senates bill had been heavily amended by the House Education Committee. House lawmakers shaved down the number of reductions and inserted a number of provisions to the bill, so much so that the lawmakers had to file an entirely new substitute bill.

Sen. Bill Landen, a Casper Republican and SF165s sponsor, said he was disappointed but not too surprised that the bill was killed by the House. He noted that it was scheduled to be considered by the House Education Committee on the last possible day.

But he lamented the bills death.

Having drafted 165, that was a long and tortured journey, he said.  ...There are days that you get pretty discouraged. Its not very easy work sometimes.

Landen said that negotiations between the House and the Senate over HB236 will be difficult but believed a solution will be reached.

The House and Senate have been divided over how to shore up the anticipated 25 percent yearly gap in the states $1.5 billion account for public school operations.

The House generally supports a small tax increase and lower level of cuts to K-12. Most senators, on the other hand, are resisting any tax increases and want a higher level of cuts. Each chamber altered the others education reform proposals.

But the states supplemental budget bill could ultimately decide how education is cut, since the reductions laid out in the spending bill received broad support by the full Legislature. The budget bill is on Gov. Matt Meads desk. Mead has through Thursday to review and veto the bill.

Kathy Vetter, the president of the Wyoming Education Association, said she was surprised the bill appears to be dead. She pointed out that the House could technically suspend its rules to bring up the vote again but said that doesnt appear likely.

Brian Farmer, the executive director of the Wyoming School Boards Association, said he thought SF165 was always doomed.

From a timing standpoint, it was behind. From a format standpoint, it was behind, he said. So you keep making all of these hurdles for all of (this bill) to succeed because it had so many challenges in front of it.

The substitute for SF165 would have frozen transportation spending at next school years planned levels. Previously, the bill reverted spending to 2011-12 levels. The new version also would have removed two conditional percentage cuts that would go into effect in the coming years.

Most prominently, the amended bill could have instituted conditional taxes, including a grocery tax, to help fund education.

The move comes on the same day that the Senate advanced the Houses main attempt at addressing the school funding crisis. The bill, House Bill 236, was also heavily amended by the Senate. Its now headed to a third of three votes.

Rep. David Northrup, a Powell Republican and chairman of the House Education Committee, said he is glad the House killed SF165. He thinks it is inferior to HB236, the bill that his committee is sponsoring.

If HB236 passes the Senate, the full House would have to review all the changes that were made in the Senate and decide whether to accept them. If they decline to concur, a negotiation would begin between the two chambers, Northrup said.

However, if HB236 suffers the same fate as SF165, then K-12 education funding cuts would follow provisions specified in the budget bill.

The budget bill would institute $25 million in cuts beginning July 1. Another $20 million in reductions would kick in July 1, 2018. Those numbers come after a compromise between the two chambers. At one point during the 2017 session, the Senates version of the budget bill required $91 million in cuts, although that cut was removed after school districts voiced opposition.
Texas developers are planning a third student-housing high-rise on East Speedway next to the pair of Hub sister towers near the University of Arizona campus.

Core Campus Investment Partners, parent company of the two Hub towers, bought nearly 30,000 square feet of land along Speedway near North Park Avenue. The company says it plans to start construction next year and open the new tower for the start of the 2019 school year.

Two Speedway restaurants, Mamas Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue and Boca Tacos y Tequila, will be displaced.

The Boca site, at 828 E. Speedway and once home to Greasy Tonys restaurant, sits on 6,909 square feet of land and was purchased from 828 Investors LLC for $1 million.

A lot and the Mamas restaurant, at 830 and 850 E. Speedway, as well as a lot at 1051 N. Tyndall Ave., totaling more than 22,000 square feet of land, were bought for $3 million from Gee Properties-2 LLC.

Mamas is expected to close the UA location in May, said Melody Gregory, its general manager.

The restaurant is in negotiations with Core Campus to have a retail presence in the first Hub tower, she said.

Were trying to stay in the area, Gregory said. The majority of the business is from students, and in the summertime, business declines a lot.

Mamas has also leased space for a new restaurant at the Frys commercial development on First Avenue and Roger Road. There are currently three other locations in Tucson.

The Speedway restaurant is the only location for Boca Tacos y Tequila and its first.

Its a bittersweet goodbye, owner and chef Maria Mazon said. I knew coming into this location, that was going to happen sooner or later.

Opened in 2010, Boca will move to a bigger location, she said. Mazon said she was not ready to disclose its new location because the purchase of the new building is pending. As soon as the location is confirmed, Mazon said she will let her customers know.

Boca will close on May 31, and Mazon said she hopes to open her new restaurant June 1.

Boca is not closing, just changing, Mazon said. Im excited to see what the future brings.

New high-rise Similar to current Hub towers

The new tower will likely have a Hub brand, but it has not been decided if it will be a Hub 3, said Ben Modleski, chief operating officer for Core Campus.

We dont have plans finalized yet, but it will likely be smaller than the first Hub, he said of the 14-story tower. Hub 2 Tucson is six stories tall.

Both Hubs are currently 100 percent occupied and 98 percent pre-leased for the 2017-18 school year.

Both feature amenities such as spas, rooftop terraces and study rooms equipped with computers.

The design and customer service resonates with the students, Modleski said.

Broker Debbie Heslop, with Volk Co., represented Core Campus in all of its local land acquisitions.

Theyve enjoyed Tucson, she said. Its been a very successful relationship.

The student-housing market has been booming in Tucson over the past several years. The complexes have maintained high occupancy rates and command rents almost double that of market-rate apartments.
Rockers writing classical music was a bit of a stretch.

But now that group of Tucson musicians has gone even further: Rockers writing classical music for mariachi.

Not a single person in this show is in their comfort zone, I can tell you, said Chris Black, the head of that crazy experiment called ChamberLab.

Seven years into the boundary-breaking composing experiment, the group is setting its sights southward. A trio of composers  ChamberLab regular Marco Rosano of Y la Orkesta, newcomer John Contreras of Mariachi Luz de Luna and director at Pueblo High Schools Mariachi Aztlan, and Mariachi Luz de Luna director Ruben Moreno  have turned to traditional Mexican folk tales for inspiration.

And they are teaming up with a puppet master to bring those tales to life in the latest ChamberLab installment Leyendas y Sombras (Legends and Shadows) featuring Mariachi Luz de Luna and Puppets Amongus on Saturday, March 4, at downtowns Scottish Rite Temple.

The Latin theme was something Black, a longtime musician who launched ChamberLab three years after moving to Tucson from Austin, Texas, in 2007, had been thinking about for a year. He and the composers started working on it in earnest last November, using Mexican folk tales as inspiration.

Matt Cotten of Puppets Amongus sketched the storyboards outlining the tales and characters. He also built the puppets.

The composers then wrote the music to match Cottens story. Morenos mariachi band will perform the new works at Saturdays concert.

These are folk tales being told from the Mexican origin that can be told pretty much from pictures; you dont need narration, Moreno said. Its a really cool way to tell a story because music says what words can not. Thats how powerful music can be.

Past ChamberLab concerts have included original works inspired by the University of Arizonas NASA-funded OSIRIS-REx research; penning the soundtrack and playing along to the screening of the Buster Keaton silent film The General; and the intriguing 2013 concert Pictures About Music About Pictures, whose works were inspired by the art of Tucsonan Joe Pagac.

This is craziness. Ive always said were this boundary-breaking thing, and we are because we are composers from the rock world sneaking into the classical world and bringing their music into the clubs, Black said. Now were just going nuts. Were going into the mariachi world and writing for a mariachi band. And then theres the puppets.

Its kind of an experiment and an exploration for us, added Moreno. Were out of our element playing classical music.

So how will the classical-inspired works on Leyendas y Sombras sound? Like mariachi.

The notes structure is classical, but when its played with mariachi it will sound more mariachi, said Moreno.

Saturdays concert is supported by Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, Buffalo Exchange and Wesley Green.
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some Feb. 28 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.
Saying it will make people safer, state senators voted Monday to allow some gun owners to ignore the signs that now prohibit guns in many public buildings.

SB 1243 would repeal laws that allow government agencies to declare their buildings to be gun-free zones by posting a notice and then bring criminal charges against those who insist on bringing in their weapons anyway. Those laws would no longer apply to the more than 306,000 people who have obtained a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said the existing laws are a bit of a joke.

Right now, the little $1.98 decal that says no firearms allowed on the entrance to these facilities doesnt keep bad guys out, he said during floor debate. All it does, Kavanagh said, is force those who obey the law  the good guys  to surrender their weapons at the door or leave them in their vehicles, leaving them unarmed when someone who has ignored the sign starts shooting.

Under SB 1243, governments could still keep out everyone with a gun, but only by installing magnetic screening devices and hiring guards at all public entrances. Kavanagh said that is the only way to keep a building truly gun-free.

It puts a literal gun to the head of any governmental entity that wants to decide to ban guns from its territory, he said, forcing them to spend money on equipment and staff.

Sen. Steve Farley, D-Tucson, cited figures from the Department of Administration saying that the cost of installing such devices in just state buildings between $3.7 million and $6.3 million the first year and at least $3.5 million annually thereafter. Farley said extending that out to all cities and counties puts the price tag in the $100 million range.

Kavanagh said that ignores a key point: Governments can avoid the expense simply by allowing concealed weapon permit holders to keep their guns.

Arizona law allows any adult to carry a concealed weapon. But Kavanagh said those with permits belong to a special group, having gone through background checks and a state-approved training course. And he said theyre entitled to special consideration  and a special right of self-defense when they enter what is supposedly a gun-free zone.

This will prevent honest decent people from having criminals put guns to their heads, Kavanagh said.

Farley was unconvinced, saying that training really doesnt amount to much more than proving someone is old enough. And Sen. Martin Quezada, D-Phoenix, said its a fallacy to believe that permit holders are any safer with their guns than those who simply carry concealed weapons without a permit.

Somebody who is a good guy with a gun thinks that because they have a Second Amendment right to bear arms, and because they were granted a CCW permit, that they are now somehow an expert marksman and they will be able to save the day, he said. Just because you carry a gun does not mean that you are a hero.

Farley said that points up a related problem: what happens when police show up at an active shooter situation.

They will tell you the most dangerous situation is when there are multiple shooters, he said.

If youve got a bad guy with a gun and a good guy with a gun, you dont know who the bad guy with a gun is when you first arrive on the scene, Farley continued. And that leads to an even more dangerous situation where they dont know who to take down and who not to take down.

Kavanagh brushed aside the contention that more people at a scene who are armed will lead to more injuries.

Theyre arguing that nobody should be allowed to carry firearms except police officers, he said. Thats not what the Second Amendment says, thats not what the Supreme Court says.

That right of CCW-permit holders to keep their guns would not be absolute.

SB 1243 does not overrule other laws that keep guns out of public schools and buildings on college and university campuses, even without screening devices. Also off limits would be places where alcohol is served, public buses, jails and court houses.

And nothing in the legislation would force the owners of private property or business owners to allow people with guns.

Legislators have approved similar measures in prior years, only to have them vetoed in 2011, 2012 and 2014 by Jan Brewer when she was governor. She voiced her concern about cost to cities, counties and other government agencies that want to keep their buildings free of guns but may not be able to afford the necessary equipment and to provide guards at each door.

Current Gov. Doug Ducey has not had to weigh in as efforts in 2015 and again last year never reached his desk. He has repeatedly proclaimed himself a supporter of the Second Amendment but has refused to say whether he would sign such a measure.
Oro Valley residents have a new deputy chief of police, who will also serve as acting chief while Daniel Sharpe continues to perform the duties of interim town manager.

Aaron Le Suer is taking over the position of former Deputy Chief Larry Stevens, who retired Friday after 32 years with the Oro Valley Police Department.

Le Suer was appointed interim chief of police Monday and will hold the post until Sharpe returns to the department.

Le Suer began his career in law enforcement nearly 29 years ago when he entered the academy and signed on with OVPD as reserve officer, he said in an interview with the Star.

He climbed his way up the ranks and worked in several different divisions over the years, including DUI, undercover, SWAT, narcotics and office of professional standards. LeSuer also served as an adviser to the Explorer program, which is for teenagers who are interested in a career in law enforcement.

He was promoted to lieutenant of the support services bureau in 2005 and took over as commander of the division in 2007.

Le Suer said his priority as interim chief is to continue forward, saying weve got a good thing here and the department is full of good people who are easy to work with and be around.

Theres always going to be new ideas that come forward and slight changes here and there, but no big changes are planned, Le Suer said. Were still going to always be looking out for what the community wants.

Le Suer said he considers Sharpe to be chief of police and the department will continue to follow his philosophy.

Its always about service to the community and making sure the community gets what they deserve, he said.
PHOENIX  An ASU executive vice president and a Texas medical center CEO are the two candidates for University of Arizona president, regents announced today.

They are:

 Sethuraman Panch Panchanathan, Ph.D., executive vice president and chief research and innovation officer of Arizona State Universitys Knowledge Enterprise Development; and

 Robert Clayton Robbins, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Texas Medical Center.

"The successful finalist will be invited to a campus visit on March 8," the Arizona Board of Regents said.

Ann Weaver Hart, the UA's 21st president, is stepping down.

Both Drs. Panchanathan and Robbins are outstanding candidates and highly respected academic and research leaders, said Regents Chair Greg Patterson in a news release.

The University of Arizona is a highly prestigious research institution and land-grant university, and our search has attracted tremendously talented individuals from across the nation," he said. The board did not disclose the names of those other prospects.

 Panchanathan is responsible for advancing research, innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development at ASU. During his tenure at ASU, the university has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as No. 1 on its Most Innovative Schools list for two consecutive years.

He holds an ASU Foundation Chair in computing and informatics and is the director of the center for cognitive ubiquitous computing (CUbiC). Panchanathan was the founding director of the ASU School of Computing and Informatics and was instrumental in founding the Biomedical Informatics Department at ASU. He was also the chair of the Computer Science and Engineering Department. He also is a professor in the ASU School of Computing Informatics and Decision Systems Engineering.

His research interests are in the areas of human-centered multimedia computing and ubiquitous computing environments for enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

 Robbins joined Texas Medical Center as president and CEO in 2012. "Since then, he has significantly enhanced the TMCs commitment to collaboration, introducing five cross-institutional research initiatives centered on innovation, genomics, regenerative medicine, health policy and clinical research," the regents' news release says, continuing:

"TMC  the largest medical complex in the world  is at the forefront of advancing life sciences. An internationally recognized cardiac surgeon, Robbins has focused his clinical efforts on acquired cardiac diseases with a special expertise in the surgical treatment of congestive heart failure and cardiothoracic transplantation."

Prior to joining TMC, Robbins served as professor and chairman of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine, founding director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute and president of the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (2006), among other roles.
The board poised to pick the next University of Arizona president will consider a short list of hopefuls Tuesday, Feb. 28, but officials arent saying who is in the running.

The news blackout on candidate names has prompted criticism that the Arizona Board of Regents isnt meeting the disclosure requirements of state law.

Freedom of information experts within the UAs own ranks say the regents are ignoring a landmark court ruling that gives the public the right to know who is seriously being considered for a university presidents job.

Prospects are deemed under serious consideration once they are interviewed, and at that point their identities must be disclosed, the ruling said.

Those on the current UA short list were interviewed Feb. 16 and 17 at a resort about 10 miles south of the Phoenix airport. A new president is expected to be announced by mid-March.

Regents Chair Greg Patterson disputed criticisms of the search in a news release Friday, calling the process open, inclusive and transparent.

Regent Bill Ridenour, who is leading the search effort, said keeping names confidential until late in the process helps to attract higher-quality presidential candidates who might face retribution from current employers if word got out they were job-hunting.

Ridenour said its unlikely competing finalists will be invited to campus to meet with the UA community prior to a final hiring decision. Such visits were a tradition at the UA until 2012, when the regents hired UA President Ann Weaver Hart without announcing any other finalists for the position.

Some UA faculty members say the regents are legally obliged to identify those on the current short list.

I am disappointed that my home institution is taking a cavalier attitude toward transparency obligations and choosing to err on the side of secrecy, Jane Yakowitz Bambauer, an associate professor who teaches First Amendment law at the UA, wrote Friday on the InfoLaw legal blog hosted by Harvard Law School.

Her blog post is headlined, The Arizona Board of Regents Gets an F in FOIA Law, using an acronym to describe the Freedom of Information Act and other public-access laws.

UA journalism school director David Cuillier, who has twice testified before Congress about access to information, said a 1991 Arizona Supreme Court ruling still in effect requires the regents to publicly identify anyone who is interviewed for a university presidents job.

An interview marks the point at which a prospect turns into a presidential candidate whose name and resume are subject to disclosure, the Supreme Court found.

In my expert opinion, the Regents are breaking state law if they refuse to disclose the candidates names and CVs (resumes), Cuillier wrote in a recent email to regents headquarters.

Regents spokeswoman Sarah Harper says a paragraph at the end of the Supreme Court ruling gives regents discretion to adopt procedural rules for presidential searches.

The rules regents developed for the current search say presidential hopefuls will not be publicly identified unless they agree to be named as candidates  wording that is in direct conflict with the language and reasoning of the 1991 court ruling, Bambauer said.

Those taking part in the search effort describe it as highly successful.

The prospects we interviewed last week were all outstanding, search committee member Lynn Nadel, chair of the UA faculty, wrote Monday in an email update to faculty.

I am confident that whoever is chosen to be our next president will be someone we can be proud of and expect great things from, he wrote.

Hart announced last year that she would not seek a contract extension when her current contract ends in mid-2018.
It all started with a single, last-minute agenda item  at least in the publics eyes.

The Tucson Unified School District Governing Board has contemplated  for at least two weeks now  the future of its chief administrator, H.T. Sanchez, who was hired in 2013 to lead the areas largest school district.

Much of the discussion has been happening behind closed doors  in executive sessions and private meetings between several board members and a lawyer who was previously dismissed by the superintendent.

That attorney, Bill Brammer, has now been retained by the five-member board to provide counsel as Governing Board members deal with issues surrounding the superintendents job.

Public discussions on the matter were tabled twice  once at the Feb. 14 board meeting and another time the following week. More than a 100 people, including teachers, parents and district residents, showed up at both meetings to speak about the issue.

Board President Michael Hicks said last week the matter of the superintendents employment will be discussed by the board again Tuesday, Feb. 28. The issue is to be discussed again in executive session. (See box above.)

But for now, the board remains publicly divided, with two members seeking an apparent change in district leadership, two supporting Sanchez, and one, Hicks, who wont say much more than he will do what makes sense, though he has often aligned with board clerk Mark Stegeman on issues.

Sanchez was hired in 2013 and his contract is up for renewal in 2018. He is paid a base salary of $270,000 to oversee about 52,000 students in schools across the city.

Issues brought by new board member

When new board member Rachael Sedgwick first requested to review Sanchezs employment at the Feb. 14 meeting, she said in an interview that she wanted to see about creating a performance plan for the superintendent.

Its always been my intention to bring it to the superintendents attention that things can be improved, she said.

She had been critical of the superintendent ever since she started campaigning for election to the school board.

Upon taking office Jan. 1, she launched an effort to get Sanchez certified as a teacher in Arizona and later requested the district create an anonymous community survey that would include, among other things, a question about perceived administrator efficacy and support, according to an email she wrote to a board assistant Feb. 12.

Sedgwick said what she calls a middle of the road discussion about the superintendents job performance has evolved into something else. Things have definitely developed, she said.

My presence on the board has completely changed the dynamic, she said.

Were getting to know each other. Were discussing a personnel item, and that makes things tense.

Stegeman has been questioning Sanchezs leadership for much longer. He said in an interview that he first began having concerns about Sanchez in late 2013, when the state Attorney Generals Office began an investigation into a TUSD procurement contract.

The investigation did not result in charges or a judgment, but aroused some clear questions, Stegeman said. He has pointed out his concerns regarding Sanchez on multiple occasions. Those include high administrative spending, low student achievement, declining enrollment, student discipline issues and staff turnover.

There are some serious performance issues, he said last week.

In looking into those issues, Stegeman sought the help of attorney Brammer, who formerly represented TUSD in the decades-long desegregation court case on a contract basis, but was not affiliated with the district at that time. Brammer was eventually dismissed by Sanchez.

Brammer helped Stegeman compile a list of Sanchezs performance issues, Stegeman said. I was aware of legal implications and of course I needed to go to a lawyer to understand legal implications.

The attorney also met with Sedgwick and Hicks, according to an email obtained by the Star that was written by Todd Jaeger, the districts current general counsel, who recommended the board seek outside counsel.

Those meetings happened before Brammer was officially appointed last Tuesday to advise the board on Sanchezs employment. Jaeger expressed his discomfort at the possible conflict of interest involving Brammer in the email addressed to board members.

Stegeman said he didnt think it was a conflict of interest. He chose Brammer because he is familiar with the district.

Conflict of interest means that my goals were in conflict with the boards goals, Stegeman said. I dont personally think thats true.

A DIVIDED BOARD

Board President Hicks previously said he wouldnt support a measure to terminate Sanchez that doesnt come with plans for doing whats best for the district. On Friday, he said it would all depend on whether whatever plan of action comes forward makes sense for the district.

Board members Adelita Grijalva and Kristel Foster both have shown support for Sanchez. They wont support a board decision to fire him.

I think that Dr. Sanchez does a good job. You can see that based on the people who are coming out to support him. He has cross-community support, Grijalva said.

Should Sanchez get fired, a new superintendent search would cost about $60,000, said Stefanie Boe, a district spokeswoman. The attorneys advising the board through the process to review Sanchezs employment are paid about $250 to $500 per hour.

Michael Varney, president of the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce, said he believes Sanchez has a great track record in boosting high school graduation, engaging with the private sector and minimizing enrollment declines. He has spoken out at different board meetings against terminating the superintendent.

I support him for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that he has been a tremendously effective superintendent, Varney said.

The other issue is the lack of continuity and stability in the superintendents job.

TUSD has had seven superintendents in the past 20 years, and a divided board with political angst doesnt create an optimal atmosphere for an executive, Varney said.

When asked about the perceived animosity among board members, Grijalva said, I think we have to establish trust, and that trust has been broken for me, specifically with Dr. Stegeman.

Hicks said his goal is to not allow the relationships among board members to get too damaged.

I want to make sure that we all are working together for a common goal, which is the betterment of education for our students.

Varney said he hopes for the same.

The entire board needs to find a way to work together to create more effective policy. They have not found a way to work together, and I think thats regrettable, he said.
The $32-million AC Hotel Tucson by Marriott might not be the only new hotel on the horizon in the downtown area.

The Rio Nuevo District board has plans today to discuss two separate proposals for new hotels in downtown Tucson, while also discussing the possible renovation of the now-closed Hotel Arizona.

Rio Nuevo Chairman Fletcher McCusker said both of the proposed hotels are at the earliest of stages of discussion by the board.

The boards afternoon agenda includes a proposal to build a 125-room hotel in the eastern parking lot of the Tucson Convention Center. Caliber Hospitality, which owns the Hilton Tucson East Hotel, 7600 E. Broadway, as well as some hotels in Phoenix, is listed as the potential developer.

The proposal is likely to include a parking garage, as the new hotel would have to provide six parking spaces for every five parking spaces it displaces with the development. The lot is leased by the city of Tucson.

The board will also hear about developer Scott Stitelers plans to build a second hotel in downtown Tucson. Described as a possible Marriott Hotel on Rio Nuevo documents, the deal could involve changes to the AC Marriott Hotel, which is under construction along Broadway at Fifth Avenue. Stiteler is one of the developers of that hotel, which is scheduled to open later this year.

Both Stiteler and a representative from Caliber Hospitality did not return calls for comment Monday.

Board member Edmund Marquez confirmed Hotel Arizona was on the executive session agenda for Tuesdays meeting, but could not elaborate on the exact details.

He said the Rio Nuevo board has had repeated discussions with HSL Properties, which owns Hotel Arizona, on the possibility of redeveloping the hotel.

HSL did not respond to request seeking comment. Omar Mireles, president of HSL Properties, declined to discuss the future of the property when asked during a recent Tucson City Council meeting.

The boards meeting starts at 1 p.m. in Room 222, Arizona State Building, 400 W. Congress St.
The Tucson Jewish Community Center was on lockdown Monday evening, Feb. 27, for more than 90 minutes after a caller claimed explosives were set to go off in the parking lot, police said.

Tucson Police Sgt. Pete Dugan, a police spokesman, said police bomb squad and dog units searched "as a precautionary measure," after Tucson became part of a wave of bomb threats to Jewish centers in a dozen states Monday.

Mo Goldman, a Tucson immigration attorney, posted on his Facebook page at about 7:15 p.m. that, after people at the center sheltered in place, "All is clear at Tucson JCC and we are free to leave."

Police confirmed about 30 minutes later that an all-clear was given.

A wave of bomb threats has plagued such centers in numerous states across the nation throughout the day, according to the Jewish Community Center Association and the ACLU.

Bomb threats forced evacuations at Jewish schools and community centers in a a dozen states Monday, with the Jewish Community Center Association confirming threats in states ranging from Florida to Michigan. No bombs were found.

In Tucson, Goldman said in a phone interview, between 150 to 200 people were under lockdown in the JCC ballroom, including many children. He said everyone was calm.

The Tucson JCC is at 3800 East River Road, near North Dodge Boulevard.
The letters threatening them with death became unbearable.

Surgical nurses Hasanain Alsamawi and his wife, Saleemah Alrubay, decided they must leave Iraq and try to emigrate to another country.

They say Hasanains brother worked for the U.S. Army  which is why the family was under death threats.

When the U.S. pulled out of Iraq, the Iraqis who had worked for the Americans were on hit lists from Al-Qaida and ISIS.

My brother left his house and came to live with us, but they knew where we lived and knew where we worked and we lived in fear every day, Hasanain said.

Hasanain and Saleemah worked at a neurological hospital in Bagdad. Their native language is Arabic, but they speak English, somewhat haltingly, and are well-educated.

On Aug. 9, 2016, the word finally came that they could leave Iraq  six years after they applied. And when the word came, they had virtually no time to leave.

Hasanain and Saleemah first went to Amman, Jordan, then to Chicago, and moved from there to Tucson.

Their son ended up in Finland. He would like to join his parents in Tucson, but President Trumps temporary travel ban on citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries, including Iraq, has halted his efforts for now.

Hasanains brother also has permission to leave Iraq but hasnt been able to.

He and other family members still there are in danger of being killed by extremist groups.

For the time being, though, work to reunite Hasanains family in one place has stopped.

Grateful to be in Tucson

Its a fluid situation, with a federal appeals court blocking key parts of President Trumps travel ban and the administration pledging to revise the executive order.

President Trump has said his order is necessary to keep radical Islamic terrorists from posing as refugees.

Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi has been quoted as asking the U.S. for a review with the goal of having his country removed from the list.

Refugee advocates say the steps to get to the U.S. were rigorous and lengthy even before the executive order.

Refugees already go through extensive vetting, said Margaret Palmer, Migration and Refugee Services Program director for Catholic Community Services, sponsors of Hasanain and Saleemah.

They must pass through a series of security screenings, including biographic and biometric checks, medical screenings, forensic document testing, and in-person interviews. The information is examined to confirm a refugees identity and is checked against law enforcement and intelligence databases including those of the National Counterterrorism Center, Department of Defense, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of State, and the Department of Homeland Security.

If there is any doubt about who a refugee is, he or she will not be admitted to the United States, Palmer said.

The Iraqi refugees (fugees, they call themselves) are grateful to be in Tucson.

Both Hasanain and Saleemah work at a Target distribution warehouse. They have health insurance and they get food stamps. They take public transportation to get to work or to their mosque for prayer services, although the mosque is far from their modest midtown apartment.

We wish to live in peace in America. We try to do good, we try to be legal in all respects, and we all work hard, Hasanain said.

But after going through so much to get here  and after his brother helped the U.S. forces in Iraq  Hasanain said he finds Trumps executive order frightening because his brother and others targeted by ISIS and Al-Qaida remain in Iraq.

In danger in Iraq because of US service

Hasanain and Saleemah arent alone in their feelings of limbo and fear for family members.

Many refugees, immigrants, and U.S. citizens are waiting to be reunited with a sister, brother, parent or child through the refugee resettlement program, said Catholic Community Services Palmer.

Temporarily and possibly permanent separation of these families will cause extreme hardship, especially where vulnerable family members are in extreme danger.

Even a temporary ban on Iraqi visas could directly endanger the lives of the interpreters and translators who served alongside U.S. forces in Iraq, she said.

By denying this population of visas, Palmer said, these individuals and their families may be targeted by our enemies and killed for their service to our country.
PHOENIX  The question of whether cities can decide what to do with seized and forfeited guns could end up being decided based on how extensive the Arizona Supreme Court believes is the right of local governments to make their own laws.

During nearly an hour of arguments Tuesday, the justices peppered attorneys with questions ranging from whether they should even intercede in the dispute between Attorney General Mark Brnovich and the city of Tucson over its gun-destruction ordinance and the constitutionality of a 2016 law.

Brnovich says that law gives him the power to withhold money from cities that enact any local laws that he finds run afoul of state statutes.

But Rick Rollman, representing the city, told the justices the issue is more simple than that.

He pointed out that the Arizona Constitution allows cities to establish their own charters. Nineteen, including Tucson, have gone that route.

Rollman said the constitutional crafters wanted to give city councils the right to write their own ordinances on matters of purely local concern. And he said the 2005 Tucson ordinance requiring that handguns seized or forfeited to Tucson police fit squarely in that area.

Assistant Attorney General Paul Watkins disagreed, contending that ordinance is trumped by state laws, one which specifically bars cities from regulating firearms and the other that mandates firearms coming into the citys hands have to be sold.

And since the Tucson City Council has refused to rescind its ordinance, Watkins told the justices they should uphold the 2016 law tying state aid to compliance with state laws and allow Brnovich to direct the state treasurer to withhold all of the citys state aid.

The City Council has temporarily suspended the gun-destruction program while the issue is resolved in the courts.

Rollman said a finding for the state would undermine the reason the crafters of the Arizona Constitution allowed cities to adopt charters in the first place.

The people that are being governed have the best opportunity to express their concerns, and the local government has the best opportunity to respond, Rollman said.

But Justice Clint Bolick said that right may not be as absolute as Rollman contends.

I see absolutely nothing that indicates that state law is ever subordinate to city ordinances, the judge said.

Rollman, however, said he reads the constitution in a more liberal fashion, saying it was crafted to allow local laws to control over local matters.

He pointed out that the high court has, in previous cases, upheld the right of cities to decide how to conduct their local elections and how to dispose of land and buildings they acquire. Rollman said this is no different.

That argument, however, did not satisfy the justices.

How do you identify what is a purely municipal affair? asked Chief Justice Scott Bales. He said an argument could be made that how a city deals with seized personal property like firearms is very different than how a city chooses its council.

Rollman said where to draw that line is indeed a very difficult task, suggesting the justice may have to provide some guidance.

Justice Ann Scott Timmer said the problem could be resolved simply: If a city ordinance conflicts with state law, then the state law prevails.

Whats wrong with that? she asked.

A lot, Rollman responded.

Once you begin to say the state can occupy any area, particularly where it involves personal property of the city, youre going to effectively nullify the charter authority, he said.

Why bother with a charter? Rollman asked. The charter is now meaningless.

Justice John Pelander noted that part of Watkins contention that state law trumps the ordinance is based on the argument that there is a constitutional right to bear arms. More to the point, the judge said, the contention is that allowing Tucson to destroy guns interferes with that right by making fewer guns available and therefore more expensive.

This Legislature was motivated by the federal and state constitutional rights to bear arms, Watkins acknowledged.

But Watkins told the justices that it would be just as illegal for Tucson to require that seized guns be sold if the Legislature had instead directed they all be destroyed.

Pelander suggested that undermines the states contention that lawmakers can cite the Second Amendment as a legitimate reason to say their laws on guns overrule city ordinances.

The justices could sidestep the entire legal fight and simply decide they will not intercede in the fight between the state and the city, at least not at that point.

Tucson already has filed a separate lawsuit in Pima County Superior Court asking a judge there to declare unconstitutional the 2016 law giving Brnovich the power to order state aid withheld. Whatever the judge there rules would likely be appealed by the losing side.
On April 23, 2009, Mimi Coomler was a mother and a nurse. That morning almost eight years ago, she also took on a new role  one that she had never anticipated nor imagined.

I started my new journey as my sons pancreas, said Coomler, when her son, Brody, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes during a visit to his pediatrician. Then age four, Brody was promptly admitted to Tucson Medical Center to bring the disease under control and learn to manage it.

We started our life of checking blood sugars and taking in sugar to control hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or dosing insulin in attempts to control hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), which can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. If not controlled, that can lead to unconsciousness, coma and death. Its a constant challenge and that becomes your new normal, Coomler said.

With no family history of diabetes, Brodys diagnosis was unexpected. In hindsight, Coomler said Brody experienced classic symptoms including increased appetite, lack of weight gain (or weight loss), extreme thirst, frequent urination, nausea, vomiting, weakness and fatigue. Coomler suspects the disease, which can have rapid onset or occur over a longer period of time, came on over a period of a few months and was possibly triggered by a virus.

Unlike Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 is not related to lifestyle or eating habits and while scientists suspect both environmental factors and genetic triggers, they are unsure of the exact cause.

Type 1 is an autoimmune disease that occurs when insulin-producing cells (also called beta cells) in the pancreas are attacked and destroyed by the bodys immune system. Since insulin is necessary for regulation of glucose in the body, it must be injected or infused continually with a pump. Constant monitoring of blood sugars are required throughout the day and night and while they provide a lifeline, they are not a cure and dont necessarily prevent the possibility of serious side effects such as kidney failure, blindness, stroke, heart attack and other complications.

As a mom, in general, you worry about the safety of your children. You want them to be safe and happy, and diabetes often stands in the way of both. You operate at a level knowing that your child is not always safe, Coomler said.

To combat her fear, Coomler joined forces with the JDRF, formerly known as Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the leading global organization supporting advocacy and research for Type 1 diabetes. The organization has funded more than $2 billion in research since it was founded in 1970.

A few years ago, we became just the JDRF to alleviate confusion that you can only be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a child, which is inaccurate. Additionally, there was a misconception that people can outgrow the disease, which is also inaccurate, said Stacy Gopp, JDRF Southern Arizona branch director.

Currently 1.25 million Americans  including an estimated 35,000 Arizonans  live with the disease; that number is projected to increase to 5 million, including 600,000 youth, nationwide by 2050. Between the years 2001 and 2009, there was a 21 percent increase in prevalence of Type 1 diabetes in those younger than age 20.

On a positive note, research is progressing rapidly.

Last fall, the Food and Drug Administration approved an artificial pancreas, a project spearheaded by the research foundation. The external device marries an insulin pump with a continuous glucose monitor, delivering any necessary insulin to the body without patient intervention.

It helps automatically adjust the insulin being delivered to the body based on actual blood sugar on an ongoing basis, Coomler said. In real life, the blood sugar of a diabetic goes up and down constantly, so this is a great step forward in terms of keeping blood sugar more consistent, which is key to minimizing complications.

Other promising research includes beta cell encapsulation, which Coomler said will involve the implantation of cells wrapped in some form of biosynthetic material that will protect them from immune system attack so they can deliver insulin, as well as technologies such as smart insulin that can turn off and on in response to blood sugar levels. JDRF is also funding 50 human clinical trials of potential therapies.

Over the past eight years, the amount of progress we have experienced has been extraordinary, which gives us tons of hope that the future will be different for everyone with Type 1 diabetes. There is so much medical research that is helping to lessen the burden of those living with Type 1 diabetes, and to ultimately find a cure, said Coomler, who is doing her part as chair of the JDRFs Green Tie Gala on Saturday.

Coomler said that the event is not only the Southwest branchs signature annual fundraiser and a great party, but an evening filled with hugs and love.

It is just magnificent. You walk away with the feeling that our entire community comes together to make the lives of people with Type 1 diabetes better. That feeling of hope that initially brought me to JDRF is reignited every year at this event, Coomler said. It is so uplifting to hear about the research and so inspiring to hear the stories of people dealing with Type 1 diabetes.
PHOENIX  Attorneys for the city of Tucson go before the Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday, Feb. 28, in a bid to void a state law that seeks to punish the city for its gun-destruction policy.

The lawyers contend the Legislature has no right to tell any city that it has to sell guns that are seized or surrendered instead of destroying them. Tucson wants the states high court to rule that lawmakers cannot use the threat of the loss of millions of dollars in state aid to effectively coerce elected City Council members to act a certain way.

What the justices decide will have effects beyond the immediate fight. It could determine how much legislators can impose their will on cities.

Attorney General Mark Brnovich sued Tucson under a 2016 law that says local governments that run afoul of state limits have a choice: Repeal the ordinance or forfeit state aid, which in Tucsons case amounts to $170 million.

The fight is over a 2005 ordinance that says the Police Department, after it seizes a handgun, shall dispose of such firearm by destroying the firearm.

Brnovich said that runs afoul of a 2000 law that prohibits local governments from enacting any ordinances dealing with the acquisition, licensing, registration or use of firearms. More specific is a pair of 2013 laws that bar law enforcement agencies from destroying operable seized firearms and directing they instead be sold.

When the Tucson City Council refused to rescind its ordinance, Brnovich sued. The Tucson council has temporarily suspended the gun-destruction program while the issue plays out in court.

Brnovich contends that issues of gun regulation are a matter of statewide concern. And he argues there is no right of cities to get state aid, especially if they are flouting state law.

But Rick Rollman, Tucsons lead attorney, says the 2016 law amounts to illegal coercion of local officials to abandon measures they adopt in what they believes is in the communitys best interests. And he notes that Tucson and 17 other communities are charter cities with a constitutional right to set their own policies on matters of strictly local concern, including the disposal of seized firearms, no matter what the Legislature says.

The case has attracted the attention of the National Rifle Association, which is claiming in its own legal briefs that Tucsons policy is designed to deliberately suppress legal gun ownership in the whole state and will likely lead to an increase in violent crime and harm public safety.

NRA attorney Mick Rusing says the Tucson policy reduces the supply of firearms, making them more expensive to acquire. And Rusing says a mountain of empirical evidence supports the legislatures judgment that Tucsons efforts to eliminate as many lawful firearms as possible would ultimately increase the rate of violent crime.

Theres a threshold issue for the high court to decide: the legality of a provision in the 2016 law that Tucson post a bond of half its revenue-sharing funds as a condition of even being able to fight Brnovichs attempt to withhold all of it.
A local furniture retailer has expanded into a second site with plans to add more handcrafted Amish furniture.

Brett Interiors has opened Leather Gallery by Brett Interiors at 3821 W. Costco Drive near Orange Grove and Thornydale roads.

The 3200-square-foot store is their second location.

The company has been in business since 1999 at 7311 E. Broadway.

Asked what prompted the expansion, Owner Joshua Brett said it was timing.

Tucson is expanding and we offer a unique experience in Tucson for furniture, he said. And, theres a lack of furniture stores in Tucson.

He started carrying Amish furniture about a year ago and plans to expand that line.

It represents a quality I had never seen in wood furniture, Brett said. Every piece is unique and autographed by the Amish gentleman who builds it.

He works with craftsman in Indiana and Ohio.

Visit brettinteriors.org for store hours or more information.
Help India!

By Shafeeq Hudawi, Twocircles.net

Support TwoCircles



Over the past decade or so, Chitralekha, a Dalit auto driver has been at the receiving end of abuse and threats from CPI (M) cadre in Kerala. After repeated agitations and protests by Dalit Bahujans in the state, the UDF government had last year allotted her land in Kattampally but after continuing to face harassment, she dropped the plan. The current LDF government in fact even went to the extent of cancelling a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh that Chitralekha was supposed to get for house construction. However, she has now reasons to smile following an announcement of IUML-affiliated organisation Green Voice to come to her aid.

Based at Abu Dhabi or UAE Green Voice is active in charity and welfare activities. The organization will construct the house for Chitralekha at the five cent plot, which was given by the district administration following her long dharna in front of Secretariat seeking protection from miscreants and land to live.

I had to leave my native home at Edatt following harassment from CPI(M) workers. I planned foundation stone laying for a house at Kattampally at the plot given by the previous government. But, the plan was dropped following threats from CPI (M) workers. The support from local MLA K M Shaji has given courage and wings to my expectations, Chitralekha told Twocircles.net.

Since 2004, the Dalit lady has been being undergoing harassment from local CPI(M) workers after she started driving autorickshaw at Edatt autorickshaw stand, which was controlled by CPI (M) affiliated trade union CITU. According to Chitralekha, they asked her What the hell a Pulaya lady is doing in the auto stand?. Pulaya is a lower Hindu caste in Kerala.

Rs 5 lakh was allowed by the State Government following my dharna. But, the amount has been cancelled following the pressure by the local CPI (M) leaders, Chitralekha said.

Chitralekha now works at the Kannur autorickshaw stand to earn a livelihood.

The construction work, according to Chitralekha, will be started within few weeks.
What was going through the minds of the Foreign Office when they failed to increase the Terror Alert after the March 2015 attacks on the Borba museum in Tunis?

Imagine how many more British lives could have been saved if they did their job in protecting UK citizens?

Lessons learnt

Of course, it is easy to say that in hindsight now. The point of today's inquiry is to show that lessons need to be learnt from the atrocities that occurred that year.

That is why it is refreshing to see that Tunisia still remains a place on high alert at the Foreign Office to this day.

But it also demonstrates that Western politicians have taken the threat of ISIS far more seriously since.

Unanimous in defeating ISIS

Who remembers when the House of Commons was fundamentally united in its approach to air strikes against the jihadists towards the end of the 2015?

And now Donald Trump has made defeating ISIS his top priority, even if it means forging an alliance with the Russians to complete this objective.

This will not happen again

The atrocities in Tunisia were an abomination of the Foreign Office's failure to warn tourists about travelling to there. But one thing is for certain now; that will not happen again.
Perpetually outspoken foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, has stated that he is disillusioned with the 'constant droning and moaning' regarding the inherent risks of Brexit, suggesting that former Prime Minister, Sir John Major, should 'come off it, sunshine'. Major recently criticised the government's lack of coherent Brexit strategy.

Boris Johnson in a bullish mood

Although the foreign secretary didn't mention the former Prime Minister by name, he made it abundantly clear that Major was one of the targets of his speech at the British Chambers of Commerce.

Johnson said: 'To those that believe that the sky is going to fall, I feel like saying: Come off it, sunshine. Every generation hears its prognostications of doom and gloom, but look at us today. We are living longer than any previous generation, we are healthier than ever before'.

Johnson continued, stating: 'Its incredibly important for Great Britain that as we set out on this journey we are collectively positive about the outcome the outcome of Brexit. This is the spirit that the government will be taking into talks with Europe. Further, the European Union is ready for positive and constructive talks. The initial shock to Europe has been replaced by a positive mood across Europe'.

Criticism from Sir John Major and George Osborne

On Monday night, Sir John Major angered senior members of the government by criticising the approach that the government has taken to Brexit thus far. Major said: 'In my years of experience, it is better to reach an agreement with a friend than an obstreperous neighbour. The atmosphere in Europe is sour.

Less cheap, plastic rhetoric will benefit the United Kingdom long term'.

Similarly, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, issued a warning to the government, stating that leaving the European Union without a trade deal secured would actively harm the United Kingdom'ss best interests. Osborne said: 'No amount of deals with New Zealand and Australia will compensate for the business lost by leaving the EU to World Trade Organisation tariffs;'.
Government sources said that Theresa May could accept a new vote in scotland, as long as it happens after Britain leaves the European Union. Scots voted in September 2014 by 55% to 45% in favor of remaining in the UK. House of Lords begins Monday analyzing in detail the bill that authorizes May to trigger the withdrawal of Britain from the EU.

British pound falls again

"If the market thinks seriously that it can be another referendum on independence more recently, remember how powerful the pound fell in early September 2014, before the previous referendum.

This memory makes the pound to be sold very easily now", said Ray Attrill, co-director for foreign exchange at National Australia Bank in Sydney. The pound fell 0.4% to $ 1.2410 per unit, after it dropped to $ 1.2392 per unit, the lowest level reached after February 17th.

Scottish Premier Nicola Sturgeon said repeatedly that Scotland will hold a referendum on separation from Britain, if they couldn`t remain on the Single European Market after the Brexit. Scots opted for staying in the EU in a referendum in June, but they are still forced to leave due to the vote pro-Brexit in England, showed Sturgeon in a commentary published in the Financial Times.

May has promised to consult with the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, before formal negotiations with the EU, slated to begin in late March.

Sturgeon wants the UK to remain in the single market, the commerce to be conducted freely, and the banks could offer their services to the Member States.

United Kingdom will leave EU

In a speech in January, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced that the United Kingdom will leave the EU and the single European market. Theresa May announced that she won`t negotiate an agreement to remain "half in and half out" of the European Union.

"Six months ago, the British people voted for change. They voted for our country to have a brighter future. They voted to leave the Union and to embrace the world. And they did it consciously: accepting that the way that we are about to go through is full of unknowns, but trusting that it will lead to a better future for their children and grandchildren. It is the government's task to accomplish these things".
The police response to the Tunisian terror attacks resulted in unlawful killings, a judge has ruled.

Judge Nicholas Lorraine-Smith has described the police response to the June 2015 attacks at the Riu Imperial Marhaba hotel in Sousse as 'at best shambolic and at worst cowardly.'

38 people were murdered, 30 of whom were British.

But he added that travel operator TUI had not 'neglected' its duties in safeguarding the victims prior to the attack.

Nick Longman, TUI director, said that these were complex issues and that his company was playing a proactive role in promoting the Foreign Office's Travel Aware campaign.

He added that his industry was continually adapting to these situations.

Many families were left disappointed with this response as the judge said there had been no gross deficiencies.

The family of victim Scott Chalkey said that they have been robbed of a future that held laughter and promise for a wonderful man.

Kylie Hutchinson, who represented 22 of the families, said that lessons needed to be learnt from this tragedy.

She added: 'We are currently preparing civil proceedings against TUI.'

Andrew Richie QC, a lawyer who also represented families of 22 of the victims, said Judge Lorraine-Smith discovered 'appreciable security deficiencies' at the Riu Imperial Marhaba.

He said that TUI 'did no audit' before the terrorist attacks commenced.

TUI said it there was no evidence they failed to play their part in protecting tourists.

'How can this be happening?'

CCTV footage captured Jihadist militant, Seifeddine Rezgui, being dropped off by a white van at the rear entrance of the hotel before raiding the hotel's beach.

The van driver is still missing.

The Islamist terrorist showered families relaxing on the beach with bullets.

Holidaymakers were soon storming off, screaming 'how can this be happening.'

There was chaos and confusion as the scenes unfolded.

Rezgui then invaded the hotel and murdered more victims.

He was eventually shot dead by police who ran off to acquire more weapons.

ISIS later claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Foreign Office failed to put Tunisia on high alert after 20 people were killed during terror attacks at the Borba museum in Tunis.

'Unforgivable'

But Allan Pembroke, a survivor, said police officers hid during the attack and that their actions are unforgivable.

Pembroke returned to the hotel to assist Cheryl Mellor, who was severely bleeding after being shot in the arm and leg.

Pembroke said he is haunted by what he saw that day.

He added: 'The police need to be held accountable for their actions.'

However, the Tunisian ambassador to the UK, Nabil Ammar, said security in Tunisia's hotels has considerably improved since the attacks.

'Unfair to blame police'

He said it is unfair to blame the police entirely for this attack.

The Foreign Office continues to place Tunisia on high alert since the attacks.

A Foreign Office spokesman said that they welcome the results of this inquiry and that they are sympathetic to the plights of many families.

The inquest at the London's Royal Courts will continue for several weeks.
Seth Rogen and his Superbad writing partner Evan Goldberg, who have been branching into TV production in recent years with AMCs comic book adaptation Preacher and FXs upcoming animated comedy Bigfoot, are working on a new comedy pilot, also at FX, titled Singularity, a pitch by Korean writer Sonny Lee, who has also written episodes for Silicon Valley, 2 Broke Girls, and Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia (so, a mixed bag in terms of quality, two great shows and one terrible).

The show is about artificial intelligence

Singularity is set in a future world in which artificial intelligence is around and has greatly overtaken human intelligence, making us look like a bunch of idiots.

The show will focus on the social changes this brings upon. Lee is executive producing the show with Rogen and Goldberg, who are doing so through their production company Point Grey Pictures, named after the high school they attended together, which eventually led to the inspiration for their screenplay for Superbad, their first collaboration that paved the way for the rest: Pineapple Express, This is the End, The Interview etc.

Damon Wayans Jr. has been cast in the lead role of Doug. Wayans, who made his name on the show Happy Endings (although his name had already been made and then some in the 1990s and throughout the 2000s by the bunch of famous comedians in his family), is a free man now that the show has ended.

He has reportedly been receiving many offers to do TV pilots for broadcast networks, which pay more in the long run if the show is successful due to syndication deals, but he has decided to take the job on Rogen and Goldbergs cable pilot instead. His character Doug lives in the moment, wears Yeezy brand clothing, and unlike some of the other people in his futuristic environment, Doug embraces the AI technology and its place in his society.

Rogens other upcoming projects include belated DreamWorks Animation release B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations, appearances in James Francos latest directorial efforts Zeroville and The Disaster Artist, a project with Ben Schwartz and Adam McKay, and a Film adaptation of the Wheres Waldo? books (which is actually happening for some reason), as well as a potential Sausage Party sequel inspired by Who Framed Roger Rabbit? which Rogen claims is one of his favourite films of all time.
Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray, announced that the Mexican government could impose their duties on a number of products that come from those US states dependent on exports from Mexico in response to Trump`s promise to impose an unilateral custom duty for all the products exported by Mexicans, just to complete the rise of the anti-immigrant wall, says BBC.

"Mexico believes in a free market exchange, but will have to respond if Americans are trying to finance the wall by enforcing an US imports tax. We can`t stay with folded hands. Mexico must face this reality, which is no longer threatening rhetoric", Videgaray said.

Donald Trump has promised to begin lifting anti-immigrant wall

The Mexican minister also identified several American states that are dependent on exporting goods across the southern border, such as Iowa, Texas and Wisconsin. Previously, Donald Trump has promised to soon begin lifting anti-immigrant wall, so much earlier than it was scheduled.

The US administration said they would begin to accept plans for the construction of the border wall with Mexico next month. Also, the Border Protection agency said that will require to the companies, starting March 6, to submit plans and submit prototypes for the wall structure.

A short list of the best proposals will be made until March 20, and the finalists will present an estimated cost for the raising of the wall on the border between the United States and Mexico.

A company could receive up to mid-April the contract for the raising of the wall, and the construction could begin immediately.

Trump would oblige the Mexicans to pay anti-immigrant wall raising

The President Donald Trump promised that he would oblige the Mexicans to pay anti-immigrant wall raising, which could cost up to 21.5 billion dollars, according to the estimates of the Department of Homeland Security.

Trump said that he will introduce a custom duty of 20% on imports of Mexican products in the United States.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has signaled that he will find some ways to destroy the Islamic State, emphasizing that foreign terrorists won`t strike America if they can`t get in America.
The Trump administration is considering whether to plunge more resources and troops into the United States longest war  Afghanistan  as some of the presidents top generals are calling for. The issue pits President Trumps commitment to end nation-building against his promise to stamp out terrorism in a conflict where a clear U.S. strategy is sorely lacking.





After more than 15 years of U.S. fighting, the war is at a crossroads. The Afghan national security forces are on their heels. The government is asking the United States and its NATO partners to help it go on offense against the Taliban, which has been taking territory with the help of Pakistan, Iran and

. The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John W. Nicholson, has publicly testified that he wants 

 more troops there. He also says there is a need for a more holistic review of the mission.





As Defense Secretary Jim Mattis

to the White House, debate has renewed in Washington on whether the United States is throwing good money after bad in Afghanistan. But as far as the Afghan government is concerned, theres really no safe alternative.





The Taliban, while they may not be directly planning direct attacks on U.S. territory, they provide the environment for all kinds of terrorist groups to operate,

, Afghanistans ambassador to Washington, told me. If we allow any terrorist group to succeed, it doesnt matter what terrorist group, it emboldens all of them.





Theres an immediate need for equipment and personnel, he said, before the start of the summer fighting season, which is sure to be bloody. If thousands more U.S. troops arrive, they would serve in an advise-and-training role, not direct combat. But the idea is to embed them in Afghan units, placing them closer to the fighting.





The Afghan government is also asking for helicopters, special forces gear and intelligence assistance to fill urgent shortfalls. For example, the Afghan militarys fleet of Russian helicopters is mostly

, in part because of a lack of spare parts as a result of U.S. sanctions against Russia.





Arbitrary political limits make it harder to accomplish the mission, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Tex.) told me. It is equally important that the president make the public case for our continued presence in Afghanistan. . . . President Obama never made that case, and our mission suffered for it.





The generals supporting the plan could strengthen their case by getting NATO allies to make human and financial commitments up front. That would address Trumps criticism that NATO doesnt do counterterrorism and

its fair share. The generals might also argue that Afghanistan is a natural long-term partner for the regional fight against terrorism, which is not going away soon.





Experts mostly agree, though, that surging resources to bolster the Afghan security forces is a stopgap measure at best. Without a comprehensive strategy that deals with Pakistans insistence on providing support and

,

no gains are sustainable. A new strategy also must include a plausible path to return to negotiations to end the conflict. For now, the Taliban doesnt feel enough pressure to compromise.




The biggest news story over the weekend was involving President Donald Trump and his executive order to ban Muslim refugees from entering the United States from select countries in the Middle East. After Sen. John McCain and Sen. Lindsey Graham repudiated Trump's order, the president quickly lashed out on Twitter.

Trump on Twitter

On Friday, Donald Trump put pen to paper in the Oval Office and signed the aforementioned executive order restricting immigration from seven Middle Eastern countries. In response, backlash quickly followed, with various protests taking place around the country in various airports where Muslims were being detained by authorities.

Two Republicans who have been critical of Trump at times are John McCain and Lindsey Graham, who released a joint statement where they agreed the executive order in question will become a "self-inflicted wound" that will only help recruit for Islamic terrorist groups. As seen on his Twitter account on January 29. Trump is not happy.

The joint statement of former presidential candidates John McCain & Lindsey Graham is wrong - they are sadly weak on immigration. The two...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017

...Senators should focus their energies on ISIS, illegal immigration and border security instead of always looking to start World War III.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017

As expected, Donald Trump was not pleased with the remarks made by the two senators, and voiced his frustration on social media.

"The joint statement of former presidential candidates John McCain & Lindsey Graham is wrong - they are sadly weak on immigration," Trump wrote on his Twitter account on Sunday afternoon. "The two Senators should focus their energies on ISIS, illegal immigration and border security instead of always looking to start World War III," he continued in a follow-up tweet.

John McCain and Lindsey Graham condemn Donald Trumps executive order https://t.co/OKbHj07AIS pic.twitter.com/dtfHRkTCju  The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) January 29, 2017

In the statement that caused Trump's anger, it reads in part, "We are particularly concerned by reports that this order went into effect with little to no consultation with the Departments of State, Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security." The senators blasted the White House for "such a hasty process" in rushing their executive order, stating that it "risks harmful results."

Moving forward

On Saturday night, a federal judge ordered a temporary stay in regards to the "Muslim ban," after two of the men who were detained at Kennedy International Airport contacted the ACLU and filed a lawsuit. As press time, protests are continuing to take place, though the Donald Trump administration doesn't appear to be backing down.
The most controversial aspect of the first week of Donald Trump in the White House has been his executive order banning Muslim refugees from entering the United States. After a lawsuit was filed, a federal judge has made a major decision.

Trump hit back

On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that restricted entry into the United States from select Muslims countries in the Middle East. On Saturday morning, Kennedy International Airport in New York detained multiple people while following through with the aforementioned executive order.

Two of the detainees were from Iraq, with one having previously worked for the United States government as a contractor overseas. The two men, Hameed Khalid Darweesh and Haider Sameer Abdulkhaleq, contacted the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and filed a lawsuit against Trump and the White House. As reported by Mother Jones on January 28, a federal judge has pushed back against the executive order.

Dale Ho, the director of the ACLU Voting Rights Project, took to his offical Twitter account to announce the news. "We won," Ho tweeted, while confirming, "Stay is national." In addition, Jackie Vimo of the National Immigration Law Center quoted the judge on her own Twitter feed.

Stay is national  Dale Ho (@dale_e_ho) January 29, 2017

"Judge: I don't think it's unduly burdensome to ask for a list....nobody is being removed under this class," the first tweet read.

In a follow-up message, Vimo quoted the judge once again, writing, "The whole point of this hearing is to preserve the status quo. If this had been two days ago we wouldn't be here." In the short-term, it appears like a victory for those opposing the Muslim ban, but it's unknown how long it will last.

Judge "The whole point of this hearing is to preserve the status quo. If this had been two days ago we wouldnt be here."  Jackie Vimo (@JackieVimo) January 29, 2017

Judge Donnelly "The stay is granted!"  Jackie Vimo (@JackieVimo) January 29, 2017

Next up

The last 24 hours have turned American politics upside down.

Protests took place on Saturday once the news broke of airports detaining immigrants returning from the Middle East, as social media exploded in opposition. As of press time, Donald Trump and the White House have not yet responded to the judge's stay, though it's expected that a statement will be released shortly. Hours before the judge's announcement, Trump spoke to reporters in the Oval Office, and said everything was going "very nicely" in regards to his executive order.
Over the last 48 hours, the top story that has dominated the news cycle has been over Donald Trump and his executive order that restricts Muslim refugees into the United States. Backlash quickly followed, with some Republicans even speaking out against the alleged "Muslim ban."

McCain on Trump

During the year and a half that he was on the campaign trail, Donald Trump vowed to come down hard on Islamic terrorist groups in an attempt to prevent the spread of extremism into the country. On Friday, just a week after taking the oath of office, Trump had signed multiple executive orders dealing with a variety of issues.

One of the issues at hand was the aforementioned executive order that restricted immigration from seven different countries in the Middle East. When some Muslims were detained at airports around the country on Saturday, massive protests quickly broke out in opposition. As seen on the January 29 edition of "Face the Nation" on CBS, Arizona Sen. John McCain has decided to speak out.

"I think the affect [of the latest immigration EOs] will probably, in some areas, give ISIS some more propaganda." -@SenJohnMcCain pic.twitter.com/jJI3D3axCn  Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) January 29, 2017

Joining host John Dickerson was Sen. John McCain who broke away from Donald Trump and the White House's recent executive order.

"I think the effect will probably in some areas give ISIS some more propaganda," McCain told Dickerson on Sunday morning.

#BREAKING: McCain and Graham: Trump's "hasty" immigration ban may be "self-inflicted wound" in terrorism fight https://t.co/VYPSP8OyV8 pic.twitter.com/D9q4IrS8cV  The Hill (@thehill) January 29, 2017

John McCain, who is also the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, also expressed his concern that the "Muslim ban" will have an impact on translators who have assisted the military.

"What about the Iraqi pilots training in Tucson, Ariz. learning to fly the F-16? McCain wondered, admitting that he was "very concerned" about the recent decisions. In addition, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham has also spoken out against Trump's action.

Next up

As protests were taking place at various locations in the United States on Saturday night, a federal judge ordered a temporary "stay," which limits the executive order put in place by President Donald Trump.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the administration on behalf of two Iraqi detainees who were stopped at Kennedy International Airport over the weekend. On Sunday morning, Trump defended himself from the criticism by ranting on Twitter. As of press time, the Trump administration doesn't appear willing to change course, though they have pushed back their restriction of banning green card holders.
Former President #George W Bush critiqued President Trump on Monday, claiming a difference in opinion with the President's attitude to immigration and the press. He also said that any exchange between the Trump administration and Russia needs to be investigated as a matter of civic recourse.

In a television interview on the Today show, Mr. Bush, promoting his new book of paintings, suggested that the alleged contacts between #Russia and Trump's campaign employees warranted examination and clarification. This, after President Trump fired his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, for concealing critical information about his call with Russias ambassador to the US.

Mr Bush said that we all need answers, and that he would be comfortable deferring to Senator Richard Burr, Republican of North Carolina about how best to conduct such an #important investigation. Bush praised Senator Bur, also a chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee as a really good guy", and "an independent thinker," adding that he'd trust Burr's recommendations on a special prosecutor for the Russia-Trump matter.

Like many in his family, a mainstay of elite politics in the US, Bush showed no support for #Mr Trump during his campaign against Hillary Clinton, but he kept quiet on his own views and held tight to his belief that he shouldn't criticize any new president. He even congratulated Trump when he won and was seen standing front and nearly center at the inauguration last month, but his comments on Monday highlighted that he had serious differences in opinion with the Republican partys present commander in chief.

His views on the treatment of the press

Careful not to mention #Donald Trump by name, Mr Bush was critical of the presidents views on the fake news media being the enemy of the American people.

He told Today host Matt Lauer that he believed the media are absolutely crucial to #democracy. We need the media to hold people like me to account.

I mean, power can be very addictive and it can be corrosive and its important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power, whether it be here or elsewhere.

Bush also hinted that President Trump's deployment of combative language made it more difficult to ask and persuade authoritarian leaders like #Russia's President Putin to encourage and allow a free press.

It's hard, he said, to tell others to have what amounts to "an independent free press when were not willing to have one ourselves, he added.

Mr Bush tempered his #indirect criticism of Trump with reminders that the first month of office is a difficult time, and not a long enough time to make a judgment on the overall tone of a presidency. Secondly, I think you have to take the man for his word that he wants to unify the country, and well see whether hes able to do so.

Since leaving the #White House, Mr Bush has spent his time painting and serving ex-military vets in order to express his gratitude to his country. Told by a friend that Winson Churchill took up painting when he was no longer the Prime Minister, Bush was inspired to do the same.

Tolerance and inclusivity encouraged

Mr Bush also advocated for acts and attitudes of tolerance when speaking about the temporary travel ban for those from seven Muslim countries. When he was president, Mr. Bush visited mosques after the #September 11 attacks and was careful to impart to the people that America was not at war against Islam. Asked whether he supported a ban on any Muslim people, he said that he supports a welcoming and inclusive immigration policy that also upholds the law.

Speaking of religious and spiritual tolerance and #diversity, he said that it is important to recognize that one of the country's biggest strengths is our ability to worship how we want or not at all. I mean the bedrock of our #freedom  a bedrock of our freedom is the right to worship freely.
In the first big test after the election of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States, Democrat Stephanie Hansen, an attorney and former president of the New Castle County Council, scored a big victory in a Special Election in Delaware on Saturday by a margin of 58-42 percent, thus ensuring Democrats will maintain control of the Delaware state Senate. Ms. Hansen handily defeated her Republican opponent, realtor John Marino.

Ms. Hansen was not alone in her "grassroots" campaign, having been joined in the campaign by over 1,000 volunteers.

Many volunteers came from outside the state of Delaware. Volunteer Nicholas Sewitz, for example, traveled from Brooklyn to canvass for Hansen according to the Huffington Post. The victory is a cause for optimism for the newly-elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Tom Perez.

Voter turnout was extraordinary for an ordinary special state election

The turnout for the special election was extraordinarily high and a reflection of a larger surge in civic engagement among Americans, due to the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States. It was also due to volunteers like Nicholas Sewitz traveling from long distances. The margin of victory was also significant and has buoyed the hopes of Democrats everywhere.

She also got a little help from a friend, Delaware native, and former Vice President Joe Biden.

How a Delaware state Senate campaign attracted more than 1,000 volunteers https://t.co/aKZGrgZevA @gretelkauffman pic.twitter.com/buPJpZAtFH  CS Monitor (@csmonitor) February 27, 2017

The Daily Kos Special Elections reports that a "new trend" is emerging as nationwide there have been six legislative special elections so far pitting a Democrat against a Republican.

Democrats have fared very well since Election Day. And the future is brightening. The Daily Kos community supported her campaign with $53,000 from 4,974 donations, another sign of a "grassroots" campaign.

The @DailyKos community gave over $53,000 to @HansenforSenate in 4,974 donations, an avg. of $10.66. Super excited about this win!  Daily Kos Elections (@DKElections) February 26, 2017

Big test will come in Georgia

The big test will come on April 18 in Georgia's 6th Congressional District, a heavily Republican area, vacated by former Congressman Tom Price, who is now the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

If no candidate wins the majority of the vote in the first round, the top two finishers advance to a second ballot set for June 20.

A victory by a Democrat in the first round would most certainly become a boon for them. The Democrats are optimistic about Jon Ossoff's chances, with the money, the drive, and the backing of Civil Rights icon Rep. John Lewis.
One controversy that has not gotten as much attention in regards to the Donald Trump administration has been the botched raid in Yemen that resulted in the death of a United States Navy SEAL. After William "Ryan" Owens was killed in the raid, his father, Bill Owens, spoke out against the president, forcing Trump to address the issue in recent days.

Trump on Yemen raid

Earlier this year, a mission took place in an attempt to attack al-Qaeda members with the hope of extracting important information about the group in question. While 14 al-Qaeda members were killed, as many as 30 civilians also lost their lives, with Owens not coming home alive.

In response, Donald Trump and the White House labeled the mission a "success," which quickly resulted in backlash, including from Arizona Sen. John McCain, who spent time as a POW during the Vietnam War. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer also came under fire last week, when he appeared to dismiss the criticisms of Owen's father, who referred to the raid as "stupid." During a February 28 interview with "Fox and Friends" on Fox News, Trump elaborated further.

Watch Trumps response when asked about the father of slain SEAL William Ryan Owens, who died in the Yemen raid pic.twitter.com/lOrAx6KAdz  Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) February 28, 2017

"This was something that was, you know, they (military generals) wanted to do," Donald Trump told Fox News host Steve Doocy during a Tuesday morning interview.

"They came to see me, they explained what they wanted to do, the generals, who are very respected," Trump continued, before adding, "My generals are the most respected that weve had in many decades, I believe. And they lost Ryan."

They lost Ryan: Trump blames his own generals for Yemen raid that killed Navy SEAL https://t.co/h4uCyy5oTl pic.twitter.com/Zr55Zk6tLj  Raw Story (@RawStory) February 28, 2017

Donald Trump went on to praise the family, while saying that he understands why Bill Owens didn't want to meet with him because there is "nothing worse" than losing a child.

In closing, the billionaire real estate mogul once again deflected back to the generals, and said that current Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis told him that the Yemen raid was a "very successful mission."

Moving forward

After just over five weeks in the White House, Donald Trump has been forced to deal with a constant cloud of controversy that has hovered over his administration. As the president prepares to deliver his first speech in front of a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, all eyes will be on what Trump says about his plans for the future.
President Donald Trump has made it clear that he's not a fan of the mainstream media. While Trump has many targets in the press that he aims for, the New York Times appears to be the first on his hit list.

Trump on the Times

Starting early on in his campaign for president, Donald Trump built up a wall between himself and the mainstream news media. From the moment he announced his candidacy to the day he was sworn into office, the former host of "The Apprentice" has created a rift between both sides that doesn't look to be improving anytime soon. In recent weeks, the news media has pushed hard against the administration, taking issue with many of his policies, including his executive order, known as the "Muslim ban," to his recent budget proposal that calls for increasing military spending by over 10 percent.

Last Friday, Trump addressed attendees at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where he ripped into the media, labeling many "fake news." Hours later, a long list of credible and well-respected news outlets were banned from covering the press briefing at the White House, which included the New York Times. During an exclusive interview with the right-wing publication Breitbart News, the president elaborated on his issues with the paper and the press.

'The Intent Is So Evil and So Bad': Trump Complains About New York Times in Breitbart Interview https://t.co/eJBUGLzcrP pic.twitter.com/t3z3HBnEYp  Mediaite (@Mediaite) February 27, 2017

"They take the word fake out and all of a sudden its like Im against....there are some great reporters like you," Donald Trump said to Breitbart News reporter Matthew Boyle.

Trump explained that he wasn't speaking about "great honorable reporters," noting, "I was talking about the fake media, where they make up everything there is to make up."

Trump to Matt Boyle "I didnt say the media is the enemy  I said the fake media." https://t.co/SLFBwbguYo  Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) February 28, 2017

"Its also intent," Donald Trump went on to say, in reference to the New York Times.

"If you read the New York Times...the intent is so evil and so bad," the president explained, while adding, "The stories are wrong in many cases, but its the overall intent." Not stopping there, Trump once again referred to the newspaper as the "failing New York Times," before attacking reporter Michael Barbaro, who originally broke the story a woman who claimed to be sexually assaulted by Trump in the past.

"He shouldnt be allowed to be a reporter because hes not objective," Trump said of Barbaro, The commander in chief then addressed himself in the first person, saying that Barbaro is "full of hatred of Donald Trump."

Next up

After five weeks in the White House, the division between Donald Trump and the media appears to have reached an all-time low. While it's unknown if there relationship can bounce back, neither side has shown sides of compromise at any point in the near future.
The biggest story surrounding the 2016 presidential election has been what impact Russia had on Donald Trump becoming president. While Trump denies any wrongdoing or ties back to the Kremlin, many are calling for an investigation into the issue, including former President George W. Bush.

Bush on Trump

During his campaign for president, Donald Trump made it clear that he wasn't going to behave like other candidates before him. Trump made it a habit by attacking all of his political opponents in a way that was never seen before, while also targeting the media, celebrities, and other foreign leaders.

Whether it was on a debate stage or on his his Twitter account, the former host of "The Apprentice" made it a point that he wasn't going to hold back his thoughts. However, Trump never said a bad word about Russian President Vladimir Putin, which raised even more questions when it was revealed that Russia hacked into the Democratic National Committee in favor of the GOP candidate. As reported by The Hill on February 27, even George W. Bush wants to get to the bottom of whether or not Trump has a link back to Russia.

Joining NBC host Matt Lauer on the "Today" show on Monday morning, George W. Bush broke with the administration and his party and announced his support to find answers on whether or not Donald Trump and Russia have a relationship together.

"I think we all need answers," Bush explained. "I'm not sure the right avenue to take. I am sure, though, that that question needs to be answered," he continued.

Bush on media

George W. Bush then broke with the White House on another issue, this time offering his defense of the news media and a free press. "We need an independent media to hold people like me to account," Bush explained, while adding, "Power can be very addictive and it can be corrosive." Not stopping there, the former president went on to describe the news media as "indispensable to democracy."

George W. Bush: The media is essential to democracy https://t.co/wxGHQfc3aw pic.twitter.com/WJzJuA8qyr  The Hill (@thehill) February 27, 2017

The former president's remarks are a stark difference than what Donald Trump has said, who has only increased his war of words with the media in recent days.

After smearing the media during his speech at CPAC on Friday, the president went on to ban several news outlets from covering a press briefing at the White House, including, but not limited to, the BBC, the New York Times, CNN, and the Los Angeles Times.
The scientific paper "A Geophysical Planet Definition published by Planetary and Lunar Science, has brought the categorization of the moon, Pluto, and a few other bodies in space into question. Part of the team responsible for this study is Alan Stern.

Stern was part of NASAs New Horizons mission that flew by Pluto back in July of 2015. The argument in favor of reclassification rests on the theory that the geophysics of a body should determine whether or not is labeled as a plant. As of now, a orbit around our Sun is what makes a planet.

Justice for Pluto

Back in 2006, scientists demoted Pluto to a trans-Uranian dwarf planet against popular opinion. Stern's mission with the New Horizons mission was to fly by Pluto. He was furious when the decision for demotion was passed down. The rest of the world mourned the loss of Pluto as well.

Many people still have a difficult time coping with just 8 planets in the Solar System after having used "My Very Energetic Mother Just Served Us Nine Pies" or some other version of a mnemonic device (memory aid). After much news this week in the world of astronomy, the moon may be reclassified, and Pluto may become a planet again.

The History of the Moon

This is not the first time that people have thought that the moon is a planet.

Greek and medieval European astronomers believed that it was already a planet. Astronomers took a special interest the study of the moon. They discovered "tidal locking" which is when a body in space always faces in the same direction. Aristotle came in with a different theory. He was able to show that the moon could not move of rotate.

He argued that it looks like it's moving when really it is simply being carried by Earth.

Other scientists counter with the notion that moons should be closer to their planet, while the moon is not as close to Earth as some of the other planets' moons. In 1543, Copernicus published Heliocentric Astronomy which demoted the moon from its former planetary status. As of now, no decision has been made about the reclassification of the moon nor Pluto.
U.S. Coast Guard officials say one of its cutters has seized $125 million worth of cocaine from a fishing trawler off the coast of South America -- the biggest maritime seizure of drugs on the Atlantic Ocean in nearly 30 years.

Coast Guard officials say 4.2 tons of cocaine were found on a 70-foot fishing vessel called the Lady Michelle after the Cutter Joseph Napier intercepted the vessel off the coast of the country of Suriname on the night of Feb. 16. Suriname is a sparsely-populated country of vast jungles in northeastern South America, north of Brazil and between Guyana and French Guyana.

The U.S. State Department says because of its isolated jungles and weak border controls drug traffickers are able to move drug shipments into, through and out of Suriname with little fear of being caught.

Largest drug seizure in the Atlantic since 1999

But on this particular night four suspected drug smugglers on board the Lady Michelle were caught and numerous bales of cocaine crammed into the vessel were seized. Officials say its the largest maritime drug seizure in the Atlantic since 1999. The Coast Guard did not release the names of the four smugglers, but say theyre all from Guyana. The four smugglers are expected to be prosecuted in U.S. federal court.

As the cocaine flow from South America continues to increase, law enforcement partners in the Eastern Caribbean Region have to increase our collaborative efforts in order to effectively respond to the threat, James Doby, Assistant Special Agent in Charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration said in a statement released after the drugs were offloaded in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Monday.

Bust follows other major drug seizures

The bust comes after several Coast Guard cutters returned to their ports in December with a combined haul of nearly $800 million worth of cocaine seized from vessels in the waters of the Caribbean and off the coast of South America. Also in January, a U.S. Border Customs and Border Protection patrol plane teamed up with a U.S.

Navy patrol ship and a Coast Guard law enforcement detachment to intercept and seize a go-fast boat that was crammed with an estimated $30 million worth of cocaine off the coast of the Dominican Republic.
President Donald Trump, who announced that he is shunning the White House Correspondence Dinner in late April, and his wife Melania, hosted their first White House ball on Sunday, hosting the nation's governors. The event, which is dubbed the Annual Governor's Ball, is an annual soiree in celebration of the nation's governors and their families. Trump's much-publicized ball coincided with the Oscars. Upon being questioned about that, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer stated that he was certain that despite the attention that the Oscars engender, that both Trump and Melania will "focus" their attention on the Governor's Ball.

Trump's insulting joke to Governors

Speaking to 46 of the nation's governors who attended the annual ball, Trump tried to pass an ill-fated joke that appeared awkward at best. Donald Trump joked to the governors: "What an easy job you have," (The Washington Post, 2/26/17). Although Trump did not explicitly state the meaning of the joke, it appeared to be that his job as President is extremely difficult in comparison to that of the nation's governors.

Perhaps Trump forgot about Jerry Brown's mounting problems with flooding, overflowing dams, and citizens who have suddenly become homeless because their homes have been washed away by rivers that are overflowing their banks. Jerry Brown, who is in his fourth term as Governor of California, did not attend the White House gala event.

Brown is mired in an ongoing dispute with the Trump Administration over Trump's immigration ban, which has been put on hold by a federal court restraining order. The restraining order was upheld by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

First Lady: No politics, please

Melania Trump greeted the governors and expressed the fact that she was "proud to invite all the governors to the White House for this important event," (The Washington Post, 2/26/17).

The First Lady then requested that the attendees leave "political labels and partisan interests behind," (The Washington Post, 2/26/17). Whether or not the guests complied was not immediately known; however, the President changed Melania's "no politics" agenda as soon as he took to Twitter a few hours later.

In his tweet, Trump stated, "Much to be discussed, including healthcare."

Big dinner with Governors tonight at White House. Much to be discussed, including healthcare.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 26, 2017

No mention of female governors

President Trump welcomed the male governors "and their wives and daughters." He made no mention of the female governors and their husbands. As of January 2017, 40 women have served or are serving as governors in America's 241-year history. Two current female governors are Gina Raimondo, (D, R.I.), and Kate Brown, (D, Ore.). Trump also did not mention the governors' sons; although it is unknown if any sons attended the gala event.

Trump ordered to release names

Meanwhile, President Trump has been ordered to release the names of the immigrants that his administration detained before the federal courts put a restraining order on the ban. The Trump Administration initially claimed that 109 immigrants were detained; however, more recent figures have indicated that over 700 immigrants were detained.

But this did not stop "the Donald" from drinking a toast to America's governors. Sparkling water doesn't quite have the shimmering glitter of champagne, but it will do for now.
The political climate is hotting up in Washington. The Russian bogey refuses to die and every now and then it is resurrected. This is a clear pointer that Donald is skating on thin ice. One hopes it is not the lull before the gathering storm as a GOP lawmaker Darrell Issa asks for an impartial inquiry into allegations that Donald's campaign team was in contact with Russian intelligence during the elections. Darrell claims that he supported Donald during the last election. He also claims that the Attorney General Jeff Sessions is his friend. Despite this, Darrell is clear that there is a need for an investigation and it should not be conducted by Jess Sessions.

He would like the investigation to be conducted by a special prosecutor. He has stated " You're are going to need to use the special prosecutor's statute...not just recuse. You can't give it to your deputy. That's a political appointee"

Donald under pressure

Donald is under pressure. He may not show it but pressure has a subtle effect and Donald will be well aware that the knives are out for him. Adding to the pressure are the frequent programs on television regarding the hacking of the election by the Russians and the supposed contacts of Donald's team with the Russians. This is not yet proved but many are asking for an investigation. The White House has realized the danger and has reached out to GOP members of the senate.

Darrell Issa

Darrell tries to sound even-handed when he says that there may be no wrongdoing on the part of Donald's team. yet he goes on to add "there may or may not be a fault, but the American people...are beginning to understand that Putin murders his enemies". By giving such statements the intention is to put Donald under pressure.

Many other lawmakers share the concern expressed by Darrell Issa.

Last word

The intelligence agencies are carrying out their own investigation, but so far nothing substantial has been revealed. The White house had requested the Intelligence agencies to say the report of contacts was incorrect and nothing substantial had come to light.

This request has been turned down. This incident does show that Donald is under pressure. In the tense atmosphere, he has to accept the exit of general Flynn and appoint a man who is acceptable to his critics led by senator McCain.
The 89th annual Academy Awards took place on Sunday night, and as expected, President Donald Trump was used as a punching bag for political humor at various points during the evening. After one award winner refused to attend due to Trump's "Muslim ban" executive order, a speech was read in place of his acceptance, which didn't go over well with right-wing firebrand Tomi Lahren.

Tomi triggered

It's no secret that President Donald Trump is not viewed in a positive light by the majority of Hollywood celebrities. Trump and his supporters have returned the favor, accusing the more liberal Hollywood of being "elitist" who push their political views on Americans who want no part of them.

At the Academy Awards, Iranian director Asghar Farhadi won the Oscar for best foreign film, but was not in attendance to accept. Instead, Farhadi had Anousheh Ansari, the first women from Iran to travel to space, accept on his behalf, where he criticized Trump over his alleged targeting of Muslims. In response, Trump supporters were not pleased, which was evident during the February 27 edition of "Final Thoughts" on the Blaze TV with Tomi Lahren.

"Last night the Hollywood elite arrived at the Oscars ready to lecture us about how bad they think our president is," Tomi Lahren said about the Academy Awards to open her "Final Thoughts" segment. "The real treasure of the night was listing to a written statement from an Iranian director about how President Trump's temporary travel ban disrespects his people," Lahren stated, before sarcastically adding, "a lecture on tolerance and inhuman laws from an Iranian, that's rich."

Asghar Farhadi, who did not attend the #Oscars, in statement following his win for Best Foreign Language Film: pic.twitter.com/t2k8NwLtmO  ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017

"In the Islamic Republic of Iran, his homeland, gays are executed, press freedom is non existent, government opponents are imprisoned or murdered, women are burned in acid attacks, and children are subjected to the death penalty," Tomi Lahren pointed out.

"You know you are doing something 'positive' when the Iranian government applauds your actions," she continued, before stating, "That would be Iran, a state-sponsor of terror. A state-sponsor of terror that was included in the Obama administration's watch-list."

When Iranians start lecturing the USA on human rights...okay. https://t.co/uXgoelmUAz  Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) February 28, 2017

Not stopping there, Tomi Lahren continued to rip into Farhadi's statement, as well as the Hollywood star's acceptance of its contents.

"If the desire to keep American's safety disrespects your people more than the human right's violations of your own beloved government, you are truly living in 'La La Land,'" Lahren said, before calling on Farhadi to boycott the entire United States. "The fact that you so arrogantly believe that Americans should compromise their safety and security to save your feelings is amazing to me," she continued, before later concluding, "Luckily, we have a president, richer than all of you, who still cares about the average American."

Moving forward

As Tomi Lahren and other supporters of Donald Trump continue to stand in opposition to Hollywood and the alleged "liberal elitists," the divide in the United States only continues to widen. With the Academy Awards now in the past, it doesn't appear that common ground will be found anytime soon.
Visitors to a high-tech expo in Shenzhen examine nuclear power station models at the booth of China General Nuclear Power Corp. [Photo/Xinhua]

State-owned nuclear giant China General Nuclear Power Corp, the country's largest nuclear operator, listed its applied nuclear science and technology assets on the A-share market on Monday, cashing in on the country's trillion-dollar industry, the company said.

The corporation's reverse merger partner, the State-owned company China Dalian International Economic and Technical Cooperation Group Co Ltd, will be officially renamed as CGN Nuclear Technology Development Co Ltd, according to Huang Xiaofei, spokesman of the corporation.

Under the deal, China Dalian International spent 4.2 billion yuan ($645 million) to acquire shares of seven companies held by CGNNT, while it has also raised another 2.8 billion yuan through private placements, the corporation said.

Zhang Jianfeng, general manager of CGNNT, said the company aims to lead the domestic market in applied nuclear science and technology through the listing.

"Applied nuclear science in developed countries has formed a massive industrial chaincovering industry, agriculture, medical health, food safety, environmental protection, resource exploration and security," he said

"The industry in China, on the other hand, has great potential for further development as it has been less tapped compared with developed countries such as the US."

The listing also comes at a time when China, the world's largest energy consumer, has plans to export its homegrown nuclear technology.

The UK government has started an assessment of CGN's plan to build a nuclear power plant at Bradwell in southeastern England in January, which would be the first full nuclear project in a developed market to use a Chinese design.

Experts said applied nuclear technology related to nuclear power, from medical linear accelerators to isotope and radioactive sources, will boost a trillion-dollar market.

Xu Yuming, deputy director of the China Nuclear Energy Association, said: "Applied nuclear science and technology can be widely used in industries like agriculture, medicine and other aspects, and based on that it is believed CGN has great potential in the sector."

CGN remains China's largestand the world's fifth-biggestnuclear operator with 19 nuclear power units in operation and an installed capacity of 20.38 GW by the end of 2016.

Its total annual nuclear on-grid power generation was roughly 115.58 billion kWh in 2016, an increase of 30.8 percent compared with last year, which is equivalent to a reduction of coal consumption of 37 million metric tons and carbon dioxide emissions of 90 million tons and sulfur dioxide emissions of 880,000 tons, it said.

Xu He contributed to the story.
Perceptions of World War II in the Asia Pacific theatre, for many, equates to genocides, atrocities and crimes Japanese soldiers committed against civilians of neighboring Asian countries, particularly China and Korea.

The collective memory of Chinese and Koreans related to that particular period of history remains a deep scar running down through generations. I can't believe that there are still a handful of Japanese right-wing extremists who habitually deny history, consistently mount offensives worldwide and ultimately try to foil any effort to spread the truth about WWII and honor its victims.

On Saturday, a local committee seeking to erect a comfort woman's statue in April in Atlanta, Georgia, said the Japanese government had sent diplomats to meet with local heavyweights in order to squelch the plan.

At a press conference, the committee said the statue, to be installed at the Center for Civil and Human Rights Museum, is to symbolize Korean victims of wartime sexual slavery.

Japanese Consul General in Atlanta Takashi Shinozuka was reported to have conducted intensive lobbying in local political and business circles after the committee announced its initiative in early February.

He threatened the economic fallout that would take place, citing the many Japanese companies now operating in Atlanta that would ditch the city if the statue were erected.

Korean-American Kim Baek-Kyu, leader of the 25-member committee, said she would push ahead with the statue installation and categorically rejected Japan's warning, saying there was no link between the statue and economic impact. She called it "fabricated."

Atlanta is not the only place where the Japanese government has tried to block memorials or monuments that showcase its war-related atrocities and crimes.

In early February in San Francisco, the municipal government announced that it expected to receive in March a "comfort women" memorial as a gift from an activist group. It's the first-ever memorial to "comfort women" in a major US city.

The statue, which depicts a trio of women with linked hands as a fourth woman looks on, is expected to be installed at St. Mary's Square in Chinatown this year. San Francisco's city board of supervisors in 2015 unanimously approved the project, which was pushed through by retired San Francisco Superior Court judges Julie Tang and Lillian Sing.

The inscription on the statue reads, "This monument bears witness to the suffering of hundreds of thousands of women and girls euphemistically called 'Comfort Women,' who were sexually enslaved by the Japanese Imperial Armed Forces in 13 Asian-Pacific countries from 1931 to 1945.

"Most of these women died during their wartime captivity," the inscription continues. "This dark history was largely hidden for decades until the 1990s, when the survivors courageously broke their silence. They helped move the world to declare that sexual violence as a strategy of war is a crime against humanity for which governments must be held accountable."

Opposition from the Japanese government and members of the Japanese-American community in the Bay Area has been fierce, calling the memorial's message "divisive".

The Japanese right wing tried to kill the project from the beginning by lobbying the San Francisco government at every level. The most prominent objection was from Hirofumi Yoshimura, mayor of Osaka, a sister city of San Francisco, who called the installation "unprecedented".

But San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee pushed back, writing in a Feb 3 letter to Hirofumi: "San Francisco has many public and private memorials that commemorate some of history's darkest moments, as well as call for peace and reconciliation."

The memorial is important because Japan has never formally apologized for the suffering it inflicted on these women. The Atlanta organization stressed the significance of establishing the statue to promote both human rights and as a reminder to never repeat the unfortunate history between the two Asian countries.

"Truth and justice shall prevail," said Ding Yuan, executive vice-president of the Global Alliance for Preserving the History of WWII in Asia, a Cupertino-based human rights organization established in 1994.

Contact the writer at junechang@chinadailyusa.com.
The United States attaches great importance to cooperative relations with China, US President Donald Trump said on Monday in his first meeting with a senior Chinese official since his inauguration last month.

In their meeting at the White House, China's top diplomat, State Councilor Yang Jiechi, conveyed greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Trump, who expressed his gratitude, and asked Yang to return his greetings to his Chinese counterpart, according to a press release from China's Foreign Ministry.

Yang, who is in the US on a two-day visit, said the phone call between Xi and Trump earlier this month is of great significance because it charted the course for the next phase in the development of the Sino-US relationship.

"In line with the spirit of the phone conversation, and following the principles of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, China is willing to ramp up exchanges with the US at high and various levels, expand cooperation and coordination in wide-ranging bilateral areas and on major regional and international issues and respect each other's core interests and major concerns," Yang said.

The efforts are meant to advance China-US relations in a steady and healthy fashion, and to deliver more benefits to the people of the two nations and the world at large, Yang said, according to the release.

Trump said he was glad to have the very important phone conversation with Xi, and the US side highly stressed the importance of cooperative relations with China, according to the release.

Trump also said that China and the US need to strengthen high-level contacts, enhance collaboration in various fields and increase cooperation and coordination in international affairs.

Vice-President Mike Pence and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner also attended the Trump-Yang meeting.

On Monday, Yang also exchanged ideas on Sino-US relations and other issues of mutual interest with senior US officials including Kushner, White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster.

Yang is expected to meet US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday.

A meeting of Xi and Trump will be at the top of the agenda for Yang and US officials, who will discuss when and where the two heads of state will meet, as they said in their phone conversation that they looked forward to a meeting at an early date, Jia Xiudong, a research fellow with the China Institute of International Studies, was quoted by Xinhua as saying on Sunday.

Yang's visit coincides with the 45th anniversary of the historical visit to China in 1972 by President Richard Nixon, whose trip paved the way for the two countries to establish diplomatic relations in 1979.

huanxinzhao@chinadailyusa.com
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi meets with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday in Washington. Yin Bogu / Xinhua

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met on Tuesday, reaffirmed the importance of a constructive bilateral relationship between the two countries and agreed to take further steps to advance it.

Yang said that in line with the consensus reached in a phone conversation between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump earlier this month, China is willing to work with the US to promote steady and healthy development of China-US relations, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Yang met with Trump on Monday, the highest-ranking Chinese official to visit the White House since Trump took office on Jan 20.

"In line with the consensus reached by the two heads of state and following the principles of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, China is willing to ramp up exchanges with the US at high and various levels, expand cooperation and coordination in wide-ranging bilateral areas and on major regional and global issues and respect each other's core interests and major concerns," Yang said, according to the statement.

Tillerson said the US is willing to work with China, to look at bilateral relations from a broader perspective, and strengthen high-level engagement. He said the two sides would expand cooperation in various areas and deal with sensitive issues properly through consultation in order to better develop US-China relations, according to the statement.

In their meeting, Tillerson and Yang affirmed the importance of a constructive bilateral relationship and of regular high-level engagements between the US and China, according to acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner.

"The secretary and the state councilor discussed the importance of improving and maintaining a mutually beneficial economic relationship between the two largest economies in the world," Toner said. "They also discussed areas of mutual concern, including North Korea's nuclear programs."

Toner said Yang invited Tillerson to visit Beijing, and that Tillerson expressed interest in doing so in the near future.

huanxinzhao@chinadailyusa.com
US stocks ended slightly higher on Monday and the Dow closed at a record high for a 12th straight session, as President Donald Trump said he would make a "big" infrastructure statement on Tuesday.

The Dow's streak of record-high closes matches a 12-day run in 1987, with Boeing (BA.N) and UnitedHealth (UNH.N) among the biggest boosts for the Dow on Monday. The S&P 500 also closed at a record high. Energy gave the biggest boost to the S&P 500, with the energy index .SPNY up 0.9 percent.

Trump, who met with state governors at the White House, also said he is seeking what he called a "historic" increase in military spending of more than 9 percent, while he said his administration would be "moving quickly" on regulatory reforms.

The comments came ahead of Trump's first address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday evening. Investors are looking for more specifics on Trump's plans, given the hefty gains in the market since the Nov. 8 election.

"Things are moving along in terms of the Trump agenda, but we'll get a clearer picture after tomorrow night so that might precipitate some buying or selling," said Bucky Hellwig, senior vice president at BB&T Wealth Management in Birmingham, Alabama.

Hellwig and others said there's potentially more upside than downside from the address, given how the market has reacted in recent weeks.

Shares of US defense companies rose after Trump said he would seek to boost Pentagon spending by $54 billion in his first budget proposal.

In its 1987 12-day streak of record-high closes, the Dow rose 9.2 percent compared with just a 3.9 percent gain in the recent record run.

While the S&P 500 is up 10.8 percent since the Nov. 8 election, the pace of the rally has slowed this year.

Trump's promise a few weeks ago of a "phenomenal" tax announcement helped rekindle the post-election rally, driving the main US markets to record highs.

Reuters
UNITED NATIONS - Amina Mohammed, the new deputy UN secretary-general, will formally take office on Tuesday, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here Monday.

"After that, she will speak at the (UN) Economic and Social Council in her first official engagement with that body, followed by a short encounter with the press," Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

Mohammed, who was appointed by Antonio Guterres on Dec 15, 2016 as his deputy, was supposed to assume office on Jan 1, when Guterres took office as the new UN secretary-general.

However, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari requested her to complete some ongoing responsibilities, as the Nigerian minister of environment, that she was handling at that time, thus leading to her delayed move to assume her new role at the United Nations.

The office of the UN deputy secretary-general was formally established by the UN General Assembly in 1997 to handle many of the administrative responsibilities of the secretary-general.

As the fifth deputy secretary-general, Mohammed will help to manage the UN Secretariat operations, and ensure inter-sectoral and inter-institutional coherence of activities and programmes.

She will also support the Secretary-General in elevating "the profile and leadership of the UN in the economic and social spheres, including further efforts to strengthen the UN as a leading centre for development policy and development assistance."

Amina served as UN under-secretary-general and special adviser to former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Post-2015 Development Planning. She was instrumental in bringing about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which serves as the blueprint for the global development efforts for the years between 2015 and 2030.
Revellers celebrate "Ash Monday" by participating in a colourful "flour war", a traditional festivity marking the end of the carnival season and the start of the 40-day Lent period until the Orthodox Easter,in the port town of Galaxidi, Greece, February 27, 2017.[Photo/Agencies]

GALAXIDI, GREECE - Greek villagers staged a street battle on Monday with bags of colored flour in an annual tradition called the Flour War.

The popular event attracts visitors from across the country and overseas to the coastal fishing town of Galaxidi, about 200 km (124 miles) west of Athens.

"Clean Monday" celebrations mark the end of carnival season and the beginning of the Greek Orthodox Lent fast.

"It's an outburst. You let off steam. What else to do?" said participant Efi. "If you are feeling downcast in Athens, the villages, anywhere with this crisis, you come here and let off steam."

Villagers fill hundreds of bags with baking flour, tinted with food coloring, to be used as bombs.

The battle starts with the ringing of cow bells and then the flour flies as participants parade, fire flour bombs and try to douse each other with as much flour as possible.

Anyone who does not wish to be covered can watch from across the village quay. Villagers cover their houses with plastic sheeting and don goggles and plastic suits.

The custom is believed to have originated in 1801 when Galaxidi residents defied the Ottoman rulers occupying Greece by celebrating the forbidden carnival and painting their faces with ash while dancing through the streets.

Reuters
Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross was sworn in as US commerce secretary on Tuesday after helping shape Republican President Donald Trump's opposition to multilateral trade deals.

Vice President Mike Pence administered the oath of office to Ross, 79, a day after the US Senate voted to confirm the corporate turnaround expert's nomination, with strong support from Democrats.

After the swearing in, Ross welcomed the Democratic support and said the vote suggested that "perhaps, finally building America up again may become a bipartisan thing."

Ross is set to become an influential voice in Trump's economic team.

While commerce secretaries rarely take the spotlight in Washington, Ross is expected to play an outsize role in pursuing Trump's campaign pledge to slash US trade deficits and bring manufacturing jobs back to America.

Some Democrats criticized Ross as another billionaire in a Trump Cabinet that says it is focused on the working class and for being a "vulture" investor who has eliminated some jobs. Reuters reported last month that Ross's companies had shipped some 2,700 jobs overseas since 2004.

Reuters
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Safiya Nygaard  Height, Parents & Net Worth Safiya Nygaard is an American YouTuber, writer, content producer, and director who is popular for posting makeup, beauty and fashion videos on YouTube. Her videos regularly top at least one million views, thanks to her lively character as well as her willingness to experiment with outrageous outfits and different beauty products. Here are the things to ...

The Rigors of Sunlen Serfatys Career Journey Until CNN and Fun Facts About Her Personal Life CNN correspondent, Sunlen Serfaty is an Emmy Award-winning journalist known for covering a broad range of breaking news stories, national news, and Washington politics. She has been able to garner widespread recognition for herself which even goes beyond the sphere of her work. Her profile also increased with the extensive work she did in covering ...

Demystifying Jazz Jennings Real Name, Boyfriend & Family Of One The Youngest Transgenders Jazz Jennings is an unusual personality who became famous as a transgender activist and was recorded as the youngest documented public figure to be seen as transgender. She is also a YouTube personality and spokesmodel for brands, her fans, and other transgenders. She fought for acceptance in her high school with her super supportive family for over ...

Inside Fred Armisens Life  Ethnicity, Romantic Relationships and Gay Rumors Fred Armisen is an award-winning American comedian, he is also a writer, an actor as well as a musician. He was a cast member of the legendary comedy show, Saturday Night Live for 13 years and also one of the brains behind the successful satirical show Portlandia. Find out more about this incredibly talented guy ...

Ed and Lorraine Warren Biography: Cases, Kids, and Family Life Have you ever woken up with fear you could not explain, or felt a strange presence that made the hair at your nape rise or even experienced strange occurrences around you? Well, these were some of the promptings that made the well-known paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren delve into trying to explain the ideas ...

Truth About Tony Romos Wife, Kids and Life Since His NFL Retirement Tony Romo grew from the field as a quarterback to the screens as an American Football Analyst. He was a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the richest football league in the world (NFL) before retiring. As a junior, he was honored as an All-Ohio Conference Member, an Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and ...

Who is Brittany Venti, The Controversial Game Streamer and YouTuber? In recent times, many people live stream themselves playing video games. This has become a popular pastime on the internet and many highly skilled gamers have become internet celebrities through this means. However, some of them rather than becoming renowned for their gaming skills and great commentary, have become controversial and infamous. A good example ...

Rob Dyrdeks Family: His Kids And Relationship With Wife Bryiana Noelle Flores A multi-talented star and an elite pro skateboarder, Rob Dyrdeks success story began at a remarkably young age. Yet another proof that schooling doesnt always correlate with success, Rob has established himself not just as a phenomenal sportsman but also as a successful entrepreneur. Besides perfecting his skill as a natural talent on the board, ...

xChocobars  Biography and Everything You Should Know About Her Having distinguished herself and recorded massive successes in an industry notably dominated by men, it is very safe to say that Xchocobars deserves all the attention and cash she makes from her career. A household name on Twitch (a smart live streaming video platform), the online-gamer is popularly known for streaming classic games such as Stardew ...

Everything To Know About Mary Padian, Her Boyfriend and Net Worth Mary Padian is a famous American television reality personality best known for her involvements on the Reality show Storage Wars. She also has her own shop called Mary finds where she displays her antique collections. Since her childhood, Padian has been a creative learner. At the time, she used to create new items out of reusable ones and ...

Betsy Woodruffs Family Life: Is She Married or Related To Bob Woodruff? An old name in the world of journalism, Betsy Woodruff has warmed her way into the hearts of many with her impressive talents. Through hard work, Woodruff has carved a niche for herself in a very competitive field. Betsy has strong family and work values and is also an advocate for equal opportunities for everyone ...

Matpat (Matthew Patrick)  Wife, Height & Net Worth As far as internet business is concerned, Matpat remains one of the most dynamic and seasoned figures. He boasts a wealth of experience that has helped him in growing his business from one level of greatness to another. Like most successful people, MatPat started out small but today, he makes millions of dollars from his ...

Facts About Ricegum  His Girlfriend, Real Name & Net Worth Ricegum is an online gamer and YouTube sensation who ditched college; took advantage of the digital era, and made a name for himself on the internet. Though he began as a gaming YouTuber, Ricegum soon gained recognition as a controversial internet star following his many diss tracks. Here is everything you need to know about the youngster ...

Joy Taylor Once Married MLBs Richard Giannotti  Inside Look At Her Love Life and Family The erosion of the sexist idea that women have no business in sports broadcasting created a host of women celebrities who attained fame outside of modeling and acting. One of them, Joy Taylor, a radio personality and TV host for Fox Sports 1, has been in the industry since 2009, becoming one of the most ...

What To Know About Conan OBriens Wife, Kids & Family Today The name Conan OBrien is one that jumps right at you almost immediately you start talking about the most popular television hosts in the USA and this is no surprise because the man behind that name has risen to become one of the most admired men in the business. Known for hosting the late-night talk ...

David Letterman  Net Worth, Wife & Son In all of American, one man whose face has been seen frequently by late night TV talk show lovers is none but David Letterman. The comedian and TV show veteran has been hosting late night talk shows for more than three decades. His Late Night with David Letterman show began on February 1st, 1982 aired ...

Demystifying Sssniperwolfs Family Background And The Boyfriends Shes Had Since she launched her eponymously named channel in 2013, Sssniperwolf has been on the rise when it comes to video game influencers. She is one of the biggest names in the online gaming subgenre of YouTube videos. Real name Lia Shelesh, she started with Call of Duty: Black Ops II but has diversified with other ...

Lester Holt  Wife, Family & Net Worth Lester Holt is a multiple award-winning journalist, newscaster, reporter, and actor who has worked for notable media houses like WCBS TV, CBS, MSNBC and among others. His remarkable feat in journalism has endeared him to the hearts of many and earned him some awards and recognitions. Read on to get acquainted with his biography, ethnicity, ...

What Is Louis C.K. Doing Now, Where Are His Family And How Much Is His Net Worth? It is not easy to make it in comedy. It takes more than a funny bone and the ability to elicit a few giggles from a listening audience. For all the complexities that go into making a successful career in comedy, Louis C.K, the Washington D.C-born comedian, did it. For years, he was at the ...

The Progression of Hoda Kotbs Career, Her Ancestry and Family Life Hoda Kotb gained fame as a television host and news anchor for NBC. She anchors the shows signature show Today, and it has been an excellent vehicle for her skills in front of a camera. Kotb has won several awards, including Daytime Emmys and Peabody Awards. Simply put, she is one of the most successful ...

Jerry Seinfelds Family: All About The Amazing Comedians Wife and Kids Apparently one of the highly important entertainers in America, Jerry Seinfeld is a man of many talents. A very funny man, he is considered to be one of the most successful comedians in the USA who has been in the business as a professional rib-cracker for more than 40 years. As an actor, he has ...

The Rigors Of Sarah Silvermans Rise To Prominence And Rundown Of The Men She Has Dated A comedian, writer, and actress, Sarah Silvermans art and craft is as unique as you would ever find. Her poignant use of comedy to discuss social issues such as race, sexism, politics, and religion has gained her an impressive following. As unorthodox as her style is, so is her life experiences. She previously suffered from epiglottitis ...

Who Is Hannibal Buress, Does He Have A Wife or Girlfriend & Why Was He Arrested? Making people laugh when they are tense or not in the mood is a tough order and to ply the trade, it must indeed take some guts and expertise, this is what the humor maker, Hannibal Buress has been able to achieve and sustain after his inital teething process. The African-American is a screen writer, stand-up ...

The Success of John Mulaneys Career Efforts Since His Work On Saturday Night Live and Facts About His Wife John Mulaney had been working as a professional comedian for years before Saturday Night Live changed his status for life and like many who are now his fans, you probably did not know of him then. However, that changed when he joined the sketch comedy show in 2008. Since then, he has been one of ...

Jeff Dunham  Wife, Children and Net Worth Ventriloquism is a very subtle method of making an inanimate object (like a puppet, doll or dummy) appear to be saying words which are actually coming from the person (holding the inanimate object). In effect, the individual throws his/her voice to the puppet and can even appear to be having a conversation with it. Not ...

Ellen DeGeneres  Net Worth, Wife  Portia de Rossi & Parents Ellen DeGeneres is an American female standup comedian who has proven that whatever a man can do, a woman can also do. Since her journey as a standup comedian started in 1981, she has held swirl as one of the finest comedians America and the world at large has seen. She is often referred to ...

Revisiting Joan Rivers Death  The Daughter, Husband & Net Worth She Left Behind Joan Rivers was a renowned American comedian, TV host, writer, and actress. Her brand of comedy consisted of scathing one-liners and no individual or topic is spared. She hosted her own talk shows in the 80s and 90s and was a pioneer for women in stand up comedy. She was the first woman to host a late night ...

The Struggles of Margaret Chos Childhood, How It Influenced Her Career Growth and Love Life Margaret Cho is best described as a comic star who knows how to maneuver everything related to life into a rib-cracking joke. She is also known to criticize every social and political problem, especially those involving race and sexuality. Apart from her talents as a comic actress, she does amazingly well as a singer and ...

Where Is Eric Bolling Today? Who Is His Son & What Is His Net Worth? Eric Bolling who was once a notable figure on Fox News, is an American TV personality, an author, and versatile Journalist. As a political and financial analyst/commentator, he anchored discussions bothering on finance for Fox Business Channel. Here is everything there is to know about his career, family, and allegations that led to his exit ...

Who Is Chelsea Handler and Does She Have A Husband or Boyfriend? Chelsea Handler is one of Americas top female comedians. She is also an actress, writer, television host, producer, and activist. She is known to be very outspoken even with things that are very personal. In separate interviews with The New York Times, Handler revealed that she had an abortion twice when she was 16. She has authored five books ...

How Did Laura Lee Achieve Fame, How Much is She Worth and Who is Her Husband? Laura Lee is a popular American YouTuber, make-up artist and beauty blogger. From posting videos of her makeup routines on Instagram, Lee has transformed into a beauty influencer and a YouTube sensation. Today, her YouTube Channel has over 630 million views and 4.5 million subscribers. Asides having millions of followers across all social media platforms, ...

Madison Gesiotto Bio  Ethnicity, Parents & Measurements Madison Gesiotto is no ordinary woman; although she excelled in quite a number of pageants and competitions while she was in school, it is her views on politics and issues in America that has made her name known to most people. She possesses beauty and intelligence in a seemingly equal measure and has been able ...

Who Is Lil Tay? Parents, Brother, Sister, Age, Net Worth, Ethnicity Child stardom is nothing new in the entertainment world. With the advent of social media, we have seen more stars made from the internet than ever before, and Lil Tay is one of them. Her uploaded rap videos trademark is cursing, swearing, cash-throwing, and use of obscene languages. Her fame went wild after she dropped ...

What To Know About Tig Notaros Wife, Kids and Family Today Tig Notaro is an American stand-up comic star, writer, actress, and radio analyst. Since she started her career in 2001, she has become one of Americas best comedians, particularly when it comes to observational comedy. One prominent aspect of her routine involves her family, which includes a wife and two children. Interestingly, Tig Notaro is part ...

Who Is Chantel Jeffries? What To Know About Her Age, Ethnicity & Net Worth Chantel Jeffries is a lady of many talents. Beyond being celebrated as a DJ, she has fared well as a model, an actress, musician, and as an artist. She first rose to fame on Instagram where she has a large following. However, in recent times, she has hit the spotlight for her rumored relationships with some ...

Is Ellen DeGeneres Married, Who Is The Brother  Vance DeGeneres and Family Members? Ellen DeGeneres is one of a kind celebrity in todays world as she has used her wealth for the greater good for many people. She has served a host of famous awards shows like the Grammy, Primetime Emmy and Academy Awards. Moreso, she is probably one of the most decorated entertainment personalities around the world and ...

Carli Bybel Bio  Height, Boyfriend & Net Worth Video blogging is now on the rise and YouTube is the place where most of it happens. If you are a lady who cares about her looks or a guy who likes to help his woman out with her looks, then one person whose name rings a bell when it comes to giving beauty tips ...

Who Is Lexy Panterra? What To Know About Her Ethnicity, Boyfriend & Net Worth Lexy Panterra is one of the YouTube personalities whose breakout came through the Twerk dance videos she posted on her social media handles and YouTube which has so far generated over 13 million views for her. From there on, she created her LexTwerkOut workout program in 2014. She is sure very talented as she as moved ...

Who Is AnneMunition? What Is Her Ethnicity & Does She Have A Girlfriend or Boyfriend? AnneMunition is a professional gamer and content creator of American origin. She is one of the most sought-after streamers on Twitch  a popular online platform for watching and streaming videos, especially video games. AnneMunition has almost half a million followers on Twitch and her channel has accumulated at least 13 million views. Her favorite games ...

Norm MacDonald  Former Wife, Son & Net Worth Recently, 59-year-old former Saturday Night Live stand-up comic Norm MacDonald caused a not-so-funny stir when he expressed his personal opinion about the #MeToo movement speaking in defense of Louis CK and Roseanne Barr. Following the backlash of his actions, he is diligently doing damage control for his questionable opinion by posting a public apology on ...

Inside Iliza Shlesingers Life With Husband and How Much She is Worth Now Witty, spontaneous, and truly humorous, Iliza Shlesinger is an American comedian who is clearly proving that the stereotypical claim that women are not really funny is not only incredibly wrong but completely outrageous. Having been in the game for more than 10 years, Shlesinger has grown bigger with each step, stunning fans with her incredible ...

Who Is Nessa Diab? Details of her Parents, Ethnicity & Relationship With Colin Kaepernick Nessa Diab has gained more fame as the girlfriend of different footballers than in her career. She is currently with the popular National Football League (NFL) player, Colin Kaepernick, and has stood by his side during his most trying times. Also known for her mononym, Nessa, she recently engaged in a tweet battle with the ...

Samantha Bee  Inside the Life of Full Frontal Comedian and Presenter We have over the decades seen various brands of humor and personalities who have walked the ropes. One of the formidable forces in the world of comedy is no other than the iconic Samantha Bee of the Daily Show who now runs her own television show on TBS channel. She is a Canadian-American political commentator, ...

What Happened To Jessica Williamss Boyfriend And Which Are Her Best Works? Jessica Williams is a woman who has a lot of feathers in her cap  and keeps acquiring more. The former senior political correspondent of the comic Daily Show, who is also a comedian and actress whose recent movie appearance include starring as a playwright just recovering from a recent split with her boyfriend, Damon, and ...

Who is Nicole Byer? Here are 5 Facts You Need To Know About The Comedian Nicole Byer, an American comedian, actress, and writer, made a name for herself after she played supporting roles on MTVs prank show Ladylike and the reality show Girl Code. The latter was a series that featured comedians who analyzed in minute details, all the issues that young women deal with daily, from period to dating, to weird friendship dynamics and questions about sex. Currently, ...

A Closer Look At Bart Kwans Ethnicity, Height & Personal Life Bart Kwan is one of few Asians who is known for being successful in the comic industry at an international level. His fame broke out after the YouTube channel which he created with his close pal Joe Jo garnered up massive followings. The talented duo has been running the channel since 2007 and their success ...

Heres How VanossGaming Achieved Fame Online, His Worth and Other Facts About The Gamer For many years, the decision to drop out of college to pursue an online career was considered to be foolish and self-destructive by conventional wisdom. It was no different when Evan Fong, popularly known as VanossGaming, dropped out of college to pursue a YouTube career. However, that radical move paid off, and he stands shoulder to ...

Desi Perkins  Ethnicity, Net Worth & Husband YouTube is littered with videos of makeup tutorials by different people but if you are interested in learning how to do your makeup like a pro, there is just one person on that platform who you must follow. She is none other than Desi Perkins! She is a popular make-up artist, Instagram star, and vlogger. Desi, ...

The Phases of Casey Neistats Pursuits and His Love Story With Candice Pool YouTuber, vlogger, filmmaker, and creator extraordinaire; these are just a few hats that Casey Neistat wears and the story of how he got here is incredible. A native of Connecticut, Neistat started out by making refreshingly-authentic short films and videos that featured content that was based on everyday life and called attention to serious issues. He ...

Connor Franta  Inside The Life of American YouTuber YouTube has produced a lot of young celebrities in modern times and Connor Franta happens to be one of them. Apart from being a YouTuber, the young American is also an entrepreneur, entertainer, and writer. His journey to fame began almost a decade ago when he started a self-named YouTube channel where he uploads content ranging ...

Rhett and Link  Bio, Who are Their Wives, Net Worth and Family Facts Rhett and Link refer to an American comedy duo who are very popular on YouTube. They are known for their comic songs, viral commercials, skits and the daily show, Good Mythical Morning. Good Mythical Morning is the most watched daily show online, averaging 100 million views in a month. The show has featured guests such ...

A Walk Through The Maze of Ryan Higas Career Pursuits And Relationship With Arden Cho Ryan Higa is not only celebrated as a YouTube star, but he is also famed for appearing on television screens as an actor and comedian. Nigahiga, his Youtube channel, has gathered over 20 million subscribers and billions of views with his different comic acts, short films, and music videos uploads. With the rise in his career, ...

What to Know About The Shows That Made Craig Ferguson a Star and His Family Ties Rising to the top of your profession can sometimes be a hard and difficult process. It requires days and nights of working consistently hard to be better than what you were yesterday. It requires not giving up when all of your experiences seem to be pushing you to quit. It is because of these challenges ...

David Dobrik Married Liza Koshy for One Month  Inside His Family and Relationships David Dobrik is a YouTube sensation who has garnered fame not just for his vlogs but his love life too. Given his career as a YouTuber, his channel is one place where he shares his romantic escapades. With a cute boyish look like his, this Slovakian young man is definitely a good catch, and not ...

Merrell Twins Bio  Ethnicity, Parents & Boyfriend One of the beautiful things about modern life is social media. As rudimentary as it might seem, it could turn out to be the greatest thing that would be invented in the next 50 years because of its impact on human life. Very few tools have revolutionized human behavior and culture as much as social ...

Who Is Bunny Meyer, Is She Married & What Is Her Net Worth? Bunny Meyer is a YouTube celebrity who has amassed over 8.8 million subscribers with 1.5 million viewers on her channel. She is popularly known as Grav3yardgirl and is one of the highest-paid YouTubers in the world. She initially started out as a fashion designer and later chose the path of a YouTuber. Grav3yardgirl has used her knowledge on fashion, makeup, ...

Ninja  Inside The Life of The American YouTuber and Internet Personality Ninja is a talented video game player known for his mastery of Fortnite and other seemingly difficult games he plays with ease. The video gamer made a career out of what is ordinarily the hobby of many people and has since then amassed a huge online following. Find out about him here, including the controversies that ...

What Is Eva Gutowskis True Sexuality and How Did She Rise So Fast As an Influencer? Ever since Eva Gutowski joined YouTube in 2011, it has been an interesting journey for her, moving from one milestone to the other. Backed by an army of young women and teenage girl fans known as Evanators, she has risen to become one of the most-talked-about personalities in the digital stratosphere. She has also leveraged ...

Emma Chamberlain Biography  Age, Height & Net Worth Before now, people in the entertainment industry could only achieve popularity after many years of dedication and hard work but since social media came into the scene, massive success and overnight popularity became possible. That is the story of Emma Chamberlain who encountered fame as a fifteen-year-old. Emma is one of the many young people who became ...

Anna Akana  Ethnicity, Boyfriend & Net Worth There is a new crop of YouTubers known by their different contents with a very strong uniqueness that stands every one of them out, some upload video games, some fashion while some others have comedy video contents to showcase on their channels. Anna Akana has used her platform to showcase her comedy contents to the ...

Revealing Truths About Lilly Singhs Ethnic Background, Family and Her Relationship With Yousef Erakat Lilly Singh is an Indian-Canadian YouTube personality, actress, and comedian also known as Superwoman. She kicked off her YouTube career in 2010 with the launch of her channel IISuperwomanII and followed it up with a vlog channel in 2011. This paved the way for her fame and success which led to a world tour. The ...

Who Is Andrea Constand, Is She Married and What Is Her Connection With Bill Cosby? Many people got sexually molested but could not voice out due to the stigma victims suffer and what will become of them thereafter. Very few of the victims danm every consequence to seek justice and bring the perpetrator to the book, like Andrea Constand. She never got any media buzz, not until her friend cum molester; ...

Who Is Lazarbeam (Lannan Eacott)? Here Are Facts You Need To Know Lannan Eacott became a person of interest after his YouTube channel, LazarBeam pulled him to the limelight. Initially, he started with uploads of Madden Challenge videos before deciding to build his own channel in January 2015. Within the space of three years, his YouTube channel had gathered over 7 million loyal subscribers. Today, he has not ...

Puzzling Facts About Wengies YouTube Success and More About Her Fiance Among the many YouTubers who have succeeded in winning the hearts of millions of people is Wengie. She is a Chinese-Australian YouTube personality, vlogger, singer, and voice actress. Wengie is famous for a lot of things, from her simple life hacks, DIYs, craft ideas to fun experiments, tricks and pranks. Her content portfolio also includes hair tutorials, diet & fitness tips, lookbooks, ...

Is Jeffree Star A Billionaire and How Much Does He Make On YouTube? If looks can be deceptive then theres no other person who proves this maxim better than Jeffree Star. A quick look at Stars pictures would likely leave you wondering whether or not to tag him a male or female. But who says being controversial has to be a curse? For Star, his looks have caught ...

The Place of Rosanna Pansinos Career Hats In Her Rise To Fame and Facts About Her Personal Life There are a few phrases that could summarize Rosanna Pansinos rise to fame. None of them can do it better than the famous axiom, no knowledge is lost. Her popularity YouTube comes out of her foray into other professions, specifically acting. Although acting now occupies one of the major professional hats in Rosannas resume, it was ...

Muselk (Elliott Watkins) Biography  Age, Girlfriend and Net Worth The new and best in-thing in terms of career is video gaming and we have over time seen young men and women make massive income from an activity that was purportedly designed to serve as a hobby or a relaxation activity. One of such individuals is the Australian-born YouTube Celebrity and Twitch streamer, Muselk, whose ...

PopularMMOs Biography: 5 Interesting Facts You Need To Know We have over the years seen social media millionaires, especially on the YouTube social platform. These celebrities cum millionaires have made names for themselves after carving out niches on the internet, and a typical example of one of such exciting media personality on the YouTube is American Minecraft gamer and YouTube star, PopularMMOs whose channel ...

Jason Nash Once Married Marney Hochman  What To Know About His Ex-Wife and Kids The now-defunct video-sharing app Vine was the path that led Jason Nash to fame. With it, he built an audience of over two million followers, which he parlayed into a significant YouTube career. That move has seen him become one of the most popular personalities on the internet, with the cash income to go with ...

Where Does Dantdm Live? What Do We Know About His Net Worth, Wife and Brother? Most parents buy video games for their kids to occupy their time leisure, while other parents frown at their kids when they play video games. Despite the disparity, every parent would be proud of their child if he/she eventually turns a celebrity or millionaire through playing video games like Dantdm. Biography of Dantdm Dantdm was born Daniel ...

LaurDIY  Biography: 5 Facts You Need To Know About The YouTuber LaurDIY is the YouTube channel of Lauren Riihimaki which she created on December 1, 2011, when she was still a college undergrad with the sole aim of giving Do It Yourself (DIY) as well as practical fashion and beauty tips to her followers. She has used the channel to establish herself as a YouTube personality ...

Lachlan Ross Power  Bio And Family Life Of Australian The YouTube Star It is amazing the varied sources of income that the internet has made possible in this day and age. Internet fame can get its holder a whole lot of monetary and social benefits, but it must be noted that it does not come easy or cheap. For those who desire fame, content is the sacrifice ...

Alfie Deyes  Bio and Net Worth: Everything You Need To Know Alfie Deyes is one internet personality you definitely would like to know about. He boasts of over 10 million subscribers on three of his YouTube channels and has three bestseller books to his name. He is probably the most renowned young personality on YouTube today and his vlogging empire continues to grow by the day. ...

Colleen Ballingers Love Story With Husband Erik Stocklin and How Much She Is Worth Now Colleen Ballinger is an American comedian and YouTuber who is a very funny, adventurous, and highly talented woman. She is also an actress, singer, and writer. Collen is widely known for her work on YouTube where she posts content on her channel, Miranda Sings. The comedian has gained many subscribers over the years and has ...

Who Are The Dude Perfect Members and How Much Are They Worth? Entertainment in the 21st century can be digested in many forms and with platforms like YouTube, the creators and purveyors of entertainment have been democratized. Today, one of the most popular platforms to exhibit ones creative talents is YouTube, even though there are other platforms like Twitter, Facebook, who suffer in comparison to YouTube because ...

Who Is Rudy Mancuso, What Is His Earning Power and What Do We Know About His Girlfriend? Rudy Mancuso started his internet journey on Vine. He would later transition to YouTube where he solidified his place among the internets most beloved comedic creators. He is now regarded as one of the renowned internet personalities in the world, with a presence in mainstream TV and film projects like Comedy Centrals Drunk History and ...

Vsauce (Michael Stevens) Biography and Net Worth: All You Need To Know The advent of YouTube and the internet as a whole revolutionized how human beings consume information. With each passing year, the percentage of learning that is done in a traditional classroom decrease as a seismic shift to internet-based learning happens in our education industry. From open courses online to YouTube classes and videos, there are ...

How did Jake Paul Make His YouTube Big Break and Who is His Wife? One of the most interesting Social Media personalities of the 21st century is the young and popular Jake Paul whose elder brother is the famed Vine star, Logan Paul. Jake has utilized the power of the internet to bring himself to the limelight with a channel named JakePaulProductions that has amassed up to six billion ...

5 Facts You Need To Know About Reaction Time (Tal Fishman)  The American YouTuber Before 2015, the leading meaning of reaction time was the amount of time it takes to respond to a stimulus, until Tal Fishman started his channel, Reaction Time on YouTube and the dominant meaning changed. Today, a google search of Reaction Time would deliver Tal Fishmans videos and YouTube channel link with a few physics ...

Grace Helbig  Net Worth, Boyfriend and Family Life of The YouTuber Grace Helbig is an American internet personality, comedian, actress, and writer. She became popular due to her daily vlog series, DailyGrace, which ran on My Damn Channel from 2008 to 2013. Helbig is also popular for her own indie series on YouTube, ItsGrace, which she launched in 2014. Her vlogs which feature random stuff such as ...

Mark Wiens Bio  Ethnicity, Wife and Parents Food is a great way to connect with people. We all love to eat, if not for the pleasure of food, the satisfaction of quenching hunger, and the very process of providing and sharing that food is part of the strongest bonds that bind humanity together. Maybe it is our historical connection to food, where ...

Is Filthy Frank Dead, What Happened To Him and How Much Is He Worth? As George Kusunoki Miller, he was a nobody. However, as Filthy Frank, George was one of the most famous internet personalities on the planet. The Filthy Frank Show, a sketch series on his YouTube channel, TVFilthyFrank, was one of the platforms most influential creations. He is the reason a crazy dance song, Harlem Shake, made it ...

CaptainSparklez Bio  Net Worth, House and Cars of The Famous YouTuber Sometimes, what society wants from its citizens is quite different from what the citizens want for themselves. This is evident in the life and career of video blogger and American YouTube personality, Jordan Maron famous for his YouTube channel CaptainSparklez. He dropped out of school after discovering his talent in playing an online game called Minecraft. ...

Who is Simply Nailogical (Cristine Rotenberg)? Here are Facts You Must Know Canadian Youtube personality, Simply Nailogical (Cristine Rotenberg) originally started out polishing and designing nails even before it became a trendy culture in the social media. Simply Nailogica started out her showbiz career in her early days as a child actress, acting in commercials for game and toy companies. Aside from acting, she is blogger, vlogger, specializing ...

5 Interesting Facts You Need To Know About Huda Beauty In the world of entrepreneurship, it is interesting when an individual has a mentor who he/she looks up to, this yield more productivity on the part of the individual. The iconic and rich American beautician and makeup artist Huda Kattan nicknamed Heida is the founder of the Huda Beauty blog which is number one Instagram beauty blog ...

Is Dino MasterChef Gay? Details About His Ethnicity, Girlfriend, Where He Is Now Food, for the better part of the early years of human life, was nothing more than what we needed for survival. There was no artistry or curation to the method of cooking. The scarcity of food left no room for artistic expression until we figured out agriculture and we could make as much as we ...

Who Is Gabbie Hanna And How Did She Become Famous? As the world shifts to digital media and depends more and more on streaming services for its news and entertainment content, YouTubers have become one of the leading creators in the new media world. Their understanding of the online audience: how to create, maintain, and increase followers, are all handy skills that have primed them ...

Jacksepticeye  Height, Girlfriend & Net Worth Jacksepticeye is a YouTuber and actor who gained popularity with a series of gaming videos he uploads on his channel to the delight of millions of his subscribers. He is Known primarily for his comic video game series titled Lets Play and his vlogs. His channel was formerly ranked 46th in the list of most subscribed ...

Chris Heria Personal Details: About His Wife, Height & Ethnicity Background In this generation, keeping fit has become one of the major criteria for being hale and hearty. In fact, most occupations these days are majorly concerned with ones body mass, weight and looks. Unlike the past where most people have to register in a gym to keep fit, social media has made it quite easy ...

Everything You Need To Know About Game Grumps Gaming is becoming incredibly popular on YouTube these days with game vloggers make millions of dollars out of them yearly. One of the most popular up-coming gaming YouTube channels is Game Grumps. The Lets Play series was created in 2012 and celebrated its fifth anniversary on July 18th, 2017. In six years of its existence, the ...

Daithi De Nogla Biography, Girlfriend and Net Worth YouTube has created an avenue for many to make wealth and become famous from the comfort of their homes while having fun. Many have built a career out of the platform, uploading numerous videos that have earned them the admiration of viewers across the globe. For Daithi De Nogla, he is loved for his humorous commentary on ...

Does Phoebe Robinson Have A Boyfriend or Husband and What Do We Know About Her Family? Phoebe Robinson is a New York-based comedian, writer, and actress. She is best known as the co-creator and co-host of the WNYC Studios podcast 2 Dope Queens. Just like some other female comedians, she never had any original plans of becoming a stand-up comedian even though, according to her, she took a class on a whim at Carolines on Broadway. After ...

Who Are Lex and Alana from Listed Sisters? What Is Their Ethnicity & Is the Show Cancelled? America is a country built on diversity. Everywhere you look all over the country, a countless number of immigrants or children of immigrants have become an integral part of the fabric of the country. From entertainment to business, immigrants are creating a niche for themselves and climbing to the summit of their respective professions. One ...

Riveting Facts About Danielle Lombard And What She Is Best Known For The American entertainment industry is one that provides many avenues for aspiring hopefuls to express their talents and become famous. From films to television shows and game shows, there is no shortage of ways for men and women who desire fame to pursue and earn it in the United States of America. Another tested medium ...

Unearthing New Details About The YouTube Success And Personal Life of Alex Burriss of Wassabi Productions Wildly hilarious and truly audacious, Alex Wassabi is an American YouTuber who has become a very popular face on the video-sharing platform after having garnered millions of subscribers over the years by keeping people glued to his channel with his witty parody video releases. If you have always loved parody videos, there is every chance ...

Everything You Need To Know About H2O Delirious H2O Delirious whose full birth name is reported to be Jonathan Gormon Dennis has successfully kept himself mystified by hiding his face behind the masks leaving his loyal fans speculating who he really is for many years. The American YouTube star is easily identified by the Jason Mask Style with make-up which he wears on his ...

Who Is HolaSoyGerman and What Happened To Him? German Garmendia has certainly seen it all when it comes to internet success. His channels, HolaSoyGerman and JuegaGerman are in the top twenty most subscribed channel on YouTube. The Chilean YouTuber found a way to tap into one of the worlds greatest inventions and make a living from it. He has been able to build ...

Who Are Glenn Becks Family, What Is His Net Worth And What Happened To Him? The American political commentary space is filled with different personalities. A few of them, through their rhetoric, charisma, and resources have been able to build a large following of men and women who listen to them for insight and direction for various political and social issues in the United States. For Conservatives, the story is ...

Following Charissa Thompsons Rise Through The Ranks Of Sports Casting and All About Her Boyfriend Superstar TV host and sportscaster, Charissa Thompson, has been hailed as one of the highest-profile women journalists in America, and the reason is there for all to see. She has worked for popular establishments such as Versus, Yahoo! Sports, ESPN, GSN, and Big Ten Network. She currently hosts the popular pre-game show, Fox NFL Kickoff, ...

Is Chris Kattan Gay or Does He Have A Wife? What Is His Net Worth? Chris Kattan is a popular American comedian and actor. He has appeared in several comic movies and TV series such as The Middle, A Night at the Roxbury and Bunnicula. Kattan is, however, most popular for his six-year stint as a cast member of Saturday Night Live. During his time on the legendary show, he ...

Everything You Should Know About the Rise of Insta Star Claire Abbott and Why She Gave It All Up A lot of young Americans have shot into the limelight for uploading different kinds of videos on YouTube. Some of these young stars include Connor Franta, Desi Perkins, Emma Chamberlain, the Dolan Twins (Ethan and Grayson), and Claire Abbott. The latter became a social media celebrity for uploading sexy bikini pictures of herself on social media. Apart from ...

5 Facts You Need To Know About The YouTube Channel  h3h3Productions H3h3Productions is a YouTube channel that specializes on Comic responses or reactions of other contents or trendy stories. The celebrity couple that created the channel has over time racked up sizable views for their commentaries and contents. Even though they had their own fair share of copyright cases, thankfully they scored an unprecedented victory in all ...

Lilypichu Bio  Height, Brother and Love Story With Albert SleightlyMusical Chang Like most popular internet celebrities, Lilypichu is one of those Twitch streamers who spend their lives on camera. From daydreaming about the possibility of becoming a full-time professional streamer, she grew to live out her dreams on the popular live streaming platform where people play games, make crafts, and showcase their day-to-day activities. Given the rise of ...

KSI  What To Know About His Girlfriend, Brother  Deji Olatunji & Net Worth Assuredly, when Internet inventors Vint Cerf and Bob Khan created the technological masterpiece, they probably did not know how massive the creation will be harnessed by many for different purposes including as a platform for earning money through content creation. One of such person who smiles to the bank regularly today for spending time creating ...

The Interesting Progression and Highlights of Carrie Keagans Career as a Host and Actress Carrie Keagan has garnered huge fame through her various stints on television. She is not just your regular TV host but one with a difference. Keagan has hosted several high profile events and TV shows, including VH1s Big Morning Buzz Live and Fox News Channels Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld. However, not many know she ...

The Gist On Elise Jordans Marriages And Her Rise To Prominence Political commentaries tend to be boring when it is handled by someone who does not have a knack for it. However, when you see the likes of Elise Jordan run the same commentary, you will have a lot of reasons to look forward to watching her again as the journalist is well-versed in the field ...

What Is Timmy Thick Best Known For and How Successful Is The Star? Thanks to the internet, many people whose talents would have ordinarily gone unnoticed have become famous. A very good example of this modern-day internet celebrity is Timmy Thick, an American social media star. He became popular on Instagram due to his penchant for posting raunchy pictures of himself. He also often posted videos of himself ...

What Does Heather Storm Do For a Living and Who Is She Dating? Reality Television is a great way to make a name for oneself as well as amass a fortune. Heather Storm can attest to this as she is one of those who have made a name and earned a lot from reality TV. She made her name appearing on shows like Car Fanatics, Awesome Autos, and, ...

Matt Carriker Biography  Net Worth, Wife & Height Unlike your regular veterinary doctor next door, Matt Carriker chose to spice up his noble profession with the unusual. Though he is known to many as a medical practitioner, Carriker is better renowned as a YouTube star and an animal lover. Having recorded huge successes on his various YouTube channels, the vet doctors name and ...

Jillian Mele of Fox News Career Achievements, Husband & Measurements There are quite a good number of presenters on radio and television who listeners and viewers may never wish to miss any of their shows because of their sensational golden voice, beauty or the special way or artistry they anchor their shows. Jillian Mele is one of such. She has been at the top of ...

Who is Gillian Turner of Fox News? Her Fiance or Husband and Net Worth Gillian Turner is well-known as a news correspondent for Fox News Channel but before she became a TV personality, she built an intimidating resume working for different institutions, including the American government. She served in different capacities at the White House National Security Council during the administration of former US Presidents  George W. Bush and Barack Obama. ...

Gloria Govan Bio  Age, Ethnicity & Height Even as Gloria Govan is famous as an American actress, author, a TV host, and reality television star, shes more popular as the wife of the former NBA player, Matt Barnes. She became known after appearing on the Florida version of the reality television series, Basketball Wives and later, Basketball Wives: LA  after Matt was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Sadly, ...

Michael Fishmans Interesting Start as an Actor and Why He Divorced His Wife of Many Years When one door closes, another one opens. As silly as that axiom may seem, it is the story of the resurgence of Michael Fishman, who plays D.J Conner on the popular show, Roseanne. Having played the character for several years as a child actor into his teenage years; when the show originally ended, Michael did ...

Who Is October Gonzalez  Tony Gonzalezs Wife? All You Need To Know October Gonzalez is a popular American TV host and media personality. Additionally, she is also a model. Gonzalez has hosted several TV shows such as Beat Shazam, Entertainment Tonight, and Rachel Ray. She has also featured in several reality TV shows. Gonzalezs fame is not just due to her profession but also because of her ...

Who Is Tony Berlin  Harris Faulkners Husband: His Children and Family Facts Tony Berlin is a popular American media guru. He has variously worked as a reporter, anchor, and producer for some of the biggest TV networks in America. They include CNN, CBS, NBC, and ABC (where he hosted the popular Good Morning America). Berlin has now diversified into public relations and owns his own PR firm. ...

The Progression of Gianna Tobonis Journalism Career and Details About Her Marriage to Kyle Buckley Gianna Toboni may not be your ideal newscaster but her unusual reporting is what made her a household name. The American journalist is renowned for her hard-hitting and authentic reportage. A motivator and activist for total press freedom, Gianna loves to explore pervasive cultural issues. Not only does this unique and ambitious journalist call for all ...

Dog The Bounty Hunters Family Including Details of His Late Wife and Kids Popularly known as Dog, a name which he got from the television series, Dog The Bounty Hunter, Duane Chapman, an American bounty hunter, and one-time bail bondsman, went from being convicted for a felony to being a reality TV star. He was brought to the limelight following the capture of the convicted criminal, Andrew Luster in 2003 and this eventually made ...

Vicky Karayiannis, Chris Cornells Wifes Bio, Children and Family The world of showbiz is made up of different people who serve different roles, and function in a variety of capacities, and one of the most important people are those in the background. Publicists are undoubtedly one of these background people yet they are vital to the life and fame of most of our favorite ...

Joe Rogan Has A Step-Daughter and 2 Other Kids With Wife Jessica Ditzel  Meet His Family Joe Rogan is a popular American stand-up comedian and TV host. His journey to stardom began in the late 80s and has seen him host several shows, the most popular is the game show titled Fear Factor. The exciting show dares contestants to face some of their greatest fears and embark on challenging stunts. The ...

Josh Gates and Wife Hallie Gnatovich Have 2 Kids But Who Has the Higher Net Worth? Best known for his explorations and adventures, Josh Gates, is a television presenter with a voracious appetite for seeing the world and the beauties in it. Some of that beauty, however, is in his home, in the form of two children he shares with his wife, Hallie Gnatovich. Not excluded is their marriage which has lasted ...

Holly Sonders Wiki, Plastic Surgery & Why She Divorced Her Husband  Erik Kuselias After trying everything within her capacity to have a low key wedding, Holly Sonders was drawn to the public because of her husbands controversy at his workplace. Well, the two are rumored to be divorced but the article below will give more light on how true these rumors are. Meanwhile, Holly Sonders is yet to ...

Nadeska Alexis Bio  Age, Boyfriend & Net Worth Journalism is one diverse profession that allows the practitioners to choose their area of specialty, build a career on it by reporting the truth and facts which in the long run will distinguish them as deserving commendation and recognition among their peers. Some choose to specialize in political journalism, while to others it is sports ...

Media Platforms Charlamagne Tha God Has Explored and All The Controversies He Has Courted Charlamagne Tha God is an American on-air personality, radio presenter, and more recently, author. He is popularly known as a co-host on New York radios nationally syndicated show, The Breakfast Club, a program he has been hosting alongside DJ Envy and Angela Yee since 2010. However, his early years had no connection to his current career ...

A Look At Jimmy Fallons Net Worth and Family Including His Wife & Kids Sometimes, a childs passion for something is a pointer to what he/she would become in the future. As a child, Jimmy Fallon was literally obsessed with watching the late-night comedy program, Saturday Night Live (SNL). Then, his parents would tape the clean parts for him to watch and later, he and his sister would re-enact sketches from the ...

Kay Adams Biography  Does The Sportscaster Have A Husband or Boyfriend? When you hear the phrase sports enthusiast, women are hardly the first group that comes to mind. Well, thats changing pretty fast. Especially with the rise of female sports analysts and broadcasters like Kay Adams who is famed for knowing more about sports than most men do. And why not, shes paid handsomely for it ...

Ben Shapiros Family  Meet His Wife, Kids and Sister Who is Popular for the Wrong Reasons A multi-talented man, Ben Shapiro is a man of controversial nature, an attribute that has made him an unusual public figure. An intellectual whose career path was clearly defined even before he became a man, the Jewish conservative commentator has always had his way with words. He became popular by sharing his critical and often ...

QVC Shawn Killinger Bio  Husband, Net Worth & Facts To Know Shawn Killinger is a prominent TV personality who has worked her way to the top. Though not initially a journalist by training, she defied the odds and today has established herself as a household name, as well as, worked alongside some industry legends. More than just being a reporter, newscaster, and anchor, heres all you ...

Liv Lo  Dissecting the Ethnicity, Parents and Personal Life of Henry Goldings Wife While many are aware that Liv Lo is the better half to Crazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding, only a few understand why his beautiful wife appears increasingly endearing to fans. A former model turned TV personality, and fitness star, Liv has an impressive resume which when combined with that of her statuesque spouse is considered a perfect ...

Stpeach Age, Husband and Other Facts About The Twitch Streamer Lisa Vannatta, famously known by her online alias, STPeach is a Canadian video game streamer cum vlogger who has garnered fame through her appearances on different video-sharing/social networking platforms such as Youtube, Instagram, Twitch, Reddit, and Twitter. The beautiful lady got her career to a start in August 2015 when she joined the live streaming video platform, Twitch. She rose to ...

Insights into Seth Meyers Wife, Family and What His Net Worth Is Celebrities are mostly remembered and known for the work they do. For Seth Meyers, his career as a comedian, writer, actor, TV host, and producer is his biggest identifier. He was on Saturday Night Live SNL show as a head writer and cast member for more than ten years during which he built a reputation ...

Who Is Jessica Gadsden  Age, Net Worth & All About Charlamagne tha Gods Wife Jessica Gadsden is an American fitness coach as well as a personal trainer. She is better known as the spouse of popular American media personality, Charlamagne Tha God. Charlamange Tha God is a well-known TV and radio personality in the U.S. He has featured in several shows (both on the radio and TV) and is ...

Who Is Collins Tuohy  Michael Ohers sister ? Her Wedding, Husband & Net Worth Collins Tuohy is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, blogger, and social media personality. She is also better known as the adoptive sister of NFL player, Michael Oher, whose life story inspired the Hollywood blockbuster The Blind Side. The Blind Side tells the true life story of Oher who grew up in an impoverished background consisting of a ...

Eye-Popping Facts About The Personal Life And Career Success Of Sportscaster Heidi Watney Heidi Watney is a media personality who has created a niche for herself as a sportscaster. Starting out as a radio presenter, the brilliant young lady has gone on to work for several prominent sports networks, and currently, she is with the MLB. The sportscaster is also known to have been an avid sports lady right ...

Marty Lagina Bio  Siblings (Martina and Rick Lagina), Net Worth and Wife Marty Lagina is an American engineer and businessman who has risen to fame as a reality TV star. This is thanks to his involvement in the adventure TV series, The Curse of Oak Island. The Curse of Oak Island is a long-running TV series which airs on the history channel. The show aims to solve ...

Is Jordan Schlansky Just A Character or a Real Life Person and What Does He Do? The world of late-night television is an interesting one. Shows during that time are geared towards giving viewers comedic relief from a long day at work through interviews and comedy sketches. The often charismatic host of this show requires the balancing talent of a producer whose primary job is to deliver great episodes. It is ...

Heres How Wealthy Jimmy Kimmel Is From All The Phases of His Career, Marriages and Sons Health Jimmy Kimmel is a renowned late-night talk show host known for his charm, wit, and the A-list guests he features on his show. As the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! On ABC, Jimmy has been serving comedy to television viewers for years which played a pivotal role in launching him into mainstream fame and enabled ...

Natasha Bertrand Biography  Is She Married? Who Is the Husband & What Is Her Age? Natasha Bertrand is not just a young prominent journalist but a first-rate investigative reporter. With her natural beauty and smile, Natashas sharp, insightful political commentary also makes her a thorough reporter. Her sound political perspective and coverage in the country have made her a force to be reckoned with in the profession. Renowned for her ...

What Happened to Shane Kilcher? His Injury Update, Net Worth and More Shane Kilcher is well-known thanks to the Discovery Channel series Alaska: The Last Frontier. It is a show that documents the daily lives of the extended Kilcher family, people who live without plumbing or modern heating. The episodes follow their routines as they rely on hunting and farming for their nutritional needs as well as ...

Is Stephanie Gosk Gay or Lesbian, Who is the Wife or Partner  Jenna Wolfe? In August 2013, NBCs Today viewers were greeted with two shocking news. Today weekend anchor, Jenna Wolfe, announced that she was as a lesbian, introducing her partner as NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk, and said the two are expecting their first child. A long time has passed since then and certainly, a lot of things ...

Nikki Mudarris  Bio and Net Worth: 5 Interesting Facts You Need to Know Nikki Mudarris, also known as Miss Nikki Baby, is a reality television star, model and fashionista. Shes best known for VH1s reality TV series Love & Hip-Hop: Hollywood. Her entrepreneurial skills enable her to create and run a successful lingerie line Nude by Nikki. Not only that, but Nikki has also successfully run the Las ...

5 Interesting Things You Need To Know About Kelly Nash Ever heard of the lady who gained national prominence for taking a selfie with a dangerous ball just a few inches away from hitting her? Its no other person than Kelly Nash, an American sports broadcaster currently working as host of The Rundown show which airs on MLB Network every weekday at 2 pm ET. ...

Understanding The Height of Fame John Oliver Achieved With The Daily Show and How He Met His Wife Without knowledge of who he is and his exemplary career, John Oliver cuts an unassuming figure of a regular man but he is one of the most influential personalities in America, especially on television. Since he began his career in 1998, he has been a loud and unapologetic agent of change, using his wit and ...

Why Did Big Chief Leave Street Outlaws, Where Is He Now And Why Did He Divorce His Wife? Justin Shearer, otherwise known by his professional name Big Chief is a famous street racer and television personality. He is famously known for being one of the main characters on the racing reality television series, Street Outlaws. Justin, who had been a significant part of the show since its premiere in 2013, appeared in a ...

Who is Josina Anderson of ESPN? Her Husband and Family Facts There has been a gradual paradigm shift in the world of sports which has today produced the likes of Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, and other female athletes that are pulling great feats in different sporting fields. Their achievements have also been followed by the emergence of female sports journalists such as Jillian Mele, Eboni Williams, ...

Is Brittany Wagner Married, Who Is The Husband, How Old Is She? Brittany Wagner has been an inspiration to a lot of sports youngster. She has won the hearts of many athletic students with her role as a life coach and an academic counselor. She is well groomed in her career and has worked over a decade for The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and The National ...

Tati Westbrook Bio  Age, Husband & Net Worth With five videos dished out every week, alongside running her own brand, beauty guru, and YouTube superstar Tati Westbrook has proved to the world that theres utterly no impossibility or limit to whatever one is passionate about. Tati is best known for being the owner and manager of the worlds most-viewed beauty and lifestyle YouTube channel, ...

Cathy Areus Long Road to Becoming a Freelance Journalist and What to Know About Her Kids An American freelance journalist, news analyst, and author, Cathy Areu has built a lasting reputation for herself on cable television. Popular for her skillful and sassy presentation of professional views on varying topics including cultural and feminist issues, Cathy is an inspiration to many women across the globe. In addition to being a journalist, she ...

Tucker Carlsons Love Story With Wife Susan Andrews, their Children and Net Worth Today On the TV screens, Tucker Carlson is that fiery fellow who passionately dishes out his conservative and often controversial views on issues of national importance. Such brazenness has fetched him many enemies, especially on the left-wing, but it has also helped him cement a reputation as one of the foremost broadcast journalists in America. His ...

Paige Wyatts Net Worth, Boyfriend and Where She Is Now Paige Wyatt became popular after the Wyatt family began running the reality television show, American Guns. The Wyatt family comprises Rich Wyatt (father), Renee Wyatt (mother), Paige and Kurt Wyatt (children). Rich Wyatt originally ran a gun shop, the Gunsmoke Guns in Wheat Ridge, Colorado which is outside of Denver. The business which he ran together ...

The Progression of Howard Sterns Career As A Media Personality And Why He Divorced His First Wife Howard Stern is a legendary American radio host, who has also done some notable work as an actor, producer, author, as well as photographer. The radio personality achieved worldwide fame as a result of his self-titled radio program, The Howard Stern Show. As a professional radio personality, he has worked in different radio stations. Since 2006, ...

Lisa Joyners Biography  Ethnicity, Net Worth and Other Key Facts Lisa Joyner is an American Journalist, TV talk show host, and actress. Some of her well-known works are her correspondences for the Los Angeles based TV KCBS, inFANity show, Find My Family Show including her film and television appearances in Brimstone, American Sweetheart, The Bold and The Beautiful among others. Lisas passion for reconnecting people with their biological families ...

Amanda Balionis Rise Through the Ranks of Sportscasting and the Identity of Her Boyfriend Amanda Balionis is an American sportscaster currently working as a golf broadcaster for CBS Sports. Among so many of her works in the field of sports reporting, Amandas PGA Tour coverage seems to be the most popular so far. She covered the Super Bowl working with CBS Sports social media team in Atlanta, where she ...

Dissecting Charles Paynes Sexual Allegations, Its After Effects and More About His Wife Charles Payne had a respectable career as an analyst on Wall Street before he made the transition to television and became a contributor and later a host on Fox. In that time, his expertise has come under scrutiny, and he has been at the center of at least one major controversy. The major controversy in question ...

Erik Asla And Tryra Banks Split: Everything You Need To Know Tyra Banks and Erik Asla have called it quits! The couple, who began dating in 2013 and have a son named York Banks Asla, has decided to end what everybody taught was the perfect relationship. Neither person has come out to give a reason for the breakup, but what is obvious right now is that ...

What to Note About Dr Terry Dubrows Qualifications, TV Works and Marriage to Heather Kent In the realm of people that we expect to see regularly on our screens, medical doctors are closer to the bottom of the list. Aside from the fact that their work has little correlation with TV, they are presumably too busy to pursue life as TV personalities. Yet, a few of them have usurped this ...

Jessica Goch  Bio: 5 Things You Didnt Know About Ninjas Wife Jessica Goch is the Schofield-born American Social Media Influencer who has worked as a model but is now better known as a host and interviewer of prominent Electronic sports celebrities at popular gaming events/tournaments. The screen queen also serves as the manager of her famous husband Ninja aka Tyler Blevins whose exploits on Twitch and Fortnite has ...

CNNs Chris Cuomo Biography  Wife, Family & Net worth Chris Cuomo needs no elaborate introduction as he has starred graced many prominent Television cable networks and his voice has been heard through acknowledged radio shows. He is a television journalist and Lawyer who has previously worked for ABC News as Chief law and justice correspondent as well as a co-anchor on 20/20. If you still ...

Neil deGrasse Tyson  Family, Religion & Net Worth Neil deGrasse Tyson is a distinguished American astrophysicist and author who has been able to achieve so much after falling in love with astronomy at the age of 9. He has since attended and become an alumnus of prestigious universities such as Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia, and also recorded numerous achievements in his field of ...

Is Simon Cowell Gay? Does He Have A Wife or Girlfriend and Why is He Famous? Simon Cowell is a well-known talent show judge, TV producer, entrepreneur and one of the most popular TV personalities that Britain has ever produced. In conjunction with his company, Syco, Cowell is the brain behind hugely successful talent hunt shows such as The X-Factor UK, The X-Factor US, Britains Got Talent, Americas Got Talent and ...

Everything To Know About Joanna Gaines Life With Chip Gaines, Their Business Pursuits and Kids Joanna Gaines and her husband Chip Gaines became celebrities after their television show Fixer Upper began airing back in 2013. The show which was about home renovation and decoration ran for about 6 seasons with a total of 79 episodes before the couple bade farewell to it in April 2018. Apart from their appearances on ...

Who Is Larry The Cable Guy? What To Know About His Wife And Net Worth Larry the Cable Guy is a self-professed country kid renowned for his trademark Southern accent and sensational catchphrase Git-R-Done! The famous comedian who talks about anything under the sun has gone on to become one of the most memorable characters in comedy history. Join us in unearthing lesser-known facts about the former on-air-personality, standup comedy superstar, movie ...

Who Is Patrick Starr, What Is His Net Worth and Gender? The make-up industry over the years has grown to become a billion dollar industry not just because there are probably more women wearing make-up but because a whole lot of men, especially the young ones, have become bold enough to wear it unlike before. A few of these men, like Patrick Starr, have even gone ...

How Did Chris Jansing Become a Senior Correspondent at MSNBC and Who Is Her Husband? An award-winning American television news reporter and journalist, Chris Jansing has succeeded in carving a spectacular niche for herself in the field of TV journalism. Outstanding for not just her excellence in journalism, Chris is also cherished for her incredibly gorgeous looks post 60! For close to four decades, Jansing has continued to soar in her ...

Jaclyn Glenn Biography  Age, Height & Ex-Boyfriend American Youtuber, Jaclyn Glenn, rose to prominence through her self-titled YouTube channel Jaclyn Glenn. She has remained an acclaimed atheist and continues to air her views on hot issues from politics, religion, animal rights, to atheism. During the heated 2016 US Presidential elections, Glenn featured in Hump Trump: Official Donald Trump Song. Her parallel acting career ...

Is Pat Sajak Married to a Wife or is He Gay With a Partner? Pat Sajak is one of the most popular TV game show hosts in America. He commenced his career as a radio disk jockey as well as a TV weatherman before being tapped to host Wheel of Fortune, the longest-running syndicated game show in the United States. Sajak has hosted the popular game show from 1983 ...

Nayyera Haqs Bio  What To Know About Her Husband, Parents And Family Nayyera Haq can take anyone on political debates as well as discussions on social issues affecting many. Her ability to masterfully deliver her stance on every issue or political debate has made her a regular face in morning and evening news media platforms. This is not a common feat especially for someone from her kind ...

Inside Guy Fieris Family With Wife, Kids and Sister Who Died of Cancer Over the years we have seen men dominate the kitchen and churn out amazing delicacies from it. Some do it way better than their female counterparts and one of such men is Guy Ramsay Fieri  an American TV host, celebrity chef, restaurant owner, bestselling author of four culinary books, and game show host. His ...

Meet Phil Mudd of CNN  The Former CIA and FBI Exec, Is He Married, Who Is The Wife? When it comes to discussing issues surrounding terrorism, American Counterterrorism and National Security Expert, Phil Mudd, occupies a globally significant position. He has voiced his interest in the fight against terrorism and insecurity on many popular media platforms, both print and broadcast, such as CNN, BBC, CBS, MSNBC, al-Jazeera, ABC, NBC, Fox, The New York Times, ...

Jim Hoffer: Biography, Wife  Mika Brzezinski, Children and Net Worth Jim Hoffer is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who works as an investigative reporter for Eyewitness News, New York City. In his over two decades of investigative journalism, Hoffer has been at the front lines of several crucial stories from the 9/11 attack to the crash of American Flight 587 to the 2003 Blackout. On top of ...

The Ups and Downs of Erin Mcpikes Journalism Career and Other Facts About Her Personal Life Erin McPike is a journalist working for the Independent Journal Review (IJR) as a White House Correspondent but she gained widespread recognition for her coverage of general news. Whether its breaking news or some mainstream story, McPike has a reputation of baring the facts. As a journalist, her work as a White House Correspondent for Independent ...

Bert Kreischer Is Married To LeeAnn Kreischer With 2 Kids  Meet His Family Those familiar with Bert Kreischer mainly have the image of a large-bellied party man whose college life inspired the National Lampoon film, Van Wilder. It is an image that one would not naturally associate with a wholesome family. The standup comedian still maintains his wild party animal image on stage. But, back at home, he is ...

How Brendan Greene Became a Game Designer to Look Out For and Facts About His Failed Marriage The name Brendan Greene may not easily ring a bell in the larger society but for gaming enthusiasts, he is considered a god and this is because of his invention of the video game, Player Unknowns Battlegrounds, also called PUBG. Based on the popular last-man-standing/battle royale concept, Greenes creation has taken the gaming world by ...

WFAAs Sonia Azad Bio  Does The Reporter Have A Husband Or Boyfriend? Emmy Award-winning journalist and Health & Wellness reporter Sonia Azad is on the news segment News 8 Daybreak for the television station WFAA-TV in Dallas, Texas, a channel which she joined in October of 2015. Besides her time on the news, Azad is also a marathon runner and a certified yoga instructor. She has covered major news ...

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
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Possible Future Xbox Backwards Compatible Games Completed

According to the uservoice feedback on the Xbox Backwards Compatible area there are a number of games marked as completed. This typically means that they're ready for release or have already been announced as being available so this most likely points to the next pack of games. The included titles are; Cars 2: The Video Game, Meet the Robinsons, Dead Rising 2: Case West and Dead Rising 2: Cast Zero. This is a slightly odd selection of games though an interesting one for sure as it would look like a couple past Disney titles were given the go ahead whereas Capcom also was good with letting the Dead Rising 2 spin-off arcade games release on the program. I'll be sure to update this with confirmation in the future, but look at these being announced on either Tuesday or Thursday as those are usual announcement days for Xbox Backwards Compatible titles. It's also worth noting that the usual mod for all past checked off games was the one that noted "completed" on these games.



See the mentioned recently completed games

View our Xbox Hub




The number of bomb threats received at Jewish community centers and schools has hit the century mark, according to the JCC Association of North America.

Following another wave of threats Monday, there have now been 100 threats received at 81 locations in 33 states and 2 Canadian provinces over the last two months, the JCC Association said.

Monday marked one of the worst waves yet in the attacks on JCCs and Jewish day schools. There were 31 bomb threats reported at sites in Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington and Calgary in Canada.

David Posner, director of strategic performance at the JCC Association of North America, urged the federal government, including members of Congress, to speak out against anti-Semitism.

"Actions speak louder than words," Posner said. "Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in our communities."

In New York, the recent wave of bomb threats targeted centers in New Rochelle, Plainview, Staten island and Tarrytown. Prior threats have been made against centers in upstate New York, including the JCC of Syracuse.

Last week, the Anti-Defamation League's national headquarters in New York City received a bomb threat. Federal, state and local authorities are investigating the incident.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday he's ordering the state police to investigate the recent bomb threats against Jewish community centers.

"Make no mistake: these reprehensible and cowardly attacks are not limited to the Jewish community," Cuomo said. "They are assaults on all New Yorkers and I vow that we will do everything in our power to catch those responsible for this wave of hate crimes."
Image: CBS Youtube video screenshot

In a weekend interview, President-elect Donald Trump commented that he is nearing completion of a plan to replace President Obamas signature health-care law with the goal of insurance for everybody, and has made a vow to force drug companies to negotiate directly with the government on costs and prices in Medicaid and Medicare. Theyre politically protected, but not anymore, he said of pharmaceutical companies. In response to conservative Republicans who are dubious about his pledge to ensure coverage for millions, the President-elect pointed to several interviews he gave during the campaign, where he promised to not have people dying on the street.

Its not going to be their plan, he said of people covered under the current law. Itll be another plan. But theyll be beautifully covered. I dont want single-payer. What I do want is to be able to take care of people, he said Saturday.

Trumps plan, which is likely to face questions from both the right and left, will come after the House has taken more than 60 votes in recent years to eliminate all parts of the Affordable Care Act to adopt more conservative health-care policies, which usually rely more heavily on the private sector.

I think we will get approval. I wont tell you how, but we will get approval. You see whats happened in the House in recent weeks, Trump said confidently. As he has developed a replacement package for Americans, Trump said he has paid attention to critics who say that repealing Obamacare would put coverage at risk for more than 20 million citizens covered under the laws insurance exchanges and Medicaid expansion.

Were going to have insurance for everybody, he said. There was a philosophy in some circles that if you cant pay for it, you dont get it. Thats not going to happen with us. People covered under the law can expect to have great health care. It will be in a much simplified form. Much less expensive and much better.

Republican leaders have said that they will not strand people who gained insurance under the ACA without coverage. However, it is still not quite clear from either Trumps comments in the interview or recent remarks by GOP leaders in Washington on how they can ensure that keep that promise.

But what could Trumps replacement for Obamacare look like?

CBS News This Morning reported that Trump said he would use executive power if necessary to replace the Affordable Care Act. White House correspondent for Bloomberg News talks about it here in the clip below:

Then the question is, will Trumps plan be a better one than the Affordable Care Act?
I want to gaze at you

not through lowered lashes

protecting my tender places, but

heart splayed wide

to everything I learn

when I let myself be seen.

I want to gaze at you

without flinching, knowing

what you'll find in my eyes:

my aches and imperfections,

the cracks in my clay heart,

the tarnish clouding my silver.

I want to see all of you

even if your pure light

would burn out my circuits,

even if all I can glimpse

is your shadowed silhouette

through my sheerest tallit.

If I bring my whole self

to yearning for you, if I seek

to see and to be seen wholly

can I call forth

the you who would be

in relationship with me?

[C]racks in my clay heart. Jewish tradition describes the broken-open heart as a clay vessel; see Vessel (2008) and A crack in everything (2016).

[E]verything I learn / when I let myself be seen. Kalonymus Kalman Shapira, the rabbi of the Warsaw Ghetto, teaches that when we relate to God as a "you," with willingness to bring our full selves to the experience, we receive revelation -- though it's not entirely clear whether it's revelation of God's self, or revelation of our own deepest self.

[E]ven if your pure light / would burn out my circuits. See parashat Ki Tisa. No one can look upon God and live; even Moshe only gets to see God's afterimage.

[T]he you who would be/ in relationship with me[.] This draws on another teaching from Kalonymus Kalman Shapira: when we stand in real relationship to God in prayer, we call forth the "Thou" with Whom we yearn to be in relationship.

This is another poem in my ongoing Texts to the Holy series, a collection of love poems to the Beloved / beloved (capital-B or lowercase-b, whatever resonates most for you.)

Offered with thanks to Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek of Beacon Hebrew Alliance for introducing me to this text from Aish Kodesh by Kalonymus Kalman Shapira, also known as the Piaseczyner Rebbe, this past Shabbat afternoon.
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Nearly every member of New York's Democratic congressional delegation is supporting Gov. Andrew Cuomo's push to offer free tuition at public colleges and universities.

Cuomo's office announced Monday that 17 Democratic members of Congress, including U.S. Reps. Brian Higgins, Louise Slaughter and Paul Tonko from upstate, are supporting Cuomo's plan to provide free tuition at State University of New York and City University of New York institutions for students whose families earn no more than $125,000 annually.

Tonko, an Albany-area Democrat, praised Cuomo for his leadership on addressing college affordability.

"Increasing access to higher education is one of the best investments we can make in our workforce and our communities," Tonko said. "Skills and knowledge create opportunities for higher wages for hardworking individuals and their families.

"Education can open doors to small business development, job growth and a new era of inventors and entrepreneurs. And it can drive cutting edge research and a modern economy that will keep New York competitive."

The tuition-free college plan is one of Cuomo's key proposals in his 2017-18 executive budget. He first announced the proposal  referred to as the Excelsior Scholarship  at an event with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who made college affordability a top priority during his 2016 presidential campaign.

Cuomo's office estimates that more than 940,000 families have children who would be eligible to receive the free tuition benefit to attend New York's public colleges and universities.

To promote the proposal, Cuomo launched a coding contest and urged students to develop a website or mobile app that can be used to provide information about the Excelsior Scholarship. More than 370 students from 22 SUNY and CUNY schools entered the competition.

Cuomo says the tuition-free plan will help grow New York's economy.

"With a college education now a requirement to succeed in the modern workforce, the strength of our economy depends on our ability to help more New Yorkers go to college, and I am proud to have the support of these great New York leaders in our fight to make college tuition free for the middle class," Cuomo said.

The only House Democrat from New York who didn't endorse the plan is U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice, who represents the 4th Congressional District.

Here is the full list of endorsers:

 U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke

 U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley

 U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel

 U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat

 U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins

 U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries

 U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey

 U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney

 U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney

 U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks

 U.S. Rep. Grace Meng

 U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler

 U.S. Rep. Jose Serrano

 U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter

 U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi

 U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko

 U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez
The co-chairs of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council and two Rochester business leaders, including former Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy, are urging the state Legislature to reject attempts to subject regional council members to financial disclosure requirements.

In a letter to Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle, a Rochester-area Democrat, the officials say such a requirement could "derail" the regional economic development councils, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo formed in 2011 to boost economic development, particularly in upstate New York.

The letter was signed by Duffy, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Chairman Robert Sands and the Finger Lakes regional council's co-chairs  Monroe Community College President Anne Kress and Wegmans Food Markets CEO Danny Wegman.

"The members of the REDC earn no pay and sign conflict of interest certifications," the leaders wrote. "This invasion of privacy is just another ruse to end the REDCs. The REDCs are largely an upstate initiative and not especially relevant in New York City."

While downstate legislators are among those questioning whether the regional councils should have enhanced financial disclosure requirements, upstate legislators, too, have made similar arguments.

State Sen. Jim Seward, whose district includes a large swath of central New York, the Mohawk Valley and Southern Tier, told The Citizen in a recent interview that there should be more transparency in the regional council process. One reform he suggested is requiring council members to complete financial disclosure forms.

"I'm not saying scrap the whole program because our area has benefited," Seward, R-Milford, said. "But it's time to make some changes and I think the time to do it is in this budget."

Members of the state's 10 regional councils are required to abide by a code of conduct must submit a statement of interest form within 30 days of their appointment and each year they remain on the panel. The purpose of the statement is for members to disclose any business or commercial property interests.

Empire State Development's ethics counsel serves as the ethics officer for the regional councils.

The future of the regional council process will be determined in the state budget negotiations, which should heat up in March. As legislators call for more transparency, Cuomo has insinuated that what they really want is the ability to "feather their own nests."

The state has awarded $4.6 billion in funding since the regional councils launched in 2011. The aid has been used to support more than 5,200 projects across the state and created more than 210,000 jobs.

"I'm interested in creating jobs for people," Cuomo said during a speech in Syracuse. "That's what we are doing, that's what is working."

Rochester business leaders echoed that sentiment Tuesday. They asked Morelle, the highest ranking upstate member of the Assembly, to "defeat this attack" on the region's economic future.

"Please stand up for your constituents and tell the Assembly you will not tolerate the destruction of the best thing that has come out of Albany for upstate New York in decades," they wrote.
VNPT workers installing new internet cables in a rural area.  Photo thongtincongnghe.com

HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Vuong inh Hue recently urged the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) to speed up its divestment process in its listed member companies.

The Deputy PM has assigned the Ministry of Finance to study a proposal put forth by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) on the divestment of the P&T Hotel Joint Stock Company. He said the proposal was based on the 91/2015/N-CP Decree on October 13, 2015, concerning the Governments control over the funding of businesses and their management in the context of divestment.

The MIC has instructed VNPT to refer to the decree and proceed with the divestment procedure for the P&T Hotel JSC, in accordance with the laws and the Government interests.

Furthermore, VNPT will continue to divest from the Quang Nam Transportation Construction Joint Stock Company (QTC), Hacisco Joint Stock Company (HAS) and Low Current - Telecom Joint Stock Company (LTC), according to the current regulations.

In case, using a different method for the divestment process would prove to be more efficient than the current method, the MIC will be responsible for comparison and assessment before reporting to the Government.

Previously, according to VNPTs financial report, by the end of 2016, the company had divested VN602 billion (US$27 million) over their total VN2 trillion by the books. Their total earning was VN1.04 trillion ($46.7 million), equal to 174 per cent of VNPTs total investment.

The company continues to divest from 16 divisions using the agglomeration method and from 36 other divisions using the direct method.

However, according to VNPT, the divestment from some of these companies has proved to be quite difficult with many unsuccessful public offerings of the said companies shares.  VNS
Susan Rusinko used to own 105 pairs of shoes.

When she goes out, it's what's on people's feet that she notices first. And then, in the year 2000, Rusinko was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. As time went on, it became harder and harder for the Auburn woman to walk in some of her favorites as she began to lose her balance.

"One of the things with MS," she said, "little parts of you seem to disappear. I loved high heels."

But it became dangerous to walk in them, and Rusinko was forced to surrender another piece of herself to the neurological disease, which affects more than 400,000 people in the United States.

In 2003, Rusinko took charge of her life, giving up the 17 prescription pills a day to manage her symptoms and advocating for the use of medical marijuana. Smoking it once or twice a day cut back her pain meds to just three pills. Her work, along with many other advocates, led to the state passing the Compassionate Care Act in 2014, making medical marijuana a legal treatment option for some health problems.

With that success, Rusinko is taking on another initiative: She's starting a new fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis Resources of Central New York. Running the month of March, the fundraiser is a mock shoe sale. Several Auburn restaurants, including Curley's Restaurant, Moondog's Lounge, A.T. Walley & Co., Parker's Grille & Tap House and Swaby's Tavern will have dozens of cutout shoes customers can purchase for $1 each or, as Rusinko says, "if they dare, buy a pair" for $5. Customers can write their names on the single shoe, or the pair, and they will be displayed in the bar.

Annette Simiele, associate director for Multiple Sclerosis Resources of Central New York, said 90 cents out of each dollar donated goes directly to patient services. Simiele said there are plenty of people out there conducting research, so the focus of MS Resources is to make sure clients' necessities are met. That may mean installing a support bar in a shower, or driving a client to a doctor's appointment. With a staff of three serving more than 1,500 people in central New York, Simiele is excited and grateful that Rusinko is thinking of more ways to help the organization grow.

"I think this is a great, fun and innovative way to say, 'Listen, I can give back a little bit,'" Simiele said. "I'm hoping that Susan will grow and that more locations in the Auburn and Cayuga County area will welcome her with the mock shoe sale. I'd love to see her in every business in the county."

If the fundraiser grew that much, Rusinko would need to recruit help cutting out the individual shoes, she said with a laugh.

For now, Rusinko is happy to work with the five Auburn locations. The bar to sell the most shoes will receive a pair of Jennifer Lopez pumps that Rusinko purchased at the Thrifty Shopper on Grant Avenue and has meticulously revamped to her own liking.

"Jennifer Lopez will be very happy," she said. "I embellished her shoes. I bet you she would not have been sitting there gluing each crystal on the shoes, but it's worth it for me."

Rusinko said she tried the size 8's on, just to see if they'd fit. She said she could only walk a couple of steps in them, but she's excited to mount them to a wooden plaque and have them displayed in one of the downtown Auburn restaurants.

Curley's owner Sue DelloStritto-Bouley said she is always doing as much as she can to help her community, and she is looking forward to being a host for the fundraiser. She was particularly happy to do it because Rusinko's son, Nick, works at Curley's.

Rusinko said all five restaurants were very supportive when she first approached them, and she is looking forward to giving back to the organization that helped her tackle MS.

"I don't want to say it is like a pay-it-forward, but they've done so much for me," Rusinko said. "I've met so many wonderful people. If I didn't have MS, I wouldn't have met so many wonderful people, who have impacted my life and made it for the better."
HCM City officials are seeking ways to collect taxes from small- and home-based business owners who are selling merchandise on social media, such as Facebook, in a bid to reduce tax losses in the municipal budget.  Photo nld.com.vn

HA NOI  HCM City officials are seeking ways to collect taxes from small- and home-based business owners who are selling merchandise on social media, such as Facebook, in a bid to reduce tax losses in the municipal budget.

At a meeting between citys leaders and the HCM City Taxation Department, authorities said that the sector had been unable to collect taxes from a number of emerging platforms, including online businesses, which indicated that State management had not caught up with the development of the economy.

Pham Thanh Kien, director of HCM City Department of Trade and Industry, said e-commerce activity had been booming, with 80,000 active websites in the city, half of which run stable operations, but tax collection in the field was very poor, especially sales activities through Facebook.

He suggested that the HCM City Peoples Committee worked directly with Facebook to manage the source of revenue.

The HCM City Taxation Department should co-operate with commercial banks to check accounts of organisations and individuals who are doing business on Facebook, because Facebook traders have to register bank accounts for transactions.

In fact, in 2015, revenue from e-commerce in Viet Nam reached US$4.1 billion, an increase of five times compared with 2012. It is expected to reach $10 billion by 2020, accounting for 5 per cent of total retail sales in the country. Therefore, e-commerce will play a significant role in the Vietnamese retail sector in the future.

Bui Quang Tin, a lecturer in business administration at HCM City University of Banking, said that currently the Ministry of Industry and Trades Circular No 47/2014/TT-BCT and Government Decree No 52/2013/N-CP are documents that regulate trading activities on e-commerce platforms. However, only social networks that register operations in Viet Nam are subject to Decree 52 and Circular 47.

Tin said that only foreign traders and organisations and owners of social networking sites who had presence in Viet Nam, such as having a representative office or a branch operating in Viet Nam, or set up the website under Viet Nams domain name with .vn, are subject to the above documents.

Therefore, to obtain sales tax from sellers on Facebook, Vietnamese authorities should work with Facebook so they will have a legal presence in Viet Nam.

Economist Nguyen Tri Hieu said that in developed countries, all people and organistions were required to declare income and pay taxes. Collecting taxes on sales through social networks was necessary, he said.

He suggested that only those whose revenue was more than VN100 million ($4,386) per year be taxed.

He noted that transactions on the Internet were difficult to control and collecting taxes should be done step by step. Initially, there should be requirements that all individuals conducting business via Facebook must register their operations and declare their income.

Bui Quang Tin also said that with millions of Facebook accounts, in the first phase, the tax authority should target large and professional businesses, because many individual dealers operated as side jobs, or even seasonal businesses. If it tried to control all of them, it would use significant resources and probably be inefficient.

The difficulty in managing online sellers and collecting taxes is said to be the consequence of the low rate of non-cash transactions in Viet Nam.

Nguyen Hong, a food businessman on social networks, told Tuoi Tre (Young) newspaper that, in reality, it was hard for him to pay taxes because, I have no idea of where to register my business and how to pay taxes.

When I came to the district-level economic management unit to ask to register to pay taxes, they said that they did not manage online businesses. They told me to seek information from the municipal level.

An official of the Ministry of Finance, quoted by Tuoi Tre newspaper, said that the ministry had asked the General Taxation Department to issue guidance on collecting taxes from online businesses.

For professional businesses, the Internet was one of the channels to sell products, and they still had to declare tax and pay tax. Thus, there was no loss of tax revenues, he said.

However, it is difficult to tax individuals, because not all of them have tax file numbers.  VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has released a national plan for monitoring food safety for processed chicken for export to help Viet Nams chicken conquer the world market.

The ministry will direct the implementation of the plan from 2017-20. According to the plan, the peoples committees of key provinces in chicken breeding will also issue plans, have funds and implement measures to prevent chicken diseases to create regions with low risk of diseases in chicken, as well as abattoirs and processing facilities meeting food safety standards.

In addition, the ministry will help enterprises build abattoirs and processing facilities ensuring veterinary hygiene and food safety.

At least one enterprise was expected to qualify for a certificate for food safety to export processed chicken according to regulations of the International Food Standards Commission, or safety food standards of importing countries, said Vu Van Tam, the deputy minister of agriculture and rural development.

The ministry will monitor food safety in provinces in producing and processing export chicken, focusing on districts and provinces with enterprises joining the national plan on food safety for export processed chicken.

It will open training courses for staff in charge of veterinary medicine in provinces and districts and enterprises staff in charge of monitoring food safety and veterinary hygiene at chicken processing facilities.

The ministry has combined with southern ong Nai Provinces authorities to support one enterprise in the province to export chicken brisket to Japan. If this is a success, it will be the first Vietnamese chicken exported under large commercial contracts, Tam said.

Hoang Thanh Van, head of the ministrys Livestock Department, said many enterprises had held trade promotion activities targeting the Japanese market to export Vietnamese chicken to this market. If successful, Japanese partners would visit local enterprises to inspect chicken production lines and sign agreements with local enterprises.

Binh Phuoc Province has also focused on trade promotion activities with Japan, the EU and some Asian countries, he said.

To export chicken to strict markets, Viet Nam must reach standards of regions breeding chicken in those countries. The importing countries will have delegations to visit and inspect regions breeding chickens in Viet Nam to ensure safety, Van said.

The domestic livestock industry must have sustainable development according to international standards and find more export markets for local chicken products, he said.  VNS
HA NOI  Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong met with Canadas Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay to discuss Canadas Safe food for growth project in Viet Nam on February 27.

During the ministerial meeting, MacAulay said that Canada would soon provide Viet Nam with about CAD15 million (US$11.3 million) for the said project, as a continuation of the previous Food and Agriculture Products Quality Development and Control Project from 2008 to 2014.

Cuong said the two countries had great trade potential, as Canada was one of the most developed countries in the world. Canadian agriculture was advanced with high productivity, and their products did not clash with those of Viet Nam, but rather they complement one another. These were important factors that would propel trade and economic growth between the two countries, he said.

The two sides must create favourable conditions and facilitate Vietnamese and Canadian businesses to increase investment and contribute to the development of the agricultural market between the two nations, said Cuong.

MacAulay expressed his wish to push lobster exports from Canada into Viet Nam and to soon have Canadian blueberries exported to the Vietnamese market. Furthermore, being a strong global pork exporter, Canada also hopes to cooperate with Viet Nam on pig genetic research.

Cuong said that Viet Nam also encouraged the import of high-quality pig breeds, as well as the introduction of Canadian lobsters to Vietnamese lobster farms to provide for its domestic needs and the import needs of other markets.

Currently, Viet Nam is Canadas top trade partner among the 10 ASEAN members. As of 2016, Vietnamese export value to Canada was $2.65 billion, while the import value stood at $389.9 million. Agricultural products and seafood play a key role in bilateral trade.

Key agricultural exports from Canada to Viet Nam include seafood, flour, soybean, beef, pork, fruit and cattle feed. Some products have experienced exceptionally high growth in 2016, such as fresh lobster, fish and wheat.

The Canadian Government had directly provided the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with funding for two projects. The first one was the Food and Agriculture Products Quality Development and Control Project worth CAD17 million ($12.9 million), whose aim was to improve the quality, safety and market accessibility of several Vietnamese products, such as vegetables, tea, pork and poultry, through renovation in the production and processing system.

The project helped Viet Nam to build and complete a framework of regulations and technical quality control regarding food safety and put into practice several production chain models for agricultural products.

The second project had a budget of CAD500,000 ($379,377) and ended in December 2016. Its aim was to encourage private investment in the agricultural sector, renew policies and improve productivity.  VNS
By Dr. Ian Santos*

Chickenpox. A name that can make your skin crawl. The dreaded chickenpox season is almost upon us, with cases tending to spike between March and May.

Known as one of the most common of childhood illnesses, and one of the most uncomfortable, chickenpox is an infection caused by the Varicella Zoster virus, which can also cause shingles.

It causes a fever and widespread crops of blisters, and most children will catch it at some point. It can also occur in adults who didnt have it in childhood. The illness is usually mild and clears up in two weeks or so, but it can be dangerous for some people, such as pregnant women, newborn babies and people with a weakened immune system.

Symptoms of chickenpox

The symptoms start one to three weeks after infection - a rash that develops in three stages:

Spots  red raised spots develop on the face or chest before spreading to other parts of the body, and over the next few hours or the following day, very itchy fluid-filled blisters develop on top of the spots.

Scabs and crusts  after a further few days, the blisters dry out and scab over to form a crust; the crusts then gradually fall off over the next week or two.

Chickenpox is contagious until all the blisters have scabbed over, which usually happens about five or six days after the rash appears.

How does it spread?

Chickenpox can spread easily. You can get it from an infected person who sneezes, coughs or shares food or drinks. You can also get it if you touch the fluid from a chickenpox blister.

A person who has chickenpox can spread the virus even before he or she has any rash. Chickenpox is most easily spread from 2 to 3 days before the rash appears and until all the blisters have crusted over.

You are at risk of chickenpox if you have never had the illness and havent had the chickenpox vaccine. If someone you live with gets chickenpox, your risk is even higher because of the close contact.

Dos And Donts

Do prevent chickenpox with the chickenpox vaccine. Children should get it as part of their routine immunizations.

Do keep your child away from school/playgroup/planes and other public areas at the first sign of a rash until the blisters have crusted over as chicken pox is highly contagious.

Dont send your kid to a "chicken pox party" so they can catch it and "get it over with". I have seen enough cases of severe reaction to chicken pox (including pneumonia and the brain swelling condition, encephalitis). So parents, please dont play with your kids lives.

Do keep a watchful eye as early symptoms can be perceived as grouchiness or aching, and the incubation period (from exposure to full onset) varies from 14 to 24 days.

Do consider offering your child an anti-histamine syrup if theyre older than one year of age, as it can help relieve itching.

Dont slather your child with calamine lotion as this dries on the skin to become even itchier. Instead, use calamine gel that cools and provides longer-lasting relief.

Do keep your little ones finger nails short and encourage them not to scratch to minimize scarring. Try putting socks on their hands at night.

Dont freak out. Chickenpox is typically a mild illness. Once the itching subsides, patients are usually fine and the majority dont suffer longterm complications.

Do avoid known outbreaks or carriers if youre pregnant and have never had the infection, as newborn babies are vulnerable to catching it. If youre pregnant and have chicken pox your doctor might recommend antiviral or immunoglobin treatment. Exclusive breastfeeding offers good protection for newborns against most infections

Dont hesitate to call your pediatricians when:

a. Your child develops unusual symptoms such as swollen and painful skin, infected blisters or breathing/chest pain.

b. Your baby is less than four weeks old and has chickenpox

If you develop chickenpox as an adult and the symptoms havent started to improve after six days, you may need treatment to prevent you becoming seriously ill. Family Medical Practice

*Doctor Ian Santos is a pediatrician at Family Medical Practice Hanoi. For more advice on any medical topics, visit FMP Hanoi at 298 Kim Ma Street, Ba inh. Tel: (04) 3843 0748. E: hanoi@vietnammedicalpractice.com. FMPs downtown Ho Chi Minh City clinics are located at Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, District 1 and at 95 Thao ien Street, District 2. Tel: (08) 38227848. E: hcmc@vietnammedicalpractice.com. FMP Danang is located at 96-98 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Hai Chau District, a Nang. Tel: (511) 3582 699. E: danang@vietnammedicalpractice.com.
TEHRAN Iranian film The Salesman on Sunday won the Oscar for best foreign language film, but director Asghar Farhadi skipped the Hollywood gala in protest at a travel ban by US President Donald Trump.

Farhadi initially said he would head to Hollywood for Oscars night, where his film  the story of two actors whose relationship turns sour during a performance of Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman  earned a statuette.

But after citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries were briefly denied entry last month to the US, he decided there were too many "ifs and buts" about whether he would be allowed to enter the country.

Instead, thousands of people watched The Salesman for free in Londons Trafalgar Square.

In a statement read at the Oscars in his name, Farhadi said he was staying away in solidarity as people had been "disrespected" by Trumps policy, which is currently on hold after a decision by a federal appeals court.

"Dividing the world into the US and our enemies categories creates fear  a deceitful justification for aggression and war," he said in the statement read at the Hollywood gala by the Iranian-born US engineer and astronaut Anousheh Ansari.

"These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression.

"Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others  an empathy which we need today more than ever."

Fanaticism and extremism

At the age of just 44, Farhadi has established himself as Irans most acclaimed director, touching people around the globe with stories that resonate beyond borders.

This was his second film to win an Oscar in the foreign language film category, following the 2012 victory for A Separation  a stark, powerful family drama about Irans fractured social classes, which also picked up a Golden Globe.

Coming at another dark time in relations between the United States and Iran, when international sanctions were at their peak, Farhadis 2012 speech was lauded back home for putting Iranian art, culture and history above politics.

But this time, politics trumped art.

His statement in January blasted the rising mood of "fanaticism and extremism" and compared Trump to hardliners in his own country.

"Instilling fear in the people is an important tool used to justify extremist and fanatic behaviour by narrow-minded individuals," he wrote.

His lead actress, Taraneh Alidoosti, also boycotted the event, calling Trumps visa ban "racist". The measure has been put on ice by the US federal courts, and Trumps White House is devising a new order.

Restrictions breed creativity

Working in the Islamic Republic for most of his career, Farhadi has had to turn limitations into sources of creativity.

"There are two types of censorship: official censorship and self-censorship, which is much more dangerous," Farhadi once said.

Outside Iran, "the restrictions no longer weigh me down, but I am still subject to a conditioning thats beyond my control," he said.

"I try to see that as an advantage rather than a hindrance and to respond in a creative way."

Born in 1972 near the ancient city of Isfahan, Farhadi was swiftly drawn towards the arts, becoming interested in writing, drama and cinema while still at school.

He later took courses at the Iranian Young Cinema Society and graduated with a masters degree in film direction from Tehran University in 1998.

Complex but fluid

The Salesman also found success at last years Cannes film festival, with Farhadi winning best screenplay and his star Shahab Hosseini named best actor.

It was his second official festival selection after his French-language film The Past in 2013, which won the ecumenical jury prize.

The structure of Farhadis scripts "is always complex but fluid," cinema writer Beatrice de Mondenard said at the time.

"He seeks to show the difficulties inherent in relationships between people, the choices faced by everyone, choices which make us question our values and our convictions."

Farhadis About Elly, which tells of a woman who vanishes on a beach getaway with friends, scooped the Silver Bear award for best director at the 2009 Berlin film festival.

Other films include Dancing In The Dust, Fireworks Wednesday and "Beautiful City". AFP
HA NOI Famous Vietnamese writer Di Lis latest book--featuring her notes from adventures in Asia and Europe--was presented to the public late last week.

The work, Va Tuyet a Roi Ngoai Cua So (And its Snowing Outside the Window), was written in the style of travellers notes. She describes her interesting meetings, difficulties and experiences in various cities in Asia and Europe that she visited: from Qatar to China, Myanmar, South Korea, the Netherlands, Hungary and Austria.

She also portrays in the book the life of some Vietnamese people that she met during her travels.

The 278-page book, published by Writers Association Publishing House, has been praised by critics for providing useful and interesting information about the cultures of different countries and for encouraging young people to travel.

The book is worth reading, as it encourages young people to be more curious about the world outside, says writer Duong Thuy.

Some people think that traveler notes are not literature and that writing them is quite easy. However, as more and more Vietnamese travel, everyone should recognize one thing: not everyone who travels can write a book. Its difficult to write travellers notes, as it requires the writer to observe deeply and remember small details, take notes in shorthand, and take pictures quickly. Di Li did it very well, he says.

Vu Phuong Lien, director of the Lien Viet Publishing House who has accompanied Di Li on different trips, said, Di Li was an excellent guide during our travels together. My trips with her are always interesting, funny and unforgettable. When she wrote about them in the book, I couldnt help smiling, as I am surprised by her sense of observation, she says.

Hasanthi Dissanayake, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Viet Nam and a good friend of Di Lis, said at the book launch that she is very impressed by her writing style and hopes that she will write one day a book featuring the culture of Sri Lanka.

Di Li (whose real name is Nguyen Dieu Linh) is one of the most exciting and outgoing of a new generation of Vietnamese authors writing about modern Vietnam and its place in the world. She also works as a teacher and a journalist.

She has released many books, including crime thrillers, horror stories and humorous fiction. Her novel The Black Diamond was translated into English in 2012 , and Cocktail was translated in Dutch in 2015. During her 10 years of writing, she has published nearly 30 books. VNS




HA NOI  The newest Broadway-inspired music by Vietnamese director Nguyen Phi Phi Anh has sold over 1,300 tickets in 48 hours.

The University of New Hampshire theatre graduate will debut his latest production, entitled Mong Uoc Khong Xa Voi (A Not So Far-fetched Dream), starting tonight.

The revue is part of his art project, Hope, which was launched last October. Alongside A Not So Far-fetched Dream, the project also presented the Goc Pho Danh Vong (LAvenue), and em He Sau Cuoi (A Mid-summer Night Murder), which were major hits in Viet Nam in 2012 and 2013.

Phi Anh, who serves as a producer, stage director and scriptwriter, said that Hope not only aims to delight Vietnamese people but also to introduce a Western art genre.

Furthermore, I expect Hope can spread the message Live Positively. Hope always exists in the ones who believe in it, especially the youth.. I think everyone should live with their own hope, the 26-year-old said.

In an interview with Viet Nam News few months ago, the director revealed a bit about this production.

The story basically follows a car driver for a day. He gets to hear different stories told by the various people who step in for a ride, he said.

The driver, Ken, and one of the passengers, Mina, then join together in a weird adventure to prevent a strange pandemic that threatens human life.

Unlike his two other revues, LAvenue, and A Mid-summer Night Murder--which only have songs from famous musicals as well as contemporary international hits--A Not So Far-fetched Dream will also feature famous Hongkongese and Japanese songs. Anh wrote Vietnamese lyrics for these songs.

A cast of 35 actors, 17 musicians--most of them are amateurs--will stage the production.

Alongside the opening show tonight, A Not So Far-fetched Dream will also be staged from March 6 to 9 at LEspace, 24 Trang Tien Street.  VNS
BINH DUONG  The second national on Ca Tai Tu (southern folk music) Festival will be held April 8-12 in the southern province of Binh Duong, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

Southern plentiful flavour" is the theme of this year festival, which is one of Viet Nams most important events this year.

The ministry said that local authorities should work with Viet Nam Television to broadcast the opening and closing ceremonies live on television so that residents and overseas Vietnamese could watch the show.

In addition to music bands from 21 provinces in the southeastern and southwestern regions, 14 teams from seven other provinces are expected to take part in the festival.

Multiple art shows and exhibitions will be organised to honour famous artists with significant contributions to on Ca Tai Tu development.

A talk show on on Ca Tai Tu and its tourism potential will also be held.  VNS
TUYEN QUANG  A conference on investment, trade and tourism promotion held for the first time by the mountainous province of Tuyen Quang yesterday has concluded with investors pledging a total of VN18.3 trillion (over US$801 million) into six large-scale projects in this province.

The provincial authorities also took the opportunity to present licences to six projects worth a combined total of nearly VN3.7 trillion ($164 million), including a VN900 billion resort by VinPearl group, and a VN485 billion animal breeding complex by Dabaco.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that other than unburdening administrative loads on enterprises and investors, Tuyen Quang Province must seek ways to improve its business and investment environment in order to attract greater investment and more projects that support its socio-economic development.

He also called for enterprises to boost their investment in the province.

Out of 15 key projects for which the province is soliciting investment, six aim at promoting tourism; the others are concerned with cultivation and processing of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, as well as producing biotechnology products.

Tourism and agricultural and forestry products are considered Tuyen Quangs assets that bring in sizeable revenue, helping to raise the living standards of ethnic groups in the mountainous province.

Identifying the facilitation for investment as a key priority, the provincial authorities have carried out reform measures to reduce time spent on administrative procedures by 30 per cent. A steering committee was also established to give instructions and implement action plans and programmes to raise the province competitiveness index (PCI).

So far, 180 projects have been greenlit and licenced, with total investment reaching upwards of VN27 trillion ($1.18 billion) from 1,200 enterprises, including four FDI enterprises.

In 2016, a number of leading domestic enterprises have sought opportunities and invested in the province, such as VinGroup, Muong Thanh Corp, Viet Nam National Textile and Garment Group, Woodsland Tuyen Quang, among others, helping the provinces economic structure shift towards industry, service, and forestry.

At the conference, investors expressed their appreciation for the supportive spirit the provinces authorities have shown, especially in land clearance and administrative reforms.

PM Phuc mentioned the construction of a 40km highway that will link the province with the Ha Noi  Lao Cao Highway, which he said would reduce travel time from the capital city to the province to an hour and a half.

The PM also urged the province to carefully create a plan to sustainably develop its socio-economic infrastructure with a long-term view, avoiding potential conflicts.

PM Phuc also addressed environmental issues that frequently accompany economic development. He said that since the province is upstream of major tributaries that will flow to the plains, protecting water resources must remain a high priority and environmental laws must be strictly enforced.

He also urged enterprises to pay special heed to workers rights and benefits, but in turn, the provincial authorities need to re-train the labour force, aiming for better quality workers to provide to enterprises.

The conference is expected to speed up the completion of policies that attract investment into the province.

Yesterday afternoon, the PM also visited the An Hoa paper factory of the Ha Noi Export-Import Company (GELEXIMCO Group), one of the countrys biggest paper factories and the only facility in Viet Nam that can produce paper pulp.

With an output of 130,000 tonnes of paper and paper products, the factory uses elemental chlorine free (ECF) techniques for bleaching, helping to drastically cut back on environmental pollution and paper costs at the same time.

Tapping forestry economy

PM Phuc also advised the province to promote a forestry economy and make it a national model in the field while working with provincial authorities last Sunday.

Together with a forestry economy, the province should develop tourism and hi-tech agriculture, he said.

Located between the northwestern and northeastern regions with 22 ethnic minority groups, the provinces economy has yet to match its potential, recording only VN1.59 trillion ($71.4 million) in revenue last year.

It recorded a planted forest area of over 10,500 hectares, up 104 per cent in the year. Its forest coverage has been maintained steadily at 64 per cent. VNS
KHANH HOA - The first Senior Officials Meetings (SOM1) and related meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Forum continued on Monday in Nha Trang City, south central Khanh Hoa province, with a series of events.

Delegates from 21 APEC member economies attended the Economic Committee Meeting, the Policy Partnership on Food Security Meeting, the Ocean and Fisheries Working Groups Meeting, the Committee on Trade and Investment Meeting and the Budget and Management Committee  SOM Steering Committee on ECOTECH Joint Meeting.

Meanwhile, the Ad Hoc Steering Group on the Internet Economy Meeting and the Ocean and Fisheries Working Group  Policy Partnership on Food Security Joint Meeting began their first working day.

Taking place from February 18 to March 3, the APEC SOM1 and related meetings comprise 56 meetings, workshops and dialogues of 38 APEC committees and working groups.

Under the theme Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future, delegates are expected to discuss priorities for the 2017 APEC Year on promoting sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth, regional economic connectivity, competitiveness of small-and medium-sized enterprises and micro-enterprises in the digital era, food security, and climate change adaptation.

The APEC forum includes 21 members - Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States and Viet Nam - which account for a combined 39 per cent of the worlds population and 59 per cent of the worlds gross domestic product.

The forum focuses on three pillars, namely trade and investment liberalisation, business facilitation and economic and technological co-operation.

VN climate change response impresses APEC

APEC delegates on the same day expressed high appreciation of Viet Nams experiences in strengthening food security and promoting sustainable agriculture as it responded to climate change.

The praise came at a meeting of the regional blocs Working Group on Food Security Policy, said Tran ai Nghia, head of the Institute for Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development.

The three-day meeting (February 25-27) was part of the first APEC SOM1 underway in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province.

Nghia said Viet Nam was one of the economies vulnerable to climate change, facing disasters like drought, saline intrusion, prolonged flooding and cold fronts.

In order to adapt to climate change, farmers in the central province of Ninh Thuan have switched to apple, grape and garlic cultivation. In the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang, shrimp breeding in brackish water has been a way to adapt to saltwater intrusion.

Such moves have added value to farm produce and contributed to the sustainable development of Vietnamese agriculture, he said.

Patrick Edward Meran, a US official, also praised Viet Nams thorough preparations and sound proposals made at the meeting.

He said he hopes for positive outcomes from the High-Level Dialogue on food security and sustainable agriculture in response to climate change that is scheduled for this August in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.  VNS
Weedsport resident Charlie Allen, 80, has been a volunteering with the American Red Cross of Central New York for more than 10 years. He became involved with blood services as a transportation specialist, helping to bring donated blood from blood drives to the necessary facilities. His wife, Janice, is also a longtime volunteer.

I enjoy driving to different places, and have met some of the nicest people through my time here at the American Red Cross, Allen said, adding that volunteering with the Red Cross is his way of giving back to a community that has done so much for him over the years. Hes also launched new friendships along the way.

Allen appreciates the flexibility of the Red Cross, allowing volunteers to work occasionally or on a regular basis, depending on their own interests and availability. Currently, he records about an hour a week, which he feels is a great way to stay involved.

Kyra Vieira, 18, of Union Springs is a new Red Cross volunteer, helping out in blood services. She worked her first blood drive earlier this month. The American Red Cross does wonderful things for this community, Vieira said. The Red Cross came to mind when thinking about where to spend my time because of its name, but also because of the work that we do on a day-to-day basis.

Vieira visited the Red Cross website to apply, and her application was processed within days. Now that shes officially on board, Vieira said shes looking forward to making a difference in her community and becoming part of the Red Cross family.

Volunteering with the American Red Cross is a great way to give back to your community. If you can contribute only one hour per month, or a few hours each week, Red Cross opportunities are flexible to fit with any schedule. Not only is volunteering a great resume-builder, but a fantastic way to stay active and meet others.

The American Red Cross is seeking volunteers throughout Cayuga County to assist families after local disasters and help at blood drives. Disaster responders help families after home fires or other disasters, providing emergency assistance with shelter, food, clothing and health or mental health needs. Blood drive volunteers are also needed to assist at local drives, greeting blood donors or serving snacks. This is a fantastic way to volunteer as an individual, or within a small group, during the workday or on weekends.

To become a volunteer, please visit redcross.org/volunteer or contact Volunteer Services Regional Specialist Julie Mucilli at (315) 234-2217 or julie.mucilli@redcross.org
HCM CITY  Many infants have been abandoned at Ky Quang II Pagoda in HCM Citys Go Vap District which is also home to children with disabilities.

At the pagoda, the disadvantaged children are taken care of and provided with nutrition suitabley by the pagodas monks and volunteers working as caregivers. They are also brought to schools under the help of the districts education division.

Several of them, who have difficulty learning with other children at schools because of their disability, are taught at the pagoda and receive physical therapy every day.

The pagodas staff also provides occupation consulting and vocational training to children with visual impairment. Last year the pagoda co-operated with the districts Traditional Medicine Association and HCM City Traditional Medicine Institute to open a short-term training course on massage for young people with visual impairment to help provide jobs for them.

Ky Quang II Pagoda is one of eight Buddhist social welfare establishments providing social protection and assistance to disadvantaged people in the city , according to a Department of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs report.

A report by the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee showed that there are a total of 113 religious establishments home to 11,800 orphans, children with disabilities and old people in the whole country.

Providing academic training

Moreover, religious institutions have contributed to helping poor children access education.

Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, for instance, set up Phat Quang Pagoda for raising and teaching poor children, orphans and homeless children in the province under the approval of the provincial Peoples Committee.

The first academic year for 100 children from grade 1-3 started at the pagoda in 2002. These children were taught many subjects, such as Vietnamese, English, computer science, music and living skills at the pagoda.

As of 2015-16, 198 children from kindergarten to high school level were taught at the pagoda, the pagodas Venerable Thich Minh Man said.

Most of children are from poor families. Some were abandoned after living with their grandparents whose health was not good whilst others come from families whose parents were divorced, Man said.

Going to school for these children is an abstract dream, he said, adding that because they lack money, their living environment leads to inconsistant physical and mental development.

A proper teaching methodology for them is very necessary to help acheive comprehensive development like other children, he said.

They are taught not only academics but also ethics, he said.

Their parents also are guided in ways to create a healthy living environment to co-operate with the pagoda to teach and develop a good personality for the children, he added.

Vocational training

Speaking at a workshop honouring contributions of religious social welfare and vocational training establishments last week in HCM City, Le Ba Trinh, the VFF Central Committees deputy head, said that other religious establishments have opened vocational training facilities to poor young people.

The Bishop of Xuan Loc in the southeastern province of ong Nai, for example, has opened Hoa Binh Vocational Training School teaching electrical engineering, IT, tourism, accounting, automotive engineering and other subjects since 2008.

Dr Trinh Thanh Toan, the schools deputy head, said that the number of students has increased year-by-year, from 375 students in the 2012-13 academic year to 1,133 in 2016-17.

The schools graduates all have job and meet the demands of companies, Toan said.

Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs ao Ngoc Dung highly appreciated and honoured their contributions to improve the physical and mental life of disadvantaged people in the country and human resource training for the country.

Chairman of Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan said that religious institutions should continue their contributions.

Nhan called on authorities and relevant agencies including labour sectors and VFF in provinces and cities to guide and create more favourable conditions for such establishments to operate.

They should have more policies to help children at these establishments to get benefits such as exemption of tuition fees or free provision of health insurance cards in accoradance with government regulations, he added.

Challenges

According to Trinh, many religious social welfare establishments have invested in building standard facilities to ensure raising and taking care of children and other disadvantaged people.

However, several of them have limited facilities, he added.

Staff and volunteers working as social workers at these establishments are very enthusiastic, friendly and share heart-felt love for these disadvantaged people, he said, however, many of them are not trained with professional knowledge and skills which are necessary for social work.

Labour divisions in provinces and cities have provided training courses to staff and volunteers, he added.

Vijaya Ratnam-Raman, acting chief of the child protection programme at UNICEF Viet Nam, said that these challenges are not unique to Viet Nam.

Indeed, residential care of children all over the world is a very complicated issue that faces many challenges to ensure that the rights of children are realised, he added.

UNICEF strongly recommends that the government in co-operation with the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and religious organisations across Viet Nam learn from the failures of other countries and do all that is within its power to ensure the childrens rights, he said.

They should support the institutions to improve the quality of their care staff, and their ability to have qualified religious social workers in each care setting is critical to ensure the needs of children are timely identified and addressed, he added.  VNS
HA NOI  The National Cancer Hospital opened a 240-bed low-cost hostel for its patients and their family members at its Tan Trieu branch in a ceremony held on Monday.

The facility will provide low-cost accommodation for needy patients and their family members and will help them save money during their stay for treatment at the hospital, Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said during the opening ceremony.

The facility aims to provide comfortable accommodation for the patients and their families. It will also help improve hygiene and reduce the congestion at the hospital, said hospital director Tran Van Thuan.

Inside a low-cost room for poor patients and their families at the Tan Trieu branch of the National Cancer Hospital.  VNS Photo Thanh Hai

The hospital also undertook a series of 15 measures and successfully implemented advanced techniques to improve patients examination and treatment and satisfaction.

The facility was built with an investment of nearly VN3 billion (US$133,000) funded by Thai CP Group, in response to the call to support needy patients by Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien.

According to the National Institute for Cancer Control, more than 160,000 new cancer patients are detected every year. There are 115,000 cancer deaths every year. VNS
HCM CITY  FV Hospital in HCM City on February 27 kicked off a promotion programme offering a 20 per cent discount on all general surgical packages and hospital fees.

The promotion programme, which ends on September 30, is designed only for non-insured and locally insured patients, not for internationally insured patients. It is not valid for emergency surgery.

The hospital said the promotion would enable more patients to have access to FV Hospitals Joint Commission International-credited, world-class services.

The hospital said that its costs are on par with costs at private hospitals in the city because of FVs policy to adjust charges to suit patients financial capability.

The hospitals general surgery department offers surgical treatments for cancer and complicated conditions related to the gastrointestinal tract and liver, and gallbladder and pancreas, as well as for conditions such as obesity, hernias, thyroid gland problems and sweaty palms. VNS
HA NOI  Re-allocation of State-owned forestry farms should be tightly controlled and supervised, and prolonged disputes must be settled, Tran Ngoc Binh, an expert from the Forestry Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) said at a seminar yesterday.

Policies are needed to create jobs after re-organising farms to effectively implement sustainable poverty eradication, he told the seminar jointly organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Forestry Land Alliance to discuss land management of agricultural and forestry companies.

Under a 2014 Government decree, many forest lands owned by companies and farms were handed over to local governments for re-allocation to poor households and ethnic minorities.

Since then, several studies have been carried out on supervising and evaluating the land re-allocation projects by local authorities.

According to Binh, 43 companies were authorised to maintain a State-owned model while two companies were allowed to shift to forest management boards in the form of profitable public agencies.

Along with achievements, the changes exposed shortcomings, Binh said. Evaluation and re-allocation of forest lands in some localities has been slow, he said. The reasons were lack of finance, staff and involvement of concerned agencies, he added.

In addition, land disputes and encroachment by local residents and companies are an ongoing problem, Binh told the seminar. In fact, forestry companies face difficulties in forest protection and production due to lack of proper policies and mechanisms.

Nguyen Thanh Phong, an expert from the ministrys Policy and Strategy Institute, said disputes and complaints were due to lack of full involvement by related parties, especially local governments and representatives of peoples committees.

Moreover, in many cases, parties did not fully understand policies, resulting in disputes over defining boundaries and allocating lands to households, said Phong.

Thus, a proper legal framework was needed for supervising the activities to avoid disputes and complaints and help poor people access natural resources equally and transparently in order to improve their lives and eradicate poverty, he said.  VNS
WASHINGTON  The Pentagon presented the White House with possible new battle plans on Monday to defeat the Islamic State group, after President Donald Trump demanded top brass find additional ways to destroy the jihadists.

A pillar of Trumps campaign was to quicken the fight against IS, which despite losing thousands of fighters still controls parts of northern Syria and Iraq, and he berated Barack Obamas administration for taking too long to do so.

Trump had claimed to have a secret plan to defeat the brutal extremists, but never disclosed what this might be.

He repeatedly pledged to "bomb the hell" out of them and even threatened to kill family members of suspected IS fighters.

Shortly after taking office, the new president gave the Pentagon 30 days to review progress to date and develop a comprehensive plan to "totally obliterate" IS.

A US-led coalition has been bombing the jihadists in Iraq and Syria since late summer 2014, while also deploying Western commandos to train and advise local forces.

The initial draft of the review is now complete, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis presented the findings to Trumps top national security advisors.

The options outlined in the classified document are preliminary and need to be further refined, said Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis.

"It is about the rapid defeat of ISIS," Davis said.

"Were going to continue to have a dialogue with our chain of command going forward and developing this plan."

The proposals will likely outline the possibility of sending more US troops to the Middle East and could see the Pentagon taking a more aggressive stance in other key areas.

"This is not about Syria and Iraq, its about a trans-regional threat," General Joe Dunford, who chairs the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a Washington audience last week.

"In this particular case, were talking about ISIS, but its also Al-Qaeda and other groups that present a trans-regional threat."

Dunford stressed the importance of renewed military action coming alongside diplomatic and political efforts.

"All of us who have participated in these conflicts over the last 15 years realise that anything we do on the ground has to be in the context of political objectives or its not going to be successful," Dunford said.

The review includes input from across the government, including its spy agencies, State Department and Department of Homeland Security.

More US forces?

Since the coalition effort to defeat IS began, the jihadists have lost much of the ground they once held, and tens of thousands have been killed in air strikes and ground combat.

In Iraq, they are clinging to the last parts of their former bastion Mosul as Iraqi security forces backed by Western air power push them from the city.

The fight is more complex in civil war-torn Syria, where Russia is conducting its own air campaign to prop up President Bashar al-Assad.

A key question is whether America will arm Syrian Kurdish forces to lead the fight to retake Raqa - a move sure to infuriate ally Turkey, which considers the Kurdish fighters terrorists - or whether the United States should send in more combat troops.

Currently, only about 500 US troops are in Syria, mostly special operations forces working behind the frontlines to train local Kurdish and Syrian Arab fighters.

Because Obama was elected in 2008 on the promise of ending US conflicts in the Middle East, he was loath to put US forces in combat.

The anti-IS review is also a significant first test for the relationship between Trump and Mattis.

Trump has so far given the Pentagon chief broad leeway on shaping US military policy, even though the retired Marine Corps general has pushed back against much of Trumps more blustery rhetoric, including his professed support of torture and claim that America should seize Iraqs oil.  AFP
Russia investigation

off to rocky start

WASHINGTON (AP)  A simmering dispute between leaders of the House intelligence committee spilled into the public Monday over an investigation into whether President Donald Trump has ties to Russia.

The Republican committee chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes of California, said he has heard no evidence so far anyone in Trumps orbit was in contact with Russians. The top Democrat on the committee, Adam Schiff, also of California, said it was premature to make any conclusions.

The nature of ties between Trumps associates and Russia has dogged him throughout his nascent presidency, and Monday brought renewed calls for a special prosecutor to investigate the unusual situation.

The House and Senate intelligence committees are conducting separate investigations. But revelations last week that the White House enlisted the Republican chairmen of those committees to push back against news reports have intensified concerns over whether the congressional investigations will be tainted by political influence.

Suspect said hed killed Iranians

OLATHE, Kan. (AP)  A bartender at the restaurant where a man was arrested last week for an apparently racially motivated bar shooting of two Indian men told a 911 dispatcher the suspect admitted shooting two people, but described them as Iranian.

A recording from Henry County, Mo., 911 reveals the bartender warned police not to approach the building with sirens blaring or something bads going to happen.

The man, Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe, has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. According to witnesses, Purinton yelled get out of my country at two 32-year-old Indian men before he opened fire in a Kansas City suburb Wednesday evening.

One man was killed and two others injured.

Plane hits houses,

1 dead, 5 hurt

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP)  One person was killed and five were injured when a small plane crashed into two homes Monday evening in Riverside shortly after taking off from a nearby airport, leaving fiery wreckage that nearly destroyed one of the homes, officials said.

Four people were aboard the plane, and two of the victims were pulled from one of the burning homes, officials said.

The Cessna 310 aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Riverside Municipal Airport.

SpaceX: Well fly

2 around moon

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)  SpaceX said Monday it will fly two people to the moon next year, a feat not attempted since NASAs Apollo heyday close to half a century ago.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk  the companys founder and chief executive officer  announced the surprising news barely a week after launching his first rocket from NASAs legendary moon pad. Two people who know one another approached the company about sending them on a weeklong flight just beyond the moon, according to Musk. He wont identify the pair or the price tag. Theyve already paid a significant deposit and are very serious about it, he noted.

Musk said SpaceX is on track to launch astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA in mid-2018. This moon mission would follow about six months later.

If all goes as planned, it could happen close to the 50th anniversary of NASAs first manned flight to the moon, on Apollo 8.
WATERLOO  A Waterloo man has been arrested after he allegedly asked a 14-year-old girl to take photos of her private areas.

Waterloo police arrested Craig Gene Hilton, 63, of 155 E. Ridgeway Ave., on Friday for sexual exploitation of a minor and indecent contact with a child. He was released from the Black Hawk County Jail that same day.

The charges stem from an Oct. 1 incident where Hilton allegedly passed a note to the girl requesting she take the photos and text them to his cell phone in exchange for $20 or $30, court records state.

The girl immediately handed the note to her mother. Hilton allegedly attempted to retrieve the note, but the mother notified police.

Police: Fight led

up to stabbing

WATERLOO  Waterloo police continue to investigate a series of confrontations that led to the stabbing of a Waterloo woman early Sunday.

Tondalaya Renee Bridges, 29, was taken to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City where she underwent surgery for serious knife wounds. Police said she is expected to survive.

No arrests have been made.

The stabbing happened shortly before 3 a.m. Sunday at 1227 W. Mullan Ave. Details werent immediately available, but police have classified part of the incident as a burglary, and officers said they are investigating the possibility the stabbing was in self-defense.

Bridges and Ashley Martin, 29, had been in an altercation earlier at a liquor store, said Capt. David Mohlis with the Waterloo Police Department. After the altercation, Bridges allegedly went to Martins home at 1227 W. Mullan Ave., a second altercation broke out, and Martin allegedly stabbed Bridges, Mohlis said.

Man convicted in

fast food holdup

WATERLOO  A Waterloo man who is serving prison time for robbing a grocery store at closing time is now also convicted of robbing a fast food restaurant at closing time.

Jurors deliberated for just more than two hours Monday before finding 22-year-old Jessie Lee Mathews guilty of first-degree robbery in the April 2014 holdup at Burger King on Jefferson Street.

Mathews faces up to 25 years in prison in the case with a mandatory 17 and a half years before he can be considered for parole. Sentencing will be at a later date.

One of the pending issues will be whether the time will be added to a 10-year sentence Mathews is currently serving for second-degree robbery for allegedly using a BB gun to stick up the owner of the former Byron Supermarket as she left with the night deposit in October 2014.

In the fast food heist, Prosecutor Brad Walz said an accomplice, Charles C.J. Jenkins entered Burger King shortly before closing, ordered a hamburger and used the sandwich to prop open an emergency exit. After closing, Mathews, Tyler Qualice Chandler and another person  two of them armed with handguns  entered the store, beat the assistant manager and fled with cash, Walz said.

Investigators found Jenkinss DNA on the leftover sandwich and, although store employees couldnt identify Mathews, other witnesses said he was involved.

Trial began Feb. 21, and testimony ended Friday.

Chandler was convicted during a July 2016 trial and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Jenkins pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree robbery Friday and was sentenced to 10 years in prison with a seven-year minimum before parole.

Robbery being investigated

WATERLOO  Police are investigating an armed robbery over the weekend.

Tamikka Bradford, 38, and Adrian Oliver, 27, told police they had gone to their vehicle in the 700 block of Logan Avenue shortly before 3 a.m. Sunday when they were approached by three men.

Two of the men had handguns, and they took a purse, cell phones and jewelry and fled.

No arrests have been made in the investigation.

1 hurt in crash

west of Osage

OSAGE  An Illinois man was hurt in a crash near Osage on Sunday.

Chaudhary Jitendrakumar, 25, of Woodridge, Ill., crossed the center line of Highway 9 about 7:30 p.m. and struck a westbound semitrailer driven by Nathan Schrom, 30, of Austin, Minn., near Cameo Avenue, according to an Iowa State Patrol crash report.

The crash was about eight miles west of Osage.

Troopers say the impact tore a wheel off Jitendrakumars Toyota Camry and rolled his car onto the shoulder. The loose wheel hit a Pontiac Grand Am driven by a Bailey Young, 16, of Osage. She was not hurt.

Jitendrakumar was flown by helicopter to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City. His condition was not available Monday.

Schrom also was not hurt. The crash remains under investigation.
Breakfast buffet

set for Sunday

WATERLOO  The Knights of Columbus Council 700 will host a breakfast buffet from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at 1955 Locke Ave.

The menu will include pancakes, eggs, biscuits and gravy, sausage, hash browns, fruit and cinnamon rolls.

Cost is $8 for adults, $4 for kids 6-12 and free for those younger than 6.

Celebration set

at church Friday

WATERLOO -- The local Church Women United will host a World Day of Prayer celebration at 1 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church, 434 Baltimore.

This is an ecumenical service and everyone is welcome. Theme this year is "Am I Being Unfair?" Following the program, presented by the women from First Baptist and St. Mark's United Methodist Church, there will be refreshments.
WATERLOO  The Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors hopes to host town hall meetings with congress members in April.

But not every supervisor believes its wise to sponsor what have often become contentious events in todays sharply divided political climate.

Board members voted 3-2 Tuesday to extend invitations to Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst and Rep. Rod Blum to participate in town hall meetings during the April 10-21 congressional recess.

Supervisors Chris Schwartz, Linda Laylin and Frank Magsamen supported the meeting, which would include 30 minutes for the supervisors to ask questions about federal policies affecting county government and 90 minutes for public questions.

Theres so many federal issues that impact what we do here at the county but also impact our residents, Schwartz said. Wed be doing a great service of trying to facilitate this conversation.

But supervisors Craig White and Tom Little voted against the measure.

I think wed lose face with this, said White, saying boisterous town hall meetings members of Congress have been holding across the country drown out messages constituents are trying to send.

White said hed prefer inviting federal and state lawmakers to visit the county-owned Country View care center, which is struggling financially due in part to a shortage of Medicare and Medicaid funds.

I dont want to pound on them and tell them what to do, he said. Id rather take them out there and be gracious and  hopefully get the point across that this is a very needed place.

Magsamen suggested the town hall meeting, if the congressional representatives accept the invitation, could be held at Country View.

I think its important with our reimbursement through Medicaid and what theyre looking at with changes in health care at the federal level that our senators and representative would have the opportunity to see firsthand what it means to take care of fragile individuals  both mental health and physical, Magsamen said.

Grassley, Ernst and Blum are all Republicans while the Black Hawk County supervisors are all Democrats.

Grassley and Ernst met with many disenchanted voters during town hall meetings in recent weeks, facing heated questions about the plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act and perceived failure to hold President Donald Trump accountable.
A Wayne County man is facing several charges after he allegedly assaulted a New York state trooper during a struggle.

State troopers, Wayne County sheriff's deputies and the Newark Police Department responded to a large disturbance at 2:37 a.m. Saturday at the Arrow Mart Store in Newark.

During the investigation, authorities say Dwayne L. Woolfolk, 30, of Palmyra, punched another man in the back of the head and attempted to flee. A trooper caught Woolfolk, but Woolfolk resisted arrest.

The trooper sustained a serious injury to his left hand in the struggle with Woolfolk, according to a news release. He was transported to the Newark-Wayne Community Hospital, where he was treated and released.

Woolfolk has been charged with assault on a police officer, obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest, second-degree harassment and disorderly conduct.

He was arraigned in Newark village court before Judge William Schusler. He was remanded to the Wayne County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail.

Woolfolk is scheduled to return to court at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
WATERLOO  The city will allow side-by-sides in the Riverview Recreation Areas off-road vehicle park.

But some users are worried the larger four- and eight-wheel vehicles dont go hand-in-hand with the motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles also using the 200-acre park.

Waterloo City Council members voted unanimously Monday to approve a new 20-year lease with the Trailblazers Off Road Club, a group of volunteers that has overseen and maintained the parks riding trails since 1996.

The Trailblazers requested allowing the side-by-sides, also known as utility task vehicles or off-road utility vehicles, which prompted a petition from 15 users opposing the change.

There are many safety concerns when putting these large vehicles and the much smaller current users into a very limited trail system like Riverview, the petition stated.

Another concern is the amount of damage to the terrain that the UTVs can do, petitioners continued. These machines can weigh as much as a ton empty and produce over 100 horsepower.

Leisure Services Director Paul Huting said the parties are expected to review the side-by-side usage after one year to determine if changes are necessary.

The Trailblazers utilize volunteers to maintain the park and have earned high marks from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and city officials for making the park a success.

In other business, council members:

Unanimously approved a $179,590 contract with Peters Construction of Waterloo to repair Riverfront Stadium, which was damaged in the September Cedar River flooding. City insurance proceeds and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are expected to cover the cost of the repairs.

Voted 4-3 to make a homeowner in the 1100 block of Hawthorne Avenue remove a patio she constructed in the citys street right of way.

Councilmen Tom Lind, Bruce Jacobs and Steve Schmitt said the patio looked nice and should be allowed to stay even though city staff said the homeowner was told several times not to build the patio there ahead of time.

Councilmen Ron Welper, Jerome Amos Jr., Tom Powers and Pat Morrissey sided with the citys engineering staff and Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission members who said leaving the patio would set a bad precedent for similar situations in the future.
DES MOINES  Doctors would face criminal penalties for performing abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy under a bill approved Tuesday by an Iowa Senate panel.

The Senate Human Resources subcommittee voted 2-1 to advance Senate File 53. The bill would not penalize women, but doctors who perform the abortions would face up to 10 years in prison.

I am pro-life and I would like to see it go forward, said Sen. Mark Costello, R-Imogene, who voted with Sen. Mark Chelgren, R-Ottumwa, to send the bill to the full committee.

It joins several GOP-led legislative efforts to restrict abortion in Iowa. The measure faces a tight legislative deadline that demands policy bills pass full committees before the end of the week.

Chelgren said multiple bills provide greater options in case one is struck down by a court challenge.

Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, called the bill unnecessary and unconstitutional. He was joined by critics who argued such medical decisions should be made by a woman, her family and her physician  not politicians.

Amanda Acton of Waukee, one of several women who testified about their own experiences with abortion, urged the subcommittee members to reject the bill.

You will not save lives with this legislation, Acton said. Only 1 percent of abortions occur after 20 weeks, and most women who are deciding to have abortions after 20 weeks are, like me, deciding to prevent the assured suffering of a much-wanted child out of compassion and love.

Actons pregnancy was at week 21 when her doctor told her and husband their baby girl had a rare genetic condition and did not have lungs. She said the decision to have an abortion was difficult, but the humane thing to do.

I dont regret my abortion, not one little bit, Acton said, choking back tears. It was the right decision, and Im glad that I could make it. Making that decision was the only thing we were able to do with our daughter. Im lucky we had doctors who stood with us.

By contrast, Joan Thompson of the Iowa Catholic Conference called current state law ultra permissive and urged lawmakers to join 15 other states that have placed restrictions on abortions performed after 20 weeks.

After facing years of obstacles, Thompson told the panel,  we have a path to begin to end the assault on the lives and dignity of women and children and protect the fundamental right to life.

Senators already have passed a bill to defund Planned Parenthood and are moving ahead on a separate bill that declares life begins at conception.

However, Erin Davison-Rippey, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, said legislation from this years session will be challenged in court if signed into law.

This bill would deny women the dignity to make personal and private decisions about their health care. This is a one-size-fits-all, 20-week ban which leaves women essentially in vulnerable and dangerous positions and does not protect womens health, said Davison-Rippey. This bill threatens doctors for exercising their best medical judgment and providing the best care they can for women.
Money in politics

BILL KAMMEYER

WATERLOO -- Im tired of the pot always calling the kettle black. Sen. Jeff Danielson is at it again accusing Governor Branstad and Republican lawmakers of being bought and paid for with campaign donations in regards to the recent collective bargaining bill.

Im sure some anti-union folks did donate to Republicans, but how is that any different than all of the union money donated to Democrats, including Jeff Danielson? Take a look at Danielsons campaign disclosure reports. They are all available online. Hes received thousands of dollars from unions representing public employees. Are you telling me his mind wasnt already made up before voting against the collective bargaining bill?

How can Senator Danielson say the Republicans were bought but he wasnt? Governor Branstad hit the nail on the head in response to Democrat lawmakers accusing him of being bought. He said, "Here's the thing that I think is interesting. The organized groups, that spent the most money, lost. So they aren't happy. I understand that but they've had their way for decades."

Loss of advocate

JULIE EHLERS

WATERLOO -- The Cedar Valley lost a remarkable woman last week, Gale Quirk. Gales lifes mission was to be a strong advocate for foster children, low-income women with children, people with disabilities and the elderly. Gale took that commitment from belief to action by being an untiring volunteer for numerous charitable committees and boards.

Gale was recognized for her gift of giving by being awarded the Mayors Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Award, the Governors Volunteer Award and was recognized as one of the Couriers Eight over 80. Everyone that was fortunate to have crossed paths with Gale already knew how special she was and how blessed we were to call her our friend.

Gale fought a good fight against a rare form of cancer and joined a medical study so the doctors could learn more about the treatment process. She continued her desire to help others by donating her body to the University of Iowa for research. In life, Gale gave unselfishly and in death, she hoped to help others that would face the horrible diagnosis of cancer.

Anti-Semitism

BRIAN HANSON

WATERLOO -- The 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's nailing of his 95 thesis to the Wittenberg church door in Germany will be coming Oct. 31. As many celebrate the beginning of Protestantism, few may know of Martin Luther's anti-Semitism in his later years. In his books "The Jews and Their Lies" and "Table Talk," a violent side of Luther is exposed. Adolph Hitler, though never quoting Luther directly, followed many of Luther's statements found in "The Jews and Their Lies" prior to the Holocaust. Since the 1980s, many Lutheran bodies have denounced and disassociated themselves from Luther's writings about the Jews.

This is necessary in light of the rising anti-Semitism in Europe, on American campuses and in the Middle East. As a Christian, I concur with Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Weisenthal Center that the anniversary of the Reformation would be "the perfect time" to publically renounce the church's history of anti-Semitism and Martin Luther's role in it.

It would be well for not only Lutheran governing bodies to do this but also the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches in the United States. I believe the rabbi from Nazareth will approve.
CAPE COD, Mass.  Dana Eilers, lawyer, Witch, and longtime civil rights advocate, died unexpectedly in her home Feb. 18. Eilers was known to many throughout the Pagan community by her outspoken political stances, her activity over social media, and the legal assistance and advice that she provided in support of religious freedom.

Eilers was born Sept. 15,1956 to Dan and Floy Eilers in Edwardsville, Ill. After graduating from Edwardsville High School, she went on to attend Smith College in Northampton, Mass., earning a bachelors degree in political science in 1978. Dana continued on to study law at the New England School of Law in Boston. While attending, she was published in the schools New England Law Review and acted as one of its editors. Dana eventually graduated cum laude, earning her Juris Doctor in 1981.

After passing the bar, she moved to St. Louis, Mo. and began her long career as a civil litigator. It was at this time, in 1982, that she met and eventually married her former husband Wyatt Weed, who remembers Eilers as both a young lawyer and an aspiring artist.

In an emotional memorial post on Facebook, Weed recalls, She wrote, she made costumes, she acted, and she restored a good chunk of [the] Victor Street house herself. She had originally wanted to pursue a degree in the arts, but her parents werent going to support an arts degree. She would do something dependable first, then do her artsy thing later.

That is what she did. From 1982 to 1998, she pursued her career, as a licensed attorney in the states of Illinois, Massachusetts, and Missouri. She also indulged her creative muse as a costumer and writer.

At the same time, in the early 1980s, Eilers found her Pagan spiritual path, one she described as being influenced by Egyptian, Mayan, and Western European factors. She was eventually ordained as a Wiccan priestess, and later a minister through the Universal Life Church.

With her vivacious spirit, it didnt take long for Eilers to become involved in the St. Louis Pagan scene. Over the next two decades, she helped to grow and support that community. Dana was co-founder of the Occasional Coven and a founding member of both the Omnistic Fellowship, a non profit Pagan church, and the Council for Alternative Spiritual Traditions (CAST), a Pagan leadership council that hosts events such as the popular St. Louis Pagan Picnic. Additionally, she helped to create WildHaven, a autumn festival, and served as its chair in the late 1990s.

During that same period, Eilers launched something called Conversations with Pagans, a forum that ran once a month for six years in St. Louis and then moved with her to Massachusetts by 2000. She explained it as a way for Pagans, Pagan-friendly, and the curious to come together in a healthy and structured town hall meeting environment. Conversations with Pagans was also held at various Pagan conferences and large events over its existence.

,

Outside of her Pagan teaching and ministerial duties, Eilers also began using her legal know-how to assist in various quests for religious freedom and equality. She was a member of AREN (Alternative Religion Educational Network),AMER (Alliance for Magical and Earth Religions)Lady Liberty League, and Circle Sanctuary. Eilers served as legal consult to CUUPS, the WyrdWeavers Collective, and the Pagan Educational Network. She participated in the Boilerplate project to create basic letters for use in communication with legislators, and was on the 2000 Papal Apology Committee. Additionally, Eilers wrote the CUUPS pamphlet Pagan Leaders Denounce Intolerance and Uphold the Constitution of the United States of America.

As the century turned and a new millennium was on the horizon, her litigation career was at its end due to illness. However, she continued her active and very public work in educating Pagans and non-Pagans about Goddess worship, religious freedom, Witchcraft, and Paganism. Over the years, she was interviewed by mainstream news and radio in both St. Louis and eventually in Massachusetts. She was never a Witch in the closet.

Eilers also shared her legal knowledge and experience through the written word. Her articles were published regularly in various prominent traditional and online Pagan publications such as Circle Magazine, Sage Woman, WitchVox, PanGaia and Green Egg, but she is best known for her two books: The Practical Pagan (2002) and Pagans and the Law: Understanding Your Rights (2003). The latter of the two works has been cited in a number of other Pagan books and essays, and is on many must-read lists. Some consider it the best source of legal information for Pagans fighting religious discrimination.

In a recent interview with Ellen Evert Hopman for an upcoming book, Dana explained her reason for writing the two books. I was in bookstores all the time and I realized that no one had written a book about the legal rights Pagans could drop into the laps of lawyers, bosses, school principals, etc. as a way of saying: You cannot discriminate against us.'

By the middle of that decade, Eilers had moved to Massachusetts in order to be closer to her parents, who were then living on Cape Cod. Outside of her continuing legal work within the Pagan community, Eilers spent her time with family, friends, and her beloved collies; a passion that she shared with her with mother. Dana also continued to indulge herself in creative projects, including writing, poetry, and other whimsical passions.

In recent years, her active legal work did slow down to some degree, but she continued to assist when possible and speaking out when needed. She maintained an active social media presence, and even started a popular Facebook page, The Progressive Liberal Witch, in 2012.

In addition, over the past few years, Eilers has regularly provided assistance to Wild Hunt writers for articles involving complicated court document analysis. Her most recent work was for a Jan. 2017 article that involved reviewing two health care cases, a subject that she was particularly familiar with due to her early professional work in that field.

In his own tribute, Wyatt Weed wrote, I think Danas idea of what her life was going to be was different from what it became. I think she loved the law, but the actual practice of the law could at times be unpleasant and took an emotional and physical toll.

When news of her death was made public, friends and colleagues were shocked. Many people reported having plans with Eilers for the upcoming days. She died unexpectedly of a heart attack in her sleep at home surrounded by her beloved dogs. Since then, there has been an outpouring of support and the sharing of stories, which serves to demonstrate just how many people she had touched throughout her life.

Here are a few quotes:

The community of people who have worked tirelessly for Pagan rights were blessed to have her among their ranks. Lady Liberty League worked with Dana on several religious rights cases over the years ranging from rights for students in educational settings, custody issues, advisement on employment issues, and also on the quest for our military veterans to have their sacred religious symbols on their government issued headstones. She will be missed by many people around the world. Her work touched, trained and educated us all, wrote Rev. Selena Fox for Circle Sanctuary.

Dana was a fierce friend of the order and a lady with whom many of us knew personally and admired. [..] Those who knew and loved her are shocked by this loss, and we remain very sad. She will be very much missed.  Frater Pneuma for the Order of the Star of Bethlehem.

Dana was a unique woman, brave, bold and brilliant. She honored those who knew her and graced us with humor and wit. Thank you for being in our lives.  Vanessa, in a guest post on the familys memorial site.

Rest in peace, Dana. From whatever mountain top you blow your horn and cast out your wisdom, I hope you find happiness and contentment.  Wyatt Weed.

In many of the online posts and tributes, Eilers is described as a force of nature. She was undoubtedly a strong woman, but as Weed said, not invincible. She led the full life a woman in charge, one who knew her business. Not only did she indulge her sharp intellect, but she also enjoyed creative whimsy, which flourished most noticeably in her love of costumes, hats, and writing. Dana was helpful, supportive, and ever-motivated to make a difference in her community, working tirelessly to lift up others through use of her own knowledge and skills.

In the end, Eilers was someone who never stopped being herself. As a result, she deeply touched many people over the years, beginning decades ago when she was just starting out and then never quitting even to the very end.

What is remembered, lives.

* * *

For those wanting to send condolences, messages can be left on the online guest book set up by Nickerson Funeral Home. The family is asking that any donations be made to the Humane Society or any Cape Cod land bank. The Order of the Star of Bethlehem held a memorial service on Feb. 24. Circle Sanctuary honored Dana at PantheaCon. We will publish updates with any other services or memorials as the information is made available.
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Sometimes, I push myself too hard and too long. It has been this way all my life. It is who I am

I went to the Big Village  I was on a quest that failed. I needed to get a part for the well at our Tiny Russian Village and after every store that might have it; I was told time and time again, No! Only Ryazan!

Ryazan is half way back to Moscow and in my world that is a long ways, when on foot, bus or train. My energy levels were depleted and I felt myself grinding to a halt

So I sat at the bus stop for an hour

The image to the right is a fire drill of one of the local governmental buildings. Bad camera, but it was interesting to watch this little community go all out and practice for a fire. The people working there all filed outside as per instructions. One lady in charge of all of the people had a bullhorn and was barking orders at everyone else. (She enjoyed her job!) The ambulance arrived first, but I saw he cheated, he was sitting down the road waiting for the call. The Fire Truck had to come from the center of town, the main Fire Department is located there

A bunch of newbie police guys were part of the evacuation and had to do what the boss lady told them to do, so they stood around with the governmental workers from the building. Then the lady in charge, (little did he know at the time) grabbed one of the cops and literally pushed him into the snow. She started to bullhorn about an injured man and out came the paramedics to save his life. The Firemen where unrolling hoses and the paramedics were carrying on a stretcher the dying, by being beat up by Boss Lady, guy!

I had a front row seat to it all and it was fun to watch. Oh, and the cop lived, the Boss lady was very happy, the paramedics did their job and the Fire Department had to clean the whole mess up. Then everyone went back to work and once again, crises was averted 

* * * * *

I sat there and was a bit grumpy, my brain was on an old saying, Podunk-town!

Actually I live in a Podunk-town and Big Village is a massive metropolis in comparison. I also know that we have an ancient archaic system out at our well in the Tiny Russian Village, but still, it is my home and the Big Village failed me. Podunk-Town it is then. 

Thus, I came home empty handed!

But Vova is going to try to get a friend of a friend of a friend, who knows someone in Ryazan and when they come to the Big Village hopefully bring the part with them. Lets hope that they can. We need water, melting snow is not as fun as filling a bucket from the well. See there; I am, being a big baby bear! 

I like modern conveniences also

* * * * *

But that all aside

I finally hit the wall! I remember taking my nightly pills, I remember Boza needing to do doggy business at 2 a.m., I remember at one point Svetochka called ?, I remember eating something, I remember posting an article by John Stanton (Not sure how I did that, better check it!) and in between, I slept and slept, then about 9 a.m. this morning, I came to life. I slept the longest that I have slept in a very long time

Living in a Tiny Russian Village and or any place like it in the whole world is sometimes hard work. Life is unforgiving and you have to weigh and measure all you do. It is called survival, but I could afford to let down my guard somewhat. The winter is leaving, it is warming up, the snow is melting and no longer does a fire have to be tended to 24 hours a day and it is kinda nice

So I slept a good sleep, here in the Tiny Russian Village

WtR
Flagstaff residents packed the small confines of the Toasted Owl restaurant Sunday, but could not find an elected official who would listen -- Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) did not attend a townhall meeting.

Participants of the townhall came to show their support for the Affordable Care Act and Planned Parenthood, but in the absence of political representation local constituents chose to direct their ire at cardboard cutouts of the senators.

Where the hell are you boys? Because I have a question to ask you, resident Anne Hart said. You are once again trying to take away important health benefits for profit. When will it stop?

Protection of the ACA and Planned Parenthood was a constant theme throughout the night as overwhelmingly liberal attendees were never given a chance to speak face to face with their Republican representatives.

However, an event sans senators did not darken the spirits or dull the resolve of angry residents, who tried to make their voice heard anyway they could.

Some constituents raised signs that read We vote, You work for us, and Dont take our health care.

Eileen Taggart, an organizer for the townhall, said that the high attendance and support for the event was due to a more active citizenry who are scared of President Trumps new agenda.

I havent seen it in years but everyone just gets worked up, Taggart said. During Vietnam you had the hippies vs. the establishment, but now everyone from your Uncle Bob to Aunt Jill is afraid of what this administration is going to do.

Some constituents at the meeting admitted freely that taking a political stance was not in their nature until the Trump administration.

I am the least political person you will ever meet, but I just cant stand what is happening right now, resident Kelly Gibbs said. What this Republican government is doing is a shame and I wish our president's call to drain the swamp included Congress and the Oval Office.

Each speaker spoke favorably about the affordable care act, which they saw as an imperfect system that didnt deserve a full repeal.

Before the Affordable Care Act if you had a preexisting condition or were suffering from pancreatic cancer you probably couldnt afford healthcare, resident Heather Nash said. I realize that some changes are needed, but a full repeal is not in the best interest of families.

Emma McVeigh said the ACA made it financially feasible to have healthcare because a part of the law allows people under 26 to stay on their parents' plans.

Support for Planned Parenthood was also overwhelming as speak after speaker praised the program.

Ariana Tyler said that defunding Planned Parenthood was a disservice to distressed communities.

It is a disservice to low- income communities to get rid of Planned Parenthood, Tyler said. We should all be promoting Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood Regional Health Coordinator Desiree Perez said that the organization helped her understand the meaning of a healthy sexual relationship.

My parents and I never talked about sex and without Planned Parenthood I would have no idea what a healthy and non-abusive sexual relationship is, Perez said. I encourage senators to vote against defunding Planned Parenthood because it helps properly educate young people.

The regional office for Planned Parenthood in Phoenix stated that they had sent both verbal and written requests to McCain and Flakes offices, but they did not receive a response.

Neither McCain's nor Flake's office could be reached for contact after multiple attempts.
The following editorial appeared in The News & Observer on Friday, Feb. 24:

There was no light saber, and Steve Bannons voice wasnt a James Earl Jones bass, but those attending the Conservative Political Action Conference outside Washington last week could be forgiven if they mistook President Trumps chief strategist for Darth Vader.

Bannon, a right-wing nationalist and former executive with Breitbart News, gave the hard-core conservatives who typically attend CPAC meetings not just a peek behind the curtain of the Trump agenda. He pulled it all the way back, and his words will again stir the Trump base but likely disturb mainstream conservatives, particularly in Congress, where leaders are getting nervous watching Trumps approval ratings drop and fearing theirs will do likewise.

Bannon hit all his (and Trumps) favorite targets: He called the media the opposition party, and reckoned this of the presidents political foes: If you think they are giving you your country back without a fight, you are sadly mistaken. In other words, Donald Trump has retrieved the country for conservatives to control.

And Bannon revealed all, about the reasons behind the presidents curious Cabinet choices. The plan, he said, was deconstruction of the administrative state, which he and Trump apparently believes robs people of their independence and hurts economic growth.

So thats why Trump nominated a labor secretary who wants to replace workers at his fast-food restaurants with robots, an energy secretary who once advocated abolishing the department and an education secretary who doesnt care much for public schools.

Now weve got it.

If Bannon didnt have the ear of a president without political experience, and without much history of political positions, his presence in the White House might be viewed as a sort of off-the-wall amusement. But theres nothing funny about a hard-right ideologue with no tolerance for other viewpoints sitting in the Oval Office every day telling a president naive in the ways of government how to take the government apart.

However, the Republican leaders of Congress dont like being ordered around by a presidential coat-holder, and theyll recognize that Bannons extremism will do the president and them no favors as Trumps term proceeds.

But how much damage will be done before Trump and Bannon part ways?

The Trump White House is figuring out NATO

The following editorial appeared in The Kansas City Star on Friday, Feb. 24:

Slowly, and against the odds, the Trump administration is inching toward a more coherent foreign policy in Western Europe.

President Donald Trump is, as usual, sending wildly mixed signals. He has said NATO  the North Atlantic Treaty Organization  is obsolete. He has been too cozy with Russian President Vladimir Putin, apparently terrifying the leadership of free democracies in Europe.

But the presidents subordinates have delivered a stronger, more reassuring message. Vice President Mike Pence, speaking in Belgium, said the U.S. remains committed to the defense alliance created during the presidency of Harry Truman.

We need a strong alliance more than ever, Pence said.

At the same time, the vice president delivered an important message to NATO allies: They must spend more on their armies and navies so the U.S. can spend less.

Europeans cannot ask the United States to commit to Europes defense if they are not willing to commit more themselves, he said.

Hes right.

Only five of 28 NATO members meet or exceed the target threshold of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense  a woefully low number. Spending less on tanks and planes means European nations including France and Italy can spend more on domestic programs in their nations or keep taxes low.

Those options should be available to U.S. taxpayers as well. Last year, according to the Financial Times, European NATO members spent $253 billion on defense. The United States spent $618 billion, far more than any nation on earth.

European nations have offered vague promises to review their military spending. Theyve also said humanitarian aid should be counted in their totals.

Perhaps. We agree with the argument that U.S. military spending in Europe is good not only for Europeans, but also for Americans. It helps deter the Russians from threatening the region.

But Trumps murky relationship with Russia remains a matter of deep concern. Wed take his suggestions of detente with Russia more seriously if we didnt have the nagging feeling the presidents personal and political interests are intertwined with Putins.

Were worried the Russians may be tempted to test the depth of that relationship, whatever it is.

Thats why Pences speech on NATO was significant. Someone is paying attention to foreign affairs, without one eye on the bottom line.

America is $20 trillion in debt. We cannot police the world alone, a message the Trump administration, to its credit, appears to understand.

High error rate for Medicaid payments

The following editorial appeared in The Orange County Register on Thursday, Feb. 23:

Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes, Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1789. But perhaps we should add improper government payments to that unfortunate list.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office released more reports last month on the perpetual problem of government payment errors, this time within the Medicaid program, and the results were, yet again, depressing.

The mammoth program, which covers 70 million people, had a budget of $576 billion last year, and made $346 billion in total payments. Unfortunately, $36.3 billion of those payments were improper  an error rate of 10.5 percent.

And, despite ongoing efforts to improve data quality and eligibility screening, the problem is getting worse, rising from a 9.8 percent error rate in fiscal year 2015.

We and others have expressed long-standing concerns about the completeness, accuracy and timeliness of available Medicaid data, and the effect of these inefficiencies on (the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) ability to ensure the fiscal integrity of the program, the GAO scolded. CMSs continued reliance on inaccurate, incomplete and untimely data, and the ongoing uncertainty about the scope and timing of its remedial actions, is inconsistent with federal internal control standards. As a steward of the program, CMS must take immediate steps to ensure the appropriate use of scarce federal and state dollars.

Or else what, though? It is extremely unlikely that any heads are going to roll for such ongoing mismanagement. That accountability has always been the problem with government programs, particularly the very large ones.

President Donald Trump and House Republicans have suggested converting Medicaid to a block grant to states as part of their Obamacare reforms. Though block grants are not a panacea, and large states would still struggle with many payment errors, devolving power to the states could help reduce waste and fraud, while eliminating a layer of bureaucracy and offering the states more flexibility. Besides, given Medicaids record, the program is long overdue for a shake-up.

Missile mischief: Russias violation of 1987 agreement bodes ill

The following editorial appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday, Feb. 22:

Russias secret deployment of a new cruise missile in violation of a 1987 agreement with the United States calls into question the whole value of making deals with President Vladimir Putin, particularly if they involve selling off pieces of Americas relationship with its European allies.

Again, as previous presidents, including Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, have shown, there is value to the United States in arriving at agreements with the then-Soviet Union, and now Russia, particularly if they involve weaponry. Not only do such agreements reduce the risk of the two nuclear powers destroying the human race, they save money on development and defense. They also permit scientists on both sides to devote their energies and intellects to more constructive activities than improving our mutually destructive capacities.

In that spirit, the United States, under Reagan, and the Soviet Union, led then by Mikhail Gorbachev, signed in 1987 an accord, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, banning land-based intermediate-range missiles. Based on it, both nations subsequently destroyed thousands of weapons. Nonetheless, Russia started testing a new cruise missile in 2008 and has since deployed at least two battalions of them, in Russia. America has named the new weapon the SSC-8 and has developed responses to an attack by it.

Before any other deals that President Donald J. Trump might seek to arrive at with the Russians, it is almost certainly useful to clear this problem off the table, perhaps as part of a new mutual weapons-reduction agreement. If the United States and Russia are at the dawn of a new period of cooperation, as Trump suggests, a good beginning would be to see to observation of the 1987 treaty, re-eliminating a class of missiles aimed at each other in Europe and elsewhere.

McMaster a big upgrade from Flynn

The following editorial appeared in The San Diego Union-Tribune on Wednesday, Feb. 22:

President Trumps selection of a revered military strategist and intellectual, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, as national security adviser represents a huge upgrade from Gen. Michael Flynn, who resigned earlier this month after being caught deceiving Vice President Mike Pence about his conversations with a Russian diplomat.

Flynn was known for turf wars and sharp elbows while he was director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. McMaster is known for his penetrating intelligence and his willingness to buck conventional wisdom and to take on sacred cows. In 1997, his University of North Carolina history Ph.D. thesis became a well-regarded nonfiction book, Dereliction of Duty: Johnson, McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies That Led to Vietnam. Then-Maj. McMaster challenged the militarys self-serving conventional wisdom that civilian decisions led to the debacle that was the Vietnam War, using source materials to show the joint chiefs never asserted themselves in their dealings with President Lyndon Johnson and his aides and passively accepted disastrous strategies.

In 2003, McMaster again took on conventional wisdom, arguing that the belief that U.S. technology and overwhelming firepower made winning wars easier  the view of then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld  was simplistic and ignored history. He was vindicated when the second Iraq war turned into a quagmire after initial U.S. triumphs. McMaster then became a key architect of the U.S. shift to a more successful approach against Iraqi insurgents, one that went beyond military might to use outreach and signs of respect to win support from the Iraqi public.

McMaster may be a novice in the ways of Washington. But his strong relationship with Defense Secretary James Mattis, a retired general and former colleague, bodes well for a coherent national security strategy from an administration not exactly known for coherence. Well done, President Trump. This is a smart choice for you and the U.S.

Yes, the press is the enemy  of secrecy

The following editorial appeared in The Charlotte Observer on Monday, Feb. 20:

How should the press respond to President Donald Trumps claim that the fake news media are the enemy of the American people?

By doing its job. And doing it well.

Trumps comments have pushed the discussion about the importance of the press in our democracy into overdrive. They have also fueled an already simmering fire over what should happen to the White House Correspondents Association Dinner, an annual event designed as a celebration of a free, independent press but often criticized for creating the appearance of a too-cozy relationship with top celebrities and the White House. Who can forget Karl Roves rapping performance or then-President Barack Obama skewering then-reality TV star Trump even as questions about the Bush administrations use of torture or Obamas reliance on drone warfare swirled?

Scrapping the dinner will give credence to cries of liberal bias, while allowing the event to continue as usual wouldnt fully take into account the potential threat of Trumps words. But deciding what to do with a single dinner, no matter how high profile, or even how to process Trumps words, should remain secondary concerns.

Theres a reason an independent press is expressly protected by the First Amendment. Its not because the press is  or ever has been  popular. The press reaches into dark places and exposes the ugly that many neither want to grapple with nor even want to believe exists.

It holds to account the most powerful, serving as a bulwark against the powerfuls worst instincts and excesses.

Journalism, at its best, is not a popularity contest. Thats why Trump knew he picked a target-rich environment to try to distract from the many problems his new administration faces.

The media arent perfect. No institution is.

Trust in the media fell to an all-time low last year, according to Gallup. Only 32 percent of Americans have a great deal or fair amount of trust in the institution. Part of that is the result of a hyper-partisan environment in which many Americans trust only sources that say what they already want to believe. Part of it is because the press has gotten things wrong and ignored or soft-pedaled stories that warranted more attention.

Thats all the more reason to focus less on Trumps attacks on the press and more on trying to answer questions about Russias ability to reach into our democracy, about what could happen to struggling people relying upon a health care law that might be repealed, about the fate of criminal justice, education and immigration reform. Exploring the effects of policies and personalities is a better use of the medias time and precious resources than answering every potshot from the president.

Times like these call for serious, sober reporting and analysis.

Thats the mission. Thats the goal. Anything less would be a dereliction of duty.
Do you want to be a Sundried ambassador? Getting support, promotion and kit from the ethical activewear brand Sundried, who also support leading triathlete Alice Hector? Then read on as we have teamed up with them to find their next two ambassadors.

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Feb 28, 2017 | By Julia

The Polish company SatRevolution S.A. has just announced plans for the countrys first satellite production facility that will collaborate with foreign industry players in the production of small spacecrafts. SatRevolutions Swiatowid will be the first commercial satellite produced in Poland, with two Rusalka PhoneSat nanosatellites soon to follow.

By the end of 2017, we want to acquire at least 40 million zloty (approximately $10 million USD) to develop a HiPER spectrometer and build a production facility that will make satellites and module satellite components, said Radoslaw Lapczynski, co-founder of SatRevolution.

A planned SatRevolution satellite

Exact dates and investment numbers remain uncertain at the moment, although SatRevolution is currently in talks with potential investors including the European Union. The exact date [of the launch] will depend on the availability of acquired funds, Lapczynski said.

Still, SatRevolution is ploughing ahead with plans for the new satellite plant. The Polish company has already established a partnership with APworks, an additive manufacturing firm based in Germany and subsidiary of Airbus Group. APworks will be responsible for developing and 3D printing the Swiatowid prototype, which will measure 10 cm x 10 cm x 20 cm, and weigh 2 kg. The two Rusalka nanosatellites will each weigh approximately 0.3 kg.

According to Lapczynski, satellite functions will include communications, imaging, spectrometering, and research. The Swiatowid, for instance, will measure cosmic radiation and electromagnetic interference.

The production facility itself is to be located near Wroclaw, a city of 630,000 residents in the south-west of Poland. The plant will house several production halls and cleanrooms, says Lapczynski. By strategically locating the facility in Wroclaws EIT+ Research Center, SatRevolution hopes to gain tax breaks and co-funding from the EU. The project will be worth a total of 200 million zloty or $50 million USD.

Alongside the APworks partnership, SatRevolution is also in negotiations with Interorbital Systems, a California-based manufacturer of rockets, satellites, and spacecrafts. Although Interorbital has only launched low-altitude sounding rockets to date, the company has signed on to launch Synergy Moons lunar lander on Interorbitals Neptune rocket.

In the meantime, SatRevolution is still on the lookout for more private investors. In the future, we will surely want to continue our cooperation with foreign suppliers and contractors, also to reach orbit, as it is not possible to make this happen from Polands territory, Lapczynski said.

SatRevolution has announced it will start testing its satellites this coming June. The first launch is scheduled for early 2018.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Amanda Rea in Literary Hub:

A lot of things didnt reach the remote corner of Colorado where I grew up. Hummus, for instance, and artichokes, mailmen, punk rock, paved roads. This was the mid 80s, so the internet wouldnt exist for another few years, and our single TV channel played, in my memory, a near-continuous loop of The Cosby Show, broken now and then by an old episode of I Love Lucy. Airplanes passed over us, leaving white skid marks across the sky. Any passenger looking down wouldve seen nothing, a flat beige expanse where the Rocky Mountains petered out.

And yet, even there at the edge of a ghosted mining town, where jackrabbits outnumbered humans ten-to-one, we had heard of Donald Trump. His was a household name, synonymous with wealth and arrogance and a place called New York City, which might as well have been a settlement on the moon for all it meant to us. Between Cosbyreruns, Trump was on the news, wearing a suit, talking about his money. He was young then, early forties, and though his feathered ducktail hadnt yet turned lurid yellow, he had the same petulant mouth and smug manner we know so well today. Newscasters fawned over him. They said he had the Midas touchhis father had given him a fortune, and hed turned it into more fortune.

My brother and I rolled our eyes. Nobody had to tell us Trump was an asshole, though our parents probably muttered something to that effect. We were no big fans of rich people. Our family had always been poorgenerations of miners, ranchers, farmers, and oil hands.

More here.
BEIJING - China's foreign exchange regulator has approved a bigger amount of foreign investment in the country's onshore financial market, official data showed on Monday.

As of Feb 27, 278 Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (QFII) have received quotas amounting $89.21 billion, up from $87.31 billion registered at the end of January, according to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE).

In total, 181 overseas institutions have received quotas amounting to 541.13 billion yuan ($80.75 billion) under the RMB Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (RQFII) program. It was 529.63 billion yuan a month earlier.

China's currency, the yuan, is convertible for trade purposes under the current account, while the capital account, which covers portfolio investment and borrowing, is largely run by the state in an effort to control capital flow.

To gradually liberalize the capital account, the government introduced the QFII and RQFII programs in 2003 and 2011, respectively, part of China's strategy to promote yuan's use overseas.

The QFII program represents China's effort to allow licensed foreign investors to invest in China's yuan denominated capital market.

The RQFII program allows institutional investors with offshore renminbi deposits to invest in China's onshore market.

The RQFII program is currently open to 18 countries and regions, including Britain, Singapore, France, the Republic of Korea, Germany, Qatar, Canada, Australia and Luxembourg as well as China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
PHOENIX -- Legislation to expand the state's racketeering and conspiracy statutes to include rioting is dead, at least for this year.

House Speaker J.D. Mesnard said Monday he does not know whether changes in state statutes are needed to go after those who organize violent demonstrations.

"I haven't heard the policy arguments to decide one way or the other,'' he told Capitol Media Services.

But what Mesnard said he has decided is that the public has concluded that SB 1142 would chill the rights of Arizonans to peacefully protest. And that, he said, makes the legislation politically unacceptable.

"You can't have that many people, whether it does or doesn't, believing that we're, in this bill, taking away people's rights,'' Mesnard said.

The decision is a major setback for proponents. That includes Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, who became the measure's biggest defender when it was approved last week by the Republican-controlled Senate on a party line vote.

"I think that it's been misrepresented in the media,'' he said Monday. "Little old ladies at a demonstration are not going to be RICO (racketeering) guilty because you have to actually riot, you have to engage in illegal activity or you have to conspire to do the illegal activity.''

But Sen. Steve Farley, D-Tucson, who tried to stop the Senate from approving the measure, said Monday the legislation was overbroad and would have had a chilling effect on the right of groups to demonstrate for fear a single bad actor could result in racketeering charges against organizers. And Farley also sniffed at the idea that expanding the laws will give police the opportunity to stop riots before they start.

"I'd like to stop crimes before they start, too,'' he said. "But you can't do that if you're not using thought police.''

Mesnard said if Arizona does need to expand its rioting laws -- and he hasn't decided that question -- it needs to be done in a more open fashion, with input from all sides. And the speaker said said it's too late now to start that process this session, especially with the public all riled up.

"It doesn't even matter what policy's in the bill at this point,'' Mesnard said.

"You've got to put it to bed so that you can convey comfort and confidence in the government to the people out there,'' he said. "There clearly is a belief this bill is going to infringe on fundamental constitutional rights.''

And he said it's irrelevant whether the outpouring of opposition to the measure, which got national attention, is based on a misperception of what it actually does.

"We have to be sensitive to public perception,'' he said.

"It can't drive a decision,'' Mesnard continued. "But it can certainly be a factor in it.''

The legislation would have expanded the definition of rioting, which already is illegal, to include damage to property. More significant, it would have allowed allow prosecutors to charge people with conspiracy ahead of any actual event and permits them to go after the assets of those they contend were involved in planning a demonstration.

And under current racketeering laws, the burden of proof to take someone's property does not require anyone actually be charged with a crime, much less convicted.

Levi Bolton, executive director of the Arizona Police Association, who was instrumental in crafting the language, said SB 1142 was designed to provide prosecutors an additional tool to go after those who are involved in planning demonstrations. But he said it would not be abused because the only way it could be used to charge an organizer criminally or go after that person's assets would be to show a "nexus'' to those people who are actually breaking the law, like smashing windows.

Kavanagh acknowledged he knows of no situations in Arizona where such a law would be needed. But he said that's irrelevant because he believes, based on what he's seen on TV, that it's happening elsewhere.

"I see young people wearing ski masks who are clearly leading the violence in riots like in Berkeley throwing barricades through windows,'' he said, referring to riots earlier this month that resulted in cancellation of an appearance by conservative commentator Milo Yiannopoulos.

"They are an organized group, that is obvious,'' Kavanagh continued. And he said racketeering laws are

needed "to get to secretive, organized groups that either plan riots or plan to inject themselves into peaceful demonstrations and turn them into riots.''

Farley, however, called SB 1142 a solution -- and not a good one -- for a problem that does not exist.

"It's not something where we have an ongoing bunch of people trying to commit mayhem for the sake of committing mayhem,'' Farley said. "If it happens, it's a few individuals making that happen.''

Bolton did agree with Farley on one point: the effect of the law on those planning protests, though he sees it through a different lens.

"What we want it to do is have a chilling effect that you would come into the great state of Arizona with the idea that you can have an unfettered ability (to riot) because Arizona doesn't have a statute to address it, and create wholesale lawlessness that could either jeopardize Arizonans' lives and welfare, but certainly to bring about extensive property damage with no accountability,'' Bolton said.

Farley said the big concern has been putting all this in racketeering statutes, where prosecutors can seize the assets of those they contend were involved in planning something that could be a riot.

"You don't have to prove before a court that they're guilty of it because it hasn't happened yet,'' he said. And Farley said what was in the legislation did not adequately address the question of culpability "between the organizers and those people who may be providing the violence.''

Bolton acknowledged it does not require a criminal conviction to seize someone's assets, something that requires proof "beyond a reasonable doubt,'' but merely convincing a judge the "preponderance of the evidence'' shows a link. But Bolton, who was a police officer for 32 years, said that's not as easy to prove as it seems.

Anyway, he said, the new law would have been used only in "extraordinary cases'' where prosecutors believe that simply charging people with rioting under the criminal code is not enough.

Farley, for his part, has an alternate solution to the problem.

"If you really want to stop the protests the most important thing you could do is actually start governing based on reasonable principles,'' he said.
Tampa Tank Inc.-Florida Structural Steel, a large industrial manufacturing facility at Adamo Drive and U.S. 41, flipped the switch last Friday on its new, 507-kilowatt solar system. The largest industrial photovoltaic system of its kind in Hillsborough County, it will enable TTI-FSS to meet 60 percent of its on-site power needs with solar energy. Tampa Tank is a large user of power. It was an opportune place to put a large installation, says David Reed, a shareholder and board member. It makes financial sense because of the savings were going to get on the power, the ability to now lock in costs and very predictable power over a long period of time.Added to that are federal tax credits, which makes the installation very financially appealing, he says.It is the first solar project developed by TTI-FSSs landlord, Hyde Parks Shepard Capital Partners , of which Reed is a principal. The system represents a significant investment, Reed says.We think this is good for the community as well as for us. Its really a win-win for everybody, Reed says.The solar installation, which covers most of the TTI-FSSs roof, is expected to pay for itself within five years through energy cost savings, a 30 percent-of-the-cost federal tax benefit, and accelerated tax depreciation. TTI-FSSs energy costs are expected to drop from 13 to three cents a kilowatt hour.The installation is expected to generate power for 40 to 50 years.Staying on the grid ensures a constant supply of energy even on overcast days. If the sun is not shining, youre not going to get the production you still need to be able to pull consistent power, Reed says. Tampa-based Solar Advantage , a solar and electrical contractor, did the installation. Martin Clewis, of Solar Advantage , says interest in solar energy has increased as the economy has improved. He does installations mainly for manufacturing and apartments.The problem [with solar power] has been with the price, he acknowledges. Technology has gotten a little bit better each year.Panels used to convert just 7 percent of the energy at its surface; now they convert up to 20 percent.In the 7th Century B.C., people used the sun to make fire and burn ants with a magnifying glass, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. By the 1st to 4th centuries A.D., they were relying on the sun to heat Roman baths. But it wasnt until 1954, when Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson invented the photovoltaic cell, that people were to capture enough of the suns energy to run common electrical equipment.Still, the early solar panels didnt work well, and cheaply, enough. People struggled to find ways to harness the suns energy on a massive scale. High costs have kept people dependent upon coal and petroleum, even when they might prefer clean, renewable power readily available from the sun.But now improved technology, reduced costs and financial incentives are convincing many to invest in solar power. In the third quarter of 2016, people were installing solar photovoltaic solar systems at the rate of one megawatt every 32 minutes in the United States, the Solar Energy Industries Association says. Thats a total of 4,143 megawatts, which broke previous records according to GTM Research and the SEIA.Average costs for a photovoltaic system have dropped 33 percent since 2011, according to GTM Research and SEIA data.Meanwhile government incentives are encouraging the switch to solar through tax credits. I think people feel an urgency in regards to the tax credits, Clewis says.SEIA is working in the Florida Legislature to make going solar even more attractive. The goal is exempting homeowners from additional taxes associated with solar installations, says Sean Gallagher, SEIAs VP of State Affairs.Senate Bill 90, by Jeff Brandes , R-St. Petersburg, would prohibit land values derived from a renewable energy source device from being used in tax bill calculations.A home installation may cost roughly $20,000 for 7 kilowatts, according to Tampa Electric Co. estimates. It may take 10 years to recoup the investment. You can learn more here. https://energy.gov/savings/residential-renewable-energy-tax-creditUtility companies are interested in solar too. In the Tampa Bay area, TECO has invested more than $50 million in solar energy since 2000. The price of generating solar power is trending downward. Its becoming more affordable, explains Cherie Jacobs, spokesperson for Tampa Electric.More than 1,000 of its customers have solar panels interconnected to the grid, she says.In Hillsborough County, TECO announced the completion of the largest solar installation in the Tampa Bay area in mid-February. Its 23-megawatt photovoltaic array, at 106 acres on its Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach, is also its first to track the sun. That allows the thin-film solar panels to produce more than 30 percent more energy than fixed panels.Tracking isnt practical on rooftops or shade structures. Big Bend is also TECOs first ground-mounted utility solar project, Jacobs says.The new addition is expected to save up to 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide every year  the equivalent of removing up to 6,000 cars from the streets. At any moment, the installation can create enough power for nearly 3,300 homes.It is the third large-scale solar project for TECO since 2015. The first was a 2-megawatt facility on the top of Tampa International Airports south economy parking garage, which can produce enough electricity for 250 homes.It is more cost effective for a utility to build a large solar array than for an individual home or business to install a smaller solar array, explains Jacobs. Its an issue of size and scale and scope.TECO also recently added a 1.8-megawatt solar facility at LEGOLAND in Winter Haven, allowing it to provide shade and generate power at the same time. Florida Power and Light Co. announced plans Feb. 20 to accelerate the addition of new universal solar power plants, opting for eight instead of four plants. The addition of more than 2.5 million solar panels by early 2018 is expected to save millions in power costs over their lifetimes.Each new solar plant will have a capacity of 74.5 megawatts. Together their total capacity is nearly 600 megawatts, enough power for about 120,000 homes.Construction is expected to start in the spring at sites across Florida, including Alachua, Putnam and DeSoto counties. Other locations have not yet been announced.FPL, the largest solar energy generator in the state, recently completed a solar power plant at the FPL Manatee Solar Energy Center. A subsidiary of the Juno Beach-based NextEra Energy Inc., it also runs the FPL SolarNow array at the Palmetto Estuary Nature Preserve in Manatee County. Duke Energy Corp. , a Charlotte, N.C. utility serving parts of central and north Florida, will be building its newest universal solar power plant near Live Oak, east of its existing Suwannee River Power Plant. The plant will produce 8.8 megawatts, enough to serve about 1,700 average homes at peak usage. It expects to break ground in the spring and be in full operation by the end of 2017.A study by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, in conjunction with DOE, found some 97.5 quadrillion British Thermal Units were consumed in the nation during 2015. About 59 percent was wasted.The bulk of the energy was generated by petroleum, 35.4 percent, which is used for transportation and industry. Natural gas supplied 28.3 percent used for industrial, commercial and residential needs, as well as electricity generation. Solar energy supplied .532 percent.A Tampa startup, COI Energy Services , is working to reduce waste through proprietary software it unveiled Feb. 20 at the University of South Florida. Described as the Uber of energy, COI is offering a fee-based service that allows business users to voluntarily reduce usages during peak demand times in return for financial rewards.CEO SaLisa Berrien says refrigeration systems can become assets, much like cars do with the UBER transportation services. Taking a lot of them off line at the same time has a huge impact.When you turn off these things, or when you adjust the temperatures on these things, you are now looking like a power plant coming on line in aggregate, Berrien explains.The program acts like insurance for the grid while allowing participants to save on small cutbacks. Its just free money if you dont have a need for lighting here and there, explains Vinny Bhatia, COIs Chief Product Officer.COI is targeting small- and medium-sized business in the United States from its base at USF. It commemorated its first year of partnership with Tampa Bay Technology Incubator at the unveiling.Well eventually be global, but were starting with the U.S., Berrien says.Those who develop renewable energy, like solar, can get reimbursed when they supply the grid. The company hopes to simplify what is often times a complex process.Everyone knows that rebates are out there. People dont want to apply for them because its complicated, she adds.COI centralizes and simplifies the information exchange, says Berrien, who has more than 25 years of experience in the energy field.It [COI] is helping to protect our environment, Berrien asserts. Youre getting paid to do the right thing.
Last July Sridhar Sundaram, D.B.A., took the reigns as Dean of the Kate Tiedemann College of Business (KTCOB) at USF in St. Petersburg. This January the college opened its new building, Lynn Pippenger Hall, a modern, light and airy four-story building created with the goals of incorporating the best technology with community engagement to maximize the educational experience of USFSPs business students.Dean Sundaram talks with 83 Degrees about what makes KTCOB unique as well as whats important to shaping his long-term goals for the college.Sridhar Sundaram: I think if [students] prefer a small school atmosphere where they are able to engage with the faculty and the other aspects, thats where our strengths are going to be. And now with the new building what were able to do is to really start engaging both the business community and the general community.On top of that we apply the concepts that weve learned into experiential learning. But there is a third part thats becoming more and more important, and that is really what we call professional development -- that is investing in the person, in the growth of the person. And this can be very simple, with communications, giving them the ability to network, to talk to people, preparing their resumes etc. But also building the broader perspective. Bringing in speakers, allowing them to get a broader perspective about the world. Targeting and investing in that has become much more important especially for first generation students.SS: One way is through my advisory board. I have representatives from both private companies, public companies, but also from the community to say, What are their needs? Where do they see the talent need? For example- data analytics, we all hear about it, but what does that really mean? Every organization now is generating so much data, one of the needs they have is how do they structure the data so we can use it meaningfully. How do you manipulate the data to get some intelligence out of it? And third how do you use it for the decision-making process, and the final aspect is how do we actually implement the change? So when you have that conversation, whether its with Jabil Circuit or whether its a local bank, thats what we look at and say, OK, how do we tailor our program to make sure that our students have the talent to be able to address some of those issues when they go through our curriculum.SS: One example is finance. We are in a hotbed of financial services because of Raymond James, Franklin Templeton, all of the others. So there are a couple of different aspects. One is a typical bank, that would look at credit analysts, you have financial services companies that are looking at investment analysts, and then we have others who are looking at financial planners. So were building curriculum around CFAs or Certified Financial Analysts, that prepares students to be in the investments area, so our curriculum is built around it so they can get certified. Were also building a separate curriculum on CFP, which is a Certified Financial Planner, and were building around that so they can get into both the managing and advising field. So thats kind of how were bringing it back to the curriculum to say, where are we? What are the needs there? And how can we provide not just the knowledge but also the certification the students need to be successful out there tomorrow.SS: All the classrooms are at the top of the 21st century technology. We have specialized spaces, like the Wealth Management Center for our financial students, The Consumer Insight lab that is a facility for our marketing students. Were working on the Collaboration Terrace and the Entrepreneurship Suite. These spaces are designed specifically to support all of these activities. The other aspect is community engagement. Its amazing the short period of time weve been here, there are so many events weve already had. Our own, but also events from outside. So what this allows is engagement for the community to come and see what kind of resource we have, but also for our students to start to see, whether its companies coming here to have their events, or other organizations, the interaction with them is huge, and for me thats really important because that interaction allows them to grow.SS: Right now the key priorities were looking at is having a student investment portfolio. Lets say for example we get a million dollars, the students would manage that as part of a class. The nice thing about it is that they make the decisions, with the guidance of the faculty, and quarterly they have to report to an advisor and say, these are the decisions I made, why they made it, defend it, and if they didnt perform to expectations, why didnt they perform to expectations? So they get the real world experience. But any earnings from that typically would be used for scholarships, for paying for data bases, things like that.SS: At the undergraduate level the question Im asking is, what is the skill set that they need in the next 10 years? Is our curriculum providing that skill set? Lets look at it critically and ask bold questions. Secondly, when we look at the specific majors, are we being multi-disciplinarian? How do we make it multi-disciplinarian so [students] get a broad perspective. The third part is really the experiential part. How do we provide that experiential learning for our students. Internships is a common vehicle to do that, and were continuing to promote that, but we also have other vehicles, where students are working on projects for companies, competing in real world case scenarios, where they have to go compete, go defend what theyve done, that experience is tremendous. The last part is all the other facets that are outside of the classroom, how can I provide that experience for them? So thats where you look at mentorship programs, at professional development programs.At the graduate level Im really looking to see, how do we become innovative? One thing Ive done in my prior work is build one year accelerated programs. How can I build a one year program that allows students to get the hour requirements, get a Masters Degree, and then we build in some of the other things that companies are looking for like practical experience as well as professional development? But we can do it in a very innovative fashion. The other thing Im looking at is at the graduate level is, not everything has to be degree programs. How about executive education that are non degree, certificates and other things. And one final aspect is really becoming a resource for the community.S.S. Ive been very pleasantly surprised at the level of support that the community has provided this university. I think the interaction, the integral nature of the university and the community is tremendous. For me I think thats a great asset. Im very thankful and were going to build upon that as we move forward in multiple different ways.This story is part of a series -- supported by USFSP -- about innovative programs and talented people working and studying at the public university based in downtown St. Petersburg. Comments? Contact 83 Degrees
AARP Travel Study Reveals Benefits of Creating a Travel Bucket List

AARP Travel survey unveils positive physical and mental effects baby boomers feel when creating and accomplishing items on travel bucket list

WASHINGTON, DCToday, AARP Travel releases the results of its latest study, diving into the emotional, mental and physical benefits of creating a travel-related bucket list. According to the survey, nearly 4 out of ten baby boomers have a travel bucket list, with 58% planning to take their next trip in two to five years. AARP found that just creating a travel bucket list motivated boomers with a sense of hope and gave them something to look forward to. Additionally, 53% of those preparing for their next trip report that they are getting in shape to fully enjoy the experience.

Key Findings from the AARP Travel Bucket List Survey:

Travel is the top aspirational activity for 50-plus Americans.

69% of baby boomers are optimistic that they will visit the next destination on their travel bucket list

Baby boomers hope to get to more than 80% of their list in their lifetime, but consider it a success to check off 65%

53% of baby boomers are getting in shape to prepare for their next bucket list trip

to prepare for their next bucket list trip 36% of baby boomers have already started saving money for their next bucket list trip

for their next bucket list trip Of the eight destinations on their travel bucket lists, half are domestic and half are international

52% of baby boomers go online to get inspired

An analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data found that Americans over 50 years of age are investing over $125 billion per year in personal travel, a statistic that will grow as boomers have more time to travel. With baby boomers having already completed 25% of their travel bucket list, 37% of those surveyed will continue to create and check trips off of their lists because it gives them something to look forward to.

"Traveling keeps our body and mind active, from planning and creating an itinerary to getting in better physical shape for the trip," explained Denise Austin, renowned fitness expert, health advocate and AARP Wellness Ambassador. "Not only can being physically fit help make the vacation more enjoyable, it often leaves us feeling refreshed and rejuvenated when we're back home."

While the benefits of bucket list vacations are clear, there are barriers. According to the survey, 45% of baby boomers identify money as the biggest barrier to accomplishing their travel bucket list. This statistic is further solidified by the fact that 79% of people have investigated their next trip, but only 11% have booked it.

"Usability studies have indicated that consumers frequently check on the weather of possible travel destinations," said AARP researcher, Patty David. "It's important to not only consider saving funds and budgeting for the trip, but also ensuring you've researched the best time to travel."

At the center of AARP Travel is travel.aarp.org, an integrated website for idea generation, planning and booking support to simplify travel for 50-plus Americans. Overall, the AARP Travel resources enable members and others to make the most of their travel experience. From now until March 31 AARP is giving away $10,000 to help make travel dreams come true. To enter The Great American Expedition Travel Sweepstakes, visit sweeps.aarp.org/entertravel2017.

The full survey results can be found at www.aarp.org/2017travelbucketlist.

# # #
First broadcast on PBS in 2018, Movies for Grownups Awards with AARP the Magazine returns for a fifth year to celebrate and encourage filmmaking with unique appeal to movie-lovers with a grownup state of mindand recognize the inspiring artists who make them. Each year the centerpiece honor is the Career Achievement Award, celebrating the contributions of cinema legends.
PHOENIX  Saying it will make people safer, state senators voted Monday to allow some gun owners to ignore the signs that now prohibit guns in many public buildings.

SB 1243 would repeal laws that allow government agencies to declare their buildings to be gun-free zones by posting a notice and then bring criminal charges against those who insist on bringing in their weapons anyway. Those laws would no longer apply to the more than 306,000 people who have obtained a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said the existing laws are a bit of a joke.

Right now, the little $1.98 decal that says 'no firearms allowed' on the entrance to these facilities doesn't keep bad guys out, he said during floor debate. All it does, Kavanagh said, is force those who obey the law  the good guys  to surrender their weapons at the door or leave them in their vehicles, leaving them unarmed when someone who has ignored the sign starts shooting.

Under SB 1243, governments could still keep out everyone with a gun, but only by installing magnetic screening devices and hiring guards at all public entrances. Kavanagh said that is the only way to keep a building truly gun-free.

It puts a literal gun to the head of any governmental entity that wants to decide to ban guns from its territory, he said, forcing them to spend money on equipment and staff.

Sen. Steve Farley, D-Tucson, cited figures from the Department of Administration saying that the cost of installing such devices in just state buildings was between $3.7 and $6.3 million the first year and at least $3.5 million annually thereafter. And Farley said extending that out to all cities and counties puts the price tag in the $100 million range.

Kavanagh said that ignores a key point: Governments can avoid the expense simply by allowing concealed weapon permit holders to keep their guns.

Arizona law allows any adult to carry a concealed weapon. But Kavanagh said those with permits belong to a special group, having gone through background checks and a state-approved training course. And he said they're entitled to special consideration -- and a special right of self-defense when they enter what is supposedly a gun-free zone.

This will prevent honest decent people from having criminals put guns to their heads, Kavanagh said.

Farley was unconvinced, saying that training really doesn't amount to much more than proving someone is old enough. And Sen. Martin Quezada, D-Phoenix, said it's a fallacy to believe that permit holders are any safer with their guns than those who simply carry concealed weapons without a permit.

Somebody who is 'a good guy with a gun' thinks that because they have a Second Amendment right to bear arms, and because they were granted a CCW permit, that they are now somehow an expert marksman and they will be able to save the day, he said. Just because you carry a gun does not mean that you are a hero.

Farley said that points up a related problem: What happens when police show up at an active shooter situation.

They will tell you the most dangerous situation is when there are multiple shooters, he said.

If you've got a bad guy with a gun and a good guy with a gun, you don't know who the bad guy with a gun is when you first arrive on the scene, Farley continued. And that leads to an even more dangerous situation where they don't know who to take down and who not to take down.

Kavanagh brushed aside the contention that more people at a scene who are armed will lead to more injuries.

They're arguing that nobody should be allowed to carry firearms except police officers, he said. That's not what the Second Amendment says, that's not what the Supreme Court says.

That right of CCW-permit holders to keep their guns would not be absolute.

SB 1243 does not overrule other laws that keep guns out of public schools and buildings on college and university campuses, even without screening devices. Also off limits would be places where alcohol is served, public buses, jails and court houses.

And nothing in the legislation would force the owners of private property or business owners to allow people with guns.

Legislators have approved similar measures in prior years, only to have them vetoed in 2011, 2012 and 2014 by Jan Brewer when she was governor. She voiced her concern about cost to cities, counties and other government agencies that want to keep their buildings free of guns but may not be able to afford the necessary equipment and to provide guards at each door.

This bill would establish an unfunded mandate on our state and local governments, Brewer wrote in 2014, calling it an unnecessary diversion of limited resources.

Current Gov. Doug Ducey has not had to weigh in as efforts in 2015 and again last year never reached his desk. He has repeatedly proclaimed himself a supporter of the Second Amendment but has refused to say whether he would sign such a measure.


Half-Year Report

Perth, Feb 28, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The directors of Cash Converters International Limited ( ASX:CCV ) ( CKKIF:OTCMKTS ) (the Company) submit the report of the Company for the half-year ended 31 December 2016.



As previously advised to the market, Cash Converters International Limited is currently focussed on continuing to meet the needs of our customers and maximising the value of our brand and franchise network while we execute the strategy announced to the market last year. The transition of the Company to one with a more balanced risk return profile has negatively impacted the Group's financial services operations in the small amount credit contract (SACC) market resulting in EBITDA profit for the period down 31.8% to $25.7 million on the previous corresponding period (pcp).



Major highlights for the half-year include:



- The Company has made considerable progress on delivering the strategic changes, as outlined in the 2016 Annual Report, during the six months to 31 December 2016, including:



o Successful entry into the MACC market. New product opportunities have been initiated with the launch in October 2016 of higher value loans, in-store and online, under the MACC regulations. The Company is now offering loans up to $5,000 for eligible customers, presenting a significant growth opportunity for 2H 2017 and beyond.



o Company-wide focus on strengthening compliance and responsible lending systems, policies and procedures is well progressed. The proactive decision to comprehensively reposition the financial services operation resulted in an anticipated reduction to lending volumes for the six months to 31 December 2016. This repositioning will deliver an overall improvement in the quality of the loan book and enhance the return on assets through a focus on better quality customers.



o Investment in the online channel continues to deliver pleasing results with Webshop retail sales up 36.5%, to $4.2 million, and online lending volumes exceeding in-store lending for the first time in January 2017 by $280k.



o Ongoing improvement in the already high levels of customer service and satisfaction, with very positive results achieved through third-party customer survey, including 93% of customers agreeing that "Cash Converters is a professional company to deal with" and 92% agreeing that "Cash Converters is a trusted and credible organisation".



o Further streamlining of the Company's organisational structure through attracting talent and reducing overhead costs remains a key focus in the months ahead.



- With the anticipated reduction in lending volumes, revenue for the six months to 31 December 2016 of $143.5 million, was down 7.8% on the pcp.



- Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) of $11.5 million was also in line with expectations, however down 27.9% compared to prior corresponding period due to lower financial services revenue.



- Corporate head office costs have increased predominantly due to the Company's focus on improved regulation and compliance.



- The UK business has completed its transformation back to a master franchise, returning EBITDA for the six-month period of $1 million which was an improvement of $2.1 million over the prior period (pcp loss of $1.1 million).



- Retail and pawn broking continue to strengthen in the store network with revenue increases of 5.8% and 3.3% respectively; underlying the core value proposition for our customers centred around the Company's expansive shop front presence.



To view the full report, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/QTK4MV1T





About Cash Converters International Ltd





Cash Converters International (ASX:CCV) is a franchised retail network listed on the ASX. It specialises in the sale of second-hand goods. The Cash Converters group employs modern retailing practices, professional management techniques and high ethical standards to the management of its stores throughout the chain which appeal to a wide cross section of the community. As a result, Cash Converters has been able to position its outlets as credible retail merchandise stores, resulting in a profitable market for the group.
Artisanal miners recovering premium-quality rubies from new area 3km south-east of existing Mustang plant



Acquires Highly Prospective Adjacent Ruby License Next to Gemfields

Sydney, Feb 28, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Mustang Resources ( ASX:MUS ) is pleased to announce that it has agreed to acquire a 65 per cent interest in a new highly strategic ruby license (License 8245L) which borders its existing Montepuez Ruby Project in Mozambique. A site visit undertaken by Mustang consultant, Mr Paul Allan, has confirmed that artisanal miners are recovering large, high-quality rubies from this license area, which also borders one of the key ruby deposits being mined by London-listed Gemfields ( LON:GEM ) ( GFLDF:OTCMKTS ).



Importantly, Mustang's new license is only 3km directly south-east of the Company's plant site and Alpha ruby deposit and lies along the south-east, north-west ruby mineralisation trend, which also transects the adjacent Gemfields licenses.

Highlights



- Mustang acquires 65% stake in highly strategic ruby license bordering its Montepuez Ruby Project in Mozambique



- The 3500ha license sits between the Montepuez Ruby Project and a key secondary deposit being mined by London-listed Gemfields



- Site visit confirms artisanal miners currently recovering large gem-quality rubies from the area covered by the new license



- Mustang will issue 30m shares (escrowed for 24 months) and pay US$100,000 cash as consideration for the 65% interest in the license



- Mustang will fast-track prospecting from this new area to complement the growing bulk sampling program at Montepuez



- Heavily oversubscribed placement to a select group of new and existing institutions and sophisticated investors to raise $5.88 million



Following completion of environmental permitting, Mustang will immediately commence a prospecting program, including mapping, auger drilling and trenching to determine a preferred location to open a bulk sampling pit. Mustang will then commence processing gravels from the priority areas identified, further enhancing the current bulk sampling program and ruby sales planned for 2017.



To support a further increase in the drilling and bulk sampling campaign and to accelerate its development plans with the expanded project area, Mustang has undertaken a capital raising, receiving binding commitments for up to $5.88 million from existing and new institutional and sophisticated investors. The placement has been heavily oversubscribed.



Mustang Managing Director Christiaan Jordaan said the acquisition of the new license was another important step in the Company's strategy to become a leading global supplier of premium-quality rubies:



"We recently achieved our target of tripling the throughput rate on our bulk sampling and we now beat it regularly," Mr Jordaan said.



"The first rubies sent to the US earlier this year are well advanced in their preparation by leading cutter and polisher Meg Berry for certification and sale.



"These near-term sales will enable us to value our rubies and are a key input into our feasibility study. It will also pave the way for Mustang to record its first sales revenue before the middle of this year.



"The global market for rubies is growing rapidly and Mozambique stones are in particularly strong demand, as shown by Gemfields' success.



"The acquisition of a 65% interest in this strategic and highly exciting new license will help us to capitalise on what we believe is an outstanding opportunity for Mustang and its shareholders."



"We are very pleased to welcome a range of new institutional and sophisticated investors onto our share register. To have received such strong demand for the placement is a real credit to the work done by the Mustang team to date."



Geology of Newly Acquired License 8245L



License 8245L lies within the Montepuez Complex, an extremely geologically and structurally deformed complex defined in part by its unique geophysical signatures compared to the surrounding areas. Due to the complexities of the lithology and structure within the license area, several factors may have contributed to the formation of corundum and, in particular, gem-grade ruby within the license area. These include:



- The possibility of suitable (Aluminium rich) sedimentary protoliths.



- The possibility of aluminous intrusives.



- The possibility of partial melts resulting in aluminous melts / fluids.



- Suitable metamorphic and / or metasomatic conditions.



- Suitable structures to localise Aluminium rich fluids and or intrusives or associated pegmatites.



- Possible influence of carbonate rocks.



Importantly, the newly-acquired license is covered by similar lithologies as those found in the Gemfields (AIM:GEM) project areas and the potential thus exists for similar ruby mineralisation, both primary and secondary, especially given that the regional area is structurally very complex and not yet well understood. An analysis of the high resolution aeromagnetic data of the area shows several SE-NW trending lineaments which transect the license area as well as the Gemfields license areas to the south- east. These lineaments / faults may have played a role in the localisation of ruby associated magmas or fluids or the remobilisation thereof.



As illustrated in Figure 2 (in the link below), Mustang plans to prospect the areas along the SE-NW mineralisation trend aggressively through auger drilling and pitting. An access road will be built to the area currently being mined by artisanals on license 8245L and ruby-bearing gravels will be transported to the existing Mustang plant for processing and further analysis as part of Mustang's broader bulk sampling program. Due to the prospectivity of this area and the quality (and size) of the rubies being recovered by local miners there, the Company intends to fast-track the development of this project.



Artisanal Mining Activity on License 8245L & High Quality Rubies



License 8245L has extensive artisanal activity which has proven secondary ruby mineralisation within 3km of the Company's Alpha ruby deposit. The images that follow show identified sites of artisanal activity identified from a heliborne survey of the area in February 2017 (see Figure 3 in the link below). These sites have also been "ground-truthed" by independent consultant and ruby exploration specialist Paul Allan, who noted there were approximately 50 to 100 active artisanal miners. The rubies that the artisanal miners presented to Mr Allan were high-quality and notably secondary (abraded with pockmarks) (Figure 4 in the link below).



The presence of artisanal activity within License 8245L, combined with its prospective geology, provide high priority targets for further prospecting, including the undertaking of bulk sampling activities.



In addition to the above, the international market for Mozambican rubies is very significant and increasing, principally owing to the marketing efforts of Gemfields. The prices for Mozambican rubies published by Gemfields are significant and even a modestly-sized primary or secondary ruby discovery is considered by Mustang to have good potential to be economically viable for the foreseeable future.



Rubies from Montepuez are very important to the trade because of the large quantities and the wide range of qualities and sizes produced. Their colours bridge the gap between those from the classic sources of Burma (highly fluorescent, with low iron content) and Thailand/Cambodia (weakly fluorescent, with high iron content). Whilst rubies owe their red colour to chromium, their colour is modified by the presence of iron, which reduces the chromium-caused fluorescence. An interesting aspect of rubies from the amphibole-related deposit near Montepuez is their range of iron content, from nearly as low as Burmese marble-type rubies to as high as rubies found in basalt-related deposits along the Thai-Cambodian border. This means they can potentially suit the tastes of a range of different markets (Pardieu, 2014).



Details of Acquisition of 65% Interest in License 8245L



The material terms of the proposed acquisition are as follows:



(a) Parties: - Mustang Resources Ltd ("Purchaser" or "MUS") and Regius Resources Group Ltd ("Regius" or "Vendor")



(b) Interest being acquired: A 65% shareholding in an entity incorporated specifically to hold the license (SPV) with the remaining 35% held by the current license holder (SLR Mining Lda) which is contractually obligated to transfer the license to the SPV.



(c) Consideration: 30,000,000 MUS Ordinary Shares (escrowed for 24-months from date of issue) and US$100,000.



(d) Conditions Precedent: The conditions precedent which must be satisfied (or waived) prior to MUS completing the proposed acquisition include, due diligence, ASX Listing Rule 11.1.3 not applying, all necessary regulatory, shareholder and third party approvals in Australia and Mozambique to allow MUS to lawfully complete the acquisition and an independent expert opining that the proposed acquisition is fair and reasonable or not fair but reasonable for MUS's shareholders not associated with the transaction.



(e) Funding commitment: MUS will be required to sole fund all expenditure for the full duration of the project by providing a loan to the newly incorporated entity established to hold the license (65% held by Mustang and 35% held by SLR Mining Lda owned by a Mozambican individual). 100% of the revenues generated from the sale of rubies recovered from the license during the bulk sampling program will be used to repay the loan balance for the bulk sampling program and once that loan is repaid profits will be distributed in proportion to the shareholdings in the entity holding the license. Loans made subsequently by MUS for other purposes (e.g. commercial scale mining operations) will be repaid by distributing 50% of the revenues generated from the sale of rubies recovered from the license to repayment of the loan with the remaining 50% distributed proportionately to shareholders.



(f) Put option: SLR Mining Lda will have the right to sell its shareholding in the SPV to MUS at any time after identification of a mineable resource at a price to be determined by an independent expert.



(g) (Decision to mine payment): MUS will be required to pay SLR Mining Lda (the current license holder) US$1,500,000 following the successful completion of the 150,000 tonne bulk sampling program which leads to the decision to start full-scale mining.



(h) (Decision not to proceed): Should MUS decide not to proceed with the project it agrees to sell its interest in SPV to SLR Mining Lda for MZM10 (~0.02 cents) and write off all shareholder loans.



(i) (No Board changes): There will be no change to the board of MUS as a result of the proposed acquisition but SLR Mining Lda will have the right to appoint 1 of the 3 directors on the SPV and receive a US$3,000 per month consulting fee effective from 1 June 2017.



Further details regarding the agreement will be included in a Notice of Meeting to be dispatched to shareholders immediately following a signed Independent Experts' Report (IER).



Strategic Placement to Institutional & Sophisticated Investors



In addition to the transformational acquisition detailed above, Mustang has received firm commitments from a select group of new and existing institutional and sophisticated investors for a placement to raise up to $5.88 million through the issue of approximately 76.4 million new ordinary shares at an issue price of 7.7 cents per share ("Placement"). The issue price represents a 10% discount to the Company's 15-day VWAP.



The Placement will be completed in two tranches with approximately 68.6 million shares (approximately $5.28 million) to be issued in the first tranche (Tranche 1) under the Company's existing capacity pursuant to ASX listing rule 7.1. Settlement of Tranche 1 is expected to occur on or around Wednesday, 8 March 2017.



Given the strong demand from long term shareholders, an additional 7.8 million shares will be issued in a second tranche also at $0.077 per share (Tranche 2), conditional on shareholder approval at a general meeting expected to be held by early April 2017 to approve the acquisition. ("EGM").



Funds raised pursuant to the Placement will be used to meet costs associated with the acquisition of the 65% interest in ruby license 8245L, for increased bulk sampling activities and to fund an accelerated auger drilling program at the Montepuez Ruby Project, and for general working capital purposes.



Hartleys Limited and Jett Capital LLC acted as joint lead managers to the Placement.



To view tables and figures, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/9753514O





About New Energy Minerals Ltd





New Energy Minerals Ltd (ASX:NXE) (FRA:GGY) is an ASX listed junior mining company, that recently announced the divestment of the Company's Caula vanadium - graphite project and the Montepuez Ruby project in Mozambique.


2016 Annual Report and Financial Statements

Sydney, Feb 28, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Petsec Energy Ltd ( ASX:PSA ) ( PSJEY:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to provide the Company's 2016 Annual Report and financial statements.



Key Points



- Net loss after tax for the twelve months ended 31 December 2016 was US$13.0 million.



- Net oil and gas revenues (after royalties) of US$1.1 million generated from production of 313 MMcfe at an average gas equivalent sales price of US$3.48/Mcfe.



- Acquisition of 100% working interest (82.5% participating interest) and operatorship of the Damis (Block S-1) Production licence in Yemen which holds 5 sizeable oil and gas discoveries including the developed/productive An Nagyah Oilfield holding reserves and target resources of approximately 55 million barrels of oil and 550 billion cubic feet of gas.



- Successful production test of the Main Pass Block 270 No.3, Hummer discovery well with test rates on a 16/64th inch choke averaging 19.88 MMcfpd and 396 bopd. Platform jacket construction and installation completed.



- Award of Main Pass Block 274 lease (Hummer Project) at the Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 241.



- Increased potential working interest in Block 7, Yemen to 100% following execution of an Acquisition Agreement with KUFPEC to acquire their 25% interest in the block.



- Establishment of a branch office in Sana'a, Yemen.



- Establishment of US$15 million secured convertible note facility to provide flexibility for the Group's ongoing funding requirements to progress its development projects in the USA and Middle East and North Africa ("MENA") - US$4.5 million drawn down under the facility as at 31 December 2016.



- Completed a fully underwritten non-renounceable entitlement offer raising approximately A$11 million.



- At 31 December 2016, Petsec Energy held total cash deposits of US$13.1 million (including US$3.6 million of restricted deposits).



USA Development



The Hummer Prospect, which was generated by Petsec Energy in 2010, was drilled in late 2015 and is a substantial oil and gas discovery with five reservoirs covering a large prospective area extending over three offshore lease blocks of Main Pass 270, 273 and 274. Petsec Energy owns a 12.5% working interest in the Hummer discovery in the three Main Pass leases.



A jacket was constructed and set over the well and the well was completed for production in November 2016.



The well was production tested in one of the upper reservoirs over a 48 hour period beginning 16 November 2016. Flow rates were measured at restricted rates on variable choke sizes.



Over the last three hours of the 48 hour test period the well flowed at an average rate of 19.88 MMcfpd (million cubic feet of gas per day) and 396 bopd (barrels of oil per day) through a 16/64th inch choke with an average flowing WHP of 9753 psi (pounds per square inch) and no formation water. Production rates continued to rise over the duration of the test with a maximum gas rate of 20.5 MMcfpd recorded. The flow rates met our expectations and supported the Company's high range estimates of mapped potential.



The Main Pass 270 No. 3 well was perforated from 14,100 feet to 14,186 feet measured depth (MD), 14,058 feet to 14,144 feet true vertical depth (TVD) in a Miocene age sand reservoir. Well logs indicate four additional potential reservoirs in the well, but a decision was made not to run additional tests at this time. These untested sands will be targets of future drilling activity on the Hummer Project. Significant production occurs for similar reservoirs along trend. Peak production rates from those intervals can exceed 25 MMcfpd and 1000 bopd. The well has now been temporarily suspended pending the fabrication and installation of a production deck and gas and oil pipelines. The Company estimates first production from the Hummer project to commence in late third quarter 2017.



Oil and Gas Reserves Acquisitions in the MENA Region



The Company's major achievement for 2016 was the acquisition of a 100% working interest in the Damis (Block S-1) Production Licence in Yemen. The block holds five substantial oil and gas field discoveries, only one of which, the An Nagyah Oilfield, has been developed. The An Nagyah Oilfield production was suspended in 2014 due to political uncertainty in Yemen. Remaining oil reserves net of all costs to Petsec Energy's economic interest in An Nagyah are 5.6 million barrels. The estimated net present value of the oilfield to the Company was US$155.4 million at Brent oil forward prices as of the 1st January 2016. The field is in a state of readiness to recommence oil production once the situation allows, which we assess to be during the course of 2017. In the absence of the re-opening of the Marib export pipeline to Ras Isa on the Red Sea, it is the company's intention to restart production by way of trucking to the East of An Nagyah to the Masila Basin oil facilities, which have been back in operation since Se ptember of 2016 with regular oil shipments from the port of Ash Shihr, near the city of Al Mukalla on the Southern coast of Yemen.



During 2016, the Company also entered into an agreement with KUFPEC which will see it acquire the remaining 25% of Block 7 in Yemen it does not already own. The KUFPEC transaction will bring the Company's potential interest in the block to 100%.



Block 7 holds the potentially large Al Meashar oil discovery with target resource potential of 11 MMbbl to 50 MMbbl of oil, and eight prospects and leads each holding target resource potential of up to 900 million barrels of oil.



Outlook 2017



The outlook for oil and gas has improved substantially since our last annual report. At this time last year the oversupply of oil internationally and natural gas in the USA, had caused a substantial fall in oil & gas prices, which made conducting our business particularly challenging. However, I am pleased to say that oil prices and gas prices have rallied substantially over the course of 2016. Oil prices are now above US$50/barrel versus US$30/bbl at the beginning of the 2016 year and US gas prices are closer to US$3 per thousand cubic feet of gas rather than US$2 in early 2016.Our current reserves are highly economic at current prices, and at such time as the An Nagyah Oilfield can be brought back into production, anticipated in excess of 5,000 barrels of oil per day, it is likely to generate annual cash flow the equivalent of our current market capitalisation.



In 2017, in the USA, we shall concentrate on bringing the Hummer oil and gas discovery into production which is scheduled for September 2017 and in Yemen, we will seek to bring the An Nagyah Oilfield back into production, which should generate sufficient cash flow to engage in further development of An Nagyah and our other five undeveloped oil and gas fields.



The Company now has a sizeable reserves base and large oil and gas resources which could be developed for production in the near term, providing a strong growth profile for many years, and high leverage to any increase in oil prices.



To view the full report, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/MG90MTL2





About Petsec Energy Ltd





Petsec Energy Ltd (ASX:PSA) (OTCMKTS:PSJEY) is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. It has operations in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico and state waters of the Louisiana Gulf Coast region of the USA, and exploration activities in the Gulf Coast onshore and bay areas of Texas and Louisiana, USA and Yemen.
PHOENIX  Attorneys for Tucson go to the Arizona Supreme Court today in a bid to void a state law that seeks to punish the community for its gun-destruction policy.

The lawyers contend the legislature has no right to tell Tucson  or any city  that it has to sell guns which are seized or surrendered instead of destroying them. More to the point, the city wants the state's high court to rule that lawmakers cannot use the threat of the loss of millions of dollars in state aid to effectively coerce elected council members to act a certain way.

What the justices decide will have effects beyond the immediate fight. It could determine how much state legislators to impose their will on cities.

Attorney General Mark Brnovich sued Tucson under a 2016 law which says local governments that run afoul of state limits have a choice: Repeal the ordinance or forfeit $170 million in state aid.

In the case of Tucson, the fight is over a 2005 ordinance that says that the police department, after it seizes a hand gun, shall dispose of such firearm by destroying the firearm.

Brnovich said that runs afoul of a 2000 law which explicitly prohibits local government from enacting any ordinances dealing with acquisition, licensing, registration or use of firearms. More specific is a pair of 2013 laws that bar law enforcement agencies from destroying operable seized weapons and directing that they instead be sold.

When the Tucson council refused to rescind its ordinance, Brnovich sued.

He contends that issues of gun regulation are a matter of statewide concern. And he argues there is no right of cities to get state aid, especially if they are flouting state statutes.

But Rick Rollman, Tucson's lead attorney, says the 2016 law amounts to illegal coercion of local officials to abandon measures they adopt in what they believe is in the community's best interests. And he notes that Tucson and 17 other communities are charter cities with a constitutional right to set their own policies on matters of strictly local concern, including the disposal of seized weapons, no matter what the legislature says.

The case has attracted the attention of the National Rifle Association which is claiming in its own legal briefs that Tucson's policy is designed to deliberately suppress legal gun ownership in the whole state and will likely lead to an increase in violent crime and harm public safety.

NRA attorney Mick Rusing says the Tucson policy reduces the supply of firearms, making them more expensive to acquire. And Rusing says a mountain of empirical evidence supports the legislature's judgment that Tucson's efforts to eliminate as many lawful firearms as possible would ultimately increase the rate of violent crime.

There's a threshold issue for the high court to decide: the legality of a provision in the 2016 law that Tucson post a bond of half its revenue-sharing funds as a condition of even being able to fight Brnovich's attempt to withhold all of it.

Rollman says the city doesn't have that much money on hand. Beyond that, he calls it an unconstitutional filing fee designed to keep cities from challenging actions by the attorney general.


Preliminary Final Report

Sydney, Feb 28, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Traditional Therapy Clinics Ltd ( ASX:TTC ) is pleased to provide the Company's Preliminary Final Report for the year ended 31 December, 2016.



Review of operations



The principal activity of the TTC group during the financial year was the provision of health services through its Fuqiao brand of franchised and owned health and wellness clinics throughout China.



- In the first half year of 2016, the Group mutually terminated the property purchase agreement of a new office building in Chongqing China. The developer has fully refunded the purchase money paid in the prior years (RMB 128 million) to the Group before the end of 2016. In December 2016, the Group proceeded to acquire another new head office building within Chongqing City's main financial district. The new building costs RMB92.53 million or A$18.46 million (at an exchange rate of 5.01).



- As in the previous years, the Company continued its focus on growing the number of franchised clinics, opening an additional 38 clinics.



- The Company also continued to focus on its core strategy of growing the number of owned clinics and acquired a further 7 clinics from its existing franchise base. The 7 clinics were acquired at a multiple of between 3 and 3.5 times of EBITDA.



- The Company is continuing its ongoing efforts to explore additional therapy techniques and embark on ongoing improvements in all aspects of its core services so as to further enhance its overall customer experience.



To view the full report, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/LCA919QO





About Traditional Therapy Clinics Ltd





Traditional Therapy Clinics Limited (ASX:TTC) is a franchisor and the owner of one of the largest chains (by number of clinics) of traditional therapeutic health and wellness clinics in China. It currently has 343 franchised clinics and 35 owned clinics in operation. It is a well established business with a strong growth profile, employing a repeatable and scalable business model.

TTC has a highly recognised and respected brand, having received the prestigious Chinese Well-Known Trademark designation from the State Administration for Industry and Commerce. It operates within a strongly regulated industry sector of significant scale, which offers opportunity for further growth.

TTC is an ASX listed company employing around 1,000 staff across 27 of the 33 administrative divisions in China. More information is available at https://www.ttc-ltd.com/
Birmingham Airport is set to welcome another new carrier in June 2017, offering a brand new route to the capital of Eastern Europe's Republic of Moldova.





New scheduled airline, Fly One, will operate three times a week from Birmingham, using an Airbus A319 with 144 seats each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The flight will arrive into Birmingham from Chisinau at 12:25 and will depart at 13:20.



From Chisinau, Fly One also fly to Moscow, St Petersburg and Voronezh (Russia), Rome, Milan, Parma, Verona and Venice (Italy), Lisbon (Portugal), Barcelona, Valencia (Spain) Dublin and Paris.



William Pearson, Birmingham Airports Aviation Director, said, We are pleased that Fly One will be launching services in June and delivering a new destination from Birmingham to Moldova. We hope that the service will be also welcomed by the friends and relatives market wanting to gain direct access to this part of Eastern Europe as well as those looking for an alternative city break destination.



Nicu Berla, General Manager at Fly One, commented, We are honoured to operate our Airbus A319 connecting Birmingham to Chisinau. We wish that our three-times weekly scheduled flight that will connect Birmingham to Chisinau starting from June 6th, will be welcomed and fully utilized by both our territories to possibly foresee growth and durable collaboration. The Republic of Moldova is a wonderful destination offering many leisure and business opportunities to be explored by those who wish to broaden and grow their experiences.



Fly One was created in September 2015 from private funding and operates a fleet of Airbus aircraft from its base in Chisinau.
Rolls-Royce will provide an extensive range of equipment, including MTU marine generator sets, to a new fleet of US Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutters (USCG OPC).





The Rolls-Royce equipment was selected by Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) Inc. for the USCG OPC fleets first nine vessels, with an option to add two more.



Sam Cameron, Rolls-Royce, Senior Vice President, Sales & Business Development  Naval, said: The Offshore Patrol Cutter is the U.S. Coast Guard's largest shipbuilding programme and we are extremely proud to be confirmed as a major supplier to Eastern Shipbuilding Group on a project that will transform future capability. This contract marks one of the most comprehensive Rolls-Royce systems packages ever to be selected for a coast guard vessel, and were looking forward to delivering and integrating our marine technology into this new and highly capable ship.



Rolls-Royce will supply the USCG OPC fleets controllable pitch propellers (CPP), shaft lines and Promas rudders, which offer increased propulsive efficiency and improved maneuverability. The Promas rudder combined with the water soluble polyalkylene glycol lubricant used in the CPP system delivers an efficient and environmentally friendly propulsion solution. Rolls-Royce will also supply bow thrusters, steering gear, fin stabilizers and MTU marine generator sets.



Four EPA Tier 3 compliant MTU 12-cylinder Series 4000 (1000kW) generator sets will provide each vessel with electrical and loiter propulsion power. The units are Naval Vessel Rules (NVR) certified by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).



Mike Rizzo, Program Manager of Government Naval Vessels, MTU America, said: The selection of MTU power for the U.S. Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter fleet is another milestone in our long-standing relationship with the U.S. military. Military vessels are at sea for long periods of time, often battling extreme conditions. Our advanced engineering, exceptional reliability and proven fuel efficiency are what the U.S. Coast Guard depends on. We are fully committed to the success of the OPC programme.



The new vessels will replace the USCGs fleet of Medium Endurance Cutters, providing a capability bridge between the National Security Cutter (NSC) fleet, which is equipped with Rolls-Royce controllable pitch propellers and bow thrusters, and the Fast Response Cutter (FRC) fleet, which operates closer to shore.



The new Offshore Patrol Cutters will be built at ESGs shipbuilding facility in Panama City, Florida. Construction will begin in 2018 with delivery of the first vessel scheduled for 2021. The US Coast Guard plans to build a total of 25 OPC ships.



This contract follows the recent announcement relating to the supply of power and propulsion equipment for another major multi-vessel governmental shipbuilding programme, the US Navys John Lewis class. Rolls-Royce technology and equipment has been selected for this 17 ship fleet of oilers which will significantly increase the U.S. Navys capability to transfer fuel to its surface ships in operations around the globe.
GLENDALE  Glendale resident Steven Lane had always wanted to know more about the mosque that moved into the former church down the block.

Lane and two children joined 200 people of different faiths who walked into a mosque, placed their shoes against the wall and heard an Arabic prayer before listening to leaders discuss Islam. Listeners walked out knowing more about the centuries-old faith, dampening stereotypes about the religions juxtaposition to terrorism.

The United Islamic Center of Arizona opened the doors to the mosque near 35th avenue and Union Hills Drive last weekend to reveal information ranging from basic, such as differences between a Sikh and and a Muslim, to more complex questions, such as womens rights within Islam.

We wanted to let our children know that theres a fear after 9/11 of Islam and ISIS and things of that nature, said Lane, a non-denominational Christian. The only way you can resolve that fear is with knowledge. If theyre opening their doors to us, the least we could do is be responsible and walk through that open door and see what they have to offer and what they have to say.

Didmar Faja, the mosques Imam, said an open house is important because it allows the community to get a real sense of Islam, rather than what terrorist groups portray.

The purpose is just to get to know people around us, Faja told those gathered to hear a panel discussion. Unfortunately, we live in times when there are certain organizations out there who portray Muslims here in America and around the world as people of terror and extremism. We feel sad when we hear words like that, because our faith stands for peace.

Taj Jones, a center trustee, said in an interview the event was intended to reveal community connections.

Were actually more similar than you know, Jones said. Youd be surprised. Not only do we just bleed the same, we live the same. People that come here are people you go to school with. Theyre your doctors, theyre your lawyers.

Several Muslim and Christian leaders led the discussion and answered questions:

What is Sharia law?

What is the path to becoming an Imam?

How should Muslims treat non-Muslims?

How does the Qurans teachings compare to Judeo-Christian teachings?

Sharia law, is one of the scarier words, unfortunately, nowadays that you hear, Faja said. Thats unfortunately how theyre portraying it. But Sharia law is a very wide term. Sharia is about the practicing of a Muslim. My five daily prayers are based on the teachings of the Sharia. Smiling to a fellow human means Im practicing sharia.

Phoenix City Councilwoman Thelda Williams, who was on the panel, talked about religious tolerance.

What we want to do is preserve religious freedoms, set up a safe environment for our families and we want to protect our children and make sure they grow up to be healthy human beings in a loving, kind world, Williams said. We work very hard on these objectives.

Ann Range, an 83-year-old Glendale resident, came to the open house because she has Muslim friends in her book club and wanted to know more about the culture.

The more we know about something, the better we can react to it, said Range, an Episcopalian. The more educated we are, the better we can respond to things that are going on. People have sent me some pretty terrible things because they know Im friendly with Muslims. And I can have an answer for them.
The Air Force is seeking nominations for the 2017 Blacks in Government Meritorious Service Award.The BIG award honors military members and Defense Department civilian employees who have supported the DOD mission or overseas contingency operations, or whose attributes best epitomize the qualities and core values of their service branch or other DOD component.Each major command, field operating agency and direct reporting unit may submit two nominations; these packages are due to the Air Force Personnel Center by April 14.For more information about Air Force personnel programs, go to. Individuals who do not have a myPers account can request one by
First senior enlisted in-residence students near graduation at AWC

The first group of enlisted Airmen to attend Air Universitys Air War College in-residence at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, is close to graduating from the Air Forces top school for officer professional military education.



The four chief master sergeants selected for the May 2017 graduating class and their class of 240 joint field-grade and partner-nation officers and DOD civilians have been studying the employment of airpower in joint operations at the 10-month school.



Having our top chief master sergeants in the Air Force attend the Air War College is hugely beneficial, said Brig. Gen. Christopher Coffelt, the Air War College commandant. This is an incredible professional development opportunity for them to attend a strategic-level school with those who are our next generation of strategic senior commanders and leaders. Also, this affords our senior officers attending the course a closer view of the senior enlisted perspective.



This journey began with the Enlisted Force Development Panel, a group of senior enlisted leaders co-chaired by the chief master sergeant of the Air Force and the Headquarters Air Force director of force development, as a way to deliberately develop chief master sergeants who may ultimately serve with senior general officers.



This is not a new level of PME for our chief master sergeants, said Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Horn, a former Air University command chief who helped lead this effort. We have an outstanding Chief's Leadership Course that already does that. This is, instead, an opportunity for a small number of chiefs with a high potential to serve at the strategic level in our Air Force to be exposed to the learning environment that officers experience. Keep in mind the other side of this cointhis also exposes our officers to a senior enlisted perspective. That's a win for our Air Force.



Horn was one of four chief master sergeants who took part in a pilot program in 2013-14 that allowed enlisted members to complete AWC through distance learning.



The pilot in-residence AWC class is breaking the barrier between enlisted and officer professional military education for the first time in Air Universitys 70-year history.



This raises the level of conversation we can have with our commanders, said Chief Master Sgt. Kimberly Vinson, an AWC student and former first sergeant for Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. It forces you to think on a strategic level.



A goal for AWC administrators is for the enlisted students, all of whom are candidates on the command chief master sergeant list, is to have a more strategic view of the Air Force mission.



Chief master sergeants considered for the resident pilot program were screened by the chief master sergeant of the Air Force and the Command Chief Screening Board. They demonstrate a high potential for serving at the numbered Air Force, major command, and combatant command levels. They all scored in the top 10 percent of the Command Chief Screening Board, possess a bachelors degree, have between 18-22 years of service, meet diversity and inclusion considerations that include assignments and specialty, and are willing to incur a two- to four-year active-duty service commitment.



Wing commanders are thinking in terms of overall strategy, said Chief Master Sgt. Shanice Johnson, the former 31st Fighter Wing command chief, Aviano Air Base, Italy. When you can communicate with them on that level about an operational need and communicate to them how it fits into their strategic picture, you can be more effective for the enlisted corps and for the Air Force.



Air War College prepares annually about 250 resident and 5,000 non-resident senior students from all U.S. military services, federal agencies, and 41 nations to lead in the strategic environment. The impact of integrating senior enlisted Airmen is felt throughout all those fortunate to attend.



I've seen how the international officers attending Air War College are able to get to know our chiefs in the courses, learning firsthand about our 'secret weapon' that enables us to generate such tremendous combat capability--a very well-educated and professional enlisted corps that takes on leadership roles within our military and provides leadership at every level of our force," Coffelt said. "Having our top senior enlisted members attend Air War College will absolutely up our game."



There have been eight chief master sergeants selected from the 2016 Command Chief Master Sergeant Candidate List to begin in-residence Air War College in the summer of 2017.



Part of the Air University commanders vision for educating more Airmen more broadly and deeply involves breaking existing paradigms on professional military education and expanding education opportunities for all Airmen, said Horn.



This does exactly that, Horn said.
Get AfricaFocus Bulletin by e-mail! Format for print or mobile Africa/Global: Open Data for Tax Justice AfricaFocus Bulletin

February 28, 2017 (170228)

(Reposted from sources cited below) Editor's Note "Multinational companies typically publish global, consolidated accounts - and international accounting standards now allow these to roll into one all financial information on the substance of their economic activities, or at best to provide regional figures. This means that country-level information on profits, revenues, taxes, borrowings and employees, for example, are not provided. ... As the name suggests, the longstanding proposal for country-by-country reporting (CBCR) would make multinational companies break down and publish their results for each country. This is essential for citizens to know what companies and their affiliates are doing where they live, and what contributions they are making." - Open Data for Tax Justice announcement The need for CBCR, a demand first advanced by tax justice campaigners in 2003, has become widely recognized, leading to proposals by international bodies such as the "rich states" club of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). The OECD proposal for collecting and sharing such data only by selected tax authorities, however, is in sharp contradiction to the initial goal of public transparency. And further retreats from transparency are already visible in initial actions by the Republican-dominated U.S. Congress (see http://www.africafocus.org/docs17/iff1702.php). In response, leading tax justice campaigners have set out a roadmap for "the creation of a global public database on the tax contributions and economic activities of multinational companies. " Using new technologies to collect in standard format information from a wide variety of public sources, the database has the goal of making information accessible worldwide for journalists, policymakers, tax officials, and civil society activists. This AfricaFocus Bulletin contains excerpts from the press release and white paper released on February 17, 2017 For more details, see http://datafortaxjustice.net For previous AfricaFocus Bulletins on tax justice and related issues, visit http://www.africafocus.org/intro-iff.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Trump Election: Intersecting Explanations http://www.noeasyvictories.org/usa/trump-win-reasons.php Observations (fourth installment, Feb 28, 2017) Much of the commentary on the narrow victory by Tom Perez over Keith Ellison in Saturday's election for the chair of the Democratic National Committee has had a narrow focus, interpreting it as a victory for the Democratic establishment over progressives who had backed Bernie Sanders in 2016. While to some extent true, that is a highly over-simplified view, and neglects the wide-ranging mobilization and rethinking within the broader context of the highly decentralized Democratic Party, progressive movements, and their common social base. Several articles on Saturday's results with more nuanced analysis: Peter Dreier, "Three Cheers for the Perez-Ellison DNC Team To Move the Democrats in a Progressive Direction," Huffington Post, February 25, 2017 http://tinyurl.com/gkqmp46 David Weigel, "Why did Keith Ellison lose the DNC race?" Washington Post, February 26, 2017 http://tinyurl.com/zq7hf9r James Downie, "Tom Perez's biggest problem as DNC chair: His backers," Washington Post, February 27, 2017 http://tinyurl.com/hqu2vxd And, for a wide range of articles digging more deeply into the mistakes and structural limitations of the Democratic Party and the Clinton campaign, and their implications for current strategy, see http://www.noeasyvictories.org/usa/clinton.php (10 articles from Nov. 11 - Dec. 20, 2016 and http://www.noeasyvictories.org/usa/democratic-party.php (15 articles from Mar. 30, 2016 - Feb. 21, 2017 And you can find sources on 19 other relevant "explanations" for the election outcome at http://www.noeasyvictories.org/usa/trump-win-reasons.php ++++++++++++++++++++++end editor's note+++++++++++++++++ Launch of White Paper Setting Out Roadmap for Creation of a Public Database of Country-by-country Reporting Data Press Release 17th February 2017 Leading tax justice campaigners and open data specialists are today publishing a white paper setting out a roadmap for the creation of a global public database on the tax contributions and economic activities of multinational companies. The open database would draw on various existing information sources to create a central point for publicly available country-by-country reporting (CBCR) data to help tax authorities, tax justice campaigners, investors, journalists and citizens to gain a better understanding of the activities of these companies. Multinational companies typically publish global, consolidated accounts - and international accounting standards now allow these to roll into one all financial information on the substance of their economic activities, or at best to provide regional figures. This means that country-level information on profits, revenues, taxes, borrowings and employees, for example, are not provided. There may be a set of results for "Africa" or "Europe", but even then the combination of operations in (say) Ghana and Mauritius, or France and Luxembourg, makes it is impossible to unpick these numbers in a useful way. As the name suggests, the longstanding proposal for country-bycountry reporting would make multinational companies break down and publish their results for each country. This is essential for citizens to know what companies and their affiliates are doing where they live, and what contributions they are making. An OECD standard has now been introduced which will require all multinationals of a certain scale to report this information privately to the tax authority in their headquarters country. In addition, there are public standards for limited CBCR data with respect to the extractive and financial sectors in the EU, creating multiple requirements for some multinational companies. It is critical that this data is used effectively, and seen to be so used. The next two to three years provide a window in which to establish a single format for reporting, to ensure lower compliance costs for businesses and to facilitate more effective use of the data by civil society, media and tax authorities alike. This will both confirm the value of CBCR and help policymakers to move towards a global consensus on requiring a comprehensive public CBCR under a single standard. The paper - What Do They Pay? - is coauthored by Alex Cobham (Tax Justice Network), Dr Jonathan Gray (University of Bath and Open Knowledge International) and Professor Richard Murphy (University of London). It is the result of a partnership between the Tax Justice Network (TJN) and Open Knowledge International (OKI) supported by Omidyar Network and the Financial Transparency Coalition (FTC). TJN has, since its establishment in 2003, led the way in developing and promoting the idea of public CBCR for multinational companies. OKI, who partnered with TJN in establishing the Open Data for Tax Justice initiative, are pioneers in using open data to achieve tangible policy results and human progress. The FTC has championed public CBCR since its inception, as have many FTC members including Christian Aid, Tax Justice Network-Africa and TJN. The white paper is divided into four main sections. Firstly, the authors present a set of user stories, questions, requirements, and scenarios of usage for a database. Secondly, they look at what kinds of information a public database could and should contain. Thirdly, they look at the opportunities and challenges of building a public database drawing on various existing information sources. Fourthly and finally, the authors suggest next steps for policy, advocacy, and technical work towards a public database. As leading organisations in this field, TJN and OKI now propose to establish an open database, to include all publicly available CBCR data; to provide a venue for multinationals that wish to lead in transparency by publishing their data voluntarily; and to make the data, and core tools and risk measures, accessible to a wider audience. Alex Cobham, chief executive of the Tax Justice Network, says: "This white paper marks an important step towards the creation of a fully public database to track the tax behaviour of both multinationals and jurisdictions from Luxembourg to Mauritius, and from Bermuda to Singapore. We're delighted that so many organisations and experts have contributed to this process, which has really strengthened the analysis and design. And we're delighted, too, at the ongoing discussions with investors and business groups around providing and using data. "It's striking that civil society is leading on this process, rather than the OECD or a global tax body. But just as civil society created the original proposal for country-by-country reporting, perhaps it's right that we should also take a lead in creating the database that will eventually deliver the full benefits  from lower costs for multinationals dealing bilaterally with different tax authorities, and for tax authorities exchanging information with each other, to the benefits of the public being empowered to hold governments and multinationals to account for their role in international tax avoidance." Dr Jonathan Gray, Prize Fellow at the University of Bath's Institute for Policy Research and Senior Advisor to Open Knowledge International, says: "This new report outlines the case for a global public data project that would transform democratic engagement around the role of multinational corporations in our economies. A civil society database would be more than just an information source: it would facilitate collaboration amongst researchers, journalists and campaigners and pave the way for an official database at an international body such as the UN." Richard Murphy, Professor of Practice in International Political Economy at City, University of London and director of Tax Research UK, says: "Country-by-country reporting was created to be used. Its purpose is to show what is happening in the world and to change it. That's why a database holding all publicly available CBCR data is vital: with it we can see who is doing what, and where and demand change from the governments and companies engaged in tax abuse." Launched in 2016, supported by a grant from Omidyar Network, the FTC and coordinated by TJN and OKI, Open Data for Tax Justice is a project to create a global network of people and organisations using open data to improve advocacy, journalism and public policy around tax justice. More details about the project and its members can be found at http://datafortaxjustice.net What Do They Pay?: Towards a Public Database to Account for the Economic Activities and Tax Contributions of Multinational Corporations Alex Cobham

Chief Executive, Tax Justice Network

Visiting Fellow, King's College London Jonathan Gray

Prize Fellow, Institute for Policy Research, University of Bath Co-Founder, Public Data Lab

Senior Advisor, Open Knowledge International Richard Murphy

Professor of Practice in International Political Economy, City, University of London

Director, Tax Research UK February 2017 [Excerpts: for full report see

http://datafortaxjustice.net/what-do-they-pay/] Introduction Many of the policy proposals put forward by the Tax Justice Network (TJN) after its establishment in 2003 were so far from mainstream thinking about tax that it was difficult to find a policy audience with which to discuss them seriously (Murphy, Christensen & Kimmis, 2005). But by 2013, just ten years later, these proposals had come to form the basis for the global policy agenda - including "Countryby -Country Reporting" (CBCR) of the tax contributions and economic activities of multinational companies. So common is the expose of tax avoidance by multinationals today  think of headlines featuring Apple or Amazon, Google or Starbucks  that it would be easy to forget how recently things changed. But the Tax Justice Network's first front-page media splash was only in 2007. Even the headline, 'Revealed: How multinational companies avoid the taxman', has become so familiar that it would be almost redundant today (Guardian, 2007). Over the past decade, international media coverage and civil society campaigning has flourished. Investigative journalists have undertaken international collaborations highlighting the scale and societal effects of tax avoidance strategies. In many lower-income countries, the tax treatment of multinationals has risen to the top of policy agendas, driven by civil society mobilisation and public anger. In OECD countries, protesters have taken to the streets to oppose the minimal contributions of high street companies. The issue has caught the attention of populist political movements of various stripes. By 2013, issues of tax were atop the global policy agenda too. The G8 and G20 groups of countries set the aim of reducing the 'misalignment' between the location of multinational companies' economic activity, and the location of declared, taxable profits. The OECD was given a mandate to change international tax rules to achieve this end, including the specific remit to introduce a country-by-country reporting standard. While there are a range of benefits to this data being compiled and made public, the critical development is that it is intended to show for the first time exactly where companies do business, and the extent to which this is aligned  or misaligned  with where they declare profits. This is would not be a smoking gun to establish that a specific tax avoidance structure has been at play; but it could be a powerful instrument to help a variety of different actors to know where to investigate further, and what the scale of the problem may be. The OECD standard for CBCR is technically very close to the original TJN proposal (Murphy, 2003) - but politically very far from it. The TJN proposal was for accounting data that it always intended be made public, to ensure the accountability to citizens of both multinationals and of tax authorities. The OECD data, in contrast, is to be provided privately to the tax authority in a multinational's headquarters jurisdiction. It may then be exchanged, under a range of conditions, with other tax authorities in which subsidiaries of that multinational company trade. But under no circumstances are those tax authorities allowed to make the information more widely accessible. Longhorn et al (2016) provide a comprehensive analysis of various CBCR standards, their evolution and the arguments and evidence on their value. Knobel and Cobham (2016) demonstrate the paths by which OECD reporting could exacerbate, rather than ameliorate, existing global inequalities in taxing rights with respect to multinationals. In addition to failing to respond to lower-income countries' revenue losses, the lack of transparency means that the current standard will also fail to build confidence in the fair tax treatment of these high-profile taxpayers - missing an important opportunity to build tax morale and wider public support for tax compliance. As things stand, if CBCR data is not made publicly available the OECD initiative would perhaps be the least transparent transparency measure imaginable. And yet, it marks an important step forward for CBCR. With most major multinationals now actually facing the obligation to comply with the OECD requirement, the argument about transparency has turned. The question now is no longer 'Why should this information be collected?' Instead, it is now 'Why should this information, now collected, be kept secret?'. The OECD is in some sense a late adopter, with multiple country-bycountry reporting standards having been introduced since the original proposal. Notably, these include public CBCR for extractive sector companies in both the EU and US, and for financial institutions in the EU. There were also two notable attempts to include CBCR data in International Financial Reporting Standards, and although both failed the fact that this was not on technical grounds did prove that this data is within the scope of such standards. The data is, to be clear, accounting data rather than tax data: it reflects the location of activities, and is not an extract from a tax return. That some variations on CBCR have been adopted does, however, mean that in the absence of any official attempts, there is the possibility for civil society to take steps towards establishing a public database of all available CBCR information. This could support greater use of the existing data by various stakeholders, from tax authorities to activists and journalists. The data produced may also be of some interest to investors, many of whom are now showing some awareness of the significance of this data. Importantly, it also provide a platform for the creation and testing of risk measures - above all, those that capture the extent of profit misalignment and therefore allow tracking of progress on the global policy aim of its curtailment. In addition, such a database would provide an avenue for companies that embrace transparency to begin unilaterally to publish their own CBCR. Overall, the use of such data is likely to provide valuable evidence not only on the underlying issues of misalignment, but also on the challenges and opportunities of CBCR data. In particular, it may help to resolve questions on the need for data quality and consistency, and to motivate convergence towards best practice among existing and possible future standards. Over time, it is possible to imagine such a database being hosted within a more official setting such as the mooted intergovernmental tax body that could be created at the UN (Cobham and Klees, 2016). For now, this report focuses on what a global public database could look like; what public sources of information already exist and which may be important to prioritise in addition; how far towards ideal CBCR it is possible to reach using existing sources; and what changes would be needed to strengthen the contribution from CBCR towards the shared, global policy aim of reducing corporate tax avoidance by curtailing profit misalignment. Our aim is not to create the perfect, final product in terms of a public CBCR database. In their "Changing What Counts" report, Gray, Lammerhirt and Bounegru (2016) emphasise the role that citizen and civil society data can play as an advocacy tool to shape institutional data collection practices. In that spirit, the aim here is to provide not a final product but the basis for discussion, experimentation and iterative improvement, that we hope will help to prepare the way for a global database that is maintained by an international public body in the longer term. To that end, we would like to experiment assembling and aligning data that has been published in accordance with various existing CBCR standards and publishing requirements. This may be used to construct an open, online database into which researchers and other actors can enter new data as it becomes available, and which has the potential to become a longer term global repository for public data about the tax contributions and economic activity of multinationals, and a useful resource for future research and policy analysis. The proposed database could contain and support a range of different tools and indicators, in order to facilitate different forms of analysis and comparison across companies and across jurisdictions. This would represent an important step towards understanding the role of multinationals in the composition of the world economy  as well as paving the way for an official public database. The purpose of creating a database would extend beyond that of a technical project to simply gather and publish existing information. There are other things that we might expect a global civil society database to do. As economic sociologist Donald MacKenzie argues, economic models can be considered not just cameras which represent the world, but also as engines which change them in different ways (MacKenzie, 2008). By taking steps to render the economic activities and tax contributions of multinationals publicly visible, measurable, quantifiable and accountable, it might be expected to change not only the dynamics of corporate reporting (as one might expect), but potentially also the operations and organisation of multinational firms as they adjust to new forms of publicity and public engagement. The behaviour-changing effects of public data on the economic activities and tax arrangements of multinationals are certainly deserving of further attention and research. A public database could potentially play a social function in assembling and facilitating collaboration between different "data publics" interested in multinational taxation. It would thus represent an experiment in socio-technical design to organise public activity around tax base erosion. As well as supporting links between relevant data projects such as OpenCorporates, Open Ownership, the Open Contracting Partnership and OpenOil, it could act as a locus to coordinate the efforts of different actors and groups who are interested in undertaking research, journalism, advocacy, public policy, and public engagement work in the service of building a fairer global tax system. This would not simply be a matter of catering to pre-existing social groups, but also potentially creating new kinds of associations and collaborations between different actors. As such a public database could also be viewed as a democratic experiment  especially if these different groups play not only a role not only in using and consuming data, but also in co-designing and assembling the database (Gray, 2016a, 2016b). Such a database might thus open up space for new kinds of democratic deliberation and public engagement around how the global economy is organised  and how some of the largest most powerful economic actors on the planet - both multinationals and jurisdictions including major tax havens - can be understood, managed and held to account; as well supporting civil society interventions around the kinds of transparency measures and data collection processes we have in place to understand and shape the behaviour of these actors. AfricaFocus Bulletin is an independent electronic publication providing reposted commentary and analysis on African issues, with a particular focus on U.S. and international policies. AfricaFocus Bulletin is edited by William Minter. AfricaFocus Bulletin can be reached at africafocus@igc.org. Please write to this address to subscribe or unsubscribe to the bulletin, or to suggest material for inclusion. For more information about reposted material, please contact directly the original source mentioned. For a full archive and other resources, see http://www.africafocus.org
At least 11 people died and 30 others were injured after a private bus coming from Vizag to Hyderabad fell into a river channel under the bridge near Moolapadu village under Penuganchiprolu mandal in Krishna district.

Police said the toll could go up as the front portion of the bus was badly mangled and many of the 60 passengers were still trapped inside the wreckage.

The bus was on way to Hyderabad in Telangana from Bhubaneshwar in Odisha when the accident took place at around 5.30am.

The private Volvo bus with 44 people on board was on its way to Hyderabad from Bhubaneswar when the mishap occurred between two culverts on the highway, police said. The passengers were fast asleep during the accident.

The injured have been taken to the Nandigama Government Hospital, said reports.

Of the 30 injured people, 10 are critical, said a report. The bus, Diwakar Travels, was owned by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLA from Tadipatri JC Prabhakar Reddy.

Most of the passengers are from Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Srikakulam and Hyderabad. This is the second major incident involving Diwakar Travels agency owned by Telugu Desam Party MP from Anantapur J C Diwakar Reddy.

According to Deputy Transport Commissioner E Meera Prasad, the bus was at a speed of around 110 kmph at NH 16 and crashed against a 3-ft high wall before tumbling down 22-ft below the bridge. Transport minister Sidda Raghava Rao has ordered a probe into the accident.
A senior BJP Minister in Maharashtra today said his party and Shiv Sena are natural allies who should put aside their differences and join hands once again to rule the Mumbai civic body, where elections threw a fractured mandate.

Chandrakant Patil, who holds the PWD portfolio, also asserted there was no threat to the BJP-led Government in the State.

BJP and Shiv Sena are natural allies. That is why leaders of both the parties should not make any amangal (unholy) alliance and continue their traditional alliance which has been there for the last 20-25 years (in Mumbai), Patil said.

It is obvious it will take some time to come out of the pre-poll and post-poll bickering between the two parties. Even in our homes, if we quarrel with our brother, it takes time to patch-up, Patil said.

Therefore, there is no need for anyone (in Opposition) to rejoice (at Sena-BJP fight). The BJP-Sena combine will come to power in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). There is also no threat to the state government, the Minister maintained.

Patils comments came in the wake of mounting suspense over who will be the next Mayor of Mumbai with both BJP and Sena, who dont have majority of their own in the just elected House, eyeing the prestigious post.

Elections to the 227-member BMC threw a fractured verdict with none of the parties reaching the majority mark (114 seats) to get their candidate installed as Mayor.

There were reports that Congress may tacitly support the Sena to scuttle the BJPs chances of controlling the BMC, the countrys richest civic body which has an annual budget of over Rs. 37,000 crore.

Ahead of the February 21 elections, the BJP and Shiv Sena split in BMC, which they had been ruling together for the last over two decades, over allocation of seats and other issues. However, the saffron parties continue to be ruling allies at the state level and also at the Centre.
On 23rd February the Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation (BMC) election results were announced as no party got a clear mandate. It was evident that when Bal Thackeray was actively heading the Shiv Sena the party always had upper hand in Maharashtra politics. However, equations have been changing drastically ever since Uddhav was declared as Bal Thackerays successor though it was Raj Thackeray who was seen as the apparent heir. Internal rift began within the party after the declaration. In July 2005, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Sena leader Narayan Rane was expelled from the party. In the biggest setback to Sena, Raj Thackeray who resembled Bal Thackeray in terms of aggression, oratory skills and mass appeal, floated a new party named Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

The rise of charismatic and flamboyant Raj and his MNS was exceptional. Within just three years of its inception, the party won 13 seats in the 2009 assembly elections and came second in more than 24 constituencies. In 2012, it emerged as the single largest party in Nashik Municipal Corporation and even bagged the Mayors post. Raj Thackeray MNS was in the process of becoming next Big Brother in the state. At that time, it was predicted by many experts that Raj will become the king maker in 2014 assembly elections and eventually may form the government on his own in 2019. Raj too felt so confident and secured in the politics of Maharashtra that he publically pitched for Modis candidature for the PMs post. This was the time, in fact, when the graph of success of MNS started to slide.

Raj should have opted for an alliance Sena, encashing the sentiments of popular Marathi voters, reducing his aggression a bit and imprinting his image as all inclusive Leader. However, when success was following him, he didnt bother to implement such a tactic.

Meanwhile, Uddhav, who is known for a very ordinary oratory skill despite being a Thackeray, had started to run the Sena as an enterprise in a mild, composed and disciplined manner. Many leaders who had parted from Shiv Sena to join MNS, returned to Sena. While Sena was gaining the strength steadily, MNS was losing the advantage it had steadily. This was the time when Modi wave was sweeping the whole nation, including Maharashtra state. After the breakup of Sena-BJP alliance, Uddhav and Raj should have come together as both of them were aware of the threat from Modi wave. During election campaigns, Uddhav went on to equate Prime Minster Narendra Modi with Afzal Khan (a fierce military commander of Adilshah). If Raj and Uddhav had joined hands before 2014 assembly elections, the cabinet of Maharashtra would have been different today. Though both Sena and MNS may not have got clear mandate, they would still have the upper hand. However, each of them was too confident to think about the union.

Finally, after witnessing a series of debacles, Raj offered an olive branch to Uddhav ahead of the civic body polls in 2017. Uddhav this time should have accepted Rajs request, en-cashing the sentiments of popular Marathi voters, and imprinting his image as all inclusive Leader. Confident of his partys big win, Uddhav didnt bother to implement such a tactic. Many people from Marathwada and western Maharashtra had said during media interactions that their heart goes with the Sena  both Uddhavs and Rajs, but mind goes with the BJP.

Despite having so many chances, Thackeray brothers didnt manage to pull a rabbit out of their hats. Now one cousins party is struggling for the existence while other ones outfit has remained restricted to Mumbai and Thane region. It will be interesting to see what strategy the estranged cousins will adopt in future.

Saket Aloni

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who led the BJP to a spectacular victory in the recently held municipal corporation and zilla parishad polls in the state, today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.

Apart from Modi, Fadnavis also met Union Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mahesh Sharma and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ramvilas Paswan among others.

Fadnavis tweeted that Paswan agreed to extend the date for purchase of Tur by one month.

He also said the Centre had considered the state governments request of delegation of powers and path-breaking decisions for Raigad fort conservation.

With this I am confident that we can move fast for conservation of Raigad fort, for which we have budgeted more than Rs 600 crore.

Now, we can do lot more in conserving all forts related to life and journey of our great king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to inspire generations to come, the Chief Minister said.

Master plan for development of Raigad Fort will be approved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and it will be executed by the Maharashtra government under the supervision of ASI, Fadnavis added.

On February 23, the BJP scored a resounding victory in the Maharashtra civil polls, emerging as the largest party in eight of the 10 municipal corporations while finishing a close second to bellicose ally Shiv Sena in the latters Mumbai bastion.
If any councillor tries to join rival party then his candidature will be suspended.

Shiv Sena which emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election is taking steps to prevent candidates from shifting loyalities towards other parties. Sena has formed a group of 84 councillors and four independents to avert horse trading activities. If any councillor joins rival party then his candidature is liable for suspension. Sena is working hard to install its Mayor in the BMC and is also holding discussion with opposition parties and independents. The party is confident of getting mandate in the civic body. Some independent candidates are already coming forward to offer support to Sena. According to sources an independent candidate from Bandra is likely to support Sena which will strengthen the party further. If this candidate joins Sena then its tally will rise to 89 seats.

Both Sena and BJP are competing with each other to stake claim for the Mayors post in BMC. Sena has won 84 seats whereas BJP has improved its tally from 31 to 82. However both parties lack numbers to reach the magic figure of 114 seats to run the BMC which is the largest civic body of the nation. Therefore both parties have formed a group of their councillors to prevent horse trading activities. Sena is already worried that BJP may try to woo some of its candidates by offering them lucrative posts.

The party has already registered its 84 councillors and four independent candidates in Navi Mumbai Konkan divisional office. The 88 members will be considered as a single group. Thus Sena will keep a close watch on candidates who are trying to switch loyalties. If any candidate tries to join rival party then his candidature will become void.

Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai said, Shiv Senas Mayor will be installed in the BMC. The group of councillor was formed to prevent candidates from joining rival parties. However we are confident that we will win the floor test.

Before BMC election Sena was confident of winning 114 seats and had severed ties with BJP to contest the civic body polls singlehandedly. The party also had launched scathing attacking against its alliance partner and raised questions against its mode of functioning. However after the declaration of results the gap between Sena and BJP has narrowed down which has put the former in a state of bother.

Sena is rethinking about its decision to withdraw support to the Fadnavis government. BJPs good performance in the BMC polls has forced Sena leadership to rethink about its strategy to pull out of the government.

According to sources from Sena, If we quit the government, then it may lead to mid-term polls and the BJP will win more seats and emerge stronger. If BJPs performance improves then it will call the shots in the state.
The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has extended the Small Stream Flood Advisory for Gila, Yavapai and Coconino counties.

At 11 a.m., river gauge reports indicated very high flow along numerous creeks, washes and rivers in Yavapai and western Gila counties, due to heavy and widespread rainfall overnight.

Some waterways that will experience flooding include Wet and Dry Beaver Creek, Williamson Valley Wash, West Clear Creek, Granite Creek, Fossil Creek, East Verde River and the Agua Fria River.

A flood warning has been issued for Lynx Creek along I-17 near Black Canyon City.

The National Weather Service at 11 a.m. was reporting light snowfall until late afternoon with low accumulation during that time. The snowstorm that began last evening dropped between 13 and 17 inches of snow on Flagstaff. Munds Park and Mormon Lake have received 19 and 20 inches of snow while Arizona Snowbowl has currently seen 19 inches of snow with another 5 inches predicted through the rest of the day.

Snowfall in Flagstaff will drop significantly by this afternoon according National Weather Service Meteorologist Brian Klimowski.

"We are expecting really light snowfall the rest of the day with a really low rate of accumulation," Klimowski said. "We should see the road conditions improve throughout the day."

7:45 a.m. Tuesday: 15 inches on the ground at Pulliam, minor flooding below Rim

A late-February storm has wound up dropping more snow on Flagstaff than in the forecast.

Pulliam Airport in Flagstaff reports 15.5 inches in the gauge this morning, the same amount in the National Weather Service gauge in Bellemont. Unofficial totals include 13 inches in Fort Valley, 19 inches in Munds Park, 18 inches five miles south of Williams and nine inches at Grand Canyon Village.

Predictions had been for between 8 and 12 inches, but a 3 a.m. updated forecast noted that there was more moisture in the system than expected. Areas of Yavapai and Gila counties below the Mogollon Rim have received up to 2 inches of rain, with minor flooding reported this morning.

Farther to the east, spotters in St. Johns, Springerville and Show Low each reported wind gusts over 50 mph.

All schools in the Flagstaff Unified School District are closed Tuesday due to heavy snow and winter road conditions. Coconino Community College has also closed for the day. Northern Arizona University will open at 9 a.m. today. All NAU classes before 9 a.m. are cancelled.

All non-emergency city of Flagstaff operations and services will be on a delayed start and will open at 10 a.m. All non-emergency Coconino County offices and operations will be on a delayed start, opening at 9:30 a.m.

Pine Forest School and STAR School announced two-hour delays last night for this morning.

8 p.m. Monday: Storm to drop between 8 and 12 inches when finished

A snowstorm expected to drop between 8 and 12 inches of snow on the Flagstaff area has already dropped an inch and a half of rain in Oak Creek Canyon by Monday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Pine Forest and STAR schools announced Monday night a delay to the school day Tuesday as several inches of snow piled up in Flagstaff. The Flagstaff Unified School District has not made a call as of 10 p.m.

Snow started out light in the afternoon but was to get heavier between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. and roads will start to get sloppy, said Brian Klimowski, meteorologist in charge at the NWS station in Bellemont.

Basically we have a firehose of moisture coming in from southern California streaming into northern Arizona at this time, Klimowski said during a conference call Monday afternoon. The storm will bring some of deepest moisture we've seen so far this year, he said.

Between 5 p.m. Monday and 5 a.m. Tuesday, nearly 8 inches of snow are forecast to fall in Flagstaff. The storm will taper off Tuesday morning, with 1 to 2 inches expected to fall before 11 a.m., Klimowski said.

Wind gusts will reach 10 to 20 miles per hour.

The wet storm will make for heavy, cement-type snow that will be hard to move through and hard to drive through, Klimowski said. He said he is very confident that Arizona Snowbowl will end up with lots of the white stuff, he said.

South of the Mogollon Rim, residents should look out for flooding and be careful at low-water crossings in places like Oak Creek Canyon.

At this point however, no flood watches or warnings are anticipated, Klimowski said.
The PM Narendra Modi driven Kabristan row is refusing to die as various Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders keep breathing new life into it as the Uttar Pradesh elections enter the last 2 phases. The latest to dive onto the Hindu-Muslim controversy is firebrand and controversial BJP leader Sakshi Maharaj, MP from Unnao, who has brought to light the issue of paucity of land and the fact that the Hindus do not need space for graves while Muslim demands are rising. While PM Modi had added the no discrimination part at the end, the same kind of diplomacy is not being adhered to by the rest of the BJP leaders.

He said that if Hindus start demanding space in similar fashion, then there are, 2-2.5 cr sadhu hain, sabki samadhi lage to kitni zameen jayegi (there are 2-2.5 cr sadhus in the country, just imagine how much land would be required if they asked for a mausoleum of their own.

Not wishing to end the matter there and to highlight the rising population of Muslims, Maharaj goes on to say, 20 crore Muslims hain, sabko kabr chahiye Hindustan mein jagah kahan milegi (there are 20 cr Muslims, all want a grave; where will space be found in India).

The Congress Party on Tuesday said Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sakshi Maharajs controversial Kabristaan remark is part of a communal atmosphere being created by the saffron party amid the ongoing assembly elections in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh.

Every religion follows its own ritual. If there will be need of kabristaan then it will be constructed. Similarly, if there would be need of shamshaan then it would be made. This cannot be affected by provocative statements of any leader or saint, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit told ANI.

Echoing similar views, Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal said Sakshi Maharajs statement aims at spreading communalism and widening the gap between Hindus and Muslims.

This shows the BJPs disappointment. They dont have any issue to discuss, said Agarwal.

The Samajwadi Party leader further said that the BJP could clearly see its failure in the assembly polls, adding that is the reason for the saffron party allowing its party leaders to speak whatever they want to.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rightly said that India needs more scientists to harness technology for the benefit of the common man. India has to put much more human efforts in science research. Progress could be achieved only through effective institution-industry tie-up and more research and development work. The governments ambition should be that more and more Indian universities should feature in top 100 global institutions.

Our scientists need to work hard with dedication if they do not want to lose out on unprecedented changes. Innovative ideas and creativity should be appreciated at the school level by the teachers then only we can expect interest for scientific research in the students. Women must be encouraged to opt for research so that the growing demand for scientific manpower can be met. The faculty and higher educational institutions should encourage students to undertake research, offer them the opportunity, create the right ambience, and give guidance.

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
One person was killed and four others were injured on Monday after a small plane crashed into a residential neighborhood near the airport in the city of Riverside in California, destroying a home and touching off fires in several others, local news media reported.

Images broadcast by KABC-TV from the scene showed firefighters covering, what appeared to be, a body with a tarp and pouring water on the home in Riverside, about 60 miles (100 kilometres) east of Los Angeles.

The station reported that another victim who was pulled from a window of the home and put on a stretcher appeared to be suffering from severe injuries.

The Riverside Press Enterprise newspaper, citing fire officials, said that one person had died and that four others suffered injuries.

Ian Gregor, a spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration, said that a Cessna 310 crashed under unknown circumstances about a half mile northeast of Riverside Municipal Airport.

Gregor said the plane crashed shortly after taking off from the airport, bound for the city of San Jose in Northern California and that the incident would be investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board.
Two women arrested over the nerve agent assassination of Kim Jong-nam are to be charged with his murder, Malaysia said Tuesday, as North Korea sent a senior diplomat to retrieve the body from the morgue. The spectacular killing of Kim Jong-uns half-brother with VX, a fast-acting poison developed for warfare, sparked an international probe and lurid stories of Pyongyangs Cold War-style tradecraft.

South Korea says its isolated neighbour was behind the assassination, and claims the Norths agents engaged two outsiders to carry out the murder.

They will be charged in court under Section 302 (murder) of the penal code, Malaysias attorney general Mohamed Apandi Ali told AFP by text message, referring to the two suspects.

The women will appear in court on Wednesday. If convicted, they could face death by hanging.

Kim Jong-nam, a well-travelled polyglot who fell out of favour at home after a botched 2001 attempt to get into Japan, died less than 20 minutes after he was set upon at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 13.

CCTV footage shows two women approaching him and seemingly pushing something in his face.

Investigators say this was VX, a deadly poison classed as a weapon of mass destruction and banned around the world.

Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, reportedly told a senior diplomat on Saturday she had been paid just 400 ringgit ($90) for her role, adding she believed she was handling a liquid like baby oil.

Her alleged accomplice, Doan Thi Huong, 28, from Vietnam, told Hanoi officials she had been tricked into killing Kim Jong-nam and thought she was taking part in a prank for a comedy video.

Speaking from the rural Vietnamese village of Quan Phuong, Huongs stepmother appealed for a fair trial.

I think she was set up. Nguyen Thi Vy told AFP. I dont believe she was brave enough to do such thing.

A third suspect, 46-year-old North Korean man Ri Jong-Chol, is also being held, but Apandi made no mention of whether he would be charged.
Even after his mentioning of the Study, I didnt go search the Internet, ask around for it. A week earlier, I interviewed an expert on doing a 30-year anniversary article on the flaws, foibles, and failures of Vaccine Court (that article will come out in March). That expert said that because the CDC had never sponsored and conducted such a Studyit spent money on the Danish rogue scientist Poul Thorsen insteadVaccine Court, where there is no discovery process, jury trial, or typical tort law aspects, the government gutted the intent of the court, further immunizing and protecting the vaccine manufacturers and not our children.

The first time I even knew or became aware of the Study was during a pre-recorded radio interview in early December 2016. The radio host for Lost Arts Radio had reached out to me via Skyhorse Publishing to do an interview on my book Master Manipulator , which then increased in scope after Richard Sacks and I had phone conversation. It was during that two-and-a-half-hour interview on his Fireside Chat program that he, not me or the other two guests, brought up the Study, mentioning it was both old and had yet to get publish for obvious reasons when one finally reads its findings.

After confirming the Study with its authorhe replied to my email in two hours that morningand the rejecting journal Frontiers, I had the article ready to go on Thursday, February 16, 2017. But I waited another week as I thought good and hard about publishing someone elses work, which has been trying to get through the censors of Big Pharma to make it to the public, finally, and tell the findings that should be a clarion call for the U.S. federal government to take decisive action in this worsening Autism Epidemic.

To publish or not to publish was indeed the question I thought about and reflected on for eight days after the Study had been first made available via a public url that self-destructed in six hours on Valentines Day.

There has been a lot of excitement and anger in the wake of my article on the leaked pilot Vaccinated vs. Unvaccinated Study (Study), by Dr. Anthony Mawson.

Yes, my teenage autistic son was one of the 5,400 baby doe cases kicked out of Vaccine Court in the spring 2011 via the Omnibus Autism Proceedings.

So with all of this high level information dumped on my lap, I didnt bother to pursue finding anything more about the rejected Study, which I knew had been censored without reading it. Thus, ended 2016 with a few more radio interviewsbut not further inquiries on my end.

Leak vs. Embargo

The day I published the article, I received some curt emails from a few people, which I have no problem with. People wanted to know my sources. Well that will never happen. Their anonymity is protected under the Supreme Courtjust ask President Trump about that with all of his leaks.

I didnt ask anyone for the Study. No one emailed me the Study, with the word Embargo on it, meaning that if I received such an emailand I do quite frequentlyI, as a journalist, am not allowed to write about the embargoed document. But this was not the case with the Study.

When it was leaked to the public domain, its fair game for anyone to write about it, comment on it, read it. I was neither Edward Snowden nor Chelsea Manning. I didnt break into a server, hack a computer, walk off with a laptop, or steal a flash-drive. I was only notified that the Study would be made available on a certain part of the Web, on a specific date, and in a narrow window of time.

So writing about a leaked to the public Study and protecting my sources are not a crime in any size, shape or form. Scientists, who conduct the peer-review process, were naturally upset at my decision to write about the outed Study. I fully understand, as I have been around scientists, engineers, architects, developers, and intellectual property, trademarks, and copyright my entire life. My grandfather was a shipping magnate in Bergen, Norway. As a young child, I knew about the importance of ones work, creation, and authorship.

In the past, I have been leaked internal documents on the 2010 BP Oil Spill (I didnt publish them); the WHO tamping down on an off-the-shelf remedy to the Ebola virus in favor of funding R&D for an Ebola vaccine (10,000 people have died as a result; will be published later this year); and Zika virus, much of which made it into a half dozen articles I wrote on the CDCs march for extracting $1 billion from American taxpayers for a vaccine no one will ever needsince Zika doesnt cause microcephaly (more articles to come).

The Triggers for Publication

Well, if you think President Trump had a rough week or two in his first month of his new administration, censorship and flagrant attacks on free speech and freedom of the press should be equally concerning for all Americans, no matter your background, political views, or beliefs.

A triple tributary of bad news all arrived, like the spring floods, on the same day of Wednesday, February 22, 2017. These stories should disturb people inside and outside the autism community, as they have far reaching implications. And its just the start.

In one incredible piece of news, Mike Adams of www.naturalnews.com, the Health Ranger, who I have followed for years, had 140,000 pages of linked documents, studies, and reports broken by Google or a hacker. He was threatened the week before to out dirt on an anti-government website, or else. Well, a week later that threat was followed through on and his years of work have been censored. Imagining this happening to the Drudge Report or other website aggregating media platforms?

The second shoe to drop on censorship came from Googles re-engineering its search engine to remove fake news. I guess Age of Autism has published so much of this that Google saw to it that when one enters Age of Autism the top ten searches run from the late Dan Olmsted (God bless his kind soul) to a Huffington Post view on the website. Gone are the vaccine-autism articles that matter from that simple search.

Censorship is alive and well in America.

The third prong to the devils pitchfork of eliminating dissent, squashing public debate, and killing open discourse made headlines everywhere. Googles different artificial intelligence (AI) software has been sold to CNN, New York Times, and other mainstream media outlets (MSM). This program searches, filters, and weeds out hate speech and toxic remarks in the comments sections of the online news.

But that is how MSM is selling the new AI for online comments: Hate speech and toxic words. The reality is for those in the ASD community who have helped waged the fight against tyranny the words vaccines and autism or countering the CDCs version of everything is good with Americas children will be censored, expunged, weeded out, eliminated, erased, and cast to the wind.

In other words, we are now clearly living in a new age, Digital 3.0 where censorship by the wealthy corporations and governments the world over is preferred than any free words or beliefs or laws in the U.S. Constitution.

So either we change our tactics, methods, and the way we fight the Deep State of Big Pharma, or they clearly will win without us making a dent or winning masses over to counter the Fascist rule over our lives.

Censorship and Findings

The Study is clearly old, as it made it into the pages of the 2015 book Vaccine Whistleblower. In fact, the data goes back a year or two before the publication. That means the Study has been received, reviewed, and ultimately rejected multiple times, with the latest being Frontiers in November 2016.

Thus, this is not a new Study. It is a censored one. Sure, people can be mad at the leaker or me, but a mole hunt is a waste of time. After I published the article and heard back from several people, I learned that others had the full Studyembargoedfrom California, through Cape Cod, to the United Kingdom. I also learned that other groups of people or organizations, outside of the sponsors, made press releases about the Studys findings ready to go last November. But they were never released, after the Study wasnt published.

So how many digital copies of the Study were let out over the years? Dozens I would suspect. Thats hard to put an internal control on, especially in light of the rejections and ongoing censorship, which in 2017 will get worse, not better.

When the author told me not to widely distribute the Study, hours after I published last week, I complied. No issue with his dignified request.

Finally, should the focus and energy of the community at large be on the leaker or I?

Or should the focus on the Studys findings; on the censorship by Google, MSM, and other social media platforms; on taking down the runway freight train of CDC vaccine schedule?



James Ottar Grundvig is an investigative journalist who has been published in the Huffington Post, the Financial Times Foreign Direct Investment (fDi) magazine, Law.com, and the Epoch Times, among other media outlets. He has written extensively about technology, autism, and the CDCs failure to contain the runaway epidemic  all of which comprise the foundation for Master Manipulator. He resides in New York City.
Arizona high schools remain hostile environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students due to a lack of support and resources, according to findings from a recently released survey.

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, which has administered the survey since 1999, argues that the presence of school-based supports for LGBTQ students results in lower levels of harassment and better educational outcomes.

For Arizona specifically, the report found that the vast majority of LGBTQ students regularly heard anti-LGBTQ remarks and had been victimized at school.

It also found that many LGBTQ students in Arizona reported discriminatory policies or practices at their schools.

"We have so much work to do, but we have seen what works in Southern Arizona to improve school climates for LGBTQ students: supportive educators, anti-bullying policies that specifically protect LGBTQ students, inclusive student clubs and school curriculum that positively reflects LGBTQ topics, said Benjamin Lebovitz, chair of GLSEN Tucson.

Rikki Woods, a Rincon High School junior who is bisexual, participated in this years GLSEN survey. While she wasnt exactly surprised by the results, Woods said the problem is larger than she would have guessed.

A lot of people who dont really know much about this issue dont really understand how many problems the LGBTQ community does face, the 16-year-old said. A lot of people assume that its not really a big deal because people can get married now.

Woods said that schools could work toward making the environment more welcoming for LGBTQ students by raising awareness of these issues, especially by administrators.

Its not always directly toward me, but I hear gay as a derogatory term more than I would like to hear it, Woods said. Also a lot of men talking about being OK with women being lesbians but not men being gay. Ive seen a lot of people sexualizing lesbians which I dont really like.

Ethan Smith Cox, director of development for the Southern Arizona Aids Foundation, suggests that the nature of Arizonas conservative government and public school system is partially to blame for the lack of healthy conversation and discussion.

Just last week at the federal level, transgender students lost protections that allowed them to use school bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identities.

The Trump administration came down on the side of states' rights, lifting Obama-era federal guidelines that had been characterized by Republicans as an example of overreach.

Without the Obama directive, it will be up to states and school districts to interpret federal anti-discrimination law and determine whether students should have access to restrooms in accordance with their expressed gender identity and not just their biological sex.

Obviously no one chooses to be gay and nobody chooses to feel like theyre a different gender than they are, Cox said. So its one of those things that they just need a lot of support, and not talking about it at school is implicitly saying theres something wrong with this.

WORK IS UNDERWAY

Tucsons largest school district is working to implement positive resources for its students in light of the survey results.

An ongoing challenge has been students not realizing the impact of what they say, said Tamara Hille, coordinator of the Tucson Unified School Districts guidance and counseling department.

Some things I think we should continue increasing is more self awareness at our schools, working with our students to increase awareness of what theyre saying and how others could possibly perceive that, Hille said. That could happen through classroom guidance, through clubs and doing lunchtime activities to support this.

In May, all counselors will be trained on LGBTQ issues. The hope, Hille said, is that the counselors can then work with teachers and support staff to aid students.

One specific finding in the GLSEN study was that LGBTQ students in Arizona did not have access to in-school resources and supports.

Hille said that all students in TUSD are allowed to participate in activities related to LGBTQ issues, and that clubs like Gay-Straight Alliance are present in a number of schools. Counselors are also available to students, either to provide individual support or to refer students to community resources.

Additionally, TUSD has a zero tolerance policy for bullying and harassment, Hille said. Earlier this month, the district implemented a new hotline and website where students can report bullying or harassment in a secure way to school safety. From there, the issue could be addressed on site.

The nine major school districts in the Tucson area all have nondiscrimination policies, but only five specifically mention sexual orientation.

Hector Pacheco, an 18-year-old Rincon senior who is gay, said that he personally hasnt experienced discrimination at school based on his sexual orientation, but he could understand that it might be different for LGBTQ students at other campuses.

Dante Jackson, a 17-year-old junior at Rincon who is gay, agreed. He suggested that talking to students more openly about LGBTQ issues can help create a better environment.

Just because of someones sexuality or being trans or just in general, that shouldnt be something that goes against them, Pacheco said.

Brenda Kazen, a counselor at Rincon who advises the Gay-Straight Alliance Club and has been a member of GLSEN for 15 years, said that the biggest issue she sees is microaggressions toward LGBTQ students. She also said she thinks that the classified support staff like monitors and bus drivers should receive the same kind of training on LGBTQ issues that teachers do.

For students in need of support, there are a number of programs available within the Tucson community, including a youth center that will be available this summer.

The Southern Arizona Aids Foundation is opening the Thornhill Lopez Center on 4th, which will support LGBTQ youth.

The center, at 526 N. Fourth Ave., will provide a safe space as well as skills-building, advocacy, and culturally competent care to LGBTQ youth and their allies ages 13 to 26.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Cloudy with occasional rain showers. High near 80F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 62F. Winds light and variable.
Don't Let ISIS Run Christians Out of the Middle East

Iraqis gather at the al-Mansour square with Archbishop Louis Sako patriarch of the Chaldean Church in Iraq during Christmas and New Years eve celebrations in Baghdad on December 31, 2016. ( Sabah Arar/AFP/Getty Images) As the second half of Mosul liberation is underway, the United States needs to ensure that policy to help religious minorities in Iraq and Syria not only helps them flee, but also helps them rebuild shattered communities on their ancient lands. We can't just accept that ISIS--poised to lose its strongholds--will win in its quest to eradicate some of the world's oldest continuous Christian communities. We must resettle Iraqi and Syrian Christians, help rebuild destroyed infrastructure when we can, and, above all, remember that a secure environment for all faiths and ethnicities in the region will ensure that the Christian community will recover and thrive. The refugee application process starts with the United Nations, which must ensure as they select candidates for resettlement that no religious or ethnic group, particularly minorities, is the victim of discrimination. Less than one percent of Iraq's population is Christian, and the United Nations high commissioner for refugees says 15.4 percent of Iraqis accepted for resettlement in fiscal year 2016 were Christian. But what if these families just want to return home? Just days after the start of the Mosul offensive, as the coalition began recapturing towns east of the city, Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Sako toured a Bartella church damaged by ISIS with two Iraqi generals, about a mile from the front lines. Surrounded by members of Iraq's elite counterterrorism forces, they portrayed unity and joy, even in desecrated sacred spaces. The cleric's message was that even as terrorists gutted churches and brought death or jizya to occupied areas, the Christian community, which has suffered greatly under the scourge of ISIS, refuses to be torn apart. "These are our lands," Sako declared, lauding Iraqi fighters who erected makeshift crosses on churches destroyed by ISIS and "did it with pride." ISIS left insults written on church walls as they fled, as well as tunnels burrowed underneath houses of worship, but Sako stressed they couldn't kill the "joy and trepidation" of liberation. He implored Christians to stay or return home when able and to not give up what the terrorists did their best to destroy. Sako said last month that giving certain religions priority in refugee admissions "ultimately harms" the Christians of the Middle East, and he even branded it as "a trap." The patriarch cautioned against policies that could unnecessarily stoke tensions and feed "propaganda and prejudice that attack native Christian communities of the Middle East as 'foreign bodies.'" These are their lands, too. Few things anger ISIS as much as interfaith cooperation. They understand that when a potential recruit has no contact outside of the mosque, when he or she has been raised to believe that those of a different religion are heathen, it's easier to persuade that person to commit violence on the basis of faith. Their latest video from Egypt, "And Fight Against the Polytheists Collectively," takes aim at the Coptic population there and extends their wrath to church leaders in the region and Pope Francis. It scorns Muslim leaders who interact with Christian clergy and celebrates those who commit violence against churches. ISIS knows ignorance is their ally, and unity spells defeat. They can't feel too good about the fact that Baghdad-backed Christian militias and Peshmerga joined the Iraqi Security Forces in the Mosul offensive or that the force bearing down on Raqqa about to bring down their declared capital is female, male, Arab, Assyrian, Kurdish, Turkmen, Circassian and Armenian. While ISIS was beheading stuffed bears in occupied west Mosul to warn residents against celebrating Valentine's Day, the Chaldean Catholic Church was throwing a big neighborhood Valentine's party in Baghdad. What's needed for Christians to be safe is comprehensive security: a country where Christians can celebrate midnight Christmas Mass in peace, where Muslim families breaking the Ramadan fast at a Baghdad mall aren't incinerated by a car bomb, and where Yazidi families will be whole again as they celebrate Batzmi. Let Iraqi and Syrian Christians make a new home elsewhere if they wish. But let's also support Christians who will not let the terrorists take their homeland's churches and parishioners. As armies advance farther each day, let's remember that ISIS has not won, and that life has already begun returning to liberated towns. Let's not write off the extinction of ancient communities as a foregone conclusion.

Bridget Johnson is a senior fellow with the news and public policy group Haym Salomon Center and D.C. bureau chief for PJ Media.
It was a slow start to the year on the cargo front for airlines based in the Asia region, with only China Airlines and Eva Air recording significant improvements in demand.

While only two of the regions airlines managed to continue to grow at the levels recorded towards the end of last year, January and February do tend to be affected by when the Chinese New Year falls and factories close for around two weeks. This year the holiday fell slightly earlier than it did in 2016.

The regions largest cargo airline group, Cathay Pacific, saw demand increase by 1% year on year to 863m cargo and mail revenue tonne km.

Click here to access the data hub menu or on the image below to view the interactive chart



While this is ahead of the 0.8% improvement it registered for 2016 as a whole, it lags behind the 6.1% improvement registered in December last year.

However, the airline group was positive about its performance during the month and it managed to increase its cargo load factor by 0.3 percentage points to 61.9% thanks to demand growth outstripping a 0.6% increase in capacity.

Cathay Pacific general manager cargo sales and marketing Mark Sutch said: We got off to a solid start in 2017. Tonnage grew ahead of capacity and showed an increase over the same month last year.

We saw a good rebound in demand from Hong Kong, mainland China and various key Asian markets. Yield was sustained through a better mix of priority and special shipments.

There was also robust demand for fresh produce and seafood across the network. We operated a number of extra-sector freighters to the Americas, Europe and India in January, while cutting back on capacity in February to adapt to Chinese New Years January start.

The fastest growing airline during the month was Eva Air, which registered a 7.4% year on year increase in demand to 292m freight tonne km as capacity increased by 0.6%.

With demand growth far outstripping supply, cargo load factors reached 84.5% against 78.1% in January last year.

This improvement follows on from a 2.1% decrease in demand for 2016 and a 10.4% decline in 2015.

The other fast growing airline during the month was China Airlines, which saw traffic increase by 6.2% year on year to 426m freight revenue tonne km.

This improvement comes in line with a 5.4% capacity increase. As a result its cargo load factor for the month reached 67.8% compared with 67.3% last year.

The improvement in cargo demand is in contrast to the Taiwanese airlines performance over the last couple of years  it registered a demand decline of 1.2% year on year in 2016 and a small increase of 1.3% in 2015.

The other airline groups to record demand improvements during the month were Singapore Airlines Cargo, which registered a 3.5% improvement to 559m freight tonne km, at China Southern there was 1% growth to 536m revenue tonne km  far behind the 9.9% increase in demand registered in 2016  and Air China was up 0.3% to 557m revenue freight tonne km, compared with a 15.2% demand improvement last year.

Finally, China Eastern saw demand decrease by 2.3% year on in year to 400m revenue freight tonne km.

The individual airline results differ from those of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines reported strong growth in January of 4.7%, although this only included international and not domestic demand.

It was also a strong start to the year for North American airlines, while there was mixed performance at European carriers.

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NASA's earth-shattering announcement has many Jews asking: Does Judaism entertain the possibility of alien life?

Hello Anybody else out there?

For us here on earth it is certainly one of the most intriguing and far-reaching questions imaginable. Are we alone in the cosmos or are there others  perhaps like us or perhaps totally different  somewhere in the universe?

And for those of us who believe the account of creation as recorded in the Torah, are the opening words  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth  meant as full disclosure of the creation of life by the Almighty or is this merely the information granted to earthlings as necessary for our relationship with God but not purporting to reveal other manifestations of divine power and creativity?

In short, can religious Jews believe in the possibility of alien life?

The question which until now was purely theoretical in nature may just have assumed forceful relevance in light of this weeks world shaking announcement by NASA. To their great amazement astronomers have just found seven Earth-size planets which seem suitable for life.

Life, they have now concluded, may have evolved on at least three planets in a newly discovered solar system just 39 light years from Earth. Astronomers have detected no less than seven Earth-sized worlds orbiting a cool dwarf star known as TRAPPIST-1.The six inner planets lie in a temperate zone where surface temperatures range from zero to 100C. Of these, at least three are thought to be capable of having oceans, increasing the likelihood of life. No other star system known contains such a large number of Earth-sized and probably rocky planets.

British astronomer Dr Chris Copperwheat, from Liverpool John Moores University, who co-led the international team, said: "The discovery of multiple rocky planets with surface temperatures which allow for liquid water make this amazing system an exciting future target in the search for life."

According to Judaism, is this in the realm of possibility? Can we conceive of other worlds whose inhabitants also share a special relationship with God? And from the sublime to the ridiculous, will these aliens from outer space be Jews, observe Torah laws, build synagogues and places of worship, and collect money for charitable purposes?

If from an egotistical perspective we consider human kind the only ones worthy of Gods special attention we might readily conclude that this is all there is. And that is what many rabbinic sages believed. What is fascinating however is that a significant body of opinion in traditional sources not only validates the possibility for alien life on other planets but actually finds biblical and midrashic confirmation for this view, even as it suggests that belief in an all-powerful God forbids placing any limitations on the extent of his creative powers.

Dr. David Weintraub, professor of astronomy at Vanderbilt University and the author of Religions and Extraterrestrial Life: How Will We Deal With It?, affirms that Judaism is spiritually prepared for little green men. Judaism accepts the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Jewish theology may actually require a belief in extraterrestrials since there are no limits on the power of the creator. Thus, for Jews to say that no life beyond the Earth could possibly exist would be unacceptable, as such an idea would appear to place shackles on Gods creative powerthe universe belongs to God and God can do what God wishes to do with the universe.

Going back many centuries, the great Jewish philosopher Hasdai Crescas (1340-1411), in his classic work Ohr Hashem, wrote an entire chapter in which he maintained that the possibility of life on other planets is not in conflict with Jewish belief. Moreover, Torah sources in fact offer support for them. He invoked the words of Psalm 19:2: The heavens declare the glory of God  the rich cosmic landscape with all of its wonders continues to impress us with the infinite possibilities of Gods creations.

As further evidence for the possibility of extraterrestrial life, Crescas mentions the Talmudic teaching that God flies through 18,000 worlds [Babylonian Talmud Avoda Zara 3B]. Furthermore, Psalm 145:13s statement that "Your kingdom is a kingdom spanning all olamim (worlds)" could imply the existence of extraterrestrial life, since if there were no existence on these other worlds, what kind of kingdom would God have?

Another biblical allusion to alien life are the words in the song of Debora in the book of Judges: "Curse Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse bitterly its inhabitants[5:23] In his book Sefer HaBrit ('Book of the Covenant'), Rabbi Pinchas Eliyahu Horowitz, (18th century ) quotes as his authority a clear Talmud reference the statement that contends that Meroz is an inhabited planet somewhere in outer space. Furthermore, he affirms emphatically that God created an infinite number of worlds, of physical, spiritual and inter-dimensional nature. This view is upheld by the Ari'zal (Rabbi Yitzchak Luria), who also spoke of an 'infinite number of spiritual worlds'.

Speaking of the verse (Song of Songs 6:8), "Worlds without number," the Zohar, the classic masterwork of Kabalah, Jewish mysticism, states: "The stars certainly are without number. But each star is called a separate world. These are the worlds without number."

What was left unsaid by the sages willing to accept the possibility of life on other planets was a further description of what these beings are like, what relationship they have to the Almighty, by which laws if any they are governed, in what image they were created, and most fundamental of all whether they share with us free will, the capacity for independent choice, which we as humans have been granted and which allows us the descriptive of being created in the image of God.

"For you to sit here and say there is no life outside of planet Earth is to put limitations on the Creator."

We simply do not know the answers to these questions. But in terms of our openness to the questions and our willingness to pursue them we might well ponder the response of the Lubavitcher Rebbi to Dr. Velvl Greene, a prominent microbiologist who years ago was enlisted by NASA in their project to determine if there is life on Mars. Dr. Greene asked the Rebbe privately if this was something he should be doing. The Rebbe replied, Dr. Greene, look for life on Mars! And if you dont find it there, look somewhere else in the universe for it. Because for you to sit here and say there is no life outside of planet Earth is to put limitations on the Creator, and that is not something any of His creatures can do!

New insights into the wonders of the universe can bring us a step closer to greater love and understanding of God.
February 28, 2017

On Feb. 27, around six in the morning, many Iranians were awake waiting to see if Iran would win its second Oscar. Finally, it was announced. Asghar Farhadis The Salesman won the Best Foreign Language Film award. Social networks burst into happiness, and Iranians celebrated this event as once again Irans culture became global.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was the first to congratulate Farhadi and the Iranian nation on this success. Various figures, including politicians, athletes and artists, published congratulatory messages on their personal social network pages. While everyone was happy, Irans state TV, managed by hard-liners, was struggling with how to cover this piece of news, as the outfit worn by Anousheh Ansari, who accepted the Oscar on behalf of Farhadi, wasnt appropriate in their eyes. Finally, after a few hours, state TV ran a story about Farhadis triumph without showing a picture of Ansari or the Oscar ceremony.

Ansari, famed for being the first female space tourist, and Firouz Naderi, a former director of Solar Systems Exploration at NASA, were Farhadis representatives at this year's Academy Awards.

Farhadi and the cast of The Salesman, including Taraneh Alidoosti, boycotted the Oscar ceremony following US President Donald Trumps suspended executive order that banned the citizens of Iran and six other Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.

Meanwhile, Iranian newspapers and online news sites warmly welcomed the Oscar win. Many local media considered Farhadis award a victory of Iranian culture over Trumps threats. Of note, since taking the office, Trump has repeatedly threatened and warned Iran not to play with fire.

In this vein, the Reformist Shargh newspaper chose An Oscar award against the alt-rights as its headline. Without any insulting, attacking and anger  by relying on the creativity of Mr. Farhadi, who represents Iranians in the world, we showed the most effective and efficient reaction to Trump and his executive order, the daily wrote Feb. 28.

Under the headline of Humiliation of Trump, Reformist Vaghaye Daily wrote Feb. 28: The yesterday morning Oscar ceremony was special to us. American Democrats slammed their Republican president and did whatever they could do [against him], but ultimately, we became the winner of this cold war; the moment Anousheh Ansari and Professor Firouz Naderi went on the stage of Kodak Theater to receive the Oscar award for the best foreign language film was the moment Donald Trump and his unwise executive order were defeated.

Furthermore, Reformist Mardomsalari described Farhadis Oscar as the peak of cultural diplomacy, arguing Feb. 28: 'The Salesman' stood up to the Trump government's racial policies better than any others and [managed] to make the public against Trump.

While moderates and Reformists praised the Oscar success, hard-liners tried to portray Farhadis Oscar as politically motivated.

In keeping with this idea, hard-line Javan newspaper wrote Feb. 28: In the most political night in the history of Oscar, Asghar Farhadi received his second Oscar. Almost all the filmmakers and critics inside and out of the country, agree [with this idea] that Farhadi owes his second Oscar to Donald Trump and the propaganda of the US Democrat party.

Moreover, under the headline of What did 'The Salesman' sell to get Oscar? hard-line Kayhan newspaper claimed that Farhadi didnt deserve the Oscar award and his success was tied to Oscars anti-Trump policy and the US government order for banning the entry of citizens of seven Muslim countries to the United States.

In response to such criticisms, Mardomsalari rebuked the attacks against The Salesman, arguing Feb. 28: Months before Donald Trumps victory in the US presidential election, 'The Salesman' got two prizes at the Cannes festival. Plus, selecting this [movie] as the nominee of Oscar [best foreign language film] was done before the racial measure of Trumps government. Of note, at Cannes, Shahab Hosseini won the award for Best Actor and Asghar Farhadi won the award for Best Screenplay.
February 27, 2017

With less than three months until Irans May 19 presidential elections, it is still not clear which candidates will be running. The Principlists have yet to reach a consensus on a single candidate, while there are rumors that the Guardian Council may disqualify incumbent President Hassan Rouhani's candidacy for re-election.

Until recently, speculation about Rouhanis potential disqualification circulated only in in political circles, but the possibility is now discussed openly by media outlets and officials alike. The suggestion was perhaps first articulated in public by the late ultra-conservative cleric Jafar Shojooni, a prominent member of the hard-line Combatant Clergy Association, in May 2016. In an interview with Arman Daily, Shojooni urged efforts to ensure that the Rouhani administration wont stay in office beyond its current term.

After media reports on Rouhanis potential disqualification gradually increased, government spokesman Mohammad Bagher Nobakht dismissed such speculation Jan. 3. Without going into detail, he said that it is "not necessary to occupy people's minds with such speculation.

Yet the speculation was reignited the next day following remarks by Guardian Council spokesman Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaei. In an interview with Mashregh News, Kadkhodaei said, There is no guarantee that a president will be approved for a second term." However, Guardian Council member Nejatollah Ebrahimian told local news outlet Tabnak Jan. 14 that the council had not yet reviewed any candidates for the presidential elections and that it was too early to discuss the matter. Although Kadkhodaei did not use any names and only addressed the matter from a legal standpoint, his remarks nonetheless set off a new wave of talk about Rouhani's possible disqualification.

Assuming that this speculation has a basis in reality, how might such a move be justified? Hard-line cleric Hamid Rohani, who heads the Foundation for Historical Research and the Encyclopedia of the Islamic Revolution, has compared Rouhani to Abolhassan Banisadr, Irans first president. Banisadr was impeached by the parliament soon after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and removed from office, and later fled the country. In a speech on Aug. 4, 2016, Rohani said, The treason committed by Mr. Rouhani could not have been committed even by Banisadr. Caution is needed to make sure he is omitted from the spring 2017 elections.

Rouhanis brother and special aide, Hossein Fereydoun, has been another pressure point for the president. Principlist media outlets have published many allegations and rumors about Fereydouns involvement in financial corruption. On Jan. 9, lawmaker Mohammad Ali Pour-Mokhtar confirmed that there had been claims of corruption in an interview with Basij News. On Jan. 19, judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei announced that there are links between Fereydoun and one of the suspects in a major corruption scandal involving Iranian banks. Ejei did not elaborate on these alleged links.

It appears that even the Reformists are preparing for Rouhanis potential disqualification. A member of the Council for Coordinating the Reforms Front  which organizes Reformist candidates  told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, Although the possibility of Mr. Rouhani being disqualified is very low, we are in the midst of preparing a list of individuals so that in case of an emergency, we will not be taken by surprise. He added, This [list] will have another advantage as well, and that is that Rouhani will not be alone in the next election. Introducing a shadow candidate next to him can help Rouhani in the debates.

Al-Monitor spoke with Sadegh Zibakalam, a professor of political science at Tehran University, about his views on Rouhani's potential disqualification. He said, In recent months, the Principlists have used rumors of the president's being disqualified as leverage to put pressure on Rouhani. Under the current circumstances, I dont see this as very likely to happen. However, even if such a situation occurs, there will be no need for concern and the Reformists can introduce an alternative option.

In a Jan. 17 press conference, Rouhani himself responded to a question about the matter, saying lightheartedly, Do not push us to fight the Guardian Council. Our relationship with the Guardian Council has always been good.  Do not pay attention to these rumors.

Amid the torrent of speculation, it should be noted that some Principlist media outlets treat the whole thing as a ploy initiated by Reformists to portray Rouhani as a victim. Hard-line Raja News reported Jan. 14, There is no doubt about the inefficiency of the Rouhani administration. However, the fact that Reformist media are spending so much time on his disqualification is a surprise. Perhaps by doing this, they want to bypass the Guardian Council.

The report went on, What is clear is that this news is circulating more seriously in Irans political scene than a regular rumor, and this seriousness has prompted the Reformists to think of alternative options instead of just sitting on the sidelines. These options can [run] alongside Rouhani as shadow candidates against the Principlists nominees, and in case of Rouhanis possible disqualification, offer several strong candidates for the Reformist and Moderation movement  an occurrence that, if materialized, will make it harder for one main candidate for the movement to obtain victory.
February 27, 2017

Its become customary not to expect much from the Syria peace conferences. The warring parties argue around same mutual claims, often stick to maximalist positions and frequently seem more interested in trying to project a sympathetic image to outside observers than in discussing the issues on the agenda. External sponsors, in their turn, are usually facing three challenges: whom to invite; how to make the Syrian government and opposition forces to agree to something  even a tiny step  that can be more or less monitored; and how to package mediation efforts as a diplomatic success.

Assembled after numerous delays and rescheduling, the fourth round of Geneva talks held under UN auspices was no exception in this regard. Even Staffan de Mistura, the UN's special Syria envoy, said Feb. 22 that he wasnt expecting a breakthrough. In a sense, this time there were no talks about a Syria settlement per se, but the talks have proved instrumental in moving toward sewing together patches of the opposition groups. This and de Mistura's proposal to create groups to work on drafting the constitution, holding elections and planning for the transition process in Syria have so far been key outcomes of this round in Geneva. The work along these lines is supposed to produce at least modest results until some solution is reached and the parties are ready to move to a more substantial level of discussions. Until that time, everyone should brace themselves for the meetings to be lingering and attritional.

Against this backdrop, major foreign stakeholders in Syria were making some moves before Geneva. Earlier this month at a meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, the top Syria cease-fire sponsors  Russia, Turkey and Iran  decided to establish a joint group to monitor the truce. Russia has also unilaterally asked Damascus to halt the bombing campaign while the Geneva talks are underway  all to make sure the diplomatic progress Moscow has achieved is not in vain.

Another move Russia made was to ensure the negotiations comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Among other things, that document calls for equal participation of different segments of the Syrian opposition, including the so-called Moscow, Cairo, Astana and Khmeimim groups, as well as the Kurds. Russia has insisted on including the opposition groups loyal to Moscow. The groups might lack power or representation on the ground, yet their very presence tempers the moods of more radical opposition peers on a number of issues. The Cairo group, for instance, sees Syrian President Bashar al-Assad staying in power for the transition period and leaving once its over. The Moscow group is of the opinion that political reform in Syria should top the agenda, not Assads fate. Therefore, Moscow sees the presence of these groups in Geneva as a way to reach a more moderate solution.

Meanwhile, Americas position in the negotiations is indeed what Al-Monitor Washington correspondent Laura Rozen called an unintended drag on political talks gaining momentum now. The Donald Trump administration is still struggling to form its policies, a fact Russia has to consider. Yet Moscow signals that its not going to reconstruct its Syria policy around hypothetical cooperation with the United States  especially now that these chances are looking rather slim. It might be in Russias interests to set Syria on a certain path before the Trump administration works out its own course. This is not just because its good timing to define terms favorable to Russia, but also because there are already enough Middle East issues that have everything it takes to further split Moscow and Washington: Iran, different takes on the Arab-Israeli conflict and ways of settling Libya, to name a few.

Delivering his remarks Feb. 18 at the Munich Security Conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, "The post-Cold War order has ended. The world didnt become either West-centric or more secure. Results of the [failed] democratization of the MENA [Middle East and North Africa] region show it clearly. He added that new centers of global influence will now assume greater international responsibility. If projected to the Middle East, these statements help explain what Moscow will be banking on in the future: more cooperation with regional stakeholders coupled with their greater empowerment in dealing with regional security and other challenges.

Moscows view for the post-West world order is, according to Lavrov, when every country on account of its sovereignty and within international law will be seeking to balance its own interests and interests of its partners respecting their cultural, historical and civilizational uniqueness. It is this concept that drives Russia to engage more with Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt and many others.

That doesnt mean Russia is defying Western powers. Lavrov said, The strain in relations between North America, Europe and Russia in the last couple of years is unnatural; Id even say counter-natural. This time, however, Western governments are barely seen as privileged partners for Moscow. Heavy baggage has accumulated among them in recent years, but the Kremlins thinking toward the West these days is very different from what it has been  probably since the times of Peter the Great, who groomed Russia to become a European nation.

The emphasis on constructing a working relationship with the United States is still felt: With the US, [we are seeking] pragmatism, mutual respect and understanding of a common responsibility for global stability, Lavrov said. The potential for [such] cooperation is immense and we are open to explore it as much as our American partners are.

Moreover, there was a message implied for Trump from the top Russian diplomat, whose speech in Munich came not long after that of US Vice President Mike Pence. Lavrov said, Russia isnt seeking conflicts with anyone, but will always be capable of defending its interests. Its our unconditional priority to reach our goals through a dialogue with everyone, to seek an agreement based on a mutual benefit. The statement is a reflection of a rather genuine aspiration, but theres more to it, which Russian President Vladimir Putins press secretary, Dmitry Peskov pointed to later that week: We are not losing hope of restoring relations with the US, but by not jointly tackling a number of burning international issues, we are just losing time.

Theres seemingly increased vigilance in Moscow to determine if the US National Security Councils amassing of military men means a more assertive foreign policy course, including in the Middle East. There's also a strong belief that Michael Flynns resignation as national security adviser and the increasing pressure on President Trump over his Russian sympathies will force Trump to take a tougher line on Russia. If so, thats even more reason for Moscow to not put all of its eggs in one basket and to diversify its partners, options and strategies in Syria and across the region. That is another policy Moscow is likely to take, regardless of the results of the Geneva talks.
February 28, 2017

Meantime is a graphic novel project initiated in March 2016 by French nongovernmental organization (NGO) Solidarites International (SOL). Five French, Syrian and Lebanese artists spent weeks talking with Syrian refugees in Akkar and Tripoli in northern Lebanon to create five graphic stories, which have been available online since Feb. 21 in English, Arabic and French.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Lebanon hosts more than 1 million Syrian refugees; one in every four people in Lebanon is a refugee. Organizations working on the ground to help vulnerable displaced families face many challenges, such as funding for their programs and projects and telling the individual stories of this population to Western audiences.

SOL was established 35 years ago and has been working for the past three years in Akkar and Tripoli, providing cash assistance and access to water and hygiene products to their Syrian refugee beneficiaries as well as fixing their shelters.

At the end of 2015, I was in charge of working on a communication project to bring awareness to the people in Europe and Lebanon about the living conditions of the refugees, Pauline Gregoire, who is in charge of communications and reporting at SOL, told Al-Monitor. I didn't want to create a photo or video exhibition that would make people cry.

At that time, French artist Lisa Mandel was featured in the French newspaper Le Monde with her graphic novel about life in the Calais "jungle," an informal camp for migrants and refugees wishing to reach England from France that was dismantled gradually from February 2016 onward. I thought the graphic novel format was nice and light, Gregoire recalled. Plus, it is really accessible to everyone and there is this trend of the journalistic graphic novel nowadays, so that is really a modern approach.

She added, We had the idea of humanizing refugees  give them an identity. They are human beings who lost everything, who arrived at a new place without anything. They are very vulnerable, but also with very different personalities and stories. It is important to make people understand that they could be any of us. Mandel in her blog on Calais used the comparison with a metro car, saying, "All these people in it could also be in a camp. We have to put names on the numbers to create empathy.

For the project, which was realized in partnership with UNICEF, the European Union and the US State Department, five artists from France, Lebanon and Syria  Diala Brisly, Kamal Hakim, Lena Merhej, Mandel and Nour Hifaoui Fakhoury  were chosen to give a local, regional and international perspective in regard to the refugee crisis in Lebanon.

For Mandel, whom SOL first contacted given her experience in Calais, coming to Lebanon was a logical step after covering Calais. I wanted to discover Lebanon and discover differences and similarities between the two situations, Mandel told Al-Monitor. Of course, the quantities are not the same. In Calais, there were 10,000 people and everyone was living in a terrible situation  in the mud, in the rain, it was really glaucous. In Lebanon, people are not alone, they are with their family, they are mostly sheltered, even though they are the poorest of the poorest and can only wait for the war to be over. The only thing is that in France, anyone can access proper health care, not like here [in Lebanon] where you have to pay huge amounts of money for everything.

Mandel described her role in the project as an information giver.

On the other hand, for Syrian artist Brisly, who used to independently work with refugees in collaboration with different associations and NGOs, especially children through workshops and murals, it was a way to express something that really struck her during her work in the informal settlements: the relationship between families and men. I concentrated on how men are also traumatized and need psycho-social support, Brisly told Al-Monitor.

She added, Everyone is focusing on women and children and thinking men are like rocks, like they don't need anything. My culture and in general the culture in the region stipulates that men have to financially support and protect the family. Because of the war, men lost this status and feel totally lost. The family balance has been completely changed."

With more risks of being stopped at checkpoints and often lacking legal documentation, male refugees rely on their wives or children to work in order to survive because women and children have more freedom of movement. This trauma often reflects on the man's relationship with his family, and NGOs  by helping mainly women and children  participate in increasing the gap between the family members, Brisly said. Her fictional story therefore allows the reader to understand each family member's perspective in a way that highlights the feelings of the men who find themselves in this situation. Anyone coming back home not being able to fulfill his role would be angry and frustrated, and it affects everyone around him. Men can also be sad and weak, she added.

Three Lebanese artists participated in the project, including young Fakhoury, who chose to work on the situation of refugees in Tripoli, their daily struggles and survival skills. She had previously worked for her master graduation project on a comic about the point of view of a Lebanese Christian neighborhood on refugees. I could do the exact opposite and discover how refugees are actually managing to live, Fakhoury told Al-Monitor. It was also a chance to do some research and understand people I didn't really know.

As a Lebanese, she was glad to discover strong people who are fighting to survive, still having hope and taking care of their family. I gained a lot in this project  both professionally and personally, she said. I want their stories to be heard.

This graphic novel project contributes to providing another perspective on what millions of people go through while living in exile in countries around world, as well as humanizing the individual displaced person.
February 28, 2017

As Turkey moves closer to a crucial referendum on the sweeping executive powers its president wants, the authorities have made it clear that nothing about executive presidents  even imaginary ones  can be a laughing matter. The creators of a short comedy film learned this the hard way as their fictional schnitzel-craving president was barred from debuting on the big screen.

Co-directed by Kaan Arici and Ismet Kurtulus, the 22-minute film  The Last Schnitzel  stars Haluk Bilginer, one of Turkeys finest male actors. It features a president in an imaginary country in a very distant future, Kurtulus told Al-Monitor. As all nations are scrambling to leave the vanishing Earth for Mars, the president of the Grand Turkish Republic wants to have a chicken schnitzel and sends his chief aide out to find him the dish. This, however, is no easy task, as food no longer exists on Earth, where all humans take nutrition pills.

In order to show the movie at film festivals in Turkey, the directors had applied for a license from the Istanbul Copyright and Cinema Directorate. In February, the agency asked that certain scenes be removed before the film was resubmitted for evaluation. The directors refused to comply, ending up without a license, which means they cannot screen the movie in Turkey.

In a written response to Al-Monitors questions, Kurtulus declined to elaborate on the scenes the directorate wanted cut, explaining that the answer would amount to a spoiler for prospective viewers, who will watch the movie abroad, if not in Turkey. Given that Turkeys agenda today is dominated by debates over the presidential system, this new episode of censorship suggests the authorities stance is politically motivated.

Kurtulus denounced the obstructions as an extremely arbitrary attitude. The board has no guidelines. They just sit down and watch the films, and depending on the atmosphere and sensitivities of the day, certain things get them annoyed, he said. The film would have easily received a license in a different time, from a different board.

For Kurtulus, being unable to show his film in his own country is, no doubt, a huge disappointment. After more than two years of work, the film was supposed  to be introduced to viewers in movie theaters. This, unfortunately, is no longer possible, he said, adding that in March the film would debut in Copenhagen instead.

This makes The Last Schnitzel another addition to Turkeys intellectual exports to the West, forced by censorship and suppression at home. Scores of academics  either expelled from universities or apprehensive about their future in Turkey  have left the country to seek careers abroad. The pressure on the artistic and cultural community, too, has steadily grown, ranging from various forms of censorship to arbitrary dismissals of actors from public theaters and judicial probes against more than 400 members of the cinema industry, who last year signed a peace declaration urging an end to military operations in the Kurdish-majority southeast.

What kind of an arts and culture scene is there for Turkey now? For Kurtulus, the cinema sector  from scriptwriters and directors to festival organizers and juries  is completely shackled. I personally believe that one can do nothing on the basis of free thinking in the cinema sector today, he told Al-Monitor. Im not talking only about independent moviemakers or projects funded by the Culture Ministry. This climate affects anyone dealing with cinema. It is an all-encompassing club  from big-budget mainstream movies to a tiny short film like The Last Schnitzel, which had no ministry support and 80% of which was shot abroad.

Tul Akbal, the chair of the Cinema Writers Association, sees an extremely barren future for arts and culture in the country.

The climate in Turkey today is one of a very strong pressure. In fact, even this description is too mild for the situation we face, she told Al-Monitor.

Referring to members of the cinema community who had backed the peace declaration, she said, None of them is now able to have their projects approved. A signatory of the statement herself, Akbal said she, too, had lost a job.

She noted that unlike others who refuse to toe the line, the members of the cinema industry face more indirect pressures that ostracize them and paralyze their work. There is no authority to dismiss people from the cinema sector in Turkey, but you come to a point where you are denied all kind of support. A sort of a black list is being enforced, and you face arbitrary actions such as license requirements for short films, she said.

This is a period of oppression at a scale that history has rarely seen. We are completely besieged, she said. The arts and culture realm in Turkey is heading toward a terrible, extremely barren state.
February 27, 2017

As the first major trials of military personnel accused of involvement in the failed July coup get underway, many people are eager to learn exactly what happened that night.

Instead of combining the cases into a single trial, the Turkish authorities have divided them according to their importance and location. The intention is to expedite the court process and make the events more understandable.

The first major case involves the Marmaris resort in southwest Turkey, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was vacationing at the time of the coup. On trial nearby in Mugla are elite personnel from the special forces, the air force's search-and-rescue teams and the navy's underwater assault teams.

The other major case concerns events at the Special Forces Command headquarters near Ankara, where Senior Master Sgt. Omer Halisdemir was killed. Halisdemir is hailed as a hero for killing Brig. Gen. Semih Terzi, who is thought to have led some of the coup plotters. That case is being tried in Ankara.

The indictments are very serious. Most of the defendants in both cases are accused of attempting to eliminate constitutional order, attempting to eradicate the Turkish government and national parliament, and murder  crimes that call for two or three consecutive life sentences. Mihrali Atmaca, charged with killing Halisdemir, could face four life sentences. Capital punishment was abolished in Turkey in 2004 as part of Turkeys accession process to the European Union. Since the coup attempt, Erdogan has been saying that if the parliament were to approve reinstating the death penalty, he would endorse it immediately.

A few defendants could face lighter sentences of 7-15 years if convicted of belonging to an armed terror organization.

The Marmaris case and the events at the Special Forces Command headquarters have some important similarities, but also some key differences.

First, all of the main defendants are officers and noncommissioned officers (NCOs) who serve in Turkeys elite units. Both cases have attracted exceptional public interest. The important difference between the cases is that the special forces personnel involved in the Ankara operation were part of an established unit with an intact chain of command, brought to Ankara from Diyarbakir by Terzi and 12th Battalion Commander Maj. Fatih Sahin. The personnel involved in the Marmaris operation who were seeking to detain Erdogan or, as some say, to assassinate him, were mostly individual officers on leave, assembled from courses they were attending or on temporary duty in different units. They were not a coherent unit with a proper chain of command.

Many of the defendants are alleged to be followers of Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Erdogan said organized the coup.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Gokhan Sahin Sonmezates, who led the Marmaris attack, said in his court defense, I am not a Gulenist, but a coup maker. I joined this operation, and I am paying the price. The order was given by Terzi. We were told that Turkish Armed Forces [TSK] had taken over the government and the order for the action came from the chief of general staff.

"I have nothing to do with FETO," he said, referring to the so-called Fethullah Gulen Terror Organization, which is how Ankara refers to Gulenists.

Sonmezates' statements raise some questions. If he, who was earlier identified by the news media as a Gulenist, had no affiliation with the group, then it's not clear what motivated him to assemble such an assortment of personnel. Also, he claimed he had received orders from Terzi, who was a brigadier general like himself and so could not have given Sonmezates orders.

Another defendant, Maj. Taner Berber, commander of the air force's search-and-rescue teams, also denies being a Gulenist. Instead, he said, he is a nationalist officer loyal to principles of [Mustafa Kemal] Ataturk.

Maj. Sukru Seymen, who led the special forces team at Marmaris, was more defiant than other defendants. I am not afraid of anything. I attempted a coup. If the punishment is to be hanged, so be it. The only thing I did was to carry out the orders given to me by Gens. Gokhan and Semih. Our mission was to transfer the president to Ankara in good health, he said at the trial.

Capt. Bahadir Sagun, who put the blame on Sonmezates, made headlines when he said, The chief of general staff did not realize that his aide-de-camp, the officer closest to him, was a FETO adherent. How was I supposed to know that my commanding general was from FETO?

In the Ankara special forces case, defendants argued about who gave the order to shoot Halisdemir and who actually killed him. Sahin and the other team commanders and NCOs repeatedly emphasized that they came as a coherent, structured single unit to Ankara on Terzis orders. The NCOs told the court they had only carried out the orders of their commanders and therefore should not be held responsible. Maj. Gen. Zekai Aksakalli, a special forces commander, is scheduled to testify March 20. If he shows up, many hazy aspects of the failed coup night will be cleared up.

For one, is it realistic to expect soldiers to question TSK commanders orders?

According to laws regulating civil servants, it is a crime for an employee to carry out an illegal order. But the TSKs internal regulations require "absolute obedience to superiors" and metes out stiff punishments to subordinates who disobey orders. In other words, in a rigidly hierarchical body like the TSK, questioning orders is never easy. It's little wonder that all of the NCOs present at the special forces command center on the night of July 15 told the court they simply carried out the orders given by Terzi and Sahin. It will be interesting to see how civilian judges, who are not familiar with military rules and regulations and the traditional mindset, will interpret the regulations.

In the testimonies of defendants in both cases, some important points emerge. In both cases, none of the 50 defendants who have testified so far have admitted any connection with the Gulenist movement. In the Marmaris case, NCO Zekeriya Kuzu, who is reputed to have been the top Gulenist at Izmir Cigli Air Base and who is also labeled as the movements local leader, denied any relationship with the Gulenists. He said his son had attended a Gulenist school and he as a parent might have met some Gulenists, but none of that would prove he is a Gulenist.

So the defendants of both cases can be grouped into four categories:

The first contains those who accused others, as Sonmezates did by putting the entire blame on the deceased Terzi, saying he took orders from him. That pattern of blaming a dead officer is likely to continue. This category includes the lower-rank officers and NCOs who said they knew nothing but were simply following orders.

In another category are defendants who had, in their earlier testimonies, admitted their affiliation with Gulen, but later recanted. Prosecutors will have to submit concrete evidence to show these defendants had ties to the movement.

Another is made up of those who said they are nationalist, Ataturkist officers and have nothing to do with FETO. We will need to hear why they took part in the coup attempt.

The last category, small so far, comprises those who have expressed defiance, saying, Yes, I did it. I have my reasons.

Under Turkish law, military personnel facing coup-related charges are to be tried in civilian criminal court. With the testimony by defendants and witnesses, the Turkish military's "black box" will be opened and its internal workings, culture and intricacies will be extensively discussed. In the past, we have expected soldiers to understand civilians, but now it seems we need for civilians to understand soldiers. Given the reluctance of civilians to get involved with the military and their lack of knowledge about the TSKs workings, it's not going to be easy.
February 28, 2017

Controversy continues to swirl after Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzanis visit to Turkey ended yesterday. Turkish government spokesman Numan Kurtulmus denied reports that the Iraqi Kurdish leader had appealed to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a Feb. 25 meeting to free prominent Kurdish politician Selahatttin Demirtas and his fellow lawmakers in the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) from jail.

These subjects did not come up, Kurtulmus asserted. He said that regional peace, reviewing cooperation between Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the joint fight against terrorist organizations topped the agenda during Barzanis meetings with Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

But a senior Iraqi Kurdish official familiar with the substance of the meeting confirmed to Al-Monitor that the plight of Demirtas and his fellow HDP members of parliament was raised by Barzani with Erdogan. The official, who asked not to be identified by name because of the delicate nature of the subject, declined to elaborate.

Reports that Barzani had spoken to Erdogan on the HDPs behalf were first reported by Rudaw, one of Iraqi Kurdistans biggest media outfits.

Rudaw attributed the news to Ahmet Turk, a veteran Kurdish politician who met with Barzani. Turk said Barzani, in his meeting with the president of the Republic of Turkey, had asked for the release of Demirtas and his friends, Rudaw reported.

KRG spokesman Safeen Dizayee could not be reached for comment.

Setting aside what he said or didnt say to Erdogan, Barzani did call for the Kurdish politicians release in an interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allegemeine Zeitung just days before leaving for Turkey.

So why did Kurtulmus feel compelled to rebut the news? Probably because suggestions that Barzani was lobbying on behalf of the HDP did not chime with the intended effect of his presence, which was to woo Kurdish voters in the run-up to the April 16 referendum on boosting Erdogans presidential powers. Erdogan's embrace of the Iraqi Kurds sends a message, or so the government hopes, that the ferocious crackdown on the HDP and its affiliates does not mean that the government is anti-Kurdish.

Whatever the governments calculations, they seem to have gone hopelessly awry. Erdogan is relying above all on far-right nationalists to help carry the vote. But many were incensed when the Iraqi Kurdish flag was hoisted alongside the Iraqi and Turkish ones during Barzanis formal reception at the airport.

Ultranationalist newspaper Yeni Cag seized on the affair to take a further swipe at far-right Nationalist Action Party leader Devlet Bahceli over his support for Erdogan. The newspaper, which is among the most widely read in nationalist circles, backs Bahcelis rival, former Interior Minister Meral Aksener, who is also seen as a potential threat to Erdogan.

The taunts forced Bahceli to re-burnish his nationalist credentials. It is a scandal, a disgrace that this flag has been held on a par with the Turkish flag and raised. Is it a result of bureaucratic incompetence or a well-conceived plot? he fumed in a speech to his deputies in the parliament today. Barzani is working to free the jailed HDP members. [He] should first account for his support for the [Kurdistan Workers Party] and the lives of our martyrs. He must pay the price for the traps he set for Turkey, Bahceli thundered.

Kurtulmus dismissed the furor over the flag, saying it was not the first time the Kurdish flag had been raised. Whenever Mr. Barzani comes to Turkey, the Kurdish Regional Government flag, the Iraqi flag and Turkish flag, all three are raised.

Barzani may well be wishing he had never come.

Editor's note: This article has been updated since its initial publication.
February 27, 2017

The public seems quiet in Turkey. One may think this silence means everyone is happy, as government statistics claim. On the other hand, one might suspect that in the current system where protests are banned, dissent is promptly punished and courts are compromised, there are almost no venues to air public grievances. Perhaps the public silence indicates a deep resentment and fear, rather than happiness with government services.

In the past couple of years, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has often repeated the phrase, We have been cheated, as a way of escaping responsibility. Does his lack of accountability signal an approaching legitimacy crisis in Turkey?

As the vote nears on a referendum that would grant Erdogan unprecedented power, the questions heard most often are, Why is Erdogan pushing for the referendum? What will he accomplish that he has not been able to do so far? But Erdogan's presidential dreams are evolving, as Al-Monitor has been reporting since early 2013.

So what's his hurry? Despite the illusion that Erdogan has a strong grip on all aspects of government, he is gradually losing control.

Government agencies are dissolving into a bureaucratic mess. Since the July 15 coup attempt, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been waging a war to cleanse the bureaucracy of followers of cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Erdogan blames for the attempted coup. This purge not only led to hundreds of thousands of people losing their jobs, often with no apparent rhyme or reason, it also deepened AKP cronyism.

Public trust in these institutions has deteriorated, and Erdogan is determined to never again form alliances with groups as popular and strong as Gulen's. Instead, different religious orders are now able to form bilateral relations with the government and divide up different positions accordingly.

This new arrangement leads to two interrelated consequences.

First, securing a government job is easier if you belong to one of these religious orders. Now Erdogans government is beholden to several small groups. This may be a fine strategy initially, but as the demands of these groups rise, and the economic wealth to be distributed shrinks, Erdogan knows he will not be able to satisfy these rival groups for long. As Al-Monitor reported in November, some of these groups are openly declaring that they are arming themselves in case there is another coup attempt.

This game of balancing a variety of small crony groups against each other not only causes a bulge in government employment but weakens economic health and encourages distrust against state institutions.

Erdogan is savvy enough to see the potential troubles ahead. He promised his supporters Feb. 18 that if the referendum passes April 16, he will immediately return to the AKP officially  even though the current constitution requires him to be neutral. The situation has come to this: You either love and applaud Erdogan or criticize and hate him. There are no gray areas.

The second consequence of this chaotic state under emergency law is a deepened legitimacy crisis and the lack of rule of law. For example, we see scores of artists, academics, journalists and politicians taken into custody. Police raids, arrests and bans to keep individuals from leaving the country have become routine. There is a pattern behind them: inconsistencies among bureaucratic agencies and the frequency of interagency miscommunications. As an example, Idris Baluken, a lawmaker from the Peoples Democratic Party, was arrested in November and released in January, then was arrested again in February.

One prominent defense lawyer from Istanbul told Al-Monitor, In most cases when we speak to the prosecutors they tell us they are not quite sure what is expected of them. Senior bureaucrats tell us in confidence they know our defendants are innocent, and they are not sure why this witch hunt is taking place. But different agencies have conflicting interests and priorities, causing further confusion and victimizing innocent people. There are even cases with charges against people long-deceased. Irregularity has become the norm. At the end of the day, I find myself trying to calm police officers and prosecutors, who are under a heavy emotional burden, but they keep serving a system they know is failing.

The situation is such a terrible mess that in one case, where Al-Monitor columnist Kadri Gursel and several other prominent journalists are defendants, the prosecutor, Murat Inam, is himself a defendant in another court case for allegedly being a member of the Gulen movement.

It has even become a daily routine in Turkey for dedicated AKP journalists to openly threaten other pro-AKP networks and journalists with arrest for their reporting. While struggling to end the deep state, Erdogan's government has created compartmentalized government agencies that are rivals at the expense of the public good. This also explains why people are arrested, then released, only to be arrested a short time later on the same charges.

Erdogan is running out of time. Since he became president in 2014, he has been acting against the existing constitution with the claim that, because he was elected by popular vote, he cannot be confined to a merely symbolic position. How much longer can Erdogans government operate like this with the economy deteriorating so quickly? The question is whispered frequently in Ankara. In a supposedly leaked conservation from 2014, Efkan Ala, then Erdogans senior adviser, allegedly told a senior bureaucrat to employ whatever means necessary to accomplish his goals, and laws would be created to make sure the actions were lawful. This mentality has become the norm, and there are new rules and regulations introduced almost weekly.

The 18 amendments in the referendum are not a luxury, but a necessary first step to preserve Erdogans rule.

The AKP is very publicly campaigning for a "yes" vote on the referendum. Every day, constituents are told about a different side effect of democracy. For example, on Feb. 22, Erdogans official Twitter account tried to explain why separation of powers is harmful to Turkish politics. All checks and balances, all political deliberations, in Erdogans view, are the cause of the economic crisis and political chaos. Similarly on Feb. 26, at another rally, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said oppositionists complain that passing the referendum will result in one man holding all control.

"What else was it supposed to be?" he asked. "Of course it will be one-man rule.

No wonder one video became an instant hit on social media. Released Feb. 24, it shows Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu touring a marketplace, chatting with customers and vendors. One elderly vendor complains about financial hardship and the steep rise in prices. Cavusoglu and his entourage walk away once the conversation sours. The vendor says, You dont go without answering me. You need to answer me. But the minister did not respond.

Turkey's government stopped being accountable for its actions long ago. So here's a disturbing thought: What are Erdogans plans in case the amendments are not approved?
A 36-year-old woman was found dead in a Center Point apartment this afternoon.

Jefferson County sheriff's deputies said the woman's death is being investigated as a homicide. Deputies responded about 3:30 p.m. to a report of a woman being assaulted in an apartment in the 1800 block of Center Brook Lane, said Chief Deputy Randy Christian.

When they arrived on the scene, the found the mother of three children unresponsive on a bed in the apartment. She was pronounced dead on the scene. Authorities have not released her name pending notification of family members.

The suspect - a 46-year-old man - was taken into custody at the scene. He is currently undergoing questioning by sheriff's detectives.

No additional information is being released at this time. "We are trying to confirm if the victim's children were home when this occurred. Our prayer is that they didn't see this happen,'' Christian said. "It's always shocking and disheartening that someone can take away the life of a person they profess to love or loved at one time. It makes no sense that they can't just walk away and get control of their emotions."

Monday's death marks the second homicide in unincorporated Jefferson County in two days. On Saturday, a man was found shot to death in the parking lot of Center Point High School.

So far this year, there have been 29 homicides in all of Jefferson County, including 21 in Birmingham.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Kentucky vs. Auburn Baseball

Alabama State Auditor Jim Zeigler awaits an appearance by Gov. Robert Bentley to question him under oath in his office about use of state funds Monday, May 2, 2016, at the Capitol in Montgomery, Ala. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

(JULIE BENNETT)

Attorney General Steve Marshall declined State Auditor Jim Zeigler's request for an advisory opinion on the date for the special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat now held by former Attorney General Luther Strange.

Gov. Robert Bentley scheduled the special election for the regular election cycle next year -- primaries in June and general election in November. Zeigler said state law requires a special election for the Senate seat to be sooner.

Zeigler asked then-Acting Attorney General Alice Martin for an advisory opinion on Feb. 10.

Marshall, who was sworn in Feb. 13, informed Zeigler in a letter last week that his question was "moot."

Marshall wrote that the attorney general can issue opinions to public officials related to their duties but that Zeigler's question was not.

"The advice sought is not necessary to the present performance of some official act by the State Auditor," Marshall wrote.

Marshall also noted that Bentley has already officially set the election dates, "thus, your question is moot."

Zeigler, in a press release today, said he believed Marshall did not want to issue an opinion contrary to the view of the governor, who appointed him.

"The claim of mootness is an easy out to keep from making the governor follow the law," Zeigler said in the press release.

Mike Lewis, spokesman for Marshall, was asked about Zeigler's comment and noted that Marshall, as the letter to Zeigler stated, could not give an opinion on a matter outside Zeigler's scope of duties.

While Marshall declined to give an opinion on the election date set by Bentley, he has previously announced that his office is investigating Bentley, recused himself and appointed former Montgomery County District Attorney Ellen Brooks to oversee it.

Bentley appointed Strange to fill Jeff Sessions' Senate seat on Feb. 9, after Sessions was confirmed as U.S. attorney general.

Strange had already announced he would run for the seat if Sessions became attorney general.

The governor then picked Marshall to replace Strange.

State law mandates that Bentley set a special election for the remainder of Sessions' term, which was not to expire until January 2021.

Bentley's lawyers have interpreted the law differently than Zeigler and some others.

Secretary of State John Merrill, the state's top election official, and the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus believe the election should be held before the 2018 cycle. The Legislative Reference Service, the bill-drafting and research office for lawmakers, has also made that determination.

State law, Code of Alabama 36-9-8, says that if a vacancy occurs in the U.S. Senate more than four months before a general election, as happened in this case, "the governor shall forthwith order an election" to fill the unexpired term.

The governor's office said "forthwith" refers to when the governor sets the election date, not the date itself.

The governor's office said a federal law concerning absentee ballots for overseas military service members and citizens, a federal court ruling about the time allotted for independent candidates to collect signatures to get on the ballot and the cost of a special election all contributed to the decision to set the election for 2018.

Merrill said his office has determined that "forthwith" in the law means the election should be held "immediately or as soon as possible."

"That's been our position since we started," Merrill said.

Merrill noted, however, that the governor has the prerogative to set the election date according to his interpretation of the law.

Merrill said the only recourse for those who disagree would be to challenge the date in court.

Merrill said his office has been approached about that possibility and has had discussions with interested parties.

Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, has said the Legislative Black Caucus is considering legal action.

England said waiting until 2018 for the election gives Strange an undue advantage.

The governor's legal advisors wrote a letter to the Alabama Law Institute and Legislative Reference Service last week explaining the governor's reasoning on the election date.

They said the Legislature could remove one of the impediments for holding a special election sooner if it appropriated money to the secretary of state's office to cover the cost of a special election, which the governor's office estimated at $14 million.

But Merrill said the bulk of election costs are not paid by his office.

In a letter responding to the governor's office, Merrill said counties initially pay the cost of elections and are reimbursed by the state unless the election is only for county offices.

If an election is for state or federal and county offices, the state reimburses the counties for half the cost.

In an election is for state or federal offices only, the counties are fully reimbursed.

The state reimbursement comes the State General Fund Election Expenses Account, not the secretary of state's office, Merrill said.

The Legislature appropriated $6.6 million to the account this year.

Merrill said election costs are estimated at $5 million for each round of the cycle -- primary, primary runoff and general election.

The governor's legal advisors said another obstacle to holding the special election before next year is a 2016 ruling by U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson concerning independent candidates.

State law requires independent candidates to collect signatures of 3 percent of the number of registered voters who voted for governor in the last general election in the jurisdiction for which they are seeking office, such as a legislative district, for example.

In the case of a race for Senate, independent candidates would need to collect 3 percent of the number of those who voted statewide.

Thompson ruled the state could not impose the 3 percent requirement on independent candidates during special elections with a shorter time frame than regular elections.

The judge wrote that it was up to the Legislature to fix the problem. The Legislature has not amended the law.

"The governor's position on setting the election remains the same," Bentley spokeswoman Yasamie August said in an email today. "The governor has chosen a date that complies with the federal court order issued by Judge Myron Thompson, as well as state statute."
An Alabama legislative committee is reviewing a request to give $1.5 million to compensate former death row inmate Anthony Ray Hinton.

Despite being freed after new testing on the alleged murder weapon, a few state officials still question Hinton's claims of innocence and whether he is eligible for that money.

"The fact that thirty years later different ballistic experts are unable to say conclusively that this gun fired the fatal shots, without the benefit of the original test fired projectiles used by the original examiners, is not evidence of innocence," Assistant Attorney General James Houts wrote to that legislative committee last year.

Hinton spent nearly three decades of his life - 10,419 days to be exact - in jail or waiting to die on Alabama's death row for the 1985 deaths of John Davidson and Thomas Vason, the managers at two Birmingham fast food restaurants. Hinton has maintained he did not do it and his conviction was the product of racist prosecutors and police.

In 2015 Hinton was freed after firearms experts re-testing the .38 caliber revolver - the key and only physical evidence in the case - could not say whether it was or wasn't the murder weapon.

Re-testing was performed after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered a new trial for Hinton. That court stated his court-appointed lawyer should have known state money was available to hire a better firearms expert than the one-eyed, unqualified expert who testified on Hinton's behalf.

Since his release, Hinton said one of the frequent questions he gets is whether Alabama has compensated him for the time he spent on death row. It hasn't.

"When people ask me about why they haven't compensated you all I can say is 'I don't know'," Hinton said. "I cannot afford to wake up every morning wondering when or if they are ever going to do it."

But he's hopeful one day Alabama will right the wrong. "I want to believe in this state," Hinton said.

State Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman, believes it is time to compensate Hinton and has proposed a bill in the current session of the legislature to award Hinton $1.5 million in compensation, paid out over three years.

The U.S. Supreme Court said the trial was not fair and Hinton would have to be retried and Jefferson County decided not to retry him and dropped the charge, Bussman said. A defendant is innocent until proven guilty, he said.

"If the evidence is strong enough then they need to retry him (Hinton)," Bussman said. "We can't convict someone in the court of public opinion. ... It has to be in a court of law."

The legislature's Committee on Compensation for Wrongful Incarceration now has Hinton's application for compensation. That committee will have to make a recommendation before the legislature can take up Bussman's bill.

Two letters to the committee from assistant Alabama attorney generals disagree over whether Hinton qualifies.

Assistant Attorney General Jerry Carpenter in a Nov. 4, 2015 letter to the compensation committee states that Hinton is eligible to receive $1,427,261 based on the number of days he was incarcerated.

Carpenter represents the Alabama Department of Finance and its Division of Risk Management (DORM) that reviews wrongful conviction compensation requests.

In his letter, Carpenter noted the Chief Deputy Jefferson County District Attorney filed a motion on April 1, 2015 to Nolle prosequi - or drop - the charges against Hinton.

That motion stated that all three state firearms experts "found that they could not conclusively determine that any of the six bullets were or were not fired through the same firearm or that they were fired through the firearm recovered from defendant's (Hinton's) home."

The prosecutor's motion ended by saying that the state "does not have sufficient evidence to warrant further prosecution of the case."

Carpenter stated that a claim of innocence to qualify for compensation must be shown by having the conviction vacated or reversed and the indictment or charge dismissed on grounds of innocence or "dismissed on a ground consistent with innocence."

"The absence of that evidence (in Hinton's case) required the dismissal of the charges," Carpenter wrote. "I have found no information that indicates that Mr. Hinton's application is disqualified by any of the eligibility exceptions."

Assistant Attorney General James R. Houts, in a Feb. 26, 2016 letter to the committee, said that Hinton should not be eligible. "The Office of Alabama Attorney General strongly disagrees with any representation that Hinton has been exonerated and vehemently opposes any compensation in this case," he wrote.

Hinton was never declared innocent by any court, according to Houts' letter to the committee. Firearms experts from either side cannot state with a degree of scientific certainty that the gun in the case did not fire the fatal shots, nor can they say that the weapon did fire the fatal shots based on analysis of the weapons and bullets, Houts' letter states.

The gun recovered from Hinton's home was a .38 caliber pistol. The bullets recovered at the murder scenes showed evidence of "skidding" from a weapon with a timing problem. The gun also had a barrel that was severely corroded, which prevented it from leaving distinct characteristics on the bullets it fired, according to Houts letter.

But other evidence or witnesses also put into question Hinton's claims of innocence, according to Houts letter. Among them, Hinton was identified by the surviving victim to a robbery at a Quincy's that was "extremely similar" to the two capital murders for which he was convicted. Hinton was not prosecuted for the Quincy's robbery and shooting.

A man told police Hinton had "cased" the Quincy's and Hinton owned a car that was consistent with the description of the surviving victim from the Quincy's robbery, according to Houts letter. Hinton also told his girlfriend that he had a large sum of money, he stated.

A manager at the warehouse where Hinton worked, however, testified Hinton was at that facility the night of the Quincy's robbery.

State Sen. Cam Ward, R-Shelby County, who is on the compensation committee, said he believes Hinton does not deserve compensation.

"Reading the facts of the case I do not think he's eligible," Ward said.

Ward said he would like to get another opinion from new Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall. "I'd like to get a fresh set of eyes on it," he said.

The Jefferson County District Attorney's Office has not issued an opinion on whether it agrees with compensation for Hinton. "We don't have a position on this one way or another," said Jefferson County District Attorney pro tem Danny Carr.

4 previous requests

In 2001 the Alabama Legislature created the Committee on Compensation for Wrongful Incarceration and a process for compensating people who were found to have been wrongfully incarcerated by the state, according to DORM.

The nine-member committee has authority to make financial awards, subject to appropriation by the legislature, to persons who have been imprisoned for felony convictions "of which the person was innocent."

DORM was designated to provide administrative support to the committee, according to the group's website.

If an applicant's eligibility is verified by DORM, the legislature's wrongful incarceration committee can award an amount equal to $50,000 for each year or the pro rata amount for the portion of each year of incarceration.

DORM received an application from Hinton in October, 2015, Carpenter stated in an email to AL.com on Monday.

In the 16 years since enactment of the wrongful incarceration law, DORM has received 50 applications, Carpenter stated. The Wrongful Incarceration Committee has voted on four occasions to recommend that the legislature appropriate some amount to applicants. The legislature has chosen to appropriate funds in three of those cases.

The cases are:

Robert E. Doyle received a total of $229,041. Doyle had been convicted in 1992 of abusing his two oldest girls, then ages 7 and 9, after his ex-wife made the allegations. When a new trial was ordered the state dropped the charges. Doyle died in 2007, before he was awarded compensation. In December 2008, the Committee on Compensation for the Wrongly Incarcerated posthumously awarded Doyle $129,000 for the almost three years he spent in prison. In 2010, following further investigation, he received an additional $100,000.

Joseph Michael Littleton was recommended to receive $177,534 by the committee. He is to get the first $25,000 installment in the 2017 General Appropriations Act.

Antonio Shawn Williams was recommended to receive $213,289. He is to get the first $25,000 installment in the 2017 General Appropriations Act.

The committee about 5 years ago certified $118,767 for Bridget Lee but the legislature, to his knowledge, has taken no action to approve it, Carpenter stated.

Lee, a church pianist and mother of two, was wrongfully jailed for nine months on a capital murder charge because of a botched autopsy on her newborn son in 2006.

Payment of any amount is contingent on the legislature appropriating funds for that purpose, Carpenter wrote. The law does not entitle persons to compensation who were wrongfully incarcerated, he stated.

Prior to the 2001 law, the state paid out one large amount to a Birmingham man who was later found to be wrongfully convicted.

Freddie Lee Gaines served 13 years in prison for murders that someone else confessed to five years after Gaines' sentence was up in 1985. A Carver high school graduate, Gaines was arrested for the 1973 shooting deaths of Jonnie Lee Swanson and Mary Ann Wright during a robbery attempt in their apartment near Finley Avenue.

In August 1990, a man in Florida, Larry Dennis Cohen, 35, confessed to four murders, including the two that occurred near Finley Avenue. In 1996, Gaines received $1 million in compensation from the state legislature, and in February 2005, he received a full pardon.
The Alabama Attorney General's Office says a death row inmate's claim that the state's last execution was "badly botched is highly exaggerated and incorrect."

The response by the Attorney General's office came in a document filed Friday with the Alabama Supreme Court. The document was in reply to claims by attorneys for death row inmate Robert Melson, who allege that the Dec. 8 execution of inmate Ronald Bert Smith was "botched" and the state's lethal execution method should be reviewed.

The Attorney General's reply was the first time the office had addressed allegations that the Smith execution was botched. Smith moved around on the gurney, heaving and appearing to gasp for breath for 13 minutes.

Melson was convicted in the 1994 slayings of three Popeyes employees during a robbery. The Attorney General's Office recently asked the Alabama Supreme Court to set a date for Melson's execution.

The Attorney General's Office also stated in its reply that Melson was relying on "unsubstantiated media reports" about Smith's execution.

"Melson's reliance on unsubstantiated media reports from Smith's execution are not a reason for this Court to delay setting his execution," the AG's office states in its response. "The State is prepared to rebut Melson's allegations, if necessary, as his contention that Smith's execution was badly botched is

highly exaggerated and incorrect."

Melson argues that his execution date should not be set until the method used to carry out its order is assured to comport with the Eighth Amendment right against cruel and unusual punishment.

"Melson also ignores the fact that a federal district court held that other Alabama inmates failed to establish that the prison system's execution protocol violates the Eighth Amendment against cruel and unusual punishment," the AG's office states in its reply.

"Melson ignores the fact that no federal district court has held that Alabama's current lethal-injection protocol is unconstitutional, that numerous courts in Florida, Oklahoma, and Virginia have upheld the constitutionality of nearly identical protocols, and that "the Supreme Court approved of the very same three-drug protocol in (an Oklahoma case in 2015)," the AG's office states.

Melson and other inmates have argued that midazolam, the first drug in Alabama's lethal injection cocktail, does not sedate inmates enough to prevent pain caused by the other drugs used to stop breathing and the heart.

The Attorney General's Office also has sought an execution date for Tommy Arthur, which would be his eighth execution date. The Attorney General's Office has asked that Arthur's execution date be set before Melson's.
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved a change to the city code to allow for short-term business licenses.

The move was sparked by REV Birmingham's new Reveal Kitchen at the Pizitz Food Hall. The incubator program, located in one of the hall's food stalls, is designed to help aspiring chefs learn the ins and outs of the restaurant business, according to REV.

The change, which was made through a city ordinance, amends the city business license code to allow for a business license for a period of less than a year.

The City Council approved the ordinance without discussion.

The stall, which will rotate every few months, is supported by REV Birmingham and will offer a proof of concept opportunity for culinary graduates of Create Birmingham's CO.STARTERS program, a joint effort of both organizations.

The first occupant of Reveal Kitchen is Tropicaleo. The Puerto Rican restaurant concept from Maria Isabel Medina and her husband, Gabe Marrero, is already up and running.

Tropicaleo, which has hosted several pop-up dinners at breweries around Birmingham, specializes in mofongo, a dish that features fried plantains served with meat or as a vegetarian dish.

"Our hope is that this incubator will give small and minority owned business owners to get their foot in the door and reach an audience they would not normally have access to creating exposure and demand for their food," Birmingham Mayor William Bell said in a statement.
Organizers of the Bridge Crossing Jubilee to commemorate Bloody Sunday in Selma moved an event to address a dispute with the city, Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma said today.

Sanders, a longtime advocate for the annual remembrance of the landmark civil rights march. said a festival that is part of the weekend activities will move to the Montgomery side of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, off city property.

Last week, Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, said the Bridge Crossing Jubilee would not pay the city of Selma a $23,882 bill to cover services for the annual commemoration of the Bloody Sunday and the voting rights march.

Last week, Sanders said jubilee organizers would not pay a bill for $23,882 for city services, such as police and fire protection related to the events.

Selma Mayor Darrio Melton, responding to Sanders' comments last week, said the city could not afford to subsidize privately organized events leading up to the commemorative march across the bridge on Sunday.

Sanders said he did not know if moving the festival resolved all of the dispute with the city. He said most of the Jubilee's more than 40 events would happen as planned.

Sanders said among those attending the 52nd anniversary of Bloody Sunday would be U.S. Reps. Maxine Waters and Barbara Lee of California and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush attended the 50th anniversary bridge crossing two years ago. President Bill Clinton attended the 35th anniversary in 2000.

The jubilee events begin Thursday with an "old-fashioned mass meeting" at Taberbnacle Baptist Church.

Bloody Sunday was March 7, 1965, when civil rights marchers crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge and bound for Montgomery were halted and beaten by law enforcement officers.

The march was restarted two weeks later and reached Montgomery on March 25.

The events helped spark passage of the federal Voting Rights Act, which was signed into law in August 1965.

Sanders said recognition of the events is important.

"When we stand on history, we can see farther and reach higher," he said.
2-28 enhanced risk latest.jpg

Strong to severe storms will be possible statewide on Wednesday. The areas in orange will have the greatest risk of seeing severe weather. Forecasters said straight-line winds are the biggest concern, but tornadoes can't be ruled out. (Storm Prediction Center)

The first day of March may come in like a lion in Alabama.

Strong to severe storms will be possible statewide on Wednesday as a strong cold front crosses the state.

Forecasters are most concerned about damaging winds this time around.

Already 2017 has shown that straight line winds are no joke, with significant damage in both the Oneonta and Opelika areas earlier this year attributed to them.

Damage to Lester Memorial Methodist Church in Oneonta. #alwx pic.twitter.com/1deD04798W  Blount 9-1-1 (@BlountCounty911) January 22, 2017

A few strong storms will be possible today in Alabama, but the big day for rough weather will come on Wednesday, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

Forecasters there have placed all of the state under some risk of severe storms on Wednesday, with the highest probabilities being in north and parts of north-central Alabama.

Those areas have an "enhanced" risk, which means numerous severe storms will be possible.

Forecasters will be watching for a line of rain and storms to develop and move into northwest Alabama as early as Wednesday morning.

Storms in the line -- and any storms that can develop ahead of it -- could become severe.

In addition to straight-line winds, large hail will also be a possibility with the strongest storms. An isolated tornado can't be ruled out either.

A return to more seasonable temperatures will follow the front on Thursday, with lows dropping to near or below freezing in north and parts of central Alabama on Thursday and Friday nights.
Governors Meeting

Actress Jennifer Garner, center, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, left, and National Governors Association (NGA) Vice Chairman Jay Inslee stand for the Posting of the Colors during the NGA's Winter Meeting in Washington, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

(Cliff Owen)

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley today issued a statement about the ongoing threats to Alabama's Jewish community and said he has authorized the use of state resources for investigation.

"As the Governor of every person of Alabama, I will not tolerate targeted threats against any segment of the community," Bentley said. "I have been briefed on the bomb threats at the Levite Jewish Community Center in Birmingham, and I have ordered the State Bureau of Investigation, a division within the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, to coordinate with local and federal law enforcement officials to provide investigative resources. I am deeply troubled for our families and communities that have been threatened and feel frightened. I can assure the people of our state that Alabama will not tolerate any threat, we will bring those responsible to justice and we will provide any resource necessary to protect every one of our citizens."

Bentley returned to Alabama on Monday after four days of meetings with the nation's governors that included discussions with President Trump and members of the Trump Administration. Bentley was at the annual winter meeting of the National Governor's Association in Washington, D.C.

Birmingham's Levite Jewish Community Center has been targeted on three separate occasions this year for threats, part of threats received at similar facilities across the country.

The threats have been hateful and hard to deal with, said Betzy Lynch, executive director of the Levite Jewish Community Center.

"They're malicious and horrific," Lynch said. "We're taking these things very, very seriously. We've vigilantly trained our staff. Anti-Semitism is thousands of years old. This is nothing new for us. Living with it on a daily basis is challenging. We can't give in to that. We can't allow it to be disruptive."

The Jewish Community Center has a gymnasium and other facilities available to the public, along with child care and a Jewish Day School.

"It's obviously taking a toll on our members and staff and guests," Lynch said. "They feel disheartened that's it's happening. We couldn't ask for as much support as we've gotten from the community, including people of other faiths. The law enforcement community has been incredible."

After the building has been checked, activities return to normal as quickly as possible, she said. "We have a very specific protocol," she said. "We walk right back in and we get right back to work."

Jewish leaders had been hoping for a public stance from the governor and other state officials.

"There is a culture of hatred out there," said Rabbi Jonathan Miller of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham. "We need to demand of our public officials to take it seriously in a public way."

Last week, Birmingham Mayor William Bell held a press conference to denounce the threats.

Mark Potok, a senior fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center, said President Donald Trump's campaign set a tone toward minorities that extremists may have found reassuring.

"This is the fifth wave of these calls, these threats, about 90 incidents," Potok said of the bomb threats.

"I think, sad to say, the candidacy of Donald Trump has unleashed a real panorama of hatreds. Trump defamed a lot of minorities in his campaign and Jews were the least of it."

A group of parents of children in the Levite Jewish Community Center's pre-school program, which includes mostly non-Jewish children, started an activist group last week after the second bomb threat. It's called Family & Friends of the LJCC.

"The first time we got the bomb threat, it just scared us," said Honora Gathings, who is Catholic has two children in the LJCC pre-school program. "I couldn't breathe until my husband called to say he had the girls and they were all right. We hugged the kids that night and cried so hard. How do you explain this to them? For us, it's really heartbreaking."

The Family & Friends group has been lobbying public officials to speak out against the threats, she said. "We wanted to see elected leaders from the city all the way up to the state level come out and condemn these threats and say there is no room for hate in our schools and communities."

Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington also released a statement.

"Our schools should be safe places for our children to learn," he said. "Our community centers should be safe places for people to gather. And, our houses of worship should remain sacred. Any gathering place - be it a school, a place of worship, or a community center - should never be targeted because of opposition to a particular faith, nationality or race. That's not who we are."
A Montgomery County grand jury declined to indict a former Alabama Department of Corrections prison officer accused of beating an inmate.

Cornelius Simpson, 40, was charged with second-degree assault after being accused of attacking an inmate at Kilby Correctional Facility in Montgomery in May 2016.

Simpson's lawyer, Julian McPhillips, said the charge was baseless and has called for DOC to rehire Simpson and to pay his lost wages, attorney's fees and "other appropriate relief."

McPhillips said there was "overwhelming evidence" that Simpson was innocent, including exculpatory witness statements and no sign of injury to the inmate.

The grand jury issued the "no bill" on Feb. 3.

Bob Horton, spokesman for the Department of Corrections, issued a statement in response to McPhillips' comments.

"The Alabama Department of Corrections is continuing to investigate the charges against the former corrections officer and therefore cannot comment further on the case," Horton said.
Lee Andre Moultry

A murder charge against a McCalla man is moving forward in the slaying of another man killed while he was running from a barrage of gunfire aimed at him.

A Jefferson County grand jury has indicted 31-year-old Lee Andre Moultry, according to court records made public Monday. Moultry is charged in the Jan. 26, 2016 shooting death of 29-year-old Jerrell Demond Rodgers.

The shooting happened about 8:18 a.m. that Tuesday, and Rodgers was pronounced dead on the scene at 8:30 a.m. The shooting happened near the intersection of 45th Street and Eighth Terrace North in the Morton Simpson Village public housing community.

Police said Rodgers ran about 100 yards from where the first shell casing was found before he collapsed in a grassy area near one of the apartment buildings. Rodgers, well-known in the area for his car wash business, was shot multiple times.

The city's ShotSpotter gunfire detection system alerted police to the shooting. Residents said they heard at least 10 shots fired. Police said the shooter or shooters fled the area in a gray pickup truck.

"He didn't have to die that way," his mother, Marcile Rodgers, said at a vigil held for her son several days later. "He helped everybody. If a person knows Jerrell's heart and they know Jerrell, they'll know what kind of heart he got."

One month later, Moultry was arrested and charged with murder. He was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on Feb. 25, 2016 and released the same day after posting $60,000 bond.

No court date has yet been set.
BusbyCarlisle.jpg

Jo Ann Watkins Busby, 56, was killed almost 20 years ago. Her killer, then-16-year-old DeMarko Carlisle, was stabbed to death Sunday at Elmore Correctional Facility.

(Special to AL.com/ADOC)

The granddaughter of a woman slain by a teen gunman 20 years ago in a robbery outside of a Jefferson County Kmart said Sunday's prison death of her "Grammie's" killer is a relief.

"For 20 years, this man has been a part of our lives,'' said Tiffani Jewell. "He took her away from us and left us with a pain that is indescribable, a pain that is so great, it changed who we were forever."

DeMarko Quinta Carlisle, 36, was stabbed during an altercation with another inmate inside Elmore Correctional Facility on Sunday afternoon. The assault happened at 2:45 p.m., and Carlisle died at 3:40 p.m.

Alabama Department of Corrections officials Monday evening identified inmates David Menuel Carter, 37, and Corey Mirell Hughes, 21, as suspects in Carlisle's slaying. Prison officials said Carlisle died of multiple stab wounds from the attack.

Carter is serving a 30-year sentence on a 2011 murder conviction and Hughes was sentenced to 25-years for a murder conviction in 2013. Both inmates were convicted and sentenced in Montgomery County.

Corey Hughes, left, and David Carter, right

Carlisle pleaded guilty in 1999 to a crime spree that left 56-year-old Jo Ann Watkins Busby dead. On April 1, 1997, the Adamsville mother and grandmother was visiting her oldest daughter, who had been recovering from an operation. On her way home, she stopped at Kmart on Forestdale Boulevard to pick up a few things.

After unlocking her doors and getting in the driver's seat, two teenage boys approached her, one standing on either side of the car. Both of them had loaded guns pointed at her. They demanded her purse, but she had with her all the money she needed to live on for the rest of the month so she refused and started honking the horn and yelling for help. That is when 16-year-old Carlisle shot her.

Busby left behind two daughters, six grandchildren, a sister and countless friends.

Two years later, Carlisle pleaded guilty to killing Busby. He also pleaded guilty to robbing people on March 24, March 29, and later the same night when Busby was killed. That holdup happened outside of Walmart, down the road from Kmart.

Carlisle was the only defendant charged in Busby's death. He had two co-defendants in the Walmart robberies. He was facing capital murder for Busby's death, but that charge was reduced to felony murder and he received three life sentences.

Carlisle had twice come up for parole, and twice been denied release, and was facing another hearing in November 2017. Jewell has fought Carlisle's release, and even started a Change.org petition to help her garner support. "Jo Ann was a loving, compassionate, giving, and incredible person,'' Jewell wrote in that petition. "The devastation that came after her death cannot even be put into words."

"The parole hearings were never easy, emotionally exposing yourself to a board of strangers regarding what this man did to you and to your family and how it affected every area of your life opens a lot of wounds,'' she wrote. "I have always said, no matter what, I will never stop fighting. I will fight until I die or until he does. I will fight for my Grammie forever."

"I woke up this morning the victor of this war we have been fighting the last 20 years. There is nothing left to fight,'' Jewell wrote. "We have done everything we can for her. We made sure a monster wasn't released back onto the streets to hurt another innocent person."

Jewell said she was always confident that Carlisle, should he get out of prison, would hurt someone else. "I am not sorry he's dead,'' she wrote. "I am relieved in a way that I have never experienced before and I'm looking forward to getting to live a life where there is no war to fight."

"I hope he was saved, but I am not sad he is gone. I do not feel sorry for him at all, in fact, it only seems fair that he didn't get to live and die peacefully of old age,'' Jewell continued. "I only feel sorry for his family because regardless of the monster he was, they loved him and today, they are in pain. I want to thank every person that has helped us keep him in prison, every person that signed the petitions, every person that wrote letters, every person who remembered who my Grammie was and talked about how she impacted their lives. Our fight is over."
Editor's note: An updated story has been published here.

A nurse who graduated from the University of North Alabama was fatally stabbed this morning in Tennessee.

Tiffany Ferguson

A nurse at Saint Thomas West Hospital, Tiffany Ferguson, 23, was killed in Nashville's Wedgewood neighborhood. Ferguson graduated from UNA's nursing program in 2015, said the university's spokesman Bryan Rachal.

Ferguson sustained multiple stab wounds before being taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she died, Nashville authorities told The Tennessean.

Police are looking for a suspect who was spotted on surveillance footage checking for unlocked doors to apartments and vehicles.

Officers throughout the city are on the lookout for the man who fatally stabbed 23-year-old Tiffany Ferguson inside her Wedgewood Place apartment at 5:40 a.m. today. Anyone recognizing the man from the attached surveillance video is urged to immediately contact the Emergency Communications Center at 615-862-8600. More information here: https://www.nashville.gov/News-Media/News-Article/ID/6178/Officers-Searching-for-Man-who-Fatally-Stabbed-Young-Woman-at-Her-Wedgewood-Place-Apartment.aspx Posted by Metropolitan Nashville Police Department on Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Additional details were not immediately available.
Voicemails, texts and emails from north Alabama news reporters won't ever compare to a call sheriff's deputy Stephen Young got from "the man upstairs" more than 10 years ago.

Across north Alabama, Young is most well-known as the public information officer for the Limestone County Sheriff's Office. But, others who know him across the southeast are most familiar with his gospel-singing skills.

Young's singing career began in 2005 when he got that call from God through a friend at Delhi Presbyterian Church in Louisiana.

"It was just four guys in a church starting out," Young said. "We were in a choir cantata, and I was picking on the choir director, being a little prankster by singing with the sopranos. My buddy was sitting next to me and asked 'How high can you sing? You want to start a quartet?'"

That's when Young, Troy Richards, Jimmy Strong and Ricky Singley banded together to form Sanctuary Quartet in the small town of Delhi, which has a population of about 2,900.

"I asked Jimmy what kind of music we were going to do, and he said, 'Let's do Southern gospel,'" Young told AL.com. "I was like, 'What's that?'"

Soon, Young was singing tenor for the quartet as they performed mostly at local churches and events.

Now, 12 years later, Young's focus primarily is on his family and duties at the Sheriff's Office, although he still sings locally from time to time.

"I'm kind of like a musical wanderer right now," Young said. "I really like to spend time with my family. With all the activities my kids are involved in, there's not a lot of time. I'm not ready for music to take over the other aspects of my life."

It wasn't that long ago, though, that Young was performing in more than 130 concerts per year -- traveling as far west as San Antonio, Texas and as far east as Bristol in Tennessee and Virginia.

"We had an old sprinter van that was converted into a tour bus," Young said. "We really didn't know what we were doing. We just did it."

Sanctuary Quartet toured the Southeast in this Sprinter van.

From 2007-2011, Young and the rest of Sanctuary Quartet recorded three albums, which feature songs popular among the Southern gospel crowd.

So how did he become a sheriff's deputy and end up in Alabama?

After graduating high school in Georgia, Young moved to Louisiana, where he obtained a degree in Forestry and Technical Writing from Louisiana Tech in 2000.

He landed a job as a park ranger and attended the state's police academy in 2001.

"That's what really got me interested in law enforcement," Young said.

Fast forward to 2012, and Young gets a job in the jail at the Richland Parish Sheriff's Office. Eventually, he would become a deputy and be assigned to the area's Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program.

He taught in 17 schools--mostly with middle and elementary students--and organized the parish's youth mentor camp.

Limestone County deputy Stephen Young performs a flight demo during the Sheriff's Office's first youth mentor camp in 2016.

"When I first talked to Stephen about a job here, the sheriff down in Louisiana really spoke highly of him and what he did for their mentor camp," said Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely, who hired Young as a deputy in 2014. "I wanted to start a camp here, and I don't think I could have picked a better person to do it."

Last year, thanks to Young's organizational and outreach skills, Limestone County hosted its first Youth Mentor Camp for a week during the summer.

Children from around the area met the men and women who are sworn to protect the community and learned about the county's emergency management. Hands-on activities taught the children skills and life lessons, while the mentors who participated built long-lasting relationships with the youth.

"Stephen has been a godsend to us," Blakely said.

Young also is a role model for young people in his personal life, said friend Ben Waites, who met Young on the music trail years ago.

"Stephen is a godly man and a family man," Waites said. "He is uncompromising in his faith.

"In this world we seem to be losing a lot of role models," Waites continued. "To teach and work with kids the way Stephen has and does is vital to our society."

Young became the Limestone County sheriff's public information officer in 2015. He handles media requests and keeps the public informed about crime and public safety issues across the county. He employs social media to ensure quick release of pertinent information.

"Stephen is a very talented person," Blakely said. "He's made it a lot easier for me to focus on investigations and my duties as sheriff while he handles the questions from the media and keeping the public informed."

And, "He's a real good singer," the sheriff said.
Senate Republicans last week blocked a bill creating a new state office to house education and workforce data collected from multiple state agencies.

"People are a little leery of the government gathering data on their kids," said Sen. Dick Brewbaker, R-Montgomery, adding he doesn't see how collecting longitudinal data on Alabama's students will be very useful in workforce development.

"Nobody can predict the labor market," Brewbaker said.

The new office, called the Office of Workforce Statistics would be housed within the Department of Labor. Bills creating the ANSWERS system, an acronym for the Alabama Network of Statewide Workforce and Education-Related Statistics, have been introduced in both chambers.

But the bill, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, stalled when 14 Republican Senators used a procedural vote to block the bill from coming to the floor.

Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, sponsored the House version of the bill, said the database would allow "evidence and information on performance of programs and what's working, what's not, so we can make decisions based on evidence, not on guessing."

She said all of the student and workforce information already exists within state agencies. She said combing the data under one roof would allow lawmakers and other decision makers to make better use of the data when deciding on public policy.

The new office, according to the bill, would combine existing student data and workforce statistics to find out how school programs connect to workforce recruitment, how successful those programs are, what industry needs are unmet, and how to improve the effectiveness of workforce training and workforce outcomes.

Brewbaker, who chairs the Senate's education committee, said: "We already track achievement. What they claim they're going to do is help workforce development. I just don't think it's going to work."

Senators "almost never" use the procedural vote blocking a bill, said Brewbaker, who joined the vote to block the bill.

Collins introduced a similar bill last year that made it through the House and onto the Senate floor but ultimately stalled in the Senate.

The estimated cost to create the state office is $1.3 million for the first year, with similar amounts each year through 2020, when the database is expected to be fully operational.

The Alabama Eagle Forum, a conservative advocacy group, has called on its members to help kill the bill, with this opinion piece from Executive Director Deborah Love saying that a government that uses its ability to track individual private citizens' movements and gather information is infringing on its citizens' liberties.

Regarding allegations that data will be used to benefit only business and industry and somehow create a worker state, Collins said, "That's just not true. There's no tracking. There's nothing about an individual in the data."

Rather, Collins said, it gives students more information about possible career paths and gives colleges information about their incoming students.

Brewbaker said using data collected about students to benefit workforce development is part of the "wrongheadedness of public education," adding this suggests "somehow or another we are educating these students for the benefit of businesses. We are not. We are educating these students for their own benefit so they can make their own choices. You can't have it both ways."

Gov. Bentley already established what the bills aims to in March 2015 through an Executive Order after the Alabama Workforce Council, composed of representatives of business, industry and education, recommended the state create the integrated data system.

Collins said it's important for the Executive Order to become law because it could be undone with a future governor's executive order, and the work to create it would be wasted.

A spokesperson for Gov. Bentley, in an emailed statement to AL.com, said the plan is for the advisory board created through the Executive Order "to continue to meet and discuss alternative ways to successfully launch the longitudinal data system that has been widely supported by business and industry leaders. In the interim time period, talks are ongoing with key legislators to educate and answer questions that need clarification about the system."

The Education Commission of the States, a nonprofit and nonpartisan policy analysis organization, recently examined states' abilities to connect the various pieces of information and how that information is used.

Zeke Perez, Jr. compiled that research for the Commission and said while all states have the ability to collect information relevant to pre-K, K-12, post-secondary and workforce training and outcomes, how they connect those pieces differs from state to state.

Sixteen states plus Washington, D.C. actually connect the four areas and use the information to make decisions, Perez said, and more states are working to do so.

Some states have a centralized hub for the information, as the ANSWERS bill desires, while other states allow each agency to house their own information and work in more of a federation, Perez said, connecting the data only when needed.

That federation allows agencies more flexibility, and can save money by not duplicating efforts at the centralized hub.

States surrounding Alabama all used centralized databases, according to the Commission's research.

Perez said the reason states are working to coordinate data collection and analysis among multiple agencies is because education issues are becoming more complex, and those issues span the pre-K through workforce continuum, known as the P20W continuum.

The Commission plans to publish a full analysis of how states connect and use data in late March, Perez said. Reports are helpful in many areas, Perez said, from school-level reports used to inform teacher preparation and evaluations all the way up to the state level.

As states work to create broader goals for completion, attainment, participation and performance in education, Perez said they "need to have a method of measuring and pursuing those goals," he said, and longitudinal data allows those goals to be measured.

While states have been working to connect that data, they have done a good job protecting individual privacy, Perez said.

"The security and the privacy of the data is my priority as well," Collins said, adding the bill makes it a Class C felony if someone breaches data security. That provision was in an amendment offered by Brewbaker on the floor of the Senate last year.

Collins said all of the individually identifiable information is de-identified immediately after it is aggregated, and there is an opt-out clause for parents who don't want their children's data collected.

Collins said there is a lot of misinformation about the bill, and when she talks one-on-one with people to answer their concerns, people generally understand why the database makes sense.

"We want to make sure we are finding what's working and making good accurate decisions to invest tax dollars in the right programs," Collins said. "Are they moving achievement forward or are they just feel-good efforts?"

Updated 3/1/2017 at 11:30 a.m. to add comments from Gov. Bentley's spokesperson.
French businessman looks to tourism for future prosperity

NINGBO, ZHEJIANG - Frenchman Emmanuel Dennis, 54, is a busy man. In addition to running two companies, the Ninghai-based businessman has also acted as an adviser to the head of Hehong village committee for the past year. The unpaid job puts him at the forefront of the community's development.

His latest plan is to attract investors to the village, which boasts centuries-old architecture, to manage accommodation and boost tourism.

Last week, he brought 12 investors from the United States, Japan and Taiwan to Hehong, who he said recognized its potential as a tourist destination.

Dennis is active in the village community, having self-financed the construction of a recreational pavilion and organized banquets for the elderly.

Hailing from the southeastern French town of Valence, Dennis worked in finance in the US and the United Kingdom before he first visited China in 1997.

In 2002, he moved to Ninghai with his wife, who was born there, and started a stationery and toy business, which has a turnover of about 100 million yuan ($14.5 million).

Last year, a Ninghai official asked Dennis to help develop the county's rural areas. He chose Hehong because of the many traditional elements that remain in the village.

"When I was in Valence, I lived in a 400-year-old house. When there was heavy rain outside, there was light rain inside. It was old, but beautiful," he said. "My family repaired it with our own hands."

Old buildings should be protected for future generations, Dennis said: "I'm happy that the central government now pays more attention to this."

In recent years, the local government has improved the way it approaches the renovation of villages, and has taken steps to limit damage to the original structures and layout.

"The village is great! Old houses, beautiful landscape," said Henry Zahn, 80, an entrepreneur from the US, who was in the village to look for a building to convert into a hotel.

Another investor, Sun Ningchu from the US, found a renovated courtyard building that he said would be a suitable site for a boutique inn.

Dennis is interested in an old house by the river.

"I want to preserve the appearance of the traditional structure, but the inside will be the same quality as a five-star hotel. It will be a combination of Chinese and Western elements," he said.

In addition, he proposed that villagers run inns for backpackers and that services should be offered to make travel between villages more convenient.

Dennis believes his plan to boost tourism may attract young people to visit the village.

"They can just relax, go fishing, eat local food - just enjoy the slow rural life," he said.

Emmanuel Dennis (right), a 54-year-old French adviser to the head of Hehong village committee in Ninghai, Zhejiang province, talks with local villager Xu Xiaohua (middle) earlier in February. Huang Zongzhi / Xinhua

(China Daily 02/27/2017 page7)
During the campaign, President Donald Trump - the richest person to ever sit in the Oval Office - said he would not accept a paycheck or would take only $1 a year.

"That's no big deal for me," he said.

That's easier said than done, however.

Federal law prohibits a president from declining to accept their $400,000-a-year salary. Instead, they have to return it to the Treasury or donate the amount to charity. Each presidential paycheck is about $33,333, a combination of salary and a $50,000 expense account.

Last week, White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders told The Tampa Bay Times that process is currently being worked out.

"(The president) is required to get a paycheck, but will be giving it back to (the) Treasury or donating," Sanders said.

Trump is worth an estimated $4 billion.

There is precedent for presidents and other wealthy elected officials declining a salary. Former New York Times Mayor Michael Bloomberg worked for only $1 a year, while President Herbert Hoover donated his salary to charity, as did President John F. Kennedy, who opted not to take a salary during his time in Congress or the Oval Office.

In Alabama, Gov. Robert Bentley has not accepted a salary, something he said he would forgo until the state achieved "full employment," defined as a jobless rate of 5.2 percent.
A coalition of 150 organizations gathered on the steps of the Alabama State House on Tuesday in support of legislation that would end judicial override in death penalty cases.

Sen. Dick Brewbaker, R-Montgomery, and Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, who sponsored bills ending judicial override in their respective chambers, told the crowd they were optimistic that the legislature would ban the practice. Last week, Brewbaker's bill passed the Senate 30-1, while England's bill is expected to be taken up by the House either Tuesday or Thursday.

"I feel pretty confident right now that, in some form, that one of these bills will be signed by the governor and judicial override will be finished in Alabama," Brubaker said. He added that the preference is to make the final bill resemble England's version as much as possible. England's bill includes a provision that would require juries to unanimously agree on a death sentence; under current law, the threshold is 10 of 12 jurors for a death penalty recommendation.

Alabama is the only state that allows judges to overturn a jury's decision in such cases. In 112 cases where judicial override was used from 1978 to early 2016, 101 involved a judge changing a sentence from life without parole to death, according to Alabama Arise, the coalition that held the rally and legislative day in Montgomery.

Kimble Forrister, executive director of Alabama Arise, said the bill's optimistic chances are due to Republicans and Democrats coming together on the issue.

"We're benefitting from the fact this has become a bipartisan bill," he said. "The main issue that has emerged is: We trust juries. We trust a jury of our peers to make a good decision based on the evidence."

England suggested that legislators may be motivated by shame.

"I think Alabama being distinguished in the entire country as the last state to allow judicial override probably provided the motivation to get us to this point today. My mom used to tell me sometimes being embarrassed will make you do the right thing," he said. "I'm hoping that we're actually going to do the right thing."
Daily News Egypt

Affiliated forces pledge to continue the large-scale sweeping operation inside Mount Helal





Army units affiliated with the third field army continued the sweeping operation it has launched against militants stationed in the area of Mount Helal. The security forces managed on Tuesday to arrest 12 militants, the armys spokesperson said in a Facebook statement.

The forces were furthermore able to seize a four wheel drive vehicle equipped with a machine gun. The vehicle also contained quantities of explosives, military clothing, and video materials related to militants, the statement explained.

The forces managed moreover to destroy another car bomb that was prepared to be used against army and police forces. The sweeping operation also resulted in the discovery of fuel storage points, three motorbikes, and the destruction of seven terrorist stationing points, the statement read.

The statement added that during the sweeping operation the forces burned 24 farms that grew the poppy plant, in addition to being able to arrest two wanted criminals who were trying to smuggle large amounts of money.

Since 2013, state security forces, represented in both the army and the police, have been engaged in violent clashes with Sinai Province, known previously as Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis. In 2014, the group declared its affiliation to IS and has launched deadly attacks on army and police checkpoints.

Over the course of the last two years, the Egyptian armed forces launched counterattacks against militant stationing points across the Sinai Peninsula, where the group is based, particularly in the cities of Sheikh Zuweid, Rafah, and Al-Arish.
Once known as coal country, this impoverished region of the US is trying to build a future without the coal industry.

Appalachia was once a booming region, with coal mining as the mainstay of its economy.

But after the 1990s, coal production dipped to its lowest levels in this part of the United States as alternative sources of energy such as fracking were found.

The area, once given the epithet of coal country, has seen an increasing decline in economic activities over the past several decades.

Homes lie abandoned by people who have fled the region in search of a better livelihood.

Appalachia has one of the highest poverty rates in the US, and the death rate is higher than the birth rate.

Although the decline of coal in Appalachia has had a severe impact on communities here, some believe the region can transition and thrive without the coal industry.

AJ+ travelled to Appalachia to find people who are trying to make that happen.Watch the last two of the three-part series below:

How coals decline devastated Appalachia, Part 2

The people who are bringing back Appalachia, Part 3
Ramallah, Occupied West Bank  Palestinian officials have called for a boycott of Israels military court system after Nael Barghouti, a Palestinian freed in a prisoner exchange, was rearrested and sentenced to a life term plus 18 years. Palestinian Prisoners Club director, Qadura Fares, told Al Jazeera that the military court system was discriminatory against Palestinians, citing two recent high-profile cases to pass through the courts.

There is a shining example from the past few days. For the Israeli killer, Elor Azaria, the military court sentenced him to one and a half years. Twenty-four hours later, they put Nael Barghouti in jail and sentenced him to life in prison and another 18 years. It happened within 24 hours, he said.

Israeli soldier Azaria was sentenced to 18 months in prison for manslaughter on February 21, after he killed a wounded Palestinian assailant who no longer posed a threat in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron last year. The United Nations human rights office said the sentence was excessively lenient and unacceptable for an apparent extrajudicial killing, while local rights group Adalah said the sentence was an expression of the disregard for the value of Palestinian life.

READ MORE: Elor Azaria verdict  No justice for Palestinians

Barghouti was initially released in the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, but was rearrested in 2014 and served 30 months in prison for being a member of Hamas.

Boycotting military courts would show that we are refusing such a system to operate within the West Bank and refusing 50 years of brutal occupation that is just getting worse and worse. by Layth Abu Zayed, spokesperson, Addameer

He was due to be released in November 2016, but on February 22, a military court reinstated an earlier life sentence for his role in planning the kidnapping and killing of an Israeli soldier. Barghouti was first sentenced to life in 1978 and has now served a total of 36 years in prison.

We need to stop being a part in these dirty games, to send a lawyer and to be part of this game. It creates misunderstandings with journalists and the international community that Israel is ruling by laws. Its not the truth, Fares told Al Jazeera.

We have to stop being part of this lie and misunderstanding. We have to be clear that there is no justice.

Palestinian officials first called for the boycott at a press conference in Ramallah on Sunday, where Fares spoke along with Barghoutis wife, Iman Nafie, and the head of the Palestinian Authoritys Commission for Detainees, Issa Qaraqe.

One must take the difficult decision of rebellion and boycott of the courts, Qaraqe told the press conference, while Fares called on families of detainees not to pay fines imposed by courts and urged prisoners rights groups not to take part in military trials.

READ MORE: West Bank prisoners face Israeli re-arrest

There has not been a mass, organised boycott of the Israeli military court system, although individual prisoners have refused to attend hearings and rejected the authority of the courts.





The idea of a collective boycott was welcomed by Addameer, a Palestinian prisoner support and human rights association, which said it would support such a move if a consensus between prisoners and rights groups was reached.

The high conviction rate within the military court reached 99.7 percent, which shows the lack of fair trial guarantees within these military courts. They lack impartiality and have been unjust to Palestinian prisoners. Boycotting military courts would show that we are refusing such a system to operate within the West Bank and refusing 50 years of brutal occupation that is just getting worse and worse, said Layth Abu Zayed, a spokesperson at Addameer.

An article in a 2009 military order permitted Israel to re-arrest prisoners released in previous exchanges and reinstate previous sentences based on a secret file that is not accessible to the ex-prisoner or his/her lawyer.

According to a January report by prisoners rights groups, approximately 56 prisoners released in the Shalit deal are currently held in Israeli jails. Fifty of these prisoners had their previous sentences re-imposed by a military committee.

The report found that at the turn of the year, some 7,000 Palestinians were being held in Israeli jails.
Gaziantep  The Turkey-backed Free Syrian army said on Tuesday it will continue to attack regime forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) southeast of their positions in Al Bab following Syrian army advances south of the city.

On Monday, Syrian regime forces advanced southeast of FSA-held Al Bab reaching areas under the control of the SDF. As a result, the FSA factions, part of Turkeys Operation Euphrates Shield, are encircled by regime forces and the US-backed SDF to the east and south and are unable to proceed towards ISIL-held Raqqa, which Ankara had identified as a major goal of its operation.

According to an FSA commander, who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity, ISIL withdrew from its positions southeast of Al Bab allowing the regime forces to capture 20 villages, including Aran, Al-Barij, and Abu al-Jibar. The regime forces reached SDF-controlled territory in the village of Jub al-Khafi, he said.

The FSA commander added that the establishing of this territorial connection will increase the coordination between the regime forces and the SDF, which will be to the detriment of the FSA.

READ MORE: When the tide is turning, ISIL go apocalyptic

On Monday, an SDF spokesperson told Reuters that the Syrian armys advance would bring benefits to civilians in the area. On the trade front and on the civilian front, it is seen as an excellent thing, because now there is  a link between the entire northern rural area, spokesman Talal Silo said.

At the same time, the FSA clashed with Syrian government forces near the village of Tadif, just 2km southeast of Al Bab. It has also continued to clash with the SDF north and west of the city of Manbij, which is under SDF control and which the Turkish government has also identified as a potential target of its operation after the capture of Al Bab from ISIL.

The option of advancing toward Raqqa from Al Bab is now gone. by Metin Gurcan, a security analyst

The SDF is dominated by the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG), which Turkey considers a terrorist organisation related to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Turkey launched Operation Euphrates Shield in August 2016 to prevent the YPG from uniting territories under its control east and west of the Euphrates River.

Turkish analysts say that Turkey, FSAs main backer, will most likely prevent any major escalation from happening.

Metin Gurcan, an Istanbul-based security analyst, said it is unlikely that Euphrates Shield forces will try to break the territorial bridge between the SDF and the regime forces, as Ankara cannot risk a major confrontation with Assad in advance of the national constitutional referendum scheduled for April. In his opinion, Russia and the United States would also not allow hostilities to escalate between Turkey and the Assad regime.

The option of advancing toward Raqqa from Al Bab is now gone, said Gurcan, adding that the Turkish government will likely seek to advance against the YPG and SDF in Manbij and to consolidate control over Al Bab. The Turkish military has established a temporary base on Al Aqil hill near Al Bab, which could transform into a more permanent one like the Turkish base in Bashiqa in northeast of Mosul, he said.









In his opinion, the US still needs Turkish participation in the operation to capture Raqqa from ISIL because it cannot rely solely on Kurdish forces.

The US needs Turkish help because it needs armoured forces to initiate this Raqqa operation [] and the US needs Turkish presence, Sunni presence, not to get a [negative] reaction from the Sunni population in Syria and in the region, explained Gurcan, adding that the presence of Kurdish forces in Raqqa could create tensions with the local Arab population.

In the past few weeks, US officials held multiple consultation meetings with Turkish officials who have expressed their opposition to Kurdish-dominated SDF participating in the offensive on Raqqa. Last week, a top US general visited SDF-held territories in northern Syria promising military support.

On Monday, the Pentagon submitted a proposal to the Trump administration on how to speed up the fight against ISIL in Syria. Based on this proposal, the White House is expected to reveal its plan of action on Syria in the coming days and detail its strategy on capturing Raqqa.
The lives of the many who rely on the 26 fishermen who were arrested after straying into Indian waters are now at risk.

Kharo Chan, Pakistan  Hajiani lives in Ramzan Parerhi  a nondescript fishing village on Pakistans coast near the Indian border, about 150km east of Karachi.

She does not remember her surname, her age or where she is from. What she cannot forget, however, are the faces of her nine family members, who went fishing one morning last December and are yet to return.

An eerie silence greets us as we enter this small village of five huts. Women and children, led by Hajiani, surround us. Their grief is palpable on their faces and their clothes are torn and grubby.

On December 18, five boats carrying 26 fishermen were detained by Indias Border Security Force (BSF) off the coast of the Indian state of Gujarat.

The fishermen were imprisoned after straying into Indias territorial waters. They had gone in search of a decent catch to feed their families and make enough money to fill the deep pockets of their contractors.

Nine of those fishermen were from Hajianis family of 39, all of whom survived on the earnings of eight men and a 12-year-old boy.

They are now left with two adult men: 80-year-old Jumun, who had his right leg amputated two years ago, and 70-year-old Ramzan.

ALSO READ: Will a new Mumbai road destroy fishermens livelihoods?

Nothing to eat

Ever since the arrests, Hajianis family has struggled to survive. Food supplies have run out and cooking pots lie overturned, unused for days. The women have now resorted to begging for food on the narrow, rarely frequented road connecting their isolated village to Baghan, a small town located 20km away.

Villagers nearby help out with food donations from time to time, but it is never enough. They, too, lost a son, or a brother, or a husband in the December 18 arrests.





By arresting our men, the Indian forces took away our everything, Hajiani tells Al Jazeera, tears streaming down her heavily wrinkled face.

We dont have anything to eat. Our children will starve to death.

The women start wailing and begging for the release of their men. The children hold up photos and the ID cards of their fathers and uncles.

Hajianis frail, trembling hands hold a photo of her grandson, whom she remembers as her sweet boy. She then breaks into another cry, pleading to God, and anyone else willing to listen, to bring her boys back.



The village itself is in a deteriorating state. Every time it is hit by rain or floods, the thatched roofs and doors, which are made out of sheets of straw and patched rags, give way. Even on a dry day, the conditions look far from easy to survive in.

Inside each hut, earthen stoves lay abandoned; they have not been used in days. The villagers sleep on straw mats and broken charpais (woven cots), covered with traditional and colourful Sindhi quilts.



Malnourished children play in the mud, in tattered clothes, as stray dogs, a fox and mongooses run around in the mostly marshy and bushy terrain of the village. Stagnant water from the Indus River washes over the shores of this village before meandering out to join the Arabian Sea.

We have no one to turn to except God, says Sakina, whose 12-year-old son Rustam was aboard one of the five captured vessels. Sometimes, we eat one meal a day, sometimes we go to bed hungry.

She is now scared of losing her daughter, too. Ten-year-old Rabia has not eaten in three days. She looks pale and does not respond to any questions.

Her fever wont go away, but what can I do? How do I take her to a hospital when Im sitting here penniless? My husband is aged and sick, my son has been snatched from me, and my children dont have anything to eat.

IN PICTURES: Displaced refugees fear more loss as Lake Chad shrinks

Watery borders

India and Pakistan share a heavily-fenced land border which stretches over 3,000km. Over water, however, complications and disagreements over the decades-old Sir Creek delimitation mean that the maritime boundary remains unmarked and disputed. Often, fishermen from both sides, who do not have navigational equipment, traverse the contested demarcation and are arrested.





Muhammad Ali Shah, a former fisherman, founded the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) to mobilise the fishing community. He tells Al Jazeera that crossing those borders in the Arabian Sea is an easy mistake to make.

It happens all the time as you cant draw lines or build walls in the ocean, Shah says.

The colour of the water remains the same on both sides. Sometimes, fishermen get caught and sometimes, they dont. Factors such as water current, cyclones and overnight shifting of vessels can push the unsuspecting fishermen across into the neighbouring countrys territorial waters.

When they wake up, officials from India or Pakistan catch them unawares.

In some cases, Shah adds, the breach of territory is simply done out of desperation for a good catch.

They have to go back and feed their families, who are relying on them. They are not terrorists, thieves or spies.

ALSO READ: Afghan refugees return home amid Pakistan crackdown

All water looks the same to us

Back in the village, there is no sign of electricity. But thanks to an influx of solar panels, locals are able to use mobile phones  often their only connection to the outside world.

Before his leg was amputated, Jumun spent most of his days in the ocean. He says the poor, deeply indebted fishermen from these small villages are unable to afford navigational equipment and simply rely on their own sense of seamanship.

Once we leave the coast and head into the ocean, there is no indication or marking for borders or territorial waters. We cant tell if we have crossed into Indian waters. All water looks the same to us.

An official from Pakistans navy, speaking to Al Jazeera on the condition of anonymity, says not everyone who gets caught is innocent.

There is a good number involved in illegal activities, such as smuggling of contrabands and liquor, he says. In some instances, they act as spies and even double agents.

Al Jazeera made several attempts to contact Indias BSF, but did not receive a response.

WITNESS: Pakistan  No Place Like Home (25:00)

Fishermen for generations

Fishing is the only skill these families have known for generations. Boys as young as five or six years old accompany their elders on fishing trips.

By the time they reach their teens, they are experienced fishermen.

Typically, fishermen take huge loans from local contractors in order to buy boats and other fishing equipment, says Ilyas Samoon, a resident and shop owner from Baghan.

[The] price of a small boat is around 2m rupees ($18,750). Even though a good weeks catch can earn them 200,000 rupees ($1,875), when all the loans are paid off and the money is split between the five or six men on a boat, each fisherman comes home with about 3,000 rupees ($29) for the week.

Samoon helped Jumun write a plea for help to the local fisheries department, federal intelligence agencies and human rights organisations. They are still waiting to hear back from them.

Jumun explains how money is borrowed from the contractors, who also buy the catch once the fishermen return.

The money is used for buying boats, fishing equipment, grocery and also food supplies for us on the boats. On our return, we pay the contractors back in the form of fish.

Cross-border hostility

Figures provided by PFF show that at least 150 Pakistani fishermen, 12 of whom are juveniles, are currently being held in Indian prisons. Similarly, 147 Indian fishermen are languishing in Pakistani prisons.

Nasir Aslam Zahid, who is a former judge of Pakistans Supreme Court and a member of the eight-person India-Pakistan Judicial Committee on Prisoners, believes that the fishermen are paying the price of cross-border hostility.

This problem persists because there is an 80-square-mile area close to the border where fish are found in the highest ratio. This area is no-mans land, but because fishermen veer out of it every now and then, they get caught by Indian or Pakistani forces who treat each other as enemies.

Both countries occasionally release prisoners in publicity exercises termed gestures of goodwill.

But even after release orders are issued, it can take fishermen up to a year to return home after lengthy security checks are completed in both countries. They are then loaded on to buses  funded not by the governments, but by local philanthropists  and sent home on journeys that can take days.

Fishermen return home empty-handed. Their seized boats, along with all their belongings and catch, remain across the border and are often sold off cheaply in local auctions.

After going through the trauma of prison and uncertainty, the fishermen, under mounting debts, have to take out more loans in order to get back out to sea.

Border-crossing violators are held under the Foreigners Act, and the maximum punishment for such cases is one year, Zahid explains.

However, due to thorny relations and bureaucratic delays, by the time these prisoners have their hearings, they have already spent two to three years in jails.

Playing with lives

The joint committee has forwarded several suggestions to both governments to minimise arrests, including inviting a neutral countrys maritime force to resolve such violations.

If Sri Lankan maritime forces act as referee on sea, and simply put a fine on violators instead of arresting them, countless families would be spared the pain of separation on both sides of the border, Zahid says.

According to the former judge, when relations between India and Pakista were better, Indian judges would visit fishermen held here and their counterparts would go to India on a regular basis.

The last cross-border visits took place three years ago as the governments arent willing to arrange these visits or find a permanent solution, he says.

The prime ministers of both countries must sit together and resolve this issue, Zahid says. Its not just the fishermen they are holding prisoners, they are playing with the lives of hundreds of families.

On our way out of the village, we see a young boy lying in the shade of a straw cover, his elderly grandmother sitting by his side.

Eight-year-old Ejaz had burned his leg in an accident. Lying on a straw mat, he winces in pain, as flies swarm to his burned, rotting skin. He has not moved from this spot or said a word for six days.

His father is in an Indian jail, his mother is admitted at a hospital in Karachi, so I am all that he has, the grandmother says, beating her head with her feeble hands.

Until his mother returns from Karachi after her surgery, or his father comes back from India, all I can do is sit here and pray.
The morning darkness is punctuated by the sound of pots clanking, and a burst of laughter. Members of the 18th Front of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, are cooking breakfast at one of their four Pre-Concentration Zones near Ituango in Antioquia, Colombia.

The 18th Front is considered to be one of the left-wing groups more militarily successful fronts, exerting strategic influence in the northern part of Antioquia, a state that has been heavily affected by the countrys 52-year civil war.

It is a conflict that has involved government forces, drug cartels, right-wing paramilitaries and leftist guerrillas, and which has left hundreds of thousands dead, tens of thousands kidnapped and millions displaced.

Although the initial peace accord between the Colombian government and the FARC was rejected in a plebiscite on October 2, both parties reached a new accord that was ratified by congress on November 30.

As part of the demobilisation, disarmament, and reintegration process outlined in the peace accords, the FARC moved to pre-concentration sites in late 2016, before a move to UN Transitory Zones on January 31, 2017. On that day, 6,300 guerrillas moved to the UN-organised camps.

Now, in the first few months of the peace process, the FARC is in a state of transition.
The world is becoming a playground for the rich, as governments work towards putting a price on citizenship.

Richard Seymour is a London-based writer and editor. He is author of The Twittering Machine (Indigo Press, 2019) and a founding editor of Salvage magazine.

Citizenship is one thing that is never supposed to depend on how much money you have. The sheer luck of birth and blood is supposed to determine what rights and privileges you have, where you can travel. But wherever blood flows, money follows.

In Britain, citizenship can increasingly be bought, or at least priced. This is a matter of government policy. Some of this can be traced back to a promise that David Cameron made back in 2010 to reduce net migration to no more than 100,000 a year. It was an arbitrary, pointless and, more importantly, completely unworkable figure. But the government had to somehow make it happen, despite knowing that it could do nothing about European Union migration.

Ultimately, Camerons inability to deliver a cap on migration from the EU consolidated the right-wing consensus for Brexit. But in the meantime, he was able to crack down on non-EU migration in a number of ways.

Putting a price on love





First, in an effort to curb the movement of poor migrants from outside the European Economic Area, introduced a minimum income threshold for non-European spouses of British citizens of $23,100.

Last week, this law was upheld by the Supreme Court, despite its cruelties and arbitrariness. In addition, as of April 6 last year, non-EU migrants who want to settle permanently in the UK must have an income of at least $43,500.

Contrast the migrants affected by this, with those for whom the government rolls out the red carpet.

In Britains multitiered visa system, there are now many routes to citizenship (PDF). For those prepared to invest $1.24m in companies registered in Britain, there is Tier 1: a fast-tracked visa system and a lubricated route to full citizenship. Once in Britain, they will also have access to non-domicile tax status, meaning that while they live in the UK, for taxation purposes they will be considered to live elsewhere  for example in the Cayman Islands.

OPINION: Why a hard Brexit will cost the UK more than Europe

Increasingly, moreover, this exceptional tax regime for migrant capitalists is one that Britain seems to be prizing as a post-Brexit comparative advantage.

The EU committee investigating the Panama Papers and tax havens has described the UK as being on its way to a prime tax haven. The strategy is to welcome people with money, let them keep as much of it as possible, and wait for them to invest, usually in government bonds.

This is incredibly short-sighted. Keeping out skilled workers isnt good for employers. Yet, that is what the laws have achieved. The Migration Observatory, based at the University of Oxford, found that skilled migration from non-EU countries had plummeted by a third after the changes were implemented.

A global pattern

Attracting more oligarchs and tax evaders to the capital does nothing for the economy in the long run. It leads to little productive investment, nor does it answer any particular shortage. Government bonds are never difficult to sell.

All it does is drive up property prices around London, and contribute to the financial bubble. But the golden rule of modern migration politics is that the super-rich are footloose and fancy-free, while the poor have to be rooted to the spot, no matter how desolate.

Anti-immigrant sentiment has always had a class content. It has been the poor, or those stereotyped for having the supposed attributes of the poor - criminality, vulgarity, disease, lack of cleanliness - who have been targeted. by

This is part of a global pattern, wherein national and racial exclusions are intersecting with class distinctions. While immigration laws penalise the poor, the rich have always found a way round closed borders and quotas.

Now, there is a growing class of economic citizens, comprised rich investors buying passports. A range of tiny states offer citizenship-by-investment so that, for example, a Russian oligarch can have an EU passport from Cyprus for $2.1m. Citizenship is one of the last global frontiers of commodification.

The surprisingly sanguine attitude to this can be contrasted with febrile reporting about Moldovans. The Sun has described residents of Moldova as flooding into the UK.

German and French press are filled with scare stories alleging that Moldovans are illegitimately obtaining Romanian passports in order to become EU citizens.

OPINION: Britain rejecting child refugees is no surprise

The process by which Moldovans acquire a Romanian passport is that they dig up old Soviet-era documents proving that a grandfather or great uncle was Romanian. They then submit to a lengthy and labyrinthine application process and after two years, they might get a passport.

Where it gets interesting, is where principles of bloodlines and money suddenly intersect. Moldovan migrants have been blamed for adulterating the integrity of bloodlines by making spurious claims to Romanian blood, thus undermining the whole EU passport system. But then, they didnt bring investment cash.

For those who can pay to override the bloodline principle, all objections suddenly become irrelevant. Even the idea floated by Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliaments top Brexit negotiator that post-Brexit Britons could buy associate citizenship of the EU was more scoffed at by opponents than it was a source of anger.

Commodification of citizenship

The logic of commodification of citizenship is only in its very early stages, yet already it can override the principle of birthright. Does this tell us something about the shape of 21st-century capitalism? As much as capitalism has internationalised, it has always needed the national state.

But patterns of investment and work in the future will demand more migration. Citizens will become less rooted to the town, county and nation of their birth. Immigrants, far from being an alien minority who can be kept out, are all of us. We are all immigrants in the hereafter.

OPINION: Trump is in the way of Theresa Mays global gamble

Anti-immigrant sentiment has always had a class content. It has been the poor, or those stereotyped for having the supposed attributes of the poor  criminality, vulgarity, disease, lack of cleanliness  who have been targeted. When Nigel Farage attacked the poorer quality of Eastern European migrants, this is what he had in mind.

And since we are the migrants of the future, it should alarm us that the means by which new, more mobile forms of citizenship are being allocated, are markets and prices. Because that means the world is becoming a playground for the rich from which we, the majority, are banned.

Richard Seymour is an author and broadcaster based in London. He has written for The Guardian, the London Review of Books and many other publications.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
UN and Amnesty International demand immediate release of child soldiers in war-torn Yemen.

Yemens Houthi rebels are recruiting fighters as young as 15, including by using religious schools to lure teenagers into their ranks without their parents knowledge, according to a rights group.

Amnesty International described the appalling practices in a report released on Tuesday, citing family members of four boys  aged 15 and 17  who were recruited by the rebels.

It is appalling that Houthi forces are taking children away from their parents and their homes, stripping them of their childhood to put them in the line of fire where they could die, said Samah Hadid, deputy director at Amnesty Internationals Beirut regional office.

This is a shameful and outrageous violation of international law, Hadid said, calling on the rebels to halt such recruitment and release the child soldiers.

OPINION: The rise of the Houthis

One family member whose 16-year-old brother was taken told Amnesty that the young soldiers were just excited to shoot Kalashnikovs and guns and wear military uniforms.

They [the Houthis] have been saying that there are so few fighters [at the front line], they are going around taking one [recruit] from each family, said the anonymous interviewee.

If the son dies at the front line, a monthly salary and a gun are given to the father to keep them quiet.

The report by the UK-based group also said that many families feared reprisals against their children who had been taken by the Houthis, or against other children or family members if they dared speak out about their recruitment.

Many children [are recruited] but people dont dare talk or follow up, said one father, according to the report.

They are afraid of being detained.

1,500 child soldiers

Also on Tuesday, Ravina Shamdasani, a UN spokeswoman, said that about 1,500 boys were verified as child soldiers in Yemen, but the actual number of children who have been drawn into the war was probably far higher.

Shamdasani said at a news conference in the Swiss city of Geneva that most of the boys had been recruited by Houthis over the past three years.

She said the recruiters often entice the young recruits by promising them financial rewards or social status.

Many are then quickly sent to the front lines of the conflict or tasked with manning checkpoints, Shamdasani said.

READ MORE: Economic hardship forces Yemens children to join war

The UN human rights office demanded an immediate release of all child soldiers in the country.

The conflict in Yemen pits the rebels, who control the capital and much of the countrys north, against a Saudi-led coalition fighting to restore the internationally recognised government.

According to UN figures, the nearly two-year conflict has killed at least 10,000 people and wounded 40,000.
US president expected to focus on immigration, economic opportunity and national security as he lays out his vision.

US President Donald Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress for the first time, in a televised speech laying out his agenda for the next year.

Aides said Tuesdays speech, scheduled to begin at 9:10pm EST (02:10 GMT), will focus on immigration, tax reform and national security.

All I can do is speak from the heart and say what I want to do, Trump said during an interview broadcast on Fox & Friends.

WATCH THE SPEECH AND ANALYSIS LIVE ON AL JAZEERA

Since taking office on January 20, Trump has signed at least 23 executive actions and signed five bills into law.

Going forward, he will need support from Congress, dominated by his Republican Party.

Much of his campaign promises revolve around working with Congress, whether it comes to reforming the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, or even tax reform, job creation, infrastructure, Al Jazeeras Kimberly Halkett, reporting from Washington DC, said.

All of that is going to involve the work of Congress. Thats where he has a challenge. There are some already in his own party who are sceptical, Republicans who have cast doubts on his proposed budget cuts, and Democrats are obviously very hostile to what he has put forward so far.

READ MORE: The seven biggest threats to Donald Trumps presidency

Trumps approval rating before the speech stands at 44 percent  a record low for a newly inaugurated president, according to a poll from NBC News and The Wall Street Journal.

In the poll, conducted on February 18-22, 48 percent of Americans said they disapproved of Trumps performance as president and 32 percent said that his first month in office demonstrated that he is not up to the job.

Aaron Kall, a political commentator of the University of Michigan, said Trump still has a very loyal base of support, somewhere between 35 and 40 percent of the country, who think he is doing a great job because he is fulfilling a lot of the campaign promises he was elected on.

He said he was going to bring change, to be an outsider, not a typical politician. But he needs Congressional support and thats a bit tougher, Kall told Al Jazeera.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in the rain outside the White House hours before the speech to denounce his stance on immigration and other issues.

Democrats have invited immigrants and foreigners to attend the address in an effort to put a face on those they say could be hurt by Trumps policies.

Politicians typically get one guest ticket each. Among those invited are an Iraq-born doctor who discovered elevated levels of lead in the blood of many children living in Flint and a Pakistani-born doctor who delivers critical care to patients in Rhode Island.
Far-right presidential candidate is under investigation in France for posting graphic images on Twitter.

European Union politicians have paved the way for French far-right leader Marine Le Pen to lose her parliamentary immunity over the tweeting of pictures of ISIL atrocities, according to officials from the 28-nation bloc.

French prosecutors opened an investigation in December 2015 into the graphic series of tweets by the National Front (FN) leader, which included a photo of the decapitated body of US reporter James Foley.

A European parliament official said on Tuesday that 18 lawmakers from the Legal Affairs Committee voted in favour of removing the French presidential candidates immunity and three voted against.

The EU parliament as a whole must now vote  reportedly on Thursday  on the issue, but committee decisions are generally followed by the assembly.

The lifting of the immunity would permit legal action against Le Pen, who is a member of the European parliament.

The offence being considered is publishing violent images, which under certain circumstances can carry a penalty of three years in prison and a fine of $79,650.

EU officials said that the vote came after a request from the French judiciary.

READ MORE: Le Pen rides Trump, Brexit wave in election campaign

Responding to the vote, Le Pen said: This only shows French citizens what the EU is, what the European parliament is and that its all part of the system that wants to stop the French peoples candidate that I am.

Florian Philippot, a vice president of FN, defended the Eurosceptic candidates Twitter posts.

Showing and naming the horror of Islamism allow us to fight against it, Philippot told the Reuters news agency.

Le Pen has previously refused to attend a French police interview over the investigation, citing her status as an MEP.

But her head of cabinet has been placed under formal investigation for the dissemination of violent images.

READ MORE: Jean-Marie Le Pen fined for inciting hate against Roma

The French leader, locked in an increasingly tight three-way race to succeed Francois Hollande this spring, has already seen her earnings as MEP cut for a different case involving alleged misuse of EU funds.

She has denounced the legal proceedings against her as political interference in the campaign, where she is the leading candidate. She has called for a moratorium on judicial investigations until the election period is over.

Le Pen is expected to win the first of the two election rounds but likely to lose in a runoff, according to polls, which also show that her legal battles seem to have little effect on her supporters.

Le Pens immunity has been lifted before, in 2013. She was prosecuted in 2015 for incitement to discrimination over peoples religious beliefs, for comparing Muslims praying in public to the Nazi occupation of France during World War II.

Prosecutors eventually recommended the charges be dropped.
Greggs has revealed a new strategy for growth that includes opening up to 150 new stores this year, but has ruled out a move into home deliveries.

The food-to-go giant today (28 February) announced a refreshed four-pillar strategy to continue expansion of the business, which saw sales rise 7% to 894.2m Pre-tax profit (including exceptional items) grew by 2.9% to 75.1m.

Greggs bakery staff learned last month that hundreds of jobs were at risk as a result of a major shake-up of its manufacturing and distribution structure, which includes the closure of its Norwich bakery, conversion of its Birmingham bakery into a distribution centre and restructuring its sites in Treforest, Wales, and Cambuslang, near Glasgow.

The activity is the next phase of a 100m investment in Greggs supply chain that included the previously announced closure of bakeries in Twickenham, Edinburgh and Sleaford and the opening of a new distribution centre in Enfield last year.

Announcing the companys preliminary results, for the 52 weeks ended 31 December, Greggs chairman Ian Durant said Greggs had to ensure all aspects of the business support our purpose and strategy.

This has required us to make some difficult decisions, particularly regarding the organisation of our manufacturing and logistics operations, which the board has considered carefully, he added.

We have highlighted the changes necessary to support the ongoing strategic realignment of the business, including the major investment programme under way to grow our supply chain. This will involve some difficult changes for some of our colleagues, but is essential to support the long-term competitiveness of the business.

His words were echoed by chief executive Roger Whiteside, who described the food-to-go market as highly competitive and fast moving, adding the UK consumer outlook was more challenging than in recent years due to industry-wide pressures on commodities and labour costs.

But he added that growing consumer disposable income had supported demand for food-to-go despite uncertainty in the economic outlook.

Whiteside said customer footfall remained challenging in some shopping locations, which supported Greggs strategy of reducing dependence on general shopping activity in favour of alternative locations.

Having transformed from a bakery business to a food-to-go business, it was time to set out a new strategy for the future, added Whiteside.

We have refreshed our plan to reinforce our commitment to putting the customer at the heart of our strategy.

The new strategy comprises four pillars: great-tasting freshly prepared food; best customer experience; competitive supply chain; and first-class support teams. Whitehouse explained how the pillars would drive the business:

Great-tasting freshly prepared food

He said breakfast continued to be the fastest growing part of Greggs trading day. This was driven by customers travelling, and lessened the companys dependence on general shopping footfall. He added that investment in additional coffee machines was speeding up service, and that the company was extending its coffee range.

Demand for healthier choices in food-on-the-go was continuing to grow, with the Greggs Balanced Choice range, offering fewer than 400 calories an item, accounting for more than 10% of total sales.

Hot food was another area of growing demand, and Whiteside said the business was investing in speeding up service and the product range  extended last year to include burritos. Hot soup had been another source of growth, he said.

Greggs has a strong pipeline of new product developments planned for 2017, he added.

Best customer experience

Extended opening hours, particularly early in the morning and on Sundays, were meeting increased demand for food-on-the-go, said Whiteside, while the investment in coffee machines, hot food ovens and new systems were contributing to speed of service.

Data capture from the Greggs Rewards customer loyalty scheme was now at a level that enabled the company to analyse behaviour and develop targeted marketing campaigns.

We have recently appointed our first customer director with experience in digital multi-channel marketing who will lead development of our capabilities in this area, said Whiteside.

Greggs is currently trialling a workplace food delivery service, which it said was a channel with growth potential - but Whiteside ruled out home deliveries.

Whilst we do not see an opportunity in home delivery, we do believe that a smartphone-based order and collect service for customers offers a future opportunity, he said. Building experience with customer delivery will enable us to develop this channel, with the initial aim of converting our existing lunchtime platter business to a digital platform.

Greggs grew its estate to 1,764 shops trading as at 31 December 2016, completing 208 shop refurbishments to have 92% of the shop estate now operating in a food-on-the-go format.

In the year ahead, Greggs plans to refurbish another 200 shops, as well as open between 140 and 150 shops and close 40 to 50 shops.

We will continue to relocate shops to rebalance our estate, increasing our presence in travel, leisure and work-centred catchments, said Whiteside.

Competitive supply chain

In 2016 Greggs opened a new distribution centre in Enfield and closed its Twickenham and Sleaford bakeries. Good progress was being made with the extension of the companys bakery in Glasgow, which would enable Greggs to close its Edinburgh Bakery in the second quarter of 2017.

Alongside this work we have undertaken detailed planning for the subsequent investment phase across our remaining bakery sites, said Whiteside. In January 2017 we communicated our proposals to staff at each of our sites, including the planned impact of consolidating our manufacturing operations. Overall, our expansion plans will create thousands of new roles in retail and distribution operations, but will result in fewer roles in manufacturing. 

Describing this as a complicated investment phase, Whiteside said transforming the use of space and equipment in the bakery network would take two years to implement.

This new supply chain platform will substantially improve product quality, our competitiveness and, alongside system investment, complete our transformation from traditional bakery to food-on-the-go, he added. This is our largest-ever investment in our supply chain.

First-class support teams

Last year, Greggs deployed SAP Finance as its core platform for integrated system development, and piloted central forecasting and replenishment in shops.

Whiteside said central forecasting and replenishment would replace shop-based ordering in 2017 and would be the companys largest-ever new system roll-out.

The next phase of systems development would be centralising logistics and manufacturing to replace Greggs current devolved local bakery operations. The company aims to launch pilots for logistics and manufacturing by this year, with roll-out to other sites in 2018.

Outlook for 2017

Whiteside said 2017 had started in line with expectations, with company-managed shop like-for-like sales up 2% year on year in the eight weeks to 25 February and total sales up 5.8%.

2017 will be another busy year of change as we continue to progress our investment in better systems and the transformation and development of our supply chain, he added. Over the medium term we are confident of making further progress as we implement our plan to grow Greggs as a contemporary food-on-the-go brand.
Hundreds of family and friends join funeral of slain engineer in his hometown amid growing fears of hate crimes in US.

Hundreds of grieving family and friends in southern India have attended the funeral of a 32-year-old man killed in an apparently racially motivated shooting in the United States that shocked the Indian American community.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, an engineer with the US GPS-maker Garmin, died after a navy veteran is suspected of opening fire in a crowded Kansas bar last week. Witnesses said the suspect yelled Get out of my country! before the shooting on Wednesday night.

Kuchibhotlas body was brought home late on Monday night to his hometown of Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana state, and cremated on Tuesday.

READ MORE: Indias American dream

His mother, Parvatha Vardhini, wailed as the flower-laden body was taken in an open carriage from his home to the crematorium in Jubilee Hills area where it was placed on a wooden pyre and lit as part of Hindu last rites.

I had asked him to return to India if he was feeling insecure there. But he used to say he was safe and secure, she said as tears rolled down her face.

Vardhini said she would not allow her younger son, also employed in the US, to return to the country.

My son had gone there in search of a better future. What crime did he commit?

The deceased engineers father, Madhusudhan Rao, was more philosophical. I believe in destiny. Whatever was destined has happened, he said.

Now I want the US government to take care of the security of our Indians who are working there.

Targeting of immigrants

Adam Purinton, a 51-year-old US navy veteran, was arrested in Missouri on murder and attempted murder charges after the shooting at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe.

Another Indian, 32-year-old Alok Madasani, and 24-year-old American national Ian Grillot were wounded in the incident, which is currently investigated by local law enforcement agencies and the FBI.

In a statement on Tuesday, the FBI confirmed for the first time that it is investigating the shooting as a hate crime, basing its probe on the initial investigative activity involving the attack.

At a news conference in Kansas on Friday, Kuchibhotlas widow Sunaina Dumala said she had expressed concerns about the targeting of immigrants in the US before the attack, but her husband told her not to worry.

The couple was planning their first child.

A statement by the Indian foreign ministry on Tuesday said that the US government and senior authorities in Kansas have pro-actively responded to the unfortunate death of Kuchibhotla.

It is important to note that the US authorities are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the US, a matter which continues to receive the governments top priority, the statement said.

US President Donald Trump has faced criticism for not commenting on the shooting incident, but the White House on Tuesday condemned the attack as an apparent act of racially motivated hatred.

It's been 5 days since #SrinivasKuchibotla was hate murdered. No word from @POTUS, while media coverage is subsiding. #HistoryRepeatsItself pic.twitter.com/6WISvac7bS  Kevin Nadal, Ph.D. (@kevinnadal) February 28, 2017

Indias Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, who visited the bereaved family over the weekend, strongly condemned the attack.

Such incidents should not happen in one of the oldest democracies of the world, he said.
Armed group claims attack on checkpoint in Lashkar Gah but official says it could be an insider attack.

Taliban fighters in southern Afghanistan attacked a checkpoint with firearms and hand grenades, killing 11 policemen and confiscating weapons and ammunition.

But a provincial official said Tuesdays attack in Helmand provinces capital Lashkar Gah could be an insider attack as one of the guards was still missing.

An investigation is ongoing to find out if someone from inside has defected to the Taliban and paved the way for this crime, he said.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Al Jazeera the group was responsible for the attack, saying it killed 11 policemen and claimed the area and weapons.

Din Mohammad, a doctor at the Lashkar Gah Hospital, confirmed the death toll.

In a separate incident, another 12 policemen were killed in Marjah district of Helmand after an hour-long gun battle, Mujahid said.

READ MORE: Chaos follows Pakistan-Afghanistan border closure

The attacks underlined the threat facing Afghan security forces in the opium-producing province, where they struggle to match well-equipped Taliban fighters who now control most of Helmand, including areas in Lashkar Gah.

Earlier this month, an Afghan policeman turned his rifle on his colleagues in northern Faryab province, killing eight policemen as they slept in an outpost in the district of Almar. He then collected all their firearms and fled the scene.

British and US forces suffered their heaviest casualties of the war in the province in years of fighting following the removal of the Taliban in 2001.

Afghan security forces now control less than 60 percent of the country, according to US estimates, with the Taliban holding about 10 percent and the remainder contested between various armed groups.
State inquiry says cabinet never discussed possible alternatives to army action, which killed over 2,250 Palestinians.

A two-year inquiry into the 2014 Gaza war by Israels official watchdog has found that the government failed to explore diplomatic solutions to prevent the seven-week conflict.

Released on Tuesday, the report by State Comptroller Joseph Shapira also criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus cabinet for ignoring earlier warnings by Israeli security services that the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza would lead to grave consequences for Israel.

The 200-page report goes on to assert that the security cabinet never discussed possible alternatives to military action, such as taking steps to ease the dire humanitarian crisis in the blockaded Gaza Strip.

The report says the  government was warned for months before the summer of 2014 by the security services of the difficult humanitarian situation in Gaza, Al Jazeeras Bernard Smith, reporting from Gaza, said.

The security services said there would be great consequences for Israel if that humanitarian situation was ignored. But the comptroller said the cabinet never discussed these warnings, he added.

The humanitarian situation the security services warned about in 2014 is just as bad now, if not worse.

More than 2,250 Palestinians, including nearly 1,500 civilians, were killed and a further 11,000 were wounded in the July-August 2014 conflict, according to Palestinian and UN estimates.

At least 18,000 Palestinian homes were completely destroyed, and 73 medical facilities were severely damaged.

Most of the destruction resulted from more than 6,000 Israeli air strikes in less than two months on heavily populated areas.

On the Israeli side, 66 soldiers and six civilians died.

The comptrollers report found numerous flaws in Israels operation, including the failure on the part of Netanyahu as well as his defence and intelligence chiefs to make the security council aware in a timely fashion of the strategic threat of a network of tunnels dug by Hamas from inside the Gaza Strip.

The tunnels were the main target of the 2014 ground invasion, but Israels comptroller pointed to a previous report that said the military had no tactics, nor appropriately trained personnel to deal specifically with the issue.

The suggestion is that the military went in very heavy-handedly to deal with these tunnels at the consequence of thousands of Palestinian homes destroyed, and many of them still today are waiting for their homes to be rebuilt, said Smith.

Gaza is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, and Palestinian civilians get no say in where Hamas fighters decide to operate from, added Smith.

All of this destruction and losses because Israel says there were tunnels, said Gaza resident Jamal al-Helo. Three years after the war were still suffering. Its the civilians that paid the heaviest price from Israels war.

In response to the reports findings, Netanyahu said on Facebook that the tunnel threat was presented in detail to the security cabinet in 13 separate sessions and was discussed in all its severity while examining all of the strategic and operational scenarios.

ICC probe

In Gaza, Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas spokesman, accused Israel of committing war crimes in the fighting.

This government is a government of terrorism using all kinds of killing against Palestinian civilians, he said.

All those who committed crimes against the Palestinian people and against the civilians in the Gaza Strip must be prosecuted at the International Criminal Court.

The ICC has opened a preliminary investigation into Israels actions during the war, but Tuesdays report could help Israel fend off the probe.

Before opening a full-fledged war crimes investigation, one of the ICCs criteria is whether a country is capable of investigating itself and prosecuting its own citizens.
Anti-Defamation League says at least 20 threats were reported across eastern states on Monday.

Jewish community centres and schools in a dozen US states have reported bomb threats, days after hundreds of headstones were knocked over at a Jewish cemetery.

The Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish NGO, said there were at least 20 bomb threats against Jewish community centres and schools on Monday in 12 states across the eastern half of the country.

The group described the latest threats as the fifth wave observed in 2017. For the year, about 90 such threats have been received, including one against the leagues New York headquarters.

No bombs were found after the latest threats.

While this latest round of bomb threats to Jewish community centres and day schools across the country again appears to not be credible, we are nonetheless urging all Jewish institutions to review their procedures, the leagues chief executive Jonathan Greenblatt said.

He described the bomb threats as not the only manifestation of anti-Semitism in recent weeks, after widespread damage to Philadelphias Mount Carmel Cemetery, where at least 75 headstones were toppled at the weekend.

The burial ground has been in use since the mid-1800s by the Pennsylvania citys Jewish community. A week earlier, more than 150 headstones were damaged at a Jewish cemetery in St Louis, Missouri.

READ MORE: Muslims raise $55,000 to fix vandalised Jewish cemetery

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf vowed to protect the Jewish community and find the perpetrators of the cemetery desecration.

Any anti-Semitic act or act of intimidation aimed at Jewish institutions and people in Pennsylvania is truly reprehensible, he said.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said that President Donald Trump was deeply disappointed and concerned by the reported cowardly destruction in Philadelphia.

The president continues to condemn these and any other form of anti-Semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms, Spicer said.
Suspects were directed by N Korean leader and work for Pyongyangs spy agency, South Korean intelligence officials say.

Four suspects in the killing of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un, are North Korean spies, South Koreas intelligence service told members of parliament in Seoul.

Kim Jong-nam died February 13 at Kuala Lumpurs airport in what Malaysian police say was a well-planned hit by a Vietnamese woman and an Indonesian woman who separately wiped a liquid onto Kims face.

South Korean lawmakers cited the National Intelligence Service as telling them in a private briefing on Monday that four of the North Koreans identified as suspects by Malaysian police investigating the death are from the Ministry of State Security, the Norths spy agency.

The NIS was quoted as saying that two other suspects are affiliated with Pyongyangs Foreign Ministry, according to Lee Cheol-woo, one of the politicians who attended the briefing.

READ MORE: Kim Jong-nam attack reveals true nature of North Korea

Another legislator, Kim Byeong-ki cited the NIS as saying Kim Jong-un directed a state-organised terror to kill his brother.

The politicians did not say how the NIS got the information and if it elaborated on what specific roles these North Korean suspects performed.

The NIS has a mixed record on reporting developments in the secretive North. The agency said it cannot confirm its reported assessment on Kim Jong-nams death.

Malaysia has not directly accused North Korea of having masterminded the Kim Jong-nam killing but is pursuing several North Korean suspects, including a diplomat at the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Police last week identified the substance as the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent, and Malaysias health minister said on Sunday the dose was so high it caused very serious paralysis and killed him within 20 minutes.

READ MORE: Meet the Kims  Whos who in North Koreas first family

Malaysian officials have said four North Korean men provided the two women with the VX agent, then fled Malaysia the same day.

It was unclear if those four were the four North Korean spies cited by South Koreas intelligence agency.

North Korea has repeatedly criticised Malaysias investigation and has not acknowledged the victims identity.
Charges for those allegedly involved in failed July military coup range from murder to trying to overthrow government.

The biggest trial of suspects accused of involvement in last years failed military coup attempt in Turkey has opened in a prison outside the capital, Ankara.

About 330 people were put on trial in Sincan district on Tuesday, and if convicted, they could face multiple life sentences over their alleged links to the attempted overthrow of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in July.

More than 240 of those named in the indictment are in custody, according to state-run news agency Anadolu.

The suspects, many of them from the Polatli artillery and missile school command in Ankara, have been charged with murder or attempted murder.

They are also accused of attempting to remove the government and parliament of the Turkish republic or trying to prevent those institutions from conducting their work.

READ MORE: Turkeys failed coup attempt  All you need to know

The case is being heard at Sincan prison where there was heavy security in place, with a water cannon truck on site and a drone flying overhead as families arrived for the hearing.

The court, which has space for 1,558 people, including 720 defendants and 600 lawyers, was packed with security forces surrounding the suspects as they testified.

Be prepared

The first suspect, a military cadet called Abdulkadir Kahraman, told the court that on the night of the coup, troops had been informed by their commander that there had been a terror attack and were given ammunition.

Other suspects gave similar statements, including Arif Ozan Demir who told the court the commander told them there had been an attack and that they should be prepared.

Ankara has blamed the failed coup attempt on Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen  who lives in self-imposed exile in the United States  and his movement.

Turkey has denounced the movement as a terrorist organisation and the suspects on trial at Sincan are also accused of belonging to an armed terror group.

READ MORE: Erdogan assassination plot trial begins in Mugla

The hearing is one of several cases that opened across the country this month, with 47 people going on trial in the western city of Mugla on charges of attempting to assassinate Erdogan.

A state of emergency was declared following the July 15 failed coup attempt, while more than 43,000 people have since been placed in pre-trial detention.

The state of emergency remains in place as the trials get under way in the biggest legal process in the countrys history.
Women accused of smearing VX nerve agent on North Korean leaders half-brother to be officially charged in Malaysia.

The two women accused of killing the half-brother of North Koreas leader with a nerve agent in a Kuala Lumpur airport terminal will be charged with murder, Malaysias attorney general said on Tuesday.

Police allege the women smeared VX nerve agent  a chemical on a UN list of weapons of mass destruction  on Kim Jong-nams face in an assault recorded on airport security cameras on February 13.

Attorney General Mohamed Apandi Ali said Indonesian Siti Aisyah and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong will be charged on Wednesday and face a mandatory death sentence if convicted.

They will be charged in court under Section 302 [murder] of the penal code, Mohamed said.

READ MORE: Kim Jong-nam death  Four N Korean suspects are spies

Indonesias deputy ambassador to Malaysia, Andriano Erwin, said on Saturday that Aisyah said she was paid $90 and repeated her previous claim that she was duped into the plot, thinking she was taking part in a prank. Huong told Vietnamese officials a similar story.

Police have said the women knew what they were doing when they attacked Kim and were instructed to wash their hands afterwards. But regardless of whether they did or not know of the murder plot, both appear to have been viewed as expendable by whoever gave them the VX.

Authorities have not said how the women were able to apply the nerve agent to Kims face and also avoid becoming ill themselves.

Two other suspects have been arrested: a Malaysian who is out on bail and a North Korean who remains in custody.

OPINION: Kim Jong-nam attack reveals true nature of North Korea

Asked if the North Korean would be charged, Apandi said it depends on the outcome of the investigation.





Authorities also are seeking another seven North Korean suspects, four of whom fled the country the day of Kims death and are believed to be back in North Korea.

North Korea sent a high-level delegation to Malaysia to seek the return of the body.

The delegation includes Ri Tong-il, former North Korean deputy ambassador to the United Nations. He told reporters on Tuesday outside the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur that the diplomats were in Malaysia to seek the retrieval of the body and the release of the North Korean arrested in the case.

Ri said the delegation also seeks the development of friendly relationships between North Korea and Malaysia.

Al Jazeeras Florence Looi, reporting from Kuala Lumpur, said the North Koreans were upset that an autopsy was carried out on Kim without their permission. They want the body returned immediately to the embassy, she said.

South Korean politicians said on Monday that the countrys National Intelligence Service told them that four of the North Koreans identified as suspects are from the Ministry of State Security, the Norths spy agency.

Two other suspects are affiliated with Pyongyangs Foreign Ministry, one of the politicians alleged.

Deadly nerve agent

Kims killing took place amid crowds of travellers at Kuala Lumpurs airport and appeared to be a well-planned hit. Malaysian authorities say North Koreans put the deadly nerve agent VX on the hands of Aisyah and Huong, who then placed the toxin on Kims face.

Malaysia has not directly accused North Korea of having masterminded the killing.

North Korea has repeatedly criticised Malaysias investigation and has not acknowledged the victims identity.

Police last week identified the substance as the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent, and Malaysias health minister said on Sunday the dose was so high it caused very serious paralysis and killed him within 20 minutes.
Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, gets buried in the deepest February snowfall on record.

Reykjavik, despite being the capital city of a country called Iceland, is not known for excessive ice, or snow.

Nevertheless, the past weekend saw the deepest  and possibly quickest  fall of snow ever recorded for February.

As yet another winter storm deepened in the North Atlantic Ocean, snow started to fall on Saturday morning. A thaw and rain the previous day had melted most lying snow but within 24 hours, 51cm of new snow was covering everything in sight.

This beats the previous February record of 48cm, set in 1952. It is only 3cm short of the all-time record of 55cm, set in January of 1937. All roads were closed, unsurprisingly, but Sunday is not a working day in Iceland.

Curiously, the changing climate has already moved Iceland into a different climate zone. Climate is typically judged in 30-year periods, a reasonable and standardised procedure, and classified using the Koppen climate classification scheme.

Using figures between 1961 and 1990, Reykjavik was judged to have a Sub-Arctic climate, bordering upon Arctic tundra  there is only one colder classification: eternal winter.

However, in the admittedly shorter period of 2000-2014, Reykjavik now falls firmly into the warmer sub-polar oceanic climate.

With thanks to Gunnar Freyr, whose photos show even more here.
Thousands of refugee children are being abused, exploited and arbitrarily detained in Libya, UNICEF reports.

Refugee children and women are routinely suffering sexual violence, exploitation, abuse and detention along the Central Mediterranean migration route, UNICEF warned in a new report.

In the report, titled A Deadly Journey for Children, which was released on Tuesday, the UN childrens agency said a total of 25,846 children  most of them unaccompanied  crossed from North Africa to Italy using the Mediterranean route in 2016.





For the report, UNICEF researchers interviewed a total of 122 refugees  82 women and 40 children  who tried to complete the perilous journey.

Three-quarters of the refugee children interviewed said they had experienced violence, harassment or aggression at the hands of adults at some point over the course of their journey.

Approximately one-third indicated they had been abused in Libya. A large majority of these children did not answer when asked who had abused them. A few children said they had been abused by people who appeared to be in uniform or associated with military and other armed forces, and several others said that strangers had victimised them.

Also, nearly half of the 122 women and children interviewed reported sexual abuse during migration  often multiple times and in multiple locations.

READ MORE: The cemetery of unknown refugees from the Mediterranean

Women and children were often arrested at the Libyan border where they experienced abuse, extortion and gender-based violence. Sexual violence was widespread and systemic at crossings and checkpoints.

Men were often threatened or killed if they intervened to prevent sexual violence, and women were often expected to provide sexual services or cash in exchange for crossing the Libyan border.

In Captivity

UNICEF also identified an estimated 34 migrant detention centres in Libya during their research.

The Libyan Government Department for Combating Illegal Migration runs 24 detention centres which currently hold between 4,000 and 7,000 detainees. Armed groups also hold migrants in an unknown number of unofficial detention centres.

Children did not receive any preferential treatment and were often placed in cells together with adult detainees, which increased the risk of abuse, according to the UNICEF report. Some observers have also reported abandoned refugee children in detention centres and hospitals.

The Central Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe is among the worlds deadliest and most dangerous migrant routes for children and women, said Afshan Khan, UNICEF Regional Director and Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Response Crises in Europe.

The route is mostly controlled by smugglers, traffickers and other people seeking to prey upon desperate children and women who are simply seeking refuge or a better life. We need safe and legal pathways and safeguards to protect migrating children that keep them safe and keep predators at bay.

Recent data in a survey of women and child refugees in Libya during late 2016 reveal the appalling level of abuse along the migration route.

At the time of the survey, 256,000 migrants were recorded in Libya, including 30,803 women and 23,102 children  a third of whom were unaccompanied. The real figures, however, are believed to be at least three times higher.

Still in the shadows

Most children and women indicated that they had paid smugglers at the beginning of their journey, leaving many in debt under pay as you go arrangements and vulnerable to abuse, abduction and trafficking.

Women and children also reported harsh and overcrowded conditions, including lack of nutritious food and adequate shelter, in Libyan detention centres run by both the government and armed militias.

OPINION: EU should invest in development, not security in Africa

What came out of this report is quite stark and shocking, Sarah Crowe, UNICEF spokesperson for refugee and migrant crisis, told Al Jazeera. Testimonies coming from these children are truly surprising and terrifying.

We have access to some of the detention centres in Libya, but a great majority of migrant children in that country are still in the shadows.

There is a necessity to highlight what is already happening to these children and also point to acceptable solutions, Crowe said.

You cant look at Libya as a solution on its own, she said. Libya, in its current state, can not be the solution to the crisis we are facing. We can not send children back to detention, to this destiny. It is unthinkable.

We need to work on finding a solution to the root causes of the problem and we need to do more to support children at every step of the way.
Abu Sayyaf group decapitated hostage Jurgen Kantner and videotaped the killing after ransom demands went unmet.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte apologised on Tuesday for failing to save an elderly German hostage who was beheaded by the armed Abu Sayyaf group but insisted ransoms should not be paid.

Abu Sayyaf  a kidnap-for-ransom network in the southern Philippines that has declared allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group  killed Jurgen Gustav Kantner, 70, on Sunday after demands for $600,000 were not met.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned the killing as an abominable act.

Addressing the German government and Kantners family, Duterte said he was very sorry about his death, adding the military had stepped up an offensive against Abu Sayyaf in an effort to save him.

READ MORE: Abu Sayyaf video shows beheading of German hostage

We really tried our best. We have been there. The military operation has been going on for some time already, but we have failed. That has to be admitted, Duterte told reporters.





But its a matter of policy that we do not surrender to the demands of paying ransom. It will just increase the numbers, he said, referring to the size of the group. If you give in and pay, there will be more victims and no end in sight.

Abu Sayyaf has been kidnapping foreigners and locals for decades and holding them for ransom on its remote island strongholds in the southern Philippines.

Kantners vessel, the Rockall, was found drifting last November off the southern Philippines with the body of his female companion, Sabine Merz, who had been shot.

Military officials on Tuesday said they were still searching for his body and vowed to relentlessly pursue the assailants and rescue more than 20 other hostages.

READ MORE: Inside Abu Sayyaf  Blood, drugs and conspiracies

Abu Sayyaf has earned many millions of dollars in ransom payments and rarely releases a hostage unless money is paid. Relatives and employers of hostages typically pay, rather than governments.

Two Canadian men were beheaded by the group last year and a Norwegian man was released.

Duterte also repeated his request for China to help patrol regional waters to stop more kidnappings, saying Beijing had not given him a response.

Duterte specified he would like China to patrol the Malacca Strait, one of the worlds busiest shipping lanes between the Malaysian peninsula and Indonesias Sumatra island.

Abu Sayyaf emerged in the early 1990s as an offshoot of a separatist rebellion by minority Moro Muslims in the predominantly Roman Catholic nations south.
craigslist: thailand jobs, apartments, for sale, services, community, and events

craigslist provides local classifieds and forums for jobs, housing, for sale, services, local community, and events
Moscow and Beijing prevent UNSC from imposing sanctions on Syrian government for alleged use of chemical weapons.

Russia and China have vetoed a UN Security Council resolution backed by Western powers that would have imposed sanctions on Syria over the alleged use of chemical weapons by the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Drafted by Britain, France and the United States, the measure on Tuesday won nine votes in favour, while three countries  China, Russia and Bolivia  opposed it.

Kazakhstan, Ethiopia and Egypt abstained.





It was Russias seven veto in five years to save its Syrian ally. China, also one of the five veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council, has joined Russia in vetoing six resolutions on Syria.

The resolution would have put 11 Syrians, mainly military commanders, and 10 entities linked to chemical attacks in 2014 and 2015 on a UN sanctions blacklist.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had warned that imposing sanctions on Syria during the ongoing Geneva conference was completely inappropriate and would undermine the effort to end Syrias nearly six-year war.

Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov echoed Putins view that imposing sanctions would have undermined peace talks and described the draft resolution as a provocation by the Western troika.

Sad day

The proposal marked the first major Security Council action by the new US administration under President Donald Trump, which is seeking warmer ties with Russia.

This resolution is very appropriate, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley told the Council after the measure was defeated in the vote.

It is a sad day on the Security Council when members start making excuses for other member states killing their own people.

The world is definitely a more dangerous place, she said, criticising the vetoes as abominable and indefensible choices.

OPINION: Syrias continuing chemical fallout

Commenting on Haleys choice of words, Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeeras senior political analyst, pointed out that one could not differentiate between the US ambassador under ex-President Barack Obama and the current US envoy to the UN under the Trump administration.

In Washington, they dont know whats their policy in the Middle East, he said, adding that the US strategy in the region was not articulated.

At the end of the day, everyone is reflecting their own core geopolitical calculus.

For his part, Safronkov described the statements made against Moscow in the Security Council as outrageous.

Todays clash or confrontation is not a result of our negative vote. It is a result of the fact that you decided on provocation while you knew well ahead of time our position, said Safronkov.

The proposed resolution followed a UN-led investigation which concluded in October that the Syrian air force had dropped chlorine barrel bombs from helicopters on three opposition-held villages in 2014 and 2015.

The joint panel of the United Nations and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) also found that Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fighters used mustard gas in an attack in 2015.

Russia and China also blocked in 2014 a request for the International Criminal Court to open up investigations of war crimes committed during the war in Syria.

The Syrian government has repeatedly denied using chemical weapons in the war that has killed nearly 400,000 people and displaced almost half the countrys population since 2011.
A growing number of school districts are refusing to cooperate with immigration officials.

As the Trump administration lays out its plans to crack down on undocumented immigrants, a growing number of school districts are declaring themselves sanctuaries and refusing to cooperate with immigration officials.

In Connecticut, Syracuse, New York and Chicago, principals have been told to make Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents wait outside unless they have a criminal warrant.

Al Jazeeras John Hendren reports from the school district of Elizabeth, in New Jersey, where some parents are worried about sending their children to school after recent raids on immigrants.
More than 6.2 million people in need of urgent humanitarian aid, including nearly three million who are going hungry.

Somalias new leader has declared a national disaster for a prolonged drought that has forced about half of the countrys population to seek urgent food assistance and sparked fears of a potential famine.

The announcement on Tuesday by President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohameds office came a day after the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that Somalia was at risk of its third famine in 25 years  the last one in 2011 killed some 260,000 people.

The president has appealed to the international community to urgently respond to the calamity in order to help families and individuals to recover from the effects of the drought disaster to avoid humanitarian tragedy, read a statement from the presidency.

EXPLAINER: What is a famine?

According to WHO, more than 6.2 million people  half of Somalias population  needed urgent humanitarian aid, including almost three million who are going hungry.

The agency said more than 363,000 acutely malnourished children and 70,000 severely malnourished children needed urgent, life-saving support.

Somalia is one of three countries, along with Yemen and Nigeria, on the verge of famine, which has already been declared in South Sudan.

Last week, the UN said more than 20 million people face starvation in the four countries, adding it needed $4.4bn by the end of next month to prevent a catastrophe of hunger and famine.

Aid agencies are concerned that the drought is exacerbating the countrys on-going humanitarian crisis, while there are reports that the ongoing conflict with the al-Shabab armed group is further blocking access to food.

IN PICTURES: Drought in Somalia  Time is running out

Al Jazeeras Fahmida Miller, reporting from Dolow in southern Somalia, said she spoke to a number of refugees and internally displaced people.

One woman we spoke to said it took her 11 days to find food and water. She said trying to get the assistance was near impossible because of threats from al-Shabab, she said.

People here are losing livestock; rivers and water points have dried up and there is a huge issue around internally displaced people and refugees moving through Somalia looking for food and water, Miller added.

As the rainfall is expected to stay low, there have already been a number of failed crop seasons and people cant grow their own food and have to move through the country looking for assistance.
Thailands prisons fail to meet international standards with inmates routinely shackled, beaten, and stuffed into overcrowded cells, an international human rights group said.

Thailand also has the highest incarceration rate in Southeast Asia, jailing 425 out of every 100,000 people, according to the report by the International Federation for Human Rights, which was released on Tuesday.

More than 260,000 inmates are incarcerated in 148 prisons with an originally estimated capacity of less than 120,000, the report said, with the massive overcrowding forcing inmates to live in harsh conditions.

Most prisoners were convicted on drug-related charges, the legacy of a war on drugs launched by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2003. Under Thai law, possession of heroin or methamphetamine is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.





The overcrowded conditions are made worse by high turnover among guards, forcing prisons to rely on skeleton staffs, said the Paris-based human rights group.

Prisoners told interviewers from the rights group that overworked guards would beat them with clubs, throw them in solitary confinement, or keep them chained and shackled for weeks, despite government initiatives in 2013 to end the practice.

With too many prisoners, inmates can find themselves stuffed into packed cells with no beds and squat toilets with no enclosures for privacy. At night, they lie pressed against each other on mats on bare linoleum floors.

The prisons have medical clinics, but at one Bangkok prison inmates say they are treated by two-minute doctors because they rush through the medical checks.

Inmates work seven days a week, sewing, folding paper, and fixing shoes, earning as little as 23 US cents a day, according to the report.

The claim made by the Thai government that the countrys prison conditions conform with international standards is ludicrous, said Dimitris Christopoulos, president of the International Federation for Human Rights.

Prison conditions violate various UN treaties barring torture and stipulating minimum prisoner rights that Thailand ratified decades ago, the group said.

Government agencies involved in justice and narcotics issues say they are working to ease the problems.

Were trying to fix it, said Kobkiat Kasiwiwat, director of the Corrections Department. Theyre in the process of fixing drug laws to have milder punishments and push people towards rehab more, instead of throwing them in prison.

Thailand amended its regulations on prisons this month, but the laws still allow shackling, solitary confinement for more than 15 days, and liability exemptions for prison officials in certain situations  all breaches of international standards, the report said.
SpaceX has announced it plans to launch two paying passengers on a tourist trip around the moon next year.

Two private citizens have paid money to be sent around the moon next year in what would mark the furthest humans have ever travelled to deep space, according to US tech company SpaceX.

Who is Elon Musk? Born in South Africa in 1971, Elon Musk became a multimillionaire in his late 20s when he sold his start-up company, Zip2, to a division of Compaq. He achieved more success by founding X.com in 1999, SpaceX in 2002 and Tesla Motors in 2003. In 2006, he helped his cousins Peter and Lyndon Rive to establish SolarCity, a company that specialises in solar energy services. Musk serves as the chairman of the company. Musk made headlines in May 2012 when SpaceX launched a rocket that would send the first commercial vehicle to the International Space Station. As of February 2017, Musk has an estimated net worth of $13.9bn, making him the 94th wealthiest person in the world. Musk has stated the goals of SolarCity, Tesla, and SpaceX revolve around his vision to change the world and humanity. These include reducing climate change through sustainable energy production and consumption, and reducing the risk of human extinction by making life multiplanetary by setting up a human colony on Mars.

The United States has not sent astronauts to the moon since NASAs Apollo missions of the 1960s and 70s.

We are excited to announce that SpaceX has been approached to fly two private citizens on a trip around the moon late next year, said a statement by the founder and chief executive of the company, Elon Musk, on Monday.

This presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep space for the first time in 45 years, and they will travel faster and further into the solar system than any before them.

The tourists, who were not named, have already paid a significant deposit, Musks statement added without specifying the amount.

Health tests and training are going to begin later this year, he said.

Other flight teams have also expressed strong interest and we expect more to follow. Additional information will be released about the flight teams, contingent upon their approval and confirmation of the health and fitness test results, Musk said.

Its nobody from Hollywood, he added.

The space tourists will ride aboard the California-based companys Crew Dragon capsule, which is scheduled for its first unmanned test flight later this year.

It is based on the design currently used to send cargo to the International Space Station, with upgrades to allow for human transport.

The capsule will launch atop SpaceXs Falcon Heavy rocket, which is scheduled for its first test flight this summer.

The rocket will be the most powerful vehicle to reach orbit after the Saturn V moon rocket, Musk said.

Fly me to the moon  Okhttps://t.co/6QT8m5SHwn  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 27, 2017

At five million pounds of liftoff thrust, Falcon Heavy is two-thirds the thrust of Saturn V and more than double the thrust of the next largest launch vehicle currently flying.

The SpaceX moon journey is designed to be autonomous  unless something goes wrong, Musk told reporters in the telephone conference on Monday.

READ MORE: In historic first, SpaceX lands first reusable rocket

I think they [the tourists] are entering this with their eyes open, knowing that there is some risk here. Theyre certainly not naive, and well do everything we can to minimise that risk, but its not zero, said Musk.

In a statement, NASA commended SpaceX for reaching higher. In all, 24 astronauts have flown to the moon and 12 walked its surface from 1969 to 1972.
The past two months have exhausted Ana Guevara.

The UF information systems senior said shes worried that some of her undocumented family members who emigrated from Nicaragua more than 10 years ago might be deported.

Its been emotionally, physically and psychologically draining, said Guevara, the vice president of external affairs of Chispas UF, a student organization focused on helping immigrants.

Because of people like Gue- vara, about 40 students gathered on Turlington Plaza on Monday as part of the Day of Action protest to rally against recent events that occurred on campus, which students said were hateful, as well as President Donald Trumps hardline stance on immigration.

Following the Turlington demonstration, about 20 students gathered in Matherly Hall to sign protest letters to send to state officials and a petition to make UF a sanctuary campus.

Guevara, 22, said students were protesting acts on campus, including the noose left in a Weimer Hall classroom, the man who visited campus wearing a swastika armband, the uprooting of the sign outside Walker Hall marking the African American Studies department and the Center for Jewish Studies and racist epithets found on a whiteboard in Anderson Hall.

The protest aimed to unite minority students, Guevara said.

The protesters also wrote on two whiteboards about how UF administration should react to these kinds of events. Some said they wanted UF President Kent Fuchs to use social media to condemn hate acts, while others said they want safe spaces on campus for underrepresented students to meet.

Sergio Brenes, a UF history and Spanish senior, said he wants to see more white students protesting on campus.

Its not affecting them directly, so theyre not helping, the 22-year-old said.

Brenes said the Counseling & Wellness Center, Pride Student Union and LGBTQ Affairs helped him feel at home at UF when he first enrolled.

I came in as a closeted gay student whos Latino, Brenes said. It was all about finding the adequate resources to accept myself and get a sense of community.

Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now

But now, Brenes said hes afraid other students dont have the resources he did because the center needs funding, and three directors within Multicultural and Diversity Affairs have recently left.

I need a staffer whos not going to leave when stuff gets hard, because I have to stay here when its hard, Brenes said.

Rana Al-Nahhas, the president of Students Organize for Syria, said she attended the rally to stand in solidarity with other minority students feeling threatened in the current political climate.

Nobody should ever be denied access to the American dream be- cause of the color of their skin, the god they worship or the language they speak, the 21-year-old UF psychology junior said.

Contact Jimena Tavel at jtavel@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @taveljimena

More than 30 people attended Chispas Day of Action, where students from different communities spoke about their experiences as a result of President Donald Trump's executive order and hate speech on campus. The group called for UF to do more to make all people feel welcome.

Ana Guevara, a 22-year-old UF informations systems senior and vice president of external affairs for Chispas UF, calls for UF President Kent Fuchs to publicly denounce acts of hate speech. She said emails are not enough at the Day of Action event on Turlington Plaza on Monday afternoon.
Grace Shan wrote loved in green ink on a paper outline of a persons body.

The 19-year-old was one of more than 300 students who participated in GatorWells first day of the fourth-annual Celebrate EveryBODY events Monday. Natalie Rella, the event organizer, said the activities were inspired by the National Eating Disorders Associations awareness week to celebrate body positivity.

We take the angle of changing the culture of body acceptance, Rella said.

For part of the day, the organization hosted a health and wellness fair on UFs North Lawn, where students wrote positive messages within an outline of persons body on a paper canvas.

Shans message was joined by dozens more, some of which read, Smile as bright as you can, Learn to laugh at your- self and Unique & proud.

These messages reassured students that they are appreciated.

Everyone is loved whether they know it or not, the UF statistics sophomore said.

In other areas of campus, such as the Counseling & Wellness Center and Reitz Union,

students encountered mirrors covered in paper, Rella said.

In a Reitzs womens bathroom, the mirror displayed phrases like, You are enough and My body is a temple.

Rella said as more students learn to embrace their self-images, others will follow.

Embrace the genes you were born in, Rella said. We are so much more than what we look like.

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Event today: EveryBODY can exercise, yoga event on the North Lawn from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a limited number of free yoga mats.

Where to find help for eating disorders:

UF Health Shands Psychiatric Hospital: 352-265-5481

National Eating Disorders Association hotline: 1-800-931-2237

Counseling & Wellness Center: 352-392-1575

UF Health Florida Recovery Center: 855-265-4372

UF Nutrition Services: 352-392-1161

Contact Paige Fry at pfry@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @paigexfry
Anushka Gupta can still hear Karan Khullars voice in her head.

Repeatedly, she hears Khullar tell her, Im hungry, and, Im sleepy in Hindi.

On Monday, she stood with about 100 others on Turlington Plaza to mourn the death of Khullar, a 22-year-old foreign exchange student who died on Feb. 11 after police said he was hit at a bus stop by a drunken driver.

Khullar moved to Gainesville from India in January. At the time of his death, he had been living in the city for just two months.

The vigil was put on by the Asian American Student Union, Indian Student Graduate Association, Indian Student Association and Sikh Student Association. The Dean of Students Office and the International Center helped organize the service and passed out white candlesticks, which were lit in a circle.

I cannot believe hes not here with us, Gupta, a 22-year-old UF computer engineering senior said. This is not possible.

Gupta and Khullar went to the same college in India and came to UF together in December as exchange students. Khullar booked their flight. The small group that came from their college celebrated New Years Eve together in Tampa, happy to finally be in America, Gupta said. She said she was moved to see the amount of people who came for Khullar, even if they didnt know him.

Gupta took photos of the crowd to send to Khullars brother back in India.

I see so many people connected, Gupta said. It just makes me so happy to see that theyre here for us.

To keep others from experiencing the same loss, those gathered signed their names in Sharpie onto a pledge beside a photo of Khullar smiling, vowing not to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Ronit Dastidar, the external vice president of AASU, said he hopes to hang the banner of signatures in the Student Activities and Involvement suite.

Dastidar, a 20-year-old UF microbiology and cell science junior, said the groups began planning the vigil about a week and a half ago. Although not everyone knew Khullar, what happened to him could have happened to anyone, Dastidar said.

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Its not an isolated incident, Dastidar said. Drunk driving can take anyone at any time.

Lakshay Arora, a 23-year-old UF computer science graduate student, knew Khullar in India, and the two were roommates in Gainesville. Arora came to UF a year before Khullar. He said the two used to talk about when they would be reunited again in America.

Though they fought often, Arora said he misses Khullar.

Hes like a brother to me. Wherever he is, I hope hes hap- py, he said.

Contact Romy Ellenbogen at rellenbogen@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @romyellenbogen
The Citrus County Sheriffs Office on Monday identified the man who was shot and killed by deputies after allegedly firing a rifle at the Sabal Trail Transmission pipeline and leading a car chase.

The man, 66-year-old James Leroy Marker, was also identified as an anti-pipeline protester by a resistance organizer.

On Sunday, Marker, of Chokoloskee, Florida, damaged part of the controversial natural-gas pipe- line and construction equipment in Dunellon, Florida before fleeing the scene, according to a CCSO news release.

As he drove along U.S. Highway 41, Marker was followed by members of the Citrus and Marion County sheriffs offices and Florida Highway Patrol, according to Alligator archives.

The chase ended when an FHP trooper rammed into Markers vehicle and stopped it, according to the release. Upon being stopped, Marker brandished his weapon and engaged with law enforcement officers, who then fatally shot him.

He was pronounced dead on the scene. Three CCSO deputies and one FHP trooper were involved in the shooting, according to the release. The deputies involved have been placed on paid administrative leave.

On Monday, about 15 anti-pipeline protesters gathered at 7 a.m. to hold a vigil for Marker.

Panagioti Tsolkas, an organizer for Sabal Trail Resistance who attended the vigil, said Marker was a passionate and dedicated protester, and his death was not excusable.

Nothing theyve shown yet comes anywhere close to justifying it, he said. He didnt act recklessly. He didnt injure anyone.

No construction workers were present when Marker shot at the site, and no one was hurt, said Andrea Grover, a Sabal Trail Transmission spokesperson.

The construction remains on track to be completed by the end of June 2017, Grover said.

Contact Molly Vossler at mvossler@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @molly_vossler

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One in five people will experience mental illness while in middle or high school.

Thats what mental health advocate Terrie Mullin told a group of six students Monday during an event hosted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Alachua County Sheriffs Office.

The event, called Ending The Silence, took place at the sheriffs office, located at 2621 SE Hawthorne Road, and aimed to teach students that mental illnesses dont devalue the people who have them, Mullin said.

The most important thing is that you talk to someone, she said. Its not a sign of weakness to ask for help.

Following the deaths of students from Gainesville high schools in the past year, students learned about symptoms and suicide prevention at ACSO on Monday night, she said.

Robert Dentmond, a 16-year- old Gainesville High School sophomore, was killed by police March 20 after calling 911 to say he was planning to kill himself and had a gun, according to Alligator archives.

Diamond Ward, a 16-year-old Buchholz High School student, took her own life in January. Her friends said they thought bullying may have led to her suicide, according to archives.

Students were encouraged to be attentive and report any suicide warning signs from classmates to prevent further tragedy from striking Alachua County Public Schools.

Sheriff Sadie Darnell talked about her experience with mental illness, both personally and professionally. Her mother attempted suicide three times, and after seeking help, lived to be 92 years old, she said.

Its important to reach out, she said. We care about you, and we want you to be able to live as old as my mom.

Contact Molly Vossler at mvossler@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @molly_vossler

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When A. Quinn Jones Sr. moved into his Gainesville home in 1925, the U.S. was still 29 years away from the birth of the civil rights movement.

But on Sunday, about 200 people of all races gathered in front of the late African-American educators residence to celebrate its transition into a museum.

The A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center, located at 1013 NW Seventh Ave., honors the former principal of the then-segregated Abraham Lincoln High School, who developed it into the second fully accredited all-black high school in Florida, according to the museums website.

The crowd on Sunday celebrated a ribbon-cutting for the new museum, which will open in April and give visitors a glimpse into Jones life.

Jones family deeded the home to the city in 2005, said Stephanie Seawright, Gainesvilles Community Redevelopment Agency project manager. The 12-year project, funded by Gainesvilles CRA, cost about $400,000.

The house tells his story, she said. It represents a man who was larger than life.

All six city commissioners and Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe attended the ribbon-cutting and applauded Jones 96-year-old son Oliver Jones as he received a key to the new museum. He said although his father wasnt able to complete his doctorate program, Jones motivated his two sons to complete graduate school.

(My father) was always interested in education, and he encouraged us, Oliver Jones said.

Although the museum will not open until April, the public can request a tour of the museum before then, said Steve Phillips, the director of the Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department.

The museum is a phenomenal opportunity to know so much more about this man, which would have been lost otherwise, Phillips said. This site is unique in the sense of the history here.

Contact Meryl Kornfield at mkornfield@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @MerylKornfield

City employees cut the ribbon in front of the new A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center. The museum, which was A. Quinn Jones former home, is set to open in April.

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Applications for the 7th edition of the Orange ([www.Orange.com](http://www.orange.com/)) Social Venture Prize in Africa and the Middle East (OSVPAM) are being accepted until 6 June 2017 21:00 GMT in the Orange Social Venture Prize pages of the website [www.EntrepreneurClub.orange.com](http://www.entrepreneurclub.orange.com/). As in previous years, the OSVPAM will be awarded to innovative projects Read more on http://orange.africa-newsroom.com/press/call-for-candidates-for-the-7th-orange-soci...Source : http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Appa-sourceTheAfric...










English News Chinas trans-regional integration plan offers possible solution for big city malaise

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 28 Fevrier 2017



After a plan on regional railway network connecting Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei was approved, it is estimated that by 2030, a 3,400-km intercity railway network will be built and the one-hour traffic circle and the 30-minute commuting circle among the three regions will also take initial shape. By then, working in one city while living in another will no longer be a dream.

By Zhang Mengxu from Peoples Daily China has made accomplishments from its national strategy for Jing-Jin-Ji, a coordinated development plan for Beijing, Tianjin municipality and the neighboring Hebei province. Involving over 100 million population and 1/10 of Chinas GDP aggravate, the integration plan is proved to be an effective prescription for the big city disease.



The successful attempt can work as possible solution for the world who is now confronted with overpopulation, traffic congestion, pollution, ecological deterioration and other symptoms of the big city disease.



As for China, both the capital city Beijing and Tianjin municipality show a severe case of the disease whereas medium and small-sized cities in the neighboring Hebei province are underdeveloped. The per capita GDP of Hebei province is only 40 percent of that of Beijing and Tianjin.



To address the challenge, the Chinese government, in Feb. 2014, proposed the major national strategy of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development.

By removing Beijings non-capital functions, adjusting the economic structure and rationalizing space utilization, China has explored a new path for intensive development and a mode for optimal development of areas with dense population.

Beijing Zoo Wholesale Market was once the largest clothing wholesale market in Asia. Located in central Beijing, the market had 13,000 stands, over 30,000 employees and a 100,000-daily-customer-flow, making the area one of the most heavily congested part in Beijing.

Now, thanks to the integration plan, many proprietors started to relocate their business in a new market in Hebei.

The new market waived our rent for the first two years and property management fees for the first year. Along with other favorable arrangements, we can roughly save 400,000 yuan ($58,210.6) in two years, which gives us enough time and capital to build our clientele, said Li Guoyong, one of the traders who moved their shops out of Beijing.

Over the past three years, the strategy has achieved significant results. The three regions not only implemented Chinas first trans-regional five-year plan and drafted the plan for Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei space utilization, but also released 12 specific plans on transportation, ecology, industry and other areas as well as a series of policies, which will further advance their integrated and coordinated development.

According to the national plan, industrial integration is a key support for orderly phasing out Beijings non-essential functions and boosting the coordinated development.



In the last three years, the three local governments have carried out a batch of major industrial programs. As the result, in 2016, Beijings economic growth rate reached 6.7 percent and the service industry contributed to 80.3 percent of the regions total output value.



In the same period, Tianjin witnessed a 9 percent economic growth, continuing the leading momentum across the country and the economic growth rate of Hebei province arrived at 6.8 percent. The quality of the industries has trumped quantity.



After a plan on regional railway network connecting Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei was approved, it is estimated that by 2030, a 3,400-km intercity railway network will be built and the one-hour traffic circle and the 30-minute commuting circle among the three regions will also take initial shape. By then, working in one city while living in another will no longer be a dream.



Pic:

Construction of urban sub-centers is an important project for the coordinated development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei. Pictured is the scheme for the urban sub-center in Tongzhou District, Beijing.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Irrigation project in Jiangsu gets world heritage designation World's largest stand-alone duty-free shopping complex opens in China Chongqing drives high-quality development with high-level opening up Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)










English News China Will Take Necessary Actions to Safeguard Its Own Security Interests

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 28 Fevrier 2017



The THAAD deployment in the ROK by the US and the ROK will severely disrupt regional strategic balance, gravely jeopardize the strategic security interests of relevant countries in this region including China, and is not conducive to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The Chinese side has stressed repeatedly that we understand the legitimate concerns of relevant parties in safeguarding their security, however, one country's security cannot be pursued at the expense of other country's security.

Source: People's Daily China will take necessary actions to safeguard its own security interests. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said on Regular Press Conference on February 27 when asked by journalist.

It is reported that the Lotte Group will hold a board of directors meeting on 27th of Feb 2017 to decide on a land swap agreement with the ROK military for the deployment of THAAD. After that the ROK military will speed up the pace to complete the deployment in three to four months. What is China's comment on this?



Geng Shuang said the THAAD deployment in the ROK by the US and the ROK will severely disrupt regional strategic balance, gravely jeopardize the strategic security interests of relevant countries in this region including China, and is not conducive to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The Chinese side has stressed repeatedly that we understand the legitimate concerns of relevant parties in safeguarding their security, however, one country's security cannot be pursued at the expense of other country's security.

Regrettably, ignoring China's interests and concerns, the ROK insisted on working with the US to accelerate the deployment process. China is firmly opposed to and strongly dissatisfied with that. Geng Shuang emphasized again that China is firm in its resolve to oppose the deployment of THAAD in the ROK and will resolutely take necessary actions to safeguard its own security interests. Any consequences entailed from that will be borne by the US and the ROK. China strongly urges relevant parties to stop the deployment process and not to go further down that wrong path.



By Peoples Daily



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Irrigation project in Jiangsu gets world heritage designation World's largest stand-alone duty-free shopping complex opens in China Chongqing drives high-quality development with high-level opening up Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
The U.S. Justice Department said Friday that 11 individuals and one foreign company have been charged by the Treasury Department for their role in illegally exporting goods to Syrian Arab Airlines.



The U.S. Justice Department said Friday that 11 individuals and one foreign company have been charged by the Treasury Department for their role in illegally exporting goods to Syrian Arab Airlines.

The Syrian government-owned airline is an entity designated and blocked by the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control for transporting weapons and ammunition to Syria in conjunction with Hizballah, a terrorist organization, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Specifically, the defendants were charged for conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations by exporting dual-use goods, or items with both civilian and military application.

U.S. agents arrested Ali Alex Caby, a U.S. permanent resident currently residing in Bulgaria, and Arash Axel Caby and Marjan Caby, both of Miami, in the case. Also charged in the indictment were Adib Zeno, Rizk Ali, Ammar Al Mounajed, Zhelyaz Andreev, Mihaela Nenova, Lyubka Hristova, Iskren Georgiev, Ivan Sergiev, and Syrian Arab Airlines (Syrian Air).

The court documents noted that Ali Caby operated the Bulgaria office of AW-Tronics, a Miami-based export company, which was managed by Arash Caby, and exported various aircraft parts and equipment to Syrian Arab Airlines. Marjan Caby, AW-Tronics export compliance officer and auditor, facilitated the exports by submitting false and misleading electronic export information to federal agencies.

All three defendants closely supervised and encouraged subordinate employees of AW-Tronics in the willful exportation of the parts and equipment to Syrian Arab Airlines, whose activities have assisted the Syrian governments violent crackdown on its people, the Justice Department said.
Those of us who believe there is no asterisk following the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution were heartened when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a pair of court decisions that the right to bear arms was not only an individual right but applied to the entirety of the United States, As Investors Business Daily editorialized in 2014 after a U.S. District Court overthrew Chicagos ban on gun shops within city limits:

In a 5-4 decision in 2008, Heller v. District of Columbia, written by Justice Antonin Scalia, the Supreme Court overturned D.C.'s draconian gun law. Similar to Chicago's law, D.C.'s law barred private ownership of handguns, but the Supreme Court reaffirmed that the right to bear arms was indeed an individual constitutional right. On the heels of Heller, however, a three-judge panel of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, led by Judge Frank Easterbrook, rejected subsequent suits brought by the National Rifle Association against the city of Chicago and its suburb of Oak Park, Ill., on the grounds that Heller applied only to the District of Columbia and not to the states and their municipalities. That nonsense was straightened out when Otis McDonald, a 76-year-old Army veteran who lived in a high-crime area of Chicago, asserted that the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution he fought to protect gives him the right to bear arms to protect himself and his wife, just as he once protected his country. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed with him, saying the right to keep and bear arms was not only an individual right, but also a national one.

That settled that, or so we thought. Now along comes the Fourth Circuit, asterisk in hand, to define what the Founding Fathers did not, namely exactly what kind of arms we are entitled to bear, as well as what kind and how much ammunition we are allowed by the robed gods to lock and load. As Charles C. W. Cooke notes in National Review, the Fourth Circuit ruling guts Heller ad imposes a nonsensical restriction on the right to bear arms the Framers did not intend::

In a 104 decision, issued yesterday afternoon, the court upheld Marylands ban on both assault weapons and high capacity magazines. By s o doing, it deprived the people of Maryland, the Carolinas, and the Virginias of the core protections to which the Constitution entitles them. As Judge Traxlers dissent pointedly establishes, the majority achieved this transformation by contriving a heretofore unknown test, which is whether the firearm in question is most useful in military service. In effect, this test is designed to permit judges to determine that any weapon they might dislike is unprotected by the Second Amendment and can therefore be prohibited with impunity. Forget that Heller contains its own explicit tests. Forget the common use standard. Forget dangerous and unusual. Theres a new kid in town, and hes coming for your rifles.

Forget as well the Second Amendment was written in a time of war when muskets were the assault weapons of the day. Under the Militia Act of 1792, every able-bodied male was required to own a musket:

Like most post-war periods, the years following the end of the American Revolution saw our small standing army reduced to a skeleton force. With the British still in control of Canada, the French in control of the area that someday would be defined as the Louisiana Purchase and Europe in constant turmoil, the Congress passed the 1792 Militia Act -- an Act more effectively to provide for the National Defense, by establishing a Uniform Militia through the United States. The Act required white male citizens between the ages of 18-45 become members of their state militias and that every militiaman was to provide himself with a good musket or firelock within 6 months after passage.

Before gun control zealots shout aha! remember that Heller established that the right to bear arms was an individual right, not a privilege granted by the state. Our Founding Fathers made clear what they considered a militia to consist of and what the purpose for bearing arms was self-defense against thugs and tyrants, not to hunt deer: The famous ride by Paul Revere was not to alert hunters that deer season was now open, it was to notify free men that it was time for gun owners to grab their muskets and finally free themselves to fight tyranny. As Investors Business Daily has noted:

Which brings us to why we have a Second Amendment. No, it is not to protect the right of states to have their own militias. George Mason, called the father of the Bill of Rights, said, "What is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them." James Madison, called the father of the Constitution, said of tyrants, "(They were) afraid to trust the people with arms," and lauded "the advantage of being armed, which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation." The "historical reality of the Second Amendment's protection of the right to keep and bear arms is not that it protects the right to shoot deer," observes Judge Andrew Napolitano, a constitutional scholar and Fox News contributor. "It protects the right to shoot tyrants, and it protects the right to shoot at them effectively, thus, with the same instruments they would use upon us."

The Second Amendment, it has been said, was written to protect the other nine in the Bill of Rights, and was an acknowledging of the threat from tyrants and other domestic enemies such as the criminals and the crazies that would otherwise roam unchallenged among us. As Thomas Jefferson said in a letter to James Madison, dated December 20, 1787:

"What country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms."

In addition to the threat posed by tyrannical governments, Thomas Jefferson was among the first to embrace the concept that the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun:

"The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."

The wisdom of Thomas Jefferson apparently escapes the Fourth Circuit. The Second Amendment was written, not to protect hunters, but to protect citizens from tyrannical governments in time of war and crazies in time of peace. The Fourth Circuit can rewrite the Second Amendment when it can pry it from our cold, dead hands.

Daniel John Sobieski is a free lance writer whose pieces have appeared in Investors Business Daily, Human Events, Reason Magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications.
President Trumps order to pause immigration from seven Middle Eastern countries provoked two opposite and almost equally strong reactions, the one decrying what it saw as an illegitimate move against a religion, the other welcoming a sensible breathing space while better vetting procedures are developed. But scarcely beneath the surface of this dispute was a more basic one of two diametrically opposed opinions on Islam. One sees it as a religion of peace and tolerance, primarily because most Muslims live at peace with their non-Muslim neighbors, while the other focuses on the Qurans repeatedly commanding the faithful to attack and destroy unbelievers, and to wage jihad until the final extinction of other religions. Can so fundamental a disagreement be resolved? There is a way to do so, and we need to use it quickly.

Each of these stances has a standard response to the other. The religion of peace school argues that the Qurans urging violence against non-Muslims is relevant only to the seventh century context in which Mohammed was struggling to establish Islam, and is taken out of context when read as advocating violence against infidels today. But the religion of conquest school argues that however many Muslims are peaceful, the number who read the Quran literally and therefore either pursue or support in principle violent jihad is so large that it must be regarded as an integral part of the religion.

Lets set aside for the moment the question which side is right so that we can first look at something that is rather odd about all of this. It is strange that in so important a dispute, we rarely (if ever) hear authoritative voices instructing the faithful in loud and clear terms as to which interpretation is correct. Imagine a comparable dispute about the nature of Catholicism. Everyone would immediately look to the Pope to settle the question. The Pontiff would instruct his flock as to how they should, and should not, read the Bible. But the crucial argument that the Qurans calls for violent jihad against unbelievers are not relevant to the modern world is generally made only by individual Muslims that have no special authority to speak for the faith.

Is this because Islam lacks a central authoritative agency such as the papacy? There is indeed no pope of Islam, but nor is there a pope of all Christianity. The truth is that Islam is more, not less organized than Christianity. It has a clear focal point: the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The OIC is composed of 57 countries that are either majority Muslim, or have large Muslim populations. It describes itself as the collective voice of the Islamic world, and is widely accepted as such. Accordingly, Islam is not worse, but much better placed than Christianity to give authoritative instructions to the faithful as to how its holy book should be read.

The obvious conclusion to be drawn from this is that instead of trying to decide which interpretation of Islam is correct, we should simply ask the OIC to decide the question for us. It alone has the authority to give a definitive answer.

But is the OIC in the habit of deciding basic questions of doctrine on behalf of Islam as a whole? Indeed it is. The most notable example was its response to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN in 1948. In 1990 the OIC adopted the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam, which essentially said that where the Universal Declaration was inconsistent with Sharia law, Sharia must prevail. That was accepted -- though also much criticized in the West -- as the authoritative Islamic view of the matter.

Do we have the right to insist on a ruling by the OIC? Of course we do, because the question how the relevant passages of the Quran should be read has a serious impact on our lives. We are regularly subjected to vicious terrorist attacks by Muslims who read them as fully relevant to the modern world. Bloody civil wars are either caused or exacerbated by that reading, and we are impacted by the resulting refugee crisis.

But in any case, the Muslim world itself badly needs a ruling, which is long overdue. Polls show that a clear majority of those who live in Muslim-majority countries believe that the Quran requires jihad against non-believers in general, and the West in particular. The 2009 World Public Opinion poll found this even for 62% of Jordanians and 61% of Egyptians, hardly the most virulently anti-Western of Muslim countries. A 2015 Al-Jazeera poll found that 81% of all Muslims support the Islamic State. Its certainly possible that one or more of these polls is unreliable, but at the very least they show that sharply different understandings of the Quran exist, and that therefore guidance by the OIC is needed.

There are three possible outcomes of a request for a ruling. OIC might rule that the relevant passages of the Quran indeed apply only to the 7th century context; or that they are timeless in their applicability; or it might refuse to give a ruling. Let us take these one by one.

The first would represent an authoritative ruling that the Quran is misread by jihadis and their numerous sympathizers. However, that ruling would be pointless unless the OIC took steps to enforce it. It would need to instruct the faithful everywhere that they must all now live at peace with other faiths, and that killing people whose only crime is being non-Muslim will earn them not 72 virgins, but a place in hell.

Enforcing the ruling would certainly require taking steps to ban the militant reading of the Quran that is taught to children in many schools across the Islamic world. Enforcement would also have to include sweeping away any customs that are visibly relics of a conquest phase. For example, if the faithful are to live at peace with other religions, the practice of those faiths cannot be made a criminal offence, as in Saudi Arabia.

But what if the OIC were to rule instead that everything in the Quran is valid for all time -- even those parts of it that call for violence against and/or subjugation of non-believers? If the OIC were to rule in this way, it would follow that Islam was a religion unlike any other. We usually think of a religion as a set of beliefs and values, together with the rituals that express them. But this hypothetical ruling would mean that Islam was much more than a religion as we understand that word. To the extent that jihad against unbelievers were an essential part of modern Islam it would also embody a conspiracy to murder, and to the extent that it aimed eventually to subject all non-Muslims to Sharia law it would represent a conspiracy to overthrow the Constitution of the United States. Religions, as we understand that term, are protected by our Constitution, but conspiracies to murder and to overthrow our Constitution are not.

If the OIC were ever to rule in this way, it would follow from that ruling that every Muslim would become a party to those conspiracies. Speaker Paul Ryan famously said that we cant impose a religious test for immigration, because that is not who we are. But we are also not a foolish people. No prudent society could neglect to screen immigrants for a possible membership in organizations that advocate and practice criminal violence and sedition, regardless of whether they also have a religious basis.

The third possibility is that the OIC could refuse to issue a ruling. But since the OIC is naturally well aware of the violence being done by so many Muslims in the name of Islam, a refusal to offer guidance as to how to read the Qurans calls for violence against unbelievers could only mean that the militant reading will stand. That would give tacit blessing to the violence. Clearly, we should have to regard this third possible outcome as a variant of the second. A true religion of peace would want to resolve any ambiguity about its nature, once and for all, and it would surely want to outlaw violent jihad.

A ruling by the OIC would represent a crucial decision by Islam. Depending on what that ruling might be, violent jihadis will either have been excommunicated or accepted. And consequently, Islam would either deserve and get the same protection that any other religion deserves under US law, or it would not.

John M Ellis is a Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Chairman of the California Association of Scholars
People lived and worked in Beatrice more than a decade before Nebraska became a state, so theres a lot of history in this town. But how do you preserve that history without getting in the way of progress?

The Beatrice City Council discussed the possibility of becoming a Certified Local Government at their work session Monday, a step that would help with architectural preservation and guidance on how to keep Beatrices past a vital part of its future.

The CLG program is administered jointly through the National Parks Service and the Nebraska State Historic Preservation Office and links local governments with federal, state and local organizations and allows cities to apply for grants.

The idea behind a certified local government is trying to really leverage a community's historic assets, Michael Sothan, executive director of Main Street Beatrice told the city council. As an economic development tool, as a tourism tool, and really as community pride, a sense of place, those types of things.

In order to become a CLG, Beatrice city administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer said, the city will have to fill out an application and adopt an ordinance to form a historic preservation commission of some sort. The city is looking into similar advisory boards from across Nebraska to get an idea of how to form it.

For example, Tempelmeyer said, if developers in North Platte want to tear down a building in a historic district, they have to take their plans to the historic advisory board for review. While the board cant explicitly tell them the building cant be demolished, they can attempt to talk the developer into a different plan, he said, and then, after a waiting period, demolition can proceed.

Then theres the Plattsmouth approach, where almost any improvement in a historic district must go through an advisory board for approval, he said, and conform to their design criteria.

Were planning on being on the side much closer to North Platte, Sothan said. Plattsmouth has seen a lot of great successes, and they've actually said that they haven't had nearly the types of complaints they thought they would, but that's not the direction we're looking at going with this.

How far a city can go with preservation is a wide spectrum, Sothan said, but access to the development tools and funding offered are the most exciting elements of becoming a CLG.

The money is a matching grant, with NeSHPO paying 60 percent with the CLG paying the other 40 percent. The money comes as part of the 10 percent of NeSHPOs annual budget received from the federal government. Usually theres about $100,000 to be given away annually, Sothan said, and while the grant process is competitive, NeSHPO is trying to spread the money across Nebraska and not focus on larger communities like Lincoln and Omaha.

On average you're going to be getting probably between $2,000 and $20,000 annually through the program, Sothan said. If you're using it right, more around the $10,000 to $20,000 range. Youre getting some money, but not huge amounts of money.

Most of the grant money received would be used for planning, Sothan said. The grant money cant be used for any repair, restoration or renovation projects, he said, but it does allow for various projects related to historical relevance, education, training and some projects that are already in the works around Beatrice.

They'll help you come up with design guidelines, Tempelmeyer said. They'll help you do a feasibility study for upstairs living in the downtown area, they'll help you put together a walking tour, they'll help you do those types of things, which lends itself what Main Street have done already or are looking to accomplish in the future.

If the city becomes eligible, Tempelmeyer said, Main Street Beatrice would be the group most likely to utilize the grants. The entire town is eligible, he said, but Main Street has the infrastructure in place to start their projects right away.

One of those projects, Sothan said, is an upper level feasibility study that would piggyback off of a recent housing study. Developers and private property owners, he said, are interested in adding value to their buildings downtown by renovating the second level or putting in apartment housing units above the ground level.

Its a once a year application process for grants, which makes it fairly straightforward, Sothan said. That means putting down what projects the city would be most interested in and having the application reviewed by NeSHPO. The grants are given out based on funding available and the eligibility of the projects, he said.

There are areas outside of downtown that grants could be used for, Sothan said. The owners of the Store Kraft buildingbuilt in 1920 and closed in 2014are interested in getting the structure on the National Register of Historic Places, which is something the grants could help get going.

Currently, there are 20 locations in the city of Beatrice listed on the National Register, including two neighborhoods, the North Seventh Street Historic District and the North Eleventh Street Historical District, but those numbers could go up with grant funding, Sothan said.

Belvidere is another area that could very likely become a historic residential neighborhood, he said. We've already got two of those in our town. So there's definitely a lot more than just downtown that we could be working on with these funds.

Mayor Stan Wirth suggested bringing the ordinance forward at a future meeting for consideration.
Imagine my delight when I noticed, on my regular afternoon walk, one of those placards that are starting to breed like rabbits outside liberal houses in liberal North Seattle. The sign said, in English, in Spanish, and in Arabic, that you are welcome here and you belong.

A couple of weeks ago I penned a comprehensive and mandatory piece that I modestly titled  A General Theory of Leftist Politics . I argued that leftist politics has always been about representing the unrepresented, the people outside the system. Think workers in 1850, African-Americans in 1950.

Was I right, or was I right? Liberals now demand the right to represent the only people left in the world that are not properly represented by the system: illegal Hispanic aliens and violent Muslim jihadis. And they are signaling their virtue with mass-produced signs outside their wealthy homes in their wealthy fashionable neighborhoods.

I wonder which Democratic bigwig runs the non-partisan 501(c)(3) Center for Lefty Antifascist Astroturf Resistance and Messaging that coordinates this sort of thing.

Hey, liberals! Theres a reason why illegal Hispanics and jihadis arent represented by the system. In the first place, they have broken the law by coming here without completing the administrative states vital and voluminous paperwork. In the second place, they intend to break the law by violently overturning the United States government and its separation of church and state, replacing Western culture with Sharia law. And I thought that you guys were supposed to be the smart ones.

My point, in the original article, was that the strategy of representing the unrepresented was a wizard wheeze back in 1850. And in 1950 it was noble and honorable to make African-Americans full members of the American family.

But now, after 40 years of wage stagnation, we need to welcome the world? After 50 years of stigmatizing Christian fundamentalism, we need to import and promote Muslim fundamentalism? Alas, its the only game the left knows how to play.

Good luck with that agenda, Tom Perez, if you want to get the Democrats back into the winners circle here in the good old USA.

Let us talk about why the white working class has finally turned up in the Republican column. It is because the left repaid the loyalty of the working class -- won 150 years ago -- by leading it into the wilderness, with no Promised Land at the end of the journey. Why? Because the left blocked off the road to the middle class with tribal labor unions and replaced mutual aid and fraternal associations with government welfare. So the white working class ended up dying of despair in the Rust Belt, and liberals didnt care. In fact New York Times columnist Charles Blow seems to think that the white working class had it coming.

You may have noticed that President Trump is clearly making a bid for the votes of African-Americans. I say he has a sporting chance, given that liberals have repaid the loyalty of African-Americans -- won 70 years ago -- by leading them into the wilderness, with no Promised Land at the end of the journey. Why? Because the left blocked off the road to the middle class with identity politics and Black Lives Matter. No wonder African-Americans are angry -- the First Black President seems to have done nothing for them.

Now let us talk about women, that seem to be beside themselves after having got out the champagne to celebrate the First Woman President last November. Id say that someday, after the liberals have left them in the wilderness of divorce, sexual revolution, abortion, no children, and a boring nine-to-five job with no Promised Land of a work/life balance in sight, that even the liberal women presently besieging their therapists will realize that they have been had. And hell hath no fury, etc.

Have you noticed? What I have just written about the working class is called, by our liberal friends, classism; what I have just written about African-Americans is called, by our liberal friends, racism; and what I have just written down about women is sexism.

You may wonder why that is so, but I do not. I have stopped wondering about that sort of thing. There is only one answer to the vile accusation of racism, sexism, or homophobia: We Dont Care.

God bless our liberal rulers for doubling down on their represent-the-unrepresented politics. It may be the only thing they know, it may lead millions of people into the wilderness, it may be brutally divisive and neo-feudal, but at least they believe in it, and at least they are consistent.

Maybe Im missing something, but I dont see a lot of Americans voting for the party of illegal immigration and religious war.

Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also see his American Manifesto and get his Road to the Middle Class.
When Steven K. Bannon commissioned yours truly in early 2015 to write the Breitbart series "Rove-Stupid," based on the 2013 book about Rove and the establishment, I realized that there was someone who loathed the Republican establishment even more than I. Previously, I was not aware this was even possible, but Bannon is like that. He is full pedal to the metal, and more intense, singularly focused, and passionate than anyone you'll ever meet. We agree on most things, including the fact that Karl Rove was an accurate prototype for the incompetence, isolation, tone deafness, and corruption of the GOP-E -- even on issues where Rove was not specifically involved. That's why both this series, and my book, featured "Turd Blossom, aka Rove," in the respective titles.

That said, there was no way to know at the time that one day Bannon would in a manner of speaking become Karl Rove. He's nothing like Rove of course, but he is in the exact same position for President Donald Trump that Rove occupied for George W. Bush. The analogy plays out further, as Bannon is considered more dangerous than Trump by elements of the left, much as Rove was more of a left-wing target at times than Bush.

Moreover, many assumed Rove the brain behind Bush, and we're seeing some of that with Bannon as well. After Bannon's CPAC appearance, Charles Krauthammer proclaimed him the "brains of the operation." The implication, left unspoken, was that Krauthammer meant the entire administration, not just the West Wing support staff. On this, Krauthammer and Saturday Night Live agree, even as SNL meant it as a dig at Trump, while Krauthammer's point was to compliment Bannon as someone with serious intellectual heft.

The paradox of all of this is stunning. Like much of what happened over the past couple of years, the scenario of Bannon filling Rove's role would have been rejected in a movie script as too fanciful.

And yet here we are. I would never insult President Trump by suggesting that Bannon is the brains behind Trump, but it is clear that Bannon is now one of the most influential people on the planet, and that Trump would likely not occupy 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue were it not for him. This started playing out long before Bannon officially joined Team Trump in August of 2016. He had unofficially joined more than a year earlier, putting the growing influence of Breitbart pretty clearly behind Trump, and this is a significant fact of history, equal in importance to his ultimate official hiring.

Consider: the nexus of Breitbart, Drudge, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity was a powerful force for Trump, worth billions of dollars of earned media, with much of it coming during the crucial early period when Trump was transitioning from a novelty act into a serious contender. In a March 2015 piece here, and here, I flatly stated that the incredible power of Breitbart, Drudge, and the top talkers would determine the next nominee. This was months before Trump entered the race, but it is clear that Trump dominated this universe, while Ted Cruz was second. Isn't it interesting how the voting mirrored that result exactly?

Now we can argue about whether these outlets powered Trump, or whether Trump powered them, and the truth is it's probably some of both. We can speculate as to whether or not he would have successfully made the leap to serious contender without their help, but one thing we know for sure is that the end result is not up for debate. Donald Trump was nominated, then elected, even as so much of the nation remained in denial about the possibility of either.

Bannon saw this coming early on, and in a manner that few if anyone else did. Then again, Bannon peered into the future in the 90s and saw the incredible iconic nature of Seinfeld as well, and negotiated himself a piece of that action. That too, was a prophetic move. I'd love to know what he thinks "the next big thing" will be. Hell, it may be him, and one particular emphasis of his at CPAC makes me hope he is.

That is his promise to "deconstruct the administrative state." Be still my heart. For years, the administrative state, or as I call them, the cubicle dwelling vermin at all levels of government, has been my main target in multiple books and hundreds of columns. These are the unelected, unaccountable, and unfirable reptiles whom we pay to destroy our property rights, our businesses, our religious freedoms and anything else they can regulate out of existence.

The bureau, as Milton Friedman called it, is the deadliest government cancer, even more so than punitive taxation (which is also a big problem). My 30 years owning multiple businesses has convinced me that Friedman is right. That's why I stood and cheered at this pronouncement by SKB, and I wasn't even in attendance live.

Moreover, the administrative state is one of the GOPs blind spots. This is another example of "Rove Stupid" in contrast to "Bannon Smart." The bureau is what sustains the "swamp." The biggest part of the swamp is the administrative state, and to the extent that we do have a "uniparty" in Washington, it's their entanglement with all the bureaucrats that feed it. It is the source of the mischief with ObamaCare, and with heretofore poor border enforcement. It's one big reason Washington DC is among the nation's richest areas.

The administrative state isn't merely "an issue" -- it's part of every issue. At the bottom of almost every issue is this question: will we live in a free society, or one run by bureaucrats who are not accountable to us?

It wasn't until Bannon joined the team officially that Trump started to aim his blistering communications skills directly at the administrative state. In fact, there is evidence early on that this was not an emphasis of Mr. Trump's, which was the main part of my hesitancy to board the Trump train. Thus my enthusiastic welcome of this discussion during the last eighteen days of the campaign, and Bannon's re-emphasis of it this week at CPAC.

Deconstructing the administrative state is Bannon Smart. Not recognizing it as a major fault line in the country is Rove Stupid.

As for the series Rove-Stupid? Once Trump, Cruz, and Ben Carson pretty much lapped the field and proved that no establishment figure was going to get the nomination, we had secured a major victory over them, and I declared that victory on Christmas Eve 2015 in Breitbart. It wasn't a total victory, nor a permanent one, but it was a big one. To the extent we can roll back the administrative state, that will be another.

Edmund Wright is a contributor to American Thinker, Breitbart, Newsmax TV, and author of several books including the Amazon Best Selling Election Book WTF?: How Karl Rove and the Establishment Lost... Again.
We strongly protest the exclusion of the New York Times and the other news organizations, Times editor Dean Baquet said in a statement last Friday after his publication was excluded from a White House briefing. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest.

While innocent liberals everywhere were rallying to the Times' defense, many of those who have dealt with the Times up close could only snicker at phrases like free media access and transparent government.

One skeptic is investigative reporter James Sanders. Twenty years ago he and his wife Elizabeth were arrested by the FBI on conspiracy charges for his efforts to get at the truth behind the destruction of TWA Flight 800. This was the plane destroyed off the coast of Long Island on July 17, 1996, killing all 230 people on board. Not unexpectedly, the Times editors turned their back on Sanders during his legal ordeal. Their First Amendment concerns did not and do not extend far beyond their own newsroom.

Times is struggling to prove it is the source of legitimate news, Sanders texted me on Friday. No Trump fan, he added, As they say in the White House, Nyet.

If one had to pick a day when the Times lost all credibility with Sanders and other independent journalists, it would be September 21,1996. On that day, the Times Matthew Purdy told of how the St. Louis police used the TWA 800 plane to train a bomb-sniffing dog six weeks before the crash. The trainer placed explosives throughout the plane and encouraged the dog to find them. One law enforcement official told Purdy the explosives were kept in tightly wrapped packages but conceded, Testing can leave traces behind.

The following day, September 22, the Times published what would prove to be the investigations obituary. Can you imagine what a defense lawyer would do to us? one investigator told reporter Don Van Natta. This pretty much knocks out the traces, unless we get something much more concrete.

The Clinton Department of Justice and the FBI had just thrown the Times a major curve. Until this point, the FBI had been feeding the Times a steady stream of information suggesting that a bomb destroyed the plane. The traces in question referred to the explosive residue that prompted the Times headline of August 23, Prime Evidence Found That Device Exploded in Cabin of TWA 800.

The August 23 article could scarcely have been more definitive. Investigators had found scientific evidence of an explosive device, specifically PETN, a component found in bombs and missiles. On August 31, Van Natta reported that investigators found additional traces of explosive residue in the interior of the aircraft. This residue was RDX. RDX and PETN are the prime ingredients of Semtex, a favorite of terrorist bombers.

In an election year, a serious newspaper would have been suspicious of the motives of a highly politicized DoJ. It should have confirmed that the dog training exercise truly explained away the explosive residue found throughout the plane.

There are several ways the reporters might have accomplished this. First of all, they should have insisted on speaking to the St. Louis police officer in question. They should have checked to see whether the composition of his training aids matched the residue found on the plane. They should have checked to see whether the placement of the training aids matched the location of the explosive traces. They should have checked the officers time sheet against the pilot activity sheet. The Times reporters did none of the above. Instead, they took the word of the FBI with which the Times had established a much too cozy relationship.

James Sanders was arrested and convicted of conspiracy for doing the reporting the Times should have been doing. He and other independent journalists spoke to the St. Louis officer, compared the composition and location of the training aids to the explosive traces, and compared his time sheet to the pilot activity sheet. What they found was that nothing held up. The composition of the two was dramatically different as was the location.

Even more decisively, the TWA 800 plane was filled with hundreds of Hawaii-bound passengers and crew when the officer was performing his exercise on an empty plane. In other words, the dog training did not explain the explosive residue. It did not even take place on the TWA 800 plane. All that it did was suggest was that there was a criminal conspiracy afoot to obstruct justice. Said the officer in question, an African-American, I am pissed off to this day by what they did to me.

In fact, the DoJ had been playing with the Times all along. As revealed in a recently uncovered CIA memo, the FBI discovered the truth early on. Within two weeks of the crash, its agents had interviewed 144 "excellent" witnesses to a likely surface-to-air-missile strike. According to the reporting agents, the evidence was overwhelming and the witness testimony too consistent for the cause to be anything other than a missile.

In time, 276 eyewitnesses, many of them highly credible, would tell the FBI they saw what appeared to be missile striking the airplane. The New York Times would interview none of them. Independent investigators like Sanders interviewed scores of these witnesses. They knew what they saw.

In fact, the Times would interview just one witness for the record. On August 17, 1996, Andrew Revkin introduced Times readers to Witness 136, Michael Russell, an engineer. Russell told the FBI he was working on a survey vessel a mile off shore when a white flash in the sky caught his eye. He had not been looking in that direction beforehand. The white flash suggested a high explosive such as a bomb or missile.

Russells account, Revkin reported, bolstered the idea that a bomb, and not an exploding fuel tank, triggered the disintegration of the airplane. More to the point, his account substantially weakened support for the idea that a missile downed the plane. That was the articles money quote, and the reason readers were allowed to hear from Russell. Soon enough, however, Russells testimony had to be shoved down the memory hole to sell the evolving mechanical explanation for the planes destruction.

The Clinton people had to breathe easier after September 21, the day the Times lost all credibility. They could ride the probable mechanical failure past November and would not have to explain who blew up the plane or why. And that is just the way the Times brass seems to have preferred it.

Jack Cashills book, TWA 800: The Crash, The Cover-Up, The Conspiracy was published in July.
The American military and the Israel Defense Force (IDF) have some things in common and differ in others. One current difference regards the integration of women into combat forces. Under the Obama administration the American military opened all jobs to female service-members, including combat infantry and commando units. The IDF has not followed suit. Combat infantry and commando units, as well as tank units, continue to remain off-limits to Israeli women, and the Trump administration might find the Israeli experience illuminating if it decides to roll back Obamas policy.

Both militaries have moved in recent years to integrate women into the fighting forces, and generally have followed comparable paths. For example, female fighter pilots have operated successfully in both militaries for many years, women help crew naval fighting ships, and serve in virtually all combat support functions.

Something the American and Israeli militaries do not share is a concern for border security. In the U.S. this is (with rare exceptions) a civilian function, and while we have problems, they pale compared to Israels. Israel is a tiny state with proportionately huge hostile borders, which are mostly a military responsibility. Historically, the IDF has had to divert immense resources just to keep the states borders secure from hostile raiders. Involving first line units in this task wears them down and detracts from combat training. As a result the IDF has used reservists, territorial troops, and home guards for this task whenever possible, but there are never quite enough troops.

In 2000, the IDF sought to partially alleviate this problem with the formation of the Caracal battalion, the IDFs first all-female infantry unit. The creation of the battalion killed several birds with one proverbial stone. It provided additional troops for the border security mission, took pressure off the IDF to integrate women more fully into the ground forces, and provided a long-term practical testing ground for the viability of female infantry. The results are now in. Limited line of communication and security missions yes; full scale combat no.

That is not to say that the Caracal battalion has been a failure. Far from it. In 2009 it was reformed as a mixed gender unit, and since that time three other mixed gender infantry/security battalions have been added. On at least two occasions female troops have successfully engaged in border skirmishes.

Recently, the IDF decided to fully rationalize the process of training and staffing these units based on lessons learned over the years, and one of those lessons is that for all their spirit and willingness to serve, female troops are not capable of functioning as regular combat infantry.

Admitting that women are different allows the IDF to better equip and staff these units to maximize their effectiveness. So for example, mixed gender infantry battalions will no longer carry the FN MAG 7.62 mm machinegun (in U.S. service the M-240.) The weapon and ammo are too heavy for female troops, so instead these units will rely exclusively on the Negev light machinegun (the IDF equivalent of the American SAW.) Likewise, these units will only carry American M-4 carbines, which weigh less than the Israeli Tavor. Female troops also wear special flak jackets and load bearing gear to better accommodate ammo and equipment. These changes are designed largely to reduce the disproportionately large number of stress injuries suffered by female soldiers.

Another disproportionately large cause of attrition is the often harsh and demanding nature of infantry officers. In the IDF many infantry officers emerge from the elite paratroop and Golani brigades and are then distributed around other units. Such officers proved a poor fit for female infantry, and as a result the IDF redesigned its assignment policies to have more sensitive officers lead the mixed gender units.

This is an honest if accommodating policy, which seeks to maximize to contributions of female infantry troops, without pretending that they can do all the things that real combat infantrymen can do. This makes the IDF policy substantially different from the American.

The American military is pretending that women can do the same things men can do and is supposedly not lowering standards to accommodate them. Few really believe that this is the case, and even if it is, it seems hardly worth the disruption that opening combat infantry units to a few extraordinary women might bring. Plus adding a statistically meaningless number of female combat infantry and commandos to the ranks wont satisfy feminists and culture warriors within and without the military, which means standards will inevitably be lowered.

The IDF policy offers a middle ground that could protect the integrity and quality of the combat infantry while at least partially satisfying feminists and particularly by opening up 11B infantry slots to ambitious female officers, who are the real constituency within the military pushing this issue. While the U.S. does not have the border security problems Israel does (and it is not a military responsibility anyway) we do have line-of-communication and rear area security problems whenever our troops campaign abroad. Military Police have sometimes performed this function and security operations in Panama in 1989 produced the first female officer to lead soldiers in ground combat. In Iraq, tank and artillery crews were sometimes pressed into this role (its how former artillery officer and Congressman Allen West came to prominence) without adequate equipment or training, and at the expense of practicing their own critical specialties.

American mixed gender infantry battalions on the IDF model could fulfill this role, provide infantry billets to female troops (and especially officers), and actually meet a military need, rather than twisting the system around for political accommodations. Female troops could be trained and designated 11B with appropriate accommodations and the caveat that they would only serve in the security battalions. They could receive further training, be equipped and armed in accord with functional practicality and need. This would not satisfy everybody, but it would be a more honest and militarily sound solution than the current policy, and one the Trump administrations new military secretaries should consider.
The organizers of the "Women's March" in January are planning their next extravaganza for March 8. "A Day Without Women" will encourage women to stay home from work, do no shopping, and wear red as a sign of "solidarity."

1. Women take the day off, from paid & unpaid labor

2. Avoid shopping for one day

3. Wear RED in solidarityhttps://t.co/fOW1CkULJy  Women's March (@womensmarch) February 26, 2017

Deb Heine at PJ Media:

Via the Woman's March-supporting website "Bustle": These three tasks make it so that, hopefully, people of all backgrounds, situations, and income levels can participate in the strike. Even if you don't have the ability to take off work altogether or not buy anything that day, you can still show solidarity by wearing red. And it doesn't specify that, for instance, you have to wear all-red or a red top  even if you've only got a small red accessory, that's still something. I can think of a red accessory some women might want to wear on the top of their heads that day, but I don't think the "Day Without A [progressive] Woman" organizers would like it very much. It goes without saying that "people of all backgrounds, situations, and income levels" will not be participating in the strike. Most conservative women want no part of whatever they think they're doing. That's why I added "progressive" in parentheses -- it is a fallacy for these lefty ladies to characterize themselves as purely pro-woman, as if people who don't share their progressive values are "anti-woman."

Even fewer women would participate if they knew just who was organizing this shindig.

The next Women's March, "the Day Without a Woman" is scheduled March 8. The group published a screed in the Guardian on February 6, advocating a "new wave of militant feminist struggle." A co-author of that screed, Rasmea Yousef Odeh, is no stranger to militancy. She is a convicted terrorist. Odeh, a Palestinian, was convicted in Israel in 1970 for her part in two terrorist bombings, one of which killed two students while they were shopping for groceries. She spent 10 years in prison for her crimes. She then managed to become a US citizen in 2004 by lying about her past (great detective work, INS: Next time, use Google) but was subsequently convicted, in 2014, of immigration fraud for the falsehoods. However, she won the right to a new trial (set for this spring) by claiming she had been suffering from PTSD at the time she lied on her application. Oh, and in her time as a citizen, she worked for a while as an ObamaCare navigator. She. Murdered. Students. To advance her cause, she thought it was okay to plot and carry out an attack to kill people who didn't agree with her. This is not speculation, not a rumor that she was convicted. She confessed the day after she was arrested, then after her time in prison lied and said her confession was false and only given after 25 days of torture and sexual assault by Israeli soldiers. In the United States, she became (what else) a community organizer in Chicago and received the "Outstanding Community Leader Award" from the Chicago Cultural Alliance. After her arrest and conviction for lying on immigration forms, a "Justice for Rasmea" group was formed. The website paints quite a different picture of Odeh: Rasmea is a community icon who overcame vicious torture by Israeli authorities while imprisoned in Palestine in the 1970s, and an example for the millions of Palestinians who have not given up organizing for their rights of liberation, equality, and return.

Aside from the fact that women across the country will be acting out a convicted terrorist's notion of "social justice," the organizers of this protest have completely missed the boat.

The most important thing that women can do to remind men of their value is to mimic the ancient Greek women portrayed in Aristophanes's comedy "Lysistrata."

... it is a comic account of a woman's extraordinary mission to end the Peloponnesian War by denying all the men of the land any sex, which was the only thing they truly and deeply desired. Lysistrata persuades the women of Greece to withhold sexual privileges from their husbands and lovers as a means of forcing the men to negotiate peace  a strategy, however, that inflames the battle between the sexes.

For those feminists who would rail against my suggestion as being "sexist," I would like to ask what the hell they think encouraging women not to shop for a day signifies. Talk about stereotypes! Sheesh.

Perhaps the feminists planning the event can't bring themselves to go a day without sex. Or maybe they don't get much sex anyway and didn't think it important enough to suggest a "sex strike." Either way, the protest is meaningless without doing something that would highlight the real-world value of women to men. Refusing sexual favors to men (we assume women engaging in sexual behavior with women would be okay) would hit men where it really hurts  their pride.

Removing women from the workplace for a day is fine. And the notion of demanding that women stay home for a day and refrain from shopping is a nice demonstration of the economic power of women. (Although encouraging them to shop at woman-owned stores is weird. Wouldn't those women close their stores in solidarity?) But wearing red is a useless gesture.

Lady Godiva actually had a better idea about how to protest.
Dying in foreign lands in the service of a nation that enshrines freedom of religion in its Constitution doesn't cut any mustard with the irreligious left.

Alarmed by the presence of a creche complete with three Wise Men last Christmas on the grounds of the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has joined forces with the oxymoronically named Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) to put the camp's commanders in hot water.

Headed by Mikey Weinstein, the activist who breaks out in hives at any observance of Christianity at the nation's service academies, the MRFF on January 17 sent a letter asking Marine Brig. Gen. William Jurney  commander of the boot camp and the Western Recruiting Region  to agree to allow religious displays of other faiths to be erected near the creche.

Noting that Christmas was past and the issue is moot for now, Gen. Jurney's staff judge advocate general, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Munoz, told MRFF on Feb. 10 that the resolution was "premature" because "the [next] holiday season is months away."

Failure to secure an immediate commitment ticked off the groups. David Loy, legal director of the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties, wrote to the Corps contending that Munoz's reply was "at best evasive and at worst thinly veiled discrimination," according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Meanwhile, Weinstein emoted that "[t]hese sorts of actions by the Marines destroy unit cohesion and ruin morale." That's funny. I thought forcing women into combat roles and inserting transgendered recruits into the barracks might be more likely to damage unit cohesion and morale  not to mention threatening Christian chaplains over their beliefs about marriage and sexual morality. But Weinstein has no problem with any of that, nor does the ACLU, which is the driving legal force behind the radical social experiments in the armed forces.

MRFF says it represents 27 active-duty, retired, and veteran Marines affiliated with the depot, 20 of whom are Jewish and who want to put a Hanukkah menorah near the creche. Well, okay. Why not?

Somehow, I doubt the Marines will have any problem with it, either, during the next holiday season. But now is not the time.

The left's game is to begin with a reasonable request and then, once that is satisfied, escalate demands to the point that an agreeable resolution becomes impossible.

That often means getting rid of Christmas trees or nativity scenes, with or without the requisite Santa and reindeer to make the whole thing legal under the Supreme Court's Lemon Test.

Once you surrender to the postmodern notion that morally relativistic pluralism  not tolerance of minority viewpoints  trumps all, it becomes impossible to make sensible distinctions. Witness the evolution of "tolerance" in today's sexual revolution. What began as a request for nondiscrimination has evolved into a demand for superior treatment.

The Marines have a lot of other things on their plate right now, but I'm sure that by the time Hanukkah rolls around again, the ACLU's request will be met with a reasonable accommodation.

Robert Knight is a senior fellow for the American Civil Rights Union.
Apparently, it is Fashion Week, and Julie Tong relates that "Italian favorites from Gucci to Prada filled their collections with opulent color, excess, and maximalist style. While at Versace, powerful words like 'unity,' 'courage,' and 'love' were emblazoned on hats and sleeves and more."

And, of course, "we can't forget New York Fashion Week's highly anticipated Raf Simons runway debut at Calvin Klein or the plethora of body-positive movements and political statements that took center stage on the runways."

Those "political statements" included constant rebukes of President Trump in the Ashish shirt that nods to Trump's comments in a leaked Access Hollywood tape, in which he boasted that a rich celebrity can "grab" enthusiastic women enamored of his wealth and status.

Then there was Prabal Gurung, whose shirt read "3 Million," referencing "the number by which Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, despite President Trump's claims of widespread voter fraud."

Not to be outdone, "[d]esigners Ramon Martin and Ryan Lobo pose with models from their show wearing Women's March and Planned Parenthood T-shirts. On the runway, models wore Planned Parenthood pins."

But I thought I would save the best for last: "aside from all the memorable moments and prettiest dresses, we want to make sure you are equally caught up on all the best shoes spotted on the catwalk thus far."

One of the "best shoes" on display is called the "Jesus Printed Knee-High Boots, Jeremy Scott, Fall/Winter 2017."

Would the fashion world depict the picture of Mohammad on a pair of boots? Would they make a statement about the lack of color worn by women in the Muslim world, whose native costumes have all but disappeared as they suffer under the lash of sharia law and dress codes?

Will the Christian world erupt with furious rage and start burning things? Or was I confusing that rage with visual depictions of another religion's icon?

Just asking.



Jesus Printed Knee-High Boots, Jeremy Scott Fall/Winter 2017 Photo: ImaxTree

Eileen can be reached at middlemarch18@gmail.com.
The media, in the tank for Democrats, are now peddling a new story. They want you to believe that Obamacare is suddenly popular.

First, they are showing reports of GOP politicians doing town hall meetings. Last week, a huge crowd of Obamacare supporters showed up at Senator Cotton's visit to Arkansas. They all had the same placards, screamed the same thing, and want you to believe that they'd be victims of an Obamacare repeal.

Not so fast. There aren't really that many Democrats in Arkansas. I'd love to see a residency check. Or the Democrats should ask for a recount!

Second, they are now back into polls. Remember the polls that had Hillary Clinton winning 400 electoral votes?

The latest poll is analyzed by our friends at American Spectator:

It will thus be very difficult for anyone capable of critical thinking to believe these very same "news" outlets when they report that a law whose approval numbers have been underwater by double digits for more than six years has suddenly become as popular as Adele. It will be likewise difficult for anyone with an IQ exceeding single digits to believe a Democrat polling firm like Public Policy Polling (PPP) when they claim to discover a sudden increase in public esteem for a Democrat-sponsored health "reform" law that has historically been reviled by the electorate.

Yes, the people who told us Mrs. Clinton would win by a landslide are now telling GOP members of Congress not to touch the suddenly popular Obamacare.

To be fair, part of the problem is that the public debate has been more about repealing rather than replacing. It's time for the GOP leadership to put something on the table and cut off this nonsense that people will be thrown out of hospitals because they can't pay or some other dramatic outcome.

Let me agree with the author and add this: any GOP politician in Washington who chickens out and falls for these crappy polls has a lot of explaining to do.

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.
In the United States, protection of a cemetery is regulated under municipal and state law. Not all states have explicit protections against deliberate desecration of burial places, although some, like New York, not only have them, but are in the process of strengthening their legal codes. More needs to be done to make the perpetrators of these crimes pay dearly for what they have done, because they have vandalized and harmed the soul of America.

A cemetery is more than the final resting place of loved ones. The cemetery represents the history of a community and sometimes the history of the United States.

Jewish cemeteries are particularly poignant reminders of community and history. I can give an example from personal experience.

My parents and my brother; both sets of grandparents, aunts, and uncles; and the families of friends I grew up with are all buried in an active cemetery near Cherry Hill, New Jersey. My great grandparents, at least on my father's side, are buried in lost graves in an older cemetery in Camden, New Jersey, now under restoration. None of the burial places in the active cemetery has been disturbed, and the older burial place suffered from neglect and some destruction, although the causes are not clear. In that cemetery are the remains of Civil war heroes, so restoration is important to recall the history of our country.

About 15 miles from the active cemetery, there is a military cemetery at Beverly, New Jersey. My uncle Lou Bryen, who served in World War I and was a poison gas victim, is there. He was in the 311th Infantry Battalion, part of the 78th Division. During the summer and fall of 1918, the division was the "point of the wedge" of the final offensive, which knocked out Germany. Lou's brother, Sam, who served in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II, is also buried at Beverly.

But even at the active cemetery, reminders of World Wars I and II are everywhere. Thanks to the Jewish War veterans, those who served are remembered each year by American flags posted at their gravesites.

This reminds me of my wife's father's 90th birthday celebration (he died at the age of 95 and is buried in the same cemetery). At his birthday party, we presented my wife's father, Bernie, with a letter from the deputy secretary of defense, celebrating Bernie's service to the United States. He came home from the war commander of a tank destroyer with two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star and, acting alone, had captured three senior German Army officers in a small town near the German border. He was in the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion, did the Anzio landing, and fought all the way from North Africa to Germany.

When I called everyone to attention to present the letter to Bernie, which is how they do it in the military service, most of the men in the room  mainly in their late 80s or early 90s  managed to stand up at attention. All of them had served in World War II, as had the men in my family.

There are countless memories and stories that even the tombstones alone don't tell exactly, but you can feel them strongly when you are in that place. You can feel the hardship of suffering pogroms at the hands of Cossacks in Russia, of escaping the Holocaust, of struggling to feed their families and survive in a strange land. You can even feel the great pride when their grandchildren become doctors, lawyers, scientists, teachers, industrialists, social workers, and professionals in sundry fields of endeavor. Imagine the fulfillment, the gift of hard work, struggle, and the tolerance of a great country. There is a wonderful Jewish word, nachas  the feeling of pride and fulfillment that fills the heart and is overpowering in emotion.

When vandals and anti-Semites turn over and smash the tombstones in a cemetery, they are doing injury not only to the Jewish community, but to America. The damage to the soul of our country is hard to fix, because it strikes at the sense of security and fulfillment that is the core idea of the American dream.
George W. Bush broke his policy of not attacking a sitting president. Bush did not criticize or attack Obama but has joined the Opposition Party (Democrats and mainstream media, aka Fake News Media)'s war against Trump.

Bush acted like a punching bag during his second term. Obama blamed Bush for every problem, but Bush remained silent. He did not forcefully, if at all, defend his Iraq policy, nor did he respond to the attacks on him by the mainstream media and Democrats like Harry Reid. Reid called him a loser and said in 2007 the Iraq War was lost.

Reid's irresponsible and disgraceful public statement, arguably treasonous, that the Iraq War was lost encouraged the enemy, which prolonged the war, causing more American casualties.

But Bush feels compelled to attack only Trump. Bush said in a recent interview that he tried to convince Putin to have an independent press, then added a swipe at Trump by saying, "It's kind of hard to tell others to have an independent free press when we're not willing to have one ourselves[.]"

Does Bush really believe that because Trump criticized the mainstream media, led by ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, the New York Times, and the Washington Post, that means Trump does not want an independent press?

We want a fair, independent press that holds all politicians and both political parties accountable, but we have mainstream media that have declared war on Trump and attack him daily. The mainstream media are not an independent, objective press. The press is out to destroy Trump. It is left-wing, pro-Democratic Party, and anti-Trump. Maybe Bush ought to tune in to the TV and read the Times and Post, or else maybe he agrees with Trump's critics.

It seems that Bush is still upset that Trump beat his brother, Jeb, and that Trump criticized his handling of the Iraq War. Bush did not vote for Trump, but at least he did not vote for Hillary.

Bush did not defend his policies when the mainstream media, Harry Reid, and Obama savaged him over the Iraq War.

It is disappointing to see that Bush finally ends his silence not to criticize Obama or Bill Clinton, but to criticize Trump because Trump criticized the same media that attacked Bush mercilessly.
The Beatrice Public Library is celebrating Nebraskas 150th Anniversary with the art exhibit Native American Presence on the Missouri which will open on Wednesday March 1, Statehood Day, and continue through Sunday, May 21. It is available for viewing during regular library hours. This special display is on loan from the collection of George and Eva Neubert, courtesy of the Flatwater Art Foundation. It features 19th Century wood-block etchings, chromolithographs and photographs that document and illustrate Native Americans along the Missouri River as well as the heartland prairie. Included in the display are works by Bodmer, Catlin and Remington. A special reception and art program with George Neubert will be held later in the Spring. This exhibit was chosen because it contains historic illustrations of members of the Otoe-Missouria tribe. As noted by Hugh J. Dobbs in his book HISTORY OF GAGE COUNTY, NEBRASKA, The first actual settlers of Gage county were of course the Otoe and Missouri consolidated tribes of Indians. It seemed appropriate to recognize these earliest settlers as we celebrate 150 years of Nebraska Statehood.
A data analyst conducted a study of Obamacare posts on Facebook and discovered that 60% of more than 225,000 posts published by 40,000 profiles were actually posted by 100 people. Kenneth Brown also found that most of those posts were published between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, strongly suggesting that the people who were writing up pro-Obamacare Facebook posts were getting paid for it.

Brown appeared on Sheryl Attkisson's show, Full Measure.

Washington Examiner:

He began investigating it after his criticism of the former president's health insurance program posted on the Obamacare Facebook page. He was hit hard by digital activists pretending to be regular people. "Digital activists are paid employees; their purpose is to attack anyone who's posting something contrary to the view of the page owner wants expressed," he told Attkisson. She reports that he evaluated 226,000 pro-Obamacare posts made by 40,000 Facebook profiles. Brown: "Sixty percent of all the posts were made from 100 profiles, posting between the hours of 9 and 5 Pacific Time." Sharyl: "Which means what?" Brown: "They were paid to post."

Brown also discussed "Zombie Posts" with Attkisson:

Brown says it's rampant on social media. One popular tool: "zombie profiles" that make automated "robo" posts. Brown: A zombie post is a fake, purchased, or rented Facebook profile that's expressing the views of an organization as if it was his or her own. But, when in reality, the comment being expressed is done on software and written by generally one or two people. So, the zombie posts will go out on a schedule and then they are supported by zombie likes. Attkisson: Is there any reason to believe Republicans don't do the same thing, and corporations as well? Brown: There's no reason to believe that everybody's not doing it.

The way the propaganda business is changing is really astonishing. Part of it is the ubiquitous nature of social media. But there is also a lack of critical thinking skills by the American public, who will swallow just about any lie if it's hidden cleverly enough.

As for Mr. Brown, it should be noted that we have little idea of who he is and no idea of whom he works for, nor can we ascertain the validity of his methodology, except for identifying the general kind of software he used for his analysis. Also, there is no specific evidence that the pro-Obamacare posters were paid for their efforts, although the organized nature of the propaganda suggests money behind it.

The social media giants have little motivation to prevent this sort of Astroturfing on issues  especially as it relates to liberal causes. About all that can be realistically done about the propaganda is to alert people that it exists and caution "caveat emptor" when reading social media posts.
For over four decades, the media have created and in turn destroyed politicians (especially Republicans). The result has been timidity and a necessary deference paid to members of the Fourth Estate. Indeed, since the takedown of Richard Nixon, the media have been drunk with perceived power, ever looking for their next victim.

With the progressive monopoly on journalistic education, it is almost impossible to find a centrist, much less a conservative, at major news networks or newspapers. When David Brooks of the New York Times passes for an in-house conservative, not much more needs to be said.

When it comes to the power of the media, however, Donald Trump seems to be the exception to every rule. He has parlayed a career as a builder and a developer into a cash cow reality TV program (The Apprentice) and now, based on name recognition, a keen understanding of middle-class America, and ability to harness the new media, into the highest office in the land.

Initially promoted for the Republican nomination by a media believing him a sure bet to lose to Hillary Clinton in a landslide and take Republican control of the House and the Senate with him, he shocked all but his most ardent supporters with victory.

Not since Ronald Reagan has a Republican presidential candidate been so reviled by the press and feared by the left. Like Reagan's, Trump's election was made possible in part by running against or following the worst president in the lifetime of most voters. The Democrats provided in Barack Hussein Obama a president who was more clueless and anti-Semitic than even Jimmy Carter.

Like Reagan, Trump could bypass the media and take his message directly to the American people, who responded to a carefully choreographed campaign in the states necessary to carry a significant electoral majority.

Unlike Reagan, Trump had the advantage of the maturing alternate media. Beginning with talk radio (Rush Limbaugh in 1988) and the internet, news was no longer a progressive near monopoly. The Drudge Report, Breitbart, and a host of other conservative websites had become a significant source of news and opinion, even if traditional conservative sites like National Review and American Spectator made fools of themselves as #NeverTrumps.

And then there was Twitter. Never had a presidential candidate caused so much consternation with so few and often intemperate words as did Donald Trump with his Twitter account. And as the media, Democrats, establishment Republicans, and the entrenched bureaucracy raged, Middle America  that had been quietly seething for the past eight years  cheered.

Even the quadrennial "October Surprise"  in this case, a timely leak to the Washington Post by a staff member of NBC's Today Show, in which Billy Bush goaded Trump into a crude locker room-type conversation  was unable to derail the "Trump Train," though it caused no doubt many an ulcer.

As a result, on January 20, 2017, Donald Trump became president. And while Hollywood raves, Democrats obstruct, and establishment Republicans cower, the news media implode. They didn't create the Trump phenomenon, as Rush Limbaugh explains, and they can't destroy it. To Trump's loyal base of voters, they are simply the "dishonest media." All Trump-bashing all the time, and yet, depending on the poll, the president's approval holds steady at about 50%.

Through it all, we America-loving conservatives can enjoy the spectacle of Democrats makings fools of themselves and the biased, leftist media imploding all over our television screens and newspapers. It doesn't get better than this.
The recent controversy surrounding President Trump and his supposed ties to Moscow has always been a non-starter for me. We are supposed to believe the word of unnamed intelligence officials ensconced in the Beltway suburbs without a drop of firsthand experience, busy leaking to reporters because they are upset about the result of the last election? Already there's a motivation problem right there.

But I have my own experience that makes me think the whole thing is nonsense except as a partisan setup.

The latest news is that House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) has stated that there is no evidence that the Trump camp had any significant contact or coordination with the Russians during the election campaign or shortly after, and he warned against a "witch hunt" over it.

He's right, and I believe him.

Know why? Because as a longtime journalist, I've talked to Nunes and his staff, usually in the context of California's mismanaged water situation and how it affects California's farmers, the hardest hit of whom are Nunes's constituents. But I've also talked to his staff not just on water, but on Russia. What did I find? The most hard-nosed, give-no-quarter, highly knowledgeable people this side of Russia itself. People with advanced degrees in Russian area studies. It's not been widely reported, but I can say with certainty that Nunes's staff are extremely sharp on Russia and well aware of every questionable act from that country. Nothing gets past them, and they have no naivete. If anything, they seem too harsh, but it is likely they have access to intelligence I do not.

If people known to be this hard-nosed are going to say they have no intelligence on Russian shenanigans with the Trump camp, you can bet there is nothing going on. Given their inclinations and expertise, they would have found it and put it out there.

Here's the other part: as a journalist, I also have contact with Russian sources, the official kind, the pro-Putin loyalists, and more than one from whom I have gotten perspective for writing news stories. Over the summer, I heard one important thing from all of them, by way of complaint: they were unable to make contact with anyone in the Trump camp. They wanted to learn what they could about Trump's positions, they were all interested, and they certainly tried, via official channels. None of it seemed nefarious. But they still said they got no cooperation. They said making contact with the Hillary Clinton camp was actually a little easier, but not much. They forecasted a Clinton win and paid more attention to Clinton's positions in any case. But even with a secondary focus on Trump, the Trump camp was a complete dead end to them.

Put the two together, and it adds up to a picture that the Trump-Russia "narrative," so obsessed about on the left, will come to absolutely nothing. I certainly do not know everything about what happened and, like Nunes, think it's right to keep an open mind. But the reality so far shows that there's no there there, from either side of the equation.
The city of Fez - Morocco's third largest city  was founded in the 8th century and is now home to over one million people. The city has a distinct traditional character, especially the old town or the medina called Fes el-Bali, that has hardly changed for centuries. Located behind a high wall, the medina has narrow, car-free alleys where hundreds of merchants and craftsmen sell a range of products such as dates, fish, spices, copper urns, carpets and musical instruments. Fez is also famous for its leather products and most of it comes from the leather bazaar (souq). The souq is home to three ancient leather tanneries, the largest and oldest being the Chouara Tannery, which is almost a thousand years old.

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Fezs tanneries are composed of numerous stone vessels filled with a vast range of dyes and various liquids spread out like a tray of watercolors. Dozens of men, many standing waist deep in dyes, work under the hot sun tending to the hides that remain soaked in the vessels. The tanneries processes the hides of cows, sheep, goats and camels, turning them into high quality leather products such as bags, coats, shoes, and slippers. This is all achieved manually, without the need for modern machinery, and the process has barely changed since medieval times, which makes these tanneries absolutely fascinating to visit.

At the Chouara Tannery, hides are first soaked in a mixture of cow urine, quicklime, water, and salt. This caustic mixture helps to break down the tough leather, loosen excess fat, flesh, and hair that remain on them. The hides are soaked for two to three days after which tanners scrap away excess hair fibers and fat in order to prepare the hides for dyeing. The hides are then soaked in another set of vats containing a mixture of water and pigeon poop. Pigeon poop contains ammonia that acts as softening agents that allows the hides to become malleable so they can absorb the dye. The tanner uses his bare feet to knead the hides for up to three hours to achieve the desired softness.

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The hides are then placed in dying pits containing natural vegetable dyes, such as poppy flower (red), indigo (blue), henna (orange), cedar wood (brown), mint (green), and saffron (yellow). Other materials used for dyeing include pomegranate powder, which is rubbed on the hides to turn them yellow, and olive oil, which will make them shiny.

One the leather is died it is taken out to dry under the sun. The finished leather is then sold to other craftsmen who make the famous Moroccan slippers, known as babouches, as well as wallets, handbags, furniture and other leather accessories. Many of these products make their way into the European markets.

The best views of the tanneries can be obtained from the surrounding terraces where the leather shops are located. Just visit one of the shops and ask for a tour, and the salesperson will give you the rundown on how the hides are treated and what dyes come from what plants. The pigeon poop and cow urine produces a stench so pungent that the tour guide will often supply sprigs of fresh mint to visitors to help them overcome the odor.

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Sources: Moroccan Bling / About.com / technologystudent.com
Spread out across the Bolivian highlands, at 4,000 meters, the city of El Alto is predominantly ochre-red, with thousands of low, matchbox-like brick houses with unfinished and unpainted facades lining the sides of dusty, unpaved roads. Its so drab and monotonous and depressing that residents have started to liven things up by adding splashes of color wherever they could. They have also started to design their houses into bizarre shapes.

Spearheading this new architectural revolution is self-taught architect Freddy Mamani Silvestre, whose ostentatious mansions and tacky color choices are poised to take over the entire city. These buildings are dubbed cholets, from the words chalet, which means large house, and chola, a pejorative term for the indigenous Aymara people.

Established just over a century ago, El Alto was originally a slum and a suburb located above and on the outskirts of La Paz, the country's administrative capital. But in recent years, the suburb has outgrown La Paz to become the second most populous city of Bolivia after Santa Cruz. It is also one of the highest metropolis in the world and the fastest-growing in South America.

The change began in 2005 after Bolivias current president, Evo Morales, got elected. An Aymaran, Morales gave the Aymara people, who have long been marginalized in Bolivian society, a new self-confidence. He gave the indigenous groups greater political autonomy and encouraged them to embark upon commercial ventures. Under Moraless leadership, in the past ten years those living below poverty line has been reduced by more than a third. By 2012, about 1.2 million Bolivians had become middle class. Mamanis architecture is a symbol of this newfound confidence and economic blossoming.

Some Aymarans become so affluent that they can now afford to build their own chalet. Those designed by Freddy Mamani Silvestre cost anywhere between $300,000 to $600,000, and some even more. For the affluent Aymara merchants, Mamanis works are a status symbol.

So far, Mamani has designed some sixty or seventy buildings in El Alto, with dozens more under construction. He has even bigger dreams for the city Mamani wants to design El Altos plazas, bus stations and boulevards.

Although critics dismiss his bold colors and extravagant designs as kitsch, others compare him to Hundertwasser. Some believe Mamani can do to El Alto what Antoni Gaudi did to Barcelona and Oscar Niemeyer did to Brasilia entirely transform the shape and aesthetics of the city.

Mamani himself oozes with confidence. "In 20 years, half of the houses here will be built in my style," he says.

Sources: Quartz / BBC / Aljazeera / The Guardian
About twenty kilometers from the city of Boulogne-sur-Mer, near the hamlet of Mimoyecques, in northern France, lies a once-secret underground Nazi base. Dug out under the limestone hills, the sprawling complex consisted of a network of tunnels linked to five inclined shafts in which Hitler planned to install more than two dozen superguns, called the V-3, all targeted towards London, 165 km away. The base was never completed, and its purpose of attacking London never realized. Had it been successful, the attack on London would have constitutedin Winston Churchills own words "the most devastating attack of all".

Late in the war, the Germans began developing a series of "retaliatory weapons", called Vergeltungswaffen, that were exceptionally long-range for the time. The first in the series, the V-1, also known as the flying bomb, was the precursor to the cruise missile. The V-2 was the world's first long-range guided ballistic missile. The third in the series, the V-3, was supposed to be a supergun with a long firing range.

Prototype of a V-3 cannon at Laatzig, Germany (now Poland) in 1942.

The V-3 was basically a cannon with a long barrel, over 100 meters in length, with multiple charges placed along the barrel's length. The charges were timed to fire as soon as the projectile passed them in order to provide an additional boost to the shells. The gun was still in its prototype stages, but Hitler was eager to have a battery of V-3 guns in France to supplement the planned V-1 and V-2 missile campaigns against London.

To reach England, it was calculated that the barrel of the gun had to be 127 meters long, and because of its size, the gun had to be deployed from a fixed site. The ideal location, it was decided, would be a hill with a rock core into which inclined drifts could be tunneled to support the barrels. A search along the coast of the English Channel across Britain yielded a site near the hamlet of Mimoyecques, 165 km from London. The site had a small hill made primarily of chalk that was easy to tunnel. The chalk also extends several hundred meters below the surface, providing ample space for a deep underground base.

Construction on the gun battery began in September 1943. The initial layout comprised two parallel facilities a kilometer apart, each with five drifts holding five V-3 gun tubes each, for a total of 25 guns. The entire battery would have been able to fire up to 10 shells a minute, or 600 rounds every hour. Both facilities were served by an underground railway tunnel and underground ammunition storage galleries.

The Allied Forces were completely unaware of the V-3 project, but they knew something was afoot at Mimoyecques. Aerial reconnaissance photograph revealed railway lines leading into the tunnels, and large-scale activity around them. The Allies concluded that the site was a launch pad for more V-2 rockets, and needed to be urgently put out of commission.

The Allied air forces carried out several bombing raids on Mimoyecques between November 1943 and June 1944 but caused little damage. Then on July 1944, the Royal Air Force dropped several ground-penetrating Tallboy bombs collapsing the tunnels and entombing some 300 forced slave laborers underground. The Allies continued bombing the site until approaching Canadian forces from the Normandy landings captured what was left of the base on September 1944.

After the war ended, Churchill ordered the site to be demolished so that it could never be used again.

In 1969, a local farmer excavated a small section of the tunnel and began using it as a mushroom farm. Later, in 1984, he cleared out more of the tunnels and opened a museum under the name Forteresse de Mimoyecques.

Reconstructed view of the installation as originally planned

One of the concrete slabs through which the V-3 guns would have been fired. It was demolished in May 1945 by the Royal Engineers.

A multi-charge cannon by Haskell (1892), based on which the V-3 was designed.

Entrance to the railway tunnel at the Mimoyecques eastern site. Photo credit: Gilles Messian/Flickr

Inside the tunnel, which is now open to visitors. Photo credit: Nigel S/Flickr

Replica of V-3 gun barrels at Mimoyecques. Photo credit: A J Veitch/Flickr

Sources: Wikipedia / Wikipedia
Contact: Ford Porter

Ford Porter govpress@nc.gov

Governor Roy Cooper today announced a multi-year investment in North Carolina teachers that would raise teacher salaries to first in the Southeast in three years and at least the national average in five years. Cooper's plan includes a 5% raise this year and another 5% the next year. This is the largest two-year investment in North Carolina teacher salaries in the last decade.said Governor Cooper.Cooper's proposal would bring average salaries to more than $52,000 in 2017-2018 and nearly $55,000 in 2018-2019.The budget proposal would also give teachers a direct annual stipend of $150 to offset out-of-pocket expenses for classroom supplies since many teachers stretch their already tight budgets to pay for basic classroom supplies themselves.Governor Cooper's plan to raise North Carolina teacher salaries will be included in the Governor's budget to the legislature, which he plans to release in full in the coming weeks.For a one-page fact sheet on Governor Cooper's proposed teacher salary increase, click here.
Contact: Daniel Keylin

Daniel Keylin daniel_keylin@tillis.senate.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the White House announced that Ray Starling, Chief of Staff for Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), will be leaving the Senator's office to serve as Special Assistant to the President for Agriculture, Trade, and Food Assistance.said Senator Thom Tillis.said Senator Richard Burr.Today, Senator Tillis also announced that his State Director Jordan Shaw will serve as his interim Chief of Staff.Starling, who most recently served as Senator Tillis' Chief of Staff, has also served as Senator Tillis' Chief Counsel, and was then-Speaker Tillis' General Counsel and Agriculture Advisor in the N.C. General Assembly. He has also been the General Counsel for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, has private practice experience from several years at Hunton & Williams, served as a law clerk on the N.C. Supreme Court, and has taught numerous agricultural and food law university courses. After growing up on a Century Family Farm in Autryville, North Carolina, Starling received a B.S. in Agricultural Education from N.C. State University and a J.D. from UNC-Chapel Hill.
CANNON BALL, N.D.  Opponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline who were pushed out of their protest camp this week have vowed to keep up efforts to stop the multibillion-dollar project and take the fight to other pipelines as well.

The Oceti Sakowin camp in Cannon Ball was cleared by law enforcement on Thursday, and almost 50 people, many of them Native Americans and environmental activists, were arrested.

The number of demonstrators had dwindled from the thousands who poured into the camp starting in August to oppose the pipeline that critics say threatens the water resources and sacred land of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The tribe has said it intends to fight the pipeline in court.

The 1,170-mile line, built by Energy Transfer Partners LP, will move crude from the shale oil fields of North Dakota to Illinois en route to the Gulf of Mexico, where many U.S. refineries are located.

Tonya Olsen, 46, an Ihanktonwan Sioux from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who had lived at the camp for three and a half months, said she was saddened by the eviction but proud of the protesters.

She has moved to another nearby camp on Standing Rock Sioux Tribe reservation land, across the Cannon Ball River.

"A lot of people will take what they've learned from this movement and take it to another one," Olsen said. She may join a protest if one forms against the Keystone XL pipeline near the Lower Brule Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, she added.

Tom Goldtooth, a protest leader and executive director of the Indigenous Environmental Network, said the demonstrators' hearts were not defeated.

"The closing of the camp is not the end of a movement or fight, it is a new beginning," Goldtooth said in a statement Thursday. "They cannot extinguish the fire that Standing Rock started."

Many hope their fight against the project will spur similar protests targeting pipelines across the United States and Canada, particularly those routed near Native American land.

"The embers are going to be carried all over the place," said Forest Borie, 34, a protester from Tijuana, Mexico, who spent four months in North Dakota.

"This is going to be a revolutionary year," he added.

Borie wants to go next to Canada to help the Unist'ot'en Native American tribe in their long-running opposition to pipelines in British Columbia.

Energy Transfer Partners, the Dallas-based company constructing the Dakota Access pipeline, is already facing pushback from a diverse base of opposition in Louisiana, where it is planning to expand its Bayou Bridge pipeline.

Other projects mentioned by protesters as possible next stops include the Sabal Trail pipeline being built to transport natural gas from eastern Alabama to central Florida, and Energy Transfer Partners' Trans-Pecos in West Texas. Sabal Trail is a joint project of Spectra Energy Corp, NextEra Energy Inc. and Duke Energy Corp.

Another protest is focused on Plains All American Pipeline's Diamond Pipeline, which will run from Cushing, Oklahoma, to Valero Energy Corp's Memphis refinery in Tennessee.

Anthony Gazotti, 47, from Denver, said he will stay on reservation land until he is forced out. Despite construction resuming on the Dakota pipeline, he said the protest was a success because it had raised awareness of pipeline issues nationwide.

"It's never been about just stopping that pipeline," he said.

June Sapiel, a 47-year-old member of the Penobscot tribe in Penobscot, Maine, also rejected the idea that the protesters in North Dakota had failed.

"It's waking people up," she said in front of a friend's yurt where she has been staying. "We're going to go out there and just keep doing it."
BEIJING -- Remains of 20 Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War will be returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on March 22, 2017, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs Monday.

It will be the fourth batch returned following a handover agreement signed by the two countries. From 2014 to 2016, remains of 541 soldiers were returned to China from the ROK, the ministry said.

Before the remains are returned, a ceremony will be held on March 20.

The Chinese side expressed thanks to the ROK defense ministry for its efforts in finding and identifying the remains of Chinese soldiers, according to the ministry.

The ROK will return more remains if found, the ministry added.

The Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) fought with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea army in the Korean War against the ROK army and U.S.-led UN forces.

A total of 197,653 CPV soldiers have been confirmed killed in the war, with most buried on the Korean Peninsula.

According to an agreement between China and the ROK, the two sides consult every year on the hand-over of remains of Chinese soldiers found in the ROK. A hand-over is usually held before Chinese Tomb-Sweeping Day in early April.
For my latest book, Fifty-Six Counties: A Montana Journey, I spent two years traveling to every county in Montana, interviewing people from every walk of life and reading almost 100 books about the history of the state and the West.

A couple of patterns I found significant through the history of Montana.

Despite having an abundance of natural resources, we have never been a wealthy state. There are several complicated reasons for this, but to me, the most obvious is many of the companies or people who have found a way to utilize these resources dont have a strong commitment to our state. Ever since William Clark and Marcus Daly combined forces to include a provision in the original Montana Constitution giving copper mines a break in taxes, many greedy, wealthy individuals found a way to exploit Montana and its people for their own gains. While farmers and loggers and storekeepers all over the state paid their fair share of taxes, the copper companies paid almost nothing for more than 30 years. The Copper Kings also managed to gain control of the newspaper industry throughout Montana, ensuring that the press looked the other way while they exploited our people, especially their own employees. And they maintained ownership of most of those major newspapers until the late 1950s.

Once Daly and Clark finagled the tax legislation, they became locked in a personal battle in which their employees were nothing but pawns. During a time when megalomaniacs held enormous power, these two men built obscene wealth on the backs of tens of thousands of hard-working Montanans. Although Daly showed occasional hints of goodwill toward his employees, his main investment was a mansion in the Bitterroot Valley that isolated his family from the toxic air his own company created. Once Clark was out of the copper business, he left Montana, building one of the largest mansions in New York City and putting most of his energy into traveling the world collecting art. When his last living child, Huguette, died just a few years ago, she owned several mansions all over the country that she hadnt visited for decades. Did these men have an obligation to put money back into this state or clean up the mess their companies left behind? Legally, no. But it might have been nice.

The second theme to emerge from Montanas history is the resilience and determination of its people. Again, these qualities were established early on, mostly out of necessity. Between the propaganda that railroads put out about the fertile ground here and the rush for gold and other minerals, many of the early pioneers came for riches that simply didnt exist or were in more limited supply. In most cases, they spent their entire life savings to pursue the promise of bushels of wheat or pockets full of gold dust. So they were stuck here.

To further complicate their introduction to the West, our government was in a full-on war with the Native Americans, and each time another treaty was broken or the cavalry carried out another invasion on an Indian village, who did they retaliate against? Generally the locals. The innocents who were honestly just trying to make a living. Essentially, those who were benefiting most from Montanas resources managed to create so much animosity between the Native American population and these innocent settlers that the two sides became locked in a conflict neither side sought nor wanted.

Although there were many examples of people who managed to establish a good life in those early homestead days, there were more who ended up having to do whatever it took to feed their families. This is the legacy we inherited, and although it has served many Montanans well, it has also fed a stubbornness that leaves many alone with their problems, feeding the high suicide rate that has become the norm. For the past 40 years, Montana has been in the top five in the United States for suicide.

But the positive side: Montanans come from a long line of innovative, determined and adaptable stock. One of the most striking things I noticed in my travels was that no matter how bad things seemed, or how bad they actually were, every tiny town in Montana still clings to the belief that better days are just around the corner. This attitude has been deeply planted into our DNA from early on.

Today in Montana, we are presented with a familiar scenario. Every time a natural resource has provided huge numbers of jobs, the narrative has followed the same predictable course. The working class rejoices in the chance for work, especially in cases like the Bakken, where the pay for common labor is higher than what most have ever made.

Because the majority is thrilled about prosperity, they try not to think about the long-term implications. Or their concerns are beaten down. This happened in Anaconda when Daly first opened the smelter there. The farmers could tell that the smoke coming from the big stack was effecting their crops and their livestock, not to mention their health. They filed a lawsuit, and some of the miners even supported their complaints. But the company was too strong. They hired scientists to fabricate statistics to prove the farmers claims wrong. And of course, they also employed the influence of their newspapers. The lawsuits were thrown out. Similar situations have happened all over the state, such as the asbestos mine in Libby. And it has always been those with money that got in the way of establishing an infrastructure that would prevent these problems.

I have an idea about how we can alter this narrative. From the time the West was settled, the Native population has been warning us about how we treat the earth. They have told us that if we take our resources for granted, we will pay a price. For the most part, weve listened to these warnings with a vacant smile and a nod and then dismissed them as a bunch of nonsense once we turned our backs. Meanwhile, theres plenty of evidence to indicate that their warnings were right.

A few years ago, I had the great pleasure of editing an anthology with Lynn Stegner, the daughter-in-law of one of my heroes, Wallace Stegner. We asked writers from all over the West to write about how growing up in the West affected them, and how they see the western identity changing over time. In his essay A Dark Light in the West, Barry Lopez wrote:

To my thinking, what finally proves important in reconciling the past is not necessarily the making of amends but the opportunity for a slighted party to tell his or her own story without interruption, according to his own sense of timing, and without fear of refutation. For those in power to simply let what another person says stand as their truth, and to go on from there, is a critical part of the healing that can conceivably take place after racial and ethnic violence.

So heres my idea. What would happen if we organized a gathering with representatives of all the tribes that were the targets of the genocide that the government orchestrated when we settled the West? What if we invited family members of the cavalry members who were killed in those battles; the young men who were not there because they hated Indians, but because they needed a job? What if we invited the members of pioneer families who were killed in the many battles that raged while they were trying to carve a living out of the dry earth? What if we invited the ancestors of those Irish mining families, the logging families, the trappers, the Chinese railroad workers who were shunned once their work was done, the buffalo soldiers who fought as bravely as anyone but were treated like outsiders until they finally decided to go somewhere they might be wanted?

What if we brought all of these people together and allowed them, as Lopez says, to tell his or her own story without interruption, according to his own sense of timing, and without fear of refutation? What would happen if we made this small effort to heal these decades worth of wounds? What if we got to a point where these groups of people felt as if they had a few less reasons to feel angry, or a few less reasons to apologize?

Do I honestly think this will ever happen? Probably not. But you know what does seem possible and has never been done? A public apology to these groups. There has never been any kind of symbolic effort to admit to these people that damaging decisions were made during those early years, and that many people were hurt because of it.

What if an effort to admit these mistakes inspired people to have more conversations about issues that are important? Right now, we live in a country where political contention is as nasty as I can remember. Conversations about subjects that are crucial to our future often lead to the worst kind of personal attacks and name-calling. Nothing gets resolved. But what if we could do something to change that, simply by bringing people together to heal what has happened in the past?

Almost every spiritual or religious philosophy ever created includes a process by which people can achieve atonement and/or forgiveness. By cleaning up the past, people can move forward with a clear conscience and less animosity regarding their fellow travelers. It works. But for some reason, using this method for social matters never seems to be an option. Many efforts have been made to alter this narrative through the years, but healing the past never seems to be one of them. These are not political issues. These are social and economic and spiritual issues, and yet for decades we have left them to politicians to solve.
Less than a year ago, Donald Trump was persona non grata in Montana GOP politics. The party office had no contact information for Trump's campaign, and one statewide candidate wouldnt even utter The Donalds name.

Now, as the party prepares for a special U.S. House election to replace Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke, candidates cant associate enough with Trump and his political promise to drain the swamp on politics as usual in Washington, D.C.

I talk often about my support, said Ken Miller, one of a half-dozen people seeking the partys nomination to face Democrats and Libertarians in a special U.S. House race in late spring. My goal is to be someone with a proven backbone to stand up and support Trumps agenda.

Miller was on the leadership team of Republican presidential candidate and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. He was also among a block of Cruz supporters who dominated Montanas delegation to the Republican National Convention. There were rumblings of a Cruz coup at the convention, but that didn't materialize. Miller said it wasn't in the cards.

When Trump stopped in Billings last May 26 for his only Montana campaign event, Miller didnt attend. The former state chairman of the Montana Republican Party said he was in Colorado that day.

A Laurel Republican, Miller described the race for his partys nomination as essentially a two-candidate race between himself and 2016 gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte. Like Miller, theres little evidence Gianforte was on the Trump train last spring.

The high-tech entrepreneur-turned-candidate didnt identify Trump or the Republican Party last May when acknowledging Trumps campaign event in Billings, which Gianforte didnt attend.

A Bozeman businessman, Gianforte applauded yet another visit by a 2016 presidential candidate to Montana.

"It's nice to see the Big Sky getting the big attention we deserve," Gianforte said in a welcoming press released headlined Gianforte Welcomes Presidential Candidate to Montana. The Republican candidate for governor said he had a meeting with the Montana Mining Association near Butte the day of the rally and couldnt attend.

I always said that I would support the eventual nominee," Gianforte told The Gazette. "When Trump became the nominee, I supported him. Now, hes our president, and I support him."

Last week, Gianfortes campaign pointed out that Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock wasnt embracing Democrat Hillary Clinton, either. Bullock, a superdelegate, skipped the Democratic National Convention. While he endorsed the Democratic Partys nominee, it took The Gazette several emails last June to get Bullocks campaign staff to acknowledge that the nominee was Hillary Clinton.

Since announcing his interest in the U.S. House, Gianforte has repeatedly aligned himself with Trump. Hes also characterized the special election as the Democratic Partys first referendum on Trumps agenda, a chance to wrestle a House seat away from Republicans. Its been 21 years since Montana elected Missoula Democrat Pat Williams to the U.S. House. The state hasnt elected a Democrat to the post since then. Most of the elections havent been close.

Trump is our president and the leader of our party, I support him, Gianforte said. Of course, there will be things I dont agree with the president on and there will be things I dont agree with Republican leadership on. And, thats because when those differences of opinion come along, Ill be on Montanas side. Im going to be looking out for Montana first. My number-one priority will be to make sure that Montanas voice is heard in Washington

Gianforte received 46 percent of the vote in the 2016 governors race to Bullocks 50 percent. Libertarian Ted Dunlap picked up the remainder. The Republican candidate received 43,125 fewer votes than Trump, who clobbered Hillary Clinton with a 101,531-vote advantage.

The Republican might have done better had he associated himself more with Trump, said Craig Wilson, Montana State University political science professor emeritus. Wilson said Gianforte will need to identify with Trump in the special election to attract the Republican voters Gianforte didnt draw in 2016. Whoever the Republican Party chooses to be its candidate in the next week or so during a nominating convention will have to be affiliated with Trump. In fact, it will be impossible not to be affiliated with the new president, Wilson said.

There are now seven Republicans vying to be selected at nominating convention by members of county-level committees. With no time for a primary election before an early spring election, all political parties will select a candidate in-house.

A look at federal election data shows only one would-be Republican U.S. House candidate donating to Trump, state Sen. Ed Buttrey, R-Great Falls. A moderate Republican, Buttrey is considered by many to have an outside shot at the nomination.

But Buttrey was an early Trump supporter. He donated $2,700 to Trumps campaign. And along with Rep. Zinke, he was the first Republican office holder to endorse Trump publicly. When Trump rallied supporters in Billings, Buttrey attended as a VIP and got to visit with Trump the candidate.

I was originally a supporter of Gov. (John) Kasich from Ohio. I supported him in the beginning due to the fact that his history showed an intellect and ability to search out solutions and not take ideological position when a solution could be obtained, Buttrey told The Gazette. I soon, however, saw a clear and concise message coming from the electorate, and that was that they were fed up with both parties, with the establishment, the practice of pointing fingers and laying blame, and most importantly the lack of positive action by politicians on behalf of the American people. This applied to voters from both parties, and they all were clearly looking for an alternate to the same-old politician. Mr. Trump certainly fit the bill.

Trump's speaking style seemed rash at times, Buttrey said, but Americans were embracing Trumps matter-of-fact style. The Great Falls Republican saw Americans wanting to take the country in a different direction and concluded that Trump would do so.

I believe I fit the mold of what the electors stated loud and clear in the last election that they want for their representative. I am a Zinke/Trump-type candidate, one that is willing to listen to all sides, to hear all arguments, and consider all opinions, Buttrey said. I am conservative in my decision making, but also am humble enough to know that I am not always right on all issues and that the best leader is willing to know when they need help, need advice and need to consider alternate opinions before making a decision.

The other candidates seeking the Republican nomination are Drew Turiano, of East Helena; Dean Rehbein, of Missoula; Rep. Carl Glimm, of Kila; and Ed Walker of Billings.

If the other candidates are now Trump supporters, Buttrey said he applauds their change of heart.
The Billings City Council gave local beekeepers a sweet deal Monday, unanimously approving an ordinance that will allow them to keep up to two hobby hives within city limits.

Beekeepers will have to pay a $10 permit fee to establish and stock their hives. The councils action goes into effect 30 days following second reading of the ordinance.

Lonnie Larson, president of the Yellowstone Valley Beekeepers Association, said honeybees arent aggressive. Many more stings come from wasps or hornets and especially yellowjackets, according to Larson, a Huntley resident.

A bees main interest is the hive, collecting pollen and nectar, he told the council.

The ordinance first came before the citys Animal Control Board, and board members were on hand Monday to support the proposal.

Cara Chamberlain said hives and their tasty product, honey, will enhance the citys livability and improve our health. She had a term for the adulterated honey thats generally available to shoppers. Its been honey-laundered, she said. Some of it is not honey. Its just honey flavored.

Chuck Bushey said he keeps bees outside city limits. While the ordinance is geared toward hobbyists, who knows if one of these hobbyists will want to start a business? he said.

A council member who may one day be stung by his own decision said he didnt mind.

Without bees, we dont exist, Councilman Chris Friedel said. Even though Im allergic, I dont feel this will scare me off.

Hotel registry ordinance repealed

The council also unanimously supported repeal of an ordinance similar to one in Los Angeles that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional two years ago.

Also effective 30 days after second reading, the repeal is of an ordinance that allowed any city official to inspect a hotel guest registry upon request.

City Attorney Brent Brooks, Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Dan Schwarz and Police Chief Rich St. John met with the Yellowstone County Lodging Association in fall of 2015 to discuss hoteliers concerns with the ordinance.

They were so open to our concerns and suggestions, said Shelli Mann, general manager of the Boot Hill Inn and Suites. If police say they are concerned about a (guest) who may be dealing drugs, we are going to assist police 100 percent."

But under the current ordinance, "any city official could ask for all our guests names," Mann said. "We have an obligation to protect our guests privacy.

Even with the repeal, police will still have three ways to obtain guest information from desk clerks or managers: the hotel can consent to police access to the registry; officers can acquire a search warrant; or, during a true emergency when the public is in danger and theres no time to obtain a search warrant, police can require immediate access to the registry without consent and without a warrant.

Also by a 10-0 vote  Councilman Mike Yakawich was not present  the council approved a revised park use agreement with the Amend Park Development Council. The new agreement requires APDC to submit an annual budget to the City Council for approval.

This years budget projects revenues of about $206,000 and expenses of about $205,000, including $100,000 to the city to provide turf maintenance and $50,000 for an operations manager.

The contract is one of the nicest win-wins I have seen in years, said City Administrator Tina Volek, praising the work of parks and recreation staff as well as the APDCs Mike Mayott. It has been a solid effort to move this forward together.
(ANSA) - Perugia, February 28 - Perugia prosecutors on Tuesday requested the indictment of the ex-head of the Rome flying squad Renato Cortese, former head of immigration office Maurizio Improta, 5 police officers, a justice of the peace and three functionaries of the Kazakh embassy in Rome for the alleged kidnapping of Alma Shalabayeva, wife of Kazakh dissident Mukhtar Ablyazov. Italian police officers allegedly gave photos from a fake passport seized from Shalabayeva to Kazakh embassy officials who subsequently used them for the passes for the 2013 deportation of the woman and her daughter Alua, according to the Perugia prosecutors. Furthermore, top cop Cortese, Rimini police chief and immigration chief Improta and two other officers are suspected of deliberately failing to identify Shalabayeva as Ablyazov's wife. As a result they are under investigation for failing to perform their duty and falsehood, as well as involvement in abduction. Three other police and justice of the peace Stefania Lavore are also under investigation.

In July 2014 Italy's supreme Cassation Court ruled that the deportation of Shalabayeva and her daughter was "manifestly illegitimate".

Italy rescinded the deportation order after the May 31, 2013, expulsion of Shalabayeva and Alua, who were seized in a nighttime raid and put on a private jet with Kazakh diplomats, was brought to light.

According to Shalabayeva, some 50 plain-clothes officers mistreated and verbally abused her and her daughter during the operation before turning the two over to the government of Kazakhstan, which has been criticized for human rights abuses.

Ablyazov, who is wanted in Kazakhstan and Russia, is an outspoken critic of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev.

Kazakhstan claims Ablyazov, a banker, is not a dissident but an outlaw wanted for a multi-billion-euro embezzlement case at his BTA Bank.

Shalabayeva and her daughter returned to Italy six months after their controversial deportation, which caused an international scandal.

They were able to leave Kazakhstan after the authorities in Astana lifted restrictions on their movements, following strenuous lobbying from former Italian foreign minister Emma Bonino.

"Today I have faith in the Italian judicial system which is seeking those responsible and I thank the Perugia prosecutor's office which has been very autonomous and diligent in its investigations," Alma Shalabayeva told ANSA recently.

"A very serious job has been done to get at the truth behind the abduction of myself and daughter".


(ANSA) - Rome, February 28 - The head of the visa department in the Italian consulate in Iraqi Kurdistan has been replaced after a foreign ministry probe found "irregularities" which have been reported to competent prosecutors, the ministry said Tuesday. The ministry said it was "wholly evident" that measures would be taken. Corriere della Sera newspaper today revealed a suspected case of visas being in the consulate being "sold for 10,000 euros". The Milan daily quoted foreign ministry spokesman Marco Peronaci as saying the ministry was aware of the matter.

"We are awaiting," Peronaci told Corriere, "the results of the inquiry organised by the foreign ministry. If the suspicions were to be proven, the Rome prosecutor's office would have to deal with the case. It has to be said that the case had been urgently flagged already at the end of the summer by our consul Alessandra Di Pippo who, despite having arrived in Erbil only a short time previously, had immediately grasped the gravity of it". photo: Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano
ANSAmed - Tomorrow's events in the Mediterranean

(ANSAmed) - ROME, FEBRUARY 28 - The following are some of the main events scheduled for tomorrow in the Euro-Mediterranean area.



BALKANS - Visit by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini who will travel to Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia.



TUNIS - Kram exhibition centre, VIII edition of the Textile Machinery trade fair 'Siet 2017' (to March 3).



ISRAEL/WEST BANK - NATO, visit by the Science and Technology commission and the special Mediterranean and Middle East Group (to March 3).



ROME - Exhibition at Accademia Egitto in Rome entitled 'Glimpses of Upper Egypt' on traditional life in southern Egypt (until March 16). (ANSAmed).




(by Cristiana Missori) (ANSAmed) - ASSUAN - Since the fall of Gaddafi ''violence against women in Libya has continued to increase'', Zahra Langhi, a human rights activist and co-founder of Libyan Women's Platform for Peace, told ANSAmed.



Langhi, whose movement was created in 2011 with over 100 women from various sector of civil society, said that the North African country, ''from North to South, from East to West'' is experiencing daily ''assassinations, kidnappings, abuse and rape'', also ''by ''Islamic militias''.



Libyan women, the activist said on the sidelines of the Aswan International Women Festival, which has just wrapped up, ''started the revolution but we did not fight to reach this''.



Today's Libya, she stressed, is a no man's land. ''There is no rule of law, no Constitution and the Serraj government - which is internationally recognized - is very weak and does not control the territory. And women pay the highest price''.



Many activists, including Langhi, had to leave the country.



There is a ''systematic attack'' against them. ''Defamation campaigns also take place online, where we are often called whores. They say we represent a threat for national security''. Recent decrees imposed by the military government of Cyrenaica to prevent women younger than 60 from travelling alone outside the national territory (which were subsequently withdrawn) and the one that recently replaced it - which states that women and men aged 18 to 45 cannot leave the country without the authorization of military authorities - are just the tip of the iceberg.



''We have launched a campaign against the bans'', said Langhi.



Langhi presented a documentary, Justice for Salwa, has the women's festival in Assual which has just ended.



The film is in memory of the most well-known lawyer and women's rights activist in Libya, Salwa Bugaighis, who was killed in Benghazi in June 2014, on the day of elections for the new Parliament.



In the country's pacification process, as well as for the theme of gender violence, the role of the religious sector appears key.



In a few days, Langhi replied, a study called ''Mapping of the religious sector in Libya'' will be published, drafted with a team of researchers located in different parts of Libya, for the United States Institute of Peace. We have drafted a complete map of the religious presence in the entire country'', including the so-called Quietist Salafists (not directly involved in politics), the Salafites, the Muslim Brotherhood, the Wasati civil movement, the Sufis'' as well as the role of religious leaders''.



Langhi will be in Rome the first week in March to meet with lawmakers and promote her awareness campaign on the gender issue in Libya. (ANSAmed).


TUNIS - The special Tunisian commission of enquiry investigating nationals who were reported missing in the Mediterranean Sea in 2011 handed to Italian interior ministry officials 223 genetic imprints provided by the families of missing migrants, along with photos, films and digital prints to help investigators, the Tunisian ambassador to Italy has said.



The ambassador made the statement to local media, talking about the meeting held in Rome on February 23 between Tunisian and Italian officials to talk about those who were reported missing.



Preliminary results of research carried out by forensic police from both countries were discussed, ambassador Moez Sinaoui said, stressing that an agreement was reached on the creation of a mixed technical and scientific commission charged with comparing information gathered by Italian and Tunisian services with those of the Italian data bank.



Tunisian mothers who have not heard from their children anymore, with the support of the Tunisian human rights league LTDH, created last year the association 'Mothers of the missing', followed by other groups seeking to discover what happened to their dear ones.



Many mothers claim to have proof that their children reached Italy in 2011 and are accusing the Tunisian State of ''laxity'' on the dossiers of the missing. Overall, 503 cases have been officially investigated since June 2015 by a commission of inquiry chaired by the social affairs ministry, including representatives of the ministries of interior, defense, justice and foreign affairs.
Montana has not kept up with other states regarding solar energy. We can change that by calling or writing our state legislators and urging them to vote "yes" on House Bill 504. Call 406-444-4800 to leave a message for your legislator. You can also send a message at leg.mt.gov.

HB 504, the Solar Jobs and Energy Freedom Act, would give Montanans access to affordable solar energy, create jobs and increase Montanas energy independence. The price of rooftop solar has dropped 80 percent since 2008, making it as affordable as traditional sources of power. Its also a huge job creator. Nationally, the solar industry created jobs at 12 times the rate of the overall economy in 2015.

This session, our Legislature has continued to stall on this issue, refusing to remove antiquated regulations that limit Montanas energy freedom and block job growth in clean energy. HB 504 would raise the arbitrary caps on solar power systems that currently discourage home and business owners from utilizing solar. It would also enhance community solar projects that benefit those who rent or live in a home not suitable for a solar array. As Montanans, its time that we demand our right to make truly wise energy choices. Please join me in contacting your legislator today and asking them to vote yes on HB 504.

Katy Kern

Red Lodge
BRUSSELS - With the report ''A deadly trip for children'', published on Tuesday, Unicef sounded the alarm to raise awareness on the situation of unaccompanied minors who travel from Africa to Europe along the central Mediterranean route. Unicef said they are the victims of abuse and violence and are the category most at risk. For this reason, the special coordinator for the migrant and refugee crisis in Europe, Afshan Khan, who met in Brussels with a small group of journalists, asked for ''pressing measures to protect child migrants and a system of safe passages''. In particular, Unicef warned about the conditions suffered by migrants in Libya's detention centers, including 34 identified centers, 24 of which are managed by the government and 10 by militias.



The organization said it has access to less than half the centers that depend on the government's department for the fight against illegal immigration. Migrants suffer abuse here every day, the report said, and there is lack of food, clothing and blankets. Migrants, including minors, are held at the centers in groups of 20 people in cells of two square meters.



The situation at camps managed by militias is even worse, the organization said.



Unicef has no access to them but, based on reports drafted by other agencies or UN missions, they are called ''infernal holes'', where often migrants are forced to work and torture is common practice.



The report also highlighted that the 181,436 migrants and refugees who arrived in Italy in 2016 included 28,223 minors, or about 16%, and that nine in 10 reached Italy's coasts without an adult accompanying them.



Moreover 700 of the 4,579 believed to have died while crossing the Mediterranean in 2016 were reportedly minors.



And out of the 256,000 migrants detected by UNHCR in Libya in September 2016 (but IOM estimates say their number is three times higher), 28,031 were women (11%) and 23,102 (9%) were minors, one-third reportedly unaccompanied.
A former two-term Montana state senator has entered a crowded Republican field of candidates hoping to replace U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke.

Ed Walker, 46, will seek his party's nomination to run in a special Congressional election, which will take place this spring.

Walker spent much of his childhood in Colstrip and earned his undergraduate degree from Montana State University. He holds a master's degree in public policy from the University of Denver, according to his campaign site.

He won his state senate seat, which includes parts of Carbon and Yellowstone counties, in 2010 and went on to serve in the 2011 and 2013 sessions.

Walker was among the directors of the Montana Growth Network, a dark money group that spent tens of thousands of dollars during the the 2012 Montana Supreme Court race.

As a 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to "social welfare," the Montana Growth Network was not required to disclose donors. Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl issued a ruling in 2015 that said the group had violated campaign laws for its spending prior to the 2012 election.

Walker is a vice president for the oil and gas contractor Triple L Inc based in Lander, Wyoming.

Zinke, who will resign his seat to take an appointment as head of the U.S. Department of the Interior, is expected to receive confirmation this week. The affirmative vote will trigger nominating conventions for each party in Montana and an election within 100 days.

Vying for the Republican nomination so far are 2016 gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte, state Sen. Ed Buttrey, state Rep. Carl Glimm, former state Republican chair Ken Miller, Drew Turiano and Dean Rehbein.

Democratic candidates who have come forward include legislators Kelly McCarthy and Amanda Curtis. Also included are musician Rob Quist, attorney John Meyer, Tom Weida, Link Neimark, Gary Stein, and Dan West.
If youre considering a subscription to the Disney Plus streaming service, you may be wondering how much it costs. The service is available on both
A second B737 freighter will be delivered shortly from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen paving the way for the launch of flights to Cologne/Bonn, Milan Orio al Serio, Malta, Casablanca Int'l, Algiers, and Dubai World Central.
For airlines, this means that Travelport is able to fully integrate with its NDC application programme interface should the airline choose to use NDC-XML messaging to distribute and deliver their fares and products.



For travel agencies and travel management companies, this means that when shopping for and booking flights via Travelports Travel Commerce Platform, they will have even more enhanced travel content and greater access to ancillary offers. In particular, Travelport-connected agents will be able to make ancillary sales post the original flight booking, and through their preferred agency workflows, for the first time.



Travelport has also achieved the NDC-capable IT Provider Level Two status, making it only the second organisationand first GDS--ever to be designated as NDC certified and NDC Capable. This further expands its NDC capabilities and means that Travelport also has the option to distribute IATA NDC offers for fares and prices on behalf of the airlines electing to use IATAs industry standards.

Travelport has always made it clear that it recognises and fully supports the industry need to transform the way air products are retailed, and the requirement to move away from legacy systems, and has already successfully delivered its own in-house air merchandising capabilities with its award-winning Rich Content and Branding technology. This technology allows airlines to retail their full offering and brand proposition to Travelport-connected travel agencies and travel management companies around the world and over 200 airlines are already using the technology. Online travel agencies can also make this information available direct to customers via Travelports Universal API.



As well as driving its own merchandising innovation, Travelport has always therefore chosen to be an active participant in IATAs NDC planning and has been a member of various working groups and steering and committees focused on NDC development. These groups include the Passenger Distribution Management Group Advisory Forum (PDMG AF), the PDMG Working Group (PDMG WG), IATA Simplifying the Business (StB) Think Tank, and the ONE Order Taskforce.

Ian Heywood, Travelports Global head of product and marketing, air commerce, said: We know the industry needs to transform the way flights are sold and IATAs NDC is an important part of this. It very much complements the pioneering merchandising technology we launched in 2014 with our Rich Content and Branding solution which enables airlines to retail their full range of products, and extensively promote their brand, to the travel trade and corporate bookers. With this latest industry-first milestone, we are proud to maintain our leadership position.



Yanik Hoyles, director, new distribution capability (NDC) program, IATA, said: We are very excited to welcome Travelport as the first GDS to join the certification program as both Aggregator and IT Provider within our NDC program. With basic and Offer Management messages whose schemas are compliant with the NDC schema, version 1.1.3 and 15.2, Travelport joins the fold of NDC players who are supporting airline efforts to provide full, rich content and product differentiation in the travel agent channel.
BUTTE - Butte police arrested a man at 11 p.m. Saturday who admitted on the way to jail that he had 22 prior DUI convictions in various states, authorities said.

Clinton Sproles, 54, was arrested on the 700 block of Front Street after a traffic stop for DUI refusal, driving with a revoked license and violating parole. Police were originally responding to a domestic disturbance and found Sproles driving away.

Police said Sproles was not involved in the domestic disturbance, but smelled of alcohol and failed field sobriety tests. Sproles refused a Breathalyzer test, claiming they are untrustworthy, and requested a blood test instead, according to police.

Butte police were unable to immediately verify Sproles claim of 22 prior DUI convictions, but are working with the Butte-Silver Bow County Attorney's office to determine the extent of Sproles' criminal history and believe the number to be at least roughly accurate.

The Gallatin County Attorney's Office listed 18 prior DUI convictions in various states dating back to the 1970s for Sproles when he was arrested in 2008 for hitting a vehicle while driving with a 0.179 blood alcohol level.

A Bozeman judge sentenced Sproles as a repeat felony offender to a 240-month prison sentence, but state law typically excludes prison sentences for DUI. Instead those convicted of a fourth or subsequent DUI serve six months in the Warm Springs Addictions Treatment and Change Program (WATCh) and upon completion of the program are released on probation for the remainder of their sentence.

Sproles was previously sentenced in Granite County to 73 months in prison, partially suspended, for persistent DUI offenses in 2006. Court records show his drivers license has been revoked in Montana, Colorado and Georgia.

In 2015 Sproles was allowed to enter WATCh and upon completion was in pre-release. Butte-Silver Bow County Deputy Attorney Ann Shea said that if Sproles completed the WATCh program and reoffended, he may not be eligible to return to the program and could serve a jail sentence.

Officials at the WATCh program did not respond to requests for Sproles' history with the facility.
MANDAN, N.D.  A pipeline protester criminally charged with abusing her elderly mother at the Oceti Sakowin camp pleaded not guilty in court Monday.

Kathleen Bennett, 58, of Las Vegas, is accused of taking her 82-year-old mother, who suffers from dementia, to the camps as blizzards pummeled the area from October to December. According to police, she would leave her mom tied to a chair while she attended protests and on one occasion, left her without pants in her own feces.

The allegations were reported to authorities after the elderly woman was hospitalized during a blizzard on Dec. 17. Medical staff found her frail, malnourished and lacking mental faculties, Morton County Sheriffs Department Deputy Josh Selle testified at a preliminary hearing Monday afternoon.

The case relies on the testimony of Bill Running Fisher, member of the Gros Ventre Tribe and owner of a security firm working with the veterans who came to the Dakota Access Pipeline protest in early December; Melanie Stoneman, a womens advocate at the camp, and camp medics.

Bennetts attorney Donald Sauviac indicated in court Monday he would challenge the credibility of the people who detailed the alleged abuse to authorities. Sauviac commented that some of the evidence came from people with indirect knowledge of the treatment. He also implied the key witnesses had criminal histories that had not been investigated by the police.

In addition to this case, Bennett has also been charged with exploitation of a vulnerable adult. A complaint filed in Burleigh County alleges Bennett used about $1,200 of her mothers money without consent to rent hotel rooms, buy meals and pay legal fees in Bismarck while her mom was in the hospital.

The elderly mother still resides in a hospital due to her dementia, Stoneman said in a phone interview Monday afternoon. Stoneman has been appointed co-guardian along with the victims two sons. She said they are working to find a nursing home placement for her in New Mexico where most of her family resides.

South Central District Judge Thomas Schneider found probable cause in the abuse case Monday afternoon and will schedule a two-day jury trial. Bennett has not yet appeared in court on the exploitation case.

If convicted on both charges, Bennett could face up to 15 years in prison.

She is being held at the Morton County Correctional Center on $10,000 bond.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. Whilst MEPs are free to visit areas of their choosing and promote their individual beliefs, MEPs should responsibly pay attention to the obvious fragility of the cease-fire and the need to support the political mediation processes in Nagorno-Karabach and be clear of their unofficial individual status for all such visits, Sajjad Karim, Co-Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Armenia and EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Association Committees, said in a statement.

The statement reads:

Azerbaijani Prosecutor General has issued three international arrest warrants, this week, against MEPs Eleni Theocharous, Frank Engel and Jaromir Stetina for having visited Nagorno-Karabach and having, through their behavior, supported the self-proclaimed local statehood. On 20 February, the MEPs named above carried out "observations" of a process organised locally in Nagorno- Karabach. No official European Parliament observation mission has been organized in Nagorno-Karabach. Any impression given contrary to this is therefore without merit and completely unfounded. Whilst MEPs are free to visit areas of their choosing and promote their individual beliefs, MEPs should responsibly pay attention to the obvious fragility of the cease-fire and the need to support the political mediation processes in Nagorno-Karabach and be clear of their unofficial individual status for all such visits. The issuing of an international arrest order is unwelcome, unhelpful and undesirable it also exaggerates the importance to be attached to this individual MEPs visit. What is needed is the re-invigoration of the Minsk Group process and a political mediation to take the peoples living in the area, and the states concerned, from the current, too long, protracted conflict to stable peace, economic revitalisation and decent living conditions. This should be the drive of our political activity, when we conduct it openly and transparently via the official bodies of the EP. We look forward to all three named MEPs declaring the basis of this visit as per declaration requirements for all MEPs.

On February 20, more than 100 international observers monitored the constitutional referendum in Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh). MEPs Frank Engel (Luxembourg), Jaromir Stetina (Czech Republic) and Eleni Theocharous (Cyprus) were also among the observers.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. The Public TV airtime for the 9 political forces of the upcoming parliamentary election will begin every day at 19:00, Chairman of the Central Electoral Committee Tigran Mukuchyan said during a meeting with mass media representatives.

Since coverage is mainly more active, naturally there is a requirement under the Electoral Code on distributing Public TV and Radio airtime, which we have already done. Another important issue which was subject of discussion was the start of airtime. The previously defined 18:00 or 18:30 caused problems since its an inconvenient time. This is why we defined an appropriate time, Mukuchyan said, adding the Radio airtime will be carried out on two parts  13:00 and 21:40.

According to Mukuchyan, the methodology designed for monitoring media coverage gives answers to several questions, for instance the procedure.

The foundation of the methodology is maintaining one of the most important principles  equal and impartial coverage, he said.

Mukuchyan said the first change in the Electoral Code was affirming the media accreditation institute, meaning each news agency and media outlet must have accreditation to be present at regional centers and covering the election process.

Currently 22 media outlets and over 300 reporters have applied for accreditation. The deadline is 15 days before election date, he said.

The parliamentary election in Armenia is set for April 2.
A senior at the North Dakota State University's School of Nursing, located at Sanford Health in Bismarck, has been named North Dakota Student Nurse of the Year for 2016.

Carlee Fleck, of Bismarck, received the award from the Nursing Student Association of North Dakota at the groups annual convention held Feb. 19-21 in Bismarck. She participated in interviews with candidates from nursing programs statewide.

I was very surprised and humbled, Fleck said in a news release from the school. I was honored that the faculty would nominate me for this award and grateful for the opportunity.

Fleck is a member of NDSUs Student Nurses Association and has helped raise donations and awareness for health- and nursing-related issues.
ASEANs PIT rates compared

Below, we outline PIT tax brackets in individual member states. To help readers understand how these rates fit into the context of these countries wage structures, we have also included the average salary of different ASEAN states.

RELATED: Individual Income Tax in Malaysia for Expatriates

It is important to remember that these figures are based upon estimates and exchange rates at the time of writing, and therefore should not be used to make any meaningful PIT calculations. For a free consultation on personal income tax across the region or in particular ASEAN states, please contact asean@dezshira.com



About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email asean@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight. 

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 ASEAN 2016

An Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2016 introduces the fundamentals of investing in the 10-nation ASEAN bloc, concentrating on economics, trade, corporate establishment and taxation. We also include the latest development news in our Important Updates section for each country, with the intent to provide an executive assessment of the varying component parts of ASEAN, assessing each member state and providing the most up-to-date economic and demographic data on each.





Human Resources in ASEAN

In this issue of ASEAN Briefing, we discuss the prevailing structure of ASEANs labor markets and outline key considerations regarding wages and compliance at all levels of the value chain. We highlight comparative sentiment on labor markets within the region, showcase differences in cost and compliance between markets, and provide insight on the state of statutory social insurance obligations throughout the bloc.
Telecom operators likely to follow Airtel in removing tariffs.

Airtel said it has already launched innovative and affordable International roaming packs for all major countries across the world.

New Delhi: The era of roaming charges in India is coming to an end. Indias largest telecom operator Bharti Airtel on Monday announced that its customers while roaming will enjoy free incoming calls and SMSes and there will be no premium on outgoing calls, allowing them to speak freely wherever they are within the country.

Airtel said that there will be no additional data charges on national roaming. Home data packs for customers will apply even while they roam across India. Airtel also said international call rates will be cut by up to 90 per cent to as low as Rs 3 per minute and data charges by up to 99 per cent to Rs 3 per MB across popular roaming destinations. The offer comes into effect from April 1.

It was Jio who first offered zero roaming charges as being a newcomer it aggressively tried to poach customers from old operators in an increasing mature telecom market. However, Airtels decision to scrap roaming charges means that the industry as a whole is now moving towards free roaming. Others operators are expected to soon announce zero roaming charges in the coming days.

This marks the death of national roaming and the whole country will now be like a local network for our customers, who will not have to think twice before making or receiving calls or using data while travelling outside their home base, said Gopal Vittal, MD and CEO (India and South Asia), Bharti Airtel.

Airtel said it has already launched innovative and affordable International roaming packs for all major countries across the world. These packs come with convenient validity options of 1 day, 10 days, and 30 days.

Starting April 1, 2017, even customers on international roaming Without a (roaming) Pack will be fully protected from bill shocks through an automatic adjustment that is equal to the daily pack for that particular country.
Both sides working on dates; Netanyahu may tour India by yearend.

MEA secretary (economic relations) Amar Sinha (right) with Israeli ambassador to India Daniel Carmon in New Delhi on Tuesday, during the unveiling of a logo to mark 25 years of India-Israel diplomatic relations. (Photo: Pritam Bandyopadhyay)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Israel by the middle of this year, the first by any Indian Prime Minister to the Jewish nation.

The visit is likely to take place sometime in June. Government sources said the visit would take place this summer, with preparations already having commenced as both sides are working out the dates for the visit along with other details. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also likely to visit India by the end this year.

The two nations on Tuesday unveiled a logo in the capital to mark 25 years of diplomatic ties. Speaking on the occasion, MEAs secretary (economic relations) Amar Sinha said although both the countries have cooperation in the defence and the security sectors, conscious efforts are being made to make it a multi-dimensional relationship, and not merely unifocal.

Israeli ambassador Daniel Carmon said the two sides are working on every possible area of cooperation. In the past 13 years, India has bought weaponry and defence platforms worth billions of dollars from Israel.

Mr Sinha said the two countries have planned a series of events to celebrate the silver jubilee of the diplomatic relationship this year. It has been decided at the highest level, to create joint coordination committee to plan out the activities. This includes visits by business delegations, academic fora. Mr Sinha said Israel is located in an area of great concern and interest to India.

In November last year, the two countries had decided to broad-base their already close defence partnership and had agreed to intensify cooperation in combating radicalism and extremism during the visit of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. The two sides had also resolved to deepen their overall engagement including in key areas of trade and investment, agriculture, water resources, education and research.
A pipeline protester criminally charged with abusing her elderly mother at the Oceti Sakowin camp pleaded not guilty in court Monday.

Kathleen Bennett, 58, of Las Vegas, is accused of taking her 82-year-old mother, who suffers from dementia, to the camps as blizzards pummeled the area from October to December. According to police, she would leave her mom tied to a chair while she attended protests and on one occasion, left her without pants in her own feces.

The allegations were reported to authorities after the elderly woman was hospitalized during a blizzard on Dec. 17. Medical staff found her frail, malnourished and lacking mental faculties, Morton County Sheriffs Department Deputy Josh Selle testified at a preliminary hearing Monday afternoon.

The case relies on the testimony of Bill Running Fisher, member of the Gros Ventre Tribe and owner of a security firm working with the veterans who came to the Dakota Access Pipeline protest in early December, Melanie Stoneman, a womens advocate at the camp, and camp medics.

Bennetts attorney Donald Sauviac indicated in court Monday he would challenge the credibility of the people who detailed the alleged abuse to authorities. Sauviac commented that some of the evidence came from people with indirect knowledge of the treatment. He also implied the key witnesses had criminal histories that had not been investigated by the police.

In addition to this case, Bennett has also been charged with exploitation of a vulnerable adult. A complaint filed in Burleigh County alleges Bennett used about $1,200 of her mothers money to rent hotel rooms, buy meals and pay legal fees in Bismarck while her mom was in the hospital and without her consent.

The elderly mother still resides in a hospital due to her dementia, Stoneman said in a phone interview Monday afternoon. Stoneman has been appointed co-guardian along with the victims two sons. She said they are working to find a nursing home placement for her in New Mexico where most of her family resides.

South Central District Judge Thomas Schneider found probable cause in the abuse case Monday afternoon and will schedule a two-day jury trial. Bennett has not yet appeared in court on the exploitation case.

If convicted on both charges, Bennett could face up to 15 years in prison.

She is being held at the Morton County Correctional Center on $10,000 bond.
Kaur on Tuesday also withdrew from the 'Save DU' campaign, and the march by left-wing students which is to be held from Khalsa College.

New Delhi: The English Department of Lady Shri Ram College, where Kargil martyr Mandeep Singhs daughter Gurmehar Kaur is a first year student of English Honours, has unanimously issued the following statement today.

We, the faculty members of the English Department, Lady Shri Ram College unequivocally and strongly support our student Gurmehar Kaur and her right to express her opinion on issues that embroil our university. It is immensely gratifying to us as her teachers that she has responded sensitively, creatively and bravely to events in her immediate context rather than seek the safe refuge of silence. We feel that it is the bounden duty of educational institutions to nurture sensitive, responsive and critical thinking students without the fear of violent retaliation. We are proud that Gurmehar has fulfilled her duty as a young citizen of this country. The threats of violence and brutality that she faces are absolutely reprehensible. Responses on social media by public figures such as Virender Sehwag and Randeep Hooda are shameful trivialization of the intimidation that Gurmehar faces at the hands of violent mobs whose viciousness the university has recently witnessed. We fervently appeal to the good sense of the public and to institutions of redressal to help restore our faith in law and justice in our country and let our young citizens think and articulate without fear of intimidation.

Rita Joshi, Madhu Grover, Rukshana Shroff, ArtiMinocha, Maya Joshi, ShernazCama, Mitali Mishra, Arunima Ray, DiptiNath, Maitreyee Mandal, JanetLalawmpuii, Ngangom Maheshkanta Singh, Karuna Rajeev, Wafa Hamid, Jonathan Varghese, TaniyaSachdeva, Rachita Mittal.

Kaur has received rape threats from ABVP members and other individuals on social media after she changed her profile picture on Facebook, which said, 'I am not afraid of ABVP'. She subsequently complained to the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), which provided security to her.

Kaur on Tuesday also withdrew from the 'Save DU' campaign, and the march by left-wing students which is supposed to be held from Khalsa College today.
Baglay was handling the sensitive PAI (Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran) division in the ministry till now.

New Delhi: Senior diplomat Gopal Baglay was on Monday appointed spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs (MEA) succeeding Vikas Swarup, who was recently appointed as the next Indian high commissioner to Canada.

A 1992-batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service, Mr Baglay was handling the sensitive PAI (Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran) division in the ministry till now.

Delighted to take over as Official Spokesperson. Hope to have your cooperation in continuing the high traditions set by my predecessors, Mr Baglay tweeted. Apart from spokesperson, his designation would also be joint secretary external publicity.

I wish my successor Gopal Baglay all the best for the new assignment. He will take MEA communications to the next level, onli-ne & offline! Today I bid farewell as the Official Spo-kesperson, an extraordinary privilege and honour! You can follow me in my new role on @VikasSwar-up, Mr Swarup tweeted while handing over the charge to Mr Baglay.

According to news agency reports, Mr Baglay has held many key positions, including director, XP, director PAI and Indian deputy high commissioner to Pakistan.
The bench said, the foetus is "likely to have mental and physical challenges" but the advise of the doctors does not warrant abortion.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to allow a woman, who is in her 26th week of pregnancy, to abort her foetus on the ground that it suffered from 'down syndrome', saying "we have a life in our hands".

The apex court said that as per a report of the medical board constituted to examine the 37-year-old woman, there was no physical risk to the mother in continuation of pregnancy.

A bench of Justices SA Bobde and LN Rao observed that though "everybody knows that children with down syndrome are undoubtedly less intelligent, but they are fine people."

The bench said as per the report, the foetus is "likely to have mental and physical challenges" but the advise of the doctors does not warrant termination of pregnancy.

"With this report, we don't think we are going to allow termination of pregnancy. We have a life in our hands," the bench said.

"In these circumstances, as per the present advise, it is not possible to grant permission to terminate the pregnancy," the court said.

Down syndrome is a congenital disorder which causes intellectual impairment and physical abnormalities.
The driver was named Adirayana had fallen asleep at the wheel, and his negligence is being seen as the prime cause of the accident.

Rescue operation on after the bus falls into the canal. (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

Vijayawada: At least 11 people were killed and 30 others injured after a private bus heading to Bhubaneswar from Hyderabad fell into a river near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh early morning on Tuesday.

While nine people, including driver Adinarayana Reddy were killed on the spot, one passenger died in a hospital at Nandigama while another died while being taken to Vijayawada.

The private Volvo bus with 44 people on board was on its way to Hyderabad from Bhubaneswar when the mishap occurred between two culverts on the highway, police said. The passengers were fast asleep during the accident.

The injured have been taken to the Nandigama Government Hospital, said reports.

Of the 30 injured people, 10 are critical, said a report. The bus, Diwakar Travels, was owned by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLA from Tadipatri JC Prabhakar Reddy.

The bus had made a stop at Vijayawada along its 1000-kilometre journey, where a new driver took over. It overran a bridge divider and plunged through the gap between the two lanes into a river in Mullapadu around 5:30 am, said reports.

The bus driver, who was also killed in the mishap, was drowsy and lost control over the vehicle, police said.

Soon after the incident, an eye witness called the police. Authorities in Krishna district were asked to constantly aid the injured and track their health condition. Gas cutters were used to rescue the passengers.

Nandigama Deputy Superintendent of Police Umamaheswara Rao is supervising the investigation. Krishna District Superintendent of Police Vijaya Kumar rushed to Mullapadu to oversee rescue and relief operations.

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Chinna Rajappa and Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas are continuously monitoring the situation. Transport Minister Sidda Raghava Rao has ordered an inquiry into the mishap.
The PM, in his rally, implied that to get any work done in Manipur, people pay 10 per cent commission.

New Delhi: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed an election rally in poll-bound Manipur, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to campaign in the north eastern state on Tuesday.

Manipur is one of the last northeastern bastions of the Congress after Assam and Arunachal Pradesh were whisked away from it. Chief minister Ibobi Singh has been in power since 2002 and is expecting a fourth consecutive term in the 60-member strong Assembly.

The Congress is not taking any chances having roped in Central leaders who are campaigning under general secretary incharge C.P. Joshis guidance. In the previous two Assembly elections, the grand old party faced regional parties but finds the BJP as its main challenger this time around.

The BJP is upbeat as it is relying on the anti-incumbency. It is also buoyed by the fact that it managed to open its account in Manipur during the bypolls held in two Assembly seats in 2015.

The BJP has targeted the Congress government over irregular salaries, land-grabbing, drinking water problem and law and order issues besides other corruption charges.

The PM, in his rally, implied that to get any work done in Manipur, people pay 10 per cent commission. Manipur needs a zero per cent chief minister, he had said.

The nearly four-month long economic blockade by the United Naga Council has also brewed resentment among people against the Congress as it has resulted in unprecedented rise in prices of essential commodities.

The Congress is also facing stiff challenge from activist-turned-politician Irom Sharmila, who launched her own party, Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance, in August last year, and is contesting from two constituencies, one of them the CMs. The state goes to polls in two phases on March 4-8.
Thousands converged at New Delhi's Khalsa College to the chants of 'Hum honge kamyaab' to protest last week's violence at Ramjas College.

New Delhi: A day after ABVP held its Tiranga march in Delhi, scores of students and teachers from Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University on Tuesday gathered at Khalsa College to participate in the 'Save DU march', to protest against last week's violence at Ramjas College.

Many of the assembled did not vow allegiance to any particular political outfit, Hindustan Times reported. The protestors claimed they had gathered there to protect their freedom of expression, and exercise their democratic right to agitate.

With chants of 'Hum honge Kamyab', 'ABVP why so creepy?' and 'Delhi Police why so sleepy?', the protest march crossed Lady Sri Ram College, and further moved towards the Arts Faculty, where it was supposed to culminate.

Read: Ramjas violence: Delhi police receive notice from NHRC over use of excessive force

As it proceeded to reach the Law Faculty, the police tried to intervene and halt the march. However, it soon resumed and was on its way.

Some students even held up copies of the preamble of the constitution to assert their rights to protest.

Waving the Indian flags, students were also seen shouting "This country is ours, not the fiefdom of thugs. This is not a fight between Left and Right, it is a fight against goondas."

JNU's Kanhaiya Kumar and Shehla Rashid also joined the anti-ABVP protest march.

Speaking at the event, Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) President Nandita Narain said, We condemn the violence at Ramjas College. It was an assault on the Ramjas students and not about left and right debate, as the media is portraying.

Tight security has been put in place in view of the march.

Earlier in the day, Delhi University student and daughter of martyr Gurmehar Kaur, who faced much flak for her social media campaign against ABVP, declared that she was withdrawing from the 'Save DU' campaign.

Im withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to sayI have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take :) she tweeted on Tuesday morning.

Kaur however urged Left-wing students to continue with the planned protest march today. The campaign is about students and not about me. Please go to the march in huge numbers. Best of luck, she tweeted.

She added,To anyone questioning my courage and bravery.. Ive shown more than enough. One thing is for sure, next time we will think twice before resorting to violence or threats and thats all this was about.

Kaur has been promised security by the Delhi Police after she complained that ABVP cadre threatened to rape her.

The genesis of the ABVP-AISA clash was an invite to JNU student Umar Khalid, facing sedition charges, and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar at Ramjas College on 'Culture of Protests' which was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by the ABVP.

This triggered clashes between ABVP and other opposing student groups.
Mau, incidentally, is the stronghold of mafia don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari who is contesting the seat on a BSP ticket.

Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, warned that bahubalis will not be able to treat jails as a safe haven after March 11.

Why is it so that when a bahubali goes to jail, he smiles and poses for cameras? This is because he is safe inside and can carry out his activities without getting nailed. He gets all the comfort. All this is going to stop after March 11, the Prime Minister said while addressing a rally in Mau.

Mau, incidentally, is the stronghold of mafia don-turned -politician Mukhtar Ansari who is contesting the seat on a BSP ticket. Mr Ansari, currently in jail, was denied custody parole by the Delhi High court on Monday to campaign for himself in the elections.

The BJP, ironically, does not have a candidate here because the papers of its nominee were rejected during the scrutiny.

The Prime Minister further drew a parallel between the local bahubali (read Mukhtar Ansari) and the film by the same name.

In the film, Katappa kills Bahubali and after March 11, the stick of the law will deal with the Bahubalis. Those who give tickets to such people are making a mockery of democracy, he said and asked the people to send his message to all such elements that times had changed.

Mr Modi also asked the people to punish SP, Congress and BSP for the backwardness of eastern UP or Purvanchal.

He said that in 1962, the then MP from Ghazipur, Vishwanath Gahmari, had narrated the plight of Purvanchal and the extent of poverty. Pandit Nehru was so moved by the MPs speech that he set up the Patel Committee to suggest ways of developing Purvanchal. It has been fifty years but no action has been taken on that report which suggested a railway line between Mau and Ghazipur. We have started work on that railway line and also a rail cum road bridge on the Ganga river, he said.

Criticizing UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, Mr Modi said that the Centre had given `18,000 crore for power to the state government but half of it remains unspent.

One leader recently said his comment on donkey was a joke. Are police stations turning into Samajwadi office a joke? Are murders, loot and crime against women a joke? You can make fun of me if it gives you a sound sleep but you have turned Uttar Pradesh into a joke in five years, he said.

Mr Modi said the Samajwadis were afraid of losing and, therefore, entered into an alliance with a sinking ship.
None of the 649 voters, including 339 men and 310 women of Parsauli village exercised their franchise with the polling booth number 120.

Amethi: The residents of a village in Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi's political home turf Amethi on Tuesday boycotted the poll process in protest against having no proper road link to the outside world.

The boycott of voting by electorate of Parsauli village, barely 3 kilometres from high profile town Amethi, was confirmed by returning officer for Amethi segment and sub-divisional magistrate AK Kanaujiya.

None of the 649 voters, including 339 men and 310 women of Parsauli village exercised their franchise today, with the polling booth number 120, set for the voters, kept waiting for the voters for the entire day, said Kanaujiya.

The Parsauli voters shunned the polling booth resisting district administration's bid to persuade them to cast their votes.

Village Parsauli is 3 km from Amethi town on Amethi - Durgapur highway but has no proper link road.

Explaining the reason for boycotting the poll process, Parsauli native KN Sharma, a retired station master of the Indian Railways said that the road to connect the village with main road was constructed decades ago during the tenure of late MP Sanjay Gandhi but it now virtually stands obliterated from the face of earth.

Sharma along with other Parsauli natives said that no representative ever took care of this village.

Meanwhile, the poll officials put the voters' turnout in Amethi district up to 5 pm was 56 percent.
He said that women should be tied down to the depths of the sea for dressing like that.

Society has been subjecting women to bizarre opinions on their dressing, and many have used the same for justifying rapes. Some leaders in the past have also blamed calamities like earthquakes on promiscuous women.

Now a shocking footage has emerged featuring a priest from Kerala criticising women for wearing jeans and saying that they should all be drowned in the sea for tempting men. He also goes on to justify rape on the basis of the way women dress.

Heres the full text of the video,

When I see some girls, I dont feel like giving out my gospel or letting them enter church even. They would be dressed in a shirt, a pair of jeans, with their hair untamed, a phone in tow, to show of to whomsoever concerned; why that thing even bothered to come is beyond me. I ask to the women here, has the Holy Bible allowed you to wear mens shirt and pants? After I lecture young men on the ways of God, they come to me later and tell me, Father, after absorbing all the knowledge you give us, we exit and are exposed to semi-naked women. Were involuntarily provoked and aroused. What have the preachings taught us about this? Its best to tie the source of provocation down to the depths of the sea. When a father or a young man has come to the church to offer themselves to the God, if youre standing beside him, having dressed provocatively enough to distract him, youre a sinner, and you deserve to be tied down to the depths of the sea. And then you complain that you cant find a groom or a job. Why? Thanks to the way you dress. Once a family brought their son who got his elder sister pregnant, to me, for counseling. When I asked him why he had committed the sin, he shared his sorrow with me. He told me when their parents left for work, it was just his sister and him alone at home. All he could see was her roaming around in her revealing shorts and tee. If you are someone who provokes their own brother and family, my Lord wont accept you if you come to the church.

The video has sparked outrage after it went viral, since it comes at a time when a heated debate around womens security if raging on in the wake of the blatant victim shaming following Bengaluru mass molestation.
Several valuables, including a laptop, hard-disks and other electronic items were found missing.

The incident came to light on Sunday evening when a BSF constable, who was on duty with the DIG, found the main door broken.

New Delhi: A BSF DIGs house at Subramaniam Bharti Marg was found burgled on Sunday. Several valuables, including a laptop, hard-disks and other electronic items were found missing.

The incident came to light on Sunday evening when a BSF constable, who was on duty with the DIG, found the main door broken. He later made the PCR call.

According to the police, they received a PCR call on Thursday in which the caller, a BSF constable, informed that BSF DIG Aseem Vayass house was found burgled. The BSF constable in his complaint said that the DIG was out of station and his son locked the house at around 7 am. Later, the BSF constable went to check the house and saw it properly locked at 3 pm.

A few hours later, at around 6.30 pm, when he reached the house, he found the main door broken. He immediately informed the DIG, who instructed him to call the police.

The constable then made a PCR call and a police team reached at the spot to investigate the matter.

On receiving information from the BSF constable about the theft incident, the police summoned a forensic team. A team of forensic experts visited the house and lifted fingerprints from the spot. The police also has questioned the BSF constable who was posted there, said a BSF official on the condition of anonymity.

We are investigating the matter and we need MAC (media access control) address of the missing laptop to trace it, said a police official.

The police has filed a case under Section 454/380 of the IPC.
US President Donald Trump speaks during the Governor's Dinner in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, US, February 26, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is seeking what he called a "historic" increase in military spending of more than 9 percent, a huge rise even as the United States has wound down major wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and remains the world's strongest military power.

Trump will seek to boost Pentagon spending in the next fiscal year by $54 billion in his first budget proposal and slash the same amount from non-defense spending, including alarge reduction in foreign aid, a White House budget officialsaid on Monday.

The president does not have the final say on federal spending. His plan for the military is part of a budget proposalto Congress, which, while it is controlled by his fellow Republicans, will not necessarily follow his plans. Budget negotiations with lawmakers can take months to play out.

Trump told state governors at the White House that his budget plan includes a "historic increase in defense spending to rebuild the depleted military of the United States of America."

"This is a landmark event and message to the world in these dangerous times, of American strength, security and resolve. We must ensure that our courageous servicemen and women have the tools they need to deter war and when called upon to fight in our name, only do one thing: Win," he said.

Officials familiar with Trump's proposal said the defense increase would be financed partly by cuts to the State Department, Environmental Protection Agency and othernon-defense programs.

We're going to do more with less and make the government lean and accountable to the people," Trump said.

Such a military spending hike would be unusual given that the United States is not engaged in a major war, although its special forces and Air Force are active against Islamic State inIraq and Syria.

An official familiar with the proposal said Trump's request for the Pentagon included more money for ship building, military aircraft and establishing "a more robust presence in key international waterways and choke points" such as the Strait of Hormuz.

Spending in the most recent fiscal year was $584 billion,according to the Congressional Budget Office, so Trump's planned $54 billion increase would be a rise of 9.2 percent. The next fiscal year starts in October.

Reuters
Donors associated with companies holding medical marijuana licenses are providing most of the funding for ballot measures that would legalize recreational marijuana in several states. An analysis of campaign finance data by The Associated Press shows that marijuana legalization campaigns have raised about $23 million in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota. Entities associated with the existing marijuana industry have provided the bulk of the money in every state except North Dakota, where a national cannabis advocacy group is the top donor. The New Approach advocacy group also is the main backer of a Colorado initiative to legalize psychedelic mushrooms.
The bench was hearing an appeal filed by the AAP government against a single judges interim order.

New Delhi: In a major setback to the AAP government, the Delhi high court on Monday dismissed the city governments appeal against a single judges interim order staying its new nursery admission norms based on the neighbourhood criterion.

A bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal directed the single judge to decide the petitions expeditiously. We have dismissed the appeal (of Delhi government).We, however, have directed the single judge to decide the petitions (challenging the Delhi governments decision) as expeditiously as possible, the bench said.

While the court refused to interfere with the single benchs order, it expressed its concern that the admission process has already commenced. The bench said that if the process was stalled, it would lead to an irreversible situation.

Since the issue relates to the admission of children in entry level classes, if the notification (neighbourhood as the sole criterion for deciding the admission) is allowed to be acted upon, it would lead to irreversible situation and in case the notification is ultimately quashed, the consequences would be very complex and serious, the bench said.

It added that the implementation of the notification, which seeks to regulate the admissions in only 298 schools, can await the final result of the writ petitions.

The division bench was hearing an appeal filed by the AAP government against a single judges February 14 interim order. The single judge had stayed the Delhi governments new 2017-2018 nursery admission norm, observing that a students educational fate cant be relegated to only his/her position on a map.

Upholding the decision, the bench had asked the single judge to dispose of the main writ petitions as expeditiously as possible.

We also make it clear that the observations/findings in our order as well as the order under appeal being prima facie in nature shall not come in the way of deciding the main writ petitions, it added.

The single judge had ordered an interim stay of the January 7 notification until the final disposal of the pleas challenging the Delhi governments order.

In its two directives on December 19, 2016 and January 7, 2017, the Delhi government had made it compulsory for the 298 private schools built on the Delhi Development Authority land to admit children for nursery who live in that neighbourhood or stay within a certain distance from the school.

Maintaining that the order passed by the single judge was totally wrong, erroneous, and against the law, the AAP government had urged the division bench to stay the operation of the order.
The AISA students claimed that they were attacked by 7-8 people and strangulated with belts.

New Delhi: Two alleged ABVP activists were arrested for attacking two AISA supporters on the North Campus of Delhi University on Tuesday.

The AISA activists, Raj Singh and Utkarsh Bhardwaj, alleged that they were strangulated by Prashant Mishra and his friends, who followed them while they were returning from Arts Faculty around 5:20 pm, police said.

Utkarsh and Raj claimed that they were attacked by seven-eight people near Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College and were strangulated with belts.

Police managed to nab two persons -- Prashant and Vinayak Sharma -- from the spot.

They have been booked under IPC sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) and arrested, said a senior police officer.

Police are trying to identify the other students who were involved in the alleged attack on the AISA activists.
Sushil has been brought to Kolkata during the day for questioning.

Kolkata: More than three weeks after his disappearance, Jadavpur University student Sushil Mandi was found in Mecheda of East Midnapore on Monday morning. He was rescued from the Mecheda railway station where he had come to meet his friend, whom he had called on Sunday night for a meeting. Sushil had called her at around 10.45 pm.

The woman alerted the police, according to sources. Sushil has been brought to Kolkata during the day for questioning. The pro-Naxal M.Phil student of linguistics went missing from the main hostel of the JU at around 7.30 am on February 2 after he was accused by a female student of molesting her and posted her allegations on Facebook.

He, however, had left his cellphone in his room at the hostel which initially created a challenge to the police to track him. His friends were earlier questioned by the police. They had told the police that Sushil was depressed over the allegations against him. Following his disappearance, Sushil went to Kharagpur and spent two days there. Later, he went to his friends place in Belda, according to sources.
Political parties came together in Nashik and formed an apex committee to handle the issue.

All party leaders, except the BJP came together to protest against the EVMs used for voting in Mumbai during the BMC polls. (Representational image)

Mumbai: Raising serious doubts over the malfunction of electronic voting machine (EVM) and the missing names of lakhs of people from the voters lists, political parties came together in Nashik and formed an apex committee. During the recent corporation and zilla parishad polls in Nasik, Pune and Mumbai, there were reports of EVM allegedly being hacked. Party workers plan to protest in Nashik on March 3.

Meanwhile, the apex committee is gathering detailed information about suspicious results in Nasik and it will file a petition in the Bombay high court against state election commission on March 2. The apex committee member Dr Sanjay Aparanti said, It is a scam by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managing election commission. In a way it is completely destroying democracy. We will take this matter to a logical end. Ditto in Pune city. Reports appeared in local newspaper that the tally of voting numbers after counting was not matching in all the 41 wards. This is resulting in a protest likely to get bigger in coming days.

Pune Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and MP Vandana Chavan said, As of now we do not say that the EVMs were hacked. But the difference in numbers of voting and counting raises serious doubts. There is something wrong in it and it must be investigated by a prominent agency.

The EVM fiasco and number mismatch in voters has hit Mumbai as well. On Tuesday, all party leaders, except the BJP came together to protest against the EVMs used for voting in Mumbai during the BMC polls. They were protests at Mulund against the state election commission and the BJP. One independent candidate Shrikant Shirsath from ward number 90, Sakinaka, got zero votes. He asked, How can this happen. I will not get my own vote? Even my family has voted for me. It shows there is fraud in the EVM. These Protesters are also seeking legal advice to take this battle to court. But the state election commission on Tuesday having received any complaint from any candidate till the date.
The case came to light when the victims mother confronted him regarding money going missing from the house.

The accused allegedly sodomised the minor over the last seven to eight months and blackmailed him into giving each of them a certain sum of money.

Mumbai: The Andheri police has booked 10 minor boys for allegedly having unnatural sex (sodomy) with another minor boy using violence, threats and blackmail. The accused allegedly indulged in the act with the minor over a period of the last seven to eight months and also blackmailed him into giving each of them a certain sum of money if he did not want them to reveal to others about the fact that they forced him to have unnatural sex.

The case came to light when the victims mother confronted him regarding money going missing from the house. The FIR was allegedly registered last week but the police took no action, as they were busy with election duty.

According to sources, the victim is about 12 years of age and stays with his mother who works as a maid. The father of the victim passed away a few years ago. All the accused and victim stay in the same area in Andheri and know each other. Some of them study in the same school, said a police source. The case came to light when the mother of one of the accused found ` 700 in his possession. When she questioned, he did not give a clear answer and later said that the victim had given it to him without specifying the reason. The mother of the accused then took the boy and visited the victims house where she told his mother. The victims mother confronted him but he refused to talk. Upon checking the cupboard she found cash missing and questioned the victim. He then told his mother everything who approached the police, a source said. Pandit Shankar Thorat, Senior Police Inspector refused to comment on the issue but confirmed the incident.

The police revealed that the minor was being sodomised for many months now. It started with two of the accused first indulging in unnatural sex with him. They then told the other accused who started doing the same to him. They would tell him that he would damage his reputation and to think about his mother, who is a widow. They also told him that they had recorded a video of the incident and would upload it on websites if he told anyone, said a source. All the accused are in the age group of 13-15 and would allegedly take turns sodomising the victim. The source added that while the minors had not recorded any video, they started using the threat to blackmail him and demand money.

The accused have been booked under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

On Tuesday, the police questioned the accused minors and after questioning them produced them at the Juvenile court where they were sent to kept under observation at the Dongri Childrens Home.
Twitter users were quick to berate Ms Conway, with many calling her body language a sign of 'disrespect.'

President Donald Trump meets with leaders of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (Photo: AP)

Washington: US President Donald Trump's senior advisor Kellyanne Conway sparked social media fury on Monday after kneeling on a White House sofa with her shoes on.

In an image captured by an AFP photographer, Ms Conway appears casually kneeling on the couch as Trump poses for a photo with leaders of historically black colleges and universities.

Twitter users were quick to berate Ms Conway, with many calling her body language a sign of "disrespect."

"Conway with her shoes on the couch in Oval Office - consistent with general level of disrespect Trump team has shown," tweeted one user.

"The new stock photo for 'white privilege,'" wrote another Twitter user of the image, which shows her surrounded by a large number of black people who are standing.

"The country's most esteemed African American educators have gathered together at the White House, and Kellyanne Conway cannot be bothered to acknowledge them with the respect of formal courtesy," wrote one commentator on the women's interest website Jezebel.

By early Tuesday, the AFP tweet of the photo had been retweeted more than 1,700 times, drawing some 1,600 likes and 1,400 replies.

The photo also triggered a tide of memes: "The ancestors put plastic on the furniture just for women like Kellyanne Conway," read one post, with the AFP image juxtaposed against sofas cloaked in plastic furniture covers.

Oval Office decorum

Wall Street Journal columnist Bret Stephens was among Ms Conway's detractors, suggesting that aides under previous administrations would have elicited even greater outcry.

"If Rice or Jarrett had sat like this in Oval Office, conservatives would have screamed themselves hoarse for weeks. Now we own trashy," he wrote.

Some drew comparisons with photos of former president Barack Obama with his feet up on the desk of the Oval Office.

"Remember when Republicans used to flip out over Obama Oval Office decorum," posted one Twitter user.

Mr Trump's predecessor repeatedly took flak for photos in which he appeared to be kicking back. Mr Obama was also chastised by critics for unbuttoning the previous Oval Office dress code that called for a suit jacket and a tie.

Ms Conway recently came under fire for plugging the fashion brand of the president's daughter. The head of the US Office of Government Ethics urged the White House to investigate Ms Conway after the incident, saying she should face disciplinary action.

She also famously coined the term "alternative facts" and referred to a "Bowling Green massacre" - which never happened - during an interview.

Ms Conway later tweeted that she meant to say "Bowling Green terrorists" - referring to two Iraqi men who were indicted in 2011 for trying to send money and weapons to Al-Qaeda, and using improvised explosive devices against US soldiers in Iraq.
During her first official visit to India, Georgevia will see the operations of the Bank-supported rail system in Mumbai starting on Tuesday.

Mumbai: World Bank Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kristalina Georgieva, who is presently in Mumbai, on Tuesday travelled in local train from Churchgate to Dadar.

During her first official visit to India, Georgevia will see the operations of the Bank-supported suburban rail system in Mumbai starting on Tuesday.

She will hold discussions with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, RBI Governor Urjit Patel besides other key policy-makers.

"India is our biggest middle income client. Its economic growth influences global growth. Its achievements in health and education contribute to the world achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. I am keen to learn more as India is a laboratory for the world to learn about what works in development and to find new ways to collaborate." Georgieva said.

While in Mumbai, she will have the opportunity to see how the operations of the World Bank-supported suburban rail system - which carries about eight million commuters each day - is serving a fast growing and urbanizing India.

Georgevia will also visit a school serving low-income households and children with special needs, which is a part of Centre's Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme supported by the bank to see how the Mumbai administrators are striving to ensure that basic services are delivered to all residents of the city.
Of course, Jaishankar can tell Shannon that 65,000 H1-B visas are issued annually only because the Americans need Indian skills.

What will Subrahmanyam Jaishankar say to Tom Shannon, the United States undersecretary of state for political affairs (who had briefly served as acting secretary till Rex W. Tillerson was sworn in as the 69th secretary of state on February 1), the foreign secretarys opposite number in Washington, when the two meet later this week? While there are a whole range of issues in which the two large democracies are actively engaged in, let us focus on what many regard as the most poignant issue in current Indo-American relations.

At another time and with another partner, India might have remembered that Britain sent the Royal Navy to Greece in 1850 when a Greek mob damaged the property  only the property, mind you, not the life  of the Portuguese consul, a Jew who was technically a British subject, having been born in Gibraltar. India might appear to ride high and strong to Indians at home, but anything like the Don Pacifico incident is way beyond the feeble competence of a nation that goes cap in hand for jobs to the United States because it cannot provide for its own.

Of course, Mr Jaishankar can tell Mr Shannon that 65,000 H1-B visas are issued annually only because the Americans need Indian skills.

It would be true too. But the Indians who flock to the US, and for whom the Green Card is the brightest dowry and greatest asset, do not go there to help out the US in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the so-called STEM disciplines. They go purely and simply because employment prospects are so bleak at home.

Indian doctors similarly migrated to Britain in the 1960s, and it was said afterwards that they had saved the National Health Service. In the 1950s, Jamaican bus drivers and conductors also kept the wheels of Britains nationalised state transport moving. Both groups were fulfilling the primary obligation to self and family. That also applies to Indian labourers in Singapore. Will our high commissioner there boast that Changi airports latest extension would not have been built without unskilled Indian workers?

The Chinese dont rely on H1-B visas to the same extent. Chinas economic growth may not be as spectacular as it claims but they obviously the Chinese dont face the dilemma of training skilled personnel at great cost to the exchequer, and then not knowing what to do with them because industrial growth hasnt kept pace with the phenomenal expanse of higher education.

The roots of the problem go back to the setting up of the Indian Institutes of Technology under Jawaharlal Nehru and his vaunted five-year plans not creating the expected high-tech jobs. Nalini Ranjan Sarkar, the pioneering Bengali businessman, industrialist and entrepreneur, was a member of the Viceroys Executive Council before Independence when he was appointed chairman of a 22-member committee that recommended in 1946 the establishment of higher technical institutions in the eastern, western, northern and southern regions of the country along the model of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Humayun Kabir and Dr B.C. Roy, then chief minister of West Bengal, persuaded Nehru to push through a special law to establish the Kharagpur IIT in 1951.

The first five IITs thus owed their origin to the enterprise of a man who made a fortune for himself and wanted to do the same for his country. Sarkar was not an ideologue.

He expected IIT graduates to give the impetus to Indias economic regeneration, not to go to the rescue of Americas information technology or fill the shortfall of 2.4 million STEM jobs in the US that a Brookings Institution report predicts. Sarkar would have been pained to read these graduates described as indentured servants. As Norman Matloff, professor of computer science at a California university, wrote in the Washington Post of IT giants: These firms of the new economy seem to be awfully fond of the old economy of 200 years ago  when indentured servitude was in vogue. But to put it bluntly, beggars cant be choosers. Even substandard US wages seem extraordinarily high in rupees, specially to Indians who cant get any job at home.

Other aspects of the situation merit notice. The rise in anti-black and anti-Jewish crimes even during the election campaign suggests a connection with Donald Trumps America for Americans rhetoric, no matter what his press secretary might plead now. The growing mistrust of Muslims is a global phenomenon. While it is generous of the US charge daffairs in New Delhi, MaryKay L. Carlson, to call her country a nation of immigrants, it is open to question whether all Americans welcome people from across the world to visit, study and live. Statistics show that old immigrants are often the most dogged in rejecting the new ones. Singapores Chinese bear this out. Finally, who exactly is the tragically dead Srinivas Kuchibhotlas widow, Sunayana Dumala, addressing when she asks so poignantly, Do we belong? Despite Ms Carlsons claims, she cannot really expect an affirmative answer from the US government. Trump or no Trump, Washington has no specific obligation to protect Indian immigrants. That brings me to Ms Dumalas reported decision to return to the United States. However it may be worded, its impossible not to see the decision in terms of all the factors that induce aspiring Indians to take enormous risks to migrate to far more prosperous countries in the first place.

So, is Mr Jaishankar going to say to Mr Shannon: Its business as usual because we Indians place material self-interest above self-respect? Its about all that he can say. There wouldnt have been an Indian diaspora otherwise. From plantation workers in Mauritius to engineers in California, the driver is the profit motive.

The writer is a senior journalist, columnist and author
President Donald Trump has maintained silence over the incident.

Washington: Former US secretary of state and Democrat candidate for 2016 US presidential elections Hillary Clinton, on Tuesday, has urged Donald Trump to speak up on the racially motivated Kansas shooting that left one Indian killed and another injured.

With threats and hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak, she said in a tweet.

The attack, by 51-year-old Navy veteran Adam Purinton has sent shockwaves across the Indian community in America and has raised questions of safety among the expats in the country which has seen increasing number of hate crimes and anti-immigrant attacks of late.

President Donald Trump has maintained silence over the incident. Many attribute the rise in hate crimes on his visibly anti-immigrant policy.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has called the links between the attack and President Trumps anti-immigrant stance absurd.

Obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but Im not going to get into, like, to suggest that theres any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So Im not going to go any further than that, White House press secretary Sean Spicer, told reporters.

Earlier last week, 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed and another Indian man, Alok Madasani were injured after an American Navy veteran yelling get out of my country and terrorist opened fire on them at a bar in an apparent racially motivated hate crime. An American man who tried to intervene was also shot.
One of Trump's central campaign pledges was to quicken the fight against IS and he berated Obama administration for taking too long.

Washington: The White House has received the Pentagon's review of plans to defeat the Islamic State group, after President Donald Trump demanded that top brass find additional ways to destroy the jihadists in Syria and Iraq, an official said today.

One of Trump's central campaign pledges was to quicken the fight against IS, and he berated the administration of his predecessor Barack Obama for taking too long to do so.

"The White House will begin reviewing the recommendations," the official said on condition of anonymity.
Gov. Doug Burgum has rejected a plea by North Dakotas American Indian tribes to give them exclusive rights to host internet gambling and sports betting in the state. But Burgum did endorse the tribes appeal to lower the legal gambling age from 21 to 19 at American Indian casinos and to allow use of credit or debit cards to bet. The tribes asked Burgum to approve the gambling expansion under tribal-state agreements. The tribes wanted gamblers using mobile devices to place bets that would be funneled through computer servers on tribal land. Burgum says state law doesn't allow that.
John Major accused pro-Brexit politicians of giving Britons unrealistic expectations of life outside the EU.

London: Former Prime Minister John Major has criticised Britain's preparations for leaving the European Union, saying the government must offer more charm and less "cheap rhetoric" if it wants to get a good deal.

Major, who led the UK's Conservative government between 1990 and 1997, accused pro-Brexit politicians of giving Britons unrealistic expectations of life outside the EU.

Prime Minister Theresa May - like Major, a Conservative - plans to invoke Article 50 of the EU's key treaty, triggering two years of exit talks, by the end of March.

Major said on Monday the government's goal of settling divorce terms and forging a new relationship with the bloc within two years is "very, very optimistic."
by Kamran Chaudhry

Local parishes are preparing for the period before Easter. In Hyderabad funds have been raised to help widows and their children. In Lahore, buses will take volunteers to visit the sick. In Karachi, catechism students, seniors, and children will take part in activities.

Lahore (AsiaNews)  Pakistans Catholic Church plans to mark Lent, among other things, with fundraising on behalf of widows, aid to the poor, as well as visits to the sick and disabled people.

The time of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter starts tomorrow at a time of extreme difficulty and tensions, in a country touched by terrorist attacks in public places and places of worship.

Despite this, Catholics will not stop supporting the poorest sections of the population and those who are in difficulty.

"We have raised funds to help more than 70 widows and their children, said Mgr Shukardin Samson, bishop of Hyderabad (Sindh province), speaking to AsiaNews.

Lent gives us the opportunity of engaging in campaigns to [show] Christs merciful face in our difficult country, he added. In view of this, I call on Christians throughout Pakistan to fast and pray for peace on the Friday before Palm Sunday.

For its part, the Sacred Heart Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Lahore plans to organise bus visits to mentally and physically disabled people.

Catholic TV Pakistan is broadcasting messages by priests and discussions about the Lenten fast. According to the broadcasters director, Jasber Ashiq, "there is a general bias (among Muslims) that during fasting, Christians eat everything except chapatti, an unleavened flatbread.

Even many Christians are confused, not fully aware of what is behind the 40 days of fasting. For this reason, they do not know how to answer questions on the subject by Muslims."

In the south of the country, the Archdiocese of Karachi plans a twice-a-week, month-long Open the doors of your heart programme at the archdioceses catechetical centre.

Parishioners have collected food every Sunday, to be divided into 250 baskets and distributed to the poor of the city, said St Patrick's Cathedral Rector Fr Mario Rodrigues.

"We are trying to involve people of all ages in this Lenten season, he added. Sunday catechism students and parish groups will visit the elderly and people with disabilities.

We invited to the cathedral 350 over-50 couples this weekend. School children have been invited to share Easter preparations, and carry the cross on the Stations of the Cross."
by Nirmala Carvalho

For two years the local Church proposes initiatives to reduce global warming. Auxiliary Bishop: "The Carbon fast is becoming popular and is also practiced after Lent". Pope Francis has created "a new beatitude: Blessed are those who protect and take care of our common home."

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - The carbon dioxide fast, that is, the reduction of the use of fuel, electricity and waste of plastic, paper and water, is the proposal of the Archdiocese of Mumbai (Maharashtra) for the period of Lent, which starts tomorrow.

In a statement posted on the Archdiocese website, the local Church says that "fasting challenges people to consider how their everyday actions can have an impact on the environment." So from tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, until April 8, Catholics are invited to "reduce actions that hurt God's creation."

Msgr. Allwyn D'Silva, Auxiliary Bishop and the Office of the Secretary for Climate Change of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), reports that "for two years, the diocese has been organizing the carbon fast. Also this year we are continuing the initiative that has is becoming very popular, and continues to be practiced after Lent.

Msgr. D'Silvia, recently appointed and known for his socially and environmentally responsible, continues: "In the account of Creation [the Book of Genesis, ed], we read that God created a beautiful world and saw that what He had done it was very good. Unfortunately we have ruined the world with our actions. "

To make sure that the planet reaches sustainability, the bishops stresses that "everyone can take small steps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. And then the gestures that we practice during Lent can continue even after, in order to ensure lasting change. "

According to Msgr. D'Silva, "the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states clearly that human activities are the main cause of climate change. So we as a Church, and in response to call of Pope Francis [with the encyclical "Laudato si '", ed], must defend and protect creation. There is no better time than Lent to implement the carbon fast".

The bishop believes that Pope Francis, in supporting care for the environment, has "created a new beatitude: Blessed are those who protect and take care of our common home." The theme of climate change, he points out, "is rooted in faith, because taking care of creation means to express their love for the Creator. The more interested we are in the care of creation, the more spiritual we become ".

A rethinking of behavior "must take place not only in India but across the world, given the uncertain weather, floods and rising temperatures, which have already caused a lot of damage." From our side, concluded Msgr. D'Silva, "we can start reducing the consumption of fuel, walking, cutting out the use of electrical energy, using less paper, reducing food, water and other waste ".
by Bernardo Cervellera

Half an hour with Pope Francis and images of faithful in St. Peter's Square; discussion on possible relations between Beijing and the Holy See. But the vision of religion remains the same as always: a political tool. Emphasis on the Taiwan issue. Chinese expert cites Wenzhou, but not the demolition of crosses in the countryside.

Rome (AsiaNews) - Two days ago, on February 26, at 19:30 Beijing time, a program that dealt with the question of the authority of the pope over the faithful, the relations between China and the Vatican and ' importance of religion in China and around the world aired on state television. For those wishing to view it again, click here.

It certainly makes an (good) impression to see images of the pope with the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square for the Angelus on Chinese TV. And the courage of the presenter Yang Rui in wanting to tackle this issue must be applauded, given that it is usually only covered by strictly official media, such as the Xinhua agency and the Global Times, faithful servants of the People's Daily.

However, I must say that I was not overly impressed. The interesting theme (the Pope and relations between China and the Vatican) was dismissed with a few words. Then space was given to the "problem" of relations between the Vatican and Taiwan, the problems of Islamic fundamentalism, terrorism, the Pope who "competes" with the Chinese Communist Party for the "government" of the bishops ...

The journalist Francesco Sisci, one of the two studio guests, tried to explain that Papal authority is a spiritual authority and that the Pope does not meddle in politics, but inevitably poor Pope Francis was viewed as a leader political to be feared. The other guest, Zhong Houtao, from the Taiwan Institute of the Academy of Sciences, was really disastrous because he did everything possible to toe the way the Chinese government line that any religion is suspected a priori of wanting to possibly overthrow the State apparatus.

This leads us to conclude that in China - even among academics  there is no mature understanding of the possible division between religion and politics, spiritual and state authorities.

One Beijing Catholic commented to AsiaNews: "The fact that it was invited an expert on Taiwan, not a expert on religion, means that for the government what is important is not religion, but national security". And indeed, all Beijing policies (censorship, controls, arrests of lawyers, rising spies, etc ...) are marked by the issue of security, which justifies any violation of human rights, including religious freedom.

But what emerges from the program, is that academics do not even know what's going on in their country. Houtao Zhong said that in China there is full religious freedom, without even mentioning that there are underground communities who lament the lack of said freedoms. And as if we lived on the moon (hence the "lunar character " of the transmission), he spoke of Wenzhou (Zhejiang) as a place where you live the faith "in complete tranquility. He did not even mention the campaign of demolition of crosses and churches that affected thousands of buildings and led to dozens of arrests of pastors and faithful.

A member of the Chinese diaspora commented: "It is a program full of nonsense and propaganda". In fact the service was on CGTN channel (China Global Television Network), in English, addressed to foreigners and not to the Chinese. The dialogue did not even have Chinese subtitles. Maybe it was just an act of propaganda, to show foreigners that China knows how to even discuss religion. But they do not show the Chinese. For a moment in the transmission, communism was mentioned as a "faith," in decline, but the presenter immediately changed topic.
by Mathias Hariyadi

"For seven years the plan has been is carried out with different participants, said Fr Sutapa, a former educator at the St Peter major seminary in Pematang Siantar, with priests from Palembang with less than five years of service, priests from Tanjungkarang with less than ten years, and priests from Padang with more than ten years."

Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews)  For Indonesian bishops, continuing education for newly ordained priests in the diocese of Sumatra has been a very sensitive issue for a long period of time.

In deal with it, the regional association of diocesan priests (Unio) promoted a series of meetings for priests from the diocese at the Jericho Retreat House in Sibolangit, northern Sumatra province. Local bishops approved the continuing education programme in 2010.

"For seven years the plan has been carried out with different participants, said Fr Sutapa, a former educator at the St Peter major seminary in Pematang Siantar, with priests from Palembang with less than five years of service, priests from Tanjungkarang with less than ten years, and priests from Padang with more than ten years."

Sumatra, Indonesias second largest island, is divided into six dioceses: Palembang, Padang, Tanjungkarang, Pangkalpinang, Medan, and Sibolga. Scores of diocesan and religious priests perform pastoral outreach for thousands of Catholic migrants living on the island.

Mgr Anicetus B Sinaga, archbishop of Medan, headed the programme along with Fr Alex Suwandi Pr, a senior priest in the Diocese of Padang.

"Priests, said Fr Suwandi, are called to renew their spiritual life based on the endless spirit of 'metanoia'."

The programme is divided in at least four parts, Fr Suwandi added. The first is that priests must be supported to follow Christ as prophet, priest and pastor in society. The second is that every priest should act in a "consecrated" way. The third is support for human development. The fourth includes broadening ones vision as a human being in society.

For Mgr Anicetus B. Sinaga, diocesan priests are required to establish a good relationship with Christ, with the Church, its hierarchy and their colleagues. "Priests should live their life as 'consecrated' men and present themselves as such to the Catholic community and secular society."
Fr Mario da Silva, from Brazil, heads the Strips only Latin parish of the Holy Family. Young people are jobless, seniors have no pensions, and everyone wants to escape. The Church has undertaken some initiatives to meet needs. Jihadi infiltration is a danger. Gaza Christians are "heroes of the faith".

Gaza (AsiaNews)  People in Gaza "live day by day" in a situation that "is becoming more desperate". Many residents, including Christians, have been forced "to borrow" to buy some food and electricity," this according to Fr Mario da Silva, a Brazilian who heads the Latin parish of the Holy Family, the only one in the Strip.

Fr Marios parish is home to about 350 families, in an area wrecked by years of war and still subject to Israels blockade. "The emergency situation touches young (70 per cent unemployment) and old alike. After a lifetime of work, seniors do not have any pension and do not know how they will survive."

The 2014 war made life in Gaza even worse. The Strip is home to two million people living below the subsistence level. Unemployment hovers around 60 per cent with 80 per cent of the population living below the poverty line. This goes for Gazas 1,300 Christians, a third of whom are without any source of income.

"The situation in Gaza is hard, Fr Mario said. After the war, we received international aid. However, six months later they forgot about us, as if everything had been resolved. Instead, problems remain, like the lack of jobs, gas, water, and electricity." All this is concentrated in an area of only 360 sq km, that has become a huge open-air prison.

Lately, water and energy supplies are one of the most pressing problems people face. "On some days, there is electricity only for three hours. It's cold here and people do not know how to heat their homes. We have no drinking water because what comes out [the tap] is salty; hence, we have to buy bottled water."

Israels blockade after Hamas seized the Gaza Strip has disrupted energy supplies as well. "On average, we get eight hours a day but lately things have gotten worse." For this reason, the local Church wants to build solar panels on homes. Work "is starting now with the first ten houses" but it is just a drop in the ocean of needs.

For Fr Mario, the prevailing feelings in Gaza is "one of neglect and indifference" by the international community. Local Christians want other Churches and Catholics around the world to pay "more attention". Being closed off and isolated from the rest of the world "is certainly not helping to improve the situation."

"People here are starting to think seriously that it would be better to get into another war because then at least there would be aid. It is a sad and terrible thought but it shows how tragic things are.

The world pays attention to us only when there is a war. Fortunately, there are some groups and institutions like the Pontifical Mission, Friends of the Holy Land, and a few others who help us."

The local Church has tried as far as possible and with few funds available to create jobs and provide opportunities for a forgotten people. Christian institutions have enabled the creation of 34 jobs for young Christians in the Gaza Strip, but most people want to leave.

"The young people who were authorised to visit the holy sites in Jerusalem and Bethlehem last Easter did not return, the clergyman explained. They remained in the city where Jesus was born and found a job, laying the foundations for a new life. That is why, here, people want to leave."

"Christians live mainly with debts, buying on credit from the supermarket and promising to pay later. Christian charities help out by paying off the debts. The jobless are forced to beg and count on the generosity of others."

The Church is also involved in preserving the integrity of the faith, defending it, and teaching Christians how to live amid hardships and a Muslim majority."

For Fr Mario, his work is first and foremost a form of spiritual outreach. Preserving the Christian faith is the foundation of our social work. We have to give them a decent life. Our attention goes to the sick, the suffering, those in difficulty with this spirit."

Gaza Christians are facing new challenges every day. The latest is the possible infiltration of Islamic State militants in the Strip. Some Islamic State groups are active in the Sinai Peninsula, where they killed seven Christians, causing a mass exodus. This is not far from the Strip and Jihadists might still get in.

The Gaza government has tried to stop this, but the situation is delicate. Here, unlike Syria or Iraq, there is no chance of fleeing because of the wall.

In such a difficult social, political, and religious context, Lent is a great time of joy and anticipation. "Many hope to visit the holy places, Fr Mario explained.

At this time of the year, The faithful focus on its religious and spiritual aspects. Upholding Christian values like forgiveness, charity, and fraternal love is hard. That is why Christians here are heroes. They know how to keep the faith in a hostile environment and stand more and more as an example for those, even in the West, who experience dimly and superficially their Christian faith." (DS)
Istanbul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - An Istanbul court has ordered the pre-trial detention of the German journalist of Turkish origin Deniz Yucel, correspondent of the daily Die Welt. Stopped on February 14, the reporter is locked up in prison since yesterday. According to the German newspaper reports judges indicted him for "terrorist propaganda" and "hate speech."



Upon hearing the news, Chancellor Angela Merkel described the news as a "bitter disappointment". The head of the Berlin government also added that it is a "overly harsh measure " because the reporter "has presented himself to the justice system and was cooperative with the investigation". And a new, very hard "attack on press freedom."



Deniz Yucel had been cooperating for over two weeks with the Turkish judiciary, which is investigating a series of articles published by the correspondent on alleged email hacking attacks of Turkish Energy Minister Berat Albayrak. He is also the son-in-law of the President Turkish Recep Tayyip Erdogan and among the closest collaborators.



The hacked emails, the content of which was published last September, revealed the political pressure exerted by the government on media and public opinion and manipulation strategies promoted by Ankara on social networks. In contrast, the official version reads that the journalist was arrested for covering the "Kurdish rebellion".



Last week 170 German MEPs had published an open letter demanding the "rapid release" of Yucel.



This arrest is likely to undermine the already strained relations between Berlin and Ankara even more, exacerbated in recent months by German government criticism of the to the ethnic and political repression taking place in Turkey.

In the aftermath of the failed coup dEtat in Turkey last July, President Erdogan and the Turkish government have launched a campaign of repression against its alleged perpetrators. These include supporters of Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, believed to have masterminded the coup that left 270 people dead, and thousands wounded.



As well as targeting Kurds, in response to the failed coup, in recent months the Turkish authorities have arrested more than 41 thousand people, including teachers, soldiers, intellectuals, opposition politicians, businessmen, journalists, activists and ordinary citizens. About 100 thousand public sector officials have been suspended or laid off.



Analysts and experts point out that the escalation of arrests is linked to the referendum on constitutional reform, scheduled for April 16 in Turkey. A reform strongly desired by the President, which guarantees a further expansion of Erdogan's powers and the ability to stay in office beyond 2019, the actual natural expiry of his mandate.



According to the 2016 report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Turkey is ranked 151 in the world for press freedom, behind Tajikistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In an interview, Francis stressed the need to integrate and not ghettoise those fleeing war or famine. The latter have a right to emigrate. A homeless Polish man attended seminary with John Paul II.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  Pope Francis gave an interview to Scarp de tenis (Sneakers), an Italian magazine by and for homeless people, supported by Caritas Milan and Caritas Italy. The interview will appear in the 25 March issue of the magazine.

In the interview, the Holy Father said people who flee war or famine have the right to emigrate, but each country should only accept "all those it can accommodate and integrate."

Speaking about the homeless, Francis mentioned an event in the life of Pope John Paul II. "Everybody in the Vatican remembers a well-known story of a homeless person, of Polish origin, who generally hung around Romes Piazza Risorgimento. He spoke to no one, not even to Caritas volunteers who brought him a hot meal in the evenings. Only after a long time did they get his story. I am a priest, he said. I know your Pope well. We studied together in the seminary.

When he heard the mans name, Saint John Paul II confirmed that he had been with him in the seminary and wanted to meet him. After 40 years, they hugged, and at the end of the meeting, the Pope asked the priest who had been his friend to confess him. Now it's up to you, said the Pope who confessed his fellow seminarian.

Thanks to the deed of a volunteer, a hot meal, a few words of comfort, a glance of goodness, this man turned around his life and went on to lead a normal life becoming a hospital chaplain. The pope had helped him. Of course, this is a miracle, but it is also an example that homeless people have great dignity."

With respect to migrants, the pontiff said that "Those who come to Europe are fleeing from war or famine. We are in part guilty because we exploit their lands but do not make any kind of investment so that they can benefit from them. They have the right to emigrate and are entitled to be welcomed and helped. But this must be done with a Christian virtue, which should be the virtue of rulers, namely prudence. What does this mean? It means accepting all those who can be accommodated. This as far as numbers go. But it is equally important to reflect on how to accommodate them, for accommodating means integrating. This is the most difficult thing because if migrants do not integrate, they end up ghettoised.

I remember the incident in Zaventem*. Those involved were Belgian, children of immigrants, but lived in a neighbourhood that was a ghetto. What does integration mean? Here too let me give you an example. Thirteen people came to Italy from Lesbos. On the second day of stay, thanks to the Sant'Egidio community, children were already in school. They soon found a place to stay. Adults went to language school to learn Italian, and find a job. Of course, for children it is easier. They go to school, and in a few months, they can speak Italian better than me. The men looked for a job and found it.

Integration means entering the life of the country, respecting the laws of the country, respecting the culture of the country, but also having others respect one owns culture and cultural riches. Integration is a very difficult job. At the time of the military dictatorship in Argentina, we looked to Sweden as a positive example. The Swedes now number nine million, but of these, 890,000 are new Swedes, i.e. integrated migrants or children of migrants.

Swedens Culture Minister Alice Bah Kuhnke is the daughter of a Swedish woman and a Gambian man. This is a fine example of integration. Of course, now there are problems in Sweden too. they have many applications and are trying to figure out what to do because there is not room for everyone. Receiving, accepting, consoling and immediately integrating. What is missing is precisely integration. Each country has to see what number it can accommodate. One cannot accept if there is no possibility of integration."

* Brussels airport attack on 22 March 2016.
Greater disagreements within the caliphate are marked by recent territorial losses. The jihadist group fed on marketing its strategy of terror online, but has begun to crumble when faced with its first real battles. Yet, far from disappearing, the movement is reorganising to continue the fight. Deadly attacks can be expected as it renews itself.

Raqqa (AsiaNews)  Dissent is growing inside the infamous Daesh-led Caliphate, the so-called Islamic State (IS), as evidenced by continuous territorial losses and the failure to gain to conquer new land.

In recent days, the sound of gunfire was heard in Deir Ez-Zor where IS leaders live. An anonymous local resident reported hearing gunshots without knowing the cause. No other armed group operates in the area.

This raises the question as to what is happening to the most destructive terrorist religious organisation known in the Middle East?

Daesh began as an offshoot of al Qaeda, capable of bringing together smaller Salafi groups or cells in Iraq, led by Jordanian Abu Mosab Zarqawi with the blessing of the Saudi Bin Laden. It was a criminal organisation created and run by non-Iraqis.

For a time, its leaders debated whether to cross into Syria or stay within Iraqi borders to fight and resist Shia and Iranian hegemony.

In the end, the choice to internationalise the ideology of a Sunni Islamic state by crossing the borders had the upper hand as the first Daesh militias crossed into Syria under the name of al Nusra Front.

The group has left behind a long trail of blood and destruction, inspired by ideological texts and manuals of what subsequently came to be called Daesh.

Al Nusra Fronts victories in Syria allowed its leaders to pick the name ad-Dawlah al-Islamiyah fi 'l-Iraq wa-sh-Sham or Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, in short Daesh, an acronym in an Arab culture that traditionally does not use acronyms.

The acronym raised suspicions about the foreign non-Arab nature of the organisation, whose purpose was and is to restore an Islamic Caliphate in Abbasid and Umayyad lands (Iraq and Syria).

The rise of the Caliphate, underreported in the Arab world, was front-page news in Western media, turning a paper tiger into a terrifying enemy. The marketing of terror was amplified by local people, very attentive to Western reactions so as to escape without resisting the advances of Daesh.

There was total failure against a group that later showed itself capable of killing defenseless Christians and Muslims, burning places of worship, destroying Christian and Muslim cemeteries and tearing down the cultural and historical heritage of two of the great monotheistic religions, but crumbled as soon as it was countered with a minimum of force.

Daesh quickly became a financial empire by selling oil and engaging in all kinds of illegal trafficking with the West via Turkey. For the Russians, Daesh "opened the way to the invasion of the allies who claimed they were fighting it."

This aspect became clear especially in northern Syria, where the Islamic state pulled back without a fight from advancing Turkish troops.

This was repeated in recent days when Turkish troops and "Syrian" armed Islamic opposition created by Turkey, entered the city of Al Bab, from where Daesh had just pulled out even though the town was surrounded on all sides.

Daesh lost its territorial base, i.e. the Caliphates raison detre, and is now entering a new phase, which according to many experts will be characterised by a return of its members to civilian life. Indeed, in areas liberated from Daesh occupation, some people jokingly note that "local barbers have never been so busy than at present.

Going underground among the civilian population seems to be the start of a transitional phase for the fundamentalist chameleon, with tens of thousands of sleeper cells.

At the same time, terrorist attacks like car bombs, suicide bombers and bombings appear to be its future form of warfare. This was the case last week with attacks in Al Bab and Homs, at a few hours interval.

In his last broadcast speech, "Caliph" Al Baghdadi, who fled Deir Ez-Zor for Bu Kamal according to Iraqi intelligence sources, urged his followers "to be united to resist in Mosul."

His call for unity comes at a time of rising desertions as well as recruitment with the Caliphates ideologues calling for a temporary pullback from this stillborn goal.

Daesh now finds itself having to choose between saving what can be salvaged and ideological reconstruction.

However, far from disappearing it survives thanks to its initial tactic, namely operating in small groups under various names with seemingly different affiliations, but all part of the same mould.

Thus, Islamist-Salafist terror will continue to sow death through the usual deadly attacks, waiting for the right moment to rebuild. (PB)












So today is my birthday! Yes, I am a year older and this post came right on time! For me, getting older means getting extremely grateful for a year's worth of "life" and "experiences", a year older means conquering your fear too!





I look like a very strong woman, but I do have my own fears! Okay, this may sound too "OA" (Overacting) but I fear of separation with my toddler, you guys who follow my travel "logs" would probably realize how I haven't traveled for the past 3 years (last one was in the US with Kyle and Mr. AMW).





A couple of weeks ago, I received an email to attend Cathy Doll's 5th Year Anniversary in Bangkok and I told myself it is TIME for me to go and conquer my fear of Separation Anxiety #Sepanx at the same time, appreciate the opportunities that was offered to me! I finally said YES, and it was one of the BEST YES I did before I turn a year older.





Juggling multiple tasks and jobs on hand, I guess I don't have enough time to expand my learnings, so I guess at this stage, the best learning is through life's lesson and this short trip is an eye-opener for me! There really isn't any "division" when it comes to the world of Beauty...people really flock together, giving each other's smiles (even with the lack of language skills) just because we all understand our similar passion.





That's me, sick and all but happy in Bangkok

I realized Cathy Doll is indeed super Big in Thailand, they have ads almost EVERYWHERE!









With just a full day in Bangkok and the rest of the days for travel, I am so glad to get to squeeze in a quick visit in one of their Karmart Store located at Siam.





Karmart is where you will find Cathy Doll products in Thailand same in modern trade channels such as 7-Eleven, Watsons, etc..





So many familiar products yet I also spotted a couple of new products not yet available locally.

Cathy Doll x Pokemon!

I was too excited I did a Facebook Live on this but unfortunately, this may not get into our shores due to licensing issues! Well, to those who plan to travel to Bangkok or have friends who will go to Thailand, you know what to ask them to buy!

More tools like sponges, sharpeners, nail file, eyelash curler and even a "sili sponge" (Silicon sponge). I didn't purchase a silicon sponge because I already own one (not from Cathy Doll) and will be putting up a review soon!

After checking out the store, we went for a bit of shopping and rushed back to the hotel to prepare ourselves for a quick meet-and-greet with Cathy Doll Thailand Endorsers and the celebration of 5th Year Cathy Doll Anniversary as well.





These are the times I thank God for giving me the hand of make-up artistry, I don't have to worry about looking for a make up artist to doll myself up! :)

Wore BohkToh lashes

Tied my hair up because it was extremely hot and humid that day! I'm glad I made that decision!

Dress by: Zalora Shoes by: So Fab!

The meet-and-greet was extremely short but I was able to see these gorgeous endorsers in person. I don't know them but judging by the way the fans scream, I knew that they are definitely masters of their craft! It doesn't hurt that they all look beautiful and handsome.









The top 3 guys that actually won my heart too!

L-R Push, Boy Pakorn and Mario Maurer

Official Photo by Karmart/Cathy Doll Thailand

Host of the event - Opal Panisara

Karmart's Mr. Gab welcomed the guests in Thai.

The whole event was in Thai but we kinda get what's going on.

Aside from the famous endorsers, they also invited Eyebrow Masters to prove how effective Cathy Doll brow products are!





There's NongChat, make-up artist of the stars in Thailand. Tony Brown, the eyebrow expert who obtained skills in Korea and Ms. Ying, the first 3D tattoo brow expert in Thailand with 20 years experience in the eyebrow field.

The event continued with each endorser modeling their product with a song number.





Margie Rasri for Cathy Doll 2-in-1 Snail Honey Ginseng with Gold

Leon Vasu for Cathy Doll CC Cream line

Jay for Cathy Doll Oil Control Translucent Powder

Push for Cathy Doll Whitening Sunscreen

Ready 2 White endorser Ms. Chris Horwang

I was lucky enough to get a close-up photo with her!

Then there's AA Cushion endorser Mario Maurer





Filipinos love him and I totally understand why!





There's Boy Pakorn for Aloe Vera & Snail line.





Endorsers and Karmart's officials all together in one photo.

Congratulations Cathy Doll, cheers to more years!





Lifestrong Marketing Inc. for bringing in Cathy Doll and for making the brand such a huge success in less than a year's time! Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Lance Lee for tagging me along because I get to see and understand the history behind the brands/products I review. These are just some of the opportunities I receive, all thanks to AskMeWhats.com and to YOU my dear readers! Thank you so much. And of course, I would like to Congratulate. for bringing in Cathy Doll and for making the brand such a huge success in less than a year's time! Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Lance Lee for tagging me along because I get to see and understand the history behind the brands/products I review. These are just some of the opportunities I receive, all thanks to AskMeWhats.com and to YOU my dear readers! Thank you so much.





So rounding up my 37 years of existence, it wasn't that bad! I'm looking forward to more years of great experiences and deeper friendships!





I love you all! Promise, super love ko kayo for sticking up to me kahit na non-millenial na ako :P

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

I got in to check out Cathy Doll Products and actually see which products we don't have here locally.Display on Cathy Doll skincare. I am so happy they finally have sunblock available both there and locally.Hair and Bath Section. We don't have the Dolly Hair at-home-coloring treatment. Who knows right? Maybe, in the future.Little did I know they also have Nail Colors available, mostly in glitters (for the teenagers) and young-at-heart.I also went through their makeup items! There's the usual Geisha line which was launched last year, the newly launched 4D RealBrow Tattoo Tints and a lot more!Spotted new liquid lip colors (mostly nudes and browns in shades so they all won my heart!) Singles eyeshadows and Oil Control Translucent Oil Pact!Spot me with Endorsers and Cathy Doll Asia Pacific Bloggers. Unfortunately, our owncan't make it! So I'm standing in for her in spirit :)He has this gorgeous dimples I had to take a closer shot! I find him extremely adorablehahaha
North Dakota women have an opportunity to learn about the legislative process by attending "WE Rise: Women Empowered" on March 13 in Bismarck.

Participants learn to advocate for policies that enhance the lives of women and families and how to participate in the lawmaking process. It provides opportunities to meet with lawmakers and network with other citizen advocates.

The North Dakota Womens Network sponsors this free one-day event at the state Capitol.

"WE Rise is the only North Dakota womens lobby day of its kind," said Renee Stromme, executive director of NDWN. "Its an opportunity for the women of our state to unite, have their voices heard and affect public policy."

Offered every other year, WE Rise corresponds with the biennial legislative session. More than 150 women and men participated in the event in 2015.

WE Rise runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and there is no cost to attend. A lunch is provided.

To register, visit WeRiseND.com.
Clients are seeking to reduce their legal spend by cutting the number of law firms they use and are using data and technology to do so.A report from Bloomberg Law and US trade association The Buying Legal Council reveals that corporates that use procurement professionals to reduce their legal spend are being successful in achieving their goals."The survey results confirm the accelerating trends relating to heightened competition in the legal market," said Scott Mozarsky, President of Bloomberg Law and Bloomberg BNA's Legal Division. "In a market that is dealing with disruptive factors ranging from new technology to increased global consolidation among service providers, in-house legal departments and outside law firms are looking for ways to become more efficient and effective, including putting in place systems that deliver superior business intelligence and create efficiencies in their everyday work."Clients intend to reduce the number of law firms they are using and the priority for the next 12 months is consolidation of their list of preferred legal services suppliers."The increased use of procurement initiatives by businesses when considering their legal services needs is both a fact of life for the legal industry and indicative of smart corporate management, appropriately focusing on quality of service and cost management," said David Scherl, chairman of law firm Morrison Cohen."From the law firm's perspective, it should be embraced as a way to communicate your law firm model, including its service offerings and value proposition. Ultimately, it provides those shops that can take advantage of the process an opportunity to differentiate between their firm and their competitors, added Cohen.Australian listed law firm Slater & Gordon has posted a loss of AU$425.1 million for the first half of its 2016/17 financial year.Most of the loss is due to a $350.1 million impairment charge resulting from its acquisition of Quindells insurance claims business; but weakened performance in the personal injury claims operations in Australia and the UK also took its toll.The large loss is an improvement of 56 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year but revenue was down 34 per cent to $322.7 million.Group MD Andrew Grech commented that the firm is in transition but that, despite improvement, the transition was taking longer than expected while revenue growth has been lower.The full impact of the performance improvement initiatives will take time, Grech said.Zhang Yi has been elected chairman of KWM China 5th Management Committee.The firms Partners Conference was held recently in Beijing and was attended by partners from across the firms global footprint, including managing partners from the Australia partnership.Zhang Yi headed the China practices Shanghai office for several years and is now co-chief executive of the Hong Kong office.
The latest Slater & Gordon result has confirmed that the future of the ailing firm is essentially in the hands of lenders.

In the first half of fiscal year 2017, the firms debts stood at approximately $740m, about $126m more than total assets. The firm also continues to haemorrhage cash, though at a slower pace, with an outflow of $11.4m recorded in the six months to the end of December 2016 compared to the $20.9m outflow for the second half of FY2016 and $83.3m outflow in the first half of FY2016.

Slater & Gordon reported a net loss after tax of $425.1m, down from a $958m loss in 1H2016, after a further $350.3m impairment charge for the firms failed Quindell business. For FY2016, the listed firm made an $879.5m write down for Quindell, which it bought for $1.3bn in 2015. Six-month revenue dropped to $322.7m from $487.5m in the previous comparable period. Shares of the firm plunged as much as 25% to new a low of 12 cents per share on word of the dismal results.
Astronomers using data from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and other telescopes have performed an accurate census of the number of galaxies in the universe, and concluded that there are at least 10 times as many galaxies in the observable universe as previously thought. The results have clear implications for our understanding of galaxy formation, and also help solve an ancient astronomical paradox  why is the sky dark at night?

One of the most fundamental questions in astronomy is how many galaxies the universe contains. The Hubble Deep Field images, captured in the mid-1990s, gave the first real insight into this. Myriad faint galaxies were revealed, and it was estimated that the observable universe contains 100200 billion galaxies.

Now, an international team led by Christopher Conselice of the University of Nottingham has painstakingly converted the Hubble images into 3D in order to make accurate measurements of the number of galaxies at different times in the universes history. In addition, they used new mathematical models that allowed them to infer the existence of galaxies that the current generation of telescopes cannot observe.

This led to the surprising realisation that in order for the numbers to add up, some 90% of the galaxies in the observable universe are actually too faint and far away to be seen right now.

In analysing...
As well as causing soil damage and environmental problems from run-off, research published in Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B (http://tinyurl.com/hzwkj58) has found that nitrogen-based fertilisers also reduce a plant communitys resistance to fungal diseases. The researchers warn that prolonged use of artificial fertilisers can lead to the extinction of the most resistant plant species in a community, making the remaining species more susceptible to diseases.

In experimental field trials, researchers from Flinders University in Adelaide and Fudan University in Shanghai tested the biodiversity resilience of an isolated plant community in a native alpine meadow on the QinghaiTibetan Plateau. The 20-hectare experimental meadow, which has been spared from yak grazing for the past 20 years, contains a rich and diverse plant community.

In this diverse and pristine ecosystem, we have established that extended fertilisation of soils not only alters the structure of natural plant communities, it also exacerbates pathogen emergence and transmission, the researchers concluded.

Prof Corey Bradshaw of Flinders University says that this is one of the ways in which crop monocultures succumb to sudden outbreaks of severe disease. Having more species in an ecosystem provides a...
The perception that herbal medicines are safe because they are derived from natural materials and have been in use for thousands of years could see people unknowingly putting their health at risk, according to a report in the Medical Journal of Australia.

The report highlights a range of issues relating to the preparation of complementary medicines, warning that some traditional herbal preparations contain toxic chemicals from both animals and plants, as well as heavy metals and pesticides.

Toxic side-effects of herbal medicines used in traditional societies have typically not been reported, and this is often cited in favour of their safety, says lead author Prof Roger Byard of The University of Adelaide. However, the lack of systematic observation has meant that even serious adverse reactions, such as the kidney failure and liver damage caused by some plant species, have gone unrecognised until recently.

More than half of people using complementary medicines, including herbal products, do not inform their doctors. The problem with this is that drug interactions are poorly recognised in herbs, says co-author Dr Ian Musgrave. Not only can herbal medicines interact with traditional pharmaceutical medicines but also with other herbal medicines the patient may be using.

The authors say that due to relatively light regulation of the industry...
The craze for Marvel superheroes encourages us to think that merely being human is too easy. We need to exceed our limitations by adding superpowers  breathing underwater, eternal youth, colossal strength, regeneration, flying, spinning spider webs and so on. Of course, thats just comic book stuff, but the same dynamic is at work in the Olympic goal of going faster, higher, stronger.

Its a facet of the homage we pay to autonomy, the key value of contemporary bioethics. If our autonomy is diminished, we are diminished as human beings. Our happiness is deemed to be proportionate to our autonomy.

But medicine offers the competing narrative that less might sometimes be more.

Nothing illustrates this better than that rare condition, locked-in syndrome (LIS). Most people first learned of it after reading the international bestseller The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, or watching the film of the same name.

Jean-Dominique Bauby, the editor of the French edition of Elle, suffered a massive brain stem stroke while driving. When he woke up he was completely paralysed, apart from the upper eyelid of his left eye. Yet within 2 years he had written his book, which exudes a remarkable joie de vivre. He composed it by blinking when an assistant said a letter. Even in translation his prose was dazzling:
We are living in the most aggressive era of road-building in human history. The International Energy Agency projects that by 2050 we will have another 25 million kilometres of paved roads on Earth  enough to encircle the globe more than 600 times. Nine-tenths of these roads will be built in developing nations, mostly in the tropics and subtropics, which sustain the planets most biologically rich and environmentally important ecosystems.

This modern road-building spree is terrifying ecologists like us, because we know that new roads often open a Pandoras box of environmental ills  exposing vulnerable ecosystems to an influx of human colonists, hunters, miners and land speculators. In the Amazon, for instance, our research shows that 95% of all deforestation occurs within 5.5 km of a legal or illegal road. In Africa, roads bulldozed by loggers are crisscrossing the Congo Basin, allowing waves of poachers armed with modern rifles and snares to penetrate deep into forests. In just the last decade, two-thirds of Africas forest elephants have been slaughtered for their valuable ivory tusks.

Almost everywhere we look we see roads causing one environmental crisis after another. The same things are happening on Australias northern doorstep in Indonesia, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea. All three of these nations have ambitious plans to open up their last...
Australia has a new science minister, the fourth in the past 18 months. The Academy of Sciences secretary for science policy, Prof Les Field, noted: This is the kind of instability that would typically raise a red flag, especially for a sector like science where training, work programs, infrastructure requirements and outcomes all have timeframes much longer than election cycles.

Some of us remember golden ages of stability, such as when Barry Jones was minister for more than 7 years or Kim Carr for more than 4 years. In the British TV program Yes, Minister, the wily bureaucrat Sir Humphrey Appleby said that reshuffles kept ministers on the hop and avoided the danger of politicians knowing enough about their portfolio to challenge the advice they received. That was certainly true of Barry Jones.

Arthur Sinodinos comes to the portfolio with a chequered past, marked by his inability to recall questionable financial dealings when called before the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption. But he does have a reputation for being an effective political operator. The science community will be hoping to see that in action.

Sinodinos recent predecessors have laid some important groundwork. In December 2015, Christopher Pyne announced the National Science and Innovation Agenda. This promised 10 years of funding for the National Collaborative...
By David Glance, Director of UWA Centre for Software Practice, University of Western Australia

Fitbit Inc

As the market leader, Fitbit has always been regarded as being synonymous with wearables in general. Its launch as a public company was at a point when the hype of wearables was at a peak with claims of the technology bring about a revolution in healthcare.

Unfortunately, the revolution never happened and Fitbit itself has now hit a wall. Sales are down, and last week, Fitbit reported a financial loss and announced it would be laying off 6% of its staff. Its share price is around 90% down on its peak of US $51 in 2015.

Fitbit doesnt see its fortunes changing much in 2016 as it competes in a wearables market that is seeing little to no growth. Even this statistic may be misleading however because it combines pure fitness trackers such as the models made by Fitbit, with smartwatches like the Apple Watch which customers may buy for its non-fitness features.

The fact that Fitbit is seeing sales decline is not really surprising. It has not been able to introduce any new advances in its technology beyond the features of counting steps and measuring heart rate. It also hasnt been able to solve the problem of customers giving up on wearing their devices within a short period of time.

At the same time, there has been a general concern about the security and privacy of data collected by these devices. Programs introduced by employers and insurance companies to incentivise the wearing of devices in return for reduced premiums have been met with suspicion about the potential abuse of this data.

There has also been continued criticisms about the supposed health benefits that have been advanced by Fitbit and others resulting from wearables.



Fitbit was always going to struggle. It is hard to make huge profits when making commodity hardware. Moving out of the consumer market and into medical devices also carries enormous overheads. The devices have to be actually tested and certified and it is not at all clear that even the heart rate monitoring functions on Fitbit devices would be reliable or accurate enough to be able to achieve that level of certification. Another consumer wearables company, Jawbone, has thrown in the towel and is allegedly going to be trying its hand at clinical devices.

Those waiting for the major technological leaps that will give us science fiction-type functionality such as Star Treks Tricorder are likely to be disappointed. A competition run by Qualcomm with a US $6 million first place prize to find a tricorder-like device, required only 70% accuracy of 15 different measurements. The finalists produced kits that combined existing technologies such as glucometers, spirometers, heart rate monitors, etc and packaged them in one box. Whilst this brought these devices together to function with a single app, it did not fundamentally advance any of the individual components.

Theranos, another company that claimed to have invented technology that would allow hundreds of tests to be conducted on a single drop of blood has failed to bring this to market.

Fitbit is a classic example of a company that would have been better remaining private. It is only because it is a publicly listed company that there are expectations that it should be showing high rates of growth. As it stands at the moment, it is unlikely to show the type of growth that will satisfy the market. Its immediate problem is to find a way to actually be profitable with a smaller level of sales. Failing that, its only option is, like Twitter and other companies with no business model, to find a buyer. Given the large number of competitors in this market, the technology would not be the reason for another company buying Fitbit, but its client base might well be.

There will always be a market for fitness trackers but they will continue to appeal to those people for whom fitness and activity is part of their everyday lives. It is hard to see how they will ever extend significantly and in a lasting way to a wider audience.

Originally published in The Conversation.
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What would a $52 million biennial cut to Montana senior and long-term care mean for the thousands of citizens who need nursing home care or community services to prevent or postpone moving to a nursing home?

Nobody really knows.

That's part of the problem with cuts proposed in the governor's budget and even deeper cuts approved by the joint subcommittee on health and human services.

That subcommittee has one of the most difficult legislative tasks: Reviewing all the programs that help Montanans take care of their health, assist low income folks with groceries, Medicaid and disability services, among many other things. This subcommittee met for practically every weekday morning during the first 30 days of the session.

Here is what can be gleaned from public information on the senior and longterm care budget:

Sixty-five percent is federal funds, 11 percent is "state special revenue" (mostly taxes on nursing homes and payments from counties that own nursing homes). So if the budget cuts $52 million, only 24 percent is general fund savings, about $13 million. When the state reduces nursing home rates or pares home services, Montana loses the federal match.

In the year ended June 30, Montana Medicaid paid nursing home bills for nearly 4,300 adults, accounting for about 61 percent of all nursing home payments statewide. Nursing homes have complained for years that Medicaid pays significantly less than it cost to care for these folks. Welcov Healthcare, which operates 13 long-term care facilities in Montana, including Parkview and Eagle Cliff in Billings, reports that it loses $34 a day per Medicaid patient, on average.

Who pays what Medicaid doesn't? Most nursing homes also have Medicare rehab patients, but Medicare is limited in what it covers and how much it pays, and accounts for only 12 percent of Montana nursing home bills. Private payers, usually residents or family pay 27 percent, and they pay higher rates than what the facilities get from Medicaid. To keep their doors open, Montana nursing homes have to shift costs to private payers. That's not fair.

With nursing home Medicaid accounting for the bulk of spending, the tentative budget cuts would probably increase the cost shift to private-pay residents.

Most of a nursing home's budget is staff. Despite the important and difficult work they do, front-line staff usually are paid less in long-term care than they could earn elsewhere. Certified nursing assistants are paid only about $10 to $11 an hour in Billings where fast food jobs pay about the same.

According to the division's report to the Legislature last month, Medicaid paid for nearly 1 million nursing home bed days last year. Years ago, that number was about 2 million bed days, according to Bob Olsen, vice president for the Montana Hospital Association. The development of assisted living and in-home services has given many adults appropriate alternatives to nursing home care.

That means the folks in nursing homes today are older, sicker and more frail than the nursing home population 15 years ago. Some folks have simply outlived their finances.

They have no where else to go. The care can't be streamlined to save cost without cutting staff, which would affect care quality.

The Legislature and the governor must find a different way to build the budget. The solution is not to pit frail elders against neglected foster kids.

If that is the choice being considered, lawmakers should use tax or fee increases to cover these essential public services. The idea of shortchanging Montana's frail elders or its abused kids is much worse than setting aside the "no tax increase" goal.

-- Billings (Mont.) Gazette
Hi All,



I did an FBI background check thru one of the approved channellers, had it sent to my mom's house in the states. She opened it and said that it included some applications for authentication and apostille, along with the envelope that contains the report.



My question is do I need the apostille, or can I just have her scan my report in color and use that?



Thanks!

Melissa
Hi everyone,

Does anyone know if a sponsor for PMV (300) requires a police check if there are no kids involved? The Govt website indicates a police check is not required unless there are kids included, but many people are saying it is a new requirement in 2017 for everyone? Any advice is appreciated
Hi,



I am planning to submit my application for ACS skill set evaluation.



As part of process , I collected the documents that needs to be certified as 'True copy of the Original'.



I have below Queries,



1. Where in Dubai I can get the documents certified as original ?Kindly suggest.



2. Regarding Employment reference , I am planning to get Statutory Declaration / Affidavits .Where can I do this in Dubai ?



Thanks in Advance.
Locally assembled 10th-generation E-class comes in long wheelbase version only; on sale are E200 petrol and E350 diesel.

Mercedes-Benz launched the new 10th-generation E-class in India today. Priced at Rs 56.15 lakh for the E200 and Rs 69.47 lakh for the E350d (both ex-showroom, Mumbai, before Octroi), the new cars are, as expected, costlier than their predecessors. The new E 200 is Rs 4.99 lakh dearer and the E 350d is Rs 5.67 lakh more expensive than before, but then you have to consider how much more this new car is bringing to the table.



In a bold move, Mercedes-Benz India decided to launch the new E-class in its longer wheelbase (LWB) version only. India and China are the only two markets where the long wheelbase car is sold, with India being the only right-hand drive market for this car.

Both the petrol and the diesel carry on with the engines from the previous generation car. The E200 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol developing 184hp and 300Nm of torque, while the E350d is equipped with a 3.0-litre V6 diesel developing 258hp and 620Nm of torque. Both the engines send power to the rear wheels via the companys new 9G-Tronic transmission.

While the 2.1-litre diesel is not brought forward to the new E-class, the new-generation 2.0 litre four-cylinder 1,950cc diesel is set to replace the old one and is likely to join the line-up later this year.

At 5,063mm length, the car features a wheelbase extended by 205mm, freeing up 134mm of legroom for rear seat occupants. As you can imagine, the long-wheelbase sedan pays special attention to rear seat comfort, and features comfortable rear seats with backrests that can be electrically reclined.

Moreover, the rear head restraints too are electrically adjustable and have the S-class-like soft pillow cushioning. The seats also have a memory function. Taking the rear seat comfort a notch further, left rear seat passengers can electrically control the front passenger seat to adjust own legroom. There is also a central armrest with illuminated storage and a USB port minus the heated/cooled cupholder.

Infotainment duties are undertaken by a high-resolution 12.3-inch Mercedes COMAND online infotainment system and a 13-speaker 590W Burmester sound system. The infotainment, climate control and interior lighting can be controlled via a touchpad. Also featuring are twin touchpads on the steering and the Mercedes rotary controller dial. However, the version sold in India misses out on the fully-digital instrumentation and gets regular twin dials instead.

The long-wheelbase E-class features a host of safety systems, including seven airbags, attention assist and the Mercedes PreSafe system.

Mercedes has certainly upped the ante on luxury sedans with the launch of the E-class LWB and has created a new segment in India. While the decision to offer the vehicle in LWB version only is a gamble, the German carmaker is confident that the sedan is an ideal fit for India given the adverse road and traffic conditions. Mercedes will be banking on the popularity of the E-class, which has been its best-selling model here, to drive sales. It will be interesting to see how the market responds to the long-wheelbase version in the near term.

Also read
Automaker axes Ritz, Celerio diesel and WagonR Stingray, Gypsy next in line; Ciaz to move to Nexa.

Even though Maruti has been busying itself with a bevy of new model launches, it has been occupied with rationalising its model line-up. Facing the axe are some of its slow sellers in a possible bid to free up capacity for its newer and better selling cars.

In recent months, the automaker has pulled the plug on three of its small hatchbacks  the Ritz, the Celerio diesel and the WagonR Stingray.

The Ritz has been on sale for a long time, having been introduced to our market in 2009. The car did find takers, but, all through its eight years, it never did reach the heights typical of most Marutis. The model was long rumoured to be facing the axe and now the automaker has followed through with it. Interestingly, Maruti also pulled the plug on the relatively new Celerio diesel, one of Indias most efficient diesel cars and the one that made a debut of the automakers indigenously developed two-cylinder diesel engine. The model was a slow seller, with a monthly average sale of only 418 units over the last calendar year; a far cry from the petrol models average monthly sales of 7,122 units over the same period.

The Stingray technically hasnt been axed; given its low sales, Maruti has discontinued the brand name and is now simply offering the car as a new top trim of the standard WagonR.

Another model set to face the axe is the iconic Gypsy. With the Indian army now looking to Tata for its SUVs, the Gypsy doesnt have any real takers. The model was a very low seller in the private market. Thus, with the virtually non-existent sales and the upcoming shift to more stringent safety and emission regulations, the Gypsy's days may be numbered.

Maruti will also start to sell the Ciaz via the premium Nexa retail chain. The car was launched prior to the creation of the Nexa dealerships and Maruti will use the upcoming facelift of the car to relocate it. The Ciaz has proven to be a very popular sedan in the segment, especially last year with the model seemingly pulling ahead of the Honda City in sales numbers over a number of months. The move to Nexa will see the Ciaz employ the new nomenclature and variant system.

In the coming months, Maruti has its hands full with launches such as the new Baleno RS  which will introduce Suzukis 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbo-petrol engine to India  and the next-gen Swift and Dzire. The automaker is also eyeing the launch of the facelifted S-Cross sometime later this year with the model expected to finally get a petrol variant with the update.

The discontinuation of some of the slow sellers will help Maruti focus more of its resources on the production of not only its upcoming models but also on its hot sellers such as the Baleno and the Vitara Brezza.
Hyundai focuses on style, refinement and comfort for its third-generation Tucson.

A crucial gap in Hyundais vast model range, between the hugely popular Creta and the flagship Santa Fe, was plugged with the launch of the Tucson. It also marked the return of the model to India after a gap of six years. Back in 2005, Hyundai introduced the first-generation Tucson, but it failed to find success, despite being the only diesel soft-roader around. Probably smarting from that failure, Hyundai didnt bring in the second-generation model. Back then, the Tucson was costlier than the CR-V, and the Hyundai badge didnt carry the same weight as a Honda. However, times have changed now, and how. The Hyundai brand is stronger than its ever been and SUVs are all the rage in our market. Also, with the success of the Creta, Hyundai is seen as a credible SUV manufacturer. So, there couldnt have been a better time to bring back the Tucson. But will Hyundais mid-size premium SUV get traction this time around?
Three people are dead and at least two were injured in a crash that also destroyed two houses in Riverside, California, on Monday. A Cessna 310 took off from Riverside Municipal Airport around 5 p.m. headed for San Jose and crashed about a half mile from the airport. The aircraft reportedly had five occupants, a man, a woman and three teenagers. The woman was thrown from the airplane on impact and suffered only minor injuries. A second survivor was taken to a hospital and is in surgery, according to the local Mercury News.

Witnesses told local reporters the woman crawled from the home asking for help, and she was able to talk to firefighters about what had happened. She was taken to Riverside Community Hospital. The ensuing fire burned two houses to the ground and damaged some other nearby houses. The group was heading home after aweekend cheerleading competition at Disney California Adventure Park.
The pilot of a drone that hit a building, then fell into a crowd watching a parade and hit a 25-year-old woman, knocking her unconscious, has been sentenced to 30 days in jail by a Seattle municipal court. Paul Skinner, 38, of Washington, who owns an aerial photography company, was convicted of reckless endangerment, which carries a penalty of up to a year in jail. Seattle Municipal Court Willie Gregory told Skinner last week that he knew the crash was an accident, but he had engaged in conduct that put people in danger of being injured, which is what happened. Skinner also was fined $500. Skinners lawyer, Jeffrey Kradel, said the punishment was too severe, and his client will appeal.

Kradel said his client was singled out for harsh treatment to scare other drone users, and that was an improper use of prosecutorial authority. The drone measured about 18 inches square and weighed about two pounds, according to police reports. The woman who was hit suffered a concussion. Her boyfriend caught her before she hit the ground, and suffered a minor bruise in the incident. A hearing has been set for May 25 to determine the restitution Skinner owes the woman for her medical treatment. Skinner remains free pending an appeal of the jail sentence.
SpaceX will send two people on a trip around the Moon next year in a Falcon Heavy rocket, the company announced on Monday. The two private citizens, whose names have not yet been released, have already paid a significant deposit, SpaceX said. Like the Apollo astronauts before them, these individuals will travel into space carrying the hopes and dreams of all humankind, driven by the universal human spirit of exploration, says a statement posted at the SpaceX website. The private astronauts will first need to pass a battery of SpaceX health and fitness tests. Initial training will begin later this year.

Falcon Heavy is due to launch its first test flight this summer and, once successful, it will be the most powerful vehicle to reach orbit since the Saturn V moon rocket. At 5 million pounds of liftoff thrust, Falcon Heavy is two-thirds the thrust of Saturn V and more than double the thrust of the next largest launch vehicle currently flying, SpaceX said. Later this year, as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program, SpaceX plans to launch a Crew Dragon (Dragon Version 2) spacecraft to the International Space Station. This first demonstration mission will be in automatic mode, without people on board. A subsequent mission with crew is expected to fly in the second quarter of 2018.

Once operational Crew Dragon missions are underway for NASA, SpaceX says it will launch the private Falcon Heavy mission on a journey to circumnavigate the moon and return to Earth in about a week. Liftoff will be from Kennedy Space Centers historic Pad 39A near Cape Canaveral  the same launch pad used by the Apollo program for its lunar missions. The vehicle will operate autonomously. This presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep spacefor the first time in 45 years, and they will travel faster and further into the Solar System than any before them, the company said. Musk said the crew will be identified, upon their approval, after they pass health and fitness screening, but he did say its nobody from Hollywood.

NASA also is reportedly considering adding a crew to a planned circumlunar flight in 2018.
28 February 2017 10:33 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

The Azerbaijani-Italian Youth Association has organized an awareness campaign in the Italian cities of Rome, Milan, Pizza and Pavia to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Khojaly Massacre, committed by the Armenian troops against Azerbaijani civilians in the town of Khojaly.

The campaign involved Azerbaijani students who study in Italy and Azerbaijani diaspora activists. , Azertac reported The campaign aimed to increase the Italian society`s awareness of Khojaly genocide and other crimes committed by Armenians against civil Azerbaijanis.

The campaign participants held posters with slogans such as Justice for Khojaly and Khojaly genocide mustnt be forgotten.

They urged Yerevan to end the policy of aggression against Azerbaijan, and demanded the punishment of those responsible for Khojaly atrocity.

The massacre on February 25-26, 1992, is regarded as one of the bloodiest and most controversial incidents of the Nagorno-Karabakh War.

Some 613 civilians mostly women and children were killed in the massacre, and a total of 1,000 people were disabled. Eight families were exterminated, 25 children lost both parents, and 130 children.

---

Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
28 February 2017 11:30 (UTC+04:00)

The Armenian armed units shattered ceasefire with Azerbaijan a total of 145 times throughout the day 60 and 82-millimeter mortars, large-caliber machine guns, and rocket-propelled grenades (for a total of 68 shells) , Azerbaijan`s Defense Ministry reported on February 28.

The Armenian armed forces, stationed in Armenia`s Paravakar village and nameless hills in Ijevan districts, Chinari and Aygedzor villages in Berd, subjected to fire the positions of the Azerbaijani armed forces located in Munjuglu and Aghbulag villages in Tovuz district and nameless hills in Gazakh district.

The ceasefire was also violated in Chilaburt and Goyarkh villages in Tartar district , Shikhlar and Garagashli villages in Aghdam district, Horadiz, Ashagi Veyselli and Garakhanbayli villages in Fuzuli district, as well as nameless hills in Tartar, Goronboy, Aghdam and Fuzuli districts.

Given the operational situation, the Azerbaijani army took adequate retaliatory actions.

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. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
28 February 2017 13:02 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

An Azerbaijani soldier, who was wounded while preventing Armenia's recent military provocation, died.

Soldier of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces Elvin Akhmadov died of wounds despite efforts of doctors, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry told Trend on February 28.

The situation on the contact line of Armenian and Azerbaijani troops has aggravated in recent days.

At midnight on February 25, units of the Armenian armed forces attempted to penetrate into the positions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. The Armenian armed group aimed to conduct large-scale provocation on the frontline and to seize advantageous positions in Khojavand-Fizuli direction of the frontline. After heavy battles between the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces bravely prevented the Armenian attacks.

Unfortunately, Azerbaijan had casualties during the battles. Azerbaijani servicemen Agshin Abdullayev, Shakhlar Nazarov, Tural Hashimli, Zulfi Gadimov and Zakir Jafarov were killed while preventing Armenian provocation.

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
28 February 2017 13:56 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

French lawyer Olivier Pardo has initiated a petition for the recognition of Khojaly Genocide by the French government. The petition is posted on change.org and appeals to the authorities of France.

Few French people know about the tragedy in Khojaly, and the French authorities, even if they are aware of this story, prefer to remain silent to avoid having to place the responsibility on the perpetrators, the petition reads.

However, as the traditional defender of human rights, France should not show indifference, the petition states.

Today, 25 years later, we want the French government and international organizations to recognize the massacre in Khojaly. My initiative has one goal - to pay tribute to the forgotten victims of the crime, Pardo writes.

The petition is accessible at https://www.change.org/p/petition-pour-faire-reconnaitre-le-massacre-de-khojaly

The town of Khojaly was situated within the administrative borders of the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. Its population constituted over 7,000 people.

Late into the night of February 25, 1992, Khojaly came under intensive fire from the towns of Khankendi and Askeran already occupied by Armenian armed forces. The Armenian forces, supported by the ex-Soviet 366th regiment, completed the surrounding of the town already isolated due to ethnic cleansing of the Azerbaijani population of the neighboring regions. The joint forces occupied the town, which was ruined by heavy artillery shelling.

Thousands of fleeing civilians were ambushed by the Armenian forces. Punitive teams of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh defense army reached the unprotected civilians to slaughter them, mutilating and scalping some of the bodies.

613 people were killed, including 106 women, 70 elderly and 83 children. A total of 1,000 civilians were disabled. Eight families were exterminated, and 25 children lost both parents, while 130 children lost one parent. Moreover, 1,275 innocent people were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 remains unknown.

---

Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
28 February 2017 14:05 (UTC+04:00)

By Paolo Mauro

In the 2016 American presidential election, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump agreed that the US economy is suffering from dilapidated infrastructure, and both called for greater investment in renovating and upgrading the countrys public capital stock. Now that the Trump administration is preparing its first budget outline, its initiatives in this area will be a central focus of attention.

The United States is not alone. In fact, infrastructure gaps are an even more urgent problem in the rest of the world. Other advanced economies also need to revive moribund investment, and emerging economies need to prepare for population growth, increased consumption, and higher demand for transportation spending.

Initiatives adopted in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis are beginning to promote infrastructure investment. In the European Union, the Juncker Plan  which draws on EU funds to help finance riskier and more innovative projects  aims to generate more than $300 billion in investment between 2016 and 2018.

And there is an even greater push for infrastructure investment in emerging economies  especially China, which is pursuing projects both at home and abroad. In recent years, China has set up domestically funded institutions such as the Silk Road Fund and spurred the establishment of new international financial institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

When done well, infrastructure investment can revive flagging economies and pay for itself, by galvanizing private-sector activity and fostering economic growth. But when done poorly, public infrastructure spending can lead to corruption and waste, with taxpayers footing the bill for bridges to nowhere. Properly executed infrastructure investment entails more than just financing; it also requires that all the myriad details of a projects selection, design, and implementation be closely managed.

And here, the keys to success are not just professional skill and technocratic expertise. They are also transparency and a free press. Citizens should have accurate facts about a project, so that they can monitor its progress and pressure policymakers to protect the public interest.

In a new book, Tomas Hellebrandt and I project that consumer spending on transportation will quadruple by 2035 in Sub-Saharan Africa, India, China, and other emerging Asian countries.

People who earn $200 per year spend only 1% of their income on transportation, compared to 18% for people earning $20,000. In the next two decades, the number of people earning $6,000-$20,000 will increase by more than one billion, and many of them will purchase their first car. Meanwhile, the number of people with annual incomes of $20,000 and above will increase by almost 800 million, and many of them will begin to fly for leisure.

Transportation networks in emerging economies will have to expand vastly to keep up with this growing demand. And while advanced economies already have extensive transportation infrastructure and stable populations, their networks urgently need renovation and repair.

Emerging countries will be able to muster sufficient financing for infrastructure only if they expand the role of the private sector; pension funds and life insurance companies, in particular, could furnish vast resources. But to capitalize on this opportunity, prudential requirements for such investors must be loosened, so that they can hold diversified portfolios of infrastructure projects. And co-investment platforms with multilateral and regional development banks should be established, to boost the credibility of these investments.

To attract private investors, governments will need to maintain a stable regulatory environment that is free from arbitrary interference. At the same time, they will have to monitor and disclose fiscal obligations from projects that involve private participation, such as what Chile now does routinely. This will help to prevent government guarantees for public-private partnerships from imposing budgetary costs equivalent to one or more points of GDP, as has happened in Colombia, Indonesia, and Portugal.

Governments will need to foster a culture of transparency to ensure that financing is put to productive use  rather than illicitly syphoned off or directed to low-value-added projects for political purposes. Tenders and key contract features should be routinely published, and good record keeping and quality control must be maintained throughout the procurement process and contract performance.

To deter fraud, governments should reward whistleblowers, and protect them from retaliation. Many of the emerging countries where investment is most needed must urgently reform their institutional framework for selecting and implementing infrastructure projects. But corruption afflicts all countries to some extent, so advanced countries also need to protect infrastructure projects from undue private influence and arbitrary official interference.

Successfully boosting infrastructure investment in emerging economies is in everybodys interest. And with emerging economies now at the forefront of the fight against climate change, the world will benefit even more if investments in these countries are steered toward green-infrastructure projects. Building new metro-railway networks, instead of roads, would help to reduce carbon dioxide emissions for decades to come.

Advanced countries can help in this effort by supporting green-technology research and development, and by providing financial incentives for climate-friendly infrastructure investment through export credit agencies and multilateral and regional development banks. With an open and transparent international procurement system, the most efficient technologies would then come out on top.

Infrastructure investment holds much promise, but to reap its benefits, policymakers in emerging economies will need to strengthen their institutional frameworks for procurement sooner rather than later. And policymakers in advanced economies should preserve and apply well-known checks and balances, to keep the project-selection playing field level, and to permit monitoring implementation from start to finish.

Copyright: Project Syndicate:Checks and Balances Before Roads and Bridges

---

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28 February 2017 10:53 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) jointly with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Association of Milk Producers of Ukraine (AMP) will organize the First Caucasus Dairy Congress to take place on March 14, 2017 in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The event that will be held within the framework of East European Dairy Congress will draw over 200 participants, including commercial dairy farmers, processors from Georgia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and other countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, potential investors, international organizations and Government representatives.

The event will offer an opportunity to explore modern technological and business approaches in dairy husbandry development, based on real cases and experience of associations of milk producers and farmers from the region.

Managers and specialists of the most successful farms from Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and other countries will reveal secrets of their success. Some of them have already reached the production of over 10 thousand litres of milk per cow annually, and it is feasible to achieve similar level of productivity in Georgia.

Within the framework of the Dairy Congress, the key takeaways of the joint FAO and EBRD project Improving food safety in Georgia's dairy sector through capacity building as well as recommendations on further development of dairy business will be presented.

On the second day of the Congress, participants will be given an opportunity to visit commercial dairy farms of Georgia where advanced technologies have already been successfully implemented.

The Caucasian International Dairy Congress will set up a platform for sharing knowledge and technologies for farmers and other entities of dairy business in the region, who are interested in the development of modern dairy business.

---

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28 February 2017 12:33 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

The World Bank is still interested in creation of a development bank in Azerbaijan. WB senior financial sector specialist Angela Prigozhina told Trend that the bank maintains its interest in the issue.

"However, we do not abandon this idea  there are a huge number of other state financial institutions, including funds and agencies that are engaged in lending to the economy and support of small and medium businesses. The development bank, or other similar consolidated and effective tool for the economic development, can be created on the basis of these institutions," Prigozhina said.

Development banks are dedicated to fund new and upcoming businesses and economic development projects by providing equity capital and loan capital. Such financial institutions are mainly providing all types of financial assistance, including medium and long term to business units, in the form of loans, investment, guarantee operations, and promotional activities.

Prigozhina clarified that development banks operate at the highest standards of corporate governance and always help the private sector to solve existing problems, for example, lack of long-term financing or lack of the manat loans.

Speaking about the main challenges, she said that such institutions are effective only in case of availability of a favorable business environment for competition and efficient financial market regulator. Besides, additional reforms are needed to minimize lending risks.

"Today, work is underway to create a private credit bureau and develop bills "On protection of creditor rights" and "On establishment of secured transactions registry". Also, together with the Financial Market Supervisory Body (FMSB), we are starting comprehensive work with distressed assets, making amendments to the law "On bankruptcy" and implementing other measures, " she said.

She emphasized that all these reforms are necessary for the development bank to become a catalyst for development of the economy, but it is also very important for the financial system to be stable.

Meanwhile, the government of Azerbaijan may soon allow international financial organizations to launch issuance of manat loans. Azerbaijans Financial Market Supervisory Body (FMSB) and foreign financial entities are reportedly in talks on the issue. Currently, European banks and international financial corporations have a right to issue credits in national currency only by means of hedging their foreign exchange risks in the currency exchange fund (TCX).

A mission of the World Bank on financial and private sector development in the South Caucasus, headed by Prigozhina, arrived in Baku on February 19 with a 10 day visit. Within the visit the mission discusses a variety of projects covering the insurance market, strengthening the financial infrastructure, solving the problem of overdue loans, as well as improving the deposit insurance system in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan became a WB member in 1992. As of September 2016, the Bank allocated loans to the country worth $3.99 billion, while the funds were used to finance more than 70 projects.

--

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28 February 2017 12:45 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

Hungary has called on Azerbaijan to invest in the countrys tourism market.

Ambassador of Hungary to Baku Imre Laslotski said that his countrys tourism market is open to Azerbaijani investments.

The Hungarian tourism market is quite diverse and well developed, but it is not crowded. There will always be segments that are worth developing. Of course, we would welcome the Azerbaijani capital in sectors such as hospitality management, thermal and health tourism, and the sphere of real estate in general, the ambassador told Trend.



The tourism market is one of the fastest growing sectors of the Hungarian economy, according to Laslotski. Its share in the Hungarian GDP is 10.4 percent. Every year the country receives more than 20 million foreign and about 15 million domestic tourists.

The diplomat went on further noting that experts believe that Hungary is an ideal country for investment in the tourism sector, logistics and informatics.

"Institutionally, the promotion of Hungarian investment projects entrusted to the Hungarian National Agency for Investment Promotion - HIPA. The website of this organization (https://hipa.hu/hip-real-estate) presents a number of investment projects in tourism sphere worth from 7 to 150 million euros, he said.

The embassy regularly informs appropriate structures of Azerbaijan about the investment proposals of Hungary, said the diplomat.

Hungary provides an attractive, multi-step system to encourage foreign investment, including tax incentives, direct government grants, grants for training, as well as raising funds from the European funds. Depending on the region and the number of created jobs, as well as the volume of investments (5, 10 or 20 million euros) investors are provided with individual preferences system, Laslotski explained,

Today Azerbaijani business is investing in the construction of hotels and resort areas in foreign countries, including Montenegro, Georgia and Turkey.

Hungary recognized Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in April 1992.

The two countries enjoy a huge capacity for the development of trade and economic cooperation, as Hungarian companies consider the Azerbaijani market as an alternative to the Russian market, on the background of EU sanctions. Hungary is also a good platform for Azerbaijani investors.

The governments of both countries have expressed interest in increasing bilateral trade.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli



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28 February 2017 14:25 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan and Moldova have considered prospects of strengthening the cooperation in economic sectors, particularly in the agriculture as Moldovas Deputy Foreign Minister Lilian Darii met with the relevant authorities in Baku.

The agricultural cooperation between the two countries was the key topic of talks between Azerbaijans Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ilham Guliyev and Lilian Darii, Azertac reported.

Guliyev highlighted Azerbaijan's large agricultural potential, noting that the countrys climate and environment are favorable for diverse, high-quality, ecologically clean agricultural and food products

He stressed that the state focuses on the development of agriculture in the country, in particular on loan credits for farmers and land entrepreneurs in the field of cotton-growing, tobacco-growing , cattle-breeding, etc.

The official also informed about the modern agricultural complexes being constructed in the last three years in Azerbaijan, re-establishment of agricultural departments in regions, measures for improvement of material logistics of livestock production, the regions largest artificial insemination center in the country.

Guliyev invited the entrepreneurs of Moldova to take part at the agricultural exhibition due in May in Azerbaijan.

Darii, in turn, said his country attaches due importance to cooperation in the field of agriculture, adding that both countries should seek ways to coordinate business opportunities, especially in wine-growing.

Azerbaijans the trade turnover with Moldova amounted to $3.75 million in January-November 2016, some 3.25 million of which fell for imports from that country, according to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee.

The number of exported products will increase between the two countries, as this year Azerbaijan will export horseflesh to Moldova.

Earlier, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Pavel Filip, during his meeting with Azerbaijani Ambassador Qudsi Osmanov, said that Moldova is open to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with Azerbaijan.

Filip also noted the importance of revival of activities of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation, as well as holding the forum with participation of the two countries businessmen.

---

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28 February 2017 18:32 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

The second project on construction of social houses in Azerbaijan will be implemented in the capital city.

Head of staff at the State Housing Development Agency Anar Guliyev told ASAN Radio that the area for the construction of the houses has already been selected.

Within the second project, houses are planned to be constructed in Surakhani district, near Hovsan settlement and cover an area of some 20 hectares.

Demand is high in Baku. However, we plan to construct such buildings in other cities and regions of the country. Work is currently underway on selection of areas for the construction of such houses, he said.

Guliyev clarified that citizens will have several paying options in particular, they will have a right to make full cash payment, to raise a credit (with a term of 30 years) from the mortgage fund, as well as to get loans from other financial sources.

Subsidized housing is expected to become the best solution for the citizens with low or moderate incomes. Additionally, after this process gets a massive scale, it will have a positive impact on the sectors of construction and production of building materials, eventually contributing to overall industrial potential of the country.

Social houses within the first project will be constructed in Yasamal residential complex. A foundation stone for the first nine-storey building in the complex was laid in late December 2016. The complex will consist of 29 multi-apartment buildings.

A number of social facilities will be built in the complex, including a 240-seat kindergarten and a 960-seat secondary school. The opening of this first project is scheduled for 2018.

Applying for social housing is expected to start in the short run. Population will be provided with all necessary information about requirements for acquisition of apartments on easy terms.

--

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28 February 2017 18:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

The Azerbaijani government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will consider prospects for the countrys economic development and latest tendencies in the countrys development.

A source in the government told Trend that the discussions will be held during an IMF delegations official visit to Baku, which started on February 28.

The delegation is headed by Chief of IMF mission in Azerbaijan Mohammed El Gorchi. The mission of the Fund has already had meetings at Azerbaijans Economy Ministry, Finance Ministry, Central Bank (CBA), State Oil Fund (SOFAZ) and Financial Market Supervisory Body (FMSB).

El Gorchi earlier said that the Fund may render its assistance to the country in the improvement of macroeconomic policy and strengthening of institutes, which are considered to be essential constituents of reforms.

The Fund forecasts Azerbaijan's economic growth at 1 percent in 2017.

The International Monetary Fund opened its office in Baku in 1992. The Fund allocated loans worth $577.3 million to Azerbaijan for supporting the country's economic reform program during 1995-2005. Azerbaijan has fully repaid the loans.

--

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28 February 2017 11:56 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

Most Fashionable Awards2017 presentation ceremony took place at Passage 1901 restaurant in Baku on February 27.

"Most Fashionable Awards" is a professional award given for the achievements in design, business, culture, art, fashion and sport.

Famous actors, athletes, TV presenters, designers, stylists, heads of various companies, as well as numerous media representatives attended the event.

President of World Beauty Congress Zamir Huseynov noted that more than 50 countries take part in the -"Most Fashionable Awards-2017".

The award is given in several nominations approved by the World Congress of Beauty.

Most Fashionable Awards-2017 is presented in the following categories: model (women and men), stylist, makeup artist, designer, businesswoman and businessman, artists, and others.

The project's director in Azerbaijan is Agil Mamiyev, while general producer is Parviz Azimzade.

The finalists are identified by the two-month online voting. Five participants with the highest number of votes are enter TOP 5 and re-voted. The winners will be determined by a jury, which includes representatives from around the world.

The local jury members include People's Artist of Azerbaijan Agayev, head of "Kangarli Group" Jalal Kangrali, producer Tarikh Aliyev, TV presenter Agaf Genjeli, fashion designer Afag Ismayilzade.

Media partners of the event are Trend, Day.az, Milli.az

---

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28 February 2017 15:07 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

Eyyub Guliyev, a conductor of Azerbaijan's State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, has successfully performed in Germany.

The Azerbaijani conductor took the second place at first "Debut Hamburg 2017" contest, Trend Life reported.

The competition took place at the legendary Laeiszhalle Hamburg, one of the best concert halls in Germany. The contest was divided into five categories  Violin, Cello, Piano, Composition and Conducting.

Jorge Luis Iceage (Venezuela) was named the best conductor, while Russian Dmitry Kryukov ranked third.

The closing ceremony featured the performance of all the winners of the competition.

Delivering a speech before the concert, Swedish composer Soren Nils Eichberg congratulated the winners and presented them diplomas.

The marvelous concert impressed the audience with a varied program. Guests were thrilled by amazing performance of symphonic and instrumental works of legendary composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven.

Eyyub Guliyev is the winner of several competitions, including the International Conducting Competition after B. Lyutoslavckiy in Belostok in 2006 and the International Conducting Competition after D. Mitropoulos in Athens in 2008.

In 2010, Guliyev won the top award, the Giuseppe Sinopoli prize, at the International Conducting Competition named after Arturo Toscanini in Parma.

---

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28 February 2017 10:17 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Member of the Azerbaijani delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) Kamran Nabizade responded to the Armenian MP, who at the assemblys winter session said that blogger Alexander Lapshins extradition to Azerbaijan is illegal.

In his response, Nabizade said every country in the world imposes criminal liability for violation of its borders and illegal entry.

Nabizade told OSCE PA members that any foreign citizen can visit the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan only with Bakus permission.

Alexander Lapshin is a citizen of several countries and has had a criminal conspiracy with Armenians living in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. He also illegally visited these territories.

Lapshin is accused of violating Azerbaijani laws on state border in April 2011 and October 2012.

On Jan. 17, Alexei Stuk, deputy prosecutor general of Belarus, issued a ruling on Lapshins extradition to Azerbaijan. Lapshin was brought to Azerbaijan on Feb. 7.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

---

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28 February 2017 11:26 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The recent escalation between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone has caused concern of major international organizations.

At midnight on February 25, units of the Armenian armed forces attempted to penetrate into the positions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. The Armenian armed group aimed to conduct large-scale provocation on the frontline and to seize advantageous positions in Khojavand-Fizuli direction of the frontline. After heavy battles between the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces bravely prevented the Armenian attacks. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan had casualties during the battles.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is concerned over the recent escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, said Stephen Dyuzharrik, the official representative of the UN Secretary.

"We are concerned over the reports of clashes along the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh", he told journalists on February 27, adding that the UN Secretary-General fully supports the OSCE Minsk Groups efforts for prevent further escalation of the situation.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, in turn, urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to avoid escalation.

It is important to avoid escalation, because there is no military solution to this conflict and its persistence is holding back the region, he said after a meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in NATO Headquarters on February 27.

Stoltenberg added that the NATO fully supports the OSCE Minsk Groups efforts for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

President of the European Council Donald Tusk also stressed that the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has no military solution, and it can be resolved exclusively by peaceful means.

Tusk, talking to reporters on February 27, also noted that the European Union fully supports the OSCE Minsk Groups efforts to find the solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

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. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.

--

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28 February 2017 13:44 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The frontline provocations staged by Armenian armed forces once again prove that this country is not interested in peace and stability in the South Caucasus, said Arye Gut, Israeli expert on international relations and specialist on the South Caucasus.

The expert believes that the current criminal clan in Armenia is only interested in maintaining the status quo in the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Gut, talking to Trend, said that Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan tries to justify the occupation and aggressive policy of his country in all his speeches. In fact, he reaffirms his low-level political culture, he noted.

Azerbaijan and Armenia for over two decades have been locked in conflict, which emerged over Armenian territorial claims. Since the 1990s war, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions. The UN Security Council has adopted four resolutions on Armenian withdrawal, but they have not been enforced to this day.

The expert further added that the frontline provocations show that the aggressor country is simply not interested in peace. For them, war is an opportunity to preserve their power, said Gut.

He added that members of the ruling criminal regime in Armenia destroy their own country. The number of Armenians in todays Armenia not exceeds a million. The rich Armenian Diaspora and sponsorship of the U.S. Congress save Armenia from hunger  it is an indisputable fact, Gut said.

Expert Alexander Karavaev, in turn, is sure that just diplomatic efforts are not enough to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Karavaev, who is the leading expert of North-South political science center, told Trend that it is necessary to influence Armenia with complex measures in order to force it to liberate the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

He further noted that the OSCE Minsk Group, which deals with the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, has completely exhausted itself in terms of influencing.

At the same time, Karavayev believes it is wrong to rely on force as it will lead to a full-scale war.

Speaking about the re-escalation of the situation, the expert noted that clashes of reconnaissance and assault groups on the frontline can continue in future with some regularity.

At midnight on February 25, units of the Armenian armed forces attempted to penetrate into the positions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. The Armenian armed group aimed to conduct large-scale provocation on the frontline and to seize advantageous positions in Khojavand-Fizuli direction of the frontline. After heavy battles between the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces bravely prevented the Armenian attacks. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan had casualties during the battles.

---

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28 February 2017 12:28 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

The OSCE is expected to monitor the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops on March 1, said Azerbaijans Defense Ministry on February 28.

The monitoring will be held under the mandate of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative along the line of contact in the direction of Chamanli village of Azerbaijans Aghdam district, said the ministry.

On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring will be held by field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative, Jiri Aberle and Peter Svedberg.

On the Azerbaijani territories occupied and controlled by Armenian armed forces, the monitoring will be carried out by Andrzej Kasprzyk, ambassador and the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative, and his field assistants Ghenadie Petrica and Hristo Hristov.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

---

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28 February 2017 15:35 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Turkey shares the grief of Azerbaijani people over deaths of its servicemen during the recent battles on the contact line of Armenian and Azerbaijani troops.

Turkeys Prime Minister Binali Yildirim made the remark while addressing a meeting of Justice and Development Party (AKP) on February 28.

Yildirim noted that the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been a bleeding wound for many years.

The Azerbaijani territories were occupied by Armenia and this problem hasnt been solved yet. Azerbaijans sorrow is Turkeys sorrow and Azerbaijans happiness is Turkeys happiness, he said.

The prime minister further stressed that Turkey will always support Azerbaijan in its fair case.

At midnight on February 25, units of the Armenian armed forces attempted to penetrate into the positions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. The Armenian armed group aimed to conduct large-scale provocation on the frontline and to seize advantageous positions in Khojavand-Fizuli direction of the frontline. After heavy battles between the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces bravely prevented the Armenian attacks. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan had casualties during the battles.

Meanwhile, Turkeys Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, in his speech at the Turkish Parliament, said that the time has come for a just solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.

The responsibility for the increased tension on the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops falls on Armenia, Bahceli stated.

Armenia must cease its violations of the ceasefire and withdraw its troops from the occupied Azerbaijani lands," said Bahceli.

Armenia captured Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions from Azerbaijan in a war that followed the Soviet breakup in 1991. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and nearly 1 million were displaced as a result of the war.

Large-scale hostilities ended with a Russia-brokered ceasefire in 1994 but Armenia continued the occupation in defiance of four UN Security Council resolutions calling for immediate and unconditional withdrawal.

Peace talks mediated by Russia, France and the U.S. have produced no results so far.

---

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28 February 2017 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

Novruz Bayram - a new month, new year and the cherished first day of spring  is closer with each passing Chershenbe (Tuesday).

Fire Tuesday or as it is called here Od Chershenbesi, a symbol of warmth and home hearth, will be celebrated on February 28 this year.

Celebrations related to Novruz, which is marked in the country on March 21, begin a month before the actual holiday with Novruz Tuesdays. The four Tuesdays are named after the main four elements, called Su Chershenbesi (Water Tuesday), Od Chershenbesi (Fire Tuesday), Torpaq Chershenbesi (Earth Tuesday), and Hava or Akhir Chershenbe (Wind or Last Tuesday).

Last week saw the first Tuesday, which symbolizes life, purity and freshness. The second Tuesday will embody fire, which means warmth and comfort.



Od Chershenbesi notifies that too little remains for warm spring. Its believed, on this day, the rays of the heavenly fire -- Sun, melts snow and nature comes alive.



Fire is somewhat sacred in Azerbaijan, also known as Land of Fire. Some scientists suggest that the presence of fire in the festive rituals is not accidental, as it is recognized as a symbol of life, what is more important, it gives warmth, showing that spring is on its way.



It is very important to light a bonfire in every yard on Fire Tuesday, since fire means the year will be warm and fertile. People jump over the fire, because it is traditionally believed that all troubles and hardships will be left behind, and the coming year will be happy and prosperous.



There is also another belief that on the Fire Tuesday no one should leave his/ her house empty and candles for each family member must be lit on the festival table.



Novruz, a holiday marking equality and fraternity, is celebrated as the symbolic revival of nature.

People say "A good beginning makes a good ending". So, it is very important for Azerbaijanis to celebrate this festive holiday with a clean house and a richly-set table. The table must be set with at least seven dishes.

As part of the table setting, families will display a khoncha, a big silver or copper tray with semeni placed in the center, candles and dyed eggs for each family member around it. On this day, the groom will give his bride a khoncha with sweets and golden and silver adornments. The bride's family also has to send gifts to the groom's house.

Thus Novruz, long celebrated by Azerbaijanis, is a holiday of truly national, humane character and of benevolent, noble purpose.

--

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28 February 2017 10:28 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev congratulated President of the Dominican Republic Danilo Medina.

On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my most sincere congratulations to you and all the people of your country on the national holiday of the Dominican Republic  Independence Day, said President Aliyev in his congratulatory letter.

On this remarkable day, I extend my best wishes to you and the friendly people of your country, added the president.

---

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28 February 2017 11:04 (UTC+04:00)

The Governor of the U.S. State of Nevada, Brian Sandoval, signed a document remembering the Khojaly Tragedy of Azerbaijan. The document was sent to Azerbaijans Consulate General in Los Angeles, which also covers the State of Nevada.

Khojaly Tragedy refers to the massacre committed by Armenias army against Azerbaijani civilians on Feb. 25-26, 1992 fleeing the town of Khojaly in Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region. The mass killing, called by the Human Rights Watch the largest massacre in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, resulted in the murder of over 600 Azerbaijani civilians, including around 250 children, women and the elderly.

Stating that this document is presented in honor of the Khojaly Remembrance Day and in memory of the victims of the Khojaly tragedy, the Governor says: The State of Nevada joins you on this day of remembrance, and recognizes the need for understanding, communication and tolerance among people around the world.

This is the first official document signed by a Nevada Governor on the Khojaly Tragedy.

--

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28 February 2017 13:13 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

President Ilham Aliyevs two-day visit to Qatar on February 26-27 reflected the commitment of both sides to develop bilateral relations, discussed a number of regional and international issues of joint interest, particularly the latest development in the region.

During the visit, President Aliyev held a meeting with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, where the parties discussed investment opportunities in a number of fields and saw the signing of many agreements in a number of fields such as civil aviation, culture, sports, youth, and environment.

It was the second state visit by Ilham Aliyev, which was aimed to explore the scope for bilateral cooperation in light of the two countries' strategic partnership. The first visit took place in 2004, but since then, the leaders of the two countries met five times, including twice with the current Emir.

Azerbaijan and Qatar have good political relations and the positions of the two countries on international issues also coincide. The dissatisfaction is felt in economic cooperation, so recently the governments of both countries' efforts aimed at to fix this situation.

The visit of the Azerbaijani leader to Doha is of great importance and opens a new stage in the development of bilateral cooperation.

Around 30 business personalities accompanied the president in this visit. They were set to meet their Qatari counterparts to discuss enhancing strategic partnership.

The mission included representatives of Azerbaijani companies engaged in production of fruit juices, natural mineral waters, fruits and vegetables, meat and meat products, confectionery, tea, milk and dairy, cosmetology, chemical products.

The leaders of the two countries held an expanded meeting, making a particular accent on rapid growth of Azerbaijan-Qatar cooperation in recent years. They emphasized the importance of expanding Azerbaijan-Qatar relations in various areas, including, agriculture, tourism, culture and infrastructure, and also discussed opportunities for joint investment in projects in other countries and for cooperation in oil and gas sectors.

The Qatari Emir visited Azerbaijan in March 2016 during which the Emir held talks with the President of Azerbaijan and discussed cooperation in commerce, investment, energy and culture.

Recalling his visit to Azerbaijan, the Emir Hamad Al Thani said he witnessed rapid development, stability and security in the country. This creates opportunities for developing both economic and tourism areas, the Emir said.

The Emir stated that reciprocal visits will contribute to the development of cooperation between the two countries.

In turn, President Aliyev recalled his previous visit to Qatar, saying the country has experienced great development ever since.

The head of state highlighted the reforms to diversify Azerbaijan`s economy, speaking of the development of the non-oil sector, saying the main goal is to export non-oil products to foreign markets.

Following the expanded meeting, President Aliyev and Qatari Emir had a one-on-one meeting, during which they noted that relations between the two countries are developing successfully in a variety of fields. The sides stressed the importance of the Azerbaijani president`s visit to Qatar in terms of expanding the relations and determining prospects for cooperation.

Doha and Baku enjoy deep-rooted bilateral ties for more than 23 years, which were crowned by the establishment of a Joint Commission and the conclusion of 25 agreements, including eight agreements during 2016 covering various sectors such as information technology, telecommunications as well as security and military sectors.

The diplomatic relations was established in 1994 starting with the opening of the embassies.

Agriculture can play a big role in the development of Azerbaijan and Qatar economic cooperation if to consider that Qatar has limited production capability in this field. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (the FAO), the proportion of land suitable for agriculture in Qatar is about five to six percent, while in Azerbaijan this is more than half of all land.

Agricultural products makes up 10 percent of Qatar's imports. It is no coincidence that the basis of export mission of Azerbaijan to Qatar, constitute business, operating it in the field of agriculture including producers of dairy, meat, mineral water, tea and sugar.

Qatar, like its Middle Eastern neighbors, enjoys huge oil and gas reserves. The country's oil reserves amount to 25 billion barrels (9th in OPEC and 13th in the world), while the country's gas reserves reach 872 trillion cubic feet, which makes it third country in the world for natural gas reserves.

A number of agreements on bilateral anti-drug coordination, police training, exchange of information, emergencies and disasters were signed between the two countries.

The First Session of the Economic, Commercial and Technical Joint Committee between Qatar and Azerbaijan wad held in Baku last year in implementation of an agreement signed in Baku in March 2016 to establish the Committee.

Azerbaijan, which eyes the tourism sector as one of the promising fields in terms of increasing the budget revenues, focuses on attracting tourists from world countries. Given the fact that Azerbaijan and Qatar has a simplified visa regime, Baku is interested in closer relations with Qatar in the tourism sector. The Azerbaijani tourism sector has attracted a growing number of Qatari tourists, who were in the last year almost five times more than the previous years.

In the recent period, Azerbaijan has linked between Europe and the Far East and it also holds the BakuTbilisiCeyhan (BTC) pipeline which transports oil from the Caspian Sea to the shores of the Mediterranean in Turkey.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli



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28 February 2017 16:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

Each season brings a beauty of its own, while with spring comes the beautiful flowers and plants.

March marks the start of spring in Azerbaijan, and features rapidly rising temperatures. The weather turns pleasant during the day, but the nights are still a little chilly and there is the occasional rain shower.

The weather at this time is pleasant, especially for walking around Bakus beautiful heritage sites. After the cold winter, the city wakes up from its winter sleep and starts receiving more and more tourists.

After the chill of winter, the entire country warms up with colorful festivals, especially Novruz, events and performances in spring.

This March average monthly temperature is expected to be nigh to the climatic norm along with a small positive margin, according to the National Department for Hydrometeorology of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Rainfalls are forecasted to be close to the climatic norm, while a little more than norm in some regions.

In Baku and Absheron peninsula, temperature is predicted to be +6-10C which is close to the climatic norm. At nights the temperature will be +6-11C.In the afternoons the temperature will be +11-16C, +19-24C will be in some days. The monthly precipitation will be close to the climatic norm (20-27mm) and a little above the norm in some places.

Spring is the very time to visit the picturesque regions of Azerbaijan that are covered in silky grass, subtle leaves, and fragile blossoms.

The Hydrometeorology Department also forecast pleasant temperatures in the countrys regions.

Average monthly temperature is predicted to be +7-11C in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic,.At nights the temperature will be +3-8C.In the afternoons the temperature will be +5-10C, but will rise up to +18-23C in some days.Monthly rainfall is expected to be close to the climatic norm (norm 22-44 mm).

In Upper Karabakh: Khankandi, Shusha, Khojali, Khocavand; Gubadli, Zangilan, Lachin, Kalbajar and Dashkasan, Gadabay regions,temperature predicted to be +4-8C which is nigh to the climatic norm. At nights the temperature will be +2-7C, 0-5 degrees of frost in some days. In the afternoons temperature will be +7-12C, and will be +17-22C in some days. Monthly rainfall is expected to be close to the climatic norm (norm 42-52 mm) and a little above the norm in some places.

As for Gazakh-Ganja, Goranboy, Tar-Tar-Agdam-Agjabadi-Fuzuli-Jabrail regions, average monthly temperature is predicted to be +7-12C which is close to the climatic norm.

In Balakan, Zagatala, Qakh, Sheki, Oguz, Gabala, Ismailly, Agsu, Shamakhy, Siyazan, Shabran, Khizi, Guba, Khachmaz, Gusar regions, temperature is predicted to be +6-10C which is close to the climatic norm.At nights the temperature will be +3-8C, in several places will be from 0- 5 degrees of frost.

In the afternoons temperature will be from +8-13C, will be+19-24C in some days in the second and third decade. Monthly rainfall is expected to be close to the climatic norm (norm 23-90 mm) and a little above the norm in some places.

The temperature is predicted to be +9-12C in Central-Aran: Agdash, Mingachevir, Yevlakh, Kurdamir, Imishli, Beylagan, Sabirabad, Bilasuvar, Saatli, Shirvan, Hajgabul, Salyan, Neftchala regions.

In Masall-Lankaran-Astara-Lerik, Yardimli regions, monthly temperature is predicted to be +7-11C which is close to the climatic norm.At nights the temperature will be +5-10C, while 0-3 degrees of frost in some days.

In the afternoons the temperature will be from +11-16C, will rise up to +21-26C in some days.Monthly rainfall is expected to be close to the climatic norm (norm 56-112 mm).

---

Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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28 February 2017 15:08 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Pakistan on February 28 for a working visit.

A ceremonial guard of honor was lined up for President Ilham Aliyev at Benazir Bhutto International Airport.

The head of state was welcomed by high-ranking officials of Pakistan. Then gun salutes were fired, and the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Pakistan were played.

The President will join the 13th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Heads of States scheduled for March 1.

The Summit is expected to review the state of affairs of ECO in the light of the new and emerging global and regional circumstances, and agree on the course of actions ECO should follow in expanding regional economic cooperation among its member states.

The new ECO Vision 2025 is also expected to be adopted in Islamabad meetings. The Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan are the 10 member states of ECO.

--

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1 March 2017 00:16 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had a one-on-one meeting in Islamabad on February 28, Azertac reported.

President Aliyev thanked the Prime Minister for high hospitality. The head of state recalled Muhammad Nawaz Sharif`s successful visit to Baku.

They hailed the high level of friendly and brotherly relations between the two countries. The sides discussed Azerbaijan-Pakistan political ties, and stressed the importance of mutual support in international organizations. They emphasized that Azerbaijan and Pakistan show resoluteness in supporting each other`s fair positions on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Kashmir problem.

President Aliyev and Nawaz Sharif discussed specific projects in the fields of defense and defense industry. They reached agreement on Azerbaijan`s importing modern defense industry products from Pakistan.

The sides noted the significance of increasing trade between the two countries. They said an Azerbaijani export mission consisting of nearly 20 companies visited Pakistan this month in order to increase exports from Azerbaijan to Pakistan.

The President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan discussed energy cooperation issues, describing today`s signing of an agreement on energy cooperation between the two countries as a successful step.

They also discussed humanitarian and cultural ties. President Ilham Aliyev thanked Nawaz Sharif for the high-level organization of the Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization.

The Azerbaijani President and the Pakistani Prime Minister then were joined by their delegations for an expanded meeting.

The Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan then signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of energy.

On the same day, President Ilham Aliyev and President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain had a one-on-one meeting in Islamabad.

President Mamnoon Hussain`s visit to Azerbaijan in 2015 was emphasized at the meeting. The President of Pakistan shared his good impressions of the visit.

The presidents hailed the excellent level of political ties between the two countries. They emphasized that Azerbaijan and Pakistan show resoluteness in supporting each other`s fair positions on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Kashmir problem.

Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Mamnoon Hussain discussed regional security and cooperation issues.

The meeting then continued in an expanded format.
28 February 2017 11:42 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Azerbaijan, one of the main energy partners of Turkey, increased the volume of gas supplies to the country in 2016.

Turkeys energy market regulator EMRA reported that Azerbaijan delivered some 6.48 billion cubic meters (bcm) of blue fuel in the reported period, while the volume amounted to 6.17 bcm in 2015.

Turkey imports gas from Azerbaijan via the South Caucasus Pipeline (Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum) and has a contract for purchasing 6.6 bcm of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas and condensate field annually.

Last year, Turkey imported 46.164 bcm of gas, recording a decrease of 2.2 bcm as compared to the total 48.266 bcm in 2015. Some 38.72 bcm of the volume was imported by means of pipelines, while 7.63 bcm fell to a share of compressed natural gas (CNG).

The share of Azerbaijan in the total volume of gas imports amounted to 13.98 percent.

The main decrease was recorded in the gas imported from Russia. The volume decreased by 2.25 bcm from 26.623 bcm to 24.373 bcm. The imports from Iran slightly decreased from 7.926 bcm to 7.704 bcm.

Gas consumption in Turkey, the second country in the world in terms of natural gas demand growth, is projected to hit 46.03 bcm in 2017.

Turkey does not possess indigenous energy resources and imports almost 90 percent of crucial fossil fuel. Russia is by far largest gas supplier of the country, while Iran is a runner-up, which provides almost one-fifth of consumption.

--

Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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28 February 2017 13:32 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

While crude oil prices are still torn between conflicting trends, traders are pursuing a wait-and-see approach looking forward to having a new influencing factor.

Prices edged higher on February 28 supported by surprisingly high compliance of producers to their reduction quotas even though the market remains under threat of swelling U.S. production.

Benchmark Brent crude oil added 17 cents, or 0.3 percent, to stand at $56.10 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate oil futures added some 11 cents, or 0.2 percent, and stood at $54.16 a barrel. The price of a barrel of Azeri Light crude oil decreased $0.02 to stand at $57.50.

On one hand, OPEC is pushing for broader cuts from the cartel and several large external producers, particularly Russia. The other side of the coin is that U.S. production continues to rise, with Baker Hughes data showing the number of active rigs in the country reaching the record high level since October 2015. Last week U.S. drillers added five oil rigs last week, bringing the total count up to 602.

Oil prices have risen by more than 14 percent since the November oil deal, but are still only trading around $56 a barrel despite efforts of the cartel and external producers.

OPEC officials have repeatedly said the cartel does not target a specific oil price and their focus is on getting rid of a supply glut, drawing global oil inventories and helping the market to re-balance. However, analysts believe that behind closed doors, OPEC hopes to see prices at around $60 a barrel as a result of the first cut in eight years.

Referring to market conditions the cartel's secretary-general, Mohammed Barkindo told a conference in Abuja, Nigeria that OPEC is optimistic and that the "worst is over".

Signals are highly positive. Now the challenge is how to solidify the platform of 24 countries," he said, referring to 13 OPEC and 11 non-OPEC states.

Regardless optimistic mood of his comments there was a hint that compliance of non-OPEC countries is not sufficient enough. For non-OPEC countries this is the first time so we can expect teething challenges, he said.

Eleven non-cartel producers that joined a global deal have delivered roughly 60 percent of promised curbs so far.

The lower compliance figure for non-OPEC is partly due to the phased implementation of the deal by Russia, the worlds largest oil producer.

The prospect of OPEC extending the current cuts even longer may become a significant catalyst for trend development. The cartel could resort to extension and apply even deeper cuts from July should global crude inventories fail to drop to a targeted level.

However, main deterrent for the extension is that higher cuts will inevitably lead to more U.S. shale oil coming into the market. U.S. shale producers started to up production again when crude prices first reached a psychological level of $50 per barrel in May 2016, following a lasting slump triggered by a global glut.

In this regards, the cartel does not want to see the price to be so high that it encourages rival U.S. shale producers to increase their activity even more.

--

Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
28 February 2017 12:10 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Tajikistan and Russia have agreed to cooperate in atomic energy and border security. The relevant agreements were achieved within the framework of the visit of Russian leader Vladimir Putin to Tajikistan on February 27.

Thus an agreement on cooperation in peaceful uses of atomic energy was signed by Farhod Rakhimov, President of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, and Alexey Likhachev, Director General of ROSATOM, on behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation.

The deal has provided the legal basis for interaction between Tajikistan and Russia in the nuclear power sector for the first time in history while determining a wide range of cooperation areas including design, construction, operation and decommissioning of research reactors; spent fuel and radioactive waste management; rehabilitation of tailing storage areas and utilization of decommissioned uranium mining and reprocessing facilities; production of radioisotopes; use of nuclear technology in industry, medicine, agriculture; education and training of highly skilled personnel for the nuclear power industry, etc.



Besides, the agreement envisages the formation of joint coordination commission with the view of further consulting in the issues relating to the implementation of the above mentioned peaceful uses of atomic energy and search for mutually beneficial opportunities.

During the visit, Vladimir Putin awarded Tajik President Emomali Rahmon with the highest Order of the Russian Federation  the Order of Alexander Nevsky  for his outstanding contribution to continued expansion and deepening of multifaceted bilateral relations and friendship between the peoples of Tajikistan and Russia.

During their talks, the presidents of Russia and Tajikistan also paid special attention to the problem of restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Russia and Tajikistan stressed the significance of further implementation of the accords on cooperation in the military and military-technical spheres in the interests of effectively countering challenges and threats to national and regional security.

Following the negotiations between the leaders of Russia and Tajikistan, the sides confirmed their resolve to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the struggle against terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, illegal arms trade and other challenges and threats in the interests of ensuring national security and maintaining regional stability.

Furthermore, Putin has expressed his readiness to consider the proposals made by his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon, aimed at boosting bilateral educational cooperation.

Putin also mentioned bilateral trade and economic projects saying that the two countries were willing to further develop the projects.

Rahmon, in turn, said that Putins official visit to Tajikistan was an important step in the development of bilateral relations. The Tajik president stated that it was a good opportunity to discuss the pressing issues related to bilateral cooperation and exchange views on the current regional and global issues. "We are interested in boosting strategic cooperation with Russia which a country close to us in all respects," Rahmon added.

After his talks with President Rahmon, Putin told reporters that Tajikistan is a key country for regional security in Central Asia.



Putin said that he and Rahmon agreed to "step up joint efforts to defend the Tajik-Afghan border, using capacities of the Russian military base located in Tajikistan," RFE/RL reported.



He also said that Russian forces are based in Tajikistan "to provide security for both Tajikistan and the southern frontiers of the Russian Federation."



About 7,000 troops from Russias 201st Motor Rifle Division are stationed at three facilities in Tajikistan that are considered part of a single Russian base.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
ICYMI: Open Mic: Hoary Redpoll; A False Dichotomy?

The ABA Blog has been in existence for almost 7 years, and theres a lot of good content back in the archives that deserves an audience now that it might not have received way back when. So, semi-regularly we will bring some of that stuff back. Heres an Open Mic post about a redpoll lump from Andy Boyce that seems particularly prescient in light of a recent proposal submitted to the AOS.



=====

At the Mic: Andy Boyce

Missoula, Montana, resident, Andy Boyce is a graduate student currently working on his PhD at the University of Montana. His area of interest is the ecology of tropical birds in Borneo.

=====

We are currently experiencing one of the largest southern movements of redpolls in the last 50 years and birders across the country are out and about, scrutinizing flocks of redpolls at Nyjer feeders, looking for that holy grail of the redpoll flock; Hoary Redpoll.

With the birds, there has been a surge of posts to local list-servs, blogs, etc. One group searching for advice  just one dark streak on the undertail coverts, is this a Hoary?, and others diligently going through all of the traits espoused by field guides and experts that are supposed to allow us to sort through these messy flocks of finches.

Doing my own research on this topic, I discovered a paper published in 2008 entitled Low support for separate species within the redpoll complex from analyses of mtDNA and microsatellite markers (Marthinsen et al. 2008). Understandably I was a little shocked. My first thought being, what the heck are we doing trying to sort these things out into species if there is no evidence that they are even species at all? After a thorough read I was totally convinced that attempting to sort redpolls into species, or even subspecies is a totally futile exercise.

Colorados first Hoary Redpoll? photo by Bill Schmoker

The crux of the paper is this; based on museum specimens from across the old-world range of the 2-3 redpoll species commonly recognized, the authors found no evidence at all that what we humans are describing as species or subspecies corresponded to any sort of meaningful, genetically differentiable groups. After reading through this paper, I looked around some more and found out that several previous studies have also failed to find any genetic structure among species or subspecies of Redpolls (Marten & Johnson 1986, Seutin et al. 1995, Ottvall et al. 2002, Hebert et al. 2004, Kerr et al. 2007).

The phylogenetic work was done using both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, which evolve/mutate at different rates. Thus, this is a pretty robust study in terms of methodology and is unlikely to be a false negative. Some have argued that they simply missed the appropriate genetic markers to differentiate the species/subspecies, but this is also unlikely given that they were able to show the monophyly of two subspecies of Twite (close relatives of Redpolls) using the same methods.

Another hypothesis suggested by some is that the Redpolls represent incipient species undergoing sympatric speciation. I suppose that it possible, but we would still expect genetic differentiation between groups if this was the case.

This finding leaves us with 2 interesting possibilities;

1) All redpolls belong to one single panmictic gene pool. There is no Hoary Redpoll, there is no Common Redpoll, there is no exilpes, there is no flammeaetc. They are just Redpolls. 2) There are monophyletic (genetically distinct) groups somewhere in the redpoll complex, but we humans, in particular museum curators and collectors, cannot identify them based on morphology, plumage, or even range.

These are two very different hypotheses, but for birders they really mean the same thing. They mean that we cannot ID a Hoary Redpoll. You know why? Because we have absolutely no idea what (or even if) a Hoary Redpoll is! If there is a mysterious genetically distinct group out there, it appears that it isnt linked to any convenient suite of external traits. That means that Sibleys wonderful page describing how to score a pale redpoll on a scale from 1-Hoary is more or less meaningless. The paper that the page is based on even admits to having essentially no clue about what a Hoary is, they simply state that they assume that any individual falling in the hoariest third of the total distribution of variation is a Hoary. This is shaky to begin with, but when you take into account that there is actually no such thing as a 100% surefire Hoary Redpoll, its totally nuts!

Common Redpoll, Quebec, photo from wikipedia

Ok, so you dont care about genetics, lets talk about probability. We know that Redpolls that breed in shrubby habitat in the far north, in areas without trees tend to be larger, smaller-billed and whiter in various nebulous ways. For the sake of argument lets throw the latest science out the window (if the government can, why cant we, right?). Lets call those hulking, frosty seed-killers Hoary Redpolls. Unfortunately, we know that all of these traits that are good for Hoary Redpoll are extremely variable and they dont always occur in concert within an individual. That is to say, there are birds out there that have extremely white upperparts, reduced poll, very little flank streaking, but gosh-darn-it look at those monster undertail covert streaks! Blast! Given that these traits are fallible, we have the following problem, straight from the Ted Floyd book of rhetoric.

Based on observed traits we can assign some sort of probability that a bird showing those traits is a Hoary Redpoll. We can also assign some probability of a Hoary Redpoll showing up in Colorado versus a Common Redpoll. Based on that, we can get a probability of a pale redpoll in Colorado being a Hoary Redpoll. Here are some numbers:

Probability of a pale redpoll being a Hoary: 99% (this is incredibly generous)

Probability of a redpoll in Colorado being a Hoary: .001% (numbers from the east coast during irruptions suggest ratios of around 1000:1).

Probability of a pale redpoll in Colorado being a Hoary Redpoll: ~1%

I should point out that the current ratio of Common Redpoll to Hoary Redpoll on Colorado Ebird checklists for 2013 is more like 100:1. This ratio is tremendously skewed because birders, understandably, chase and report rare birds more than common ones. Even if we take that ratio as gospel, the probability of any given pale redpoll being a hoary in Colorado is still only 50%.

So, what am I trying to say with all this? I guess the take home message is that if you believe in the current scientific evidence, you have to acknowledge that we have no idea what or if a Hoary Redpoll is. If you dont believe in the scientific literature but you do believe in the power of statistics, then you have to acknowledge that even if you see a pale redpoll in Colorado, there is no reason to believe that it is a Hoary. In fact, the statistics tell us that it is almost certainly NOT a Hoary Redpoll.

=====

Literature Cited:

Hebert, P.D.N., M.Y. Stoeckle, T.S. Zemlak, C.M. Francis. 2004. Identification of birds through DNA barcodes. Pub. Lib. Sci. Biol. 2; 1657-1663.

Kerr, K.C.R., M.Y. Stoeckle, C.J. Dove, L.A. Weigt, C.M. Francis, P.D.N. Hebert. 2007. Comprehensive DNA barcode coverage of North American Birds. Molecular Ecology Notes 4: 535-543.

Marten, J.A., and N.K. Johnson. 1986. Genetic relationships of North American Cardueline finches. Condor 88: 409-420.

Marthinsen, G., L. Wennerberg, J.T. Lifjeld. 2008. Low support for separate species within the redpoll complex (Carduelis flammea-hornemanni-caberet) from analyses of mtDNA and microsatellite markers. Mol. Phylo. & Evolution 47: 1005-1017.

Ottvall, R., S. Bensch, G. Walinder, and J.T. Lifjeld. 2002. No evidence of genetic differentiation between lesser redpolls Carduelis flammea caberet, and common redpolls Carduelis f. flammea. Avian Sci. 2: 237-244.

Seutin, G., P.T. Boag, and L.M. Ratcliffe. 1995. Mitochondrial DNA homogeneity in the phenotypically diverse redpoll finch complex (aves: Carduelinae: Carduelis flammea-hornemanni). Evolution 49: 692-973.
28 February 2017 11:46 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Defense Ministries of member states the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) discussed future cooperation within the meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, Kazakh Defense Ministry said in a message on February 28.

Heads of divisions in charge of international cooperation took part in the meeting.

The main topics of the agenda were the forthcoming meeting of SCO Defense Ministers and the implementation of the Cooperation Plan between SCO Defense Ministries in 2017.

The participants also discussed a draft of the Plan of cooperation for 2018-2019, and other topical issues of cooperation within the organization.

Coordinated joint actions aimed at strengthening stability and security in the region of the organization have a special importance against the background of the growing threat of international terrorism and religious extremism, Kazakh Defense Ministry said.

The SCO was established in 2001. The SCO members now are China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Belarus are the SCO observer-countries, while Turkey, Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka, Armenia, Cambodia and Nepal are dialogue partners.

---

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28 February 2017 12:56 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Iran and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on banking cooperation, the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) reported.



The deal was signed by Valiollah Seif, the CBI head and Darmin Nasution, the visiting Indonesian coordinating minister for economic affairs in Tehran on February 27.



Seif said that before proceeding with any step to boost trade, it is necessary to create the appropriate atmosphere for cooperation of the commercial banks of the two countries.



Opening a joint bank account between the two countries to settle payments will accelerate mutual trade and economic ties, he added.



He further said that opening a joint account will also allow the two countries to carry out payments in their local currencies or any agreed currency.



The two sides can also use their potential to establish branch of their banks in each others countries, Seif said, adding that considering the tourism capacities of Iran and Indonesia the two parties also can link their banking card systems, so the citizens from the two countries can use their banking cards in Iran and Indonesia.



Nasution, for his part, emphasized that Indonesia welcomed the expansion of banking relations with Iran.



He added that both countries needed to take measures to promote the trust of traders from both sides.



Heading a high-ranking economic delegation Nasution arrived in Tehran Feb. 26 to follow up the negotiations on cooperation in the fields of oil, gas, petrochemical and electricity with Iranian officials.



The Indonesian delegation also held talks with Iranian officials in the fields of trade, banking, agriculture and industrial engineering as well.

---

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28 February 2017 16:46 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stressed the importance of developing the trade and economic relations with Iran for the strengthening of mutually beneficial partnership.

Berdimuhamedov said about this in his message to participants of the specialized exhibition of Iran, which opened in Ashgabat on February 28.

"By increasing its economic potential, our country pays special importance to the modernization and diversification of the economic complex, widely introducing the latest technologies and advanced design," the message reads.

The Turkmen president said that this causes great interest of foreign partners, including the Iranian businessmen, aspiring to take their place in the Turkmen market.

The exhibition and Turkmen-Iranian Business Forum organized in its framework are designed to ensure further deepening of trade and economic cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic, according to the message.

Iran and Turkmenistan share a common border of more than 1000 km. The two countries have good relations since Turkmenistan's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The two countries implemented a number of large-scale economic projects. The two countries have built 'Dostluk' (Friendship) border dam and implemented the North-South railway project on the basis of a tripartite agreement signed in 2007 with the participation of Turkmenistan, Iran, and Kazakhstan.

Iran also purchases electricity in Turkmenistan. Iran ranks third in the foreign trade of Turkmenistan, due primarily to natural gas purchases. Turkmenistan has been exporting gas to Iran under a 1997 agreement.

In turn, Turkmenistan imports raw materials, building materials, steel products and inorganic chemicals, plastic products, rubber, detergents, food and other consumer goods from Iran.

The two countries focus on activation of joint activities in the field of transport and transit, construction of roads, as well as in the electricity and gas sector.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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28 February 2017 18:06 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that relations with the United States were at their lowest ebb since the Cold War, but hoped they could improve under U.S. President Donald Trump.

Ryabkov, addressing the Parliament on February 28, said Russia will analyze Trump's debut address to Congress later on Tuesday for signs of any change in the U.S. stance.

"It will be important to analyze those signals and approaches which will be a part of Trump's first appearance as the head of a superpower," the RIA news agency quoted Ryabkov as saying.

"It would be desirable to believe that changes in Washington will create a window of opportunity for an improvement of a dialogue between our countries."

Ryabkov further said that Russia had not discussed with Washington the sanctions imposed against the country, but said it would be easier for to work with the United States on the Syria crisis if they were lifted.

"We did not discuss and we do not discuss criteria for the lifting of sanctions. Restrictions in a number of areas are of course affecting us, but no more than the damage they cause to American exports," Itar TASS quoted Ryabkov as saying.

Relations between the two nuclear powers are strained over a number of issues, including Ukraine, the war in Syria, and relations with Iran.

However, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly spoken of his desire to restore the ties with Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently said he was open to the idea of meeting U.S. President Donald Trump in Slovenia.

The Russian leader said Moscow is waiting for the U.S. administration to prepare for talks on improved Russia-U.S. ties. He added that Moscow and Washington could jointly tackle the terror threat and other global challenges.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
28 February 2017 16:07 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Frequency of flights between the cities of Kazakhstan and China will increase in 2017, Kazakh Investment and Development Ministry said in a message after a meeting of Kazakh Investment and Development Minister Jenis Kasymbek and Chinese Transport Minister Li Xiaopeng.

The weekly flights between Almaty and Beijing will increase from five to seven in 2017.Meanwhile, the weekly flights between Astana and Beijing will increase from two to four.

Moreover additional flights will be launched on the Astana-Urumqi and the Almaty-Urumqi routes.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed cooperation in transit transportation, rail and road transportation, as well as air transportation.

In addition, they discussed the activity of the Chinese port of Lianyungang, the Khorgos International Center of Boundary Cooperation, located on Kazakh-Chinese border, and the Special Economic Zone Khorgos in Kazakhstan.

Container transit from China to Europe and vice versa through Kazakhstan is increasing. According to Investment and Development Ministry, 62,816 containers were transported from China to Europe through Kazakhstan in January-November 2016.

Kazakhstans President Nursultan Nazarbayev in a message to Kazakh people in late January set the task to increase the transit container transportation 7 times by 2020. This aim is consistent with the goals of China.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
28 February 2017 11:20 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

The world in which we live is full of wonderful places that most of us do not know they really exist. Different geographical locations offer the widest variety of natural wonders.

Oghuz is one of the best places to visit in Azerbaijan, the Land of Fire.

Oghuz is beautiful at any time of the year, especially spring. Beautiful mountain slopes, forests, river valleys, waterfalls, hot fountains and medicinal mineral sulfur springs, sharp rocks charm tourists.

The region was inhabited in the beginning of the neolithic period. There are numerous historical monuments in the region, including the Albanian temple in Oguz city, three-storey tower in the Mukhas village of IX century, etc. Govur castle for defensive purposes of VII century in the village of Khachmaz are most important historical monuments.

In the area, folk art traditions like carpet-weaving, metal and wood carving, jewelry are being continued. Local craftsmen women in the village of Filfilli weave carpet, jumper, consumables and other articles by order.

---

Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
A ruling is due this week on whether Parker Chamberlin will remain in prison for the grisly stabbing death of his mother 18 years ago or be set free.
News and more about African American entrepreneurs and Black-owned businesses. Also features a directory of events, publications, organizations, and more.
 Wheres the Coverage? Iran Calls for Palestinian Terrorist Attacks | Main | Guardian Refuses to Correct False Claim that Journo Drove Through Mt. of Olives Tunnel? 

February 27, 2017

The Washington Post Omits the Anti-Israel Record of Human Rights Watch



A Feb. 24, 2017 Washington Post report on the decision by Israeli authorities to block the entry of an anti-Israel Human Rights Watch (HRW) employee omitted key information (Human Rights Watch worker barred by Israel?). The dispatch, by The Posts Jerusalem bureau chief William Booth, failed to fully inform readers about HRWs history of singling out the Jewish state for opprobrium and mischaracterized the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement.

The Post reported that Omar Shakir, HRWs recently announced Israel and Palestine country, was denied entry into Israel. Booth briefly quoted Israeli concerns that HRW is systemically anti-Israel,? but failed to elaborate.

In fact, Human Rights Watch, a self-appointed arbiter of human rights abuses around, has a long history of anti-Israeli bias.

HRW, as CAMERA has highlighted, has raised funds on the basis of its singling out Israel. HRW has even used the criticism that it receives from pro-Israel pressure groups? to get funds from wealthy Saudi donors (Minority Report,? New Republic, April 27, 2010). HRWs own founder, Robert Bernstein, repudiated the group in a Oct. 19, 2009 New York Times Op-Ed that noted the non-profit organization was guilty of helping those who wish to turn Israel into a pariah state.?

In his 2016 autobiography entitled, Speaking Freely, Bernstein enunciated on his criticisms of the organization he helped create and on whose board he served for decades. Bernstein pointed out that HRW misleadingly treats as fact the opinion that Israels blockade of Gaza is illegal under international law. He also wrote that although HRW occasionally criticizedoften only when forced to do sothe terrorist group Hamas, it placed a greater emphasis on denouncing? Israel.

Indeed, the Executive director of the Middle East and North Africa section that oversees Israel, Sarah Leah Whitson, previously worked for the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. There, according to non-profit watchdog NGO-Monitor, she was very active in pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel causes.? Whitson's AAADC work goes unmentioned in her HRW bio. [For a recent CAMERA expose' of HRW's anti-Israel slant, see Low-Hanging Fruit: Human Rights Watch and Palestinian Child Laborers,? April 14, 2015.]

In response to allegations of bias, Whitson rashly compared her critics to Hezbollah. Ironically, this is the same U.S.-listed terrorist organization that she referred to as merely an Islamic Resistance? in a 2007 article in the Lebanese paper Al-Akhbar. In that piece shenot surprisinglysought to portray Israel as an aggressor.

In addition to omitting this pertinent history, The Post whitewashed the BDS movement. The paper cited a NGO Monitor video clip of Shakir speaking in support of BDS in 2010 at the University of California-Irvine, but then noted that BDS supporters say? that movement is designed to force Israel to end its almost 50-year military occupation and practices it compares to apartheid against Palestinians.? The Post failed to inform its readers that the BDS movement seeks the destruction of Israel as a Jewish state and counts among its founders and supporters numerous terrorist groups (see, for example CAMERA Refutes Jewish Voice for Peace BDS Advocacy, May 19, 2015).

In his autobiography, Bernstein noted that anti-Israel terror groups, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, are aided in the battle for international opinion? when foreign pressuncritically cover the reports of human rights organizations without closely examining the merits and political repercussions? of these NGOs assertions. By omitting both HRWs checkered history regarding Israel and the BDS movement it abets, The Post confirms Bernsteins concerns.

Posted by SD at February 27, 2017 08:03 PM

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Raising a pet requires a lot of financial responsibility. You need to make sure that you can meet your pets every need and, depending on the pet, that can cost a lot of money. According to a breakdown [...]

4 min read Aug 14, 2018
This landmark animal welfare law approved today by Guatemalas Congress will, for the first time, penalize animal cruelty and its perpetrators, and implement strong protections for animals across a spectrum of other fronts. Photo by Swoan Parker/For HSI

7.9K shares







Guatemala, Central Americas biggest and most populous nation with more than 15 million people, has adopted one of the worlds most comprehensive anti-cruelty laws  an omnibus measure that, in addition to its basic anti-cruelty provisions, creates protections for wildlife, companion animals, animals used in research, and animals used in circuses. It bans animal testing for cosmetics, and also dogfighting, and establishes penalties for spectators of this cruel activity. The law creates an official government platform to address animal welfare.

Its the latest gain in our worldwide campaign to promote the adoption of anti-cruelty statutes in every nation in the world. We are finding that more nations are taking a broader look at our relationship with animals and are not restricting their work to the important practice of forbidding random acts of malicious cruelty. They are also tackling organized animal fighting, animal testing, and more.

Last week, newspapers in Guatemala reported a shocking story of animal cruelty: in the municipality of Solola, San Marcos La Laguna, someone threw pieces of poisoned meat on the street. This was a diabolical and cruel way to kill street dogs. It did produce the desired result, but it also victimized more than a few family pets. The streets were littered with bodies of dead dogs who deserved much better from our species.

While Guatemala had an old law on the books prohibiting dog poisoning, there were no penalties for perpetrators. All that changes now.

This landmark animal welfare law approved today by Guatemalas Congress  the first ever in the country  will, for the first time, penalize animal cruelty and its perpetrators, and implement strong protections for animals across a spectrum of other fronts.

The law cracks down on perpetrators of animal cruelty by establishing fines, and setting up the government to deal with cruelty cases, said Cynthia Dent, global field manager for Humane Society International, whose family has deep roots in Central America. There has been an increase in the number of cruelty cases in Guatemala in recent years, and with this act, we are going to work to reverse this disturbing trend. Among other things, the law will promote spay and neuter programs and run responsible pet ownership campaigns to reduce the large population of dogs roaming the streets of Guatemala. It will also outlaw culling, especially using painful methods, and make it illegal to abandon or leave animals to roam.

HSI was deeply involved from the beginning with the drafting and submission of the law. Our staff, led by Cynthia, guided the process of integrating three different pieces of legislation on animal cruelty that were sent to the Guatemalan Congress as part of a single, comprehensive bill. Now, with the law on the books, HSI will expand its presence and campaigns within Guatemala, including helping the government implement the new law.

Besides the freshly minted statute in Guatemala, weve worked to pass anti-cruelty legislation in El Salvador and Honduras, and weve helped usher in increased penalties for dogfighting in Costa Rica. After the passage of a nationwide dogfighting ban in Mexico in January, Mexico City earlier this month added language to its own constitution, recognizing animals as sentient beings whose welfare must be protected. The constitution of Mexico City now mandates secondary laws to determine penalties for animal abuse and guidelines for wildlife protection and humane farm animal practices.

Our HSI Farm Animal Protection team has also notched up some impressive victories in Latin America in recent years. Just last week, Barilla, the worlds leading pasta maker, confirmed that its Brazil operations will require egg suppliers to transition to cage-free housing systems for egg laying hens by 2020. In 2016, Alsea, the largest restaurant operator in Latin America, pledged to go cage-free, as did Arcos Dorados, the largest operator of McDonalds restaurants in Latin America and the world, among many others.

Make no mistake, our movement for animal protection is a global one, and theres no region of the world that should not embrace the idea of reducing violence toward the creatures who share our communities. Today, we took one more big step forward for animals, and we send our thanks to lawmakers in Guatemala for their humanity and decency.
It was Feb. 28, 1993, a cold and drizzly Sunday morning just outside of Waco.

Eric Evers lay bleeding in a ditch as bullets whizzed by.

He'd already been shot five times, but his armored vest had stopped three rounds. A rifle round smashed through the webbing, however, boring deep into his shoulder; another bullet struck his forearm.

"This isn't a game," said Evers, a special agent in Houston with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "They're putting real bullets down. They're going to drop one in your head."

Now Playing: ATF agents recall the raid on Mount Carmel. WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS LANGUAGE SOME MAY FIND OFFENSIVE. Video: Jon Shapley

Just yards away, Agent Gary Orchowski lay sprawled in cold, muddy water, with his radio crackling from its perch on his back. He heard reports of his own death, but before he could respond, another round zipped past his ear and hit the radio head-on.

The gunfire bombarded the agents so heavily that branches on nearby trees began to fall.

"I've learned the meaning of sheer terror," said Evers, now 52.

Jon Shapley/Houston Chronicle

Evers, Orchowski and more than 130 other ATF special agents and support staff had traveled from Houston, Dallas and New Orleans to execute search warrants on the Branch Davidians for illegal stockpiles of automatic weapons and explosives.

They had also been ordered to arrest the group's leader, David Koresh, a 33-year-old from Houston who stood accused of having sex with his followers' children, some as young as 11 years old.



The agents had heard stories that the youngest of Koresh's followers had never been allowed to leave the compound.

"We were more or less looking at it like a humanitarian mission," said Orchowski, 55, a former police officer in Georgia who is now the assistant special agent in charge of the ATF's Houston field office. "That meant they had never had a candy bar. A bunch of us had gone to Walmart ... In our vests, there were candy bars we planned on giving to the kids."

The agents rarely talk about the raid that kicked off a seven-week siege at the cult's compound. But the government's decision to return their gear last year brought it all back. Now, nearly 25 years later, the agents say they're ready to share the experiences that have largely gone untold.

WANT MORE? Read the full story on our subscriber website, HoustonChronicle.com.

Subscribe for full access to our digital content.
East Houston Regional Medical Center, a Houston-based Hospital Corporation of America Gulf Coast Division facility, appointed Eric Evans CEO.

Here are five points:

1. Mr. Evans was most recently senior vice president of strategic planning for the HCA Gulf Coast Division.

2. He joined HCA in 1996, and has served in numerous leadership roles within the company, including as COO of The Woman's Hospital of Texas in Houston.

3. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a board member of the American Leadership Forum.

4. He holds a master's degree in health services administration from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

5. Mr. Evans succeeds Alice Adams, who retired in December 2016.
Leaders from national health insurers including the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Cigna and Humana met with President Donald Trump Monday to discuss the climate of the payer industry, according to The Washington Post.

Here are five things to know about the meeting.



1. The president offered few details about his ACA replacement, which he said would curb costs and increase competition, according to the report. However, he said he would offer "something special" regarding proposed changes to the ACA in his address to Congress Tuesday, according to Bloomberg.

2. CEOs from Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna, Indianapolis-based Anthem, Durham-based BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna, Louisville, Ky.-based Humana, Philadelphia-based Independence Blue Cross, Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente, Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealth Group and Washington, D.C.-based America's Health Insurance Plans, the industry's lobbying entity, were present at the closed-door meeting, according to the report.

3. In a public remark before the meeting, President Trump said, "We must work together to save Americans from Obamacare," according to the article. He also reportedly criticized the ACA for restricting the types of products health insurers could sell, which President Trump said increased the price of premiums and limited the number of options available to consumers purchasing exchange-based insurance.

4. Payers have sought regulation to stabilize the 2018 individual marketplace and attract more insurers. The Trump administration proposed regulations Feb. 15 that would shorten this year's open enrollment period and give insurers more time to file plans for 2018 coverage. Joseph Swedish, CEO of Anthem, thanked the president "for the swift and decisive actions" outlined in the proposed legislation, according to The Washington Post.



5. Following the meeting, Mr. Swedish told reporters President Trump said he wants to stabilize the insurance markets established by the ACA. Mark Bertolini, CEO of Aetna, also said the insurer wants to collaborate with Congress and the Trump administration on a "broader range of solutions that Americans will find valuable in managing their healthcare needs," the report states.

More articles on payer issues:

California looks to a single-payer health system amid proposed ACA changes

BPO offers payers a solution to the healthcare consumerism dilemma

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia appoints president
Accreditation surveys play an important role in healthcare, making sure all hospitals are compliant with standards that keep patients safe. In a piece for the Wall Street Journal, Peter Pronovost, MD, PhD, advocates for another type of survey to help hospitals grow beyond simply meeting regulations.

Dr. Pronovost, the senior vice president for patient safety and quality at Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Medicine, wrote that hospitals should partner up and perform peer-to-peer assessments to pass on best practices and root out dangerous ones in a safe space.

"In peer-to-peer, a team of reviewers  executives, managers, front-line clinicians, researchers and others  visit another hospital for a structured, confidential and nonpunative review of its safety and quality efforts," he wrote. "While it would be foolhardy to show your flaws to regulators, in peer-to-peer assessments, it is encouraged. The goal is to create an environment of learning, not judging."

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He wrote that Johns Hopkins Hospital and Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital have assessed one another using a jointly developed survey, and it led to improvements at the bedside and at the administrative levels.

"Peer-to-peer review helps hospitals to discuss their problems in a safe environment, when it isn't a crisis," Dr. Pronovost wrote. "It's been said that change progresses at the speed of trust; trust among peer organizations can accelerate improvement that saves patients' lives."
Proper care coordination is more crucial than ever for healthcare providers as they take on more financial risk amid the shift toward value-based care, according to Ken Botsford, MD, CMO of naviHealth, a Cardinal Health company.

In 2014  a year before CMS' introduction of alternative payment models and value-based payments  20 percent of CMS' Medicare payments were traditional fee-for-service, 60 percent were fee-for-service linked to quality and another 20 percent were through alternative payment models, according to Dr. Botsford. By 2018, CMS expects alternative payment models to account for 50 percent of all payments, with quality-related fee-for-service payments decreasing to 40 percent and traditional fee-for-service payments dropping to 10 percent.

While the move toward value-based care is gaining momentum in the healthcare industry, many health systems are still in the early stages of implementing this model, said Dr. Botsford. Seventy-nine percent of health systems are in the process of evaluating value-based care processes, with only 8 percent having completed or nearly completed a full roll-out of the model, according to a 2016 survey conducted by HealthLeaders Media.

During a webinar hosted by Cardinal Health, Dr. Botsford joined Jay LaBine, MD, senior vice president and associate CMO of Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spectrum Health, to discuss the importance of implementing efficient and thorough care coordination processes during the transition toward value-based care.

Why care coordination is more critical than ever

Dr. LaBine, MD, realized inadequate care coordination was a systemic issue in the healthcare industry after his dog, Dutch, got hit by car. He took Dutch to the local animal hospital and before the dog was released, the veterinarian sat down with Dr. LaBine for forty-five minutes to give in-depth instructions on how to care for Dutch at home. Later that day, Dr. LaBine went to his hospital to conduct rounds.

"I discharged seven people in 30 minutes," he said, discovering the unsettling reality that a veterinarian took more time to explain the care expectations for a recovering dog than a physician might spend with a human patient preparing for discharge.

Dr. Botsford notes poor care coordination creates negative consequences for both patients and healthcare providers. About one-third of patients have at least one medication discrepancy upon hospital discharge and 1 in 5 discharged patients experience an adverse event within three weeks of leaving the hospital. Post-acute care costs the healthcare industry more than $100 billion annually and readmissions cost $30 billion to $40 billion each year, according to Dr. Botsford.

The elements of successful care coordination

To attain proper care, physicians must ensure patients understand their physician's medication orders and address patient-centered discharge planning based on a patient's risk level, condition and ability to self manage, according to Dr. Botsford.

"I always assumed the higher intensity settings had to be the safest, but the best outcomes may be at a lower level of care," said Dr. Botsford. "On the flip side, a lower level of care is not always the cheapest. If you send someone to home health who should've gone to a skilled nursing facility, it may result in a readmission and that's more costly than it should have been."

Medication reconciliation is another key factor in efficient care transitions, along with more "warm" handoffs between the acute care staff and skilled nursing facility staff, according to Dr. Botsford. In warm handoffs, primary care providers meet face-to-face with a staff member from the post-acute care facility to talk about the care transition process and review all care orders for the patient, immediately making corrections and adjustments where necessary.

"I think the key is that the patient needs the right care," says Dr. Botsford. "Even if that's more expensive than alternatives, if that's the care they need, that's where they need to go. At the end of the day, they will have better outcomes and, therefore, better financial results."

Spectrum Health as model for best practice

Dr. Botsford said health systems looking to develop a proactive care transitions program should start with the following three steps: establish multi-disciplinary planning teams, use technology to support informed decisions and build high-quality, post-acute care networks.

To further highlight this change management process, Dr. LaBine shared Spectrum Health's journey in revamping its care transition program.

The health system saw huge variations in both care and medical spend for the skilled nursing facility network, but had no way of measuring the financial and clinical outcomes in the post-acute care setting, according to Dr. Labine.

"We wanted to be able to compare how skilled nursing facilities were doing and give the feedback to our discharge planners to show them how their patients did once they left the hospital," he said. "This could be very valuable information that leads to continuous performance improvement and gives clinicians the personal and professional satisfaction of knowing their patients are being cared for in a high-performing facility."

Spectrum Health developed a comprehensive RN care management transition program that went from a telephonic model to boots on the ground in the acute care facility and skilled nursing facilities. The health system also implemented naviHealth's LiveSafe data-driven tool (known today as nH Predict) to keep track of the financial and clinical outcomes at each post-acute care site.

"We're now able to see what facilities are hitting benchmark for discharge score, therapy hours, readmission rate and length of stay," said Dr. LaBine. "As a result, many of our acute-care facilities are competing against each other to do better."

Prior to implementing this program, the health system reported 966 skilled nursing facility days per 1,000. As of June 2016, Spectrum Health's skilled nursing facility days per 1,000 decreased to 640.

"We were able to reduce this rate significantly and at the same time proactively monitor how well patients' rehab was going to ensure they were discharged at the right time," said Dr. LaBine.

To view a recording of the webinar, click here.

To download a copy of the webinar, click here.

More articles on clinical quality:

Study: Care from non-physician clinicians equal to that of physicians in community health centers

Hospitals helping hospitals: Dr. Peter Pronovost on how peer-to-peer assessments can improve patient care

How the ACA affected access to primary care: 5 things to know
A study published in BioMed Central found that while many physicians utilize social media platforms to distribute information, few actually make it worth their (or their patients') while.

Here are seven things to know:

1. The qualitative study involved telephone interviews of physicians who had used social media to distribute health information.

2. The 17 physicians involved in the study were:

35 percent female

76 percent pediatricians

76 percent bloggers

3. Participants tended to set their own standards and rules for social media health communications.

4. Physician-participants expressed uncertainty about social media boundaries or strategy.

5. Participants reported using social media as a purely one-way communication platform as opposed to using it as an interactive forum.

6. Participants' opinions were split as to whether social media was an impediment to patient care.

7. Researchers concluded physicians' roles and responsibilities in providing medical content within social media forums remains unclear. They also agreed that most physicians were not using social media platforms to their fullest potential.

More articles on practice management:

Physicians promote healthcare payment model education  6 details



How publishing strategy online makes a difference for orthopedic institutions in value-based care



4 recommendations on measuring elective total joint, spine surgery appropriateness




Co Tyrone man Steven Dobson has been named Northern Ireland's first master butcher by a body which encourages the highest standards within the meat industry.

Steven, who has worked in the meat industry for 25 years, now joins some of the top butchers in the United Kingdom after he was given the accolade by the Institute of Meat (IOM) and the Worshipful Company of Butchers (WCOB) in London.

Steven honed his skilled working at Dunbia in his hometown Dungannon and was instrumental in establishing a Butchery Hall for Leeds-based charity Caring for Life's Crag House Farm. This butchery project provides vulnerable residents with training in a range of skills including boning and trimming, burger and sausage production and meat packing with the aim of creating a self-sufficient and profitable farming and butchery business.

Mr Keith Fisher, chief executive for the Institute of Meat, said: "The journey of a master butcher is long and demanding and requires candidates to have a deep understanding and appreciation of the meat industry and be involved in all aspects of the wider supply chain from farming through to processing, manufacturing, the food service sector and retailing.

"The master butcher title is built on five pillars - butchery expertise, business acumen, food hygiene, integrity and attitude.

"Steven meets these attributes with flying colours and is a very deserving recipient of the Institute of Meat Accredited Master Butcher title."

Steven said: "It is a huge honour to become Northern Ireland's first Institute of Meat Accredited Master Butcher, particularly given the excellent butchers we have here.

"Dunbia has some of the best trainers and mentors in the country who support young trainees to become outstanding butchers and set them on a long-term career path.

"I was fortunate to be one of those trainees 20 odd years ago and to receive the highest butchery accolade is a dream come true."
ClearBank is also eyeing a potential EU subsidiary that will help it break into the continental market after Brexit

Britain's first new clearing bank in over 250 years is eyeing a potential EU subsidiary that will help it break into the continental market after Brexit.

ClearBank is set to open its payment, current account and transactional clearing services to UK clients including building societies and fintech firms this autumn, making it the country's fifth clearing bank and a challenger among big players including Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland.

The firm - which is the brainchild of WorldPay founder Nick Ogden - will be the first new purpose-built clearing bank operation to enter the UK market in over two centuries, and is already exploring ways to capture global markets outside of Britain.

Chief executive Charles McManus told the Press Association that both Germany and Ireland were "very much on our radar," and that the company may entertain the idea of an EU subsidiary if Britain effectively loses passporting rights as part of a hard Brexit.

"In relation to accessing Europe - yes of course we're looking at that strategically. If passporting goes, then yes, we would need a European presence," he said.

Financial services currently rely on passporting rights to give EU-based firms access to the entire bloc without needing to apply for individual state licences, but those rights will likely be lost when the UK Government scraps single market membership as part of Brexit negotiations.

Mr McManus said it would start considering its options at the start of 2018, and stressed that nothing has been decided.

"What we want to make sure is that we actually stabilise the UK marketplace first," he said.

"Obviously, the Brexit timeline means we've essentially got time before we move on from the UK market into the European - and indeed global play - as well, which is all a future vision in relation to ClearBank's business model," he said.

ClearBank, which was unveiled on Tuesday, is about to embark on test runs with three potential customers over the coming months before launching its services in full in the third quarter.
The UK has a record number of exhibitors at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) technology show because of Government backing, the Department for International Trade (DIT) has said.

According to the DIT, 167 tech firms from Britain are attending the Barcelona event, which it claims was a figure aided by Government support, enabling start-ups to appear alongside giants of the industry including Samsung and Sony.

International trade minister Greg Hands said: "The world continues to see the UK as a leading technology destination of choice, with global tech companies such as Facebook, Apple and Google leading the charge to invest in Silicon UK."

In January, the head of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) tech event in Las Vegas, Gary Shapiro, criticised the Government over what he claimed was a lack of support preventing more British companies from attending.

Mr Shapiro said France and the Netherlands had moved ahead of the UK in terms of show presence and suggested because CES takes place in Las Vegas, attendance was "frowned upon" by the Government.

At the time the DIT said it offered start-ups "targeted support and bespoke business matching that better maximises their presence to win vital contracts abroad".

At MWC, the department says it is working with 75 firms to help them showcase their products and meet potential investors.

"We have some of the most innovative tech talent and entrepreneurs in the world, and I want to encourage other investors to take notice and take advantage of our expertise and ideas," Mr Hands said.

"Global industry shows, like Mobile World Congress, are a huge opportunity for small businesses, and my department is here helping more UK companies than ever build the connections they need to revolutionise the world and go global."

Start-up What3Words is one of the firms the DIT is working with at the event - the company's mapping system is used by postal services and aid agencies to help them pinpoint accurate global addresses.

The company has been nominated for two Global Mobile Awards at MWC, and director Giles Rhys Jones said support at the event had been vital.

"MWC is a fantastic platform to reach potential partners, investors and influencers, and the support we have received from the Department for International Trade to help us get here has been fantastic," he said.
A report published by TheCityUK said Belfast alone had 18,000 people who are working in the financial and professional services, with banking the main sub-sector for employment (stock picture)

Financial and professional services in Northern Ireland account for 32,000 jobs, contributing 1.9bn to the economy here, according to a report out today.

A report published by TheCityUK said that while London was the core of the UK's financial services industry, Belfast was a major contributor to it. The financial industry lobby group said Belfast alone had 18,000 people who are working in the financial and professional services, with banking the main sub-sector for employment.

As well as employing people in the legal services and IT industries, Belfast was also an important centre for middle and back-office financial services activities, according to TheCityUK. Miles Celic, chief executive of TheCityUK, said: "Firms from across the world come to Britain to do business, many first putting down roots in London and then expanding their operations across the country, to cities like Belfast, creating a deeper talent pool of skilled workers that benefits local and national businesses."
The ongoing drama between ZeniMax and Oculus / Facebook is still indeed ongoing, from recent reports, and now a new development has cropped up that is nothing short of earth-shattering. ZeniMax has filed a new injunction against Oculus, complete with a recommendation that, if followed, would basically pull Oculus out of the market for a good long while to come.The recommendation with the injunction--filed just Thursday--proposes that Oculus be "...permanently enjoined, on a worldwide basis, from using...any of the Copyrighted materials, including but not limited to (i) system software for Oculus PC (including the Oculus PC SDK); (ii) system software for Oculus Mobile (including the Oculus Mobile SDK); (iii) Oculus integration with the Epic Games Unreal Engine ; and (iv) Oculus integration with the Unity Technologies Unity Game Engine."Naturally, Facebook--who likely has entire battalions of lawyers trained for purposes just like this--responded to UploadVR, suggesting the filing was both "legally flawed" and "factually unwarranted."This follows a huge blow to Oculus / Facebook, which came in the form of a $500 million verdict in ZeniMax's favor in the recent civil suit over ZeniMax's copyrights.However, not everyone believes this will go off as planned; IP law firm McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP partner Joshua Rich noted that the jury verdict might actually hurt ZeniMax's chances of getting that injunction passed. I'm not a lawyer, so I'm struggling through the parsing here somewhat, but basically, the jury DID find that Oculus broke a non-disclosure agreement, and did make use of code portions and logos. That same jury, however, rejected claims that Oculus had directly taken "trade secrets," a point that would have made ZeniMax's case for an injunction much stronger. With just a broken NDA, code and logos involved, Rich noted, that's not much basis for a full injunction.Rich even notes that the best ZeniMax can hope for is that Oculus is essentially forced back to the drawing board, pulling out the improper code and being forced to replace it with new code. That's a tough job, but not nearly as bad as it would have been under a trade secrets violation.It's hoped by many--though exact numbers are unclear--that Oculus can at least stay in the market to serve as a competitive force to the HTC Vive . More competition in a market is commonly good news, as it gives the consumer more to choose from and more value overall in the products released as companies jockey for market share.While Zenimax may not get its way on this run, there's still a possibility of a serious crimp in the VR market, which is still young in many ways.
Total sales at Primark are forecast to increase 11% at constant currency, driven by more retail space, and 21% ahead at actual exchange rates

Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF) is pencilling in a robust rise in half-year profits, but warned margins at the retail chain would take a knock from the weak pound.

The group said UK like-for-like sales at Primark - which has nine stores in Northern Ireland - in the six months to March are expected to rise 2%, but come in flat across the board.

Total sales at Primark are forecast to increase 11% at constant currency, driven by more retail space, and 21% ahead at actual exchange rates.

But ABF said in a trading update margins will take a hit due to the weak pound.

It said: "As forecast, the operating profit margin in the first half will decline, mainly reflecting the strength of the US dollar on input costs.

"The full effect of sterling weakness against the US dollar on Primark's purchases will result in a greater margin decline in the second half because our currency hedges were at more advantageous exchange rates in the first half."

Primark has stores in Omagh, Newry, Ballymena and Londonderry as well as across Europe, and will open its newest store in New York in three weeks.

In September, Belfast Telegraph revealed the fashion firm is knocking down 60-year-old building Commonwealth House in Castle Street, Belfast as part of plans to expand its city centre flagship store.

The 46,000 sq ft extension, which is now under way, will make the development the largest retail building in the city since Victoria Square opened.

ABF said it is pressing ahead with domestic and international expansion at the budget retailer, with stores in Uxbridge, Belgium, Spain and the US stated to open over the next three months.

The firm, which also owns Twinings tea and Kingsmill bread, said it expects "excellent progress" in group profits over the period and its outlook for the full year is unchanged.

In November, chief executive George Weston said the pound's fall will bring both "benefits and challenges". ABF is hoping for a boost to the value of overseas group earnings, which account for around half of the group's total.
Northern Ireland must use its low cost base and strong universities as a selling point to help attract foreign investors here, it's been claimed.

Liz Hughes, head of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Ireland, is also calling on the political parties to work together to reach an agreement and establish a new Assembly, after the election.

She said the key priorities for Northern Ireland include increasing the skills base, making sure the region still has access to export markets, and attracting foreign direct investment.

"A key priority must be the protection of the growing export market," she said.

"While the fall in sterling has boosted exports for many businesses in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland remains its largest export market and so more must be done to ensure that relationships with other markets in the global economy are strengthened for Northern Ireland businesses.

"Northern Ireland is already feeling the effects of a limited skills force, with 19% of vacancies caused by skills shortages - this needs to be addressed.

"It is also key to act now to avoid any brain drain in the eventuality that jobs open up elsewhere."

She said with the UK also planning to reduce its corporation tax rate, Northern Ireland should not rely entirely on its own proposed 12.5% business levy to attract companies here.

Ms Hughes added: "With confirmation that Westminster will not be required to seek approval from devolved administrations to trigger Article 50, it is more important than ever that a new Executive is formed quickly to ensure that Northern Ireland has the greatest possible access to the single market."
Premium

Margaret Canning Opinion Conservatives have gone back to traditional territory with a mini-budget that just might cost the party the next election

Many of the measures in Kwasi Kwartengs first big statement as Chancellor had been trailed in advance  changes to stamp duty, the cancellation of both the rise in National Insurance and the rise in corporation tax, and bringing forward a cut in the basic rate of income tax to 19 pence.
Benedict Cumberbatch will also serve as an executive producer through his SunnyMarch production company

Benedict Cumberbatch will play an aristocratic playboy in new five-part TV series written by One Day author David Nicholls.

The Sherlock star will also executive produce Melrose, based on Edward St Aubyn's series of semi-autobiographical Patrick Melrose novels.

Nicholls will write all five episodes of the series, which will follow Cumberbatch's Melrose on a harrowing odyssey from a deeply traumatic childhood through adult substance abuse, and ultimately, towards recovery.

Asked in 2013 which role he would choose if he could play any literary character ever, Cumberbatch said in a Reddit Q&A that it would be Patrick Melrose.

The show has been commissioned by Sky Atlantic and the US's Showtime network and will depict the South of France in the 1960s, New York in the 1980s and Britain in the early 2000s.

Melrose will devote an hour to each of the five novels, with an episode set over the course of a few intense days in the life of the protagonist.

Cumberbatch will serve as an executive producer through his SunnyMarch production company and he and his partner Adam Ackland said: " We are delighted to be part of this incredible series.

"We have been huge fans of these books for many years and David Nicholls' adaptations are extraordinary."

Nicholls added: "I've been a huge admirer of Edward St Aubyn's novels for years, and can't wait to bring these dark, witty, brilliant books to the screen. Benedict is the perfect Patrick Melrose."

Anne Mensah, head of drama for Sky, said: "Bravery and distinction are core to all original drama on Sky Atlantic.

"Through anti-hero Patrick Melrose, we will be offering viewers a compelling window into a world of privilege, cruelty and greed - crucially both a disturbing and a funny tale.

"We are so excited to welcome this amazing story and a huge thank you to Benedict, David and the whole team."

The show will begin shooting in London, the South of France and New York in July.

Earlier this month it was announced that Cumberbatch will also star in and executive produce a BBC production of Ian McEwan's novel The Child In Time.
FX said the series will focus on the couple's "royal rivalry"

The doomed relationship of Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales will return to the spotlight in a new US television drama series.

Following the success of Netflix's royal effort The Crown, which delved into the early reign of Queen Elizabeth II and her relationship with Prince Philip, a 10-part series entitled Feud: Charles And Diana has been commissioned by US channel FX.

The network's first Feud anthology series, starring Susan Sarandon, Jessica Lange and Catherine Zeta-Jones, starts this weekend and focuses on the rivalry between Hollywood actresses Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

But the second series will take a royal slant and FX has said it will focus on the couple's "royal rivalry".

No casting details have yet been revealed for the series, which is expected to air in 2018.

It is being overseen by producer Ryan Murphy who, along with the first season of Feud, has been behind other global TV hits including Glee, The People v OJ Simpson: American Crime Story, the American Horror Story anthology series and Nip/Tuck.

On the future of the Feud series, Murphy recently said: "I don't want to do another woman-to-woman feud, and I certainly would never do another Hollywood feud because I don't think you can top Bette (Davis) and Joan (Crawford)."

He told The Hollywood Reporter: "I'm interested in this show being a two hander that's really about the human dilemma of pain and misunderstanding.

"And I think you need a long period of time, maybe 20 to 40 years, to have a big back story."
I was really spoilt for choice at the Oscars this year when, for once, the sublime outnumbered the ridiculous. Ive chosen eight of each to show a reasonable representation of what to wear and what not to wear on the worlds most famous red carpet.

The Winners

Halle Berry always just oozes style from every pore. This exquisite creation by Atelier Versace was such a perfect fit that it looked like it had been sprayed on. Grecian inspired, it featured blush pink silk encrusted with shimmering crystals as a backdrop to a chiffon sash in midnight blue which intricately criss-crossed her figure from a single shoulder strap, ending as a cascading train. Dazzling. Meanwhile, she topped it off with a voluminous loose curled Afro with strategic golden highlights. Definitely my favourite look of the day.

Gold lame used to look very tacky in the Eighties but Charlize Theron has given it a new lease of life with this gorgeous gown by Dior Couture. (Who else for the designer muse herself?) The deep plunging neckline emphasised her statuesque physique while the full flowing skirt with sunray pleats added drama as she strode across the red carpet  just like the Jadore advert. The shiny gold fabric was tempered by a superfine overlay of black silk tulle which turned her from a golden goddess into a bronze bombshell. Meanwhile her shoulder length locks were swept back into a sleek ponytail with a bouffant crest. Priceless jewels by Chopard, no less. Nicole Kidman, who was up for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Lion, chose a flesh-coloured sari silk column dress by Armani Prive to showcase her slender frame. This was detailed with a mandala pattern in gleaming beads and sequins and looked, well, pretty spectacular against her alabaster complexion. I loved the way she had styled her strawberry blonde hair into a loose bun with a tousled fringe framing her face.

Matt Damons Argentine wife Luciana Barroso totally upstaged her mega-famous husband by dazzling in a truly exquisite dress in quicksilver satin. This featured a floor-length sarong skirt draping from a silver belt and an intricate bodice in silver devore fabric in a mirror mosaic design. She wore this with matching skyscraper stiletto sandals and smoky quartz chandelier earrings.

The Disney channel starlet Sofia Carson made her Oscars debut with great aplomb, wearing a dazzling white taffeta princess gown by Monique Lhuillier. This was strapless with a vast full skirt in three tiers, each of which featured embroidered sprigs of foliage in black and silver threads at the hem. Her jet black hair was pulled back into a gleaming chignon and adorned with a sparkling hair slide of diamonds and pearls, also designed by Monique. Heels by Christian Louboutin, of course.

You can always rely on Salma Hayek to wear something super sexy and this year was no exception. Her Alexander McQueen dress in Mantilla lace was a nod to her Hispanic heritage and included a plunging gypsy neckline that (only just) managed to contain her famous burgeoning bosom. The spaghetti straps and fine tulle underlayers were both delicate and feminine. For me though it was her hair and make-up that stole the show. Curtain straight and in a middle parting, her glossy raven locks were accentuated by a sparkling diamond headband; while her smoky eyes, scarlet lips and jet black nail varnish provided a very glam goth finish.

Tareji P Henson starred in two of the nominated films, Fences and Hidden Figures, and she absolutely stunned in a gorgeous gown by Alberta Ferretti. So simple and elegant, the column style featured an off-the-shoulder sweetheart neckline and one dramatic and daring thigh-high slit at the side. The luxurious satin velvet in deepest purple complemented her complexion and colouring perfectly.

Edge of Seventeen and True Grit star Hailee Steinfeld, who is only just 20, wore a sheer white hand-painted silk gown with strategically-placed iridescent crystal embellishments. It had a high, scalloped halter neck which was finished in a beautiful silky flounce flowing down her back. Very pretty, very youthful and absolutely perfect for her age.

The Losers

They always say never wear red on the red carpet. Rare exceptions get away with it, but Big Love actress Ginnifer Goodwin wasnt one of them. Her scarlet lace frock by Zuhair Marad clashed horribly with her surroundings while its cut simply looked frumpy with its high collar, long sleeves and shapeless tiered skirt while her hair and make-up were just uninspired.

Everything was wrong about actress Blanca Blancos monstrosity of a dress. From the colour (a sickly sulphur yellow) to the design, featuring gigantic ruffles at the shoulder (reminiscent of those poisonous lizards with venomous gills that flare up when theyre under attack) to the cut (which included a front slit so high that she practically bared all, and I mean all) for the cameras. What was she thinking? Dont ask me!

Scarlett Johansson is very hit and miss on the red carpet and this time for me it was a miss. The sheer floral chiffon looked a bit like a nylon shower curtain from a student bedsit in the 1970s. As for the chunky studded belt ...words fail me. Above the shoulders, though, she did look the part, with a very trendy undercut hairstyle and multiple piercings showing her rock-chick side for a change.

The big winner of the evening was Emma Stone and although she got praised to the hilt by stylists, Im sorry to say that I did not like her dress one little bit. The heavy brocade fabric and the gaudy gold fringing looked like the soft furnishings from a National Trust property rather than a dress of a lifetime for a leading lady. Mind you, her hair did look pretty in soft waves.

Dakota Johnson, the Fifty Shades siren chose a vintage Gucci number in old gold satin that had everything but the kitchen sink attached including leg-o-mutton sleeves, a plisse bodice, pie-crust collar and a gigantic bow at the waist like a waitresss pinny. Terrible. As for her hairstyle? It made her look like a boring geography teacher circa 1975.

Naomie Harris short white dress with a long train didnt work. The white self-coloured sequins gave the impression from a distance that she was dressed in white shrink-wrap plastic or had simply adapted a strong Tescos bag for life. Meanwhile, the yolk yellow strappy sandals were completely wrong too.

Felicity Jones is always complemented on her feminine English upper-class style but I just find it very dull, predictable and boring. Shes worn similar nude coloured diaphanous ballerina styles many times before. Or maybe she only has one dress?

Leslie Manns overflowing duvet dress in Colemans Mustard yellow clashed horribly with her strawberry blonde hair and the shape/size/cut of the cloth reminds me of a family-sized sleeping bag.
DUP leader Arlene Foster at the Corick House Hotel in Clogher, Co Tyrone yesterday

Arlene Foster has said she makes "no apologies" for adopting a campaign line that has been branded 'Project Fear' by political rivals.

DUP leader Mrs Foster has warned Northern Ireland's constitutional future would be thrown up in the air if Sinn Fein was to emerge from the Assembly election as the largest party.

She said such a result would see the UK Government come under renewed republican pressure to hold a referendum on a united Ireland.

"I am not going to apologise for the fact there's a huge threat to Northern Ireland," she stated.

"People have talked about scare tactics and talked about fear - the reality (of a Sinn Fein victory) would be much worse for Northern Ireland than just talking about it.

"People should be concerned, they should be worried."

The region faces a snap poll on Thursday after Sinn Fein pulled the plug on the devolved institutions in protest at Mrs Foster's handling of a botched green energy scheme that has left Stormont facing a potential overspend of almost 500m.

Mrs Foster claimed the renewable heat incentive (RHI) affair was not Sinn Fein's real motivation.

"They wanted to take me out, they wanted to weaken unionism. I understand all that, but this election is much more important than one individual," she said.

The power to call a border poll rests with Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire - legislation dictates he should take the step if there is evidence of a clear shift in public opinion in favour of Irish reunification.

Mrs Foster said Sinn Fein displacing the DUP in the First Minister's office would be seized upon by republicans as such evidence.

Critics have accused the DUP leader of turning an election about alleged financial mismanagement into a traditional green/orange battle in a bid to deflect public attention from RHI.

Rivals have also claimed her repeated reference to Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, who is not standing in the election, is an example of using a "bogeyman" to galvanise the unionist vote.

Describing the furore around her handling of the scheme as the "most frustrating period" of her political career, Mrs Foster said she had "no doubt" she would be vindicated by the forthcoming public inquiry into the affair.

She also countered portrayals of her as someone unable to admit mistakes or acknowledge weaknesses.

"Everybody has weakness, we are all human beings, of course we all have weakness," she said.

"I have been the recipient of a lot of attacks since December, a lot of it has been from other political parties, for their own political agendas.

"I am big enough to understand that's politics. Particularly in Northern Ireland, it can be very nasty, it can be very difficult, but I think people will make up their own judgments."

Mrs Foster also defended her handling of questions around a major donation that bankrolled the DUP's 425,000 pro-Brexit campaign.

She faced scrutiny last week after claiming she did not know how much the party had been given by a then unnamed mystery donor.

A day later, DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson revealed the benefactor as a little-known Great Britain-based group of pro-Union business figures, called the Constitutional Research Council.

Critics questioned how the party leader could not have been aware of the detail of such a huge single donation. Mrs Foster said giving a ballpark figure in the BBC interview would have only drawn criticism.

"I didn't have in my mind the very specific figure that we had been given," she commented.

"If I had said 'oh, it's in the region of 450,000' I would have been attacked (with people asking) 'so you don't know exactly how much it is?'

"I wasn't going to enter into the realms of saying what it was and what it wasn't.

"I knew by that stage that we were speaking to the individuals in question and we were hopeful that we were going to be as open and transparent as we have been," she added.
A former MLA who remains a DUP member has given his backing to the UUP candidate in North Antrim.

David McIlveen, was an MLA for North Antrim from 2011 to 2016. He controversially fell out with the party in January this year when he criticised leader Arlene Foster over her handling of the RHI debacle.

On Tuesday the UUP's Robin Swann said he was pleased to have received the support of Mr McIlveen for Thursday's vote.

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Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Mr McIlveen said he was still "technically" a member of the DUP but that he had made his choice solely based on personal preference.

He said: "Robin and I joined the Assembly at around about the same time and I believe he works very hard for the area and to me this is about who best represents the area.

"I am outside the tent now and feel free to decide on who to vote for. You could say I am backing the underdog.

"I certainly would not want to advise people on how they want to vote and if others want to follow suit it is up to them."

In North Antrim the DUP is fielding three candidates and the UUP one. Jim Allister should be returned and some have speculated he may bring home his running mate Timothy Gaston.

Mr McIlveen said that he took voting very seriously and would probably not know how he would vote further down the ballot but that he would think the DUP would be high up on his paper.

"They are certainly former colleagues and I would wish them well. Purely for me this is based on service.

"Realistically the DUP should get two elected, I would have thought three would be difficult and I would hope that of the four unionist candidates elected Robin Swann would be one of them.

"This will be an election where people will have to vote out of their comfort zone - no one will get off lightly - and for me it is about who works the hardest and the best."

Asked if he would put the SDLP higher up his ballot, he said he would have difficulty given the party's "watering down" of policies on moral issues.

"They would be off the radar for me. Unionists should vote for who they think will be best for unionism and obviously if you ask some who they prefer, then it will always be the SDLP over Sinn Fein."

In January he said DUP party members considered Arlene Foster "deeply damaged" and an "electoral liability" in the wake of the RHI fiasco. He said his criticism of Mrs Foster was nothing personal but that he was "unlikely" to remain a member of the party.

Read More

In reply, East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson said Mr McIlveen was "sore" over his downfall at the ballot box and there was no evidence of disquiet in party ranks.

Mr McIlveen, who works in property and publishing with business interests in the Middle East said that he was content to remain outside politics and still had concerns with the current DUP leadership.

"I grew up in the party and have great regard for its legacy. But the current setup and the way it is going does not reflect the party I joined.

"If the party were to decide to let me go I would not be disappointed. "

And if things were to change at the top of the DUP, would he consider a return?

"You never say never, but it's not in my immediate future and certainly don't expect it to be in the long run. Business has always been my passion and I look back at my five years in the Assembly with pleasure," he added.

"I am a free private citizen and I am enjoying it immensely and the party are free to deal with me as they see fit."

The DUP, in a statement, responded: "All indications show that this election is neck and neck. It is only the DUP or Sinn Fein that will win this election.

"People have a very clear choice to make and supporting a party that is it even running enough candidates to win the election can only assist Sinn Fein.

"We want the Assembly back, working for people and delivering for Northern Ireland. Our focus is on building for the future whilst others have called this election to weaken unionism."

North Antrim Assembly candidates

Patricia O'Lynn (Alliance)

Paul Frew (DUP)

Phillip Logan (DUP)

Mervyn Storey (DUP)

Mark Bailey (Green)

Connor Duncan (SDLP)

Philip McGuigan (SF)

Robin Swann (UUP)

Jim Allister (TUV)

Timothy Gaston (TUV)

Monica Digney (Ind)

Adam McBride (Ind)
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos called Historically Black Colleges and Universities pioneers of school choice in a statement Monday nightand set off a social media firestorm.

HBCUs are real pioneers when it comes to school choice, DeVos said after meeting with dozens of college presidents and chancellors of HBCUs at the White House Monday. They are living proof that when more options are provided to students, they are afforded greater access and greater quality. Their success has shown that more options help students flourish.

Those sentiments ignited social media platforms, with numerous folks saying on Twitter that HBCUs were set up primarily because, as a result of segregation, many students in the South didnt have a choice about where they went to school. In many cases, they were barred from attending public universities for white students. (Further explanation here from Scott Jaschik at Inside Higher Education .)

A department official explained that DeVos remarks were part of a brief statement, and that shell get into greater detail in a speech Tuesday to HBCU officials and advocates at the Library of Congress. The official said that DeVos understands and respects that HBCUs were founded in the context of segregation.

DeVos statement also said shed be looking to HBCUs for advice in addressing the current inequities we face in education.

In prepared remarks DeVos was slated to give to HBCU leaders Tuesday, the secretary sounded a somewhat different note from her Monday statement, and emphasized that HBCUs grew out of educational segregation. She highlighted the story of Mary McLeod Bethune, who founded what became Bethune-Cookman University, saying Bethune recognized that traditional schools systemically failed to provide African-Americans access to a quality education -- or, sadly, more often to any education at all.

Bucking that status quo, and providing an alternative option to students denied the right to attend a quality school is the legacy of HBCUs, DeVos prepared remarks read. But your history was born, not out of mere choice, but out of necessity, in the face of racism, and in the aftermath of the Civil War.

Still, her initial link between choice and HBCUs has generated plenty of social media pushback.

HBCUs are a product of segregation, separate but equal, and Betsy Devos wants you to know that they are prime examples of school choice.  Atman (@Atmvn) February 28, 2017

Secy Betsy DeVos appears ignorant of racial segregation in US. #HBCUs are byproduct of racism during Jim Crow era. pic.twitter.com/XV4VS9UVye  Kristen Clarke (@KristenClarkeJD) February 28, 2017

Betsy Devos thinks that HBCUs were pioneers of School Choice. By School Choice, she meant to say Only Option cause, well, racism.  George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) February 28, 2017

And Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the Senate education committee who opposed DeVos nomination to helm the department, also weighed in, saying that DeVos backwards, utterly confused comments about the history of HBCUs last night only make it clearer how unqualified she is to serve all of our students.

So why the attention on HBCUs? President Donald Trump met Monday with leaders from HBCUs, who were in Washington to push for additional financial support for their institutions.

Its unclear if they can expect that financial boost. DeVos statement noted that advocates and policymakers shouldnt focus solely on funding but instead be willing to make the tangible, structural reforms that will allow students to reach their full potential.

Trump is expected to issue an executive order moving the federal initiative on HBCUs from the Education Department to the White House, according to the Associated Press. Great background and context on what that move would mean from Inside Higher Ed and from Politico .

Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 .
Court heard that PSNI officers recovered 3.4 kilos of cannabis and 1.5 kilos of cocaine in the vehicle, with a combined estimated street value of 160,000 (File photo)

Cocaine and cannabis with a combined estimated street value of 160,000 that was seized from a car stopped in Belfast had been brought in from the Irish Republic, the High Court heard on Tuesday.

Prosecutors claimed two men arrested during the operation three weeks ago were "significantly up the chain" of an organisation behind the plot.

Details emerged as bail was refused to a 29-year-old Co Donegal man arrested at the scene.

Conrad Clarke, of Railway Road, St Johnston, was a passenger in the car stopped in the Duncrue Street area on February 8.

Officers recovered 3.4 kilos of cannabis and 1.5 kilos of cocaine in the vehicle.

Clarke faces charges of importing, possessing and being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs.

Although he made no comment during interviews, the co-accused driver was said to have agreed to make a delivery to help pay off a 10,000 drug debt.

Opposing bail, prosecution counsel Philip Henry said police believe the consignment was transported from the Republic into Belfast.

"This has all the hallmarks of an organised venture and losses will have to be recouped," he told the court.

"Police say the (two accused) are significantly up the chain and at the same level as one another."

Michael Boyd, defending, argued that Clarke is totally unknown to police.

He told Madam Justice McBride the accused has worked in England on construction sites for seven years and was due to return to a project at Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset.

Denying bail, the judge cited the risks of re-offending and flight.
Claire Sugden said she had planned to introduce a new domestic abuse offence of coercive and controlling behaviour

Thousands of domestic abuse victims have been abandoned because of Stormont's failure to bring forward proposed new laws, justice minister Claire Sugden has claimed.

As police record the highest level of domestic abuse crimes in over a decade, Ms Sugden warns she has been unable to introduce important new legislation to better protect victims because of the collapse of the powersharing government.

New PSNI statistics show that, on average, 38 crimes of domestic abuse were reported every day last year.

According to the PSNI, 2016 saw the highest level of recorded domestic abuse crimes in more than a decade, with 14,161 reports.

In addition, police recorded more than 29,000 domestic abuse incidents last year, an average of 118 every day.

Ms Sugden said she had planned to introduce a new domestic abuse offence of coercive and controlling behaviour to strengthen protection for victims and bring the region into line with the rest of the UK.

The first stage of the new legislation, which was introduced in England and Wales in December 2015, was to be brought before the Assembly before the end of February and would have been on the statute books by October.

Women's Aid in Northern Ireland has repeatedly called for the new legislation, saying it could save lives.

Coercive and controlling behaviour can include the abuser preventing their victim from having friendships or hobbies, refusing them access to money and determining many aspects of their everyday life, such as when they are allowed to eat, sleep and go to the toilet.

"Thousands of victims of domestic abuse have been left suffering and abandoned because Stormont collapsed and I have been unable to complete my job.

"I raised the debate around domestic abuse and violence and I was the one that was committing to bring legislation," said Ms Sugden.

She added: "We would have had that on its first stage in the floor of the house by now had the government not collapsed."

Plans to overhaul committal proceedings within criminal court cases in a bid to speed up the justice system have also been stalled by the political crisis, the Independent unionist Assembly candidate added.

Ms Sugden said she felt "so angry and frustrated" by the collapse of the institutions in January that she had considered quitting politics.

"I had considered not running again but I made a promise to my constituents when I got elected last year and I have a commitment to them.

"To this day I still don't really know why government collapsed. RHI (the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal) should not have been the reason it collapsed. We could have found a solution.

"But had it not been RHI it would have been something else." she said.

Ms Sugden said she agreed with Sinn Fein's claim of "DUP arrogance".

"I don't disagree with that. In my experience working with them there was certainly a lethargy. They would do it in their own time, rather than actually try and work together as a government to get things done. If that is what Sinn Fein mean by arrogance then I agree."

However, she said she disagrees with Sinn Fein's insistence that DUP leader Arlene Foster should not take up the post of first or deputy first minister post-election until an investigation into the RHI scandal is complete.

"I believe in democracy. It is completely up to her own party. If people don't take their seat with her in the executive then they don't respect democracy," she said.
Capita is reportedly paid 58 million a year to collect licence fees for the BBC

More than 6,000 grieving families in Northern Ireland were sent letters on behalf of the BBC warning them to buy a TV licence, or face consequences.

Relatives of recently deceased pensioners who received a free licence were told they may be visited by inspectors if they did not respond.

Anyone over the age of 75 qualifies for a free TV licence, which normally costs 145.50 a year.

However, it has emerged that Capita, which collects the fee for the BBC, writes to dozens of families here every week where the recipient has died.

Almost 30,000 letters were issued in the last five years to addresses in Northern Ireland, new figures show.

The revelation will turn further heat on the BBC, which yesterday launched an investigation into reports TV licence fee collectors have targeted vulnerable people, spurred on by an aggressive incentive scheme.

Conservative MP Damian Collins, who chairs Parliament's Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said it raised further questions for the broadcaster.

"This work is done on contract by Capita but it's being done in the BBC's name," he told the Belfast Telegraph.

He added: "Questions arise about the way Capita are carrying out the contract.

"They are just prioritising the collection of revenue and disregarding the personal circumstances of the people they are pursuing. It is not being done with proper sensitivity or in a way that reflects the proper values of the BBC."

Details of the BBC's pursuit of grieving families emerged after a Freedom of Information request by this newspaper.

The BBC said that after being informed of the death of someone with a free licence a letter is sent to their family, asking whether the deceased person's home is occupied by anyone else.

If someone under 75 is living there, the 145.50 fee must be paid as soon as the free licence expires. If nobody answers the letter, the BBC said "the address might be visited" by its army of TV licensing inspectors.

In the 12 months to last April, some 6,093 "deceased residents mailings" were issued - 23 every working day. Over the last five years, the total topped 28,300.

Mr Collins added: "My overall concern with this issue is that there seems to be a lot of insensitivity in the way in which people are being pursued to pay the licence fee, including people who may not be required to do so.

"I think clearly the BBC needs to review the contract it has with Capita and the way Capita are carrying out this work."

A TV licensing spokesperson said: "TV licensing contacts properties where a person has passed away if we've been notified of the death - usually by a friend, family, solicitor or the Department for Work and Pensions.

"It's important we update these details so we can liaise with any other occupants in the most appropriate and sensitive way to ensure they remain licensed, but also as another person at the property may be eligible for a free TV licence.

"If there are no other occupants at the property, we'll send a letter to new residents to ensure they're correctly licensed."

Last March this newspaper reported how 3,500 letters were sent out every working day to Northern Ireland homes threatening them with 1,000 fines unless they buy a TV licence.

Around 2.3 million letters demanding payment were posted in the three previous years.

The mass mail-outs cost the BBC almost 500,000 - equivalent to 3,400 licence fees.

TV licence evaders account for a quarter of all criminal prosecutions in Northern Ireland, latest figures show.
The alleged attack was carried out at an address in west Belfast last November, but only reported to police in January.

A Belfast man accused of shaving off his pregnant partner's hair and repeatedly raping her can be released on bail, a High Court judge ruled today.

But the 30-year-old is set to be banned from going anywhere near the woman he allegedly attacked while on a three-day Crysal Meth drugs binge.

Madam Justice McBride said: "I think we should have a five or ten mile exclusion zone."

The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will not be released from custody until his bail address is approved by police.

He denies four counts of rape and two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm to his long-term partner.

The alleged attack was carried out at an address in west Belfast last November, but only reported to police in January.

According to the prosecution he accused her of sleeping with other men after using a tracking device to monitor her emails and where she had been.

He allegedly warned that if she didn't confess he would shave her like before, the court heard.

A Crown lawyer said the woman, who was three months pregnant at the time, began to make admissions in a bid to save her hair.

It was claimed the man informed her she would have to get an abortion before cutting off her pony tail with nail scissors.

He then allegedly produced electric clippers, held her down on the sofa and shaved off her hair as she tried to fight him off.

During the bail hearing prosecution counsel contended that the man threatened to put a bullet in her head and dump her in a ditch if she tried to run.

He also allegedly told her he would watch as she was assaulted by the girlfriends of men she had admitted sleeping with.

At one stage he punched her in the face, splitting open her eyebrow and then attempting to seal the wound with Superglue, the court heard.

The man then allegedly dragged her into the bedroom, ordering her to strip and saying he "owned" her.

It was claimed that he repeatedly raped her at that point.

After her partner fell asleep the woman fled into the street in her pyjamas and got a taxi to the Royal Victoria Hospital where her wounds were stitched, the prosecution submitted.

Following his arrest the accused told police the couple had been partying at a friend's flat over a six day period, the court heard.

He denied taking drugs and insisted they had consensual sex during that period.

He claimed the woman made the rape allegations up because she is mentally ill.

Defence counsel argued there were serious discrepancies in the complainant's account, telling the judge that the couple reconciled and spent six weeks together after the date of the alleged rape.

The court also heard the accused only discovered during police interviews that he may not be the unborn child's father.

Granting bail, Madam Justice McBride said the extent of the exclusion zone will be finalised once the approved address is confirmed.

The man must also abide by a curfew, electronic monitoring and an alcohol ban.

The judge warned him that any breach will lead to him being returned to prison.
The PSNI is concerned about a recent "spike" in punishment-style shootings

The PSNI is concerned about a recent "spike" in punishment-style shootings

Concern is mounting that a 50 million plan to tackle paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland could be under threat due to political instability.

The collapse of the powersharing arrangements at Stormont and a lack of agreed budget could have an impact "on the delivery of a meaningful programme to eradicate paramilitary activity", a leading academic has warned.

The warning from Dr Jonny Byrne - a lecturer at the School of Criminology, Politics and Social Policy at Ulster University - comes as senior police reveal that the PSNI is dealing with a paramilitary death threat every day in Belfast.

"We would receive quite a number of these (death threats) on a weekly basis across Belfast. About one a day," said PSNI Superintendent Norman Haslett.

Mr Haslett said that within the past two months in the west of the city 26 threats were made, many of them to children.

Several of these death threats have resulted in punishment-style shootings.

Mr Haslett said the PSNI is concerned about a recent "spike" in these shooting incidents.

"A child was shot before Christmas and one after Christmas by these criminal gangs who are nothing more than predators who skulk in the shadows and then run away," he told the BBC's Nolan Show.

Mr Haslett was speaking after a family from west Belfast left their home following a threat against their three teenage children.

Last year the Stormont Executive launched a 50 million plan to tackle paramilitary activity in response to the recommendations of an independent panel's report.

The panel made a total of 43 recommendations on how politicians, police and criminal justice agencies could tackle paramilitarism.

However, there is now uncertainty over the future of the action plan.

"The lack of political stability is a concern for any programme aimed at tackling paramilitarism," said Dr Byrne.

"It could have an impact on the delivery of a meaningful programme to eradicate paramilitary activity," he added.

Victims campaigner Raymond McCord said he was very concerned that political instability could hinder any work aimed at addressing the scourge of paramilitarism.

Mr McCord said that he himself received a death threat from loyalist paramilitaries just two weeks ago. He added that he has witnessed a surge in the number of people coming to him for help after they received a threat.

"I don't believe that the current action plan is the way to deal with paramilitarism and I think it is a waste of money. But I believe we need proper resources to tackle this and I am very concerned about where those resources are going to come from without a budget.

"Also, with the political instability, I fear that dealing with paramilitarism will no longer be a priority. And what happens if a government can't be formed after the election? The problem could get further out of control."

Outgoing Justice Minister Claire Sugden said the action plan's "wheels are in motion" but warned that it will be up to the next executive to decide whether it wants to take it forward.
A burglar who stole three pairs of panties from a woman's flat eighteen months ago was has been given an eight month jail sentence, suspended for two years, at the Crown Court in Derry.

The court was told on Monday that the panties, which each cost 2, were found hanging from a tree eight months after they'd been stolen.

Twenty-eight years old Ronan Gillen from Cornshell Fields pleaded guilty to entering as a trespasser his then neighbour's flat at Waterloo Street near the city centre on September 20, 2015. He also admitted assaulting the woman by squeezing her and hugging her.

A prosecution barrister told Judge Philip Babington that Gillen entered the woman's flat five times uninvited by pushing open the front door. She constantly told him to leave but after he did so he kept coming back.

The woman initially felt uncomfortable with Gillen in her flat and then, when he returned for the fourth time, she became frightened and hid under her bed.

"On the fourth time he went into her bedroom, with the woman under her bed, and removed three items of underwear from her bedside drawer, three pairs of panties which she had just bought that day. She said she was terrified. She called her boyfriend who returned home from work and who found her in a very distressed state.

"The defendant came back again when the boyfriend was there. He was confronted by him and then left. The police were called and when they arrived at the flat they saw that the injured party was so upset that she became physically sick", the barrister said.

Eight months later the stolen panties were found hanging from a tree outside the flat then occupied by Gillen. They were found by a neighbour who was cutting branches off the tree, the barrister added.

Defence barrister Stephen Mooney said Gillen was absolutely remorseful and distressed at the upset he caused to the woman whom he knew as a neighbour.

"It was abundantly clear he was highly intoxicated at the time having consumed a colossal amount of lager over the previous two days.

"It is probably best described as creepy behaviour as against being predatory behaviour", he said.

"He is not given to a behaviour of this particular type. This was an unusual case of burglary. It is a drunken enterprise for which there is no logic. It is inevitable they (the panties) must have ended up the tree because of my client's actions", Mr. Mooney added.

Judge Babington said he noted from the pre-sentence report that Gillen had consumed between sixteen and eighteen cans of beer and that on the night in question he "was out for a cure".

He told Gillen "you were rightly drunk as one would say. There was no excuse for your behaviour. This must have been a very frightened thing to have occurred. This woman hid under her bed and you came back in and removed her underwear from her bedside drawer. Why oh why I do not know and I suggest that probably you do not know either.

"At the end of the day I think your brain was scrambled due to the enormous amount of alcohol you had taken over the previous twenty-four hours or so", he said.
The Ferrari California T in Holywood. An undamaged model is capable of 0-60 in 3.6 seconds and can reach a top speed of 196 mph. Photograph by Paul Synnott

Damage to one of the other vehicles. Photograph by Paul Synnott

The Ferrari California T in Holywood. An undamaged model is capable of 0-60 in 3.6 seconds and can reach a top speed of 196 mph. Photograph by Paul Synnott

Belfast millionaire Christopher David Walsh was banned from driving on Tuesday after a judge said he had "failed spectacularly" to run a so-called hip flask defence.

Newtownards Magistrates Court heard that the 53-year-old was more than twice the legal drink drive limit when he crashed his new 150,000 Ferrari California T into two parked cars on the Belfast Road in Holywood on 26 September 2015.

It was the defence case that property developer Walsh, from Mount Pleasant in Stranmillis in south Belfast, had consumed the alcohol after the crash but having heard seven hours of evidence on Tuesday District Judge Peter King told Walsh he had "failed spectacularly to discharge the burden that has shifted to you" on foot of his claims.

The prosecution revealed that Walsh has a previous conviction for drunk driving. Judge King commented that given the nature of his defence "I'm not surprised at that."

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Adjourning the passing of a sentence to allow a pre-sentence probation report to be completed, the judge told Walsh he is now the subject of interim driving disqualification. He added that when it came to sentencing, "I'm minded to impose a significant driving ban as well as community service."

Walsh, who was found hiding in bushes with the keys to his Ferrari and a Porsche was warned not to get behind the wheel while disqualified.

"If you come back before me for driving while disqualified your liberty will be in jeopardy."

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'Almighty bang'

The trial started with evidence from Paul Synnott who told the court he went to investigate when he heard "an almighty bang" outside his home on the Belfast Road.

Mr Synnott then took photographs of the scene on his mobile phone after he had checked that nobody had been injured.

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According to the time stamp, the images were taken at 18.41.

He added that he saw a man, who turned out to be Walsh, walking away from the scene of the accident so he got into his own car and followed him, all the while giving a running commentary to a PSNI call operator.

Mr Synnott said Walsh walked up towards Holywood and into the grounds of the offices of the Catholic Maintained Schools where he lost sight of him.

Constable McMahon from the PSNI happened to drive past and he testified that when he came across Walsh he was "curled up in a ball, possibly trying to hide" in knee high grass.

Constable McMaho confirmed that a photograph taken at 18.53 was of himself and Walsh coming out of the wooded area.

He told the court that when he helped Walsh to stand up, "he was fairly unsteady on his feet" and his breath had a "strong smell of intoxicating liquor."

"I asked him if was he driving but he didn't answer me," said the officer adding that when he asked Walsh if he had the keys to the Ferrari, "he took two keys out, one was a Porsche key and the other was the Ferrari key."

Arrested

Arrested for driving whilst unfit and taken to Bangor station, the court heard that Walsh initially refused to give an evidential sample until he spoke to a solicitor but that when he eventually did, he was found to be more than twice the legal limit.

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After lunch defence QC Gregory Berry called Walsh to give evidence on his own behalf where the multi-millionaire property developer essentially claimed he had no memory of the incident, outlining how his last memory was at around 4pm that sunny Saturday afternoon and his next was on Sunday 24 hours later.

He was able to recount to his senior barrister that when he left his house that morning, he had taken his brief case, his laptop, legal papers and a half bottle of vodka with him as his plan that evening was to attend a party in Holywood.

"I didn't want to bring any beer or anything like that with me in front of the children whereas with vodka, I could have it with orange juice," claimed Walsh.

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Sausages

He described how he had gone to a butchers on the Lisburn Road to get sausages for the party, got a haircut and then drove around Belfast.

His last memory that day was dropping a passenger at around 4pm and he could remember nothing of the impact two and a half hours later, being arrested or processed at the police station.

It wasn't until the afternoon of the following day that his memory kicked back in again, claimed Walsh.

He recounted to Mr Berry that he had been subjected to an assault the month before when he smacked his head on the ground, claiming that his girlfriend had noticed then that his short-term memory was failing.

Although no MRI scans were produced to the court, he further claimed he had gone through such a scan and that a consultant neurosurgeon had since told him his memory loss could potentially be explained by two blows to the head, one in the assault and the other in the impact.

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Under cross examination from the prosecuting lawyer however, it transpired the consultant neurosurgeon had given what he himself described as "generic answers" in his report as even the neurosurgeon had not seen any of Walsh's GP notes or records.

Hip flask defence

The lawyer suggested to Walsh that despite running a so-called hip flask defence, "your evidence today is really that you don't know what alcohol you had in your system when you crashed" and Walsh agreed "that's correct."

With Walsh further agreeing that nobody saw him with alcohol in the car or at the scene the lawyer put to him: "Mr Walsh, is it not simply the case that you had too much to drink, lost control of the car, caused all the damage in your Ferrari and then you fled the scene because you realised that you are in trouble. Is that not the simple explanation for all of this?"

"I think it would be a very simple explanation for all this but unfortunately I don't believe it to be correct," replied Walsh.

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Two of Walsh's friends, fellow property developer John Walsh (no relation) and Toni & Guy franchise owner Alan Boyce gave evidence that they were with the defendant that afternoon, Mr Boyce until 4pm and Mr Walsh until around 6pm.

Mr Boyce testified that he saw the vodka bottle in the car but that Walsh exhibited no signs of being under the influence while Mr Walsh said he saw the defendant drink a bottle and a half of beer "at the very most."

During final submissions, the prosecuting lawyer described the defence claims as "most unusual" as Walsh was claiming he drank the booze after the impact but couldn't actually remember doing it, declaring that his claims "just don't stand up to any scrutiny."

For his part Mr Berry submitted that Walsh's friends and witness at the scene who gave statements described that Walsh did not exhibit signs of being drunk but that after the impact, two police constables said he did which, said the senior lawyer, fits with the hip flask defence.

DJ King rejected the defence case however, convicting Walsh of driving with excess alcohol, careless driving, failing to stop and failing to report following an accident.

He said given the nature of a hip flask defence, the burden of proof shifts to a defendant and while he had been impressed by the "candour" of all the witnesses, "quite frankly Mr Walsh you have failed spectacularly to discharge the burden that had shifted to you."

"Memory loss and hip flask defences are an unhappy coupling and the presumption in the law is that the breath test will be at least the amount of alcohol in the defendant's system."

The judge added that he had "heard nothing today to interfere with that statutory presumption."
Chicago education leaders are asking a Cook County judge to compel the state of Illinois to give the citys public schools more money to ward off an early shutdown to the school year and cancellation of summer school for some students.

In a court filing in Circuit Court in Cook County on Monday, the district argued that it could be pushed to take those drastic steps to make up for $215 million it expected to receive from the state, but which Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed in December.

The filing that seeks a preliminary injunction to bar the state from disbursing education funds until it does so in a way that does not discriminate against Chicagos students is part of a lawsuit the district and five parents filed on Feb. 14 . The district and parents argue that the states funding formula has created two separate and unequal systems, one for the Hispanic and black students who make up the majority of the student body in Chicagos public schools and the other for the rest of the states students.

Chicago students were shortchanged by $500 million and since Rauners veto, a dire situation that has become intolerably worse, the district argues in the legal filing.

...Absent the Courts intervention, CPS already has made cuts that affect the classroom, and CPS will have no choice but to make even more painful cuts, the district wrote in court documents. Those cuts, forced upon CPS by the States discriminatory funding, deprive children of a quality educationharms that have long-run consequences, harms that are clear-cut and profound.

In a letter to parents, the district said that summer school could be eliminated for elementary students, except for those in special education , the Chicago Tribune reported.

In addition to making up the $215 million, the district also has to make a $721 million payment to the Teachers Pension Fund at the end of June. Chicago is the only district in the state that solely shoulders its teachers pension obligation.

But not everyone is on board with the districts new legal approach. When the district filed its lawsuit, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis called the lawsuit a fake fight and asked why the district had not enlisted the union.

In a statement on Monday, the union called the lawsuit against the state a cynical political ploy designed to divert attention from the failed leadership and flawed decision-making of Mayor [Rahm] Emanuel, who has failed to adequately pursue progressive revenue for the citys schools.

The union argues that the district can find revenueincluding using more TIF surplus funds and other taxesto plug the budget gap.

The mayor behaving as if he has zero solutions is incredibly irresponsible, Lewis said in the statement. Rahm wants us to let him off the hook for under-funding our schools and instead wait for the Bad Bargain to pass the Senate or Rauners cold, cold heart to melt and provide fair funds. He needs to look at his wealthy friends and at the TIF money he has already collected to provide what our schools need.

And while the district argues that the state funding system shortchanges Hispanic and African-American students, nearly all of the members of the districts Latino Advisory Committee quit in protest last week , contending that a district discretionary spending freeze disproportionately fell on predominantly Hispanic schools.

On Friday, the district announced that in response to concerns, it was returning $15 million in frozen funds to high-poverty schools.
Figures for alleged abuse of the elderly and vulnerable have been disclosed

More than 20,000 allegations of abuse by home care workers against elderly and vulnerable people have been made in the last three years, figures show.

Data obtained by the BBC under the Freedom of Information Act revealed the claims included 12,000 allegations concerning neglect, 2,400 cases of psychological abuse, more than 3,400 allegations of physical abuse, as well as 400 claims of sexual abuse.

The vast majority related to care of elderly people in their homes, with more than 9,700 involving people aged over 80.

The BBC File On 4 investigation also sought to find out what action was taken following the allegations.

The FOI data showed prosecutions are rare, with just 700 of the 23,428 alerts resulting in police action and 15 prosecutions.

File On 4 said it was not possible to find out whether all these reports were valid and fully investigated.

Bridget Warr, chief executive of the UK Home Care Association, which represents care companies in the UK, described the findings as "horrifying" and blamed cuts to local Government budgets.

Local Government Ombudsman Michael King said there was a growing problem over standards of home care.

Ombudsman complaints about home care rose by 25% last year to 372 and 65% of them were upheld.

The Department of Health told the programme it has "introduced tougher inspections of care services, given councils access to up to 7.6bn of dedicated funding for social care and will continue to challenge local authorities that do not fulfil their duties under the Care Act".

File On 4 detailed how some elderly people were left for days without proper medication or attention to personal hygiene.

The BBC asked every council in England, Scotland and Wales with responsibility for social care, for the numbers of allegations of abuse and neglect made against home carers who were contracted by local authorities to provide home care.

In Northern Ireland, the BBC sent FOIs to health and social care trusts.

Only half the councils contacted in England, Scotland, Wales and NI provided data, suggesting the true number of allegations could be far higher.

File On 4 is on Radio 4 on Tuesday at 8pm.
The police helicopter was scrambled to the scene.

A police helicopter was used to hunt down three men thought to have been behind a Belfast burglary.

Around 11.30pm on Monday three men were spotted attempting to break into a house in Sliabh Mor Heights in the west of the city.

Following a chase police later arrested two men aged 24 and 28 and a number of items recovered.

The suspects are helping police with their enquiries.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to call 101 quoting reference 1326 of 27/02/17. 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.
Police files must be disclosed in a major legal action over alleged collusion with a loyalist paramilitary agent suspected of up to 15 murders, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

Senior judges also cleared the way for a substantial pay-out to a north Belfast man who sued after surviving two UVF attempts on his life.

Confirming that the level of damages achievable by John Flynn will not be bound by English cases, Mrs Justice Keegan said: "We find it hard to contemplate a more grave subject matter."

Mr Flynn's lawyers described the verdict as a huge development in legacy litigation.

The 57-year-old issued proceedings against the PSNI over murder bids allegedly carried out by an agent who operated in the city's Mount Vernon area. In 1992 a gunman tried to shoot him after he was lured to Whiteabbey Hospital on the outskirts of the city. Five years later a second attempt was made to kill him in a failed car bomb attack.

Mr Flynn brought a lawsuit against the Chief Constable for alleged negligence and misfeasance in public office. In 2014 the PSNI admitted his misfeasance claim and accepted he should be paid damages. But the force emphatically denies negligence or having ever employed the covert human intelligence source - identified only in the case as 'Informant 1'. The agent is suspected of involvement in 10-15 murders, punishment shootings, serious beatings, conspiracy to murder, robbery, hijackings and drug dealing.

Mr Flynn's action was triggered by the findings of Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan that some Special Branch officers colluded with loyalist killers.

As part of the lawsuit, Mr Flynn's lawyers are continuing to seek access to PSNI documents. They argued the police admission of partial liability was a tactical move to avoid handing over all files on the informant and cover over the full extent of alleged collusion.

Last year a High Court judge ordered the hand over of 13 categories of police documents.

Counsel for the Chief Constable appealed his decision, insisted it was an unnecessary step when Mr Flynn had effectively won the case.

Appeal judges were told it would take years to identify all the files and comply with the level of discovery being sought. A Public Interest Immunity (PII) process alone would cost in excess of 300,000, according to a Superintendent asked to assess the scale.

But dismissing the appeal, Mrs Justice Keegan, sitting with Lord Justice Gillen, stressed the significant context of the action.

"This case relates to alleged activities of informers acting within the structure of the State, which resulted in significant harm to persons such as the plaintiff," she said. Discovery of the documents was also held to be necessary for any assessment of damages.

The judge pointed out that work would already have been undertaken for the Ballast report, and described it as "astonishing" that the PSNI had not contacted the Police Ombudsman's Office to obtain information previously provided to it.

"We do not see that the English cases referred to us regarding exemplary damages form a bind code in terms of the level of achievable damages. We consider that there is a valid argument that the subject matter of these proceedings extends beyond those bounds," she told the court sitting yesterday.
Paramilitaries shooting have increased in recent weeks police have said.

A senior police officer has said the PSNI deals with paramilitary threats on a daily basis in Belfast.

Superintendent Norman Haslett was responding after it emerged a 14-year-old girl was under death threat from dissident republican terrorists.

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Speaking on the BBC's Stephen Nolan radio show, the officer said he could not discuss individual cases but said those threatened "were perceived as being involved in low-level crime".

"There can be no justification whatsoever for issuing threats to anyone particularly to children," he said.

"And that those behind the threats are, at the very least predatory criminals. Any civilised society would see a threat against a child for what it is, child abuse."

The Sunday Life revealed a 14-year-old girl had been kicked out of her Belfast home and ordered out of the country by terror gang Oglaigh na hEireann.

The family left Belfast hours after threats were delivered by ONH on February 7. The PSNI later delivered a letter confirming this, telling the family that they may wish to review your personal security.

Superintendent Haslett added: "As a police service we have a duty to protect life. Whatever comes our way we will act upon it.

"When a threat like this comes in an initial assessment is carried out by a senior police officer by the rank of inspector and that inspector will order appropriate steps that need taken to manage threat.

"Those steps are quite comprehensive from informing those involved to ensuring we have appropriate police response.

"We don't just drop and run. We give people an opportunity to consider their own security and we offer professional advice. As well as overt and covert measures I can't go into.

"All threats are judged on an individual basis and we act accordingly."

The police officer said the force would receive "quite a number of threats" on a weekly basis, at least one a day across Belfast.

He added: "We are not waiting on receiving theses threats. We are constantly searching, gathering intelligence and scanning social media and other sources to see where these threats are.

"Threats can vary at different levels.

"It's abhorrent - these people are also behind shootings which have spiked in Belfast recently which we are concerned about. We had a child shot before Christmas and another after by these criminal gangs who take it upon themselves to take law into their own hands.

"They are predators that skulk in the shadows and what they are trying to do is offer an alternative police service.

"There is one police service and that is the police service of Northern Ireland. We are open and accountable."

The officer said in recent weeks there had been nine arrests and one charge in relation to paramilitary activity.

He also said police were very frustrated with the activity as forensic evidence was minimal and information from the communities involved was not forthcoming.

"The most tiny bit of information can help and people, if they feel they can't contact us, they should go to Crimestoppers anonymously," he added.
Jeremy Corbyn has been under mounting pressure in the wake of the party's humiliating by-election defeat in Copeland on Thursday.

Jeremy Corbyn has insisted he is "very happy" and Labour is moving forward, as a key ally warned a "soft coup" was under way against his leadership of the party.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said elements within the party, in alliance with the "Murdoch media", were intent on "destroying" Mr Corbyn and all he stood for.

Mr Corbyn insisted the party was moving forwards under his leadership and would "learn the lessons" of the historic by-election defeat in Copeland, which saw a Labour seat snatched by the Tories.

Labour's Gareth Snell won the Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election, seeing off the challenge of Ukip leader Paul Nuttall, but the party lost Copeland, an area it had held since 1935.

Welcoming Mr Snell to Westminster, Mr Corbyn said his victory showed the people of Stoke "rejecting the politics of fear and instead voting for the politics of hope".

He added: "There was obviously disappointment in Copeland, we will learn the lessons from that disappointment and we will win Copeland back."

Asked about Mr McDonnell's warning of a coup, Mr Corbyn said: "I am very happy, we are going forward. Policies will be coming out, campaigns are going on."

In an article posted on the Labour Briefing website, Mr McDonnell accused the "covert coup plotters" of doing all they could to undermine Mr Corbyn through "an exceptionally well resourced 'dark arts' operation of the old spin school".

He said the plotters, who he did not name, were so determined to get rid of Mr Corbyn they were not only prepared to jeopardise their own seats, they were endangering the very existence of the party.

"We have to alert party members and supporters that the soft coup is under way," he wrote.

"It's planned, co-ordinated and fully resourced.

"It is being perpetrated by an alliance between elements in the Labour Party and the Murdoch media empire, both intent on destroying Jeremy Corbyn and all that he stands for."

Mr McDonnell's warning comes after Labour former cabinet minister Lord Mandelson disclosed last week he was working "every single day" to bring Mr Corbyn's leadership to an end.

Mr McDonnell said, after last year's failed coup attempt, the plotters realised a direct attack on Mr Corbyn was liable to provoke a backlash from grassroots party members, so they were now working behind the scenes to destabilise him.

Their tactics included "daily and constant" behind-the-scenes briefing against Mr Corbyn and the shadow cabinet every time one of them made a statement, intervened in Parliament or launched a new policy.

"The plotters use every opportunity to chip away at Jeremy's standing to seek to demean him and undermine support for him in the Labour Party and among Labour supporters," he said.

"This constant barrage of negative briefings also crowds out any positive initiatives or narrative from Jeremy and his team.

"It also feeds and confirms in the public's mind that the Labour Party is split.

"The professional planning of interventions in which attacks to undermine Jeremy are framed evidences an exceptionally well resourced 'dark arts' operation of the old spin school."

The shadow chancellor said the plotters were effective in distorting the media coverage because they had "extensive contacts and allies" in the media, many inherited from Lord Mandelson's days when he was part of the leadership.

He said it had led to the appearance of "fake news" stories in The Times and The Sun claiming Mr Corbyn was about to stand down as leader, which were then taken up by other media outlets.

"The coup plotters are willing to sacrifice the party at elections just to topple Jeremy and prevent a socialist leading the party.

"It is more important to them that they regain control of the party than it is to win elections," he said.

"The irony is that they are willing to go so far in denigrating Jeremy that they endanger their own parliamentary seats and endanger the very existence of the party they want to use to get into power."

A spokesman for Mr McDonnell said the article had been written and published in print last week in response to Tony Blair's attack on Labour over Brexit, although it only appeared online on Sunday.

"As John said yesterday, he wants us all to focus on party unity following last week's by-election results.

"And he is looking to reach out in the coming days to those across all sections of the party and none," the spokesman said.

Mr Corbyn was in the Commons chamber to see Mr Snell sworn in on Monday afternoon.

Mr Snell was walked to the despatch box by his colleagues Ruth Smeeth and Jack Dromey, amid cheers from the Labour benches.

The new MP chose to make a solemn affirmation instead of swearing an oath.

Mr Snell was met with cheers at the regular meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party - but key members of the shadow cabinet were missing from the gathering and were photographed in a Commons bar.

Baroness Chakrabarti and Diane Abbott were pictured in the Pugin Room as Labour peers and MPs discussed the fallout from the two by-elections.

Labour MP Graham Jones said: "I am disappointed that it appears Shami and Diane were in the Pugin Room."

Lady Chakrabarti used an interview on BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday to blame factors such as the media, disunity in the party and the poor weather for Labour's humiliating by-election defeat.

After the PLP meeting Mr Jones said: "She had a lot to say at the weekend. It's a shame she didn't have a lot to say in there."

There was a "degree of frustration" about Lady Chakrabarti, the shadow attorney general, he said, because she was not elected and did not have to face the voters in the way MPs did.

Former frontbencher Lilian Greenwood listed all the excuses given by the party hierarchy for the Copeland defeat in an intervention labelled "very funny" by one MP.

The party's MPs stressed the need to defend the record of the Tony Blair and Gordon Brown governments - which have been criticised by Mr Corbyn and his allies.

A Labour source said: "There was a general mood from the PLP that all members of the PLP should have been out there defending the achievements of the last Labour government and defending what Labour achieved in seats such as Stoke and Copeland."

Mr Corbyn did not attend the meeting and sent his apologies.

Labour MP Jess Phillips said the party leader needed to reflect on his role in the Copeland failure.

She told Channel 4 News: "Jeremy Corbyn needs to take some time to think about what is going wrong and if he is part of that."

Asked if she would like to be the next Labour leader, she replied: "I think the Labour party needs to look at exactly what it needs at the moment and if it came up with me as its answer, I suppose I would have to think about it but I think we are a long way off that yet."
The DeKalb County, Ga., schools superintendent says he and his family have received death threats after a conservative news and opinion website published a story saying the district prohibits pro-Trump immigration rhetoric.

The WorldNetDaily website piece claimed that schools chief R. Stephen Green fired three school employees for supporting President Donald Trump.

The district maintains that the employees voluntarily resigned, knowing that they were likely to be dismissed. Television station WXIA reports that the principals and regional superintendents that supervise the three employees two teachers and a nurserecommended firing them, but the district had yet to take action.

The employees allegedly made statements about undocumented students and parents at a heavily Hispanic district high school. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the nurse posted her thoughts on Facebook while the teachers made anti-immigrant statements in front of students in the days after Trump won the election.

The nurse and educators allegedly inferred that students at Cross Keys High School and their parents would face deportation when Trump took office. The president has promised, and is delivering, a strict crackdown on illegal immigration.

The WorldNetDaily author wrote that Green declared that: Any comments made inside or outside the classroom must line up with the school districts commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. Its a claim the superintendent denies.

We fully respect the free speech and all other constitutional rights of our employees, but actions by DeKalb staff members that interfere with their ability to effectively perform their jobs or interfere with our students rights to receive education are simply not acceptable, Green wrote in a statement.

We will not tolerate any form of bullying or discrimination ... on or off district property ... that interferes with employees ability to effectively perform their jobs or that interferes with learning and the rights of others.

The FBI and DeKalb schools police are investigating the threats made against Green and his family.

Its a time for me to to be mindful to take the proper precautions to protect me and my family , Green told WXIA.

Education Week last wrote about Green in 2015, when he took the job leader the 99,000-student DeKalb schools , one of the 30 largest districts in the United States. He previously led the Kansas City, Mo., schools.

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Georgia District Hires Superintendent After Firing Search Firm That Found Him
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon claims the powers of the Scottish Parliament are at risk from the Conservative Government at Westminster

Scotland is standing at a Brexit "crossroads" with a second independence referendum potentially offering "the only way" for its voice to be heard, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

The First Minister used a speech in Edinburgh to argue that Scotland faced a "democratic deficit" which, if continued, would make a rerun of 2014's independence poll arguably "necessary" to give Scots a say in the future direction of the country.

Ms Sturgeon also warned that the powers of the Scottish Parliament were at risk from the Conservative Government at Westminster following the vote to leave the European Union (EU).

In an address to the David Hume Institute, Ms Sturgeon said that e vents before, during and after the Brexit vote demonstrated that "the democratic deficit which fuelled the demand for a Scottish Parliament in the 1980s and 1990s has opened up again".

Ms Sturgeon said: "The UK Government still has an opportunity to change course and to seek compromise that we are open to, and I very much hope that it takes that opportunity ahead of the triggering of Article 50.

"However, if it doesn't it will show that the democratic deficit which people voted to end in 1997 doesn't just endure - it continues to have the potential to cause harm to our interests, to our international relationships, to our very sense of our own identity.

"And so if those circumstances arise, proposing a further decision on independence wouldn't simply be legitimate, it would arguably be a necessary way of giving the people of Scotland a say in our own future direction.

"It would offer Scotland a proper choice on whether or not to be part of a post-Brexit UK - a UK that is undoubtedly on a fundamentally different path today than that envisaged in 2014.

"And in the absence of compromise from the UK Government, it may offer the only way in which our voice can be heard, our interests protected, and our values upheld."

She added: "As a result of the Brexit vote, we, Scotland and the UK, stand now at a crossroads. Decisions taken in the months to come will reshape our economy, our society and our place in the world. In short they will shape the kind of country we're going to be.

"The question is should we decide for ourselves which path to take or are we willing to have that path decided for us? We may all offer different answers to that question but surely the choice should be ours."

Ms Sturgeon added that despite promises made by the Leave campaign during the referendum that Holyrood would gain new powers repatriated from Brussels, statements suggest elements of farming and fishing policy "now risk being taken back to Westminster".

She said: "That would be utterly unacceptable. It would be a gross betrayal of the claims and promises made during the EU referendum campaign.

"But more profoundly it would undermine the basis of the existing devolution settlement."

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale accused Ms Sturgeon of "ridiculous scaremongering" while Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson described the speech as "hyperbole" and "synthetic grievance".

A UK Government spokesman said: "These claims completely misrepresent the UK Government's position.

"We have been very clear that no decisions currently taken by Holyrood will be taken away."
Members of the Prison Officers Association will withdraw from voluntary duties from Wednesday, according to the BBC

The Government has won a High Court bid to stop prison officers staging "unlawful" industrial action.

Ministers were forced to seek an injunction to halt a walkout scheduled for Wednesday amid a bitter pay dispute and surging levels of violence behind bars.

The Ministry of Justice had argued that the plan amounts to industrial action and is "plainly unlawful".

Mr Justice Leggatt ruled that, on the evidence he had heard, the "balance of convenience favours granting of an injunction in these circumstances".

Jail guards are technically banned from taking part in strike action.

The injunction means that a circular issued by the Prison Officers Association must be revoked, and branch meetings that were to take place outside establishments on Wednesday morning cancelled.

The Government launched the emergency legal action after POA members were directed to withdraw from "voluntary" tasks such as first aid and hostage negotiation.

It is thought manning of Tornado teams deployed during disorder were also among the duties that could have been affected.

Earlier, Justice Minister Sam Gyimah hit out at the plans and dismissed the reference to "voluntary" duties.

"These are duties that are a fundamental part of a prison officer's role and essential to running a safe and decent prison," Mr Gyimah said.

"They include assessment for those at risk of suicide, first aid, restraint training and intervention, hostage negotiation.

"The instructions by the POA are clearly designed to disrupt the safe and decent running of prisons."

In its briefing paper outlining the proposed action, the POA said it "condemns the systematic failure of Noms (National Offender Management Service) to provide safe, decent and secure prisons, failures which have created a prison service in crisis".

It is the second time the Government has had to go to the High Court over industrial action by prison officers in a matter of months.

Thousands of guards stopped work amid claims the system was "in meltdown" in November, before an injunction brought an end to the protest.

The Government offered an improved pay deal which was endorsed by union leaders but later rejected in a ballot of members.

Earlier this month, ministers announced that thousands of officers at jails facing the most acute recruitment problems would receive pay rises of up to 5,000.

The latest row comes after months of turbulence across the prisons estate in England and Wales.

Jails have been engulfed by a safety crisis, with assaults, suicides and self-harm all at record levels, while a number of major disturbances have erupted.

Shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon said: " The Tories' complacent attitude to relations with prison staff suggests they are still not serious about resolving the crisis they have created in our prisons."
Schools across the United States often provide substandard instruction and social-emotional support to the nations English-language learnersand fail to properly train the educators who teach them, a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine finds .

Noting that limited English proficiency remains a substantial barrier to academic success for millions of children in K-12 schools, the study explores how under-resourced schools and under-prepared educators can hinder efforts to help those students learn and master English.

The committee behind the reportconsisting of a whos who of experts on language acquisition and educatorsalso explored the struggles of specific populations of English-learners such as those with disabilities, who are less likely than their native English-speaking peers to be referred to early intervention and special education programs. The report examined the challenges for long-term English-learnersthose who are not considered proficient after being educated for seven or more years in U.S. schools.

One theme remains consistent throughout the wide-ranging, 460-page report: The nations schools must devote more resources and research to educating students who arent native English speakers.

Because literacy lies at the center of success in educational systems, educating dual language learners and English learners effectively is a national challenge with consequences both for individuals and for society, said Ruby Takanishi, a senior research fellow at New America in Washington who is the chairwoman of the committee that conducted the study and wrote the report.

Despite their linguistic, cognitive, and social potential, many of them are struggling to meet the requirements for academic success in American schools, a challenge that jeopardizes their prospects in postsecondary education and the workforce with consequences for their health and well-being.

Education Weeks 2016 special report, Teaching Americas English-Language Learners , explores how well the educators are seving ELLs, who account for more than 9 percent of enrollment in public K-12 schools.

The committee behind the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report stressed the importance of schooling the parents and childcare providers of dual-language learnerschildren up to age 5 who are not yet enrolled in K-12 schoolsto help the nations youngest English-learners begin school with a firm foundation in the language. The study dispels the notion that students must discard their first language to learn another.

Being fluent in two or more languages is a natural human attribute; the majority of the worlds population is bilingual or multilingual, the authors write.

The work wasnt restricted to what educators and researchers would consider more traditional English-learner populations. The study also examined language revitalization efforts in American Indian and Alaskan Native communities, finding evidence that such programs can yield positive benefits for students.

The committee detailed a research agenda that identified knowledge gaps about dual-language learners and English-language learners, including comparing student achievement and outcomes in statessuch as New York and Texasthat embrace bilingual education against places like Arizona and Massachusetts that have English-only policies.

The researchers also argued that more work needs to be done to understand how to address the social-emotional needs of the diverse range of English-learners, including refugees, migrant children, unaccompanied minors, and undocumented children, who face outside factors and stress while trying to learn a new language.

The group also calls on the federal government, namely the departments of education and health and human services, to expand outreach to English-learner parents in states with burgeoning ELL populations such as Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, that may not be prepared to meet the needs of ELL students.

Heres a link to the full report .

Photo: Kevin Pineda, pictured at age 18, credits a course designed to help struggling ELL students become proficient in English, and for putting him on track to earn his diploma at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. (Emile Wamsteker for Education Week)

For Further Reading on This Topic:

Teaching English-Language Learners: What Does the Research Tell Us?

English-Language Learner Statistics

Building ELLs Early Literacy is Crucial

Home-School Connections Help ELL and Their Parents

Quality Learning Materials Are Scarce for English-Language Learners

For Stalled ELL Students, Graduation Is Often an Elusive Goal
Realm Guide  Shadowrun: The Awakened World

10 Minute Read

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This week we visit a world of elves and dwarves and orcs and trolls and mages and cybernetics.

Thats right chummers, its time to get out your very best mirrored sunglasses, make sure your datajack is nice and clean, and double check that youve not confused your explosive rounds with your gel rounds. Again. Because this week, were diving in and exploring the Sixth World. Careful not to get lost in the shadows in between megacorporations, omae, well be running pretty deep there.

The Sixth (or Awakened) World is the world of Shadowrun. Originally published through FASA in 1989, Shadowrun was a fantastic setting that combined elements of high fantasy (like elves and dwarves and magic) with high-tech advancements made in a world just around the corner from our own. The result is a setting where you are just as likely to run into an Ork running at you with a magic sword, as you are an Ork running at you with a sawed-off shotgun.

If this sounds amazing, thats because it is. Shadowrun was the first setting I ever came across that combined magic and the modern world (if only Id known then what I know now), and it did it in a way that seemed much cooler than any of the other systems that tried to do the same thing (Im looking at you World of Darkness). Where World of Darkness made the fantastic elements stand apart and hidden from the world, Shadowrun mixed them in nice and easy. So sure, you had a secret elven nation that was full of magic and smuggery, but you also had elves who just got up and went to work and were middle-managers who were hoping that maybe today was the day someone would finally fix the coffee machine down on 12.

Shadowrun is deliciously cyberpunk flavored. Its a near-future dystopian world where Corporations dominate the horizon (though they are not as all-powerful as youd believeinterestingly, there are still sovereign nations who havent privatized every part of their governance), and in the cracks between the MegaCorps, in the shadows on the streets, the players survive and thrive. Its a setting that inspires the gamut of stories from gang-members trying to make it big to slick high-tech assassins.

And mixed up in all of that, you get Dragons and Spirits and Shamans coming back from the brink of death to try and stop the fiendish plans of the former two. Thats basically the plot of one of the greatest Shadowrun (and SNES) games of all time.

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That game does such a fine job of introducing the world. It follows the story of Jake Armitage, a shaman and shadowrunner who gets himself killed one evening because hes come into possession of a program meant to take out a malevolent AI being protected by a sinister Megacorporation (and the dragon who has been behind all the schemes). If you have never played this game, you should go check it out. I mean just listen to the musicyou can already feel the setting unfolding around you.

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So with that in mind, lets dive in and take a look at just what makes the Awakened World tick.

To begin with you have to understand a little of the history behind the current state of the world. At first things are trucking along as normaluntil 2011 comes along and a young man named Daniel Howling Coyote (nee Coleman) begins leading mass breakouts from the Native American reservations/reeducation camps. Accompanying his protests are stories of strange occurrences. Bullets not hurting him, people with clear shots missing, walking through wallsthe whole nine yards. Basically, people are seeing the first vestiges of Magic returned to the earth.

Daniel Howling Coyote is marked for destiny, they say, and it seems so, because in his wake are a large number of followers. He puts together the Native American Nations (NAN), and in short order declares war on a country that has, in response, had their president sign an executive order legitamizing the extermination of native american tribes. In response, Howling Coyote organizes the Great Ghost Dancea massive magical ritual which causes Mt. Ranier, St. Helens, Hood, and Adams to erupt simultaneously, proving incontrovertibly that magic had returned to the Earth.

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True facts, Id love to play a game set during that time.

Chaos follows. America admits defeat and following the Treaty of Denver, the NAN are recognized. Theres a brief crisis in which America tears itself apart, leaving the United Canadian and American States (UCAS) and the Confederated American States (CAS).

The last remnants of the Arrogant Worms did the national anthem. Nobody was sad.

The NAN, meanwhile, made up of a number of nations including the Salish-Shidhe Council, the Siou Nation, the Pueblo Corporate Council, and the Ute Nation, take over vast swaths of North America. Magic returns even faster with mages and shamans appearing in all cultures. You get Aztlan in Central America (who are backed by Aztechnology, and who definitely never officially practive blood magic or human sacrifice or weird experiments with magic and cybertechnology and the recently deceased.

In the midst of all of this, progress is still continuing its steady march forward, regardless of the reappearance of magic. Armies are fighting digitally nowhackers are a big part of any squad. And in 2029, theres a massive attack on the computer systems of the world as something known only as The Crash Virus wends its way across the landscape. The Crash Virus caused untold billions of dollars worth of damage to economic infrastructure and to people who were connected (and who found themselves unable to log back out because of the Crash Virus and its ability to induce lethal levels of biofeedback in people. The virus was eventually contained by a strike team called Echo Mirage which sounds cool until you realize they were a team of spec-ops hackers.

Then it just gets cooler.

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There are a few other massively important events along the way. A lone-eagle nuclear warhead gets launched at Russia (thanks to the Ghost Dance [yay ethically and morally complicated situations]), but then the missiles never make it to their target. They instead go missing and never turn up again. Go magic.

Corporations win more and more legal battles, giving themselves the right to govern and a certain amount of extraterritoriality that just gets more and more expansive until some corporations have more than enough power to privatize their security forces and hire mercenariesand thats what basically puts the world spinning helplessly into the situation its in today.

As we mentioned, the world is much like our own, only set in the dystopian near future. So while the continents may be recognizable the countries are different. Lets start with North America because I am an imperialist stooge. North America is a nation divided. You have the UCAS and CAS on one side. The various members of NAN, as well as the Elven nation of Tir Tairngire make up the rest of North America. Of particular interest is Seattle, which is considered by many the default setting of Shadowrun.

After all its where the vast majority of both games take place. Its the place mentioned in every single core book. Its a bastion of the UCAS in the middle of the NANso the whole thing has kind of a high-tech Casablanca feel to it. In Seattle youll find a representation of just about everything in the world. Youve got every major megacorporation here, including Ares Macrotechnology (guns guns and more guns), Fuchiyama Cyber-Industries (at least until they get absorbed by others, but they make cyberdecks), and Renraku Computer Systems who have this big fancy arcology which is a landmark of modern Seattle.

Absolutely nothing has gone wrong with this self-contained shopping mall/industrial complex/housing facility that was capable of supporting itself without any input from the outside world. It certainly didnt get sealed off or become home to an insane AI.

Maybe we should head on over to the other side of the world. Where its just war-torn, ravaged by toxic spirits and dragons, and home to a metric ton of ley lines. You know, so its safer:

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Germany is not having a great time. After a worldwide riot for bigotry known as the Night of Rage, an organization called the Anarchist Movement Berlin gains control of the city and they descend into anarchy and history repeats itself a little. The anger behind the populist movement gives way to a city divided into East and West Berlin, run by anarchists and corporations respectively.

In the meantime, though you get the Berlin Flux State and Shadowrun Dragonfall, so yknow, they can do whatever they want.

Meanwhile the United Kingdom is enjoying a sort of magical Rennaissance. Magical ley lines and standing stones (like Stonehenge) are reactivating and several of them seem to be in British control. The whole country gets a little more wild as they seem to be returning somewhat to their rules of newest people get all the support, and were definitely better than everyone else.

Japan, meanwhile, has put together an Imperial State and is home to several major players in the corporate world. While little enough has changed here, its important to know that they are xenophobic and expansionist. Depending on which edition youre playing in, they have a foothold in San Francisco, though the admiral there goes a little crazy and goes off script.

Although even when things stay on-script its not necessarily ideal

And then of course theres Russia and China. China has splintered, much like America. It has become a collection of dozens of splinter states that are all warring with each other. It began with a magical veil that settled over Tibet and parts of the Himalayas, which granted these regions their independence and emboldened other states to break as well. Accompany all of that with some good old fashioned civil war and the return of a number of great dragons, and youve got the recipe for a state in constant flux.

As for Russia, they become more like conquerors. They invade Poland and Germany, and seem all set to pull a page from the Blitzkrieg playbook, when superior logistics and supply begin to win out (because history likes to repeat itself and has a sense of irony), and Russia is forced to cede some of their conquered territory.

Youll note that Im talking a lot about countries herewhich is an interesting thing in this setting in particular. One of the big themes of Shadowrun is the emergence of new nations and governments and how theyre affected by all the crazy magic in the world, but also how they deal with interacting with the corporations. Its an interesting change-over from many cyberpunk settings, where the government is basically nonexistent. Here it feels like national power is gutted, and corporations have their own solutionstheres Lone Star and Knight Errant covering the role of police-officers/peacekeepers, for instance. But the FBI still exists. And is likely underfunded and basically a place for the dying embers of any kind of national service to take light.

Which leads us to like the 5th or 6th estate (by this point in the world). Corporations (and their employees) are basically nation-states unto themselves. Althoughthey are still technically beholden to the law. Granted theyre probably setting their own laws in the Corporate Court, but its an interesting juxtaposition just the same.

Which is why, even though the latest edition of the rules has some serious problems, Shadowrun will always have a place in my heart. The setting is fantastic no matter which end of the cyberpunk sliding scale you want to play on. You can run pink-mohawk and minigun through the streets, or get super mirrorshaded up and try to be ultra slick. But the real secret to Shadowrun is that you can use it for some stealth social commentary pretty easily. Want to talk about race, or marginalized groups trying to find a place? Its built right into the fiction. It can be a little touchy at times, but its nice to see themes like these considered in gamesit had a big impact on me as I was growing up. Im not saying it was the most deftly handled tool for discussing some of the complex and ugly realities of our world, but it started a conversation.

Anyway, weve just barely scratched the surface of the Awakened World. We havent even begun to talk about Metaplanes (which are magical realities sideways to our own where powerful spirits and magic-users dwell. Nor have we covered the various cybernetic realms one could get lost in. I highly recommend picking up one of these booksbecause theres really nothing else quite like Shadowrun.

>> Of course, you cant always trust everything you read in a big aggregate dump like this. If you really wanna know the whole story do a little digging and, as always, think for yourselves, chummers.

 Megawatt (07:22:32/06-2-62)

Author: J.R. Zambrano Bell of Lost Souls Staff Writer and DM, J.R. covers RPGs of all stripes and on occasion eats sandwiches. You can ask him about either at [email protected]

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Ri Tong Il, formerly North Koreas deputy ambassador to the United Nations, addresses journalists outside the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Feb. 28, 2017.

A delegation of North Korean officials arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday seeking the body of Kim Jong Nam and the release of a North Korean national detained in connection with his assassination involving a deadly nerve agent at an airport.

Police have named eight North Korean suspects in the killing, but two Southeast Asian women were due to be charged Wednesday with Kims killing, which South Korea has called an act of state terrorism and a clear message to the world from Pyongyang.

Delegation spokesman Ri Tong Il told reporters that topics to be discussed with Malaysian officials included the question of return of the body of the deceased, a DPRK citizen and the release of another citizen, who was arrested by Malaysian police related to the above incident.

Development of friendly relations between North Korea and the Malaysian government will also be discussed, the visiting diplomat told reporters outside the North Korean embassy.

Malaysia last week withdrew its envoy to Pyongyang after North Koreas ambassador repeatedly slammed Malaysias investigation and refusal to hand over Kims body.

Asked whether the embassys second secretary had been interviewed by Malaysian police, Ri refused to answer and walked away.

Second secretary Hyon Kwang Song, 44, is one of three North Korean suspects in the case at large in Malaysia. Four others left Malaysia the day Kim died, police say.

Wake-up call

Kim Jong Nam, the elder half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, died about 15 minutes after two women accosted him at an airport and swabbed his face with a substance that has since been identified as the deadly chemical weapon VX nerve agent.

Vietnamese national Doan Thi Huong and Indonesian Siti Aisyah were to be charged at the Sepang magistrates court Wednesday under Section 302 for murder, sources told BenarNews. The women were arrested separately on Feb. 15 and 16.

Malaysia has stopped short of accusing the North Korean government of ordering Kim Jong Nams assassination, but South Korea and U.S. government officials believe North Korean agents carried out the hit.

Among eight North Korean suspects in the case, four are from the ministry of state security and two are from the foreign ministry, Lee Cheol-woo, one of a group of lawmakers briefed by South Korean intelligence, told reporters in Seoul on Monday, according to Reuters.

That is why it is a case of terrorism led by the state, directly organized by the ministry of state security and the foreign ministry, Lee said.

In Geneva on Tuesday, South Koreas Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said North Korea should be suspended from the United Nations over the assassination.

The recent assassination is a wake-up call to all of us to North Koreas chemical weapons capability and its intent to actually use them, Yun told the UNs Conference on Disarmament, according to Agence France-Presse.

He said the assassination sent a very clear message to the world: Namely this impulsive, unpredictable, trigger-happy and brutal regime is ready and willing to strike anyone, anytime, anywhere.

If the Malaysian government conclusively finds that North Korean authorities are behind this criminal act, the Conference on Disarmament might need to question the membership of North Korea, he said.

A North Korean diplomat lashed out at Seoul in response.

North Korea totally rejects the despicable, irresponsible, impertinent and illogical remarks made by South Korea, Ju Yong Choi told the conference in Geneva, according to Reuters.

DPRK has never produced or stockpiled or used chemical weapons and our position is clear. We categorically reject the assumptions and speculations on the incident in Malaysia.

Military sales

Also on Tuesday, Malaysian authorities said they were aware of two North-Korean controlled companies that, according to a Reuters report, were using a Malaysian front company to sell battlefield radio equipment in violation of U.N. sanctions.

The two companies were being struck-off or removed from a registry of business entities in the country, Malaysias Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement responding to the Reuters report.

The front company, Glocom, advertised over 30 radio systems for military and paramilitary organizations on its Malaysian website, glocom.com.my, Reuters said.

The U.N. has banned Pyongyang from buying or selling military equipment because of its illegal nuclear weapons program and ballistic missile launches, the last of which took place on Feb. 12.

It has been established by the source of the report that no company by the name of Glocom exists in Malaysia, the Malaysian statement said.

Two companies connected with the website  one that registered it and one named as its point of contact  are said to be controlled by North Korean shareholders and directors, Khalids statement said.

It named the companies as International Global System Sdn Bhd and International Golden Services Sdn Bhd. Both were in the process of being struck-off, it said.

The Royal Malaysia Police is constantly monitoring and taking pre-emptive measures to ensure that Malaysia is not being used to carry out any activities that would be detrimental to national security, the statement said.

We have also taken all necessary actions to comply with international regulations with regards to related sanctions.

Fadzil Aziz in Kuala Lumpur contributed to this report.
MARA Patani spokesman Abu Hafiz Al-Hakim (second from left) appears with other members of his delegation during a press conference following a meeting with Thai officials in Kuala Lumpur, Feb. 28, 2017.

Negotiators from Thailands military government and a panel representing insurgent groups achieved a small breakthrough in exploratory talks by agreeing Tuesday to a framework for a limited ceasefire in the Thai Deep South, according to officials from both sides.

At a one-day meeting in Kuala Lumpur facilitated by Malaysia, the two sides agreed to work together to pick one of five districts in three provinces of the troubled region that would serve as a so-called safety zone where a ceasefire would take hold within six months, the two delegations said in statements issued late Tuesday.

Both have come to an agreement to bring this negotiation forward. Thats all I can comment on, Malaysian facilitator Ahmad Zamzamin Hashim told BenarNews.

It will take three months to select the district and another three to execute a geographically limited ceasefire, a spokesman for MARA Patani, a panel representing southern Thai rebel groups and factions, told a news conference in Kuala Lumpur following Tuesdays meeting.

The decision today is another step forward that we have jointly agreed to accept the framework that had been designed together, MARA spokesman Abu Hafiz al-Hakim told reporters.

After this the next step is to send an assessment team to execute the next step of action, he said.

Near identical statements from both sides said they would select a district from a list of two districts in Yala province, two in Narathiwat province and one in Pattani province.

Neither side disclosed the names of the five districts under consideration, but the Thais indicated that the military would shield delegates from the MARA side venturing into any of those districts during the pre-ceasefire period.

Thailand will give them protection, said the statement issued Tuesday evening by the government in Bangkok after the delegation returned from Kuala Lumpur.

Aksara Kerdpol, the army general who heads the Thai delegation, could not be reached for comment Tuesday night, but last week he indicated that the two sides had more or less ironed out a deal on a framework for a limited ceasefire.

At the moment, all stakeholders have agreed in principle to create [a] safety zone. But there will be discussions in order to map out a guideline for how to [implement] it with the participation of local people  and to define the meaning of safety zones and the protocol for all sides to follow, Aksara told BenarNews.

We will wait and see

The framework-agreement is something of a breakthrough because it marked the first time both sides agreed to take the issue of safety zones a step farther, after holding several rounds of exploratory talks in Malaysia dating to August 2015.

Implementing safety zones would be seen as a milestone in efforts to re-open formal peace talks aimed at ending a separatist conflict, in which nearly 7,000 people have been killed in the predominantly Malay-speaking and Muslim Deep South since 2004.

Abu Hafiz conceded, however, that MARA might have to persuade hard-core members of rebel groups, some of whom have reportedly resisted supporting the informal peace process, by briefing them in the field about the prospect of observing a limited ceasefire.

We will wait and see the results. Its too early to predict. Give us time to implement it. If this is the best for the people, then it must be supported, the MARA spokesman said.

A technical team will visit the five districts and propose its recommendations to the Joint Working Group-Peace Dialogue Working Group (JWG-PDP), a body consisting of the two negotiating teams, their technical support staffs, local officials and other stakeholders.

Another body called the Joint Technical Team (JTT) will be responsible for assessing the effectiveness of the safety zone, which would serve as a test case in order to determine whether the concept needs to be improved or expanded to other areas in the Deep South, Abu Hafiz said.

I fix the process: PM

In Bangkok on Tuesday, Thai junta leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha commented on the latest round of negotiations with southern rebels, saying he was directly engaged in the process.

The prime minister must know about the peace talks from the ground up. I fix the process for delegates, Prayuth told reporters following a weekly cabinet meeting at Government House.

The achievement or failure in setting up safety zones will reflect whether those who negotiated with us have real power or not. If they do have the clout, we can continue talking on other issues, he added.
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Washington

In a lively argument on Monday that touched on school websites, chat rooms, and President Donald Trumps Twitter account, the U.S. Supreme Court took up a challenge to a North Carolina law that bars convicted sex offenders from accessing social networking sites that allow minors to create accounts.

The state argued that similar restrictions that keep those on sex offender registries from hanging around schoolyards and playgrounds are needed for parts of the Internet where children may be vulnerable to contacts leading to sexual abuse.

For many years, North Carolina, like other states, had laws prohibiting sex offenders from being at physical places where children congregateschools, playgrounds, day cares, and parks, said Robert C. Montgomery, a senior state deputy attorney general, said during the arguments in Packingham v. North Carolina (Case No. 15-1194). In 2008, North Carolina decided to prohibit sex offenders from being at virtual places where children congregate onlinespecifically, commercial social networking websites.

But David T. Goldberg, the lawyer representing a sex offender who was convicted of a fresh criminal violation after accessing Facebook, said the state law reaches vast swaths of core First Amendment activity that is totally unrelated to the governments preventative purpose.

The law does not operate in some sleepy First Amendment quarter, Goldberg said, adding that it forbids speech on the very platforms on which Americans today are most likely to communicate, to organize for social change, and to petition their government.

The case concerns Lester Gerard Packingham, who was 21 years old in 2002 when he pleaded guilty to taking liberties with a 13-year-old. He received a suspended sentence plus two years of probation and the requirement that he register as a sex offender.

In 2008, North Carolina amended its sex-offender registry law by adding its prohibition on those on the registry from accessing commercial social networking Web sites.

In 2010, Packingham took to Facebook to post a short message praising God after a court had dismissed a traffic citation against him. A Durham, N.C., police officer who was actively looking for sex-offender registry members who were participating in social media came across the post. The officer identified Packingham as the author of the post and charged him with violating the 2010 law. Packingham was convicted and sentenced to a suspended term of six to eight months, plus supervised probation.

A mid-level state appellate court reversed the conviction, holding that the 2008 law was not narrowly tailored to the problem of keeping sex offenders away from children online and that it prohibited them from accessing a wide range of information.

The North Carolina Supreme Court reversed that ruling , reinstating Packinghams conviction and upholding the law. The majority said the law was primarily a restriction on conduct that imposed only an incidental burden on Packinghams First Amendment free speech right to express himself and receive information.

In the U.S. Supreme Court, Packingham has support from several free speech advocacy groups.

The practical effect [of North Carolinas law] is to bar registered sex offenders not merely from the school, the playground, and even the town square, but from entire regions of the country where their fellow citizens are gathered for the purpose of information exchange about any and all subjects of human inquiry, says a friend-of-the-court brief filed on Packinghams side by the Electronic Frontier Foundation .

North Carolina received friend-of-the-court briefs in support from 13 other states as well as state and municipal government associations and groups whose mission is to stop child predators.

Parents once had to worry about predators being present in places like neighborhood parks, school playgrounds, and shopping malls, says a brief by the Council of State Governments . Now parents have to worry about predators being present, in a virtual sense, in laptops in their childrens bedrooms and on phones their teenagers carry with them almost everywhere they go.

From Public Square to Twitterverse

During the Feb. 27 oral arguments, the justices probed the positions of Packinghams lawyers, but were hardest on the lawyer for the state.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg asked Goldberg about the longtime practice of most states and the federal government of barring ex-felons from voting and keeping and bearing arms.

Those are constitutional rights just like the right to free speech, she pointed out.

Goldberg said such rights were fundamental, but they are different. While someone convicted of a crime immediately loses his Second Amendment right to bear arms, they dont lose their First Amendment rights.

Ginsburg also pressed Goldberg on whether he thought the state law could be narrowed.

Suppose the law simply said that someone who was a sex offender could not communicate with a minor on social media, she said. Would you agree that that would be constitutional? ... Theres a concern here for the safety of children.

Goldberg conceded that such a narrower approach would likely pass constitutional muster.

Defending the North Carolina law, Montgomery faced tough questions from several justices, to the point that by the end of the argument, it appeared that the law was in trouble.

Justice Elena Kagan asked him about the rise of social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn and their role in political discourse.

So a person in this situation, for example, cannot go onto the presidents Twitter account to find out what the president is saying today? Kagan asked. Thats correct, Montgomery said.

Not only the president, Kagan continued. I mean, were sort of aware of it because the president now uses Twitter. But in fact, everybody uses Twitter. All 50 governors, all 100 senators, every member of the House has a Twitter account. So this has become a crucially important channel of political communication. And a person couldnt go onto those sites and find out what these members of our government are thinking or saying or doing.

Montgomery said there were non-social network alternatives those on sex-offender registries could utilize, such as plain old websites.

Kagan also questioned why North Carolinas law exempted sites that provide only one of such discrete services as photo-sharing, email, and chat rooms.

So why is that? Kagan said. Because if I would have said, like, where the most dangerous activity takes place, its in chat rooms and via photo sharing.

Montgomery said the state legislature was seeking to narrow the restrictions to social media sites where predators could harvest information anonymously.

Justice Ginsburg also worried that the sex offenders covered by the state law were being cut off from a very large part of the marketplace of ideas. And the First Amendment includes not only the right to speak, but the right to receive information.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked him whether the states restrictions would bar a sex offender from visiting the website of a school.

They can go on the school website, Montgomery said. Im not sure that those have individual information about students typically, personal information that would be of the sort you get off a social networking website, which is whether a child likes puppies or whether their parents have recently been through a divorce. That kind of information cant be gathered from a school website.

Justice Anthony M. Kennedy sought to weigh the modern landscape of social media with the frequently mentioned First Amendment concept of the public square.

I dont know that we ever did have a public square, but assuming we had a public square a hundred years ago, could you say that this person couldnt go into the public square? Kennedy said.

In essence, states have said that sex offenders cant go into the public square, Montgomery said, adding later that sex offenders shouldnt be allowed to approach minors in the virtual world, either.

Only Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. seemed to express a measure of skepticism that social media sites were an essential part of the First Amendment marketplace of ideas, suggesting there were alternative channels of communication available now, just as there were in 2003, before the creation of Facebook.

Now, I know there are people who think that life is not possible without Twitter and Facebook and these things and that 2003 was the dark ages, Alito said, to laughter in the courtroom. But I dont know that any channels of communication that were available at that time have been taken away.

A decision in the case is expected by June.
BILD met WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo (59) at his office in Genf for an interview to talk about tariffs, globalisation and the effects of free trade.

BILD: Your primary goal is always: free trade! However, these days one can win elections almost everywhere in the world with slogans against free trade. Your best days are over, arent they?

Roberto Azevedo: No, trade is absolutely essential. Everything else is misleading.

Roberto Azevedo says due to isolation and trade bans even more people will lose their jobs

Many Germans also feel that an ,upper limit' of globalisation and free trade has been reached.

Azevedo: People are fooled by many misunderstandings and false perceptions. Too many emotions are at play here, and not enough facts. When jobs are lost and people are being left behind, the reaction is: this is all just because of production abroad with cheap work forces. But thats only a tiny fraction of the truth. Out of ten laid-off workers, only two have lost their job due to such reasons.

Auch interessant

Your statistics dont help these two, though. They feel threatened in their existence.

Azevedo: Correct. The fact doesnt help them that, overall, trade is a good thing for their country. However, they will not get their jobs back by less trade, by isolation, and by tariffs. In the end, isolation and new trade barriers will mean that even more people lose their jobs.

Now youre pretending that only those left-behind are protesting against free trade. But this scepticism and rejection can also be found in the middle class  and here, in Germany.

Azevedo: The problem is that people deal with this subject irrationally. 12.5 million jobs in Germany depend directly on trade. If you look at this number carefully, no German will dare to say that free trade is bad for their country.

Lesen Sie auch

So all these sceptics are small-minded?

Azevedo: No, but there is a lack of information and a desire for quick and simple answers. However, it is not easy for any country to create jobs. At the same time, when jobs are lost, it is very easy to blame free trade and other countries. It is much more difficult to tackle the problems  to invest in education and training. As a politician, you cannot simply shift the responsibility to other countries and evil outside forces.

Have you already had the chance to say that to President Trump?

Azevedo: No, we have not had the chance to talk yet. I hope it will happen soon. He seems to be somebody who thinks outside the box  just like me.

Lesen Sie auch

Well, youre a diplomat, Trump is not. How does that sound to you: ,America first' and ,Buy American'?

Azevedo: I heard such things in the past, as well. Also in Europe. I dont know any president who says: the others always have to come first!

However, there is also no other president who threatens to introduce tariffs in a tweet. You also enjoy tweeting. Can you convince Trump in 140 characters that introducing tariffs is the wrong choice?

Azevedo:  I dont even need 140 characters for this. I would tweet: without trade, America will never be ,great again'.

Will that convince him? And, ideally, also the worker in Ohio?

Azevedo: Maybe not. But I am convinced by it.

So far, Trump has done what he said he would. So what if he raises tariffs on German cars, just because they are manufactured in Mexico?

Azevedo: If some member state violates rules, it is the WTOs task to solve such conflicts.

WTO Chef Roberto Azevedo in talk with BILD editor Kai Weise

But then Trump will leave the WTO. Then you can shut down your club!

Azevedo: Fortunately, nothing indicates that the US President has such intentions...

Do you also see no indications of a trade war?

Azevedo: We should not speak too prematurely of a trade war. It would be catastrophic if we were to experience a trade war. The consequences would be mass unemployment and a serious world-wide recession. For the export country Germany, in particular, this would be catastrophic.

Trump also criticises the fact that Germany has such a high export surplus. Is that really unfair?

Azevedo: No. One should never criticise a country for being successful.
For Immediate Release, February 28, 2017 Contact: Ivan Maluski, Friends of Family Farmers, (503) 449-2279, ivan@friendsoffamilyfarmers.org

Charles K. Johnson, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, (503) 777-2794, chuck@oregonpsr.org

Amy van Saun, Center for Food Safety, (971) 271-7372, avansaun@centerforfoodsafety.org

Hannah Connor, Center for Biological Diversity, (202) 681-1676, hconnor@biologicaldiversity.org

Public-health Experts Urge Oregon Lawmakers to Reduce Air Pollution From Large-scale Dairy Operations Senate Bill 197 Would Address Dangerous Emissions Such as Methane SALEM, Ore. More than 25 doctors, epidemiologists and health experts today called on Oregon legislators to support Senate Bill 197 and establish commonsense measures to limit dangerous air pollution from large-scale industrial dairy operations. In a letter sent to the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, the group cited strong evidence that emissions from massive livestock confinement operations can be harmful to public health and the environment. In their letter the health experts stressed that exposure to these pollutants can cause significant health problems, including respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis, pulmonary disease, asthma, and respiratory distress syndrome; irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat; neuropsychological abnormalities; memory loss; and heart disease, and can even lead to death. We Oregonians are increasingly aware of the risks of air pollution, including greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide, to our environment, health and livelihoods, said Dr. Andy Harris with Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility. The unregulated and preventable release of air pollutants from industrial dairy operations compounds this problem, increasing the chance of asthma and other public-health effects and contributing to climate change-related declines in our shell fish industry. The Senate bill requires that state agencies establish a dairy emissions program by January 2019 after considering input from stakeholders and the public. In response to growing air-pollution concerns associated with large, industrial dairy operations, the Oregon Legislature passed a bill in 2007 creating the Oregon Task Force on Dairy Air Quality. The task force  made up of stakeholders that included dairy industry representatives  was charged with studying and addressing harmful air emissions from dairy operations. In 2008 the task force issued a report strongly urging the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission to work with the state's Department of Agriculture, Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Human Services to adopt rules for a state dairy-emissions program. Along with reducing harmful air emissions from dairies, the program would work to prevent the development of additional threats to public health and the environment, and to lessen the impacts of industrial dairy operations on surrounding communities. The consensus recommendations of Oregon's Dairy Air Quality Task Force a decade ago could not have been more clear: Oregon needs a program to reduce harmful air emissions from large dairies while protecting the viability of Oregon's remaining family-scale dairy farmers, said Ivan Maluski, Policy Director for Friends of Family Farmers. We also need strong rules in place to prevent new industrial-scale dairies from coming to Oregon because it's easy to pollute. Despite unprecedented support from family farmers, the dairy industry, conservation groups and public-health professionals, the task force's 2007 recommendations have yet to be implemented. Now, as the state considers approving an industrial dairy operation in Morrow County that would be one of the nation's largest, new concerns have arisen over Oregon's lack of air-quality rules. Given the state's failure to put sensible measures in place to control dangerous air pollution from large industrial dairy operations, Oregonians have good reason to be deeply concerned about the 30,000-cow mega-dairy proposed in the Umatilla River Basin, said Hannah Connor, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. Senate Bill 197 provides critical tools to protect thousands of Oregonians from the harmful aerial contaminants continuously released by these large dairy facilities. Senate Bill 197 is supported by Oregon's leading advocates for family farms, public and environmental health and animal welfare, including Friends of Family Farmers, Socially Responsible Agricultural Project, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, Columbia Riverkeeper, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club, Humane Oregon, Food & Water Watch, Center for Food Safety, the Center for Biological Diversity and The Humane Society of the United States.
For Immediate Release, February 28, 2017 Contact: Meg Townsend, (971) 717-6409, mtownsend@biologicaldiversity.org Public Records Sought on Trump Appointees' Links to Industry Meeting Schedules, Emails Sought for EPA's Pruitt, State Department's Tillerson PORTLAND, Ore. The Center for Biological Diversity today filed public records requests for information about who Scott Pruitt met with in his first days as the new head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as his email correspondence since his confirmation. The requests follows last week's disclosure of thousands of emails showing Pruitt's close ties to the oil and gas industry, as well as right-wing groups, during his time as Oklahoma's attorney general. The American people have a right to know what their government is up to, especially one with such close ties to the very industries it's charged with regulating, said Meg Townsend, open government attorney at the Center. Without this information we can't know whether agencies are actually safeguarding the well-being of our natural heritage or whether they're selling our air, water and wildlife to the highest bidder with no regard for human health or the environment. The Center's requests today under the Freedom of Information Act follow several others filed last week with the Trump administration, including: Records detailing who Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the former Exxon Mobil CEO, is meeting with and what he is discussing; A request to the Council for Environmental Quality, seeking answers about the removal of any mention of climate change from the White House webpages, as well as the deletion of the CEQ website in its entirety; Information about reported gag orders in place at the EPA, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Throughout the rushed  and, frankly, botched  confirmation process for the heads of these agencies, we've witnessed Trump cronyism at its worst, Townsend said. We the people have to be able to make sense of how federal agencies are carrying out Trump's corrupt privatization of our government. Without this public information we all lose. 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
FCB's leaders from across the globe are in Cape Town for their Global Leadership Conference, currently unfolding at the Belmond Mount Nelson. I sat down with FCB's global CCO, Susan Credle, for her insights into the importance of changing the statement from Where are the women' to Here are the women' and more.

On a warm afternoon in February, I sat drinking pink drinks (milkshake for me, glass of rose for her) with FCBs global CCO Susan Credle on the verandah of the Mount Nelson Hotel as the sun slowly set, talking everything from different forms of diversity to personal industry inspiration. This may sound very la-di-dah, but it was a conversation a long time in the works, having chatted a few times since her appointment at FCB. Most recently Credle conducted video interviews on women in advertising for us at the 2016 Loeries, and also shared her personal views on creativity.

Credle on the Belmond Mount Nelson verandah.

This time we were talking about FCBs focus on diversity and how thats not necessarily meant to imply girl power at all costs but rather the importance of a truly diverse workforce across age, gender, race, experience and culture. What Credle does say about gender diversity, is that she actually had a dream on the plane over to SA that she was yelling at everyone for hiring really tough women that acted like guys  thats not true diversity. When youre in a group of people different than you are, you both contribute more and learn more. You should worry if your every discussion is with yes-men (or -women)  thats why Credle says: Selfishly, throughout my entire career, Ive always looked for people that were slightly different from me to work with.

If you look back at the 1950s or 1960s, even though Madmen portrays it a certain way, there were incredibly strong writers, some of whom were female. At FCB for example, Shirley Polykoff was behind the Clairol Does she or doesnt she tagline, leading Credle to say females at the top level is nothing new, we just got lost along the way. Credle herself grew up in the USs South in the 1970s, and didnt know women who had high-flying careers. Instead, they were all supportive roles, like teachers, nurses and bank tellers. When she started thinking about careers, she looked for where women were excelling, and the advertising industry was it. Mary Wells Lawrence who created the I heart NY campaign had her name on the door, so did Diane Rothschild of the J&B ingle ells campaign, and various others. It seemed to be the industry that loved employing and empowering women. Credle says the irony then, is that we seem to have come full circle on the issue.

The positive impact of positive self-talk

On having strong female figures like these as career mentors  even if you never actually meet in real life  Credle says theres a lot to knowing someone up there has achieved, which is the basis of the Cannes Lions See it to be it initiative. This puts high-potential senior creative women in the spotlight, expanding their contacts, building their confidence and accelerating their careers as leaders.

Seeing that it can be accomplished shows there is opportunity, says Credle, who was at BBDO for 24 years and took the Leo Burnett CCO role in Chicago because it seemed there were no US women at the time that were CCOs and she thought, Im at this point in my career where maybe I can do some meaningful things, remembering the importance of seeing strong female figures doing so in her own formative years. Its the same with the FCB global CCO role now, with Credle admitting shes amazed at how many of her female colleagues in the C-suite jobs never even considered them as an option when starting out their careers. Some didnt exist when we were younger, but for the bulk of us it never even occurs to us to aim that high. Even in 1985 when she started answering phones at BBDO, Credle says she used to tell herself, Im going to have a corner office someday. Thats as big as she could see, especially as she didnt see many female contemporaries at the time. Many simply werent being considered for the C-Suite jobs, and while theres an ebb and flow of going for those top jobs, Credle feels motherhood also plays into this, as women question whether the job we do actually makes a difference and whether its worthy and has a purpose, contributing to society over just filling out a timesheet.

Its all about creating meaningful work, for Credle and the FCB ethos alike. She admits that advertising can at times feel a little shallow, but has an incredible impact and can do some amazing things in the world. Look at some of the work from a generation ago  there was wit to it, there was humour, there was cleverness  even jingles and taglines, Credle says if you deconstruct them, the way that the words come together in a way thats memorable or become a companys North Star, can be truly incredible. She says the US has spent at least a decade or more putting down taglines and saying they were cliche or old-fashioned. Instead, she feels they have never been more important, because if you get it right, it has just as much meaning as your last name  you should stick with it as that is the brand.

On the Global Leadership Conference itself, this is Credles first since joining FCB last year and is an excellent opportunity to meet with the agencys leaders from around the world. While a few of the attendees wanted to hear from the likes of Credle and Murray, they felt its just as important for attendees to hear from their peers. Theyve developed a set of tools, tested it for the first six months on themselves and nows the time to pray and see if the body accepts the organ. Itll be really interesting to watch the offices and whether its helping or inspiring them or rather getting in the way, she says, adding that theyre encouraging everyone to be as candid as possible on what theyve learned. FCB wants to mindfully wake up every day and try to be good creative business partners to their clients  and to do that you need to put some structure around it. Theyre recording the proceedings and the conference is being attended by leaders of every FCB office, so its a fair group of people. After three intense days theyll go back to their own offices with a better understanding of the fact that you can say the same thing over and over and over again for three decades and still be fortunate if people remember it in the 31st year. So, just like with taglines, Credle is hoping the outcome of the conference is a commitment to some things that they keep saying over changing it up all the time.

Here are the women!

On the Here are the women conference panel in particular, Credle says its something shes been saying for 15 years now. Sharing the backstory, she says she attended a conference in the US called Where are the women. While intentions at highlighting the diversity gap were there, she was so offended at the way it was addressed as she had been working hard and felt like saying, Im right here, and in asking that question youre saying Im invisible, that I dont matter. So for her, the solution was to remove the W and rather say: Here are all the women. If this had been done earlier, Credle says we may not have gotten so deep into the issue globally. Remember that she got into the industry because it seemed to love employing and empowering women. If they had told her at the time that it was actually a hard industry for women she doesnt think she would have chosen it. So, the more we say here, and the more we show up and celebrate people, the more likely well have the success were looking for. Credle specifically mentions local female advertising stars like Suhana Gordhan, who is running the panel and currently chair aunty of the Loeries. Instead of highlighting how hard it is to be a woman in advertising, theyll share what they get excited about and why they love the business. Gordhan also asked the leaders to provide a tweet-like (140-characters or less) comment to this effect, and these will be screened throughout the panel. Credle says its about putting a positive spin on what is positively happening within the FCB network.

Love the energy in this, and Maya! Saw it at #FCBAfricaConference2017 Day 1 and it's left a serious impression! https://t.co/SniERzQvlj  Taazima Kala (@taazimakala) February 28, 2017

Extending this beyond FCB and how the rest of the industry get to tap into a similar mindset, Credle says, It starts with showing up. I try to show up as often as possible  not for my ego, but because I think it makes a difference. I get notes from women all the time saying it does mean something. That said, Credle points out its not just about punting a specific sector of society but rather a diverse group.

The fastest way to achieve proper diversity is for people to realise its a good thing over saying its a legal requirement, you have to do it. The minute you do that, theres reluctance. The minute you respond to how did you come up with that great idea with its because we have a diverse group of people working here, youve put this into action and its something people want.

Award show juries: The creativity cheatsheet

Credle adds that FCB was early to support Free the bid to get more female film makers to bid on jobs. In the US, clients often required triple bidding. Pereira & O'Dell co-founder PJ Pereira is friends with film maker Alma Harel, and while talking about why there arent more women directors, they came up with the idea of getting agencies to always bid one woman on those three-bid projects. Harel then got in touch with Credle, who got it  by the time youre triple bidding, that last bid is not the one you want anyway, so why not make it go to a good cause? Credle says she has been doing this long enough that she knows almost every CCO in the US, so she sent out a list asking for sign-up to it, and says as many as 80% of respondents were absolutely in. She started in October and they already have some heavy-hitter directors interested in their projects. Our brains are so full of the guys' names that its not even a pity vote, we literally forget the females.

As a leader in the industry, Credle says to be mindful of those things, to use your connections to make things happen very quickly. Shes already had producers calling and saying they need more women on their roster because of this initiative.

Credle says that kind of thing is really exciting, as is the fact that big award show juries are now being pressured for 50/50 gender representation. Thats the fastest way to change things, as she never realised the juries are the way you network and learn, theyre like masterclasses in creativity. The fact that for so many years of her life she wasnt on them and all the guys were leads Credle to say: Its something you just dont get if you werent on the list. So, once she started going to them her networking capabilities were buoyed up immediately and she got better, listening to the top people in the industry talking about creative work. She started to understand it more. All these people who had been doing so a decade before her were really creative, sure, but they were also getting the cheat sheet. Its like in Glengarry Glen Ross, where you need those sales slips to get better at your job  you need to be on those juries to get better. So those to Credle are huge, as are any panels putting women up there and paying attention. If Credle is designing a panel or jury she starts with 50/50 male/female but also aims for diversity across the board  age, strength of creativity, people of colour.

It's takes a village to prepare a global meeting ... so grateful to this team for working tirelessly to get everything ready and perfect, from the event to the tech to the presentations #talentaboveallelse #team #capetown #fcbafrica #onedaytogo A post shared by Carter Murray (@cartermurray7) on Feb 26, 2017 at 1:05am PST

Thats a huge issue both in SA and the US alike. If you look at the creative work thats attracting the mass population, its a very integrated group of talented people. Look at Moonlight, which won at the Oscars after last years debacle where there was a call to boycott it because of the lack of diversity. Its amazing how fast that happened and shows Credle that if were not changing as fast as the general society, its not good. Its strange that business is a step behind, and particularly in the US where creative recruitment takes place out of the creative finishing schools. At the start of Credles career, there were only a few of those, which were mainly for the art directors who had to learn the technicalities and physical craft of doing the job. She feels these schools do a great job of preparing those students to hit the ground running as theyve had a form of apprenticeship, but the creative directors Credle learned from were taxi cab drivers and bartenders from interesting walks of life, and she herself would not have entered the industry if shed had to study further to do so as she simply didnt have the money. So when we look at diversity, we need to look at that, too  bringing back internships or junior trainee programmes for true socio-economic diversity and change.

Touching on another aspect of diversity, Credle joked: Age is going to be a good one as Im getting old now, Im in my fifties. She spoke of her pride when FCB groups John Claxton was awarded at Cannes for craft writing last year as hes what she calls a mature individual and his craft a lost art. Touching on what Credle does differently today to when she first started, she says when she first started she just wanted to be creative, today she looks at creativity from the business of business angle, to service a business problem or brand that she would not have known how to do a few decades ago. That said, Credle loves that theres room for both  the best is when you have that experienced person working with that crazy, wonderful nutjob that has no rules yet. The combination is unbelievable and shed like to see more of it.

On her months at FCB, she says the sense of collaboration is what stands out most. As its a smaller or challenger network brand, they have to work together and help each other to win, which is a really refreshing thing to see. This was evident even on the grounds of the Belmond Mount Nelson the day before the FCB Global Leadership Conference kicked off  we watched as groups from the various FCB markets shared ideas as our own talk came to an end.

Shes glad to be on the FCB team, and so are we.

Follow the FCB conference and Credle on Twitter, and remind yourself of my creative conversation with her just before last years Loeries.
Sune Stassen, festival director for the Open Design Festival, is heavily involved in the country's design education movement. Here, she shares how your business can pick up the baton to take the movement forward.

Sune Stassen.

In addition to her role at the Open Design Festival, Stassen, former editor of the biannual online publication Design>Ed, founder and creative director of Rock City Foundation and RC Events, and describes herself as follows: A designer and entrepreneur at heart and a creative consultant, project and events manager, design education specialist, curriculum advisor and content developer by choice.

Thats quite a mouthful, as is her background  having taught design for more than 15 years and contributed to the development of the current national design curriculum in an advisory capacity, she has also published extensively, served as contributing editor of the three nationally approved design textbooks produced for the design curriculum at secondary school level following a nine-year journey to convince the National Department of Basic Education that design is in fact a credible subject and a development space to invest in our future innovators, leaders and entrepreneurs as a driver for change. She has also been project manager of the Loeries Creative Future Scholarship since its inception in 2008 and a former board member of DEFSA (Design Education Forum South Africa).

Of her design career, Stassen lists among her highlights as the fact that her personal aspiration has been solid since the beginning: to change the elitist and exclusive perception of design, from a luxury and a nice to have to an industry, tool and activity that is an absolute necessity to drive change and transformation especially in developing countries, and what better place to start this journey than in education?

The power of design thinking

Linked to this is the fact that many misconceptions about the values and impact of design go beyond school level. Explaining the importance of design, specifically design-thinking, and its benefits for any business in any industry, Stassen says, For centuries, it was perceived as the driver of consumer products and luxury items: extravagant jewellery, clothes and expensive cars  a very elitist and exclusive perception. Its easy for the laymen to relate to art as a form of self-expression. When it comes to design the understanding of it is a bit more complex and challenging because it has so many different layers to it. The big noise of exclusivity and luxury items overshadows the core value of design, which is its ability to improve the daily life standards of people. Design is also about business and understanding how to apply your creative skills with a more human-centred approach to enable you to add real value to a business, a product, an environment, a system and even in service-sectors like education, banking, tourism, transport and healthcare.

This leads back to her point that education, community and innovation are the building blocks of a thriving society. So to be economically, socially and environmentally sustainable and productive, our society needs more innovators, problem solvers, entrepreneurs, change-makers and leaders across all sectors. Stassen believes the ability to design and innovate are the unifying threads that will ignite the creation of more relevant and sustainable solutions to design a better world.

Stassen with Suzelle DIY. A night out with Dine with Khayelitsha brought people together from all over the world. This popular event is one of the highlights at Open Design Blades - part of the Hero Exhibition that takes place at Open Design.

Previously our workforce prepared to take on a job for a lifetime, with vocational training based on a menu of capabilities required to do a job. Today, our future workforce needs more than technical abilities: it needs a bank of core life skills that can be drawn on to meet the demands of a new, more fluid, entrepreneurial career path.

Elaborating on what businesses can thus do to enhance their employees design education, Stassen says the starting point is for businesses to understand that the landscape has changed dramatically. The status quo from a decade ago wont cut it anymore and investment in their people is crucial to navigate the complexity of current and future spaces.

Creating change makers across the board

So business needs to tap into various options available to them so that a little of the magic taken from the designers toolkit can be shared with their employees. This will not only enhance their individual skillsets but also empower them to be of greater value to the business at hand. Its like advancing to designing your own in-house holistic value chain where people are always the hero, she says.

Stassen believes if businesses are serious about driving change and transformation in their sector and also within their own business culture for the better, then they will eagerly take up the challenge to look through a design lens at their human resources and see every individual as a potential change-maker that has the ability to help them drive their various agendas. Integrating design thinking into the culture of a business presents a new landscape of opportunities to ensure the production of more relevant, marketable and people-friendly products and services.

A scene from Open Design's CreativeMornings session.

Putting our left and right brain abilities and skills to work, Design Thinking will challenge your employees to use logic, intuition, imagination and analytical and systematic reasoning to solve complex problems with simplicity and solutions that have far more desirable outcomes, explains Stassen. It develops an optimistic mindset thats not focused on the problem, but rather on the solution and the human experience. The focus of design thinking is on serving the needs of people with authentic insight and empathy and executing this power with integrity to develop more effective and meaningful business strategies.

This is addressed by the Open Design Festival, which Stassen started back in 2013 with a small team that decided it was time to change the design narrative. Not in the classroom, not in a workshop, but on a big public platform. And so, with the support of the City of Cape Town they piloted the first Open Design Cape Town Festival and five years later are growing from strength to strength and the relevance of this festival and the valuable work they do being realised more and more. Stassen calls it an accessible and inclusive festival of ideas; connecting communities and educating people from all walks of life to become change makers.

It takes place annually in August, so expect more insights on what to expect from the Festival then! In the meantime, you can click here to visit the Rock City Foundation blog, here to follow @OpenDesignCT and Stassen on Twitter and here for more in the Open Design Festival.
Every Friday morning at the Uganda Cancer Institute is free screening time. Being the biggest cancer facility in the country, coupled with ever-increasing cases, one would expect to see some quite big numbers. But that is rarely the case.

Source: allAfrica/The Monitor

In fact, the two medical workers at the screening desk often spend the time chitchatting. At about 10am, seeing no single patient, I asked them why there are rarely people screening for cancer.

"People fear cancer results," one said.

But just a few metres away on the opposite treatment side, a sizeable number patients could be seen. Many hurdled in groups, some still wrapped up in their warm clothing, blankets and sheets, often with protruding tumours on the face and others with bold heads probably from tough cancer treatment. A few walked around. Some had been here for days and others weeks, they said, hoping in vain to see a doctor.

Treatment vs screening

Workers at the Institute say the contrast between the screening side and treatment side does not surprise them. Dr Noleb Mugisha, one of the few oncologists at the 50-year-old Institute located at Mulago Hill, says there is a scramble at the treatment clinic because people are in pain.

"They only report after their tumours start paining and that's why we lose them. Any doctor prides in treating to cure but by the time they come here their cancers are irreversible and there's nothing much we can do," he says bare hiding his frustration. Many of his colleagues share his view.

WHO guidelines

It's one problem that experts at the World Health Organisation (WHO) have recognised and want to reverse. So, it released a new set of guidelines to early diagnosis and treatment of cancer aimed at ensuring increased survival.

The country-level intervention guidelines are summarised in three steps; improving public awareness of different cancer symptoms and encourage people to seek care when these arise, investing in strengthening and equipping health services and training health workers so they can conduct accurate and timely diagnostics, and lastly ensuring people living with cancer can access safe and effective treatment, including pain relief, without incurring prohibitive personal or financial hardship.

The guidelines come after the organisation's new figures showed a grim fact that 8,8m of the 14m people diagnosed with cancer globally each year die because their cases are identified at an advanced stage, when they are harder to treat successfully.

Prioritising investment

In Uganda, of the 4,000 cases recorded at the Institute last year, 80% died. The most common cancers were Kaposi's sarcoma, which is common among people living with HIV/Aids, cervical, breast, prostate and cancer of the oesophagus. Most of the newly diagnosed cases were either in second stage or forth stage according to Mugisha.

In its guidelines, WHO throws the ball of reversing the problem trend into the hands of healthcare managers. They recommend that countries; especially middle and low income like Uganda where the problem is greater, need to prioritise investment in diagnostic services that include imaging, laboratory tests, and pathology which are key to helping detect cancers and plan treatment.

Strategies for early diagnosis

Strategies to improve early diagnosis according to the organisation can be readily built into health systems at a low cost. In turn, effective early diagnosis can help detect cancer in patients at an earlier stage, enabling treatment that is generally more effective, less complex, and less expensive. Several studies done in high-income countries have shown this can actually work.

Evidence shows treatment for cancer patients who have been diagnosed early are two to four times less expensive compared to treating those diagnosed with the disease at more advanced stages. And, this does not only reflect in terms of what one pays for medical service but also the fact that one can continue to work and support their families if they access effective treatment in time.

To health minister, Jane Ruth Aceng, reducing the cancer diseases burden in Uganda should not be viewed as the duty of the government only. Instead, each person can take responsibility as more than a third of all cases are preventable with simple lifestyle measures.

She says apart from coming up with good policies, investing in palliative care, and ensuring access to vaccination programmes, there is not a lot that the government can do.
Gumtree South Africa has taken the decision to prohibit all advertisements for live donkeys and donkey hides on the site. This has been implemented following a recent investigation and feature by Carte Blanche exposing the poor transport and cruel slaughtering conditions of donkeys.

The hides are being used to produce Chinese ejiao (that is falsely believed to have medicinal value).

According to Gumtree spokesperson Claire Cobbledick, the company was made aware of the issue by both the SPCA and Ban Animal Trading, and decided to take action. While there are many reputable farmers who trade in donkey hides and live animals, we decided that extreme measures would be necessary to prevent further unsavoury practises.

Gumtree immediately banned the sale of donkey hides after the expose aired on 29 January, and then extended the ban further.

Stolen, transported and brutally slaughtered

According to a letter distributed by Ban Animal Trading, animal welfare organisations in South Africa are regularly receiving reports of donkeys slaughtered in rural areas for their skins. The National Council of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals states that donkeys are being rounded up, stolen, then transported and brutally slaughtered for their skins (this can include bludgeoning them in the head and even skinning them alive). Even before the slaughtering, these donkeys are subjected to terrible living conditions (some being starved) as well as horrific transportation situations (including no access to food or even water).

Gumtree has significantly restricted the sale of animals on their platform over the last 12 months, including banning the sale of primates, sugar gliders, African Greys, teacup piglets, hedgehogs and dogs deemed vulnerable for use in dog fighting (power breeds).
The number of poachers and traffickers arrested for rhino-related poaching offences in South Africa has doubled.

During 2016, the South African Police Service reported that a total of 680 poachers and traffickers were arrested for rhino-related poaching offences nationally. This is a marked increase in arrests from 317 in 2015, Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said on Tuesday, 28 February.

From the total number of arrests made, 417 were both within and outside the Kruger National Park.

Minister Molewa said she is pleased with the progress taking place at the Kruger National Park, as the area is the hardest hit by poaching.

A total of 148 firearms were seized inside the park in 2016, and six just outside the park.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Minister Molewa highlighted the progress made on the implementation of the Integrated Strategic Management Approach.

She said the strategy, which comprises four pillars, namely compulsory interventions, managing rhino populations, long-term sustainability interventions and new interventions, is yielding the desired results.

All of the four pillars are implemented in the context of regional and international cooperation.

Poaching statistics

A total of 1,054 rhino were poached in 2016, compared to 1,175 in the same period for 2015, representing a decline of 10.3%.

Specifically for the Kruger National Park, a total of 662 rhino carcasses were found in 2016 compared to 826 in 2015. This represents a reduction of 19.85% in 2016, Minister Molewa said.

She said the progress was made despite a continued increase in the number of illegal incursions into the Kruger National Park.

She said while there has been a decrease in the number of rhino killed for their horns in the Kruger National Park and Mpumalanga, the number of rhino poached has increased in some other provinces.

This indicates that syndicates are feeling the pressure from the interventions being employed in the Kruger National Park. We are therefore prioritising these pressure points through enforcement operations, Minister Molewa said.

She expressed her concern on the 46 elephants that were poached in the Kruger National Park in 2016.

The interventions being implemented to counter rhino poaching are also used to respond to this emerging threat.

It is clear that more financial resources are required to address this challenge that we are experiencing in terms of both rhino and elephant poaching, Minister Molewa said.

Last year, there were 2,883 instances of poaching-related activities (such as poaching camps, contacts, crossings, sightings, tracks and shots fired) in the Kruger National Park, compared to 2,466 recorded in the same period in 2015.

This is an increase of 16.9%.These criminal gangs are armed to the teeth, well-funded and part of transnational syndicates who will stop at nothing to get their hands on rhino horn. This decrease can be attributed to the efforts of our men and women on the ground, especially our rangers, Minister Molewa said.

Ports of entry and exit

Last year, the Green Scorpions trained 905 border officials on initiatives focused on the Illicit International Cross Border Movement of Endangered Species.

In December 2016, 90 judicial officers from four different countries participated in a Judicial Colloquium related to the adjudication of crimes relating to biodiversity, the result of a partnership between Department of Environmental Affairs, the GEF-UNEP Rhino Programme and the South African Judicial Education Institute, Minister Molewa said.

She said the GEF-UNEP Programme has also enabled the renovation of a new laboratory at the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory of the University of Pretoria where the rhino DNA samples are analysed.

This additional capacity has also enabled us to analyse some of the backlog of routine rhino horn samples.

During 2016, we also received rhino DNA samples from seizures in Mozambique and Vietnam. This has enabled us to link these seizures to illegal activities in South Africa relating to rhino and providing investigators with critical information to guide further investigations, Minister Molewa said.
The 2017 Tusk Conservation Awards, established in partnership with Investec Asset Management, are for the first time to be held in South Africa, also a first for the continent.

The awards, first established in 2013 with the support of Prince William, aims to recognise the exceptional work undertaken by some of Africas unsung heroes of conservation. Previous winners of the prestigious Prince William Award have included conservationists Clive Stockil (Zimbabwe), Richard Bonham (Kenya), Garth Owen Smith (Namibia) and John Kahekwa (DRC). And in 2016, Sir David Attenborough was presented with a special award in recognition of his immense contribution to the natural world. Last year also saw Cathy Dreyer win the prestigious Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa. She was not only the first woman, but also the first South African to receive this accolade.

Says Charlie Mayhew, Tusk CEO, "Tusk is very excited to be bringing the awards ceremony to Africa this year. The success and interest in the awards has surpassed all our expectations and we very much hope to receive another strong list of nominations for the 2017 awards. I urge people to nominate their conservation hero as quickly as possible.

Call for 2017 nominations

Ahead of the gala awards ceremony in Cape Town, Tusk is now calling for nominations from right across the continent of Africa who will be considered by the expert panel of judges for the awards.

The three categories are:

The Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa is a lifetime achievement award, which comes with a 40,000 grant and is sponsored by Investec Asset Management. It recognises outstanding dedication and exceptional contribution to conservation in Africa.

The Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa is for an individual who has been judged to be emerging as a leading conservationist and recognises their outstanding contribution to date. This award is sponsored Land Rover and comes with a 25,000 grant.

The Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award recognises the dedication and bravery of rangers working to protect Africas increasingly endangered wildlife. This award secures a 10,000 grant.

Nomination forms can be downloaded online via www.tuskawards.com. The deadline for pre-nomination applications is 10 March 2017.

Speaking at last Novembers event, Prince William said, As ever, I have been humbled by the sheer dedication and commitment that all of our 2016 nominees have shown, in preserving  against the odds - our precious natural world. Their work is dangerous but vitally important  and we are immensely grateful for it.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has started distributing agricultural inputs to 31,000 households of farmers threatened by climate change. The inputs include bean and vegetable seeds, chemical fertilisers, sweet potato cuttings and, in some cases, hoes for the 2017 second growing season.

SuSanA Secretariat via Wikimedia Commons - Typical house in an urban area of a small town in Burundi

Burundi is under an alarmingly growing threat of climate change. Irregular rain, drought, and plant diseases due to climate change come to "worsen chronic food and nutrition insecurity," according to FAO. Severe and moderate malnutrition affects 50% of the population in Burundi.

Apollinaire Masuguru, programme officer for FAO - Burundi, says the objective of the distribution of those inputs is to "build climate change resilience" for most vulnerable farmers.

The agricultural inputs supply is the implementation of two EU projects, one UN project via OCHA and one of the French cooperation funds. The projects target provinces that have been determined to be the most vulnerable. Masuguru says the two EU projects cover 9,000 households in the provinces of Karuzi, Kirundo, Muyinga in the North of Burundi, and Makamba and Rutana in the South.

The first project started in 2016 and is still ongoing. It covers 4,000 households. The second project covers 5,000 households for the 2017 second growing season starting with February. Ten rural districts of the five provinces are covered. In every district, 500 households receive the assistance.

The UN project, CERF (Central Emergency Response Fund), coordinated by OCHA, covers 20,000 households in the provinces of Muyinga, Bujumbura, Cankuzo and Bubanza. The assistance provided by the French cooperation funds covers 2,000 households of Cankuzo province.

The assistance in agricultural inputs for the 2017 growing season is expected to help farmers who were seriously affected by climatic vagaries and plant diseases in the last growing season. According to FAO, the farmers might not, otherwise, get seeds for the second growing season starting with February.

Over 90% of Burundians live on farming. Drought and plant pests that destroyed crops in the last growing season were followed by serious hunger that reportedly contributed to the death of a number of people in some of the provinces targeted by the current FAO assistance. Other people have reportedly fled to the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania.
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa's Board of Control has unanimously agreed to terminate the secondment of acting group CEO Collins Letsoalo with immediate effect.

The dismissal comes after reports that the acting group CEO authorised a salary hike irregularly.

The Sunday Times reported during the weekend that Letsoalo demanded a salary increase from a pay package of R1.3 million to R5.9 million.

The Prasa Board would like to place on record that no board resolution was adopted regarding such a salary increase nor payment of an annual salary package of R5.9 million.

In fact, the agreed and official salary remains the R1.3 million annual package, which was approved by the Minister of Transport, as per the terms of the secondment package that was agreed to by Letsoalo, Prasa said in a statement.

Prasa said that all matters pertaining to the alleged authorisation of the salary hike by the Chairperson of the Board in a letter was part of the considerations on the extent of Letsoalos added duties at Prasa during his secondment period.

This letter did in no way give an automatic authorisation of a salary increase without following due process, as clearly stated in the letter from the Chairman of the Board.

The Prasa Remuneration Policy on acting positions provides for an increase not exceeding 12% of the package on the acting position, Prasa said.

According to Prasas Human Resource policy relating to group CEO salary packages, it is the prerogative of the Human Capital and Remunerations Committee, part of the Prasa Board Committee, to recommend such changes and communicate such to the Human Resource Executive concerned.

In the case of Letsoalo, this was not done, subsequently flouting all procedures and protocols in this regard, leaving the board with no choice but to terminate his temporary tenure with immediate effect.

The process of appointing a permanent PRASA group CEO is currently underway with advertisements already out in the relevant Sunday papers, Prasa said.
The University of SA (Unisa) made former president Thabo Mbeki's appointment as its chancellor official on Monday in a ceremony that was attended by one-time political nemesis Blade Nzimande.

Former president, Thabo Mbeki, the new chancellor for UnisaImage source: Unisa

Mbeki, who was forced out of office before his second term ended, was Unisa's pick because his values aligned with the university's vision to create an institution that espoused African knowledge systems. This also comes at a time when students have called for decolonised education.

Mbeki, who pushed for an African Renaissance during his tenure as president, would also help strengthen Unisa's ties with other universities on the continent, management said.

Chancellors fulfil a ceremonial yet strategic role at universities, but Mbeki said he would engage stakeholders and students on the various issues that have plagued higher education.

Unisa has more than 330,000 students, with close to 35,000 obtaining degrees and diplomas annually.

Speaking after his inauguration, Mbeki repeated the sentiments expressed in his famous I Am An African speech, saying the continent needed educated people to improve its dismal socioeconomic conditions.

More research would need to be done to find African solutions to the continent's myriad problems, Mbeki said. He also spoke out against the spate of xenophobic attacks last week, pointing to the need to work together to build the continent.

Mbeki touched on the higher education funding crisis, saying Unisa's leadership, the Department of Higher Education and Training and the Fees Commission had to work togetherto ensure success in the sector.

Higher Education Minister Nzimande made a surprise appearance at Mbeki's inauguration and the two men were seen exchanging friendly gestures during a post-ceremony briefing.

This is in contrast to the frosty nature of their relationship in the past.

Nzimande, as the South African Communist Party boss, was one of Mbeki's fiercest critics when he was in office.

Their relationship was characterised by a back and forth of cutting remarks. Mbeki once labelled Nzimande as showing "extraordinary arrogance" on nuanced political issues.

Nzimande blamed the woes in the tertiary sector on the Growth, Employment and Redistribution policy, which was implemented by Mbeki during his tenure as president.

Unisa was the university of the future and would expand through technology to reach higher numbers of students, Nzimande said.

Unisa was paving the way for co-operation between technical vocational education and training colleges and universities, he said, alluding to the fact that distance learning was a cheaper way of providing education to more people.
The National WorldSkills Competition was hosted in Durban recently, where 32 members represented Team Western Cape in 16 different skill areas.

From L - R: Renier Wepener - Gold Medal in CNC Turning; Cee-Jay Lakey - Gold Medal in IT Network Systems; Leon Beech - Principal and CEO of Northlink College; Alana James - Northlink College Council Chair; Mihle Mvelakabu - Gold Medal in Bricklaying; Siyabonga Makhathini - Gold Medal in Plumbing and Heating; Shane Appollis - Silver Medal in CNC Turning.

Northlink College obtained four gold, one silver and one bronze medal and will see its gold medalists go on to compete in the International WorldSkills Competition (The Olympics of skills), taking place in Abu Dhabi in October this year.

The Northlink College medal winners are:

Gold medals

Renier Wepener  CNC Turning



Cee-Jay Lakey  IT Network Systems Administration



Siyabonga Makhathini  Plumbing and Heating



Mihle Mvelakabu  Bricklaying

Silver medal

Shane Appollis  CNC Turning

Bronze medal

Rihaco De Bruin  Graphic Design

Assisting the finalists with their preparation for the international event are the National Skills Experts, of which three are also from Northlink College. They are Louis Carelse  CNC Turning; Ryan Marsh  Plumbing and Heating; and Joe Motsapi  IT Network Systems Administration.

76 countries will be participating in more than 50 different skills areas during the competition.

The College is proud to have produced such a great result in the WorldSkills SA National Competition. This bears testimony of the quality education and training that Northlink provides, said Trish van der Merwe, Northlink College Deputy Principal: Innovation and Development and member of the Northlink College WorldSkills SA Western Cape Organising Committee. Northlink is committed to help and support the students achieve greatness during the International WorldSkills Competition and will be following their training and progress in the competition with great expectation.
Luxury travel isn't what it used to be - today, travellers are more concerned with the narrative of the trip than the brand-based luxury elements that traditionally drove travel purchase decisions. Travel trends such as adventure travel and experiential travel make this shift in perspective clear. In the 2017 Skift Travel Trends Report , M. Paul Munford says "the new luxury is defined by small brands with big stories."

Behind waterfall of the Tutum cave, Mount Elgon, Uganda

Adventure travel company Ker & Downey Africa has seen the evidence of this first hand. CEO, Lee Kelsall comments, A large part of what we do revolves around tailor making trips for our international guests. This gives us first-hand experience with what the market is looking for. Travellers are less and less asking after names of luxurious lodge brands and increasingly, essentially, asking for experiences that will make a great story, or that have a powerful story attached to them.

As further confirmation of the markets movement, an entirely new genre of travel has recently gained traction, known as flashpacking - backpacker style travel for the affluent. Flashpacker Connect is one such company that partners with Ker & Downey Africa in satisfying adventure travel needs globally.

Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

There are a few key reasons for the shifting emphasis of travel from premium brand names to authentic experiences and powerful narratives.

The travel industry is one of the most competitive, lucrative industries in the world, showcased by the expected $12 trillion that the industry will contribute to global GDP by 2025 (source: Skift). Where there is competition, there is an expectation on service and product providers to continually improve satisfaction levels of their customers.

In this case, the industry has followed closely the heightened satisfaction customers feel when their travel experience has consisted of unique moments, fulfilling encounters or adventurous thrills. As global awareness around the power of experiential travel has grown among travelers and suppliers alike, a new expectation has been set in the market.

These expectations cannot be met simply by placing a well-known name on the cover of an itinerary or hotel lobby wall, as Munford puts it, rather than prestige being defined by the logo on the side of someones bag, scarcity and prestige are linked to unique and outstanding brand experiences. Brand experiences that are, today, amplified globally through social media, in real time.

Biking through the desert

According to Forbes, Approximately one-fifth of leisure travellers worldwide turn to social media platforms for inspiration within different categories of their travel planning citing inspiration around vacation activities as the second largest category of social media influence, after hotel choice. The sharing of unique and powerful travel experiences further increases the value that the market places on, and the amount that travellers are willing to pay for these travel experiences, when compared to purely premium brand luxuries.

Ker & Downey Africas LuxVenture Experiences captures this changing definition of luxury perfectly. As the name suggests these are our experiences that perfectly capture this new definition of luxury. We like to define these trips as containing adventurous days and comfortable nights. Yes, our guests are used to a certain level of comfort when they travel, and yes, these trips carry a premium price, but the real focus of the trip is in the moments we create. Unique, powerful moments that forge memories our guests will never lose. Whether walking with wild dogs in Kenya or glamping in a South African desert - they create a narrative you can take home with you, says Kelsall.
PARIS, FRANCE: The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Transdev are partnering to explore the development of mobility services with fleets of electric driverless vehicles for public and on-demand transportation.

 dolgachov via 123RF

The companies will collaborate to develop a comprehensive, modular transportation system to enable clients to book rides, and mobility operators to monitor and operate self-driving car fleets.

As the mobility services landscape keeps evolving, we have a great opportunity to offer connected mobility solutions for the evolving needs of our customers, fully aligned with our vision of a zero-emission, zero-fatalities society, said Ogi Redzic, Renault-Nissan Alliance senior vice president of Connected Vehicles and Mobility Services.

The research will initially include field tests in Paris-Saclay with Renault ZOEs and Transdevs on-demand dispatch, supervision and routing platform.

"P.A.C.E. - the future of mobility"

The future of mobility will be P.A.C.E.  personalised, autonomous, connected and electric, said Yann Leriche, chief performance officer at Transdev. Our partnership with Renault-Nissan will accelerate our time-to-market by combining our strengths with those of a global car manufacturer that shares the same willingness to enhance daily mobility to the benefit of clients.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance has been forming partnerships to accelerate the development of advanced connected-car technologies and mobility services. These include a partnership with Microsoft to develop a single global platform that will improve the customer experience by making driving more intuitive, intelligent and fun; and a partnership with Japanese internet company DeNA to begin tests in Japan to develop driverless vehicles for commercial services.

Transdev is engaged in a series of pilot AV deployments in multiple countries and is currently operating the worlds first commercial driverless service on EDFs campus in Civaux, France. Transdev is accelerating the development of its AV operating system working with leading partners including Vedecom and SystemX.
We have been making field trips for over two months to win the by-election. We consider this as our party running for the seat rather than just our chairman Dr Aye Maung running for the seat. We are striving with all our efforts with the spirit to win for our race and dignity, U Tun Aung Kyaw, chairman of the ANPs campaign and secretary of the ANP, said to Narinjara News.

A plan has been drafted for 17 townships from the Arakan State to support the campaign.

ANPs chairman Dr Aye Maung has been personally making field trips in Ann Township for the by-election and the supporters from outside the party will assist in the campaign starting next month. The party is striving to win full support from the residents of Ann Township, explained U Tun Aung Kyaw.

Among two constituencies in Ann Township, our campaign in Constituency  2 is nearly complete. We still need to finish our campaign in Constituency  1. Compared to other parties, we have seen the villagers showing more support to our party in the areas we have campaigned in. Its very satisfying, he said.

Although Burma gained her independence 69 years ago, the Arakan State is the second poorest state in the country. Only the party that represents Arakanese people can work for the development of its state, U Tun Aung Kyaw added as a message to the voters.

The by-election will be held in Burma on 1 April. U Thaung Nyein from the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), U Zaw Win Myint from the National League for Democracy (NLD), Dr Aye Maung from the ANP, and independent candidate U Zaw Lin Aung will compete for the vacant seat in Pyithu Hluttaw for Ann Township, which has over 70,000 voters.
The Happy Film, Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes, Ants on a Shrimp, Design that Heals, Eero Saarinen: The Architect Who Saw the Future, and William Kentridge: The Collaborative Artist are to be premiered at Design Indaba's FilmFest from Wednesday, 1 March to Friday, 3 March at the Artscape's Arena.

Heres a brief intro to each (incl. trailers):

The Happy Film

The Happy Film is a feature-length documentary in which graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister undergoes a series of self-experiments outlined by famous psychology to test if its possible for a person to have a meaningful impact on their own happiness.

Revolting Rhymes

Based on the Roald Dahl/Quentin Blake classic, Revolting Rhymes is a combination of classic fairytales like Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, The Three Little Pigs, Jack and the Beanstalk and Cinderella, but with an African twist.

Ants on a Shrimp

In this documentary, Maurice Dekkers follows Rene Redzepi, owner of esteemed Copenhagen restaurant Noma, as he relocates to Japan to set up a five-week pop-up in Tokyo. However, creating an all new fourteen-course menu inspired by local flavours poses unforeseen challenges that will either make or break Redzepis career.

This documentary looks into the struggles of a visionary and showcases some of the most adventurous cuisine on the planet.

Design that Heals

Founder and director of Les Centres GHESKIO, Dr Jean-William Pape has dedicated his career to combating diarrheal diseases in Haiti.

This documentary, by MASS Design Group, follows Dr Jean-William Pape, Haitian infectious disease specialist and director and founder of Les Centres GHESKIO as he sets up temporary cholera treatment tents in order to combat an outbreak of cholera in poverty-stricken Haiti. However, the humid climate and a lack of infrastructure made the disease impossible to control.

In 2010, the Group was challenged to design a cholera treatment centre to tackle the structural issues in Caribbean country. The 34-minute documentary looks at the way innovative architecture coupled with a human-centred approach to healthcare triumphed over mounting circumstances.

American Masters  Eero Saarinen: The Architect Who Saw the Future

The late architecture legend Eero Saarinen's life is seen through the eyes of his estranged son Eric Saarinen in the 30th instalment of American Masters. A giant in American architecture, Eero designed national historic landmarks such as the Gateway Arch in Missouri, New York's TWA Flight Centre at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Yales Universitys Ingalls Rink, Morse and Ezra Stiles Colleges and Virginias Dulles Airport.

Eric goes on a cathartic journey in which he explores his father's greatest works and makes peace with the genius who abandoned his family.

American Masters has earned 28 Emmy Awards, an Oscar, three Grammys, two Producers Guild Awards and many other honours.

William Kentridge: The Collaborative Artist

While of a singular genius, William Kentridge draws on several long-term collaborators including composer Philip Miller, film editor Catherine Meyburgh and choreographer Dada Masilo to realise his film, opera and theatre productions, as well as his installation work.

Kentridge shares insights into the nature of his artistic collaborations with specific reference to Refuse the Hour, The Refusal of Time (at the Iziko South African National Gallery in association with the Goodman Gallery until 21 June) and the opera Lulu, which opened at the Dutch National Opera today. He talks candidly about what sparked the concepts, how he goes about finding the right collaborators and how the creative process plays out between the various parties.

The documentary offers insight into their collaborative process through interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of the productions that have never been seen before. Its an engaging and amusing depiction of how these long-term, off-kilter collaborative relationships help to shape and realise ideas  the Kentridge way.

Be still and let this celebration of film inspire your creative being.

Tickets cost R80 and also get you free access to music, art and design exhibitions and installations, bars and food trucks at the Design Indaba Festival from 17:30 onwards.

In addition to this, The Labia will screen Nocturnal Animals on Saturday, 4 March. Costs R50.

Book here.
#DesignMonth: Stacy Beukes puts a ring on Cape Flats culture and creativity

Stacy Beukes is the curly-haired designer, manufacturer and owner of local jewellery brand  A Ring To It '. Raised in the Cape Flats suburb of Grassy Park, Beukes weaves cherished childhood memories and cultural traditions into charming handmade pieces that are packed with personality and evoke nostalgia within the wearer.

Stacy Beukes. Rizqah Dollie, The Dollie House My jewellery operates on a few different levels and I purposefully design with that in mind. Clients can enjoy the jewellery for its aesthetic appeal or the stories that the pieces tell, says Beukes. After excelling at school, she was awarded two bursaries in the jewellery design and manufacturing field, the first at Stellenbosch University and the second at Hochschule Pforzheim in Germany  opportunities that she owes to sheer determination. The cost of the degree programme, equipment, materials and residence accommodation would not have been within grasp had I not worked hard and received a bursary. "Out of necessity comes invention" After graduating, the young designer realised shed have to create her own career opportunities, a process she describes as a challenging one. Without investment, I built my business and brand slowly with limited tools and some perseverance. I started with an old jewellery bench set up in the passage at home in Grassy Park, to shared workshops/spaces, a co-owned business and then to the A Ring To It studio. I focused on working with what I had and though at times it was frustrating, I wouldn't trade the difficult experiences, as it has made the business what it is today. Despite her now 3-year-old company being commissioned to design and make jewellery for big brands like Jack Daniels, English Blazer and Yardley London, Beukes believes her greatest success to be the ability to create jobs. Offering a young woman with no prior jewellery experience the chance to do a 6-month traineeship and now further employment has been a rewarding experience. I value the importance of investing in people, as people have invested in me. The skills learnt I now share and use to empower others. Rizqah Dollie, The Dollie House As #DesignMonth draws to a close, Beukes chats to Bizcommunity about how memory, community and cultural representation shapes her work. How has growing up on the Cape Flats influenced your career path and designs? Authentically me in industry How has growing up on the Cape Flats influenced your career path and designs?

Jewellery design as a career choice was not as popular within our community and at career day we did not have any jewellery designers or creative entrepreneurs present. I didn't really have a mentor or someone in the industry who had their own brand, that looked like me, came from my background or offered a voice/viewpoint differing from those that were currently in the industry. So, I was adamant that my brand would be a reflection of me  both visually and culturally.

The jewellery, its story, the values of the business, the empowerment aspect and the visual campaigns put forward  from my curls to the messages we share in our photo shoots  are all informed by the celebration of difference. In an industry where media drives sales, aspirational lifestyles are key selling points and fitting in is the easier option to bridging difference; I opted to celebrate that difference.

Id like to think that weve done our bit to change perceptions and that when little ones look in magazines or at campaigns they can see themselves in the images.

Rizqah Dollie, The Dollie House

Memory and the importance of community in the shaping of those memories

Memory is an important influence in my process and the people and places Ive been surrounded by have shaped the stories I now share. Memory is the starting point in weaving the intricate threads that lead to concept.

Your Sweets with the Change range garnered a good bit of attention. Tell us about the concept behind it? Your Sweets with the Change range garnered a good bit of attention. Tell us about the concept behind it?

Im happy to be a part of the wave of designers telling their stories and relaying their authentic style and identities through their brands. Im not the stereotypical jewellery designer and business owner. Ive made a concerted effort to make the market accessible by having jewellery available at all price points. My campaigns reflect a certain look because I think its important to show diversity.

The Sweets with the Change range taps into nostalgia, memory and insights into Cape Town communities. The range touches on the role that the corner shop played as the backdrop to our childhoods  the sense of responsibility when buying a loaf of bread for your Ma and the joy of asking for sweets with the change.

The range rehashes and reinterprets my favourite sweets in clever ways and relooks at magical moments associated with sweets, like the lucky packet, bazaar favourites and the process of opening a sucker (pronounced suck-kuh). The walk down memory lane filters through the product, display and packaging.

Rizqah Dollie, The Dollie House

The story behind the Chunky Bubble Gum Ring

Im the youngest of three kids and the only girl. Holidays were spent running around with the brothers and we share a lot of the weird and wonderful holiday discoveries, which were brought back home and implemented.

One such holiday find, was the discovery of the Bubble Gum Tree  a tree covered in holiday visitors old bubblegum. It was a thing of magic and we stood staring in awe. The glistening and almost luminescent colours of the chunks of bubble gum hanging onto the bark of the old tree. LOL. Its a moment I wont forget the beauty of the dirty bubble gum and a memory I share with my brothers.

Clearly we were impressed, and on our return home the brothers set about converting the underside of our wooden kitchen table back home into our very own Bubble Gum Tree. After a short while we had a small collection. My mommy found out and it was removed using a butter knife. We (all the contributors, including our cousins) were sad and now Im immortalising bubble gum!

Rizqah Dollie, The Dollie House

The ring is produced from chewed pieces of Chappies bubble gum and the shape of the ring was made by the old favourite twist your gum around your finger move, that we so loved while playing 8 hoks (hop-scotch) in the yard. The range is executed by casting techniques and sturvied up (a luxury option) by setting gemstones in the recesses and playing with different methods.

I love it because I get to chew and catalogue vast amounts of bubble gum and play around with my food. Sourcing the material means riding around to different sweet wholesalers or corner shops to test bubble gum. Its a tricky job, but someone has to do it! :)

Every time I wear my ring I cant help but enjoy the memories and associations of yesteryear and the joy on others faces when they associate their own memories or squirm when they realise their jewellery was once chewed.

What is your personal favourite A Ring To It piece? What is your personal favourite A Ring To It piece?

An original Stacy Adriaans (my maiden name) design was my suburb name tag range that I made in my first studio space. Studio space would be a farfetched term, because my first work area was in the backyard under the car port during the day and at night I set up my jewellers desktop on a rickety old tressle in the passage, between the bedrooms and the bathroom. While the rest of my family slept, I dreamt up and made my first Grassy Park name tag.

The piece was inspired by childhood memories of buying your name necklace in beads on a zombie or stamped in leather at the carnival; the pride with which we wore our names, as though wearing the jewellery confirmed your confidence in self. Later the independent women in popular culture, running across our screens, all wore their name necklace with pride and conviction Carrie.

I made my own statement by choosing to be proudly from the GP. I didn't know then that my Grassy Park name tag would so neatly showcase my approach to incorporating humour in my designs to highlight difference. The range is still a huge hit under the a ring to it favourites range; we get lots of custom requests for names, suburbs and various words fok, po#s, Constantia, etc.

I still have the original piece, I cant bring myself to make a new one. I wear it often. It reminds me of where I'm from, keeps me authentic and motivates me to continue to work hard. When I see the badly sawn out letters, it reminds me of how far Ive come.

Rizqah Dollie, The Dollie House

What are your thoughts on our local creative scene at the moment? What are your thoughts on our local creative scene at the moment?

Its an exciting time to be a part of the creative scene in Cape Town. The growth over the past couple of years has paved the way for many businesses producing high quality products for both the local and international markets. Those creative businesses have in turn generated much-needed jobs.

Its also been wonderful to see the response and shift in the mindsets of consumers, who are now opting to support small business and especially locally-made products. Campaigns like #lovezabuyza really highlight the importance of locally-produced products.

Like what you see? Shop A Ring To It online , and connect with the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Globalisation, immigration, low wages, de-industrialisation  all of these have been blamed as root causes of Brexit. But essentially, Brexit was the expression of the will of British people to take back control; of their borders (controlling immigration), of their judicial system (ending the oversight of the European Court of Justice) and of their political destiny (withdrawing from the influence of Brussels on UK decisions).

Communities left behind

Underlying this, it is widely acknowledged that the vote to leave the EU was a signal that the prevailing economic, political and social establishment in the UK was not benefiting everyone justly.

There are communities in Britain who felt left behind by globalisation and who see at least as many risks from free trade and free movement of people as upsides. These are similar concerns of Eurosceptic and nationalist parties in other parts of Europe who have grown in popularity and influence, and who will play a key role in determining Europes political future.

Rohitesh Dhawan, director, Global Brexit Centre of Excellence at KPMG International says that Brexit has shaken up political establishments in the most unprecedented ways.

In Britain, it has seen the resignation of one prime minister and the appointment of a new one; new ministries (the department for exiting the EU); a shuffle of cabinet portfolios; and a slew of parliamentary, constitutional and judicial debates at a pace not seen for many years.

Knock on effect in the EU

In the EU, Brexit has brought into sharp focus; the rise of populist and Eurosceptic sentiments; the difficulties in pooling sovereignties of the remaining 27 member states; and a questioning of the relevance of European values, which called into question the very future of the EU as we know it today.

Dhawan says the fact that the UK avoided an immediate economic crisis does not tell us much about the future. Many of those in the stay campaign predicted economic doom for the UK post-Brexit, but that has not happened yet. In fact, the economy grew 2% in 2016 and we predict it will continue that pace in 2017.

However, the pound has devalued since the Brexit vote and currently remains approximately 20% lower against most major currencies. Longer term forecasts of the UK economy also vary greatly as they depend on the nature of the future deal between the UK and EU.

He predicts that the economic impact of Brexit on the EU will be less severe than on the UK. The EU is a more important market to the UK than is the case vice versa. Major European economies so far have also held up strongly  with confidence in the Euro area at an 18-month high  hiring at a nine-year high, and French business activity at a five-year high. But it is important to remember that there is much political uncertainty in the EU, which could affect economic prospects over the next few years, and upcoming elections in France, Germany and the Netherlands in 2017 are some of the most important events to watch.

Potential to destablise trans-Atlantic markets

This will undoubtedly have an effect on the global economy. Brexit has the potential to de-stabilise the European financial system, and to some extent the trans-Atlantic system because of the New York-London financial axis. This is due to the restructuring of banking, insurance, asset management and related professional and business support services and infrastructure once the UK leaves the European single market.

However, the global financial system appears to be resilient enough to absorb this shock and adjust to the new normal. The regulations put in place after the 2008 financial crisis to manage risks in the financial system would have certainly helped in this regard.

South African ripples

While it can be tempting to think of Brexit as a British or European issue that does not affect the tip of the African continent, Dhawan warns of the impact it will have on businesses with a base in the UK.

South African banks, investment managers and insurance companies that have a base in London and serve European clients or make investments on behalf of South African clients in Europe from that base in London, may be affected. After the UK officially leaves the EU, these companies may no longer be able to automatically do these activities from London and may need to setup a European entity.

Many South Africans also have UK passports through their ancestry and have thus automatically had the right to work in the EU. Post-Brexit, they may no longer be able to do so.

The biggest impact for South Africa will, however, be on our trade agreements with the EU, which also applies to the UK. KPMG in South Africas chief economist, Lullu Krugel says that once the UK leaves, it will not be part of that trade agreements anymore and all trade agreements will have to be renegotiated with both the UK and the EU.

As a block, the EU is South Africas most significant trading partner and within the EU, the UK is the single largest contributor to that export and import market. It is a destination for, amongst others, vehicles and vehicle components, resources such as platinum, gold and diamonds, machinery and equipment and coal products. In addition, within the EU, the UK has traditionally played a supporting role for South Africa, in particular in the agricultural sector.

So, firstly, if growth in the UK slows down, demand for products listed above from South Africa, might be negatively impacted. In addition, until there is some clarity around the trade agreements, South Africa (and for that matter, any country trading with the EU) will have to live with some uncertainty regarding the structure of its future trade agreements. Quite a substantial number of these agreements will have to be renegotiated and not all conditions might turn out to be more favourable than the current status.

Article 50

While March 2017 will see the triggering of Article 50, which officially starts the process of UKs withdrawal from the EU, it may take years for the new normal between the UK and the EU to be established. Without first triggering this clause, the UK cannot formally negotiate any terms with the EU about its departure. After it is triggered, the UK will have up to two years to negotiate the terms of its departure, although in actual fact, that time period may only be around 18 months because of the legislative procedures of the EU required to formally adopt the final outcome.

Theresa May has made it clear that the UK will not be seeking access to the single market, thus suggesting a hard Brexit, since the position of the EU has been that the UK cannot cherry-pick from the Four Freedoms: the freedom of movement of goods, people, services and capital over borders.

While a deal that maintains a strong UK and a strong Europe is in everyones interests, this tension could lead to difficult negotiations and both sides needing to trade-off concessions in getting to an overarching deal. One thing is for sure; the next two years will set the development course of these two regions like none other in living memory.
Nelson Mandela Bay is on the brink of being declared a disaster area, with the city's overall dam levels sitting at a combined capacity of 49%, despite strict water restrictions being in place.

The municipality's executive director of infrastructure and engineering, Walter Shaidi, raised the alarm, saying that the metro's water crisis was worsening by the day and would continue if there was no drastic intervention.

"Our dam levels are now at 49%. As soon as we go under 40%, we are going to be declared a disaster area," Shaidi said.

"We have to cut our usage. Our target for this municipality is to use 250-megalitres a day but we are using between 290 and 303ML. We are way over," Shaidi said.

The latest dam level figures published on the municipality's website show a total combined capacity of 49.71%.

The city's political head of infrastructure, engineering and energy, councillor Annette Lovemore, said earlier this month that should the overall average dam levels drop below 50%, the municipality would be forced to implement tougher water restrictions.

On Friday, councillors scrutinised the municipality's 2015-16 annual report at a municipal public accounts committee meeting, and complained that the targets set by the city to reduce water losses were unrealistic.

DA councillor Morne Steyn said while he commended the efforts by the city to reduce losses, they had to set higher targets.

"We sit with a crisis here. Setting a target of [reducing losses by] 1% and saying you overachieved is not right," Steyn said.

"I cannot say this target is realistic. We need to relook and put viable realistic targets on the water losses," he said.

DA councillor Charles Garai said the city was definitely not winning the war on water losses.

"I was informed that many RDP houses do not have meters and some are bypassing the meters," Garai said.

Shaidi said the city was losing about 21% of its water due to leaks and other water that is not billed.

ANC councillor Mbulelo Gidane said the issue of targets should be escalated to the city manager's office.

"We are in a crisis here with water losses in this city," Gidane said.

"This matter must be taken to the city manager to deal with in light of what Dr Shaidi is telling us about the dams."

Shaidi said the extra money that was allocated to the city through the adjustments budget would make a difference with fixing water leaks, and hopefully reduce losses in the city.

Source: Herald
Feeding a growing number of Africans, as climate change intensifies, will require boosting harvests and environmental protection. African farmers face one of the greatest balancing acts of the 21st century - feeding a rapidly expanding population without causing irreparable damage to the environment they rely on. It's a monumental task.

A meeting organised by Farm Africa and the UK National Farmers' Union (NFU), explored how the global agricultural sector can best address the nature and scale of the food security challenges.

More mouths to feed

With Africa's population set to surge to 2.4 billion by 2050, the continent will inevitably continue to see rapidly rising demand for food.

Pushing up supply to meet demand is no easy feat and the challenge is compounded by climate change. But "50 years ago, commentators said it would be impossible to feed the population we have now. Yet between everybody working up and down the supply chain, those naysayers have been proved wrong," said Tim Smith, group quality director at Tesco and Farm Africa's latest board member.

The stakes have never been so high. Africa needs a clear roadmap on how to achieve long-term, sustainable food security.

Growing more - and better

At Farm Africa, every day we see the effect that increasing farmers' productivity can have. After helping farmers develop agronomic skills and improving their access to quality inputs, we've routinely seen agricultural yields double within the space of a year.

These are much-needed gains, given that the average African farm performs at only about 40 percent of its potential.

Increasing productivity needs to be an integral part of tackling food insecurity, but it represents only a part of the problem: environmental sustainability and access to markets are equally important.

Degraded environment and food security

The environment is the largest determinant of agricultural productivity, and when the ecosystem is degraded, future agricultural yields are put at risk. For food security efforts to be successful, environmental concerns must be paramount.

Our work in Ethiopia's Bale eco-region is a case in point. Deforestation in the highlands is reducing the flow of water to the lowlands, putting a strain on the agro-pastoralists who live there and make a living from growing crops and rearing cattle. By not only helping the lowland farmers to improve productivity but also working to reverse deforestation and conserve the watershed, we're helping assure these farmers' access to the most basic of environmental resources necessary for their work: water.

To secure agricultural productivity and livelihoods farmers must focus on counteracting the damage being done to the environment, as well as supporting existing conservation efforts made by local communities.

The efficiency revolution

Inefficiencies within the food system - the logistical, market and policy factors that form the foundation of all food networks - also undermine food security. Even when yields are good, farmers face another huge constraint: the lack of access to markets.

Tanzania and Uganda typically produce a surplus of staple crops, such as maize, every year. But Kenya only grows enough maize to feed itself one year in every five. Historically, high tariffs on trade within Eastern Africa have meant that it has been cheaper for Kenya to import crops from outside Africa. These policies have now changed, opening up new opportunities for regional trade.

Farm Africa is helping Ugandan and Tanzanian farmers make the most of this new market, providing communities with the resources and knowledge to produce high-quality grain, store it safely and get top prices from the market, helping to secure food for Kenyan consumers year round.

Going forward

Africa's well-documented fight for food security can seem an uphill struggle. But we are hopeful. We've witnessed a meaningful change in attitude. Actors across the supply chain are adopting an integrated approach to food security issues that doesn't just include a focus on increased production but, crucially, market efficiencies and environmental protection.

Thomson Reuters Foundation

Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Speakers from Google, Airbnb, MIT and other tech startups will share their future visions with design graduates and others from 1-3 March 2017 at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town.

This annual event is a three-day showcase of the worlds best creative minds and broadcast live to multiple cities via simulcast.

"Design Indaba provides endless inspiration, fresh perspectives and universal solutions to new and familiar challenges. Technology is a problem solver and will feature strongly this week," said conference founder, Ravi Naidoo.

The conference has been a highlight of South Africas creative calendar since 1995. It contributes vastly to uplifting the design sector and associated industries that benefit from the economy of ideas.

"We all know the future is digital. Recognising this, Design Indaba 2017 will be a veritable gathering of the greatest minds in technology today. From the founder of Airbnb to MIT Fellows and the best graduates from the best schools, they'll be in Cape Town this week," Naidoo added.

Tech speakers

Joe Gebbia spearheaded the sharing economy with his innovative accommodation platform Airbnb. Serial innovator and extraordinary genius Luis von Ahn sold two companies to Google in his twenties, is a MacArthur Fellow and a Carnegie Mellon professor. Von Ahn also created the worlds most successful language learning platform, Duolingo.

Meanwhile, ex-Nokia product designer and MIT Fellow Marko Ahtisaari built a platform that collects detailed, unique data sets to create personalised musical therapeutics (medicines).

TL Uglow, creative director of Googles Creative Lab in Sydney, explores the intersection of technology and the arts through augmented audio, digital books, proximity tech, non-linear storytelling and the physical web.

Lost your way? British tech entrepreneur Chris Sheldrick got fed up with losing his and created what3words pinpoint locations using three easy-to-remember words. Sheldrick is the most-awarded techie in Britain, and what3words won an Innovation Lions Grand Prix at Cannes.

Information designer Giorgia Lupi, best known for her book Dear Data, creates visual metaphors through which she shares intimate details of human behaviour.

Combining the digital with the tangible

Artist and data designer Ekene Ijeoma creates socially focussed work in multiple mediums to trigger emotional responses in his audience. These two master interpreters translate data into forms, expressions and languages that we can understand on a more human level.

Triggerfish animation studios are using digital technologies to bring to life African mythologies, revolting rhymes, and other imaginative stories to life in superb animation.

"Young talent combining the digital with the tangible to create real-world systems that respond in intuitive ways will feature strongly next week. We encourage interested South Africans to lend their creative sparks to the growing Design Indaba talent pool," concluded Mr Naidoo.
Angola Cables, a leading telecoms operator is expanding its network reach and peering capabilities across the globe. With an aim to become a major IP transit and MPLS player in sub-Saharan Africa, Angola Cables has chosen NAPAfrica as its peering point.

Michele McCann

NAPAfrica is Africas largest Internet Exchange Point (IXP), with over 240 unique connected networks and 140Gbps peering traffic. NAPAfrica, which is colocated within all Teraco data centre facilities, provides peering across sub-Saharan Africa from Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

Darwin Costa, IP Product Manager, Angola Cables, says that the operator, together with the Angolan government, are working to build Angola into a major telecommunications hub: It is vital to ensure that the African traffic remains within the continent, and at the same time customers are guaranteed improved Internet connectivity.

He says that another aim is to enable super-fast access to Europe from South Africa, via its main hub in Lisbon and the European ring network.

Costa says that the decision to peer with NAPAfrica was based on its ability to offer an impressive list of international content delivery networks and carriers: NAPAfrica is also the most complete IXP across the African continent. We believe that by combining strengths, Angola Cables, a growing telecommunications hub, will be able to provide links to and from South Africa from Angola, as well as to Brazil and the USA, once the South Atlantic Cable System (SACS) is in operation.

Michele McCann, business development manager, Teraco says that NAPAfrica is the perfect partner for Angola Cables and will undoubtedly increase interconnection between Angola and the rest of the world. This is not simply about peering, the collaboration will impact Internet connectivity across several countries and improve the services of Angola Cables as well as create a platform for the country to compete on a global stage.

Costa says that choosing NAPAfrica was not a difficult decision as it is the main hub on the continent and best way to avoid traffic loops for inner African traffic via Europe. Our customers are situated across the African continent and we want the best route possible for their traffic.

Customer benefit

Tier 1 operators are yet to successfully focus on the African continent and Costa says that peering with NAPAfrica enables Angola Cables to reduce latency and increase bandwidth throughput. He says this will increase the overall connectivity performance on the continent.

We want to use peering as a tool to keep traffic paths local and throughput as high as possible. The majority of traffic, for and in Africa, does still travel outside the continent, and with peering we have the ability to change this in order for customers to derive the most benefit."

By providing customers with stable internet connectivity, Angola Cables is able to directly impact the growth of the digital Angolan economy, as well as other countries where it is an operator. Our experience with NAPAfrica has been excellent and has enabled us to think bigger in terms of the role Angola Cables can play in the overall improvement of the internet across Africa.

He says the company, with the help of NAPAfrica, is changing the way global data flows with its connectivity from Johannesburg to Lisbon, Angola, London, Fortaleza and Florida.

McCann says that NAPAfrica is committed to assisting Angola Cables in becoming a main hub on the West-Coast of Africa. Through our peering exchange and neutral platform we can link Angola and its neighbouring countries, as well as connecting South and North America with the hub in South Africa. This project proves that peering is not just about connectivity, it is about growing networks and enhancing business across the continent. It boosts business in Africa and that is what it is all about for the team.
In the years since the global financial crisis, Africa has witnessed a rapid expansion of cross-border banking, led by banking groups based in Africa that are spurring financial and economic integration and transforming the continent's financial landscape. These institutions are occupying a space created by the retreat of several global bank groups from Africa in the wake of the crisis.

Image by 123RF

The expansion is evident across the region. African banks headquartered from Morocco to South Africa have each established business operations in at least 10 countries. Ecobank, headquartered in Togo - is present in more than 30 countries on the continent.

The banks have facilitated many positive changes - providing customers with new and better products and services, operating improved IT and management systems, and observing more advanced regulatory and accounting standards. But these groups also pose new challenges for African regulators and supervisors, with potential implications for economic and financial stability. Many of these challenges have been felt worldwide, particularly in Europe, necessitating a strengthening of banking regulation and a tightening of oversight.

African banks headquartered from Morocco to South Africa have each established business operations in at least 10 countries.

It falls to African financial sector regulators and supervisors to rapidly address these new challenges. They are moving to upgrade supervisory procedures and practices by embarking upon unprecedented cooperation with peers across Africaand with international supervisors, who are facing the same issues.

This complicated set of challenges was the topic of a conference on Cross-Border Banking and Regulatory Reforms: Implications for Africa from International Experience, held in Mauritius on February 1-2. The conference brought together more than 80 officials from Africa and Europe - including 12 African central bank governors - and bank chief executives, along with an IMF team led by managing director Christine Lagarde.

Balancing act

In opening remarks, Legarde spoke of the key need to ensure that supervision of bank holding companies takes place on a consolidated basis. This places an important burden on supervisors. It is also essential that supervisors in countries hosting systemically important bank subsidiaries are involved in the process by attending meetings of supervisory colleges and exchanging information.

You face a delicate balancing act, Lagarde said. You need to enhance regulation and supervision but, in implementing global standards, you also must take into account local circumstances. Fortunately, you are not alone. The IMF and other bodies recognise the challenges you face and are committed to drawing on our global experience to assist you.

The closed-door conference addressed the supervisory challenges of pan-African banking in detail, particularly the task of coordinating among economies that are at widely varying stages of financial sector development - and where bank subsidiaries are much more important - even highly systemic - to the local economies where they operate.

It is clear that these issues are not unique to Africa. In fact, many of the challenges -ranging from data-sharing to cross-border bank resolution - are common to advanced and emerging market economies.

An important feature of the Mauritius conference was the participation of European supervisors which are grappling with the same challenges. The group was led by Stefan Ingves, governor of the Swedish Central Bank and chairman of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. In his speech on cross-border bank resolution, Ingves spoke to the issues that supervisors in the Nordic and Baltic countries have faced, particularly during and after the global financial crisis.

The IMF has played an important role in providing technical expertise to assist efforts to develop effective cross-border regulation and supervision, including through the Funds capacity development work. The conference was held at the Africa Training Institute, which along with the Mauritius-based AFRITAC South regional technical assistance centre and other regional centres, is deeply involved in this effort.

In his remarks, Ingves spoke to another role for the IMF in the cross-border banking work. Besides being able to bring its expertise, let alone its financial muscles, to the table, the Fund often also plays an important role as a neutral third party, he said.

Lagarde, in her speech, spoke of the broader purpose of a stronger financial sector in Africa: At the end of the day, a strong regulatory and supervisory setting can help ensure that healthy banks are able to provide the lifeblood of Africas economic resurgence. This will be a long-term effort, and we will be with you every step of the way.
Three police officials have been sent to prison for negligence of duty during the attacks against No 1 Border Guard Police headquarters (Kyikanpyin) in Maungdaw Township and other border posts in the Arakan State.

U Zaw Htay, director of the Presidents Office, confirmed the news to Burmese media on 24 February.

Its true that three police officials have been sent to prison. Police Brigadier General Maung Maung Khine, police chief of No 1 Border Guard Police, has been given a two-year sentence and Police Colonel Zeya Han has been given a one-year sentence. Police Lieutenant Colonel Kyaw Tayza, commander of Border Combat Police Battalion, has been given a three-year sentence, said U Zaw Htay.

Around 300 armed attackers carried out a surprise attack against No 1 Border Guard Police headquarters (Kyikanpyin) and Ngakhuya Local Police Office in Maungdaw Township and Koetankauk Local Police Office in Rathedaung Township on 9 October 2016.

As a result of this attack, 9 police officers were killed and 7 police officers, and three innocent civilians were injured. A total of 67 weapons, 10,930 rounds of ammunition, 173 magazines, and 47 bayonets were lost.

After the weapons and ammunition were robbed from the border posts, the Burmese government imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The Rakhine State was placed under military lockdown and a joint force of the Burma Army and the Burma Police Force carried out clearance operations.
A group of law professors have sent a letter to the Office of Disciplinary Council at the D.C. Court of Appeals calling for sanctions against White House counselor Kellyanne Conway. "It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to [e]ngage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation," the letter states.

According to New York Daily News:

The letter cites several examples of Conway's alleged misconduct, including the White House counselor's infamous inaccurate claim that a "Bowling Green Massacre" occurred (there is no such thing), her use of "alternative facts" to back up other inaccurate statements put out by the White House, and endorsing Ivanka Trump-brand fashion products.

The disciplinary complaint, which was signed by 15 law professors, including Susan Brooks of Drexel University, Lawrence Fox of Yale Law School, and Michael Tigar of American University and Duke University, ends with this:

"If Ms. Conway were not a lawyer and was "only" engaging in politics, there would be few limits on her conduct outside of the political process itself. She could say and do what she wished and still call herself a politician. But she is a lawyer. And her conduct, clearly intentionally violative of the rules that regulate her professional status, cries out for sanctioning by the DC Bar."

Photo: by Gage Skidmore
Teenagers are more likely than their parents to worry that technology is developing too fast, according to Edelmans latest Trust Barometer. Despite three-quarters of teenagers using social media on a daily basis, 59% said they worry about the pace of change of such platforms, more than the general population (44%).

Rapid changes in the mobile industry are also cause for concern among teenagers. Nearly half (45%) of teens expressed anxiety about the rate of change in the mobile world (compared to 34% overall). Other concerns include technology and the media industry.

When it comes to who they trust, teenagers said they trusted experts four times more than people like themselves and were six times more likely to be influenced by logical argument than emotions. In comparison, adults trusted experts only 2% more than people like themselves.

While just 24% of the general population said they trusted the media, even less teenagers do (17%). However, certain types of media are trusted more than others. More than three-quarters of teenagers (75%) said they trusted a newspaper, while just 24% said they trusted a blog post.
We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. There's a lot you can do with a million bucks, even more so with two million. And, while you don't just have hundos laying around as pocket change, no one said it READ THE REST
He does protest too loudly

Why does President Trump and his top press and communications officials either tweet or mention the word "fake news" multiple times every day?

Even his senior advisor Steve Bannon and chief of staff Reince Priebus have joined the routine.

Is it because POTUS knows that one or more of the several stories that are out there will eventually mushroom and lead to the end of his presidency? Has POTUS concluded that his only option is to strike pre-emptively, and daily, to delegitimize all media that carry stories he doesn't like as "fake" in order to undermine the articles --especially the ones that may not be out yet-- he fears the most?

Could it be nore possible information about the story claiming multiple contacts between POTUS's campaign officials and senior Russian intelligence prior to the presidential election?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.nytimes.com/2017/02/14/us/politics/r...

Could it be an unreported story or one that could be revisited?

Yes, Trump has the right to be infuriated. Many of the media --if not all-- including FOX News, which POTUS now routinely praises (except maybe Chris Wallace) presumed that Hillary Clinton would win.

Yet Trump's ballistic reactions and daily denunciation of "fake news" have the tone of someone who's not just aggrieved by the past, or current, media slight.

Trump himself probably believed he would lose to Clinton. That's why in the weeks heading towards the election he kept talking about a rigged vote and gave the impression he was ambivalent about whether he would accept the outcome or not.

That appears to have been an early face-saving pre-emptive strike. Had he lost, as most people expected, he would have still had something to tell his supporters -- "we were robbed" by the Washington establishment.

After a delay, he could have conceded and still remained a hero to his Trumpite supporters and returned to his businesses with his Trump brand even more valuable.

But Trump's daily attacks on the major media outlets --and yes, they do have many faults unrelated to anything to do with Trump himself-- have the ring of desperation. They have the intensity of someone worried about what is to come.

Trump's surprising victory has created a nightmare for him. His daily denunciation of the alleged "fake media" can't be only because he's angry that media crowned Clinton even before the election.

Is POTUS terribly worried about a game-ending story, or stories, out there; or more details about an existing one?

Could this story, or stories, be the reason why prominent individuals like Gen. David Patreaus reportedly turned down an offer of a top post --in his case national security advisor?

If there is such a story, or stories, how many of the POTUS mouthpieces also know this even as they parrot "fake news"?

Time will tell.
Note: This post originally appeared on Extra! Bluestem Prairie while Typepad our host was working to solve a connectivity issue. Alas, it's returned, so we're working at Ortonville's charming public library while Typepad and Federated Telecom work to solve the problem. Sorry for the sneezing, library patrons.

At Smithsonian Magazine, ecologist and freelance science writer Aaron Sidder reports in New Map Highlights Bee Population Declines Across the U.S.:

Though theyre tiny, bees play a big role in making our food. But these fuzzy fliers are in troubleand a new map highlights just how precarious the pollinators situation has become in the United States. Recently presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting, the map highlights 139 counties across the country where wild bees are at risk. Many of these danger regions encompass major agricultural zones like Californias Central Valley and a wide swath of the Great Plains. . . .

Sadly, too many of these counties are in Minnesota, according to the map:

We posted a close-up at the top of this article

In a press release, Bee decline threatens US crop production, the University of Vermont explained more:

The first-ever study to map U.S. wild bees suggests they are disappearing in the countrys most important farmlands  from Californias Central Valley to the Midwests corn belt and the Mississippi River valley. If wild bee declines continue, it could hurt U.S. crop production and farmers costs, said Taylor Ricketts, a conservation ecologist at the University of Vermont, at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting panel, Plan Bee: Pollinators, Food Production and U.S. Policy on Feb. 19. This study provides the first national picture of wild bees and their impacts on pollination, said Ricketts, Director of UVMs Gund Institute for Ecological Economics, noting that each year $3 billion of the U.S. economy depends on pollination from native pollinators like wild bees. At AAAS, Ricketts briefed scholars, policy makers, and journalists on how the national bee map, first published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in late 2015, can help to protect wild bees and pinpoint habitat restoration efforts. At the event, Ricketts also introduced a new mobile app that he is co-developing to help farmers upgrade their farms to better support wild bees. Wild bees are a precious natural resource we should celebrate and protect, said Ricketts, Gund Professor in UVMs Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. If managed with care, they can help us continue to produce billions of dollars in agricultural income and a wonderful diversity of nutritious food. TROUBLE ZONES The map identifies 139 counties in key agricultural regions of California, the Pacific Northwest, the upper Midwest and Great Plains, west Texas, and Mississippi River valley, which appear to have most worrisome mismatch between falling wild bee supply and rising crop pollination demand. These counties tend to be places that grow specialty crops  like almonds, blueberries and apples  that are highly dependent on pollinators. Or they are counties that grow less dependent crops  like soybeans, canola and cotton  in very large quantities. Of particular concern, some crops most dependent on pollinators  including pumpkins, watermelons, pears, peaches, plums, apples and blueberries  appeared to have the strongest pollination mismatch, growing in areas with dropping wild bee supply and increasing in pollination demand. Globally, more than two-thirds of the most important crops either benefit from or require pollinators, including coffee, cacao, and many fruits and vegetables. Pesticides, climate change and diseases threaten wild bees  but their decline may be caused by the conversion of bee habitat into cropland, the study suggests. In 11 key states where the map shows bees in decline, the amount of land tilled to grow corn spiked by 200 percent in five years  replacing grasslands and pastures that once supported bee populations. RISING DEMAND, FALLING SUPPLY Over the last decade, honeybee keepers facing colony losses have struggled with rising demand for commercial pollination services, pushing up the cost of managed pollinators  and the importance of wild bees. Most people can think of one or two types of bee, but there are 4,000 species in the U.S. alone, said Insu Koh, a UVM postdoctoral researcher who co-hosted the AAAS panel and led the study. When sufficient habitat exists, wild bees are already contributing the majority of pollination for some crops, Koh adds. And even around managed pollinators, wild bees complement pollination in ways that can increase crop yields. MAKING THE MAPS A team of seven researchers  from UVM, Franklin and Marshall College, University of California at Davis, and Michigan State University  created the maps by first identifying 45 land-use types from two federal land databases, including croplands and natural habitats. Then they gathered detailed input from national and state bee experts about the suitability of each land-use type for providing wild bees with nesting and food resources. The scientists built a bee habitat model that predicts the relative abundance of wild bees for every area of the contiguous United States, based on their quality for nesting and feeding from flowers. Finally, the team checked and validated their model against bee collections and field observations in many actual landscapes. THE GOOD NEWS The good news about bees, said Ricketts, is now that we know where to focus conservation efforts, paired with all we know about what bees need, habitat-wise, there is hope for preserving wild bees. . . . KEY TAKEAWAYS

Study suggests wild bee abundance declined in 23% of contiguous U.S. from 2008-2013.

Wild bees are disappearing in key U.S. farmlands, including California, the Midwest, Mississippi Valley and Pacific Northwest.

39% of croplands that depend on pollination, including 139 key counties, face a potential mismatch between rising demand for pollination and falling supply of wild bees.

Were likely to hear state legislators from both sides of the aisle carry on about how research presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting and published last year in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences isnt sound science or some other Ag Mafia talking point.

Meanwhile, were wondering whats up with Minnesota Governor Mark Daytons Executive Order 16-07, which was unveiled with much ceremony at last years State Fair.

And whats up with the Governors Committee on Pollinator Protection, which met earlier this month?

Maps: All from the University of Vermonts Bee decline threatens US crop production via eurekalert.org.

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Spiral Toys  a division of Mready, a Romanian electronics company that lost more than 99% of its market-cap in 2015  makes a line of toys called "Cloudpets," that use an app to allow parents and children to exchange voice-messages with one another. They exposed a database of millions of these messages, along with sensitive private information about children and parents, for years, without even the most basic password protections  and as the company imploded, they ignored both security researchers and blackmailers who repeatedly contacted them to let them know that all this data was being stolen.

Even as the millions of records were stolen and shared online, the company was fielding its last-ditch, hail-mary product: an Internet of Things piggybank (it flopped).

Breach researcher Troy Hunt (proprietor of the essential Have I Been Pwned service), discovered all this by poring through the leaked data that his sources came to him with, finding ransom notices from multiple, independent criminal gangs who had stolen the company's user-records and were seeking hush money not to release them.

This is the latest in a series of high-profile breaches and security revelations about "connected toys": most recently, the German government advised people to destroy Cayla, an internet-connected doll that could be converted into a covert listening device; in 2015, the Hong Kong kids' crapgadget empire of Vtech was shaken by the revelation that the company had lost 6.3 million customers' data, then lied about it, then changed its EULA to make you agree not to sue them over it, then tried to pivot into the home security market (!); then the Hello Kitty website was revealed to have leaked 3.3 million kids' data; then we learned that Hello Barbie sent recordings of your children to a notorious military contractor.

As I've argued before: there is no IoT business model. Hardware starts at a 2% margin and falls from there. IoT companies get capital by promising to monopolize an "ecosystem"  controlling app stores, service, parts, and consumables, and by collecting as much data as possible in case they might get an exit by selling the company to someone who wants access to it. These firms have no incentive to invest in any but the most cursory security measures (because by the time a breach occurs, they will either be a division of a larger company or out of business), and anything they spend it money they can't use to keep the doors open while they look for an exit or a profit.

The best way to monopolize ecosystems is by using DRM. Laws like Section 1201 of the DMCA make it a felony to break DRM, even for a legal purpose. By designing a product so that using someone else's apps, or parts, or consumables, requires breaking DRM, you can turn these otherwise normal, legal, competitive activities into felonies.

And because courts have interpreted DMCA 1201 as a ban on reporting security vulnerabilities (because telling someone about a defect in DRM helps them figure out how to defeat it), the devices that are designed to be as insecure as feasible, as spying as possible, and to treat their owners as their enemies are no-go zones for prudent security researchers.

Spiral Toys is the beginning, not the end.



Like the earlier image, these are yet more indicators of compromise (IOC) consistent with the ransom demands that were going around for MongoDBs in early Jan. Niall called them out later that month as part of his commentary on how the whole saga was unfolding: There were many malicious parties taking action against exposed databases during this period and we frequently saw the same system accessed multiple times by different actors, each demanding their own ransom. It wasn't until Jan 13 that Shodan reported no publicly accessible databases remained on CloudPets' IP Address.

The CloudPets data was accessed many times by unauthorised parties before being deleted and then on multiple occasions, held for ransom.

Data from connected CloudPets teddy bears leaked and ransomed, exposing kids' voice messages

[Troy Hunt]
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Billionaire Wilbur Ross, 79, was sworn in today as secretary of commerce. According to DC Report, Ross' "role as Vice Chair and a leading investor in the Bank of Cyprus, the largest bank in Cyprus, one of the key offshore havens for illicit Russian finance," makes him a poor choice for this position. But the Senate voted 72-27 to confirm him anyway.

Ross' involvement in the Bank of Cyprus raises many questions about his judgment, but also about the Trump Administration's seemingly endless direct and indirect connections with friends and associates of Vladimir Putin, who all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies say conspired to interfere in the November 2016 U.S. election on behalf of Donald Trump.

Whether or not these connections involve any criminality, these are the kind of relationships that most American business people would not tolerate for 30 seconds.

After all, as discussed below, since the 1990s Cyprus has served as one the top three offshore destinations for Russian and former Soviet Union flight capital, most of it motivated by tax dodging, kleptocracy, and money laundering. As of 2013, just before the banking crisis, Russian deposits accounted for at least a third of all bank deposits in Cyprus. As one leading newspaper put it, "Russian money is in fact at the heart of the island's economy."

The Bank of Cyprus caters to the island nation's large Russian population.

Nor is Ross' Bank of Cyprus in particular  now probably at least half owned by Russians, as we'll see  any stranger to money laundering, tax dodging, or odious finance. With a market share of 30 percent, Bank of Cyprus has long been the market leader in Cypriot financial chicanery.
Jose Torres and Kayla Norton terrorized a black kid's birthday party by leading a convoy of confederate-flag flying vehicles past it while shouting racial slurs and threatsand pointing a shotgun at the children. They blubbered in court Monday as a Georgia judge sentenced them to years in jail.

Channel 2 Action News spoke to a woman who was at the birthday party in 2015. Melissa Alford said at least seven pickup trucks displaying Confederate flags pulled up on her property on Campbellton Street and their passengers were armed and threatened to "kill y'all niggers." "This is behavior that even supporters of the Confederate battle flag can agree is criminal and shouldn't be allowed," Douglas County District Attorney Brian Fortner said in a statement. Norton was sentenced on one count of violating Georgia's street gang act and one count of making terroristic threats. Torres was sentenced on three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of terroristic threats and one count of violating the street gang act.

Superior Court Judge William McClain gave Torres 20 years, with 13 served in prison, and Norton was given 15 years with 6 inside. Three things seem to have enhanced the community's righteous ire:

1. It was shortly after white supremacist Dylann Roof's killing of 9 black worshipers at a church in Charleston.

2. The Douglasville Police Department originally refused to arrest the people making the threats.

3. Only four of the people in the convoy were charged with serious crimes, despite there being "a dozen or more" involved.
China's explosive growth as the world's factory powerhouse is almost impossible to overstate: the largest migration in human history took place when 80 million young women left the provinces to come to the Pearl River Delta for the new manufacturing jobs, and China began building new megacities across its landmass to serve as the hubs for new factories and industries, consuming as much cement between 2011 and 2013 as the whole US used during the whole 20th century.

But many of those cities were never inhabited and remain uninhabited still. They aren't "ghost towns"  boomtowns that collapsed. They are "zombie cities"  boom-towns still waiting for their boom, ready to house millions, with wide boulevards and soaring apartment blocks that have never been occupied.

In a stereotypically heavy-handed Chinese bureaucratic move, the authorities are slowly populating some of these zombie cities by using eminent domain to evict people from their homes in other parts of the country and giving them vouchers they can redeem for housing in the zombie cities.

But the zombie cities are a drag on the national economy. Public and private firms borrowed billions to build them, and now operate their factories with skeleton crews in order to generate the cash-flow to service those debt payments. The zombie cities can be spotted with network maps, as the internet giant Baidu has, by looking at placed where there was a lot of network infrastructure built, but which generate no network traffic.

The BBC is hosting a gallery of photos of zombie cities by Raphael Olivier and Kai Caemmerer, photographers who have extensively (and gorgeously) documented them.

Rather, some of these places are built in anticipation of a need that has not yet arisen. The buildings are finished but they may not be filled with people for another 15 years. "I see them as unborn cities," says Caemmerer. In fact, an enormous relocation could soon be underway. The Chinese government has said it intends to move 100 million people from rural parts of the country into cities by 2020. This coordinated migration could fill at least some of the vacant cities. For example, Ordos has been trying to fill its empty buildings using "housing exchange certificates", which are given to people whose property elsewhere in the country is requisitioned by the government. Those holding a certificate  or fangpiao  can redeem it for a property in Kangbashi.

China's zombie factories and unborn cities [Richard Gray/BBC]

(via Naked Capitalism)

(Image Kai Caemmerer)
Four people survived a helicopter crash on Monday in Tutume Village. This is a second aviation accident just week after a fatal aeroplane crash that killed three Botswana Defence Force (BDF) officers.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the accident happened around 1830hrs. A Botswana registered helicopter A2-HJR, based in Kasane was involved in an accident. The aircraft had departed Kasane to night stop in Pandamatenga with three people on board, being the crew plus two passengers, a state from the Ministry of Transport reads.

Reports indicate that the incident took place as the helicopter was taking off from a playing ground in Tutume after picking up a third passenger. The occupants were rushed to the hospital in Francistown but three have since been discharged, with only one still under medical care.





The ministry has since instituted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the occurrence. The statement adds that air safety investigators from the Directorate of Accident investigation from the ministry have commenced investigations into the incident.




MUMBAI (PTI): INS Viraat, the second aircraft carrier in the Indian naval fleet, will be decommissioned on March 6, Vice Admiral Girish Luthra said in Mumbai on Monday.



"INS Viraat is the second centaur class aircraft carrier in service which has spent 30 years in the Indian Navy and before that 27 years in the Royal Navy of UK.



"After the decommissioning of INS Viraat, we will be short of two aircraft carriers as INS Vikrant has already been decommissioned," the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command told reporters.



Earlier known as HMS Hermes, the ship was in the Royal Navy from 1959. In the late 80s, Indian Navy purchased it at the cost of US$ 65 million and was re-commissioned on May 12, 1987.



It is the longest serving ship in the history, an official communication from the Western Naval Command said.



Asked about the future of the ship, Luthra said the decision will be taken by the Union Government.






PARIS (BNS): European missile maker MBDA has bagged a contract to supply the Marte MK2/N anti-ship missiles to the UAE Navy.



This is a follow-on contract to a previous one awarded to MBDA in 2009 for the supply of Marte missiles.



Each high speed multi-role combat vessel of the UAE Navy will be equipped with four box launchers for the Marte Mk 2/N guided missiles, the missile manufacturer announced on February 20.



The short-range weapon is capable of striking targets at ranges in excess of 30 km, flying a fire-and-forget sea-skimming profile using midcourse inertial guidance and active radar homing.




The Sea King helicopter of Indian Navy.

MUMBAI (PTI): Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, has said that although new helicopters should have been inducted into the Indian naval fleet by 2008-09, they are yet to arrive.



"New helicopters should have been inducted in naval fleet by 2008-09, but they have not arrived yet. The ships, such as INS Chennai, INS Kochi and INS Delhi are already commissioned, but they are moving without new helicopters. The demand is in excess of 100 (choppers) and we have a requirement of multi-role helicopters (MRH)," the senior naval official told reporters in Mumbai on Monday.



Replying to a query, he said, "We wanted it (choppers) yesterday. The new ships have been commissioned, but they are without new helicopters. It is not about when we want it, we have crossed that line. Currently, we are using old Sea King helicopters for some works."



"We are looking for multi-utility helicopters with facilities such as anti-submarine, anti-surface equipment, sonar facility. It can also perform search and rescue, evacuation, commando (action) among others. Our requirements are different from that of Indian Army and Air Force," he added.



According to him, the Navy also wants some utility helicopters, which will replace the existing Chetak series.



"We are hoping and seeking early sanctions and conclusion of contracts so that its induction can take place in time," he added.



"The advanced light helicopters are also being inducted into the naval force, but they cannot be used for all types of navy requirements," he said.






WASHINGTON (PTI): US President Donald Trump on Monday said his first budget would focus on national security and public safety as the White House announced that his plans include a whopping US$ 54 billion increase in defence spending and cuts in foreign aid.



"This budget will be a public safety and national security budget, very much based on those two with plenty of other things, but very strong. And it will include a historic increase in defence spending to rebuild the depleted military of the United States of America at a time we most need it," Trump said in his address to the National Governors Association.



Addressing governors from across the country, Trump said he would provide more details about the budget in his maiden joint address to the US Congress on Tuesday night.



"And you'll be hearing about that tomorrow night in great detail. This is a landmark event, a message to the world, in these dangerous times of American strength, security and resolve," Trump said in his remarks.



In a conference call with reporters soon after, a senior official from the Office of Budget Management, White House, announced that the budget would include an increase of US$ 54 billion in defence spending.



The money, the official said, would come from savings from other governmental programmes.



The senior official said that there will be "large reduction in foreign aid".



Describing this year's budget as a "security budget", the official said it would fulfil campaign promises.



"This defence spending increase will be offset and paid for by finding greater savings and efficiencies across the federal government. We're going to do more with less," Trump told governors in his address.



"Now we never win a war. We never win. And we don't fight to win. We don't fight to win. So we either got to win or don't fight it at all. But where we are, almost 17 years of fighting in the Middle East...US$ 6 trillion we've spent in the Middle East. That's just unacceptable," he said.



Trump said his budget increases spending and the increase in all spending for federal law enforcement and activities having to do with law enforcement will be substantially increased to fight violent crime.



"My budget also puts America first by keeping tax dollars in America to help veterans and first responders. So important. This budget follows through on my promise to focus on keeping Americans safe, keeping out terrorists, keeping out criminals and putting violent offenders behind bars or removing them from our country altogether," he said.



"So the budget, which is going to be a very big part of tomorrow night's speech, is going to be I think a budget of great rationality but it's going to have to do with military, safety, economic development and things such as that. Great detail tomorrow night," Trump said.


Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/02/2017 (2077 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The 110th Royal Manitoba Winter Fair will descend on Brandon March 27 to April 1, and the Provincial Exhibition has joined forces with Assiniboine Community College and the Brandon Chamber of Commerce to spread Winter Fair Fever within the business community.

Winter Fair Fever is all about encouraging the business community to show their support for Brandons biggest indoor ag exhibition, Provincial Ex general manager Ron Kristjansson said. The fair brings a lot of people to our city and we all benefit from those visitors. Why not show them how proud we are to host this event?

Businesses are encouraged to dress up their locations by displaying fair posters and using RMWF banner wrap, provided by the Provincial Ex, to decorate.

Bruce Bumstead/Brandon Sun Businesses are encouraged to catch Winter Fair Fever this year, a joint initiative between the Provincial Exhibition and Assiniboine Community College. (File)

The best part is seeing how much fun goes into the decorating. said Provincial Ex marketing co-ordinator Karen Burton.

Its a great way to get your employees together and do something fun with some competition added in. Weve had a few local businesses contacting us early this year wanting to get involved, so we cant wait to see what they have planned.

Were excited to be supporting Winter Fair Fever again this year as momentum builds in the community leading up to the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, said Danielle Adriaansen, ACCs director of public affairs. The winning prize of tickets to our Harvest on the Hill event is a great fit because it also celebrates agriculture, with some of the foods being grown right on campus.

The grand prize includes eight tickets to ACCs 2017 Harvest on the Hill and a 2017 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair VIP experience for four including transportation, dinner reception and VIP seating for the evening show jumping. All entries will be entered to win a swag bag from Assiniboine Community College. To enter, post your photos to social media, tag the Provincial Ex and use #RMWF.

Deadline to register for the Winter Fair Fever Contest is March 24. For more contest information, visit royalmanitobawinterfair.com.

 Submitted
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/02/2017 (2077 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Community members stepped up to the mic during the Brandon School Divisions board meeting on Monday night  taking advantage of their last chance to address trustees before this years budget is finalized.

Opinions on what could be changed to better the budget varied, but about half of the presenters agreed the board could do a better job of being transparent.

This year feels different, said Peter Buehler, president of the Brandon Teachers Association. Information given to the public doesnt tell us enough.

Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Brandon School Division trustees hear from Brandon Teachers Association president Peter Buehler during their meeting on Monday evening. The board of trustees is scheduled to finalize the BSDs 2017-18 budget on March 6.

The division said during the public consultation a few weeks ago that it was able to find a number of efficiencies, including reductions in salary and benefit costs through a rejigging of the formula.

Even after being present during the entire budget process, Buehler said he never heard a full explanation of how or what was done.

Brandon Chamber of Commerce president Terry Burgess seconded Buehlers call for transparency, adding that breaking down some of the expenses in the budget might make differences more clear from year to year.

Theres a lot of information to compare, Burgess said.

The similarities between the two presentations ended there.

Buehler raised concerns with the school boards decision to only hire nine teachers to match the rising enrolment, instead of the 14 positions needed.

The decision to make do with five less teachers will have consequences, Buehler said.

Burgess, however, applauded the decision as a necessary step for the budget.

This is not about shortfalling our education  we recognize it is very important  The students who come through theses schools are the future business owners of our community, Burgess said, adding the chamber is in full support of the Continuous Improvement Framework plan added to the budget.

Business and residential taxpayers have told the Brandon chamber theyve had enough  (we) urge you to revisit your budget  so Brandon can continue being an affordable place to live.

CUPE Local 737 president Jamie Rose also addressed trustees, urging them to take into account how their decisions will affect staff.

Rose also expressed disappointment in the decision to rely on video surveillance on school buses, rather than have an additional assistant on board.

A request for three additional full-time educational assistant positions to supervise on school buses  above and beyond the recently approved video surveillance  was withdrawn by trustee Sherilyn Bambridge before budget deliberations started.

Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Trustee Sherilyn Bambridge listens to a presentation during a Brandon School Board meeting on Monday evening.

I would like to point out the Winnipeg Transit bus driver who got stabbed to death recently, Rose said.

One has to wonder if there had been a helper on the bus, if that would have happened.

Community member Alf Kennedy also made a presentation to the board, asking trustees if there was a possibility of forming a partnership with a seniors complex  addressing the divisions need for revenue and the rising need for senior living developments.

We are voters, we all pay taxes  the senior sector is the largest growing sector in Canada today, Kennedy said.

In my personal opinion, the school of the future is going to be this combination.

BSD trustees settled on a 2.85 per cent mill rate increase after budget deliberations last week.

Based on a house assessed at $251,000, property tax would increase $46.70 a year  or $3.89 per month.

The budget is scheduled to be finalized on March 6.

 edebooy@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @erindebooy
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/02/2017 (2077 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When the result of a hard-fought election came down to drawing a name out of a hat, Waywayseecappo First Nation council candidate Laura Brandon refused to participate.

She withdrew her name from consideration over the weekend in an act she doesnt consider a concession, even though Chantel Wilson was therefore elected in her potential place.

Withdrawing her name was both a stand against an unjust system and a moral necessity, Brandon said, explaining that if she had participated in the draw, she wouldnt have felt positively about either of the two possible results.

Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Laura Brandon withdrew from a recent Waywayseecappo First Nation council election rather than have the race be decided by drawing a name out of a hat.

If her name were drawn, she would have felt bad for Wilson.

If Wilsons name were drawn, she would have felt cheated.

Either way, she said, it wouldnt have been right.

Waywayseecappo follows First Nations Election Act regulations, which require the electoral officer to conduct a draw to break the tie.

In Manitoba, the acts that regulate elections at the municipal, school board and provincial levels all require byelections to resolve ties, as does the federal government in the election of members of Parliament.

University of Manitoba head of native studies Peter Kulchyski said that hed never come across the equivalent of a coin toss to determine an election win.

Its not very democratic, he said, adding that it almost looks as though those who drafted the First Nations Elections Act figured a tied vote would never happen, shrugged it off and plugged in the line about conducting a draw.

Its not about luck, its about democracy, Kulchyski said, offering that it, at least, should be.

Kulchyski said efforts to modernize such guidelines have gotten bogged down in the past by the federal governments one-size-fits-all approach, which many First Nations reject in their ongoing efforts to secure a stronger sense of self-government.

Waywayseecappos election took place on Friday.

The initial vote count had Brandon defeating Wilson by a single ballot, which triggered a recount.

The recount pegged both candidates at 256 votes, resulting in the draw that Brandon declined to participate in.

Incumbent Chief Murray Clearsky won Fridays election by a landslide, securing 533 votes. Jake Shingoose, the closest of three opponents, received 166 votes.

Clearsky declined to comment on his communitys recent tiebreaker on Monday, but affirmed that hes looking into whatever options exist to update their electoral regulations.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada guidelines allow for some alternatives, such as the implementation of band custom election systems that First Nations can tailor to fit their community.

Were not taking advantage of some things that are available to us, were just following what were told to do, which is what has happened for hundreds of years, first forcefully and now by ourselves, Brandon said.

In an open letter to her communitys chief electoral officer, Brandon urged Waywayseecappo leadership, and the leadership of First Nations communities across the nation, to re-evaluate their electoral systems.

Brandon said shes still interested in becoming a democratically elected councillor in her community and that shes looking into whether she can appeal Waywayseecappos latest election results.

My path is to just continue what Ive always done, which is to be involved with the community and to bring awareness to indigenous challenges, she said.

My philosophy in life is to live so that my ancestors are proud of me  that what they fought so hard for, that Im respecting that by continuing to stand up (against) injustice and unfairness and inequality.

In addition to Clearskys re-election and Wilson, a political newcomer, joining council, fellow newcomers Travis Cloud and Joe Gambler were also elected to Waywayseecappo council on Friday.

Incumbents Anthony Longclaws, Tim Cloud and Melville Wabash were all re-elected.

Clearsky said that his main goals throughout his new four-year term would be to further his communitys economic opportunities, including the expansion of the communitys grocery store and the development of land they own just north of Brandon in the Rural Municipality of Elton into an urban reserve.

The First Nations Elections Act was introduced in 2015 as a new electoral framework option for First Nations communities, which 32 First Nations have thus far signed on to, including Waywayseecappo and Birdtail Sioux First Nation.

About 200 First Nations still hold elections under Indian Act and Indian Band Election Regulations.

In the event of a tied vote in communities whose elections are regulated by the Indian Act, the electoral officer is required to cast a winning vote.

 tclarke@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB
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Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/02/2017 (2077 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

We believe that the preliminary, as it is now structured, is not the only way that information can be obtained. Nor is it the best way. It is also clear that the requirement for a preliminary inquiry causes several problems in the system. It causes delay in the processing of cases. It ties up judicial time that could be put to much better use. It involves two courts in bringing cases to trial.

 A recommendation by the Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission, 2001

In the fallout of Manitobas Aboriginal Justice Inquiry in the late 1980s, the province created the Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission to develop an action plan based on the findings of the original inquiry.

Among the many recommendations made by the AJIC, in its final 2001 report the commission argued that preliminary inquiries should be abolished and replaced with a discovery and pre-trial process.

The report suggested that the original need for a preliminary hearing no longer existed. It cited a study the commissions own research staff had conducted that suggested that of 208 preliminary hearings held in Winnipeg in 1989, only three of them  1.4 per cent  were dismissed at the preliminary hearing.

The rest all went on to a trial or to a plea of guilty, the report states.

It was noted that Crown attorneys use prelims to see how witnesses stand up under questioning, and ferret out gaps in their case that require attention. On the other hand, defence attorneys use preliminary hearings to test out the Crowns case strength, and to obtain evidence from witnesses that may be used in cross-examination at the trial.

While preliminary hearings arguably allow both sides to learn more about the case, the commission called upon the government to develop a replacement that combines the benefits of the hearing with the brevity of a pre-trial conference  a discovery phase.

This particular recommendation was never enacted, though its ghost continues to haunt our court systems.

Last week, as the Globe and Mail first reported, Manitobas three chief justices and its attorney general proposed the elimination of all preliminary inquiries in a letter to federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, as part of a four-year experiment on fighting delays in the criminal justice system. Eliminating preliminary inquiries would require a change to the Criminal Code that would permit this experimental approach.

The move comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling last summer, known as R. v. Jordan, that decided trials in Canada must be completed within a firm timeline  18 months for provincial court cases and 30 months for cases in superior court. In general terms  with the odd exception this would mean that an accused could have their case dismissed on the grounds that their right to be tried in a reasonable time frame has been violated.

In the wake of that July ruling, there is already evidence to this effect  the Globe reported that defence lawyers for more than 800 accused people, including some charged with murder, attempted murder and child abuse, have applied for their cases to be suspended.

Critics of the move to eliminate preliminary hearings have suggested that theres not enough data to support their abolishment. And eliminating preliminary hearings across the country would have very different results in different provinces because they are used at different rates. In a Sun story last Saturday, we wrote that the Manitoba chief justices proposal provides an alternative to preliminary inquiries. For crimes punishable by 10 years or more in prison, defence lawyers can apply to Court of Queens Bench for a discovery hearing, which essentially echoes the AJICs recommendation.

In turn, the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association of Manitoba  which has asked Wilson-Raybould to dismiss Manitobas request  argues that preliminary hearings reduce the risk of wrongful convictions, and suggests that there are other causes for delays in the justice system, including insufficient judicial resources, policy that has increased the number of charges for things such as breaches of court orders and mandatory minimum sentences that have limited the ability of Crown and defence attorneys to negotiate resolutions.

We happen to agree with the Supreme Courts decision in that Canadians have a right to a speedy trial, so doing nothing is not an option  especially if it means that the guilty literally can get away with murder if the process takes too long.

That our chief justices and attorney general have asked for a trial period is perhaps the right course of action  but rather as part of a larger body of policy changes from the federal government designed to reduce wait times for accused.

Considering the extent of the problem at hand, eliminating preliminary hearings by itself will not resolve the situation.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/02/2017 (2077 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Until now, aboriginal leaders appear to resist any attempts to change their specialized system  a separate legal regime, with transfer payments and special entitlements, that applies only to aboriginal people. The lions share of the transfer payments and special entitlements go to reserve residents.

These leaders maintain it is necessary for all aboriginal people to have this separate system in order to preserve aboriginal culture. They insist that reserves must stay, so that aboriginal people can carry on living as their ancestors did with the same customs and way of life.

I believe they are wrong.

In the first place, reserves are artificial creations of the federal government. They were meant to be temporary sanctuaries for aboriginal people until they could become full participants in the life of the country.

After that, reserves would no longer be necessary. That was a time when special entitlements might have consisted of a blanket and $5 a year.

If only those benefits had remained in place, reserves would eventually have morphed into ordinary rural municipalities. It was the long list of benefits dreamed up by well-intentioned politicians and judges, believing they were helping a desperately poor people, that virtually cemented reserves in place as seemingly permanent institutions.

Free housing and no income tax or GST  regardless of income level  along with a grab bag of special hunting and fishing rights, are some of the benefits.

Isolating people on reserves was a bad idea from the start. It prevented aboriginal people from naturally adapting to a rapidly changing world. In an age before reserves and government money, aboriginal culture naturally adapted to change, such as the fur trade and then the buffalo economy. It was only the isolation, and then the infusion of money from Ottawa, that froze reserves in time, creating todays dependent and deeply troubled communities.

Reserves also have very little to do with traditional life. In the past, aboriginal people in this part of the continent were semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers. The work ethic was extremely strong, as survival depended on it.

There were no such things as welfare or transfer payments, or any of the social pathologies, such as drug and alcohol abuse, that inevitably afflict dependent communities. Pre-contact aboriginal culture thrived for thousands of years in a harsh environment. Todays reserves bear little resemblance to those strong communities. Reserve culture and the aboriginal culture of the past are two very different things.

Then what is the real reason for the strong resistance of the aboriginal leaders to any real change in the status quo? How much of it has to do with the transfer payments from Ottawa and money?Bottom line, many aboriginal leaders are doing very well financially under the present system. On reserves, the powerful families and their associates form a ruling elite  an oligarchy  that controls the billions of dollars that flow to them from Ottawa every year like clockwork.

They also enjoy free housing and no income tax regardless of how large their salaries grow. These benefits are paid for by ordinary Canadians, many of whom earn far less than these leaders.

The ordinary Canadians whose taxes pay for the system must then use their own after-tax dollars to deal with their living expenses, including housing and their childrens tuition.

Lest this be considered some kind of racist diatribe targeting aboriginal people, let me point to the fact that probably at least as many of the people who have attached themselves to the aboriginal money pipeline from Ottawa are not even aboriginal.

The partnership between aboriginal leaders and my former profession  the legal profession  has been incredibly lucrative for both. During the residential school claim stage, one law firm alone billed more than $50 million in fees. There are lawyers who are paid handsome salaries just to find victims  both real and imagined  and obtain large settlements for them (taking a healthy chunk for their firms, of course).

And the victim industry shows no sign of slowing down. The lawyers who are only too eager to appear before the steady series of aboriginal inquiries, or those who put their creative powers to work in the thriving treaty rights game, hope this largesse lasts forever.

There are many others besides lawyers: consultants who attach themselves to aboriginal causes; contractors who build and rebuild free houses on reserves; entire universities that utter not a critical word about this corruption  all want the money to keep flowing.

But what of the great majority of poor aboriginal people who are living on reserves and in cities  how do they benefit from this mountain of money?

The answer is that they dont. If you are on welfare, paying no income tax is of little value. If your children dont make it through school, free university education is irrelevant. If you are caught in the welfare trap, none of this helps you. Health entitlements, such as free antibiotics, dont spare you from belonging to what is by far the unhealthiest demographic in the country.

The stark reality is that these are the very people who need the help and they are not getting it. Education and job training are desperately needed to help these people escape from their state of dependency by entering the workforce. Many other Canadians who are not aboriginal also fall into this category. But sufficient money is not there to help them because it is being siphoned off by people who are financially secure.

The aboriginal leaders and their cohorts resist any attempt to focus government assistance on the people at the bottom. They rely on the myth that all aboriginal people need special help. It is not true. A disproportionate amount of aboriginal people need special assistance, but the growing aboriginal middle class does not.

 Brian Giesbrecht was a provincial court judge from 1976 until 2007. He is retired. His column was recently published by the Winnipeg Free Press.
Irish food companies need to quickly move beyond their reliance on the UK if they are to survive a Brexit worst-case scenario, a parliamentary watchdog has found.

Agricultural businesses and the fishing industry are in "a position of extreme exposure to trade losses" over Britains decision to pull out of the EU, the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine said.

In its report on the impact of the UKs in/out referendum on Irelands food industry, the committee said 40% of food exports to the UK as well as a third of Irelands fishing catch is under threat.

Mushroom and beef businesses are particularly at risk.

Pat Deering, committee chairman, said firms need to look beyond the UK for exports and consider developing new products for new markets as trading with our nearest neighbour could become much more difficult.

"Uncertainty has led to the weakening of sterling, which is putting serious pressure on prices and exports," he added.

"We are recommending that while our close proximity to the UK remains valuable, Ireland must diversify; finding new export markets for existing products and developing new products to substitute for loss of market share in the UK."

The committee, which held a number of hearings before compiling the report, also said any negotiated deal between the UK and the EU should "neither reward nor punish the UK" for its decision in the referendum.

Any divorce deal should be "nuanced", it argues, so as not to embolden eurosceptics in other countries who would use a lenient or overly onerous deal to pursue their own cause.
Gardai are investigating an armed robbery in Dublin yesterday.

It happened at a pharmacy on Griffeen Road in Lucan shortly after midday.

A man entered the premises armed with what is believed to be a firearm, and threatened staff before escaping with a sum of money.

No arrests have been made.

Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
Gardai investigating the violent death of elderly farmer Paddy Lyons were searching a house in Clonmel today as part of the murder inquiry, writes Conor Kane of the Irish Examiner.

About 10 officers were involved in the technical examination of the house on the Waterford Road in Clonmel, after members cordoned off the area on Monday night.

A 20-year-old man, understood to be from the Clonmel area, was arrested on Monday afternoon in connection with the death of Mr Lyons and questioned on Monday night and throughout Tuesday in relation to the matter.

Single man Paddy Lyons (aged 90) was found slumped in a chair at his farmhouse near the village of Ballysaggart, about 10 kilometres from Lismore in west Waterford, at 5pm on Saturday evening.

It is believed he may have suffered violent injuries on Friday night and was pronounced dead at the scene on Saturday after emergency services were called to his home.

The alarm was raised by a couple who arrived at the remote house and then contacted a neighbour who was also Mr Lyonss home help and in turn contacted the gardai.

Gardai made an appeal on Monday afternoon for the couple to come forward and they did so later that day. They have since been eliminated from inquiries.

Superintendent Michael Leacy confirmed that the death of Paddy Lyons was being treated as murder, following an autopsy carried out by assistant state pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster at University Hospital Waterford.

Members of the garda technical bureau have been continuing to conduct an examination at the house.

The man arrested on Monday has been held at Dungarvan garda station under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
The Government is being today urged to provide better treatment for the estimated 300,000 Irish people with rare diseases.

Around 6,000 such diseases exist worldwide, many of which are genetic.

Today's interim report for the National Rare Disease Plan reveals that the State spent nearly 1.7m of projects for people with rare diseases last year.

While campaigners have welcomed the progress, they say there is little or no focus on genetics in the plan.

Philip Watt, chairperson of the Medical Research Charities Group, said that the Government needs to reduce the consultant waiting lists and provide better access to drugs.

Philip Watt

"There's some new innovative medicines becoming available to people with rare diseases, but unfortunately they come at quite a high cost, because the drug company has only a few people from which they can recoup their costs," he said.

"So we really are calling on the Government for these life-changing drugs to be approved and to give people with rare diseases a fair chance."
Senior ministers including Leo Varadkar have led warm tributes to Peter Mathews, the former Fine Gael turned Independent TD, who has died after battling cancer, aged 65, writes Daniel McConnell, Political Editor.

Mr Mathews, a banker by profession, emerged as an expert during the financial crisis and was a surprise addition to the Fine Gael ticket in Dublin South for the 2011 General Election.

This morning, Minister Varadkar said he was very sorry to hear about passing of Peter Mathews.

Ireland has lost one of its true gentlemen, he said.

Based in Mount Merrion, Mr Mathews was one of a number of Fine Gael TDs who lost the whip in 2013 in a row over the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.

He famously waved his rosary beads in a meeting of the Fine Gael party before his exit from the party.

He joined the other Fine Gael departees like Denis Naughten, Lucinda Creighton and Billy Timmins who formed the Reform Alliance.

Mr Mathews decided against joining Renua and chose to serve out the remainder of the last term as an independent.

His decision to stand on his own turned out to be a costly one in terms of his chances of retaining his seat, given the significant redrawing of the constituency boundaries.

In the election, one year ago, Mr Mathews secured 2,021 first preference votes.

Shortly after the election, Mr Mathews began a fresh battle against cancer.

It has been confirmed that he passed away in St James Hospital this morning.

Mr Mathews is survived by his wife Susan, four children and wide circle of relatives and friends.

Other tributes came from across the political spectrum.

Left wing politician Joan Collins said: Peter Mathews and I did not agree on very much politically. Which made for great car journeys to Ballyhea. RIP Peter.

Fine Gael Senator from Stillorgan, Neale Richmond stated: Saddened to hear of the passing of former Dublin South TD, Peter Mathews; an absolute gentleman. Thoughts & prayers with Susan and the kids.

Brian Hayes, the Fine Gael MEP said he was so sorry to hear of Peter Mathews passing - a real gentleman who will be sadly missed.

Local Fianna Fail senator Gerry Horkan said he was very sad to hear of the death of Peter Mathews,former TD for Dublin South, deepest sympathies to his wife Susan, his four children & friends.

While Josepha Madigan TD for Dublin Rathdown said she was very sad to hear this news this morning.

Thoughts with his wife and family. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis, she said on Twitter.
Police have searched dozens of sites in Germany linked to a mosque that was frequented by Berlin market attacker Anis Amri, after authorities banned the Islamic group that operated the prayer house.

Some 450 officers raided 24 locations in Berlin, the neighbouring state of Brandenburg and Hamburg in northern Germany, starting at 6am local time (5am Irish Time).

In addition to the mosque itself, they searched 15 apartments, two company offices and six prison cells. No arrests were made.

Senior security officials said authorities had been watching the mosque for some time because of concern that it had become a meeting point for Islamic extremists.

An attempt to ban the organisation behind it, known as Fussilet 33, was aborted last summer.

That decision was heavily criticised months later when it transpired that Amri had visited the mosque only an hour before driving a truck into a crowded Christmas market on December 19, killing 12 people and injuring dozens more.

Amri, a 24-year-old Tunisian citizen, was shot dead by police in Italy four days after the attack.

Berlin's top security official said authorities had seized funds belonging to Fussilet 33, shut down its website and imposed a blanket ban to prevent the organisation from establishing itself under a different name or location.

"It was necessary to ban the organisation and all successor organisations to stop it once and for all," Andreas Geisel told reporters.

"People who preach hate have no place in this city."

Mr Geisel said several prominent members of Fussilet 33 had been arrested in the past on suspicion of supporting extremist organisations such as Islamic State and Jund al-Sham.

Documents and electronic devices seized during Tuesday's raids were being examined to see whether members of the organisation knew of Amri's plans, he said.

"We currently have no indications that any further concrete attacks are planned in Berlin," said Mr Geisel.

AP
A four-month-old Iranian girl with a rare heart condition who was affected by President Donald Trump's travel ban is "out of the woods" and making good progress after life-saving surgery, doctors have said.

Fatemeh Reshad and her parents' plans to enter the US with a travel visa for her surgery were cancelled last month after Mr Trump issued his executive order on immigration and refugees from seven predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran.

The girl and her parents arrived in Portland, Oregon, the home of some of their relatives, a few days later after being granted a waiver the same day the ban was temporarily blocked by a federal judge.

Doctors at Oregon Health Sciences University's Doernbecher Children's Hospital have expertise in Fatemeh's condition.

She underwent surgery on February 17, a procedure her physicians say was more complicated given that it is typically performed within days or weeks, rather than months, after birth.

The family's delayed arrival to the US would not have necessarily been enough time to affect her condition, the girl's doctors said during a news conference.

"Her heart function looks beautiful," said Dr Laurie Armsby, associate professor and interim head of the hospital's Division of Paediatric Cardiology.

"We're really pleased with how the surgery went and have a very strong sense at this point that she's going to recover fully and go on to lead a happy and healthy life."

Fatemeh underwent a series of diagnostic studies since being admitted to the hospital on February 7 in preparation for her surgery. She remains in intensive care and it is unclear how long her recovery will take.

The physicians declined to give further details of the girl's procedure and current condition, at the request of her parents.

Previous statements by hospital officials estimated a five to six-hour surgical procedure performed by Irving Shen, a nationally respected expert on Fatemeh's condition, and pegged her post-surgery stay at three weeks.

Fatemeh's uncle, Samad Taghizadeh, a US citizen who lives in Portland, stood alongside the girl's doctors, thanking senator Jeff Merkley, New York governor Andrew Cuomo and immigration lawyers for being instrumental in getting the waiver.

"In the beginning, I didn't have any hope for my family coming here," he said. "But I tried, and I was surprised how the people in the US have helped."
The owners and staff at a Tunisian hotel where 30 British tourists were brutally killed by an Islamic extremist could have done nothing before the attack that would have done more than "possibly make a difference", a coroner said.

Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith said he could not include "neglect" by holiday firm TUI or the owners of the five-star Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel when ruling on the deaths of the British victims of Seifeddine Rezgui.

Rezgui opened fire on the beach and grounds of the Sousse hotel in June 2015, but the judge, sitting as coroner at the victims' inquest, said the law regarding neglect did not cover tourists on holiday.

The lawyers for more than 20 of Rezgui's victims had wanted this included after the lengthy inquest heard evidence from survivors that they were not warned of the danger of holidaying in Tunisia before they left.

BREAKING NEWS:

Tunisia beach attack inquests - Coroner said police response was at best "shambolic" at worst "cowardly" pic.twitter.com/pgpOFOJUMU  Victoria Derbyshire (@VictoriaLIVE) February 28, 2017

The inquests also heard the hotel had just a handful of unarmed guards, while "cowardly" local police delayed their arrival to tackle Rezgui, who killed 38 people in total.

Giving his reasons for rejecting a neglect ruling, Judge Loraine-Smith said there were a lot of "what ifs" around the case, and better hotel security may simply have meant more people died on the beach.

As the packed courtroom watched in silence he said the only factor that may have made a material difference was if the hotel had armed guards.

But Judge Loraine-Smith said: "Having reviewed the legal advice on gun law in Tunisia, it's clear this was not a realistic option."

He added: "The simple but tragic truth in this case is that a gunman armed with a gun and grenades went to that hotel intending to kill as many tourists as he could."

Judge Loraine-Smith added the local police "most certainly" were responsible for tourist security, and said: "Their response could and should have been effective."

He added: "The response by the police was at best shambolic, at worst cowardly."

The judge pointed out that there were customers who believed they had been "reassured" about safety.

Tunisia beach attack inquest: Olivia was on the beach that day, here she responds to the coroner's verdict pic.twitter.com/hsjFDaE5O8  Victoria Derbyshire (@VictoriaLIVE) February 28, 2017

The inquest had heard from a holidaymaker who said his wife raised the March 2015 attack at the Bardo Museum in Tunis with a travel agent, and said they had been told it was a "one-off" and the destination was "100% safe".

A Thomson travel agent told the inquest she did not give a safety guarantee to the couple, and that she would not say somewhere is completely safe.

Judge Loraine-Smith said there were customers who would not have gone to Tunisia if they had seen the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice.

"Even prior to the attack on the Bardo Museum the advice was that there was a high threat of terror," he said, adding that the advice pointed out that attacks could be "indiscriminate".
Grieving relatives of British tourists killed in the 2015 Tunisia terror attack are preparing to sue travel firm TUI over the deaths of their loved ones at the hands of an Islamic extremist.

Lawyers said they planned civil proceedings against the tour operator after the coroner conducting the inquests of the 30 Britons murdered on the Mediterranean coast in Sousse ruled they were unlawfully killed.

However, Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith ruled against a finding of "neglect" by Thomson owner TUI, or the owners of the Riu Imperial Marhaba where radicalised mass-killer Seifeddine Rezgui slaughtered a total of 38 people, including three Irish citizens.

The families of the dead, many of whom wept as the inquests conclusions were read out on Tuesday, were highly critical of security at the hotel, which only had a handful of unarmed guards on duty when Rezgui struck, armed with an AK-47 assault rifle and home-made grenades.

They also believed that TUI did not do enough to warn holidaymakers before they booked about the dangers in Tunisia, which had suffered a fatal terrorist attack in the capital Tunis just three months earlier.

This included making them aware of official Foreign Office travel advice which warned of a high threat of terrorism.

Kylie Hutchison, from law firm Irwin Mitchell, which represents 22 victims families, said they had heard "shocking evidence about the level of security precautions at the Imperial Marhaba Hotel at the time of the terrorist attack".

Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice after the inquests finished, she said: "It is now crucial that the whole travel industry learns from what happened in Sousse to reduce the risk of similar catastrophic incidents in the future.

"On behalf of our clients who lost members of their family and those who suffered injuries in this terrible incident, we will now be preparing to commence civil proceedings against TUI."

The inquest had heard from a holidaymaker who said his wife raised the March 2015 attack at the Bardo Museum in Tunis with a travel agent, and said they had been told it was a "one-off" and that Sousse was "100% safe".

A Thomson travel agent previously told the inquest she did not give a safety guarantee to the couple, and that she would not say somewhere is completely safe.

Rezgui, who had been radicalised just 18 months before the June 26 attack, killed holidaymakers on the hotels private beach before walking through an unlocked gate into the grounds and the main building to continue the slaughter.

Earlier Judge Loraine-Smith said that the law limited the circumstances in which he could rule "neglect" played a part in a death, which applied only in cases were someone had a duty of care towards someone because of their "youth, age, illness or incarceration".

He added: "That does not cover, it seems to me, tourists who have voluntarily agreed to go on holiday abroad."

The judge said although in general the response of the hotel staff was "disorganised and chaotic" some displayed "conspicuous personal courage" in their efforts to protect the guests.

He added: "The simple but tragic truth in this case is that a gunman armed with a gun and grenades went to that hotel intending to kill as many tourists as he could."

Summing up the evidence heard during the inquest, Judge Loraine-Smith referred to the response of police and military, who were criticised for deliberately stalling their arrival to avoid tackling Rezgui.

He said the local police "most certainly" were responsible for tourist security, and said: "Their response could and should have been effective."

He added: "The response by the police was at best shambolic, at worst cowardly."

Nick Longman, the managing director of TUI UK, said the attack had "shocked and devastated all of us".

Speaking to reporters outside court he said: "We are so very sorry for the pain and loss those affected have suffered.

"On that day the world changed. As an industry we have adapted and we will need to continue to do so.

"This terrorist incident has left its mark on all of us and its impact will always be remembered."
A Birtish police officer has been acquitted of raping a 17-year-old girl while he was on duty.

Declan Gabriel was also cleared of two counts of sexual assault relating to the teenager, who had claimed she was attacked in his patrol car.
New Mexico's burgeoning craft beer industry appears capable of infinite growth. Here in Albuquerque, new breweries and tap rooms continue to materialize like bubbles in a beer glass and year after year those breweries with a consistent, quality product find a place in a market that never seems close to its saturation point. According to Brewer's Association statistics, New Mexico is currently 11th among states ranked by number of breweries per 100,000 21+ adults, with 3.1 craft breweries for every 100,000 of-age New Mexicans (Vermont tops this 2016 Brewer's Association list with 9.4 breweries per 100,000). Clearly, craft beer has captured the hearts and wallets of New Mexicans to a degree only dreamt of by the state's wineries and distilleries, even spawning a beer-tourism industry  wait, distilleries? Wine, sure. New Mexico has a rich history of wine-making stretching from the days of the Spanish conquest to the presentworld-famous Gruet sparkling wines are produced in Albuquerquebut whiskey and vodka aren't products that one readily associates with the Land of Enchantment. In point of fact, New Mexico is home to one of the very best American single-malt whiskeys on the market.

Produced by Santa Fe Spirits, a small distillery that also makes gin, vodka and brandy, Colkegan Single-Malt Whiskey made just about every top five list of American single-malt whiskeys last year. Santa Fe Spirits' Colkegan is something special to emerge out of New Mexico's small craft-distilling industry and like Marble and La Cumbre once did for local craft-breweries, Santa Fe Spirits has set a high bar for the half-dozen fellow and future craft distilleries in the state.

Scotch is from Scotland, Bourbon is from Kentucky, Tennessee Whiskey is  well, you get the point. American single-malt whiskey is an increasingly popular new category of whiskey that, like single-malt scotch, is produced from one batch of grain, fermented and distilled, aged and bottled. Most American whiskey is blended whiskey, produced (in great volume) by combining multiple casks of whiskey from multiple distillation processes. American single-malts tend to be less complex in flavor than their Scottish brethren and far smoother and more delicate than traditional American whiskeys. I should point out one thing all single-malts have in common: a price point starting at 40.00 (Colkegan retails for around 53.00).

I was afforded two different bottles of Colkegan to taste. One was from Kokoman Fine Wine and Liquors in Pojaque, NM, the other came from Jubilation Wine and Spirits in Albuquerque. Both establishments had elected to sample and taste from the various barrels single batches of Colkegan whiskey is aged in, then select a particular barrel and decideby tastingwhen its contents were sufficiently mature for bottling under their own imprimatur, Kokomon #87 and Jubilation #226. Bottles of Colkegan on the shelves of most stores are going to consist of a single batch of whiskey blended back together after being aged in about 15 barrels, most of which are always used charred American-oak casks and a smaller number of which are always new charred American-oak casks. Because new barrels impart a heavier, smokier flavorBourbon is aged in new barrelsthan used barrels, it's fair to say the smooth-as-silk whiskey in each bottle came from used barrels and is representative of the Colkegan any consumer might purchase. Adam Vincent of Santa Fe Spirits more or less backed up this assumption, though we didn't dive into the distillery's barrel notes and bottle histories which I imagine in bound form and occupying great heights of handmade bookcases. Just to summarize, every bottle of Colkegan contains whiskey made from a single batch of malted and smoked barley which is then aged in used and new barrels, the contents of which are reunited for bottling after three to four years.

Scotch is generally aged at least ten years; according to Santa Fe Spirits, Colkegan will never be aged more than five years. Besides mesquite smoke, the main native New Mexican ingredient in Colkegan is altitude. At 7,000 feet above sea level, whiskey mellows more quickly and develops its distinct flavors in a different manner than it would otherwise. Low humidity means the barrels don't swell as much, which exposes the whiskey to more air over a shorter period. The barrels are subject to the same variety of seasons New Mexicans know so well and the region's extreme cold and warmth contribute to the whiskey's maturation. Interestingly, the angel's share, the whiskey that evaporates over time during the aging process, is so great as to limit the maximum age of the Colkegan. After 4 years, the angel's share of Colkegan can be as high as half the contents of a single barrel! The coolest thing I may ever say about a whiskey is that Northern New Mexico's weather and altitude make for a uniquely aged single-malt that can't be replicated in Kentucky or Scotland. Or Ireland, for that matter.

And Ireland, my friends, is what the taste of Colkegan brings to mind. With a more straightforward and less smokey flavor and mouth feel than scotch and lacking the harsher, tannic pow, of American whiskeys, Colkegan immediately reminded this drinker of Irish single-malt whiskey. Both Kokomon and Jubilation have a sweetness in the aftertaste , with Kokomon #87 being slightly more vanilla in flavor and reminiscent of the black labeled Bushmills, while Jubilation's #226 has slightly more complex flavors comparable to the least smokey of single-malt scotches, Bruichladdich. The mesquite smoke really does contribute to a heavier, pelt-like mouth-feel that sustains the gilded sweetness of this wonderful New Mexican whiskey without any of the saltiness that many associate with the words single-malt (i.e. scotch). Each sip of this airy new-world whiskey introduces some slight peppery flavors that finish nicely with its overall sweet character and on the whole put Colkegan on par with the finest whiskeys I have tried. Colkegan borrows from other single-malt traditions, but in style and character this New Mexico whiskey helps carve out a niche for for the fledgling category of American single-malts, something Santa Fe Spirits and New Mexico should be proud of.


Fluffy asbestos in the roof space above Edgar's Inn at the Ainslie shops looks to have spread to the roofs of neighbouring businesses, an ACT government official revealed on Tuesday.

Work Safety Commissioner Greg Jones said it appeared the Fluffy asbestos might have migrated to at least the neighbouring block, and testing was now being extended further along the street.

The Ainslie shops, showing Edgar's Inn on the corner, where loose asbestos is in the ceiling above the first-floor flat, and the neighbouring buildings, at least some of which are believed to be affected. Credit:Kirsten Lawson

The news puts a question mark over the future of the heritage listing row of buildings, with Mr Jones saying decisions about cleaning or demolition would be made after asbestos assessors Robsons had finished their report next week.

"There's certainly potential short or medium-term remediation possible with appropriate cleaning by a qualified hygienist and asbestos management plans," he said, speaking at a parliamentary hearing. "But as a long-term situation, if there's loose-fill asbestos in a building, then demolition is the only long-term solution."
Can you name the first eight Australian prime ministers? Do you know anything about what they did or what they stood for? What their wives did behind the scenes, or indeed what their wives' names even were?

When artist Alison Alder began the research for her contemporary exhibition onetoeight: Australia's First Prime Ministers she didn't know too much about the men who populated the halls of parliament, moving from Melbourne to Canberra's (now) Old Parliament House in 1927.

Alison Alder's exhibition onetoeight: Australia's First Prime Ministers looks at the men, and women, behind the politics. Credit:karleen minney

Now her reimaginings of those eight men hang in a room, near the prime minister's suite, in the corners of the House, in the Museum of Australian Democracy.

Alder, who is well known for her political poster making, developed the exhibition during a fellowship with the now defunct Australian Prime Ministers Centre.
The Catholic Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn has promised a "listening tour" to meet victims of child sexual abuse and their families as part of a healing mission in the lead-up to Easter.

In his lenten message, Christopher Prowse again apologised and condemned past crimes.

Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra-Goulburn Archbishop Christopher Prowse. Credit:Royal commission

Archbishop Prowse also acknowledged his own failings and pledged to focus on the care of victims and prevention of further abuse.

His message referred to Royal Commission revelations that since 1950 in the Archdiocese there were 43 complaints against 16 priests and 36 against 21 lay people.
A young woman is on a mission to find the heroes who tried to save her grandma's life.

Kacey Butterworth's grandma, Kate, was shopping in Mogo, NSW, when she fell and hit her head on the ground.

Kacey Butterworth (right) is on a mission to find the strangers who helped her grandma Kate (left) after she fell and hit her head. Credit:Kacey Butterworth

Mrs Butterworth, from Canberra, said two strangers valiantly rushed to help the 77-year-old Tuross Head resident before she was flown to Canberra Hospital, where she later died.

"On Saturday, February 18, my mum and my grandma were out having an afternoon shopping in Mogo, NSW, when my grandma had an accident and fell," the 23-year-old said.
The uncle of murdered Canberra woman Tara Costigan is setting up a national association to fix a fragmented approach to tackling domestic violence.

Mr Costigan said the association will consist of members from across the domestic violence sector in Australia.

Michael Costigan wants to set up a national body aimed at tackling family violence. Credit:Karleen Minney

"This is not something we want to do, it is something we are doing," he said at the National Family Violence Summit on Tuesday.

"We have our first meeting with several representatives tonight."
You don't have to actually work for Rupert Murdoch to make a fortune. Just ask News Corp's exiting chief financial officer, Bedi Singh.

He will make $US10 million ($13 million) over the next three years from drawing his base salary and bonuses despite walking out the door for the last time this Wednesday.

Maybe people should have paid a little more attention when the media group announced last week that Singh will be "departing" with so little notice "to pursue new opportunities".

These are terms used all too often when executives are being swept out the door. Not that Murdoch was sparing in his kind words for Singh.
Five hundred students moved into Urbannest's newest project, Darling Square in Sydney, this week as the academic year got underway.

The 500-bedroom, 20-storey tower is on a site on the edge of Lendlease's Darling Harbour urban regeneration precinct, close to the University of Technology Sydney and about a kilometre from the University of Sydney.

Whitley student accommodation in Melbourne. Credit:Nick Lenaghan

Booming numbers of international students coming to Australia to study are underpinning developer enthusiasm for the accommodation projects needed to house them.

While prospective "bedspace" numbers are ramping up fast in the next couple of years, local players reckon there still won't be enough to meet student needs.
A former Qatari ruler's death has thrown a $135 million takeover bid for Millers and Rivers owner Speciality Fashion Group into doubt.

Despite the company reporting a 37 per cent rise in half-year profit, shares in Specialty Fashion tumbled after it said it was unclear if investment company Al Alfia, which is controlled by the Qatari royal family, can now fund its planned acquisition.

Specialty Fashion says it is unclear whether Al Alfia, which holds and manages substantial investment assets, can fund the acquisition at the moment after the death of the sole shareholder's father. Credit:Ken Irwin

That is due to the death in October of the sole shareholder's father, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani, who was Qatari ruler from 1972 to 1995.

"Due to the unforeseen circumstances relating to the death of the father of the sole shareholder of Al Alfia, the funding has been temporarily restricted in probate," Specialty Fashion said in a statement.
Lucy Vance is among University of Wollongong students being repaid by restaurants and cafes after they were each short-changed hundreds to thousands of dollars in wages.

Initially nervous about speaking out, she now believes it was necessary to confront the rampant exploitation of students in the university city.

On Tuesday, she received about $600 in her bank account after Fairfax Media highlighted her case and many others involving restaurants and cafes in Wollongong.

"It's obviously a nice start to uni. I can buy a few textbooks now," she said.
ACT chief minister Andrew Barr has effectively handed the cream of Australia's $28 billion a year conventions market to interstate rivals for the forseeable future by saying Canberra's long awaited "Australian Forum" won't go ahead unless the Federal Government chips in big dollars.

That just isn't going to happen given the $8 million intended to come up with an investment ready proposal was pulled from the Territory budget early in February.

There is no way the Federal Government would, or could, consider such a proposal in the absence of a rigorous business case.

Initial estimates on the likely cost of the current proposal, for an "Australian Forum", jointly designed by Parliament House architects Guida Moseley Brown and Italy's Masimiliano Fuksas, came in at around $433 million.
For some it's the symbol of gay and lesbian progress and the fight for equality, but for Liberal culture warrior Eric Abetz it's the flag of a hostile nation that has declared war on Australia.

Bureaucrats from the Department of Finance were baffled when the former minister used Senate estimates hearings on Tuesday to ask what protocols exist for the flying of flags inside government buildings.

He said a staff member of the department had reported that a rainbow flag, associated with the LGBTIQ community and the fight for same-sex marriage, had been displayed in the Finance foyer.

Senator Abetz told department officials and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann the flag's presence and political nature might upset some staff members. He proposed a group opposed to same-sex marriage should have similar rights.
An inquiry established by the Turnbull government in response to an internal push to reform race hate laws has stopped short of backing any major change, a result that could be a blow for the Coalition's diehard free-speech advocates.

The parliamentary inquiry, convened in response to sustained backbench agitation to water down section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, instead suggested a raft of changes to the Human Rights Commission and its complaints handling process. While the committee floated a handful of ideas for amendments to the contentious provision, it stopped short of making any formal recommendations for change.

The failure to back a single legislative proposal  the result of widespread disagreement inside the committee  has received mixed responses from MPs and activists pushing for the weakening of 18C, which makes it unlawful to "offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate" on the basis of someone's race.

The outcome leaves Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with an unclear path forward. Without the cover of a firm recommendation from the committee, cabinet will now need to decide whether to avoid major change or bow to pressure from inside the Coalition party room for more substantive change. When he announced the inquiry in November, Mr Turnbull said it would be about "consensus-building" and "getting the balance right between a successful multicultural society and the freedom of speech that is fundamental to our democracy".
Nationals firebrand George Christensen will resign from the job of parliamentary whip, saying his "constant outspokenness" meant the position was untenable.

But the frequent and vocal critic of the Turnbull government, said the move was not a sign he could quit the Coalition. It will also mean his pay is cut from $225,000 a year to $199,000 a year, a $26,000 salary cut.

His resignation as whip comes as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull warned his colleagues that "disunity is death", telling them it was their duty to stick together after last week's outburst by predecessor Tony Abbott sparked a wave of discontent and introspection.

"We have a duty to Australia and to our constituents to stick together, to be united," he told a meeting of Liberal and National MPs.
Outgoing Australia Post managing director Ahmed Fahour has lashed out at One Nation leader Pauline Hanson for her "ill-informed" and "hurtful" comments about his Islamic faith at his final appearance before Senate estimates hearings.

Mr Fahour and Australia Post chairman John Stanhope fielded many questions on Tuesday about Mr Fahour's controversial $5.6 million salary and why Australia Post tried to keep it secret.

Senator Hanson was one of the loudest critics of Mr Fahour's salary and reacted gleefully to his announcement last week that he would resign, saying the news was "fantastic".

"I'm still on the floor of Parliament, you're unemployed, let's hope you're not going to get in the queues for employment," she said in a Facebook message.
When was the last time you thought about wearing a bum bag? Here's a suggestion, it might have been on a family visit to Disney Land when you paired it with a Disney Land tee that you begged your parents for that you tucked into printed bikeshorts, worked back with socks with frills on them and a whole lot of frosted lipgloss circa 1995.

Well, the humble bum bag (fanny pack for our American friends, yes it's still funny) might soon be back in rotation for your grownup wardrobe, and not even just for when you're being a tourist and enjoying the sartorial freedom that comes with being somewhere that nobody knows you.

Caro Daur, left, with her DIY bum bag. Credit:Melodie Jeng

While the bum bag made a return to high fashion last year, popping up at Alexander Wang and Chanel couture, it's now made its way to the street. By street we mean to street-style stars, so that means it's definitely on its way down to us regulars soon.

The evidence for this comes from Caro Daur, a student and fashion blogger who was snapped at Milan Fashion Week with a DIY bum bag. That is, she'd looped her leopard print bag (which worked back well with her all-neutrals ensemble, BTW) around her waist.
Can a cashmere sweater make the world a better place?

Probably not, but a US e-tailer is hoping its version will open people's eyes to the exploitation and massive mark-ups that happen across the industry.

Meet Everlane, the company making $130 cashmere sweaters without the guilt. Credit:Instagram/Everlane

You may not have heard of Everlane but it's probably time you did. Its principles of "hyper-transparency", fair pricing and timeless staples are part of a broader movement changing the fashion industry one step at a time.

Its chief executive and founder, Michael Preysman, believes in only launching products, not collections, like its cashmere jumper, which sells for $US100 ($130).
Canberra-based public servants are doing their work in a McDonald's fast food outlet in Armidale because there is nowhere else for them to work in the northern NSW town where they are being forced to relocate.

The national pesticides authority boss told a Senate Estimates hearing on Tuesday that she and her colleagues were using the restaurant's free wi-fi to work because they had no base in Armidale and that she was having a tough time convincing its public servants to move from Canberra to northern NSW as ordered by the Coalition government.

Forced relocation: Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority are now trying to recruit regulatory scientists from overseas in an effort to continue its work after the forced relocation to Armidale, in the heart of Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce's electorate.

It was also revealed on Tuesday at a Senate Estimates hearing that a new office block will have to be built in the northern NSW town to accommodate the agency with none of the town's existing buildings suitable.
Government efforts to crack down on welfare have fallen hundreds of millions of dollars short of their targets, the National Audit Office has found.

The new report shows a shortfall of $270 million on a target of $790 million from headline "compliance" efforts, announced by both Labor and Coalition governments since the 2012.

Centrelink is under fire for letters using the AFP logo. Credit:Erin Jonasson

The audit, published on Tuesday found senior bureaucrats at the departments of Human Services and Social Services failed to honour commitments to keep their political bosses and other departments in the picture about how the compliance projects were tracking.

But Human Services, centrelink's parent department, has flatly rejected the criticism, saying it had delivered savings of $998 million from the seven measures against a target of of $788 million, putting it ahead by $210 million
Lobbying by former Liberal leader Kerry Chikarovski helped the owner of a lease on RailCorp land at Leichhardt secure a 20-year extension, which has inadvertently complicated plans for the WestConnex motorway.

Leichhardt has emerged as the latest battleground over WestConnex, with the motorway's proponents suggesting two unpopular sites for a tunnelling base in the inner-west suburb.

One site is adjacent to the Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus.

The alternative site is at 7 Darley Road, where Woolworths has recently developed a Dan Murphy's bottle shop.
Mike Baird has defended the haste with which he accepted a job in the corporate sector after resigning as NSW premier, challenging others to follow his example and offer their services to state and country.

Mr Baird accepted a job with the National Australia Bank as chief customer officer in the corporate and institutional banking unit less than six weeks after he announced his resignation as premier to spend time with family members who were unwell.

He signed the employment contract on Tuesday morning after seeking advice from the parliamentary ethics advisor on Friday and getting the all clear.

"They just patted me on the back and said, 'see you later, mate'," Mr Baird said.
A Brisbane City Council motion calling for tougher penalties for people who assaulted its bus drivers descended into farce on Tuesday after the wording initially targeted the bus drivers themselves.

Deputy mayor Adrian Schrinner interrupted question time at City Hall to move an urgency motion that the council, among other things, "supports increased penalties for bus drivers assaulted in the line of duty".

The council farce was all too much for one council bus driver, sitting in uniform in the public gallery. Credit:Chris Hyde

Greens councillor Jonathan Sri (The Gabba), who did not support the intent of the motion, spotted the mistake after the original motion had been debated at some length.

"I didn't want to interrupt, but since the moment arose, I just wanted to note that the wording of the motion before us might need to be reconsidered," he said, raising a point of order.
A review has been launched into Queensland ministers' use of private email accounts, following revelations an unofficial account had been deleted.

The Australian revealed that Energy Minister Mark Bailey deleted a private Yahoo email account following reports he was contacted by the Electrical Trades Union over the merger of Energy Super and Victoria's Equip Super.

An application by the News Corp-owned publication for the release of correspondence under Right to Information laws was rejected on the grounds the minister's email account was "closed".

Ms Palaszczuk said if the law dictated that Mr Bailey retrieve his deleted account, then he must do it.
Influencers must ensure any paid content is marked and cannot "camouflage the fact that it is advertising". The practice of businesses working with influencers has come under increasing scrutiny, with Media Watch investigating influencers such as chef Matt Moran, who was paid to send tweets recommending Kangaroo Island and failed to disclose the payment. More recently author and entrepreneur Zoe Foster Blake was criticised for posting a photo to Instagram of her fridge filled with YouFoodz products that she received for free. Foster Blake captioned her post "this isn't sponsored by the way. Just a recommendation".

Under the revised guidelines if a business arranges with an influencer to post content on social media and "retains control over the content" the AANA advises it should be marked with "#ad or similar wording". Influencer marketing has come of age as a more legitimate and predictable marketing channel. Jules Lund However if a business sends free products to an influencer without any stipulations that they post about them on social media and the business has "no control" over any statements the influencer may make, then the post is not considered to be advertising or marketing communication. A huge step forward Former television and radio star Jules Lund is one of the founders of the app Tribe, which matches influencers with businesses.

Influencers with between 3000 and 20,000 followers can receive up to $300 a post while those with 500,000 followers can charge more than $1200 for a post. He describes the AANA guidelines as "a huge step forward for the industry here in Australia". However Lund says Tribe will not need to change anything on its platform as it already "strongly advises" influencers to disclose payment. "Influencer marketing has come of age as a more legitimate and predictable marketing channel," Lund says. "Ironically I think even though influencer marketing 1.0 was full of Top Gear celebrities selling teeth whitening and protein balls, influencer marketing 2.0 is potentially one of the most honest forms of marketing we've seen in history. It's about everyday consumers recommending the brands they use and love." Lund says audiences appreciate honesty when it comes to payment.

"This is not Alan Jones and John Laws cash for comment on radio," he says. "The audience for those situations found it difficult to distinguish between sponsored and non-sponsored content. In social media the audiences are savvy and there is a greater understanding that it's part of that industry and there's a greater acceptance. To go one step further and add in your caption #ad I think only attracts greater respect." Acting with integrity Harrison says the guidelines won't be changing the way she works. "I think if you are being paid to represent a brand which you would not have otherwise used yourself personally then it needs to be disclosed," she says. But Harrison says the majority of the content she creates for Little Miss Melbourne is not paid.
A builder who burnt down a South Melbourne pub part-owned by former Collingwood star Dane Swan has been jailed for at least 2 years.

Andrew McMahon, 48, was in charge of renovating the Albion Hotel when he lit a fire on the pub's ground floor on October 5, 2015, because he couldn't meet a renovation deadline.

A previous court hearing was told the blaze had destroyed the hotel and damaged neighbouring buildings, causing more than $5 million in damage.

On Tuesday, County Court judge John Jordan jailed McMahon for five years, saying he must serve two years and six months before he is eligible for parole.
A man who blackmailed children into sending him sexual videos of themselves was grooming his next victim when he walked free from court after being convicted for having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl.

Fabian Meharry, 28, is facing time in prison after pleading guilty over 62 child sexual crimes against 22 victims between 2006 and 2015.

The judge called Fabian Meharry a "monster of depravity" and jailed him for 12 years.

His victims were aged between 11 and 17 years and are understood to be from all across Australia.

In the County Court in Melbourne on Tuesday, Judge Elizabeth Gaynor likened his crimes to creating a personal "internet teen harem" of young, immature girls.
Lord mayor Robert Doyle says loud and "threatening" protests outside his home in the middle of the night are unacceptable.

A small group of protesters, who are campaigning against what they see as moves to criminalise homelessness by Melbourne City Council, held up banners, played instruments and chanted slogans outside Cr Doyle's private home late on Saturday night.

Activists purportedly also plan to "stalk" the lord mayor, raising concerns about his safety. Cr Doyle has spoken to the police about enhancing security arrangements.

"I've been in public life a long time, I know protest is a part of public life. I can handle that," Cr Doyle said at a media conference on Tuesday.
After years of cuts, Victorians with solar panels will see an increase in what they are paid for the energy they feed into the power grid.

State regulator the Essential Services Commission announced the minimum tariff for excess electricity generated by households would more than double from 5 to 11.3 per kilowatt hour.

The rise, which takes effect from July 1, was said to reflect both the rise in wholesale power prices and the environmental and social value of clean energy.

It follows a series of reductions in solar feed-in-tariffs across the country as installation rates dwarfed expectations and the price of panels fell markedly.
Victoria Police's mighty 7.4 tonne Lenco BearCat armoured truck was towed away from the four-hour siege site in St Albans yesterday on the back of a flatbed tow truck.

The problem? A small piece of wire.

A police spokesperson confirmed the armoured vehicle came unstuck when it snagged on a part of the property's fence it was ram-raiding.

"Wire in the fence has hooked onto a transmission fluid line under the vehicle and it's dislodged the line," he said. "Rather than risk damage to the vehicle, they just flatbedded it."
London: A former child migrant has told a British inquiry he was treated like a "lump of meat" by a priest and older boys who repeatedly raped him at a farm school in Western Australia in the 1950s.

The witness before the London-based child sex abuse inquiry said on Monday his life had been made worthless by the abuse and the only thing that kept him going was a promise he made to his mother to find justice for her.

The inquiry heard on Tuesday that the witness, only referred to as A2, had been taken from his mother as a toddler and lived in foster homes in the UK before authorities shipped him to Australia in 1954 at the age of seven.

He was sent to the Fairbridge Society farm school at Pinjarra in WA where years of sexual abuse ensued at the hands of older boys.
London: Islamic State is using drones strapped with grenades "extensively" as it defends its Iraqi and Syrian strongholds, but the spokesman for the global coalition fighting the jihadist group says while the use of drones on the battlefield is insidious, it's no "game-changer."

Speaking to reporters in London, Major General Rupert Jones said IS was on the backfoot both militarily and financially. "We are killing Daesh at a rate they can't sustain," he said, using the global coalition's preferred way of referring to IS.

A member of the Iraqi Special Forces shoots his machine gun against an IS drone in Mosul. Credit:AP

"The international coalition is conducting the most precise, the most deadly, the most carefully nuanced targeting campaign in history I would argue," he said.

"Therefore if you're a fighter in Mosul it's not a lot of fun, you know this is going to end badly for you," he said.
Reports of civilian massacres have emerged in recent weeks as residents from areas previously sealed off by Boko Haram start to stream out. "As more combatants from Boko Haram have been hiding within the civilian population, the line between who is civilian and who is not has been blurred," said Agnes Bjorn, a manager for Plan International, an aid group. "It is, however, the responsibility of the Nigerian army to protect civilians and clearly distinguish between civilians and combatants. Protecting civilians in war is part of international humanitarian law." The Nigerian army has a long record of human rights abuses. In 2013, soldiers burned homes and opened fire in the village of Baga, killing as many as 200 people, survivors said. Civilians have complained for years of arbitrary detentions, torture and killing by soldiers. Worried about such abuses, the US government held up the sale of attack helicopters to the Nigerian military. President Muhammadu Buhari, a former general elected on promises to defeat Boko Haram and stamp out corruption, pledged to clean up the abuses. "We are guided by rules and guided by our transparency of operations," said Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar, the director of defence information for the Nigerian military. He denied that the military was responsible for the massacres, contending that insurgents, "criminal elements" or cult members could be to blame.

Many observers give the president credit for pressing the campaign against Boko Haram and taking steps toward professionalising the military. Soldiers have pushed into forests that have long hidden Boko Haram fighters. New villages have been freed, and major roads have reopened. The army says it has scattered Boko Haram and encouraged many of the nearly two million people in Nigeria who have been uprooted by violence to go back home. "What you find now is a collection of ragtags that are running from pillar to post," Major General Leo Irabor, the commander leading the fight against Boko Haram, said of the militants at a recent news conference. In some areas, soldiers have treated sick residents, helped with food handouts and repaired wells. Here in Borno state, the centre of the battle against Boko Haram, one commander even secured a film projector to host a movie night in a displaced persons camp, screening Tom and Jerry cartoons and movies in two local languages. But allegations of abuse continue. The military has detained children and infants for weeks at a time after their families have escaped or been freed from Boko Haram territory. Huge detention centres have been set up to hold families until civilians with perceived sympathies for Boko Haram can be weeded out. Last month, the Nigerian military mistakenly bombed a displaced persons camp, killing at least 90 civilians.

Humanitarian workers for the United Nations said they had heard repeated complaints from civilians that the military had been evacuating villages and burning them to the ground. On a helicopter flight over the area, the blackened remains of small villages were clear. Inside one enormous camp for displaced persons, on the grounds of an old science-theme high school, several residents said the military ordered them to leave their villages to carry out operations against insurgents. Shortly after they fled, they said, their villages were set ablaze. Salamatu Omaru, an elderly woman living in the camp with her sister, said the military told everyone in her village of Uruga to clear out three weeks ago. A relative sneaked back to check on their homes, she said, only to find them burned. Like most residents with similar complaints, Omaru was uncertain whether soldiers or insurgents were responsible. Witnesses had few doubts about who carried out the massacres last year in Marte, a dangerous region where military officials say operations against insurgents continue.

Residents acknowledge that Boko Haram had recruited fighters from the tiny villages in the area. Militants would also go to a market there to get fuel and meat. Last summer, soldiers killed three Boko Haram members in Marte and captured 11 others, recovering hand grenades and weapons. A few days before the massacres in June, witnesses said, soldiers and local vigilantes surrounded the village of Ngubdori, a small farming community in the area. They rounded up all residents, including those out working in the fields, witnesses said. Men were forced to remove their shirts, perhaps to reveal any weapons they might be hiding. They stood bare-chested before the soldiers, said Mallam, a 25-year-old man who complied. Point out the Boko Haram members among you, soldiers told the residents, witnesses recounted. The villagers argued back, saying that none among them were insurgents. "We told them we'd also been attacked by Boko Haram from time to time," said Mallam, who, like several other witnesses, asked that his last name not be used to protect him from reprisals by the military. "But we had nowhere to go. Our farms were there, and we hadn't yet harvested. Our livestock was there."

At one point, two men stepped from inside their homes. The soldiers shot both of them, witnesses said. Seven other men came out of their homes and were shot, too. "We watched so many of them killed like that," Mallam said. Then the soldiers turned their weapons on the crowd, gunning down 13 more men. The soldiers grabbed a canister of fuel, doused rags and set fire to all the grass huts before leaving. "We separated the corpses from the ones who had not yet died," said another resident, Zainaba, 42, adding that she lost six relatives that day. "All of our bodies were stained with blood." About four days later, a missile landed in the nearby village of Alamderi, announcing the arrival of soldiers.

"That was our first indication trouble was coming," Babagana said. He and a community official were just outside the village when they heard the missile, followed by gunshots, he said. The two returned with their hands in the air "to indicate our loyalty," Babagana said. But when they arrived, the soldiers were already burning homes. Everyone in the village had their hands up. "Drop your hands," Babagana recalled soldiers saying. "We're here to fish out your Boko Haram." The soldiers gathered women and children to one side of the village and told them not to look back.

"I'll show you who's Boko Haram," Babagana recalled one soldier saying before he picked men from the crowd and shot them. "I ask you again. 'Who is Boko Haram?'" The group pleaded with the soldiers, witnesses said. The soldiers made the men lie face down on the ground. They started shooting. One woman, Fanna, said she and the other women secretly turned their heads toward the gunfire. "We wanted to know whose husband was being killed," she said. Babagana, lying with the men, said he tilted his head to see what was happening. But before he could get a clear picture, he was shot, too. The gunfire stopped, but soldiers noticed his leg twitching. They shot him again, he said. The soldiers drove off in military vehicles, and women rushed to the bullet-riddled bodies of their husbands.

Maryam, 20, said she ran crying to her husband, Babagana. Others dug shallow graves. Corpses, many with bullet wounds to the head, were stacked in piles, but Babagana was still breathing. Maryam propped him up against a wall. "I was praying for him," she said. An hour passed before Babagana opened his eyes. He drifted in and out of consciousness. Villagers from nearby poured into town once the gunfire stopped. Several took turns pushing Babagana for hours until they persuaded a vehicle to take them to a hospital. His medical records confirmed four gunshot wounds. "We were all stained with his blood," Maryam said. The couple, along with other witnesses interviewed, now live in one of the most squalid camps for displaced people in Maiduguri, the biggest town in the state where Boko Haram is active.

Irabor has promised that anyone harbouring or helping Boko Haram would be ensured psychological counselling to help them understand they were "with the wrong people". But witnesses of the massacres in Marte say they had been victims of Boko Haram, not collaborators. Last week, even the camp where they had taken refuge was set upon by nine suicide bombers from Boko Haram, the most coordinated attack in months. The witnesses stumbled upon the decapitated head of a girl, apparently that of a bomber, shortly before being interviewed for this article. Loading "We wanted to tell our story," Zainaba said.
Washington: The second-ranking US Senate Democrat called on Monday for an independent commission as well as a special prosecutor to investigate Russian interference in the US election.

Minority Whip Dick Durbin, back from a trip to Ukraine and other countries he said were worried about Russia, told Bloomberg editors and reporters in New York Monday that an ongoing investigation by the Senate Intelligence Committee isn't sufficient.

"It has to reach a point where we have public sentiment strong enough that we launch an independent, transparent investigation of what the Russians did to us," the Illinois Democrat said. "Think 9/11."

White House press secretary Sean Spicer rejected the notion of a special prosecutor. "If there's nothing to further investigate, what are you asking people to investigate?" he said Monday at a news briefing.
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Treat your mum to a memorable day out in Bristol this Mother's Day.

From a balloon flight over the city to afternoon tea on board an iconic steamship, there's plenty of wonderful and unique ways to celebrate this special day in our beautiful city.

1. Take a balloon flight over Bristol

Bristol is renowned for its hot air balloons, and what could be more special on Mother's Day than a magical balloon flight over our stunning city?

Bristol Balloons is offering the wonderful experience of a Champagne hot air balloon flight on Mother's Day morning. Taking off from Ashton Court and soaring above the Bristol skyline, you're unlikely to get a better perspective of Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Avon Gorge as well as other famous Bristol landmarks including the ss Great Britain, Temple Meads Station and Bristol Harbourside.

The perfect gift for a very special mum.

Details: 135 per person or 130 per person for two.

Call 0117 947 1030 or visit www.bristolballoons.co.uk

Take a sneak peek at Bristol Harbour Hotel's new luxury spa - then maybe take your mum!

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2. Explore The Wild Place - where mum's go free!

The Wild Place is treating animal-loving mums this Mother's Day by offering them free entry on Sunday, March 26.

Grab a tasty treat from the Courtyard Cafe and then wander through the Congo and Madagascar exhibits to visit some of the park's animal mothers; Lodja, the okapi who gave birth to baby Kimosi last November, and the big family of ring-tailed lemurs, who welcomed two sets of twins in 2016.

The offer is only applicable with a full paying adult or child and you can download the voucher from the website.

Details : Admission cost adult from 7.20, child from 5.85, under fives free.

Visit www.wildplace.org.uk

3. Take afternoon tea on board Brunel's SS Great Britain

Treat your mum this Mother's Day to a Victorian afternoon tea on board Bristol's iconic ss Great Britain.

Set within the elegance and sophistication of the First Class Dining Saloon on Brunel's pioneering steamship, you can tuck into tiers of classic sandwiches filled with smoked salmon and cucumber, fruit scones with Somerset butter smothered in clotted cream and preserve, and cakes including Victoria sponge and lemon drizzle which are all baked on board by the ship's resident baker.

Top off the afternoon with a classic Bellini (Belle Bellini for children).

You can choose from a 2.30pm or 4pm sitting. Tickets include day access to the ship so they advise you arrive a couple of hours before the start to explore the ship and to take full advantage of your ticket.

Details: Tickets cost adult 25, child (17 and under) 15, family (two adults and two children) 70.

Call 0117 926 0680 or viisit www.ssgreatbritain.org

4. Pop into the Bristol Holistic Festival at M shed

For a relaxing and fascinating way to spend Mother's Day, pay a visit to Bristol Holistic Festival at M shed.

Taking place Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26 at 10am to 5pm, the event will bring together a wonderful array of well over 80 stands to explore, including inspiring arts and crafts, music to relax to, essential oils and essences, fair trade goods, health and beauty products, jewellery, clothing and more.

There will be workshops and demonstrations as well as craft activities especially tailored to help children make something for Mother's Day.

After you've explored the festival, you can saunter around MShed, the thought-provoking and fun museum that tells the history of our stunning city.

Details: Admission to the festival costs 8, 6 concs, under 14s free. Entry to MShed is free.

Visit www.bristolholisticfestival.com and www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed

5. Take a Mother's Day harbour trip on The Matthew

What could be nicer - and more impressive - than a leisurely sail around our picturesque harbourside aboard one of Bristol's star attractions?

Experience the city from the water This Mother's Day, by climbing aboard The Matthew for an hour-long trip around Bristol's harbour.

Moored outside MShed, The Matthew is a fabulous and faithful reconstruction of the boat used by John Cabot when he discovered Newfoundland in 1497.

You'll cruise gently past the SS Great Britain, the old dock cranes and see all the water activity that makes Bristol one of Europe's most interesting maritime cities.

Details : Tickets cost adult 12, concs 9, children 6-16 9, family ticket (two adults and two children /one adult and three children) 25, under fives free.

Visit matthew.co.uk

6. See Frankly Sinatra at Bristol Hippodrome

Who doesn't love a bit of Sinatra? If your mum is a fan of Ol' Blue Eyes, then here's the perfect Mother's Day gift for you!

Direct from Las Vegas, the iconic music of Frank Sinatra is brought to swinging life at The Bristol Hippodrome on Sunday, March 26 at 7.30pm.

Featuring the swing, the swagger and the velvet vocals of Frank Sinatra, Stephen Triffitt will perform all the classics from Fly Me to the Moon and Mack the Knife to New York, New York and My Way.

Details: Tickets cost 28.15.

Call 0844 871 3012 or visit www.atgtickets.com

7. Tuck in at the Meet The Mums Breakfast at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

A lovely one for all the family, on Saturday, March 25, Mums are invited to an exclusive breakfast tea party at Noah Ark Zoo Farm's food barn.

After enjoying breakfast with her little monkeys, mum can then get up close and personal with the Wraxall Zoo's playful primate mums. Keepers will talk about the animals, their mothering skills and the way they interact at each of the exhibits.

Details : Admission costs adult 18, concs 17, child 2-16 12, child under two free.

Calll 01275 852 606 or visit www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk
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Nearly two-thirds of Britain's financial services roles are currently based outside of London, with many in Bristol, laying bare the risks to thousands of regional jobs after Brexit, according to a new report.

The report by Square Mile group lobby group TheCityUK shows 1.5 million of 2.2 million industry jobs are located outside the capital, with hubs like Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester hosting more than 30,000 financial and related professional services workers each.

TheCityUK chief executive Miles Celic said: "Our report reinforces the value delivered by financial and related services to the whole of the UK economy."

International firms which come to Britain for business usually put down roots in London before expanding their operations across the country, creating a "deeper talent pool" of skilled workers that benefits both local and national businesses, he added.

"Strong regional financial centres boost the attractiveness of London as a global financial centre. Maintaining this ecosystem is critical to ensuring the UK remains a world-leading place to do business."

Lloyds Banking Group employs more than 2,500 people in Bristol, Royal Bank of Scotland employs around 1,000, Bank of Ireland also employs around 1,000 people in the city, Hargeaves Lansdown employs just under 1,000 people, while Aviva provides work for around 500 people.

US bank JP Morgan employs around 5,500 staff outside of London, including 300 in Edinburgh, 1,200 in Glasgow and 4,000 at its global technology and operations centre in Bournemouth.

Glasgow also hosts 1,200 staff from Morgan Stanley, while Belfast hosts 2,000 Citibank staff, and Birmingham is home to 1,500 Deutsche Bank workers.

Overall, more than 21 UK cities have more than 10,000 people employed in the sector.

The data raises concerns over how Britain's regions will be impacted by a post-Brexit exodus of banking, insurance, accounting jobs and related positions.

However, TheCityUK report said: "The extent to which these and other firms may change their UK-focused business plans in the wake of the UK's vote to leave the EU will depend on firm-specific business models and so is likely to vary from company to company."

Rival financial centres like Frankfurt, Dublin and Paris are expected to siphon off some of the City's businesses, ahead of the expected loss of passporting rights as part of a hard Brexit.

Passporting rights allow UK-based financial services to trade across the bloc without needing to apply for licences in each member state.

HSBC has said it is on course to move 1,000 jobs from its London office to France as a result, while around 4,000 of JP Morgan's 16,000 UK staff could be shifted abroad, though a potential location has yet to be revealed.

Sources told reporters earlier this month that Luxembourg has emerged as the frontrunner on a short list of five sites - including Malta, Dublin, Frankfurt and Paris - for a potential EU subsidiary for Lloyd's of London.

The move could see more than 100 jobs at the insurance market shifted from London to the continent.

Government coffers are expected to take a hit from the loss of financial services jobs, which contributed nearly 176 billion of gross value added (GVA) - a measure of economic growth that excludes taxes and subsidies - in 2015, TheCityUK said.
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The deaths of Bristol great-grandmother Eileen Swannack and her partner John Welch could have been prevented had there not been "gross neglect" by the travel firms they depended upon, an inquest has been told.

Eileen, 73, died in June 2015 while on holiday at a five-star Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse, Tunisia.

Islamist gunman Seifeddine Rezgui opened fire on holidaymakers on the beach, killing 38 in total.

The inquest into the deaths of 30 Britons at the Royal Courts of Justice heard today that "part of the attack or most of it could have been prevented", had security been tighter.

In his final oral submissions to the coroner, Andrew Ritchie QC, counsel to the families of the victims, argued that Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith should consider a "neglect" conclusion, arguing that there had been "gross neglect" on the part of the TUI travel company.

He told the inquest that the Tunisian government was taking the terror risk seriously, but TUI, which runs Thomson and First Choice holiday companies, did not - and neither did the hotel operators.

Mr Ritchie said: "The verdict that the families seek for you to reach is either the neglect verdict, or if that is not reached, then a neutral conclusion."

He said that the hotel owners, hotel operators and the travel companies provided the guests with security, making them "dependent" upon them for safety.

The inquest is expected to conclude tomorrow.

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Christian street preachers who offended and abused shoppers in Bristol city centre, have been found guilty of creating a religiously aggravated public disorder.

Crowds of up to 100 people gathered around the men shouting go home and trying to unplug their microphones.

The Evangelicals were merely reading from the King James Bible, but crossed the line with their preaching at Broadmead on July 6, 2016.

Michael Overd, 52, from Creech St Michael, near Taunton in Somerset, alongside American national Michael Stockwell, 50, from Selden, New York, were left forking out more than 2,000 each after causing the scene.

During a three day trial at Bristol Magistrates Court, prosecutor Ian Jackson told the court how Overd called the crowd depraved and ignorant; said Mohammed and Buddha were both liars and a thieves and described extra-marital sex and homosexuals as filthy, depraved and perverted.

Meanwhile Stockwell told the crowd other religions were thieves who came to steal, kill and destroy and their God does not exist.

Stockwell also told the crowd that Allah was the "greatest deceiver" and included homosexuality on a list of things including thieves or drunkards.

Presiding magistrate Robert Stacey told the court the cases revolved around whether their behaviour crossed the threshold from their right to free speech to the realms of public disorder.

We have not taken our duties lightly, he said.

We have heard lengthy submissions and explanations dealing with the issue of freedom of speech and it is clear that the bar is set very high  if the courts should intervene  offending and shocking is not sufficient to cross the threshold.

He added: The comments were inflammatory and extremely offensive, but taken in the context they crossed to behaviour that was abusive and in most respects were disorderly.

The repeated nature of the words and the duration at an excessive volume and refusing to curb behaviour.

The preaching was very loud and observed by a crowd of between 50 and 100 people.

The crowd became restless and feared violence would ensue.

The conduct was in sight of persons that were caused alarm or distress.

We are sure that as the crowd became more restless, it would be clear to them (the defendants) their conduct was disorderly, but we are sure that they were aware their behaviour was disorderly.

The men were each given a 300 fine, ordered to pay a 30 victim surcharge and prosecution costs of 3,372 each  totalling 2,016 each.

Defending the men, Michael Phillips, put in an application to appeal prior to the sentence being passed.

The police requested that Overd was subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order  similar to an ASBO  to restrict his preaching on the streets.

It is the third time he has been hauled before the courts, although he was acquitted of charges twice previously.

Magistrates adjourned a hearing into the order meaning he could not aggressively insult, humiliate, demean or belittle until May 22.

Speaking after the trial, Chief Inspector Andy Williams said: The police have to strike the balance between the right to freedom of expression and free speech and behaviour that causes a member of the public to feel harassed, alarmed or distressed as a result of what is said or done.

The court has today determined that these men crossed that line and used their platform to comment on other religions and sexuality using disparaging and offensive language.

They recorded their preaching on a Go-Pro camera which captured the exact words used and the reaction of those listening. They were fully aware of the impact their preaching was having on their audience and the resulting tension it was causing.

We took statements from 13 members of the public and Im grateful for their wholehearted support of our investigation and to those who gave evidence in court.

Bristol is a diverse city which is proudly respectful and tolerant of different perspectives and views and this conviction underlines our commitment to work with the community to keep the city free from hate and intolerance.

Captain Adrian Clark, 51, from St Werburghs was standing trial with the men before magistrates decided there was no case for him to answer, during the second day of the trial.

Meanwhile the case against Don Karns, another American preaching with the men, was dropped prior to the trial beginning.
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All 30 British victims of the 2015 Tunisia terror attacks  including Bristol great grandmother Eileen Swannack and her partner John Welch  were unlawfully killed.

Coroner Nicholas Loraine-Smith rejected calls from Ms Swannacks family  and 19 others  to rule neglect by travel firm TUI or the hotel owners.

Eileen, 73, died in June 2015 while on holiday at five-star Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse, Tunisia. She was there with her partner John, who also died as a result of the attack.

Islamist gunman Seifeddine Rezgui opened fire on holidaymakers on the beach, killing 38 in total.

(Image: PA Images)

The coroner said the law on neglect did not, in his view, apply to tourists who voluntarily went abroad and better planning and actions by hotel staff may not have prevented the atrocity.

Giving his reasons for rejecting a neglect ruling, Judge Loraine-Smith said there were a lot of what ifs around the case, and better hotel security may simply have meant more people died on the beach.

The only factor which may have made a material difference was if the hotel had armed guards.

But Judge Loraine-Smith said: Having reviewed the legal advice on gun law in Tunisia its clear this was not a realistic option.

The simple but tragic truth in this case is that a gunman armed with a gun and grenades went to that hotel intending to kill as many tourists as he could.

The judge pointed out there were customers who believed they had been "reassured'' about safety.

(Image: PA Images)

He added: There were customers who would not have gone to Tunisia if they had seen the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice.

Even prior to the attack on the Bardo Museum the advice was that there was a high threat of terror, he said, adding that the advice pointed out attacks could be indiscriminate.

Judge Loraine-Smith said the law limited the circumstances in which he could rule "neglect'' played a part in a death, which applied only in cases were someone had a duty of care towards someone because of their "youth, age, illness or incarceration''.

He added: That does not cover, it seems to me, tourists who have voluntarily agreed to go on holiday abroad.

He added he would rule on each British victim individually, but said all 30 were unlawfully killed.

The general response of the hotel staff was disorganised and chaotic, the hearing was told, but some displayed conspicuous personal courage to protect their guests.

(Image: Wiltshire Police/PA Wire)

Summing up the evidence heard during the inquest, Judge Loraine-Smith referred to the response of police and military, including the officer who "fainted through terror and panic", and the guard who took off his shirt to hide the fact he was an officer.

He said with the exception of two marine guards, no police entered the hotel grounds until the gunman had killed all 38 tourists.

The judge also referred to a unit that stopped off to pick up more weapons instead of going straight to the scene.

"They had everything they required to confront the gunman and could have been at the scene within minutes," he said, adding: "The delay was deliberate and unjustifiable."

The inquest continues.
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DIY giant B&Q has urgently recalled a range of kitchen products over fears some may cause gas leaks.

The retailer, which supplies fitted kitchen components, issued the alert over Bosch and Neff products today.

Two models of Bosch or Neff built-in gas hobs are being recalled after possible a gas leak risk was detected:

The Bosch model is the NGU4151DB (which was produced between January 2009 and October 2011), and the Neff model: is the T20S31N0 (which was produced in the same time period).

If you have one of these models, you can have the gas connector replaced free of charge by an authorised service engineer, who will come out and do the work at your own home.

B&Q has also been made aware there is a risk of falling parts from some of its light fittings.

The risk is only present in certain circumstances and is said to be a result of faulty lampshade rings, which may potentially cause injuries.

If you have purchased one of these products between February 2014 and February this year, you are advised to remove the shade and ring immediately - ensuring lights are cool first. You should then contact your local store to arrange an exchange or refund.

For the full list of light fittings go to the Trading Standards website.

The B&Q reewcalls come as appliance manufacturer Hotpoint, which has a factory in Yate, has updated its advice over wo types of tumble dryers manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015, following a safety review undertaken by the company.

The review found that, in some rare cases, excess fluff can come into contact with the heating element and present a risk of fire.

The affected brands are Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda. Whirlpool-branded tumble dryers are not affected by the safety notice.

Anyone whose tumble dryer is affected by this issue should unplug it, contact Hotpoint and not use it again until one of the company's engineers has carried out the necessary modifications.

To determine whether a tumble dryer is affected, visit the Hotpoint safety website.

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Thursday marks World Book Day  a huge celebration of reading, and a chance to discover some exciting new stories.

And this year, thanks to publishers and National Book Tokens, more than 15 million 1 book tokens will be given out across the UK.

Children will be given vouchers in school, and they can then redeem them on selected books at bookshops around Bristol.

There are some great books on offer this year. Here are some of the books taking part in World Book Day

1. Peppa Loves World Book Day

For pre-schoolers

A new Peppa story has been created for World Book Day, and in it, the cheeky little pig along with other loveable characters cant decide what to dress up as for World Book Day.

2. Everyone Loves Underpants

Pre-schoolers

This funny tale is delightfully brought to life by Ben Corts vibrant illustrations. With a madcap, rhyming text by award-winning Claire Freedman, this is sure to enchant and amuse the whole family.

3. Where's Wally? The Fantastic Journey

Key stage 1 (aged 4-7)

Join Wally on his quest through magical and bizarre fantasy lands. This book has lots of eye-boggling extras and will provide hours of fun as it also comes in a mini edition with extra puzzlers.

4. Horrid Henry: Funny Fact Files

Key stage 1 (aged 4-7)

Horrid Henry is the no.1 expert in making as much mayhem as possible. And this book is full of facts about Henry, his top secret diary entries and passwords to help boys and girls to be just like him.

5. Enid Blyton's The Famous Five: Good Old Timmy and Other Stories

Key stage 1 (aged 4-7)

This book contains three of Enid Blytons short stories about the Famous Five - Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog, and it has been specially illustrated for World Book Day.

6. Princess Mirror-Belle and Snow White

Key stage 1 (aged 4-7)

This book is all about Ellie, who gets a big shock when her double  a mischievous princess - appears out of the bathroom mirror.

7. Butterfly Beach

Key stage 2 (7 - 11)

A brand-new story created especially for World Book Day from favourite author Jacqueline Wilson starring the unlikely best friends of The Butterfly Club.

8. Blob

Key stage 2 (7-11)

David Walliam's latest novel, written just for World Book Day, is the story of Bob who meets a blobfish called Blob.

9. Island

Key stage 3 (12+)

Written by David Almond, this tells the story of 16-year-old Louise who travels with her father each year to the island of Lindisfarne - the place Lousie's mother loved best.

But this year the island is a troubled place - her father meets an American tourist, Louise meets a mysterious boy called Hassan from Syria and a gang of boys are keen to get rid of him.

10. Dead of Night

Key stage 3 (12+)

Set in the alternative World War II scenario of his Front Lines novels, Michael Grant, author of the bestselling Gone series, has written this story exclusively for World Book Day.
Latest News Mortgage stress hits Australian households Learn seven ways to ease the interest rate burden, says broker

New investor strengthens Invoice Finance Group Partnership will provide funding, new products for SMEs

Peter White, the executive director of the Finance Brokers Association of Australia ( FBAA ), has returned from Canada after making an address at the Canadian Mortgage Brokers Associations (CMBA) national conference.Speaking to Australian Broker, White said his time in Canada was a check and balance on how brokers conducted themselves in the Australian marketplace including interactions with regulators and the government.The local broking industry is very much on the money, White said.I dont think theres anything here that we need to change from what were doing.White said his discussions with Canadian brokers proved the messaging around brokers was in the proper place here in Australia.It doesnt matter where you look overseas. When you understand their journey and why they are where they are today, we are exactly right in what were doing. We are very sound in what were doing.Were not perfect, which is why you have regulators and they keep us in a bit of check and balance but our broking market in Australia is most certainly not off the rails. Its most certainly not in any need of fundamental, major change.The CMBA invited White to speak on a new piece of regulation bring introduced in Canada around disclosing conflicts of interest and commission structures, and how Australian brokers responded to similar legislation brought into effect in July 2010.It was of great benefit for them and of great knowledge and understanding for us. Weve built some friends through which were going to go on a much bigger journey as we go forward throughout the year.While there, White also met with the Financial Institutions Commission (FICOM), the Canadian equivalent of the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), to understand where they were at from a regulatory position.
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Hes the cowardly congressman!

Rep. Dan Donavan has put a hold on town hall meetings in Bay Ridge because the last time he showed up on this side of the Narrows he was heckled by left-leaning Brooklynites who opposed his pro-Trump policies  sending him back to bucolic Staten Island with his tail between his legs.

Reps for the beleaguered Rep. said he now has no intention of crossing the Verrazano to hold a town hall in the near future because he doesnt think it would be a worthwhile use of his time.

We understand that people have concerns, no one is saying that their concerns shouldnt be heard, said spokeswoman Alexia Sikora. Its a matter of, Are you going to have communication or disruptive rhetoric thats not productive? 

The revelation came after this newspaper questioned his office about a multitude of missing posters claiming Donovan (RBay Ridge) is ducking his Brooklyn constituents appeared on telephone poles and phone booths across the Ridge this weekend.

Those posters, which demand Donovan show face in the borough and claim he has never held a public meeting here or even showed up for debates in Brooklyn during his campaign, only prove activist Ridgites are not capable of reasonable discourse, his reps say.

The posters are just a continuation of the disruption that weve seen at previous events, said Sikora.

Donovans boycott has some residents saying if he cant stand the heat, he should get out of the kitchen.

The fact that he wont hold a town hall because he doesnt want us to communicate how were feeling is absurd, said Ridgite Marc Grant. If his constituents want a public meeting he should give it to us.

And others saw the humor in the posters as a fun way to get Donovan to show up and speak up.

This is hilarious  its like putting him on a milk carton, said Ridgite Benjamin Ramirez. If hes not listening to the people, they gotta get creative with how they call him out. It doesnt matter whether he wants to or not  its his job.

But the congressmans people say he isnt shutting out Brooklyn altogether.

His reps claimed that Donovan will happily sit down for face-to-face meetings with constituents who set up an appointment via a form on his congressional website, or by calling his office in Dyker Heights at (718) 6305277 or his Staten Island office at (718) 9801062.

Congressman Donovan is in constant communication with his constituents, granting meetings with every single person or group that requests one, and that will always continue, said spokesman Patrick Ryan.

Donovan isnt the only congressman getting heat for hiding from constituents.

The mugs of pols in California, Utah, and Iowa have turned up on milk cartons and posters around those towns as well, according to a popular cable news network.

So Ryan says the new Missing posters are par for the course.

Sadly, we have witnessed the true goals of a small percentage of people who are getting their tactics from a distributed manual on how to shout, name-call, and disrupt, he said. Theres an important distinction between sharing opinions and shouting down people who have different views. Thats not civil, not respectful, and not productive, and we are not going to participate in a circus.
Research News

Lt. Gov. Hochul tours Vader Systems shop and lauds inventors

Scott (right) and Zach Vader inside their Amherst, New York, factory. Credit: Douglas Levere.

By GROVE POTTER

Three-dimensional printing is projected to become a $30 billion industry by 2022, and we really want New York State to innovate in this field. 

New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul stopped in at the Vader Systems shop in Getzville on Monday to see what all the excitement is about. And she was impressed.

Whats believed to be the worlds first liquid metal printing system for manufacturing was something she had heard about and wanted to see.

After meeting with the father and son team of Scott and Zack Vader, Hochul spoke about the opportunities for future hiring and continuing innovation at the company.

Three-dimensional printing is projected to become a $30 billion industry by 2022, and we really want New York State to innovate in this field. Hochul said. Our main objective is to have people trained to be able to fill jobs in the field.

Hochul said businesses like Vader Systems, which has hired five engineering graduates from the UB, can contribute to the state educational system by making sure what schools teach is looking toward the future.

Teach us what we need in the next three to five years, she said. Where is this going?

Company CEO Scott Vader said the disruptive technology that their system represents has found a hungry market among aggressive early adopters. The company plans to sell 10 of its metal printing machines in the next year.

Vader Systems joined the states START-UP NY economic development program through its affiliation with UB.

UB engineering researchers Edward P. Furlani, Ciprian N. Ionita and Chi Zhou are each working with the company.
Everything you need to know for MLS Cup 2022
Business / Companies

by Staff reporter

Foreign investors who helped make the Zimbabwe stock market one of the best performing in southern Africa a few years ago are now pulling their money away as a result of current liquidity crisis and foreign currency shortages.Lynton Edwards Stockbrokers said overseas investors are not expected to troop back into the country any time soon despite Zimbabwe's stocks being one of the cheapest in Africa.More to follow....
News / Africa

by GroundUP

Johannesburg - During a week of renewed xenophobic sentiment in Gauteng, a letter from Eastleigh Primary School telling parents to ensure their immigration documents were in order caused controversy as it circulated on social media. GroundUp reports that the letter, later withdrawn, warned that any children arriving at school on February 27 without verified documents would be handed to police.Many initially believed the letter was a hoax, including Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba. He tweeted a picture of the letter over which someone had written, 'FAKE-NEWS!!' on February 24.Gigaba was responding to urgent requests for information on the letter, and distanced the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) from the matter.However, the letter was authentic. On Friday evening, the school, in Edenvale, posted a statement on its Facebook account withdrawing the letter at the request of the Gauteng Department of Education.The school wrote that the letter should not have been distributed as it "does not portray the ethos and transformation at the school".The following day, school governing body chairperson Graeme Stratton posted a longer statement apologising unreservedly for the letter. The school would deal with immigration issues in a compassionate and caring way in future.Eastleigh's Facebook page attracted considerable criticism in the comments.DHA spokesperson Thabo Mokgola said on Friday that officials visited Eastleigh Primary School. The visit was at Eastleigh's request, in line with DHA policy.At the initial meeting, DHA officials reportedly stated that proper documentation of enrolled pupils was the principal's responsibility. Failure to do so would result in the principal being fined R25 000 per undocumented child.However, Mokgola could not confirm whether this was in fact discussed at the meeting. He had no comment about whether it was department policy to fine principals over undocumented pupils.On Friday, social movement Equal Education condemned Eastleigh's letter. It cited section 29 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to basic education to all persons in South Africa, regardless of their immigration status.
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While Goods and Services Tax (GST) continues to remain in a state where several loose ends still need to be tied up, logistics -- both domestic and global -- are not just bullish about the sector but are actively making investment plans for the coming fiscal as well.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday attached assets worth nearly Rs 80 crore of Multimedia Ltd under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), saying three directors of the satellite services provider had admitted to criminal conspiracy against India's space agency over the alleged deal to lease a satellite.
I have an early morning flight to catch tomorrow from Bangalore to Delhi. Normally, I would have booked an Uber, whose service Ive come to appreciate since its entry to India a little over three years ago. But protesting drivers have disrupted services of both Uber and its main Indian rival Ola in recent weeks. So, to be safe, I booked a radio taxi cab from Meru, which takes advance bookings as well as on-demand.
News / Local

by Mary Charamba

Sacked Bulawayo deputy mayor, Gift Banda is due to address the media today on his recent expulsion from council.Banda was fired for gross misconduct and mismanagement independent tribunal following his suspension in September last year.He was served with the verdict from the tribunal last Friday.Banda was suspended late September by Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere.That was after Banda was in May last year granted permission by council to buy 3,5 hectares of land valued at $130,000 for construction of residential flats at Ascot Race Course.However, there was an outcry as to how he got the land.MDC-T said it had set up a probe squad onto the corruption allegations.The media briefing is scheduled for 4 pm at MDC-T provincial offices.
India's nearly Rs 3 lakh crore consumer goods market throws up an interesting trend. Multinational such as Hindustan Unilever (HUL), Procter & Gamble (P&G), Colgate-Palmolive and RB (formerly Reckitt Benckiser) dominate the home and personal care category here. Indian entities such as Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), marketer of the Amul brand of dairy products, biscuit maker Parle Products, Britannia and ITC dominate the food category.
India has achieved the milestone of exporting a total of 700,000 Made-in-India and Datsun cars. The milestone was achieved in a record span of seven years since the company began exports from India.
"I am declaring war on roaming", telecom tycoon Sunil Mittal said on Monday as his firm Bharti removed roaming charges for outgoing and incoming calls as well as SMSes and data usage within India as it takes on competition from new comer Reliance Jio.

India's largest mobile phone service provider also said there will be no roaming data changes while international call charges will be cut by up to 90 per cent to as low as Rs 3 per minute and data charges by up to 99 per cent to Rs 3 per MB across popular roaming destinations.

"I am declaring a war on roaming," he said at the World Mobile Congress here.

The 17-18 countries operates-in will allow its customers to have the freedom to switch on their mobile phones "wherever and whenever they want".

Mittal said "90 per cent of people turn off their data when they travel," including himself, and wait until they can find wi-fi in their hotel or buy local prepaid SIM cards to avoid stiff charges.

"We have a global network, but very few people are allowed to enjoy it," he said, adding that "it (exorbitant fees) is a disaster our industry has created".

Despite vast network "55 per cent of our people in the developed world switch off their mobile data. It is my estimated guess that 90 per cent of travellers from emerging markets switch off their mobile data. They go for local SIM cards, they go for the nearest wi-fi spot, they wait for themselves to get to their hotel. What have we done to our industry? This must stop," he said.

The industry needs to address this as well as the disdain its customers have for operators, he said.

"I can promise you that during my term at GMSA, roaming charges and bill shocks will be a thing of the past. I promise you that," said Mittal, who is also the chairman of the GSMA, the trade body for the mobile industry.

Starting April 1, customers roaming within India will enjoy free incoming calls and SMS and there will be no premium on outgoing calls allowing them to speak freely wherever they are within the country.

Also, there will be no additional data charges on national roaming. Home data packs for customers will apply even while they roam across India.

The moves follows within days of billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio charging for its services from April 1 but will continue to offer free voice and national roaming.

Jio will match the lowest data tariff and add 20 per cent additional data, he announced on February 21 adding customers signing-up before March 31 have the option of continuing existing unlimited services for a year at Rs 99 plus a monthly charge of Rs 303.
and the Maharashtra government entered a letter of intent for mutual collaboration in skill development of workers in food processing plants, besides mordernising Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), as the head of the global food and beverage giant, Indra Nooyi, began her weeklong tour to India on Tuesday.
The heir to the empire and four other top executives from the world's biggest smartphone maker were indicted on Tuesday on multiple charges, including bribery and embezzlement, South Korean prosecutors said.

"Special prosecutors today indicted Electronics vice chairman Lee Jae-Yong... For bribery, embezzlement, hiding of assets overseas... And perjury," said Lee Kyu-Chul, spokesman for the team probing the corruption and power abuse scandal that has seen President Park Geun-Hye impeached.

Lee was arrested earlier this month and the laying of formal charges against him and his colleagues makes them almost certain to face trial, casting new uncertainty over South Korea's biggest firm as it seeks to recover from a humiliating recall.

The 48-year-old has effectively been at the helm of the conglomerate since his father suffered a heart attack in 2014.

Among other allegations, Lee is accused of paying nearly $40 million in bribes to a confidante of President Park's to secure policy favours. Lee -- who is also accused of concealing stolen assets -- has denied all charges.

His colleagues face similar charges except for the perjury count.

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.

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.

Lee's arrest marked the first for a Samsung chief and dealt a huge blow to the electronics giant's corporate image.
In an apparent move to take over the management of the debt-ridden Deccan Chronicle Holdings Private Limited (DCHL), Kolkata-based Infra Finance Limited (SIFL), which is one of its lenders and also claimed to be the single largest shareholder, has convened an Extraordinary General Meeting on March 20, 2017 for appointment of five new directors on the board of DCHL besides proposing other agenda.

has asserted its right to hold the EGM in terms of Section 100(4) of the Act, 2013, stating that the DCHL board has not been able to convene EGM even though it had sent a valid requisition dated December 20, 2016, in terms of the requisition within the statutorily prescribed time.
Tata Sons on Tuesday announced that it has reached an agreement with NTT Docomo to settle its long-pending dispute to buy back the Japanese companys shares in their joint venture  Tata Teleservices. The statement, however, is silent on how the Indian company will circumvent the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guideline that bans any pre-determined valuation of shares.

In a statement, Tata Sons said in the larger national interest of preserving a fair investment environment in India, it has reached an agreement with NTT DOCOMO on a joint approach to enable enforcement of the 22nd June, 2016, London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) award. As a gesture of good faith and in accordance with the Tata groups long-standing record of adherence to contractual commitments that it has always enjoyed both in India and abroad, the Board of Tata Sons has decided to withdraw its objections to the enforcement of the Award in India, it said.

The RBI had earlier made asked the Finance Ministry to clear the transaction stating the national interest and "better business relations with Japan" reason, but it was rejected by the finance ministry as the current laws do not allow any pre-determined valuation of shares. If the Finance ministry changes its rules allowing pre-determined valuation of shares then it would benefit many other MNCs who are waiting in the queue to cash in on their India investments.

Both parties have jointly applied to the Delhi High Court, requesting that it accept their agreed terms of settlement, subject to such further orders as the Court sees fit. The settlement terms, if approved by the Delhi High Court, clear the way for the $1.18 billion already deposited by Tata Sons with the Delhi High Court to be paid to DOCOMO, and would allow DOCOMO to transfer its 26.5% stake in Tata Teleservices. The RBI told the court that it would get back to the Delhi HC on March 8th after seeking the guidance from the central bank.

As part of this joint application, and in anticipation of the matter being finally resolved in India, DOCOMO has agreed to suspend its related enforcement proceedings in the United Kingdom and the United States for a period of time, Tata Sons said.

This agreement between the parties is a significant step towards resolution of this dispute, and both Tata Sons and DOCOMO are hopeful that they will continue to work together constructively to achieve a resolution of this case as well as will look to further collaboration in the future, it added.
The campaign of Gurmehar Kaur, a Kargil martyr's daughter, against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Monday drew controversial reactions from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders with Union minister Kiren Rijiju wondering who was "polluting" her mind and another comparing her with wanted gangster Dawood Ibrahim.

Pratap Simha, BJP MP from Mysuru, tweeted, "At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti- stand."





One more for controversy mongering media: via fb pic.twitter.com/oToxv1exqe  Pratap Simha (@mepratap) February 27, 2017

You need 2 nations for a war. India cannot wage war against itself. Then which is other nation that killed your dad, if not Pakistan?! pic.twitter.com/iQ1Q7R7HQo  Pratap Simha (@mepratap) February 27, 2017

His tweet came as Kaur's campaign went viral online with her photograph in which she said, "Pakistan did not kill my father. War killed him."

To mock her, Simha also posted a photograph showing Dawood with the message, "I didn't kill people in 1993. Bombs killed them."

Rijiju also took to Twitter to take a dig at her.

"Who's polluting this young girl's mind? Strong armed forces prevent a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded," the minister of state for home affairs said.





Who's polluting this young girl's mind? A strong Arm Force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded. https://t.co/gXHkAGi9sh  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 27, 2017

Some people say they need Freedom in India. Listen to those people taking shelter in India after facing torture in neighbouring countries. https://t.co/MDoGYDF1Si  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 27, 2017

Freedom of expression is not a licence to shout anti- slogans in campuses. Criticise the govt but don't abuse the motherland. https://t.co/3iqyqeLdJe  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 27, 2017

Everyone has right of views but she said Pakistan didn't kill our brave martyr & India should shun war. India never perpetrated violence! https://t.co/2b8SHLdPRg  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 27, 2017

Talking to reporters, he later said, "One should not say things which could demoralise the countrymen and the forces. Everybody has freedom but that does not mean that you raise slogans to weaken the country."

The daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh and a Delhi University student, 24-year-old Kaur had started a social media campaign "I am not afraid of ABVP" following the violence at Ramjas college. Her campaign has gone viral and received support from students across various universities.

"Everyone has right of views but she said Pakistan didn't kill our brave martyr and India should shun war. India never perpetrated violence," Rijiju said.

The Union minister of state for home said freedom of expression is not a licence to shout anti- slogans in campuses. "Criticise the government but don't abuse the motherland," he said.

"Some people say they need freedom in India. Listen to those people taking shelter in India after facing torture in neighbouring countries," he said referring to minority communities from neighbouring nations which came to India after facing persecution.

After his tweet, there were angry protests by many social media users with some questioning usage of the word "polluting" by the minister while others criticised him for using Twitter to air his views.

However, some of the tweets supported the comments made by Rijiju.
For all the talk about how Burque is becoming a town that knowingly, gloriously and ultimately gives it up for hip-hop, EDM and Americana, all it takes is one really heavy fucking metal show for the town's true colorsin this case atramentous, sombre and notably, sludgily starlessto come clear. If such was not the case at the recent Alcest/The Body/Creepers show, then another occult opportunity will arise on Tuesday, Feb. 28, when Deafheaven visits our mysteriously dark and cavernous neighbor, Sister (407 Central NW). A quintet outta northern Califas, Deafheaven has consistently pushed sonic and genre-based boundaries while still sounding like something one might hear on the elevators between the fifth and sixth circles of hell. If you like dream-time music meant for gazing at stationary objects like shoes, flowerpots or snare drums then you'll dig Deafheaven. Moreover, if you're one of those moved by monolithic, post-rock riffs, a juggernaut of a rhythm section and/or vocals that mirror the cruel conditions of existence humankind continues to bear, then damn, kid check out Deafheaven before we all get rounded by jack-booted thugs hellbent on saving us all from Satan's power. Or something like that. San Marcos, Texas post-rockers This Will Destroy You provide support; stygian songstress (and David Lynch acolyte) Emma Ruth Rundle opens. It's only $18 for this 21+ show, so run don't walk. It begins at 8pm.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC is embarking on a door-to-door voter mobilisation ahead of the much-anticipated 2018 harmonised elections.Speaking to the Daily News yesterday MDC spokesperson Obert Gutu said the party is looking to increase its voting numbers in 2018."The MDC is geared to increase its voting numbers to at least three million votes; enough for us to win the presidency. We are excited to reveal that the MDC youth assembly, led by the firebrand Happymore Chidziva, is working round the clock to mobilise the young voters; particularly the first-time voters. As you know, at least 62 percent of the voting population in Zimbabwe is made up of people under the age of 40."The youth vote is critical in winning the elections next year. ... Tsvangirai is currently reaching out to all corners of the country, consulting and comparing notes with various opinion leaders, including traditional leaders. We are on a roll. We will keep pressure on the bankrupt and faction-infested Zanu PF regime to ensure that electoral reforms are put in place."Gutu said the MDC through the National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera) will make sure that Zanu PF will implement electoral reforms before the elections."This is one of the major reasons why the MDC is a very active participant in the Nera project. We know that the Zanu PF regime is very reluctant to adopt electoral reforms before they know that they can never win a free and fair election. We are maintaining the pressure. We are relentless."We have adopted the ward-based voter mobilisation strategy. This is retail politics at its best. We are reaching out to voters using a persuasive door-to-door network. Some people are saying that MDC is not visible but we are actually everywhere; by the people's doorsteps."The former Chisipite senator added that the party bigwigs will launch the voter mobilisation programme in their rural homes."Tsvangirai was recently in his rural ward at Humanikwa village in Buhera, where he personally launched the ward-based strategy. Vice president Thokozani Khupe was also recently at her home village in Matebeleland North where she also launched the programme."All the National Standing Committee members, national executive members cascading downwards have all been tasked to go back to their rural wards and launch the ward-based strategy. I was in ward 35 in Gutu Central constituency for this particular purpose."Last year, Tsvangirai said his party is targeting to register about 800 000 voters in Harare alone.Since formation of the MDC in 1999, the long-time President Robert Mugabe rival has amassed the majority of his votes from urban constituencies, particularly Harare and Bulawayo  making them his strongholds.Tsvangirai said "the capital (Harare) is key to MDC's electoral success against Mugabe."all provinces should start with a massive turnout when voter registration kick-starts early next year," he said."I understand it will be in April and we are assuming that none of us is a registered voter so we are all starting afresh, which means together with all your children if we register a minimum of 800 000 votes inHarare, we have won," Tsvangirai said.
on Tuesday announced that she was "withdrawing" from her protest campaign against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and wanted to be "left alone". She has also reportedly left Delhi for now.

In a candid admission of the pressure she has faced since she started her campaign, she said that she had reached the limit her "20-year-self could take".





I have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take :)  (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

The Kargil martyr's daughter had been reportedly receiving threats of sexual violence after she posted a picture on Facebook protesting against ABVP after last week's clashes between the former and the All India Students Association at the Ramjas College. "I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say," the 20-year-old Lady Shri Ram College student wrote on Twitter.

Bullied and harried

After her campaign went viral, she reportedly received a plethora of threats, including those involving sexual violence. It seems that the threats did their intended job. Gurmehar tweeted, "It's a request, please leave me alone. Stop spamming my wall and phone. Any question about my decision tweet to @Voice_Of_Ram."





I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say.. (1/2)  (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

The campaign is about students and not about me. Please go to the March in huge numbers. Best of luck.  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

To anyone questioning my courage and bravery.. I've shown more than enough  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

It's a request, please leave me alone. Stop spamming my wall and phone. Any question abt my decision tweet to @Voice_Of_Ram  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

One thing is for sure, next time we will think twice before resorting to violence or threats and that's all this was about (2/2)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

Just spoke to @mehartweets she is really scared. She's leaving delhi for now. It's sad we have become this country. Really really sad.  Ram Subramanian (@Voice_Of_Ram) February 28, 2017

The twitter handle in the above tweet belongs to Ram Subramanian, who is reportedly Kaur's adviser. Subramanian tweeted from his handle that Kaur was "scared" and that she was "leaving Delhi for now."

"To anyone questioning my courage and bravery, I've shown more than enough," she said in another tweet. The most poignant tweet was the following: "I have been through a lot and this is all my 20-year-self could take."

It wasn't just random people on social media who trolled her for her stand. Celebrities and political leaders took shots at her too.

On Monday, her campaign drew controversial reactions from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, with Union minister Kiren Rijiju wondering who was "polluting" her mind and another comparing her with wanted gangster Dawood Ibrahim.





Who's polluting this young girl's mind? A strong Arm Force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded. https://t.co/gXHkAGi9sh  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 27, 2017

Some people say they need Freedom in India. Listen to those people taking shelter in India after facing torture in neighbouring countries. https://t.co/MDoGYDF1Si  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 27, 2017

Freedom of expression is not a licence to shout anti- slogans in campuses. Criticise the govt but don't abuse the motherland. https://t.co/3iqyqeLdJe  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 27, 2017

Everyone has right of views but she said Pakistan didn't kill our brave martyr & India should shun war. India never perpetrated violence! https://t.co/2b8SHLdPRg  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 27, 2017

Pratap Simha, BJP MP from Mysuru, tweeted, "At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti- stand." His tweet came in response to another of Kaur's photographs, in which she said, "Pakistan did not kill my father. War killed him."





One more for controversy mongering media: via fb pic.twitter.com/oToxv1exqe  Pratap Simha (@mepratap) February 27, 2017

You need 2 nations for a war. India cannot wage war against itself. Then which is other nation that killed your dad, if not Pakistan?! pic.twitter.com/iQ1Q7R7HQo  Pratap Simha (@mepratap) February 27, 2017

To mock her, Simha also posted a photograph showing Dawood with the message, "I didn't kill people in 1993. Bombs killed them."

Rijiju also took to Twitter to take a dig at her. "Who's polluting this young girl's mind? Strong armed forces prevent a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded," the minister of state for home affairs said.

She still believes she was right

"One thing is for sure, next time we will think twice before resorting to violence or threats and that's all this was about," she said in her last tweet.

Through most of her campaign, Kaur appears to have conducted herself with poise. Even as she bowed out, she had this to say: "The campaign is about students and not about me. Please go to the March in huge numbers. Best of luck."
A major fire broke out on Monday at a multi-storey building housing several godowns in central Kolkata's Burrabazar, creating panic among the residents.

The fire broke out at around 10 pm near Bagri bazar area and 25 fire tenders were pressed into service. The fire intensified due to the presence of inflammable material, including gas cylinders in the godown, a senior official of the fire department said.

"There is no report of any casualty so far and few persons who were trapped inside the building have been rescued," the official said, adding people living in the adjacent buildings were also evacuated.

"It is a massive fire and we are trying to douse it, but the thick smoke is making it difficult for us to reach the spot since the building is located in a congested area behind Burrabazar police station. The blaze is also spreading fast due to the presence of inflammable materials," he said.

State fire minister Sovan Chatterjee, who rushed to the spot, said, "We are trying hard to douse the fire. Our senior officers are here."

Chatterjee, who is also the mayor of the city, supervised the fire fighting operations. Two to three cylinders were taken out during the evacuation in his presence, a fire department personnel said.

"The entire area has been cordoned off for the convenience of the fire fighters. Traffic at Rabindra Sarani has been stopped while the traffic in the MG road area was partially stopped," a police officer said.
From a record-breaking seven trophies at the Golden Globes and another five at the BAFTAs, Damien Chazelles third feature La La Land was the front-runner of the awards season. When it was premiered in August 2016 at the Venice Film Festival, the film was greeted with a swell of accolades. But since then, there has been a push-back of negative opinion against Chazelles tribute to classic American and French musicals. Barry Jenkinss sublime coming-of-age drama Moonlight did make a last-minute dent in La La Lands chances by winning Best Picture after a horrendous mix-up caused by presenter Warren Beatty. But La La Land did not do badly for itself: it won best director, music and original song, cinematography, production design, and best actress for Emma Stone.
Daily temperatures across the country are expected to be up to one degree Celsius above normal this summer (March to May), except in the northwest where it could be even more, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said.
The Supreme Court asked Sahara group chief to deposit Rs 5,092 crore by April 7 if he wished to not return to prison, from where he was released on parole last year.
Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, whose campaign against the ABVP has gone viral, found herself at the centre of a major row on Monday as the ruling BJP and the opposition traded charges over the Ramjas College clashes, re-igniting the intolerance debate.

Facing death and rape threats after her social media campaign against the RSS student wing, Kaur, daughter of an Army officer killed in the Kargil war, was compared to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim by a BJP MP while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju wondered who was "polluting" her mind.

But Kaur got the endorsement of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and many others for her stand against the ABVP and violence on the campus. The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) urged the police to act against those threatening her.

Kaur, a student of the prestigious Lady Shri Ram College, insisted she won't be intimidated.

"I am not afraid because I am fighting for the right thing," she said, adding she was getting numerous threats on phone and social media besides filthy comments.

"It would be very nice if I get protection. Fear is not in my blood. My father took a bullet for the country and I am also ready to do that," she added.

Kaur, 20, told the media that nobody had the right to threaten any woman with rape.

Kaur took on the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, which controls the Delhi University Students Union, after ABVP activists were blamed for the attacks on students, teachers and journalists in the campus.

Students opposed to the Ramjas College violence of February 22 and the online threats against Kaur have decided to take out a march in the Delhi University on Tuesday.

The issue triggered a war of words between the BJP and the Congress.

"Criticise the government but don't abuse the motherland," Rijiju said, after Kaur also posted: "Pakistan did not kill my father. War killed him."

BJP MP Pratap Simha from Mysuru posted an image of Dawood on Twitter with the words "I didn't kill people in 1993, bombs killed them."

The MP added: "At least Dawood did not use the crutches of his father's name to justify his anti- stand."

Both Rijiju and Simha faced widespread flak.

Rahul Gandhi tweeted: "Against the tyranny of fear we stand with our students. For every voice raised in anger, intolerance and ignorance there will be a ."

Said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari: "An atmosphere is being created to protect those who support violence or are fascist in nature. But those who try to express something within the limits of the Constitution, they face violence."

The Congress also targeted Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for his remark in London that "there is an alliance of subversion on Indian campuses".

Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party blamed the Modi government for the threats to Kaur and accused the ABVP of unleashing violence "both in the real and the online world".

Union ministers M. Venkaiah Naidu and Ravi Shankar Prasad hit back at the opposition for its narrative of attack on freedom of expression.

"Everybody has freedom but that does not mean that you raise slogans to weaken the country? Does freedom of expression mean raising slogans like Azadi for Kashmir, Azadi for Bastar?" asked Prasad.

Naidu accused Leftists of trying to turn universities into "laboratories for separatist experiments". He called the ABVP "a nationalist organisation".

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in Varanasi: "I have told Delhi Police to practice restraint so that nothing goes wrong. I am constantly in touch with the police commissioner."
India on Tuesday rejected media reports that a demarche was issued to the US over the killing of an Indian engineer, saying the pro-active response of the American government and senior authorities in Kansas "obviated" the need for such an action.

"It is important to note that the US authorities are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the US, a matter which continues to receive the government's top priority," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay asserted.

He said the US government and senior authorities in Kansas have pro-actively responded to the unfortunate death of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, and also drew attention to the strong condemnation of the tragic shooting by the US Embassy here last week.

Further, the US Charge d'Affaires had stated that her country welcomes people from across the world and the US authorities will investigate thoroughly and prosecute the case, he noted.

"This approach is reflected in the sentiments and assurances from senior most authorities of Kansas, who have reached out to the Indian Consul General in Houston. These developments obviated the need for a demarche by the government on this matter," Baglay said.

The Spokesperson was reacting to a query on the media report that the Embassy of India in Washington had issued a demarche to the US State Department.

In Washington last week, Indian Embassy Spokesman Pratik Mathur in a statement had said, "Government of India has taken up the matter with the US authorities to express our deep concern and have asked for speedy investigation. US government while condemning the attack, have assured us that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter."



Baglay also mentioned that "We also must not forget the noble and courageous gesture of the young American Ian Grillot, who risked his life while countering the shooter."



Srinivas (32), who was working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, was shot dead by an American in a crowded bar in Kansas City in an apparent hate crime incident.
On February 22, at around 4:30 pm, a classmate told me that there had been an attack at Delhi Universitys and asked me to join him at Maurice Nagar police station where students were gathering to seek police intervention. When I got there, I found that the police had already sealed the area. We were not allowed to cross the red light near Patel Chest Institute (at some distance from the police station).
Post-demonetisation, all ATMs across the country were recalibrated to dispense the new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes. However, security issues are a prime concern, as many ATMs still rely on outdated technology.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Dzivaresekwa 2 woman was last week hauled to court on allegations of duping her relative of more than US$16 000 meant to buy building materials for her house while she was in diaspora.Tafadzwa Chifonono, 30, however denied the allegations when she appeared before Harare magistrate Blessing Murwisi charged with theft of trust property.Chifonono told the court that she did not convert the money to her own use but withdrew the money and gave it to her husband who is in Mozambique as ordered by the complainant Constance Chigwada."Your Worship I did not withdraw the money and use it as being claimed by the complainant."She is the one who ordered me to withdraw the money and give it to my husband who is now in Mozambique," she said.Magistrate Murwisi remanded her out of custody to a later date on US$100 bail.Circumstances leading to the arrest are that on July 1 2016, Constance got into an agreement with Chifonono where she would withdraw her money and buy materials for her house in Waterfalls.It is alleged that Constance would deposit money in Chifonono's CBZ account and task her to take that money and buy housing materials.Some of the money is alleged to have been deposited by Constance's tenant only identified as Katsande.The State also alleges that a total of US$16 015 was deposited Chifonono's account but she did not buy anything.It is also said that Chifonono withdrew the money and gave it to her husband who is in Mozambique.A report was made to the police leading to the arrest of Chifonono.Sebastian Mutizirwa appeared for the State.
In a bid to increase cotton supply to institutions, and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is planning to upgrade its six cotton sliver plants under the Reform Development Program (KRDP) this year. The plants' production capacity will be increased by 40 per cent from current four million kgs to 5.6 million kgs a year.
India signs Financing Agreement with World Bank for US$ 63 Million for Tejaswini: Socio-Economic Empowerment of Adolescent Girls and Young Women Project.

A Financing Agreement for IDA credit of US$ 63 million (equivalent) for the Tejaswini" Socio-Economic Empowerment of Adolescent Girls and Young Women Project" was signed here with the World Bank on 23rd February, 2017. The Financing Agreement was signed by Mr. Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of India and Mr. Junaid Kamal Ahmad, Country Director, World Bank (India) on behalf of the World Bank. A Project Agreement was also signed by Mr.

Mukhmeet Singh Bhatia, Principal Secretary, Department of Women, Child Development, Government of Jharkhand and Mr. Junaid Kamal Ahmad, Country Director, World Bank.

The project seeks to empower the adolescent girls with basic life skills and thereafter provide further opportunities to acquire market driven skill training or completion of secondary education, depending on the inclination of the beneficiary. The project will be delivered in 17 Districts of Jharkhand. The project has three main components, (i) Expanding social, educational and economic opportunities (ii) Intensive service delivery (iii) State capacity-building and implementation support. About 680,000 adolescent girls and young women in the project Districts are expected to benefit from the program.

The closing date for the project is 30th June, 2021.
Nand Kumar Sai assumes charge as Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes

Senior tribal leader from Chhattisgarh and ex parliamentarian Shri Nand Kuamr Sai assumed charge as the chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) today in New Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion Shri Sai said it will be his endeavor to protect rights of tribal living in far flung areas of the country. He said a large percentage of tribals in our country are still not aware of their rights guaranteed to them by the constitutions. Shri Sai said he will see to it that NCST is converted into an important tool for the overall social economic development of STs in the country.

Earlier on his arrival to the office of NCST, Shri Sai was greeted by Vice Chairperson of NCST Miss Anusuia Uikey, Members Shri Bari Krishna Damor and Shri Harshadbhai Chunilal Vasava and Secretary of the Commission Shri Raghav Chandra.

Born on January 1, 1946 at village Bhagora of Jaspur District in Chhattisgarh Shri Sai studied at NES college Jashpur and obtained Post Graduate degree in Political Science from Pt. Ravi Shankar Shukla University, Raipur.

Shri Sai was elected to MP legislative assembly in 1977, 1985 and 1998. He was elected to Chhattisgarh legislative assembly in 2000 and was the first leader of opposition in the assembly. Shri Sai was elected to Lok sabha in 1989, 1996 and 2004.

He was also elected to Rajya Sabha in 2009 and 2010. He also served as member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal and Steel and member of the Parliamentary consultative committee of Ministry of Urban Development and Ministry of Social Justice and empowerment.

Shri Sai has been actively involved in spread of education in tribal areas. An ardent supporter of prohibition Shri Sai has been in the forefront of various movements to oppose atrocities and exploitation of tribals.

NCST was established by amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution through the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003. By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was replaced by two separate Commissions namely- (i) the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and (ii) the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) w.e.f. February 19, 2004.

The term of office of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and each member is three years from the date of assumption of charge. The Chairperson has been given the rank of Union Cabinet Minister and the Vice-Chairperson that of a Minister of State and other Members have the ranks of a Secretary to the Government of India.

NCST is empowered to investigate and monitor matters relating to safeguards provided for STs under the Constitution or under other laws or under Govt. order. The Commission is also authorized to inquire into specific complaints relating to rights and safeguards of STs and to participate and advise in the Planning Process relating to socio-economic development of STs and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union and States.

The commission submits its report to the President annually on the working of safeguards and measures required for effective implementation of Programmers/ Schemes relating to welfare and socio-economic development of STs.

Samir/jk
President of India to visit Kerala and Tamil Nadu from March 2 to 3

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee will visit Kerala and Tamil Nadu from March 2 to 3, 2017.

On March 2, 2017, the President will inaugurate a Seminar on Importance of Sustainable Culture Building being organized as part of the third edition of the Muziris Biennale in Kochi. On the same day, he will also deliver the Sixth KS Rajamony Memorial Lecture at Kochi. On March 3, 2017, the President will present Standard to 125 (H) Sqn and Colours to MTI of Indian Air Force at Tambaram, Tamil Nadu. On the same day, he will also inaugurate the Centenary Celebrations of Womens Indian Association at Theosophical Society, Adyar, Chennai.

The Kochi Muziris Biennale is an international festival of contemporary art organized by the Kochi Muziris Foundation in association with the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. Its three editions, since 2012, have resulted in Kochi occupying a prominent position on the global art calendar. The Biennale has till date exhibited over 300 artworks by over 250 artists from all over the world and hosted more than a million visitors. This edition showcases 97 artists from 31 countries such as UK, USA, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. It has received around four lakh visitors till date.

The Memorial Lecture in Kochi is being organized in memory of Late Shri K. S. Rajamony, prominent lawyer and former Member of the Kerala Public Mens Inquiry Commission (with the rank of a High Court Judge) from 1992 to 1997.

Initiated in 2002, the K. S. Rajamony Memorial Lectures have been delivered in the past by eminent persons like Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer, Justice K. T. Thomas, Justice K. P. Balasubramanian, Chief Justice of India K. G. Balakrishnan and Minister of Law and Justice Shri Salman Khurshid.
is mulling financial incentives to encourage couples to have a second child, as surveys show that many are reluctant to expand their families due to economic constraints, a media report said.

Wang Pei'an, vice-minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, revealed the potential move at a social welfare conference, the Daily said in the report on Tuesday.

Top decision-makers last year relaxed the more than four-decade-old family planning policy to allow, if not encourage, all Chinese couples to have a second child.

Nationwide, the change led to 17.8 million births in 2016, an increase of more than 1.3 million compared with the previous year and the biggest annual increase in 20 years.

"That fully met the expectations, but barriers still exist and must be addressed," Wang told the conference. "To have a second child is the right of each family in China, but affordability has become a bottleneck that undermines the decision."

A survey by the commission in 2015 found that 60 per cent of families polled expressed reluctance to have a second baby largely due to economic constraints.

To address that, Wang said, the government is considering introducing supporting measures, including "birth rewards and subsidies" to encourage people to have another child, the daily said.

It is the first time that the top population authority has suggested such a move to boost the birthrate, according to Yuan Xin, a professor at Nankai University in Tianjin.

In some low-fertility countries like Japan, baby incentives such as cash subsidies, prolonged maternity leave, tax breaks, and child and healthcare benefits have been introduced by the government to boost the population.

China, however, is a different case, according to Yuan, who explained that the nation still faces challenges from a huge population base and limited natural and public resources to sustain population development.

A mother of a 3-year-old girl in Beijing told Daily: "I don't expect cash from the government for a second child. Sound social public policies to help working parents raise the children are needed more."

The woman referred to prolonged maternity leave, equal working opportunities for mothers, easy access to quality education resources for children and a well-functioning social welfare system.
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called on President Donald Trump to speak out against hate crimes following the murder of an Indian engineer in Kansas last week.

"With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out," Clinton said on Twitter.

Trump is yet to comment on the shooting, which took place last Wednesday night, leaving Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla dead and two injured in an apparent hate crime.

However, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said last week that it was too early to call the act a hate crime.





With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out.https://t.co/QKKyXyuqNM  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 27, 2017

Spicer also referred to the shooting at a news conference on Monday. He was voicing the President's concerns about recent acts of vandalism against Jewish cemeteries in St Louis and Philadelphia.

"No one in America should feel afraid to follow the religion of their choosing freely and openly. The president has dedicated to preserving this originating principle of our nation," Spicer said.

"And while we're at it, I don't want to get ahead of law enforcement, but I was asked the other day about the story in Kansas, the shooting in Kansas. And while the story is evolving, early reports out of Kansas are equally disturbing," he said.
The White House has called "disturbing" the incident in which an Indian engineer was killed in an apparent case of hate crime in the US.

The White House also condemned the alleged hate crimes against the Jewish community in the country.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters at his daily news conference that "early reports coming from Kansas are equally disturbing".

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani, of the same age, was injured in the shooting by 51-year-old US navy veteran Adam Purinton who screamed racial slurs and told them "get out of my country".

A 24-year-old American named Ian Grillot tried to intervene and received injuries in the firing in Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas.

Spicer, during his briefing, also condemned the alleged hate crimes against the Jewish community and asserted that there is no space for violence based on religion and ethnicity.

"From our country's founding, we've been dedicated to protecting the freedom of our citizens' rights to worship. No one in America should feel afraid to follow the religion of their choice freely and openly. The President is dedicated to preserving the originating principle of our nation," Spicer said.

"And while we're at it, I don't want to get ahead of law enforcement, but I was asked the other day about the story in Kansas, the shooting in Kansas. While the story is evolving, early reports out of Kansas are equally disturbing," the White House Press Secretary said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has joined local law enforcement agencies in investigating the incident that has shocked the entire Indian-American community and several hundreds of Indians either working or studying in the US.

Spicer said Trump continues to be deeply disappointed and concerned by the reports of further vandalism at Jewish cemeteries.

"The cowardly destruction in Philadelphia this weekend comes on top of similar accounts from Missouri and threats made to Jewish community centers around the country.

"The president continues to condemn these and any other form of anti-semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms," he said.

His remarks came after vandals broke and overturned more than 500 gravestones at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, the latest in a spate of recent bomb threats and attacks against sites for Jews across the US.
This was supposed to be the most political Academy Awards in history. One man was expected to overshadow the ceremony: and not the gold one that stands 8 inches tall.
Asylum seekers crossing in the dead of night into Canada from the United States may face a new danger in coming weeks, as heavy snowpack melts in the flood-prone U.S. northern plains and province of Manitoba.
Opinion / Columnist

Since 2015, the MDCT through NERA has wedged a dedicated fight for electoral reform in Zimbabwe. These reforms are aimed at leveling the playing field in our country ahead of the crucial 2018 elections. To this end NERA adopted a two pronged strategy.The first was through mass demonstrations while the second was through direct engagement with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. The countrywide demonstrations were kick-started by the historic mass demonstrations organized by the MDCT in Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare in 2016. Encouraged and buoyed by the success of these demonstrations other social movements notably Tajamuka and #thisflag and the National Vendors Association also organized mass protests as well.On the negotiating table NERA extracted a number of concessions from ZEC. These included the construction of a new voters roll through the Biometric Voter Registration system, a transparent and inclusive voter education program and regular meetings between ZEC and the political parties through the ZEC-Political Parties Platform.It was at this platform that it was agreed that the procurement of the BVR kits would be done by ZEC through the UNDP. Consequently, a joint advertisement was flighted by the UNDP and ZEC calling upon all potential suppliers of these kits to place their bids. These bids were opened at the UNDP offices in Copenhagen and this was witnessed by both ZEC and the political parties. It was further agreed that once the winner of the tender was declared, political parties would second their technical experts to inspect these kits.Suddenly, the government announced that it was taking over the BVR kits procurement process! Among other things this means that the government will now select the supplier of these kits. Political parties and other stakeholders will thus not be able to monitor the process.NERA totally rejects this move because it is designed to enable the government to manipulate the procurement process. That way the government will also manipulate the 2018 election process. In other words this move marks the beginning of the rigging of the 2018 elections.We therefore call upon all Zimbabweans to rise up and resist this manipulation. To that end NERA is organizing nationwide demonstrations to show the people's outrage at this political abomination. Thus all Zimbabweans irrespective of their political affiliation are called to action. Together we will win. Victory is certain.
SpaceX, the ambitious rocket company headed by Elon Musk, wants to send a couple of tourists around the moon and back to Earth before the end of next year. If they manage that feat, the passengers would be the first humans to venture that far into space in more than 40 years.
CEO Howard Schultz's vision for the chain was largely inspired by the coffee bars he saw on his first trip to Milan more than three decades ago.

But it took the company growing to about 26,000 stores in 75 countries to win the credibility he felt necessary to make the leap into the country that gave espresso to the world.

"I didn't think we were ready to come to Italy," Schultz told The Associated Press in an interview Monday. "I think Italy is such a special place. I am so respectful of the Italian coffee heritage and the Italian culture, and I think we had to earn that respect, opportunity, and I think over the years we got to the point that we are now ready to come."



As he prepares to step down as CEO in April, Schultz will focus on innovation. That includes a Milan location that will open in 2018 of what he called "the quintessential Roastery" one of the high-end shops featuring in-house roasting and complex coffee drinks. The journey of 35 years, he said, completes "my own dream and the circle of ."



Unsurprisingly, skeptics like 70-year-old Christine Kung see as a coals-to-Newcastle enterprise.

"We are happy the way we are," Kung said on her way to a bar for coffee in central Milan. "We don't need to be invaded by American scenery. We already have McDonald's and that's enough."



Indeed, the entry of McDonald's into Italy three decades ago sparked the Slow Food movement that encourages local food traditions, although it ultimately did not prevent the Golden Arches and other fast-food chains that followed from becoming part of the Italian landscape.

Still, espresso drinks are part of Italian tradition and the fabric of everyday life in a way a quick bite still is not. Italians are accustomed to "taking" an espresso standing at the bar for an average price of 1 euro, or just about a dollar, even in major cities; 1.20-1.50 euros is on par for a cappuccino.

In Italy, baristas generally make the coffee in full sight of the consumer, and hand brioche and other pastries across a glass case, often with a quip. Taking a seat in an Italian bar may incur an extra charge, especially in prime locations. There are few sugary embellishments and Wi-Fi access is spotty, at best.

It is not uncommon to see waiters with silver trays delivering coffee in porcelain cups covered with foil to the neighbouring business, a practice that underlies the rarity of the takeout coffee cup.

This sort of humanity attracted Schultz's admiration on his first Milan visit. His response is to position the first Starbucks in Italy as a premium operation.
The White House on Tuesday indicated that US President "got something" in return from Beijing for agreeing to the 'One China' policy on Taiwan, which he had earlier questioned following his electoral victory.

"The President always gets something," the White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters at his daily news conference when asked about Trump's change in the 'One China' policy over the past few months.

Breaking with past traditions, Trump, following his victory in November election, has made a call to Taiwan, and openly questioned the sanctity of the 'One China' policy, suggesting that Washington is not bound to follow its nearly three-decade-old policy to support one China unless Beijing agrees to a new trade deal.

However, Trump reaffirmed US support for the One China policy during his first phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping early this month.

Spicer said that Trump agreed to stick with the One China policy at the request of Chinese President Jinping.

"He (Trump) had a conversation with President Xi, I'm not going to get into the details of it, but at President Xi's request and after a discussion, the President reaffirmed the one China policy. The President (Trump) is not the one to discuss his negotiating tactics," Spicer said.

"But did he insure the American people get something?" he was asked.

"The President always gets something," Spicer said.

Under the 'One China' policy, considered to be the cornerstone of Sino-US relations, the US recognises and has formal ties with China rather than the island of Taiwan, which China sees as a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland one day.

Meanwhile, Trump's nominee for Ambassador to China - Iowa Governor Terry Branstad - was also praised by the White House.

"He is known for his soft policies on China. I think he's going to do a phenomenal job representing our nation. He starts with a deep understanding of the Chinese economy, the Chinese government. That is going to really serve our nation well," he said.

The Iowa Governor, he said, has deep understanding and ties to China and to China's economy and the Chinese officials.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A little more than a week after faced stinging accusations that it had ignored female employees complaints of sexual harassment, the company dismissed the head of its engineering efforts for failing to disclose a sexual harassment claim from his previous job.
has dipped 7% to Rs 107 on the BSE after more than 3% of total equity of telecom services provider changed hands with block deal.
While the free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union is lingering on for over a decade, India is all set to sign with Eurasian countries (comprise Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kirkistan) in a year.
was up 8% to Rs 420 on BSE in intra-day trade after the company said it has received order worth Rs 153 crore from Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO).
Taxi aggregator Ola on Tuesday announced its exclusive partnership with Kolkata Metro, India's first Metro Railway and one of the most popular modes of public transport in the city of joy.

The association will enable easy, convenient and affordable last mile connectivity for commuters through dedicated 'Ola Zones', at key metro stations. The metro stations that will have an 'Ola Zone' are Esplanade, Park Street, Rabindra Sadan, Kalighat, Rabindra Sarobar and Mahanayak Uttam Kumar. Going ahead Kolkata Metro and Ola will further strengthen their partnership by adding the remaining 18 stations.

Kolkata Metro which facilitates travel for thousands of commuters every day extensively connects some of the key locations in the city. Over the years, Kolkata Metro has become synonymous with the city's heritage and has become one of the preferred modes of public transport for millions of Kolkatans.

The partnership with Ola is a step towards successfully integrating tradition with technology to offer seamless mobility solutions for hundreds and thousands of Metro passengers. Customers can now book an Ola cab from their application on arrival at a metro station and proceed towards 'Ola Zone' where their designated cab and driver partners will be waiting.

Moreover, Ola Kiosks stationed at these metro stations will assist commuters with booking and other details making their travel that much more seamless and convenient.

"Apart from building solutions that cater to various used cases, determining the commuting needs of a particular location, Ola has also aimed at integrating with the existing transport infrastructure within a city to enable sustainable transport solution. In Kolkata too, we integrated with the iconic yellow taxis to allow customers to book taxis from the Ola app. Metro Railways forms an integral part of Kolkata's mobility ecosystem and we are extremely honored to partner with them and are confident that this association will help create and build last mile connectivity for lakhs of commuters that use the metro services daily," said Director Operations at Ola, Piyush Surana.

"Metro Railway has carved a unique position in the hearts of the people of Kolkata, earning the much loved title of being the lifeline of the city of joy. We have tirelessly worked over the years to offer the citizens state of the art infrastructure and mobility experience. Ola is the leader in mobility transportation in India and has grown to become the preferred mode of transport in the city of Kolkata. We appreciate their efforts to support our shared vision of providing sturdy and seamless transport solutions to the citizens. Our combined efforts will cater to the mobility needs of millions of commuters with absolute ease and convenience," he added.

Ola had recently partnered with Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited to equip key metro stations with dedicated Ola kiosks that will provide customers the access of wide range of mobility solutions including the most affordable Micro to the premium Ola Lux.

Last year, Ola signed a similar MoU with the Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore City Junction Railway Station for a designated 'Ola Zone', resulting in a seamless experience for customers and driver partners alike in the respective cities.

It aims to replicate this model with other key public utility spaces across the country. Ola is also exploring associations with the Indian Railways for designated Zones that have the potential to offer convenient mobility experience to the millions of people who travel by trains.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BJP leader Shaina NC told ANI that the students should resolved their issues in a peaceful and constructive manner.

"Student agitation are a norm but this kind of violence should not be patronized in any form. We condemn it and whether it is the ABVP or the another group that is being instigated by so called anti- elements it's imperative to sit down debate and discuss and come up with a solution. We don't spoil the future of our youth," she added.

Earlier, Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu came down heavily on opposition including Congress for slamming the government on Ramjas college incident.

He asserted that the government does not support any violent activities.

Naidu said the difference opinion is agreeable but not disintegration. He said, certain misguided sections are trying to mislead young population, create social tensions and hurt the sentiments of the people.

Naidu said freedom of expression cannot be used to advocate separatism.

The minister alleged that the opposition parties are not able to digest growing popularity of Narendra Modi government.

Last week, Left-affiliated AISA and the BJP backed ABVP clashed with each other causing injuries to many. The reason of the clash was an invite to JNU students, Umar Khalid, who is facing sedition charge, and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar.

The seminar was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by the ABVP. A few policemen and journalists were also roughed up during the violence.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Pratap Simha countered controversy by comparing Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, whose social media post against the ABVP has gone viral, to Dawood Ibrahim, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday dubbed it as the voice of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) who wants to capture the universities of India.

CPI (M) politburo member Brinda Karat told ANI that people like Pratap Simha are echoing their masters' voice and using the ABVP to unleash 'gundaism' on the campuses of India.

"They are only doing what their leaders want them to do. That is why I am saying that this is immaterial. They are echoing their masters' voice and that voice is from Nagpur and that voice is the voice of the RSS which cannot tolerate dissent and they want to capture the universities of India because of simple reason is that they cannot reason, they have no logic and that is why they use ABVP to unleash 'gundaism' on the campuses of India," she added.

Echoing similar sentiments, another CPI (M) leader D. Raja said the BJP is trying to intimidate people who are against its policies.

Retorting to Rijiju's statement that 'anyone who wants to break India and supports terrorists can be branded as an "anti-national"', Raja urged the BJP to put an end to such hate campaign.

After Simha courted controversy by comparing Gurmehar Kaur, whose social media post against the ABVP has gone viral, with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim political leaders are seen to be taking positions for and against her.

Kaur, the daughter of an Indian Army captain who died in the Kargil war, launched a social media campaign against the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad after last week's violence in Ramjas College.

On her part, she visited the Delhi Commission for Women to complain against abusive 'rape' threats on social media from online trolls.

Clashes erupted between activists of the All India Students Association (AISA) and the RSS' student wing ABVP outside Ramjas College here last week, a day after the ABVP forced suspension of an event to be addressed by JNU student Umar Khalid.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Opinion / Columnist

A few days ago, John Ncube who signed off as a very loyal subscriber to Econet, wrote an open letter to Strive Masiyiwa about how Econet Wireless Zimbabwe does not employ Ndebele people.After reading the letter, I knew I needed to say something. Because it is my responsibility as a young citizen of Zimbabwe, who cares about it and its future.This is my response, written in my personal capacity.Before going further, please allow me to share about myself so you can know where I am coming from.My name is Dalumuzi Mhlanga. I am a Ndebele Econet employee, born and bred in Bulawayo. NgiliNdebele qho.I studied at Greenfield Primary in Montrose, and did my high school at Mzingwane, Esigodini. I was on the Econet-funded Joshua Nkomo Scholarship, after O'Level, in 2006. I have studied and worked abroad, in the US and UK. My love for my city and my people is fierce. I have invested in developing the skills of our young people through not-for-profit projects that have reached every high school in Bulawayo and dozens in Mat. South and Mat. North.All of this is to say: My place of birth is a deep and central part of me. It is dear to me. At the same time, Econet has made a difference in my life notwithstanding my place of birth.Given this background, I read the letter with concern. It pained me to learn and realize how our company is viewed as discriminatory in its recruitment of staff and treatment of customers. It pained me even more to read the Facebook comments, which very quickly erupted into heated exchange between, broadly speaking, Shona and Ndebele users of the platform.Through his letter, John Ncube clearly hit a nerve.I cannot respond to everything that John Ncube raised. What I can do, though, is to share from my own perspective and open all of us up to a richer understanding of the issues at hand.First, I have personal experience of Econet's impact in my own life and those of others. As it happens, my first proper job was with Capernaum Trust (now called the Higherlife Foundation, which is fully funded by Econet and runs its scholarship programs) back in 2009. Together with the Regional Manager, we drove the length and breadth of Matebeleland  literally, from Beitbridge to Binga, into Tsholotsho, Nkayi and Filabusi. We had one goal: to get as many as 10,000 orphans, vulnerable children and exceptional students onto the company-funded scholarship programs. To this day, the company goes to great lengths to support the education of underprivileged young people in my place of birth. While we will not all hear of this impact, it is real and I personally know of dozens and dozens of young people who can attest to this.Surely, if Econet fully discriminated against my people in Matebeleland, they would not invest millions of dollars in educating our children.Second, I know how seriously Strive Masiyiwa and Econet take the company's core values of ethical conduct and professionalism. I am aware that we have a policy of non-discrimination, inclusiveness and enhancing diversity in all its forms.I may not be privy to all the discussions within the company that were sparked by John Ncube's letter. However, from what I have always observed when there are real or perceived breaches of our company's core values and policies, I am certain there are already serious conversations taking place to carefully look into and resolve the issues raised.Finally, and at a deeper level: after reading John Ncube's letter and the comments it elicited, I recognized that he was, at the same time, writing about Econet and not writing just about Econet. He was writing about broader and deeper challenges that our country faces. He very well could have written a similar letter directed at one of the banks, construction companies or large retailers. I am not saying this to divert attention from Econet, but to focus our attention on the deeper issues at stake.As I read through the comments accompanying the letter, pitting people against each other along tribal lines, five words rang loud in my mind:We have work to do."We" in this instance is, us, young people.I am 27. And my generation is entering a phase where we now need to make serious and long-term contributions to taking our country forward. We need to focus on the dynamics that tear us apart, keep us down, and prevent us from making collective progress. This is, in fact, a challenge that is not specific to Zimbabwe.The title to John Ncube's letter could very well have been, "Safaricom in Kenya does not employ Luo" or "MTN Nigeria does not employ Hausa" or "Airtel Zambia does not employ Tonga". These are examples.My point is not to trivialize what John Ncube pointed out. But to draw our attention to a broader struggle.It is my generation's responsibility to rid ourselves of historical baggage that weighs us down as we pursue better lives for our families, communities and nations. I do not direct this to Shona or Ndebele. And I mention this outside of the specific context that John Ncube wrote about. It is a reality of our lifetime, if we are to make progress. We need to press on forward, to keep our eyes on the prize.I do not hold the formula to how we can achieve this. We all hold pieces of the puzzle.In his own way, John Ncube has brought this to the surface.Because of our company's core values, I believe what he has specifically raised is already being looked into by our leaders.Equally important, let's get to work young people.Let us resolve our issues, lay them aside and run the race that will take us forward.
Setting an inspiring example to others, a woman from Chhattisgarh's Jashpur district mortgaged her jewellery to make bricks with the help of other women to construct more than 100 toilets in the village.

Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Campaign, Kajal Roy a sana village ward Panch said it was not an easy decision to make as she had to go through a lot of difficulties at the initial step.

"First of all I have started with my ward. Initially I started with 50 toilets and completed it on time. We have gone to each and every house hold to make people aware of using toilets and their importance. When there was problem with the funds I had to keep my jewellery on mortgage to meet with the demands. Though I don't have any regards about it," she told ANI.

She also said that she sold some of her jewelleries because she thought building toilet was more important to her.

Stating that Kajal Roy has set an inspiring example, District official Priyanka Shukla told ANI that she would be felicitated for her and work, adding the administration would extend all kind of support to her.

"It is a very inspiring example. She came forward to lead this drive. Her story will inspire others. Her intention and commitment are remarkable, District administration will felicitate her and will extend all kind of support to her," she added.

Meanwhile, Women sarpanch, who have done exemplary work under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, will be felicitated by Prime Minister Modi on the occasion of International Women's Day, according to sources.

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) was officially launched on October 2, 2014 by Prime Minister Modi himself.

The campaign aims to clean the streets, roads and other infrastructure across the country.

As part of this campaign, the government is aiming to achieve an Open-Defecation Free (ODF) India by October 2, 2019, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, by constructing close to nine crore toilets.

So far, about 3.46 crore toilets have been constructed and about 1.65 lakh villages have become ODF.

In last two years, sanitation coverage of the country has also increased to 61.16 per cent from 42 percent, according to official data.

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Describing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a game changer that would transform the lives of the billions of people in Asia, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told a visiting Chinese delegation that Pakistan and China are iron brothers and Islamabad's friendship with Beijing is the cornerstone of his government's foreign policy.

Interacting with China's Executive Vice Foreign Minister Yesui Zhang, who called on him on Tuesday, Sharif thanked the Chinese government for its continued support on its bid for becoming a member of the NSG and its stand at the UNSC 1267 Committee.

He also appreciated China's diplomatic and material support to Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.

He also welcomed participation of the Executive Vice Foreign Minister as a Representative of the Government of People's Republic of China in the ECO Summit on special invitation.

Sharif, according to Radio Pakistan, said he will visit China in May this year to participate in the "Belt and Road Forum" for International Cooperation (BRF) at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.

Executive Vice Foreign Minister Yesui also called on Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi.

Both discussed Pakistan-China relations, the ECO Summit and regional situation.

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The White House has termed the early reports of Kansas shooting, where an Indian engineer was shot to death in an alleged racial attack by a gunman as "disturbing".

"While the story is evolving, early reports out of Kansas are equally disturbing," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said at his daily press conference.

An Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot to death in Kansas in an alleged racial attack, after the gunman was heard shouting "get out of my country".

According to local media, the gunman, Adam Purinton, 51 who is a Navy veteran was arrested after fleeing the spot of incident, after he allegedly blasted off several rounds on Thursday.

The Police say Purinton shot and killed Kuchibhotla, an engineer at GPS maker Garmin International and wounded his colleague Alok Madasani.

He was reportedly taken into custody by the police at Applebee's in Clinton, Missouri, about 82 miles southeast of Olathe.

Purinton was working as a desktop support specialist for an information technology company in the Kansas City area.

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Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Tuesday called for joint efforts to transform ECO into a formidable economic block through full exploitation of its human and material resources.

He identified the priority areas for ECO to help realize the dream of transforming the organization into a strong economic block.

Aziz said immediate attention should be paid to increase intra-regional trade which is far below the potential.

He called for implementation of ECO trade agreement and removal of trade and non-trade barriers besides establishment of a Free Trade Area in the region.

Radio Pakistan further quoted him, as pointing out that the lack of regional connectivity was a major impediment to economic cooperation.

He said for movement of goods, there should be a focus on corridor based projects for greater connectivity different corridors.

Aziz said there is a need to increase the membership, scope and activities of ECO Trade and Development Bank as well as ECO Re-Insurance Company.

He also proposed enhanced cooperation of public and private sectors of member states through ECO Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

He suggested an increase in membership and ratification of ECO Science Foundation to promote scientific and technological cooperation in the region.

Aziz called for using the platform of Parliamentary Assembly of ECO to promote democratic values among member states.

He also briefed the participants about Pakistan's economic achievements that have restored investors' confidence.

The government, he said, is focusing on creation and improvement of infrastructure and expressed the confidence that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would galvanize trade opportunities within the region. He asked the ECO countries to use Gwadar and the CPEC for economical trade of their goods to other countries.

The adviser pointed out that the region is faced with multiple challenges including terrorism, drug trafficking and other trans regional organized crimes. He said concerted efforts are required to meet the challenges and take forward the development agenda of the region.

Highlighting the economic progress made by the country over the last four years, the adviser said all the economic indicators are positive which has raised the confidence of investors. He said the country is also pursuing a comprehensive anti terrorism policy. He said we are committed to provide smooth and safe transit for trade of goods.

Addressing the meeting, outgoing Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said the organization should invest more time and energy for implementation of ECO Vision 2025.

He said continued regional cooperation within the ECO framework would require enhanced institutional and operational capacities in the organization.

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In wake of the recent clashes that broke out between the students of Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and All India Student Association, FTII Chairman Gajendra Chauhan on Tuesday urged students to stay away from political issues and concentrate on their studies.

Talking to ANI, Chauhan said, "Protest is always healthy for a democracy, only if the issue of protest is correct. In this case a young girl studying in college tweeted something like 'my father was killed in the war, not by Pakistan' and this tweet depicts that she is trying to prove that Pakistan is innocent."

"There is already a tussle between two groups. I would like to suggest college students that these issues are political and if they indulge themselves in these political matters, then their student life is being affected," he added

A 'Tiranga' march was organised by the ABVP on Monday in order to invoke nationalist sentiments on the campus.

The students of Delhi University had earlier today staged a protest against the ABVP at the SGTB Khalsa College in North Campus.

The said event was disrupted as it featured Umar Khalid, a student accused of anti- sloganeering at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in February last year.

Khalid, who is writing his PhD. dissertation on the culture of dissent in Bastar was invited to speak on the issue of 'adivasi' protest movements.

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The External Affairs Ministry Secretary (Economic Relations) Amar Sinha on Tuesday stated that a joint coordination committee will be created by India and Israel to plan out high level political visits between both nations.

"We (India and Israel) will create a joint coordination committee which will plan out high level political visits apart from the other things," said Amar Sinha at an event to mark the commencement of commemoration of 25 years of diplomatic ties.

"Both the governments are contemplating to hold a series of events on a variety of subjects to celebrate the occasion in a befitting manner. We are constantly trying to make it a more multi-dimensional relationship," added Sinha.

India and Israel have been co-operating each other on many fronts including cooperation in Defense and in Agriculture and achieved milestones in fostering bilateral relationship.

Through agricultural technology of Israel, India has set up 25 Centre of Excellences (CoEs) spread over nine Indian States for the benefits of Indian farmers. Both the countries are committed to further deepening and diversifying the relation in many areas including space, S&T, R&D, education, dairy and innovation.

India established diplomatic ties with Israel in 1992. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to make a bilateral visit to the Jewish nation sometime later this year.

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Ahead of the four-day visit of Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Tom Shannon met Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Navtej Sarna at the Department of State.

During the trip, Jaishankar will discuss the safety of Indians as well as raise the issue of H1-B visas.

Jaishankar is scheduled to hold talks on regional and international issues of mutual interest with senior members of the Donald Trump administration.

During the visit, Jaishankar will also raise the issue of safety of Indian nationals.

The 25 Governors along with the special envoys of four other Governors, who attended Sarna's reception two nights after the killing of an Indian engineer in Kansas, expressed solidarity with India whose citizens feel threatened following recent racial attacks and President Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Speaking at the Indian embassy in Washington, Sarna said that more than 400,000 jobs have been directly or indirectly supported by the Indian tech companies.

Sarna also said that since US and India are both federal in their polity and governance systems, the states will always have a critical role to play in spurring growth and facilitating investments.

He mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a strong believer in 'cooperative federalism'.

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A Malayalee priest, who is accused of raping a minor in Kannur, Kerala leading to her pregnancy, has been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.

The priest has been sent to the special subjail in Kannur.

A case had been registered in Kelakam Police Station against Father Robin under POCSO and IPC Section 376.

On February 25, an anonymous letter was received by the Child line mentioning the incident and they informed of the case to Kelakam Police Station on the same day in the evening. A woman police officer met the victim yesterday morning and recorded her statement.

In the initial stages, the victim had given a statement that her own father had committed the crime. But on further questioning the parents of the victim, the truth was revealed and the accused was identified as the priest of the church who is also the manager of the school where the minor girl studied. As per the statement, the incident took place in May, 2016.

On getting the information, 48-year-old Father Robin absconded from the location. A team comprising Peravoor CI Sunil Kumar and Kelakam SI Pradeep TV located the accused and detained him.

Meanwhile, the police have said that a DNA test will be held on the priest to ascertain the charges against him, and the Police have also booked the private hospital, where she delivered a baby, for not informing them about the development.

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Afghanistan has refused to send high-level representatives to the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit being hosted by Pakistan.

According to TOLO News, neither Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani nor CEO Abdullah Abdullalh are going to attending the event.

It was expected that one of the leaders of the National Unity Government (NUG) or Acting Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani would participate at the meeting but the recent tensions between the two countries have resulted in none of the top leaders participating at the Summit.

However, Afghan ambassador to Pakistan, Omar Zakhilwal, is likely to attend the Summit.

The tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have increased since a deadly suicide attack in a Sufi shrine in the Pakistani provinces of Sindh killed at least 75 people.

After the attack, Islamabad closed the Torkham border post.

"Pakistan and Afghanistan were negotiating a joint mechanism for dealing with concerns over terrorism. He expressed the hope that progress would take place on the sidelines of the summit," ToloNews quoted Pakistan's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj as saying.

The ECO Summit is aimed at promoting connectivity and cooperation in energy, infrastructure, transport and trade sectors.

Aizaz said the Islamabad declaration, which would be adopted at the end of the Summit, would underscore the significance of more connectivity and cooperation for the benefit of people of the region.

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NIIT University (NU) has been recognized as the "Best Institution for promoting industry-academia interface" at the 10th ASSOCHAM Higher Education Summit 2017. The award ceremony was felicitated by Prakash Javadekar, Union HRD Minister, Government of India. The summit focused on the role and contribution of universities in building entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Established with a vision to bring about innovation in higher education and learning in emerging areas of the knowledge society, NU, is well poised for meeting the emerging needs of the knowledge economy through its focus on building strong industry linkages and a research oriented approach. Over the years, NU has been building extensive linkages with the industry it has active collaboration with leading organizations like: Microsoft Research, IBM, WNS and PwC.

"NU has been developed as an institution of higher education that works closely with the industry to create higher education programs that are aligned to their needs. The industry-academia connect has been designed to create 'leaders of tomorrow' who can adapt to the fast-changing global economy and contribute meaningfully to the growth of their organizations and the society at large. I am grateful that our efforts are being recognized by the industry. I would like to thank ASSOCHAM for this honour and reiterate our commitment to further deepen the industry-academia alliance," said president NIIT University, Prof. V S Rao.

Since its inception in 2009, NU has made significant progress in research and

innovation in curriculum development and design. Conceptualized as an institution of excellence, NU provides exceptional education based on the Four Core Principles that make learning Industry-linked, Technology-based, Research-driven and Seamless. The University has been offering Industry-linked courses like MBA Program in Analytics in collaboration with WNS, MTech (GIS) in collaboration with ESRI, MBA (Finance & Banking) in partnership with ICICI Bank, and MTech (Educational Technology) in collaboration with leading institutions in the country. The University is also building research capabilities in areas such as Biotechnology, Mobile Healthcare, Cognitive Radio, Educational Technology, and Next-generation Networks.

Recently, NU's 6th Convocation ceremony was hosted at the University campus. Amitabh Kant, CEO NITI Aayog, handed over degree certificates to the graduating students for successful completion of various programmes at NU. The top five students received the Dr. Karan Singh Gold Medal 2016 and one of the students was awarded with the Ram Rajindra Malhotra Medal 2016 for exemplary performances in their respective fields. The students have been successfully placed in leading corporates across India like Amazon, IBM, PwC, Reliance Jio, Airtel, Just Dial, Cognizant Technologies, MakeMyTrip, Grofers, and Shopclues.

NU has been acknowledged as the "Best University in use of Technology in Teaching-Learning Practices" by Industry Association Assocham in 2013. NU has also been recognized as the 'Greenest University' at Clean and Green India Awards 2016.

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The world is still not clear about the Oscars s.n.a.f.u, but looks like the US President knows why it all happened.

The US President feels Hollywood was too busy poking fun at him, instead of paying attention to the big night.

"I think they were focused so hard on that they didn't get the act together at the end," Breitbart News quoted Trump saying, in an exclusive interview.

Further slamming the Oscars in the interview with Breitbart, a far right website that was formerly run by his chief strategist Steve Bannon, he said that the 89th Academy Awards was not as glamorous as it should be.

"It was a little sad. It took away from the glamour of the Oscars. It didn't feel like a very glamorous evening. I've been to the Oscars. There was something very special missing, and then to end that way was sad," he said.

President Trump was the butt of several jokes throughout the ceremony, with host Jimmy Kimmel cracking jokes about him in the very opening monologue.

"This broadcast is being watched live by millions of Americans and around the world in more than 225 countries that now hate us," Kimmel quipped, adding, "Maybe this is not a popular thing to say, but I want to say thank you to President Trump. I mean, remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? That's gone, thanks to him."

Kimmel also poked fun at Trump's habit of tweeting at odd hours and encouraged all in the audience to give "overrated" Meryl Streep a standing ovation for her speech against Trump at the Golden Globes Awards.

"We are here tonight to honour great actors, but we're also here to honour actors who seem great, but actually really aren't," the host of the night said.

Kimmel's poking fun at the US President did not end here. He, during the event, even sent two tweets to the latter, writing, "Hey @realDonaldTrump u up?" and "@realDonaldTrump #Merylsayshi".

Kimmel wasn't the only one having a dig at the President though. Several winners on the night used their acceptance speeches to criticise Trump's policies, especially the 'travel ban' one.

Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, whose 'The Salesman' won the golden statuette for 'Best Foreign Language Film,' chose not to attend the ceremony, in solidarity to the seven Muslim countries, who have been banned to travel to the United States.

Instead, he had Iranian-born US astronaut Anousheh Ansari read out a statement on his behalf, while accepting the honour.

"My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of the other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US," the statement read.

"Dividing the world into the US and 'our enemies' categories creates fear. A deceitful justification for aggression and war," adding, "Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others. An empathy which we need today more than ever."

Star of 'Amazon's Mozart in the Jungle,' Gael Garcia Bernal too reminded the audience about his own Mexican heritage (with an obvious reference to the president's plan to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border) before he introduced the nominees for 'Best Animated Feature.'

"As a Mexican, as a Latin American, as a migrant worker, as a human being, I am against any form of wall that wants to separate us," Garcia Bernal said.
Leaders of the Pakistan Parliament on Tuesday agreed to go ahead with the revival of military courts for two years to counter terrism on pakistani soil.

The understanding came during their meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, which was attended by leaders of different political parties.

Later, talking to newsmen, Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar said the process would require amendments in the Constitution and the relevant law and therefore, sessions of both the Assembly and the Senate are being convened.

The Senate would meet on Friday and the Assembly Monday next.

Radio Pakistan quoted him, as saying that the decision was taken with consensus. He hoped that the PPP, which has convened a meeting of political parties on Saturday, would also take a decision as per requirements of the country.

Dar thanked all political parties for extending their cooperation on the matter.

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Pakistan and Russia have agreed to bolster military ties.

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa conveyed this message of enhancing military-to-military cooperation between Pakitan and Russia to leave a positive impact on regional security to Russian Ambassador Alexey Youevich who met him here on Tuesday.

According to Radio Pakistan, Ambassador Youevich condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan and expressed grief and sorrow on behalf of the Russian government.

The ambassador acknowledged Pakistan's efforts in fight against terrorism and initiatives for economic growth.

He also appreciated the operation Radd-ul-Fasad and said that it will play a vital role in elimination of terrorism from Pakistan.

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Canadian researchers revealed many people with chronic pain and those taking mental medicines prefer cannabis over their prescribed medication.

This may be due to the feeling that marijuana is safer than prescription drugs.

The study has appeared in journal of Drug Policy.

Lead author of the study, Philippe Lucas, from University of Victoria, reasoned as to why they switch to cannabis from prescribed meds.

According to Lucas, it is due to reduced side effects, better symptom management and a feeling that cannabis is safer than the drugs on the prescription.

The study tracked more than 250 patients with prescribed medicines, who are being treated for conditions such as chronic pain, mental and gastrointestinal issues.

Overall, 63 percent of respondents reported using cannabis instead of their medicines, which included opioids (to treat pain), benzodiazepines (sedatives) and anti-depressants.

"This study is one of the first to track medical cannabis use under the new system of licensed producers, meaning that all participants had physician authorisation to access cannabis in addition to their prescription medicines," said Zach Walsh, from the University of British Columbia.

Walsh suggested that cannabis may have an important role to play in addressing the problematic use of pharmaceutical medications, such as opioids.

In 2001, Canada became one of the first nations to develop a program to allow access to cannabis for medical purposes.

"Further research into how well cannabis works compared to the accepted front-line treatments is warranted," Walsh stated.

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Online-to-offline (O2O) platform PropUrban has announced the launch of its operations in India. With real-time data as its core strength, the company has a strong research and advisory wing to help clients make informed property decisions.

Based out of Bangalore, PropUrban is a technology-driven platform to showcase, search and transact real estate . It aggregates and showcases properties listed by individuals and institutional sellers to global investors and end-users, thereby making it an ideal platform for industry service providers and vendors.

The core team of PropUrban comprises of experienced professionals across Finance, Banking and Real Estate domains, with over 100 plus years of combined experience. The talent base consists of alumnus from various reputed institutions such as IITs, IIMs and XLRI.

Currently, PropUrban has successfully executed 100 plus channel partnership agreements with grade A and B developers to market their products globally.

It has also established strategic partnership with leading private Banks and NBFC's to provide Real Estate Advisory to Ultra-High net worth individuals and Home Loan solutions to property buyers across segments.

"Besides addressing the present concerns of the real estate sector, we want to become a single-point transaction-enabler for the sector at the global level. With real-time data, innovation, flexibility, superior value products and enhanced online and offline offerings deeply embedded in our DNA, PropUrban aims to be a one-stop solution for anything that is 'real estate'," said founder and CEO PropUrban, Mir Jaffer Ali.

"PropUrban provides services such as Primary Sales, Secondary Sales, Expat Leasing, Joint Developments, Land Services (transactions of large areas of land), Industrial and Warehousing Services and helps clients in securing home loans via its network of channel partners, which includes banks and financial institutions," he added.

A bootstrapped venture, PropUrban targets to expand across 40 cities globally. The company aims to open 18 offices across 12 countries globally and be actively present across 22 major cities in India by FY 2017-18.

In the overseas market, PropUrban plans to enter Middle East and UK in

March 2017, followed by Hong Kong and Singapore in Q2 2017.

The organization aims to become one of the most preferred online realty networks by simply following the 'real' ethics of and highest standards.

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Launching a frontal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged that the former did not even discuss about the Naga Peace Accord with Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

"Prime Minister Modi didn't even talk to CM Ibobi Singh. The ministers are not aware of what is there in Naga Accord. It is all in PM Modi's mind," Gandhi said while addressing a rally here.

"You must ask PM Modi that when the Naga Peace Accord was made, why the people of Manipuri were not consulted or spoken to? Till date, no one knows what is there in this pre-paid accord," he added.

The Naga Peace Accord was signed in 2015 by the Government of India and the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) in Prime Minister Modi's presence.

Elections for the 60-member Manipur assembly are slated for March 4 and 8.

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Following complaints that female students and media persons were harassed by police personnel during the violent clashes at Ramjas College on February 22nd, the Human Rights Commission on Tuesday issued a notice to the Delhi Police Commissioner.

"Allegedly, some journalists, covering clashes, were slapped, punched and kicked by the policemen. The Commission has taken on record complaints as well as media reports making similar allegations including threats to some students on social media. The Commission has given him four weeks to submit a detailed report in the matter," read the NHRC notice.

Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that he was in touch with Delhi Police over the turbulent situation arising out of the Ramjas College clash.

"I have told Delhi Police to practice restraint so that nothing goes wrong. I am constantly in touch with the police commissioner," he said.

A day after clash broke out between All India Students Association (AISA) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) students at Ramjas College, the Delhi Police HAD called for strict action, while asserting that few policemen's unprofessional actions were also noticed in handling law and order situation during the scuffle.

"Yesterday it came in the notice of top leadership of the Delhi police that unprofessionalism was seen on the part of certain policemen in handling law and order situation. We will take action according to the circumstances," Delhi Police spokesperson Dependra Pathak told ANI.

Asserting that strict action would be taken against the guilty, Pathak said a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) level officer is conducting an enquiry into the matter.

"A committee is instituted and top leadership is monitoring and taking care of it. We don't condone such action. Strict action will be taken," he added.

Emphasising that the police would make sure such events do not recur in future, he said: "In future, regarding student protest, we request students to remain peaceful and be in the bounds of law."

He further said a probe has been launched into the matter.

"The allegations and adverse things have come out but we are enquiring into it. We are looking into certain allegations," he added.
Security has been beefed up on Tuesday outside Delhi University's Arts Faculty in a wake of protest march to be hold by students over the Ramjas college incident.

Students and teachers from the Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University will be holding a march from the Khalsa College to the Arts Faculty today.

Last week, Left-affiliated All Inida Students Association (AISA) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) clashed with each other causing injuries to many.

The reason of the clash was an invite to JNU students, Umar Khalid, who is facing sedition charge, and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar.

The seminar was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by the ABVP.

A few policemen and journalists were also roughed up during the violence.

A Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur has also invited a stir by posting a message against the ABVP on social media.

Kaur is the daughter of an Indian Army captain who died in the Kargil war.

On her part, she visited the Delhi Commission for Women to complain against abusive 'rape' threats on social media from online trolls.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday came out in defence of Kargil braveheart Captain M. Singh's daughter Gurmehar Kaur, saying people who are politicising the issue are misusing freedom of speech.

"Gurmehar Kaur is a martyr's daughter and we should respect this fact. Those who are politicising the matter, I want to ask a question from them as what they have to say about her father who was killed by terrorists?" Prasad said.

Prasad further said everyone should respect freedom of speech, adding that those who try to misuse it to break India would get a befitting reply.

Earlier, Kaur's grandfather, Kanwaljeet Singh lashed out at politicians saying they should refrain from giving out any statement.

"Drama is being created which shouldn't be highlighted. Politicians must refrain from giving statements," Kanwaljeet told ANI.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju alleged that Leftists were misleading the youth, and added, that Kaur is the daughter of a Kargil martyr whose soul must be weeping on seeing his daughter being misguided by those who celebrate over the bodies of martyrs.

"She (Gurmehar Kaur) is a young girl, creating controversy over her isn't right. It is about Leftists who celebrate when our jawans die. They mislead the youth and it is not right," Rijiju told media.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge defended Kaur, saying she is being portrayed as if she was under someone's influence.

Kaur, who is a Delhi University student invited a stir by posting a message against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on social media.

Kaur also visited the Delhi Commission for Women alleging that she received rape threats on social media for posting the message.

The Delhi Police also filed an FIR against the rape threat to Kaur. The FIR was registered under relevant Sections of the IT Act and IPC.

The entire controversy gained momentum after last week's clash that erupted between Left-affiliated All India Students Association (AISA) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) backed ABVP over cancellation of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid's talk at Delhi University's Ramjas College.

The seminar was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by the ABVP.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Reacting to the recent controversy surrounding the Ramjas College scuffle, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday alleged the "far" left affiliated political parties are trying to impose its ideology over Delhi University.

"My only concern is the far leftist. They are trying to impose their ideology to the rest of the country and left is a discarded ideology which the country does not believe in. So, they are trying to spread their influence over DU also," Rijiju told ANI.

Rijiju was speaking with reference to Tuesday's held student's protest against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in the North Campus area of Delhi University.

His comments were against Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, who participated in the protest today, alleging that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) wants to impose its regressive ideas on the country.

"The RSS, ABVP want to impose all their regressive ideas on what you wear, eat, see, do or the way you live," he told ANI.

Rijiju also said students should "stick to their own issues" rather than raising anti- slogans.

"My only concern is that (students) should not speak anything against the nation. Shouting slogans for freedom of Jammu and Kashmir and North East, they should not raise all unnecessary slogans that is not good for the nation. While doing politics in the campus they should stick to their own issues, they should not speak against the nation ," he added.

CPI leader D. Raja, who accompanied Yechury during the protest march, said this is a collective fight to defend our constitutional rights.

"We will be raising the issue of DU in the Parliament," he said.

Last week, All India Students Association (AISA) and the ABVP engaged into a scuffle over cancellation of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid's talk at Delhi University's Ramjas College.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear the plea filed by Sahara in connection with the return of money to its investors.

The apex court bench had in its last hearing attached Aamby Valley properties in Lonavala.

Now the properties have been kept under the supervision of court.

Sahara chief Subrata Roy was sent to Tihar jail on March 4, 2014, for not complying with the apex court's orders in connection with a long dispute with the market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

The SEBI alleged that Roy allegedly failed to comply with the apex court's order directing him to return the investors' money.

Sahara, once among India's high-profile firms, has in the past made several failed attempts to raise the bail money using its prized overseas hotels that include the Plaza in New York and Grosvenor House in London.

Sahara says it has paid more than 80 percent of the dues to share-holders, but SEBI has disputed that and said the company has not paid more than Rs. 10,000 crores.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Wilbur Ross's name has been approved by the Senate, as President Donald Trump's Secretary of Commerce.

The Senate confirmed Ross's name after lawmakers voted 72-27 in his favour.

The Democrats had demanded Ross to explain his connections to Viktor Vekselberg, a Bank of Cyprus shareholder, who is described as a friend to Russian President Vladimir Putin, reports CNN.

Ross, in reply, has indicated that he will step down from the Bank of Cyprus after he takes office.

Ross is an American investor and a banker, known for restructuring failed companies in industries such as steel, coal, telecommunications, foreign investment and textiles.

He is also known as the "King of Bankruptcy" for his experience in buying bankrupt companies.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has written to Facebook India, urging the social media giant to take prompt action against individuals who were involved in harassing Gurmehar Kaur, who launched a social media campaign in support of students of the Delhi University.

The DCW has requested Facebook to provide information about the action taken by the latter against the accounts of abusive users, their contact details and any other information which could help in identifying the abusers.

The social media website has also been asked to provide the above-mentioned information latest by March 6.

"This is in reference to the proceedings of the Commission on the complaint of Ms. Gurmeher Kaur, a student of Delhi University and daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh who has initiated a social media campaign advocating peace in universities. However, she has been subjected to extreme abuse and rape threats on her Facebook profile," DCW chief Swati Maliwal said in a statement.

The letter further stated that, "The Commission is of the view that urgent action needs to be taken against the abusers by Facebook and their social media accounts need to be deactivated immediately."

Gurmehar Kaur had earlier lodged a complaint with the DCW pertaining to alleged rape threats received by her following the launch of a social media campaign by her.

The Delhi Police, following a complaint from the DCW had provided immediate protection to Kaur and filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the online assailants under section 354A, 506 and 67 of the IT Act.

The aim of the campaign was to restore peace in the University following disruption of a cultural event at Ramjas College that resulted in violence across the North Campus area.

In the wake of alleged threats, Gurmehar had today withdrawn herself from the campaign by tweeting, "I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say. I have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Operations at the state-owned banks will be effected, as the United Forum of Bank Union (UFBU) has called for a day-long strike today.

The union's protest is against wage revision, outsourcing of permanent jobs, inadequate recruitment and improvement in pension schemes in the banks.

The UFBU, comprising of nine unions, AIBEA, AIBOC, NCBE, AIBOA, BEFI, INBEF, INBOC, NOBW and NOBO, will be part of the stir

The strike will include employees and officers of all public sector banks, including State Bank of India (SBI), all old-generation private banks, foreign banks, regional rural banks and cooperative banks.

Cash transactions will also be impacted and the ATMs are likely to be emptied early during the day.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Cornering the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the promises made to the nation, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Tuesday said that the people of Uttar Pradesh would not be deceived by the saffron party's tactics as they very well know it is 'Bharatiya Jumla Party'.

"They haven't even fulfilled one-third of their promises and have always made false promises to keep the people in disguise and everybody is well aware of that. The people have even started calling the BJP as 'Bharatiya Jumla Party', which does not perform but only makes fake statements," she added.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister further said the general public is agitated because of the November 8 demonetisation drive and the false promises made so far, adding they will, therefore, not let the BJP emerge victorious in the assembly elections.

"In order to improve the condition of the state and its welfare, the people have yet again decided to vote for me in this election," Mayawati said.

Addressing an election rally in Mau, She asserted that people are well aware of how the BJP and its leaders function.

"One of the promises was that after forming the government at the Centre, they would bring all black money back stashed in safe havens abroad within 100 days and out of that around Rs. 15-20,000 will be given to the poor families. The other one was that farmers, who are suffering under huge amount of debts will be given relief, which they are saying in this very election as well," Mayawati emphasized.

"I want to ask this from all the farmers as to how much money has been deposited in your bank accounts in the last two and half years," she added.

Continuing her tirade against the BJP, she said that demonetisation has hurt the nation, adding the people are still suffering because of this move as several continue to remain unemployed.

"They have not yet presented the list of people involved with corruption neither did they say how much amount has been recovered. This proves that this move was introduced to divert the focus from their bad administration and ulterior motives," Mayawati said.

She further alleged that the BJP would end all reservation of it comes to power in Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier on Monday, voting was held in Amethi, Sultanpur, Faizabad, Barabanki, Ambedkarnagar, Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Basti, Siddharthnagar and Sant Kabir Nagar districts for the fifth phase.

The sixth-phase of polling for 49 assembly constituencies spread across seven districts of Uttar Pradesh will take place on March 4.
World Bank Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kristalina Georgieva, who is presently in Mumbai, today travelled in local train from Churchgate to Dadar.

During her first official visit to India, Georgevia will see the operations of the Bank-supported suburban rail system in Mumbai starting today.

She will hold discussions with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, RBI Governor Urjit Patel besides other key policy-makers.

"India is our biggest middle income client. Its economic growth influences global growth. Its achievements in health and education contribute to the world achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. I am keen to learn more as India is a laboratory for the world to learn about what works in development and to find new ways to collaborate." Georgieva said.

While in Mumbai, she will have the opportunity to see how the operations of the World Bank-supported suburban rail system - which carries about eight million commuters each day - is serving a fast growing and urbanizing India.

Georgevia will also visit a school serving low-income households and children with special needs, which is a part of Centre's Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme supported by the bank to see how the Mumbai administrators are striving to ensure that basic services are delivered to all residents of the city.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least four persons were killed and over 20 others injured when several houses in Assam's Golaghat district caught fire due to a gas tanker accident, a police official said on Tuesday.

The tanker turned turtle on Monday night on the National Highway 37 that passes Rangoliting village leaking gas which ignited the blaze that engulfed over 20 houses, said the villagers.

The family of Bimal Bhuyan including his wife and daughter who were trapped inside one of these houses were charred to death.

"One person, who was burnt severely was sent to the Guwahati Medical college and hospital where he succumbed," said the villagers.

"We have intimated the Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) officials about the incident and requested them to send experts so that the leaks in the tanker can be sealed to make the area safe," said the police from Dergaon police station.

The experts were on their way.

Police said that the incident took place around 11 p.m. and the blaze caught the sleeping villagers by surprise.

"Those villagers who woke up fled to the nearby paddy fields and saved themselves," police added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Tuesday accused "outsiders" of vandalism and anti-national propaganda on the Delhi University (DU) campus and questioned the silence of the university's Vice Chancellor over the issue.

"It was outsiders who disturbed the atmosphere of Delhi University campus," DU Student Union General Secretary Ankit Sangwan of the ABVP said at a press conference here.

Demanding strict action against the "anti-national programme", the ABVP leader asked why was the Delhi University Vice Chancellor silent over the whole issue.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's students wing, ABVP, said that some miscreants were trying to create nuisance on the university campus through violence and by raising anti-national slogans.

Sangwan said that outsiders were responsible for the disturbances on the campus and the student union members protested against it in a peaceful way.

The outfit denied that its leaders indulged in violence.

Sangwan and other leaders of ABVP declared that they would not tolerate anti-national slogans on the university's campus and would continue to protest and fight against those elements.

He said that if anyone wanted to demand a freedom, it should be demand for freedom from terrorism and naxalism.

Sangwan said that the DUSU leaders were protesting against Umar Khalid, who was invited to the college as a speaker, despite him facing the charge of sedition.

The ABVP leader said that Monday's "Tiranga March" was called for peace.

A clash took place between the members of the ABVP and the All India Students Association (AISA), a Left-leaning student organisation at Ramjas College, on February 22 that left the university campus disturbed.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Banking operations across the country came to a halt on Tuesday as 10 lakh bankers staged a strike against the government's "anti-people banking reforms", said a bank union leader.

The strike was called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), comprising nine unions.

They also pressed for compensation to employees for extra work done on account of demonetisation.

"Around 85,000 branches of commercial banks, 105,000 branches of co-operative bank and others are on strike," C.H. Venkatachalam, General Secretary, All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) told IANS here.

He said clearance of 40 lakh cheques totalling around Rs 22,000 crore would be affected.

The strike covers employees and officers in all public sector banks, including State Bank of India, all old-generation private banks, foreign banks, regional rural banks and cooperative banks.

An officer in a government-owned bank preferring anonymity told IANS: "The clerical staff will get overtime allowance for working extra during the demonetisation period. But the officers will not get anything and in addition they will be losing a day's salary due to the strike."

Not agreeing with that view, D. Thomas Franco Rajendra Dev, Senior Vice President of the All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC), told IANS: "Our demand is to treat all the employees equally. And officers will also get their due share."

He said the strike is a total success across the country.

Venkatachalam said the shutdown comes after all attempts to find a solution to the demands raised by the unions yielded no results.

The conciliation meeting before the Chief Labour Commissioner on February 21 failed to break the deadlock as the bank management body -- Indian Banks Association (IBA) -- did not agree to the union demands.

Most state-run banks have informed customers that functioning of branches and offices would be hit if the strike was observed on Tuesday.

New generation private banks like -- ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and others -- are not part of the union and continued to function normally but cheque clearances did not take place.

Besides, cash transactions would also be hit and the ATMs are likely to be emptied early during the day.

"ATM operations are yet to normalise after the demonetisation of high value notes. It seems people have resigned to the situation of less cash," Venkatachalam added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Banking operations across West Bengal were disrupted on Tuesday as nine unions of workmen and officers of the industry went on strike to protest "anti people banking and labour law reforms".

"Employees and officers from about 8000 branches of commercial, cooperative and rural banks in Bengal are observing the strike. It is 100 percent successful. Out of around 10,000 ATMs, about 90 percent of them remained shut," All India Bank Employees' Association President Rajen Nagar told IANS.

"Bank employees and officers struck work today (Tuesday) to ventilate their unequivocal protest and opposition to the neo-liberal reform of the Banking Sector being pursued by the central government," Bank Employees' Federation of India General Secretary Pradip Biswas said.

The unions said the strike called by United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) was observed opposing Banking and Labour Law reforms, infringement of trade union rights, outsourcing of permanent jobs, and demanding, mainly, legitimate compensation to employees and officers for extra hours of work put in due to demonetisation and many other issues.

According to unions, the adverse effect of demonetisation on the economy has resulted in decline in the GDP growth rate and the move took away the lives of more than 100 citizens including more than 10 bank employees.

"Strike on Tuesday is an undisguised warning to the central government that bank employees and officers are united and in their firm resolve to wage and undertake the fight against its anti-people, anti-labour and pro-corporate policies," Biswas added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BJP leader Juhi Chowdhury, suspected to be involved in the sensational child trafficking racket in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district, was arrested on Monday night close to the India-Nepal border in Darjeeling district by CID sleuths, police said.

Chowdhury, who was on the run for the last few days after her name was linked to the case involving trafficking of at least 17 children, was picked up from Batasi area under Kharibari police station in Siliguri sub-division, said Special Superintendent (north), CID, Ajay Prasad.

She was being brought for interrogation to the Pintel Village, where the CID has set up a temporary camp and will be produced in court on Wednesday.

Chowdhury's arrest came on a day when Chandana Chakraborty, arrested in connection with the scandal earlier this month, blamed her for the wrongdoing.

Chakraborty, chairperson of Jalpaiguri-based child adoption centre Bimala Sishu Griho, was arrested with Chief Adoption Officer Sonali Mondal for allegedly selling at least 17 children through shady adoption deals.

The CID later arrested Manas Bhowmik in connection with the case.

Her links with the woman BJP leader are also being probed.

"Juhi Chowdhury is involved with the adoption centre for the last three years. If something wrong or immoral was done, it was done by her. Why am I being victimised? I am not the culprit," Chakraborty said in Jalpaiguri on Tuesday morning.

She admitted going to Delhi with Chowdhury to seek "help" for her organisation and claimed the BJP leader did all the negotiations with the senior leadership while she was in a different room.

"Juhi assured me she would sort out all the issues," Chakraborty said.

"I haven't talked to anyone, Juhi did. She might have talked to (BJP leaders) Roopa Ganguly and Kailash Vijayvargiya. I was sitting in a separate room. We are innocent. We will definitely help in the investigation," she added.

Denying the allegations, BJP state president Dilip Ghosh claimed on Tuesday morning Chowdhury was being victimised as part of a larger political conspiracy.

"Juhi was not a part of their (child adoption centre) committee. She has been dragged into the case as she went to Delhi with her (Chakraborty)... If Juhi is found guilty, the law will take its course," Ghosh said in Kolkata,

Queried on the issue before Chowdhury's arrest, Ganguly shot back: "Why should I respond to what an accused has said?"

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BJP leader Juhi Chowdhury, suspected to be involved in the sensational child trafficking racket in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district, was arrested on Tuesday night close to the India-Nepal border in Darjeeling district by CID sleuths, police said.

Chowdhury, who was on the run for the last few days after her name was linked to the case involving trafficking of at least 17 children, was picked up from Batasi area under Kharibari police station in Siliguri sub-division, said Special Superintendent (north), CID, Ajay Prasad.

She was being brought for interrogation to the Pintel Village, where the CID has set up a temporary camp and will be produced in court on Wednesday.

Chowdhury's arrest came on a day when Chandana Chakraborty, arrested in connection with the scandal earlier this month, blamed her for the wrongdoing.

Chakraborty, chairperson of Jalpaiguri-based child adoption centre Bimala Sishu Griho, was arrested with Chief Adoption Officer Sonali Mondal for allegedly selling at least 17 children through shady adoption deals.

The CID later arrested Manas Bhowmik in connection with the case.

Her links with the woman BJP leader are also being probed.

"Juhi Chowdhury is involved with the adoption centre for the last three years. If something wrong or immoral was done, it was done by her. Why am I being victimised? I am not the culprit," Chakraborty said in Jalpaiguri on Tuesday morning.

She admitted going to Delhi with Chowdhury to seek "help" for her organisation and claimed the BJP leader did all the negotiations with the senior leadership while she was in a different room.

"Juhi assured me she would sort out all the issues," Chakraborty said.

"I haven't talked to anyone, Juhi did. She might have talked to (BJP leaders) Roopa Ganguly and Kailash Vijayvargiya. I was sitting in a separate room. We are innocent. We will definitely help in the investigation," she added.

Denying the allegations, BJP state president Dilip Ghosh claimed on Tuesday morning Chowdhury was being victimised as part of a larger political conspiracy.

"Juhi was not a part of their (child adoption centre) committee. She has been dragged into the case as she went to Delhi with her (Chakraborty)... If Juhi is found guilty, the law will take its course," Ghosh said in Kolkata.

Queried on the issue before Chowdhury's arrest, Ganguly shot back: "Why should I respond to what an accused has said?"

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former US Secretary of State and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has asked President Donald Trump to "step up and speak out" on rising hate crimes in the US, in the wake of the killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla in a Kansas City bar last week.

"With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out," Clinton tweeted.

The Democratic presidential nominee, who was thought to be a favourite to win the November elections, lost to Donald Trump of the Republican Party.

Her comments came as the body of Kuchibhotla was flown to India and cremated on Tuesday in Hyderabad with grieving relatives, friends and neighbours gathering for the last rites.

Kuchibhotla, 32, was shot dead by a US Navy veteran, Adam Purinton, 51, in an apparent hate crime.

Purinton shot dead Kuchibhotla while his friend Alok Madasani was injured at a pub in Kansas.

Purinton, 51, made his first court appearance in the case that is being investigated as a possible hate crime.

Purinton appeared before a Johnson County District Court judge via video conference on Monday. He faces one charge of first-degree murder and two charges of attempted first-degree murder in last Wednesday's shooting at the bar in Olathe, Kansas.

On Friday, the widow of Kuchibhotla sought answers to what she perceived was a spread in American hate crimes.

"I have a question in my mind: Do we belong?" said Sunayana Dumala, who like her husband travelled from India to attend a US college.

"We've read many times in newspapers of some kind of shooting happening," she said at a news conference at the headquarters of Garmin, where Kuchibhotla worked as an aviation systems engineer. "And we always wondered, how safe?"

While President Trump is yet to comment on the shooting, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said last week that it was too early to call the act a hate crime.

Spicer also referred to the shooting at a news conference on Monday while addressing President Trump's concerns against recent acts of vandalism against Jewish cemeteries in St Louis and Philadelphia.

"No one in America should feel afraid to follow the religion of their choosing freely and openly. The president has dedicated to preserving this originating principle of our nation," Spicer said.

"And while we're at it, I don't want to get ahead of law enforcement, but I was asked the other day about the story in Kansas, the shooting in Kansas. And while the story is evolving, early reports out of Kansas are equally disturbing," he said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Tuesday said better cooperation and sharing of intelligence between different government agencies was needed to ensure passenger safety and security on the Indian Railways network.

His remarks came as he addressed a video conference with the Director Generals and Police Commissioners of all states and union territories in the light of "repeated sabotage" of railway tracks, a government statement said.

During his address, Prabhu emphasised on rewarding security personnel for preventing sabotage and the need to have a Forensic Science Laboratory for the railways.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir advised state police to be careful about the designs of "criminals and anti-national elements" and offer full cooperation to the railways.

Director General of Railway Protection Force S.K. Bhagat expressed concern over the sharp increase in sabotage cases in 2017.

--IANS

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The Lockheed Martin F-35 joint strike fighters (JSFs) have arrived in Australia for the first time, a media report said on Tuesday.

The JSFs arrived overnight in preparation for their public debut at the Avalon Airshow in Victoria later during the week, Xinhua news agency said.

The F-35 was widely criticised by military experts and politicians over the last few years, as the programme was plagued by delays and cost blowouts since it was first announced in 2001.

The F-35s arrived at the Amberley Air Force Base just outside of Brisbane late on Monday, and were expected to fly down to Geelong in Victoria where the air show was set to take place from Friday.

Australia has committed to purchasing at least 72 of the jets despite doubts over the future of the JSF program.

US President Donald Trump had publicly criticised the American aerospace, defence, security and advanced technologies company for the "cost overruns" of the jet program.

The jets would be formally welcomed by Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Defence Minister Marise Payne at the air show.

The jets were only expected to debut in service in 2020.

The cost of Australia's 72 aircraft was expected to hit $13 billion, while four Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots were currently undergoing training on the jets in the US.

The F-35s were expected to replace the ageing FA-18 Hornets currently in service with the RAAF.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Family members, relatives, friends and people from different walks of life bid a tearful adieu to Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US on February 22 in a suspected hate crime.

His last rites were performed at the cremation ground in Jubilee Hills here on Tuesday.

K. Madhusudhana Sastry performed the last rites of his son as some of the mourners including the techie's friends were seen carrying placards with slogans like "down with racism".

Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary Muralidhar Rao, other leaders from the BJP, TRS and other parties, and actor couple Jeevitha and Rajasekhar paid their last respects.

The body was brought from Kuchibhotla's house in Bachupally, on the city's outskirts.

As his final journey began, the engineer's parents were inconsolable while his wife Sunayana Dumala, who arrived with the mortal remains on Monday night, broke down as she had his last glimpse.

The body was brought by a cargo flight while Sunayana, her brother, sister-in-law and another relative reached by a passenger flight.

Mourners poured in at his residence through the night and Tuesday morning to pay their last respects.

Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white man who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on February 22.

Purinton got into an argument with the two and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them.

Kuchibhotla of Hyderabad and his colleague Madasani from Warangal district in Telangana were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an MNC.

--IANS

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A day after Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal wrote to Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik over rape threats to Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, the police on Tuesday registered an FIR against unidentified persons.

An FIR has been registered under section 67 of the IT Act on publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form, 354 A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which is on sexual harassment, and section 506 of the IPC for criminal intimidation, Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police Dependra Pathak told IANS.

"It was registered by the economic offences wing of Delhi Police as the matter was against unidentified people," Pathak said.

Kaur in a meeting with Maliwal on Monday complained against online threats she was receiving ever since the Lady Shri Ram College student launched a social media campaign against Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the students wing of RSS.

Kaur posted a picture on Facebook with placards, one of which read: "I am a student of Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
George W. Bush broke his silence on President Donald Trump's leadership, after refusing to criticise publicly those who succeeded him since he left the Oval Office eight years ago, a media report said on Monday.

"I don't like the racism and I don't like the name-calling and I don't like the people feeling alienated," Bush, 70, told People magazine in an interview.

"Nobody likes that".

The former President, joined by his wife Laura, spoke to the magazine in the painting studio of their Dallas home to launch his first art book, "Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors".

The collection of portraits of the injured warriors of America's war on terror aims to raise awareness and funds for the post-9/11 veterans' health care and employment programmes of the George W. Bush Presidential Centre.

Talking about the Trump's January 20 inauguration, which was attended by both the former President and his wife, Bush said: "First of all, we were thrilled to be there. It's a beautiful ceremony, it really is. It's a peaceful transfer of power, which is very reassuring."

However, Bush called the political climate in Trump's Washington "pretty ugly", but said he was not feeling anxious about the direction of the country.

"Not really. I'm optimistic about where we'll end up. ? We've been through these periods before and we've always had a way to come out of it. I'm more optimistic than some."

Asked if he felt compelled to play a leadership role in these divisive times, Bush said: "No. When President (Brack) Obama got elected, friends would call and say 'You must speak out! You must do this, you must do that'. Turns out, other people are doing the same thing this time. I didn't feel like speaking out before because I didn't want to complicate the job and I'm not going to this time. However, at the Bush Centre we are speaking up."

A spokesman for the former President previously told People magazine that neither he nor the former first lady voted for Trump or for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the November 8 election.

The couple cast write-in votes for a candidate they did not reveal.

--IANS

ksk

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The legislative assembly will on Wednesday discuss the issue of the ongoing Jat agitation in the state, Haryana Assembly Speaker Kanwar Pal has said.

Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Singh Chautala moved an adjournment motion during the budget session of the assembly here on Tuesday. The Congress party, led by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, also sought a discussion on the issue.

The Speaker, however, observed that the matter of Jat reservation was sub-judice and could not be discussed.

The INLD and Congress leaders, however, said the issues of the Jat community, which was agitating across Haryana since January 29, were different from the reservation issue this time.

Following this, the Speaker allowed discussion on the matter to be held on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar told the media outside the state assembly that the Jat agitation, other than the reservation issue, would be discussed in the assembly.

Chautala said the BJP government had failed to implement the demands of the Jat community even after agreeing to these last year.

The agitation by the Jat community, under the aegis of All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS), completed 31 days on Tuesday.

Talks between the state government and the Jat leaders hit a roadblock recently as the Haryana government made it clear that it has no jurisdiction to withdraw cases being investigated by the CBI against some Jat leaders over violence during the agitation last year.

The Jat community members have been holding protests across Haryana in support of their demands.

Their demands include reservation for Jats, jobs to the next of kin of those killed in violence in the Jat agitation last year, compensation to those injured, withdrawal of cases against them and action against the officers who ordered action against the Jats, among others.

Violence during the agitation last year had left 30 people dead and over 200 injured. Government and private property worth hundreds of crores of rupees was damaged during the violence in February 2016.

--IANS

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Borderlands are strategically important from a countrys defence point of view and the author of a just-released book on travels along Indias bounders has argued that people there are often uncertain about their identities and do not always share a sense of belonging.

The solution, he says, is not erecting fences or deploying more military personnel, but long-term significant economic prosperity and enhancement of the quality of life.

"I don't really think the state has much of a role in overcoming these problems in the short term, but if you think of a long-term solution, significant economic prosperity and enhancement of quality of life in these border towns could make the idea of being an Indian really attractive and sway people this way.

"I don't think that erecting better fences and putting up additional BSF or SSB outposts could address the issue," author Pradeep Damodaran told IANS in an interview.

The Border Security Force (BSF), set up in 1965, primarily mans the India-Pakistan border, while the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is mandated to guard the Nepal and Bhutan borders.

Local people in the border areas can play a very constructive role in India's defence, the author said. The only way to win over the support of locals is by improving their quality of life, giving them access to good education, employment and better living standards.

"Locals are suspicious of the army, the Indian government and the like because they believe that this country and its army have not done anything good for them and cannot do so in future. When the Centre is able to change that perception and actually improve the lives of locals, especially in comparison with our neighbouring countries, then people will automatically root for India and everything that is Indian... (and) security will be automatically ensured," he added.

Damodaran has just come out with "Borderlands" (Hachette India/Rs 650/pp 387). The book reminds its many prospective readers that while the idea of nationality and citizenship are privileges that are often taken for granted in India's bustling metros and big towns, the country's periphery is dotted with sleepy towns and desolate villages whose people, simply by having more in common with citizens of neighbouring nations than with their own, have to prove their Indian identity every day.

Elaborating, he pointed to the twin towns of Raxaul (Bihar) and Birganj (Nepal), along the nepal border. People living here belong to the same community, speak the same language, and marry amongst each other; they have been doing so for generations, asserted Damodaran, who gave up up a lucrative career in the software industry to become a journalist and is a former chief of bureau of Deccan Chronicle in Chennai.

"But they are citizens of different nations. Now, if there is a border conflict, should they value their familial bonds or remain patriotic, thereby breaking a trust that has been built for generations? We have to remember that India as a country is just 70 years old, but people have been living here for thousands of years and share a deeper connection with citizens of a neighbouring country," he added.

But why is there a lack of "sense of belonging" and "uncertain identity" among our border folks?

Damodaran said this was primarily because of two reasons. Firstly, porous international borders allow people to freely move between two nations. As a result, some people have managed to procure identity cards of both these countries, although it is illegal.

He also pointed out that we are festering such feelings by beefing up more security and providing a less-than-desired quality of life. It is depressing to see, he said, that border towns of much smaller countries like Bhutan and Nepal have much better infrastructure and living standards when compared with their Indian counterparts.

"What is more dangerous and appalling is the other kind of identity crisis that people face due to their looks and lifestyle within the country. This is very detrimental and needs to be addressed," maintained Damodaran.

In the book, he writes about a smart, young man from Arunachal Pradesh who studied in Bengaluru and loved the city but was "forced to return home" to Tawang as he felt he was not welcome in the southern tech hub.

"He and his friends from the Northeast were always branded as 'chinkis'. He even told me he could connect better with citizens of Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries who lived in Bengaluru. I found it appalling for this young man speaks better Hindi than most South Indians, including me, and is a productive, useful citizen. He does not deserve such treatment in his own country," lamented the author.

Damodaran considers his book a travelogue and hopes that readers enjoy and appreciate this beautiful, diverse country a little more by the time they have finished it.

(Saket Suman can be contacted at saket.s@ians.in)

--IANS

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An India-born top executive at Uber has left his job for not disclosing an allegation of sexual harassment by his former employer Google, the media reported.

Uber executives were made aware of the allegation this week by tech news outlet Recode, which said an investigation at Google had found the charges "credible", the USA Today reported.

Amit Singhal, who was born in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, denied the charge.

"Harassment is unacceptable in any setting. I certainly want everyone to know that I do not condone and have not committed such behaviour," Singhal said in a statement.

"In my 20-year career, I've never been accused of anything like this before and the decision to leave Google was my own."

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick asked Singhal to resign on Monday because Singhal did not disclose the investigation. Uber declined to comment further. Google also declined to comment.

Singhal's departure comes at a time when Uber is facing intense scrutiny following allegations of sexual harassment by a former female employee against her manager.

Susan Fowler and other current and former employees have claimed that the company's human resource officials repeatedly ignored harassment claims about employees who were "top performers."

Uber asked Eric H. Holder Jr., who served as Attorney General under President Barack Obama, to investigate those claims.

Singhal, a highly-respected engineer in Silicon Valley, had joined Uber in January, said the report.

Singhal worked for 15 years at Google where he was the Internet giant's head search honcho. He left Google last year. At Uber, he was tapped to oversee mapping division as well as a unit that runs the dispatching, marketing and pricing of Uber cars. He reported directly to Kalanick and advised Anthony Levandowski, who runs the company's self-driving automobile efforts.

Upon joining Uber, Singhal wrote on his blog that he felt like Uber was a "geek's candy store" because it was trying to solve "one of the most challenging computer science problems I've encountered in my thirty-year career."

--IANS

soni/vt

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American genome expert Mary-Claire King, whose work resulted in the identification of the breast cancer gene BRCA1 and transformed the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, on Tuesday expressed faith in Indian scientists to make technology cheaper for breast cancer detection.

"We need to tackle this problem with modern 21st century tools. The actual cost of sequencing patients dropped from about $4,000 to $250 (around Rs 16,000) in the US in the last few years. Indians are incredibly good at making technology better, faster and cheaper," she said.

King was addressing a packed audience of researchers, students and faculty at a lecture here on 'Understanding Inherited Breast and Ovarian Cancer: From Gene Discovery to Precision Medicine and Public Health' for The Cell Press-TNQ India distinguished Lectureship Series, 2017. It was supported by National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Kalyani.

For India, the US National Medal of Science awardee proposed that every breast and ovarian cancer patient be tested genetically for mutations BRCA1 and BRCA2 as well as other known breast and ovarian cancer genes.

Specific inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase the risk of female breast and ovarian cancers, and they have been associated with increased risks of several additional types of cancer.

"My proposition for India is every breast and ovarian cancer patient should be sequenced for mutations to BRCA1 and BRCA2 and all other known breast and ovarian cancer genes. I am not suggesting that in the resource limited context here that all women above the age of 30 be screened, just begin with patients," said the University of Washington professor.

Testing could help women predisposed to mutations to make an informed choice on whether to opt for risk-reducing surgery, chemoprevention and also encourage follow-ups of sisters and daughters of patients (there's a 50 per cent chance of passing it along).

The 71-year-old active researcher dubbed cervical cancer a "disease of poor women" while breast cancer is one of those "rare conditions that is a disease of prosperity".

"The reason that breast cancer incidences are going up is because we are the most successful mammals that have ever lived, by this we mean we are fabulous. We are fertile longer, we are able and we are fit, we retain cognitive functions longer," she added.

In addition to her work on identifying breast cancer genes, King is recognised worldwide for demonstrating that humans and chimpanzees are 99 per cent genetically identical and applying genomic sequencing to identify victims of human rights abuses (Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo in Argentina wanted King to find their kidnapped grandchildren).

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A former US Navy veteran arrested last week for shooting two Indian engineers and an American at a bar had his first court appearance through video conference.

Adam Purinton, 51, faces one charge of first-degree murder and two charges of attempted first-degree murder in an apparent hate crime in Olathe that killed Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injured Alok Madasani. A third patron, 24-year-old Ian Grillot, was also wounded while trying to intervene.

Appearing in court via video conference on Monday, Purinton looked haggard and was soft-spoken. He was assigned a court-appointed attorney, and his bond remains set at $2 million. His next court date is March 9, CNN reported.

Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims at the Austins Bar & Grill and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "Get out of my country" and "terrorist" before shooting them. Purinton was later arrested from Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri.

In 911 calls, released by CNN-affiliate KSHB, an Applebee's bartender told the police that a man had admitted to shooting two "Iranian" people in Olathe and was looking for a place to hide.

Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton weighed in on the matter on Twitter on Monday, calling President Donald Trump to "step up and speak out" against "threats and hate crimes".

"With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out," she tweeted.

Trump has yet to comment, but his Press Secretary Sean Spicer had earlier said that early reports on the Kansas shooting were "disturbing".

Kuchibhotla hailed from Hyderabad while Madasani hails from Warangal town in Telangana. They were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an electronics manufacturer.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Israel police on Tuesday began the partial evacuation of nine Jewish settlements in the centre of the West Bank, after a ruling from the high court.

The court has ordered nine houses to be demolished in the West Bank settlement of Ofra, as they are built on private Palestinian land, Efe news reported.

"The evacuation of the nine homes has begun, in accordance with the high court order," said Israeli police spokeswoman Luba Samri, who asked the settlers for respect and responsibility during removal.

Hundreds of police and border guards were deployed in the area, a source said, referring to the arrest of a 17-year-old young man who assaulted one of the officers while trying to resist the evacuation.

The high court on Monday rejected the appeal presented by the settlers who wanted to cancel the demolition.

The court ruled that part of the houses in this settlement, with 3,500 inhabitants and located in the central West Bank region, in territory occupied by Israel since 1967, must be demolished and land returned to its owners, and set March 5 as the last day to carry out the judgement.

Thousands of people recently protested the rule and a new demonstration is now scheduled to call on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government not to execute the court decision, sources in the settlement told Efe news.

According to international law, all settlements built in occupied territories are illegal, but Israel considers some of them to be lawful under its own legislation, while others are illegal.

--IANS

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Actor Hugh Jackman says his forthcoming movie "Logan" is all about opening up your true self to the people you love as it is easy to extrapolate out of critical world, but the fun remains in putting yourself in someone else's shoes and live with those people you have nothing in common with.

At a press briefing for select media, including IANS here, when Jackman was asked if having his successor in the form of 11-year-old English-Spanish Dafne Keen shows the diversity that Hollywood is witnessing right now, he said: "The center of this movie is man who is terrified by love for good reason. It is easy to extrapolate out into the critical world. We have story of these innocent people trying to cross the border for safety... There are a lot of parallels you can draw.

"Sometimes, I think by saying that this is political movie, it takes away the heart of the movie which speaks to every single person on the planet. The film says that at what degree or level are you courageous enough to open your true self to the people you love. Not just show them the good bits... bits that are convenient."

Citing an example of how one can't choose their families, he said: "Sometimes families are annoying and frustrating, you don't get to choose it. You have to live with those people, you have nothing in common with unless you have same parents. It's such that there are deliberate parallels... One needs to put yourself in their shoes and that is what the movie is saying."

"The Wolverine" film saga started 17 years ago. Jackman has appeared as Wolverine in nine of the "X-Men" sagas.

Writer-director James Mangold took the charge of bringing the character and his journey to a conclusion with "Logan". He previously worked with Jackman on "The Wolverine" in the year 2013.

Even actor Patrick Stewart believes that even for political figures, it is important to understand the other people's situation.

"As far as actors are concerned, it is what we do every day -- live other people's life. We become someone else and we are lucky to have a job like this. It does expand our horizon and awareness about what other people are and be because we have to live their lives. That is our job.

"I wish in terms of world at large, if only some of our leaders, political figures could practice that, stand where that person is standing and see it... It could transform how we live. I think we are very blessed. I think once or twice in my career, I have worked with nice actors but it is so rare," he said.

"Logan", which opens in theatres worldwide, including in India on March 3, has been distributed by 20th century Fox.

(The writer's trip is at the invitation of Fox Star Studios. Nivedita can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in)

--IANS

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A Catholic priest in Kerala was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl, who subsequently gave birth to a baby boy, police said.

Robin Vadakkanchery, 49, a parish vicar near Kannur, was also the manager of the Church-backed school, where the girl was a Class 11 student.

Vadakkanchery was taken into custody on Monday night when he was reportedly getting ready to slip out of the country as police after him following a complaint registered by the Childline agency that works among school children.

The police official leading the probe told media persons that this act has been done by a person who is duty bound to protect children and give them the right perspective on life.

"And when someone like that becomes an accused, the charges will be very strong," the police official added.

Police is now probing the role of the hospital where the girl delivered the baby if they followed all the necessary documentary procedures.

--IANS

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A former North Korean deputy ambassador to the United Nations arrived in Malaysia on Tuesday amid an escalating diplomatic row over the death of the half-brother of the North's leader Kim Jong-un.

Ri Tong-il told reporters that he would request that Malaysia hand over the body of the North Korean citizen who died earlier this month in Malaysia, referring to Kim Jong-nam, Yonhap reported.

Kim was killed on February 13 at an airport in Kuala Lumpur when two women allegedly smeared banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent on his face. He was awaiting a flight to Macau.

Ri said he will also request that Malaysia release one North Korean detained over the incident and discuss ways to strengthen friendly ties with Malaysia.

His visit came as North Korea blamed Malaysia last week for pressing ahead with an autopsy on the body of Kim Jong-nam in an "illegal and immoral" manner. The North claimed that Malaysia colluded with South Korea in the investigation, according to the report.

The Malaysian police earlier said that eight North Koreans are suspected of being involved in Kim's killing, along with two Asian women who claimed they were deceived into thinking that they were taking part in a prank show.

Doan Thi Huong, 28, from Vietnam and Siti Aisyah, 25, from Indonesia will be charged with murder on Wednesday, a Malaysia's prosecutor said.

--IANS

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Engineering major L&T on Tuesday said that its hydrocarbon subsidiary will provide Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) services to Anglo-Dutch oil and gas firm Shell in West Asia, South East Asia and India over the next five years.

"L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering has signed an enterprise framework agreement (EFA) with Shell Global Solutions International B.V. for providing AEPCM services for Shell projects in the Middle East, South East Asia and India," said L&T in a regulatory filing to the BSE.

The subsidiary will leverage on its core strengths of engineering and project management to deliver projects for any agreement resulting from the EFA.

The company's office will be its high value engineering centre.

"The agreement is a breakthrough for our new engineering services business vertical. We will combine our engineering expertise with project and risk management skills to provide solutions to customers across the globe," said L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering Chief Executive Subramanian Sarma in a statement later.

Founded by two Danish engineers in India, the $16-billion L&T operates in 30 countries, providing technology, engineering, construction, manufacturing and financial services.

--IANS

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Popular TV hosts Jimmy Fallon, Trevor Noah, Conan OBrien, Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert made fun of the Oscars fiasco in which the producers of "La La Land" were mistakenly given the trophy for Best Picture when in fact "Moonlight" had won the award.

In the lead joke to Monday night's monologue on "Tonight Show", Fallon suggested the "La La Land" team to join a support group alongside the Atlanta Falcons and Hillary Clinton, two other figures who were surprised by high-profile losses in recent months.

On Colbert's show, writers devised an opening segment in which presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway read an awards card telling them to "Stall", rather than give out a "Best Picture" Oscar.

On Noah's "Daily Show", one correspondent suggested the "Moonlight" win showed US was operating "at maximum levels of black-tivity" with African-Americans winning much-deserved recognition for achievements.

Conan O'Brien did an elaborate piece suggesting all the different instructions that may have been on the card Beatty and Dunaway read.

Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted the 89th Academy Awards on Sunday night, spent a good portion of the early part of his show simply recounting his impressions of the odd twists of events, lending first-hand perspective to the incident.

"It was not a prank," Kimmel assured his audience.

--IANS

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Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday sought arrest of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists blamed for violence in Delhi University (DU) and said Lt. Governor Anil Baijal has promised "strict action".

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader tweeted that he met Baijal and demanded the arrest of "those who caused violence in DU, shouted anti-India slogans and who threatened (student) Gurmehar (Kaur)".

After the meeting, Lt. Governor Baijal also tweeted: "Chief Minister, Delhi met me at Raj Niwas. I have assured him that strict immediate action will be taken against those violating law."

Kejriwal's meeting followed the February 22 attacks on students, lecturers and journalists on the Delhi University campus for which the ABVP has been blamed.

The violence came a day after the ABVP forced Ramjas College in the campus to cancel a seminar which JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid were to address.

Khalid was among the students charged with sedition over an event at JNU last year where anti-national slogans were raised, while Shehla Rashid, a former JNU Students Union member, was instrumental in the movement against students' arrest.

Later, when student Gurmehar Kaur of Lady Shri Ram College launched a social media campaign against the RSS-affiliated ABVP, she received death and rape threats, triggering widespread condemnation.

After meeting the Lt. Governor, Kejriwal said people who threatened Kargil war martyr's daughter should be arrested immediately, so that a message could be sent that the administration and police would not tolerate such activities.

"Lt. Governor assured that strict action will be taken against people who indulged in violence and the people who threatened Gurmehar (Kaur)," Kejriwal told reporters after the meeting.

Kejriwal alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) people were behind the violence and anti-India sloganeering in the Delhi University.

"They (BJP) send their own people to shout anti-India slogans and after that their supporters come and beat other people accusing them of shouting such slogans," Kejriwal alleged.

"Once the culprits are arrested, it will become clear that BJP's people were behind the violence and anti-India sloganeering in the campus," Kejriwal said.

He also said that the people, who raised anti-India slogans in the JNU, were not yet arrested despite having their images and videos because "they were their (BJP's) own people".

Kejriwal accused the BJP of doing dirty and said: "The country will not tolerate BJP's dirty . Now the youth and the students are against BJP. Parents are worried about their children."

"I am not the Chief Minister of AAP only but of entire Delhi, similarly Kiren Rijiju is the Minister of State for Home for the entire country, so we are part of the system. It is the responsibility of every person in the system to protect Gurmehar and punish the culprits," Kejriwal added.

--IANS

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Guys On Reddit Reveal The Boldest Sexual Advances They've Made

Trending News: Guys Reveal Bold Sexual Advances They Made That Actually Worked

Quick Take

I don't think anyone would argue with the notion that, when it comes to being successful with women, the biggest barrier for most men is their own lack of confidence. True, she can't reject you if you don't ask, but then again she also can't give you a handy in the Applebee's bathroom if you don't ask, either.

But confidence is key for things like getting phone numbers and smooches, right? Surely, when it comes to sex the best advice is to build rapport and use courtship to slowly make yourself irresistible to her, right? Yes  but not 100% of the time.

At AskReddit, someone asked the community to share their most aggressive sexual advances (we're talking legal and consensual here, obviously). While they didn't always work, the guys who shared success stories will make you think twice about all those shots you never took. The next time you're waffling on whether to ask her out, queue up one of these stories and remember that fortune favors the bold.

2glamtogiveadamn:

My boss was a really good looking woman. A milf describes her quite well. Her personality was relatively flirty so we kind of traded pick up lines here and there, but playfully. We get sent to an event in Vegas, all expenses paid with a few other employees. As it came closer people were in an accident or quit so it ended up just being me and her. Day 1 in Vegas we get Hammered and we're dancing kind of hanging on each other all playfully though because that's what I thought it was. We somehow managed to find our way back to the hotel and she said "I hope you have a good night." I responded with a great drunk idea of saying "I think it will be, I'm going to finish myself off thinking of you." I was about to slap myself but she responded with a mischievous smile and said I outta come inside so she can show me around. We did horrible things to each other in that room, my love for eating ass was also born that night as well. It could have went pretty bad but the stars lined up for me in that moment. Please don't try to hit on your boss though there's a very good chance it won't go well TL;DR: Hit on my boss, she gave me a full tour of her birthing caverns instead

Is hitting on your boss a good idea? No, probably not. Is somehow bypassing the flirting process and having sex with your boss without hitting on her good idea? It sounds pretty good to me. No downside, tbh.

thisguy9898:

Sleeping in the same bed with a girl at a buddies cabin (weekend trip with a bunch of us). We had never flirted or anything. Anywho. We're both in bed, about to go to sleep, I ask if I can go down on her, because i had never done that before. She was shocked, but she said maybe later if she couldnt fall asleep. 5 minutes later I was eating her out. Good times.

This probably wouldn't work much past high school or college, but sometimes it's not about romance.

ooo-ooo-oooyea:

I had to get leg surgery, while I was out getting cut up a girl who was kind of on the periphery of our friends also broke her leg. So I'm walking around on crutches... she's walking around on crutches. Our eyes meet, and I said something like "wanna find out if two people with two legs can f*ck?". She said yes, and the answer is... no unless you have something to hold one of you up.

At the very least, they both got to check off an item on their bucket list that day.

woody65341:

Went on a first date with a girl from Tinder, just kinda walking around and getting to know each other. It's getting dark and we're sitting on a park bench talking. Forget what I said but she responds "well that's surprising". "I'm full of surprises" "Like what?" kisses girl Make out ensued and 15 mins later I'm fingering her on this bench and she asks "Am I going to get to f*ck you?" Didn't really think of it as bold at the time buy looking back I'd say it's my top moment.

I'm gonna say that in this case, his date was the bold one. Also, Tinder sounds fun.

Throwaway-account-23:

At a fraternity party. Girl I'd been 100% talking to in a completely non-sexual, non-flirty way "accidentally" walks into the men's room and acts embarrassed. I was finishing up at the urinal and jokingly asked her if she wanted to hold it for me. She held it with her hand in that minute, then with her mouth about two minutes later. We never really think about how kind of gross blowjobs can be until time proximity to peeing is very near.

This is some very strong fratting.

richyhx1:

Standing in the line for taxis after coming out of a club. I stagger to the girl at the front of the que. Me: "can I share your taxi?" Girl: "where are you going?" Me: "your house" Girl: "ok, get in" There's a guy already in the passenger seat Me: "who's this" Girl: "it's my brother" Brother: strong and stern stare Me: smiles and jumps in Ballsiest thing I ever pulled off. (That's what she said too)

While I appreciate the guile and determination, I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel for the brother a little bit.

JJRL:

Airplane. The one and only time I've ever sat next to a hot chick. I had 2 screwtop (decent Penfolds) bottles of wine I had bought at duty free. As soon as we took off, I said, "wanna get fucked up?" Four hours later and 45 minutes after landing, we were bumping nasties at the Four Seasons in Hong Kong.

I have never been seated next to an attractive woman on a plane, but if I ever were this is exactly how I picture it going.

SirMontego:

I was at a party and a girl said to me "can you hold my beer?" I didn't know her or had talked to her before, but I said "ok" and she gave me her beer to hold. She then took off her jacket and I handed her beer back to her like a normal person would do. She said "thanks." I then said to her "can I hold your beer again?" "Why?" she asked. "Because every time I hold your beer, you take something off." I said "Follow me." She said. And I followed her upstairs and we did it. I love holding other peoples' beers.

I almost don't believe this one, because it's a little too perfect.

The whole thread is great (and big), so I recommend scrolling through the whole thing.

Drop This Fact

A survey by sex toy website Adam & Eve found that 70% of Americans report having had a one-night stand.
Delhi's Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Tuesday promised "strict immediate action" over the violence in Delhi University where ABVP members were accused of attacking students and teachers.

Baijal tweeted that he assured Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal "that strict immediate action will be taken against those violating law".

Baijal's assurance came after Kejriwal demanded the arrest of "those who caused violence in DU, shouted anti-India slogans and who threatened (student) Gurmehar (Kaur)".

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad forced the Ramjas College in the campus to cancel a seminar on February 21 and was blamed for the attacks on students, lecturers and journalists in the campus the next day.

Later, when student Gurmehar Kaur of Lady Shri Ram College launched a social media campaign against the RSS-affiliated ABVP, she received death and rape threats.

After meeting Baijal, Kejriwal said people who threatened Kaur should be arrested so that a message goes that such activities cannot be tolerated.

Kejriwal said Baijal assured him that "strict action will be taken against people who indulged in violence and the people who threatened Gurmehar".

Kejriwal blamed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters for the violence and anti-India sloganeering in Delhi University.

"They (BJP) send their people to shout anti-India slogans and then their supporters come and beat up others after accusing them of shouting the slogans," the Aam Aadmi Party leader alleged.

He said those who raised anti-India slogans at the Jawaharlal Nehru University last year were yet to be arrested because "they were their (BJP's) own people".

"The country will not tolerate BJP's dirty . Today the youths and students are up against the BJP. And parents are worried about their children."

--IANS

am/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As the world tuned in to the 89th Academy Awards ceremony this year, mini-celebrations erupted outside the offices of Harmony Foundation, in a small lane in Santacruz suburb on Monday.

The Harmony Foundation and its volunteers rejoiced, cheered and celebrated as the Oscar for Best Documentary in the Short Film Category was announced to a 40-minute film, "The White Helmets", symbolising the Syria Civil Defence.

For, long before the Oscars, the Harmony Foundation had recognised the exemplary work done by "The White Helmets" in saving civilians trapped in war-torn Syria and conferred it with the prestigious "St. Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice 2016".

"Through our award, we acknowledged the exemplary work of organisations like Syria Civil Defence, working under extremely challenging and difficult situations, with great risk to their lives. We are passing through turbulent times and the society badly needs peace," Harmony Foundation Founder-President Abraham Mathai told IANS.

Congratulating "The White Helmets" for their inspiring work which has bagged them the coveted Oscar, Mathai said it would go a long way towards ensuring equality, social justice and inclusiveness in society, and pave the way for peace in Syria.

Formed in 2014, The Syria Civil Defence is a group of around 3,000 local volunteers serving in rebel-controlled Syria during the ongoing six-year long civil war.

Mostly ordinary folks with common backgrounds like students, tailors, carpenters or technicians, they have dedicated themselves to saving the lives of over 82,000 people injured in attacks by fighter jets, choppers, barrel bombs, cluster explosives, phosphorus bombs and chlorine shells on civilian localities and health care centres.

The Harmony Foundation's award, instituted in 2005 in the memory of Mother Teresa, is the only one in the world recognised by the institution she founded, the Missionaries of Charity, Kolkata.

Mother Teresa was canonised to Sainthood on September 4 last year by Pope Francis at The Vatican.

Some of the past recipients have been Medecins Sans Frontieres, the Dalai Lama, Malala Yousafzai, Dr. Mahathir Mohammad, Baroness Caroline Cox and other global personalities or organisations, Mathai said.

--IANS

qn/lok/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, who left Delhi on Tuesday after withdrawing from her social media campaign against the ABVP, said she needed to move away from the turbulence caused in her life due to the campaign.

"My family was unnecessarily being dragged into the matter. Everybody forgot what the actual issue was. I am in Jalandhar to take a break from everything," the student of Delhi's Lady Shri Ram College, and daughter of an army officer killed in Kargil war, told IANS on Tuesday.

"My whole point was that the issue should be properly addressed. But it seems that nobody wants to talk about the issue, as they keep talking about me, and that doesn't make sense," she said.

"All the time, I see myself in media channels and everywhere in the social media. I didn't start the campaign for this. I am just 20 and this is not something that I asked for," added.

Gurmehar hit the headlines after she took up a poster campaign against violence on the campus allegedly by the members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

The violence erupted on February 22 -- a day after the ABVP activists got force-cancelled a seminar at DU's Ramjas College, where JNU student Umar Khalid, charged with sedition last year, was invited as a speaker.

She left for Jalandhar hours after pulling back from the campaign, as she was allegedly getting death and rape threats through social media platforms.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police is in the process of zeroing in on the culprits after Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal issued a notice seeking registration of a case against persons threatening her.

--IANS

sid-mg/nir/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India on Tuesday denied reports appearing in a section of the media that its embassy in Washington has issued a demarche to the US State Department over last week's shooting of an Indian techie at a bar in Kansas city.

"The government of the United States and senior authorities in Kansas have pro-actively responded to the unfortunate death of Srinivas Kuchibhotla," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said in response to a query on media reports about the demarche being issued.

"In this context, I would like to draw your attention to the strong condemnation of the tragic shooting, issued by the US Embassy in New Delhi on February 24," he said.

He also referred to the statement by US Charge d'Affaires in India Mary Kay Carlson in which she said hat the US was a nation of immigrants and the authorities there would "investigate thoroughly and prosecute the case".

"This approach is reflected in the sentiments and assurances from senior most authorities of Kansas, who have reached out to the Indian Consul General in Houston," Baglay said.

"These developments obviated the need for a demarche by the (Indian) government on this matter."

Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and his colleague Alok Madasani was injured when US Navy veteran Adam W. Purinton fired at them at the Austin's Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on February 22.

Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the two and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country" before shooting them.

Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American, who tried to save the Indians, was hit by a bullet that pierced his hand and then lodged in his chest. He has since been hospitalised and is in fair condition.

"It is important to note that the US authorities are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the US, a matter which continues to receive the government's top priority," Baglay said in his statement on Tuesday.

"We also must not forget the noble and courageous gesture of the young American, Ian Grillot, who risked his life while countering the shooter," he added.

--IANS

ab/vt

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Afghanistan did not send any high-level representation in the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit here amid high tension between the two nations following terror attacks in Pakistan.

Neither Afghan President Ashraf Ghani nor Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah would take part in the event, to be attended by 10 member nations on Wednesday, Dawn online reported.

Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani would also stay away from the summit. A session of the council of ministers is being held on Tuesday.

Afghanistan's ambassador to Pakistan and President's special envoy Omar Zakhilwal would attend the meeting, Pakistani officials said on Monday as a meeting of senior officials of participating countries concluded.

Heads of states or governments of all other member countries, except Uzbekistan whose Deputy Prime Minister is coming for the summit, have confirmed their participation.

The already tense relations with Afghanistan got further frayed earlier this month following a spate of terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Islamabad blamed militants operating in Afghanistan for the attacks.

Soon after the February 15 attack at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sindh province in which 88 persons died, the Pakistan Army closed border crossings with Afghanistan due to security concerns.

The army also pounded on terrorist hideouts across the border in Afghanistan.

Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had over the weekend said Pakistan and Afghanistan were negotiating a joint mechanism for dealing with terrorism.

He expressed hope that progress would take place on the sidelines of the summit.

Kabul has so far been weighing whether or not it should attend at the highest level.

Aziz had earlier said Rabbani's participation was confirmed, but Pakistan was expecting higher level attendance.

"We want Afghanistan to join this journey of prosperity as a peaceful neighbour," Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry said.

He said Islamabad wanted peace with Kabul and was ready to take efforts in that direction, but expected Afghanistan to prevent its soil from being used against Pakistan.

The ECO summit aims at promoting connectivity and cooperation in energy, infrastructure, transport and trade sectors.

"Such a high-level participation (in the ECO summit) is not common. It shows Pakistan was never isolated and would never be isolated. No one can do so," the Foreign Secretary said, referring to India's bid to isolate Pakistan in the international community.

--IANS

py/vm

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Several opposition leaders on Tuesday joined a protest on the Delhi University campus against the violence on the Ramjas College on February 22 and accused the government of politicising the issue and censoring students.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Sitaram Yechury, Communist Party of India leader D. Raja, Janata Dal-United leader K.C. Tyagi and Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav were among those who visited the protesting students.

Adressing the protestors, Yechury said different politicians present at the protest venue were not to be blamed for politicising the students' protest since the central government had already politicised the issue.

"The government has made the issue political by censoring students into submission and using police for its benefit. It is the government that politicised the issue," Yechury said.

"Students should be allowed to express themselves. is deciding everything for students today. Why should I not decide on my You have to make your own choice," the CPI-M leader said.

He said there should be debate and not violence.

"The atmosphere at different university campuses has been ruined. If you wish to fight us, come ahead with your views... if all is well with universities, all is well with my country. We will argue. We shall fight at an intellectual level, no physically," Yechury said.

Raja called for a fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre just as "Indians once fought the British rule".

"I am a communist, I don't need any certificate of nationalism. We fought for the country's independence. We fought against the British Raj and won independence. Now, we have to fight against the BJP 'raj' to defend our democracy," Raja said.

"What is BJP and ABVP? Ever since the BJP came to power (at the Centre), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has become the extra-constitutional ruler," he said.

Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav, meanwhile, compared the handling of the DU situation with the style of functioning of late Congress leader Sanjay Gandhi.

"For the last 10 days, there has been an atmosphere of fear and intimidation in the university, which is reminiscent of Sanjay Gandhi's style of functioning. There is only one answer to this -- the students should come forward and say they are not scared," Yadav said.

Hundreds of students from Delhi University and other institutions of higher learning in the national capital, along with a large number of teachers, staged a protest march on the varsity's North Campus on Tuesday, which culminated at the Arts Faculty.

The march was against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Delhi Police over the February 21-22 disturbances on the campus.

--IANS

mg-akk-ao/tsb/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Pentagon has sent the White House a preliminary plan to defeat the Islamic State (IS), a spokesman said without providing details about the plan.

Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis on Monday was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying that the plan is a framework for a broader plan to defeat the IS extremists, and the details of the draft are classified secret.

The draft plan came about a month after the US President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to come up with a plan to defeat the IS. He has repeatedly criticised the Obama administration for failing to stop the extremist group during last year's campaign.

On January 21 in his first official visit to the Central Intelligence Agency, Trump vowed that "radical Islamic terrorism" has to be eradicated "right now."

Trump described "radical Islamic terrorism" as "evil" unseen before, adding that it should be "eradicated just off the face of the earth."

--IANS

qd/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Global beverages giant PepsiCo will help develop skills of workers in different food processing plants in Maharashtra and modernise the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the state, an official said here on Tuesday.

The collaboration plans came in a meeting between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and PepsiCo Chairman & CEO Indra K. Nooyi here this evening when a letter of intent was exchanged.

Nooyi and Fadnavis discussed ways and means for skill development in the state with the focus on support from PepsiCo to modernise the ITI (technical institutes) and work on developing the skills of the workers engaged in various food processing plants here.

Further plans and the proposed investments for the same shall be discussed in follow-up meetings next month, it was decided at the meeting attended by PepsiCo India Chairman and CEO D. Shivakumar and CEO (AMENA) Sanjeev Chadha.

Having a healthy existing partnership in the state, PepsiCo has committed to invest further in Maharashtra with increased agricultural sourcing.

The company has invested Rs 180 crore in a citrus processing facility in Nanded with plans to create an integrated citrus cluster which can improve livelihood and provide long-term security to the farmers.

--IANS

qn/lok/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The demand for point of sale (POS) devices -- which saw a spurt after demonetisation as people and merchants opted for cashless transactions -- could be dented by the mandate to make them Aadhaar-enabled as this will push up costs and increase security risks, industry players said.

"One of the biggest challenges in making the POS machines Aadhaar-enabled is the high cost of adoption as well verifying its reliability. Tampering and skimming threats for merchants and processors of card data are on the rise," Ravi Goyal, Chairman and Managing Director, India Transact Services, told IANS.

India Transact imports POS machines -- also known as payment or credit card machines -- from Europe and supplies them to Syndicate Bank, Bank of India, Reliance Retail and PVR Cinemas, among others.

According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) mandate, all POS machines acquired after January 1 this year had to be enabled for Aadhaar-based biometric authentication. The date was was later extended to June 30 because the rate of deployment slowed down due to a drop in the supply of such Aadhaar-enabled devices.

"Fingerprint authentication per se is not secure. It is about the levels and forms of encryption that companies implementing the solution follow. It is important that fingerprint data is encrypted at the source of the scanning device and remains encrypted all the way through till it reaches the card-issuing authorities," ePaisa Co-founder Siddharth Arora told IANS.

ePaisa will start manufacturing POS devices this year and plans to reach a million merchants by 2018.

"If somebody is able to capture the biometric data, which is easily done, they can very easily impersonate me," Manish Patel, Founder, Mswipe Technologies, which supplies POS terminals to 165,000 merchants, told IANS.

Apart from the increased security vulnerability to the person's biometrics, another deterrent to the digital mode would be the increased costs of the additional hardware.

"The costs of POS machines will go up. Currently, each terminal costs Rs 6,000. With the additional hardware, it will mean Rs 3,000-3,500 extra per terminal, which is 50 per cent increase in costs," Patel said.

"This is not technically a difficult task but rather a very expensive one. We need to attach a biometric reader to the currently available POS machines and simultaneously make changes in application," Goyal said.

They feared that ultimately the merchants will have to bear the cost and they may pass this on to the customer.

The demand for POS machines saw a steep rise just after demonetisation. At the peak of demonetisation, the government had floated a tender through Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) to acquire one million POS machines, but so far has been unable to procure any.

Mswipe alleged that the tender was floated but the government failed to buy any POS terminals because of the cost factor.

Corporation Bank said it placed an order for 10,000 devices immediately after demonetisation was announced November 8.

"We have approximately 30,000 POS machines. An order for about 10,000 additional POS machines was placed after demonetisation for immediate use," Eknath Baliga, Manger, KYC-Antimoney Laundering Cell, Corporation Bank, Mangalore, told IANS.

"Our sales shot up by 300 per cent in November and December compared with the previous year," India Transact Services said.

The total value of financial transactions done by the debit and credit cards issued by at POS terminals was at Rs 51,883.68 crore while the number of transactions stood at approximately 23 lakh in October 2016.

About 15 lakh POS terminals were deployed by the banks in October.

But as cash returns to the system again, the demand for POS machines is tapering and these additional directives can prove a further deterrent to POS machines, the industry said, adding that there was no clarity on the revenue model in the Aadhaar-enabled payment system (AEPS).

"There is no revenue model defined for AEPS payments against the card-based payment system where MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) is a source of revenue. The reliability of AEPS infrastructure for mass payment is yet to be proven," Goyal said.

A typical transaction uses a payment instrument like a card, which is secured by a PIN (personal identification number). When a PIN gets captured on a terminal, there are payment card industry standards for the security of transactions.

While RBI is calling for biometric enablement, it is not clear if the transaction is going to be carried out by a PIN and biometrics would be the second level of authentication, or if the biometric credentials are going to be used to identify the person with no second factor of authentication.

"If the thumb impression alone will authorise a transaction, it will be a disaster. It has to be backed by a PIN. There are proven technologies to copy your fingerprint, like cloning," Patel said.

"A second factor of authentication is must. Else anyone can do a transaction in my name and I will not be able to dispute it," he said.

If by adopting these new measures, security against data theft can be ensured only then would both merchants and customers be assured that their hard-earned money is safe, he added.

(Meghna Mittal can be reached at meghna.m@ians.in)

--IANS

mm/vm/sac

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hit out against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning his government's achievements and asking him why he had not consulted key stakeholders, like the Manipur government, about the accord with the NSCM-IM.

Addressing a public meeting at Hapta Kangjeibung in the heart of Imphal ahead of the March 4 and 8 assembly elections, he said: "The BJP government is concealing vital information. It has also backed out of various commitments.

"Modi had promised to provide employment to 2 crore youth, repair the NH 37 in Manipur within the first 100 days of the NDA government... but nothing has been done about these promises."

Gandhi said Congress President Sonia Gandhi received a surprise phone call from Modi informing that the framework agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah had been signed. On inquiry, it was found that Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh as well as other Central Ministers were kept in the dark about this accord.

"When Modi comes to Manipur next time, people should ask him why he is keeping the people in the dark in this manner," said Gandhi.

The Congress Vice President also said that two business houses had given a huge amount to Modi and this is in the know of the Income tax department.

"All these days Modi has been harping on corruption of Okram Ibobi. Modi should make inquiry into these allegations against himself," he added.

Both Gandhi and Ibobi said that no force in the world can break up Manipur.

"The territory of Manipur is safe in the hands of the Congress," Gandhi said.

Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam told IANS that over 400,000 persons had assembled for the meeting and "by Manipur's standard, it is a huge gathering".

"It shows that the Congress shall come back with a thumping majority," he added.

--IANS

il/sm/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Reporter Reveals That Donald Trump Eats His Steaks Well-Done With Ketchup

Trending News: Trump's Well-Done Steak Is His Biggest Transgression As President

Quick Take

Donald Trump: billionaire, nationally-known celebrity socialite and, more recently, the duly-elected (probably!) President of The United States of America. These are all things that, on their face, confer a certain sense of refined social grace  after all, when we picture wealthy, dignified people, we picture them consuming the finest consumables with the kind of charm school polish that separates them from the Great Unwashed.

But Donald Trump, if nothing else, managed to sell himself as someone who may be a billionaire but is also a Man of The People. This is a ridiculous notion, of course, but it's one that won him the highest office in the land  whether he's scarfing KFC on his private plane, 'noshing on a taco bowl in his Manhattan penthouse or using scotch tape to keep his tie in place, Donald Trump screams "I'm just like you, only richer."

Great afternoon in Ohio & a great evening in Pennsylvania - departing now. See you tomorrow Virginia! pic.twitter.com/jQTQYBFpdb  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2016

But this latest tidbit of populist theater, captured as part of Independent Journal Review reporter Benny Johnson's meticulous (and excellent) deep-dive into what it's like when the president goes out for dinner, may be a bridge too far. As you might imagine, dining out for the president (even at a hotel that bears his name) is an involved affair  Secret Service at every corner, bomb-sniffing dogs, and all the glad-handing you'd expect. But when it comes time to eat, Trump does something truly monstrous:

8:45 PM: Trump is served his entree. According to a waiter, who wished to remain anonymous: The President ordered a well-done steak. An aged New York strip. He ate it with catsup as he always does. The sides and appetizers on the table were shared. Three jumbo shrimp cocktails were delivered before the meal. At one point, the President looked at his watch and remarked They are filming 'Saturday Night Live' right now. Can't wait to see what they are gonna do to me this week. It was hard to serve him because he is so funny and relaxed, it makes you laugh.

IMPEACH HIM NOW!!

Yes, the president eats his aged steaks well-done, and with ketchup. Anyone who knows anything about steak knows that the finer cuts (your strips, ribeyes, fillets and the like) are best served medium-rare, and certainly no more than medium. Cooking them any more than that robs them of moisture and the textural contrast between the charred outside and buttery inside that makes steak so enjoyable. That's doubly true of aged steaks. The ageing process is one of controlled desiccation, whereby certain compounds break down, making the steak more tender and imparting funky, umami-heavy flavors.

Happy #CincoDeMayo! The best taco bowls are made in Trump Tower Grill. I love Hispanics! https://t.co/ufoTeQd8yA pic.twitter.com/k01Mc6CuDI  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2016

(Just as important, anyone who's ever waited tables or cooked in a kitchen knows why well-done steaks are a nightmare: aside from being a waste of good meat, they take friggin' forever to cook.)

That he eats it with ketchup is maybe no surprise then, because that meat is dry as hell and it's not hard to imagine that President Trump demands BOLD FLAVOR with every bite. That's honestly the least offensive part of this. Using ketchup on a prime cut steak is an abomination, yes, but cooking a steak to well-done basically turns it into a very expensive hamburger, and ketchup is just fine there.

Besides, as a former purveyor of "great steaks," shouldn't Trump know a thing or two about them?

Again, the whole account of the evening is fascinating, but we need to ask ourselves as a nation: should we really give the nuclear codes to a guy who orders his steaks cooked beyond recognition?

Drop This Fact

Only about 3% of all beef earns the "prime" designation from the USDA.
Actress Rumana Molla shaved her head for a 15-minute role in her latest film "Irada", which featured Naseeruddin Shah, and she found it completely worth it.

"The whole experience was completely worth it. The hair grows back, but the experience and the moments never leave you. Working with Nasseer sir was a dream come true and Aparnaa ji (director Aparnaa Singh) is the most nurturing person I know," Rumana said in a statement.

She will next be seen on the big screen in Ken Ghosh's "Dev DD".

-*-

Bhumi excited to start 'Shubh Mangal Saavdhan'

Actress Bhumi Pednekar, who is set to share screen space with her "Dum Laga Ke Haisha" co-star Ayushmann Khurrana, says she is excited to start shooting for the film "Shubh Mangal Saavdhan".

"Thank you for all your love sir (Anand L. Rai). So excited to be starting 'Shubh Mangal Saavdhan'," she tweeted on Tuesday.

Co-produced by Anand L. Rai, "Shubh Mangal Saavdhan" is a quirky love-story and is being directed by R.S. Prasanna.

Bhumi will also be seen sharing screen space with actor Akshay Kumar in the forthcoming film "Toilet- Ek Prem Katha", which will release on June 2. The film is a love story with a satirical flavour and is directed by Shree Narayan Singh.

-*-

Farah shares throwback 'rare' image with Hrithik

Filmmaker-choreographer Farah Khan has shared a "blast from the past" photograph of herself along with actor Hrithik Roshan.

Farah has shared an image of herself and Hrithik swimming in Koh Samui.

"Blast from the past. Hrithik Roshan and I in 2003 New Year in Koh Samui. It's good to clean the cupboards once in a while - you find rare pictures," she captioned the image, which she posted on Instagram on Tuesday.

On the film front, Hrithik was last seen on the big screen in "Kaabil" alongside actress Yami Gautam.

--IANS

nn-dc/nn/vm

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Russia and China vetoed a United Nations Security Council draft resolution aimed at imposing sanctions against the Syrian regime over the use of chemical weapons against civilians in the conflict ravaging the country.

It was the first open clash pitting China and Russia against the United States since the election of President Donald Trump, who has been accused by his political foes of being soft on Moscow.

The resolution, sponsored by the US, France and Britain, sought to place travel and financial restrictions on 11 Syrians linked to the military -- similar to those imposed on terrorists -- and ban the sale of some equipment like helicopters to the government of Bashar al-Assad while placing restrictions of 10 government-related organisations.

Egypt was one of three nations abstaining from voting on the resolution, which received nine votes in support and three negative votes.

The initiative was being negotiated since it was initially drafted by France and the Britain in December, and found support from the US later on.

The sanctions were proposed on the basis of an investigations by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) which said that the Assad government forces had used chlorine gas loaded into barrels and dropped from helicopters three times and the Islamic State (IS) terrorists had deployed mustard gas.

The use of both these chemicals are banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Hitting out against the veto, US Permanent Representative Nikki Haley said, "Russia and China made an outrageous and indefensible choice today."

"So what message are we sending to the world," she asked, "If you are allies with China and Russia, they will cover the backs of their friends who use chemical weapons to kill their own people."

China has in the past used its veto to protect against sanctions a Pakistan-based terrorist, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) founder Masood Azhar, and Pakistan itself for harbouring Lashkar-e-Taiba leader Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.

China's Permanent Representative Liu Jieyi said Beijing vetoed it because, he asserted, the investigations were still going on.

Russian Deputy Permanent Representative Vladimir Safronkov said Moscow vetoed the resolution because the West had proposed the resolution as a "provocationa against it.

Britain's Permanent Representative Matthew Rycroft told reporters after the meeting that Moscow's seventh veto of a resolution against Syria showed that Russia would rather cover up for Assad rather than act on chemical weapons.

This is the seventh time in the last five years that Russia has vetoed a Security Council resolution aimed at condemning the Syrian regime, after armed conflict broke out in the Arab country in 2011.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in)

--IANS

arul/qd

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Samsung India has reached out to more than 30,000 school students in key districts here, in collaboration with the government of Karnataka's two-day 'School Kit Programme' that aims to extend support to students from government schools.

"At Samsung, our aim is to cater to the needs of our consumers with meaningful innovations and quality products. We will also like to give back to the society, thereby reaching out to less-privileged students within the Indian society," Dipesh Shah, Managing Director, Samsung R&D Institute, Bengaluru, said in a statement.

Volunteers from Samsung R&D Institute, Bengaluru visited more than 500 schools and distributed essential stationery items -- including 3,000 dictionaries, 14,000 stationery pouches, 300 bags, 18,000 exam pads and geometry boxes -- over two days across Bengaluru, Doddaballapura, Kolar and Mulbagal districts in the state.

--IANS

rt/sm/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
South Korean technology conglomerate announced on Tuesday that it will restructure its board of directors after prosecutors decided to indict the firm's heir Lee Jae-yong in connection with an influence-peddling scandal.

The country's largest business group announced the move in a statement issued shortly after it was reported that Lee will be tried along with four other senior company executives for bribery, as part of the influence-peddling scandal that has rocked the country, Efe news reported.

The statement added it will dismantle its future strategy office, the hub of the group's operations, and that each of its affiliate firms will act according to orders by their respective boards.

The office was led by Group Vice-Chairman Choi Gee-sung and President Chang Choong-ki, who resigned from their positions in the working group that also included 200 other high-ranking executives from subsidiaries.

The tech giant also expects a personnel reshuffle of top executives for each affiliate's board of directors, company officials told Yonhap news agency.

Samsung's future strategy office was considered to be at the heart of the operations of the group, which besides Samsung Electronics - the world's leading smartphone maker - comprises subsidiaries across real estate, finance, sanitary services, power and electronic accessories sectors.

Prosecutors suspect that Lee, 48, gave or promised some 43 billion won ($36 million) worth of bribes to President Park Geun-hye's jailed friend Choi Soon-sil in return for the government's backing of a merger of two Samsung affiliates in 2015.

The business merger was seen as critical for the smooth management succession of the group from ailing Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee to his only son Lee.

The investigation team, led by Park Young-soo, was given 70 days with 20 more days for preparation to look into the allegations President Park let Choi meddle in state affairs and amass profits using her ties to the president.

Lee was formally arrested by the investigators earlier this month, marking the first time that the chief of the country's largest family-run business group has been detained.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on Friday a plea by Uphaar owner Gopal Ansal not to be jailed for a fire that killed 59 persons at the cinema in 1997.

Arguing that he does not want to undergo the remaining part of his one year sentence, Gopal Ansal's plea seeks parity with elder brother Sushil Ansal who was let off with the sentence he has already served.

Sushil Ansal's age and ailments were taken into consideration while not sending him to prison.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar will hear the matter on Friday.

Gopal Ansal moved the court urging it to modify its order sending him to jail, with almost a week left for him to surrender.

The court on February 9 sentenced the builder to one year in jail.

Gopal Ansal was to surrender by March 9 to serve seven months in jail as he has been jailed for four months previously.

He said the court could not deny him the same relief extended to Sushil Ansal because his medical condition too was equally precarious.

Goapl Ansal wants the court to extend the time of his surrender till it decides his application.

He said he has hearing impairment, due to which he claimed he has fainted several times.

Expressing "genuine remorse" for those who died in the "unfortunate tragedy", he contended he had borne the punishment more than he deserved.

The court had said that since Gopal Ansal, 69, did not suffer any age-related complications, as was the case with Sushil Ansal, 77, there could be no principle of parity and he must spend one year in prison.

The Ansals, who co-owned the Uphaar cinema in south Delhi, were held guilty of "criminal negligence" but escaped jail terms beyond a few months after the top court's 2015 order.

A huge fire broke out at Uphaar when Hindi movie "Border" was being screened on June 13, 1997. Trapped inside, 59 persons died of asphyxia and over 100 were injured in a stampede.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The last rites of Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US last week in a suspected hate crime, would be performed Tuesday at Jubliee Hills, family members said.

The mortal remains of the slain 32-year-old was flown in here Monday night.

It was brought by a cargo flight, which arrived at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport around 10 p.m.

Kuchibhotla's parents K. Madhusudhana Sastry and Parvata Vardhini and other family members received the body. After completing all formalities, the body was carried in an ambulance to his house at Bachupally on the city outskirts.

Kuchibhotla's wife Sunayana Dumala, her brother, sister-in-law and another relative reached the city by a passenger flight.

Large number of relatives and friends gathered at the house to catch last glimpse of Kuchibhotla. Police were deployed to stop media persons away from the casket.

A picture of the slain engineer was kept in front of the house to enable people to pay their last respects. Few banners carrying pictures of Kuchibhotla were also put up.

Telangana Transport Minister Mahender Reddy and some leaders of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Andhra Pradesh's Minister for NRI Affairs Palle Raghunath Reddy and leaders of various parties also paid their last respects to Kuchibhotla at his house.

Speaking on the occasion, the two Ministers condemned the killing of the techie and urged the central government to take up with the US the issue of safety of all Indians.

Raghunath Reddy said it was matter of concern that after Donald Trump took over as the President, several incidents of racial discrimination had taken place in the US.

He said the two Telugu states would do everything possible to ensure protection to their professionals and students living in the US.

The Ministry of External Affairs made arrangements to bring the mortal remains.

Police had made elaborate security arrangements at the airport to bar the media from the cargo terminal.

Kuchibhotla was killed and Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white man who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on Wednesday night.

Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them.

Kuchibhotla of Hyderabad and his colleague Madasani from Warangal district in Telangana were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an MNC.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US aerospace major SpaceX has announced plans to fly two private citizens on a week-long trip around the moon next year.

The two individuals approached SpaceX for the trip and they have "already paid a significant deposit" to do a moon mission, the company said in a statement on Monday.

"Fly me to the moon ... Ok," SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted after the announcement was made.

Lift-off will be from the Kennedy Space Center's historic Launch Complex 39A at Cape Canaveral in Florida -- the same launch pad used by the Apollo programme for its lunar missions.

"Like the Apollo astronauts before them, these individuals will travel into space carrying the hopes and dreams of all humankind," SpaceX said.

Following the announcement about the private space mission around the moon, NASA said it "commends its industry partners for reaching higher".

"For more than a decade, NASA has invested in private industry to develop capabilities for the American people and seed commercial innovation to advance humanity's future in space," the US space agency said in a statement on Tuesday.

The two tourists would be sent on a SpaceX's Dragon 2 capsule, launched on the company's Falcon Heavy rocket.

"NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which provided most of the funding for Dragon 2 development, is a key enabler for this mission," SpaceX said while thanking the US space agency "without whom this would not be possible".

"Falcon Heavy is due to launch its first test flight this summer and, once successful, will be the most powerful vehicle to reach orbit after the Saturn V moon rocket," the company said.

SpaceX said the space shuttle Dragon was designed from the beginning to carry humans and already has "a long flight heritage".

For the Hawthorne, California-headquartered company, the private trip around the moon is one step on the way to their goal of transporting humans to Mars.

Later this year, as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, SpaceX will launch its Crew Dragon (Dragon Version 2) spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS).

This first demonstration mission will be in automatic mode, without people on board.

A subsequent mission with crew is expected to fly in the second quarter of 2018.

SpaceX is currently contracted to perform an average of four Dragon 2 missions to the ISS per year, three carrying cargo and one carrying crew.

"By also flying privately crewed missions, which NASA has encouraged, long-term costs to the government decline and more flight reliability history is gained, benefiting both government and private missions," SpaceX said.

SpaceX said it will conduct health and fitness tests of the two individuals who have expressed interest in a trip around moon. Initial training for the two will begin later this year.

"This presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep space for the first time in 45 years and they will travel faster and further into the solar system than any before them," SpaceX said in the statement.

"Other flight teams have also expressed strong interest and we expect more to follow," SpaceX said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Shouting "ABVP Go Back", hundreds of students marched through Delhi University on Tuesday to denounce the RSS-affiliated body for attacking students, teachers and journalists in the campus.

Some 2,000 students, both boys and girls, walked from Khalsa College at the edge of the university through the sprawling campus and later gathered at the Arts Faculty, shouting slogans all the time.

Many held banners demanding the right to freedom of speech and condemning the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the February 21-22 disturbances in the otherwise placid campus.

"We are here to show solidarity and to make the ABVP understand that DU (Delhi University) stands together against violence," student Hindolee Datta told IANS.

Datta was from Lady Shri Ram College, whose student Gurmehar Kaur received death and rape threats after launching a social media campaign against the ABVP.

Gurpreet, a student of Delhi's Ambedkar University, told IANS: "There have been increasing threats to the rights of citizens and students. Our right to protest has been taken away by the ABVP and RSS.

"This is not just about Delhi University but the whole nation."

Hindolee and Gurpreet spoke as a mass of students walked slowly towards the Arts Faculty holding banners and shouting slogans. A large contingent of police accompanied them.

The protest mainly drew students from Delhi University, one of the oldest in the country, as well as a sprinkling from the Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia Islamia.

Several lecturers also joined the march.

On February 21, the ABVP forced the Ramjas College in the university to cancel a seminar because of the participation of a JNU student charged with sedition last year.

The next day, ABVP activists were accused of attacking students, teachers and journalists during a protest march in the Delhi University campus.

Protesters insisted their march on Tuesday was not political but for freedom in the campuses.

"I was bruised on the 22nd because of stone pelting. I don't belong to any political party. I am here to protest against violence," said a Ramjas College student who did not want to be named.

A lecturer who joined the show of strength underlined that she was there "for the safety of students threatened by the ABVP".

Another teacher, Avinash, added: "This is not about ABVP, this is about hooliganism. The people who indulged in violence are not nationalists, they are macho elements."

"ABVP Down Down," "ABVP Go Back" and "ABVP Dont be so Creepy" were among the slogans the students kept raising. Another was: "Delhi Police, Sanghi Police."

The call for Tuesday's march was given by the Left-leaning All India Students Association but drew even those who do not agree with the group.

Former JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar also joined the protest.

Also on Tuesday, members of the Congress-affiliated National Students Union of India (NSUI) staged a hunger strike in the campus, also against the ABVP.

"After the Ramjas violence, a majority of students who want a peaceful campus are scared... There is hardly any space for debate," NSUI President Amrita Dhawan told IANS.

"Nothing justifies violence. We live in a democratic country where people can have different opinions," Dhawan added.

On Monday, the ABVP held a "Tiranga march" in the campus.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Under its new foreign policy adopted last year, Taiwan hopes to share its expertise with India in areas like smart cities and clean energy, a senior official has said.

"We have our Asian Silicon Valley development project which is the Internet of Things," Connie Hui-Chan Chang, Director General of Taiwan's Department of Overall Planning in the National Development Council, said in response to a question by IANS during an interaction with a group of visiting journalists here.

"We hope to use our strengths in ICT in other sectors like smart cities (with India). Clean energy goes without saying," she said. "Your country and mine are going in the same direction."

The Asian Silicon Valley project is a major part of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's economic reforms aimed at infusing new life into Taiwan's economy.

According to its new foreign policy, dubbed the New Southbound Policy, the self-ruled east Asian island nation is striving to broaden exchanges and cooperation with India and five South Asian nations, the 10 member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Australia and New Zealand in areas such as commerce, culture and technology.

This will mean lesser dependence on mainland China for Taiwan's economic development. Taiwan is the world's 22nd-largest economy and was dubbed one of the four Asian tigers in the late 20th century, the others being Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea.

According to Chang, the new policy aims at talent exchange, trade and economic cooperation, sharing of resources and regional cooperation.

"We want more Asian students to come and study in Taiwan and work here and we have scholarships to offer," she said.

"In terms of sharing resources, we can send over medical teams to elevate standards in other countries," she stated, adding that tourism was another area for sharing resources.

Chang said that cultural exchange was a very important factor in the New Southbound Policy.

She also stressed on Taiwan's strengths in agricultural technology. Though Taiwan was primarily an agriculture-based economy, it later diversified into heavy industries and then to high technology

In terms of regional cooperation, she said that "we look to sign more bilateral pacts".

"We believe that innovation will be the most important thing in the years to come," Chang said.

"We want innovators. We encourage R&D of our existing manufacturing industries and services industries," she stated.

"Investments (in other countries) and structural reforms are our targets in the coming years."

(Aroonim Bhuyan visited Taiwan at the invitation of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He can be contacted at aroonim.b@ians.in)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Title contenders Subir Roy and Nirav Mehta, who were placed number two at the end of the second day, pulled out of the Biswa Bangla JK Tyre Himalayan Drive 5 here on Tuesday.

It was learnt that the duo reached a time control two minutes ahead of the pack, drawing hefty penalty points which virtually put them out of contention.

In a Time Speed Distance (TSD) rally, one has to reach one point from another in certain time as per calculation of average speed.

"They surrendered their time control card to the next competitor either because they were not performing well or because of malfunction of car or gadgets," additional clerk of the course Suchandan Das told IANS at the end of the gruelling day which was the longest of the race.

Meanwhile, national champions Asjgar Ali and Muhammad Mustafa (co-driver) hung on their lead for the third successive day as rallyists weathered the hilly terrains of Darjeeling from Paro, Bhutan.

Due to Roy and Mehta pulling the plug on the competition held over five days, Deep Dutta and Prakash Muthuswamy -- who were placed third -- jumped to second.

On Wednesday, the fourth leg gets underway from Darjeeling towards Hile in Eastern Nepal, the third country that the drive will enter.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Wish You Were Beer ... But Colkegan Whiskey Will Do Just Fine, Thank You New Mexico's burgeoning craft beer industry appears capable of infinite growth. Here in Albuquerque, new breweries and tap rooms continue to materialize like bubbles in a beer glass and year after year those breweries with a consistent, quality product find a place in a market that never seems close to its saturation point. According to Brewer's Association statistics, New Mexico is currently 11th among states ranked by number of breweries per 100,000 21+ adults, with 3.1 craft breweries for every 100,000 of-age New Mexicans (Vermont tops this 2016 Brewer's Association list with 9.4 breweries per 100,000). Clearly, craft beer has captured the hearts and wallets of New Mexicans to a degree only dreamt of by the state's wineries and distilleries, even spawning a beer-tourism industry  wait, distilleries? Wine, sure. New Mexico has a rich history of wine-making stretching from the days of the Spanish conquest to the presentworld-famous Gruet sparkling wines are produced in Albuquerquebut whiskey and vodka aren't products that one readily associates with the Land of Enchantment. In point of fact, New Mexico is home to one of the very best American single-malt whiskeys on the market. Produced by Santa Fe Spirits, a small distillery that also makes gin, vodka and brandy, Colkegan Single-Malt Whiskey made just about every top five list of American single-malt whiskeys last year. Santa Fe Spirits' Colkegan is something special to emerge out of New Mexico's small craft-distilling industry and like Marble and La Cumbre once did for local craft-breweries, Santa Fe Spirits has set a high bar for the half-dozen fellow and future craft distilleries in the state.

Full story: Wish You Were Beer ... But Colkegan Whiskey Will Do Just Fine, Thank You
How To Wear Men's Boots

How To Pull Off Any Style Of Boot, From Combat To Chukka

The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.

No matter if you live in the midst of the mountains or if your hood has never seen snow, a good pair of boots will get you a long way. But from Chelsea boots to hiker boots to dress boots, the selection of boots out there can be tough to navigate. Never fear: weve made you a roadmap of all the dos and donts of buying and pulling off mens boots.



Thankfully, winter is almost behind us (knock on wood), but just because were bidding adieu to our winter blues, doesnt mean we need to put our boots in storage. Boots arent just a winter essential  pair them with a t-shirt or a more casual pair of pants for a classic look for the summer months. Just please (please!) dont wear them with shorts.

Without further fanfare, weve gathered our favorite no-nonsense boots to step into this spring.

What to consider when youre buying boots

When youre buying boots, bring along a thick pair of socks. Since your boots will get the most wear in the winter, you will most likely be wearing woolen socks to match the weather. This will add some volume to your feet, so try to bring along a pair of socks so your boots wont be too small when the temperature plummets and you want to slip on some socks. When looking for a pair of boots, we recommend looking for real leather or suede over fake leather. Yes, real leather and suede come with a higher price tag, but with a little wear, fake leather and suede can look cheap. Plus, real leather is much more comfortable and will provide your feet with protection from any rain, slush, or colder temperatures you may face. Where do you plan to wear your boots? If youre looking for a pair of boots to add to your weekend wardrobe, think of a more casual style, like a hiking boot or combat boot. Need a boot to get you through the nine-to-five and beyond? A Chelsea or a chukka boot in a smooth leather or a more classic dress boot is a reliable transition piece to take you from the office to post-work cocktails. Want a boot thats in step with the trends? Look to a slimmer-fitting Chelsea in a supple suede or a kick-ass combat boot in a crimson hue.

The Chelsea Boot

Thanks to the likes of Keith Richards, Chelsea boots now give off just as much badassery as a combat boot. The inherently cool boot is an easy way to boost your style game. Just throw on the boots to add some edge to a pair of denim, or, if youre daring, with a suit. If youre looking to pick up a pair of Chelsea boots online, look to purchase them from a website that offers free returns. Chelsea boots traditionally have no laces and fit tight to the ankle, so sizing can be tricky to gauge.

Houston Chelsea Boot by Mark McNairy

Mark McNairy has become something of an icon in the menswear scene, mainly because he knows how to make really goddamn good products. With a super sleek silhouette, lush suede, and a wallet-friendly price point, these effortlessly cool boots offer a lot of bang for your buck. Opt for the sand color or the camouflage print for an of-the-moment shade, or a classic rich brown or crisp black for a bit more longevity.

$99.00 at NewRepublicMan.com

The Chukka Boot

Since Chukka boots fall right around the ankle bone, the style doesnt stray too far from that of a regular shoe, giving you lots of liberties when it comes to styling. Chukka boots work best with more laid-back looks  think of them as a simple way to elevate your old jeans and a basic t-shirt.

Steve Madden Harken Leather Chukka Boot

The Chukka boot has come a long way since Steve McQueen wore the desert boot as a very casual footwear shoe. Steve Maddens updated version of the shoe is finished with a slick, slightly-distressed upper. Classy enough to break out at the office, this shoe comes in a variety of match-everything shades, including cognac, black, and black and wool upper.

$89.00 at Nordstrom.com

Wolverine Francisco Chukka Boot

Handmade in Portugal, Wolverines hand-stitched, oiled nubuck boot offers a more refined version of the Chukka boot. We recommend pairing them with a slim or straight leg pant that falls right above the ankle bone. While many chukka boots are crafted from suede, the smooth nubuck offers the shoe a longer lifespan and a more upscale twist.

$129.90 at Nordstrom.com

The Hiking Boot

A good pair of lace-up boots isnt just for the granola-crunching set; they are perfectly suitable for the city-dwellers wardrobe. Okay, so these boots might not be ready for the mountains, but these boots are absolutely ready to be worn around town. Pair them with a rolled pant  we suggest a darker denim or a corduroy  and a tonal sweater or shirt. When youre purchasing a hiking boot, construction is key. A solid pair of hiking boots will last you for years to come, so look for a thicker treaded sole, a high-quality leather (avoid suede if these boots will ever see the great outdoors), and thick, sturdy laces.

Black Full Grain Leather Searcher Boots

With full-grain leather, strong traction, and a perfectly rugged exterior, think of a good, neutral-tone leather boot as your no-fuss new staple shoe. If you even needed another reason to pick these up, for every pair of boots you buy, Toms gives a new pair to a child in need.

$159.00 at Toms.com

Leather Boulder Boot

100% leather will get you through rain, sleet, snow, or whatever the hell else you could do to your shoes. These leather boulder boots are feather-light, at just 9.9 oz, making them an ideal traveling boot (and light to pack!), whether your trip involves hitting the trails or just slumming it in a new city.

$124.00 at Huckberry.com

The Combat Boot

Yes, combat boots are a serious style play. But as they are inspired by actual military combat boots, theyre also designed to be a dependable shoe for whatever the weather. Embrace the tough-guy edge combat boots offer, and opt for a leather jacket or a band t-shirt, or use the boots to toughen up a preppier look.

Engineer Tall Lace Boot

While combat boots can range from low-ankle to under-the-knee, this combat boot has a slight range  perfect for the first-time combat boot wearer. If you're willing to spend a little extra money, Frye boots are well worth it. Each boot is hand-crafted in the United States from oiled leather. Even though the boots are artisanally crafted to last a lifetime, scruffs and scrapes will only add to the appeal of the boot. Like a fine wine, combat boots get better with age.

$189.00 at Amazon.com

The Dress Boot

We can almost promise that a suave dress boot will be on heavy rotation in your weekly wardrobe. Its basically your all-purpose shoe  smooth leather, more formal silhouette, and lace-up details make it perfect to pair with a suit, but come date night or boys night out, the shoe will look just as at home with jeans. Since the shoe hits higher on your ankle than your typical dress shoe, its a much smarter option for those treacherous treks to work in the winter months.

Desert Sun Suede Oxford

The simple aesthetics of an oxford boot make this your new secret wardrobe weapon. The boot is perfectly acceptable to slip on for your nine-to-five, but just as easy to wear after clocking out. The pale suede upper is finished with subtle contrast stitching and office-appropriate lacing. The shoe boasts a slight heel to add a bit of a swagger to your step.

$59.00 at KennethCole.com

Have a Seat Ankle Boot

This Kenneth Cole boot falls in at a strange intersection  they are classic enough to look right at home with dress clothes, but the sheen on the black leather and the tighter fit give them a serious rock-god appeal. So flaunt these square-toed, boots in your free time; pair them with a darker denim (we recommend a slimmer fit denim, so as not to overwhelm the shoe), and a looser t-shirt.

$89.00 at KennethCole.com

Johnston & Murphy Conard Wingtip Boot

A brogue has long been the staple of sharp-dressed CEOs, but cutting the boot higher up on the ankle, like on this Johnston and Murphy leather offering, gives a fresh feel to the more formal footwear. This pair of boots will look just as fresh under cuffed wool pants as it will under skinny denim.

$129.90 at Nordstrom.com

Related Readings

The Best Boots For Men

Fall Boots That Elevate Your Style

AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service. To find out more, please read our complete terms of use.
US President Donald Trump held a brief meeting with the China's State Councillor in his first one-on-one interaction with a senior official from the country.

White House spokesperson Sean Spicer said Yang Jiechi met Trump on Monday, following his meetings with National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, presidential adviser Jared Kushner and Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, Efe news reported.

"It was an opportunity to start a dialogue," said Spicer, adding Yang and the US officials discussed shared interests in national security.

Yang had travelled to Washington on the White House's invitation, two weeks after Trump gave in to Beijing's demand of recognizing the One China policy with reference to Taiwan.

Trump, in a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, had also laid the foundations for a future meeting that may take place during the July G20 summit in Germany.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump on Monday met visiting Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi at the White House, pledging to enhance bilateral high-level exchanges and cooperation, a media report said.

White House spokesperson Sean Spicer said Yang Jiechi met Trump on Monday, following his meetings with National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, presidential adviser Jared Kushner and Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, Efe news reported.

"It was an opportunity to start a dialogue," said Spicer, adding that Yang and the US officials discussed shared interests in national security.

Trump, in a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping last month, had also laid the foundation for a future meeting that may take place during the July G20 summit in Germany.

"China is willing to enhance exchanges with the US at all levels from top down, and expand coordination and cooperation with America on bilateral, regional and global issues, respect each others' core interests and major concerns," the People's Daily quoted Yang as saying.

"Ensuring the steady and healthy development of the China-US ties will surely benefit both peoples and the world as a whole."

Yang on Monday also held separate meetings with senior US officials, including National Security Advisor Herbert Raymond McMaster, to exchange views on how to promote the China-US ties and other issues of mutual concern.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US attaches great importance to cooperative relations with China, President Donald Trump said in his first meeting with China's top diplomat since his inauguration last month, the media reported.

In their meeting at the White House on Monday, China's State Councillor Yang Jiechi, conveyed greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Trump, who expressed his gratitude, and asked Yang to return his greetings to his Chinese counterpart, according to a press release from China's Foreign Ministry.

Yang, who is in the US on a two-day visit, said the phone call between Xi and Trump earlier this month is of great significance because it charted the course for the next phase in the development of the Sino-US relationship, China Daily reported.

"In line with the spirit of the phone conversation, and following the principles of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, China is willing to ramp up exchanges with the US at high and various levels, expand cooperation and coordination in wide-ranging bilateral areas and on major regional and international issues and respect each other's core interests and major concerns," Yang said.

The efforts are meant to advance China-US relations in a steady and healthy fashion, and to deliver more benefits to the people of the two nations and the world at large, Yang said, according to the release.

Trump said he was glad to have the very important phone conversation with Xi, and the US side highly stressed the importance of cooperative relations with China, according to the release.

Trump also said that China and the US need to strengthen high-level contacts, enhance collaboration in various fields and increase cooperation and coordination in international affairs.

Vice-President Mike Pence and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner also attended the Trump-Yang meeting.

On Monday, Yang also exchanged ideas on Sino-US relations and other issues of mutual interest with senior US officials including Kushner, White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster.

Yang is expected to meet US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday.

Yang's visit coincides with the 45th anniversary of the historical visit to China in 1972 by President Richard Nixon, whose trip paved the way for the two countries to establish diplomatic relations in 1979.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ukraine's self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic will use the Russian ruble as its official currency, according to an official statement.

The ruble would be used in the pro-Russian territory as the basic unit of currency as of Wednesday, the statement said.

The use of the ruble, which is already used informally in the pro-Russian territory along with the Ukrainian hryvnia, serves to stabilise the volatile economic situation in the region, Efe news reported.

As of Wednesday, Luhansk's central bank will announce the value of the ruble against the US dollar, euro, and hryvnia.

The decision came just a week after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree ordering the recognition of passports issued by separatist authorities in Luhansk and neighbouring Donetsk.

This allows residents to travel to Russia without the need for visas.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the measure was provisional and would be in place until the political situation was settled in East Ukraine on the basis of the Minsk agreements.

However, Ukraine said Russia's move not only violated its territorial integrity but was also not in compliance with the peace agreements of February 2015.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The authorities in Madhya Pradesh are yet to confirm the arrival of Asiatic Lions from Gujarat in the state's Palpur-Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Madhya Pradesh government does not have even the draft of the contract though which the lions from Gujarat would be brought, according to officials on Tuesday.

Forest Minister Gaurishankar Shejwar, replying to a query in the Madhya Pradesh assembly, said the Supreme Court has constituted a committee on resettlement of lions from Gujarat's overcrowded Gir.

The minister said, the committee would decide of the arrival of lions from Gir to Palpur-Kuno.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actress Swara Bhaskar on Tuesday said violence can't be justified in any context, not even nationalism, days after the RSS-affiliated ABVP clashed with Left-backed AISA in Ramjas College of Delhi University on February 22.

"As a student of Jawaharlal University, I feel that violence can't be justified in any context. You can give it any name like nationalism or anything but violence is absolutely wrong. The fact is that thrashing somebody due to a dispute or because somebody is a sloganeer is not right," she said at the screening of "Hawa Badlo" here.

"Any argument can be sorted out by talking. We can see these kind of incidents are happening often and as an actor, I think we are vulnerable. You can see what has happened to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's set. Now this one, it is quite a disturbing situation," the "Tanu Weds Manu" actress added.

"Hawa Badlo" is a short film which talks about the problems traffic police face due to air pollution. At the event, Vivek Oberoi announced to donate anti-pollution face masks for the traffic police officials.

Directed by Karmik Varma, the film features Swara, Vivek Oberoi, Kalki Koechlin, Vir Das and Govind Namdev.

On February 22, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad activists allegedly clashed with All India Students Association members at Ramjas College over an invite to JNU student Umar Khalid, who was charged with sedition in 2016 for allegedly shouting anti-national slogans during an event in JNU campus.

--IANS

iv/lok/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Women and children making the dangerous journey to Europe to flee poverty and conflicts in Africa are being beaten, raped and starved in Libya, the United Nations childrens agency Unicef has said.

In the report titled "A Deadly Journey for Children: The Central Mediterranean Migrant Route", Unicef said that children are being sexually abused, coerced into prostitution and work, and held to ransom for months in squalid, overcrowded detention centres, as they flee war and poverty in Africa.

In 2016, more than 180,000 migrants crossed from Libya to Italy. According to the UN, almost 26,000 of these were children, most of them unaccompanied.

Unofficial detention centres controlled by militia serve as lucrative businesses that profit from trafficking, and are "no more than forced labour camps... and makeshift prisons," Unicef said.

"For the thousands of migrant women and children incarcerated, [the centres] were living hellholes where people were held for months", the Guardian cited Unicef's report on Tuesday.

Three-quarters of migrant children interviewed in Libya by the International Organisation for Cooperation and Emergency Aid, (IOCEA) a Unicef partner, reported experiencing violence, harassment or aggression at the hands of adults during their journey to Italy.

The survey of 122 women and child migrants also found a growing number of teenage girls forced by smugglers to have Depo-Provera contraceptive jabs, so they could be raped without becoming pregnant, according to the report.

A third of the women and children interviewed said their assailants wore uniforms or appeared to be associated with the military. Nearly half of the women and children reported sexual abuse during migration, often multiple times and in multiple locations, the report found.

"The central Mediterranean from north Africa to Europe is among the world's deadliest and most dangerous migrant routes for children and women," said Afshan Khan, Unicef regional director and special coordinator for the refugee and response crises in Europe.

The Unicef study found most women and children had paid smugglers at the beginning of their journey, under "pay as you go" schemes, leaving many of them in debt and vulnerable to abuse, abduction and trafficking.

The study found that children whose parents have not paid enough money to smugglers were held to ransom for thousands of dollars.

One Nigerian boy, aged 15, who was held in a Libyan detention centre, said: "Here they treat us like chickens. They beat us, they do not give us good water and good food. They harass us. So many people are dying here, dying from disease, freezing to death."

Some 34 detention centres have been identified in Libya, holding between 4,000 and 7,000 detainees, of which 24 are run by the Libyan government department for combating illegal migration (DCIM).

The report called on Libya, the EU and the international community to establish safe and legal pathways for children fleeing war or poverty along the route.

--IANS

soni/bg

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Not everybody in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seems to be backing the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) aggression in Delhi University  particularly the social media attack by those perceived to be supporters of the Sangh Parivar on a 21-year-old student of Lady Shri Ram College, Gurmeher Kaur. She had supported the right to freedom of speech of her fellow students, which led to a social media backlash. BJP leaders conveyed their views to the party leadership on the matter, particularly how they might be losing the battle of perception among the youth. Senior leaders such as Ravi Shankar Prasad were fielded on Tuesday to bring the temperature down on the controversy, and the ABVP was asked to beat a retreat.
In the piece, Data crunching: Are we a nation of tax avoiders? (February 28), Ishan Bakshi holds the gamut of tax exemptions  including farm income being kept outside the tax net  largely responsible for the countrys low tax to gross domestic product ratio.
On the heels of the BJPs stellar performance in the elections to the municipal corporations and zilla parishads in Maharashtra, the BJP-led government in the state will table a Bill in the Assembly to lift the ban on bullock-cart races, ostensibly to deepen its relations with the farming community.
Quotation of the Day

Tweet

 is from page 218 of the 2015 Fourth Edition of Douglas A. Irwins important volume, Free Trade Under Fire; Doug is here discussing Japans Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) (footnote deleted; link added):

But the actual evidence of MITIs contributions to Japans [economic] success is weak. The two industries that achieved the most notable success on world markets  automobiles and consumer electronics  did not benefit from extensive government support, unlike some other heavy industries such as chemicals and steel. MITI also had notable failures in promoting its biotechnology and computer industries. In fact, one statistical study of Japanese industrial targeting found that a disproportionate amount of support went to low-growth sectors and sectors with decreasing returns to scale. This study failed to find evidence that productivity was enhanced as a result of industrial policy measures.

DBx: Industrial policy  that is, governmental attempts to pick or promote industrial winners  has a poor historical track record of fueling economic growth and raising living standards compared to the trial-and-error discovery process of competitive, entrepreneurial markets. (Perhaps the best single-volume explanation of why remains my late colleague Don Lavoies remarkable 1985 book National Economic Planning: What Is Left?) Nevertheless, myths of such successes remain alive, in large part because such myths serve the goal of crony capitalists to get tariffs, subsidies, and other special privileges from the state.

A couple of notes on the quotation above from Doug. First (for most non-economist readers): Do not infer from Dougs quotation that there is something inherently wrong with, or inefficient about, sectors or industries with decreasing returns to scale. There isnt. Dougs point is rather that it is a myth to believe that industrial policy is either especially effective at enabling industries or sectors to achieve increasing returns to scale, or is generally directed toward industries and sectors that have as-yet-untapped economies of scale to capture.

Second, in a footnote to the above quotation Doug cites this paper (published in a 2005 issue of the Journal of International Economics) by Hiroshi Ohashi which, as described by Doug in the footnote, finds that there were few intra-industry knowledge spillovers in the case of Japans steel industry and that export subsidies did not help the industrys growth.

Comments
At least 11 people were killed and 30 injured when a Hyderabad-bound bus fell into a canal after hitting a divider on National Highway-64 in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh early today.

The private Volvo bus with 44 persons on board was on its way to Hyderabad from Bhubaneswar when the mishap occurred between two culverts on the highway, police said.

The passengers were fast asleep during the accident.

The bus driver, who was also killed in the mishap, was drowsy and lost control over the vehicle, police said.

Police were also investigating the duty status of the driver since it was a long distance trip and two drivers were supposed to be on duty.

Over-speeding is also suspected to be one of the causes for the accident and a case has been registered against the bus operator, police said.

Nandigama Deputy Superintendent of Police Umamaheswara Rao is supervising the investigation.

The front portion of the bus was mangled and gas cutters had to be used to rip it open and extricate the bodies. Two cranes were also used to lift the bus from the canal.

Transport Minister Sidda Raghava Rao has ordered aninquiry into the mishap.

While nine persons, including driver Adinarayana Reddy were killed on the spot, one passenger died in a hospital at Nandigama while another died while being taken to Vijayawada.

Krishna District Superintendent of Police Vijaya Kumar rushed to Mullapadu to oversee rescue and relief operations.

After first aid, the injured passengers were shifted to two private hospitals in Gollapudi and Vijayawada.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM (Home) N China Rajappa have expressed grief over the accident.

Six of the deceased have been identified so far while efforts were on to identify the rest using the reservation chart.

Most of the victims belonged to Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada.

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Two alleged ABVP activists were arrested for attacking two AISA supporters on the North Campus of Delhi University today.

The AISA activists, Raj Singh and Utkarsh Bhardwaj, alleged that they were strangulated by Prashant Mishra and his friends, who followed them while they were returning from Arts Faculty around 5.20 PM, police said.

Utkarsh and Raj claimed that they were attacked by seven-eight people near Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College and strangulated with belts.

Police managed to nab two persons -- Prashant and Vinayak Sharma -- from the spot.

They have been booked under IPC sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) and arrested, said a senior police officer.

Police are trying to identify the other students who were involved in the alleged attack on the AISA activists.

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Five militants from the banned JMB terror outfit were today sentenced to death in Bangladesh for killing a 66-year-old Japanese national in 2015.

The order to hang five militants from Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) outfit was given by a court in Rangpur, Daily Star reported.

The court acquitted two accused in the case as allegations brought against them were not proved.

Kunio Hoshi, who had come to Bangladesh in May 2015, was gunned down on October 3 in the same year in Rangpur. He had set up a grass farm on the outskirts of Rangpur.

Locals said Hoshi had converted to Islam. His murder came five days after a 50-year-old Italian aid worker was shot dead by motorbike-born militants in Dhaka's upmarket diplomatic area.

Charges were framed against eight members of JMB in mid-November 2016 for killing Hoshi. Five of them are in a Rangpur jail, two died in "gunfights" with security forces and one militant is yet to be arrested, the report said.

Bangladesh has seen a wave of extremist violence since 2015.

The JMB has been blamed for a number of attacks on foreigners and religious minorities in the last three years.

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A 5-year-old boy died today after coming under the wheels of a speeding Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus while he was crossing the road in Shahbad Dairy area of Rohini, police said.

The boy, Mohammad Gulshad, lived with his parents on Bengali road and was playing in the area at the time of the incident, they said.

A PCR call was made and the child was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared brought dead, police said.

A few locals tried to catch hold of the bus driver, but he left his vehicle and ran into one of the narrow lanes, from where he managed to flee.

The police has registered a case and formed a team to arrest the accused driver.

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After the alleged rape threats to a martyr's daughter, the Congress on said after the note ban the Narendra Modi government is now seeking to ban the freedom to think independently.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said after the virulent attack on army martyr's daughter Gurmehar Kaur, who launched a tirade against ABVP, the country's culture and tradition is not to accept violent means to settle scores.

Also, the use of language of threat and abuse against anyone disagreeing with the ruling dispensation.

Attacking the BJP, Surjewala said a party, that swears by surgical strikes and does not lose a single opportunity to claim the electoral credit for the martyrdom of our soldiers, supports rape threats to a 20-year-old girl student who calls the bluff of ABVP goondaism.

The Congress leader said that the universities and the colleges would never accept the culture of beating up of teachers, the use of violent means against fellow students as a way to settle scores and the language of threat and abuse to everyone who disagrees with BJP and ABVP.

"This is neither India's culture nor our tradition," he told reporters.

Alleging that after a note ban, the Narendra Modi dispensation now wants to impose a ban on freedom to think independently, Surjewala said "Now it is 'zuban-bandi' and 'soch-bandi', a ban on speech and thoughts.

"You have no right to think, you have no right to speak and you have no right to dissent. I don't know how far they say you have no right to live except in accordance with the norms set up by this government. Perhaps let's hope that the day will not come," he said.

The Congress leader said it was important to note that what happened after a 20-year-old girl dared to say that she is opposed to the 'goondagardi' of ABVP.

She is threatened with rape, and is abused and trolled in choicest of words on social media by blind 'bhakts' of a certain section of populace and the ABVP friends.

"Why? Can somebody not say that beating up your teachers and beating up fellow students is contrary to the culture of this country. Can somebody not say that goondaism will not be tolerated? Would you be raped for saying that the ABVP goons should stop their holliganism from campuses? This is not the first time that this is happeneing," he claimed.

Recalling how Rohit Vemula was allegedly driven to commit suicide because he was a dalit, the Congress leader alleged that he was hounded and persecuted by the ABVP and the central university vice chancellor, who was felicitated by none other than the Prime Minister.

He also alleged that a woman president of Allahabad university students' union was hounded and abused and same thing happened in Jadhavpur University, NIFT.

"You will be persecuted, hounded or trolled, if you are either a woman or you are a dalit or a student coming from a poor background, or if you are a student who has a mind and a voice of his own. I do not think this is the culture of this country. It goes against the Ganga-Yamuni tehzib of India," he said.
Regional carrier Air Costa today temporarily suspended its flight operations after failing to resolve "financial issues" with the aircraft lessor.

The airline has grounded the two leased Embraer aircraft which it had been operating and the services will remain suspended till Wednesday, an Air Costa official told PTI from Vijayawada.

Prior to suspending its flight services, Air Costa had been operating 16 flights daily to eight destinations.

According to the official, the airline had some financial issues with the lessor, which forced it to ground the aircraft.

"We are trying to resolve the issue. We are also in advanced stage of talks for fund infusion in the airline," the official said.

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Acting tough on "unruly" fliers, budget carrier AirAsia India has complained to Bengaluru police about two drunk passengers for creating "nuisance" onboard one of its flights.

The incident occurred on Sunday on AirAsia India's Bangalore-bound flight from Guwahati.

"The two passengers, classified as unruly and disruptive by the captain and cabin crew, boarded the flight under the influence of alcohol and created nuisance and disturbance on the flight," the airline said in a statement today.

"Any anti-social behaviour by passengers can have unpleasant consequences for the safety, security and comfort of all onboard," it added.

According to the airline, it lodged a complaint with Bangalore police after its aircraft landed in the city.

There have been many incidents of unruly behaviour by fliers onboard various airlines recently.

Last year, Indigo deplaned 70 passengers from its Hyderabad-Raipur flight after an alleged spat with the cabin crew.

In another incident, as per safety protocol, the airline tied a passenger to his seat for violent behaviour and for threatening crew members.

According to the global aviation body, International Air Transport Association (IATA), "unruly passengers" are one of the top three safety issues that concern cabin crew.

As per IATA, in 2015 there were 10,854 reported cases of unruly incidents across airlines worldwide, which translates into one incident for every 1,205 flights.

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The American Oncology Institute (AOI) plans to have a total of 12 operational centres in South Asia, including eight in India, within the next two years, its CEO Lloyd Nazareth has said.

"In two years, we will have 12 operational centres, many of them are under construction, planning and design -- eight in India and four outside (one each in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal)", Nazareth told PTI here.

AOI currently has centres in Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Guntur. The centres in Ludhiana and Nagpur would be launched by June this year, and another one at Coimbatore towards the end of the year.

AOI, the flagship international centre of the US-based Cancer Treatment Services International (CTSI), is looking to open operational centres in Mumbai, Kolkata and Pune, the CEO said.

Stating that number of cancer cases and mortality rate are "high" in India, CTSI Founder and Chairman Stanley Marks called for early detection and screening and stressed on "prevention".

He underlined the need to discouraging things that cause cancer like tobacco products.

"Children should be vaccinated. India has one of the highest cases of cervical cancer in women," Marks said, adding, young girls need to be administered HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine to prevent it.

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Another person was today injured in a panther attack in Rajasthan's Nagaur district, the latest in the series of human-wildlife conflicts in the state.

Sattu Ram, 27, was attacked by a panther in Peelwa area of the district when he was in the fields. He was rushed to Ajmer for treatment.

Ram suffered injuries on hands and shoulders, SHO Peelwa police station Bhagirath Singh said.

Later, two teams of the forest department launched a hunt to nab the feline.

"Senior officers are at the spot where the incident took place. Two teams have been deployed to nab the panther," forest ranger Lal Singh said.

The issue of panther attacks also resonated in the Rajasthan Assembly today with a National People's Party MLA demanding an action plan for the safety of the people living in villages near Sariska forest area in Alwar, where six people have been killed in panther attacks in recent times.

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More than 200 people including



Bhayander BJP MLA Narendra Mehta have been booked for rioting in the township on February 24, police said today.

Thane District Rural police booked all of them last night under sections 143,147,149, 452, 504, 506 and 427 of the IPC and also under sections 37(1)/135 of the BP Act following a complaint in this regard.

After police registered an offence against the MLA, journalists from Bhayander who had staged a sit-in in front of the police station since yesterday called off their protest.

The journalists had undertaken the protest after Mehta and irked BJP activists, took objection to a picture of State Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a publication and allegedly threatened scribe Vasant Mane.

Mehta along with his men had held a dharna at the Bhayander police station on the night of February 24 and later took a morcha to Mane's house where the legislator allegedly abused and threatened him and his wife.

Mane's house was ransacked too following which a complaint in this regard by filed by the local journalists association, demanding strong action against the culprits.

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Delhi Police was today informed by their counterparts at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh about a phone call alleging that bombs were being planted at various locations in the national capital.

The phone call was received by Jabalpur SP.

It is suspected to be a hoax call. However, police is investigating the matter.

Jabalpur SP received the call on his mobile through Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) about bombs being planted at several locations in Delhi, said a senior police officer.

The SP informed the Delhi Police control room around 6.30 PM, following which police has begun the task of identifying the caller, he added.

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The CAG has rapped the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) for "failing" to enforce the terms of concession contract which resulted in undue benefit to the concessionaire of the Rapid Metro in Gurgaon at the cost of public.

In its latest audit report, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said the HUDA had entered into a concession contract assuming 80 per cent of liabilities of concessionaire in the event of termination of the contract and default of the concessionaire as to the costing of the project and extent of potential liabilities.

"HUDA and its successor Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation failed to enforce the terms of concession contract which resulted in non-recovery of interest of Rs 1.57 crore for delayed payment of connectivity charges and charging of excess passenger fares amounting to Rs 11.84 crore by the concessionaire," the report said.

As per the report, a private company had proposed in September 2007 to develop and operate a metro link between Sikandarpur and NH-8 Gurugram to mitigate congestion due to increase in traffic.

HUDA invited expressions of interest in 2008 and 2009 for development of metro link on built-operate-transfer basis for 99 years. In response to it, consortia Rapid Metro Rail Gurgaon Limited (RMGL) proposed an alternative metro route of 5.1 km in length at estimated project cost of Rs 900 crore.

As per the concession contract, RMGL was to pay connectivity charges of Rs 5 crore to HUDA within 60 days of signing of contract which was by February 8, 2010. However, RMGL did not deposit connectivity charges as stipulated in the concession contract.

The audit observed that there was no consistency in the approach of HUDA in implementing the terms of the concession contract. The deviation from the terms of concession contract resulted in non-recovery of interest of Rs 1.57 crore, the report said.

The concession stipulated that passenger fares shall not be more than the Delhi Metro fares for the corresponding zone slab.

RMGL commenced passenger service in 2013 and fixed an initial fare of Rs 12 per trip which it revised to Rs 20 per trip from 2014 though no fare had been hiked by DMRC.

In October 2015, HUDA/HMRTC informed RMGL that it could not fix rate higher than DMRC and asked RMGL to deposit the amount of excess fare charge by August 2014.

However, despite lapse of more than two years, RMGL had neither reduced fare nor deposited excess fare charged by it.

"The Corporation had not taken any further action to



enforce the terms of concession contract which resulted in undue benefit to the concessionaire at the cost of public. The excess fare collected by RMGL worked out to be Rs 11.84 crore as on March 2016," the CAG report said.

Meanwhile, in another case, the CAG said the leasing out of land for amusement park in Gurgaon without assessing the unearned increase in value of land as per regulations by HUDA led to non-deposit of Rs 417.15 crore.

The report said the land acquisition officer of Gurgaon had recommended a bid premium of Rs 106 crore for 58 acres in July 2009 for leasing out the land for 33 years.

It said that HUDA did not apply a provision which stipulated deposit of 50 per cent of unearned increase in value of land with it.

The market value of the land worked out at Rs 928.8 crore and the 50 per cent of unearned increase was Rs 417.15 crore which was neither demanded nor deposited by the firm.
The Competition Commission has ordered a detailed probe against Haryana Public Works Department for alleged unfair business practices in a tender document related to a rail over bridge in the state.

After finding prima facie evidence of violation of competition norms, the regulator has decided to start investigation against Haryana Public Works (Building and Road) Department.

The allegations pertain to a tender document for construction of approaches to two-lane rail over bridge at a railway crossing in Karnal district.

The complaint was made by a director at Uttar Pradesh- based contractor Dwarika Projects. It was also filed against Secretary and Superintending Engineer of the Haryana Public Works (Building and Road) Department.

To assess the merits of the allegation, Competition Commission of India (CCI) considered "the market for procurement for construction and repair of roads and bridges through tendering in the state of Haryana" as the relevant one.

In an order issued on Monday, the regulator said some of the clauses of the bid document "prima facie" appear to be in contravention of the provisions of Section 4 of the Competition Act.

Section 4 of the Competition Act pertains to abuse of dominant position.

Ordering a detailed probe by the Director General (DG), the regulator said "prima facie the possibility of the contractor being paid less than the agreed amount in an arbitrary manner" by Haryana PWD (B&R) by virtue of clause 30 (a) of the 'Information to Bidders' cannot be ruled out.

As per the bid agreement, clause 30(a) of the 'Information to Bidders' provides that payment is to be made to the contractor as per the lowest amount worked out from three criteria prescribed.

DG is the investigation arm of CCI and cases where there is prima facie evidence of competition norms violations are referred to it for detailed probe.

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The Union Tourism Ministry has given in-principle approval to the Maharashtra government's Rs 600-crore Raigad Fort conservation and beautification project.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said this after meeting Union Tourism and Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma here today.

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and senior officials from central and state governments also attended the nearly half-an-hour-long meeting.

"The issue of King Shivaji's forts is attached to sentiments of the people of Maharashtra. These historic forts are important also from tourism point of view.

"We presented to the ministry a detailed project report on conserving Raigad Fort and it has been approved. This clears the way for the project's speedy implementation," Fadnavis said.

He said Sharma has also agreed to delegate powers to the authorities at the state level to spend funds for the project.

There are 336 forts in Maharashtra. Of these, 40 fall under the purview of the Archaeological Survey of India. The state government has decided to conserve 18 of the forts.

Sharma also agreed to provide amenities at Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta caves in Maharashtra, the chief minister said, according to an official statement.

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Export from chemicals, plastics, construction materials industry and allied products sector is likely to touch USD 42 billion by 2020 from USD 32 billion now, a top Government official said today.

"Chemicals, plastics and allied products will certainly play a major role in the Government's ambitious target of achieving an export of USD 900 billion by 2020. Currently, the sector accounts for exports of USD 32 billion with a significant scope of growth.

"We are working closely with the industry players and would soon implement a series of strategies to enhance opportunities for investments and boosting Indian exports," Sunil Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, told reporters here.

Earlier, speaking at the curtain raiser of 'CAPIndia 2017' exhibition here, he said, "With China slowing down, we are confident of making Indian products globally competitive."



"Despite the adverse global economic scenario, we need to aggressively increase our market share in the global market. To fulfil this vision, the Department of Commerce has been supporting industry through the Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) under various export promotion schemes."



About the export target for the current fiscal, Kumar said, "Our export will see improvement over the last year as we have seen signs of revival in the last five months. We may see both value and volume term growth in FY17."



Satish Wagh, Chairman of CHEMEXCIL, an industry body. said, "At present, India's global contribution is at a nascent stage. The last few decades witnessed the chemical industry gravitating towards Asia, making India a key player in the global markets. India is the world's third largest consumer of polymers and fourth largest producer of agrochemicals.

"The Indian chemical industry is one of the most diversified sectors and covers more than 80,000 commercial products. The global chemical industry is estimated at USD 4.3 trillion with India accounting for USD 147 billion in 2015. The Indian chemical industry is expected to grow to USD 226 billion by 2020."



Pradip Thakkar, Chairman, Plastics Export Promotion Council (PLEXCONCIL), said "The Indian plastics industry has made significant progress over the years, rapidly growing and diversifying. This sector employs over 4 million people and comprises more than 30,000 processing units.

SMEs constitute 85-90 per cent presence in this sector. India's export of plastics and plastics products was around USD 7.63 billion in FY16. The major exports are to USA, UAE, Germany, UK, Italy, Turkey, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia and Nepal.

Thakkar said "The plastics sector could not register a



growth in the past two years in value terms due to a fall in prices consequent to drop in crude oil prices.

"But in terms of volumes, the sector has registered a double digit growth, despite the global economic slowdown. The silver lining is that the plastic value-added items has seen robust growth over the last three years. Our target for plastics export is USD 10 billion by 2020."



In a major initiative to boost exports of chemicals, plastics, construction materials Industry and allied products, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry along with trade bodies CHEMEXCIL, PLEXCONCIL, CAPEXIL and SHEFEXIL is organising an event, CAPINDIA 2017, here. The two-day event on March 21-22 is likely to witness around 200 overseas buyers.

The event will showcase the complete value chain with several Indian and international buyers expected to explore investment and global trade opportunities at the meet.
China today asked Nepal to join its ambitious Silk Road initiative, which, it claims, is aimed at regional connectivity.

China made the request during the 14th annual general meeting of Nepal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industries here.

More than 100 countries have shown interest in the Silk Road initiative and signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with 40 countries, Chinese officials said.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Yu Wong, asked Nepal to assist in forwarding the Silk Road initiative. He said, "it will help in regional prosperity and connectivity."



Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara said his country would expand trade ties with China keeping the geopolitical sensitivity in view.

"I assure you that Nepal will make further decision to augment trade relations with China," he said, but added that exports must be increased to reduce trade losses.

He also thanked China for its assistance to Nepal's infrastructure development.

China has assisted Nepal in the areas of Hydropower, Aviation, Construction and Transmission line, Yu said, assuring that such assistance will continue in future.

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Chinese courts today sentenced to death a senior provincial official for murder and bribery while another official was jailed separately for graft.

Zhao Liping, a former senior political advisor in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, was sentenced to death on charges of murder, taking bribes, possession of firearms by the provincial higher people's court of Shanxi Province.

The court rejected Zhao's appeal against the first trial verdict, issued by the Intermediate People's Court of Taiyuan city.

The court upheld the verdict in November 2016, which stripped Zhao of his political rights, confiscated personal property worth 2 million yuan (USD 2.90 lakhs) and sentenced him to death.

As the former vice chairman of the Inner Mongolia regional committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Zhao was found to have shot and killed a person, identified as Li, in Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia in March 2015, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

He also took advantage of his post to secure business contracts and official positions for associates and accepted bribes totaling 23.68 million yuan from 2008 to 2010, as the chief of the Public Security Department of Inner Mongolia, it said.

The Shanxi Provincial Higher People's Court said the first trial verdict was based on clear facts and sufficient evidence and passed Zhao's case to the Supreme People's Court for approved.

In another case, the Ningbo Municipal Intermediate Court sentenced He Jiacheng, former vice president ofthe Chinese Academy of Governance to nine years for taking bribes.

The court in Zhejiang Province also fined him 700,000 yuan and confiscated his illegal gains.

An investigation found that from 1995 to 2014, the defendant illegally accepted money worth 7.1 million yuan by taking advantage of his various posts to help individuals or companies in IPOs, real estate projects and other areas.

He was shown leniency as he pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, returned all of his illegal gains and disclosed information about the crimes of others.

Thousands of officials were punished for corruption in China in the anti-graft campaign initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping in the last four years.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BJP, which put up a spectacular show in the elections to municipal corporations, panchayat samitis and zilla parishads in Maharashtra, has left the Congress and NCP far behind in terms of number of seats won and vote share.

The party has also made inroads into the vast rural stretches of the state, shaking the Congress and NCP citadels.

As per State Election Commission data, in the all-important Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, BJP was a close second with 27.92 per cent votes against Shiv Sena's 28.83 per cent votes.

While the Uddhav Thackeray-led party polled a total of 14,46,428 votes, BJP garnered 14,00,500 votes in the megapolis, where the saffron parties faced off, despite being partners in the state and central governments.

Congress finished on the third spot with a 16.54-per cent vote share (8,29,894 votes). Raj Thackeray-led MNS secured 3,95,047 votes with a 7.88-per cent vote share and the NCP with 2,48,566 ballots and a 4.96-per cent vote share.

The figures show that the BJP's vote share increased sharply from its 2012 account of a mere 8.64 per cent, when Shiv Sena was way ahead with 21.85 per cent, Congress 21.23 per cent and MNS 20.67 per cent votes.

BJP, known to be an urban-centric party, has this time made deep inroads into the rural areas, seriously denting the Congress and NCP in their traditional strongholds.

In 25 zilla parishads, BJP polled 63,76,054 votes with a 24.91-per cent vote share. NCP came second with 22.95 per cent (56,93,694) votes. Congress finished a distant third with 19.43 per cent (49,72,272) votes, followed by Shiv Sena with 18.52 per cent (47,39,976) votes.

Of the 1,509 seats in the zilla parishads, BJP won 406, NCP 360, Congress 309, Shiv Sena 271 and MNS one.

In the 283 panchayat samitis, where 2,990 seats were up for grabs, BJP emerged as the winner with 831 seats, NCP 674, Congress 591 and Sena 581.

In the case of the municipal corporations too, BJP topped with 35.36 per cent votes, leaving behind its rivals Sena at 18.13 per cent, NCP at 14.88 per cent, Congress at 13.14 per cent and MNS at 3.96 per cent.

Of the 2,168 seats across 10 municipal corporations, BJP bagged 628, followed by the Sena with 268, NCP 131, Congress 121 and MNS 15 seats.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The country's largest paramilitary force - CRPF - was today rendered without a regular chief after its Director General K Durga Prasad retired without a successor being named.

The Union Home Ministry issued an order appointing CRPF Additional DG Sudeep Lakhtakia in "additional charge of the post of DG, Central Reserve Police Force from tomorrow till the appointment and joining of regular successor."



Prasad, a 1981-batch IPS officer of Telangana cadre, had taken over as chief of the nearly 3-lakh-strong force in February last year.

Officials said while the names of about three senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers had been shortlisted, no decision has been taken by the Home Ministry and the Prime Minister-led Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) till now to appoint a new CRPF DG.

Prasad, on his last day in office, made it a point to visit the AIIMS Trauma Centre here and check on the health status of his injured Commanding Officer from Kashmir, Chetan Kumar Cheeta who was admitted to the premier facility on February 14.

Cheeta, CO of the 45th CRPF battalion, was flown in an air ambulance from Srinagar after he was injured in a militant encounter in North Kashmir's Hajin.

The outgoing DG also met constable Vishvendra Singh who is recuperating in the centre after he was injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Manipur early this year.

The CRPF is not only the lead anti-Naxal operations force of the country but is also heavily deployed for rendering regular law and order duties in various states in assistance to local police.

Acting DG Lakhtakia is a 1984-batch Telangana cadre IPS officer and is heading the central zone deployment of the paramilitary force.

He has earlier served in the Special Protection Group (SPG) that secures the Prime Minister, former prime ministers and their families.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Veteran pitch curator Daljit Singh's job as chief curator of the BCCI is in line after the scathing report by the ICC which rated the Pune pitch, prepared under his guidance, as "poor".

In fact Daljit was in charge when the Nagpur pitch was also rated 'poor' by ICC match referee Jeff Crowe during the India versus South Africa Test match in November 2015 that ended inside three days with an emphatic victory for hosts.

Another showcause by the ICC certainly has not gone unnoticed by the Committee of Administrators and BCCI CEO Rahul Johri will have to frame a reply within 14 days as per global body's norm.

"Even if there was instructions from team management, Daljit could have just ignored them. No one can pressurise the curator if he doesn't want to buckle down. But Daljit has had history of succumbing to demands of team management, giving one designer track after another. It's just that Nagpur and Pune were too bad even for his comfort. The COA might look into the matter," a top BCCI source told PTI.

Daljit's position will certainly be under threat as this is the second adverse ICC rating in 14 months.

There are some rumours in BCCI circle that one senior functionary among the existing lot called up in Pune at the behest of team management but that was merely a telephonic conversation and nothing documented.

Since there are no written instructions from the team management or BCCI, the buck stops at Daljit, who is already 79 and has survived as Lodha reforms doesn't specify the age of a curator like selectors (60 years) or administrators (70 years).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work.

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..CAMERA Snapshots..27 February '17..The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called for Palestinians to carry out terror attacks against Israel. Khameneis Feb. 21, 2017 exhortation was underreported by major U.S. news media outlets.Reuters news serviceciting a transcript of Khameneis remarks posted on the Ayatollahs official websitereported the dictators comments. Khamenei called Israel a cancerous tumor and claimed, With Allahs permission, we will see this intifada will begin a very important chapter in the history of fighting and that it will inflict another defeat on that usurping regime. The phrase, usurping regime is frequently used by Islamists to refer to the Jewish states presence on land that they consider to be Muslim.Khamenei also asserted: The Palestinian intifada continues to gallop forward in a thunderous manner so that it can achieve its other goals until the complete liberation of Palestine. As CAMERA has noted, Irans desire to liberate Palestine includes the theocratic regimes self-stated objectives of the destruction of Israel and the genocide of its Jewish citizens.According to the ADL, Khameneis remarks were delivered at the opening address at the annual Sixth International Conference in Support of the Palestinian Intifada (uprising). The Conference was reportedly attended by delegates from 80 countries, a representative of the Jewish anti-Zionist Netueri Karta group, and leaders of the Islamic Jihad, Hamas and Hezbollah terror organizations.CAMERA has pointed out that Tehran supports several U.S.-designated terrorist groups, including Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hamas and Hezbollah, which carry out terror attacks against Israelis. In its report, Reuters omitted this pertinent fact.Reuters, however, was one of the few U.S. news outlets to even note Khameneis vow to support Palestinian terrorism. According to a Lexis-Nexis search, many major newspapers, such asand, failed to report the Supreme Leaders remarks.An English-language transcript of Khameneis speech can be found here
President of a deemed university located near here has been detained for allegedly demanding and accepting Rs 20 lakh 'bribe' from a female student, to let her appear in the final year MBBS exam in the medical college run by the varsity, an ACB official said.

"The accused, Dr Mansukh K Shah, president of Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, located at Pipaliya village on the outskirt of the city, has been detained along with two others," Assistant Director of Anti Corruption Bureau (Vadodara unit), P R Gehlot, told PTI.

Following a complaint, the ACB also conducted a raid at Shah's house and offices and found four cars collectively worth Rs one crore, documents pertaining to fixed deposits worth Rs 43 crore and 200 cheques of Rs 101 crore, he said.

Two others, who were detained in connection were identified as Vinod Sawant and Ashok Darji, the official said.

"Shah sought Rs 20 lakh bribe to allow the student to appear in the ongoing examination in the college run by the university. The parents of the student met Shah a couple of days ago and told him that they had paid entire fees at the time of admission and produced the receipts," Gehlot said.

"However, Shah was adamant that unless they pay Rs 20 lakh, their daughter would not be allowed to give the exam," the official said.

Considering her future, the girl's parents deposited the amount and later approached the ACB in Gandhinagar. The sleuths came to Vadodara and nabbed a middleman.

"After nabbing him, the ACB team reached the university and conducted raids in offices of Shah, his son, the account office and two residences of Shah located in the city last night," Gehlot said.

"During the search operation, an inventory of Rs one crore was recovered from Shah's residence, which included four cars. Fixed deposits worth Rs 43 crore and 200 cheques containing an amount of Rs 101 crore were also recovered," he added.

"Shah, Sawant and Darji have been taken into custody," Gehlot said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Defence sector will be the largest business area for Group in the next few years, its chairman Anil Ambani has said, seeing opportunities worth Rs 1 lakh crore per annum in acquisitions for the armed forces.

Ambani said the group's focus will be to become a leading manufacturer and supplier of advanced weapon platforms and military hardware to meet the requirements of the Navy, Indian Air Force and the Army and also mark the company's presence across the world.

Briefing over 80 analysts last evening about future plans of his group in the defence sector, the industrialist said there is a huge opportunity for private sector in the defence business as currently India imports 70 per cent of its requirement (in value terms) and accounted for 14 per cent of the global defence imports in 2016.

According to the analysts present at the meet, Ambani also said there is over Rs 70,000 crore worth of offset obligation which is yet to be executed, which is a big playing field for Indian private sector.

He further said that Group's entry into defence sector is driven by the government's Make in India and Skill India policies, which provide a large opportunity for the group.

"There are opportunities worth Rs 15 lakh core over the next 15 years in the defence sector across Air Force, Navy, Army and integrated security. That means there is a business opportunity of Rs 1 lakh crore per annum in the Indian defence sector," according to a presentation made at the meet.

It was the first time ever that Ambani or his group hosted an analyst meet for defence business.

"In the years to come, defence will emerge the largest business of Group and Reliance Infrastructure. Contrary to the general perception, defence is not a capital intensive business. It has medium to light capital intensity," Ambani told the analysts.

There are more than 2,000 people in Reliance Defence at present, including a 200-strong management team.

The Reliance Group's defence play started with the acquisition of Gujarat-based Pipavav Shipyard about two years ago. This remains the largest acquisition in the defence sector in India so far.

Pipavav Shipyard has now been renamed as Reliance Defence and Engineering Ltd (RDEL). It owns the largest dry dock in the country.

According to the analysts, the group has pegged the current order book of RDEL at Rs 5,700 crore which would be completed by January 2021. This include five naval offshore patrol vessels, one cadet training ship, normal refits of naval ships Jamuna, Savitri and Deepak; offshore supply vessels, two oil rigs, one Panamax Bulk Carriers and 14 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs).

Besides, RDEL has submitted bids for two prestigious programmes of Indian Navy, whose combined value is Rs 30,000 crore and bids are expected to open in next few weeks, the analysts said, while quoting from the presentation at the meet.

Reliance Infrastructure, the listed entity from the group, also said in a regulatory filing today that an analyst meet was held yesterday to give update on its defence business plans.

Sharing 'key highlights' of the presentation made at the analyst meet, the company said the global defence market is estimated at $1.8 trillion and India with a spending of $51 billion in the year 2016 has moved up to 4th position from 6th position in the year 2015.

Recently, the Reliance Group also entered into a joint venture with Dassault Aviation of France to execute the largest offset obligation against the 36 Rafale fighter jets bought by India.

For this, the company is setting up manufacturing facilities in Mihan SEZ in Nagpur.

Reliance Defence plans to have a separate strategic focus on common defence technologies like Radars, electro-optics, underwater systems, missiles and guided weapons, avionics and communication and electronic warfare.

RDEL also plans to participate in two programmes worth Rs 30,000 crore for which bids will be submitted in 2017 and orders will come in 2018. These include Next Generation Missile Vessels (worth Rs 12,000 crore) and Next Generation Corvette (worth Rs 17,500 crore).

According to the presentation, other Navy projects where RDEL is well positioned to participate are two Indigenous Aircraft Carriers (Rs 90,000 crore) and 12 submarines (Rs 1,20,000 crore).

Besides, RDEL is also targeting non-defence opportunities for its shipyard with c combined order value of Rs 15,000 crore, which takes the total targeted business opportunity for the company in next 3-5 years to Rs 2,85,000 crore.

On opportunities in the aerospace sector, the group said more than Rs 5 lakh crore of Indian Aerospace programs are expected to awarded in the next 15 years and Reliance Defence has taken a lead in this segment.

"Rafale Offset Contract, largest ever in India, to be the nucleus of Aerospace eco-system in the country.

"Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited is to be a key player along with more than 100 SMEs and MSMEs in meeting the offset obligation of approximately Rs 30,000 crore for 'Rafael 36' contract," it said while adding that the JV is expected to execute additional orders of Rafael Fighter Aircraft, if awarded, for Indian Armed Forces under 'Make in India'.
High drama prevailed at a Government hospital today when YSR Congress President Y S Jaganmohan Reddy got into a heated argument with Krishna District Collector Babu Ahamed, while police resorted to lathicharge to control protesting TDP workers.

"Right from the police to the (district) Collectors, all are corrupt. I will send you all to central jail," Jagan shouted during his argument with Ahamed.

Jagan also snatched a purported copy of the post- mortem report from the duty doctor of the Government area hospital even as Telugu Desam workers staged a protest against the YSRC leader's visit to console victims of the bus mishap.

Tension prevailed at the hospital when the TDP workers tried to block Jagan's car even as police resorted to lathicharge to quell the mob.

Jagan alleged that the TDP Government did not even conduct a proper post-mortem on the bus driver's body to determine whether or not he was drunk.

"The Chandrababu Government is taking no action despite such ghastly accidents as the buses belong to the TDP MPs. The travel agencies obtain permit for one bus but run five buses with the same permit," the Leader of Opposition alleged.

It all happened when Jagan reached the hospital in Nandigama to console victims of the bus accident, which took place in Krishna district early today.

The Collector, who was also present there, tried to snatch the post-mortem report from Jagan, infuriating the latter. "It's not proper to snatch the report from the doctor," Ahamed was heard telling the Opposition leader as they got into a heated argument.

Meawhile, TDP workers, who reached the spot, shouted "Jagan go back".

After a while when Jagan started going out and got into his car, the ruling partymen tried to block the vehicle's path. The YSRC leader made a quick exit even as police resorted to lathicharge.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The row in the Delhi University reverberated at a meeting of a Parliamentary Standing Committee, which questioned Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik, leading to registration of an FIR in the case.

The Delhi University issue was vociferously raised by Opposition members at the meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, headed by senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, amid protests by ruling BJP members, who claimed that the issue cannot be discussed at the meeting.

However, Chidambaram ruled that the committee can indeed discuss the issue as it may be raised even in both Houses of Parliament and allowed members to speak on it.

The MPs asked Commissioner of Delhi Police what action has he taken on threat given to DU student Gurmehar Kaur, who is the daughter of a martyred army officer, sources said.

The members also asked whether security has been provided to the girl, they said.

The Commissioner of Police explained the MPs about the prevailing situation in the varsity and action taken so far for maintaining peace.

Within an hour of his being quizzed, Patnaik conveyed to the MPs that an FIR has been registered against unknown persons in connection with Kaur's complaint that she was receiving "rape threats" allegedly from ABVP members.

However, the members told the Commissioner of Police that registration of FIR is not enough and security must be given to the 20-year girl.

The MPs also told Patnaik that police should caught the real criminal, sources said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An Afghan policeman linked to the Taliban shot dead 11 of his colleagues at a checkpoint in the southern province of Helmand, officials said today, in the latest so-called "insider attack".

The incident occurred yesterday while the policemen were sleeping in their barracks in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah, as the Taliban escalate a deadly winter campaign of violence.

Bloodied corpses of the policemen were strewn around the checkpoint, many of them shot from close range, witnesses said, in a setback for Afghan forces before what is expected to be another fierce spring fighting season.

"A policeman affiliated to the Taliban shot 11 of his colleagues, killing all of them," a provincial official told AFP, declining to be named.

"He then fled the area, taking all the ammunition and firearms with him," he said, adding that police had launched a search for the Taliban infiltrator.

The Boost government hospital in Lashkar Gah had received the bodies of the 11 policemen, a health official told AFP.

Taliban insurgents, who control vast swathes of the opium-ravaged province, claimed responsibility for the killings.

So-called insider attacks -- when Afghan soldiers and police turn their guns on their colleagues or on international troops -- have been a major problem during the more than 15-year-long war.

Such attacks have sapped morale and caused deep mistrust within security ranks.

In a similar incident last September, two Afghan soldiers with suspected Taliban links killed at least 12 of their comrades as they slept in the volatile northern province of Kunduz.

Afghan security forces are battling a resurgent Taliban amid record casualties and mass desertions.

For years Helmand was the centrepiece of the Western military intervention in Afghanistan, only for it to slip deeper into a quagmire of instability.

The Taliban effectively control or contest 10 of the 14 districts in Helmand, the deadliest province for British and US troops over the past decade and blighted by a huge opium harvest that helps fund the insurgency.

Lashkar Gah -- one of the last government-held enclaves in Helmand -- also risks falling to the Taliban's repeated ferocious assaults.

The intensified fighting in the province last year forced thousands to flee to the city from outlying districts.

Repeated bids to launch peace negotiations with the Taliban have failed and an intense new fighting season is expected to kick off in the spring.

The Pentagon this year said it will deploy some 300 US Marines this spring to Helmand.

NATO officially ended its combat mission in December 2014, but US forces were granted greater powers last June to strike at the insurgents as Washington vowed a more aggressive campaign.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bank employees protest on day one of nation-wide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions

Banking operations were hit on Tuesday by the day-long, nation-wide strike called by employees of public sector banks to press for their demands, leaving ATMs dry at various places across the country.

Operations such as clearing of cheques, money transfer, cash remittances and deposit and withdrawals at branches were paralysed across public sector banks and some old generation private sector banks, the All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) claimed.

Karur Vysya Bank and Federal Bank said their staff union and officers' associations under the banner of UFBU participated in the strike, which was called by seven trade unions to press for demands of the banking industry.

However, branches of new generation private banks like ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank were functioning as usual.

Industry body Assocham said the strike may negatively impact forex and paper clearing transactions worth up to Rs 1.3 lakh crore.

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), which is umbrella body of nine unions, had called the one-day strike. However, two of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh affiliates -- the National Organisation of Bank Workers and the National Organisation of Bank Officers -- did not support the stir.

"People could not go to banks to transact anything, deposit money, withdraw money or do any other transaction. Government treasury transactions could not be done, import and export transactions were hit, money market operations were not possible," AIBEA General Secretary C H Venkatachalam told PTI.

He said that the strike became necessary due to "the government's ostrich-like approach in understanding the demands. Even very reasonable demands like payment of overtime wages for extra hours worked during demonetisation period has not been settled".

The strike was to protest against the continued attempts to privatise public sector banks which are the main engine of growth of the economy, he further said.

According to reports from various parts of the country, including major business centres like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Pune and Jaipur, functioning of banks and ATMs was paralysed due to the strike.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today warned that a Turkish newspaper would pay a "price" after a contentious report over alleged tensions between his government and the army.

Istanbul prosecutors launched an investigation into the Hurriyet front page story on Saturday which suggested that the army was not satisfied with the recent actions by the government.

The story listed seven grievances including the lifting of a historic ban on female officers wearing the Islamic headscarf in the officially secular country.

"Let me put it very clearly, what's done here, the headline they have used is insolent," Erdogan told reporters at an Istanbul airport before leaving for Pakistan on an official visit.

Erdogan said nobody had the right to set the army against the government and warned: "Whoever tries to set us against one another will pay a price."



"No offence but I don't find such an approach forgivable at a time when we need unity, fraternity and solidarity more than ever," he added.

Erdogan said he discussed the issue with Chief of Staff General Hulusi Akar yesterday.

The government increased control over the armed forces in the wake of an attempted coup in July last year blamed on followers of preacher Fethullah Gulen.

The Hurriyet newspaper, the flagship daily of Dogan Media Group -- the Turkish media giant which owns television channels Kanal D and CNN-Turk -- is a mainstream daily but houses pro-government columnists as well.

The story headlined "the army headquarters are uneasy", based on military sources, carried the byline of Hurriyet's Ankara bureau chief Hande Firat.

Firat, one of Turkey's most prominent journalists, was fiercely condemned by pro-government media for "coup mongering".

Ironically, Firat played a crucial role in defeating the July 15 coup when she spoke to Erdogan live on her CNN-Turk show by FaceTime on the night of the putsch.

Erdogan used the interview to rally his supporters, calling them into the streets to resist the attempted power-grab.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here today and they were learnt to have discussed the situation post local body elections in the state.

The meeting took place days after the BJP clinched a resounding victory in the civic and zilla parishad polls in the state.

Fadnavis, who led the BJP's campaign during these elections including that to the cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), is learnt to have discussed with Modi the poll outcome and the issue of next Mumbai mayor during the nearly one-and-a-half hours meeting.

The BJP and its partner in central and state governments, the Shiv Sena, were locked in a bitter contest in the run up to the BMC polls.

Immediately after the election results were out on February 23, the Shiv Sena, having grabbed highest seats (84) in the 227-member BMC, had staked claim to the post.

The BJP, which made substantial gains from its previous tally of 31 seats, lagged behind the Shiv Sena by a slender margin of two seats.

The NDA major had contested the Mumbai polls aiming to install its first mayor in the civic body, considered as the richest in Asia.

"The chief minister was in Delhi for the first time after the elections were held. He discussed the post-poll situation with Modi," a source said.

The BJP emerged victorious in 8 of the 10 civic bodies which went to polls in the state earlier this month.

(REOPENS DES54)



The chief minister parried questions on the possibility of the BJP and the Shiv Sena joining hands in the BMC, polls for which have thrown up a hung verdict.

"I will speak about Mumbai's issues in Mumbai only," he said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who led the BJP to a spectacular victory in the recently held municipal corporation and zilla parishad polls in the state, today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.

Apart from Modi, Fadnavis also met Union Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mahesh Sharma and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ramvilas Paswan among others.

Fadnavis tweeted that Paswan agreed to extend the date for purchase of 'Tur' by one month.

He also said the Centre had considered the state government's request of delegation of powers and path-breaking decisions for Raigad fort conservation.

"With this I am confident that we can move fast for conservation of Raigad fort, for which we have budgeted more than Rs 600 crore.

"Now, we can do lot more in conserving all forts related to life and journey of our great king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to inspire generations to come," the Chief Minister said.

Master plan for development of Raigad Fort will be approved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and it will be executed by the Maharashtra government under the supervision of ASI, Fadnavis added.

On February 23, the BJP scored a resounding victory in the Maharashtra civil polls, emerging as the largest party in eight of the 10 municipal corporations while finishing a close second to bellicose ally Shiv Sena in the latter's Mumbai bastion.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
During the celebrations and snafus at this year's Academy Awards, the first advertisement of Will Smith's upcoming supernatural cop film "Bright" was released.

The 48-year-old actor has reunited in this film with "Suicide Squad" director David Ayer, confirmed The Hollywood Reporter.

The film, which also stars Joel Edgerton, is based on a world where magical creatures and humans coexist.

Smith will be seen essaying the role of a human cop, who works in the police's division for handling crimes involving magic.

While Edgerton plays an Orc (a type of magical creature) to find a potent wand that evil forces are willing to kill for.

Written by Max Landis, the film is slated for release in December release on Netflix.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A three-day Executive Committee meeting of the National Fisher Folk Forum (NFF) will be held in New Delhi from March 19 to discuss various issues relating to fishermen across the country.

NFF Chairman M Ilango, who will preside over the deliberations, said in a release here today that delegates of fishermen associations of various states will participate in the meeting.

At the end of the meeting a joint delegation of fishermen would meet Union Agriculture Minister and others and take up issues of the fisher folk, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Five Naxals, who were allegedly involved in torching two vehicles, including a passenger bus, in the insurgency-hit Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh two days back, were today arrested, police said.

The cadres were nabbed from the forests of Parcheli village under Katekalyan police station limits of the district by a joint team of CRPF and local police, an official told PTI.

Those arrested were identified as Hidma Vetti (22), Pojja Vetti (22), Somaru Mandavi (20), Somdu Vetti (20) and Fagnu Vetti (19), all natives of Parcheli village, located around 400 kms away from the state capital, the police official added.

On February 26, Naxals had torched a bus and a multi utility vehicle (MUV) after asking the occupants to alight at separate places in Katekalyan police station area to enforce their a day-long bandh call yesterday.

While the bus was set ablaze near Gatam village, the MUV was torched between Chikpal and Parcheli.

In the wake of the incidents, security forces had stepped up search operation to apprehend the rebels, who were involved in the incident, the official said.

According to him, some more ultras were yet to be arrested in connection with these incidents and efforts were on to trace them.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former director of the Central Arid Zone Research Center (CAZRI) M M Roy was today arrested by the Anti Corruption Bureau for alleged irregularities in teachers' recruitment at Jai Narayan Vyas University (JNVU).

Roy had been appointed as a nominee of the Governor in the recruitment committee of the university in 2012 to ensure the entire process could accomplish as per rules and regulations, but was absent on the day of the declaration of the results of successful candidates by the committee, said Ajay Pal Lamba, SP Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB).

"He was absent on the day of result. But inspite of being absent on that day, he had his signatures present on the orders of the successful candidates," Lamba said.

Post retirement, Roy had settled in Lucknow and had been summoned for interrogation yesterday by the ACB regarding his role in facilitating selection of ineligible candidates for the post of Assistant Professors.

"After a brief interrogation yesterday and today, finally we arrested him as he could not provide satisfactory replies confirming his involvement in facilitating the selection of ineligible candidates," Lamba said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former chief parliamentary secretary and ex-Congress MLA Ram Kishan Gujjar and two others were today held guilty by a local court for the suicide of a journalist in 2009.

Additional Sessions Judge Sanjeev Arya pronounced the order in this regard. However, the quantum of sentence will be announced on March 2.

Pankaj Khanna, a journalist of Naraingarh, had committed suicide by consuming a poisonous substance on June 10, 2009.

In his suicide note, the journalist had alleged that Ram Kishan and two of his associates had harassed him and police had booked him in a false case on his direction.

On the complaint of journalist's father Yashpal Khanna, police had registered a case against Ram Kishan and two others under section 306 (abetment to suicide) IPC.

After investigation, police had given clean chit to Ram Kishan.

However, Yashpal Khanna moved the district court requesting that the name of Ram Kishan be included in FIR.

Ram Kishan challenged the matter in high court which dismissed the appeal.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Candidates in France's presidential election from far-right leader Marine Le Pen to embattled conservative Francois Fillon are attacking media coverage in a strategy that resembles Donald Trump's assault in the United States.

Le Pen has sharpened her attacks on the media in recent weeks, apparently believing it plays well with supporters of her attempt to portray herself as an anti-establishment outsider -- a strategy that has helped propel her into the lead in the polls.

At a rally in the western city of Nantes on Sunday, Le Pen accused the media of "campaigning hysterically" for Emmanuel Macron, her business-friendly centrist rival for the presidency, as polls showed him enjoying an increase in support.

Le Pen aimed particular vitriol at Pierre Berge, the former partner of late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and one of the owners of centre-left newspaper Le Monde newspaper.

At the other end of the political spectrum, the Communist-backed Melenchon has set up his own YouTube channel to bypass the "traditional media".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Nearly a month after the Goa elections were held, a special session of the state Assembly was convened today to fulfil a constitutional requirement.

After the brief session, that lasted for about 15 minutes, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said it was held to fulfil the constitutional requirement.

He also said that some "self-proclaimed constitutional experts" forced them to call for the session, at a time when the election for the new state Assembly has already been held.

"Today's was a technical session. When the fate of the next government has been sealed in EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines), convening session by the earlier government was against the Constitution, I would say, rather," Parsekar told reporters while emerging from the House after the session.

"That is why I was not for it (calling the session). But there are some self-proclaimed constitutional experts who forced us to call for the session to fulfil the technicalities of constitutional requirement," he said, indirectly hinting at the petition filed by social activist Aires Rodrigues in the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court.

"When fate of new government is sealed, it would be a mockery of election and democracy if we raise any issue on the floor. We had no intention of taking any business. Governor will address the Assembly again when new government will be in power," Parsekar said.

Rodrigues had earlier sought directions to the Goa government to comply with the mandate of Article 174 of the Constitution by either summoning a session or dissolving the Goa Legislative Assembly.

Drawing the court's attention that the last session of the Goa Legislative Assembly was on August 31, 2016, Rodrigues pointed out that the Law department had in November last year moved a file for summoning the session and on January 6, 2017 had also opined that the Assembly needed to be dissolved.

The election for the 40-member Assembly was held on February 4 and the counting is scheduled on March 11.

Meanwhile, Goa Governor Mridula Sinha refrained from making any policy statement in her address to the special session of the state Assembly, owing to the model code of conduct being currently in force in the state.

"The need for summoning of this session was to comply with the Constitution of India mandate of the Article 174 (1) as per which there should not be a gap of more than six months between two sittings," the Governor told the House.

"The last session was held on August 31, 2016, and therefore, by meeting today the constitutionallimit of six months have been complied with," she added.

Meanwhile, Congress questioned the timing of National Anthem played in the House today, just when the Leader of Opposition was about to speak.

"Look at the timing of playing the National Anthem. When



Leader of Opposition Pratapsinh Rane stood up to raise an issue, the National Anthem was played," Congress Legislature Party spokesman Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco told reporters after coming out of the Assembly hall.

When contacted, Assembly Speaker Anant Shet said the session was held as per the agenda and the rules did not allow Leader of Opposition to make any mention in the House.

The Congress party, however, was upset over the conduct of the House.

"It's a shame on part of the government to have (convened) the Assembly like this. The opposition leader was trying to say something, they played National Anthem. Just imagine why and what this government is doing...The timing of the National Anthem was wrong," Lourenco said.

"I wanted to raise the issue about the current crisis faced by liquor outlets due to Supreme court order," he said.

Another Congress leader and former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat sought to know why the state government called for the session so late - when the gap of six months between two sessions was getting over.

"I don't know why they have called the session on the last day...Everybody was aware of the constitutional requirement. They could have called this session one month or one-and-a-half month before," Kamat said.

"I think they must have realised that the Assembly would be dissolved if they don't hold it today that is why they abruptly held this session," he said.

"There was nothing on the agenda. It (notice for the session) only said that the Governor will address the session," Kamat said.

Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) legislator Dipak Dhavalikar said they had earlier demanded that the Assembly session should have been held in December last year.

"By convening the session in such a manner, the state government has proved that it is anti-democratic," alleged Dhavalikar, whose party had withdrawn support from the BJP-led government in the run-up to the Goa Assembly polls.
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held talks on various issues relating to the southern states.

There was no official word on what transpired in the meeting.

It is understood that the topics of discussion in the meeting revolved around the issue of sharing of space in government offices and river water-sharing disputes, among others.

It is learnt that in the 30-minute meeting, the Governor also talked about splitting of the Hyderabad High Court and other pending issues.

The Governor had on Monday met President Pranab Mukherjee, army chief Vipin Rawat and Chief Justice of India J S Khehar, among others.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Governor's address on the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and revival of Saraswati River dominated discussions in the Haryana Assembly here today, with the Opposition taking potshots at the BJP on the issues.

Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki had addressed members of the Legislative Assembly yesterday, the first day of the Budget Session.

Initiating the discussion, first-time BJP MLA Dr Abhe Singh Yadav said the PM Fasal Bima Yojana "is the most beneficial scheme and is in the interest of farmers".

Yadav, who highlighted several initiatives of the state to tackle water shortage in southern Haryana, said the Opposition instead of criticising the scheme should come forward with constructive suggestions to improve it.

At this, Congress MLA Kuldeep Sharma claimed that the consent of farmers was not taken for this scheme and that it had been "thrusted" on them.

If the BJP government claims to be pro-farmer, "why has it not implemented recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission despite making tall promises in this regard, Congress member Raghubir Singh Kadian said.

The Congress demanded to know from Yadav how the crop insurance scheme was beneficial for farmers and how many farmers had benefited from it.

However, Yadav said, "The Opposition should not be in the habit of criticising everything for the sake of criticism. Sometimes, they should rise above political considerations too."



Senior Minister Abhimanyu came in defence of Yadav on the issue as Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was not present in the House for the majority of the day.

Khattar made a brief appearance towards the end of the day's proceedings.

Later, BJP's Pawan Saini said the Haryana government had constituted the Saraswati Heritage Development Board to take up research on the mythical river.

However, here too, the BJP member came under the Opposition's attack.

Taking a dig at the Saraswati river project, Leader of the Opposition and senior INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala said it for the first time it is being seen that a government was putting all its efforts in digging up a lost river.

"Never heard before a river being dug up," he said.

However, senior BJP Minister Ram Bilas Sharma said the present government will one day revive the river and show water actually flows in the 32 km stretch from Adibadri in Haryana's Yamunanagar district.

Notably, the government has been undertaking excavation of the river. Construction of a palaeo-channel, digging of borewells, carbon-dating and other works have already been initiated.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Spiritual leader and founder of 'The Art of Living' Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has lauded the constitution of Anand Department (Happiness Department) by the Madhya Pradesh government.

"By constituting the Happiness Department, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has taken initiative to ensure a happy state of mind instead of finding joy through indulgence in worldly objects," Ravi Shankar told a gathering at village Bakaner in Dhar district today.

Sri Sri was participating in Jan-Samvad (Public Dialogue) organised during ongoing 'Namami Devi Narmade - Sewa Yatra.'



During his address, Chouhan said this Yatra was being organised to highlight the importance of river Narmada's conservation as it would save Malwa region from being converted into a desert.

"This awareness campaign is also being run to prevent the Malwa region from being converted into a desert. We will take Narmada water to the entire region," Chouhan added.

Earlier, Chouhan performed Ma Narmada's aarti at Semalda in Dhar district. Sri Sri was also present.

'Namami Devi Narmade - Sewa Yatra' started on December 11 last year from Amarkantak, the source of river Narmada.

It will cover 1,831 km on southern bank comprising 548 villages/towns and 1,513 km on northern bank comprising of 556 village/towns, thus covering 3,344 km in 144 days.

State government has been terming this 'Yatra' as world's biggest river conservation campaign.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tributes were paid to former Union Minister P Shiv Shankar and freedom fighter Kundan Singh on the second day of the Haryana Assembly's ongoing Budget Session today.

Shankar, who had served as Governor of Sikkim and Kerala, and Singh passed away yesterday.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said in Shankar's death the nation had lost a seasoned politician and able administrator.

He also paid homage to freedom fighter Kundan Singh of Khanda village in Sonepat district.

Speaker Kanwar Pal read out the obituary resolutions and paid tributes.

Congress Legislature Party leader Kiran Chaudhary and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) MLA Parminder Dhull also paid tributes on behalf of their respective parties.

The members of the House also observed a two-minute silence to pay homage to the departed souls.

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An India-born top executive at Uber was asked to resign after the ride-sharing titan found that he did not disclose that he had left his previous job at Google after a sexual harassment complaint, a media report said.

Amit Singhal had joined Uber in January as Senior Vice President of Engineering after working for 15 years at Google, where he oversaw the internet giant's search efforts.

A report in technology website Recode said Uber CEO Travis Kalanick asked Singhal to resign yesterday after it was found that Singhal did not disclose to the car-hailing company that he had left Google a year earlier after an allegation against him of sexual harassment from an employee.

Google had deemed the employee's claim of sexual harassment against Singhal "credible" in an internal investigation.

The report said Singhal, "a highly regarded engineer in Silicon Valley", had disputed the allegation to Google executives at the time and denied the allegations again.

"Harassment is unacceptable in any setting. I certainly want everyone to know that I do not condone and have not committed such behaviour," he said in an email to Recode.

"In my 20-year career, I have never been accused of anything like this before and the decision to leave Google was my own," he said.

Uber executives reportedly found about the situation after the report informed them of the chain of events between Singhal and the search giant this week.

Sources at Uber said the company had done extensive background checks of Singhal but had not uncovered any hint of the circumstances of his departure from Google.

Singhal's departure comes at a time when Uber is facing intense scrutiny following allegations of sexual harassment by a former female employee against her manager.

She said in a blog post last week that her manager had sent inappropriate messages to her and that the company's Human Resource department and upper management were not supportive when she had reported the situation to them.

Sources said that Google was prepared to fire Singhal over the allegations after looking into the incident, but did not have to do so after he resigned, according to the report.

The female employee who filed the formal complaint against Singhal did not work for him directly, but worked closely with the search team, the report said, adding that she also did not want to go public with the charges, which is apparently why Google decided to allow Singhal to leave quietly.

Singhal's goodbye letter before leaving Google gave no hint of any acrimony between himself and his longtime employer.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Asking India to take bold initiatives, the UKIBC said the government should repeal the legislation on retrospective taxation and drop outstanding high profile cases that are impacting the country's image as an investment destination.

UK India Business Council (UKIBC) CEO Richard Heald said the residual issues of retrospective tax still impact external perceptions of India as an investment environment.

"These high-profile cases, started by the previous government, are ongoing to the detriment of India's image among global investors, the companies involved, and their clients/customers, staff, and wider local communities," Heald said in an emailed interview.

He said this while replying to a question on the long-pending tax dispute of two UK companies - Vodafone and Cairn Energy.

"We believe that the most positive step the government of India could take would be to repeal the 2012 legislation on retrospective taxation, drop the outstanding cases, and adopt international norms," he added.

The UK oil explorer Cairn Energy is facing a tax demand of Rs 10,247 crore on a 2006 business reorganisation it carried out in its India unit before getting it listed.

British telecom giant Vodafone is also facing tax liability over its USD 11-billion acquisition of 67 per cent stake in the mobile-phone business owned by Hutchison Whampoa in 2007.

When asked about the possibilities of collaboration in defence and civil aviation sectors as India has relaxed FDI norms in these areas, he said immense scope is there for research and development partnerships in the defence and aerospace sectors.

"Raising the FDI caps has certainly helped. There are, though, two other important measures that India could take to unlock the full potential of UK-India collaboration in defence and civil aviation," he said.

Heald suggested for introduction of flexibility into the defence offset rules and to provide clarity on the medium term expenditure/procurement plans.

"If defence businesses know how much the government plan to spend on, say, fighter jets or submarines in 5 to 10 years' time, then they can invest in building partnerships and capacity in advance of those opportunities," he added.

The UK is the largest G20 investor in India. British firms have re-invested USD 7.9 billion between April 2000 and September 2016 here.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India takes the issue of defaulters very seriously, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said, indicating that he may raise the matter of liquor baron Vijay Mallya with his British counterpart.

"Certainly, when the opportunity does come, I do take that opportunity to mention it (issue of defaulters based in Britain) to my counterparts here," he told reporters here when asked if the issue of defaulters based in the UK will feature on the agenda of his discussions with British ministers.

The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs is set to meet his UK counterpart and the Chancellor of Exchequer today.

"As far as the government of India is concerned, we take this issue of defaults against the financial system in India very seriously and we have already sent a strong signal that if [you] dupe the exchequer or dupe the banking system, the government of India will lend its full support to all financial institutions to recover up to their last pie," Jaitley told reporters at a media briefing here yesterday.

"It is obvious that because of this strong position the government has taken, that some defaulters are on the run. Being on the run, they find refuge in certain other jurisdictions, exploiting the systems in other parts of the world," the minister added.

He said Indian investigating agencies are utilising every provision of the law available to them to recover amounts and attach assets in India to "get these people back and held responsible as per law".

Over the weekend, Jaitley had said that the UK's democracy was "liberal enough to permit defaulters to stay here", in an apparent reference to liquor baron Mallya, who is wanted in India for loan default and other cases.

Mallya, the chief of the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines, hadmoved to Britain in March last year after banks sued him to recover around USD 1.4 billion owed by the airline.

Earlier this month, the Indian government formally requested Britain to extradite him to India to stand trial for alleged loan default and money laundering.

Jaitley also said that the UK must realise the importance of Indian students to its economy because they help "subsidise" education costs here.

Referring to a major drop in students coming to study at the UK universities over the last few years, he highlighted that there were other countries that were more welcoming.

"They (the UK) have to realise that when international students come here (Britain), they subsidise the educational costs here," he told PTI.

"We already have a reality where the quantum of students coming into the UK is declining and other jurisdictions are available. The UK also is a part of the competitive market in that area," Jaitley said.

The minister is in the UK to represent the Indian government at a special reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace to launch the UK-India Year of Culture.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The White House today condemned the fatal attack on an Indian engineer in Kansas City last week by a US Navy veteran as "racially-motivated hatred".

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani, another Indian of the same age, was injured in the shooting by the navy veteran Adam Purinton, who yelled "terrorist" and "get out of my country" before opening fire on them.

A 24-year-old American named Ian Grillot who tried to defend the Indians received injuries in the firing.

Purinton, 51, apparently mistook the Indians for immigrants from the Middle East.

Yesterday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer had said the incident was "disturbing", but did not say whether the Trump administration believed it was a hate crime.

The tragedy has led to fears among immigrants, who feel being targeted by President Donald Trump's plans to ban travellers from certain countries and build a wall along the Mexico border to realise his campaign pledge of puttting "America first".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India and Nepal will undertake joint military exercises under Surya Kiran in the mountainous terrains here from March 7, a Army spokesman said today.

The special exercise will be attended by 350 army personnels each from Nepal and India, the spokesman from the Army's Panchshul Brigade said.

"Combating insurgency in mountainous regions by running counter insurgency operations will be the main theme of Surya Kiran 11 as most of Nepal is mountains and India has crucial borders with other countries in such terrain," he said.

The exercise being hosted by the Panchshul Brigade of the Indian Army will be inaugurated by Brigadier M K Katiyar and the concluding ceremony will be solemnised by Major Generals from both the armies, the spokesman said.

Personnel of the Nepal Army will reach onMarch 6and will leave on March21, a day after the conclusion of the joint exercise, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Investigators today searched the flat of prominent opposition journalist Zoya Svetova, saying it was related to an ongoing probe into alleged money laundering by the former heads of Yukos oil company including Kremlin foe Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

Svetova, 57, who writes hard-hitting articles for opposition media including New Times magazine, has focused on writing about prisoner abuse in high-profile cases and has interviewed many of them in jail.

Until last year, she was a long-time member of a public commission that monitors jail conditions in Moscow.

Russia's Investigative Committee in a statement said its officers had information that Svetova had documents about the "transfer to Russia and subsequent spending of money previously stolen by Khodorkovsky and his accomplices."



It stressed the search was "not linked to Svetova's professional activities or rights activism."



A source familiar with the situation told Interfax agency that the search was "ordinary routine work that will not lead to any procedural status for the rights activist (Svetova)."



Khodorkovsky was arrested in 2003 after openly opposing Vladimir Putin during his first term as president, and went on to spend a decade in jail on tax evasion charges. He now lives in London.

The Yukos case under investigation on Tuesday concerns embezzlement from the state and dates back to 2003, said rights lawyer Anna Stavitskaya, who went to Svetova's flat to support her.

The Investigative Committee said the search was part of a continuing investigation into alleged "stealing of the assets" of Yukos and the Russian state "and their subsequent legalisation" by the oil company's former leadership and owners.

The search appeared to be linked to "the main Yukos case," Khodorkovsky's Open Russia foundation said on its website.

Svetova has published articles on Open Russia's website.

Khodorkovsky wrote on Twitter: "They've come to search Zoya Svetova's flat over the Yukos case... They've completely lost it."



Svetova's husband Viktor Dzyadko told AFP by telephone that around 10 people took part in the search, which began at 11am (0800 GMT) and lasted some six hours.

Stavitskaya said on Facebook that officers had finished going through the flat and were drawing up an inventory of everything they had confiscated.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Israeli police began today demolishing nine West Bank settler homes declared illegal by the Supreme Court, despite hundreds of protesters barricading themselves in them.

The homes in the Ofra settlement -- a symbol of Jewish settler defiance to international concerns -- were found to have been built on private Palestinian land and ordered razed by March 5.

Police cleared protesters from the houses one at a time over several hours, an AFP reporter said.

They had cleared eight of the nine houses but dozens of predominantly young protesters made a final stand on the roof of the ninth.

While still trying to clear the final home, bulldozers demolished one house, the reporter said.

Two people were arrested for attacking officers, a police statement said, and eight officers were lightly injured, including by being bitten.

Leaders of the Ofra community said they were intent on preventing major clashes like those during the eviction of the nearby Amona settlement three weeks ago, where youths barricaded themselves in a synagogue and attacked security forces.

Amona residents announced they would begin a hunger strike on Wednesday until the government kept its commitment to build them a new settlement.

The Palestinian information ministry denounced what it said was a media stunt.

"Nine houses are destroyed in exchange for thousands of others built," it said.

Since the January 20 inauguration of US President Donald Trump, who has pledged to lead the most pro-Israel administration in history, the Israeli government has rapidly increased its settlement activities.

In the days after Trump entered the White House, Israel announced more than 5,000 new homes in settlements in east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.

The government also backed a bill passed by parliament earlier this month legalising dozens of other settlements that even Israel previously considered illegal.

The United Nations said the law crossed a "red line" towards the annexation of the West Bank, but the United States chose not to condemn the move.

More than 400,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since the Six-Day War of 1967.

Most of the international community sees settlements as a major obstacle to peace, as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state.

Israel distinguishes between settlements it has authorised and those built without permission. The demolition of Amona, just a few hundred metres from Ofra, became a major political story.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Senior Congress leader and former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh today attacked the CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala for its decision to implement a hydro-power project at ecologically sensitive Athirappilly in Thrissur district, describing it a "recipe for ecological disaster".

"The Congress is firmly opposed to this project," Ramesh said, hours after the Kerala government informed the state assembly that it plans to implement the project on the downstreams of Chalakudy river.

Ramesh, who had rejected green clearance to the project during his stint as the Environment Minister in the previous UPA government citing the ecological issues, told PTI that he would visit Athirappilly to give leadership to the people's movement against the project.

Accusing the LDF government of "playing in the hands of big contractors", he said, "CPM stands for Contractors Party of Marxist".

In a written reply in the state Assembly, Kerala Electricity Minister M M Mani today said a total 15 hydro power projects including the Athirappilly has been planned by the Kerala State Electricity Board.

The 163 MW project planned at the water resource bed of Chalakudy river was revived by the then LDF government headed by V S Achuthanandan.

Previous Congress-led UDF government also pressed for its clearance but faced strong resistance from ecologists and some politicians including senior Congress leaders like Ramesh and CPI's Binoy Viswam.

Ramesh noted that then Principal Chief Conservator of Forest T M Manoharan, who was the Chairman of the Kerala State Electricity Board under three Chief Ministers, had opposed the project citing the harm it could cause to the environment and ecology of the area.

Ramesh also said in a report in 2007, the Kerala State Biodiversity Board headed by B S Vijayan had also pointed out that the power project would adversely affect the ecology of the fragile land.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today held a series of meetings with UK investors as he projected India as one of the bright spots for investments amid global economic slowdown.

The investor meetings were organised by JP Morgan and Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs represented the Indian Government at a gala launch of UK-India Year of Culture hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London last night.

"This outreach will help us in further strengthening the perception that is globally gaining ground that in the midst of a global slowdown, India remains one of the bright spots as far as potential destinations of investments are concerned," Jaitley said.

"There is a considerable amount of interest in India, particularly after Brexit. Correspondingly, my discussions in the past have also indicated that both investors and the government here (Britain) are looking for expanding opportunities of trade with India," he noted.

Jaitley said he believes that India is a "very important story to tell in the UK" because in the midst of global uncertainties and the relative slowing down of the global economy, India has been able to carry on its reform programme "fairly actively".

The Rajya Sabha MP said he had flagged the issue of the mobility of Indian IT professionals as one of "considerable concern".

"While there is this debate on across the world, India remains one of the few countries which has opened up significantly and the so-called protectionist debate is least audible in India today," he said.

Jaitley had a packed schedule of meetings with UK Cabinet ministers, including foreign secretary Boris Johnson, international trade minister Liam Fox and international development minister Priti Patel.

Jaitley will hold talks with his UK counterpart Chancellor Philip Hammond before concluding his five-day visit to the UK today.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis has paid a heart-wrenching tribute to actor Bill Paxton, who passed away from the complications of a surgery.

The 58-year-old actress, who starred with Paxton in the action-comedy "True Lies", took to Twitter to express her condolences.

"Nooooo. Bill Paxton is gone. Such a funny, talented, loving human. Louise and the children and family my (heartfelt) support to you. #TrueLies," Curtis tweeted, along with a still featuring her and Paxton from their 1994 movie.

In an interview with People magazine, the actress said, "It's always unexpected when someone is young and not seemingly ill. It's just so terribly sad."



She added she had a conversation with director of the movie James Cameron.

"I've been in communication with Jim Cameron today and Bill had - Bill had that rare ability to be a really serious kind of stupid person," said Curtis.

Paxton is survived by his two children, James and Lydia and wife of 30 years Louise Newbury.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
11 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week



Photo via Chicago Fire's website.

Film festivals, parody theater and more are bringing us into March this week.

MONDAY FEBRUARY 27

CHICAGO FIRE KICKOFF LUNCHEON: Help the Chicago Fire kickoff the 2017 season, and possibly even dine with one of the players at Hyatt Regencys Grand Ballroom. The luncheon will benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation which gives back to the underserved community with sports-based programming for youth. Reception begins at 11 a.m. Early bird tickets start at $90 per person.

THROWBACK TASTING: Saved By The Max is counting down the days before they close up shop and head out on tour, but first theyre throwing a Class of 88 Throwback Tasting and Discussion with Goose Island. Greg Hall leads the talk and Brian Fishers menu completes the evening. Tickets are $35.



TUESDAY FEBRUARY 28: FAT TUESDAY

MARDI GRAS COCKTAIL CLASS: MONEYGUN and Saint Lous Assembly launch four-part educational cocktail making series on this Fat Tuesday at 7 p.m. Try your hand at three Mardi Gras themed cocktails guided by expert bartenders and enjoy food pairings including Etouffe Parfait, Gumbo Ya Ya and beignets. Tickets are $75.



WEDNESDAY MARCH 1





SURVIVAL FAMILY from Asian Pop-up Cinema on Vimeo.

ASIAN POP UP CINEMA FILM FESTIVAL: Now through May 3, the Asian Pop Up Cinema Film Festival screens films from China, Hong Kong, Inner Mongolia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Tibet and Vietnam. 18 films make up the lineup, including the World Premiere of Goddesses in Taiwan Cinema, a retrospective of six (6) digitally restored movies starring legendary Taiwanese leading actresses from the 1960s through the early 21st century. For info on venues, showtimes and tickets, visit the festivals website.

WINE TASTING: Play "Sommelier for a Day" at III Forks Pacific Northwest Wine Tasting from 5 to 7 p.m. Sample six different wines from the region and vote for your favorite to be featured for the month of March. Hors d'oeuvres by executive chef Cedric Harden will also be served. Tickets are $20. To RSVP, call 312-938-4303.

https://www.3forks.com/chicago/

FEMINIST FILM FESTIVAL: Columbia College hosts the Second Annual Chicago Feminist Film Festival this Wednesday through Friday. The free film fest screens 57 films by women, people of color, and transgender filmmakers. Wednesdays opening night feature is all-female-directed horror anthology XX, which includes the directorial debut of musician St. Vincent. For ticket information and schedule, visit the the festivals website.

THURSDAY MARCH 2

GREEK WINE DINNER: Publican Quality Meats hosts Yasou!, a family-style Greek Wine Dinner at 7:30 p.m. Chef de Cuisine Joe Frietze and Partner/Sommelier Eduard Seitan worked with winemakers, Paris Sigalas and Angelo Iatrides to create a five-course Mediterranean menu paired with Domaine Sigalas wines. Tickets are $75. For reservations, contact Kirsten at 312.496.0012 or kirsten@publicanqualitymeats.com.



FRIDAY MARCH 3

SPAMILTON: Every great production deserves a parody, and Spamilton is here to give Hamilton its due. The Off-Broadway hit celebrates, roasts and eviscerates the Tony Award winning blockbuster. The show, created by Gerard Alessandrini ("Forbidden Broadway") will run for 12 weeks only at Royal George Theatre. Tickets start at $59.

FUNNY HA HA: Get Warm and Fuzzy at this episode of Funny Ha Ha hosted by Claire Zulkey at the Hideout. The live lit show features readings from Miss Spoken Co-Founder Carly Oishi, Second City's Pat Reidy, Huffington Post's Kim Bellware and many more. Entry is a $10 suggested donation at the door benefiting Sit Stay Read.

LGBTQ HISTORY: The Chicago History Museums LGBTQ series, Out at CHM, steps into Art, AIDS and Activism at this weeks panel discussion. Hear how art has been used to speak out about the AIDS pandemic, advocate for its victims and critique public response from experts at SAIC, University of Illinois and Papi Project. Reception begins at 5:30 p.m. with panel discussion following at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

NOT SO SWEET 16 PARTY: Fireside Bowl will be the place to celebrate the end of the year that took Bowie, Prince, Leonard Cohen and others from us. FLOOD Magazine is throwing a party to kiss 2016 good bye with DJ sets from Greg Corner, Derek Berry and free bowling. RSVP for free entry and a free Deep Eddy cocktail. 8 p.m. to midnight.
The special CBI court here today adjourned the hearing of the actor Jiah Khan alleged suicide case, after her mother moved the Supreme Court seeking further investigation.

The Bombay High Court had rejected the plea of Rabia Khan, Jiah's mother, demanding formation of a special investigation team for further probe, claiming her daughter had been murdered by her boyfriend and fellow actor Suraj Pancholi.

Rabia's lawyer told the CBI court today that the SC may hear her plea by March 20 following which judge S Rizvi adjourned the hearing till March 24.

Meanwhile, CBI lawyer Rajendra Bhatnagar today appeared before the court, saying he would be representing the agency.

However, advocate Dinesh Tiwari, who has been appointed by the Maharashtra government to appear in the case, said he was the prosecutor and the CBI should move the HC to appoint a new lawyer, if it so wanted.

The court said only a lawyer notified by the government will be allowed to argue, and Tiwari shall continue. If there came a new notification, the court will decide who would conduct the trial, the judge said.

Actor Suraj Pancholi, accused of abetting Jiah's suicide, also filed an application seeking a speedy trial.

According to CBI charge sheet, Jiah and Suraj had "intimate relationship". On June 3, 2013, the day of her suicide, she had left Suraj's house in the morning where the two had been staying for the previous two days.

CBI alleged that a three-page unsigned note purportedly written by Jiah, seized by police a few days after the alleged suicide, narrated her physical and mental torture by Suraj.

The CBI took over the probe from Maharashtra police on the Bombay High Court's orders. Rabiya Khan had moved the HC alleging that Jiah had been murdered and demanding that the CBI probe the matter.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The joint roadshow of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in Varanasi will now be held on March 4, after it was postponed twice.

"The joint roadshow will be held on March 4," District Congress president Prajanath Sharma said, adding that the route would be finalised soon.

The joint roadshow, first planned for February 11, had been postponed in view of large numbers of pilgrims visiting the temple town on the occasion of Ravidas Jayanti.

The roadshow was then scheduled for February 27, which too had to be postponed due to some "unavoidable reasons".

Gandhi would also address a public meeting in the Pindra Assembly constituency of Varanasi district on March 2 in favour of Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance candidate Ajay Rai.

Rai is the sitting Congress MLA from the Pindra Assembly seat.

On March 4, before heading for the joint roadshow, Yadav will "individually" address some public meetings in support of SP candidates in eastern UP districts.

The Chief Minister will first address a public meeting in Keshavpur in Bhadohi district and then in Munari in Varanasi district in favour of the Samajwadi Party candidates.

Varanasi, which is represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha, goes to poll in the last of the seven-phase Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh on March 8.

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Amid heart-rending scenes, the mortal remains of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US in an apparent hate crime incident, were consigned to flames here today.

Kuchibhotla's father Madhusudana Rao lit the funeral pyre at the crematorium in Jubilee Hills in the afternoon.

The parents of the 32-year-old engineer were in deep sorrow over the tragedy that has struck them.

Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, several other leaders, family members and friends of Kuchibhotla were present on the occasion.

As the funeral pyre was lit, some of those present at the crematorium raised slogans in memory of Kuchibhotla and against the US administration.

The body was earlier taken to the crematorium from his house at Bachupally on the city's outskirts.

It was a picture of sadness and grief at the house, where a pall of gloom had descended, as Kuchibhotla's wife Sunayana took part in the last minute rituals.

His parents and other family members too looked crest-fallen.

Kuchibhotla had been working at the Garmin headquarters in Olathe in Kansas City. Another Indian and his colleague Alok Madasani was injured in the incident that took place on last Wednesday.

A teacher of Kuchibhotla recalled him as a simple and good-natured person who always had a positive outlook towards life.

The engineer's body was brought to his parents' house shortly before midnight yesterday after being flown from the US to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here.

Ministers from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, MLAs and other leaders belonging to different political parties visited his house here after the shooting incident.

Union Ministers M Venkaiah Naidu and Bandaru Dattatreya had earlier visited the family.

The shooting incident had taken place at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri.

Ian Grillot, an American, was injured when he tried to tackle the accused Adam Purinton (51), who was arrested on Thursday morning, five hours after the incident.

Purinton had reportedly yelled "get out of my country" before opening fire on Kuchibhotla and Madasani.

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Lt Governor Anil Baijal today promised "strict action" against those violating law after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal approached him over the recent North Campus clash and alleged rape threats to a LSR student.

Kejriwal met Baijal at the Raj Niwas here seeking action against the ABVP activists involved in the last week's violence, in which few Delhi University (DU) faculty members had suffered serious injuries as well.

"Hon'ble Chief Minister, Delhi met me at Raj Niwas. Have assured him that strict immediate action will be taken against those violating law," Baijal tweeted.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Kejriwal alleged that both the BJP and the RSS-backed ABVP were involved in the "anti-national activities" across the country.

He demanded the arrest of the ABVP activists involved in the North Campus assault and the alleged threats of rape to student of Lady Sri Ram College, 20-year-old Gurmeher Kaur.

"They (BJP and ABVP) send their people and make them shout anti-national slogans and beat up innocent persons," the Delhi CM alleged.

Even in last year's JNU incident that had set off student unrest across the country, he alleged that the ABVP members were involved in the raising of anti-national slogans.

"No one has been arrested in connection with the raising of anti-national slogans in the JNU because if police arrest the culprits, it will be revealed that the ABVP members were involved in the case," Kejriwal alleged.

He said the alleged rape threats to Kaur was the part of a "new trend" of threats on social media. Police can easily take action against the culprits if they are willing to do so, he said.

"The BJP is doing the politics of hatred and goondaism in the country. The youth of the country have stood up against it and the country will not tolerate such politics," Kejriwal said.

Praising the Delhi Police for registering an FIR in connection with the alleged threat to Kaur, he said strict action should be taken in the case.

Asked about Union minister Kiren Rijiju's remarks on the issue, Kejriwal sought to remind him that he was the Union Minister (of State) for Home of the country.

"As we are in the administration, it is our responsibility to provide security to Kaur and ensure strict action in this case. I am not only the national convenor of Aam Aadmi Party but also the CM of Delhi and similarly Kiren Rijju is not only a BJP leader also the home minister of the entire country," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hong Kong may allow lower tax rate for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) if the forthcoming election in March are any indications.

"For the first time in many years in Hong Kong, taxation for SMEs is an election agenda. Some candidates had called for a review of tax policy for SMEs or even indicating lowering the same," Invest Hong Kong associate director general Francis Ho told PTI.

He was in the city for a roadshow on growing business in Hong Kong in association with Bengal Chamber.

Hong Kong will elect it's chief executive in March and few candidates are vying for the post.

Currently, there is a flat tax of 16.5 per cent for all businesses in Hong Kong.

Asked how lower tax for SMEs impact India, Ho said, "India is among the top four markets for Hong Kong. While, for India Hong Kong it is third largest after USA and Europe. Lower tax will help grow attraction for Indian investors."



Ho does not expect that China will face any slowdown and seven per cent growth is quite good. He expects growth momentum for Hong Kong will also remain intact.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two minors were allegedly killed after being kidnapped in separate incidents in Maharashtra, police said today.

In the first incident in Aurangabad district, Vardhan Ghode (10) was kidnapped by two persons from his bungalow in Tilaknagar area last night, a senior police official said.

His mother and other kin approached police to file a missing complaint.

The police then questioned three youths with whom Vardhan was last seen. During investigation, a dog sniffed a car which belonged to one of the suspects Abhilash Mohanpurkar (24), he added.

Vardhan's mother got a chit from anonymous kidnappers who demanded Rs 5 crore ransom for his release, the official added.

During the questioning, Abhilash and his fried Shyam Magare (20) confessed that they kidnapped and killed the boy for ransom, he added.

Vardhan was taken to Khultabad and was strangled with handkerchief, they told police. The two were apprehended and the boy's body was found in a nullah, he said.

Abhilash also told police that Vardhan's body was in his car when police and locals had launched search operation in the area.

Incidentally, Vardhan's father Vivek, a builder by profession was murdered in Kalwa in Thane district by unidentified shooters in 2010, they added.

Aurangabad Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar has ordered to form Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the crime, officials added.

In a separate incident at Srigonda in Ahamednagar district, 17-year-old Akshay Panavkar, was allegedly killed by five persons for Rs 20 lakh ransom on February 26, official said.

"We have arrested Amol Pokare, Vaibhav Ole, Ajay Mandhare and two minors", said Sahebrao Kadnoor, Senior Inspector of Srigonda Police Station.

The minor accused are Akshay's friends and had planned his kidnapping and murder, added Kadnoor.

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The owner of an aerial photography business in the US has been sentenced to 30 days in jail after a drone he was operating knocked a woman unconscious in 2015.

The sentence, which also included a USD 500 fine, was imposed on Paul M. Skinner, 38, by the Seattle Municipal Court, according to the City Attorney's Office.

Skinner was earlier found guilty of reckless endangerment by the judge.

The case marked the first time the City Attorney's Office has charged anyone with mishandling a drone in a public space, The Seattle Times reported on the February 24 sentencing.

The incident happened during Seattle's 2015 Pride Parade.

According to the police, the 45cm by 45cm drone crashed into a building and fell into the crowd, injuring two people.

Judge Willie Gregory said he acknowledged that the incident was an accident but added that the pilot had "engaged in conduct that put people in danger of being injured".

Prosecutor Pete Holmes said the faulty operation of drones was a "serious public-safety issue that will only get worse" and more prosecutions could follow.

Ravi Vaidyanathan, a drone expert from Imperial College London, said he was "not aware of anything previously resulting in jail time".

He told the BBC that it was inevitable more accidents would follow and called on the regulatory bodies that governed drone use to provide "a consistent set of guidelines on usage".

"In the US, there are rules for commercial use but different ones for hobbyists," he said.

"In the UK, rules are governed by the size of aircraft, so in my understanding anything under 20kg can be flown without regulation.

"We are in uncharted territory, but the guidelines have to be consistent."



During the past fiscal year, over 1,200 possible collisions between an aircraft and a drone were reported to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA was unable to confirm any strikes, but it has reported several close calls, including a Lufthansa jet approaching Los Angeles that passed within 60m of a drone.

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US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has delivered a "preliminary plan" to the White House while briefing the Trump administration on a detailed strategy to defeat ISIS.

"The Department of Defence presented its preliminary plan to the White House today to defeat ISIS," the White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters at his daily conference.

"This plan has been delivered by Secretary Mattis, who is currently briefing the principals on the option presented today and seeking their input and feedback," he said.

Part of the plan is to make sure that he fully discusses the recommendations that he's making and seek the input and feedback of the other principals.

"That can help guide where we go from here, how we go," he said in response to a question.

The Pentagon Press Secretary Capt Jeff Davis said the preliminary plan submitted by Mattis is trans regional.

"This is not just a military plan. It draws upon all elements of national power -- diplomatic, financial, cyber, intelligence (and) public diplomacy, and it's been drafted in close coordination with our inter agency partners," Davis told reporters during an off camera conference.

"This plan is truly trans regional. This is not just about Iraq and Syria, it is about defeating ISIS around the globe and other trans regional violent extremist organisations, such as Al-Qaida," he said.

While officials did not name countries or the region listed in the plan, the comments coming from them indicated that it also includes addressing the challenge of growing presence of ISIS in South Asia, in particular Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Last week, the US and NATO Commander in Afghanistan, Gen John Nicholson, expressed his concern over increasing presence of ISIS in Bangladesh.

In Afghanistan and Pakistan, he said, people from other terroristgroups are joining ISIS.

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British Prime Minister Theresa May today dropped in to a meeting between Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and his UK counterpart during which the issue of "certain individuals who have overstayed" here figured.

Jaitley met the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, at his office in No 11 Downing Street in London.

The British Prime Minister's move to drop in during the meeting was described as a "warm gesture" and an indication of the strong focus the UK has on improving relations with India.

Brexit and its implications on India-UK ties and the issue of "certain individuals who have overstayed their welcome" in Britain, in an apparent reference to liquor baron Vijay Mallya, were among the topics that were touched upon during the "drop in", official sources told PTI.

"It sends a signal, like her visit to India did last November when she chose the country as her first outside Europe. The message on Brexit was that it is not a mandate for protectionism and that the UK looks forward to being an open trading nation outside the European Union (EU)," the sources said.

Mallya, the chief of the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines, hadmoved to Britain in March last year after banks sued him to recover around USD 1.4 billion owed by the airline.

Earlier this month, the Indian government formally requested Britain to extradite him to India to stand trial for alleged loan default and money laundering.

During his talks with Hammond, Jaitley discussed a range of issues centred around the forthcoming India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue and the India-UK sub-fund under the National Infrastructure Fund.

Earlier in the day, the Minister held meetings with UK-based investors organised by JP Morgan.

Following a final meeting with UK-based investors organised by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), he will be heading back to India at the end of his five-day tour of the UK.

Jaitley yesterday said that India takes the issue of defaulters very seriously.

"As far as the government of India is concerned, we take this issue of defaults against the financial system in India very seriously and we have already sent a strong signal that if [you] dupe the exchequer or dupe the banking system, the government of India will lend its full support to all financial institutions to recover up to their last pie," Jaitley had told reporters at a media briefing.

"It is obvious that because of this strong position the government has taken, that some defaulters are on the run. Being on the run, they find refuge in certain other jurisdictions, exploiting the systems in other parts of the world," the Minister had said.

He said Indian investigating agencies are utilising every provision of the law available to them to recover amounts and attach assets in India to "get these people back and held responsible as per law".

Jaitley represented the Indian Government at a gala launch of the UK-India Year of Culture hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London last night.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Gary From Chicago Was Released From Prison Just Days Before Oscars After Serving 20 Years

By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 28, 2017 3:49PM

For a guy who seemed almost obsessively insistent on documenting his surroundings, there was precious little information at the ready about Gary Alan Coe, a.k.a. "Gary from Chicago" a.k.a. savior of awards ceremonies and questionable stunt comedy. It turns out his story is even more remarkable than we could have imagined.

According to an interview with ABC7, Garywho led a gaggle of unwitting tourists from a sightseeing bus along the celebrity-stuffed front row at Dolby Theater on Sunday night's Academy Awardswas released from California prison after doing two decades for multiple felonies just three days prior to the Oscars telecast.

It was during his time in prison, in fact, that Gary met Vicki Vines, his fiancee.

Coe said in the interview with ABC, "Change is possible. It's a sad day to be in prison for 20 years and not be able to be a dad, granddad to your children. You know what my son told me today, man, and I almost come to tears. He said he's proud of me. So to hear your children say that they're proud of me means the world to me."

It's not clear what the crimes were that led to Coe's two decades in jail. The public defender who represented Coe implied that his extended time service may have been related to

California's strict sentencing guidelines, the Tribune reports.

The Trib wrote:



"His attorney, public defender Karen Nash, posted on Facebook that he had received a life sentence in 1997 for stealing perfume. In California, offenders convicted of multiple crimes can face harsher sentencing."

Nash called him a "very special human being," and Coe's daughter, Jacqui Williams, said, "He's a really sweet, genuine, loving-type of dad," according to the paper.

But in answer to perhaps the most pressing question, yes, Gary from Chicago is from Chicago, not the 'burbs. He was raised in South Shore, according to ABC. "I'm a Chicago boy! What do you mean? That's the Windy City! That's my town!" Coe said.

Before the Oscars' closing flub heard 'round the world, Gary stole the show on Sunday, as he hilariously copped to Kimmel's claim that Gary was ignoring the white celebrities, rubbed Mahershala Ali's Oscar in wide-eyed amazement, and stood by as Denzel Washington officiated an impromptu "wedding" for he and Vicki.

"I've been watching Denzel since he was on St. Elsewhere. Oh my god. I could die and go to heaven right now," Vines told ABC.

They're getting hitched for real in July.
Narendra Modi is expected to visit Israel by the middle of this year, a first by any Indian Prime Minister to the Jewish nation.

Amar Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations), said the Prime Minister's visit is on cards but declined to divulge details.

Sources in the Ministry of External Affairs indicated the visit could take place somewhere around June.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also likely to visit India this year.

The two nations are celebrating 25 years of diplomatic ties this year.

Speaking at an art exhibition-- 'Hodu and the Jews'-- here, Sinha said although both the countries have cooperation in the defence and the security sectors, "conscious" efforts are being made to make it a "multi-dimensional relationship", and not merely "unifocal".

Daniel Carmon, Israel's envoy to India, said PM Modi's visit is likely to be in the "summer", but he too did not go into details.

Carmon also said the two sides are working on "every possible area of cooperation". He, however, refused to comment on cooperation in the field of defence.

When Modi visits the Jewish nation, both the countries are expected to hold talks in areas ranging from agriculture to defence to cyber security and innovations.

Sinha underlined the cooperation between the two countries in the areas of cyber-security and drinking water.

He also cited the visit of President Pranab Mukherjee to Israel in October, 2015, followed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's visit to the Jewish nation early last year.

Last November, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin also visited India.

"We are trying to establish a programme under our Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) project. We already have a programme where Indian professor go and teach in Israel. So, we are exploring new areas," Sinha said.

Sinha said the two countries have planned a series of events to celebrate the silver jubilee of the diplomatic relationship this year.

It has been decided "at the highest level", to create joint coordination committee to plan out the activities.

This includes visits by business delegations, academic fora. Sinha said Israel sits in an area of great concern and interest to India.

New Delhi formally recognised Israel on September 17, 1950. Embassies were opened in 1992 when full diplomatic relations were established.

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The National Green Tribunal today directed officials from the pollution control boards and agencies of the Centre and Uttar Pradesh to be present in the court tomorrow to respond to its queries on sewage discharged from Kanpur drains into the Ganges.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the officers from Ministries of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and Water Resources (MoWR), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), UP pollution control board (UPPCB) and UP Jal Nigam to meet in his court over the release of waste into the river.

"We direct MoEF, MoWR, CPCB, state pollution control board, municipal body concerned to meet in court no. 1 of NGT. All the officers and their counsel have to participate in the meeting and answer our queries," the bench said.

The green panel directed them to inform it about the total discharge of sewage and other from Kanpur in the drains which join river Ganga and also provide the status of sewage treatment plants as proposed by National Ganga River Basin Authority and other schemes.

The tribunal asked all the parties to be ready with the answers and posted the matter for hearing on March 1.

Yesterday, the green tribunal was told by an experts'



panel that the functional sewage treatment plants in the Garhmukteshwar area of UP do not operate as the domestic sewage network is not connected to the main sewerage system.

A three-member committee set up by the NGT had also informed that the Garhmukteshwar stretch of the Ganga should receive special attention as it was the habitat of the critically-endangered Gangetic Dolphin, an indicator species for the river's ecosystem.

The panel had told the NGT that state government needs to put in place an effective system to ensure the integration of the household sewage with the main sewerage system.

"Unless this is done, we will be in a situation where a sewerage system is in place, the STP has been made operational and yet not a drop of sewage is treated simply because there is lack of connectivity between the different components," it had said, adding there was a need for immediate and time bound action to ensure effecive cleaning of the river.

The committee comprising a Director from Ministry of Water Resources, a scientist from the CPCB and advocate and local commisioner Ritwick Dutta, which was set upto inspect status of sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Garhmukteshwar, had also sought direction to the concerned agencies to present action plan and progress of implementation of programme for the protection of Gangetic Dolphin.

The panel had also told the NGT that the STP at Brijghat drain in Garhmukteshwar has been made operational, but it was not functional as no untreated sewage was being supplied to the STP and as a result the entire facility is lying idle.

Earlier, the bench had ordered a CBI probe into the execution of the Ganga cleaning project after it noted that Rs 31.82 crore was spent on two STPs and a 58-km long sewerage line project without due analysis and verification of the actual pollution load in the Garh drain and Brijghat drain.

NGT had slammed the state's Jal Nigam for building the STPs on the drains joining Ganga without any survey and said it had wasted Rs 1500 crore since 1987 and still not cleaned "even a single drop" of the river.
A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team arrived here today to conduct joint interrogation of the two suspected ISIS operatives arrested by Gujarat Anti Terrorism Squad, officials said.

Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) brought the arrested duo - Waseem Ramodiya and his younger brother Naeem - to Ahmedabad this evening.

"A team of NIA officials, who have arrived here today, will join ATS for the interrogation of two ISIS suspects," Assistant Commissioner of Police, ATS, B H Chavda said.

The suspected ISIS operatives were arrested by the Gujarat ATS on Sunday morning. Waseem was arrested from Rajkot, while his brother was nabbed from Bhavnagar.

A court in Rajkot yesterday remanded them into the custody of ATS for twelve days.

As per the FIR filed against them, the duo were kept under surveillance of security agencies for over a year for their suspected activities and communications with an alleged ISIS handler.

The FIR said the two brothers were about to carry out lone-wolf attacks in Gujarat, after which, they had planned to escape to Syria.

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Kerala Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac on Tuesday informed the state Assembly that there were no fundamental disputes in the goods and service tax (GST) Council.

Speaking during the Question Hour, Isaac told the House: There were no fundamental disputes in the . The next meeting of the council, to be held in Srinagar, would take a decision to fit different goods and services into the four approved slabs of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent tax rates under GST.

Isaac added that the decision on tax rate of gold was yet to be taken.

It was also estimated that an amount of Rs 55,000 crore was necessary to pay compensation to states for revenue loss in the aftermath of introduction of GST, Isaac said.

Issac also said that government would take stern action against tax evasion.
Assam Rifles in its continuous operation against underground outfits have apprehended an NSCN(IM) cadre from Niausa village in Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Akha Wangsu, the self-styled lance corporal of the outfit was arrested from Longding village during an operation yesterday evening, Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer said in a communique here today.

A pistol along with live ammunition and opium were recovered from his possession.

The ultra was trying to terrorize the people through extortion demands in Longding town, the communique said.

On interrogation, the cadre admitted his allegiance to NSCN(IM) and said that he has been active part of the banned outfit since August 2015, it added.

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In a rare judgement, a court in Pakistan has acquitted a man sentenced to death four years ago for allegedly committing blasphemy.

Muhammad Ishaq, caretaker of a shrine in eastern province of Punjab, was arrested and sentenced to death in 2013 after a complainant accused that he claimed himself to be a God.

A court in Rawalpindi last week absolved him of charges and ordered he be set free, Ishaq's lawyer Mehmood Akhtar said.

"It was proved in the court that the charges were false. We are completing paperwork to get him out of jail," Akhtar said.

The draconian blasphemy laws were introduced in Pakistan by former military ruler Ziaul Haq in the 80s and anyone charged under the laws become an easy target for extremists.

The laws have been misused by miscreants and efforts to reform them have failed due to opposition by religious groups.

Former Punjab governor Salman Taseer was killed by a police guard in 2011 when he termed the laws "black laws" and demanded reforms.

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Pakistan's political parties today agreed in principle to revive the controversial military courts for another two years for speedy trial of terrorists, after a fresh wave of suicide attacks killed over 125 people recently.

The military courts were set up in January 2015 for a two year term after a constitutional amendment following a terror attack on an army-run school in Peshawar in December 2014 that killed over 150 people, mostly students.

Since their expiry last month, government has been trying to bring the political parties around the idea of another tenure for military courts.

The parliamentary leaders of major political parties met in Islamabad and agreed to amend the constitution to extend the military courts for a period of two years.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi informed media about the decision.

However, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has some reservations and has called an All-Party Conference on March 4 to evolve general consensus.

But the government is hopeful that PPP would be ready to support the idea by March 6 when government would convene the parliament session to present an amendment in constitution to set up speedy trial courts.

The government can also set up the court even without the support of PPP as it enjoys the backing of PTI of Imran Khan on the issue, but is trying for major consensus.

"The parties have agreed that the conditions [in the country] are still unusual. Circumstances threatening Pakistan's integrity are still prevalent. We have all agreed on this and there is a need for the extension," Qureshi told media.

The military courts work in secrecy due to fear of backlash by militants. Rights group have slammed the military courts.

The courts were given 275 cases during two-year and they sentenced 161 terrorists to death, whereas another 116 were given varying jail terms, mostly life sentences.

According to latest Amnesty International data on executions around the world, Pakistan is on the five death penalty purveyors in the world, behind only China and Iran.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The fourth round of peace talks between Mizoram government and the Hmar People's Convention (Democratic) militants will be held in March, a senior state Home department official said today.

The fourth round of talks earlier scheduled to be held during mid-February was postponed as the Home department had to approach Law and Finance departments, Additional Secretary in the Home department, Lalbiakzama said.

He said that we have been pushing for clearances from the state Law department and the Finance department.

"The framework agreement being drafted in the talks would need the nod of the state Law and Judicial department while proposed expenses for rehabilitation package of the HPC (D) cadres once they come overground would also need approval of the Finance department," Lalbiakzama said.

The current talks between the state government and the Manipur-based Hmar outfit began on August 10 last year and had progressed steadily.

The HPC (D), which had been demanding a separate autonomous district council for the Hmar community comprising north eastern part of the state adjoining Manipur recently abandoned its demand and agreed to hold talks on giving more power and autonomy to the Sinlung Hills Development Council, which was formed after the erstwhile underground HPC signed agreement with the state government in 1994.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Fake notes being dispensed by ATMs is "very unlikely" and the police is investigating reports of such instances, Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das said today.

"There have been some reports that some ATMs have dispensed fake currencies. It is under police investigation. It is very unlikely that this would have happened. But if somebody is saying that it (fake notes) has come out of ATM machines, it is a very serious matter," he said.

Banks have also initiated probes, he said, adding that action would be taken against the guilty.

There have been reports of fake notes being dispensed by ATMs of various banks, including SBI and ICICI Bank.

Recently, a person reportedly received Rs 2,000 notes bearing the term 'Children Bank of India' from an ATM of ICICI Bank in Rohtak (Haryana).

Some notes were printed with 'Ek Kadam Swachhta ki Aur' and 'Bharatiya Manoranjan Bank'.

On February 25, an SBI ATM in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, purportedly dispensed a scanned copy of a Rs 2,000 note.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the scrapping of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8, 2016, with an aim to weed out black money, counterfeit currency and terror funding.

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President Pranab Mukherjee will be on a two-day visit to Kerala and Tamil Nadu from March 2, during which he will inaugurate the centenary celebrations of Women's Indian Association at Theosophical Society in Chennai.

The President will inaugurate a seminar on 'Importance of Sustainable Culture Building', on March 2, being organised as part of the third edition of the 'Muziris Biennale' in Kochi.

"On the same day, he will also deliver the Sixth K S Rajamony Memorial Lecture at Kochi," a Rashtrapati Bhavan press release said today.

On March 3, the President will present Standard to 125(H) Squadron and Colours to Military Training Instructors of Indian Air Force at Tambaram, Tamil Nadu. On the same day, he will also inaugurate the centenary celebrations of Women's Indian Association at Theosophical Society, Adyar, Chennai, it said.

The Kochi Muziris Biennale is an international festival of contemporary art organised by the Kochi Muziris Foundation in association with the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.

Its three editions, since 2012, have resulted in Kochi occupying a prominent position on the global art calendar. The biennale has till date exhibited over 300 artworks by over 250 artists from all over the world and hosted more than a million visitors.

This edition showcases 97 artists from 31 countries such as the UK, the US, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. It has received around four lakh visitors till date.

The memorial lecture in Kochi is being organised in memory of late K S Rajamony, prominent lawyer and former Member of the Kerala Public Men's Inquiry Commission (with the rank of a High Court Judge) from 1992 to 1997.

Initiated in 2002, the K S Rajamony Memorial Lectures have been delivered in the past by eminent persons like Justice V R Krishna Iyer, Justice K T Thomas, Justice K P Balasubramanian, Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan and Minister of Law and Justice Salman Khurshid.

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Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (L) stands next to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak during a welcoming ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, February 26, 2017. [Xinhua]

The octogenarian Saudi monarch King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud has just been in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur on the first leg of a month-long tour of seven countries, mostly in Asia.

This is a rare event by the any standards as the royal patriarchs of oil-rich Middle East kingdoms don't often venture abroad on such extended foreign visits with the main purpose of seeking cooperation and betterment of bilateral ties.

The official Saudi Press Agency reported that the King would visit "sisterly and friendly" nations - Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei Dar Al-Salam, Japan, China, Maldives and neighboring Jordan - to promote and consolidate relations in all fields.

The monarch, accompanied by a delegation totaling almost 600, will discuss bilateral, regional and international issues of shared interest with his hosts. The visit is a reflection of Saudi Arabia's desire to reorient its ties with different nations in the wake of changing geo-strategic and economic realities.

Saudi Arabia thrived in the past on oil proceeds. The "black gold" pumped out of the earth ensured prosperity and created a dominant regional role. The Saudi royals have also been in the limelight due to their unique role as the "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques" that form the center of the Islam faith.

There is no doubt that successive kings have won respect from the Muslim world for maintaining the dignity and religious sublimity of these two holy sites.

However, the international politico-economic order has been changing ever since the demise of the former Soviet Union. And the dominance exercised by the sole superpower (the U.S.) through international institutions and various allies has also come under challenge.

The rise of China as the second biggest economic power and with a new role as chief proponent of the globalization trend is giving it an opportunity to reshape the global economic environment.

The strategic balance has also shifted due to daredevil measures by Russia under the leadership of Vladimir Putin. The annexation of the Crimea was the high point of the emerging scenario. The crisis in Syria where Saudi Arabia was heavily involved to bring about regime change (in opposition to Russia), has been instrumental in disturbing the previous power-politics equation.

The upsurge in the role of China and Russia now faces a challenge from the electoral victory of Donald Trump. The new U.S. leader is more focused on the domestic front, yet has never minced words about having a second look at America's foreign commitments.

It has become evident that America may not be ready to defend all of its former allies in the hour of need. It is worrying not only for NATO members, but also choice allies like Saudi Arabia, heavily dependent on America for oil revenue and security.

The Iranian factor is also being played out to the detriment of Saudi Arabia. In fact, the whole edifice of stability in the Middle East is in flux due to rise of Iran and changing priorities of the U.S. Hence, it is high time for Saudi Arabia to adjust to the new situation.

Already, the kingdom has been left behind when compared with the UAE and tiny Qatar, now in the global limelight as successful economic stories. Strategically, Iran has gained a foothold in the Arab heartland of Iraq, Yemen and Syria. In terms of security, Saudi Arabia faces the threat of terrorist groups like Da'esh.

The Saudis have already woken up to the reality that their economic well-being, the political system and strategic stability might be at risk if they don't quickly adjust their policies.

And, Saudi Arabia is fighting on several fronts. Its King, and his close aides, should not only focus on foreign policy but also do something to meet the demand of the changing social system and political order.

That the Saudi leadership is actively taking steps to safeguard its economic and political interests is evident from the current royal tour, which should be viewed in a larger context, as he seeks better ties with new power centers like China and countries like Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia to increase trade and commercial links.

The chief purpose should be to seek investment for the kingdom's ambitious re-development program.

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.
A lawyer has filed a criminal complaint seeking lodging of an FIR against those who allegedly raised anti-national slogans at Delhi University's Ramjas College, with a city court deciding to give it a hearing next week.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Satish Kumar Arora, before whom the plea came up, asked the lawyer why he wanted to get into a matter involving students.

He said he was sending the matter to the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Abhilash Malhotra for hearing.

"There are many other pertinent issues to deal with. It is between students. Why are you entering into it? I am marking it to Metropolitan Magistrate Abhilash Malhotra for consideration for March 6," the CMM said.

The plea was filed by advocate Vivek Garg who said he had given a complaint to the SHO of Maurice Nagar Police Station but no action was taken, following which he moved the court.

In his complaint, the lawyer alleged that "massive anti- national slogans/activities were being carried out by leaders/ students of All India Students Association(AISA)/ Students' Federation of India (SFI) in Ramjas College, shamelessly and openly which supported India's enemy i.E. Pakistan.

"The criminal acts of accused were also boosting morale of terrorists against our country."



On February 21, members of RSS student wing ABVP had gathered outside the college and shouted slogans in protest against a seminar for which JNU students Omar Khalid and Shehla Rashid were invited. The ABVP members allegedly pelted stones, vandalised the venue and disrupted the seminar.

The next day violent clashes erupted between Left and ABVP students leaving "several students and three teachers injured".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union minister Kiren Rijiju today said his remark on who was "polluting" the mind of an army martyr's daughter was aimed at "the Leftists" and noted that she was free to express her views.

Rijiju's comment came a day after he questioned whether someone was polluting 20-year-old Gurmehar Kaur's mind that drew flak from opposition parties.

"I stand by my comments. Anybody who tweets on social media platform should be careful. But anyone with a contrary view should be allowed to speak. Gurmehar is a young girl and she should be allowed to speak her mind," he told reporters here.

"When I said somebody is polluting her (Gurmehar's) mind, I meant the Leftists," he said.

Kaur had started a video campaign 'Not Afraid of ABVP'.

The Union minister of state for home said if there was any threat to Kaur, it should be dealt with sternly.

"But someone is playing politics over the issue," he said.

Rijiju also slammed the Leftists for their stand, saying whenever Indian soldiers die, "they always celebrate".

"In 1962 when the Chinese were fighting with us, the Leftists supported the Chinese. Even today when our soldiers die, they celebrate. They also go to the universities and try to mislead our youth," he said.

Rijiju described Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as an "anarchist", saying he was siding with some students who were creating turmoil in Delhi University.

The minister asked the Congress to stay away from the universities as they have "no ideology".

Rijiju's comments yesterday had come amidst the ongoing row over the clashes between the Left-affiliated AISA and the RSS-backed ABVP in Ramjas College here.

Kaur, daughter of Captain Mandeep Singh, who was killed by militants in Jammu and Kashmir in 1999, made a video asking India and Pakistan to amicably settle their disputes.

She had held a placard, saying, "Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him."



Kaur had claimed that she was getting "rape threats" from unknown persons after she spoke against the ABVP.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The White House has said that the early reports coming from Kansas, where an Indian engineer was shot dead and another injured in an apparent hate crime, were "disturbing".

The White House also condemned the alleged hate crimes against the Jewish community in the US.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters at his daily conference that "early reports coming from Kansas are equally disturbing".

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani, of the same age, was injured in the shooting by 51-year-old US navy veteran Adam Purinton who screamed racial slurs and told them "get out of my country".

A 24-year-old American named Ian Grillot tried to intervene and received injuries in the firing in Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas.

Spicer, during his briefing, also condemned the alleged hate crimes against the Jewish community and asserted that there is no space for violence based on religion and ethnicity.

"From our country's founding, we've been dedicated to protecting the freedom of our citizens' rights to worship. No one in America should feel afraid to follow the religion of their choosing freely and openly. The President has dedicated to preserving this originating principle of our nation," Spicer said.

"And while we're at it, I don't want to get ahead of law enforcement, but I was asked the other day about the story in Kansas, the shooting in Kansas. While the story is evolving, early reports out of Kansas are equally disturbing," the White House Press Secretary said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has joined local law enforcement agencies in investigating the incident that has shocked the entire Indian-American community and several hundreds of Indians either working or studying in the United States.

Spicer said Trump continues to be deeply disappointed and concerned by the reports of further vandalism at Jewish cemeteries.

"The cowardly destruction in Philadelphia this weekend comes on top of similar accounts from Missouri and threats made to Jewish community centers around the country.

"The president continues to condemn these and any other form of anti-semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms," he said.

His remarks came after vandals broke and overturned more than 500 gravestones at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, the latest in a spate of recent bomb threats and attacks against sites for Jews across the United States.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India's revised tax treaty with Singapore, aimed at checking round-tripping of funds, has come into force.

While most clauses of the amended treaty signed on December 30 took effect from February 27, the principal clause allowing levy of capital gains tax on investments routed through Singapore will come into force from April 1.

"The Third Protocol amending the existing Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between Singapore and the Republic of India entered into force on February 27, 2017," a statement issued by Ministry of Finance of Singapore said.

It further stated that "the 3rd protocol signed on December 30, 2016 entered into force on February 27, 2017 and its provisions shall take effect from February 27, 2017 except for Articles 2, 3 and 4 which shall take effect from 1 April 2017."



India had in May last year signed a revised tax treaty with Mauritius, triggering a change in the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with Singapore.

Mauritius and Singapore are among the top sources of foreign direct investments into India and also account for a big chunk of total inflows into the country's capital markets.

Under the amended treaty with Singapore, for two years beginning April 1, 2017, capital gains tax will be imposed at 50 per cent of the prevailing domestic rate. Full rate will apply from April 1, 2019.

The revised treaty provides that gain made from sale of shares that were acquired before April 1, 2017 will be taxable only in the country where the seller is a resident.

But on shares acquired on or after April 1, 2017, capital gains tax will be levied in the country where the gains are made.

"Gains from the alienation of shares acquired on or after April 1, 2017 in a company which is a resident of a Contracting State may be taxed in that State," it states.

But the rate of tax will be not more than 50 per cent of the prevalent capital gains tax in first two years - ie from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2019.

Gains from the alienation of any property other than shares and profits made shall be taxable only in the country of which the alienator is a resident.

Of the total FDI inflows of USD 29.4 billion in April- December 2015-16, Mauritius and Singapore accounted for USD 17 billion.

Short term capital gain tax is levied at 15 per cent in India, while long term capital gain tax is zero.

As per the revised treaty, investments made prior to April 1, 2017, will be protected from new tax provisions.

While Mauritius was the single biggest source of foreign direct investment into India in 2014-15, accounting for about 24 per cent of USD 24.7 billion FDI, Singapore accounted for 21 per cent.

The taxation treaties with these nations is said to have been misused by many Indian and multinational companies to avoid paying tax or to route illicit funds.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An effigy of US President Donald Trump was today burnt by RLD activists in Marna town here to protest the killing of an Indian Engineer in Kansas, police said.

Rashtriya Lok Dal vice-president Sumit Sehrawat and party activists protested the killing of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and demanded strict action against the attackers.

Kuchibhotla (32) and his friend Alok were attacked at a Kansas bar by a Navy veteran screaming racial slurs, telling them to "get out of my country" and "terrorist" before he opened fire at them.

He had reportedly mistaken them for immigrants from the Middle East.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Senior Russian and British military officials held rare talks in Moscow today aimed at avoiding clashes and lowering tensions that have spiked to their highest levels since the Cold War.

Russia's deputy chief of staff Alexander Zhuravlyov and his British counterpart, vice chief of staff Gordon Messenger, "discussed the state and prospects for re-establishing military cooperation", the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.

Ties between Russia and Britain have frayed in the wake of Moscow's seizure of Crimea from Ukraine and its military intervention in Syria.

The statement said the talks focused on "possible steps to lower tensions, develop mutual trust and prevent incidents during military activities".

Britain's Ministry of Defence called the meeting "an important opportunity in terms of managing risk and avoiding miscalculation."



"They discussed military issues including opportunities to reduce risks in the conduct of our respective defence activity," it said in a statement.

Russia is carrying out a bombing campaign in Syria to support the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, while Britain is part of a US-led coalition targeting the Islamic State group.

Moscow and the coalition have a "deconfliction" system in place to avoid mid-air collisions or clashes over Syria, but they do not coordinate their strikes.

Britain has been one of the strongest opponents of Russian aggression in Ukraine and has sent troops to eastern Europe to bolster NATO's presence in the region.

Officials in London have also been on edge as British jets have repeatedly been scrambled in response to a reported increase in Russian manoeuvres near Britain.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
France slammed Russia today for vetoing a Western-backed UN resolution that would have imposed sanctions on Syria over chemical weapons use, while Britain also expressed its dismay.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Russia bore a "heavy responsibility towards the Syrian people and humanity as a whole".

The resolution was "essential for peace and international security", he added.

France and Britain had drafted the Security Council resolution alongside the United States. Russia, a permanent member of the council, vetoed it along with China.

This was the seventh time that Russia, Syria's top military ally, has used its veto power to shield the Damascus regime.

"In Syria, the use of chemical weapons by the regime and by Daesh (the Islamic State group), including against civilian populations, is intolerable," Ayrault said.

"It is crucial that we do not let the crimes of those who choose to use such weapons go unpunished. This is why France took the initiative, with its partners, on this resolution," he said, expressing "deep regret" that the Security Council could not show unity on the issue.

"France will not resign itself to the abuses that continue to plague the Syrian people," Ayrault said.

"It will pursue these efforts with its partners to fight against impunity and the resort to chemical weapons."



France's criticism was echoed by Britain, with Foreign Minister Boris Johnson saying the veto by Russia and China was "deeply disappointing".

"The Security Council's own investigation has found attacks were committed by the Syrian regime and Daesh on the Syrian people. Despite support from the majority of the Security Council, Russia, along with China, has chosen to prevent action," Johnson said in a statement.

"Along with our international partners, the UK will continue to seek justice for the victims of these heinous chemical weapons attacks and work to deter the further use of chemical weapons in Syria and elsewhere," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Russia called today for terrorism to be included on the agenda of UN-sponsored peace talks on Syria in Geneva, which have been overshadowed by violence on the ground.

Moscow, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, wants the issue added to an agenda which for the moment focuses on three "baskets" or areas: governance, constitution and elections.

"Definitely yes," deputy foreign minister Gennady Gatilov told reporters when asked if terrorism should be included.

"Terrorism is a priority. The fight against terrorism is a priority and it should be on the agenda, along with other issues that were suggested that are contained in (UN Security Council) resolution 2254," which set the terms of reference for the UN talks, he said.

The Syrian regime's delegation chief, Bashar al-Jaafari, demanded at the weekend that all opposition factions present in Geneva condemn a suicide assault that killed dozens Saturday near Syria's third city of Homs.

The Russian minister, speaking after meeting al-Jaafari, said Damascus wants terrorism on the agenda of the sputtering peace talks, the first in 10 months and the fourth round under UN auspices.

Al-Jaafari "said that terrorism should not be ignored and should be also on the agenda," said Gatilov, who is due to meet the main opposition delegation in Geneva tomorrow.

UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura launched the latest round of talks last Thursday, but as in previous sessions there appears little prospect of the two sides meeting face-to-face.

Gatilov was cautious in his assessment of hopes for the latest Geneva talks.

"Let's hope that in this round we will be able to move forward on the path towards a solution to the crisis in Syria," he told reporters.

Asked about his planned meeting with the opposition on Wednesday, he added: "I don't know what they are going to insist on, that is why we are going to meet them to know their position".

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Shiv Sena spokesperson and MLC Neelam Gorhe today said she received threat calls from an unidentified person and has filed a police complaint in this regard.

"I received a call around midnight of February 21 from an unknown number. The caller started abusing me, using filthy language and threatened to shoot me. I messaged the number to the Commissioner of Police, Rasmhi Shukla, and sought help," said Gorhe.

Gorhe said she also apprised Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) of Mumbai, of the threat call.

"Last night, I received another call on my other number. The caller abused me in a dirty language and threatened to kill me," Gorhe said.

"I then approached the Pune CP and registered a complaint and forwarded the copy of the same to Deven Bharti," she said.

Gorhe said she has apprised Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray about the telephonic threats.

"Uddhavji told me the party is behind me and assured me of all support," Gorhe said.

Shukla told PTI that the police with the help of technical experts, are investigating the case, adding adequate police security has been provided to Gorhe.

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Shriram Life Insurance Company (SLIC), a part of Shriram Group, today launched a new plan mainly aimed at for young parents.

Genius Assured Benefit Plan is a non-linked, non- participating, specialist insurance plan that provides assured payouts for financing a child's education and securing his/her future, the company said.

"We found that a large part of household's savings and expenditure goes towards education and career planning of children. We identified this critical need and worked on this product that would help parents in planning the future of their child and also provide financial assistance at different career milestones of the child's life," SLIC Managing Director Manoj Jain said in a release here.

----------------------------------------------------- DIFC inks MoU with GIFT



Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading financial hub in the USD 7.4 trillion Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, today said it has signed an agreement with Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT).

Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), both the centres will share best practices of mutual interest, exchange information on banking, financial service and securities, legislation and regulation, cooperation in the area of training, assistance in organising seminars and conferences on selected issues. They will also exchange information on trends in relevant global financial services activities and products, within the FinTech field.

DIFC Chief Executive Officer Arif Amiri said, "India represents the UAE's third largest trading partner as well as one of the world's fastest growing economies, and natural synergies between the two centres exist which will certainly benefit our respective clients.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Editor's Note: Although Yunnan province is less developed economically, when compared with Chinas eastern provinces, its tourism resources are so rich that one should not explore China without visiting Yunnan. From the world-renowned Lijiang, to numerous small ancient towns; From the amazing Karst formations to the newly listed World Heritage Site Hani Terrace, Yunnan can be a complete eye-opener for even the most discerning travelers. Here are eight Yunnan destinations not to be missed.

1 The Old Town of Lijiang

The Old Town of Lijiang, located in the Lijiang Autonomous County of the Naxi Ethnic Minority, Southwest Chinas Yunnan province, is one of the last surviving ancient towns in China.

Lying in a broad, fertile valley in the northwest of Yunnan Province, the Old Town of Lijiang has been a commercial, political and cultural center of the Naxi people and other ethnic minorities for over eight centuries.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, Lijiang's Naxi people still preserve much of their native Dongba culture and deep spiritual connection to nature.[Photo/China.org.cn]
Electronics major Sony India today said it may set up a manufacturing facility in North East as it looks for more than 20 per cent sales growth in the country in 2017-18.

The wholly-owned subsidiary of Japanese major Sony is also looking to enter the 'super-premium' mobile handset category by launching products in the range of Rs 50,000-Rs 1,00,000 before Deepavali this year.

"At present, talks are going on with different states. We do not deny the possibility of setting up of a plant in North East," Sony India Managing Director Kenichiro Hibi told PTI here.

Without sharing details, he said many states have approached the company for setting up the proposed plant.

Asked by when the decision to set up the plant is likely to be made, Hibi said: "Talks are going on. This will be in future."



Sony India currently produces TV sets and recording devices in India through contract manufacturing in Tamil Nadu.

Hibi said the new manufacturing facility may be owned by the company, but the final decision has not been made yet.

He said the company is expecting robust business from the Indian market, especially the growing North Eastern region, on the backdrop of uncertain business scenario in Europe and the US.

"Sony India business continue to grow. We expect to close the current financial year with 20 per cent growth. We are confident that in 2017-18, we will have more than 20 per cent growth.

"At present, global market is little shaky, but India is most comfortable. The African market is also growing," Hibi said.

Talking about the impact of demonetisation, he said sales were down in November and December last year, but have picked up again from January.

Talking about its mobile handset business, which is not performing well, the Managing Director said Sony India has changed its focus from mass segment to premium category from later part of 2015.

"Our mobile phone category was doing well till 2014. But after that many Indian and Chinese brands entered the market and started offering products at below Rs 10,000, our sales went down.

"In 2015, we decided to focus only on the premium category and not chase volume. So, now our product line up starts from above Rs 15,000 level although it constitutes only five per cent of the market," Hibi said.

Hibi said that Sony has launched its super premium series at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona yesterday. Those sets will be reaching India before Deepavali and priced between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1,00,000.

On investments, Hibi said that the company has put in Rs 550 crore in promotional and marketing activities during 2016-17 financial year across the country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The soul of the martyred father of Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur must be crying as she is being misled by people who celebrate when soldiers die in action, Union minister Kiren Rijiju today said.

Rijiju's comment may further stoke the controversy over Kaur's allegation of threats of rape and assault following her social media protest against the violence involving members of the RSS-backed ABVP at Delhi University's Ramjas College last week.

"She is the daughter of a martyr. But his soul must be crying as she is being misled by people who celebrate when our soldiers die," he told reporters here.

Rijiju said the 20-year-old girl has "full liberty to speak her mind" and she will be given total protection as her security is government's responsibility.

The Union Minister of State for Home said his remark on who was "polluting" the mind of an army martyr's daughter was aimed at "the Leftists".

Rijiju's comment came a day after he questioned whether someone was polluting Kaur's mind. His remark drew flak from opposition parties.

"I stand by my comments. Anybody who tweets on social media platform should be careful. But anyone with a contrary view should be allowed to speak. Gurmehar is a young girl and she should be allowed to speak her mind," he said.

"When I said somebody is polluting her (Gurmehar's) mind, I meant the Leftists," he said.

Kaur had started a video campaign 'Not Afraid of ABVP'.

The Minister said if there was any threat to Kaur, it should be dealt with sternly.

"But someone is playing politics over the issue," he said.

Rijiju also slammed the Leftists for their stand, saying whenever Indian soldiers die, "they always celebrate".

"In 1962 when the Chinese were fighting with us, the Leftists supported the Chinese. Even today when our soldiers die, they celebrate. They also go to the universities and try to mislead our youth," he said.

Rijiju described Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as an "anarchist" who was siding with some students who were creating turmoil at the Delhi University.

The minister asked the Congress to stay away from universities as they have "no ideology".

He said everyone has the freedom to speak, they can speak against the Prime Minister, they can stage protests, but no one has the right to speak against the nation.

Rijiju's comments yesterday had come amidst the ongoing row over the clashes between the Left-affiliated AISA and the RSS-backed ABVP at Ramjas College.

Kaur, daughter of Captain Mandeep Singh, who was killed by militants in Jammu and Kashmir in 1999, had made a video asking India and Pakistan to amicably settle their disputes.

She had held a placard, saying, "Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him."



Kaur claimed she was getting "rape threats" from unknown persons after she spoke against the ABVP.

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Scientists have for the first time found evidence of a Tatooine-like rocky planetary system - Luke Skywalker's home world in the Star Wars series - about 1,000 light-years away.

The system called SDSS 1557 consists of the remains of shattered asteroids orbiting a double sun consisting of a white dwarf and a brown dwarf, researchers said.

The discovery led by researchers at University College London (UCL) in the UK is remarkable because the debris appears to be rocky and suggests that terrestrial planets like Tatooine might exist in the system.

To date, all exoplanets discovered in orbit around double stars are gas giants, similar to Jupiter, and are thought to form in the icy regions of their systems.

In contrast to the carbon-rich icy material found in other double star systems, the planetary material identified in the SDSS 1557 system has a high metal content, including silicon and magnesium.

These elements were identified as the debris flowed from its orbit onto the surface of the star, polluting it temporarily with at least 1.1 trillion tonnes of matter, equating it to an asteroid at least four kilometres in size.

"Building rocky planets around two suns is a challenge because the gravity of both stars can push and pull tremendously, preventing bits of rock and dust from sticking together and growing into full-fledged planets," lead author Jay Farihi from UCL said.

"With the discovery of asteroid debris in the SDSS 1557 system, we see clear signatures of rocky planet assembly via large asteroids that formed, helping us understand how rocky exoplanets are made in double star systems," said Farihi.

The discovery came as a complete surprise as the team assumed the dusty white dwarf was a single star but Steven Parsons from University of Sheffield in the UK, an expert in double star (or binary) systems noticed the tell-tale signs.

"We know of thousands of binaries similar to SDSS 1557 but this is the first time we have seen asteroid debris and pollution.

"The brown dwarf was effectively hidden by the dust until we looked with the right instrument, but when we observed SDSS 1557 in detail we recognised the brown dwarf's subtle gravitational pull on the white dwarf," said Parsons.

The team studied the binary system and the chemical composition of the debris by measuring the absorption of different wavelengths of light or 'spectra', using the Gemini Observatory South telescope and the European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope, both located in Chile.

"Any metals we see in the white dwarf will disappear within a few weeks, and sink down into the interior, unless the debris is continuously flowing onto the star. We will be looking at SDSS 1557 next with Hubble, to conclusively show the dust is made of rock rather than ice," said Professor Boris Gansicke from University of Warwick in the UK.

The study was published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

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Recent advancements in stem cells research have given hope for successfully treating diabetic (DHD), renowned New Zealand-based researcher in cardiovascular diseases Dr Rajesh Katare said on Tuesday.

DHD affected the muscular tissues of the heart leading to complications and it had been demonstrated that resident stem cells of myocardium can be stimulated to repair and replace e degenerated cardiac myocytes resulting in a novel therapeutic effect and ultimately cardiac regeneration, he said.

Katare, Director of Cardiovascular Research Division in the University of Otago, New Zealand, was delivering the keynote address at the continuing medical education programme on "Role of Micro-RNAs and stem cells in cardiac regeneration in diabetic heart disease" at the Karaikal campus of premier institute JIPMER.

Presenting clinical evidences, Katare said stem cell therapy certainly presented a new hope for successfully treating DHD.

Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education (JIPMER) Director Dr Subash Chandra Parija pointed out that it was the first such programme on the role of stem cells in cardiac regeneration in the whole of the country.

He said as diabetes was highly prevalent in the country, providing treatment for DHD had become a big challenge. Patients suffering from the condition have to undergo lifelong treatment and medications. "In this backdrop, advancements in stem cell therapy assume significance," he said.

(REOPENS MES10)



Parija also said the government general hospital in



Karaikal being currently used by JIPMER for clinical teaching of students would have upgraded facilities.

He said a new building for the college would be constructed at a cost of Rs 497.10 crore soon.

The proposed up-gradation of the GH having 506 beds would help in imparting advanced clinical teaching and effective exposure of the medicos to various nuances of the diagnosis.

The Director also said JIPMER (Karaikal) had drawn up special post-graduate and fellowship programmes including on family medicine, tropical medicine, trauma care and cancer management.
Market moved to the back foot for the second straight session on Tuesday, as the Sensex slipped another 70 points to 28,743, with all eyes turning to the release of gross domestic product (GDP) estimate by the government.

Investors looked forward to the December quarter GDP data to find out if demand took a knock from Prime Minister Narendra Modis surprise decision to recall high-value currency notes in November last year.

The 30-share index, which had lost 80.09 points in the previous session, fell further by 69.56 points, or 0.24 per cent, to 28,743.32.

The broader NSE Nifty eased by 17.10 points, or 0.19 per cent, to close at 8,879.60. It moved between 8,914.75 and 8,867.60 intra-day.

GDP data release as well as US Fed speeches kept traders on the back foot. Markets were also waiting with interest for Donald Trumps address of joint session of the Congress, which might throw light on plans on tax reform and infrastructure spending, said Anand James, Chief Market Strategist, Geojit Financial Services.
Russia today said it is ready to share with other countries, including India, its expertise in dealing with the menace of radicalisation.

"Our government policy shows that we can tackle the issue of radicalisation and (we are) also ready to share with other countries, and our partners, like India, the experiences of tackling this problem, especially for stopping radicalisation of the youth," Anatoly Kargapolov, Charge D'affaires of the Russian Embassy in New Delhi, said.

The senior Russian diplomat was responding to a question from the media, at an event here, on Russia's approach in dealing with "Islamic radicalisation" in countries like Syria.

"Our secret formula is pragmatism and to be fair towards others in the region...In Syria, or any other place, Russia intends to defeat IS and bring peace in the Middle-East," he said.

Kargapolov was taking questions at the launch of the book-- Russian Civilisation and Islam -- authored by professor Arun Mohanty, at the embassy here.

The book was launched as part of celebrations to mark the 70th year of diplomatic relations between India and Russia.

Mohanty, a professor at the JNU's Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, said, "Islam in Russia has largely been a secular religion and there has never been any riots on communal grounds as, we have had Hindu-Muslim riots in India."



The JNU professor also claimed that Joseph Stalin's "military atheism" from 1928 onwards, was not against only Islam but against all the religions.

"So, mosques and other worship places were felled just like churches were demolished," he said.

Senior Cousellor at the Embassy, Sergey V Karmalito said, Mohanty is now working on a new book, which would detail the "journey of Russian travellers, including envoys, scholars, artistes and others, during Czarist-era of the country".

The book would be released during the 70th year's main celebrations scheduled in April.

"A host of other activities like exhibitions, seminars, conferences are also planned during the celebrations that will take place both in India and Russia," Karmalito said.

Former Ambassador of India to the UN, Asoke Mukerji said, four personalities from India have been testimony to "enduring ties" between the two countries.

"One is (Mahatma) Gandhi and his correspondences with (Leo) Tolstoy, which are fairly known. Then, (Jawaharlal) Nehru, and I am talking about his links with Russia even before 1947; then (Rabindranath) Tagore and his works; and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second Ambassador of India to Russia," he said.

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The Taj Mahal will form the backdrop of a rare screening of a silent film set to live music by sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar as part of a wide range of celebrations to mark the UK-India Year of Culture 2017.

'Shiraz' is a 1920s' film made by Indian pioneer Himanshu Rai as a co-production with the UK and Germany and tells the love story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.

It is currently being restored by the British Film Institute (BFI) for its UK premiere in October followed by the screening at the iconic monument in Agra towards the end of the year.

"Itspans the rural to the majestic, providing much scope to play with that scale. And, theTaj Mahal is such an iconic and romantic venuefor a project like this,"said Shankar at the programme launch for the year-long celebrations in London today.

The year 2017 had been declared the UK-India Year of Culture during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Britain November 2015.

Its official launch took place last night with a gala reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace, which was lit up in peacock colours to mark the occasion.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley, who represented the Indian government at the reception, was all praise for the "heavy calendar" of events lined up for the year.

"We have had an excellent relationship with the UK and this will help strengthen that for the future," he said.

A series of institutions in Britain and India will be collaborating throughout the year to present a host of screenings, travelling exhibitions, literary festivals, music and dance performances, and sporting events.

"Through the year of culture we will celebrate modern India and the long standing relationship between both countries, rooted in our flourishing people-to-people links.

"I hope through this series of cultural events we can connect the next generation of Britons and Indians and inspire people to play their part in shaping UK-India relations over the next 70 years,"said UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson.

(Reopens FGN 26)



India@UK2017, organised by the Indian High Commission, the Indian Ministry of Culture, and Indian festival producer Teamwork Arts, in association with the UK's Globe Theatre, British Library, Young Vic, Birmingham Rep, Barbican Centre, Sadler's Wells, Tramway, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, and the Royal Festival Hall, will present five iconic strands in the UK to showcase the cultural diversity of India through the year.

These will include the Jaipur Literary Festival at British Library in London, a range of Indian events in Edinburgh, an Independence Gala at the Southbank Centre in London, and the UK premiere of the Freedom Symphony by Dr L Subramanium and the London Symphony Orchestra.

In addition, India@UK2017 will be supporting several high profile events being held in the UK during the course of 2017, including the late Pandit Ravi Shankar's first opera 'Sukanya', the London Indian Film festival and Darbar Festival.

Indian High Commissioner to the UK Y K Sinhasaid: "The Year of Culture assumes special significance in light of the 70th Anniversary of India's independence.

"These celebrations indeed offer our two countries a unique opportunity of renewing and revitalising the common threads of our cultural heritage and to enhance our engagement at the people to people level."



Besides the BFI, some of the other UK institutions involved in the celebrations include the British Museum, Science Museum and British Library.

It is backed by the British Council and Arts Council England,whichhas invested more than 2.5 million pounds in collaborations between artists in England and India.

Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England,said: "Our support for UK-India 2017 will help artists and arts organisations across the country develop partnerships in India and attract new audiences in the UK.

"The role that English artists from the South Asian diaspora are playing in many of the projects is a particular cause for celebration.
Hundreds of Tamil people, mostly relatives of those who disappeared during Sri Lanka's civil war, today held protest outside the missions of India, the US, UK and EU here as the UN Human Rights Council session began in Geneva.

The protesters held placards which said 'India please help in demilitarisation (in the north)' and 'India stop betraying Tamils'.

They later also held protest opposite the Secretariat of President Maithripala Sirisena, demanding the release of civilians lands held for military purposes.

At the 34th session of the UNHRC which began yesterday in Geneva, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera is expected to push for a technical rollover giving Sri Lanka more time to implement the resolution it co-sponsored in 2015.

Sri Lanka made commitments towards reconciliation and setting up transitional justice mechanisms.

The government's lack of progress in this regard has faced criticism from activists who raised serious concerns.

They had recommended a number of action points to the government ranging from the repealing of the anti-terrorism act to prevent enforced disappearances and replace it with a legislation in compliance with international human rights standards to criminalising the act of enforced disappearance in the national law.

Sri Lanka is averse to setting up of an international hybrid court with local and foreign judges to investigate alleged war crimes committed by the government troops and the LTTE in the last phase of the military conflict that ended in 2009.

Relatives of the missing people allege that the Lankan state - particularly its army, navy and police - were behind most of the disappearances.

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At least 50,000 letters will be sent by indirect tax officials to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention to ensure successful roll-out of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

A decision in this regard was taken during a meeting of representatives of All India Association of Central Excise Gazetted Executive Officers and those from Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise).

"We have decided that each employee working under Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) will write a letter to the Prime Minister seeking his intervention for the successful GST.

"Though there are about 85,000 indirect tax employees working at various levels across the country, at least 50,000 letters will be sent to the Prime Minister within next two days," said Anup Kumar Srivastava, President of IRS officers association.

He said through letters, the Prime Minister will be requested to revisit some of the decisions taken by the GST Council, headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, in its meeting on January 16.

"There are certain issues concerning economic interests of the nation and concerning such a large work force like ours, who have been working for GST tirelessly for last 10 years and we want that these are resolved immediately to make roll-out of GST successful," he told PTI.

The GST Council had in its meeting agreed to give states the powers to levy tax on economic activity within 12 nautical miles of territorial waters and to administer 90 per cent of the tax payers under Rs 1.5 crore annual turnover.

The indirect tax employees unions are demanding that the GST Council decisions are reviewed. They have also expressed concerns over Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) -- a private company set up to provide information technology infrastructure for the implementation of the new tax regime, saying that it may be put under the CBEC.

In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister's Office



(PMO) earlier, the IRS officers' body had highlighted the serious security and financial concerns raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and the Home Ministry against the GSTN.

As per draft of the letter to be written to the PM, the employees have objected to some of the provisions of the draft GST law.

"GST law has been framed in light of experience of incremental tax reforms of the central government starting from the era of MODVAT (Modified VAT) in 1986. CBEC and its subordinate offices, in tune with the international best practices adopted vide experience in customs administration, gradually underwent from a control based obtrusive framework to trust based non obtrusive administration that worked primarily to facilitate business.

"This emphasis was not only required, rather it was sine qua non (an essential condition) for the ease of doing business so that Indian business can be globally competitive. On other hand, the state administration has yet to evolve such framework," the draft letter to the PM reads.

It is highly desirable for the GST Council to do away with these provisions of draft GST law to truly make the pan-India movement of goods seamless besides helping the transportation industry immensely, it said.

The employees will also be seeking the Prime Minister's help in getting pay and career-related benefits enjoyed by their counterparts.

"It is worth to mention that no scheme has been introduced to remove acute stagnation of our officers despite the decision already taken by the Cabinet to bring some scheme independent of cadre restructuring to remove their stagnation," it said.
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Bengal Chamber today held its first outreach meeting in city for the upcoming World Sustainable Development Summit 2018.

"More outreach meetings will be held in Mumbai, Bangalore beside some few overseas cities. These will help in building agenda for the upcoming summit in February 2018," Teri Director General Ajay Mathur said here today.

The World Sustainable Development Summit, TERI's flagship event, has been conceptualized as a single platform to accelerate action towards sustainable development and especially climate change.

Speaking about the renewables, Mathur said in the next 10 years it is expected that storage battery prices would halve to USD 125-150 for 1 KW/hr which will make renewables at a cost parallel to fossil fuel power.

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A surge in arrivals from China drove a new annual record for visitors to New Zealand in the year ending January, the government statistics agency said Monday.

Visitor numbers were up 11 percent year on year to 3.54 million in the January year, according to Statistics New Zealand.

Visitor arrivals in the month of January were also up 11 percent year on year, hitting a new January record of 381,100.

"The strong increase in visitor arrivals in January 2017 coincided with the Chinese New Year," population statistics senior manager Peter Dolan said in a statement.

"Over 54,000 visitors from China arrived in New Zealand in January 2017."

Chinese visitor numbers in the month of January were up 32.4 percent year on year.

In the January year, Chinese visitor numbers were 13.8 percent up to 422,256, keeping China's rank as New Zealand's second biggest visitor market after Australia.
Implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will bring down the cost of exporters by up to Rs 15,000 per 40 equivalent units (TEU) of container, a senior Central Board for Excise and Customs (CBEC) official said here today.

TFA, which facilitates movement of goods, including release and clearance of goods which are in transit, was ratified by 110 or two-thirds of members of the 164-member WTO on February 22 and came into operation forthwith.

"Implementation of various articles in TFA will bring down the costs of exporters (by) up to Rs 15,000 per 40 TEU of container, increasing the competitiveness of Indian exporters immensely," said Beni Bhattacharya, principal commissioner of customs, CBEC, at a CII conference on TFA.

It would improve ease of doing trade in the county, and result in savings of about Rs 10,000 per 20 TEU and Rs 15,000 per 40 equivalent unit container each, he said.

The agreement simplifies the paperwork and transforms all transactions into electronic format and sets global standards in processes and procedures.

"India will implement these provisions, including the single window and risk management systems (RMS) for which it had sought five years breather from WTO, over the next two years," he said.

WTO estimates put the gross benefits of TFA at 130 per cent ad valorem of tariffs in developed countries, and 200 per cent ad valorem of tariffs levied in developing and underdeveloped countries.

India is more interested in TFA in services sector given the share of services at 60 per cent of the country's GDP.

"This (TFA) will increase voluntary compliance on the part of exporters and importers. TFA will impart predictability of movement of goods, enabling importers and exporters to give commitments to their trade partners in other countries," he said.

India is ranked very low, at 143, in the World Bank study in international trade facilitation in 190 countries.

Seema Jere Bisht, additional director general, risk management division, directorate of revenue and intelligence, CBEC, said that India's ranking was low also because the industry is not giving regular feedback to CBEC or World Bank.

"World Bank study team visits only Mumbai and Delhi for feedback and as such it does not reflect the true state of affairs. If every company sends its feedback then India's ranking will certainly be better," she said.

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Three persons have been arrested in connection with the vandalisation and torching of CPI-M office near here on the eve of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's visit to the city to address a communal harmony rally on February 25.

The arrested persons have been identified as Deekshit (28), D K Rakshit (23) and Benny R (22), all residents of Thokkottu and nearby areas.

Police said search for more culprits involved in the incident which occurred at Thokkottu near Ullal. They said Deekshit and Rakshit were facing several cases. The accused had the intention of destroying banners and buntings kept at the office for the campaign of the "Communal Harmony Rally" of Kerala Chief Minister, police said.

Citing the continuing attacks on party and RSS workers in Kerala,BJP and Sangh Parivar outfits had protested the visit of Vijayan saying it would lead to unrest in Dakshina Kannada district.

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A senior North Korean diplomat today arrived in China, the first visit since Beijing's ban on coal imports from its reclusive neighbour and the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's older half-brother in Malaysia.

North Korean Vice-Foreign Minister Ri Kil-song who started the five-day visit will met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin and Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

The two sides will discuss China-North Korean relations besides regional and international issues of mutual interest, Geng said.

He, however, parried questions on Kim Jong-nam's assassination at Kuala Lumpur airport using the deadly VX nerve agent, a chemical on a UN list of weapons of mass destruction, and China's decision to halt the coal imports under the UN sanctions after Pyongyang conducted a missile test on February 12.

Coal exports to China were regarded as a life-line for North Korea that is reeling under a spate of UN sanctions.

China and North Korea which share land borders are regarded as close allies.

North Korea is heavily dependent on Beijing for its national security and essential supplies.

The visit by a North Korean official after Kim's assassination on February 13, blamed on his half brother Kim Jong un.

It also appeared to have caught Beijing by surprise.

Kim Jong nam who along with his family lived under the Chinese protection in Macao was killed while he was on his way to the former Portuguese colony.

While the Malaysian investigations into the murder pointed to a well executed plot by North Korea, South Korean legislators blamed Kim Jong Un for it as part of efforts to eliminate traces of any challenge to his regime from the family.

Kim's murder worried China as he maintained close ties with Beijing, primarily through his uncle Jang Song Thaek, the second-most powerful man in North Korea following death of Kim Jong II, the father of Kim's brothers in 2011.

China is apprehensive that that Kim Jong un is wiping out all the pro-Chinese regime elements.

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US President Donald Trump's senior adviser Kellyanne Conway has come under fire after a picture of her casually kneeling on a couch in the Oval Office was widely shared on social media.

In an image captured by an AFP photographer, Conway appears on the couch with her shoes on as Trump poses for a photo with leaders of historically black colleges and universities.

Wall Street Journal columnist Bret Stephens was among those taking aim at Conway, suggesting that aides under previous administrations would have elicited even greater outcry.

"If Rice or Jarrett had sat like this in Oval Office, conservatives would have screamed themselves hoarse for weeks. Now we own trashy," he wrote, referring to previous presidential aides.

Trump's predecessor Barack Obama repeatedly took flak for photos in which he appeared to be relaxing.

Critics also chastised Obama for unbuttoning the previous Oval Office dress code that called for a suit jacket and a tie.

The image of Conway trended widely on social media, with several Twitter users berating her for what they described as a lack of respect in the Oval Office.

This is not the first time Conway has found herself at the centre of a storm.

She recently came under fire for plugging the fashion brand of the president's daughter. The head of the US Office of Government Ethics urged the White House to investigate Conway after the incident, saying she should face disciplinary action.

She also famously coined the term "alternative facts" and referred to a "Bowling Green massacre" -- which never happened -- during an interview.

Conway later tweeted that she meant to say "Bowling Green terrorists" -- referring to two Iraqi men who were indicted in 2011 for trying to send money and weapons to Al-Qaeda, and using improvised explosive devices against US soldiers in Iraq.

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US President Donald Trump is set to deliver his first speech before a joint session of Congress during which he would unveil a "bold" agenda for the country and talk about the renewal of the American spirit.

Trump, who assumed presidency on January 20, is scheduled to deliver the prime-time speech on Tuesday which would be like a State of the Union Address.

Traditionally, a US president should be in office for a year before they give their first State of the Union address.

In a State of the Union address, the president usually reflects back on the past year and how the nation is doing.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters that in his speech "the President will lay out an optimistic vision for the country, crossing traditional lines of party, race, socioeconomic status".

"The theme will be the renewal of the American spirit," Spicer said.

"He will invite Americans of all backgrounds to come together in the service of a stronger and brighter future for our nation.

"In addition to laying out the concrete steps the President has already taken to make the American dream possible for all of our people, he will talk about the bold agenda he wants to work with Congress," he said.

This includes tax and regulatory reform to provide relief to hard-working Americans and their businesses, making the workplace better for working parents, ensuring the families who have suffered under Obamacare's skyrocketing rates see it replaced with a patient-centred alternative, said Spicer.

He said the President's agenda is to make sure that every child in America has access to a good education, to rebuild the military and fulfil his commitments to veterans.

"You can expect a speech grounded firmly in solving real problems for every American. How can we make sure that every American who needs a better job get one? How can we get kids who are trapped in failing schools into better ones?", he said.

"How we can keep gangs and drug violence out of our neighbourhoods and communities. The president will address the Americans who have been waiting for help from their leaders for too long and let them know that help is finally on the way," said the White House Press Secretary.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump in his first State of the Union Address before a joint session of the Congress would lay out an optimistic vision of the country and dwell upon the theme of renewal of the American spirit.

Trump is scheduled to deliver his first "State of the Union Address" to the joint session of the US Congress.

"In his speech the President will lay out an optimistic vision for the country, crossing traditional lines of party, race, socioeconomic status. The theme will be the renewal of the American spirit.

"He will invite Americans of all backgrounds to come together in the service of a stronger and brighter future for our nation," the White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters at his daily conference.

"In addition to laying out the concrete steps the President has already taken to make the American dream possible for all of our people, he will talk about the bold agenda he wants to work with Congress," he said.

This includes tax and regulatory reform to provide relief to hard-working Americans and their businesses, making the workplace better for working parents, ensuring the families who have suffered under Obamacare's skyrocketing rates see it replaced with a patient- centred alternative, said Spicer.

He said the President's agenda is to make sure that every child in America has access to a good education, to rebuild the military and fulfil his commitments to veterans.

"You can expect a speech grounded firmly in solving real problems for every American. How can we make sure that every American who needs a better job get one? How can we get kids who are trapped in failing schools into better ones?", he said.

"How we can keep gangs and drug violence out of our neighbourhoods and communities. The president will address the Americans who have been waiting for help from their leaders for too long and let them know that help is finally on the way," said the White House Press Secretary.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two children drowned in Bhadbhada dam on the outskirts of the city today, while another one was rescued by police.

"Nikhil Gaur (13) and Umesh Gaur (11), both cousins drowned in the dam. However, police were able to rescue Vikash Yadav (10)," Ratibad police station in-charge Kanchan Singh Rajput said.

She informed that the children were residents of Sewania Gaud village near the dam.

"They had gone there (at the dam area) to fly kites and later ventured into the water. Unable to fathom the depth of the water, they started drowning," she added.

On getting information, the police reached the spot and started rescue operation. But two of them - Nikhil and Umesh - had died while Vikas was rescued and admitted to a hospital.

Police have registered a case and are investigating further, Rajput added.

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Two women arrested for the nerve agent assassination of Kim Jong-Nam are to be charged with his murder, Malaysia said today, as North Korea sent a senior diplomat to seek the return of the body.

The spectacular killing of Kim Jong-Un's half-brother with VX, a fast-acting poison developed for warfare, sparked an international probe and lurid stories of Pyongyang's Cold War-style tradecraft.

South Korea says its isolated neighbour was behind the assassination and claims the North's agents engaged two outsiders to carry out the murder.

"They will be charged in court under Section 302 (murder) of the penal code," Attorney General Mohamed Apandi Ali told AFP by text message, referring to the two suspects.

The women, from Indonesia and Vietnam, will appear in court tomorrow. If convicted, they could face death by hanging.

Kim, a well-travelled polyglot who fell out of favour at home after a botched 2001 attempt to get into Japan on a false passport, died less than 20 minutes after he was set upon at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 13.

CCTV footage shows two women approaching him and seemingly pushing something in his face.

Investigators say this was VX, a deadly poison classed as a weapon of mass destruction and banned around the world.

Both women have claimed they thought they were taking part in a practical joke.

Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, reportedly told a senior diplomat Saturday she had been paid just 400 ringgit (USD 90) for her role, adding she believed she was handling a liquid like "baby oil".

Her alleged accomplice, Doan Thi Huong, 28, from Vietnam, told Hanoi officials she had been tricked into killing Kim and thought she was taking part in a prank for a comedy video.

Speaking from the Vietnamese village of Quan Phuong, Huong's stepmother appealed for a fair trial.

"I think she was set up." Nguyen Thi Vy told AFP. "I don't believe she was brave enough to do such a thing."



Police have said one of the women arrested after the attack fell ill in custody, adding she had been vomiting.

However, both suspects have since been reported to be healthy.

A third suspect, 46-year-old North Korean man Ri Jong-Chol, is also being held.

Apandi said whether Ri was charged in the coming days "depends on the outcome of the police investigation, which is still ongoing."



North Korea has not acknowledged the identity of the dead man but has insisted Malaysia hand over the corpse, and says it does not accept the findings of an autopsy.

Pyongyang has repeatedly lashed out at Kuala Lumpur over the investigation into the killing, claiming the Malaysians are playing politics.

Veteran North Korean diplomat Ri Tong-Il, deputy envoy to the United Nations, told reporters outside the embassy he was there to discuss "the question of the return of the body of the deceased DPRK (North Korean) citizen".

He added the North Korean delegation would also raise "the question of the release of the DPRK citizen arrested by Malaysian police".

Malaysia has refused to release the body, with police saying they are waiting for next-of-kin to come forward to identify the remains and provide a DNA sample.

Health Minister S Subramaniam today brushed off suggestions the body would be handed over.

"We need to have the definite identity of the person," he said. "And the body will be given to the next of kin."



Malaysia's previously warm relations with North Korea have worsened sharply since the killing, with Kuala Lumpur warning Pyongyang's outspoken ambassador on Friday he would be thrown out of the country if he continues to "spew lies" over the police investigation.

Earlier today, Malaysia said it was shutting down firms linked to a North Korean front company which the UN says was selling military equipment.

International Global System and International Golden Services have been connected to a firm called Glocom, which a United Nations' report said was based in Malaysia and operated by Pyongyang's intelligence agency.

The UN report said Glocom was selling North Korean-made military communications equipment to Eritrea, with suppliers in China and an office in Singapore.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Security Council condemned North Korea's "irresponsible and provocative" attempts to evade UN sanctions.

Council members emphasized "the importance of full compliance" with the six rounds of increasingly tougher sanctions in a statement after closed-door discussions.

North Korea continues to defy the sanctions dating back to 2006, carrying out nuclear and ballistic missile tests to develop the ability to deliver nuclear weapons at long distances.

Its leader, Kim Jong Un, has also been accused by South Korea of sending agents to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to kill his half brother Kim Jong Nam using what Malaysian police said was VX nerve agent, a banned chemical weapon.

Britain's UN ambassador, Matthew Rycroft, expressed hope that if Malaysia has evidence that VX was used in the Feb 13 attack at Kuala Lumpur airport, it will send the evidence to the chemical weapons watchdog and the Security Council.

"Once they have done that then we can take it forward," Rycroft told reporters. "I very much hope that any country, in this case Malaysia, with potential evidence of something as serious as this makes it available as soon as possible."



Japanese Ambassador Koro Bessho said, "We're basically waiting for Malaysia to come up with a clear-cut decision on this."



Ukrainian Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko, the current council president, said the attack on Kim Jong Nam was not discussed at Monday's meeting, which focused on implementation of North Korea sanctions.

Rycroft said a draft report from UN experts monitoring sanctions against North Korea contains "numerous further examples" that Pyongyang is in violation of sanctions. The North has used the global financial network and front companies to evade the punitive measures.

Italy's UN ambassador, Sebastiano Cardi, who chairs the North Korea sanctions committee, said he will be spearheading efforts to get more of the 193 UN member nations to report on what they are doing to implement the sanctions. He said 77 countries have reported on the sanctions resolution adopted last March, "but we have to speed up this process.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
 Flash

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday met with visiting Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi at the White House, pledging to enhance bilateral high-level exchanges and cooperation in all areas.

During the meeting, Yang first conveyed greetings to Trump from Chinese President Xi Jinping, while the U.S. president asked Yang to relay his greetings to President Xi.

Yang noted that President Xi not long ago held an important phone conversation with President Trump, which offered clear guidance on the direction of the development of the China-U.S. relations in the next stage.

By following through on the spirit of the phone conversation and upholding the principles of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, China is willing to enhance exchanges with the U.S. at all levels from top down, and expand coordination and cooperation with the U.S. on bilateral, regional and global issues, respect each others' core interests and major concerns, Yang said.

Ensuring the steady and healthy development of the China-U.S. ties will surely benefit both peoples and the world as a whole, Yang added.

Trump said he was very happy to hold the very important phone conversation with President Xi.

He said the U.S. highly regards its cooperative relations with China, while highlighting the need to enhance high-level exchanges, strengthen cooperation in all areas, and increase coordination and cooperation on global and regional affairs.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Senior Advisor to the President Jared Kushner, also attended the meeting.

Yang on Monday also held separate meetings with senior U.S. officials, including Kushner, White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and National Security Advisor Herbert Raymond McMaster, to exchange views on how to promote the China-U.S. ties and other issues of mutual concern.
South Korea today urged the United Nations to suspend its isolated northern neighbour, arguing that the assassination of Kim Jong-Nam showed Pyongyang was intent on using chemical weapons.

Speaking before the UN's Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se demanded "collective measures" against North Korea.

"The recent assassination is a wake-up call to all of us to North Korea's chemical weapons capability and its intent to actually use them," Yun told the gathering.

His comments came after the killing of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's half brother with VX, a fast-acting poison developed for warfare, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 13.

South Korea says its isolated neighbour was behind the assassination and claims the North's agents engaged two outsiders to carry out the murder.

Kim, a well-travelled polyglot who fell out of favour at home after a botched 2001 attempt to get into Japan on a false passport, died less than 20 minutes after two women appeared to push something in his face, according to CCTV footage.

Investigators say this was VX, a deadly poison classed as a weapon of mass destruction and banned around the world.

"VX is 100 times more lethal than sarin, the nerve agent that was used to kill and injure several thousand civilians at the 1995 Tokyo subway attack," Yun pointed out.

He said the assassination, carried out abroad and using a chemical weapon, "sent a very clear message to the world: Namely this impulsive, unpredictable, trigger-happy and brutal regime is ready and willing to strike anyone, anytime, anywhere."



"In the wake of this heinous act of using chemical weapons in Malaysia, we have to seriously consider what steps we should take in the coming weeks and months," Yun said, stressing it was time "to seriously consider taking extraordinary measures".

These could take the form of "suspension of North Korea's rights and privileges as a UN member," he added.

"If the Malaysian government conclusively finds that North Korean authorities are behind this criminal act, the Conference on Disarmament might need to question the membership of North Korea," he said, insisting that "serial rule-breakers should not be granted a seat".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The United Naga Council (UNC) which has been continuing a blockade in two national highways in Manipur since November 1, has said it would oppose Congress in the Assembly election to be held on March 4 and 8.

The UNC would oppose Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and his party, Congress, in the polls and support Naga Peoples' Front (UNF) in the coming election, the Naga body said in a statement last evening.

The UNC also asked all Nagas in the state to support candidates of NPF which has four members in the outgoing Assembly.

The UNC has imposed a blockade on NH2 and NH 37 - two lifelines of the state - since November 1 last year to protest against the state government's decision to create 7 new districts which, the UNC said, would bifurcate ancestral lands of Nagas in Manipur.

Supply of essential commodities to Manipur has been severely hit due to the blockade.

UNC also criticised the Ibobi Singh government for arrest of its president Gaidon Kamei who was taken into custody on November 25 in connection with the blockade.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Protesting Jats in Haryana today got support from Uttar Pardesh's Desh khap (caste council) over their demands for reservations in government jobs and educational institutes for the community.

The protesters, however, announced to intensify their "struggle" from tomorrow in favour of their demands even as their agitation continued peacefully for the 31st day in deferent parts of the state.

Yashpal Malik, the president of the All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS), which is spearheading the protest, said, "Besides Desh khap, the people from Baraut and Bagpath in UP have also announced their support to the agitation going on in Haryana."



He claimed that the Jats from Delhi, Himachal Pardesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pardesh have also announced their support to the community in Haryana.

Desh khap president Surinder Singh, after a meeting with Malik, announced to join protests in Haryana and Delhi.

Singh charged BJP workers of Haryana with conspiring to create a wedge between the Jats and the non-Jats in the state.

Desh khap has presence in 84 villages of western UP, Singh claimed, adding on March 2 a massive protest will be held at Jantar Mantar in the national capital over the issue.

In a related development, Haryana Finance Minister Abhimanyu, who is also a Jat, has invited the protesters for a talk.

"All issues can be resolved through talks under the ambit of law. The protests have no purpose, instead they (protesting Jats) should come forward for talks," he said.

"The Haryana government is finding ways out to resolve the Jats issues as per the constitution. The government is prepared to hold talks with the protesters," he added.

Malik, meanwhile, reaffirmed that tomorrow onwards, the protesters will not cooperate with the government and not pay electricity and water bills and also they instalment of loans that they owe to the government.

Jats from Delhi and UP will protest in Delhi on March 2 and submit a memorandum on the quota issue to the President, he said, adding they also plan to gherao Parliament, the date for which will be announced during the Delhi demonstration.

Meanwhile, the paramilitary forces are also keeping a vigil at many places, officials said.

Besides seeking quota in education and government jobs under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, the demands of the Jats include release of those jailed during last year's agitation, withdrawal of cases slapped during the protest and government jobs for the kin of those killed and injured while taking part in the stir.

(REOPENS DES41)



As many as 30 people were killed and property worth crores was damaged at many places in Haryana during last year's Jat stir which had turned violent.

Rohtak and some of its neighbouring districts, including Sonipat and Jhajjar, were the worst hit by the violence.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Abhimanyu added that the state government was prepared to hold talks with an open mind on the issue.

He claimed the leaders of political parties were "trying to mislead" the youth "to regain their lost political ground" through protests.

He said it was the responsibility of all to maintain peace and harmony and the people of the state were aware of the fact that the agitation for reservation had been lent a political flavour as leaders of the opposition parties had not been able to raise any issues in the two years of the present state government.

Abhimanyu said the government was in favour of granting reservation and a Bill to this effect had been passed in the Vidhan Sabha with the consent of all 90 legislators, after which the government presented a strong case in the court.

Appealing to the agitators to come forward for talks with the government, he said a solution to the matter was possible only through dialogue.

He said the committee of agitators had to specify on which level they wanted to conduct talks with the state government.
Tamil Nadu Government has undertaken an exercise to validate the bank accounts of farmers for depositing the relief assistance announced by Chief Minister K Palaniswami, a senior Revenue Department official said today.

Soon after assuming office Palaniswami ordered remittance of Rs 2,247 crore as farm input relief assistance to bank accounts to 32 lakh farmers who suffered losses due to drought conditions.

"The government has announced farm input subsidy of Rs 2,247 crore as relief. We are taking steps to ensure that farmers get the subsidy directly in their bank accounts. We have taken up the validation exercise, very carefully", Commissioner of Revenue Administration, K Satyagopal said.

He was here to take part in the conference 'Monsoons 2016' organised by Indian Meteorological Society, Chennai and Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai.

On the completion of validation exercise, he said, "we expect it to get completed in two days. Even if there is a spelling mistake, it may not get validated. So we are doing it very carefully".

"After the validation exercise, steps will be taken so that the money directly reaches the farmer's bank account", he said.

According to a survey conducted by revenue and agriculture department, the relief amount would be disbursed to 32,30,191 farmers who had suffered crop losses in about 50,34,237 acres due to drought conditions.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
China's top diplomat wrapped up his first set of meetings in President Donald Trump's Washington today satisfied that no breakdown in ties is imminent.

The newly elected US president initially caused consternation in Beijing by flirting with Taiwan, calling into question US support for the One China policy and threatening a trade war.

But he has since walked back his comments on One China, and Washington and Beijing are in talks about a Trump visit to build ties with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Both the State Department and the Chinese embassy said State Councilor Yang Jiechi, China's top foreign affairs official, had had a successful visit.

He was greeted by Trump yesterday after talks with senior White House officials and sat down with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson today.

Afterward, the Chinese embassy issued a statement saying Tillerson had expressed a willingness to set a "positive tone" in relations between the two powers.

And it said China is willing to join the United States in upholding the principle of "non-conflict and mutual respect" in relation to each other's "core interests."



State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Yang had invited Tillerson to visit Beijing and that the US envoy hoped to take him up "in the near future."



The pair "discussed the importance of improving and maintaining a mutually beneficial economic relationship between the two largest economies in the world."



Toner said Tillerson also raised US concerns about North Korea. Washington hopes Beijing will help it rein in Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 17-year-old boy, who was suffering from end-stage heart failure and was put on life support, got a fresh lease of life after he received a heart from a 'brain dead' donor in Jaipur.

The patient, Ankur Rai, who is an IIT aspirant from Uttar Pradesh, was placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO), which takes over the function of heart and lungs, while the doctors at AIIMS were "prepared for the worst".

"Ankur was suffering from end-stage heart failure and needed an urgent heart transplant. At the time of admission his heart's pumping capacity had come down to just 10 per cent," Dr Sandip Sath, Professor in the department of cardiology said.

"His parents opted for a transplant and we were waiting for a heart. Ankur's blood group was AB+ (universal recipient) which means he could accept the heart of a person belonging to any blood group," he added.

Meanwhile, Ankur's condition kept deteriorating and one day his blood pressure dropped drastically and he suffered a respiratory and cardic arrest.

"We revived him and he was put on ECMO. We began waiting for a miracle to take place and were ready for the worst," Dr Seth said.

On the seventh day, the doctors received a called from PGI Chandigarh, but it could not materialise because of the "odd timing" of heart harvesting.

"Finally, last week, we received a call from Jaipur. A team of doctors flew there at night and returned in the morning with the heart. Delhi Police created a green corridor from the airport till AIIMS. A team of doctors led by AIIMS Director Dr Balram Airan performed the transplant," Seth said.

Now, Ankur is recovering on expected lines and is out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

"We are grateful to the doctors at AIIMS here. They managed a (harvested) heart in just seven days. Today he is alive because of them," the father of the patient said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva today travelled in a local train and also inspected the operations of the suburban rail system which has been supported by the international financial institution.

Georgieva arrived here last night on her first India visit.

"She visited our office in Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) and interacted with senior officials about the various World Bank-funded projects in the city," said an official from the MRVC.

The Corporation, a joint venture between the Maharashtra Government and Indian Railway, has been tasked with executing various projects in the metropolis.

After meeting with MRVC officials, she left with her team, bought a second class suburban train ticket at Churhgate station and got into a ladies compartment. During her journey, she interacted with commuters and patiently heard their experiences while travelling in suburban trains, said a member of her visiting team.

Georgieva also visited a school serving low-income households in Dharavi and interacted with students, teachers and parents. The newly appointed CEO of World Bank then met children with special needs.

"She wanted to see how administrators are striving to ensure that basic services are delivered to all residents, one -third of whom live in slums," said the team member.

She is scheduled to meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and RBI Governor Urjit Patel during her visit.

A Bulgarian, Georgieva was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the World Bank in October last year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A special court in Korba district in Chhattisgarh has sentenced a 22-year-old man to life imprisonment for raping a minor girl on the pretext of marrying her.

Special judge under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act Vijay Kumar Ekka yesterday awarded life imprisonment to Narsingh Vaishnav in the case, Special Public Prosecutor Ramesh Singh Yadav said today.

On May 31, 2014, Vaishnav, a resident of Kartala police station area, kidnapped the girl, who lived in the same locality. He then took her towards Pathalgaon in the neighbouring Raigarh district, where he raped her after making a false promise of marrying her, Yadav added.

The relatives of the girl had lodged a complaint regarding her abduction in June, 2014.

Subsequently, the accused was arrested by the police and the victim was freed from his captivity, Yadav said.

The accused was booked for rape and abduction under the IPC. Provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) were also slapped on him, Yadav added.

After recording the statement of the victim and 13 others in the case, the accused was convicted yesterday, the Special Public Prosecutor said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), led by Mayawati, has been put across largely as a poacher and a vote cutter in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, dimming the partys standing as an alternative to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP)-Congress combine sought after by politically significant and big social groupings. Mayawati, known by the moniker Behenji, continues to inspire respect among sections of the Dalits and instills a degree of confidence among those Muslims who recognised her potential to be a more effective challenger to the BJP than the SP-Congress in places.
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As the political battle for Uttar Pradesh enters its last leg, the Samajwadi Party (SP)-Congress alliance is moving heavy artillery to the eastern parts of the state to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
 Flash

Some Chinese scholars say that the Trump administration will very likely launch a trade war with China, but that China could withstand it with a proper response.

Yang Xiyu, vice president of the Institute of Boao Forum for Asia, reminded the Chinese to be wary of a possible trade war or more intense trade frictions during a seminar in Beijing held by the China Center for International Economic Exchanges on Tuesday.

China currently comprises nearly 46 percent of the American trade deficit, much higher than when the U.S. and Japan had a trade war in the 1990s (Japan had about 25 percent of U.S. trade deficit then), thus Chinese should be wary of the trade war, he said.

Yang's argument was echoed by Li Xiangyang, a research fellow and director from the National Institute of International Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Li said that though many in China argued that the two countries were too interdependent to have a trade war, China and the U.S. are not indispensable to each other. The United States could, for instance, import things from other countries instead of depending on China, especially given the excess production capacity across the world, he argued.

Yang said a trade war was what the U.S. president has had in mind for a long time, as President Trump has repeatedly vowed to slap big tariffs on China. But how the war would unfold depends on the responses of and interactions between the two countries.

"China has at least an equal say as the U.S. on the intensity and depth of the trade frictions between the two countries," Yang argued. "It depends on China's strategy and wisdom in responding to the frictions."

China should be more flexible on where it can afford to compromise and where the country can make no concessions at all, he said. He took an example of the U.S. asking China to increase imports of American agricultural products. He said China can agree to do that since the country is short on water and hence it would not hurt to import more produce from the U.S. But other issues like a sharp appreciation of the RMB would not be an option.

"If the two countries can make concessions to each other and follow the principles of win-win cooperation, China can withstand trade tensions and go through a war smoothly," said Yang.
Banking operations were hit on Tuesday by the day-long, nation-wide strike called by employees of public sector banks. Unions had called for a day-long protest to press for several demands including wage revision and accountability of top executives in view of mounting bad loans in the banking sector.

The All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) claimed success, saying all the branches kept their shutters down.

"People could not go to banks to transact anything, deposit money, withdraw money or do any other transaction. Government treasury transactions could not be done, import and export transactions were hit, money market operations were not possible," AIBEA General Secretary C H Venkatachalam told PTI.

Money transfer and cash remittances were also hit.

Meanwhile, industry body Assocham said that the day-long strike observed by public sector banks today may negatively impact forex and paper clearing transactions worth up to Rs 1.3 lakh crore.

"The all India bank strike might also impact deployment of gross bank credit worth up to Rs 1,600 crore," said DS Rawat, Secretary General of Assocham.

Venkatachalam said clearing operations have been paralysed in a big way despite the Reserve Bank keeping its operations open because employees were not available.

Some private sector banks are also part of the strike called under the aegis of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) to press their demands including fixing accountability of top officers over increasing bad loans, opposing labour reforms as well as outsourcing of permanent jobs.

Karur Vysya Bank and Federal Bank said Staff Union and Officers Association of the Bank under the banner of UFBU are participating in the strike.

"Regular functioning of the branches of the Bank might be affected on that day. However the Bank's ATMs and digital channels will function to meet customer needs," Federal Bank said.

Private sector banks including ICICI, HDFC, Axis were not part of the strike.

ATMs have gone dry in various places, Venkatachalam said, adding that some banks had limited cash to keep the machines going.

UFBU is an umbrella body of 9 unions. However two of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh affiliates -- the National Organisation of Bank Workers and the National Organisation of Bank Officers -- are not part of the strike.

The demands include compensation to employees and officers for extra hours they have put in following demonetisation in November and early initiation of next wage revision.

They have also demanded adequate recruitment in all cadres, stringent measures to recover bad loans and accountability of top executives. Besides, they have pitched for criminal action against wilful defaulters.

The UFBU, which claims membership of nearly 10 lakh across banks, also requested the government for cost reimbursement of demonetisation to banks.

As many as 27 public sector banks control 75 per cent of the total business.

(with inputs from PTI)


The fight between new entrant Reliance Jio and the incumbent telecos could become more intense in the days ahead as market leader Bharti Airtel chief Sunil Mittal announced that his firm would make roaming free.

"I am declaring war on roaming", Mittal said as Bharti Airtel removed roaming charges for outgoing and incoming calls as well as SMSes and data usage within India. The announcement comes after last week Reliance Jio chief Mukesh Ambani said there would be no roaming charges on Jio and voice calls would always be free.

Since the launch of Reliance Jio, older operators Airtel, Idea and Vodafone have been forced to cut their tariffs and offer cheaper data rates to consumers. Aitrtel's decision to remove roaming charge seems to be another step to match Reliance Jio's offer to the consumers.

The older telcos are already facing the heat of Jio which has so far kept its services free. Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular are already finding it difficult to survive Bharti Airtel, for instance, registered 54.9 per cent drop in net profits in third quarter of 2016/17 as compared to corresponding period last year. Idea Cellular was even worse. It reported a loss of Rs 383 crore in the same quarter.

But in his keynote speech during the MWC in Barcelona, Mittal said Reliance Jio's aggressive pricing won't turn out well for the industry and ultimately might have a toll on the average consumer.

Airtel's chief, Sunil Mittal believes the current prices are not sustainable for the entire telecom industry, despite Reliance Jio's announcement to charge for their services from April 1. He also opined that Reliance Jio has kept them on toes with its aggressive pricing and the company will have to throw in more data and more packages to deal with the competition.

Mittal was also critical about the government's policy of the past to increase the number of operators in the country. The government was mistaken to think that more operators would yield more income for the government, he said.

"Governments have got it wrong for too long. Regulators have always felt giving out new licenses means more money for the government and more competition for the customers. It's quite the contrary," he said delivering a keynote address at the Mobile World Congress.

He added, "You really want a few sustainable solid operators, who can put out the investments that are required to deal with the new technologies, demand of data, the speeds that you want. It's extremely important that the regulators re-calibrate demand."

He expressed delight that finally Indian government is comfortable with the country having five operators now, from 12 a few years ago.

Country's largest telco Bharti Airtel on Monday announced 'war on roaming' or free incoming calls/SMS and no premium on outgoing calls while roaming across India.

On the overseas roaming charges, the firm said daily billing would be adjusted to the price of basic one day pack even for customers who don't buy a roaming pack.

The 17-18 countries Airtel operates-in will allow its customers to have the freedom to switch on their mobile phones "wherever and whenever they want". Mittal said "90 per cent of people turn off their data when they travel," including himself, and wait until they can find wi-fi in their hotel or buy local prepaid SIM cards to avoid stiff charges.

"We have a global network, but very few people are allowed to enjoy it," he said, adding that "it (exorbitant fees) is a disaster our industry has created".

Despite vast network "55 per cent of our people in the developed world switch off their mobile data. It is my estimated guess that 90 per cent of travellers from emerging markets switch off their mobile data. They go for local SIM cards, they go for the nearest wi-fi spot, they wait for themselves to get to their hotel. What have we done to our industry? This must stop," he said.

The industry needs to address this as well as the disdain its customers have for operators, he said. "I can promise you that during my term at GMSA, roaming charges and bill shocks will be a thing of the past. I promise you that," said Mittal, who is also the chairman of the GSMA, the trade body for the mobile industry.
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 Flash

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with Ri Kil Song, vice foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), a spokesman said on Tuesday.

The DPRK official will visit China from Tuesday to Saturday at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the ministry's spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily news briefing.

According to Geng, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin and Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou will hold talks with the visiting DPRK official.

"The two sides will exchange views on the China-DPRK relationship and international and regional issues of common concern," said the spokesman.

On Tuesday, Assistant Foreign Minister Kong would hold a meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and other issues of common concern, said the spokesman.
"Just Pay!": Interns in Brussels speak out

Published on February 28, 2017

Story by Ivo Alho Cabral

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One hundred interns gathered in Brussels to protest against "exclusionary unpaid internships." The organisers, Brussels Interns NGO (BINGO), say that many NGOs, trade unions and firms hire people for free or for less than the Belgian minimum wage - an illegal practice.

Many graduates dream of having an internship in a European institution on their CV. But, this is not affordable for everyone, and many accept the opportunity work for top institutions or NGOs for no pay. On Monday 20 February, 100 such young graduates gathered in front of the European Commission to protest against unpaid internships, which they claim are "exploitative and exclusionary." The demonstration was part of a global strike, with support in Washington DC, Geneva and Vienna.

Many important people have recently come out against the practice. Emily OReilly, the European Ombudsman, concluded last week that the European External Action Service (EEAS) should no longer employ unpaid trainees. The service "hires" nearly 800 unpaid professionals in all their delegations. "Unpaid traineeships may perpetuate social exclusion by de facto preventing some young people from enhancing their skills and qualifications, which can have a knock-on effect on their further careers," OReilly said.

Speaking to Politico, EEAS spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic responded: "We took note of the assessment. () Unpaid internships were not invented by us. It is a tradition for several international organisations like the United Nations."

"It is unacceptable that young professionals are expected to work for free"

EEAS is not the only EU institution employing people for free. While OReilly says paid trainees are "the norm" across EU institutions, which hire around 1,000 paid trainees every six months, Brussels Interns NGO (BINGO) claims that the European Commission alone includes around 200 unpaid trainees - known inside the Commission as 'atypical trainees' - at a time.

The problem also concerns the European Parliament (EP). A recent survey of the EPs Youth Intergroup shows one out of three trainees there receives less than 600 pay per month, while one out of ten is not paid at all. "It is unacceptable that young professionals are expected to work for no remuneration at all," says Terry Reintke, MEP and co-chair of the Youth Intergroup.

BINGO estimates that 4,000 interns "not earning enough" are employed every year in the EU sector in Brussles; including NGOs, industry associations and public affairs firms.

For such an outrageous problem, a protest of 100 people can look pretty small. Bryn Watkins, managing member of BINGO, explains that it is difficult to organise collective actions because "nobody has strong or special identity as an intern. Nobody wants to be an intern forever. They are more focused on the day-to-day issues, on trying to cope with a new workplace, a new country, thinking what they are going to do next, maybe doing a second job to earn money." Watkins adds that it doesn't help that trainees usually spend a short amount of time in Brussels for short periods of time: "you reach a batch of people, and then in six months they're all gone."

Watkins also says there is an "information gap" between interns and the employers, where companies know "so much more about how the market and legislation works and what a job exactly looks like." BINGO started the Just Pay campaign to make young people in Brussels aware that unpaid internships for graduates are illegal in Belgium. Watkins explains that EU institutions work under a different legal framework, but companies and NGOs in the European Public Affairs sector do have to follow Belgian laws and cant hire graduates for free. They are also asking the national authorities to increase their vigilance to abusive and illegal practices of employers.

The "exploited" in their own words

By allowing unpaid traineeships, "we are saying that exploiting another human being is OK," says Celine, 26. She did four internships, one of them unpaid, in different industry associations and public bodies. She denounces companies hire people with more than three years of experience for junior positions, which leaves 'real junior' internships as their only option.

She says her tasks and deadlines during her internships were exactly the same as they would have been if she was in a 'real' job: "you are not treated differently than other employees, apart from in your salary." Celine has now stopped accepting internships, taken a part-time job and created a young professionals network along with other volunteers. "Nobody should be working for free no matter their status," she says. Nevertheless, Celine admits internships helped her to get useful competences for her new project.

Nikolay, a law graduate who's also 26, says he has done 11 unpaid internships in different NGOs and companies in Bulgaria. Most of them where during his university studies: "I was working, usually full time (or if the internships were part-time I was doing two at the same time)." Still, he is having difficulty finding a job: he has sent more than 100 CVs to companies in Belgium, Poland, the UK and Luxembourg in the last year without success.

Having done an official and paid internship at the European Commission, he believes that EU institutions should set a standard: "Institutions should only allow unpaid internships if students are getting money from scholarships. The current system creates social inequality, and promotes the supremacy of the rich, white Western countries."

Story by Ivo Alho Cabral
SOS Mediterranee: One year of solidarity at sea

Published on February 28, 2017

Story by Tullio Filippone Translation by: Jasmine Mazzarello

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Since 2015 the French/German/Italian humanitarian organisation SOS Mediterranee, which exists only thanks to the participation of vounteers and doctors from Medicins Sans Frontiers, has been saving lives in the Mediterranean. We were aboard their flagship, the Aquarius, to celebrate its first year at sea.

Thirteen thousand refugees taken in and 8,755 lives saved at sea during 64 rescuing operations since February of last year. If it were only a matter of numbers, SOS Mediterranee, which was founded by humanitarians from Italy, France and Germany to face everyday challenges in international waters off the Libyan coasts, might well declare the mission accomplished.

However, what hides behind the rescues and the (too) many dead - 5,000 in 2016 according to the UNCHR - is a wonderful story of love and humanity that is absolutely worth telling. The positive atmosphere can already be sensed while getting on board or speaking to the young volunteers and to those playing their role on the mainland. Or even just by stopping for a few moments and observing their everyday life at sea, where the horizon traces a line that looks like a huge frontier.

SOS Mediterranee Italia was created on 19 February 2016 in Palermo, as the Italian branch of a civil society network initially founded in Germany in May 2015. Its aim was simple: rescue all the souls they could in the Mediterranean, and show the world one of the most dramatic tragedies in human history. A year has now passed, and the sun is shining on the dock of Palermo, where recently hope and fear often arrived together. On the Aquarius, a 77-metre-long former fishing boat now serving SOS Mediterranee Italia, the organisation is celebrating the anniversary of their first mission at sea.

"Migrants are the scapegoats of Europe"

On board, together with the society's German president Klaus Vogel and representatives from SOS Mediterranee France, Palermo's mayor Leoluca Orlando gave an example of extraordinary Sicilian hospitality: "I was recently interviewed by a journalist from Der Spiegel who asked me how many migrants there were in Palermo. I said 'There are none': whoever arrives here is a local for us."

The guest of honour, writer Daniel Pennac, added: "Migrants are the scapegoats of Europe. SOS Mediterranee is the pride of Europe and France in a time of total moral regression."

This statement was a response to the populist trends currently spreading across Europe; including in Pennac's native France, where Marine Le Pen's popularity is growing. However, it was also a response to the news that prosecutors in the Sicilian city of Catania are launching an inquiry to gather more information on the huge network of people traffickers operating in the Scicilian Channel.

"We are cooperating with the authorities, and our purpose is completely different from that of the traffickers," affirmed SOS Mediterranee Italia president Valeria Calandra. "Moreover, our financial support comes from private donations. We could never support those trafficking human lives." UNCHR spokeperson Carlotta Sami is on her side: "NGOs are an expression of civil society, and their engagement in saving human lives is essential. During the last two years, they were responsible for the rescue of 25% of the people found off the coasts of Libya and Italy. Their role is of paramount importance."

Babies on board

However, the young volunteers are the real heroes here: "Always enthusiastic", in the words of Valeria Calandra, who works everyday in the Search and Rescue unit without a precise timetable and often at all hours of the day. A psychologist from Livorno who worked in reception centres on the mainland is now ready to help directly at sea. Pablo, a scuba diver from Ecuador who has been living in Italy for a year, decided to come aboard three works ago. "I took part in some rescue operations and I learnt it can happen any time, event at night" he tells us. "Usually, the manoevering starts after a target is located; we move towards it on a boat with interpreters speaking French, English and Arabic. Then, after evaluating the situation, we distribute life jackets and begin the rescuing; dividing them in groups of maximum 20 people each."

Aboard the Aquarius there is also a Medicins Sans Frontieres team ready to assist. At the beginning of last February, Pablo was among them when they rescued 786 migrants during 7 operations lasting more than 24 hours. "When you're physically there, it shocks you to see them wet, often barefoot and scared, especially at night. I haven't been here for too long and I have yet to witness really 'shocking' moments," says Pablo.

It's children that the rescuers are most moved by. "Aquarius was one of the few boats patrolling the Mediterranean all winter long," Valeria tells us. "Around a quarter of the refugees we saved were children, and about 85% of them were under 18 and travelling without a parent." Some babies were even born at sea: like Dentine Alex, Newman Otas, and Emeka Lska Favour.

"God bless SOS Mediterranee"

In Palermo, young volunteers are also doing their best to support SOS Mediterranee Italia. Irene, a 25-year-old psychologist working in logistics and coordination, says: "I committed to this cause as it is the only possible solution to tackle the migration crisis." We met her in the buildings owned by the Palermo Regia Marine Army during the two-day exihibition "Aquarius", which showcased videos by Amelia Giordano and Stefano Ferri and photography by Marco Panzetti and Andrea Kunkl.

The pictures taken by the two Italian photographers on board describe the emotions and the sense of humanity that can be sensed among the Aquarius staff. They include scenes of Muslim prayers; Nigerian women singing; the smiles or the fear of those being rescued; pictures of children being saved; maps of sub-Saharan Africa; a sketch of someone's village of origin; the rafts; and hopeful messages written in French: "God bless the Red Cross and SOS Mediterranee."

.

Story by Tullio Filippone

Translated from Sos Mediterranee, un anno di soccorsi e solidarieta in mare
| BY Lynchy |

CB Exclusive  CB can reveal that Clemenger BBDO, Melbournes much awarded digital-based creative director Damian Royce has resigned and is heading to Whybin\TBWA\Tequila, Melbourne in a similar capacity.

Melbourne-based, Royce joined Clemengers digital arm Proximity Sydney as CD in 2001 and in 2005 was appointed CD of Clemenger Blue Digital in Melbourne. In 2008 Clemenger Blue was integrated into Clemenger BBDO and Royce was appointed a mainstream CD, working across all advertising mediums, while still nurturing the digital conscience of the agency. In the same year he was appointed to the leadership board.

The move to Whybins comes two months after the agency picked up the massive ANZ business in a shoot-out with DDB.

Royces work has been recognised at One Show Interactive, London International Awards, D&AD, New York Festivals, AWARD, Caples, MADC and more. Most notably, Damians interactive work has also received Gold at Cannes.
| BY Lynchy |

CB Exclusive  Campaign Brief can reveal that after less than 10 months in the role Toby Talbot has resigned as managing partner, Assignment Auckland, and is considering new opportunities both in New Zealand and overseas.

Talbot joined Assignment from DDB Sydney in May 2016, partnering up with Peter Biggs and Philip Duster Andrew.

Under Talbots watch DDB Sydney was the most awarded Australian agency at Cannes in 2016, bringing home 12 Lions.
| BY Ricki Green |

Revolver has announced the addition of Trevor Clarence to the roster.

Clarence is incredibly excited about joining the company: Ive recently moved to Redfern and nobody could argue with the fact that Revolver is without a doubt the closest production company to my house. I checked it out on Google Maps and there is absolutely no doubt. This is going to be an incredibly exciting year for me in terms of commuting.

He has been named Young Gun of the Year in Australia and was previously included in the SHOTS Top 10 New Directors worldwide. Originally from South Africa, Clarence has directed commercials and global campaigns that have appeared in almost every civilized country in the world. He is now permanently based in Sydney.

To view Trevors reel please click here.
| BY Ricki Green |

Following its biggest year to date, Eleven has increased its leadership team with internal promotions and new hires. Fiona Milliken has been promoted to the newly created position of general manager, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Sydney office.

After four years at Eleven, and previously group director, Milliken will focus on maintaining the companys continued growth and delivering the creative, results-driven work the agency is known for.

Says Roberto Pace, Elevens managing director Australia: Fiona has played a major part in building Eleven into what it is today. Her drive for success has helped deliver award-winning work for many of the brands were fortunate to represent.

Earlier this year Fee Townshend joined Eleven as the managing director of the new Melbourne office. Angelina Farry remains the managing director of Elevens New Zealand operations.

As part of the agencys growth plan, two new Sydney-based account directors have also been added to the fold, Laura Fields from leading London agency Ketchum and Jade Glashoff from GTI Tourism.

Milliken believes that the new-look team will help ensure Eleven continues to deliver its best work.

Says Milliken: Eleven has always done things differently and thats what we will continue to do. As a business were all about creating culture for brands and ultimately driving great commercial and communication outcomes for our clients.

With the new structure and senior hires in place, we look forward to building on our vision and creating an agency that challenges the boundaries of what PR can achieve for brands.

To deliver on its mission to create culture for brands, Eleven and sister agency TBWA have developed a range of proprietary tools including Backslash, a global team of trendspotters to identify cultural opportunities as and when they happen; Bolt, a content creation hub; and Hubblescope, for influencer identification, engagement and analysis.
| BY Ricki Green |

ARC EDIT has added young gun James Ashbolt to its roster.

Having moved into the new digs in Darlinghurst, Sydney, at the end of last year, the team have brought on another top editor in Ashbolt, joining the likes of Graeme Pereira, Drew Thompson, Mark Burnett, Simon Price and Peter Sciberras as part of the ARC EDIT crew.

Working on campaigns for NRMA, Toyota, Qantas & Nissan, Ashbolts experience includes working for top companies in both Australia and the US as well as establishing himself as an in-demand freelancer.

Says Joe Perkins, EP, ARC EDIT: We are proper excited about nurturing a talent such as Jim. As a storyteller he fits the ARC mold while offering up something fresh and unique.
| BY Ricki Green |

This March will mark the official launch of the Yellow Pages and White Pages 2017 Covers program in regional markets, with the release of an Ode to Baking film produced in partnership with the County Womens Association (CWA), Yellow Pages and White Pages via Haystac Content.

Inspired by the joy in taking a variety of ingredients and turning them into something decadent, the film captures a montage of Australians in their kitchens; baking, eating and sharing their love of delicious baked treats.

From a grandmother to a man, a parent and their children; we see happy faces in the kitchen sifting, cracking, pouring, mixing and most importantly tasting some of the countrys favourite recipes. For the duration of the film a narrator proclaims the Ode to Baking and starts and concludes with asking the nation How do you bake?

The film features as part of an integrated marketing campaign which brings to life the 2017 Covers program concept of Australias Undiscovered Baking Legends. A partnership between the directories and the countrys largest womens volunteer organisation, the CWA, has allowed the brands to seek out and hero the nations best bakers via front cover exposure on all 63 versions of the directories delivered nationwide.

Says Erin Williamson, Yellow Pages brand and marketing manager: We are enormously proud to partner with the Country Womens Association for this years Yellow Pages and White Pages Covers program.

We share a common goal of helping, supporting and connecting the community with the things that matter. We also have a mutual love of food and the idea of baking is synonymous with comfort and happiness. This film, we hope, shows the effects of this and were excited to unveil it to the public.

The film was originally developed as social content to launch the campaign, however upon seeing the strong production value, we opted to cut the film into six 30-second localised TVCs for key markets with the aim of celebrating the comfort and pleasure the nation experiences when baking.

Starting on 10 March, the TVC will be aired on free-to-air stations in New South Wales and Queensland.

Creative and production: Haystac Content

Media: Quattro

Digital and Content Marketing: Haystac / Sensis
| BY Lynchy |

Edelman has appointed Bobby Arthawan as head of Brand in Indonesia. Arthawans announcement follows a string of senior hires across Edelmans global network in the integrated brand communications space, including Mark Renshaw, global chair of the Brand practice, and Rupen Desai, vice chairman, APACMEA. Arthawan reports to Raymond Siva, CEO of Edelman Indonesia, as well as Desai.

As head of Brand, Arthawan (pictured left) will have immediate responsibility for its vision, strategy, and operations. He is developing and introducing new tools, products, and methodologies for the Account, Strategic Planning, Creative & Production, Content, and the Digital Intelligence Center teams as Edelman Indonesias communications marketing evolves and continues its evolution.

I am very pleased to kick start 2017 by welcoming Bobby to the Edelman Indonesia family. His vast experience and expertise in marketing will be a valuable addition to our brand teams as our communications marketing model evolves, said Siva. As Edelman streamlines its offering into two clear practices; Brand and Reputation, this hire reflects Edelman Indonesias seriousness in building depth in our Brand Practice.

With over a decade of experience at award-winning advertising, creative, and brand agencies BBDO Worldwide, Ogilvy One, Grey Group, and GOMOBILE, Arthawan was most recently president director at Dentsu Indonesia, where he led the company to the most wins in Dentsu Indonesias history of international creative awards in 2014 and 2015. The company also became the largest profit contributor in the Dentsu Aegis Network in 2015 under his leadership. His other achievements also include having led Grey Group Indonesia to achieve the highest growth in the Asia Pacific region for two consecutive years.
Although Wait until Dark is a thriller in which an audience is privy to deception and criminal intent, and yet powerless to warn Susy of her misplaced trust, careful attention to revelations in the plot is crucial. Vocal clarity is essential during the initial meeting of the villains of the piece. Gradually the plot will repeatedly reveal itself, allowing the tension to build towards a powerful climax. Rep's Wait until Dark pays respectful homage to the thrillers of the past that still have the power in a production as well staged as this one to entertain and thrill with fright.
"I would advise anyone who sees something similar to call 000 immediately. Don't assume that someone else has already done it, because we don't mind getting five or six calls about the car fire, we would much rather that than no phone calls at all."
"It has been heartbreaking to see these statistics nationally, but at the very same time to be able to say, well, let us go forward in a completely different way that is a way that we can hold our head up high and be able to say we're learning from this. We have a long way to go, but we're on the way," Archbishop Prowse told the royal commission.
This drew the ire of Liberal senator Eric Abetz who said: "So the worse he runs the show, the less the parliament or the taxpayer would get. The better he runs the show, the more you want to fleece him. Is that the idea? If his figures were very bad and he were running at a loss, would you be paying him to be there?"
Lebanons Telecommunications Minister, Jamal Jarrah, has announced a plan to revamp the landline communications network in Lebanon. As soon as the improvements are finished, 500,000 additional landline numbers will become available, Jarrah said.

He was speaking during the projects launch ceremony at the Grand Serail, the headquarters of the Prime Minister of Lebanon. He also announced a planned upgrade of the mobile network.

In the same speech, Jarrah promised to begin an upgrade of the countrys fibre optic networks, improve internet services and introduce new data bundles for students.

According to a report in The Daily Star, this is phase one of new a project to revamp the telecom services in Lebanon and the second phase will be to install more fibre optical networks. It is planned to start the building of the fibre optic cables from the rural areas straight to the major cities like Beirut, Jarrah said.

He said that Ogero promised to complete the installation of the new landlines in:  a matter of weeks and not months.

He also spoke about planned upgrades to the countrys mobile infrastructure. At the end of February we will upgrade the internet service to 4G and at the end of March of this year this service will cover at least 85% percent of Lebanese territories, Jarrah said. He said that users will experience real 4G speeds.

Jarrah said that these services were introduced at the request of the government and Prime Minister Saad Hariri. The administration is keen to complete the fibre optics across all of Lebanon in a short period of time, starting in rural areas and then come to the cities.
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.
There is only one more week left for the last date to register in the State Bank of India (SBI) Probationary Officers (PO). The deadline is on March 6. Interested and eligible candidates can apply through the SBI official website.

How to apply for SBI PO Exam?

Go to the official website sbi.co.in

Click on the link, ' Apply online '

' Enter your details in the application carefully

Verify your details

Click Submit

Save the output to your computer and take a printout for future reference

Application fee

General: Rs 600 (App. fee including intimation charges)SC/ST/PWD: Rs100 (Intimation charges only)

Pay scale

Currently, the starting basic pay is Rs 27,620/- (with four advance increments) in the scale of Rs 23700-980/7-30560-1145/2-32850-1310/7-42020 applicable to Junior Management Grade Scale-I.

Dates to Remember

On-line registration including Edit/Modification

February 7 to March 6, 2017

Payment of Application Fees/Intimation Charges

February 7 to March 6, 2017

Download of call letters for online Preliminary Examination

April 15, 2017, onwards

Online Examination - Preliminary

April 29 and 30 & May 6 and 7 2017

Result of Online exam - Preliminary

May 15, 2017

Download of Call letter for Online Main Exam

May 22 2017

Conduct of Online Examination - Main

June 4 2017

Declaration of Result - Main

June 19 2017

Download Call Letter for Interview

June 26 2017

Conduct of Group Exercises & Interview

July 10 2017

Download of call letters for Pre-exam Training

April 7 2017

Conduct of Pre-exam Training

April 17 to 22 2017

About SBI

According to SBI website, State Bank of India (SBI), with a 200 year history, is the largest commercial bank in India in terms of assets, deposits, profits, branches, customers and employees. The Government of India is the single largest shareholder of this Fortune 500 entity with more than 50% ownership. SBI is ranked 59th in the list of 'Top 1000 World Banks 2015' by The Banker magazine.

The origins of State Bank of India date back to 1806 when the Bank of Calcutta (later called the Bank of Bengal) was established. In 1921, the Bank of Bengal and two other banks (Bank of Madras and Bank of Bombay) were amalgamated to form the Imperial Bank of India. In 1955, the Reserve Bank of India acquired the controlling interests of the Imperial Bank of India and SBI was created by an act of Parliament to succeed the Imperial Bank of India

Indian Airforce is Recruiting for Various Posts: Apply Now!
Samsung India has collaborated with the Government of Karnataka for a two-day 'School Kit Programme' that aims to extend support to students from government schools across Bengaluru, Dodballapura, Kolar and Mulbaghal districts in the state.

Volunteers from Samsung R&D Institute, Bengaluru visited more than 500 schools and distributed essential items to more than thirty thousand students over two days.

The stationery items distributed among students included 3,000 dictionaries, 14,000 stationery pouches, 300 bags, 18,000 exam pads and geometry boxes.

Speaking during the event, Mr. Dipesh Shah, Managing Director, Samsung R&D Institute, Bengaluru said, "At Samsung, our aim is to cater to the needs of our consumers with meaningful innovations and quality products.

We will also like to give back to the society, thereby reaching out to less-privileged students within the Indian society. Today, we have been able to reach out to more than thirty thousand students."

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 https://news.samsung.com/in/
The Kingston University is offering undergraduate scholarship for the courses starting in September 2017.

Rajiv Poddar scholarship will automatically be considered for both the international undergraduate scholarship and the undergraduate scholarship for Indian students.

The scholarships are open to prospective full-time undergraduate Indian students in any subject area.

Kingston University London is a public research university located in Kingston upon Thames, London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1899 and became a university in 1992 after being Kingston Polytechnic.

Who can apply for the Scholarship?

The scholarships are open to prospective full-time undergraduate Indian students in any subject area.

Where can the scholarship be taken?

The scholarship can be taken in the UK.

For whom is the scholarship awarded?

Scholarships are awarded to the candidates who learn any of the courses offered by the university.

A number of scholarship:

The number of scholarship available is two.

What is the scholarship worth?

The scholarship worth is 4,000 for the first year of study, exclusively available for Indian students.

How are the scholarships awarded?

The scholarships are competitive and will be awarded to the most deserving students on the basis of:

Academic merit.

What you expect to gain from the course you are taking.

What you intend to do after completing the course.

Eligibility Criteria:

Students can apply for an award if they,

Are an Indian student (classified as 'overseas' for fee purposes, holding an Indian passport and domiciled in India);

Have an offer (conditional or unconditional) of a place on an undergraduate course at Kingston for September 2017 intake.

Are not currently registered on an undergraduate or postgraduate course at Kingston University.

Who can apply?

Indian students can apply for these scholarships.

Entrance Requirement:

Academic entry requirements vary so applicants should check their undergraduate course pages for the exact requirements of their chosen course or program.

English Language Requirement:

Students from outside the United Kingdom need to meet Kingston University's English language requirements - these depend on the course they are applying for.

How to apply?

In order to apply, you must first hold an offer (conditional or unconditional) of a place on an undergraduate course at Kingston University.

You can apply online using the same application form as for the international undergraduate scholarships.

You only need to make one application, as students eligible for the Rajiv Poddar scholarship will automatically be considered for both the international undergraduate scholarship and the undergraduate scholarship for Indian students.



However, please note: Students cannot be awarded both. Successful applicants will be awarded one scholarship only. You will need electronic copies of the following documents to make your application online:

a copy of your offer letter;

an academic reference letter;

a copy of your academic transcript/worksheet; and

a copy of your Academic IELTS or TOEFL result (where applicable).

Dates to remember:

International scholarship applications for offer holders starting in September 2017 are now open and will close on 31 May 2017.

To apply for the scholarship, candidates need to visit the official website.

University of South New Wales offers scholarship to Indian students for 2017 session
With cases of the emerald ash borer looming closer to Chippewa County, the Chippewa Falls parks, recreation and forestry department is putting measures into place to protect its trees.

Joe Wedemeyer, an arborist and parks staff member, said it is important to be proactive now rather than waiting until the pest arrives.

Its not a question of if, but when it gets here, Wedemeyer said.

For that reason, the citys parks and street departments are working together to thin healthy ash trees and remove unhealthy, immature ones that are on public property.

The cities of Chippewa Falls and Bloomer received a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that serves two purposes: 1) It sent a surveyor into the community to identify how many ash trees are in each city, where they are located and the general number of tree species in each city, and 2) to help the county create an emerald ash borer readiness response plan.

Bluestem Forestry Consulting Inc. completed the surveying.

The emerald ash borer is a beetle that feeds on ash trees and destroys them.

According to Wisconsins Emerald Ash Borer Resource Guide, the eastern-Asia native insect was first discovered in North America in Michigan in 2002. It was discovered in Wisconsin in 2008 and is now in over 40 counties in the state, the closest being Trempealeau and La Crosse counties.

The bug is believed to be transferred by trains, cars and trucks as well as firewood.

We need to be proactive and start thinning ash trees, Dick Hebert, Chippewa Falls parks director said.

Hebert said communities that are infected with the pest have their wood quarantined to diminish spreading as much as possible.

Hebert said city residents might see the parks and street staff out cutting down or trimming trees, but they dont often have time to notify the public before doing so.

We have a narrow window when both departments have time to do forestry work, Hebert said. We dont want to cut trees down, but its a safety issue most of the time.

That window runs from mid-January through early April, and falls among snow removal duties and other responsibilities the workers have. Usually, they dont have time to prepare in advance or let residents know, but Wedemeyer said they try to knock on neighbors doors to inform them.

In addition to the ash trees, Wedemeyer said they will remove trees that are dying, decaying or pose a safety hazard to the public. All the trees they are working on are boulevard-approved or public trees.

When Bluestems surveyor looked at the trees, Wedemeyer said she rated each tree (regardless of species) on a scale of very poor to excellent. He is using those results to help determine which trees to cut down, with the highest priority currently being in downtown Chippewa Falls up through the west hill.

While the emerald ash borer has not arrived in Chippewa County yet, Hebert said it is only a matter of time.

People who dont know anything about this are about to learn more than they want to know, Hebert said.

Bluestem will be giving a presentation to the Parks Board at its Tuesday, March 14, meeting. After that, Hebert hopes the city council will see the same presentation.

Then it will be up to the city to decide how it wants to deal with the pest. The options are to have trees injected with a special treatment or lose them.
Daniel Dachel simply wants to help.

It doesnt matter if the McDonell Central Catholic High School senior is aiding with a church service, helping to broadcast school events to a larger audience on the school website or lending a hand with a variety of fine arts programs.

Dachel is always busy and looking to make life better for each person he comes in contact with and is McDonells recipient of the fourth annual Chippewa Herald Extra Effort Award.

Chances are, you can find Dachel involved in something when you see him at McDonell. The senior helps out at Mass, recently wrapped up another season with the school play, plays in the band and is involved with the schools online streaming of events.

All of these activities have one common theme  Dachel enjoys helping and being involved with others.

(Hes) very energetic, very unselfish, very motivated, McDonell counselor Ruthann Proue said. (He) definitely looks to serve, and hes just one of those fun guys to be around. Very optimistic and positive.

Dachel is active in the fine arts, volunteering multiple years to be involved in the school play while also playing the alto and tenor sax in the school band. Last November he was a Chippewa Falls Kiwanis Club Golden Rule award recipient, an award given to students who show a respectful and community-orientated approach to life.

As a seventh-grader, Dachel helped get the schools xStream program, a service that provides live online streaming for McDonell events, off the ground with CESA 10.

But Dachel isnt just defined by what he has already done, but also what he wants to accomplish.

He wants to have a career in a field that can work toward helping others.

I want a job that leaves an impression, Dachel said. Money is as important as leaving a legacy. I want to have an impact.

Dachel has found an inspiration for that mindset with the late Wilf Hebert.

Hebert, a longtime member of the McDonell community, passed away last December at the age of 65. Hebert was actively involved with a wide variety of community teams and organizations for decades, and Dachel said seeing the impact Hebert had showed him that helping out can make a difference.

Ive always wanted to serve others, and I thought Wilf Hebert was a great role model, Dachel said.

The first-year counselor Proue has gotten to know Dachel throughout the school year and has learned what many others have known for a while.

Its never about him, its about the bigger purpose or the bigger need, Proue said.

Dachel originally wanted to get involved in law enforcement, an opportunity to help a community at the local level. But since then he has developed an interest in foreign relations studies with an emphasis on South America.

Dachel will be attending Chippewa Valley Technical College for his general courses before moving onto a four-year school to complete his degree. Hes aiming for a communications degree with an emphasis on South American studies. He is learning Spanish and Portuguese and ideally would like a job that would help him travel abroad.

I want a job that puts me oversees and has me travel, Dachel said. I function better in a high-stress situation and a crisis situation. The idea of traveling to exotic locations has always interested me.

Dachel will get the chance to see some domestic sites in the upcoming months when he travels to Washington, D.C., New York and Chicago for school trips. Hes especially looking forward to the jazz music scene in Chicago and, as a diehard Chicago Cubs fan, the chance to to see the city for the first time.

As the weeks count down to graduation for Dachel, the lessons hes learned and the values hes acquired through his faith and upbringing might carry him around the world. But those travels will always be with the greater good in mind, a quality he learned at home.

The reason I want a job overseas is that I want a job that allows me to connect with people, Dachel said. I want a job that allows me to experience, I want a job that when Im old and gray I can look back at with no regrets.

I want a job that leaves an impression.

Money is as important as leaving a legacy.

I want to have an impact. - Daniel Dachel, McDonell senior
With the Huracan Performante due at Geneva and the Aventador S already out, Lamborghinis stable of bulls have never been so fierce.



The S highlights the updated Aventadors more aggressive design, refined gearbox, more power and first -ever four-wheel steering.

The Italian brands flagship was recently taken to Livigno, in the Italian Alps, for the Winter Driving Academy, where drivers took it out on the ice track for a few fast laps. The schedule included both daytime and nighttime driving, drifting, and tight 360-degree turns of not just the Aventador S, but a bunch of Huracans too.

Youtuber Shmee was present at the event, and he shared three videos that focus on each aspect of the Aventador S, including the newly-developed Ego driving mode. This is in addition to the Strada, Sport and Corsa modes, and allows users to select between different settings of the suspension and drivetrain, making the ride even more enjoyable.

VIDEOS
A new international trailer for The Fate Of The Furious has just hit the net and despite being short, it provides an extended look at Doms betrayal of his wife Letty Ortiz.



Although we dont yet know what causes Dom to switch sides and team up with a new character, Cipher, played by Charlize Theron, Dom will once again face off against Hobbs, played by Dwayne The Rock Johnson.

As with recent iterations of the franchise, the Fast crew visit a selection of countries in the latest film, including Cuba which will play host to a thriving automotive and street racing scene. Additionally, the film will travel to Ohio and Iceland and according to Vin Diesel, will somehow be worthy of an Oscar.

While Fast and Furious films no longer revolve around cars like they used to, there wont be a shortage of automotive porn during the movie. Among the cars set to star will be a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, a 2,000 hp Dodge Charger and even the yet-to-be-released Dodge Challenger SRT Demon.

The film will hit screens on April 14.

VIDEO
US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao stated that she was looking into the autonomous vehicle guidance previously issued by the Obama administration, urging better communication between automakers and public.



Back in September, guidelines were issued for automakers to voluntarily submit details of their self-driving systems to regulators in a 15-point safety assessment, while also urging states to defer to the government on most regulations.

However automakers say that turning over significant data could delay testing by months and lead to these guidelines becoming mandatory.

Car companies went on to urge the Trump administration late last year to re-evaluate the guidelines and perhaps even make significant changes  automakers even asked Congress this month to make legislative changes that would lead to fully-autonomous cars arriving on US roads sooner rather than later, as reported by Autonews.

This administration is evaluating this guidance and will consult with you and other stakeholders as we update it and amend it, to ensure that it strikes the right balance, said Secretary Chao.

She also stated that self-driving cars could dramatically improve safety, especially with over 35,000 people having died in traffic accidents back in 2015 in the United States. Furthermore, traffic fatalities were up 8% in the first nine months of 2016.

Theres a lot at stake in getting this technology right, said Chao, while noting that 94% of traffic crashes occur due to human error. She then added that the Trump administration wanted to ensure the public that it is a catalyst for safe, efficient technologies, not an impediment.

In particular, I want to challenge Silicon Valley, Detroit and all other auto industry hubs to step up and help educate a skeptical public about the benefits of automated technology.

PHOTO GALLERY
Animator Andreas Deja will be the subject of a show at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. The exhibit, announced today, is called Deja View: The Art of Andreas Deja.

Deja needs little introduction to anyone who is the least familiar with contemporary Disney animation. An iconic figure of 1990s Disney animation, Deja was the supervising animator of Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Jafar in Aladdin, Scar in The Lion King, and the titular character in Hercules, to name just a few memorable performances.

Since Deja left Disney in 2011, he has been working on a hand-drawn short of his own, Mushka, that he describes as a story of love and sacrifice set in Russia. Development artwork from that film will be on display at the show, as will examples of Dejas personal drawings and steel wire sculptures.
Photo: Contributed

A new fishing pier is in the works for Peachland.

An open house for the proposed Peachland pier is taking place on Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the community centre.

The 400-foot wheelchair accessible pier would be placed at Heritage Park and gives the opportunity for everyone to be able to fish.

The city fathers and the club thought well, why dont we give disabled and young people the opportunity to fish all year from a pier, said Rick Simpson.

The completion date for the pier is still to be determined but Simpson hopes it would be completed in late fall of 2017.

Gives those disadvantaged folks the opportunity to fish safely," he said. "That was the motivation from the heart.

Local businesses have pledged support and Gorman Brothers offered to provide materials.

The project is expected to cost around $400,000 and more than half of the funds have already been collected, according to Simpson.

The meeting is open to the public and Simpson encourages everyone who is interested to attend.
Photo: Metro Vancouver

A climate report by Metro Vancouver Municipal Governments is making some audacious claims about what the future holds in store.

According to the report, there will be stronger and more frequent rainfall events, longer summer dry spells and less snow in the winter months.

Vancouver could be warmer than present-day temperatures in San Diego by 2050, and even warmer by the 2080s.

But, while that sounds like good news, there could be repercussions.

Warmer temperatures may have benefits and be welcomed in some ways, they also need careful consideration when planning for a growing population in the region, said the report.

The region experienced 22 summer days a year and the report says that we can expect significantly more summer days in the future.

Future summers may have 55 days above 25 C by the 2050s and 79 days by the 2080s.

The number of hot days will be the most in the eastern reaches of the Fraser Valley. The greatest difference will be noted in Metro Vancouver though because of the smaller number of summer days in the past.

Projections for the hottest day will increase to 35 C by 2050 and to 37 C by 2080 and the highest increase will be in regions valley and in locations further from the ocean.

All of the temperature increases will affect the regional ecosystem including mountain and urban forests, parklands and wetlands.

With the reduction of precipitation over increasingly warm summer months we can expect an increase in wildfire risk, which could dramatically affect the forest structure, the report said.

Soil moisture will be reduced in the summer, coupled with limited supplemental watering could result in widespread decline in urban tree growth and increased tree mortality.

There could also be a negative impact on terrestrial and aquatic species due to heat stress and scarcity of water.

Metro Vancouver and member municipalities plan to adapt to climate change, early action will enable our region to best prepare for the changes ahead and increase resilience, reads the report.

The report notes that these are best guesses of how climate change will unfold in Metro Vancouver and should be considered by planners, decision makers and infrastructure managers.

To see the full report click here.
Photo: The Canadian Press

As the latest Trump hotel gears up for its official opening in Vancouver on Tuesday, some experts are expressing doubts about the fate of the newest addition to the city's skyline thanks to billionaire businessman Donald Trump's polarizing behaviour as president of the United States.

Simon Fraser University's Lindsay Meredith predicts Trump's actions, which include a foiled executive order to ban visitors from seven majority-Muslim nations as well as lewd comments about women that surfaced during the presidential race, will take a toll on the bottom line of his luxury hotel brand.

"We know it takes a long time to build brand awareness and brand value, and we know you can blow it away in seconds flat if you're not careful," Meredith, who teaches marketing at the Vancouver-area university, said Monday.

"Any CEO better give his head a shake if he thinks he can get away with doing or saying absolutely anything and that there's not going to be repercussions for either the corporation or the many brands that it encompasses."

Trump's adult sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, are expected to attend the grand opening of the Trump International Hotel and Tower Vancouver. Hundreds are expected to protest outside the downtown building.

Meredith explained how powerful a hotel's reputation can be, regardless of how well it is run, especially when serving an extremely affluent clientele, which he described as "the 0.1 per cent." He likened the business of catering to the ultra rich as an intricate dance, where the slightest misstep could mean disaster.

"You can't afford to have errors when you're dealing on this really, really high-end markets. All the pieces have got to work well. You can't just have an outstanding hotel. it's got to have a crystal-clean image as well," he said.

"Any bad service  it doesn't matter whether it's the parking valet, it doesn't matter whether it's the reservation  any one little piece when you're dealing with the very, very high end basically becomes an intolerable screw-up."

Fellow Simon Fraser University business Prof. Steven Kates offered a different opinion, speculating that the Trump brand wouldn't suffer thanks to the ambivalence of the hotel's target market, or even their outright support.

"I don't think the effect on the Trump brand will be all that profound, unless there's a major scandal and people actually turn against him," Kates said.

"And considering what he's done in the past, that's not happened, so in the future it's hard to imagine a scenario under which he would lose his broad base of support."
Photo: Kate Bouey

The father of a Kelowna nurse who was killed by a drunk driver in Vernon has a scathing opinion of the court system and how victims and the families of victims are treated.

Brian Smith, a former lawyer, and his wife, Michelle, sat in court Monday to hear sentence passed against Lori Vance, who was three times over the legal limit when her van smashed into a car driven by his daughter, Erin, on Oct. 23, 2014.

Vance was sentenced to three years in prison.

Erin Smith died before she arrived at Vernon Jubilee Hospital, where she worked, while another nurse in the car, Lindsey Hauck of Vernon, was seriously injured and had to undergo two surgeries.

Too light, way too light, said Brian Smith, as he stood outside the courthouse with reporters. In B.C., it is just atrocious what they have in the way of sentencing here.

Anywhere else, it would have been higher. I gave a list of various cases to the Crown dealing with everywhere else in Canada, and (he) never mentioned any of them.

Smith said he would have prefered Vance receive a five-year sentence, pointing to Hauck's greatly changed life.

Smith said Hauck is now deaf in one ear, partially deaf in the other and has a brain injury as well as other physical problems.

She's no longer going to be able to be a nurse. She's got all kinds of problems ahead of her, said Smith. Our life is destroyed without our daughter.... Our daughter has no life. Three years is a joke.

Smith said, under the old rules, Vance could be released from prison after serving a third of her sentence.

He and his wife waited almost a year after Erin's death for a preliminary hearing, which was then waived, and there was no trial at which he could hear the evidence.

Smith also complained of the deletion of 14 pages of his victim impact statement.

At one point during proceedings, the upset father refused to read the edited statement to the court, but was convinced to do so by a police officer who had attended the crash scene.

He is considering writing a letter to the Attorney General of B.C.
Photo: Contributed

The death of a Kelowna woman, killed by a drunk driver in Vernon more than two years ago, imposed a life sentence on her family, according to a spokesperson for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada.

Erin Rae Smith died and her colleague, Linsey Hauck of Vernon, was seriously injured in the crash.

Lori Vance, 39, was sentenced in Vernon provincial court Monday to three years in prison after pleading guilty to impaired driving causing death and impaired driving causing bodily harm.

So many lives have changed because of someones choice to drive impaired, said Tracy Crawford, chapter services manager for MADD's western region. Three years does not reflect the gravity of this crime.

Crawford said everyone has a choice to do the right thing, to plan ahead and to arrange alternate transportation.

Erins family and loved ones received a life sentence. Every birthday, every holiday, every special occasion, every milestone that should have been  they will struggle with this loss.

Crawford said Lindsey Hauck's life had also changed forever due to her injuries.

We want to see this crime eliminated so that we do not have these tragic crashes and tragic losses and so that families do not have to sit in a court room awaiting a plea, or a trial, or a sentence. There is never a reason or excuse to drive impaired.
Photo: Darren Handschuh

Not only is Vernon getting a rainbow crosswalk this spring, there will be a poppy crosswalk placed on 30th Street by the Cenotaph to honour the nation's veterans.

Council voted 5-1 in favour of the veterans' crosswalk at Monday's meeting with only Coun. Catherine Lord opposed.

Weather permitting we will proceed hopefully before the Vimy celebration, said Mayor Akbal Mund.

Council's vote followed a thumbs up for the project from the local Legion, and an offer by artist Amanda Shatzko and a donor for the paint to sponsor the crosswalk.

This sidewalk is not to celebrate people because of who they are, but to honour our veterans because of the heroic thing they did, Coun. Scott Anderson said in a written statement. It is to honour their actions, not their identity.

Anderson opposed the rainbow crosswalk, a symbol adopted by the LGBTQ community.

My concerns with a rainbow crosswalk were: it is divisive, it emphasizes differences rather than inclusiveness and municipal government has no business getting involved in the culture wars. None of those conditions apply to (a poppy) walkway.

Anderson also expressed the hope the crosswalk would be finished before Vernon marks the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge on Apr. 9.

The World War One battle, on a heavily-fortified ridge in France, is considered by many historians as a defining moment for Canada but victory came at a terrible cost  with more than 10,000 killed and wounded.

"Such sacrifices have been made by Canadian servicemen and women since the First World War where the battle of Vimy Ridge was arguably the first single task performed by men from far and wide across this nation, together," Lt.-Col. Mike McGinty, the commander of the British Columbia Dragoons, said at last year's Remembrance Day service.

The Kelowna-based Dragoons are expected to take part in the Vernon ceremony.
Photo: The Canadian Press

The Senate on Monday confirmed billionaire investor Wilbur Ross as commerce secretary as President Donald Trump adds to his economic team.

The vote was 72-27.

Breaking with Republican orthodoxy, Ross said the Trump administration will work quickly to re-do the North American Free Trade Agreement. That's the massive trade pact with Canada and Mexico that has boosted trade but still stings laid-off workers across the Midwest.

Senators from both political parties were deferential to Ross at his nearly four-hour confirmation hearing, which was much more subdued than the confirmation hearings of other Trump nominees. Former commerce secretaries have praised him, including one who served under former President Barack Obama.

"Mr. Ross will bring decades of business, entrepreneurial and civic experience to this important position," said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Commerce Committee. "I believe his extensive management experience in the private sector, and his understanding of the challenges faced by workers and businesses alike, will equip him well for the job of leading the Department of Commerce."

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts criticized Ross' business ties to Russia and the way he ran a mortgage lender during the housing crisis.

"Mr. Ross has extensive ties to Russia. He plans to keep making money from his major oil shipping companies while working as Commerce Secretary. He's made billions off the backs of struggling home owners," Warren said Monday. "He is practically a cartoon stereotype of a Wall Street fat cat."

As part of his ethics agreement, Ross is giving up his position at Diamond S. Shipping, but he will retain a stake in the company, which ships petroleum and other products. As part of the agreement, Ross has promised not to take any action as commerce secretary that would benefit any company in which he has a financial interest.

At his confirmation hearing, Ross was not asked about business ties to Russia or his work as a mortgage lender, and he did not address the issues.

Senators did note that Ross is divesting from much of his business empire.

Worth an estimated $2.9 billion, Ross has extensive business ties around the globe. In 2000, he founded WL Ross & Co., a private equity firm. As part of his ethics agreement, Ross will divest from the firm.
Photo: The Canadian Press

An assault charge against a member of the B.C. legislature has been stayed, the province's Criminal Justice Branch said Monday.

A spokesman for the branch says Pat Pimm has agreed to a peace bond for a period of eight months that prohibits him from contacting the complainant.

Dan McLaughlin says in an email that the complainant and investigators were consulted.

"The special prosecutor determined, in the independent exercise of his prosecutorial discretion, that the resolution was appropriate and fair and not contrary to the public interest," he says.

Pimm, who represents Peace River North in the legislature, was charged with assault in September, a month after he said unspecified allegations had been made against him and a special prosecutor had been appointed.

The former agriculture minister also announced that he would quit the B.C. Liberal caucus to sit as an Independent while the matter was before the courts.

He had previously announced he would not seek re-election in May.

Pimm was first elected in 2009. He was re-elected in 2013 and appointed agriculture minister, but had to leave the post to focus on his battle with colon cancer.
Photo: The Canadian Press

SpaceX said Monday it will fly two people to the moon next year, a feat not attempted since NASA's Apollo heyday close to half a century ago.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk  the company's founder and chief executive officer  announced the surprising news barely a week after launching his first rocket from NASA's legendary moon pad.

Two people who know one another approached the company about sending them on a weeklong flight just beyond the moon, according to Musk. He won't identify the pair or the price tag. They've already paid a "significant" deposit and are "very serious" about it, he noted.

"Fly me to the moon ... OK," Musk said in a light-hearted tweet following the news conference.

Musk said SpaceX is on track to launch astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA in mid-2018. This moon mission would follow about six months later, by the end of the year under the current schedule, using a Dragon crew capsule and a Falcon heavy rocket launched from NASA's former moon pad in Florida.

If all goes as planned, it could happen close to the 50th anniversary of NASA's first manned flight to the moon, on Apollo 8.

The SpaceX moonshot is designed to be autonomous  unless something goes wrong, Musk said.

"I think they are entering this with their eyes open, knowing that there is some risk here," Musk told reporters in the telephone conference, a day after teasing via Twitter that an announcement of some sort was forthcoming.

"They're certainly not naive, and we'll do everything we can to minimize that risk, but it's not zero. But they're coming into this with their eyes open," said Musk, adding that the pair will receive "extensive" training before the flight.

The paying passengers would make a long loop around the moon, skimming the lunar surface and then going well beyond, perhaps 300,000 or 400,000 miles distance altogether. It's about 240,000 miles to the moon alone, one way.

The mission would not involve a lunar landing.
WASHINGTON  White House press secretary Sean Spicer might owe Melissa McCarthy a thank-you note.

The actress who mocked Spicer in her Saturday Night Life caricature of his angry, anti-media persona seems to have breathed new life into the man  as only a woman could do?

To his credit, Spicer didnt curl up in a fetal ball, as one might have expected after McCarthys hilarious takedown of him as a humorless human meltdown. Nor has he been fired, as many predicted after a shaky start.

Rather he seems to have reinvented himself  more confident, better versed, more likable and even at times jocular. No longer the lectern-driving avenger, he seems to be enjoying himself as reporters find humor in the occasional riposte. (Note to Sean: Riposting is good.)

Sure, he still tries to dodge or finesse questions. And hes still a scold, telling reporters Thursday to raise their hands like big boys and girls, if they want to be recognized. A little rubbing alcohol with that paper cut?

The highlight, however, was when Spicer tried to interpret Donald Trumps remarks about recent immigration raids, which the president referred to as a military operation.

Except, not really. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly told reporters in Mexico City that no military would be used to deport illegal immigrants.

Then it was Spicers turn. Actually, he said, the president was using the word military as an adjective to mean with military precision. He was speaking adjectively, not noun-ly.

In the annals of spin, this one merits top billing. Might we expect more such adjustments in tweaking Trumps unique speech patterns? Such as:

Spicer: The president didnt mean that ALL undocumented workers are bad dudes. He was speaking, um, well, diabolically, I mean, hyperbolically. He meant that bad dudes, where and to the extent they exist, will be exported to Mexico, where bad dudes obviously belong.

Reporter: Even if theyre not Mexican?

Spicer: Yes, were working with Mexico on that and will have a plan soon.

Reporter: Soon?

Spicer Ish. Suffix-ly.

Whatever Trump may have meant by military operation, thus far the raids and arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents certainly have had the look and feel of a military op by any other name.

Spicer is also correct that these detentions and deportations appear to have been performed with military precision. To a fault, one might observe.

While a majority of Americans support greater immigration enforcement, as well as major reforms aimed at greater security, the visual effect of raids that dont always target bad dudes is discomfiting. President Obama, who deported more than 2.5 million people during his term, was no slouch but also no showman.

Therein lies a key distinction. Whereas Obama made concessions to people who werent bad dudes, Trumps net is wider and has fewer holes.

In one California case, a woman who faked her identity more than a decade ago to get a job as an amusement-park janitor was allowed to stay under Obama. When she showed up recently for her usual ICE review, she was put on a bus to Mexico.

Not exactly a bad dude, though some drug dealers and gang members have also reportedly been rounded up since Trump took office.

Military operation or something else?

If youre a Trump supporter, you dont care. If youre an immigration advocate, you see Gestapo tactics and human rights violations.

And then there are the rest  people who simply want straight talk, honest answers and law enforcement with compassion, especially toward undocumented workers who are here in good faith.

One might even concede that this discussion about words and meaning is much ado about nothing, a distraction for the sake of distraction. To give Spicer the benefit of the doubt, his job must be the hardest in the history of press secretaries. Explaining Trump is a relentless, thankless task for which he will be punished one way or the other.

Unlike most press secretaries, who typically come from the reporting world, Spicer is a veteran flak with a flaks contempt for the media. Whats missing  and also a missed opportunity  is the camaraderie and mutual respect that often develop in the media briefing room.

Spicer would do well  and would be well served  if hed treat all reporters with the same respect he wishes for himself. Theyre a loathsome bunch, to be sure (she said proudly). But theyre also suckers for pros who are self-aware enough to not take themselves or this business too seriously.

Adjectively, speaking.
Photo: The Canadian Press (Watchara Phomicinda/The Press-Enterprise via AP)

Four people died and two were injured when a small plane carrying a family returning from a cheerleading competition crashed into two Southern California homes and sparked a major fire Monday, authorities said.

A husband, wife and three teenagers were on the plane that had just taken off from Riverside Municipal Airport at 4:40 p.m. intending to return to San Jose after the weekend cheerleading event at Disneyland when it crashed in the residential neighbourhood, Riverside Fire Chief Michael Moore said.

One of the teenagers, a girl, was thrown from the plane on impact but had only minor injuries, Moore said. Three witnesses told TV stations she crawled from the home asking for help. She was able to talk to firefighters about what had happened as she was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, Moore said.

Firefighters entered one of the burning houses and pulled out an unconscious resident. That victim is in surgery at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in San Bernardino, Moore said.

Four bodies were found in the combined wreckage of the plane and the homes, but firefighters have not sorted out exactly how many were passengers and how many were residents. They are looking for additional possible victims in the wreckage.

The two homes that were hit directly were destroyed, and there was minor damage to some neighbouring houses, Moore said.

The plane was broken into hundreds of pieces, its propeller sitting on the roof of a nearby home, and the fire burning with jet fuel was still ablaze several hours after the crash.

H.L. Reyes, who lives about a quarter-mile from the crash site, told The Associated Press she felt the ground shake and saw plumes of black smoke.

"I thought it was a possible earthquake, and we heard all the birds just suddenly react outside, too," Reyes said. "This was just like a nightmare coming true."

Shannon Flores, a teacher at an elementary school about three blocks away, said she saw the plane out her classroom window. She said it was raining during the crash, though other witnesses said the rain was very light.

"As soon as we saw it fly over, we knew it wasn't a good thing," Flores told KABC-TV. "We watched it go down very quickly ... Before we knew it, there was a loud crash and huge plumes of smoke."
Photo: The Canadian Press

President Donald Trump is proposing a huge $54 billion surge in U.S. military spending for new aircraft, ships and fighters in his first federal budget while slashing big chunks from domestic programs and foreign aid to make the government "do more with less."

The Trump blueprint, due in more detail next month, would fulfil the Republican president's campaign pledge to boost Pentagon spending while targeting the budgets of other federal agencies. The "topline" figures emerged Monday, one day before Trump's first address to a joint session of Congress, an opportunity to re-emphasize the economic issues that were a centerpiece of his White House run.

Domestic programs and foreign aid would as a whole absorb a 10 per cent, $54 billion cut from currently projected levels  cuts that would match the military increase. The cuts would be felt far more deeply by programs and agencies targeted by Trump and his fellow Republicans, like the Environmental Protection Agency as well as foreign aid. Veterans' programs would be exempted, as would border security, additional law enforcement functions and some other areas.

"We're going to start spending on infrastructure big. It's not like we have a choice  our highways, our bridges are unsafe, our tunnels," the president told a group of governors at the White House on Monday. He added, "We're going to do more with less and make the government lean and accountable to the people."

However, Trump's final version of the budget is sure to leave large deficits intact  or even add to them if he follows through on his campaign promise for a huge tax cut.

His plan faces strong opposition from Democrats, who possess the power to block it. The immediate reaction from Republicans was mixed, with prominent defence hawks like Sen. John McCain of Arizona saying it would do too little to help the Pentagon and fiscal conservatives and supporters of domestic agencies expressing caution.

The White House indicated that the foreign aid cuts would be particularly large.

Asked about those plans, top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell of Kentucky would say only, "We'll see how it works out."

The United States already spends more on defence than the next seven countries combined, but military leaders have complained repeatedly that aircraft are aging. Congress was told recently that the average age of Air Force aircraft is 27 years.
Photo: Contributed

Prince George RCMP responded to multiple reports of an explosion Monday night.

About 8:30 p.m., police began receiving reports of a possible explosion in the North Nechako area of the city.

Although many people reported hearing and even feeling the blast, no one was able to provide a location.

Police searched the area for one and a half hours, but nothing unusual or suspicious was found.

About 10 p.m., police received and confirmed information the explosion was a controlled quarry blast off Otway Road, says Cpl. Craig Douglass.
Photo: Randy Millis

A car went off the road in slippery conditions and over a bank, Monday night in West Kelowna.

The northbound car was heading down the hill on the 2400 block of Boucherie Road, near Stuart Road, when it slid off the road at a curve.

It ended up on its side, over a bank, up against some trees about 9:50 p.m.

It's not known if there were any injuries in the crash.

Firefighters, police and ambulance paramedics attended the scene.

Road conditions were reported as very slippery at the time.

Boucherie Road was closed southbound just past the Mac's store while the scene was cleared.
Photo: Contributed

UPDATE: 9:08 a.m.

The RCMP say Rochelle Nelson has been located, and she is safe and sound.

Police thank the public for its assistance.

Police are seeking the public's help in locating a missing Vernon resident who walked away from Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

Rochelle Nelson was last seen Monday night at 10 p.m.

She is described as an aboriginal female, 40 years old, five feet 10 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds.

Nelson was last seen wearing a black hoody, an army green jacket and black yoga pants.

Police are very concerned for her health and well-being.

Anyone with information on Nelson's whereabouts is urged to contact Vernon RCMP or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Photo: CTV

UPDATE: 9:45 a.m.

RCMP are treating the case of a missing canoe paddler as a presumed drowning.

Dive teams were planning to search Westwood Lake in Nanaimo today.

One witness saw a man tumble into the water from his overturned canoe late Monday afternoon, and an off-duty RCMP officer heard him shouting for help.

Const. Gary O'Brien says in a news release that the officer tried to swim out to the man, but he was unable to reach him before losing sight of him in the frigid water.

Rescuers reached the scene in less than seven minutes, but police say they found no sign of the unnamed victim.

ORIGINAL: 6:25 a.m.

A search is expected to resume this morning for a person who fell into a Nanaimo-area lake, Monday.

The search was called off at darkness following a witness report of someone falling from a canoe into Westwood Lake.

The incident was reported just after 4 p.m.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue sent a boat crew to the lake, but their search was unsuccessful.

An RCMP dive unit is expected to join the search this morning.

 with files from CTV Vancouver Island
Photo: The Canadian Press

Mount Etna has erupted in a fiery show of lava in eastern Sicily.

The volcano's latest eruptions, which can last days and even weeks, began on Monday evening. The giant orange fountains of lava, spewing toward the sky, could be seen in the city of Catania and the resort town of Taormina.

Although volcanic ash clouds can cause flight disruptions, the nearby Catania airport was operating normally Tuesday. Authorities reported no danger to the towns that dot the mountain's slopes.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A taco truck that became stranded in a massive Seattle traffic jam came to the rescue of hungry drivers by opening up and serving lunch on the interstate.

A tanker truck carrying propane rolled over on Seattle's Interstate 5 on Monday morning, shutting area roads for about eight hours amid concerns about a hazardous materials spill.

While waiting in the jam, Rachel McQuade tells The Seattle Times she spotted someone walking back to her car with a to-go box of food. She says she then headed over to the Tacos El Tajin truck herself and ordered two steak and two chicken tacos for her husband.

El Tajin owner Thomas Lopez tells the newspaper that he and his employees "are ready to serve food, everywhere."
Photo: Contributed

A 69-year-old man has pleaded guilty after being captured on video mowing down another man in a Saint John, N.B., parking lot in his Audi SUV.

Saint John police say Gene Williams got into a dispute with some men in another vehicle last Thursday outside a business in Grand Bay, about 25 minutes outside Saint John.

Sgt. Charles Breen says Williams pursued the car to a Saint John parking lot, where he turned his SUV around and speedily drove straight into one of the passengers, sending him flying and spinning through the air.

The video shows the man being thrown to the ground as the car races away and saying that he couldn't move his arm, though Breen says he suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Williams pleaded guilty Friday to three charges, including assault with weapon, dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

Williams, who lives in Saint John, is to be held in custody until his April 10 sentencing.
Photo: Contributed

Almost half of Canadians are likely to boycott trump brand products, according to an Insights West poll released Tuesday.

The son of President Donald Trump is arriving in Vancouver, and with the grand opening of a new hotel and tower, Canadians say they are likely to boycott the products and venue.

According to the survey, 45 per cent are very likely or somewhat likely to boycott a hotel, restaurant or store located in a Trump-branded property.

Canadians are starting to express their displeasure with the political situation in the United States with their wallets, said Mario Canseco, vice-president at Insights West.

About a third of Canadians would actually cancel a trip to the U.S. because of Trumps presidency.

Three-in-four Canadians have an unfavourable opinion of the U.S. president.

There are sizeable proportions of residents who will avoid the Trump brand, and smaller groups of Canadians who are ready to shun American products, said Canseco.

Insights West is a marketing research company that exists to find research solutions and interpretive analysis based in Vancouver and Calgary. Read the full survey online here.
MADISON  Viewed from afar these days, it might be easy to conclude that life in Washington, D.C., has become a reality show gone awry.

Cabinet-level nominees stepping down amid claims of wrongdoing; a president seemingly at war with the press and members of his own team; an intelligence community at odds with the source of its authority; and a bureaucratic swamp that refuses to be drained.

Not to be overlooked, however, are the real issues facing Congress, the White House and the nation as the hard work of governing marches on.

Thats why representatives of 30 state-based technology groups  including the Wisconsin Technology Council  joined with industry leaders in Washington this month to trade ideas and to talk tech with members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

The agenda included advancing technologies and policies to better secure the internet from cyber-attacks; advancing tax and regulatory changes to spur the growth of Americas $1-trillion tech industry; building tech platforms to support adoption of the internet of things; releasing unlicensed wireless spectrum for rural broadband and Wi-Fi; ensuring that free trade remains a priority; keeping highly skilled immigrants in the United States; and building a skilled tech-based workforce from the nations grade schools on up.

Republicans hold a majority in the House but only a tie-breaker edge in the Senate, where it takes a 60-vote super-majority to pass most bills. That means the turmoil that so far clouds President Trumps first 100 days must give way to rational discussions  dare we say, bipartisanship?  in order for work to get done.

Among those rare bipartisan issues is building the kind of tech-savvy workforce needed to expand the tech industry overall and to combat urgent challenges such as cybersecurity.

A leading proposal making the rounds on Capitol Hill is the CHANCE in TECH Act, a plan to address workforce issues found in Wisconsin and almost every other state. CHANCE in TECH is an acronym for Championing Apprenticeships for New Careers and Employees in Technology.

The proposal calls for a long-term adjustment in how students are trained for science, technology, engineering and math jobs  the so-called STEM professions  in an age when those skills are required for a growing number of careers.

It envisions a combination of apprenticeships, internships and work-based learning accelerators that would put more students on the track of learning skills and earning certificates valued by industry. It urges industry itself to step up with the necessary help, and calls for a combination of public and private funding to support the system.These skills arent necessarily acquired through a traditional four-year college track, but rather can start in K-12 education, continue into higher education and include industry recognized certifications, read a bill summary from CompTIA, the nations leading tech association.

Experts who addressed the tech leaders during the Washington fly-in agreed the need for workforce training is most evident in cybersecurity, which one speaker described as the new space race.

At a Tech Council Innovation Network meeting Feb. 21 in Madison, Special Agent Byron Franz of the FBI underscored the urgency when he told about 100 listeners: There are cyber missiles landing in Wisconsin every single day as hackers, both foreign and domestic, try to steal trade secrets from companies.

Cyber-attacks are rampant in industry as well as within government institutions, as Franz and others explained, yet there are relatively few people trained for cybersecurity careers. Many of those jobs dont require a four-year degree and years of experience, but certificates and hands-on training that can allow young people to get a foot in the door.

Because theres a shortage of teachers at all levels, industry partnerships are needed to expose students to careers. Also needed is leadership from state governments to help fund such programs. Federal speakers in Washington also urged schools and universities to take part in federal training programs such as the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Training.

Uncertainty in Washington doesnt mean emerging national problems such as workforce training and cybersecurity go away. It does reinforce the need, however, for cooperation across political, business and educational lines.
Photo: Google Maps

RCMP are investigating after a man in his 50s was hit while walking on Bella Vista Road, near Planet Bee, on Monday night.

Emergency personnel were called around 6:55 p.m.

He was transported to Vernon Jubilee Hospital, said Vernon Fire Rescue Captain Rob Cucheran. I'm not sure of the severity of his injuries but spinal precautions were taken. He also had a head injury.

The driver of the vehicle involved in the incident remained at the scene of the accident, said Cucheran.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Photos of White House adviser Kellyanne Conway kneeling on an Oval Office couch with her shoes on have sparked an online debate about decorum in the executive mansion.

Conway is seen perched on her knees on the couch with her feet behind her in photos taken Monday while President Donald Trump met with leaders of historically black colleges and universities. Other photos show Conway leaning over to take a smartphone picture of the event.

Some Twitter users were quick to highlight the photos as evidence of a lack of respect for the office from Conway and the Trump administration. Other users have countered with numerous photos of former President Barack Obama resting his feet on the office's desk during his time in office.

Conway hasn't weighed in on the criticism.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Former Vancouver Olympics CEO John Furlong received a standing ovation at a University of British Columbia fundraiser Tuesday while a handful of protesters gathered outside to draw attention to abuse allegations against him.

Furlong said in his keynote speech to student athletes that in times of hopelessness and despair, when you feel like the walls are caving in, the only thing that you can rely on is the truth.

The university initially cancelled his speech in December after a graduate circulated an open letter saying the decision to invite Furlong silenced First Nations people in Burns Lake, B.C., who have accused him of abuse.

Furlong has vehemently denied the allegations contained in a 2012 newspaper article that he beat and taunted aboriginal children while working as a gym teacher in the northern community in 1969 and 1970. Journalist Laura Robinson later lost her defamation suit against Furlong, with a judge ruling her reporting constituted an attack on his character.

University president Santa Ono later apologized to Furlong and reinstated him as speaker. Ono called him an "icon" on Tuesday and thanked him for "graciously bearing with us over the last few months."

About a dozen protesters gathered outside Vancouver's convention centre holding signs that read "It's time to listen" and "We stand with the Babine Lake survivors," referring to a First Nations community in Burns Lake.

The only indigenous professor on a committee that worked on a new sexual assault policy at the university recently resigned from the group after the school decided to allow Furlong to speak at the fundraiser.

Daniel Heath Justice said in a letter to university president Santa Ono made public last month that the decision "silenced and erased" allegations that Furlong physically abused First Nations students while teaching at a Catholic school. Several indigenous professors also criticized the university's decision to invite Furlong back.

Furlong has said the school's decision to cancel the speech caused him and his family "deep hurt and embarrassment."

Claire Hunter, a lawyer for Furlong, said last month that he has consistently stated he is innocent and pointed to the ruling in Robinson's case, which included testimony from a nun who said Furlong was "kind and respectful" to students and she never saw him use the strap.

Furlong dropped his defamation suit against Robinson, so the allegations contained in her article have not been tested in court.
Photo: Contributed

A man charged with attempted murder following a shootout in Vernon's Polson Park in the summer of 2014 does not yet know his fate.

A B.C. Supreme Court judge reserved decision on Monday following a two week trial in the case of Regina versus Jacob Lowes.

Lowes is one of three men who was charged following the daytime gunfight that shocked the city.

Charges against him included: attempted murder using a restricted or prohibited firearm, intent to wound and firearms charges.

Lowes lived at the notorious Green Valley Hotel when the violence erupted in his room on Aug. 12, 2014.

According to testimony during the trial, Lowes told a friend that several people, including one with a shotgun, tried to rob him in his room and that he chased them out of the hotel and into Polson Park.

Police flooded the area around the park after numerous shots were fired. The incident also sparked a manhunt through the north and central Okanagan.

Two other suspects, Adrian Dziedzic and Robin Rochemont, have also been ordered to stand trial in connection with the shooting.

The judge will fix a date for a decision on Mar. 20th, said a court clerk.
Photo: The Canadian Press

People carrying anti-Trump signs took part in a raucous demonstration to the sound of reggae music outside the grand opening of the Trump Tower in Vancouver on Tuesday.

Some protesters carried signs reading "Love Trumps Hate" and "Deport Racism" behind metal barriers protecting the 69-storey building, which has become a focal point for demonstrations against U.S. President Donald Trump.

The $360-million hotel and condominium development, with a unique twisting design by late architect Arthur Erickson, had a soft launch last month. Trump's sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, attended the grand opening.

"We've had an unbelievable past year on so many fronts as a family. We've opened so many great properties," Eric Trump told the official opening.

"This building now sits in a great portfolio of what we consider the best buildings in the world, best architectural masterpieces anywhere in the world. And that is what our brand is all about, that is what our father's vision was all about, creating the most iconic buildings anywhere in the world."

Vancouver's Trump International Hotel and Tower was built by developer Joo Kim Tiah, the president and CEO of Holborn Group, who is the son of one of Malaysia's wealthiest businessmen. The Trump Organization does not own the tower, but licensed its name for branding and marketing, while the Trump Hotel Collection operates the 147-room hotel.

It has become a destination for protests over the president's anti-immigrant rhetoric, comments about women and promises to build a wall to keep Mexican migrants out of the United States.

Several protesters began singing the national anthem and there were some heated arguments between small numbers of pro-Trump attendees and the anti-Trump protesters. Police officers were lined up outside the tower but were mostly standing and watching, although officers separated two men who were arguing.

Beth Nesbitt, who moved to Vancouver two years ago from Los Angeles and attended the protest with her two-year-old son Liam, said Trump doesn't represent what Americans believe in.

"He doesn't believe in women's rights. He doesn't believe in public education," she said, adding that she supports Mayor Gregor Robertson's call for the Trump name to be removed from the building.

"I know the Canadian people, from what I've seen in my two years living here, none of his values are shared here. People believe in unity. They believe in accepting everyone and for our differences, and that's what I want my children to understand too."
Photo: Contributed

Calling all extras.

The producers of a feature film to be shot in areas around Vernon and Kelowna this spring are looking for a substantial cast of local people to take part.

'Distortion' is described as a psychological thriller to be produced by YAR Productions Inc.

We're probably looking for around 100 to 150 extras, said Adina Wright with Okanagan Background Casting. We need different types; sophisticated people, children, general public.

All ages and ethnicities for contemporary and upscale background roles are wanted.

The shoot is tentatively scheduled to take place in April and May.

Those interested can contact Adina by email.
Photo: Contributed

Another dust advisory has been issued for Vernon.

The Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Interior Health Authority, issued the advisory due to high concentrations of coarse particulates.

The advisory states conditions are expected to persist until there is a change in current weather conditions.

Persons with chronic underlying medical conditions should postpone strenuous exercise until the advisory is lifted. Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have diabetes, and lung or heart disease.

More information on current air quality can be found online.
Barely days after the BBC documentary Killing for Conservation sparked a controversy by portraying of the forest officials of Kaziranga National Park in Assam as trigger-happy killers, a similar controversy has led to the ouster of Corbett National Park acting director Parag Dhakate.

Dhakate created a storm by asking his staff to shoot poachers at sight while announcing a special five-day anti-poaching drive in one of India's key tiger habitats. The forest department later clarified no such orders had been issued. Dhakate, on his part, claimed he had just reminded the staff that they enjoyed immunity from prosecution and that he was misquoted.

These controversies have led to a debate among wildlife and legal experts on shoot at sight orders in national parks and reserves.

Also Read: The board have mercy: how the govt is riding over wildlife protection

There are no provisions in CrPC and IPC about shoot at sight orders. Even the police do not have such a right and can only do it in a curfew. People will talk about it but can someone show any such official order? We cannot have such a draconian law. There is so much hue and cry about shooting people in Kashmir, any order like this will have similar response across the country, said SP Yadav, Assistant Secretary General, Global Tiger Forum (GTF). He was earlier posted as DIG, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

About the BBC documentary, Yadav claimed it was highly exaggerated. He claimed the poachers enter Kaziranga with the intent to kill or get killed. Pointing out that rhino skin is almost bulletproof, he said poachers need to be at least 10 meters away from the animal to do any damage. The bullets don't kill a rhino, they just immobilise it. Then the horn is sawed off while it is still alive. But if the rhino charges at them, they are as good as dead. If the forest officials see them, they fire at them. Such extremist elements are confined to Kaziranga, however, and similar rules can't be applied in other national parks in the country, he added.

Backing Yadav's argument, Dharmendra Khandal of the Tiger Watch said such an order would wreak havoc in a place like Ranthmbore National Park in Rajasthan. Khandal has been working with the various hunting tribes living in the periphery of Ranthambore, training them to find livelihood options. Khandal is of the opinion that antagonising the locals would only turn them against conservation.

We have over 150 temples inside the park which are visited by people throughout the year. If there is such an order here, hundreds could get killed, and that would backfire completely. People defecate in the forest, they take their cattle to graze deep within the reserve, some even go inside to collect firewood. If they get killed because of such an order, there will be chaos, he said.

Khandal, however, agreed that Kaziranga is a different case and that if poachers come armed with AK-47s, stern action must be taken. Khandal claimed this was not the case in Rajasthan where his organisation has been working with local communities to make them stakeholders in conservation, an effort that is working. Still, he added, If anybody poses a grave threat, even a tiger, then it should be eliminated.

A senior official at Corbett argued along similar lines: the forest officials should defend the reserves with whatever they are allowed within the law. It is not that these are foreigners who have declared war against our country. You need to apprehend these people and deal with them as per the law. This is not the wild wild west. Human rights have to be respected, he added.

The official, however, added that his hand would not tremble before shooting a person who poses a threat to forest staff and wildlife. He said,  But it must not be casual. One must do everything in his capacity to show restraint.

Also Read: Corbett tigers are getting poached at an alarming rate

Differing with these views, another section of experts claims that poachers are desperados who come with the intent of destroying wildlife, and they should be dealt with sternly. Dr MK Ranjitsinh, who is credited with creating more national parks than anyone alive and for being the principal author of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, is all for shooting poachers who come with the intent to killing wildlife. Why would one carry a firearm in a national park when it clearly says that no one is allowed inside with a firearm. Should the forest department wait for the poachers to kill them? The stakes are very high and if it wasn't for such stringent action in Kaziranga, we wouldn't have seen these many rhinos surviving, he claimed.

Ranjitsinh is of the view that poachers should be asked to surrender and if they don't, then the forest officials must deal with them like any other law enforcing agency would. He, however, cautions that laws should not be allowed to be misused to settle personal scores and that encounters of poachers should be probed to ensure no innocent has been killed.

Jagdish Kishwan, former Additional Director General of Forests (Wildlife), maintained that it was alright to shoot hardened criminals who would not hesitate to shoot the forest officials. He added that if the forest officials are confronted with poachers armed with AK-47s, then the only option left is for them to fire. It is better to kill an armed poacher than lose a forest guard, he said.

Kishwan added a new dimension to the controversy by putting much of the blame for the current situation on the failure of intelligence agencies to bust poaching networks. We catch these poor poachers who are from certain communities, but we rarely hear that the entire network has been busted. Rhino poaching has been happening for decades and yet we have not been able to apprehend the big fish who recruit innocent people to carry out their jobs, Kishwan said.

Speaking about the role of communities living on the fringes of national parks, Kishwan said they should be made stakeholders in conservation so that instead of aligning with poachers, they help bust poaching networks. We get and act so judiciously when it comes to trafficking of drugs but wildlife products are so easily being taken out of the country but we have not been able to identify these routes or zero down on the big fish. If we improve our intelligence, no innocent, or even a poacher, would be killed, he argued.

Also Read: Are Kaziranga game-keepers killing innocents? Experts rubbish BBC report
On 20 February 2017, the Government of Nepal decided to hold local elections on 14 May throughout the country in a single phase. For this, it released 102,900 crore rupees to the Election Commission (EC) to make all necessary preparations. If at all this local poll is held in Nepal, it will be happening after the gap of 20 long years and this will be a great achievement in the implementation of the present Constitution. The last local-level election was organised in the country in 1997. However, it is widely feared if at all the local-level elections will be peaceful. Since the day the government announced the date, Madhesh-based political parties started opposing this move, calling it "unfortunate". Such parties have been demanding a due seat-share in local bodies in proportion to their population. Of the total 719 local units proposed by Local Body Restructuring Commission (LBRC), the Madhesh region has been given far fewer units than what was expected. Considering the fact that the region accommodates 51% of the country's total population of the country, they want no less than half of the total units in this region. If they compromise with the government on this issue, that is likely to affect their presence not only in the elections of the National Assembly, the Upper House of the parliament but also in the elections of the President and Vice-President of the country.

Conspiracy theory

But more than this the Madhesh-based political parties have sensed a conspiracy in the decision to hold local elections. They maintain that the local level elections are under the jurisdiction of the provincial government and not of the central government.

As of yet, the issue of demarcation of provincial boundaries has not been resolved and the Bill for the amendment of the Constitution is still lying pending in the parliament. Intentions of the government are doubtful as some of these core issues are still on hold. So, they want the government to complete the Constitution amendment first before announcing the poll date for the local level elections.

All major Madhesh-based political parties have vowed to boycott the elections until the Constitution is amended to their satisfaction.

In a mark of protest against the decision to hold local-level elections, the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) leaders organised a torch rally at major thoroughfares and marketplaces in different Madhesh districts on 21 February. They also enforced a Madhesh shutdown on 22 February. Besides, they have been organising exposure campaigns for 15 days beginning from 23 February.

Expectations are that the local-body elections will meet the same fate as it did in February 2006 when King Gyanendra tried to hold municipal polls against the will of the public. Major political parties at that time had boycotted the polls as well.

Picking sides

But this time the situation is not like what it was in 2006. The country is badly polarised today. So the elections could somehow be conducted in the hills where the positions of non-Madheshi political parties are strong. But then it might be difficult to conduct the elections in Madhesh.

Chances are high that violence may erupt if the government imposes election in the Madhesh region by force. Also, the possibility of violence is high in such hill and mountain regions where the Janajati (indigenous) groups have a stronghold as they are also opposed to this elections.

Both the Madhesh political parties and the hill-based Janajati groups have formed the Federal Alliance against the discriminatory clauses in the Constitution.

Over and above, there is also a time constraint in conducting local elections. Time is too short for preparatory tasks like deployment of election officials, mobilising staff at polling stations, printing of nearly 16,000 types of ballot papers and transporting the papers and other materials to the destinations. This poses a massive challenge to the EC.

The government had given 109 days in advance to the EC to conduct 2008 Constituent Assembly (CA) polls and 100 days for 2013 CA polls. But this time only 83 days has been given to EC.

However, in certain quarters people are still hopeful that the elections of the local bodies could still be conducted despite the difficulties. Ela Sharma, Election Commissioner recently stated, Obviously, its challenging but we have accepted it. We are prepared and make it possible because the prime minister has assured us that he will provide all possible support to make it a success.

Though the election of the local bodies is due, it will be disastrous to impose it on the Madheshi and hill Janajati groups who constitute over two-thirds of Nepals population. It is doubtful if at all such elections could be free from violence if it goes against their will.

For the effective implementation of the Constitution what is essential is to take each of the dissatisfied groups like the Madheshis and hill-Janajati groups into confidence by amending the Constitution to their satisfaction before holding the local elections.

Edited by Jhinuk Sen
Ireland Takes a Bite Out of the Big Apple Authors present the captivating lives and legacies of the ten Irish archbishops of New York



Contact: Kevin Wandra, 404-788-1276,



SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 28, 2017 /



Part history lesson and part character study, SONS OF SAINT PATRICK tells the colorful story of men who were both saints and sinners, who would each play a part in staking out an influential role for the Catholic Church in New York City.



Marlin and Miner chronicle the lives and workings of New York's archbishops, and tell tales of the history of Catholicism in connection with New York. SONS OF SAINT PATRICK addresses a number of fascinating topics pertaining to the archbishops of New York, including how they dealt with the early persecution of and legal discrimination against Catholics, changing modes of communication, financial crises, the indispensable partnerships they formed with governors and presidents, especially during the war-torn 20th century, and the clashes between America and Rome over the "Americanist" heresy. The story culminates with a look at the early years of Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the current archbishop of New York and one of the most prominent Catholic leaders in the world.



"Deeply researched, readable and engrossing, SONS OF SAINT PATRICK is a towering work of scholarship and an invaluable contribution to the entwined histories of New York City and the Catholic Church," says James Rosen, chief Washington correspondent for Fox News and editor of A Torch Kept Lit: Great Lives of the Twentieth Century, by Williams F. Buckley, Jr. "Drawing on unsealed documents and their vast knowledge of local politics and organized religion, authors George J. Marlin and Brad Miner show how the archbishops of Gotham have functioned as 'the leader of the world, or at least of a world,' fusing the Lord's work with the often thankless business of combating anti-Catholic sentiment, declining church attendance and shrinking budgets."



For more information, to request a review copy, or to schedule an interview with George J. Marlin or Brad Miner, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or

Share Tweet Contact: Kevin Wandra, 404-788-1276, KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 28, 2017 / Christian Newswire / -- It's no secret that New York is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Home to Broadway and Wall Street, Central Park and Fifth Avenue  there is a world of diversity in this one American treasure. New York could be considered the quintessential "melting pot," which might make you surprised to find out that just one country, Ireland, has a monopoly on another of New York's most important institutions  the Catholic Church. All ten of New York's archbishops have been either born in Ireland, or of Irish descent. SONS OF SAINT PATRICK: A History of the Archbishops of New York from Dagger John to Timmytown, by authors George J. Marlin and Brad Miner, analyses the enthralling saga of ten men who helped shape the "City that never sleeps" and the impact they had on the world.Part history lesson and part character study, SONS OF SAINT PATRICK tells the colorful story of men who were both saints and sinners, who would each play a part in staking out an influential role for the Catholic Church in New York City.Marlin and Miner chronicle the lives and workings of New York's archbishops, and tell tales of the history of Catholicism in connection with New York. SONS OF SAINT PATRICK addresses a number of fascinating topics pertaining to the archbishops of New York, including how they dealt with the early persecution of and legal discrimination against Catholics, changing modes of communication, financial crises, the indispensable partnerships they formed with governors and presidents, especially during the war-torn 20th century, and the clashes between America and Rome over the "Americanist" heresy. The story culminates with a look at the early years of Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the current archbishop of New York and one of the most prominent Catholic leaders in the world."Deeply researched, readable and engrossing, SONS OF SAINT PATRICK is a towering work of scholarship and an invaluable contribution to the entwined histories of New York City and the Catholic Church," says James Rosen, chief Washington correspondent for Fox News and editor of A Torch Kept Lit: Great Lives of the Twentieth Century, by Williams F. Buckley, Jr. "Drawing on unsealed documents and their vast knowledge of local politics and organized religion, authors George J. Marlin and Brad Miner show how the archbishops of Gotham have functioned as 'the leader of the world, or at least of a world,' fusing the Lord's work with the often thankless business of combating anti-Catholic sentiment, declining church attendance and shrinking budgets."For more information, to request a review copy, or to schedule an interview with George J. Marlin or Brad Miner, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com ) of Carmel Communications.
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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!
(TNS)  Data breaches frequently make front-page news  highlighting the growing demand for expertise in cybersecurity and the shortage of skilled professionals in the field.At Waipahu High School some teens are getting a head start on the job market by taking coding classes for credit, including a pioneering course on cybersecurity that starts this fall. Already, four of them are on track to work part time at the National Security Agencys Hawaii office while they are seniors.We want to give kids tools to survive and not get washed away by this technology wave, said Ken Hiraki, president of the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation, which chose cybersecurity as a priority career path last year and is funding the courses at Waipahu as a pilot project.Instructors from DevLeague, a company that teaches computer programming, teamed up with Cindy Takara, who directs the schools Information Technology Academy, to teach the first coding course at Waipahu. It turned out to be a hit, and courses in advanced coding and cybersecurity will be offered next year.The instructors and the content were interesting and very fun, said Zak Sakata, a 16-year-old junior. Its like learning a new language. Its going to be hard in the beginning. Once you have a foundation set, its pretty smooth sailing from there on.The upcoming cybersecurity course appears to be the first at a local high school. Like other schools, Waipahu has long offered Cisco Networking courses as well as A+ Certification, which focuses on computer building and repair. This years coding class covered HTML, CSS and JavaScript, languages used by web developers, and the students learned to build web applications.When people hear the term programming or coding, they automatically think, Thats not for me, you have to be smart, Takara said. Thats not true. You just have to be dedicated. You just have to have that desire, that willingness to learn.The Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation invested $11,200 to fund one DevLeague instructor this year at Waipahu and will pay for next years courses as well, according to Hiraki. DevLeague provided two teachers for this years coding class to make sure it went well and is developing next years cybersecurity course.This is just the start of our forays into the public schools, DevLeague co-founder Russel Cheng said. Our mission is to teach this to as many people as we can. The cybersecurity class in the fall session is very new, even for us.CyberSeek, which tracks the job market, found 128,000 openings for information security analysts posted in the past year, with 88,000 workers employed in those jobs. The median pay for that position is more than $90,000 per year, and the field is growing much faster than most jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Cybersecurity is definitely an up-and-coming job in high demand, Sakata said. With all this new technology coming out, we need people to be able to secure the network and all these devices.Private firms and government agencies alike are seeking cybersecurity expertise. Four Waipahu juniors have passed the academic and interview portions of the selection process for the work-study program at the NSA facility in Wahiawa and are going through security clearance. If approved, they will work as computer aides for at least 20 hours a week as seniors while attending school.The National Security Agency monitors global intelligence and communications and tries to prevent adversaries from gaining access to U.S. information systems. NSA Hawaii keeps a low profile but hit the news in 2013 when a contractor, Edward Snowden, removed classified files and gave them to journalists, revealing mass surveillance programs that he thought violated privacy rights.Three students at Leilehua High School are also in the pipeline for work-study positions at NSA this fall, and a senior is already on the job there, according to Carla Lum, Leilehuas career counselor.Shes really enjoying herself, putting in at least 20 hours a week and getting paid very well, Lum said.Administrators at Waipahu hope to give younger students in its feeder schools a taste of coding as well, Vice Principal Elizabeth Higashi said. They are working with DevLeague on a teacher training effort this summer.We are trying to integrate it with our curriculum so our students have that experience and skill, Higashi said. We are looking to start at sixth grade.
Effective January 1st, 2017, the Advisory Board of the KROHNE Group has appointed Dr.-Ing. Attila Bilgic Managing Director of Ludwig KROHNE GmbH & Co KG. He assumes global responsibility for research and development and extends the managing board of the KROHNE Group alongside Michael Rademacher-Dubbick and Stephan Neuburger.

His main task is the "digitization" of the measuring devices and measuring systems, their networking and their integration among themselves, as well as with and into the digital systems of the users. The area of "smart sensors", which KROHNE has pioneered with various research projects under his leadership, is also of particular significance. With more than 350 employees, the KROHNE Group currently employs about 10% of all staff in research and development with a budget of approximately 8% of the total turnover (total turnover 2015: approx. EUR 500 million).

The topic of networking has been predominant for the career of Dr. Bilgic: prior to joining KROHNE, he held various positions in the Communication Solutions division of Infineon Technologies AG from 2000 to 2009, most recently as Director System Engineering. From 2007 to 2009, he was head of the Department of Integrated Systems at the Ruhr-Universitat Bochum. Since 2016, he has been a member of the board of the VDI / VDE Society of Measuring and Automation Technology. He is also a member of the German Physical Society and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers IEEE.
A Silicon Valley startup that makes it easier to get birth control is now serving Illinois.

Nurx (pronounced new-Rx) allows customers to get birth control and an HIV prevention drug called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivered to their door without having to visit a doctor. The site lets women buy birth control  whether it's a pill, patch or emergency contraceptive like Plan B  and gives men and women access to PrEP.

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With millions of American women lacking ready access to birth control, Nurx aims "to make health care more accessible," co-founder Hans Gangeskar said. He noted it's often difficult for minors to get birth control, for example, while "their lives are damaged the most by unintended pregnancies."

The service is free, so customers only pay for the medication itself. Prices vary depending on the type of birth control and the customers' insurance. For customers with insurance that covers birth control, getting medication through Nurx is free. For those without, prices start at $15 per month, for the pill. Nurx accepts Medicaid in California and is working to do so in other states.

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The company makes money by charging insurance companies for e-consultations and for drugs that are shipped out, Gangeskar said.

On Nurx's website, women can choose which birth control they'd like or have a doctor pick one for them. Each woman answers a series of medical questions, such as "have you had your blood pressure measured in the last six months?" or "will you be skipping the placebo pills to avoid having periods?" If, for example, a woman hadn't had her blood pressure measured in the last six months, she would have to get it measured and then upload proof that the pressure is normal before moving on to the rest of the questionnaire.

A doctor licensed in the patient's state then reviews all the answers before writing a prescription, which will be filled by a pharmacy that has partnered with Nurx.

The doctors aren't employed by Nurx, but the company pays the doctors if insurance doesn't cover users' e-consultations, Gangeskar said. Nurx declined to say how many of the doctors it works with are licensed in Illinois.

"All of our prescribers are licensed and can be verified on state medical board websites," Gangeskar said. "Also, all of our partner pharmacies are retail pharmacies that serve in-person customers every day." Nurx would not name the pharmacies.

Doctors prescribing birth control must comply with state age requirements for patients, which vary across the country, he said.

Including Illinois, the San Francisco-based company now operates in five states and the District of Columbia. When Nurx launched in Illinois, "the demand was immediate and has only increased," Gangeskar said. It declined to release numbers.

"We are seeing a large influx from Chicago, but also from more rural parts of the state," said Nurx's head of marketing, Kyle McCarthy.

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Typically, a woman on birth control has to visit a doctor annually to get a prescription and may have to go to a pharmacy monthly to pick up refills. These steps can be hurdles for women with limited time or limited access to clinics or pharmacies.

"Women living in rural areas are less likely to have access to reproductive health services," McCarthy said, "and often have to travel longer distances to receive care."

Nurx, which was founded in December 2015, is now working on launching in Virginia, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Maryland, Delaware and Minnesota. The company "should be in 20 states in the next couple months," McCarthy said.

Since coming out of Silicon Valley-based startup incubator Y Combinator in winter 2016, Nurx has raised $5.3 million in funding.

jbartz@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @juliet_bartz
Self-driving Uber vehicles are seen Sept. 12, 2016, at a media preview at Uber's Advanced Technologies Center in Pittsburgh. The company is fighting an Illinois bill tolimit which companies can operate self-driving cars. (Gene J. Puskar / AP)

Champions of self-driving cars are embarking on a journey through one of the state's most winding and hazardous passageways  the Illinois General Assembly.

Recently, state legislation was introduced that seeks to regulate use of this emerging technology by imposing tighter auto safety standards on cars using automated driving systems. It argues this is best accomplished by restricting the operation of self-driving cars to companies that make their own vehicles and have a track record for safety.

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It's a controversial bill that's perceived as a sop to legacy automaker General Motors, which was instrumental in pushing the measure introduced this month by Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside. It's strongly opposed by a coalition of driverless technology players, including Google, Uber Technologies, Ford and Volvo; the companies claim GM wants to ace them out of the self-driving auto market or, at the very least, slow them down.

Yet while this impending legislative fight is being framed as a marketplace tussle of old versus new ideas, Zalewski's bill does raise another important question: Are these new self-driving vehicles being properly tested and will the public be safe in them once these vehicles are marketed en masse?

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It's a situation our lawmakers, on every level, need to figure out. If they determine the self-driving proponents are ignoring yellow caution lights, then they should compel them to stop and do it right.

Surely, GM intends to hit the safety issue hard as the Zalewski-backed bill wends its way through the General Assembly. (It's been sent to the House Transportation Committee.)

GM will play up its experience in conventional auto safety and how that expertise is being incorporated into the development of self-driving vehicles. Crash tests, overriding computer systems in case of emergencies, and tamper-proof technology are part of GM's pitch.

"From General Motors' perspective, before deploying these things, make sure they are as safe as human-driven vehicles," says Paul Hemmersbaugh, GM's chief counsel and policy director for transportation as a service. "It's different than putting out an app."

The technology and auto rivals that make up the Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets, oppose passage of Zalewski's bill. They say the measure hurts safety because it chokes off new ideas and innovation by limiting to GM those who can operate in the self-driving car world.

"The current bill would prevent lifesaving innovations from reaching the state and inadvertently lock Illinois residents into using a single company's products, while denying people the opportunity to use other self-driving technologies," the coalition said in an email statement to me.

Google, Uber and other car companies contend GM's safety talk is a smoke screen and the federal regulators have issued safety standards that its coalition members are already following.

GM has been actively pushing its legislation on a state-by-state basis.

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On its home turf in Michigan, a self-driving car bill was passed that ultimately leaned in Detroit-based GM's favor but allowed some involvement by technology companies.

The Illinois fight may be pretty intense.

Coalition members are set to make the argument that GM has no lock on safety and that innovations are coming from tech and automobile companies in Silicon Valley, Europe and throughout the world.

Nevertheless, some self-driving experiments have had their issues, and troubling perceptions linger.

The New York Times reported last week that Uber conducted a self-driving car experiment late last year that resulted in a Volvo racing through a red light on a busy San Francisco street. Uber said an employee riding in the car was responsible for the problem. The Times reported that Uber sources said the car was self-driving as it went through the intersection.

Closer to home, it should be noted that many a bill has died in the Illinois General Assembly and I wouldn't predict where Zalewski's effort will ultimately end up.

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But at least it's raising a timely question: Is all this driverless vehicle technology going down the right road?

roreed@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @reedtribbiz
Recent heavy rains in California that have flooded rivers and felled trees also likely will spur price hikes on fruits and vegetables in Chicago grocery stores this spring.

Parts of California that often suffer from drought have been rocked by storms in the past two months, flooding some fields and hindering both planting and harvesting. As a result, Chicago-area shoppers could see price hikes in March and April on items including lettuces, greens, broccoli, cauliflower, celery and strawberries.

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In the Salinas Valley, where most of the leafy greens in the U.S. are grown in the spring and summer, delayed planting likely will mean an interruption in supply that will translate to "dramatic (price) increases across the board," said Brian Antle, president of Planttape USA, an innovation arm of Tanimura & Antle, one of the largest farms in the Salinas Valley.

"The whole Salinas Valley is playing catch-up," Antle said.

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By summer, supply likely will catch up with demand and prices will return to normal, he said.

An early finish of the growing season in Yuma, Ariz., where most of the leafy greens are produced from November to March, combined with delayed planting because of the torrential rains in California, likely will lead to a two-week production gap, Antle said.

Some Chicago grocers are already getting the word out. Signs in some Mariano's produce departments, for example, inform shoppers why they may see shortages of certain produce items.

Steve Jarzombek, vice president of produce for Roundy's stores, which include Mariano's, said the rains have delayed the harvest of citrus in California, but the greater concern will be the supply gap in leafy greens and vegetables approaching Easter.

"Consumers might start seeing price increases over the next few weeks," Jarzombek said.

Most of the impact so far has been on specialty items like baby radishes, baby lettuces and baby carrots, said Peter Testa, president of Testa Produce, one of Chicago's longtime produce wholesalers. Supply of those items is minimal because the tops of the plants were damaged in the rains.

But Chicago-area shoppers may see the most significant price increase on strawberries near Easter, Testa said.

As of now, many of the strawberries in local grocery stores are from shipped from Mexico and Florida. But in the spring and early summer, a greater share of the volume typically is sourced from central California fields that are currently oversaturated with water.

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"That would be the one I'm worried about the most," Testa said.

It's too early to tell what impact the California rains will have on Chicago's strawberries, said Carolyn O'Donnell, spokeswoman for the California Strawberry Commission.

Prices are always subject to available supply and strawberries are extremely perishable, she said. On the other hand, California strawberry growers more often contend with the opposite challenge of drought.

"Water is almost always a good thing. I've never known a strawberry farmer to complain about rain," O'Donnell said.

For the next week or so, the weather forecast for the Salinas Valley looks favorable, with ample sunshine and little chance of rain. If the fields drain, seeds can be planted and, eventually, fruit can be harvested.

"We've had big gulps of rain instead of steadily throughout the winter. ... Everyone's kind of in wait-and-see mode," said Dave Kranz, spokesman for the California Farm Bureau Federation.

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Of course, one farm's production gap in another's opportunity.

In Chicago  and in other urban markets through the U.S.  weather and labor-related volatility in California agriculture have emboldened a new wave of urban farmers. In recent years, companies like Gotham Greens, MightyVine and BrightFarms have set up operations in the Chicago area, partnering with retailers to supply produce grown locally and indoors.

BrightFarms, still in its first year of operation in Rochelle, Ill., expects to produce about 1 million pounds of produce, mostly greens with some tomatoes, in its exclusive partnership with Mariano's.

Paul Lightfoot, BrightFarms CEO, said California's weather woes are exacerbated by an ongoing labor shortage. Still, Lightfoot acknowledged that farms like BrightFarms, which are much smaller in scale than California lettuce growers, aren't likely to replace the "incumbent industry" any time soon.

But the future looks bright for the business model.

"I hate to see this happen to American consumers, but in some ways, it gives us confidence that we're on the right path," Lightfoot said.

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gtrotter@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @GregTrotterTrib
Hundreds of former employees of Sterling Jewelers, the multibillion-dollar conglomerate behind Jared the Galleria of Jewelry and Kay Jewelers, claim that its chief executive and other company leaders presided over a corporate culture that fostered rampant sexual harassment and discrimination, according to arbitration documents obtained by The Washington Post.

Declarations from roughly 250 women and men who worked at Sterling, filed as part of a private class-action arbitration case, allege that female employees at the company throughout the late 1990s and 2000s were routinely groped, demeaned and urged to sexually cater to their bosses to stay employed. Sterling disputes the allegations.

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The arbitration was first filed in 2008 by more than a dozen women who accused the company of widespread gender discrimination. The class-action case, still unresolved, now includes 69,000 women who are current and former employees of Sterling, which operates about 1,500 stores across the country.

Most of the sworn statements were written years ago, but the employees' attorneys were only granted permission to release them publicly Sunday evening. One of the original women who brought the case, those lawyers said, died in 2014 as proceedings crawled on without resolution.

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The statements allege that top male managers, some at the company's headquarters near Akron, Ohio, dispatched scouting parties to stores to find female employees they wanted to sleep with, laughed about women's bodies in the workplace, and pushed female subordinates into sex by pledging better jobs, higher pay or protection from punishment.

Though women made up a large part of Sterling's sales force, many said they felt they had little recourse with their mostly male management. Sanya Douglas, a Kay sales associate and manager in New York between 2003 and 2008, said a manager even had a saying for male leaders coaxing women into sexual favors to advance their careers, calling it "going to the big stage."

"If you didn't do what he wanted with him," she said in the 2012 sworn statement, "you wouldn't get your (preferred) store or raise."

Sterling spokesman David Bouffard told the Post in a statement Monday that company officials "have thoroughly investigated the allegations and have concluded they are not substantiated by the facts and certainly do not reflect our culture."

The company "has created strong career opportunities for many thousands of women working at our stores nationwide" and takes allegations of pay and promotion discrimination seriously, with "multiple processes in place to receive and investigate allegations of misconduct," Bouffard said.

Allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination "involve a very small number of individuals," he said, adding that their claims were included in arbitration filings by employees' attorneys "to paint a negative and distorted picture of the company."

In arbitration, Sterling presented experts it said had reviewed some employee allegations and concluded that the company "devotes adequate resources to manage complaints of unwanted sex-related behavior," according to a 2015 filing.

Not all of the 69,000 class members are alleging sexual impropriety. Many are accusing Sterling of wage violations, arguing women were systematically paid less than men and passed over for promotions given to less experienced male colleagues.

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The former and current employees are seeking punitive damages and years of back pay, though no estimate of the potential damages has been given. A class hearing, during which witnesses will be called to testify before the arbitration judge for the first time, is scheduled for early next year.

Sterling, like other U.S. companies, requires all workers to waive their right to bring any employment-related disputes against their employer in public courts. Instead, complaints must be decided in arbitration  a private, quasi-legal system where cases are guaranteed little transparency.

Since 2015, the Post has requested to review the employee statements submitted as part of arbitration, all of which were designated as confidential. Employees' attorneys have also sought to make them publicly available. Attorneys for the employees and the company recently reached an agreement that the documents could be made public on the condition that they not identify any of the individuals to whom conduct was attributed.

More than 1,300 pages of sworn statements were released Sunday and feature company-approved redactions that obscure the names of managers and executives accused of harassment or abuse. But a memorandum by the employees' attorneys supporting their motion for class certification, filed in 2013, revealed that top executives including Mark Light, now chief executive of Sterling's parent company, Signet Jewelers, were among those accused of having sex with female employees and promoting women based upon how they responded to sexual demands.

Light did not respond to requests for comment, and the company did not make him available for an interview. The company declined to address detailed questions about the allegations made by former employees against Light and other managers.

Many of the most striking allegations stem from the company's annual managers meetings, which former employees described as a boozy, no-spouses-allowed "sex-fest" where attendance was mandatory and women were aggressively pursued, grabbed and harassed.

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Multiple witnesses told attorneys that they saw Light "being entertained" as he watched and joined nude and partially undressed female employees in a swimming pool, according to the 2013 memorandum.

Routine sexual "preying" at company events "was done out in the open and appeared to be encouraged, or at least condoned, by the company," Melissa Corey, a manager of Sterling stores in Massachusetts and Florida between 2002 and 2008, said in her declaration.

Ellen Contaldi, a Sterling manager in Massachusetts between 1994 and 2008, said in her declaration that male executives "prowled around the (resort) like dogs that were let out of their cage and there was no one to protect the female managers from them."

"I didn't like being alone, anywhere. I used to dread going" to the meetings, Contaldi told the Post in an interview. "If you were even remotely attractive or outgoing, which most salespeople are, you were meat, being shopped."

"It was like nobody knew right from wrong, and there was nobody trying to show anybody right from wrong," Contaldi added. "There was no discipline. There was no consequence. You were on your own."

Former employees who sought help or reported abuse through an internal hotline alleged in their declarations that they were verbally attacked or terminated. Kristin Henry, a five-year Sterling employee who said she was 22 when an older district manager tried to kiss and touch her at a managers event, told the Post she was falsely accused of theft and quickly fired after reporting his advances to superiors at Sterling.

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The case, Jock et al. v. Sterling Jewelers, was filed before the American Arbitration Association, one of the nation's largest arbitration organizations. Kathleen Roberts, the case's arbitrator and a retired federal magistrate, is forbidden by association rules from speaking with the media. Like other arbitrations, the case before Roberts is conducted in private and is legally binding. While arbitrator decisions are appealable, there are very limited grounds on which decisions can be overturned. The confidential nature of the case has made it difficult to determine why it has taken so long to resolve.

In a 2015 decision to grant class-action status to the women, Roberts wrote that the testimony includes references to "soliciting sexual relations with women (sometimes as a quid pro quo for employment benefits), and creating an environment at often-mandatory Company events in which women are expected to undress publicly, accede to sexual overtures and refrain from complaining about the treatment to which they have been subjected."

"For the most part Sterling has not sought to refute this evidence," Roberts wrote. Instead, she wrote, "Sterling argues that it is inadmissible, irrelevant and insufficient to establish a corporate culture that demeans women."

The case could deeply tarnish a business that sells billions of dollars worth of jewelry a year through romance-centered marketing campaigns such as "Every Kiss Begins with Kay." Signet told shareholders in an annual report last year that it would have to "pay substantial damages" if it lost the case.

Sterling's mall outlets and storefronts account for a large chunk of America's jewelry market, as well as more than 18,000 jobs across all 50 states. Its parent company, Signet, which is domiciled in Bermuda but headquartered in Ohio, is the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry, selling more than $6 billion of jewelry, watches and services in 2015, company filings show.

Joseph Sellers, a partner at the Cohen Milstein law firm and lead counsel for the case, told the Post in an interview that the former employees' statements provide "breathtaking evidence of ways in which women were mistreated in the workplace."

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"It was terribly demeaning to them as women," Sellers said, "not just because they themselves were mistreated but because they saw how their co-workers were treated as sexual objects."

"Backed into a corner"

When Heather Ballou left her job at a small jewelry store and moved to a Kay retail outlet in Pensacola, Florida, in 2000, she believed she had made the right move to advance her young career. Sterling seemed to offer high standards, a professional atmosphere and managers willing to groom and mentor new employees, Ballou, a class member in the arbitration, said in an interview with the Post.

As she worked her way up to store manager, though, she said, she became increasingly disturbed at the frequency of sexual harassment from the company's crude "boys club." At a managers meeting in 2005, a district manager promised to help transfer her to a better store if she had sex with him, she said in her sworn statement. That night, she did, believing she was "backed into a corner" and had no other way to advance.

"Looking back, I can't believe I did some of the things I had to do," Ballou, 41, told the Post, adding that in the moment she thought: "You suck it up and do what you have to do for your family. You need this job."

Ballou attended four of Sterling's multiday managers meetings, where attendance was mandatory for managers at company stores nationwide. The events, which were mostly held in Orlando, included daytime work seminars but were infamous for their wild parties at night, employees said. It was common practice, former employees said, for executives and high-level managers to ply subordinates with alcohol.

One night, Ballou told the Post, she saw a top executive watching as female managers in varying stages of undress splashed in a hotel pool. "He had a drink in one hand and a cigar in the other, just taking it all in, like, 'I am the king and this is my harem,' " she told the Post. She was prevented by her attorneys from naming which executive was involved, because of the condition of the arbitration documents' release. The 2013 class-action motion states Light took part in a pool-related incident similar to the one Ballou described.

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Henry, who attended the 2005 meeting, said she was retrieving her shawl from a hotel room when a male district manager who was her father's age, and whom she had been told to treat like a mentor, forcibly tried to kiss and touch her. Stunned, she left immediately afterward and called her parents for advice.

"I was so embarrassed," she told the Post. "I was afraid of what would happen next, how I would be treated, if it was something he would tell other employees about."

A few days later, she called an internal hotline to report the encounter, believing her identity would be protected. But within days of her report, a regional boss visited her store for two days, interviewed her co-workers and reviewed surveillance video before accusing her of stealing a gold necklace and $100 in cash. She told the Post she showed the boss evidence that she had not stolen anything, but Sterling fired her, a few days before she was set to receive an annual commission payment worth roughly $30,000, she alleged.

Because she was fired and accused of theft, she told the Post, she was unable to find a job at another jewelry store. Now 34, she works as a nurse in Florida.

"Friends to this day ask: What ever happened to that job? And it's one of those situations: Do I tell the truth? Or do I say I just moved on, to save myself the embarrassment?" she told the Post. Seeing Kay commercials, she said, continues to unnerve her.

"They're still hiring younger women, and I worry about those women," she told the Post. "I worry about what might happen to them."

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Julia Highfill, a nine-year Sterling manager in Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, said in her sworn statement that the company "did not have an effective or serious mechanism by which female employees could complain about their mistreatment." After calling the company to report that a district manager had arrived to work late and reeking of alcohol, she alleged that he called soon after to warn her against calling again. He told her, "Anything you say, I'm going to know," she recalled in an interview.

Men who are not part of the class also filed sworn statements alleging Sterling was a hostile workplace for women. Richard Sumen, who worked for Sterling in Ohio from 1992 until 2005, said in his declaration that a group of managers and officers commonly known as the "good ole boys" was infamous for "protecting and promoting their friends, and wild escapades of sex, drugs, excessive drinking and womanizing." He recalled one former Ohio-based executive saying, "Why pay women more when they just get pregnant and have families?"

In his sworn statement, Sumen also recounted an incident at corporate headquarters in which an executive pointed to a female secretary and asked a district manager, "Are you doing her?" The secretary looked visibly uncomfortable, Sumen said, but the executive said again, louder, "I want to f---ing know if you are f---ing doing her."

Sumen told the Post that he remained troubled by what he called Sterling's discriminatory corporate climate. He wrote in his 2008 declaration, "This culture of sexism and womanizing was so prevalent that female management employees were pressured to acquiesce and participate."

Like "an abusive relationship"

This culture seemingly arose in a company whose sales force was mostly women. More than 68 percent of Sterling's store managers are women, the company told the Post. Three of Signet's 10 executive officers are women. A job-recruitment video calls Sterling "your place to shine" and promises an "exciting and fulfilling career."

Light was made Sterling's chief executive in 2006 and presided over an eight-year growth streak during which the company's sales more than tripled. Light, now 54 and chief executive of Signet, earned about $7.4 million in salary, stock and bonuses in fiscal 2016, up from $2.4 million in 2014, company filings show.

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Signet, the parent company of Sterling, Zales and other jewelry brands, has struggled in recent months because of disappointing holiday sales, investors' worries over how much of its jewelry is bought on credit, and a scandal during which Kay customers alleged diamonds they had brought in for cleaning were swapped for lesser-quality stones. The company denied the diamond-swapping allegations. Its share price has dropped by half since its late-2015 peak.

Since 1998, Sterling has forced all employees to agree to arbitration - a no-judge, no-jury resolution system that allows companies to keep potentially embarrassing labor disputes and case records mostly confidential.

The nonprofit American Arbitration Association, where the Sterling case is being heard, allows companies to refuse arbitrators they believe will not fairly rule on their case.

Some companies have argued that arbitration allows them a quicker path to resolving employee disputes beyond traditional courts. Workers effectively consent to the rules when they sign agreements requiring arbitration as a condition of their employment, as seen with Sterling's contracts.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said in a report last year that mandatory arbitration policies "can prevent employees from learning about similar concerns shared by others in their workplace."

Ballou, who left the company in 2009, is hoping the case leads to more than back pay. Now 41, the single mother is back in school studying to become a registered nurse and working as an office manager for a real estate company, where she told the Post she "hasn't encountered an inkling" of what she saw at Sterling.

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"What's sad is that I was there for so long, it was almost like when someone is in an abusive relationship: You think that's what normal is," she told the Post.

"I can't even go into a Kay anymore. It just turns my stomach," she added. "Even seeing those 'Every Kiss Begins with Kay' commercials revolts me, thinking of what's behind them. All the good things they do, all the lovely things they promise. It's a lie."

She told the Post she wanted to speak out in hopes that it could help other women, as well as her 8-year-old daughter.

"I was a victim, and I didn't have anyone to speak for me," Ballou said. "As humiliating as it was, it was worth it, because now maybe it won't happen to her."
The company owned by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, left, is suing restaurateur Kimbal Musk's company over the use of the phrase "the kitchen." (AP, Chicago Tribune)

A battle involving companies affiliated with celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck and the right to use "the kitchen" in restaurant names has landed in federal court in Chicago.

"The kitchen" is a generic term in the restaurant world, Puck's companies argue, and any eatery should be able to use it in its name. The defendant in the case, the parent company of The Kitchen restaurant in the River North neighborhood, disagrees.

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The suit, filed last week in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, asks that the court declare that Boulder, Colo.-based The Kitchen Cafe does not own protectable trademark rights to the term "the kitchen."

"Our view is, people see Wolfgang Puck's name, (and) that's really what they're looking at. 'Kitchen' just tells you this is going to be a restaurant," said Steve Mick, the Los Angeles-based attorney representing Puck's companies. "The folks in Colorado, on the other hand, seemed intent on getting some right to the phrase 'the kitchen' all by itself."

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The showdown started years ago, according to court documents.

Kimbal Musk, one of the founders of The Kitchen and brother of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, allegedly reached out to Puck in 2015 to discuss the confusion that could be caused by opening another restaurant called The Kitchen, according to a complaint The Kitchen Cafe filed last year in federal court in Colorado.

Puck had just announced plans to open a concept called The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck and, according to the complaint, never returned Musk's calls.

Puck's "use of The Kitchen immediately caused confusion in the restaurant industry and marketplace," according to the Colorado compliant, which The Kitchen Cafe filed against a different Puck entity, Wolfgang Puck Licensing.

Puck is affiliated with bars, restaurants and retail locations around the world, including Wolfgang Puck Express in O'Hare International Airport. Other affiliated concepts with "kitchen" in their names include WP Kitchen and Bar and The Kitchen Counter by Wolfgang Puck.

Wolfgang Puck Licensing filed a motion to dismiss the Colorado complaint, and the judge has yet to rule on the appropriate place for the case to be heard, Mick said. The purpose behind the Illinois filing is to select Chicago as that place.

Both parties have restaurants in Chicago, Mick said. "And we like the fact that within a mile radius of The Kitchen's location in Chicago, there are five or six other restaurants using the phrase 'kitchen.'"

In River North, there's Lyfe Kitchen, Travelle Kitchen + Bar and Doc B's Fresh Kitchen, according to the Illinois complaint. One North Kitchen & Bar is also nearby in the Loop.

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"That just sort of underscores our whole point," Mick said. "They don't get to elbow out everybody."

The plaintiffs in the Illinois case are Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, which owns and operates some restaurants, and Wolfgang Puck Express Licensing, which handles franchised locations. Neither company was named as a defendant in the Colorado case.

The Kitchen Cafe says its issue is specific to Puck's use of the phrase.

"The Kitchen has no issue with descriptive uses of 'kitchen' that do not cause confusion, which is the case in these other instances," said Timothy Getzoff, the attorney representing The Kitchen Cafe. "In contrast, Puck's competing restaurant uses the exact same name, The Kitchen, which already has caused confusion in the market."

Trademarks on descriptive words can easily cause controversy, said Matt Grothouse, an associate attorney at Chicago-based Saper Law Offices who is not involved in this case. This suit is evidence of that, Grothouse said.

"Wolfgang Puck wants to be able to use what they feel is a common term in the restaurant industry," he said. "Just like they want to be able to use 'restaurant' and 'grill,' they want to be able to use the word 'kitchen.'"

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amarotti@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @AllyMarotti
Aurora police are seeking information on two shootings last week on opposite sides of the city.

At 10:15 a.m. on Feb. 22, a 29-year-old man and 24-year-old woman were in a car that was shot at near the intersection of North Avenue and Ohio Street on the city's East Side, police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said in an email.

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The woman told police she was driving southbound on Ohio and, just as she turned westbound onto North, she heard shots fired and her back windshield shattered. Police found her car had been hit several times, Ferrelli said.

The shots may have been fired from a maroon SUV, possibly a Buick Rendezvous, but police have no further suspect description, Ferrelli said. Nothing else appeared to be hit, he said.

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The next day  at about 5:40 p.m.  a witness in the 2000 block of Bittersweet Court reported seeing a dark car, possibly an older model Ford Taurus, stop near the intersection of Illinois Avenue and Independence Drive on the city's West Side, Ferrelli said. A man got out of the car, ran northbound and began shooting at the car he just exited.

It drove west on Illinois and was not located, Ferrelli said. Nothing else in the area was struck, he said.

Police ask anyone with information to call Aurora police investigators at 630-256-5500 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000.

Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and qualify for a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to any arrests.

People also can submit tips through the Aurora Police Department's free My PD mobile app.

hleone@tribpub.com

Twitter @hannahmleone
HYDERABAD, India  The mother of an Indian engineer who was killed in an apparently racially motivated shooting in an American bar said she asked her son to come back to India if he felt threatened in the United States, but he said he was not in any danger.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla's mother wailed Tuesday as her son's body was cremated in his hometown of Hyderabad, in the capital of Telangana state.

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"I had asked him to return to India if he was feeling insecure there. But he used to say he was safe and secure," Parvatha Vardhini said.

Now she wants her younger son and his family to come home. "I will not allow them to go back," she said. "My son had gone there in search of a better future. What crime did he commit?"

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Hundreds of grieving relatives and friends tearfully mourned the 32-year-old who came to the U.S. in 2005 to pursue a master's degree at the University of Texas at El Paso.

"It is so cruel. He was such a kind soul, very friendly. He was so excited that he and his wife were going to start a family soon. Now this has happened," said P. L. Narayana, his uncle.

His father, Madhusudhan Rao, was philosophical: "I believe in destiny. Whatever was destined has happened."

He added, "Now I want the U.S. government to take care of the security of our Indians who are working there."

A statement issued Tuesday by the Indian External Affairs Ministry said American authorities "are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the U.S., a matter which continues to receive the government's top priority."

Kuchibhotla's body was flown Monday from Newark, New Jersey. His widow, Sunaina Dumala, looking dazed, and his brother, Sai Kiran, who studies in the United States, arrived on the same flight.

Hours later, the flower-laden body was taken in an open carriage from his home to a crematorium in the Jubilee Hills area, where it was placed on a wooden pyre and lit as part of Hindu last rites.

According to witnesses, the gunman yelled "get out of my country" at Kuchibhotla and a colleague named Alok Madasani before opening fire at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City, on Feb. 22. Both men worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin.

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Madasani and another bar patron were wounded.

Adam Purinton of Olathe was arrested at a bar in Missouri after telling a bartender that he shot two people he described as Iranian. He remains jailed on murder and attempted murder charges.

India's information and broadcasting minister, M. Venkaiah Naidu, who visited the bereaved family over the weekend, condemned the attack.

"Such incidents," he said, "should not happen in one of the oldest democracies of the world."
The following items were taken from the Winnetka and Northfield police department reports and press releases. An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.

Northfield

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Fraud

Police are investigating the use of a bad check to buy a vehicle at Fields BMW on Jan. 19, which was reported on Feb. 22. Police said a man paid for a $23,677 vehicle with a check, which was returned as account closed. The investigation is continuing.

A resident of the 200 block of Lagoon Drive on Feb. 21 reported they had placed an item for sale online for $70 but had been paid with a check for an amount greater than that. The buyer told the seller they could send them the balance, but police advised the seller it was a scam. There is no reported loss at this time.

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DUI

Ivar S. Melnikau, 27, of the 8900 block of North Bronx Avenue in Skokie, was charged with DUI and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident at Willow and Northfield roads on Feb. 23 following a non-injury accident.

Traffic

Juan A. Gonzales Chavez, 64, of the 4400 block of North Spalding Avenue in Chicago, was charged with driving without a valid driver's license in the 1600 block of Willow Road on Feb. 22 following a non-injury accident.

Isaac J. Chang, 41, of the 10000 block of Michael Todd Terrance in Glenview, was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and driving without a valid driver's license following a non-injury accident on Feb. 27 at Waukegan and Dundee roads.

Winnetka

Fraud

A resident of the 500 block of Sheridan Road on Feb. 16 reported that their personal financial information was used to open to open an AT&T account. The amount of loss is $3,387.44.

A resident of the 500 block of Sheridan Road reported on Feb. 21 that their personal financial information was used to open several retail store credit card accounts and make unauthorized purchases. The amount of loss is $2,473.77.

A resident of the 900 block of Westmoor Road on Feb. 22 reported that their personal financial information was used to open a Chase credit card account. There is no reported loss at this time.

A resident of the 300 block of Green Bay Road on Feb. 23 reported that several fraudulent checks were cashed on their business account. The amount of loss is in excess of $5,000.

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Criminal damage

Black and blue spray paint was used to deface the Pine Street underpass, according to a Feb. 22 report. Public Works was notified for removal, and repair costs are $400.00.

Theft

An unattended purse containing credit cards and cash was taken from the 800 block of Boal Parkway, according to a Feb. 24 report. The amount of loss is $600.

Brian Cox is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
Arami is one of those rare multi-tool Japanese restaurants, where the sushi bar and hot kitchen operate at similarly high levels. When a fire closed the restaurant for a month in November, owner Ty Fujimura used the forced vacation to spiff the place up.

MORE: Phil Vettel's full review of Arami

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Tribune rating:   

Address: 1829 W. Chicago Ave.

Phone: 312-243-1535

Website: www.aramichicago.com

Open: Dinner daily

Prices: Nigiri $3-$8, maki rolls and entrees $15-$17

Reservations: Strongly recommended

Ratings key:     outstanding;    excellent;   very good;  good; no stars: unsatisfactory. The reviewer makes every effort to remain anonymous. Meals are paid for by the Tribune.
Heaven on Seven on Rush St. has closed after 17 years in River North. (Warren Sklaski/For the Chicago Tribune)

Happy New Year, and we begin 2015 with a bang in the world of Chicago dining:

* Heaven on Seven's Rush Street locationhas closed after 17 years in River North (600 N. Michigan Ave.), the restaurant announced on its Facebook page Monday. The boisterous Creole restaurant, strewn with Mardi Gras beads and walls lined with hot sauce bottles, was the sequel location to Jimmy Bannos' original Heaven on the seventh floor of the Garland Building (111 N. Wabash Ave.). That location (plus a suburban Naperville restaurant) remains open and will mark its 35th year in 2015.

The original name of Heaven on Seven was New Garland Coffee Shop; Jimmy Bannos introduced Cajun/Creole specials in 1984, and "Heaven on Seven" was an insiders' nickname. It became permanent in 1985.

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The quirky, cash-only, no-liquor restaurant was the darling of foodies before the term "foodies" even existed, but it was the opening of the Michigan Avenue location, in 1997, when the concept achieved national prominence. The new Heaven on Seven was a large, open space, served dinner every night and offered a full bar; a wall filled with hot sauces called attention to Bannos' spicy food and his "Hot as a Mutha" tasting menus. When Emeril Lagasse, a friend of Bannos, starred as guest chef in October of that year, Heaven on Seven had coast-to-coast cred.

* Good Stuff Eatery, from former "Top Chef"competitor Spike Mendelsohn, is now slated to open on Jan. 28. Originally scheduled for a fall opening, the burger restaurant will be located at 22 S. Wabash Ave. in the Loop. Mendelsohn's "Prez Obama Burger"  with gorgonzola cheese, horseradish mayo and red-onion marmalade  was the judges' choice at the 2014 Hamburger Hop competition. The chain has three locations in the Washington, D.C. area and one in Philadelphia.

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* Lost Lake Tiki will be the name of Paul McGee's next bar project. Like his previous, the lauded Three Dots and a Dash, Lost Lake will be a tiki bar, this time at 3152 W. Diversey Ave. in Logan Square. McGee will partner with Martin Cate of the San Francisco rum bar Smuggler's Cove. Land and Sea Dept., the project development group behind Longman & Eagle and Parson's Chicken & Fish, will oversee Lost lake Tiki.

* Next is leading the charge in creative trailers for their restaurant. This latest is no exception, an animated short for their forthcoming bistro menu.

* Today, Jan. 5,is National Whipped Cream Day.

Tribune restaurant critic Phil Vettel contributed.

kpang@tribpub.com

Twitter @pang
"Three from the Bayou" dish with the Hurricane drink behind, to celebrate Mardi Gras, at Shanahan's in Forest Park. (Abel Uribe, Chicago Tribune)

Lovers of gumbos, jambalayas and po' boys rejoice: Local restaurants are celebrating Mardi Gras with Cajun and Creole-inspired food specials. Here's a roundup of what chefs are cooking up.

Big Jones: James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist Paul Fehribach flips his Lowcountry menu for more Louisiana-centric dishes between Thursday and Fat Tuesday. Specials planned include a made-to-order jambalaya served in a quart-sized cast-iron Dutch oven (serves the whole table), Cajun fish fry with oyster gravy, alligator andouille sauce picante and a roast beef po' boy with debris gravy. 5347 N. Clark St., 773-275-5725, bigjoneschicago.com

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Frontier: New Orleans-reared chef Brian Jupiter will be serving a Louisiana shrimp boil 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Noble Square restaurant. Tickets can be bought for $33. Drink specials include Mardi Gras gin fizzes, hurricanes, Sazerac and Hand Grenades for $8. 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-772-4322, thefrontierchicago.com

Revolution Brewing: One of the best deals on Tuesday will be at Logan Square's Revolution Brewing, where chef Charlie Eure will be serving a five-course prix fixe tasting course with in-house beer pairings for $45 ($35 without beer). Eure said the menu is still being finalized, but it'll be "Creole inspired," with a course each devoted to oysters and gumbo. No reservations are accepted; seating begins at 5 p.m. Tuesday. 2323 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-227-2739, revbrew.com

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Heaven on Seven: Longtime Chicago celebrator of les bon temps, Heaven on Seven, which turns 34 this year, will open all three locations for dinner Mardi Gras night, including its original Wabash location (usually open for breakfast/lunch only). Chef Jimmy Bannos said a crawfish boil will be offered at all the restaurants, while at the Wabash restaurant he's working on a few specials, including alligator etouffee and a tamale of duck confit and andouille sausage with mole sauce. 111 N. Wabash Ave., 7th floor, 312-263-6443; 600 N. Michigan Ave., 2nd floor, 312-280-7774; 224 S. Main St., Naperville, 630-717-0777, heavenonseven.com

Shaw's Crab House (Chicago): Crawfish-centric specials from Friday through Tuesday features crawfish po' boys, crawfish pot pies, blackened redfish with crawfish sauce, plus Pat O'Brien hurricanes and Sazerac. Culminates on Fat Tuesday with a $30 all-you-can-eat crawfish boil, featuring live music from the Midway Ramblers Cajun Band. 21 E. Hubbard St., 312-527-2722, shawscrabhouse.com

Shaw's Crab House (Schaumburg): The focus at Shaw's Schaumburg location is on oysters. Friday and Saturday night, from 9 to 11 p.m., will feature 50-cent oysters. Fat Tuesday will have half-priced oysters all day, including 50-cent specials from 7 to 8 p.m., plus live music from the Matt Stedman Band & Ring of Music. 1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, 847-517-2722, shawscrabhouse.com

MoeJoes: Plainfield will become the alligator capital of Chicagoland during Mardi Gras. Starting Friday, MoeJoes will offer specials of alligator fricassee and alligator sauce picante, plus an alligator tail burger with bacon-green tomato jam. Fat Tuesday will also feature $6 hurricanes and $5 Abita beers, including Turbodog, Amber and Purple Haze. 24033 W. Lockport St., Plainfield, 815-230-2790, eatmoejoes.com

Toons Bar & Grill: Toons in Lakeview  great wings and chili, by the way  will feature a few of its New Orleans favorites on Mardi Gras night, including: smoked chicken and sausage gumbo, a jambalaya of chicken, ham and sausage, and po' boy specials of fried oyster or shrimp. Drink specials include $6 hurricanes and $4 Abita beers. 3857 N. Southport Ave., 773-935-1919, chicagotoons.com

Maple Tree Inn: Four-course tasting menu on Mardi Gras night ($60) includes crawfish etouffee, crab mornay and the restaurant's signature hickory buttered barbecue shrimp and jalapeno cheddar cheese grits. Souvenir hurricane glass is included, plus performance from The Mudcats, an eight-piece Dixieland jazz band. Advanced tickets are required. 13301 S. Old Western Ave., Blue Island, 708-388-3461, mapletreeinnrestaurant.com

O'Donovan's Pub & Restaurant: Dinner specials Friday through Tuesday from chef Victor DeLeon include gumbo, po' boy sandwiches, jalapeno corn bread, Cajun-style crabcakes and blackened catfish with Cajun aioli. Drink specials include Abita Amber and Purple Haze and New Orleans-style hurricanes. 2100 W. Irving Park Road, 773-478-2100, odonovansbar.com

Davis Street Fishmarket: Mardi Gras night in Evanston begins with a cooking class at 5:30 p.m. from chef Jeffrey Perin on how to create three Creole favorites ($25). Food specials that evening includes crawfish fritters, pecan-encrusted lemon fish with crawfish bisque and french-fried frog legs. Live music courtesy of Sanctified Grumblers, plus free psychic readings. 501 Davis St., Evanston, 847-869-3474, davisstreetfishmarket.com

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Shanahan's: Longtime Creole/Irish bar Shanahan's will celebrate its 24th Mardi Gras in Forest Park with food specials beginning Thursday: blackened shrimp and scallops, alligator gumbo, turtle soup and alligator sausage po' boys. No reservations will be taken on Fat Tuesday. 7353 Madison St., Forest Park, 708-366-0775, shanahanscreole.com

Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop (Evanston): New shrimp dishes will be offered as March specials at Dixie Kitchen's Evanston location. These include Canal Street Shrimp, eight skewered shrimp over rice with peppers, tomatoes and a butter sauce; and shrimp Bienville, served blackened in a crawfish-shrimp cream sauce. Fat Tuesday specials include $4 Abita beers and $5.50 hurricanes. 825 Church St., Evanston, 847-733-9030, dixiekitchenevanston.com

Chuck's Southern Comfort Cafe (Darien): A Mardi Gras buffet will be served on Friday and on Fat Tuesday featuring dishes such as shrimp Creole, blackened and fried catfish, oysters Rockefeller and muffaletta sandwiches. Cost is $39 per person and will feature live music from The Zydeco Voodoo Band on Friday and Sweet Potato Zydeco Band on Tuesday. 8025 S. Cass Ave., Darien, 331-431-4000, chuckscafedarien.com

Chuck's Southern Comfort Cafe (Burbank): At Chuck's Burbank location, Mardi Gras will be celebrated Monday and Tuesday in small-plate tapas style. Shareable dishes will run between $5-8, and live music will be courtesy of Hurricane Gumbo (Monday) and The Zydeco Voodoo Band (Tuesday). 6501 W. 79th St., Burbank, 708-229-8700, chuckscafeburbank.com

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen: Specials will be offered at this chain from Friday to Fat Tuesday. Swampthing, the restaurant's signature drink of raspberry and melon liqueur with frozen hurricane and margarita, will be served in a souvenir glass. It'll also offer a limited-availability crawfish and shrimp boil for $25.95, or the crawfish alone for $9.95 for 11/4 pounds. Dessert special will be a King Cheesecake (with traditional plastic baby on the side). 921 Pasquinelli Drive, Westmont, 630-455-9846, pappadeaux.com

kpang@tribune.com

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Twitter @pang
Sommelier Belinda Chang, shown in Oct. 2015 at Maple & Ash, has left the restaurant where she was wine director. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)

Belinda Chang, who's been a partner and director of wine and services at Maple & Ash since the glitzy Gold Coast steakhouse opened in 2015, has left the restaurant.

Her duties will be taken over by new general manager Chris Gerber, a veteran of Alinea, NoMI and, most recently, The Aviary and Next, where he was director of service. In a release, he said he was "excited to join the brain-trust of Chef Danny Grant, Jim Lasky & David Pisor."

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Chang brought an incredible wealth of knowledge to the position. She first gained fame as a sommelier at Charlie Trotter's, before serving as general manager and wine director at Fifth Floor in San Francisco. She returned to Chicago as wine and service director at Osteria Via Stato. She won a James Beard award for outstanding restaurant wine service working at The Modern, Danny Meyer's bar inside New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Chang, who gained acclaim for the wine program she built at Maple & Ash (Tribune restaurant critic Phil Vettel called it "as amazing as you'd like it to be" in his review of the restaurant), did not respond to a request for a comment Tuesday.

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nkindelsperger@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @nickdk
Chance the Rapper, who once rapped "They murking kids; they murder kids here/Why you think they don't talk about it? They deserted us here/Where the f**** is Matt Lauer at? Somebody get Katie Couric in here" on his song "Paranoia" from his breakthrough mixtape "Acid Rap" in 2013, finally got Katie Couric in here.

The three-time Grammy winner and Couric discussed his rise, faith and family, his vision for Chicago and what it means for him to stay independent.

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"All of that time, up until the Grammys, was the craziest time of my life," Chance said. "... Once it happens, it just kind of bookends it. I just can't wait for the next preparation time."

Couric and Chance also discussed the violence in Chicago, with Chance calling it "bogus" and calling for politicians on the left and right to pass budgets for after-school and arts programs.

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He said, "As individual acts, it's, you know, it's terrifying and also sad. ... The respect for life is little to none in the city because we don't really feel like people care about us. There's a lot of things that I wasn't exposed to or didn't understand or know about until I went downtown. It's literally like a different city over there."

But, he says, Chicago is where he's supposed to be.

Chance the Rapper is also scheduled for a Wednesday meeting with Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner.

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Gary Alan Coe  now known to the world as Gary from Chicago after he stumbled onto the Oscars telecast Sunday  is hoping for a Hollywood ending to his own life story.

Released from prison just three days before the awards show, Coe found himself thrust into the spotlight as the unwitting star in a bit purporting to feature star-struck tourists. His 15 minutes of fame quickly devolved into an examination of his criminal history, a past that Coe says represents a journey of redemption.

I want to show people if you dont give up on yourself, anything can happen, Coe told the Tribune on Tuesday. People let public opinion crush them, but I served my time. Im a changed man.

Coe, 59, was imprisoned for 20 years under California's three-strikes law, which carried a mandatory 25 years-to-life sentence upon an offender's third conviction, according to court records. He was given the sentence  the toughest in the country at the time  after being convicted of petty theft in 1997.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 20 (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times (left and right); Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP (center))

Though Coe was accused of stealing three perfume sets valued at $279 from a department store on New Years Eve 1996, it was considered a felony under California law because he had two previous grand theft and two prior shoplifting convictions, court records show. His criminal record in Illinois also includes a conviction for attempted rape in 1978, a robbery in 1982 and a burglary in 1991, according to public records, which meant he met the standards under the three-strikes law.

Coes circumstances changed, however, when California voters passed a 2012 ballot measure that altered some aspects of the three-strikes law. In Coes case, he became eligible for resentencing because his third offense was not a violent crime.

The Los Angeles County District Attorneys office opposed his release, saying his attempted rape conviction showed he was still a danger to society. Coes attorneys argued the incident occurred when Coe was 18 and he had not been accused of another serious violent crime.

On Feb. 14, a California judge, who had ruled that Coe did not pose a threat to society, resentenced him to 6 years in prison for the petty theft, records show. He was given credit for time served and released from prison Thursday.

Three days later, he and fiancee Vickie Vines were holding hands while walking on Hollywood Boulevard when he was asked by someone he thought worked with a tour bus company if he would like a free sightseeing tour. He said he had no idea one of the stops would be the Oscars when he boarded the bus with about a dozen other passengers.

The bus pulled up to the Dolby Theatre, where Coe was under the impression they were about to see an Oscars exhibit.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 72 Mahershala Ali, winner of the award for best actor in a supporting role for "Moonlight", from left, Emma Stone, winner of the award for best actress in a leading role for "La La Land", Viola Davis, winner of the award for best actress in a supporting role for "Fences", and Casey Affleck, winner of the award for best actor in a leading role for "Manchester by the Sea", pose in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Lo and behold when they opened the door, I was in the house, he said.

Within minutes of entering the theater, he was holding an Oscar won by Moonlight star Mahershala Ali and kissing Nicole Kidmans hand. After their engagement was revealed, Denzel Washington married the couple in front of the audience.

Coe, who introduced himself as Gary Alan Coe from Chicago, became an instant social media star for his everyman charm and willingness to carry Vines purse as he shook hands with celebrities. The Bears, Bulls and Ginos East offered him swag in celebration of his newfound fame. Coe said he wasnt paid for his appearance, but he took home some mementos, including an Oscars sweatshirt and a pair of sunglasses Jennifer Aniston gave to Vines.

His attorney, Karen Nash, believes his appearance  and subsequent stories about his criminal history  could have an even wider impact.

People instantly loved Gary and Vickie. Its so great, people can see the face behind these draconian sentences, Nash said. I would hope people would understand redemption is possible.

Coe said his immediate priority is finding a job in Southern California. He said he took classes in electrical wiring, computer programming, small engine repair and janitorial services long before his freedom seemed possible.

His attorney has recommended he become a motivational speaker in part because he mentored other inmates. A recovering drug addict and alcoholic, Coe said he also counseled young prisoners on the importance of sobriety.

Ive always wondered how I could take the pain and suffering I endured and turn it into something good, Coe said.

Coe said he met Vines through her nephew, a young inmate he mentored at the California State Prison in Corcoran. They corresponded through phone calls and cards before getting engaged in June. They plan to marry this summer.

In the meantime, he hopes to reconnect with family members, including his three children, eight grandchildren and a great-grandson. He was born in Memphis, Tenn., and moved to Chicago at age 12 in 1969. He lived in the South Shore area and moved to the West Coast after being released from prison in 1992.

Coe's daughter, Jacqui Williams, 36, a Chicago native who lives in Lafayette, Ind., said she did not see the initial Oscars telecast, but her phone was buzzing with messages early Monday.

He's a really sweet, genuine, loving-type of dad. He's the best. I'm proud of him, Williams said.

Now that hes done serving time, Coe said he hopes to build on the better person he believes he has become.

Am I changed person? Yes. Do I have regrets? Hell yeah, he said. But I cant be chained to the past.

Chicago Tribunes Liam Ford and the Los Angeles Times Richard Winton contributed.

Twitter @tracyswartz

Twitter @stacystclair

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Members of the Kenwood Academy Jazz Band, directed by Gerald Powell, perform with Jason Moran and Theaster Gates at Eisenhower Theater at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune) (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

WASHINGTON  Everyone was nervous.

For the Kenwood Academy Jazz Band, director Gerald Powell and even Jason Moran  a widely admired jazz pianist and MacArthur Fellow  were fully aware of how much they had taken on.

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Though the Kenwood band performed the world premiere of Moran's "Looks of a Lot" in Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center in May 2014, this time was different: The young musicians were heading to the nation's capital to play the epic work at the Kennedy Center, where Moran serves as artistic director for jazz.

Some of the Kenwood students never had been on a plane. Even Powell, an accomplished Chicago jazz musician, never had set foot in the Kennedy Center, let alone performed on one of its stages.

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Could the young musicians, most of whom hadn't been involved in the 2014 performance, match the earlier triumph at an even more prominent venue?

Could Moran make this intricately staged composition  featuring his celebrated Bandwagon trio, more than 30 students and movable set pieces by Chicago artist Theaster Gates  survive a new environment?

And could a Washington audience relate to "Looks of a Lot," which explores the affect of Chicago's widely reported violence but also holds out hope, faith and affirmation?

The answers would come during the course of three intense days last week, as the Kenwood band, teachers and chaperoning parents would join forces with Moran during a dizzying itinerary.

Here's what happened:

7 p.m., Feb. 22: Students on screen

The Kenwood musicians and a Washington audience converge on the Kennedy Center Jazz Club to watch "Kenwood's Journey," an hourlong, Tribune-produced documentary about the 2014 world premiere.

During the lively panel discussion that follows, Moran reveals how the students inspired him the last time around.

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"How they played ... gave me more confidence that the songs were actually decent," he says.

Maybe so, but the kids had been on edge.

"I became a nervous Nellie," says Kenwood trombonist Alyssa Younger, 18, one of three Kenwood students who played in the original Chicago concert.

"I'm going to admit this now: In the middle of the (Orchestra Hall) performance, I stopped playing. I got really nervous. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to mess up the whole performance."

Younger's confession draws not admonition but praise from the man whose music she had attempted to perform.

"That's amazing that you stopped, because that's a brilliant thing to do," responds Moran.

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"It's a really mature thing to do. You know how many professional musicians won't take the horn out of their mouths?"

Still, Moran cautions Younger and all the students in the house about what awaits them two nights from now.

"Friday is not promised," he says, referring to the forthcoming concert.

"I try in rehearsals to really figure out what needs to happen. I don't want no mystery by the time it gets to Friday.

"I want the audience to have the mystery. I want us to know, though."

7:55 a.m., Feb. 23: African American History museum

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Moran and Kennedy Center staff have arranged for the Kenwood band to take a guided tour of the National Museum of African American History & Culture before the doors open to the public in the morning.

So the students take the Metro to the museum, where they behold a narrative of tragedy and triumph dating to 1400.

They read statistics on the millions of Africans enslaved, observe amulets resembling shackles and behold the bible of slave-rebellion leader Nat Turner. They're warned about the graphic nature of the contents of one room, which contains photos of lynchings and the white hoods of Ku Klux Klansmen.

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Then the students move on to an exhibition on the "March to Montgomery" and watch historic footage of civil rights protesters suffering police beatings. Nowhere, though, do the young musicians become quieter or linger longer than in a small, darkened room holding the restored casket of Emmett Till, the Chicago 14-year-old slaughtered in 1955 by vigilantes in Mississippi for allegedly having whistled at a white woman.

"It was emotionally heavy," says Kenwood bass guitarist Steven Bowman, 15, a sophomore.

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"It was pretty emotionally draining," observes Kenwood alto saxophonist Samuel Reynolds, 15, a freshman. "It was kind of depressing."

Still, the students connect the bittersweet history on display at the museum  which includes an exhibit celebrating African-American musical achievement  to their own lives.

"We saw struggles and slavery and all of this," adds Reynolds.

"And now there's a predominantly black band coming from the South Side of Chicago (to) perform in Washington, D.C., in the Kennedy Center.

"That's what it really is about for me. Showing how far we've come."

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 28 Pianist Jason Moran, center, and band leader Gerald Powell conduct a practice of the Kenwood Academy Jazz Band at Kenwood Academy High School Chicago on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)

2 p.m., Feb. 23: First rehearsal

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The students take their places on the bandstand of the Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theater, and Moran is eager to see them.

"How was the trip this morning?" he says, asking about the museum outing.

Everyone claps and many say "thank you."

Then Moran sets to work, standing amid a stage crowded with bandstand, concert grand piano, Gates' props, Moran's Bandwagon, guest soloists Ken Vandermark on reeds and Katie Ernst on bass/vocals, director Powell, assistant director Bethany Pickens and various stagehands.

"It's a lot smaller," Moran says to the kids, comparing the stage to Orchestra Hall, "and it's a lot more people.

"The thing about working in the theater is that you have to be patient with everybody," he adds. "And you're showing great patience."

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Boldly, some of the band members offer Moran suggestions on how to improve his own piece, and he adopts many of their ideas.

"Really great rehearsal," he says, as dinner time approaches.

"Tomorrow we'll put it all together.  And then we'll be ready for the show."

The rehearsal "went well," bass guitarist Bowman, who played in the Chicago production, says later.

"It's definitely a different feeling than at Symphony Center, because you're like in a different state," he adds, referring not to geography but to psychological space.

"I felt like I'd gotten to a higher level of music playing."

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Sixteen-year-old trumpeter Jordan Gallon, a junior, initially finds Moran intimidating.

"I was really nervous at first  man, he looks like he means business," she says.

But then she realizes, "He's really calm. He's open to new ideas and to us.  It's really a lot of nerves and emotions, but they're all good nerves and good emotions."

2 p.m., Feb. 24: Final rehearsal

While the band plays Moran's opus, he sits at the piano and sways to the beat, sometimes taking out his camera to videotape the proceedings for himself.

As the music gathers momentum, he offers encouragement and suggestions.

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"We're warming the building up now," he says, as the kids blast away.

7:21 p.m., Feb. 24: The storm before the storm

All at once, the boys in the Kenwood band burst out of their Kennedy Center dressing room looking as if they'd stepped off the pages of GQ magazine. They're wearing sharp, navy blue blazers with the Kenwood crest out front, powder-blue shirts, red-white-and-blue bow ties, tan pants and bright red sneakers.

Something about putting on that uniform energizes them, for they're dancing, chanting, shouting, taking selfies and, ultimately, bounding upstairs to the green room.

Several gather around the piano and begin singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing," an anthem of the civil rights movement often dubbed the Black National Anthem. Moran shows up dressed in a Kenwood shirt, bow tie and blue knit suit, looking less the progenitor of the evening than another musician in the band.

Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter, who was president of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra when she and colleague Jim Fahey commissioned Moran to write his magnum opus, comes backstage to meet and greet.

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"Can you believe it has come this far?" she says to me.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 28 Jason Moran, left, watches as Kendall Curtis, center, Dylan Hunter and Kyndal Purkett perform onstage during rehearsal inside the Eisenhower Theater at the Kennedy Center in Washington on Feb. 22, 2017. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)

8 p.m., Feb. 24: Show time

A hush falls backstage as the students file toward their seats on the bandstand.

Then Rutter steps into the spotlight to say a few words to the audience. She tells of how she and Fahey had asked Moran to consider creating "a piece that might be about the epidemic of gun violence in Chicago."

A few moments later she gets to the crux of the matter.

"Now there's another aspect that I think you should know about," she says to the crowd.

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"When the piece was presented in 2014, the theme of gun violence unfortunately had had an impact on that performance. Because one of the truly brilliant young artists, a 15-year-old guitarist, was shot and killed two weeks before the performance."

Rutter's voice trembles a bit, though not quite as much as when she introduced the work May 30, 2014, in Orchestra Hall, the killing of Aaron Rushing still fresh in the city's psyche.

"So, at that time, we dedicated the performance to Aaron Rushing. And I think that Aaron Rushing is here with us tonight as well.

"So let's all think about what this means."

Rutter leaves the stage, and Moran begins playing solemn chords on the pump organ he used in the Chicago performance. After setting a mood of mystery, he walks slowly to the piano, improvising with his trio a suite of pieces culminating in a pungent blues.

Then Kenwood's drum line marches onto the stage, the crack of sticks on skins and the rumble of mallets on bass drums rocking the house.

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Seventeen-year-old trumpeter Andre Franks, a senior, stands up to play the first and most pivotal instrumental solo of the night, in Roy Eldridge's classic ode to Chicago, "Wabash Stomp." Franks never has gotten through the piece flawlessly in rehearsal, but this time he not only nails it but riffs on it, swinging rhythms and inserting alternate notes no one had heard from him before.

He clearly has found his voice, as have his colleagues, who are tearing into this music. They bring sorrow to the dirgelike passages Moran has created for them to play as they march around a sculpture that suggests a casket. And they conjure palpable optimism in Moran's climactic "Shoulder to Shoulder," its quotations from Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" March No. 1 (played at graduations everywhere), pointing to the future for these students.

Through it all, the Washington audience applauds, yells, whistles and rises to its feet, especially at the grand finale, when all the students shout, in unison: "KEN-WOOD Jaaaaazzz."

Moran brings his young colleagues to the lip of the stage for a curtain call, the students exulting in the moment.

"Give it up for the Kenwood band!" Moran shouts into the microphone."I want to thank them, really, from the bottom of my heart. This is not an easy thing to do."

Then Moran makes a proclamation: "We're going into the studio in late May to make a recording of this," drawing cheers all around.

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The performers march off stage, euphoric.

9:50 p.m., Feb. 24  The afterglow

Musicians, parents, siblings, friends and others swarm the green room, hugs and cheers and high-fives in abundance.

No one seems more relieved than trumpeter Franks, who somehow had sailed through a solo that bedeviled him for months.

"I was shaking," he says, reflecting on his triumph. "Because I was thinking even last night: I don't want to mess up, I don't want to mess up.

"When I got out there, everybody encouraged me and told me: You got it.  I don't know. It was just a miracle."

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So what exactly happened out there?

"Well, I know one thing  we made history," says Moran, speaking in his dressing room as he unwinds from three extraordinary days.

"Because we brought an energy that is necessary, an energy that is necessary to experience not only as a performer, but also, I think for an audience to experience it, too.

"There's a universal truth in watching the youth," Moran adds. "There's an inherent joy in watching children succeed.

"And they really performed at an outstanding level, and it was apparent by the hollers from the audience.

"I said I'm going to record this piece. I don't know how I'm going to do it, but we are going to make that happen.

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"They now can go home and say: We did this. It's true and it's real and it happened and it's history."

And with a recording session a few months away, there's more history yet to be made.

Howard Reich is a Tribune critic.

hreich@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @howardreich

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Kenwood Academy Jazz Band's Journey: The road to Kennedy Center

Part One: Kenwood jazz band journeys to Symphony Center stage

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Fear, sex and self-loathing in Manhattan are all the rage in "The Scene," Theresa Rebeck's study in collapsed coastal morality that's sad, funny and, as the playwright-novelist-television writer says, still spookily accurate.

Rebeck recently took time away from rehearsals and previews of her 2006 play, now under Kimberly Senior's direction at Writers Theatre, to talk over breakfast at Highland Park's Walker Bros. The Midwest pancake palace feels far away from Rebeck's written world of megalomaniacal industry creatures, ruining lives in shiny condos. A world she knows well.

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"It's still driven by a kind of end-of-culture capitalism, and there's still terrible inequities around gender that I think hold a lot of really bad thinking in place," she says about show business at present. "I do think that. Do you think that?"

That would be the first of a number of questions answered with questions as Rebeck talks about everything from her own experiences on the scene to why Donald Trump was elected.

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Her inspirations for "The Scene"? There was a viewing of "Of Human Bondage," her real-life actor friends with post-'biz wounded pride and a real-life party girl she encountered who exhibited frightening levels of narcissism.

In the play, that party girl comes in the form of Clea, Kryptonite-by-way-of-Ohio, who, at least on the surface, embodies the more harrowing qualities of the uber-millennial, as yet undefined in 2006. How calculated the machinations are behind her power grabs is another question.

After Clea's insertion into an otherwise OK marriage, Charlie, the flailing and failing actor who involves himself with Clea, tells his wife, "You're too competent."

"The first time we did the play, women in the audience gasped," Rebeck says. "Because that's the fear, that you have to be competent and then you're judged for being competent."

Rebeck talks about her personal grappling with competency as a woman who supports her family while her husband stays home. She learned people would ask her husband if it bothered him that she made so much money. She remembers people telling her how lucky she was that he "let her" do that.

Rebeck, deadpan, imitates what became her husband's rote response: "Oh yeah, I really hate it. That she makes so much money. That sucks. Yeah, wow."

"These behaviors are out there," she says. "It's hard to live through them, but also as a writer you look at them and go, I didn't make it up. I'm just going to write it down."

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As the conversation shifts to politics, Rebeck talks about the right's aversion to Roe v. Wade, white women who love Trump, her interest in fake news and its amoral content creators, and how her own Midwestern upbringing and eventual East Coast acclimation puts her in a privileged position to see where communication fails.

"This idea that I'm a liberal elite when I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, with everything that that means, and the fact that I was raised in a very Republican, very Catholic family, that doesn't change just because you change," she says. "That's still my history. But I'm very much dismissed when I go home. My opinions are seen as tainted or, you know, I'm an East Coast person now."

Rebeck acknowledges that she was one of the first people out of the trench. And that there was often a cost associated with taking those bullets.

"And I'm tired of taking bullets, so I'm sort of grateful to be able to just do my work for a while," she says.

The clearest shots came from TV land.

"There was one point when I came home and said, 'I don't get it, I know they love my work,'" she says, about a show she worked on early in her career. "And my husband said, 'Well Theresa, when the dog talks, you don't really listen to what the dog has to say. You're just amazed that the dog can talk.' And I was like, 'Say that again?' And he said, 'Basically, they're amazed that a woman can do this. So it doesn't compute that behind the woman doing this is an enormous instrument, a writer with things to say and a vision and all that other stuff.'"

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One of the latest bullets would come with Rebeck's firing before the second season of the NBC show "Smash," the musical-within-a-musical about Broadway's own Machiavellian scene, which turned Rebeck into a public punching bag. She says she paid a high price and that she's still digging herself out of the hole.

But she's still writing.

A young writer at the Sundance Playwrights lab recently said to her, "You know, you're a legend."

"And I thought, I like being a legend," she says. "That was cool."

On the way out of Walker Bros., she says, "I will say, I hyper-identified with Hillary." And, surely, all those other uncommon women who, nevertheless, persisted.

mgreene@chicagotribune.com

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 126 Woody introduces the gang to a homemade spork toy with self-esteem issues in "Toy Story 4." Read the review. (Pixar / AP)
Former "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart returned to his familiar role of offering incisive perspective on politics and culture during a long guest appearance Monday on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."

Colbert went to far as to observe "you miss this, don't you?" when Stewart showed up at Colbert's desk to discuss the disarray in journalism under the Trump administration. The two jokingly jostled for desk space in the segment that saw Stewart take aim and recent Trump statements, and he issued a pointed challenge to journalists. With pen and note paper in hand, Stewart looked like he was enjoying a brief return to form from his 17-year "Daily Show" run.

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During the bit, Colbert took aim at the White House for blocking numerous outlets including CNN, Politico, The New York Times, The LA Times and more from a recent press briefing. "The root of all this conflict is that Donald Trump calls any story he doesn't like 'fake news,'" Colbert said, before he was interrupted by Stewart, who surprised him from underneath his desk, sending the "Late Show" audience into an uproar of excitement.

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Last month, Stewart made an appearance on the "Late Show" with his former Comedy Central cohort, in which he called the first 10 days of Trump's presidency "purposeful, vindictive chaos."

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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)
PITTSBURGH  On the day that financial advisers at PNC Wealth Management were set to meet with a married couple to discuss their account, the husband  who had been making a lot of withdrawals  showed up early and asked for a favor.

He wanted the advisers to tell his wife that the account had lost value over the past year due to market conditions. She didn't know about the withdrawals he had made.

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"It happened about 15 years ago. I was not involved, but an adviser who was involved said they told the man no. They needed to be open, honest and transparent about a joint account," said Kevin Brubaker, an adviser with PNC Wealth Management in Pittsburgh.

"So the wife comes in and they go over everything," he said. "She asked about the withdrawals. The husband fumbled around for some answers. She stayed calm, but I can imagine it was not a good car ride home."

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Brubaker said that a couple of years later the couple separated and eventually divorced.

While finances may not be the most romantic subject to discuss over an intimate dinner, financial advisers say it's a conversation that should be had sooner rather than later.

Earlier this year, a Hoboken, N.J.-based company that matches college students with private student loan lenders surveyed 800 people who are married or in a self-described "significant relationship," and found 23 percent of high-income individuals reported having a secret credit card or bank account.

"We found it interesting that the higher the income a couple has, the more likely one of them has a secret credit card or bank account," said Dave Rathmanner, a vice president at LendEDU. He said his company conducts surveys on financial issues to help better understand links between money and human behavior.

"Having more money can lead to more secrets," he said. "Having less money leaves less room for concealment. If or when a spouse finds out about a secret account, it could lead to trust issues  not only with finances but trust in general, such as having an affair."

The LendEDU survey also found 32 percent of people said honesty about personal finance is more important than honesty about fidelity.

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but my credit report is forever," said Nathan Matherson, the company's CEO.

If marriage is in the foreseeable future, it will require creating a joint budget to determine how much each person contributes to living expenses. If one or both of them is bogged down with debt, it will affect big financial plans like buying a house or car.

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Married couples also share part ownership and part liability for all assets acquired during the marriage.

A 2016 study by the National Endowment for Financial Education showed 75 percent of couples who concealed information from one another saw negative consequences in the relationship, with 13 percent divorcing or separating.

Brubaker at PNC said this is a good time of year for a financial plan or a review of investments.

He said he and his wife Karen are prime examples of a couple who waited until after getting married to lay all of their financial cards on the table  something he would not recommend.

Five years ago, they both worked for PNC Bank and had dated a number of years. While on vacation in California, he proposed to her on a Thursday and they decided to get married that Saturday while on vacation at Pebble Beach.

"The people at the resort where we were staying set up everything we needed for the wedding ceremony," Brubaker said. "But prior to proposing, we had never had that conversation on debts and assets. We had to have a quick discussion about what we were signing up for. Fortunately, we were both in good financial positions.

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"It wasn't just a decision about love," he said. "We were putting our lives together."

While prenuptial agreements are likely to cover most  if not all  of the important financial issues, Brubaker said PNC advisers don't always recommend couples go that route unless one spouse comes in with significantly more assets, or it is a second marriage or there are children involved from a previous marriage.

He said it's always easier when couples are able to simply have a conversation about their finances.

"It is an important talk to have," Brubaker said. "It's not always easy or fun. But it needs to be done."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette






The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago hosted its 25th annual Heroes Night Gala on Feb. 24 at the Field Museum of Natural History with over 320 in attendance. The event honored the memory of Dr. Richard N. Rovner, one of EFGC's founders who was a pioneer in epilepsy treatment and research. Dr. Jeffrey A. Loeb and Chicago Tribune editorial cartoonist Scott Stantis were Hero Award recipients.

Following a welcome by board chair Howard Zwirn, emcee Mike Adamle shared his personal struggle with the disease. His first seizure occurred on-air at WMAQ-Channel 5 in 1999. "It was like my brain was split in half. Part of me was doing the sportscast, and part of me felt like a tidal wave was coming in. I was trying to separate the two, and it was really scary," he said. His boss at the time, Larry Wert, rushed him to Northwestern Hospital, where he was diagnosed with epilepsy by Rovner, whom Adamle called "not just a pioneer, but an icon."

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At the event, Kurt W. Florian Jr., EFGC president and CEO, announced the creation of the Richard Rovner Epilepsy Foundation Fellowship, which will be awarded annually by an advisory board led by Dr. Michael Smith. Florian presented a video highlighting the magnitude of the disease. According to the EFGC, over 3 million people in the U.S. and over 130,000 people in the Chicagoland area live with epilepsy.

Loeb, a clinician-scientist with a focus in neurological disorders, was presented with the Richard N. Rovner Hero Award. He thanked his colleagues and shared information about a program he co-pioneered with Dr. Dilip Pandey and the EFGC called PAUSE. This program uses tablet devices to help patients self-manage their seizures and improve their quality of life.

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Board member and former Illinois state Sen. Dan Kotowski introduced Stantis, an award-winning cartoonist. Kotowski described him as "a caring person with an unquenchable thirst for justice, goodness and fairness."

Emcee Mike Adamle shares his struggle with epilepsy and describes his first seizure. (Chicago Tribune)

Stantis accepted the Hero's Award for Inspirational Commitment and dedicated it to the memory of his brother Marc who died from a seizure in 1986. "Marc had developmental issues as well as epilepsy, but every day he woke up with a sense of optimism and hope and went out into a world that wasn't always kind. I miss him every day," Stantis said.

The event raised over $240,000 to support the work of EFGC, a nonprofit founded in 1946 that serves 43 counties in Illinois and offers counseling, advocacy and educational services to people living with epilepsy and their families.

According to the organization, one in 26 people in the U.S. will develop the disease at some point in their lives.

Freelance writer Candace Jordan is involved with many local organizations, including some whose events she covers.

More coverage

Find more photos and events at www.chicagotribune.com/candidcandace. Visit Candid Candace's website at www.candidcandace.com, or follow her on Twitter @CandidCandace.

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This will come as no surprise to mothers, but a new survey finds that women with children living at home are more likely to be sleep-deprived than women without children.

However, the presence of children in the home did nothing to alter men's sleep patterns.

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The researchers also found that women with children reported feeling tired more days a month than their child-free counterparts.

"Forty-eight percent of women with children reported at least seven hours of sleep, compared to 62 percent of women without children," said study leader Kelly Sullivan, assistant professor of epidemiology at the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health at Georgia Southern University.

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Sullivan and her colleagues analyzed data from a nationwide telephone survey of more than 5,800 men and women. The respondents reported how long they slept each night, with seven to nine hours considered optimal and less than six hours considered lacking. The men and women also reported how many days they had felt tired in the past month.

Women with young children at home said they were tired 14 days a month, compared to 11 days for those without children in the home, the findings showed.

Among the nearly 3,000 women who were 45 or younger, the only factor linked with insufficient sleep was having kids in the house.

"Each child in the house increased the odds of insufficient sleep by 50 percent," Sullivan said.

"For men, we did basically the same analysis and children had absolutely no impact on men [and their sleep]," she added.

Because only limited information was available from the survey, Sullivan can't say why this is so. Nor can she say whether the ages of the children were linked with sleep duration, as no age information was available on the kids. It is well known that women who are breast-feeding are likely to be sleep-deprived after getting up for night feedings, she added.

Sullivan's team looked at other factors  including exercise, marital status and education  but found none of them were linked to how long the women under age 45 slept each night.

Among men 45 and younger, having less than a high school education was tied to greater odds of being sleep-deprived. Among women, not working and having a higher household income were linked with getting more sleep, the researchers said.

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Another sleep specialist urged caution in looking at the findings.

Even before having children, "men in general may be getting less sleep than women," said Jodi Mindell, associate director of the Sleep Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

In her research, Mindell has found that mothers with children who are newborn to age 3 typically get less sleep than mothers of children ages 3 to 6.

Mindell suggests parents make a plan as to who is going to take care of household duties, including child care, so each parent can have a goal of enough sleep.

"It doesn't have to be 50-50, but it's sharing it," she said. If one parent works outside the home during the week and the other doesn't, the stay-at-home parent can cover night-time child duty while the other parent takes over on weekends, she suggested.

Or, one may take night-time responsibility and the other morning duties, if that suits schedules better, Mindell said.

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Sullivan said such schedules need to be individualized. And that can only happen when a person takes into account why she or he isn't sleeping, and makes a plan to overcome that.

The study findings are scheduled for presentation in April at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting in Boston.

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The Rev. Fred Kinsey of Unity Lutheran Church, holding a dish of ashes mixed with purple glitter, waits for commuters outside the CTA Red Line Berwyn stop on Ash Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Chicago. The glitter was added to the ashes to show support for the LGBTQ community. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

Some Chicago-area churches plan to provide ashes mixed with glitter on Ash Wednesday as a sign of support for the LGBTQ community, a change to the religious ritual not all clergy have embraced.

On Wednesday, Berry United Methodist Church in Lincoln Square, Unity Lutheran Church in Edgewater and Holy Covenant Metropolitan Community Church in suburban Brookfield will offer the option of "glitter ashes"  traditional ashes mixed with purple glitter  to be placed in the sign of the cross on foreheads, marking the beginning of Lent for Christians. The "Glitter Ash Wednesday" initiative  led in part by Parity, a faith-based organization based in New York that's focused on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community  aims to combine a traditional symbol of repentance with a message of solidarity.

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In Chicago, Berry United Methodist will make glitter ashes available from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the CTA's Brown Line Western stop and at a 6:30 p.m. service at the church. Unity Lutheran will offer glitter ashes at 7 a.m. at the CTA's Red Line Berwyn stop and at a 7:30 p.m. Wednesday service at the church. Holy Covenant will offer the option at its 7 p.m. service Wednesday.

"I think it's really important for the church to respond to the intolerance and culture of fear that is being created especially toward LGBTQ people," said April Gutierrez, pastor of Berry United Methodist, who said Ash Wednesday is a moment for believers to remember who they are called to be as Christians.

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"We want to make sure the Christian message is one of love and inclusivity, of empowering people to be who they are."

The Trump administration announced last week that it was rolling back federal protections for transgender students in public schools by rescinding a directive put in place by President Barack Obama that allowed transgender students to use the bathroom and locker room that matched their gender identity.

"Right now there are people in this country that feel threatened that their very presence should not be in public spaces. We are called to ensure that people know our Gospel teaches a gospel of love," Gutierrez said. "Our visible sign should be a sign of solidarity of love and not one that excludes and condemns people."

The church gets its traditional gray ashes, which are burned palm branches from the previous year's Holy Week, from a church supplier, she said. This year, the church also placed an order for ashes mixed with purple glitter from Parity.

But some religious leaders think Ash Wednesday should remain glitter-free.

The somber occasion begins a 40-day period when Christians are asked to think about the central belief of their faith: the death and resurrection of Jesus, said the Rev. Donald Senior, president emeritus of the Catholic Theological Union based in Chicago. The ashes smudged on one's forehead serve as a public mark of faith, unlike getting Communion or praying, which are more private practices, he said.

It would be unfortunate if the religious meaning of Ash Wednesday was lost, he said.

"If you start changing its meaning, some are going to feel this is a political statement," Senior said. "Ash Wednesday is a long, long, long tradition, and the use of the ashes is a religious ritual. I think it should be dealt with a lot of respect."

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But Senior acknowledged that the intent of those choosing glitter ashes isn't inappropriate.

Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >

"From one point of view, a person  no matter what their sexual orientation might be  they are human beings and deserving of respect," he said. "So in one sense, recognizing that on this day to me is not offensive."

The Rev. Fred Kinsey, pastor of Unity Lutheran, said he knew some people would not embrace the idea of mixing glitter with ashes.

"What I heard was people were just feeling that ... the ashes represent our mortality and our journey to the cross, that this is a mark of Christ's death and resurrection and it should be all about God and Christ, and they were afraid that it would take away from that a little bit," Kinsey said. "I think it is actually a way of adding on to that message already. I have no intention to take away from that message."

The religious ritual delivers a message of hope and acceptance that can resonate with the LGBTQ community, which has faced anti-gay rhetoric and churches that were not welcoming, Kinsey said.

Ash Wednesday is "not just about death but also the possibility of hope and resurrection and new life for us," he said. "It's that sign of hope that we don't despair even in hard times."

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lvivanco@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @lvivanco
A Park Ridge accountant was sentenced to six months in prison Tuesday for his role in defrauding the Chicago Cubs out of revenue owed by a Wrigley Field rooftop club as well as a separate scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from an elderly client fighting cancer.

In handing down the sentence, U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin told Joseph Gurdak that it was the embezzlement of nearly $400,000 from his longtime client, Christine Shaw, that earned him prison time, not his role in the high-profile rooftop scam.

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"Quite frankly, if this were just about the Cubs, incarceration wouldn't even be on the table," Durkin said. "But the theft from Ms. Shaw took place over years. ... You were a friend, and she trusted you."

Gurdak, 73, pleaded guilty last year to mail fraud and filing a false tax return. He admitted in a plea agreement with prosecutors he helped former Skybox on Sheffield rooftop owner R. Marc Hamid file false statements with the Cubs that underreported attendance between 2008 and 2011, costing the team about $250,000 in royalties.

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He also admitted failing to report the money he'd stolen from Shaw  shorting the Internal Revenue Service by about $39,000, court records show.

Before he was sentenced, Gurdak stood in Durkin's packed courtroom and read a tearful apology to Shaw, seated in the front row of the gallery, as well as his friends and family.

"Somewhere along the way, I lost my way," Gurdak said in a voice barely above a whisper, clutching a sheet of paper in a quivering hand. "There is nothing to justify what I did. ... I'm embarrassed. I'm ashamed."

The charges against Gurdak arose out of the investigation into the Skybox on Sheffield rooftop club. Gurdak had served as an accountant for Hamid.

Hamid was found guilty by a jury last year of under-reporting attendance and revenue at the rooftop overlooking right field through a variety of schemes, including "zeroing out" invoices and charging customers through one of his ticket brokerages, Just Great Seats and Just Great Tickets, instead of the rooftop business itself.

The phony numbers meant the Cubs did not get as much in royalty payments as the 17 percent of gross annual revenues called for under terms of the rooftop owners' agreement with the team.

According to prosecutors, Gurdak submitted false sales tax returns to the state of Illinois and amusement tax returns to Cook County and the city of Chicago for those years, failing to report about $1.5 million in sales.

Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >

Hamid was sentenced in January to 18 months in prison. Another defendant, former Oak Park cop Richard Zasiebida, admitted that he pocketed cash at the door from fans who wanted a seat at the venue. He is scheduled to be sentenced March 18.

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Gurdak was not accused of profiting in the scheme and cooperated with a grand jury investigation. But before he was charged, Shaw came forward with information that Gurdak, who had served as her personal accountant for more than 15 years, had been stealing money from her checking account, court records show.

Investigators looked into Shaw's claims and found that between 2011 and 2013, Gurdak had used the stolen funds to pay his own credit card bills as well as cut checks to a hobby store where he purchased toy trains for his collection, prosecutors said in a recent court filing.

Gurdak's attorney, Steven Fritzshall, said Tuesday that Gurdak had worked hard to pay the money back with the help of family and friends.

"My client begged, borrowed and ..." Fritzshall said before catching himself. "Well, he didn't steal."

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @jmetr22b
Jesse Jackson Jr. waits for a status hearing in the divorce from his wife, Sandi Jackson, on the 16th floor of the Daley Center in Chicago on Feb. 27, 2017. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

An emotionally raw Jesse Jackson Jr. said Monday that he feels "attacked from all angles"  by a wife in Washington, D.C., who wants his "whole disability check" in their bitter divorce case and by the Chicago media that think he "doesn't even deserve a disability check."

Speaking to the media in Chicago for the first time since he and his wife were released from federal prison for looting his campaign fund, Jackson said he deserved the $138,400 a year in federal workers' compensation and Social Security Disability Insurance payments he has been receiving since he quit Congress to deal with mental health issues.

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"I earned it," he said. "I still meet with professional counselors on a regular basis."

The disability payments have become a topic of controversy after they were detailed in a recent divorce court filing and reported in the Chicago Tribune. On Friday, an ethics expert called for them to be federally investigated, calling the workers' comp payments to a convicted felon "troubling" and saying it wasn't clear how Jackson's work as a congressman led to his bipolar disorder.

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But that wasn't all that got Jackson fired up on Monday. In a bizarre section of a 10-minute speech he gave outside divorce court, he also said last month he had tried to subpoena former police Supt. Garry McCarthy and two other men in his divorce case "because I don't want my children to ever walk through a grocery store line and see what I found  and look at what we know exists."

Jackson's claim that he wanted to keep what he knows about McCarthy, McCarthy's former business partner, Richard Simon, and former Chicago cop James Love, out of the "tabloids" was hard to square with his decision to subpoena the three men last month  prompting a media feeding frenzy about their possible involvement in his marriage.

Jackson, though, asked the media and the Chicago public to go easy on him through what he said he hopes is his "final public" ordeal.

Wearing a Batman belt with his somber business suit, he apologized to his former constituents for having "erred profoundly" when he used his campaign funds to illegally buy luxuries including a fedora hat that once belonged to pop legend Michael Jackson. He described the strains his incarceration has placed on his marriage and his family as "very difficult."

"I've been with Sandra for 30 years," he said. "On June 1 we would have celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary."

"Maybe if my name were not Jesse Jackson Jr. and maybe if I wasn't your former representative in the Congress of the United States, maybe I could walk in and out of this building like other families who have this struggle and don't have to read about it in the morning."

But he added, "I don't get to run from it or hide from it because of who I am."

"I have a 13-year-old son who's aware of many of the issues, and he said, 'Don't worry, Daddy, these individuals are going to take care of Mommy,' and it was hard for me to hear that."

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He added, "It's not my psychology that's at stake, it's the psychology of my 17-year-old daughter, who's aware of these issues for a number of years, including while I was in prison, and before my incarceration, and during my criminal trial and during my medical convalescence."

"I do want (my children) to know is that their dad did the best he could in fighting back. ... I don't want their classmates to see it, what I know and what I have discovered."

That innuendo has been robustly and repeatedly denied by McCarthy and the other men, and criticized as "harassment" by Sandi Jackson's lawyers. Simon earlier this month filed an affidavit swearing that his only interactions with the Jacksons were a single meeting and a 60-second phone call in which Jesse Jackson asked him if he knew his wife.

But at a hearing earlier Monday, Jesse Jackson's attorney, Brendan Hammer, said his client was ready to testify that there was more to the call than Simon's affidavit let on.

Cook County Judge Carole Bellows put a stop to that, getting all the parties in the case to agree a deal under which Jesse Jackson attempt to subpoena the three men was postponed, potentially indefinitely. Bellows will instead first deal with the issue of the Jacksons' residency and their prenuptial agreement, as she attempts to decide whether the divorce will ultimately be heard in Chicago, as Jesse Jackson wants, or in Washington, D.C., which Sandi Jackson prefers.

The couple's fight over jurisdiction and money isn't getting any friendlier. After Jesse Jackson initially filed for divorce in Chicago late last year while Sandi Jackson was still in prison, she filed a counter suit in the nation's capital.

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Despite Jackson claim that his wife "is asking for everything," court papers show that Sandi Jackson asked for the couple's marital property and debts to be "equitably" divided. She is asking for alimony, child support, attorney fees and exclusive use of the couple's home in DuPont Circle, which she wants Jackson to pay the mortgage and taxes on while their divorce is fought.

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Jackson said Monday that he feels "fantastic" despite his divorce, his prison time, his battle with bipolar disorder and his divorce. He described meeting and learning from less fortunate prison inmates  including one who he said told him, "Jackson, get out of bed. I don't know what you're complaining about. My Daddy set me on fire"  as "the best thing that ever happened to me."

But he acknowledged, "There are up and down days."

"I'm near bankruptcy right now," he said. "I paid the government back and I also paid with my time, and my flesh and blood in an institution. And now I'm paying with my marriage because it did not survive this process, and sometimes it feels like it just doesn't end."

The next hearing in the Chicago case is April 3.

Contributing: Katherine Skiba

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kjanssen@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @kimjnews
Cook County sheriff's officials were notified Feb. 27, 2017, that Garrett Glover, 29, had been released from Illinois Department of Corrections custody after being sentenced to four years in prison Feb. 23 in a 2014 attempted armed robbery case from Country Club Hills. (Illinois Department of Corrections )

A man charged in a 2012 killing on the Dan Ryan Expressway was incorrectly released from prison Friday when he was found to be eligible for parole in an unrelated attempted robbery case, according to officials and records.

Cook County sheriff's officials were notified Monday that Garrett Glover, 29, had been released from Illinois Department of Corrections custody after being sentenced to four years in prison Thursday in a 2014 attempted armed robbery case from Country Club Hills. Glover is awaiting trial in the Sept. 5, 2012, shooting of Larry Porter, 25, near 87th Street on the Dan Ryan.

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Glover had been in jail since at least February 2014, and when he was sentenced last week was given credit toward his four-year prison term for already serving 879 days in jail, according to court records. He was released on parole Friday, according to Illinois Department of Corrections records.

"Glover should have been returned to custody of the Cook County Jail on the other case" but instead was released, according to a news release from the sheriff's office. "The sheriff's office is investigating the circumstances surrounding his release, and all efforts are being made to secure his apprehension."

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Because the Illinois Department of Corrections was not given "documentation indicating Mr. Glover should have been retained or sent back to Cook County custody, the IDOC, by law, had to release him," spokeswoman Nicole Wilson said in a statement.

"He was appropriately admitted into IDOC custody and because his sentence required that he serve 50 percent of his time, he was released to parole on Feb. 24, 2017," according to the statement.

Glover, Patrick Calvin and Tyrone Mixon are awaiting trial in the 2012 Dan Ryan killing, according to court records. Calvin is being held in Cook County Jail, while Mixon is serving a prison term in an unrelated case in Wisconsin, according to records.

Porter was driving a black 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee south on the expressway when he was shot by another motorist, police said at the time of his killing. Glover, Calvin and a third man  identified by Illinois State Police as Mixon  shot at Porter from inside a maroon van they had borrowed from a North Side woman Glover knew, prosecutors said when the three were charged.

Another man in the Jeep was shot, but the then-27-year-old man in the back seat, later identified as the owner of the Jeep and the target of the shooting, wasn't injured.

Anyone with information about where Glover might be is asked to call the Sheriff's Command Center at 773-674-0169. The public is reminded that aiding a fugitive is a felony, punishable by one to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
A bag of lunar dust collected during the Apollo 11 mission is returned to Nancy Lee Carlson, of Inverness. The bag is considered priceless but was mistakenly sold by the government to an Inverness woman, who was awarded ownership in court last week. (Emma Gutheinz, courtesy of Christopher McHugh) (Emma Gutheinz, Courtesy Of Christopher Mchugh/Chicago Tribune)

As a child, Nancy Lee Carlson watched in fascination as the astronauts of Apollo 11 bounced across the surface of the moon, collecting rocks to bring back to earth.

She never dreamed she would come to possess her own piece of the lunar surface, her lawyer said. But after winning a landmark legal battle, Carlson returned home to the Chicago suburbs Tuesday, the proud owner of a one-of-a-kind bag of moon dust.

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Carlson had purchased the bag in 2015 for $995 when it was put up for sale in an online government auction because of a bureaucratic mix-up. But when the Inverness woman sent the artifact to NASA to test it  and officials there found it contained the unique hallmarks of moon dust  they decided they would not return it.

That prompted a legal battle that ended with a federal judge ordering the space agency to return what government attorneys described as a priceless national treasure.

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"It's what every collector wants," said Carlson's attorney, Christopher McHugh. "You want to find the thing that's super special."

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 12 Nancy Carlson places the lunar dust bag into a protective container after receiving it from NASA on Feb. 27, 2017. (Joe Gutheinz)

The white bag itself appears unremarkable, about the size of a dinner plate, with a zipper and a tear in it.

But the bag is made of beta cloth, a fireproof silica fiber similar to the material used in space suits. The container was used on the first manned mission to the moon in 1969, NASA reported, as the outer decontamination bag to store the first lunar samples collected on the mission by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

Government attorneys argued that the bag rightfully belonged to NASA, and that Carlson only hoped to make a "windfall profit" from selling it.

NASA issued a statement that read in part: "This artifact was never meant to be owned by an individual. ... We believe (it) belongs to the American people and should be on display for the public, which is where it was before all of these unfortunate events occurred."

Indeed, how Carlson came to possess the celestial souvenir is a space odyssey in its own right.

Previously, the government had seized the bag in a criminal case against Max Ary, the former president of a space museum in Kansas. He was convicted in 2006 of theft for selling objects from the museum, court records show.

While investigating Ary, authorities learned the moon bag had been auctioned off for $24,150 and seized it from its purchaser. But because of a mix-up with another bag that did not contain moon dust, no NASA official at the time was aware of the historical importance of the artifact. The bag containing the lunar dust went to the U.S. Marshals Service, and was put up for auction at forfeiture.gov, to obtain restitution in the criminal case.

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The initial auction asked for a beginning offer of at least $20,000, but nobody bid on it. When Carlson, a corporate attorney and avid collector of space objects, saw the bag at auction again in February 2015, she was the high bidder.

After receiving the bag in the mail, Carlson stored it in her bedroom closet. She tried to verify its authenticity by contacting officials at the Field Museum in Chicago, who referred her to Johnson Space Center in Houston. She contacted the curator of lunar samples there, and sent him the bag for testing.

There, in April of last year, NASA officials verified that the dust in the bag was in fact from the moon and had become embedded into the fabric of the bag. Moon dust is not like its earthly counterpart, in part because there is no water and little atmosphere to erode it, so it's full of pointy microscopic particles that stick to just about anything with which they come in contact.

After a yearlong court battle, a federal judge on Friday ordered NASA officials to hand over the bag. The exchange took place Monday at the space center in Houston, and Carlson hired a security firm to take charge of the bag, rather than keeping it in her house.

Noting the "amazing technical achievements, skill and courage" that NASA workers showed in obtaining the objects, U.S. District Judge J. Thomas Marten previously had urged Carlson and the government to amicably resolve the dispute to recognize both their legitimate interests.

McHugh said Carlson would consider allowing the bag to be displayed publicly, and she is expected to make an announcement by the end of the week.

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It marks the only known case in which a private citizen has won ownership of a lunar object that the government had previously sold, apparently by mistake, attorneys involved said.

But the moon dust bag is just one of at least hundreds of lunar objects that have been become part of a pricey, worldwide black market.

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In fact, one of the attorneys on the case, Joseph Gutheinz, is a former special investigator for NASA who, in all other cases, has argued that privately owned lunar objects should be returned to the space agency.

He estimates that over time, the U.S. government has given away about 270 moon rocks to foreign nations and dignitaries as well as about 100 to the states. Many ended up on the black market, and he has helped recover them for the government through an undercover sting and other investigations. But there are still about 158 lunar objects unaccounted for, he said.

The only other legitimate sale of lunar material that Gutheinz knew of was the 1993 sale of moon rocks from an unmanned Russian space mission, for $442,500.

The case of the moon dust bag comes at a time of renewed interest in space exploration. President Donald Trump was expected to announce a return to human space missions Tuesday, and the private company SpaceX announced this week that it hopes to bring tourists to orbit the moon next year.

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"Millions of people are intrigued by space around the world," Gutheinz said. "(Carlson) is one of them. She loves space. And she had the gumption not to back down."

rmccoppin@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @RobertMcCoppin
Residents Valerie McAvoy and her daughter Jayda Weathersby, 9, hug as they survey the damage intheir Naplate, Ill., neighborhood March 1, 2017. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)

One person was confirmed dead in Ottawa in north-central Illinois after a tornado touched down there, part of a storm that produced severe weather across the northern part of the state Tuesday afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service.

The Ottawa Fire Department reported one fatality from the tornado that hit the town about 4:45 p.m., according to the weather service. The victim, who had not been identified, was killed by an uprooted tree, Illinois Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman Patti Thompson said, according to the Associated Press.

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At least 14 people were injured during the storm, according to a news release from St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. The hospital treated people for injuries to their heads, knees and arms. People were injured by falling tree limbs, and others were hurt as they tried to get home.

By Wednesday, the tornado watch had ended for the area. Dense fog was expected for areas north of Interstate 80 before sunrise, according to the weather service. Communities north of Interstate 88 could see snow showers in the afternoon.

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Less than three miles away in Naplate, Ill., population 550, Mike McGrath sat late Tuesday in the Village Hall, wearing the wry smile of someone who had just experienced the best and worst of luck.

On Tuesday afternoon, he and his wife had been at home watching TV for news of an incoming tornado when the announcer said, "It's here." McGrath, 65, glanced out the back window and saw that the sky had turned as black as midnight. Instantly, he and his wife fled into an central room and huddled in a corner.

"It seemed like it lasted forever, though I know it was only like a minute and a half," he said. "Then it was quiet. I got up, surveyed the damage and pretty much couldn't believe what we saw. Still can't believe it.  (The house) is pretty well gone. My whole neighborhood is pretty well destroyed."

A tornado spotted near Peru, Ill., on Feb. 28, 2017. (Jorgeanne Schramm) (Jorgeanne Schramm/Chicago Tribune)

McGrath and his wife, though, were uninjured. No one else in Naplate was badly hurt or killed, even though the tornado damaged or wrecked 50 homes.

Among the structures that were damaged in the village was a factory. Storm damage was also reported in Woodford County, east of Peoria, according to Thompson.

Naplate Fire Chief John Nevins said 50 houses in the town of 550 residents suffered damage, ranging from missing roof shingles to total destruction. There were no fatalities, however, and the injuries were minor, he said.

"We've never had anything like this before," he said. "Like anyone else we've had high winds that take some trees down, but nothing like this."

Later, a severe thunderstorm warning was in effect in LaSalle County late Tuesday after a storm with 80 mph winds and ping-pong ball size hail started moving east through the county near Peru, according to the weather service.

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Just before 6 p.m., a trained spotter reported a tornado near Rutland. Around that time, a round of storms had spurred tornado warnings in LaSalle, Livingston and Grundy counties.

National Weather Service meteorologist Amy Seeley said she did not have a full count of how many tornadoes were reported because some sightings may have been the same system. Investigators will assess damage Wednesday and determine whether a twister hit Oregon, Ill., in Ogle County.

"Besides the tornadoes, there was a lot of hail reports across the area," Seeley said. "Ottawa had the baseball-size hail too."

In LaSalle County, Illinois State Police were in the area, helping Ottawa police. Residents displaced by the storms were being advised to go Ottawa Township High School, 211 E. Main St. in Ottawa, where the Red Cross was helping set up a shelter. The Red Cross also was setting up a reception center at Waltham Elementary School, 946 N. 33rd Road in Utica.

There were widespread power outages in LaSalle County following the tornado touchdown, according to Ameren Illinois.

A tornado touched down in Ottawa, Ill., on Feb. 28, 2017, as part of a system that produced severe weather across Illinois on Tuesday night. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune) (Nuccio Dinuzzo / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

By the time the tornado was almost on top of them in their small town of Naplate, the Dutton family had mere seconds to take cover.

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Their house has no basement, so Rachel Dutton, her son Noah Jonassen and their pug-zu Chewbacca climbed into the bathtub, while Rachel's husband, Jason Dutton, lay facedown on the bathroom floor.

The tornado passed with the sound of a freight train, Jason Dutton said, and a moment later, the house was a splintered ruin.

"I could look up and see sky," said Rachel Dutton, whose family escaped uninjured. "If we had been in the living room another 30 seconds, I don't know what would've happened."

Ottawa resident Nate Hermann was driving through the damaged area just after the storm hit. He said homes in Naplate, which is west of Ottawa, were severely damaged. He said the LaSalle County Building and the nursing home also suffered heavy damage.

"My aunt's house in Naplate got pushed over," he said, adding that she is OK.

He said her house was a half-block west of the old St. Mary's church in Ottawa.

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The Rev. David Kipfer of St. Columba Catholic Church in Ottawa said St. Mary's church, which closed its parish but whose building remains in use, may have suffered damage, but damage and closed streets were preventing anyone from getting to the area to know for certain, he said.

Ryan Cryder, who lives about eight miles northwest of Morris in Nettle Creek Township, was attending a youth volleyball game at Rutland Grade School when the sirens went off about 4:45 p.m, with the bulk of the storm hitting that area to the north of Ottawa about 5 p.m., he said. The game was canceled, and families left after the first wave of storms were through. At the school, they saw golf-ball-sized hail. However, when Cryder's family arrived home, they found even larger hailstones.

"There was hail about the size of your fist, huge," Cryder said. "I've never seen it so big."

The Village Grille, located at 221 20th Ave. in Naplate, posted on Facebook photos of their restaurant that was hit by the tornado, and that "everyone is ok."

"Severe damage has been done to our little restaurant," the posting says. "We are in tears. Sending prayers to all who was affected by this monster."

CBS 2's Ed Curran talks with a Naplate, Ill. resident whose home was heavily damaged.

A twister hit the LaSalle County Nursing Home in Ottawa. A woman answering the telephone at the nursing home said several residents reported bumps and bruises but no serious injuries. Trees and power lines were also down in the area.

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LaSalle County Sheriff Tom Templeton said the tornado had all but destroyed the LaSalle County Nursing Home and the county's highway department building, which lay just west of Naplath.

As in the town, though, there were no major injuries to residents or workers, he said.

"The staff did a marvelous job of moving people out of rooms (as the tornado hit)," he said. "Windows were blown out. The roof was extremely damaged. The front doors were sucked right out of the building and crushed.

"I couldn't have asked more from the staff. Some of those (residents) were scared. Some were kind of oblivious to everything that's going on and were hard to control, because they wanted to just walk everywhere. The staff was just calm. Sirens going off, fire alarms going off, but it wasn't chaotic."

A fleet of ambulances transferred the residents to other quarters within a few hours, he said.

Jerry Janick, a captain with the city of LaSalle's fire department, said his department sent an ambulance and equipment to nearby Ottawa and Naplate shouldering the storm.

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Workers with the LaSalle County Emergency Management Agency were out surveying damage, the office said.

In Oregon, Ill., the city's emergency manager reported buildings destroyed, large trees uprooted and siding taken off homes in a storm that hit the area a little after 5 p.m., according to the weather service.

Large hail fell throughout northern Illinois, with 1.75-inch hailstones reported in Olympia Fields, 1.25-inch hailstones reported in Frankfort, and 1-inch hail in Alsip, Romeoville and other locations, according to the weather service.

In Joliet, a metal pole barn was leveled during evening storms, according to the weather service.

The watch area included all of northern and central Illinois, as well five northwest Indiana counties and 17 counties in Iowa.

Check the Tribune's weather page for more information. Check back for updates.

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The Chicago Tribune's Keilman reported from LaSalle County. The Tribune's Liam Ford, Elvia Malagon and the Associated Press contributed. Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter.
Former Chicago police Sgt. Ronald Watts, center, leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago in October 2013 after being sentenced to 22 months in prison for stealing money from a federal informant. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)

In an extraordinary move, the Cook County state's attorney's office is investigating whether a former Chicago police sergeant convicted of corruption tainted far more convictions than those of the three defendants he's already been held responsible for framing.

Prosecutors confirmed the investigation as a University of Chicago lawyer on Monday withdrew his request that a "special master" be appointed, saying that step was unnecessary now that prosecutors agreed to pore over potentially hundreds of tainted convictions involving ex-Sgt. Ronald Watts and officers he supervised.

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The Chicago Tribune has written several front-page stories since last year detailing the fallout over Watts' nearly decadelong run of corruption. So far, four drug convictions involving three defendants have been tossed because of the convicted officer's wrongdoing. And two officers who maintained they were victims of the code of silence won a $2 million settlement to their whistleblower lawsuit that alleged they were blackballed for trying to expose Watts' corruption years ago.

At least five other officers who were part of Watts' team are still on the force, including one who has since been promoted to sergeant and another accused in a federal lawsuit of shooting a teen in the back without justification three years ago.

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Attorney Josh Tepfer, of the University of Chicago Law School's Exoneration Project, said the Watts probe was the first time he was aware of in which the state's attorney's office was proactively searching through convictions on its own. The move comes in the first months in office for State's Attorney Kim Foxx, who defeated incumbent Anita Alvarez largely over criticism of her handling of the Laquan McDonald shooting by a Chicago police officer.

"We're very pleased that they've decided to go forward," Tepfer said. "It's absolutely the right thing to do."

In an email, Tandra Simonton, a spokeswoman for Foxx, confirmed that the Conviction Integrity Unit "is reviewing cases where Watts was substantively involved." She declined further comment.

Tepfer said the Conviction Integrity Unit is reviewing cases involving Watts in which defendants are still incarcerated.

He said he hoped to work with prosecutors after those cases are identified to secure funding from private donors to expand the investigation into cases where defendants have already served their time  which potentially number in the hundreds.

Tepfer acknowledged that such an undertaking would be time-consuming and costly, but in the end it's the only way to bring justice to those victimized by Watts, he said.

"Whether they spent a year behind bars or five years, it was time taken out of society, time where they weren't able to work, where they lost time with their family or weren't able to live their life because they were framed," he said. "Every one of those individuals has the right to have their convictions overturned and the opportunity to get compensation from the state."

Watts is a former public housing officer notorious for shaking down drug dealers for protection money and pinning false cases on those who wouldn't play ball. He and another officer, Kallatt Mohammed, were arrested by the FBI in 2012 and later pleaded guilty to stealing money from a federal informant. Watts was sentenced to 22 months in prison. Mohammed received an 18-month term on the same charge.

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Since Watts' conviction, three defendants have successfully fought to have their drug convictions overturned based on allegations that they were framed by the sergeant and his crew. One of them, Ben Baker, was released from prison last year after serving nearly a decade behind bars.

Another defendant, Lionel White, agreed to plead guilty to a five-year sentence in 2006 to avoid a potential life sentence if he went to trial. White, who had proclaimed from the beginning that Watts had framed him, ended up spending about 2 1/2 years in prison. Prosecutors dismissed his conviction in December.

In seeking the outside review in November, Tepfer proposed that a special master be given broad powers to go back as far as the late 1990s in search of other defendants wrongfully convicted because of Watts' wrongdoing.

"There is little question that (those cases) barely scratch the surface of the wrongful arrests, prosecutions and convictions at the hands of an individual the Cook County State's Attorney's Office now acknowledges is a 'dirty police officer,'" the filing said. "The interests of justice necessitate a full accounting of all the victims that have been harmed by wrongful conviction through the actions of these rogue Chicago police officers."

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In past court hearings, Leroy Martin Jr., the presiding judge at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, expressed reservations about appointing a special master because of concerns over whether those who sought the move had legal standing to do so.

But Tepfer wrote in a recent court filing that he was dropping the request because he'd begun working "closely and collaboratively" with prosecutors in seeking to determine how many others have been wrongly convicted by Watts and his crew. He said the office was "willing to dedicate significant personnel and financial resources" to the effort.

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Having represented numerous clients in police misconduct cases, Tepfer said in a telephone interview Monday that the corruption surrounding Watts' crew "encapsulates the code of silence within the Chicago Police Department more than any other situation that I've ever seen."

"We know from law enforcement documents that Watts and his crew were accused of taking kickbacks on a weekly basis," Tepfer said. "It was clear as day that they were routinely framing individuals for crimes that they didn't commit. And individuals at the highest levels of CPD were aware of this misconduct."

Chicago Tribune's Steve Schmadeke contributed.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @jmetr22b
Chicago Fire Department District Chief Dan Cunningham speaks to the news media Feb. 27, 2017, in front of a house in the 6600 block of South Champlain Avenue where a fatal fire killed two children. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

Seven weeks before a fire killed an infant and a toddler trapped inside a West Woodlawn home where the stove was on for warmth, city inspectors received a complaint about "a lack of heat at this address" and visited the building, a spokeswoman for the Chicago Department of Buildings said Monday.

The complaint was filed Jan. 5, but no one was home the next day when the Department of Buildings visited the home on the 6600 block of South Champlain Avenue.

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"A large orange sticker was left behind telling the owner to contact the Department of Buildings for an inspection," spokeswoman Mimi Simon said in an emailed statement. "We have no record of receiving a call for inspection."

The Chicago Fire Department on Monday said it identified the kitchen stove in the basement as the cause and origin of the Saturday fire, which had all burners on and set other flammable items ablaze. The fire killed two young girls sleeping in their bed  Ziya Grace, 7 months, and her older sister Samari Grace, 2  and left a 6-year-old boy hospitalized with severe burns to 70 percent of his body.

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The girls' mother and grandmother, who were in the graystone, were treated for smoke inhalation at the University of Chicago Medicine's burn unit. A third woman was also treated for fire-related injuries.

Fire officials and the Department of Buildings said there were no working smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors in the home. The building, which fire officials estimated dates to 1875, didn't have a radiator or other source of heat in the basement where people appeared to reside, according to Larry Langford, spokesman for the fire department. A central heating system that used hot water was removed from the building several years ago and not restored.

"If the smoke detector had been placed where it's supposed to be per ordinance, which would have been outside the bedroom door, it would have gone off in enough time that they could have probably walked out of the apartment," Langford said.

The situation could become complicated if it reaches court because it's not clear whether people staying at the home were leasing the units or living there as guests, Langford said. One city ordinance requires temperatures inside rentals to be between at least 66 and 68 degrees at all times. Another requires a landlord to provide at least one smoke detector in each unit and tenants to maintain a battery in each one. It's unclear how those ordinances would be applied if this wasn't a typical landlord-renter scenario, Langford said.

Jimmie Hampton, a man who identified himself as a relative of the injured, previously told the Chicago Tribune he owned the building. Hampton, 59, who lives on the first floor of the two-story structure, said someone was boiling water on the stove for vapor before flames erupted. He did not return a call seeking comment Monday.

At a news conference outside the boarded-up home, District Fire Chief Dan Cunningham said a gas line to the stove ruptured during the night, fueling the fire even more. There may also have been space heaters in the basement, though the thick debris made it hard to tell, officials said.

Four engines and more than 50 firefighters battled the blaze Saturday night, Cunningham said. Crews arrived within less than three minutes after the initial 911 call knowing that people were stranded inside. One firefighter was injured while responding and has been released after being treated at an area hospital.

"Upon their arrival, it was very chaotic. People were screaming that there were children in the basement, and the first arriving companies initiated an aggressive interior attack on the fire," Cunningham said. "The first company through the front door  the basement door  did hear a voice and the captain of that company was able to get to that child very quickly."

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The rescued 6-year-old was in the main room of the basement. The room where the two girls were found sharing a bed was adjacent to the kitchen, investigators said.

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The basement door, once white, is now stained a charcoal black at the top and leads into a gray mass of rubble inside the ashy basement. The Department of Buildings boarded up the windows Sunday, Simon said. City attorneys will request a demolition order from a judge, she said.

Department records do not indicate who made the complaint about heat or if the person was a tenant.

There is no department policy for following up with inspections that are requested but not conducted because no one is home. Typically, tenants call back if the heat remains a problem, officials said.

Adorned with heart-shaped balloons, stuffed animals and flowers, a tree rooted in front of the home acted as a makeshift memorial for the victims. A man who worked at the laundromat across the street, which the family frequented, dropped off a teddy bear wearing a University of Chicago T-shirt and a toy leopard.

"My condolences go to the family, said laundromat worker Ronald Crawford, 61, who said he'd seen the children at the store. "You hate to see something like this happen, no matter who it is."

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echerney@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @Echerney
4th Ward Ald. Sophia King has raised nearly three times as much as her opponents combined for the upcoming special election. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield. Subscribe here.

Topspin

It's Election Day in one Chicago ward and a handful of suburbs.

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In the city, the only action is in the 4th Ward, where an alderman appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and endorsed by former President Barack Obama will try to keep her seat.

Anything can happen in a low-turnout special election. Ald. Sophia King faces four challengers in a contest that was triggered by the resignation of former Ald. Will Burns last year.

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Minister and activist Gregory Seal Livingston and attorneys Ebony Lucas, Marcellus Moore Jr. and Gerald Scott McCarthy are trying to defeat King, sometimes criticizing her ties to established politicians.

There are 36,588 registered voters in the 4th Ward, according to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. As of mid-afternoon Monday, about 1,600 early and mail ballots had been cast, representing a little more than 5 percent of the ward's voters. That's a low rate, which is no surprise for an off-year, special municipal election.

A candidate can avoid a runoff election Tuesday and win the seat outright by winning more than half the votes cast. Otherwise, the top two candidates will face each other in April.

Our preview of the race is here, and election officials say voters can find their polling place here.

Meanwhile in the suburbs, voters in Illinois' second-largest city are set to pick a new mayor.

Four candidates are on the ballot in Aurora: state Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, Ald. Richard Irvin, Ald. Michael Saville and Rick Guzman, assistant chief of staff in the mayor's office. Five write-in candidates have signed up, too.

The top two vote-getters move on to April's election. There also are races for mayor Tuesday in Berwyn, Calumet City, Dolton, Evanston and Waukegan.

What's on tap

*Mayor Emanuel will have a neighborhood development-themed day. He'll talk about city plans to move the vehicle fleet headquarters from Goose Island to Englewood, talk about a retail corridors program and make a speeh at the 23rd annual Chicago Neighborhood Development awards at McCormick Place.

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*Gov. Bruce Rauner has no public events.

*The Illinois Senate is set to meet. Two weeks ago, Rauner weighed in on its sweeping budget proposal, which could come back up at any time.

*Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs will hold a Black History Month event at the Thompson Center at noon.

*Likely to overshadow anything in Illinois politics Tuesday is a prime-time speech by President Donald Trump to Congress. It's scheduled to start at 8 p.m. Central.

From the notebook

*California watchdog coming to Chicago: Mayor Emanuel has chosen a new deputy from California to help him oversee the ongoing revamp of the city's police accountability system.

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Walter Katz, now the independent police auditor in San Jose, is expected to start April 10 as deputy chief of staff for public safety, according to a city announcement made Monday. He's filling the spot left open with last month's departure of Janey Rountree, who left the same day the U.S. Department of Justice issued its report on Chicago police conduct and oversight.

City Hall is grappling with many police-related issues, from high violent crime rates that have become a national storyline to the Justice Department report. The report was the result of an investigation launched following the release of a police dashcam video showing black teen Laquan McDonald being fatally shot by a white police officer.

Katz is a former deputy inspector general of Los Angeles County, where he oversaw the Sheriff's Department, and a onetime deputy public defender. He sits on a national board that deals with issues of civilian oversight of police and has written about independent investigations of deaths involving the actions of police officers.

"I think that Walter Katz is a highly credible choice," said Craig Futterman, a University of Chicago Law School professor who founded the Civil Rights and Police Accountability Project of the Mandel Legal Aid Clinic. "He has the kind of integrity and experience to facilitate needed changes to the way we do policing and approach public safety in Chicago." (Hal Dardick)

*Soda pop tax fizzling out? A majority of the Illinois House has gone on record opposing any new taxes on sweetened beverages by signing onto a resolution from state Rep. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills.

McSweeney has been joined by about 66 co-sponsors in the 118-member chamber on the resolution opposing a beverage tax.

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"We are thankful for Representative McSweeney's initiative and support for retailers and the beverage industry," Rob Karr, the president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, said in a statement.

"A statewide beverage tax would be devastating to the state's economy and we're glad to see a majority of House members being supportive of an industry that employs thousands of Illinois residents," Karr said.

A state tax on sugary drinks has been explored as part of revenue-raising efforts for the still-evolving budget talks between Senate leaders aimed at ending Illinois' historic budget stalemate. (Rick Pearson)

*We're not last: A new ranking of the states by U.S. News & World Report finds Illinois placing 29th overall based on a wide range of criteria, including education, economy and infrastructure.

But the report, scheduled to come out Tuesday, ranks Illinois 47th among the 50 states when it comes to government. That ranking is based on fiscal stability, budget transparency, government digitalization and state integrity.

Ranking below Illinois when it comes to government were Kansas, Nevada and, at the very bottom, New Jersey.

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As for positives, U.S. News noted Illinois ranked 10th for infrastructure and is among the top states for gender equality. "It also has one of the best Internet speeds and lowest suicide rates," the publication said.

U.S. News said the rankings give more weight to what citizens value most in their states, with health care and education at the top. Infrastructure, crime and corrections, opportunity, economy and government are also included.

Illinois ranked 32nd on health care, 20th on education, 10th on infrastructure, 29th on crime and corrections, 19th on opportunity and 44th on economy.

Ranked No. 1 overall was Massachusetts because it ranked first for education and second for health care. Rounding out the top five states were New Hampshire, Minnesota, North Dakota and Washington.

Ranked 46th overall was New Mexico, followed by Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and dead last was Louisiana  a state that came in just ahead of Illinois when it comes to rankings for government. (Rick Pearson)

*Chance the Meeter: Chance the Rapper tweeted Monday he'll meet "privately with the governor Wednesday. The two of us will address funding education in Chicago."

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Previously, Gov. Rauner let it slip that he's planning to meet with the Grammy winner this week, though his office declined to say when or where.

Rauner (or the staff member who runs his account) had tweeted congratulations to the 23-year-old rapper for his three Grammy wins for best new artist, rap album and rap performance. Chance responded by thanking the governor and saying he'd "love" to set up a meeting.

The recording artist has been pretty vocal about Chicago's problems and the government's need to fix them.

What we're writing

*State's Attorney Foxx's office investigating whether corrupt Chicago cop tainted other convictions.

*Rauner skips dinner with Trump in D.C., is "in conversations" with administration about violence.

*Rauner to revamp Medicaid program in hopes of saving money, improving care.

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*Ex-worker says he lied to grand jury out of fear of retaliation by Dorothy Brown.

*CPS says shorter school year possible absent favorable ruling in funding suit.

*Under fire, Jesse Jackson Jr. says he feels 'attacked from all angles.'

*Al Jourdan, past chairman of Illinois Republican Party, dies at 82.

*Duckworth: I'll work with Trump on transportation spending plan.

*Ricketts says Cubs will work with city on All-Star bid for the 2020 game.

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What we're reading

*14 shot in Chicago over the weekend as violence continues to outpace last year.

*The New York Times goes to southern Illinois.

*Pitchfork fest headliners: LCD Soundsystem, Tribe Called Quest, Solange.

Follow the money

*Days before it fumbled an envelope at the Oscars, PricewaterhouseCoopers gave $20,000 an Illinois political committee for CPAs.

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*Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here.

Beyond Chicago

*Trump to propose 10 percent increase in defense spending and big cuts to other agencies.

*George W. Bush weighs in on the media and Trump's travel ban.

*Church congregants reveal years of abuse.

*911 call: Bar shooting suspect said he'd killed 'Iranians.'
Attorney General Jeff Sessions has sent the clearest signal yet that the Trump administration may not keep pressing reforms to policing in Chicago, sowing uncertainty as to how much change will come to a Police Department the previous administration branded as systemically abusive.

In his first major speech since being appointed by President Donald Trump, Sessions on Tuesday vowed to "pull back" on federal civil rights probes of local police departments like the one that less than two months ago resulted in a damning report accusing Chicago police of engaging in a pattern of civil rights abuses.

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Sessions has declined to commit to a federal consent decree with Chicago that could codify reforms to the Police Department and allow for court enforcement of those changes. Instead, he has pushed the idea that officers' hesitance to police aggressively is driving rising violence in major cities including Chicago.

A vacuum of outside enforcement would leave control of police reform largely in the hands of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who has championed changes to policing but only since the politically damaging scandal sparked in 2015 by video of a white officer shooting black teenager Laquan McDonald 16 times. The lack of a consent decree could help Emanuel take credit for policing reforms without any other authority forcing changes he might oppose.

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Emanuel has vowed that he will continue pushing change, but police reform advocates voiced concern Tuesday that his appetite for meaningful reform will wane without outside pressure. The Justice Department report itself said significant change was unlikely to come without a consent decree.

"Change won't occur in Chicago unless there is external pressure to do so," said Craig Futterman, a University of Chicago law professor and frequent police critic. "'The city lacks a combination of the will and the ability  to address those civil rights violations on their own."

On Tuesday, Emanuel said any withdrawal of federal pressure would not stop police reforms in Chicago.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel in Englewood responds to Attorney General Jeff Sessions being noncommittal on the Chicago Police Department consent decree. Feb. 28, 2017 (John Byrne / Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune)

"When the Justice Department report came, there were a lot of questions, and I've been very clear we're going to continue to do what's in our self-interest as it relates to training, technology, transparency and leadership, so our police officers have the support, the confidence to do their job," Emanuel said.

Emanuel's attempts to change policing have come in the 15 months since the video of McDonald's shooting spurred heated protests rooted in long-held grievances over officers' treatment of African-American and Latino residents.

In January, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a scathing report that found that officers were poorly trained and quick to use excessive and even deadly force without facing consequences. Confirming what residents have said for decades, the report said the department has tolerated racially discriminatory conduct.

Notably, the report criticized changes Emanuel pushed in the months after the McDonald scandal as rushed or insufficient. The new Tasers the Police Department distributed came with ineffective training, the report concluded. New body cameras were hampered by "vague or confusing" directives on their use, and the city's ordinance creating a new civilian oversight agency fell short, in part by failing to limit cases in which officers can acknowledge misconduct in hopes of lighter discipline, the report concluded.

Emanuel agreed to enter talks toward a court-enforced agreement with the Justice Department on a number of reforms while then-President Barack Obama was still in office. Trump's election, however, signaled a shift, and his administration has been prone to eschewing promises of police reform in favor of tough-on-crime rhetoric targeting urban violence in cities such as Chicago.

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Indeed, Chicago has been beset by a surge in shootings. Last year, the city saw more than 760 slayings and 4,300 people shot, huge increases over 487 homicides and about 3,000 shooting victims in 2015. That uptick has continued this year, with 103 homicides through mid-Tuesday compared with 102 at this point in 2016, according to data compiled by the Chicago Tribune.

On Tuesday, Sessions, who has said he read a summary of the Justice Department report on Chicago, worried aloud that police are pulling back because they worry about getting in trouble if they make a mistake.

"We need to help police departments get better, not diminish their effectiveness, and I'm afraid we have done some of that," Sessions told a gathering of state attorneys general. "So we're going to pull back on this."

Sessions also promised an aggressive crackdown on homicides and violent crime that he warned could be an indicator of a long-term rise in street violence. He acknowledged that crime nationally has dropped substantially since the late 1980s and the early 1990s, but he said he worries the recent rise in reported violence in major cities is not "a blip."

"I'm afraid it represents the beginning of a trend," he said, blaming increased violence on low police morale, increasing drug use and fear of police in some communities.

Sessions also spoke to reporters Monday in Washington, D.C., and said he had "not made a decision" on whether he would order the Justice Department to continue negotiating a court-enforced federal consent decree in Chicago. Sessions said something needs to be done to make Chicago police more proactive.

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"I'm really worried about Chicago with the surge in murders," Sessions said Monday. "One of the metrics that has been reported in Chicago shows a dramatic reduction in stops and arrests in Chicago by the Police Department. So they have the same number of officers, but the number of people that are getting arrested for presumably smaller crimes  the broken windows concept that New York believes in so strongly  that has to be a factor in the increase of violence in the city."

Since the start of 2016, Chicago police officers have been required to better document street stops after a study by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois found that they made more than a quarter-million stops from May through August 2014, four times more than New York cops did at the height of that city's controversial stop-and-frisk practices.

Edwin Yohnka, a spokesman for the ACLU of Illinois, said Sessions' comments about street stops reflect the attitude of someone "who couldn't be bothered" to read the entire Justice Department report, rather than just a summary of it.

"He doesn't know Chicago. He knows a political talking point," Yohnka said. "And the reality is, the street stops, which he apparently celebrates, caused the breakdown in trust between the police and the communities they serve."

Sessions' focus on violence rather than department reform was welcomed by the president of the union representing rank-and-file officers.

"It's nice to hear that an individual in (that) position is aligned with our thought process on (what) the focus should be," said Dean Angelo Sr., president of the Fraternal Order of Police. "Our members are and have been concerned about losing their job by doing their job."

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The U. of C.'s Futterman, however, said Sessions' comments suggest the Justice Department is abdicating responsibility.

"First and foremost, this is the role of the federal government to enforce our nation's most fundamental laws  when a local government engages in a pattern and practice of such violations," he said.

Emanuel's next moves on police reform remain to be seen.

By not seeking court-enforced police reforms, the Trump administration effectively would hand Emanuel a convenient political narrative; the mayor could vow to continue to pursue police reforms despite a Republican administration seeking to walk away from them. Emanuel could use that approach as he pivots toward running for a third term and seeks to rebuild support among African-American voters, a group whose backing crumbled in the fallout of the McDonald controversy.

Long a centrist Democrat and unlikely to face a candidate running to his right, Emanuel has hewed to a pro-police message in recent weeks as he's sought to boost the department's morale as well as its ranks with the hiring of nearly 1,000 additional officers.

Emanuel entirely taking charge of police reform is like "the fox watching the henhouse," said activist Eric Russell, executive director of Tree of Life Justice League of Illinois.

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"This systemic corruption and institutional racism has festered under Rahm Emanuel, and it will continue to do so," he said.

Del Quentin Wilber reported from the Washington Bureau. Chicago Tribune's Bill Ruthhart and Jeremy Gorner contributed.

jebyrne@chicagotribune.com

del.wilber@latimes.com

dhinkel@chicagotribune.com
Responding to the possibility of a strike by state employees, Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration has launched a new website to try to recruit workers who could fill in during a walkout.

The Republican governor has been at odds with the state's largest public employee union over his proposed contract terms, which would adjust overtime pay, significantly increase workers' contributions to their health care plans, and give the state greater freedom to privatize duties that are now performed by unionized state workers.

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More than 80 percent of the members of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 last week voted to authorize a strike. That gives the union the ability to threaten  or execute  a work stoppage at some point in the future after giving Rauner five working days' notice. While no strike has been called and union leaders have said they want to continue negotiations instead, the jobs website is Rauner's latest response to the threat.

"This website is part of the Rauner Administration's on-going attempt to modernize the state's technology services to better serve taxpayers, as well as to prepare for a possible strike against taxpayers by AFSCME," the administration said in a news release announcing its move. "Submissions to the website would provide a way for state agencies to efficiently identify those who could work on a temporary basis. Although individuals would be hired on a temporary basis in response to the strike, the State would then begin taking steps necessary to fill positions permanently."

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The long contract dispute is tied up in court, so Rauner so far has been unable to unilaterally install his new terms. AFSCME has warned that bringing in new workers could endanger people who rely on state services.

"AFSCME members investigate child abuse, care for veterans and the disabled, respond to emergencies and more," union spokesman Anders Lindall said. "These jobs require years of experience and training. For Gov. Rauner to seek temporary strikebreakers in place of skilled and dedicated professionals is a recipe for disaster for the people of Illinois."

kgeiger@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @kimgeiger
JERUSALEM  Israel's intelligence was severely lacking and its military not adequately prepared to swiftly destroy the network of offensive tunnels used by the Palestinian militant group Hamas during the 2014 war in the Gaza Strip, according to a scathing official report released Tuesday.

Critics seized on the report by Israel's state comptroller to argue that the failures prolonged the war, which lasted 50 days, and led to greater losses on both sides.

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The report highlights systemic shortfalls in the planning, preparations and real-time decisions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, then-Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, the army's chief of staff at the time and others in the security cabinet.

If Israel's objective in the war was to find and destroy dozens of attack tunnels dug by Gaza's militant Islamist organizations to infiltrate into Israel, its mission failed, the report states.

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The investigators estimated that only half of the tunnels were neutralized by the war's end in August 2014 - despite claims by Israel's military that it had eliminated the threat.

"Even though the threat of the tunnels was severe and was known to the army's southern command since 2008, the military's southern command had no strategic operational plan to deal with the threat," the investigators said.

The report was written by an Israeli general and released by the comptroller, Yosef Shapira, after an audit from September 2014 to August 2016.

In Israeli eyes, the report is far more important than those previously released by human rights groups and the United Nations.

The comptroller's report does not address exactly how many of the tunnels are still operational.

Israeli forces continue to report that Hamas is digging new tunnels and expanding older ones. Since the war's end, the Gaza front has been relatively quiet, though Salafist groups in the coastal enclave occasionally fire rockets into Israeli territory.

The report highlights that in the months between the creation of Netanyahu's previous administration, in March 2013, and the start of hostilities with Hamas in July 2014, his security cabinet did not discuss how conditions in the Gaza Strip - soaring unemployment, lack of water and electricity blackouts - could pressure Hamas to go to war.

The war was preceded by weeks of Israeli pressure on Hamas militants in the West Bank, including hundreds of arrests, after three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped by a Hamas cell near Hebron. The teens were found dead a week before the war began July 7.

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Seventy-four Israelis, including 68 soldiers, and more than 2,100 Palestinians were killed in the fighting. The United Nations and human rights groups say that 7 in 10 Palestinians killed were civilians, including 500 minors. Israel says that about half the Palestinian dead were combatants and accuses Hamas of employing "human shields" - leading to the large numbers of civilian fatalities.

Israeli airstrikes and ground troops also caused extensive damage to the strip's infrastructure, much of which has not yet been rebuilt.

The comptroller's investigators concluded that Netanyahu and his government did not actively seek diplomatic alternatives to a war.

At the war's start, the most pressing challenge was stopping the constant barrage of Hamas rockets and mortar shells.

The report concludes that the military initially believed it could quickly neutralize the threat of tunnels from outside Gaza. After 10 days of Israeli bombing - and rocket salvos by Hamas - the Israel Defense Forces sent tanks and troops, alongside sappers and combat bulldozers, into the enclave to destroy the tunnels. Most of the casualties on both sides occurred during this period of the war.

While the report is the most in-depth investigation to date into events that led to the war and Israel's actions during it, the comptroller notes that the inquiry does not assess the validity of Israel's decisions or the overall results of the war.

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Embargoed copies of the report were distributed to politicians and journalists days earlier, leading to lengthy analyses by Israeli commentators and finger-pointing by leaders involved in shaping the outcome of the war.

The report stresses that Netanyahu, Yaalon and senior members of the defense, intelligence and security establishment failed to share crucial information with the decision-makers, primarily the select handful of ministers on the security cabinet.

"The audit notes that during the security cabinet briefings starting with the disappearance of three Israeli teens in June and until the start of the war in July 2014, the tunnel threat was not discussed, nor was it brought up by the ministers. And that is despite the fact that the escalation with Gaza had already begun, with rockets being shot into Israel," the report says.

"I can tell you that they did not tell us anything," said a member of the security cabinet who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity. "The prime minister does not need to tell the inner security cabinet every problem if he has a plan to take care of it. But there was no defensive plan, and security mechanisms were even removed from Israeli communities around Gaza in the lead-up to the operation."

Yaalon dismissed the complaints as untrue and grandstanding.

"And the biggest lie of all? That we weren't prepared and lost. It's nonsense," he wrote on his Facebook page.

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Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, the former chief of staff, said that "there was fine intelligence, excellent, accessible, not always perfect," according to a report in the Israeli newspaper Maariv.

"The outcome of the operation was a severe blow to Hamas, a disruption of the tunnels, the establishment of deterrence and Hamas remaining as the sovereign power on the ground. Forget about what people say."

Netanyahu wrote on his Facebook page that the army had achieved great success in the war.

"The army hit Hamas hard, we took out around 1000 terrorists and destroyed thousands of Hamas's rockets. We prevented attacks on Israeli cities with the Iron Dome batteries and foiled Hamas's plans to tunnel into southern Israel to kidnap civilians," he wrote.

Netanyahu also said that the security cabinet discussed the issue of the tunnels 13 times before the war and that its severity was highlighted.

However, parents of Israeli troops killed in the fighting said it was time that certain leaders accepted blame for what they now see as a failed war.

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Speaking to Israel's Channel 2 News, Ilan Sagi, whose son Erez was killed in the fighting, called the government and military's handling of the war "shameful."

"Politicians are celebrating, and all of them are denying what happened," he said. "My child was killed for this state and for his people. Those who made mistakes should pay the price."
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia  Malaysia's attorney general says the two women accused of killing the half brother of North Korea's leader with a nerve agent in a Kuala Lumpur airport terminal will be charged with murder on Wednesday.

Mohamed Apandi Ali said Tuesday the charges against Indonesian Siti Aisyah and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong would bring a mandatory death sentence if they are convicted. The attorney general confirmed the women will be charged in a text message to The Associated Press.

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Two other suspects in the Feb. 13 killing of Kim Jong Nam have been arrested  a Malaysian who is out on bail and a North Korean who remains in custody.

Asked if the North Korean will be charged, Apandi said it depends on the outcome of the investigations.
President Donald Trump has been dismissing the protests against his presidency and demonstrations at congressional town hall meetings across the country as concocted by his political enemies. But now he has an alleged culprit: Barack Obama.

In an interview Monday with Fox News Channel, Trump said that he believes his predecessor is helping to organize the protests.

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"I think that President Obama is behind it because his people certainly are behind it," Trump said. "In terms of him being behind things, that's politics. It will probably continue."

Trump made his comments during an interview at the White House with "Fox & Friends" anchors Steve Doocy, Brian Kilmeade and Ainsley Earhardt. Most of the interview will air Tuesday morning, in advance of Trump's formal address to a joint session of Congress, but Fox released an excerpt Monday of his remarks about Obama.

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In the interview, one of the Fox trio told Trump that Obama's political group - presumably Organizing for Action, the successor group to Obama's campaigns - was helping to organize activists to demonstrate, and asked the president whether he suspected Obama himself was behind the efforts.

"I think he is behind it," Trump said. "I also think it's politics. That's the way it is."

A spokesman for Obama did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Trump has lambasted the town-hall demonstrators on social media, tweeting last week that they were "so-called angry crowds" and that the demonstrations were "planned out by liberal activists."
In the early 1950s, Willie J. Barney parlayed a demand for rhythm and blues records by black artists that were sometimes hard to find into several record stores and record labels.

"He started selling records out of the trunk of his car around 1953," said his daughter, Anayah Sangodele-Ayoka.

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From that humble beginning, Barney opened up several record stores and by the mid-1960s was, with partners, producing 45 rpm records under labels that included 4 Brothers (sometimes Four Brothers) and Bright Star.

Barney, 89, died Feb. 20 in Mount Sinai Hospital after a cardiac arrest in his Chicago home, his daughter said. He was a longtime resident of the Lawndale neighborhood.

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Barney, who came from a sharecropping family, grew up in Parkdale, Ark. He came to Chicago as a young man  "trying to make his way in the big city," his daughter said.

Realizing the unmet demand for records by black artists, Barney developed connections to some of the record labels so he could buy music directly from the producers.

By 1953, he was selling records from the trunk of his car, following up with the first of his several record stores. Barney's Records sold records retail but also became a leading distributor of rhythm and blues and soul music.

In the mid-1960s, Barney, along with partners Jack Daniels and Granville White, became record producers, putting out 45s of such artists as G. L. Crockett, Sam & Kitty, Andrew Brown and Tyrone Davis.

White's son Maurice said he thought the partners had produced some 60 titles over about three years in the mid-1960s.

"It was soul music at that time," said Maurice White, who is not related to the late Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire.

"He was a beacon in the black community," White said of Barney. "A man to look up to, a very strong black man in terms of the sense of his convictions and his business ethics."

Barney closed his record business in the early 2000s.

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Convinced of the health benefits of vegetarianism, Barney established New Life Health Foods and Restaurant in the early 1980s, hoping to share those benefits with others on Chicago's West Side. His son Raymond is continuing that effort.

Barney also is survived by sons Reginald and Raymond; 16 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

His two marriages ended in divorce.

Services were held.

Megan is a freelance reporter.
Another round of bomb threats on Jewish community centers and Jewish schools was reported Monday. While fortunately none of the threats so far has turned into a real bombing, just the threats  at least 69 through last week  are shaking up the Jewish community, along with the desecration of Jewish cemeteries in St. Louis and Philadelphia.

As of mid-Tuesday, President Donald Trump hasn't paid much public attention to this, for whatever reason. Whether that's offensive in some abstract sense is a question I'll leave to others for now.

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Good "presidenting," however, requires more than just managing to make adequate public statements. If we assume he's been as indifferent to the bomb threats in private as he has been in public, he's taking a big risk. Suppose, after all these warnings, that people are eventually killed in an attack. People are going to ask: What was the president doing about it all these weeks? And Trump had better have an answer for that question.

Can presidents make a difference? Absolutely. One of the best examples we have is the "millennium" terrorist plot, in which the Bill Clinton administration picked up rumors of a major attack coming. Clinton focused the executive branch on the potential attack by insisting that department secretaries and others at the top of relevant agencies report to him daily about what they had done to prevent terrorism  which meant that they in turn pushed the bureaucracy below them to come up with something new and impressive-sounding to report.

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Of course, a president cannot use that tactic, at that level, all the time. And without presidential pressure, the bureaucracy won't necessarily do anything about a problem that comes to the president's attention. Richard Neustadt, the author of "Presidential Power and the Modern Presidents," quotes one of Franklin Roosevelt's aides on how Cabinet secretaries typically respond:

"Half of a president's suggestions, which theoretically carry the weight of orders, can be safely forgotten by a Cabinet member. And if the president asks about a suggestion a second time, he can be told that it is being investigated. If he asks a third time, a wise Cabinet officer will give him at least part of what he suggests, but only occasionally, except about the most important matters, do presidents ever get around to asking three times."

"Three times" might not literally always be the case, but we can use it to stand for the basic fact that the executive branch won't always automatically do what the president asks. It requires active engagement from the White House, and (for best results) from the president himself.

It's not an exaggeration to say that a big part of presidenting is knowing which things are worth asking about three times. We don't know everything that's happening, but there's no evidence so far that Trump is even vaguely aware that such crucial decisions must be made at all.

How can a president decide which emerging challenges need attention and resources? One question the president must ask himself is how high he wants something to be on his agenda. Pushing an agency or multiple agencies on one thing uses resources (theirs, and his own) that therefore can't be used for other priorities. Something new that comes along, then, might distract from items the president's supporters expect him to focus on. That's a cost, especially for a new president who has promised swift changes on everything from immigration and trade to national security and infrastructure.

Another question, however, is about the risks for ignoring something. Should an actual attack follow, organized groups, the media, and perhaps even Congress will ask tough questions about what exactly the federal government did in response to the threats we've seen so far. If the answer is that the president did little or nothing, it will be a scandal, perhaps a major one.

To balance those things, presidents need to be expert at gathering clues from the various sources of information available to them  which is one reason why good presidenting requires absorbing as much information, from as many good sources, as possible. Presidents also need to have well-honed political instincts to calibrate the various costs and risks (and benefits) involved. They obviously need, too, to have a good sense of their own preferred agenda and how much persuasion relevant departments and agencies will need to keep that agenda moving forward.

In other words, the question of whether and how often to ask three times isn't an easy task in many cases. But it sure seems to me that this is a case in which the risks of inaction by the president (not to mention, of course, the affected communities) are unusually high. Perhaps Trump is more active behind the scenes than he's willing to be in public, but if not, what is he waiting for?

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Bloomberg

Jonathan Bernstein is a Bloomberg View columnist. He taught political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio and DePauw University and wrote "A Plain Blog About Politics."

Related articles:

Donald Trump's populism is a charade

Trump and Bannon are out for revenge

The dangers of having a weak president

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Jewish group again cites anti-Semitism from Trump administration
Crystal Jones holds a cellphone photo on Feb. 24, 2017, of her holding her 5-month-old granddaughter A'Miracle Jones, minutes after the baby diedThursday evening. The baby's mother, Parasha Jones, was shot and killed last September. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)

A baby girl named A'Miracle Jones died a few days ago, having never left the hospital.

Back in September, Parasha Beard was sitting in a parked car in front of her mother's house in the South Chicago neighborhood when shots were fired from a passing car. Beard was 19 and pregnant. She was struck in the neck by gunfire and killed. A man in the car also was hit. Surgeons were able to save the prematurely born infant, whom loving family members named A'Miracle.

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There is more to A'Miracle's short life  how she was serenaded and read to in the hospital, how her anguished grandmother had one chance at the end to hold the baby free of life support tubes. But there is this unavoidable footnote: A'Miracle Jones' legacy as homicide victim No. 766 of 2016. She was born of violence in Chicago and died of that violence five months later.

What will be the toll in 2017?

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It's the end of February and already there have been about 100 homicides, in line with last year's pace. Shootings are up: By the Tribune's count, at least 513 people shot this year, compared with 466 over the same time last year, when the final total of people shot in Chicago topped 4,300.

Recent homicide victims included another pregnant woman: Last Wednesday, a day in which seven people in Chicago were shot and killed  seven people!  Wilteeah Jones and her boyfriend, Malik Bingham, attended a family birthday party. A few hours later they were found shot to death in the Chatham neighborhood. Bingham had been shot in the neck while sitting in the driver's seat of a parked car. Jones, eight months pregnant, was found nearby on the sidewalk with wounds to the abdomen and side. The unborn baby, to be named Mileah, also died.

Many of Chicago's incidents of gun violence are connected to gangs in impoverished communities. The shootings relate to turf battles, retaliations and drug trafficking. Some victims are targeted, many others are hit by stray bullets. Men die in parked cars. Children are struck in playgrounds. Unborn babies die in the womb. The city is awash in illegal guns. It is chaos out there.

Yet the carnage often has predictable elements. For example, police said Bingham was a documented gang member with a score of 370 out of 500 on CPD's strategic subject list  an algorithm that uses past history to identify the people most likely to either shoot someone or become a victim. Police use the list in their work and to warn gang members they have a short window to change their ways, but not everyone listens. We don't know what Bingham may have been told.

A'Miracle Jones died Feb. 23, 2017, five months after her mother was killed in a Chicago shooting. (WGN-TV)

The roots of violence, a tangle of economic and social factors, run generations deep; but that is not a reason to keep score and shrug. There is, for example, consequential action state lawmakers can take this spring to toughen criminal penalties against repeat gun offenders. We've written about this effort and want to see the General Assembly vote on a bill. We think this legislation would act as a deterrent for some criminals. But it also would save lives by keeping some others off the street for longer periods of time.

Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson forcefully agrees. "That's why we call these guys repeat gun offenders," he said Friday, emphasis on repeat. "They're not new to us. They're not new to us. But the simple fact is we need the judicial system and our legislators to help us with this."

The scope of the city's tragedy is demoralizing. But Chicago can't give up.

Let A'Miracle Jones and the other victims be remembered, and let this legislation get passed.

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Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin listens at right as President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting on the Federal budget, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. (Evan Vucci / AP)

Speaking Tuesday evening to a joint session of Congress, President Donald Trump likely will give Americans an outline of the federal budget he will propose. Advance news coverage has focused on speculation that Trump will suggest a big increase in defense spending and cuts to domestic agencies.

How Congress and the president allot spending in fiscal 2018 is a crucial question. Here's another: At what point does America's total debt  and the huge interest payments on that debt  choke the government's ability to do much of what we take for granted today?

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Trump got plenty of disagreement when he said at his first presidential news conference, "To be honest, I inherited a mess." In some areas he didn't acknowledge, such as the economy, things actually have improved in recent years. But in one respect, the president had an irrefutable point. The financial state of the government is a mess on a gargantuan scale. And cleaning it up is an urgent necessity.

At the close of the Great Recession, the federal budget deficit hit a record $1.4 trillion in 2009. As the economy recovered, it shrank, but last year, it started upward again. By 2023, the Congressional Budget Office estimates, the red ink will once again reach $1 trillion.

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That's not the whole of the problem by a long shot. In the next eight years, says the bipartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, three federal trust funds  for highways, Social Security disability insurance and Medicare hospital coverage  are expected to run out of money. The Social Security Old-Age and Survivors trust fund, fortunately, will be solvent a bit longer  till 2030. Without reforms, Social Security payments to older Americans will drop. Yet Trump doesn't want to change the grim trajectories of entitlement programs.

"President Trump has taken office with higher levels of (federal) debt as a share of the economy than any president other than Harry Truman in 1945," the CRFB notes. Given current trends, the debt could hit a historic record of 106 percent of GDP by 2035  when babies born this month will graduate from high school. By 2050, the Congressional Budget Office estimates, our debt could be a crushing 150 percent of GDP. If you want to see the potential effects, look at Greece.

Just halting this fiscal deterioration would be a challenge for Congress and the president. Turning it around would take measures that, in the current political climate, border on the heroic. Yet tough decisions now are the only way to avert excruciating ones later.

Is there any will in Washington? We'll get a fresh sense of that Tuesday. It was discouraging that as a candidate, Trump offered plans that, according to the Tax Policy Center, would add some $7 trillion in new debt over the next decade. House Republicans didn't offer cause for hope when they approved a budget resolution that projected an addition of $9.1 trillion in that time frame.

Trump did name former U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney, known as a budget hawk, to run the White House Office of Management and Budget. OMB, The New York Times reports, has drafted a list of programs to eliminate, including the Export-Import Bank, the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The list suggests the budget office, at least, is not averse to tough fights.

But not everything that costs money deserves to be zeroed out: The Ex-Im Bank, for example, actually makes a profit for the government. And none of these programs is a big-ticket item. Killing them all would save about $2.5 billion a year  in a budget of $4.2 trillion.

Most of the expected growth in spending comes not in these discretionary programs or in defense but in big entitlements. "Social Security and federal health spending are responsible for 63 percent of nominal spending growth and 93 percent of spending growth as a share of GDP over the next decade," says CRFB.

Reversing the spiral would require Congress and the president to tackle these programs. House Speaker Paul Ryan has proposed putting Medicare on firmer footing with a "premium support" model, giving future retirees money to buy private insurance. He also wants to convert Medicaid to block grants that would spur states to devise efficiencies. But Ryan may face resistance from Trump, who during the campaign vowed to "save Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security without cuts."

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Another distressing signal from the White House: It projects that economic growth will be much higher than most economists think is plausible  over 3 percent per year, a big jump from the roughly 2 percent per year during the Obama years. If that happens it would boost federal revenues.

But beware the dangers of wishful thinking. CRFB President Maya MacGuineas told The Wall Street Journal: "The risk is that rosy economic scenarios allow us to borrow trillions of additional dollars in the next couple of years, doing real damage" if the bullish growth forecasts don't pan out.

A wiser approach is to assume growth will remain lower  and enjoy the windfall if it speeds up. That approach also includes steering the debt toward a lower percentage of GDP.

Is Trump interested in that wiser approach? Tune in Tuesday at 8 p.m. CST.

Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook.

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My heart is breaking. I just heard about the shooting of two Indian immigrants outside of Kansas City. This comes after a bomb threat at a Jewish Community Center in Chicago's Hyde Park and the desecration of Jewish cemeteries in Philadelphia and St. Louis, not to mention the mosques that have been defiled and the women who have had the hijab torn off their heads.

Hate speech and hateful actions are becoming more common in this country. Are our citizens taking their lead from our new president, who loudly proclaims he will build a wall to keep out foreigners and who makes fun of the disabled and those living in poverty?

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We need to answer intolerance with understanding. As 19th century attorney Robert Ingersoll said: "Tolerance is giving to every other human being every right that you claim for yourself." In fact in a September 2000 interview in The Advocate magazine, Donald Trump struck a decidedly conciliatory tone. He had joined New York's Reform Party and was considering a run for president. "I grew up in New York City, a town with different races, religions and peoples. It breeds tolerance," he said.

Where is that man? What happened to his belief in tolerance and in the rights of gays and immigrants? I urge him to stop condemning people based on their religion or nation of origin and to reassert our country's heritage of offering refuge to the persecuted, regardless of their political or religious beliefs. For America to be great it needs to allow everyone in the country to reach his or her full potential.

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 Jane Bannor, Chicago
Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee (L), Director of Communications for the Office of Public Liaison Omarosa Manigault (C), and Deputy Communications Director Raj Shah (R), type on their cell phones while White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer speaks to the media at Spicer's daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 27. According to Politico, Spicer performed a surprise cell phone check on his staffers last week in an apparent crack down on leaks coming out of the West Wing. (Jim Lo Scalzo / EPA)

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer recently summoned about a dozen members of his communications staff to an emergency meeting, and as they entered the room he asked them to surrender their mobile phones so White House lawyers could check them to see if they might have been used to leak inside stories to the media.

Spicer reportedly warned them that this investigatory effort would seem like "recess" in retrospect if it didn't reveal those in their midst who had fed so many inside stories to the dreaded media. He also reportedly warned that there would be harsh consequences if news of his phone check leaked out.

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The funny part is that, of course, the news did leak out. Politico broke the story, multiple news outlets confirmed it and President Donald Trump, when asked about the phone check in a televised interview Tuesday morning, seemed to acknowledge use of the tactic by answering, "I would have handled it differently than Sean, but Sean handles it his way and I'm OK with it."

The scary part is  phone checks?

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Maybe in an earlier time, when a mobile phone was just a basic communication device that contained a record of incoming and outgoing calls, such a probe wouldn't sound like such a violation of privacy.

But modern smartphones are virtual diaries. They contain a robust "cache of sensitive personal information" that "could reveal an individual's private interests or concerns  perhaps a search for certain symptoms of disease, coupled with frequent visits to WebMD. Data on a cellphone can also reveal where a person has been."

Those are the words of U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts writing in Riley v. California, a 2014 case in which the court unanimously ruled that warrantless searches of the digital contents of cellphones are unconstitutional.

"It is no exaggeration to say that many of the more than 90 percent of American adults who own a cellphone keep on their person a digital record of nearly every aspect of their lives  from the mundane to the intimate," Roberts wrote.

The argument that finding a phone on a suspect makes it OK to search that phone for possibly relevant data is "like finding a key in a suspect's pocket and arguing that it allowed law enforcement to unlock and search a house," Roberts wrote. Actually worse, Roberts wrote, because "a cellphone search would typically expose to the government far more than the most exhaustive search of a house."

And that was in 2014. Today's typical smartphone not only has more local storage than it did then, but it contains more links to personal data stored in the "cloud," making it even more of a portal to almost everything about a person.

Even the most innocent, loyal member of Sean Spicer's communications team might be reluctant to fling open such a portal for the boss to wander into. It's unclear whether Spicer's phone check identified any offenders  even moderately tech-savvy leakers use home phones or untraceable "burner" phones  but realistically, what choice did members of his staff have? Anyone who refused would immediately have become a prime suspect and lost the confidence of the supervisors.

Phrased as an ask not an order, such a request is legal whether the smartphone is provided by the boss or owned by the employee, said Lori Andrews, a law professor and director of the Institute for Science, Law and Technology at Chicago-Kent College of Law.

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But since smartphones have become "miniature surveillance devices that chronicle our every move  practically our every thought, we need new laws that forbid employers from gaining access" to them, Andrews said. "Under current law, an employee has few, if any, privacy rights when the employer provides the device."

Andrews wrote a book on this subject  "I Know Who You Are and I Saw What You Did: Social Networks and the Death of Privacy" (2012, Free Press)  and proposes a law prohibiting employers from requesting employees to allow access to even company-owned cellphones, "much as we now have laws in Illinois and a dozen other states that forbid employers from asking for the password to our social networks."

Andrews said: "It shouldn't matter whether the employee 'consents' to the search since I would view the consent as coerced. If there is some verifiable reason to suspect that an employee has committed a crime, then the matter should be turned over to police and they should request a warrant," she added. There should be "no more fishing expeditions where employees are seemingly considered guilty until they prove their innocence."

Pending passage of such a law, however, it will pay to keep in mind how many secrets you now carry in your pocket, how vulnerable they are and how safe it still is to use ink on paper when sending inside information to Eric Zorn, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill., 60611.

Twitter @EricZorn

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A radio station engineer at the College of DuPage whose theft arrest was the first in a series of allegations of campus financial impropriety pleaded guilty Tuesday to theft over $100,000 from a school.

John J. Valenta, 66, will face a minimum six-year prison term after entering a guilty plea before Judge Liam Brennan in DuPage County court on the same day his trial was to begin.

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In return for the guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to drop other charges against Valenta, and they also agreed to cap their maximum recommendation at 10 years in prison. The maximum term on the theft charge is normally 30 years, with a six-year minimum.

Valenta is to be sentenced May 19 and remains free on bond. Valenta declined to comment after entering his plea.

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Authorities said the Wheaton resident fraudulently billed the college for $400,000 in parts for the radio station that were never installed. When Daniel Bindert became manager of WDCB-FM 90.9 in 2013, he became aware of unusual billing and alerted authorities. Valenta, who had a previous conviction for fraudulent billing while working at the Elmhurst College radio station, left COD in February 2014.

As part of the hearing, Assistant State's Attorney Ken Tatarelis read a lengthy statement in support of the guilty plea.

Valenta, he said, had worked at the station for 30 years. In 1990, he created a company called Broadcast Technologies, which invoiced COD for repairs to station equipment. However, Tatarelis said, almost all of the parts Broadcast Technologies billed were never installed at COD.

A former station manager, Scott Wager, who had supervised Valenta and approved most of the invoices between 2001 and 2013, was unaware that Valenta was the man behind Broadcast Technologies, the prosecutor said.

"Wager would testify that he trusted (Valenta)," Tatarelis told the court, "as he did not have the expertise in broadcast engineering that the defendant had, and had to rely on the defendant that the station needed the parts that were invoiced, and he believed that the defendant was actually installing those parts."

When Bindert became station manager in October 2013, he noted unusual and expensive invoices from Broadcast Technologies, and an examination of its invoices raised questions, Tatarelis said.

On Jan. 5, 2014, the prosecutor said, Bindert and Valenta had a phone conversation in which Valenta said he was at the station's transmitter building doing work. Bindert went to the building, and although there was a foot of snow, Bindert could not see signs of footprints or car tracks. Valenta later appeared at the station and said he had been working on the transmitter, though Bindert didn't see any snow on him, the prosecutor said.

Bindert later received an invoice from Broadcast Technologies for work done that day, which the station manager declined to pay, the prosecutor said.

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An audit showed that Broadcast Technologies had billed COD $443,000 over a 14-year period, and Valenta told authorities in January 2014 that only about 10 percent of the total was legitimate, Tatarelis said.

"The defendant said that he submitted some of the fictitious invoices to compensate the defendant for the hazard of having to climb the radio station's tower five of six times within the past year," Tatarelis said.

Valenta, a father of six, told police that he used the money for medical and household expenses and to pay credit card bills.

"The defendant admitted that what he did was not right, and that he looked at what did as an opportunity to generate income," Tatarelis said.

COD spokesman Joe Moore and Bindert were in court to hear the plea. Both declined to comment beyond offering a statement from COD President Ann Rondeau.

"Mr. Valenta's fraud violated the public trust in addition to harming the college," Rondeau's statement read. "Now that he has admitted his guilt the college will continue its efforts to ensure that he is fully held accountable, including by seeking restitution."

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Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter.
For Kevin Coval, discovering hip-hop as a kid was the gateway to things making sense for him. It sparked a curiosity for music, an interest in history and an understanding of his place in the world as a Jewish kid growing up in suburban Northbrook. It ultimately led him to become a poet, an activist and an educator known for his work as artistic director for Young Chicago Authors and co-founder of the largest youth poetry slam in the world, Louder Than a Bomb in Chicago. In its 17th year, the event features contestants from over 125 area high schools.

"Hip-hop is how I learned and why I was excited about learning because in some ways, it sent me on a trajectory of self-discovery that was very powerful," Coval said at Maria's Community Bar and Packaged Goods in Bridgeport. "It opened all of the doors to me, and I think hip-hop opens doors implicitly in its cultural practice because it seeks to 'dig' the record.

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"By the record, I mean both the sonic document of what people were sounding like, the music people were making and what people were saying, but also the record of the narrative and the record of history. I think hip-hop demands an inclusivity into a larger canon and into a larger American narrative."

In the same way that music inspired him to dig into albums to piece together musical samples, Coval's new poetry book "A People's History of Chicago" (out April 11 via Haymarket) digs into the stories of the city's past.

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"I love stories," Coval said. "I spend a lot of my time listening to stories, reading and researching. This book was an opportunity for me to dig into the record of the city."

From the history of the word "Chicago"a mispronunciation of a Miami-Illinois wordand Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the city's first permanent resident, to Chief Keef and the Cubs winning the World Series, Coval's poems vividly color in the lines of history, adding humanity to the people who shaped Chicago's story. A not-so-subtle homage to Howard Zinn's iconic "A People's History of the United States," the book focuses on the struggles of the working people, activists, persons of color and people at the margins of society.

"In Chicago, we don't put on for our own in this city enough," Coval said. "We're constantly innovating here, and I think sometimes the way that our history gets told, it's that we tell the story of the pioneers of industries that produce capital. I don't know that we always put on for the pioneers and innovators in the realm of culture and in the realm of politics."

For Coval, the stories of Chicago's struggles and the people fighting the power are the ones worth telling. These are just a few of the heroes of his Chicago: 20th century socialist organizer and presidential candidate Eugene Debs, the Society for Human Rights, writers Nelson Algren and Studs Terkel and musicians Kanye West, Muddy Waters and Sun Ra.

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"People have struggled here as they do everywhere, but when you look at the history of Chicago, you also see these moments where workers have won," Coval said.

The lean but weighty book is divided into 77 poems to coincide with the city's 77 neighborhoods. To promote the collection, which also features a foreword written by Young Chicago Authors alum Chance the Rapper and illustrations from artists such as Hebru Brantley, Coval is planning 180 readings in 365 days in every neighborhood, beginning March 4 at the Harold Washington Library to commemorate the 180th anniversary of Chicago's incorporation date.

As an educator who's been working with young people in public and alternative schools for over 20 years and also teaches hip-hop aesthetics at the University of Illinois-Chicago, Coval hopes that the story of Chicago can be used as a guidebook for the younger generation.

"You look at the Chicago Fire to the current administration, we've been engaged at the front lines of creating a movement from the ground up," he said. "At the forefront of that movement of course is young people, young people of color, young women and queer folks who are leading these charges. I think the country similarly can take note of the power of that kind of organizing."

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Coval said he's hopeful for the future, pointing to youth who have come through the Young Chicago Authors doors, fostered their creativity and become successful: Noname, Chance the Rapper, Saba and Jamila Woods, who continues to work as creative director at YCA.

"The cultural renaissance that is occurring in Chicago is also a part of the pathway towards a future that looks more equitable and safe for all beings and all bodies," Coval said. "Part of our job as artists is to be good community organizers, to reach out into the 77and really the 143neighborhoods that exist in the city is to invite folks into the spaces that we're building."

@joshhterry | jterry@redeyechicago.com
The destination bar off the beaten path has 20-year roots in Chicago's music scene but a century-long legacy as a watering hole for blue collar folk.

The Essentials: The Hideout

1354 W. Wabansia Ave. 773-227-4433

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Looks like: A Girl Scout camp rec hall complete with twinkle lights, petrified fish and hands-on opportunities to cultivate life skills

Sounds like: Acoustic guitars, noise rock, stand-up comedytake your pick.

Smells like: Nothing. It's not that kind of dirty dive.

From the outside, most people know it as a small music venue, a destination bar in a somewhat remote location. It's home turf for Chicago's alt-country bands such as Devil in a Woodpile. It's famous for its annual block parties. It's where The White Stripes played when they were just a small garage rock duo from Detroit and where Wilco came to try out new stuff that would later become "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot." It has 20-year roots in Chicago's vast music scene. But from the day it opened under its current owners, "The Hideout was always more than a music club," said Tim Tuten, co-owner of the legendary bar off North and Elston avenues.

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An Old Style sign is the only branding on the outside of the bar. (Christine Connelly / for RedEye)

Dwarfed by brick warehouses on industrial Wabansia Avenue along the Chicago River, the tiny balloon frame house looks like a scene from "Up." There's no branding except for an Old Style sign outside, and the interior is a candlelit time warp reminiscent of a Midwestern granny's house, brown walls, campy art and ancient beer cans included. It's been 20 years since Tuten, his wife Katie and friends Mike and Jim Hinchsliff took over in 1996, but the bar itself dates back to the Prohibition era. But like most bars that seem to transcend time, The Hideout is a thousand years old in stories and faces, yet a pioneer in artistic and political progressivity.

Unlike the neo-dive, last year's hottest bar trend in Disneyland versions of Midwestern authenticity, The Hideout is a true relic of working class America's neighborhood bar culture. A place for blue collar folk, built by blue collar folk, Tuten said the house went up in 1881. It was built as a boarding house for workers in the area. Throughout Prohibition, it was a speakeasy and then the Favias, an Italian family, opened The Hideout in 1947, when it went off the map again. The Tutens started hanging around in the '80s, but the steel factory workers who drank there after work weren't bothered so long as they upheld the regulars' tradition of buying everyone a round. For nearly a decade, Tuten razzed Phil Favia about what he'd do with the place when he bought the bar. "When [Phil] passed away, his wife said to me, 'Hey you used to say you were gonna buy the bar, Mr. Big Shot,' " Tuten said. He was never serious about it, but after some convincing, the Tutens and Hinchsliffs saved up and bought the place.

For the first year, it remained a weekday bar that closed in the early evening. In their spare time, they fixed it up, repairing the bones but keeping the original aesthetic. They worked even harder to maintain relationships with the regulars, who chattered about it becoming a "yuppie" bar, Tuten said. Eventually closing time was pushed back to host live roots rock shows in the back room. From there, The Hideout evolved into a place where Welding Willy could coexist and even chat with Scruffy Hipster with the art degree.

The Hideout celebrates 20 years this year. (Christine Connelly / for RedEye)

The Hideout built a following as a music venue by word of mouth. They asked bands to come play from shows they saw at Schubas Tavern and the now-defunct indie rock club Lounge Ax. Then word got out at the Old Town School of Folk Music and alt-country label Bloodshot Records. Cassette tapes from bands like The White Stripes and homemade mixtapes recorded by bar patrons began flooding in.

More like a musician's living room than a concert hall, The Hideout became a regular hangout for artists like 2017 Grammy-nominated Robbie Fulks and bands such as The Waco Brothers. It's where Wilco's Jeff Tweedy talked to Mavis Staples about recording together and where Neko Case and Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen dropped in to play on nights Billy Corgan tested out new stuff with Zwan after The Smashing Pumpkins broke up, Tuten said.

A true gathering space for all ages, The Hideout has celebrated birthdays, graduation parties and even a Viking-themed funeral procession. Stand-up comedian Cameron Esposito got married at the venue last year. Community gathering is in the bar's bones, and according to documentation Tuten said was found this year, the building has been operating as a public house since 1916.

Reputed as a nexus for artists to test new music, the value is directly aligned with the working class sensibility. The Hideout was one of the first places where Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova tried out music from the award-winning "Once" soundtrack, Tuten said.

"When artists are trying out new material, it's like you're getting to see a craftsman work," Tuten said. "You're getting to see a songwriter actually build something in front of you.  We're a workshop."

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The Hideout came of age at the end of an era in the music industry, when booking studio time was expensive, and audience time was valuable, Tuten said. Now, anyone can make a record at home. Eventually, digital files began to replace the mountains of CDs and cassettes, but The Hideout hasn't resisted the shift to modern technology. It's embraced artists connecting roots music with electronic devices and has witnessed musicians like Andrew Bird reinvent himself from his "Bowl of Fire," rooted in traditional folk and swing, to a solo artist using samples and looping pedals.

"The music is called the roots," Tuten said. "But it's cool to see the branches of the tree."

The Hideout. (Christine Connelly / for RedEye)

Eclectic performance art of all sorts also grow on The Hideout tree, from crazy holiday plays starring the staff to Helltrap Nightmare comedy show. And sometimes the content gets political. In the early 2000s, when the Iraq War started, the back room became a practice place for The All-American Anti-War Marching Band, which later became the renowned Mucca Pazza.

Progressive politics have always been important to The Hideout owners. It's in the business plan, Tuten said. "I said I want our bar to be a place that is about music, it's about art, literature, writing, it's a conspiratorial bar where people get together and they talk about politics and the get involved in social justice movements, activism, whether that's through art or whether that's through politics," he said.

During Barack Obama's 2008 campaign, supporters met at The Hideout every weekend and traveled to Iowa, Wisconsin and Indiana going door-to-door to get the vote. Tuten said people danced in the street the night he won the election. The bar took two busloads of musicians and friends to the inauguration in Washington, D.C., and Tuten, a former high school teacher, went on to work for the Obama Administration in the Department of Education's Office of Communications and Outreach. It's hosted vigils for 9/11, the 2004 tsunami and the Haiti earthquake in 2010, but on any given day, it's just a place to talk about ideas.

"I wanted it to be The Bell-in-Hand in Boston, Fraunces Tavern," Tuten said, referencing prominent bars of the American Revolution. "We believe that revolutions came out of small places. We're not promoting liquor, we're promoting a congenial place where people can come and talk, and that's super important to us."



As factories surrounding The Hideout closed over the past two decades, the culture shifted from working class to working artist, or the "sons and daughters of the working class," as Tuten puts it. That's not just a metaphor, as he's seen kids grow up at The Hideout, some who even work there now. But overall conversation is not limited to art and politics.

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Robbie Fulks and Nora O'Connor. Fulks is nominated for two 2017 Grammys. (Christine Connelly / for RedEye)

He cites Fulks, the current resident artist who performs at The Hideout every Monday, as an example of an Ivy League-educated artist whose music is reflective of the working class people he grew up with.

"We can discuss issues at the highest level, whether it's poetry, classical music, whatever the topic is, but also we can talk about building houses and we can talk about laying bricks and we can talk about putting in wood floors and we can talk about making things by hand, and we believe those are of equal respect," Tuten said.

He attributes The Hideout's success to the owner-operated model, noting other essential bars like Delilah's and FitzGerald's in Berwyn that share the same philosophy: "This is our house." He often describes the place as "timeless and timely," which only makes sense once you're inside. Physically, it's a museum preserving what was and "what it always will be," the bar stools, the hardwood floors. But culturally, it's more like a quilting circle, an evolving patchwork of people and ideas that spans generations and builds on addressing issues of the moment. The Hideout lives on because it's a living, breathing experience.

"We're still part of the real world," Tuten said. "There can be an online community, but The Hideout is an actual place where you drink beer and you actually meet somebody and you actually embarrass yourself and you actually have to live a life."

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Four quotes from Tim Tuten that sum up The Hideout.

On being a dive bar: "A dive is something, like water, you dive into and it takes you deeper, and the deeper you go. So if we're a dive, it means we have depth. If you call us a dive bar, does that mean that you consider yourself at a higher level? Because if you consider yourself at some pretentious higher level and you're diving down, well it's good for you to come down to our level because this is the greatest roots, this is the foundation, this is the place where real people are."

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On all-ages shows: "Here at The Hideout there are people who will come to shows and they might be 22 years old and they want to see what this country thing is about, or they might be 65 and no one feels weird."

On first-time visitors: "Four bros walk into The Hideout. They come in, have some beers, and out of the four, two of them might be like, 'I gotta get back to Wrigleyville.' But one or two are like, 'I think I like this world,' and that's how guys grow up."

On being a bar owner: "Bar owners are there every night. That's super draining, emotionally and physically, so it's a hard thing to do. But as Bill Fitzgerald of FitzGerald's would tell me, 'On any given night, it's golden.'  You seek that golden moment, and you can get that in a place like this."

@OhItsHeather & @redeyeeatdrink on Twitter | Instagram

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Two women were injured in separate shootings that occurred less than an hour apart over the weekend in Aurora, police said.

In the first, at about 2:15 a.m. Sunday, a 22-year-old woman in the front passenger seat of a white 2009 Chevrolet Malibu was shot more than once as the car traveled southbound on Fourth Avenue near its intersection with State Street, police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said in an email.

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A 23-year-old man was driving the Malibu with the woman and two other passengers, a 29-year-old man and 23-year-old woman, Ferrelli said.

Someone standing with several other people on the West side of the street apparently fired into the car, and the 22-year-old woman sustained several gunshot wounds, but police have no further suspect information Ferrelli said. While none of the other three people in the car were hit, gunfire did strike a home on the 400 block of State Street and a vehicle parked on the same block, Ferrelli said.

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After the shooting, the Malibu driver drove directly toward Rush Copley Medical Center to seek treatment for the woman, but was involved in a minor one-car traffic crash at Montgomery and Waterford, Ferrelli said. Aurora Fire Department paramedics went to the crash location and finished transporting the woman, Ferrelli said. No other injuries were reported.

Just after 3 a.m. the same day, a 20-year-old woman sustained a non-life-threatening injury to her eye after shots were fired at an SUV she was riding in near the intersection of New York Street and Asbury Drive, Ferrelli said. Police did not specify whether the injury was from a bullet or other matter.

The only other person in the car, a 2008 turquoise Ford Explorer, was the driver, a 20-year-old man, who told police he'd been eastbound on New York Street when a vehicle drove up on his right side and someone opened fire, Ferrelli said.

The man drove to Rush Copley, and the woman was transferred to another suburban Chicago facility, Ferrelli said.

The pair were largely uncooperative with police, who have no further description of the suspect or vehicle they were in, Ferrelli said.

At this time, police don't believe the shootings are related, Ferrelli said. Although no motive has been established, police have not ruled out street gang motivation in either case, Ferrelli said.

Police ask anyone with information to call Aurora police investigators at 630-256-5500 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000.

Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and qualify for a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to any arrests.

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People also can submit tips through the Aurora Police Department's free My PD mobile app.

hleone@tribpub.com

Twitter @hannahmleone
The Batavia Historical Society is launching a $2 million fundraising drive for a major expansion of the Batavia Depot Museum.

A 5,000-square-foot addition to the facility that opened over four decades ago will provide more exhibition and collections storage space and create a new reception area for visitors.

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The museum, on Houston Street east of Batavia Avenue, attracts an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 visitors annually, some of whom are bicyclists on the Fox River Trail, officials said.

The fundraising kickoff, dubbed "History Happens Here," is scheduled for 2 p.m. March 12 at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave.

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Batavia Historical Society steering committee chairman Dan Hoefler said the museum's expansion is part of the city's efforts to invigorate the downtown. The museum overlooks the iconic Depot Pond near the citizen-inspired Batavia Riverwalk and Peg Bond Performing Arts Pavilion.

A group of residents in the early 1970s raised funds to acquire, relocate and renovate an abandoned 1854 Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad depot that was at Webster and Van Buren streets. The museum was dedicated on April 13, 1975, and the Batavia Park District has owned and maintained the building and land. The last museum addition was in 2000 for the Gustafson Research Center.

"We believe the expansion will be part of the many jewels Batavia has of historical value," Hoefler said. "The city has invested in the downtown. We would like to be part of that whole sense of drawing people to the area."

While the museum logbook shows people from France, Sweden and China, the facility and historic preservation is of particular interest to locals.

"That's important for future generations," Hoefler said.

Gary King, who heads the Batavia Historical Society's long-range planning committee, said efforts to expand began five years ago with preliminary architectural renderings. He said Itasca-based DLA Architects incorporated some of those ideas into the final design for the building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The two-level addition will be built on the north end of the museum.

"The museum is primarily display space  there is very little storage area," King said, for the collection of artifacts scattered in various locations around the city.

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King said the main floor of the expansion will provide more space for exhibits and community events as well as traveling exhibits from museums across the country, including the Smithsonian.

The new reception area will introduce visitors to businesses and amenities in Batavia, he said. A lower-level floor will feature a classroom and work area for staff to prepare exhibits.

The project is a partnership between the historical society and the park district. The historical society, which owns the artifacts, is raising funds for the addition.

"We are viewing this as a five-year fundraising project. There will be opportunities for people to make a pledge or donations," King said.

Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 14, Batavia, IL 60510.

Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
A woman charged with drug-induced homicide after her husband died of heroin and fentanyl intoxication last year is back in Kane County jail on new drug charges.

Catherine Nicole Smith, 29, was charged with class 4 felony possession of a controlled substance, along with unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while her license was suspended, both class A misdemeanors.

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Charging documents filed in Kane County Circuit Court allege that on or about Feb. 5, Smith was in possession of less than 15 grams of a substance containing heroin. Smith is currently in custody at the Kane County adult justice center, where total bail for all charges has been set at $25,000, according to the jail's online detainee information.

Smith is next to appear at 9 a.m. Friday, March 3, before judge James C. Hallock in Courtroom 313 at the Kane County Judicial Center. Her attorney in both cases, Don Zuelke, did not immediately return a call Friday morning seeking comment.

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On April 23, 2016, Smith and her husband, Richard Gregoire, took Smith's 9-year-old son to buy drugs, according to court documents. That afternoon, Kane County sheriff's deputies found Gregoire unconscious and not breathing in the family's home on the 46W500 block of Main Street in an unincorporated area of Kaneville Township. He was taken to Delnor Community Hospital in Geneva, where he was later pronounced dead.

When Gregoire overdosed, Smith and her son were there, Kane County Sheriff's spokesman Lt. Patrick Gengler said. So was another man who left before first responders got to the apartment, Gengler said. The Kane County State's Attorney's Office authorized single counts of drug-induced homicide, a class X felony, against Smith, 29, recently of Ottawa, and Aaron Moore, 28, of Chicago, who is accused of providing the drugs. Smith was also charged with causing a child to be endangered, a class A misdemeanor.

Moore and Smith, both arrested in October, were the 12th and 13th people charged with drug-induced homicide in Kane County, under a state law created in 1989 and expanded in 2002. A person who unlawfully delivers a controlled substance when any person's death is caused by the injection, inhalation, absorption, or ingestion of any amount of that substance, commits drug-induced homicide, a Class X felony, according to the law.

Although bail for Smith and Moore was initially set at $150,000, both were quickly released on personal recognizance bonds after hearings in October. Moore's next court date is March 17.

Smith has enrolled in a drug treatment program at least once since her arrest, according to a court order stating she was receiving inpatient treatment.

Smith in September pleaded guilty in Kane County to charges of possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to 30 days in county jail, records show. Smith's other previous convictions in Kane County include a 2014 retail theft for which she was sentenced to public service and probation.

Moore has previously been convicted in Cook County on drug charges, records show. In 2007, he was convicted of possession of a controlled substance. In 2015, Moore was convicted of manufacture or delivery of 1 to 15 grams of heroin and sentenced to jail and probation, records show.

Gregoire pleaded guilty in 2011 to driving under the influence of an intoxicating compound and was sentenced to supervision, with required reporting back to court and participation on a victim impact panel, Kane County records show. In 2012, he pleaded guilty to retail theft and was sentenced to supervision without reporting, records show.

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hleone@tribpub.com

Twitter @hannahmleone
Rachael Benn, left, and Maria Palumbi helped lead a meeting Monday at the Kane County Health Department where local residents are invited to come and be part of an advisory counci (David Sharos / The Beacon-News)

Efforts to build a coalition to develop community health programs and offer feedback continued Monday in Aurora with a Kane County Health Department Community Council meeting.

About 20 people attended the meeting, which was the third in a series of similar meetings held last week in Carpentersville and later in Elgin.

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Theresa Heaton, director of health promotion for the Kane County Health Department, said the Community Council meetings began last November, and have been held throughout the area every month.

"The goal is to develop 'resident councils' that have a voice in the health programs, services, projects and policies offered or being developed in the area," Heaton said. "We want people to be able to weigh in and provide advice for us and provide a community profile."

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Faith Nyong, of Aurora, said she works as a registered nurse in the area and has attended the previous meetings.

Rachael Benn, left, and Maria Palumbi helped lead a meeting Monday at the Kane County Health Department where local residents were invited to come and be part of an advisory council. (David Sharos / The Beacon-News)

"I'm excited to have the opportunity to promote health in Kane County and Aurora and want to hear ideas about how to decrease chronic disease and lower risk factors for people," Nyong said. "In terms of health, I think we need more cultural role models than just telling people what to do. We need to show kids and have them see us lacing up our shoes and exercising. If you've not seen that, you've not lived in an environment where you're used to it."

Heaton said those who have attended previous meetings or first time attendees Monday night were free to join the local council and that meetings so far have focused on "healthy eating and living and physical activity."

"We're looking at things that get in the way of those things and are providing brief training not just on disease but also non-disease related issues," Heaton said.

Monday's meeting was led by Michael Isaacson, assistant director of community health, along with associates Maria Palumbi and Rachael Benn. Isaacson spoke Monday about focusing on "the social determinants of health."

"We've been doing a lot of listening to residents in the first three meetings and getting input, but tonight we're looking at giving some information as well as continuing to make sure we get a good cross section of the population," he said.

Aurora residents share ideas Monday during a Community Council meeting at the Kane County Health Department in Aurora. (David Sharos / The Beacon-News)

Isaacson later said that "factors that impact health include education, access to a job, earning a high enough wage as well as race."

He added that previous meetings have produced questions and inquiries that have focused on access to health centers and exercise facilities, affordable healthy food, and behavioral health including mental illness and substance abuse.

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Many of those topics were on the minds of participants Monday, including a number of first-time attendees like Aurora's Maria Cotts.

"We have a lot of people here who still don't have insurance, and I'd like to know where they can get it and what their options are," she said. "There are a lot of Spanish-speaking people in our area, and they also need to be represented."

Mariana Gomez said she heard about the council via email and came for the first time Monday night as she has "concerns about the city."

"I'm concerned also about local health care and other things I see, like people leaving their garbage all over the place  it's like people don't pay any attention to the rules," Gomez said.

Aurora's Amanda Munoz said she attended because she was looking for a way to serve the community.

"I was checking various web sites and looking for boards that were running and this popped up," Munoz said. "When I saw it was meeting once a month, I grabbed it. I think we need to get more representation here from men as well as the 20 through 40 demographic and also Spanish-speaking people that did not finish high school. We need a true representation of Aurora."

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David Sharos is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.
Chicago Democrat Chris Kennedy was among those who spoke at the Kane County Democratic Party's annual Truman Dinner Sunday in Aurora. Kennedy recently announced he would run for Illinois Governor. (Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News)

Kane County Democratic Party chairman Mark Guethle said President Donald Trump has "energized" a new group of people identified as Democrats and progressives eager to get politically active.

"Trump is our best organizer," Guethle said.

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The comments came during the Kane County Democratic Party's annual Truman Dinner, which drew a crowd of nearly 500 people in Aurora. The 27th annual fundraiser Sunday at Pipers Banquets drew some heavy hitters in the political arena ready to weigh in on President Trump and Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Chicago Democrats Chris Kennedy and J.B. Pritzker spoke, as did former Gov. Pat Quinn, and newly elected public officials Comptroller Susana Mendoza and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Hoffman Estates.

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The Kane County Democratic Party Sunday night attracted about 500 people to its annual Truman Dinner fundraiser in Aurora. (Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News)

Kennedy, son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy recently announced his bid for governor. Pritzker, whose family is known for owning the Hyatt hotel chain, is exploring his bid for the office.

Kennedy said Illinois is headed in the "wrong direction" and Rauner has turned a state budget problem into a statewide economic crisis. He said the governor's turnaround agenda is nothing but a distraction.

"(Rauner) is destroying our state, and he needs to be stopped. Nothing in his turnaround agenda is more important than a budget. Any small and large business knows this. They want certainty," Kennedy said.

Pritzker said 777 days have lapsed since Gov. Rauner took office.

"777 on a slot machine is a winning number. For the state of Illinois, it has been the unluckiest number of all," he said.

"He's gambled with the lives of homeless veterans, risked the future of at-risk kids and fought to take away collective bargaining rights and bar refugee families from entering this state."

Organizers said the $80-per-plate dinner supports Democratic political activity. The keynote speaker was Norman Goldman, a radio talk show host of the nationally syndicated "The Norman Goldman Show."

The keynote speaker at the Kane County Democratic Party's annual Truman Dinner Sunday in Aurora was Norman Goldman, a radio talk show host of the nationally syndicated The Norman Goldman Show. (Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News)

Guethle said Trump has "energized" a new group of people who identify as Democrats and progressives, who were in attendance, to get politically active. A contingency of 130 union representatives were there as well.

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U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, speaking in a pre-recorded video, said he was impressed with the number of people who have already shown interest in challenging Republicans on the state and federal levels.

"These are races we have to win to move our country away from politics of hate," Foster said.

Quinn praised President Obama for getting the American economy going and allowing for job creation on the state level.

"There is something wrong in Illinois when they can cut the taxes of millionaires and billionaires and then cut important services for everyday people and jobs," he said.

Krishnamoorthi said that as a member of the House Oversight Committee, he is a proponent of a "full, open and transparent investigation into the ties between the White House and Kremlin," which prompted applause.

"We must get to the bottom of this. This goes beyond politics, this goes beyond party  it is about country," he said, adding that he is opposed to the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, which prompted more applause.

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Goldman made his second appearance at the Truman dinner. "This is what self-governance looks like," he said. "Civic engagement is what self-governance is all about."

Goldman said it is an "abomination" that Illinois has not had a budget for two years. "The job of politicians is to make deals; they are failing the people," he said. "The state is a disaster, and politicians are the reason why."

Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.
In case you've not been paying attention, Chicago theater critics are showering accolades on Paramount Theatre's production of "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," and, in particular, praising the menacing performance of Paul-Jordan Jansen in the title role, and the comedic perfection of Mrs. Lovett's Bri Sudia.

But the star of the show I was gushing over after seeing the performance was all that blood.

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The bloodletting in this production, now playing through March 19 in the downtown Aurora theater, picks up considerably in the second half. And you can't help but notice the visceral reaction  from surprised gasps to nervous laughter  from the audience as they are drawn into the horror. From the first vengeful swipe of Sweeney's razor across his unsuspecting victim's neck to the mad barber's own gore-ified demise, the production is a bloodbath so effective I just had to find out how Paramount pulled it all off so dramatically on a live stage.

Because I've always wanted to be in a slasher film, I even offered myself up as a sacrificial lamb to the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

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And so the stage was set: About an hour before Friday evening's show, the friendly wardrobe and props folks brought me backstage, where they outfitted me in a vest rigged with a bag of theater blood  an edible but tasteless organic red syrup  and tubing that connects to a cravat worn around the throat.

The vest, though a tad bulky, was a perfect fit. The neckband was a bit snug, but my main concern was the razor that would soon be skidding across my jugular. Big. Shiny. Sharp. But with a nice protective shield covering its blade, thankfully. I was good to go.

And so I took my seat in Sweeney's notorious barber chair  perched high above the still-empty audience, blinking erratically  secretly grateful that union rules would not allow the photographer to video my could-be-embarrassing debut as a murder victim.

As Sweeney's white barber cape was carefully draped across my body, I had to remind myself the blade was dull, the blood fake. Yet the chill that ran up my spine as the very gracious and smiling Jansen prepared to slit my throat was surprisingly real.

My nerves, I told myself, had to do with the fact I better not mess this little demonstration up. The instructions weren't complicated. After he made the cutting motion across my throat, Jansen told me, he'd begin pressing on the blood pack in my vest. At the same time, as I was throwing my head back, I was to push against his hand and the back of the chair in order to ensure an impressive gush of red.

The job of making all that blood and gore look as realistic as possible falls on Susie Rodriguez, head of props, who showed me a few other tricks of the trade. Turns out the plasma used for my demise and two of Sweeney's victims is the thickest kind that calls for the vest and cravat. A thinner version  used in the Judge's death  is inserted into a plastic sandwich bag that is trimmed and twisted to resemble a strawberry and can easily be punctured at the appropriate time. It's also the type that goes into a vial inserted into the specially designed knife used to kill Sweeney.

The third type, made into smaller blood strawberries and consisting mostly of water with only a couple drops of blood syrup to give it a tint of red, alleviates the cleanup problem, noted production associate Yesenia Esparza. They are used in the death of Pirelli, who gets stuffed in a trunk, and Beggar Woman, who must move downstage center after being attacked.

As Esparza explained it, the blood rigs like the one used on me "continue to drop blood post-death, which can create a real mess on stage" while the show is going on. If we simply left the blood onstage, she said, "we would risk the other cast members catching blood on their costumes as well as tracking it all over the stage."

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Plus, the crew does not like wasting even one drop, because this theater blood  priced at $600 a gallon online  is expensive. Even in "West Side Story," only colored water was used, said Rodriguez, adding that she hopes to use no more than 10 gallons for Sweeney's entire run.

While I certainly was having a bloody good time learning all about the red stuff, I had to check out a few other gory details, including the Tupperware container filled with the pinkish "flesh"  made with soap, gluten and food dye  fed into Mrs. Lovett's meat grinder. And what about that disgusting meat sauce we see smeared across the mouths and hands of those unsuspecting patrons of Mrs. L's pie shop? Turns out the cast will go through 21.4 gallons of chocolate pudding in the show's 49 shows.

Speaking of repeat performances ... after slaying dozens of victims each week, Jansen's skills are, well, as sharp as a razor. With one swift and well-practiced motion, he slid its blade across my throat and then pressed on my back. As I threw back my head and leaned into my role, I felt a gush of liquid spurt from my throat; then watched it splatter and cascade like a river down my white cape before settling into a deep dark pool that collected in a pocket around my feet.

Maybe it was the bright lights. Or the empty theater seats. Or the small but engaged audience huddled around me. Or maybe it was just the spirit of the historic Paramount stage. For one brief moment as the syrupy substance spread over my body, I felt as if I were drowning in my own blood.

Then I laughed. Nervously, I believe. The crew helped me out of my messy attire; but I refused their kind offer to clean the remnants on my hands, shirt and even in my hair.

Instead, I wore those crimson (but machine washable) stains like a badge of honor for the rest of the evening. After all, how many people can say they felt the vengeful blade of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street  and lived to write about it?

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Dcrosby@tribpub.com
Barrington police are upgrading their patrol cars with new high-definition cameras. (Pioneer Press file / Pioneer Press)

Barrington police are upgrading their patrol cars with new high-definition cameras to try and save officers time.

Barrington Police Chief David Dorn said the new technology significantly will cut down the time officers spend downloading in-car camera footage for court proceedings.

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For $70,802 total, the new cameras will replace aging cameras installed within 10 of the department's patrol cars in 2007, he said.

"These cameras are real time-savers when burning discs for court purposes," Dorn said. "They're also very good for evidentiary reasons in court."

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Barrington village board members approved the equipment purchase in early February.

More technological changes could be coming at the Barrington department at a time when police departments across the country are under pressure to try and make officers' work more transparent.

The new in-car cameras also can be integrated with body cameras, which the Barrington department could pursue buying in the future, Dorn said. He noted the department doesn't have money budgeted for body cameras this year.

But the village budget does include funds for new portable radios for police officers and firefighters, Dorn said.

As part of the in-car camera purchase, Barrington police also will be upgrading servers and new receiver sites at the Public Safety Facility, 400 N. Northwest Highway, Barrington, he said.

Because of changes in state law, Barrington have seen an increase in video requests from courts mostly for proceedings related to charges of driving under the influence, village officials said in a recent report to trustees.

The department's investigative vehicle also will have a new high-definition camera and one in reserve, Dorn said.

tshields@pioneerlocal.com

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Twitter @tshields19
A Will County judge overruled the county board's denial of a car wash and drive-through for the Dunkin' Donuts restaurant at Lenny's Food and Fuel at 194th and Harlem Avenue in Frankfort Township. The board turned it down after residents objected. (Susan DeMar Lafferty / Daily Southtown)

A judge ruled that a businessman will be allowed to add a drive-thru lane and a car wash at Lenny's Food and Fuel gas station at 194th and Harlem Avenue in unincorporated Frankfort Township, overruling a decision of the Will County Board.

In November 2015, on close votes, Will County Board rejected Leonard McEnery's request for two special use permits for those operations, after residential neighbors collected 700 signatures opposing the plan, and voiced concerns about traffic, noise and pollution. The board turned it down despite support from its land use committee and staff.

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McEnery filed a lawsuit against the county in December, 2015.

On Friday, Will County Judge John Anderson ruled that the county board's decision was "arbitrary and capricious" after hearing testimony from a variety of officials. Among those providing input were the county's land use staff, a civil engineer, a professional appraiser, residents, Frankfort Township Highway Commissioner William Carlson and three Republican Will County Board members, Mike Fricilone, Steve Balich and Elizabeth Collins. Collins has since retired from the board.

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Residents said they were "very disappointed" with the ruling. Chuck Pelkie, spokesman for the Will County state's attorney's office said they are reviewing the ruling and the county board will determine if they will appeal the judge's decision.

In writing his decision, Anderson noted that all three county board members testified that they planned to vote in favor of the special use permits but changed their minds after a meeting of the Republican caucus.

"The collective testimony from these witnesses was that the Will County Board Chairman (Jim Moustis, R-Frankfort Township) exerted pressure by way of threats or intimidation to induce a 'no' vote," the judge wrote.

Moustis did not return a call seeking comment.

Balich said he was "not influenced at all" by Moustis.

"(Moustis) said he was not voting for it because it was in his district, but he never has told anyone how to vote," Balich said.

Fricilone said he "always takes into consideration" what the board member from that area hears from residents, but being pressured by Moustis "was not the case."

The matter is "not worth appealing," Fricilone said.

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The testimony of Carlson lacked "convincing credibility," according to the judge. Carlson testified that he approved three entrances/exits to the site on 194th and 195th Streets and that no more would be needed with the car wash or the drive-thru. He also testified that he opposed the special use permits because of concerns for "potential additional traffic," an "unknown volume" of traffic and potential impact on residents, according to the judge's ruling.

Anderson also ruled that the addition of a car wash and drive-thru for the existing Dunkin' Donuts restaurant would not impact the safety or health of the area, and its noise would comply with the Illinois Pollution Control Board regulations.

The proposed special uses were "consistent" and "in harmony with existing uses" on Harlem Avenue, he said.

A professional appraiser told the court that there would be a substantial loss in McEnery's property value and revenue from the gas station if it could not have these features, but there was no evidence that it would significantly reduce property values to surrounding homes, the judge wrote.

Anderson also noted that the court "seldom" overturns a decision of a legislative body, but in this case, "the county failed to present sufficient persuasive evidence in support of its own case." He wrote that the county presented no expert witnesses and relied largely on the testimony of one neighboring property owner whose testimony was "not adequately supported."

That neighbor was Linda Arnold, who said she was "very disappointed that 26 county board members were overruled by one person who did not hear the complete story."

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"I am very sad and concerned for the future," she said.

Pelkie said the state's attorney's office maintains that the drive-thru and car wash will be a "burden and nuisance for residents."

Other neighbors, who attended the court proceedings but did not testify, were Gary and Sandra Rennie.

The "biggest problem," is the 3- to 4-foot berm and the 8-foot plastic fence that McEnery erected on the property line between the diesel fueling bays and the homes, which fails to deaden the sound of the increased truck traffic, said Gary Rennie.

According to the plan, the car wash will operate from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the Dunkin' Donuts drive-thru, from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m.

"Where does it stop?" Rennie asked.

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"This is a travesty. This is unacceptable," said his wife, Sandra Rennie. "All in our community are very, very disappointed and disheartened. There should be another resolution to work this out. I don't know if we have any recourse."

Residents had "evidence," including a "binder filled with studies" on traffic and pollution, to support their concerns, she said.

McEnery's attorney Cass Wennlund said his client was "very happy."

"It was a well-written decision based on facts," he said.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

McEnery will proceed with the car wash and drive-thru with "all due haste," Wennlund said.

He previously took the county to court in 2013 after the county board rejected a similar plan for the Frankfort Township gas station, drive-thru, car wash and beer and wine sales. After losing that court battle, McEnery submitted a revised plan, with a separate island for diesel gas pumps, and dropped the liquor sales.

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His other locations, in Mokena, New Lenox and Joliet, are allowed to have video gaming because the sites are considered truck stops.

Wennlund said liquor sales or video gaming, which McEnery has at his other locations, are not part of this plan, and both would require county board approval.

During public hearings at the county board, residents expressed concern that McEnery would eventually add gaming to the Frankfort Township station.

In April 2015, the county board voted to prohibit further video gaming in unincorporated areas, limiting it to the existing 27 gaming licenses.

slafferty@tribub.com
CVS Health has plans to build a new store in New Lenox despite reports that it is closing 70 stores in several other markets this year, officials said.

"All systems are go," said New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann. The village board is expected to approve the development plans in April, with the groundbreaking soon after that, he said.

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The Rhode Island-based retailer announced late last week that it would close about 70 locations in early 2017, including 11 stores in the city of Chicago.

As of December, CVS had 9,709 stores, according to the Chicago Tribune.

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Baldermann said he does not know why some stores are being shuttered, but when he heard that news, "it was the first phone call we made."

CVS will anchor the redevelopment of the northwest corner of U.S. 30 and Cedar Road.

CVS officials could not be reached for comment.

In June 2014, the village purchased four businesses at that corner  BP gas, Hutchinson's Cleaners, the Pit Stop Tavern and the vacant House of Hughes Restaurant  and demolished them at a cost of $3.3 million.

The village sold the 1.6-acre corner chunk to CVS for $1.8 million and the 1.2-acre eastern portion of the site to Heidner Properties for $450,000, which will build a retail center to include Fleckenstein's Bakery, Durbin's Pizza and Zembar Jewelers.

Developers for both parcels are currently working with village staff on their plans and trying to coordinate the site work, so it can all be done at the same time, the mayor said.

Both need to apply for a planned unit development, said community development director Robin Ellis. This will include the details of the proposed site and the vacation of Church Street, which now divides the property.

Ellis said they hope to go to the village's plan commission meeting in April, but it depends on when plans are submitted.

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"I've had no recent discussions with Heidner, but I know they are talking to CVS," she said. "It would streamline it if the two work together."

Sales tax generated from the new businesses will be used to build a new Metra train station near that intersection.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

CVS has two other sites in New Lenox. It recently took over the pharmacy in the Target store on U.S. 30 in New Lenox and operates a store on Laraway Road.

Mokena Frank Fleischer said he has not been told if the CVS Pharmacy or the J.C. Penney store  both at U.S. 30 and Wolf Road  will be closing.

J.C. Penney also recently announced that it was closing up to 140 stores nationwide in May.

According to J.C. Penney spokesman Carter English, the company plans to release a full list of planned closures in mid-March pending notification of all affected personnel.

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"As part of our continuing effort to advance sustainable growth and long-term profitability, J.C. Penney will be closing 130 to 140 stores, one supply chain facility and relocating one supply chain facility to align our physical store footprint and omnichannel network. The company is also implementing a voluntary early retirement program incentive for approximately 6,000 eligible associates," English stated in an email.

J.C. Penney also operates stores in Orland Park, Matteson and Joliet.

slafferty@tribpub.com
Longtime Frankfort resident Judy Herder cared so much about the safety of children, she spearheaded efforts to build them a fort. While its walls won't keep invaders out, the Fort Frankfort playground has become a destination for area families looking for a fun and safe place to spend outdoor afternoons. It was one of her many achievements.

"She worked for Frankfort projects for probably 35 or 40 years," said John Herder, Judy's husband.

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It's an example of Herder's passion and commitment to Frankfort-area parks, said Phil Simmons, president of the non-profit Operation Playground Foundation a group Herder helped to found in 1999 to fund park district projects.

Judy Herder died unexpectedly last December, just three weeks after being diagnosed with stage four cancer that had spread throughout her body, her husband said.

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The Frankfort Park District and the Operation Playground Foundation intend to fund a portable track for people who enjoy biking, skateboarding, rollerblading and scooters. It will be called the Judy Herder Memorial Pumptrack, in honor of a woman who has been an influential force in building many of Frankfortas park projects who died unexpectedly of cancer last December. (Robb Jones photo)

"When Judy passed away last December, it was sort of like the whole town felt terrible," Simmons said. "We lost a huge contributor to our whole community. Judy was so dear to us and helped in so many ways on all these projects."

And so Judy Herder's former foundation is embarking on a mission to honor her with a project they believe would have been close to her heart. To provide a place for kids to skateboard and roller blade away from traffic, the Frankfort Park District intends to purchase a pumptrack in honor of Herder.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

In recent years, Simmons said, Judy Herder and others wanted to create a BMX bike park. But it never materialized, largely do to the size and cost, said Gina Hassett, Frankfort Park District executive director.

The pumptrack, which will be named "Judy Herder Memorial Pumptrack," will serve many of the same needs, while being more manageable, she said. It is a modular unit with a footprint of 54 feet by 54 feet, she said. It will be located at the corner of Nebraska Street and Luther Lane, with easy access to Old Plank Trail, she said.

"If for some reason, it were not a success there, we could have the option to move it," Hassett said. "It's not a permanent structure."

Made of composite materials, it will wind around a 215-foot course, according to a district release. It noted Judy Herder had concerns about children riding their bikes, scooters, skateboards and roller blades near traffic.

"I know she was very passionate about that particular initiative," John Herder said. "She said 'you know, they've got to build a park where those kids can go.'"

The cost of the project is expected to be $55,000. A community meeting on the project is set for 7 p.m. March 8 at Founders Community Center, 140 Oak St., to discuss the project and fundraisers.

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Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Mattress Firm soon will hold a grand opening at its new store at 159th Street and Harlem Avenue in Orland Park. (Bob Bong / Daily Southtown)

Culver's franchisee Guy Hollis, who operates six locations in Lyons, Bridgeview, Berwyn, Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park and Franklin Park, is now planning a new restaurant for the Midway Airport area.

The city has approved selling him a vacant lot at 6400 S. Cicero Ave. The 4,000-square-foot eatery is expected to break ground soon and open near the airport early next year.

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Hollis also is working on a Culver's at the 6 Corners area in Chicago's Portage Park neighborhood and another in north suburban Evanston.

Hollis opened his first franchise in 2004 in Bridgeview.

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Another south suburban franchise owner, Justin Obriecht, with locations in Tinley Park, Orland Park and Matteson, is working on bringing a Culver's to the Wrigleyville area.

The Midway Culver's is one of a slew of new businesses that have opened or are planning to open on that stretch of Cicero near the airport between Chicago and Bedford Park.

A Panda Express recently opened at 6501 S. Cicero and a Lou Malnati's is under construction at 6456 S. Cicero in a former used car lot.

Blaze Pizza open in Orland Park

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza opened its newest Chicagoland location in Orland Park late last year.

The pizzeria in an out lot on LaGrange Road at Orland Square Mall opened Nov. 14.

The Orland location is the latest opened by Levy Family Partnerships, which has a deal to open 15 locations in the Chicago area.

It is only the third Blaze in the south suburbs. Other locations opened in Oak Lawn in 2015 and Tinley Park last summer.

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The company was started in 2012 and now operates more than 80 pizzerias in 20 states. Blaze specializes in custom-built pizzas that cost about $8 and are ready in three minutes.

The pizzeria is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

For information, call 708-873-0606

Blaze Pizza Franchise Partner Adam Cummis said in a release, "Chicago diners know Blaze offers a one of a kind, interactive experience, along with a plethora of ingredient options to create the perfect pie. We look forward to continued growth in the Chicagoland area."

Family Christian closing all stores

Just two years after Family Christian was forgiven $127 million in debt by its creditors, the seller of Christian-themed merchandise announced last week it would close all of its stores including locations in Orland Park, Matteson and South Holland.

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The chain announced Feb. 23 it would close all 240 stores in 36 states and lay off more than 3,000 workers. No timetable for the closings was announced.

"We had two very difficult years post-bankruptcy," president Chuck Bengochea said in a release. "Despite improvements in product assortment and the store experience, sales continued to decline. In addition, we were not able to get the pricing and terms we needed from our vendors to successfully compete in the market.

"We have prayerfully looked at all possible options, trusting God's plan for our organization and the difficult decision to liquidate is our only recourse."

The company was founded 85 years ago.

Mattress Firm opens new store in Orland Park

Mattress Firm has opened a new store at 15970 S. Harlem Ave. in Orland Park in a new store where Budget and Avis once stood.

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The car and truck rental office closed early last year and was torn down. Avis and Budget then moved down the street to a temporary trailer at 7420 W. 159th St.

The new Mattress Firm is kitty-corner from a Mattress Firm location in a former Sleepy's mattress store, which was acquired by Mattress Firm.

For more information, call 708-444-4157.

Fifth Third Bank opening in Summit

Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bank, which closed seven of its Chicago-area locations in January, will hold the grand opening for a new branch in Summit on Friday, March 10.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

The grand opening will take place from 8:30-10 a.m. at 5640 S. Harlem Ave. in the former Krispy Kreme building, which opened in 1998 at the site of the Candlelight Dinner Theater but sat empty for a number of years after the doughnut store closed.

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The bank building has room for a tenant.

CVS will close 11 stores

CVS Pharmacy announced it will close 11 stores by the end of March, but all are in the city of Chicago.

The closings are part of a series of closings of underperforming stores across the country. CVS announced in December it would close 70 locations.

None of the affected stores are in the south suburbs. The closest store set to close is at 5360 S. Western Ave.

Bob Bong is a freelancer.
Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin sparked a controversy last week when he unveiled a new vehicle sticker design that salutes law enforcement.

The proposed sticker showed a black and white American flag with a thin blue line that symbolizes support for police officers. The top of the sticker read, "Orland Park Supports Police."

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McLaughlin's announcement injected Orland Park into the debate over the "Blue Lives Matter" and "Black Lives Matter" movements.

The debate is a national dialogue about race and law enforcement, among other concerns. It's a complex issue that should be discussed with sensitivity to nuances in the discussion. Too often, though, people expressing opinions on the topic paint it as an "either-or" debate in which one must choose sides.

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McLaughlin told me this week the village will redesign the sticker and will not force anyone who disagrees with the message to display it.

His actions come after the Daily Southtown and others reported on the village's plans for the sticker.

"In no way was this meant to be a political statement," McLaughlin told me.

I think McLaughlin should have better understood the context of the national debate on the issue before unveiling the decal. He should have anticipated that by publicly voicing support for police, he was potentially subjecting his village to a backlash from people who might think the village was making a divisive statement.

He could have chosen a vehicle sticker design that lacked any hint of controversy. He could have requested decals decorated with the village's official logo. If he wanted to highlight something more specific, he could have chosen a nonpolitical theme.

He might have celebrated, for example, how the Orland Grassland near 167th Street and LaGrange Road is among the region's best places for admiring different species of birds, according to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.

Instead, McLaughlin waded into a political controversy and dragged the village's 58,590 residents with him. I give McLaughlin credit, though, for responding to some of the concerns raised. The village is changing the decal design, he said, and offering an alternative to people who feel offended by the message.

For one, the black and blue colors will be removed from the American flag on the earlier design of the vehicle decal. Some residents complained in the past week that the design disrespected Old Glory and violated a code that says the flag's design and colors should never be altered.

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"We're going with red, white and blue," McLaughlin said. "It's still going to say 'Orland Park Supports Police' across the top."

Second, no one who objects to the message expressing support for police officers will be forced to display it, McLaughlin said.

"They could cut off that message part," he told me. "That's an option they will have."

The mayor said a similar alternative was offered in 2015 to people who objected to the current decal that honors veterans of the Vietnam War.

"Even if people still don't like the (support the police) message they can cover it up of cut it off," he said.

All vehicles registered to Orland Park addresses must display village stickers affixed to the lower-right windshield on the passenger side by June 30. McLauglin told me the village plans to have the new decals printed in May.

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The design change and decal-alteration option sound like reasonable solutions, in my opinion. I thought critics raised some valid objections as coverage of the sticker controversy spread nationwide in the past week.

"Many residents have shown concern that their cars may be susceptible to damages when parked in cities, such as Chicago with the controversy surrounding Blue Lives Matter," Alex Forgue, 22, of Minooka, wrote in a Feb. 24 piece for Daily Kos, which describes itself as a liberal media outlet.

"Is McLaughlin aware of the hard times that people in the black community has [sic] faced over the past few centuries? Where is the city's sticker saying, 'Orland Park Supports our Black Community?'" Forgue wrote.

Hundreds commented about the topic on a Reddit thread, with many raising First Amendment and constitutionality concerns. On Monday, the Blue Lives Matter website published a report titled, "Orland Park's New Vehicle Sticker Getting Attacked for Supporting Law Enforcement."

"It's a sad day in American [sic] when support for law enforcement is questioned, either individually or as a group. I commend the village of Orland Park for its support, and sincerely hope they don't cave to pressure or political correctness," wrote the article's author, "Cowgirl."

"When the choice has to be made between supporting police officers, who serve and protect, and are prepared to give the ultimate sacrifice on a daily basis, or a hate-filled, anti-police, political organization, that's also sad," Cowgirl wrote.

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I think the entire controversy could have been avoided. McLaughlin said numerous residents asked the village to do something to show support for police. However well-intentioned the effort might have been, public officials have to exercise judgment that shows their decision-making process considers the views of all residents.

Police Chief Tim McCarthy, a former Secret Service agent who took a bullet for the late President Ronald Reagan, also is serving as interim village manager.

A similar village sticker controversy erupted in nearby Blue Island in 2011. The city's sticker celebrated the 150th anniversary of St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church. The city received complaints from advocates for the separation of church and state, including the late atheism activist Rob Sherman and the group Freedom From Religion.

Then-Mayor Donald Peloquin resolved the Blue Island dispute by issuing an executive order saying police would not issue tickets so long as vehicle stickers displayed the current year, city of Blue Island name and vehicle tag number.

Residents, in other words, could alter the stickers to remove the words about the Catholic Church if they found them offensive.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

I think it's wise of Orland Park to offer residents a similar option. The sticker design unveiled last week might have subjected the village to legal action and needlessly cost taxpayers the expense of defending it.

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The Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union told the Daily Southtown that the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Wooley v. Maynard means government cannot force individuals to act as mobile billboards for an ideological message.

The court in 1977 upheld the right of a New Hampshire man who objected to the display of the state's motto, "Live Free or Die," on license plates, saying it was contrary to his religious and political beliefs.

"Where the State's interest is to disseminate an ideology, no matter how acceptable to some, such interest cannot outweigh an individual's First Amendment right to avoid becoming the courier for such message," the court found.

It would be ironic if an act that sought to show support for people who uphold the law was itself an illegal violation of the constitution. I think Orland Park's responses to the vehicle sticker controversy are reasonable steps that should allow the village to show support for police officers while also showing concern for others who disagree with that message.

tslowik@tribpub.com

Twitter @tedslowik
Elgin High School principal Jerry Cook will take over as principal of Wheeling High School next school year.

Last week, High School District 214 announced its school board had appointed Cook as the next principal of the school beginning July 1. Cook has been the Elgin principal since 2011.

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"I look forward to joining the outstanding team at Wheeling High School and District 214," said Cook in a statement. "I can't wait to join teachers, staff, students, families and the community to ensure that every student at Wheeling has a clear pathway to college and a career once they graduate. I'm excited to help the Wildcats to dream big."

According to District 214, Cook was selected because of his extensive background in education that has spanned more than two decades. He began his teaching career as a social studies teacher at Elgin High School. He left for Westchester High School in Los Angeles, before returning to School District U46 to take over as dean of students at then-Gifford Street Alternative High School in 2007.

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"We are confident that Jerry's experience in education, leadership and vision will support the tremendous work already happening at Wheeling," said Superintendent Dr. David R. Schuler. "Jerry will be a tremendous asset as we continue to work to ensure all students who leave our schoolhouse doors are ready for college and career."

Along with overseeing Elgin High, Cook is an Elgin alumnus, having graduated from the high school in 1991.

Cook will replace Angela Sisi, who was recently appointed to the role of Director of Language Development of District 214, which is based out of Arlington Heights. Elgin High School has an enrollment of more than 2,400 students, while Wheeling has an enrollment of more than 1,700.

raguerrero@tribpub.com
Elgin Police Cmdr. Ana Lalley (left) and Chief Jeff Swoboda discussed the department's status quo policy regarding immigration law and cooperation with ICE. (Mike Danahey / The Courier-News)

The Elgin Police Department is taking a status quo approach regarding immigration laws and cooperation with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

That was the message Police Chief Jeff Swoboda discussed Monday morning and which was delivered to the City Council in an email Friday. That approach also will be the subject of a discussion, in Spanish, Tuesday night at Iglesia Carismatica Puerta De Sion, 19 Center St. in downtown Elgin.

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"We've been working with ICE for years," Swoboda said. He said agents Elgin has dealt with have been professional people, and he has not seen any changes in how such agents are acting locally.

"The minute we sense any change, we will notify the City Council," Swoboda said.

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According to the memo sent to the Council and given to reporters, in regard to immigration law, the current policy has been consistent over the last decade, and "police officers do not generate street contacts in order to determine immigration status. Of the 3,515 arrests made in Elgin during 2016, only 10 were actually held for ICE enforcement."

Swoboda said most crime committed in Elgin is "locally grown," meaning it comes from people who are Elgin area natives or native to the greater metropolitan area.

"Only a small percentage of crime is being committed by non-citizens," Swoboda said.

The memo notes that anyone who is arrested is fingerprinted, with that information sent to a database alerting agencies if a wanted person has been detained. In 2016, all 10 people in question "were known gang members, sex offenders, prior deportees or that had significant criminal histories."

The department also separately referred 13 people to ICE in 2016 who were either gang members, sex offenders or felons who also were in violation of immigration law. Swoboda said those referrals came about primarily from drug unit investigations.

The memo also states the department is not aware of any first-time offenders in recent years being arrested for minor offenses and being detained while in EPD custody.

Earlier this month, ICE arrested more than 680 undocumented people, including 253 in the Midwest and 50 in the Chicago area, including one Elgin resident. ICE claimed the effort was routine and that 70 to 75 percent of those brought in had been convicted of committing violent crimes. Elgin police said that the Elgin resident had multiple prior arrests including a felony DUI and was not in Elgin Police custody or in Elgin at the time of his arrest.

With crime victims, Swoboda said police never ask about their immigration status. Immigration status doesn't come up during questioning of suspects or witnesses and only comes up during booking, he said.

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Police Cmdr. Ana Lalley provided a link to a long list of countries and jurisdictions (travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/consularnotification/countries-and-jurisdictions-with-mandatory-notifications.html) that require police to notify them if a prisoner claims to be from one of those places.

Under the Trump administration, according to reports, the Department of Homeland Security is planning to expand partnerships with municipal law enforcement agencies to deputize local police to act as immigration officers for the purposes of enforcement. The program, known as 287(g) was signed into law by the Clinton administration and grew markedly under President George W. Bush's tenure. It fell out of favor under the Obama administration.

The Elgin memo noted that there are 37 such participating agencies in 16 states, and EPD "is not part of the program and does not take independent immigration enforcement action." Unless the City Council deems otherwise, the department has no plans to become a 287(g) partner or to change policies regarding cooperation with ICE.

Swoboda said Elgin police have a full plate that includes addressing homelessness, mental illness, the nationwide heroin problem and crimes related to such issues. Per getting involved with 287(g), Swoboda said the department has neither the number of officers or the appetite to do so.

"Our focus is on those who commit crimes here. When someone is here illegally and committing a crime, that's when we get involved," Swoboda said.

Centro de Informacion Executive Director Jaime Garcia said the organization has a very good relationship with the Elgin Police Department and he is content with how Elgin police have been handling immigration-related law enforcement.

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Though ICE does seem to keep Elgin police abreast of their actions in the city, Swoboda said they are not obliged to do so. And Garcia said that while "there are always rumors flying around the community," of ICE sweeps and roundups in the area, there have been no substantiated claims.

Both Garcia and Swoboda noted that an effect of what's been reported happening elsewhere is that, regardless of immigration status, some people will be afraid to contact the police about crimes.

Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain said he doesn't support changing the approach in place now, particularly as such a small number of those arrested have had issues with ICE.

"The approach seems to be working well for the city," Kaptain said.

Kaptain also noted discussions he's had with Garcia about an increase in the number of people working to get their citizenship - and of households getting their financial affairs in order in case one or another of the members is deported.

Kaptain said some people have approached him about Elgin joining the ranks of places calling themselves sanctuary cities, but that is something Elgin currently is not actively pursuing.

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"I've asked the Human Relations Commission to research the topic to see what, exactly, being a sanctuary city means, then report back to the City Council," Kaptain said.

Chicago Tribune contributed.

mdanahey@tribpub.com
Despite a federal reversal in protections regarding transgender students, School District U46 officials have no plans to change current policy.

A majority of school board members on Monday night reaffirmed their support for district guidance allowing transgender students to use locker rooms and bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity.

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"They are not abnormal, they are not dysphoric, they are transgender," said board member Veronica Noland. "Just as we accept lesbians and gays, we need to accept transgender students and protect them."

The contentious topic was resurrected last week as the Trump administration reversed Obama-era protections.

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Board member Jeanette Ward repeated similar language she posted last week on social media, saying the board should reconsider its current stance, which earlier in the school year galvanized local critics and supporters.

Board meetings in the fall turned into marathon sessions as public speakers testified on the matter for hours, the majority of them speaking against the district's transgender policy. Ultimately, the board stayed put, not changing policy and the district released guidance on the matter to further clarify where it stood.

"Since Obama's unconstitutional 'Dear colleague' letter can no longer be used to justify allowing de facto co-ed restrooms and locker rooms, I would like us to craft a policy that protects the privacy and safety of all students," Ward said.

Two other members, Cody Holt and Phil Costello, wanted the topic considered at a future board meeting. But the majority felt enough was enough, and that current policy should stand.

"Right now, I would say that we aren't going to look at this," said president Donna Smith. "(Let's) just leave our policy the same and we move forward with the guidelines in each individual case. We're just going to have to agree to disagree."

CEO Tony Sanders posted similar sentiments on his personal Facebook page Sunday.

"I would like to express my continued support for all U46 students, which is supported by our board's anti-discrimination policies," he wrote.

raguerrero@tribpub.com
District U46 school board member Jeanette Ward voted against a new social studies curriculum saying it "smacks of racism against white males," sparking a contentious exchange that included issues related to class, gender, race and sexual orientation in classrooms.

The purchase of new social studies materials and AVID training  a college prep program  prompted the statements from Ward, but both purchases were approved Monday night.

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"There is a Latino experience in America, there is a black woman experience in America, there is a black male experience in America, there is a Latino male experience in America," said board member Traci O'Neal Ellis, arguing AVID training would better address diversity among students. "There are all these experiences for all minorities."

Ward and O'Neal Ellis were at the heart of the discussions, leading O'Neal Ellis to ask Ward, "Do you see me as a black woman?"

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Ward said she only saw O'Neal Ellis as a human being and does not see color.

"You may not, but I define myself as a black woman and the fact that you want to erase that is of no moment to me," said O'Neal Ellis. "If you don't see me first and foremost as a black woman, you do not value who I am."

Ward said she has issues with the social studies purchase  almost $1.4 million earmarked for social studies, U.S. history, civics and economics textbooks as well as laptop carts for the middle and high schools  because all but one of the texts have "a moderate to pervasive liberal bias."

Ward said she found examples in the books where the bias is apparent. In an excerpt from the civics textbook, she objected to its discussion of "discrimination in America" and quoted the material:

"White Americans have been historically reluctant to yield to nonwhite Americans a full and equal place in the social, economic, and political life of this nation. Over time, the principal targets of that ethnic prejudice have been African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic Americans. The white-male-dominated power structure has also been slow to recognize the claims of women to an equal place in American society."

In response, Ward said "This statement is breathtaking biased and smacks of racism against white males. I will be voting no."

The curriculum proposal passed 5-2, with Ward and board member Cody Holt voting no.

About the AVID training, Ward said, "Advancement via individual determination is supposed to be focused on individuals, not groups. Conversations about race, gender, class and sexual orientation are not relevant to encouraging students to apply and succeed in college, unless they are majoring in community organizing."

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The training has included sessions on how to address issues such as race, gender, class and sexual orientation.

"In order for this district to value the whole of children, we have to got to be inclusive and understand the whole of children and to affirm them," O'Neal Ellis said.

The proposal to continue providing AVID training for educators at a cost of $49,000 passed 4-2, with Ward and Holt voting no.

O'Neal Ellis left the board room after making her remarks on the proposal and was absent during the vote.

Board member Sue Kerr said she supported the proposal and saw the training as necessary. "Let's face it, we basically have a white teaching staff" teaching a student population whose majority is minorities, she said. Educators' goals should be to "try to make them successful in a college world, where we want many of them to go."

raguerrero@tribpub.com
Fate of our state: What in the world is this nonsense about making Illinois a sanctuary state? Can't people see the problems Chicago is having by being a sanctuary city? The state is broke. We don't need more people coming here to live for free. I pay my taxes. I don't live here for free. I don't want to live in a sanctuary state.

Disrespect for president: In my 88 years, I have never seen such disrespect and hatred toward the man recently elected as president. There were men who were elected in the past that I didn't like, but it never entered my mind to destroy property, protest and act like a bunch of cream puffs. The hate that spews out of people's mouths makes me want to throw up.

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Shy guy: Being a student of psychology, I conclude that President Trump is introverted. He shows all the classic symptoms of shyness and being ill at ease in public. He covers this with a facade of brashness. I think he has the potential of being a great president if he can be drawn out of his shell.

Gift of Trump: I get a kick out of all the leftists calling in about President Trump. Get over it. Hillary Clinton lost. I stayed up all night to watch the election, and it was like Christmas for me. Trump will make America great.

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Show tax returns: I was reading that some people think President Trump doesn't need to show his tax returns. There is a reason why all presidents have shown their tax returns. They wanted to show Americans they were not taking money in business deals from other countries. In Trump's case, if he showed his taxes, it would clear a lot of things. I would love to see his tax returns because I think he's hiding something about Russia. Every politician should show their tax returns.

Presidential pedestal: President Trump, get off your pedestal and stop thinking you are better than anyone else. Sure, you're a billionaire, but that doesn't make you perfect. You had 100 days to prove yourself. You are not a businessman any longer trying to control everything. You need to change your ways so America can look up to you.

Bummed about Berkeley: Tell me why the supposedly educated students going to the University of California at Berkeley burn, loot and shoot, and then blame President Trump. Is that what they teach there? I feel sorry for the moms and dads paying for that kind of education. We need to take a good look at what the colleges are doing. All federal funding should come out of the colleges.

Excess number of executives: The mayoral candidates in Aurora need to weigh in on the number of executives at City Hall. In some departments, the ratio of political appointees to workers on the street is ridiculous. Why do some departments need two directors and an assistant director as well as managers and management assistants? We pay executives well. Why do we need so many? Why can't they take on more responsibility? I want to know the candidates' positions. Regarding the decline in Aurora, hiring so many executives isn't working.

Angst about administration: President Trump said he would get the best people in his administration. Instead, he went out and got the Trump administration.

Flynn no longer in: The president really taught former national security adviser Flynn, didn't he? Threw him right under the bus.

Question about campaign brochure: I'm calling to ask why Linda Chapa LaVia's campaign brochures show only Hispanics. The other candidates put out brochures showing all nationalities. Everyone needs to be represented.

Comment on accident: I just recently had the experience of witnessing an accident involving a male Hispanic driver. He ran a stop sign, and a person was hurt. The guy was drunk. He had no driver's license and no insurance. When I asked the officer if the man was an illegal immigrant, I was told they couldn't check that. He just committed a serious offense. The man could not speak English, so I don't know what he was telling the officer. What a country we live in.

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Save instead of spend: OK, Elginites. There is an election coming up. Be sure you vote for the ones who will save money and not spend money. Go for the conservatives. That's about it.

Clip actor's wings: I see actor Harrison Ford has had close calls in the air with another aircraft. I think it's time to take his airplane away from him.

Remember 9/11: Would we be allowing people from the Mideast into this country immediately after 9/11? How quickly a majority of Americans forget that 19 Islamic terrorists shamed us by using our own airlines and box cutters to wipe out over 3,000 lives.

Disturbed by proposed density of development: I was watching an Elgin plan commission meeting about the far west plan by McDonald Road in Elgin. CalAtlantic Homes wants to add more density to the agreement they had before the housing crisis. They want 70 more homes. No wonder Campton Hills came into existence. It's like a cancer. The homes are not that great. Give me a break.

Aging apartment buildings: This is about the supposedly upscale apartment complex in East Dundee. The neighbors are having a fit. I don't blame them. I will give you a piece of history. Remember Casa Linda in Elgin? It was an upscale apartment building for airplane pilots. Look what happened to it. When apartment buildings get old, they deteriorate, and the lower-rent people rent them. I used to live on Silver Court on the west side in Elgin in 1964. It was nice then, but look at it now. I wouldn't want to even live in that neighborhood. Whenever I see an apartment building, I want to run away as fast as I can and get out of town.

Editor's note

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Speak Out is a reader-generated column of opinions. If you see something you disagree with or think is incorrect, call us at 312-222-2460 or email couriernews@tribpub.com. Please include "speak out" in the subject line.
A plan to move an established Elmhurst day care business into space just south of Elmhurst City Hall on York Street may be reviewed March 6. (Graydon Megan / Pioneer Press)

Another look at a proposal for a day care center next door to Elmhurst City Hall left at least two of three aldermen on the Development, Planning and Zoning Committee unhappy with the process and timing of staff review and left all three unchanged in their views of the plan.

The proposal by Kasindra Mladenoff, who has operated the Kidz Drop In day care center at 602 N. Michigan St. in town for more than six years, is to move that business to 187-195 York Street, adjacent to City Hall on the east side of York. The zoning of the area required Mladenoff to apply for conditional use for the project, a process she began before September of last year.

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The proposal will go back to the City Council on Monday with a majority report recommending approval from aldermen Scott Levin and Mark Mulliner.

It will also go with a minority report recommending rejection from Ald. Michael Honquest.

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That was the set-up at the last council meeting when Levin, as committee chairman, pulled the matter back to his committee. Levin said then he was pulling the item because of emails about Police and Fire department safety concerns that were circulated ahead of the council meeting to other aldermen but not to him and his committee.

Levin's tenor in committee this week indicated he was still unhappy with the timing and distribution of information from staff.

"I don't think this has been handled in the best possible way," Levin said.

He referred to a memo sent Feb. 23, citing "various traffic and pedestrian safety concerns" in the plan. Levin noted the memo was sent after the City Council meeting and only "a couple of days before this meeting."

The memo was sent to zoning and planning administrator Nathaniel Werner by police Chief Michael Ruth, fire Chief Thomas Freeman and city engineer Kent Johnson. In the memo, all three centered their concerns on the narrow alley behind the proposed location, the difficulties of vehicles maneuvering in the area, emergency vehicle access and the likelihood of conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles in the narrow space.

The alley, which is not supposed to be a through route, runs from Palmer Drive to 3rd Street and provides access to parking in several areas, including at City Hall.

All three said they had raised safety concerns in a development review team meeting on the project back in November.

In response, Levin noted that Mladenoff had made changes to the seven-space parking area off the alley to provide a 6-foot walkway in front of cars and had also agreed to open the York Street side of the space for parent drop-off and pick-up. Johnson agreed that would help alleviate concerns over pedestrian and vehicle conflicts in the alley.

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Levin and Mulliner both questioned how the intended use for a day care operation was any different in terms of traffic and safety than any other use of the site, or for other stores and businesses in town, several of which have at least some access from alleyways.

"I believe the safety issue is safer (with day care)," Mulliner said, because parents will take extra care with children, including younger children likely to be carried in and out of the day care facility.

Several parents spoke Monday to urge approval of the plan.

"This is an excellent day care," said Laura Dolak, who has a 2-year old in the Kidz Drop In center. "The relocation would be excellent for working families like oursand it would be good for local businesses."

In the end, no minds were changed on either side.

"With all due respect, I'm a volunteer worker," Honquest said. "I have to fall back on (the city) staff who are professionals."

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He noted also that the city's Zoning Commission had voted 4-to-3 to reject the plan.

"I put a minority report together because I thought that was right," he said. "I still do."

Mulliner said he was sticking with his opinion in favor of the project.

Levin also remained in favor, saying he thought the shift to allow York Street access "will take a substantial burden off (the alley).

But he remained critical of the process.

"I think this process was handled very poorly at the staff level," he said. "We have undertaken hours and weeks of deliberation. We evaluate, we make the best decision we can."

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The City Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday in City Hall, 209 N. York St.

Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Citizens for Change Party candidates are back on the April ballot in Franklin Park.

The party's members are Cynthia Guerrero, who is running for village president; Michael A. LaCassa, who is running for village clerk; and Christopher Litwin, Diego DiMarco, and Frank Houswerth, who are running for village trustee.

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The candidates are running against the Your Village Your Voice Party, which include Village President Barrett F. Pedersen, and Trustees Andy Ybarra, Karen Special and John Johnson. Irene Avitia is that party's village clerk candidate.

In January, all five members of the Citizens for Change Party had been removed from the April ballot by Franklin Park's electoral board. The board sustained objections to the candidates filed by Robert Godlewski, and earlier this year an attorney for him successfully argued to the village's electoral board that all five Citizens for Change Party candidates did not clearly state which village they were planning to run for elected office in and they did not properly fill out statements of economic interest.

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That decision later was reversed by a judge, and Nick Shields, a spokesman for the Cook County Clerk's Office, said the candidates were allowed back on the ballot. On Monday, Pedersen said he wasn't certain whether his party would pursue an appeal to the judge's ruling.

In addition to candidates running for office, the village will also have three referendum questions on the April 4 ballot.

The first question asks whether residents would want to "allocate video gaming taxes received from the state of Illinois to the police and fire pensions." The second question asks whether "the village of Franklin Park shall establish a voluntary property acquisition program with grant funds for the purchase of residential properties in the floodway." And the third referendum question asks whether the village "shall demolish the former police station to create additional Metra commuter parking."

Meanwhile candidates in Northlake are running unopposed in the April election, including Mayor Jeffrey T. Sherwin, City Clerk Nancy Pauletto and Treasurer Fred J. Paul, as well as four candidates for alderman  Paul Straube (1st Ward), Jaime Contreras (2nd Ward), Edward Gonzalez (3rd Ward) and Richard Grochowski (4th Ward), according to the Cook County Clerk's website.

Candidates in Leyden Township are also running unopposed, including Township Supervisor Joseph Thomas, Township Clerk Jamie Losurdo, Township Assessor Al J. Biancalana, Highway Commissioner Vincent S. Fiorito, and trustee candidates Ronald Klinger, William Otte, Nicholas J. Pecora and Rodney Tole.

Alex V. Hernandez is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
District 225 is projected to spend less than expected on upcoming construction projects, including a classroom reconfiguration at Glenbrook North High School. (Alexandra Kukulka / Pioneer Press)

District 225 administrators said Monday that the district is projected to spend $186,000 less than expected for construction projects after receiving bids from construction companies.

At a Board of Education meeting, officials projected spending approximately $6.1 million on the construction projects, but recent bids project the district will pay about $5.9 million, according to a board report.

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If the bids are approved, the money will be spent on the following projects:

 Life safety projects, which are building reconstruction projects the district had approved with the Illinois State Board of Education.

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 Annual paving and concrete projects, which follow the district's paving schedule of parking lot replacement every 15 years and maintenance every three years.

 Classroom reconfiguration, which will convert classrooms in Glenbrook North High School's "A" building from six small classrooms to four larger ones, one small classroom and a mechanical room.

The district plans to use the small classroom in GBN's "A" building for special needs classes with fewer than 15 students, said Kris Frandson, GBN associate principal.

The board did not discuss the projects, and will vote on the bids at its March 20 meeting.

akukulka@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @Akukulka11
After a six-month trial, the city of Highland Park plans to keep a Park Avenue West intersection an all-way stop despite evidence of increased traffic backups during a peak afternoon period near NorthShore Highland Park Hospital.

Members of the Highland Park City Council Monday expressed no interest in removing the new stop signs or pursuing two costlier remedies  a compact urban roundabout or a traffic signal.

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"It seems like the roundabout and the traffic signal are just way more expensive approaches for the same outcome that aren't really necessary at this point," said Mayor Nancy Rotering during a committee of the whole meeting.

City Councilman Dan Kaufman said that while the roundabout was an intriguing idea, the price tag is an issue.

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"My suspicion is that the cost of both the roundabout and the traffic signal would be disproportionate to the problem we are trying to solve," he said.

"As much as I like the idea of a roundabout, this is probably not a good place for it," said Councilwoman Kim Stone of the proximity to the hospital's entrance and the ambulances that would be coming through.

Last summer, recurring complaints about heavy traffic prompted the Highland Park City Council to authorize an all-way stop on a trial basis on Park Avenue West at Beverly Place, about a block west of the hospital. Residents living south of Park Avenue West had complained that the volume and speed of cars traveling in both directions made it difficult to find an opening to turn onto the thoroughfare.

The council approved the all-way stop over the recommendations of city staff and the transportation commission. The city's Traffic Management Committee of administrators from police, public works and the city manager's office said the stop signs were not warranted based on accident history, and could lead to rear-end collisions.

A six-month assessment comparing patterns before and after the stop signs were added found shorter wait times for motorists turning onto Beverly Place.

The stop signs also slowed traffic approaching the intersection, according to the evaluation conducted by the police and public works departments and Civiltech Engineering, the city's traffic engineering consultant. Because there is a traffic light at the hospital entrance, drivers had little opportunity to increase speed before they reached the stop sign at Beverly Place. However, westbound drivers were observed departing the stop sign at higher speeds in an attempt to make up for lost time.

As the consultant and city administrators had predicted, the creation of an all-way stop had increased congestion immediately west of the hospital entrance, the reported noted. Backups extended from the stop sign to the hospital during a peak afternoon period when school is letting out. The report noted that westbound delays approached 40 seconds per vehicle.

The report said the volume of traffic and the vehicle backups will need to be monitored because there is little additional capacity to handle westbound traffic during the peak afternoon period.

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"From the staff's perspective, it's the crash history that should be the driving force, along with traffic volumes," said Ramesh Kanapareddy, Highland Park's director of public works.

Only one accident occurred at the intersection since the stop signs were added, so no conclusions could yet be drawn.

Residents who offered opinions on the all-way stop during the trial period were about evenly divided in supporting and opposing the change. The vast majority of opponents cited increased traffic congestion, while supporters mentioned increased safety, easier entry onto Park Avenue West and reduced speeds.

kberkowitz@pioneerlocal.com
Coming home from a Pat Benatar concert with her young niece last May, Malia Johnson's life ended when an admitted drunken driver with Xanax and marijuana in his system plowed head on into her car at 70 mph while passing another vehicle in a no-passing zone, authorities said.

Nevertheless, her sister on Monday chose not to condemn the man who pleaded guilty to charges related to her death. Despite her family's loss  the loss of a mother, wife and "a wonderful citizen"  and the many future milestones they could have shared in with her, Cheryl Wineberg took a magnanimous approach.

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"My choice is to forgive you," her sister Cheryl Wineberg told Shawn Flores at his sentencing hearing Monday.

Flores, 26, pleaded guilty in December to one count of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in death stemming from the May 13 crash that killed the 54-year-old Johnson, a local chiropractor from Hainesville, and injured her 14-year-old niece. Flores, who faced up to 10 years in prison as part of a plea agreement, was sentenced Monday to six years.

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Shawn Flores, 26, of Zion. (Lake County Sheriff's Office / Handout)

In handing down the sentence, Lake County Circuit Judge James Booras said that Flores, who admitted to authorities that he had smoked marijuana earlier that day and had taken Xanax before drinking at a bar before the crash, "basically wanted to blow his mind." Booras said there was no reason for Flores to be using Xanax and that he believed Flores was doing so to enhance the effects of alcohol.

"I submit that he was out of his mind when he left that bar, that he was mentally unconscious," Booras said.

Defense attorney Saul Ferris had argued just the opposite, stating that Flores was "barely over the legal limit" for blood-alcohol content to drive in Illinois, and had asked the judge to sentence Flores to a probationary term including periodic imprisonment. Ferris said he believed the use of marijuana and Xanax occurred hours before the crash and were not contributing factors.

Assistant State's Attorney Ben Dillon had asked for the maximum sentence of 10 years.

Dillon said Flores' blood-alcohol level, which registered at .093, was measured about two hours after the crash, so it had time to dissipate. The legal limit in Illinois is .08.

As part of the plea deal, prosecutors dropped lesser charges of reckless homicide and possession of a controlled substance.

Flores had admitted to smoking marijuana at least twice earlier in the day, and to taking half of a Xanax tablet and drinking at a Grayslake bar located at routes 120 and 45 before the crash, attorneys said in court.

According to prosecutors and police reports, the crash happened just before 11 p.m. when Flores was trying to pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone. Flores was headed east on Route 120 and ran head-on into Johnson's car, which was traveling west, near Batershall Road in Grayslake, authorities said. Johnson was pronounced dead at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville at 12:23 a.m. on May 14.

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A 14-year-old niece of Johnson's who was in the car with her was treated for injuries after the crash.

Flores, who had been released after his mother posted bond for him, was sent back to the Lake County jail after Monday's court hearing.

Before his sentencing, Flores apologized to Johnson's friends and family members.

"I know that Malia Johnson will be missed by so many people," he said. "Your whole family has been in my thoughts and prayers constantly. May the rest of your days be filled with love and happiness and healing."

Flores' mother, father and pastor all spoke at the hearing, saying that he was a gentle person who filmed services at his church and sang in the choir.

His mother, Denise Flores, said her son "would do anything to take it back. My son is truly remorseful"

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jrnewton@tribpub.com

Twitter @jimnewton5
E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices filled with liquid that deliver doses of nicotine and other additives via aerosol. (Jim Watson /Getty-AFP)

North Chicago Ald. Kathy January, 7th, said she believes if someone is old enough to join the Navy, they should be old enough to smoke an e-cigarette.

"We are a unique city in that we are a military city," she said.

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Although she said she personally abhors smoking for health reasons, if kids come into the military at 17 and are willing to go abroad to defend freedom, they should have certain freedoms at home.

"They have every right that, if they choose to smoke, to smoke," she said.

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January's comments were aired at Monday night's City Council public safety committee meeting, where police and city officials discussed raising the city's legal e-cigarette age to 21.

Harold Rollins, a North Chicago police detective who spoke in favor of the Tobacco 21 initiative recently presented to the city by Lake County, said the issue is not just cigarettes. He said "a whole bunch of other things than just tobacco" go into cigarettes, like illegal drugs.

Rollins said the goal of the Tobacco 21 initiative was not to target kids, and that it includes intervention programs to prevent cigarette use by those who are underage.

Ald. Carl Evans, 3rd, expressed concern that the local police are already overburdened with enforcement of similar laws.

"Why add more to a problem you can't even take care of right now?" he said, adding that North Chicago youths will just go to Waukegan to get cigarettes if North Chicago raises the legal age.

Evans also said the police department already has intervention programs for children.

"Try to do something with the kids you have now," Evans said.

The discussion ended with officials agreeing to discuss it further at a future meeting, but Rollins and Police Chief Richard Wilson said afterward their goal is not to target young people, but to prevent drug use.

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"Our focus is not to arrest them," Wilson said.

He said underage cigarette offenses would be judged by a teen court, with the likely sentence being community service. He said he did not think underage cigarette arrests would prevent youths from getting jobs later on in life.

"A ticket is possible," Rollins said. He added that he would prefer to use the intervention programs to get to the "root of the problem."

Both Rollins and Wilson said cigarette laws would help prevent the use of other drugs. Rollins said e-cigarettes can be filled with other "smokable items."

"Some of the drugs are being stuffed into cigars," Wilson said. He said e-cigarettes are used to deliver drugs other than tobacco.

"We know what they're using it for, because we see it all the time," he said.

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Chicago and several local communities, including Deerfield and Highland Park, have already raised the legal age to buy cigarettes from age 18 to 21.

Recently, the Lake County Health Department presented information to North Chicago officials on e-cigarette regulation, the health dangers of e-cigarettes and literature from Tobacco 21, which is a national movement that aims to prevent nicotine addiction through legislation.

Mary McIntrye is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
Waukegan mayoral candidate Lisa May talks to a voter after a forum hosted by Waukegan High School AP government students on March 22. (Luke Hammill / Lake County News-Sun)

Voters in Waukegan on Tuesday will cast their votes in three primary races for mayor, city clerk and township highway commissioner.

Though they are Democratic primaries, any registered voter in Waukegan can cast a ballot, Lake County Clerk Carla Wyckoff said.

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Polling places open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Voters who live outside of the city limits but are within Waukegan's township boundaries will only vote in the election for highway commissioner, a contest between Victor F. Ruiz and Arthur Craigen.

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On Tuesday, residents will have to vote at their designated polling places. That's different from early voting, during which people can vote at any of the universal early polling sites. There will be 19 polling places open throughout the city and the township, Wyckoff said. Residents can find their polling place on the county clerk's "Voter Power" website at https://www.lakecountyil.gov/351/Voter-Power.

Mail-in ballots can be sent up until the end of the day Tuesday, Wyckoff said.

The most hotly contested and high-profile contest among the three is the race for Waukegan mayor. First-term incumbent Wayne Motley is facing Ald. Sam Cunningham, 1st, who was first elected to the City Council in 1999. The winner will battle Ald. Lisa May, 7th, who is running as an independent, in the April 4 general election.

The race for clerk is between incumbent Maria LaCour, who is running on a slate with Motley, and Janet E. Kilkelly, who is on Cunningham's slate. Motley appointed LaCour to the position in 2014.

As of Sunday, the clerk's office had counted 721 early votes, and 639 vote-by-mail ballots had been returned, Wyckoff said. There are more than 40,000 registered voters in the City of Waukegan.

"Without getting at all judgmental, it's a fairly low turnout," Wyckoff said.

Motley and Cunningham both said on Monday that they would be doing last-minute campaigning. Motley was planning to be at the Waukegan Metra station during the evening commute Monday, and he said he planned to take residents to polling places on Tuesday.

"We're walking the streets and just talking to people," Motley said.

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Cunningham said he planned to have three vans available to drive residents to the polls on Tuesday and said his campaign would monitor turnout throughout the day.

"If those numbers are low, then we have to get our people on the streets to start revving it up again," Cunningham said.

Results will be posted after the polls close at the county clerk's website.

lhammill@tribpub.com

Twitter @lucashammill
Dr. Frank Giles of Chicago, Chief of Hematology-Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, from left, Joan Moore of Chicago and Dr. Leonidas Platanias Glencoe, Director, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center (Ken Carl Photography / Woman's Board Northwestern Hosp.)

Event: Nora Cooney Marra Compassionate CareAwards

Presented by: Woman's Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital

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Honoring: nurses and doctors for their empathetic care of cancer patients; the awards honor the memory of former Board President Nora Cooney Marra

Award recipients: Dr. Jonathan B. Strauss, Dept. of Radiation Oncology; Dr. Craig S. Boddy, Dept. of Medicine, Div. of Hematology/Oncology; Mary Ellen Maher, nurse in the Dept. of Neurosurgery

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Location: Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago

Date: Jan. 19

Attended: 75

Kicking off: The Woman's Board's 120th Anniversary and a new 10 year, $7 million pledge; Joan Moore, immediate past Board President, presented a check for $120,000 to Dr. Frank Giles, Dept. of Hematology/Oncology, for the Northwestern Medicine Developmental Therapeutics Program.

See: wbnorthwestern.org
A candidate for an open trustee seat on the Morton Grove Village Board unsuccessfully filed objections against the nomination papers of the ruling Action Party, which has slated candidates for village president, village trustee and village clerk, officials said.

Mark Albers, current Morton Grove library board president, objected to the party's papers on several grounds, but his request for a hearing was turned down based on timeliness, he said.

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Albers said he received a letter from Village Clerk Connie Travis, who is also running for trustee on the Action Party ticket, saying that his objection papers had to be turned in by Dec. 5 based on a Feb. 28 primary election schedule.

"Your documents were not received until after the statutory deadline for filing objections," Travis wrote in a letter to Albers that he shared with the Morton Grove Champion. "Hence, after consultation with Cook County election officials, the village's corporation counsel, and special counsel, I have determined that I cannot accept your objection, and I am therefore returning your documents to you."

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Albers said he was confused by the rejection since no primary election was scheduled Feb. 28 in the village.

Five Action Party candidates are running for five open seats  one for village president, one for village clerk and three for trustee, which made a primary unnecessary.

Nevertheless, said Ken Menzel, general counsel for the Illinois State Board of Elections, the village clerk was correct in saying that the deadline for objecting to the papers was in early December.

Candidates for local established parties have to file using the primary schedule in case enough candidates step forward where a primary would have to be held, Menzel said. The Action Party ran candidates during a previous election and got at least five percent of the vote, which makes the party "established" under the law, he said.

"You don't know until the filing period is over whether there is going to be a primary," he said.

Action Party candidates were able to advance to the April 4 election automatically and without a primary based on not having contested seats within the party. Objections to nominating papers still had to have been filed within five business days of the filing period, which would have made the deadline early December, Menzel said.

Albers' objections were filed Dec. 23, making the papers late, according to Menzel.

"Those candidate petitions are presumed to be valid and the candidates move on  even if there were flaws in the petitions  because the time window for the challenges passed," he said.

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Albers maintained that the Action Party nomination papers were accepted a half hour before the clerk's office opened and questioned whether statements of economic interest were filed with the clerk during the filing period.

According to Menzel, there is no rule about what hours the clerk's office has to remain open and he said the only likely impact regarding accepting papers early is ballot placement.

Not filing statements of economic impact during a filing period could be "fatal," he acknowledged, but there is no way to investigate further because of the lack of timeliness.

"The only way to challenge candidates' petitions and qualifications to get onto the ballot is through the objection process and it has a hard and fast deadline," he said. "I'm not going to speculate what happened here, but there isn't a format to challenge because they were too late with their objections."

misaacs@pioneerlocal.com

@SKReview_Mike
Stacey Gardina is the member of the month for March for the Naperville Newcomers and Neighbors Club. (Naperville Newcomers and Neighbors Club)

Each month the Naperville Sun publishes a question-and-answer profile of a member of the Naperville Newcomers and Neighbors Club. The March member of the month is Stacey Gardina.

Tell us about yourself.

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I was born in Iowa, but grew up in New Jersey. I returned to the Midwest by attending the University of Iowa, where I met my husband, Tony. We married in 1996 and have two children. We lived in New Jersey for nine years before we really started to travel and move around with my husband's job. First it was Michigan, then Nashville and finally came the big move to Japan.

That was an amazing four years. We took the opportunity to travel and see as much of Asia and Oceania as we could. The kids attended an international school and I taught conversational English to adults. It was an environment that allowed us to have close and lasting friendships with people from all over the world. We moved back to the states about a year and a half ago.

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How did you decide on Naperville?

We knew someone in Japan who was originally from this area and she highly recommended Naperville for the high-quality schools and the vibrant downtown. We lived in Yokohama while in Japan and enjoyed the city feel so downtown Naperville seemed to meet that requirement. My husband works in Aurora, so this was the perfect choice for our family.

How did you find the Naperville Newcomers and Neighbors Club?

In Japan, I started a book club with my friends within our international community so when I moved here I thought that would be an excellent way to get acquainted with this new community. I Googled book clubs and found five different ones listed under the Naperville Newcomers and Neighbors Club moniker. I joined "Bookworms." I also enjoy the daytime potluck group, Helping Hands and the walkers group. It has been a nice way to meet people.

What do you like to do for fun?

I like to travel! I've been to 17 countries and the list of potential new adventures is endless. I'm always planning our next trip. I enjoy learning about different cultures and local customs when we travel. We try to be adventurous and try local food as well. It is a way to really submerge yourself into a culture and get to know the people.

Laos was one of our most memorable experiences. We went with no expectations but had amazing interactions with the local monks and saw how rice farms operate. Another favorite spot was Australia, where we snorkeled at the Great Barrier Reef. It truly was a learning experience our kids couldn't get from the classroom. Our travel wish list includes Ireland and Africa. Our goal would be to see all the continents of the world.

The Naperville Newcomers and Neighbors Club is hosting a Welcome Coffee from 11:00 a.m to noon Monday, March 6, at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St. For more information, go to www.napervillenewcomersandneighborsclub.com or call Sue at 630-904-5629.
Naperville residents would pay at least 3 percent more for water per year under a proposal to help balance the utility's budget and upgrade the Springbrook Water Reclamation Center.

Residents also would pay a surcharge under the plan presented to the Naperville City Council by staff Monday.

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"Right now, the utility is not paying for cost of service; we're actually running at a deficit," Councilman John Krummen said.

Under the plan to take effect May 1, Naperville residents' water bills would increase by at least 3 percent annually through 2021, meaning an average monthly bill would rise from $65.07 in 2016 to $67.59. By 2021, the average residential monthly water bill would be $77.63, about a $12 overall increase.

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Springbrook, which serves Naperville and Warrenville, must meet new Illinois Environmental Protection Agency standards that require removing phosphorus from wastewater before it's dumped back into the DuPage River. Phosphorus, found in sewage and fertilizer, can cause excessive algae growth that suffocates fish and other aquatic life causing dead zones.

"As with all regulations, it's something we cannot opt out of or refuse to do," said Jim Holzapfel, director of public utilities-water. As for whether phosphorus is harmful to humans, "the answer is probably not," he said, adding that while the Trump administration is changing some environmental requirements, "I don't see this one going away."

The surcharge would start at 50 cents monthly in 2016, then increase to $1 in 2018 and plateau at $1.80 for 2019, 2020 and 2021.

When the surcharge is paired with about $14.5 million the electric utility owes the water utility through 2020, the city expects to save about half of the projected $50 million price tag for updating the 135-acre Springbrook center. Once the city has about $25 million to put toward Springbrook, the surcharge would be eliminated, Holzapfel said.

Before Springbrook improvements begin in 2025, the city will need to borrow an estimated $25 million to fully fund the project.

Naperville's last water rate study was in 2011, and it anticipated increases in both 2014 and 2015. The city canceled those increases because it did not want to over-collect from rate payers, according to city staff.

A vote on the increases may come in April. City staff expects council members will take an official vote on the rate increases in April. If approved, the average water bill for small commercial businesses would go up from $415 in 2016 to $534 by 2021, and the average large commercial bill would increase from $2,499 in 2016 to $3,089.

ehegarty@tribpub.com
It may have appeared that people were just playing with button-sized toys and making origami in Northbrook's Village Hall on Sunday, but the exercise was intended to give participants a better understanding of how to talk to people who disagree with them.

"This has been eye-opening to me," said Bev Hides-Moriello. "Wouldn't it be nice if people in the federal government and the state government did something like this? They might get something done."

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Most attendees were connected in some way or other to Northbrook's Youth Commission, a student/adult village panel that had hired the Institute for Civility in Government.

The Houston-based company was helping the group take a step toward what they had been charged with by Northbrook Village President Sandy Frum more than a year ago: Make the commission more relevant or close up shop. Chairwoman Carla Slawson-Martens said the teenage members wanted the commission to help them air their grievances with local policy-makers. The group spent $2,000 for a seminar on how to communicate civilly and effectively with those who disagree with them. Adults, including some local leaders, came along to learn, too.

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No one mentioned national politics and party affiliation rarely came up, as Institute principals Cassandra Dahnke and Tomas Spath asked people to concentrate on what they had in common rather than their differences.

They staged three exercises that involved pairs of people placing button-sized tiles on alternate sides of a screen, with one "communicator" trying to tell the other, "the listener," how to arrange them without looking. The most interesting of the three exercises, some said, was the third, in which the participants were surprised to find three of their tiles didn't match those of their partners.

"We handled it by putting the ones that didn't match to the side, and focusing on what we had in common," said Frum, a participant partnered with David Whitlock of the Youth Commission.

"We actually used all of our tiles," said Whitlock's daughter Hannah, a student member of the commission. She said she and fellow teen commissioner Lucia Bosacoma had lined up all the odd ones up along the bottom of their pyramid-shaped pattern.

Dahnke said that when the same exercise was used with some Texas state legislators, one of them realized "he had built a wall between him and his 'listener' with all of the differences.

"He said, 'This is what I do all the time' when encountering opposing political philosophies. It shook him to his bones."

Earlier, during an exercise in which one participant talked and the other listened without contributing, they were at times unable to get the message across. The concept of "above of the red button," for instance, could be both on the far side of that button and stacked atop it.

"You can both be right and totally misunderstood," Dahnke said.

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Participant Bryant Guy said he was reminded of the philosophy of Mortimer Adler.

"You have to make sure you understand the first person's argument before you're allowed to make your point," he said.

The participants also made an origami "peace crane," and most had to learn from each other to make it right. Northbrook Police Officer Chris Lacina, a long-time Indian Princess leader and an Oakton Community College police studies teacher, helped every member of his group, and it was the same all over the room.

What, Dahnke asked, does a group need to get cranes made?

"Cooperation," said Frum.

"Officer Chris," said Kelli Christenson.

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Frum said later that something like the seminar might be good for her entire board, but her peers were coming from a good place at the moment.

"There have been meetings when we have been very mad at each other, but it was all over the next day," she said.

After the session, the participants offered topic ideas for a Youth Commission forum to be held next fall.

Bosacama said that one topic could be pressure on students, between school and extracurricular activities. Laura Matlin said that it might be a good idea to put people on a dais, alongside students, who would be likely to say, "Oh, no, first you have to go to the right school."

Slawson-Martens said later that she liked the idea of a public discussion on both sides of the school-pressure issue, adding that pressure, however, comes from more than one direction.

"This isn't just about (Glenbrook North High School)," she said.

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ileavitt@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter @IrvLeavitt.com
Literacy Coalition hosts black history event

In observance of Black History Month, the Gary Literacy Coalition, Inc. will present Black Authors' voices...From Pen to Pages, 5:30-7:30 Tuesday at St. Timothy Community Church, 1600 W. 25th Ave., Gary. Eight authors will talk about their books and the challenges of writing. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 219-885-2229.

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Mayor to host midweek meetings

Crown Point Mayor David D.F. Uran will host several open-forum meetings to discuss city issues and events with residents. All midweek meetings will be held at local organizations. Upcoming meetings will be at 8 a.m. Wednesday at First Financial Bank, 11890 Broadway; and at 6 p.m. April 5 at Fahrenheit 212, 10805 Broadway. For more information, call 219-662-3290.

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Porter County bicentennial celebration

Porter County Museum will host a reception to reflect upon its bicentennial celebration from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday at the museum, 153 S. Franklin St., Valparaiso. The event will feature a display of bicentennial artifacts, images and video provided by Indiana Dunes Tourism. Refreshments will be served. More information is at www.pocomuse.org.

SpaceIL to discuss space travel goals

Members of SpaceIL will discuss their goals of landing the first Israeli spacecraft on the moon and inspiring children to learn science and engineering, 6 p.m. Thursday at the Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana, 2300 173rd St., Hammond. An Israeli nonprofit founded in 2010, SpaceIL is a finalist in the Google Lunar XPRIZE competition, which will award $20 million to the first privately funded team to successfully place a spacecraft on the moon that can travel 500 meters and transmit high-definition video and images back to earth. For more information, call 219-989-3250.

Antique and collectibles show

An antique and collectibles show featuring more than 60 dealers will take place 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, at the Porter County Expo Center, 215 E. Division Road, Valparaiso. Admission is $4; free for children younger than 12. Parking is free. For more information, call 219-462-6267.

Summer camp open house

The Dunes Learning Center will host a Summer Camp Open House from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 700 Howe Road, Chesterton. The free event provides an opportunity to sample activities, meet the staff and ask questions. Overnight and day camps are available for children ages 6-17. Registration is required. A full schedule of the day's activities and the registration link are at www.duneslearningcenter.org/events. For more information, call 219-395-9555.

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FYSB substance abuse workshop

The next Beyond the Influence workshop, "Prescription Drugs and the Link to Heroin," hosted by the Family and Youth Services Bureau will be from 6-7:30 p.m. March 14 at the FYSB office, 253 W. Lincolnway, Valparaiso. Herbert Stephenson, author of "Junkbox Diaries," will lead the free workshop. Seating is limited. Register by March 10 at 219-464-9585 or kunderwood@fysb.org.

American Red Cross blood drive

The American Red Cross Blood Services Indiana-Ohio Region will host a blood drive from 1-6 p.m. March 15 at the Jean Shepherd Community Center, 3031 J.F. Mahoney Drive, Hammond. Schedule appointments at 800-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org (sponsor code: jscommc).

 Staff report
The topics at hand included everything from recent fast-track legislation that allowed Special Olympics athletes to use local school buses to redistricting.

But part of the conversation at a town hall meeting Saturday in Chesterton featuring State Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Portage, State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage, and House Minority Leader State Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, included how residents can get more involved in the political process.

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A standing-room-only crowd of more than 70 people attended the meeting, held at the Chesterton Town Hall, which Tallian said garnered more attendees than any of the similar meetings the three legislators held in other locations in recent days.

"I wanted to get involved and that's why I came here," said Alvarez Houlemard of Valparaiso, who moved to the area 10 years ago from Southern California and whose comment before the crowd came during a question about immigration and sanctuary cities.

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The elected officials offered an assortment of ways the crowd could get politically engaged, including contacting their officials, showing up at meetings and getting involved in their precincts.

"You start right here," Moseley said, adding he's been in the legislature eight years and the Chesterton crowd was the largest he'd ever seen at a town hall meeting.

"That sends a message that you're fed up. All of this back biting, all of this crazy stuff is just not going to be tolerated," he said, adding residents would show those views at the ballot box. "Is that why you're here?" he said to applause.

Moseley went on to ask who went to their last school board meeting; no one raised their hands, and he pointed out that 60 percent of the state's biennial budget goes to the schools.

A few hands went up when Moseley asked about attending city or town council meetings.

"He wants you there," Moseley said, noting Chesterton Town Manager Bernie Doyle, who attended the meeting. "He wants you at that town council meeting."

He encouraged the crowd to run for school board or precinct chair, regardless of the party.

Tallian and Pelath said they also go through their email, putting particular priority on notes from constituents.

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"When I get a personalized email from a constituent, I answer it. Those things are very, very important to me," Pelath said, adding he likes to hear when people agree with him so he knows he's on the right track and when they disagree, because he's changed how he was going to vote because of "thoughtful exchange" with people.

Since Gov. Eric Holcomb, a Republican, is new to the office and hasn't held an elected position before, Moseley said residents should email him, too, so he hears what's on their minds.

"I believe communicating with the governor's office -- this is an extraordinary time to be doing that," he said.

Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
After a mistrial last fall, a man claiming in a lawsuit that Hammond police officers used excessive force during a traffic stop, is scheduled to go to trial again this summer.

The 2014 traffic stop of a Hammond couple, Jamal Jones and Lisa Mahone, made national news, with cellphone video released of the encounter filmed from the back seat of the car.

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Since then, Jones has continued his civil case against Hammond, as well as a criminal case in Lake County, in which he's accused of resisting law enforcement.

The criminal case went to trial in October, but a judge granted a mistrial after one of the witnesses mentioned another alleged unlawful force incident by an officer while the witness was being cross-examined, according to Jones' attorney, Scott King.

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Jones had a hearing Monday afternoon to decide how to proceed in the case. Shortly after the mistrial, King said he hoped that the case would be dismissed so Jones could move forward in his civil case. But the defense and prosecution haven't been able to come to an agreement since then, so the case was set to be retired, according to Attorney Russell Brown Jr., who appeared on behalf of King Monday.

Jones is scheduled to go to trial again on Aug. 21 with a pretrial hearing date July 10.

Meanwhile, Jones' lawsuit is pending, waiting to for the results of the criminal case. A judge ordered the attorneys to file a status report by April 14 to decide how to proceed.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. has been adamant that he does not want to settle the civil case, saying last fall he was "not interested in settling that case for even one dollar."

On Sept. 25, 2014, officers stopped Mahone for an alleged seat belt violation. The situation escalated after police asked Jones, who was in the front passenger seat, for his identification, but Jones said he did not have it on him, according to court documents.

Police ordered Jones to exit the car multiple times, but Jones did not comply, saying he refused because he was afraid of the officers, according to the lawsuit. Officers said they became concerned when Jones reached in the back of the car, but Mahone and Jones argue the officers' reaction was excessive.

Mahone's teenage son filmed part of the stop from the back seat of the vehicle. In the video, a child is heard crying after police broke a window and removed Jones from the vehicle, using a stun gun and putting him in handcuffs.

The video of the traffic stop spread across the Internet and national media as discussion about excessive force made headlines. About a month and a half before the traffic stop, Michael Brown was fatally shot by police in Ferguson, Mo., leading to riots in that community.

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rejacobs@post-trib.com

Twitter @ruthyjacobs
Indiana Supreme Court Commission on Race and Gender Fairness hosted a forum to discuss the issues minorities face concerning the state's judicial system. (Javonte Anderson\Post-Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

The Indiana Supreme Court's Commission on Race & Gender Fairness hosted the first of five forums statewide Monday in Gary to find potential solutions to the barriers that women and people of color encounter in the Indiana judicial system.

Residents, judges, lawyers and politicians, including an unexpected visit from Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, gathered to discuss inequality issues in the state's judicial system and potential ways to remedy said problems.

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"I think it's extremely important that they come to Gary," Freeman-Wilson said. "One, because they have such a diverse population in Lake County, but also because it's one of the most segregated areas of the state. And to come here with a subject relative to the judiciary that is so important to our citizens in Gary speaks volumes about the Supreme Court's desire to really make a difference."

The forum provided participants inside the John W. Anderson Library Conference Room at Indiana University Northwest an opportunity to vent frustrations and identify what they believed was the core issue: a lack of diversity in the judicial system.

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Lake County Superior Court Judge Bruce Parent said the judicial system is fundamentally flawed. "The system was designed by old white men to protect what they had," he said.

Parent said the statistics are showing that there's more diversity among lawyers and judges, but that they still aren't representative of the population.

"Even if we look at it on a micro-level, I was the third white male in a row chosen to be a judge in Lake County," he said. "I'm happy I was selected but something's not right about that."

Sheila Moss, the first African-American female judge in Lake County, said over her 24 years on the bench she's seen a little progress in terms of more minority lawyers, but there's more work to do.

Lake Superior Court Judge Sheila Moss participates in a discussion during a public forum hosted by the Indiana Supreme Court's Commission on Race and Gender Fairness on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, at Indiana University Northwest. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

"It's more diverse now than it ever has been but the demographics of the county have changed, too, so we need to keep pace with that," she said.

Others suggested diversifying the legal profession, providing more effective services and solutions toward mental health, improving education and implementing legal literacy at the grade school level to help improve people's understanding of the judicial system.

"The courts, schools and our legislators have a bigger responsibility and that is we need legal literacy taught within our schools," Juan Andrade, a Lake County probation officer, said. "What we need to do as a court is come up with a curriculum that could be taught in elementary, middle and high schools."

After hosting four other forums throughout the state, the commission will deliberate before presenting a formal written report to the Indiana Supreme Court, said Myra Selby, the commission's president and former Indiana Supreme Court judge.

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"The commission will sit down and meet and gather all of the information we have obtained from those commission forums and try and process it and talk about it and from it glean what information we can with which to make specific recommendations to our Supreme Court."

Selby added that the commission will relay the concerns and problems identified to the Supreme Court, but that the court expects recommendations for solutions.

Gilbert King, a black attorney in Gary, said he's pleased that the Supreme Court is willing to hear ways to address the racial and gender disparities that exist, but he hopes that people "aren't here just talking to talk."

"I hope we implement some of these suggestions and not here just talking or we're here just wasting time."

Freeman-Wilson said she's confident the commission will make beneficial recommendations.

Facilitator Shy'Ora Tolbert leads a discussion about the current state of the judicial system during a public forum hosted by the Indiana Supreme Court's Commission on Race and Gender Fairness on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017 at Indiana University Northwest. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

"I have enough confidence in the members on this commission to know that this isn't just an exercise," Freeman-Wilson said. "They will leave this process and make some real recommendations to the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court will in turn implement some of the suggestions in a way that will promote race and justice fairness in the judiciary."

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jaanderson@tribpub.com

Twitter @JavonteA
An annual report released on Monday from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows signs of an improving economy, but underlying struggles remain for children in Lake and Porter counties.

The 2017 Kids Count Data Book measured data on a broad ranges of factors from economics, health outcomes and education statistics between 2012 and 2015.

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The Baltimore-based nonprofit partnered with the Indiana Youth Institute to compile a wealth of data that serve to illuminate some of the issues children face from birth to age 17.

For the first time in a decade, the number of children statewide considered homeless under the federal McKinney-Vento Act dropped: to 16,143 in 2016 from 17,437 in 2015. That number is up from 4,789 in 2006, according to the report.

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Federal law defines homelessness as the lack of a permanent fixed address, which also includes families living in a shelter, or doubling up with friends or family members.

"I think generally, the economic recovery is finally trickling down to families with kids, and in particular, single parents with kids," said Indiana Youth Institute President Tami Silverman.

Statewide, the number of children in poverty dropped slightly to 20.9 percent in 2015 from 21.5 percent in 2014, compared to 20.7 percent nationwide.

Lake County saw the number of children in poverty continue to decline slightly to 26.5 percent in 2016 from 27.3 percent in 2014. However, the number of children receiving free lunches jumped to 51.1 percent from 48.7 percent the prior year.

Median household income dropped slightly to $50,135 in 2015 from $50,774 in 2014.The average unemployment rate increased to 10.5 percent in 2015 from 8.1 percent in 2014.

In Porter County, the number of children living in poverty jumped to 14.8 percent in 2015 from 13.2 percent in 2014. The number of children receiving free lunches also climbed slightly to 27.5 percent in 2015 from 27.3 percent in 2014.

Median household incomes increased to $63,926 in 2015 from $63,030 in 2014. The average unemployment rate increased to 7.3 percent in 2015 from 6.3 percent in 2014.

mcolias@post-trib.com

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Twitter: @meredithcolias
Valparaiso is considering raising stormwater fee rates by 50 cents a month this year and again the next two years until it reaches $12.50 a month for houses in 2019.

The City Council had first reading of an ordinance to raise rates on Monday, to mixed response from residents who packed the chambers.

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People who've experienced flooding in their neighborhoods and homes spoke in favor of the increase, while others were concerned about small increases in taxes and fees adding up.

"You just can't keep going back to the well," said Kevin Cornett, referencing the "wheel tax" on vehicles passed last summer and other increases.

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Valparaiso last raised the stormwater fee by two $4 increments, one in 2010 and the other in 2011, increasing the $3 monthly fee set in 1998 to $11, City Utilities Director Steve Poulos told the council.

Those increases were to address flooding problems exacerbated and highlighted by storms in September 2008 and allowed the city to issue bonds for what officials called the "Super 17" projects, he said.

Those were the top 17 projects -- chosen from 65 problem areas -- to be fixed over five years.

The city has completed 12 projects, but new ones take their place as the list is revised, he said.

The two new top projects include replacing the more than 100-year-old brick drainage line located by the Chicago Dash parking lot west of Campbell Street that collapsed four years ago and fixing the Beauty Creek's rapidly eroding banks alleviating storm runoff into it that lead to the 2014 collapse of the Harrison Boulevard bridge.

Deputy City Engineer Adam McAlpine said replacing the brick drainage line that is under a parking lot and would need to be re-dug under train tracks would cost between $2 million and $2.5 million.

Poulos said the new 17 planned stormwater projects would cost $15 million, compared to $10 million spent on 45 big and small projects between 2009 and today and $4.6 million spent on projects from 1998 to 2008.

"Small increases will help avoid significant fee hikes in the future, Poulos said.

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The third project listed is Burlington Beach Road and Brentwood Drive, and resident Lance Bella said that area has flooded more than 33 times since the 2008 storms, costing him and his neighbors thousands of dollars in basement, sidewalk, landscape and other repairs.

Residents of Greenfield Creek Subdivision also had stories of repeated flood damage and costs.

Those raising concerns about the increase spoke in favor of improving infrastructure, and Chris Pupillo wanted to review where money -- especially from the Redevelopment Commission --- goes, citing "wants" like a spec building on the east side of town instead of needs.

Others, like Walt Breitinger, said the city needs to consider how much impervious ground is being created and how much virgin land is used instead of repurposing abandoned buildings.

Kenard Taylor, a former city council member, said, "I think it's time we stopped kicking things down the road" to the next generation, admitting that when he served from 1979 to 1984, the council did that with drainage.

Cornett said that the fees and taxes weigh heavier on those who live alone and pay the same amount for less use.

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"This generation needs to live here, too," Cornett said.

James D. Wolf Jr. is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
It's no secret that our country's criminal courts, county jails and federal prisons are besieged with offenders who struggle with mental health problems.

Nonetheless, there is an inherent problem with this statistical fact regarding correctional facilities, including in Northwest Indiana.

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"Our jails and prisons have become their treatment centers," said Lake Superior Court Judge Salvador Vasquez, who deals with the issue on a daily basis.

This is especially true at Lake County Jail, where the average mental health caseload is roughly 20 percent of the jail's total population, according to the jail's figures.

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"On any given day, the jail has an alarmingly large number of individuals who suffer from mental illness housed in the Y Pod," said Kellie Bittorf, executive director of Lake County Community Corrections. "All of these folks are coming back to our communities at risk of returning to the criminal justice system again and again without the aid of appropriate treatment and supportive services."

Vasquez explained the process this way: "A person is arrested and given medication or treatment while incarcerated. The case is resolved and the person eventually fails shortly thereafter by violating the conditions of a sentence. Or that person is rearrested on a new charge. Then the process begins all over again."

"It's the classic definition of insanity," he said. "Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result."

Lake County court officials discuss the new mental health court program, from left, Roger Hayward, Amy Brinkley, Michael Pirtle, Ladonna Thorpe, Magistrate Natalie Bokota, Judy Love and Jason Kniola. (Jim Karczewski / Post-Tribune)

To help avoid repeating this, Vasquez and other correctional officials are launching the county's first mental health court later this month. Only three other Indiana counties  Allen, Madison and Marion counties  offer such mental health courts.

"The program is designed for nonviolent crimes, and the courts will be collaborating with local treatment facilities in Northwest Indiana for the guaranteed success of the program's participants," said Amy Brinkley, director of the Gary branch of National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Inmates will continue to take medications while in the program, paid for by Medicaid, if the participant is on home detention, or the Recovery Works grant. All participants will be under the care of a psychiatrist at a local mental health center.

"Along with treatment, we would like to start a mentorship program, where we can assign a mentor to each individual," added Michael Pirtle, a mental health specialist with Lake County Community Corrections.

In regard to liability issues with mentors, evidence-based risk assessments are being completed for all participants. The majority of meetings will be done over the phone or in public places.

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"Known violent offenders will not be accepted into (this program)," said Judy Love, coordinator of the new court. "Precautions are in place and assessed on a case by case, ongoing basis."

"This is a population of people who should not necessarily be defined as your typical offender," Love said. "These are individuals who need the support of many community agencies to address their needs and to help stabilize them."

"Because these individuals continuously find themselves incarcerated due to issues stemming from their mental illness, the ultimate goal is to reduce recidivism," Love added.

The plan is to select six initial jail inmates who will be placed on probation, meet specific criteria and certain requirements for their treatment. They will then meet monthly with Vasquez, who will preside over this new court, for up to 18 months depending on their progress.

"We can no longer find it acceptable to ignore this segment of the criminal court population and expect anything to change or get better," Vasquez said. "This (new program) will provide treatment in lieu of incarceration or conviction. The hope is that it will provide more supervision and accountability via a court process than what the person would otherwise have on his or her own."

Bittorf said there has been ongoing discussion for a couple of years about the implementation of such a new court. Lake County, however, can't wait one more month.

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"Community corrections continues to see an increase of individuals who are ordered to its programs," she said. "Mental health courts are proven to be effective in reducing recidivism, crime and reducing jail populations. Ultimately, this will improve public safety and public health."

For several years I've heard from families of jail inmates who desperately wanted this type of court for their mentally ill loved one. This is one of many reasons why I will be shadowing this new mental health court after its March 17 launch and writing about its progress throughout the year.

Hopefully, it can better explain exactly how the new court will work while helping to demystify the stigma of mental illness in our correctional system.

"As a criminal court system, we ask ourselves, are we doing as much as we can? And can we do more?" Vasquez asked. "Our response is that we have to do more and we can do more."

Funding for this new program currently comes from the county's community corrections budget and its existing staff. Officials, though, have already applied for grant funding.

Pirtle is seeking volunteer mentors to take part in the program.

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"I am making an appeal to people who've been successful in dealing with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder, among other illnesses," he said.

"A mentor does not need to be a mental health professional, but someone who is willing to encourage, to listen, and to check up on our clients. And to reinforce clients who are battling the court system that they are not alone," he said.

"I'm confident that our efforts will reduce the rates of recidivism for this population significantly," Love said.

Post Tribune Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

"My hope is that we provide offenders with a continuous support system that will result in long-term, law-abiding behavior for program graduates," Bittorf said.

I've been continually impressed with the success rate of a similarly styled drug court and veterans' treatment court in Porter County, which also hold graduation ceremonies for clients. The courts' goal of rescuing clients' lives reflects "the starfish fable," which is often read aloud by new graduates.

The story tells of an old man who walks along miles of beach to rescue starfish left out in the sun to die. A young man asks the old man why he wastes his time doing so.

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"You can't possibly save them all. Your efforts won't make any difference at all," he tells the old man.

The old man listens calmly, bends down to pick up another starfish, and throws it into the sea. "It made a difference to that one," he replies.

jdavich@post-trib.com

Twitter@jdavich
Wilmette police caught four Chicago juveniles trying to steal high-end cars from a Green Bay Road Jaguar dealership over the weekend, and have charged all four in connection with the nighttime incident.

Deputy Chief Kyle Murphy said in a Feb. 27 press release that a patrol officer interrupted the attempted burglary at Imperial Motors, 721 Green Bay Road, in downtown Wilmette, shortly before 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

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Police found an auto, stolen out of Chicago, in an alley behind the dealership, Murphy said in the release. Shortly thereafter, two of the four teens were caught as they left the building, which they had allegedly gotten into by breaking out a service door window. Two others tried to run away but were caught hiding under a porch on the 1500 block of Highland Avenue, just west of Imperial Motors, following a short chase on foot.

Murphy said Feb. 27 that the four, all 17-year-old boys, were petitioned to appear in juvenile court in Chicago that day.

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He said three of the four boys were also identified previously as offenders in a Nov. 25 break-in at Imperial Motors. The three teens allegedly involved in that incident had additional petitions for the November burglary and auto theft, also on Feb. 27, he said.

In that incident, officials at the dealership said two cars, a 2014 silver Jaguar XF and a 2015 dark gray Jaguar XF, were taken from a service area between 5:09 p.m. and 5:11 p.m. that day. At the time, police said security video of the area showed four men come into the service and body shop area to take the vehicles, both of which had had their keys left inside.

Both Jaguars were later recovered on the west side of Chicago, Murphy stated in the release.

Although Wilmette police said last October that Imperial Motors officials reported another incident, the loss of an $83,000 Jaguar sometime between Oct. 14 and Oct. 22, Murphy said that investigators don't think that incident is connected with the Nov. 25 burglary.

"The Wilmette Police Department is working with other law enforcement agencies and believes that this crew is responsible for other burglaries and auto thefts in the Chicago metropolitan area," he said, adding that the offenders have a total of 72 prior juvenile arrests.

However, Murphy said he couldn't yet say with what communities Wilmette investigators are cooperating.

kroutliffe@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter: @pioneer_kathy
Author Colson Whitehead, whose book "The Underground Railroad" won the National Book Award for fiction in 2016, speaks about his writing experiences at Evanston Township High School on Monday, February 27, 2017. (Kevin Tanaka / Pioneer Press)

Author Colson Whitehead, set to speak Feb. 28 during the all-day seminar program at New Trier Township High School District 203, steered clear of the controversy over New Trier's program when he spoke Feb. 27 at Evanston Township High School.

Whitehead instead spoke about his writing process and the emotional journey he took while creating "The Underground Railroad," a sometimes-surrealistic novel about an escaped slave in the antebellum South. "The Underground Railroad" won the 2016 National Book Award for Fiction.

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Whitehead spoke in front of a full house, hours before he was to speak at New Trier High School's Winnetka campus. His Evanston talk, "Revisiting the Underground Railroad," was sponsored by the Winnetka-based Family Action Network, which organizes and sponsors speakers for public and private schools on the North Shore and in Chicago. At New Trier, he was slated to be one of two keynote speakers for the district's seminar day on the struggle for racial civil rights.

The New Trier seminar day became entangled in controversy in January, after a group calling itself Parents of New Trier claimed the seminar offerings lacked conservative voices, and asked for some to be included. District officials met with representatives of the group recently, but administrators said the schedule could not be altered so close to the Feb. 28 seminar day.

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Whitehead wasn't asked about the seminar day debate until the very end of his Feb. 27 speech, during a brief question and answer period.

When asked what he would say to New Trier parents or students ahead of the seminar day, Whitehead deflected the question with a joke about brainwashing and the television series "The Americans," which, he said, was about "people who seem to be American, but who are actually Russian."

In a witty speech that, at one point, had the audience singing along to a version of "MacArthur Park" that Whitehead aired on his computer tablet, the New York-based author touched on the creative writing process, his own growth from horror movie-loving child to professional writer, and how he took "The Underground Railroad" from concept to reality.

Whitehead read two excerpts from the book, which tells the story of Cora, a slave escaping from Georgia via what Whitehead wrote of as an actual system of underground trains, through American states in which he posits various terrifying versions of racist social set-ups.

He told listeners that he first envisaged the Underground Railroad  which in reality was a loose network of slaves, freed men and women, abolitionists and allies who helped slaves escape servitude and reach freedom in the northern U.S. and Canada  as an actual railroad about 17 years ago.

He also said, in response to questions, that researching the material could be hard, and "almost terrifying" when he thought of his own family, especially his children, suffering the kinds of fates he learned awaited slaves in 19th century America.

"Realizing that I was speaking about my own family's history" was sometimes a shock, he said, until "I found a narrative voice that kept me close to the subject, but also allowed me to keep some distance."

Whitehead said that he thought he'd achieved some sort of emotional equilibrium as he wrote the novel, only to take a break from writing to watch "Twelve Years a Slave," and have to stop viewing it half an hour into the movie.

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"I love horror movies, but seeing people, even actors, enslaved, was too much," he said. "I could look at words, read the research, but I couldn't see images about it."

Whitehead's Feb. 27 Evanston audience cheered Pat Savage-Williams, president of the Evanston Township District 202 school board, when she mentioned New Trier in her welcoming remarks. Savage-Williams, who is also special education department coordinator at New Trier District 203, said she had been part of the seminar day preparation team, and thanked "the Evanston and Skokie communities" for supporting New Trier's seminar day.

Savage-Williams also referred to the seminar day support she said had been shown during a Feb. 20 New Trier District 203 board meeting. At that packed session, school board members listened to more than an hour of public comment on the seminar day before Board President Greg Robitaille said that the day "will proceed as planned."

When she spoke about the meeting and its large attendance, the Evanston audience burst into applause.

kroutliffe@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter @pioneer_kathy
Pueblo state Senate candidates dispute claims made in 'dark money' ads

Incumbent Nick Hinrichsen and GOP challenger Stephen Varela have denied claims made by outside groups spending big money on competitive races
By Dezan Shira & Associates

Managing human resources is a thorny issue for some foreign-invested entities in China, particularly those who have demanding deadlines or are less familiar with the HR environment. Employee administrative procedures  which include areas such as management of recruitment, work permit applications, labor contracts, and payroll and tax declaration  can slow a project down or create operational risk.

Labor dispatch is an important option for foreign companies in China that require a low cost and flexible method to hire employees. Whether it is a company that needs to staff a short-term project within a demanding deadline, or one that needs to hire temporary workers to support its business during start-up, labor dispatch proves a top choice compared with other traditional recruitment methods.

A triangular form of employment

Unlike direct employment, labor dispatch has a triangular form of employment relations, in which a host company hires dispatch workers from a dispatch work agency. While dispatched workers work for and are supervised by the host company, they are in fact employed by the dispatch work agency.

The dispatch work agency is the de facto legal entity responsible for the administrative management of the employees. Since dispatch agencies have considerable experience and knowledge of hiring local workers, foreign entities often find that hiring through labor dispatch is flexible, efficient, and cost effective.

Managing temporary workers and headcount restrictions

It is common within seasonal industries and project-based work for host companies to hire temporary workers. Given that direct hiring methods are usually tailored for recruiting long-term employees, it is typically more efficient for managers in seasonal and project-based industries to hire through labor dispatch.

RELATED: Payroll and Human Resource Services from Dezan Shira & Associates

Further, many foreign subsidiaries have headcount requirements determined by the parent companys employment budget. These requirements can prove difficult for host companies that need more workers to maintain daily operations.

Labor dispatch is a solution for a host company that needs to hire more laborers for temporary, auxiliary, or substitute positions in addition to any allocated headcount. Since paying dispatch workers is deemed as a service fee, rather than employment expenses, hiring through labor dispatch allows a host company to efficiently recruit more labor while in compliance with the headcount requirement.

Dispatch agencies

High profile dispatch agencies can help save operation costs for the host company. According to Chinas newly enacted Labor Dispatch Law, a dispatch agency should make social insurance payments on behalf of dispatched workers to local authorities in the region where the actual work takes place. If the dispatch agency does not obtain a business license that allows it to make social insurance payments at the actual work place, then the employer should be responsible for making the payments.

However, obtaining a business license for making social insurance payment can be a time-consuming and expensive process. In fact, all these troubles can be saved, if the employer choose a high profile dispatch agency that has multiple operating branch offices in China. By holding multiple business licenses in different provinces, a dispatch company can have greater flexibility to manage the social insurance payment in a more efficient way.

Dezan Shira & Associates Shenzhen office has recently obtained a labor dispatch license, with its Beijing, Shanghai and other branch offices expected to follow suit.



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.



New Considerations when Establishing a China WFOE in 2017

In this edition of China Briefing, we guide readers through a range of topics, from the reasons behind foreign investors preference for the WFOE as an investment model, to managing Chinas new regulations. We discuss how economic transformations have favored the WFOE, as well as the investment models utility, and detail key requirements that businesspeople need to examine before initiating the WFOE setup process. We then walk investors through the WFOE establishment process, and, finally, explain the new and idiosyncratic Actual Controlling Person regulation.
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China's foreign exchange regulator has approved a bigger amount of foreign investment in the country's onshore financial market, official data showed on Monday.

As of Feb. 27, 278 Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (QFII) have received quotas amounting 89.21 billion U.S. dollars, up from 87.31 billion dollars registered at the end of January, according to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE).

In total, 181 overseas institutions have received quotas amounting to 541.13 billion yuan (80.75 billion U.S. dollars) under the RMB Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (RQFII) program. It was 529.63 billion yuan a month earlier.

China's currency, the yuan, is convertible for trade purposes under the current account, while the capital account, which covers portfolio investment and borrowing, is largely run by the state in an effort to control capital flow.

To gradually liberalize the capital account, the government introduced the QFII and RQFII programs in 2003 and 2011, respectively, part of China's strategy to promote RMB's use overseas.

The QFII program represents China's effort to allow licensed foreign investors to invest in China's RMB denominated capital market.

The RQFII program allows institutional investors with offshore Renminbi deposits to invest in China's onshore market.

The RQFII program is currently open to 18 countries and regions, including Britain, Singapore, France, the Republic of Korea, Germany, Qatar, Canada, Australia and Luxembourg as well as China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
An office clerk displays the Meitu software installed on her smartphone on Feb. 28, 2017. [Photo by Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn]

Chinese technology company Meitu Inc has been rocking the Brazilian market for photo editing application programs or apps, and showing that the South American giant is a viable and interesting region for business expansion.

Meitu arrived in Brazil in April 2016. Since then, the company has launched translated versions of some of its main apps, Airbrush and Makeup Plus. In the past year, the number of downloads of Meitu apps rose 840 percent and Meitu obtained 10 million users in the country.

Meitu's Brazilian team had the best performance among its teams outside China. To Ludmilla Veloso, Meitu's country manager for Brazil, it was a matter of making a move at the right time.

"It seems that Brazil was waiting for someone to look at this market. Brazil was ready, and Meitu arrived at the right moment," Veloso told Xinhua recently.

For Meitu, 2016 was a year for validating the Brazilian market, and for establishing Brazil as a region with good cost-benefit relations for the company.

In 2017, Veloso said, the company will launch more apps and focus on increasing the scale of its operations and making the use of Meitu apps a habit.

Veloso said there were differences between the Brazilian and the Chinese ways of doing business. But there are much more similarities than people think at first sight, and with some work, differences can be dealt with.

Reaching the impressive growth in Brazil was a matter of bridging the gap between the Chinese company's products and the needs of Brazilian users. It required a lot of work from Meitu's local team, who studied the local market and analyzed what adaptations had to be made.

The company also worked with micro-influencers and communities on the web to interact with the user base and gather their impressions, suggestions and complaints about the apps. That contact helped build a more complete app which caters to the needs of Brazilian users in a more comprehensive manner.

For example, so far, the most successful Meitu app in Brazil has been Airbrush, which allows more subtle interventions in photographs. That is different from the Chinese preferences.

"Brazilians like a more natural appearance in photos, more discreet interventions," Veloso said, "There is a trend for the return of more natural beauty."

According to Veloso, the adaptations which had to be made in Meitu apps for Brazil has helped improve the company's algorithm, which ultimately leads to improvements on a global scale.

"We are ultimately a beauty platform. And that is why Brazil is very important for China, because the diverse beauty we have here has helped make our algorithm evolve and led to general improvement in the apps," she said, "This acknowledgement of our diversity made the apps grow."

That is an example of how expanding to Brazil can be beneficial for Chinese companies, Veloso believed. Though there are differences between the Brazilian and the Chinese ways of doing business, she said, there are much more similarities than people think at first sight.

"There are a lot of differences, but there are a lot of similarities as well," Veloso stressed.

Chinese companies, especially those in the internet sector, have much to gain from exploring the Brazilian market, she said.

"I think the Chinese are discovering Brazil and I believe we will cooperate more and more in the internet sector. There are several companies already arriving and more will arrive in the future. Brazil is a country where you can make it if you have a good product," she said.

"It is hard work, but with investment and local teams one can make it,"she added.

The beauty sector also has a lot of potential as well, and a lot of room for expansion.

"Brazil is the fourth largest beauty market in the world, after the United States, China and Japan. For a Chinese company, investing in Brazil is viable, cheaper and has a lot of potential," she noted.
WTO members on Monday hailed the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) as a historic achievement at a meeting of the General Council.

The TFA, the first multilateral deal concluded in the 21-year history of the WTO, entered into force on Feb. 22 after the organization obtained the needed acceptance from two-thirds of its 164 members for the agreement to take effect.

The TFA seeks to expedite the movement, release and clearance of goods across borders and create a significant boost for the multilateral trading system.

In welcoming this milestone, members pledged to advance work on implementing the TFA so that the full benefits of the Agreement can be reaped.

Cambodia, speaking on behalf of the least-developed countries (LDC) group, said the milestone marked a very important start to members' work to achieve results in trade facilitation.

Cambodia, along with several other delegations, emphasized the need of developing countries and LDCs for implementation assistance.

In his address to WTO members, Director-General Roberto Azevedo said: "By ratifying the agreement, members have shown their commitment to the multilateral trading system.

"You have followed through on the promises made when this deal was struck in Bali. And by bringing the deal into force we can now begin the work of turning its benefits into reality," Azevedo said.

Azevedo thanked the members for their considerable efforts to reach this historic juncture. "This achievement belongs to all of you," he said.

The Director-General, in his capacity as depositary of the WTO Agreements and their amendments, signed the official depositary notification of the TFA's entry into force. He handed over the notification to General Council Chair Ambassador Harald Neple at the meeting.

"The Agreement on Trade Facilitation is a defining multilateral achievement of our time," Neple said.

"It is practical, modern and global and it symbolizes the essence of the WTO: members from all corners of the globe coming together, overcoming differences and responding to pressing trade issues for the benefit of all," he said.

The Agreement is unique in that it allows developing and least-developed countries to set their own timetables for implementing the TFA depending on their capacities to do so -- and it provides for support to help them develop their capacity.
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Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer Nissan on Monday introduced self-driving cars here as part of a trial.

The trial is among the first on-road autonomous vehicle demonstrations conducted in Europe where debates about the safety of self-driving technology are ongoing.

Nissan has conducted public-road testing in Japan and the United States to pursue autonomous drive technology in real life situations.

The prototype vehicle is equipped with special features such as a millimeter wave radar, laser scanners, cameras and a specialized human machine interface to support autonomous driving.

Takao Asami, senior vice president of Research and Advanced Engineering at Nissan, said the test of Nissan's forthcoming autonomous drive technology in the demanding conditions of London streets and weather underlines the company's commitment to delivering the intelligent mobility.

Nissan said a multi-lane autonomous driving technology will enable automatic lane changes on highways and is planned for introduction in 2018. Autonomous driving on urban roads and in intersections is planned for launch in 2020.
Companies ZTE and Sony launched on Monday their devices at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), being held from Monday to Thursday in Spain's northeastern city of Barcelona.

Chinese company ZTE presented the ZTE BLADE V8, which will be available in stores in mid-March, and the ZTE BLADE V8 LITE, which will be available a few weeks later after the BLADE V8.

The ZTE BLADE V8 has a 5.2-inch screen with FHD resolution, a 13MP rear camera and a dual front camera capable of capturing images from different angles and supporting 3D shooting to generate 3D photos.

On the other hand, the ZTE BLADE V8 LITE features a 5-inch IPS screen with a 13MP rear camera, 8MP front camera and Android Nougat operating system.

The Chinese company also presented a new update of the AXON 7 with Android Nougat and GoogleDayDream, being the first smartphone of the company that allows the user to enjoy experiences of Virtual Reality.

Meanwhile, Sony presented a high-end Smartphone, Sony Xperia XZ Premium, the world's first mobile with 4K HDR screen and 5.2 inches. It has a rear camera of 19 MP and records video in 4K.

All devices are displayed at the Fira Barcelona venue from Monday to Thursday.

The MWC is the most important event of the mobile phone industry, which expects to receive 101,000 professional visitors, surpassing the figures of the last edition.
China's newly appointed minister of commerce vowed on Monday to further boost foreign direct investment and let foreign companies play a bigger role driving local manufacturing and service industries.

Zhong Shan, who replaces Gao Hucheng, spoke of the importance of pilot free trade zones and supply-side reform at a national conference to attract FDI. "A total of 114 innovative ways to get things done have been duplicated as a result of experiments that have taken place in the country's four FTZs, including Shanghai and Guangdong," he said.

The experiments have included allowing foreign firms to run healthcare and education businesses, and removing restrictions on foreign financial institutions like securities and fund management companies.

Products such companies manufacture in China also will be treated fairly in government procurement, he said.

Such measures will be promoted nationwide and are expected to further drive FDI, said Li Gang, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing.

"FDI management has taken a major leap from case-by-case approval to negative-list management," said Zhong. "International business interactions also have been accelerated by national economic and technology development zones and economic cooperation areas along the borders in Jilin and Yunnan provinces."

The negative list specifies sectors off-limits to foreign investors, meaning overseas and Chinese companies in sectors not on the list should be treated equally.

China attracted $489.42 billion in foreign capital in the past four years, and annual FDI from high-tech enterprises rose by 11.7 percent year-on-year on average from 2013 to 2016, according to the ministry.

Foreign-invested businesses contributed almost half of China's foreign trade volume, even though they accounted for less than 3 percent of the total number of enterprises.

"But now China is facing heavy pressures from other countries in attracting FDI," Li said.

Li said China must become an innovative economy and create new growth points to encourage foreign companies to invest in its high-end and service industries.
Kenya's mango farmers will soon be able to export their produce to China to prevent a price slump amid an abundant harvest, a chamber of commerce official said at the weekend.

Chairman of the Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Zhuo Wu, said during the Chinese Mango Festival held in Nairobi that they would soon start exporting Kenyan-grown mangoes to China in order to boost local farmers' incomes.

"We will work together with Kenyan mango growers to assist them to source for market for their products, in order to absorb their bumper harvest," Zhuo said.

Zhuo said the Kenyan farmers from Machakos County, one of Kenya's drought-stricken areas, approached the trade federation to help find markets for their produce to prevent the perishable fruits from going bad and hence incurring losses.

"We responded to their appeal and were able to purchase 15 metric tons of mangoes, in the process putting money into their pockets," Zhuo said.

East African Legislative Assembly Member of Parliament Peter Mathuki said the initiative had created awareness and visibility for the products and expanded the farmers' pool of potential buyers.

"The Chinese have shown true friendship especially by buying the mangoes, at almost three times the market price, in order to assist their Kenyan brothers so that their farm products do not go bad," the lawmaker said.

He said Chinese investors would be welcome to build factories in the area to take advantage of the abundant mangoes grown in the county.
China will spend at least 2.6 trillion yuan (US$376.81 billion) on transport infrastructure projects this year, data from the transport ministry showed Monday.

That will include 800 billion yuan on railways, 1.65 trillion yuan on roads and 150 billion yuan on waterway transport, Minister of Transport Li Xiaopeng said at a press conference.

Li said that during the 13th Five-year Plan period (2016-2020), 15 trillion yuan will be channeled to transport infrastructure projects, including 3.5 trillion yuan on railways, 7.8 trillion yuan on roads and 500 billion yuan on waterway transport.

Following the completion of these projects, China will have extended its railway network by 30,000 kilometers, more than one third of which will be high-speed railways, added 320,000 km of roads and built more than 50 new civil airports, Li said.

By 2020, China will have a modern transportation system that is safe, convenient, efficient and green, he said.

The country also targets the use of 200,000 new energy buses by 2020, up from more than 160,000 at the end of 2016.
Photo taken on Feb. 27, 2017 shows the press center for the fifth session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) and the fifth session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), or the two sessions, in Beijing, capital of China. The press center opened for work today. The two sessions will open in Beijing respectively on March 5 and March 3. [Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai]

The press center for the upcoming annual legislative and political consultative sessions opened Monday.

More than 3,000 reporters from home and abroad have registered to cover the sessions, including an increased number of foreign reporters, according to the press center.

The National People's Congress, China's top legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory body, will convene their annual sessions on March 5 and March 3, respectively.

Located in the Media Center Hotel in downtown Beijing, the press center will hold a number of press conferences with leading officials in various fields, and respond to public concerns.

As 2017 is a crucial year for the country's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), hot topics will include macro-economic development, supply-side structural reform, the RMB exchange rate and China's stock and real estate markets.
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The press center for the upcoming annual legislative and political consultative sessions opened Monday.

More than 3,000 reporters from home and abroad have registered to cover the sessions, including an increased number of foreign reporters, according to the press center.

The National People's Congress, China's top legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory body, will convene their annual sessions on March 5 and March 3, respectively.

Located in the Media Center Hotel in downtown Beijing, the press center will hold a number of press conferences with leading officials in various fields, and respond to public concerns.

As 2017 is a crucial year for the country's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), hot topics will include macro-economic development, supply-side structural reform, the RMB exchange rate and China's stock and real estate markets.
Chinese authorities have launched a crackdown on the spread of pornographic content online, including material that uses virtual reality (VR) technology.

A statement issued by the National Office Against Pornographic and Illegal Publications on Tuesday said that the office is cracking down on the use of new technology, such as cloud storage, online livestreaming and VR to spread pornography.

Upon reports from the public and media, the office has organized monitoring and inspections of some suspected e-commerce platforms and social media accounts on Sina Weibo and WeChat, according to the statement.

In one case in November last year, police in Shenzhen held 26 suspects and closed eight illegal sites involved in relevant violations.

The office stressed that spreading pornographic content, whether for profit or not, will be subject to administrative or criminal punishment.

The office also encouraged the public to report offenses via its telephone hotline and promised rewards for such tips.
Bangladesh celebrated forty years of relations with China in 2015 and formally declared its joining in China's 'Belt and Road' (OBOR) initiative during the visit of China's President Xi Jinping in 2016. All major political parties welcomed the visit of President Xi, the first by a Chinese President in three decades.

President Xi's visit to Bangladesh was marked by local media as the start of a "new era of friendship." As China is one of the biggest development partners of Bangladesh, it was expected that the bilateral partnership would grow in all areas of cooperation.

China's economic growth has made it a strong economic force in driving global trade. As its trading partner, Bangladesh expects from China, principally, increasing amounts of Chinese direct investment, better access for Bangladeshi products in China's market and China's continuing support in developing the infrastructure of the country.

Currently, China has been providing project loans and development assistance and wishes to increase investment in the information and communication technology industry, river management, industrial zones, land reclamation and maritime cooperation. As part of the Bangkok Agreement, China provides Bangladesh duty free access to a list of Bangladeshi products. It is expected that bilateral trade between China and Bangladesh may exceed US$30 billion by 2021.

China wishes to build mega infrastructure projects within the Belt and Road areas to increase trade and service, offering substantial prospects for Bangladesh. This initiative meets Bangladesh's need for wider connectivity within the region. While Asia is currently experiencing increasing economic development centering on China, if the OBOR is fully implemented, Asia will become the center of gravity for the world economy.

Bangladesh has already expressed interest in actively participating in the OBOR and, as a part of the initiative, the BCIM (Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar) corridor is now in its final stage. As both Bangladesh and China believe in regional cooperation and have common interest in the corridor, this offers additional impetus. China has been increasingly developing its cooperation with South Asian nations. In this context, Bangladesh should pay more attention to its Look East policy to activate the connectivity further and thus increase bilateral trade. While Chinese investors have interests in Bangladesh's garment industry due to the availability of cheap labor, the Chittagong and Mongla ports are also of great interests for China to develop connectivity for its Southern gateway.

The global economy is increasingly shifting its gravity from West to East and the role of the two Asian economies  i.e. China and India  are therefore gaining wider scope to work for regional integration.

India is in the BCIM initiative which is in line with the Chinese OBOR initiative. Since India needs to engage in its efforts in developing regional integration, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Myanmar along with China can therefore play wider and more sincere roles to access opportunities in the region by resolving the issues of mutual mistrust.

Given the reality, it is now urgent for Bangladesh to build a secure relationship with India and China on the basis of mutual respect, trust and friendship. Since China's OBOR initiative fits into Bangladesh's goals of connectivity and increased trade, Bangladesh now needs to make all efforts to ensure good governance and political stability so that it can achieve the aims and expectations of OBOR, which could have a great impact on the long term future of the economy of Bangladesh.

Nusrat Zahan is a visiting scholar at FDDI (Fudan Development Institute) and an associate professor in international relations, Jahangimagar University. Shanghai Daily condensed the article.
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The number of Chinese tourists to Vietnam is expected to reach 403,663 person-times in February, up 85 percent year-on-year, said Vietnam's General Statistics Office (GSO) Monday.

Chinese visitors thus make up the largest proportion of international tourists to Vietnam during the month, according to GSO.

In the past five years, the number of Chinese tourists to Vietnam has been on instant rise, marking the biggest market of tourists to Vietnam, the office added.

In Feb. alone, Vietnam is likely to welcome nearly 1.2 million person-times of foreign tourists, up 20 percent against the previous month and 42 percent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, in the first two months of 2017, Vietnam is projected to receive over 2.2 million international visitors, up 33 percent from the same period last year, marking the first time Vietnam has received more than one million foreign visitors per month, said GSO.

The sector is expected to receive 11.5 million foreign visitors and 66 million domestic travelers, generating 460 trillion Vietnamese dong (20.3 billion U.S. dollars) this year.

The sector also aims to receive 17-20 million international tourists and serve 82 million domestic visitors by 2020, contributing 10 percent to gross domestic product. Tourism revenue is expected to reach some 35 billion U.S. dollars by then.
Staff members examine a marble statue of Mithras during preparations for the upcoming exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing. (Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily)

How can you explore the worlds history in only 100 cultural objects? The answer can be found at an upcoming exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing.

To be opened on March 2, The History of the World in 100 Objects narrates the development and diversities of global history through a selection of artifacts, pieces of artwork and other kinds of objects from the British Museum's encyclopedia collection.

Chinese objects to be the centerpieces include a civil official figure discovered in a Tang Dynasty tomb dated about AD 730 in central Henan province and a ceramic amphora produced between AD 600 and 700.

The exhibition runs until May 31.
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The presence of Chinese companies in the free zone at the Khalifa Industrial City and Khalifa Port enhances the status of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in support of the Belt and Road initiative, said Mohammed Juma Al-Shamsi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, in an interview with Xinhua.

Asked about the possible role played by the ports of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to build and strengthen China's Belt and Road initiative, Al-Shamsi said ports of Abu Dhabi have "the best developed infrastructure in the region" linking East and the West.

In addition, Abu Dhabi's Khalifa port "is capable to receive different sizes of ships and the existence of equipment container transport gives confidence to investors and facilitates access to Africa, Asia and also Europe," he said.

The Belt and Road initiative aims to economically integrate Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. It consists of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road.

Al-Shamsi said the cooperation between the UAE and China has witnessed a quantum leap after the visit of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to China in 2015.

Trade between the UAE and China is expected to hit 60 billion U.S. dollars by the end of 2016, up from 54.8 billion in 2014, according to the Abu Dhabi official figures.
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Remains of 20 Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War will be returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on March 22, 2017, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs Monday.

It will be the fourth batch returned following a handover agreement signed by the two countries. From 2014 to 2016, remains of 541 soldiers were returned to China from the ROK, the ministry said.

Before the remains are returned, a ceremony will be held on March 20.

The Chinese side expressed thanks to the ROK defense ministry for its efforts in finding and identifying the remains of Chinese soldiers, according to the ministry.

The ROK will return more remains if found, the ministry added.

The Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) fought with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea army in the Korean War against the ROK army and U.S.-led UN forces.

A total of 197,653 CPV soldiers have been confirmed killed in the war, with most buried on the Korean Peninsula.

According to an agreement between China and the ROK, the two sides consult every year on the hand-over of remains of Chinese soldiers found in the ROK. A hand-over is usually held before Chinese Tomb-Sweeping Day in early April.
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Amina Mohammed, the new deputy UN secretary-general, will formally take office on Tuesday, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Monday.

"After that, she will speak at the (UN) Economic and Social Council in her first official engagement with that body, followed by a short encounter with the press," Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

Mohammed, who was appointed by Antonio Guterres on Dec. 15, 2016 as his deputy, was supposed to assume office on Jan. 1, when Guterres took office as the new UN secretary-general.

However, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari requested her to complete some ongoing responsibilities, as the Nigerian minister of environment, that she was handling at that time, thus leading to her delayed move to assume her new role at the United Nations.

The office of the UN deputy secretary-general was formally established by the UN General Assembly in 1997 to handle many of the administrative responsibilities of the secretary-general.

As the fifth deputy secretary-general, Mohammed will help to manage the UN Secretariat operations, and ensure inter-sectoral and inter-institutional coherence of activities and programmes.

She will also support the Secretary-General in elevating "the profile and leadership of the UN in the economic and social spheres, including further efforts to strengthen the UN as a leading centre for development policy and development assistance."

Amina served as UN under-secretary-general and special adviser to former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Post-2015 Development Planning. She was instrumental in bringing about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which serves as the blueprint for the global development efforts for the years between 2015 and 2030.
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The military commander of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front on Monday slammed the Syrian opposition taking part in Geneva intra-Syrian talks, telling them to stay away.

Abu Muhammad al-Jolani's remarks came in a video message, in which he told the Syrian opposition groups "to stay out and leave the war to its people," in the latest effort by the group to undermine the political efforts to resolve Syria's crisis.

Al-Jolani also claimed responsibility for the deadly bombings that targeted two Syrian intelligence centers in the central city of Homs on Saturday, which killed 42 security personnel.

"The attack in Homs was only the beginning of more attacks with different means, including the suicide bombings," he said.

He added that the bombings are a lesson to the "defeated politicians" whether in Geneva, or those who participated in the Syrian talks in Astana last month.

"We hope this action (bombings) has washed the shame of the opposition meeting in Geneva," he said.

The Nusra Front, which recently changed its name to the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, or the Front for Conquering the Levant, has been designated as a terrorist group by the international community.

The group, regardless of its names, was also excluded, along with the Islamic State (IS) group, from any political settlement or the currently-underway ceasefire, which explains its aggressive reactions.

Moreover, the group has become a main target for the U.S.-led anti-terror coalition, which has killed many of its leaders recently.

Jihadi groups said Monday that Abu al-Kheir al-Masri, the former deputy of al-Qaida leader, Ayman al-Zwahiri, was killed in Syria by a recent U.S.-led airstrike.

The man was killed by a drone strike in the northern city of Idlib, along with other jihadists.

According to accounts linked to the Nusra Front, the coalition strikes came after weeks of no strikes at all, adding that the strike targeted Abu al-Kheir's car near Idlib.
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U.S. Congress spent at least 14.7 million dollars on taxpayer-funded trips in fiscal year 2016, a 24 percent jump over the year before, according to Congress' own accounting released on Monday.

U.S. taxpayers paid for 557 trips that each costs more than 10,000 dollars for a member of Congress or a staffer, the data show. These trips made up 40 percent of all individual congressional trips for which travel costs were publicly reported.

By comparison, less than 0.2 percent of air tickets bought by Americans through U.S. travel agencies in 2015 and 2016 were more than 10,000 dollars, according to the Airlines Reporting Corp.

In May 2016, four Republican congressmen and three staff members spent 90,000 dollars on a five-day trip to Albania for a NATO summit. Republican lawmaker Mike Turner made the trip for 7,055 dollars while his colleague Jim Sensenbrenner spent 15,222 dollars for transportation.

"The expenses are due to a last-minute return flight," Sensenbrenner spokeswoman Nicole Tieman was quoted by a USA Today report as saying.

In another congressional trip made last summer, then Republican senator David Vitter and one staff member from the Small Business Committee spent a total of 37,000 dollars to travel to Britain and back, according to the congressional records.

There is no set dollar limit for U.S. lawmakers' global trips, the USA Today report explained. When U.S. Congress members decide to travel abroad, the State Department makes the arrangements and Treasury Department pays the bills.

In fact, the Congress' own accounting may be a low estimate. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, congressional travel cost nearly 20 million dollars last year, the highest figure ever recorded, based on data provided by the U.S. State Department. Neither Treasury nor State explain the discrepancy.

The pricey flights were part of a surge in foreign travel by the Congress people, said the report.
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Belarus will continue its work with EU towards full removal of sanctions, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

Commenting on the EU decision to extend arms embargo and sanctions against four officials for a year, the Foreign Ministry of Belarus stressed that the sanctions are unjust, counter-productive and they are not consistent with the spirit of cooperation between Belarus and the European Union.

The European Union on February 27 extended a series of restrictive measures against Belarus for one year. These measures include an arms embargo, an assets freeze and a travel ban against four persons listed in connection with the unresolved disappearance of two opposition politicians, one businessman and one journalist in Belarus.

However, Belarus was allowed to purchase biathlon equipment in Europe.
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The Pentagon has sent the White House a preliminary plan to defeat the Islamic State (IS), a spokesman said Monday, without providing details about the plan.

Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said the plan is a framework for a broader plan to defeat the IS extremists, adding that the details of the draft are classified secret.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will brief senior administration officials on the draft later Monday.

The draft plan came about a month after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to come up with a plan to defeat the IS. He has repeatedly criticized the Obama administration for failing to stop the extremist group during last year's campaign.

On Jan. 21 in his first official visit to the Central Intelligence Agency, Trump vowed that "radical Islamic terrorism" has to be eradicated "right now."

Trump described "radical Islamic terrorism" as "evil" unseen before, adding that it should be "eradicated just off the face of the earth."
Detention Center

The inmate count at the Platte County Detention Facility Monday was 60, with 43 from Platte County and 17 from out of county.

Police

Jan. 22

1:13 a.m.  At 456 20th Ave., Orlanda Provost, 20, 1153 24th Ave., No. 7, was cited for minor in possession of alcohol.

Feb. 17

10:16 p.m.  At the intersection of 33rd Avenue and 23rd Street, Dylan Svitak, 23, Schuyler, was cited for driving under the influence, open container of alcohol, a traffic signal violation and no proof of insurance.

Feb. 22

9 a.m.  At the intersection of 33rd Avenue and 27th Street, Vera Cromwell, 73, 3575 30th Ave., was cited for a traffic signal violation.

Feb. 23

12:19 a.m.  In the 900 block of 23rd Street, Steven Petrihos, 24, 276 S. Seventh Ave., was cited for speeding, 55 mph in a 45 mph zone.

9:58 a.m.  At the intersection of 26th Avenue and 23rd Street, Yhosvany Perez, 45, 1971 18th Ave., was cited for no valid registration.

5:57 p.m.  In the 3200 block of Sixth Street, Paden Bain, 24, no address, was jailed for theft of a motor vehicle, theft by unlawful taking and false reporting.

Feb. 24

5:38 a.m.  Criminal mischief at Midwest Glass Service Inc., 2512 12th St., window broken, $500 loss.

1:59 p.m.  Criminal mischief at Lakeview Apartments, No. 59, 201 E. 22nd St., tires slashed, $600 loss.

Feb. 26

5:27 p.m.  Criminal mischief at 3071 E. 14th Avenue, residential window shot out with a BB gun, $50 loss.

Sheriff

Feb. 25

2:35 a.m.  Traffic violation at the intersection of U.S. Highway 81 and 310th Street, Christopher Ramsey of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was cited for no operators license.

11:56 a.m.  Suspicious activity one mile south of Lakestop on 175th Avenue, Fausto Lopez-Mendez of Columbus cited for possession of marijuana-one ounce or less and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Feb. 26

5:02 p.m.  Drug violation at the Platte County Detention Facility, 1125 E. 17th St., Tonya Rickey of Genoa cited for possession of marijuana-one ounce or less.

10:51 p.m.  Traffic violation at the intersection of East U.S. Highway 30 and East 38th Avenue, Edwin Hernandez-Marroquin of Schuyler cited for speeding and no operators license.

Fire

Feb.24

11:04 a.m.  Fire alarm activated in the 3600 block of 30th Street.

11:12 a.m.  In the 1400 block of 28th Avenue, medical.

12:50 p.m.  In the 800 block of 15th Street, medical.

3:01 p.m.  In the 4200 block of 38th Street, medical.

5:09 p.m.  Accident on Highway 81 8  miles south of Columbus, two patients transported.

Feb. 25

1:28 a.m.  In the 2300 block of St. Andrews Drive, medical.

5:49 a.m.  In the 3700 block of 27th Street, medical.

10:58 a.m.  In the 4500 block of 38th Street, medical.

11:06 a.m.  In the 4500 block of 38th Street, medical.

11:19 a.m.  In the 1300 block of Eighth Street, no transport.

12:32 p.m.  In the 3600 block of Howard Boulevard, medical.

5:15 p.m.  In the 1100 block of 15th Street, medical.

6:16 p.m.  In the 2800 block of 17th Avenue, medical.

10:25 p.m.  In the 2300 block of Eighth Street, medical.

Feb. 26

3:44 a.m.  In the 41 block of Kramer Drive, medical.

12:02 p.m. - In the 2500 block of 37th Avenue, medical.

1:23 p.m. - In the 2400 block of 33rd Avenue, medical.

Feb. 27

2:48 a.m. - Structure fire in the 1400 block of 22nd Avenue, unattended can on top of stove caused small fire, damage to stove only.

5:47 a.m. - In the 3900 block of Howard Boulevard, medical.
 Flash

Supporters of a detained opposition leader held a demonstration on Monday to call for his release, the Bishkek police department said.

Around noon, the supporters of Omurbek Tekebayev, the detained parliament member of Kyrgyz parliament and the leader of the opposition Ata-Meken party, started to gathered in the center of Bishkek, where the Kyrgyz presidential office and the parliament building is located nearby.

According to the organizers, there were about 500 protesters in the gathering, demanding the release of Tekebayev.

A protest was also held in the hometown of Tekebayev in Bazar-Korgon region of Jalal-Abad oblast, which is in the south of the country.

Tekebayev, 58, was detained early Sunday at Manas international airport upon his arrival from Istanbul of Turkey and was taken into custody for 48 hours. After 48 hours, the court will adopt a preventive measure against the detainee.

The Public Prosecutor's Office initiated a criminal case against Tekebayev on Saturday for accepting 1 million U.S. dollar bribe from a Russian investor in 2010 in a take-over deal concerning a local telecommunications company.
 Flash

U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking to increase U.S. defense spending by 10 percent, or 54 billion U.S. dollars, White House revealed Monday.

The money to boost military building-up may come from deep cuts to almost every non-security category, including foreign aid and domestic discretionary programs, according to White House officials.

"This budget will be a public safety and national security budget," Trump said at a bipartisan gathering of U.S. governors at the White House Monday morning.

"We will increase security and we will decrease lower-priority programs. Most federal agencies will see a reduction as a result," the conservative Washington Times newspaper quoted an Office of Management and Budget official asking anonymous as saying.

Trump's plan will also call for hikes in spending on homeland security, intelligence, the Department of Justice and law enforcement, said a Politico report, quoting another unidentified senior official as its source.

Trump will propose "dollar for dollar cuts" elsewhere, the official said.

So far few details were provided on how the cuts will be made and over what time period they will be implemented.

On Friday, Trump pledged that he will oversee "one of the greatest military buildups in American history."

"We will be substantially upgrading all of our military, all of our military, offensive, defensive, everything. Bigger and better and stronger than ever before," Trump told the Conservative Political Action Conference.

Also last week, White House Chief Strategist Stephen Bannon said that the Trump administration set the "deconstruction of the administrative state" as one of its top goals.

The White House is scheduled to send its preliminary funding targets for 2018 to federal agencies Monday. These agencies will have an opportunity to respond to the White House draft and appeal before the administration sends its formal budget request to Congress.

On Tuesday night, Trump is expected to address the Congress, laying out his policy priorities for the coming months.
 Flash

South Koreas main opposition parties threatened yesterday to impeach the countrys acting leader after he refused to extend a special investigation into the huge corruption scandal that toppled conservative President Park Geun-hye.

An impeachment of Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn would rile an already tumultuous political landscape, putting another interim leader in power while the Constitutional Court decides the fate of both Hwang and Park, who is now on trial.

Hwang yesterday refused a request by the investigation team to extend its probe past todays deadline. A spokesman for Hwang said the team had already indicted key figures implicated in the scandal and that state prosecutors could look into any other areas.

Prosecutors said President Park allowed her confidante to meddle in state affairs and that they colluded to extort money from companies.

The three main liberal opposition parties spearheaded Parks December impeachment and vowed immediately to push for Hwangs.

His decision shows hes trying to become Parks shield to protect her and her associates, said Choo Mi-ae, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party.

Impeaching a prime minister requires support from half of the 299-member parliament. The three parties have a total of 166 seats, meaning they can easily reach the threshold to strip Hwang of power. But critics say the opposition parties must also consider the possibility of a strong backlash from conservatives if they make another high-profile impeachment effort.

Yesterday was also the final day of arguments at the Constitutional Court, which is deliberating on whether to formally end Parks rule or restore her presidential powers. Its not clear when there will be a decision. If Park is ousted for good, a presidential election must take place within two months of the departure to choose her successor.

Hwang is considered a potential conservative contender for president if that by-election occurred. In an opinion poll released yesterday, Hwang ranked third behind two liberal opposition politicians.

Weeks of rallies by huge crowds angered by the scandal forced Park to offer a public apology and approve the independent counsel investigation days before her impeachment.
 Flash

The Auditor General of China Liu Jiayi meets with his Pakistani counterpart Rana Assad Amin in Beijing on Feb. 27, 2017.

The Auditor General of China Liu Jiayi met with his Pakistani counterpart Rana Assad Amin to discuss further enhancing exchanges in audit domain between the two countries in Beijing on Feb. 27, 2017.

The meeting took place during Rana Assad Amin's official visit to China starting from Feb. 27, 2017.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to strengthen the existing contacts and further enhance exchanges in audit domain to learn from each other's best practices. It was further agreed to not only expand bilateral capacity building programs, but also to enhance cooperation at multilateral forums such as the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutes (INFOSAI). An MoU was also signed on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Liu emphasized the need for closer collaboration between the audit institutions of Pakistan and China including at international fora. Liu said that China has always supported Pakistan in line with President Xi Jinping's vision of having good neighbourly relations based on sincerity, inclusiveness and friendship.

Auditor General of Pakistan thanked his Chinese counterpart and expressed hope that his visit will result in further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two sides. He extended an invitation to his Chinese counterpart to visit Pakistan.

Ambassador of Pakistan Masood Khalid welcomed the signing of the MoU describing it as yet another manifestation of ever expanding ties in mutually beneficial domains between the two countries.
 Flash

South Korean special prosecutors on Tuesday branded impeached President Park Geun-hye as a criminal suspect for bribery charge in collusions with her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil, who is at the center of the corruption scandal.

The prosecutors, who have been independently dedicated to investigations into the scandal for the past 70 days, planned to indict Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and four Samsung executives later in the day on multiple charges, including bribery.

Lee Kyu-chul, spokesman of the independent counsel team that kicked off investigations on Dec. 21, told the last regular press briefing that Choi Soon-sil will be indicted on bribery as well as charges of abuse of power and the concealment of illegal wealth earned through criminal acts.

The impeached leader will be booked as an accomplice to Choi for the graft charge. The case will be handed over to state prosecutors for further investigations.

State prosecutors had identified the president as a suspect for extortion and abuse of power. The bribery charge was added following the independent counsel team's probe.

By law, a South Korean president gets immune from criminal indictment and detention while in office. If the bill to impeach President Park is upheld by the constitutional court, she will be stripped of those immunities.

The Samsung heir, who has been taken into custody since Feb. 17, will be prosecuted for bribery, embezzlement and the concealment of illegally earned wealth. Four other Samsung executives will be indicted without detention.

Vice Chairman Lee is suspected of paying tens of millions of U.S. dollars in bribes to Choi in exchange for getting support in the controversial merger in 2015 of two Samsung affiliate to create a de-facto holding company.

The merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries was extremely crucial to the vice chairman to inherit the overall management control of Samsung Group, South Korea's largest family-controlled conglomerate, from his father Chairman Lee Kun-hee who has been hospitalized for heart attack for almost three years.

Investigations by the special prosecutors are scheduled to end on Tuesday as Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who is serving as acting president, rejected the request for an extended probe into the corruption scandal.

The independent counsel spokesman said the overall investigation results will be formally announced on March 6.

A total of 17 suspects will be brought to court by the special prosecutors along with 13 suspects who have been already indicted over their alleged involvement in the massive scandal.

It would be the highest number of indictment since the special prosecutor system was introduced by the country in 1999. Since then, 12 independent counsels have been nominated to investigate political and business scandals.

The spokesman said it would not be difficult for state prosecutors to launch investigations into other chiefs of the country's conglomerates, called chaebol here, indicating a possible probe into Lotte Group and SK Group.

SK, the country's third-largest conglomerate, is suspected of making donations to two nonprofit foundations Choi used for personal gains in exchange for a presidential pardon of the detain chief.

Lotte, South Korea's biggest operator of department stores and duty free shops and the fifth-largest chaebol, is suspected of making contributions to the Choi-controlled foundations in return for the rejection of the warrant to arrest its chief and the restoration of the license to operate downtown duty free stores.

Suspicions were also raised that Lotte may have agreed to offer land for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) deployment in southeast South Korea, with the restored duty free license and the rejected arrest warrant for its chairman as a quid pro quo.

Lotte signed a contract earlier in the day with the defense ministry to swap its golf course in the Seongju county, North Gyeongsang province for military land in Gyeonggi province near the capital Seoul.

The special prosecutors had focused their probe on Samsung-related allegations, leading to the first detention of the Samsung chief for the first time in the company's 79-year history.

However, the focus on Samsung had failed to look into allegations over other conglomerates.

The spokesman noted chiefs of other conglomerates can be banned from leaving South Korea after consultations with state prosecutors.
 Flash

The Islamic State (IS) group brought in at least 300 Iraqi and Syrian families from areas under its control in Iraq and Syria to the eastern province of Deir al-Zour in eastern Syria, a monitor group reported Tuesday.

The families were split between Iraqis coming from Iraq's city of Mosul and Syrians comping from Syria's northern city of al-Raqqa, the de facto capital of IS, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The IS militants put the new displaced families in schools in the city of al-Mayadeen in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour, said the Observatory, adding that more families are expected to come.

The new comers are being relocated as a result of the intense battles fought against IS, whether in Mosul, by the Iraqi forces, or in al-Raqqa, where the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were making progress in the countryside of that province.

Meanwhile, the UK-based watchdog monitor group said intense battles were raging between the Syrian army and the IS in the countryside of Deir al-Zour amid airstrikes carried out by the Syrian forces on IS positions.
 Flash

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed on Tuesday declared drought, which has been ravaging the Horn of Africa nation, a national disaster.

The president, widely known as Farmajo, also appealed to the international community to urgently respond to the calamity in order to help families and individuals and avoid humanitarian tragedy.

"President Farmajo has declared a national disaster to deal with the humanitarian emergency in all areas affected by the current drought," said a statement issued in Mogadishu.

The statement came after the UN warned that Somalia is in the grip of an intense drought, induced by two consecutive seasons of poor rainfall.

In the worst-affected areas, inadequate rainfall and lack of water has wiped out crops and killed livestock, while communities are being forced to sell their assets and borrow food and money to survive.

The Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET), managed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), have found that over 6.2 million people, or more than half of the country's population, are in need of assistance, up from 5 million in September last year.

Farmajo also called on the Somali business community and diaspora to participate in the recovery efforts in the affected area, the statement said.
COLUMBUS  The landscape of education has changed since educational service units were created in Nebraska.

When the state Legislature passed a bill in 1965 establishing 19 of these units, there were 2,500 school districts in Nebraska.

Today, because of consolidation, there are 245.

Even with fewer school districts, the role of those service units has remained the same  to provide supplementary support for students and educators.

The local ESU 7 has been providing assistance to schools in seven different counties for the past 50 years. That anniversary was marked Monday with an open house.

Larianne Polk, chief administrator, said ESU 7 officially got off the ground in Genoa during the 1966-67 school year. After running out of space there, the office moved to Columbus a year and a-half later.

Located at 2657 44th Ave., ESU 7 provides an array of services, including special education, early childhood, professional development, technology support, distance learning and instructional materials. Six years ago, a new facility was built south of the ESU 7 building to house the Cen7ter program to meet the needs of students ages 12-21 who have developmental disabilities.

Through that program, students learn life skills and some get hands-on experience working in local businesses.

The students spend some time in their home district and some time here, Polk said. People may have seen them in the community because we have partnerships with 43 area businesses.

ESU 7 serves 19 school districts in Platte, Butler, Boone, Colfax, Polk, Merrick and Nance counties.

Polk said the role of an educational service unit is to be supportive in a number of capacities.

We walk behind our districts so they are encouraged to keep moving, beside them so they are supported and ahead of them to not only know where they are going, but to anticipate their needs, she said.

Nebraska currently has 17 educational service units that are funded through local, state and federal dollars. At ESU 7, 45 percent of the budget comes from contracts with school districts, 35 percent from state and federal grants and 20 percent from property taxes.

Schools receive assistance from an ESU based on an application process that uses data from the district, state and other sources to customize services to cover gaps and best meet their needs, Polk said.

ESU 7 has 90 employees, nearly eight times the number from when it first opened.

Polk said the services educational service units provide continue to grow. In the future, she said ESU 7 will help schools provide mental health services to students.

We are hoping to offer a program to address that. It might be provided through personnel or instruction or maybe off campus. It will likely be a combination of all that, she said.
COLUMBUS  One man was transported to the hospital Monday morning following a two-vehicle accident on 23rd Street.

The man was injured when his white Hyundai Elantra, traveling west on 23rd Street, apparently slammed into the back of a fuel tanker semi in the inside lane at the Third Avenue intersection.

The extent of the man's injuries was unknown.

Several police and rescue crews responded to the accident, which limited traffic to one lane on both sides of the street for a period of time.

Airbags were deployed in the Elantra, a Platte County vehicle that sustained significant front-end damage. The semi, owned by Girton Transport Services of Kansas and Missouri and also driven by one man, received minor damage to the back end.

The names of the drivers were not released by police, who responded to the accident at approximately 11 a.m.
Given prevailing concerns about potential uncertainties following Donald Trump's precedent-breaking remarks on sensitive topics, State Councilor Yang Jiechi's visit to Washington D.C. was not about breaking new ground, but about preserving and sustaining the precious turnaround enabled by the recent phone conversation between the US president and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

No doubt opportunities lie ahead if China and the United States choose to get along and cooperate. But the priority now is to end any delusion that a transfer in global leadership is underway, and the Thucydides trap is inescapable. Which makes it especially important for both parties to give and receive the assurance that neither finds a conflict between them desirable.

Thankfully, despite the seemingly rocky start to the Trump-era China-US relationship, the diplomatic dust finally seems to be settling after the leaders of the two countries set a positive tone for ties with their phone conversation. And Yang's talks with Trump and his administration officials are a credible sign of shared interest in cementing the current fine momentum.

From the Chinese perspective, Yang's trip carries additional significance for it coincided with the 45th anniversary of the Shanghai Communique.

Issued on Feb 28, 1972, the last day of US president Richard Nixon's historic visit to China, the document established time-honored guiding principles for China-US relations, such as one China, mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, peaceful coexistence and mutual noninterference in internal affairs. Like the Jan 1, 1979, joint communique on establishing diplomatic relations and the Aug 17, 1982, joint communique on relations with Taiwan, it is an essential component of the political foundation of China-US relations.

Its high-profile commemoration in China conveys a sincere hope to put the all-important relationship back on an even keel. "The Shanghai Communique created a new model for countries of different ideologies, cultural traditions and at different development stages to handle relations. It was a pioneering initiative in international relations that remains of important reference value for international relations till this very day," wrote Yang in an article in People's Daily.

It is a pity the date and the matter of such far-reaching significance passed nearly unnoticed on the other side of the Pacific.

If Beijing and Washington could seek common ground and shelve their differences 45 years ago in the chill of the Cold War, they are in far better positions today to formulate a relationship featuring "no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect, win-win cooperation".
An employee assists customers at a Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd store in the Central district of Hong Kong. BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES

Young women splurge on new designs and affordable jewelry

The rise of the millennialspeople aged 18 to 34as an influential consumer group in China is altering the traditional notion that diamonds are a symbol of love, worn the most during engagements, weddings, anniversaries and other such occasions.

Now, diamonds spell fashion and are perfect for self-expression. The trend has led to new designs and marketing strategies of diamond sellers.

For instance, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, a renowned Hong Kong-based jewelry maker, is taking the lead in pleasing the younger consumer group with new designs.

That was perhaps inevitable because about half of Chow Tai Fook's customers are the millennials. It owned about 2,070 jewelry outlets in the Chinese mainland as of September last year, according to the company.

Over the last two fiscal years, however, the brand has seen sales decline due to a weakening demand in the luxury retail market in China.

For 2016 March-Sept period, its sales revenue reached HK$21.53 billion ($2.78 billion), down 23.5 percent year-on-year, according to its earnings report.

It is now pinning its recovery hopes on the spending potential of the millennials. Not without a reason.

A report from international advertising agency J. Walter Thompson found that over 40 percent of Chinese women regard financial independence as more important than marriage, and over 30 percent of Chinese women define financial independence as success.

In the context of modern diamond products, the typical consumer is a single woman with a decent job. Apart from diamond rings, she also likes to buy diamond earrings and necklaces. Diamonds have become symbols of achievement and social status.

Neil Wang, president of market research agency Frost&Sullivan Greater China, said the sales and marketing of jewelry is different from other sectors, as the function of jewelry is simple, and their materials tend to be uniform. Therefore, the styles of products, or the added value of art, are the soul of communications.

"The sales of concept and personality features of products is meant to add some cultural connotations to the brand. It will be easier for consumers to distinguish the products, and other brands won't be able to copy them," he said.

Wang further said the relatively low price is another factor that attracts young consumers.

"The sales performance of Tiffany & Co has not been very good in recent years. Now, on the official website of Tiffany, there are product categories that are priced lower than$500 and something even lower than $250. Those are prices that are more affordable for the young. Tiffany said the number of products that are below$500 is growing at a double-digit rate."

According to a recent report released by De Beers, the largest diamond producer in the world, in 2015, millennials in the United States,China, Japan and India, the four biggest diamond markets, bought shiny pieces of carbon worth about $26 billion, or 45 percent of the total retail sales.

But Chinese millennials are particularly fond of diamonds. They now account for nearly 70 percent of China's diamond sales, much higher than other comparable markets.

For instance, Mandy Zhang, 25, a Beijing denizen, owns four branded diamond-studded rings made by Tiffany & Co, Cartier, Bvlgari and Van Cleef & Arpels. Their prices range from 10,000 yuan($1,458) to 30,000 yuan.

"I don't think that a diamond ring is a symbol of marriage because designs of my choices are fashionable and more suitable for young women. I also bought some earrings with diamond decorations," she said.

"I've some pearl accessories as well, but my favorite is still diamond, because diamonds look stunning, pretty and stylish when they sparkle."

That perception, and the attendant popularity of diamonds among China's millennials, can be attributed to Western lifestyle. Instead of gold and jade, which are still popular among older generations, diamonds are preferred by younger Chinese for self-expression. Their favorite brands include Harry Winston and Tiffany & Co, industry observers said.
Chief executive of the Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd Charles Li Xiaojia speaks at a press conference in Hong Kong, Feb, 27, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Following the debut of Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect in 2014 and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect in 2016, financial regulators across the border are exploring whether the mutual market access can be extended to ETFs, the head of the Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd said on Monday, as the operator of the Hong Kong equity bourse reported net profit of HK$ 5.8 billion ($740 million) in 2016, down 27 percent from 2015.

The proposed Exchange-Traded Fund would be the next big thing on the agenda of Asia's biggest exchange operator by market capitalization.

But due to the difference between trading systems, the much-anticipated ETF Connect may not be rolled out within this year, HKEX Chief Executive Charles Li Xiaojia told a news conference. Li added that the Bond Connect was currently under discussion.

"To further enrich the variety of traded products and provide more investment opportunities and convenience for domestic and overseas investors, we plan to include ETFs as eligible securities, subject to further discussion with our mainland counterparts," Li said in a statement on Monday.

The exchange operator also said it was setting its sights on growing the connect model by expanding into other asset classes.

These included primary listings, commodities, bonds and morein a bold move to cement Hong Kong's position as the Chinese mainland's offshore wealth management center, risk management center and global asset pricing center, Li added.

The proposed ETF Connect between Hong Kong and the mainland will further diversify the city's ETF market and enhance the city to become a major regional ETF trading hub in Asia, ETF product service providers said in a panel discussion on Monday.

"Overseas investors are eager to allocate A-shares as an asset class in their portfolios. If the direct trading link could be extended to ETFs, Hong Kong could look at becoming a regional ETF trading hub in Asia," iShares Director Cyrus Mui said.
A trader sells mangoes in Kenya's capital Nairobi. THOMAS MUKOYA / REUTERS

NAIROBIKenya's mango farmers will soon be able to export their produce to China to prevent a price slump amid an abundant harvest, a chamber of commerce official said at the weekend.

Chairman of the Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Zhuo Wu, said during the Chinese Mango Festival held in Nairobi that they would soon start exporting Kenyan-grown mangoes to China in order to boost local farmers' incomes.

"We will work together with Kenyan mango growers to assist them to source for market for their products, in order to absorb their bumper harvest," Zhuo said.

Zhuo said the Kenyan farmers from Machakos County, one of Kenya's drought-stricken areas, approached the trade federation to help find markets for their produce to prevent the perishable fruits from going bad and hence incurring losses.

"We responded to their appeal and were able to purchase 15 metric tons of mangoes, in the process putting money into their pockets," Zhuo said.

East African Legislative Assembly Member of Parliament Peter Mathuki said the initiative had created awareness and visibility for the products and expanded the farmers' pool of potential buyers.

"The Chinese have shown true friendship especially by buying the mangoes, at almost three times the market price, in order to assist their Kenyan brothers so that their farm products do not go bad," the lawmaker said.

He said Chinese investors would be welcome to build factories in the area to take advantage of the abundant mangoes grown in the county.
Job hunters check information at a recruitment fair held in Guiyang, Guizhou province, Feb 14, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese companies are set to fuel hiring growth in 2017, according to a latest survey by global recruitment specialists Michael Page.

The company surveyed more than 3,400 employers in Asia, trying to find key employment trends in the region, popular industry fields and salary standards.

According to its 2017 China Salary & Employment Outlook, roughly 55 percent of Chinese mainland companies are expected to increase headcount this year compared to 41 percent of those multinational corporations based in China.

The report also surveyed nearly 1,000 employers from various industries on the Chinese mainland. And it revealed that 44 percent of these companies will offer salary increases of 6 to 10 percent this year.

A series of key sectors in China are set to hire aggressively this year, including renewable energy, fintech, financial payment processing, digital media and consumer electronics, the report said.

However, manufacturing and other industrial sectors will continue to struggle in the face of the weakening of domestic and international demands, it said.

Compared to five years ago, companies in China are now placing a higher priority on diversity and inclusion programs, report said.

Peter Smith, managing director of Michael Page East China, said China has seen a meteoric rise in local companies, and many of them have developed into multinational brands.

Smith said: "As domestic companies mature, they are turning their efforts to employee retention and building a strong portfolio of business leaders. They continue to invest in recruiting and retaining quality professionals across all departments and levels of seniority. This includes finance, digital, and marketing, and is not limited to top line leadership."

He added: "While these strategies spell optimistic employment opportunities, they place further strain on China's candidate-driven market where strong candidates are always in demand and often receive multiple job offers."

Smith said career progression, salary increases, and learning and development for employees remain the top measures for companies to attract and retain talent.

In addition to these traditional incentives, the report also found that more companies are paying attention to employer branding as a way to stand out in the increasingly competitive arena of recruitment. Almost two-thirds of the surveyed companies said their organizations have already actively practice employer branding.

About 86 percent of companies surveyed said that their organization was committed to diversity and inclusion initiatives. Gender, minority ethnic groups and religion are the top three most important focus areas of these efforts, it said.
Pedestrians walk past the buildings of the Dalian Commodity Exchange in Dalian, Liaoning province, May 30, 2013. [Photo/VCG]

Dalian Commodity Exchange is making preparations for the participation of foreign investors in iron ore futures trading, its chairman said on Wednesday in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province.

"With the participation of overseas investors, we can form a more complete pricing system in the futures and spot markets, thus improving the iron ore pricing mechanism for international trade," said Li Zhengqiang, addressing the two-day 2017 China Iron Ore Conference which was held in the city.

The DCE launched China's first iron ore futures with physical delivery in October 2013. Since then, the trading volumes have kept increasing.

It has attracted 12,000 corporate clients to hedge their risks, using futures. In 2016, the DCE's iron ore futures trading volumes reached 342 million lots, accounting for 22 percent of its total volume, said Li.

"However, foreign investors are not permitted to participate in it directly," he said.

China is the world's biggest iron ore importer and consumer. Last year, China's import volumes and consumption volumes of iron ore reached 1.024 billion metric tons and 1.156 billion tons respectively.

"We need to enhance (our) influence on global iron ore pricing," Li added.

The DCE, which was established in 1993, is one of the three commodity exchanges in China. It mainly trades agricultural, chemical, energy and mineral products.

Its iron ore futures contract is the world's only one with physical delivery.

Frank Zhong, chief representative of the World Steel Association Beijing Office, said there might be a long wait-and-see period for overseas investors' active participation.

"Besides, the participation in international pricing is a double-edged sword. When the bargaining power is weak, it might lead to much higher prices," he commented.

Chen Baoxi, an analyst with Guofu Futures, said he believed such risks did exist but could not be a barrier.

"With international investors, the price formation mechanism will be improved. We need better preparation to avoid the risks," he added.

According to Chen Wei, director of the DCE's industrial products sector, the DCE has finished its plans for introducing overseas investors.

Only foreign institutional investors will be permitted to enter the market. In addition, they must participate in the trade through Chinese futures companies. They can use the US dollar and the renminbi to participate in the trade, Chen said.

The DCE has set up a bonded delivery warehouse for iron ore in Dalian's Free Trade Zone to make preparation for the foreign investors.

"With the introduction of foreign investors, the local iron ore futures market will become a part of the global market. The iron ore pricing will be more fair and transparent, leading to better development of the whole industry," Chen said.
An investor checks stock information at a brokerage house in Fuyang, Anhui province, February 24, 2017.[Photo/VCG]

Baosteel, the listed arm of the newly merged China Baowu Steel Group, saw its shares soar by 7.5 percent on Monday, its first trading day after its suspension on January 24, perking up the country's steel sector which has been dogged with overcapacity and ebbing demand.

Trading of Baosteel resumed on Monday after an equity swap between the listed entities of Shanghai-based Baosteel Group and Wuhan Iron & Steel Group in Central China's Hubei province on Monday.

After the equity swap, the total issuance of Baosteel grew from 16.45 billion shares to 22.1 billion shares, with Baowu Steel Group taking up 52.14 percent of total equity.

Baosteel's stock opened at 7.13 yuan ($1.03) per share, and ended the day 7.5 percent higher at 7.31 yuan apiece, with the broad market Shanghai Composite Index edging down by 0.76 percent to close at 3,228.66.

After Baosteel Group was approved by the State Council in September to merge with Wuhan Iron & Steel Group, the two steelmakers formed a giant in the industry that ranks first domestically and second globally, only behind Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal.

Baowu Steel, the country's largest steelmaker with an annual output of more than 60 million metric tons of crude steel, is expected to set up an example for domestic steel mills in smashing overcapacity, upgrading product innovation, and strengthening global competitiveness, according to analysts.

Zhang Tieshan, an analyst with industrial information provider MySteel.com, said: "The merger between Baosteel Group and Wuhan Iron & Steel Group has raised the curtain for the steel industry to stage more mergers under pressure from environmental protection requirements and a supply glut."

In December, the Central Economic Work Conference outlined plans to promote mergers and restructuring in the steel industry. In the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20) the country's top 10 steel enterprises have been tasked to raise their output from 34 percent of the nation's total to 60 percent.

Wang Guoqing, director of the Lange Steel Information Center, said the bullish performance of Baosteel shares on Monday is also an evidence that the country's steel sector was warming up since the second half of last year.

Wang said: "Chinese steel-makers generated a total profit of 165.91 billion yuan profit throughout 2016, representing a year-on-year increase of 232.3 percent, which is in stark contrast with the negative growth in the previous year."

Baosteel Group and Wuhan Iron & Steel Group announced their restructure plans on Sept 22, 2016, according to which, Baosteel Group will be the parent company of the restructured company and renamed China Baowu Steel Group, and Wuhan Iron & Steel Group becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the new steel group.
A visitor seeks information at a Foresea Life Insurance Co Ltd stand at a financial exhibition in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. CHEN YIHANG / FOR CHINA DAILY

Stocks held by Evergrande and Foresea decline after firms punished by CIRC

Stocks held by Foresea Life Insurance Co Ltd and Evergrande Life Insurance Co Ltd tumbled on Monday after the two insurers received harsh penalties for violation of investment regulations.

Shenzhen-listed glass manufacturer CSG Holdings Co Ltd, of which Foresea Life holds a 22 percent stake, fell by 4 percent. Shanghai-listed Langfang Development Co Ltd, of which Evergrande Life's parent company China Evergrande Group is the second largest shareholder, slumped by nearly 7 percent.

The selling was triggered by investors' fears that the penalty imposed by the regulator to limit the stock investment by the insurers will depress stock prices.

The two insurers are in the spotlight for their aggressive and high-profile purchase of a string of listed companies including China Vanke Co, the country's leading residential real estate developer, resulting in a corporate crisis and power struggles within the targeted companies.

On Friday, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission barred business tycoon Yao Zhenhua, chairman of Baoneng Group and Foresea Life, from the insurance industry for 10 years. The regulator also revoked Yao's qualification as chairman of the insurer.

Similarly, Evergrande Life, the insurance unit of real estate developer China Evergrande Group owned by billionaire Hui Ka Yan was banned from stock investments for one year. The regulator also lowered the maximum percent equity holdings at 20 percent of assets from 30 percent.

Gao Ting, head of China strategy at UBS Securities, said that the tougher stance by the regulator will lead to fewer cases of insurers aggressively buying listed companies' stakes on the secondary market this year.

"Insurers may prefer stocks that conform with the value investment philosophy, with underestimated book value and steady revenue," Gao said in a research note.

Xiang Junbo, chairman of the CIRC, last week urged insurers to stick to long-term investments and vowed to punish those that engaged in speculative trading.

Cheng Jiaoyi, an analyst at Zhongtai Securities Co, said that the tighter regulatory scrutiny on insurers' investment is likely to lure more long-term capital into the stock market.

"The regulator's emphasis on value-based investment by insurers will reduce the reckless investment and will reinforce the role of insurers as the prudent institutional investors in the stock market," Cheng said.
LINCOLN -- Just over a year ago, Andrew Tuzson and his wife, Angela, were living in Denver but getting ready to make a move to Nebraska.

The couple had had it with Denver's long commute time.

"With the three kids, we were really, really ready for a change of pace. We were really wanting to inject ourselves into a community that was really family-focused," Andrew Tuzson said.

They created lists and looked at opportunities. Lincoln remained at the top of those lists because of the family aspect and its booming economy, he said.

Tuzson grew up in western Nebraska, but had been gone for years, the past 12 in Colorado, where he and Angela, who's from Wichita, Kansas, started a business in their basement.

They decided to visit Lincoln, and while here, check out office space in the Haymarket. Even before they got in their car to head back to Colorado they had made up their minds, Andrew Tuzson said.

"Yeah, let's do this."

They haven't looked back.

The Tuzsons have been doing business in Lincoln since May 20 as Evol Empire Creative, a web-design, development and marketing agency. Evol Empire now has 23 employees, several recruited from Seattle and San Diego.

"You name it, we do a lot of importing if the talent doesn't already exist here in Lincoln," Andrew Tuzson said.

Nebraska economic development experts also have their sights set on attracting talent to the state.

With a low unemployment rate  3.4 percent in December, compared with 4.7 percent nationally and a 2.8 percent rate for Lancaster and Seward counties  and a limited pool of workers that can be added to the labor force, state officials say it's critical to seek ways to not only retain the current workforce but attract new people.

Nebraskans 25 and older with bachelors degrees or more education left the state between 2011 and 2015 at a rate of 11,861 each year.

In the past decade, Nebraska governors and their agencies have preached a common theme -- Grow Nebraska  with businesses and workers. A year ago, Gov. Pete Ricketts hired Courtney Dentlinger to lead the Department of Economic Development.

"We're a relatively unknown quantity outside of the borders of Nebraska," she said then. "So we need to tell our story and explain why Nebraska's a great place to do business."

The state is poised for significant economic growth, given its current job openings and opportunities and low cost of living, combined with high rankings in quality of life and doing business, the department said.

But a primary concern is whether businesses looking to relocate or expand will be able to find sufficient qualified workers to fill their positions.

Many of the people who are migrating here to work are helping tell Nebraska's story, and lure others here.

Beth McKeon, 37, managing director of NMotion and a serial entrepreneur, came to Lincoln a year ago from Lawrence, Kansas, after looking for a company in the Midwest that was supporting startups.

She heard about the job opening at NMotion.

"Literally, the whole thing from initial contact to moving to Nebraska took less than three weeks, and it was over the Christmas holidays," she said.

Lincoln was an ideal choice, McKeon said.

"NMotion, as an organization, has been very successful at recruiting from out of state. And I think that's a testament to both the strength of the program, but also what's happening here in Lincoln," she said.

NMotion, with four employees, provides education and resources for tech startups, with the primary product being a 90-day accelerator program. Funding comes from the University of Nebraska, the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development and private companies.

The state is working to recruit workers by developing a talent portal, NEworks, to increase qualified, diverse talent for job opportunities.

The Department of Economic Development calls it a one-stop shop to promote Nebraska as a great place to live, work and play, through job and training opportunities, and with the appeals of culture, quality of life and community engagement.

According to the department's grant application for the project, the talent portal will target 25- to 34-year-olds, the most-mobile age range, by showcasing the proximity and access to outdoor recreation and natural resources, as well as arts, music and film venues. The website will provide information on Nebraska communities, affordable housing, safety, health care, demographics, climate and comparable cost of living.

Nearly 57,000 job openings were advertised on the NEworks website in December, according to the Nebraska Department of Labor. That's more than three job ads for every two unemployed people.

In 2016, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development surveyed 263 businesses that import capital from outside the region. Nearly 50 percent had increasing employment needs and 80 percent reported recruitment problems.

The health care industry is one that has a high demand for workers, and not enough supply.

Lincoln's Bryan Health employs 4,500 people and has a 5 percent vacancy rate, said Jan Garvin, vice president for human resources. Patient demand continues to grow.

The demand for nurses can't only be met by the women and men graduating from nursing education programs in the state, she said. Those graduates have many options for nursing careers in addition to hospitals, Garvin said. Besides nurses, Bryan is competing for people to fill many other jobs at its hospitals.

One option for it and other health-related businesses is to tap into the growing number of immigrants coming to Nebraska, Garvin said. To address language and cultural barriers, Bryan has offered on-site English classes and other resources.

Nebraska also has a growing need for technology workers.

In 2015, the state had the third-fastest rate of growth in technology jobs in the country, according to Dice, a careers website for technology and engineering professionals.

"Wayne Gretzky said it best, right?" Andrew Tuzson said. "He doesn't go to where the puck is. He goes to where it's going to be. And the Silicon Prairie is where that puck is heading.

"What's happening here in Nebraska is turning heads across the country."
An LG smart TV is shown at a home appliances exhibition in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. WANG QIMING / FOR CHINA DAILY

Ever-changing technology and booming e-commerce will continue to be a game changer for the vast retail market in the Chinese mainland, with some industries jumping on the bandwagon of sustainable growth while other sectors feeling sustained pressure and struggling to seek a way out.

Smart home appliance makers, benefiting from technological advancement and government support, are looking to capitalize on low market penetration to get on the fast-growth track, said Mavis Hui, a Hong Kong-based analyst at DBS Vickers.

According to IHS Technology's Home Appliance Intelligence Service, this business offers enormous potential, and is projected to grow from an estimated less than 1 million units shipped in 2014 to more than 230 million units in 2020.

Global penetration is forecast to surge from 0.2 percent in 2014 to 31.3 percent in 2020. And China stands as a leading market, accounting for nearly 40 percent of total worldwide shipments by 2020.

Mid- and high-end products across three product segments, including washing machines, air conditioners and refrigerators, are enjoying robust sales, driven by mainland consumers' ongoing demand to upgrade consumption, said Hui.

"The traditional department store business, however, would continue to take a hit from e-commerce and see no signs of recovery in the near term," she noted.

"Some shopping malls may replace them with restaurants, cinemas and ice rinks in a bid to win customers back."

Hui believed the jewelry industry may offer the only respite for the traditional consumer goods market, as consumers still need to visit bricks-and-mortar stores to make product selections.

More importantly, as the country's generation of single children reach marriageable age, they tend to spend big on weddings, translating into an insatiable appetite for jewelry.

"This makes the prospects for jewelers in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong look good for the coming three to five years," she observed.

As more and more mainlanders become global travelers, DBS said the travel-related industries would also thrive in the world's second-largest economy.

However, booming outbound tourism may deviate from the nation's determination to shift from an export-driven, investment-intensive economy to a consumer-driven economy in its quest for a new "growth engine". Hui said the country's weakening currency may dampen mainlanders' enthusiasm to travel and consume abroad.

But in the long term, she called for a less-rigid tax regime and a relaxation of duty-free spending restrictions to lift local consumption and spur domestic tourism.

All in all, the country's retail market as a whole is poised to register 10-percent growth this year, with ongoing urbanization, a growing middle class and a sharp rise in their wealth continuing to be major drivers, Hui said.
BEIJING - China's foreign exchange regulator said Monday that it had recently uncovered a number of illegal forex trade cases, and vowed to step up market regulation this year.

Authorities discovered an underground bank conducting illegal forex transfers worth nearly 50 billion yuan ($7.3 billion), according to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE).

In other cases, companies were found to be evading forex controls by using fake receipts or fabricating trade deals.

Many individuals were suspected of money laundering and transferring assets illegally, moving large amounts of money in small sums to avoid scrutiny, according to the SAFE.

It pledged to get tough on illegal forex trade to maintain the balance of international payments, while promising to make policies more transparent and advance the opening up of financial market.

Weighed on by a weak Chinese yuan against the US dollar, regulators have moved to crack down on illegal cross-border capital flow in the past few months, while reiterating that normal business will not be affected and foreign investment is welcome.

Pan Gongsheng, head of the SAFE, said China's forex market was now relatively stable and that cross-border fund flow was trending towards equilibrium.

"SAFE will provide more convenience for cross-border trade and investment to serve the development of the real economy," he said.
Night view of the Canton Tower and the central business district of Zhujiang New Town in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province, Dec 7, 2016. [Photo/VCG]

Guangzhou - STV Sakai (Guangzhou) International Science and Technology, a subsidiary of the world's largest electronics contractor Foxconn Technology Group, has formally completed registration in China's southern Guangdong Province, according to local customs.

STV Sakai, with a registered capital of 21 billion yuan ($3 billion), plans to invest 50 billion yuan to produce the 10.5 generation panel, substrate glass and related product lines.

It is the biggest foreign investment project in four decades in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong.

In 2016, 1,757 foreign-invested companies in Guangzhou were established, year-on-year growth of 23 percent. The actually used foreign investment amounted to 5.7 billion dollars, year-on-year growth of 5.3 percent.

"Compared with five years ago, the total volume of the actual use of foreign investment in Guangzhou in 2016 increased by one-third, showing a steadily progressing trend," said Chen Jie, director of Guangzhou Municipal Commission of Commerce.

By the end of 2016, 288 of Fortune Global 500 companies had operations in Guangzhou, including Cisco Systems (China), which invested 20 billion yuan in the Cisco (Guangzhou) Smart City project, aiming to build the largest platform of Internet R&D and intelligent operations, outside the United States.

"The project offers a great opportunity to present an innovative example to the world," said Chuck Robbins, Cisco Global CEO.

Guangzhou has been an important foreign trade port in China for over 2,000 years and is known as the "Millennium Business Capital." It is attracting more global investors due to its improving investment environment.

It has developed a complete industrial chain with 10 key sectors: automobile manufacturing, fine chemicals, trade exhibition, financial insurance, modern logistics, information technology, biological medicine, new materials, new energy and environmental protection.

The city has strong support in innovation and entrepreneurship. It boasts two-thirds of the province's universities, 97 percent of national key disciplines and every type of key state lab. It has 2.88 million people with a college degree or above 1.41 million technical and managerial employees.

The Guangdong free trade zone was set up to boost foreign investment in 2015. The trade zone has implemented a series of innovation measures such as in cross-border renminbi business, financial exchange, shipping logistics, trade, and government services.

Guangzhou has also devoted itself to a new round of reform. Many effective measures such as industrial and commercial registration, tax relief and customs clearance have been implemented.

"Guangzhou will seize opportunities to build itself into a network city and establish a high-level open economic system," Chen said. "With the improvement of industry vitality, infrastructure, business cost, talent and innovation, the city will attract more global capital, technology, talent and information, and make itself more internationally competitive."
Workers assemble engines at a factory in Weifang, Shandong province. [Photo/China Daily]

BEIJING - With China's economic growth slowing for a sixth year in 2016 to a 26-year low, the world is watching as the government prepares to announce this year's growth target at the annual parliamentary session.

China adopted a target range for GDP growth for the first time in more than two decades in 2016, and its 6.7-percent growth fell within that range of 6.5-7 percent.

Although the pace still beat most major economies, the country's year-on-year growth has slowed for six years in a row, falling from a growth rate of more than 10 percent in 2010.

As the current government enters the final year of its five-year term, all eyes are on this year's growth target, which will be released in early March at the annual sessions of China's top legislature and top political advisory body, known as the national "two sessions."

Target in the spotlight

Given increasing uncertainties at home and abroad, whether China changes its growth target matters. The decision will be especially important as a new central committee will be elected at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in the second half of this year.

Central bank advisor Huang Yiping told Xinhua that the government should set a more flexible target for economic growth in 2017 to make more room for reforms, proposing a target range of 6-7 percent.

"We expect China to set its GDP growth target at about 6.5 percent for 2017, and it could grow 6.6 percent this year," said Ding Shuang, chief Greater China economist with Standard Chartered.

The Asian Development Bank, however, forecast in December that China's growth would be 6.4 percent in 2017, while the World Bank was more optimistic, keeping its earlier prediction at 6.5 percent in January, in line with the forecast made by government think tank Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Either way, China's growth would remain within a reasonable range and is unlikely to become a "black swan" event of the world economy in 2017.

"Seeking progress while maintaining stability" will be the main theme for China, according to a statement issued after the Central Economic Work Conference, during which Chinese leaders and senior officials gathered to map out priorities for 2017.

Lower speed, higher quality

While seeking stability, China is aiming for better quality in its economic growth and is sparing no effort to strike a balance between a medium-high growth and economic restructuring.

The economy is shifting toward a growth model driven more by new engines such as consumer spending, innovation and services as policymakers wean the economy off reliance on exports and investment.

Over the past few years, Chinese economy has benefited from reform and innovation, including supply-side structural reform, the Belt and Road Initiative as well as regional integrated development plans.

To shore up growth, more reforms are in the pipeline. According to the Central Economic Work Conference, policymakers agreed to expand reform to more areas, including overhauling the supply side of agriculture, reviving the real economy and stabilizing the property sector.

Engines for medium-high growth

Thanks to constant reforms and upgraded development practices under the central leadership, China's economic health has improved over the past four years, despite the slowdown.

When the current government took office in 2013, it began its term with the transformation of government functions, streamlining administrative approvals and delegating power to lower levels.

The reform not only led to burgeoning growth in the number of new companies, but also unleashed the creativity of entrepreneurs and made the economy more vibrant.

Later, the "new normal" became a catch phrase in China as the central leadership determined the economy had entered a stage of medium-high growth, requiring constant upgrading of the economic structure and seeking innovation.

Local governments have been urged to take the initiative in adapting to the "new normal" to keep economic growth at a reasonable range and raise growth quality and efficiency.

Realizing China's over-reliance on the demand side, including investment, consumption and exports, the central leadership started to underscore supply-side structural reform in 2015.

Supply-side structural reform, including lowering corporate costs and tackling excess capacity, has played an increasingly important role in the transition from dependence on traditional engines to new sources of growth.

Evolution of China's economic governance will continue to steer the economy on a higher-quality and more sustainable path and help achieve its development goals, including creating a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way by 2020, analysts say.
DUBAI - Dubai is the ideal distribution channel to reach out to buyers across the Middle East and Africa, said some Chinese food and beverages firms here on Monday.

The firms praised the sheikhdom's geographical location and its connectivity through ports and airports, as they attend the ongoing Gulfood 2018 fair and exhibition.

"The Middle East is the biggest market outside China," said Linda Zhou, sales manager at Tianyuan Canned Food. She had been exhibiting at the Middle East's biggest annual food and beverage fair for many years.

"Dubai is the gateway to the entire region. We export our canned beans, tomato pasta and sweet corn not only to the Gulfood host country but also to Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Iraq," she said.

Earlier on Saturday, the world's biggest provider of trade-related credit insurance solutions Euler Hermes said in a media release that Saudi Arabia has a 59 percent market share in the Middle Eastern food and beverage market, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to which the emirate of Dubai belongs, has a 21 percent share.

Mike Qian, director at Jiangsu Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Group from Nanjing, China's Jiangsu province, said that it is worth coming back to the Gulfood, which attracted 5,000 exhibitors from 120 countries.

"There is a constant flow of new businessmen, traders and buyers for food to the annual event, so we can always expand our client base and present new food products at our booth," he said.

Dubai international airport defended in 2016 its position as the world's biggest civil aviation hub in relation to international travelers, welcoming 83.6 million passengers. Jafza has 7,000 registered firms, while the Dubai's biggest free zone DMCC has more than 12,000 from across the globe.

Jules Kappeler, CEO of Euler Hermes Middle East in Dubai, said the UAE imports more than 80 percent of its food needs, while demand for food and beverage is also on the rise.

In the first half of 2016, China remained Dubai's primary trading partner with a bilateral exchange worth 21.52 billion U.S. dollars, according to the Dubai Customs.

Figures show that China has been Dubai's biggest trade partner since 2014.
Logo of JD Finance is seen at a promotion event in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, Aug 13, 2016. [Photo/VCG]

Chinese business-to-consumer e-commerce platform JD.com is seeking a new round of financing for its subsidiary, JD Finance, according to a report.

Chinese online media outlet Yicai reported Sunday that JD Finance was raising an unknown sum of funds, which would value the fintech company at 50 billion yuan and would pave its way to the country's A-share market.

A JD Finance PR manager told chinadaily.com.cn that the company will, for the time being, not respond to such information as the company could not confirm its source, but will surely disclose when there is accurate information.

JD Finance, which was established in September 2012 and has been operating separately since October 2013, completed 6.65 billion yuan Series A funding in January 2016, at a valuation of 46.65 billion. Funding was led by Sequoia Capital China, Harvest Capital Management, and China Taiping Insurance Holdings.

JD.com disclosed on Nov 15, 2016, that the company will start an overhaul of JD Finance to turn it into a company funded by Chinese capital to facilitate its business at home. After the overhaul, JD.com will gain 40 percent of pre-tax profits or 40 percent of equities on condition that this is in line with regulations.

Earlier reports said that JD.com's chairman Liu Qiangdong would buy back shares to have decisive voting rights on JD Finance, but the employee did not confirm this.

Liu said in January 2016 that JD.com will establish at least two listed companies over three to five years.
People walk at the headquarters of Alibaba in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, April 23, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

Firm identifies over 4,000 cases of counterfeit products on its platform

E-commerce titan Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd has called for tougher laws, stiffer enforcement, and harsher penalties to crack down on fake products, in the latest attempt to shed its reputation as a haven for selling knockoffs.

While identifying 4,495 leads related to counterfeiting last year through its local taskforce, the company said a low conviction rate was hampering the imposition of tougher criminal sanctions against such illegal activity.

"Alibaba is the victim of counterfeiting," said Jessie Zheng, Alibaba's chief platform governance officer.

"The only way out of this is to impose tougher criminal sanctions on every individual involved in the chain of operation."

The appeal is part of an escalating war Alibaba has been waging to combat counterfeits, fending off accusations, including being listed as a "notorious market" by US regulators in December.

Each of the 4,495 leads identified by Alibaba involves a value of goods exceeding the statutory minimum for criminal investigation of 50,000 yuan ($7,280). Yet only 1,185 cases were followed up by law-enforcement departments, 33 of which led to final convictions.

That translated into a conviction rate of just 0.7 percent, a figure the company believed was insufficient to deter counterfeiters.

"Criminals can escape any legal consequences, leaving law enforcement agents and consumers feeling helpless," she said.

Zheng reiterated the company's commitment to its ongoing anti-fake battle, but said the ability to remove merchants and products from its platforms will be much less productive without the support of more legally enforceable sanctions and punitive measures.

Alibaba has long faced criticism for the sales of fake products by independent vendors on its Taobao site, an online marketplace targeting customer-to-customer trades.

The internet giant has been using proactive big data-screening, image-recognition and manpower to detect suspicious deals. It also works with local authorities to track down sources of counterfeits, and has filed the first legal case against fake-goods sellers earlier this year.

But law-enforcement agents sometimes find it hard to classify incidents and build legal cases, because current laws only assess the impact of counterfeits by the amount of losses incurred, which is very difficult to quantify, said Zhang Jianwei, a professor of law at Tsinghua University.

To root out counterfeiting, it is important to take a holistic approach on information sharing and law enforcement across various government departments, from business and commerce to quality control, said Yang Ming, a professor of law of Peking University.
Two girls get ready to ride Ofo bicycles in Tianjin. [Photo/China Daily]

Sharing economy may benefit from lower operating costs, optimal use of resources

China plans to impose appropriate taxes to regulate the sharing economy sector, the country's top economic planner said in a draft proposal on Tuesday.

The draft guideline, published by the National Development and Reform Commission on its official website, called for accelerated research on new tax regulations for the rapidly growing sharing economy sector.

"More effort is needed to encourage enterprises that deal in the sharing economy to dock with local tax authorities, and speed up the integration of online and offline (tax) management policies," the draft said.

According to the document, which is open for public scrutiny, local governments will also buy more sharing economy products and services, such as ride-sharing, to reduce operating costs and maximize the use of resources.

The guideline is part of China's broad efforts to boost and regulate the country's sharing economy sector, which has seen an explosive growth in recent years.

In 2016, the transaction volume of China's sharing economy reached 3.45 trillion yuan ($503 billion), marking a 103 percent year-on-year growth, a report said on Tuesday.

The report, released by the Sharing Economy Research Center of the State Information Center, shows China's sharing economy has played a significant role in generating innovation-driven economic growth, and creating new employment opportunities

In 2016, 600 million people were involved in China's sharing economy, up by 100 million from the same period in 2015. Employees working on the sharing economy platforms numbered 5.85 million, surging by 850,000 year-on-year. Among them, the number of service providers increased by 10 million to 60 million.

Yu Fengxia, director of the Information Institute of the State Information Center, said: "China has been swept by the idea of a sharing economy. A growing number of people realize the new business model and are willing to be part of it."

Also, thanks to strong policy support, the enterprises that thrive on the sharing economy model are maturing, and investors are upbeat about the sector, making it one of the most popular destinations for investments, she added.

The report predicts that in the next few years, the annual growth rate for China's sharing economy will remain at roughly 40 percent, accounting for more than 10 percent of the nation's GDP by 2020.

Chen Chi, CEO of the home-rental site Xiaozhu.com, said that the era of apartment-sharing had come.

He said: "The government has carried out favorable policies, and the market is evolving rapidly. We will grasp this opportunity, create more user-friendly experiences, and provide better services for consumers."

Founded in 2012, Beijing-based Xiaozhu.com is similar to the US-based Airbnb: It enables users to book spare rooms or apartments of others through a peer-to-peer model.

Zheng Yiran contributed to the story.
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has surpassed its western peers to claim the title of the most valuable banking brand, according to British firm Brand Finance.

Already the world's biggest bank in terms of assets, ICBC is the first non-western bank to take the top spot in the brand category, after its brand value grew 32 percent year-on-year to $47.8 billion.

Altogether, the aggregate brand value of all Chinese banks in the Brand Finance Banking 500 reached as much as $258 billion, accounting for 24 percent of the total. United States banks accounted for 23 percent.

China Construction Bank (CCB) and Bank of China saw their brand value grow 17 percent and 13 percent respectively. The surge saw CCB come close to overtaking Well Fargo in second place.

The rising brand awareness comes after Chinese firms have accelerated outbound mergers and acquisitions over the past two years, with notable deals including ChemChina's acquisition of Syngenta and Haier Group's takeover of GE's home appliance division, Brand Finance noted in its report.

"Chinese banks are carried in the slipstream of its industrial giants as they grow and expand into international markets," Brand Finance chief executive David Haigh said.

According to the report, the ranking measures brand strength on a scale of 0 to 100 based on factors including financial performance, sustainability and emotional connection.

A recent study shows there is a "compelling link" between strong brands and stock market performance, Haigh said.

"Acknowledging and managing a company's intangible assets taps into the hidden value that lies within it."

Let's take a look at the world's top 10 most valuable banking brands.

10. Santander

Based: Spain

Brand value: $15.9 billion
Gionee President Lu Weibing delivers the keynote speech at the brand's new product launch event at the Mobile World Congress 2017, Barcelona, Spain, Feb 27, 2017. [Liu Zheng/chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese smartphone vendors are keen on pushing a "go-abroad" strategy as the domestic market matures.

Despite the brands that have ranked in the top spots by overseas shipments, such as Huawei, Vivo and Oppo, other Chinese manufactures, like Gionee and TCL, who also frequent the Mobile World Congress (MWC), are seeking new ways to lure foreign buyers.

Shenzhen-based Gionee announced a new lineup of A series smartphones focused on the selfie function.

"We've built a strong network in India as we presented about 400 brick and mortar stores locally and the revenue raised 2.3 percent compared to last year," Lu Weibing, president of Gionee, told chinadaily.com.cn.

Lu said the first two products of the A series, A1 and A1 Plus, will hit the Indian market in March.

Since 2011, the brand has been moving rapidly to expand its presence in the overseas market, including India, Nigeria, Vietnam, Myanmar and Southeast Asia.

According to Lu, Gionee is selling in North and West Africa, Middle East countries, and Central Asia countries such as Afghanistan.

Lu said the company is in discussions with European local carriers, aiming to throw its hat into the new market.

A report from US telecom research company Strategy Analytics said that Gionee was among the top smartphone brands in China and is ranked in the top 10 worldwide, with 30 million handsets sold last year.

According to industry consultant International Data Corporation, as of the first half of last year, China exported about 630 million handset units, and more than 100 million were shipped with Chinese-branded names.

Alain Lejeune, TCL's senior vice president showcases Blackberry KEYone on Feb 27, 2017, Barcelona, Spain. [Liu Zheng/chinadaily.com.cn]

TCL Communications, which is Blackberry's exclusive manufacturing partner, sets another example of Chinese smartphone vendors who are exploring new ways to strengthen overseas market share.

Alain Lejeune, TCL's SVP and head of the Blackberry business division, told chinadaily.com.cn the newly-launched Blackberry KEYone is designed by TCL's Ningbo R&D center and the security system, which is always highlighted as a selling point for the brand, is operated by Blackberry's Canadian team.

Lejeune said the uniquely designed physical QWERTY keyboard will meet the demand of 25 percent of potential smartphone consumers.

Statistics from the consulting company, IH Technology, show that with 34 million units shipped around the globe, TCL ranked seventh on the top 10 list of China's smartphone vendors by shipment volume.
LINCOLN  Armed with two dozen proposed amendments, Sen. Ernie Chambers on Monday ensnared a bill to authorize "Choose Life" motor vehicle license plates in a time-consuming filibuster.

With signs of overwhelming support for the measure (LB46) sponsored by Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse, the bill appeared headed toward eventual passage.

Debate consumed more than three hours on Monday, roughly half the time permitted at the first stage of floor consideration before a cloture motion can free a bill for advancement through the legislative process.

Watermeier won 38-0 approval of an amendment that specifically directs revenue from the license plates to assist needy families.

Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln attempted to amend the words on the specialized license plates to "Stop Child Abuse" in an effort to disconnect the message from the anti-abortion movement.

"We should not be putting political messages on state license plates," he said.

When Morfeld asked Watermeier about the option of allowing Nebraskans to select either "choose life" or "pro-choice" messages, Watermeier said he would regard that as a hostile amendment.

Morfeld's proposal was defeated on a 5-31 vote.

The two Chambers' alternatives voted upon on Monday -- "Knowledge is Power" and "Rape is No Laughing Matter" -- received only six supportive votes.

The Omaha senator said he would prefer "eliminating all message plates" now authorized by Nebraska.

Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha raised concerns about the Watermeier proposal.

"There are no controversial plates now," he said. "Where do we draw the line?"

Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln asked if "state-sanctioned speech" is just going to be whatever is determined by a majority of state senators.

Other pending Chambers amendments include "This Too Will Pass" and "It Could Be Worse."

New filibuster limits imposed by Speaker Jim Scheer of Norfolk include three hours of debate at the second round of floor consideration and an hour and a half at the final stage.
The chip wholly developed by Xiaomi's subsidiary Pine Cone Electronics is displayed in Beijing, on Feb 28, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese tech firm Xiaomi launched a chip wholly developed by its subsidiary Pine Cone Electronics, and a version of its flagship device, the Mi 5c, which is powered by this chip, the Pengpai S1, in Beijing on Tuesday.

Lei Jun, founder of Xiaomi, said the chip, developed under the goal of keeping a balance between performance and energy consumption, took over 28 months. This was much shorter than other chips, as the company, as a smartphone vendor, could develop the chip while also developing end products, he added.

Generally it takes $1 billion and over 10 years to develop a chip, as the fingernail-size part, which integrates more than 1 billion components, is very complicated.

But the company decided to develop its own chip and saw it as a necessity for a smartphone vendor, with the ambition to be the champion in the sector, to own key parts such as the chip.

He disclosed that the company started R&D on key technologies on the chip, the screen, the camera, the battery, the connector and artificial intelligence in recent years.

During the process, the 7-year-old company was granted 3,612 patents, among which 1,767 pieces were granted overseas. Lei added that the company has applied for more than 16,000 patents. It generally takes two to three years for a patent to be granted.

"We named Pine Cone's first chip Peipai S1, to show our full excitement when we saw it could make a phone call on Sept 24, 2015, and light the screen on Sept 26, 2015."

Xiaomi became the fourth company in the world to manufacture the whole smartphone plus the chip after Apple, Samsung and Huawei.

Lei said technological innovation will help Xiaomi remain the "coolest company" to its Mi fans.

However, Jin Di, research manager at IDC China, said the newly released chip is a big milestone for Xiaomi itself and can showcase its strong R&D capacity, but it is hard for the chip Pengpai S1 to be labeled as a technological breakthrough, as the chip industry worldwide is rather mature.

Jin said that because huge amounts of money might have been needed in R&D in the early stages, the chip might not affect Xiaomi's profitability in the short term, but it is unpredictable in the long run.

But Xiaomi's capacity in chip-making will surely facilitate its advancement in the smart home sector, she added.

Lei said that his company is not launching a chip that only exists in planning but is one that has entered mass production.

The Mi 5c will be available as of March 3, at a price tag of 1,499 yuan.
Students enter a hall to sit SAT examinations in Hong Kong.[Bobby Yip/Reuters]

A cut in the number of times students will be able to take the Scholastic Assessment Testwhich is used for entry to United States collegesthroughout the year will force many Chinese students to revise their strategies for studying abroad, according to people involved in testing services.

The College Board, based in New York City, announced it will reduce how many SATs are held outside the US from six to fourin March, May, October and Decemberfor the 2017-18 and 2018-19 academic years. Two tests, scheduled for June and November, will be canceled, it said.

The board said that it will also step up security audits of testing centers.

Qi Lianshan, who has worked for several SAT prep services over the past decade and is now a self-employed SAT tutor in Beijing, said the decision could affect those who had planned to take the test in June the most.

June is an ideal time for students to take the SAT because they usually start submitting applications for undergraduate programs in the second half of the year. In May, they are still busy taking Advanced Placement tests, also administered by the College Board.

"Now the students may have to take both AP tests and the SAT in May, which means a lot more pressure and less possibility of achieving a high score," he said, adding that students who plan to take the SAT next year should modify their preparations to secure a good result.

Si Mingxia, director of the US division at Vision Overseas, an agency under New Oriental Education and Technology Group that helps Chinese study overseas, said the move by the College Board could be a step to thwart rampant cheating and unfair competition.

Its chief administrative officer and general counsel, Peter Schwartz, said in a statement last week, "We are unwavering in our commitment to SAT test security and we will continue to confront any efforts to undermine it."

In 2015, prosecutors in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia charged 15 Chinese citizens over a conspiracy to have impostors take the SAT and other college entrance exams for other students for payment of up to $6,000. Most of the defendants pleaded guilty and were deported.
China is mulling financial incentives to encourage couples to have a second child, as surveys show many are reluctant to expand their families due to economic constraints.[Wang Biao/For China Daily]

China is mulling financial incentives to encourage couples to have a second child, as surveys show many are reluctant to expand their families due to economic constraints.

Wang Pei'an, vice-minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, revealed the potential move at a social welfare conference on Saturday.

Top decision-makers last year relaxed the more than four-decade-old family planning policy to allow, if not encourage, all Chinese couples to have a second child.

Nationwide, the change led to 17.8 million births in 2016, an increase of more than 1.3 million compared with the previous year and the biggest annual increase in 20 years.

"That fully met the expectations, but barriers still exist and must be addressed," Wang told the conference. "To have a second child is the right of each family in China, but affordability has become a bottleneck that undermines the decision."

A survey by the commission in 2015 found that 60 percent of families polled expressed reluctance to have a second baby largely due to economic constraints.

To address that, Wang said, the government is considering introducing supporting measures including "birth rewards and subsidies" to encourage people to have another child.

It is the first time that the top population authority has suggested such a move to boost the birthrate, according to Yuan Xin, a professor at Nankai University in Tianjin.

The Hunan provincial statistics authority also suggested in a recent report that the local government give subsidies to couples having a second baby to help reverse falling fertility rates.

"It's not easy, and a 'baby bonus' plan should be applied evenly nationwide as all government policies should be transparent and fair for all," he said, adding that the population authority alone cannot handle such a plan as it requires consensus and cooperation among all authorities.

In some low-fertility countries like Japan, baby incentives such as cash subsidies, prolonged maternity leave, tax breaks, and child and healthcare benefits have been introduced by the government to boost the population.

China, however, is a different case, according to Yuan, who explained that the nation still faces challenges from a huge population base and limited natural and public resources to sustain population development.

"It's not the right time to introduce any financial incentive plans," he said.

Also, "the second-child policy is a choice by the top decision-makers facing a dilemma of the existing challenges and structural population problems like rapid aging and a shrinking workforce", he said.

After all, having one or two children should be a decision made by the families themselves, Yuan said.

A mother of a 3-year-old girl in Beijing said: "I don't expect cash from the government for a second child. Sound social public policies to help working parents raise the children are needed more."

The woman, surnamed Bai, referred to prolonged maternity leave, equal working opportunities for mothers, easy access to quality education resources for children and a well-functioning social welfare system.
A technician tests a computer at the media center in Beijing on Monday ahead of the two sessions, which will begin this week.Feng Yongbin / China Daily

The media center for the annual two sessions of China's top legislative and political advisory bodies was opened to journalists and began operations on Monday.

More than 3,000 journalists have registered to cover the sessions. The session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference will begin on Friday in Beijing, while that of the National People's Congress will open on Sunday. The two sessions will end in mid-March, according to a statement by the center.

The number of registrations is basically the same as that of the past few years, but the number of foreign journalists has risen rapidly, an official of the center said.

In an important year for implementing the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), a number of economic topics have been vigorously discussed in public, such as the exchange rate of the RMB and housing prices.

The media center will hold several news conferences during the two sessions on the country's economy, and officials and professionals from ministries and other authorities will answer reporters' questions, the statement said.

"We are negotiating with the authorities, requiring them to analyze the Government Work Report and policies," said the center official, who did not give his name. He added that the officials and those from governmental departments who were invited have shown their willingness to come.

The news conference agenda will be provided to journalists via the NPC's website and its WeChat account in a timely manner, while NPC deputies' motions will be provided online for reporters.

On Monday afternoon, when a China Daily reporter went to the center in Beijing's Media Center Hotel in Haidian district, staff members were ready to provide services, such as helping journalists search for materials and find documents.

All places in the center are covered with free Wi-Fi, aiming to provide network convenience for journalists to send reports and search for materials.

Meanwhile, journalists can surf the internet free on more than 10 public computers on the center's first floor, and they can take shuttle buses to other conference venues.

In addition, brochures, agendas and materials relating to the two sessions have been provided in multiple languages.

Journalists can also conduct interviews in the center's lobby.
Moves to enhance cooperation will include Belt and Road work

China and Singapore agreed on Monday to focus their bilateral relationship on pragmatic cooperation and to explore potential in infrastructure, information technology and finance under the Belt and Road Initiative.

The consensus was reached when Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli and his Singaporean counterpart, Teo Chee Hean, co-chaired a series of meetings in Beijing on Monday, including the 13th meeting of the China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation.

Zhang said China highly values the China-Singapore relationship and is willing to work with Singapore to implement the consensuses that were reached and promote greater development of the ties.

Late on Monday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Singaporean counterpart, Vivian Balakrishnan, in Beijing.

Teo said Singapore is willing to participate in implementing the Belt and Road Initiative, deepen bilateral cooperation in such areas as interconnectivity and finance, and provide training for a third country.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the two officials also made plans for development of three intergovernmental cooperation projects in Suzhou, Tianjin and Chongqing.

In an interview with Xinhua News Agency before Teo began his visit to China on Sunday, he said Singapore has been China's friend as well as a supporter of China's peaceful development. He also said Singapore has always adhered to the one-China policy.

Additionally, Teo said Singapore welcomed Chinese companies to bid for the construction of the high-speed railway linking Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Li Guoqiang, deputy director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Chinese Borderland Studies, said China and Singapore have maintained a relatively good relationship, although the ties experienced some setbacks due to Singapore's previous behavior and remarks on the South China Sea issue.

"Frictions are unavoidable for any two-way relationship, and cooperation is an important method to solve them," he said.

Xu Liping, a researcher of Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the two countries' development strategies are complementary and they are now adjusting their relationship to focus on cooperation.

"Steady cooperation in the future will depend on whether both sides respect the core interests of the other side," he said.

Jia Duqiang, another senior researcher of Southeast Asia studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the high-speed railway could be a good point of cooperation between the two countries.
Bike-sharing apps are an effective solution to the "last mile" problem for commuters, but service operators and users need to address issues related to the transport method, Minister of Transport Li Xiaopeng said in Beijing on Monday.

Speaking at his first news conference since his appointment as minister in September, Li praised the online-to-offline bike rental model pioneered in China by Ofo, Mobike and Bluegogo.

"It's an effective way of solving the 'last mile' problem, which is why bike-sharing services have been so widely implemented," he said, referring to a term used to describe the final leg of a person's journey.

According to data compiled by iResearch Consulting Group, the first week of this year saw 5.85 million active users of Mobike services, making it the market leader, while Ofo had 1.4 million active users.

"The development of the bike-sharing industry has been largely positive, but problems do remain," Li said.

He urged governments to support and supervise the market, adding that service providers should improve services based on local regulations. Users should also ensure they obey traffic safety laws, he added.

Since the middle of last year, the bike-sharing market has boomed. Bikes are docked along sidewalks and can be accessed through smartphone apps.

However, the model has also led to problems such as illegal parking, vandalism and theft.

Recently, two nurses in Beijing were placed under administrative detention for five days for putting locks on two shared bikes, while the parking of bikes often violates traffic safety laws.

"Bike-sharing is a greener method of transportation and provides a user-friendly experience," Liu Xiaoming, vice-minister of transport, said on Monday. "But it is a combination of online and offline business. Operators are usually strong in online services, but lack offline business experience, which causes problems."
Police seized more than 900 billion yuan ($131 billion) in cases involving underground banks last year, the Ministry of Public Security said on Sunday.

The 380 major cases involved more than 800 suspects.

The campaign against underground banks is aimed at maintaining financial order and security, and is helping the country's anti-corruption drive recover the assets of fugitive officials, the ministry said.

Last year, the ministry worked with the central bank and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange to crack down on the transfer of illicit money via offshore companies and underground banks.

Officials with the ministry said that it will continue action against illegal private banks in cooperation with the central bank and the foreign exchange regulator.

"For a long time, underground banks have become a fast channel to transfer money, for they are anonymous and hidden. Many criminals have taken advantage of the channel to transfer their illegal gains overseas," said Zhang Niannian, an official at the central bank.

Underground banks have also offered a quick way for corrupt officials to transfer their assets, Zhang added.

The central bank will track and analyze new methods of crime, especially in special nonfinancial institutions and sectors, and improve measures against money laundering, Zhang said.

Shu Jianping, head of the anti-money laundering office at the Ministry of Public Security, said that cases related to underground banks cover several industries including foreign trade and real estate.

The harm caused by underground banks is becoming a more pressing issue, Shu said, adding that local public security organs are urged to continue the campaign.
Thousands were declared innocent in the past 4 years

Chinese courts have corrected 34 major miscarriages of justice in the past four years in order to build the public's confidence in the justice system, according to the Supreme People's Court.

Moreover, the courts have declared 3,718 defendants innocent from 2013 to 2016 to protect their human rights and other legitimate rights, the top court said in a white paper on judicial reform released on Monday.

Last year alone, 11 such cases involving 17 people were redressed by the courts.

"Correcting false charges has rebuilt the judicial protection of human rights, maintaining a fair and just image to boost people's confidence in the justice system," the court said in the white paper.

In recent years, miscarriages of justice due to the use of torture to force suspects to make confessions have aroused heated debate about the justice system.

The top court has worked with other authorities to reform the criminal justice system and determine a fundamental role for trials, as well as avoiding the use of torture and other illegal means to obtain evidence.

The guideline stipulated that defendants in cases where there is a lack of evidence should be found innocent.

In December, Nie Shubin, a villager in Hebei province who was executed in 1995, was exonerated by the top court due to a lack of evidence for his conviction of murder and rape.

In February 2016, Chen Man, a farmer in Hainan province who was wrongfully imprisoned for 23 years for homicide and arson, was declared innocent by the top court due to a lack of evidence.

Last year, the top court launched pilot projects in 18 cities to offer lenient punishment to defendants who confess to prevent long detentions over minor crimes.

According to the SPC, they will intensify efforts to exclude illegal evidence and prevent wrongful trials to protect defendants' human rights.

"It's necessary to have timely and proper judicial reform, which will focus on collecting high-quality and persuasive evidence to ensure justice," said Li Wei, a lawyer from the Beijing Lawyers Association.
A Nonggang babbler, or Stachyris nonggangensis.

NANNING - A nature reserve along the China-Vietnam border, where a new bird species was spotted about a decade ago, has attracted a growing number of bird-watchers and conservationists.

Longzhou county in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region hosted its first international bird-watching festival last week. More than 80 bird-watching enthusiasts from Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Tianjin and Guangzhou, as well as Germany and Malaysia, participated in the festival.

In 2008, Chinese ornithologists Zhou Fang and Jiang Aiwu announced the discovery of a new bird species - the Nonggang babbler, or Stachyris nonggangensis, which was named after the region where it was discovered.

The fist-sized babbler is dark brown with white specks on its chest. There are about 1,300 Nonggang babblers at the reserve, Zhou said.

The Nonggang Nature Reserve stretches about 34 kilometers from west to east, with dense forests, karst caves and a plethora of bird species.

The growing popularity of bird-watching has benefited the area and helped local people realize the value of local birds, Zhou said.

Few people hunt the birds now and farmers have built ponds to store water for them, he said.

Lu Yun, a middle-aged member of a bird-watching club, traveled from Tianjin, a northern port city, down to Guangxi for the festival.

"With my camera, I have captured many birds that we never see in the north," Lu said.

With the help of a guide, he spotted several Nonggang babblers. "I was lucky to see the bird for myself," he said.

There are five villages near the reserve. Many villagers have profited from the growing popularity of bird-watching. Huang Zhiqiang, 33, was a sugar cane farmer before he became a guide for bird-watchers.

"The Nonggang babbler is the star bird, but tourists have a hard time spotting one unless they hire a local guide," Huang said.

"I know how to mimic the chirping sound of the bird and where they typically gather. They are easily frightened, so we have to be careful not to disturb them," he said.

"Villagers have realized that the birds are closely connected to their livelihood, and if they can protect them, tourism can blossom," said Liu Shengyuan, who works at the reserve, adding that there are about 20 spots to watch birds in and around the reserve.

Zhong Lei, head of the Longzhou county government, said: "With a growing number of people adopting bird-watching as a hobby, we think there is a good chance that the tourism industry will grow, but the most important thing is to protect the birds."
Environment minister blames lax government efforts for situation

Environmental inspectors conducting strict reviews on air pollution in northern cities have exposed serious violations relating to control measures, including insufficient efforts of city governments, with Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei province, being criticized for its deterioration of air quality in January.

On Saturday alone, over 140 new violations were exposed by the more than 260 inspectors sent by the ministry, which launched monthlong inspections on Feb 15 covering the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the neighboring provinces of Henan, Shanxi and Shandong.

The ongoing inspections, headed by Minister of Environmental Protection Chen Jining and four vice-ministers, are reviewing the measures taken to reduce air pollution as well as companies' efforts in air pollution control, and have exposed violations such as the poor implementation of emergency plans against air pollution and excessive discharging of pollutants.

On Saturday, an inspection team led by Zhang Jiliang, deputy head of the environmental bureau in Huaiyin district in Jinan city, Shandong province, found a community in Yuxinzhuang village of Beijing's Changping district to be illegally using coal-fired boilers, violating the municipal government's regulations.

The team reported the case to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the district government, which said it would investigate the issue and try to find ways to replace the coal-fired boilers.

"Governments are the major targets in these inspections. We are reviewing departments' implementation of emergency plans against air pollution and their performance in reducing air pollution," said Zhang, adding that they have also inspected polluting companies.

Chen inspected Shijiazhuang on Friday, urging the city to implement stricter measures to cut air pollution.

Shijiazhuang has seen a sharp deterioration in air quality since October, with the average annual concentration level of PM2.5 - hazardous particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less - growing by 11.2 percent in last year compared with 2015, the ministry said.

In addition, PM2.5 concentration levels in January surged by 51.5 percent year-on-year.

Chen attributed the worsening situation largely to lax environmental efforts of governments, especially those at the county and township levels, inefficient management, a cluster of highly polluting enterprises and poor implementation of response measures to tackle severe pollution.

"The excessive discharging of pollutants from small and scattered plants is a primary source of pollution," Chen said. "Controlling emissions of such pollution companies should be a priority."

He also urged greater efforts in strengthening supervision of key enterprises, pressing ahead with industrial upgrading and improving efficiency of environmental protection.
LINCOLN -- Trade is an increasingly vital piece of Nebraska's economic structure, nourishing the state with jobs, economic activity, export opportunities and global customers.

Nebraska benefits from an estimated $10 billion in annual exports, Gov. Pete Ricketts noted, including an estimated $6.6 billion that can be tied to agriculture.

Foreign companies have invested more than $4.4 billion in Nebraska since 2010.

Engagement with foreign markets is increasingly important to Lincoln, Chamber of Commerce President Wendy Birdsall said.

"You've got to be present to win," she said, looking back to her participation in a recent 10-day trade mission to China led by the governor.

"You've got to see and be seen and make a friend," Birdsall said.

"If we're not doing business in a global economy and planning to do more of it, we might as well pack our bags and go home."

At home, foreign-owned businesses are generating economic activity and creating jobs.

Kawaski in Lincoln is a prime example of a company that markets its product nationwide while providing jobs here.

Ricketts said he hopes to help encourage Kawasaki to expand its operations in Lincoln.

Birdsall pointed to Kawasaki, Tri-Con, Bosch, Morio Denke and Yasufuku as foreign companies that already do business here.

"Lincoln wouldn't be where it is today without those jobs and that foreign investment," she said.

"There are lots of opportunities to expand trade and sell our products overseas," Ricketts said. And both China and Japan are huge markets for Nebraska goods.

President Donald Trump's new trade policy -- some critics describe it as protectionist and less tied to a global economy -- presents some challenges for Nebraska.

Trump has disengaged from the Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement and is vowing to renegotiate the terms of NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Beef and pork, vital segments of Nebraska's economy, appeared to be the U.S. commodities most favored by the terms of TPP, a negotiated agreement that included Japan, Vietnam, Canada, Mexico, Australia and Malaysia, along with other nations across the Pacific Rim.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau estimated that TPP would increase Nebraska agricultural receipts by $378 million a year.

NAFTA includes the United States, Mexico and Canada.

"The Trump administration has a different strategy, favoring bilateral trade negotiations" rather than regional compacts, Ricketts said.

"It's up to the Trump administration to negotiate deals that are as good or better," the governor said. "Make that the benchmark."

Ricketts said he will use his contacts within the new administration to "make sure we do not endanger the trade" generated by NAFTA and negotiated by TPP, an agreement that had not yet been submitted to Congress for its approval.

"I'll pick up the phone and talk to them," the governor said.

Ricketts said his direct contacts include Vice President Mike Pence, White House chief-of-staff Reince Preibus and Todd Ricketts, deputy secretary of commerce, the governor's brother.

"We are expecting they have a plan to negotiate a better deal for our producers," Ricketts said.
Living alone in a hut by a fish farm, Ling Gangji raises snakehead fish, his second startup project in his hometown of Sanjia in Chongqing municipality's rural Yongchuan district.

Since graduating from college in 2009, Ling has run a successful restaurant business in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, opening 29 chain stores that sell boiled snakehead fish with pickled cabbage and chili.

However, when he first started his business, he often experienced a supply shortage of snakehead fish. At that time, most of the fish came from southern parts of China, such as Guangdong province, taking a long time to arrive in Chengdu. In order to meet the demand of his restaurants, Ling returned to his hometown and began to breed the fish himself.

In 2012, he rented a 6.7-hectare plot of land in Sanjiao town and built a fish farm, which soon started to turn a profit.

"It is 10 times more profitable than traditional farming," Ling said.

Encouraged by his success, many villagers started to raise snakehead fish. Ling offered them free training, using 13 fishponds as a training base.

"I want to help more villagers start their own businesses as well," he said.

Ling is among an increasing number of young educated people who have returned home to work or start businesses.

Southwest China's Chongqing, with a population of 30 million, has long been a major source of labor to affluent coastal areas and big cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai.

However, the municipality now offers more and better opportunities for its young people.

As the only municipality in western China directly under the central government, the traditional industrial hub - located at the intersection of the Belt and Road Initiative's trade route and the Yangtze River Economic Zone - has witnessed rapid and steady economic growth in recent years.

Chongqing had the country's highest GDP growth rate for two consecutive years in 2014 and 2015.

The local government estimated that since 2012, about 1.6 million migrant workers from Chongqing have returned to work in their hometowns.

But the countryside needs more people like Ling - young, educated and experienced - who can lead their folks out of poverty.

Therefore, Chongqing has rolled out a series of favorable policies to attract local talent back home, including low-interest loans, tax cuts and free training programs.

The Yongchuan district government helped Ling apply for funding and technical support.

"However, living and working conditions in rural areas are less comfortable, so people should prepare for hardship," Ling said.

tanyingzi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 02/28/2017 page5)
Mao Mao does her homework as she sells vegetables on a street in Dongguan, Guangdong province, on Friday. A poster beside her reads: "Dear Momand Dad... I am looking forward to seeing you and having you take me home."[Zhang Youqiang/For China Daily]

A team of four people from Wenchuan county in Sichuan province arrived in Dongguan, Guangdong province, on Monday in the hope of finding clues which might lead to the discovery of a girl's parents who have been missing for nearly nine years.

Ten years ago, Huang Mengyi, a childless pensioner from Hainan province, moved to Dongguan's Tangxia town where she met a young couple from Sichuan. "I don't know their real names, I just know they are referred to as Ah Niu and Ah Juan," Huang said.

In early May 2008, the young couple wanted to visit their home county of Wenchuan in Sichuan. They asked Huang, then 60, to take care of their newborn daughter, Mao Mao, for a few days.

"I did not agree to it, so they simply left the girl in front of my home. When I was awakened before dawn by the baby girl crying, I went outside to find her parents had gone," Huang said.

On May 10, 2008, the girl's parents called Huang, promising to return to Dongguan soon, but two days later, a magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck Wenchuan.

Huang never heard from the girl's parents again, and has spent her pension on raising the girl. To help address financial shortages, Huang collected useful materials from trash to sell and planted vegetables near her home. Huang and the girl, who is now a student, sell the vegetables Huang grows.

With help from the township government, the girl attends a primary school free of charge and her meals at school are free. The local government had an advertisement published in Dongguan Daily to help locate the girl's parents two years ago, but it didn't produce any leads.

Huang said she is afraid that the girl's parents perished in the quake, which left 69,226 dead and 17,923 missing, but that she prays for the best. "If they are alive, I hope they can take her home. I am 70 and too old to raise her," Huang said.

According to a police officer from Wenchuan who only identified himself as Wang, the team of four people from his county, including two police officers, met Huang and the girl on Monday afternoon. They will meet officials from Dongguan's police and civil affairs departments in the hope of finding clues as to the whereabouts of the girl's parents, Wang said.
A senior police officer has vowed to take more concrete measures to fight telephone fraud as criminals are developing new techniques to defraud their victims.

Lin Weixiong, deputy director general of the Guangdong provincial department of public security, made the remarks at a news conference in Guangzhou, capital of the province, on Tuesday.

He hinted that more special campaigns would soon be launched to fight telephone fraud, but did not reveal specific details.

Zhang Rui, political commissar of the department's criminal investigation bureau, said that in years gone by, fraudsters would trick their victims into thinking they were police officers, or representatives of the procuratorates or courts.

"But now they mainly use Trojan viruses and ask their victims to scan a QR code, or pretend to be from a government department and issue a notice, asking their victims to provide verification codes so that they can steal their personal information," said Zhang.

"It is hard for an ordinary resident to realize that he or she is being defrauded over the phone when the culprit can correctly tell his or her name, age, job title and their entire family background."

In a recent operation, code-named Jufeng 2017, Guangdong police worked in cooperation with their counterparts from Hunan and Jiangxi provinces, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and Shanghai municipality to break up six gangs that had been involved in identity theft.

Officers detained 138 suspects based in 14 hideouts, seizing more than 100 million pieces of personal data that had been stolen.

Lin promised to step up cooperation with the department's counterparts in other countries and regions in the coming months, as investigations revealed that a lot of telephone fraud emanates from overseas.

A joint operation to fight such fraud will be launched this month in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, Lin said.

"The continuous efforts jointly made by police from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao led to big reduction in the number of telephone fraud cases reported in the regions last year," he added.
HANGZHOU -- He Jiacheng, former vice president of the Chinese Academy of Governance, was sentenced to nine years in prison for taking bribes on Tuesday, according to a verdict by a local court in east China.

The Ningbo Municipal Intermediate Court in Zhejiang Province also fined He 700,000 yuan ($101,910) and confiscated his illegal gains.

An investigation found that from 1995 to 2014, the defendant illegally accepted money worth 7.1 million yuan by taking advantage of his various posts to help individuals or companies in IPOs, real estate projects and other areas.

He was shown leniency as he pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, returned all of his illegal gains and disclosed information about the crimes of others.
BEIJING -- Xiao Yuchen, 25, an illustrator from Taiwan, is pleasantly surprised to find that Dashilan, a popular Beijing tourist area, has undergone changes.

Not having the typical crowded tourists, souvenir stores and brightly decorated buildings, the capital's winding back area has been renovated in a traditional Beijing hutong style.

The quiet hutong is paved with grey bricks, with art studios scattered around old courtyards. Due to its unique atmosphere, Xiao chose Yangmeizhuxie street in Dashilan to set up her design studio.

"Unlike other traditional hutongs, there are no tourist crowds or bustling commercial activity. Art design studios neighbor old Siheyuan courtyards, which makes it comfortable working and living here," Xiao says.

Actually, the less than 500-meter long Yangmeizhuxie street has just been updated as part of an an old city renovation plan.

More than 710 of 1,711 local families moved out of the street, making space for cultural innovation companies, according to the plan.

The new firms must be culture and art related, and their studio style must fit with the surrounding architecture.

"Dashilan is improving its cultural innovation environment to attract more art resources to help revitalize local art," says Jia Rong, director of the update plan.

Many local residents who were born here or lived here for decades chose to stay in Dashilan when the plan started.

Wang Xiuren, 72, was born on the Yangmeizhuxie street, and her ancestors have lived here for 400 years. Her family had been running a drug store here for hundreds of years until it was purchased by a traditional Chinese medicine company.

On retiring, Wang opened a shop here selling medical magazines and books in 2004.

"The business was not so good, but I am not willing to leave this hutong," Wang says.

After the update started, Wang redesigned her two-storey shop.

On the ground floor, she opened a cafe providing food to nearby residents. On the second floor, she built a family museum displaying items related to the drug store such as the old store plaque and well-preserved medicine production tools.

"We can be creative while preserving our cultural tradition," Wang says.

The plan is part of Beijing's moves to clear the capital of non-essential businesses to upgrade through cultural innovation.

The central government has ordered Beijing and neighboring Hebei Province and Tianjin Municipality to pursue coordinated development.

According to a guideline released in April 2015, the key functions of politics, culture, international communication and technical innovation will be prioritized while other sectors will be moved out.
Pyongyang dispatched a senior diplomat to Beijing on Tuesday for talks amid China's efforts to stabilize the Korean Peninsula.

Ri Kil Song, vice-foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, arrived in Beijing at the invitation of China's Foreign Ministry, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular news conference on Tuesday.

Ri will meet with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and hold talks with other Chinese diplomats, including Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin and Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou, Geng said.

It's the first visit of a senior DPRK diplomat to Beijing in about nine months. Ri Su Yong, vice-chairman of the Workers Party of Korea, traveled to Beijing and met with President Xi Jinping in June last year.

"This visit of the DPRK vice-foreign minister is a normal diplomatic contact and exchange between China and the DPRK," Geng said.
BEIJING -- The State Council on Tuesday announced the appointment and removal of several leading officials.

Liu Wei was appointed vice minister of finance.

Yu Jianhua was appointed vice minister of commerce and deputy international trade representative with the Ministry of Commerce (MOC). Zhang Xiangchen was removed from the post of deputy international trade representative with the MOC.

Zhang Jie was appointed vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and removed as president of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Lin Zhongqin was named president of the university instead.

Chen Dong was named deputy head of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Zhou Shuchun was removed from the post of vice president of Xinhua News Agency.
Reforms go hand in hand with risk controls, president says

China will stick to the basic economic theme of "seeking progress while maintaining stability" this year to achieve healthy development, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday.

The nation will strive to improve the quality and efficiency of the economy, deepen supply-side structural reform, and make major headway in economic restructuring, Xi said at a meeting of the Central Leading Group on Finance and Economic Affairs.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, urged that more efforts be made to reduce excessive production capacity.

He added that government departments should unswervingly solve the problem of zombie enterprises, which are unprofitable and debt-laden but still have access to bank loans and public resources. Xi also said that people affected by excessive capacity reduction should receive training so they can find new jobs as well as social aid.

Xi said regulatory coordination methods should be established as soon as possible to ward off financial risks, and prudent macroeconomic supervision should be strengthened to prevent and resolve any systematic financial risks. Regulatory loopholes must be filled in a timely manner, he added.

The president reiterated the necessity of establishing long-term methods to promote the stable and healthy development of the real estate market. He said the principle that "houses are built to be inhabited, not for speculation" should be adhered to, and regulators should seek to establish a long-term mechanism that properly combines both short-term and long-term arrangements.

Equilibrium needed

A combination of policies should be devised to properly guide market expectations to achieve a "dynamic equilibrium" in the real estate market, he added.

Home prices have continued to surge in recent months in China's major cities, sparking concerns that prices may not stop rising in the short term, at least.

Yan Yuejin, research director of the E-House China R&D Institute, said, "By referring to the term 'dynamic equilibrium', policymakers hope to prevent drastic fluctuations in prices so that the real estate market can ultimately stabilize at a certain point to achieve its stable and healthy growth."

Xi called for boosting the development of manufacturing and making a strategic shift from quantity-centered expansion to quality-based improvement. He said the principle of improving the quality of supply should be upheld by all manufacturers and, meanwhile, policymakers should try every means possible to lower enterprises' burdens.

Zheng Xinli, an economist at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, suggested that business taxes be reduced. "Lowering taxes for enterprises can help them better participate in international competition," Zheng said.

Xi also said decisions made by all meetings of the Central Leading Group on Finance and Economic Affairs must be implemented.

Contact the writers at xin-zhiming@chinadaily.com.cn
Monks perform Chinese martial arts in Bangkok, Thailand, Feb 20, 2017. [Photo/Chinacutlure.org]

Monks from Central China's Henan province have staged a special performance of Chinese martial arts to conclude Chinese New Year celebrations in Bangkok.

The event was held at the Chinese Cultural Center and the Tio Chew Association of Thailand from Feb 19-20, attended by about 1,500 audience members including Thai Prime Minister Prajin Juntong, Chinese ambassador to Thailand Ning Fukui, and other high-ranking officials from both countries.

"There is a long history of Shaolin Kungfu  a valuable legacy of Chinese culture. This event enables the Thai people to have a closer experience of the stunning and charming martial arts, and will also help promote cultural exchanges between the two countries," said Prajin.

An Embassy Open Day was also held at the Chinese Cultural Center on Feb 21 for undergraduates from across Thailand to watch martial arts performances.

With its world-renowned Shaolin Temple, Henan is famous for its Kungfu tradition.
Sole Meuniere, a dish from a recipe by Sara Moulton.[Photo/Agencies]

Julia Child was able to remember the single most decisive moment in her life with photographic clarity. It was her first bite of her first meal in France, a fish dish called Sole Meuniere. That first forkful, she wrote, was "a morsel of perfection," and it set her on the path to become the Julia we'd come to know and love.

Though it is indeed a classic of French cuisine, Sole Meunierea filet of fish dipped in flour, then sauteed in butterisn't terribly complicated. But it's one of those dishes that really benefits from attention to detail. And in the interest of improving on "perfection," I've added a few new details.

Let's start with the fish. Julia was served Dover sole. Thick, firm and delicious, Dover sole is widely available in Europe, but not in the United States. In fact, much of the "sole" sold on these shores isn't sole at all but a kind of flounder... and much of that is endangered due to overfishing and should be avoided. So opt for Pacific flounder or Pacific sole or just reach for any firm-fleshed white fish that is not endangered.

Still, most white fish, even Dover sole, is a tad bland. Accordingly, Sole Meuniere is always finished with a little pick-me-up of lemon and salt. This recipe starts with acid and salt in the form of a salty buttermilk brine, which deeply pre-seasons the fish.

Typically, Sole Meuniere calls for all-purpose flour, but if you can find "instantized" flour, aka Wondra, grab it. The fish is crispier when it's coated with Wondra. Two important final notes: Wait until the pan is almost smoking before adding the fish, and don't flour the fish until the last minute, which will prevent it from becoming gummy.

Given that we've added capers and lemon slices to this version, it's more properly called Sole Grenobloise than Sole Meuniere. Whatever, it's delish.

Sole Meuniere

Start to finish: 30 minutes plus 1 to 3 hours marinating time

Servings: 4

1 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds firm white fish fillets

1 small lemon

3 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 cup instantized flour

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into several pieces

1 tablespoon drained capers Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

In a resealable plastic bag combine the buttermilk and salt and stir with a small whisk or fork until the salt is dissolved. Add the fish fillets, making sure they are coated with the buttermilk, seal the bag and place it in the refrigerator. Let the fish marinate for at least 1 hour and preferably 3 hours.

While the fish is marinating, cut off the top and the bottom of the lemon. Place it on the cutting board cut-side down. Starting at the top, following the curve of the lemon, cut off the rind and the pith. Working over a small bowl to catch any juice, cut between the membranes to separate the lemon into segments. Reserve both the segments and the juice.

In a large nonstick skillet heat half the oil over medium-high heat.

Remove half the fish from the buttermilk, letting the excess drip off, and dip it in the flour, coating it on all sides and shaking off the excess. Add it to the pan and cook it until golden on both sides and just cooked through, about 3 minutes total. Transfer the fish to a platter and cover it loosely with foil. Repeat the procedure with the remaining oil and fish. Discard any oil left in the pan.

Add the butter, the capers and a hefty pinch of salt to the skillet and cook over medium heat, swirling the butter, until it is golden. Add the lemon segments and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the sauce over the fish, sprinkle with the parsley and eat right away.

Sara Moulton is host of public television's Sara's Weeknight Meals. Her latest cookbook is Home Cooking 101.

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Editor's note: This is the third story in a series of previews on the two sessions - the annual gatherings of the nation's top legislature and its top body of political advisers. The sessions will start in early March.

China will maintain its focus on the national anti-poverty campaign and intends to lift at least another 10 million rural villagers out of poverty this year.

The central government has promised by 2020 to have no Chinese living beneath the poverty level, which was set in 2011 at 2,300 yuan ($334) per person per year.

On Friday, People's Daily, the Communist Party of China's official newspaper, reported about how deeply President Xi Jinping cares about the national poverty alleviation campaign.

"Fighting poverty is the most important task of the Party and the nation. The task should be given to our best men to accomplish," Xi said.

The central government has already lifted 55.64 million people from poverty since 2013.

But Ou Qingping, deputy director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, said at a news briefing on Friday that after accomplishing the annual task of helping at least 10 million people in the past year, more than 40 million rural residents remain impoverished-that number was 55.75 million in the previous year.

The exact number of Chinese who still live in poverty is widely expected to be released during the two sessions, the annual legislative and advisory gatherings of, respectively, the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Both gather in the first two weeks of March.

It is then that the central government will tighten its supervision and evaluate more precisely how best to achieve local poverty relief.

Ou acknowledged that local officials in some areas fabricate statistics or simply give money to the poor to meet poverty relief targets.

He said what the top leadership wants is to teach poor villagers how to make a better living with their own hands, rather than relying on government-paid free lunches.

In the People's Daily report, President Xi, who worked his way up from a ground-level official, said: "On poverty alleviation, there should be responsibilities to assume on every level of the government.

"Only when the desired results are achieved can the Party chief and the head of a county leave their posts, unless they are not capable and have to be replaced by someone more able."

He added that local officials who have done great jobs will be promoted, but they still have to stay at their posts and finish what they started before they can move.

chenmengwei@chinadaily.com.cn
Tsai Ing-wen speaks during a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, April 15, 2015. [Photo/IC]

With the 70th anniversary of the "Feb 28 Incident" in Taiwan around the corner, the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, one of the eight non-communist parties on the Chinese mainland, held a seminar in Beijing on Thursday where participants emphasized the need to clarify and commemorate what happened on that day seven decades ago.

The incident refers to an uprising that began on Feb 28, 1947, and resulted in a brutal crackdown on protesters by the then ruling Kuomintang troops in the following two months. An estimated thousands of people, locals as well as those from other provinces, were killed and many had to suffer the consequences of being blacklisted.

The Democratic Progressive Party, which is now in office in Taiwan, has more than once attempted to fan anti-mainland sentiments on the island by smearing the incident as a clash between "locals" and "non-locals".

The local government reportedly even removed a bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek in the southern city of Tainan on Feb 21, to "protect" it from "willful saboteurs". The dubious move has unnecessarily complicated efforts to revisit the bloodshed 70 years ago, which An Fengshan, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the mainland, said on Wednesday is a "righteous anti-autocracy struggle led by Taiwan compatriots to defend their lawful rights".

The mainland has long regarded the incident as part of the Chinese people's fight for liberation, while separatist-minded DPP politicians tend to describe it as a "clash of clans". Over the past three decades or so the DPP has been spreading falsity about the incident to not only attack the opposition Kuomintang, but also lure Taiwan residents to endorse its separatist campaign.

The truth is, the "Feb 28 Incident" was a political struggle against the authoritarian rule of the Kuomintang in 1947, and most of the victims were elite members of society who fought for the liberation of the Chinese people.

The mainland's candidness, as evident at Thursday's seminar in Beijing, is not just about revisiting and promoting well-documented yet little-known facts of the uprising, but also aimed at helping the young compatriots in Taiwan know real history. It is a worthy attempt to marginalize the secessionists on the island and put cross-Straits exchanges back on the right track.

Peaceful development, as An reiterated on Wednesday, remains the fundamental stabilizer of cross-Straits relations, to which the island's "pro-independence" forces pose a grave threat. Given its longstanding opposition to the Kuomintang, the DPP is likely to continue belittling its political legitimacy by rewriting history, the "Feb 28 Incident" included, in its favor.

Concerns are also rising over the recent termination of the island's team leading the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, which was signed by both sides of the Straits in 2010 to promote economic cooperation by lowering tariffs and trade barriers.

Since these are ominous signs that the already strained cross-Straits ties could suffer another blow, rational minds on both sides have to intensify their vigilance and respond more proactively to control the situation.

The author is a professor at the Institute of Taiwan Studies, Beijing Union University.

The article is an excerpt from his interview with China Daily's Cui Shoufeng.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers a speech during an extraordinary parliament session in Tokyo, Japan, on Sept. 26, 2016. [Xinhua file photo/Ma Ping]

On Friday the Japanese government launched the "Premium Friday" campaign, which encourages people in Tokyo to leave the office at 3 pm on the last Friday of every month. It will be rolled out nationwide from April.

The initiative is supposed to be a stone to kill several birds, and it encourages workers to clock out early at least once a month in the hope of boosting consumption.

Japan's retail sales rose 0.6 percent in December year-on-year, lower than the median market forecast of a 1.3 percent increase. Weak consumer spending has dogged the Japanese economy, which has struggled to achieve steady recovery after decades of deflation and stagnation. The "Premium Friday" drive is expected to help employees strike a balance between work and life in the workaholic country where karoshi, or death by overwork, is back in the spotlight.

In late December the head of Japan's biggest advertisement agency Dentsu resigned over the suicide of Matsuri Takahashi, a young employee who leaped from a building to her death in December 2015 after going into depression because of overwork.

Japan issued its first white paper on karoshi in October, saying the cause of 93 suicides and attempted suicides in fiscal 2015 was overwork. Police statistics, however, show there were 2,159 suicides that could be attributed to problems related to overwork.

Legal cases filed over karoshi increased to 1,456 in the 12-month period that ended in March 2015, compared with 1,576 cases filed between 2004 and 2008.

A law to prevent karoshi was enacted in 2014, but its biggest drawback is that it has no provision of imposing penalties on companies that do not comply with it.

The Mainichi Shimbun blamed long working hours, rampant in many companies in Japan, for cutting deeply into employees' time, which they could spend with their families. Critics say this is one of the main reasons for Japan's low birthrate.

According to Japan's Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, the number of babies born in the country slipped below 1 million981,000, to be precisein 2016 for the first time since records began in 1899. At its peak in 1949, the figure hit 2.7 million. The fall in the birth rate is so serious that Sankei Shimbun asked Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to declare Japan's population decline a national emergency and take action to revive it.

But this is not a problem Abe can solve easily.

Young people's declining interest in dating, marriage and having children remains a problem for Japan. Japan's National Institution for Youth Education released a report of a survey covering 4,000 men and women in their 20s and 30s across Japan in November. Of the unmarried respondents, 63.8 percent said they didn't want to get married because of economic difficulties, followed by 50.4 percent who preferred staying alone and 48.3 percent who said they were too busy with work to think about dating or marriage.

And a survey by the Japan Family Planning Association found that nearly half of the married couples were in a "sexless" marriage, or had not made love for more than a month. Worse, they didn't think the situation would change in the near future. Among married men, 35.2 percent said work left them "too tired" for "hanky-panky", up from 21.3 percent in 2014. The association's president, Kunio Kitamura, suggested Japan review the working conditions of employees, apart from reducing the working hours.

But this is easier said than done.

So far, compliance with the "Premium Friday" scheme appears to be low. The Japan Business Federation, known as Keidanren, has asked the 1,300 companies affiliated to it to sign up for the scheme. The problem is that there are 1.2 million registered businesses in Japan.

The author is China Daily Tokyo bureau chief.

caihong@chinadaily.com.cn
Children of She ethnic group sit in front of a monument that reads "China's No. 1 Poverty Relief Village" at Chixi Village, Panxi town, Fuding city in East China's Fujian province, Feb 14, 2016. The village has shaken off poverty thanks to assistance from Party and government officials at all levels over the past 30 years. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, stressed the importance of lifting the rural impoverished population out of poverty and accomplishing the poverty alleviation targets on schedule.

Addressing the recent 39th collective study session held by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Xi said it is the bottom line for building an all-round moderately prosperous society and also the Party's solemn commitment to the people.

More than 10 million people in rural areas have been lifted out of poverty every year from 2013, and experience shows that China with its economic strength and powerful institutional advantages can launch a sustained battle against poverty and convert its anti-poverty efforts into a driver for sustainable development.

Given that the remaining people living in poverty are the poorest of the poor, Xi said lifting them out of poverty will be an arduous task requiring tailored poverty relief policies and precision measures.

In this regard, the mobilization of precision resources and successful implementation of precision policies in the city of Jinggangshan in East China's Jiangxi province, and Lankao in Central China's Henan province, provide a good example that other areas can learn from.

To eradicate poverty, improve people's livelihoods and realize common prosperity is an important mission of the CPC, and its goal is to lift the remaining millions of poor people out of poverty and establish an all-round, moderately well-off society by 2020.

But on the way to achieving this goal, the difficulty of the poverty alleviation task should not be underestimated. High vigilance should be maintained against any formalism and "number games" by local officials so that efforts to lift people out of poverty stand the test of practice and history.

--People's Daily
Overhead night view of the Suzhou Industrial Park. [Photo/Suzhou Daily]

Co-chaired by Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli and Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, the meeting of the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation held in Beijing on Monday signaled that bilateral ties have returned to normal after the frictions between the two countries last year.

They also co-chaired meetings on three government flagship projects between China and Singaporethe Suzhou Industrial Park, Tianjin Eco-city and Chongqing Connectivity Initiativeshowing both sides are keen to cast aside their recent differences and now want to focus on deepening the meaningful cooperation, which is a boon not only to both countries, but also the region at large.

China has always valued its ties with Singapore, viewing it as an important partner for economic cooperation and a bridge between China and countries in Southeast Asia.

In 2015, President Xi Jinping and his Singaporean counterpart Tony Tan Keng Yam exchanged state visits to commemorate the 25 years of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, and the two countries decided to establish an all-round cooperative partnership.

The high-level meetings being held in Beijing this week provide a good opportunity for the two sides to take concrete steps toward substantiating the proposed partnership between them as the two have good prospects for broadening cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

More specifically, as an international shipping hub, Singapore can play an important role in China's Belt and Road Initiative by aligning its development strategies with China's and actively pushing for bilateral cooperation in such fields as infrastructure, finance and information technology.

To build on this desirable momentum, the two sides should manage the differences that exist between them in a more prudent manner. Last year, bilateral ties were overshadowed by Singapore's stance on the South China Sea arbitration case and the detainment of armored vehicles returning to Singapore after an exercise by Hong Kong customs.

But as Teo said, Singapore and China have a broad and long-standing relationship, and their common interest in building a peaceful region is much greater than their occasional differences.

"We share similar views on most issues, and have worked well together to advance these common interests," he told Chinese news agency Xinhua in an e-mail interview ahead of his visit to Beijing that started on Sunday.

For bilateral ties to steer clear of unnecessary disruptions in the future, mutual respect for each other's core interests and accommodation to each other's major concerns are the key.
Is the European Union (EU) at stake? With the rise of populist parties throughout Europe -- and the threat to the status quo they are said to represent -- it is a question that's increasingly being posed.

Almost 60 years ago, the six founding nations signed the Treaty of Rome, laying the foundations for what would later become the EU. The six wanted to "ensure the economic and social progress of their countries."

Six decades later, those ideals are under threat, with increasing political and social divisions, not only among EU member states but also within the countries themselves.

GROWING DISCONTENT

There is a growing sense of discontent within the political classes, "big business" and globalization and a weakening of solidarity within and between European countries.

In this polarized climate, are the likes of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and Front National (FN) in France. Tempered by the UK's decision to leave the EU and Trump's anti-EU and protectionist rhetoric, the far right rallying cry is aiming to capitalize on what it sees as a political momentum in its favor.

For some, this populist phenomenon threatens law-making and cooperation among EU member states, as well as the achievements made in common projects like the euro and the single market.

But for Nigel Farage, Marine Le Pen and others of their ilk, the rise of populism is a form of "liberation."

First, there was the "Brexit deliverance", then the Trump triumph. It's all about the rebirth of the nation station, and this time, said Farage, it is "for real."

He forecast, "that's why you can all look forward to: some even bigger dramatic shocks coming in 2017. It's going to be, for nation state democrats, a very happy new year."
UNITED NATIONS - The UN Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Monday sounded alarm on the sharp increase of South Sudanese fleeing to Sudan since the start of 2017, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here.

UNHCR says "it has seen a significant increase in South Sudanese refugees fleeing to Sudan since January," Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

Initial expectations were that 60,000 refugees may arrive through 2017, but in the first two months of the year alone, more than 31,000 refugees have arrived.

Initial estimates show that more than 80 percent of the new arrivals are women and children, including unaccompanied and separated children.

"They are in need of immediate life-saving assistance, which UNHCR and its sister agencies are trying to address," Dujarric said.

Sudan is one of South Sudan's neighboring countries to host a massive influx of South Sudanese refugees. More than 1.5 million South Sudanese refugees have fled to neighboring countries in the region, around half of which are located in Uganda.

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 more than 2 million displaced and another 4.6 million left severely food insecure, since December 2013.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off on a supply mission to the International Space Station from historic launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, US, February 19, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

CAPE CANAVERAL - SpaceX plans to launch two paying passengers on a tourist trip around the moon next year using a spaceship under development for NASA astronauts and a heavy-lift rocket yet to be flown, the launch company announced on Monday.

The launch of the first privately funded tourist flight beyond the orbit of the International Space Station is tentatively targeted for late 2018, Space Exploration Technologies Chief Executive Elon Musk told reporters on a conference call.

Musk declined to identify the customers or say how much they would pay to fly on the weeklong mission, except to say that itis "no body from Hollywood."

He also said the two prospective space tourists, who know each other, have put down a "substantial" deposit and would undergo "extensive training before going on the mission."

"I think there's a market for one or two of these per year," he said, estimating that space tourist fares charged by SpaceX could eventually contribute 10 to 20 percent of the company's revenue.

Plans call for SpaceX's two-person lunar venture to fly some 300,000 to 400,000 miles (480,000 to 640,000 km) from Earth past the moon before Earth's gravity pulls the spacecraft back into the atmosphere for a parachute landing.

That trajectory would be similar to NASA's 1968 Apollo 8 mission beyond the moon and back.

Musk also said that if NASA decides it wants to be first inline for a lunar fly by mission, the US space agency would take priority.

At the behest of the Trump administration, NASA is conducting a study to assess safety risks, costs and potential benefits of letting astronauts fly on the debut test flight ofits heavy-lift Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule.

That mission is currently planned to be uncrewed and scheduled to launch in late 2018.

Musk said the privately funded moon expedition would take place after his California-based company begins flying crew tothe International Space Station for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has sent the White House a preliminary plan to defeat the Islamic State (IS), a spokesman said Monday, without providing details about the plan.

Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said the plan is a framework for a broader plan to defeat the IS extremists, adding that the details of the draft are classified secret.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will brief senior administration officials on the draft later Monday.

The draft plan came about a month after US President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to come up with a plan to defeat the IS. He has repeatedly criticized the Obama administration for failing to stop the extremist group during last year's campaign.

On Jan 21 in his first official visit to the Central Intelligence Agency, Trump vowed that "radical Islamic terrorism" has to be eradicated "right now."

Trump described "radical Islamic terrorism" as "evil" unseen before, adding that it should be "eradicated just off the face of the earth."
Delegates attend the opening of the 34th Human Rights Council (HRC) session in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb 27, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

GENEVA - A senior Chinese diplomat on Monday stressed that to realize sustained peace so as to promote and protect human rights, all countries should establish equal partnership, pursue cooperation and maintain peace through development.

Liu Hua, special representative for human rights affairs of China's Foreign Ministry, made the remarks at the 34th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

"Peace has become the common aspiration of people of all countries, as well as the fundamental premise and foundation for the promotion and protection of human rights," she said.

"The world is far from tranquil, traditional and non-traditional security threats are intertwined, posing a threat to world peace and human rights of people of all countries," she added.

The diplomat told the UN Human Rights Council that in order to achieve sustained peace, all countries should make efforts to establish equal partnership first.

"All countries are equal, and should respect each other and treat each other as equals. The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of each state must be respected, the social system and development path independently chosen by each state must be respected," she noted.

In addition, she added, countries should settle disputes through peaceful means, that is, to settle disputes through communication and consultation, resolve conflicts through political negotiations.

Liu also stressed the role of cooperation in maintaining peace, saying that countries should stick together like passengers in the same boat, and adopt a holistic approach to address traditional and non-traditional security threats.

"We should be committed to multilateralism, and give full play to the central role of the United Nations," she said.

The senior diplomat also highlighted the importance of development.

"Peace and development are mutually reinforcing. We should effectively implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, achieve balanced global development, thus providing a solid foundation for maintaining peace," she said.

According to Liu, in order to promote world peace, respecting diversity of civilizations is also very important.

"Different civilizations should co-exist in harmony, facilitate exchanges and mutual learning, draw on the experience of each other to achieve common progress, and serve as the bond for maintaining world peace," she said.
WASHINGTON  The US Senate easily confirmed billionaire investor Wilbur Ross as US commerce secretary on Monday with strong support from Democrats, installing President Donald Trump's top official on trade matters.

The Senate voted 72-27 to confirm Ross, who has been highly critical of China's trade practices and who has had a strong influence on Trump's opposition to multilateral trade deals such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Trump has designated Ross to lead a renegotiation of the 23-year-old US-Canada-Mexico North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Reuters
Emma Stone poses with her Oscar for Best Actress for her role in "La La Land". [Photo/Agencies]

La La Land, the musical that won six Academy Awards, received financing from Hunan TV's film subsidiary, one of three financial backers for a film that cost $30 million to make and has earned $368 million worldwide since its initial release in December.

Along with Lionsgate - which signed a $1.5 billion co-financing and co-production deal with Hunan TV in 2015 - Hunan TV & Broadcast Intermediary Co and Black Label Media financed the film, which is a relatively small budget by Hollywood's blockbuster standards.

La La Land, starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone about a jazz musician and an aspiring actress' romance, was nominated for 14 Oscars - including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Movie - tying the record for the most nominations ever. Stone won Best Actress and 32-year-old Damien Chazelle was named Best Director, the youngest person to ever win the award. Best Picture went to Moonlight.

La La Land was released in China in time for Valentine's Day, with its domestic distributors enthusiastic that the colorful musical would do well with Chinese audiences looking for a romantic movie that had strong reviews and strong buzz for winning seven Golden Globes in January.

Since opening on Feb 15, the film has grossed $24.5 million in China, where US musicals tend to not do well.

"I think the Chinese tend to invest in films they hope will also play in China, even if they're independent films that are not part of the revenue sharing 34 films," said Stanley Rosen, politics professor at the University of Southern California.

Rosen said that La La Land was also a prestige picture because of its strong critical support and "there is some interest in being associated with such pictures as well".

"The Chinese invest in part of course to make money, but also to 'learn the business', so if their investment allows them to be involved in various aspects of the production, post-production and distribution, that will provide useful information as the Chinese industry moves forward," he said.

But Chinese investments in Hollywood might be in jeopardy because stricter government restrictions on capital outflow have potentially stalled or derailed some, including Dalian Wanda Group Co's $1 billion purchase of Dick Clark Productions and, according to The Wall Street Journal, a deal that would have given Chinese investors control of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.

amyhe@chinadailyusa.com
Lee Jae-yong (C), vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, arrives to be questioned as a suspect in a corruption scandal that led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-Hye, at the office of the independent counsel in Seoul on February 13, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

SEOUL - South Korean special prosecutors investigating the scandal embroiling President Park Geun-hye planned Tuesday to indict Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong on bribery charge.

Lee Kyu-chul, spokesman of the independent counsel team, told the last press briefing that Lee and four senior Samsung executives will be indicted later in the day for multiple charges, including bribery.

Investigation by the special prosecutors is scheduled to end Tuesday as Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn rejected the request for an extended probe into the corruption scandal that led to President Park's impeachment.

The spokesman said the overall investigation results will be formally announced on March 6.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye delivers her speech during a plenary session at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, February 16, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

SEOUL - South Korean special prosecutors on Tuesday branded impeached President Park Geun-hye as a criminal suspect for bribery charge in collusions with her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil, who is at the center of the corruption scandal.

The prosecutors, who have been independently dedicated to investigations into the scandal for the past 70 days, also planned to indict Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and four Samsung executives later in the day on multiple charges, including bribery.

Lee Kyu-chul, spokesman of the independent counsel team that kicked off investigations on Dec. 21, told the last regular press briefing that Choi Soon-sil will be indicted on bribery as well as charges of abuse of power and the concealment of illegal wealth earned through criminal acts.

The impeached leader will be booked as an accomplice to Choi for the graft charge. The case will be handed over to state prosecutors for further investigations.

By law, a South Korean president gets immune from criminal indictment and detention while in office. If the bill to impeach President Park is upheld by the constitutional court, she will be stripped of those immunities.

The Samsung heir, who has been taken into custody since Feb 17, will be prosecuted for bribery, embezzlement and the concealment of illegally earned wealth. Four other Samsung executives will be indicted without detention.

Vice Chairman Lee is suspected of paying tens of millions of US dollars in bribes to Choi in exchange for getting support in the controversial merger in 2015 of two Samsung affiliate to create a de-facto holding company.

The merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries was extremely crucial to the vice chairman to inherit the overall management control of Samsung Group, South Korea's largest family-controlled conglomerate, from his father Chairman Lee Kun-hee who has been hospitalized for heart attack for almost three years.

Investigations by the special prosecutors are scheduled to end on Tuesday as Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who is serving as acting president, rejected the request for an extended probe into the corruption scandal.

The spokesman said the overall investigation results will be formally announced on March 6.
File Photo: SpaceX CEO Elon Musk (R) unveils the Dragon V2 spacecraft in Hawthorne, California May 29, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

LOS ANGELES - US space firm SpaceX will fly two private space travelers on a passenger flight around the moon and back before the end of next year, the company said on Monday.

"Fly me to the moon ... Ok," SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk posted on Twitter.

Once operational Crew Dragon missions are underway for US space agency NASA, SpaceX will launch the private mission on a journey to circumnavigate the moon and return to Earth, according to a statement from the company.

Lift-off will be from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A near Cape Canaveral in Florida, the same launch pad used by the Apollo program for its lunar missions.

Since the last of NASA's Apollo moon landings in 1972, no astronauts have traveled beyond low-Earth orbit. That means an opportunity for humans to return to deep space for the first time in 45 years.

The two individuals, who have not been named, have already paid a significant deposit to do a moon mission, according to the California-based company.

The company plans to launch its passenger flight in 2018 by using a Dragon 2 spacecraft and the massive new Falcon Heavy rocket.

SpaceX, founded in 2002 by billionaire Musk, has been the face of American commercial space industry. It has been hired by the US space agency NASA to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) using its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon cargo ship.

The company suffered a major setback in September last year, when its Falcon 9 rocket exploded on its launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida, dealing a blow to the company's ambitious space exploration project, and even America's commercial space industry.

Also in June 2015, its Falcon 9 rocket exploded midair just minutes after liftoff during its seventh space station resupply mission.

As part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, SpaceX needs to perform an average of four Dragon 2 missions to the ISS per year, three carrying cargo and one carrying crew.
WARSAW, Poland  The son of a Nazi official has returned three artworks that his family had looted from the southern Polish city of Krakow during World War II.

Polish officials said Monday they hoped the gesture by Horst von Waechter of Austria would inspire other Nazi descendants to follow suit.

In the ceremony Sunday in Krakow, von Waechter returned an 18th century map of Poland built into a small table and two historic drawings that his mother, Charlotte von Waechter, had appropriated there in late 1939. It was shortly after her husband, Otto von Waechter, had become governor in the southern Polish city occupied by German and Austrian Nazis during the war. Von Waechter ordered the Krakow ghetto be set up in 1941.

The handover took place at the office of the Krakow provincial governor and was the result of efforts by Polish historian and politician Magdalena Ogorek and the National Museum in Krakow, according to Krzysztof Marcinkiewicz, spokesman for the governor.

Marcinkiewicz said one of the paintings had Charlotte von Waechter's handwritten pencil inscription saying it came from the Potocki Palace in Krakow, where the Waechters resided during the war.

Ogorek told The Associated Press she spotted some Poland-related objects at Horst von Waechter's castle in Austria while she was doing research there about his father, who, she said, died in unexplained circumstances in 1949 at the Vatican while waiting to be smuggled to Argentina to avoid facing justice. Other sources say the elder von Waechter died in Rome, but do not mention the Vatican.

Ogorek said von Waechter returned the objects to Krakow for no compensation.

"He gave a good example to others and we should be happy about this," Ogorek said.

"I assume that various artworks from Poland can be found in private homes in Germany and in Austria. I am sure of that," she said.

Poland was severely damaged during World War II, its palaces, museums and libraries bombed and then plundered by the Nazis and by members of the Soviet Red Army from 1939-45. The government continues trying to retrieve looted artworks and the Culture Museum has posted a list of many of them.

Some of the artworks occasionally surface at auctions around the globe, leading Poland to negotiate the terms of their return.

AP
LINCOLN  A struggling farm economy could mean more budget challenges for Nebraska lawmakers this year, officials said Monday as they lowered state revenue estimates for the next two-year budget.

Members of the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board offered a gloomy outlook for agriculture over the next few years as they set fresh projections.

Board members said Omaha and Lincoln's economies are faring well, but low commodity prices continue to hurt agriculture, the state's largest industry. Board member David Ochsner said farmers have responded by cutting their spending, and he's concerned the trend may continue.

"We may be in for a long haul," said Ochsner, a banker based in Nelson.

The board's projections will leave lawmakers with a projected $288 million revenue shortfall in the upcoming two-year budget, which will cover state expenses from July 2017 through June 2019.

Lawmakers on the budget-writing Appropriations Committee have developed a plan to reduce their original $895 million shortfall to roughly $134 million. Because of the forecasting board's new estimates, however, that projected shortfall will now grow to $298 million.

In a statement, Gov. Pete Ricketts said the forecast "underscores the need for continued fiscal restraint from every single state-funded entity." Ricketts has proposed a plan to cut the state's top income tax rate.

"We must tighten our belts and balance the budget without raising taxes," he said.

Critics of the plan said lawmakers should look seriously at raising new revenue, possibly by freezing or reversing many of the tax exemptions lawmakers have approved over the past decade.

"We're going to do a lot of damage to our state is we close the shortfall with budget cuts alone," said Renee Fry, executive director of the OpenSky Policy Institute.

Fry pointed to a recent U.S. Government Accountability Office report that said many states may be entering a long run of budget shortfalls as health care and pension costs increase and the population ages.

The group Rebuild Nebraska, a coalition that includes advocates for low-income residents and the state teacher's union, called on lawmakers to protect existing investments in schools, health care and correctional services.

"Enacting income tax cuts  which are disguised as middle-class tax relief but really benefit the wealthiest Nebraskans  will only add to the state's budget challenges," the group said in a statement.

Commodity prices are likely to stabilize over the next few years but probably won't increase to previous record highs anytime soon, said Hoa Phu Tran, a Nebraska Department of Revenue economist.

Board member Steven Seline, a financial executive from Omaha, said his city is faring well and noted that companies such as food processors will probably benefit from cheap commodities.

Still, he said, "I'm worried about the farm economy."
HANOI - "The job is not too tough and brings me a rather good income," Dao Van Dung, a 23-year-old citizen in Vietnam's capital of Hanoi, told Xinhua about his job as a motorbike taxi driver using the ride-hailing app Grab.

A new working day for Dung starts at 7:00 am local time and usually ends at midnight. Dung graduated from university one year ago but failed to find a job. Thanks to a friend, Dung registered and became a GrabBike taxi driver in the city.

"Excluding costs of petroleum, cell phone fees and commission, I pocket between 200,000-300,000 Vietnamese dong (8.97-13.45 US dollars) a day," Dung told Xinhua.

Dung is among hundreds of GrabBike taxi drivers operating in Hanoi these days. In order to join the GrabBike drivers' community, a potential candidate needs a motorbike, a smart phone with 3G internet connection, and some essential documents.

After finishing registration procedures, the bikers will be provided with helmets, uniform jackets, raincoats, masks and can start working with GrabBike "within 30 minutes" after registering, said the largest local motorbike taxi hailing and booking service available on smart phones.

According to Dung, working full-time for Grab brings him a monthly salary between 8 million-10 million Vietnamese dong (358-448 US dollars), which is a desirable income compared to the average income of local people, especially unskilled workers in Vietnam.

In addition, Dung has the chance to be offered weekly or monthly bonuses if he works efficiently, said the taxi driver.

Under such a simple registration process, almost anyone with a motorbike and a smart phone can become a GrabBike driver. In fact, GrabBike drivers come from all walks of life including students, unskilled workers, and office workers among others.

Grab is just one survive provided by a technology company that offers wide range of ride-hailing and logistics services through its app in the Southeast Asia area, specifically Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Echoing Dung, Nguyen Van Xuan, a third-year university student, has just become a GrabBike taxi driver and has been very excited about his new job.

"When I was a third-year student, all my living and studying fees were provided by my family. But now, I can afford all those costs on my own thanks to GrabBike," Xuan said.

"One day, I managed to deliver three people. The other day, I had even more customers and at the weekends, I will run to the city center to find more customers."

"Thanks to the job, I now have earned money to pay for my house rent and food, so that my parents can be less burdened," said the young man.

However, the roads are not all covered with roses, and there are a few thorns. Xuan said high-tech motorbike taxi drivers like him are wary about clashing with "old-age" traditional motorbike drivers.

"I cannot forget the time I went to Dong Xuan market in downtown Hanoi to work. When I stopped my motorcycle there, another motorbike taxi driver came up to me and reminded me that this is their 'turf' and I am not allowed to work here," Xuan told Xinhua.

Similarly, Dung encountered another confrontational incident with traditional motorbike taxi drivers.

"I went to Noi Bai International Airport to work. As soon as they noticed me in my green uniform, the other drivers blocked me in and asked me to leave the place. Since then, I have never returned to the airport," said Dung.

The new app service has received fierce condemnation and opposition from taxi and public transportation operators since it was first introduced. Traditional motorbike taxi drivers told Xinhua that they are worried about their future as GrabBike has a tremendous advantage.

The development of the new ride-hailing apps makes the operation of the traditional taxi services seem old, antiquated and not as convenient. Traditional services, have to stay in a "familiar" working area to have customers. But now, with a smart phone, the "working area" now ceases to exist.

"On the one hand, in fairness, they are young, healthy, high-tech drivers who can travel everywhere on the streets, can easily approach customers, and offer a low fare. But on the other side, we are old, not used to new digital technology," Dang Hao Hung, a motorbike taxi driver in Hanoi, told Xinhua.

"We don't have enough money to buy smart phones or good motorbikes. Under the current pressure of competition, we will have to change jobs soon," Dang Hao Hung, a motorbike taxi driver in Hanoi, told Xinhua.

"I have been working as a motorbike taxi driver since 2001. Over the past 16 years I have experienced both the ups and downs of the job, which helps me feed my four-member family," the 56-year-old man said.

In the past few months, the number of customers using my service has plunged dramatically. Before GrabBike, I used to serve 6-7 customers a day. Now, the number has dropped to just 1-2 customers," said the traditional taxi driver.

Similarly, Hung, Hoang Thi Minh, another motorbike taxi driver, said her life has been disrupted by the introduction of GrabBike.
LONDON - A strategy aimed at ensuring Britain becomes the safest place in the world for young people to go online was announced Monday by the government.

It follows a study showing four out of five parents were concerned about their children sexting, a higher proportion than parents who fear their offspring will smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol.

Ministers have begun work on a new Internet Safety Strategy, led by Culture Secretary Karen Bradley. A government green paper is expected to be published in the summer.

A report by leading academic Professor Sonia Livingstone has been commissioned to provide up to date evidence of how young people are using the internet, the dangers they face, and the gaps that exist in keeping them safe.

Ministers will also hold a series of round tables in the coming weeks with social media companies, technology firms, young people, charities and mental health experts to examine online risks and how to tackle them.

The focus will be on preventing children and young people from harm online and making the internet a safer place.

The round tables are also expected to examine concerns around issues like trolling and other aggressive behaviour including rape threats against women.

The discussions will involve ministers and officials from government departments including the interior, education, health and justice.

A government spokesman said Monday: "It comes amid growing fears that the threat from online dangers has grown far more quickly than society's response to them, and worries that tech-savvy young people are being exposed to risks that their parents never were and might not know how to confront, like sexting, cyber bullying, and content which promotes self-harm, suicide and eating disorders."

A recent poll found more parents were concerned about sexting than about their children drinking or smoking.

A YouGov survey showed 78 percent were concerned about sexting, compared to 69 percent concerned about alcohol misuse and 67 percent concerned about smoking.

A study last year for the charity, the NSPCC and the Children's Commissioner, found 13 percent of 11 to 16 year-olds reported that they had taken topless pictures of themselves and 3 percent had taken fully naked pictures of themselves.

More than one in 10 young people say they have been the victim of cyber bullying, and self-harm among children is on the rise amid evidence of a link between internet use and an increased risk of self-harm.

Secretary Bradley said: "The internet has provided young people with amazing opportunities but has also introduced a host of new dangers which children and parents have never faced before.

"It is increasingly clear that some behaviors which are unacceptable offline are being tolerated or even encouraged online, sometimes with devastating consequences.

"We are determined to make Britain the safest place in the world to be online, and to help people protect themselves from the risks they might face," Bradley said.

Measures in a new Digital Economy Bill currently going through parliament will introduce age checks for pornographic websites so under-18s cannot view harmful content.
LOS ANGELES - An accountant for theAcademy Awards botched the meticulous procedure for announcingthe Oscar for best picture when he handed victory to "La LaLand" before declaring "Moonlight" the real winner,PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) said on Monday.

Accountant Brian Cullinan, who media reports said had beentweeting backstage shortly before, gave presenters Warren Beattyand Faye Dunaway the wrong envelope for the movie industry's topaward on Sunday, the accounting firm said in a statement.

In a gaffe that stunned the Dolby Theatre crowd in Hollywoodand a television audience worldwide, "Cullinan mistakenly handed the back-up envelope for Actress in a Leading Role instead ofthe envelope for Best Picture" to Beatty and Dunaway, PwC said.

"Once the error occurred, protocols for correcting it werenot followed through quickly enough by Mr. Cullinan or hispartner."

The Wall Street Journal and celebrity website TMZ.comreported that Cullinan had posted a backstage photo of actressEmma Stone on social network Twitter minutes before the mix-up.

The photo, from Cullinan's Twitter account, was laterdeleted but was still viewable on Monday on a cached archive ofthe page. Cullinan could not immediately be reached for comment.

The mistake was not rectified until the "La La Land" castand producers were on stage giving their acceptance speeches. Itwas left to the musical's producer, Jordan Horowitz, to putthings right.

"Guys, guys, I'm sorry. No. There's a mistake," Horowitzsaid. "'Moonlight,' you guys won best picture. This is not ajoke."

It took three hours for PricewaterhouseCoopers, which hasbeen overseeing Academy Awards balloting for 83 years, initiallyto confirm that Beatty and Dunaway received the wrong categoryenvelope.

PwC said it took full responsibility and apologized to thecasts and crews of "La La Land" and "Moonlight."

"We sincerely apologize to Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway,(host) Jimmy Kimmel, (broadcaster) ABC, and the Academy, none ofwhom was at fault for last night's errors," it said in itsstatement.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, whichorganizes the Oscars, also apologized for the mishap and said itwas committed to upholding the integrity of the Oscars.

"We have spent last night and today investigating thecircumstances, and will determine what actions are appropriategoing forward," it said in a statement.

An embarrassed Beatty carried the envelope to the glitzyGovernor's Ball after the show, with the writing clearly saying"actress in a leading role." "La La Land" star Stone had beenawarded that Oscar moments before.

"Except for the end, it was fun," Kimmel said on Monday,referring to the Oscar show he hosted.

"You know its a strange night when the word envelope istrending on Twitter," he said on his ABC show "Jimmy KimmelLive."
China's top scientific research institute has joined up with a member of Great Britain's royal family to attract British scholars to do research in China.

Bai Chunli, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, makes a speech during a ceremony to launch the President's International Fellowship Initiative on Monday in Buckingham Palace. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Prince Andrew was on hand as Bai Chunli, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, spoke about the President's International Fellowship Initiative on Monday in Buckingham Palace. Bai said it is the right time for Western scientists to do research in China.

First launched in 2013, the initiative has given 2,800 scientists the chance to work in China in one of four categories: distinguished scientist, visiting scientist, postdoctoral researcher or international PhD student. Its support of the work of 205 Britons, like Sir Andre Geim, a Nobel Prize laureate, has included lecture trips and cooperative research at CAS. This year, 22 British scientists are expected to work in China.

With Prince Andrew's support, the initiative was renamed the Duke of YorkCAS President's International Fellowship Initiative in the UK.

"I am reminded of the Chinese who went West for advanced learning in the late '70s and early '80s, including coming to England for research and study," Bai said. "Now it is time for international scientists, including scholars here, to go to China for scientific opportunities, supported by Chinese programs. We can also consider this a natural Chinese contribution to global science."

Prince Andrew said, "If we are going to continue to be at the forefront of science, technology and engineering, we will have to work with many different organizations or countries where we can get access to the best science.

"Of course, the best science is done in the United Kingdom, but there are other countries in which equally good science goes on and China is one of them."

The CAS, the nation's largest scientific research body and primary scientific advisory group, has more than 100 institutes and employs over 68,000 scientific staff.

Bai said, "With this effort that the Duke of York and I are doing today, we hope to bring a lot of UK scientific talent to China to work and to explore scientific unknowns and to address common challenges with our scientists."

Robert Hilton of the University of Durham and Jin Zhangdong of CAS' Institute of Earth Environment received the 2016 China Academy of Sciences International Partnership Award for Young Scientists for their work on earthquake-triggered increases in biospheric carbon from a mountain belt.
A few years ago, when European consumers were making payments with credit or debit cards, Chinese people were still carrying around wallets stuffed with cash.

Andrea Ghizzoni, European director of Tencent, is charting growth.

Today, following the rise of the smartphone, most Europeans are still using bank cards but Chinese buyers have made things easier by embracing the social media platforms on their phones. Their mobile activities include hailing taxis, buying breakfast, snagging luxurious brands, reserving hotels and booking flights. For many, cash is no longer necessary.

WeChat, a unit of China's internet giant Tencent, boasts 800 million active usersthe equivalent of the population of the European Union and United States combined. It has taken the lead in offering more than chatting and communication.

Now, the company has started to work as bridge between European brands and Chinese consumers.

Andrea Ghizzoni, European director of Tencent, said the company will expand into the United Kingdom and France this year, after it opened its European headquarters in Milan, Italy, in 2015.

"We plan to start operations in London and the team will be in place soon to kick of promotion activities by the end of March," Ghizzoni said.

In the UK, the company aims to enter into cooperation partnerships with local companies. Digital Retex is one. It will help find potential clients wanting to advocate their products on the social media platform.

Digital Retex has already supported WeChat in Italy and "the partnership proved to be extremely successful".

Ghizzoni unveiled the European plans in Brussels at an event organized by ChinaEU, a digital and communication promotion organization.

After one year in operation, the WeChat Europe-Digital Retex team employs around 20 people.

WeChat's second step in Europe will target the UK because it is a "strategic market" and has an appeal among Chinese consumers, and because it is a trendsetter and innovation hub in Europe.

Ghizzoni said Chinese consumers have been living their daily lives on their palms and European exporters should recognize the reality.

He said the company's operations in Italy have been growing fast and it now serves more than 50 clients, including large fashion and luxury brands, retail companies and the hospitality industry.

"Revenues are already in the range of millions, and we expect them to grow significantly this year."

He said the company has been focusing on helping clients find ways to get closer to Chinese consumers.

"This year, we are pushing new advertising formats and targeting capabilities, together with Tencent cloud solutions and cross-border payments. All these tools can prove extremely successful to help Western brands reach and serve Chinese consumers in a consistent and effective manner."

He said the company will work on consolidating its business in Italy, starting its UK operations, and making headway into other EU countries.

"By the end of the year, we will consider setting up local operations in other EU countries, like France for example," said Ghizzoni.

He believes his company's designed advertising campaigns for clients on the WeChat platform can help European brands reap returns in the range of 20 percent to 30 percent.

He said WeChat does not have a long-term expansion plan for Europe but continues to reinvent itself with new services and features.

"In overseas markets, like Europe, we will keep focusing on the development of services to best serve EU companies interested in leveraging digital channels to foster business opportunities with Chinese customers," he said.
BEIJING -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced on Tuesday that it will support clean municipal waste-to-energy (WTE) projects with advanced technology in small and medium-sized cities in China.

The ADB on Tuesday signed agreements with 10 commercial banks to support Dynagreen Environmental Protection Group (Dynagreen) in the projects. It also signed a $100 million onshore local currency complementary loan agreement.

In addition, ADB is providing a technical assistance grant of up to $500,000 to enhance Dynagreen's corporate governance system.

"The agreement signed today will improve solid waste management in China's smaller cities, and also increase energy generation from renewable sources to help diversify the country's energy mix," said Diwakar Gupta, ADB's Vice-President for Private Sector and Cofinancing Operations.

The financing package will help the development of WTE projects based on public-private partnerships (PPP) with smaller municipal governments, reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as soil and groundwater contamination, said the ADB.

The project includes the construction of at least nine technically efficient and environmentally sustainable WTE plants generating around 610 gigawatt-hours of electricity a year by 2018 using clean technologies, according to the ADB.
A growing taste for meat, dairy, beer and "afternoon tea" products among Chinese consumers contributed to a 51 percent increase in British food and drink exports to China in 2016, making it the UK's fastest growing market.

The UK exported 439.5 million pounds ($546.6 million) of food and drink goods to China last year, the fastest growth in exports to China in a decade, according to the UK's Food and Drink Federation. Total UK exports of food and drink grew by 10.5 percent to reach a record 20 billion pounds.

Ian Wright, director-general of the FDF said there was a much greater potential in China for British food and drink exports.

He said: "Our target is to grow branded exports by a third by 2020 to more than 6 billion pounds."

The UK government will soon embark on a five-year campaign to increase demand for UK products in China, having identified the country as one of nine priority markets in the Government-Industry International Action Plan for Food and Drink 2016-2020.

The Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs says the growth in demand for quality products in China is due to changing tastes as the country becomes increasingly affluent. Meat, dairy and alcohol account for roughly half of the UK's food and drink exports to China. The FDF attributed some of the growth in 2016 to favorable exchange rates following the EU referendum.

In descending order, the top five export products from the UK to China last year were milk and cream powders, salmon, pork, whisky and beer. Beer saw a 439 percent increase in exports following President Xi Jinping's visit to a Buckinghamshire pub with former UK prime minister David Cameron in 2015.

The FDF also noted the growing interest in China for British "afternoon tea" products such as scones, jam, tea and cakes, linking the trend to the popularity of television programs such as Downton Abbey and the Great British Bake Off. Last year, exports of tea to China were up by 63 percent, milk powder by 134 percent, and cakes by 26 percent.

While the weak pound helped boost UK exports, it also made imports more expensive and the UK's food and drink trade deficit with the rest of the world grew by 5.7 percent to 22.4 billion pounds.
Collaboration between Chinese and British nuclear industry companies and organizations is gaining traction as British regulators assess China's Hualong One reactor.

These collaborations pave the way for British nuclear supply chain companies' further entry into Hualong One's procurement process, meaning they will benefit from Hualong One's use in the UK and other markets.

Zheng Dongshan, senior vice-president of China General Nuclear, addressing about 500 nuclear industry participants on Tuesday in London at this year's Civil Nuclear Showcase in London, said: "CGN highly values the collaboration with the UK supply chain."

"Supply chain collaboration also ensures the Sino-British partnerships can succeed in both the UK and China as well as in third markets," Zheng said.

Last year CGN signed an agreement with France's EDF to invest in three UK nuclear plants: Hinkley Point C, Sizewell and Bradwell. CGN intends to use Hualong One technology at Bradwell, which could be the first nuclear plant to use Chinese technology in a developed economy. Hinkley Point C and Sizewell will use French technology.

The process to assess Hualong One's core component, the HPR1000 reactor, started in January and is expected to take five years. The assessment is formally known as the Generic Design Assessment.

Many British companies are supporting China's CGN to go through the assessment process, including British engineering company Amec Foster Wheeler, which sent a team to Shenzhen last year to help CGN produce the Preliminary Safety Report for the HPR1000 reactor, part of the GDA assessment.

Clive White, president of Clean Energy Europe Business at Amec Foster Wheeler, said: "We have secured every opportunity we have sought with CGN in connection with the proposed Bradwell project and we hope this leaves us well placed to win further work as the project develops."

The UK's Nuclear Industry Association is also working with the China Nuclear Energy Association to help each other understand their respective market's nuclear landscape, by translating a booklet outlining this background information into each other's language.

Peter Haslam, head of policy at the Nuclear Industry Association, said: "For China's technology to gain GDA approval, it is important for the Chinese nuclear company to understand not just the UK's nuclear regulations but also how things work in the UK." He added that the translated documents are a key step in facilitating this understanding.

David Orr, executive vice-president of nuclear business development at Rolls-Royce, said his team is working with Chinese nuclear firms CGN, China National Nuclear Corp and China Power Investment Corporation to "ensure that the safest and most competitive nuclear power technology can be developed globally".

Last year the UK's National Nuclear Laboratory and China National Nuclear Corp jointly established the UK-China Joint Research and Innovation Centre.

"We continue to believe that Chinese investment in the UK nuclear sector is of great importance," said Adrian Bull, director of external relations of the National Nuclear Laboratory.
Pyongyang dispatched a senior diplomat to Beijing on Tuesday for talks amid China's efforts to stabilize the Korean Peninsula.

The five-day visit by Ri Kil-song, vice-minister of foreign affairs for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, opens a chance for dialogue to avoid an arms race on the peninsula, analysts said.

Ri, visiting at the invitation of China's Foreign Ministry, will meet with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other Chinese diplomats, including Vice-Minister Liu Zhenmin and Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou, ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular news conference on Tuesday.

It is the first visit of a senior DPRK diplomat to Beijing in about nine months. Ri, also vice-chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing in June.

"This visit of the DPRK vice-minister represents a normal diplomatic contact and exchange between China and the DPRK," Geng said.

The visit comes nine days after China suspended all coal imports from the DPRK to discourage Pyongyang from additional advances in its weapons program.

The suspension followed Pyongyang's test firing of a new medium-to-long-range ballistic missile on Feb 12.

Ruan Zongze, executive vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies, said China is demonstrating its "full implementation" of the United Nations Security Council resolutions on the Korean nuclear issue by inviting the DPRK official for a visit.

China opposes DPRK actions that go against the resolutions, but it also is putting into practice the resolutions' call for dialogue to solve the Korean nuclear issue, Ruan said.

"Ultimately, the issue needs to be solved through diplomacy. China inviting Ri provides a very good opportunity for communication," he said, adding that the visit shows China's efforts to control risks on the peninsula.

Ruan predicted that the two sides also are likely to talk about how to increase bilateral communication.

Wang Junsheng, a researcher in Northeast Asia studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said China and the DPRK have "maintained strategic communication".

On Feb 17, Wang Yi, the foreign minister, said at the Munich Security Conference that Beijing had not given up hope for a new round of talks on the peninsula's nuclear issue.

"There are still opportunities for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks," he said, referring to the talks involving China, the US, the DPRK, the Republic of Korea, Japan and Russia.

Contact the writers at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn
(Photo : Pixabay) This move is in line with the Chinese government's efforts to maintain financial order and security.

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As China further strengthens its anti-money laundering regulations, authorities have committed to increasing coordination among themselves as they go after underground banks that are conducting illegal operations.



This move is in line with the Chinese government's efforts to maintain financial order and security, reported China Daily.



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The initiative is now bearing fruit as police in the northeastern city of Qitaihe, Heilongjiang province, have uncovered an underground banking network that has funneled billions worth of yuan in illicit transactions.



Eight underground banks and 80 suspects were reportedly involved in the illegal scheme.



China's efforts to bolster its anti-money laundering regulations comes in the wake of reports that criminals are improving their methods, and are expanding from coastal areas to inland regions.



This was revealed by Shu Jianping, head of the anti-money laundering office of the economic crime investigation division of the Ministry of Public Security, who noted that cases involving underground adversely affect several industries.



"Underground banks have been a quick way to transfer money for a long time, for they are anonymous and hidden," said Zhang Niannian, an official of the People's Bank of China, the country's central bank.



"Many criminals have taken advantage of the channel to transfer their illegal gains to abroad," he added.



According to Zhang, the central bank's investigations will focus on tracking and analyzing new types of financial crimes, particularly in the non-financial institutions and sectors.



In line with China's anti-money laundering regulations, the Ministry of Public Safety and Security will be working closely with the Central Bank and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange to go after underground banks that are operating illegally.



In a related development, more and more overseas branches of Chinese banks are now being investigated due to money laundering charges, reported ECNS.



The banks under investigation include Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, and China Construction Bank.



Experts have pointed out that the investigations are the offshoot of the banks' lack of supervision and internal controls, as well as the result of the financial institutions' strengthened supervision.



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Tagspeople's bank of china, china, China Anti-Money Laundering, China Anti-Money Laundering Regulations
(Photo : Getty Images) China is considering of giving 'birth rewards' and subsidies to encourage families to have a second child.

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China will likely offer birth incentives and subsidies to encourage its citizens to have a second child, state-backed China Daily reported.



The proposal was announced by Wang Peian, vice-minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission at a social welfare conference on Saturday. The potential move reportedly followed after surveys cited economic constraints as the top reason why many remain hesitant to expand their families.



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"To have a second child is the right of each family in China but affordability has become a bottleneck that undermines the decision," Wang said, further noting that "barriers still exist and must be addressed."



According to the commission's survey in 2015, at least 60 percent of families were reluctant to have larger families, citing the availability and cost of quality child care as an obstacle particularly for many middle class parents.



To address the issue, Wang said that the government should consider introducing supporting measures such as "birth rewards and subsidies" to encourage couples to opt for a second child.



Yuan Xin, a professor at Tianjin's Nankai University, said that this is the first instance a top population authority suggested to give subsidies to couples planning to have a second baby to help counter the falling fertility rates.



"It's not easy, and a 'baby bonus' plan should be applied evenly nationwide as all government policies should be transparent and fair for all," he said, as quoted by ECNS.



Authorities are now expressing concerns over the slow birth rate in China, the slowest in the world. Its birth rates in 2016 marked the highest level in 20 years at 17.86 million after the country allowed families to have two children amid worry on the costs of supporting the increasing aging population.



China relaxed its more than four-decade-old family planning policy late in 2015. And it expects to boost its birth rate to 1.8 babies per woman by 2021.



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(Photo : Getty Images. ) China and Singapore on Monday signed four key agreement at the 13th JCBC as both Asian countries tried to mend recent strains in their relationship.

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China and Singapore on Monday tried to mend recent strains in their bilateral relationship by signing a host of agreements during the 13th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting, the highest bilateral forum between the two Asian countries.



Total four agreements were signed on economic cooperation and infrastructure development between China's Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli and Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean. Mr. Teo arrived in Beijing on Sunday to participate in the high-level annual meeting forum.



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These four agreements will focus on the development of Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city, Chongqing Connectivity Initiative and Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City. Both governments have already started work on the first three projects and the fresh MOU's signed on Monday will deepen their cooperation further.



Besides, both countries have vowed to enhance their collaboration further on President Xi Jingping's ambitious "Belt and Road" project.



"China places high importance on developing ties with Singapore and wishes to work together with Singapore to deliver on the various agreements between the leaders," Mr. Zhang was quoted saying during the meeting, according to China's state media Xinhua.



Mr. Teo responded by taking a note of the recent strains in their bilateral relationship by claiming that "even among the best of neighbors and friends" there are major differences in perceptions due to divergent issues.



China and Singapore have hosted the JCBC meeting each year since 2004, except for the last year, which clearly reflected serious cracks in their bilateral relationship. The South China Sea dispute has been the main source of the tension, with Singapore increasingly siding with the U.S and China's other regional rivals.



The seizure of city state's nine armored vehicles in Hong Kong last year marked a new low point in their bilateral relationship. These military shipments were returning from Taiwan after they were reportedly used in military exercises conducted in the island nation.



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(Photo : US Army) SIG Sauer XM17 pistols.

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Austrian gun maker Glock, Inc. is protesting the U.S. Army's selection of the SIG Sauer P320 as the winner of its new XM 17 Modular Handgun System (XM17 MHS) competition last month.



Glock filed the protest on Feb. 24 with the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The protest will delay the MHS Program until June 5 when GAO is expected to rule on the protest, according to GAO.



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On Jan. 19, the Army awarded SIG Sauer, which is based in Germany, a contract worth up to $580 million produce a modified version of its Full Size SIG Sauer P320 semi-automatic 9 mm pistol as the Army's new service pistol.



The 10-year agreement calls for SIG to supply the Army with full-size and compact versions of its 9 mm pistol. The pistols can be outfitted with suppressors and can accommodate standard and extended capacity magazines.



Glock was widely expected to protest the decision considering the huge contract amount.



The pistol to be developed by SIG Sauer will become the Army's new XM17/M17 pistol. The Army has asked SIG to make certain modifications to the sidearm.



SIG Sauer defeated Glock, FN America and Beretta USA, maker of the current M9 9 mm service pistol, in the MHS competition. In 1985, the Beretta M9 beat the SIG P226 to become the Army's service pistol.



"We are both humbled and proud that the P320 was selected by the U.S. Army as its weapon of choice," said Ron Cohen, SIG Sauer CEO, upon learning of the award.



"Securing this contract is a testimony to SIG Sauer employees, their commitment to innovation, quality and manufacturing the most reliable firearms in the world."



SIG Sauer has a U.S. subsidiary, SIG Sauer of Exeter, New Hampshire.



The Army launched its XM17 MHS competition in late August 2015 to replace the M9 pistol. The decision formally ended the Beretta's 30-year hold on the Army's sidearm market.



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TagsGlock, Inc., U.S. Army, SIG Sauer P320, XM 17 Modular Handgun System, Government Accountability Office, XM17/M17 pistol
(Photo : Getty Images) The North Korean diplomat has arrived in the country at the invitation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi, China's foreign minister.

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North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Ri Kil Song arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to hold possible talks on the coal import ban imposed as a retaliatory measure by China last week, after the isolated communist state carried out its latest missile test earlier this month.



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The North Korean diplomat has arrived in the country at the invitation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi, China's foreign minister, who described the visit as "normal diplomatic contact and exchange" between the two communist state.



North Korean state-run KCNA also confirmed the visit but did not elaborate on its purpose. Some media reports claim that Ri's car left straight from the Beijing International Airport towards the central part of the capital, instead of the North Korean embassy, marking the urgency and importance of the visit.



This is the first high-ranking official from the reclusive communist state to arrive in China, following the latest missile test, which was apparently the first since U.S. President Donald Trump assumed the office in January.



It is still not known whether Ri will be meeting President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang during the visit. But it is likely that the recent coal ban import and impending deployment of THAAD missile are likely to top Ri's agenda. The recent murder of the leader Kim Jong Un's estranged half-brother may also dominate talks during the visit.



China is North Korea's sole ally and also its largest trading partner, but the latter's controversial nuclear missile program has virtually put a brake on their bilateral relationship. This was clear after Beijing took a series of stringent actions last year against Pyongyang in line with the recent United Nations sanctions.



China probably served the most severe blow last week after it imposed a coal ban import on North Korea. The ban will last until the end of this year. The reclusive communist state may find itself mired in economic hardship as a result of this move since coal is the most valuable export that helps to sustain its fragile economy.



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When Senate chaplain Barry Black finished his keynote address at the National Prayer Breakfast on February 2, the normally restrained crowd of religious leaders, politicians, and visiting dignitaries jumped to their feet and cheered wildly. Then President Trump took the podium and voiced his appreciation. I don't know, Chaplain, whether or not thats an appointed position, President Trump said. I dont even know if youre a Democrat or if youre a Republican, but Im appointing you for another year. We caught up with Black to talk about his new book, Nothing to Fear, pastoring both sides of the political aisle, and the importance of a leaders ethical congruence.

Many described 2016 as a scary year. But the message of your book is that theres nothing to fear. Can you unpack that?

Well, its a message thats all through the Bible. First John 4 says, There is no fear in love, for perfect ...

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
The End of Abortion in Texas Contact: Rev. Rusty Lee Thomas, Operation Save America, 254-715-3134



AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 28, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- This speech was recently delivered at the State Capital of Texas by Rev. Rusty Lee Thomas, National Director of Operation Save America. It was given in support of Texas Bill HB 948, which would outlaw abortion in Texas. (Watch a video of the speech given by Rev. Rusty Lee Thomas here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxoMJqwABmI&feature=youtu.be) On the steps of the State Capitol in Montgomery, Alabama, after the successful completion of the Selma to Montgomery March on March 25, 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. uttered this famous phrase "How Long, Not Long." He proclaimed this as he was dealing with the evil and injustice of his generation. In fact, he stated, "How long? Not long, because no lie can live forever." And if I might be so bold to add, Lies carry the seed of its own destruction, while truth carries the seed of its own survival. Moreover he declared, "How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."



The reason why the moral universe arcs towards justice is because the God of the Bible is the God of all justice. His throne is built upon the two pillars of justice and righteousness and He has shown us, O men, what is good; and what does the LORD require of us but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8)? The order is extremely important in God's economy.



Make no mistake about it; this is a long time in the making. We have endured an extended night of darkness, death, and despair that has savaged our nation and its people, but as the Scripture promises "Joy comes in the morning." In God's providential history, we have come at this place, at this appointed time, to establish the self-evident truth, which is, man is made in the image of God and these precious children in the womb need to be welcomed in life and protected by law like each and every one of us. We are simply demanding equal justice under the law.



We no longer come to regulate baby murder; we are here to end it. We are here to plead the case of the fatherless to win it and let us be absolutely clear on this; we are not here to just plead their case anymore and wait for so-called pro-life scrapes to fall from the political table. We are here to win the case on the behalf of the fatherless. How long? Not long.



In 1973 with the infamous Roe vs Wade decision, America officially entered into a Covenant of Death. Our nation has been plagued with cultural immorality, government corruption and tyranny, and violence ever since. With HB 948, we will no longer nibble at the edges of this grave evil and injustice. We will no longer be content to use these precious children as political footballs to increase our coffers and political power. Those days have mercifully come to an end and a new day is dawning. With HB 948 the standard of what it means to be pro-life will forever change in America. No more wiggle room, no more delays, and no more compromise. The government sponsor of the murder of the preborn ends now in Jesus mighty name. Here we stand, we can do no less! God help us!



We are here to honor and obey God's moral commandment, "Thou shall not murder" and the covenant principles enshrined in our own Founding Documents. How many remember, "We hold these truths to be self-evident. That all men are created equal, and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."



As far as the Constitution is concerned, what does it actually state? "No person shall be deprived of life without due process of law." What capital crime was committed by the preborn that deserves capital punishment? You see, no penumbra of the Constitution, no mist that emanates from the Constitution can maintain this lawless facade any longer. The emperor has no clothes on. Besides, courts cannot make law and any human law that violates God's law is no law at all.



We are here to call upon our Governor, our Lt Governor, the attorney general, and every legislator in Texas to be strong and of a good courage. We demand they uphold the rule of law and do their duty to protect life and stop the shedding of innocent blood and also preserve the God ordained institution of marriage.



We are here to call upon the church to regain her prophetic voice to instruct the moral conscience of Texas and our nation. We can no longer turn a blind eye and deaf ear to this injustice that plagues our state and nation. If we as God's people do not speak up and act, history will condemn our complicity. History has proven time and again that the church's silence and inaction in the face of evil always strengthens the oppressor and prolongs the suffering of the victim. That mentality needs to end at once along with the evil of abortion that it inadvertently supports.



We call upon the citizens of Texas and everyone of goodwill to rise up and convince our civil officials in Texas to co-sponsor and support the passage HB 948. And remember this one everlasting truth. We do not fight alone in this great battle for the souls of men, the lives of children, and the future of our, broken, wounded land. There is a just God in heaven who presides over the destiny of nations. If we repent and do what is right in His sight, His blessing will return to Texas and beyond to secure a future and a hope. God bless Texas and God use us to pass this righteous bill in Jesus' mighty name!

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We have a special place in our heart for Ireland and the Irish. We never miss an opportunity to celebrate Saint Patricks Day. Since it is around the corner, well, it is time for us go green! Fortunately, we wont need their luck to decorate and have some fun with a little craft that wont require a pot of gold to create this Saint Patricks Day Banner Printable and DIY which is a great addition to any party of as a detail on a special Leprechaun corner.

Lucky Saint Patricks Day Banner Printable and DIY

Easy, quick and fun are fundamental traits of this Lucky Saint Patricks Day Banner Printable. It will be a great activity to do as you talk to the kids about the meaning and traditions of Saint Patricks Day. You will be done before you can say Kiss me Im Irish. Here is how you make your Lucky Saint Patricks Day Banner with our printable:

Materials:

1 sheet of white card stock

scissors or a 2.5 diameter round hole puncher

30 of twain

12 wooden clothespins

Procedure:

Use this template to print on your white sheet of card stock png2jpg The using scissors or the 2.5 circle punch cut out the circles. The circles are actually 2.6 wide so you have some room to play with. Lay out your piece of string or twain. Decide the intervals at which you will have a round. Use the clothespins to secure the rounds to the twain.

Now you are ready to hang an celebrate.

More Than a Banner

I love this banner idea because it is quite versatile. You can choose not to hang these pieces and instead use the rounds as stickers, goodie bag tags, or a cupcake topper. You can even create a badge or pin for your lapel!

More Saint Patricks Day Celebration Ideas

There are so many different ways to celebrate Saint Patricks Day! Have the fun is always the preparations and planning.

Here are some additional ideas for you to join in the Emerald Isle fun:
home World Catholics decry plans to hire abortionists at Rome hospital

A public hospital's decision to hire two doctors who are willing to perform abortions have caused an outcry from Catholics in Italy, where most doctors refuse to carry out the procedure.

Under Italy's "Law 194," which was introduced in 1978, abortion is allowed up to 12 weeks into pregnancy for medical and personal reasons, AFP reported. However, doctors in the public service may refuse to perform the procedure on grounds of "conscientious objection."

The issue sparked controversy after the San Camillo hospital in Rome advertised positions for two gynecologists, stipulating that those appointed should be willing to carry out abortions. Those who fail to conduct the procedure within the first six months of their appointment would put themselves at risk of being fired.

The Italian Catholic Bishops' Conference lamented that the advertisement constituted a denial of a doctor's right to conscientious objection.

"It's a distortion of the Law 194, whose goal wasn't to encourage abortion but to prevent it," said Father Carmine Arice, health director of the Italian Episcopal Conference.

Cardinal Camillo Ruini described the hospital's decision as "another demonstration of the tendency to challenge and block conscientious objection."

Lazio regional governor Nicola Zingaretti dismissed the complaints, saying "conscientious objection is 100 percent guaranteed" for the two hospital positions. He said that the advertisement did not exclude doctors who have objections to abortions, but "it does lay out clearly what role will be performed upon hiring and that will effectively be part of the contract."

Zingaretti also noted that under the 1978 law, certain authorized medical institutions are obliged to guarantee a woman's right to abortion.

"Conscientious objection is 100 per cent respected. In this case, we are ensuring the application of the law by offering these two places, two amongst more than 2,200 doctors who work in this sector. Remember, this service is tightly financed in order to provide pregnancy terminations," he said.

Prof. Alberto Gambino, president of the anti-abortion Science and Life Association, agreed with the position of the Italian bishops that the job proposal denied a "constitutional right" and was offensive to doctors' dignity. He said that there should be a "prolonged reflection" on why so many doctors refuse to perform abortions.

As many as 70 percent of Italian doctors nationwide have refused to carry out pregnancy terminations, but it reaches as high as 90 percent in southern regions such as Sicily and Molise, according to the Irish Times.
40 ways to invest in your marriage during Lent

Lent is a great time to be intentional. It is a time to pray and to fast and to reflect on Jesus and his sacrifice for us, in the run up to the celebration of Easter.

Lent is often a time when as Christians we decide to give up something or take up something. Forty days (or 46 if you count Sundays) is the perfect amount of time to make or break a habit.

Over the years I have tried many different things over Lent from reflective readings, giving up alcohol, 40 acts of service, ditching the chocolate, taking up exercise and carving out special prayer times. Some were definitely more successful than others.

This year I have a different plan. I am going to be intentional in an area of my life that I often take for granted, my marriage.

Marriages need investment of our time, energy and creativity. A healthy marriage doesn't just happen  we need to work at it and be intentional.

If you're married, perhaps you'd like to take this time to invest in your relationship too. Here are 40 ideas to get you started or you might want to come up with your own.

1 Tell your husband or wife one thing you really appreciate about them.

2 Pray for your spouse and ask God for an encouragement for them.

3 Go for a walk together  just the two of you.

4 Ask your partner about their childhood memories and learn new things about them

5 Give your husband or wife a hug for no reason at all.

6 Ask your partner how you can pray for them today

7 Watch a favourite film or programme together

8 Plan an activity that they would love for you to do together

9 Find an old photo of the two of you and reminisce about a happy time together

10 Take time to discuss three goals for this year that you would like to achieve together

11 Give your partner a massage

12 Discuss ways you can serve together and make some plans to achieve this

13 Make plans to meet with a couple that inspire you or that you can be accountable to

14 Plan a date soon to make love and ask them what would make it special for them

15 Turn off the TV, screens and phones and spend an hour focused on listening to your spouse

16 Tell your husband or wife what you are grateful to them for

17 Ask them about their greatest hopes and dreams for the next five years

18 Cook or buy them a meal that they would love

19 Kiss for two minutes

20 Discuss what God is doing in your lives at the moment, together and separately

21 Buy or make you partner a gift that you know that they would appreciate

22 Put on some music, light some candles and have a meal together at home

23 Plan or go on an activity that neither of you has done before

24 Say 'sorry' for anything you need forgiveness for

25 Talk about places you would like to visit or travel to together

26 Help a friend or family member in need together

27 Thank God for your marriage and your spouse

28 Review your roles and responsibilities and revise any that need changing

29 Discuss a challenge in your marriage and look for "us" solutions together

30 Listen to a marriage talk or read a relationship book and discuss it

31 Host a meal together

32 Discuss your values together  what do you want your marriage to be about?

33 Talk positively of your spouse in-front of someone else today

34 Leave loving notes for your partner to find today or send texts with special messages

35 Ask someone to pray for your marriage

36 Make sure you speak or do at least 5 positive things for every one negative one

37 Make love at a different time of day or in a different location to normal

38 Do a job that you would normally expect your partner to do

39 Have a pillow fight or do something silly that will make you giggle

40 Share your hopes and dreams for the future and pray about them

Sarah Abell is the founder of nakedhedehogs.com and is passionate about helping people to live, love and lead authentically. If you want to find out how authentic your relationships are  you can take a free test on her website. Find her on Twitter @nakedhedgehogs
Bible Left Untouched And Unmoved After Powerful Tornado Rips Through Christian University In Mississippi

Powerful tornadoes ripped through southern Mississippi late last month, bringing death and destruction to many places.

But amid the ruins, one thing stood outa Bible that was miraculously found undamaged and unmoved from its original position at a chapel at William Carey University, the Daily Mail reported.

The staff of the Christian university wondered how the Bible could have withstood the power of one of the tornadoes travelling at around 150 mph that directly hit the area. They noted the window next to the Bible was smashed to pieces.

They were all the more stunned when they found the Bible opened on Psalm 46, which reads: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

A statue of Jesus at the campus was also left untouched by the tornado, University President Tommy King told CBN News.

A school spokeswoman said nearly all of the 30 buildings on campus were damaged, and about 100 vehicles destroyed.

Rick Wilemon, an instructor at the university, said the Bible's miraculous survival had inspired and strengthened the faith of the university staff and the residents in the area after the tornado claimed four lives.

There have been other calamities in the past when the Bible had withstood destruction.

In February 2016, a vehicle crashed and burned on a highway in Memphis, Tennessee, Sun and Shield reported. The SUV was a total wreck. Fortunately, the driver survived the roadside inferno. There was another survivora Bible in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.

In April 2015, a tour bus used by country band Lady Antebellum caught fire, completely destroying the vehicle, Christian Today reported.

Everyone inside the bus managed to get out before the vehicle was fully consumed by fire. All the band members' personal items were lost save for one: Hillary Scott's Bible. Although the outside cover of the Bible was burned, not one page was damaged, Scott said.

In January 2015, a Bible in a Christian home also miraculously survived when it was torched by a Muslim mob in the West African nation of Niger, according to Fox News.
Bishop Angaelos: Christians In Egypt Told To 'Leave Or Die', 40 Killed In 3 Months, Prays For ISIS

As Coptic Christians continue to flee for their lives from the threat of ISIS in Egypt, the head of the Coptic Church in the UK has called out the 'horrific attacks' that have claimed 40 Christians in the last three months.

His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom today released a statement addressing the ongoing crisis.

He said: 'In the past three months alone forty Coptic Christians have been murdered in targeted attacks in Egypt. From the terrorist bombing on St Peter's Coptic Church in Cairo that claimed the lives of twenty nine mainly women and children, to the murders of individuals across the country since, the one common denominator is that these innocent children, women and men have had their lives brutally and tragically ended for no other reason except that they are Christians.

'Incitement by terrorist groups that calls for the killing of Christians in Egypt has spiralled over the past weeks to the extent that lists of churches and individuals have now been released as desirable targets.'

Attacks have escalated in recent weeks following the release of an ISIS video which incited fellow jihadists to target the 'infidel' Christian community. Hundreds have now fled from El-Arish in Sinai, Northern Egypt, and as His Grace told Christian Today yesterday, specific lists of Christian targets have been circulated among militants.

'These horrific attacks have gone largely unnoticed by the international community, but Copts continue to suffer tragic violations daily. The attacks against them are anti-Christian and religiously-motivated, demonstrated in many cases by the circulation of flyers within villages urging Christians to 'leave or die'.

'Similar events have tragically occurred far too often over the past years, and there is unfortunately little deterrent to prevent them from reoccurring.'

Angaelos added: 'In our fast moving world that is filled with so much news of tragedy, war and death, it is all too easy for atrocities to become 'incidents', and for individuals suffering them to become mere statistics, very quickly pushed aside by the next item of news.

'In the eyes of the perpetrators they are a viable target, and in the eyes of the world they become a regrettable phenomenon; yet what is actually left behind is traumatised individuals, families and communities that have lost loved ones, living the reality of themselves being targeted.'

The bishop highlighted the resilience of the community that has remained steadfast, and forgiving to its persecutors, despite constant opposition. He said: 'After the destruction of over 100 places of Christian ministry and worship in August of 2013, the bombing of various churches across the country in the last decade, and the targeted killing of clergy, families, women and children, purely for their Faith, the community and individuals within it remain non-violent and resilient.'

Coptic Christians represent about 10 per cent of Egypt's majority Muslim population. Angaelos added that Christians have not been the only target, noting that 'scores of Egyptian civilians, soldiers and police officers have lost their lives as a result of this wave of terrorist activity'.

The prelate concluded: 'we pray for those who perpetrate these crimes, that they once again become conscious of the true value of every life that appears to be dispensable in their eyes'.
Christian Worship Dropped From London State Schools In 'Ground Breaking' Decision

Compulsory Christian assemblies may soon be dropped from UK state schools and replaced with 'multi-faith' worship after a local council has become the first to make the move.

Brent Council in London made the 'ground breaking' decision to free its state schools from having to provide Christian worship in its assemblies, the Daily Mail reports.

Currently British state schools, funded by the government, are legally obligated to provide daily Christian worship of some kind. This normally takes the form of congregational singing in assemblies, though studies have shown that many schools ignore the rule.

In the new move, Brent Council's Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) will now support multi-faith assemblies, which will include those of any faith and none. The council have today received an award from the Accord Coalition, which lobbies for religious education and inclusivity in schools.

Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain MBE, who chairs the award's judging panel, said to the Daily Mirror: 'The current worship laws are unpopular and prevent schools from providing an inspiring programme of assemblies that are truly inclusive of all staff and children.

'Society may be Christian-based but is multi-faith with many also of no belief-system, and so uniform worship should no longer be compulsory for our educational system.

'Brent Council's ground breaking approach rescues an opportunity for pupils to communally explore and forge shared values, in a way that is workable and respectful.'

Romain added: 'We hope all other local authorities will take inspiration from Brent Council's approach, which we highly commend.'

Chief executive of Christian Concern Andrea Williams said the decision was 'a shame'.

The move follows years of ongoing conversation about the role of Christian worship and influence in British state schools, particularly as the prevalence of Christian faith declines among British families.

In 2015 former education secretary Charles Clarke called for the rule on Christian assemblies to be revoked. The Bishop of Oxford John Pritchard said in 2014 that the compulsory collective worship belonged in the 1940s, and suggested instead times of general 'spiritual reflection'.

The Rev Nigel Genders, Church of England chief education officer, said: 'It has long been a legal requirement for schools to provide a daily act of collective worship.

'But schools tell us that, quite apart from any legal obligation, daily collective worship has proved a powerful tool in bringing pupils together, giving them a rare opportunity to pause and reflect in the midst of a busy day.

'The policy in Brent, which is not new, is not the formal removal of that requirement, as has been claimed  far from it.

'It is already open to schools to apply for a determination to lift the requirement that collective worship be "wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character".

'In this case the council simply encourages schools to do that, to ensure that collective worship reflects children's different backgrounds.

'Efforts to encourage schools to take collective worship seriously and make it meaningful to pupils are welcome.

'Indeed, even without applying for a determination, the law already allows schools wide scope for different acts of worship.

'Around one million children in England  a quarter of primary pupils and one in 16 secondary students  attend Church of England schools where worship is and will remain Christian.'
Czech Christian Freed By Sudan Speaks Of Beatings, Torture

Petr Jasek, the Czech Christian freed from prison in Sudan, has spoken of the beatings and humiliation inflicted on him there.

Jasek spent 14 months in jail under Sudan's oppressive Islamist regime accused of inciting hatred and spying. He had been in the country investigating reports of the persecution of Christians and was originally sentenced to 24 years in prison.

Two Sudanese believers, Rev Hassan Abdelrahim and Abdelmonem Abdumawla, were also sentenced to long jail terms and are still imprisoned.

Jasek was moved from prison to prison  five in total  with 'each getting worse and worse', he told Czech reporters on Sunday.

He said: 'The first two months were probably the most severe for me because I was placed in a cell together with members of the Islamic State, who humiliated me as a Christian. It then escalated into humiliation and physical beatings, and psychological torture and humiliation.'

One prison was known as 'the refrigerator' because prisoners were subjected to constant blasts of cold air; he said it was 'terrible'.

He said one of the hardest blows for him during the imprisonment was finding his father had died a month after it had happened.

He had been nicknamed 'Karl Marx' by other prisoners due to the bushy beard he grew, but that was shaved off just before his release. Friends said he looked well, though he has lost 25kg in weight.

Czech foreign minister Lubomir Zaoralek praised his courage, saying: 'The conditions were very heavy. I am convinced that he is really an extraordinarily brave guy. Most people could not stand it.'

Jasek had an emotional reunion with his wife Wanda, who was sitting on a crowded train when she got the news of his release. A close friend described how tears were streaming down her face, to first the surprise, then delight of other passengers.

Jasek urged supporters not to forget the two men still in Sudan's Kober prison, sentenced to 12 years each for aiding him.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide's CEO Mervyn Thomas said: 'It is deeply regrettable that the amnesty granted to Mr Jasek was not extended to his co-defendants, particularly in view of the fact that the case against them was predicated on his alleged actions and conviction. These men remain in a maximum security prison despite the evidence against them being so weak that the case should not have proceeded to trial, let alone resulted in such lengthy convictions.

'CSW calls on the Sudanese Government to review and overturn the verdict and sentences given to Revd Abduraheem and Mr Abdumawla. We also call on the EU to urge Sudan to expedite the release of the men so that they too can return to their families.'
Does Being Conservative On Gay Sex Help Church Growth?

Anglicans must listen more carefully to the rapidly growing conservative provinces like Nigeria and South America, according to the head of major project assessing the state of the Church around the world.

New research shows a rapid growth in the global Anglican Communion over the last 50 years despite dire decline in the Church of England and The Episcopal Church in the USA. The extensive data, laid out in Growth and Decline in the Anglican Communion, highlights the shift from a predominantly white Western denomination to now where Anglicans are now predominantly from the global south.

David Goodhew, editor of the research, said the shift must be reflected in the Church's theology and practice.

'One doesn't just do theology by weight of numbers but it would be simply unjust to ignore the fact that the bulk of the Anglican Communion is now outside the Western world and also to ignore the gifts there,' he said in an interview with Christian Today.

'Those of us who are white Westerners who have historically had the power in the Communion should be very careful before we start ordering others around or indeed talking over others,' he added.

'We should be thinking very hard when we feel something strongly that there may be quite a bit of our culture in there. It isn't just we're right and they are wrong.'

Tensions across the worldwide Communion have ramped up over the issue of sexuality in particular with the deeply entrenched conservative provinces appalled the American's endorsement of gay marriage. GAFCON, a conservative grouping of mainly African leaders, have called for alternative leadership other than the Archbishop of Canterbury  currently seen as the first among equals among all Anglican figures.

Goodhew warned the Church as a whole needs to think very carefully about how to forward with deep rifts already firmly in place on both sides.

'People use this word 'inclusive' a lot,' he said. 'If I'm honest I'm slightly suspicious of it because it can be a weapon.

'People define what they want inclusion to mean and then exclude everyone else on the basis of supposedly being inclusive.

'I believe a gospel inclusion includes taking very seriously what the whole Communion is saying and that includes particularly the Communion outside the West.'

The issue of growth is a heated one with conservatives citing their larger congregations and growing attendance figures compared to the rapidly declining Church in America.

But Goodhew is reluctant to reduce the issue of growth to one of conservative versus liberal theology.

'Churches that grow are churches that intend to grow  they want to grow. Perhaps that sounds too simplistic. But that means they have a theological reason why they are trying to grow. That is where the tradition has an impact. It is the churches that is drawing on their tradition  whether that is their understanding of the Bible, their understanding of Church tradition, their understanding of the Holy Spirit  that is pushing them to try and engage with their community and that is what is leading them to growth.

'Churches that are repeating what they have always done and aren't entirely sure why are rather less likely to grow.'

'At the moment in terms of tradition, it would only be honest to say that the growth we are seeing most is in the evangelical charismatic wings of the church.

'But not only that. If you look at Papua New Guinea, Borneo, Melanesia you are seeing thriving Anglo Catholic princes. So it can happen there. It just happening so widely in the Catholic provinces.'
Egypt Exodus: Hundreds Of Christians Flee As ISIS Militants Go On Killing Spree

God's people are again on the move in Egyptnot much different from the events that happened during Moses' time as written in the book of Exodus.

While the Israelites at that time were fleeing slavery from the Pharaoh, today the Christians in Egypt's North Sinai province are fleeing from the campaign of genocide being waged by the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group.

Hundreds of Coptic Christians have reportedly left their homes in el-Arish, the capital of North Sinai, following the spate of killings targeting Christians.

Reporters from Reuters saw at least 25 families from el-Arish upon their arrival at the Evangelical Church in Sinai in the city of Ismailia on the Suez Canal.

Church officials told the news agency that 100 of the roughly 160 families in North Sinai were fleeing, and that more than 200 students studying in el-Arish have also left.

Rana Mina, one of the Christians who have fled el-Arish, said she's "not going to wait for death." This was in reaction reports that ISIS militants have killed seven Christians in since Jan. 30.

"I shut down my restaurant and got out of there. These people are ruthless," Mina added.

On Thursday, the seventh killing took place when a Christian plumber was shot to death in front of his wife and children in their home in el-Arish, according to ABC News.

Earlier, the ISIS released a video threatening all Christians in Egypt. The terrorist group is believed to have masterminded the bombing of a chapel adjoining Cairo's St. Mark's Cathedral, the seat of the Coptic pope, in December. The bombing killed at least 28 people.

A priest said the mass departure of Christians from el-Arish is unprecedented in size. "You feel like this is all meant to force us to leave our homes. We became like refugees," he said.

As previously reported, a 50-year-old Coptic Christian teacher on his way to school was shot in the head by two militants on a motorbike, authorities said on Wednesday.

On Feb. 19, suspected militants also reportedly shot dead a veterinarian also in el-Arish.

Last month, in a span of two weeks, five Coptic Christians were killed in a series of brutal attacks in Egypt. All of them reportedly had their throats slashed.

Egypt is ranked as the 21st worst nation persecuting Christians, according to Open Doors USA's 2017 World Watch List.
Egypt's Churches Condemn ISIS' 'Terrorist Acts Of Murder' Against Christians

Churches in Egypt are continuing to respond to the hundreds of Coptic Christians who have been displaced from their homes by the threat of ISIS' brutal crusade against the faith community.

Hundreds have fled El-Arish, a coastal city in Northern Sinai, Egypt following threats and attacks from violent jihadists.

First hand accounts from displaced Copts report death threats and violent killings from ISIS militants. Christian satellite network SAT-7 reported the story of Nabila Fawzy, who witnessed the killing of her son and husband.

She said: 'We were about to sleep when there were hard knocks on the door. My son opened the door...they entered the house all the way to the living room, shot him in the head. He fell...there was blood running from his nose. He was dead...there were two masked men standing there.

'I asked them 'what did you do to my son?' They were carrying weapons on their shoulders and pistols...I was screaming 'what did you do to my son?' They told me to go out, they held my hand and threw me out on the street'.

Nabila's 66-year-old husband 'saw his son dead on the floor and pleaded for mercy saying 'be merciful to me I am an old man...I am not a trouble maker'', but was shot in the head by the masked men. The family's house was then looted and burned down.

The Protestant Churches of Egypt released a statement in which they announced that they 'condemn the terrorist acts of murder and displacement that occurred recently in the North Sinai, targeting citizensespecially Christiansin Arish and other neighboring cities'.

The statement confirmed that the terrorism was primarily directed at 'undermining the unity of Egyptians who stand together under their political leadership in the face of terrorism'. George Makeen of SAT-7 told Christian Today yesterday that ISIS are targeting Christians because they wish to undermine Egypt itself, and Christians are among its weakest minorities.

The Protestant churches of Cairo highlighted three communities - Kasr el Doubara church, the Evangelical church of Ismailia, and Evangelical Moukatam - that have actively been receiving refugees, providing essentials such as food, shelter, and clothing. They have been working alongside Egypt's Ministry of Solidarity, Ministry of Housing and Ministry of Education to provide housing, substitute education and ensure paid vacation for all workers who have had to flee their jobs.

The Coptic Evangelical Organisation for Social Services (CEOSS) has dedicated finances to the provision and distribution of essential resources for the affected. The group has also conducted eye health convoys in partnership with Egypt's Ministry of Health, while working across different areas to address the pressing needs of the displaced.

Attacks on the Coptic Christian community, which represents about 10 per cent of Egypt's majority Muslim population, have spiked in recent weeks, particularly after ISIS released a video calling for fellow jihadists to target the faith community. At least seven have been killed in attacks since January 30, and the ISIS bombing of a Cairo Coptic church in December killed 27 and injured many more.

Bishop Angaelos, the General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK told Christian Today yesterday: 'The Christian community in Egypt has faced persecution for centuries, and particularly in recent decades. It continues to be faithful, prayerful and vibrant. That's something we're proud of and inspired by.

'But we should not let this forgiving nature to allow us to turn our eyes and not see what they're going through, in pursuit of basic human dignity, the sanctity of life, and the value of citizenship.'
Franklin Graham Says Supporting Planned Parenthood Like 'Raising Money To Fund A Nazi Death Camp'

Franklin Graham has said that raising money for the abortion agency Planned Parenthood is like 'raising money to fund a Nazi death camp'.

Graham made the comments in in response to the efforts of Barbara Bush, daughter of former President George W Bush to raise support for the organisation, the Christian Post reports.

'Planned Parenthood is the #1 abortion provider in the United States. Raising funds for this organization is like raising money to fund a Nazi death camplike Auschwitz, except for innocent babies in their mother's wombs!' Graham wrote on Facebook.

His comment accompanied a post sharing the news that Barabara Pierce Bush would be giving the keynote speech at Planned Parenthood's 2017 Fort Worth Annual Luncheon on Wednesday. Bush's support of the controversial reproductive health non-profit, particularly as the daughter of conservative George W Bush, may come as a surprise to some.

The Texas fundraiser is expected to welcome about 2,000 guests, and tickets can cost between $150 to $20,000 for a table.

Graham added: 'Reports say they perform over 300,000 abortions per year. And this is the organisation whose employees were caught on video trying to sell baby body parts over wine. Disgusting.'

Bush, 35, is the co-founder and CEO of Global Health Corps (GHC), an organisation that promotes health equity across the world. Bush has spoken about her support of Planned Parenthood before, and GHC already partners with various affiliates of the group, such as Planned Parenthood Global, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia.

Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards told Buzzfeed that Bush's attendance is 'really exciting'.

'It's huge, and such a diverse crowd, a lot of elected officials, a lot of Republican sort of first families ... I don't know if she's ever spoke at any [Planned Parenthood] event before,' she said.

Bush spoke to the New York Times last summer about her work in global health.

She said: 'So many young people want to work on social change. They want to do good. Global Health started because this great talent pipeline was not moving into health care. It's hard to know how you fit in if you're not a doctor or nurse. If we can demystify that and create channels into Planned Parenthood and other exceptional organizations, then we'll have an army of people working to solve health problems.'

Bush's support faces further opposition from pro-life groups such as 40 Days for Life-Dallas , who plan to protest the event. The organisation posted on Facebook: 'This Wednesday, March 1, Barbara Bush (G.W. Bush's daughter) will be the keynote speaker at a Planned Parenthood fundraiser at the Omni in Ft. Worth. We need to send a clear message to them, which is that WE DON'T NEED PLANNED PARENTHOOD!'

Another pro-life group, Students for Life of America, posted: 'President Bush advocated for life during his presidency and this is an opportunity for the #ProLifeGen to announce that WE DON'T NEED PLANNED PARENTHOOD by protesting the event.'
'Glitter Ash' For Gay Christians On Ash Wednesday

Gay clergy in America will offer ashes mixed with purple glitter on Ash Wednesday to welcome LGBT people into church.

The traditional cross-shaped mark on worshippers' foreheads is handed out at eucharist services to mark the beginning of Lent, where Christians mark the build up the Easter and Jesus' 40-day fast in the wilderness.

But Rev Marian Edmonds-Allen says she will among a group of pro-gay clergy offering a twist to the sombre ceremony to highlight their support of LGBT Christians.

'The whole point of Glitter Ash Wednesday is to reflect the deep, sombre, serious faith in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection that millions of queer Christians have,' she writes in a blog post.

Executive director of Parity, an LGBT charity, she says gay people are driven out of churches by a 'misplaced belief that God hates queer people'.

She adds: 'Jesus despised religion and loved people who were hated and excludedHe gathered them to Himself.

'This Glitter Ash Wednesday, queer Christians are not being silly and disrespectful. They are claiming their birthright as children of a God that loves them, exactly as who they are.

'These queer and queer positive Christians are claiming the journey that is Lent, towards the persecution and death of Jesus. And these queer and queer positive Christians also claim the resurrection of Jesus.

'For when those ashes sparkle, that glitter shines, it is a reflection of the very light and life of Christ Himself, given up as a gift for all people. Queer Christians claim that gift, on Ash Wednesday, for all to see.'

The Queer Virtue website promoting the move cites Donald Trump's refugee policy and growing nationalism and says the 'need for progressive Christian witness has never been more urgent'.

It states: 'Ashes are an in-your-face statement that death and suffering are real. The glitter will be a sign of our hope, which does not despair. The glitter will signal our promise to repent, to show up, to witness, to work.'
How Should Christians Respond To Donald Trump? Obama's Faith Advisor Sees A Fresh Opportunity

'There are two paths', begins Barack Obama's former faith adviser.

Talking about the shift in global politics since Brexit, the emergence of Donald Trump and the rise of nationalism across Europe, Michael Wear is not wholly pessimistic.

'This can either continue to spiral deeper into tribalism and the politics of self affirmation,' he admits.

But there is another possible outcome. In an interview with Christian Today, Wear outlines how the dramatic turn in global politics could provide a fresh opportunity for Christians.

'The instability that this kind of politics is causing not just politically but in our social and personal lives can be an opportunity to grow the civic character needed for a better kind of politics,' he says.

'Faith offers the resources. Christianity offers the resources to find your security elsewhere so when you enter politics you are freed up to seek the welfare of the other.

'Other-centred politics is not exclusive to Christianity but Christians have unique resources to help enable that kind of politics.'

Wear has written a book, Reclaiming Hope, about his years as one of the White House's most junior advisers only to see Obama's legacy shot to pieces by Trump's triumphant campaign. And Wear does not hold the punches in his criticism of Hillary Clinton's campaign. Labelling it one of the most arrogant in recent American history, he focuses on her refusal to engage the religious vote and points out her failure to win the majority of the Catholic vote  the first Democrat candidate to do so in years.

Faced with similar problems, the UK's left wing movements are in equal 'disarray', he admits. But here again Wear is not dejected.

'For the Labour party to be successful they have to with integrity believe that their message appeals to all in the UK and that they're not seeking the flourishing of some over others,' he says. 'Until they are able to get that confidence, until they are able to have a message and policies that can be taken to all corners of the UK they will continue in this stream.'

He sees faith playing a key role in Labour's rejuvenation.

'The opportunity for faith on the left is in the recognition that a pluralistic society requires rather than is hampered by people of faith being able to fully live out their faith in public. The ability for the Christian to be fully Christian and the ability of the Muslim to be fully Muslim are not at odds but rather are part of the same whole.

'This is something that in my country Republicans do not get in general. This is something that typical Labour values should be able to lean towards in the way that Conservatives are perhaps less likely to do so.

'The alternative in what we see in France is that pluralistic society requires totalitarian secularisation that actually squashes freedom and squashes people's personal identity.

'That is the alternative on the left if Labour is able to articulate a vision of the fact that all faiths are bound together in their ability to fully express themselves. That could not just be a wining model but one that is deeply true and important.'

But despite the unusual optimism, Wear is not afraid to warn there will 'rocky' times ahead.

And Christians have an acute role to play, he says.

'This is an opportunity for clarifying our values and how far they reach. This is an opportunity in the church for Christians to be faithful, particularly in an American context but here as well.

'The test for American Christians was not on election day but it is right now. It is in these four years. If they are willing to affirm what is good and reject what is bad, and this obviously applies here as well, as opposed to being held by these tribal allegiances then it can mark a really new politics.

'But if not, if we retreat to comfortable corners, then we will continue to see these fractious politics played out over the next few years.'
Preparing For War While Seeking Peace: The Israeli Rabbi Who Lived By 'The Book And The Sword'

Best known, perhaps, as the former Chief Rabbi of Haifa for over 30 years, Shear Yashuv Cohen, who died last year, had an extraordinary number of roles that marked a life whose history is intertwined with that of the State of Israel itself.

Rabbis and Orthodox Jews are not renowned for their fighting, but as the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said, Rabbi Cohen's was a life that combined 'the book and the sword'.

Born in 1927, the rabbi fought in the 1948 War of Independence to defend the Old City of Jerusalem, when he was severely wounded and taken to Jordan as a prisoner of war.

The Torah scholar went on to be the holy city's deputy mayor, president of the Harry Fischel Institute for Research in Talmud and Jewish Law, founder and president of the Ariel Institute and Chief Rabbi of the Israeli Air Force.

During the British mandate before 1948, Cohen had served as a member of the Jewish 'Underground' movement.

But as Dr Irene Lancaster, the translator of a new biography of Rabbi Cohen says in her introduction, he 'lived all his life preparing for War, while genuinely seeking Peace'.

The book, Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen: Between War and Peace by Yechiel Frish and Yedidya HaCohen, is in large part about the struggle for the Old City between 1947-'48, in which Rabbi Cohen was one of the leading combatants. But the work, which includes exerpts of Rabbi Cohen's private diary, is also, as Lancaster says, about the State of Israel itself.

The biography was launched earlier this month at Magdalene College, Cambridge, the Master of which is Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury who hosted and spoke at the launch.

The event marked a high-point in Anglican-Jewish relations which sometimes have been strained and tested over the decades.

As well as his many Israeli roles, Rabbi Cohen was also a leading rabbinic representative for inter-religious dialogue, first with the Catholic Church and, more latterly, with the Church of England.

As Dr Lancaster says, when she was invited around to the rabbi's home in Haifa in 2006 for Shabbat, he asked her: 'What do you know about the Church of England?' She adds: 'We never looked back.'

Canon Guy Wilkinson, the former interfaith advisor to Dr Williams' who worked at Lambeth Palace and is credited with improving Anglican-Jewish relations, played a key role in the production of the book along with Dr Lancaster.

Wilkinson helped Dr Williams initiate and develop a formal dialogue between the Archbishop and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel involving regular meetings on a range of issues including the dignity of life, environmental matters and the place of Jerusalem in Christianity and Judaism. A subsequent commission was led on the Israeli side by Rabbi Cohen.

'So I got to know him and he was already heavily engaged with a similar relationship with the Vatican,' Wilkinson tells Christian Today. 'So we were able through his good offices and through a meeting he had with Dr Lancaster to agree on a dialogue that continues to this day.'

On Rabbi Cohen, Wilkinson says: 'Here was a man who grew up and was formed in the context of the formation of the State of Israel in 1948  that crucial time in Israel's history  and then continued through the various wars and violences of that whole situation.

'You might think that such a person, steeped in Orthodox Judaism, might have been not at all interested in engaging with the Christian world  particularly the Anglican Communion and the Vatican. That he did so I think says something deeply important both about him and about the opportunities for inter religious engagement. He exemplifies a real possibility and a real hope for the world in which we live, in which so often religious people don't want to have anything to do with each other.'

Above all, however, the rabbi will be remembered in Israel, as a leading figure in and after the State's foundation. As Netanyahu said of Rabbi Cohen after his death last year, just before the completion of this book: 'Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen was a great and wise man who always strove for the unity of the Jewish People, just as he worked to bring together various sectors of the population in Haifa, where he served as Chief Rabbi for over thirty years.

'Rabbi Cohen was a gracious and friendly person...who combined his Torah learning with acts of loving-kindness...He left behind him many...students, disciples, and friends for whom he was a spiritual leader and authority in Jewish law, as well as many profound and fascinating stories that will continue to remind us of his legacy for generations to come. May his memory be blessed.'

Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen: Between War and Peace by Yechiel Frish and Yedidya HaCohen is published by Urim Publications, priced $39.95. ISBN 978-965-524-253-9
Should Christians Have Their Own Awards Ceremony Where Its OK To Talk Politics  The Oscar Romeros?

'And the award for best political acceptance speech by a celebrity goes to... the stars of La La Land! Wait, no. Sorry. The guy from Moonlight! No? Helen Mirren? Um, Beyonce? Look, let's just be safe. Where's Bono?'

It's only a matter of time before this is a thing, and I, for one, would pay good money to see it. But some, it seems, wouldn't.

Celebrities are annoying a lot of people lately by making political speeches at award ceremonies. Politicians and pundits, not to mention many on social media, have been vocally denouncing stars who use the BAFTAs, Oscars, Golden Globes, Grammys and other award ceremonies as platforms for protest and polemic and for turning fun events into 'political programming'.

The argument, such as it is, goes like this: these ceremonies are not the place for political grandstanding  people just want to watch a glitzy show and making it political ruins it for everybody. Plus, those making speeches have no political qualifications and should leave the politics to politicians. The right thing to do with your political views as a celebrity is to vote in private (or become a politician), shut your stinking-rich mouth and smile pretty for the cameras.

This is stupid for a few reasons. First: if you're watching a ceremony like the Oscars or Grammys that aims (in theory) to recognise great artistic achievements, there's a good chance some of the nominees and winners are going to be 'serious' works, talking about injustice. Will Ferrell and Eddie Murphy's fart-oriented movies don't tend to get nominated as often as your Schindler's Lists and The Helps. So, if the art being recognised is going, occasionally, to talk about problems in the real world, why should the artists behind it not mention them too? If all you really wanted was to see beautiful people in pretty dresses, there's always Fashion TV, after all.

You can, of course, be disappointed that some buzzkill has ruined your evening of celeb watching. What you cannot do, dear sweet bubble-head, is pretend that that is a legitimate and logically forceful reason why they shouldn't make speeches.

Fine, you accept that artists can have political opinions. Very gracious. But there's a time and a place, right? Wrong. If it matters at all, it matters enough to get as much media exposure as possible. If too many of us are spending more time passively watching TV than getting off our lazy buttocks and making the world a better place, maybe we could do with spending some of that time hearing uncomfortable truths. Those who think we shouldn't are basically teenagers asking us to turn off the news because 'it's so depressing'  maybe not bad people, but not responsible or smart, either.

The issue, of course, is whether a political message is, in fact, true. But if it isn't, you'd do better to attack the content, not the fact an opinion is being expressed. The truth is, most of the complaints about politics at the Oscars or BAFTAS or Grammys come from right-wingers who disagree with celebrity opinions. But progressives have form in this too, having long been too cool and too right-on to do anything but sneer at celebs raising the profiles of famines or injustices ('Seriously! Where's Bono?!') In this, both left and right are guilty, but those too apathetic to pick a side are the worst.

Left or right, the idea that we should leave these things to professional politicians, while in the same breath invoking democracy, is so inherently anti-democratic, it is hard to believe it is ever made. But it is. So: when politicians stop pretending to like our bands in order to seem more human, then artists can stop talking about politics. Except, no. Not even then. Because art must always be allowed to engage with society. And politicians will almost always look foolish getting down with the kids. Politics is everyone's business. Even celebrities. Even Christians.

That Christians in particular should be complaining about celebs taking a break from frivolity to say that 'even here, in our fun, there are things that matter more,' is truly disappointing. Making higher things relevant to everyday life is kinda what we do, isn't it? Keeping justice in a discrete box is like limiting your Christianity to Sundays. We, who believe every aspect of life belongs to God, should be the loudest advocates of turning shallow celebrations of ego into attempts to make the world better. Unless we are to abandon the very principle of witness, we can disagree with the arguments, but not the attempts.

I propose we create a Christian Academy Award for those who use their public speeches to make us uncomfortable and advocate for the poor and oppressed. We'll need a catchy name, though.

'And the Oscar RomeroTM goes to...'

Jonty Langley is a recovering fundamentalist and reluctant progressive who works for a mission agency by day and argues with people on the internet by night. He also writes. Find him on Twitter @JontyLangley
Theresa May: We Must Stand Up For Persecuted Christians

Theresa May has vowed to stand up for persecuted Christians in an address to Church leaders in Downing Street on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister said the UK should be proud of its 'Christian heritage' and said it was vital people were able to talk freely about their faith.

She also thanked those gathered at Number 10's Shrove Tuesday reception for 'all for the service you give to our country and for the difference you make to so many lives' saying she owes the Church 'a huge debt of gratitude'.

May, the daughter of a Church of England priest, said the reception was of 'particular importance to me personally' as she spoke of her horror at the ongoing persecution of Christians.

'It is hard to comprehend that today people are still being attacked and murdered because of their Christianity,' she said.

'We must reaffirm our determination to stand up for the freedom of people of all religions to practice their beliefs in peace and safety,' she added saying she hopes 'to take further measures as a government to support this'.

The reception included church leaders including the UK's Catholic head Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of York John Sentamu, the retiring Bishop of London Richard Chartres as well as black majority church leaders and others.

In a possible hint to recent criticism from the Archbishop of Canterbury over the sudden removal of the Dubs amendment for child refugees, May admitted 'the Church will not always agree with everything that the government says  and the government will not always agree with the Church'.

But she thanked the Christian leaders for their service and said there were many areas where Church and State could work together.

'I also believe it is right that we should celebrate the role of Christianity in our country.

'We have a very strong tradition in this country of religious tolerance and freedom of speech, and our Christian heritage is something we can all be proud of.

'We must continue to ensure that people feel able to speak about their faith, and that absolutely includes their faith in Christ.

'I also believe that Christianity has an important role to play in making Britain a country that works for everyone.'
Victoria's Secret Lingerie Model Adriana Lima Reveals She Carries A Bible To Shows And Believes In 'Angels'

She is a lingerie model recognised by the chain Victoria's Secret as its longest running 'angel'.

And now Brazilian-born Adriana Lima, 35, has revealed that she is still a regular churchgoer who always brings a Bible to read backstage before shows.

Lima, the March cover girl for the magazine Ocean Drive who has been an 'angel' for 17 years, said she believes in another kind of angels, and in 'spirits'.

'The church is in me  I always connect,' said the model. 'If you're connected with the divine and always have pure intentions with everything you're doing, you're protected by the angels. I'm very spiritual. I believe in nature, I believe in energy, I believe in spirits.'

Lima, one of the most sought-after models in the fashion industry who earns a reported $10.5 million a year, outlined how she also believes in aliens. 'I don't picture them as, like, coming to get me or abducting humans,' she explained. 'I imagine they maybe look like us but with a higher intelligence and connection to the universe.'

The model, raised as a Catholic who went to Mass every Sunday, added: 'My goal is to do the fashion show till I'm 40, at least...Or [as long as] gravity is on my side.'

In 2006, Lima, who once wanted to be a nun, told GQ magazine: 'Sex is for after marriage. [Men] have to respect that this is my choice. If there's no respect, that means they don't want me.' She is married with two daughters.
Dear Abby:

As parents of an adopted child, we were concerned about when we would have "the conversation." Then a neighbor told us about how they would celebrate "Gotcha Day" with their adopted daughter each year.

Gotcha Day is a day to celebrate because it's the day we became a family. We "adopted" their idea and have been doing something special on this day since before our child could even say the word "gotcha."

Early on, she had no idea what we were celebrating; she just knew it was a special day for us. Through the years, she was able to process exactly what it meant at her own pace, which relieved the need to ever have that dreaded conversation. Recently, our daughter told us she loves this day more than her actual birthday!

I thought I'd share this with other adoptive parents who worry about when the right time might be to explain to their child that they were prayed for, wanted, loved and adopted.

Blessed Parents in Pennsylvania

Dear Blessed Parents:

I had never heard of anything like this, but I think it's a great concept and certainly worth sharing with my readers. Thank you!

Dear Abby:

After 32 years of marriage, my wife went out and got a tattoo on her shoulder. It's about 8 inches by 6 inches (quite large), and she did it without any advance discussion with me, which has left me sort of shocked. Her position is that it's her body and she'll do what she wants. This has driven a wedge between us, and I'm not sure if we can move forward.

Unmarked in Nevada

Dear Unmarked:

To me, what's important is not that your wife got the tattoo without discussing it with you but her motive for doing it in secret. My advice is to do nothing in haste or in anger. Try to get her to explain to you what the tattoo symbolizes to her because it may be important. After that, whether you decide to move forward - or move out - is something only you can decide.

Dear Abby:

My co-worker tried to commit suicide last year. She took eight months off after that. Now we are approaching the first anniversary.

We work for a small, family-owned business. Everyone knows she tried to kill herself, but no one knows why. She has reduced her hours and her stress level, at least at work. I have picked up most of her duties, and I'm quick to lend a hand.

How do we handle this situation?

Uncomfortable at Work

Dear Uncomfortable:

If your co-worker wanted to disclose her reason(s) for trying to kill herself, you would already know what drove her. Because a suicide attempt is nothing to celebrate, be sensitive and don't draw attention to it unless she brings it up.

DearAbby.comDear AbbyP.O. Box 69440Los Angeles, CA 90069Universal Press Syndicate
To produce the best possible cup from your Keurig machine, you must do something antithetical to the whole instant-gratification, K-Cup pod culture: You must learn a few basic things about brewing coffee.

I'm sorry, I know this isn't why you bought a Keurig brewer. The whole point of the contraption is to provide the fastest possible path to your stimulant - without the time, labor or brain power required for even an automated drip maker, like a Mr. Coffee. The Keurig allows you to stumble from bed, plop in a pod, press a button and, in less than a minute, sip on a steaming cup of joe. You could be hung over or half-asleep and still make a cup as well as a dead-sober judge.

This is called convenience, and caffeine addicts drink it up. More than 23 million of the company's brewers sit on countertops in American homes, gobbling up millions and millions of pods annually, despite the fact that the ecological impact of all that trash prompted one of Keurig's founders to wish he had never invented the machine. Environmental considerations don't seem to have blunted the Keurig's popularity, which says something either about our love of convenience or our willingness to buy recyclable pods (which Keurig expects to manufacture for all its coffees by 2020).

(Story continues below ...)

Whatever our affection for pod water, the Keurig is here to stay, no matter how much elitists (like me) rail against the madness of a machine that, more or less, undercuts much of the known science behind brewed coffee. It's as if Keurig has developed its own caffeinated set of "alternative facts," in which coffee can be brewed in less than a minute with beans that were ground two years ago, their aromatic compounds maybe degraded beyond recognition. Just as worrisome, millions of drinkers may think the roasty, petrochemical-like flavors in their cups are natural, a true reflection of the beans at their peak.

Coffee die-hards know better. They know the best cups - those full-bodied brews that balance acidity, sweetness and bitterness, without the off-flavors of over- or under-extraction - can be achieved only with the proper water temperature, the proper brew period and the proper ratio of grounds to water. They know a push-button machine can never hope to produce a coffee as good as a pourover from a barista who understands that low water temperatures or fast brew times can leave vital flavor compounds still locked in your beans.

So this is the breach into which we decided to step. We tried to build a bridge between Keurig Nation convenience and the obsessive, third-wave, neo-Amish coffee society that inspires "Portlandia" parodies: We're here, in other words, to hack the Keurig for the benefit of all.

To help, I drafted Joel Finkelstein, the owner and roaster of Qualia Coffee in the District of Columbia, and Tito Pena, coffee director at the Wydown shops and a former chef. The first thing they did was test the Keurig's water temperature and brew time for a single pod, to determine if both fit within the ideal ranges to extract the right flavors. For a single serving of around 12 ounces, the Specialty Coffee Association of America recommends a water temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit and a brew time of at least 2 minutes and 30 seconds. (The water temperature can fluctuate plus or minus five degrees, while the brew time can extend to 3 minutes.)

(Story continues below ...)

The Keurig K575 machine was deficient on both, despite a feature that allows you to control water temperature. Keurig spokeswoman Amy Doyle says the K575 heats water to between 187 to 197 degrees, but when we measured the stream without a pod installed, the hottest temperature we recorded was 187 degrees. By using the "strong" brew feature and grinding beans fairly fine into a reusable K-Cup filter, we were able to extend the brew time to 1 minute 30 seconds, still a minute short of the optimal time.

But we also had to determine the amount of coffee inside those K-Cup pods, and the only way to do that was to rip them open. We weighed the contents in eight pods, and they ranged from 9 grams (Keurig Green Mountain breakfast blend) to 13.1 grams (Keurig Green Mountain organic Ethiopia Yirgacheffe). Experts argue about the perfect ratio of coffee grounds to water but generally agree that for one part coffee, you should use between 15 and 18 parts water.

Put this in context: Those 9 grams of breakfast blend should, at most, yield 5.4 ounces of coffee. The Ethiopia Yirgacheffe should yield, at most, about eight ounces of coffee. The K575 machine allows you to brew cups much larger than five or eight ounces, which will contribute to weak and under-extracted coffee with these pods.

Clearly, the machine presents challenges, and that's not even taking into account the freshness of the coffee. "The coffee for each K-Cup pod is roasted, packaged and sealed with an aluminum lid which is resistant to moisture, oxygen and light after being nitrogen-flushed to help ensure freshness," emails Doyle. The company's packaging gives the pods a shelf life that's the envy of the caffeinated world: Keurig's "coffee products can be experienced at the highest standards of quality within a 24-month window," she notes.

Then again, what one coffee drinker deems the "highest standards of quality" can be another's brown dreck, which is why our Keurig hacking team went about these experiments systematically. We moved from simple changes to improve the K-Cup pod experience to wholesale, high-maintenance improvements that will appeal only to obsessives.

Even if your idea of brewing coffee involves nothing more than pressing a button, you can improve your Keurig output with a few extra steps. First thing is to use filtered water. Tap water may be drinkable by municipal standards, but it's often not ideal for brewing coffee. The pH may be too high, which will result in flat-tasting coffee, or it may be too high in sodium, which can affect the way sweetness or sourness is perceived, according to the Specialty Coffee Association of America.

Next, avoid the larger cup sizes when brewing. K-Cup pods typically don't contain enough grounds to handle higher water volumes, so ignore the 10- or 12-ounce cup options. If you have a brewer with water temperature settings, such as the K575, keep it on high. Likewise, if your machine has a "strong" brew option, always select it. The "strong" setting will add another 30 seconds or so to your brew time, which can help balance out the acidic flavors of under-extracted coffee.

The best pod coffee we made was a single-origin Ethiopia Sidama from Laughing Man. We brewed it as a 4-ounce cup, on the "strong" setting, with filtered water. "I think this is the best of the straight-up" pod coffees, said Pena. "It's got that silky body."

Added Finkelstein, "But if you want to have an actual cup of coffee, you have to [brew] three pods," one after another, all into the same cup. Which eliminates the convenience of speed.

Intermediate Level

You'll get your hands dirty on this level: Cut open a pod and determine how much coffee it contains. You'll need a kitchen scale to weigh the grounds. You'll also need to apply a little math: If your pod contains, say, 11.5 grams of coffee, multiply that number by 16. The resulting number, 184, is the grams of water needed for a classic 1:16 ratio of coffee to water. Divide the 184 by 29.5, which is the number of grams in a fluid ounce. The final number, 6.2, tells you how large of cup you should brew with that pod. In this example, you would select the 6-ounce option or the smallest cup on brewers without ounce-per-cup settings.

Now, you could either dump those grounds in the trash or compost and consider it the price you pay for brewing precision. Or, you could purchase a reusable K-Cup filter (around $14.99) and dump in the grounds to brew your coffee. In fact, you could break open a second pod (or use another pre-ground coffee of your choice) and add more grounds to the filter, until you reach the "max" line. This will give you more coffee to play with. (Remember to weigh the total grams and follow the math above for cup size.) You could either brew a larger cup of coffee or a potentially richer one with a lower ratio of coffee to water.

As with the Novice Level, use filtered water and select the "high" water temperature and "strong" brew setting, if possible.

Advanced Level

Ditch the pods altogether and grind your own beans. It's the only way to guarantee fresh coffee. We brewed numerous K-Cup pods that contained off flavors. One pod, a Colombia Huila from Laughing Man, tasted particularly foul to Finkelstein, who thought it went down like rancid oil. It could have been a sign the coffee's oils had become oxidized, despite the high-tech packaging.

You'll need a burr grinder to ensure an even grind, as well as a scale to know how much coffee you ultimately dump into the reusable filter. (Follow the math above for the cup size.) You'll also need fresh beans, nothing older than three weeks past the roast date. Yet all beans are not created equal with a Keurig brewer. A natural, light-roast Ethiopia Adola from Sump Coffee in St. Louis produced a cup so underextracted that it reminded us of tea, not coffee. "It's like Earl Grey," Pena said. Our light-roast fail underscored a truism about Keurig brewers: They handle darker roasts better because the flavor of the roast itself dominates the other aromatics left in the bean.

But grinding your own beans allows you to adjust the ratios and, to a certain degree, lengthen the brew time. One of our best cups was brewed with natural Ethiopia Guji beans from Qualia. We stuffed 14.5 grams of finely ground coffee into the reusable basket, despite warnings from Keurig that finer grinds can clog the filter. We brewed it strong on the 8-ounce setting.

"This is the best coffee of the day," said Pena. "It tastes like an Ethiopian should."

Finkelstein thought the coffee would show better if it were brewed with hotter water, but that's one variable we couldn't change. (And I tried: I poured 160-degree water into the machine's well, thinking the Keurig might always use the same amount of time to heat the water, thereby increasing the final temperature into the ideal 195-to-205-degree range. Nope: The brewing water measured in the same mid-180s range.)

Master Level

In our search for the longest brew time, we discovered the limits of the K575. It came when we ground Colombia Huila beans from Qualia super-fine and stuffed them into the reusable filter. The machine quickly flashed a "Sorry, brew interrupted" sign. The water wouldn't pass through the compacted grounds. Fortunately, the brewer shut down before turning my kitchen table into a swamp that I'd have to drain myself.

The final modification we made was another water upgrade. Pena brought a gallon of distilled water, which he dosed with Global Customized Water's AB Formula, a mix of minerals that extract a more balanced cup of coffee. We used the water on the same Ethiopia Guji beans from Qualia, relying on the same ratio and settings as before. As advertised, the water extracted more sweetness from the beans, which helped balance out its fruity acidity.

"This is approaching what you might get at a coffee shop," Pena said.

Finkelstein, serving as the grumpy realist in our session, didn't disagree with Pena's assessment, but he also wondered if this wasn't the tipping point.

"The amount of work to get there," Finkelstein said, pausing for emphasis. "It seems like you might as well do a pourover."
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AUSTIN -- The top education policy official in the Texas House said Tuesday that he would not allow the approval of school vouchers this legislative session, a blunt pronouncement that could be fatal to the prospects for legislation that is a priority for many top Republicans in the state.

The official, House Public Education Chairman Dan Huberty, R-Houston, said during a Texas Tribune event here that he and his colleagues in the House already had debated the issue at length and determined that vouchers would reduce school accountability by putting public dollars in private schools that are not subject to the same rules and also would distract from more pressing challenges, such as fixing the school finance system.

Asked whether that meant a high-profile voucher proposal from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was "dead, dead, dead," Huberty said yes. Asked whether there was anything that could change his mind, Huberty said no.

DEVELOPMENT FIGHT: UT chief fires back over use of land in Houston

"Why don't we talk about the real issues?" Huberty said.

The pronouncement was not a complete shock because Huberty long has opposed vouchers, which take the per-child money slotted to go to a public school and instead allow parents to have it to pay for part of the tuition at a private school. House Speaker Joe Straus' selection of Huberty to chair the education committee was seen as a signal that the House would not entertain any significant increase in that style of school choice.

Still, the news was a dramatic death knell for a major proposal. Patrick, in particular, has declared vouchers as one of his top priorities and has suggested that he will not approve reform of the school finance system unless vouchers are approved. Gov. Greg Abbott, U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and many others also have said that they view school choice as the civil rights issue of this generation. They believe that vouchers level the playing field by allowing poor families to have the same right as wealthy families to choose to go to the school that will best help them.

NEW MONIKER: Most expensive football stadium in Texas finally has a name

For Huberty, who, like others, has said that vouchers would not help poor families because they would not come close to paying the full cost of private school tuition, the argument was not persuasive.

At the event Tuesday, Huberty said he had not talked to Patrick about the issue.

"I'm sure after this I will," he said.

>>>Scroll through the gallery to see some of the key players in this year's legislative session
Lamar CISD school board trustees approved Feb. 16 attendance boundaries for the district's newest elementary school, Lindsey.

Located in the Firethorne West community, Lindsey is slated to open at the start of the 2017-2018 school year.

Students currently attending Huggins Elementary who live in the northwest portion of the school's attendance zone will be zoned to Lindsey. Those include students living east of Jordan Road and along Tamarron Trace, Tamarron Crossing and West Firethorne roads.

The school is slated to open this fall with 370 students. By August of 2021, it is expected to reach 878 students.

The opening of Lindsey - the first Lamar CISD elementary school to be located in Katy - comes during a time of growth in the district.

Lamar CISD is the sixth fastest growing district in the state. An overwhelming 94.5 percent of its resident student population attends Lamar CISD schools. Growth will only continue in the northwest portion of the district. A recent demographic report projects 20,000 new homes will be built and occupied in that portion of Lamar CISD by 2026.

Huggins Elementary is outgrowing other district elementary schools. In 10 years, almost 4,800 students will live in Huggins' current attendance zone. That's over six schools worth of students.

Other fast-growing schools in the north include Bentley Elementary. In 10 years, that schools projected to have 1,800 students in its current attendance zone, about two and a half elementary school populations.

Hubenak, Frost and Adolphus elementaries will all have about one and a half elementary schools worth of students in 10 years.

The district's strategy for managing residential growth around Huggins is to peel off sections of its attendance zone, so the district is not moving kids multiple times. Opening Lindsey Elementary is the first step. At some point, there could be as many as six schools in that area.

Fourth grade students who currently attend Huggins but will be moved to Lindsey have the option to stay at their current campus. They need fill out a grandfathering application by April 14. Applications are available now in the front offices of Huggins Elementary or online at lcisd.org. District transportation will not be provided to any grandfathered student who opts to remain at Huggins.
Lent officially starts on Wednesday and for the next 960 hours (or 40 days) Christians around Houston will be challenging themselves to make a few changes in their routine.

The Lenten season prepares Christians for the annual acknowledgment of Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends Holy Thursday.
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University of Texas System Chancellor William McRaven has disputed the assertion by a state senator that 300-plus acres in Houston the system acquired last year for about $210 million is a "dump."

Last month during a state Senate finance committee hearing, Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, characterized the land that way and said: No one else wants it. Its environmentally unsound.

Whitmire and other state lawmakers have been critical of McRaven's decision to buy hundreds of acres in Houston with no stated purpose.

CAMPUS RACISM: UT president says hateful posters at school one of worst days in job

McRaven has a local advisory group that has been assessing what the university should do with the tract. He has said the land is possibly the largest contiguous site near the center of Houston and he expects to receive by the end of February the advisory group's recommendations on how to use the land.

"The UT System completed all the usual and required appraisals, environmental due diligence and title review prior to closing on the different portions of the property," McRaven wrote earlier this month in a five-page letter to Whitemire. "There are no environmental or other conditions that will prevent full and complete development on all of the property, except for required water retentions."

Whitmire Letter 021317 by Lindsay on Scribd

The chancellor wrote that the site never was a landfill but much of the property is part of an abandoned oil field and there are plugged wells. Cleaning up the land is expected to cost less than $2 million and the sellers agreed to a price reduction accordingly, he wrote.

BIG BUCKS: Texas colleges profiting the most, least from sports

McRaven's Feb. 13 letter, which the Houston Chronicle has obtained a copy of, provided updated specifications on the land purchase. UT has acquired 302 acres to date for about $210 million. In total, UT plans to buy 307 acres for about $214.8 million with $13 million of bonds annually from the Permanent University Fund, a pool of money that UT and the Texas A&M University system can access.

"We wouldn't allow another state agency to make an investment like that when they have no clear plans," Whitmire said in a phone interview on Monday.

>>>Scroll through the above gallery to see more things to know about the University of Texas at Austin
In the small, dimly lit council chambers of Bellaire City Hall, residents showed up to a January meeting in numbers that one council member thought had to be a record for the most public comment on any issue he's seen.

The "Chevron property" in north Bellaire has become a hot-button issue in the city since summer of 2016 when the corporation announced that it would vacate the 30-acre parcel by the end of this year. There was a proposal from Houston Independent School District to buy the plot that caused lively debate between parents, Bellaire High School administrators and city officials. But according to HISD documents their has been no action taken toward acquiring the property.

Since then, Bellaire has been trying settle on proper uses for the land on Fournace Place between Loop 610 West and South Rice Avenue that will satisfy citizens' concerns. Although they are months away from approving any zoning regulations, they've opened the door to a variety of development.

At a Feb. 14 Bellaire Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, members approved action in a 6-1 vote that will allow the city to consider new uses for the property.

"It's a recommendation to the council to amend the comprehensive plan," said John McDonald, director of development services at City of Bellaire. "Let's replace where it says business park and replace with language more open to higher-density, multi-family or office, retail."

McDonald said amending the comprehensive plan is the first step because any zoning changes would have to adhere to the overall, philosophical mission on the plan. It's meant to be broad language so that city planners have options later when developers start calling on the city to approve projects on the site.

But the devil is in the details and at the crowded January public hearing on the matter, 19 residents showed up to say multi-family units, like an apartment complex, wasn't in keeping with the city's character. They fear neglectful apartment managers won't maintain the property and Bellaire could suffer, said Catherine Lewis.

"We packed out that little council room," she said. "We spoke for an hour and half, and their minutes did not reflect what we said."

Lewis was referring to the Feb. 14 meeting when minutes for the January public hearing were approved. During the approval it was revealed that the summary of the residents' comments only stated "citizens concerns." Commissioner Bill Thorogood brought the matter to the attention of the Commission.

"Those folks turned out en mass, and they said we don't want these things (retail or multi-family housing). I ask that staff go back and look at these comments and reflect what these statements were," said Thorogood.

One of the 19 homeowners who spoke at the January hearing along with Lewis' was Dr. Youli Zu.

"My suggestion for best use is for single family. Not just personal interest, but Belliare interest," he said.

The commission voted to amend the minutes to represent the strength of the public's arguments."I have continued to support citizens who have strongly voiced their opinion for only single family residential land use for the redevelopment of the Chevron site," said Thorogood Wednesday.

He said through restricting development of the site to single-family homes Bellaire would retain the environment that attracted homeowners to the city, curb increased traffic along South Rice Avenue - that he said is already too congested - restrict competition for existing retail business owners in the city and that Bellaire's residential property values are competitive enough with that of commercial development, so that the city would not lose out on tax revenue if restricted to single-family homes.

"Looking long term, the current on-going single-family residential redevelopment (generally referred to as "gentrification") is strong proof that revitalization of single-family residential properties works very well for Bellaire," he said.

Council will consider approval of amendments to the comprehensive plan at their April 3 meeting, but, said McDonald, it won't be until the Planning Commission actually creates new zoning rules that the impact will be seen. The next public hearing on the topic will be held at Bellaire City Council meeting March 20."My suggestion for best use is for single family. Not just personal interest, but Belliare interest," he said.

The commission voted to amend the minutes to represent the strength of the public's arguments."I have continued to support citizens who have strongly voiced their opinion for only single family residential land use for the redevelopment of the Chevron site," said Thorogood Wednesday.

He said through restricting development of the site to single-family homes Bellaire would retain the environment that attracted homeowners to the city, curb increased traffic along South Rice Avenue - that he said is already too congested - restrict competition for existing retail business owners in the city and that Bellaire's residential property values are competitive enough with that of commercial development, so that the city would not lose out on tax revenue if restricted to single-family homes.

"Looking long term, the current on-going single-family residential redevelopment (generally referred to as "gentrification") is strong proof that revitalization of single-family residential properties works very well for Bellaire," he said.

Council will consider approval of amendments to the comprehensive plan at their April 3 meeting, but, said McDonald, it won't be until the Planning Commission actually creates new zoning rules that the impact will be seen. The next public hearing on the topic will be held at Bellaire City Council meeting March 20.
In May, West University Place residents will vote in a general election for City Council members and, possibly, a new mayor. All four positions on the Council and the mayor's seat are up for re-election on May 6.

There are eight candidates running for City Council and three vying for the mayor's post. Mayor Susan Sample is asking for a second term in the office. Before she ran unopposed for her first term as mayor in 2015. She previously served two terms on City Council.

Sample says during her time as mayor, she's been able to work with Council Members to accomplish a number of initiatives, and if given the opportunity to serve again, she sees safety and security as a top priority.

"Approval to repave Buffalo Speedway is an accomplishment, we have a new park that I'm really proud of - Hughes Park, at no cost to the city - it couldn't have gone better. We've done a lot and I would like to continue that," Sample said Friday. "I think resident safety is always important. It's not something you can rest on, it always has to be revisited and updated."

She mentioned the trial use of license-plate reading cameras as one way to improve safety, and the approval in the most recent budget to hire two additional patrol officers for West University Police Department.

An issue she says is always on the minds' of residents is flood risk and the cost to homeowners who reside in flood planes. If given a second term, she hopes to help remove burdensome insurance premiums and costs from property damage by removing those areas from flood plane categories through drainage improvements.

One of her challengers is Greg J. Micek, a software developer who has lived in West U since 2004, and is seeking the position specifically to impact security. Micek said he has no political background, but has been involved in community service for 34 years.

"My platform is public safety and economic empowerment. I have been trying to get community leaders to embrace my program for years but it's tough to get their attention," said Micek. "When the opportunity for Mayor showed up, I thought this is what I need to do. I don't believe in too much government influence or control. I see myself as a thought leader to get the community behind these initiatives."

The initiatives Micek is pushing for have to do with the convincing police and the public to embrace a technology he's developed through his company that uses software that mimics a police sketch artist. He said using the computer-based artist creates a higher-quality image with less cost. The software was endorsed by the "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh in an interview with Larry King.

During the interview Walsh explained how the computerized sketch was used in a case in Florida that led to the capture of a rapist when the suspect's mother saw the sketch on television.

Micek says he wants the public and West U law enforcement to take advantage of the technology that he would donate at no cost to the city and to every resident, which he believes will make the city safer by deterring crime. He said he's offered the technology to the city and WUPD in the past at no charge, but they were not interested.

He's also in favor of license-plate reading cameras being used on public streets to catch criminals.

"I deal with a lot of bureaucratic resistance. If I become Mayor, I can get on the other side of the wall and as an insider I'll be able to get it accepted."

Sonny Brandtner, a Practice Manager with an accounting and business consulting firm has lived in West U for 20 years. He sees himself better positioned to take the Mayor's office and its responsibilities than incumbent Sample."Now, my son is 17 and I'm no longer with the bigger firm and I can make the commitment I need to make to the community," said Brandter, who ran for City Council a few years ago but didn't win the seat.

His chief effort as Mayor would be to lower property tax rates, and even to negotiate with Houston ISD on the rate homeowners pay to the district. He also believes his professional background gives him the experience to work with the community and with City Council.

"I think I would be a good listener and gain concesus (on Council) and take action, not on what I want to do, but what our community wants done," he said.

Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 6 at City Hall Council Chambers, 3800 University Blvd.
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Congregation Emanu El Sisterhood invites you for a spectacular, co-ed, fun-filled, outrageous evening, when Kinky Friedman, musician, author, humanitarian and occasional "Texas politician" will share his multiple talents and "shtick" at its annual fundraiser.

This very special event will take place at Congregation Emanu El, 1500 Sunset Blvd., Thursday, March 23, starting at 6:30 p.m. with a patron reception and special patron raffle drawing for a two-night stay at the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans.
Main Street Theatre is holding performances of the play Copenhagen by Michael Frayn through March 12.

In 1941, German physicist Werner Heisenberg went to Copenhagen to see his Danish counterpart, Niels Bohr. Together they had revolutionized atomic science in the 1920s, but now they were on opposite sides of a world war. In this incisive yet very human drama, the spirits of Werner Heisenberg, Niels Bohr and Bohr's wife Margrethe, meet after their deaths to attempt to answer the question that Margrethe poses in the first line of the play, "Why did he [Heisenberg] come to Copenhagen?" Copenhagen is a powerful rumination on why we do what we do as human beings.

Copenhagen is a play about many things. Certainly it is about physics and the mysterious meeting between Werner Heisenberg and Niels Bohr in 1941. But patriotism and morality/ethics along with friendship and human nature are crucial subjects explored in the play.

In a time where our own country is divided, when issues of national identity and security are being questioned almost daily by people on both sides of party lines, Copenhagen is more timely than ever.

Performances are on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Join the cast every Saturday night for a drink on the house at the after party and a cast party closing weekend, March 11. Purchase tickets online at www.mainstreettheater.com. Main Street Theatre is located at 2540 Times Blvd.
Feb. 13

At 3:45 a.m., Sgt. Hollie, Officer Barber and Officer Barrientos were dispatched to 4300 Belliare Blvd. in reference to a welfare check on a tan Chevy Suburban impeding a moving lane of traffic. Upon arrival, Sgt. Hollie observed the driver of the suburban slumped over asleep at the wheel. The suburban was still running and in drive while the driver had his foot on the brake pedal. During the investigation, Ofc. Barrientos interviewed the driver and found the driver to be driving while intoxicated. Ofc. Barrientos placed the driver into custody for DWI and transported him to the Bellaire Jail for booking.

At 4:32 p.m., Officer Delgado was dispatched to 4747 Bellaire Blvd. in reference to a theft. Upon arrival, Officer Delgado spoke with the reportee who stated an unknown suspect stole cash from an unsecured desk drawer.

At 10:10 a.m., Officer Vorhees was dispatched to the Bellaire Police Department to meet with the reportee in reference to a burglary of a motor vehicle. The reportee stated an unknown suspect(s) entered her son's unlocked pickup truck on Friday, Feb. 10, and stole her daughter's bag.

At 2:36 p.m., Officer Andrade was dispatched to 6703 Chimney Rock Road in reference to a burglary of a motor vehicle. Officer Andrade met with the victim who advised he had just made a bank deposit at a Well Fargo in Houston, and drove to Copy Source 1 where he parked his vehicle and went inside. The victim advised an unknown suspect forced entry into his passenger side window and removed an empty Wells Fargo envelope.

At 4:50 p.m., Officer Liccketto was patrolling the 5300 block Bellaire Blvd and observed a silver Hyundai Elantra fail to signal lane change. Officer Liccketto conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and conducted an interview with the driver. During the interview the driver was found to have a suspended driver's license and a previous conviction for DWLI. The driver was taken into custody for driving while license invalid-enhanced and taken to the Bellaire Police Department for booking and processing.

Feb. 14

At 12:22 a.m., Sgt. D. Hollie was on patrol in the 4700 block of Fournace Place when he noticed vehicle failing to maintain a single lane. Sgt. Hollie made a traffic stop on this vehicle and contacted the driver who had a strong smell of an alcoholic beverage on his breath and/or person. The driver was given Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and showed multiple clues of intoxication. The subject was taken into custody for Driving While Intoxicated (D.W.I) and provided a breath specimen of 0.178 and 0.166.

At 6:55 p.m., Bellaire Police Officer Lysack was dispatched to the 4300 block of Ione Street in reference to a missing adult. The individual left the house between approximately 3:45 and 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 14.

Feb. 15

At 8 a.m., Officer H. Lopez was dispatched to 4301 Bellaire BLVD in reference to a suspicious individual. Upon arrival Officer Lopez made contact with the reportee who said that he was walking his dog and saw someone lying on the ground. Upon further investigation, the individual was found to be deceased. The deceased was also found to be a missing person from the previous day.

At 11:15 p.m., Officer Barrientos was dispatched to an accident at 5300 IH 610 northbound. Upon arrival, Ofc. Barrientos made contact with both parties involved in the accident. Ofc. Barrientos observed the driver of unit 1 with a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from her breath and/or person. The driver of unit 1 also had slurred speech, red blood shot eyes, and unsteady balance on her feet. Ofc. Barrientos placed the driver of unit 1 in custody for driving while intoxicated.

At 1:26 p.m., Ofc D.Rocha was dispatched to 4300 Cynthia St. in reference to a possible disabled / abandoned vehicle. Upon arrival, Ofc Rocha found the Chrysler four door vehicle parked and secured. Further investigation found the vehicle to have been stolen out of Houston, Texas by unknown suspect.

Feb. 16

At 7:10 a.m., Officer Vorhees was dispatched to the Randall's Grocery Store at 5130 Bellaire Blvd. in reference to a person stealing merchandise. The manager observed a male take several items and place them in his bag before exiting the store and not paying for the items.

At 11:47 p.m., Officer Clisham initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a defective license plate light at 6800 S. Rice Ave. After the vehicle came to stop and further investigation, the driver of the vehicle was taken into custody and charges filed for driving while intoxicated.

Feb. 17

At 2:05 a.m., Officer Ortega initiated a traffic stop on a black Chrysler 300 for an expired registration on the 8100 block of IH 610 southbound. Officer Ortega observed a clear plastic bag being thrown out of the front passenger side window on the 9000 block of IH 610 west service road. Officer Ortega located the clear plastic bag and observed the bag to have several clear plastic baggies containing a white powdery substance. The suspect was placed into custody for possession of a controlled substance, Penalty Group 1, cocaine, and was also found to have a misdemeanor warrant out of Travis County.

At 7:49 a.m., Officers H. Lopez and E. Schwausch were dispatched to 5020 Bellaire Boulevard in reference to a theft of service. Upon arrival Officers Lopez and Schwausch made contact with the reportee who stated that the individual came in to pay for $4 worth of gas. The individual then pumped 18 gallons of gas worth $40.18, of which $36.18 was not paid for, and refused to pay for the additional amount.

At 10:19 p.m., Officer Bellard was on patrol in the area of 6000 IH 610 southbound when he observed a blue Toyota Tacoma traveling at a high rate of speed and failing to maintain a single lane of travel. Officer Bellard initiated a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle and after further investigation the driver was arrested for driving while intoxicated.

At 4:30 p.m., Officer Younger was dispatched to 5200 IH 610 in regards to a two vehicle accident where the at-fault vehicle fled the scene. Officer Younger arrived and made contact with the victim who advised he was struck from behind and the vehicle fled the scene immediately. Officer Younger made contact with witnesses who were able to provide identifying information on the suspect's vehicle.

At 6:03 p.m., Officer Liccketto was dispatched to the lobby of the Bellaire Police Department in reference to an Identity Theft. The victim stated that an unknown suspect, using her identifying information, opened a Sprint account and attempted to open a Costco account in the victim's name.

At 10 p.m., Officer O'Sullivan responded to the 5400 block of IH 610 Northbound in reference to a traffic accident. The driver of the vehicle that failed to control its speed was arrested for driving while intoxicated.

At 8:04 p.m., Officer Liccketto was dispatched to the 5200 block of Bissonnet Street in reference to a vehicle accident. Officer Liccketto arrived on scene at 2007 hours and made contact with the driver of a 2007 Ford Focus. Officer Liccketto noticed a smell of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person, glassy eyes, and slurred and slowed speech. Officer Liccketto performed Standardized Field Sobriety Test on the suspect. Based on the results of the test, the driver was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated. Officer Liccketto found a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance, later identified as Cocaine, on the driver. The driver was taken to the Bellaire Police Department for booking and processing without incident.

Feb. 18

At 1:39 a.m., Officer Clisham initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle at 4700 Bellaire Blvd. for multiple traffic violations. During the course of the traffic stop, the front passenger of the vehicle was found to be actively attempting to eat a substance believed to be marijuana. After further investigation, the driver of the vehicle was released with verbal warnings for the traffic violations. The passenger was taken into custody and charged with felony Tampering/Destruction of Evidence.

At 3:06 a.m., Officer C. Barber initiated a traffic stop in the 6800 block of IH-610 northbound. The driver complied with the stop and stopped in a moving lane of traffic on the freeway. The driver indicated signs of intoxication, and after field test was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).

At 3:18 a.m., Officer Bellard was a secondary unit on a traffic stop in the area of 7500 IH 610 northbound when the suspect vehicle drove by striking Officer Bellard's patrol vehicle. The suspect vehicle failed to stop and continued driving. Officer Bellard was able to locate the suspect vehicle and initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. After further investigation the driver was arrested for driving while intoxicated and failure to stop and give information.

At 5:21 p.m., a witness called city of Bellaire Police Department in reference to a gray Toyota 4 Runner traveling approximately 20 MPH swerving side to side and hitting the concrete median in the 4800 block of Bellaire Boulevard. The witness advised city of Bellaire dispatch the vehicle had exited Bellaire Boulevard. Officer O'Sullivan and Officer Guerra were dispatched to the location in reference to a possible intoxicated driver. Officer O'Sullivan made contact with the driver and noticed bloodshot red eyes, appeared disoriented and his balance was poor. After further investigation driver was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).

Feb. 19

At 6:03 a.m., Officer Marcotte initiated a traffic stop on a 2008 Chevy Equinox for speeding and running stop sign in the 5800 block of Bissonnet. The driver was found to be intoxicated and was arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) as a class A misdemeanor due to the blood alcohol content (BAC) reading as more than double the legal limit.

Feb. 20

At 10:21 a.m., Officer Vorhees was dispatched to the 6500 block of Newcastle Drive to meet with Bellaire Medic 81 in reference to a nonresponsive female call. Officer Vorhees met with the victim's husband who stated he found the victim unresponsive and not breathing. Upon Bellaire Medic 81's arrival they pronounced the victim deceased.
Movie fans know the cry "You can't handle the truth!" from the 1992 film "A Few Good Men," but before Jack Nicholson played Col. Nathan Jessup onscreen, the character shook up audiences in person in the show's 1989 Broadway staging of the military courtroom drama.

When Pearland's Phil Connolly auditioned for the role of Jessup at The Purple Box Theater, where Aaron Sorkin's "A Few Good Men" plays through March 4, Connolly understood the challenge of following in Nicholson's footsteps.

However, the opportunity was too rich to resist.

"I've never had this much fun," said Connolly, who is 59 and a systems analyst at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

More Information Want to go? What: "A Few Good Men" Where: Purple Box Theater, 1309 W. Parkwood, Friendswood When: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, through March 4 Cost: $15, $12 seniors Information: (818) 642-4665, www.thepurpleboxtheater.com See More Collapse

"It's an iconic role, and to deliver that line, it's by far the best experience I've had in theater."

Jessup said he avoided watching the film after he was cast in the part.

"Of course, I'm informed by what (Jack Nicholson) did," Connolly said. "But I stay true to what I'm doing, I try to make the role my own, and the line just comes out."

Connolly's character is a hostile witness in the court-martial of two U.S. Marines charged with murdering a weaker fellow soldier on Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba.

Teresa McLemore of Pearland portrays both a lawyer and the sergeant at arms.

At the show's first dress rehearsal, said Connolly, "Putting on the uniform was quite a buzz."

Not as impressed with wearing a uniform was Deidre Brown, who went through officer training school in the Marine Corps and works as a corporate law litigator in Houston.

However, the former Friendswood City Council member, who portrays JoAnne Galloway, a U.S. Navy lieutenant commander in the play, cheered the performances of Connolly and his inquisitor, Albert Alonzo as Lt. Daniel Kaffee (the Tom Cruise role in the movie).

Amid the taut friction of the trial, the character of lawyer Sam Weinberg provides comic relief.

"It's a lot of cracking jokes," said Webster actor Sean Deflora, 32, who enjoys delivering Weinberg's "typical Long Island, Jewish snark" humor.

For example, in a scene where attorneys from a different branch of the military tell Weinberg's legal team, "We don't like you," Weinberg shrugs and says, "Another Christmas card we're not going to get."

Deflora's character also peppers the play with common-sense commentary on moral/ethical violations in the military trial.

Deflora spent his early childhood in Friendswood before moving with his family to Virginia, where he earned a 2006 bachelor of arts in English "with a whole lot of theater" at George Mason University in Fairfax.

He and his parents, John and Bridget Deflora, returned to the Houston area so they could live near relatives.

The actor, who lives in Webster, is woking as a substitute teacher this year while studying online for a teacher certification.

Rounding out the cast are Brian Chambers, Damarcus Gray, Mat Rosenthal, Dean Burse, Juan Buitrago, Zaheer Contractor, Richard Groseclose, Chase Harris, Pat Monks, Meg Sheridan and Steve Rockey.

The director is Cathy Holbrook, who advised that those under age 14 shouldn't attend because of strong language in the play.

Don Maines is a freelance writer who can be reached at donmaines@att.net
Brandon Roche and his wife were home in their Norhill neighborhood Monday afternoon, enjoying the President's Day holiday when they normally would have been at work.

Relaxing in the living room, Roche heard the chime from their security system go off, a routine sound when a door opens in the house and the system is off. But it struck him as strange because he and his wife are the only two people who live there and she was sitting next to him on the couch.

He peered down the length of the shot-gun style home to the back of the house and saw a man standing in his laundry room, frozen in place. The unknown intruder, being spotted, glanced around the small space and grabbed a pair of boots belonging to Roche's wife and ran out of the house. Roche followed him as he ran down the driveway toward the front yard.

Roche said the man, a Hispanic male carrying an umbrella, tripped and fell to the ground in the yard. The 37-year-old immigration attorney stood about 3 feet away from him while he laid on his back and caught his breath.

"He pulled a steak-knife out of his front pocket," said Roche. "It was almost like a joke, obviously it was still dangerous, so I backed off."

When Roche retreated a few feet, the man got up and ran toward the street. The homeowner ran after him in the Monday afternoon rain shower that covered Houston, with no cell phone in his pocket or shoes on his feet.

"He kept yelling, 'I've got a knife, I'm homeless, I'm homeless - I'm sorry'," said Roche. "I kept screaming for someone to call the cops but it was raining, no one was around."

The man soon ran out of breath again and flopped to his knees, repeating that he had a knife and that he was homeless. Roche realized he was out of sight of his house and his wife, and that the man could be dangerous. He went back home, where his wife had already called 911.

While they waited for Houston Police to arrive, which would take an hour, Roche called the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable's Office. Even though the advanced security contract Alan Rosen's Constable's Office has with most of the Heights neighborhood doesn't extend to the northeast sector of the area where Roche lives, they still showed up and investigated the scene.

To report a crime in progress, residents should call 911. The non-emergency number for the Harris County Sheriff's Office is (713) 221-6000; for the Houston Police Department is (713) 884-3131; and the Precinct 1 Constable's Office is (713) 755-7628.
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In his mission to bring a curated line-up for discerning music audiences to his renovated theater-turned-music venue, Edwin Cabaniss is staying true to his word by hosting Son Volt at the Heights Theater March 5.

The group, fronted by Jay Farrar, one of the founding members of Uncle Tupelo that also spawned Wilco from its co-founder Jeff Tweedy when the band broke up in 1994, is touring in support of their new album "Notes of Blue."

Farrar is an alt-country icon, often cited as a progenitor of the genre, yet not as widely celebrated as Tweedy who reaped more commercial success (some say by harvesting most of Uncle Tupelo's band members into Wilco).

But success means different things to different people - not to dismiss Tweedy who has made beautiful, voluminous albums with Wilco - yet Farrar continues to mine the depths of his life for inspiration as well mixed genres of music and instrumentation as he marches forward with Son Volt into their second decade.

The latest release from Son Volt is a 10-track, tightly-knit assortment of gifts to the entire style of music known as the blues and all its tributaries from a songwriter who managed to do so despite opening the album with a decidedly non-blues track.

"Promise the World" is, on the surface, more 1970s-California rock, but the guitar feels like feet across a dusty dance hall during a lazy two-step, and the backing strings and melodic vocals are an uplifting sermon about getting up after dark lows.

He moves on with "Back Against the Wall" and the guidance of someone who's seen some heartbreak and disappointment.

"What survives the long, cold winter will be stronger and can't be undone. With this back against the wall all will soon be revealed," he says.

There are digressions into garage rock, folk, alt-country that will satisfy the indie, mid-90s longing in the right demographic and an Americana-inspired, "Kaw-Liga"-reminiscent tune called "Cherokee St.," which is the name of an actual street in Farrar's hometown of St. Louis, Mo.

He dives head-first into American blues with "The Storm" and "Cairo and Southern" without landing anywhere near too on the nose.

"Been in this storm so long ... Spent all my money on whiskey and women, when I get to California I'll be fine," he sings on top of acoustic guitars in "The Storm."

Son Volt could make an impression in almost any venue, but The Heights Theater with its hand-picked showcases, small standing room and slim balcony supplies the reverential atmosphere Farrar has created on "Notes of Blue."
Mothers and daughters from the National Charity League Inc., Lady Bird Chapter met with nine other chapters in their district for Ticktocker Day on Saturday, Feb. 4.

Ticktocker Day is an annual philanthropic initiative that supports a military philanthropy.

This year's event benefited Camp Hope which is a residential treatment facility of veterans who are suffering from PTSD.

The Lady Birds worked with other NCL chapters to make more than 200 blankets which were donated to the veterans living at Camp Hope.

They also had the opportunity to hear several veterans share about their experiences serving in combat, their struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and the help they have received at Camp Hope.

The NCL chapters also presented Camp Hope with a total donation of $1,728 and more than 300 canned goods to stock the Food Pantry of another philanthropy partner, Houston Northwest Community Center.

National Charity League Inc., Lady Bird Chapter has 275 members and provides hands-on volunteer service for 22 philanthropic organizations in the community. Members are women and their daughters in grades 7-12.

Through this community service, NCL, Inc. develops socially responsible community leaders and strengthens the mother-daughter relationship. The traditional six-year core program also includes leadership development and cultural activities. Mother-daughter teams nationwide are responsible, dedicated, skilled volunteers actively engaged in local community work in 26 states across the country. To date, there are more than 200 chapters. Visit https:// ladybird.nationalcharityleague.org/ for more information about the Lady Bird Chapter.

Established in Los Angeles, California in 1925, and incorporated in 1958, National Charity League Inc. is an organization of women and their daughters in grades 7-12. Visit www.nationalcharityleague.org for more information.
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Dozens of women and girls donated their hair at "Go Light for Those Who Fight," making it possible for community members to help those fighting illnesses that have led to hair loss.

The event took place Feb. 9 at Needville High School, and so many people showed up that it lasted twice as long as expected.

Organized by the staff of Needville Elementary, the event came about as the result of third-grade teacher Angela Naik's courageous battle with breast cancer.

Naik received a round of applause as her principal, Stacey Stavinoha, opened the evening by acknowledging her and telling her story.

"I still remember this like yesterday," Stavinoha said of Naik's 2015 diagnosis. "From that point, she took the attitude of just the most positive person I've ever seen. She said, 'It's OK, I can do this'."

Naik continued to teach while raging war against the cancer cells in her body.

"Every day that she was there she gave 100 percent, and when she wasn't there we knew what she was doing: She had to take care of herself to get better," Stavinoha said.

That's when the idea for a hair-donation event came about, but Stavinoha said several factors delayed it for a time.

Meanwhile, Naik won her battle and was declared cancer-free, but Stavinoha's mother-in-law, Dorothy, was diagnosed with cancer.

Stavinoha introduced her mother-in-law and other cancer survivors, including a 3-year-old child who was diagnosed at the age of 3 months.

She said Go Light finally became a reality thanks in part to first-grade teacher Kristi Archer "really pushing for it," and the decision was made to invite the entire community and hold the event on the stage of the high school auditorium.

"I'm looking at adults and little ones who are here tonight to share a gift that they have, in order to help others," Stavinoha told the audience as she expressed pride and gratitude for their selflessness. "This is a big step for a lot of people."

Among them were Needville Elementary Assistant Principal Teresa Bosse and her 8-year-old daughter, Keriann, who nervously held hands while their waist-length tresses were cut.

At the other end of the spectrum was first-grader Ella Claire Taylor, who giggled with delight when she was presented with her shorn locks, and fourth-grader Klaryssa Cortes, who was thrilled with her first haircut.

The procedure was routine for Shelby Byrum, a 2011 graduate of Needville High School who grows her hair simply so she can donate it. Her Go Light donation marked the third time she has gifted others with her hair.

Stavinoha, who has had waist-length hair for more than 25 years, let first-grade teacher Janie Smerek make the first cut on her locks, with Naik making the second cut. Finishing up was Kayla Sainz, a hairstylist at Nuance Salon and Spa in Rosenberg.

Sainz and Haley Elliston, owner of H243 Studio in Wharton, donated their time to cut hair for the event. Both are graduates of Needville High School.

"I've been cutting hair for cancer kids for about four years now and when you see their faces when they see themselves in their wigs, there's just nothing like it," said Elliston.

Sainz lost her mom to cancer in 2008 and her dad recently succumbed to the disease as well.

"My heart goes out to all of you who are going through that fight," she said. "I really appreciate the opportunity to do this tonight."

Two-time cancer survivor Wendy Jordan collected the donations and will send them to Wigs for Kids, which provides free hair replacement systems and support for children who have lost their hair due to various medical issues, and Pantene Beautiful Lengths, a program which creates human-hair wigs for women undergoing cancer treatments.

Jordan's sons, Wyatt and Jake, both students at Needville High School, assisted her throughout the evening.

"My boys and my family, they're my rock. Jake and Wyatt had to grow up really fast," Jordan said, explaining her children were quite young when she received her first cancer diagnosis. "I was so blessed by Needville Elementary; they took such good care of my boys. Needville has been such an amazing community."

Jordan, who has lost 15 maternal family members to cancer, lost all her hair the first time she had cancer.

"I think that was probably the hardest moment," she recalled. "It takes about four donations to make one wig; they go through each strand one by one to make the wigs for cancer patients."

Jordan said the hair donated at Go Light for Those Who Fight is greatly appreciated, and will change lives.

"It's just hair; it's going to grow back," she said, "and when you give that gift, it's priceless to cancer patients."
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The newest club at Needville High School has more than 50 members and continues to grow in popularity; so much so, in fact, that sponsor Jennifer Wieghat, R.N., hopes to see it become a course.

The Health Occupations Students of America club was formed after Wieghat put the word out about it in her health classes and students showed a great deal of interest.

Elected officers are: President Ashley Hajovsky; Vice President Kaylin Jakubec; treasurer Katherine Pitts; secretary Jackie Cruz; parliamentarian Mary Jo Stavinoha; historian Delaney Orsak; and reporter Taylor Laman. Joining Wieghat as a sponsor is high school nurse Kellie Moran, R.N.

The club's members meet the third Thursday of every month, before school in the morning, and Hajovsky said all students interested in the health field are welcome to join.

"I really encourage students to get involved because it can really help them get a step ahead in college, and it's something different that not every school has," she said.

Hajovsky worked alongside her grandmother, a licensed vocation nurse, at her office last summer, fueling her passion for the medical field even more.

"I really enjoyed it," she said. "I used to want to be a teacher, but then I decided I want to be a nurse practitioner because I love taking care of people."

Jakubec had a similar experience during the Christmas holidays when she volunteered at the Sugar Land office where her aunt works as a nurse.

"I've wanted to be a pediatric nurse since seventh grade," said Hajovsky. "I just love taking care of people, especially kids."

She said HOSA club members are planning to visit a nursing home once a month, volunteering and spending time with residents.

Such volunteer opportunities, said Hajovsky, "teach you responsibility and giving back to the community" while helping with college applications and HOSA scholarships.

Wieghat said the club will continue to explore options and opportunities at every turn, while focusing on the vast array of offerings in the medical field.

Wieghat is Needville ISD's lead nurse and teaches medical terminology and health science careers classes at the high school. She graduated from that campus in 1982, at which time the HOSA program was offered through Lamar Consolidated ISD's B.F. Terry High School in Rosenberg.

"It's something I've always wanted to do here at Needville, but never got around to it until now," she said. "We're just getting our feet wet, but we plan to get more involved in things like competitions next year."

This is Wieghat's 25th year at Needville ISD, having started her career there as a nurse at the elementary school. She began teaching one medical terminology class at the high school seven years ago, and has seen that course grow to five classes. Next year, a Certified Nurses' Aide (CNA) practicum will also be offered. Students completing that program can graduate high school with a CNA certificate.

"It's a really cool thing," Wieghat said of the CNA program. "They'll practice drawing blood and doing labs and things like that. The medical career is always going to be there. Not everybody can, for whatever reason, go to college for 12, eight or even four years, but they can do this program and make some decent money. There is always so much interest in the medical field; there are so many options and opportunities."

As for the HOSA club, she said its members want to work in every department in a typical medical office so they can determine the areas in which they are most interested.

"It's a good group of kids; really good," she said. "We visited Texas Children's Hospital the Thursday before Christmas break and it was just really cool hearing them say things like, "I can't wait to be working here one day.'"

The HOSA club's first community project was collecting toys for cancer patients at Texas Children's, then delivering the donations to the youngsters.

"When we were collecting items, people from the whole community came and put stuff in the boxes at the school," Hajovsky recalled. "It was really neat to see how many people care.

Jakubec said social media was a huge help in getting word out about the toy drive, and the word spread from Needville to surrounding communities.

"My grandma has a store in Damon, and she put out a box and a lot of people donated," said Jakubec.

When the toy drive was over, she said, "We had so much that we were planning on just taking gifts to the cancer patients, but we were able to go to several floors. It was an emotional day. We walked into one room and it was a teenage girl and she was so happy to see us that she wanted to take a picture with us."

Hajovsky said the joy of delivering the gifts was hard to describe.

"We got to go in the rooms with baskets full of toys and let them pick out what they wanted," she recollected. "They were so happy, and very thankful. They were so happy when we would walk in the rooms because they don't get that much company all the time."

In addition to HOSA officers, club members Lauren Bosse and Casey Ramey made the trip to Texas Children's along with Wieghat and Stavinoha's mom, Dana.

It was, after all, Stavinoha's affiliation with Texas Children's Hospital that led HOSA members to decide it would be the focus of their first community project: She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia at the age of 6.

"It was September, 2006," she recalled. "I went through 2 years of hard chemo."

Although she is now considered cancer-free, Stavinoha will undergo annual check-ups the rest of her life.

"But this is my eighth year to be in remission, so it's for sure, for sure," she said with a smile.

Still, she doesn't forget the youngsters who are patients at Texas Children's at any given time, and was happy to return to spread some joy and hope.

"It was awesome going back. I loved it. I just liked being back and seeing all the kids; and seeing me gave them hope," she said. "We got to go to all the rooms and deliver gifts, and I got to see my old nurses. We had a whole bunch of toys left over, so we left them for the nurses to pass out to the kids. And we had some big toys that we donated to the ninth-floor playroom. The town of Needville was just incredible to make all that possible."
More than 40 years after it went to the moon and back and after a year of legal wrangling, an historic lunar bag is back in the hands of the Chicago woman who owns it.

Nancy Lee Carlson, a collector of space memorabilia, met with lawyers and security personnel Monday in Building 110 at the Johnson Space Center for the handoff that was marked with grace and the requisite gravitas, according to Joseph Gutheinz, a lunar rock expert present for the 10:30 a.m. change of custody.
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Two Houston police officers remain hospitalized late Tuesday after being shot multiple times while trying to stop two burglary suspects in southwest Houston.

Officer Ronny Cortez - a 24-year veteran of the police department - remained in critical condition but was alert and talking at Memorial Hermann Medical Center hospital. He was shot in the back, and a bullet remains lodged near his spine, officials said.

Officer Jose Munoz was shot in the foot and has non-life-threatening injuries, although he remains in pain, officials said.

Houston Crime Stoppers and the 100 Club are now offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the other suspect, who remains at large.

One suspect was shot and killed at the scene. Another suspect fled the scene and remained at large late Tuesday despite an hours-long manhunt by police that forced the lockdown of the neighborhood near Bellfort and Beltway 8.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said police had identified three burglaries that occurred in the neighborhood Tuesday, and at least one of those burglaries was linked to the suspect killed at the scene. It remains unclear what suspects were involved in the other burglaries.

"It's been a trying day, but please continue to pray for our two officers," Acevedo said.

A lockdown of homes and schools in southwest Houston was lifted late Tuesday afternoon without the arrest of the second suspect.

Houston ISD issued an "all clear" for the three schools in the area - Valley West Elementary, Gross Elementary and Welch Middle School - which were put on lockdown as police officers combed the neighborhood.

Cortez, 49, who has spent nearly 24 years with the Houston Police Department, was shot three times.

"His condition has improved some but he is still in critical condition," said Dr. David Persse, the city's EMS physician director. Cortez is awake and talking, including with his wife.

"I've talked to his wife," Mayor Sylvester Turner said. "You can image the state she is in. She's concerned about their children and she's concerned about him making it. ... Pray for him and pray for both officers."

Ten-year HPD veteran Jose Munoz, 34, is being treated at Ben Taub Hospital. His wife was also notified.

Acevedo said at 3 p.m. that he had visited Munoz and found he was doing well despite being in pain.

"I'm just thankful," the chief said. "We could have had two dead officers today."

"What we've seen today is the courage of the American police officer," Acevedo continued. "As much as society likes to disparage our police officers ... they're brave. They run toward danger."

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg also reacted to the shooting Tuesday afternoon.

"Our thoughts are with the two officers shot in the line of duty today while responding to a burglary. Our prayers go out to them and their families," Ogg said. "This tragedy underlines in red the fact that burglary can be a violent crime and that burglars pose a significant threat to property owners and first responders."

SUSPECT STILL AT LARGE

The shooting happened around noon Tuesday as officers searched for burglary suspects following a 911 call at 11:08 a.m., Acevedo said.

It took place in the 8700 block of Sterlingame in southwest Houston, a residential area near the intersection of the Southwest Freeway and Beltway 8.

Cortez and Munoz were flagged down by a resident concerned about a door to her storage shed that was ajar, Acevedo said. When the two officers went to check the shed, they encountered a suspect who opened fire, striking both officers multiple times. The officers returned fire and killed the suspect.

Still at large is another suspect, a Hispanic male in all-black clothing with a blue bandana, Acevedo said at a news conference about 2:15 p.m.

Dozens of officers searched the neighborhood, going from house to house and checking vehicles' trunks as they left the area.

NEIGHBORS SHARE DETAILS

Jeffrey Willis, who lives two doors down from the site of the shooting, said Cortez lives in the neighborhood and was investigating a possible burglary.

Willis said he was watching as Cortez encountered a suspect and was shot. Willis said there have been a number of burglaries recently in the area.

Mary and Koshy Mathews, said they also know Cortez, one of the officers who was shot.

"He's a really nice guy," Koshy said. The Mathews described Cortez and his wife as nice neighbors, and recall waving hello to the officer when they see him walking throughout the neighborhood.

They could hardly believe the news, when they heard that he had been shot.

"I have been living here for 40 years and I have never seen this," Koshy said.

Mia Wheeler came back to the neighborhood shortly after getting off work, and was shocked to hear about the shooting of Cortez. The 26-year-old grew up in the community and recalls hearing about Cortez for much of her life.

"He's a great cop," Wheeler said. "He always kept our neighborhood safe for years. Even when he wasn't on duty, he was looking out for everybody out in the neighborhood."

Wheeler noted there have been a couple of burglaries lately, but she still had felt safe running at night. Based on the shooting incident Tuesday, she said she probably won't be running after dark anymore.

"Nothing like this happens here," Wheeler said.

Another neighbor who asked not to be named said he slept through the incident after returning from a trip but saw "an ocean of police" outside his home.

Television footage taken from TV helicopters shows heavily armed police officers combing the neighborhood along with canine units.

A neighbor leaving the area, who did not want to be identified, said his truck was searched by police to make sure no one was inside.

"It's very upsetting because you have a few elderly people in the neighborhood that are actually at home during the day," He said.

In addition to the three public schools that were placed on lockdown, authorities locked down the nearby Houston Community College outpost at the Brays Oaks Center, according to HCC spokesman Todd Duplantis.

Cortez' daughter attends Boston College, where she is a catcher on the softball team. Boston police picked her up at school and put her on a United Airlines flight, so she could be in Houston by this evening to visit her father, police said. Acevedo thanked the airline for their assistance.
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Pulling up into the driveway of her Richmond-area home on Valentine's Day, Alayna Gnagy found the whole front wall of the house leaning down with no roof. Insulation and roof pieces were everywhere.

Scaling the wall, she started screaming Jake, her dog's name, fearing that he had been killed by the tornado. But "Jake from State Farm," a rescue dog, came out of the bedroom of the single wide trailer shaking. He was fine. The other animals - a donkey, goat and eight horses, including three she owns - also were fine though the barn had been damaged.

But she and her boyfriend Chase Joseph don't have a house anymore. Her friend Alyssa Walker, an Area V eventer like she is, shared information with Horse Nation to get the word out that Gnagy needed help. Walker also set up a fund at Needville Feed and Supply for Gnagy's fencing and feed needs and a Youcaring page at www.youcaring.com/alaynagnagy-758561 to raise funds to help Gnagy and Joseph replace the house that wasn't covered by insurance.

Walker of Conroe has known Gnagy three years. They met at a horse show and both compete as eventers.

"She's very cool," said Walker. "She makes everything herself. She's a super humble person."

It's wasn't till the night of Valentine's Day that Walker said she found out about the tornado, called Gnagy and asked her why she didn't call.

"She didn't want anyone to know," said Walker. "She didn't want people to think she needed help. I set up a fundraising account for her. She didn't want to do it. She's starting to realize she needs a little bit of help. She can't do it all on her own."

Gnagy, a 24-year-old graduate of Texas A&M University and Austin High School in Sugar Land said, "I really would like to thank everyone for the support we've gotten."

In addition to their families, there are also their work families and the horse community. He works at Emerson and she works at Nalco. Thanking people for their efforts and contributions, she said, "There is no way to express our gratitude for their efforts."

Hearing the forecast of stormy weather on Valentine's Day, Gnagy had put the horses and donkey inside the barn before heading to Nalco in Sugar Land, where she's worked since 2014. While bad weather has occurred before, it was the first time for a shelter-in-place warning. She asked her mom to check on the property and her mom reported fences down, but Gnagy had a gut feeling and after making sure everything was in place at work, she headed home.

Shortly after the storm, three of the horses she was housing in her small boarding facility were pulled out to give her a chance to get settled. But that means less monthly income right now to support her animals.

"People donated a month's worth of feed for me," she said. "Our horse and work communities have truly been amazing. I get choked up talking about it."

An old business partner came along with a whole army of people from work to join her and her family and friends to clean up the site and move property out of the house.

Her family, which recently moved to Austin, bought a fifth wheel as a halfway house and are loaning it to Gnagy and her boyfriend to live in.

"We're staying on the site. We don't have to get an apartment somewhere," she said, and they're saving money to build their forever home.

Area V eventer like she is, shared information with Horse Nation to get the word out that Gnagy needed help. Walker also set up a fund at Needville Feed and Supply for Gnagy's fencing and feed needs and a Youcaring page at www.youcaring.com/alaynagnagy-758561 to raise funds to help Gnagy and Joseph replace the house that wasn't covered by insurance.

Walker of Conroe has known Gnagy three years. They met at a horse show and both compete as eventers.

"She's very cool," said Walker. "She makes everything herself. She's a super humble person."

It's wasn't till the night of Valentine's Day that Walker said she found out about the tornado, called Gnagy and asked her why she didn't call.

"She didn't want anyone to know," said Walker. "She didn't want people to think she needed help. I set up a fundraising account for her. She didn't want to do it. She's starting to realize she needs a little bit of help. She can't do it all on her own."

Gnagy, a 24-year-old graduate of Texas A&M University and Austin High School in Sugar Land said, "I really would like to thank everyone for the support we've gotten."

In addition to their families, there are also their work families and the horse community. He works at Emerson and she works at Nalco. Thanking people for their efforts and contributions, she said, "There is no way to express our gratitude for their efforts."

Hearing the forecast of stormy weather on Valentine's Day, Gnagy had put the horses and donkey inside the barn before heading to Nalco in Sugar Land, where she's worked since 2014. While bad weather has occurred before, it was the first time for a shelter-in-place warning. She asked her mom to check on the property and her mom reported fences down, but Gnagy had a gut feeling and after making sure everything was in place at work, she headed home.

Shortly after the storm, three of the horses she was housing in her small boarding facility were pulled out to give her a chance to get settled. But that means less monthly income right now to support her animals.

"People donated a month's worth of feed for me," she said. "Our horse and work communities have truly been amazing. I get choked up talking about it."

An old business partner came along with a whole army of people from work to join her and her family and friends to clean up the site and move property out of the house.

Her family, which recently moved to Austin, bought a fifth wheel as a halfway house and are loaning it to Gnagy and her boyfriend to live in.

"We're staying on the site. We don't have to get an apartment somewhere," she said, and they're saving money to build their forever home.
When I think of a remnant, I think of my granny, her name was Sanella.

She was a seamstress and when I visited her home as a little girl, I would see beautiful wedding and prom dresses hanging in her home. She made these dresses for the girls in the little town of Alma, Georgia.

She had white hair and wore an apron while she worked that was starched and ironed. She smelled like baby powder even though she had a bottle of "Evening in Paris" perfume sitting on her vanity.

She had many remnants of fabric left over from the dresses she made and she would let us use those remnants to sew dresses for our dolls. She taught us how to create something beautiful out of nothing and we used something that had no form or shape from a piece of fabric called a remnant. The definition of the word "remnant" means that which remains of an original body or substance.

In the Bible, the word remnant most of the time refers to God's people. Noah and his family were the remnant saved on the earth out of the millions of people before the flood in Genesis 6. Lot and his daughters survived the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, a very small remnant in Genesis 19. In 1st Kings 19, Elijah voiced despair to God that he was the only one left in Israel who had not bowed down to idols but God assured him that He had indeed reserved a remnant of 7000 others "whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him." In Isaiah 6:13, God explains His plan for a remnant (holy seed) of faithful followers.

Go sent Isaiah to speak to the people knowing only a few or a remnant would actually listen. Today, we live in a world where it is more important than ever to be God's remnant people. When others are choosing to do things the way the world might, our counter is to put our trust in God and to do things His way.

We become His "remnant people" on this earth at this time in history. We become something beautiful by following God's standard and by being made right with Him through our faith in Jesus Christ.

God gives His people His best gifts, which are His Son Jesus, His Holy Spirit, His forgiveness and His eternal life. You may say to yourself, "How do I know I am one of God's chosen people, one of His children and part of His remnant people on earth?" Paul explains that only Jesus Christ has the power to redeem, it is by what Jesus did on the cross, and by our faith and belief in Him; we are saved and become God's children. The standard the world gives us is that if we work hard enough, we can become acceptable in the eyes of God, but by that standard, we will always come up empty handed. God's standard says the only way we receive salvation is by holding up those same empty hands to Jesus to receive our free gift of salvation.

Who is eligible for this free gift of salvation? Everyone who will believe in their hearts and will say with their mouths that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! Romans 10:8 says, "The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your hearts." When we accept Christ as our Savior, we become a part of the true church, which is the body of Christ, the chosen most blessed remnant on earth! God creates something beautiful out of our hearts and our love for Him.

References: Holy Bible www.biblequestions/gotquestions.org

Email: videodebi@att.net
A motorcycle rider died Monday after running into a Dodge Charge in College Station, authorities said.

The motorcycle rider was identified by police as Rex Leddy, 37, a College Station resident.

Leddy was on a Honda motorcycle at a stop sign on Newport Lane at Barron Road. College Station police said the driver of a Dodge Charger failed to yield the right-of-way to Leddy.

Leddy ran into the driver's side of the Charger and was taken to an area hospital where he later died.

The driver of the Charger was taken to the hospital with non-incapacitating injuries. He was cited for failing to yield the right-of-way to Leddy, College Station police said.
Houston police are investigating a fatal stabbing in the Third Ward area that was reported Tuesday morning.

Authorities got a call about a stabbing around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, police spokesman Victor Senties said.
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Tuesday marks the 24th anniversary of the Waco siege, a 50-day conflict between the Branch Davidians and U.S. and Texas law enforcement agents.

The Davidians, a splinter group of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, had attracted the attention of law enforcement following allegations of polygamy, sexual abuse and possession of illegal weapons.

THEN & NOW: Check back in with the ATF agents involved in the first raid on HoustonChronicle.com

Following the Waco Tribune-Herald's coverage, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives sought and obtained search and arrest warrants for David Koresh and his followers at the Mount Carmel Center.

On February 28, ATF agents assembled to raid the facility. What followed was a fierce gun battle that resulted in the deaths of four agents and five Branch Davidians.

From that day until April 19, federal and state law enforcement agents were engaged with the Branch Davidians in a tense standoff. Despite weeks of negotiations, Koresh and his followers refused to budge from their compound.

CURE-ALL? Houston cult says sodium chlorite is an elixir

Finally, on April 19, then-President Bill Clinton signed off on Attorney General Janet Reno and the FBI's recommendation to assault Mount Carmel.

The FBI bombarded the compound with numerous tear gas rounds in an attempt to flush the group out of the facility. During that time, there were reports of Branch Davidian members igniting fires around the building.

Eventually, those fires multiplied and engulfed the entire site. At the end of the day, 76 Branch Davidians died. Autopsy results showed some of the victims had been shot and stabbed, likely as a mercy killing or suicide attempt. FBI investigators said one of Koresh's aides shot and killed him.

SAD TOKENS: ATF agents get back their bullet-ridden gear

The assault and its aftermath became one of the most controversial moments in American history, and would later serve as the impetus of the far deadlier Oklahoma City Bombing.
ANYWHERE

Almost all visitors to Belize find themselves in the country's largest city at one point or another, but unfortunately Belize City is not an attractive destination for most. The majority of travelers who come here are merely passing through  Belize City is the transportation hub for all international and domestic flights, as well as ferries leaving to Ambergris and Caye Caulker. But Belize City has some hidden jewels and nearby attractions that make it worth a visit.

There are two airports in Belize City. The Goldson International Airport is located on the outskirts of town. A twenty minute private shuttle or taxi ride is the only option for transportation from the center of Belize City. There are both international and domestic flights departing from the Goldson airport.
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.
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Around the world, media outlets are taking millions of dollars from private donors and foundations in order to pay for news. The Mail & Guardian in South Africa receives grants from the Gates Foundation to cover health, and Gates funds development news at The Guardian in the UK. In Latin America, Plaza Publica (in Guatemala) and Ojo Publico (Peru) accept donor money to cover news in the public interest.

These outlets do fine reporting and would not be able to do their work without the generosity of private donors. And the relationship is not a complicated one for donors, who see themselves as on the same team as their media partners. Journalists and advocates are not that different. Both have a responsibility to not just give information to their audience but to provide a public service, whether it is to inform citizens to make thoughtful choices or making them aware of issues that are important to them, says Miguel Castro, senior program officer, Global Media Partnerships at the Gates Foundation.

But in a world where news credibility has become a burning issue and government leaders in Hungary, Turkey, Venezuela, and the US (among others) have gone on the attack against journalism, the question of funding sources and the effect they have on media independence is an important one. Just as we look at the influence of advertisers on newsroom independence, we also need to consider the new donors who give funding tied to coverage of specific issues and so determine the kinds of beats that get covered. Coverage of health, education, and development and even government accountability is happening in many countries largely because foundations are paying for it.

Why should we care? By using journalism to promote coverage of health or governance or corruption or elections or criminal justice, donors are making decisions about what problems the public should know about and even pressure governments to fix. That involvement in agenda-setting and public policy affects everyone, and so it matters that donors and journalists work together.

Donors are increasingly involved in trying to shape editorial content, says Leon Willems, director of policy and programs at Free Press Unlimited, an organization based in Amsterdam that works to improve the climate for and quality of journalism around the world. I understand that donors want to specifically contribute to certain topics that they think are in need of support. But as a journalist, I think this is a scary tendency that infringes on medias independence and in (our) mind the independence is crucial for public trust. Donors have to be cautious not to be too interventionist.

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Moreover, the kinds of outlets now receiving donor funds dont have many of the traditional structures that media outlets had in the past to safeguard editorial independence. The old days of the advertising sales department being on a different floor or in a different building in the newsroom are long gone. The new startups are often small and the people who do the fundraising are often the same people who commission, edit, and write the stories.

At the Center for International Media Assistance, we wanted to explore the new relationships between donors and journalists in order to try and understand what is happening around the world.

We spoke with funders, journalists and intermediary organizations that receive donor funding and then use it to promote media development whether by giving grants, organizing trainings, or doing other work. Our report Same Beds, Different Dreams: Charitable Foundations and Newsroom Independence in the Global South launches today.

Our findings include:

There is a rich and diverse amount of funding for both media development and news production, with little coordination between donors. There seems to be no universally agreed-upon standards of behavior or processes, although the overwhelming majority of the people we surveyed believe it would be a good idea if there were.

Donor funding raises questions of newsroom independence and how to balance it with donor money.

There are very different ideas as to what constitutes independence, where the line is, and how often the line is breached.

Donor involvement takes the form of guidelines as to what topics should be covered, as well as suggestions for story ideas, sources that should be included or omitted, and follow-up to see what kind of impact the coverage had.

There is a sense from veterans in the media development field that there is more donor involvement with content than, say, 10 to 20 years ago.

There is widespread support for the idea of voluntary codes of conduct and universal practices.

Grantees say they welcome less onerous paperwork and clearer guidelines as to what donors would like to fund.

If we want to protect newsroom independence from donors who make news decisions then there will need to be structural barriers in placenew walls to replace the old ones between the news side and business side. However, it will probably have to be the donors that set up such mechanisms because they are bigger and have the capability to do so. In the report we include a number of best practices from around the world and a look at other institutions that take donor funds but try to remain true to their core mission:

Universities seek unrestricted funds that they can spend as they see fit.

The World Bank puts money into trusts, which have their own mechanisms for spending.

Some organizations use blind juries of journalists to make decisions as to which journalists get grants, thus insulating the journalist from the preferences of the donors.

Funding quality journalism and giving reporters the resources to carry out important work is critical. Many of the publications that receive donor funds uncover important stories overlooked by mainstream publications, and many wouldnt exist without foundations. But as donor-media relationships increase and with it editorial influence by foundations, its crucial to have a thorough understanding of how this financial model influences news coverage. Best practices may help to make the model of donor funding media better for both sides and help protect independent media.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Dr. Anya Schiffrin is the director of the Technology Media and Communications specialization at Columbia Universitys School of International and Public Affairs.
Attorney Floyd Abrams, who represented The New York Times in the 1971 Pentagon Papers case and went on to become Americas leading First Amendment litigator, talked with CJR about President Trumps unprecedented assault on the press, whether leaks from government officials are appropriate, and how the growing acceptance of speech restrictions is an ominous sign for our democracy. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

CJR: I know youre busy, so lets get straight to it. Shortly after the election, you said Donald Trump may be the greatest threat to the First Amendment since the passage of the Sedition Act of 1798. Why is he a threat?

Abrams: I dont think weve had anyone who ran for the presidency in a manner which suggested the level of hostility to the press than did Donald Trump. And we certainly havent had any president who has made as a central element of his presentation while in office a critique of such venom and threat as weve heard in the last month. Now, we dont know how much is talk and what if anything he may do as president apart from the impact of his words. That in and of itself is important. Any effort to delegitimize the press as a whole and any recitation of statements such the one just a few days ago, saying that the press is the enemy of the American people, itself raises serious issues even if he never took any legal steps against the press. Words matter. And the words of the president matter particularly. So a president that basically tells the people that the press is its enemy is engaged in a seriousand deliberately seriousthreat to the legitimacy of the press and the role it plays in American society.

CJR: How do you see this as unique to Trump as opposed to say the Nixon administration? Is this more of a wholesale condemnation of the press?

Abrams: Yes. This is an across the board denunciation of any and all press organizations that have published or carried stories which have been critical of the president. That goes well beyond anything President Nixon did. That said, its perfectly true to say that throughout American history weve had presidents who disparaged the pressJefferson himself did that more than once, sometimes amusingly, and sometimes not. Teddy Roosevelt authorized a criminal proceeding to be brought against Joseph Pulitzer for certain stories about the construction of the Panama Canal. So, its still earlyvery earlyin the Trump administration, but the signs are troubling, and the repeated effort to delegitimize the press as a whole is something new and extremely disturbing.

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CJR: How could Trump, with his executive powers, actually launch an assault on the press that could threaten the First Amendment?

Abrams: He could do some of the things that President Nixon made some efforts at doing. The Internal Revenue Service has confidential information about the press leaders as well as everyone else. The Federal Communications Commission has broad authority over the broadcast medium. The Department of Justice has authority to determine when to bring Espionage Act claims. So, there are areas of governmental power and authority which could be called upon if a president were of a mind to do so and was willing to engage in a still more overheated public debate about the bona fides of any effort to do so.

CJR: Trump and others have denounced the culture of illegal leaks in Washington and called the deep state a threat to our democracy. Im wondering, what do you see as the difference between leaks by Edward Snowden or Daniel Ellsberg and their role in a functioning democracy, and the recent leak about National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who was forced to resign after information was released about his meeting with Russian agents before Trump took office?

Abrams: First, let me say that Im not in favor of all leaks. I dont think the government should simply be open to anyone who has access to it, and I think that the behavior of WikiLeaksand in my view sometimes the behavior of Edward Snowdenmakes that case. I think there were documents, highly classified documents, made available by Snowden that had nothing to do with domestic surveillance, and a good deal to do with the ordinary and entirely proper efforts of the United States to protect itself in a dangerous world. That said, however, the information provided about former General Flynn seemed to me amongst the most important sort of data that served the public interest in becoming public. I mean here is a situation in which it appears that the very day that President Obama imposed sanctions on Russia that there were conversations, the substance of which we dont yet know, but conversations between General Flynn and a Russian ambassador and perhaps other Russian authorities. So from my perspective the central issue about him is not that he lied about it to the vice president. Vice presidents have been ignored throughout American history, and Im sure theyve been lied to more than once by people who viewed themselves as having more relevant positions. What concerns me is the possibility that General Flynn was essentially saying to a foreign nation that is adverse to our interests: Pay no attention to what the president of the United States is doing, well take care of that down the road. That would be highly improper and perhaps illegal.

CJR: So when people say Snowden was praised for revealing the surveillance of ordinary citizens, which is what people who use this argument say Michael Flynn was at the time, as well as Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign manager, they are in fact not just ordinary citizens when they are speaking with foreign actors that are known agents, is that correct?

Abrams: Yes. A person who is closely involved with a president-elect is hardly the same as the people that WikiLeaks exposed by printing or making available the Social Security numbers of every sundry employee whose documents happen to come into WikiLeaks possession. So the more important the person and the more the person has a potentially direct impact on American public policy, let alone American national security, the more defensible it is in certain circumstances to find out information about his behavior and to reveal it to the public. And I think thats precisely where the revelations about General Flynn fit.

CJR: This administration has targeted the use of anonymous sources in particular, arguing that they are somehow fake or just a product of leaks with political intent. Do you think the press can do a better job of using anonymous sources?

Abrams: Well, a part of this relates to the manner of presentation. Is there a more revealing way to let the public know why the journalistic organization believes these sources are credible? One way they can do that, The New York Times and other publication routinely do, is use numbers. Six confidential sources said this. Where there is a way to identify why this source is credible, without revealing the identity of the source, or providing too much identity on how to determine who the source is, it should be followed. I dont think this is a fake news problem, this is a credibility problem. And its very important at this time that the press say as much as they possible can justifying their reliance on the sources that they have. Otherwise, you just wind up with White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus or President Trump saying there are no sources, and no one having any basis to judge apart from ones own view as to the credibility of the publisher thats offering this information to the public.

CJR: In that same vein, youve said that the press may need to go on the offensive in terms of using litigation against claims by this administration that certain news stories are lies and certain news organizations progenitors of fake news.

Abrams: What Ive said is that there are situations that I could imagine in which statements made by the president or people high in his administration could give rise to libel litigation. Every other democratic nation that I can think of, all of which provide less First Amendment protection than we do, have some body of libel law, and libel suits are brought under them. I dont believe that its illegitimate for the press to avail itself of libel law in certain extraordinary circumstances. Now no one should know better than the press that we protect under the First Amendment a high levelan extraordinary levelof name calling, of generalizations, and rhetorical hyperbole. We do that on purpose. And I dont think that a general statementfor example, that the news is fakeis anything but that. The president is entitled to First Amendment rights as well as everyone else. And its important for the public to be able to hear and pass judgment on the president, and what hes saying, and what hes thinking. But there are things that might be said about particular journalists or particular news organizations which are false and known to be false by the person saying them. While the press is understandably used to defending libel suits, it ought to bear in mind that it has rights, too. And if the charges against it are clear enough, false enoughobviously known to be falseI think it should not give up the chance to use all the protections that the law affords it.

CJR: You famously represented the plaintiff in Citizens United defending the First Amendment rights of a conservative nonprofit corporation. Do you see the assault on free speech coming not just from Trump but also from speech codes and other speech restrictions on college campuses? Is there some relationship between whats happening with restrictions on speech on the left and whats happening on the right?

Abrams: I dont think one causes the other. But I do think that the farther down the road we go of limiting speech, whether its of the left or the right, the easier it is to use that precedent to limit others speech. So, yes, on campuses one of the main victims, and they are victims, of suppression of speech has been conservative groups. At Fordham University in 2012 here in New York, for example, the Republican Club wanted to invite Ann Coulter to speak and they werent allowed to do it. Basically the school said it would be alright if you had her on a panel. Thats a sort of disgraceful suppression of speech, and its occurred elsewhere at many universities. In 2013, the New York City police commissioner at the time, Ray Kelly, was shouted down at Brown University. Last year, the Israeli mayor of Jerusalem was shouted down at San Francisco State. Weve got a lot of situations in which speech has been limited or suppressed in an unacceptable way. Now I have to say, I dont think that President Trump would behave any differently than he does, or would have any different views than he does, whether or not this campus plague of speech suppression had occurred. But I am concerned that there has been on both sides and in a number of different contexts a willingness to limit speech, punish speakers, and otherwise act in a contrary way to both the law and the spirit of the First Amendment.

CJR: A 2015 survey of some 800 undergraduate students, sponsored by the William F. Buckley Jr. Program at Yale, found that 51 percent of students favor their school having speech codes and trigger warnings. Nearly one-third of the students could not name the constitutional amendment dealing with free speech. And 35 percent said that the First Amendment does not protect hate speech. Does that make it easier for the president and his administration to attack speech they disapprove of and the press in general?

Abrams: Well, yes it does. Ive thought for some time that one of the real contributions of any administration would be to take whatever steps they could to re-impose a requirement of a civics course in junior high schools or high schools in America. We need people who are educated about the Constitution in general and the First Amendment in particular at young ages, not the moment they get into college. But to the extent that we are moving towards living in a nation that simply accepts the notion that speech which is viewed as unhealthy or troubling should not occur, First Amendment norms fall easily. And to be clear, I mean First Amendment norms on the broadest level not just legal violations of the First Amendment but what I referred to earlier as the spirit of the First Amendment; that is an acceptance of the notion that people will have a lot of different views on a lot of different subjects, many of which will be difficult or even impossible to seem to live with, but which we at our best have always protected.

CJR: Its interesting that you bring up that civics course. I was just discussing this with Jeffrey Herbst, president of the Newseum in Washington, DC, which does a lot of outreach to try to teach young people about the First Amendment, but also about how to be a consumer of news, which to me seems extremely important.

Abrams: I couldnt agree more. And this one is not Donald Trumps fault, or one partys fault, or one view of the countrys fault. We really have abandoned our children to a very great degree in terms of teaching them what it is that makes the country so special, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the First Amendment. And its something which I think has to be taught while people are young. I dont blame college kids who get in and want people to behave nicely to each other. A lot of bad speech is nice speech. So it asks a lot of them to just pick up the notion that this is the price we have to pay to live in a free country, and that sort of teaching has to start much earlier.

CJR: Final question. Are you hopeful that, as much change as weve gone through in the news industry, the First Amendment will prevail and well continue to see the presss watchdog role played in different forms, through different business models, online and elsewhere?

Abrams: On that I am optimistic. I think the public wants it. I think there will be a market for it. Whether the press will be powerful enough to fend off presidential power is one issue. But on the broader issue of whether were likely to continue to have a press that exists in a meaningful way and does continue to fight the good fight, I think thats more likely than not. Thats one of the big advantages of having written the Bill of Rights down. I start out my latest book, The Soul of the First Amendment, talking about the Framers arguing whether to have a Bill of Rights at all. In Philadelphia, they voted against the Bill of Rightsunanimously. And Alexander Hamilton wrote in The Federalist, why should we write down something which is so unnecessary? We never said Congress could limit the press; why do we have to say it cant? And if the ultimate decision had not been made to have a written First Amendmentwhich is law, not just a political-science essaywe would live in a very different country. Because we have a First Amendment, I think it will continue to protect us against the widest range of challenges.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Michael Judge is a freelance journalist, editor, poet, and a former deputy editorial features editor at The Wall Street Journal.
People injured by Takata Corp.s exploding airbags asked a judge to delay approving the $1 billion settlement with the U.S. hours before the car-parts maker was due to appear in court to plead guilty as part of the accord.

The Tokyo-based company is scheduled to appear Monday in Detroit before U.S. District Judge George Caram Steeh to plead guilty to one count of wire fraud for falsifying data and reports provided to automakers. Takata agreed last month to pay a $25 million criminal fine and establish a $125 million fund to pay victims, as well as reimburse carmakers $850 million for recalls.

The agreement is full of inaccurate or mischaracterized assertions, which may be used as a shield by automakers to avoid paying accident victims, lawyers Kevin Dean and Craig Hilborn said in court papers filed Monday, asking Steeh to delay approval of the plea until after he has reviewed a pre-sentencing report and any victim-impact statements.

Earlier Monday, car owners and injured parties filed papers in Miami federal court in lawsuits claiming automakers knowingly bought the faulty bags to save money. In the criminal case in Detroit, plaintiffs lawyers said it was wrong for the agreement in that case to refer to carmakers as victims. The evidence and the documents being developed show the opposite, they said, citing the Miami filing.

Metal Shards

The airbags, which can malfunction sending shards of metal at drivers and passengers, have been linked to at least 17 deaths worldwide. The Takata products have been the subject of the biggest product recall in history, expected to cover more than 100 million air bags.

Takata admitted in its plea agreement with the U.S. to hiding the deadly risks of its exploding airbags for about 15 years. The settlement fully resolved the Justice Department investigation into Takata and all of its subsidiaries, the company said last month. Jared Levy, a Takata spokesman, declined to immediately comment on the request to delay the plea deal.

The U.S. has also charged three former Takata executives for their alleged roles in hiding the risk since 2000. The three  Hideo Nakajima, Tsuneo Chikaraishi and Shinichi Tanaka  are Japanese citizens who worked at Takata until about 2015, according to court papers.

Sale Obstacle

The criminal settlement was seen as removing a major obstacle to Takatas sale, which the company has said it needs to continue operations and complete the recalls. Any eventual acquirer would have to ensure a stable supply of replacement parts even as uncertainties surround its exposure to future liabilities, including the costs for replacing the airbags.

Takata has said that it wants to avoid a court-led bankruptcy that could disrupt its ability to continue to supply parts to automakers.

The explosions have been blamed on the base ingredient of Takatas inflator propellant, ammonium nitrate, which is almost as explosive as the chemical in dynamite. It can degrade over time depending on exposure to moisture or high temperatures. At least 11 deaths and 180 injuries in the U.S. have been linked to the faulty bags, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Stalled Recalls

Takata has been sued by dozens of drivers and passengers in the U.S. claiming shrapnel injuries caused by the bags. The lawsuits allege that the company knew the airbags could fail, hid negative test results and stalled recalls.

The company is also facing complaints by injured plaintiffs who allege that the propellant can cause excessive-force deployments, often in low-speed collisions, without releasing shrapnel. Injuries and deaths claimed in those accidents arent included in the NHTSA total. Most of the shrapnel cases have been settled, according to court filings reviewed by Bloomberg News.

Kevin Dean, who filed Mondays objection to the plea agreement, represents victims of 17 separate airbag accidents, including shrapnel and excessive force claims. Another objection was filed Monday by lawyer Tom Willingham, who is also asking for a delay. Both are seeking to speak at the plea hearing.

Most of the injury and death lawsuits are combined before a Miami federal judge, who is also handling car owners claims for economic losses related to the defects and recalls. Lead lawyers for the combined suits claimed Monday that Honda Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and other automakers bought Takata airbags for years despite knowing they could rupture and injure people.

The carmakers were well aware of the risks but were focused on the low price of Takatas products, according to documents produced in lawsuits over the airbags, the lawyers said in a status report on the litigation. After one rupture in 2009, the lawyers said, an unidentified automaker defendant described the event as one in which a passenger protection device was transformed into a killing weapon.

The criminal case is U.S. v. Takata Corp., 16-cr-20810, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan (Detroit). The civil suits are combined in In re: Takata Airbag Product Liability Litigation, 15-md-02599, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida (Miami).

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.
The driver accused of plowing into a crowd enjoying a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, La., had a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit, police said.

The New Orleans Police Department issued a statement identifying the man as 25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto. Hes being held at the citys jail on charges of first-degree negligent vehicular injuring, hit-and-run driving causing serious injury and reckless operation of a vehicle.

The accident happened Saturday during one of the busiest nights of Mardi Gras when thousands of people throng the streets of Mid-City to watch the elaborate floats and clamor to catch beads and trinkets tossed from riders.

Police said Sunday that 28 people were hurt in the accident that sent 21 people to the hospital; an additional seven people at the scene declined medical help. At least three victims remained hospitalized overnight with moderate to serious injuries, police said Sunday. There were no fatalities.

Ages of the victims ranged from 1 year old to patients in their 50s, police said.

Police say a breath alcohol test determined Rizzutos alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit.

We suspect that that subject was highly intoxicated, Police Chief Michael Harrison had said on Saturday evening.

Harrison was asked by the media if terrorism was suspected. While he didnt say No, he did say it looks like a case of DWI.

Rizzuto is being held on $125,000 bond in a New Orleans jail, The Advocate reported. Commissioner Robert Blackburn said if Rizzuto makes bond he would be placed under house arrest, forced to wear an ankle monitor and would be prohibited from driving.

The commissioner told Rizzuto, who was handcuffed and wearing an orange jumper, that he was setting the bail for an amount he envisioned for about 21 counts  referring to the number of people who went to the hospital.

Rizzutos father told WWL-TV that he was still trying to understand what happened and that his son is a good kid. John Rizzuto told the station he spoke with his son multiple times Sunday morning and that his son said a stranger gave him a drink off the street and thats the last thing he remembered.

Among the injured was one New Orleans police officer. Harrison said Saturday night the officer, who was on duty, was undergoing tests to determine the extent of her injuries. She was in good spirits, he said.

Saturday nights parade was put on by the Krewe of Endymion, which is known for its long, elaborate floats and the big party it hosts at the Superdome after the parade.

(Associated Press writer Kevin McGill contributed to this report.)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Certain Lloyds underwriters lost their unopposed coverage motion for summary judgment based on an assault and battery policy exclusion, because a bar patron injured by gunfire did not allege she was shot as a result of a dispute, threat or other intentional conduct. The decision, made under South Carolina law, was published February 13, 2017, and is reported as Certain Underwriters at Lloyds London v. Butler and Green, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS.

The insurance claim arose from a state court lawsuit filed by Shakila Green against Round Two, an adult nightclub business, and its owners, Sarah and Willie Butler, alleging that in August, 2013, while Green was a guest at Round Two, she was shot in both of her legs, causing permanent injury. Greens complaint stated a cause of action against the nightclub and its owners based on their negligence in not securing the business premises, such as by conducting security checks for weapons as guests entered the nightclub.

As is standard, the Lloyds policy covering the nightclub provided liability insurance to defend and indemnify the owners for claims and liability imposed upon them for bodily injury to which the policy applied. The policy, however, contained an assault and battery exclusion stating that the policy did not apply to any claim arising from an assault and/or battery, regardless of culpability or intent, from physical altercation, or any failure to prevent such an event.

The exclusion was broad, applying whether a claim was caused by the insured, an employee, a patron or any other person and whether or not the conduct occurred on the premises insured. The exclusion also applied to damages arising out of allegations of negligent hiring, placement, training or supervision. Finally, the exclusion stated specifically that the insurers were under no duty to defend any lawsuit based on an assault and/or battery or physical altercation of any nature whatsoever.

The insurers filed suit in federal court, seeking a judicial declaration that the policy provided no duty to defend or indemnify the bar owners for Greens claim, because it arose from an assault and battery. The bar owners failed to answer the declaratory relief complaint and their defaults were entered. They never responded to the motion for summary judgment brought by the insurers, and the court concluded that the facts asserted by the insurers were undisputed for purposes of the motion.

Nevertheless, the court conducted a full insurance coverage analysis, concluding that the assault and battery exclusion did not excuse the insurers from defending or indemnifying the bar owners for the claim against them based on the shooting. There was no dispute that Greens state court complaint alleged the bar owners were liable to her for the injuries she suffered from being shot, which she alleged was caused by the owners negligence in failing to properly secure the premises against such occurrences.

Under South Carolina law, however, an insurers duty to defend is determined by the allegations of the injury complaint, and the complaint is construed liberally with all doubts resolved in favor of the policyholder. The court pointed out that there is a different approach to the duty to defend compared to the duty to indemnify. With regard to the latter, some South Carolina authorities have stated that while the duty to defend is based on the allegations of the underlying complaint, the duty to indemnify is based on the findings of the trier of fact made after the trial of the injury case.

A key to the case is the courts observation that, if the underlying case complaint creates even a possibility of coverage under an insurance policy, the insurer must defend the policyholder. Accordingly, if an insurer has no duty to defend, it necessarily has no duty to indemnify. If, on the other hand, the facts alleged in the underlying complaint fail to bring the case within policy coverage, the insurer is free of the obligation to defend the insured against the claim. Nevertheless, if the court either determines that the insurer has a duty to defend or is unable to make a determination regarding the duty to defend the treatment, a determination regarding the insurers duty to indemnify is premature. It follows that if the insurer does have a duty to defend, the court may be unable to determine whether the insurer has a duty to indemnify until resolution of the underlying action.

Applying these principles, the court concluded that Greens state court complaint left open the possibility that her injuries did not arise from an assault or battery, the predicate for invoking the assault and battery exclusion of the policy. The court quoted, in its entirety, the only sentence of the operative injury case complaint describing the shooting incident. It read as follows:

On or about the 11th day of August 2013, the Plaintiff, a minor at the time, was a guest at the adult business of the Defendants when she [was] shot in both of her legs, causing permanent damage.

The court observed that nothing in this sentence suggested that the weapon injuring Green was discharged during, or in relation to, a dispute, or that its discharge resulted from someones intent to cause bodily injury or to threaten it. Instead, the court said, the allegation is consistent with a weapon being discharged unintentionally. Ultimately, the court stated, because Greens underlying complaint creates a possibility that her injury did not arise from assault or battery, the court cannot conclude that the assault and battery exclusion of the policy precludes Plaintiffs duty to defend.

Although not discussed as such, for the public policy basis of the decision, and overcoming the effect of the policy wording negating coverage for assault and/or battery regardless of culpability or intent, the court said it agreed with Canopius U.S. Ins., Inc. v. Middleton, 2016 WL4379538, at *4 (D S C. Aug. 17, 2016), an earlier US District Court decision it found to be in all material respects on all fours with the facts of the subject case, including the wording of the assault and battery exclusion. The earlier decision stood for the proposition that, for an injury to arise from an assault or battery, the conduct of the person committing the putative offense must act with some form of intent. Otherwise, excluding coverage for injuries arising from assault and battery would swallow a policys coverage provision and render it virtually meaningless, a result not permitted by South Carolina law. Accordingly, the court in the earlier case rejected the insurers proposed definition of assault and battery, because it included unintentional conduct.
Tears welled as Maura Gruber recounted Friday how she learned that the love of her life had perished in a traffic accident. Social media delivered her the news on that fateful day last month when her local newspaper published a photo on Facebook of an overturned vehicle.

The photo of the vehicle was taken from a distance, but it was enough for her to reach a horrific conclusion. The vehicle belonged to her boyfriend, Kristopher Harrison, who had been gone all morning, she said. When she tried to reach him on Facebook, she saw an image of his car on the social media site, along with a story from the Helena Independent Record about a fatal accident. The article did not give the name of a victim, but Gruber already feared the worst.

She was devastated and angry, she told a state legislative committee that is wading into an emotional First Amendment battle as it considers barring news outlets from posting photos of fatal accidents on social media before authorities can notify next of kin. The bill, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Amanda Curtis of Butte, seeks to force news organizations to delay posting such photos on social media, such as Facebook and Twitter. Curtis said the bill does not include photos published on news sites. And it would only restrict news organizations with social media accounts  and not members of the general public who might post similar photos on social media.

The Independent Record apologized for publishing the photo on social media..

Families recounted to the House Judiciary Committee the trauma of learning from social media about tragic crashes that claimed loved ones.

Representatives from the news media expressed their regret over the incidents, but they argued that the proposal amounted to prior restraint. The U.S. Supreme Court has sided with journalists when government officials have sought to suppress publication of information.

News media outlets generally withhold the names of fatal victims of accidents and crime until law enforcement officials have released names.

Rep. Jenny Eck, a Democrat from Helena, suggested that newsrooms should delay publication of photos much like they withhold names until families are informed of fatalities

News agencies are pushing back when theyre called out on this, and theyre saying they have every right to do it, Eck said. As legislators, we cant continue to allow this to go on if they arent going to monitor themselves.

Social media have provided journalists an immediate platform to publish information. While many newsrooms have developed social media guidelines, those policies dont necessarily cover situations like the ones the Montana bill attempts to address.

In Montana, the vast majority of news organizations are very careful in what they will print, including not trying to print any photos that are going to include identifiable information, said John MacDonald, who represents the Montana Newspaper Association.

He added that legal precedents clearly demonstrate the government cant tell the press what and when to publish.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
New guidelines have been developed for the popular summertime Cody, Wyo., gunfight shows in response to an accident that left three spectators wounded during a performance last year.

The new guidelines developed by Cody Police Chief Chuck Baker require a site safety manager, who will be responsible for all weapons and blank ammunition used during performances.

We will have a person each night who is in charge of checking in all firearms, said Richard Muscio, president of The Cody Gunfighters organization that puts on the shows. Somebody not in the show.

The safety manager also will issue the performer factory manufactured blank rounds and will watch as the gun is loaded. At the end of the show, the performer will turn in all blank rounds, fired or not, so every round is accounted for.

The safety regulations also require the organization to provide Baker with a list of performers in the show, as well as proof the performers are legally allowed to possess firearms. Baker said this can be demonstrated either by the performers showing they have a concealed-carry permit or submitting to a background check. Wyomings concealed-carry permit requires a background check.

Baker told the Cody Enterprise that the key element of the new guidelines is having a manager solely focused on safety, and not distracted by performing as well.

Last July 29, three spectators, including a 3-year-old child, were wounded by live rounds fired by a performer. No more shows were held the rest of the year after the incident. They will resume this summer under the new guidelines if the city council approves.

Steve Winsor of Cody was arrested earlier this month and charged with five misdemeanor counts of reckless endangering with a firearm.

According to a police affidavit filed with the charges, Winsors gun was loaded with one live round when it was inspected shortly after the incident and a former Cody Gunfighters manager told investigators that performers were responsible for inspecting their own firearms.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A hospital in Lander, Wyo., should inform patients who had surgery between December 2013 and October 2016 that they could have been exposed to non-sterile surgical instruments, the state health department said.

Officials with the Wyoming Department of Health say surgeons at SageWest Healthcare on several occasions found dried blood and bone-like fragments on instruments that were supposed to be sterile, the Casper Star-Tribune reported. The health department investigated the hospital four times over the past three years for failing to properly sterilize instruments.

In October, the state wrote a letter to the hospital saying it was considering recommending the federal government stop paying for Medicare and Medicaid treatment at the hospital.

State Survey Agency Director Laura Hudspeth gave the hospital a week to submit an acceptable correction plan. The plan was accepted in November.

While the risk of infection is low, patients should still be informed they may have been placed at risk for hepatitis B, hepatitis C or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and they should be offered free blood tests, Health Department spokeswoman Kim Deti said.

SageWest spokeswoman Lindsey Anderson issued a statement saying the hospital purchased new equipment and implemented cleaning procedures that go dramatically above and beyond even the highest requirements from the federal government.

Importantly, there is no evidence of any patient harm or infectious disease transmission to any surgical patient at SageWest Lander, Anderson said in an email.

Deti said the agencys Public Health Division dos not have the regulatory authority to sanction SageWest if it does not notify patients or offer the blood tests.

Department of Health Director Thomas Forslund wrote a letter to the Wyoming Board of Medicine on Dec. 21 recommending the patient notification. The Star-Tribune obtained a copy of that latter last week.

Anderson declined to say whether SageWest had contacted patients potentially exposed to unclean surgical tools, whether it would do so or how many surgical patients were treated at the hospital between December 2013 and October 2016.

The health departments October report said SageWests Lander hospital failed to complete the cleaning, inspection and sterilization process necessary to ensure surgical instruments were free from potential infectious materials.

In July, bone-like fragments were found on a surgical tool in the operating room before a procedure. In September, a surgeon tried to place a suction device into a patients throat but it malfunctioned because of dried blood materials on the instrument.

The first safety violation was found in 2014, when a surgeon said sometimes instruments used in operations were not washed and sterilized for one or more days, making it more difficult to remove dried substances. A report noted the hospital was not complying with the federal infection control program standards.

In June 2015, another report said the hospital had failed to address the issue. Last spring, a third report found that operating rooms did not meet federal standards for sanitation and staff were not properly cleaning the blades and handles of laryngoscopes, which are used to examine the throat.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
AKRON, Ohio -- An Akron man is charged in the murder of his father, who died four days after an attack that left him with severe head injuries, police said.

Nathen D. Moynihan, 27, was initially charged with felonious assault in a Feb. 20 attack at his father's house on Harris Court near Vesper Street. But prosecutors added the murder charge after the 47-year-old father died Friday at Summa Akron City Hospital, police said.

The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy.

A witness said Nathen Moynihan attacked his father with a blunt object, police said. Investigators did not identify the blunt object or offer a motive for the attack.

Shortly after the attack, officers found Moynihan walking on East Exchange Street near Cleveland Street. He was arrested and taken to the Summit County Jail.

Moynihan pleaded not guilty to the felonious assault charge and remains in custody on $1 million bond.

He will be arraigned on the murder charge March 15 in Akron Municipal Court, police said.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Monday's crime and courts comments section.
BROOKLYN, Ohio - The Brooklyn police department released dash camera and body camera footage from a Friday incident when an officer was dragged during a traffic stop.

The video shows the Brooklyn police officer, whose name has not been publicly released, asking 34-year-old Thomas L. LaForce to step out of the car during a traffic stop about 2 p.m. Friday. The officer recognized LaForce as a suspect in two recent thefts from a local Sam's Club, Brooklyn police said in a statement Monday.

LaForce refused to get out and instead threw the minivan into drive, the video shows. The officer was dragged a short distance before he fell to the pavement.

The officer got into his vehicle and began pursuing LaForce's minivan. During the chase, a passenger bailed from the minivan before LaForce drove back onto Ridge Road, the video shows.

There was a short chase down Ridge Road before the officer bumped the minivan in an attempt to stop it.The minivan then struck another vehicle and flipped over, the video shows.

LaForce had to be dragged from the car through a manually broken windshield.

Two officers and LaForce were taken to MetroHealth by paramedics for treatment for minor injuries, Brooklyn police said. While police have not said how the second officer was injured, both have already returned to work.

LaForce is charged with felonious assault on a police officer and fleeing and eluding in Parma Municipal Court, records show. His arraignment has not yet been scheduled.

LaForce has not been charged in the Sam's Club thefts. He has prior convictions for theft and drug possession in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, records show.

You can see dash camera footage from the incident in the video above and body camera video in the video below.

Warning: the body camera video contains explicit language.

If you'd like to comment on this post, please visit the cleveland.com crime and courts comments section.
28DARCY-PEREZ2.jpg

Former labor secretary Tom Perez was elected chair of the DNC, and promptly named Keith Ellison deputy chair.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Saturday, former US labor secretary Thomas Perez was elected chair of the Democratic National Committee. Perez won narrowly over Rep. Keith Ellison, who Perez immediately named deputy chair.

If the Academy Award producers and accountants ran the DNC election, the announced winner might have been Emma Stone or "Gary from Chicago", one of the tourists host Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel brought into the theater. Steve Harvey would have announced Miss Colombia as the new DNC chair.

Cynics might say it would be appropriate for a comedian like Harvey to lead the DNC since it has become a joke after losing the White House, Senate, House, and numerous state governorship and legislative races.

Perez becomes the first Latino to chair the DNC. Ellison is the first Muslim to serve in Congress and the first American Muslim deputy chair of the DNC.

The election concluded the first contested race for the DNC chair since 1985. In the past there has been a sitting Democrat president who, as head of the party, essentially anointed their choice to be chair.

President Trump's victory exposed a party divided into progressive, Obama/Biden and Clinton factions, which supported different candidates for the DNC chair.

Perez served in Obama's cabinet, was encouraged to run by former Obama administration staffers, and endorsed by Vice President Joe Biden.

Ellison, representing the progressive wing, was endorsed by Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer and even some Clinton supporters.

Former DNC chair, Howard Dean, backed South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg. The mayor withdrew from the race on the day of the vote, recognizing he would not have enough of them to contend.

Ellison called on his supporters to unite behind Perez in the fight against "Trumpism"

"If you came here supporting me, wearing a Keith T-shirt, or any T-shirt, I'm asking you to give everything you've got to support Chairman Perez. You love this country, you love all the people in it, you care about each other and every one of them, urban, rural, suburban, all cultures, all faith, everybody, and they are in need of your help. And if we waste even a moment going at it over who supported who, we are not going to be standing up for those people. We don't have the luxury, to walk out of this room divided.

Unity is essential; we've got to walk out of here with unity. Not just between the candidates, but between the groups that support all the candidates. We've got to walk out of here hand in hand, brother and sister, because Trump is right outside the door. Not just Trump, but Trumpism."

Sanders congratulated Perez but counseled, "At a time when Republicans control the White House, the U.S. Senate and two-thirds of all statehouses, it is imperative that Tom understands that the same-old, same-old is not working and that we must open the doors of the party to working people and young people in a way that has never been done before."

Perez said he's learned "that great leaders are good listeners." He vowed to party members " You will always have my ear, and I will always have your back." An important vow to make for any party chair following Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Perez seems like a wise and safe choice to lead the DNC's rebuilding. He's not as far left as the Sander's wing, but he's also not in the middle-right Clinton camp either. As the former US labor secretary, he's already demonstrated the ability to lead a large organization. Most importantly, he appears to get what needs to be fixed and where the party went wrong in the race against Trump.

In a recent interview, Perez talked about the need to get back to fundamentals of rebuilding the party's base and state structures from local offices on up.

Perez also acknowledged that Trump did a better job connecting with those "forgotten people." Perez talked about how Trump made those voters feel like he felt their economic pain. In contrast, Perez said the only message Democrats seemed to offer was that they weren't trash-talking Trump, and they needed to do far more than that to win back voters.

The DNC has no time to waste in getting their act together with midterm elections not far off.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The craft scene in Cleveland is booming. But how do you get your foot in the door? Three show organizers and one business that grew from market vendor to brick-and-mortar give their insight on how to make it in Cleveland.

Crafty Mart, an Akron market, has been hosting regular Maker Sessions to give small businesses a behind the scenes look at the world of the craft fairs. A recent panel at the Akron Art Museum, "How to Be a Crafty Superstar," discussed what show organizers look for, how to land your first show and how to stay on your A-game.

They'll host the next installment, "Selling Your Idea," from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., March 30, also at the Akron Art Museum, 1 South High St.

These are some of the takeaways and tips from the panelists, who offered local and regional perspectives. Along with three show organizers from Cleveland, Akron and Pittsburgh, it also featured Albert Macso, the founder of Akron Coffee Roasters, which began as a Crafty Mart vendor and opened a brick-and-mortar in May 2016.

Panelists included:

Brit Charek, Director of Crafty Mart (Akron) and co-organizer of Midwest Craft Con

Shannon Okey, Founder and director of Cleveland Bazaar

Carrie Nardini, Director of I Made It! Market (Pittsburgh)

Albert Macso, Founder/owner of Akron Coffee Roasters

Catching the eye of organizers

"The first things we see when we get an application are the photographs. For example, a vendor like Albert, if he's selling coffee, I can't smell those coffee beans through the application. But if you provide good photographs, and the packaging is great, that's really going to make a big difference between him and the other two coffee and tea vendors who apply. The same thing goes for candles and bath and beauty projects. You have to rely on their marketing." - Brit Charek

Perfecting your application

"I'm going to use whatever you submit for social media. If you do write in a really casual way, it's hard for me to take that information and run with it. When I'm going through applications and pulling it into Excel, I need to not have to do data clean-up. I want that information to be as usable as possible right from the start." - Shannon Okey

Know the show

"Different shows call for different things. We're doing a show at Thirsty Dog Brewery, and thinking about what would appeal to the beer drinker. It's a good idea to know what you're getting into. Reach out to your network of other vendors. They'll be able to give you perspective on if they think you'd be a good fit." - Brit Charek

Originality

"We still look for a little bit of an indie flair. As everything has gotten more sophisticated, big box stores will pick up on indie craft trends. We want something you're not going to find anywhere else. We look for something that stands out. Something that's modern." - Carrie Nardini

Telling your story

"You have a product, but you also have a story behind it. Know what people are going to ask about it. Make sure your answers show that you're passionate and putting your heart in it. Be approachable and down to earth. One thing we did when we opened the cafe and started to see familiar faces, we kept a page of notes on our iPad with people's names and a description of what they look like and a point they made when they came in. We'll ask them about things they mentioned weeks ago and know what they like to drink." - Albert Macso

Standing out at a market

"I wish I could make a sign that says, 'Stand up and say hi.' Regardless of if you make one sale, you may make a contact that can turn into a wholesale account. You may make a contact with a crafter that can help you get into a show that's a better fit. You need to smile and be approachable. You may have a partner who's better at engaging with people, and that's totally fine." - Carrie Nardini

Being memorable to a market organizer

"Simple thank you notes go a long way. Even as simple as 'Thank you having me in the show.' That stands out. And thanking people for their help, too. A bad impression is going to take so much more to overcome, whereas the slightest bit of the politeness and you're going to be in my pocket." - Shannon Okey

On persistence (and inevitable rejection)

"Some organizers choose not to give feedback. It's hard not to take it personally. One of my vendors was rejected six or seven times, but she worked really hard to make her capplication work for us and to be more innovative in her designs. She got in and now she's a regular. If someone shows they're improving over time, even if they're not the exact right fit, but they're showing that they're paying attention to what we're looking for, that gives them a better chance." - Carrie Nardini
One year after Japanese-trained Lani started in all three Triple Crown races and earned a classic placing with a third in the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1), the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) and Belmont Stakes have rolled out welcome mats for Japan-based 3-year-olds.

Churchill Downs, along with the Japan Racing Association, established a Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby that saw horses earn points in two races there. The Japan points system is separate from the Road to the Kentucky Derby points system. The latter includes North American graded stakes and the UAE Derby Derby Sponsored by Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (G2).

The New York Racing Association is offering a $1 million bonus to any Japan-based horse to win this year's 1 1/2-mile Belmont. The bonus would be on top of the $1.5 million race's winning purse.

On Feb. 19 Epicharis, a grandson of 1989 Derby and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Sunday Silence, secured the top Japanese Derby spot with his Hyacinth Stakes win. After the approximately one-mile race, the connections of owner U Carrot Farm and trainer Kiyoshi Hagiwara said they were considering a trip to Meydan for the March 25 UAE Derby. They could follow that international trip with a venture to the U.S. for the Kentucky Derby.

Should Epicharis turn down the Kentucky Derby slot, the option would next fall to the connections of Mont Saint Legame (second in points) then Adirato (who ranks third). If all three pass, no Japan-based horse will qualify through this method for 2017.

Churchill officials have been in contact with the JRA to ensure connections of the top three point earners understand the possible opportunities.

Churchill spokesman John Asher noted there is always interest in the Derby from Japan, but it definitely increased last year with Lani in the field. He said he's a bit surprised the Derby hasn't seen more international participation and success.

Churchill and NYRA officials have worked together to try to attract Japan-based starters this year. They noted that besides increased international exposure, the classics could benefit financially if Japan designates either or both races for simulcast into the country. In 2015 Japan changed its rules, allowing for a limited number of international race simulcasts each year.

The first U.S. race to receive such a designation, the 2016 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T), saw Japanese horseplayers wager approximately $7.68 million on the race despite it being conducted at 4:43 a.m. local time. The Filly & Mare Turf featured Japanese-bred multiple graded stakes winner Nuovo Record.

"With Japan opening their simulcast markets to the world on a limited basis, we believe this has the potential for incredible growth for racing here in the U.S.," said NYRA senior vice president of racing operations Martin Panza. "In NYRA's talks with Japanese officials, they have conveyed to us that races with Japanese horses would be preferred for simulcasting."




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Senior citizens who live at Beachwood's Menorah Park have the spirit of activists decades younger. And they want to be seen and heard, especially about politics. (Photo by Sherry Gavanditti/Menorah Park)

BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- Their wheelchairs, walkers and weak bones make it tough for them to march in Washington D.C., attend a town hall meeting across the state or demonstrate on Cleveland's Public Square.

But the seniors who live at Beachwood's Menorah Park, a campus of assisted- living facilities and senior services, have the spirit of activists decades younger. And they want to be seen and heard. (Residents range in age from 58 to 104.)

Earlier this month, for instance, nearly 300 residents held a "Senior Revolt," a rally on their campus against possible cuts to healthcare and against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Resident Elaine Miller sparked the rally with a letter she wrote in January to lawmakers that included her shaky signature and a red-lipstick kiss as a seal. When Menorah Park administrator Richard Schwalberg shared news of her letter, others followed suit.

Charlotte Burgin, who lives in Wiggins Place on Menorah Park's campus, took a different approach. She wrote cleveland.com a letter asking someone to visit her and the other residents and write about their concerns.

"We have strong feelings about the political situation, however, due to age and physical infirmity are unable to use the current method of protest by marching," she wrote. "We are hoping [cleveland.com] will find our situation -- elderly citizens who want to express their opinion but cannot leave the residence to do so -- newsworthy, and will visit us."

I gladly took to the assignment.

When I arrived, more than two dozen seniors were gathered in an activities room eager to talk politics, from issues of immigration and gun control, to Medicaid expansion to President Trump.

Burgin, who created fliers announcing that I was coming, organized the conversation without telling Menorah Park management. But when administrators learned of Burgin's meeting, they didn't stand in the way and welcomed me.

After fielding questions for 30 minutes, I placed a chair and a camera near a window in the activities room and offered to film anyone who wanted to talk. Burgin declined, noting that she had done her part in organizing the meeting. But six people sat before the camera.

Here's what they had to say.

"There are so many decent people that can be coming here and make this country great."

"ISIS will take us over because we will be a divided country."

"I'm very anxious about the cuts to the auxiliary for Medicaid and for Medicare."

"I'm very much concerned about Congress even thinking about letting people with mental illness carry guns."

"I'm glad to see so many young people involved in protest, no matter whether they are on the side I would protest or another side."

"I want to say how proud I am of my granddaughter ... she was one of 70 students ... arrested for protesting against the immigration ban."

Elaine Miller's letter:
DEM 2016 Convention

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of the Youngstown area speaks during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Thursday, July 28, 2016.

(J. Scott Applewhite, The Associated Press)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Tim Ryan, whose national profile has risen in recent months, announced Tuesday that he will not be a candidate for Ohio governor in 2018.

The eight-term congressman wrestled with a run for months, weighing the risk of jumping into a potentially crowded and unpredictable primary against sticking with a safe House seat.

"Constituents in my district are at the forefront of an economic transformation that has hollowed out our nation's middle class," Ryan said in a statement emailed after word about his decision first trickled out to cleveland.com. "As I've considered how best to address these challenges, the more I've appreciated how much they are national issues that require national solutions.

"That is why, while I have been truly humbled by the encouragement I've received to run for Governor of Ohio, I believe the best way to serve my community, my state and my country is to remain in the United States Congress.

Ryan's decision was made easier by the plum committee assignments he maintained despite his unsuccessful bid to unseat Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi last fall. In his Tuesday statement, he asserted that spots on the Appropriations Committee and Defense Subcommittee will help him "fight back against wrong-headed policies and champion the kinds of solutions that would have a real impact for American families."

Ryan, 43, spent Tuesday morning on the telephone informing key Ohio Democrats of his plans. His decision is the first major movement in a field that has no clear Democratic favorite. Many party insiders believe Ryan, with his youth and blue-collar roots, could have been that frontrunner. Of all the times Ryan has considered higher office -- he looked at the 2014 gubernatorial race and the 2016 Senate contest, to name two -- this perhaps represented his best opportunity yet.

Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper had made clear in recent days that he hoped possible candidates would quickly make up their minds. Ryan began telegraphing his thinking about three weeks ago when he acknowledged that his wife and three children and his desire to have a national voice factored into his deliberations.

Speculation now will shift quickly to other Democrats exploring a run for governor. With Ryan out, Ohio Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni, also of the Youngstown area, will move quickly into official campaign mode. He has been traveling the state to forge relationships with key activists and told cleveland.com that he officially will declare his candidacy Wednesday.

Three others have stood out to party sources as particularly aggressive in these early days: Betty Sutton, a former congresswoman from Copley who recently resigned from her federal post as administrator of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corp., Connie Pillich, a former state representative from the Cincinnati area; and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley.

Sutton reacted quickly to the Ryan news Tuesday.

"I was honored to work with him in Congress and can understand why he gave serious consideration to running statewide," Sutton said in an email. "Though he decided not to run for Governor, it is heartening to know that working families will continue to have a strong and effective champion fighting for us in Congress. I am giving serious thought to a run for Governor and will have an announcement next week."

Another dozen names of varying interest and viability are in the mix. There's Jay Williams, a former Youngstown mayor who held several roles in former President Barack Obama's administration. There's Nina Turner, a former state senator from Cleveland whom supporters of Bernie Sanders' failed presidential campaign hope to draft into the race. There's even Dennis Kucinich, the former Cleveland mayor and congressman known for his populist appeal.

Then there's wild card Richard Cordray. The former Ohio attorney general now serves as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Washington. If President Donald Trump weakens the scope of the agency or fires Cordray -- actions favored by many Republicans -- Cordray would be free to launch a gubernatorial campaign. He would be a top-tier candidate.

Cordray's allies have been preparing for the possibility by handling political business that Cordray cannot tend to while he has the federal job. But these allies know time might not be on their side. Democrat Ted Strickland launched his winning 2006 campaign for governor in early May of 2005. If Cordray can't be available on a similar timeline, it might not be doable.

The early Republican field for governor is smaller, but super-competitive. Attorney General Mike DeWine, Secretary of State Jon Husted, U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci of Wadsworth and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor are all preparing to run. Gov. John Kasich, another Republican, is term-limited.

"I'm confident Ohio Democrats will stick together and upend the disastrous Republican one party rule in Ohio that has cost jobs, allowed our communities to be ravaged by opiods, and failed to educate our children," Ryan said Tuesday. "Democrats are fortunate to have a wealth of talent in Ohio, and I look forward to helping Senator Sherrod Brown and all Democratic nominees win their elections in 2018."

This story has been updated with information about Joe Schiavoni and Betty Sutton.
Michael Ribaudo

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio -- The man accused of kidnapping three family members and holding them in a Willoughby basement told court officials that his $1 million bond was "ridiculous" and that his actions were "not out of anger."

Michael Ribaudo, 34, is charged with three counts of kidnappings in a Friday incident at his father's house on Green Circle in Willoughby. The Cleveland resident is accused of kidnapping his father, mother and aunt and binding them in the basement, police said.

Ribaudo, who remains in custody at the Willoughby Police Department, appeared by video Monday in Willoughby Municipal Court. He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday for a preliminary hearing.

Ribaudo appeared nonplussed when he was told of his $1 million bond. He also said he could not pay it.

"It seem ridiculous, but I suppose you guys don't really have any of the facts," he said during the hearing. "You don't have my circumstances."

Ribaudo did not elaborate, aside from saying, "it's not out of some anger, or something like that."

Ribaudo said in court that he is a teaching assistant at Cleveland State University, where he is working toward a Ph.D. A university spokesman said he could not confirm that information and directed questions to police.

His aunt told a police dispatcher that he is schizophrenic and might have been suicidal that evening, according to a 911 recording released Monday by the Willoughby Police Department. Officials did not address any mental health issues during Ribaudo's court appearance.

"He tied us all up with handcuffs. He's schizophrenic," the aunt says in the recording.

No one answered the door at the father's house Monday afternoon. A man who answered the door at Ribaudo's mother's house declined to comment but said the family may release a statement at a later time.

Ribaudo planned to dine at his father's house Friday night. He instead lured the 72-year-old father into the basement, assaulted him with chloroform and bound him, police said Saturday in a news release.

Ribaudo then went to his 65-year-old mother's house in Willoughby and convinced her to come to the father's house. He attacked her when she arrived and handcuffed her to a post in the basement, police said.

He went to his 59-year-old aunt's house in Willowick and took her to his father's home. Ribaudo attacked the aunt and handcuffed her to the same basement post, police said.

The aunt managed to escape and called 911 after Ribaudo left the house, police said. Paramedics treated the victims for injuries to their arms and legs.

Police found Ribaudo sleeping in his 2007 Chevrolet HHR about 4 a.m. in an Eastlake parking lot. He was arrested and taken to the Willoughby Police Department for questioning.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Monday's crime and courts comments section.
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Jim Cramer was shocked when Warren Buffett revealed to CNBC on Monday that Berkshire Hathaway had more than doubled its position in Apple , to 133 million shares. "We got more investing wisdom than most people can consume in a lifetime," the "Mad Money" host said about the interview. Buffett revealed to "Squawk Box" that after Jan. 1 and before Apple's earnings on Jan. 31, Berkshire Hathaway purchased 120 million shares. That put Apple neck and neck with Coca-Cola as its largest position. Cramer marveled at the simplicity of Buffett's approach when he explained that when he takes his great-grandkids and their friends to Dairy Queen, they all have an iPhone. That prompted him to do homework on the balance sheet, capital allocation, earnings and decide that Apple was a good buy. Buffett also said that one never knows when there could be panic in the market, but that is the best time to buy. More important, Buffett pointed out that if investors have a long-term perspective, the best time to start buying could be now while the market is not in a bubble. "What is amazing about this is that Buffett did what literally anyone can do," Cramer said.

He started with an idea, did the homework and realized it was a great stock.

Warren Buffett David A. Grogan | CNBC

Virtually everyone on Wall Street assumes that President Trump's agenda for taxes and foreign assets must be passed in order for the stock market to roar higher this year, but Cramer disagrees. "The idea that we MUST have corporate tax reform and repatriation is something I no longer feel is as imperative as it once was," Cramer said. There was certainly no denying that Trump's championing of these issues and his endless parade of meetings with executives has helped the investing climate in the U.S. But that doesn't mean the stock market should throw away the necessity of growth and earnings as a dominant force. "As long as we get worldwide growth like we are beginning to have, than in my view, we don't really need these two initiatives to propel this market," Cramer said. One company that is growing is Marriott Vacations Worldwide , the vacation rental business that was spun off by Marriott International back in 2011. The stock has been on fire lately, up 13 percent this year. It finally got a much-needed pullback on Monday when shares fell 2.31 percent. The company reported earnings last week and delivered a 9-cent earnings beat from a $1.74 basis, even as revenue came in light due to Hurricane Matthew. More important, the company's management provided strong guidance in 2017, forecasting 9 to 15 percent sales growth this year. Cramer spoke with CEO Steve Weisz, who said everything finally came together as planned. "Back in 2015 we had an analyst day we told people that our plan was we were going to add new sales centers and new resort locations, and we were going to have new marketing programs that delivered more tours into our existing sales centers. And in fact, that all happened," Weisz said.

Donald Trump Getty Images
Dickinson College student Legacy Watkins, a junior from Trenton, died recently while studying abroad in Cameroon, school officials said.

The college held a memorial service for Watkins Friday at Allison Hall to celebrate the life of the Africana studies major. The college also hosted a candlelight vigil Thursday and said it has a third event planned for a later date, according to a story on the colleges website.

A Facebook post Thursday from Dickinson Interim President Neil Weissman said, This morning we learned that Legacy, who was studying on our Cameroon program, fell ill and was taken to the hospital where she later died. No cause of death was mentioned.

Legacy, an Africana studies major, was very active on campus, Weissmans statement reads. During her time with us, she worked in dining services, at the library, as a CommServ leader and volunteered as a multicultural ambassador for Admissions. She also volunteered for Hope Station and launched Keep Hope, a program bringing student volunteers together with local youth to select and prepare healthy food.

According to the story posted on the colleges website, a sophomore-year class project put Watkins, 20, in touch with Hope Station, where she helped teach local youths how to select and prepare healthy food. After that semester ended, Watkins founded Keep Hope, a student community-service program that continued that mission.

In doing so, Watkins fulfilled a promise she made to Safronia Perry, assistant executive director at Hope Station, that she would make sure fellow Dickinson students were there to fill the gap while she studied in Cameroon.

She put a lot of heart into everything she did for us, Perry said. She, for me, was a bright light.

But, the connection between Perry and Watkins ran deeper. Perry said Watkins believed in the mission of Hope Station, and believed in her at a time when she had just started working at Hope Station as a staff member. Eventually, Watkins became like a daughter to Perry, who said its hard to reconcile the fact that Watkins is not coming back.

It was always good to see her coming. She always had a smile on her face, Perry said.

She was like sunshine, a bright light, said Donna Hughes, director of the Center for Service, Spirituality & Social Justice at the college, according to a story on Dickinsons website.

Watkins graduated from Trenton Central High School West in 2014.
The two-month countdown to the French Presidential election has ushered in an air of nervousness for investors who are worried about being wrong-footed by another populist upset in Europe.

The fact that Marine Le Pen, the candidate of the far-right National Front, is borrowing on familiar themes of putting France First and pledging to hold a referendum on EU membership is giving markets cause for concern.

But the tendency to draw parallels between Brexit, Donald Trump and Marine Le Pen is flawed. If the mood in corporate France is anything to go by, this time will be different.

"It can't happen, and we're confident it won't happen."

That was the near unanimous reply coming from CAC 40 bosses I spoke with during French earnings season about the risks of a Le Pen Presidency.

While taking great pains not to mention any candidate by name, they signalled relief that polls put Le Pen's odds of moving into the Elysee Palace at around 20 percent.

The show of confidence is a far cry from the politically-correct neutrality we heard from corporate bosses in the United States and Britain ahead of elections last year.

That's in part due to President Trump's blue-collar pitch which, unlike Le Pen's, came with a strong dose of financial reform and tax cuts.

While in the UK, business leaders debated the potential rewards of taking back control from Brussels.

Even where executives refrained from publicly supporting Brexit or Trump, it's believed that so-called "closet-case" voters led the pollsters astray, both inside the C-suite and out.

In the wealthy suburbs of Detroit, Michigan cocktail party goers could be heard voicing disdain for Trump's hard-line immigration rules and boasts about groping women, while in private admitting they voted for the candidate with a plan to cut taxes.

You would be hard pressed to find any "closet case" voters outside the National Front's base who thinks a Le Pen Presidency will fatten their wallet.

If you still don't trust the business elites or the polls, you should take comfort in France's electoral system.

The two-round structure, which excludes third-party candidates from the final contest, provides a buffer against populist shocks.

That is why investors should look beyond the polls for the first round on April 23 (which Le Pen currently leads) and focus on round two where she trails both likely opponents, the Republican's Francois Fillon and the Independent Emmanuel Macron, by a wide margin.

We've seen this show before. When Marine Le Pen's own father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, advanced to the second round of Presidential elections in 2002 he was defeated by Jacques Chirac.

The Republican won support from opponents who crossed party lines simply to keep Le Pen out.

It's anyone's guess how a second round of voting would have changed the outcome of the EU referendum or the race to the White House, but it's a useful reminder that comparisons can be odious.

Investors who are betting on a populist Trifecta sweeping France this Spring will find themselves on the wrong side of the trade.

Nancy Hungerford is a General Assignment Reporter and Anchor for CNBC, covering corporate, economic and geopolitical events. You can follow Nancy on Twitter @nancycnbc.

Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook.


Globally, the company's payment transaction volume in 2016 grew 86.2 percent to $7.82 billion, whereas Asia saw a massive 153 percent increase on-year.

Payoneer, a payments processing company based in New York, steered toward a more niche market by targeting small businesses selling globally. That strategy has seen the company register triple-digit growth in payment volume in Asia since 2012, according to data seen by CNBC.

Asia's burgeoning e-commerce industry has seen many payments companies race to invest in customers' appetite for digital transactions by offering differentiated services, sealing mergers and acquisitions and spending top dollar on marketing.

"There is a huge opportunity to empower small businesses, wherever they are in the world, to be able to pay and get paid," Patrick de Courcy, head of Asia Pacific at Payoneer, told CNBC.

Payoneer has three segments of focus in Asia  cross-border payments for businesses that sell on global marketplaces like Alibaba and Lazada; vacation rentals on platforms like China's Tujia; and digital freelancers.

The company works by processing customer payments on a marketplace and then doling out the money to sellers. Payoneer has introduced new payment services in Japan and China, where international businesses can sell into these markets and collect funds in local currencies with ease.

Payoneer belongs to a relatively smaller group of companies that focus more on the business-to-business side of the massive payments sector. Direct interactions with consumers are often limited. Its competitors include BlueSnap, PayU and Dutch company Adyen.

Earlier this month, Adyen, which counts the likes of Netflix, Facebook and Uber as clients, announced it processed $90 billion in transactions in 2016.



As Asia's largest e-commerce market, China is a target for most companies doing business in the region. But competition from domestic players is stiff in China. De Courcy says Payoneer's strategy there is to build partnerships with companies throughout the e-commerce ecosystem  including manufacturers, sellers, logistics and providers of other auxiliary services.

There's growing interest in China among small businesses outside of the country, according to de Courcy. He said that interest led Payoneer to set up the local currency payment option in China.

Payoneer now has offices in Tokyo, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Manila, Bangalore, Seoul and Hong Kong and it is looking to set up more offices around the region. Globally, it has raised about $234 million in funding and de Courcy said there are no current plans for an initial public offering.




Militant Islamist fighters parade on military vehicles along the streets of northern Raqqa province, June 30, 2014. Reuters

Following up on President Donald Trump's request, Defense Secretary James Mattis on Monday delivered a preliminary plan on how step up the fight against Islamic State  a plan likely to include more U.S. troops as well as further steps to tighten the screws on the terror group's funding. Analysts say they don't see a plan that will include tens of thousands of U.S. troops but something more along the lines of up to 5,000 troops in Syria to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or also known as ISIS). There are about 500 troops currently authorized in Syria. "As directed by the President on Jan. 28, the preliminary plan was developed in close coordination with interagency partners, and will now serve as a basis for broader discussion with the new National Security Advisor and White House," a Pentagon spokesperson told CNBC Monday in a written response. The official indicated that the plan to defeat the Islamic State is "a broad plan that's global" in scope and "not just military, [and] it is not just Iraq and Syria." Trump pledged to defeat ISIS during the campaign and also has repeated it since becoming president. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) convention last Friday, Trump told attendees: "As part of my pledge to restore safety for the American people, I havedirected the defense community to develop a plan to totally obliterate ISIS. Working with our allies, we will eradicate this evil from the face of the Earth." Over the years, the ISIS group has been able to capture major cities in Syria and Iraq. It also has claimed thousands of lives in the Middle East and also become a threat outside the region. ISIS-inspired terrorism has been blamed on deadly incidents across Europe and North America as well as in Africa. ISIS also has claimed responsibility for terror attacks in Australia and Asia.

US special forces monitor as Iraqi forces advance on February 23, 2017 towards Mosul airport on the southern edge of the jihadist stronghold prior to entering the airport compound for the first time since the Islamic State group overran the region in 2014. Ahmad Al-Rubaye | AFP | Getty Images

"What that might look like is putting an extra 4,000 to 5,000 U.S. troops into Syria in order to help accelerate operations around Raqqa in the next 6 to 9 months," said Hal Brands, a national security expert and senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments in Washington, D.C. Adding more troops could help speed up the war but there's also the need to reduce the flow of money to the Islamic State, according to analysts. That is one reason why experts suggest the Trump administration will take steps with other nations to reduce funds going to the terror group. A Pentagon official said Monday there are currently about 5,225 troops in Iraq with a total authorized of 5,262. That's in addition to the roughly 500 authorized in Syria. The official said the actual number in Syria is not provided "for force protection reasons." Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies' International Security Program in Washington also believes the troop commitment will be increased by several thousand in Syria. "It will intensify what we're already doing," he said. "The tough problem is going to be what happens when ISIS is defeated." Indeed, Cancian said the U.S. doesn't want to get into a situation where they liberate Mosul and other ISIS cities and then see the terror group come back in again. He said the risk is that the government that replaces ISIS in those cities "is too corrupt or too inept." Brands said he doesn't expect any "major paradigmatic changes in the strategy" in a sense that we are not going to send around 50,000 troops into Syria or Iraq in order to complete the defeat of ISIS. He said the major reason for that is the strategy in place seems to be working.

Iraqi forces flash the sign for victory while holding an Islamic State (IS) group flag on February 23, 2017, as they enter Mosul airport on the southern edge of the jihadist stronghold for the first time since the Islamic State group overran the region in 2014. Ahmad Al-Rubaye | AFP | Getty Images
Manan Vatsyayana | AFP | Getty Images

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak announced on Monday that Saudi Arabia's state oil company Saudi Aramco will invest $7 billion into an oil refinery and petrochemical project in Malaysia's southern state of Johor. Najib said the decision was made before noon on Monday after discussions between top executives from Saudi Aramco and Malaysia's state-owned energy company Petroliam Nasional (Petronas), the sponsor of the $27 billion Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) project. Najib's statement marks a dramatic reversal in RAPID's fortunes after industry sources familiar with the matter said in January that Aramco planned to drop its participation in a partnership with Petronas in the project. At the time, Petronas said it would move ahead in spite of Aramco dropping out. Najib did not give any details on the change of heart.

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"This is a significant investment and more details will be announced tomorrow," Najib said at a brief news conference after hosting a state luncheon for Saudi Arabia's King Salman and his entourage. "I just want to confirm that the agreement has been reached and King Salman is satisfied that the deal will be signed tomorrow," Najib said. Petronas and Saudi Aramco executives are scheduled to sign the agreement on Tuesday. An industry source familiar with the matter says Aramco will buy a stake in RAPID's refinery, cracker and petrochemical operations. Aramco will also supply at least 50 percent of the crude that will be processed at RAPID, with an option to increase the supply, the source said. The Aramco funding will help move RAPID to fruition and the desire of Saudi and Malaysian leaders to maintain close links between the countries likely helped cement a deal, said Subramanya Bettadapura, an oil and gas analyst with consultants Frost & Sullivan based in Kuala Lumpur. "This investment confirmation would help bring the RAPID project to the commissioning stage," said Subramanya. "It's the goodwill of the Saudi king himself to invest and to maintain good ties with Malaysia, boost bilateral ties." The RAPID project, located at Pengerang in Johor, is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2019. RAPID will contain a 300,000 barrel-per-day oil refinery and a petrochemical complex with a production capacity of 7.7 million metric tonnes. The complex will sit alongside an existing oil storage site at Pengerang.

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Workday proved that its momentum of sales continued to gain strength when it reported fourth-quarter earnings on Monday. The company's CEO Aneel Bhusri said that Oracle 's acquisition of NetSuite helped bolster the best quarter in history for Workday.

"We saw quite a bit of turmoil within the NetSuite customer base, and I think it's only at the beginning. My guess is that most of the NetSuite management team will be gone in 12 to 18 months," Bhusri told "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer on Monday.

"And so most of those companies chose not to do business with Oracle. I think they might come back to market and create an opportunity for Workday."

Oracle announced it would purchase cloud storage company NetSuite in 2016 for $9.3 billion in a move to ramp up competition in the cloud.

Watch the full segment here:
Markit Opportunity enables farmers and traders in Kenya to get information about the markets they buy and sell in, exchange high-quality produce through an auction platform and access transportation services. Ashley King-Bischof, who helped grow the engineering team at Yelp, started the company in 2015 as a way to connect small farmers and urban wholesale traders in East Africa via their smartphones. By 2020, she says she hopes to connect hundreds of thousands of users who trade through the company's platform.

For farmers the process goes like this: When they're ready to harvest, they send a text message to Markit with the harvest details. The Markit community team comes to the farm, packs up the produce, and once the farmer signs off on the details, he or she receives payment for their goods via a mobile money app on their phone. The buying process essentially works in reverse. Buyers tell Markit reps how much and what type of produce they need to purchase. They place their order and make payment via their smartphone. Markit reps then deliver the produce to the buyers.



The company makes money by charging a small transaction fee for matching up buyers and sellers. King-Bischof has said she started the company in order to use her entrepreneurial skills to help the world's poorest. Her idea for Markit won the 2015 Barclays Africa Supply Chain Challenge in 2015.
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The heated arms race

Even as Trump lays out ambitious plans to grow the U.S. defense budget, U.S. defense contractors face increased competition from foreign competitors as governments around the world question U.S. commitment to longstanding defense relationships.

Arms exports to foreign militaries have made up an increasing share of U.S. defense contractors' revenues over the past several years. Driven largely by ongoing conflicts around the globe and defense budget caps in the United States (the spending limits widely referred to as sequestration), major American defense contractors like Lockheed Martin , Boeing , Raytheon and Northrop Grumman have maintained their bottom lines by finding new customers abroad, largely in Asia and the Middle East. Avascent estimates that in both 2015 and 2016, foreign military sales made up 20 percent of U.S. defense firms total sales, and a survey conducted by the company last year found that 91 percent of industry executives believe the importance of exports to the U.S. arms industry will continue to grow in the years ahead. Those numbers square with SIPRI's analysis of global arms transfers, which unsurprisingly show a spike in demand for military hardware from Middle Eastern nations (which accounted for 29 percent of arms imports between 2012 and 2016) and Asia/Oceania (43 percent of imports). In the Middle East, ongoing conflicts in places like Syria, Yemen and Libya have depleted regional stockpiles of expendable military hardware, like aerial bombs and missiles, and driven up demand for the sophisticated systems, like the fighter jets and ground vehicles that deliver those weapons to the battlefield. In Eastern Asia a rapidly modernizing Chinese military is likewise driving what some are calling a regional arms race.



Europe's second wave

Meanwhile, Russian military actions in Ukraine and pressure from the Trump administration have breathed new life into a European defense market to which U.S. defense firms have paid relatively little attention in recent years. Both U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Vice President Mike Pence made separate tours of Europe over the past month, each urging leaders of NATO member states to boost defense spending to meet a target of 2 percent of GDP in each nation. If every state were to meet that 2 percent target, overall European defense spending would increase by $100 billion annually, Cowen and Co. defense analyst Roman Schweizer says. Roughly $20 billion of that would likely go to new equipment purchases each year. But spiking demand for military hardware  even among the United States' NATO allies  does not automatically translate into sales for U.S. defense contractors. With the election of Trump signaling a potential reset of U.S. military relationships around the globe, European governments could choose to rely more heavily on European defense contractors like BAE Systems in the U.K. or Airbus and Thales in France to fulfill their military hardware needs for combat jets, helicopters, ground vehicles and other military hardware.



An F-15 fighter jet Incirlik Air Base | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

Meanwhile, countries like India, Brazil, Israel, South Korea and especially China have taken action in recent years to reduce their reliance on arms imports by developing their own indigenous arms industries. Israel produces sophisticated missile defense systems and aerial drones. Brazil's Embraer sells light-attack aircraft, South Korea produces its own battle tanks, and China is capable of building and selling everything  from cruise missiles and naval vessels to armed aerial drones. China in particular has emerged as a potential competitor to U.S. companies looking to sell military hardware abroad, including sophisticated, lethal systems, like armed aerial drones. Although SIPRI's data indicate that Chinese military exports only accounted for 6.2 percent of global arms traffic from 2012 through 2016, that represents a 74 percent increase for China compared with the previous five-year period. It is now the world's third-largest arms exporter, though it still significantly lags the United States (33 percent) and Russia (23 percent). Changes on the demand side will also complicate future weapons deals. For instance, India  the world's largest weapons importer  has embarked on a major reform of its defense spending procedures, prioritizing purchases from indigenous companies. These reforms include a push for so-called "offset" arrangements, wherein companies that sell military hardware to India are required to reinvest part of the value of a contract into Indian research and development, usually by awarding contracts for components to Indian manufacturers or moving some of their manufacturing to India  policies that could collide head-on with Trump's "America first" posture.





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"There's an inherent tension that [U.S. defense contractors] are going to face, because every time you sell internationally, there's perception that you're creating jobs in an international market," Avascent managing director Jon Barney says. "And at the same time you're going to need to be able to show that you're making jobs in the U.S. through an international sale."



A new marketing approach
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions delivers remarks at the Department of Justice on February 28, 2017 in Washington, D.C.

Donald Trump's attorney general said Tuesday the Justice Department will limit its use of a tactic employed aggressively under President Obama  suing police departments for violating the civil rights of minorities.

"We need, so far as we can, to help police departments get better, not diminish their effectiveness. And I'm afraid we've done some of that," said Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

"So we're going to try to pull back on this," he told a meeting of the nation's state attorneys general in Washington.

More from NBC News:

Trump's big Promises come due In major Congress address

Trump speech: Republican agenda in Congress makes slower progress than promised

Sessions reviewing whether to crack down on marijuana possession



Sessions said such a move would not be "wrong or insensitive to civil rights or human rights." Instead, he said people in poor and minority communities must feel free from the threat of violent crime, which will require more effective policing with help from the federal government.

While crime rates are half of what they were a few decades ago, recent increases in violent crimes do not appear to be "an aberration, a one-time blip. I'm afraid it represents the beginning of a trend."

Sessions said he will encourage federal prosecutors to bring charges when crimes are committed using guns. Referring local drug violations that involve the use of a firearm, for example, to federal court can result is often a stiffer sentence than would be imposed by state courts.

"We need to return to the ideas that got us here, the ideas that reduce crime and stay on it. Maybe we got a bit overconfident when we've seen the crime rate decline so steadily for so long," he said.

Under the Obama Administration, the Justice Department opened 25 investigations into police departments and sheriff's offices and was enforcing 19 agreements at the end of 2016, resolving civil rights lawsuits filed against police departments in Ferguson, Missouri; Baltimore, New Orleans, Cleveland and 15 other cities.

On Monday, Sessions said he is reviewing the Justice Department's current policy toward enforcing federal law that prohibits possession of marijuana, but has made no decision about whether to get tougher.

His opposition to legalization is well known, and he emphasized it during an informal gathering of reporters . "I don't think America will be a better place when more people, especially young people, smoke pot."

States, he said, can pass their own laws on possession as they choose, "but it remains a violation of federal law."

The current policy, spelled out in a 2013 memo from former deputy attorney general James Cole, said federal prosecutions would focus on distribution to minors, involvement of gangs or organized crime, sales beyond a state border, and growing marijuana plants on federal land.
While automakers and regulators are attempting to cut greenhouse emissions, there is one part of the U.S. automotive market that still has an appetite for more traditional engines, the CEO of Valeo told CNBC on Tuesday.

Jacques Aschenbroich, the chief executive officer of auto parts maker Valeo, told CNBC that the auto sector in Europe and China are heading towards  electrification. But that doesn't entirely apply to the U.S.

"In Europe and in China we will go to electrification. We don't know yet at what speed. The U.S. is not a single market," he noted.

"If you take a look at California or the Eastern states of the U.S. they are very much focused on reducing CO2 emissions and have special regulations," Aschenbroich said.

"So we might see two different markets. Some of them being very much orientated towards the antipollution or the reduction of pollution and maybe the rest being much more open to traditional engines."

The French auto parts maker announced Tuesday higher mid-term sales and profit margins, which sent its shares slightly higher. The company, which develops self-driving and self-parking systems, has seen its shares double in only two years and is up 46 percent over the past year.

The secret is "innovation, it's all about innovation," he said.



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Passengers get off trains at Nantong Railway Station on January 23, 2017 in Nantong, Jiangsu Province of China. VCG | Getty Images

Asia needs to invest $26tn by 2030 to resolve a serious infrastructure shortage that threatens to hold back some of the world's fastest-growing economies, the Asian Development Bank has warned.

This requires countries across the region to double total annual spending to about $1.7tn in areas ranging from transport to basic sanitation, the ADB says in a report. The warning signals that even a big improvement in infrastructure in the past two decades has failed to keep pace with the rapid growth of economies, population and urbanisation. The shortfall is most acute outside China, which is already spending at more than 90 per cent of the levels it is projected to need. More from the Financial Times:

Construction sector gets a lift as Trump hints at infrastructure details

China's state firms lead on public-private infrastructure projects: Fitch

Keller poised for US infrastructure splurge under Trump

"The demand for infrastructure across Asia and the Pacific far outstrips current supply," Takehiko Nakao, president of the Manila-based ADB, said. "There is a huge gap still to provide power and roads and railways. All these things are missing." The 45 countries surveyed in the report, which covers 2016-2030, are forecast to need investment of $26tn over 15 years to maintain growth, cut poverty and deal with climate change.

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The region is estimated to spend about $881bn a year at present. This means a gap between actual and required spending of about 2.4 per cent of forecast gross domestic product in 2016-20. More than half the estimated spending should go to transport and a third to power, the report says, pointing in particular to a lack of ports, railways and highways to link countries to regional and global markets. Another $800bn is needed for projects to help the 1.5bn people who have no access to basic sanitation and the 300m without safe drinking water. Critics say some ambitious regional infrastructure projects  such as the East-West Economic Corridor spanning the Mekong subregion between the coasts of Myanmar and Vietnam  have been slow to materialise or failed to yield benefits. Other ventures  such as a proposed high-speed rail line linking the southern Chinese city of Kunming, the Lao capital of Vientiane, Bangkok and the Thai coast  have been hampered by political tensions or wrangles over financial terms. Difficulties had been met in developing infrastructure, particularly cross-border projects, Mr Nakao told the FT, but he also cited successes from road-building in Pakistan to natural gas supply for Bangladesh. The private sector would need to play a big role in filling the financing gap, as in existing projects to harness geothermal power in Indonesia and to expand Mactan Cebu airport in the southern Philippines, he said. The size of the infrastructure gap varies greatly, the report says. The Pacific and south Asian subregions are projected to need annual financing equal to about 9 per cent of total 2016-30 GDP, falling to less than 6 per cent in southeast Asia and east Asia.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Tuesday announced that a captive deer in Bedford County has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease.

The positive test is the second case of CWD discovered in a captive deer farm since 2014.

The 3-year-old white-tailed deer died on a farm in Bedford County in January, according to the department. Samples from the deer tested positive at the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory in Harrisburg, and that test was confirmed by another lab in Iowa on Feb. 10.

The deer was born and raised on the same property, which is under quarantine. The investigation is ongoing and additional herds may be quarantined, the department said.

For more than a decade the department has monitored the spread of CWD and worked with stakeholders to prepare a response to minimize its impact to the Keystone State, said Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding. While CWD is no danger to public health and has never been associated as a human health concern, we will continue to work with deer farmers and sportsmen to protect the health of Pennsylvanias deer.

CWD attacks the brain of an infected deer, elk or moose, producing small lesions that eventually result in death. Animals can get the disease through direct contact with saliva, feces and urine from an infected animal.

The department said there is no strong evidence that humans or livestock can contract it.

The first cases of CWD in Pennsylvania were detected when two Adams County deer tested positive for CWD in 2012. The department said surveillance of the disease has been ongoing since 1998.

Twelve captive deer have tested positive since 2012, the most recent being a 4-year-old deer killed from a hunting preserve in Franklin County in November 2016, the department said.

The Bedford County deer farm is within DMA 2, the only area of the state where CWD has been detected in wild deer.

At this point, however, it is not yet known how this case will affect those who live or hunt in the area, said Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough.

Each hunting season we sample many of the deer harvested by hunters, both within our Disease Management Areas and elsewhere in the state, and within Disease Management Area 2, we test every known road-killed deer for CWD, Hough said. So far this year, positive CWD tests have come back regarding seven road-killed deer within DMA 2. And now this captive deer has been found with the disease. But we continue to await results from more than 3,000 samples from hunter-harvested deer.

When all of those samples are returned, we will make our decision on how the boundaries of existing Disease Management Areas will change, as well as whether special rules regarding the feeding and hunting of deer in parts of Franklin Countywhere CWD was detected, earlier this year, Hough said.
President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans are taking advantage of the party's control of the federal government to reshape the way U.S. companies are taxed. But one plan could incur the wrath of the global trading community and cost the U.S. hundreds of billions every year.

The tax reform bill created by House Speaker Paul Ryan and Rep. Kevin Brady, which would create a so-called border adjustment tax, could draw $385 billion in retaliatory tariffs from our trading partners, according to estimates from an economist at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a nonpartisan think tank.

Under the border adjustment scheme, Washington would not tax exports but would impose an across-the-board tax  probably around 20 percent  on imports into the country. The hope is that the new import tax would help mitigate the big boost to the U.S. budget deficit that's expected if Trump slashes U.S. corporate taxes. Border adjustment also is seen as boosting U.S. exports and manufacturing.

But countries affected by the tax could retaliate with their own tariffs on imports of American-made products, and could do so with the sanction of the World Trade Organization, the governing body in that kind of trade dispute. We don't know for sure if the Republican tax plan would trigger WTO-approved retaliatory tariffs, but foreign governments are already laying the groundwork for legal cases  and it's happened before, though never to the extent that a 20 percent tax on imports could incite.
As President Donald Trump prepares to deliver his first address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night, Democrats are gearing up to protest the new president by inviting a diverse group of guests impacted by Trump's most controversial policies.

Immigrants who have made important contributions to American society, the family members of victims of mass shootings and those dependent on the Affordable Care Act will be among the guests on hand for the high-profile speech, say Democrats.

More from NBC News:

New arrest made in killing of Kim Jong Un's half-brother

Blind autistic boy, 12, found naked, covered in urine, feces; mom arrested for neglect: NYPD

Robert Kraft: Patriots players not going to White House is not a big deal



"I want, when the president is giving his address, to be looking up in the gallery and see the diversity that is America," said Rep Jim Langevin (D-RI). Langevin is leading the charge encouraging House Democrats "to invite guests who have, despite discrimination, made positive impacts on their communities."

And unlike Trump's inauguration last month when several dozen House Democrats boycotted, only one member, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), has plans to skip the speech. Waters told her Democratic colleagues Tuesday that she won't be in attendance out of concerns she would not be able to "contain enthusiasm."

Immigration is the dominant theme among the Democratic invitees who could all stand to lose if Trump follows through on signature campaigns promises like cracking down on undocumented immigrants, restricting travel to the U.S., and repealing the Affordable Care Act.

"Once he assumed the highest office in the land, his first order of business was to close our borders to immigrants and refugees, particularly those from Muslim-majority countries," Langevin, said in a statement. "Diversity makes our nation stronger, and I believe it should be celebrated."

The White House announced its own list of guests meant to highlight the importance of Trump's agenda. The family members of a victim killed by undocumented immigrants will be siting with First Lady Melania Trump.

Not all Democratic guests will be a direct rebuke of Trump, however. One of the most notable invitations was extended by Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) to former Labor Secretary Tom Perez, who recently defeated Ellison to become head of the Democratic National Committee.

Below is a list of some of the guests being brought by House Democrats to watch Trump's address:
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will not review the pending $85 billion takeover of Time Warner by AT&T, the head of the U.S. regulator told CNBC on Tuesday.

Last year AT&T proposed an acquisition of Time Warner, but the deal has not officially closed yet. As part of the deal, Ajit Pai, the chairman of the FCC, said he understood the two parties have structured the deal so that no airwave licenses would be transferred, something that would kick off a review by the watchdog.

"As I understand it, the parties have structured the deal such that it won't require paperwork with the FCC," Pai told CNBC at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Last week, FCC Democrat commissioner Mignon Clyburn urged the organization to review the deal. But Pai said that the regulator could only get involved in event of the transfer of licenses.

"The law as it is stated gives the FCC very limited authority and only if there is a transfer of control of a license between the two parties does the FCC get involved," Pai said.

Currently, the U.S. Justice Department is reviewing the deal but AT&T doesn't expect any roadblocks to the deal closing.

"The filing has been made with the Department of Justice. The review is ongoing right now. There will not be a filing with the FCC. We're going to assume no licenses from Time Warner," Randall Stephenson, AT&T chief executive, told CNBC in an interview earlier this month.

"It will be a one-track review. The Department of Justice will review it. And that's going at pace," he added. "We still think we'll be closed by end of year."

Last week, Time Warner announced plans to sell its Atlanta TV station to Meredith Corp for $70 million, a move that is seen as helping to quicken the deal.


As many balances of power shift from Washington, D.C., to the states, it's essential to understand which states are doing best at what matters most to Americans.



The central American contract is a constitutional pact the states made with the federal government  starting with the original colonies and continuing with each admission to the union through Hawaii: "Powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution... are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."



Now, in the first objective, authoritative measure taken of all the states across a comprehensive range of critical issues, U.S. News and World Report is telling a revealing new story about which ones are performing best for their citizens.

The headline may be the ranking of the top 10: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Minnesota, North Dakota, Washington, Iowa, Utah, Maryland, Colorado and Vermont. Yet the story goes much further, including an exhaustive 50 state-by-state roster of metrics supporting rankings across dozens of subcategories. It explains in detail how they're scored, and offers readers a unique and simple interactive tool that enables anyone to compare any one state with any others.

This story originally appeared on U.S. News & World Report. Here's more of a breakdown on the best states:

Best states for health care

Best states for infrastructure

Best states for opportunity

In a union such as this, each state has something to learn from the others. Some have better health care, some better education, some more economic opportunity for their citizenry. Drawing any comparisons should be more than a matter of bragging rights. It requires clear-eyed measures to make real judgments.

That's what Best States is all about. It's a platform for not only rankings, but also ongoing fresh reporting about news, trends and developments state by state.



"We pay too much attention to Washington, and not enough to the states," says Brian Kelly, editor and chief content officer at U.S. News. "And yet, you look at the states and all of the issues we talk about in broad strokes are playing out there  education and health care and crime, the economy and jobs."

Best States also arrives at a time of renewed focus on power devolving to the states from Washington, D.C., enabling policymakers to understand how some states are best performing with the responsibilities they're assuming.



"It is the direction of the country," Kelly says. "We're sort of rediscovering federalism. The place was invented to be a federal system, and we've gotten away from that. I think a lot of the political pushback you're seeing from voters in a lot of places is a reflection of that. Washington has become too powerful. It has too much influence over people's lives."

U.S. News, with deep experience in rankings and analysis, has assembled thousands of data points about the states and produced an online portal that enables anyone to easily see what makes some states stronger and draw comparisons with others. The project is powered by the research of and a Leading States Index developed by McKinsey & Company, which has extensive experience in consulting focused on the improvement of state governance.

The benchmarks reach across seven broad categories  health care, education, opportunity, economy, infrastructure, crime & corrections and government  and include 68 metrics within the larger categories, with literally thousands of data points behind the measures. The data come from reliable governmental and private sources, and the weight assigned to each category is based on a survey that McKinsey conducted about what matters most to people about their states.

"In each of the seven categories, we identified multiple metrics, all of which are well known and the best metrics in each of the categories that we're talking about,'' says Andre Dua, a senior partner at McKinsey. "We feel very confident about both the granularity of the metrics and the quality of the metrics. And the thing that gives us more confidence is, we are completely transparent about what are the metrics and where the metrics come from."

"Because the indices are made up of so many metrics, the good news about that is there is no one source or metric which is overly weighted and therefore changes our view about what sort of insights we can draw from the work," Dua says. "It is a broad and nuanced and textured view of what it means to be high-performing."

In addition, McKinsey surveyed thousands of people across the country to ascertain what matters most to citizens about the performances of their state governments and how well they believe they're being served.

"We think it's incredibly important in thinking about state performance, state policy making, agenda setting, to start by grounding yourself in the view of citizens," Dua says, speaking to the value of the ultimate comparisons that are made state by state. "Without data on performance and without data on citizen satisfaction, any other judgment you make on priorities and where to focus is simply guesswork."
Republicans should exercise caution on Donald Trump's spending increases, Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty told CNBC's "Squawk Alley."

Earlier Tuesday, Trump said that his proposed plans, like the infrastructure bill, will pay for themselves by pushing national gross domestic product (GDP) growth to 3 percent. This, the president says, will increase tax revenue.

"Growth, no doubt, would help the nation's finances on a whole bunch of fronts," said Pawlenty, a Republican who previously sought the party's nomination for president in 2012.

While Trump's plan works in theory, Pawlenty said what conservatives have to ask themselves is: "how much are you willing to bet ahead of time that it's actually going to happen at a risk of fueling more deficits and more debt."

"If [Republicans] make [the debt] worse, because they misfired on growth assumptions, that's not going to end well for conservatives," Pawlenty said.

Ahead of Trump's address to a joint session of Congress, Pawlenty said it's time for a more detailed plan to be presented.

"And by the way, it's getting later than you think," Pawlenty said. "It doesn't all need to be done in the first 100 days, but, given the nature of presidencies and their first year, if you don't have things rolling by summer they do need to get moving."


President Donald Trump is set to outline in a speech Tuesday his intentions to increase defense spending by $54 billion. But boosting defense spending is not just something the U.S. wants, the chief financial officer of the aerospace and logistics company Thales told CNBC.

"We need to consider that all western countries today are willing to increase their defense spending," Pascal Bouchiat, CFO of Thales told CNBC on Tuesday.

Earlier this month, at a NATO meeting, European countries were called upon increasing their defense contributions to the alliance. At the moment, only five members, including the U.S., respect the 2 percent of gross domestic product threshold that NATO countries agreed to back in 2014. However, NATO's secretary general has said that once it's met, such threshold should go up.



This should provide a boost to companies such as Thales. Bouchiat told CNBC that "all our businesses are driving a better growth in 2016 compared to 2015" being it civil or defense spending.



The company reported Tuesday an 11 percent increase in earnings before interest and tax for 2016, totaling 1.35 billion euros ($1.43 billion).



The French firm added that it expects earnings to increase to about 1.5 billion euros in 2017.



Bouchiat also said that the firm shouldn't benefit too much from the defense plans of Donald Trump, given that the U.S. is not its main market.



"In the U.S., we don't sell that much to the defense sector as oppose to what we sell in defense in Europe and in particular in the Middle East," he said.



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A spat over which city would claim the headquarters of Europe's new trading giant is widely seen as the key reason behind the likely abandonment of the London Stock Exchange's (LSE) 29 billion euro ($31 billion) merger with Deutsche Boerse.

While the official reason for the current impasse is the LSE's refusal to submit to the European Commission's demand for a sale of its 60 percent stake in Italian fixed income trading platform, MTS, many industry insiders suspect growing tensions over where the group would be registered to be the biggest stumbling block to further progress at this stage.

A spokesperson for the Commission said that its investigation of the merger was still ongoing and would not make a decision on this case until April 3.

Furthermore, in these kinds of mergers, the spokesperson said, if the Commission raised competition concerns, it was up to the parties to either reject the concerns or suggest a remedy. These proposals are then market-tested and any new concerns are sent back to the merger partners to propose further changes.

Deutsche Boerse's surprise at the LSE's refusal suggests that the action was taken unilaterally, however, recent months have simultaneously seen growing political discomfort within Germany over the notion of the U.K. assuming the combined group's headquarters.

Industry insiders, who have asked to remain anonymous due to the still-sensitive nature of the merger, have pointed to the last-minute submission of proposed remedies to the Commission as an indication of the precarious nature of the deal.

The original merger terms specified that the combined company would be run by Deutsche Boerse's CEO, Carsten Kengeter, a decision seen as part of a trade-off that would ensure London became the group's main headquarters. While a soothing result for Britain, it was a less palatable sell to the Germans, whose sensitivities regarding the location had spiked in the wake of the Brexit vote.

Industry insiders claim that there was a mistaken belief within some circles in Germany that giving up the headquarters to the U.K. was a short-term concession that could be reversed once the deal had completed. In fact, this would have been highly difficult to have achieved from a stakeholder vote perspective - it would have required the support from 75 percent of board members of a group composed of 50 percent British representatives - as well as being cumbersome and time-consuming.
Marine Le Pen, French National Front (FN) political party leader and candidate for French 2017 presidential election, at a political rally in Saint-Herblain near Nantes, France, February 26, 2017.

Marine Le Pen's chances of becoming France's next president may be slipping and investors are breathing a sigh of relief.



A poll released Tuesday by French firm Ifop showed the far-right candidate's lead over centrist Emmanuel Macron declining to just 1.5 percentage points. Another poll released by Opinionway showed Macron defeating Le Pen in the May 7 runoff election. France holds two rounds of voting in presidential contests.



French bond prices rose after the polls, bringing their yields closer in line with more steady German yields. The French 10-year note yield declined to 0.888 percent, narrowing its spread with the 10-year German sovereign yield to around 0.68 percentage point. Bond yields move inversely to bond prices.

French 10-year yield in 2016

Source: FactSet

French debtholders had been selling their bonds out of fear that a Le Pen victory would lead to France leaving the European Union  potentially threatening the future of the EU itself. The French-German spread rose last week to its highest since August 2012.

France's CAC 40 stock index climbed 0.28 percent on Tuesday, slightly outperforming the broader index, which was 0.23 percent higher.



John De Clue, chief investment officer of the Private Client Reserve at U.S. Bank, said the recent sell-off in French bonds may have gone too far.

"We are surprised with the market's concern over a Le Pen victory and how these spreads have widened," he said. "If this gets resolved, I'd say the market turns back to the fundamentals, which have been fairly positive."

The pace of economic growth in the euro zone reached its highest level in almost six years in February, with job creation rising to a 9-1/2 year high, according to IHS Markit.
Lenovo , the owner of Motorola, has not ruled out bringing back the popular Razr smartphone if there is demand from fans and it helps bring people back to the brand, the CEO of the Chinese electronic giant told CNBC on Tuesday.

Yuanqing Yang said the Motorola Razr could be used to bring people back to the smartphone brand.

"We should be smart if Motorola fans remember something. If Razr is a good one we should think about how to leverage that," Yang told CNBC in an interview at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

"But whatever we bring back, it has to be a stronger product than the original."

The CEO's comments come after the Motorola released the G5 at the MWC with the company planning an aggressive comeback in the smartphone space. Lenovo is not within the top five smartphone players by market share globally but is strong in many emerging markets such as Brazil and India.

Lenovo is now pushing to gain further share in developed markets like the U.S. and has ambitious plans.

"I hope in two years we can go back to the top three (smartphone players globally)," Yang said.

The smartphone division of Lenovo, which has been losing money, will also be profitable by the end of the year, Yang said. Lenovo's quarterly sales were $2.2 billion in the three months through December, a decrease year-over-year of 23 percent.

"We are aiming to turn around this business, we must be a healthy business. We believe within two or three quarters we can achieve this goal then we'll achieve profitable growth," Yang told CNBC.
-        :       ,       
Shares of Signet Jewelers closed down more than 12 percent Tuesday on a report that some Sterling Jewelers' employees are claiming sexual harassment and discrimination within the workplace.

The stock was halted during late morning trade, pending the release of material news from the company. Shares began trading again shortly after noon Eastern Standard (ET) Time, after Signet released a statement saying media reports had "mischaracterized arbitration."

Sterling Jewelers is owned by Signet, the largest specialty jewelry retailer in the U.S., U.K. and Canada, with about 3,600 stores under brand names such as Kay Jewelers and Jared The Galleria of Jewelry, according to the company's website.

Hundreds of former Sterling Jewelers employees claim that the company's CEO and other company leaders ruled over a corporate culture that fostered rampant sexual harassment and discrimination, according to arbitration documents obtained by The Washington Post.

"These allegations are being publicized by claimants' counsel to present a distorted, negative image of the company," Signet Vice President David Bouffard said in a statement to NBC.



"They involve a very small number of individuals in a workforce of more than 84,000 during the class period, and many of the allegations go back decades. Complaints that were reported to the company were thoroughly investigated, and action was taken where appropriate," Bouffard said.

The arbitration was first filed in 2008 by more than a dozen women who accused the company of widespread gender discrimination, according to The Washington Post's report.



Signet Jewelers CEO Mark Light and other senior executives were among those accused of demanding sexual favors, the paper reported.

Shares of Signet Jewelers have fallen more than 32 percent this year, after Tuesday's losses. Signet is scheduled to report fourth-quarter earnings next Thursday, March 9.
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong turned heads Tuesday when video of a blunt commentary on his nation's U.S. and China relationships was posted online.

Speaking to the BBC, the normally diplomatic Lee hinted that his country's loyalties to both Beijing and Washington could one day be tested.

"If America, China relations become very difficult, our position becomes tougher because then we will be coerced to choose between being friends with America and being friends with China," he said. "That's a real worry. Right now we are friends with both  it's not that we don't have issues with either, but we are generally friends with both, and the relationships are in good working order."

The prime minister then told the BBC interviewer that he was "sure" the Chinese were committing "close and sustained attention" to their relationship with Washington, but he said that he hopes "they will have that attention" in the U.S. government given its other global concerns.

"Unless you focus on this relationship  both the win-win aspects as well as the areas where you're in contention  it can go wrong," he added.

Patrick Chovanec, chief strategist at Silvercrest Asset Management, said that it was rare for Lee to speak so bluntly about a trade-off between the U.S. and China.

In a December speech, Lee had previously warned Singapore would be "in a very difficult spot" should U.S.-China relations grow tense.

Fears of a U.S-China trade war are high and should President Donald Trump act on his campaign promise of imposing tariffs on the mainland, a country he blames for the loss of American jobs, global exports and imports may get hit. Singapore, home to one of the world's busiest ports, stands to particularly suffer as its economy is heavily reliant on international trade.

"Singapore is clearly deeply annoyed at the U.S. abandoning TPP," said Chovanec, referring to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement that was scuttled by the Trump administration.

Before the U.S. presidential election, Lee was "already quite outspoken" in saying that Trump's decision to abandon the deal would hurt the U.S. and its credibility in the region, Chovanec explained.

"Singapore is more important than it might seem, at first glance, because of the quiet but strategically important security relationship it already has with the U.S., which relies on Singapore as a regional supply base for naval operations," he said.

"If abandoning TPP, along with other moves, cause Singapore and other countries in Asia to see the U.S. an unreliable partner, the implications could be quite serious."

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With the repeal of the Affordable Care Act likely but its replacement uncertain, small-business owners are weighing their options for the future.

More details may come Tuesday evening when President Trump makes his first address to both houses of Congress as commander-in-chief.

Trump took executive action on January 20 to "ease the burden" of the Affordable Care Act and formally announced the administration's policy to "seek the prompt repeal" of the law. However, doing so with any speed has proven difficult. The president told a meeting of the nation's governors on Monday, "Nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated."

Dirk Bak is simply hoping for cost controls. His business, SDQ Janitorial in Minnetonka, Minn., has been family-owned for 34 years and had been offering its nearly 200 full-time workers coverage even before the ACA became law.

"We saw, two years ago, a dramatic price increase for our premiums," Bak says, adding that the hike was over 30 percent in one year.

Today, 91 percent of full-timers at the facility services company have coverage. "I would like to see the mandates dropped," he says. "Before, it was something that as a company, you had a choice [to offer or not]."
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This story was originally published on LinkedIn and is republished here with permission.

Celestine Omin was accustomed to tackling tough engineering problems. Just not the two that the Border Agent had put in front of his face  or at least not now, after having spent 24 hours cramped in an economy seat on Qatar Airways. It was Sunday, Feb. 26 and the 28-year-old software engineer had left his home in Lagos, Nigeria, to come to the United States for the first time. It was a work trip. For the last six months, Omin had been working for Andela, a startup that connects the top tech talent in Africa with employers in the U.S. Andela accepts less than 1% of applicants into its program and is backed by Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan. For this particular role, Omin was helping NYC-based fintech startup First Access create a JavaScript application for emerging markets and had secured a short-term joint B1/B2 visa.

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After landing, Omin waited for 20 minutes and then reached the front of the line, where a Customs and Border Protection officer asked him a series of questions. It was here that Omin realized that the job might be challenging, but getting into America could now be impossible. No one at Andela had prepared him for the new reality. After a few minutes of grilling him about the job, the border agent escorted Omin into a small room and told him to sit down. Another hour passed before a different customs officer came in. "Your visa says you are a software engineer. Is that correct?" the officer asked Omin in a tone the engineer described as accusatory. When Omin said it was right, the officer presented him with a piece of paper and a pen and told him to answer the following questions: "Write a function to check if a Binary Search Tree is balanced."



"What is an abstract class, and why do you need it?"

To Omin  who now hadn't slept in more than 24 hours  the questions seemed opaque and could have multiple answers. While he is a skilled software engineer with more than seven years of experience, Omin later tells me that the questions looked to him like someone with no technical background Googled something like, "Questions to ask a software engineer." (The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency did not respond to multiple requests for comment made by LinkedIn over phone and email by the time this story went to press.) With no context or guidelines on how to answer the questions, Omin, "too tired to even think," sat down and tried his best. But when he handed his answers back after about 10 minutes of work, the official told him his answers were wrong. "No one would tell me why I was being questioned," Omin told me by phone. "Every single time I asked [the official] why he was asking me these questions, he hushed me I wasn't prepared for this. If I had known this was happening beforehand, I would have tried to prepare." "That is when I thought I would never get into the United States," he told me with noticeable fear in his voice.

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Omin tells me that the answers to the questions were technically correct, but he suspects the customs official interrogating him wasn't technically trained and couldn't understand his answers. More time passed, and Omin started to mentally prepare to get on a plane back to Nigeria. Then  with little explanation  the official told him he was free to go. "He said, 'Look, I am going to let you go, but you don't look convincing to me,'" Omin said. "I didn't say anything back. I just walked out." Omin later learned that U.S. Customs allowed him into the country after officials called Andela and First Access to corroborate his story. Jeremy Johnson, the co-founder and CEO of Andela, said that his co-founder Christina Sass was the one to receive the call to defend Omin. Just last year, Andela placed more than 100 developers from Africa as full-time software engineers with U.S. tech companies. This is the first time that any of them have ever been grilled with questions specific to software engineering or their particular trade. "Celestine was the first software engineer at one of the most visible e-commerce sites in Africa and is exactly the kind of person we want coming to America and sharing his skills," said Johnson, who was named to LinkedIn's Next Wave last year. "Tapping into brilliant minds like Celestine's is a huge help to many American companies who are struggling to find talent." For every web developer looking for work in the United States, there are roughly five open positions. That's why startups like Andela exist in the first place: To connect foreign tech workers with opportunities here in the United States. But now with his partners having a hard time getting into the country to work, Johnson is worried that he might have challenges in the future. He has already reached out to Customs and Border Protection for further clarification on why Omin's work visa was flagged, but he hasn't heard back yet.

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South Korea 's special prosecutor's office on Tuesday said it will charge Samsung Group 's Jay Y. Lee and four other executives with bribery, embezzlement and other offences, according to Reuters.

Jay Y. Lee, co-vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, center, is escorted by police officers as he arrives at the special prosecutors' office in Seoul, South Korea, on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017.

Earlier this month, the 48-year-old scion of the Lee family was arrested for his alleged role in a corruption scandal in South Korea, which was part of a series of events that led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye in parliament late last year.

On Feb. 17, Lee was taken into custody and held at the Seoul detention center. The following day he was handcuffed and tied with white rope as he was taken for questioning by South Korean authorities.

The special prosecutor's office accused Lee of bribing a close friend of the president to gain government favors for the conglomerate.

Lee and Samsung have both denied any wrongdoing. The official stance remains: Samsung admitted to giving money to foundations at the center of a corruption scandal involving President Park, but the company maintains it received nothing in return.



Following the news from the prosecutor's office, Samsung said it would dismantle its corporate strategy office, which handled key decisions for the conglomerate. It also said that top executives including Vice Chairman Choi Gee-sung and President Chang Choong-ki had resigned.

While experts have said Lee's arrest will not likely affect the Samsung brand's global standing, others have pointed out that this could cast fresh light on the future of large family-run conglomerates in South Korea, informally known as chaebols.
President Donald Trump has stacked his Cabinet with experts in various fields to execute on his big picture vision, House Speaker Paul Ryan told NBC's "TODAY" on Tuesday.



"I see him more as a chairman ... much like many successful presidents have been," the Wisconsin Republican said in the interview.

"He gets people around him who are detail people who can execute those plans," the Wisconsin Republican said ahead of Trump's 9 p.m. ET address to a joint session of Congress.

Ryan cited two examples of what he considers Trump's knowledgeable Cabinet picks. He said Defense Secretary James Mattis, a retired general, will help bulk up the military, and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, a surgeon and champion in Congress against Obamacare, will help craft the fix for the nation's health-care system.



"Delegate the details to good people who know what they're doing, who have experience in these matters" is how Ryan described Trump's management style. "And you make sure the objectives are met, that the goals ... are met."
A Republican proposal for a border adjustment tax would have a detrimental impact on American families, Target CEO Brian Cornell told CNBC on Tuesday.

Cornell, who was among retailers who have met with President Donald Trump, said he believes the White House understands the concerns and doesn't want to see prices "go up 15, 20, 25 percent for families buying clothes for their kids, school supplies, basic staples."

"They understand the impact of retail," Cornell said on CNBC's "Power Lunch." "Target pays 35 percent effective taxes today. If this were to go forward, our tax rate would go over 75 percent."









A border adjustment tax, which would levy fees on imports, is a core part of a broad tax reform "blueprint" being pushed by House Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady.

Last week, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC the Trump administration is listening to an array of businesses that are concerned about the impact of a border-adjusted tax on their profits.

"We're reaching out to business, not just big business but small- and medium-sized businesses also, and we're listening to what people have to say," Mnuchin said on "Squawk Box."









Cornell made his comments after the retailer posted fourth-quarter sales and earnings that missed Wall Street's expectations. Its outlook for fiscal 2017 also fell short of expectations. The earnings report sent Target share prices sharply lower.

Target has struggled to keep up with rival Wal-Mart , which has been pouring money into its stores, employees and digital operations.

Target said Tuesday it will cut prices over the next three years in a $7 billion program that it hopes will lure back customers and boost its digital properties.

CNBC's Krystina Gustafson and Reuters contributed to this report.
It's Target' s turn to feel the pain.



Nearly a year and a half after Wal-Mart said investments into its stores and employees would dramatically cut into its profits, a similar announcement from Target on Tuesday garnered the same reaction on Wall Street.

After CEO Brian Cornell outlined plans for the company to spend $7 billion in cash over the next three years  and forfeit $1 billion in annual operating profit as it lowers prices and invests in stores  the retailer's shares had their worst day since 2008.

The sell-off mimicked the one experienced by Wal-Mart in October 2015, when its stock recorded its steepest daily decline in 27 years. It also underscored how much less patient investors can be when bricks-and-mortar retailer invest in their businesses versus online players like Amazon .

Yet while investors seemed skeptical about Target's plans, punishing its shares by more than 12 percent, analysts agreed the company is making the right investments for the long term. That doesn't mean, however, that all of its lingering issues have been solved, as traffic and the grocery business remain critical headwinds for the retailer.

"What they're doing is right, but the devil of the details is always going to be in the execution," Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, told CNBC. "The jury's still out as to whether they have a detailed plan to build back traffic."

While many of its competitors are shuttering locations, Target is dialing up its investments in its existing stores. The company plans to renovate some 600 stores over the next three years, including a more elevated presentation of its apparel offerings. Some of these stores haven't been upgraded in a decade, Cornell said.

"We can't capture that market share if we're presenting an old, tired store," the CEO said.
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No, you can't cite the Constitution and your own moral persuasion as a reason why you shouldn't pay your federal income taxes. And yes, people have trotted this excuse out as a reason why they shouldn't pay anything to Uncle Sam. For your convenience, the IRS created a list of common frivolous tax arguments that would-be tax skippers concoct around filing time to either avoid submitting a return or to dodge income levies altogether. The agency has also spotlighted fishy tax shelters, schemes built by promoters to fool wealthy taxpayers into thinking they can outsmart the IRS. "These scams can end up costing taxpayers more in penalties, back taxes, and interest than they saved in the first place," IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said.

The Constitution as a tax dodge

Ambitious tax evaders point to the Constitution as a reason why they can avoid coughing up their fair share. For instance, some taxpayers claim they don't have to file a return because the Fifth Amendment protects them from self-incrimination.

Getty Images

Here's the surprise: The Supreme Court deflated this argument in 1927 in United States v. Sullivan, asserting that this claim would press the protection of the Fifth Amendment "too far." The IRS has issued a bulletin against constitutionally based arguments, threatening penalties and the possibility of prison for these attempts.

"Voluntary" tax payments

Others have tried to assert that filing a return and paying the federal income tax are voluntary actions. What's "voluntary" about our tax system is that taxpayers are permitted initially to figure out the amount of taxes they owe and complete the returns, as opposed to having the government do that for them, according to the IRS.

There is something about taxes that turns the brains of smart and sophisticated people into mush. Ed Slott CPA

Payment of taxes isn't an option, however. The IRS points to Section 1 of the Internal Revenue Code, which imposes levies on taxable income. Other whoppers include, "I don't owe federal income taxes because I'm a citizen of my state and not the United States"; "I owe no income taxes because I've filed a return that reports no income and no liability"; "wages I've received for personal services don't count as income." The IRS has debunked all of these. Indeed, you can complain about the tax code, but you still have to abide by it. "The biggest complaint I see in general about our tax system is income that is earned is taxed as ordinary income, while investment income gets beneficial tax treatment," said Debbie J. Freeman, director of tax and financial planning at Peak Financial Advisors in Denver. Grumbling aside, her clients still file and pay what they owe.

Too good to be true
U.S. President Donald Trump is "not anti-China" but any move away from globalization by the White House could be a concern to businesses across the world, the chief executive Lenovo told CNBC on Tuesday.



Even though Trump has often criticized China's trade practises, Yuanqing Yang said that he doesn't see a risk to the Chinese electronic giant's business.

"I don't see that risk because I think the China-U.S. relationship is the most important relationship in the world, we need each other," Yang told CNBC in an interview at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) technology show in Barcelona, Spain.
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As stocks wobble and bonds sell off, there's an underlying crankiness that President Donald Trump won't deliver what financial markets want most when he speaks Tuesday night. What they want is cold, hard facts. Facts on tax reform, facts on deregulation and facts on stimulus spending  facts on the types of policies that would support the post-election stock rally and expectations that the economy will kick into a higher gear. Trump speaks at 9 p.m. to a joint session of Congress. "The odds of having a negative reaction to this evening are three-to-two," said Art Cashin, director of floor operations at UBS. There is a chance Trump could surprise positively. Just a few weeks ago, traders thought positive news would be a given. "It's definitely an event risk. Nobody knows what he's going to say. That's one bridge we're going to get a across, and once we're through that, people are going to look at the top of his priority list," said Aaron Kohli, rate strategist at BMO.

The reason we've had no volatility is people are sitting back. They're making money. They're letting their positions ride. The ETFs and index funds have to buy. Doron Barness global head of equity trading, Oppenheimer and Co.

On Tuesday, bond yields edged higher. Kohli said Trump may put tax reform and regulation near the top of his list. But he has not been pumping up infrastructure spending as much as the market anticipated, and it now seems like a 2018 event. He said the Treasury yield curve has been flattening as a result, reflecting less long term growth. "The problem for the market is there's this firm belief that there is likely to be a honeymoon period that will end very quickly. We're going to get to the edge of it soon. The heavy legislative lifting that needs to get done needs to get done right up front, because the capacity to do it in 2018 is very limited, and I think those are the risks the market is looking at. It's really about where the emphasis is right now," Kohli said, referring to 2018 Congressional races. Trump set the table for a night loaded with juicy nuggets for markets when he told a group of CEOs back on Feb. 9 that he would have a "phenomenal" tax plan in two to three weeks. In the minds of traders, that would be now, and there are no signs of such a plan. "I think it would be presumptious to keep buying up here until you get more information. That's why the institutional community is looking forward to this," said Doron Barness, global head of equity trading at Oppenheimer and Co. "They need specificity. People can connect the dots, but if you look at what's been happening, we've had no volatility. The reason we've had no volatility is people are sitting back. They're making money. They're letting their positions ride. The ETFs and index funds have to buy."

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The markets have been looking for a timeline that includes some sense of how tax cuts will be paid for. Instead, there are signs that the Trump administration could hit roadblocks. Market strategists said things would go most smoothly for tax reform if Trump supported the plan being put forward by the House. But that plan is already meeting opposition in the Senate, with some senators saying they will not back a key aspect  the border adjustment tax. Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said on CNBC Tuesday that tax reform could have a hard time gaining approval in the Senate. There was also a Bloomberg report Tuesday morning that highlighted an already known split within the White House about the border adjustment tax, a scheme under which exports are not taxed, but imports are. Border adjustment is designed to boost domestic manufacturing. Trump has not taken a definitive stand on border adjustment, but reports say adviser Steve Bannon, Chief of Staff Reince Preibus, and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross all favor it, while Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and National Economic Council director Gary Cohn oppose it. "Markets want to see details," said Peter Boockvar, chief market analyst at the Lindsey Group. He pointed to a report from CNBC's John Harwood noting that there's not yet any White House replacement plan for Obamacare. That's despite that tax reform has been promised only after the Affordable Care Act is replaced, and Mnuchin has set an August deadline for tax reform. In general, Treasury yields have been backsliding for several weeks. "Every week we come in with a little bit lower yields, despite the fact you have these inter-week selloffs, only to find you have no details," said John Briggs, head of strategy at NatWest Markets. Yields jumped in late trading after New York Fed President William Dudley was the latest Fed official to suggest the Fed sees a better case to raise rates. The 2-year was at 1.26 percent. Stocks closed on the soft side ahead of Trump's speech. The Dow Tuesday broke a 12-day streak of record closes, after tying a 1987 run on Monday. The Dow slipped 25 to 20,812. The S&P 500 fell 6 points to 2363. Nasdaq was down 36 at 5825.

Watch: Trump growth plans at risk?
The United States needs to spend more money on the military to keep the nation safe, President Donald Trump told Fox News.

In a preview of the president's 9 p.m. ET address to a joint session of Congress, the White House said Trump's first budget will call for a $54 billion increase in defense spending and a corresponding cut in what the administration deems lower priority programs.

The military spending could be "$30 billion more than that," the president said on "Fox & Friends" in a taped interview that aired on Tuesday morning. "We're going to upgrade our military substantially."

Trump said when he's finished, the U.S. will have the greatest military the nation has ever seen.
What if I told you there's a book that provides the perfect road map to predict and understand all things President Trump? And what if I told you the name of that book is not "The Art of the Deal"?

Before I get into that, I should backtrack a bit to note that while it's been more than a month since the inauguration and almost four months since election night, I'm still enormously grateful for being fortunate enough to have predicted Donald Trump's surprise victory last spring and sticking with that prediction and my explanations for it right up until Nov. 8.

Now, I'm even more grateful because I finally realize I probably made that accurate call all along because I had read a book almost five years earlier that explained just about all the reasons why a candidate like Trump could win. And the book is even more valuable now because it's a reliable tool for predicting and explaining the new administration's policy moves since the inauguration.

But I'm kicking myself for not realizing earlier that Scott Rasmussen's 2012 book, "The People's Money," was that blueprint I'd had in my possession for all that time. In fact, I had it months before it was even published when the author himself handed me the pre-published galleys during a private meeting we had at one of my former employers. Here's how that happened:

Yes, Rasmussen is the guy who created the Rasmussen Reports polling company. He actually left the company in 2013, but his years of polling and direct interaction with American voters make him an incredible source of common sense knowledge about what the people really want. That knowledge made him such a great guest to book on the news programs I was producing at the time because he went beyond the headline numbers of any given poll and put them in a wiser context. And so, I booked him often and he was kind enough to come meet me and some of my colleagues in late 2011 to discuss his upcoming book.

I immediately read it and was gratified to see that like I'd always believed, the book explains that the real divide in America is not right/left, Republican/Democrat or even rich/poor. "The People's Money" makes the case that the real divide in America is between the political class and the rest of us who are not politicians, government workers or lobbyists. And then the book goes on to explain how strikingly the people's desires and common sense diverges from the agenda and beliefs of the political class.

That's where all the clues for what would become the Trump movement are found. The more you read Rasmussen's book and all its accompanying data, the more you see that the voters have increasingly wanted a blunt instrument to smash the political class for a long time. Anyone familiar enough with the book's points would have to be blind to miss that then-candidate Donald Trump was such an extreme outsider, from his resume to his very personality, that he was indeed the only real candidate for that smashing job.

Speaking of "smashing," a key member of the Trump team was undoubtedly aware of and had a strong connection to the book. White House Senior Advisor Steve Bannon's Breitbart website frequently quoted "The People's Money" in 2012 and 2013, and gave it a special focus. It thus makes sense that Bannon was thinking about the real voters' long-held desires when he made his now infamous 2013 statement about how he wants to "destroy all of today's establishment."

But again, the value of Rasmussen's book goes way beyond understanding the last election. The first chapter alone looks like it's an advance study sheet for President Trump's budget agenda that he will lay out Tuesday night to a joint session of Congress. "The People's Money" argues strongly that the political class operates under and promotes the false notion that the American people don't really want budget cuts or changes to entitlements. While it's true that most Americans will say they don't want cuts to our defense or health care subsidies, it's only true that they respond that way when asked about spending on them in the most general terms.

In other words, Americans will say they don't want to cut back on "defense" but will support slashing individual parts of the defense budget, especially the massive cost of deploying troops overseas. Americans will also say they don't want to "cut" Social Security. But polls that ask more specific questions about raising the age requirements for Social Security benefits or making other important changes show strong voter support for those ideas. The reality is the American people are in favor of budget surgery as opposed to burning the entire house down. But the political class and its allies in the media seem to always make budget cut discussions an "all or nothing" affair.

The Trump team seems to know this, especially now that the White House is looking to make major budget cuts by surgically eliminating programs within the federal agencies. The Heritage Foundation, which has earmarked dozens of such programs, is reportedly working with the Trump administration to put that "cut list" into action. Look for the political class to fight back after these cuts are proposed by glossing over the names of the specific programs and making it supposedly about the Trump administration looking to "destroy" health care, protections for battered women, early childhood education, motherhood and apple pie. This is a classic political class M.O. outlined well in the book.

There's more, but I don't want to spoil the rest of the book's wisdom for those who have not read it. It's not about converting people to President Trump's side as much as it explains the reasons why he won the election and why his policy proposals may have a lot more popular support than the political class and its compliant mainstream media will lead us to believe. Readers of this book will have a tremendous advantage over those who continue to read nonsense about how the new president's agenda is being set by classic conservatism Republicanism, racism or Russian agents.

Like it or not, while President Trump and his team may often look like they're operating haphazardly, there's a method to the madness that anyone can start to understand and anticipate once they read and remember "The People's Money."

For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.
The folks at Curb, the energy-tracking platform, believe the cleanest and cheapest energy is the energy you don't have to use. This Austin, Texas-based company created a device that plugs into a home's breaker box with special sensors that connect onto each circuit. The sensors track how much power the circuits are churning out, and then Curb sends that data to the cloud, letting homeowners monitor their energy usage in real time from their computer or smartphone via Curb's app. The Curb device costs about $400 and can tell you how much you're spending on electricity at any given time, and enables homeowners to connect to smart home devices so they can remotely turn things off or on from a smartphone.



Erik Norwood, who spent time in the solar industry and is listed on Curb's website as a former rocket scientist with Boeing, started the company in 2012 around the idea that the home should be just as tech savvy as a phone or car.



In addition to the cost of the device, a homeowner needs to hire an electrician to install the Curb device. To help clear that hurdle going forward, the company recently partnered with Schneider Electric, one of the largest manufacturers of residential breaker boxes. The thinking is that Schneider can help Curb get its devices installed in homes before folks even move in. So far, the company has raised $3.5 million from investors, including Capital Factory, Keiretsu Capital and Tech Coast Angels.
The global market for commercial applications of drone technology is projected to reach $127 billion by 2020, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers. That's good news for DroneDeploy, a web-based drone control and management platform. This San Francisco-based company doesn't build commercial drones (DJI and 3D Robotics are two of the companies doing that). Rather, DroneDeploy's cloud-based software enables drone operators to plan flights, then quickly gather, store and analyze the data gathered from those flights.



This means farmers can survey land and monitor crop health, builders can get an aerial view of construction progress, and insurance companies can check on conditions for claims in areas they might not otherwise be able to get to. The company uses a software-as-a-service model, offering a free plan as well as premier plans with greater upload and mapping capabilities, starting at $99 per month.



The founders of DroneDeploy  Mike Winn, Jono Millin and Nicholas Pilkington  started the company in 2013 at AngelPad, a seed-stage accelerator program with offices in New York and San Francisco. The trio saw the potential applications for drone technology and realized how essential the software piece of the puzzle could be.

So far, the company's technology has been used in 130 countries, and it claims that its users have mapped more than 8 million acres of land. Last year it launched the DroneDeploy app store so developers can build their own apps geared for specific industries. The company has raised $31 million from investors, including Scale Venture Partners and Emergence Capital Partners.


This on-demand video wellness service brings the best of exercise, meditation and healthy cooking videos right to your TV, laptop or phone. The San Jose, California-based company was started by Lorna Borenstein in 2012 after she couldn't find any good yoga or fitness videos to use while on vacation with her husband and three children. Before starting Grokker  the name was inspired by the classic novel Stranger in a Strange Land, where to "Grok" means to understand something thoroughly  Borenstein was president of Move, the online real estate site. She also held a number of executive positions at Yahoo.

For $14.99 a month, subscribers to Grokker can choose from thousands of videos featuring instructors leading yoga, cardio, stretching and balance, meditation and healthy-cooking classes. Users can choose the level they want (beginner or advanced, for instance) and sort the videos by duration. They can also rent as many as they want in a given month. The service is available online as well as video on demand (VOD) through Comcast (the parent company of CNBC), Amazon Prime and Apple TV.



Grokker has also been signing up corporate clients such as Pinterest, LinkedIn and SurveyMonkey, who offer the service to their employees as a health-and-wellness benefit. The company has raised $22.5 million in venture funding from Khosla Ventures, SV Angel, First Round Capital, Aspect Ventures, Interwest Partners, Comcast and Correlation Ventures.


The three founders of Hexadite, a Boston-based cybersecurity firm, have backgrounds in investigating and mitigating attacks for military intelligence units and global defense companies. They knew that these same kinds of automated cyberattacks were plaguing a wide variety of companies, leaving them unprepared when responding to a breach or, worse, preventing a future attack.

Hexadite uses artificial intelligence to investigate and remediate every alert a company receives, claiming it can resolve incidents in seconds, freeing up a company's response team to focus on threats that truly need their expertise. Hexadite's Automated Incident Response Solution platform can integrate with customers' existing security technologies and can cut response time by 95 percent, the company says.



Co-founder and CEO Eran Barak spent five years in an elite intelligence unit of the Israel Defense Forces before starting Hexadite in 2014 and was also head of Elbit Systems' cybertraining and simulation team. Late last year the company formed an alliance with other cybersecurity companies across the country, including Carbon Black, Check Point Software Technologies and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, to better integrate their products and automate important security processes.



The goal of the alliance, explains Barak, is to utilize software to lighten the workload of security teams so that they can focus their time on the most dangerous and complex threats. The company has raised $10.5 million in funding from investors, including Hewlett Packard Ventures and TenEleven Ventures.


Anyone with a smartphone knows the sheer panic and frustration that sets in when you're traveling and your phone battery is about to die. The founders of MobileQubes certainly did, so they decided to do something about it. They created a network of self-service kiosks where customers can rent portable battery packs to charge their mobile devices on the go. A "qube," or battery pack, costs $4.99 to rent and has to be returned to any MobileQubes kiosk within 24 hours. Customers also have the option to buy the battery pack for $44.99.



So far, the company has inked deals to have its kiosks in 15 cities, including New York, Boston, Miami and San Francisco. The battery-dispensing machines are located in train stations, airports, hotels and other high-traffic areas. In 2015 the New Orleans-based company signed a deal with Amtrak to have its kiosks at eight hubs on the East Coast, among the railway's most heavily trafficked stations.



There are more than 300 MobileQubes kiosks across the country, with more on the way. In January 2016 the company raised $1 million in financing from the NO/LA Angel Network, an investor group run by Mike Eckert, former CEO of The Weather Channel. The money was used to continue its expansion and hire additional employees.
In 2013, when Zach Winkler was a senior at the University of Missouri, he heard plenty of stories about the crimes that were happening on campus but didn't hear enough about solutions. The blue-light poles on most college campuses that allow students to press a button to summon help were plentiful, but clearly not getting the job done. That's when he and three friends got together to create an app that students could activate quickly and quietly on their smartphones to call for help.

They named the app SafeTrek, and today it has more than 250,000 (mostly female, ages 13 to 24 ) users in the United States. Here's how it works: While walking to your car  or back home alone, for instance  a user puts her finger on the app's sensor and keeps it there until she arrives at her destination. Once there, she keys in a four-digit code signaling that all is good. If a user runs into trouble, she simply takes her finger off the sensor and SafeTrek notifies the police. By using the smartphone's GPS system, it also knows precisely where the user is located.



While the app was originally created for college students, anyone can use it. The app works on both iOs and Android operating systems and costs $2.99 per month. The company has raised $1.2 million from venture capital firm Cultivation Capital.


Students have long applied to colleges and universities with applications that are heavy on test scores and grades. While that's not necessarily wrong, the founders of ZeeMee believe it doesn't tell the whole story. This Redwood City, California-based company has created a platform that lets students bring their stories to life by uploading images, videos and photos of themselves to their ZeeMee profile. Colleges and universities that partner with ZeeMee  and there are more than 200, including Tulane, University of Delaware and Carnegie Mellon University  provide a space on their application for the ZeeMee link, or students can simply email their profile to the college they're applying to if it's not a partner school. The profiles can be uploaded online or on Android and iOS devices. So far, the company claims 13,000 high schools in 150 countries have used the platform.



Co-founder and CEO Juan Jaysingh, an Indian immigrant who won scholarships to Georgetown Prep and the American University, has called the current generation the Snapchat generation, meaning they're comfortable using images and videos to tell people about themselves. He built the platform with the help of college admissions leaders so that it is focused on the mission of getting into college and doesn't become just another social media outlet.


A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange

Market expectations for a March rate hike rose to about 40 percent, according to the CME Group's FedWatch tool.

The yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes was higher following the remarks near 2.4 percent from yesterday's close of 2.352 percent. The two-year note yield, which is more sensitive to monetary policy changes, spiked around 6 basis points to 1.256 percent.

New York Fed President William Dudley said he sees a rate hike in the "relatively near future" in an interview with CNN International.

U.S Treasurys fell Tuesday as investors digested hawkish remarks from a key Federal Reserve official and a speech from President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, investors are looking ahead to President Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress in the evening. He's expected to discuss his bigger plans for defense and stimulus spending. He's also expected to address repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, but markets are most interested in what he has to say about tax reform.

"Everyone is kind of holding back, waiting to hear what is said tonight," said Kathy Jones, chief fixed income strategist at Charles Schwab. "The key will potentially be what is said on taxes because that's what puts money in people's pockets."

Individual companies have also been paying close attention to Trump's tax plans. According to a survey from EY, 48 percent of U.S. companies believe the current tax environment has become more challenging in the past year.

"The current tax environment is the most challenging for companies in recent memory. Dramatic policy shifts across the globe, and an increasing lack of certainty are leaving many corporations wondering where to place bets and to cut losses," said Paul Hammes, EY global divestiture advisory services leader, in a Tuesday release.

There are also lots of data on the calendar. The second reading of Q4 GDP showed a 1.9 percent increase, unchanged from the first read and below an expected 2.1 percent rise.

Meanwhile, low inventory and mortgage rates pushed home prices 5.8 percent higher in December, up from November's 5.6 percent annual gain, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index.

Other data released Tuesday included consumer confidence for February, which hit its highest level since July 2001.

CNBC's Patti Domm contributed to this report

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that EY's survey found that U.S companies believe the tax environment has become more challenging over the past year.




One British book chain store has come under fire for setting up shops in small towns without its signature branding, raising accusations that it is instead masquerading as smaller, independent stores.

Owned by national chain Waterstones, three stores in the south east of the U.K. feature much quainter names and shop fronts: Harpenden Books in Hertfordshire, Southwold Books in Suffolk and The Rye Bookshop in East Sussex. It has been debated how clear the shops are about their true ownership.



Justifying the shops to the BBC, Waterstones Managing Director James Daunt said that, "if you want to really enhance a high street, you need to act as an independent," and added that in his view, the "vast majority have welcomed (the stores) greatly." CNBC has contacted Waterstones for comment and is awaiting a response.

Reaction to the stores has been mixed. One Twitter user wrote, "Better a good shop in a chain than a complacent indie!" But another reasoned, "How many customers know though? Very few, I bet."

An independent bookseller in the area told CNBC via telephone that he was "not particularly bothered by it" and that it was "better that there should be a bookshop than none."

Richard Cope, senior trends consultant at Mintel, explained to CNBC via telephone that for Waterstones, the "motives of doing this are to win greater trust," as consumers are increasingly "looking for more serendipity in their choices."

But, Cope cast doubt as to whether or not such a marketing strategy was necessary for the chain, suggesting that bookshops  regardless of the company behind them  "already appeal in a cosy, traditional, non-corporate way."



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President Donald Trump meets with retail industry leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC on February 15, 2017.

Major U.S. corporations are going to war in Washington over a Republican "border adjustment" tax proposal meant to boost exports over imports, with lawmakers in Congress coming under pressure from some of the nation's biggest employers.

The political split that is opening, most pronounced in the narrowly divided Senate, could doom the proposal. If it dies, prospects for a thorough tax code reform, a top 2017 goal for President Donald Trump's Republicans, would be diminished.

Trump, who has vowed to produce a "phenomenal" tax reform package, without recently offering many specifics, has not taken a clear stand on border adjustment. He spoke favorably about it in a Reuters interview on Thursday.

The main thrust of border adjustment is to exempt companies from having to pay federal income tax on export revenues, while ending the deductibility of import costs from taxable income.

Border adjustment is a core part of a broad tax reform "blueprint" being pushed by House of Representatives Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan and tax panel chairman Kevin Brady. The blueprint has not been put into formal legislation, but border adjustment is already a sticking point.

At least eight Republicans in the Senate have expressed concern about it. Several are from Republican-leaning states where Wal-Mart Stores is a major employer.

Wal-Mart is a member of Americans for Affordable Products, a business coalition working against border adjustment. Other members include Best Buy , Costco , Gap , Macy's , Nike , and Target .

If the Republican-dominated House approves the blueprint and moves it to the 100-seat Senate, Republicans could lose only a handful of votes and still be able to pass the blueprint.
watch now

On Super Bowl Sunday, some 48 million Americans ordered takeout or delivery, and a big slice of the pie was pizza. Engineers at Alphabet 's Google celebrated the big day at the company's Mountain View, California, campus in true Silicon Valley fashion: with robot-made pizzas.

"What the Google crew tells us is that they love our pizza because it's far more nutritious than typical delivery pizza, and it tastes really good," said Zume Pizza co-CEO Julia Collins. "They have been incredibly supportive, and we have done several events for them."

Zume Pizza (No. 1 on CNBC's Upstart 25 list), which is delivery-only, is replacing human chefs with robots, slashing labor costs in half and reinvesting those savings into higher-quality ingredients to carve out a portion of the $40 billion annual U.S. pizza business.

Zume employs 76 workers, split equally between delivery, kitchen and engineering staff. That's far fewer employees than the average pizza chain, but they get full benefits, education subsidies and shares in the business. The company  which made its first hire on Sept. 8, 2015  has never had an employee quit, which is unusual in the restaurant business, said Collins.



The workforce of the future

"We're a co-bot situation," said Collins. "There are humans and robots collaborating to make better food, to make more fulfilling jobs and to make a more stable working environment for the folks that are working with us." The Super Bowl was Zume's biggest night since launching in June 2015. The company made and delivered more than 350 pizzas  triple its usual Sunday average, said Collins. The Google Super Bowl party Zume catered was hosted by a group of African-American Googlers, said Collins. "They invited us, which was really neat, because as an African-American co-CEO, it's really nice to be part of that community and to be serving pizza," she said.

Zume uses locally sourced ingredients for their pizzas Jeniece Pettitt | CNBC

Zume's co-bot workforce provides a model for what the future of many industries might look like: Within five years robots and so-called intelligent agents will eliminate many positions in customer service, trucking and taxi services, amounting to 6 percent of U.S. jobs, according to a September Forrester report. For Americans afraid of that future, Collins has this message: "Since the Industrial Revolution, the American workforce has learned to adapt with the advent of new technology, so as a country, as a people, we know how to do this." Within Zume's kitchen, the repetitive tasks have been automated first. For example, there are three bots for squirting and spreading tomato sauce on pies, and a bot similar to ones used on a car assembly line to place those pies in an 800-degree oven hundreds of times a day. "That's a highly repetitive task and one that can be dangerous for human beings, so integrating robots into that makes a lot of sense," said Collins. The company will always need humans for food preparation, recipe development, taste tests and to improve their pizzas based on customer feedback, said Collins.

The cost of man vs. machine

Zume's robots are manufactured by global manufacturing company ABB  whose robots are typically used in large manufacturing settings  and integrated with the help of Silicon Valley software company L2F. "We have co-developed the entire pizza production process that is robot-enabled," said Collins. "The individual pieces of equipment come from these large global manufacturers, but the integration of those robots within our ecosystem is something that we have designed and that we actually have the intellectual property on." The bots cost between $25,000 and $35,000 each, but the investment will quickly pay off, said Collins. Other restaurants and food-delivery services are ripe for robot disruption, she said.

Julia Collins is the co-founder of Zume Pizza. Jeniece Pettitt | CNBC

"That cost is a lot lower, as you can imagine, than the salary of a human being with benefits," she said. "I think you would be hard-pressed to find any food type that wouldn't benefit from this kind of intelligent automation that we're using." Yum Brands' Pizza Hut and Domino's, along with Papa Johns and Little Caesars, dominate the U.S. pizza industry and have also been experimenting with robots. Pizza Hut has deployed robots in selected restaurants in Asia, and Domino's has introduced pizza-delivery droids in New Zealand.

Once the Zume pizzas are assembled and partly cooked at headquarters, they're loaded into a specially designed "Baked in the Back" delivery van, each equipped with 56 ovens to finish the cooking en route to customers, plus refrigeration to store additional 112 pies. The trucks can be topped up by vans carrying more pizzas so they never have to return to the depot. By crunching all the data about customer orders, Zume knows which pizzas its customers want before they even place an order.

Zume developed its own special delivery truck with 56 ovens so the pizza can cook while en route to customers. Jeniece Pettitt | CNBC
BUFFALO, N.Y.  Mark Czarnecki, president and COO of M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB), died Sunday after an extended illness. He was 61.

Czarnecki served as president of M&T Bank for the past decade, the banking company said in a news release issued Monday. M&T Bank is the main banking subsidiary of M&T Bank Corp. (M&T).

He was a member of the boards of directors of M&T Bank and M&T, and sat on M&Ts management committee, per the release.

Czarnecki distinguished himself as a leader and a servant of others throughout his life and career, Robert Wilmers, chairman and CEO of M&T, said in the release.

Both his leadership and his service will be missed greatly  by his family, his colleagues, and his community. But his life and his legacy will live on in all of us, as we carry forth Marks example, seeking first to enrich the lives of others, then together to grow and improve our company, and finally to create a better and stronger community, said Wilmers.

A 40-year veteran of the banking company, Czarnecki began his career as an assistant branch manager. He went on to hold numerous managerial positions in retail banking, business banking, commercial lending, securities, and investments.

M&T named Czarnecki president in 2007 and COO in January 2014, the banking company said.

In addition, Czarnecki also served as chairman of the New York Citybased New York Bankers Association in 2010.

Czarnecki is survived by his wife of 38 years, Elizabeth; son, Christopher and his wife Jill (Bowman); and son, Gregory and his fiancee Rosanna Monachino, per the release.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
February 28, 2017

 Mathematician Katherine Johnson, one of NASA's "Hidden Figures," will be honored with her own LEGO minifigure as part of a new toy set celebrating the space agency's pioneering women.



LEGO on Tuesday (Feb. 28) announced it will release the fan-created "Women of NASA" set as its next LEGO Ideas commercial product. The LEGO Ideas website enables the public to support fan-designed projects to see them offered by the Denmark-based toy company for sale. Projects that reach a 10,000-vote threshold are considered by LEGO to possibly become official products.



"The LEGO review board carefully considered each project from every angle and the next LEGO Ideas set will be the 'Women of NASA,'" Lise Dydensborg, marketing manager for the LEGO Group, said in a video released by LEGO. "A huge congratulations!"







Maia Weinstock, deputy editor of MIT News, designed the "Women of NASA" set featuring astronauts and scientists. (LEGO Ideas)

"Women of NASA," designed by science editor and writer Maia Weinstock, features a set of five minfigures based on real-life NASA astronauts, scientists and mathematicians.



"Thank you to everyone who has supported and cheered for this celebration of all the women who have contributed to NASA History!" Weinstock posted on Facebook. "Having LEGO make your vision available to kids (and grown-ups!) around the world is a dream come true  and you helped make it happen."



In addition to Johnson, whose role as an African American "human computer" at NASA's Langley Research Center in Virginia was the focus of the 20th Century Fox film "Hidden Figures," Weinstock's "Women of NASA" set includes 1.5- inch-tall (4 centimeter) minifigure models of:

astronaut Sally Ride, the first U.S. woman in space;





Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to launch into space;





computer scientist Margaret Hamilton, who led the development of the on board flight software for the Apollo missions to the moon; and





astronomer Nancy Grace Roman, who is referred to by many as the "Mother of Hubble" for the role she played in the planning for the space telescope.

The set, as created by Weinstock, also includes a desktop display frame and four toy brick-built vignettes: a miniature model of the Hubble Space Telescope; a miniature space shuttle; a diorama of Hamilton's stacks of computer code; and the mathematical instruments of the Apollo era.







The "Women of NASA" set features minifigures, a desktop display frame and vignettes related to the women's careers. (LEGO Ideas)

"We're really excited to be able to introduce Maia's Women of NASA set for its fun and educational value, as well as its classic build and play experience. LEGO set designers are already working hard on the production model, scheduled for release in late 2017 or early 2018," said Dydensborg.



Weinstock said she proposed the set because it combined several of her passions, including the history of women in science and technology, space exploration and LEGO.



"In 2014, I curated an art exhibit featuring the portraits of women in science, and for my part of the exhibit I mounted and framed individual minifigures of real-life scientists that I had previously designed," Weinstock told LEGO. "So the frame part of the model stems from that idea."



"The vignettes came second," Weinstock said. "I wanted to contextualize each person in terms of her contributions to NASA history."







"Women of NASA" minifigs: computer scientist Margaret Hamilton; mathematician Katherine Johnson; Sally Ride; astronomer Nancy Grace Roman; and Mae Jemison. (LEGO Ideas)

Dydensborg said LEGO it will share more details about the "Women of NASA" set, including its final design, sale date and price closer to to when it is ready for launch.



LEGO Ideas has produced three space-themed sets since 2008, including a model of Japan's asteroid sample return probe Hayabusa and NASA's Curiosity Mars rover. In June 2016, LEGO approved the production of a fan-made model of the Saturn V rocket that launched the Apollo 11 mission to land the first astronauts on the moon, which is expected to go on sale later this year.
City leaders are progressively moving forward in hopes of encouraging new businesses to move to Bonne Terre.

In a special session of the Bonne Terre City Council last month there was a discussion of getting bids for an engineering firm to prepare a preliminary design for a new road into and through the citys industrial park. Bonne Terre City Administrator Jim Eaton remarked that funds from the TIF district and the Industrial Development Authority would be paying for the engineering fee for the design.

Eaton said the reason for running a new road from the current road, Industrial Drive, down to Benham Street is because it will open the industrial tract.

It will eventually give the industrial park another access in and out of town, said Eaton. The problem right now is that the Berry Bridge is out and it may eventually be replaced, but right now we need a secondary entrance.

Eaton said the new road will give vehicles an opportunity to get in and out of the industrial park another way instead of one way in and one way out.

For us, there are three TIF districts and one of the TIF districts is the industrial park area, explained Eaton. The taxes that are paid that would normally go to school systems, college or ambulance district goes to the TIF fund. There is money out there that has been generated by this industrial TIF district and we are going to use some of that for the purpose of design (for a new road).

The council voted to accept a bid from Taylor Engineering to look at expanding the roadway. He added they are trying to figure everything out right now because the proposed entrance to the industrial park between Benham Street Grill and Missouri Midwest Truss Company is an easement that was passed on to them.

Then we get into the railroad ... they dont know if they own any property and the county says they dont, said Eaton. They arent paying any taxes, so we are in slow mode at this time trying to figure everything out.

Eaton added they feel if they get another road through there, they will be able to draw some light industry back there in the industrial park. Ground broke for the industrial park in April of 2001.

Its approximately 120 acres left that would be good for expansion of small industries, said Eaton. In general there is water and sewer you can get to and we are going to lay out the water and sewer as we go also.

We have four businesses back there already: Plattin Tool, WaterWork Specialties, GWS Contractors and Trelleborg Bid Co., said Eaton.

One existing business has already began expanding their facility and it will employ 10 more people.

Eaton added they are also going to extend the water main line or loop the system by Knights of Columbus. He said it will give them better quality water and they are calling it the Berry Road Water Line Loop.

The engineering project would include laying out the street and possibly some other work, Eaton explained. We have to get an engineer before we can do anything. There is money out there for development, but there wasnt before and you just have to get in line. If you have a manufacturer of some kind, a lot of times you can get money.

The city hopes to not only bring the road out to Benham Street, but also to Desoto Road and possibly Turkey Creek Road in the future. The land is relatively flat and wont take much more than a brush hog to clear in most areas, he indicated.

Eaton added the city has also provided information to a few people who are very interested in the Old Orchard area, but Eaton said until they have a signed contract they wont keep their hopes up. That development has access to sewer, water, gas and fiber optic lines.
The Farmington City Council approved, through a second reading and council action, an ordinance approving a boundary adjustment at Mineral Area Park at Weber Road.

The request was made by Parkland Health Center. A first reading on the ordinance was held earlier this month following a public hearing on the request.

This is part of the old Mineral Area Hospital campus, City Administrator Greg Beavers said after the meeting. This involves the single-story building there on Weber Road that previously had doctors offices and a Walgreens Pharmacy on that site. There are two houses just immediately to the east of that also belong to the hospital property.

Although no confirmation has been made by county officials, it was announced at a previous Farmington meeting that a portion of the complex would be donated to the county by Parkland Health Center for the location of a county morgue.

(The hospital) intends to give the two houses to Habitat for Humanity, he said. The intent is after that, Habitat will tear those houses down  they are on our enforcement list for nuisance properties  and build some nice, new houses on the property.

Also on the councils agenda was an ordinance that was carried over from the Feb. 9 council meeting regarding a special use permit for the operation of a day care.

During that meeting, a manager of an adult business located near the proposed area at 120 Holly Tree Lane expressed concerns over the location violating the companys policy of not being located near children.

After much discussion at that meeting, the council decided to table a vote on the ordinance  which was up for a first and second reading and council action in regular session  to clarify the requirements for a day care facility located near an adult business.

There was discussion at Mondays meeting as well, when council first had to make a motion to untable the ordinance.

Beavers explained the original ordinance regulating adult businesses not being located within 1,000 feet of children was put in place after this business opened.

It seems the ordinance relates to similar businesses coming in within those boundary requirements  not when businesses relating to children are located within that area. One item pointed out was the fact St. Paul High School is located within that boundary area.

Beavers noted any adult businesses at the current location could not reopen at the location should it close and cease operations.

The council approved the ordinance by a vote of 6 to 0. Ward IV Councilmen Garett Boatright and Mark Kellogg were not in attendance.

Also approved were two resolutions under consent agenda  the first being a contract with Visu-Sewer and the second appointing Laura Yates on the Park Board.

The council also held a first reading on an ordinance authorizing filing of applications with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility commission on behalf of the city.

It was also reported the sales tax receipts through January were up 4.6 percent over the previous year.

At the start of the meeting, Mayor Mit Landrum made a special presentation to Dr. Charles Rorex for his five years of service as a member of the Farmington City Council.

Rorex served as a councilman from 1998 to 2003 before he was elected mayor.

Landrum apologized for the delay in recognizing Rorex.

We fixed this omission, Landrum said. He was never recognized when he left the council because he became mayor right after that. We were happy to get ahold of him and have him come down.

Read more about the meeting in this weeks edition of the Farmington Press.

The council next meets on March 9.
The holidays are creeping up on us
It wont be much longer before Leadwood city officials can begin conducting business in a brand new city hall building rather than inside the basement of a church or the local fire house.

Charlie Lewis, the projects contractor and member of the Leadwood Board of Alderpersons, said he expects construction to be completed within about the next six weeks. Once the building is finished, it will be up to city officials to arrange for some dirt work and to install an asphalt parking lot. Providing furnishings and office supplies will, of course, also be up to the city board.

Aside from a few minor details, the exterior of the building certainly looks done  from the siding, windows and doors, to the roof and awning at the front entrance. A peek inside reveals that the new city hall will look much different than the old structure, with a combination courtroom/city meeting room, an office area for the city clerk and water/sewer department clerk, a public restroom near the entrance and other small rooms along the back of the building.

The room for public meetings and court proceedings will have an elevated bench with seating for the municipal judge during court and for the mayor and alderpersons during city meetings.

According to Lewis, finishing the interior walls is the next stage of work  putting up drywall and mud, followed by painting  along with installation of a dropped ceiling.

The old building, which was damaged in a fire on Sept. 17, 2015, was torn down about a month later after city officials set up a temporary city hall office in the basement of the Leadwood United Methodist Church, directly across the street from the former city hall.

Although the investigation into the cause of the fire by the State Fire Marshals Office was, and is, still ongoing, city officials were given the go-ahead just a couple of weeks after the fire to begin cleaning out the building and salvaging any content that had not been completely destroyed by fire or smoke.

Less than a month after the fire, in early October, a preliminary insurance settlement was reached and board members began to make preliminary plans for a new city hall. The initial settlement included $39,405 for the building, $25,000 for contents and city property and up to $10,000 to tear the building down.

Despite some disagreement among city officials about the economic feasibility of building a new structure, they began to cautiously move forward with the construction project by soliciting bids from contractors in mid-January.

Some controversy over the bid process ensued after receiving only two sealed bids for the construction project  one from then-Mayor Pro Tem Lewis  with numerous residents voicing their claims that it was unethical, and perhaps illegal, for Lewis to submit a bid in the first place. It was also argued that his position with the city gave him an unfair advantage in the bidding process.

The vote on the bids was tabled until advice and counsel could be obtained to address the residents concerns, which turned out to be unfounded. The Missouri Ethics Commission and Eric Harris, the citys attorney, both came to the conclusion that Lewis involvement in the project, within certain limits, did not violate any ethical or legal concerns and the project briefly recommenced.

The project stalled again with the upcoming April 2016 election and a chance that the composition of Leadwoods governing body would change rather significantly.

As it turned out, Lewis, who had been serving as mayor pro tem since the previous mayor resigned shortly after the April 2015 election, lost his bid for mayor to Dennis Parks. In addition, the board gained two new aldermen.

Things started to get back on track in June, however, when board members voted (with Lewis abstaining due to his direct involvement in the project) to follow through with getting financing costs from a lending institution in order to determine if the city could actually afford to have a new building constructed.

Despite two aldermen voting against the city borrowing such a significant sum  Parks voted in favor to break the tie  a measure that established the authority for the city to enter into a lease agreement with a finance agency was approved during a public meeting in late October 2016.

The agreement with FS Leasing, LLC provided the city with $225,000 in financing for construction of the building, which was added to the nearly $40,000 insurance payment for the former city hall building.

The pace of progress picked up immediately with a groundbreaking ceremony taking place on Oct. 28 and construction beginning less than a week later at the beginning of November.
Imagine arriving at an unfamiliar train station and yet still knowing exactly where to go because you had a smart device that provided seamless instructions, relying on location beacons and internet of things (IoT) technologies to connect with and channel the necessary information.

Lisa M. Woodley, vice president of digital experience at NTT Data, an IT services and consulting company, can do more than imagine it, she built it. Woodley, who oversees a 20-member team, developed the technology as a proof of concept for a public transportation line in Australia.

It's all in a day's work for Woodley, 49.

"My focus is to forget about technology and talk to clients about the challenges they're having and help them address those, and then help them focus on the technology innovation," she says.

View the full list of Premier 100 IT Leaders, class of 2017!

Woodley's work puts her at the forefront of change. "I'll help clients identify a problem for which the technology doesn't yet exist to solve it," she says, explaining that she and her team consider how to close the gap between what's available and their vision of what's possible. "That's where the innovation comes from," she says.

While her focus is on innovation, she doesn't neglect the human side of her work. She says she helps guide people through the changes wrought by technology as she drives toward the future.

"You have to involve people early," she says. "You can't just make them part of the conversation when you're rolling it out."
We live on an international planet. Trade takes place across borders and between countries. We speak different languages, and international language support is one of Apples biggest Siri advantages.

Digital assistants

What use is a digital assistant that doesnt understand you?

Apple is streets ahead when it comes to making a truly international assistant. Google Assistant and Alexa speak hardly any languages in comparison to the twenty Siri supports. Microsofts Cortana speaks just nine.

After all, traditionally one of the big criticisms of Siri has been that it doesnt always comprehend spoken word commands in English  imagine how much harder effective speech recognition is if English is not your first language.

This inconvenient truth means that for all the hype, the only markets that can access the full potential of these technologies are English and German-speaking ones. There are a few smaller players in this sector, but M&A activity is so fevered right now many will be bought out by the larger firms and their future is uncertain until then.

Language barriers

Mobile World Congress 2017 is full of vendors introducing new devices equipped with digital assistants, but they are still confined to the languages supported by the main vendor, Google. Yet the diversity and internationalism of Android vendors means theres a clear need to expand language support in the dominant OS.

Im not holding my breath. Even when Apple introduced Siri in 2011 its assistant already spoke three languages (English, French, German). Six years on, and Apples main competitors have only managed to match two thirds of those.

I see that lack of commitment to supporting multiple languages as another great example of Googles focus on its own market share above consumer need, though I do recognize that Google Allo already supports Hindi, Japanese, and Portuguese, which suggests more languages in future.

Incrementalism

In tangible terms, this means that while you can use an Amazon Echo to remind you to get things for your fridge, you need to speak English or German to do so.

In contrast, you can already use Siri on an Apple Watch to create a reminder in over twenty languages.

You can even use Chinese.

China is one of the best-informed markets on smart home technology, according to GFK, with 75 percent of consumers expecting these technologies to impact their lives. China is ripe for these technologies, and of the big firms only Apples Siri speaks to consumers there.

Market forces

We know Apple is working hard to put more intelligence inside Siri.

We know it is beginning to work with third party developers to implement support for apps.

We know it understands the need to further open Siri APIs.

We know it is investing deeply in machine intelligence that should be able to back its digital assistant up.

We recognise Siri already trounces competitors in language support, and we know that as the global economic model changes the emerging economies will become growth drivers even while incumbent leading economies continue their painful decline.

It's a big world

Lets dig out some statistics to put that statement into perspective:

There are approximately 7.5 billion people alive, of these around 1.5 billion speak English, but just 375 million speak it as their first language.

Another 105 million speak German as a first language.

This means around 480 million people can properly use a digital assistant that isnt from Apple  six years since Siri was introduced.

An imprecise estimate based on the languages Siri already supports shows Apples assistant reaches 2.45 billion people in their native tongue and around 4.9 billion when you include those who speak one of its supported languages as a second language.

What this means is simple:

Despite the constant (and often unwarranted) criticism of Siri as a voice assistant, these calculations suggest it is available and useful to five times as many people worldwide as its dominant competitors (in the primary language).

I'm no doubt this is will change, of course others in the space want to build their language skills. All the same, six years since Siri was introduced, this remains an Apple advantage.

For most people on the planet, Apples Siri can already say it speaks your language.

With an incalculably smarter Siri on the way, and better third-party integration, Siri will soon be able to speak your language more intelligently, too.

No one else yet matches this claim.

Google+? If you use social media and happen to be a Google+ user, why not join AppleHolic's Kool Aid Corner community and join the conversation as we pursue the spirit of the New Model Apple?

Got a story?Drop me a line via Twitter. I'd like it if you chose to follow me there so I can let you know when fresh items are published here first on Computerworld.
Missouri Senator Roy Blunt received the National Education Service Award from the Association of Community College Trustees at the associations annual legislative summit recently held in Washington, D.C.

In his time as chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee overseeing education, Blunt led the effort to reinstate the Year-Round Pell Grant, an effort that would aid thousands of community college students in Missouri. The Senates fiscal year (FY) 2017 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education funding bill included a provision to reinstate year-round Pell.

Mineral Area Colleges president, Dr. Steve Kurtz, chairs the Missouri Community College Associations legislative committee. He said he appreciated Blunts leadership in making higher education more accessible to students throughout the nation.

We were fortunate enough to host Senator Blunt at MAC last June while he was advocating for year-round Pell Grant, Dr. Kurtz said. More than 70 percent of our students receive some form of federal financial assistance, and most want to attend summer school. Those who are not financially able to do so risk not finishing their degrees. Year-round Pell Grants enable students to complete their degrees in an earlier time frame. We greatly appreciate Senator Blunts' continued support of Missouri's community college students.

Additionally, under Blunts purview, the Appropriations Subcommittee increased funding for several community college priorities in FY 2016, including additional funding for such programs as TRIO, Adult Basic Education state grants, state grants under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Strengthening Institutions, and Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions  many of which MAC offers on its campus in Park Hills.

Missouri Community College Association Chairman Dr. Jon Bauer said year-round Pell is important to students who depend on the grant to go to college.

Keeping Pell through the summer helps many students stay enrolled and persist to completing their degree, he said. Sen. Blunt understands how important this is to our students and has worked diligently to restore it. We were honored to help recognize him for these efforts.

Bauer is president of East Central College in Union, Missouri, and presented the award to Sen. Blunt. Alongside fellow college leaders from Missouri, Bauer spent most of the week in the nations Capitol meeting with Missouri lawmakers and advocating on behalf of the states community colleges.
The Park Hills City Council will meet tonight at 6 p.m. for a work session in the municipal court chambers at city hall, located at 9 Bennett St.

First on the agenda, new councilman John Clark will take the oath of office. The appointment was made after Councilman Larry Kelly died last month.

Discussion items will include an update on the 911 center by Alan Wells, a building proposal for the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce by Brad Dush, the citys smoking policy and a proposal for a summer work program.

Action items will include a bill for an ordinance annexing property located at 4773 Flat River Rd. into the city limits and authorization to apply for funding for a fairgrounds project.

Along with a mayor and council member discussion period, City Administrator Matt Whitwell will give reports on the citys Parks and Recreation, Public Works and Utilities departments.

The meeting is open to the public.
Close

Climate depression was a term coined by experts to describe how environmental and climatic changes lead to anxiety, depression, stress and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to reports, the massive change President Donald Trump is implementing in the Environmental Protection Agency is adding anxiety to those suffering from climate depression.

According to CNBC, Donald Trump's executive orders could Barack Obama's Climate Action Plan which is a framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and Clean Power Plan which regulates emissions from power plants. Some environmentalist says that anyone who does not take care of the environment is responsible for any catastrophic incidents.

Climate change is reported to be one of the major causes of farmer suicides on top of the increase in their PTSD levels. In a study conducted by Esther Sukita and Ashwini K at the 8th Indian Youth Science Congress, some farmers cannot cope with trauma brought about by the climate depression and end up committing suicide.

News 1130 defines PTSD as pre-traumatic disorder which describes the mental anguish of people constantly preparing for the worst scenario. It is common to scientists who are front liners of climate research. However, forensic psychiatrist believes climate depression is becoming more common in general population.

Climate protection is reported to be on the cutting block under Donald Trump. While other people or countries may be far from the world's climate disasters, it is hard not to empathize with the victims. Lise Van Susteren said, during a recent climate and health conference in Atlanta, Georgia, that it is painful to see people burned, drowned, flooded and starved due to climate changes.

People who see these kinds of reports on television contribute to the growing number of people suffering from climate depression.

Climate change is a threat multiplier and a root of cause of mental health crisis. Van Susteren tells the story of a 17 year old Australian boy who refuses to drink water because it would cause millions of people to die of thirst. Melbourne Children's Hospital is reported to be full of children suffering from climate depression and anxiety.

See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
Close

A California doctor was ever grateful for the help her colleague gave him in order to save his life. Dr. Colleen Coleman, a general surgeon, donated her kidney to Dr. Brian Dunn, an anesthesiologist that she works with at Hoag Hospital Newport Beach.

Dr. Dunn's kidney failed from chemotherapy that he received as a teenager to treat his stomach tumor. One donor withdrew her offer after Dunn's doctor advised him against accepting the kidney from a patient with Lou Gehrig's disease.

Coleman wanted to make sure Dunn's 6-year-old daughter didn't grow up fatherless. She recalled a similar experience when her grandmother died of kidney failure when her mother was 6 years old.

Dunn had previously received a kidney from his mother when he was 25, however, donated kidneys don't last forever. In 2015, his health was failing and he could hardly keep pace with his young daughter. He started dialysis in April and went through the process four times a day to purify his blood. The time-consuming and tiring process was like prison for him, he said.

Coleman, 51, almost didn't go through with donating her kidney after an initial screening mistakenly said she wasn't a match. In June, the testing company called and said it made a mistake.

The surgery was done on January 30 and was a success. Dunn, 45, said he felt grateful three weeks later after recovery. Coleman returned to work to find flowers, a cake and people hailing her as a hero. She said she was moved by the note from Dunn according to CBS News.

According to The Washington Post, to show his appreciation Dunn gave Coleman a set of kidney-shaped Tiffany earrings for her sacrifice. And in return, Coleman gave him a Tiffany money clip in the shape of a kidney as a reminder of their bond.

See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
If you think about it, no wonder Donald Trump prefers the imaginative stylings of Fox News to the Presidential Daily Briefing. He's pretty much the network's target demographic: a daffy old-timer with time on his hands.

Intelligence reports tend to be complex, hedged with uncertainties. That's boring to an elderly adolescent. Rather like the big-screen evangelical churches that furnish much of the rest of its audience, Fox News delivers provocative melodrama that keeps viewers wide awake.

Hence Sweden, one of the safest, most prosperous democracies on earth, becomes a hotbed of terrorist violence. Never mind that Sweden's terrific crime novelists -- Henning Mankell, Stieg Larsson, Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo -- probably kill off more imaginary victims than the country has actual homicides.

Sweden has taken in many Syrian refugees; therefore, it must be hell on earth. Anybody who says different is spreading "fake news" -- a term that has basically come to signify "I'm talking out my ... "

Well, making things up.

However, just because somebody's reality-challenged doesn't mean they're stupid. Even downright delusional people can be extremely cunning in service of their crackpot notions.

Consider what one is tempted to call President Trump's downright "Clintonian" non-denial denial during his recent press conference: "I own nothing in Russia, I have no loans in Russia, I don't have any deals in Russia."

"Russia," he insisted. "is fake news put out by the media."

Ah, but what about deals "with" or loans "from" Russia? Different question. Trump and his family have been up to their eyeballs in Russian cash for decades.

The president denying this well-documented fact is the rough equivalent of Bill Clinton denying he'd ever met Monica Lewinsky.

Indeed, father and sons used to brag about Russian money. In 2008, Donald Trump Jr. told a real estate conference that "Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets ... We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia."

After staging the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow, Trump boasted that most of Russia's financial elite attended a swank party he threw. "Almost all of the oligarchs were in the room," Trump told Real Estate Weekly. It's important to understand that politically independent Russian oligarchs do not exist. One way or another, Putin owns them all.

During a Republican debate, Trump even claimed a personal relationship with Vladimir Putin. "I got to know him very well because we were both on '60 Minutes.' We were stablemates," he said.

Except oops, Putin's segment was taped in Moscow.

Now Trump says the two have never met, which is probably true.

"Still, there has been the nagging sense for some time that there's something off about the way Trump speaks about Putin," the invaluable blogger Digby explains. "It's obsequious and submissive, which is very uncharacteristic of his normal style and one cannot help but wonder why that is. Trump is not servile toward anyone in this world -- except Vladimir Putin. It would be one thing if we could chalk it up as another one of Trump's weird psychological tics and hope that he isn't so subject to flattery that he decides to help the Russian leader carve up Europe just to keep his approval. But it seems there's more to it than that."

It certainly does. Trump was similarly cagey about his campaign's reported contacts with Russian intelligence. Another series of non-denial denials: Not that he personally knows. He, Trump, had no Russian contacts. He's seen people on TV -- people he scarcely knows, maybe he was in the same room with them once -- denying any such liaisons.

It's all fake news to him.

So now comes yet another guy Trump hardly knows -- a Russian emigre who channeled millions from Moscow investors to various (eventually bankrupt) Trump projects in New York, Fort Lauderdale and Toronto.

Felix Sater's name has surfaced in connection with a private "peace initiative" to settle the Ukranian-Russian dispute on terms highly favorable to Russia. According to highly detailed accounts in The New York Times and The Washington Post, the scheme was brokered by Trump's attorney Michael D. Cohen, a pro-Putin Ukranian legislator, and Sater, supposedly through the good offices of recently fired national security advisor Michael Flynn.

The scheme's absurd on its face. But what's truly amazing is Sater's participation, a twice-convicted felon: once for stabbing a guy in a bar fight, and later for a multi-million dollar securities fraud tied to the Genovese and Colombo crime families.

While awaiting sentencing, Sater lived two lives: one as a principal in Bayrock, an investment firm located in Trump Tower which funneled millions in Russian capital into several of Trump's characteristically grandiose projects, a second as a CIA informant on international arms smuggling. The dude belongs in a Jason Bourne movie.

In a 2013 deposition, Trump said he wasn't sure he'd actually recognize Felix Sater either. Chances are the rest of us will before this astonishing saga ends.

Arkansas Times columnist Gene Lyons is a National Magazine Award winner and co-author of "The Hunting of the President" (St. Martin's Press, 2000). You can email Lyons at eugenelyons2@yahoo.com
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Bibi and the uglies

It was Benjamin Netanyahus first official visit to Australia and the first by a serving Israeli prime minister since the foundation of that country in 1948. In these days of increasingly frequent official visits and showing of the diplomatic flag, such an occasion was bound to happen at some point. But why now, exactly? The Israeli PM claimed his inaugural tour had been wonderful. This has been a wonderful visit here. You people are amazing, Netanyahu told Foreign Minister Julie Bishop before they headed into secret bilateral talks.

The Jewish community welcomes Netanyahu at a Bondi Synagogue.

Julie Bishop had just returned from her own whirlwind tour of the UK and the US, where she met leaders from the Trump Administration. For what seems like the millionth time, she committed the Australian people to the war-fighting US Alliance and support for any actions the US might like to take in the South China Sea. She was already on record backing Trumps all but universally deplored strong immigration and border protection policies.

Netanyahus visit attracted protests by people outraged at Israels continued denial of the rights of the Palestinian people, including to a sovereign state within secure borders. The official reception, however, couldnt have been warmer. Speaking in the Sydney Central Synagogue, Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull painted the official Zionist picture of Israel as a peace-loving, reasonable nation surrounded by irrational and hostile neighbours.

He took the theme up again in a piece for the Australian last week. Our peoples are bound together first and foremost by the values we share  a mutual commitment to freedom, democracy and the rule of law, the PM wrote. He made the claim about respect for the rule of law in the face of the evidence he quoted in the same column. In a speech to the UN General Assembly in 2015, Prime Minister Netanyahu pointed out that in the preceding 12 months, the General Assembly had adopted 20 resolutions critical of Israel, compared to just one in response to the war in Syria , Turnbull lamented.

According to the Australian PM, the world has it all wrong and Israel is being subjected to an campaign of vilification for no reason at all. Turnbull made it clear Australia will cleave to its uncritical line and continue to ignore international protests such as the UN Security Councils recent condemnation of Israeli endorsement of settlements on Palestinian land. The Israeli parliament has declared 4,000 Jewish settlers homes legal retroactively in a move prompting almost universal condemnation.

Turnbull made no mention of Israels belligerence in the affairs of the Middle East, including support for groups using the most blood-curdling methods to dismember and destroy the sovereign nation of Syria. Like its master in the US, the government of Israel has sought to create division and conflict to pursue its geo-political agenda.

In his jocular speech at the Sydney Central Synagogue, Netanyahu extended an invitation to the celebrity-studded audience to visit greater Israel soon. I want you to walk the streets of the old city in Jerusalem and hike in the Golan  by the way the Golan will never go back to Syria!, he said. The Golan Heights is internationally recognised as Syrian territory but has been occupied by Israel since the end of the Six Day War in 1967 despite UN Resolution 497 denying the legality of Israeli control and occupation.

What appears to be happening internationally is that even closer ties are being drawn between the most eager supporters of US imperialism. International law and the will of almost the entire international community as expressed in the UN General Assembly mean nothing to this group of ugly proponents of the might is right doctrine at work. Early speculation that, under a Trump Administration, the US might pull back to some extent from its global hegemonic role has proven incorrect. Trump is foreshadowing the greatest military build-up in American history and is pressuring NATO to do likewise. Australia is already fully committed to this war-fighting strategy, as is Netanyahu.

The danger of the current policy to peace in the Middle East and to the future security of Israel is clear to just about everybody outside Netanyahus elite cheer squad. Former PMs Rudd and Hawke were joined by retired Labor luminaries Bob Carr and Gareth Evans in warning of the threat current Israeli actions pose to the possibility of a two state solution for Israel and Palestine. They were rounded on by people like Labor backbencher Michael Danby. Venom was directed at those in the community promoting an international campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel.

This is a telltale sign that BDS is hurting and the best chance for the people of the world, including those living in the countries comprising the increasingly ugly US Alliance, to achieve justice for the Palestinian people and reduce conflict in the Middle East.
Legalising theft of Palestinian land

Last month Israels parliament, the Knesset, approved a bill to retroactively legalise the expropriation by settlers of private Palestinian land that has taken place over the last two decades.

Passed by 60-52, the so-called Regularisation Bill will legalise around 4,000 settlement homes in so-called unauthorised outposts and settlements.

Human Rights Watch swiftly condemned the vote, noting that the Regularisation Bill undoes years of established Israeli law and, coming just weeks after the [UN] Security Councils unanimous passage of Resolution 2334 on the illegality of settlements, reflects Israels manifest disregard of international law.

The group added that the law entrenches the current reality in the West Bank of de facto permanent occupation where Israeli settlers and Palestinians living in the same territory are subject to separate and unequal systems of laws, rules and services.

The law will grant recognition to 53 of the approximately 100 outposts, expropriating 2,000 acres of private Palestinian land, according to anti-settlement group Peace Now. It will also deny Palestinian owners the right to claim the land until there is a diplomatic resolution to the status of the territories.

The law allows justice minister Ayelet Shaked to expand the list of outposts that will gain legal status.

All settlements are illegal

Moves to legalise outposts have been underway for several years. Last summer, The New York Times revealed that one-third of the outposts had already been retroactively legalised or were on their way, through a policy initiated in 2011.

Adalah, a legal advocacy group for Palestinians in Israel, has vowed to challenge the law in the Israeli high court.

This sweeping and dangerous law permits the expropriation of vast tracts of private Palestinian land, giving absolute preference to the political interests of Israel as an occupying power and to Israeli settlers, Adalah lawyer Suhad Bishara told the Associated Press.

While Israels high court has tended to rule in favour of Israels settlement enterprise, it has ruled against settlements built on private Palestinian land.

Israels attorney general Avichai Mendelblit has said he wont defend the law in the high court, calling it unconstititional and illegal under international law.

Since Israel stopped officially establishing new settlements after it signed the Oslo accords in the early 1990s, it began surreptitiously funding and supporting settler groups to colonise West Bank hilltops, property that belongs to Palestinians.

These became known as outposts, technically illegal even under Israeli law, but supported by the government. Israel also gets around the high courts prohibition by simply redesignating vast tracts of private Palestinian land as state land.

All Israels settlements and outposts in the West Bank are illegal under international law.

Towards annexation

According to The Jerusalem Post, this is the first time the Knesset has formally attempted to legislate in Area C, the approximately 60 percent of the West Bank left under full Israeli military control under the Oslo agreements.

Calling the law evil and dangerous, former Likud minister Dan Meridor noted that Palestinians in the West Bank did not vote for the Knesset, and it has no authority to legislate for them. These are basic principles of democracy and Israeli law.

Though it is unlikely that many Palestinians would see Israels decades-long military rule as any more democratic or respectful of their rights.

Peace Now has described the law as a big step towards annexation.

Right-wing Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post called the legislation the most significant event in the settlement movement since the 2005 withdrawal, referring to Israels removal of its military and settlers from the occupied Gaza Strip and a small part of the West Bank. The newspaper also called the law the first step toward annexation of Area C.

Appeasing settlers

But as much as the bill may signal Israels move towards annexation, it has also been used to score political points with the powerful settler movement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially opposed the bill, warning his cabinet that it would land its backers at the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

But his position has shifted as the bill gained popularity within his coalition.

It was advanced in late 2016, as the Amona outpost approached its court-ordered deadline to evacuate.

As the Amona settlers were removed on February 1, the Israeli government announced plans to build thousands of new settlement homes elsewhere in the West Bank.

The most vocal supporter of annexation is the Jewish Home party, led by education minister Naftali Bennett.

A strong competitor to Netanyahus Likud party for right-wing support, Bennett had accused Netanyahu of trying to delay a final vote on the bill.

After meeting with UK Prime Minister Theresa May in London and reportedly speaking to the White House, Netanyahu scheduled a vote on the bill.

His decision came even though May had told Netanyahu that the bill is unhelpful and would make things more difficult for Israels friends around the world, the Tel Aviv newspaper Haaretz reported.

The Electronic Intifada
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China talks trade How bizarre it was to see Chinese President Xi Jinping, leader of an 88 million-strong Communist Party, at the World Economic Forum in January, addressing the worlds business and political elites. Did this not go to show just how far China has travelled down the capitalist road? Chinese President Xi Jinping at the forum. On the contrary, far from extolling global capitalism, Xis speech carried a critical edge, pointing to the contradictions of a system that produces material wealth as never before while leading to increasing inequalities and social turmoil. Highlighting the lack of fairness in the international order, Xi called for priority to be given to job creation, innovation, green growth and, above all, tackling poverty. Over 700 million people in the world, he noted, are still living in extreme poverty. For many families, to have warm houses, enough food and secure jobs is still a distant dream. This is the biggest challenge facing the world today. Alternative vision Presenting an alternative vision of win-win trade and investment, with growth shared to ensure social justice and equity, Xis speech was designed to expose US President Donald Trumps protectionism as a dead-end. Here are the key points, with some explanatory comments: Blaming economic globalisation for the worlds problems will not help to find solutions, for example, to the refugee crisis, brought about by war and conflict, or the 2008 financial crisis resulting from the excessive pursuit of profit and failure of regulation.

Economic globalisation is a natural outcome of scientific and technological progress [which] has powered global growth. The creation of material wealth is not the problem. Since adopting its Open Door policy on foreign investment, China has been able to lift 700 million people out of poverty. Similarly, as trade between China and Latin America grew from US$13 billion in 2000 to US$262 billion in 2013, and left-wing governments used the space to carry out radical social policies, poverty in Latin America fell from 44 percent to 28 percent.

Indeed economic globalisation is a double-edge sword. However, while it has created new problems, notably increasing inequalities, this is no justification to write it off completely. Rather, we should adapt to and guide economic globalisation, cushion its negative impact, and deliver its benefits to all countries and all nations.

Pursuing protectionism is like locking oneself in a dark room. It can only create losers and slow down economic growth. If tariffs are whacked on Chinese imports to the US, consumers will pay and if international supply chains are disrupted, US jobs will be at risk. Returning manufacturing to the US would likely just create work for robots.

When the global economy is under downward pressure, it is hard to make the cake of global economy bigger. It may even shrink, which will strain the relations between growth and distribution, between capital and labour. To create space for rebalancing, we should commit ourselves to growing an open global economy to share opportunities and interests through opening up and achieve win-win outcomes.

However, countries should proceed from  national conditions  integrating into economic globalisation with the right pace. The role of the state is decisive. By keeping in line with national conditions, opening its economy step-by-step, China has largely resisted pressures from global corporations to monopolize its markets, building up its own industrial capacities bit by bit.

The global economy has remained sluggish for quite some time. Nevertheless, emerging markets and developing countries already contribute to 80 percent of the growth of the global economy. The problem lies with the Western economies and their failure to invest since 2008 with capital. Instead, they have continued feeding speculation. Rather than blaming China for overcapacity, credit should go to it for contributing 30 percent of total world economic growth.

The key is to seize opportunities presented by the new round of industrial revolution and the digital economy. Efforts so far to stimulate growth have failed  monetary policies of quantitative easing have only inflated asset bubbles, causing greater financial volatility. And policies of fiscal stimulus have their limits in debt and inflation. New growth drivers are needed.

However there will be extensive and far-reaching impacts such as growing inequality, particularly the possible widening gap between return on capital and return on labour. So we should meet the challenges of climate change and aging population. We should address the negative impact of IT application and automation on jobs. When cultivating new industries  we should create new jobs and restore confidence and hope to our peoples.

The goal is to build a community of shared future for all. Global challenges  climate change, ageing populations, growing inequalities, and disruptive technologies  put everyone in the same boat. These problems cannot be solved in isolation. People with petty shrewdness only attend to trivial matters. Countries should rather view their own interests in a broader context and refrain from pursuing them at the expense of others.

China will do well only when the world does well and vice-versa. This is the win-win vision. China does not want a currency or a trade war; it is willing to continue to help make the economic cake bigger so there is more to share. Chinas exports are already starting to fall as its internal market expands. This also offers huge opportunities for other countries in meeting Chinese demand. In the coming five years, Xi pledged, China will import US$8 trillion of goods, attract US$600 billion of foreign investment, and make $750 billion of outbound investment. Better to work with the new giant than to block imports and stand in the way of technology transfer.

Countries, big or small  are all equal members of the international community. We should adhere to multilateralism to uphold the authority and efficacy of multilateral institutions. In Trumps world of naked power and self-interest, unencumbered by international rules, smaller countries will have no voice. Not only the Paris climate change agreement but also such agreements as the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and that foundation of world peace, the UN, are under threat. China seeks to defend these hard-won gains of multilateralism, standing up for a fairer system. The state in the drivers seat Xis globalisation is not one of untrammelled economic freedoms for global monopoly business. Rather it places states in the drivers seat. Governments need to work together to address the global challenges ahead, managing change through economic coordination, and shaping the way the world transitions to a new technological age in a more balanced, greener, and inclusive way. Trump just ducks the future, blaming China for de-industrialisation when in fact for every seven US jobs lost, six have gone as a result of technological change and only one through trade. Xis speech gives notice that China aims to set the global pace in renewable energies and technologies of the future. Hanging onto old traditional industries, the US risks ending up in an economic backwater. Xis speech was also a warning to Trump not to confront China, clearly the most serious challenger to his so-called America First agenda. Should Trump follow through on his rhetoric of economic war against China, attempting to use Taiwan and the One-China policy as a bargaining chip or blocking off the oil routes to China across the South China Sea, this could lead to hot war. Trumps delinquent approach has unnerved global elites, and in addressing the movers and shakers of international capitalism, Xi was looking to exploit divisions. Taking to the platform at such a high-profile meeting, he was able to draw the attention of the wider world to Chinas message, one that counters the right-wing nationalist and militarist trends spurred on by Trumps populist ranting, calling directly for governments to cooperate in peace to tackle the problems of the people. Morning Star Next article  Culture & Life  Not so free trade Back to index page
Channel programs News

Quest Software Makes Karabatsos Channel Chief In Wake Of Channel Veteran Peter Koliopoulos' Departure

Matt Brown

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Quest Software has made George Karabatsos, a sales and distribution executive who came to the IT management software firm when it was sold by Dell, its channel chief.

Karabatsos replaces Peter Koliopoulos, who left Quest earlier this month, a company spokesman confirmed. The spokesman wouldn't discuss where Koliopoulos had gone. He held the vice president global channels and alliances position for less than a year.

Koliopoulos is a channel veteran credited with helping to establish EMC Corp.'s channel operation as it transitioned from a direct sales model. He was at the data storage giant between 2006 and 2011 before becoming vice president of global partner marketing at EMC's VCE unit.

[Related: Channel Chiefs 2017: What's The Best Business Book You've Read Lately?]

Jamie Shepard, senior vice president at Dallas, Texas, solution provider Lumenate, said Koliopoulos has played an important part in the development of the modern channel.

"When EMC channel started around 2005, 2006, he was really instrumental in helping to define the channel," Shepard said. "Pete is a forward thinker. His channel strategy and the whole way he went to market, he really understood us, he understood customer challenges and was really good at aligning that with where he wanted to go."

Before taking the job at Dell Software last April, Koliopoulos spent about four years as vice president of marketing at Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions North America.

Karabatsos joined Dell last June as director of global distributor sales and transitioned to Quest when Dell sold its software unit, which included Quest and SonicWall, to Francisco Partners and the private equity arm of hedge fund Elliott Management last November.

Dell bought Quest for about $2.4 billion in 2012 and put it and other assets on the block after it cemented its agreement to acquire EMC. The sales helped offset the cost of the $58 billion acquisition and also reduced duplication of technologies gained in the acquisition.

After Dell and Quest had parted ways, the two firms did not establish a two-tier reselling relationship, meaning partners that were previously able to sell Quest software as part of their Dell line cards would have to join Quest's channel program to continue that relationship.

Before his stint at Dell, Karabatsos held sales executive positions at Nexsan and Brocade. He was also a principal and managing director of consulting firm Karabatsos LLC between 2011 and 2013. Karabatsos was not available for comment Tuesday.
Cloud News

ServiceNow Names PayPal Chairman As New CEO

Joseph Tsidulko

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ServiceNow on Monday named John Donahoe, former CEO of eBay, to lead the company as its new CEO.

Donahoe, who has been chairman of PayPal's board since July of 2015, will take the reins from current CEO Frank Slootman, who plans to step down on April 3 after six years in the role. Slootman will remain as the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company's chairman.

Donahoe spent more than seven years running online auction powerhouse eBay as its president and CEO. Before that, he spent 23 years at Bain & Company, rising to lead that global consulting firm.

[Related: ServiceNow Integrates Security Platform With Palo Alto Networks, Tanium To Speed Up Security Incident Responses]

Once he takes his position as CEO and president of ServiceNow, Donahoe will be charged with guiding the IT services management vendor, possibly the fastest growing enterprise software company out there, as it looks to extend its portfolio across the enterprise.

In recent years, ServiceNow has introduced applications that leverage its cloud platform to venture beyond a traditional focus on IT services.

ServiceNow is vying for market share as a customer service platform and is setting its sights on Salesforce in that arena. Last year the company released its Security Operations platform, meant to streamline incident response operations, as it is looking to parlay its position managing IT workflows to become a security player.

In an interview Monday morning on CNBC, Slootman said the hire was driven by the availability of a candidate of Donahoe's stature in the industry, and not by any business or time imperatives.

With Donahoe sitting next to him, Slootman said he wanted to "make room" for Donahoe by stepping aside as CEO, recognizing the value the former eBay leader could bring to the company.

Tom Kieffer, CEO of Virteva, a ServiceNow partner based in Minnesota, told CRN after watching the two executives on CNBC that he takes their claims that the hire was opportunistic, and didn't stem from external pressures, at face value.

Viteva's business has grown dramatically in the last 18 months, Kieffer said, directly because of its partnership with ServiceNow. The company uses ServiceNow to run operations for its MSP business, and also deploys the product for customers as a systems integrator.

Like Viteva, eBay is also a ServiceNow customer, Kiefer said, so the incoming CEO is likely familiar with the platform and its benefits to businesses.

While Slootman wasn't facing pressure to vacate his position, the broader product focus makes it a good time for a leadership change, Kieffer told CRN. Slootman was hired to help take ServiceNow public five years ago and was the right leader for that chapter in the company's history.

"It's always healthy to bring in some new perspective," he said. "ServiceNow is looking to grow beyond IT. They now have credible tools and a story to tell with the rest of the business."

Kieffer noted that Slootman's leadership team, mostly brought in from Data Domain and EMC, built the company's channel, largely inspired by those companies' models.

But now ServiceNow has "to learn to behave as a large enterprise SaaS company," and Donahoe has valuable experience running a larger organization with a business that spans well beyond the IT services market.

In the CNBC interview, Donahoe said: "over the last year I've had a great opportunity to step back and just survey the landscape, and the trend that just stood out is the role the cloud is having on both consumers and enterprises."
Networking News

CenturyLink's Cloud Application Manager Gives Partners More Cloud Revenue Opportunities

Gina Narcisi

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CenturyLink is helping its partners earn new revenue on popular third-party clouds that their customers are already using. The carrier on Tuesday introduced Cloud Application Manager, a platform for managing hybrid cloud environments.

Cloud Application Manager is an orchestration platform that uses cloud-agnostic application management technology that CenturyLink gained from its from ElasticBox acquisition in 2016. The platform can be used by both solution providers and business customers for deploying and managing private and public clouds, and colocation environments, according to Monroe, La.-based CenturyLink.

Many business customers are already using cloud services from Amazon, Microsoft and Google, so the platform could help partners earn revenue on these sought-after cloud platforms that they didnt have access to before, said John Hudson, director of service provider solutions for Lumenate, a Dallas-based IT consulting firm and CenturyLink partner.

[Related: CenturyLink Intros Mobile Management System, Key Component Of A New Channel Push ]

By wrapping services around popular IaaS offerings -- like multi-cloud management -- partners can pull in new monthly recurring revenue, without simply reselling cloud for a small margin.

"We're excited about it because its revenue we're not receiving today that can be easily pulled in by Cloud Application Manager," Hudson said.

CenturyLink's Cloud Application Manager will give solution providers the opportunity to have a different conversation in the marketplace, Hudson said.

"Because our customers are already using AWS and Google, its a really easy transition for us to start asking about their workloads. Enterprises want vendor compression, more visibility, and control of their environments," Hudson said. "Cloud Application Manager is truly a single pain of glass for workloads, whether they are located at AWS, Azure, Google or on-premise."

Cloud Application Manager can help business customers manage their increasingly complex, hybrid IT environments. The offering lets solution providers and business customers build and run applications, and move applications across a multi-cloud or premise-based IT environment. The platform gives partners, and customers access to CenturyLink's managed services, including monitoring, patching, backup and remote administration across any hybrid hosting environment, the carrier said.

CenturyLink's partners are also asking for more automated offerings that will help them better manage and control their customer's applications, John DeLozier, vice president of the CenturyLink Channel Alliance, told CRN via email. "The CenturyLink Cloud Application manager represents [our] ongoing commitment to build and invest in technologies that support partners and customers achieve their digital transformation goals," he said.

Customers can plug their existing public cloud accounts into the platform, or provision new cloud services through Cloud Application Manager. Additionally, the platform can consolidate multi-cloud billing for end customers, according to CenturyLink.

At CenturyLink's partner conference in last, week in San Diego, the carrier also unveiled its new Enterprise Mobility Management solution that partners can use to manage their business customers' mobile devices in corporate environments. CenturyLink also revealed plans to roll out its first tiered channel program, under the direction of channel chief DeLozier, who joined the company in 2016.
Attacks against Christians in Egypt continue to increase, and now the Protestant Churches of Egypt have issued a joint statement of support for those facing religious persecution.

In recent months, Coptic Christians have been the targets of violence from Islamic extremists, particularly the Islamic State.

In December, an attack on a Coptic Christian church killed 28 and injured nearly 50 others. A few weeks ago, a Coptic Christian schoolteacher was gunned down by a suspected Islamic State militant. Also recently, a Christian father and son were killed when militants broke into their home and shot them.

The mother of the family, Nabila, shared her grief: I asked them 'what did you do to my son?' They were carrying weapons on their shoulders and pistols...I was screaming 'what did you do to my son?' They told me to go out, they held my hand and threw me out on the street.

The Islamic State also recently released a video in which they claim their attacks on Egyptian Christians are only the beginning and that Christians are their favorite prey.

Due to the severity and frequency of the attacks, the Protestant Churches of Egypt issued a statement saying that they condemn the terrorist acts of murder and displacement that occurred recently in the North Sinai, targeting citizensespecially Christiansin Arish and other neighboring cities.

Christians make up around 10 percent of Egypts population. Egypt ranks 21st on Open Doors 2017 World Watch List of countries where Christian persecution is most severe.

Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com

Publication date: February 28, 2017
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KENT - Acclaimed author and broadcaster Frank Delaney, 74, died Tuesday at Danbury Hospital after suffering a stroke.

Delaney, best known for his critique of James Joyces Ulysses, lived in Kent and often spoke or signed books at local libraries and bookstores. He served as an honorary co-chair for the Housatonic Valley Association auction and volunteered for the New Milford Visiting Nurses Association.

Sally Tornow, director of the New Milford Public Library, said Delaney spoke at the library twice over the years, once to discuss his own book and again to introduce another author.

He really was such an amazing man, so generous, she said. He was such a national leader but he didnt mind going to little libraries. It was quite impressive.

Tornow said patrons greatly enjoyed Delaneys visits.

He was absolutely engaging and charming, she said. He had everyone in the palm his hand.

The Irishman published dozens of fiction and nonfiction works, including the bestselling James Joyces Odyssey, five novels on Ireland and Simple Courage, which the American Library Association named one of the top books of 2007, according to his website.

Delaney hosted a weekly five-minute podcast, ReJoyce, analyzing Ulysses in a relatable way. The podcast has more than 300 episodes and has been downloaded more than 2 million times.

Growing up in County Tipperary, Ireland, Delaney spent more than 25 years in England before moving to the United States in 2002.

He has served as the president of the Samuel Johnson Society, president of the UK Book Trust and the literary director of the famed Edinburgh Festival. He was also a judge for the Book Prize and several other literary awards.

A host for the BBC, Delaney helmed the radio program Word of Mouth, which delved into the English language.

He created a variety of programs and documentaries on many people, including Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Ernest Hemingway and Vincent Van Gogh.
MILFORD  A Jonathan Law High student has been arrested after he allegedly threatened a staff member.

Alex Rednak, 18, of Norway Street was charged with breach of peace and threatening in connection with the incident last Friday at the Devon high school.

Rednak is accused of threatening to harm the staff member during a conversation with the victim, Officer Joseph Dempsey said. At no point did Rednak threaten to harm anyone else in the school, the police spokesman said.

The suspect was released after posting a $5,000 bond and will be arraigned in Superior Court on March 21.
BRIDGEPORT - A federal court judge Tuesday refused to throw out the discrimination lawsuit brought against the city by Police Sgt. Lonnie Blackwell the president of the minority police organization The Guardians.

In a 27-page decision, U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton ruled that the Police Departments failure to investigate two anonymous racist letters against Blackwell that members of the department received support Blackwells contention that his superiors created a hostile work environment for him based on racial discrimination.

An employers attitude manifested through its actions or inactions constitutes part of the work environment and the BPDs failure to investigate or denounce the letters may be considered by a jury as contributing to the overall environment in which Blackwell worked, the judge wrote.

The judge did, however, throw out Blackwells claim that he was retaliated against by the police department for his racism claims.

My client, Lonnie Blackwell, and I are looking forward to presenting his case to a jury. We are confident that a jury will rule in his favor, and hold the city responsible for the failure of the ranking officers of the police department at that time to take appropriate action to combat the discriminatory behavior to which Lonnie Blackwell was subjected, said Blackwells lawyer, Thomas Bucci.

City officials did not immediately return calls for comment.

In November, Blackwell was demoted to sergeant for allegedly conspiring to distribute a phony racist letter in the department that former officer Clive Higgins claimed Blackwell ordered him to write.

His immediate supervisor, Capt. Robert Sapiro, was demoted to lieutenant for violating the department rules of supervisor accountability.

In January 2014, Blackwell filed the discrimination lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the city and the Police Department.

Blackwell, who has been a city police officer since November 2000, claims in his lawsuit that as a result of his leadership of The Guardians combatting discriminatory employment practices in the Police Department he Has been subjected to harassment, ridicule and unfavorable employment practices.

These practices he claims include being the subject of two anonymous racist-themed letters that were sent to then-Chief Joseph Gaudett in 2012.

A March 3, 2012 letter to Gaudett from Concerned Officers, begins: This letter is being written to you after weve received numerous complaints regarding the freedom you have allowed Lt. Lonnie Blackwell.

The letter complains about the amount of salary and overtime Blackwell received, $125,000 in 2009, $152,000 in 2010 and $168,000 in 2011.

All this to further his race hustle as the president of The Guardians. Do you as the chief of police allow this to happen in order to appear as if you have solved the racial woes of the department? the letter reads.

A second letter dated March 13, 2012 to then-Assistant Police Chief James Nardozzi also from Concerned Officers, states: Blackwell is the most powerful person in the department. He does what he wants, when he wants and no one questions him. No one.

Gaudett testified that he asked the city attorneys office and the citys Office of Internal Affairs to investigate the first letter but no investigation was done.

Despite a request from both Blackwell and Sapiro no investigation was done of the second letter, according to court documents.
HARTFORD  A Stamford lawmaker who is the newly seated co-chairman of the legislative Commerce Committee hopes that three bills might make life easier for businesses in Connecticut.

Rep. Caroline Simmons, a Democrat, saw one of the bills win first-stage approval on Tuesday, when the committee voted to draft legislation that would create a public-private marketing partnership to recruit businesses to the state.

There are so many important reasons to do public-private partnerships, particularly right now when marketing budgets have been slashed, she said, noting that 11 states have similar efforts. We have no state funding right now and we need to do a better job of proactively marketing our state.

Two other bills would foster more so-called angel investors to help incubate small businesses and create a hotline to provide crucial information. They are among the top legislative priorities of House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, and House Majority Leader Matt Ritter, D-Hartford.

The proposed expansion of the angel investor tax-credit bill would allow more businesses to be available for startup help, while increasing the amount that investors can commit to $1 million, in exchange for 25 percent tax deductions.

We felt we should give more businesses the opportunity to obtain the startup money because seed capital can be a big barrier to entrepreneurial start-ups, Simmons said in an interview. The small business hotline essentially would create a 1-800 number for small businesses to call, to ask questions and get answers to legal questions or regulatory questions, or answers for resources that they need to grow and expand and create jobs.

Those two bill are likely to be debated and voted on March 9 as well.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and it is important that we support them, like we do with our large corporations, Aresimowicz said during a recent news conference attended by Jamison Scott, executive vice president of Air Handling Systems in Woodbridge, which employs 14 people who make industrial-ventilation supplies.

We are a Connecticut company and committed to expanding our business here, Scott said. Adding resources for small businesses and expanding access to working capital shows that the state is committed to creating a more welcoming business climate.

kdixon@ctpost.com;
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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.
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STAMFORD  A Bridgeport home health aide has been accused of stealing $2,500 worth of sneakers and jewelry on her first day on the job assisting an elderly city client, police said.

Jacqueline Villafane, 29, of Trumbull Avenue, was charged with third-degree larceny and held last weekend on a $5,000 court appearance bond.

Sgt. Jennifer Lynch said the arrest stems from a January 2016 complaint when Villafane disappeared just a few hours after starting the job.

Lynch said Villafane arrived at the Stamford womans home about 8 a.m. on Jan. 25, 2016. The woman lived with her daughter, who said she took a brief nap and realized Villafane was gone when she woke up about 10:30 a.m., Lynch said.

The agency told the woman Villafane left because her child was sick, Lynch said. But the woman then discovered four pairs of Jordan sneakers worth $620 had been removed from their boxes that were hidden in a closet, Lynch said. The woman also told police five rings, three bracelets and a pair of stud earrings were also stolen, Lynch said.

The total value of all the possessions was $2,500, Lynch said.

Villafane was in Bridgeport police custody last weekend when they realized she had the outstanding warrant from Stamford.

jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com;
ASSISTING WITH THE IMMEDIATE URGENT NEEDS OF THOSE WHO WANT TO LEAVE CULTIC RELIGIOUS GROUPS.Faith Freedom Fund is a coordinated outreach to help those that desire to leave religious cult mind control groups. Based in Rutherford County, North Carolina, we offer assistance for immediate basic needs such as temporary housing, clothing, food, medications and transportation. Additional provisions are made for communication with relatives, friends and authorities.Survivors of religious cults are cautious and need reassurance in many ways. Our work over the years has been rewarding.Our support comes from concerned citizens of varied backgrounds filling the needs of financial and volunteer support. Tax-deductible donations are accepted via the address listed here or by clicking the DONATION button above.Volunteers are needed on an on call basis. The work we do knows no set hours. We are servants to those who need help moving to their next place in life.We appreciate your continued material, financial and prayer support.Pastor Jonathan Cobb, Rev. Billy Honeycutt, Mr. Eric Ross, Mr. John Huddle
PAT GROSSMITHNew Hampshire Union LeaderFebruary 25. 2017The head of a New Hampshire religious organization that the Southern Poverty Law Center lists as a "hate group" rejects that label and accuses the Alabama-based civil rights group of being "a threat to American liberties."Brother Andre Marie, whose real name is Louis Villarrubia, is the prior of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Richmond. The group considers itself traditional Catholic; however, the Diocese of Manchester does not recognize it.Brother Andre's group is listed under "radical traditional Catholicism" on the left-leaning Southern Poverty Law Center's "Hate Map" for 2016, released Feb. 15.It describes the group's religious beliefs to include "anti-Semitism, angry opposition to homosexuality and a desire to convert others to their hard line views.""We categorically reject" being called a hate group, Brother Andre said Thursday. He contends the law center is the hate group because "they profit from hate." And he said the law center specializes in profiling people or organizations as "bogeymen" to scare its liberal base into donating."He can say what he likes," said Mark Potok, senior fellow at the Montgomery, Ala., law center. "He's the leading anti-Semite there."Immaculate Heart and its St. Benedict Center, where the brothers and sisters live, and its Immaculate Heart Media, are all a part of the Richmond complex. Immaculate Heart Media, which prints the material that the Slaves and St. Benedict Center promote, also is listed as a hate group by the law center.Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary also operates a school for about 35 to 40 students.The organizations are not recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as a religious group, according to Thomas Bebbington, director of communications for the Diocese of Manchester. However, the Diocese since 2008 has allowed an ordained priest to say Mass and hear confessions there."It's definitely a conundrum," Bebbington said. "On the one hand, the Diocese does not want to give recognition to the group which is in direct conflict with Catholic teachings. On the other hand, do you deny the sacraments to individuals who want to be part of the church?"The Rev. Georges De Laire, vicar of canonical affairs for the diocese, said Immaculate Heart and the St. Benedict Center operate as separate entities.The Most Rev. Peter A. Libasci, bishop of Manchester, is committed to the "spiritual welfare of all Catholics and seeks to provide for their spiritual development," De Laire said in explaining why a priest is allowed at the site. It was because of the bishop's concern for the souls of the individuals attending services there that a priest was approved, he said.Slaves of the Immaculate Heart also has been accused of being Holocaust deniers.In 2004, a member of the Richmond group, Brother Anthony Mary, whose real name is Douglas Bersaw, was quoted in the Boston Globe blaming Jews for the murder of Christ and denying the Holocaust."There's a misperception that Hitler had a position to kill all the Jews," he told the Globe. "It's all a fraud. Six million people ... it didn't occur."Bersaw once was Richmond's town moderator and served as a Republican member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.The group, Potok said, refers to Jews as "the enemies of God's people." He said it is comprised of Catholics who reject Vatican II, the 1962-65 Ecumenical Council that modernized the church and ended the Latin Mass.Brother Andre said his group is comprised of Catholics who adhere to traditional faith and celebrate the Mass in Latin. He describes Slaves of the Immaculate Heart as countercultural but committed to Catholicism, worshiping in the traditional way.He denies they are anti-gay but says homosexual behavior is "objectively immoral." He cited the Bible as describing homosexuality as being wrong.If homosexuals came to the center, he said the group would "help them overcome a sinful life."The St. Benedict Center was founded by Father Leonard Edward Feeney, a Jesuit priest who advocated the strict doctrine of no salvation outside the Church. In 1949, Feeney and several other instructors were kicked out of Boston College for preaching their beliefs. Feeney was excommunicated in 1953, after he broke with Rome, but he was restored as a Catholic shortly before his death, Bebbington said.After his death in 1978, the religious organization split, with the most radical faction moving to Richmond, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
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 ...
We must rethink the U.S. response to infectious disease. Here's why.
If anyone should know about historic mistakes its Sir John Major. This is the man who led us into the disastrous Exchange Rate Mechanism and whose term as prime minister was so abject and incompetent that it paved the way for 13 years of unbroken Labour government.

Anyone with an iota of self-awareness would have accepted the magnitude of such failings and retired gracefully from the political stage.

But not Sir John. Yesterday he launched into a sanctimonious diatribe about the supposed evils of Brexit. On and on he droned about the referendum having been an historic mistake, how Brussels would exact terrible revenge, our influence on the world stage would evaporate and wed be so poor wed no longer be able to afford the welfare state.

If anyone should know about historic mistakes its former PM, Sir John Major

It was as if wed been transported back to those febrile days of Project Fear  of which Sir John was an ardent supporter. The speech was a tirade of negativity, containing not a single constructive suggestion about how Britain should move forward in this new era of freedom.

And this was not his first intervention since the referendum. He has previously warned about the tyranny of the majority, as if the democratic decision of the people was somehow illegitimate. How strange that he should be trying to exert the tyranny of the minority.

The truth is that like his Remainer chums Tony Blair, Peter Mandelson and Michael Heseltine, Sir John simply cant accept that on June 23 the voters rejected their puny arguments and chose independence. These men epitomise a deeply tarnished political class that has had its day but does not have the dignity to recognise the fact.

Ironically, when he was prime minister Sir John complained bitterly that his predecessor Mrs Thatcher constantly interfered after leaving Downing Street. Isnt he now doing exactly the same?

And how wrong all the scaremongering has been so far. Markets have hit new highs since the referendum, growth is strong, non-EU countries are queuing up to negotiate trade deals, exports have been buoyed up by the weaker pound and there are more people in work than ever before. So much for the apocalypse.

Theresa May has caught the mood of the nation and is hugely popular. There will be many hurdles ahead but she represents democracy, ambition and hope for the future.

Moaning old has-beens like Sir John serve only to remind us of the failings of the past.

Theresa May has caught the mood of the nation and is hugely popular. There will be many hurdles ahead but she represents democracy, ambition and hope for the future

Bad deal for Britain

Since the merger between the London Stock Exchange and its German rival was proposed, the Mail has had grave doubts over whether it was good for Britain.

Although billed as a merger of equals, its effectively a takeover by Frankfurt-based Deutsche Boerse and poses a serious risk to Londons position as the financial centre of Europe.

Yesterday, the European Commission held up the deal, saying it breaches competition rules and cannot be approved in its present form.

The resulting hiatus  while the companies decide what to do next  gives UK regulators the opportunity to look again at the merger and seriously consider whether its in British interests. If they conclude its not, they should kill it off once and for all.

Following our revelations about the ruthless methods used by TV licence fee enforcers, BBC Director-General Lord Hall has personally ordered an investigation into Capita, the private firm employed to collect the fees. The Mail applauds his actions. Yes, everyone should pay their licence fee but authorised bullying of those who fall behind on payments, often innocently, is a disgrace.
Growing up with no left arm was difficult for Paralympian Jess Smith, who always acutely felt the difference between herself and others.

But after competing in her first swimming competition at age 10, and beating all the other students who were competing with two arms, she felt a rush of confidence.

The 31-year-old began to take swimming seriously, and at the age of 14 tried out for the Sydney 2000 Paralympics team. But after a hairline finish, she missed out on her chance.

This compounded issues she was already facing regarding her self esteem, and her existing issues with food.

'Because I have always looked different, I have always struggled with low self esteem, and I think my way of trying to combat everything I couldn't control was by trying to control my food and my weight,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

Fearless: Jessica Smith was born with one arm and was never given any reason for it, which left her struggling with body image

Ms Smith said becoming an elite swimmer worsened her illness, as she suddenly felt pressure 'to look a certain way in order to be respected as an elite athlete, but moreso as an elite athlete with a disability'.

'That compounded the food issues, and training as often as I was, to the extent I was, it kind of fuelled the eating disorder but I was also able to mask it as part of my training as well,' she said.

'I was really young when I was training with the Sydney team - feeling impressionable and by being on the training squad and then not making the team, it plunged me into a world of depression, and that's when everything worsened.'

'Because I perceived myself to be less than ordinary, I convinced myself if I could be perfect in every other way, then people would look past the imperfections,' she told ABC Radio Perth.

Ms Smith told Mamamia there was never any reason she was born without an arm, and it baffles doctors to this day.

For her, it was having no reasoning behind her disability that amplified her internal struggles.

'Certainly those unanswered questions led to a lot of mental anguish and mental health issues that developed throughout my teens of trying to find my identity,' she said.

Exercise buddies! Because she was born with her disability, the champion swimmer was always able to adapt to the challenges life threw at her

The Paralympian made the team after her next attempt, and headed to Athens in 2004 - something which should have been a lifetime highlight.

But she said the culmination of her lengthy battle with anorexia and bulimia 'ended my swimming career', and revealed she had entered a rehab facility upon her return home.

'By the time I got to Athens, even though I still was able to achieve at such a high level, I was still getting great results in the water, my health was declining,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'My hair was falling out, all these things that were secret up to that point were becoming so much more obvious to the people around me. '

New world: Having a child was the 'most physically challenging experience' Ms Smith has ever faced, she said

'In Athens, my body and I as a person failed myself. I didn't swim to the standard I was supposed to and it was devastating,' she recalled on a podcast with Nikki Heyder.

'It was at that moment everything started to unravel. I hit rock bottom, emotionally and physically.'

She told Daily Mail Australia her time in rehab was so successful because she had reached a point where she was ready to get help, something she hadn't felt before.

'Because everything in my life had started to unravel, I realised the severity and the seriousness of it all - I knew I had to do something,' she said.

'Going into rehab and working hard at my recovery, it was really really difficult but I knew I had to do that to keep living. '

While she is now on top of her mental health, the challenges have not stopped for Ms Smith.

Teamwork: The Paralympian swimmer and her daughter have been able to make things work, as Ms Smith claims her one-year-old daughter can tell when she needs to help out

She is now the mother to one-year-old Ayla, and says while her arm has occasionally made things difficult, the pair have become an unstoppable team.

Ms Smith says she never wants her daughter to face the trauma of an eating disorder herself, and is taking every precaution to prevent that.

'I don't ever want her to make the same mistakes I did,' she said.

'Later in life, that's just going to be about communicating as best I can about these issues - she's a bit young now for an open and honest conversation.

'But there are small simple things, like I make sure I don't stand in front of the mirror and say negative things about my body, because I know she takes all that in.

'She's like a sponge at the moment, absorbing everything I say, so I have to be really careful.

'We also spend fun time in the kitchen so she learns food is something to be enjoyed and something to celebrate, rather than associating food as good or bad and healthy or unhealthy.'

On her Instagram account, she shared a short video of the mother-daughter-duo cooking, and told followers motherhood was 'the most physically challenging journey of my life'.

Helping hand: The mother-of-one shared a short video of herself and daughter Ayla carrying groceries together to show off their incredible teamwork

'I swam for Australia for over 7 years, the training was intense, torture some days... but none of that compares to motherhood,' she wrote.

'In the early days, I cried because I didn't know how I would physically bath her, which broke my heart.

'How would I manage putting a pram together, how would I discretely breastfeed in public, how would I change nappies, how would I manage holding her while doing anything else!

'Well, some days were hard, and some days I cried, but just like I always have, I found my own way.'

She reiterated her struggles to Mamamia, revealing there is still a lot of stress involved in changing a dirty nappy.

'I have to plead with her just to stay still - the day she learned to roll was the worst day of my life,' she joked.

But when trouble looms, the champion swimmer and body image advocate believes her daughter is able to read her face, so she knows when her mother needs help.

'There are days where I just look at her, on the verge of crying, and she just gets it,' she said.
Tuesday is worldwide pancake day, meaning you have the ultimate excuse to indulge in a stack of fluffy hotcakes for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner.

In honour of the day, FEMAIL has rounded up the best pancakes from cafes across Australia.

From vegan hotcakes topped with fresh fruit to long stacks smothered in chocolate and caramel, there's something for everyone.

Yum: Tuesday is World Pancake Day so FEMAIL has rounded up the best pancakes around Australia, like The Local Embassy's Red Velvet Stack (pictured)

Green is good: Matcha Mlykbar is a hipster's paradise for pancakes (pictured)

Too beautiful to eat: The Kettle Black in Melbourne serves up a hotcake covered in fruit, nuts and flowers

Love is red: While 50 Six One adds fairyfloss to its red velvet hotcakes

Starting in Sydney, The Local Embassy in Pyrmont is very popular on Instagram with its stacks of red velvet and cream pancakes.

Ultiveo in Rushcutters Bay is also a favourite with its buttermilk and cinnamon pancakes that are served with banana, berries, coconut yogurt and pistachio dukkha.

Harbour Bar and Kitchen has red velvet pancakes smothered in Nutella, while the Four Frogs Creperie is also a fan of the hazelnut spread.

Fresh: Harbour Bar and Kitchen is popular in Sydney (pictured)

Drizzle: As an alternative, crepes are also popular on pancake day (pictured)

Mish-mash: Uliveto in Sydney serves hotcakes with coconut yogurt and pistachio dukkha

Simple is best: While Enter Neighbour focuses on fresh fruit to compliment the pancakes

However when it comes to social media food snaps, you can't go far past Matcha Mlykbar, which has a very large following on Instagram.

Their matcha pancakes with lemongrass macadamia ice-cream mixes savory flavours with sweet.

Matcha hotcakes are all the rage right now with Le Monde in Surry Hills and Operator 25 in Melbourne serving up versions.

Elsewhere in Victoria food porn is taking to another level at a number of cafes including The Kettle Black, Three Monkeys and Temperance Society.

Hipster pancakes: Matcha is also popular at Le Monde in Melbourne (pictured)

Foodie heaven: But District North's tiramisu hotcakes are the definition of indulgence

Loaded: No.19 Society does Cherry Ripe pancakes that are topped with macarons

Comfort food: Three Monkeys also uses flowers to decorate its pancakes

District North serves up tiramisu pancakes with toasted marshmallow, condensed espresso milk, mocha ice cream, crushed pistachio, biscuit crumble and toffee popcorn for a truly indulgent meal.

Meanwhile No.19 Society is competing with them for lavish breakfasts with their Cherry Ripe pancakes that are served with dark chocolate mascarpone, stewed cherries, raspberry crisps, roasted coconut, cherry ripe soil and cherry choc fudge ice cream.

In Queensland, vegan ingredients take the spotlight in the form of Blend Cafe's Cacao pancakes with strawberry cashew cream, topped with seasonal fruits, crushed pistachios and florals.

Dripping: Gangsters and Gatsby serves up a Harlem Hatchet ultimate pancake stack

Healthy: While Blend Cafe has Cacoa protein pancakes that are entirely vegan

Deconstructed: Down in Canberra, Ricardos Cafe has lemon ricotta hotcakes

In contrast, Gangsters and Gatsby serves up a Harlem Hatchet ultimate pancake stack. The stack contains four pancakes filled with nutella, peanut butter and melted marshmallows and is topped with vanilla and chocolate ice cream and caramel sauce.

In the nation's capital, Ricardo's Cafe has lemon ricotta hot cakes with raspberry gel, citrus curd, smashed meringue crumble, lemon meringue gelato and pomegranate syrup on their menu.

Canberra is also home to cafe The Cupping Room, whose bircher muesli hotcakes have proven popular.

Confort food: While further south Machine Laundry Cafe in Hobart makes perfect hotcakes

Texture: Chianti in Adelaide ads mandarin brittle to its stack

Ultimate: Mary Street Bakery makes pancaked topped with buttermilk fried chicken and maple syrup

Delicious: With so many to chose from, there's no excuse to not eat pancakes on Tuesday

In Tasmania, Machine Laundry cafe goes with classic hotcakes served with raspberry, banana and cream.

Not forgetting the central and west, Adelaide has a number of contenders for best pancakes.

Chianti in Adelaide is popular, serving up blueberry pancakes with mandarin brittle.

Last but not least, Perth has a number of pancake hotspots, but Mary Street bakery is one that is well-known for its hotcakes topped with fried buttermilk chicken and maple syrup.
Seven-year-old Hayley Brown captured the hearts of people all over the world when her father posted a moving picture of her with just a single eyelash remaining after intensive chemotherapy.

The little girl, from Melbourne, was diagnosed with cancer last year in June when doctors found a 5cm tumour growing in her nose.

Following chemo, not only did Hayley lose her last remaining eyelash - but her long brunette hair too.

But her father, Andrew, has now shared a new picture of Hayley's hair growing back - and he told Daily Mail Australia she is going from strength to strength.

Hayley Brown, seven, from Melbourne, lost all her hair and eyelashes to intensive chemotherapy to fight cancer, but has now been pictured with her brown hair growing back

Last one: In November, Mr Brown shared this heartbreaking picture of Hayley's last eyelash - the rest had fallen out after intensive chemo. Three weeks later, that last lash fell out too

Every few days Andrew (pictured) takes photos of his daughter Hayley's hair, with the plan of making a video in a few months of her hair growing

Her mood and energy and strength is getting better and bigger every day. She hasn't missed a day of school yet,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

Every few days Andrew takes photos of his daughter Hayley's hair, with the plan of making a video in a few months of her hair growing.

The hair is growing so fast and is so soft. She made sure she brushed hers and my hair this morning, he added.

She likes to remind me that hers is growing faster than mine and that soon it will be in her face again like it used to.'

They're back! On Saturday, Hayley's father shared pictures that show her lashes are back

In November last year, her Andrew shared a heartbreaking picture of the little girls last remaining lash after months of invasive treatment.

That one last eyelash has been hanging on, on its own, for a few weeks now, the father-of-four captioned the photo, which was quickly shared worldwide.

Three weeks later, that last lash fell out.

But just before Christmas, her family received some positive news: her tumour had gone.

Coming along: Hayley's tumour vanished in December and her eyelashes grew back

Gone: Hayley (right, with her sister) was told her tumour had gone after undergoing six months of aggressive chemotherapy

Mr Brown shared two X-rays side by side  one taken in June and the other in December  on Facebook to show the tumour had vanished.

And he took to Facebook again on Saturday to share yet more good news - those famous eyelashes are back!

In a post on his blog, Mr Brown recalled the difficulties his family have endured since Hayleys diagnosis in June.

He recalled the word cancer seemed to have no effect on his young daughter.

Happy: The seven-year-old is pictured before undergoing aggressive chemotherapy

Progress: The picture on the right shows Hayley's tumour in June and left, an X-ray later showed it had gone

Relieved: Father-of-four Andrew Brown shared the good news in a Facebook post

At the sound of her hair going, her long, usually scruffy, dark chocolate coloured hair, Hayley burst into tears, he wrote.

She made us promise that we would tell the doctors that the hair stayed. Which we did, knowing that it was pointless.

He added: I promised her that when her hair went, so would mine.

Less than two weeks later, huge clumps of his daughters hair were falling out.

On October 3, Hayley began complaining of sore eyes.

Best present ever: Hayley is pictured with her sister on an outing together at Christmas

Having fun: Seven-year-old Hayley Brown, of Melbourne, is pictured playing with toys

That was when her parents noticed a few of her eyelashes were missing.

We noticed a few eyelashes missing, then a few more. Her eyebrows were going too, Mr Brown wrote.

Then there was one eyelash left, one solitary eyelash. After three weeks, this one eyelash was still there.

That last one clung on before falling out in December.

But then on January 9, he noticed they were growing back.

THEYRE BAAAAAAAACK!!!!!! YAY! Sob, yay, you beauty, sob, sob, hooray! he wrote.

Recovery: Hayley (above, before losing her eyelashes) was diagnosed with cancer in June

Support: Comedian Andrew Brown has been taking part in fundraisers in his daughter's name

Doctors had said Hayley needed eight months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to shrink the tumour.

But six months later, an X-ray revealed her tumour had gone.

'I'm still not sure how I feel about yesterday as I still haven't come to grips with the fact that this journey even started,' Mr Brown told Daily Mail Australia shortly after receiving the good news.

He added: 'I do know that the treatment she was on is now finished and her poor little body can now begin to repair itself.

Help: Friend Andrea Huggins set up a MyCause page to help the Brown family with costs

Fundraising: On the MyCause page, she wrote: 'This is a time when the family needs its parents most and they may be unable to work'

Recovery: Hayley has now started a 12-month maintenance treatment program

'Hopefully she will start eating soon as the ulcers in her mouth should start to go.'

On December 30, Hayley started a 12-month maintenance treatment program, which involves gentler chemotherapy which shouldn't require overnight stays in hospital.

'I believe that (apart from those days) she will be fine for school, her hair will come back including her now world famous eyelashes,' he added.

To help Mr Brown and his wife Leia with the costs linked to regular hospital visits, including fuel, parking, medicine, rent and bills, their friend Andrea Huggins set up a MyCause page for Hayley.
A Sydney mother-of-two claimed she was left stranded with her partner and children in Hamilton Island after being refused entry on to their booked Jetstar flight.

Laura Kimber said the group were stopped from travelling following her two-year-old son's tantrum, which took place just before landing on the flight to their destination.

She told Daily Mail Australia a stern air hostess had come over and told her if she didn't pick up the young boy the plane could have to circle, delaying landing.

'As they prepared the cabin for landing, Matteo, one of our twins was really overtired - it was past nap time. He was a bit cranky and he was throwing a tantrum,' she explained.

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Family fun: Laura Kimber (right) and her family (pictured) were just minutes from landing in Hamilton Island when her two-year-old son threw a tantrum on the plane

Ms Kimber said the toddler had been throwing himself off the seat and falling to the floor in front of him, despite his mother's best attempts to calm him down.

'At this stage I had a really rude air hostess come up and sternly say to me "you really need to get him off the floor or we're going to have to circle the plane because of you",' she said.

'That sort of shocked me, I told her I was trying. She got an extender belt so I could put him on my lap - which took three people to set up.

'Eventually he sat on my lap, and after about two minutes he had calmed down and by the time the plane landed he was asleep on my lap.'

After exiting the plane, where Ms Kimber claims nothing was said to her over the incident, the small business owner took her sleeping son to a quiet area while her partner Jae went to collect their luggage.

Inconsolable: As Ms Kimber struggled to calm her son, she claims a flight attendant told her if she couldn't get him back in his seat the plane would have to circle instead of landing

It was there the family claim they received a message from a Jetstar employee.

'Someone from the plane approached him and said there had been a complaint put in to or from the captain, and the child's behaviour on the plane was unacceptable,'she said.

'Jae responded "do you know this was a two-year-old?" and the guy said "I'm just passing on a message - don't be surprised if you get refused your flight home".'

The family thought nothing of it until they were preparing to head home on February 22.

After having trouble checking in online, Ms Kimber said she contacted customer service and was told there would be no issues with the family flying home.

But after attempting to pass the boarding gate, she was told to stand aside with her family as she could not get on the plane yet.

The group waited nearby for more information, and the mother-of-two was soon told staff were checking with the captain if they could board following an incident with her son on the way in.

Stranded: Ms Kimber said her partner Jae was then approached at baggage claim by an airline employee who warned the family may struggle to make their flight home

'After waiting a while, we heard over their radio "please remove bags for Kimber and Minto", who were the other family with us,' she said.

'We asked again if we were going to get on and the lady said "at this stage you've been refused and you're not going to get on the plane".

'We were pretty shocked and upset, we were saying "how can you do this, it's a two-year-old, is this even allowed?"

'She ushered us to the baggage area, where they had brought a lot of extra staff. I was carrying one twin and my cousin was holding another. We stood in this bag drop area in the heat for about two hours.'

After some time, Ms Kimber said the family was told the issue was not with the child, as they had been told at the boarding gate, but with Ms Kimber's reaction.

Who's fault? When the family were refused boarding, an airline employee suggested it was not the toddler's tantrum, but Ms Kimber's reaction to it that had left them unable to board

Jetstar have refuted this, but an employee for another airline was caught on camera appearing to tell the family exactly that.

In what appears to be an excerpt from a heated conversation between the family and the airline worker, she is heard saying: 'it is the way you guys reacted over the two-year-old kid'.

'They told me I hadn't handled his behaviour correctly - I'm not sure what else I could have done with a screaming, 15-kilo, tantrum-throwing kid,' Ms Kimber said.

'We continued to argue a bit, they refused to help us out with accommodation. They also gave us a 24 hour fly ban, so we couldn't fly the next day either.

The group were then offered a flight back on Friday or a full refund of their tickets. After being unable to confirm they would definitely be able to fly on the next flight, they chose a refund - which Ms Kimber says she has not received in full.

In paying for extra accommodation and more flights, Ms Kimber estimated the family are more than $6,000 out of pocket.

'I've tried to contact Jetstar, we've sent in a formal complaint, but I haven't heard anything,' she said.

'Last I heard, they told me until further investigation we were all banned from Jetstar, but none of us have heard anything.'

'They told me I hadn't handled his behaviour correctly - I'm not sure what else I could have done with a screaming, 15-kilo, tantrum-throwing kid,' Ms Kimber said

Jetstar strongly refuted the claims to Daily Mail Australia, and claim the family's inability to fly was due to behaviour at the boarding gate.

'On February 22 our crew reported disruptive behaviour by adult passengers at the boarding gate at Hamilton Island Airport,' a spokesperson for the airline said.

'Due to the disruptive behaviour, the group of travellers was not accepted for boarding and advised they would be able to travel on the next available flight instead.

'Thousands of infants and children fly with us every day and we do not ban a passenger from flying due to a childs behaviour.'

The airline have also claimed a refund was processed in full for the unused flights to Sydney, and a complaint letter from Ms Kimber was responded to on Monday afternoon.
Glittering frocks that hinted at, rather than revealed, womanly curves. Impeccable tailoring with full skirts, diva capes, diamonds and (hurrah!) long sleeves.

There was Gatsby-esque hair and make-up that oozed sex appeal. This years Oscars ceremony was a glorious return to the golden age of Hollywood glamour.

After years of risque dresses and over-exposure, the A-listers have harked back to the sophisticated and alluring styles of the Forties, Fifties and Sixties, when actresses such as Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe ruled the red carpet.

Pitch Perfect star Hailee Steinfelds sheer lace gown was strikingly similar to Rita Hayworths in 1942 musical You Were Never Lovelier

Why? There are three main reasons. First is the much-hyped movie La la Land, which shows off Fifties-style Hollywood fashions.

Designers have long taken their cues from film, and have tapped into the La La Land excitement by subtly paying homage to it  perhaps in the hope that some of its glory would rub off on them.

Second, fashion tends to return to glamour in uncertain times. And theres no doubt the election of President Trump and Brexit have caused consternation and dismay in the world of showbusiness luvvies.

Charlize Theron was paying homage to Marilyn Monroe when she chose plunging gold lame Christian Dior with diamond earrings

Supermodel Karlie Kloss took her inspiration from Sophia Loren when she slipped into a floor-length asymmetric Stella McCartney white design with cape detail. Her red lips and set waves completed the old-school look

Third, the A-list are returning to a classier look because of the rise of social media.

Thanks to every D-lister flaunting their flesh in an effort to attract online coverage, the real stars are finally covering up  showing the world that they are too famous to need internet attention.

The result? A glorious return to a simpler, more elegant time. And long may it smoulder.

La La Land star Emma Stone wore a Forties-style beaded frock set off with Veronica Lake waves and bright red lips, while Charlize Theron opted for a Fifties-style plunging dress worthy of Marilyn Monroe.

Raquel Welch donned a striking gold floor-skimming gown in 1982 and 35 years later Fifty Shades of Grey star Dakota Johnson stole her style in a demure Gucci creation

Glistening in gold was Jessica Biel in a figure-hugging style favoured by Forties siren Ann Sheridan

Brie Larson chose a strapless Oscar de la Renta gown  and with her drop earrings and hair pulled elegantly off her face, the similarities between her and Fifties star Kim Novak were clear

Felicity Jones was reminiscent of a young Elizabeth Taylor in pale chiffon with delicate straps.

It was all a reminder of the heyday of the silver screen, when people could escape the poverty of the post-war years and dream of glamour and glitz for the cost of a cinema ticket.

The stars of that time played into the illusion, flaunting their wealth and femininity on the red carpet through couture frocks which celebrated their sex appeal, without compromising their modesty.

Its no coincidence that this was also when the designer fashion industry  particularly in France  started to boom.

In the Fifties, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Balmain all discovered the value of dressing Hollywoods elite, allowing them to use spectacular gowns as an advertisement of their craftsmanship, high-end materials and refined cuts.

William Banks-Blaney, an expert in 20th-century fashion, says: 2017 was the most beautiful Oscar red carpet for many years.

In times of uncertainty there is often a move toward more intelligent, glamorous design  and we saw this coming through in silver and gold, and sharply detailed embroidery.
Wearing a sweeping blue gown embroidered with sparkling sequins and cut elegantly off the shoulder, Meryl Streep should have been the belle of the ball at the Oscars on Sunday night.

But instead the actresss appearance  her record 20th nomination for an Academy award  was overshadowed by claims made by Karl Lagerfeld, the outspoken creative director of Chanel, so famed for his acid tongue that hes known as Kaiser Karl.

The designer claimed Meryl had been paid to wear her Elie Saab dress  and rejected his 85,000 design, which shed originally planned to wear.

Karl Lagerfeld claimed Meryl had been paid to wear her Elie Saab dress to the Oscars  and rejected his 85,000 design, which shed originally planned to wear

He said: I made a sketch and we started to make [her] dress. Then [her camp told us], Dont continue the dress. We found someone who will pay us. After we gift her a dress thats 100,000 euros, we found later we had to pay [for her to wear it].

We give them dresses, we make the dresses . . . but we dont pay. A genius actress, but cheapness also, no?

It later turned out the 83-year-old had got the wrong end of the stick. Several designers had been asked to submit sketches of dresses for Meryl, 67, and  shock horror!  shed chosen one that wasnt his.

Lagerfeld has made quite a habit of feuding with celebrities, designers  and anyone, really

A grovelling apology followed, which Meryl refused to accept, accusing the Chanel boss of lying, undermining her integrity and eclipsing her landmark Oscars appearance.

Yet you cant help but feel the veteran designer was secretly relishing the outrage. For Lagerfeld has made quite a habit of feuding with celebrities, designers  and anyone, really.

Born in Hamburg, he has repeatedly lied about his birth date, insisting he is between two and five years younger than he really is.

His first collection, shown in 1958 when Lagerfeld, an art and history graduate, was just 25, comprised cocktail dresses slashed so low at the front that audience members booed.

His tirade against the A-list started in 2009, when he declared model Heidi Klum insignificant in the world of high fashion.

At the Royal Wedding in 2011, there were too many ugly hats and short skirts on fat legs, while bridesmaid Pippa Middleton should only show her back. Carole Middleton received a rare compliment  at others expense. I think the mother is sexier than the daughters.

Eccentric to the point of bizarre, Lagerfeld rarely leaves home without his sunglasses, fingerless gloves and snow-white hair (which he powders like a Georgian wig).

He once designed a teddy bear that bore his face.

He lives in an astonishingly tacky apartment in Paris, alone but for his beloved Siamese cat, Choupette, who has two maids and eats beside him at the table.

He owns 300 iPods, but never goes online and rarely answers the phone.

He said of the Middleton sisters: Kate Middleton (pictured) has a nice silhouette. I like that kind of woman, I like romantic beauties. On the other hand, the sister struggles. I dont like the sisters face.

I send notes, he says. Im not a chambermaid whom you can ring at every moment.

Deep down Lagerfeld is lonely, having lost the love of his life, French socialite Jacques de Bascher, to Aids in 1989.

It would be easy to excuse his rude behaviour as grief, but then Lagerfeld is nothing if not a shrewd businessman.

Hes enjoyed two decades at Chanel, increasing its worth ten-fold to 15.3 billion and knows his ability to attract headlines (even bad ones) is good business. After all, who will remember the name of the designer Meryl did wear to the Oscars?

Heres Karl Lagerfeld at his most caustic:

ON CELEBRITIES

On the Middleton sisters: Kate Middleton has a nice silhouette. I like that kind of woman, I like romantic beauties. On the other hand, the sister struggles. I dont like the sisters face.

Karl on Adele: She is a little too fat, but she has a beautiful face and a divine voice

On Princess Diana: She was pretty and she was sweet, but she was stupid.

On Adele: She is a little too fat, but she has a beautiful face and a divine voice.

On Michelle Obama: I dont understand the change of hair. There is a news reader . . . who has this haircut. Frankly, this doesnt suit her. The fringe was a bad idea, its not good.

On designer Yves Saint Laurent: He is very middle of the road French  very provincial.

On Andy Warhol: Physically, he was quite repulsive.

ON THE PUBLIC

On people who object to thin models: They are fat mummies sitting with their bags of crisps in front of the television.

On men: There are not too many people with an opinion I care for. Im not crazy to discuss fashion with men. I couldnt care less about their opinion.

On short men: Some ugly people are great. What I hate is ugly, nasty people. The worst is ugly short men. Women can be short, but for men it is impossible. It is something that they will not forgive in life  they are mean and they want to kill you.

On jogging bottoms: Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants.

On selfies: I dont do selfies. But other people do, and they all want to do selfies with me . . . 

He said: I dont do selfies. But other people do, and they all want to do selfies with me . . . 

ON SOCIAL MORES

On revenge: When people think its all forgotten I pull the chair away  maybe ten years later.

On weddings: Normally, I dont recommend me for wedding dresses. They all get a divorce.

P.S. ON HIMSELF

Im very much down to earth, just not this earth.
By the standards of mere mortals, it was a commanding performance. By Eric Monkman's exacting standards, however, his performance on last night's episode of University Challenge was a little below par.

The Economics Student, who captains Wolfson Cambridge, saw his team defeated by Edinburgh in a closely-fought contest - and the look of dejection on his face said it all.

Monkman's mountain of fans on social media needed someone or something to blame for the defeat and quickly took to Twitter to suggest that a haircut was the main culprit.

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'Don't you dare cut your hair again!' Viewers blamed Eric Monkman's defeat by Edinburgh on last night's episode of University Challenge on the fact that he'd had a haircut in between rounds of the academic quiz

The Wolfson College Cambridge's captain before he sat in the barber's chair: viewers speculated that Monkman had lost some of his academic prowess since he cut his locks

Wearing exactly the same outfit as on previous episodes of the popular BBC2 academic quiz - a navy woollen jumper, pale blue tie and white shirt - the only obvious physical difference to Monkman was his shorter locks.

Fans suggested that this was a case of a 'modern-day Samson' and that some of Monkman's academic prowess had been trimmed away with his hair.

With his teeth-gnashing, shouting answers and general intensity, Monkman has become one of the stand-out stars of the latest series.

While last night's loss was undoubtedly a blow for Wolfson, they will get another chance to fight for a semi-final spot.

Monkman was joined on his team by Justin Yang from Vancouver, Mr Chaudhri from Cumbria and Paul Cosgrove from Northern Ireland.

Edinburgh offered a late surge and beat Wolfson Cambridge by 195 to 160

Monkman flung himself at the finishing line but the writing was on the wall when he stuttered 'Sand...salt production' in response to a question about why towns carry the suffix 'wich'. Paxman told the contestant he couldn't accept 'salt production' because he'd said 'sand' first

Let it grow! Fans implored Monkman to leave his hair alone in time for the next quarter final

Last week saw Sophie Rudd enter into University Challenge folklore when she snatched victory from the jaws of defeat...by barking a last-chance answer at Paxman.

The oh-so-tense stand-off came in the dying moments of last night's episode of the academic quiz as Warwick University saw off Bristol University in the quarter finals.

And fittingly, it was one of this series' more popular contestants who delivered - with excitable vigour - the killer blow to the opposition.

Rudd, who sported a pale green shirt with cats on it for the appearance, has become a fan favourite this season for her impassioned expressions.

I know this one! Brainbox Sophie Rudd thrilled fans of the show last night by correctly answering a question about Austrian director Fritz Lang, which gifted her team victory in a tense battle with Bristol University

Elsewhere, Emmanuel College Cambridge's Bobby Seagull has won fans for his interesting name and his cheery approach when trying to fathom out the answers with his team-mates.

Last year, Peterhouse Cambridge student Oscar Powell rose to fame for his funny facial expressions.

The geological sciences student helped his team to victory in the final, and Paxman even asked him: 'Have you ever considered a career in stand-up, Oscar?'
The murky law surrounding child pornography in Japan comes under scrutiny in a new documentary.

BBC Three presenter Stacey Dooley discovers the practice of 'Chaku Ero', meaning erotically clothed, in a new documentary exploring the sexualisation of children.

It sees children as young as six exploited by photographers who can make anything from 7,000 to 70,000 per girl - and the lucrative practice is completely legal because Chaku Ero is not treated as child pornography under Japanese law.

One producer, speaking anonymously, says fans of the stylised shoots 'want fantasy', and adds that younger models are 'more likely to look like virgins'.

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Stacey Dooley visits Japan to investigate the sexualisation of young girls and child pornography in the country which because of a loophole in the law is legal

One producer of the erotic images of children speaks anonymously to the BBC Three presenter and reveals how lucrative the business is

When Stacey speaks with the producer, who does not reveal his identity on camera, she is stunned to learn that the lucrative business is totally legal in the country.

The child models never show their genitals and are never fully naked - the legal grey area in Japanese law means it is not classed as child pornography.

The producer explains to Stacey: 'There are just lots of guys in Japan who have this Lolita complex I guess. we're operating without breaking the law, so my view is that it is just business.'

Asked how old his youngest model was the producer reveals: 'Mine was 6 years old.'

'We brought her many toys to begin with, then we filmed the girl in her bathing costume playing with the toys, and that's all, her mum was standing behind the camera with her favourite doll, so that the girl would face the camera.

'Buyers want fantasy in Chaku Ero, the younger they are the more likely they are to look like virgins.'

He says that his buyers 'want fantasy in Chaku Ero' which means 'erotically clothed'. He sells images for up to 70,000

He admits to a shocked Stacey that his youngest model has been six years old but he doesn't think there's anything wrong with the business because the models are never naked

The producer, who is also a father to a 16-year-old daughter, says he makes more money photographing children than he does adults: 'Four million (28,500) or 5 million yen (35,500) with the 6 year old girl.

'With the senior high school girls, one million (7,000). One popular girl made us 10 million yen. (70,000).'

Despite Stacey's worries about encouraging paedophilia the producer insists 'if they're underage they're clothed and there is no eroticism'.

'As I said before, it is simply one of business, we don't know if the buyer is that sort of person.'

Human Rights lawyer Kazuko Ito wants to challenge the law to protect young girls from being exploited for money

There are some people in the country challenging the sexualisation of children - human rights lawyer Kazuko Ito is hoping to change the definition of child pornography.

'Some of the families are so poor and [have] no way other than using children for this kind of industry.

'Its clearly violating and abusing the children, abusing [a] little minor, once she realises what happened to her when she becomes adult, it will be traumatising for her.'

Ito calls for regulation of the practice, which she describes as a 'human rights violation', and says she hopes for a 'concrete plan' to be drawn up in order to implement tougher laws.

Stacey also visits one of 300 legal JK cafes, where schoolgirls as young as 15 are paid to serve alcohol and talk about sex to older men.

There is a bill being debated in Tokyos Metropolitan Assembly in relation to the JK industry, and if it comes into force it will prevent girls under 18 from embarking on this type of work.

Stacey Dooley Investigates Young Sex for Sale in Japan is available to watch now on BBC Three iPlayer
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The Duchess of Cambridge was praised today for offering comfort to the mother of a baby struggling with illness after being born at just 23 weeks.

Brave mother Rebecca Bridges-Wheeler, an NHS auditor married to navy officer Robert, told Kate about son Lewis' traumatic birth during a visit by the Duchess to the Ronald McDonald Evelina London House in Lambeth.

Mrs Bridges-Wheeler, from Epsom, said: 'I got a bit emotional talking to Kate. She stopped talking and let me compose myself. You could see the sympathy in her eyes, she was so warm and down-to-earth.'

Kate, who opened the brand new purpose-built facility designed to help accommodate the families of ill children, also told James Wheeler, Lewis' older brother, that Prince George was busy cooking up a Shrove Tuesday storm at his Norfolk nursery this morning.

Emotional: Rebecca Bridges-Wheeler, an NHS auditor, described the Duchess of Cambridge as 'kind-hearted' after she shared the story of her son Lewis' traumatic birth at 23 weeks in January and his subsequent health problems. Pictured above: Kate with Mrs Bridges-Wheeler and her older son, James Wheeler, at the Ronald McDonald Evelina London House in Lambeth today

The Duchess, dressed in head-to-toe blue with fringing detail, was handed a posey on arrival from eight-year-old Isabelle Randall, pictured, whose brother Luke, aged six, is staying at Evelina Hospital

Kate wore a blue Rebecca Taylor suit flecked with silver thread for her visit to Ronald McDonald House Evelina London, on Tuesday morning, after a glittering evening at Buckingham Palace

All smiles: Kate looked relaxed as she chatted to James Wheeler, left, about his favourite cartoon characters at the new facility, which aims to provide a 'home away from home' for families of young patients

In the kitchen of the 13million Ronald McDonald house, James asked her: 'Where's George today?' Kate, looking smart in a Rebecca Taylor suit, laughed and replied: 'George? I should have brought him. He's at his Montessori nursery today making pancakes.'

James then returned to his colouring-in but told Kate: 'there's a thunderstorm coming!'

Kate replied: 'Yes, I know all about those. George likes storms too!'

Kate, who last night wore a 590 pair of platinum lame Oscar de la Renta stilettos to a Buckingham Palace engagement with the Queen, donned a blue Rebecca Taylor suit flecked with silver thread to open the new building.

The cinched-in blazer showcased her tiny waist, while elegant fringing detail along the skirt's hem gave a stylish twist to an otherwise businesslike outfit.

Kate, who wore her hair swept back into a half-chignon, received a posey on arrival from eight-year-old Isabelle Randall whose brother Luke, aged six, is staying at Evelina Hospital.

Dazzling: The Duchess of Cambridge put her best foot forward in glittering pumps, right, on Monday night - but she swapped them for something a little more practical during her visit to Ronald McDonald House Evelina London this morning

Her visit marks the opening of their purpose-built 'home away from home' accommodation for the families of children treated at the Evelina London Children's Hospital.

Ahead of the Duchess' visit, staff decorated the Lambeth centre with flowers and iced cupcakes in their signature colours of red and yellow.

Once inside, Kate spoke to parents Dion Mifsud, 40, and Danielle Debono, 32, residents at the House, whose baby Mia has been at the children's hospital for more than seven months. Mia has had renal problems since birth and both her kidneys have been removed. Mia has dialysis every night for 12 hours.

Kate gave the eight-month-old infant a gentle tickle on the foot. She told Dion and Danielle: 'Having a baby is a life-changing moment but for you having to go through all that as well is extraordinary.'

She also met baby Jack from Glasgow, who was born with half a heart, and found out how he defied all the odds by surviving several major operations.

And Mrs Bridges-Wheeler, from Epsom, clearly made a connection with the Duchess while sharing the story of her son Lewis' birth: 'My waters broke so I was an inpatient for five days to try and keep him in for as long as possible but he decided to come out at 23 weeks.

Opened! Kate peels back the blue and gold satin to pronounce the new purpose-built accommodation officially open

Baby Mia, who has been in hospital for seven months, enjoys a foot tickle from the Duchess of Cambridge as mother Danielle looks on

Making friends: The youngster looked delighted to be meeting the royal on Tuesday morning, as large crowds gathered outside the Lambeth centre. Once inside, Kate chatted to children, parents and staff to learn more about its work

Feeling blue? The Duchess paired her shoes, clutch bag and even her earrings to the smart skirt suit by New Zealand-born designer Rebecca Taylor, who she has turned to on several occasions

Kate offers a wave to crowds of well-wishers who arrived to catch a glimpse of the royal in Lambeth today

Important visit: Kate's engagement today marks the opening of the organisation's purpose-built 'home away from home accommodation for the families of children treated at Evelina London Children's Hospital

Kate, dressed in head-to-toe blue, couldn't resist smelling the bouquet which was handed to her by eight-year-old Isabelle

As well as meeting families who benefit from the House's services, she chatted to children in the kitchen who were taking part in crafts and decorating pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. According to staff, the families 'loved' meeting Her Royal Highness.

Carla and Stephen Neal, from Sutton, have also been staying at the Ronald McDonald Evelina with Erin, 16 months.

Her twin brother Edward is in hospital with life-threatening disease GBS. Mother Carla said: 'He had an ear infection which we think is what started it and his immune system started attacking him and paralysed him.

'Four weeks ago he was a normal, happy, healthy little boy and then suddenly he was on life support. He's still incubated but he's doing really well and we've been staying here for the last four weeks.

'We had a really nice chat with Kate, she asked about each of our situations and seemed genuinely interested.

'We've been keeping a book for Edward, which she signed so that was lovely too.'

Kate then unveiled a plaque to officially open the house, before meeting staff and trustees.

The new 59-bedroom house offers comfort, support, and a safe environment where families can interact and share their experiences. They are able to stay free of charge for as long as the need to whilst their child is in hospital.

Each 'apartment' in the accommodation facility has a bedroom, sitting room and en-suite bathroom wanted after famous London landmarks such as Kensington Palace  Kates own royal residence - or the Tower of London.

Pleased to meet you: Isabelle wasn't the only youngster Kate met on Tuesday morning; she also spoke with the parents of baby Jack, who was born without a heart, as well as baby Mia who has been at the hospital for more than seven months

We're already friends! Kate offers a reassuring pat on the shoulder of the young patient

Perfect fit: The royal showcased her svelte figure in the form-fitting skirt and blazer, adding a subtle touch of glamour with a small touch bag and blue courts - a far cry from her dazzling designer outfit on Monday night

VIP guest: Ahead of the Duchess' visit on Tuesday morning, staff decorated the Lambeth centre with flowers and iced cupcakes in their signature colours of red and yellow

The facility is also equipped with kitchens, play rooms, and laundry facilities, and has communal lounges so that families can feel at home.

Just a five-minute walk to the Evelina London, the location also helps families remain as close as possible to their child.

Run in partnership with Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, which made a significant contribution to the cost of the build, and Guys and St Thomas Charity, which provided the land and helped to bring the parties together, the house is expected to accommodate around 975 families each year.

The new 13 million House is run by Ronald McDonald House Charities, an independent charity founded in 1989.

Understated glamour: The Duchess wore her hair swept back into a half-chignon on Tuesday, after stealing the show with her bouncing curls the night before - but she showed no hint of fatigue during her early morning engagement

Kate shares a joke with staff and families before heading inside, where she chatted to children in the kitchen who were taking part in crafts and decorating pancakes for Shrove Tuesday

The Duchess looked to be in high spirits as she exited her chauffeured car on Tuesday morning and chatted to staff outside the centre, which has just opened its 'home away from home accommodation for the families of children treated at Evelina

There are currently 14 Houses across the UK, helping support over 7,000 families a year and keeping them together at a stressful time so that they can concentrate on the wellbeing of their child.

On arrival The Duchess heard more about Ronald McDonald House Charities, and what the new House will mean to the families and children being treated at Evelina London.

She was then taken on a tour of the House, meeting families who are currently benefitting from its new facilities and services.

Last night the royal attended a colourful reception at Buckingham Palace to launch the official UK-India Year of Culture 2017.
New BBC drama The Replacement, which airs tonight, shines a spotlight on maternity leave anxiety, the fear that the person covering might acutally be a better or more popular employee.

In a discussion on Radio 4's Woman's Hour, BBC newsreader Kate Silverton opened up about her own experiences after she swapped a role that had seen her reporting from the front line in Iraq for motherhood.

The 46-year-old became mother to Clemency in 2011 and son Wilbur in 2014 and says she had to 'steel herself' for the anxiety that comes with such a major life change.

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BBC newsreader Kate Silverton told Woman's Hour that she's never regretted swapping her role as a front line reporter for motherhood but understands that women leaving the workplace to have children do experience anxiety over who's replacing them

BBC1s new edge-of-the-seat drama The Replacement sees colleagues Ellen (Morven Christie) and Paula (Vicky McClure) rivalry get out of hand when Ellen leaves her role to have a baby

She told presenter Jane Garvey that she understood the 'tug of war' that many women feel when leaving to have a baby.

Silverton, who has a degree in child psychology, said: 'I'd always wanted to be a mum but I was also a career woman and those two don't sit so comfortably together as we all know.

WHAT IS MATERNITY LEAVE ANXIETY? Dr Jessamy Hibberd, clinical psychologist, told Woman's Hour that it's natural to fear a replacement might be better than yourself when leaving a job to have a baby. She explained: 'It's a really common worry and we naturally compare to other people. 'It's human instinct to measure ourselves against competition. Morven Garvey as Ellen in The Replacement 'So going off, people are going to be anxious thinking about how it's going to be when they're not there. 'And in some ways concentrating on that can be an easier thing to think about than the fact that you're actually going off to have a baby. 'It's a massive life adjustment and particularly if you're leaving work, it's a change to your identity. There's not many things in life that you go into where you're untrained. 'You're starting from scratch. You have no idea what you'll be like at it, how you'll get on and that uncertainty is definitely at the root of anxiety. "People like to talk about things where there's a solution more. So, 'am I going to be as good as my replacement' is easier to think about than 'am I going to be a good mother?'" Advertisement

'For me, it was "What do I do?" because I'm going through this amazing life change, something that I had longed for, but I love my career and also, financially, I contribute significantly to the household.'

She added that she was glad she 'rode out' the feelings of anxiety and took the time out to spend with her children.

'You have to steel yourself. Before you go on maternity leave, you do have all those anxieties and you have to try and bat them away. You do have to console yourself and when you cash your chips in at the end of the day, you just want to answer a question, which did I regret more? [having children or leaving a job]'

The mother-of-two, who's married to Mike Heron, said she really knew her life had changed when she was nursing Wilbur during the Paris attacks in November 2015.

She revealed: 'My former instinct was to say: "Shall I get the next train ticket? Now, I absolutely would not do that.'

'You have to steel yourself and say I'm going to commit to motherhood now and that's just the way it is because the reality is your career will change.'

Clinical psychologist Dr Jessamy Hibberd told the show: 'It's [maternity leave anxiety] a really common worry and we naturally compare to other people.

'It's a massive life adjustment and particularly if you're leaving work, it's a change to your identity. There's not many things in life that you go into where you're untrained.'

The three-part BBC drama, which starts tonight at 9pm, begins with Ellen (Morven Christie) winning a major new client which will transform the fortunes of the practice for her bosses. She's achieved what she's always wanted and cant wait to get stuck in.

But shortly after a celebratory party she realises shes pregnant.

Although shes determined to take just three months maternity leave, a replacement who can shadow her and then take over the role temporarily needs to be found.

Silverton told Woman's Hour presenter Jane Garvey she had to 'steel herself' for motherhood, saying: 'Before you go on maternity leave, you do have all those anxieties and you have to try and bat them away'

Silveton said she knew her career had changed when she was sat at home nursing son Wilbur while watching the Paris attacks in 2015 unfold. She revealed: 'My former instinct was to say: "Shall I get the next train ticket. Now I absolutely would not do that."

Silverton pictured with her husband Mike Heron while pregnant with her first child in 2011

Reaction: viewers aired their own experiences after the Radio 4 show aired this morning

Enter Paula Reece, played by Line Of Dutys Vicky McClure. At first Ellen approves of Paula, a promising young architect who took time out to bring up her daughter, whos now ten. But within days of Paula being hired, Ellen has misgivings.

Paula starts to arrange meetings with the client without involving Ellen. She sucks up to the bosses and goes out for lunch with Ellens friends. She irritates Ellen by suggesting she wont be ready to return to work after three months.

Ellen seems to see an underhand side to Paula that others dont. When we learn that Ellen suffered from depression after the death of her mother and ended up marrying her therapist, questions start being asked about Ellens mental state.

Although the sympathy initially is with Ellen, there are also question marks over her behaviour. Even her husband Ian, played by Richard Rankin, worries whether shes having some sort of breakdown

Soon there are stand-up rows in front of clients, and her bosses  David, played by Dougray Scott, and Kay, played by Neve McIntosh  suggest she start her maternity leave early because shes no longer herself. By the end of episode one there appears to have been a murder and the war between the women really hots up.

Christie, 35, who also starred in Granchester, told Weekend magazine: 'People seem to like it when women don't get on.'

'People like to pit women against each other. I dont think women argue any more than men do but theres a lot of passive aggression in this show which will be instantly recognisable to everyone.'
She's one of the most stylish European royals around and today Queen Letizia of Spain showed off her fashion credentials once more as she stepped out in a smart military-style blazer.

Letizia, 44, paired the gold-buttoned jacket with a crisp white shirt in Madrid for a visit to the BBVA Foundation on Tuesday morning.

The organisation promotes research, advanced training and the transmission of scientific knowledge to Spanish society.

Queen Letizia of Spain paired her gold-buttoned jacket with a crisp white shirt and towering heels in Madrid for a visit to the BBVA Foundation on Tuesday morning

The stylish mother-of-two teamed her outfit with gold hoop earrings, patent heels and an unusual clutch bag which appeared to be adorned with a large semi-precious stone.

It has been a typically busy few weeks for the hard-working royal, who made headlines last week when she met with Argentina's First Lady Juliana Awada at a glittering dinner at the El Pardo Palace.

The Argentinian President and his wife touched down in Spain last week, and were greeted at an official welcome ceremony at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

The party attended the opening of the International Contemporary Art Fair in the Spanish capital today, with Queen Letizia choosing a slim fitting white dress with a flared A-line skirt and snakeskin heels for the outing.

Making a splash: The stylish mother-of-two teamed her outfit with gold hoop earrings, patent heels and an unusual clutch bag which appeared to be adorned with a semi-precious stone

Letizia, who has had a typically busy few weeks, looked to be in high spirits as she met with members of the Fundeu BBVA Advisory Board

Her sleek brunette locks were coiffed to perfection as she braved chilly temperatures in Madrid

Letizia, who is mother to Princess Leonor, 11 and Princess Sofia, nine, wed King Felipe VI in 2004.

She married into the Spanish monarchy following a successful career as a journalist and newsreader.

She was previously married to Alonso Guerrero Perez, a writer, but the pair divorced after just a year and by 2003 Letizia had announced her engagement to Felipe, then the Prince of Asturias.

King Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014 in favour of his 49-year-old son, now King Felipe VI.
Beautiful Hollywood actresses seem to love to talk about their awkward, unattractive teen years  but Allison Williams insists it's true for her, even as she stars in a beautiful cover shoot for United Airlines'Rhapsody Magazine.

The 28-year-old Girls star posed for the magazine's March issue, looking effortlessly beautiful in a printed jumpsuit and gold jewelry on the cover.

'I just existed in this weird limbo where I was such a string bean and had weird haircuts and braces and was not just really in my body,' she said of growing up. 'And so that lent itself to, instead of Dorothy, playing the mayor of the Munchkins.'

Allison Williams appears on the cover of the March issue offor United Airlines' Rhapsody Magazine

The 28-year-old currently stars in HBO's Girls, which is on its last season, and the new film Get Out

Looking back: She said she was an awkward teen with a bad haircut

Even if that's true, the actress has certainly grown into her looks. In the photoshoot, her shiny brown hair falls in waves as she models a cozy blue sweater, a colorblock pleated dress, and an embellished floral top with a lace skirt.

But according to Allison, even as an adult she's still not at ease socially as her famous parents, former NBC anchor Brian Williams and his fellow journalist wife Jane.

'My parents are so much cooler and more socially adept than I am that I've never gone into an interaction where I'm introducing them to someone and bracing for them to say something embarrassing,' she said. 'If anything, Im the one who's embarrassing, and they're just totally graceful.'

During the filming of Get Out, she tricked director Jordan Peele into attending a surprise party by saying she and her co-star needed help rehearsing a sex scene

Peele said he later realized that made no sense, since Allison has filmed so many sex scenes for the show Girls

She also talked about her dad's political leanings, saying that he's always played his cards close to his chest.

'[He] divorced himself from his own opinions  even in our house it's that way. Which is so weird that we're as close as we are, and yet I don't know where he stands on a lot of issues, fundamentally,' she said.

'All he's ever told me is that he's voted for both Democrats and Republicans. He wont tell me who. I've asked him, and when I was little I used to be like, "Even on your deathbed?" and he'd be like, "Stop talking about my deathbed!"'

Allison also talked about her parents Brian and Jane, saying they are 'cooler and more socially adept' than she is

She added that her dad won't tell her who he votes for and keeps some political opinions private

Though the final season of Girls is wrapping up, Allison is now branching into film, starring in the new thriller Get Out.

Jordan Peele, who wrote and directed the movie, said he cast Allison for her 'sharp intelligence and undeniable warmth', but also found on set that she could be quite funny.

'Once, Allison invited me to the place she was staying to have me help her and Daniel [Kaluuya] rehearse the most intimate scene in the movie. She was nervous about doing a sexy scene and wanted to work it out ahead of time,' he said.

'I remember feeling so awkward and kind of dreading the idea of talking them through this hot and heavy situation with just the three of us present,' he went on. 'When I got to her house, it turned out to be a surprise birthday party for me. It was at this point I remembered that, of course, Allison Williams of all people wouldn't be nervous about this relatively innocent little love scene.'
Malia Obama looked especially happy to be headed to work this morning as cameras caught the former First Daughter smiling on her way into the office.

The 18-year-old flashed her pearly whites  and flaunted her long ombre locks  as she arrived at her internship at the Weinstein Company in New York City on Tuesday.

Malia hasn't often grinned for the paparazzi while going to her production company gig, which she started in late January  but the teen seems to have gotten into the swing of things and appeared to be in a good mood this morning.

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Off to work! Malia Obama flashed a smile as she headed to her internship on Tuesday

The 18-year-old is working at the Weinstein Company, where she is reportedly reading scripts and deciding which are worth pitching to executives to put into development

A black car dropped her off and Malia hopped out in black leggings, boots, and a jacket

She dressed casually for the office in a pair of black leggings, black boots, and a bomber jacket, while her two-tone strands fell around her shoulders.

The natural beauty seemed to be make-up-free as she got out of her chauffeured car, a backpack slung behind her, and let herself into the building.

She also took a moment to talk on the phone before hanging up, smiling for the cameras, and heading inside.

She carried her belongings in a trendy backpack and momentarily hid behind her ombre locks

The former First Daughter smiled at photographers waiting outside before walking into the building

She is making about $9 an hour while interning during a gap year before starting at Harvard next fall

Malia scored the prestigious internship for her gap year before starting at Harvard next fall.

She's making about $9 an hour in the production and development department, reading scripts and deciding which are worth pitching to executives to put into development. Sources told TMZ that unlike some other internships, Malia's job doesn't involve a lot of menial tasks like fetching coffee.

In the past, the movie company has produced Django Unchained, Silver Linings Playbook, The King's Speech, and Lion.

On Thursday night, President Obama (third left) was spotted getting dinner with his daughter Malia (second right), at an Italian restaurant in Soho

The following night, the duo caught a Broadway show together starring Danny DeVito, Mark Ruffalo, and Jessica Hecht

It's not all work and no play for Malia, though. This weekend, she caught a Broadway play with her dad, managing to keep a low profile in the audience before sneaking backstage for pictures with the cast.

They saw The Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Arthur Miller's The Price starring Danny DeVito, Mark Ruffalo, and Jessica Hecht.

The night before, the father-daughter duo had dinner together at an Italian restaurant in Soho.
A tense yet polite argument between a pair of priests has whipped up Twitter into a frenzy.

Jesuit priest Father James Martin is the author of multiple books, a frequent commentator on news outlets and boasts over 100,000 followers on Twitter thanks to his outspoken views on human rights issues.

In recent months, Martin has spoken out on immigration polices including President Trump's ban on refugees, as well as on the rights of transgender people.

Speaking out: Jesuit priest Father James Martin recently shared his views on transgender rights with his more than 100,000 followers on Twitter

Hitting out: Another Catholic priest responded to Martin's tweets asking if the account was 'a joke' as he couldn't believe a Catholic priest would support such things

Putting it out there: Martin has long been an outspoken advocate for refugees and the LGBT community

Recently, Martin penned a number of tweets directed at the recent executive order coming from the White House that rescinds federal guidelines surrounding transgender students' rights to use bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity.

'Trans students endure so many indignities already,' he wrote. 'They should be able to use whatever bathrooms they choose. Its doesnt hurt anybody. It saddens me that a #trans student cannot choose what bathrooms to use. A basic need.

He added: 'Its an affront to their dignity as human beings. And who is harmed by a #trans student using a bathroom? Ive seen women using mens rooms when the ladies rooms were full. Who is harmed?'

Martin lamented that the order was yet another case of the marginalized people in society being made to be the 'other' or as 'them'.

Coming back: Martin responded by confirming his identity and declaring that he 'stands with the marginalized'

'But for Jesus, there is no other. There is no them. There is only us. So we must be about openness, acceptance and inclusion,' he said.

The tweets received plenty of support from users on the social media website. But there also wasn't a shortage of critics voicing their disagreement - one of which was a fellow Catholic priest, Father Matt Bozovsky.

'Um... this is a joke, right? Someone please tell me this is a parody account and not actually coming from a Catholic priest,' Bozovsky wrote in response to one of Martin's tweets.

Soon enough, Martin responded, writing: 'No, I'm an actual Catholic priest in good standing who stands with the marginalized. Some charity is in order here, Father.'

Retreating: Father Bozovksy has since set his Twitter account to private

Big fans: Others cheered for Martin to 'drag him with kindness, father'

The pair's entire exchange was followed by multiple users on Twitter, some of whom snapped screenshots before Bozovsky switched his profile to private.

'And you thought Gay Twitter was petty. Wait till you get a load of Priest Twitter,' said one user sharing the exchange, in a tweet that has since been shared more than 30,000 times.

The exchange has lead to dozens of users to reach out in support of Martin, calling his comeback a 'holy mic drop' and others cheering for Martin to 'drag him with kindness, father.'

One user called it 'the most polite shade ever', while another added: 'No shade like Jesuit shade.'

Daily Mail Online has reached out to both priests for comment.
Ever tried to leave a luxury hotel without paying for that tub of Pringles from the mini-bar? Whether its by accident or design, such an error would result in an awkward scene at best.

If you are super-rich, though, different rules apply. If you are a Middle Eastern princess, for instance, it seems that you can waltz out without paying for anything  anything at all.

Even when youve run up a bill of 200,000, you can just breeze through reception and into your limo with no one trailing frantically in your wake brandishing a credit card machine or summoning a security guard.

A jaw-dropping new TV series goes behind the scenes at the five-star Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in Knightsbridge, one of the most exclusive hotels in London

Such are the revelations in a jaw-dropping new TV series where documentary cameras go behind the scenes at the five-star Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in Knightsbridge, one of the most exclusive hotels in London.

If there was ever any doubt that we are a divided society, then this programme confirms it. Rarely is the contrast between the haves and the have-nots more acutely observed than in an upmarket hotel, where the richest members of society co-exist alongside some of the poorest.

This place makes Downton Abbey look like a bastion of equality and fairness.

It makes compelling viewing. In the first episode, the eternally accommodating staff are filmed pulling out all the stops for one of their VIP guests, a member of a Middle Eastern royal family, who is decamping to London to escape the desert heat.

The Queen of Sheba could not get a more attentive reception than this lady.

A near military operation swings into action to meet her every whim. An army of staff is mobilised to handle her 200 pieces (yes, 200) of luggage, which arrive in a lorry.

Life at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park makes Downton Abbey look like a bastion of equality and fairness

Her 7,000-a-night suite is adapted for her needs. One room is transformed into a playroom for her children; blackout blinds are installed in her bedroom.

Additional rooms are booked for her nanny, staff and entourage. But then in one nights stay at this hotel, this particular princess spends roughly 20,000. She is one of their top ten clients and considers the Mandarin Oriental as a home from home.

None of this is surprising, of course. Middle Eastern royals are the creme de la creme of clients for top London hotels because they are the biggest, bling-iest spenders of all.

Every five-star establishment in the capital is desperate to woo them.

At the Mandarin Oriental, any guest foibles are not only accepted, but embraced.

Should madam need to find an elephant for a party she wants to throw (an outlandish request from a bride who once stayed there) or have breast milk flown from London to Boston (from a businesswoman delayed unexpectedly in London, while her baby is in the U.S.), this hotel can arrange it.

Training classes for staff point out how special the Middle Eastern guests are and how their eccentricities  a very casual approach to check-out time rules, for instance  should be accepted.

We are lucky to have them, staff are told. This princess has one quirk that you would imagine even the most accommodating hoteliers would be reluctant to indulge, though. She has a peculiar tendency to leave without paying.

At the Mandarin Oriental, any guest foibles are not only accepted, but embraced

As cameras follow him scurrying round the corridors, the front of house manager Roman Griesshaber admits that one of his challenges is how to broach the vulgar subject of payment with their wealthier clients.

The super-rich, we learn, dont have to leave their credit card details  like the rest of us.

One of the many things I learned from dealing with certain royal families is they most likely will not pay their bills straight away, he says.

He explains that after this princess had stayed the previous year, her bill was simply not paid.

Polite requests for settlement once the lady had gone home were ignored.

It took hotel staff a staggering nine months of cajoling emails and phone calls to get their money.

So this time round, they were prepared. Watching, towards the end of her stay, as an increasingly nervous Roman tries to instigate a conversation with someone in her entourage about who might, possibly, if its not too much bother, settle the bill, is just excruciating.

The outcome? The princess waltzes out again without paying and poor Roman cant seem to do much about it.

Youre not able to tell such people: You cant leave the hotel, he says. That would be a little bit of an issue.

During the show, some of the hotel's well-heeled guests are interviewed, including actor Morgan Freeman (pictured)

But would he allow a normal guest to leave without paying? No, we wouldnt, he admits.

Doubtless the managers of every single high-end hotel in London will watch such scenes and wince in recognition.

Nevertheless, for the viewer the programme is an eye-opener, and the antics of this pampered princess are just the start.

It also highlights, however, how the upstairs clients and the downstairs staff need each other, and the whole delicate balance must be as pain- stakingly maintained as the bathroom marble.

Its a fascinating, clever programme, at once making you want to book into the Mandarin Oriental for an entire month, yet also raising uncomfortable questions about what goes on beneath the glitter.

Some of the well-heeled guests are interviewed. Actor Morgan Freeman says that the only demand he makes in posh hotels is privacy; author Jilly Cooper throws a rather splendid party; and when Ronnie Wood pops in, he is greeted like an old friend.

But most of the action is seen from the point of view of the staff, the lowliest of whom arent on much more than the minimum wage.

Down we go into the bowels of the building, to the laundry room where the grubbier side of this business is laid bare.

There we find 26-year-old Maksim, who hails from Lithuania and has only recently been able to afford to rent a room in London that he doesnt need to share with his mother.

Maksim  brimming with ambition, and the consummate grafter  is paid 7.20 an hour and spends much of the first episode worrying about whether his short-term contract will be renewed. His job involves pressing socks for people who have never washed their own socks in their lives.

Perhaps the most astonishing thing about the show is that few of the hotel's staff seem surprised or disgusted by the demands of their guests. They are simply resigned to it all

One pair costs the client 6.50 to launder  more than the cost of buying a new pair, he points out. For the express service, which he is fulfilling today, the hotel guest will pay an astonishing 13 to get clean socks.

Maksim tells of once being asked to press two suitcases of clothes, even though each item had already been pressed and was encased in protective plastic. He had to put each item back into plastic. The bill was 1,500  just for pressing!.

Todays batch of laundry includes designer items that have clearly never been worn because the labels (from nearby upmarket store Harvey Nichols, naturally) are still attached.

While some of the excesses are almost understandable (if you cant use four towels for your bath in a five-star hotel and then dump them on the floor, where can you?), others are staggering.

One kitchen worker takes a room service order for what appears to be a single occupant of a room. She pretty much orders everything on the menu.

The bill comes to 1,000. Yes, for one person.

I think they want to see all the food, the resigned hotel worker sighs, but even she is appalled. They dont need that much. But where will the excess food go? Bin, she says sharply.

Thats another astonishing thing revealed in this programme, the scandalous waste. But what is the alternative?

These hotels, so vital to the British economy, simply must give the clients what they want  even when that seems preposterous.

Is the customer always right? General manager Gerard Sintes says yes. As long as it is moral and legal, we attend to the demands of our guests.

Perhaps the most astonishing thing is that few of the staff seem surprised or disgusted by the demands of their guests. They are simply resigned to it all.

Why does Maksim think his guests find it acceptable to pay 13 for clean socks?

Because they can, he says. Because their bank account has 16 zeros and they dont care about money. They just want.

During the show we go into the bowels of the building, to the laundry room where the grubbier side of this business is laid bare

Some people are rich and some people are poor. What can you do? Unless you win the lottery.

Does he do the lottery? No. It is a tax on hope.

Doorman Darvin Edwards is one of the most endearing characters in the programme.

He used to be an elite athlete and represented his native St Lucia at the London Olympics.

But his career was cut short by injury and he now works at the Mandarin Oriental, where one of his duties involves parking cars that only billionaires can afford. Not that hes impressed by the vehicles he gets to drive.

He wouldnt want to drive the Maclaren he is filmed in. When you sit in it for more than 15 minutes, your back starts to hurt, he complains.

But as Darvin walks through the collection of Ferraris, Rolls-Royces and Bentleys in the hotel garage, he points out that several of the luxury cars, including one very expensive motor covered in a protective tarpaulin, havent been moved in the entire time Darvin has worked there  over a year.

Can you be rich enough to forget you have such a car or to not need to drive it for a year? It seems so.

This programme, playfully called A Very British Hotel, does a stunning job of lifting the lid on what that means these days.

Even if its stuffed with rich overseas guests, the hotel  which is, after all, where the Queen learned to dance as a child, with her sister Princess Margaret, in the ballroom  delivers a quintessentially upper-class experience.

Even if its stuffed with rich overseas guests, the hotel delivers a quintessentially upper-class experience

A hop and a skip from Harrods, the royal parks and not too far from Buckingham Palace, it is as British as it gets, right down to the dainty cucumber sandwiches served for afternoon tea.

What isnt very British are the staff. Of the hotelss 610 employees, a staggering 80 per cent are foreign.

Concierge Francois-Xavier Girotto may wax lyrical, in quite hilarious fashion, about how his approach is firm but gentle, a bit like Margaret Thatcher, but he is French. So is the general manager, Mr Sintes.

Roman is German. The head of events, Paul, is Irish. The breakfast manager Agnieszka is from Poland. The laundry manager Erika is from Slovakia.

Are any of her staff British? No. I have never had anyone interview for any of the positions who was British, she says.

This programme poses the question, but never quite answers it: How has a country like the UK, where history is littered with butlers, valets and maids, ended up with a service industry run by those from abroad?

Not that this hotels staff are complaining. And truth be told (though they are far too discreet to spell it out), they love to see the foreign guests coming because they are the big tippers.

During filming, one young rookie concierge called Paul (one of the very few Londoners on the staff) is stunned to be handed 200 for changing a restaurant booking.

He points out that if he spends 30 in Sainsburys on his weekly shop, he thinks hes gone mad.

After the cameras stop running, it seems our Middle Eastern princess has settled her bill, and the hotel staff are expecting her back this summer.

This is her home when she is in London, says Mr Sintes, all frustrations forgotten.

We love her and she loves us.
When Amelia Kahn was just two years old, she was diagnosed with autism.

When she was six, she was diagnosed with vision loss.

Her parents, Dave and Karen, from Scottsdale, Arizona, didn't think she could be inflicted with many more medical conditions - until this month.

Two weeks ago, doctors told them their six-year-old daughter has Batten disease - a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder - despite displaying little to no symptoms

The disease will eventually rob Amelia, now, of her speech, her mobility and could kill her before she's a teenager.

And this month, doctors revealed they strongly suspect that Amelia's twin sister, Makenzie, also has the condition.

Now, her parents open up to Daily Mail Online about the struggles they've faced since the diagnosis and the fear of losing their two daughters.

The girls' last hope to slow down the advances of the disorder may be a new clinical trial - if the money can be raised.

Tragic: Twin sisters Makenzie (left) and Amelia Kahn, seven, from Scottsdale, Arizona, both have a rare condition called Batten disease. Amelia has been fully diagnosed and Makenzie is exhibiting symptoms

Devastating: Amelia (left) and Makenzie (pictured at age one) didn't display any symptoms usually associated with the disease. Amelia, though, was diagnosed with autism at age two

It's been a long journey for Dave and Karen. Their fraternal twin girls were conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) after years of trying.

And it only took a year for Amelia to start exhibiting strange behavioral symptoms that were eventually linked to autism.

Then in kindergarten, when she was five years old, Amelia's teacher recommended to Dave and Karen that they take her to see an eye doctor. The eye doctor told the Kahns that their daughter's vision was fine.

One year later, her first grade teacher recommended the same thing. Concerned, they decided to check once more.

Amelia was sent in for an electroretinography (ERG), an eye test used to detect abnormal function of the retina.

The results were sent to a retinal specialist who confirmed that she had macular dystrophy, a rare, genetic eye disorder that causes loss of vision and sometimes blindness.

Not long after, Makenzie started to experience vision loss too.

'She couldn't see the words at all as we were reading,' Karen told Daily Mail Online.

Sad: Both Amelia (left) and Makenzie were diagnosed with macular dystrophy - vision loss that affects the retina - around the age of six. Amelia got her Batten disease diagnosis two days later. Now, aged seven, Makenzie is exhibiting similar symptoms and is undergoing tests

Positvity: Dave and Karen are currently working to raise awareness of the girls' condition in the hopes that they will soon be enrolled in a clinical trial

Makenzie was also diagnosed with macular dystrophy, but a less pronounced version than Amelia's.

Two days later, Amelia received her Batten disease diagnosis.

The disorder will eventually cause the cells to shut down and is often fatal by the late teens or early twenties.

Just a few weeks following the diagnosis, Karen spoke about the distress and exhaustion that comes with knowing your children have a fatal disease - struggling to remain positive for them, but that it's difficult knowing the reality of the condition.

'Dave and I are both very private people and it was difficult to go public so soon after the diagnosis, but we have to spread the word, in order to get help,' she explained.

'We've thought about what our future looks like 15, 20 years from now and not having our kids around is not an option.

'They're our only kids. We went through IVF to have them and receiving this diagnosis is like a cruel joke.'

WHAT IS BATTEN DISEASE? Batten disease, also known as Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses, is a rare genetically-inherited disease. Sufferers tend to live for 10 years after diagnosis. It is caused by waste buildup in the cells which creates neurodegenerative effects including: Blindness

Seizures

Personality changes

Dementia

Loss of motor skills and the ability to walk, talk and communicate Because it is a rare disease, it is often difficult to diagnose and is untested at birth. Ways to diagnose: Blood or urine tests

Skin or tissue sampling

DNA analysis

Electrical studies of the eyes There are 14,000 children worldwide that are diagnosed with the disorder. There is currently no known cure or treatment available for Batten disease. Advertisement

Also known as Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses, Batten disease is a rare genetically-inherited disorder.

It's caused by waste buildup in the cells, which creates neurodegenerative effects including blindness, seizures, personality changes and difficulties with motor skills.

More severe symptoms as the disease progresses lead to a loss of mobility, inability to swallow, and eventually death.

But Dave and Karen say that looking at their daughters, you wouldn't know either of them had any symptoms.

'They can read, they can pick out colors, sometimes Amelia will ask you know, "Mommy, is this blue?" but you couldn't tell,' Karen said.

As for Makenzie, her parents say she has no symptoms other than falling down sometimes - but they attribute it to clumsiness.

Dave and Karen said, however, that Amelia in particular has had difficulty retrieving words.

Karen said: 'She's always had difficulty because of the autism. At one point even her speech disappeared and she's been in therapy since age two.'

'It's more pronounced now. She can retrieve more than she can't but, in the big picture, it's progressing in the wrong direction,' Dave added.

The Kahns also explained that because of Amelia's autism, it's hard to know whether Batten disease is causing a symptom to appear or autism - and they'll likely never know.

Worldwide, approximately 14,000 children are diagnosed with Batten disease. Getting the diagnosis in the first place can be difficult as many physicians, let alone parents, have never heard of it.

Neither Dave nor Karen knew they were carriers of the gene. Because both parents are carriers, Amelia had a one in four chance of getting the disorder. Makenzie has the same chance.

There is currently no known cure and no clinically approved treatments.

Waiting: Aside from vision loss, Makenzie (left) and Amelia have yet to exhibit any of the other symptoms including seizures, loss of balance or personality changes

Hopeful: Karen said: 'We've thought about what our future looks like 15, 20 years from now and not having our kids around is not an option'

But there is some hope of new clinical trials to either halt or significantly slow degeneration through gene therapy.

Currently, Dave and Karen are attempting to get Amelia, and likely Makenzie, enrolled in a clinical trial, and have been working with the University of Rochester Batten Center in New York, one of the leading clinics in the field.

Next week, the family is planning on traveling to Texas - the closest well-established medical center that deals with Batten disease - for additional research and testing.

As the girls' seventh birthday approaches this March, the Kahns have joined together with the Beyond Batten Disease Foundation to continue to raise awareness and funding for a disease that is unknown to so many.

Dave said: 'We're so grateful to have a network that cares as much as they do. But really where we need the help is from the clinical trial.

'All the money coming in to help us is great, but it will all be for naught if we can't get a clinical trial going.'
His premature death shocked the world.

Bill Paxton passed away unexpectedly this weekend after suffering a stroke during heart surgery.

He was just 61 years old.

It has since emerged Paxton, the revered actor famed for Twister, True Lies, and Aliens, had expressed fears about the operation in emails weeks before.

Indeed, experts warns the actor's passing underlines just how risky surgery can be.

Bill Paxton died aged 61 on Saturday. The Titanic star had complications following a heart surgery. He had revealed to a director he was nervous about the surgery that caused his untimely death. He leaves behind two children and his wife of 30 years Louise Newbury (right)

Paxton played the role of Brock Lovett in Titanic (left), the treasure hunter that discovered the Heart of the Ocean necklace in the film. In the 1986 film Aliens, Paxton played the role of Private Hudson in the movie (right)

WHAT IS A STROKE? A stroke is a brain attack. It is the result of disrupted blood flow to the brain. CAUSES There can be a number of reasons for this. In the case of an ischemic stroke, it could be that a blood clot, an air bubble or a piece of plaque (deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, and calcium) enter the brain. This can block vital blood vessels, preventing fluid blood flow. In the case of a hemorrhagic stroke, a blood vessel in the brain bursts, causing blood to flood the brain tissues. WHY IT IS DAMAGING/FATAL After mere minutes of limited oxygen, brain cells begin to die. In some cases, the damage can be immediately widespread; in others, it can take days. If caught in time, the blood spill can be halted before it becomes fatal. However, once brain cells die, it is rare that the sufferer will regain functioning in those areas. It means stroke survivors often struggle with movement, speech, thinking and memory, bowel and bladder, eating, emotional control, and other vital body functions. Larger strokes may lead to paralysis, loss of speech, or even death. Advertisement

'No operation is ever 0 percent risk. Most straight-forward things are pretty low risk,' Dr Bryan Whitson at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center told Daily Mail Online.

'But there are lots of potential ways people can get a stroke during heart surgery.'

For people without any prior complications, like more calcium build-up than expected or severely damaged valves, the risk of having a stroke is between 2 and 16 percent.

That risk increases depending on the operation and the patient.

Paxton's family did not elaborate on the exact complications that led to the actor's stroke.

Here, Dr Whitson explains the major issues that can lead to fatalities in the operating room.

1. CALCIUM BREAK-OFFS

According to Dr Whitson, most problems stem from the heart-lung machine.

During heart surgery, the patient's heart is stopped and they are hooked up to a heart-lung machine to keep oxygen and blood flowing, while surgeons tinker with the essential arteries.

However, this can cause break-offs of fatty deposits, that can travel up to the brain, blocking the blood flow.

'The aorta has multiple layers in there, so it's delicate, it can be like an egg shell,' Dr Whitson explains.

'People can get calcium deposited in the artery, so we have to clamp the aorta to re-route the blood.

'That can cause cracks, meaning a piece of calcium can dislodge or not be completely removed.'

Ultimately, that small breakage can cause an ischemic stroke.

An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot, an air bubble or a piece of plaque (deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, and calcium) enter the brain.

This can block vital blood vessels, preventing fluid blood flow.

After mere minutes of limited oxygen, brain cells begin to die.

2. AIR BUBBLES ENTERING THE BRAIN

In the same vein as calcium break-offs, a patient can suffer a stroke due to stray air bubbles.

'Since we're putting those clamps on, there is a risk of air getting into the bloodstream,' Dr Whitson explains.

'The end effect is the same.

'If an air bubble goes up into the head, it would block the vessel and restrict blood flow.

'Imagine a vapor lock in a sink: the same thing.'

3. BLOOD PRESSURE TOO LOW

Some patients who undergo heart surgery have an artery blockage in their neck or head.

This makes them particularly vulnerable to complications during the routine process of putting them on the heart-lung machine.

'If their blood pressure gets really low during surgery, and because they've already got blockages, it could mean that they don't get enough blood supply to the brain,' Dr Whitson explains.
Last month, something extraordinary happened: I woke up feeling well.

It might sound simple, but it's something that multiple sclerosis has prevented me feeling for a long time.

Though it was diagnosed only in 2015, I've had the condition for 25 years.

Increasingly, my legs had felt like lead weights and by the end of last year I was walking with a stick.

My hands and arms were weak, my brain would not fire as I wanted and I woke up every day with a menacing cloud of exhaustion.

BBC war correspondent Caroline Wyatt (pictured) was diagnosed with MS in 2015. Over the past two years she has tried various drugs to slow down the damage, but none have worked

Even my voice and eyesight had been affected: on occasions I woke up seeing double, and in December I realised I was no longer safe to drive.

MS is the result of your immune system attacking the fatty sheaths around the nerves that relay messages between the brain and body.

Ultimately, this can lead to lesions and damage in the nerves themselves even in the brain and eyes.

Over the past two years I've tried various drugs to slow down the damage to the fatty sheaths, but none have worked.

But last month, the brain fog that normally muddles my train of thought, the nerve pain in my fingers and toes, the tinnitus that rages through my ears, the migraines that have plagued me  all had significantly improved.

Stranger still was that my improvement came within hours of my fourth round of chemotherapy, the treatment that was the first step in my stem cell treatment that I hope will halt my MS.

It's not been an easy undertaking, involving a month-long trip to Mexico and tens of thousands of pounds.

Yet I had no desire to end up in a wheelchair or to give up my job at the BBC, and the disease has been progressing at such a frightening rate that this was looking increasingly possible.

The point that I thought 'no more' came last May at the National Hospital for Neurology in London, where a friendly NHS nurse was testing my worsening bladder function.

Caroline has travelled to Mexico for a 43,000 stem cell treatment she hopes will halt her MS

As I left, she said when I came back, she could teach me how to put a catheter in if my bladder function deteriorated further. That was it. I had to act fast.

I had seen my colleague Fergus Walsh's Panorama programme in January last year on the remarkable results of trials being carried out at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, using autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplants (HSCT)  stem cells from the patients themselves.

Some had regained their ability to walk, talk and work again.

First, the faulty immune system is destroyed with chemotherapy, then a new immune system is built using the stem cells, which can turn into all kinds of cells, including immune cells.

Fergus put me in touch with the Sheffield team, but after tests I was told I was not a good candidate: my brain scans had shown no inflammation around the many lesions, one of their main criteria for acceptance.

Logically, I understood that, but I was devastated.

Previously a war correspondent for the BBC, Caroline Wyatt doesn't wish to halt her career yet

I joined several Facebook groups for MS patients wishing to have HSCT and found out about global centres of excellence in Chicago and Mexico.

There were stem cell 'veterans' whose treatment appeared to have sent their MS into remission.

Doctors hesitate to use the word 'cured', as some patients can later relapse, but this certainly looked to me to be the closest thing yet to a cure for MS.

Yet a GP I saw for a blood test told me it was untested and warned against it.

My neurologist was sceptical, though once he'd read up on it, said he thought it 'interesting'.

As I saw it, I had nothing to lose. So in December, I emailed Clinica Ruiz in Puebla in Mexico.

I was talking to my bank about a loan to raise the 43,000 cost when the June 2017 date the clinic had offered for my transplant suddenly became January 1, 2017, after another patient cancelled.

My parents and friends helped me raise the funds  I also needed 4,000 for a carer or nurse to stay with me during out-patient treatment, plus air fares and 6,000 for Rituximab, a lab-made antibody I'd need to kill off any rogue immune cells.

As Caroline saw it, she had nothing to lose. She was talking to my bank about a loan to raise the 43,000 cost when her transplant at the clinic was suddenly pushed forward by five months

But the treatment was cheaper than the 120,000 fee in Chicago or the 80,000 to 100,000 it might cost to have HSCT privately in the UK, something that's become possible only this year.

Flying out to Mexico on New Year's Eve with my brother, Simon, I felt hope and fear in equal measure. We were collected by Angel, a clinic driver, and my nurse, Joy.

But I was confident I'd done my research.

The clinic's results spoke for themselves: in a peer-reviewed medical study, almost 50 per cent of patients had the progress of their disease halted by HSCT, while another 20-25 per cent saw a reversal in some of the damage done by the disease.

There were possible side-effects: you are initially at a heightened risk of infection while your immune system redevelops, the treatment can lead to thyroid problems and it raises the risk of cancer.

But I feared the advance of my MS more than any of these.

Despite the rigours of the treatment, Caroline says she had had rarely felt so well as she did straight after her first sessions in Mexico

I also knew I might fall into the 20 per cent or so who see no benefit, or who feel better only temporarily before the disease returns  and the treatment was most effective at an early stage. I did wonder if I had left it too late.

Two days after arriving, I sat with Joy as the chemotherapy drug dripped into my veins. I was sick during that and each of the following three courses, despite anti-nausea drugs.

Every morning, the doctor or nurse would inject filgrastim, the mobilising agent that would encourage the stem cells to move from my bone marrow into the bloodstream to be harvested.

I also had to take anti-virals, antibiotics and steroids daily to assist the immune system.

Despite the rigours of the treatment, I had rarely felt so well as I did straight after those sessions.

No one could explain why this might be, though for the first time in 25 years my immune system was no longer attacking my nerves.

At 11.30am on Saturday, January 14, I received the stem cells over the course of an hour.

Every second the ruby fluid seeped into my veins felt like a rebirth. That night, back at the flat, I stood on the roof terrace and wept tears of joy.

For the first time in a long time I had hope. Hope of a future that did not involve a wheelchair, or giving up the job I loved.

We were all carefully monitored for neutropaenia  insufficient white blood cells to fight off infections  and had an appointment with the haematologist to see how our new cells were faring.

During that time, everything had to be sanitised and all food well-cooked to avoid poisoning, while trips out of the flat were restricted to going to the clinic while wearing masks.

Tony, the driver, cleaned every inch of the inside of the van before collecting us each morning.

By the day I left, almost a month later, I already felt very different from the patient who had arrived.

For the first week back at home, I was a sloth, sleeping off jet lag.

The second week brought improvements to my balance and strength, while the third week saw me able to walk three kilometres without a stick.

It was amazing to be able to walk that far again without my legs feeling as though they were dragging concrete bollards, and without fear of falling over.

In her third week back in the UK, Caroline could walk three kilometres without needing a stick

By week four, I was able to do yoga and noticed the blurriness in my left eye was receding. I hadn't felt so upbeat  and hopeful  for so long, it was wonderful.

But the past week has proved more challenging. Over the weekend, I could feel my body trying to fight off a virus.

In Puebla, the clinic's doctors were only a phone call away.

Here, my supportive GP is nearby, but because I chose to have my treatment abroad and am having an antibody treatment not approved by NICE, I have it at a private hospital every two months.

And there are moments of doubt, too. With every tingle along a nerve, I wonder if the MS is returning.

But Dr Ruiz told me to expect the main benefits around the end of the year, so I must be patient.

And whatever happens, I am happy to have tried HSCT. The hope I feel about my future is in stark contrast to my despair last May.

Now, I can dream of having enough energy and clarity of mind not only to work but perhaps even to dance, write a book, laugh and travel once more.

At 49, there's still so much I would like to do.
Patients are being asked to sleep in corridors to free up space in hospital, a shocking new report reveals.

As the NHS winter crisis worsens, doctors are now approaching the 'least bad' patients in a bid to get their bed.

Demand for beds is soaring due to the pressures of a social care crisis, immigration and an ageing population.

And this is causing over-stretched doctors to work under grave pressure to try and determine who is worthy of a bed.

The Royal College of Physicians said its document shows that GPs are facing 'bed and staff shortages' as well as a 'lack of resources'.

As the NHS' winter crisis worsens, doctors are now approaching the 'least bad' patients in a bid to get their bed

They conducted an anonymous survey of 50 physicians to assess the true current working nature of the NHS.

Another of the doctors who spoke to the RCP said: 'We have a policy to help each ward - not just the acute admissions wards, but each ward in the hospital - decide who is the "least bad" patient to approach to ask to sleep on a bed in the corridor.

'We have a plan for which nurse takes responsibility for taking observations - they are recorded in "the corridor folder".

'This certainly qualifies under the "things I never expected to see in my lifetime" category.'

One doctor described how patients are dying because hospitals are 'jam-full'.

Another says their hospital has three wards full of medically fit patients awaiting discharge, mostly to social care.

While one said a patient was waiting for so long to be transferred to social care that her family were bringing in Ikea furniture to make the hospital bed area 'more homely'.

Members of the public should be made aware of 'just how bad the current situation really is', said another of the 50 senior physicians from across England.

Demand for beds is soaring due to the pressures of a social care crisis, immigration and an ageing population

Professor Jane Dacre, president of the RCP, said: 'I am so proud of our members for their commitment and grace under pressure, but it should not have to be like this.

'We need the government to start listening, investing, and supporting the NHS to give patients the service they deserve.'

This comes after a damning report last week revealed that hospitals have axed 15,000 beds in just six years.

WOMAN DIES AFTER BEING TURNED AWAY BY 3 NHS HOSPITALS A woman who died from a bleed on her brain after three hospitals refused to admit her for surgery could have been saved if she had been given a bed. Mary Muldowney, 57, would have survived if she had been given immediate life-saving surgery, a coroner ruled. In a damning verdict earlier this month, coroner Mary Hassell said that the lack of beds was irrelevant and she could have been treated immediately. By doing this, it would have allowed hospital staff to find a spare space in the intensive care unit, she claimed. Advertisement

The dramatic reduction  equivalent to closing 24 hospitals  amounts to a 10 per cent fall in NHS beds at a time when the health service is under unprecedented pressure.

There are now just 129,458 hospital beds available for patients at night, down from 144,455 in 2010/11.

Critics say patients' safety is at risk and blame the cuts on an NHS obsession with shifting care out of hospitals and 'closer to home'.

The lack of beds means hospitals are having to cancel operations at the last minute  including cancer and heart surgery  or send patients home before they have properly recovered.

The British Medical Association also found that the NHS has fewer beds per heads than nearly every country in Europe.

The UK has an average of 2.4 beds per 1,000 population, compared to Germany (8), Austria (7.5) and France (6).

And it raises concerns over occupancy rates on wards. Hospitals are not meant to be more than 85 per cent occupied.

But the report highlighted figures showing that nine out of ten exceeded this over the winter.

Several hospitals are 99 or even 100 per cent occupied with patients at much higher risk of infections and neglect.
A teenager has broken her bones over a 1,000 times due to a rare condition that's so extreme even noise is problematic.

Sabal Parveen, 18, from Bihar, northern India, suffers from Ontogenesis Imperfecta - a rare genetic disorder which leaves limbs brittle and remarkably susceptible to breakage.

The severity of the disease has meant that Sabal has broken 90pc of the bones in her body and requires 24 hour care.

Chronic: Osteogenesis Imperfecta cannot be cured and causes is sparked by a genetic caused

She said: I dont want to call myself disabled because I have the will to be better, my brain is functioning just fine, but my problem is that I cannot move. My body lets me down. I cannot eat, walk, move, sit, or sleep on my own.

'My parents help me with everything. Its a nightmare. No one can understand my frustration. Everything seems lifeless when you cannot do anything on your own.

Sabal was born normal but when she was 20 days old, doctors noticed changes in her body.

Mother Ghazala Parveen, 37, a housewife, said: She had extremely thin skin from birth but after a couple of weeks doctors told us she had very weak bones. She was given heavy doses of calcium as well as other medicines but her issues only increased with time. We watched as she slowly got worse year by year.

Ghazala nurses her oldest daughter of six girls, 24 hours a day. From the moment she wakes up in the morning until the last thing at night. But Sabal is a strong and refuses to be a patient.

She's a fighter: Sabal Parveen is 18 years-old, but has no independence due to her condition

Carer: Sabal is nursed 24 hours a day by her devoted mother Ghazala, who is also her carer

I hate that Im having to rely on my mother, Sabal admitted, who is on a high dose of pain killers daily. I want freedom like other girls my age, like my sisters. My body is like a prison.

Now a days I take happiness from little things in life. I rely on small things to keep me entertained.

Sabal has a cat called Pushi that she loves, and she also loves watching Bollywood movies starring Salman Khan and singing along to music videos with her sisters and friends when they visit.

She is also determined to do well in school and she has recently started using an assistant to write her exam sheet only.

No sign: Sabal was symptom-free when she was first born, but later displayed signs of malformation from just 20 days old

Damage: The teenage has broken 90 per cent of the bones in her severely fragile body

Friendly face: Sabal tried to pass the time with her pet cat, Pushi, who stays by her side

I only have hope, Sabal said, who wants to become a bank manager. I have to hope that life will get better than this. My parents have taught me not to give up. They invest so much time and energy into me. I see them suffering so much because of me. I fight this battle because they fight with me. So I still work hard at school.

My parents help me with everything. Its a nightmare. No one can understand my frustration. Everything seems lifeless when you cannot do anything on your own. - Sabal Parveen

'I study a lot, but I just cant hold a pen any more as my fingers have broken so many times. I tell my assistant what to write and she writes only  thankfully the examiners have accepted this.

Dr Manoj Kumar Choudhary, a consultant orthopedic surgeon, at Khageshwar Orthopaedic Hospital and Arthroscopy Centre, in Bihar, said: Her condition is a very rare case and means imperfect formation of the bones. Bones in such a condition break easily and become hard to heal or fix. We cannot use plasters on such fractures so they are very hard to heal.

Dr Manoj added that the condition is sometimes caused when a couple are close relatives  which is very common in India.

Sabals parents are first cousins; their fathers are brothers.

Concern: Sabal's mother, 37 year-old Ghazala Parveen, worries about her daughter's future

Shaheen Anwar, 47, holding his daughter with his wife Ghazala at their residence in Bhagalpur

Family ties: Sabal (centre sitting) with her sisters (from left): Khushi Shaheen, 10, Ashiya Shaheen, 12, Shawli Shaheen, 16, Shaniya Shaheen, 14, and Chahat Shaheen, 8

Her body parts have starts shrinking, her height does not increase and she suffers constant pain in her body. Im afraid there is no cure for this disease but we can continue treatment in order to give her a better quality of life.

Sabals father, Shaheen Anwar, 47, a property dealer, carries his daughter whenever they need to leave the house.

WHAT CAUSES OI? OI is caused by one of several genes that arent working properly. Genes carry our hereditary (family) information. We each have two copies of most genes: one set from each parent. Genes are what make you look like your biological family. Each of the genes that cause OI plays a role in how the body makes collagen. Collagen is a material in bones that helps make them strong. When these genes arent working properly, there isnt enough collagen, or the collagen doesnt work properly. This leads to weak bones that break easily. Most children inherit the gene that doesnt work properly from one parent. Some inherit it from both parents. In some cases, neither parent passes on this gene. Instead, the gene stops working properly soon after the child is conceived. SOURCE: NCIS Advertisement

He said: She is in pain all the time, we dont know how she copes. Many people tell us to give up on her as she will eventually die. But how can I leave my daughter? I will be with her and fighting by her side until I have breathe in my body.

Shaheen has spent his familys savings  over Rs 500,000 (6,000)  on Sabals medical bills. And Sabal is aware her fathers business has been suffering losses over the last five years.

She said: My father saved a lot of money for the future of his daughters but hes invested it all in my treatment. He has financial losses due to me. We used to go to expensive doctors but now we hardly see any doctors. We apply home remedies like a hot water pack every time my bones break so that we do not have to spend on hospital bills.

Ghazala gets emotional when she thinks of her daughters future.

Who will look after her when weve gone? she asked. Who will marry her in this condition? Her body is lifeless. I often hear her singing, she has the most beautiful voice, but what will she do with such a talent? Her life is wasted.

I wish there was treatment somewhere in the world and her destiny could be different. It kills me to see her like this; every day.
A man became one of just four people in the world to survive multiple organ transplant surgery in a bid to beat his incurable cancer.

Adam Alderson was told by doctors his rare peritoneal cancer, pseudomyxoma peritonei, meant he was just weeks from death.

But the 37-year-old has defied the odds by surviving 17-hour ground-breaking surgery which required 30 people working shifts to remove the 10kg tumour.

It resulted in the removal of Adam's stomach, small bowel, large bowel, pancreas, spleen, gall bladder, appendix, abdominal wall and most of his liver, before multiple abdominal organs were transplanted into him.

Determined: Adam Alderson was told by doctors his rare peritoneal cancer, pseudomyxoma peritonei, meant he was just weeks from death - but battled on to survive it

Adam, from Preston-under-Scar in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, is now looking forward to marrying his fiancee Laura Blanchard following the success of his operation.

His new future is testament to his determination.

When Adam was first put onto palliative care he refused to accept his bleak prognosis - and admits his doctors have credited his stubborn temperament as what made him survive.

Adam said: 'I was dying; my girlfriend could see it, my friends could see it and I was very aware of how little time I had left. This was my last chance.'

He had suffered with bowel problems for many years.

At first, he was misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, and it was only when he and Laura had embarked on a new life to Australia in 2011 that he realised it was something more serious.

Adam said: 'We were having the time of our lives, making friends, going out and partying, working hard and playing hard.

'We had been in Australia for around 18 months when I was diagnosed with PMP. The diagnosis came out of nowhere. I just collapsed. It's the old cliche - it's never going to happen to me.

'I was told it was very rare and had to get back home for treatment at the Christie Cancer Hospital in Manchester - a world leader in cancer treatment.

Tough times: Adam pictured in hospital just a few short weeks after his dramatic operation

Diagnosis: Adam and his partner Laura Blanchard were given the bad news in Australia

'It is hard to take in, but right from the moment I was diagnosed I knew I was going home to fight, not to die. We flew home in February 2013 and had my first appointment at the Christie the same month.'

Preparations were made for him to have an operation in the hope that the surgeons could remove as much of the tumour as possible.

I'm not known for my patience, and I have a very fiery temper so to be told that I was going to die and there was nothing I could do about it wasn't sitting well with me. Adam Alderson

The debulking procedure would be coupled with washing the tumour in hot chemotherapy. But when he came round from the operation he was told it had been too dangerous for it to be completed and there was nothing they could do.

Adam said: 'Just a few months earlier, I was looking forward to a life at the other side of the world, but I was now told that I had as little as two years to live. I was only 35-years-old.'

Adam refused to accept that his life could be cut short and despite being extremely ill and weak, he researched treatments and surgeries around the world.

He finally heard about an operation that former England rugby league player Steve Prescott, also a PMP patient, had undergone.

Intense: Surgeons worked shifts as they removed his stomach, small bowel, large bowel, pancreas, spleen, gall bladder, appendix, abdominal wall and most of his liver

Loved-up: Adam pictured with fiance Laura just six months after the 17-hour surgery

The operation was complicated and a world first ever to be performed; it required the removal of Steve's tumours followed by a multi-organ transplant.

Adam learnt that Steve had undergone pioneering surgery at Churchill Hospital in Oxford.

The 32-hour operation was a success, but Steve died as a result of graft-versus-host-disease, a complication that can occur following transplants.

Adam said: 'I'm not known for my patience, and I have a very fiery temper so to be told that I was going to die and there was nothing I could do about it wasn't sitting well with me.

'I decided there and then that this was an opportunity for me. I started researching and came up with the same name over and over again, Brendan Moran.'

Mr Moran, a surgeon from Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and PMP specialist, was working towards more progressive treatments of the disease that would focus on cure as opposed to prolonging life, and he agreed to see Adam.

Happier times: After beating the cancer, Adam is now planning to marry his girlfriend

Inspiring: Adam refused to accept that his life could be cut short and despite being extremely ill and weak, he researched treatments and surgeries around the world

By this time, Adam's health was deteriorating. He was fed through a tube by Laura, and had lost so much weight he couldn't get himself out of the bath.

Despite concern from his doctors, Adam pushed to have the same surgery - and after a long battle, undergoing tests and waiting for a donor, he finally went under the knife in the summer of 2015.

WHAT IS PSEUDOMYXOMA PERITONEI? Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a very rare type of cancer that usually begins in your appendix as a small growth, called a polyp. Or, more rarely, it can start in other parts of the bowel, the ovary or bladder. This eventually spreads through the wall of your appendix or wherever else it starts. It then spreads cancerous cells to the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum). These cancerous cells produce mucus, which collects in the abdomen as a jelly like fluid called mucin. Advertisement

Not long afterwards, it was officially announced that the procedure had been a success. Adam is now preparing not only to marry his fiancee Laura, who has faced each of his health battles alongside him, but also to take part in the Mongol Rally.

The Mongol Rally is a car rally that begins in Europe and ends in Ulan Ude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia, Russia. The car must be farcically small, teams are totally unsupported and they need to raise at least 1000 for charity.

Adam said: 'Now I want to give something back, to raise the profile of PMP and most importantly the belief that you should never give up.

'I really cannot thank the medical team enough. They believed in me and they took a risk - a big risk - but it has paid off.

'I also want to thank the donor family. The harsh reality is that someone has lost their life for someone else to live and I will never forget that or take it for granted. I will appreciate that for as long as I live.'
A top private hospital has been fined 200,000 after publishing intimate conversations of IVF couples online.

The Lister Hospital in Chelsea, London, was accused of betraying the trust of its patients by the Information Commissioners Office (ICO).

The mistake occurred when staff at the fertility clinic sent recordings of appointments between couples and doctors to a company in India to be transcribed.

The Lister Hospital in Chelsea, London, (picture) has been fined 200,000 after publishing intimate conversations of IVF couples online

But the firm returned the transcripts on an internet server which wasnt secure, meaning the information could be seen by anyone.

The error was only uncovered when an IVF patient at the hospital happened to spot the transcripts while looking something up online.

The Lister is run by HCA International and is one of the most renowned and expensive private hospitals in the country.

A course or cycle of IVF costs 3,500 although patients pay extra for appointments, scans, storage fees and follow-up checks.

The ICO accused HCA International and the Lister Hospitals Fertility Clinic of breaking the law, by breaching the Data Protection Act 1998.

Steve Eckersley, Head of Enforcement at the ICO said: The reputation of the medical profession is built on trust.

'HCA International has not only broken the law, it has betrayed the trust of its patients.

'These people were discussing intimate details about fertility and treatment and certainly didnt expect this information to be placed online.

The hospital had a duty to keep the information secure.

Once information is online it can be accessed by anyone and could have caused even more distress to people who were already going through a difficult time.

'What makes this case even worse is that we know the company is aware of its data protection obligations and already has appropriate safeguards in place in other areas of its business.

The mistake occurred when staff at the fertility clinic sent recordings of appointments between couples and doctors to a company in India to be transcribed (file photo)

'The situation could have been avoided entirely if HCA International had taken the time to check up on the methods used by the contract company.

A spokesman for the Lister Fertility Clinic said the mistakes had only involved seven patients. It said: We take the protection of our patients confidential and sensitive information extremely seriously.

However, on this occasion we fell short of the both the standards of the ICO and the high standards we set for ourselves.

We have apologised to the patients affected for the distress this may have caused and we no longer work with the company involved. The Lister Fertility Clinic has put in place more rigorous checks and measures to ensure the safety of our patients information.

The error was only uncovered when an IVF patient at the hospital happened to spot the transcripts while looking something up online (file photo)

This error involved a private company but NHS hospitals also have an appalling track record for data breaches.

On Monday the NHS admitted mislaying the test results and letters of 703,000 patients, which had been left in a warehouse.

That mistake had occurred after another private firm neglected to deliver the documents to doctors.
A frenzied row on free speech and nationalism knocked on the doors of the city's Jamia Millia Islamia university on Tuesday after engulfing the prestigious JNU and DU in signs of growing ideological unrest at India's premier educational institutions.

BJP leader Shazia Ilmi was allegedly not allowed to speak by the Jamia administration at a seminar organised to discuss the controversial triple talaq issue on February 16.

The event was then rescheduled for February 28 and the list of speakers changed.

BJP leader Shazia Ilmi was allegedly not allowed to speak by the administration on the controversial Islamic divorce issue of triple talaq

The agenda too was scaled down from a straightforward discussion on the instant divorce practice to that on empowerment of Muslim women.

Even then, there were several calls of 'shame' when Muslim speakers lighted the ceremonial lamp, calling it anti-Quranic.

There were several disruptions too, culminating in protesters storming and capturing the stage.

The incident came against the backdrop of a raging controversy at Delhi University with the ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) accused of setting off violent clashes at Ramjas College over an invitation to JNU student leader Umar Khalid.

Jamia student protest against lamp light during the debate on Muslim women's Empowerment in Jamia Millia Islamia University on Monday

The ABVP, which leads the DU students' union, has charged the college with 'anti-national activities' because Khalid is accused of sedition and is out on bail.

He and some other JNU students hit the headlines a year ago when anti-India slogans were raised during an event held at the university to commemorate the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

The brainstorming session at Jamia was organised by the RSS-supported Forum For Awareness Of National Security (FANS) that counts Sangh leader Indresh Kumar as its chief patron.

The organisers claim they were pressurised by the varsity administration that allegedly said BJP leaders could not be allowed to speak on the campus.

Students hold placards as they shout slogans during a protest march outside Delhi University against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) students wing of Bharatiya Janata Party

'If Omar Khalid and Shehla Rashid can be invited to Ramjas for a talk, why can't Meenakshi Lekhi or I speak at Jamia? Freedom of speech cuts both ways,' Ilmi told Mail Today.

'After the invitation, there was no confirmation. Organisers must have felt uncomfortable, must have been under pressure.'

Her comments came on a day DU student Gurmehar Kaur, who alleged rape threats over her social media campaign against ABVP, pulled out of a protest march against the campus violence.

The daughter of a fallen soldier has also been trolled online for a video post in which she appealed for peace between India and Pakistan through placards with messages. One read: 'Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him.'

Ilmi added: 'When (writer and liberal activist) Tarek Fatah gets manhandled by a mob, (yoga guru) Ramdev or (author) Taslima Nasreen is stopped from appearing at an event, why doesn't the Left gang come out to protest? Freedom of expression seems to be selective for them.'

The Jamia administration tried to downplay the issue.

Dean Mehtab Alam did not reply directly to questions on whether the administration pressurised the organisers.

'I also have heard such a story that we did not let them speak,' he said.

Indresh Kumar panned the moves to scuttle the seminar.

'These so called champions of freedom of speech are actually anti-nationals because they are anti-Constitution of India. Triple talaq is nowhere approved of in Islam.

'Only few leftists and pseudointellectuals who have a vested interest in keeping the Muslim community backward are making a hue and cry over such debates,' he told Mail Today.

BJP spokesperson and SC advocate Nalin Kohli told Mail Today free speech was circumscribed by 'reasonable' restrictions in the Constitution, which have been defined therein.

'Those who claim privileges under the Constitution have to bear in mind they are duty-bound not to block privileges enjoyed by fellow citizens,' he said.
Miffed by an allegedly 'dramatised' documentary created by BBC on Assam's Kaziranga National Park (KNP), the Indian government has barred the global news agency from shooting in any of its 50 tiger reserves for a period of five years.

The order was brought out by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) on Monday.

Sources said NTCA's parent body, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), is mulling a similar action against the British channel and could prohibit it from its sanctuaries and national parks as well. However, officers did not confirm.

National Tiger Conservation Authority says the BBC article 'misconstrued' its work

It emerged earlier this month that the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) had fallen foul of the MoEF after running an article which allegedly portrayed Kaziranga in 'bad light'.

NTCA also issued an office memorandum suggesting 'blacklisting' of the journalists involved and requesting the 'Indian High Commission at United Kingdom to take action as appropriate in the matter'.

They alleged that the BBC had submitted a false and positive synopsis of the film they were planning to make and finally broadcast something contrary to what they had led the NTCA to believe.

The Duchess and Duke of Cambridge meet baby rhions during a visit to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation at Kaziranga National Park in April last year

It claimed that the channel did not show the docu-drama to MoEF officers before going ahead with broadcasting it, violating the terms and conditions under which permission was granted to it.

However, a BBC spokesperson said: 'This film makes clear the successes achieved by India's conservation policies in preserving the country's most iconic wildlife.

'However, the film also expressly set out to explore the challenges of India's conservation drive and during production it became clear that one of those challenges was the impact on communities living next to the park.'

'The issues raised in the film are part of an important international debate on the appropriate way to combat poaching.

'We did approach the relevant government authorities to make sure their position was fully reflected but they declined to take part,' she added.

The KNP, which hosts two thirds or roughly 2,400 of the world's great one-horn rhinoceroses is a World Heritage Site and the most prestigious wildlife reserve of India.

British royals Prince William and his wife Catherine had also spent considerable time at the KNP and undertook jungle safaris while on a seven-day tour to India and Bhutan in April 2016.
A shooting in a Kansas bar that left an Indian man dead and another wounded has been condemned as an apparent act of 'racially motivated hatred' by the US administration.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the president may address the question in his maiden address to Congress on Tuesday night and did condemn the violence in which 32-year-old engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was fatally wounded.

The statement came after criticism that President Donald Trump had not condemned last Wednesday's attack, which was allegedly carried out by a US Navy veteran.

Sunayana Dumala (C), the wife of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in Kansas, is consoled by family members at his funeral in Hyderabad on Tuesday

Relatives carry the body of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US state of Kansas, for his funeral in Hyderabad on Tuesday

The comments came as grieving family and friends in Hyderabad mourned Srinivas Kuchibhotla at his funeral.

A second Indian engineer was injured by the white man, who allegedly screamed 'Get out of my country' as he opened fire at a bar in Olathe.

The shooting has made headlines in India and the United States, amid concerns that the hardline immigration policies of Trump may have created the climate for such an attack.

Sunayana Dumala, his wife, remembered her husband as a hardworking and 'lovable soul' and called for answers from the US government

Pictured, Kuchibhotla (left), with colleague Alok Madasani (center), who was also wounded in the attack, and Dumala (right)

On Tuesday, Kuchibhotla's wife, family members and friends gathered for funeral services in the southern Hyderabad city.

Kuchibhotla's father performed the last rites according to Hindu rituals while his wife sitting next to the garlanded body broke down in tears.

Some of Kuchibhotla's supporters were seen carrying placards that read 'Down with racism' and 'Down with Trump' in front of the burning funeral pyre.

In the wake of the killing, there has been a growing chorus of demand for Washington to act.

'USA should respond to this incident.

'American President and people of America, they should come out openly to condemn such actions... and then take strongest action,' Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu was quoted over the weekend by the Press Trust of India as saying.
Sensing the gravity of the matter, the Delhi Police on Tuesday handed over DU student Gurmehar Kaur's case to the crime branch for a speedy probe.

Kaur had complained of receiving death and rape threats on her social media posts, allegedly from members of the BJP-supported student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

Confirming the development, Dependra Pathak, special commissioner of police (southwest range) and Delhi Police spokesperson said crime branch officials have started the investigation into where the abusive threats could have been generated.

Student Gurmehar Kaur, the daughter of a killed Indian Army captain, spoke out online about clashes at Ramjas College, University of Delhi

'We are in the process of identifying social media sites where the abusive messages got generated from. Following this, we will contact these head offices of the sites to proceed with the due course of action,' Pathak said.

'Gurmehar will be contacted soon and she will be asked to cooperate with the police. The person who had threatened her is yet to be identified,' Pathak said.

Delhi Police on Thursday registered a couple of FIRs against unknown persons in connection with Gurmehar's complaint.

Kaur, the daughter of a martyr and a student of BA first year of Lady Sri Ram college (under DU) approached the Delhi Police along with Delhi Commission for Women, demanding immediate action against the abusers.

Police contain the protests which broke out at Ramjas College in Delhi last week

Earlier in the day the ABVP also approached Delhi Police to lodge an FIR against 'unknown persons' who had threatened Gurmehar with rape.

Police have registered FIRs under IPC sections 354A (Sexual harassment), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 67 of IT act (transmitting obscene material in electronic form) following preliminary investigation by cyber cell.

The DCP of the concerned area has talked to the victim and promised security to her. Police have deployed two women constable for the purpose.

Meanwhile, DCW chief Swati Maliwal asked Facebook to provide complete contact details, IP addresses and other information of the ones who have threatened Kaur.

Kaur, a literature student, had started the campaign 'I am not afraid of ABVP' following recent cases campus violence.

However, as the controversy grew, she withdrew and left for Jalandhar to be with her family, requesting that she should be 'left alone'.

Meanwhile, ABVP has also appealed to Delhi Police for stringent action against the culprits, despite Kaur's allegation against members of the party.
The country's economy appears to have taken the shock demonetisation in its stride to post a fairly robust 7 per cent growth rate for the October-December quarter, figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Tuesday showed.

Although the pace is slower than the 7.4 per cent recorded in the June-September quarter, India retains the distinction of being the world's fastest growing major economy ahead of China which recorded a 6.8 per cent growth for the third quarter.

CSO has retained its growth forecast for the fiscal year ending in March 2017 at 7.1 per cent.

'The numbers negate the downward trend. Manufacturing is intact, unaffected by demonetisation and the remonetisation exercise has nearly been complete,' said Shaktikanta Das, economic affairs secretary.

The growth in 2015-16 was raised to 7.9 per cent against 7.6 per cent estimated earlier, after the first advance data was released.

Tuesday's figures as part of the second advance estimates project the same growth despite a higher base effect.

However, much of the growth has been projected to come from agriculture which is expected to expand by 4.4 per cent in 2016- 2017 against 0.8 per cent a year ago and government-supported expenditure that rose 11.2 per cent against 6.9 per cent.

Electricity and construction were also projected to grow higher at 6.6 and 3.1 per cent in the current financial year against 5.5 and 2.8 per cent in the previous year respectively.

The quarter October-December quarter - which was supposed to have been worst hit by the demonetisation - saw manufacturing growing by 8.3 per cent against 6.9 per cent in the second quarter.

A ban on notes had sparked chaos and queues at banks and cashpoints across India

Similarly, agriculture rose by 6 per cent against 3.8 per cent.

However, trade and financial services were adversely impacted rising by just 3.1 per cent in the third quarter against 7.6 per cent in the second quarter.

Shaktikanta Das said: 'There were reports that manufacturing activities in many sectors were affected due to demonetisation but as we see from the numbers manufacturing growth at very 8.3 per cent is very satisfying number and promising number.'

'We had said that most of the reports were anecdotal, not based on statistics', he added.

Das, however, pointed out that the real estate sector has apparently not done so well. It's not a satisfactory number, we have to remember that the sector itself is going under a major structural reform.

Disappointed people shows their old currency notes which they could not exchange

Going forward we should see improvements in the sector, he added.

He said the impact of demonetisation was temporary and was limited to consumption.

The data, which is bound to evoke criticism from independent economists, was released as second advance estimates by the CSO after its first advance estimates released earlier did not take into account the demonetisation effect.

The figures surprised economists, who had expected the economy to slowdown following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision last November to scrap old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, wiping out 86 percent of the currency in circulation virtually overnight.

'Perhaps this data is not capturing the impact of demonetisation,' said Aneesh Srivastava, chief investment officer, IDBI Federal Life Insurance Co.

'I am totally surprised and stunned to see this number ... I believe that, with a lag, we will see an impact on GDP numbers,' he added.

ICRA economist Aditi Nayar said, the higher than expected growth can be ascribed to agriculture as well as each of the sub-sectors of industry.
An Australian 'conman' tricked a U.S. woman into marrying him, only for his lies to be exposed when they went to fill in the legal paperwork.

Stephanie Hoskins, 23, claimed notorious Tinder love rat Brett Joseph, 29, seduced her in a whirlwind romance so he could get an American visa.

The pair met on dating site Plenty of Fish in November, where Mr Joseph went by the name Brett Goodman and posed as a wealthy oil exploration worker.

Stephanie Hoskins (L), 23, claimed notorious Tinder love rat Brett Joseph (L), 29, seduced her in a whirlwind romance so he could get an American visa

The page on a wedding planning site the couple and their family set up

The smitten Texan belle had no idea the man of her dreams was unemployed and from Mudgee, in country NSW, accused of fleecing at least 50 Australian women out of their money using dozens of aliases, including an heir to the Myer fortune.

NSW Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia it began investigating Mr Joseph in 2015, and has taken statements from several of his alleged victims.

The investigation is 'ongoing', a police spokesman said.

Ms Hoskins was due to marry Mr Joseph on March 31, but discovered his true identity last week.

'He was very charming, very handsome and he knew all the right things to say,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'He made me believe we were looking for the same things in life starting a family and building a life together in Texas.'

After dating for only weeks, Mr Joseph gave her a ring he claimed belonged to his 'dead grandmother' and asked her to marry him

'He made me believe we were looking for the same things in life starting a family and building a life together in Texas,' Ms Hoskins said

After dating for only a few months, Mr Joseph gave her a ring he claimed belonged to his 'dead grandmother' and asked her to marry him.

'My father is very ill, he has stage four cancer so Brett used that to push the wedding along sooner,' Ms Hoskins said.

'We had our whole wedding planned. I bought a dress, and my parents had purchased a bridesmaid dress for my best friend.'

Ms Hoskins' parents John and Joni were excited and helped set up a page on a wedding planning site.

'Stephanie is getting married to a great guy on March 31 save the date and look (for) updates and her wedding site,' Mr Hoskins wrote on Facebook.

The wedding date was set for March 31 at the picturesque Southfork Ranch (pictured), where iconic TV series Dallas was filmed

'We had our whole wedding planned. I bought a dress, and my parents had purchased a bridesmaid dress for my best friend,' she said

'Stephanie is getting married to a great guy on March 31 save the date and look (for) updates and her wedding site,' her excited father David Hoskins wrote on Facebook

The wedding date was set for March 31 at the picturesque Southfork Ranch, where iconic TV series Dallas was filmed, but Mr Joseph wanted to get it over with earlier.

'He had been pushing to get legally married at the court house before the actual ceremony to help get a jump start on his spouse visa and green card process,' Ms Hoskins said.

'He made very valid points and excuses to try to convince me.'

Mr Joseph reassured her by taking her hunting for a home they could raise a family in and even drew up a contract to buy one.

'He claimed to have half a million dollars in saving in and Australian bank account that he wished to bring here and use to buy us a home,' she said.

'There is every chance I would be legally married right now to a monster,' she said

Mr Joseph in a plane he claimed to own, but actually belongs to the father of one of his previous alleged victims Daisy Armstrong

'When it came down to it he had excuses that the house was overpriced and we should wait for the exchange rate to go up.'

Mr Joseph's plan finally came unstuck when the couple went to the local registry to get their marriage licence and the legal paperwork.

'He had always told me his surname was Goodman, and I had no reason to question that,' Ms Hoskins said.

'But when we went to get the marriage licence, he told me this long story about how the paperwork would need to be in the name Brett Joseph.'

Ms Hoskins discovered the man of her dreams was a fraud when his fake name Brett Goodman didn't match the wedding paperwork, and she Googled his real name

Mr Joseph not only targeted women, but also men as he allegedly posed on a gay matchmaking Facebook page as a 'discreet country bloke looking for fun'

Before they were legally married, Ms Hoskins ran a Google search on her fiance's real name and discovered his alleged trail of broken hearts and empty pockets.

Through news reports and a website set up by Daisy Armstrong, one of his Australian victims who dated him for six months, she found out everything he told her was a lie.

She immediately kicked Mr Joseph out of her apartment and contacted the police, relieved she knew the truth before the wedding.

'Without the help of Daisy, my friends, family, and police there is every chance I would be legally married right now to a monster,' she said.

'I want my horrible experience to be a warning to other women to be so careful when you meet people online... and I hope no one ever experiences what i have been through.'

Mr Joseph's alleged swindling extends back to at least 2012 when he falsely claimed his name was Hunter Bailieu to convince the board of St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney he would make a $12 million donation.

NSW Police confirmed to DMA it was investigating Mr Joseph and had taken statements several of his alleged victims

To back up his ruse, the serial Lothario claimed be an agronomist and or a vet, despite never attending university and hailing from the small town of Mudgee, NSW.

He pretended to own anything from racehorses to large cattle ranches and farms, helicopters, and planes, and have a broken heart from past relationships.

Some of the properties and vehicles he claimed to own actually belonged to Ms Armstrong's parents.

Mr Joseph not only targeted women, but also men as he allegedly posed on a gay matchmaking Facebook page as a 'discreet country bloke looking for fun'.

His father Wayne said last year his son was narcissistic and suffered from bipolar disorder and depression, for which he refused to get help.

Mr Joseph has been contacted for comment.
The Senate on Monday confirmed billionaire investor Wilbur Ross as commerce secretary, installing a key leader for President Donald Trump's administration to overhaul trade deals.

By a vote of 72-27, the Senate confirmed Ross, who has already been working with the Trump administration on economic policy and how to rewrite the tax code.

Ross - nicknamed the 'king of bankruptcy' because he turns around failing firms then sells them at a vast profit - will be sworn in on Tuesday at the White House.

The Commerce Department is among those tasked with carrying out the Trump administration's stated goal of protecting US workers and challenging decades of globalization that largely benefited multinational corporations.

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The Senate voted 72-27 to confirm billionaire Wilbur Ross (center) as commerce secretary on Monday. Here he arrives for a meeting with President Donald Trump on February 23

Ross has a Florida home near Trump's Mar-a-lago retreat and once bailed out a Trump casino

President Trump has designated Ross (center) to lead a renegotiation of the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement. Here he attends a meeting with legislators on February 2

With a Florida home down the road from Trump's Mar-a-Lago retreat, the 79-year-old once bailed out a Trump casino and played a role in crafting and selling the president-elect's tax-cut and infrastructure plans.

Ross was ranked number 232 on the Forbes 400 of richest people in the world with a net worth of $2.9billion.

He has suggested that much of America is disgruntled because the economy has left middle-class workers behind and said Trump represents a shift to a 'less politically correct direction'.

'Part of the reason why I'm supporting Trump is that I think we need a more radical, new approach to government - at least in the US - from what we've had before,' Ross told CNBC in June, referring to Trump's blunt tone and sweeping promises to reinvigorate economic growth.

Ross (second to left) has been highly critical of Chinas trade practices and has had a strong influence on Trumps opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Ross has said that over 55 years, he has participated as an owner, lead director, or chairman of over 100 businesses, providing him with a 'deep understanding of what makes a successful, job creating enterprise.'

He said he had negotiated the purchase of troubled businesses from Korea, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Greece and Cyprus.

Now that he is confirmed, Ross will play a leading role in implementing Trump's trade agenda.

Breaking with Republican orthodoxy, Ross said the Trump administration will work quickly to re-do the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement.

That's the massive trade pact with Canada and Mexico that has boosted trade but still stings laid-off workers across the Midwest.

During Ross's confirmation hearing in January, he warned that 'all aspects' of Nafta are on the table.

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts criticized Ross's business ties to Russia and the way he ran a mortgage lender during the housing crisis

Senators from both political parties were deferential to Ross at his nearly four-hour confirmation hearing, which was much more subdued than the confirmation hearings of other Trump nominees.

Former commerce secretaries have praised him, including one who served under former President Barack Obama.

'Mr Ross will bring decades of business, entrepreneurial and civic experience to this important position', said Senator John Thune, chairman of the Commerce Committee.

'I believe his extensive management experience in the private sector, and his understanding of the challenges faced by workers and businesses alike, will equip him well for the job of leading the Department of Commerce.'

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts criticized Ross's business ties to Russia and the way he ran a mortgage lender during the housing crisis.

'Mr Ross has extensive ties to Russia. He plans to keep making money from his major oil shipping companies while working as commerce secretary. He's made billions off the backs of struggling home owners,' Warren said Monday.

'He is practically a cartoon stereotype of a Wall Street fat cat,' she added.

Here Ross testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington on January 18 at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee

As part of his ethics agreement, Ross, 79, is giving up his position at Diamond S Shipping, but he will retain a stake in the company.

The company ships petroleum and other products.

As part of the agreement, Ross has promised not to take any action as commerce secretary that would benefit any company in which he has a financial interest.

At his confirmation hearing, Ross was not asked about business ties to Russia or his work as a mortgage lender, and he did not address the issues.

But the confirmation vote wasn't without controversy.

Senator Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat and the minority leader accused Ross of having questionable business ties to Russia.

'This is just another example of this administration abandoning transparency and trying to jam nominees through,' said Schumer. 'This is another black mark on this nations administration.

Ross, pictured after his meeting with Trump, says all free trade agreements should be systematically re-opened every few years to make sure they are working in the best interests of the country

Senators did note that Ross is divesting from much of his business empire.

Worth an estimated $2.9billion, Ross has extensive business ties around the globe.

In 2000, he founded WL Ross & Co, a private equity firm.

As part of his ethics agreement, Ross will divest from the firm.

During the presidential campaign, Trump criticized US trade deals, including Nafta.

Trump's stance on trade is at odds with many Republicans in Congress, but it endeared him to some voters in the Midwest who believe trade deals cost American jobs.

Nafta was negotiated and signed by President Bill Clinton, with broad support among Republicans in Congress.

Ross said all free trade agreements should be systematically re-opened every few years to make sure they are working in the best interests of the country.

Ross said he is pro-free trade but noted his close relationship with the United Steelworkers union as proof that he will fight to protect American jobs.

The union has endorsed him.

'I am pro-trade, but I am pro-sensible trade,' Ross declared at his confirmation hearing.

The commerce secretary has several roles in promoting American business interests in the US and abroad.

The department handles trade issues, working to attract foreign investment to the US.

The department also oversees agencies that manage fisheries, weather forecasting and the Census Bureau, which will conduct a count in 2020.

Ross said he has experience at that agency; he was a census-taker while he attended business school.
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The true extent of the damage to the crumbling Oroville Dam spillway was revealed this week as authorities shut off the water flow and exposed the gaping hole left by the erosion.

Authorities this week started the huge clean-up process, with tons of rubble needing to be removed from the bottom of the spillway in order to get the Hyatt hydro-electric power plant back in operation.

Up to a million cubic yards of debris from the crumbling, concrete chute that takes water down from the top of the dam will need to be removed by barges and excavators over the next seven days.

The damage to the water chute means that the water is not flowing fast enough to clear any of the rubble from the plunge pool at the bottom.

Oroville Dam's crippled spillway is inspected via helicopter after it was shut off Monday, with the reduced water levels revealing the true extent of the damage. When the authorities shut off the water supply from the spillway, it revealed for the first time the gaping hole in the concrete passage that could cost hundreds of millions to fix

A bird's eye view taken on Monday shows the massive pile of grey rubble that has settled at the bottom of the spillway. Because of the damage, the water flow is not fast enough to clear any of the rubble when it reaches the bottom

What can be seen today is the result of the massive collapse (pictured) when 100,000 cubic feet of water per second was rushing down the spillway

This image provided by KCRA shows Oroville Dam's crippled spillway after California water authorities stopped the flow of water down the spillway, allowing workers to start clearing out debris

The erosion has carved a huge hole in the spillway, which carries water from the edge of America's tallest dam to the waterway below, taking it towards the Hyatt hydro-electric power plant

The debris is also blocking the water flow, meaning that it is not moving with sufficient force to generate enough electricity when it reaches the power plant, which is currently not operating.

No completion date has been offered for the clean-up, which could cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

The clear-up team are still assessing the damage as they work, so authorities are not yet sure if they will be able to clear it in the five to seven days the spillway will be shut off, running from Monday.

Lauren Bisnett, a spokesman for the Department of Water Resources, said: 'That is certainly the goal. They've got to get down and see what's going on.'

Water managers turned to the emergency spillway for the first time in the 48-year history of the country's tallest dam after a chunk of concrete tore out the main spillway following heavy rains.

But the flow of water ripped through a road below and carved out deep chasms in the ground, leading authorities to evacuate nearly 200,000 people on February 12 for two days for fear the emergency spillway could fail.

Excavators and barges have arrived to carry away up to one million cubic yards or debris lying at the bottom of the spillway, blocking the waterway below

Monday's slowdown started at 6.45am, going from 50,000 cubic feet per second to zero. The water was shut off by 2pm.

Removing the debris will help officials restart the Hyatt Power Plant, which in turn will help remove water from the dam to make way for an increased flow ahead of the spring runoff, Butte County Sheriff Kenneth Honea said.

Mountains have swelled with a massive snow pack in Northern California this winter.

'We're in it for the long haul and I've asked the public to be aware of that and be patient as we go forward,' Honea added.

The average flow into Oroville Dam this month increased to 570 per cent of the average for February, the department said.

Images reveal the steep passage that water from Lake Oroville, which is 75 miles north of Sacramento, one of Californias largest man made lakes

The photo reveals a huge hole in the top of the spillway, with a large chunk of the top edge missing from the crumbling waterway in California

The reservoir's water level has been reduced nearly 60ft since it reached capacity at 901ft earlier this month, the department said.

Nearly 200,000 were ordered to evacuate their homes after Americas tallest dam threatened to unleash a 30ft wall of water downstream earlier this month.

Panicked residents jammed highways and scrambled to get to shelters as officials said the Oroville Dam could wipe out entire towns.

The 770ft-high dam is intact but the spillways which stop it overflowing are damaged meaning additional water has been spreading over the side.

As forecasters warned of more rain, emergency crews in helicopters were dropping giant sandbags filled with rocks onto the spillways to try and avoid a catastrophe.

The National Guard ordered its 23,000 soldiers and airmen to be ready for deployment in its largest mobilization since the 1992 riots following the Rodney King police beating case verdict.

The reservoir's water level has been reduced nearly 60 feet since it reached capacity at 901 feet earlier this month, allowing authorities to finally block off the spillway

Photos from this angle reveal that the entire inside edge from a huge section of the spillway has been eroded following the near-disaster after record rainfall levels for February

Lake Oroville, which is 75 miles north of Sacramento, is one of Californias largest man made lakes and has swelled after a month of heavy rains following five years of drought.

Erosion created a 200ft-long, 30ft-deep hole in the main spillway, a large concrete chute off to the side, so officials stopped using it.

As more water amassed in the lake, it began to pour over the emergency spillway to the side, which is a hill with no concrete chute.

Officials then saw a gash forming below the lip of the emergency spillway meaning that it could burst at any minute.

Officials said that the dam was structurally sound but 188,000 people in the cities of Oroville, Gridley, Live Oak, Marysville, Wheatland, Yuba City, Plumas Lake and Olivehurst were ordered to evacuate.

Residents were left scared and confused and some likened the scenes - deserted towns and jammed highways - to a zombie apocalypse.
A mother has paid tribute to her three-year-old daughter who died when a 100kg man stood on her stomach.

Anjie Roberts, from Horsham, Victoria, opened up about the heartbreak of losing her daughter, Bella Jade Lawrence, in an interview with the Wimmera Mail-Times.

'Bella had the biggest, most sweetest, little innocent smile, one that lit up any room she entered  and such a beautiful, caring and kind heart to match,' Ms Roberts said.

'She had such a heart-warming face, with her big brown eyes, gorgeous curls and cheeky grin.'

Anjie Roberts with her daughter, Bella Jade Lawrence, who died after a 100kg man stood on her stomach. The man was Ms Robert's then-partner

Ms Roberts described her daughter (pictured) as having 'such a heart-warming face, with her big brown eyes, gorgeous curls and cheeky grin'

Bella died from the terrible injuries she suffered when Harley David Woodford, 22, stood on her stomach out of 'frustration' at a home in September 2015.

Woodford, Ms Robert's partner at the time, admitted he stood on the toddler after tripping over her as she played on the floor.

He then told the little girl to tell her mother she had a stomach ache and sent her to bed.

Bella died the day after she sustained the injuries, from blunt force trauma to the abdomen, a ruptured liver and bleeding in both kidneys.

Woodford pleaded guilty to child homicide seven months after the little girl's death.

In the Victorian Supreme Court on Friday, Harley David Woodford (pictured), 22, was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in jail, with a non-parole period of six-and-a-half years

In the Victorian Supreme Court on Friday, Woodford was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in jail, with a non-parole period of six-and-a-half years.

Ms Roberts said justice had not been served.

'No time in prison is enough justice for the loss of a child, let alone at the hands of someone else  someone I knew and trusted,' she said.

Bella's birth father Jonathan Lawrence also hit out at the sentence, calling it 'disgusting'.

Bella's birth father Jonathan Lawrence also hit out at the sentence, calling it 'disgusting'

'We will never see her face again, never hear her voice again and never be able to tell her that we love her again,' he told reporters outside court.

'Bella Jade Lawrence will always be in our hearts and our mind, just not in our lives. We love you baby.'

A GoFundMe page has been set-up to support Ms Roberts and her family, with the hope of raising $3,000, which 'will stop Anj and her little family from having to live in a motel room'.

'Anj has recently been approved for a home but unfortunately doesn't have the funds to pay the bond and months rent in advance as the real estate requires,' the fundraising page says.
A gunman who shot two Indian men in an apparently racially motivated attack thought he had killed a pair of Iranians instead, a 911 call has revealed.

The bartender at the restaurant where a man was arrested last week told a 911 dispatcher that the suspect admitted shooting two people, but described them as Iranian.

A recording from Henry County, Missouri, to 911 reveals that the bartender warned police not to approach the building with sirens blaring or the man would 'freak out' and 'something bad's going to happen.'

The man, Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe, made his first appearance in court Monday via video link.

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Adam Purinton leaves the room after he appeared by closed circuit TV in court from the Johnson County detention center

According to witnesses, Purinton yelled 'get out of my country' at two 32-year-old Indian men

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, left, poses for photo with Alok Madasani and his wife Sunayana Dumala in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

He has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder.

According to witnesses, Purinton yelled 'get out of my country' at two 32-year-old Indian men, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, before he opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in the Kansas City suburb on Wednesday evening.

Kuchibhotla was killed and Madasani injured. The two had come to the U.S. from India to study, and they worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin. A third patron, Ian Grillot, 24, was also wounded when he tried to intervene.

After the shooting, Purinton, who is white, drove 70 miles east to an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, where he made the shocking admission to the bartender.

In the 911 call, the bartender, Sam Suida, told the dispatcher a man had come into the bar and said he'd done something 'really bad' and was on the run from the police.

'He asked if he could stay with me and my husband, and he wouldn't tell me what he did. I kept asking him, and he said that he would tell me if I agreed to let him stay with me,' the bartender said.

'Well, I finally got him to tell me and he said, like, that he shot and killed two Iranian people in Olathe....'

K. Madhusudhana Sastry, father of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, an Indian engineer who was shot and killed in the United States last week, performs last rites of his son during his funeral at a crematorium in Hyderabad, India on February 28, 2017

Parvatha Vardhini grieves by the body of her son Kuchibhotla in Hyderabad, India on Tuesday

Sunayana Dumala (center), wife of killed Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US state of Kansas, is consoled by family members prior to performing the last rites at his funeral in Hyderabad, India on February 28, 2017

Loved ones made sure that Dumala was comforted during the funeral on Tuesday

Madhusudhan Rao, center wearing white dhoti, and Parvatha Vardhini, center right wearing pink sari, perform rituals around the body of their son Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Hyderabad, India on Tuesday

A family member performs rituals over the body of Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Hyderabad, India on Tuesday

Indian woman Sunaina Dumala reacts near the body of her husband Srinivas Kuchibhotla before the cremation at Hyderabad, India on Tuesday

Hundreds of relative and friends participated in the cremation rituals of the Indian engineer who was killed in the racially motivated shooting at a bar in Olathe, Kansas on February 22

Indians hold placards in front of the cremation pyre of Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Authorities have declined to discuss a possible motive for the attack or to say if they are investigating it as a hate crime, but the incident has raised concern about the treatment of immigrants, who feel targeted by President Donald Trump's promises to ban certain travelers, build a wall along the Mexico border and put 'America first.'

During Monday's court appearance lasting less than two minutes, Purinton was seen wearing what was described by a sheriff's department spokesman as a 'safety smock,' assigned to suspects who said something during jail processing that suggested they might do harm to themselves.

Relatives grieve around the body of Srinivas Kuchibhotla after the body was flown from the US to his residence on the outskirts of Hyderabad, India on Tuesday

K. Madhusudhana Sastry, father of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, performs last rites of his son during his funeral on Tusday

Relatives carry the body of Kuchibhotla for his funeral in Hyderabad on Tuesday

Relatives grieve as last rites are performed on Kuchibhotla at his residence in Hyderabad, India on Tuesday

Flames rise from the cremation pyre of Srinivas Kuchibhotla at a crematorium in Hyderabad, India on Tuesday

Johnson County sheriff's Master Deputy Rick Howell would not disclose the comment by Purinton that raised concern, but said the suspect would wear the smock until mental health professionals say otherwise.

Andy Berthelsen, a neighbor of Purinton's for the past 15 years, told the AP that Purinton had become 'a drunken mess' after his father's death about 18 months ago.

He said he doesn't believe the shooting stemmed from hatred, and that it likely resulted from Purinton's physical and mental deterioration.

The University of Kansas Health System released a video Sunday of an interview with Grillot, of Grandview, Missouri, who is recovering after a bullet went through his right hand and into his chest.

Adam Purinton allegedly opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in the Kansas City suburb on Wednesday evening

Ian Grillot, 24, was also wounded when he tried to intervene to stop the shooting

Grillot said he had to do something because there were families and children in the bar when the gunfire erupted. Grillot said he is grateful that the attack is bringing the community together and that it is 'awesome honestly to be able to give people a hope that not everybody hates everybody.'

Madasani addressed a crowd of hundreds during a vigil Sunday night at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas.

He described the killing of Kuchibhotla, his friend and co-worker, as 'a senseless crime,' the Kansas City Star reported.

'The main reason why I am here is that's what my best friend, Srinivas, would have done,' Madasani said. 'He would have been here for me.'

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, left, pictured with his wife Sunayana Dumala, was killed in the shooting, while Alok Madasani, right, was wounded

During Monday's court appearance lasting less than two minutes, Purinton was seen wearing what was described by a sheriff's department spokesman as a 'safety smock'

Authorities have declined to discuss a possible motive for the attack or to say if they are investigating it as a hate crime

'I wish it was a dream,' Madasani said.

Still walking on crutches, Madasani drew applause when he called the shooting 'an isolated incident that doesn't reflect the true spirit of Kansas, the Midwest and the United States.'

At the vigil, Madasani recalled how Kuchibhotla never complained about picking him up and driving him to work for six months.

'He waited till I bought a car. That's the kind of guy he was - is,' Madasani said.

Alok Madasani, left, and his wife Reepthi Gangula hold candles during a vigil on Sunday at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas
The Pentagon presented the White House with possible new battle plans Monday to defeat the Islamic State group, after President Donald Trump demanded top brass find additional ways to destroy the jihadists.

A pillar of Trump's campaign was to quicken the fight against IS, which despite losing thousands of fighters still controls parts of northern Syria and Iraq, and he berated Barack Obama's administration for taking too long to do so.

Trump had claimed to have a secret plan to defeat the brutal extremists, but never disclosed what this might be.

In the crosshairs: The Islamic State - ISIS - is the subject of the Pentagon's briefing to the president's top aides after he ordered that it be obliterated

ISIS being defeated: Iraqi security forces near Mosul have made significant gains in ISIS-held territory, with U.S. forces involved in the air and on the ground in advisory roles. Special forces have also been deployed by the Pentagon to help the effort against the fanatics

He repeatedly pledged to 'bomb the hell' out of them and even threatened to kill family members of suspected IS fighters.

Shortly after taking office, the new president gave the Pentagon 30 days to review progress to date and develop a comprehensive plan to 'totally obliterate' IS.

A US-led coalition has been bombing the jihadists in Iraq and Syria since late summer 2014, while also deploying Western commandos to train and advise local forces.

The initial draft of the review is now complete, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis presented the findings to Trump's top national security advisors.

The options outlined in the classified document are preliminary and need to be further refined, said Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis.

'It is about the rapid defeat of ISIS,' Davis said.

'We're going to continue to have a dialogue with our chain of command going forward and developing this plan.'

The proposals will likely outline the possibility of sending more US troops to the Middle East and could see the Pentagon taking a more aggressive stance in other key areas.

'This is not about Syria and Iraq, it's about a trans-regional threat,' General Joe Dunford, who chairs the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a Washington audience last week.

'In this particular case, we're talking about ISIS, but it's also Al-Qaeda and other groups that present a trans-regional threat.'

Dunford stressed the importance of renewed military action coming alongside diplomatic and political efforts.

'All of us who have participated in these conflicts over the last 15 years realize that anything we do on the ground has to be in the context of political objectives or it's not going to be successful,' Dunford said.

The review includes input from across the government, including its spy agencies, State Department and Department of Homeland Security.

Mission: Defense secretary Jim 'Mad Dog' Mattis, a retired Marine general, is now in charge of realizing the vision from the president of ISIS being obliterated within a year

Since the coalition effort to defeat IS began, the jihadists have lost much of the ground they once held, and tens of thousands have been killed in air strikes and ground combat.

In Iraq, they are clinging to the last parts of their former bastion Mosul as Iraqi security forces backed by Western air power push them from the city.

The fight is more complex in civil war-torn Syria, where Russia is conducting its own air campaign to prop up President Bashar al-Assad.

A key question is whether America will arm Syrian Kurdish forces to lead the fight to retake Raqa -- a move sure to infuriate ally Turkey, which considers the Kurdish fighters terrorists -- or whether the United States should send in more combat troops.

Currently, only about 500 US troops are in Syria, mostly special operations forces working behind the frontlines to train local Kurdish and Syrian Arab fighters.

Because Obama was elected in 2008 on the promise of ending US conflicts in the Middle East, he was loath to put US forces in combat.

The anti-IS review is also a significant first test for the relationship between Trump and Mattis.

Trump has so far given the Pentagon chief broad leeway on shaping US military policy, even though the retired Marine Corps general has pushed back against much of Trump's more blustery rhetoric, including his professed support of torture and claim that America should seize Iraq's oil.
Jewish community centers and schools in at least 12 states reported getting bomb threats on Monday, the JCC Association of North America said.

It is the fifth wave of such threats this year that have stoked fears of a resurgence of anti-Semitism.

The threats, all of which appeared to be hoaxes, were received in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

For some centers, it was the second or third time this year that they had been targeted.

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Jewish community centers and schools in at least 12 states reported getting bomb threats on Monday. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department K-9 officers searched the Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada after an employee received a suspicious phone call

And people were evacuated because of a bomb threat at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center and David Posnack Jewish Day School in Davie, Florida

The Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, MD, and the Gesher Jewish Day School in Fairfax, VA, also received telephoned bomb threats, in addition to centers in Staten Island, Tarrytown and New Rochelle, NY. Pictured: Authorities at the Davie, Florida day school

Other centers targeted included those in Cherry Hill, NJ; Providence, RI; Asheville, NC; Mobile, AL; Harrisburg, PA; Ann Arbor, MI; Talleyville, DE and Indianapolis, IN. Pictured: People in prayer at a Philadelphia cemetery that was vandalized

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department's civil rights division have said they were investigating the threats alongside local law enforcement, but little information has been made public so far about any perpetrators.

The Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Maryland, and the Gesher Jewish Day School in Fairfax, Virginia, also received telephoned bomb threats, according to a statement by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. Police later gave the all clear.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department K-9 officers searched the Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada after an employee received a suspicious phone call that led about 10 people to evacuate the building in Las Vegas on February 27.

And people were evacuated because of a bomb threat at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center and David Posnack Jewish Day School in Davie, Florida.

Other centers targeted included those in Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Providence, Rhode Island; Asheville, North Carolina; Mobile, Alabama; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Talleyville, Delaware and Indianapolis, Indiana, the New York Daily News reported.

Three locations in New York - in Staten Island and the nearby Westchester County suburbs of Tarrytown and New Rochelle - were also hit with such calls.

The Staten Island and Tarrytown calls came at 9.30am and 10am, respectively, Fox 5 reported.

Police said that about 100 headstones had been toppled at Mount Carmel Cemetary in Philadelphia. Pictured: Philly Mayor Jim Kenney, left, and David Pearl Jr lifting headstone of Pearl's grandfather which was damaged in the vandalism

The bomb threats were the fifth wave of such threats this year that have stoked fears of a resurgence of anti-Semitism. Jewish groups, U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli officials have all condemned the surge in disruptive intimidation and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department's civil rights division have said they were investigating the threats alongside local law enforcement, but little information has been made public so far about any perpetrators

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a satement: 'These reprehensible and cowardly attacks are not limited to the Jewish community.

'They are assaults on all New Yorkers and I vow that we will do everything in our power to catch those responsible for this wave of hate crimes.'

Jewish groups, U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli officials have all condemned the surge in disruptive intimidation, as well as the vandalism of Jewish cemeteries.

'Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in our communities,' David Posner, a director at the JCC Association, said in a statement.

Police said on Sunday that about 100 headstones had been toppled at Mount Carmel Cemetary in Philadelphia, about a week after a similar act of vandalism at a Jewish cemetery in St. Louis.

Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon called the damage reported in Philadelphia 'shocking and a source of worry.'

He referenced other attacks in the area recently, and added: 'Evil and hatred must be stopped. Now.'

White House spokesman Sean Spicer raised the subject of the vandalism at a news briefing on Monday.

'The president continues to condemn these and any other forms of anti-Semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms,' he told reporters, saying they were in breach of the country's founding principles.

Some Jewish groups see the vandalism and threats as a sign that anti-Semitic groups have been emboldened by Trump's election.

His campaign last year drew the support of white supremacists and other right-wing groups, despite his disavowals of them.

Trump has said he is the 'least anti-Semitic person' in the world, and noted that one of his daughters, his son-in-law and some of his grandchildren are Jewish.
The U.S. Coast Guard seized 4.2 tons of cocaine in the largest maritime bust of the drug in the Atlantic for nearly 20 years.

Authorities seized the drugs from a boat off South America's northeastern coast, the U.S. Coast Guard said Monday.

About 4.2 tons of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $125million, was confiscated from a fishing boat in international waters off Suriname, said Ricardo Castrodad, a spokesman for the U.S. Coast Guard in San Juan.

The boat carrying the cocaine was stopped and searched by authorities February 16 during a joint patrol by the crews of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Joseph Napier and the Coast Guard of Trinidad and Tobago

The 4.2 tons cocaine bust is the largest maritime cocaine bust in the Atlantic since 1999

It was the largest cocaine bust since 1999. Photos provided by the coast guard and US Drug Enforcement Agency show stacks of the white substance piled up after seizure.

The 70-foot long fishing vessel was stopped and searched by authorities February 16 during a joint patrol by the crews of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Joseph Napier and the coast guard of Trinidad and Tobago, Castrodad said.

The crew of the Napier, which is based in Port Canaveral, Florida, towed the fishing vessel, the Lady Michelle, to St. Vincent and four men on board from Guyana were taken to the U.S. Virgin Islands to face criminal charges.

The coast guard took the cocaine to Puerto Rico and turned it over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

'As the cocaine flow from South America continues to increase, law enforcement partners in the Eastern Caribbean Region have to increase our collaborative efforts in order to effectively respond to the threat,' the DEA's assistant special agent in the Caribbean, James Doby, told Agencia EFE.

'Such collaborative efforts are currently underway in the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force, where law enforcement partners are collocated every day,' he said.

Last week, U.S. agents confiscated cocaine in during a routine operation in Caguas, Puerto Rico. which was estimated to have a street value of $14million.
Uber's senior vice president of engineering has left the company for failing to disclose a prior sexual harassment allegation stemming from his tenure at Google, a report said Monday.

Amit Singhal, 48, who was appointed last month to work closely with Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, was asked to resign after Recode informed the company of the allegation this week, the technology news website said.

The executive, a married father with a college-age son, retired from Google after 15 years at the company in February last year, saying at the time he wanted to dedicate himself to philanthropy and his family. He has denied any wrongdoing.

The revelation comes as Uber deals with a fallout of a blog post from a former female engineer a week ago, alleging harassment and sexism that led to a backlash against the company.

Amit Singhal (file picture), 48, was asked to resign from Uber due to a previous accusation of sexual harassment made against him at Google, a report said Monday

Uber confirmed that Singhal had left the company, but did not provide any further details.

Sources at the ride-hailing company told Recode Uber had done extensive background checks on him but hadn't found anything related to his withdrawal from Google.

A female employee filed a formal complaint against Singhal about an alleged encounter, leading to internal discussions with Google CEO Sundar Pichai as well as the head of Human Relations in late 2015, Recode reported citing multiple sources and internal notes.

The female employee didn't work directly for Singhal but worked with the search team. Singhal was the head of search when he left Google in February last year.

Singhal, an India native who earned his PhD at Cornell University before joining Google in 2000, denied the accusation at the time and continues to refute it.

But sources told Recode that Google was prepared to oust him due to the allegation, which an internal investigation found 'credible'.

The 48-year-old ended up leaving at the end of February 2016, announcing his departure in an emotional public letter that didn't give any hint of a possible internal conflict at the company.

Singhal (file picture), an India native who earned his PhD at Cornell University before joining Google in 2000, denied the accusation at the time and continues to refute it

'I love Google. It is a company that believes in doing the right thing, a company that believes in doing good in the world, a company that cares,' he wrote at the time on Google Plus.

'I look back at my time here with a profound sense of gratitude that I was a part of building this. Now, with pride, gratitude, and joy in my heart, I need to define my next fifteen years.

'I am eager to see what kind of impact I can make philanthropically, and of course, to spend more time with my family--especially with my wife who I miss spending time with given our incredibly busy lives, and our son who will go to college soon, leaving an empty nest behind.'

Singhal joined Uber a year after his last day at Google as senior vice president of engineering. He denied the sexual harassment accusation made against him in an email to Recode.

'Harassment is unacceptable in any setting. I certainly want everyone to know that I do not condone and have not committed such behavior,' he wrote. 'In my 20-year career, I've never been accused of anything like this before and the decision to leave Google was my own.'

Uber came under fire last week after a former engineer shared a blog post accusing the company of mishandling allegations of sexual harassment.

The company has hired former US Attorney General Eric Holder to conduct a review of the claims.

Uber (file picture) confirmed that Singhal had left the company, but did not provide any further details. Sources said the company had done extensive background checks on Singhal
Shocking footage has been uncovered showing trucks pouring through the US-Mexican border after blowtorches were used to bust a hole in the 10-foot-high fence.

Blowtorches were used to create a makeshift gate to allow the trucks to easily cross the border illegally in seconds.

In the two minute surveillance footage clip, which was filmed in November 2016, three trucks are seen crossing the border from Mexico into Douglas, Arizona.

Border agents said it is a daily battle patrolling the country lines, but as Donald Trump takes the first steps to build his wall they expect the president to drain the swamp and say: 'ours should be the first one drained'.

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In surveillance footage, captured in November 2016, two trucks are seen crossing the border from Mexico into Douglas, Arizona. A third truck follows shortly after them. The makeshift gate is circled in red

Blowtorches created a makeshift gate to allow the trucks to easily cross the border illegally in seconds. The third truck is seen above

Smugglers then use putty and paint to camouflage the breach on the American side of the fence, making the gate almost indiscernible

Trucks from Mexico reportedly pour through the fence into Douglas, Arizona, on a daily basis

Watch the latest video at <a href="http://video.foxnews.com">video.foxnews.com</a>

Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, told Fox News that Border Patrol officers constantly struggle to keep on top of smugglers who cut their way through fencing.

One tactic in drive-throughs, Judd said, is to cut a large rectangular hole in the border fence and attach it to hinges so that it can open and close like a gate.

Smugglers then use putty and paint to camouflage the breach on the American side of the fence, making the gate almost indiscernible.

'They're very, very difficult to detect,' he said. 'Fences can be defeated.'

But Judd said a border wall would be harder to thwart.

President Donald Trump has taken his first step to building the wall by requesting proposals from contractors. Trump plans to have a prototype built by mid-March.

US Customs and Border Protection issued the preliminary requests on Friday and said it will accept proposals next month for the design of the wall.

The agency also said the it would release requests on or about March 6 asking companies for prototype ideas.

The wall has been estimated to cost $6.5million per mile for a fence to keep out crossers on foot, while vehicle barriers will cost $1.8million, according to the Government Accountability Office.

US Border Patrol agents survey their surroundings in Douglas, Arizona (above)

President Barack Obama's so-called 'catch and release' policies often allowed undocumented people to move freely while they awaited court dates. Here undocumented people are processed by border agents on the side of the road near Douglas, Arizona

Judd told Fox News that agents continue to grapple with security problems from the Obama years.

'We werent allowed to do our job,' he said.

President Barack Obama's so-called 'catch and release' policies often allowed undocumented people to move freely while they awaited court dates.

Most asylum seekers were accepted into the US under these policies.

The border itself continues to suffer from gaps exploited by smugglers, Judd said.

Toward the end of Obama's last term, Judd said only 20 percent of the agency's workforce was patrolling the southern border due to extensive paperwork required to process asylum seekers.

'We just cannot continue with the same management that weve had, which created our problems,' he said.

'We expect the president to drain the swamp - ours should be the first one drained.

'We have to hit the restart button.'

Toward the end of Obama's last term, only 20 percent of the agency's workforce was patrolling the southern border due to extensive paperwork required to process asylum seekers, said Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council

President Donald Trump has promised to end Obama's 'catch-and-release' policies

Since taking office, Trump has promised to end the 'catch-and-release' policies.

But it'll take a year to hire and train border agents, Judd said.

The Border Patrol has 19,700 agents, below the allotted number of 21,370.

Trump wants to hire another 5,000, which is what Judd said is needed.

'We were definitely lacking resources [under Obama],' an anonymous second agent who has worked the Arizona border for more than a decade told Fox News.

'Anything that could be done to tie our hands behind our backs was done, no doubt about that.'
This is the moment a Sikh delivery driver was subjected to foul racist taunts by another van driver in New Zealand.

Bikramjit Singh Mattran, who is originally from India but now lives in Auckland, filmed as he was abused at a storage facility in the city's south at the weekend.

Footage shows a man, who appears to be white, telling Mr Mattran to 'go back to your own f***ing country'.

This is the moment Bikramjit Singh Mattran filmed as he was racially taunted by a fellow van driver in New Zealand after being accused of driving too fast

Mr Mattran also claims the man soaked him with his hose, but didn't catch that moment on film.

Video also shows the man asking Mr Mattran whether he was born in New Zealand and when he replies 'yes' the man tell him, 'No you weren't.'

In fact it does appear from social media Mr Mattran was born in India and studied for two masters degrees at Punjabi University before emigrating.

It is unclear when he came to New Zealand.

The incident appears to have been sparked when Mr Mattran drove through the storage yard faster than the 8km/h speed limit.

Video shows Mr Mattran being told to 'go back to your own f***ing country', before he claims the other driver soaked him with a hose

Mr Mattran told the Indian Weekender: 'I am not sure why that gentleman launched a racial tirade against me. It possibly could be because I might be going slightly faster.

'For that matter, even car washing was not allowed in the vicinity as I confirmed with the facility manager this morning.'

The footage went viral after being uploaded to the New Zealand Police Facebook page, and has since been viewed tens of thousands of times.

Officers urged Mr Mattran to make a formal complaint to police, but it is unclear whether any report has yet been filed.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted officers for more information, but had not heard back at the time of publication.
A female Uber employee claims she was victim to 'abusive attitudes' set by CEO Travis Kalanick (above at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party on Sunday)

Another Uber employee has come forward to air horrifying allegations of sexism, racism and homophobia against the Silicon Valley giant.

The anonymous woman said she was sexually harassed and diminished by her married manager and was routinely subjected to 'abusive attidues' she believes are fostered by the company's CEO Travis Kalanick.

Writing under the alias of Amy in a blog post for Medium titled 'I Am an Uber Survivor', she recalled how her supervisor labeled her a 'whiny little b****' when she once disagreed with him on a conference call and said working for the company 'destroyed her dignity as a human being'.

Staff referred to an Asian-American colleague as 'slanty-eyed Joe' and deemed male employees 'f*gs' if they didn't attend drug-fueled sex parties.

She claims she quit her job as in 'database and network upscaling' after being told by the HR department to swallow her allegations or face a negative performance review from the men she had complained about.

Uber said it would include the woman's claims in its investigation.

'We take any and all allegations of this nature very seriously and have forwarded this to Attorney General Eric Holder and Tammy Albarran to include in their investigation,' a spokesman told DailyMail.com on Monday night.

Her claims add to a growing number of misconduct accusations leveled against the company this month by former staff.

Chief among them are claims of rampant sexual harassment which HR departments allegedly ignored to protect the high-performing men responsible.

Kalanick launched an investigation into the company's workplace culture in light of the first set of accusations. It will be spearheaded by former US Attorney General Eric Holder and Uber board member Arianna Huffington will also take a role.

In a memo to staff, he wanted to create a culture where 'justice underpins everything we do.'

The woman said she routinely witnessed male employees exhibiting sexist behavior and says she was herself harassed by her married manager

Amy' penned her blog post on Friday after reading claims made by former engineer Susan Fowler. Telling readers she was 'afraid' to make her name public, she suggested there were more victims yet to speak out.

'Lets call me Amy. For reasons only the #ubervictims know, lets refer to the villain of this story as Mike#2,' she said.

Among her accusations are startling claims about male employees' private chats where they discussed what lewd, sexual acts they would perform on female colleagues and superiors.

He said he does not like it when girls like me are insubordinate and think they got here because of their brains

'They had private chats where guys wrote sexual fantasy stories about female colleagues and supervisors where they performed all sorts of demeaning acts on the women.

'I confronted the guys on my team whenever they passed lewd comments about female supervisors but never felt comfortable confronting guys who were not in my team,' she wrote.

'Mike', her married manager, had been hired by Kalanick who she said 'liked his combative style'.

She says he suggested she wear high heels because it would make her behind look bigger and once joked she would have a date with a 'rich sugar daddy'.

'He would constantly pass uncomfortable compliments on my hair and my attire at inappropriate times and in the elevator right before a meeting.'

During a conference call with another department, she says he branded her a 'whiny little b****' for disagreeing with him and afterwards told her he 'does not like it when girls like me are insubordinate and think they got here because of their brains.'

'Amy' said she reported her concerns about his earlier behavior to HR but was told no action would be taken because he was a high performer who was close to Kalanick.

'They kept telling me that they really appreciate my guts to come forward but that this was the first complaint they received about him and that he is "highly valuable to Travis." 'I was told to continue putting in my best efforts and keep him happy so that my performance reviews will be in good shape. In essence, the HR department blackmailed me that if I make noise, Id be fired.'

Kalanick (left with a guest at Sunday's party) launched an investigation into the company's workplace culture on the back of allegations made by former engineer Susan Fowler (right)

Former US Attorney General Eric Holder will spearhead the independent probe

She alleged there were other women who'd fallen victim to the same man but said they never shared their claims for fear of being rebuked.

'Other female employees who were his seniors often discussed in private about his lewd comments and sexist behavior but no one was ever brave enough to complain to the senior management and HR because the management is known to ignore the complaints and many times punish the women by "accidentally" leaking them.'

She claimed Kalanick, who admonished the sexism she described once aware of other allegations, was 'well known to protect high performing leaders' despite complaints from their staff.

'It was clear to me that the regressive and abusive attitude towards female employees was trickling down from the top.

'Amy' said she began receiving poor performance reviews anyway and was deemed 'not a team player'. She eventually quit her position after 'months' of abuse.

'It was clear to me that the regressive and abusive attitude towards female employees was trickling down from the top

'Despite my grit, I was not prepared to deal with the abuse and dehumanizing treatment I received from my supervisors and colleagues at Uber. Uber finally broke me by destroying my dignity as a human being, and reduced my aspirations by attaching their worth them to a female reproductive organ,' she said.

Uber has not acknowledged her accusations since it announced its probe last week.

Since Fowler shared her accusations, dozens of other employees described similar misconduct in interviews with The New York Times.

Uber users who read their stories have begun deleting the app en masse in protest against the alleged impropriety.

The company is also under fire from its Silicon Valley competitors. Waymo, Google's self-driving car developers, is suing the Uber-owned company Otto for stealing its technology.

It claims Otto engineers are lifting its lidar - the laser network which the cars use to map the world around them.

Kalanick issued a memo to staff last week as the company's woes piled on top of one another.

He used the note to share his commitment to investigating the allegations and said he believed in creating a better workplace culture for staff.
A senior al-Qaeda leader thought to have been killed by a US drone strike in Syria's Idlib province is sparking interest among intelligence experts over the manner of his death.

Abdullah Muhammad Rajab Abdulrahman, who had been deputy to al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, was thought to have been killed on Sunday night in a drone attack on a car.

However, unlike previous bombings carried out by drones which usually result in catastrophic damage not to mention leaving the shell of a burned out car, in Sunday's attack the vehicle appeared relatively unscathed.

It could mean that a new type of ultra-accurate drone is being used to ensure killing are carried out with both pinpoint accuracy all while reducing the amount of collateral damage.

Could a new type of drone be responsible for the killing of Al-Qaeda's second in command?

Rather than the burnt out shell of a car, the drone appeared to target just the occupants

A small explosive charge carried by a smaller, more agile drone, could be the reason

Egyptian-born Abdulrahman, known by his nom de guerre Abu al-Khayr al-Masri, had also been close to Osama Bin Laden, who was killed by a team of US Navy Seals in Pakistan in 2011.

Images of the car he was driving showed damage to the passenger side of the beige Kia saloon but no damage to the engine block which is extremely unusual.

The roof appeared to have been blown open on just the right side of the vehicle with even the windshield remaining fixed in position.

Workers survey the damage of the drone strike which left he majority of the car intact

The drone strike took place in Idlib province, close to the border with Turkey

Although no intelligence agencies are commenting publicly about the attack, the damage to the Kia car is so localized and altogether bizarre that a new type of drone may well be the only logical explanation.

The Drive suggests that if the strike came from a drone, that it did not use an AGM-114 Hellfire missile or GBU-12 Paveway laser-guided bomb to execute its target, but something altogether different

'Instead of a burned out and shattered hulk of a vehicle obliterated by the AGM-114 missile, or a smudge surrounded by burnt rubble that results from a GBU-12 500lb laser-guided bomb strike, the car pictured literally has a hole punched through its roof with no real sign of a large explosion.

'It's almost as if an anvil was dropped on the car's occupants,' muses Tyler Rogoway in his article for WarZone.

Previously, drone strikes have been responsible for destroying entire buildings killing countless innocent people in the fallout

Much of the intrigue over Sunday night's killing is the fact Abdulrahman's car was left virtually intact.

Defense experts have suggested that not only would it mean drone guidance has become even more accurate that before but that it would allow for smaller unmanned aircraft to change the rules of the battlefield forever.

15 years ago, the RQ-1 Predator drone was the tool for remote warfare. It later upgraded become the MQ-1 Predator drone.

The aim of the aircraft was simply to kill, which is did with ruthless abandon, often obliterating innocent people who were in the area with up to 25 pounds of explosives.

The evidence of this new, as yet unidentified drone, suggests that the future of air warfare will lead to fewer unwanted casualties while still packing a deadly punch thanks to explosive charges as small as a 40mm grenade.

15 years ago, the MQ-1 Predator drone was the weapon of choice, left, but it was closely superseded by the RQ-1 drone which was even smaller and lighter to fly into battle, right

The smaller aircraft allow for them to be flown into more remote and logistically challenging areas where known targets may be operating.

The Drive suggests that other already use such pint-sized weapons, including Israel, which has used them against Hamas for many years.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed a top al-Qaeda figure was killed in the drone strike but could not confirm if it was Abdulrahman, who once chaired al-Qaeda's key management council.

There has been no immediate comment from the Pentagon.

Abdulrahman was believed to have fled Afghanistan in 2003 but there had been reports he was later jailed in Iran.

The Iranians reportedly released him in 2015 after a prisoner exchange with al-Qaeda in Yemen.

A senior official at a rival jihadist faction in northern Syria urged caution over the reports, saying top al-Qaeda officials in Syria had staged their own deaths to cover their defection from the organisation.

Eleven people were killed in a separate air strike in the town of Ariha in Idlib pictured Monday

Eleven people were killed during a separate airstrike in the town of Ariha in Idlib province today.

Many Syrian rebels, including groups aligned with al-Qaeda, fled to Idlib after the Assad regime regained control of the city of Aleppo.

Hundreds of thousands of Syrians displaced by fighting are living as refugees in Idlib province.

Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad on Monday also drove ISIS militants out of a line of villages along Turkish frontier, making it harder for rival Turkish-backed rebel forces from reaching the de facto ISIS capital, Raqqa.
President Donald Trump plans will use the opportunity of a prime time address and a captive audience of Republicans and Democrats at a joint session of Congress to tout his accomplishments, while brandishing a staple from his campaign speeches by showcasing victims of illegal immigrants.

But unlike during his campaign events, which were packed with Trump hat-wearing enthusiasts, a substantial portion of the attendees will disagree with him.

Several Democrats are bringing as guests children brought to the country illegally as children.

In a sign of the tough reception Trump could get, Democratic New York Representative Eliot Engel said he is abandoning his decades-long tradition of staking out a seat on the aisle to give a televised handshake to the president.

OPTIMISTIC: President Trump plans to deliver an 'optimistic' speech to a joint session of Congress  but will he settle a few scores?

'Unfortunately, since January 20th, the new administration has shown no interest in working with the Congress on both sides to tackle problems, including Russias unlawful interference in last years election,' Engel said.

Thats why Ive decided not to stand on the aisle of the House chamber to shake the presidents hand during this joint session of Congress, as I have done in the past through Democratic and Republican administrations alike,' he sad, The Hill reported.

Democrats are also bringing Muslim community leaders, and a physician from Flint, Michigan and the mother of a victim of at the Pulse nightclub shooting, Politico reported.

Just as President Obama used his 2009 address to call for major changes in health law, Trump plans to demand a repeal of Obamacare  notwithstanding deep divisions among Republicans in Congress over how to replace it.

One theme of Trump's speech  that 'help is on the way'  is a line that President Obama used in 2008

'We have to understand, Obamacare has been a disaster. It's way out of control, it doesn't work,' Trump told Fox News Tuesday morning.

'We're coming out with a health care plan that I think will be terrific. It will be very inclusive and I think it's going to do, really, what people are wanting it to do,' he said, offering no specifics.

'But I'll be talking about that. I'll be talking about the military. I'll be talking about the border.'

Trump forecast his focus on crimes carried out by illegal immigrants  rather than the thornier issue of how to handle people who were brought here illegally by their parents as children, or how to remove the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants who live in the country.

'And remember this, on the border and throughout our country, we're getting the bad ones out, the bad people  gang members, drug lords, in some cases, murderers,' Trump said.

The widow of conservative judge Antonin Scalia and the wives of two police officers killed by an illegal immigrant will be among the guests as Donald Trump makes his first address in Congress today.

Jessica Davis and Susan Oliver, whose husbands, California police officers Michael Davis Jr and Danny Oliver, were killed in the line of duty in 2014 by a man living in the country illegally, will be seated in the president's box along with first lady Melania Trump.

Trump has also invited Jamiel Shaw, Sr, whose son was shot and killed by gang member Pedro Espinoza, who was in the country illegally in 2008.

Shaw spoke at many of Trump's campaign rallies and delivered a searing speech about his son at the Republican convention.

'YOU LIE!' The speech to Joint Session of Congress sometimes leads to confrontation, as it did when Rep. Joe Wilson yelled out 'You lie!' to President Obama during a Sept. 2009 speech

The men are the namesakes of a bill aimed at stricter immigration law enforcement.

Trump's first address to a Joint Session of Congress is shaping up like a Tuesday night campaign rally  without the Rolling Stones music, broadsides about 'crooked Hillary' or chants of 'Build that wall.'

The president plans to crow about his 'promises kept' as well as remind Americans of his 'promises made' in the State of the Union-style speech.

What isn't yet clear is whether the president plans to bash his political opponents during a televised prime-time address  or whether he will find a common foe by railing against the media, whom he has termed an 'enemy of the American people.'

'I think it's fair to say that this is a look forward,' said an administration official previewing the speech, asked whether Trump would make partisan attacks on his 'enemies.'

Although they don't control any branches of government, many of Trump's Democratic rivals will be in the House chamber, as will Republicans like Arizona Republican Senator John McCain who he has tangled with during the contentious start to his presidency.

An administration official previewing the event wouldn't say whether there will be specific language reaching out to Democrats or former opponents, only that it would be an 'optimistic speech.'

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One theme shared by the administration sounds remarkably like what President Obama said in November of 2008 during the financial crisis.

'Americans have been waiting for help from their leaders for too long. During his speech the president will let them know that help is finally on the way,' said an administration official.

As he does in his frequent appearances with corporate CEOs, Trump plans to tout commitments by corporations to hire American workers.

He is expected to reference companies like Ford, Boeing, and General Motors who have announced hiring commitments.

The White House says a trip to promote the speech this week is likely  though it isn't publicly revealing the plan yet.

'For the most part this is going to be a speech about economic opportunity and also protecting the American people,' an administration official told reporters at a White House preview of the speech, notwithstanding Trump's recent complaints about anonymous sources.

'We spend billions in the Middle East, but we have potholes all over the country,' Trump said Monday, previewing one area of focus. 'We're going to start spending on infrastructure big.'

Senator John McCain of Arizona arrives for U.S. President Barack Obama's speech about health care reform during a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009

White House press secretary Sean Spicer indicated that Trump doesn't believe the session is the forum to address his controversial immigration order, which remains held up in the courts.

Trump's latest budget proposals  which include a $54 billion boost to the Pentagon and slashing cuts to domestic agencies  is certain to antagonize Democrats.

'This is a really bad path that we have seen so far and I don't even know if the president really understands the ramifications of the cuts that have been proposed,' House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said at the National Press Club Monday.

The theme is undoubtedly inclusive: 'Renewal of the American spirit' and 'an optimistic vision for all Americans.'

Trump drew on some of his ideas from the speech from his flurry of meetings with CEOs and other groups in the first weeks of his administration.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi speaks during a press conference with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (L) at the National Press Club on February 27. They will be on hand for Trump's address

President Trump is planning to tout his 'promises kept'

An official mentioned meetings with health care CEOs, law enforcement, coal miners, union representatives, and 'other front line workers.'

'Those conversations have influenced this speech,' said an administration official.

'For the most part this is going to be a speech about economic opportunity and also protecting American citizens.'

With no significant legislative accomplishments under his belt, Trump plans to highlight his flurry of executive orders and executive actions.

Trump plans to 'go through a list of those items.'

One that he will tout is his withdrawal from the Trans Pacific Partnership  a multi-nation trade deal negotiated by President Obama that didn't get through Congress, but nevertheless had significant Republican support.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, speaking beside Pelosi at the National Press Club Monday, noted that the TPP had been a dead deal, long before anything Trump had done.

The White House said a portion of the speech would deal with foreign policy, but the only part they previewed were cuts in foreign aid meant to help fund the defense buildup.

Aides who told a packed White House briefing room about the speech provided almost no substantive details, but said it would be 'grounded firmly in solving real problems for real people.'

Trump plans to carry on the tradition of inviting guests to sit in the presidential box, but the White House didn't make the names available early Monday evening.

The president is planning to bring a checklist of election-year promises with him, according to a White House aide, hoping Congress will grant him a long enough leash to fulfill them.

The menu includes a massive Pentagon buildup that would put U.S. military spending at a level higher than the next seven countries combined.

Trump is expected to renew his pledge to destroy the ISIS terror army, a line written to generate standing ovations from Democrats and Republicans, and then tie it to a defense of his controversial travel ban  one of several moments when television viewers will see the Democrats sit on their hands.

The energy and controversy of the president's campaign will both come with him, as he renews his pledges to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and dramatically scale back the pace of illegal immigration.

Trump also plans to highlight his tax and regulatory cuts, according to a White House official, arguing that more free-flowing capital and less uncertainty for small businesses will help the economy grow.

And he will also ask lawmakers to green-light the first tranche of funds for a $1 trillion infrastructure rebuilding plan  including money for bridges, tunnels, airports, public utilities, railroads and highways.

President Donald Trump delivers his first speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, when he will lay out his big defense boost and agency spending cuts

With no major legislative record to tout weeks into his administration, Trump will run through executive actions he has taken

Wags on Capitol Hill have fretted about what may amount to a repeat of the Obama-era economic stimulus plan, with tax credits handed out to private developers and hard dollars going to finance public works projects.

Trump is sure to press Congress for a repeal of the flagging Obamacare medical insurance overhaul experiment, along with a quick replacement.

And he will outline the logic behind cuts  not the customary reductions in the rate of growth  of domestic agencies where be believes the nation should economize or excise counterproductive programs.

The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to be particularly hard-hit.

The top Democrats in Congress, Schumer and Pelosi, previewed part of the Democratic rebuttal on Monday.

They debuted a two-part argument: Trump hasn't accomplished much  and the things he has accomplished haven't helped his voters.

'Tomorrow, 40 days after his inauguration, President Trump and the Republican Congress will have not lifted a finger to create jobs or raise wages for hard working American families,' Pelosi argued.

Instead, she said, he's 'put Wall Street first,' by putting an assortment of ex-bankers in his cabinet and 'tried to make America sick again,' she pointed out, referring to the Republicans' plan to dismantle Obamacare.

Referring to the announced EPA cuts, Schumer, the Senate's top Democrat, said Americans, with certainty, would 'breath dirtier air and drink dirtier water.'

'But in any event, we look forward to seeing what the president will say tomorrow night,' Pelosi said. 'If it's anything like his inaugural address I think it will be a sad evening for our country.'

Tuesday's speech follows the format of 'State of the Union' addresses, but the late-winter event only takes that name when a president has been in office for a year or more.

Still, the event will have all the trappings of the annual progress report from the White House.

Former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear will give the Democrats' response after Trump delivers his address.

The ex-red state executive was tapped because the Affordable Care Act worked very well in his state.

'You've got 500,00 Kentuckians who have health care because of the Affordable Care Act and Steve Beshear's effort,' said his former chief of staff Jim Cauly to McClatchy. 'He can speak to that in a way that's authentic.'

Members of Congress often bring guests who are symbolic of their pet projects or political beefs with the president, hoping to use them to illustrate their agreement or disagreement  usually the latter  with a sitting president.

Dick Durbin of Illinois, the second most powerful Democrat in the Senate, plans to bring an illegal-immigrant medical student.

Rep. Keith Ellison is taking Tom Perez, the former Labor secretary who defeated him on Saturday to win the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee.

Far-left Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren is bringing an Iraqi refugee who recently became a U.S. citizen.

Far-right Republican congressman Louie Gohmert of Texas will give conservative Fox news Channel host Sean Hannity his extra ticket.

Other GOPers will bring widows of murdered police officers and uniformed members of the U.S. military.

Democrats' ranks will be swelled by Muslim community leaders, abortion clinic advocates and parents of gun crime victims.
Officials are offering $27,500 for information that leads to finding Alex Bridges Deaton

A man who 'strangled his girlfriend and shot dead a churchgoer' has sparked a mass manhunt.

The FBI, Rankin Police and CrimeStoppers is offering $27,500 for information that could lead to finding Alex Bridges Deaton, 28.

He is wanted in relation to two killings and a seemingly random shooting.

Deaton is charged with first degree murder and aggravated assault for allegedly strangling his girlfriend, 30-year-old Heather Robinson at their apartment in Brandon, Mississippi.

Her body was discovered Friday afternoon when a deputy and a family member went to the apartment for a welfare check. Robinson died either late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

Police say the number of charges could increase as reported by The Clarion-Ledger.

Police also want to question him about the shooting of Brenda Pinter, who was found fatally shot Thursday evening inside an office of Dixon Baptist Church.

Alex Deaton is accused of strangling his girlfriend Heather Robinson to death

It is not clear what Deaton's connection was to Pinter and he has not yet been charged in this case. Nothing was stolen from her office or her car.

He is also suspected to be the man who shot a jogger in the thigh 5am Friday morning.

The woman said she was shot by a man with facial hair out of a white SUV, similar to Robinson's white 2012 GMC Arcadia SUV with a Mississippi Nurses Foundation tag that was reported missing when her body was found.

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey to the Clarion-Ledger: 'Something inside him appears to have snapped.'

Deaton is also wanted for questioning for the shooting of Brenda Strickland Pinter but is not charged with her murder. She was found dead inside an office of Dixon Baptist Church

Police say Alex Deaton escaped to Tulsa, Oklahoma over the weekend

The Sheriff posted on Facebook: 'Due to DEATONS physical description, the description of the white SUV missing from the deceased victim, the proximity of the two incidents, and physical evidence collected at the Castlewoods Boulevard shooting, Alex Bridges DEATON is a suspect in both incidents.'

'Warrants are being issued for DEATON and we are actively searching for him with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.'

In a press conference Monday, police say he escaped to Tulsa, Oklahoma over the weekend.

Deaton is considered armed and dangerous. He is 5'9 tall, weighs 170 pounds and has hazel eyes and brown hair.

The FBI added $20,000 reward to Rankin County's reward of $5,000 and the 2,500 offered by CrimeStoppers. The total could grow according to officials.

Deaton had a short conversation with his mother via text message on Saturday.
Sydneysiders are bracing for a wet start to autumn, with forecasters expecting a month's worth of rain to be dumped on the city in just one week.

The 'monsoonal' conditions are expected to settle in on Tuesday afternoon and last for at least seven days, including on Saturday when tens of thousands of people will gather in the city centre for the 37th Mardi Gras parade.

Over the next week, Sydney's could see more than 200 millimetres of rainfall, which is more than four times the amount that fell in the entire month of January.

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Sydneysiders are bracing for a wet start to autumn, with forecasters expecting a month's worth of rain to be dumped on the city in just one week. Sydney Harbour is pictured

The 'monsoonal' conditions are expected to settle in on Wednesday morning and last for at least seven days

The month of February saw a dumping of 202.6 millimetres of rain, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

'We have a perfect recipe for persistent rainfall along the eastern seaboard regardless of an east coast low occurrence,' Weatherzone meterologist Jacob Cronje said.

'It looks almost monsoonal'.

This comes just a fortnight after record-breaking highs across Queensland and New South Wales.

Sydney averages 130mm of rain across the entire month of March, which is typically the third wettest for the city all year, but this year is expected to see a lot more.

Over the next week, Sydney's could see more than 200 millimetres of rainfall, which is more than four times the amount that fell in the entire month of January

After a stint of hot weather, the rain settled in across the city. Bondi Beach is pictured

Weatherzone meterologist Jacob Cronje said the forcast rainfall 'looks almost monsoonal'

The east coast is set to be drenched in up to 200mm of rain this week as storms are predicted almost every day from Brisbane to Melbourne

Rob Sharpe, a meterologist with Weatherzone, told Daily Mail Australia: 'We've got a low-pressure trough lurking along the east coast.

'As we go through the week it will bring rain along the coast, but there is quite a high degree of uncertainty about where it will go.

'While most places have some chance of rain all this week, not everyone will see rain every day. Those with the highest chance of rain every day will be in the north.'

Mr Sharpe added that coastal areas will largely see their showers in the morning and evening, while inland areas will get rain in the afternoons.

Sydney is most likely to see rain on Thursday, Mr Sharpe said, with heavy showers and storms possible in the city.

The heaviest showers are expected in northern New South Wales, with coastal areas seeing rain in the mornings and evenings, an inland areas getting hit in the afternoons

Rain is expected to arrive for much of the east coast on Tuesday (left), before strengthening and moving south into Wednesday

The risk of showers will continue throughout this week, across the weekend and into next week, Mr Sharpe said.

While things are expected to start drying out early next week, even that is not certain, he added.

Temperatures will remain firmly fixed at a high of 26C across the week, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, signalling the change to autumn.

While there is a good chance that autumn will be warmer than average, Mr Sharpe said, there will not be a return to the extreme highs of summer.

FORECAST: WHAT THE WEATHER LOOKS LIKE AROUND AUSTRALIA SYDNEY Tuesday : Min 20, Max 26. Hot. Showers Wednesday : Min 21, Max 26. Showers Thursday : Min 21, Max 26. Showers Friday: Min 21, Max 26. Showers BRISBANE: Tuesday : Min 22, Max 28. Showers Wednesday: Min 21, Max 29. Showers Thursday: Min 22, Max 30. Showers Friday: Min 23, Max 31. Shower or two ADELAIDE Tuesday : Min 23, Max 37. Mostly sunny Wednesday: Min 22, Max 37. Cloudy Thursday : Min 21, Max 36. Sunny Friday : Min 20, Max 34. Mostly sunny DARWIN Tuesday : Min 24, Max 33. Shower or two Wednesday : Min 25, Max 34. Showers Thursday : Min 25, Max 34. Partly cloudy Friday: Min 25, Max 34. Possible storm MELBOURNE Tuesday: Min 19, Max 34. Sunny Wednesday : Min 17, Max 31. Sunny Thursday : Min 17, Max 29. Sunny Friday: Min 18, Max 27. Possible shower CANBERRA Tuesday : Min 14, Max 28. Possible rain Wednesday : Min 13, Max 29. Showers Thursday : Min 14, Max 28. Showers Friday: Min 14, Max 26. Afternoon rain PERTH Tuesday : Min 20, Max 34. Sunny Wednesday : Min 21, Max 36. Sunny Thursday : Min 21, Max 33. Sunny Friday: Min 20, Max 33. Sunny HOBART Tuesday : Min 17, Max 27. Sunny Wednesday : Min 15, Max 28. Sunny Thursday : Min 16, Max 24. Partly cloudy Friday: Min 14, Max 21. Partly cloudy Advertisement

The weather is a far cry from the record-breaking highs seen a fornight ago across most of New South Wales (Bondi Beach, pictured)
A transgender teen has been campaigning the government to allow children to access hormone treatment without interference from the court system.

Georgie Stone - and 15,000 people who have signed her petition - says the Family Court is a distressing, costly and unnecessary burden on transgender youth.

Thanks to the Melbourne girl and her family, children are no longer required to go to court for stage one treatment, known as puberty blockers.

The 16-year-old is now campaigning to allow children to access the second stage of treatment, gender affirming hormones, without the Family Court.

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Transgender teenager Georgie Stone, 16, has been campaigning to stop the Family Court from interfering in decisions that should be kept between families, medical specialists and children

Georgie, from Melbourne, is pictured with her mother Rebekah Robertson

Georgie's petition is just about reached 15,000 signatures on Tuesday morning

She said the decision should be kept between the children, their families and medical specialists.

'The involvement of the Family Court in the medical decisions of transgender teens is actually harming those children it is supposed to protect,' Georgie wrote in the petition.

Australia is the only country in the world that forces transgender youth through the courts.

Georgie said the court system makes transgender youth 'feel like there is something wrong with us' and delays appropriate treatment 'that we desperately want and need to live our lives happily'.

Georgie said the decision to begin stage two treatment should be kept between the children, their families and medical specialists

Georgie is petition to keep the courts from interfering in hormone treatment for trans youth

Georgie was awarded Person of the Year at the third annual GLOBE (Gay and Lesbian Organisation of Business and Enterprise) in October last year

The 16-year-old said forcing children into courts to access medical treatment 'causes enormous distress'. The self-harm and suicide rate for LGBTQI Australian youth is disproportionately high.

'Having to go to court is costly, time consuming and stressful for trans teens and their families,' she said.

The court bases its decisions on expert submissions of the child's treating clinicians, Georgie said, making the interference unnecessary.

'We need to change this now and save the lives of kids like me.

'The only people who should be part of this decision are the medical specialists, the parents and most importantly the teenager themselves.'

Georgie is pictured as a younger child. She said she would have killed herself if she did not take puberty blockers in time and her voice broke

The 16-year-old said forcing children into courts to access medical treatment 'causes enormous distress'

Georgie will be delivering the petition to Parliament House in Canberra at the end of March.

She was 11-years-old when the Family Court granted her access to puberty blockers.

Last year, she told Australian Story she would have killed herself if her voice broke.

Georgie was awarded Person of the Year at the third annual GLOBE (Gay and Lesbian Organisation of Business and Enterprise) in October last year.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Transcend - an advocacy, information and support service for transgender youth  run by Georgie's mum Rebekah Robertson.

Transgender youth can find state-based information and support here.

Lifeline, 13 11 14. Beyond Blue Australia, 1300 22 4636.
A Liberal senator has apologised after he appeared to call boat people 'fleas' and said it was a 'poor choice of words'.

South Australian Senator David Fawcett appeared to compare refugees to 'fleas' during parliament on Monday despite his insistence the media took his comments out of context.

'I just do question the ethics of nitpicking when your particular group perhaps brought the fleas in the first place,' he told senators at Parliament House.

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South Australian Liberal Senator David Fawcett apologised for appearing to call refugees 'feas' in parliament on Monday (Stock Image)

Senator Fawcett later sought to offer a clarification, saying he was referring to Labor senators pursuing small, process-driven details from the department when boat arrivals spiked on their watch.

'Whilst it was never my intention that my comments would refer to refugees in such a way, it's clear that my poor choice of words has caused hurt to many people, and consequently I sincerely apologise,' Senator Fawcett said.

In a statement, he clarified what he meant by the metaphor.

'The metaphor was that if they were nitpicking they were responsible for the cause of that irritation,' he said.

Liberal Senator Fawcett appeared to label refugees 'fleas' in his parliamentary speech on Monday (Stock Image)

Mr Fawcett apologised for the metaphor he used in Parliament on Monday that appeared to label refugees 'fleas' (Stock Image)

'It is certainly not intended to apply to people who are refugees.'

Mr Fawcett's comments came after government minister Michaelia Cash spoke of large numbers of 'unauthorised arrivals' under the Rudd and Gillard governments.

Senator Fawcett's Liberal colleague Senator Ian Macdonald backed his comments, describing them as 'nicely put'.

Senator Macdonald later said any 'fair minded person' would have understood what he meant.

'But clearly we are not all fair minded,' he said.

Greens senator Nick McKim said the government and department had for a long time been deliberately trying to dehumanise asylum seekers and refugees.
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Caroline Kennedy enjoyed a beach vacation in St Barts with her family Sunday, as she figures out her next career move after three years as ambassador to Japan.

The 59-year-old was spotted with her husband, American designer Edwin Schlossberg, and their daughter Tatiana on the Caribbean island Sunday.

She seemed to enjoy a moment of respite, braving the waves with her goggles around her arm, and walking on the sand with her loved ones, shielding herself from the sun with a hat and a white tunic.

Kennedy's tenure as an ambassador ended in January after Donald Trump entered office, leaving some to speculate that she might run for a congressional seat as early as 2018.

The Columbia Law School graduate's beach vacation came about a month after Inauguration Day, the firm deadline by which all of Barack Obama's envoys were directed to leave their posts overseas.

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Caroline Kennedy enjoyed a beach vacation in St Barts with her family Sunday (pictured), about a month after the end of her three-year tenure as ambassador to Japan

The 59-year-old was spotted with her husband, American designer Edwin Schlossberg (right), and their daughter Tatiana (left) on the Caribbean island

The Columbia Law School graduate seemed to enjoy her beach vacation and was seen braving the waves with her goggles slipped around her arm

Kennedy was the first female US envoy to Japan and said earlier this month she was trying to figure out what to do next now that her time as ambassador has come to an end

Next step: Becoming a senator in New York remains Kennedy's 'dream', sources said last month at the end of her ambassadorial tenure

Making a splash: The first female US ambassador to Japan stepped into the ocean as she enjoyed her break on Sunday

Caroline's daughter Tatiana joined in on the family vacation and, like her mother, stepped into the ocean with her goggles

The former ambassador swam into the ocean and enjoyed the beach as well, resting on her towel on the ground

Schlossberg and Kennedy walked side by side as the family took a stroll on the sunny St Barts beach on Sunday

Kennedy is figuring out her next career move as her three-year ambassadorial tenure ended last month with President Trump's inauguration

Ambassadors can typically get extensions to relocate, especially if their children are still in school - but Trump made no such accommodations this year.

Kennedy, who was the first female US envoy to Japan, hasn't yet revealed her plans for the future, telling Matt Lauer on the Today show earlier this month: 'I've just gotten home a week or so. I'm looking around to figure out what I would do next.'

Some, however, could see her running for Congress in the near future, perhaps as early as 2018.

She was a contender to replace Hillary Clinton as a senator in 2009 but withdrew her name citing 'personal reasons'. Kirsten Gillibrand received the position.

But becoming a senator in New York remains Kennedy's 'dream', sources told the New York Post last month.

'Caroline had a successful ambassadorial run in Japan and feels really very confident about putting her hat in the ring for a New York congressional or Senate seat, with even possibly bigger political objectives down the road,' a source told the newspaper.

Another source said that some could see the former first daughter follow in Clinton's footsteps. 'Caroline is seen in some quarters as the next Hillary Clinton. She has the Kennedy name but no Clinton baggage,' that source said.

What's next? Kennedy is figuring out her next career move and some have speculated she might run to become a senator or a representative in New York

The family walked along the beach in the wet sand as the trio enjoyed their beach retreat in the Caribbeans on Sunday

Conversation: Kennedy was seen lying down on her towel in the sand while chatting on her phone during the beach outing

Kennedy was a contender to replace Hillary Clinton as a senator in 2009 but withdrew her name citing 'personal reasons'. Kirsten Gillibrand received the position

Family time: The former ambassador appeared to enjoy a moment of respite, walking on the sand with her loved ones and shielding herself from the sun with a hat and a white tunic

Kennedy was seen grabbing her towel after returning on the beach after her swim as she and her family spent quality time together in their usual vacation spot

Resting: She at one point laid down on her towel for a bit of downtime next to her husband of 30 years and their daughter Tatiana

Possible future: Another source said that some could see the former first daughter follow in Hillary Clinton's footsteps

The earliest Kennedy (pictured in St Barts Sunday) could run would be the midterm elections in 2018, which could see her going after Gillibrand's seat or that of Representative Carolyn Maloney

Love: The former first daughter and her husband held hands as they walked on the sand near the ocean during their Caribbean island retreat

The earliest Kennedy could run would be the midterm elections in 2018, which could see her going after Gillibrand's seat or that of Representative Carolyn Maloney.

Japan's foreign affairs minister has revealed that Kennedy typically fought tooth and nail to defend her country's interests.

'I think most people don't know about this, but Ambassador Kennedy was an exceptionally tough negotiator,' Fumio Kishida told the New York Times last month.

'When I could persuade her, I could persuade Washington, DC, as well. On the contrary, when she gave me a firm negative response, I thought it was time for the Japanese side to come up with an alternative idea.'

Tough: Japan's foreign affairs minister has revealed that Kennedy typically fought tooth and nail to defend her country's interests
Lower level offending should be de-criminalised says chief constable Simon Bailey

Paedophiles should not face jail for looking at pornographic images of children unless they are a physical threat to youngsters, says Britains most senior child protection officer.

Officers should instead focus on the most dangerous offenders who have access to youngsters or are directing abuse online, said chief constable Simon Bailey.

Taking a stance he acknowledged would horrify many, the grandfather-of-two said lower level offending should be decriminalised and dealt with through counselling and rehabilitation.

Mr Bailey, chief constable of Norfolk Constabulary and lead on child protection at the National Police Chiefs Council, said an increase in reporting of sexual abuse  including historical cases  has led to the policing system reaching saturation point.

He added: It has now reached that point where we have to try to turn the tide. We have to look at alternatives.

The Jimmy Savile scandal has led to a sharp increase in historical abuse reports and police now receive 112 complaints a day and carry out more than 70,000 investigations a year.

The Jimmy Savile scandal, which broke in 2011, has led to an increase in historic abuse reports

Mr Bailey told The Times: How can the police service be expected to cope with all that, if, in the margins, we are still having to deal with what I would describe as very, very low-risk offenders, who, based upon good risk assessments, pose little if any actual threat of contact abuse?

He said that someone going online and using their credit card to direct the abuse of a child in a country like the Philippines should be locked up categorically.

But he said that an individual who is not in contact with children and is looking at low-level images should be treated differently.

Peter Saunders, of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood, said the move could be extremely unhelpful to child protection.

But the NSPCC said the huge rise in offences made it impossible to arrest our way out of the situation.
Helicopter drones which could shoot down Islamic States new remote-controlled weapons are under development, the Defence Secretary announced yesterday.

Sir Michael Fallon said the terror groups latest drone tactics in Iraq  in which they drop grenades from the skies  had been a wake-up call for Britain.

Unmanned craft would enable the UK to stay ahead of enemies as they would be faster, fly for longer, and spare pilots from any risk, he said.

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Sir Michael Fallon, pictured, said experts were looking at unmanned drones to intercept ISIS weapons after it emerged the terror group has developed weponised drones

ISIS have modified normal drones to allow them to carry hand grenades to drop on targets

In a speech at Oxford University to engineers and academics, he said drone wars were the future, adding: Science fiction will soon be science fact. Unmanned warfare is coming absolutely.

The Armed Forces are also looking at how to defend underwater, with research on silent drones based on whales under way.

Sir Michael said Britain has to be ready to defend in space too  as he warned space was set to become another battlefield. The minister revealed the military has formed a Dragons Den-style panel to research and develop weapons to combat brutal terrorism. He said the Ministry of Defence has to keep ahead by recruiting world experts, such as outgoing GCHQ boss Robert Hannigan.

Also on the panel is Major Tim Peake, Britains first official astronaut, and businessman Ron Dennis, former chairman of McLaren technology group. Sir Michael said: Space, like cyber, is the next domain and our adversaries are already looking at how they can compete against us in space and we have to be ready for that. Other countries are investing very heavily in space and putting satellites up with military applications and we have to be sure that we can deal with that. Tim will be helping to advise us with that.

Former F1 team boss Mr Dennis said it was in the panels DNA to win, adding they were all fiercely patriotic. IS militants have been using commercial drones to kill and maim civilians as local forces try to take back Mosul.

Local Peshmerga forces have been trying to shoot them down from the ground before they unleash the deadly grenades. Sir Michael said: Daesh is developing drones, we have seen them defending Mosul with drone attacks.

Boffins are also working on miniature surveillance craft based on dragon flies

Sir Michael said drones can be sent into higher risk areas where you don't want to risk a pilot

He said it was a good example of what Britains enemies were up to, adding: We simply have to keep ahead. The Defence Secretary explained: That is another wake-up call to get ahead of our adversaries in that kind of area and ensure we have the drones that can fly longer and faster and in all conditions in order to have an advantage over the drones that are being used against us.

Ministers are under pressure to reveal any Britons killed in targeted strikes

He said drone helicopters were currently under development as part of a 8million two-year drone research project with Leonardo Helicopters.

Sir Michael stressed the advantage was that they can fly for longer and in high risk situations where you wouldnt want to risk a pilot. He said: You wouldnt need runways to land it on or take it off.

You can hover over particular areas in a way that the Reaper [drone] would only be able to circle. You can do what a helicopter can do that a plane cant do. The payload is obviously an interesting one  will we be able to fly stuff in without a pilot?
Thousands of violent thugs who beat up their partners are avoiding prosecution simply by saying sorry or shaking hands.

The police are using restorative justice to deal with domestic abuse cases  where victims meet offenders face-to-face.

But MPs and campaign groups have expressed concern at the practice because it could allow abusers to escape prosecution while exerting more control over their victim.

Supporters of the initiative, also known as community resolution, claim it is a fairer way to deal with offenders while still giving closure to those they have wronged.

Thousands of thugs who abuse their partners are able to avoid harsher sentences by agreeing to apologise and shake the hands of their victims under 'restorative justice' measures

But critics claim it is not suitable to pressure anyone into meeting a criminal who has abused them.

Research by academics at the University of Durham found that every police forces in England and Wales used restorative justice to deal with cases of domestic violence 5,625 times in 2014, the latest year figures are available.

It was mostly used at street level by officers responding to incidents as an alternative to prosecution, despite this being contrary to guidance.

Some cases were not just so-called low-level offences but also where attacks were considered serious.

In some instances, police dropped the investigation after discussions between the culprit and victim and getting a note signed to [the] effect that offender will behave, said Professor Clare McGlynn.

Ministers have said that level one restorative justice was not appropriate in these cases. This is where police officers decide community resolution is the best way to deal with crimes on the spot.

Restorative justice brings those harmed by crime and those responsible for it into contact, the idea being that dialogue heals the victim and helps prevent the criminal reoffending.

Victims do already have some entitlement to restorative justice, but in some areas it is restricted in domestic violence and sexual offence cases.

Polly Neate, chief executive of Womens Aid, said: Restorative Justice must never be taken as an opportunity to minimise the perpetrators crime, or be used as an alternative to a more serious criminal justice sanction.

So, we are deeply concerned if restorative justice is being used informally or as an alternative to prosecution.

It can only ever be used if extensive specialist training on domestic abuse has been undertaken, as if the risks that using it in domestic abuse cases have been thoroughly explored.

Restorative justice used 5,625 times in 2014, according to research by academics at the University of Durham

If this is not the case, it can be extremely dangerous for survivors of domestic abuse.

Tory MP Bob Neill, chairman of the Commons Justice Select Committee, which last year published a report on restorative justice, said: In some cases police have been turning up to domestic violence cases and decide it might be six-of-one and half-a-dozen of the other.

Theyd offer words of advice and get them to shake hands. That is completely inappropriate. The police should be very wary of offering restorative justice in cases of domestic violence because the perpetrator is often manipulative and controlling.

However, MPs were also told by some experts that restorative justice had potentially significant benefits to domestic violence victims.

One victim, following a meeting with her abuser, had said: When I walked out of that meeting, I felt as if I could knock out Mike Tyson. It was as if a massive weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt completely empowered.

It was mostly used at street level by officers responding to incidents as an alternative to prosecution, despite this being contrary to guidance. Some cases were not just so-called low-level offences but also where attacks were considered serious

In a speech to the Police Federation last year, Theresa May, who was then Home Secretary, condemned the use of restorative justice in domestic violence cases.

She said it did not follow common sense to sit vulnerable victims in the same room as attackers who for months and years may have destroyed their confidence, manipulated their mind, and beaten their bodies.

Justice Minister Sam Gyimah said: We are clear that adult perpetrators of domestic abuse should, wherever possible be prosecuted. Similarly, we are clear that, so called level one street restorative justice, delivered by police as an alternative to prosecution, is not appropriate in these cases.

However, there can be a place for restorative justice in domestic abuse cases alongside prosecution. This is with the strict caveat that it will be carried out with effective and ongoing risk assessment and safeguarding in place and led by experienced and skilled practitioners. In this way restorative justice can help some victims cope and recover.
A lawyer who was arrested for killing a jogger in his SUV after failing a sobriety test and appearing 'odd' to police has discovered he was suffering brain tumors at the time of the crash.

Peter Holmes Berge, 60, was arrested for killing 35-year-old Scott Spoo when he struck him in his BMW SUV at 4.30pm on Wednesday in St Paul, Minnesota.

When police arrived at the scene, they noted Berge was behaving strangely and asked him to take part in a field sobriety test which he failed.

Despite testing negative for alcohol in a breath test, officers suspected he may have been under the influence of drugs and arrested him on suspicion of criminal vehicle operation.

They took his blood to be tested for controlled substances, the results of which are yet to be released. He will not be charged until they are and only if they turf up traces of drugs.

Three days after the accident, Berge, a widower without any children, was playing guitar at home when he felt weakness in his side. He went to hospital to be checked over and was told he has four tumors in his brain.

Minnesota lawyer Peter Holmes Berge (left ordinarily and right in his mug shot) discovered he had brain tumors three days after being arrested for running over a jogger in his SUV by police who said he was high

St Paul Police is now looking in to whether they could have caused the crash.

It will take weeks before the results of his blood test are returned, a spokesman told DailyMail.com, but officers will consider the possibility the tumors could have caused the crash if it comes back clean.

Berge is the Web Director for the Minnesota Continuing Legal Education and is a member of the Hudson County Bar Association.

Friends told DailyMail.com that the lawyer, who lost his wife Debra to cancer in 2015, is not a drug user and was a 'very responsible' driver.

Scott Spoo, 35, died in hospital after being struck

'I am a very very good friend of Peter  and I know he does not use drugs and is very responsible as a driver.

'If we go out to eat he always insists on taking an Uber. A group of us went to California last fall and every day Peter volunteered to be the designated driver.

'The initial allegations concerning Peter didn't match his character,' Mike Salovich said, adding that his friend was 'one of the nicest guys in the world'.

Berge is still in hospital and has not spoken of the case publicly. The four tumors on his brain are consistent to cancerous ones but he has not yet been diagnosed formally, friends said after visiting him.

He was driving his BMW SUV when he struck Spoo, an engineer and lover of the outdoors, on Wednesday afternoon.

Police said Berge failed a sobriety test at the scene but could not clarify how on Monday night. His dented BMW SUV is pictured above

Police continued to work at the scene as night fell on Wednesday. They said Berge was acting strangely and failed a field sobriety test but couldn't say how

Police have not revealed how Berge's BMW came into contact with Spoo as he jogged by the side of the road but the vehicle remained at the scene with a large dent in the front corner of its hood on Wednesday

Berge, who is a talented guitarist, was playing at home three day after the crash when he noticed a weakness in one of his sides. He went to hospital where he learned he has four brain tumors

When police arrived, they said he appeared to be acting 'oddly'.

'Responsible': Friends said the lawyer never drinks and drives and does not use drugs

Officers also noted a green residue on his tongue which made them suspect he'd ingested marijuana.

The lawyer told them he hadn't, according to Twin Cities, but couldn't complete the sobriety test.

No detail has been released as to how he failed it. The test normally consists of walking in a straight line to prove sobriety.

A St Paul Police spokesman told DailyMail.com it could take up to three months for the results of his blood test to be returned.

Detectives have not ruled out the possibility the tumors caused the incident, they added.

'This is still a very active and open investigation.'

Spoo was eulogized by his family as an enthusiastic cyclist, jogger and an all-round lover of the outdoors.

His organs were donated as a final act of kindness on his behalf, they said.
Drivers have been warned to expect parking chaos when the new 1 coin is introduced as tens of thousands of outdated machines will not accept it.

Around a quarter of Britains 100,000 pay and display machines will not have been modified to accept the new 12-sided 1 by the time it enters circulation on March 28, it is claimed.

The British Parking Association told the Daily Telegraph that a lengthy backlog meant many machines will not be updated until May or June. They added that those in rural areas were at a greater risk of not being ready.

Drivers have been warned to expect parking chaos when the new 1 coin is introduced as tens of thousands of outdated machines will not accept it

Although the current 1 will not be phased out until October, the Royal Mint has already started withdrawing them.

Dave Smith, a spokesman at the British Parking Association, said some councils were considering making parking machines cashless instead, because introducing tap-and-go technology may be cheaper than altering the shape of coin slots.

Any machines which are not updated by the end of March will be required to carry signs stating they do not accept the new coins.

Customers hoping to buy drinks or snacks from vending machines could also run into problems from March.

The warning comes after a survey by Mastercard suggested 87 per cent of the population was unaware of an October 15 deadline to spend the old 1 coin

It is understood that around 40 per cent of the UKs 500,000 machines will not be updated in time, with those in offices and gyms, which are maintained by private companies rather than big suppliers, likely to be slowest to adapt to the change.

Jonathan Hart, chief executive of the Automatic Vending Association said: Its just a question of getting round to it.

Machines run by private companies are likely to be slower to adapt as they might need to get permission to do the modification, which is more time consuming.

The warning comes after a survey by Mastercard suggested 87 per cent of the population was unaware of an October 15 deadline to spend the old 1 coin and that Britons could lose 1.1billion overall by not spending them in time.
Malcolm Turnbull has warned the Coalition party room that 'disunity is death' during their regular meeting on Tuesday.

Mr Turnbull, who blamed the worst Newspoll result in two years on Tony Abbott's recent critique of the government, is under increasing pressure to stabilise his party.

One MP told the Daily Telegraph that the Prime Minister remained calm during the meeting, but acknowledged the need for his government to remain united.

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'Death is disunity': Malcolm Turnbull has issued a stern warning for his battling Coalition party

The warning came after Mr Turnbull hit out at former PM Tony Abbott for his public critique of the government

Other politicians present at the meeting said that while Mr Abbott had no plans to overthrow Mr Turnbull, he was willing to help remove him if the government direction remained the same, news.com.au reported.

'It's a fight to the death,' one senior Liberal minister told the publication.

Human Services Minister Alan Tudge told The Daily Telegraph voters were fed up and wanted politicians to 'get on with the job of governing'.

'They don't want us to be squabbling, they want us to be united and focused on the issues that matter to them,' he told the publication.

'Governments always work best when the team is united and it's not helping anyone when confidential conversations are leaked or deliberate undermining occurs.'

Conservative South Australian senator Cory Bernardi defected from the Liberal Party earlier this month because of 'public disenchantment with the major parties'.

And last week, Mr Abbott offered his thoughts on the current government.

Cory Bernardi has invited Mr Abbott to defect to his newly formed party of one

Mr Abbott last week called for an immigration crackdown and a slashing of electricity bills during a speech

The former Prime Minister called for an immigration crackdown and a slashing of electricity bills during a speech last Thursday.

Mr Abbott identified a change of course on those issues as essential to preventing a 'drift to defeat', prompting a swift rebuke from Malcolm Turnbull and other cabinet ministers who dubbed the intervention 'sad'.

Mr Turnbull on Monday blamed Mr Abbott's calculated critique on the government for the coalition's worst Newspoll result in two years, before he was slammed by several other ministers.

Labor has opened a 10-point lead over the coalition as voters desert the government for Pauline Hanson's One Nation.

The former prime minister's chief of staff Peta Credlin said it was a bad look for Mr Turnbull to be discussing opinion polls and should stay above the fray.

'The government needs to stop talking about the things insiders in this place, Canberra, are talking about and needs to focus on what ordinary people are worried about - cost of living, the penalty rates issue, renewable energy and electricity prices,' she told Sky News.

Instead, they were obsessing about things to 'keep their bums on ministerial leather' and that's the problem because Senator Hanson was filling a void on issues people care about.

Ms Credlin pointed out a graph of polling shows the coalition's decline started not long after the July federal election when Mr Turnbull led the party to a narrow victory with a loss of 14 seats.

'Tony Abbott spoke out on Thursday because the polls are plummeting. Him speaking out on Thursday is not the reason the polls plummeted,' she said.

Ms Credlin claimed some coalition MPs she's spoken to are assuming they've already lost the next election.
Children and teenagers are being pinned down and sedated in one of Britains largest mental health centres, a shocking investigation has exposed.

One girl of 15 with autism was prescribed powerful anti-psychotics and shut away in a cell-like room for almost two years.

And in a six-month period last year staff restrained youngsters face-down on at least 600 occasions.

Fauzia Yasmin Hussain was admitted to the centre aged 15 four years ago and segregated in a small room for 22 months, because she was so difficult to control

This form of restraint was banned by the Government three years ago because it can cause suffocation and long-term psychological harm. An investigation into St Andrews Health Centre in Northampton by Channel 4s Dispatches also found children and adults are being prescribed potentially fatal antipsychotics.

In the seven months between October 2010 and May 2011 there were four deaths of patients at the centre who were on one of these drugs. MPs have described the findings as shameful and say patients are being treated like animals and prisoners. The centre is now being investigated by the Care Quality Commission watchdog.

The revelations come six years after the Winterbourne View scandal at a centre for learning disabilities in Bristol. It was closed after the BBCs Panorama exposed carers abusing young adults.

The Government has repeatedly promised to close these large scale institutions and house adults and children in smaller residential care centres. But some 2,500 adults and children are still being looked after in institutions.

St Andrews said patients safety and wellbeing was paramount and included protecting their confidentiality

They include 660 patients at St Andrews where Dispatches was alerted to concerns.

Fauzia Yasmin Hussain was admitted to the centre aged 15 four years ago and segregated in a small room for 22 months, because she was so difficult to control.

CHILLING ECHO OF A BANNED TECHNIQUE The investigations findings have chilling echoes of the Pindown technique used in childrens homes in Staffordshire in the 1980s. Children would be deprived of their clothes and shoes and made to wear pyjamas to prevent them absconding. If they misbehaved they were isolated and locked in Pindown rooms for weeks or months on end, to the extent that some became suicidal. Many had behavioural problems which would now be diagnosed as autism or ADHD, but they were simply labelled as troublemakers. A public inquiry in 1991 banned the technique and recommended social services scrutinise the homes more closely. Advertisement

She was given powerful sedatives and began to lose weight, as staff were failing to ensure she had enough to eat.

Former health minister Norman Lamb who visited her described her treatment as a scandal.

He said: I had heard very big concerns about the nature of the care in this institution. I saw Fauzia in her room, which in effect was a cell, it seemed to be that a 15-year-old girl was being treated in effect like a prisoner.

It was one of the most shocking things Ive seen in my time in parliament. Just as a human being I was horrified. It was almost akin to treating her like an animal.

Another patient, Matthew Garnett  who also has autism  was restrained and secluded 11 times in the first six months after being admitted in March 2016.

St Andrews said patients safety and wellbeing was paramount and included protecting their confidentiality. A spokesman added: This means that while we strongly refute the allegations made by Dispatches as false and misleading, we are unable to comment further.

A Department of Health spokesperson said: 'All patients with complex needs should receive compassionate, respectful care in the right place for them.

'We are investing 1.4 billion in children and young people's mental health, and are committed to moving at least 35 per cent of people out of inpatient settings by 2019 in order to support those patients who would benefit from care in the community.'

Under Lock and Key  Channel 4 Dispatches will be shown tomorrow at 10pm.
A four-year-old British girl is fighting for her life in hospital after being sucked into a hot tub filter pump at a Bulgarian hotel.

Isabella Floyd was playing with her mother Nicole at the Admiral Hotel in the Black Sea resort of Varna, when the traumatic incident took place.

The youngster was sucked onto the filter by her bottom and despite the desperate efforts of her mother and grandmother, she could not break free.

Pictured: Isabella Floyd, four, is now fighting for her life in a Bulgarian hospital after severely damaging her bowel

After a lifeguard turned off the hot tub's pumping system Isabella was rushed to hospital, where doctors found she had severely damaged her bowel.

Surgeons carried out two operations and have removed part of her intestine.

Doctors are now battling to save Isabella and have placed her in an artificial coma.

The family, originally from Waterlooville in Hampshire but now livING in Bulgaria, are praying she recovers from the ordeal.

Nicole, 28, recalled the incident to the Sun: 'She was shouting 'my tummy, my tummy'.

Isabella was playing with her mother Nicole at the Admiral Hotel (pictured) in the Black Sea resort of Varna, when the traumatic incident took place

Bulgarian doctors are now battling to save Isabella after surgeons were forced to remove part of her intestine

'I tried to pull her up and break the vacuum, but it was too strong. I tried to break the vacuum with my fingers.

'She never cried  she was just in shock. She is my only child  it took me three years to get pregnant with her. They have removed part of her intestine.'
Older drivers face motor insurance rises of up to 300 a year after a Government ruling to boost personal injury compensation, experts warned last night.

In a move branded crazy by the insurance industry, Justice Secretary Liz Truss announced a new formula for calculating compensation which will lead to bigger payouts for those who suffer serious long-term injuries.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) warned that up to 36 million individuals and businesses will see their motor insurance premiums go up to pay for the changes.

Older drivers face motor insurance rises of up to 300 a year after a Government ruling to boost personal injury compensation, experts warned last night

And the NHS faces a 1 billion jump in its annual compensation bill for clinical negligence claims.

Insurance premiums have risen even before the changes  going up by 4.9 per cent in the last three months of 2016 and adding 22 to the average fee.

The Ministry of Justice yesterday said it had no choice under current law, and said it was looking at more fundamental reforms to the way compensation is calculated.

But last night senior Tory MP Andrew Tyrie warned the Governments decision had a look of absurdity, and said it would cause peoples insurance premiums to rise while hitting the public finances.

There are also concerns that the reforms could lead to bigger profits for personal injury lawyers. Simon McCulloch, of comparethemarket.com, said: The concern is that the discount rate change will see much of the money move from the pockets of motorists and into those of personal injury lawyers, who campaigned for it. The row centres on a discount rate for compensations, which is set by Miss Truss.

Q&A What has happened? The car insurance premiums of 36 million drivers are set to rise in order to give bigger payouts to victims of serious accidents. The rises are due to a Ministry of Justice change to a rate which sets compensation payouts. What is this rate? It is known as the Ogden rate, and is a discount used by the courts to calculate how much money insurers pay to victims of major accidents. How does it work? If someone is injured, they are often awarded money up front which is equivalent to what they would have earned if they had been able to stay at work. But because this cash is handed over as a lump sum, it can be invested and earn interest. So insurers are allowed to knock a bit off the lump sum to take account for this payment. How much they can knock off is dictated by a discount rate set by the courts, which takes extra future income into account. Why has it changed? It is all to do with interest rates. Because interest rates are so low, it is assumed that compensation victims are getting less interest on their payouts. As a result, insurers have been told to give victims more money up front. So where before insurers were allowed to assume the interest victims received was 2.5 per cent, Justice Secretary Liz Truss now says the interest they get is minus 0.75 per cent. What will it mean for drivers? The extra cost to insurers will be paid for by higher premiums, meaning motorists bills will go up. An average policy is likely to cost 50 to 75 more each year, while young drivers could face up to 1,000 in extra costs. A few thousand accident victims will benefit but the charges will hit 36 million drivers every year. Advertisement

The rate determines how much money insurers can shave off a payout to account for how much the claimant could earn by investing the lump sum. The lower this is, the more money accident victims get.

It currently stands at 2.5 per cent  but Miss Truss is putting it down to minus 0.75 per cent.

Analysts have predicted the changes will cost the insurance industry more than 5 billion.

Shares in insurance companies fell sharply on the announcement, with Direct Line slumping more than 7 per cent. But the ABI made it clear it would be customers that ultimately pay the price.

Accountancy firm PWC yesterday predicted the cost of the average comprehensive motor insurance policy would rise by 50 to 75. Older drivers could see their annual insurance bills jump by 300 and young drivers could be forced to pay up to 1,000 more. In an extraordinary personal attack on the Justice Secretary, Huw Evans, director-general of the ABI, said: Cutting the discount rate is a crazy decision by Liz Truss.

Claim costs will soar, making it inevitable that there will be an increase in motor and liability premiums for millions of drivers and businesses across the UK. To make such a significant change to the rate using a broken formula is reckless in the extreme.

Insurers warned that millions of firms will also see the cost of their employer liability insurance go up. These policies, which are compulsory, pay out if an employee suffers a serious injury at work. Opposition MPs described the Governments decision as a blow to small firms and cash-strapped households, previously labelled the Just About Managing.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: The Just About Managing have been slapped with a further tax hike by this Government. It makes a mockery of Theresa Mays claim that she wants to stick up for the poor in society. Miss Truss said her hands were tied, adding: The law is absolutely clear  as Lord Chancellor, I must make sure the right rate is set to compensate claimants.

I am clear that this is the only legally acceptable rate I can set.

Referring to the predicted 1 billion annual increase in NHS compensation payouts, Mrs Mays spokesman said: The Government will make sure the NHS has the appropriate funding.

How did the lawyers greet the changes? Let's open the Moet!

Personal injury lawyers celebrated Liz Trusss announcement yesterday, with one saying he would open the Moet.

Peter Todd, a partner at London legal firm Hodge Jones and Allen LLP, sent a tweet to Vidisha Joshi, his companys managing partner, saying: Is it too early to open the Moet?

She replied: Its midday somewhere in the world.

Peter Todd, a partner at London legal firm Hodge Jones and Allen LLP, sent a tweet to Vidisha Joshi, his companys managing partner, saying: Is it too early to open the Moet?

Mr Todds tweet has since been deleted, and he insists he was simply expressing his delight that those with life-changing injuries will be properly compensated.

Experts fear the rate change will provoke a flood of personal injury claims.

And Anthony Wright, the Association of British Insurers head of communications, said: Its shocking that within minutes of the announcement the ambulance-chasers were already talking about opening champagne, especially as businesses, taxpayers and millions of motorists will foot the bill.

Mr Todd, 49, who lives in a 1.3 million cottage in a village near Milton Keynes, and is married with three children, said his profession will not make more money because of the change because lawyers did not take a percentage cut of clients compensation payouts.

He said he had never received a percentage cut of someones compensation and neither had his firm, and that he received the same fee regardless of the amount of compensation given.

This is a type of no-win, no-fee agreement called a conditional fee agreement (CFA) where a client is charged a set success fee.

Speaking about his tweet, Mr Todd said: It is good news for innocent victims of serious injuries that they will no longer have their compensation run out before the need has ceased, or have to risk losing their compensation in risky investment gambles. Lawyers will not make any more money.

But industry insiders said other lawyers did take a percentage of the payout, meaning they could earn millions more thanks to Miss Trusss announcement.
Ministers were last night ordered to draw up plans for a fresh round of spending cuts of up to 6 per cent as Chancellor Philip Hammond prepares for next weeks Budget.

Treasury chief secretary David Gauke wrote to Ministers yesterday asking them to draw up plans for new cuts of up to six per cent in their departmental budgets as part of plans to slash a further 3.5 billion a year from public spending.

Britains foreign aid budget will be exempt from the cuts, as will the NHS and schools. The target of spending two per cent of GDP on defence will also be maintained.

Chancellor Philip Hammond, pictured, is expecting to slash government funding during next week's budgets with most departments expecting to lose between 3 and 6 per cent of funds

All other departments have been asked to come up with proposals for cutting spending by between 3 and 6 per cent.

The cuts will come into place in 2019/20, four years after George Osborne promised the huge budget deficit left behind by Labour would be eradicated.

Announcing the efficiency review, Mr Gauke said: We are committed to a modern, high-quality public sector that delivers the services people need in the most efficient way possible.

There has been considerable progress, but there is further to go and the whole of government is working together to consider how we can live within our means while delivering maximum value for every pound of taxpayers money.

The decision to press ahead with the new cuts, which were originally pencilled in by Mr Osborne last year, signals Mr Hammonds determination to tackle the deficit.

Treasury Chief Secretary David Gauke has written to ministers asking them for their cut ideas

It comes despite booming tax receipts which have led some to call for Ministers to ease up on austerity measures after years of cuts.

Bumper tax receipts last month have put Mr Hammond on course to beat the deficit target of 68 billion when he unveils the Budget next week. Economists believe the deficit could come in 12 billion lower, at 56 billion.

But Government sources say Mr Hammond remains concerned that the size of Britains deficit is unsustainable and needs to be brought down as quickly as possible.

He has told MPs and Ministers pleading for extra spending: There is no pot of money under my desk.

Despite strong economic growth, he is also said to remain nervous about the potential impact of Brexit on the economy.

Labour MP Louise Haigh condemned the decision to press ahead with the cuts last night, saying Ministers were prepared to sacrifice the country and economy to their ideology.
Sir John Major was introduced by a Chatham House worthy as being neither a Eurosceptic nor a Europhile

Grey Man gone tonto: Sir John Major, about whom there is so often something of the vengeful doormat, last night wailed and caterwauled about how dreadfully difficult Brexit was going to be.

In a speech that will have had Theresa May grinding her molars to a fine dental dust, former PM Major called the Leave vote an historic mistake and described the European Union as a colossus.

Colossus! A majority of our population seems more inclined to regard it as a bloody disaster.

The man who once complained about Margaret Thatchers back-seat driving was introduced by a Chatham House worthy as being neither a Eurosceptic nor a Europhile and as therefore being the right person to offer a contrast to the backdrop of highly politicised debate.

This, I fear, was far from the whole truth. Sir John campaigned hard for Remain in the referendum campaign. He was once hot for the ruinous Exchange Rate Mechanism. His premiership saw undeniable kow-towing to Brussels.

He began yesterdays early-evening speech to an appreciative audience by noting that he had kept silent since last June.

He added: I am no longer in politics. I have absolutely no wish to re-enter it in any capacity. I dont seek publicity  more often than not, I shy away from it.

Yet this speech, its timing so neatly matching recent pro-EU eruptions by his fellow has-beens Tony Blair and Michael Heseltine, was luridly political. Much publicised, too!

He began yesterdays early-evening speech to an appreciative audience by noting that he had kept silent since last June

Sir John waved those familiar square, hairy hands at the lectern. Sorry, but I can never see them without thinking of Edwina and getting sticky in the afternoons at that London love-nest.

He was dressed in a blue tie which matched the Chatham House corporate design. The voice had its customary metallic, nerdy edge. The text was littered with correct but now possibly rather old-fashioned references to countries in the feminine.

He quoted some Rudyard Kipling. When he considered the complexities of the coming Brexit negotiations with the EU, he was reminded of Kiplings lines I keep six honest serving men (they taught me all I knew); Their names are What and Why and When, and How and Where and Who.

If we are to take, say, the When and Who in that quotation, I could find nowhere in the speech any acknowledgement that in the next year several of the main members of the EU may undergo a change in their political leadership.

This was a pungent, firmly-asserted speech, full of Majorish guile and self-congratulation. He has always been an intensely vain man. You could sense him loving the attention. I dont seek publicity indeed!

When, with husky sarcasm, he noted that we are told our best days are ahead, he won a little ripple of laughter from some voice near the front of the stage. He liked that.

He added: I am no longer in politics. I have absolutely no wish to re-enter it in any capacity. I dont seek publicity  more often than not, I shy away from it'

Countless Remain voters had apparently written to him in despair, seeking his help. The pleading masses look up beseechingly to the Grandfather of the Nation! More than once he reminded us of his great experience as a statesman. Maybe not so helpful to his own country, though. Brussels will have loved his line about how we may owe billions of pounds in debts to the EU.

He artfully just avoided conflating modern Britain with the sort of European populist movements which, he said, were spreading bigotry, prejudice and intolerance against minorities, a poison destroying decency and understanding.

The juxtaposition of such views with Theresa Mays pro-Brexit, liberal-democratic Tories was not the work of an honest John. It was acidic and sly.

Let us close by observing that Sir John, though critical of Leavers trenchant opinions, posed as a defender of the Remainers right to speak freely. Freedom of speech is absolute.

So said the man who once sued, and nearly bankrupted, the New Statesman magazine after it wrote a story about him having a lover. They got the wrong popsy.
New green coffee capsules are being launched to take on the aluminium Nespresso versions promoted by George Clooney.

The capsules, which have been designed by the start-up company Halo, are compatible with the Nespresso machines advertised by the US movie star.

They are made from a natural mix of fibres, including bamboo and paper.

As a result, every capsule biodegrades completely within 90 days, whereas an aluminium capsule takes 150 to 200 years.

New green coffee capsules are being launched to take on the aluminium Nespresso versions promoted by George Clooney which can take up to 200 years to biodegrade

A huge amount of energy is used to refine the aluminium used to make the capsules from raw bauxite, a process that produces a lot of toxic waste.

The 3g pod is used just once before being thrown away  although they are designed to be recycled.

Such is concern about the impact on the environment of the aluminium pods that council chiefs in the city of Hamburg, Germany, banned them from their offices.

The Halo range of fully biodegradeable capsules includes a kopi luwak blend  the ultrapremium coffee made from droppings of the palm civets, which eat the beans.

Another variant, the Three Mountain Special Edition, is an espresso blend of Kenyan Kilimanjaro, Colombian Andean and Nepalese Himalayan beans.

Halo claims that 39,000 coffee capsules globally are produced every minute, with up to 29,000 of these sent to landfill.

That equates to 20 billion capsules containing aluminium or plastic being produced every year  enough to circle the earth 14 times over.

Nespresso says the key to keeping coffee fresh is making sure oxygen does not get to it. It says, encasing it in an aluminium pod is said to be the most effective way of doing that.

Some 22per cent of households own a coffee pod machine. In the last year, more than 112m-worth of coffee pods were sold in the UK, up by a third from 2014.

Sales are expected to treble by 2020, at which point coffee capsule sales are projected to overtake those of tea bags.

A huge amount of energy is used to refine the aluminium used to make the capsules from raw bauxite, a process that produces a lot of toxic waste

The success of Nespresso has a great deal to do with the popularity of actor, campaigner and brand ambassador George Clooney.

A major supporter of human rights groups and charities, he is also something of a green campaigner which has involved, among other things, switching to using his own electric cars.

The actor appeared on the first green issue of Vanity Fair, along with Julia Roberts, Al Gore and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Halo cofounder, Nils Leonard, Nils Leonard, said: We believe that the major coffee companies arent doing enough to combat waste, so if they wont, we will.

We want to set a new standard for coffee capsules and in a year we will have forced the whole industry to change.

The capsules, which have been designed by the start-up company Halo, are compatible with the Nespresso machines advertised by the US movie star. They are made from a natural mix of fibres, including bamboo and paper

For the first time, Kopi Luwak, the worlds finest and rarest coffee will be available in a capsule for coffee lovers to enjoy with the knowledge that every cup isnt harming the planet - and weve only just started.

Fellow co-founder, Richard Hardwick, said: The coffee revolution has happened and one of the key challenges the industry now faces is the millions of tonnes of waste created as a result.

Aluminium and plastic coffee capsules are difficult to recycle so most of them end up in the bin, and thats why up to 75per cent are currently being sent to landfill every minute. Most people dont understand the irreversible damage these coffee capsules are inflicting on the planet.

Its a design challenge that no-one has cracked. Until now. Creating Halo pushed expert capsule designers and coffee roasters to the limit, combining cutting edge innovation and modern materials with traditional craft.

Nespresso says the key to keeping coffee fresh is making sure oxygen does not get to it. It says, encasing it in an aluminium pod is said to be the most effective way of doing that

However, the price of being green does not come cheap. Nespresso capsules are generally 30p-40p each, while the premium coffee pods offered by Halo work out at 1 each.

Nespresso, the most popular provider of the pods in Europe, first sold single-serving coffee pods in 1986. The company says the fact they are made of aluminium, which can be repeatedly recycled, means they are actually a green option.

A spokesman said: Aluminium provides significant environmental advantages.

It has the unique advantage of being infinitely recyclable and eliminates the need for any additional packaging or overwrap to protect freshness.

We are frequently asked whether individual portions and the use of aluminium contradict sustainability - in our opinion, the opposite is the case.
Oh, the tyranny of sensitivity! The latest subject of outrage is a humble beef-n-mango stew, which has provoked the ire of a Cambridge student because it was named inaccurately as Jamaican on a menu at Pembroke College.

That complaint was soon followed by an appeal to sort out your Chinese chicken. Further questions were asked by others about the serving up of Indian fish pie, and tagine with Tunisian rice.

Thankfully, other students were able to bring a touch of levity to these exchanges, with one adding: Dont get me started on the Yorkshire puddings!

Students at Pembroke College in Cambridge, pictured, have complained about ethnic references in food served in the canteen claiming they have been misappropriated

One student was angered over a beef and mango stew which was deemed as Jamaican

It is perhaps possible to feel a faint (though irritated) sympathy for those students who got so annoyed by a weird beef-and-mango supper calling itself Jamaican stew.

In fact, Im inclined to be more annoyed that the college appears to have panicked and promised to review its menu to guard against cultural misrepresentation.

What I found most disturbing, though, was the post which another student at Pembroke reportedly wrote: Im used, as a black student here, to being constantly invalidated when flagging up specific issues  sure there are bigger issues, but micro-aggressions are a reality of the everyday existence of people of colour.

Invalidated? Micro-aggressions? When did these politically correct phrases come into mainstream use in this country? And how long before they begin to stifle the most basic functions of society? Soon, every utterance will come to be seen as causing offence to someone, somewhere.

Students have even complained about Chinese chicken and Indian fish pie, file photograph

The shame of it is that institutions are increasingly terrified of causing upset, and so either cave in at the first sign of trouble, or offer warnings just in case someone is upset by something. I notice that the Royal Court theatre in London is now offering such warnings on its website in case unwary playgoers encounter scenes on stage which could cause extreme distress.

University College, London, meanwhile, gets lecturers discussing battlefield archaeology to deliver so-called trigger warnings in case the material disturbs sensitive students.

Other UK universities offer chances to leave the lecture room in subjects including history, popular culture, photography, law, politics and  for heavens sake!  forensic science.

The Royal Court Theatre, pictured, has warned patrons over possible disturbing scenes

There are fears that some sensitive people now need to be protected from Shakespeare

At Oxford, a law lecturer worries that some law students are unwilling to deal with learning about sex offences. In the U.S., some Harvard students have seriously suggested that rape law should not be taught at all because it might cause distress.

It is not just education that brings on precious, trembling anxieties. In the U.S., it is now routine, according to the Washington Times, for publishers to hire sensitivity readers to screen new books for anything which might be culturally less than tactful, or indicate bias, stereotypes or negatively charged language about gender, race, disability or sexual orientation.

Even illness is taboo: one such stern reader said that describing a near-terminal patient as dying is never acceptable.

Not many Shakespeare plays or Dickens novels would get through that filter, and even modern novelists feel the problems.

The American writer Lionel Shriver, the acclaimed author of We Need To Talk About Kevin, an uncomfortable yet brilliant book about a woman whose teenage son turns killer, says: At the keyboard, unrelenting anguish about hurting other peoples feelings inhibits spontaneity and constipates creativity. The ghost of a stern reader gooning over ones shoulder on the lookout for slights fosters authorial cowardice.

Look, we all know that politeness is a virtue. Tact is golden. It is desirable to have reasonable tolerance of others foibles, cultures, religions and personal vulnerabilities. No decent person sets out to insult another or cause humiliation, still less actual pain.

Students were complaining about cultural misrepresentation of food at Pembroke College

But when tact is governed by anxiety, and the prime motive is a morbid dread of upsetting anyone, then you strangle spontaneity, truth and freedom. It makes you want to give a patriarchal shout of: Oh, man up, everybody!

Start with the trigger warnings: they dont work, and professionals like Professor Sir Simon Wessely, head of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, get irritated by mental illness being cited in this context.

Persistently avoiding reminders of bad stuff, he says, is rarely a good treatment strategy. Trauma therapists get people to talk openly about terrible experiences and contemplate them afresh.

I suppose an online warning from a theatre might conceivably be useful for a violently offensive play if you were innocently expecting a frothy night out (at the Royal Court, face it, you rarely are). But encouraging students to leave a lecture rather than hear something nasty just means that bad memories are never dealt with, which is likely to cripple them further and increase anxieties.

Anyway, if you have had a very bad experience, it is often not the obvious things which bring it flooding back. It is more likely oblique moments in a play, book, film or conversation: a turn of phrase, a look.

I have certainly found this, having sat by more than one deathbed and suffered the suicide of a son. Its never the obvious parallels that get to you: real triggers are private and unexpected, and you need to get through the shaken moments. Most of us, by middle age, are to some extent walking wounded. But hell, you gotta carry on walking.

Author Lionel Shriver who wrote We Need To Talk About Kevin, said: 'At the keyboard, unrelenting anguish about hurting other people's feelings inhibits spontaneity'

Professor Wessely has spoken well about the danger of thinking about oneself as a victim for ever. And, frankly, encouraging feebleness and fostering a sense of helpless anxiety is plain cruel.

In wartime it was a punishable military offence to spread alarm and despondency: this showy new hypersensitivity does just that.

So does social media, encouraging misery about everything from Brexit and Trump to eco-disaster. Even if you actually are disabled or disadvantaged, your greater need is for respect, encouragement and honour for your resilience.

A related problem is the question of hate speech. How rude should we be allowed to be about people of different races, religions, shapes, cultures and sexual habits? Is it worse to be an Islamophobe or a pious Muslim berating Western girls for dressing immodestly and disobeying their men? Is it worse to be a Christian who genuinely thinks homosexuality is a sin and says so, or a gay-rights humanist hurling abuse at superstitious God-bothering bigots?

If it was right to give a man called Harry Taylor a suspended sentence in 2010 for putting anti-religious cartoons in an airport prayer room, why was it okay for Professor Richard Dawkins to sneer at the Archbishop of Canterbury for having an imaginary friend?

Was it necessary for a man named Harry Hammond to pay a 695 fine and costs for carrying a plaque round Bournemouth saying Jesus is Alive Stop Immorality Stop Homosexuality  and so on, or for an Oxford student to be arrested for observing that a policemans horse looked gay?

Since 1986, it has been an offence to use insulting words if you intend to stir up hatred or if  having regard to all circumstances  hatred might be stirred up by them. You can technically get seven years for it.

In 1994 the law was strengthened, so that even if you just cause alarm or distress it counts.

The hate-speech law hastily states that it doesnt restrict discussion, criticism or expressions of antipathy, dislike, ridicule, insult or abuse of particular religions or the beliefs or practices of their adherents.

But the law confuses itself by adding that you dont personally have to be offended in order to report the bad words, you just have to think that someone else who didnt hear them might be distressed if they had.

The whole issue is a mess, as free-speech campaigners constantly repeat, and  as with the trigger warnings  it encourages a victim mentality. The underlying message is that a distressed cry-baby attitude is something to seek out and foster.

Worse, it blurs the important gap between insult and incitement to violence, between personal dislike and practical discrimination.

Surely it should be possible legally to say that you dislike a social group and find them decadent or annoying; but never possible to deny them, for example, fair job and housing chances. It should be possible to express vehement revulsion towards a belief or lifestyle, but never, ever, to incite violence against people who follow it.

The bitter irony is that while hate-speech law grew ever more florid, we gave up on tough local policing of old misdemeanours such as breach of the peace and disorderly conduct.

And while we grow ever more squeamish about imaginary triggers for distress in healthy students  Jamaican stew, anyone?  we fail to deal with child poverty, filthy, insecure housing, cruel care homes, and patients on trolleys in hospital corridors.

A healthy society should value practical kindness, and learn to shrug off perceived insults. There are better things to worry about.
Tuesday is Rare Disease Day, and Oregon State Universitys Disability and Social Interaction Lab will host a full slate of activities on campus to call attention to the estimated one in 10 Americans who are afflicted with one of 7,000 unusual disorders.

Students in assistant professor Kathleen Bogarts lab will be on the quad from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, encouraging people to take part in games and other activities aimed at raising awareness of rare diseases.

For more information, visit the labs website at http://bit.ly/2kVGicd.
A 29-year-old woman who was left clinging to life in hospital after being attacked while leaving a music festival will have a metal plate placed in her throat to help her breathe.

Amelia Rayner and her boyfriend were leaving the Electric Avenue music festival in Christchurch, New Zealand, shortly after 11pm on Saturday when they were allegedly attacked by a group of four young men, according to police and media reports.

Investigators have not been able to interview Ms Rayner because of her condition

One of the men punched the young woman in the throat, her mother Barbara Rayner told Stuff the severe blow caused a 'severe break in her trachea'.

'They're going to cut her neck, put a metal plate in and bring it back. That plate will just stay in there, so it shouldn't restrict her breathing,' she said.

The surgery was first scheduled for Tuesday but has been delayed due to an infection in the young woman's lungs.

Ms Rayner and her boyfriend had been approached twice by the group. The first time there were allegedly three young men who taunted the couple by stealing Ms Rayber's cap.

The second time there were four men - that's when the alleged physical attack which lead to the young woman fighting for her life in hospital occurred.

Mrs Rayner says her daughter's boyfriends has been left 'devastated' by the young woman's critical condition.

'He blames himself, like it was his fault. It's not his fault, you should be able to walk up the street and be safe.'

Ms Rayner is in a coma after she was punched in the throat while leaving a music festival

Investigators have not been able to interview Ms Rayner because of her condition, a police spokesperson said.

Based on information from Ms Rayner's family, the New Zealand news website Stuff reported she was in an induced coma.

A Christchurch Hospital spokesperson said she remains in critical condition, declining to provide further information and referring to a family request for privacy.

The alleged assault happened at the intersection of Park Terrace and Salisbury Street near South Hagley Park, police said.

Ms Rayner's mother, Barbara, told Stuff the alleged attack happened after three men came up to the couple and took Ms Rayner's hat.

After taking the hat back, a scuffle ensued, and Ms Rayner was punched in the throat, causing her trachea to be 'crushed,' Stuff reported.

Police had no information on the boyfriend's condition, but Ms Rayner's mother said he suffered bruises.

On social media, friends expressed their shock at the incident and described Ms Rayner as a 'beautiful spirited girl.'

'Who would do this to my beautiful, kind, sweet friend!!?? If anyone in [Christchurch] has any info please get in touch with the police,' one woman wrote.

'Amelia Rayner is a amazing woman with a big heart who doesn't deserve that done to her,' wrote another friend.
Stephen Martin revealed he voted for Brexit in the referendum last June

Quitting the European Union offers Britain massive opportunities to boost trade with the rest of the world, according to the new boss of the Institute of Directors.

Stephen Martin, who took over as director general of the influential 114-year-old business lobby group earlier this month, has revealed he voted for Brexit in the referendum last June.

He said leaving the Brussels club could open our eyes to the rest of the world and urged ministers to use the UKs new-found freedom to scrap the red tape stifling businesses.

British businesses want to make Brexit work, and are keen to explore trade opportunities with the rest of the world that arise once we leave the EU, he said.

Before taking over at the London-based IoD, Mr Martin ran construction group Clugston in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire.

He is seeking to broaden the IoDs appeal outside the capital and among small businesses, and said he had not been surprised by the Leave vote. I called it for Brexit. I expected the result, he said.

I genuinely believe this is because I was based in the North of England and am not London-focused. I could see the different views of the different places, different workforces.

Remainers thought it was obvious [to stay], but it wasnt.

The appointment of a Brexit supporter to lead the IoD has raised eyebrows given the widespread view the business community wanted to remain in the EU.

The pro-Brussels Confederation of British Industry called for Britain to join the euro and warned leaving the EU would be a disaster for the economy.

Although the British Chambers of Commerce officially took a neutral stance in the referendum campaign, former director general John Longworth left abruptly early last year after personally backing Brexit publicly.

Mr Longworth, who is now co-chairman of Brexit campaign group Leave Means Leave, said the decision to appoint a leaver as head of the IoD was very sensible.

Although the British Chambers of Commerce officially took a neutral stance in the referendum campaign, former director general John Longworth left after backing Brexit publicly

He added: If the IoD is embracing Brexit, and looking to find the best way of making Britain a great place to do business, then that is to be applauded. I would hope that other business organisations follow suit.

Mr Martin, 51, a married father of two, grew up in a working-class Belfast home when the sectarian violence of The Troubles was at its peak. He took a degree in quantity surveying at Ulster University and has an MBA from London Business School.

The former Territorial Army recruit is also a bona fide magician. People are often surprised when they find out Im a member of The Magic Circle, he said.

I joined the Ulster society of magicians in the 80s and met all the top magicians of the day, including Paul Daniels. I used to do weekend shows and childrens parties to earn a bit of extra cash.

Striking an upbeat tone about Britains future outside the EU, Mr Martin said: Rather than closing doors, Brexit could open our eyes to the rest of the world. We may have previously ignored trading partners because we havent needed to go there.

There are massive opportunities around the world, particularly if the Prime Minister follows through on her promise to be a champion of free trade.
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch is caricatured viciously on the BBCs Tracey Ullman Show

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch is caricatured viciously on the BBCs Tracey Ullman Show.

In a recent episode he invites his wife, Jerry Hall, to share his popcorn, which is strewn on his lap.

He complains: Cant a man hide his pecker in his popcorn without getting grief about it?

Murdoch and Miss Ullman are not friends.

She lost a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against his 20th Century Fox in 1992 when she sought an increased share of profits from The Simpsons, which began as a five-minute segment on her US show.

Labour peeress Shami Chakrabartis feeble excuses for Labours catastrophic defeat in the Copeland by-election included the observation that the Cumbrian constituency is remote from London.

She also told the BBCs Andrew Marr: Theres the nuclear industry and people have done very well out of that industry, and then theres the people left behind you have to cherish them.

Lady Chakrabarti lives in London, where shes done very well and is cherished in the professional protest sector.

Warren Beattys part in the Oscars mishap is attributed by some to his age, 79. However it was co-presenter Faye Dunaway, 76, who read out that La La Land had won, when it should have been Moonlight.

Beatty had been given the wrong envelope and passed it to her. She was stunned, completely speechless, says Radio 4s Martha Kearney, who was present.

Although they were lovers in their biggest film  Bonnie And Clyde, 50 years ago  Beatty objected to the then unknown Miss Dunaway, pictured, portraying real-life gangsters moll Bonnie Parker, sharing top billing with himself.

Warren Beattys part in the Oscars mishap is attributed by some to his age, 79. However it was co-presenter Faye Dunaway, 76, who read out that La La Land had won, when it should have been Moonlight

The Duchess of Cornwalls decision to back a series of street parties and picnics in June to honour the memory of murdered Labour MP Jo Cox could prove controversial.

Royals usually avoid events which have a political character. President Donald Trump is due to visit our shores in June.

It would be seen as unfortunate if some of those taking part in the Cox tribute use the occasion to protest Trumps meeting with the Queen.

The BBCs adaptation of Len Deightons book, SS-GB, about a German invasion, has King George VI under guard in St Georges Hospital in Hyde Park Corner.

In the book, his children, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, are hiding in New Zealand.

This fictional theory is undercut by a letter their mother Queen Elizabeth  the Queen Mother, as she was later styled  wrote to her mother-in-law, Queen Mary, saying: The children will not leave unless I do. I shall not leave unless their father does, and the king will not leave the country in any circumstances, whatever.

The BBCs adaptation of Len Deightons book, SS-GB, about a German invasion, has King George VI under guard in St Georges Hospital in Hyde Park Corner

RE SS-GB, how will it deal with Edward VIII, who abdicated to marry American double divorcee Wallis Simpson?

He reputedly taught Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret how to do a Nazi salute. Author Deighton worked on a 1995 documentary, Edward VIII: The Traitor King, which revealed the latter would have been enthroned by the Germans if Britain had lost the war.
A father-of-four has died of a severe asthma attack, decades after the same tragedy struck his mother.

Jared Hossack was hosting a barbecue when he suffered an asthma attack on Sunday - three months to the day before he was due to marry his fiancee Annie.

His best mate and paramedics worked on the 34-year-old for about an hour, but he died at his Sunshine Coast home in Queensland to the same fate of his mother.

Mr Hossack was a teenager when his mother died of an asthma attack.

Jared Hossack, 34, died on Sunday to an asthma attack. He leaves behind four children and his wife-to-be Annie (family pictured together)

Mr Hossack was a teenager when his mother died of an asthma attack (he is pictured as a child with his mother)

Annie's sister Jenna Quartermain told Daily Mail Australia the father-of-four suffered asthma his whole life, and suffered a near-fatal attack just months ago.

She said he was 'kind, loving and hilarious'.

'A one in a million man with nothing but love in his heart,' Jenna said.

'He leaves behind his children and wife-to-be, who face a future without their bread-winner and rock.

Mr Hossack was three months to the day away from marrying fiancee Annie

Mr Hossack is pictured with one of his four young children

Jenna has set up a fundraiser to support Annie and Mr Hossack's four children, raising almost $10,000 in just 24 hours online.

All of the money will go towards his funeral expenses and ongoing costs for the now single-parent family, Jenna wrote on the fundraiser.

Annie runs an online store at Instagram, and the community has been rallying together to support her after her 'beloved fiance' suddenly died.

A community of stores are running an online auction, with over $10,000 worth of donated children's clothing, decor and more, up for auction to support the family.
Gerald Kaufman was first elected to parliament in 1970 but never held cabinet office despite his lengthy career

By the standards of most politicians, Gerald Kaufman  who has died at 86 after a long illness  was an extraordinarily colourful, acerbic and controversial character.

First elected in Manchester in 1970, he was Britains longest-serving MP. And although he never held Cabinet office, he made a distinctive mark on our national life as a savage critic of, among other things, the state of Israel, the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and, above all, his Labour Party colleagues.

Born in Leeds in 1930 to Polish Jewish immigrants, Kaufman was a clever man who never forgot his roots, and never underestimated his own ability. After winning scholarships to Leeds Grammar School and Queens College, Oxford, he threw himself into Labour student politics, tangling with a young man called Rupert Murdoch, whom he managed to block from standing for a club office.

When Kaufmans early attempts to win a parliamentary seat ended in defeat in 1955 and 1959, he ended up working for the Daily Mirror and the New Statesman. Eventually he landed a job at the Labour Party press office, though he also found the time to contribute satirical sketches to the hit BBC show That Was the Week That Was.

In the late 1960s and 1970s he was one of Harold Wilsons closest advisers, though colleagues complained that instead of calming Wilsons paranoia about the security services and plots by his own ministers, Kaufman  himself an inveterate intriguer  stoked it to new heights.

Indeed, although there was no doubt about Kaufmans brains and ability, many of his fellow MPs distrusted him, which explains why he never rose any higher than Minister of State at the Department of Industry.

Some fellow MPs distrusted his fabulous intelligence and worked as a journalist

Kaufman became a fixture on Labours front bench in the 1980s, serving as Shadow Environment Secretary, Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary. But although he was an outspoken critic of Margaret Thatcher at the time, he paid a remarkably handsome tribute to her after her death, praising her courage, courtesy and patriotism.

THE WASPISH MP WITH THE ACID TONGUE On the 1983 Labour manifesto: The longest suicide note in history On Ken Livingstone: A smarmy charlatan On his fellow Labour MP Barbara Castle: The Norma Desmond of politics, like the protagonist of Sunset Boulevard always ready for her close-up On New Labour MPs: They have become rent-a-quotes, preening themselves when their little-known names are attached to derogatory quotes by lazy journalists On Israel and the Holocaust: The present Israeli government cynically exploits guilt over the Holocaust as justification for their murder of Palestinians On Andrew Lloyd Webber: The problem with Andrew Lloyd Webbers music is not that it sounds as if it were written by other composers, but that it sounds as if it were written by Lloyd Webber Advertisement

Indeed, he reserved much of his most withering fire for his own side, famously dismissing Labours Left-wing manifesto in 1983 under Michael Foots leadership  which promised to scrap nuclear weapons and the House of Lords and renationalise Britains industries  as the longest suicide note in history.

Kaufman was nothing if not a great hater. He loved nothing better than plunging the knife into his fellow MPs, but in 1992 he found a new mission as chairman of the Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport. There he loved to denounce institutions such as the Royal Opera House and the BBC.

The irony was that despite his attacks on the pampered barons of the arts world, Kaufmans parliamentary expenses were far from parsimonious. Among other things, he submitted receipts for an antique rug, bought in New York for 1,461.83, and a 40-inch Bang & Olufsen television costing a staggering 8,865, more than 11 times the approved limit.

The ensuing storm did not, however, deter him in the slightest. He was perhaps the last of a generation of politicians who made no apology for stirring up controversy.

By Labour standards, Kaufmans own politics were relatively moderate. Though he disapproved of Tony Blairs foreign policy, he applauded his move toward the centre, and he made no attempt to hide his complete contempt for Jeremy Corbyn and his hard-Left allies.

In his final years, though, it was Middle Eastern politics that dominated Kaufmans thinking. Despite his Jewish background, he was a ferocious critic of successive Israeli governments.

For decades, Kaufman called for Britain to impose sanctions on Israel because of its treatment of the Palestinians. In 2015 he even alleged that Jewish donations to the Conservative Party were distorting Britains policy towards the Middle East.

Kaufman, pictured here with former Labour leader John Smith, was a savage critic of his party

Kaufman, despite his Jewish heritage, was also a critic of Israel's policy in the Middle East

Kaufman's views on Israel resulted in criticism from people at his local synagogue

Not surprisingly, these remarks were intensely controversial. Some Jewish organisations accused him of pandering to anti-Semitism, and Kaufman was abused by fellow worshippers at his local synagogue.

But he never backed down. My grandmother was ill in bed when the Nazis came, he said. A German soldier shot her in her bed. My grandmother did not die to provide cover for Israeli soldiers murdering Palestinian grandmothers in Gaza.

Clever, passionate, outspoken and abrasive, Kaufman was one of a kind. In an age when too many MPs are frightened to speak their minds, he stood out. And whatever you think of his politics, Westminster will be a far duller place without him.
A BMX rider has been viciously attacked after he accidentally knocked over his attacker's son.

Karl Periam, 24, was attempting tricks at the New Windsor skate park in Auckland on Saturday when he collided with a young skateboarder as he was riding backwards.

Mr Periam was riding back to check on the boy when he was tackled off his bike by the angry boys father.

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A BMX rider has been viciously attacked at a New Zealand skate park after he accidentally knocked over his attackers son

Dramatic footage of the incident was filmed by a friend of Mr Periam's, who was trying to capture the new trick which involved him spinning his bike in mid-air, before landing backwards in the bowl.

'You can see in the video that his back is turned, that he doesn't even see what's going on. So it's pretty ridiculous that he's retaliated like that you know,' Periam told stuff.co.nz.

Mr Periam who is wearing a white shirt and black pants performs the trick but lands awkwardly forcing him to momentarily lose control of the bike.

As a result of this loss of control, Mr Periam skews off course and into the oncoming path of a young skateboarder who gets knocked to the ground as a result of Mr Periam's stray leg.

Mr Periam then begins to head back to the boy who looks to be injured and laying on the ground.

Mr Periam who is wearing a white shirt and black pants performs the trick but lands awkwardly forcing him to momentarily lose control of the bike

As a result of this loss of control, Mr Periam skews of course and into the oncoming path of a young skateboarder who gets knocked to the ground

The two men exchange words as onlookers can be heard saying that the man's actions were 'uncalled for'

But just before Mr Periam reaches the boy, the boy's dad who is wearing a black t-shirt, shorts and a wide-brimmed straw hat, tackles him to the ground.

The man then goes and checks on his son as a bemused Mr Periam picks himself up off the ground.

The two men exchange words as onlookers can be heard saying that the man's actions were 'uncalled for'.

Mr Periam said after the incident he left the park and went to his car to call the police but the father approached him again demanding an apology.

'I was like, 'I don't think you understand that you've just assaulted me, like out of the blue. Like I didn't even know it was coming',' Mr Periam told the website.

Police are said to be investigating the incident.
Outspoken Nationals MP George Christensen has quit as the party's chief whip so he can spend more time 'being ill-disciplined'.

The outspoken north Queensland MP made the decision after he and party leader Barnaby Joyce came to a mutual agreement.

Mr Christensen said the decision was his alone and no one pushed him.

'However, I did feel some of my colleagues may have been aggrieved that the enforcer of discipline was being somewhat ill-disciplined himself,' he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Outspoken Nationals MP George Christensen has quit as the party's chief whip so he can spend more time 'being ill-disciplined'. He famously posed for a photograph wearing a shearer's singlet and holding a stockwhip given to every Nationals whip since 1917 (pictured)

Mr Christensen said the decision was his alone and no one pushed him

'My continued outspokenness on a variety of issues was obviously incompatible with the position of party whip in the long term.'

Mr Joyce had told him he would have supported whatever decision he made, the MP said.

His resignation takes effect from Thursday evening.

Mr Joyce described he and Mr Christensen as 'good mates ... knocking around in politics' long before they were elected to federal parliament.

'He's still a very loyal member of the National Party - I'm sure he'll confirm that himself - he's loyal to me, we get along well,' he told Sky News.

'Life will go on, I don't think it's a big issue.'

Mr Joyce said his MP had given him an assurance he wasn't defecting to Pauline Hanson's One Nation.

Mr Christensen famously posed for a photograph wearing a shearer's singlet and holding a stockwhip given to every Nationals whip since 1917.

Mr Christensen has been an outspoken critic of Malcolm Turnbull's government, but rejected rumours he may be defecting from the Coalition

Mr Christensen has been outspoken on issues such as the treatment of cane growers in his electorate of Dawson, immigration, and the need for a serious inquiry into banks

In a November Fairfax media profile, Mr Joyce said Mr Christensen had great potential and there was no reason he couldn't be a cabinet minister in the future.

Since then, there has been speculation he may follow renegade Liberal senator Cory Bernardi in quitting the coalition.

Mr Christensen hosed down those rumours as recently as Monday, saying he would stick with the Nationals.

Nevertheless, he has been outspoken on issues such as the treatment of cane growers in his electorate of Dawson, immigration, and the need for a serious inquiry into banks.

On Tuesday morning he indicated he was willing to cross the floor and vote for a Greens move for a parliamentary commission of inquiry into the banking sector.

'I just think we need to go forward, and to vote for a bill that the government might not support doesn't mean that I'm against the government,' he told ABC radio.
A mother helped her severely disabled son kill himself because she was concerned about his 'paedophilic tendencies' and obsession with the Marquis de Sade, a court has heard.

Kim Margaret Earle, 49, was of diminished responsibility when she killed the 18-year-old on the Gold Coast in 2013, the Brisbane Supreme Court heard on Tuesday.

Justice Roslyn Atkinson sentenced her to a maximum of three years in prison but ordered she be released on parole on May 28.

'Your son's interest in sadomasochism, (child) pornographic websites and chat rooms and art had got you to the point where you couldn't see any way out, where he wanted to die ... and essentially you helped him to die out of your great love for him,' Justice Atkinson said.

A mother helped her severely disabled son kill himself because she was concerned about his 'paedophilic tendencies' and obsession with 18th century sadomasochist Marquis de Sade (pictured)

Earle also tried to take her own life and has since had electric shock therapy, which had affected her memory and means she needs be reminded of what she has done.

While working as a nurse at the Gold Coast Hospital, she took anaesthesia drugs and medical equipment to assist her son's suicide before trying to kill herself, crown prosecutor David Meredith said.

Earle gave her son the drugs at their home and took the family dog to the vet to be put down. She then took the drugs herself, but they did not work and she was arrested after waking up the following day.

Earle believed her son had Asperger's syndrome, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin.

She was concerned about her son's sexual obsessions, the court heard.

'He had pedophilic tendencies,' Mr Meredith said.

The former nurse, whose life revolved around her son, has serious mental health issues including depression and anxiety, the court heard.

Earle, who had worked as a nurse at the Gold Coast Hospital, took medication and medical equipment to assist her son's suicide before trying to kill herself (stock image)

She has suffered a stroke from Lithium toxicity.

Earle has been in custody for about three years and three months and both the Crown and defence have asked Justice Roslyn Atkinson to set a non-parole period which would allow her to leave jail soon.

The Marquis de Sade was known in the 18th century for giving his name to masochism and later, sadomasochism.

The French soldier published fantasy novels of graphic sexual violence and spent many years in asylums and prisons for his violent sexual behaviour.
A Canadian man had a very hot date with his wife when an e-cigarette battery erupted inside his pant's pocket leaving him badly injured.

Dramatic surveillance footage shows Terrence Johnson, 32, and his wife Rachel Rex standing in front of their favorite restaurant, The Embarcadero Wine & Oyster Bar in Calgary, Canada, when suddenly the battery for his e-cigarette explodes in a cloud of sparks and smoke.

Johnson frantically tries to pat out the flames. He pulls his pants down and waddles over to a nearby bird bath to quickly soak his burned hand.

Terrence Johnson, 32, was standing with his wife Rachel Rex outside of The Embarcadero Wine & Oyster Bar in Calgary, Canada when the accident occurred

Surveillance footage shows the moment Johnson's e-cigarette battery suddenly explodes in his pant's pocket

Johnson believes his backup e-cigarette battery may have reacted with change in his pocket, triggering the explosion

'It was almost as if a flare had gone off in my pocket', said Johnson, who initially thought his cell phone had exploded

The heat was so intense that Johnson will require a skin graft to treat the third-degree burn on his thigh.

He also suffered first-and-second-degree burns on his hands during the incident on Friday.

'All of a sudden there were flames everywhere', Rex told CTV Calgary. 'I actually thought someone had thrown a Molotov cocktail at us.'

CCTV captures Johnson frantically trying to pat out the flames on his pants

Johnson pulls his pants down and waddles over to a nearby bird bath to quickly soak his burned hand

The e-cigarette battery burned through Johnson's pants and polyester boxer-briefs, melting the material to his skin

Johnson believes his backup e-cigarette battery may have reacted with change in his pocket, triggering the explosion.

'It was almost as if a flare had gone off in my pocket', said Johnson, who initially thought his cell phone had exploded.

The e-cigarette battery burned through Johnson's pants and polyester boxer-briefs, melting the material to his skin.

Restaurant staff removed bits of charred fabric from Johnson's leg and dressed the wounds before he was rushed to the hospital.

Johnson, a plumber and gas fitter, is recovering at home, unable to return to work because of his injuries.

A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help raise funds for the family during Johnson's medical leave. His injuries are seen above

Pictured here are the charred remains of the contents Johnson's pants and its contents

A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help raise funds for the family during Johnson's medical leave.

'We had heard about the actual devices exploding but never knew the risk of the batteries. We keep thinking thank god one of our kids wasnt standing next to him and we want to warn people', Rex said.

Johnson said he's been using e-cigarettes for a number of years but was never warned of its dangers.

Johnson, a plumber and gas fitter, is recovering at home, unable to return to work because of his injuries. Here he's pictured (center) with his wife Rachel Rex and their three children

Because of the incident Johnson said he's officially kicking his nicotine habit.

'The e-cigarette did its job, and I was able to quit tobacco cigarettes, but this is scary enough that I will not touch another e-cigarette', he said.

Surgeons and firemen have warned about the dangers of e-cigarettes after treating a string of smokers injured by exploding devices.

The number of injuries caused by exploding e-cigarettes is on the rise, the FDA has warned, with 66 explosions occurring in 2015 and early 2016 alone.

That's compared with 92 explosions between 2009 and September 2015 - averaging around 18 a year, or 27 per cent of the most recent totals.

Rex (front right) said she's thankful that their children (pictured) weren't standing next to them when the e-cigarette battery exploded in Johnson's (front left) pants

And those figures could be an undercount - just one hospital, Seattle's Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, says it has seen about 23 patients with e-cigarette burns since it started tracking them informally in October 2015.

Faulty batteries, coupled with increasing popularity, are the suspected culprits in the dramatic increase in injuries. The industry maintains e-cigarettes are safe when used properly.

The problems with the devices are linked to their lithium-ion batteries, which help vaporize liquid nicotine into a mist that distributors and some health experts say is far less harmful than traditional tobacco cigarettes.

The same types of batteries are used safely in many consumer electronics, but they've also been behind fires in hover boards and smartphones.
Conservative Liberal Senator Eric Abetz has questioned why a rainbow flag was allowed to fly in a government building.

Senator Abetz said a concerned member of the finance department had contacted him to say the flag, which is associated with the gay rights and marriage equality movement, was hung in the lobby of the Department of Finance.

The Senator then joked the flag also represents the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands, which declared war on Australia back in 2004.

Eric Abetz, a conservative Liberal senator, accused Minister of Finance Mathias Cormann of allowing an 'activist' rainbow flag to fly inside a government building

Speaking at the Senate's Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, Mr Abetz demanded to know who had made the decision to fly the flag of a hostile nation in a government building.

Making a serious point, Mr Abetz added: 'There was the rainbow flag on display in the lobby which some people see as an activist flag for a particular cause in relation to whether or not we should change the legislation around marriage.

'If that is allowed, then one must imagine that the Marriage Alliance banner must be flown equally alongside it.

'If you allow one side of a debate to be represented, then you must allow the other side to be represented also.'

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann replied: 'There will be a flag inquiry. It is not the government's intention to fly the flag of a hostile nation.'

Mr Abetz questioned whether the Marriage Alliance, which opposes gay marriage, was allowed to fly a flag alongside the rainbow one (file image)

The Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea is a nation of roughly one million square kilometres of ocean located off the coast of Australia, according to their website.

The kingdom was first administered as a British overseas territory, but in the 1960s was switched to an Australian Commonwealth territory, it is claimed.

In 2004 the kingdom declared war on Australia, then under the leadership of John Howard, in order to gain its independence.

Since the Howard government did not respond to the declaration, the state declared itself sovereign.
Two Brothers 4 Life gang leaders were found guilty of the contract murder of a man who was gunned down at the front door of his Sydney home.

Gang leader Farhad Qaumi and second-in-charge Mumtaz Qaumi pleaded not guilty to murdering Joseph Antoun, who was shot four times in front of his wife and children.

The 50-year-old debt collector through a wire screen door at Strathfield on December 16, 2013, shown on CCTV during the trial heard without a jury.

The footage from a camera outside Mr Antoun's home caught a man in a hoodie running up the driveway, waiting at the door, and firing several shots before fleeing.

Brothers 4 Life gang leader Farhad Qaumi (L) and his brother, second-in-charge, Mumtaz Qaumi (R), were found guilty of murder, but refused to leave their cells to hear verdict

They hired a hitman to kill Joseph Antoun (L), who was shot four times through a wire screen door at Strathfield on December 16, 2013

In the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday, Justice Peter Hamill found the brothers guilty of the murder, which the Crown had said involved them hiring a hitman.

The gang members refused to be brought into the Sydney courtroom to hear the verdicts be delivered.

Lawyers for the pair said they were instructed the brothers would resist any attempt to bring them up from the cells, and after this was confirmed.

Justice Hamill agreed to deliver his judgment in their absence, particularly referring to the safety of the accused and Corrective Services officers.

Lawyers for the pair said they were instructed the brothers would resist any attempt to bring them up from the cells, and after this was confirmed

Footage from a camera outside Mr Antoun's home caught a man in a hoodie running up the driveway, waiting at the door, and firing several shots before fleeing

Witnesses L and C, who admitted being the shooter and getaway driver respectively, received discounts on their sentences after their guilty pleas and agreeing to help authorities.

The judge concluded the Qaumis accepted the contract to kill Mr Antoun in exchange for money related to the purchase of a kebab shop.

He suspected that mafia gangster Pasquale Barbaro, who was shot dead in Sydney last November, 'may have stood behind' the man who arranged the contract.

The judge suspected that mafia gangster Pasquale Barbaro (right, with Farhad Qaumi), 'may have stood behind' the man who arranged the contract

The judge concluded the Qaumis accepted the contract to kill Mr Antoun (pictured) in exchange for money related to the purchase of a kebab shop

'While Barbaro did not know the Qaumi brothers well before the 16th December 2013, he seemed to be on very friendly terms with them by the end of December 2013 and early the following year,' Justice Hamill said.

'It is not necessary for the Crown to establish who stood behind the murder or what motivated those people to act as they did.'

The matter was listed for a three-day sentence hearing in April, which will also involve submissions relating to another shooting that the brothers and another man were found guilty of by a jury last November.
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Three people are dead and two are injured after a plane crashed into two homes and sparked a huge fire in Riverside, Southern California on Monday, officials have said.

It appears that two adults and three teenagers were on the plane, Riverside Fire Chief Michael Moore said. Rescuers had only spoken to one surviving passenger as of Monday night - a teenager who was being treated as critical even though she had only minor injuries.

Moore had said earlier that four people had died following the crash. Authorities later amended that number to three.

It is believed that none of the dead or injured were on the ground at the time of the crash. Two homes were completely destroyed in the collision.

The passengers, which comprised two other teenagers as well as a husband and his wife, appeared to be a family returning to San Jose after a girls under 15 cheerleading conference at Disneyland.

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Three people are dead and two are injured after a plane crashed into two homes and sparked a huge fire in Riverside, Southern California on Monday (pictured)

A huge cloud of smoke rose over the residential area (pictured) near Central and Streeter Avenues as the blaze engulfed and completely destroyed two homes following the plane crash

Dismayed residents watched as smoke rose from the scene of the crash Monday afternoon in the residential neighborhood

Rescuers (pictured working at the scene) were still looking for three to five people as of Monday evening following the crash

Flames are seen rising from the crash site in Riverside, California, with firefighters desperately working to put the flames out

Concerned residents watched as the blaze rose over the roofs of the surrounding houses

The three teenagers, possibly all females, appeared to all be on the plane for the cheerleading conference, according to Moore.

The teenager who was on the plane and survived the crash was ejected from the aircraft during the impact. She was able to talk to firefighters about what had happened as she was taken to a hospital.

An unconscious victim from one of the homes was in surgery.

Moore said Monday night that there were no injuries from the homes, and everyone who might have been inside is accounted for. Rescuers previously believed three to five people were still missing.

There was minor damage to some neighboring homes.

Two witnesses previously told TV stations that a woman crawled from one of the houses with her clothes on fire, saying she had been flying the plane.

The Cessna 310 crashed shortly after taking off from Riverside Municipal Airport headed for San Jose, having flown about half a mile northeast.

Video from a news helicopter showed plane wreckage and at least one home engulfed in flames near the intersection of Central and Streeter Avenue.

Residents in nearby homes were being evacuated and taken to a community center during rescue efforts (pictured) Monday

Video from a news helicopter showed plane wreckage and at least one home engulfed in flames near the intersection of Central and Streeter Avenue

Rescuers (pictured working at the scene on Monday) have been unable to determine whether the victims were on the aircraft or from one of the residences affected by the crash

Witnesses described the moment the crash rocked the residential neighborhood (pictured), saying they'd heard what sounded like a massive explosion

The video also appeared to show a person being loaded onto a stretcher and removed from the home.

Residents in nearby homes were being evacuated and taken to a community center.

The fire department responded to reports of a plane crash in a residential area near Central and Streeter Avenues around 4:45 pm, NBC Los Angeles reported. The intersection is located at the limit of Magnolia Center, Riverside's commercial hub.

The reason for the crash wasn't immediately known. Reynolds did say weather could have been a factor but did not elaborate.

Witnesses described the moment the crash rocked the residential neighborhood, telling NBC Los Angeles they'd heard what sounded like a massive explosion.

'It just sounded like a bomb,' resident Ana Duran said. 'I heard people screaming and yelling.'

One man told CBS2 how he helped rescue the pilot but struggled to locate the passengers.

'It was a girl, it was a lady,' the man, identified only as Ernesto, told the network. 'She was speaking. She said there was three others on the plane We looked inside and couldn't see anything, the plane was just gone.'

The pilot was able to walk and talk, according to Ernesto.

It appears that two adults and three teenagers were on the plane, Riverside fire Captain Tyler Reynolds (pictured) said. Rescuers have only spoken to one surviving passenger so far

At least one person was inside the two houses that were completely destroyed in the crash. That person was taken to the hospital and was in surgery as of Monday night. Pictured is the neighborhood
A Louisiana politician who wore blackface to dress up as Tiger Woods for a community event has defended the controversial costume, insisting it was merely part of a 'good night at church'.

Robbie Gatti, who describes himself as an 'unwavering conservative', was scrutinized by residents in Bossier City after a photograph of him in the costume at First Baptist Church surfaced this week.

He has since defended it, issuing a statement to say he meant no harm with the get-up and said its resurgence is a smear attempt by his political opponents.

Robbie Gatti defended wearing black face to dress up as Tiger Woods for a party 15 years ago, describing it as part of a 'good night at church'

'Fifteen years ago, my church held a fall festival, where all the volunteers were told to dress as a famous person.

'Tiger Woods was at the height of his popularity, as a world champion, and that was who I was dressed as. Shortly after this event, I was ordained into the church.

'As a medical professional, ordained minister and military officer, I live my life seeing only character and I stand by that.

'I'm sad that my opponents have taken a good night at church and turned it into negative, political mud, but I'm confident the voters of Bossier will not fall for their desperate attacks,' he said.

Gatti was attending an event at the First Baptist Church in Bossier City, Louisiana, in the costume

Gatti, who describes himself as '100% anti-abortion and 100% pro second amendment', is running for a seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives

The photograph was published by local newspaper The Hayride this week and sparked outrage among critics. Gatti's response fueled their anger.

Gatti said Woods was at the 'height of his popularity' at the time of the party

'Not only is Robbie Gatti giving a justification for what he did he's calling the exposing of this 'mudslinging'.

'He's also deleting comments on his page that aren't in support of him. He sounds like Donald Trump, only acknowledge those who like him,' one critic said.

Another mused that the politician's response 'is only going to make this worse'.

Gatti describes himself as a 'courageous and unwavering conservative' who is '100% anti-abortion' and '100% pro second amendment'.
Jimmy Kimmel found himself in a delicate situation while handling the Oscars Best Picture fiasco last night.

But despite his smooth handling of the event no one saw coming, he received a rather paltry $15,000 for hosting the more-than-three-hour-long Academy Awards.

This year, Kimmel needed to be extra quick on his comedic feet in order to deal with the awkward moment when 'La La Land' was mistakenly announced as the evening's Best Picture winner and 'Moonlight' was revealed to have actually won.

Announcers Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway had accidentally been given the wrong envelope by accountants with PriceWaterHouseCoopers, who tabulate the Academy's voting.

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Jimmy Kimmel previously said he was paid $15,000 for hosting the Oscars. But he needed to be extra quick on his comedic feet following this year's Best Picture fiasco in which 'La La Land' was mistakenly announced. Pictured: 'La La Land' producer Jordan Horowitz clearing it up

Announcers Warren Beatty, right, and Faye Dunaway had accidentally been given the wrong envelope. Jimmy Kimmel told the La La Land producers, as everyone appeared confused: 'I think you guys should keep it anyway....Why can't we just give out a whole bunch of them'

Kimmel also said: 'Personally, I blame Steve Harvey for this.' His nod to Harvey referenced the entertainer's mix-up announcing the winner of the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant

Jimmy Kimmel told the La La Land producers, as everyone appeared confused: 'I think you guys should keep it anyway.

'This is very unfortunate what happened. Personally, I blame Steve Harvey for this. I would like to see you get an Oscar anyway. Why can't we just give out a whole bunch of them?'

His nod to Steve Harvey referenced Harvey's mix-up announcing the winner of the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant.

Harvey announced that the winner was Colombia's Ariadna Gutierrez, when the winner was in fact The Philippines's Pia Wurtzbach.

Kimmel later said: 'I blame myself for this. Let's remember, it's just an awards show.

'I mean, we hate to see people disappointed but the good news is, we got to see some extra speeches. We had some great movies. I knew I would screw this show up, I really did.

'Thank you for watching. I'm back to work tomorrow night at my regular show. I promise I'll never come back. Good night.'

Kimmel later said: 'I knew I would screw this show up, I really did. 'Thank you for watching. I'm back to work tomorrow night at my regular show. I promise I'll never come back. Good night'

While Kimmel most likely will not get a raise for his efforts, he can take comfort in raking in a not inconsiderable $10m per year and having a net worth of $35m.

The late night star said there is a very special reason that he is getting such a meager pay packet.

In December, the 49-year-old told KROQ's The Kevin And Bean Show: 'You know why? I think its illegal to pay nothing.'

However he claims he is getting just as much as previous hosts such as Billy Crystal, Chris Rock and Ellen DeGeneres, as he said, 'thats what they told me.'

In December, Kimmel said his $15,000 payday was similar to what previous hosts Chris Rock and Billy Crystal received

He said Ellen DeGeneres, who hosted the awards ceremony in 2014, also received the sum. He said: 'Im not sure I was supposed to reveal this, but nobody told me not to. I consider this their fault'

He added: 'Im not sure I was supposed to reveal this, but nobody told me not to. I consider this their fault.'

Jimmy was finally named as the host of the Academy Awards after years of snubs, and he admitted he could not believe his time had come.

It comes on the back of his critically acclaimed performance at the 2016 Emmy Awards.

He said: 'They asked like 14 people and they all said no and then there I was.'

The Oscars were watched by 32.9m people this year, down 4 percent from last year's Chris Rock-hosted show.
Australia Post CEO Ahmed Fahour could be handed up to $8million when he quits the business later this year, it has been revealed.

The admission came at a committee meeting where Mr Fahour, who is a practicing Muslim, blasted One Nation leader Pauline Hanson for attacking his religion.

Mr Fahour called the senator 'sad' and 'ill-informed' over her comments about Islam denigrating women.

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John Stanhope, the chief executive of Australia Post, revealed CEO Ahmed Fahour could be in line for an $8million payout when he leaves the business later this year

There was outrage last week when Mr Fahour's pay packet of $5.6million was revealed, but now it has been confirmed he could earn another $2.6million in bonuses when he leaves

Ms Hanson also questioned whether he was a 'fundamentalist' who followed the Koran 'to the letter.'

Speaking to the Senate, Environment and Communications Legislation Committee on Tuesday, Mr Fahour said: 'I feel really sad for the senator that she would descend to that level of commentary.

'I felt that it was very ill-informed and I also felt that it was quite hurtful to my wife who is English-Irish and went to a Catholic school, and my four beautiful children who were born and grew up all over the world.

'We love our country, I love my country very much and I'm grateful for every opportunity it has given me and my family.'

His voice at times cracking with emotion, he said: 'I'm proud to say that English isn't my first language, I am an immigrant, but I came here legitimately.

'We grew up and went to school and worked really hard, we assimilated and we love being in this country.

We love our country, I love my country very much and I'm grateful for every opportunity it has given me and my family Australia Post CEO Ahmed Fahour

'The law of this country is the most important thing for me and through that law we are allowed to privately practice our beliefs and to live peacefully and contribute.

'I feel that my team and I have worked so hard in the interest of the taxpayer and the country and it is with a very heavy heart that I hear these comments.'

Mr Fahour then appeared to take a moment to wipe his eyes before being asked what he planned to do next. He quipped: 'I just want to catch a flight and go home.'

There was outrage last week when it was revealed that Mr Fahour earned $5.6million in pay and bonuses between 2015 and 2016.

But now chairman John Stanhope has confirmed that Mr Fahour could actually be in line for a much larger payout when he leaves the business at the end of June after long-term incentives are included.

Some of the incentives only come into play after seven years of service, Mr Stanhope told the Senate, Environment and Communications Legislation Committee on Tuesday.

Mr Fahour will have served seven years at Australia Post by the time he leaves in June this year, having been appointed in 2010.

One Nation's Pauline Hanson was among the most prominent critics of the pay deal, calling it 'unjustifiable' and 'ridiculous'

Mr Fahour admitted that the decision not to reveal his salary was 'regrettable', but defended his time at the business, saying he saved tens of thousands of jobs

Answering questions from Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam, Mr Stanhope said the final pay package has yet to be approved, adding it 'could be less, could be more.'

Earlier in the hearing Mr Stanhope defended the extraordinary amount, saying it was 'appropriate' given Mr Fahour's service.

He also blasted comparisons to other post-masters around the world, saying it was 'wrong' because Australia Post is a larger business.

However, Mr Stanhope did admit that the decision to keep the pay package a secret was 'a mistake' and committed to revealing all future pay and bonuses.

Mr Fahour also defended his time at the business, saying his actions saved tens of thousands of postal worker jobs and thousands of rural post offices.

He added that the business takes no taxpayer funding, has more-than tripled its value in the last seven years, and has become a strong competitor in the global parcel delivery market.

However, he also admitted the decision not to release his pay was 'regrettable' and should not have happened.

He added that public pressure around pay had 'sharpened' his decision to quit, though said the issue had been on his mind for some time.

There was outrage last week after Mr Fahour's pay packet was revealed, particularly by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, leading to him announcing his resignation.

Ms Hanson called the salary 'unjustifiable' and 'ridiculous', and was particularly incensed that he donated a large sum to an Islamic museum.

Her comments came after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also said the package was 'too high'.

Australia Post insists that none of its profits come from taxpayer money and are made by its commercial parcels service, which last year had a turnover of more than $900million.
Nolan Mullins, 16, was rescued from the roof of his car after driving into Lake St. Clair

A teenager escaped certain death after driving his car straight into the frigid waters of Lake St. Clair in Michigan.

Nolan Mullins, explained how he was trying to change lanes as he overtook another vehicle when his steering wheel suddenly jammed, forcing him straight into the icy waters.

'It felt like the tire locked,' the 16-year-old told the Detroit Free Press. 'I tried shaking the wheel, and I couldn't get it to move. It wouldn't move.'

The teen who has only been driving for nine months was travelling at around 30 mph along road that runs around the shores of the lake when he attempted to overtake a car that had slowed down to make a turn.

A team from the U.S. Coastguard managed to rescue Noah from the icy waters who was left standing on the roof of his Ford Flex SUV after driving straight into the lake

After moving the wheel to execute the maneuver and switch lanes, Nolan found that as he attempted to move back into the right hand lane of the road, the wheel wouldn't budge as his car mounted the curb.

'I had this freak-out moment,' he said. 'By the time I slammed on the brakes, I wasn't getting any traction.'

Within an instant, his SUV had jumped the curb, across a grassy shoulder and straight into the chilly waters of the lake.

As his car began to sank, Nolan frantically tried to escape.

Unable to open the door because of the weight of water pushing against it he tried to get out through the window. He pushed the down button and then he was able to swim through the opening.

Rescuers brought Noah back to shore as his car slowly drifted away into the middle of the lake

Another few seconds and Nolan would have been trapped and likely drowned as the power in his car slowly failed as water shorted the electrics.

Despite the icy shock of the lake, Nolan had enough strength and managed to climb onto the roof of his car as it floated further away from shore.

'The car was still sinking and moving and floating around,' Nolan told the Press. 'Every time the wind would blow, I would start to move again.'

Then, as luck would have it, a passing motorist caught site of Nolan standing on his car, desperately yelling and waving to be rescued.

Lisa Hughes, an elementary school principal, got her daughter who was with her to call 911.

As a mother, Lisa told the Press that she tried to calm him down and even got Nolan to yell his own mom's phone number to her, so that she could tell his family what had just happened.

After being taken to hospital with mild hypothermia, Noah was released after just a few hours

Nolan's parents were at home and busy getting dressed for a friend's wedding.

They had been expecting their son home some time earlier but Nolan's mom, also called Lisa, kept checking the GPS on her son's phone.

It showed him to be in the lake, but she assumed the GPS software was simply malfunctioning.

Shortly afterward, she received a call from Lisa Hughes who explained the situation to them.

The police, fire crews along with the U.S. coastguard all responded and helped with the rescue.

Within minutes, Nolan was plucked straight from the roof of his car and into a rescue boat.

Freezing cold, his sweatpants and hoodie soaking wet, Nolan's clothes were removed and he was wrapped in blanked to help keep him warm.

Incredibly, after monitoring him for a few hours until his body temperature returned to normal, Nolan was released - lucky to be alive.

Although it is not known exactly what caused Nolan's steering to jam up, in June 2015, Ford issued a recall on almost 400,000 vehicles, including the 2011 model year Ford Flex because of power steering issues.

An investigation into the crash is continuing.
The time stamp on the picture of Emma Stone tweeted out by the bonehead accountant who handed off the incorrect envelope at Sunday night's Academy Awards shows that he posted the photo at the same time Warren Beatty was on stage presenting Best Picture.

Brian Cullinan of PricewaterhouseCoopers shared an image of Stone after she won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role which had a time stamp of 9:05pm on Sunday.

'Best Actress Emma Stone backstage!' he wrote to his followers, adding the hashtag 'PwC' - a firm no-no in the eyes of the Academy which 'highly discourages' taking photographs of stars backstage or posting on social media, a source who was also working at the event told DailyMail.com.

A look back at Sunday night's telecast reveals that the picture was posted on Twitter by Cullinan two minutes after Beatty and his Bonnie & Clyde co-star Faye Dunaway took the stage at the Dolby Theater at 9:03pm to present the last award of the night.

The two said a few brief words and then threw to the clip package featuring the nine nominees in the category.

At 9:05pm Beatty opened the envelope for Best Picture, with his first response after pulling out the card being to look inside for a second card and then appearing confused by what he was looking at.

He stalled for a bit and then showed the card to Faye Dunaway, who at 9:07pm declared La La Land the winner, an announcement that brought the producers and cast of the film to the stage, including Stone who entered from backstage where Cullinan had just taken her picture.

It was not until 9:10pm that Cullinan could be seen racing out from backstage to fix the situation however, and Moonlight was not revealed as the actual Best Picture winner until 9:13pm that night.

Scroll down for videos

Entrance: Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway took the stage holding the wrong envelope at 9:03pm (above) to introduce the Best Picture clip package

Starstruck: Cullinan tweeted this photograph of Stone backstage at 9:05pm, the same time that Beatty was opening the wrong envelope

Giving it a go: At 9:05pm Beatty opened the envelope to announce the Best Picture winner (above), but was delayed in revealing the winner because of his confusion

Deep delay: Cullinan did not run out on stage to try and remedy the situation until 9:10pm (Cullinan above on left with Martha Ruiz of PricewaterhouseCoopers)

Cullinan remained on stage while the Moonlight cast began to come up and accept the award that was rightfully theirs, standing by Ruiz.

He then exited with the cast and was seen returning backstage just behind one of the stars of the film, Janalae Monae.

Cullinan then appeared to quickly flee the scene, as he was nowhere to be found while the rest of the cast and Beatty filed in after the shocking moment.

Beatty can be seen on the backstage camera at one point apologizing to Moonlight director Barry Jenkins before saying: 'T hats one of the strangest things thats ever happened to me.'

Backstage footage from the awards telecast on Sunday also shows that Cullinan may have been more focused on taking that picture of Stone than checking to see that he had handed off the correct envelope.

After winning the prize for Actress in a Leading Role, Stone is seen being escorted backstage by presenter Leonardo DiCaprio, where she is greeted by a throng of eager photographers.

The actress poses for a few seconds with DiCaprio before then moving on to give her publicist Holly Shakoor a hug, the person she would later hand over her envelope to when she had to return to the stage minutes later.

From there she hugs Actor in a Leading Role winner Casey Affleck and last year's winner in her category Brie Larson.

That moment goes on for close to 20 seconds and almost brings Stone to tears, with her friend coming up behind her and surprising the star before they embrace.

At the same time the stage is being set for Beatty and Dunaway to make their entrance, and the backstage stream then switches cameras to show the audience.

There is only one minute however between the time Stone and Larson break away from their hug to when Beatty and Dunaway hit the stage, making it unclear if Cullinan took his photo just before the stars went out or while they were out in front of the audience.

All-access footage shows the moments before the Oscars Best Picture Gaffe when Emma Stone returns backstage after collecting her Best Actress award to face a scrum of photographers with Leonardo di Caprio who'd presented the statue to her

Winners: Stone and di Caprio were circled by photographers and admirers - among whom was Cullinan who waited to snap a photograph of Stone once the scrum had cleared

Popular girl: The actress then hugged three admirers - including Best Actor winner Casey Affleck (left) and Brie Larson (right) before she was photographed by Cullinan as the rest of the guests prepared to hear who had won Best Picture

Disbelief: Beatty could later be seen apologizing to Moonlight director Barry Jenkins backstage (above)

Heading for the door: Cullinan (far right) could be seen returning backstage behind Moonlight star Janelle Monae (left) after the final award before quickly fleeing the scene

The stage manager who witnessed Cullinan hand the wrong envelope to the stars, Debbie Williams, said in an interview with Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain that soon after La La Land was declared the winner in the category, the startled accountant stated: 'Its the wrong answer, its the wrong answer, its not that movie.'

Thomas said that Cullinan did not rush out at that moment however and instead began to check with fellow accountant Martha Ruiz, with the two trying to figure out the situation.

'It seemed to us to take a very long time,' said Thomas.

Cullinan, who enthusiastically posed for selfies and on the red carpet earlier in the night, later deleted the post of Stone.

In an interview before the show got underway, he told Australian show Studio Ten there was a 'a lot of pressure' not to get it wrong.

'It's a lot of pressure but it's also a lot of fun. This is a great night to be a part of.'

PwC took ownership of the catastrophic mistake on Monday, issuing a statement to say it had 'failed' the Academy.

'Once the error occurred, protocols for correcting it were not followed through quickly enough by Mr. Cullinan or his partner,' said the financial firm.

The company has been trusted with handling the Oscar ballots for 82 years and is no doubt reeling from Cullinan's mistake.

Unreal: Moonlight director Barry Jenkins held his hand to his mouth in disbelief while stars Trevante Rhodes and Mahershala Ali looked on stunned

Worth the wait: Jenkins, producer Adele Romanski, Naomi Harris, Trevante Rhodes and Mahershala Ali wore matching looks of disbelief as they approached the stage

Emotional moment: Mahershala Ali and Naomi Harris couldn't mask their bewilderment as they made their way to the stage

Surprise: Shirley MacLaine (left) was almost as shocked as the Moonlight cast (Trevante Rhodes on left, Andre Holland on right) as they emerged the rightful winners

Dunaway hastily declared La La Land the winner of the Best Picture after Beatty stalled in confusion, having been handed a duplicate of the Actress in a Leading Role envelope.

As the film's producers accepted the win on behalf of the crew with Stone and Ryan Gosling behind him, Cullinan and other aides scuttled around them on stage before the disaster was revealed to the audience.

The same all-access cameras captured the glorious moment the cast and crew of Moonlight, the rightful winners, realized their victory.

Actors Trevante Rhodes and Mahershala Ali hugged in stunned celebration while director Barry Jenkins held his hand to his face in disbelief.

Almost as taken aback was Shirley MacLaine who, watching from her seat in the audience, stood open-mouthed as they walked to the stage to collect their prize.

Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs summed up the botched award presentation as 'horror'.

'I just thought, "What? What?" I looked out and I saw a member of Pricewaterhouse coming on the stage, and I was, like, "Oh, no, whatwhats happening? What what WHAT ? What could possibly...?"

'And then I just thought, "Oh, my God, how does this happen?" How. Does. This. Happen. And it was such a wonderful show,' she told The New Yorker afterwards.

Stone was quick to clear up that she had no part to play in the blunder.

The beginning of the end: Warren Beatty entered from stage right and can be seen walking to the podium holding an envelope that clearly said 'Actress in a Leading Role' (above)

Cullinan emerged on stage with the right envelope moments later as stunned PwC aides looked on

Not good: Ruiz and Cullinan look on after handing the correct envelope to Beatty, who reportedly refused to hand it over to stage manager Gary Natoli (center)

Disbelief: Ryan Gosling (left) and Emma Stone (right) could be seen on stage as they learned about the mistake (above)

'I also was holding my best actress in a leading role card that entire time,' said Stone backstage.

'I don't mean to start stuff, but whatever story that was - I had that card.'

Beatty had been given the back-up card for the Actress In A Leading Role category. When he began opened it to announce the winner he stalled.

Dunaway thought he was performing a cruel, elaborate joke. 'You're impossible,' she teased him, before declaring: 'La La Land!'

Moments later though, Dunaway could be seen mouthing to Beatty: 'It said Emma.'

At that moment, there was serious panic backstage, where one stagehand was overheard saying: 'Oh, f***. Oh my God. He got the wrong envelope.'

It was only Cullinan's fourth Oscar ceremony, and he was stationed at the stage right entrance used by Beatty and his Bonnie & Clyde co-star Faye Dunaway when they walked out to present the award for Best Picture at the ceremony.

It seems to be his favorite perk of the job, that and the many interviews and television appearances it comes with, photos of which he frequently posts on social media.

Watch @AngelaBishop's chat with Martha Ruiz & Brian Cullinan of PwC BEFORE the monumental #Oscars stuff up. #Studio10 pic.twitter.com/Tl9hspTtR3  Studio 10 (@Studio10au) February 28, 2017

Dynamic duo: Accountants Martha Ruiz and Brian Cullinan are in charge of overseeing Oscars results, and were the two PwC employees at the Dolby theater on Sunday (above on the red carpet)

Selfie time: Brian Cullinan (left with Oprah Winfrey in 2015, right with Matt Damon in 2016) is the PricewaterhouseCoopers accountant who handed off the wrong envelope to Warren Beatty at Sunday night's Oscar ceremony

Rough night: Cullinan (above in 2015 with Matthew McConaughey) is stationed at one of the entrances to the stage to hand out the envelope announcing the winner in each category

Paparazzi: In addition to posing for photos with celebs when he can, Cullinan also snaps backstage pics of some stars (Sofia Vergara left in 2015, Reese Witherspoon and Kate Winslet right)

Big deal: Cullinan posted grabs from his Fox News interview over the weekend (above)

In addition to his Oscar duties, Cullinan is a US Board Member at PwC and Managing Partner for the Southern California, Nevada and Arizona Markets - and according to the company, a Matt Damon lookalike.

In the past four years, Cullinan has managed to snap photos with a number of A-list celebrities at the Oscars, and happily shares the photos on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Among the celebs he has posed with are Oprah Winfrey, Matt Damon, Chrissy Teigen.

Cullinan has also taken backstage shots of a number of stars, including Reese Witherspoon, Sofia Vergara and Kate Winslet at the 2016 ceremony.

Cullinan spoke about his job in an interview with his Cornell alumni magazine a few years back, raving about the celebrity access it affords him and telling a story about how Samuel L. Jackson has a photo of him on his cell phone.

'Everyone who goes out [on stage], you're hanging out with right before,' said Cullinan.

'I was standing next to and chit-chattingit's mostly small talkwith Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Garner, Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn, Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Bette Midler, Matthew McConaughey. To see all those people in the course of about an hourit's a unique spot to be in.'

PwC earlier issued a statement to confirm he was responsible for the mistake.

'The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected. We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred.
Liberal Democratic Senator David Leyonhjelm has questioned why he has not seen any positive news about U.S. President Donald Trump on SBS nightly news.

The Liberal Democrat asked why he has only seen negative stories on President Trump, starting from the results of the election to now, on SBS nightly news in a Senate hearing in Canberra on Tuesday.



'In the period between the results of the election, up to his inauguration and subsequently I don't think I have ever seen a news session ... where there has not been an item on Mr Trump which is either overtly negative, critical or by implication critical,' Senator Leyonhjelm said.

Liberal Democratic Senator David Leyonhjelm asked why he had only seen negative stories regarding U.S. President Donald Trump on SBS nightly news (Stock Image)

The managing director of SBS Michael Ebeid took the Senator's question as a comment on Tuesday in Canberra (Stock Image)

'I don't think I can remember ever having seen a segment that has had anything positive to say about him.'

Senator Leyonhjelm pointed out Trump was not his favourite politician - and he would not have voted for the Republican - but said the criticism could not be as one sided as it has appeared.

'But I just wonder if he's 100 per cent so bad as the news would suggest.'

Mr Ebeid took the question as a comment, but said he would go back and look at the coverage.

'I dare say many senators in the United States would be saying the same about the media at the moment, looking for something positive to report on.'
A girl who brought a knife to class when she was 12-years-old has been turned away from 20 public schools since the incident four years ago.

Brittany Murray had been bullied for more than a year and brought a knife to school when she heard rumours the older brother of a classmate was going to beat her up.

Peter Rouse, the principal of the school, Rosehill Secondary College, told Daily Mail Australia the boy was not a student.

A teacher confiscated the knife and Brittany was pulled out of the Melbourne school before she could be expelled, an investigation by The Age reveals.

Brittany Murray (pictured) claims she has been rejected from 20 public schools

She was 12 when she brought a knife to school at Rosehill Secondary College (pictured)

Brittany begged to be re-enrolled in a letter to the principal but received no reply, so she vandalised cars at the school and even punched Mr Rouse in the chest.

Mr Rouse corroborated that version of events to Daily Mail Australia.

Four years later, Brittany is trying to make a transition back into mainstream classes.

'I deserve another chance,' Brittany told The Age.

She said she wants to get somewhere in her life and make a future for herself.

'I just want to pass year 12 and get the education that I've missed out on.'

Brittany has been studying at St Joseph's Flexible Learning Centre for challenging students in North Melbourne, where teachers say her abilities and temperament have improved.

Brittany has been studying at St Joseph's Flexible Learning Centre (pictured) for challenging students in North Melbourne for the past four years

But she claims she has been rejected from more than 20 public schools in what appears to be a growing trend of schools valuing their reputations over the future of troubled students.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted St Joseph's Flexible Learning Centre and attempted to reach Brittany.

In September last year, the Victorian Ombudsman announced it would be investigating school expulsions, in part to consider whether at-risk students are over-represented in expulsions.

The number of expulsions rose by more than 25 per cent in the last year, the Ombudsman said at the time.

'Complaints to the Ombudsman indicate that families experience difficulty when attempting to appeal expulsions and in finding alternative education placement for a child when they are expelled,' the announcement said.

Expulsions can be appealed through the Department of Education and Training.

Daily Mail Australia has approached the Department of Education and Training, and the principal of St Joseph's Flexible Learning Centre.
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A five-year-old kindergarten student has been dressing as her icons in a series of stunning snaps to celebrate influential black women as part of Black History Month.

Kindergarten student Lola Jones from Kent, Washington in Seattle has created the looks with the help of her mom Cristi Smith-Jones who has been sharing an image each day on Twitter for Black History Month which is marked through February.

The duo were inspired to embark on the powerful photo project when Lola came home from school on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and told her mom and dad that she was learning about the civil rights leader and they wanted to educate her further about civil rights, slavery and black history.

Cristi Smith-Jones told the Atlanta Black Star: 'We talked about how far weve come and that there is still farther to go.

'So, to inspire her, and get her engaged in learning more about Black history, I decided to use her love of playing dress up to teach her.

'I decided that wed honor a woman each day for Black History Month and shed get to transform into her and I could teach her about their legacies in the process.'

Day 1: Lola recreates a photo of activist, singer, songwriter and pianist Nina Simone. She penned the song 'Young, Gifted and Black'

Day 2: Misty Copeland retweeted this image of Lola posing like her in a black leotard and tutu. Copeland is the first African American Female Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theater

Day 3: Lola channels poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou to learn about historic black women for Black History month

Day 4: The five-year-old recreates a photo of Bessie Coleman, who was the first black woman to earn a pilot's licence. American flight schools would not admit her so she learned French and moved to France to become a pilot

Day 5: Cristi Smith-Jones helps her daughter channel Ida B. Wells, a critically acclaimed journalist who raised awareness for the oppression of African Americans and women

Day 6: Lola recreates a portrait of educator and activist Mary McLeod Bethune. In her last will and testament, Bethune wrote: 'I leave you a thirst for education. Knowledge is the prime need of the hour'

Cristi Smith-Jones shot most of the photos on her phone and photographer Kayleigh Stefanko also shot a few.

She uses thrift shop clothing and items from around the house to recreate the vintage looks.

Leaders in the black community such as Ohio State Senator Nina Turner and president and CEO of the NAACP Cornell William Brooks has tweeted their support.

Sen. Turner said on Twitter: 'Love it!!!!! Thank you for teaching and lifting Black women. #blackgirlmagic '

Day 7, part one: Lola recreates the look of one of her favorite heroes, Dr. Mae Jemison who was the first African-American female astronaut

Day 7, part two: Lola poses again as Dr. Mae Jemison. Her mother told CNN that the astronaut: 'taught (Lola) that she can be anything she wants and that you can change your mind  you don't have to be the same thing forever'

Day 8: The kindergartner poses as abolitionist and and activist Sojourner Truth. Truth famously recited the poem 'Ain't I a Woman?' at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention in 1851

Day 9: Lola channels Representative Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman to be elected to the United States congress. She also made a bid for the presidency

Day 10: Lola poses like civil rights activist Rosa Parks in her famous mugshot after she was ordered to the back of the bus

Day 11: Cristi Smith-Jones dresses her daughter up as Josephine Baker, a St Louis born jazz singer and dancer who fought against segregation

Day 12: Lola poses like civil rights activist and newspaper publisher Daisy Bates. She fought for school integration nationwide

Day 13: Lola recreates a photo of Angela Davis. Davis is an writer, scholar and civil rights activist. She also was involved in the US Communist Party

Brooks tweeted: 'If this does not stir your soul, you don't have pulse. Love this...#BlackHistoryMonth #BlackTwitter17 @NAACP @BLACKGIRLSROCK'

Misty Copeland took notice and retweeted the photo of Lola posing as her.

Lola's mom told the Atlanta Black Star: 'The response has been overwhelming! When I started, I thought this would just be a fun and educational project.  Never did I imagine that it would be so far-reaching! Its surreal.'

Over the course of the project, one of Lola's favorite historic figures became Dr. Mae Jemison according to CNN.

Dr. Jemison was the first African-American woman to travel into space. Lola's mother said her daughter shares the astronaut's love of science.

Day 14, part one: Lola and a little boy pose as Mildred and Richard Loving, the couple from Virginia who went to the Supreme Court to have their interracial marriage recognized

Day 14, part two: The couple won the Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia

Day 15: Lola poses as Harriet Tubman, the abolitionist who led hundreds of enslaved people ot freedom on the Underground Railroad

Day 16: Lola recreates a photo of famed African American poet Nikki Giovanni for her mother's photo project

Day 17: Lola poses as six-year-old Ruby Bridges, who was the first African-American child to integrate a white elementary school in the American south

Day 18: Lola dressed up as Katherine Johnson, an African American physicist and mathematician who worked for NASA. She was recently honored at the Oscars as Hidden Figures was nominated for several awards including Best Picture

Day 19: Madam CJ Walker, entrepreneur who created African-American hair products which made her a millionaire, is one of the women portrayed by Lola

Day 20: Lola dresses up as civil rights activist Ella Baker. Baker worked with the NAACP as well as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference

Day 21: Lola poses as Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize winning author Toni Morrison

Day 22: Lola portrays Bridget 'Biddy' Mason, a woman who was born into slavery and became a successful entrepreneur. She was also a founding member of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church

Cristi Smith-Jones told the Huffington Post: 'I tried to pick a diverse group with varied backgrounds.'

'I wanted to highlight their accomplishments, regardless of their personal or political views. She just needs to know how they affected the world, so I picked women that could teach her a lesson in some way.'

For Cristi Smith-Jones, the hardest part was narrowing down which inspirational black women to feature.

She told the Seattle Times: 'I wrote about Zora Neale Hurston in elementary school and did a high-school paper on Josephine Baker. There are so many women I have deep respect for, it was hard to choose.'

Day 23: Lola channels Dorothy Height, a women's rights activist and a civil rights activist. She was also one of the organizers of the March on Washington

Day 24: Zora Neal Hurston, an artist and writer who was a fixture in the Harlem Renaissance, is portrayed by Lola

Day 25: Lola recreates a photo of civil rights activist and co-founder the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party Fannie Lou Hamer

Day 26: Lola poets as Gwendolyn Brooks, who was the first black author to win the Pulitzer Prize and the first black woman to be the poetry consultant to the Library of Congress
Animal activists are 'horrified' over a scientific journal image showing a mouse being being squeezed into a small plastic chamber to inhale cigarette smoke.

The photograph depicts research being carried out by scientists at the University of Newcastle in NSW to contribute to research into respiratory diseases.

Humane Research Australia spokesperson Robyn Kirby told Daily Mail Australia she was shocked to see this research was still being funded in 2017.

This photograph of a mouse being forced to inhale cigarette smoke while squeezed into a small plastic chamber has outraged animal activists

'It's horrifying. We see some pretty awful research, but this image shocked us,' Ms Kirby said.

She said the HRA hoped forcing mice to smoke would be a thing of the past, and they are now pursuing the matter with the Animal Ethics Committees.

'We have written to the AEC to check if the university was approved for this research. I'm at a loss how it could have been: it seems unethical and unacceptable.'

In one of the experiments, the mice were put into the smoking chamber for up to 45 minutes, twice a day for five days a week, for up to 12 weeks.

The research was carried out by Nicole Hansbro and her husband and colleague Phil Hansbro.

The university also confirmed to Daily Mail Australia the research was approved by the Animal Care and Ethics Committee.

The University of Newcastle (pictured) has defended the images, saying the research was approved by the Animal Care and Ethics Committee

'Animal-based research at the university is conducted under the oversight of the University of Newcastle Animal Care and Ethics Committee that has been established consistent with NSW legislation,' a spokesperson said.

'The committee consists of community members, animal welfare representatives, veterinary scientists and academics.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Dr Phil Hansbro and Dr Hansbro for comment.
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Former Rebels bikie boss Ricky Ciano has been farewelled by his grief-stricken wife and young daughter in a packed funeral service in Sydney's west.

Ciano's decomposing body was found in the back of his $130,000 BMW on February 14 near Oberon, in the NSW Central Tablelands, two days after his wife Rachel Ciano reported him missing.

In a service at Pine Grove Memorial Park in Minchinbury on Tuesday, the 35-year-old was remembered as a doting father and loving husband who could not wait for the impending arrival of a baby boy.

Ricky Ciano was farewelled at a funeral in Sydney's west on Tuesday. His casket is pictured right, and wife Rachel Ciano is pictured crying left

Former Rebels bikie president Ricky Ciano, 35, has been farewelled at a funeral in Sydney

Ciano is pictured with his wife Rachel on their wedding day with his daughter

Ciano reportedly left the Rebels bikie gang in 2015 when he moved from Sydney to the Gold Coast for a lifestyle change. He was travelling to Sydney to visit his daughter

Mourners spilled outside the church as Ciano's funeral commenced.

Friends remembered him as a fiercely loyal family man and a diehard fan of the Sydney Roosters NRL club.

His bronze casket was carried into the church to the team's theme song, Roosterman.

Ciano is survived by his daughter Imogen, five, whom he had with his previous fiancee Bianca.

The last time he saw his daughter was at the end of January, on her first day of school.

Ciano's casket was carried out of the chapel by his brother, father and close friends to the sound of John Farnham's 'Angels'

Ciano was farewelled at Pine Grove Memorial Park in Minchinbury on Tuesday

Loved ones are pictured embracing at the funeral in Sydney's west

Loved ones are pictured at the service at Pine Grove Memorial Park

'It was the happiest I had ever seen him', sister Samantha Ciano said.

On the same day, Ciano discovered he and wife Rachel, who married in 2015, were expecting a baby boy, after two years and ten rounds of IVF.

Mrs Ciano is due to give birth to their son Cash in August.

She broke down in tears as loving photographs of the couple were shown in slideshows.

A family friend described the former bikie gang member's death as a 'senseless tragedy'.

Ciano's casket was carried out of the chapel by his brother, father and close friends to the sound of John Farnham's 'Angels'.

His wife, daughter and sister wept as they left the church behind the pallbearers.

The eulogy was delivered by Jake Wicks, a childhood friend who was the best man at Ciano's wedding.

His wife, daughter and sister wept as they left the church behind the pallbearers

Mrs Ciano broke down in tears as loving photographs of the couple were shown in slideshows

The service concluded with a video tribute to Ciano, compiled by his brother David

He fondly remembered growing up with the 35-year-old, who rode bicycles together and formed their own gang in their teenage years - the 'Shopping Trolley Boys'.

Wicks said later in life, after the pair moved to the Gold Coast with Ciano's father Tony, his friend joined 'the club'.

However there was always a clear distinction between his 'club' life, and family life, Wicks said.

The service concluded with a video tribute to Ciano, compiled by his brother David.

In it, various friends and family including Ciano's daughter, recalled fond memories of the man.

Imogen told the audience she couldn't wait to see her daddy in heaven.

Police have still not revealed how Ciano died, however were treating his death as suspicious when they found his body.

Imogen told the audience she couldn't wait to see her daddy in heaven

Ciano's casket is pictured being carried from the chapel on Tuesday afternoon

A family friend described the former bikie gang member's death as a 'senseless tragedy'

Loved ones wept as Ciano's bronze casket was carried from the chapel

Ciano had texted his pregnant wife the night he went missing to tell her he loved her, a friend told ABC News.

The friend, who did not want to be named, said Ciano had made a lot of enemies and had a $1.5 million price on his head.

The friend also said Ciano may have taken his own life.

'Ricky was going through a lot of tough times, a lot of struggles,' he said.

Daily Mail Australia understands Ciano was found with no visible marks on his body.

Ciano left the bikie gang in 2015 and was told he must remove any tattoos linking him to the Rebels, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Shortly after he left the club he survived an attempt on his life during a fake pizza delivery at his home on the Central Coast.

Before his disappearance, Ms Ciano changed her Facebook cover photo to an ultrasound of their son.

His bronze casket was carried into the church to the team's theme song, Roosterman

Various friends and family including Ciano's daughter, recalled fond memories of the man

His five-year-old daughter Imogen told the service she couldn't wait to see her daddy in heaven

The 35-year-old was remembered as a doting father and loving husband who could not wait for the impending arrival of a baby boy

Ciano was farewelled by his grief-stricken loved ones in a packed funeral service in Sydney's west.

But just hours later, the mood changed as she logged in to Ciano's personal Facebook account to post a desperate plea for help.

'If anyone has seen or spoken to Ricky in the past two days please contact his family ASAP,' she wrote online.

Mrs Ciano said her husband had last been seen in Penrith, in western Sydney, where he was supposed to be visiting his daughter.

But any hope of reuniting with her missing husband vanished when it was confirmed he had been found dead in a rural town west of Sydney.

Tributes for Ciano flowed on his missing person's page, with friends describing him as a 'gentleman' and 'champion guy' who would do anything for his kids.

His body was found partially decomposing in his $130,000 BMW sports car (pictured). It's believed he had been there for a couple of days before being found

Ricky Ciano, the former president of the Sydney chapter of the Rebels bikie gang, was found dead in his luxury car just hours after his wife (pictured) reported him missing

Ciano's wife Rachel (pictured) posted a desperate plea on his Facebook page after she lost contact with him

'A cute and mischievous boy who became a man, father, brother and uncle who so loved his family,' one woman wrote.

Mrs Ciano remained quiet on social media, breaking her silence only to write 'Thank u :(' in response to three female friends who offered their support and condolences.

Ciano left the Sydney chapter of the Rebels Bikie gang in 2015 when he moved to the Gold Coast for a 'lifestyle change' and after surviving an attempt on his life outside his Central Coast home, according to Sydney Morning Herald.

Ciano survived an alleged hit at his Central Coast home in 2015 after leaving the bikie gang.

Abuzar Sultani, a former Burwood Rebels member, had allegedly been offered $500,000 to kill him in a staged pizza delivery.

Ricky Ciano leaves behind four children and an unborn son to his pregnant wife Rachel

Ciano left the Rebels bikie gang in 2015 after being told he must remove any tattoos linking him to the gang

But when Sultani allegedly appeared at the home, Ciano didn't open the door.

Soon after, police stopped a van linked to the alleged plot and found weapons inside.

A statement tendered in court says highway patrol officers allegedly found ballistic vests, ballistic resistant face masks, two sawn-off shot guns, an automated firearm with a silencer, two revolvers and a balaclava.

Police allege Sultani's DNA was found on a plastic water bottle in the van, which members of Sultani's group allegedly conspired to steal back to reclaim the firearms.

Mr Sultani is in custody charged with conspiracy to murder. Separately, he is also charged over the alleged murder of Pasquale Barbaro alongside other alleged gang members.

Ciano is pictured with his grieving wife Rachel, who is pregnant with their baby boy
A water main break in Los Angeles has caused a massive sinkhole spanning the width of a street sending mud flowing over a five block radius.

The water main in Baldwin Hills was installed in the 1940s, highlighting the problems sinkholes from outdated infrastructure have caused in California.

Fortunately no one was hurt and no cars were damaged however a clean-up operation is underway.

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A LA Department of Water and Power worker looks at a massive sinkhole in Baldwin Hills

The street broke open to a sinkhole because of a burst water main from the 1940s

The burst water main caused the water for 20 residents to be shut off this morning

However, 20 residents had their water shut off this morning for the repairs.

Mark Ching, an emergency communications coordinator with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, told KTLA. The sinkhole resulted from a six-inch main break, it was reported at about 4am today.'

'Unfortunately sometimes leaks are small and this one was just a little bigger.'

Two weeks ago, one person was hurt and two cars fell into a 20ft sinkhole outside of Studio City.

LAFD arrived at the scene off Laurel Canyon Boulevard and found a 48-year-old woman in the hole full of rushing water, standing on top of her upside down car.

The driver was brought to safety after firefighters lowered a 20ft extension ladder allowing her to climb out. She was then taken to hospital and is said to be in fair condition, LAFD said.

No cars were damaged and no people were injured from the water main break
The brave mother-of-four who tried to save Tara Brown from Lionel Patea's murderous rage continues to be haunted by visions of the young mother's murder.

Gold Coast mother Leesa Kennedy has suffered from horrific nightmares since the day she watched Lionel Patea smash in Ms Brown's head by the side of the road.

She spoke exclusively with Daily Mail Australia the day after the tattooed killer was jailed for life over the horrific murder  and revealed how she carries the heartache of not being able to save the 24-year-old with her every day.

'In my heart I am still broken, still broken that she died,' Ms Kennedy said.

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Leesa Kennedy (left) desperately tried to save Tara Brown's life by jumping on Lionel Patea's back before he flung her off with ease

Tara Brown, 24, was beaten to death by her ex-partner on September 8, 2015

'Even though in my brain I know I did everything I could to help. I just wish I was able to save her life.

'My heart is broken for her family and for her baby girl.'

Ms Kennedy has not slept a full night since September 8, 2015, because she is haunted by vicious dreams stemming from the morning she watched Patea kill.

'I have nightmares - vicious nightmares of horrific murders of people I love - my family and friends die before my eyes in my dreams and I am helpless to save them - I am frozen,' Ms Kennedy said in her victim impact statement.

'There is always so much blood. I find myself waking up hyperventilating and covered in sweat after the nightmares of our family being divided by similar horror to what I witnessed.

'I have not slept a full night since and when I wake, my thoughts turn to yours and my actions that day. Did I do my best? Did I try hard enough? Why? How? Initially, I felt like I had failed Tara and as I did not stop you, failed as a decent human being.'

Ms Kennedy remembers Ms Brown's accident and Patea's frenzied attack in detail.

From the moment Ms Brown's car crashed off the road, after being nudged by Patea's car, to the moment emergency services arrived.

Gold Coast mother Leesa Kennedy (right) has suffered from nightmares since witnessing the horrific death of Tara Brown

Ms Brown tried to escape her violent former partner before she died

'I heard the car crash, because I live behind where the accident happened, so I ran out to see if I could help,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

By the time Ms Kennedy got to the accident her neighbour was there and so was Patea.

The neighbour was helping Patea smash the windscreen, thinking he was trying to get the woman out of the car.

'When I got to the car I could hear Tara screaming for her baby,' Ms Kennedy said.

'I looked in the back and saw a baby seat but no baby. Instinctively I went around to get another look.

'She kept talking about the baby  but I couldn't hear a baby and didn't know what to do.'

Then the brave suburban mother looked up to see her neighbour pulling Patea out of the car.

Patea was sentenced to life in prison this week for the murder of Ms Brown (pictured)

'I went around to the front of the car and that is when I saw what he had done to Tara,' she said.

'He got out of my neighbour's grasp and pulled me out of the vehicle and threw me on to the ground. I jumped on his back and he flung me off  like I was a fly.

'Then he kept hitting her.'

She watched as Patea beat Ms Brown with the large metal casing of a fire extinguisher.

It was later revealed the heavy metal casing weighed almost eight kilos and caused devastating brain injuries to the young mum as it was continuously bashed down on to her head.

'I remember trying to get him off her  he kept pushing me off and my neighbour told me not to get hurt,' Ms Kennedy said.

'Patea had a one-track mind he didn't come after us, once he was finished hitting Tara he just walked away from the car.

Lionel Patea, 25, (left) pleaded guilty to the young mother's murder on Monday

'I stood in between so he couldn't get back to her again.'

The woman said the attack felt like 'it went for hours but it was really just 15 minutes'.

'Tara had already called the police and there was a person on the embankment calling them as well.

'The police filled me in on what I had witnesses. They were really good at helping me understand what I had seen.'

Traumatised by the senseless murder of 'a beautiful young woman' Ms Kennedy felt a strong urge to read her victim impact statement to Patea in court on Monday.

'I think it is an empowering process, an opportunity for a victim to be able to confront an offender,' she said.

Leesa Kennedy (pictured centre) is a scout leader and is also helping Ms Brown's family raise awareness for domestic violence in Australia with the Tara Brown Foundation

Ms Kennedy said Patea sat 'emotionless' as she described how Ms Brown's horrific murder impacted her, and has affected her family.

'I don't care about his reaction - the victim impact statement was something I had to do,' she said.

'I needed to look at him and ask him why he did what he did.

'I have thought about your daughter every single day and your actions and the implications on her life.

'It took me a long time to realise that you are the reason your daughter has lost her mother - not my failing to stop you.

Ms Brown leaves behind a young daughter

'Your disgraceful actions that day has stolen your daughter's rights from ever truly knowing her mother.

'As a parent, I cannot fathom doing anything to hurt my children. The thought of them not having me in their lives gives me nightmares - something that rarely crossed my mind until witnessing what you did to your daughter's mother - now I think about it daily,' she said in court.

The woman, who mistook Patea as a rescuer on the scene, will always reflect on what happened that day.

'For the first six months, every time I closed my eyes, I saw Tara and how incredibly beautiful she was,' Ms Kennedy said in court.

'My eyes well up with tears because of the guilt, that I will forever carry, that I failed her in not recognising and understanding her fear was of you.

'She was screaming at me to help her from you - not of being trapped in her car after the accident.'

The mother is now helping Ms Brown's family raise awareness for domestic violence in Australia with the Tara Brown Foundation.

She has made a connection with Ms Brown's parents and daughter and believes they are bonded by what happened to the young mother in front of Ms Kennedy's eyes.

'It is incredibly important to break the cycle that is why I start the conversation with children  to stop all types of bullying.

The Scout leader is proud of the foundation and their work to 'assist domestic violence sufferers'.

'I have identified with domestic violence sufferers for a long time, and we have always talked about it with the children at home but they're definitely aware of what has happened to Tara.'

The court heard a triple-0 call made by Ms Brown that captured her final moments - as she begged for her life, crying out: 'Lionel, stop. Please help me.'

Ms Brown's mother, Natalie Hinton (left), told the court she refused to read the handwritten statement from Patea

Dozens of Ms Brown's family and friends packed the court room on Monday, with many standing when Patea pleaded guilty.

Many had a white ribbon pinned to their clothes, the official symbol for Australia's campaign to prevent men's violence against women.

In a statement read outside court by his solicitor Campbell McCallum, Patea said he pleaded guilty with the full support of his family, who had encouraged him to face up to his actions.

'I do not wish to cause Tara's family any further pain nor delay their need for justice,' Patea said in the statement.

'I accept without reservation the punishment imposed upon me by the justice system today, I will also be ultimately be judged by God. 'I know Tara will never be forgotten, nor will I ever be forgiven.

'I just hope that I can today stop any further potential pain and suffering for Tara's family.'

The pair had been together since 2011 - and they had a daughter the following year.
Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly says he could have been clearer about a man who appeared on his show last week billed as a Swedish national security adviser.

Responding to criticism from officials in Sweden and liberal observers, O'Reilly said on Monday night's episode of 'The O'Reilly Factor' that he should have explained that Nils Bildt had no role in the Swedish government.

Bildt appeared on O'Reilly show Thursday, billed as a 'Swedish Defense and National Security Advisor.' Bildt linked Muslim immigration to the country with social problems and crime.

Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly (left) apologized on Monday for booking Nils Bildt, a man they misleadingly identified as a 'Swedish Defense and National Security Advisor'

In his appearance, Bildt argued that Muslim immigration was causing a crime problem in his home country. Swedish officials later said that he had no ties to their government

Critics objected to O'Reilly's use of the title, and the Swedish Defense Ministry and Foreign Office said they had no knowledge of Bildt.

O'Reilly said Monday that the criticism was valid, though Bildt is a consultant on national security matters.

'Last week we did a segment on Sweden and its Muslim immigrant situation,' OReilly said on Mondays show. 'Both sides were presented, as always.

'After the segment, some left wing people objected to one guest, Nils Bildt who was introduced by me as a "Swedish Defense and National Security Advisor." The Swedish government also weighed in saying theyve had no contact with Mr. Bildt.

To be fair, the information we gave you in the segment was accurate but, in hindsight, a more relevant guest should have been used on the anti-immigrant side. Bill O'Reilly

'Now, we looked into the situation and the criticism is valid. Its valid. Mr. Bildt does consulting work on terrorism, thats true  but we should have clarified that he had no direct role with the Swedish government.

'To be fair, the information we gave you in the segment was accurate but, in hindsight, a more relevant guest should have been used on the anti-immigrant side.

'You should also know that, before the segment was booked, we asked the Swedish Ambassador to appear; he declined. That invitation stands.'

Bildt's appearance comes a week after Donald Trump appeared to refer to a terror attack in Sweden which never happened.

The president cited 'what's happening in Sweden right now' during a speech on terror across Europe, prompting many to deduce he was out of touch with facts.

President Trump later said he was in fact referring to the country's immigration issues that he'd read on Fox News.

Twitter users were quick to mock the appearance. They shared jibing memes shorty afterwards

During the appearance, Bildt linked immigration to social problems in Sweden, lamented what he described as Swedish liberal close-mindedness about the downsides of welcoming newcomers and said: 'We are unable in Sweden to socially integrate these people,' arguing that politicians lacked a systematic plan to do so.

But if viewers might have taken the 'advisor' for a government insider, the Swedish Defense Ministry and Foreign Office told the newspaper Dagens Nyheter they knew nothing of him.

In fact Bildt is an 'independent analyst' who moved to the US in 1994. He describes himself as a founding member of Modulus World LLC, a corporate geopolitical strategy and security consulting business which has offices in Washington, Brussels and Tokyo.

In his bio, Bildt boasted of his expertise on defense and national security issues. He said he had served as a naval officer, worked for Japanese officials and had written books on creating business opportunities in hostile environments.

But security experts in Sweden said he wasn't a familiar figure in their ranks in that country.

'He is in not in any way a known quantity in Sweden and has never been part of the Swedish debate,' Swedish Defence University leadership professor Robert Egnell said by email to The Associated Press on Saturday.

He and Bildt - also known then as Nils Tolling - were in a master's degree program in war studies together at King's College London in 2002-2003, and Bildt moved to Japan soon after, he said.

Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt (above) said he believed the man was cashing in on his family's political pull

Bildt has since admitted that he is merely an 'independent analyst' and says Fox knew as much when it booked him to appear on the show.

He told The Washington Post he made it 'clear' to producers before going on-air that he did not work in official capacity. In his response to Mediate, he said his job title wasn't the issue.

'Sorry for any confusion caused, but needless to say I think that is not really the issue. The issue is Swedish refusal to discuss their social problems and issues.'

Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, who has a brother and son with the same name, said he believed the man was cashing in on his family's political pull.

The executive producer of 'The O'Reilly Factor' said Bildt was recommended by people the show's booker consulted with while making numerous inquiries about potential guests.

'After pre-interviewing him and reviewing his bio, we agreed that he would make a good guest for the topic that evening,' executive producer David Tabacoff said in a statement.
The widow of conservative judge Antonin Scalia and the wives of two police officers killed by an illegal immigrant will be among the guests as Donald Trump makes his first address in Congress today.

Insiders have revealed the president intends to boast about his 'promises kept' as well as remind Americans of the promises he made.

Watching the State of the Union-style speech will be Maureen McCarthy Scalia, the widow of former Supreme Court Justice Scalia.

Maureen McCarthy Scalia (pictured left following her husband's casket in February last year) will be among the president's guests in Congress. Judge Scalia (right) died last year

Trump has also invited Jessica Davis (pictured right, at her husband's funeral) to today's speech to Congress

Guests of the president also include Susan Oliver (center), pictured at the funeral of husband Danny Oliver, a police officer who was killed by an illegal immigrant

She was also present when Trump announced that federal appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch, seen as an ideological successor to her husband, was the president's choice to succeed him on the Supreme Court.

Also present will be Jessica Davis and Susan Oliver, whose husbands, California police officers Michael Davis Jr and Danny Oliver, were killed in the line of duty in 2014 by a man living in the country illegally.

The men are the namesakes of a bill aimed at stricter immigration law enforcement.

Trump has also invited Jamiel Shaw, Sr (left), whose son Jamiel (right) was shot and killed by gang member Pedro Espinoza, who was in the country illegally in 2008

Trump has also invited Jamiel Shaw, Sr, whose son was shot and killed by gang member Pedro Espinoza, who was in the country illegally in 2008.

Shaw spoke at many of Trump's campaign rallies and delivered a searing speech about his son at the Republican convention.

The group appears selected to highlight some of the president's early actions in office, including his crackdown on people living in the country illegally with criminal backgrounds and his selection of Gorsuch.

Donald Trump is expected to boast about his promises kept in his first address to Congress today

Trump will deliver his speech in the House Chamber today, where officials said he will tell Americans that 'help is on its way'

Others invited by Trump as guests to his speech include Megan Crowley, who was given just a few years to live when she was diagnosed with Pompe Disease at 15 months old.

Now 20, she is a sophomore at Notre Dame.

Denisha Merriweather, who has written about how her life changed because she was able to use the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program to attend a private high school, will also be one of the president's guests.

Trump has advocated expanding such 'voucher' programs as part of an effort to give parents more choices when it comes to where their kids go to school.

What isn't yet clear is whether the president plans to bash his political opponents during a televised prime-time address  or whether he will find a common foe by railing against the media, whom he has termed an 'enemy of the American people.'

Denisha Merriweather, pictured with Jeb Bush, has been invited by President Trump to witness his speech in Congress

'I think it's fair to say that this is a look forward,' said an administration official previewing the speech, asked whether Trump would make partisan attacks on his 'enemies.'

'Americans have been waiting for help from their leaders for too long. During his speech the President will let them know that help is finally on the way,' said an administration official.

When Barack Obama delivered his last State of the Union speech to Congress last year, his guests included Syrian refugee Refaai Hamo, who lost seven family members in a missile strike in 2013.

Obama wrote to Hamo: 'Welcome to your new home. You're part of what makes America great.'

Last month Trump signed an executive order barring Syrian refugees from entering the US.

Also invited by Obama was Ryan Reyes, whose partner Daniel Kaufman was killed in the Orlando massacre at Pulse nightclub. Kaufman was credited with saving the lives of four people.
The man who stole the show at the Oscars as 'Gary from Chicago' was convicted of attempted rape and also served 20 years in prison, DailyMail.com reveals.

Gary Alan Coe and his fiancee Vickie Vines were part of the group of tourists Jimmy Kimmel invited inside the Dolby Theater during the ceremony Sunday night, gaining instant celebrity.

The pair made an impression as they calmly snapped photos of the celebrities sitting just inches from them, revealed they were engaged and even got fake-married by Denzel Washington.

Gary, a native of the South Shore of Chicago, was only able to attend the ceremony because he had been released three days beforehand, he told ABC7.

DailyMail.com can disclose that one of those felonies is attempted rape, for which Coe, 59, is a registered sex offender. He was convicted of the crime in Chicago in March 1978 when he was 20.

He committed two robberies after the crime, and in 1994 was first incarcerated in California, for grand theft.

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Gary Alan Coe (right) and his fiancee Vickie Vines (left) stole the show as part of the group of tourists Jimmy Kimmel invited inside the Dolby Theater during the ceremony Sunday night. His status as a sex offender is now revealed

A mugshot taken by the California Department of Corrections on Thursday, the day for his release, and obtained by TMZ showed him smiling with delight at his freedom.

Kiss: As he was introduced to the Oscars ceremony, Gary Coe reached out and kissed Nicole Kidman's hand

Surprise: Gary Coe was seen kissing the hands of female celebrities after he was invited in by Jimmy Kimmel, including Nicole Kidman. She was nominated for best supporting actress for Lion

Security questions: It is unclear whether the Oscars organizers knew that Coe was a registered sex offender when he kissed Halle Berry's hand. She presented the best director Oscar

Front-row stars: Among the women who Coe kissed on the hand were Octavia Spencer, who was nominated for best supporting actress for Hidden Figures

Denzel Washington 'married' Gary and Vickie from Chicago who had revealed to Kimmel that they were engaged

Vickie clutched her selfie stick but clearly couldn't quite grasp what exactly was happening as she met Ryan Gosling

Public record: Coe, 59, is

Public record: The California Megan's Law disclosure which shows that Coe was convicted of attempted rape 'by force or fear'

Documented: A court record which details Coe's history of convictions, including attempted rape in March 1978 - when he was 20

THE CRIMES OF GARY FROM CHICAGO March 1978 Attempted rape. Cook County, Illinois August 1982 Robbery. Cook County Illinois October 1985 Robbery. Kalamazoo, Missouri December 1991 Burglary. Cook County, Illinois March 1994 Grand theft (more than $400) San Francisco, California April 1994 Grand theft (more than $400), San Francisco, California January 1995 Theft, Concord, California April 1995 Theft, Sacramento, California December 1996 Petty theft, Los Angeles, California. Life sentence, re-sentenced to six years in 2017, resulting in his release Advertisement

It is unclear whether the Oscars organizers knew that they were letting a registered sex offender into the theater. He was seen kissing Halle Berry's and Nicole Kidman's hands.

Coe's jail term was a life sentence handed down in 1997 for a separate crime, the theft of $79 of perfume from a Robinsons-May store in Los Angeles on December 31 1996.

He had been convicted at Torrance Court House, Los Angeles, after a four-day jury trial in June 1997.

It was a 25 years to life term, court records show, under the 'three strikes and you're out laws' in force at the time which made a third felony an automatic life with a minimum of 25 years term.

The two previous felonies which were counted as 'strikes' were a December 1991 burglary conviction in his native Chicago, and an April 1994 grand theft conviction in San Francisco.

Coe appealed the felony conviction at the time on 'technical and procedural grounds' to attempt to have it reduced to a misdemeanor, which would have voided the life sentence. But the appeal was rejected in 1999 and he remained in Los Angeles County State Prison. He also petitioned the California Supreme court unsuccessfully that year.

Court records show that his journey to release began when he made use of an amendment to the three-strikes law with a petition filed in February 2013 to ask for resentencing.

It is unclear if that was successful, however a second petition to have the theft conviction downgraded to a misdemeanor and the sentence adjusted accordingly appears to have triggered his release.

It was ordered at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on February 15. Requests for release can take time to process, and in Coe's case appear to have taken more than a week.

A mugshot taken by the California Department of Corrections on Thursday, the day for his release, and obtained by TMZ showed him smiling with delight at his freedom.



Karen Nash, who was his public defender, posted on Facebook that she had 'spent years working on Gary's case' and that his release only came on Friday.

'I'm so proud of Gary!' she posted on Facebook.

Change is possible. It's a sad day to be in prison for 20 years and not be able to be a dad, granddad to your children Gary Coe - Gary from Chicago

'For a man who was treated pretty unfairly by the justice system, he has zero negative energy. He's all about joy and positivity and patience.'

She also posted that his rape conviction was when he was 18 but that contradicts public records which show it was when he was 20.

Gary told ABC7: 'Change is possible. It's a sad day to be in prison for 20 years and not be able to be a dad, granddad to your children.'

He added: 'You know what my son told me today, man, and I almost come to tears. He said he's proud of me. So to hear your children say that they're proud of me means the world to me.'

The Jimmy Kimmel show had trailed that Gary and Vickie would be on the show on Monday night but he did not appear. ABC7 reported that he had been told the post-Oscars show was too packed and that there was not time to feature him.

DailyMail.com has reached out to ABC and the Academy, which organizes the Oscars, for comment but not yet received a response.

Public records show he was released from Corcoran Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison. The facility is north of Bakersfield, CA.

It has been called 'the largest addiction treatment center in the world', treating as many as 1,500 prisoners at a time for addiction.

Int specializes in helping inmates beat their addictions and prepare for the outside world, with up to 20 hours of therapy a week, as well as education programs.

It was behind bars that Gary met Vickie and turned to religion. The Chicago pair plan to tie the knot this summer in California.

Washington however did try to speed things up after Kimmel asked him if he would agree to be the best man.

Instead, the actor joined Gary's and Vickie's hands and said 'husband and wife', as if he had married them on the spot.

Public defender: Karen Nash posted on Facebook that she had helped free Gary Coe, saying 'I spent years working on Gary's case.'

Inmate: This was the last prison where Coe was held having been behind bars in California since 1994

Gary got to pose with Mahershala Ali (pictured) and hold his award for best actor in a supporting role as the Chicago pair walked among the stars at the ceremony

Mahershala Ali, who won the first Oscar of the night for best supporting actor in Moonlight, graciously let Gary touch his gold statuette

Vickie got up close and personal with Meryl Streep, still with her selfie stick in hand and filming

Vickie had just declared Washington her favorite actor and later said she felt like she could have died and gone to heaven after meeting him during the ceremony.

Gary meanwhile got to pose with Mahershala Ali and to hold his award for best actor in a supporting role, as well as greet Nicole Kidman with a kiss on her hand.

Another actor has since offered to help Vickie and Gary become a married couple - and he is actually licensed to perform weddings.

Anthony Anderson, who stars in Blackish, said he would like to marry the pair on live television, as he has permission to do so in California.

Gary and Vickie haven't publicly accepted or declined the offer.

His daughter, Jacqui Williams, 36, of Lafayette, Indiana, told the Chicago Tribune that her father was born in Memphis, Tennessee and had moved to the South Shore when he was 12.

He moved to California in 1992, she said and added: 'He's a really sweet, genuine, loving-type of dad. He's the best. I'm proud of him.'

The bizarre twist over Gary from Chicago's past comes after the fiasco of the wrong film being announced as winner of the best movie Oscar.

PwC partner Brian Cullinan gave Warren Beatty the wrong envelope, leaving the veteran actor puzzled before he handed it to Faye Dunaway, who announced LaLa Land as the winner.

As its cast and crew celebrated on stage, the terrible blunder became clear and the movie's producer, Jordan Horowitz, announced the truth.

'Moonlight won,' he said, shocking the crowd in the theater and hundreds of millions around the world.

'Guys, guys, Im sorry. No. Theres a mistake. Moonlight, you guys won best picture. This is not a joke.'

The error was the worst in Oscars history, and a full explanation of how Cullinan, the millionaire accountant in charge of the Oscars voting as well as handing over the envelopes, came to get it so wrong has still to emerge.
A 38-year-old man has been left fighting for his life after he was brutally bashed by a group of teenagers who gatecrashed his party.

Ryan Ball was hosting a school ball after-party for his friend's teenage daughter when up to 15 young boys stormed his Perth property on Saturday night.

The invite-only party spiralled out of the control when the Padbury man tried to break up a fight between gatecrashers and teenage guests outside his home.

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Ryan Ball (pictured) has been placed in an induced coma after he suffered severe head injuries

Police were called to the property after young boys gatecrashed the party on Saturday

Mr Ball was left with severe injuries including a fractured skull and bleeding to the brain following the attack.

The party host was rushed to the Royal Perth Hospital in a critical condition where he was placed in an induced coma.

His brother, Leon Ball, told 7 News the family hold 'grave concerns' for Mr Hall after he suffered critical head injuries when he tried to stop the brawl.

'From what the doctors were saying to me, where the bleeding is on the brain, it's where his motor skills and everything are,' Leon said.

His brother Leon Ball (pictured) said the family hold 'grave concerns' for Mr Hall after he suffered critical head injuries when he tried to stop the brawl

The Perth man was hosting a school ball after-party when he tried to break up a fight outside

Police are investigating the incident as the suspects remain on the run since Saturday night

'We have grave concerns on what position he's going to be [in] when he does... or if he does wakes up.

'When they [doctors] tried to bring him out of the induced coma, he didn't react well to it so they put him back down, back under.'

The family believed Mr Hall was headbutted when he tried to protect the teenage partygoers from the gatecrashers after a brawl broke out.

Leon told 9News a professional photographer at the party had managed to snap images of the group who they believed were involved in the attack.

The photos have reportedly been handed over to police for further investigation as detectives hunt for the suspects.
A celebrity dentist claims he was booted off an American Airlines flight from LAX to JFK because of his Iranian background and anti-Trump comments.

Shawn Sadri was flying back to the East Coast after finishing work with star clients before Sunday's Oscars when he became embroiled in a fight with a flight attendant.

After exchanging crossed words with another two, he was removed from the plane by security and told to take another flight.

Sadri told The New York Daily News their argument escalated when he joked that a Hispanic fellow-passenger who was upset may be deported by Donald Trump.

Shawn Sadri (right with celebrity client Afrojack) was flying back to the East Coast after finishing work with star clients before Sunday's Oscars when he became embroiled in a fight with a flight attendant

The boy had been sitting next to him and fled his seat before takeoff crying when an attendant approached him, he said.

When she asked Sadri what was wrong with the youngster, he joked: 'Maybe Trump is trying to deport him.'

She took offense, telling him not to make such jests.

'Fine, you must be a Trump supporter,' he retorted. He claims the flight attendant replied: 'So what if I am?'

He labeled her incompetent, prompting two others to join in the dispute.

Sadri moved to the US from his native Iran with his parents (above together) when he was three

Sadri (left on a previous trip on a private jet and right with Carmen Electra) was placed on another flight

'I wasnt yelling, I wasnt swearing, it was 6 a.m., I hadnt been drinking. Im a New Yorker  Im not going to back down  and I was born a Muslim in Iran. I do think all those things played into it,' he said.

Eventually he was removed by security and placed on the next flight out. American Airlines said he'd been asked to leave because he failed to follow employees' instructions.

Sadri counts the DJ Afrojack among clients and regularly shares social media photographs from inside his practice.

A fan of designer labels and jaunts to The Hamptons, he has flown by private jet in the past but wasn't so lucky on Sunday.
Christian assemblies for children could become a thing of the past after a local council became the first to allow its schools to be freed from having to provide worship.

The 'ground breaking' decision has been made by Brent Council in London for its non-faith state schools.

Currently all state schools are legally required to provide daily acts of Christian-themed worship, such as assemblies, although past studies have found many schools ignore the rule.

Christian assemblies for children could become a thing of the past after a local council became the first to allow its schools to be freed from having to provide worship

The new move will see Brent Council's Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education promote multi-faith assemblies, which will also cater for those who have no religious beliefs.

It has won an award from the Accord Coalition, which celebrates inclusiveness in schools.

Chair of the judging panel, Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain MBE, told the Daily Mirror: 'Society may be Christian-based but is multi-faith with many also of no belief-system, and so uniform worship should no longer be compulsory for our educational system.

'Brent Council's ground breaking approach rescues an opportunity for pupils to communally explore and forge shared values, in a way that is workable and respectful.

'We hope all other local authorities will take inspiration from Brent Council's approach, which we highly commend.'

A ComRes survey in 2011 revealed two-thirds of parents said their children did not attend religious worship at school, while six out of 10 people said the law should not be enforced

LAW ON WORSHIP IN SCHOOLS Rules published in a Government circular in 1994 set out the requirement of a daily act of worship in all state schools. The circular states collective worship should be of a Christian character but not of any specific denomination, while RE lessons must reflect that Christianity is the most widespread religion in the UK. School staff are told they must 'take into account' teachings and practices of other religions when teaching pupils about faiths. But parents are given the right to remove their children from collective worship and RE lessons should they choose to do so. Advertisement

Calls for reforms have been growing for years, with ex-Education Secretary Charles Clarke stating in 2015 daily worship should be scrapped and such decisions left to school governors, while the Bishop of Oxford, John Pritchard, has said times of 'spiritual reflection' were the way forward.

Meanwhile, a ComRes survey in 2011 revealed two-thirds of parents said their children did not attend religious worship at school, while six out of 10 people said the law should not be enforced.

As reported previously on MailOnline two years ago, the High Court ruled in favour of three families and the British Humanist Association after they challenged Education Secretary Nicky Morgan's decision to exclude the teaching of non-religious views in school curriculum.
President Donald Trump is putting out more conspiracy theories about former President Barack Obama.

This time, the new president is saying Obama and his 'people' are behind nationwide protests and White House leaks.

In an interview with Fox & Friends, Trump was asked if he believed Obama was behind the 'organizing' against his presidency and various executive orders.

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President Trump said former President Obama and his associates were behind protests and White House leaks

President Trump said: 'Well, you never know exactly whats happening behind the scenes'

The president responded: 'No, I think he is behind it. I also think its politics. Thats the way it is..'

The interviewer brought up how previous presidents have not done this to their successors.

To that, President Trump brought up leaks saying: 'Well, you never know exactly whats happening behind the scenes. Youre possibly right but you never know. But I think President Obamas behind it, because his people are certainly behind it.'

'And some of the leaks possibly come from that group. You know, some of the leaks, which are really very serious leaks, because theyre very bad in terms of national security, but I also understand thats politics. And in terms of him being behind things, thats politics, and it will probably continue.'

About the leaks, President Trump said: 'But I think President Obamas behind it, because his people are certainly behind it'

The president has also said the protesters are paid to go to demonstrations and attend town hall events to harass Republican legislators.

Trump has been wrong about Obama before. Only last year did he publicly state that he believed the 44th president was born in the United States.

In the interview with Fox, Trump also touched on the Academy Awards and accused the show of 'pulling out the race card'. He did not attend because the Governors' Ball was on Sunday.

Trump said: 'Look, it just seems like the other side, whenever theyre losing badly, they always pull out the race card. Ive watched it for years. I watched it against Ronald Reagan, Ive watched it against so many other people.'

'And they always like pulling out the race card. In fact I did much better than many other than other Republicans in the last election. I did much better with Hispanics, I did much better with African Americans, if I didnt do better, I wouldnt be sitting here.'

Trump is also saying no to a night with Hollywood and the press by not attending the White House Correspondents Dinner this year.

He explained his choice to Fox, saying: 'Over the years you make a mistake, I fully understand when they hit you. But when they make stories up, when they create sources, cause I believe that sometimes they don't have sources, you know, the sources don't exist, sometimes they do exist, I'm not saying all sources, but I do believe that a lot of the sources are made up. A lot of the stories are made up.'

'I believe a lot of, the stories are pure fiction, they just pull it out of air. Now, with all of that being said, I just thought it would be better if I didn't do the dinner, that doesn't mean I'm not going to do it next year but I just thought it would be better if I didn't do it this year. '

Tomorrow, Trump will address Congress. He hinted to the television program what legislators can expect to hear.

He said: 'All I can do is speak from the heart and say what I want to do. We have a really terrific, I believe, healthcare plan coming out. We have to understand, Obamacare has been a disaster, it's way out of control.'

'I'll be talking about the military, I'll be talking about the border, and remember this, on the border and throughout our country, we're getting the bad ones out. The bad people, gang members, drug lords, in some cases, murderers.'
A man claiming to be the brother of a 42-year-old man charged over a terror plot to develop 'high-tech missiles and laser warning devices' has accused police of using 'excessive' tactics.

Australian Federal Police arrested Australian-born electrician Haisem Zahab at a Young property on Tuesday following a major anti-terrorism police operation in country New South Wales.

Zahab's brother told 7News he was scared after police stormed the 42-year-old's rural NSW home.

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A man claiming to be the brother (pictured) of a 42-year-old man charged over a terror plot to develop 'high-tech missiles and laser warning devices' has accused police of using 'excessive' tactics

Haisem Zahab, 42, (pictured) has been charged over an terror plot to develop 'high-tech missiles and laser warning devices' after a major anti-terrorism police operation in Young

I think its very excessive and its very scary for us as Australian citizens, born and raised and living in Australia.'

'At 3 o'clock in the morning they're blowing doors off the hinges and breaking glass and putting guns at women's and childrens heads,' he said.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Tuesday Zahab was using the internet to research and design a laser warning device for ISIL.

'Police will allege that the man has sought to advise ISIL on how to develop high-tech weapons capability,' Mr Turnbull said.

'This highlights that terrorism and support for terrorist groups is not limited to our major cities'.

'This operation does not relate to any planned terrorist attack in Australia,' he said.

Zahab's brother (pictured right) said he was scared after police stormed the 42-year-old's rural NSW home

Zahab's family openly wept after his court appearance and an older woman was seen covering her face with her hijab as she yelled at a media (pictured)

The Australian Federal Police searched the property on Tuesday (pictured) before arresting the electrician

Zahab has been charged with two serious foreign incursion offences and a failure to comply with order to assist access to data.

The foreign incursion offences carry the maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Zahab's family openly wept after his court appearance and an older woman was seen covering her face with her hijab as she yelled at a media, according to 9News.

The woman, who was standing with an older man, was eventually stopped by a police officer who held her back.

The AFP and dog squad were seen thoroughly searching horse paddocks, chicken coops and the isolated building for hours on Tuesday.

'This is an ongoing matter and we believe he has networks and contacts in ISIL,' Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin told reporters.

'It's not necessarily just in the conflict zones but in other parts of the world as well and he has been relying on them to pass this information.

The man has been charged with two serious foreign incursion offences and a failure to comply with order to assist access to data

An Australian Federal Police van was stationed on the property beside a number of tents on Tuesday during the raid

Zahab was refused bail on Tuesday and will front Parramatta Court on March 8

During a press conference from Parliament in Canberra on Tuesday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed The Australian Federal Police arrested the man

Police used the dog squad and metal detectors to thoroughly search the Young property (pictured) on Tuesday

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin (right) said Zahab was charged with two serious foreign incursion offences, which carry the maximum penalty of life imprisonment

'With these offences, we will allege that he has utilised the internet to perform services for ISIL, activities in the Syria and Iraq conflict, from Australia'.

Mr Colvin said Zahab was 'technically-trained' and his research was 'credible'.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the arrest came after an 18-month police operation.

'It reminds us that whether you are in a capital city planning an attack on home soil or whether you are in a small country town, trying to assist the terrorist state in the Middle East, you will get caught,' he said.

Zahab was refused bail on Tuesday and will front Parramatta Court on March 8.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan (left) said the arrest came after an 18-month police operation and Mr Turnbull said the man was using the internet to research and design a laser warning device for ISIL

A 42-year-old man has been charged following a 'major' anti-terrorism police operation at a property (pictured) in Young, country New South Wales

Mr Colvin said the man was 'technically-trained' and the research he conducted at the property (pictured) was 'credible'

The AFP and dog squad were seen thoroughly searching horse paddocks, chicken coops and the isolated building for hours on Tuesday before the arrest
This is the horrific moment four people were killed in a huge explosion when the son of a Greek millionaire lost control of his Porsche and smashed into a parked car.

Shocking footage shows the powerful car skidding at high speed towards a building along a motorway between Athens and Delphi in Greece.

Driver Iorgos Vakakis and his passenger were killed instantly as were a 33-year-old mother and her child who were in a Honda Civic parked by the building.

Shocking footage shows the powerful car skidding at high speed towards a building along a motorway between Athens and Delphi in Greece

Horrific footage shows the moment four people were killed in a huge explosion when the son of a Greek millionaire lost control of his Porsche and smashed into a parked car

Driver Iorgos Vakakis and his passenger were killed instantly as were a 33-year-old mother and her child who were in a Honda Civic parked by the building

Mr Vakakis was the son of millionaire Apostolos Vakakis, the owner of the Jumbo supermarket chain

Mr Vakakis was the son of millionaire Apostolos Vakakis, the owner of the Jumbo supermarket chain.

The crash was captured on CCTV cameras and the footage has been widely shared online.

It shows Mr Vakakis' Porsche careering off the motorway at high speed a before crashing into the Honda Civic sideways so hard that both vehicles shoot into a building and explode.

One of the men in the Porsche was thrown out of the vehicle in the crash but died from his injuries while the other died inside the car.

Mr Vakakis was visiting his family in Greece during a short break from his studies in the United States

The crash was captured on CCTV cameras and the footage has been widely shared online

One of the men in the Porsche was thrown out of the vehicle in the crash but died from his injuries while the other died inside the car

Police have launched an investigation and said that the Porsche appeared to have been travelling significantly faster than the 75mph speed limit

Mr Vakakis was visiting his family in Greece during a short break from his studies in the United States.

Police have launched an investigation and said that the Porsche appeared to have been travelling significantly faster than the 75mph speed limit.

Mr Vakakis Jr had always been considered the future main heir of his father's empire which includes more than 80 shops around the world, 52 of them in Greece.

In 2015, Jumbo's annual profits amounted to 666million. Nobody from the Vakakis family has so far commented on the accident.
A massive search operation is underway for a Queensland mother who went missing after dropping off her child at school.

Hannah Cook, 25, was last seen at the Gladstone CBD school where she dropped off her child at 9am on Monday.

Helicopters were seen circulating over a spot near Mount Alma, where Ms Cook's empty car, a 2016 Mirsubishi ASX wagon, was discovered on Tuesday, the local newspaper Gladstone Observer reported.

Hannah Cook, 25, was last seen at the Gladstone CBD school where she dropped off her child at 9am on Monday

Helicopters were seen circulating over a spot near Mount Alma, where Ms Cook's empty car, a 2016 Mirsubishi ASX wagon (similar car pictured), was discovered on Tuesday

Dog squads have led investigators to the nearby Calliope River, and paramedics have been on standby in the area on Tuesday, according to the newspaper.

Two detectives with the Gladstone Criminal Investigation Branch were assisting the investigation, according to the Gladstone Observer.

Police issued a photograph of Ms Cook on Monday.

Officers described her as a 172cm tall, slim Caucasian woman with brown hair and brown eyes.

Police said her family is 'concerned' as she has a medical condition.

Anyone who may have seen Hannah is urged to contact Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Nicola Sturgeon complained that Theresa May was being 'intransigent' over Brexit

Nicola Sturgeon accused Theresa May of a 'high-handed' attitude to Scotland's Brexit demands as she ramped up threats of a fresh independence referendum.

Fears are mounting in Downing Street that the SNP leader will use the moment Article 50 is triggered next month to demand a new vote on breaking up the UK.

The move would be a huge gamble by the First Minister - with poll still showing a small majority of Scots against splitting.

Previously the SNP had indicated they would only go for another referendum if there was a consistent 10-point lead for independence.

It would leave Mrs May facing a tough decision over whether to try to block a new vote and risk a constitutional crisis - or accept it and potentially imperil the future of the union.

The PM has promised to invoke Article 50 by the end of March, and is expected to launch the process in the middle of the month despite wrangling over the Brexit Bill.

In a sign of nerves in No10, the premier has urged voters in Scotland to use May's council elections to make clear to Ms Sturgeon that they do not want another independence referendum.

Writing in the Times today, Mrs Sturgeon insisted she had yet to make a decision on whether to propose a new vote, saying she was still 'seeking compromise with the UK government'.

But she also escalated her threats by complaining that she had yet to see any 'real willingness' to reach an accommodation on her demands - which include allowing Scotland to stay within the European single market.

Mrs Sturgeon dismissed criticism that she was abandoning her pledge to accept the result of the last independence referendum, arguing she had a 'cast iron mandate'.

'The SNP was re-elected to government with more votes and seats than Labour and the Tories combined,' she wrote.

'So as well as justification for a referendum, there is also a castiron mandate. Which brings me to the issue of good faith.

Theresa May has voiced opposition to a second referendum, but stopped short of saying she would block one from being held

'The day after the EU referendum, I chose not to immediately exercise that mandate. Instead, the Scottish government published a compromise position, Scotland's Place in Europe, which proposed a way for Scotland to remain in the single market.

'Instead of meeting us halfway, however, the UK government's approach has been "its way or no way".'

Mrs Sturgeon said 'time was running out' for Mrs May to make concessions that would head off a new vote.

And she insisted calling a referendum would 'not be down to bad faith on the part of the Scottish government, but to sheer intransigence on the part of the UK government'.

Downing Street has insisted Mrs May remains opposed to a second referendum, but refused to say whether she would attempt to block a new vote.
An angry father who set up an online page to 'troll' the 28,000-a-year private school he claims 'failed' his son has been ordered to give up the website.

Scott Craddock was livid when his son David left Abbotsholme School with just a C grade in science and said he had 'wasted 125,000 on his teenage son's schooling' and he would have been 'better off going to local comprehensive'.

Last year the father-of-two served legal papers on the school saying he felt as if he had been 'ripped off' after he worked abroad for a decade to pay for his son's education.

He also set up website abbotsholmeschool.co.uk to monitor its performance, but now he's been told he must hand it over to the school because of its similarity to the institution's real website, abbotsholme.co.uk.

The UK's official domain name registry Nominet also classed the site as 'abusive', following a complaint from the school.

Scott Craddock (right), 58, has been ordered to give up a website he set up to 'monitor' the results of 28,000-a-year Abbotsholme School, which he criticised after 'wasting' 125,000 on his son David's (left) education there

Mr Craddock, pictured left with David, said he set up the website after being told by the headmaster to check the school's previous results. He even paid an extra 1p for Google adverts to ensure his site went above the real one

David, 17, left Abbotsholme independent boarding school near Rocester, Staffordshire, in 2015 after passing just one of the eight GCSEs he sat.

The school's results from that summer were lower than the national average, including comprehensives.

After setting up the site, Mr Craddock, 58, even paid an additional 1p per hit for a Google advert to make sure his website came above the school's official one on search results.

The divorced father-of-two, of Burntwood, Staffordshire, said: 'The headmaster told me to look at previous results so I did and set up the website.

'I did it about three months ago and paid 67 for the name. I took out a Google advert to make sure it goes above them which was 1p per hit.

'I think I paid about 40 so it must've had 40,000 hits. Most of them were probably the headmaster crying as he looked at it every night.

'The school left it about a month and then complained to Nominet which is the official registry for UK domain names.

'I think it cost them about 1,500 for the whole procedure which is all done online.

'They ruled in the school's favour this week so Nominet will just take the site off me and move it to the school.

'I am not going to appeal because it would cost me 3,000.

The site, pictured, is entitled Scott Craddock Vs Abbotsholme School and contains GCSE results compared between 2015 and 2014

Mr Craddock's site is very different to the real thing, pictured, but its URL was too similar for the official domain registry to allow it to continue

'But it just shows that the school don't like the truth being exposed about their results.

'My attitude to them is they need to wake up to the issue about their results.'

He added: 'I served them with a notice which gives me six years to serve them with paperwork.

'I am watching them squirm and I will continue the legal action but in my own time.'

David, pictured, left Abbotsholme with just one GCSE in science, with his father now taking legal action claiming the fees he paid did not justify 'value for money'

Mr Craddock says he doesn't believe David was the only one with poor results because GCSEs and A-levels at the school were down across the board.

David is now studying arboriculture and horticulture at Reaseheath College, in Nantwich, Cheshire, and has passed the second part of his horticulture diploma with merits.

He is also re-sitting his Science and Maths GCSE's.

He added: 'The school is not value for money in any way, shape or form.

'I was always told my public school was a privilege but I think he would have done better at a local comp.

'They have not provided what they promised in any shape or form.

'The teachers said he would come away with at least five GCSE's - but he has got one.

'He wasn't the only one to underachieve so the standard of teaching there is way below what one would expect from a public school education.'

Mr Craddock decided to take action because he said the school did not offer 'value for money in any way, shape or form'

He was only able to afford the tuition fees after working as a haulier in Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt for 10 years to save money.

David, pictured with his father, is now studying arboriculture and horticulture at Reaseheath College in Nantwich

He said: 'The money I spent could have paid for a house for him when he turns 18. I will be taking legal action to try and get this money reimbursed.'

David claimed he was not even taught some of the GCSE topics which turned up on the exam papers.

Speaking last year, the teenager added: 'It never felt like I was really pushed or tested by my teachers.

HOW TO QUALIFY FOR A LEVELS To qualify to take at least three A Level subjects at sixth form standard education, a student must obtain five A*-C grades in their GCSEs. Usually specific courses require a B grade in the respective GCSE course, but exceptions can be made. Requirements do vary across colleges and sixth forms, with some requiring A*-C grades in English and Maths. Advertisement

'I can't say they really motivated me at all, they just seemed to think I was doing OK and that I would be fine and get good results.

'They just simply didn't teach us the right things and my education suffered as a result.'

Mr Craddock launched legal proceedings last year and backed up his complaint with a website at an address strikingly similar to that used by the school.

On the site he placed a header saying 'Scott Craddock v Abbotsholme School - 125,000 for one GCSE'.

He also included a table he claimed showed the school's recent pass percentages.

But because Mr Craddock used a web address so similar to the school's name, Abbotsholme complained and he has now been told to give it up.

Patricia Jones, an independent expert from internet watchdog Nominet - the official registry for UK domain names - said the site should be transferred to the school.

She said: 'Abbotsholme School has, to my reasonable satisfaction, shown rights in respect of a name or mark which is identical or similar to the domain name.

'The school has, to my reasonable satisfaction, shown that the domain name abbotsholmeschool.co.uk is an abusive registration.'

The school in Staffordshire, pictured, complained about the website and the official UK domain name registry Nominet ordered it to be handed over to Abbotsholme

Many people have since sided with the school over the argument.

Writing on Facebook, Em Hume said: 'You can take a horse to water but you cant make it drink it!!

'Doesn't matter whether you pay for education or not; teachers can only do so much!! GCSE's are not handed out on a plate!! You have to actually work hard for qualifications!!'

Heather Harrison added: Maybe instead or aswell (sic) as paying for his son's education he should be spending time with his son helping his revise or at least making sure he is doing revision at home.'

Abbotsholme was founded by Scottish academic Cecil Reddie as an experiment for his progressive educational philosophies and theories.

The school opened to boys aged 10 to 19 in 1889.
A NSW mother accused of murdering her young son confided to her partner 'I did it and I want to die', a Sydney court has heard.

The woman was secretly recorded by police whispering the alleged admission to her partner a week after the three-year-old died in August 2014, her NSW Supreme Court trial was told on Tuesday.

Her barrister Eric Wilson SC says that three weeks later, police also recorded the stepfather asking the woman 'Did you do it?' and her responding, 'Yeah, I did it. I did everything.'

A NSW mother is on trial accused of murdering her three-year-old son in 2014. The boy in the picture is unrelated to the story

The woman was secretly recorded by police whispering the alleged admission to her partner a week after the three-year-old died in August 2014, her NSW Supreme Court trial was told on Tuesday

The defence says the woman's statements are admissions of abuse only and she has always maintained that the child's fatal injury occurred in a park.

Mr Wilson says that after her son's death, the mother asked police to charge her with murder over an incident in which she jammed a cupboard door against her son's temple.

She told police 'I hurt my son beyond what any parent should do to their own child' and said she believed he died from her actions, Mr Wilson said.

He urged the jury to put their emotions aside and said there'd be 'strong feelings' but he trusted they would take a 'rational and objective approach' to the case.

The boy, who can only be identified by the pseudonym 'Timothy', died three days after paramedics found him in cardiac arrest at the family's Oberon home, near Bathurst, on August 3, 2014.

The mother told a triple zero operator Timothy had earlier been at a nearby park when he tripped over a rope tied to the family's two dogs.

On Tuesday, she bent forward in the dock and began crying when audio of the triple zero call was played.

She could be heard telling the operator in a distressed voice: 'He's not breathing.'

Paramedics testified that when they arrived at the house, Timothy was lying unresponsive on the floor, with grazes on his cheeks and temple and a bruise on his forehead.

Senior Constable Rikki Bowden was reduced to tears as she recalled how she arrived to find two ambulance officers working on the boy.

The defence says the woman's statements are admissions of abuse only and she has always maintained that the child's fatal injury occurred in a park

She said a male, later identified as the stepfather, sat at Timothy's feet.

'He did not appear to be upset or emotional,' Sen Const Bowden told the court,

The jury on Monday was told the couple admitted to repeatedly assaulting Timothy at the home during the seven weeks he lived there.

The abuse included slamming his head in a sliding wardrobe door and shutting him naked in a portable icebox.

The mother and stepfather have pleaded not guilty to murder.

The Crown alleges the mother inflicted a fatal injury on Timothy.

It alleges the stepfather is also liable because he knew she was wanting and able to kill him.

The man's barrister Alissa Moen said two experts would support the case that the boy died from accidental causes.

'The cause of (Timothy's) death was the accident at the park, and any abuse that was going on beforehand has relevance, but it's about what actually caused his death,' she said on Tuesday.
The Education Minister has labelled a NSW school 'sexist' for allowing its male Muslim students to refuse to shake hands with females.

The Hurstville Boys Campus of Georges River College in Sydney's south introduced the policy to allow boys to instead put their hand on the heart as a greeting.

After the policy was condemned by well-known Muslim leaders, NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes slammed the move as 'sexist'.

'I think as a general principle we should encourage young people to shake hands,' he told 2GB Radio on Tuesday.

Education Minister Rob Stokes (pictured) has labelled a NSW school 'sexist' for allowing its male Muslim students to refuse to shake hands with females

Muslim students at the school (pictured) can refuse to shake hands with women, even at an awards ceremony

'Of course kids should shake hands, that's the accepted social norm.

'When I look at the options available, clearly putting out a statewide policy mandating a particular form of salutation is not going to be effective,' he said.

'If we have a situation where boys or girls for cultural reasons don't want to shake the hands of people of the opposite sex, a common sense view would suggest that's a sexist position and that can't be tolerated,' he said.

The Year 7 to 10 school's two principals told guests at its 2016 presentation day, including notable community members, that students may decline the gesture.

The practice comes from the Muslim teaching of hadith that states: 'It is better to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle than to touch the hand of a woman who is not permissible to you.'

The practice comes from the Muslim teaching of hadith that states: 'It is better to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle than to touch the hand of a woman who is not permissible to you'

Such a literal interpretation of hadith, which describes the practices of the prophet Mohammed is controversial even among Australian Muslim leaders.

Australia's Grand Mufti Ibrahim Abu Mohammed shakes hands with women as did his predecessor, Fehmi Naji El-Imam, and Islamic schools do not even have the policy.

Former Islamic Council of Victoria secretary Kuranda Seyit said many young students were taught to take it 'too seriously' and it shouldn't apply in a school context.

'For some young adults, when they meet people of the opposite sex, to shake someone's hand suggests a friendship,' he said.

Mr Seyit said it was an issue because Australians do not understand the custom and could be embarrassed if they were 'left hanging'.

'Students should be able to shake hands with the teacher or the principal, or receive a greeting from a visitor to the school,' he said.
Karen Matthews has branded Kate McCann 'a dreadful mother' for leaving daughter Madeleine alone on the night she vanished, her best friend has revealed.

Matthews, who faked the kidnap of nine-year-old daughter Shannon, said: 'I've been judged and I'm paying for it but Maddie's mother was bad too.

'At least my daughter was never left alone!'

In a bizarre rant against Maddie's parents Kate and Gerry, Matthews told friend Julie Bushby: 'Don't get me onto the McCanns, we've all got something to say about them.

Hateful: Karen Matthews, above, who faked her daughter's kidnap in a plot to claim the reward money, attacked Kate and Gerry McCann, parents of Madeleine, while she was in prison

Rant: 'I've been judged and I'm paying for it but Maddie's mother was bad too,' Matthews, above, told friend Julie Bushby while serving an eight year sentence for kidnapping Shannon

Criticism: Matthews accused Kate and Gerry McCann of leaving their 'babies alone while she was out eating and drinking' in the Portuguese resort town of Praia de Luz. Pictured: Madeleine McCann, who vanished from her parents' holiday apartment in Portugal aged three in 2007

'We're too lower class for them but we can still have an opinion. There seems to be one rule for them and another for us but she was a dreadful mum.

'She left one, two, three babies alone while she was out eating and drinking with her mates. My Shannon was kept away from her family but she was never left alone.'

Ironically, Matthews, 41  now freed from jail  has ditched her first name and is known as Kate. The moniker is thought to have been inspired by one of her Hollywood idols and not by Maddie's mother.

Matthews' attack on Kate and husband Gerry is revealed for the first time as the couple have been criticised twice in three days on social media and national radio.

And her onslaught on the McCanns comes ahead of tonight's Channel 5 documentary which looks at whether the investigation into the plot to kidnap Shannon should be re-opened.

Julie claims friend Matthews is 'too stupid' to have invented the Shannon kidnap alone without colluding with others.

Cold case: Matthews' scathing attack on the McCann's has emerged ahead ahead of tonight's Channel 5 documentary exploring whether the Shannon Matthews kidnap plot should be re-opened. Pictured: Karen Matthews enjoys a meal at Toby Carvery as she seeks to reinvent herself in the south of England

Evil plot: Julie Bushby claims her Karen, pictured with ex-boyfriend Craig Meehan in 2008, was 'too stupid' to have invented the Shannon kidnap plot without help. Meehan had nothing to do with the abduction but he was convicted of possessing child pornography which was discovered on his computer during the investigation

In her bizarre and hate-filled prison rant, Matthews said: 'My Shannon was kept away from her family but she was never left alone.' Pictured: Kate and Gerry McCann who have raised millions of pounds in a bid to find their missing daughter

Wealthy parents, former GP Kate and heart doctor Gerry, both 48, of Rothley, Leicestershire, had already won the nation's hearts and public funding when three-year-old Maddie was snatched from a Portuguese holiday apartment in May 2007.

At the time they had left her and younger toddler twins siblings Sean and Amelie alone while dining in a nearby tapas bar with friends.

Schoolgirl Shannon vanished from her mother's home in Dewsbury, Yorks in February 2008.

She was discovered 24 days later following a 3.2million police search two miles away at the home of Michael Donovan, uncle of Matthews' boyfriend Craig Meehan having been drugged, tethered and hidden inside a divan bed.

Matthews, who had seven children with five fathers, and Donovan were sentenced to eight years over the kidnap plot.

The pair had allegedly been inspired by Maddie's disappearance and invented the kidnap plot to claim a reward for 'finding' her.

Matthews' best friend and former neighbour Julie, who has kept diaries of her prison visits, told MailOnline: 'Karen talked about Maddie and her family, the difference and unfairness of their social situations.

'She's never understood why British and Portuguese police haven't taken it any further and asks in her simple almost child-like state if it's because 'they're rich and posh and she's poor and common'. '

Mother-of-three Julie, who led the painstaking search for Shannon and still supports her friend said: 'I want to sit her down and ask 'Why?' She's not got the highest IQ and I wonder if she was coerced into doing something she didn't want to do.

Best friend: Matthew's former neighbour Julie Bushby, pictured, who kept diaries of her prison visits, told MailOnline how Matthews would moan about 'the difference and unfairness of their social situations'

Partners in crime: Julie admitted that Matthews has 'not got the highest IQ' and wonders whether she was 'coerced into doing something she didn't want to do'. Pictured: Donovan and Matthews who were both convicted over the fake kidnapping of Shannon Matthews, then nine

Kidnap plot: Bushby said Matthews, pictured appealing for her daughter Shannon, never understood why British and Portuguese police never took the investigation into Maddie's parents further, adding her friend moaned that it was because they were 'rich and posh'

'If someone said to her, 'Look, I'm skint, I need some money, help me', I think she was that daft she would have done anything.

'Karen was guilty and put her hands up but she wasn't the brains behind the plot to kidnap her daughter.

'I'm not excusing her in any way but I and the rest of the neighbourhood want to know the real reason for what happened. We want answers.

'I've kept a diary and have a record of all the times I visited her in jail but that one question remains unanswered.'

Matthews was thrown into the public glare earlier this month after controversial BBC1's The Moorside re-enacted the staged snatch. Campaigning shop assistant Julie was played by star Sheridan Smith.

But the hugely popular show came under attack, including from the Maddie's parents. And Matthews, now living at a secret location in the south of England, claims she has been bombarded with death threats.

She served just four years of her sentence, walking free in April 2012.

The McCanns, who are facing the agonising 10th anniversary of Maddie's disappearance in May, have been bombarded with social media and national radio rants in the past week.

Hid daughter in divan bed: Matthews, pictured following her arrest, was back into the spotlight this month after controversial BBC1's The Moorside drama of the kidnap of daughter Shannon

Host Katie Hopkins claimed on her Sunday show on LBC Radio that their daughter would never be discovered. She said: 'Maddie was lost because she was left to be found.'

Just three days earlier on Friday glamour model Jodie Marsh posted in a Twitter rant that Maddie's parents should be searching for their daughter 'on their hands and knees digging up the bare earth' rather than be side-tracked and busying themselves suing people.'

Matthews criticised the McCanns, who were having tapas with friends close to their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on the night Maddie disappeared. She and twins Sean and Amelie had been left asleep at 8.30pm in the ground-floor apartment, while Kate and Gerry dined in a restaurant 180ft away. The parents checked on the children throughout the evening, until Madeleine's mother discovered she was missing at 10pm.

A source close to the couple said: 'If it wasn't such a serious matter of a missing child it would almost be laughable. Two very minor celebrities and a person jailed for a crime against her own daughter dare to comment about a case they know nothing about.

'Kate and Gerry won't be saying anything to fuel this whirlwind of nonsense. They don't want to give these peoples' egos even more exposure.'

Today Britain's top police officer Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe will stand down having failed to fulfil his pledge to find Maddie to 'end her parents' torture'.

As the Scotland Yard chief steps down his force is still no closer to knowing what happened her despite vowing he was 'confident of resolving' the world's biggest missing child mystery.

Vanished: Operation Grange, the inquiry launched in May 2011 to the spiralling 13million cost to the taxpayer, has failed to unearth any significant new clues as to Maddie's whereabouts

Anger: Kate and Gerry McCann, pictured in 2007, recently refused to comments made by glamour model Jodie Marsh who said the parents should be looking for their daughter rather than 'getting side-tracked and busying themselves suing people'

Operation Grange, the inquiry launched in May 2011 to the spiralling 13million cost to the taxpayer, has failed to unearth any significant new clues.

A Met Police spokesperson said: 'We are cracking on.' But she refused to divulge if a final 'last throw of the dice' lead which Sir Bernard said would be investigated last summer has produced a shred of evidence.

The high-profile case is now being wound down. The Home Office has not allocated any extra cash after next month. A spokesperson said: 'Funding will continue until the end of this financial year. The resources required will be reviewed again at this point.'
Ravil Mingazov in his official Guantanamo identity portrait

A former Russian ballet dancer, released from Guantanamo Bay after 15 years, is battling to not be returned to his home country.

Ravil Mingazov, 49, was the final detainee to be released from Guantanamo a day before President Trump took office.

But he says he fears for his safety if he returns to Russia which has adopted a strict policy to anyone believed to be a radicalized Muslim.

He has said that he would rather be returned to Guantanamo than be sent back home, according to Fox News.

President Vladimir Putin's government argue that Mingazov is part of a sustained radicalization problem in Russia and have demanded that he be returned to the country.

US officials took him to the United Arab Emirates following his release in January after a federal district court ruled there was not enough evidence to keep him detained.

Mingazov has repeatedly denied that he is radicalized since his arrest in 2002 on suspicion of being involved with terrorist organizations including Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

His lawyer, Gary Thompson, said: 'Ravil did not do anything wrong.

'He was fleeing religious persecution from Russian authorities, swept up in a mass arrest by Pakistani police, sent to Gitmo and treated like an animal.'

Mingazov was arrested at a Pakistani safe house associated with Al-Qaeda.

The Tatar was a prominent ballet dancer in the 1980s before he joined the Russian army between 1989 to 2000.

Mingazov was kept in Guantanamo for 15 years on the suspicion that he had been involved with terrorist groups in the Middle East

He believed he was being victimized as a result of his religion and fled to Tajikistan in 2000 and later Afghanistan. Following US-led invasions of the country Mingazov fled to Pakistan.

US officials have held off from sending him to Russia after reports emerged of previous released detainees being subject to imprisonment and torture.

Putin's government have carried out a large number of terrorist-related threats since annexing Crimea - home to many Tatars - from Ukraine in 2014.

One Moscow insider told Fox: 'Authorities have extremely harsh treatment of those suspected of terrorism, and has publicly stated that we have zero tolerance toward such a crime. Every single month you hear of a new report about destroyed terror groups.

'But terrorists are nearly never captured, only killed. The courts and judicial cases about terrorists are closed, so it is impossible to check if there are any real grounds for accusations.'

Mingazov's lawyers have filed an application for him to be sent to the UK where his former wife and teenage son reside as asylum seekers but it is not known if the request will be granted by the UK Home Office.
Spain has created a new position to help more people fall pregnant with a 'sex tsar appointed to reverse the country's population crisis.

Edelmira Barreria Diz, a senator in the Galician parliament, has been brought in after Spain last year recorded a lower number of births than deaths for the first time since the early 1940s.

The demographic expert is also tasked with reversing a trend that has seen births in the country fall 18 per cent since 2008.

Edelmira Barreria Diz, a senator in the Galician parliament, has been brought in after Spain last year recorded a lower number of births than deaths for the first time since the early 1940s

She has been appointed as head of the commission for demographics by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, according to The Local Spain.

ABC reported Spain's education ministry as saying the slowing birth-rate 'aggravates other economic imbalances and generates important impacts in the Welfare State.'

In 2013, it was reported that Spain's population had fallen because of the eurozone crisis.

Siz was appointed as head of the commission for demographics by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy (pictured)

The number of residents fell by 206,000 to 47.1million in that year, the National Statistics Institute said.

The Local reports that the number of childless couples tripled from 1.5million to 4.4million between 1977 and 2015.

Spain's fertility rate of 1.32 children in 2014 was among the lowest in Europe.
Boris Johnson has slammed critics of Brexit for 'droning and moaning' about quitting the EU after Sir John Major branded it an 'historic mistake'.

The Foreign Secretary did not name Sir John in a major speech to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) but quipped 'come off it sunshine' as he slammed critics.

Mr Johnson's remarks were clearly aimed at the former PM who infuriated Brexit supporters last night with an incendiary speech warning against the risks of Brexit and accusing Theresa May of alienating the EU with 'cheap rhetoric'.

Ex chancellor George Osborne added to the chorus of Remain critics this morning with a warning about Brexit leading to protectionism.

Boris Johnson, pictured today at the British Chambers of Commerce, has slammed critics of Brexit for 'droning and moaning'

But in his speech, Mr Johnson said: 'It is absolutely fantastic to be here in front of an audience of people who [are] dynamic, energetic, can-do and actually get out there and sell things.

'Because sometimes I get a bit impatient when I hear people droning and moaning about the state of state of the world.

'And I hear them warn that the sky is about to fall on our heads ... And I feel like saying, ''Come off it, sunshine''.

'Every generation hears its prognostications of gloom. And look at us today. We are living longer than ever before. We are healthier than ever before.'

Sir John enraged Brexit supporters with his critique of the Government, which warned Mrs May to prepare the country for hard times ahead.

But Mr Johnson today insisted Brexit was a huge opportunity.

He told the conference Brexit will allow the UK to be the world's 'great free trading nation again', by allowing it to strike trade deals with countries around the globe, the Foreign Secretary told a conference of the British Chambers of Commerce in London.

Mr Johnson said he anticipated a 'fantastic free trade deal' will be struck under the Article 50 withdrawal talks which are due to be triggered by Prime Minister Theresa May next month.

The Foreign Secretary did not name Sir John in a major speech to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) but quipped 'come off it sunshine' as he slammed critics

His speech came shortly after a Cabinet discussion of progress towards Brexit negotiations.

Brexit Secretary David Davis told senior ministers that their departments must prepare not only for Britain's 'most important peacetime agreement', but also for 'the unlikely scenario that no mutually satisfactory agreement can be reached'.

Ahead of its conference the BCC said Brexit should be delayed if a trade deal with the EU cannot be struck within two years.

It also warned against blocking firms from recruiting workers from the bloc after the UK has broken away from Brussels.

The BCC said concluding both the divorce settlement from the EU and new trading arrangements within the period would allowed be the 'ideal outcome'.

But the group added that 'should this prove impossible, we should seek an extension to the negotiating period to enable completion of both agreements concurrently'.

Former PM Sir John Major, pictured last night at Chatham House, said the chance of no agreement being reached within the two-year time limit laid down by the Article 50 process is 'very high'

The BCC said the aim of the negotiation process should be to avoid a 'sudden disruption to our trading relations' with the EU.

All options for the talks should have a 'clear timescale' and avoid 'significant or repeated implementation costs'.

The group also called for an immigration system 'with minimal bureaucracy, costs or barriers' after Brexit, with EU workers exempted from the Tier 2 visa system for skilled workers.

The report warned that the Tier 2 system would be 'incapable of handling the volume' of applications if EU workers were included in it after Brexit.

Amid speculation about the regime ministers will impose to reduce net migration, the BCC said if workers from the EU were covered by restrictions, they should be 'simple and light-touch' and 'allow businesses to hire staff at any skill level'.

The report noted concerns in sectors such as agriculture and hospitality, which have relied on low-skilled workers from EU countries to fill vacancies.

Meanwhile, the Government has shot down the first challenge in the House of Lords against its plan to formally trigger the negotiations.

Peers voted by 299 to 136 against an amendment to the Brexit Bill demanding the UK retains membership of the European single market.
The search for a missing Queensland mother ended in tragedy on Tuesday after police found a dead body.

Police said they believe the body is that of Hannah Cook, 25, who disappeared after dropping her child at school in Gladstone at 9am on Monday.

There are 'no suspicious circumstances,' police said.

The body was discovered near Catfish Creek and the woman's family has been notified, according to the local newspaper Gladstone Observer.

Earlier on Tuesday, helicopters were seen circulating over a spot near Mount Alma, where Ms Cook's empty car, a 2016 Mirsubishi ASX wagon, was discovered, the newspaper reported.

Hannah Cook, 25, was last seen at the Gladstone CBD school where she dropped off her child at 9am on Monday. Search crews found a body not far from the area where her car was found

Helicopters were seen circulating over a spot near Mount Alma, where Ms Cook's empty car, a 2016 Mirsubishi ASX wagon (similar car pictured), was discovered on Tuesday

Dog squads have led investigators to the nearby Calliope River, and paramedics were on standby in the area on Tuesday, according to the newspaper.

Two detectives with the Gladstone Criminal Investigation Branch were assisting the investigation, according to the Gladstone Observer.

Police issued a photograph of Ms Cook on Monday and described her as a 172cm tall, slim Caucasian woman with brown hair and brown eyes..

After the discovery of the body, a report will be prepared for the coroner, police said.
Anthony Laine, 30, who was sleeping rough in a tent on the banks of the River Severn in Bewdley at the time of the violent and sustained attack, has been jailed for 12 years

The victim of a horrific rape was left with a 'floating face' after her attacker detached the skin from her skull in one of the most vicious assaults police have investigated.

Anthony Laine, 30, who was sleeping rough in a tent on the banks of the River Severn in Bewdley at the time of the violent and sustained attack, has now been jailed for 12 years.

Laine was living rough, sleeping in a tent on the banks of the River Severn in Bewdley last August when he pounced on the woman.

The woman needed a nine-and-a-half-hour operation and was left unable to chew food, open her mouth to yawn or clean her teeth.

Prosecutor Timothy Sapwell said: 'The front of the face was completely detached from the skull and smashed in two.

'It's described in medical terms as floating face. Doctors said her injuries were akin to those suffered during a car crash or as a result of a high velocity impact with heavy object.'

But no weapon was found and police believe Laine inflicted the injuries with his bare hands.

The victim was found unconscious in a pool of blood but came around in the ambulance to name Laine as her attacker.

Worcester Crown Court (pictured) heard the woman, who faces another 18-months of operations, is afraid to go out because she feels people are looking at her

She suffered a 10cm cut down the middle of her forehead and V-shaped cuts over both eyes and surgeons had to cut open her eyelids to relieve pressure.

A CT scan revealed serious underlying fractures to her face called 'Le Fort Fractures' one running above her teeth and upper jaw and another from the bridge of her nose across the eye socket to the hinge of her jaw.

Her nose was so badly broken doctors struggled to give her anaesthetic and she was left with no feeling in her top lip.

Surgeons at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham used bone from her skull to repair her nose and metal plates were put into her eye sockets, cheek and jawbone.

The woman, who has no memory of the attack, told how her life had been ruined by Laine, branded a 'danger' to women.

In a recorded interview played at Worcester Crown Court she said: 'I come across as a strong person. I'm not really. I'm looking at lots more operations, lots more time in hospital.

'I'm in constant pain. I can't eat properly. I have to eat soft food. I can't chew anything at all. I can't eat meat or even toast. I can't open my mouth to yawn.

'I cry with pain cleaning my teeth and it hurts just talking and walking.

'I'm still alive, that's the only thing. I'm fed up with the pain. That's what gets me down more than anything.'

The court heard the woman, who faces another 18-months of operations, is afraid to go out because she feels people are looking at her.

Laine injured his hands in the attack and when interviewed by police said he had 'only punched her four or five times'.

Simon Rippon, defending, said his client was sorry but added: 'It doesn't seem enough, does it?'

'He understands and appreciates the great harm he has done to her. He is remorseful. There is some scope for him to be law abiding, when he's not in drink.'

Former drug addict Laine admitted two rapes and causing grievous bodily harm.

He also pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm and three common assaults in separate incidents.

Laine was jailed for 12 years and will serve an extended period of eight years on licence.

Judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC said: 'There is a significant risk of the defendant causing serious harm to members of the public, particularly women.'

Laine has a previous conviction for grievous bodily harm when he glassed his own father in 2008.

Detective Constable Nicola Nevin praised the victim's bravery after the case.

She said: 'She has shown tremendous courage and remarkable strength during this investigation and throughout her extensive treatment.

'This was an unprovoked and incredibly violent attack which left her with serious long term injuries for which she is still undergoing complex and very painful surgery.

'I am glad to say that the severity of the offence is reflected in today's result - we hope that this sends a very clear message.'
A ghost hunter claims he was almost 'possessed' by the infamous poltergeist in Britain's most haunted house.

Kyle Fowler, 28, said he saw caught the 'Black Monk of Pontefract' on camera after a psychic medium summoned it during a seance at 30 East Drive in the West Yorkshire town.

He believes he saw the 'most violent poltergeist in Europe' after staring into a mirror in the house with his boyfriend and his parents last week.

Is that the Black Monk? Kyle Fowler, 28, said he saw caught the 'Black Monk of Pontefract' on camera

The Black Monk is said to be behind one of the most scary hauntings ever reported, plaguing a couple called Jean and Joe Pritchard and their teenage son a daughter in the house in 1966.

Mr Fowler claims his camera picked up a hooded face stood on the stairway behind them in a mirror's reflection.

Later that evening the team were practising 'mirror scrying', staring into the glass and inviting spirits to show themselves, when he believes he fell into a trance-like state under the influence of the Black Monk.

Mr Fowler, from Leeds, said: 'The figure that appears on the stairs is right where the Black Monk has been seen lots of times before. There is the shape of a hood and a face.

'Later in the evening we were mirror scrying in what was the parent's bedroom. This involved staring through the mirror with a candle underneath your face and asking the spirit to show themselves.

'My eyes went black and my face aged so that it looked like an old man. It was like the face of an old man had come over mine.

Left to right: Ghosthunters Ashley Fay, Lillyanne Bairstow, her husband Jack and son Kyle Fowler

He believes he saw the 'most violent poltergeist in Europe' after staring into a mirror in the house with his boyfriend and his parents last week

'Ashley became quite concerned as I was just staring into the mirror. Ashley was calling my name but I was quite zoned out and was not responding. This went on for quite a few minutes.

'Eventually Ashley touched my shoulder and called me in for protection. I don't know what would have happened if he hadn't done this.

'I didn't feel I was being taken over, but I could see his face and felt transfixed. At the time I didn't feel scared but I don't know what could have happened.

'It could have taken a different direction. I could have been possessed. I suppose if you don't have someone with you to pull you out like Ashley did then you could be possessed.

'I think it possibly was the Black Monk as it was quite demonic and I had black eyes when it happened. It was very dark and not very nice.

The house was the site of one of Britain's most notorious alleged hauntings when the Pritchard family were subjected to years of torment by the so-called 'Black Monk of Pontefract'

'Ashley could see it in the mirror too and it didn't look like me at all anymore.'

Kyle was joined at the house by his partner Ashley Flay and Ashley's mother Paula Bairstow, also known as Lillyanne Psychic Medium, and her husband Jack Bairstow.

Lillyanne said: 'After I left, Kyle was doing the mirror scrying and he had an old man cover his face. It appeared like a horrendous man overshadowed him.

'Kyle went into a trance at one point. We thought that maybe the spirit have taken over him.

'I was not too happy about this as it can produce chaos if there is not an experience medium there to oversee it. Thankfully my son Ashley was still there.

Psychic medium Lillyanne Bairstow

'It was getting close to a possession - it's very similar. People should have a qualified medium there because it's like possession - the spirit can take over you. It could possess you and then anything could happen.

'Any entity that comes into any body could cause cardiac arrest. Or it could cause you to smash the place.

'It is not nice at all. It's very scary. Luckily it didn't get to that stage.'

After arriving at around 8.30pm, the group held a seance at around 10pm and stayed in the notorious haunted house until well after midnight.

The ghoulish apparition allegedly appears in the same spot that the Black Monk, also known as Mr Nobody or 'Fred', is said to regularly stand and was where 14-year-old Diane Pritchard was dragged by an invisible hand.

Lillyanne said: 'I didn't have a plan when we went in [the house]. I never go in with a plan, I like to just take it as it comes.

'I would describe it as an oppressive atmosphere in the house. There are several spirits lurking in that house, not just one or two.

'There was lots and lots of activity, we didn't know where to start. There were some awful smells that hit you straight away. We all smelt it, it was not nice.

'Then there was the face that appeared on the stairs behind us. It looked like a hooded figure, and was where the Black Monk has been frequently seen.

Bizarre: Lillyanne's face is said to look different when it is photographed in the house

'I'm a medium so I'm used to the sort of things that happened there but for general members of the public it would have frightened the life out of them.

'When we held the seance, I antagonised the energy. I called them down and goaded the monk.

'To be honest there were numerous energies that were looking at me and following me. I know I had to bring them to the table to interact with us.

'While doing the seance there was a picture taken of me that looked very creepy. I don't look like that in real life at all. But that's how my face turned out in the picture.

'People had seen the shadow fall on my face around the table and its just brilliant to capture it on camera.

Spooky: A previous alleged sighting of the Black Monk in the mirror of the house

'For me it's natural to capture things like this on camera as the spirits are powerful. I would have been more disappointed note to capture anything.

'It's not all hype. It's a well known house but there is certainly something there. I absolutely loved it.

'We are going back in a few weeks and will do a live stream from there so people can watch it as it unfolds. We will be doing other haunted houses in a similar way too.'

Kyle said: 'It doesn't scare me, I'm just really intrigued by it all. I really enjoy investigations like this. Lillyanne is very experienced and we make a good team so that makes me feel much more comfortable.

'We are hoping to go back to see what will happen next time.'
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The families of 30 Britons murdered by an ISIS gunman in Tunisia will sue the travel company behind their five-star holidays even after an inquest into their deaths cleared them of 'neglect' today.

Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith says the victims were all 'unlawfully killed' by terrorist Seifeddine Rezgui who laughed as he shot dead 38 people in total while strolling a two-mile route in Sousse on June 26 2015.

The ISIS terrorist, armed with automatic weapons and grenades including a Kalashnikov hidden in a parasol, was able to walk the beach shooting sunbathing holidaymakers before entering a hotel unhindered by police during his 25 minute spree.

Mr Justice Loraine-Smith rejected the families' negligence plea because they were there 'voluntarily' but told those in court: 'You have shown a quiet dignity for which your loved ones would have been proud'.

He said they were let down by the 'shambolic' and 'cowardly' police because none entered the hotel grounds until the gunman had killed all 38 tourists and one armed unit even stopped off to pick up more weapons instead of going straight to the scene.

Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice afterwards Irwin Mitchell lawyer Kylie Hutchison, flanked by tearful families of the dead, confirmed that they will sue holiday firm Tui, which runs Thomson Holidays and First Choice.

The inquest had heard from a holidaymaker who said his wife raised the March 2015 attack at the Bardo Museum in Tunis with a travel agent, and said they had been told it was a 'one-off' and the destination was '100% safe'.

Tragedy: These are 30 Britons murdered by an ISIS gunman while on holiday in Sousse, Tunisia on June 26 2015

Terrorst: Seifeddine Rezgui opened fire in Sousse on June 26 2015, shooting 38 people dead including 30 Britons on a two-mile route

Relatives of arriving at the Royal Courts of Justice in London today where their plea that travel companies neglected victims was rejected

Bereft: Owen Richards and mother Suzanne Evans, pictured today, lost his older brother Joel, his uncle Adrian Evans and grandfather Patrick Evans in the attack

Family: Lindsey Clifford and her husband Danny, daughter and son-in-law of former Birmingham City footballer Denis Thwaites and his wife Elaine, who were both killed in the 2015 Tunisia terror attack arrive for the inquest

In a statement outside the Royal Courts of Justice after the inquests finished, Kylie Hutchison, from law firm Irwin Mitchell, which represents most of the victims' families, said they would sue Tui, which runs Thomson Holidays and First Choice

Families of those killed by Islamic extremist Seifeddine Rezgui wept as the judge ruled that they had all been murdered while innocently holidaying in the Mediterranean resort in 2015.

Grieving families want travel firm Tui to pay Grieving relatives of some of the British victims of the Tunisia terror attack plan to sue tour operator TUI after a coroner ruled all 30 were unlawfully killed. In a statement outside the Royal Courts of Justice after the inquests finished, Kylie Hutchison, from law firm Irwin Mitchell, which represents most of the victims' families, said: 'It is now crucial that the whole travel industry learns from what happened in Sousse to reduce the risk of similar catastrophic incidents in the future. 'On behalf of our clients who lost members of their family and those who suffered injuries in this terrible incident, we will now be preparing to commence civil proceedings against TUI.' Ms Hutchison said: 'During the past seven weeks, both the coroner and the families we represent heard shocking evidence about the level of security precautions at the Imperial Marhaba Hotel at the time of the terrorist attack. 'The level of terrorist threat in Tunisia had been escalating for some time prior to June 2015. 'This includes the failed suicide bomb attack at a beach in Sousse. 'Then, following the terrifying events at the Bardo Museum in March 2015, the Tunisian minister of tourism issued a letter requiring all hotels to improve security measures. 'Tragically these steps were not implemented at the Imperial Marhaba Hotel.' She said tour operator TUI had said it was 'unaware' of the letter. She added: 'Our clients are very grateful to the coroner for his careful and sensitive handling of the inquest proceedings. 'They feel that he has been fair and thorough in his investigation and appreciate how he has tried to ensure throughout the families come first.' Nick Longman, the managing director of TUI UK, said the attack had 'shocked and devastated all of us'. Speaking to reporters outside court he said: 'We are so very sorry for the pain and loss those affected have suffered. 'On that day the world changed. As an industry we have adapted and we will need to continue to do so. 'This terrorist incident has left its mark on all of us and its impact will always be remembered.' Advertisement

In a statement outside the Royal Courts of Justice after the inquests finished, Kylie Hutchison, from law firm Irwin Mitchell, which represents most of the victims' families, said: 'It is now crucial that the whole travel industry learns from what happened in Sousse to reduce the risk of similar catastrophic incidents in the future.

'On behalf of our clients who lost members of their family and those who suffered injuries in this terrible incident, we will now be preparing to commence civil proceedings against TUI.'

At least 'part of the attack or most of it could have been prevented' had security been tighter, the inquest heard.

Rezgui opened fire at the five-star Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse on June 26 2015, leaving 38 people dead in the worst terror attack involving Britons since 7/7 in 2005.

The killer- who was high on cocaine at the time - was shot dead by police after carrying out the attack.

Giving his reasons for rejecting a neglect ruling, Judge Loraine-Smith said there were a lot of 'what ifs' around the case, and better hotel security may simply have meant more people died on the beach.

He said that the law limited the circumstances in which he could rule 'neglect' played a part in a death, which applied only in cases were someone had a duty of care towards someone because of their 'youth, age, illness or incarceration'.

He added: 'That does not cover, it seems to me, tourists who have voluntarily agreed to go on holiday abroad.'

The judge pointed out that there were customers who believed they had been 'reassured' about safety.

A Thomson travel agent told the inquest she did not give a safety guarantee to the couple, and that she would not say somewhere is completely safe.

Judge Loraine-Smith said there were customers who would not have gone to Tunisia if they had seen the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice.

'Even prior to the attack on the Bardo Museum the advice was that there was a high threat of terror,' he said, adding that the advice pointed out that attacks could be 'indiscriminate'.

As the packed courtroom watched in silence he said the only factor that may have made a material difference was if the hotel had armed guards.

But Judge Loraine-Smith said: 'Having reviewed the legal advice on gun law in Tunisia it's clear this was not a realistic option.'

He added: 'The simple but tragic truth in this case is that a gunman armed with a gun and grenades went to that hotel intending to kill as many tourists as he could.'

Judge Loraine-Smith added the local police 'most certainly' were responsible for tourist security, and said: 'Their response could and should have been effective.'

He added: 'The response by the police was at best shambolic, at worst cowardly.'

In the past six weeks families have been forced to relive the tragedy as they learned how their loved-ones died.

They were shown computer-generated imagery of the popular beach in the coastal resort and inside the court saw the incredibly detailed footage which showed where each holidaymaker was brutally killed by the terrorist.

The inquest also heard Tunisian security officers could have saved lives by ending the massacre which killed 30 Britons died sooner - but they deliberately wasted time getting to the hotel.

Killer: Seifeddine Rezgui, who opened fire on the tourists at the hotel in Tunisia while high on Cocaine, and killed 38 people including 30 Britons

The ISIS terrorist, armed with automatic weapons and grenades, was able to walk the beach shooting sunbathing holidaymakers before entering a hotel unhindered by police over 25 minutes

Three generations: Joel Richards (centre), 19, a student at the University of Worcester, his uncle Adrian Evans, a manager at Sandwell Council in the West Midlands and his grandfather Charles 'Patrick' Evans (left), 78 who were among the 30 Britons killed in the Tunisian beach massacre

Families of 16 of the victims have since claimed that travel giant TUI Group ignored security warnings and put the victims at risk through 'unhappy and unfair' practices

The families argue the FCO's travel advice on the heightened terrorism risk should have been mentioned on TUI's website

Heartbreak: A couple standing at the site of a shooting attack on the beach in front of the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Port el Kantaoui, on the outskirts of Sousse

The hearing was told that a local investigation into the tragedy criticised some police for stalling as they made their way to the five-star Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse.

The judge said although in general the response of the hotel staff was 'disorganised and chaotic' some of them displayed 'conspicuous personal courage' in their efforts to protect the guests.

He said this courage was also shown by guests at the hotel too.

Summing up the evidence heard during the inquest, Judge Loraine-Smith referred to the response of police and military, including the officer who 'fainted through terror and panic', and the guard who took off his shirt to hide the fact he was an officer.

'They had everything they required to confront the gunman and could have been at the scene within minutes,' he said, adding: 'The delay was deliberate and unjustifiable.'

Victims' relatives fought back tears as Judge Loraine-Smith ruled on each of the dead in alphabetical order, saying: 'At approximately 11.45am on the morning of June 26 2015 a terrorist who was armed with a high-velocity firearm and improvised explosive devices began shooting at the tourists who were on the beach at the rear of the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse in the Republic of Tunisia.

'The terrorist moved from the beach into the grounds and inside of the hotel.'

Many relatives have watched the six-week inquest at the Royal Courts of Justice, with more following proceedings via videolinks set up in courts in other parts of the UK closer to their homes.

Rezgui 'systematically' gunned down the innocent holidaymakers on the hotel's beach before going into the grounds and the building and killing more, the inquest heard.

A total of 38 people were killed when gunman Seifeddine Rezgui went on a rampage in the coastal resort of Port El Kantaoui near Sousse on June 26, 2015

In the hotel reception area, he let off grenades, killing one of his youngest victims, Carly Lovett, who was just 24

He was eventually shot after the rampage in Sousse, Tunisia, on June 26, 2015. He killed 30 British tourists who were on holiday

Chilling reconstruction footage - which lasted 21 minutes and 38 seconds - was played to the court and showed Rezgui's movements and the exact route he took on the day.

The names and pictures of the tragic victims popped up on the screen as the detailed video continued.

The images were the result of 3D scans in more than 300 locations around the resorts, which is popular with tourists and holidaymakers.

Families were able to see the path he took, which saw him leave the the beach and into the hotel where he continued to gun down innocent victims.

Andrew Ritchie QC, counsel to the families of the victims, said last week that Judge Loraine-Smith, who is sitting as coroner, should consider a 'neglect' conclusion, arguing that there had been 'gross neglect'.

He told the inquest that the Tunisian government was taking the terror risk seriously, but holiday firm TUI and the hotel operators did not.

He said that the hotel owners, hotel operators and the travel companies provided the guests with security, making them 'dependent' upon them for their safety.

Mr Ritchie said the verdict the families want the coroner to reach is either the neglect verdict, or if that is not reached, then a 'neutral' conclusion.

Samantha Leek QC, counsel to the inquest, did not agree with the suggestion for the coroner to return a 'neglect' conclusion, and the coroner himself indicated that he would not accept the neglect submission.

Howard Stevens QC, counsel for TUI, dismissed Mr Ritchie's call for the coroner to consider a 'neglect' conclusion, saying that 'matters could have been worse' during the terror attack.

He said the coroner could not 'simply dismiss the security presence', and that if there were additional CCTV cameras or static guards at the beach gate it 'cannot be said that any of these measures would probably have made a difference'.

Mr Stevens said that Mr Ritchie's suggestion that the beach gate should have been shut or locked to stop the attacker entering the hotel did not amount to a 'gross failure'.

He said the travel company operated on Foreign Office (FCO) advice and would not send tourists there if the Government advised 'against all or all but essential travel'.

Andrew O'Connor, counsel to the FCO, urged the coroner to make a 'short, neutral and non-judgmental' conclusion.

In March 2015, 24 people were killed in a terror attack at Bardo National Museum in the capital, Tunis, and some of the families of those caught in the Sousse attack said they had been assured by the travel company that it was safe to travel to Tunisia after the Bardo attack.

Paul Thompson said that he and his wife were 'pushed' towards choosing Tunisia, that they were told the atrocity was a 'one-off', adding that another travel agent likened it to avoiding Skegness if there was an attack in London.

Mr Thompson said his wife Zoe mentioned the Bardo attack to the travel agent, and said they were told it was a 'one-off' and the place was '100% safe'.

A Thomson travel agent told the inquest she did not give a safety guarantee to the couple, and that she would not say somewhere is completely safe.

The 30 Britons who lost their lives while sunbathing or inside luxury hotel at hands of ISIS killer

In all, 30 Britons were killed in the Tunisian beach massacre, along with three Irish citizens.

One British tourist was shot dead in an earlier attack on the country's national museum.

They were:

British tourist Sally Adey, 57, from Shropshire, was among 22 people killed as ISIS terrorists opened fire at the Bardo National Museum in the capital Tunis in March 2015

Joel Richards, 19, a student at the University of Worcester and a talented football referee, believed to be the youngest of the British victims in the Sousse attack in June 2015; his uncle Adrian Evans, a manager at Sandwell Council in the West Midlands; and his grandfather Charles 'Patrick' Evans, 78

Former plumber John Welch, 74, and his partner Eileen Swannack, 73, from Wiltshire. The couple, who had been together for eight years, were staying at the RIU Imperial Marhaba, a hotel they 'adored' and stayed in every year of their relationship

Christopher Bell, 59, and his 54-year-old wife Sharon, from Leeds

Sally Adey (left), Joel Richards (second from left), Christopher Bell (second from right) and his wife Sharon (right)

Former plumber John Welch, 74, and his partner Eileen Swannack, 73, from Wiltshire. The couple, who had been together for eight years, were staying at the RIU Imperial Marhaba, a hotel they 'adored' and stayed in every year of their relationship

John Stollery, 58, a social worker from Nottinghamshire. He was on holiday with his wife Cheryl and son. He worked with children in care at Nottinghamshire County Council, and his wife said 'he made a difference and gave his best to others'

Retired scientist David Thompson, 80, from Tadley, Hampshire. It is understood he used to work for the Atomic Weapons Establishment and was a keen walker

Chris Dyer, 32, an engineer who practised jiu-jitsu, from Watford. He was on holiday with his wife Gina Van Dort when he was shot. She clung on to her dead husband's hand as paramedics tried to get her to safety, according to reports

Trudy Jones, 51, a divorced single mother-of-four from Gwent, South Wales. Described by her family as 'a caring person who put everyone else before herself', she had been holidaying with friends when she was killed

Bruce Wilkinson, 72, a grandfather who was said to be a retired power station worker from Goole, East Yorkshire. He was described by his family as a 'kind and compassionate man'

Lisa Burbidge, 66, a grandmother-of-four from Whickham, Gateshead. Her family said she doted on her grandchildren and described her as the 'most beautiful, amazing, caring and gentle person in our lives'

Carly Lovett, 24, from Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. The fashion blogger, who was on holiday with her fiance Liam, reportedly survived the massacre on the beach only to die when a grenade was thrown into her hotel

Former Birmingham City football player Denis Thwaites, 70, and his wife Elaine, 69, who lived in Blackpool. They had arrived at the resort two days before the attack. Mr Thwaites, a hospital porter, played for Birmingham City from 1962 to 1972 while his wife worked in hospitality

Trudy Jones (left), David Thompson (second from left), Chris Dyer (second from right) and John Stollery (right)

Bruce Wilkinson (left), Carly Lovett (centre) and Lisa Burbidge (right)

Former Birmingham City football player Denis Thwaites, 70, and his wife Elaine, 69, who lived in Blackpool. They had arrived at the resort two days before the attack

Philip Heathcote, 52, from Felixstowe, Suffolk. His wife Allison, 48, was seriously injured in the attack. The couple had been celebrating their 30th anniversary when they were caught up in the atrocity

Engineer Stephen Mellor, 59, from Bodmin in Cornwall. He was killed as he shielded his wife Cheryl on the beach

Sue Davey, 43, from Staffordshire, and her partner Scott Chalkley, from Derby. The couple worked for Severn Trent Water, who described them as passionate and hugely caring

Claire Windass, 54, from Hull. She was killed while her husband Jim survived the attack

Jim and Ann McQuire, aged 66 and 63, from Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire. Mr McQuire was a captain in the Boys' Brigade, a Christian youth organisation, which said it was 'shocked and deeply saddened' by his death

Stuart Cullen, 52, from Lowestoft in Suffolk. He is believed to have died instantly. His wife was injured but survived

Billy and Lisa Graham, from Bankfoot near Perth in Scotland. The couple were on a trip to the tourist resort of Sousse to celebrate Mrs Graham's 50th birthday

Retired printer John Stocker, 74, and his wife Janet, 63, from Morden, Surrey. Their family said the pair 'were the happiest, most loving couple'

Stuart Cullen (left, Philip Heathcote (centre) and Claire Windass (right)

Jim and Ann McQuire, aged 66 and 63, from Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire

Sue Davey, 43, from Staffordshire, and her partner Scott Chalkley, from Derby. The couple worked for Severn Trent Water, who described them as passionate and hugely caring

Ray and Angela Fisher, believed to be aged 75 and 69, from Leicester. Their son Adam, from Redhill in Surrey, had not spoken to his parents since they left for their holiday

The Irish victims were: Lorna Carty, a mother-of-two from Robinstown, Co Meath. Bishop of Meath Michael Smith said Mrs Carty was the victim of a 'senseless killing'

Husband and wife Laurence and Martina Hayes, both in their 50s, from Athlone in Co Westmeath. Mr Hayes was a schools transport inspector who had worked for Bus Eireann for the last 20 years.

Billy and Lisa Graham, from Bankfoot near Perth in Scotland. The couple were on a trip to the tourist resort of Sousse to celebrate Mrs Graham's 50th birthday

Retired printer John Stocker, 74, and his wife Janet, 63, from Morden, Surrey. Their family said the pair 'were the happiest, most loving couple'

Ray and Angela Fisher, believed to be aged 75 and 69, from Leicester. Their son Adam, from Redhill in Surrey, had not spoken to his parents since they left for their holiday

Husband and wife Laurence and Martina Hayes, both in their 50s, from Athlone in Co Westmeath. Mr Hayes was a schools transport inspector who had worked for Bus Eireann for the last 20 years
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Britain was hit by a -8C chill and nearly two inches of snow this morning just one day before the start of spring.

Most parts of the country faced an ice warning this morning as the Met Office warned motorists to take extra care on untreated roads and forecast showers falling as rain, sleet and hail  and even snow over hilly areas.

A runway at Manchester Airport was closed temporarily this morning for snow to be cleared and reopened by 9am, but this caused some delays and some flights were diverted to other airports.

Many coastal areas especially in the South East, northern England and South Wales are also on flood watch today with 42 alerts in place as well as a more serious warning of 'immediate action required' in Keswick, Cumbria.

A beautiful scene of snow in the Peak District in Derbyshire after a fresh fall overnight in parts of the Midlands and North

Motorists struggle through the snow on the M60 in the Audenshaw area of Tameside, Greater Manchester, this morning

Snow covers the hills and fields surrounding the village of Hayfield in High Peak, Derbyshire, today

A woman walks her dog during heavy snowfall in Mossley, Greater Manchester, this morning as the UK faces bad weather

Snow on Cothelstone Hill in the Quantocks in Somerset, near Bridgwater, after snow showers create a white landscape

Snow in the Derbyshire Peak District which fell overnight as clear skies are seen in many areas despite the cold temperatures

And the outlook is not improving yet, with 'unsettled' weather over the next fortnight and the Met Office warning of the chance of 'some prolonged colder periods, with a chance of snow in places' later next month.

Drivers were warned to take care on the roads. A post on the North West Motorway Policing Group Twitter account said: Patrols have dealt with 47 accidents on the network this morning since 6.30am #toomany.'

The forecast comes as meteorological spring begins tomorrow, ahead of the astronomical start on March 20, and one week after the seventh warmest winter day on record for Britain as temperatures hit 18.3C in London.

Snow fell this morning around the Greater Manchester and Peak District areas with up to several centimetres (1.6in) forecast by the Met Office over hills overnight, causing difficult driving conditions for many motorists.

The Met Office said that because the ground was damp and more rain showers were expected, the snow in the North was unlikely to settle  but scattered showers were expected throughout the day.

The Met Office is forecasting bright spells and rain spreading south east today (left) following an icy start (right)

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Britain is on the cold (north) side of the jet stream this week, leading to wintry showers and gusty winds across the country

Lancashire Cricket Club's home ground Emirates Old Trafford is covered in snow today after bad weather hit the UK

A man braves the weather in shorts as snow hits the historic Ancoats area of Manchester city centre this morning

A man walks over a bridge through the falling snow in the Audenshaw area of Greater Manchester this morning

Overnight heavy snowfall and thick fog make driving conditions difficult for motorists in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester

Dog walkers had to tackle the elements this morning up Winter Hill in Horwich, near Bolton in Greater Manchester

Forecasters issued an alert of ice this morning for most of the UK with the frosty and sub-zero conditions expected to be widespread for at least the next few nights. Today's overnight low was -8C (18F) at Kinbrace in the Highlands.

The weather will come in the wake of Storm Ewan, but it was its predecessor Doris which wreaked greater havoc and claimed four lives in Wolverhampton, Shropshire, Swindon and New Cross in South East London.

The Met Office said last night that Storm Doris, which hit the country on Thursday last week with hurricane force winds of 94mph, was the worst storm of the winter in terms of winds and widespread disruption.

The storm's fourth victim was a man in his 80s who had been a front seat passenger in a red Ford Focus car which was hit by a falling tree in Church Stretton, Shropshire, on Thursday morning. He died in hospital on Sunday.

Other victims of the storm included marketing manager Tahnie Martin, 29, who was struck by a 'table sized' piece of wood on the street outside a Starbucks coffee shop in Wolverhampton on Thursday.

Snow covers the hills and fields surrounding the Peak District village of Hayfield today

Motorists take extra care while driving through Saddleworth in Greater Manchester, as parts of the North are hit by snow

Sheep make their way along a snowy road in the Derbyshire Peak District this morning after wintry conditions arrived

Snow on Cothelstone Hill at the Quantocks in Somerset today after parts of the South West got a dusting this morning

A man walks his dog through the snow in the Audenshaw area of Tameside in Greater Manchester this morning

The snow in Audenshaw comes as meteorological spring begins tomorrow, ahead of the astronomical start on March 20

Heavy snowfall makes driving conditions for motorists in Mossley, near the north of the Peak District, in Greater Manchester

Snow in Audenshaw: Forecasters had issued an alert of icy conditions this morning for most of the country until 10am

A 32-year-old woman walking her pram in Swindon died after a gust 'caught hold' of the buggy and dragged her into the path of a road sweeper, while a lorry driver in his 50s died after he crashed into a lamppost in New Cross.

Met Office forecaster Olly Claydon said Storm Doris was 'up there' as the worst of the winter weather 'because of the extent of disruption and the wind speeds'.

Britain escaped the worst of Storm Ewan, which mostly brought 70mph winds and rain to Ireland, although the same weather system did bring heavy showers for some areas of central and northern England yesterday.

Mr Claydon said that after an icy morning in many areas, today is likely to be cloudy with showers later, turning wintry on higher ground in the North including the Pennines.

A row of parked cars is covered in heavy snowfall in Mossley, Greater Manchester, as Britain faces an ice warning today

Snow in Audenshaw is pictured this morning, with frost likely to be restricted to northern England tomorrow night

Snow in Mossley: Today is likely to be cloudy with showers later, turning wintry on higher ground in the North of England

Overnight heavy snowfall and thick fog make driving conditions for motorists in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester

A woman walks amidst a purple carpet of wild crocus flowers in bloom in the sun at Wimbledon Common in London today

Crows pick at deer as they graze in Ashton Court estate, near Bristol, on a frosty morning today

Despite a frosty start with temperatures at 0C today, the sun is shining in the coastal town of Whitby, North Yorkshire

Dog walkers on Whitley Bay beach in Tyne and Wear this morning as the sun rises, creating a spectacular backdrop

He added: 'With the last days of winter, we are having typical weather for the time of year. Temperatures will be near-normal at 5-6C (41-43F) in most parts but chillier in hilly areas, and frost is likely tonight into Wednesday.

Tomorrow will see a more organised band of rain move in from the South West, with milder air due to follow, coinciding with the start of spring.

Frost is likely to be restricted to northern England tomorrow night and temperatures approaching double figures are set to become widespread on Thursday, Mr Claydon added.
ISIS fanatics have issued a chilling call for fellow extremists to 'terrorise' Jewish communities in the West.

Brainwashed supporters were advised to 'dress up like a Jew' and conceal weapons under their coats before 'unleashing the pain of the Muslims' on their victims.

The terrifying call to arms emerged on an ISIS-linked Telegram channel called Lone Mujahid - a chat room where aspiring terrorists are encourage to carry out 'lone-wolf'-style attacks.

ISIS fanatics have urged fellow extremists to disguise themselves as Jews and 'terrorise' their communities in the West. The message, on an ISIS-linked Telegram channel, also used a picture of Amedy Coulibaly (above) who attacked a Jewish supermarket in Paris

In a recent post, jihadists were urged to carry out attacks on Jewish communities in the West.

The chat room post said: 'IF YOU'RE STILL IN THE WEST! Dress up like a Jew! Go to your nearest Jewish area! Make sure you have plenty of weapons under you coat!'

It then urges followers to 'unleash the pain of the Muslims'.

A separate message includes a list of Jewish communities in Britain, according to Foreign Desk News.

The second posting comes with a picture of Amedy Coulibaly.

The Islamist gunman killed a policewoman in a Paris suburb on January 8 2015 and killed four hostages at a kosher supermarket the following day before being shot dead by police.

In a recent post, jihadists were urged to carry out attacks on Jewish communities in the West (file picture)

Two other gunmen shot 12 people at and near the offices of the Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris on January 7.

The Telegram rant calls for fanatics to follow his lead, saying: 'Take the brother's example and terrorise the Yahood (Jew)'.

Jihadists have singled out Jewish targets in the past. In 2014, Mehdi Nemmouche opened fire at the Jewish Museum of Belgium in Brussels, Belgium, killing four people.

The 29-year-old, a French national of Algerian origin, was arrested in Marseille and is believed to have spent more than a year in Syria.
A Saudi king is taking 506 tons of luggage with him for a nine-day trip to Indonesia.

Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud's huge haul includes two Mercedes-Benz s600 limousines and a pair of elevators.

He is set to visit Indonesia tomorrow to join an enormous entourage of 620 people as well as 800 delegates, including ministers and 25 princes.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz is pictured during a meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 21 February 2017

Jasa Angkasa Semesta (JAS) has been tasked with the huge operation of lugging the cargo from Saudi Arabia, and has dedicated 572 members of staff to handle it.

The airfreight company's president director Adji Gunawan told Antara news agency that 63 tons would be unloaded at the Halim Perdanakusuma airport in East Jakarta and the rest would be sent to Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali, according to The Jakarta Post.

'We have been officially appointed to handle all cargo belonging to the kings entourage aircraft,' he said.

It will be the first time in 46 years a Saudi king has visited Indonesia - the world's largest Muslim population.

King Salman is used to traveling in luxury.

Back in September 2015, he booked the entire Four Seasons in Georgetown for his three-night stay in the US, forcing guests who had booked to stay in the 222-room hotel during his visit to be moved to nearby luxury hotels.

Two Mercedes-Benz s600 limousines (pictured) and a pair of elevators are part of the cargo

A fleet of luxury cars, a hotel covered in gold, and even red carpets were laid down in the parking lot.

And the hotel, where suites run for more than $2,000 a night, added some new touches to suit the king's tastes.

Eyewitnesses told Politico they've seen gilded furniture wheeled into the hotel this week, with red carpets being laid down in the hallway and even on the asphalt of the hotel's parking garage.

'Everything is gold,' one regular told the website. 'Gold mirrors, gold end tables, gold lamps, even gold hat racks.'

A month earlier, he took 1,000 people for a vacation on the French Riviera, closing down an entire beach.
A woman was reportedly abducted and forced into the back of a van at a busy Sydney shopping centre.

There are grave concerns for the safety of 35-year-old Elizabeth Bell after reports she was assaulted and kidnapped in Bondi Junction in the city's east on Tuesday.

Ms Bell may have been with 42-year-old William Curteis at the time of the alleged abduction, police said.

There are grave concerns for the safety of 35-year-old Elizabeth Bell after reports she was assaulted and kidnapped in Bondi Junction in Sydney's east on Tuesday

Officers are hunting another man who they say could help with the investigation.

The man is described as of African appearance, in his 30s, of muscular build, with shaved head.

He was wearing a black tank-top, bright blue shorts, blue running shoes and carrying a white jumper on his shoulder.

Police are urging anyone with information relating to Ms Bell to contact authorities immediately.
The family of Haisem Zahab, who was arrested on terrorism charges on Tuesday, has been under close investigation by the federal police for years.

Haisem Zahab, 42, was arrested and charged on Tuesday in the rural NSW town of Young over an alleged terror plot to develop 'high-tech missiles and laser warning devices' for ISIS.

He had been under investigation by the Australian Federal Police's Operation Marksburg for 18 months, after $530,000 was seized from extended family members including his family member Hicham Zahab - who was suspected of being part of an Islamic State arms racket.

In 2016, the federal police seized $530,000 from Hicham Zahab, his wife, son and daughter-in-law  profits from the 2015 sale of a Condell Park home in Western Sydney.

They are believed to have fled Australia to go to Syria, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Scroll down for video.

Haisem Zahab, 42, (pictured) has been charged over an terror plot to develop 'high-tech missiles and laser warning devices' after a major anti-terrorism police operation in Young

Money from the sale of the home was going to be sent to the Middle East and used to fund an Islamic State arms racket, police alleged.

The house sold for more than $1,000,000 in 2015 and police believe the Zahab family already sent half of the profits to the Middle East.

Police allege the $530,000 was split between four family members, and transferred into several accounts and travel debit cards,The Australian reports.

Hicham Zahab was charged by Kuwaiti authorities in absentia with offences relating to supporting and financing terrorism and joining a terrorist group after Osama Khayat - an Islamic State arms trafficking boss - alleged the Lebanese-Australian was working alongside him, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Zahab's family member Hicham Zahab was accused in 2016 of trying to supply Islamic State with surface-to-air missiles (missile pictured) capable of bringing down a jet

The head of an Islamic State arms trafficking cell, accused of buying Chinese-made FN-6 shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles (pictured), allegedly named Hicham Zahab as working alongside him

He was also charged with money-laundering.

No allegations were made against Aminah, Muhammad or Mariam but all three were believed to have fled to Syria with Hicham Zahab, amid the AFP investigation.

Khayat was sentenced in June 2016 to 10 years in prison over his alleged involvement in buying Chinese-made FN-6 shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles.

The Australian Federal Police arrested a local electrician in the NSW town of Young, in the South West Slopes region

In details released by the AFP, profits from the sale of the Condell Park home were referred to as criminal assets.

Operation Marksburg was a Counter Terrorism investigation into a family based in New South Wales that was suspected of travelling to Syria to become members of, and provide support to, Islamic State.

Family members had access to a significant amount of funds in an Australian bank account and were suspected of using international travel cards and a computer consulting company based in the Middle East to remit funds out of Australia for the use and benefit of Islamic State in Syria.

These funds were acquired from the sale of their former family residence located in Sydney, New South Wales.

The Australian Federal Police searched the property on Tuesday (pictured) before arresting the electrician

The man has been charged with two serious foreign incursion offences and a failure to comply with order to assist access to data

On Tuesday Haisem Zahab, 42, was arrested on terrorism related offences at his Young home, where he lived with his wife and three children.

Mr Zahab did not apply for bail when he appeared at Young Local Court on Tuesday.

He is due to face court again in Paramatta on March 8.

An Australian Federal Police van was stationed on the property beside a number of tents on Tuesday during the raid

Haisem Zahab, 42, was charged over a terror plot to develop 'high-tech missiles and laser warning devices' following a major anti-terrorism police operation in country New South Wales.

On Tuesday the Australian Federal Police arrested Australian-born electrician Haisem Zahab at a Young property in relation to terrorism offences.

'Police will allege that the man has sought to advise ISIL on how to develop high-tech weapons capability,' Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said after Zahab was in police custody.

'This highlights that terrorism and support for terrorist groups is not limited to our major cities'.

Zahab's family openly wept after his court appearance and an older woman was seen covering her face with her hijab as she yelled at a media (pictured)

Zahab has been charged with two serious foreign incursion offences and a failure to comply with order to assist access to data.

The foreign incursion offences carry the maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Zahab's family openly wept after his court appearance and an older woman was seen covering her face with her hijab as she yelled at a media, according to 9News.

The woman, who was standing with an older man, was eventually stopped by a police officer who held her back.

A man claiming to be Zahab's brother told 7News he felt the tactis used by Australian police to arrest the 42-year-old was 'excessive.'

Zahab was refused bail on Tuesday and will front Parramatta Court on March 8

The AFP and dog squad were seen thoroughly searching horse paddocks, chicken coops and the isolated building for hours on Tuesday before the arrest

'At 3 o'clock in the morning they're blowing doors off the hinges and breaking glass and putting guns at womends and children's heads,' the man said.

A neighbour told Daily Mail Australia Zahab, who worked at a local business installing solar panels, lived in the Young home where he was arrested with his wife and three children - believed to be a young boy and two girls.

The man said he has known Zahab for five years and he seemed to be 'a very nice chap.'

The neighbour said he believed Zahab had 'an import, export business' and was shocked by his arrest.

'I thought there was a wedding going on today because there was a large number of cars, the street was filled with them at about 2.30pm,' the man said.

'It is unbelievable, it is kind of real now... it's just a quiet rural property.'

A man claiming to be Zahab's brother (pictured) said he felt the tactis used by Australian police to arrest the 42-year-old was 'excessive'

Mr Turnbull claimed Zahab was using the internet to research and design a laser warning device for ISIL.

'This operation does not relate to any planned terrorist attack in Australia,' he said.

The AFP and dog squad were seen thoroughly searching horse paddocks, chicken coops and the isolated building for hours on Tuesday.

'This is an ongoing matter and we believe he has networks and contacts in ISIL,' Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin told reporters.

'It's not necessarily just in the conflict zones but in other parts of the world as well and he has been relying on them to pass this information.

'With these offences, we will allege that he has utilised the internet to perform services for ISIL, activities in the Syria and Iraq conflict, from Australia'.

During a press conference from Parliament in Canberra on Tuesday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed The Australian Federal Police arrested the man

Police used the dog squad and metal detectors to thoroughly search the Young property (pictured) on Tuesday

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin (right) said Zahab was charged with two serious foreign incursion offences, which carry the maximum penalty of life imprisonment

Mr Colvin said Zahab was 'technically-trained' and his research was 'credible'.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the arrest came after an 18-month police operation.

'It reminds us that whether you are in a capital city planning an attack on home soil or whether you are in a small country town, trying to assist the terrorist state in the Middle East, you will get caught,' he said.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan (left) said the arrest came after an 18-month police operation and Mr Turnbull said the man was using the internet to research and design a laser warning device for ISIL

A 42-year-old man has been charged following a 'major' anti-terrorism police operation at a property (pictured) in Young, country New South Wales
A knifeman barricaded himself in a room with a pregnant woman at a refugee centre in Hamburg before being dramatically arrested, it has emerged.

Armed police were called amid reports a man with a weapon had stormed into the facility in Hammerbrook area of the German city this morning.

He is understood to have been holding a pregnant woman - believed to be his partner - hostage at the centre and was holed-up in a room.

A gunman has barricaded himself in refugee centre in the German city of Hamburg, it has been reported (file picture)

Footage online shows elite German officers with assault rifles storming into the building this morning at about 10.30am local time.

A pregnant woman in a yellow top was seen being led away from the building a short time later.

According to Bild, the man was overpowered by police and was seen on a stretcher being taken to an ambulance.

Hamburg police said the man had wounded himself during the operation, but the nature of his injuries is not yet known.

The police force had earlier taken to Twitter to say a major police operation was underway in the Hammerbook area.

Local media reported that the man was a refugee who had been living in another state within Germany.

It is not yet known why he barricaded himself in the building.
The full story of the disastrous SAS attempt to invade Argentina and destroy the Exocet missiles has been told by those on both sides of the Falklands War.

British soldiers were operating under poor intelligence as they attempted to destroy the missiles before Argentina could use them to do further damage, after they'd hit the HMS Sheffield.

Pictures show the soldiers as well as the Argentine crew and Capitan de Corbeta Curilovic who were responsible for attacking the HMS Invincible, as part of an historic book.

Arming Super Etendard 204 with an Exocet. Four of these French machines were used during the Falklands War by the Argentinians after the USA put an arms embargo in place

The Argentinian Super Etendard pilots - Rodriguez, Barraza, Colavino, Colombo, Bedacarratz, Curilovic, Francisco, Mayora

The crew of XV200 for Operation Mikado - Jim Cunningham, Nick Hudson, Harry Burgoyne, Pat Fitzgerald, Roy Lewis, Bob Rowley, Steve Sloan

Argentine Miguel Pita is also pictured at Stanley airport folding up a Union flag as Argentina initially took the Falklands.

The pictures from both sides of the conflict are featured in 'Exocet Falklands', written by Ewen Southby-Tailyour detailing the disastrous SAS attempt to remove Argentina's main weapon from the war.

Andrew Lawrence was captain of the crew tasked with getting to the Rio Grande, a closely defended air base to attack a detachment of Argentinas Super Etendarde fighter planes and their deadly load of Exocet missiles.

Super Etendard 202 refuel en route for the Task Force on 30 May with Skyhawks behind. British soldiers were sent to disarm the remaining exocets after the HMS Sheffield was destroyed

Where exactly are the Malvinas? The command bunker at Rio Grande. The soldiers who were en route to the bunker did not have sufficient intelligence for their mission

Left, HMS Onyx arriving in HMS Dolphin, Portsmouth from the South Atlantic. The Jolly Roger with a 'commando dagger' indicates a special forces operation. Right, Squadron Leader Max Roberts post 1982

The RAF pilots ordered to conduct an 'assault-landing' of two Hercules onto Rio Grande air base during Operation Mikado have spoken of the extraordinary procedures they developed: so have the commander of the SBS and the captain of the British submarine involved in Operation Kettledrum.

The Super Etendard pilots who sank HMS Sheffield and MV Atlantic Conveyor and then 'attacked' HMS Invincible, plus a key member of the Argentine special forces and the brigadier defending Rio Grande, add credence, depth and gravitas to the saga: as does an equally revealing interview with the SIS (MI6) officer who led the world-wide search for Exocets on the black market.

Disturbing over-confidence by commanders at home was finely counter-balanced by stirring accounts of inspiring physical and moral courage across the South Atlantic.

Mr Southby-Tailyour said: 'This is the story of the French AM 39 Exocet: an air-launched, sea-skimming, anti-ship missile deployed by Argentina against the British during the Falklands campaign in 1982.

Exocet damage to HMS Sheffield. The Argentinians fired two of their missiles at the Naby's ship and it was destroyed, giving way to the failed mission to get rid of their missiles before they could inflict more damage

Left, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Preston. Right, Squadron Leader Charlie Cartwright, an RAF intelligence officer, who become Operation Mikado's only source of real-time intelligence for the flight

Captain Andy 'L' with fish, in Oman 1981. He had concerns over the mission, especially when the rations ran so low with so long still to go

'This missile was a clear danger to the Task Force aircraft carriers, the loss of just one of which would have seriously prejudiced the outcome.

'It is also a narrative of three British Special Forces operations designed to destroy those missiles on the Argentine mainland before they could be launched by the Super Etendard fighter-bombers that carried them.'

Operation Plum Duff was a reconnaissance mission against the Argentine Navy's Rio Grande air base although direct action could be taken if the opportunity arose. Operation Mikado was also against Rio Grande and depended on Plum Duff's intelligence.

Refuelling a Hercules from a Victor tanker. Each one of these would take two refuels for the 28 hour trips they would cover and it would take five Victors to get one C-130 to the Falklands to drop supplies

Lieutenant Commander Andrew Johnson at HMS Onyx's periscope. The submarine was the only non-nuclear submarine to be used in the Falklands War

The five Super Etendards and one Skyhawk at Espora prior to deployment to Rio Grande. Argentina stationed their Etendards there throughout the conflict

FALKLANDS TIMELINE On April 2, 1982, Argentina invaded the British Falklands islands. The next day the invasion was condemned by the UN Security Council. On April 5, more than 100 ships set sail for Falklands including two aircraft carriers. South Georgia was retaken by April 25, and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher urged people to rejoice. In May, the HMS Sheffield was hit, killing 20 crew. Another 22 were killed when a helicopter transporting SAS crew ditched in the sea. HMS Coventry was sunk, killing 19. The Battle of Goose Green on the 28 and 29 of May ends in Argentine surrender after dozens were killed. Advertisement

There was also a submarine-launched Special Boat Squadron's Operation Kettledrum against the northern naval air base at Puerto Deseado.

Operation Plum Duff was a tall order, made taller by the lack of intelligence, coherent maps or proper briefings. It was clear to every member of the patrol that they had been asked to conduct a full frontal assault into the unknown.

Lawrence (not his real name) manned a group who were to be dropped in Chile and make their way by foot to the border before being picked up, but they ran out of rations and had to implement an emergency plan.

The rescue party never came, and the men had to give themselves up and were sent home more than a month later.

'This is the account of three mainland assaults that might have changed the nature of the Falklands conflict militarily and diplomatically,' said Mr Southby-Tailyour.

'The political aftermath of such attacks on the South American continent would, too, have had international consequences.

Capitan de Corbeta Alejandro Francisco returning from the attack on 'HMS Invincible'. Argentina claimed to have caused damage to the carrier, but there was no evidence they had

Migual Pita at Stanley airport folds up the Union flag. The book gives accounts from both sides of the Falklands war for the first time

Capitan de Corbeta Curilovic second from left with Teniente de Navio Barraza. The captain's rank was the equivalent of a Squadron leader

The crew of Sea King 'VC' in 2012 - Richard Hutchings, Pete Imrie, Alan 'Wiggy' Bennett at the annual 'Jungle' cocktail party

'The SAS, and to a lesser extent the SBS, would have struggled to recover from the large loss of life they would inevitably have suffered, while the RAF and thus the dependent Royal Navy would have certainly lost the use of the only two heavy-lift, long-range aircraft capable of supplying the Task Force deep in the South Atlantic ocean.'
One of Australia's biggest cherry-producing towns has been experiencing a Muslim population boom during the past 20 years.

Young, in southern New South Wales, was where 42-year-old Australian-born electrician Haisem Zahab was arrested on Tuesday and charged over a terror plot to develop 'high-tech missiles and laser warning devices' for ISIS.

This town of 7,000 people has also been attracting Muslim residents since the mid-1990s and those residents are described as model citizens by the mayor.

The El Eman Mosque on Moppity Road is a major place of worship for Young's Muslims

A man claiming to be the brother of Haisem Zahab, who was arrested on Tuesday and charged with a terror plot to develop 'high-tech missiles and laser warning devices'

They moved to the area to find work at the halal abattoirs and on the cherry farms.

Many of those townsfolk are Lebanese Muslims, and it's the Lebanese Muslim Association which runs mosques on Moppity Road.

The nondescript El Eman Mosque, with a corrugated iron roof, is a major place of worship for the town's several hundred practising Muslims.

The Omar Ibn al Khatib Mosque was previously a drive-in cinema until 1998.

Abdulghani Albaf, who is a practising Muslim, moved to Young last year to get away from Sydney's congestion.

Some Muslims have recently moved to Young to escape the rat race of Sydney and have more time for prayer and reflection

Muslims also moved to Young in southern New South Wales to find work as cherry harvesters

Muslims in prayer at the El Eman Mosque on Moppity Road in the town of Young in NSW

'Living in Sydney you realise that you get to a point where you just don't have time to do anything,' he told SBS.

'You're always running, running, running.

'Praying in a mosque as a Muslim is a lot better.

'It's highly recommended. Working in Sydney, living in Sydney, I never had time to do things like that. So obviously now that I'm here, we have a lot more time on our hands.'

About 70 Muslim families live in the town on the state's South West Slopes.

There are about 400 Muslims in Young.

They made up about 0.8 per cent of Young's population in the 2011 Census but they are likely to make up a much greater proportion of the population now.

John Walker, the mayor of the old Young Shire Council, had described them as model citizens.

'They assimilate in the community very well  they go to school with our kids,' he told The Daily Telegraph.
A man accused of being a burglar was left hanging from a tree by neighbours.

Eyewitnesses said the man, named only as Virgilio, 30, was caught breaking into a house in the village of Santa Maria Asuncion near the city of Tulancingo in the eastern Mexico's Hidalgo state.

It has been claimed that neighbours then grabbed the man, beat him up and hanged him from a tall tree by his wrists.

A man was seen swinging from a tree in Mexico after allegedly burgling someone's house

But officers, who had received a call about the burglary, arrived on the scene and then had to rescue the alleged thief.

They found him swinging surrounded by an angry mob of about 80 local residents.

Videos filmed by eyewitnesses with their smartphones show Virgilio swinging from a high branch from his wrists with his arms behind his back.

An observer claimed the force was attacked by the mob when they intervened to cut the man down from the tree.

Two officers suffered minor injuries and a police patrol car as damaged in the disturbance.

Crowds were seen gathering around the man, named only as Virgilio, and observing him

Police were called to the scene and they eventually managed to get him down and take him to hospital

They eventually managed to control the crowd after calling for reinforcements.

Virgilio was arrested and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

He was later questioned and is expected to be charged with burglary as soon as he has recovered from his ordeal.

It is not known if any of the residents face charges for their vigilante actions.
Ryan Owens was killed in the Yemen raid, which also claimed the lives of 25 civilians

A botched raid in Yemen during which a Navy SEAL died and at least nine children lost their lives produced no useful intelligence, according to a new report.

Just days into his presidency, Donald Trump approved the operation which killed SEAL Ryan Owens on January 29.

Six military personnel were injured, and at least 25 civilians died, including nine who were under the age of 13. Among them was the eight-year-old daughter of al-Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.

Officials have told NBC News that no significant intelligence was obtained in the operation, the network reports.

NBC said a senior Congressional official is still unsure what prompted Trump to order the raid, as there was no known new threat from al-Qaeda.

Speaking about the operation in which his son died, Bill Owens told the Miami Herald: 'Why at this time did there have to be this stupid mission when it wasn't even barely a week into [President Trump's] administration?'

He branded the raid a 'grand display', pointing out that for the past two years ground forces had not been deployed in Yemen.

The SEAL's father, Bill Owens, branded it a 'stupid mission' and questioned the need for it to be carried out

Mr Owens has declined to meet with the president, claiming: 'My conscience wouldnt let me talk to him.'

The Pentagon has thus far declined to reveal the target of the mission, which was planned by the Obama administration but not carried out until Trump entered the White House.

Earlier this month administration spokesman Sean Spicer said anyone who undermines the raid 'owes an apology and [does] a disservice to the life of Chief Owens'.

He claimed that an 'unbelievable' amount of intelligence, which would prevent attacks on US soil, had been gathered.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said information obtained in the raid 'is going to save American lives'

Responding to Mr Owens' comments, Spicer said: 'I can tell him that on behalf of the president, his son died a hero and the information that he was able to help obtain through that raid, as I said before, is going to save American lives.

'The mission was successful in helping prevent a future attack or attacks on this nation.'

A bomb-making video uncovered in the raid was of no current value, NBC claims.
Parents are furious that headteacher Bill Mann (pictured) took a day off school to go to a Six Nations rugby game in Rome

Parents are furious that a headteacher took the day off school during term time to watch the Six Nations rugby in Rome.

Bill Mann, the head of Eccleston Saint Mary's Primary School, Lancashire, skipped the last day of school on Friday, February 10, to fly to Rome for the next day's Italy v Ireland Six Nations clash.

But angry parents have complained it was unfair that headteacher was allowed to take the trip while mothers and fathers have been fined for taking their children out of school.

One parent, writing to Eccleston Saint Mary's Primary School, Lancashire, criticised the headteacher.

She said: 'When authorities are fining parents for taking their children out of school in term time it is hard to believe that the headteacher was absent from school on the last day of term as he was flying to Italy.'

She then asked whether the headteacher would be fined and whether his pay would be docked as a consequence.

But Garry Fishwick, chair of governors at the school, defended Mr Mann.

He said: 'Mr Mann always works very hard for the school and has been working particularly long hours over recent months, taking on teaching responsibilities as well as his usual leadership role, and steering the school through a rigorous inspection by the Diocese.

'On the day in question, Mr Mann worked from home in the morning and then took a flight in the afternoon, which I was pleased to sanction given the excessive hours he had been working during the previous few weeks.'

The school is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. In its most recent report, inspectors said: 'Pupils thoroughly enjoy school and thrive in a warm and supportive atmosphere that is underpinned by strong moral values.

'Staff morale is high, and they work successfully as a team to enable pupils to achieve excellence in their academic achievement and their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.'

Schools in Britain have been relaxing their term-time holidays rules since a High Court ruling last year.

Jon Platt, 46, from the Isle of Wight, was hauled into court last year for refusing to pay a 120 fine for taking his seven-year-old daughter on holiday to Disney World and Lapland.

The father-of-three won his High Court case by arguing her regular attendance at school balanced out the holidays.

Despite the council currently appealing to the Supreme Court, many councils have changed their policies around term-time holidays and fines.

In 2013 new Department of Education guidance ordered that children could no longer be allowed to be taken out of school unless in 'exceptional circumstances'.

Parents who do are liable to pay a 60 fine, and any who refuse to pay face prosecution and a maximum fine of 2,500 - or three months in prison.

A recent investigation found 35 English councils have changed their policy following the landmark High Court decision while a further five are reviewing their policy.

Some 28 schools have withdrawn fines entirely.

A Department for Education spokesman said: 'The rules are perfectly clear, children should not be taken out of school without good reason.

'The evidence shows that every extra day of school missed can affect a pupil's chances of achieving good GCSEs, which has a lasting effect on their life chances - vindicating our strong stance on attendance.

'A child who is absent also impacts teachers, whose planning of lessons is disrupted by children missing large portions of teaching.'
Daniel Kennedy (pictured) is charged with disorderly conduct and three counts of battery

An argument over a $20 debt led to a melee at a Girl Scout cookie stand outside a Wal-Mart store in central Florida, law enforcement officials say.

Flagler County Sheriff's deputies arrested two teenage brothers following the Saturday evening attack.

Arriving deputies say the teens knocked over a table and scattered boxes of Girl Scout cookies outside the Palm Coast store.

Authorities have charged 18-year-old Daniel Kennedy with disorderly conduct and three counts of battery, while his 16-year-old brother is facing disorderly conduct and one count of battery, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reported.

The newspaper reports that the teens and their mother Erin Kennedy told deputies they asked for the money which they claimed one of the girls, the daughter of 49-year-old Thomas Ketchum Sr., owed them.

When adults at the stand, Ketchum's 47-year-old spouse Lisa and a second woman, told them they couldn't pay, the Kennedy family demanded to be paid in cookies, the newspaper reports.

Flagler County Sheriff's deputies arrested Kennedy and his 16-year-old brother following the Saturday evening attack

They were informed that wouldn't be possible, according to Flagler Live, which said the money owed was from back in October.

Lisa Kechum said that Daniel Kennedy then punched his palm in an intimidating gesture before he and his sibling went after the booth, according to the website.

An arrest report says the boys punched a man, woman and teenager before they started smashing cookie boxes. Thomas Ketchum Sr. came out of the Wal-Mart and got the Kennedy family's shopping cart to prevent them from fleeing, and was allegedly attacked, Flagler Live reported.

Lisa Ketchum was allegedly hit in the head and face, with the couple's 15-year-old son Thomas Ketchum Jr. allegedly assaulted and pushed into a concrete wall, according to the website.

Thomas Ketchum Sr., who told authorities he'd recently had open-heart surgery, had a sprained neck and shoulder, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reported.

His teenage son reportedly suffered a head gash.

Daniel Kennedy has been released on $1,500 bail, and his younger brother was released to his mother, Flagler Live reported.
Jacqui Lambie's son has revealed he started abusing methamphetamines after he was punched in the head outside a nightclub and suffered a brain aneurysm.

Dylan Milverton lived on the streets after his mother, a Tasmanian senator, kicked him out of their home in regional Devonport as his drug abuse spiraled out of control.

'I started getting back into the gear and it just really went downhill,' he told the ABC's Ice Wars documentary.

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Dylan Milverton, who is now 22, used methamphetamines after he was punched in the head outside a nightclub and suffered a brain aneurysm

'I was prepared to go to jail for the things I had done.'

Milverton, who is now 22, turned to drugs after being punched in the head in 2012.

He survived a brain aneurysm after undergoing surgery for a fractured skull.

His mother feared he would be a vegetable for the rest of his life.

After being discharged from hospital, the teenager began drinking heavily and turning to drugs again as he lost his job and his girlfriend.

Senator Lambie was in tears as she described her son's drug-fuelled behaviour in 2015.

Senator Jacqui Lambie tearfully fears for her son in 2015 as his drug use worsens

'I sometimes pray and think, you know, he is going to end up in jail,' she said.

'But I can only pray because that's where he's heading. He's been in trouble over the last few months, I know that.'

The independent senator was hoping a court would have the sense to send him to a rehabilitation program as an alternative to prison.

'Right now, that is the only way I will get my son back,' Senator Lambie said.

Magistrate Melanie Bartlett agreed to give her son a two-month suspended jail sentence, in October 2015, for drug and driving offences and using fake $50 notes, on the condition he underwent rehab.

Jacqui Lambie is now on speaking terms again with her son Dylan (left) after he underwent a drug rehabilitation program in Queensland

The Tasmanian independent senator has slammed politicians for failing to properly fund boot camps for drug addicts

Milverton overcame his drug addiction, after spending 12 months with the Teen Challenge rehabilitation centre near Toowoomba in Queensland.

Now Senator Lambie, who had previously spoken about her son's drug addiction in parliament, has slammed her colleagues in Canberra for failing to properly fund drug treatment programs.

'There are already things out there that are working,' she told the documentary.

'There are idiots in Canberra that want to reinvent the wheel. Build more boot camps because they're working. That's what I'd like to see.

'I have my son back.'
Going home: Saliman Barci, 41, made a last-ditch bid to avoid being sent home to serve a 25-year sentence for two horrific murders

A one-legged Albanian killer who has lived in Britain on benefits under a false identity for 14 years finally faces deportation today

At great expense to the taxpayer, Saliman Barci, 41, made a last-ditch bid to avoid being sent home to serve a 25-year sentence for two horrific murders.

But judges have rejected his human rights plea in in a last-ditch bid to avoid extradition.

The married father of three claimed he would be killed as part of a 'blood feud' if he was returned to Albania.

It was also alleged that Barci, who lost a leg in a motorbike accident, would be vulnerable because of a lack of health facilities in Albanian prisons.

Officials confirmed last May that he had been granted legal aid to fight extradition. His barrister declined to confirm whether the taxpayer was still funding his quest to stay in the UK.

But the estimated cost of trying to extradite Barci is around 100,000.

Now, however, he will be put on a plane back to Albania after two senior judges threw out his human rights challenge.

Lady Justice Sharp rejected claims that he would suffer 'inhuman or degrading treatment' in his homeland.

The right to a retrial of those convicted in their absence was 'a real and effective right' and Barci could expect a fair hearing.

The passing of so many years since the murders and Barci's arrival in Britain was also no bar to extradition, the judge ruled.

The Albanian authorities had promised to protect him from the blood feud and prison conditions in Albania had recently greatly improved.

The judge, sitting with Mr Justice Sweeney, concluded: 'The evidence falls very far short of establishing a real risk of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment to Barci'.

After a Daily Mail investigation exposed the case, a district judge ruled he should be extradited. But at the Court of Appeal, Barci, of West London, challenged the decision and lost

Ben Cooper, for Barci, argued the continuing family blood feud meant his life would be at risk if extradited.

Describing the case as 'exceptional', he pointed to alleged widespread judicial corruption in Albania.

There was fresh evidence that the judges who convicted him were guilty of 'improper conduct', said the barrister.

After a Daily Mail investigation exposed the case, a district judge ruled he should be extradited. But at the Court of Appeal, Barci, of West London, challenged the decision

And, although Barci would be entitled to a retrial on his return, that was 'meaningless when the justice system is tainted by corruption'.

Barci 'deliberately misled' UK immigration authorities with a false alias and passport after gunning down two men in northern Albania in 1997, an earlier court hearing was told.

Posing as a Kosovan asylum seeker, he slipped into the UK while on the run and lived on benefits for 14 years before his true identity became known. By then, he had been awarded British citizenship.

In July, two months after a Daily Mail investigation exposed the case, a district judge ruled he should be extradited.

But at the Court of Appeal last week, Barci, of Northolt, West London, challenged the decision.

The convicted murderer, currently in custody, was not in court as his barrister Ben Cooper argued his proposed extradition to Albania would be in breach of three articles of the European Convention on Human Rights, right to life, ban on torture and fair trial.

It was claimed on his behalf that the Albanian judicial system was 'endemically and systematically tainted by corruption'.

Mr Cooper, an expert on extradition and human rights, claimed the judges who found Barci guilty in his absence of the murders were 'implicated in corruption'.

The Court of Appeal was told that extradition should be barred because of a real risk to Barci's life in Albania as a result of a blood feud.

The barrister added: 'The culture of its prisons is considered inhumane and degrading. Cold cells, absence of natural light and less than two metres living space.'

The Court of Appeal was told that extradition should be barred because of a real risk to Barci's life in Albania as a result of a blood feud

However, Daniel Sternberg, on behalf of the Republic of Albania, which contested the appeal, submitted that Barci's retrial would be conducted in the Albanian appeal court and not by the judges who originally tried the case.

'There has not been any proven allegations or active allegations of corruption against the judges,' he said.

He added that there was no corroboration for the claims relating to a blood feud, lack of protection or lack of assurance. 'These submissions are built on sand,' he told the appeal judges.

Barci is said to have lured his two victims to their deaths in the city of Burrel, northern Albania. He fled the country in the wake of the killings but in his absence was sentenced to 25 years in 2009. He was arrested here in July 2015.
Australian woman Sara Connor has made a tearful plea to a Bali court, saying her children miss her and are waiting for her.

Ms Connor's lawyers have called for her release over the death of a Bali police officer, and have described the prosecution of her as 'very dangerous'.

The 45-year-old mother-of-two broke down in Denpasar court on Tuesday as she made another plea.

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Australian woman Sara Connor (pictured) has made a tearful plea to a Bali court, saying her children miss her and are waiting for her

Ms Connor (right) told the court: 'If this is what God had planned for my life - to punish me harshly and deprive my children of their mother, I hope he will give my children strength to cope'

In response to the prosecution's criticism that she hadn't been upfront about the death of Bali police officer Wayan Sudarsa last August, Connor said she believed her British boyfriend David Taylor when he told her his fight with the cop on Kuta Beach was not serious.

She said she went to the Australian consulate, and not the police, two days later because 'that is what people do when they are in a foreign country'.

'I could have fled at any stage with my Italian passport that has a different surname,' she said.

'I let David burn the clothes (they wore on the night of Mr Sudarsa's death) because I was confused and in shock and I apologise for that.

Lawyers for Ms Connor (pictured) have called for her release over the death of Bali police officer Wayan Sudarsa last August

Ms Connor's lawyer described the sentence request by the prosecution as 'very dangerous' and called for the court to release his client and restore her good name

'Please bear in mind that I'm in another country... I was scared about what would happen.'

Describing herself as a hard worker, Connor said she was the 'sole carer' of her two young children.

'They miss me and are waiting for me,' she cried.

'If this is what God had planned for my life - to punish me harshly and deprive my children of their mother, I hope he will give my children strength to cope.'

Last week the prosecution called on Ms Connor (pictured) and her British boyfriend David Taylor to serve the same eight-year sentence for the policeman's death

Ms Connor (pictured right) told the the court she was a 'hard worker' and also the sole carer for her two children in Australia

Last week the prosecution called on Taylor and Connor to serve the same eight-year sentence.

Connor, they submitted, had not been upfront during the trial, whereas Taylor had shown remorse.

While they agree it is not a murder case, they have urged the court to press ahead with the alternate charge of fatal assault in company.

Connor and Taylor went to Kuta Beach on the night of August 16 after having a few drinks over dinner. A fight broke out between Mr Sudarsa and Taylor when the British man confronted the cop about Connor's lost wallet.

Ms Connor (right) has always said she did nothing but try to separate Mr Taylor and the police officer, and didn't know he was badly injured when she and Taylor left the beach in the early hours of August 17

Connor has always said she did nothing but try to separate the pair and didn't know he was badly injured when she and Taylor left the beach in the early hours of August 17.

Describing the prosecution case as an 'illusion', Connor's lawyer Erwin Siregar submitted on Tuesday that his client did not cause the death of Mr Sudarsa and that no witness had said as much.

He described the sentence request by the prosecution as 'very dangerous' and called for the court to release his client and restore her good name.

The prosecution is expected to respond on Thursday.
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These eerie images show the spooky interior of an abandoned prison for psychiatric patients in Amsterdam, which will soon become a temporary home for hundreds of migrants.

The redundant Bijlmerbajes complex was designed as an experimental 'humane' prison and was originally built without bars over the windows before it opened in 1978.

The site became too inefficient to run and it closed in June last year. The prison population in the Netherlands has been sharply falling in recent years with the Dutch Justice Ministry reporting a 27 percent drop in the number of inmates between 2011 and 2015.

Bijlmerbajes will be converted into housing in the future. But first its six 14-story towers will be used as an asylum seekers' centre, housing some 1,000 migrants.

Haunting pictures from the prison show graffiti scored into the inside of the cell doors and a lone mattress on the floor. Inside the control room rows of screens still show the complex through the remaining security cameras.

Other spooky shots show the patient psychiatric centre, which looks more like a hospital with equipment and surgical sinks.

One room features art work where prisoners have left their hand prints in different colours. The photographs were taken by local hairdresser Angelique Brunas.

The redundant Bijlmerbajes complex will become a temporary asylum seekers centre

A visitors centre at the complex. The Amsterdam prison was closed in June 2016

The hospital-like patient psychiatric centre, complete with surgical sinks

The prison was part of an experimental project to design 'humane prisons' and was opened for psychiatric patients in 1978

The site, near Amsterdam's Amstel rail station, contains six 14-story tower blocks

A kitchen at the complex. The site is expected to temporarily house some 1,000 migrants over the summer

A Bijlmerbajes control room complete with monitors for security cameras across the complex

The eerie photographs were taken by Dutch hairdresser Angelique Brunas

Artwork, including a version of the Mona Lisa ca be seen on the walls. The building was abandoned in June last year

The site is earmarked for housing with work expected to start at the end of the year

Empty cells with sturdy doors at the Bijlmerbajes prison

A lone shoe remains on an upper floor windowsill. Although the prison was intended to be built without bars, they were later installed after it was discovered that the windows were not entirely unbreakable

One room features a touch piece of art work where prisoners have left their hand imprint in different colours

The complex consists of six towers all connected by an underground tunnel

Cell doors remain ajar in a clean block decorated with dull colours

The fence and wall surrounding the complex will be removed for when it becomes an asylum seekers centre

The underground tunnel was nicknamed the 'Kalverstraat' - a reference to a shopping street in Amsterdam

The complex was originally built without bars on the windows and three gyms, a church and a mosque

This eerie photograph shows graffiti written on cell doors at the prison

Lifts at the complex. When it was a prison, the inmates would have access to two lifts in every block with a separate smaller lift being designated for staff

A prison cell containing a chalkboard still covered in markings
Part of an unaired interview Dr. Phil McGraw had with the Florida college student accused of randomly killed a couple and chewing on the dead man's face has been released.

The excerpt, obtained in advance of its release by CBS 12, shows Austin Harrouff crying incessantly and apologizing for murdering John Stevens and Michelle Mishcon.

'I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me,' Harrouff, 20, said. 'And I'm so sorry and I never wanted this to happen.'

'It's like a nightmare,' he added.

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The unaired Dr. Phil interview with Austin Harrouff is set to be released today. CBS 12 obtained an advance clip of the interview

In the interview, Harrouff cries incessantly and apologizes for murdering John Stevens and Michelle Mishcon

Dr Phil plans to air the full interview on his show on Thursday

When Dr. Phil asked if Harrouff was ashamed of what he did, the Florida State University student responded 'Yes, yes, yes, yes'.

'I just wanted to let them know that I'm so sorry and I can imagine how it must feel to lose a bunch of close relatives. If it was real and it happened to me, I wouldn't know what to do and I would be so sad.

'I'm just...I'm just so sorry,' he said.

In another clip from the interview, Dr. Phil asks Harrouff if he wanted to hurt anyone when he left a tense dinner with his father and others the night of the murders.

Harrouff said, 'No'.

The full 22-minute interview will be aired on the Dr. Phil show on Thursday.

Harrouff's attorneys fought to stop the release, saying that it would impact his right to a fair trial. But the 4th District Court of Appeals through out their appeal on Monday.

'The defendant has no privacy interest in the interview, as he gave it for publication on television,' the District Court of Appeal order read, in part.

Harrouff is currently waiting to stand trial for the murder of John Stevens, 59, and Michelle Mishcon, 53, who he stabbed to death in a random attack in August

Last week, a judge ordered that the unaired interview be released, after local news outlets complained in court.

The interview took place just two days before Harrouff was released from the hospital in October. It was scheduled to air October 28, but was pulled at the last minute without explanation.

Harrouff is charged with murder in the August 15 murders of John Stevens and his wife Michelle Mishcon at their home in Tequesta, Florida.

Harrouff appeared in court last Wednesday (above) as a judge ordered that the un-aired Dr. Phil interview he gave should be released

The Florida State University student stabbed the couple to death and then was caught by police eating some of Stevens' face. Above, two weapons found at the scene

Harrouff reportedly gave the Dr. Phil interview two days before he was released from the hospital. Above, the day he was released from the hospital and taken to jail

FULL STATEMENT FROM HARROUFF'S LAWYERS ON THE DR.PHIL VIDEO The legal defense team representing 19-year old Austin Harrouff says a video-recorded interview between their client and CBS television personality Phillip McGraw, known to audiences as Dr. Phil, represents 'just one of many pieces of evidence demonstrating the deterioration of Austin's mental health.' The video 'shows Austin when he was in a vulnerable state, recovering from acute medical and psychological trauma in the sanctity of his hospital room,' attorney Nellie King said. Although defense counsel agrees with the trial court's ruling that nothing in the video clip provided is prejudicial to Austin Harrouff, 'sensationalizing the details of this case pre-trial does nothing to advance justice in the courtroom,' King said. 'Nor does this pre-trial discovery information help those suffering from this tragedy, including the family members of Mr. Stevens and Ms. Mischcon,' she added. ' The circumstances of how Harrouff came to be videotaped in the hospital, while under guard by Martin County Sheriff's Deputies, and without the knowledge of lawyers representing him, is still under investigation. Advertisement

The couple was attacked shortly after Harrouff stormed out of a dinner with his father and others. His parents say he had been acting strangely.

When police arrived at the couple's home they found Harrouff chewing on Stevens' head.

He spent more than a month in the hospital after the attack because he ingested toxic chemicals in the couple's garage.

His attorney, Nellie King, appears to be designing an insanity defense.

After a portion of the interview was released on Monday, King issued a statement saying the interview is 'just one of many pieces of evidence demonstrating the deterioration of Austin's mental health.'

The victims' family said that the interview shows Harrouff's true colors.
A northeast Florida police chief has resigned following allegations he made racially offensive remarks toward a subordinate and then tried to thwart an investigation into the complaint.

Glen Cove Springs Police Chief Robert Musco resigned on February 23 after a labor law firm hired by the city found evidence that he violated policy by subjecting Officer Kimberly Robinson to workplace harassment, according to The Florida Times-Union.

The review also uncovered evidence that Musco put pressure on the officer to drop her complaint against him.

The complaint came from a January 12 conversation in which Musco, who's white, referred to Robinson as a 'token' while discussing staffing for a Martin Luther King Jr. event.

Glen Cove Springs Police Chief Robert Musco (left) resigned on February 23 after a labor law firm hired by the city found evidence that he violated policy by subjecting Officer Kimberly Robinson (right) to workplace harassment

Robinson (seen to the left of Musco, who is in the center of the image above) was the only black police officer on the force

The reported conversation involved Musco, Robinson, Assistant Chief Derek Asdot and two others.

Musco was also overheard speaking in an 'African-American "mocking" tone' and had also made other disparaging remarks about the holiday, according to the report.

She's the department's only black officer.

Robinson posted an item on her Facebook page about the conversation. The post caught the eye of an employee of a city employee in Glen Cove, who promptly alerted human resources.

Robinson's (left) complaint came from a January 12 conversation in which Musco (right) referred to her as a 'token' while discussing staffing for a Martin Luther King Jr. event

Robinson was then pressured by Musco's deputies to withdraw the complaint, prompting the city to demand his removal

City Manager Danielle Judd condemned Musco's behavior, calling it 'unacceptable.'

Initially, Judd was going to hand down a written reprimand against Musco, but she was furious when she discovered that he was trying to enlist other senior officers in a campaign to pressure Robinson to withdraw her complaint.

Musco, who had headed the department for 11 years, opted to save face and resign last Thursday instead of being forcibly removed by the department, according to the Times-Union.

The former police chief failed to uphold the department's longstanding policy that bans racial discrimination, according to the report.

'The policy was not upheld when the comments were made nor when attempts were made to create alliances among other leaders within the police department in an effort to influence the outcome of the investigation,' according to the report.

Judd said Glen Cove makes every effort to combat racism in its midst.

'This is not indicative of our community,' she said. 'We have a very embracing culture here.'
A long-lost home movie from the 1920s shows a super-rich family who were believed to be the first to own a car in Arbroath living the high-life in a Scottish mansion before the Great Depression.

The British Film Institute has released a 14-minute film of the Fraser family at home in Cairnie Hill, Arbroath, in 1928.

The film - believed to have been made by a professional photographer to be sent to relatives in Argentina - showcases the house, grounds and staff at the sprawling property.

A long-lost home movie from the 1920s shows a super-rich who were believed to be the first to own a car in Arbroath living the high-life in a Scottish mansion before the Great Depression

The British Film Institute has released a 14-minute film of the Fraser family at home in Cairnie Hill, Arbroath, in 1928

It also reveals the family's fleet of luxurious cars including a Rolls-Royce Twenty complete with a perfectly turned-out chauffeur.

The film features Mr Robert Fraser of Arbroath and his wife who retired back to Arbroath from Argentina just before the outbreak of the First World War.

Mr Fraser's great-granddaughter Virginia, who lives in Montrose, said it was marvellous to the see the film being made so widely available.

She said: 'My father had this old film and in a fit of de-cluttering had given it to a cousin who lives in the USA.

'He found it years later and sent it back so that I could have it recorded and then safely archived and donated to the Scottish Film Archive. My father spent most of his school holidays at Cairnie Hill.

The film - believed to have been made by a professional photographer to be sent to relatives in Argentina - showcases the house, grounds and staff at the sprawling property

It also reveals the family's fleet of luxurious cars including a Rolls-Royce Twenty complete with a perfectly turned-out chauffeur

'He often spoke about the cars and remembered being asked to stoke up the burner on a steam car owned by one of his great uncles.

'I believe the Frasers were the first family in Arbroath to have motor cars.'

Mrs Fraser said she chuckled when she read the BFI's description of the family as being 'super-rich'.

The film features Mr Robert Fraser of Arbroath and his wife who retired back to Arbroath from Argentina just before the outbreak of the First World War

Mr Fraser's great-granddaughter Virginia, who lives in Montrose, said it was marvellous to the see the film being made so widely available

The black and white film, released by the BFI, gives an insight into life in the 1920s

She said: 'Super-rich? Well, maybe - relative to Arbroath in those days.

'My great-grandparents were well-off, yes, but none of the family were ever super-rich as far as I know.

'In fact, my grandmother told me that when she married Robert Junior, their entire fortune was 100 gold sovereigns which she carried in a little leather pouch under her skirts.'

The film is being held at the Moving Image Archive at the National Library of Scotland.
A four-month-old Iranian girl who needed life-saving surgery but was temporarily stopped from entering the US as a result of Donald Trump's travel ban is now recovering in a Portland hospital.

Physicians said young Fatemeh Reshed is 'out of the woods' and making good progress following a successful operation last Friday in Oregon.

The youngster and her parents' plans to enter the US with a travel visa for the infant's surgery were canceled last month after Trump's executive order on immigration and refugees from seven predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran.

The girl and her parents arrived in Portland, the home of some of their relatives, a few days later after being granted a waiver the same day Trump's ban was temporarily blocked by a federal judge.

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Fatemeh Reshed (pictured), a four-month old Iranian girl needing life-saving surgery who was briefly stopped from entering the country as a result of Donald Trump's travel ban, is now recovering in a Portland hospital

The family chose to travel to the Pacific Northwest because doctor's at Oregon Health Sciences University's Doernbecher Children's Hospital have an expertise in the infant's condition.

Fatemeh underwent surgery February 17, and her physicians said the procedure was more complication given it is usually performed within days or weeks of birth - not months.

She was born with transposition of the great arteries - a condition that impacts about one in 5,000 children.

According to Stanford Children's Health, it is a condition where 'the large vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs, and to the body are improperly connected.

'Babies with transposition of the great arteries will not have enough oxygen in the bloodstream to meet the body's demands for long.'

Speaking on Monday, her doctors said the youngster's heart function 'looks beautiful'.

The girl's uncle Sam Taghizadeh (right) speaks on Monday as Dr Laurie Armsby watches on at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland, Oregon

The life-saving operation was carried out at Oregon Health Sciences University's Doernbecher Children's Hospital (pictured)

TRANSPOSITION OF THE GREAT ARTERIES About one in 5,000 children are born with transposition of the great arteries. According to Stanford Children's Health, it is a condition where 'the large vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs, and to the body are improperly connected. 'Babies with transposition of the great arteries will not have enough oxygen in the bloodstream to meet the body's demands for long.' Advertisement

'We're really pleased with how the surgery went and have a very strong sense at this point that she's going to recover fully and go on to lead a happy and healthy life,' Dr Laurie Armsby, associate professor and interim head of the hospital's Division of Pediatric Cardiology, said.

The four-month-old remains in intensive care and it is unclear how long her recovery will take.

The physicians declined to give further details of the procedure and Fatemeh's current condition, at the request of her parents.

Previous statements by hospital officials estimated a six-hour surgical procedure performed by Dr Irving Shen, a nationally respected expert on Fatemeh's condition, and pegged her post-surgery stay at three weeks.

Fatemeh and her parents' plans to enter the US with a travel visa for the infant's surgery were canceled last month after Trump's executive order on immigration. He is seen signing it on January 27

The young girl's uncle, Samad Taghizadeh - a US citizen who lives in Portland - stood alongside doctors at Monday's press conference.

He thanked Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and immigration attorneys for being instrumental in getting the waiver for the baby's family.

'In the beginning, I didn't have any hope for my family coming here,' Taghizadeh said. 'But I tried, and I was surprised how the people in the US have helped.'
South Sudanese students have been reportedly banned from gathering in groups of three or more at several Melbourne schools.

A community group run by young South Sudanese women, New Change, has told a federal parliamentary inquiry that teachers at several Melbourne schools had discriminated against African pupils.

'The school thought it would be a good idea to keep, especially African boys at a minimum number,' they told the committee, the Herald Sun reported, adding the teachers believed they 'looked threatening'.

South Sudanese community activists have accused several Melbourne schools of banning African boys from gathering in groups of three or more (stock image)

Victoria's Department of Education is investigating the 'serious allegations'

Victoria's Department of Education contacted the group to investigate the 'serious allegations of racial discrimination' from 2010 at schools in Melbourne's west, the story said.

No formal complaint had previously been made about the racially-biased treatment of black students.

New Change had also told the parliamentary committee on migration the Apex gang in Melbourne was giving South Sudanese people a bad name.

'After the outbreak of crimes being committed by young people who called themselves as the "Apex Gang", we are motivated to reconstruct our identity and let our fellow Australian citizens know that not all South Sudanese Australian people are bad,' they said.

'The action of a small percentage of young men in our community is having a negative impact on our everyday lives.'

South Sudanese women from a group called New Change say the actions of Apex gang members was affecting the lives of other young Africans

Achol Kirr, a 20-year-old Victoria University psychology student who wrote the submission, said her group 'strongly condemned' the actions of the Apex gang members.

'We think the way they are acting is not appropriate and hope it will end soon,' she said.

'But we must remember Apex is not an organised group and Apex is not a South Sudanese group. It is a group of young 15 to 16-year-old boys.'

She wrote about how a South Sudanese woman, with no connection to gang activity, was told to 'go back where she came from' by someone driving by in a car who had accused her of being part of Apex, as she walked from the Moomba Festival in Melbourne.
A 42-year-old electrician charged over an alleged terror plot this week had purchased materials to build a long-range missile prototype for ISIL, police allege.

Haisem Zahab had allegedly been researching how to construct the missile and its necessary components before he was arrested by Australian Federal Police at a Young property, west of Canberra, on Tuesday.

'The material included details on the electronics and circuitry required to build a missile,' police told The Daily Telegraph.

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Haisem Zahab, 42, (second from right) had allegedly purchased materials to build a prototype of a long-range missile for ISIL

The 42-year-old was arrested at a Young property (pictured) and charged over a terror plot on Tuesday

Zahab had allegedly been researching how to construct a long-range missile and its necessary components before he was arrested by Australian Federal Police at the rural home (pictured)

'The material included details on the electronics and circuitry required to build a missile,' police claim

The Australian-born electrician had not begun building the missile but 'had obtained materials to start doing so' and was 'researching and designing the weapon,' the officer claimed.

Zahab's arrest comes after an anti-terrorism police investigation dubbed Operation Markesberg.

'Police will allege that the man has sought to advise ISIL on how to develop high-tech weapons capability,' Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said after Zahab was arrested.

'This highlights that terrorism and support for terrorist groups is not limited to our major cities'.

Police claim Zahab was able to relay his research to ISIL through his extensive family members in Syria and Iraq, the Daily Telegraph reported.

He had been under investigation by the Australian Federal Police's Operation Marksburg for 18 months, after $530,000 was seized from extended family members including a man who was suspected of being part of an Islamic State arms racket.

Zahab's (pictured) arrest comes after an anti-terrorism police investigation dubbed Operation Markesberg

The Australian-born electrician had not begun building the missile but 'had obtained materials to start doing so' and was 'researching and designing the weapon,' the officer claimed

The home where Zahab was arrested is under guard by Australian Federal Police officers (pictured)

Zahab has been charged with two serious foreign incursion offences and a failure to comply with order to assist access to data.

The foreign incursion offences carry the maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Zahab was refused bail at a Young Court on Tuesday and will front Parramatta Court on March 8.

Zahab's family openly wept after his court appearance and an older woman was seen covering her face with her hijab as she yelled at a media, according to 9News.

The woman, who was standing with an older man, was eventually stopped by a police officer who held her back.

A man claiming to be Zahab's brother told 7News he felt the tactics used by Australian police to arrest the 42-year-old were 'excessive.'

'At 3 o'clock in the morning they're blowing doors off the hinges and breaking glass and putting guns at womens and children's heads,' the man said.

Zahab's family openly wept after his court appearance and an older woman was seen covering her face with her hijab as she yelled at a media (pictured)

A man claiming to be Zahab's brother (pictured) said he felt the tactis used by Australian police to arrest the 42-year-old were 'excessive'

Police officers were seen still at the property after dusk (pictured)

James Minehan, whose girlfriend lives next door to Zahab, said he often saw the 42-year-old at his home, but said the family kept to themselves

Laundry is seen hanging on a clothes line at the property

A neighbour told Daily Mail Australia Zahab, who worked at a local business installing solar panels, lived in the Young home where he was arrested with his wife and three children - believed to be a young boy and two girls.

The man said he has known Zahab for five years and he seemed to be 'a very nice chap.'

The neighbour said he believed Zahab had 'an import, export business' and was shocked by his arrest.

'I thought there was a wedding going on today because there was a large number of cars, the street was filled with them at about 2.30pm,' the man said.

'It is unbelievable, it is kind of real now... it's just a quiet rural property.'

An officer is seen walking across the rural property on Tuesday

A red car was seen at the property as police continued to guard the home

A local resident looks at the property as he walks by (pictured)

Zahab's arrest comes after an anti-terrorism police investigation dubbed Operation Markesberg

Zahab reportedly travels between Young and Sydney and was the director of solar panel company Switch2Green, according to the Daily Telegraph.

He is currently the registered owner of 'Oz Survival Gear,' which sells knives and other survival tools.

James Minehan, whose girlfriend lives next door to Zahab, told the Daily Telegraph he often saw the 42-year-old at his home, but said the family kept to themselves.

'You would see him [Zahab] sitting outside while his kids were playing,' he said.

Mr Minehan said Zahab would always lock the front gate, which is unusual for a small country town.

'It was a bit weird, we'd be outside near the fence but you'd never see them come out and interact like normal country neighbours,' he said.

The man has been charged with two serious foreign incursion offences and a failure to comply with order to assist access to data

An Australian Federal Police van was stationed on the property beside a number of tents on Tuesday during the raid

Zahab was refused bail on Tuesday and will front Parramatta Court on March 8

During a press conference from Parliament in Canberra on Tuesday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed The Australian Federal Police arrested the man

Police used the dog squad and metal detectors to thoroughly search the Young property (pictured) on Tuesday

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin (right) said Zahab was charged with two serious foreign incursion offences, which carry the maximum penalty of life imprisonment

Mr Turnbull claimed Zahab was using the internet to research and design a laser warning device for ISIL.

'This operation does not relate to any planned terrorist attack in Australia,' he said.

The AFP and dog squad were seen thoroughly searching horse paddocks, chicken coops and the isolated building for hours on Tuesday.

'This is an ongoing matter and we believe he has networks and contacts in ISIL,' Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin told reporters.

'It's not necessarily just in the conflict zones but in other parts of the world as well and he has been relying on them to pass this information.

'With these offences, we will allege that he has utilised the internet to perform services for ISIL, activities in the Syria and Iraq conflict, from Australia'.

Mr Colvin said Zahab was 'technically-trained' and his research was 'credible'.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the arrest came after an 18-month police operation.

'It reminds us that whether you are in a capital city planning an attack on home soil or whether you are in a small country town, trying to assist the terrorist state in the Middle East, you will get caught,' he said.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan (left) said the arrest came after an 18-month police operation and Mr Turnbull said the man was using the internet to research and design a laser warning device for ISIL

A 42-year-old man has been charged following a 'major' anti-terrorism police operation at a property (pictured) in Young, country New South Wales

Mr Colvin said the man was 'technically-trained' and the research he conducted at the property (pictured) was 'credible'

The AFP and dog squad were seen thoroughly searching horse paddocks, chicken coops and the isolated building for hours on Tuesday before the arrest
Former President George W. Bush says he's 'optimistic' about the future of the country in spite of the ugliness that followed Donald Trump to Washington.

'I dont like the racism, and I dont like the name-calling, and I dont like the people feeling alienated,' the 70-year-old Republican told People magazine. 'Nobody likes that.'

But it's nothing that the nation hasn't seen before, Bush said, and President Trump will soon realize that doing the job is much different than campaigning for it.

Former President George W. Bush says he's 'optimistic' about the future of the country in spite of the ugliness that followed Donald Trump to Washington

Bush left the White House with a bottom-of-the-barrel approval rating and stayed silent for much of Barack Obama's tenure. He's doing interviews now to promote a book of his paintings of wounded warriors, Portraits in Courage, that he's using to raise money for and awareness of veterans issues.

The former president and his wife, Laura, did not vote for Trump. They wrote in their votes, which they have not shared.

In an interview with People from their Dallas, Texas, home the former president also revealed that he hasn't spoken to Trump over the phone. The sitting president hasn't called him for advice. Neither did Barack Obama.

'It doesnt hurt my feelings. I understand the nature of the job,' Bush told the publication. 'Theres a lot incoming when youre the president and you just got to focus on your job.'

The Bush family has been at odds with Trump since the GOP primary, when George's younger brother, Jeb, 64, went head-to-head with the billionaire and lost.

Trump called the younger Bush 'low energy' and criticized his brother for sending American troops into Iraq, a war he said was a 'big fat mistake.'

Still, George and Laura attended Trump's inauguration last month. Barbara Bush and former President George H.W. Bush, 92, did not after a doctor recommended against it.

The former president says he hasn't spoken to Donald Trump over the phone. The sitting president hasn't called him for advice - and neither did Barack Obama

Speaking to People, George W. Bush, said he's not overly worried about the path Trump's taking the country down, even though the political climate since he took office has become 'pretty ugly.'

'We've been through these periods before. And we've always had a way to come out of it,' he said. I'm more optimistic than some.'

Bush said all presidents have to get their sea legs under them.

'It happens every time. People campaign and then the job's different when they get in there. And the job has a way of bringing a reality to each president's situation, and that's gonna happen now,' he said.

The 43rd President of the United States has avoided bashing Trump travel ban preventing travelers from seven majority-Muslim nations from entering the United States, even though it could have an adverse effect on the Bush Center, the organization he uses as a vehicle for advocacy that also maintains his presidential library.

'When President Obama got elected, friends would call: "You must speak out! You must do this, you must do that." Turns out, other people are doing the same thing this time,' Bush said. 'I didnt feel like speaking out before because I didnt want to complicate the job and Im not going to this time. However, at the Bush Center we are speaking up.'

Bush left the White House with a bottom-of-the-barrel approval rating and stayed silent for much of Barack Obama's tenure. He's doing interviews now to promote a book of his paintings of wounded warriors. He's pictured Monday on the Today show

Located on the grounds of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, the organization holds immigration ceremonies and leadership trainings for Muslim women from the Middle East.

People noted that Trump's travel restrictions could complicate the Bush Center's work.

The former president replied, 'Now that you mention it, it might bother me but well figure out how to bring them over.'

In an Monday appearance on the Today show, Bush was also asked to comment on Trump's travel ban that has been criticized for the way it affects Muslims.

'I think it's very important for all of us to recognize one of our great strengths is for people to be able to worship the way they want to or to not worship at all,' the former president said. 'A bedrock of our freedom is the right to worship freely.'

Continuing, Bush said of his own time in office, which began nine months before terror struck on 9/11, 'I understood right off the bat that this was an ideological conflict and people who murder the innocent are not religious people  they want to advance an ideology and we have faced those kinds of ideologues in the past.'

Bush refused to take a definitive stand on Trump executive action yet said: 'I am for an immigration policy that's welcoming and upholds the law.'
A top Italian DJ who was left paralysed after a horror car smash has taken his own life at the press of a button at a Swiss suicide clinic.

Fabiano Antoniani passed away after he was approved for euthanasia in a facility in the city of Forch, Switzerland this week.

The 40-year-old died surrounded by his family and his girlfriend after he battled for years to have approval from the Italian government to end his own life.

Mr Antoniani was left partially paralysed in 2014 after he was involved in a car crash. He had dropped his phone while driving and bent down to pick it up when he smashed into another car in the accident which changed his life forever.

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Top Italian DJ Fabiano Antoniani (pictured) was left paralysed after a horror car smash. He has taken his own life at the press of a button at a Swiss suicide clinic

Fabiano Antoniani (pictured performing) passed away after he was approved for euthanasia in a facility in the city of Forch, Switzerland this week

Mr Antoniani was left partially paralysed in 2014 after he was involved in a car crash. He had dropped his phone while driving and bent down to pick it up when he smashed into another car in the accident which changed his life forever

Fabiano Antoniani's girlfriend, Valeria Imbrogno, posted a heartbreaking message saying 'I wish this night would never end' on Facebook earlier this week

He campaigned for a change in the law in Italy to allow assisted suicide but the debate was shelved 11 times in Parliament after drawing strong opposition from the Church.

Marco Cappato, an activist who supported Mr Antoniani in his quest, also travelled with him to Switzerland and claimed the well-known DJ ended his own life pressing a button himself which contained a lethal substance.

He was forced to undergo a series of medical and psychological tests to determine whether it was something he did want before he was given the green light for the procedure.

Mr Antoniani (pictured with girlfriend Valeria) campaigned for a change in the law in Italy to allow assisted suicide but the debate was shelved 11 times in Parliament after drawing strong opposition from the Church

Last month the DJ from Milan sent a video to Prime Minister Sergio Mattarella begging him: 'Please, let me die. I live in a nightmare that never ends.'

The controversial case has since sparked a debate in Italy, with it now being said that Mr Cappato could face charges after helping Mr Antoniani to book tickets to travel to Switzerland.

Last month the DJ from Milan sent a video to Prime Minister Sergio Mattarella begging him: 'Please, let me die. I live in a nightmare that never ends.'

In a final statement before his death he added: 'Finally I have managed to arrive to Switzerland. I have arrived alone, without the help of the State. I will be relieved soon from this hell of pain.'

His girlfriend, Valeria Imbrogno, posted a heartbreaking message saying 'I wish this night would never end' on Facebook earlier this week.

Fabiano Antoniani is pictured with girlfriend Valeria. He campaigned for a change in the law in Italy to allow assisted suicide

The DJ was forced to undergo a series of medical and psychological tests to determine whether it was something he did want before he was given the green light for the procedure

Mr Antoniani (pictured with Valeria) made a televised appeal for the Italian government to intervene in his case

The debate about a change in the law in Italy was shelved 11 times in Parliament after drawing strong opposition from the Church

Flomena Gallo, the secretary of a pro-euthanasia charity called Association Luca Coscioni said they regularly have people contacting them and asking for help.

She said euthanasia in Switzerland costs around 10,000 EUR (8,510GBP) so is not something that is done on a whim.

She said: 'There are a lot of Italians who ask us for information about how to do it. In 2015, 225 asked us. Of those, 117 decided to go to Switzerland and not all of them decided, in the end, to die.

'Some of them, after some tests and medical revisions decided to come back to Italy. The question is to have the option of deciding for yourself.'
Two Queensland police officers have been disciplined for failing to grant desperate Tara Brown a domestic violence order against Lionel Patea  as chilling footage shows him fleeing from the murder scene moments after he bashed her to death.

Tara Brown, 24, was bludgeoned to death with a metal fire hydrant cover by her ex-partner Lionel John Patea, 25, after he ran her car off the road on a suburban Gold Coast street in Queensland in September 2015.

Patea, a former Bandido bikie, pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday to killing Ms Brown, a mother-of-one.

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Lionel Patea was sentenced to life in prison on Monday for murdering Tara Brown (pictured)

He was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum 20 years behind bars.

After Ms Browns brutal death in 2015, the Queensland police looked into officers handling of Ms Browns case.

The investigation, which was undertaken by Gold Coast District senior management together with the Ethical Standards Command, found wrongdoing by two members of the police, the Brisbane Times reports.

Fresh CCTV footage is released which shows Patea running down the Gold Coast street where he murdered Ms Brown, before he is seen picking up the murder weapon - a 7kg metal fire hydrant cover

Patea (far left) has pleaded guilty on Monday to the murder of his former partner Tara Brown (right)

Lionel Patea has been sentenced to life in prison for murder, and will serve a minimum of 20 years behind bars

The 7kg fire hydrant cover Patea used to bludgeon Ms Brown to death on the Gold Coast is pictured

As a result of the investigation, two members have been the subject of disciplinary action, a police statement said. The police investigation was closed on February 17 this year.

Ms Brown applied for a domestic violence protection order against Patea on September 3, 2015  five days before he killed her.

Ms Browns application was rejected despite the fact Patea was known for his violent behaviour and had a record as long as our arms.

Ms Brown (right) applied for a domestic violence protection order against Patea (left) on September 3, 2015  five days before he killed her

Natalie Hinton, mother of murdered woman Tara Brown and her stepfather Jonathan Gardner leave the Supreme Court in Brisbane, Monday

Ms Browns mother Natalie Hinton criticised the police for the way they handled her daughters case.

Because Tara went a few days after the events leading up to us visiting the police station, they queried her on why she didnt come straight away, she told Today.

Ms Brown was issued with a protection order days later, but it did nothing to prevent her murder.

Ms Brown (pictured) was issued with a protection order days later, but it did no prevent her murder

The chilling footage shows Patea picking up the 7kg fire hydrant cover which he used to bludgeon Ms Brown to death

The investigation findings come as fresh CCTV footage is released which shows Patea running down the Gold Coast street where he murdered Ms Brown, moments after he unleashed the horrific attack.

The chilling footage shows Pateas black four-wheel-drive speed down the road just moments after he forced Ms Brown off the road, Yahoo reports.

The footage then shows Patea run back up the road where he is seen picking up the 7kg fire hydrant cover, which he used to bludgeon Ms Brown to death.

A short time later Patea is shown speeding off in a white council owned Ute, leaving Ms Brown to die on the suburban Gold Coast street.
On trial: Ali Qazimaj, 43, allegedly killed Peter Stuart, 75, and his wife Sylvia, 69, from Suffolk, because he thought they had access to large amounts of money and he had gambling debts, a jury was told

An Albanian asylum seeker today denied stabbing to death a millionaire couple in their Suffolk home and told the jury: 'I've never been in the UK in all my life'.

Ali Qazimaj, 43, allegedly killed Peter Stuart, 75, and his wife Sylvia, 69, because he thought they had access to large amounts of money and he had gambling debts, a jury was told.

He went on the run abroad after using Mrs Stuart's bank card to take money from a cash dispenser, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Mr Stuart was found in shallow water in woodland near his home in Weybread, Suffolk, on June 3 last year, and his wife Sylvia, 69, is missing presumed dead.

Today Qazimaj disputed his identity, said his name is Vital Dapi, aged 44, from Elbasan in Albania, and claims he has never been to the UK before his arrest and extradition from Luxembourg.

The defendant spoke in English, occasionally assisted by an Albanian interpreter, and three dock officers sat around the court.

Questioned by Max Hill, defending, the defendant said: 'I've never been in the UK all my life.'

Victims: Qazimaj is accused of stabbing millionaire Peter Stuart, 75, nine times. He is also charged with murder of Peter's wife, Sylvia, whose body has never been found (pictured together)

He denied he had killed Mr and Mrs Stuart and said he had no information about her disappearance, and had no knowledge of them before his arrest in Luxembourg on June 16.

Concerns grew for the Stuarts in June last year when they failed to turn up to their regular line dancing class near their home

'In Luxembourg they showed me picture of two people, one with glasses and a woman,' he said.

He told the court: 'I've never used the name Qazimaj as I'm proud of my name and who I am.'

He said he had also never used the name Marco Costa, which prosecutors had suggested the defendant used in relation to gambling, while living in Tilbury, Essex.

Mr Hill asked the defendant about a silver Citroen car found by police in Dover which prosecutors say have the defendant's fingerprints in.

'I don't know how they were planted there but it's not me,' said the defendant.

He said he had never had a car and that he cannot drive, and added he did not use mobile phones.

Mr Hill took the defendant through documents, which the defendant said related to his employment history in Albania and his compulsory military service.

Police investigating Mr Stuart's murder and his wife's disappearance remove evidence from their Suffolk home - Mrs Stuart's body has not been found

The defendant said both his parents and his sister were dead, and he had a surviving step-sister.

He said he left his Albanian passport with his step-sister before he left for Luxembourg in January 2016, but he was not allowed to contact her while he was in prison in the UK awaiting his trial.

Prosecutors say the defendant is Ali Qazimaj and he had lived in Essex and was a carer to the father-in-law of the Stuarts' daughter Christy Paxman.

It is alleged Qazimaj had accrued gambling debts and believed the Stuarts to be millionaires.

Qazimaj, of Tilbury, Essex, claimed asylum from Kosovo in 1999 and became a UK citizen in 2005. He denies two counts of murder.
Jewelry company bosses scouted their offices for women they wanted to sleep with, pledging promotions in exchange for sex, a lawsuit claims.

Legal papers reveal allegations by around 250 women who worked for Sterling Jewelers, the company which owns Jared the Galleria of Jewelry and Kay Jewelers, of a culture of sexual harassment and discrimination.

The documents, which the company disputes, claim female employees were groped, kissed, and pressured to carry out sex acts with bosses.

There was a culture of sexual harassment at Sterling Jewelers, owner of Jared the Galleria of Jewelry and Kay Jewelers, statements allege

In one statement, The Washington Post reports, New York Kay sales associate and manager Sanya Douglas said male managers described women who gave sexual favours in exchange for promotion as 'going to the big stage'.

Her 2012 statement continued: 'If you didnt do what he wanted with him, you wouldnt get your (preferred) store or raise.'

It started as a private class-action arbitration case in 2008 involving a dozen women, but this number has now swelled to 69,000.

These include current or former employees who allege women were paid less than men, or passed over for promotion, but who do not claim sexual impropriety.

One class member in the arbitration, Heather Ballou, told the Washington Post that in 2005 she was told by a district manager that he would help transfer her to a better store if she had sex with him.

Current and former employees alleged they were paid less than their male colleagues and passed over for promotion

The 41-year-old did, saying she had been 'backed into a corner'.

She told the newspaper: 'Looking back, I cant believe I did some of the things I had to do. You suck it up and do what you have to do for your family. You need this job.'

She also alleges having seen a male executive sitting with a drink in one hand and a cigar in the other watching on as women in various stages of undress splashed around in a pool.

Many of the complainants allege that annual managers meetings were a 'sex-fest' where women were routinely grabbed and harassed.

Former Massachusetts manager Ellen Contaldi said male executives prowled around 'like dogs that were let out of their cage'.

The company has denied that there is a culture of sexual impropriety.

Sterling spokesman David Bouffard said the allegations had not been substantiated after a thorough investigation.

He added that allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination 'involve a very small number of individuals.'
Denzel Washington successfully saved the Academy Awards from descending into chaos on Sunday night by politely informing host Jimmy Kimmel and Hollywood legend Warren Beatty to shut their mouths.

In his first night back at work hosting his eponymous ABC late night show on Monday, Kimmel revealed how Washington came to the rescue in the final moments of the Oscars ceremony after a flustered and confused Faye Dunaway erroneously announced that La La Land was the Best Picture winner.

That mistake was corrected soon after and Moonlight was declared the rightful winner in the category, at which point Beatty explained to the audience the reason for the mistake was due to the pair being given the wrong envelope backstage while Kimmel kept jumping in with quips to lighten the mood.

Both men were doing this while standing directly in front of Washington, who Kimmel said suddenly screamed at them from his seat in the audience: 'Barry.'

That is when Kimmel said he realized that while he was talking, the Moonlight team and their director Barry Jenkins had been gathering behind him and were waiting to speak.

'Thank God Denzel was there to make sense,' said Kimmel. 'So I listened to Denzel, as you should, and I went and I got Barry.'

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Quadruple threat: Actor, director and producer Denzel Washington saved the Oscar telecast on Sunday night during its chaotic final moments according to host Jimmy Kimmel (L to r: Washington, wife Paulette, Viola Davis and Julius Tennon after Moonlight's Best Picture win)

Confusing moment: Kimmel (above with Warren Beatty on Sunday) said on his late-night show Monday that after La La Land was incorrectly announced as the Best Picture winner, he did not know what to do

Having his moment: Washington however began to scream 'Barry' at Kimmel and Warren Beatty while they stood at the microphone so they would let director Barry Jenkins speak (above)

Kimmel recapped the anxiety-inducing final moments on the Oscar telecast in detail on his show Monday, where his guests included Moonlight star and Actor in a Supporting Role Oscar winner Maherhsala Ali.

'So Moonlight was the best picture, and now we have the producers of two movies on stage - and who the hell even knows who is who from which movie - and I'm just standing there like an idiot felling bad for these guys,' explained Kimmel of being in front of the audience at that moment.

He then added that he was also 'trying really hard not to laugh,' having previously revealed he was seated in the audience for the presentation of the award at the time for a final bit in the show involving his real-life friend but Hollywood foe Matt Damon.

That was scrapped however when Kimmel had to take the stage and try to sort through what was happening, which proved to be a challenge.

In that moment however, he was saved by Washington.

'I see Denzel Washington in the front row trying to get my attention. He's gesturing and he's pointing, I don't know what he's pointing, but he yells, "Barry,"' explained Kimmel.

He said that Washington's reference to 'Barry' initially confused him, and it was not until the two-time Oscar winner repeated himself that Kimmel figured out what he was trying to tell him.

'I realized that Barry Jenkins, the director of Moonlight, is standing behind me and Denzel wants me to get him to the microphone to make a speech,' said Kimmel.

He went on to say however that Jenkins speech was brief, as was that of his producing partner Adele Romanski.

'Then everyone just stood there kind of shell shocked,' said Kimmel.

'And I ended the show.'

Breaking it down: 'Thank God Denzel was there to make sense,' said Kimmel (above on Monday). 'So I listened to Denzel, as you should, and I went and I got Barry'

Great day: The 62-year-old actor, who has won two Oscars and been nominated eight times, looked ecstatic when he learned that Moonlight had won top honors (l to r: Meryl Streep, Don Gummer, Washington, Paulette, Davis and Tennon)

Seeing reds: Warren Beatty had a stern word with PricewaterhouseCoopers accountant Brian Cullinan on Sunday (above) after he gave him the wrong envelope

Washington's ability to successfully produce the the final moments of the Oscars telecast from his seat should come as no surprise given the fact that he has attended the ceremony seven times as a nominee, and twice left as a winner.

A victory on Sunday would have made him the first black person to ever win three Oscars.

Cameras inside the Dolby Theater caught the audience's exasperation and disbelief on Sunday when halfway through accepting the night's biggest honor, La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz approached the microphone and declared that Moonlight had in fact won Best Picture honors.

The revelation stunned Washington, who could not hide his excitement after learning the news.

He was seen looking at his wife Pauletta and Viola Davis to share his joy in the seconds after the mix-up was revealed, a response that was all the more remarkable considering that Washington was up for the same prize that night.

Washington earned nods for both Best Actor and Best Picture for his work on Fences.

Moonlight's win marked the first time that an LGBT movie and a film with an all-back cast has taken home the Academy's highest honor, one year after the group's complete lack of diversity among the nominees led to much public outcry.

The win likely had little to do with a response to that however, with Moonlight being hailed by critics and the public alike since its release last year, and leaving many in awe of Jenkins' abilities as a director and writer, for which he picked up a Screenplay Oscar on Sunday.

And it was not just Jenkins who Washington helped out in a big way on Sunday, with two of the night's biggest winners using their speeches to publicly herald the actor's talent.

Oh Captain: Viola Davis praised Washington (left) on Sunday after he directed her to her first Academy Award (right) for her work in Fences

Winner: He was also nominated for Best Actor but lost to Casey Affleck (above picking up his award), and would have become the first black person with three Oscars with a win in either category

Not now: It was unclear how Washington felt about the tribute Affleck gave him on stage, as he appeared to be upset and on the verge of tears when cameras cut to him in that moment (above)

First up was Davis while picking up the Oscar for Actress in a Supporting Role, which she won for her work in Fences.

'And oh captain, my captain, Denzel Washington,' said Davis, who was reprising the role of Rose to Washington's Troy after a 2010 Broadway run that won both actors Tony Awards.

'Thank you for putting two entities in the driving seat: August and God. And they served you well.'

Later in the evening, Manchester by the Sea star Casey Affleck also spoke about the impact Washington had on him as a young thespian after beating him out for Actor in a Leading Role.

'One of the first people who taught me how to act was Denzel Washington, and I just met him tonight for the first time. Thank you,' said Affleck.

It was unclear how Washington felt about the tribute however, as he appeared to be upset and on the verge of tears when cameras cut to him in that moment.

Affleck had been the early favorite to win the prize, but was losing ground to Washington in the weeks before the ceremony after losing the SAG Award to the 62-year-old star of such films as Glory, Malcolm X, Philadelphia and Training Day.

And while the Academy may not have declared him a winner on Sunday, they did make it clear where they feel Washington stands in the pantheon of American actors by putting him front and center at the ceremony in the seat directly next to 20-time Oscar nominee and three-time winner Meryl Streep.
A woman has spoken out after her grandmother's killer was stabbed to death on Sunday at a state prison in Alabama.

DeMarko Quinta Carlisle is the third state inmate to have been killed in 10 days.

Carlisle, 36, died from multiple stab wounds after an altercation in one of the dorms at Elmore Correctional Facility on Sunday, according to a statement from the Alabama Department of Corrections.

Carlisle was serving a life sentence after being convicted of murder and first-degree robbery in 1999, Alabama News reported.

DeMarko Quinta Carlisle (left) was stabbed to death Sunday at an Alabama prison. He had pleaded guilty to killing Jo Ann Watkins Busby (right) in April 1997

Tiffani Jewell, the granddaughter of victim 56-year-old Jo Ann Watkins Busby, told AL.com that Carlisle's death was a relief.

She said: 'For 20 years, this man has been a part of our lives. He took her away from us and left us with a pain that is indescribable, a pain that is so great, it changed who we were forever.'

Carlisle was denied parole two times and had a parole hearing scheduled for November of this year, AL.com reported.

Jewell had previously fought to keep Carlisle from being released, and had been behind a Change.org petition, according to the website's report.

Busby was killed outside a Kmart store, AL.com reported.

Jewell had written in her online petition: 'On April 1, 1997, Jo Ann Watkins Busby was visiting her oldest daughter, who had been recovering from an operation.

'Tired, she decided to go home after first making a stop at a local retail store to pick up a few items. She went into the store, picked up a few things, preceded to the check out, and headed back out of the store toward her car.

Prison officials said state inmates David Menuel Carter, left, and Corey Mirell Hughes, right, were detained as suspects in the attack

'After unlocking her doors and getting in the driver seat, two teenage boys approached her, one standing on either side of the car. Both of them had loaded guns pointed at her.

'They demanded her purse, which contained the money she would need to be able to support herself through the duration of the month.

'She refused and began honking the horn of her car, yelling for help. That is when DeMarko Quinta Carlisle pulled the trigger.'

Jewell's petition said her grandmother 'left behind two daughters, six grandchildren, one sister, and countless friends'.

Carlisle would plead guilty in 1999 to Busby's murder, and pleaded guilty to robbing people March 24, March 29, and later the evening of April 1, AL.com said.

Carlisle died from multiple stab wounds after an altercation in one of the dorms at Elmore Correctional Facility on Sunday

Prison officials said state inmates David Menuel Carter, 37, and Corey Mirell Hughes, 21, were detained as suspects in the attack on Carlisle.

The department said Carter and Hughes will be charged in Carlisle's death.

Jewell, per AL.com, wrote: 'I am not sorry he's dead. I am relieved in a way that I have never experienced before and I'm looking forward to getting to live a life where there is no war to fight.'

'I hope he was saved, but I am not sad he is gone. I do not feel sorry for him at all, in fact, it only seems fair that he didn't get to live and die peacefully of old age.

'I only feel sorry for his family because regardless of the monster he was, they loved him and today, they are in pain.

'I want to thank every person that has helped us keep him in prison, every person that signed the petitions, every person that wrote letters, every person who remembered who my Grammie was and talked about how she impacted their lives.

'Our fight is over.'

Grant Mickens (left) was stabbed to death at the same institution on February 16. The same day, David Sanders (left) was found beaten in his cell after an attack at the Staton Correctional Facility. He died on February 18

A motive for the stabbing is not known at this time, an Alabama Department of Corrections spokesman said.

It is the second stabbing death at the prison this month.

Grant Mickens was stabbed to death at the same institution on February 16, and another inmate was charged with his murder.

The same day, inmate David Sanders was found beaten in his cell after an attack at the Staton Correctional Facility in Elmore.

Sanders died from his injuries at a Montgomery hospital on February 18. Four inmates were detained as suspects in Sander's death.

Prison officials say the three killings aren't related.

Alabama prisons have been criticized for being overcrowded and understaffed.

The state prison system has experienced an increase in both inmate-on-inmate and inmate-on-officer assaults over the last six years. The increase has come along with a department staffing decline.

Elmore houses nearly twice the number of inmates the facility was originally designed to house. Staton houses nearly three times the number of inmates the facility was originally designed to house.

There were 195 assaults with serious injury last fiscal year in state prisons, according to Department of Corrections statistics.

Lawmakers are considering a proposal by Gov. Robert Bentley to construct new prisons and close older ones.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote Wednesday on the $800million project.
The Malaysian mogul who partnered with Donald Trump over a new Trump Tower that opened in Canada Tuesday says he was 'terrified' when Trump began his political run.

'I was terrified,' said Joo Kim of the Canada-based Holborn Development company, who inked a licensing deal that relies on the Trump name to add valuable status and brand equity for the project, although the Trump Organization doesn't own the new building.

He said he found it 'extremely stressful' when Trump got got into politics well after the two had entered into a partnership agreement.

'The people who ran the city were not happy with me,' he told the Associated Press. 'I was scared, but I think they understand. They understand that I'm trapped into - not trapped, locked into - an agreement,' he said, taking care in his language.

Joo Kim, 37, was on hand along with Trump sons Donald Jr. and Eric for the ribbon cutting of the latest valuable income source in the Trump Organization portfolio. It is the first overseas Trump project to open since President Trump took office.

Donald Trump Jr. comments during the grand opening of the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Vancouver, British Columbia. To his right is Joo Kim, the Malaysian tycoon who partnered with the project

Joo Kim is the son of tycoon Tony Tiah Thee Kian, one of Malaysia's richest men and a staunch Christian who built his fortune in stockbroking in the 1990s before expanding into real estate.

Also on hand was Tiffany Trump, the president's daughter with Marla Maples. She took on an increasing public role during her father's campaign and inauguration.

Eric and Donald Trump Jr. now run the Trump Organization along with an executive. President Trump says he put his business into a trust and has removed himself from running it.

Joo Kim wasn't able to foresee how the Trump brand would become more divisive after his partner sought and won a stunning presidential victory.

"I wanted a brand that would get me a lot of attention so that the public would, in turn, be impressed with me knowing I am responsible for the product," Joo Kim told The Star newspaper in Malaysia last year.

He flew to Washington D.C. for Trump's inauguration, and even posted a picture on Instagram of himself at the Liberty Ball, which the president attended.

Joo Kim has profited from the partnership: TA Global reported it earned $10.4 million from the Vancouver Trump project in 2015, representing 57 percent of its total profit.

Ignoring protests, claims their newest real estate venture clashes with Canadian values and a no-show mayor who tried to change the tower's name, Trump's sons said Tuesday that it was 'so fitting' to see the Trump brand in Vancouver, a city known for its diversity and progressive politics.

Donald Trump Jr. (C) jokes around and motions with a large pair of scissors toward the throat of his wife Vanessa Trump (R) while Too Kim Tiah (L) the CEO of TA Global, the owner and developer of Trump International Hotel and Tower Vancouver, looks on during the grand opening of the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Vancouver, British Columbia

RED TAPE: Joo Kim Tiah, CEO of the Holborn Group; Donald Trump Jr., his wife Vanessa Haydon, Eric Trump, and his wife Lara Yunaska cut the ribbon during a ceremony inaugurating the Trump International Hotel and tower in Vancouver

Lara Trump listens to the speeches during the grand opening of the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Protesters, some carrying posters proclaiming, 'Love Trumps Hate,' surrounded the entrance to the Trump hotel and condominium tower while police and security officers in black suits gathered on sidewalks at the soaring edifice, which has drawn praise for its sleek design but has also raised ethical concerns about the business interests of the new U.S. president.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, who had lobbied for the Trump name to be removed from the tower, refused to attend the ceremony in protest of Trump's policies on immigration and other matters. 'The name Trump has now become synonymous not with luxury and lifestyle, but with racism, sexism and intolerance,' said city Councilman Kerry Jang, who was among other city officials boycotting the event.

Despite the protests and controversy, however, the Trump brothers said Vancouver was the perfect location for a new Trump enterprise.

'Vancouver is truly one of the great cities of the world. It's truly one of the most beautiful places in the world and it's so fitting for the Trump brand,' Eric Trump said in a speech before the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

'The people who ran the city were not happy with me,' said Joo Kim Tiah, CEO of TA Global the owner and developer of Trump International Hotel and Tower Vancouver. He is seen winking toward Eric Trump during the grand opening of the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Vancouver

This photo taken the day of Trump's inauguration shows the still-under-construction Trump International Hotel and Tower in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The 69-story tower has drawn praise for its sleek, twisting design. Prices for the condominiums have set records. But the politics of President Donald Trump have caused such outrage that the mayor didn't attend the Feb. 28 grand opening and has lobbied for a name change

Calling the building an 'an architectural masterpiece,' he added: 'That's what our brand is all about. That's what our father's vision was all about, creating one of the most iconic buildings in the world.'

In true Trump fashion, Donald Jr. opened his remarks with a light-hearted swipe at the media. 'I'd like to thank the press,' he said before quickly adding: 'Just kidding. Good to see you here. I'm shocked. I'm absolutely shocked.'

Donald Jr. also thanked the tower's Malaysian developer, Joo Kim Tiah, whose father is one of Malaysia's wealthiest businessmen and who, like the U.S. president, made a fortune in real estate.

'It's great to be able to do this within a family business. I understand how that dynamic works,' Donald Jr. said. 'It either works great or it is a total disaster.'

The Trump Organization is licensing the name to the building and managing the hotel, but does not own it.

Ethics experts, including former top ethics lawyers for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, have called on President Trump to separate himself from his company properties, and even argued he may be violating the Constitution's Emoluments Clause by accepting any payment that can be linked to a foreign government.

As the opening ceremony took place Tuesday inside the gleaming 69-story tower, people carrying anti-Trump signs took part in a raucous demonstration to the sound of reggae music outside. Protesters crowded the building's entrance, including Henry Ho, who brought signs with messages that included 'Dump Trump,' and 'Is it 2020 yet?'

'I believe a president should be at his core a good person,' the Vancouver resident said. 'I don't feel like that comes from Donald Trump.'

While the Trump-branded tower is a source of anger for many, the new hotel and its namesake do have some support in the region.

FILE - In this June 19, 2013, file photo, Donald Trump gives a thumbs-up as he poses with Tiah Joo Kim, left, CEO and president of Holborn Group, upon arrival to announce the building of Trump International Hotel and Tower Vancouver in downtown Vancouver, Canada. Malaysian property developer Tiah got way more than he bargained for when he signed a licensing deal to use the Trump brand on the Trump International Hotel and Tower that he is opening on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 in Vancouver. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP)

'President and hotel owner are two different things. If he can separate the two, all the power to him,' said Joe Taylor, a resident of British Columbia. 'At least he's got the nerve to say what's on his mind. If people don't like it, well, they're not used to that.'

The Trump brothers did not take questions after the ceremony, though Donald Jr. later said in a tweet that the Trump Organization had received a record number of applications to work at the tower: 10,000 applications for 300 full time jobs.

A Trump Organization tweet late Monday asserted the tower was 'the first property to open in the city' in over six years. But the city's former planning director, Brent Toderian, said that wasn't true.

'I'm the former chief planner for #Vancouver. That's so far from being true, it's laughable,' Brent Toderian tweeted. The Trump Organization tweet was later deleted.

Located along an upscale six-lane downtown thoroughfare, the tower is the second-tallest in Vancouver and offers majestic mountain and ocean views. A one-bedroom apartment, at 699 square feet, starts around $1 million and the average 1,153-square-foot two-bedroom condo went for $1.7 million but has since gone up. Hotel rooms in the slow season start at around $228 ($300 Canadian).

The chief White House ethics lawyers under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama have criticized Trump's turning over control of his business to his sons, saying it does not eliminate potential conflicts of interest. Legal experts also say Trump's overseas businesses could violate the 'emoluments clause' of the U.S. constitution, which bars public officials from accepting payments or gifts from foreign governments or companies they control without the consent of Congress. A liberal-funded watchdog group has filed a lawsuit against Trump citing the clause.
A young Minneapolis father was sentenced to 20 years in prison after he beat his toddler daughter into critical condition

A young Minneapolis father was sentenced to 20 years in prison after he viciously beat his toddler daughter, leaving her in critical condition.

The 22-year-old father first told police his daughter had collided with another child before he took her to the hospital on January 3, 2016.

He later admitted in court he punched and kicked the 20-month year-old girl, and threw her against a wall.

Doctors immediately discovered injuries that weren't consistent with a common household fall, as was the father's original story.

They found hemorrhaging in the brain, rib fractures, pelvic fractures, spinal disk compression, a lacerated spleen and kidney, a broken tailbone and near-fatal blood poisoning, according to the Star-Tribune.

Doctors immediately discovered injuries that weren't consistent with a common household fall, as was the father's original story

Sexual assault charges were also filed in the incident but were dropped due to a plea deal after the father pleaded guilty to first-degree assault.

Semen was also reportedly found in her diaper and on her clothes that matched his DNA, according to an amended criminal complaint obtained by KSTP.

The father nor the daughter can be pictured or named due to the alleged sexual assault.

Doctors found hemorrhaging in the brain, rib fractures, pelvic fractures, spinal disk compression, a lacerated spleen and kidney, a broken tailbone and near-fatal blood poisoning

The child's mother was among three people who gave victim impact statements. She said the child's father called her that day while she was at work and told her he had been playing video games when he noticed that the toddler wasn't feeling well.

He then gave a number of different stories to police before admitting his guilt. He also said that he was at his uncle's house, where there was a sexual offender who was known to have done 'things to children' in the past. He claimed he left to purchase marijuana and when he returned he said he found his daughter injured.

Surveillance footage of the child's home, however, showed the father leaving for about an hour, then returning and making frantic contact with a neighbor, who then drove the father and daughter to the hospital.

Surveillance footage of the home, however, showed the father leaving for about an hour, then returning and making frantic contact with a neighbor, who then drove the father and daughter to the Hennepin County Medical Center

The child's mother recently gave birth to a newborn, of which the convicted abuser also is the father. He was stripped of all parental rights to the children and to another child he has with another woman in November of 2016.

Community members in Minnesota came together to support the mother on Martin Luther King Jr day that year after hearing of the incident.



Minneapolis Edison High School's Black Student Leadership Council put together gift bags for her and spoke with her about her daughter.

She said in court that she herself now struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The child has been recovering at Hennepin County Medical Center since the incident. The mother told the students that her daughter's breathing tube had been removed and that her eyes were now open all the time.

During the father's sentencing on Monday, Attorney Christina Warren said that it was a miracle the girl survived.
Arrested: Thara Memory (pictured) has been indicted on ten counts of sexual assault and one of harassment. He allegedly has four victims, two under 18 years old

A Grammy-award-winning jazz musician who works extensively with children has been accused of sexually abusing two women and two young girls in Oregon.

Thara John Memory, 68, who won a Grammy in 2013, runs a non-profit dedicated to introducing jazz to children and teens, teaches at a Portland elementary school and tutors students privately.

At least two of those the trumpeter is alleged to have groped were his students, Oregon Live reported.

Memory was indicted on Friday on eight counts of third-degree sex abuse; two counts of attempted third-degree sex abuse, and harassment.

Ten witnesses came before the court during the indictment, KGW reported.

He is alleged to have inappropriately touched the victims - two of whom were under 18 - on their breasts, mouths and cheeks between July 2013 and March 2016.

It's not yet known which of the four were his students, or whether the other two were also being taught by him.

The teacher was arrested after the end of a three-month investigation that began when one of his students filed a complaint with police.

As well as teaching privately, Memory led after-school jazz classes at Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School in Northeast Portland.

He also directs the nonprofit American Music Program, which teaches jazz to students in the seventh to 12th grades.

It's not clear whether Memory came into contact with his alleged victims through the school, the program or the private lessons he offers.

Winner: Memory won a Grammy in 2103 with Esperanza Spalding (left). There is no indication she is an alleged victim. He is accused of touching alleged victims on their breasts and mouths

The jazz player was booked into Multnomah County Jail after his arrest, and was later released. He suffers diabetes and was photographed at the jail wearing breathing apparatus.

He has been forbidden from having contact with any children.

His lawyer, Lisa Ludwig, told Oregon Live: 'We believe there's a lot more to this story and we're eager for it to come out.'

Detectives told Patch.com they believe that there may be more victims, and have asked anyone with information to come forward and speak to Detective Jeff Myers on 503-823-0595.

Memory was awarded a Grammy in 2013 alongside Esperanza Spalding, now 32, with whom he made the track 'City of Roses. He also mentored the young musician.

There is no indication that Spalding is one of his alleged victims.

Memory has also taught courses at Portland State University, Portland Community College and Marylhurst University.

He was also inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame and been recognized as the Jazz Society of Oregon's Musician of the Year.

His music program's bands have won awards across the country, including - in 2015 - the nation's most prestigious high-school jazz event, New York's Essentially Ellington.
Tribunal: Shooting HR boss Stephen Curtis branded Alasdair Mitchell 'a complete c**t' in front of colleagues  leaving him 'fearing for his safety', it is alleged

A former senior police officer who became HR boss at the UK's biggest pro-shooting group threatened to 'kill' a director during a hotel meltdown, a tribunal was told today.

Stephen Curtis branded Alasdair Mitchell 'a complete c**t' in front of colleagues  leaving him 'fearing for his safety', it is alleged.

It is claimed the incident happened during an executive meeting of British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), of which Prince Philip has been patron since 1967, in October 2014.

Mr Mitchell would later quit the organisation, which he said had a culture of 'horrendous bullying'.

A tribunal heard how Mr Curtis  then the group's HR and operational director  went up to Mr Mitchell and said: 'You are a complete c**t and if you ever cross me again, I will kill you.'

Mr Curtis  a former Chief Supt for North Wales police  denied making the threat but admitted using the C-word.

The 62-year-old is suing BASC for unfair dismissal after he was forced to resign in May last year.

He claims that despite being cleared of several allegations of bullying by two independent reports, the council began a conspiracy to have him sacked.

Dr Edward Morgan, for BASC, said Mr Curtis should have been a 'beacon of appropriate good behaviour' in his role as HR director.

He said: 'You spoke to him in an improper way, using expletives, including the phrase 'I will kill you'.

'The behaviour outlined within this, if true, constitutes as gross misconduct. Do you agree?'

Mr Curtis replied: 'Very likely.' He denied that alcohol altered his mood but admitted it could 'lower my inhibitions.'

He added: 'Language of that sort was not appropriate in the circumstances' but 'in a robust discussion' expletives would be used.

'I have little recollection of the exact words I said but what I did have was recollection of the context.

'I remember using the c-word because it was a word I used very rarely.'

Argument: Dr Edward Morgan, for BASC, said Mr Curtis should have been a 'beacon of appropriate good behaviour' but his behaviour constituted gross misconduct. Mr Curtis said he was cleared of this and is claiming unfair dismissal

The hearing  sitting at Chester Magistrates' Court, North Wales  was told that Mr Curtis was 'deeply ashamed and embarrassed' by his behaviour

He denied threatening to kill Mr Mitchell.

Rows: The rows between staff took place at the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), of which Prince Philip is patron

The tribunal  sitting at Chester Magistrates' Court, North Wales  was told that Mr Curtis was called in to see Chief Executive Richard Ali following a complaint over the incident.

Mr Curtis said: 'I was mortified when I later discovered what I had apparently said.

'I recognise that my actions on the evening were absolutely unacceptable and I am deeply ashamed and embarrassed.

'I had been I some horrendous situations in my 30 years of being a police officer and even then, had never acted in an aggressive way, even in violent situations.'

Mr Curtis received a reprimand and agreed to send a letter of apology.

But Dr Morgan said the ex-HR boss's behaviour amounted to gross misconduct and he had been dealt with too leniently.

The hearing was told that Mr Mitchell resigned in December 2015, because of the company's systematic failures to deal with bullying.

In his resignation letter he claimed he 'blew the whistle on horrendous bullying just over a year ago.'

The BASC council  based in Rossett, north Wales  asked Mr Mitchell to reconsider and he replied: 'only of the association was to agree to mount a proper, investigation into the very serious matters concerning bullying and corporate governance.'

The hearing was told that several complaints about Mr Curtis' behaviour towards staff had been made between September 2015 and February last year.

It is claimed that Mr Curtis later discovered that several council members had been asking staff if they had been bullied by him.

But the independent Prosser Report found no evidence of bullying and cleared Mr Curtis of any wrongdoing.

Intervention: The BASC's office in Rossett, pictured, which is between Chester and Wrexham, who say Mr Curtis acted inappropriately

In February 2016, he emailed Alan Jarrett, chairman of BASC, stating that: 'Certain members of council have been acting I what amounts to a concerted effort to besmirch my position and reputation and indeed I believe that significant damage has been done to me.'

When Mr Curtis was discovered the council had 'entirely rejected' the Prosser report and were to conduct their own investigation, he told the hearing that he felt he had no alternative but to resign.

He said: 'My belief that the rejection of Caroline Prosser's Report was the result of a malicious conspiracy.

'There is no doubt in my mind that the campaign against me has been the product of a conspiracy, originating with Alasdair Mitchell and involving a number of councillors, that I should be removed from the organisation.

'Council's refusal to accept the exoneration of me made it clear that I could not trust them at all.

'With the exception of my actions towards Alasdair Mitchell, I had never acted in a bullying, intimidating or threatening way towards anyone at BASC and Caroline Prosser's independent investigation had borne out.

'I can only see the decision to reject that report as the result of collusion between councillors to have me sacked and when I heard that council intended to have another inquiry, which they would control, I knew it was the end.

'I felt that I would be eaten alive during any council-controlled second investigation, and that council simply could not be trusted to act fairly towards me.'

Mr Curtis is claiming unfair dismissal on the grounds that he had to resign because council members wanted to sack him.

The hearing is expected to last five days.
A new report commissioned by Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted has found an additional 385 non-citizens on the voter rolls in the Buckeye State, with just 82 who voted in a recent election.

Seven non-citizens were found to have voted in the 2016 general election, according to numbers provided to DailyMail.com by Husted's Press Secretary Joshua Eck, who explained that the number could grow after future probes.

But this still throws water on the theory spouted by President Donald Trump that 'millions' voted illegally in the presidential election, which is the reason why his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, won the popular vote.

'In light of the national discussion about illegal voting it is important to inform our discussion with facts,' Husted, a Republican, said in a statement. 'The fact is voter fraud happens, it is rare and when it happens, we hold people accountable. '

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The Ohio secretary of state's office found only a tiny fraction of non-citizens on the voter rolls, 385, with just 82 voting in recent elections. Here, Columbus resident Elijah Ransom (pictured) early votes in the state, which President Donald Trump won

Several weeks after winning the presidential election, Donald Trump suggested he lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton because of the 'millions of people who voted illegally'

Since taking office, President Donald Trump has continued to make voter fraud claims, and while the Ohio secretary of state says voter fraud exists, he pointed out, 'it is rare'

During his tenure as secretary of state, Husted has reviewed Ohios Statewide Registered Voter Database three times since 2013.

During these investigations his team found 821 non-citizens on the state's voter rolls, with 126 instances of non-citizens voting.

The most recent study found 82 instances of non-citizen voting in both primary and general elections spread over the past six years.

The way the non-citizens are counted is that they have to self-identify as a non-citizen at the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, vote, and then return to the BMV and indicate again that they are a non-citizen.

That's how someone who voted in the 2016 election who's a non-citizen could have been excluded from this new survey, as they may not have returned to the BMV yet.

The new survey found 82 instances of non-citizen voting spread over the past six years, including seven 2016 general election voters

'For that reason, the 2016 number will likely grow as part of future reports because more time will have passed, allowing them to return to the BMV and create the second bookend,' Eck said over email.

The new survey found an additional 39 non-citizen voters who cast a ballot in the general election in 2012, another presidential year.

Five non-citizen voters were also found to have voted in the primary election last year, though the report didn't note which party's primary they participated in.

The new report found that none of the non-citizens voted in races where the winner was decided by one vote.

Husted said back in 2015 that in most cases non-citizens register to vote mistakenly.

They either register because they believe it will help their chances of becoming a citizen or believe it is a requirement to gain citizenship, according to Cleveland.com.

The Ohio secretary of state has probed the voter rolls three times in recent years and found 821 non-citizens, which accounts for .0049 percent of registered voters

The Ohio secretary of state said in 2015 that he believed non-citizens mostly registered to vote by mistake, thinking it's something they need to do to gain citizenship more easily

The head of Ohio's League of Women Voters criticized the secretary of state's office for not putting the non-citizen voting numbers in proper context, as they constitute a tiny percentage of registered voters

President Donald Trump has continued to talk about widespread voter fraud, though his aides have suggested he's speaking about dead people being on the rolls and Americans being registered to vote in two places, which is not illegal

The non-citizens found in the three reviews only account for .0049 percent of the 7.8 million registered voters in the state, Cleveland.com tabulated.

The head of Ohio's League of Women Voters criticized Husted for releasing the results of his probe, but not putting them in the proper context.

'In the current highly-charged political environment of border walls, bans on who may enter the country, and immigration raids, it is deeply troubling that a state government office would choose to issue a statement in bold letters proclaiming unlawful activity by non-citizens,' Executive Director Carrie Davis told Cleveland.com.

Davis pointed out that it's unclear how many people labeled non-citizens in the review are actually naturalized Americans.

'I have a responsibility to preserve the integrity of Ohio's elections system,' Husted said in a statement. 'When you consider that in Ohio we have had 112 elections decided by one vote or tied in the last three years, every case of illegal voting must be taken seriously and elections officials must have every resource available to them to respond accordingly.

In late November, less than three weeks after winning the presidential election, Trump began tweeting about widespread voter fraud.

'In addition to winning the Electoral College by a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally,' Trump tweeted on November 27.

Trump wasn't necessarily referring to instances of non-citizen voting and his team has defined voter fraud widely since then.

Trump, personally, suggested to senators earlier this month that there was voter fraud in New Hampshire because people were bused in from neighboring Massachusetts, a much bluer state.

New Hampshire officials have found zero evidence to indicate this was the case.

But White House officials, including Trump's domestic adviser Stephen Miller  who defended the president's New Hampshire claims  have broadened the definition too, pointing out how many dead people are on the rolls and how many people are registered to vote in two locations.

Neither of these offenses constitutes voter fraud.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the final day of Black History Month demonstrating his commitment to African-American colleges.

Trump is moving the initiative to boost Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) from the Department of Education, where advocates of the program say it received insufficient attention in Barack Obama's administration, to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

'This is a very important moment and a moment that means a great deal to me,' Trump said in the Oval Office.

The executive order will make HBCUs 'a priority again,' a senior administration official said, promising the 'full force of the White House' to the education initiative.

The measure had been applauded by HBCU advocates. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos courted controversy, however, when she said that the black colleges, which were by definition founded in the era of segregation, were proof of the success that the school choice policies she's pushing have had.

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Education Secretary Betsy DeVos courted controversy when she said that the black colleges, which were by definition founded in the era of segregation, were proof of the success that the school choice policies she's pushing have had

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the final day of Black History Month demonstrating his commitment to African-American colleges

He's pictured with leaders of historically black colleges yesterday during an impromptu meeting in the Oval Office

DeVos said in a Monday statement, 'HBCUs are real pioneers when it comes to school choice.

'They are living proof that when more options are provided to students, they are afforded greater access and greater quality. Their success has shown that more options help students flourish.'

Educators told Politico that they were 'floored' by the DeVos statement and called it a 'bit crazy.' Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill called it 'totally nuts.'

'HBCUs were created for African-Americans because they had no choice and were unable to attend schools due to segregation laws,' Austin Lane, president of Texas Southern University, said.

Lane was among a group of HBCU representatives who visited the White House yesterday and met with DeVos and Trump.

The Department of Education has since pointed out that DeVos also said schools with the HBCU designation 'started from the fact that there were too many students in America who did not have equal access to education.

'They saw that the system wasnt working, that there was an absence of opportunity, so they took it upon themselves to provide the solution.'

Trump's White House had hoped to put a spotlight on the Republican presidents outreach to the black community with the HBCU initiative signing.

The repositioning of HBCUs within the administration is on its face minor. But educators and industry organizations say the change could have significant results. Colleges under the HBCU umbrella now have a direct line to the White House.

Under Obama, the initiative to support the more than 100 higher education facilities in the United States founded before 1964 with the stated purpose of teaching African-American students got 'lost' in the Education Department, a Trump administration official said.

This White House says it intends the elevate and aid the institutions, which have a combined enrollment of some 300,000 students. The executive order Trump's signing today was to be a starting point.

Throughout February, Black History Month, the president and his senior staff have participated in listening sessions with HBCU leaders to identify regulatory changes that would benefit the colleges and universities.

Yesterday, senior White House officials, including Counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, Chief Strategist Steve Bannon and senior policy advisor Stephen Miller stopped by a meeting of nearly 70 HBCUs and advocacy organizations that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Vice President Mike Pence also attended.

Yesterday, senior White House officials, including Kellyanne Conway, pictured, stopped by a meeting of nearly 70 HBCUs and advocacy organizations. The president greeted many of them during a break in the Roosevelt Room talks that came at his request

The president greeted many of them during a break in the Roosevelt Room talks that came at his request.

'I don't think we've ever had this many people in the Oval Office,' he said as they gathered round to take a picture. 'This could be a new record, forever.'

The unexpected Oval Office gathering is an example of the president's hospitality, Pence later said.

'When he hears that there are wonderful people like yourselves in the White House, you see what happens.'

However, Dillard University President Walter Kimbrough complained afterward 'there was very little listening to HBCU presidents.'

Another meeting participant told DailyMail.com that the high-level engagement was more than HBCUs ever saw under the Obama administration.

'In eight years the Obama admin never had a convening of all of the HBCU presidents and chancellors. In February, March, April, May, June, July, all the way to December, never did it.'

Trump's executive order does not make additional departmental or regulatory changes to directly benefit HBCUs or provide them with additional gran money or other funding.

The president's executive order will make Historically Black Colleges and Universities 'a priority again,' a senior administration official said, promising the 'full force of the White House' to the education initiative

But the meeting participant told DailyMail.com that was to be expected. The president is only just beginning to work on his annual budget.

'The EO is not going to go into things that the president is not able to do. Executive orders I do not believe are designed to put out budget numbers.'

Yesterday's interactions with White House staff - 'that's part of the EO,' the source said.

'It's the fullness of what this White House is doing, I think is significant and can't be just boiled down to what might, or may not be in one EO.'

The text of the order that Trump signed this afternoon has not been released.

A senior administration official offered a preview during a briefing with reporters Monday evening, saying then that it was 'intended to make HBCUs a priority again.'

By moving the initiative to the White House, HBCUs will have access to executive departments and agencies that are not inside the Department of Education, the official said.

'This will also allow HBCUs to serve as a strategic partner to the Presidents urban agenda of creating jobs, revitalizing communities, and making inner cities safe again.'

Many HBCU enrollees are the first in the families to attend college. At some institutions, the majority rely on Pell Grants or scholarships to offset costs.

'Those first generation college students transform families and they transform a nation,' Pence told HBCU stakeholders yesterday, saying that grads 'add their own unique brush stroke to the beautiful American tapestry and the legacy of African Americans.

The vice president said in his remarks, 'America is unquestionably stronger because of the institutions that are represented here.

'You deserve far more credit than you get, and know that beginning today, this administration is committed to making sure that our historically black colleges and universities get the credit and the attention they deserve.'

Vice President Mike Pence told HBCU leaders yesterday, 'America is unquestionably stronger because of the institutions that are represented here.' DeVos and White House aide Omarosa Manigault are seen to his left

That focus will extend beyond Black History Month, the administration official who spoke to reporters on background signaled.

Talking about the HBCUs order last week and its timing, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said, 'Obviously, that is something that were committed to getting done by the end of Black History Month. So our days are numbered.

'But theres a commitment by the President and the staff to really focus on this issue and give it the proper respect that it deserves.'

The meeting participant who talked to DailyMail.com said even if the executive order was timed to Black History Month, at least Trump was signing it.

'I would say that past administrations could have done the same and they didn't,' the attendee said. 'During Black History Month President Obama had once a year to do this - and he never did it.'
The headmaster of a top private school has admitted he is looking to expel students to reduce pupil numbers because it is oversubscribed.

Toby Belfield, principal of Ruthin School in Denbighshire, Wales, also told parents that too many students are registered as 'sick' when they are just 'tired'.

He added he disapproved of relationships between pupils and claimed some of the school's sixth form girls dressed like they were going to a nightclub.

An email sent by Mr Belfield said there will be 'at least 25 too many students next September' and he intends to 'look at ways to reduce the number' by concentrating on breaches of school discipline.

Toby Belfield, principal of Ruthin School (pictured) in Denbighshire, Wales, told parents that too many students are registered as 'sick' when they are just 'tired'

Fees at the school, established in 1284, range from 10,500 a year for day students to 31,500 for full-boarders.

Outlining a strict set of rules, which include keeping bedrooms tidy, forbidding trips to the park, restaurants or takeaways and cracking down on smoking or drinking (even if of legal age), he said he will be 'personally inspecting' students' bedrooms to make sure that 'nothing goes against school rules'.

In the email, Mr Belfield said: 'The problem is very serious, because based on current numbers, we will have more boarders than bedrooms.

'I have already assumed 20 boarders will definitely leave based on academic performance.

'After we remove these 20 boarders, we will still have at least 25 too many students in our school... the simple solution is for me to remove at least an additional 25 boarding students from the school.'

Explaining how he will do this, he said: 'I am going to examine, very carefully, the behaviour of all boarding students.

'Reminder - no smoking, no drinking. If I identify any boarder that is a smoker or drinks alcohol against my strict rules, they WILL NOT return in September 2017.

'If any student signs out and goes somewhere else (eg the park - which is OUT OF BOUNDS to everyone) - they will not be allowed to return to Ruthin School.

An email sent by Mr Belfield (pictured) said there will be 'at least 25 too many students next September' and he intends to 'look at ways to reduce the number'

'I am going to examine academic progress. Everyone must do their best - lack of effort is a reason to leave Ruthin School.'

'Staff - if you know any student that is a smoker (or, for example, drinks alcohol in Ruthin) - let me know, so I can add them to the list of leavers, and let their parents know asap.'

The email added: 'I wish to reassure parents that if your child is well-behaved, follows the school rules and puts effort into their school work, then there is nothing to worry about.

'Regrettably, a small number of students do not follow the rules or do not try hard in their studies.

'These students can expect to have to find a new school in September 2017. I will not compromise on behaviour.'

Mr Belfield added: 'It is no surprise that so many students wish to come to Ruthin School as a result of our continued academic success and high percentage of students being admitted to Oxbridge and other top-ranking universities.

'I think it is entirely reasonable for any school to set their standards, and expect students to adhere to them.

'I am crystal clear, before any student is admitted to the school, about the rules that students need to follow.

'Ruthin School is an academic school, currently ranked fourth in the UK, with exceptionally high standards.

'All students are admitted to Ruthin School by my personal invitation, no-one has an automatic right to be educated at Ruthin School, and I will not hesitate to ask any student to leave should they not follow our very simple rules.

'As I have explained clearly to parents, if their son or daughter follows the school rules, and gives their best effort towards their academic studies, then they have absolutely nothing to worry about.

If this is the case, then the over-subscription will be dealt with by the creation of more boarding accommodation for September 2017.'

Mr Belfield hit the headlines in 2015 after claiming students forced to learn Welsh will become 'educationally weaker' than their English peers.
These are some pretty tough dogs... until the gate opens.

In a video that perfectly illustrates the saying 'all bark and no bite,' four dogs bark furiously at each through the bars of a driveway gate, only to quickly turn tail and run when it opens.

The hilarious video, filmed somewhere in Chile, starts with three dogs on the inside of a gate, and one dog outside of it. The outside dog leaps and snaps threateningly at the trio of inside dogs, who growl and bark back just as furiously.

Four dogs rush at each other, showing their toughness by barking at each other through the metal bars of a gate

Hold me back! As the gate slides open, the pups continue barking, but make sure to keep behind the bars

You ain't worth it! As soon as it appears they are free to get at each other's throats, the dogs turn and run away from each other

As the gate slowly begins to slide open, the dogs keep moving so they remain safely behind the bars.

When it opens completely, the dogs take a look at each other and swiftly decide their beef is over.

The hounds disperse, however, the outside dog comes back, as does one from inside, and just when you think things might finally heat up, the pooches give one last half-hearted 'woof' at each other before walking away.

If only all fights could end like this, what a peaceful world it would be.

And one more thing... The outside dog come back for the last word, but an inside dog also gives a last 'woof'
Amanda Telfer (pictured), 44, was killed when a gust of wind blew a window pane towards her and crushed her to death

A window frame weighing three-quarters of a ton which crushed a lawyer to death had been propped up against a wall because contractors were not allowed to store them inside, a court has heard.

Amanda Telfer (pictured) 44, was killed by a window pane after a gust of wind blew it over when she was passing the building site in Hanover Square, central London.

The intellectual property and media law specialist was pronounced dead at the scene just before midday on 30 August 2012.

The three construction companies involved in the project are now in court, accused of ignoring the obvious risks to public safety by leaving the frames - which measured 13m by 13m - outside.

Project managers Damian Lakin-Hall, 48, and Claire Gordon, 35, and window installer Kelvin Adsett, 63, are charged with gross negligence manslaughter and breaching a general duty at work.

Steve Rogers, 62, the senior project manager responsible for overseeing health and safety is charged with breaching a general duty at work.

The three companies accused of health and safety failures are the principal contractor Westgreen Construction Ltd, the manufacturer of the window frames Drawn Metal Limited, and the window installers IS Europe Ltd.

The Old Bailey was told how worried members of the public had noticed the window swaying in the wind.

Adsett - the boss of IS Europe - explained the frames had been delivered before the apertures were ready.

They were kept outside between delivery and installation because Westgreen wouldnt allow the mini-cranes inside the building, he said.

Westgreen told us we couldnt put them inside because the floor would need to be reinforced.

He said that when he realised the frames were going to be delivered early, he tried to contact the transport manager of the manufacturing company to get the delivery delayed but was unable to get hold of him.

I didnt realise the project had fallen behind schedule and design problems were continually arising - we were delayed because we had technical problems.

Project managers Damian Lakin-Hall (left), 48, and Claire Gordon (right), 35, are charged with gross negligence manslaughter and breaching a general duty at work

He said they werent ready for the frames when they arrived, but they had been forced to unload them anyway.

A number of things needed to be done. That area needed to be cleared ready for the operation to start, he said.

We had to unload them - the lorry was booked in and there were lorries coming behind.

Adsett and his colleagues were caught on CCTV having a discussion about where to place the windows.

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson QC said: It was your decision to put them there.

Adsett replied: We had a discussion.

But it was your decision to put them there? asked Mr Atkinson.

I put them there. It wasnt the first time. The first time [they were stored there] was on 22 August - about a week before.

Window installer Kelvin Adsett (left), 63, is also charged with gross negligence manslaughter. Steve Rogers (right), 62, the senior project manager responsible for overseeing health and safety is charged with breaching a general duty at work

Adsett told the court that he had spent most of his career fitting windows, including 20 years working on large housing developments in Germany. At one point he even changed his last name to Schultz to get more work.

He founded IS Europe when he returned to the UK, and said that Drawn Metal Ltd was his main client.

Mr Atkinson told the Old Bailey: There was a clear and serious risk posed by these window frames given their weight and size.

Indeed it was obvious to anyone they carried a clear and serious risk of death.

There were a series of obvious and straightforward steps that could have been taken to avoid that risk.

Mr Atkinson said the delivery of the windows could have been delayed until they were ready to be installed or stored properly rather than being left overnight on the public pavement leaning against the building.

The frames could also have been strapped down to prevent them falling over, it is claimed.

Mr Atkinson said: There was no proper plan in place for them to be lifted from the delivery vehicle and moved to the building or for them to be stored.

The process of unloading the large, heavy framed was undertaken without any measures to restrict the free movement of pedestrians.

The window frames were simply left on the public pavement overnight leaning against the building.

No efforts had been made to secure them, nor had any barrier been placed around them to protect members of the public using that busy thoroughfare.

Lakin-Hall, of Cobham, Surrey, Claire Gordon, of Leeds and Adsett, of Slough, Berkshire, all deny manslaughter and breaching a general duty at work.

Rogers, of Sheering Mill Lane, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, denies breaching a general duty of work.

IS Europe Ltd, from Slough, Westgreen Construction Ltd, from Richmond, Surrey, and Leeds-based Drawn Metal Ltd, all deny with breaching general duty of care to an employee and breaching general duty of care to a non-employee.

The trial continues.
Human remains discovered along a highway this month in Tennessee are those of a man who was reported missing in August after a woman answered a Craigslist ad to be his caregiver, authorities say.

The Fayette County Sheriff's Office says that the remains are those of Ellis Vogt, WMC-TV reports. A utility worker found his remains February 2 near Laconia.

Officials say a woman answered the Craigslist ad for someone to take care of Vogt. She was reported missing at the same time as Vogt.

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Human remains discovered along a highway this month in Tennessee are those of Ellis Vogt (left) who was reported missing in August after Pamela Bingham (right) answered a Craigslist ad to be his caregiver

A utility worker found Vogt's remains February 2 near Laconia in Tennessee

Bingham is a person of interest in Vogt's death, District Attorney Mike Dunavant says

Pamela Bingham was identified by District Attorney Mike Dunavant as the woman who answered the ad.

Bingham is a person of interest in Vogt's death, according to Dunavant.

A family friend went to see Vogt on July 29 and Bingham, known as 'Jaynie,' was present - and on July 30, the friend was unable to get in touch with Vogt, WMC reported, citing an affidavit.

Vogt's son Kenny arrived at the residence and his father, his father's van, and 'Jaynie' weren't there, the report said.

Bingham was later found driving Vogt's van in Guymon, Oklahoma

Vogt's Tennessee home is pictured in this grab taken from video

While asking for the help in finding Vogt, the Fayette County Sheriff's Office said in August 2016: 'Ellis has had a previous stroke, is partially disabled, and on daily medications, which were also missing.'

Bingham was later found driving Vogt's van in Guymon, Oklahoma.

She was charged with stealing Vogt's van and is jailed in Fayette County.

Bingham's held on $250,000 bond, according to WMC.
When you're running the country, the last thing you want is an empty stomach.

But Theresa May is set to test her own willpower this Lent by giving up crisps.

The Prime Minister's spokesman revealed that the devout Anglican will be taking up the challenge in the run-up to Easter.

But given her frantic schedule over the next 40 days, including the Budget, battles over the Brexit Bill and triggering Article 50, staying away from her favourite salt and vinegar snacks could prove difficult.

Theresa May is often pictured attending Church in her Maidenhead constituency with husband Philip on Sundays

The unusual revelation emerged during a briefing for journalists at Westminster today.

The No10 spokesman declined to say whether Mrs May - who is diabetic - prefers any particular brand, or how often she eats them.

'I don't know how many packets of crisps the Prime Minister consumes per week, per day or per month, but she will be giving them up,' he said.

Mrs May has previously spoken of her deep faith, and how it helps her make difficult political decisions.

The PM is the daughter of a vicar and her membership of the Church of England 'lies behind' a lot of her work running the country.

She is pictured attending Church in her Maidenhead constituency with husband Philip most Sundays.

'I suppose there is something in terms of faith, I am a practising member of the Church of England and so forth, that lies behind what I do. It's not like I've decided to do what I'm going to do and I'm stubborn,' she told the Sunday Times in an interview last year.

'I'll think it through, have a gut instinct, look at the evidence, work through the arguments, because you have to think through the unintended consequences.

'But ultimately, if you've done all that and you believe it's the right thing to do , then you should go and do it  but sometimes it is difficult.'

Christians traditionally choose something they enjoy to give up between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, as a form of penance to mark the suffering of Jesus in the desert and his death and resurrection.
Steve Bannon played three-dimensional chess with the White House's ill-fated rollout of Donald Trump's travel ban executive order, according to a new report.

Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that the president's chief strategist counted on protests from outraged liberals to draw national attention to a policy banning incoming travelers from seven countries.

He believed the demonstrations would also galvanize Trump's base of support, according to an unnamed senior administration official cited in the report.

That scenario, if true, would explain why the White House rushed the executive order to Trump for his signature on a Friday afternoon when potential protesters were preparing for a work-free weekend.

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White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon baited liberal protesters into making the president's January 27 travel ban rollout a front-page story, according to a new report

Protesters obliged, with scenes like this one at New York City's John F. Kennedy airport, but polls showed no public-opinion groundswell of support afterward

Outrage from the left followed the January 27 rollout as expected, with protests springig up at airports large and small as noncitizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen were turned away or blocked from boarding planes in their home countries.

National TV coverage captured the drama of marchers and sign-waving demonstrators, plus occasional moments of violence.

But Trump's base never seemed to rally. Instead, conservative Republicans in Congress rushed to distance themselves from the president's big move.

Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa warned that the president could be 'inadvertently penalizing our allies.' Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska fretted that the U.S. was signaling 'that the U.S. sees all Muslims as jihadis' since the targeted countries are all Muslim-majority.

The nugget about Bannon (right), which he has not confirmed, came in a feature story about White House domestic policy chief Stephen Miller (left)

Protesters paralyzed O'Hare International Airport in Chicago the day after the travel ban rollout after more than a dozen people were detained entering the United States

Protesters like this man framed the Trump policy as an anti-Muslim plan since the seven target countries all have majority-Muslim populations

And polling conducted over the ensuing days failed to show a consistent 'bump' of support for the policy as the administration faced one problem after another with its rollout tactics.

Between 42 and 52 per cent of Americans supported the 90-day travel ban order in its first week, depending on how pollsters worded thir questions.

The most recent surveys show approval percentages for the policy slipping into the low-40s, with one Pew Research Center poll finding just 38 per cent of Americans are in Trump's corner.

Some law enforcement officials and homeland security agencies were confused about whether or not the order restricted green card holders from returning to America from targeted countries.

Many members of Congress were miffed that the administration didn't consult with them first.

Bannon seldom speaks in public about his work, but delivered interview-style remarks at last week's Conservative Political Action Conference near Washington, D.C.

Trump said this month that his preference would have been to give lawmakers a week or a month notice before springing his plan into action; Bannon reportedly pulled the trigger quickly in order to spur protests

And judges quickly moved in to put a freeze on the entire program. One such case led the White House to write a second version of the executive order, expected to be released this week.

Trump later said that he had wanted to give lawmakers and federal agencies between a week and a month to prepare for implementing his travel ban, but became convinced that a heads-up would leak out and spur a quick mass-migration of would-be terrorists into the U.S.

That position would have put him at odds with what Bloomberg reports about Bannon, who is painted as a strategic missile whose collateral damage was left to chance.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said cutting immigration and protecting 'ethnic homogeneity' is vital for the country's economic success.

Addressing the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Budapest on Tuesday, Orban said that improving competitiveness was not the only way to bolster economic growth and 'enhance the value' of the 'homeland'.

He said: 'How to do this? First, by preserving ethnic homogeneity.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said protecting the country's 'ethnic homogeneity' is vital for the country's economic success

'One can say such things now, which you would have been executed for during the past few years, as life has proven that too much mixing causes trouble.'

Orban's comments come despite the fact the country is currently facing a worker shortage.

Hungary's population, like those of many European nations, has a mix of ethnic backgrounds, but Orban said this diversity 'is within a certain band ethnically... within one civilisation'.

Orban, an admirer of US President Donald Trump, has called the wave of mostly Muslim migrants into Europe since 2015 a threat to the continent's cultural and religious heritage.

He has built border fences to try to keep them out.

Hungary's government 'cannot risk changing the fundamental ethnic character of the country,' he said.

Orban said in a speech to the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry that 'too much mixing causes trouble'

He added: 'That would not enhance the value of the country but downgrade it instead, and toss it into chaos.'

He also claimed that limited diversity was culturally important because 'the problem of parallel societies is undesirable,' an allusion to worries that societies unable to integrate migrants can increase crime levels and terrorism.

Hungary, an EU member with a record-low unemployment rate of just above four percent, is facing an acute shortage of workers, with many employers saying they are struggling to fill vacancies.

He has called the wave of migrants into Europe since 2015 a threat to the continent's cultural and religious heritage

But Orban warned against a recourse to so-called 'guest worker' programmes, saying he would support them only on an ad hoc basis for short-term contracts.

'I would not like to see the country drift toward a situation where lower-skilled work would only be carried out by foreigners,' he said.

'We ourselves have to do the work required to keep our country going, from scrubbing toilets to nuclear science,' he said.
A stalker who sent 'disturbing' letters to Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox (pictured) bought her home address details for 17 online and was later found with child abuse images on his images

A stalker who sent 'disturbing' letters to Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox bought her home address details for 17 online and was later found with child abuse images on his computer, a court heard.

Anthony Collins, 49, admitted harassment after sending a string of letters to the star's family home.

The court heard how Ms Cox - also known as Sara Cyzer - first received a hand-written envelope on January 24 which contained photographs and notes written in felt tip pen.

In the note, Collins said he was 'lonely' and 'severely psychologically disturbed' and suffered from depression, bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia.

An extract read aloud in court by prosecutor Paul Edwards said: 'Sara I am Tony Collins I'm 49 years old and tall with green eyes.

'I know who you are married to and that he is a successful man. I am not a successful man.

'Sara I like dogs and horses. Beano your terrier is cute. I hear you like horses, I do as well.'

The letter went on to include his mobile phone sim card number, his address and asked her to invite him to the BBC studios.

A second letter revealed he had bought her home address in Brent, London, for 17 on social media.

He said she was a 'sexy, attractive and all-round fantastic woman'.

The court was told how her husband Ben Cyzer received a letter at his work address on February 7, which containing a picture of the mother-of-three holding a child.

It asked Mr Cyzer to call a phone number and was signed 'from Tony Collins, 49'.

The envelope also contained a scientific diagram printed from the internet which was labelled 'cancer analysis'.

The 42-year-old DJ contacted police the following day. A raid of his home revealed Collins, from Chatham, Kent, had a forged BBC pass and indecent images of children on his computer.

Police also found he had carried out a Google search to locate the address of the DJ's father.

Collins admitted harassment without violence, two counts of possessing indecent images of a child and two counts of making indecent images of a child at a hearing at Medway Magistrates' Court on February 11.

Antony Collins, 49, sent letters to both Sara Cox and her husband Ben Cyzer (with whom she is pictured)

Appearing at the same court via video link from HMP Elmley today, the case was committed to crown court for sentencing at later date.

Prosecutor Mr Edwards told the court the DJ had been terrorised by the letters.

He said: 'The victim was placed in great fear by the nature of the letters.

'It is not so much the nature in terms of threats but it's clearly that this person is stalking, doing a lot of research and telling her he's a danger.'

Appearing in a prison issue tracksuit with no legal representation he told the court he lived alone and has 'extensive mental health disorders'.

He made no application for bail.

A probation worker told chairman of the bench Veenod Rama that Collins' history of stalking is 'extremely concerning' and said: 'In my view it is a case for custody because I think his risk is extremely high.'
A devastated wife and mother is now planning three funerals after a small plane crash killed her husband and their two young children in Utah.

The bodies of Mormon bishop, Randall Wells, along with his eight-year-old son, Asher, and three-year-old daughter, Sarah, were found by searchers Monday morning, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

Wells, who oversaw the 3rd Ward of the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, leaves behind his pregnant wife, Kristin Wells.

Devastated wife and mother, Kristin Wells (right), is now planning three funerals after a small plane crash killed her husband, Randall Wells (second from left) and two young children, eight-year-old Asher (left) and three-year-old Sarah (second from right) in Utah over the weekend

The bodies of Mormon bishop, Randall Wells, along with his son, Asher (left), and daughter, Sarah (right), were found by searchers Monday morning. The tragic accident comes just a week after Wells' wife found out she was 20 weeks pregnant with a baby girl

The expecting mother is currently planning the three funerals for her beloved family just a week after they found out she's 20 weeks pregnant with a baby girl.

Randall Wells and his children died when their single-engine Cessna 172 went down over the weekend near Iron County's line with Garfield County, authorities told the Tribune.

Garfield County sheriff's spokeswoman Denise Dastrup confirmed that there were 'no survivors' over the weekend.

According to a GoFundMe page, Wells 'was an avid outdoorsman who loved laughing and was an amazing father to his two children and a loving husband'.

'Randy was a beacon in the community. ... Kristin is now tasked with the heartbreaking job of planning three funerals at once.'

The plane had taken off Saturday from a Phoenix airport en route to Salt Lake County, Dastrup said.

Randall Wells (pictured) and his children died when their single-engine Cessna 172 went down over the weekend near Iron County's line with Garfield County. The plane had taken off Saturday from a Phoenix airport en route to Salt Lake County

The Cessna disappeared about 17 miles northwest of Wilson Peak about 8.30pm Saturday. More than 100 searchers (pictured) combed the area on foot, horseback, ATVs and in helicopters. A helicopter finally spotted the plane shortly before 11am Monday morning

It disappeared about 17 miles northwest of Wilson Peak about 8.30pm Saturday.

Wells' family told Fox 13 News that they last heard from Wells through a text message that came in around 10pm Saturday night saying he was flying in the Bryce Canyon area on his way back to Salt Lake City.

More than 100 searchers combed the area on foot, horseback, ATVs and in helicopters. A helicopter finally spotted the plane shortly before 11am Monday morning, according to the Tribune.

Search-and-rescue ground crews reached the crash site around 11.50am. Wells' family and friends were among those who helped with the search Monday.

Many from the search party went to the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where members of the ward Wells oversaw joined in prayer for his wife.

Wendy Davis, a member of his ward, told the newspaper she thought of Wells as 'my friend first and my bishop second'.
Police investigating the disappearance of toddler Katrice Lee over 35 years ago today released a picture of the man they believe to be responsible after a new witness came forward.

The British youngster vanished on her second birthday during a shopping trip in Paderborn, West Germany, in 1981.

Her father Richard was stationed with the British army there.

Police have releassed an efit of the man they believe to be responsible for the abduction of two-year-old Katrice Lee in 1981

An eyewitness saw a man carrying a small child in the area Katrice was taken from into a green saloon car.

She was last seen in a Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI) shopping complex in Schloss Neuhaus, near to where her parents were living at the time.

The abduction bears remarkable similarities to the BBC TV series The Missing, in which a soldier's daughter on a German army base is abducted into a vehicle by a mystery man.

Katrice's mother, Sharon, and sister, Natasha, both of Gosport, Hampshire, welcomed the breakthrough today, after an e-fit was released of the man police are now seeking.

The toddler vanished during a shopping trip with mother Sharon in Germany. Her father was stationed with the British Army at the time. Pictured right with older sister Natasha

An eyewitness saw a man putting a small child into a green saloon vehicle in the same area where Katrice vanished. Pictured, mother Sharon welcomed the breakthrough

Sharon added: 'Today I could be sitting here being a grandmother and I know nothing about that.

'I've missed my daughter growing up, I've missed her teenage years.

'On Mother's Day I'm always a card short.'

International appeals made since her disappearance have failed to help find the toddler, but her heartbroken family have never given up hope of Katrice still being alive.

A fresh probe into the case was launched in 2012 after police admitted that mistakes were made in the investigation into her disappearance.

Katrice vanished while she was shopping for party food with her mum on November 28, 1981 - her second birthday.

Katrice was shopping for party food with her mother on her second birthday when she vanished. fresh probe into the case was launched in 2012 after police admitted that mistakes were made in the investigation into her disappearance

Pictured, Natasha, left, with Katrice and mother Sharon. Katrice would now be 37 and Natasha and Sharon continue to campaign for access to the original case files

When her mother Sharon turned round after paying for goods at the counter, Katrice had gone and has not been seen since.

The revelation that a witness may have seen Katrice, who would now be 37, being taken comes as both Sharon and Natasha continue to campaign for access to the original case files from the military police investigation.

Speaking two years ago, Sharon said: 'I believe that had the 1981 case been conducted correctly, we may have had Katrice back now.'

Sharon said two years ago: 'I believe that had the 1981 case been conducted correctly, we may have had Katrice back now'. Pictured, sister Natasha who continues to campaign for Katrice

Then Prime Minister David Cameron said in 2015 that he would meet with the Katrice's family, but felt it would be best to do so after the new investigation had been completed.

Mr Cameron said: 'If they [Katrice's family] want to meet me I'm always happy to meet with families.

'It may be better to meet after the investigation has been completed because I don't want to speculate really on what the investigation is doing and when it might finish.'

The Royal Military Police have appealed for anyone with information or who recognises the e-fit to contact them with information

Natasha welcomed his offer at the time, saying: 'We want the case files from 1981. We want him to step up to the mark.

'We should all be treated the same - one missing child is no different to the next.'

The Royal Military Police have appealed for anyone with information or who recognises the e-fit to contact them with information.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to kill 'ninja-criminal policemen' who are still involved in the illegal drug trading after facing disciplinary action.

The threat came as it emerged some 250 corrupt officers failed to turn up to a re-deployment flight.

Last week only 17 per cent of those due to take a flight to Basilan, southern Philippines, showed up at Pasay City's Villamor Airbase for their flight, reported Gulf News.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (pictured) has vowed to kill 'ninja-criminal' corrupt policemen

President Duterte said: 'They should be subjected to summary dismissal. I have requested the police to form particularly a squad that will watch over the dismissed policemen.

'Most of them  the ninja-criminal policemen  are high on the [target] list.'

He added that he would not spare any rogue officer stating: 'You will be killed, if you make a mistake, you will be killed. That's for sure.'

Last month Duterte withdrew the police force from his drug war and denounced the force as 'corrupt to the core. Pictured: Policemen guard a crime scene where the body of an alleged criminal lies on the street in Manila in December 2016

Last month Duterte withdrew the police force from his drug war and denounced the force as 'corrupt to the core'.

However, he announced today that he would recall officers to fight against the illegal trade.

'I need more men and I have to call back the police again,' Duterte told reporters, adding he had instructed his police chief to find young officers who were not corrupt to join anti-drug groups.

'At yesterday's command conference I ordered (him) to recruit young men in the Philippine National Police who are imbued with the fervour of patriotism,' he said.

Duterte won presidential elections last year after promising to eradicate drugs in society by killing tens of thousands of people. Pictured: Duterte (L) talks to Philippine National Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa (R) during a press conference in Manila on January 30, 2017

Duterte announced today that he would recall officers to fight against the illegal trade. Graphic charting drug-related killings in the Philippines since July 2016

Duterte won presidential elections last year after promising to eradicate drugs in society by killing tens of thousands of people.

Since then, police have reported killing more than 2,550 people, while more than 4,000 others have died in unexplained circumstances, according to official figures.

Duterte had been unrepentant in the face of widespread international criticism of the drug war, including accusations the police were murdering people for their own gain and organising anonymous vigilante death squads.
Disturbing photos taken inside a Veterans Administration hospital have emerged on social media showing an elderly patient laying on the floor and another apparently doubled over with pain in a wheelchair.

The unsettling images were taken by former US Marine Stephen McMenamin and his wife, Hanna, and posted on Facebook.

The shocking images sparked fury online and triggered an internal investigation at the hospital in Durham, North Carolina.

The head of the medical center says an employee involved in Friday's incident has been removed from patient care pending the results of the internal review.

Mr McMenamin arrived at the hospital with his wife on Friday seeking treatment for severe lower back pain and claimed to have witnessed two veterans who were struggling in the waiting room.

Heart-rending: Hanna McMenamin snapped this image at the Durham VA hospital in North Carolina showing a patient stretched out on the floor of the waiting room on Friday

A short time before he ended up on the floor, the senior in a protective mask arrived at the hospital unable to breathe or walk

McMenamin also photographed another patient, later identified as Vietnam War veteran Jesse Lee, writhing in pain in his wheelchair. In the photo, his face is obscured to protect his privacy

The husband and wife said both older men were ignored for hours despite complaining of severe pain. They said one practically fell out of his wheelchair, and the other finally lay down on the floor after being denied a place to rest.

Jesse Lee, a Vietnam veteran, told WRAL-TV that he's the man in the wheelchair seen in McMenamin's photo. He said he went to the VA for severe phantom pains after a leg amputation.

'Somebody in real bad pain should be seen,' Lee said. 'It felt like a railroad spike was going through my foot. It's like one of the worst pains you've ever felt in your life.'

Whistleblowers: Hanna accompanied her ex-Marine husband to the VA medical center to seek treatment for severe lower back pain

Lee said he was forced to wait for hours before he got medical attention.

McMenamin said a particular VA nurse appeared to ignore the pleas from patients.

The other man was 'very shaky, trembling and he was asking for help. He was getting pretty desperate,' Stephen McMenamin said.

Hanna McMenamin recounted in her original post how the wheelchair-bound patient spent at least three hours in the waiting room, and that during that entire time no one paid him any attention until she approached a nurse and asked to check on him.

The man bent over grabbing the chair, was yelling in pain and was borderline convulsing and almost falling out of his chair he was in so much pain, she wrote.

The other elderly patient who was depicted lying on the floor arrived at the hospital unable to breathe, walk or sit up, Mrs McMenamin claimed. He allegedly told a nurse he needed to lay day, but she told him to have a seat.

Mrs McMenamin wrote in a Facebook post that one nurse in particular was very rude to the veterans in the waiting room at the Durham VA (pictured) and they were ignored

Stephen McMenamin then offered the ailing senior citizen his reclining chair, but 15 minutes later, the nurse ordered him to get up at once, despite his protestations that he could not sit up, Hannas post stated.

She completely disregarded him and demanded he go sit in the waiting room area, leaving the recliner completely empty. Upon seeing this, and seeing how rude the nurse was being, my husband approached the nurse and asked why this man was not allowed to stay in the recliner given that my husband had been sitting in it for 30 plus minutes.

The nurse refused to provide any explanation or even her name, and stormed off while this man was still struggling.

Eventually, Mrs McMenamin wrote that the patient stretched out on the floor, using his bag of medications as a pillow.

'That's somebody's dad, that's somebody's grandfather,' Hanna McMenamin said.

Damage control: Medical Center Director DeAnne Seekins has said disrespecting veterans will not be tolerated

About five minutes later, security guards helped the man up and he was escorted out of the waiting room, McMenamin told ABC11.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the couple's post featuring the photos has been shared more than 115,000 times.

In an update shared on her Facebook page on Monday, Hanna McMenamin said, 'the VA is NOT happy about the photos I have posted.' She said the medical center has made several requests to take down the image, arguing lack of consent from the patients, even though their faces had been obscured in the post, and hinting at possible legal action.

Publicly, however, Medical Center Director DeAnne Seekins has thanked the couple for alerting them to the problem, and said disrespecting veterans will not be tolerated.

'It is an honor to serve America's heroes and actions that do not align with our core values will not be tolerated,' she said in a statement. 'We pride ourselves on providing the highest quality care to the Veterans we serve and being responsive to our patient's needs. Veterans deserve nothing less.'
One half of the Peru Two has been photographed once again on a beach prompting speculation she is readying herself for a stint on reality TV.

Michaella McCollum was snapped in a revealing green swimsuit sitting on the sand and paddling in the surf in Spain.

The 24-year-old from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, was jailed in Peru in 2013 for attempting to smuggle 1.5million cocaine out of the country to Spain with another woman, Melissa Reid.

Michaella McCollum with sunglasses on her head and holding a phone with red-nailed hands

McCollumm hoiking up her green swimsuit as she stands in the sand on the beach in Spain

The 24-year-old wanders through surf with her swimsuit tucked in to reveal her buttocks

Michaella McCollum is all smiles as she walks through the shallow water on the Spanish beach

One half of the Peru Two, walks in water halfway up to her shins on another trip to Spain

McCollum adjusts the straps on her swimsuit (left) and the sunglasses on her head (right)

Walking with her phone in her right hand, McCollum turns her head around to look out to sea

The drugs mule leans down, bending over her black handbag to reach her belongings

McCollum (pictured) was jailed in Peru in 2013 for attempting to smuggle 1.5million of drugs

Revealing green swimsuit leaves little to the imagination as McCollum walks along the beach

The 24-year-old smirks at her phone as she sits down in the sand in Spain

McCollum in the water in Spain - the country to which she tried to smuggle cocaine into

Birds flap their wings as they divebomb the water in front of Michaella McCollum

The 24-year-old from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, closes her eyes as she walks along

McCollum had travelled to South America to carry out the drug smuggling plot at the beginning of August 2013, after hatching the criminal plan in the Balearic island Ibiza where she had moved just two months earlier to work as a dancer in a bar for the summer.

Just months after returning home, pictures emerged showing her enjoying new found freedom with a break in Marbella, Spain.

Despite the part Spain played in her trafficking plot, it appears to be a favourite destination for her after new pictures emerged of her enjoying time on the beach.

A wave breaks as Michaella McCollum walks limp-wristed along the beach in Spain

Despite the part Spain played in her trafficking plot, it appears to be a favourite destination

Michaella McCollum taking a selfie or a picture as she sits in the sand on the beach in Spain

One half of the Peru Two adjusts her swimsuit at the sides on the sandy beach in Spain

Michaella McCollum flicks her hair with one hand as she holds her phone in the other (left)

The green swimsuit revealing Michaella McCollum's buttocks as she walks along the beach

The cocaine smuggler takes a moment to sit down and check her phone on the Spanish beach

The pictures of McCollum were taken before she flew Ireland on the weekend for the rugby

Earlier this month, McCollum (pictured) posted a thank you message on Facebook

In the message, the 24-year-old thanked 'everyone who has supported her and her family

'It has been a long ride to get where I am today but it just shows that when we fight hard enough for something we can achieve it,' McCollum (pictured) said

McCollum (pictured) wrote: 'Something to have in mind when one door closes, another opens.'

McCollum with he head down and sunglasses resting on top of it as she heads for the water

On the weekend she was spotted on a balcony in her home city, drinking and speaking on the phone, before coming down to street level.

She was wearing an Ireland rugby shirt - and not much else.

Earlier this month, she posted a message on Facebook thanking 'everyone who has supported myself and family through these past few years.'

The post read: 'Please know I truly appreciate each one who cared and had my back.

'Thank you for all the sweet messages I have not got reading them all just yet or got a chance to reply to them but I will definitely make a good attempt to get back to you all.

'It has been a long ride to get where I am today but it just shows that when we fight hard enough for something we can achieve it.

'Something to have in mind when one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.'

The 24-year-old was dressed in little more than an Ireland rugby shirt as she chatted with a friend on the balcony

She then took a phone call. McCollum was released on parole last March after serving less than half of her sentence

She later came down to street level to continue her telephone conversation

McCollum had travelled to South America to carry out the drug smuggling plot at the beginning of August 2013

McCollum returned home in August last year after reportedly doing a deal with Peruvian authorities.

She and Reid - dubbed the 'Peru Two'  had each been sentenced to six years and eight months in jail after admitting to trying to smuggle cocaine out of the country.

The pair, who initially protested their innocence, were found in possession of 11kg of cocaine hidden inside food packets in their luggage as they prepared to board a flight from Lima to Madrid.

McCollum, pictured handcuffed as she arrives for a court hearing, in Lima, Peru, on December 17, 2013

The 24-year-old (left) from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, was jailed in Peru in 2013 for attempting to smuggle 1.5 million of cocaine out of the country with fellow Briton Melissa Reid (right)

Just months after returning home, pictures emerged showing her enjoying new found freedom with a break in Marbella, Spain

Yesterday, images showed her wearing gym clothes - including a pair of striped leggings - and sunglasses as she checked out the local markets

McCollum was released on parole last March after serving less than half of her sentence but was initially required to stay in Peru, where she carried out voluntary work.

Reid was released from prison in June last year, flying back to Scotland shortly afterwards.

Speaking previously about her experience in Lima's Ancon 2 prison, McCollum described how she shared a cell with seven other prisoners including Reid, sleeping on concrete bunks and using a hole in the floor as a lavatory.

Earlier this week, McCollum was seen relaxing on the beach in Marbella in a bikini

Despite the harsh conditions, she told Mail On Sunday 'of course you have laughs in there' and said she adjusted to life in jail by running a beauty salon and participating in dance competitions.

She secretly took the pictures on a mobile phone she got by bribing a prison guard, in order to reassure her family that she was coping with the harsh reality of her situation.

One photograph showed her crouching alongside other inmates as she blew out candles on a cake they made for her 22nd birthday.
This hyperactive silverback gorilla threw a branch at visitors to a zoo before bounding madly around his enclosure.

A crowd of children screamed as the projectile was hurled in their direction, while other people burst into laughter.

The gorilla ran up a grass mound in his enclosure at the Kolmarden Wildlife Park in Sweden before throwing another stick at a man, who caught it in his hand.

A crowd of children (left) screamed as the projectile was hurled in their direction, while other people burst into laughter

He then began wrestling other gorillas in the enclosure, who reciprocated by chasing after him.

Silverback gorillas are native to the forests of central Africa and are the largest living primates.

Last October, one of the animals escaped from its enclosure in London Zoo, prompting armed police to be called.

The gorilla was on the loose for an hour before keepers managed to tranquilise him. The zoo insisted visitors were never in any danger.

In May, a gorilla was shot dead by keepers after it grabbed a four-year-old boy who fell into a moat at a US zoo.

Harambe, a 17-year-old, 400-pound-plus male western lowland, was killed after he dragged the youngster around for 10 minutes.

The gorilla ran up a grass mound in his enclosure at the Kolmarden Wildlife Park in Sweden before throwing another stick at a man, who caught it in his hand
Officers said they were increasingly concerned about Viktor Ivanelo (pictured)

Worried police searching for a missing university student today said his belongings were found by a horse track miles from where he was last seen leaving a friend's home in the middle of the night.

Officers said they were increasingly concerned about Viktor Ivanelo, 21, after he left the house in Esher, Surrey without putting on his glasses at 2am on Sunday and no one has heard from him since.

The University of Surrey student was reported missing within hours of leaving the address.

Surrey Police search teams found a number of his belongings some four miles away just before noon by the side of a horse track in Chessington.

A police spokesman said: 'Viktor Ivanelo left the address in Esher around 2am and has not been seen since.

'Officers are growing increasingly concerned for his safety after a number of his belongings were found at the side of a horse track in Chessington around 11.40am on Sunday.

'Viktor has lodgings in Guildford although his permanent address is in South West London. He has not been seen at either address since he went missing.

'Viktor was wearing a grey formal jacket, blue jeans and smart shoes. He was carrying a black over the shoulder bag which may have had a laptop inside. He was not wearing his glasses when he left the address in Esher.'

The University of Surrey student was reported missing within hours of leaving an address in Esher, Surrey at 2am on Sunday

Detective Inspector Jim Strugnell, who was overseeing the investigation, added: 'Viktor has not made contact with anyone since leaving the address in Esher on Sunday and we are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare.

'We would like him to make contact with us as soon as possible so that we can confirm that he is safe and well.

'We are also appealing to anyone with any information as to his whereabouts to come forward as a matter of urgency.

'We are carrying out a number of inquiries, including searches of the area where his belongings were found, but any other information or sightings would help us enormously.'

Anyone with information about Mr Ivanelo's whereabouts ahould contact Surrey Police on 101.
European parliament president Antonio Tajani said as many as twenty million African migrants could come to Europe in the next few years

As many as twenty million African migrants could come to Europe in the near future, according to the new president of the European parliament.

Antonio Tajani said Europe needs to do more to help asylum seekers in order to quell migration.

He proposed the EU should open asylum centres in Libya in a bid to protect vulnerable refugees.

At the moment, detention centers in the country violate human rights, according to the EU.

Mr Tajani told Die Welt there are more than 30 centres that are run illegally by smugglers or by groups for the government.

The president said that EU reception centres would provide asylum seekers with access to healthcare and would not be 'concentration camps'.

In 2017, there has been up to a 40 per cent increase in the number of migrants arriving in Italy.

Many of these people come from Africa.

So far, 12,000 people have travelled across the Mediterranean this year.

The news comes as the head of the EU border agency warned that organisations who rescue migrants from the Mediterranean are fuelling people smugglers.

The smugglers profit by illegally spiriting asylum seekers into Europe, often in dangerous conditions.

Fabrice Leggeri also told Die Welt that rescue missions by non-government organisations makes it more difficult to monitor migrants as they pass into Europe.

In 2017, there has been up to a 40 per cent increase in the number of migrants arriving in Italy. Many of these people come from Africa. 12,000 people have arrived so far this year

He also told the German newspaper, the lack of cooperation with organisations and security services makes it harder 'to gain information on trafficking networks through interviews with migrants and to open police investigations'.

Mr Leggeri's comments were rebuffed by Luise Amtsberg, a member of the German parliament.

The refugee expert said: 'The number of dead would be much higher without the tireless commitment of non-governmental organisations.'
A Chipotle executive who pleaded guilty to cocaine possession charges last month was back in court today for a status conference to let the judge know that he has been complying with the conditions of the plea deal.

Mark Crumpacker, the 53-year-old chief of marketing and developing for the Mexican fast-casual chain, made headlines last summer when he was swept up in a massive drug bust in Manhattan.

Prosecutors said Crumpacker had being caught on a wire ordering cocaine to be delivered 13 times to his $2.5million apartment on West 13th Street and spent $3,000 on the recreational drug.

Back in court: Chipotle executive Mark Crumpacker (left), flanked by his attorney Gerald Lefcourt, appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday for a routine status conference concerning his cocaine possession case

The 53-year-old chief of marketing and developing for the Mexican fast-casual chain was arrested last summer in a massive drug bust in Manhattan

In early January, the top executive pleaded guilty to the drug charges filed against him in exchange for having the case dismissed if he agreed to attend a substance abuse treatment program and keep out of trouble for a year.

On Tuesday, Mr Crumpacker, dressed in a grey blazer, a button-down shirt and blue jeans, arrived in Manhattan Supreme Court accompanied by his defense attorney Gerald Lefcourt to update Justice Ellen Biben on his progress.

Doing great: Lefcourt said prosecutors told a judge his client's progress was 'beyond great' following his plea deal in which he agreed to enter a treatment program

Lefcourt later told the Daily Mail in a brief phone interview that his client did not speak in court, but an assistant district attorney informed Biben that Crumpacker was doing 'beyond great.'

The criminal defense lawyer said the judge was 'very happy' with his client's conduct, and that he was hoping to speed up the case and have the charges against Crumpacker thrown out by June.

Lefcourt also revealed that the 53-year-old Chipotle executive has been receiving treatment at an outpatient program and was doing 'great.'

The 53-year-old is the chief of marketing and developing for the Mexican fast-casual chain.

Crumpacker had been placed on leave by Chipotle in June following his arrest but returned to work in September, helping lead the chain's efforts to recover from a series of food scares.

As recently as last week, Crumpacker was interviewed by Fortune Magazine to talk about the dining chain's cutting edge technology allowing its franchises to speed up wait times on digital orders.

Throwback Tuesday: Crumpacker was photographed arriving in court in handcuffs after his arrest in July 2016 (left and right)

Mark Crumpacker (pictured in court in January) pleaded guilty to cocaine possession six months after he and many other Manhattan professionals were arrested in a white collar drug bust

Chipotle said earlier that it determined none of Crumpacker's drug-related activities took place during work time.

The Manhattan District Attorney's office said Crumpacker also agreed to drug testing.

Crumpacker said he was 'absolutely' glad to put the case behind him

During a hearing in January, Justice Ellen Biben asked Crumpacker if he 'knowingly and unlawfully' had the popular party drug on January 29, 2016, as charged in the second count of his indictment.

He paused and answered 'yes' as Biben warned him that to benefit from the deal, he must pass regular drug tests, continue treatment and avoid being rearrested.

A Fox Business Network producer and a Cushman & Wakefield employee were among those netted in the cocaine bust. Accused drug peddlers in the operation were also charged.

Crumpacker made just shy of $4.3million in total compensation in 2015 in his role as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at the Mexican fast food chain, receiving roughly $45,000 for housing expenses and over $30,000 for a company car.

Of his total compensation, he received $530,000 as his salary as of 2015.

Judge Edward McLaughlin said to Crumpacker and his lawyer during his first appearance: 'I don't want someone who is a purported bigshot to think they should be treated differently.'

According to the district attorney, Crumpacker had asked for cocaine to be delivered 13 times to his $2.5 million apartment (pictured) in Manhattan, and spent $3,000

Crumpacker was named Chipotle's first CMO in January 2009, and according to his LinkedIn page he oversees all of the company's marketing functions including advertising, design, events, public relations, social media, and research.

In 2013, Crumpacker was named Chipotle's Chief Development Officer and now leads the company's real estate, design, construction and facilities functions worldwide.

Prior to joining Chipotle, he was the founder, CEO and Creative Director at Sequence, a San Francisco-based branding and interactive agency.

The salaries of Chipotle's top executives were hit earlier this year thanks to a damaging E. Coli outbreak linked to its restaurants. Co-CEOs Steve Ells and Monty Moran had their pay cut in half in 2015.

Ells' pay dropped to $13.8m in 2015, down from $28.9 million; while Moran's pay dropped to $13.6 million from $28.1 million. They were awarded no stock.

Crumpacker's salary also took a 20 per cent hit in 2015 from one year prior.
Relatives of the victims of suicide airline pilot Andreas Lubitz are outraged at a message from his parents indicating that he may be innocent of causing their deaths.

It will be two years ago next month that severely depressed Lubitz, 27, locked the captain of an airliner he was co-piloting out of the cockpit to crash the plane into a French mountainside. He and 149 others on board, many of them schoolchildren, died in the tragedy.

Investigators said Lubitz set the Germanwings flight from Barcelona in Spain to Dusseldorf in Germany on a collision course with the Alpine peak deliberately. He was suffering from depression and believed - wrongly - that he was going blind and would have to give up his flying career.

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The parents of killer Germanwings pilot Adreas Lubitz claim their son is not responsible for the deaths of himself and 149 other people when his jet smashed into the side of the Alps

The Airbus A-320, pictured, was deliberately set to lose height over the Alps on March 24

The jet smashed into the side of a mountain near Seyene-les-Alpes in France

Now Lubitz's parents have cast doubt on their son's role in the tragedy. In a weekend statement to a German newspaper ahead of the March 24 anniversary of the catastrophe they wrote; 'The crash of the Germanwings flight 9525 leaves many unanswered questions. Strange facts, and doubts about the previously communicated sequence of events of the accident, arise for us as well. We are at the moment engaged in research about this.'

To the relatives of the dead the statement seems a denial of their son't role as a mass murderer. Elmar Giemulla, a lawyer for some victims' families, said: 'For survivors it is very stressful to be confronted with such suspicions. That the parents of Andreas Lubitz are susceptible to this is humanly understandable because it distracts from their son.

Lufthansa, owner of Germanwings, said in a statement; 'The accident investigation by the authorities have led to clear results. There's no reason for us to doubt these results.'

Air crash investigators salvaged the voice data recorder from the doomed jet which recorded the aircraft's captain attempt to batter open the cockpit door with a flight axe

Investigators claim Lubitz, pictured, was suffering from depression and wrongly feared he was going blind and would lose his position with the airlilne as a result of his declining health

Instead, Lubitz waited for his captain to go to the toilet, locked the cockpit door and sent the aircraft into a deliberate descent towards the ground near the village of Le Vernet, France

The Lubitz parents - retired banker Gunter and piano teacher Ursula - made their statement to the Welt am Sonntag newspaper without clarifying what doubts they had or facts they are pursuing.

It is the second time that relatives of the doomed aboard the Airbus plane their son commandeered have felt insulted by them.

In April last year they took out an advertisement in the Westerwald newspaper in their home town of Montabaur to pay tribute to him, calling him a 'lovely and valuable person.'

Lubitz was laid to rest in a private ceremony in Montabaur and his grave placed under police watch to prevent vandalism.
Transcription

1 Optimization of Nonenzymatic Microwave D-Cleavage and Disulfide Bond Cleavage Scott Coffin University of Wyoming, Department of Chemistry, Department 3838, 1000 E. University Avenue, Laramie, WY KEYWORDS: D-Cleavage, Discovery CEM Microwave, Nonenzymatic Digestion, Disulfide Bond Cleavage Supporting Information Placeholder ABSTRACT: A nonenzymatic digestion technique allows proteins to be well suited for collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry. This method utilizes microwaves and Dithiothreitol (DTT) to selectively cleave at aspartic acid (D) and disulfide bonds. This microwave digestion technique is reproducible and produces peptides with a shortened sequence length. Insulin I is used in this study to optimize the disulfide bond cleavage, and  -lactalbumin is used as a test-piece for the combined D-cleavage and disulfide bond cleavage technique. The digested samples in this study are analyzed using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption (MALDI). Through optimization with ph, time, temperature and DTT concentration, a spectrum of ideal parameters for these techniques was found. 1. Introduction Enzymes such as Trypsin are used extensively in proteomic studies due to the simplicity of use, and the enzymes ability to cleave proteins specifically at Arginine (R) and Lysine (K), which, due to their size and inherent 2+ charge when ionized via electrospray ionization, allows the residue to be easily analyzed via collision-induced dissociation (CID) fragmentation in tandem MS (MS/MS) measurements (1). The use of nonezymatic techniques in conjunction with enzymatic digestion can give an advantage over enzymatic techniques alone, due to the speed, simplicity, robustness and automation of the technique. The nonenzymatic digestion of proteins at aspartic acid (D) and disulfide bonds has been explored and developed but not optimized (1). The cleavage of disulfide bonds is carried out using the common reducing agent dithiotreitol (DTT), and the aspartic acid cleavage is a selective, thermodynamically aided hydrolysis process, which only requires acid to occur. By optimizing these techniques based on ph, DTT concentration, time and temperature, the versatility and efficacy of the procedures increase as the reagent (DTT) and time required to carry out the operation can be reduced, thus saving researchers valuable resources. These disulfide bond and aspartic acid digestion techniques, while useful by themselves, allow for a more thorough and widely applicable digestion when used in combination with enzymatic digestion or electrochemical oxidation at tyrosine (Y) and tryptophan (W) (1). 2. Experimental 2.1 Chemicals Insulin I (bovine pancreas), -lactalbumin (bovine milk), dithiotreitol (DTT), and -cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid were purchased from Sigma (St. Louis, MO). HPLC grade acetonitrile (ACN), sodium acetate and deionized water were purchased from Burdick and Jackson (Muskegon, MI). Reagent grade acetic acid was obtained from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO). 2.2 Sample Preparation All proteins were prepared at a concentration of 1 mg/ml in buffered acetic acid solutions (ph 2.0 or 5.0). Acetic acid was used to increase hydrolysis efficiency (2). For use with Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS) analysis, the samples were diluted with the matrix to a concentration of 50/50 (v/v) sample/-cyanohydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA), whereas the manufacturer instructions for the preparation of CHCA were followed (0.1 % trifluoroacetate/50% ACN). 2.3 Instrumentation Microwave heating was achieved using a CEM Focused Microwave Synthesis System (model:discovery; CEM, Matthews, NC). Approximately 5 ml of the buffer solution was added to the bottom of the reaction vessel, as suggested by the manufacturer. Microwave digestion parameters varied according to the optimization parameters matrix. 2.4 Mass Spectrometry The samples were analyzed using MALDI-MS (Voyager DE-Pro, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). The analyses for insulin I were conducted in the reflector/positive mode using CHCA as the matrix. The accelerating voltages were set at 20,000 V, the grid at 70%, with a delay time of 600 nano-seconds, shots/spectrum set at 50, with a mass range of 500 to 2,000 Da. The analyses for -lactalbumin were conducted in the linear/positive mode using CHCA as the matrix. In these experiments, peptides were digested in the microwave and fractions were collected for off-line MALDI-MS analyses.

2 3. Results and Discussion Disulfide Bond Cleavage Optimization As discovered in prior research (1), in order to observe peptides from aspartic acid digestion, disulfide bonds occasionally must be cleaved, as often these disulfide bonds preserve the intact protein, thus rendering the site-specific cleavage effectively useless for the application of shotgun proteomics. Therefore, the optimization of disulfide bond cleavage using DTT is extremely useful. Based on prior research (1) insulin I (chains A & B) was chosen to test the disulfide bond cleavage technique. Insulin I is an ideal protein for this experiment due to the relative structural simplicity, small size (approx. 5.7 kda), lack of aspartic acid residues (so as not to see any hydrolysis cleavage) and, most importantly, the ability to clearly see when disulfide bonds are broken, since chains A and B are connected only by disulfide bonds. Insulin I was digested in a sampling matrix with the following parameters: time (1, 5, 10 minutes); temperature (0, 50, 80, 95, 105, 110, 115, 125, 135, 145 Celsius); ph (2.0, 5.0); DTT concentration (10, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 mm). The data from the sampling matrix was analyzed and a range of full digestion parameters was discovered (figure 3). As expected, the efficiency of the microwave disulfide bond cleavage was significantly decreased at ph 2 as compared to ph 5 (extremely small amounts of DTT was required for full cleavage at this ph), as the percentage of thiolate anions is reduced at that low ph (1). However, since microwave aspartic acid cleavage occurs optimally at ph 2, the disulfide bond cleavage technique was optimized at this ph. Figure 1 shows the effects of heat and DTT on the test protein insulin I. Figure 2a shows MALDI-mass spectra of insulin I before and after digestion (figure 2b). The digested spectrum is considered 50% cleavage, according to the formula used (figure 2c). Figure 1. Intact insulin I (Left) with chains A & B connected by two interchain disulfide bonds is digested using DTT and heat. The resulting product is a mixture of chains A & B (right). Figure 2a. Intact insulin I (inset) with chains A & B connected by two interchain disulfide bonds is digested using DTT and heat. Figure 2b The resulting product is a mixture of chains A & B. Figure 2c the formula for calculating %cleavage is shown. 2

3 % Cleavage %Cleavage = DTT Conc Time Temperature R 2 = 67.9% Figure 3a (top left) shows a contour map of percent cleavage of insulin I (1 minute digestion time) with DTT concentration in the x-axis and temperature in the y-axis, with orange corresponding to full cleavage. Figure 3b (top right) is 5-minute digestion time. Figure 3c (bottom) shows 10-minute digestion time. The factors tested (time, temperature, DTT concentration) scaled linearly, with the increase of one of the parameters resulting in smaller required parameters to achieve full cleavage. Digestion time had the largest effect on percent cleavage. Figure 3 shows contour maps that illustrate the interacting effects of DTT concentration mm) and temperature at 1-minute, 5-minute and 10-minute digestion times. A regression equation, which has a fairly reliable R 2 value (67.9%) for the cleavage of disulfide bonds was obtained, and can be seen in figure 3. The ideal parameters for disulfide bond cleavage are dependent on whether or not aspartic acid cleavage is simultaneously applied, however, with as little as 60 mm DTT concentration at 105 C, full disulfide bond cleavage can be achieved in just 10 minutes (as seen on figure 3.c). Microwave Aspartic Acid Cleavage Optimization The site-specific cleavage of aspartic acid (D) in proteins is highly useful for nonenzymatic digestion techniques, as it is a reagent-less reaction that occurs in minutes. While microwave D-cleavage can be useful for protein identification by itself, it is often necessary to couple it with disulfide bond cleavage, as proteins with disulfide bonds generally retain their intact structure regardless of these site-specific digestions (1). The coupling of D-cleavage with disulfide bond cleavage is multiply advantageous, as it prevents a further need for alkylation and reduces potential sample losses during off-line microwave heating and sample handling (1). The protein -lactalbumin (figure 4), which contains 13 D amino acids and 4 intrachain disulfide bonds, was used as a test-piece for the dual optimization of these techniques. This protein served as an effective test-piece, as it shows no detectable peptides for successful protein identification when subjected solely to D-cleavage without disulfide bond cleavage (figure 5b). As used in the disulfide bond optimization, a sampling matrix that tested the interaction of time, temperature and DTT concentration was utilized. As expected, a similar set of effective parameters to the disulfide bond digestion technique was observed, with higher temperatures required in order to be able to see digested peptides 1. The ph for this optimization was held constant at 2.0, as this was found in previous research to be ideal for this reaction (1). Figure 4. The structure of -lactalbumin is shown. Disulfide bonds are highlighted in yellow, and aspartic acid residues are in red C and 5 minutes digestion time were found to be effective for this technique in prior research (1). 3

4 Figure 5a. MALDI-mass spectrum of digested -lactalbumin, with reasonable guesses of peaks annotated. Figure 5b. (inset) undigested -lactalbumin is shown. Due to the large size of intact -lactalbumin (~14 kda) and the relatively small size of its cleavage products (1-10 kda), it was difficult to obtain a full spectrum that contains both the intact and the cleavage products. Due to this difficulty, CHCA was used in linear mode, and therefore, the spectra contain average peaks, as opposed to exact peaks as would be the case in reflectron mode. For this reason, the exact cleavage products were not identified exactly, but rather reasonable guesses were made using the expected cleavage masses as predicted by PAWS protein software. Despite these shortcomings, the data obtained from these experiments is still useful. A similar formula to that which was used in the disulfide bond-only experiment was used to calculate %cleavage for these experiments, and can be seen in figure 5. Figure 6 shows the effects of DTT concentration and temperature on %cleavage. Notice that ~50mM DTT, cleavage products begin to appear, thus demonstrating a low threshold for these parameters. As was the case with insulin, time affected the minimum DTT concentration and temperature required to achieve full cleavage. As seen in figures 6a & 6b, 5 minutes digestion time requires a lower temperature (120 C) to achieve full cleavage. A 10-minute digestion time revealed nearly identical data. Due to the potential of non-site specific amino acid cleavage (denaturation) at high temperatures, it seems that the ideal parameters for aspartic acid + disulfide bond cleavage are: fiveminute digestion time with 200 mm DTT held at 120 C. At these parameters, 97% cleavage was attained. However, if higher temperatures are not an issue, but DTT concentration resources are limited, near-full cleavage (91%) can be achieved with as little a digestion time of 1 minute, with 100 mm DTT, held at 125 C. % Cleavage Figure 6a (left) Contour map of -lactalbumin aspartic acid + disulfide bond % cleavage as a function of temperature and DTT concentration, 1 minute digestion time. Figure 6b (right) 5-minute digestion time. 4

5 Conclusions The nonenzymatic microwave D-cleavage and disulfide-bond cleavage method is a tool that can be implemented for the rapid digestion and identification of proteins. While the technique was only used and optimized on two different proteins in these experiments, it is likely that it can be applied to other proteins with similar results. The disulfide bond-only digestion data obtained is extremely reliable, as reflectron mode was used in MALDI-mass spectrometry, thus giving a high confidence level. Due to the inability to conduct MALDI-mass spectrometry in reflctron mode for the analysis of -lactalbumin and its cleaved products, the data is not as reliable, and should only be used as a rough guide for the technique. However, it is reasonable to use the data from these experiments, as they display a similar pattern to that found in the disulfide bond-only data. A more accurate optimization of this dual-cleavage technique could possibly be performed by using the matrix sinapinic acid for analysis of the intact protein, and CHCA for the cleavage products (both in reflectron mode, with an internal standard). Author Contributions The manuscript was written through contributions of all authors. Acknowledgments This work was funded by a grant from EPSCOR. The support of Franco Basile and the University of Wyoming are also acknowledged. References (1) Basile, F.; Hauser, N. J. Online microwave D-cleavage LC-ESI-MS/MS of intact proteins: site-specific cleavages at aspartic acid residues and disulfide bonds. J proteome Res (3), (2) Roeser, J.; Permentier, H. P.; Bruins, A. P.; Bischoff, R. Electrochemical oxidation and cleavage of tyrosine- and tryptophancontaining tripeptides. Anal. Chem. 2010, 82,
President Donald Trump's proposal to slash funding for the State Department and foreign aid faces stiff opposition in Congress  not just from Democrats, but also from many of his fellow Republicans.

Trump hopes to cut as much as 37 per cent from State's budget, with the most dramatic impact felt by the U.S. Aid for International Development (USAID) program, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

According to the Associated Press, Trump's spending decreases could require laying off employees  including security contractors at some overseas diplomatic posts.

President Donald Trump is considering massive cuts to the State Department and U.S. Aid for International Development in his upcoming budget request to Congress

The State Department, led by Rex Tillerson (right), could see layoffs as Trump searches for $54 billion to cover a promised military buildup

The White House needs to make good on the president's promise to increase defense spending by $54 billion while offsetting the funds with cuts elsewhere.

But more than 120 retired admirals and generals urged him on Monday not to slash State Department spending to get it done.

CNN reported that retired General David Petraeus, a former CIA director, and retired Admiral James Stavridis, an ex NATO supreme allied commander, are among those who pressed Trump not to make good on his repeated threats to implement major State Department cuts.

Diplomatic spending is 'critical to keeping America safe,' CNN quoted the military brass as saying in their letter to congressional leaders, two cabinet officials and Trump's national security adviser.

Officials have said Trump also wants to make deep cuts at the Environmental Protection Agency.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a White House spokeswoman, told reporters on Tuesday that early reports about budget numbers reflected 'priorities' but could easily change as 'a discussion process' proceeds and government agencies provide feedback on the president's first draft.

'There's nothing firm and exact on any numbers,' she said.

USAID could see more than one-third of its budget cut, limiting its ability to provide financial, material and food aid around the world; but overall that spending is less than 1 per cent of the federal budget

Diplomatic security contractors like those who patrol and defend U.S. embassies in high-pressure environments like Israel (shown) could find their numbers thinned out if Trump's budget were to become reality

The United States spends just over $50 billion annually on the State Department and foreign assistance, compared to $600 billion or more each year on the Pentagon.

The administration's proposals are just the start of negotiations on a federal budget that must be passed by Congress. Several leading lawmakers said diplomacy and foreign aid, often called 'soft power,' ensure national security in tandem with military forces and weapons.

Asked on Tuesday if the Senate would pass a budget that cuts the State Department budget by a third, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell responded, 'probably not.'

Senator Lindsey Graham, the Republican chairman of the Senate subcommittee responsible for the State and Foreign Aid budgets, said Trump's idea would be 'dead on arrival' in Congress.

'It would be a disaster. If you take soft power off the table, then you're never going to win the war. What's most disturbing about the cut in the State Department's budget, it shows a lack of understanding of what it takes to win the war,' he said on MSNBC.

Retired U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus (left) and retired U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis (right) have asked Trump  along with more than 100 other former flag officers  not to raid diplomatic funds to beef up his Pentagon budget

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain said it was short-sighted to cut diplomacy and aid, even though he wants $640 billion in defense spending, far more than the $604 billion proposed by the White House.

'I'm very much opposed,' McCain told reporters when asked for his view of proposed State Department and aid cuts. 'So many of those programs are very important. They're a popular target, but they're very important.'

Senator Marco Rubio, a member of both the Senate foreign relations and intelligence committees, noted that foreign aid is a tiny portion of the U.S. budget.

'Foreign aid is not charity. We must make sure it is well spent, but it is less than 1% of budget & critical to our national security,' he said on Twitter.

The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Ben Cardin, said he thought enough members of Congress would oppose such a plan to kill it, even though Republicans have majorities in both houses of Congress and a budget bill would need only a simple majority to pass.

Trump is due to set out proposals for his broad agenda in a speech to the U.S. Congress at 9 p.m. on Tuesday
Alleged serial killer Todd Kohlhepp (pictured) has been hit with 12 charges including several counts of murder

New details were revealed about the alleged South Carolina serial killer accused of keeping a woman locked up in a storage container on his property for two months.

On Monday, an indictment was handed down in the case of Todd Kohlhepp, who confessed to murdering seven people, kidnapping a 30-year-old woman and raping her.

The grand jury indictment includes 12 charges - seven for murder, four for possession of a firearm during commission of a violent crime, two for kidnapping and one for first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Kohlhepp, 45, had already been charged with many of the counts, but the criminal sexual conduct charge was new.

The real estate agent was arrested in November, after police found 30-year-old Kala Brown locked up in a storage container on his Woodruff property.

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The South Carolina real estate agent was arrested in November after police found 30-year-old Kala Brown locked up inside this storage container on his Woodruff property

Brown and her boyfriend, 32-year-old Charlie David Carver, were hired by Kohlhepp to do some cleaning on his property in August. Carver was shot to death and Brown kept prisoner in the storage container for two months

Brown told police that she came out to the property two months prior with her boyfriend, 32-year-old Charlie David Carver, for a cleaning job. Kohlhepp shot Carver dead and then chained her up in the storage container where he continued to rape her on a near daily basis.

After finding Brown and arresting Kohlhepp, investigators searched the property and found Carver's body in a shallow grave, along with the remains of two other people.

Those remains were later identified as couple Johnny and Meagan Coxie, ages 29 and 26, who went missing in December 2015.

Earlier this month, Brown spoke about the experience in an emotional Dr. Phil interview. Charles Carver is pictured on the right

It's believed that the Coxies were also hired by Kohlhepp for a cleaning project.

Kohlhepp told investigators that he shot Johnny when he tried to rob him. He then locked up Meagan in the storage container and kept her there for six days before shooting her dead as well.

While in police custody, Kohlhepp also confessed to a 2003 quadruple murder at a motorcycle store. The victims in that attack were Scott Ponder, his mother Beverly Guy, and their employees at Super Bike Motorsports, Brian Lucas and Chris Sherbert.

Kohlhepp is a registered sex offender who spent 15 years in prison for sex assault before moving to South Carolina and starting his real estate firm.

Earlier this month, Brown gave an emotional interview on Dr. Phil in which she described her two-month captivity at the hands of Kohlhepp.

Brown said she and her boyfriend had gone to Kohlhepp's rural property on August 31 to help him clear some underbrush from trails.

After the couple followed him to a two-story garage on the 95-acre property, Kohlhepp handed them hedge clippers and bottles of water. He said he needed to get something inside and came out a few minutes later shooting, Brown said.

He shot her boyfriend Charles Carver three times in the chest, she said. He then gagged Brown and handcuffed her ankles and wrists.

Kohlhepp took her to a 'pitch black,' 30-foot-long storage container nearby, chained her by the neck in a back corner and raped her, she said.

He 'let me know that if I tried to run, he'd kill me. If I tried to hurt him, he'd kill me. If I fought back, he would kill me. And then he raped me,' Brown said in episodes that aired this week. 'He would rape me twice a day, every day.'

Brown said Kohlhepp told her he killed Carver because 'it was easier to control someone if you took someone they loved.'

She thought Kohlhepp was infatuated with her and didn't want to kill her, even saying he would let her go and give her money 'if he ever got old and sick,' she said.

He explained Stockholm syndrome, in which a hostage starts feeling sympathetic toward their captor, and said 'it would kick in and we'd be happy together.'

She remained tied up, even when he took her to the garage apartment to eat, she said.

When Brown heard people talking outside the container the morning of November 3, she panicked, thinking maybe he had brought someone else. When she realized help had come, 'I started screaming and hitting the walls,' she said.

'I knew my family would never stop looking, but he was so careful, I couldn't see how I could be found so soon. I was scared it really wasn't happening,' she said.

'And when they finally got the door open and I saw the police uniforms, I was relieved.'
Gordon Wood has described his three years in a maximum security prison as a 'living death' during which he was assaulted by a 'vindictive guard' and king hit by a 'notorious rapist'.

Mr Wood is suing the state of NSW for millions of dollars after he was wrongly convicted over the death of his model girlfriend Caroline Byrne, whose body was found at the bottom of The Gap in 1995.

In a witness statement filed as part of his lawsuit, Mr Wood said a guard smashed his glasses and an infamous rapist and killer knocked him unconscious at Goulburn Maximum Security prison in the state's south-west.

'Gaol must be unbearably difficult even if one is guilty, but as an innocent man it was unimaginable,' he said in the statement, which was released by the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Gordon Wood (right) has described his three years in a maximum security prison as a 'living death' after he was wrongly jailed over the death of his model girlfriend Caroline Byrne (left)

In a witness statement filed as part of his lawsuit, Mr Wood said a guard smashed his glasses an infamous rapist and killer knocked him unconscious at Goulburn Maximum Security prison

'Doubly so for me having been falsely accused and wrongfully convicted of killing the woman I loved and intended to marry.'

Mr Wood said he was exposed to the daily risk of 'physical injury, maiming, disease and death' while behind bars.

'I was undernourished the entire time and suffered the consequential effects of that, including a frightening deterioration of my eyesight,' he said.

Mr Wood said the man who knocked him unconscious in the prison yard was a 'notorious rapist, killer and drug addict' and selected him to attack because he was profiled as 'high profile and non-violent'.

'[He] was much loathed within the gaol for both his crimes and his drug addiction and related drug debts,' he said.

Mr Wood said he had no recollection of the attack immediately after and still suffers from memory loss.

Mr Wood said he was exposed to the daily risk of 'physical injury, maiming, disease and death' while behind bars

Ms Byrne was a former model who had been dating Mr Wood for three years before she was found dead at the base of a notorious suicide spot

Mr Wood said he was exposed to the daily risk of 'physical injury, maiming, disease and death' while behind bars at the maximum security prison

A picture shown during Mr Wood's murder trial in 2008 shows him standing at the gap (right) with friend Peter Cameron (left)

Mr Wood said in prison he lived in constant fear of guards who dished out 'therapy'. Ms Bryne is pictured

'I had a severe concussion and was bloodied and scratched around the head and face from where my head impacted the ground when I fell unconscious from the blow,' he said in his witness statement.

Mr Wood said in prison he lived in constant fear of guards who dished out 'therapy'.

'There were many weeks in gaol when my mental condition was such that I could not face having to receive visits from my friends and family,' he said.

Mr Wood was released from prison in 2012 after the conviction was overturned by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal.

His eventual freedom couldn't be described as a happy event, but was a relief, he said.

However, he struggled to cope with life after jail and 'quickly sank into a deep depression' for which he is still receiving treatment.

Mr Wood is suing the state of NSW for millions of dollars after he was wrongly convicted over the death of his model girlfriend Caroline Byrne

Mr Wood (pictured in his youth), a former chauffeur for high-profile stockbroker Rene Rivkin, was initially accused of throwing Ms Bryne off the edge of the cliff

A 2014 police submission to have him retried confirmed 'that for the rest of my life I will live under the constant threat of police trying to find a way to convict me for a crime that never happened', he said.

Mr Wood added that he's unable to work in his field and nevertheless his mental and emotion health is 'unsuited to the pressures of high-end business and finance'.

While public doubts about his character and reputation remain, 'any future life I am able to build will almost certainly require me to relocate abroad', he said.

Mr Wood is claiming damages and costs on grounds including malicious prosecution and false imprisonment, saying the pursuit of him has cost him millions.

A hearing is under way in the NSW Supreme Court.

Ms Byrne's body was found at the bottom of notorious Sydney suicide spot The Gap (pictured) in 1995
Barack and Michelle Obama whipped the literary world into a frenzy with the news that the former president and first lady were getting to work on new books, and now they have found a publisher.

Just a few hours after multiple people with knowledge of the joint publishing deal told the Financial Times that bidding had surpassed $60million, The New York Times reveals that the couple has inked a deal with Penguin Random House.

The terms of the deal have not been disclosed however at this time.

It was Penguin who appeared to have the slight edge, having published Barack's three previous titles.

News of the deal comes just before President Donald Trump is set to address his first joint session of Congress since taking office.

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Yes they can: Memoirs by Barack and Michelle Obama (above in October) are being sold together in a joint publishing deal

Knocked off their pedestal: Bill Clinton previously earned $15million for his 2004 memoir My Life (left) while Hillary Clinton got a reported $14million for the 2014 release Hard Choices (right)

'We are absolutely thrilled to continue our publishing partnership with President and Mrs. Obama,' the chief executive of Penguin Random House, Markus Dohle, said in a statement.

'With their words and their leadership, they changed the world, and every day, with the books we publish at Penguin Random House, we strive to do the same.'

Dohle then added: 'Now, we are very much looking forward to working together with President and Mrs. Obama to make each of their books global publishing events of unprecedented scope and significance.'

As part of the deal penguin will also donate 1million books in the Obamas name, a move that might have taken down the price paid in the deal.

There is no release date for either of the memoirs.

No book deal has ever come close to paying an author this much money, with the closest example being the the $150million James Patterson reportedly received from Hachette in 2009 as part of a 17-book deal.

That breaks down to a little less than $10million a book, as opposed to he $30million Barack and Michelle each stand to make in their deal.

The amount currently on the table for the Obamas eclipses the $15million Bill Clinton was paid for his post-White House memoir My Life which was released in 2004, and the $10million deal score by George W. Bush for the 2010 release Decision Points.

It also four times more than the reported $14million Hillary Clinton earned for her 2014 release Hard Choices about her time at the State Department.

She received $8million over a decade prior on 2001 for her first memoir, Living History. She was a New York senator at that time and had to have the deal approved by the Senate Ethics Committee.

President Donald Trump meanwhile received just a $500,000 advance for The Art of the Deal, which he split with the ghost writer of the book.

That book has gone on however to earn him millions in royalties, having made its way back on the bestsellers list back in 2004 when he launched The Apprentice and ever since announced his candidacy for president in 2015.

The art of the not as good book deal: President Donald Trump got a $500,000 advance for his 1987 book The Art of the Deal (left), while George W. Bush got an impressive $10million for Decision Points (right)

Barack previously shared stories from his life in The Audacity of Hope in 2006, which was released a little over two years before he landed in the Oval Office.

Barack has also published the children's book Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters and the 2004 memoir Dreams from My Father.

Those books have all performed very nicely for their publisher and Barack, who made $15.6million off all three between 2005 and 2016, according to Forbes.

Proven: Barack has made millions in royalties off his 2006 memoir The Audacity of Hope

All post-tax proceeds from the sales for Of Thee I Sing has been donated to Fisher House Foundation since the book's release, an organization that supports families of veterans, in support of a scholarship fund for the children of soldiers who have been wounded or killed in the line of duty.

The two new books from the Obamas will be written separately, with Barack working on his fourth release and Michelle her first.

And it seems that it may be the former first lady and not her husband who has driven up the auction price in what will be without question the most ever paid for a literary debut.

Michelle could provide some record-breaking sales for the publisher that secures the rights as well when her book is released, with many around the world no doubt eager to learn more about the early life and White House days of the former first lady.

Publisher's Weekly reported earlier this month that the deal on Michelle's book was close to done, and that once it had been completed the agreement for Barack's book would be finalized by the couple's agent Bob Barnett.

Barnett, who is considered one of the top lawyers in Washington DC, has previously represented the likes of Tony Blair in his $5.5million deal for his 2010 memoir A Journey, both Clintons and even Sarah Palin, getting her $1.25million in 2009 for Going Rogue.
A 53-year-old grandmother who refused to help social workers trying to find her three-year-old grandchild has been held in prison for two days after council bosses said she was in contempt of court.

Alison Moutiq, who lives in the Bedford area, was arrested on Sunday and kept in custody pending an appearance before a High Court judge at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Mr Justice Peter Jackson concluded that Mrs Moutiq, who had said she thought that social workers were a 'waste of space', was not in contempt and should be released from custody.

Alison Moutiq was arrested on Sunday and kept in custody pending an appearance before a High Court judge at the Royal Courts of Justice (pictured) . She was held in prison after council bosses said she was in contempt of court for refusing to help them find her grandchild

He said he could not be certain that she had breached another judge's order by failing to provide information which might help social services staff at Bedford Borough Council trace the youngster.

But he added that she had not behaved like a 'responsible grandparent'.

Mrs Moutiq, who was led through the courts complex in handcuffs by prison officers before appearing in court, was close to tears after the hearing.

'I'm not a criminal - I haven't even had a parking ticket,' she said. 'I am just a loving grandmother. I know there are a lot of people in my situation.'

Mr Justice Jackson said social workers had become concerned about the welfare of Mrs Moutiq's daughter's child - whose father is a former soldier.

The youngster and his parents had disappeared. Another judge had made any order requiring anyone with information to help.

Bedford council bosses had subsequently launched contempt proceedings - arguing that Mrs Moutiq was in breach of that order.

Mr Justice Peter Jackson (pictured) concluded that Mrs Moutiq was not in contempt and should be released

Mr Justice Jackson was told how there was evidence that Mrs Moutiq had watched a television programme about an organisation which advised parents being investigated by social workers to take children abroad.

The judge heard that she had described the care system in England and Wales as 'broken beyond repair', said she did not want her grandchild to go into it and had said social workers were a 'waste of space'.

Mrs Moutiq had admitted telling her daughter to 'get out'.

She had also refused to offer information to a social worker trying to find the child - but had said 'good luck' before shutting the door.

'Her stupidity has got us to the current situation,' said Mr Justice Jackson.

'If she had behaved like a proper and responsible grandparent this situation would never have arisen.

'Look where we are now. A three-year-old child on the run and a grandparent (on remand) in prison.'

The judge said Mrs Moutiq had appeared at a public court hearing and could be identified, but he said her grandchild could not be named.
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Kellyanne Conway's baffling decision to rest on her knees on the Oval Office sofa - with her shoes on, no less - while a delegation from the Historically Black Colleges and Universities were visiting has led to a spate of hilarious memes.

Conway was photographed on Monday taking pictures of Donald Trump and apparently sending text messages while the delegation stood together for a photo opportunity.

Her behavior kicked up a fuss on Twitter - and, predictably, a whole lot of Photoshop parodies too.

Originals: These photos, showing Presidential aide Kellyanne Conway perched oddly on a sofa in the Oval Office on Monday went viral. Conway was lambasted online - and turned into a series of hilarious memes

One user imagined that Conway - who was seen apparently texting after taking a picture of the president - was trying to figure out how to talk to the invited guests, who were members of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Caught on camera: Another user suggested that Conway was less interested in photographing her boss and more interested in catching a Charizard in the mobile phone game Pokemon Go

Kneeling fine: Conway is capable of relaxing anywhere, according to this meme - and apparently she enjoys settling down on the famous Resolute desk

Think pink: Other Photoshop fans took Conway out of the Oval Office - such as this artist, who thought her texting pose would be better suited to a little girl's bedroom than the most important office in the world

Moments after taking a photo of Trump, Conway was seen checking her phone, with her legs tucked beneath her. Some members of the delegation glanced at her with what appeared to be amusement.

Many Twitter users mocked and berated Conway for what they saw as a lack of respect, given the formal setting and atmosphere - especially considering the administration was making an effort to reach out to the black community.

'Shocking and bizarre. How do you get that comfortable in your boss's office? Especially in front of guests? Just when you think this administration couldn't shock you anymore...' wrote one user.

Another thought the pose was more appropriate for someone at home: 'I sit on my couch like that. Only when I'm watching tv & having the Munchies tho.'

Even so-called Kellyanne fans were dismayed by the lack of respect shown by the President's counselor.

'I'm a Kellyanne fan, but that is appalling,' one wrote. 'My mother never let us put our feet on the furniture! She sits in a desk chair with both feet & shoes bundled up under her in full view of the public as she scrolls through her phone.'

Grave matter: This artist went for a very different tack, turning Conway into a spooky ghoul rising from her grave. After all, you can't get good reception when you're six feet under

King's speech: What if Conway caused a kerfuffle at an event with an even more notable black American? That's what this user imagined, as she was placed down next to Dr Martin Luther King Jr

Firestarter: Conway made another appearance back in time, when she visited the moment in 1963 that a Vietnamese monk, Thich Quang Duc, burned himself alive in Saigon to protest the country's anti-Buddhist laws

Unbothered: Conway seems oblivious to the Kent State shootings in this picture, in which students protesting the Vietnam war were shot down by National Guardsmen

Hosed: Conway was placed in a racially charged situation in this picture - a photo of Birmingham, Alabama firemen hosing down civil rights protesters in 1963

The outrage over Conway's sitting position is simply the latest in a long line of criticism aimed at adviser.

At the start of the month, Conway came under fire from an ethics board for hawking Ivanka Trump's 'stuff'.

Conway, a graduate of George Washington University Law School who was admitted to the DC Bar in 1995, was also roundly mocked after she talked of the 'Bowling Green massacre.'

That was a supposed terrorist attack that never actually happened. Conway cited it while claiming that it caused Barack Obama to stop Iraqi refugees from entering the country..

And last week a group of 15 legal ethics professors made a complaint to the Bar, saying that she should be sanctioned for violating government ethics rules and 'conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.'

The professors - all ethics experts - cited the Bowling Green gaffe and the Ivanka Trump farrago as evidence that Conway, who once 'understood her ethical responsibilities as a lawyer and abided by them,' is now 'acting in a way that brings shame upon the legal profession.'

Staged photo: Conway was shown 'treating Hamilton the musical like she treats the Oval Office' in this image. The creator added the hashtag '#respect'
A woman (above) is suing a Miami-based cruise line after she alleged that one of its employees brutally raped her while at sea in June 2015

A woman is suing a Miami-based cruise line after she alleged that one of its employees brutally raped her while at sea in June 2015.

The woman, a 46-year-old native of North Carolina who has declined to give her name, said in her lawsuit against SeaDream Yacht Club that she was violently raped by a Portuguese bartender during a trip through the Adriatic Sea on June 24, 2015.

She says that the company should be held liable for failing to provide a safe environment for its passengers.

The alleged victim is seeking $25million in damages as well as a jury trial against the bartender, Rui Manuel Duarte Guerreiro.

The woman, who was a frequent traveler on the cruise line, and Guerreiro were prior acquaintances.

They had met numerous times on other trips.

The woman and another friend had taken a seven-night journey with SeaDream in June 2015. In the middle of the trip, it docked at one of its destinations  Dubrovnik, Croatia.

On that same night, the woman said that she had taken her usual regimen of sleeping pills and a seasickness tablet given to her by a concierge, according to the lawsuit.

When the woman and her friend went to the piano bar, she recognized the bartender who had just come aboard. Soon afterward, she alleges that the bartender forcibly raped her after they were left alone in the piano bar

'He was raping me in all areas possible and I was crying and I was asking him, 'Why are you doing this to me? You are hurting me',' she said. She is seen above with a friend who is not connected with the alleged rape

When the woman and her friend went to the piano bar, she recognized the bartender who had just come aboard.

She said that Guerreiro gave her a glass of water to drink with her pills in addition to a ginger drink and a glass of wine to help her feel better.

Soon afterward, she says that her memory begins to 'get fuzzy' and that she had drifted in and out of consciousness.

Her friend had apparently left her at the bar with Guerreiro, who had promised to escort her back to her room safely, according to the lawsuit.

After the two were left alone in the bar, Guerreiro is alleged to have closed the blinds, dragged the woman behind the bar, and raped her vaginally, anally, and orally.

Since the alleged rape, the woman says that she has suffered trauma and that she was 'in the depth of darkness'. She is seen on board a yacht with a friend who has no connection to the alleged incident

'He was raping me in all areas possible and I was crying and I was asking him, 'Why are you doing this to me? You are hurting me',' she told the Miami Herald.

The woman was dropped off in her room. Soon after, she alerted the doctor, but there was no rape kit on board.

She also claims that she had asked to speak with the captain, but he never came to see her.

Eventually, the trip ended as the ship docked in Venice, Italy.

The woman told the Herald that the incident left her traumatized.

'For a while I was in the depth of darkness,' she said. 'If there is anyone that even slightly resembles the way that he looks, it takes my breathe away.'

'If I'm in the bedroom, my husband has to let me know in advance before he walks in the door.'

'I'm now a member of a club I didn't wish to become a member of.'

The law firm representing the woman  Lipcon, Margulies, Alsina & Winkleman  specializes in maritime claims.

Michael Winkleman, the plaintiff's attorney, says that his client was left with no choice but to sue because the incident happened in international waters and the alleged rapist is a foreign national.

He said that sexual assaults on cruise ships have reached 'epidemic' levels.

'The vast majority of these cases resolve with confidentiality provisions and that of course is because the cruise lines have a very strong interest in keeping these types of tragedies quiet,' Winkleman said.

SeaDream Yacht Club declined to comment.

Guerreiro has so far not responded publicly to the allegations.
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Hillary Clinton may have inspired Pantsuit Nation, but Ivanka Trump is making the look her own.

The first daughter wore coordinating slacks and a blazer on Monday as she witnessed her father sign two women-friendly bills into law.

The mother-of-three was seen leaving her suburban Washington DC home in the attire before heading to the White House.

First Lady Melania also attended the event, wearing a dress in a matching shade of red.

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Ivanka Trump matched her stepmother Melania on Tuesday as the two women attended a bill signing in the Oval Office

Ivanka shared this snap to Instagram captioning it that she was 'proud to support the signing of two bills today'

The First Daughter wore a fashionable red and black pantsuit for the event, paired with a trendy black choker

It's likely that Ivanka will also be at the Capitol Tuesday night to witness her father's first address to Congress. She is seen getting into one of cars of her motorcade before heading to the White House

Ivanka's husband, Jared Kushner, wore a dapper gray suit as he headed into the office on Tuesday. Kushner is acting as an advisor in the Trump Administration

Ivanka shared a photo of the signing and captioned it: 'I am incredibly proud to support the signing of two bills today: H.R. 321 and H.R. 255.

'I am thankful for my fathers commitment to enhancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) education opportunities and entrepreneurial programs for women and girls. Closing the gender gap in STEM fields is essential to both innovation and workforce development.

Trend setter: Ivanka's style choice appeared to be a more up-to-date version of Hillary Clinton's outfit of choice - pictured at the First Presidential Debate with Trump in September

'I look forward to working alongside my father to champion the economic empowerment of women and girls and encouraging gender diversity in STEM fields is critical to that mission. #STEM #ClosingTheGenderGap #WomenInSTEM'

She also shared a video of the signing and added: 'Encouraging gender diversity in #STEM fields is critical to the economic empowerment of women and girls. The two bills my father signed today bring us one step closer to that goal. #ClosingTheGenderGap'.

The two bills that Trump signed into law on Tuesday are aimed at recruiting more women for the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

Trump said at an Oval Office ceremony that it's unfair that only one in four women with a degree in one of these areas works in the field.

One measure authorizes the NASA administrator to encourage young women to study STEM fields and pursue careers that will help advance science and space exploration. It also requires NASA to report to Congress on its plans for achieving the goals spelled out in the legislation.

The second measure authorizes the National Science Foundation to encourage its entrepreneurial programs to recruit and support women to extend their focus beyond the laboratory and into the commercial world.

Missing from Tuesday's bill signing ceremony was Trump's youngest daughter Tiffany, who was across the continent in Canada, helping to open the new Trump International Hotel in Vancouver, BC with her two older brothers and their wives.

H.R. 321 is a new law that authorizes the NASA administrator to encourage young women to study STEM fields and pursue careers that will help advance science and space exploration

The new law, which Ivanka and Melania witnessed being signed into law on Tuesday, also requires NASA to report to Congress on its plans for achieving the goals spelled out in the legislation

Trump signed another pro-woman bill into law on Tuesday, a measure that authorizes the National Science Foundation to encourage its entrepreneurial programs to recruit and support women to extend their focus beyond the laboratory and into the commercial world

Preplanned or luck? Ivanka and Melania wore perfectly complimentary shades of red as they stood behind the president

Vice President Pence stood by as well while the resolutions were signed

Clinton supporters started a movement called Pantsuit Nation in the waning days of the election, urging members to wear pantsuits to the polls.

But at the end of the day, it was Trump who won the election.

During the campaign, Ivanka promised that her father would be a good president for women - advocating for equal pay and paid family leave.

Ivanka's younger sister Tiffany was across the continent on Tuesday, helping other family members open the new Trump International Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She is seated by sister-in-laws Vanessa and Lara

Donald and brother Eric Trump presided over the Vancouver grand opening, which also attracted protesters outside
The manhunt for a tradesman's brother is continuing after he was slashed in the head with a sword at a shopping centre in Melbourne.

Jonathan Dick, 39, has not used his mobile phone or accessed his bank accounts since his brother David Dick, 36, was killed on February 3 at Westfield Doncaster.

Police have released CCTV footage of Jonathan's movements in the weeks that followed, as it's revealed a sword was recovered from his blue Ford Fairmont.

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Police are searching for Jonathan Dick, 39, the brother of the man slashed with a sword at a Melbourne shopping centre

Police found a sword in Jonathan Dick's blue Ford Fairmont (file photo)

Police said the sword suspected to have been used in the attack was found inside the 1997 sedan when it was spotted parked on Wamba Road in Ivanhoe East on February 11.

Footage of Jonathan at a bank in Melbourne's northern suburbs on January 18 has been released in the hope someone may recognise him.

Detectives also released footage of him walking away from the car carrying a backpack, and walking along Wamba Road while putting a hat on.

Footage of Jonathan at a bank in Melbourne's northern suburbs on January 18 has been released in the hope someone may recognise him

Jonathan is pictured arriving at the bank (right) on January 18 and walking on Wamba Road (left) in Ivanhoe East

David was slashed with a sword and died

David was slashed in the head as he stepped out of a carpark lift at the shopping centre about 6am.

Passersby found him injured near a lift lobby at the property at about 6.10am and called triple zero.

David suffered head injuries and died at the scene.

Police are urging Jonathan to hand himself in to assist with inquiries.

Jonathan is described as Caucasian in appearance, 180cm tall with short grey hair and a solid build. He may have facial hair.

He has a wolverine vs sabre-tooth tiger tattoo on his right thigh to his knee and another tattoo on one of his calves.

Police have warned members of the public not to approach him, as he may be armed, but to call triple zero.

CCTV footage shows a man at the scene at Doncaster Westfield with a long and thin yellow bag

Jonathan is described as Caucasian in appearance, 180cm tall with short grey hair and a solid build. He may have facial hair

The crime scene where David Dick, 36, was slashed with a sword as he stepped out of an elevator in the car park of Doncaster Westfield
A man returned to his childhood friend's house after having coffee there to stab his mother to death because he was jealous of their happy family life, a court has heard.

Sigaragh 'Steve' Baea has pleaded guilty to murdering his mate's mother Prasad Somawansa in a brutal and unprovoked attack in Melbourne on February 18 last year.

But it's unclear exactly what motivated the attack as he has given conflicting accounts about why he went back to the family's Hoppers Crossing home and killed Sir-Lankan born Ms Somawansa.

Baea was on Tuesday jailed for at least 17 years with a maximum of 22 years for her murder, which her husband heard happening over the phone.

Sigaragh 'Steve' Baea (pictured) has pleaded guilty to murdering his mate's mother in a brutal and unprovoked attack in Melbourne on February 18 last year

The Papua New Guinea national had gone to primary school with Ms Somawansa's son, Wishhasad, before his family moved away from Australia.

The pair had not seen each other for 10 years when they reconnected in January 2016.

On that occasion, Baea was invited to dinner at the family home, prepared by Ms Somawansa.

The court heard that Baea became jealous of how close the family were - in stark contrast to his own unhappy family life, 7 News reports.

It's unclear exactly what motivated the attack as he has given conflicting accounts about why he killed Sir-Lankan born Prasad Somawansa (pictured right)

The 48-year-old victim (left) had multiple injuries to her head, chest, arms, wrists and hands

A few weeks later, on February 18, Baea turned up unannounced at his friend's house.

He was invited inside and Ms Somawansa made him coffee as he chatted to her son.

When Wishhasad was called away in his role as an SES volunteer, he dropped Baea off at Werribee Plaza at 8.30pm.

But Baea returned to his friend's home on foot.

Ms Somawansa, 48, was on the phone when she let Baea hack inside. She told the caller her son's friend had left something behind and she would call back.

The Papua New Guinea national had gone to primary school with Ms Somawansa's son

Baea had gone to primary school with Ms Somawansa's son, Wishhasad (pictured) but had not seen each other for 10 years when they reconnected in January 2016

'Even though Ms Somawansa had only shown you hospitality and courtesy in the past, you took to her with a knife, which you carried in your trousers, and you stabbed her at least 38 times,' Victorian Supreme Court Justice James Elliott said.

Her last moments were heard by her husband of 22 years, Priyantha Hewage, after the interstate truck driver received a call from his wife's phone at 8.52pm

All he heard was her shouting 'you go out' three times, followed by 'Dos, Dos, Dos', which was her name for her husband, and loud, deep breathing noises.

Baea was on Tuesday jailed for at least 17 years with a maximum of 22 years for her murder

'You stabbed this defenceless woman in her own home,' Justice Elliott said.

The 48-year-old had multiple injuries to her head, chest, arms, wrists and hands.

Baea told police he went back because he thought he had left his Myki card there and he became angry when Ms Somawansa told him to 'piss off'.

But he later told a psychiatrist he did not leave his Myki card behind and had gone back to kill his friend's mother.

'The real reason for your decision to return to the family home is far from clear,' Justice Elliott said.
Transcription

1 THE SEARCH FOR THE NIAGARA ESCARPMENT IN SOUTHWESTERN OHIO Author: PATRICK LAWRENCE Abstract: The in southern Ontario is defined by the presence of a distinct physiographic landform feature in the form of a near vertical cuesta or ridge reaching above the surrounding landscape. The Escarpment can also be described in terms of associated biotic communities and characteristics as well as human and cultural aspects such as land uses agriculture and resource extraction. The Niagara Escarpment as a Palaeozoic bedrock geological feature extends south into New York State, west across Lake Huron into Michigan, and then south through Wisconsin as the Escarpment marks the outward edge of the Michigan Basin within the Great Lakes region. Similar deposits of Silurian and Devonian age limestone, dolomite and shale sediments can be found along a northwestern to southeastern trend in a portion of southern Ohio. However, unlike the Escarpment in Ontario, the feature in southwestern Ohio does not represent a significant landform on the landscape due to impacts from glaciation and the thinner sedimentary deposits characteristic of the Palaeozoic bedrock in this region. The most visible surface expression of the comes in the form of numerous valley and river cuts. The is not given major attention within studies of the geology of Ohio nor in descriptions of physiography and as such does not have the prominence associated with the Escarpment in Ontario or even within Wisconsin. In addition, the associated biotic and cultural characteristics of the landscape are missing in southwestern Ohio. In order to raise awareness and begin discussions regarding the importance of the in southwestern Ohio as a landform which has influenced surface topography and to address conservation of those elements of surface expressions or exposures, there is a need to place this feature within the overall context of the importance and conservation of the in the Great Lakes region. The discovery of the in southwestern Ohio also raises the issue of a need for a broader more bioregional approach for conservation of the Escarpment, which would extend beyond Ontario so as to consider the more complete geographical extent of this significant landscape feature. INTRODUCTION One of the fundamental challenges in planning for the in Ontario has been a debate over the appropriate definition of the Escarpment as a landform and as a landscape feature worthy of conservation and protection. A key issue is the tendency to consider the Escarpment as a geological construct representing a series of Paleozoic sedimentary bedrock deposits leading to the formation of the cliff face or cuesta form as a result of differential erosion (Tovell 1992). Based on this geological or geomorphological definition it is possible to track the Escarpment 1

2 from New York, north into Ontario and Michigan, then south into Wisconsin as the Escarpment represents the outer edge of the Paleozoic deposits the comprise the Michigan Basin within the Great Lakes region (Grabau 1920; Sleep and Sloss 1980) (Figure 1). However, along the Niagara Escarpment this definition based upon surface geology does not always hold strong due to extensive land surface erosion and glacial deposition, which has altered or masked the defining bedrock deposits. As a result, the very identification of what is the and where it occurs can be called into question at many areas along its entire length. There have been some attempts at identifying or classifying subunits or sections of the Escarpment based in part on related landform and topographic characteristics and to some extent on associated biological and cultural elements. In addition, within Ontario the establishment of the Plan resulted in the identification of a Plan Area providing a definition of the Escarpment based on permitted land uses and concerns for related environmental impacts through land use zoning regulations. To address fundamental conservation and planning efforts for the within Ontario and other regions there is a need to consider a wider definition of the Escarpment including examining a fuller range of abiotic, biotic and cultural characteristics that characterize its presence within the Great Lakes region. This highlights the challenges of defining the along its length where the geological structure is often not present due to lack of the cliff face expression of the Paleozoic deposits on the surface topography. One example of this difficulty is the attempt to identify the in southwestern Ohio. THE NIAGARA ESCARPMENT IN SOUTHWESTERN OHIO Study of a geological map of Palaeozoic bedrock deposits in the Great Lakes region, with particular focus on the Michigan Basin feature, reveals the presence of Silurian and Ordovician age sediments located in a portion of southwestern Ohio (Figure 1). These deposits would appear to share the same age and characteristics of the geological sediments, which comprise the Niagara Escarpment within Ontario and New York. Is it possible to locate and identify the associated surface expression and characteristic elements including vertical cliff faces and other bedrock landforms within southwestern Ohio? If these defining features do not exist can the Niagara Escarpment still be identified in southwestern Ohio? A review of research literature and scientific studies reveals limited study and discussion of the in southwestern Ohio. One of the earliest references to the Escarpment in this region can be found in a report on geological features in Ohio by J.E. Carman in Carman examines the presence of a variety of erosional features on bedrock deposits in Ohio in his discussion of stream downcutting and the formation of river gorges. He includes detailed observations and commentary on the erosion along the Little Miami River in southwestern Ohio and the resulting 40 to 100 ft deep gorges cut into the dolomite and shale deposits of Silurian geological age. Carman notes that the origin and location of the gorges and associated water falls are connected to certain regional geological relations within southwestern Ohio, in particular the Ordovician and Silurian bedrock that underlay the surface sediments in this region: 2

3 Figure 1. The Michigan Basin and the Carman, J.E The Geologic Interpretation of Scenic Features in Ohio. Ohio Journal of Science Vol. XLVI, No.5:

4 Where the two areas border [Ordovician and Silurian rocks] there was thus developed a narrow belt.this is an indistinct escarpment slope on the edge of the Silurian rocks. (Carman 1947, p. 257) He also notes the important role of glaciation leading to erosion of the geological deposits and subsequent burying of bedrock features following advance and melt of the glacial ice sheets. Stream erosion has made the course of the escarpment irregular and the details of this cuesta feature are largely hidden by the mantle of glacial drift that covers the region. (Carman 1947, pp ) Carman concludes by describing the southwestern Ohio bedrock deposits and the resulting river gorge forms in terms of their common relationship to the regional Palaeozoic geological history: The escarpment described above is, in topography, in structure, in lithology, and even in the geologic age of the rocks, similar to the east-west escarpment of western New York known as the Niagara escarpment. (Carman 1947, p. 260) Hansen (1998) provides a detailed description of the Silurian geology of Ohio. He indicates that most Silurian rocks in the state are either deeply buried beneath younger rocks in eastern Ohio or covered by a thick layer of glacial sediments in western Ohio. Hansen notes that in several locations, rivers and streams have downcut into the underlying Silurian bedrock creating a range of spectacular gorge and waterfall features. The most notable area of Silurian scenery is in Greene County, where the Little Miami River and some of its tributaries are downcutting through an escarpment or cuesta of Silurian strata. (Hansen 1998, p. 4) He states that these Silurian bedrock deposits have been important sources of limestone and dolomite rock with 44 quarry operations in 26 countries across the state. Another recent reference to the presence of the in southwestern Ohio comes from the results of a project mapping the karst terrain in Ohio (Hull 1999). The karst terrain in this area includes the greatest number of surveyed caves and second largest number of sinkholes in the state. The in Ohio, north-central Kentucky, and southeastern Indiana is an erosionally resistant ring of heavily dissected, ledge-forming, carbonate-rock-dominated, Niagaran Series strata of Silurian age. (Hull 1999, p. 4) Hull refers to the creation of a subtle, dissected and discontinuous ridge or cuesta, which has a relatively steep, undercut face and a gentle dip slope. Although the in southwestern Ohio does not consist of wide spread bedrock exposures or steep vertical cliffs on the land surface, the associated dolomite bedrock geological deposits have resulted in the formation of sinkholes and caves along the margin of the Escarpment in Greene County and south to Adams County (Figure 2). 4

5 Figure 2. in southwestern Ohio Carman, J.E The Geologic Interpretation of Scenic Features in Ohio. Ohio Journal of Science Vol. XLVI, No.5:

6 However, the does not appear as a major geological landform or physiographic feature on state maps of surface geology (Bownocker 1947) or physiographic regions as prepared by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Geological Survey ( Also a recent study of the environmental setting and related water quality within the Great and Little Miami River Basins which are located in southwestern Ohio in the region where the Silurian and Ordovician sediments that define the are present included detailed mapping of physiography, geology, glacial deposits, soils, ecoregions and land uses, but did not recognize the as a surface landform feature ( Although the geological Palaeozoic bedrock deposits that characterize the are located within several areas in southwestern Ohio especially Clark, Greene and Clinton Counties (Figure 2) the presence of the Escarpment is not well defined nor does it take the form of significant vertical cliff faces on the landscape that is often so typical of expression of the in southern Ontario. Instead the in southwestern Ohio more often is observed in the irregular hilly terrain in many locations (Figure 3) and also as exposed bedrock cuts along roads (Figure 4), major rivers and streams. East of Dayton, Ohio sections of the Silurian and Ordovician deposits are found at sites where the Little Miami River has eroded down through surface sediments and into the bedrock. Following late Wisconsin glaciation 100,000 years ago, large meltwater rivers lead to rapid erosion of the soft underlying limestone bedrock cutting a 40 to 50 ft deep gorge along the current Little Miami River. The gorge and related glacial-fluvial features can be observed in a number of locations including Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve and John Bryan State Park in southwestern Ohio. Exposures of the Silurian bedrock can also be observed at several rock quarries in the region (Figure 5). Across the landscape of southwestern Ohio the does not take on a characteristic cliff form nor present as a significant geological or surface landform. The Palaeozoic sediments are present, as are some characteristic bedrock erosion features, but is the more than a physiographic unit? If the bedrock geology exists but with no related cliff face are there other characteristics of the Escarpment that define it s presence on the landscape? Certainly the geological deposits have a great influence on the regional soils, drainage, and the location of important economic geological resources such as limestone and dolomite rock, but does the Palaeozoic bedrock and resulting create other related landscape characteristics? The challenge of identifying and locating the Niagara Escarpment in southwestern Ohio is the lack of strong landform presence, which leads to the consideration of two key questions: what is the?; and where is the Niagara Escarpment? In order to identify the in southwestern Ohio there will be a need to identify the related biotic and cultural elements that characterize the Escarpment. 6

7 Figure 3. Hillside located in Highland County, Ohio Figure 4. Roadcut of bedrock, south of Hillsboro, Ohio Figure 5. Quarry near Xenia, Ohio 7

8 DISCUSSION The most commonly accepted definition of the is based upon the presence of the characteristic Palaeozoic bedrock geological deposits and identification of the Escarpment as a geological or physiographic feature on the landscape. The Escarpment is often thought of as a vertical to near vertical cliff face comprised of sedimentary bedrock of Silurian and Ordovician geological age. It is also possible to characterize the on the basis of the sedimentary limestone, dolomite, sandstone and shale deposits and associated geological features including karst terrain such as sinkholes and caves. There have also been numerous studies examining different characteristics of the including research on the identification of biotic (plant and animal) communities located along the Escarpment (Riley et al. 1997). What comparable focus has been placed on determining variations in similar environmental conditions that would contribute to a better understanding and definition of the Escarpment as a linear feature extending through southwestern Ontario and south into New York, west into Michigan then south into Wisconsin? Is it possible to define the beyond a thin narrow linear geological feature and to consider a broader definition of the Escarpment based on other factors such as vegetation types, soils, climate and other ecosystem criteria? Examples could include the identification of associated biotic communities, significant natural habitats, or important fauna and flora (forests, birds). Cox and Larson (1993) describe vegetation and related environmental factors on talus slopes of the ; could these be used to map the entire length and area of the Escarpment? Moss and Milne (1998) identify land units along the Escarpment based on biophysical processes related to geomorphology and forest ecosystem dynamics. Kosydar (1996) has described individual sections of the in Ontario on the basis of identification of natural landscapes. The Plan defines the Escarpment in terms of a Plan Area as a focus for conservation efforts and related land use designations and planning regulations (Niagara Escarpment 1997). Could other associated cultural characteristics such as land and resource uses (agriculture, surface mining) and other factors assist in the classification of the Escarpment? Fox (1995) discusses the identification of a cultural landscape for the Niagara Escarpment in the Bruce Peninsula, Ontario. The Escarpment could also be identified in terms of the range of parks and protected areas that exist to support conservation and recreational opportunities. If the is more than a set of geological units, what cultural characteristics could be used to map and classify the Escarpment along its complete length in both Ontario and into the United States? Is there a set of land cover or land use types that are common along the Escarpment associated with human impacts, settlement patterns, historical uses, resource and economic activities? Are there agricultural practices, residential developments, or resource extraction including forestry and rock quarries? What social or economic criteria could be used to define the Escarpment? 8

9 CONCLUSIONS The is most commonly expressed in terms of a geological and physiographic landform. In many areas where the characteristic bedrock geological deposits exist for the Escarpment, the resulting surface features and landscape do not have a strong presence nor are they well defined. This illustrates the importance of considering a wider range of criteria to use in defining the Escarpment, including biotic and cultural characteristics. In order to develop the basis for regional planning of the, beyond the current Plan Area in Ontario, there will be a need to reconsider the very identification of the Escarpment in terms beyond the geological criteria and to identify a fuller range of significant elements of the in considering a regional planning approach. The Great Arc is one concept that has been proposed for planning of the within the Michigan Basin in the Great Lakes region (Nelson et al. 2000). The Great Arc describes the in terms of the need for a bioregional approach for planning of this landscape feature along its entire length around the margins of the Michigan Basin with the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada (Figure 1). The can then be considered as an important transnational feature to be recognized in a broader approach for conservation efforts and sustainable use of the Escarpment and related resources and environmental elements. In order to consider a bioregional planning approach for the Great Arc it will first be necessary to consider the definition of the beyond in terms of solely the geological bedrock deposits which are not uniform nor consistent in their surface exposure through the entire length of the Escarpment. Such an exercise calls into question the very identification of the Niagara Escarpment and where it exists, and highlights the need for a reconsideration of its identification for conservation and planning purposes in Ontario and the United States, including within southwestern Ohio. REFERENCES Bownocker, J.A Geological Map of Ohio. Ohio Division of Geological Survey. Columbus: Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Carman, J.E The Geologic Interpretation of Scenic Features in Ohio. Ohio Journal of Science Vol. XLVI, No.5: Cox, J.E. and D.W. Larson Spatial heterogeneity of vegetation and environmental factors on talus slopes of the. Canadian Journal of Botany 71(2): Fox, W.A The Northern Cultural Landscape. Paper in Leading Edge 94 Conference Proceedings, ed. S. Carty et al., Toronto: Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy. Grabau, A.W The Niagara Cuesta from a New Viewpoint. Geographical Review 9:

10 Hansen, M.C Geology of Ohio The Silurian. Ohio Geology. Vol. Spring Ohio Division of Geological Survey. Columbus: Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Hull, D. N Mapping Ohio s Karst Terrain. Ohio Geology. Vol No. 2. Ohio Division of Geological Survey. Columbus: Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Kosydar, R Natural Landscapes of the. Dundas, Ontario: Tierceron Press. Moss, M.R. and R.J. Milne Biophysical processes and bioregional planning: The Niagara Escarpment of southern Ontario. Landscape and Urban Planning 40: (1994; 1994; 1985). The Plan. Office Consolidation. Georgetown, Ontario:. Nelson, J.G., P.L. Lawrence and C. Beck Building the Great Arc: Landscape and Regional Planning for the in Canada and the United States. Paper in Leading Edge 99: Making Connections Conference Proceedings. Toronto, Ontario: Ministry of Natural Resources. Riley, J.L., J.V. Jalava, S. Varga and P.S.G. Kor Ecological Survey of the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. Peterborough: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, South Central Region. Sleep, N.H. and L.L. Sloss The Michigan Basin. In Dynamics of Plate Interiors Geodynamics Series, ed. A.W. Bally et al., Vol. 1. American Geophysical Union. Tovell, W.M Guide to the Geology of the. Georgetown, Ontario:. CONTACT Dr. Patrick Lawrence Department of Geography and Planning University of Toledo Toledo, Ohio U.S.A Telephone: (419) Fax: (419)
Families of the Tunisia terrorism victims vowed to sue travel giant Tui last night as it emerged that the firm spied on a grieving husbands Facebook page in an attempt to dodge the blame.

Relatives have launched a multi-million-pound compensation bid against the tour operator for failing to ensure the safety of their loved ones and not informing them of terrorism risks in the North African country.

Tui, the parent company of travel agent Thomson, was accused of burying Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice warning that further attacks were possible following a fatal shooting at a museum three months earlier.

Pictured: ISIS fanatic Seifeddine Rezgui, 23, walks along the beach at Sousse during the terrorist attack in 2015

As the six-week inquest ended into the 30 British victims of the massacre by an Islamic State gunman in the beach resort of Sousse in June 2015, it can be revealed that:

 Fanatic Seifeddine Rezgui, 23, carried out the attack at the five-star Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel because it was an easy target;

 It had the fewest CCTV cameras of all nearby hotels and had just three security guards on duty on the day of the attack  one of whom was really the man who supplied the cushions on the beach;

 The coroner attacked the shambolic and cowardly police response, saying officers deliberately took too long to reach the scene;

 All three guards ran away.

In an astonishing move, lawyers for Tui snooped on social media to disprove one victims testimony that he did not know about the FCO advice.

James Windass, 66, whose wife Claire, 54, was shot dead next to him on his 65th birthday, said that he would never have booked the holiday if the travel company had warned him of the dangers of terrorism.

He told the inquest he did not see any links to the FCO advice on the Thomson website, adding: If it had been put to me that there was a possible terrorist situation I would not have gone. End of story.

But lawyers from Tui trawled through his Facebook account and dredged up a post from 2012 in an attempt to discredit his evidence.

James Windass, whose wife Claire (pictured) was shot dead next to him, said he would never have booked the holiday if TUI had informed him of the dangers of terrorism

Howard Stevens QC, for the travel firm, tried to suggest that Mr Windass must have known about the FCO website because he was a member of a Facebook group called Cycle 66 in which it was mentioned.

It was a page set up to celebrate Mr Windass 2,500 mile cycle along Route 66 in the US in 2012, during which he was robbed. Mr Stevens asked him: I dont know whether you will remember this... but on August 25, 2012, you posted this: If anybody has any experience of obtaining emergency travel documents and dealing with stolen passports in the US then any advice would be appreciated.

 Mr Stevens said a Facebook user later commented on the post and referred him to the Foreign Offices website. But Mr Windass told the court the post had actually been made by his son so he never saw it.

Tui dropped its prices by up to 30 per cent following the earlier attack on the Bardo Museum in the Tunisian capital and pushed holidays to the country, according to Paul Thompson and his wife Zoe, who were in Sousse at the time of the attack.

Mr Thompson told the inquest that when his wife mentioned Bardo to a Thomson travel agent, they were told it was a one-off and Tunisia was 100 per cent safe.

The coroner, Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith, yesterday said that the only reference Tui made to FCO travel advice in a brochure was in the visa section  and no visa was required for Tunisia. He also read at length from a crib sheet produced two days after the Bardo attack for Thomson sales staff. In it, Tui advised staff to tell holidaymakers: Tunisia remains a popular destination for us and customers are enjoying their holidays as normal.

The firm refused to give refunds, telling customers: Normal booking conditions will apply.

Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith criticised the crib sheet, saying: Firstly it does not give any details of the [Bardo] attack. Secondly, it does not mention terrorism or risk of terrorism. And thirdly, although it refers to FCO advice, it doesnt give any guidance as to where its going to be found.

Cheryl Stollery, wife of victim John Stollery (pictured), 58, said questions had been 'responsibilities have not been accepted'

A number of witnesses have given evidence that they were told that Tunisia was safe. That evidence has been disputed by Tui. But a number of customers would not have gone to Tunisia had they seen the FCO advice.

The inquest heard in 2013 a suicide bomber blew himself up in Sousse and a terror cell was caught in the area. That year alone, 1,347 people were tried for terrorism. In 2014, another cell was discovered.

Andrew Ritchie QC, representing 20 of the families, said Tui neglected to take any steps to improve security at the Imperial Marhaba Hotel after the Bardo attack. Staff had no training in responding to terror attacks and one actually opened the door to the administration area where customers were hiding, allowing Rezgui in.

Yesterday Cheryl Stollery, wife of John Stollery, 58, a former paratrooper who was shot dead next to her as they tried to flee, said: Questions have been left unanswered and responsibilities have not been accepted, so we are not able to rest or move on.

During the inquest, Tui denied it had pushed holidays to Tunisia and that its prices were determined by an algorithm. It also maintained that security was the responsibility of the hotels.

Nick Longman, managing director of Tui UK, said yesterday: What happened in Tunisia shocked and devastated all of us.

We have already taken steps to raise awareness of the FCOs Travel Aware campaign. As an industry we have adapted and we will need to continue to do so.

Haunting grief of wives and mothers left behind by terror

by Sam Greenhill, Chief Reporter

Suzanne Richards (left) accused holiday firm TUI of putting profits before security

United in grief and resolve, they came to court to honour their loved ones and demand justice.

Holding hands among tearful relatives gathered on the steps, the two women did not know each other before the Tunisia atrocity.

Suzanne Richards son, father and brother were all massacred. She accused holiday firm TUI of putting profits before security.

Standing next to her with a pink ribbon was Cheryl Stollery. Her husband John, 58, died from a shot to the head as he tried to flee.

Mr Stollery had survived the Troubles serving as a Paratrooper in Northern Ireland and was a member of the funeral cortege of Lord Mountbatten after he was assassinated by the IRA in 1979.

Yesterday his 56-year-old widow branded the Tunisian police cowards and called for travel agencies to be forced to reveal terror risks at the point of booking.

Disappointingly, I still believe questions have been left unanswered and responsibilities have not been accepted, so we are not able to rest or move on, she said. I wish to see all prospective holidaymakers being provided with mandatory security information.

Mrs Stollery said nothing would ever be be normal again for her and her son Matt, 23.

She added: John could have done so much more especially with Matt and me, with our friends, with his life.

He was special to so many people and as a social worker was important to the many children and young people he worked with.

Mrs Richards condemned TUI and the Tunisian authorities, saying: Customer safety did not seem to be a priority.

Also with her at court was her son Owen, 18, who narrowly survived the murderous rampage. His elder brother Joel, 19, uncle Adrian Evans, 49, and grandfather Charles Evans, 78, were mercilessly cut down.

Joel Richards (centre), 19, his uncle Adrian Evans (right), and his grandfather Charles 'Patrick' Evans (left), 78 , were among the 30 Britons killed in the Tunisian beach massacre in 2015

With a bravery beyond his years, Owen, then aged 16, had desperately tried to help his grandfather escape the slaughter. But Mr Evans kept falling, telling his grandson: Hes got me.

The family, from the West Midlands, were enjoying the first day of a trip to celebrate Owen passing his GCSEs.

Mrs Richards said yesterday: Within 12 hours of being on holiday, my eldest son, my dad and my brother were murdered and the only protection they had was each other. Words will never explain the devastation of losing my family in such a horrific manner and every day is a colossal struggle without them. But my mother and I are blessed we still have Owen which makes our lives worth living.

Demanding lessons be learnt, she said: I am convinced an attack of this nature was entirely predictable and there was a responsibility placed upon the Tunisian authorities and TUI to put structures and procedures in place to secure the safety of their customers.

I am convinced an attack of this nature was entirely predictable. Suzanne Richards

The inquest heard that Owen suffered a wound to his shoulder in the hail of bullets. He told British police that his brother Joel screamed No three times before being blasted at close range.

The family of Scott Chalkley, 42, from Derby, who died alongside his partner Sue Davey, 43, from Staffordshire, said: What is perhaps the saddest is that Scott was taken when he had found true happiness.

Despite being the eternal bachelor, Scott was smitten with Sue and they had just made the step of buying a house together. It was the celebration of that relationship that had taken them both to Tunisia.

Kieran Mitchell, of law firm Slater and Gordon, said: Hearing of TUIs apparent lack of interest in security and the polices disinterest in responding to the massacre has been extremely painful for Mr Chalkleys family. Ray and Angie Fisher, from Leicester, were killed shortly before their golden wedding anniversary.

Their son Adam Fisher, 43, said they would not have gone had they seen travel advice about the risks.

Nick Longman, the managing director of TUI UK, said outside court: We are so very sorry for the pain and loss those affected have suffered.

On that day the world changed. As an industry we have adapted and we will need to continue to do so.

This terrorist incident has left its mark on all of us and its impact will always be remembered.
An Iowa father has been ordered to pay $127million in damages to a 13-year-old girl he plied with alcohol and raped.

James Hohenshell, 47, allowed his daughter to invite her friends over for a party at his rural home on Northeast 94th Avenue in Bondurant, Iowa in August 2013.

He then had sex with one of the girls once she was drunk, and later plead guilty to third-degree sex abuse for which he was sentenced to five years in jail.

James Hohenshell, 47, has been ordered to pay $127million in damages to a 13-year-old girl he plied with alcohol and raped in 2013

He also received five years for five separate counts of providing alcohol to minors. However, he is set to be released next month.

The victim's parents sued Hohenshell for damages for past and future medical bills and emotional distress, and a Polk County Jury awarded their claim on Thursday, the Des Moines Register reported.

They hope that the financial punishment will deliver more justice to the family, who believed that the five-year sentence imposed on Hohenshell was not enough.

The family's lawyer Matt Lindholm said: 'It wasn't about money in this case at all because it's very likely there's not going to be a dime recovered.

'It was about sending a statement and getting a judgment that's essentially going to follow this guy around for the rest of his life just like the scars he left on our client and her family are going to follow them around for the rest of their lives.'

The incident occurred after he allowed his daughter to invite her friends over for a party at his rural home on Northeast 94th Avenue in Bondurant, Iowa in August 2013

Hohenshell will be required to file as a sex offender in the state of Iowa.

Following his conviction in 2014, he was required to pay $5,527 in restitution. He sold his home on NE 94th Avenue for $395,500 in late 2015, according to the Polk County Assessor's website.

It is often difficult to collect legal payouts as they require the defendant to have substantial income or assets. The suit against Hohenshell can apply to any assets he currently has or infers in the future.

It could, however, still be overturned or appealed in court.
Terrified neighbours of the man charged over a terror plot to develop 'high-tech missiles' for ISIS have started locking their gates, saying the incident has only made the town's fear of other cultures worse.

On Tuesday, the Australian Federal Police arrested Australian-born electrician Haisem Zahab, 42, at a semi-rural property in the country town Young in southern New South Wales.

The accused terrorist's neighbour Kerry Barr told Daily Mail Australia the town of 7,000 people are afraid of the Muslim community, which has grown to 200 families since the mid 1990s.

'People are scared of other cultures. And you can see that here in town. This has only made that worse,' Ms Barr, a local schoolteacher, said.

Terrified neighbours of the man charged over a terror plot to develop 'high-tech missiles' for ISIS have started locking their gates, saying they are fearful of the 'other culture' in the town. Pictured is a sign for the Islamic Centre, Mosque Omar Ibn Khatab

On Tuesday, the Australian Federal Police arrested Australian-born electrician Haisem Zahab (pictured), 42, at a semi-rural property in the country town Young

Detectives were still in full force at the property on Wednesday morning, the day after they arrested Zahab

'Since this happened the people down the road have started closing their gates'.

Ms Barr's property overlooks the property Zahab was living at while allegedly 'developing high-tech weapons capability'.

'The family keep to themselves we wave when we see each other but that is it,' she said.

While the schoolteacher was shocked when police turned up to raid the property at 3am, she said she's not afraid of the Muslim community in the town.

'Yes there are one or two bad apples here but the rest are good and shouldn't be criticised,' she said.

'It doesn't scare me because even if he was making missiles or bombs for an Australian attack he isn't going to blow up the place next door'.

Ms Barr said she woke up to the AFP raid and recalls hearing an 'explosion'.

Muslims in prayer at the El Eman Mosque on Moppity Road in the town of Young in NSW

The town has an Islamic Centre for the 200 Muslim families to come and pray

The accused terrorist's neighbour, Kerry Barr, told Daily Mail Australia the town of 7,000 people are afraid of the Muslim community that has been growing since the mid 1990s

Ms Barr's property overlooks the property Zahab was living at while allegedly 'developing high-tech weapons capability'

The town of 7,000 people has also been attracting Muslim residents since the mid-1990s

Local furniture restorer Mohammed Carson (pictured at his Young home) told Daily Mail Australia he converted to Islam in the town when he turned 41 and is often verbally attacked in the street

'When I left the house at 8.15 to go to the gym I saw 20 odd cars and thought there had been a death in the family,' she said.

'Then I realised all of the people wearing black were cops - my first thought was drugs but there were too many police for that.

'They came and talked to me after that and explained what had happened.'

The town of 7,000 people has also been attracting Muslim residents since the mid-1990s and those residents are described as model citizens by the mayor.

In 2016, 10 businesses in the small town were owned and run by Muslim families.

They moved to the area to find work at the halal abattoir and on the cherry farms.

This year, Islamic primary school New Madinah College opened to accommodate the rise of Muslim families in the country town.

Local furniture restorer Mohammed Carson told Daily Mail Australia he converted to Islam in the town when he turned 41 and is often verbally attacked in the street.

'I was with my wife the other day and someone called out "look there is the effing scum of Young",' he said.

'I have had people in the supermarket say "get some pork on your fork you f***ing Muslim," or people muttering about us all being terrorists'.

Mr Carson said he was a 'true blue Aussie guy' before he converted, changing his name from Tom to Mohammed.

Mr Carson said he was a 'true blue Aussie guy' before he converted, changing his name from Tom to Mohammed

Many of those townsfolk are Lebanese Muslims, and it's the Lebanese Muslim Association which runs mosques on Moppity Road

The AFP were back at the property by dawn to carry out further investigation

The El Eman Mosque on Moppity Road is a major place of worship for Young's Muslims

A man claiming to be the brother of Haisem Zahab, who was arrested on Tuesday and charged with a terror plot to develop 'high-tech missiles and laser warning devices'

While the schoolteacher was shocked when police turned up to raid the property at 3am, she is not afraid of the Muslim community in the town

He said he converted eight years after he married his wife, who is a Muslim from Indonesia, and decided Islam was the religion from him.

Men from the local mosque, who chose to remain unnamed, told Daily Mail Australia Zahab was not known to them, but Mr Carson disagrees.

'I have seen him but he is lucky to come once every three weeks to out compulsory Friday prayers,' he said.

'Sometimes there are up to 80 people at those meetings.

'I have said hello to him but not any more than that. I haven't had a cup of tea or meal with him and not seen him outside of the mosque.'

Other men who attend the mosque said they have had furious locals scream at them since Zahab's arrest.

'Not everyone follows the religion properly,' one of the members of the mosque said.

'Every time one Muslim does something wrong we are all blamed, we don't know this guy but people have been lining up against our fence screaming at us since the news of the police raid was announced.

'Now we have to be scared for our family because of what this man has done.'

Many of those townsfolk are Lebanese Muslims, and it's the Lebanese Muslim Association which runs mosques on Moppity Road.

The nondescript El Eman Mosque, with a corrugated iron roof, is a major place of worship for the town's practising Muslims.

The Omar Ibn al Khatib Mosque was previously a drive-in cinema until 1998.

Detectives were seen heading back to the property just after 8am on Wednesday

The Australian Federal Police were at the gates of the Young property on Wednesday to sign other officers in as they started further investigations

Some Muslims have recently moved to Young to escape the rat race of Sydney and have more time for prayer and reflection

Muslims also moved to Young in southern New South Wales to find work as cherry harvesters

Many Muslim families moved to the area to find work at the halal abattoir (pictured) and on the cherry farms
Alabama officials said an execution of a man who heaved and coughed for 13 minutes after he was given the lethal injection was not botched.

State lawyers said claims that the December execution of Ronald Bert Smith Jr. went 'horribly wrong' were 'highly exaggerated and incorrect'.

The lawyers with the Alabama attorney general's office in a court filing last week urged the Alabama Supreme Court to set an execution date for Robert Melson.

Melson's legal team was using the execution as a means to stall his own execution date from being set.

He was convicted of killing three employees during a 1995 robbery of a Popeye's restaurant in Gadsden, Alabama.

Alabama officials said the execution of Ronald Bert Smith Jr. (left) was not botched despite reports of Smith heaving and coughing for 13 minutes after he was given a lethal injection last December. The claims were made by Robert Melson's lawyers (right) in an attempt to try and postpone his execution date from being set

Smith, 45, was executed by Alabama for murdering a store clerk. Melson was convicted and given the death penalty for killing three employees of a Popeye's restaurant

His lawyers argued the state should not execute him until questions of 'serious constitutional issues' of Alabama's lethal injection method were resolved, referring to the execution of inmate 45-year-old Smith.

Smith was put to death by the state in early December of 2016 and according to reports, the felon coughed and heaved his chest repeatedly for the first 13 minutes of a lethal injection and moved after a consciousness test.

Melson's lawyers say questions remain about the constitutionality of the state's lethal injection process.
Massachusetts might be cold, but it's still the best place to live in the US. And southern states might be warm, but they're the worst places to live, according to a new report.

All the states in the US were ranked by what Americans say they value most: education and healthcare first; infrastructure, crime and corrections, opportunity, economy and government. US News & World report ranked the states.

Massachusetts was the number one best state to live and three New England states made the top 10, while no southern States made up the top ten

Overall, Massachusetts took the number one spot. The top ten was rounded out by New Hampshire, Minnesota, North Dakota, Washington, Iowa, Utah, Maryland, Colorado, and Vermont.

Massachusetts ranked first in education, not a surprise given it is the seat of top tier universities such as Harvard, MIT, University of Massachusetts, Wellesley, Smith, and Tufts. It ranked second in healthcare.

Governor Mitt Romney ushered in healthcare reform in 2006, promising all residents healthcare.

He implemented the healthcare marketplace, which is similar to Obamacare. Ninety-eight per cent of residents have healthcare, according to CBS News.

Obama cited the Romney mandate as the model for the Affordable Healthcare Act, which Romney then bizarrely opposed during his 2008 presidential run.

Second place New Hampshire ranked first in opportunity. Ninth ranked Colorado ranked first in economy. Vermont was number one in crime and corrections, meaning it had a very low crime rate.

Last in the union were southern states. New Mexico, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana rounded out the last five, with Louisiana dead last. That state also ranked last in crime and corrections and 49th in opportunity.
Silda Wall has legally changed her name to Silda Wall Spitzer two years after she divorced disgraced former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer.

Wall Spitzer filed court papers in upstate New York on December 29 petitioning for the name change, according to Politico.

The filing states that Wall Spitzer had kept her maiden name after she married Spitzer in 1987, but adopted her husband's surname in social and professional capacities.

Although she had never legally requested to change her name after marriage, she kept using the name Spitzer even after their divorce was finalized in 2013.

By that time, Spitzer had made an unsuccessful attempt at a political comeback, losing the race for New York City comptroller.

Silda Wall (left) has legally changed her name to Silda Wall Spitzer two years after she divorced disgraced former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer. The couple is seen on March 12, 2008, when Eliot Spitzer announced his resignation as governor

'Petitioner simply desires to change her name from Silda Alice Wall, her legal name, to Silda Alice Wall Spitzer, the name she has been using socially, publicly and professionally for many years and which her children share,' the court filing reads.

Eliot Spitzer's once-promising political career came to a crashing end in March 2008, when he was forced to resign as New York governor after it was learned he had paid thousands of dollars to high-priced escorts.

Spitzer had arranged to meet one of the prostitutes who used the alias 'Kristen' at a Washington, DC, hotel.

The woman, who was later identified as Ashley Dupre, received $4,300 in cash from the then-governor.

Eliot Spitzer's once-promising political career came to a crashing end in March 2008, when he was forced to resign as New York governor after it was learned he had paid thousands of dollars to high-priced escorts, including Ashley Dupre (seen above)

In the wake of the scandal, Dupre, who was then a budding musician, would become a media personality who developed a career in television.

Wall Spitzer, a Harvard-educated lawyer who went on to have a successful career in business as the head of an equity firm, stood by her husband after he resigned.

The couple would eventually divorce in 2013. They have three daughters.

The split was announced just days after it was learned that Spitzer became romantically involved with a press aide who is 23 years younger.

The affair with the aide is widely believed to have been behind Spitzer's split from Silda, which was agreed in February 2014.

In 2015, it was learned that Spitzer had carried on a two-year relationship with a Russian call girl, Svetlana Travis (left). The affair came to light when Travis told police that Spitzer had choked her. She was arrested (right) for trying to extort money from the former governor

As part of the settlement, she was granted $7.5million, $240,000-a-year for life, and the couple's luxury Fifth Avenue apartment.

Spitzer's relationship with the aide ended in 2015 when it was learned that Spitzer was carrying on a relationship with a Russian prostitute for two years while they were dating.

The affair only came to light the woman, Svetlana Travis, called 911 from his $1,000-a-night suite at the Plaza Hotel, in New York, claiming she had slit her wrists after Spitzer had choked her.

Travis was arrested and charged with extorting Spitzer out of $400,000 and threatening to reveal intimate details of their relationship.

She is currently being held on $1million bond, according to the New York Post.

Silda Wall Spitzer has recent made her own forays into politics.

Last April, she ran as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

She also hosted a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton, who would eventually lose the presidential election to Republican Donald Trump.
Jean-Marie Le Pen has been convicted of inciting racial hatred by calling Roma gipsies smelly.

The 88-year-old, pictured, founded Frances far-right National Front party and is one of its leading MEPs.

But on Monday, an appeals court in Aix-en-Provence found that Le Pen, who is honorary president of the party, had broken the law at a press conference in Nice in 2013.

Jean-Marie Le Pen has been convicted of inciting racial hatred by calling Roma gipsies smelly

He was ordered to pay a fine equivalent to just over 4,000 for the outburst.

The conviction comes as his daughter, Marine Le Pen, tries to disassociate the party from its racist supporters.

She is attempting to become president of France.

Her fathers latest conviction will be seen as a blow to Miss Le Pens ambitions, especially as he remains hugely popular within the party.

Before his appeal, Mr Le Pen had said: I stick by these terms because it is what I think.

But Sonny Phung, of the anti-racism group SOS Racisme  one of the complainants  said: Jean-Marie Le Pen's words were extremely serious and an open call to hate and ethnic discrimination.

Mr Le Pen, who himself came runner-up in the French presidential elections of 2002, has a long string of similar convictions behind him.

He infamously described the Holocaust as a detail of history, and regularly rails against immigrants, Jews and Muslims.

The 88-year-old (right) founded Frances far-right National Front party and is one of its leading MEPs. His daughter, Marine Le Pen, (left) is the current party leader

Ms Le Pen is currently tipped to win the first round of voting in the presidential election in April, although polls suggests she will be roundly beaten in the second round in May.

French cities such as Nice and Paris have large Roma communities living in makeshift camps, and there are frequent efforts made to raze them.

Most of the inhabitants come from Romania or Bulgaria, and are European Union passport holders, but they are still regularly stigmatised because of their links with organised crime, including gangs of street thieves.
One of the two bungling Oscars accountants surfaced on Tuesday - but the more guilty of the PwC bean counters remained in hiding after being firmly blamed for the fiasco.

Martha Ruiz was seen for the first time since her fellow Oscars accountant Brian Cullinan handed over the wrong envelope to Warren Beatty, leading to La La Land being wrongly named Best Picture - when it was actually Moonlight.

She and Cullinan are not being allowed to be interviewed by PwC, who issued a stinging public rebuke saying he gave over the wrong envelope, and she did not act quickly enough to correct the error.

And the blundering bean-counter's wife also emerged for the first time.

Mother-of-three Andrea Cullinan, 52, refused to comment on the incident when approached by DailyMail.com  and instead rushed inside her luxury $2.9m Malibu, California, home without speaking.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Back to the day job: Martha Ruiz, the PwC partner who was one of the two at the center of the Oscars fiasco, emerged for the first time as she left her Los Angeles home. Her more senior co-worker, Brian Cullanin, is still in hiding

Back home: Andrea Cullinan, wife of the Oscars bungler Brian Cullinan, returned to their Malibo home on Tuesday with a trunk full of luggage - but no husband

Last seen on stage: Brian Cullanin has been in hiding since he appeared on stage in the course of the Oscar fiasco to tell Warren Beatty (left) that La La Land was not the winner

Starstruck: Cullinan tweeted this photograph of Stone backstage at 9:05pm, the same time that Beatty was opening the wrong envelope

Dynamic duo: Accountants Martha Ruiz and Brian Cullinan were in charge of overseeing Oscars results - and now PwC says he is to blame for getting the envelope wrong, and that they both failed to quickly enough follow protocols to correct the error

Selfie time: Brian Cullinan (left with Oprah Winfrey in 2015, right with Matt Damon in 2016) is the PricewaterhouseCoopers accountant who handed the wrong envelope to Warren Beatty at Sunday night's Oscar ceremony

THAT'S GOT TO HURT... PwC' VERDICT ON BRIAN THE BUNGLER PwC takes full responsibility for the series of mistakes and breaches of established protocols during last night's Oscars. PwC partner Brian Cullinan mistakenly handed the back-up envelope for Actress in a Leading Role instead of the envelope for Best Picture to presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. Once the error occurred, protocols for correcting it were not followed through quickly enough by Mr. Cullinan or his partner. We are deeply sorry for the disappointment suffered by the cast and crew of 'La La Land' and 'Moonlight.' We sincerely apologize to Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Jimmy Kimmel, ABC, and the Academy, none of whom was at fault for last night's errors. We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to each of them for the graciousness they displayed during such a difficult moment. For the past 83 years, the Academy has entrusted PwC with the integrity of the awards process during the ceremony, and last night we failed the Academy. Advertisement

Andrea, who describes herself as 'an independent fine arts professional' on her Linkedin page, married her 57-year-old husband in 1988 and has three grown-up children with him: Brett, Drew and Bree.

Cullinan, a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, shot to international notoriety over the weekend after handing Warren Beatty the wrong envelope during the Oscars' Best Picture presentation.

The error led to Beatty, 76, and co-presenter Faye Dunaway incorrectly naming blockbuster musical La La Land the winner when in fact, rival film Moonlight had won.

Embarrassingly, three of La La Land's producers had already made victory speeches before the error was noticed and the ceremony brought to a halt.

Cullinan is yet to comment on the incident and has not been seen in public since Sunday night's star-studded shambles.

Representatives for the accounting firm told DailyMail.com that the 57-year-old will not be discussing the blunder  and neither will his co-worker Ruiz.

Perhaps significantly, the firm has made no public statement about his future.

PwC's US chairman Tim Ryan told Variety that Cullinan 'feels horrible' about the mistake  which he said was caused by the 57-year-old picking up an envelope 'from the wrong stack'.

Ryan added: 'We clearly made a mistake and once the mistake was made, we corrected it and owned up to it.

'He feels very, very terrible and horrible. He is very upset about the mistake. And as a firm, given that he is a partner of our firm, it is also my mistake and our mistake and we all feel very bad.'

Ryan's public apology follows another made by PwC, in which it took responsibility for one of the worst blunders in Oscars history.

'We sincerely apologize to Moonlight, La La Land, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for Best Picture,' the firm said in a statement.

'The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected. We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred.

'We appreciate the grace with which the nominees, the Academy, ABC, and Jimmy Kimmel handled the situation.'

But it made clear who the firm is blaming: Cullinan, and Euiz.

'PwC partner Brian Cullinan mistakenly handed the back-up envelope for Actress in a Leading Role instead of the envelope for Best Picture to presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway.

Not so talkative now: Cullinan had enthusiastically tweeted links to his many interviews beofre the Oscars - but now appears to be under orders to stay silent

Tweet taste of success: When things were going well, Cullinan was an enthusiastic user of the social medium

'Once the error occurred, protocols for correcting it were not followed through quickly enough by Mr. Cullinan or his partner.'

Selfie-loving Cullinan has also been criticized for posting pictures on social media during the ceremony, including a photo of Best Actress winner Emma Stone that went online just as Beatty and Dunaway were announcing the Best Picture winner.

According to a People magazine source, Cullinan had been asked not to tweet during the ceremony and to 'focus on his job' instead.

The unnamed source said: 'Brian was asked not to tweet or use social media during the show. He was fine to tweet before he arrived at the red carpet but once he was under the auspices of the Oscar night job, that was to be his only focus.

'Tweeting right before the Best Picture category was announced was not something that should have happened.'

California-based Cullinan has worked for PwC for 32 years but has been in charge of tabulating Oscars results for just four. He is a multi-millionaire, with the $2.9 million family home in Malibu backed up by a vacation home in Palm Springs.

The accounting firm has been in charge of totting up Oscars votes for 80 years, with Cullinan getting the job of overseeing the process after his former boss decided to step down.

In the lead-up to Sunday night's ceremony, he repeatedly appeared on TV and in magazines, talking about the job and how the firm keeps the winners' names secret ahead of the big day.

He also gave interviews discussing what would happen if something went wrong during the ceremony.

But Cullinan was also quick to point out before answering, however, that a mistake had never happened at that point in the 88-year history of the Oscars.

Not at home: Brian Cullinan has still to return home to his $2.9 milion Malibu property after becoming a worldwide sensation for his gaffe at the Oscars

All-access footage shows the moments before the Oscars Best Picture Gaffe when Emma Stone returns backstage after collecting her Best Actress award to face a scrum of photographers with Leonardo di Caprio who'd presented the statue to her

'We would make sure that the correct person was known very quickly,' he told the Huffington Post.

'Whether that entails stopping the show, us walking onstage, us signaling to the stage manager - that's really a game-time decision, if something like that were to happen. Again, it's so unlikely.'

On the night, a beaming Cullinan was seen posing on the red carpet with Ruiz  both clutching briefcases containing the names of the winners.

The two then took up positions on opposite sides of the stage, each standing beside a pile of envelopes containing the names of the winners ready to be handed to presenters as they made their entrance.

But although the majority of the categories were presented without a problem, the penultimate Best Actress award proved a different story.

Leonardo DiCaprio entered from stage left to present the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, with Ruiz in the wings waiting to hand him the envelope for that category.

The correct envelope was given and after DiCaprio announced that the winner was Stone, she took the stage and gave her speech before exiting stage left with both her Oscar and the envelope.

She later made it very clear that she did not cause any problems, firmly telling reporters that she had her envelope.

Beatty, who entered from stage right, and Dunaway then made their entrance to present the final award of the night, Best Picture.

At the same time, Cullinan was tweeting a photo, now deleted, of Stone backstage with her Oscar trophy.

Shortly afterwards, a clearly baffled Beatty was seen showing his envelope to Dunaway before the 79-year-old actress announced La La Land to be the winner.

But as the cast and crew of the musical made their way on stage, Dunaway could be seen mouthing to Beatty: 'It said Emma.'

At that moment, there was serious panic backstage, where one stagehand was overheard saying: 'Oh, f***. Oh my God. He got the wrong envelope.'

Cullinan, it later emerged, had handed Beatty a duplicate Best Actress envelope with Stone's name and La La Land written inside  leading directly to the high profile mistake.

Several minutes passed before La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz, 36, rushed onstage with the correct envelope to announce that Moonlight was the real winner.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail after the incident, Stone, who was standing by the podium as the debacle unfolded, described the moment as 'one of the most horrible of my life'.

The 28-year-old concluded: '[It was] one of the most horrible moments of my life. Wow! It was just so horrible.'

AND IN CASE YOU COULD FORGET... HERE'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED

Entrance: Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway took the stage holding the wrong envelope at 9:03pm (above) to introduce the Best Picture clip package

Giving it a go: At 9:05pm Beatty opened the envelope to announce the Best Picture winner (above), but was delayed in revealing the winner because of his confusion

Starstruck: Cullinan tweeted this photograph of Stone backstage at 9:05pm, the same time that Beatty was opening the wrong envelope

Deep delay: Cullinan did not run out on stage to try and remedy the situation until 9:10pm (Cullinan above on left with Martha Ruiz of PricewaterhouseCoopers)
A firefighter has been praised for saving a suicidal woman in China using a rather bizarre rescue technique.

Video of the nail-biting incident shows the rescue worker abseiling down from the 10th floor of a building and drop-kicking the woman back through a window to prevent her from jumping out.

The woman was saved from harm and no injuries were reported. The incident occurred on February 26.

The suicidal woman was seen sitting on the edge of a window on the hospital's ninth floor

According to People's Daily weibo account, the woman, whose name has not been identified, attempted suicide on a ward at Ruzhou No.1 People's Hospital in the city of Ruzhou, Henan Province.

She was seen sitting on the edge of the window on the ninth floor.

Onlookers said she was suffering from an emotional breakdown due to relationship problems.

Two fire engines and 11 firefighters from Ruzhou Fire Department were called to the scene and a rescue air cushion was set up on the ground.

Firefighter abseils down a floor to rescue the suicidal woman and kicks her back inside

Sina news reported that the firefighters also sent the woman's relatives and friends to distract her while one firefighter was preparing to abseil down to the ninth floor.

The footage shows the moment the brave firefighter using a harness to descend from the 10th floor to the ninth floor and physically force the woman inside using his legs.

She reportedly flipped and fell back into the ward building. Onlookers and hospital patients cheered after the successful rescue.

The woman did not suffer any injuries, according to the reports. It is not clear is she is a patient of the hospital.

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116 123, or visit a local Samaritans branch - see www.samaritans.org for details.
New study shows bringing back old species could cause existing ones to die out

But this may not always be the best thing to do, a new paper says

Researchers are looking into methods for bringing back extinct species

It seems simple - if you brought extinct species back you probably imagine it would increase biodiversity on the planet.

But in reality this is not the case.

According to a new paper, bringing back recently extinct species could result in losing as many as three times the number of existing species.

Researchers from the University of Ottawa have spoken out against bringing back the woolly mammoth. Pictured is Lyuba, the world's most well-preserved mammoth, who went on display at the Natural History museum in 2014

WHAT IS DE-EXTINCTION? De-extinction refers to creating living organisms that are genetically very similar to members of an extinct species. It is not bringing animals back from the dead. One potential method of creating animals similar to extinct species is using gene editing technology like CRISP-R on existing animals. Advertisement

Dr Joseph Bennett form the University of Ottawa, Canada, and colleagues looked into the costs and benefits of trying to bring back extinct species and introduce them into the wild.

The study found spending money bringing back extinct species could have too much of a strain on the budgets for conserving existing, or extant, species that biodiversity would in fact suffer.

Their study, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, performed a cost-benefit analysis into what New Zealand and New South Wales, in Australia, can afford and how much the process of de-extinction would take away from conservation of endangered species.

Because the conservation costs would outweigh the conservation gains, Dr Bennet and colleagues conclude it is unlikely that de-extinction could be justified on grounds of biodiversity conservation'.

At up to 10 feet long, Caspian tigers were some of the largest cats that ever lived  and they could soon be making a comeback. Conservation biologists have revealed a plan to restore the tigers to Central Asia. But not everyone agrees that this is a good idea

The researchers found that reintroducing some recently extinct species to their old habitats might improve existing biodiversity locally.

But government-funded conservation for all 11 focal extinct species in New Zealand would sacrifice conservation for nearly three times as many, 31, extant species.

External funding for conservation of the five focal extinct New South Wales species could instead be used to conserve over eight times as many 42 extant species.

De-extinction refers to creating living organisms that are genetically very similar to members of an extinct species, said Professor Ronald Sandler, an ethics researcher from Northeastern University, who was not involved in the research.

Technical barriers to de-extinction are being steadily overcome, and researchers have begun to ask whether and when de-extinction ought to be done.

Recently, it was reported that researchers at UCL are working to bring back the woolly mammoth and are only a couple of years from this becoming a reality.

Scientists plan to use CRISPR gene technology to splice the preserved DNA of a frozen mammoth carcass with the DNA of an Asian elephant

Professor George Church and his colleagues are working on creating, using CRISPR gene editing, an elephant with some characteristics of a woolly mammoth.

This news was met with much skepticism in the scientific community.

If Church could make an elephant-sized uterus in a jar, I don't think anyone would even care whether the resulting elephant was hairy, said anthropologist Professor John Hawks on Twitter.

Anthropologist Professor John Hawks spoke against the research of Professor George Church, who is using gene editing to create an elephant with characteristics of a woolly mammoth

ELEPHANT IN A JAR Recently, it was reported that researchers at UCL are working to bring back the woolly mammoth and are only a couple of years from this becoming a reality. Professor George Church and his colleagues are working on creating, using CRISPR gene editing, an elephant with some characteristics of a woolly mammoth. This news was met with much scepticism in the scientific community. If Church could make an elephant-sized uterus in a jar, I don't think anyone would even care whether the resulting elephant was hairy, said anthropologist Professor John Hawks on Twitter. Second, elephant cells with CRISPR-added mammoth genes are not anywhere close to a mammoth. You can't get to a mammoth from there. Advertisement

Second, elephant cells with CRISPR-added mammoth genes are not anywhere close to a mammoth. You can't get to a mammoth from there.

What is clear is the methods for enabling de-extinction are still a long way off, but researchers are trying to get there.

This new paper adds to evidence suggesting that, just because people are developing the methods, does not necessarily mean it should be done.

The researchers warned even though the technology for de-extinction is still some way off, bringing back extinct organisms would require careful thought about what species to reintroduce and where.

There should be a crucial consideration in deciding whether to invest in de-extinction or focus our efforts on extant species, Dr Bennet said.

But from an ethical perspective, Professor Sandler says cost-benefit analysis should not be the only factor.

What is needed for de-extinction, as well as for other novel species conservation strategiesis development of inclusive decision-making frameworks that situate costbenefit analysis as one important consideration among many goods and values that might be at stake, such as cultural value, environmental rights, justice, intrinsic value and aesthetics.
6 THE EARTH Compass Rose, North, South, East, West, northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest. At the top, at the bottom, on the left, on the right, compass, point, rise, set, moss. Arctic Circle, Equator, North Pole, South Pole, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Antarctic Circle, Prime Meridian THE RELIEF AND LANDFORMS Relief, landforms, mountain, plateau, plain, valley, depressions, cape, gulf, strait, bay, island, peninsula, isthmus, archipelago, river, ocean, sea, continent Volcano, earthquake, ash cloud, conduit or pipe, lava, magma chamber, volcanic cone, crater, secondary cone, crust, mantle, external core and internal core

5 Landforms questions 1. A group of islands is called 2. What s a flat land called? 3. What s a lake? 4. What s a piece of land surrounded by water? 5. An isthmus connects 6. What s an ocean? 7. What s a valley? 8. What s higher a mountain or a hill? 9. What s a peninsula? 10. Where does a river empty? LANDFORMS WORDSEARCH Find 10 landforms: River- Isthmus- Mountain- Peninsula- Lake- Hill- Sea- Valley- Ocean- Island

4 Label Landforms Label the landforms using the word bank below. archipelago isthmus bay island gulf lake Vocabulary: Landforms and Bodies of Water peninsula river strait Archipelago: An archipelago is a group of islands together in a sea or ocean. Bay: A bay is a body of water that is partly surrounded by land (and is usually smaller than a gulf). Gulf: A gulf is a part of the ocean or sea that is partly surrounded by land (it is usually larger than a bay). Island: An island is a piece of land that is surrounded by water. Isthmus: An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger landmasses. Lake: A lake is a large body of water surrounded by land on all sides. Peninsula: A peninsula is a body of land that is surrounded by water on three sides River: A river is a large and flowing body of water that usually empties into a sea or ocean. Strait: A strait is a narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water CONTINENTAL LANDFORMS: Plains are flat lands that have only small changes in elevation. A plateau is larger and it used to be higher than the surrounding land. A mountain is a very high place on Earth; sometimes there is a peak on the top of the mountain. A hill is a small elevation in the Earth's surface. A valley is a low place between mountains, often having a river or stream running along the bottom. Valleys can be wide or narrow like a canyon.

3 Label the Volcano Diagram Read the definitions and then label the diagram below. Definitions Ash cloud - an ash cloud is the cloud of ash that forms in the air after some volcanic eruptions. Conduit or pipe - a conduit is a passage through which magma (molten rock) flows in a volcano. Crater a crater is a mouth of a volcano in a volcanic vent that ejects lava and volcanic ash Lava - lava is molten rock; it usually comes out of erupting volcanoes. Magma chamber - a magma chamber contains magma (molten rock) deep within the Earth's crust. Volcanic cone - a volcanic cone is a cone-shaped volcano formed by an accumulation of volcanic debris (rocks, ashes, lava ) Secondary cone - a secondary cone is a secondary cone-shape in the side of a volcano. Crust - the crust is Earth's rocky layer.

1 Compass Rose A compass rose is a design on a map that shows directions. It shows north, south, east, west, northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest. When north is at the top of the compass rose (as it often is), south is at the bottom, east is on the right, and west is on the left. Northeast is between north and east, northwest is between north and west, southeast is between south and east, and southwest is between south and west. 1. Fill in the rest of the directions on the compass rose, using the standard abbreviations: N=North, S=South, E=East, W=West, NE=Northeast, NW=Northwest, SE=Southeast, SW=Southwest. 2. What ocean borders Spain and Portugal to the west? 3. What sea borders Spain to the east? 4. What is the name of the narrow channel of water that separates Spain (in Europe) from Morocco (in Africa)? 5. What is the name of the chain of mountains in the northeast of Spain? 6. What is the name of the country that is in the north of Spain across this chain of mountains? 7. What is the name of the tiny country located on the northeastern border of Spain? 8. If you wanted to travel from Lisbon to Madrid, in which direction would you head? (a) northeast (b) northwest (c) southeast (d) southwest

Climate, Vegetation, and Landforms Climate, Vegetation, and Landforms Definitions Climate is the average weather of a place over many years Geographers discuss five broad types of climates Moderate, dry, tropical, continental, polar Vegetation: More information

Week 1. Week 2. Week 3 Week 1 1. What US city has the largest population? 2. Where is Aachen? 3. What is the capitol of Florida? 4. What is the longest mountain range in Spain? 5. What countries border Equador? Week 2 1. What More information

BASIC LESSON Objective(s) [Geology - Landforms] [K-1: Basic] [Grades 2-3: Advanced] BACKGROUND Landforms are natural features of the Earth's surface. They are created by the movement of ice or water, earthquakes, lava flows, volcanoes, More information

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Two treasure seekers have unearthed jewellery which could be the oldest Iron Age gold ever discovered in Britain.

The collection, which has been named the Leekfrith Iron Age Torcs, was found in December on farmland within the parish of Leekfrith, in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

The four torcs - three necklaces and one bracelet - were found separately about 1 metre apart and buried just beneath the surface, by Mark Hambleton and Joe Kania.

Their find is not far from the biggest gold hoard ever found in the UK - worth 3.285million.

At a treasure trove inquest on Tuesday, senior coroner Ian Smith joked the haul is likely to be 'worth a bob or two'.

A formal valuation will now take place but a fund-raising campaign is expected to be launched within weeks aimed at securing the jewellery for permanent public display.

An older Bronze Age torc, found in Northern Ireland, was valued at 150,000

The men are now planning to split the find 50/50 with landowner Stuart Heath.

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Two treasure seekers have found jewellery which could be the oldest Iron Age gold ever discovered in Britain. The decoration on this bracelet is thought to be some of the earliest Celtic art from Britain

THE LEEKFRITH IRON AGE TORCS It was found on farmland in Leekfrith, in the Staffordshire Moorlands. Two friends discovered four torcs - three necklaces and one bracelet. The decoration on the bracelet is some of the earliest Celtic art from Britain Experts believe they were made in the third or fourth century BC It dates to around 400-250 BC, and is probably the earliest Iron Age gold work ever discovered They were probably made in Europe, possibly Germany or France Advertisement

Experts believe the Iron Age torcs were made in the third or fourth century BC, making them approximately 2,500 years old.

They were probably made in Europe, possibly Germany or France.

It is not known why the items were buried, but it could have been for safekeeping, as an offering to the gods, or as an act of remembrance after their owner died.

Two of the pieces - a collar and a bracelet - are made of twisted gold wire.

Two have trumpet shaped finials and the bracelet also feature stunning Celtic decorations.

The decoration on the bracelet is thought to be some of the earliest Celtic art from Britain.

Dr Julia Farley, curator of British & European Iron Age collections for the British Museum, said: 'This unique find is of international importance. It dates to around 400-250 BC, and is probably the earliest Iron Age gold work ever discovered in Britain.

Experts believe they were made in the third or fourth century BC, making them around 2,500 years old. Pictured is the bracelet discovered with stunning engravings

The four torcs - three necklaces and one bracelet (pictured middle left) - were found in 2014. The find has been described as of 'international importance'. It dates to around 400-250 BC

WHAT ARE THE TORCS WORTH? The Staffordshire torcs will go before a specialist valuation committee to determine the reward, which will be shared between the landowner and the finders. An older Bronze Age torc, found four years ago in Northern Ireland, was valued at about 150,000. The inquest heard the torcs' gold content was at least 80%, with each piece weighing between 230g (8oz) and 31g (1oz), prompting Mr Smith to say: 'Even as scrap, that's still worth a bob or two.' Advertisement

'The torcs were probably worn by wealthy and powerful women, perhaps people from the continent who had married into the local community.

'Piecing together how these objects came to be carefully buried in a Staffordshire field will give us an invaluable insight into life in Iron Age Britain.'

The finds, which are estimated to be around 18 carat gold, were spotted by lifelong friends Mr Hambleton and Mr Kania.

The friends were encouraged to get back into treasure hunting by Mr Hambleton's father Roy who managed to see their incredible find before he passed away in January.

'I used to go metal detecting with my dad when I was young and he said to me 'why are you bothering fishing? You should be back in those fields', Mr Hambleton said.

'I am so glad we took his advice and pleased of course that he got the chance to see these amazing pieces and prove he was right all along.'

Mr Hambleton revealed he kept the collection by his bed overnight until they could report it.

'We weren't expecting to find anything', he said.

'I was just about ready to give up for the day when Joe said he thought he had found something.

Pictured is one of the necklaces with trumpet shaped finials. The torcs were probably made in Europe, possibly Germany or France and probably worn by wealthy and powerful women

It is not known why the items, such as this necklace (pictured) were buried, but it could have been for safekeeping, as an offering to the gods

'We both looked at it and were speechless.

'I kept the gold right next to my bed to make sure it was safe until we could hand them in to the experts.'

Mr Kania added: 'We have found the odd Victorian coin, but mostly it has just been junk.

THE TREASURE HUNTERS The find was spotted by lifelong friends Mark Hambleton and Joe Kania. Mr Hambleton used to go metal detecting when he was younger with his father, who told him to resurrect his old past-time after hearing he had started fishing Joe Kania and Mark Hambleton gave up treasure hunting 20 years ago after getting bored of finding nothing. However, Mr Hambleton's father Roy urged the pair to give up fishing and convinced them to look for buried gems. A year after they picked up their metal detectors again they found the four torcs on a chilly afternoon in December. They made the find in a field they had previously searched without success in 1997. Mr Hambleton's father died recently but was able to see the treasure his son had found. Advertisement

'So I couldn't believe it when I picked out this mud covered item and on cleaning it off, I thought this might actually be gold.'

The pair have said they plan to split any proceeds with the farming family which owns the 640 acres of land where the finds were discovered.

Landowner Stuart Heath said: 'Mark has detected on our land before and it is amazing to think these gold pieces have been lying undiscovered since long before we farmed here.

'Archaeologists have surveyed the site and all though this is very much a one-off find, we will all be fascinated to hear more about how the collection found its way from Europe to Staffordshire thousands of years ago.'

The pair say they will split any proceeds from the finds (pictured) with the farming family which owns the 640 acres of land where the finds were discovered

Pictured is the site in Leekfrith where two metal detectorists Joe Kania and Mark Hambleton unearthed the oldest Iron Age gold ever discovered in Britain

The torcs were probably worn by wealthy women, perhaps people from the continent who had married into the local community

Staffordshire County Council leader Philip Atkins said: 'As a county and as a council we are both proud and unbelievably lucky to be home to some truly exceptional finds, including of course the Staffordshire Hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold.

'This amazing find of gold torcs in the north of the county is quite simply magical and we look forward to sharing the secrets and story they hold in the years to come.'

The finds have been handed over to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, part of Birmingham Museums, which manages the voluntary recording of finds.

The pieces will now be provisionally valued by an expert.

The finds, including this necklace (pictured) have been handed over to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, part of Birmingham Museums, which manages the voluntary recording of finds

An inquest will be in North Staffordshire, where Coroner Ian Smith will rule if the pieces are treasure

The pieces still need to be provisionally valued by an expert. The pair have said they plan to split any proceeds with the farming family which owns the 640 acres of land where the finds were discovered
Violent collisions with orbiting debris could await future travellers into space, if the growing problem of 'space junk' isn't solved.

But one Californian firm believes it might have a solution to keeping tabs on some of the millions of objects believed to have amassed around the Earth.

The recently constructed Midland Space Radar could help LeoLabs track up to 250,000 objects in low earth orbit - around 95 per cent of the total, according to the company.

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The newly completed Midland Space Radar could help California firm LeoLabs to track up to 250,000 objects in low Earth orbit.

THE RADAR ARRAY LeoLabs unique radar technology was originally developed as part of research within SRI International to investigate the Earths ionosphere. The SRI site in Alaska uses Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar (AMISR), a modular, transportable radar system which can observie small-scale and temporary phenomena. While originally designed to observe phenomena like the aurora and space weather storms, the technology has now been applied to tracking space junk. The firm eventually hope to track every single satellite and large piece of debris currently in low orbit around the planet. Advertisement

LeoLabs is part of a relatively new sector of the economy that tracks satellites and debris in low Earth orbit (LEO).

The company currently monitors 13,000 objects on a 24/7 basis using phased-array radars.

Their network is believed to be the industry's first commercial collision avoidance and mapping service for LEO, and could be used by space tourism firms to ensure the safety of their passengers.

Construction of the new Midland Space Radar (MSR) began six months ago and has now been completed.

The latest phase of expansion of their radar network is projected to allow LeoLabs to track up to 250,000 objects when combined with an existing site in Alaska.

The project is a part of a $4 million (3.2 milllion) investment in the firm's infrastructure.

Over 100 million pieces of garbage are thought to be currently whizzing around the planet. Radar monitoring could help future commercial ventures to avoid collisions with some of the growing amounts of 'space junk' which surrounds the planet

The MSR array, located in Texas, is now operational and providing high resolution orbital data on LEO objects.

LeoLabs unique radar technology was originally developed as part of research within SRI International to investigate the Earths ionosphere.

The SRI site in Alaska uses Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar (AMISR), a modular, transportable radar system which can observie small-scale and temporary phenomena.

The rubbish circling the planet comes from old rockets, abandoned satellites and missile shrapnel. But it also includes more unusual items, from a missing spatula to bags of rubbish ejected into space by cosmonauts on board the now defunct Mir Space Station

SPACE JUNK LeoLabs currently monitors 13,000 objects on a 24/7 basis using phased-array radars. The newly completed Midland Space Radar could help the firm to track up to 250,000 objects, combined with an existing site in Alaska. This is believed to account for around 95 per cent of the total, according to the California company. LeoLabs eventually hope to track every single satellite and piece of debris currently whizzing around the planet in low orbit. Advertisement

While originally designed to observe phenomena like the aurora and space weather storms, the technology has now been applied to tracking space junk.

The firm eventually hope to track every single satellite and large piece of debris currently in low orbit around the planet.

Over 100 million pieces of rubbish are thought to be in orbit in total, including cast-off equipment from old satellites and bits of rocket.

Experts say they pose a growing threat to future space exploration.

It was hoped that the clutter, built up after more than five decades of human space exploration, would enter the Earth's atmosphere and burn up harmlessly.

But this has not been the case, and LeoLabs currently track these objects for commercial satellite operators, government regulatory and space agencies, as well as satellite management firms.

Mike Nicolls, founder and CTO of LeoLabs, said: 'With the MSR, not only do we increase our coverage, we add thousands of additional observations to our LEO data set. And we will not stop here.

'We are already scouting sites in the high Northern and Southern latitudes, as well as equatorial areas, to expand even further.

'Our mission is to reach 100 per cent coverage of orbital debris, and make our data a foundation for securing the emerging LEO economy.'

LeoLabs are not the first firm working to deal with the problem of space debris.

Earlier this month, an experimental 'space junk' collector designed to pull rubbish from the Earth's orbit failed in its mission.

Scientists at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency were testing a 700 metre long space tether was due to be extended out from a Japanese cargo ship that was launched in December 2016, but the mission failed on February 6, 2017.

Scientists at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) were testing an electrodynamic 'tether', created with the help of a fishing net company, to slow the junk down and bring it into a lower orbit.

The 700-metre (2,300-foot) long tether - made from thin wires of stainless steel and aluminium - was due to be extended out from a cargo ship launched in December carrying supplies for astronauts at the International Space Station.

Problems arose quickly, however, and technicians tried for days to remedy the situation but only had a one-week window to carry out the mission before the vessel reentered the Earth's atmosphere before dawn on Monday, February 6.
Had enough of long flights of stairs and stuffy lifts?

What you really need to get around the office is a loop-the-loop rollercoaster.

That's according to billionaire, Elon Musk, who recently promised to build a fairground ride at his Californian Tesla factory to help his workers get around.

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Elon Musk, pictured in front of the SpaceX Dragon capsule, promised to build a roller coaster and give out free frozen yogurt at his Tesla car factory

In an email to employees, the tech mogul outlined a range of ideas to boost 'fun' at his factory - including a 'Tesla electric pod car roller coaster' that could take workers around the factory.

'As we get closer to being a profitable company, we will be able to afford more and more fun things,' he said in an email that was leaked on February 24 to energy site Electrek.

'For example, as I mentioned at the last company talk, we are going to hold a really amazing party once Model 3 reaches volume production later this year.

The billionaire has spoken out about his love of roller coasters on Twitter and in his biography, 'Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX and the quest for a fantastic future'

'There will also be little things that come along like free frozen yogurt stands scattered around the factory and my personal favourite: a Tesla electric pod car roller coaster (with an optional loop the loop route, of course!) that will allow fast and fun travel throughout our Fremont campus, dipping in and out of the factory and connecting all the parking lots.

'Its going to get crazy good.'

Musk also revealed that employees can earn up to 80,450 ($100,000) by taking out discounted shares in the company.

He said his goal was to make his factories as 'safe, fair and fun as possible'.

The tech mogul also told employees he would throw 'a really amazing party' at his Palo Alto headquarters, pictured, which has around 6,000 employees

EMPLOYEES IN A GOOD MOOD ARE 12% MORE PRODUCTIVE Researcher has shown that Elon Musk may have the right idea - and that happy employees really do work harder. In a series of lab tests last year, scientists found happiness made people around 12 per cent more productive. The study by Warwick University included four different experiments with more than 700 participants. During the experiments a number of the participants were either shown a comedy movie clip or treated to free chocolate, drinks and fruit. Others were questioned about recent family tragedies, such as bereavements, to assess whether lower levels of happiness were later associated with lower levels of productivity. 'The driving force seems to be that happier workers use the time they have more effectively, increasing the pace at which they can work without sacrificing quality,' said Dr Daniel Sgroi. Advertisement

'This is vital to succeed in our mission to accelerate the advent of a clean, sustainable energy future,' he said.

'The forces arrayed against us are many and incredibly powerful.

'This is David vs Goliath if David were six inches tall! Only by being smarter, faster and working well as a tightly integrated team do we have any chance of success.'

Musk first spoke of his dream to build a rollercoaster in his Tesla factory last year in his biography, 'Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX and the quest for a fantastic future'.

'Everybody around here has slides in their lobbies,' he said. 'I'm actually wondering about putting in a roller coaster - like a functional roller coaster at the factory in Fremont.

'You'd get in, and it would take you around factory but also up and down. Who else has a roller coaster?'

Tesla has around 6,000 employees at its headquarters in Palo Alto.

It also has a number of satellite offices, include one in Fremont, California.

'I think our Tesla headquarters looks like crap,' he added. 'We're going to spruce things up.

While it seems excessive, scientists claim Musk might have the right idea in creating 'fun' offices.
Fans of the iPhone have been reacting angrily to rumours that they may once again be forced into buying new accessories when they upgrade.

Speculation is mounting that the iPhone 8 may drop the current Lightning connector in favour of the more-widely used USB format.

And if the rumours are true, consumers may have to replace their current cables or peripherals to plug in to the new smaller USB-C standard sockets.

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Speculation is mounting that the iPhone 8 may drop the current Lightning connector in favour of the more-widely used USB-C format (pictured is an artist impression of the iPhone 8 smartphone)

USB C The USB Type-C connector was created for use with thinner, sleeker devices, such as tablets and ultra-books. It claims to be robust enough for laptops and slim enough for smartphones. It was built on existing USB 3.1 and USB 2.0 technologies. The plug is smaller than previous connectors, and more closely resembles the size of Micro USB 2.0 Crucially, it is reversible, meaning it will work whichever way it is plugged in. Advertisement

Apple has built a reputation for its development of propriety connectors, which have led to faster transfer speeds and greater ease of use - but have often meant that previously technologies are no longer compatible.

The California company currently use the Lightning connector to allow users to charge their iPhones, iPads and iPods, as well as to connect devices like headphones and exchange files with their Macs.

But according to an anonymous source, reported in MacRumours, the tech giant is considering ditching the connector in favour of the USB-C port in its 10th-anniversary handset.

The supposed authority, who originally spoke with the Wall Street Journal, also stoked rumours that the iPhone 8 will have a curved OLED screen, supplied by Samsung, and it will drop the traditional home button.

Mail Online has approached Apple for a comment.

According to an anonymous source, who spoke to the Wall Street Journal, the iPhone 8 will also have a curved OLED screen, supplied by Samsung, and it will drop the traditional home button.

USB-C and Lightning allow for transmitting both data and power and have no up or down facing direction like more traditional USB cables, and so can be plugged in from any direction.

A step towards a universal connection type would be beneficial for all technology users in the long run.

But the short-term and potentially costly consequence of switching formats once more is likely to provoke the ire of some.

USB-C (pictured) and Lightning allow for transmitting both data and power and have no up or down facing direction like more traditional USB cables, and so can be plugged in from any direction

Pictured from left to right: USB 'Micro' Type B, USB-C, Apple Lightning and the original USB Type A

Following the emergence of the news, a number of users took to Twitter to vent their frustration.

User Hilde Gerhard Burgel expressed what is likely to be a common reaction.

She said: 'Rumors about iPhone with USB C. Really Apple?! Do we have to throw away lightning or buy expensive adapters? Again??!! Im out.'

Another user Daniel Ensign expressed similar concerns.

He said: 'Pretty stoked about the switch to OLED but why the switch to USB C. Apple just made us get new headphones.'

But not everyone is convinced that Apple will make the switch.

John Christensen said: 'So the next iPhone redesign is gonna have USB C instead of lighting? I'm gonna call bull****.'

While the change to USB-C would be an unexpected move from the firm, it is not entirely without precedent.

Apple already adopted on its MacBook Pro line, which was unveiled in November 2016.

The news that the firm had killed off a host of technologies, including the traditional USB port, the SD Card slot and even the function keys, caused a huge furore online.

Hundreds took to social media with the release of the MacBook Pro in November 2016 to complain of 'donglegate', which required them to by adapters to use their existing add-ons.

Apple slashed prices on new cables required to connect devices to the USB-C format in response to the outcry

Hundreds took to social media to complain of 'donglegate', which required them to buy adapters to use their existing add-ons with the new machine.

The reaction led to the company slashing prices on the new cables.

Speaking at the time, Apple's Phil Schiller told The Independent:'We recognise that many users, especially pros, rely on legacy connectors to get work done today.

'We want to help them move to the latest technology and peripherals, as well as accelerate the growth of this new ecosystem.'
Lasers have helped reveal traces of soft tissue in fossils of an early feathered, four-winged dinosaur.

The technique has allowed scientists to get direct evidence of a wing structure needed for flight that was previously impossible to see from bones.

Researchers say the Late Jurassic dinosaur, Anchiornis, was not only covered in feathers but also had bird-like arms and drumstick-shaped legs.

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A reconstruction of the bird-like feathered dinosaur Anchiornis. Researchers from the University of Hong Kong and Linyi University in China used laser-stimulated fluorescence imaging to find out the prehistoric creatures body-shape

The body shape of extinct vertebrates is usually inferred indirectly from their skeletal structure or by comparison to living species, as it is rare to find preserved rare tissue  especially with creatures as old as dinosaurs.

But reconstructions relying on these methods may not capture the true body shape.

To overcome this problem, researchers from the University of Hong Kong and Linyi University in China used laser-stimulated fluorescence imaging - a technique that reveals soft tissue details that are invisible under visible light  on nine specimens of Anchiornis.

These specimens are held in the Shandong Tianyu Museum of Nature in Pingyi in China.

The soft tissue outlines of the dinosaur, which lived approximately 160 million years ago, revealed that Anchiornis already had many of the characteristics of modern birds.

Reconstructed body outline of the bird-like feathered dinosaur Anchiornis using laser-stimulated fluorescence images. Coloured areas represent different fossil specimens

This body outline confirms patagia-bearing arms, drumstick-shaped legs and a slender tail, features that were probably widespread among paravians [theropod, bird-like dinosaurs] the researchers wrote.

The dinosaurs footpad scales were preserved but invisible in normal lighting conditions. However, they were revealed using laser-stimulated fluorescence, showing their similarities to those of modern birds.

The experts explained: Finely preserved details also reveal similarities in propatagial and footpad form between basal paravians and modern birds, extending their record to the Late Jurassic.

The wing of Anchiornis under laser stimulated fluorescence (pictured). The folds of skin in front of the elbow and behind the wrist were covered in feathers, just like modern birds

These findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, build on previous guesses about Anchiornis body shape, providing a detailed reconstruction of the body for the first time.

The authors suggest that this work may provide a basis for determining whether Anchiornis was aerodynamic, which may offer insights into the evolution of flight.

The number of seemingly modern propatagial traits hint that feathering was a significant factor in how basal paravians utilised arm, leg and tail function for aerodynamic benefit, they wrote.

The foot of the bird-like feathered dinosaur Anchiornis. Top image shows the foot under normal light. Bottom image shows the foot under laser light. Inset image shows scaly details of a footpad

Modern birds have functional independence between their hind limbs and tail that enables them to have great control when flying.

The study says this is the result of a continuous transition from hip to knee-driven locomotion along the theropod lineage to birds.

The researchers believe the new hind limb and tail outline of Anchiornis indicates the dinosaur had had finer and more independent control of its hind limb and tail (and the feathers attached to them) compared with more basal theropods, essentially making it more bird-like.
Billionaire inventor Sir James Dyson has announced plans for a new multimillion-pound research and development centre.

Vacuum and electronics giant Dyson is to begin work on a second technology campus on a 517-acre former Ministry of Defence site at Hullavington in Wiltshire, near its Malmesbury headquarters.

It comes as the group looks to double its workforce to around 7,000 in the next six years and will create a global hub for research and development.

Billionaire inventor Sir James Dyson (pictured) has announced plans for a new multimillion-pound research and development centre. It comes as his company looks to double its workforce to around 7,000 in the next six years (stock image)

Dyson has not disclosed how much will be invested in the Hullavington site.

But the group has pledged to pump 2.5 billion into future technologies and currently spends 7 million a week on R&D.

It is set to begin site preparations for the first phase of the Hullavington development next week, with restoration of the Second World War hangars beginning in May.

The site, first opened in 1937, was originally an RAF Flying Training Station, but has been largely inactive since the mid-1990s.

It was one of 12 put up for sale by the MoD in January 2016.

Dyson already has two sites in the UK - its Malmesbury HQ and a Bristol software hub.

Dyson it is set to begin site preparations for the first phase of the Hullavington development next week, with restoration of the Second World War hangars (pictured) beginning in May

It is also investing 250 million on expanding its 56-acre HQ.

And in January, the firm announced it was expanding its pool of software engineers, with the 'majority' of its recruits set to work in the UK.

The company said it was on the hunt for 110 new staff as part of plans to hire an additional 3,000 engineers globally by 2021.

The 517-acre former Ministry of Defence site at Hullavington Airfield was one of 12 put up for sale by the MoD in January 2016

The 'majority' of the 110 positions were said to be based in Britain, with some destined for the company's new Singapore technology centre, which opened two weeks ago.

Sir James said: 'After 25 years of UK growth, and continuing expansion globally, we are fast outgrowing our Malmesbury Campus.

'The 517-acre Hullavington Campus is an investment for our future, creating a global hub for our research and development endeavours.

'It will enable us to continue creating world-class products and jobs right here in the Cotswolds.'

An artist's impression of the Dyson Institute of Technology which accepted its first group of 25 students in September 2016. The new university is based at its Malmesbury headquarters in Wiltshire

Brexit-backing Sir James announced plans to launch the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology last year, with the first group of 25 students starting in September 2016.

The new university is based at its Malmesbury headquarters in Wiltshire.

Prime Minister Theresa May hailed Dyson's new campus plans as a 'vote of confidence in our modern industrial strategy and our determination to cement the UK's position as a world leader in high-tech engineering'.

She added: 'Dyson's exporting strength and commitment to creating jobs in Britain is a real success story that demonstrates the opportunity that our plan to create a truly global Britain can present.'
You've seen them in Jurassic Park: The huge, long-necked dinosaurs that can reach up to the leaves from the highest trees.

These dinosaurs, called sauropods, reached up to 50 meters in length and weighed as much as 77 tons - 14 times the weight of an African elephant.

Fossils of these dinosaurs have revealed the secret behind these giants: They had special 'zigzagging' bones that fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle to help support their large bodies.

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A side view of the 'zigzagging' sauropod vertebra from a species called Spinophorosaurus nigerensis. The zigzagging bones fit together like a puzzle piece to provide better grip to the bones so one part is not pulled off from the other

Sauropods were four-legged herbivorous dinosaurs that had very long necks and tails and relatively small skills and brains.

The larger a body is, the harder it is to support - especially when most of its weight is high up in the air - so researchers have wondered for a long time how sauropods got so big.

But aside from the zigzagging vertebral bones, researchers have discovered many adaptations that helped sauropods carry their heavy bodies without injuring themselves.

They had large, weight-bearing pillarlike legs with small heads and bones with air sacs to lighten their frames.

The larger a body is, the harder it is to support - especially when most of its weight is high up in the air - so researchers have wondered for a long time how sauropods got so big. Pictured is a 3D rendering of three Alamosaurus (sauropod's) moving as a herd alongside a tree line

But to learn more about how sauropods supported their weight, Dr John Fronimos, a paleontologist at the University of Michigan, studied the fossils of Spinophorosaurus nigerensis.

S.nigerensis had vertebrae as long as half a meter high, and when Dr Fronimos was examining the fossils, he noticed zigzagging lines in the vertebrae in an area where the top of the backbone touches the bottom half.

Vertebra are the series of small bones forming the backbone - each of which has a hole through which the spinal cord passes.

In mammals and in dinosaurs, each of these vertebra is made of two bones that fuse together over time.

The main bone of the two is a cylindrical bone called the centrum and the other is the neural arch which holds the spinal cord.

These two bones house the spinal cord like a lock once they come together - but before that, bone growth where cartillage makes new cells takes place between the two pieces of bone.

Sauropods also had other adaptations to help them carry their heavy bodies without injuring themselves. They had weight-bearing pillarlike legs with small heads and bones with air sacs to lighten their frames

In humans, the two bones of the vertebrae fuse by the age of 6 or 7, but in sauropods, fusion didn't happen till some point into their 20s, when they were close to being fully grown.

However, unlike in humans where these two bones come together over a flat surface, the sauropods' zigzagging bones fit together like a puzzle piece to provide better grip to the bones so one part was not pulled off from the other.

The zigzags also 'increase the surface area of contact between the bones,' said Dr Fronimos.

'This means that the same amount of force is distributed over a larger area, reducing the stress at one one point.'

WHAT ARE SAUROPODS? Sauropods were four-legged herbivorous dinosaurs. They had long necks and tails and relatively small skulls and brains. They reached up to 50 meters in length and weighed as much as 77 tons - 14 times the weight of an African elephant. They were widespread - their remains have been found on all the continents except Antarctica. A 3-D rendering of a Diplodocus browsing a selection of trees with two Pteranodons flying overhead. Unlike in humans where the two bones of the vertebrae come together over a flat surface, the sauropods' zigzagging bones fit together like a puzzle piece to provide better grip to the bones so one part was not pulled off from the other They had nostrils high up on their skulls - rather than being located at the end of the snout like those of so many other terrestrial vertebrates. Some fossils shows that these nostril openings were so far up the skull that there were very close to the eye openings. Sauropods such as the Diplodocus began to diversify in the Middle Jurassic about 180 million years ago. Source: University of California Museum of Paleontology Advertisement

'I love this paper because it has explanatory power,' said Dr Matthew Wedel, a paleontologist at the Western University of Health Sciences in California who was not involved with the study.

It also shows how a process that's not a problem during human growth 'turns out to be a problem when you weigh 30 tons,' he said.

Dr Fronimos said that he wants to look at the backbones of other dinosaurs to see whether they also have these zigzag structures.

While sauropods were the largest dinosaur lineage, smaller dinosaurs like the Tyrannosaurus Rex weighed up to 9 tons and may also have had these spinal structures.
A new leak suggests Apple could be betting big on augmented reality (AR).

In a note shared with Business Insider, experts have revealed that the firm may have over 1,000 engineers working on a project in Israel that could be related to AR.

The researchers also stated that the technology could be used in the next iPhone, which has been one of the many rumors floating around the web.

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In a note shared with Business Inside , experts revealed that Apple may have over 1,000 engineers working on a project in Israel that could be related to AR. The experts stated that the technology could be used as early as in the next iPhone ' (pictured is an artist impression )

AR IN THE IPHONE 8? A rumor regarding the iPhone 8 suggests it will have a front-facing camera and infrared module that senses 3D space. The sensors in the phone are said to detect the location and depth of objects around it. The complete 3D system would send invisible IR light signals out from the phone and then wait for them to hit objects and return using the 1.4 megapixel IR receiver. The camera would be used for a range of applications including facial recognition, iris scanning and overall improved selfies. It could also place the users face on a computer animated character  the front facing camera and 3D sensor would let iOS owners use their selfies for augmented reality. Advertisement

'I regard it as a big idea, like the smartphone,' Cook said during an interview with The Independent earlier this month.

'The smartphone is for everyone, we don't have to think the iPhone is about a certain demographic, or country or vertical market: it's for everyone.

'I think AR is that big, it's huge. I get excited because of the things that could be done that could improve a lot of lives.

'I do think there can be a lot of things that really help people out in daily life, real-life things, thats why I get so excited about it', he said.

In the research note seen by Hanna Roberts with Business Insider, analyst Steven Milunovich and his team at UBS revealed that Apple CEO Tim Cook has shared enough statements that have broken the silence on future products with regards to AR.

The note also lists different AR-related acquisitions Apple has completed.

This includes Metaio, a German company whose software melds the physical world and computer-generated elements into video displays, RealFace, a Tel Aviv firm that specializes in AI facial recognition, and PrimeSense, which focuses on 3D sensing  technology that has been rumored to be included in the iPhone 8 design.

Milunovich also shared with Business Insider that Apple appears to be focusing on AR rather than virtual reality (VR).

The reason being is that AR connects people and VR cuts people out from the real world.

'AR can be really great, and we have been and continue to invest a lot in this,' Cook said in a conference call with analysts.

Apple CEO Tim Cook (pictured) has shared enough statements that have broken the silence on future products with regards to AR, analyst Steven Milunovich and his team at UBS revealed in the note. The note also lists different AR-related acquisitions Apple has completed

IS APPLE MAKING AT GLASSES? A leading expert has claimed Apple's plans have been accelerated, meaning the firm could reveal its first AR glasses this year. It is believed the iPhone maker is working on lightweight glasses with a small display that would link to a user's iPhone. Robert Scoble, who shot to fame when he was pictured in the shower wearing Google's Glass, and is a respected blogger, made the predictions during the 'This Week in Tech' online show. Citing 'many sources' situated 'at the highest levels,' Scoble reiterated his previous speculation that Apple would release an augmented reality headset soon. 'This is Tim Cook's legacy,' Scoble said regarding a possible announcement. 'In fact, it's Steve Jobs's legacy too.' The blogger believes an announcement may be made as Apple finally moves into its new 'Spaceship'HQ later this year, or alongside the unveiling of the 10th anniversary of the iPhone in September, where the iPhone 8 is set to be unveiled. He said he expects a very lightweight pair of glasses, with the electronics on other places on your body, such as in an iPhone or other wearable. The wearable headset would connect wirelessly to iPhones and show information that is superimposed onto a user's view of the real world. The iPhone maker is believed to be working with Carl Zeiss on the project, which could go on sale this year. Advertisement

We are high on AR for the long run.'

'We think there are great things for customers and a great commercial opportunity.'

'USB researchers also speculate that iOS users could see AR technology added to the next iPhone  it could be used for moderate 3D mapping and possible an AR software development kit, according to the note.'

Earlier this month, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has been sharing insider details about the iPhone 8, wrote a note to investors that was picked up by 9to5Mac.

He noted that this technology, which he said is 'revolutionary', could be used in a various applications.

It could place the users face on a computer animated character  the front facing camera and 3D sensor would let iOS owners use their selfies for augmented reality.

And it could also be used in facial recognition or as an iris scanner for unlocking the device.

'USB researchers also speculate that iOS users could see AR technology added to the next iPhone  it could be used for moderate 3D mapping and possible an AR software development kit, according to the note (pictured are artist impressions)

It is believed that the hardware will use an algorithm developed by PrimeSense, a firm acquired by Apple in 2013, which developed motion-sensing technology in Microsoft's Kinect Gaming system.

'AR can be really great, and we have been and continue to invest a lot in this,' Cook said in a conference call with analysts earlier this month.

We are high on AR for the long run. We think there are great things for customers and a great commercial opportunity.'

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 - 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

The sensors in the phone are said to detect the location and depth of objects around it.

And although the iPhone 7 Plus is already designed with an immature form of depth detecting, reports 9to5Mac, Kuo said the 3D sensing in the iPhone is much more advanced when it comes to using a dedicated infrared transmitter and receiver.

He predicts the infrared transmitter will use vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser technology from Lumentum, which has been a rumor in the past.

Sony is said to be the mastermind behind the front camera and Foxconn/Sharp will develop the IR receiver.

The complete 3D system would omit invisible IR light signals from the phone and then wait for them to hit objects and return using the 1.4 megapixel IR receiver.

And Kuo also predicts that Apple will add the same technology to the rear-facing camera in the future.
Banded mongooses, like humans, participate in gang warfare, researchers have found.

These fights are most common when females are receptive to breeding and when there's competition over food and territory.

The researchers, who studied a population of banded mongooses in Uganda, observed fighting that often led to serious injuries and sometimes even death.

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Banded mongooses rarely leave the group into which they are born, so members of the same group are usually genetically related to each other. But fights may give mongooses an opportunity to find mates from other groups to avoid inbreeding

During these mongoose conflicts, the researchers at the University of Exeter saw some raiding dens and killing the pups of neighbors.

Males and females from rival groups were also observed mating with each other.

'These fights are very chaotic, with 20 or 30 mongooses on each side arranged in battle lines,' said study lead author Dr Faye Thompson of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the University of Exeter.

'They all rush forward and fighting breaks out, with some individuals chasing each other into bushes - but at the same time males and females from opposing groups will sometimes mate with each other,' she said.

Banded mongooses rarely leave the group into which they are born, so members of the same group are usually genetically related to each other.

But fights may give mongooses an opportunity to find mates from other groups to avoid inbreeding.

'The fighting is costly to both individuals and groups,' said Dr Thompson.

'These fights are very chaotic, with 20 or 30 mongooses on each side arranged in battle lines,' said study lead author Dr Faye Thompson of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the University of Exeter. 'They all rush forward and fighting breaks out, with some individuals chasing each other into bushes - but at the same time males and females from opposing groups will sometimes mate with each other,' she said

'Individuals are more likely to die and litters are less likely to survive to emergence if their is involved in an aggressive encounter with a rival,' she said.

The researchers however found that pregnant females were less likely to lose their litters after these conflicts.

They were significantly less likely to abort their litter if their group was involved in a fight with another group while they were pregnant.

'This is a puzzling result, but one possible explanation is that unborn litters may be seen as particularly valuable during periods of conflict with rival groups,' said Dr Thompson.

'Pregnant females could be finding some way to maintain their pregnancy, perhaps to offset mortality from fighting and make their group bigger and more competitive in the future,' she said.

'Intergroup conflict can be very intense in social animals but has really only been studied in depth in humans and chimpanzees before now,' said Professor Michael Cant of the University of Exeter, who leads the long-term study of banded mongooses in Uganda.

'Our results suggest that fighting between groups is one of the major forces promoting solidarity and cooperation within groups in these highly social mammals,' he said.

The research was published in the journal Animal Behaviour.
It's thought growth has been sped up as warming

Siberias rapidly growing hellmouth crater is now giving scientists a glimpse at 200,000 years of climate history.

It already stretches more than half a mile long and nearly 300 feet deep  and, its expanding at a rate of roughly 30 to 100 feet (10m to 30m) each year as permafrost continues to thaw.

By looking at the ancient layers exposed in the process, scientists can create a picture of what the landscape once looked like, helping them to predict the changes yet to come.

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Over the last few decades, a rapidly growing crater has shaken the Siberian taiga with terrifying 'booms,' causing locals to believe it is the 'Gateway to the Underworld.' The Batagaika Crater expands at roughly 60 feet each year, and stretches almost a mile long

WHAT CREATED THE 'HELLMOUTH' CRATER The Batagaika Crater initially began to form after the clearing of forest land in the 1960s. Warming temperatures later sped up the process, causing the layers of soil on the surface and below to sink as permafrost melted. In 2008, major flooding made the depression even larger. Researchers now classify the Batagaika Crater as a megaslump  a massive hollow created as a result of melting permafrost. It is roughly 300 feet deep, and expands at a rate of roughly 60 feet each year. Advertisement

In a new study, published to the journal Quaternary Research, researchers analyzed the sequence of permafrost deposits in the Batagaika crater, revealing a number of different environmental conditions throughout the years.

Among the layers, they've found the remains of wood, indicating the presence of two forest beds.

And, the lower bed contains high amounts of pollen.

This, the researchers say, indicates the area once featured an open tundra landscape.

Theyve so far created a tentative chronology for the region, though further analysis is necessary to be certain of the dates.

The layers provide a continuous record of geological history, which is fairly unusual, Julian Murton of the University of Sussex in the UK told the BBC.

That should allow us to interpret the climate and environmental history there.

We are still working on the chronology.

Among the layers, they've found the remains of wood, indicating the presence of two forest beds. And, the lower bed contains high amounts of pollen

By looking at the ancient layers exposed in the process, scientists can create a picture of what the landscape once looked like, helping them to predict the changes yet to come

Over the last few decades, the rapidly growing crater has shaken the Siberian taiga with terrifying 'booms,' causing locals to believe it is the 'Gateway to the Underworld.'

Since the massive Batagaika Crater opened suddenly toward the end of the last century, it has expanded at a rate of roughly 60 feet each year, now stretching almost a mile long.

While it may not actually be a portal to the next life, scientists have their own concerns regarding the 'megaslump,' as it hints at the threats of melting permafrost due to climate change.

The monstrous sounds are likely produced by falling soil, The Siberian Times reports, but locals are afraid to approach the ever-growing gash in the landscape.

In a new study, published to the journal Quaternary Research , researchers analyzed the sequence of permafrost deposits in the Batagaika crater, revealing a number of different environmental conditions throughout the years

For scientists, however, the structure provides insight on the past and future conditions of the Earth.

The enormous crater sits near the village of Batagai, in the Verkhoyansk district, and reaches depths of more than 300 feet.

This region is one of the coldest places in the world.

A recent expedition to the site revealed that the soil once frozen in permafrost is roughly 200,000 years old.

Researchers now classify the Batagaika Crater as a megaslump  a massive hollow created as a result of melting permafrost.

The monstrous sounds are likely produced by falling soil, but locals are afraid to approach the ever-growing gash in the landscape. For scientists, however, the structure provides insight on the past and future conditions of the Earth

The enormous crater sits near the village of Batagai, in the Verkhoyansk district, and reaches depths of more than 300 feet. This region is one of the coldest places in the world

While slumps are common in the Arctic, some scientists consider Batagaika to be an anomaly, according to Motherboard.

Dr. Julian Murton of the University of Sussex, one of few people studying the site, says the crater will likely keep growing  and it won't be the only one.

The dramatic slumping now seen in Siberia hasn't occurred since the Earth moved from the Palaeolithic Ice Age into the current Holocene, a transition period which took place 10,000 years ago, the researcher tells Motherboard.

But in recent decades, numerous similar craters have opened up in Siberia, and many scientists believe this is a result of the warming temperatures from global climate change.

The Batagaika Crater initially began to form after the clearing of forest land in the 1960s; warming temperatures then sped up the process, causing the layers of soil on the surface and below to sink as permafrost melted.

In 2008, major flooding made the depression even larger.

Murton has been visiting the Batagaika Crater since 2009, working with the Institute of Applied Ecology of the North at the North-East Federal University in Yakutsk.

In the past, researchers at the site have found the remains of ancient bison, horses, elk, mammoths, and reindeer, some dating back as far as 4,400 years.

They've even discovered the mummified body of a bison calf.

As the work continues, researchers will examine the permafrost and sedimentary layers to understand ancient changes in the landscape, and their implications for the future.
It's almost like stepping straight into Narnia.

When winter in Croatia's Plitvice Lakes National Park drags the temperatures low enough, the rugged landscape transforms into scenes worthy of a fairytale.

Captured here in vivid detail by Budapest-based photographer Tamas Toth, the 16 lakes and waterfalls lie in the Kapela Mountains, part of the oldest natural park in southeast Europe.

They were formed over millions of years by what is known as the Karst process, the dissolution of soluble rocks including limestone, dolomite and gypsum.

It is this that gives the water its electric blue colour - appearing all the more dramatic when frozen into chunky tendrils.

Tamas hiked through nearly 20 inches of snow to acquire the beautiful shots, in good time before summer once again melts the icy waterfalls back into motion.
Holidaymakers visiting the UK are set to benefit from hotel room rates that are significantly cheaper this year, compared to 2016.

Tourists from Japan, Brazil, Australia and the Eurozone are most likely to benefit from the weakened pound and will see their spending power soar across Britain, according to a new report.

However, inbound visitors from the USA and Indonesia may feel the pinch, with accommodation costing more than last year, the data reveals.

Tourists from Japan, Brazil, Australia and the Eurozone are most likely to benefit from the weakened pound and will see their spending power soar across Britain, according to a report (file image)

Year-on-year average UK hotel room rates for inbound tourists according to TripAdvisor research

Fuelled by the drop in the pound, global holidaymakers will find UK hotels more affordable than 2016, according to the results of TripAdvisors 2017 Hotel Pricing Report.

The travel experts have revealed that Japanese tourists will see the biggest price drop on hotel room rates, when converted to yen, of 17 percent year-on-year.

Brazilian tourists will be able to enjoy a 15 per cent decrease in Real on accommodation costs and Australians can welcome a saving of 13 percent year-on-year on the cost of their stay.

Holidaymakers in the Eurozone may also see price drops of eight per cent.

However, American visitors will encounter a two per cent increase in room rates, according to the data.

And travellers from Indonesia will be hit with a 9 per cent rise in the price of a UK stay.

However, inbound visitors from the USA and Indonesia to UK highlights such as Edinburgh, above, may feel the pinch, with accommodation costing more than last year, the data reveals

The Hotel Shopping Ranking is based on TripAdvisor hotel instant booking and meta click data

In the report, TripAdvisor also highlights that global traveller interest in the UK has risen, pushing the destination up from ninth place to sixth, out of 184 countries, on the Hotel Shopping Ranking.

The company bases the ranking on hotel instant booking and meta click data.

James Kay, TripAdvisor spokesperson said: For lots of foreign travellers planning a trip to the UK in 2017, the price they pay for their room will be significantly cheaper than it was last year.

Whether the UK hotel sector can take advantage of this may depend on how well they target their marketing efforts to attract customers from those countries that are enjoying the biggest price decreases.
It costs in the region of $1,000 USD (800) to fly from the US to Australia at the moment - and that's in economy.

But an ingenious new fare hack means you could be making the same long journey in Qantas first class for only $1,473 (1,185), simply by purchasing 'miles' from one of its partnering airlines and applying them to a Qantas flight.

It's an easy hack to execute - based on the highly complicated system by which points and airfares work - but the fact remains: using it could mean paying less than $1,500 for a first-class flight which would otherwise cost you $10,000 (8,000).

This ingenious new fare hack means you could be flying first class with Qantas, pictured, from the US to Australia for only $1,473 (1,185) - instead of the standard $10,000 (8,000)

According to travel expert Gilbert Ott, the man behind the blog God Save The Points, you'll need to buy the miles from Alaska Airlines for this to work.

This airline, he says, has a little-known but very generous frequent flier program meaning you can instantly buy miles without even taking flight with them, then use them to pay for flights with their partners, including Cathay Pacific and in this case Qantas.

Booking a first class flight from the US to Australia directly with Qantas using miles would require 144,000 of them.

But booking through Alaska will only cost you 70,000 for the same journey - and they'd put you on a Qantas plane anyway, thanks to their partnership.

Purchasing the 70,000 miles you'll need from Alaska costs $1,478 - so there's your first class plane ticket.

Using the same trick, a round-trip would set you back around $3,000 (2,400) - netting you savings in the region of $13,000 (10,500) for the flights there and back, compared to what you'd pay by booking direct with Qantas.

Alaska Airlines has a generous frequent flier program meaning you can instantly buy miles without even taking flight with them, then use them to pay for flights with their partners

It's not only this journey that you can cover with purchased air miles, for less than the cost of a first class plane ticket, according to Mr Ott.

Why exactly this works, he explained, is thanks in part to Alaska's regular promotions and discounts on the use of miles with its partners.

So is there a catch?

'No, just a challenge,' he acknowledged.

Travel expert Gilbert Ott, above, is the man behind the blog God Save The Points reveals how buying frequent flier points can save you a fortune on tickets for partner airlines

'Finding seats in just about any cabin to Australia can be time consuming, but for this opportunity, it's totally worth it.

'The best way to search like a pro is to use online tools such as Award Nexus, which emails you if and when seats you want become available.'

He added: 'If you'd prefer to search on your own, I'd suggest making a free Qantas frequent flier account. Once you have that, you can search for flights using miles.

'If and when you find one that works for you in first or business, that's when you'll want to buy miles from Alaska and lock it in.'
The world's most glittering movie award ceremony may have been happening in Los Angeles but Tom Hiddleston looked a million miles away as he emerged in London on Monday.

The 36-year-old looked rather casual in a navy blue coat, and matching hoodie over a black T-shirt.

Slouchy tracksuit bottoms with a distinct hole in the shin area added to the star's rather dishevelled look.

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Casual: Tom Hiddleston cut a casual figure in slouchy tracksuit bottoms with a hole teamed with a hoodie and coat

The star looked a far cry from his much more dapper appearance at the recent Gucci show at Milan Fashion Week last week.

There, he looked typically smart in a three-piece pin stripe suit, white shirt and red tie, as he waiting for proceedings to begin on the front row.

The 36-year-old actor recently revealed he is planning to take most of 2017 off to enjoy a rest.

Taking it in his stride: The actor, who has been touted as the next James Bond, looked in sombre mood

The British actor is ready to step back from the spotlight, saying the he would be taking much of 2017 off, according to a report by The Daily Telegraph.

Tom has spent the past six years working almost back to back on big projects including, Thor, War Horse, The Avengers, Crimson Peak and The Night Manager, where he won the Golden Globe for Best Actor In A Mini-Series.

'I'm taking a bit of a breather, because I've been running quite hard for five or six years and I just need to check in with stuff at home,' he said.

Bit of a breather: Tom is taking much of 2017 off to have a much-needed rest

'I've spent so much time away from home and after a while you realise there are other things in life that you need to check in with, like family and friends ... those things are just as important. So it's really that.'

And for the better part of 2016 he has been busy shooting Kong: Skull Island, in Northern Vietnam and Oahu, and Thor: Ragnarok in Brisbane.

In the Kong adaptation, Tom will play Captain Conrad, a former SAS survival specialist tasked with tracking the unmapped island.

He will star alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson and John Goodman
She was recently pushed to announce her pregnancy after people in her life 'sold' her out.

And on Sunday, MTV's Kailyn Lowry showed off her baby bump for the first time since admitting she was expecting her third child, ahead of Monday night's Teen Mom 2 episode where she has a heated argument with her ex over the custody of her son.

The 24-year-old tattooed reality star took to her Snapchat story to share that she was renovating her living room, and her burgeoning belly made an appearance beneath her hoodie.

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Putting it out there: Sunday, Teen Mom 2's Kailyn Lowry showed off her baby bump for the first time since admitting she was expecting her third child

Wearing a Victoria's Secret Pink varsity hoodie and black leggings with white stripes and writings on either side, Lowry proved she's an independent woman as she drilled nails and painted the walls.

The bump was noticeable beneath the loose-fitting sweatshirt, indicating that Lowry is now showing.

The reality TV starlet's due date, sex of the baby, and the father are still a mystery.

Nailed it: Wearing a Victoria's Secret Pink varsity hoodie and black leggings with white stripes and writings on either side, Lowry proved she's an independent woman as she drilled nails into her living room walls

Kailyn, who got her start on TV with 16 And Pregnant, already has sons Isaac, aged seven (from Lowrys relationship with ex-boyfriend Jo Rivera), and Lincoln, aged three (from her marriage to ex-husband Javi Marroquin).

The Pride Over Pity author divulged that her sons are divided in their hopes of the sex of the baby, with Isaac wanting a baby sister and Lincoln a baby brother, in an interview with Us Weekly.

On a preview for Monday night's Teen Mom 2, Lowry explains that she and Marroquin have agreed to a 50/50 custody split of Lincoln following their breakup.

Kailyn already has sons Isaac, aged seven (from Lowrys relationship with ex-boyfriend Jo Rivera), and Lincoln, aged three (from her marriage to ex-husband Javi Marroquin)

The former couple meet to discuss the custody agreement and have a heated argument over holidays, specifically Christmas.

Kailyn began: 'What are your plans for the holidays?'

To which Marroquin replied: 'You celebrate in the morning, and I celebrate at night.'

Legal issues: On a preview for Monday night's Teen Mom 2, Lowry explains that she and Marroquin have agreed to a 50/50 custody split of Lincoln following their breakup

Holiday spirit: The former couple meet to discuss the custody agreement and have a heated argument over holidays, specifically Christmas

'What about Christmas?' Kailyn prodded, getting irritated, 'He should be doing the same thing every year for Christmas, because I have two kids. So they should be together every Christmas.'

The 16 and Pregnant alum and the U.S. airman could not reach an agreement, and the conversation ended on a sour note.

Teen Mom 2 airs on MTV Mondays at 9 P.M. ET.

What'll it be? The reality TV starlet's due date, sex of the baby, and the father are still a mystery

On Thursday, Lowry took to her blog to confirm the rumors and confess why she hid it after she was outed as pregnant.

She wrote: 'I am pregnant ... please know this was a choice I made, I already know some wont agree but Ive been showered with support by the ones I love since I found out.'

Kailyn, who said that her pregnancy is considered high-risk, didn't name who her third child's father is, but said that Rivera 'has been aware of things for a while now.'

'I am pregnant:' On Thursday, Lowry took to her blog to confirm the rumors and confess why she hid it after she was outed as pregnant

She said she 'never got to have a conversation with' Marroquin - whom she married in 2012 but broke up with last year - about her latest pregnancy

She praised his co-parenting skills, as she said that the two 'can have adult conversations about things while he respectfully gives his opinions,' 'share concerns and move forward.'

She said she 'never got to have a conversation with' Marroquin - whom she married in 2012 but broke up with last year - about her latest pregnancy.

Meanwhile, between preparing for the third addition to her family, Lowry will travel to a few book signings for her newest novel, Hustle & Heart.

She is set to hold a signing on March 25 in Barnes & Novel, and in April at a university.
Jennifer Aniston is having a 'baby girl' - at least if you believe Kathy Hilton.

The 57-year-old made the revelation in an unexpected tweet on Monday.

'Jennifer Aniston looks so beautiful tonight I am telling you she is having a baby girl. 100/ percent!!!!!!!!!!!' Paris and Nicky Hilton's mother wrote in the left-field post, followed by a stream of happy and flowery emojis.

Pregnant? Jennifer Aniston is having a girl, according to Kathy Hilton

Called it! The 57-year-old called the sex of the Friends star's baby in a bizarre tweet on Monday

Her tweet came after 48-year-old Jennifer's star turn at the Oscars.

At the bash she showed off her perfect slim figure in a spectacular black gown with a thigh-high split and plunging neckline.

The Friends actress has been hounded by baby rumors throughout her career, and has publicly spoken about her frustration with this fact.

Some of Kathy's followers speculated she may have somehow mixed Aniston up with Natalie Portman - who is most definitely pregnant.

In the know: With it she became the first - and indeed only - person seemingly aware that Jen is pregnant

While Portman didn't attend the show due to that very condition, she did show off her massive baby bump during Kimmel's special Oscar edition of Mean Tweets.

Nevertheless, Kathy's tweet remained unapologetically in place and unedited 19 hours after she posted it.

At Sunday night's show, Jennifer was accompanied by husband Justin Theroux, and the pair decided to skip the red carpet.

She had plenty of involvement in the show however; when host Jimmy Kimmel pranked a busload of tourists by parading them into the Dolby Theatre while the show was being broadcast to tens of millions live, he put Jen on the post by demanding she gift one of the fans something from her purse.

Ne'r a bump in sight: The night before, the 48-year-old turned up looking decidedly unpregnant, showing off her perfect figure in a spectacular black gown with a thigh-high split and plunging neckline

The actress immediately handed over a pair of sunglasses, which it was later revealed to have been worth around $600.

Later in the show, it was Aniston's job to introduce the sombre In Memoriam section, an annual montage paying tribute to the talent who passed away during the year.

portShe choked up as she added the name of Bill Paxton, who died so close to the ceremony the producers didn't have time to edit him into the clip.

Snuck in: She was accompanied by husband Justin Theroux, and the pair decided to skip the red carpet

Upset: Jennifer choked up presenting Oscar In Memoriam segment on Sunday night
Stephen Dorff is listing his Malibu, California home for $8,450,000.

The property, which sits on 4,904 square feet along Malibu's La Costa Beach, was built in 1968 under the design of venerated Southern California-based architecture firm Buff & Hensman, and called 'The Brown House,' according to Realtor.

Outside, the Blade star's two-story, single-family home is situated on the coastline with exhilarating views in both directions. It has a cedar-lined exterior.

Looking to sell: Actor Stephen Dorff, seen here at SiriusXM in NYC earlier this month, is looking to move his waterfront Malibu home for $8.5 million

Breathtaking: The Malibu dwelling has a cedar exterior with unreal views of the ocean

Come and knock on our door: Glass walls and brilliant tiles summon visitors into the beach-side abode

Night and day: No matter what the time, the home's transparent glass walls make full use of the lush location

As the tide turns: The master bedroom includes a balcony with a picturesque perspective of the Pacific Ocean

Inside, the home includes a towering foyer area with walls made of glass and a spiraling staircase that connects the levels. The home also comes equipped with a private spa. The Somewhere actor's master suite includes a balcony that showcases the Pacific Ocean.

The driveway of the Public Enemies actor's dwelling is fenced off by a gate, as the area includes a garage that accommodates two vehicles.

The 43-year-old originally purchased the three-bedroom, three-bathroom home in 2002 at a price of $2.5 million, according to the New York Post.

Longtime: The actor plunked down $2.5 million for the sumptuous property 15 years back

Gorgeous: The living room, with the view of the waves, is the perfect place to settle down after a long day

Communal: The living room area provides plenty of space for get-togethers along the coast

Cactus cooler: This shot of the abode showcases the multi-level brilliance of the property

The Felon star has sporadically looked to rent the abode out in the neighborhood of $50,000 monthly, the newspaper reported, adding that the busy actor stays there when he's not at a New York City penthouse he also owns.

Dorff, who appeared in 2016's Wheeler, has maintained an onscreen presence for more than three decades, getting his start as a child star on shows such as Diff'rent Strokes, Married  With Children and The New Leave It to Beaver.

The real estate listing is available through Hilton & Hyland's Jonah Wilson.

Luxurious: The dwelling comes with three bathrooms, including marbled sink with double sinks

Roomy: The three-bedroom abode has rooms that can be adapted to a library or gym area
Courtney Cole and fiance Brad's dramatic argument on Monday night's episode of Bride and Prejudice, led him to call off their upcoming wedding altogether.

Brad dumped the 18-year-old blonde after she showed up to his buck's night at Sydney's Kings Cross - claiming she heard 'girls and girls and girls in the background.'

And shortly after the program, fans took to Twitter, urging Courtney to get a reality check: 'You're acting like a screaming toddler,' one commented.

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'She needs a b**chslap': Fans took to Twitter on Monday night, claiming Bride and Prejudice's Courtney Cole, 18, needs a reality check, after jealousy led to fiance Brad DUMPING her on his bucks night

Not holding back: Shortly after the program, fans took to Twitter, urging Courtney to get a reality check: 'She needs a b**chslap to reality,' one commented

Twitter showed an outpouring of support for Brad, following Courtney's jealous 'rage'.

'She needs a b**chslap to reality,' another user snapped.

Understanding Courtney's jealousy to be down to insecurities, another Twitter user wrote: 'Courtney is living proof of needing to love yourself before you can love another. Her insecurities are disastrous.'

While another followed suit, commenting: 'Has Courtney realised that Brad was followed by a film crew & she can literally see he's told the truth? Jealousy is bad.'

And another sarcastically adding: 'Courtney, I know this will shock you but other girls do exist.'

Understanding Courtney's jealousy to be down to insecurities, another Twitter user wrote: 'Courtney is living proof of needing to love yourself before you can love another. Her insecurities are disastrous'

While another followed suit, commenting: 'Has Courtney realised that Brad was followed by a film crew & she can literally see he's told the truth? Jealousy is bad'

Another sarcastically added: 'Courtney, I know this will shock you but other girls do exist'

Antics: One Twitter user likened her behaviour to 'a screaming toddler'

The Tweets referred to Monday night's episode which saw Courtney being dumped by Brad on his buck's night.

Arriving at Sydney's Kings Cross, the blonde claimed she heard 'girls and girls and girls in the background.'

Brad believed she showed up because she couldn't trust him being out with the boys.

The pair argued about where exactly he was in Kings Cross, with Brad saying he was at the Kings Cross Hotel, which is a pub.

Courtney said it's a bar and turned up saying she wanted 'proof' that it was a pub, thinking he lied to her about where he was.

Showdown: Courtney and Brad had a dramatic argument on Monday's show (pictured), causing him to call off their upcoming wedding and break things off with her

Drama: Courtney claimed she heard 'girls and girls and girls in the background'

Courtney and Brad had an argument on the street, and he read out a text saying how she threatened to break up with him.

She said that he texted her saying he was talking to girls.

'I'm done, I'm completely done bro,' Brad said to camera after Courtney showed up.

'Grow up. I'm not going to cheat on you, I'm getting married to you,' he said, after Courtney said he was meant to be going to Darling Harbour and not the Cross.

'We're done, we seriously need to split ways...if you don't trust me still through five years...then that's it okay, we need to split and we're going our separate ways,' Brad said.

Ouch: The next day, Brad said he felt that he had 'dodged a nuke' by not marrying Courtney

Opinions: His mother Sherrie - who has long been against the marriage - commented to Brad afterwards saying that Courtney always controlled him

'Listen to me, the marriage is off, I'm not getting married to you anymore, okay.'

The next day, he said he felt that he had 'dodged a nuke' by not marrying Courtney.

His mother Sherrie - who has long been against the marriage - commented to Brad afterwards saying that Courtney always controlled him.

'First time that I grew balls and I feel good about it,' Brad told his mother.

Sherrie replied: 'Im not sure you grew balls,' his mum replied, 'you just took them out of her handbag.'

Meanwhile, the teen already hit headlines when it appeared that she was pressuring her young lover into buying a custom $11,500 diamond engagement ring.

Fans took to social media, branding the reality TV star a 'spoiled brat', however she later claimed via social media that she paid for the ring herself.

Centre of attention: Meanwhile, the teen already hit headlines when it appeared that she was pressuring her young lover into buying a custom $11,500 diamond engagement ring
She's is one of the most glamorous members of the royal family.

And Lady Amelia Windsor even knows how to dress down for a wander around a new city, as she proved on Monday as she strolled through Milan streets.

The 21-year-old blonde wore a loose black lace dress and suede boots with a giant red puffa jacket worn with a hood up.

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Incognito: Royal model Lady Amelia Windsor even knows how to dress down for a wander alone around a new city, as she proved on Monday as she strolled through Milan streets

The royal model was spotted exploring the Italian city the day after she walked for Dolce & Gabbana at Milan Fashion Week.

Lady Amelia joined Jude Law and Sadie Frost's son Rafferty Law and Noel Gallagher's daughter Anais on the A/W 2017 runway.

The blonde beauty later stepped out in a vibrant Dolce sundress with coordinating heels and bag, but the day after cut a more relaxed figure in red.

Sunny times: Lady Amelia appeared to be shielding her face from the sun - and perhaps unwanted attention - as she strolled in the sunlight

She appeared to be shielding her face from the sun - and perhaps unwanted attention - as she strolled in the sunlight.

Enjoying the warmer Italian weather, the British royal sported bare legs and a thin dress, but did choose an oversized bright red puffa jacket.

The outfit highlighted both her slender physique and fashion sense as she managed to pull off the unusual ensemble.

Stylish and unique: The 21-year-old wore an outfit which highlighted both her slender physique and fashion sense as Lady Amelia managed to pull off her unusual ensemble

Warmer than London: Enjoying the warmer Italian weather, the British royal sported bare legs and a thin dress, but did choose an oversize bright red puffa jacket

Beauty and brains: Lady Amelia is studying French and Italian at the University of Edinburgh, and is signed to the modelling agency Storm

Lady Amelia, who is studying French and Italian at the University of Edinburgh, is signed to the modelling agency Storm, which also represents the likes of Anna Ewers and Jourdan Dunn.

The petite blond appropriately wore a tiara to walk in the Dolce & Gabbana show on Sunday.

Joining fellow famous young people, she walked in a black crocheted dress with floral embellishments and a dog-themed brooch at the neck.
They hinted at their split on Friday after almost eight months of romance.

And The Bachelor's first lesbian couple, Megan Marx and Tiffany Scanlon, appear to already be leading very separate lives.

Having parted ways in Bali last week, Tiffany has headed home to Perth while Megan remains in Canggu.

'We are all survivors': Tiffany Scanlon has once again hinted at splitting with Megan Marx by referring to herself as a 'survivor' while catching up with a group of female pals in Australia

While the pair still follow each other on Instagram, they have not been pictured together on social media for a week.

On Tuesday, Tiffany once again hinted at heartbreak by referring to herself as a 'survivor' while catching up with a group of female pals.

'We are all survivors in our own unique way,' she wrote.

Dangerous companion: Meanwhile, Megan took to her Instagram page on Tuesday with a photo of herself posing with a komodo dragon

'These girls are the real deal, hearts of gold, beautiful souls. I am so blessed our paths crossed. #reunion #survivors #babes #lovethem #girlpower #authentic #sundaysess #untilnexttime',' she added.

Megan liked Tiffany's image but failed to leave a comment.

Meanwhile, Megan took to her Instagram page on Tuesday with a photo of herself posing with a komodo dragon.

'I'll be heading to Sydney in the next few weeks': A day earlier, Megan revealed to her fans that she is set to visit her Down Under home in the near future, making no reference as to whether she plans to catch up with Tiffany during her trip

Tiffany didn't like the post, nor did she leave a comment.

A day earlier, Megan revealed to her fans that she is set to visit her Down Under home in the near future, writing: 'I love the mix of tranquility and revelry in my lifestyle here in Indonesia (also the very handsome nature calms me the f*** down when reason won't!).'

'I'll be heading to Sydney in the next few weeks just for a little visit, before coming back 'home' to Canggu,' she added, making no reference as to whether she plans to catch up with Tiffany during her trip.

Back on home soil: The reality couple recently made their long-anticipated exciting move to Bali together, but fans were left scratching their heads when Tiffany announced she had moved back to Australia less than a month after the Balinese relocation

The reality couple recently made their long-anticipated exciting move to Bali together, but fans were left scratching their heads when Tiffany announced she had moved back to Australia less than a month after the Balinese relocation.

On Thursday, Tiffany shared a cryptic posts on Instagram about 'healing' and being 'lost in life.'

Megan also shared a similarly nebulous message on her Instagram page, writing: 'Exactly what I needed today. Nature, diving, solitude,' alongside a photo of herself posing on a boat.

Megan and Tiffany officially confirmed their romance at the Maxim Hot 100 party at The Star, Sydney back in November, last year.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the event, Tiffany told how they confessed their love for each other on another holiday in Bali, Indonesia in June.

Cruising solo: Megan also shared a similarly nebulous message on her Instagram page, writing: 'Exactly what I needed today. Nature, diving, solitude,' alongside a photo of herself posing on a boat

End of an era? Megan and Tiffany officially confirmed their romance at the Maxim Hot 100 party at The Star, Sydney back in November, last year
Since the U.S. election Iranian-American relations have gone into a rapid tailspin, with Iran reacting to the triumphalist tenor of the Trump campaign and the improvised response of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn that sought to put Iran on notice. The arrival of his replacement in General H.R. McMaster offers the U.S. a fresh opportunity to tone down its approach to Iran, beginning with guarding against any dramatic escalation of the stakes.

For unless the Administration is actually willing to go to war with Iran, this confrontation actually wont get the U.S. anywhere useful. What it will do, which is already under way, is strengthen the hardliners in Tehran and undermine moderates like President Rouhani and Foreign Minister Zarif at a precipitous moment less than three months ahead of the Iranian election.

The Trump team does not have a strategic plan in place, regarding Iran or any other region/country of the world for that matter. But this matters most regarding countries currently in crisis accretion mode vis-a-vis the U.S., specifically Iran, Russia, North Korea, and China (in descending order). The danger of rapid escalation with Iran that could easily slip into spiraling conflict is acute. Therefore the first order of business for NSA McMaster is to get the U.S. on a more strategic track that militates against a burgeoning conflict with Iran.

Relations skidded rapidly out of control due to Flynns hang-up with Iran, and it has partially responded in kind. This was unnecessary, for although the Obama Administration had veered a little strategically off course itself, the previous U.S. foreign policy team had made considerable progress with improved relations with Iran based on its negotiation of the nuclear deal and evidential adherence to it.

The Iran nuclear deal is imperfect, but in spite of its limited objectives it had been working and needs to be kept in place and adhered to by all parties. Except for a few extremely minor violations, Iran has fully lived up to the accord. And when the IAEA pointed out the marginal violations, the Iranians quickly corrected them. In fact the Iranians themselves  including Supreme Leader Khamenei  not only have been abiding by it, but the regime continues to support it.

Lets be clear about what the nuclear deal accomplished and what it did not: on the one hand, it kept Iran from being attacked and allowed the U.S. to avoid attacking Iran. It furthermore halted the Iranian pursuit of nuclear weapons in the near term, and allowed Iran to achieve sanctions relief in exchange. On the other hand, this delimited and circumscribed agreement did not open up the regime to further change, which is something that Khamenei and his cohorts would not entertain. While many at the time held out hope that Iran might engage in more progressive understandings with the West, in terms of the deal itself this was not on the cards.

The deal potentially provided something to build on in terms of mildly improved relations due to the decreased risk of a confrontation, but not because of something intrinsically progressive about the deal. As it happens, even those who were guardedly accepting of the deal knew that in the immediate aftermath Khamenei would allow for a push out from the hardliners, whom he had kept in check while the deal was negotiated; and this in fact is what took place.

Thus, for anyone who wanted to test the hypothesis of whether the deal could be built on in any tangible manner, the key to this was for the West to engage in behavior that strengthened the moderates and undermined the hardliners. In terms of how the deal affected the different distinct elements of the regime in its immediate aftermath, the moderates were strengthened. Because of this, the Supreme Leader needed to allow the hardliners to begin maneuvering more outwardly (and achieving some of their aims) at least for a delimited period.

It was thus important for the West to avoid slipping into the stereotypical mistake of viewing Iran as a unified regime, and for example viewing any bad behavior as necessarily representative of the behavior of the regime as a whole. All along the hardliners have had staunch incentives to act out and play a spoiler roll concerning the deal. The only factor keeping them intermittently hemmed in was the balancing leadership of Khamenei.

For the moderates had been incentivized to get the deal done and move swiftly into a period of increased economic growth and an overall upswing in the economic set of circumstances of the country. It was thus incumbent on the U.S. and the West gain a full understanding of this, specifically that President Rouhani and his allies have needed to demonstrate that their claims prior to the deal were going to come to pass, viz. that it would lead to improved measurable economic progress for the country.

The Obama Administration seemed to get this, the first step of which was to end the U.S. sanctions against Irans nuclear program. But because other U.S. and western sanctions concerning Irans alleged terrorist activities remained in place, and because international banks remained highly skittish about Iran, gradually the Obama Administration actually took its eye off the ball, either not sufficiently understanding this imperative  to help Irans economic progress, so as to strengthen the moderates  or failing to follow through sufficiently.

In fact, well before the Trump Administration took office  with a predilection among Flynn inter alia to be harder on Iran  the Obama Administration failed to take enough steps to keep the moderates from being undermined over time. Not only were other sanctions still in place, but international banks and firms were afraid of running afoul of U.S. Treasury and remained fairly frozen for some time.

The Obama Administration took too long in finally manufacturing the Boeing deal, as well before this it was already clear that the moderates prospects were diminished due to the regime/country not experiencing the expected economic fruits from the lifting of nuclear sanctions. The Airbus deal also presumably helps, the problem being the difficulty with these developments ability to trickle down to average Iranians and meet their desire for a rising economic tide that lifts their own boats.

Thus even prior to the U.S. election the dynamics inside Iran were trending well in favor of the hardliners, as increasingly Khamenei allowed the Revolutionary Guard and others to begin increasing their support for Shia militias in Iraq, the Houtis in Yemen, and Hezbollah in Syria  all of which had been reined in to a significant degree in the run up to and during the Iran deal negotiations.

Over time, as momentum shifted back in favor of the hardliners inside the regime (and against the moderates), there again lay evidence all over the regional map of Iran acting against western interests. The problem was that this gave unnecessary credence to criticism of the deal from Israel and Republicans in Congress, allowing them to act like Iran had been engaging in nefarious activities the whole time.

However with Rouhanis election coming in May, the window for strengthening the moderates may be rapidly coming to a close. For example, placing the IGRC on the terror list is ill advised, for this would be an escalatory move right when it is imperative to de-escalate. The same pertains to movement in Congress to impose fresh sanctions on Iran for its incipient missile testing, when this was not covered by the nuclear deal. Such a move would invite and even presage Iranian retaliation.

Understanding what strategically was at stake, it was clumsy to put Iran on notice as the Trump Administration had not thought through the next several moves on the chessboard. Adding the new small ball sanctions was unhelpful, for right on time this engendered additional missile launches and incendiary rhetoric from Iran.

For now the Trump team risks not only the repercussions from what could be a highly destabilizing escalation, but already it is making the same mistake late second term Obama Admin did, only it is going much further specifically by engaging in behavior that far more concretely is directly strengthening the hardliners and dramatically undermining the moderates.

As of now, if de-escalation were to occur, Iran will continue to adhere to the deal; if escalation becomes the order of the day instead, at some point Iran will in fact move to violate the deal. But even with de-escalation, in strategic terms picking a fight with Iran may provide nice red meat for the Republican base and give something on which the Israelis and the new Administration can have a meeting of the minds. Yet in doing so it is making a significant strategic error that will harm U.S. national security interests viz. by destroying the prospects of Irans moderate regime members entirely.

At least the very latest signs from Iran are somewhat positive. A much-expected celebration of the founding of the Islamic Republic  and expected heyday for the hardliners  turned out to be not only muted, but excessively so (a clear sign of at least intermittent moderation from the top leadership). In addition, a series of prominent hardliner clerics  including some of the leading clerics in Qom  in recent days have publicly expressed support for keeping the nuclear deal in place. There are also signs that hardliners may not mount their own campaign for the presidency in May.

But as we saw in the immediate aftermath of the agreement of the deal, Iran is always careful to intermingle moderate moves with harsher moves such as this weeks war games, smaller rocket firings, and additional incendiary rhetoric from the IRGC. Deft strategic acumen in required to sift through these seemingly contradictory gambits, for there is always a portion of this that is intended for domestic audiences and a need especially among hardliners to save face in terms of the perceived provocations coming from the U.S.

Thus it would behoove the Administration and Congress both to tread warily vis-a-vis Iran and only in accordance with a strategic plan in place. Unless the U.S. is planning to veer strategically off course and into unnecessary and unwise paths toward conflict  exactly what is happening with China at present  it is time for cooler heads and deeper strategic thinkers to come to the fore.
She's currently in LA after covering the Oscars for Sunrise.

And the morning after the big bash, Edwina Bartholomew was the subject of her co-stars amusement as they teased her for being hungover.

'Poor Eddie is going to be sick. Poor Eddie is so sick,' Sam Armytage joked during a live feed from LA.

Hungover? Edwina Bartholomew was the subject of her co-stars amusement as they teased her for being hungover

'Are you really hungover Eddie?' asked Kochie before Sam teased, 'She's got the worst hangover.'

'Look at the pupils in your eyes,' remarked Kochie.

The 33-year old then quipped, 'when Hugh Jackman invites you to a party you have to say yes,' before quickly adding that she had steered clear of any partying.

Joking around: 'You fibber!' blasted Kochie, while Sam teased her for 'using age-old excuses'

'I'm just kidding, I have a bad no, I have a very bad cold,' she said. 'I did not hit the town last night, I'm just a bit sick,' the blonde beauty added.

But her co-stars weren't too impressed: 'You fibber!' blasted Kochie, while Sam teased her for 'using age-old excuses'.

Meanwhile, the night before Edwina stunned in a gorgeous off-the-shoulder red gown designed by Cappelleza Couture at the event in question.

Red hot! At this year's 89th Academy Awards, Edwina Bartholomew simply stunned in a gorgeous off-the-shoulder red gown designed by Cappelleza Couture

Her fans were undoubtedly impressed as she uploaded the image to her Instagram account, which saw a flood of positive comments come through.

'Stunning' 'amazing' and 'fantastic' were some of the words used to decribe her look as one user cheekily wrote: ' Looking good, better than the vajayjay dress!'

The 'vajayjay dress' in question was a Rachel Gilbert ice blue gown from last year's event.

After posting images of her outfit to social media the Sunrise reporter left her followers bemused, thanks to the unusual detailing at the front of the outfit.

One Instagram user asked: 'Nice but why is there a uterus on your dress?'

Controversial: Edwina's dress left some social media fans bemused with many comparing the detailing on the front of her ensemble to 'a part of a female anatomy'

Edwina's ensemble consisted of a crepe skirt with what is described on the designer's website as 'a silk gazar sculptured detail' - which caught the eye of social media users.

The Australian designer of the outfit, Rachel Gilbert, is known for creating intricate hand embellished designs for event wear as well as bridalwear.
Monday was a busy one for Zoey Deutch.

The 22-year-old Los Angeles native was snapped throughout New York City as she promoted her upcoming drama Before I Fall with a full-bore media blitz.

She first paid a visit to SiriusXM Studios for Sway in the Morning, then headed to the Ed Sullivan Theater for an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.

The 5ft4 actress was well-styled for the high-profile talk show outing with a textured arctic blue top with a V-neck and sheer right long sleeve; and long ruby red pants with flared bottoms.

And I say hello: Zoey Deutch, 22, was snapped heading to the Ed Sullivan Theater for an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Monday

Tenacious: The polished beauty walked with confidence into the famed broadcasting facility

Breakout: Zoey, who first found fame with Disney's The Suite Life on Deck, is rapidly emerging as a film star

The Dirty Grandpa diva rounded out the upbeat style with chunky black heels with floral highlights.

The actress, who got her start on Disney's The Suite Life on Deck playing Maya Bennett, made an earlier appearance at the satellite giant headquarters, where she wore a black floral top with black pants with dangling strings at the bottom.

Zoey, whose mother is Back To The Future's Lea Thompson, had her blonde tresses down and parted on the side as she strode confidently into the Big Apple show biz hubs.

Second-generation star: The up-and-coming screen siren is the daughter of Lea Thompson, the actress best known for her appearances in Back To The Future and Caroline in the City

Applause: The beautiful young actress appeared on Sway in the Morning on SiriusXM Monday

The Everybody Wants Some!! beauty's career is progressing at a breakneck pace, as last week she was at Langosteria Cafe in Milan, Italy at a dinner to commemorate her winning the Women in Film Max Mara Face of the Future Award.

The Rebel in the Rye actress will accept the honors at an expanded ceremony in Los Angeles June 13 at the Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards.

Despite the recent on-swell of accolades, the actress remains with her eye on the prize, looking to continue expanding on her already-impressive resume with more meaty roles.

Next up: The beauty is promoting her movie Before I Fall, which co-stars Halston Sage, Jennifer Beals and Logan Miller

Double-selfie: Zoey and Halston Sage are seen mugging for the camera in this shot from the upcoming film

She told Flaunt in 2015: 'I just want to keep working. Im lucky to be working. Im kind of exhausted by the constant need to brand yourself - thats a very prevalent way of living as an actor nowadays.'

The Vampire Academy entertainer parted ways with her longtime boyfriend, Victorious actor Avan Jogia, about five months ago, according to E! News. Sources told the outlet that the break-up was amicable and the longtime loves 'remain friends' moving forward.

Before I Fall hits theaters March 3.
She's wowed on the runway for 30-years.

And Rachel Hunter, 47, continued to turn heads Monday, putting on a busty display in a barely-barely there bikini.

The suggestively captioned snaps were taken at an idyllic beach in the model's homeland of New Zealand, where she has been residing since Christmas.

Busty beauty! Rachel Hunter, 47 flaunted her age-defying beauty and ample cleavage in a skimpy orange bikini on Monday, sharing a series of suggestively captioned snaps

In one snap, the beauty looked genuinely peaceful, running her hands through the warm white sand.

Wearing just a hint of makeup, her skin looked soft and glowing as she closed her eyes to bask in the sun's rays.

Rachel appeared to had just been for a dip, with her curled blonde locks looking dark and damp.

She flaunted her ample cleavage in the tiny orange two-piece, adding the suggestive caption: 'My mum wanted me to put this up'.

Suggestive! Her skin looked soft and glowing, as she captioned the first snap: 'My mum wanted me to put this up.' In the second she wrote: 'My Sandbox...serious I know :)'

Hours before, she put up another image from the beach trip, this time propping herself up on her bronzed arms.

The beauty's trim pins were also on display in the dreamy snap, her torso still covered in sand.

'My Sandbox...serious I know :),' she wrote in the caption.

Rachel later shared an image that showed her tossing sand into the air.

Sandstorm! The model was significantly more covered later, sharing an image that showed her tossing sand into the air

Her face was completely obscured by the tiny white crystals.

The international model is no stranger to putting on display's in bikinis.

Back in 2000, she led support for the New Zealand yacht in the traditional America's Cup race.

Clad in a patterned blue bikini, the beauty was pictured waving her homeland's flag as she perched her legs on either side of a large boat.

Bikini babe from way back: Rachel is no stranger to putting on display's in bikinis, Back in 2000, she led support for the New Zealand yacht in the traditional America's Cup race (pictured here clad in a blue two piece)

Earlier this year, she revealed to Instagram fans that she would be spending her first Christmas in New Zealand for 23-years.

Some eight-weeks later, she's still residing in the country, regularly posting images that show her embracing the country's beauty.

Rachel began her career at just 17, with 2017 marking her 30th year as a working model.

Veteran! Rachel began her career at just 17, with 2017 marking her 30th year as a working model
One of the resounding saviors of last year's Top Gear reboot was Matt LeBlanc's part as co-host of the show.

And while the series' last two presenters have disappeared from the format in as many years, LeBlanc has stayed put as one of 2016's only remaining faces.

Clarkson was famously not invited back to the show, following a diva moment with a producer; and Evans quit after receiving a slew of unhappy comments from viewers about his ability to front such a show.

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'I didn't know!' Matt LeBlanc admits Chris Evans quit Top Gear without telling him first... and insists he and former host Jeremy Clarkson aren't friends

Speaking to this week's Radio Times, LeBlanc has been frank about his relationship with Evans.

'We got along fine,' he assured the magazine. 'We talked, you know, about creative processes, and pitched ideas Everything was going along smoothly.

'And then all those stories in the press came out about him and he seemed a little stressed about it all. The next thing I knew he had resigned. I didnt know.'

Of former host Clarkson - who now fronts The Grand Tour over on Amazon Prime, alongside James May and Richard Hammond (also of Top Gear fame), LeBlanc insists there is no 'friendship' to speak of.

Bygones: Clarkson was famously not invited back to the show, following a diva moment with a producer; and Evans quit after receiving a slew of unhappy comments form viewers about his ability to front such a show

He said: 'Im not friends with Jeremy. Ive met him once [as a guest on Top Gear] but I dont have his phone number.'

LeBlanc claimed last week that he hasn't even heard from his former co-host Evans since his departure from BBC's Top Gear last summer.

The 49-year-old former Friends actor has revealed the Radio 2 DJ has yet to reach out to him, after he found out about his departure in the press.

Radio silence: Matt LeBlanc has admitted he hasn't heard from his former co-host Chris Evans since his departure from BBC's Top Gear last summer

Honest: Speaking to The Sun , the 49-year-old has revealed the Radio 2 DJ has yet to reach out him, after he found out about his departure in the press

Speaking to The Sun, he said: 'I haven't heard from him since  which is his choice.'

The comment adds fuel to the fire that the pair kept their relationship simply professional on and off the set.

However, LeBlanc refuted the claims and insisted the flame-haired presenter's busy schedule was to blame.

He added: 'I saw the stories that we weren't getting along and there was a row between us, but we were fine. I liked Chris Evans.'

LeBlanc has also spoken for the first time about the infamous Cenotaph stunt, which saw him do 'donut' wheel spins with driver Ken Block near the war memorial.

He told The Sun that the route had been planned and approved by the relevant authorities, but they would not have done it in hindsight.

Skid marks on Whitehall by the Cenotaph war memorial after a Top Gear shoot last March

In the Cenotaph incident, Evans apologised after his co-presenter LeBlanc was snapped in a souped-up car doing spins near the war memorial on Whitehall

Like everyone else: The actor spoke exclusively to to Daily Mail's Weekend Magazine and admitted that he found out about Evans's resignation like everyone else

LeBlanc added: 'I certainly didnt mean to disrespect anything like that  a war memorial - and people did seem really upset by it and I apologise for that.'

The actor spoke exclusively to Daily Mail's Weekend Magazine last week and admitted that he found out about Evans's resignation like everyone else.

I certainly didnt mean to disrespect anything like that - a war memorial - and people did seem really upset by it and I apologise for that Matt LeBlanc, on the infamous 'donut' Cenotaph stunt on Top Gear

He said: 'I didn't even know he was quitting!' said LeBlanc as he prepared to launch the first Top Gear of the post-Evans era, with himself in the driving seat.

As for the stormy waters that seem to surround the Top Gear production, LeBlanc said it can be overwhelming.

'I don't know why there's such huge controversy about it, but boy, being on this show is like being in a fish bowl. Everybody's after you, waiting for you to put a foot wrong, and that can be tough.

'But I like cars, I know a little bit about cars, I can say some funny things about cars and hopefully people want to watch me. Hopefully.'

As the March 5 debut for the upcoming season of Top Gear rapidly draws close, bosses of the BBC Two show have unveiled the first new promo shot.

Overwhelming: As for the stormy waters that seem to surround the Top Gear production, LeBlanc says it can be overwhelming

The main image shows returning star LeBlanc beaming as he's flanked by co-hosts Chris Harris and Rory Reid while standing among a collection of luxury cars.

With a space shuttle taking off in the background and a helicopter hovering overhead in the cloudy skies, the dramatic shot notably excludes Evans, who quit the show after just one season following an unprecedented dip in ratings.

Evans and LeBlanc took over when the series was rebooted following the departure of hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.

But radio personality Evans quit the show after one series following plummeting ratings and poor reviews, saying he gave it his best shot but it was 'not enough'.

In the driver's seat: LeBlanc poses with his co-hosts (l-r) Chris Harris and Rory Reid, as well as The Stig (background, left), in the first promo shot for the new season of Top Gear

Following his resignation, Evans said LeBlanc was the 'captain' that the programme needed going forward and should remain on the show, dismissing reports that the pair's relationship had broken down amid flagging audience figures.

In the Cenotaph incident, Evans apologised after his co-presenter LeBlanc was snapped in a souped-up car doing spins near the war memorial on Whitehall.

It left scorch marks behind the Cabinet Office, and sparked a furious row over Top Gear's 'gravely disrespectful' behaviour.

New trio: The beaming new line-up of co-hosts also pose together in a less dramatic shot

As politicians and former Army chief Colonel Richard Kemp condemned the BBC for the 'distasteful' sequence, Evans used his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show to say sorry - vowing the Cenotaph footage would not be broadcast.

New ride: The new season of Top Gear returns on Sunday

The BBC had faced a battle to relaunch the series since Clarkson was ousted after being involved in an infamous fracas with a producer at a hotel.

Executive producer Lisa Clark quit halfway through filming, shortly followed by script editor Tom Ford  and viewing figures slumped to record lows.

Evans was named as the new host after the departure of controversial frontman Clarkson after the confrontation with producer Oisin Tymon.

It was revealed that the row, which happened in a North Yorkshire hotel, took place because no hot food was provided following a day's filming.

His dismissal prompted a mass walkout as Richard Hammond, James May and Andy Wilman, the executive producer and old school friend of Clarkson, all resigned.

After the incident, Clarkson, May and Hammond went on to sign a deal for a new Amazon Prime motor show called The Grand Tour with a reported budget of 160million.

Matt LeBlanc's Radio Times interview can be read in full in the current issue, out now.
Nicole Kidman has become known for 'bizarre' antics at awards shows after she put on a giggly display at the Golden Globes in January.

And the actress again raised eyebrows with some 'odd behavior' at Sunday's Oscars when she cut the straps on her dress and made phone calls during the ceremony.

Most notably the Aussie became a viral sensation due to her strange clapping that led some online to ask, 'Does Nicole Kidman know how to clap?'

Having fun? The actress raised eyebrows with some 'odd behavior' at Sunday's Oscars when she cut the straps on her dress and made phone calls during the ceremony

The 49-year-old sent social media went into meltdown when cameras caught the actress clapping in a somewhat unusual manner.

Viewers took to Twitter to comment on Nicole's clapping style with one user asking: 'Why does Nicole Kidman clap her hands like that? Weird. Clap like a normal person'.

While some went as far as to say she clapped like a seal: 'Anyone see Nicole Kidman clapping? She claps like a seal. Awesome,' tweeted another social media user.

Nicole was seen enthusiastically applauding after Charlize Theron took to the stage to introduce an award.

Most notably: The Aussie became a viral sensation due to her strange clapping that led some online to ask, 'Does Nicole Kidman know how to clap?'

Some went as far as to say she clapped like a seal: 'Anyone see Nicole Kidman clapping? She claps like a seal. Awesome,' tweeted another social media user

The star was also forced to get crafty halfway through the Oscars ceremony on Sunday after her Armani Prive gown appeared to give her a rash.

The dazzling frock's sequined straps were in a crisscrossed racer back shape when Nicole arrived on the red carpet but she was later seen with them tied into a halter.

The straps dangled down her back and appeared to have frayed ends, suggesting Nicole or a stylist took a last minute pair of scissors to the custom made dress.

Continuing her footloose night, during the show, both Nicole and husband Keith Urban appeared smitten when Justin Timberlake greeted them in the audience.

Cut away: The star was also forced to get crafty halfway through the Oscars ceremony on Sunday after her Armani Prive gown appeared to give her a rash

As a seated Nicole took the hand of the former boy band star, her husband Keith beside her looked rather pleased to be in JT's company himself.

As Nicole gently offered Justin her hand and she made an interesting shape with her lips that appeared a touch flirtatious while Keith seemed to stare into JT's eyes.

The Oscar winner was also seen making a phone call during the ceremony, perhaps to check on her young children.

Bedazzled! As a seated Nicole took the hand of the former boy band star, her husband Keith beside her looked rather pleased to be in JT's company himself

In January, Nicole displayed what a Woman's Day report described as 'bizarre' and 'loose' behaviour at the Golden Globes.

In a report published in the magazine, the Aussie actress is said to have left 'some observers wondering whether she'd had a few too many pre-show wines'.

The evening began with the actress interrupting British actor Tom Hiddleston's red carpet interview to insist she was having a good time.

Ordering pizza? The Oscar winner was also seen making a phone call during the ceremony, perhaps to check on her young children

At an after-party, the Lion star, who was nominated for a Best Actress award that evening, reportedly chose to 'shoo away' a cocktail waitress.

But she was evidently hungry as she was 'constantly ushering over' waiters with pizza and Keith was left to brush pizza crumbs off her frock, the magazine alleges.
He is usually the life and soul of the party as a prominent member of the TOWIE cast.

But Pete Wicks looked decidedly down in the dumps at breakfast with James Lock on Monday, as they filmed for the reality show without his girlfriend Megan McKenna.

The tattooed star, 28, appeared to cut a sombre figure as he embarked on a heart-to-heart with his pal, at his healthy eatery Lockie's Kitchen in Romford.

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Something up? Pete Wicks looked decidedly down in the dumps on Monday as he headed for breakfast with his friend James Lock during TOWIE filming

Concerned: Pete cut a sombre figure as he embarked on a heart-to-heart with his pal at Lockie's Kitchen in Romford

Pete kept things casual in a navy bomber jacket and pulled his hair into a trademark messy man bun as he filmed new scenes for the ITVBe show's twentieth season.

Despite tucking into a tasty bowl of granola and an orange juice however, the reality star looked to be plagued with anxiety as he caught up with his friend Lockie.

Meeting for breakfast, the pair were seen embarking on a heart-to-heart - which appeared to leave Pete in deep thought as he rested a tense fist to his mouth.

What's on your mind? Despite tucking into a tasty bowl of granola and an orange juice, the reality star looked to be plagued with anxiety as he caught up with Lockie

Comfortable: Clearly not feeling his best, Pete kept things casual in a navy bomber jacket and pulled his hair into a trademark messy man bun as he filmed new scenes

Thinking: Meeting his friend for breakfast, the pair were seen embarking on a heart-to-heart - which appeared to leave Pete in deep thought as he rested a tense fist to his mouth

Meanwhile Lockie, who recently founded and opened their healthy morning hotspot, was seen reassuring his co-star - before brightening the mood by showing him something on his phone.

The pair were later joined by Jamie Read, who has returned the show after a brief appearance in 2012 as the boyfriend of Amber Turner, the best friend of Pete's girlfriend Megan.

Pete's tense appearance follows a reported sighting of him and his girl arguing in the street on Friday.

You're my bro: Meanwhile Lockie, who recently founded and opened their healthy morning hotspot, was seen reassuring his co-star with a handshake

Cheering him up: Lockie then brightened the mood by showing him something on his phone

New kid on the block: The pair were later joined by Jamie Read (R) who has returned the show after a brief appearance in 2012 as the boyfriend of Amber Turner

However when contacted by MailOnline for comment, a representative for Megan refuted the claims, stating: 'There was no row. The Uber they were waiting for had just cancelled.'

Yet, their romance could be set to face even more issues in the coming months - with Pete's ex Harriette Harper reportedly the next in line to join the TOWIE cast.

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.

Joining the fray: Pete was then seen chatting a brunette, who tucked into a bag of crisps

Love on the rocks? Pete's tense appearance follows a reported sighting of him and his girl arguing in the street on Friday

No problems here:However when contacted by MailOnline, a representative for Megan refuted the claims, stating: 'There was no row. The Uber they were waiting for had just cancelled'

A source told the paper: 'Megan has unleashed utter fury on Pete before when he rekindled a relationship with an ex.'

'Bosses know Harriette will ruffle a few feathers, while obviously adding to the show's glamour.'

The insider added of the beauty, who dated Pete in 2015 prior to his arrival on the show: 'Once Ex On The Beach finishes, she'll be free to join TOWIE.'

If she does make an appearance, Harriette will no doubt stir up Megan's famously fiesty temper which fans saw during The Only Way Is Marbs last year, after news of his sexting scandal came to light.

Bad to worse: The security door of the venue then got stuck as they made to leave - causing Pete to have to duck under it to reach his car

A storm is brewing: Megan and Pete's romance could be set to face more issues in the coming months - with Pete's ex Harriette Harper reportedly the next in line to join TOWIE (above)

The brunette embarked on a screeching rant at the tattooed hunk on the beach in Spain after discovering that he had sent explicit text messages to several women.

However, it was only on Valentine's Day that the pair had put on a loved-up display on social media, as they recreated their first date at Quaglino's in London.

Taking to Instagram, the TOWIE couple shared several snaps from their romantic evening, with Megan revealing that she'd been 'spoilt' by her man, after being gifted with a giant bouquet of red roses.

The former CBB star looked delighted in the shot, which she captioned: 'Valentines with my [love]. He spoilt me... like always.'
He may be a household name for his role on TV crime drama Jonathan Creek and decade long tenure on panel show Q1.

But Alan Davies has revealed he has banned his children from watching television as he believes it could scupper their cognitive development.

Speaking to Radio Times, the 50-year-old comedian - who is father to Susie, six, Bobby, five, and 16-month-old Frances - admitted that he and his wife Katie Markell prefer to make their own fun, rather than rely on TV to always entertain.

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TV ban: Alan Davies has revealed he has banned his children from watching television as he believes it could scupper their cognitive development

He said: 'To be honest we try to keep them away from the telly. Life's too short. Old and knackered parents, you can sit and watch the telly, but children doing it is depressing. We're convinced it scrambles their minds.'

'They never seem to like what they're looking at and we don't let the one-year-old anywhere near a screen. I'd rather they were painting each other's faces.'

Despite having appeared on much-loved quiz show QI for more than a decade, the comic - who lives in North London with his children's author partner - admitted his children have only seen him once on telly.

More fun: The 50-year-old comedian - who is father to Susie, six, Bobby, five, and 16-month-old Frances - admitted that he and his wife Katie prefer to make their own fun, rather than rely on TV to always entertain

He explained: 'It was at the Royal Variety performance, in which I talked about going to the soft play with them, which my daughter thought was hysterical. But it was slightly disturbing, watching her watching me.'

Read Alan's full interview in this weeks Radio Times

His children have become apart of his comedy act these days, having made quite the appearance through his jokes for his latest live stand-up DVD Little Victories.

Speaking to the Daily Mail's Event Magazine in December, he explained to Cole Morton that he also disapproves of drinking infront of his little ones, experiences he's witnessed around his hometown.

He said: 'Drink-parenting is as bad as drink-driving. I never drink in front of the kids. I just think thats wrong. Im a big fan of alcohol, perhaps too much so, but not in front of the kids. Put them to bed, then you can open the bottle of wine.'

I see people in the park looking after their kids in the summer, p*****. And I think, Well, that ones going to fall in the canal any minute.

'And sometimes they do. You cant drink and parent, they do not go together.
He's the Heartbreak High star known for playing Bogdan 'Draz' Drazic in the cult Australian show.

The actor, known for playing Bogdan 'Draz' Drazic in the cult Australian show, as he appeared to shout and mimic the act of throwing.

The 42-year-old was seen circling around a lamp post, snarling and throwing his hands into the air.

What's up Drazic? Callan Mulvey put on a bizarre display as he appeared to shout and pretend to throw something on a busy Los Angeles street on Monday

Dressed in a blue denim shirt and camel coloured pants, the handsome actor was clearly goofing around and he was seen smiling broadly after the weird episode.

Sporting a slight beard, the brunette Underbelly star paired his outfit with a pair of dark shades and dark tan boots.

Callan's look was a far cry from his Heartbreak days when Drazic wore punk clothes and sported a huge eyebrow ring.

What's he doing? The 42-year-old was seen circling around a lamp post, snarling and throwing his hands into the air

Only joking! Dressed in a blue denim shirt and camel coloured pants, the handsome actor was clearly goofing around and he was seen smiling broadly

Since his appearance in the show, Callan has gone on to appear in blockbuster films such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier and more recently, Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice.

In 2010 he married his school teacher sweetheart Rachel Thomas.

Callan was born in New Zealand but moved to Sydney at the age of eight after landing the role in Heartbreak High when he was in his early twenties.

He made his Hollywood debut in 2012's Zero Dark Thirty.

Looking good! Sporting a slight beard, the brunette Underbelly star paired his outfit with a pair of dark shades and dark tan boots

He's a star! Since his appearance in the show, Callan has gone on to appear in blockbuster films such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier and more recently, Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice
Nick Viall had his work cut out for him during Monday's episode of The Bachelor as he entered the 'fantasy suite' with Raven Gates.

Before they were due to spend the night together Raven, a mild mannered boutique owner from Arkansas, told him she had never climaxed during intercourse.

'Every girl wants great things, fireworks, magic to happen but I have only had sex with one person and I've never had an orgasm before,' confessed the 25-year-old.

Major revelation: Raven Gates told Nick Viall that she's never had an orgasm before during Monday's episode of The Bachelor

'It's really taboo to discuss but it's really important,' she said.

Nick, 36, was left speechless and the show ended with them lying, fully clothed, on the bed.

The episode also featured the emotional goodbye of Corinne Olympios and a surprise visit from Andi Dorfman.

The show opened with the arrival of Andi, who broke Nick's heart when she was The Bachelorette.

Sexual history: Nick also was told by Raven that she loves him

Surprise visit: Andi Dorfman surprised Nick at his hotel room after rejecting him on The Bachelorette

'You dumped me on national television,' he griped, before saying that he might end up rejecting all 30 of his women.

'I'm not going to get engaged just because I'm The Bachelor, I'm not going to pick one just because she's the last one standing,' Nick told her.

'Are you going to have sex with any of them?' asked Andi, who advised that he only get intimate if he sees a future with someone.

Candid conversation: Nick was asked if he planned on having sex with any of the women

Good advice: Andi told Nick to only get intimate if he sees a future with someone

'It's weird getting Fantasy Suite advice from you,' he mumbled.

Before the rose ceremony special ed teacher Vanessa Grimaldi was crying.

'I just don't feel specialhorrible feeling,' sobbed the 29-year-old Canadian.

Final four: Vanessa Grimaldi was feeling neglected ahead of the rose ceremony

Texas attorney Rachel Lindsay was also feeling 'vulnerable' but Raven was ready to say 'yes' to a marriage proposal.

'I'm that ready,' she proclaimed.

Corinne was 'freaking out' and rightly so as Nick gave her the boot during a rose ceremony.

Rose ceremony: Vanessa, Rachel Lindsay, Corinne Olympios and Raven took part in the rose ceremony with only three flowers on the table

Big hug: Rachel got a rose but she also has been named already as the next star of The Bachelorette

Feeling better: Vanessa smiled as she received the last rose from Nick

The Miami resident, who has a full-time nanny, blubbered inconsolably as she left.

'You have nothing to be sorry for, I'm going to miss the hell out of you,' he told her.

'I feel like my heart is never going to be repairedwhy can't I just have a normal relationship?' cried Corinne, 24.

Sent home: Corinne was consoled by Nick after she did not receive a rose

Tear flowing: The Miami business owner cried after failing to receive a rose

Never again: Corinne vowed to never again kiss up to a man

'I will never kiss up to a man ever again in my life,' she vowed.

Nick and the three remaining women jetted off to Lapland, Finland.

The first date was with Raven and they took a helicopter ride and played darts in a local Finnish pub.

Helicopter ride: Raven and Nick took a helicopter ride around Finland

Romantic adventure: Nick and Raven after their helicopter ride settled into their date

Local pub: Raven and Nick played darts at a local pub

'Every time I spend time with Raven I fall harder and harder for her,' said Nick.

Meanwhile Raven was hoping Nick could give her the big 'O' she's been missing all these years.

'You have to really trust someone to go there and I think I could go there with Nick. Here we gotoday is the day!' she giggled.

Big day: The Arkansas fashion boutique owner was looking forward to declaring her love for Nick

At dinner she confessed that during her previous 10-year relationship she'd never said 'I love you' to her boyfriend.

She then tearfully professed that Nick made her feel like she'd 'never felt before'.

'I do love you,' she announced.

L word: Nick was told by Raven that she loves him but he did not say that he loved her

Drinking up: Raven took a drink after telling Nick about her sexual secret and declaring her love for him

'It means the world, knowing that Raven has never said that to anyone before,' said Nick.

'That was one of the best professions of love' he told her.

Although he didn't return the L-word she was sure he felt it too - and she gained an invite to the Fantasy Suite.

Tender moment: Nick and Raven kissed after she spilled her secret

Sex secret: The reality star admitted that he wasn't expecting Raven's sex secret revelation

She accepted but first confessed she'd only been with one man and had never climaxed.

'I was not expecting that,' he gawped.

As they lay on the bed, with the Northern Lights above, she got all gooey.

Special invitation: Nick and Raven were given the key to the Fantasy Suite

In bed: Raven and Nick ended the episode laughing in bed

'I think tonight could really seal the deal on our relationship,' she decided.

'I think tonight is the biggest night in my life, or could potentially be,' she mused.

The Bachelor returns next week on ABC with a special three-hour show.
A few hours earlier she was partying the night away with hubby Joe Manganiello at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party.

But on Monday, Sofia Vergara was a lady who lunches as she joined some pals for a meal in Beverly Hills.

The Modern Family star, 44, swapped her glamorous red carpet look for distressed denims paired with a navy sweater beneath a matching tweed St. John cardigan.

Lady who lunches: Sofia Vergara, 44, dressed in distressed denims paired with a navy sweater beneath a matching tweed St. John cardigan in Beverly Hills on Monday

The Colombian beauty stepped out in dark blue platform heels and she carried a bright red tote.

Sofia's lovely long hair still had its awards show sheen as she wore it loose with a center parting.

She added a pair of large sunglasses as she headed out of the restaurant to her waiting SUV.

Hangover hair: Sofia's lovely long locks still had its awards show sheen from Sunday night's Oscars as she wore it loose with a center parting

Leggy look: The Modern Family star stepped out in dark blue platform heels and carried a bright red tote

Upbeat mood: She added a pair of large sunglasses as she headed out of the restaurant to her waiting SUV

Had a good lunch: Sofia was all smiles as she said goodbye to her friend
Animal health officials are concerned about poultry smuggling in Hanoi and several border provinces.

Vietnam has formed inspection and emergency response teams to prevent the deadly bird flu virus H7N9 now rapidly spreading in China, Vietnam's agriculture ministry said.

The teams are tasked with preventing poultry smuggling in border provinces of Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Lang Son and Quang Ninh, and also in the northern provinces of Bac Giang, Bac Ninh and in Hanoi. The emergency response teams shall contain the spread of the virus if detected.

The H7N9 virus was first found in China in March 2013 and has killed 94 people in the mainland this year, the World Health Organization said. The virus has spread to 16 cities and provinces in China, including areas bordering Vietnam.

Vietnam has not reported any infection of the H7N9 strain but officials are concerned about high risks from the busy border trade of undocumented poultry. Earlier this month officials have seized more than 8,000 ducks smuggled from China into Lang Son Province.

Vietnamese animal health officials consulted last week with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on technical measures to restrict the illegal trade.

Vietnam has been fighting with H5N1 and H5N6 bird flu outbreaks in seven provinces across the country, including the Mekong Delta, with more than 30,000 fouls sickened or culled. A place is considered free of bird flu after 21 days without new infections.

The country has reported no human infections of bird flu in the past two years.

Related news:

> Bird flu spreads its ugly wings as Vietnam battles to contain outbreaks

> Bird flu returns to Vietnam; outbreaks kill thousands of poultry
He courted controversy in 2003 after being arrested for brawling with Melbourne bouncers.

And AFL star Dane Swan, 33, has reflected on the notorious incident, telling his I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! stars that it cost him a whopping $250K in legal fees.

In a preview for Tuesday night's episode, Dane is seen recounting the violent run-in, and the expensive consequences, to shock jock Steve Price.

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'I learned the hard way': I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! star Dane Swan has revealed that a 2003 brawl with Melbourne bouncers cost him $250K in legal fees

'Long story short, we got kicked out of a cab then got into a punch-on with five bouncers,' he said.

'One of my mates went a bit too far and they got reasonably hurt so we got arrested for that.'

He went on to explain that he received 'about eight charges' and that he had been forced to cough up $250K over eight years.

Tale of the brawl: 'Long story short, we got kicked out of a cab then got into a punch-on with five bouncers,' he said

Coughing up the cash: He went on to explain that he received 'about eight charges' and that he had been forced to cough up $250K over eight years

Brush with the law: Dane was charged with 13 offences, including assault and intentionally causing serious injury, and was eventually convicted of affray (pictured in 2009)

'Total court fees, paying people. That's about what it cost me in the end. I learned the hard way,' he sighed.

Dane was charged with 13 offences, including assault and intentionally causing serious injury, and was eventually convicted of affray.

Despite the harrowing details, Dane told his fellow camp-mates that he would have done the same thing if he were to have his time again.

'There's absolutely no doubt': Despite the harrowing details, Dane told his fellow camp-mates that he would have done the same thing if he were to have his time again (pictured in 2016)

'There's absolutely no doubt I wouldn't have been a Brownlow medallist premiership player, played 200 games, all the awards that I've won without those things happening to me early in my career, the run-in with the law.'

'There's no doubt the stuff that happened to me moulded me into the player I am and the person I am here today,' he said.

Indeed, Dane has since credited the 2003 brawl as having taught him to think twice about throwing punches.

Indeed, Dane has since credited the 2003 brawl as having taught him to think twice about throwing punches (pictured in 2009)

In 2010, he suffered damage to his teeth when he was king hit at a nightclub.

Rather than giving into temptation and punching back, he walked away.

'I was with my partner and I just realised I had to walk away, and that was the right thing to do,' he told Harry O'Brien as part of the State Government's Knives Scar Lives campaign.

Baring all: In January last year, full frontal nude selfies of himself he had sent out to female fans were leaked to the media

Dane is no stranger to controversy, having suffered several scandals throughout his career.

In January last year, full frontal nude selfies of himself he had sent out to female fans were leaked to the media.

In August, a photo of the Magpies midfielder appeared in a social media picture with a bare-breasted women, just months after he sent out the nude selfie.

Oh dear: In August, a photo of the Magpies midfielder appeared in a social media picture with a bare-breasted women, just months after he sent out the nude selfie

The Brownlow Medallist, is shown making the devil's horns sign with his hands alongside a woman who exposed her breasts for the camera.

According to the AFL's social media policy, players are banned from 'accessing, downloading or transmitting any sexually explicit material, violent  or graphic images'.

In October last year, Dane told the Herald Sun he had 'experimented' with recreational drugs.

Candid: In October last year, Dane told the Herald Sun he had 'experimented' with recreational drugs

'I have experimented with what some people call recreational drugs, but have never taken performance-enhancing drugs or what you might call 'heavy' drugs,' he told the publication.

During a press conference about his retirement in August, Dane made it clear he would be staying out of the spotlight, telling the media: 'Leave me alone'.

He has since found fame by signing up to appear on the highly publicised reality show I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!

Out of the limelight? During a press conference about his retirement in August, Dane made it clear he would be staying out of the spotlight, telling the media: 'Leave me alone' (pictured in 2015 with partner Taylor Wilson)




He, no doubt, had a late night on Sunday after missing out on winning the Best Supporting Actor gong to Mahershala Ali.

And Michael Shannon, 42, kept his dark glasses firmly over his eyes on Monday, as he arrived at LAX.

The Nocturnal Animals actor looked a little worse for wear alongside girlfriend Kate Arrington, the morning after the night before.

Jaded? Michael Shannon, 42, kept his dark glasses firmly over his eyes on Monday, as he arrived at LAX

Stunning: The couple were dressed in their finery the night before as they walked the red carpet at the Oscars

The actor was a stark contrast to the sartorially sharp figure he cut on the red carpet at the Dolby Theater.

He was wearing a bright floral print shirt, and jeans.

The Boardwalk Empire star's hair was disheveled and unkempt, as he kept his head down while walking through the concourse.

All been there! The Nocturnal Animals actor looked a little worse for wear alongside girlfriend Kate Arrington, the morning after the night before

No doubt Kate has been commiserating with her actor beau, and she was also looking rather more low-key than she had been on the red-carpet.

Gone was her sleek updo, as she covered her bed-head locks with a black beanie.

She strode out in brown boots and glittery black leggings.

Casual: The Boardwalk Empire star's hair was disheveled and unkempt, as he kept his head down while walking through the concourse

Dressed down: No doubt Kate has been commiserating with her actor beau, and she was also looking rather more low-key than she had been on the red-carpet

Transformed: Gone was her sleek updo, as she covered her bed-head locks with a black beanie while Michael signed autographs

The couple have daughters Sylvia and Mario together, and live in Brooklyn, NYC, so were likely to be heading back to the East Coast.

He was nominated for his role as Detective Bobby Andes in the Tom Ford written and directed movie.

He's currently filming Horse Soldiers, with Chris Hemsworth, about CIA agents and U.S. Special Forces deployed in Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks.

This year he has five movies slated for release - Pottersville, The Price, The Shape of Water, The Current War and State Like Sleep.
She confirmed that she is pregnant with her first child on Monday evening.

And model Nikki Phillips showed off her baby bump for the first time at The Australian Turf Club launch in Sydney on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old Kiwi model was simply glowing in a burgundy off-the-shoulder gown.

Mum to be! Nikki Phillips showed off her baby bump for the first time at the Australian Turf Club launch in Sydney on Tuesday

Glowing and gorgeous: Clearly benefitting from that pregnancy glow, Nikki wore minimal makeup and wore her blonde locks out and pushed back by her headband

Baby joy: Nikki and her Kiwi rock singer husband Dane Rumble announced they were expecting their first child together on Monday night

Posing for the cameras at the event, Nikki's pregnancy figure was on show in the stylish form-fitting frock.

The blonde beauty paired the ensemble with matching suede and perspex stilettos.

She also dressed the ensemble up with extravagant jewels, including an gold crown headband and baroque-style earrings.

Back in the spotlight: A very slender Sam Frost made a rare appearance at the event following her split with Sasha Mielczarek

Happy couple: Meanwhile, the original Bachelor couple Tim Robards and Anna Heinrich put on a loved-up display track side

Beauty in black: Anna wore a very similar ensemble to Nikki's, but opted for black

Clearly benefitting from that pregnancy glow, Nikki wore minimal makeup and had her blonde locks out and pushed back by her headband.

Nikki and her husband Dane Rumble announced their happy pregnancy news in an Instagram post on Monday, with the 34-year-old confirming she's four months pregnant.

'Its no Beyonce post but our best adventure yet is on its way,' the post began.

Monochrome magic! Erin Holland turned heads in a monochrome dress with lace-up detail

Suits you! Montana Cox opted for colourful trousers on the day, teamed with a black tuxedo jacket and strappy white stilettos

Black and gold: 800 Words star Melina Vidler looked chic in a black dress with ruffled neckline cinched in at the waist with a gold belt

Crowned: Melina also wore a gold crown-style hairband at the event

'Baby Phillips Rumble is due early July and we are beyond excited, slightly terrified but utterly blessed.'

She added: 'We can not wait to meet our little miracle. Ive always dreamed of being a mother, but never knew it could be... read about our journey in the coming weeks on my blog #19weeks #pregnant #babyphillipsrumble.'

The Sydney-based pair announced their engagement in 2013 during a trip to Hong Kong.

Over the moon: The couple announced the happy news in an Instagram post on Monday, with the 34-year-old Kiwi model confirming she's four months pregnant

IT couple: Nikki and Dane have been married for almost three years

The former New Zealand's Next Top Model guest judge married her 33-year-old husband one year later.

Nikki previously said she wasn't certain that kids were in their future.

In 2009, the statuesque blonde was diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer following a routine pap smear.

Exciting: 'Baby Phillips Rumble is due early July and we are beyond excited, slightly terrified but utterly blessed,' she wrote on Instagram

Doctors were able to remove the cancerous cells and years later, the model is now believed to be cancer-free.

The blonde beauty met Dane while undergoing post-operative testing for cancer and she once told the discontinued Cleo magazine that he was supportive and 'amazing' throughout the ordeal.

'If I cant have kids he is fine with that,' she said.

Last year, Nikki relaunched her By Nikki Phillips blog, which features red carpet events, fashion and travel.
They wore matching tuxes to the 2015 MTV Movie awards.

And it seems Bella Noche Ruffalo is still a big fan of her dad's style as she matched his suited look once again on Monday.

The father and daughter duo both wore navy two-pieces to the Roundabout Theatre Company Spring Gala in New York.

Suits you! Mark Ruffalo and daughter Bella Noche doubled up in navy two-pieces as they attended Roundabout Theatre Company Spring Gala on Monday

The 49-year-old wore his with a matching navy pullover over a charcoal grey shirt, all beneath a navy overcoat.

His 11-year-old little girl meanwhile oped for a denim button-down shirt.

While the Avengers star formalized in brown shoes, his protege went for a more laid back pair of blue sneakers.

Mark shares Bella Noche - whose name means 'beautiful night in Italian - with wife Sunrise Coigney; they also have a 15-year-old son Keen, and a nine-year-old daughter Odette.

Big: The 49-year-old wore his with a matching navy pullover over a charcoal grey shirt, all beneath a navy overcoat

Little: His 11-year-old little girl meanwhile oped for a denim button-down shirt

Diverged: While the Avengers star formalized in brown shoes, his protege went for a more laid back pair of blue sneakers

Snap: Daddy and daughter wore matching tuxes to the 2015 MTV Movie awards

The gala, held in honour of Frank Langella, took place at the at the Waldorf Astoria, with Bryan Cranston serving as host on the night.

The two actors even showed their love for each other by kissing on the lips for the gathered photographers.

Another guest rocking a sharp suit was Alec Baldwin, who arrived with wife Hilaria herself wearing a cute polka dot dress.

Smack! The gala was held in honour of Frank Langella, with Bryan Cranston serving as host on the night  and the duo showed their love for each other beforehand

SNL star: Another guest rocking a sharp suit was Alec Baldwin, who arrived with wife Hilaria who wore a cute polka dot dress

Silk Spectre: Carla Gugino looked gorgeous in a floor length black dress

Guest list: Kate Walsh (L) and Amy Ryan were among the guests on the night

Co-stars: Ruffalo and DeVito currently star together in the The Roundabout's production of Arthur Miller's The Price

Other guests included Danny DeVito, Carla Gugino, Matthew Rhys, Kate Walsh and Amy Ryan.

Ruffalo and DeVito currently star together in the The Roundabout's production of Arthur Miller's The Price.

The pair had a very special backstage visit from two fans last week: Barack Obama and his daughter Malia.

Heads up: Frank received an award on the night, but looked ready to toss it
She's known for her love of expensive bling and designer accessories.

But Roxy Jacenko, 36, stepped out without her wedding and engagement rings as she left the gym following an early morning work-out session this Tuesday.

The Sweaty Betty PR queen looked trim as she sauntered past a construction site in her leggings and loose-fitting grey vest.

The ring riddle! Roxy Jacenko, 36, stepped out without her wedding and engagement rings as she left the gym following an early morning work-out session this Tuesday

Smiling at onlookers, Roxy completed her look with a black Birkin handbag, a pair of stud earrings and a simple gold necklace.

It's not the first time the mother-of-two has emerged without her engagement and wedding rings.

When Daily Mail Australia reached out to Roxy for comment, she explained that the nature of her workout regime means that she can not wear her rings.

Fit and fabulous! The Sweaty Betty PR queen looked trim as she sauntered past a construction site in her leggings and loose-fitting grey vest

'I do weights based training, can't be doing that with rings on my fingers!' Roxy stated.

Earlier this month, Roxy, who lives with her two children Pixie and Hunter Curtis, referred to a minor wardrobe hiccup as one of many 'single girl issues.'

The Sydney businesswoman's clip documented her failed attempt at trying on a fitted-floral Zimmermann frock in front of a full-length mirror.

'I do weights based training': When Daily Mail Australia reached out to Roxy for comment, she explained that the nature of her workout regime means that she can not wear her rings

The late-night post is believed to have been uploaded 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.

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!'

'Single girl issues': Earlier this month, Roxy, who lives with her two children Pixie and Hunter Curtis, referred to a minor wardrobe hiccup as one of many 'single girl issues'

'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.

In the past Roxy had sent tongues wagging by choosing to not wear her engagement ring in public.

Roxy's jailed husband Oliver is expected to be released from Cooma in June on good behaviour.

He was was sentenced to jail for insider trading in June last year.
He won a legion of female fans and a loving girlfriend thanks to his turn as the raven-haired hunk on the first season of The Bachelor Australia in 2013.

And since his reality TV debut four years ago, Tim Robards has sported an ever-growing grey mane of hair to match his success as a nutrition and fitness entrepreneur.

The 34-year-old showed off his salt and pepper hairdo while accompanying his girlfriend Anna Heinrich to the Sydney Carnival race launch on Tuesday.

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Silver fox alert! Tim Robards, 34, debuts a dramatically grey hairdo after rising to fame as a dark-haired hunk on The Bachelor in 2013 (left in 2017, right in 2013)

The fitness fanatic was his usual dapper self at the Randwick Racecourse event, donning a grey suit with a patterned purple tie.

He paired the look with a pair of chocolate brown boots and a white shirt which emphasised his deep tan.

Tim's wavy grey-black hair was slicked back into a stylish do for the occasion,with his beard also sporting a fair amount of white speckles.

Channelling George Clooney: The fitness fanatic was his usual dapper self at the Randwick Racecourse event, donning a grey suit with a patterned purple tie

Little black dress: Tim's lady love Anna also looked stylish for the horse racing event, donning an all black ensemble

Tim's lady love Anna also looked stylish for the horse racing event, donning an all black ensemble.

The 30-year-old lawyer wore an off the shoulder dress which hugged her slim figure, pairing the outfit with black strappy stilettos and a monogrammed clutch.

Keeping her bronzed makeup simple, the socialite wore her long blonde locks over her shoulders in gentle waves.

The look of love: Keeping her bronzed makeup simple, the socialite wore her long blonde locks over her shoulders in gentle waves

Embracing his grey hair? During the show a then-30-year-old Tim sported a grey-free hairdo, however, has gone whiter since his stint on the show (pictured in 2013 on The Bachelor)

The couple have been dating since 2013, when Tim and Anna met on the first Australia season of The Bachelor.

During the show, a then-30-year-old Tim sported a grey-free hairdo, however, his hair has changed considerably since his stint on the show.

The former topless waiter previously revealed he was afraid of losing his raven black locks.

'Growing too much grey hair and Anna not being attracted to a grey headed man,' he told news.com.au in 2014 when asked to name his biggest fear.
She played retired spy Ingrid Cortez in the Sky Kids trilogy.

And Carla Gugino looked to be in double-oh heaven on Monday night in NYC.

The 45-year-old actress stepped out in an elegant figure-hugging black sheath dress at the Roundabout Theatre Company Spring Gala.

Night out: Carla Gugino looked stunning as she stepped out on Monday in NYC

The Night at the Museum star showcased her slender figure in the outfit which made the most of her slim waist and fabulous figure.

The dress had a sheer section which revealed her long legs.

She wore her chestnut tresses in a deconstructed up-do, which complemented her pretty features.

Stunning: The 45-year-old actress stepped out in an elegant figure-hugging black sheath dress at the Roundabout Theatre Company Spring Gala

The beauty had soft natural make-up to highlight her natural beauty - and a pink lip hue to finish the look.

Stunning earrings and a simple but elegant bracelet accessorised her all-black outfit.

She walked the red carpet alone, without long term boyfriend Sebastian Gutierrez.

Curves: The beauty had soft natural make-up to highlight her natural beauty - and a pink lip hue to finish the look

Her next movie is psychological thriller Gerald's Game, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name.

The gala, held in honour of Frank Langella, took place at the at the Waldorf Astoria, with Bryan Cranston serving as host on the night.

The two actors even showed their love for each other by kissing on the lips for the gathered photographers.
They've been embroiled in a spat, namely over their differing political views - and Piers Morgan reignited his feud with J.K. Rowling on Tuesday.

Talking on Good Morning Britain, showbiz journalist Richard Arnold talked about how Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them won an Oscar for Costume Design.

'It's the first time any of those films has won one,' he said.

'She's incredibly irritating. I've never got it': Piers Morgan reignited his feud with J.K. Rowling on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday

Seizing the opportunity for a jibe, Piers said: 'I wouldn't know one end of a muggle from a Voldemort'

Seizing the opportunity for a jibe, Piers said: 'I wouldn't know one end of a muggle from a Voldemort'.

'I've never read them. J.K. Rowling is incredibly irritating. I've never got it.'

Co-star Susanna Reid said: 'The books are brilliant by the way.'

With that, Richard ripped up his card and said: 'That's it. I've had enough. I'm going to a two day week. I've done this for twenty years. You've seen me off at last.'

Susanna said: 'You're not going anywhere.'

The latest conversation comes over a fortnight after Piers Morgan' son made an awkward revelation in the midst of the presenter's Twitter spat with JK Rowling - after disclosing that he is a massive Harry Potter fan.

Awkward: With that, Richard ripped up his card and said: 'That's it. I've had enough. I'm going to a two day week. I've done this for twenty years. You've seen me off at last'

Susanna said: 'You're not going anywhere' as Richard was in mock despair

The author and Piers became embroiled in an online row after she expressed delight that the breakfast TV presenter was sworn at over his support of Donald Trump.

After a heated back and forth between the two, Piers' son Spencer tweeted a selfie in which he showed off a tattoo and matching necklace inspired by Rowling's books.

Captioning the photo with 'well this is awkward', Spencer displayed two versions of the 'Deathly Hallows' symbol, which features in the Harry Potter series.

After a heated back and forth between the two, Piers' son Spencer tweeted a selfie in which he showed off a tattoo and matching necklace inspired by Rowling's books

JK Rowling said it was 'satisfying' to see Piers Morgan be sworn at, in a tweet that was retweeted thousands of times - and sparked a row with the man himself

Piers criticised JK Rowling for agreeing with free speech until someone refuses to agree with her and called her a liberal

Piers obviously wasn't too bothered about his son playfully biting the hand that feeds, as he seemed happy to retweet his son's selfie.

The Good Morning Britain presenter received Rowling's ire after appearing on panel show Real Time with Bill Maher, alongside Australian comedian Jim Jefferies.

The pair were debating President Trump's attempt to stop people from seven Muslim-majority countries entering the US.

DailyMail.com U.S. Editor-at-Large Morgan said the travel ban was not a Muslim ban, to which Jefferies said: 'Oh, f*** off. It's a f****** Muslim ban.'

Rowling wrote on the social networking site: 'Yes, watching Piers Morgan being told to f*** off on live TV is *exactly* as satisfying as I'd always imagined.'

Morgan replied: 'This is why I've never read a single word of Harry Potter.'

JK Rowling told Piers Morgan that reading her books would show him sucking up to the bully means people get burned alive

The pair ended up in a Twitter spat for much of the day, throwing insults to one another and reminding the other of ways they had won something over the other

Morgan said that 'everything I said was factual'. He added, referring to Jefferies: 'If you think screaming 'F*** OFF!!!' at me changes that, then you're mistaken.'

Rowling then asked Morgan: 'Would you like a couple of hours to mock up some pictures of refugees carrying explosives to substantiate your position?'

Morgan said: 'I'm under attack from a comic who tells rape jokes, Sulu from Star Trek & an author who writes about wizards.'

'The superior, dismissive arrogance of rabid Remain/Clinton supporters like @jk_rowling is, of course, precisely why both campaigns lost,' Morgan wrote in response.

Rowling wrote to her 9.55 million Twitter followers: 'The fact-free, amoral, bigotry-apologism of celebrity toady Piers Morgan is, of course, why it's so delicious to see him told to f*** off.'

Morgan shared Rowling's post and described it as 'peak foul-mouthed, minor celebrity anti-Trump hysteria at its most deliciously supercilious'. He called the author a 'liberal', and said that she is 'all for tolerance & free speech, until you refuse to call Trump the new Hitler'.

Entering the debate, Star Trek actor George Takei countered Morgan's claim about why he has never read the Harry Potter books.

Morgan said: 'I'm under attack from a comic who tells rape jokes, Sulu from Star Trek & an author who writes about wizards. What a morning.'

Morgan's appearance on Friday night's episode of Real Time saw him angrily rebuked by Jefferies. The British broadcaster said, over Jefferies's protests: 'This is the hysteria I'm talking about; 85% of the world's Muslims are allowed in the country.'

Piers Morgan commented 'what a morning' after the spat, which even drew in George Takei

George Takei joined in the spat too, taking the Harry Potter author's side. He said Piers 'lacked imagination'

Jefferies said: 'Oh, f*** off. This is what you do, Piers. You say 'He hasn't done this, he hasn't done that, he's not going to do all these things.'

'Give him a f****** chance mate  Hitler didn't kill the Jews on the first day, he worked up to it.'

He added: 'You just like that you won The Apprentice and you have a famous friend.'
They created the stomach-churning tucker trials to test the stars on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

And on the show on Tuesday, Dane Swan surprised co-host Dr Chris Brown when he enjoyed eating a whole fried tarantula during the Chewsday trial.

The 33-year-old former AFL star said he enjoyed eating the dead spider, saying it tasted like 'cream cheese.'

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Tasty? On I'm a Celebrity on Tuesday, Dane Swan (R, seen with Ash Pollard) surprised co-host Dr Chris Brown when he enjoyed eating a whole fried tarantula during the Chewsday trial

'It tastes alright... It actually tastes like cream cheese,' he said, also shocking his camp mates Keira Maguire and Ash Pollard, who were also doing the challenge.

'Who are you and where have you come from?' Chris asked.

After downing the creature, Dane earned two stars for the camp.

Taste buds off? The 33-year-old former AFL star said he enjoyed eating the dead spider, saying it tasted like 'cream cheese'

'Who are you and where have you come from?' Seen is Dr Chris Brown with co-host Julia Morris

There were three stomach-churning rounds during the tucker trial, including the group having to eat a barfarita pizza being made up of ground critters, blended liver, kidney, spleen and earthworms.

The celebrities had to spin a wheel and whatever number they landed on, would be the number of toppings they added to the dish.

Toppings included stinky tofu, snook eggs, spiragira - an algae - and critter paste.

Other toppings were chicken hearts, roached chips and moths and dragonflies.

Not the nicest pizza! The group had to eat a barfarita pizza being made up of ground critters, blended liver, kidney, spleen and earthworms

Yum: Toppings included stinky tofu, snook eggs, spiragira - an algae - and critter paste

Keira had two pizzas with three toppings each.

Some toppings she chose included the spiragira, chicken hearts and liver paste.

'It's dirt. Dirt in my mouth,' she said, as she heaved and almost cried.

'I'm never going to get a boyfriend again,' the former Bachelor star added.

Testing her: Keira Maguire had two pizzas with three toppings each

Not liking it! 'It's dirt. Dirt in my mouth,' she said, as she heaved and almost cried

Gross: Up next were waffles made of cow kidney, liver and stomach lining

Dane had a pizza with moths and dragonflies, roach chips and spiragira.

Up next were waffles made of cow kidney, liver and stomach lining.

Another round was the milkshake round, where the stars had the choice to win a star if they drunk either a fat shake, a fermented herring shake or a snake shake, with the snake shake blended with bits of the creature.

Keira chose the fat shake, Ash drunk the snake and Dane had the fermented herring shake.

What about classic chocolate? Another round was the milkshake round, where the stars had the choice to win a star if they drunk either a fat shake, a fermented herring shake or a snake shake

Keep it down! Keira chose the fat shake and heaved throughout the challenge

Julia Morris reminded the trio that Dr Chris had the fermented shake last year, and a clip played, where he vomited after drinking it.

'That smells like the worst fart I've ever smelt,' Ash said.

Dane remarked afterwards: 'It's fine. It's not too bad. Just tastes like fish.'

The trio ended up winning all eleven stars on offer.

At one point of the show, the camp got to play a dare game, called How Dare You.

Pucker up! At one point, Steve Price and Dane kissed, in a dare that told them to 'paint your lips with Vegemite and kiss another camp mate'

Sorry Steve! Steve also had his teeth brushed by Nazeem, with the paste being wasabi

One celebrity had to complete a dare to win a reward for their pal.

At one point, Steve Price and Dane kissed, in a dare that told them to 'paint your lips with Vegemite and kiss another camp mate.'

Steve said to camera afterwards: 'I was only kissing on the lips to get a taste of Vegemite - no other reason!'

Also during the show, journalist Steve held his jungle radio show at the camp and interviewed Dane, asking about his career.

He said when he first started playing AFL at just 17 years old, he blew his first pay check of $36,000.

'I moved straight out of home, moved straight in with my mate, spent every cent I had as soon as I got it. I thought, like every young footballer when they come into the league, "I'm going to make good money, do what I like."

Opening up: Also during the show, journalist Steve held his jungle radio show at the camp and interviewed Dane, asking about his career

'I thought I was a rock star and I was probably the worst footballer on the AFL list, I was useless. So that's how it was for probably two years, probably, before I got into some trouble.'

By 'trouble,' Dane was referring to his controversial arrest after an altercation with bouncers in 2003, saying it cost him $250,000 on legal fees.

He said he wouldn't change a thing about if he had a chance to fix things, saying the arrest helped his career.

'The arrest turned my career around,' he said.

'If I hadn't got arrested, I reckon I just would have played another year, done what I liked and they would have say, "No, mate, you are not cut out for it" and no-one likes to be in trouble with the law but that was the biggest positive in my life because I figured that was my wake-up call.'

He added: 'There's no doubt the stuff that happened to me moulded me into the player and person I am and the person I am here today.'

Also during the show, it was revealed that Lisa Curry and Keira will be up for the next tucker trial, and would have to ride a motorbike 100ft in the air over a ravine.
Just days ago, she revealed to her fans she had completed chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

And Shannen Doherty looked strong and healthy on Monday as she stepped out with her mother Rosa for a shopping trip in Venice, California.

The 45-year-old actress wore a black sweater and jeans teamed with UGG bots for the leisurely day out in the beachside city.

Strong and healthy: Shannen Doherty stepped out with her mother Rosa Elizabeth in Venice, California on Monday

It was her first appearance since she revealed she has completed chemotherapy treatment for her breast cancer.

Taking to Instagram last Friday to announce her good news, the 'exhausted' actress posted a selfie of herself in bed, getting some well-deserved rest as the 'waiting game' begins.

She began: 'Last day of chemo. Exhausted. Now that I'm done with chemo and radiation, the waiting game is here.'

Mother-daughter bonding: Shannen and Rosa looked in relaxed mood as they enjoyed their day out together

She added: 'Waiting for test. Waiting to see if I'm clear or not. Waiting for reconstruction. Waiting. I think when one gets cancer, they are always waiting to a certain extent.

'To those who know...I'm waiting with you. #cancerslayer.'

The 45-year-old actress was diagnosed with the disease in February 2015 and within a year found out that it had spread to her lymphatic system, but has shared her journey with fans to help people better understand what those with cancer go through and support others who are fighting it.

'Cancer slayer': Shannen, 45, has completed chemotherapy, posting a snap of herself on Instagram on Friday to reveal the news

Gruelling : The actress shared a picture of herself last November having begun radiation treatment

The animal rights activist told People in 2015: 'Yes, I have breast cancer, and I am currently undergoing treatment. I am continuing to eat right, exercise and stay very positive about my life.

'I am thankful to my family, friends and doctors for their support and, of course, my fans who have stood by me.'

The star is married to photographer Kurt Iswarienko, who recently paid a sweet tribute to the star on a Valentine's Instagram post.

He wrote: 'Got to spend a beautiful valentines day with my beautiful wife @theshando who's strength and depth of character are daily reminders to me of what life is really about.'
On February 20th, the United Nations declared a famine in parts of South Sudan. This crisis is man-made, the direct consequence of a conflict prolonged by South Sudanese leaders who are unwilling to put aside political ambitions for the good of their people, said State Department Acting Spokesperson Mark Toner.

South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan in early July 2011. Peace lasted less than 18 months. In December 2013, a power struggle between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar erupted into civil war. A peace accord signed in 2015 has failed to stop the violence, and the continued fighting led to a collapsing economy and wildly escalating food prices. Food insecurity, hunger, and malnutrition have all grown steadily worse since the conflict began.

Today, some 100,000 South Sudanese are on the verge of starvation and 7.5 million people, more than half the country's population, will require humanitarian assistance this year.

The United States is gravely concerned by the February 20 declaration of famine in parts of South Sudan and by the significant scale of humanitarian need throughout the country, said Acting Spokesperson Toner. We call on President Kiir to expeditiously make good on his promise that humanitarian and developmental organizations will have unimpeded access to populations in need across the country, he said.

Humanitarian actors are working tirelessly to reach those in need. All parties to the conflict must stop impeding relief efforts and allow food and other essential assistance to reach those who need it the most.

The United States remains the single largest donor of humanitarian assistance to South Sudan, having provided more than 2.1 billion dollars since 2014. Our assistance, including more than 600,000 metric tons of urgently needed food assistance, has saved lives and helped avert famine for three consecutive years.

We call on donors and other members of the international community to provide timely additional humanitarian assistance to save lives and support the people of South Sudan.
His moving portrayal of a man unexpectedly charged with the responsibility of caring for a young family member earned him a triumphant night at the 89th annual Academy Awards on Sunday evening.

And with the glamorous ceremony officially drawing a line under awards season for another year it was a relaxed Casey Affleck who prepared to leave Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.

The 41-year old star was departing from the Californian citys LAX airport less than 24-hours after scooping the coveted Best Actor award for his emotionally nuanced performance in Manchester by the Sea.

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Leaving LA: With the Oscars officially drawing a line under awards season for another year it was a relaxed Casey Affleck who prepared to leave Los Angeles on Monday afternoon

Sporting a casual sweater and baggy black jeans, Casey mingled with fellow travellers while checking his luggage before making his way through to departures.

A pair of battered Adidas trainers completed his low key look, while his increasingly long hair was neatly tucked behind his ears.

Evidently tired after a late night out at the Oscars and its ensuing post-ceremony soirees, the younger brother of fellow Academy Award winner Ben Affleck was seen sipping from a large coffee cup as he idles alongside actress girlfriend Floriana Lima.

That's better: Evidently tired after a late night out at the Oscars and its ensuing post-ceremony soirees, the younger brother of fellow Academy Award winner Ben Affleck was seen sipping from a large coffee cup as he idles alongside girlfriend Floriana Lima

The couple had previously as made their first red carpet outing as a couple at the Vanity Fair Oscars after party on Sunday evening.

After scooping the gong for Best Actor, Casey wanted to celebrate with his girlfriend, grabbing her as he posed for snaps with the award.

Floriana - who is best known for her role in Supergirl - was a vision of beauty for her first Oscars ceremony, donning a floral floor length gown with an entirely sheer bodice.

Cute couple: Casey and Floriana Lima decided to take the next step on Sunday as they made their first red carpet outing as a couple at the 89th Academy Awards

Protecting her modesty, the brunette bombshell's dress was adorned with crystal embellishment.

Their outing marked the pair's first red carpet snaps together. According to People, the pair both attended the Manchester By The Sea premiere, but chose to skip the red carpet.

Casey split from his wife of nine years, Summer Phoenix, in 2015. They share two sons.

Cosy: After scooping the gong for Best Actor, the Manchester By The Sea star, wanted to celebrate with his girlfriend, grabbing her as he posed for snaps with the award

Blooming lovely! Floriana - who is best known for her role in Supergirl - was a vision of beauty for her first Oscars ceremony, donning a floral floor length gown with an entirely sheer bodice

Ex: Casey split from his wife of nine years, Summer Phoenix, in 2015. They share two sons

Casey won the Academy Award for Best Actor on Sunday night in Hollywood and it earned him a huge bear hug from his older brother and fellow Oscar winner Ben.

The star beat out Denzel Washington, Ryan Gosling, Andrew Garfield and Viggo Mortensen to take the top prize for his performance in Manchester By The Sea.

After his name was announced, Ben, 44, jumped up from his seat and rushed to embrace his sibling.

Brotherly love: Ben jumped out of his seat to congratulate younger brother Casey after he was named best actor winner at Sunday's Oscars

So happy: Ben, 44, who has two Oscars to his name, embraced Casey, 41, and planted a kiss on his cheek

Close: Casey reciprocated and later in his acceptance speech he gave Ben a shout out, telling him: 'I love you. You ain't heavy'

Casey appeared genuinely surprised and somewhat overcome by his win.

After taking the stage to receive his Oscar from Brie Larsen, he paused with his hand over his mouth.

'This means so much to me. Dammit,' he began, and went on to praise fellow nominee Denzel.

'One of the first people who taught me how to act was Denzel Washington and I just met him tonight,' he said. 'Thank you.'

Lost for words: Casey appeared overcome with emotion as he took to the stage clutching his gold statuette

Acceptance speech: 'This means so much to me,' he said. 'I'm just glad to be a part of this community. I'm dumbfounded to be included'

Proud: Ben, who has two Academy Awards to his name, looked tearful as he listened to his younger brother

Casey continued: 'Man, I wish I had something bigger and more meaningful to say, but I'm just glad to be a part of this community. I'm dumbfounded to be included.'

After thanking his co-stars and director Kenneth Lonergan, he gave a shout out to Matt Damon who was one of the producers of Manchester By The Sea and who had handed Casey the lead role after having to drop out due to a scheduling conflict.

He then finished with a message to his brother: 'Ben, I love you. You ain't heavy.'

Over the moon: Backstage in the press room, Casey was all smiles as he posed for photos with his Oscar

Moving role: In Manchester By The Sea, the actor played a man overwhelmed by grief and guilt who is appointed guardian to his nephew following his brother's death

Casey had a part in Good Will Hunting that catapulted Ben and pal Matt Damon to the top of the Hollywood heap and earned them a best original screenplay Academy Award in 1998.

He also had parts in other movies where his older brother was the big name including Chasing Amy and Ocean's Eleven and its sequels.

Ben went on to cast him in a leading role in his directorial debut, the 2007 film Gone Baby Gone.

But Casey's Oscar win means he no longer has to live in his more famous brother's shadow.

Casey joined other actor winners for a group shot. He's pictured with best supporting actor Mahershala Ali, best actress Emma Stone and best supporting actress Viola Davis
Geordie Shore fans have lashed out at a new trailer for series 15 of the programme, in which show stalwart Gary Beadle is seen going into 'labour'.

The new teaser clip comes 10 months after former castmember Charlotte Crosby suffered a tragic ectopic pregnancy while carrying the child she shared with long-term love Gary - in news which tore their relationship apart.

After the tongue-in-cheek trailer aired, in which Gary is seen giving birth to his new cast mates, viewers swarmed the official Geordie Shore Instagram with comments suggesting the clip is 'heartless' and 'disrespectful'.

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Poor taste? Geordie Shore fans have lashed out at a new trailer for series 15 of the programme, in which show stalwart Gary Beadle is seen going into 'labour'

The duo's romance spun a convoluted tale after they got together in 2011's inaugural series of Geordie Shore before being hurtled into five years of an on-off romance.

The final blow was delivered upon news of the heartbreaking tragedy, which Charlotte discovered while Gary was filming Ex On The Beach's fifth season last year, after which she went solo in revealing the news in a devastating interview.

Their relationship has remained fractious ever since, with mudslinging from both sides, yet their terrible tale has now resurfaced after the release of Geordie Shore's trailer in which Gary is seen going into labour by means of 'delivering' the new cast.

While the clip appears as a tongue-in-cheek introduction of the new cast members, the video hit home with Charlotte's devoted followers, who swarmed the site to voice disgust over the clip and its connotation.

Not good? The new teaser clip comes 10 months after former castmember Charlotte Crosby suffered a tragic ectopic pregnancy while carrying the child she shared with long-term love Gary - in news which tore their relationship apart

Hmm.. After the tongue-in-cheek trailer aired, in which Gary is seen giving birth to his new cast mates, viewers swarmed the official Geordie Shore Instagram with comments suggesting the clip is 'heartless' and 'disrespectful'

A spokesperson for MTV responded to the criticism, telling MailOnline: 'MTV is well known for its entertaining and creative promotions around its programming. The promo for the upcoming series of Geordie Shore is designed to introduce our audience to some of the shows new characters. It bears no significance or connection to any of the casts private lives.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Gary for comment.

Some of the messages from fans read: 'Ugh, such poor taste... poor Charlotte. Unfollow... Poor taste considering what poor charlotte has gone through and has to live with, very insensitive... Really disrespectful to Charlotte...

'well Charlotte she suffered an ectopic pregnancy and while this was happening to her gaz was off on x on the beach shagging god knows who ! He's a scum bag... This heartless bastard will use anything for fame... Not the best promo guys ......

Simpler times: The duo's romance spun a convoluted tale after they got together in 2011's inaugural series of Geordie Shore before being hurtled into five years of an on-off romance

'not with gaz's history with Charlotte.... great you guys have new people but not really feeling it done this way. Made me feel a little uncomfortable... This is so offensive to @charlottegshore how could they be so petty and horrible ! Charlottes doing better now anyway fuck MTV for this add...

'So distasteful! Particularly in light of a previous cast member's situation.... who is also clearly a crowd favourite. Disappointing and won't be watching... Bit poor taste considering what happened with charlotte...

'I think this is so fucked up specifically caus Charlotte had a miscarriage... o poor with what happened to charlotte, especially gaz being central to it all...' (sic)

Hard times: In May last year, Charlotte revealed to Heat magazine that she suffered the ectopic pregnancy, after falling pregnant with Gary's child

Not all fans were dismayed at the images as some fans lauded the 'hilarious' concept: 'THIS IS THE FUNNIEST THING IVE EVER WATCHED... Whhooooop whooooop!!!!!!! Cant wait!... OMG so funny WTF lol... IM F***ING CRYING WHAT IS THIS LMAOOOOOOOOO'.

In May last year, Charlotte revealed to Heat magazine that she suffered the ectopic pregnancy, after falling pregnant with Gary's child.

The star opened up in an emotional interview, confessing that the devastating incident happened while he was away filming EOTB in Thailand, and that she was rushed to hospital for an operation. Charlotte said she wasn't even aware she was pregnant at first, and that she though the pain was down to a heavy period.

Defense: MTV continued: 'The promo for the upcoming series of Geordie Shore is designed to introduce our audience to some of the shows new characters. It bears no significance or connection to any of the casts private lives.'

'I thought I had a really bad period because I was bleeding and cramping - I can't describe the pain, it was awful,' Charlotte explained, adding that it felt like she was 'being stabbed in the side'.

She also explained that things were also going really well between herself and Gaz, despite the on-off nature of their tempestuous relationship.

'We'd had a couple of fall-outs, but we were the closest we'd ever been,' she claimed, as she revealed he was due to jet off to to film the MTV programme after the pain began, which came with - she said - bleeding that was not at all like a normal period.

It was when she arrived at the St John and Elizabeth Hospital in London, after being rushed to their A&E department that she found out she was pregnant, and doctors told her she was lucky to be alive.

Moving on: The star opened up in an emotional interview, confessing that the devastating incident happened while he was away filming EOTB in Thailand, and that she was rushed to hospital for an operation

'I didn't know what the hell was going on and I was in so much pain,' she explained. 'Then the X-ray showed how much damage had been caused. Because I'd left it a week, it'd torn open my fallopian tube and I was bleeding internally. He said: 'If you'd have left it any longer, you could have died.''

Charlotte had to be rushed for an emergency operation after testing positive for pregnancy, adding that she 'collapsed' after being put into a wheelchair to be taken to theatre.

An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in the fallopian tube, meaning a baby is unable to develop and leaving the mother's health in danger.

Devastating: 'We'd had a couple of fall-outs, but we were the closest we'd ever been,' she claimed, as she revealed he was due to jet off to to film the MTV programme after the pain began, which came with - she said - bleeding that was not at all like a normal period'

Charlotte later blasted him on Twitter in the wake of the revelation, as fans rallied around her, many in shock at him 'abandoning' her through her ordeal.

She retweeted a post made by one user on the social networking site, which read: '@karenirvine77 @Charlottegshore @GazGShore I really don't understand anything... I thought he cared about her.'

The reality TV star added, blasting her ex: 'He fooled us all.....Sadly what I have realised is that has only ever been for the cameras.'
She's the striking brunette who found love in a series of stunning outfits on last year's season of The Bachelorette.

And the stunning wardrobe choices keep on coming for Georgia Love, who impressed in a white ensemble on Tuesday night.

The former WIN journalist attended the Melbourne premiere of musical Ladies In Black alongside her sister Katie.

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A vision in white! The Bachelorette's Georgia Love stuns in figure-hugging ensemble at Ladies In Black premiere

Georgia, who makes no secret of her love for musical theatre, donned a form-fitting white dress with a blue pattern.

The reality TV star paired the look with detailed nude heels and a bronzed box clutch.

The brunette wore her hair styled in a side part with loose waves, opting for a natural makeup finish.

Striking: Georgia, who makes no secret of her love for musical theatre, donned a form-fitting white dress with a blue pattern

Accompanying Georgia to the event was her older sister Katie Love, who also favoured a white ensemble.

The sibling, who famously grilled both Lee Elliot and Matty Johnson in the show's finale, wore a white lace blouse with a floaty floral skirt.

Georgia and Katie posed happily for photos together before heading on inside to enjoy the musical.

Sister act! The brunette wore her hair styled in a side part with loose waves, opting for a natural makeup finish

Lady in black: Patti Newton got into the monochrome theme in magnificent black outfit

Gentleman in black: Also in attendance was musical veteran Rob Mills who splashed a spot of white via the kerchief standing out on his debonair black suit and shirt

The sweet sister date comes as Georgia continues to mourn the loss of her mother Belinda, who died of pancreatic cancer shortly after The Bachelorette finale aired.

Sharing a picture of her mum on Instagram on Saturday, the journalist revealed she missed her mother more than ever.

'Miss you extra amounts today. I'd give absolutely anything to share a wine and a giggle with you again,' Georgia captioned the image.

Sadness: The sweet sister date comes as Georgia continues to mourn the loss of her mother Belinda, who died of pancreatic cancer shortly after The Bachelorette finale aired
Nigel Havers was on This Morning to discuss the new series of Benidorm, but it was his flirty antics with Holly Willoughby that got everyone talking.

The cheeky 65-year-old left the ITV host blushing as he brazenly invited her to a 'spot of lunch', before offering to whisk her away on holiday during Tuesday's show.

The 'smoothy' Coronation Street star gave viewers a masterclass in seduction as he switched seats with Holly, 35, and touched her knee - much to co-host Phillip Schofield's mock-chagrin.

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Cheeky: Nigel Havers was on This Morning to discuss the new series of Benidorm, but it was his flirty antics with Holly Willoughby that got everyone talking

Saucy: The cheeky 65-year-old left the ITV host blushing as he brazenly invited her to a 'spot of lunch', before offering to whisk her away on holiday during Tuesday's show

Holly couldn't stop giggling as the suave acting legend decided to swap seats with her so he could interview her.

'I saw you last night being interviewed,' he began. 'Must be so different to be interviewed, why don't we swap for a minute.'

A taken aback Holly replied: 'Are you going to interview me? Oh gosh, what are you going to ask me? This feels really weird.'

As Nigel placed himself next to co-host Phillip, while Holly took his spot - the flirty interaction began.

Tactile display: The Corrie star switched seats with Holly, 35, and touched her knee - much to co-host Phillip Schofield's mock-chagrin

Giddy: Holly couldn't stop giggling as the suave acting legend decided to swap seats with her so he could interview her

Shocked: Phillip feigned mock anger as Nigel lay on the charm offensive

'I quite like sitting here I have to say, do you make a few bob?' he asked Holly - who has three children; Harry, seven, Belle, five, and Chester, two, with her husband Dan Baldwin.

'You know what he's doing, you're turning into your characters, as you've played Lewis who was a bit of a conman [on Coronation Street], and now you've got Stanley [his Benidorm character] because he is a conman too,' a laughing Holly shot back.

'Now you're trying to take my job.'

Smiling cheekily, Nigel leaned back on the sofa and asked: 'How's it going? What are you doing for the rest of the day? How about a spot of lunch?'

A baffled Phil cut in: 'Are you chatting her up? You can't chat up the guests! No! It's unacceptable. You smoothy.'

Laughing, Nigel returned to his seat, as a flustered Holly admitted: 'That was very slick well done.'

Slick guy: Smiling cheekily, Nigel leaned back on the sofa and asked Holly: 'What are you doing for the rest of the day? How about a spot of lunch?'

Shock: A baffled Phil cut in: 'Are you chatting her up? You can't chat up the guests! No! It's unacceptable. You smoothy'

Who me? 'Any time you want a holiday, look I'm just touching your knee,' he purred to Holly

But the Chariots Of Fire couldn't resist getting another flirty comment in as he leaned across and touched Holly's knee at the end of the chat.

'Any time you want a holiday, look I'm just touching your knee,' he purred.

Smiling Holly quipped: 'Are you inviting me on holiday? Look I've got lunch, I've got a holiday, this is fantastic.'

Feigning anger, Phil mock-threatened him: 'I was not inviting you here if you're going to chat up all the guests.'

Stern: Feigning anger, Phil mock-threatened him: 'I was not inviting you here if you're going to chat up all the guests'

Smooth operator: Laughing, Nigel returned to his seat as Holly sat there giggling

Not willing to a swayed, a gleeful Holly interjected: 'I love it!'

Nigel, who was on the show to promote his forthcoming cameo appearance in the new series of the ITV comedy Benidorm, was asked to identify some quotes.

Holding a piece of paper in his hand, he read out the lines: I couldnt believe it, there was a man with a bucket of chips, and another man had chicken in his hand!

Chuckling, he admitted that he had said that to his co-stars while observing the tourists during filming for Benidorm.

Meanwhile, the actor is looking forward to seeing himself play a crook who attempts to con cash from staff at the famous Solana hotel in Costa Blanca, in the new series of 'Benidorm' after bosses signed him up because they thought he would be the perfect eye candy.

Funny guy: Reading from a list of his quotes, Nigel admitted he had once said: 'I couldnt believe it, there was a man with a bucket of chips, and another man had chicken in his hand! during Benidorm filming

Returning to screens: Meanwhile, the actor is looking forward to seeing himself play a crook who attempts to con cash from staff at the famous Solana hotel in Costa Blanca, in the new series of 'Benidorm'

A source said previously: 'Signing Nigel up is a real coup as he loves comedy and has a class acting background. He also appeals to women of a certain age as he was a real heartthrob.'

And Nigel is certainly no stranger to ruffling feathers as he also appeared in 'Coronation Street' on and off for two years as suave scammer Lewis Archer, who forged a plan to steal money from Peter Barlow's (Chris Gascoyne) betting shop by cashing fraudulently franked betting slips.

'Benidorm' will return to screens on Wednesday night at 9pm on ITV.

Hunk: Bosses reportedly signed him up because they thought he would be the perfect eye candy (pictured on the show)




He capped off his extraordinary comeback with an appearance at Sunday's Oscars where he was nominated for Best Director for critically acclaimed film Hacksaw Ridge.

But it was back to the day job for proud father Mel Gibson who stepped out with girlfriend Rosalind Ross and their baby son Lars just 24 hours after the Hollywood ceremony.

The couple looked particularly casual after their glamorous Academy Awards appearance with Rosalind sporting a black hoodie grey tracksuit bottoms and sunglasses.

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Baby love: Mel Gibson and girlfriend Rosalind Ross stepped out in Santa Monica, California, a day after the Oscars on Monday

Mel meanwhile, sported blue jeans and a black polo shirt teamed with sunglasses while carrying a coffee and phone.

The couple were clothes shopping in the seaside city, with Rosalind scooping the baby up for a cuddle at one point.

Rosalind, 26, showed off her svelte figure, despite giving birth to baby Lars Gerard only five weeks ago.

Cuddling up: Rosalind gave adorable new baby Lars a cuddle at one point

The couple's low key appearance came just 24 hours after they strutted their stuff at the Dolby Theatre for the Oscars,

Mel looked dapper in a tuxedo while screenwriter Rosalind sported a strapless sea foam gown with delicate floral embroidery.

Her Oscars look was paired with a matching blue envelope clutch, dazzling blue bejewelled pendant, earrings and ring.

Elegant: Screenwriter Rosalind showed off her post baby body alongside husband Mel at the Oscars on Sunday

Pride and joy: Mel showed off his baby in his own mini tuxedo on the Oscars red carpet

Proud parents: The 26-year-old graced the red carpet in a strapless gown and posed for photographers arm-in-arm with her filmmaker husband

Glamour: Rosalind's dress featured a corset bust and jacquard floral detailing on her waist. She also showcased dazzling blue bejewelled pendant, earrings and ring

On the red carpet, the couple met with Australia's Channel Nine presenter Richard Wilkins who briefly chatted to him about their newborn.

Mel was quick to share the first cute snap of Lars in his crib and donning a tuxedo to the red carpet correspondent.

And the actor and director recently discussed his new bundle of joy, telling Extra's Mario Lopez: 'He even smiles. He has a grin going, so something's funny  I don't know what.'

The last time Mel won an Oscar award was was for directing was for his 1995 film Braveheart.
He's never been one to hold back.

But Stephen Bear outdid himself on Celebs Go Dating as he shocked onlookers by fondling his date's breasts and derriere within minutes of meeting her.

During a speed dating session, the Celebrity Big Brother winner, 27, couldn't hide his excitement after being paired with busty Izzy, and wasted no time getting his hands on her.

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Getting acquainted: Stephen Bear outdid himself on Celebs Go Dating as he shocked onlookers by fondling his date's breasts and derriere within minutes of meeting her

Laying his eyes on his date, Bear commented: 'You're like Catwoman,' adding, 'You're gorgeous!'

Before she had even sat down, the reality star wrapped Izzy in an embrace and squeezed her peachy derriere for several seconds as onlookers watched in awe.

Inviting his date to take a seat, he then asked: 'You got any panties on Izzy?' to which she explained the dress was too tight to do so.

Inappropriate: Taking his antics a step further, the cheeky star asked 'can I play your bongos?' before reaching over and drumming his hands on the pretty brunette's breasts

Bottoms up: Before she had even sat down, the reality star wrapped Izzy in an embrace and squeezed her peachy derriere for several seconds as onlookers watched in awe

Taking his antics a step further, the cheeky star then asked 'can I play your bongos?' before reaching over and drumming his hands on the pretty brunette's breasts.

Visibly shocked, the matchmakers watched on in disgust, whilst fellow celebrity dater Perri Kiely looked on open-mouthed.

Ahead of the date, Bear admitted to feeling sexually frustrated, announcing 'I haven't got needs I've got bear f***ing necessities!' after claiming speed dating meant there would be 'birds on tap'.

Handsy: During a speed dating session, the Celebrity Big Brother winner, 27, couldn't hide his excitement after being paired with busty Izzy, and wasted no time getting his hands on her

Oversharing? Inviting his date to take a seat, he then asked: 'You got any panties on Izzy?' to which she explained the dress was too tight to do so

The admission will no doubt come as another blow to his rumoured fling Charlotte Crosby.

Charlotte and Bear's relationship has been the subject of much discussion in recent months - with neither confirming their status despite sharing a series of intimate social media posts.

They first sparked speculation of a romance when they stepped out for a romantic dog walk in matching jumpers.

Awestruck: Laying his eyes on his date, Bear commented: 'You're like Catwoman,' adding, 'You're gorgeous!'

However it was reported last week that their rocky six-week fling had come to an end, after Stephen reportedly kissed a girl and propositioned another on Celebs Go Dating.

The former Geordie Shore star was said to be 'furious' after watching the notorious womaniser's antics on the reality show - in which he asks one girl if she 'fancies a sh*g'.

However the pair were then pictured on a hotel balcony together in Barcelona completely nude, suggesting they had reconciled.

No holding back: Ahead of the date, Bear admitted to feeling sexually frustrated, announcing 'I haven't got needs I've got bear f***ing necessities!'

Can't believe their eyes: Visibly shocked, the matchmakers watched on in disgust at the antics

While the pair have stayed tight-lipped about their status, Bear teased fans that they could be more than friends in a recent interview with MTV News.

Talking about his new show with Charlotte, he admitted: 'Charlotte, honestly, it's nice 'cause she's fit. It helps, if she was ugly, I wouldn't really enjoy my time here.

'And she's good at kissing I've said too much!'

Celebs Go Dating airs on Tuesday at 10pm on E4
Just because Award Season is over does not mean this star is about to give herself a break.

Despite spending all weekend prepping for then covering the Oscars before spending Monday analyzing the best and worst dressed, Giuliana Rancic was still firing on all cylinders.

As soon as the 42-year-old had wrapped Fashion Police's Oscar special in Los Angeles on Monday she flew to Chicago to celebrate her cover of Michigan Avenue.

Non stop: After a busy Oscars weekend, Giuliana Rancic flew to Chicago to attend Michigan Avenue Magazine's celebration of its Spring Fashion Issue at the Godfrey Hotel on Monday

As the host attended the event for the magazine's Spring Fashion Issue at the Godfrey Hotel, she did show a hint of tiredness despite such a hectic schedule.

In fact, the presenter shined in a ready for spring look which highlighted her tanned and glowing complexion.

For the party, Giuliana stepped out in a white embroidered long sleeve mini dress from Alexis Braelynn.

The dress - which featured a black ribbon bow at the neck - showed off the star's legs but kept the rest of her svelte shape covered.

Seasonal style: For the party, Giuliana stepped out in a white embroidered long sleeve mini dress from Alexis Braelynn

Long and short of it: The dress - which featured a black ribbon bow at the neck - showed off the star's legs but kept the rest of her svelte shape covered

Giuliana paired the frock with silver platforms from Giuseppe Zanotti, the same shoes she had worn earlier in the day to record the Fashion Police Oscars special.

The star wore her golden locks pinned back with wisps of hair escaping and lots of volume on the crowd of her head.

At the party, Giuliana signed a giant cover image of herself, on which she wore a similar white dress.

Balancing act: Giuliana paired the frock with silver platforms from Giuseppe Zanotti, the same shoes she had worn earlier in the day to record the Fashion Police Oscars special

Golden girl: The star wore her golden locks pinned back with wisps of hair escaping and lots of volume on the crowd of her head

Giuliana, who lives in Chicago for the majority of the time, told the magazine the move ensured she can take time out from the hectic pace of Los Angeles - in spite of her very hectic weekend.

The presenter has cut back on her work commitments so she can focus on her family and her heath and the magazine she just marked five years cancer-free.

She told Michigan Avenue: '[My husband Bill always says] ''When you go through something big in life, you turn down the volume on the little things and the things that don't matter, and you turn up the volume on the things that do matter.''

Matching: At the party, Giuliana signed a giant cover image of herself, on which she wore a similar white dress

Can't stop, won't stop: earlier in the day Guilanna filmed Fashion Police after the Oscars

'That's what I've done in the past five years, and I think you can see it through the decisions I've made, especially with work.

'I used to think I was strong, but I didn't realize how strong I could be. I remember a great quote that I used to always look at; something along the lines of, ''You realize your true strength when you have no other choice but to be strong.'''

And she has seen some good things come out of her cancer battle, like realizing her own strength. 'I realized, ''Wow, I'm a strong chick.'' That was one of the positives of breast cancer, that realization, because it has helped me go through other things these past five years.'
The Bachelor's Corinne Olympios broke down inconsolably in a dramatic elimination on the series last night, but she does not lament her unhinged pursuit of suitor Nick Viall.

'I was definitely surprised I got sent home,' the Miami resident told Good Morning America's Michael Strahan on Tuesday, one day after she was left without a rose.

'We had an amazing hometown date,' she continued. 'Things went really well with my family. We talking about emotional things. I was super blindsided.'

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Bombshell elimination: Corinne Olympios told Good Morning America's Michael Strahan on Tuesday that she was 'blindsided' when Nick Viall eliminated her last night

Intimate: The Miami-based blonde said things were going smoothly after Nick met her family

The 24-year-old confessed to the hunky series star her 'love' for him during the episode, but was ultimately given the boot. Nick and the three remaining women jetted off to Lapland, Finland.

'I'm glad I said what I said,' Corinne told Michael. 'I really don't have any regrets. I was fully myself. I would've been upset if I didn't tell him how I feltI would've regretted that,' she added.

The petite blonde played down her provocative approach during the competition, which included whipping off her bikini top and wrapping her arms around Nick during the first week.

Villain-vixen: Corinne insists that she's not hyper sexual and that she was not a villain

Sent home: Corinne was consoled by Nick after she did not receive a rose

Tear flowing: The Miami business owner cried after failing to receive a rose

Never again: Corinne vowed to never again kiss up to a man

'It wasn't sexy and flirty all of the timeI do have a big personality,' she insisted. 'There was a lot of intense and emotional conversations [that weren't shown],' she explained.

Asked how she felt about being portrayed as a villain among her female competitors, she shot down the label.

'A villain to me does things viciously to other people,' she responded. 'I never did anything vicious to anybody.'

Memorable: The business owner became unpopular with the other contestants after she whipped her bikini top off in the first week

During the bombshell rejection night, emotions were running high for Corinne, who was 'freaking out' and vowed to not open up to another man again.

'I feel like my heart is never going to be repairedwhy can't I just have a normal relationship?' cried Corinne. 'I will never kiss up to a man ever again in my life,' she added.

Corinne will likely shed more light on the experience when she joins the other eliminated contestant for the Women Tell All episode, airing March 6 at 9 p.m. ET.
The FX Network announced Tuesday that Prince Charles and Princess Diana will head up the 10-episode second season of Feud ahead of its premiere on Sunday.

Feud: Charles and Diana - premiering in 2018 - will be produced and penned by creator Ryan Murphy as well as Jon Robin Baitz (The Slap).

Back in 1981, 750M viewers tuned into the British royals' fairytale wedding at St. Paul's Cathedral, but the contentious couple divorced 15 years later.

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Upper-class drama: The FX Network announced Tuesday that Prince Charles and Princess Diana will head up the 10-episode second season of Feud ahead of its premiere on Sunday

Across the pond: Feud: Charles and Diana - premiering in 2018 - will be produced and penned by creator Ryan Murphy as well as Jon Robin Baitz (The Slap)

The Prince of Wales and the former preschool assistant went on to have sons William and Harry, but their 13-year age gap caused marital troubles.

Diana (born Spencer) reportedly had an affair with Major James Hewitt as well as battling depression, bulimia, and self-mutilation.

Meanwhile, the 68-year-old heir to the throne allegedly romanced his assistant-turned-nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke and Camilla Parker Bowles, whom he eventually married in 2005.

Doomed: Back in 1981, 750M viewers tuned into the British royals' fairytale wedding at St. Paul's Cathedral, but the contentious couple divorced 15 years later

Family portrait 1986: The Prince of Wales and the former preschool assistant went on to have sons William and Harry, but their 13-year age gap caused marital troubles

Pictured in 1984: Diana (born Spencer) reportedly had an affair with Major James Hewitt (R) as well as battling depression, bulimia, and self-mutilation

Pictured February 8: Meanwhile, the 68-year-old heir allegedly romanced his assistant Tiggy Legge-Bourke and Camilla Parker Bowles (L), whom he eventually married in 2005

A year after their 1996 divorce, Diana was tragically killed (age 36) in a Parisian car crash and Charles flew to France and brought her body back to Britain.

In the meantime, Ryan Murphy fans can enjoy the eight-episode first season of Feud, which stars Jessica Lange as Joan Crawford and Susan Sarandon as Bette Davis.

It's based on the real-life studio era divas' antics on the 1962 set of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?

Yes! In the meantime, Ryan Murphy fans can enjoy the eight- episode first season of Feud, which stars Jessica Lange as Joan Crawford and Susan Sarandon as Bette Davis

'But you are Blanche! You are in that chair!' It's based on the real-life studio era divas' antics on the 1962 set of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?

'I don't want to do another woman to woman feud, and I certainly would never do another Hollywood feud because I don't think you can top Bette and Joan,' the 51-year-old Emmy winner told THR earlier this month.

'I'm interested in this show being a two-hander that's really about the human dilemma of pain and misunderstanding. And I think you need a long period of time, maybe 20 to 40 years, to have a big back story.'

The anthology miniseries' preemptive renewal came three months after the immense success of Netflix's critically-lauded Queen Elizabeth II series, The Crown.

The 51-year-old Emmy winner told THR: 'I'm interested in this show being a two-hander that's really about the human dilemma of pain and misunderstanding. And I think you need a long period of time, maybe 20 to 40 years, to have a big back story' (pictured Friday)
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It's one of the most anticipated action film releases of the year.

And the Kong: Skull Island premiere saw a host of famous faces descend upon London's Leicester Square on Tuesday night, with beautiful Brie Larson leading the way in a striking tiered gown.

The Oscar-winning actress looked incredible in her quirky cream dress, which flashed a liberal amount of cleavage thanks to its plunging neckline.

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Star-studded affair: Brie Larson and Tom Hiddleston were leading the way at The Kong: Skull Island premiere in London's Leicester Square on Tuesday night

The patterned number was given an elegant touch thanks to a striking tiered skirt and a subtle monochrome pattern.

Brie wore her blonde locks slicked back in a side parting style and complemented her dramatic dress with glamorous, rose-tinted make-up.

She cosied up to her co-star Tom Hiddleston on the red carpet, posing arm-in-arm.

Dazzling: The Oscar-winning actress looked incredible in her quirky cream dress, which flashed a liberal amount of cleavage thanks to its plunging neckline

Beautiful Brie: The elegant number was given an elegant touch thanks to a striking tiered skirt and a subtle monochrome pattern

Buxom blonde: The striking star's gown boasted a revealing cut thanks to the daring, low-cut of the neckline

Hugging it out: Brie and Tom put on a very friendly display on the red carpet together as they promoted their new film

Elegant as ever: Brie set off her gorgeous red carpet gown with a statement blue ring and coordinating earrings

Leading lady: Brie shot to international fame thanks to her Oscar-winning role in 2015's Room

Rain, rain go away: Brie was protected from the miserable British weather as she was followed around with an umbrella

Greeting: Brie and Tom reunited on the red carpet and share a warm greeting with one another

The handsome Brit, 36, flashed a big smile as he arrived to a crowd of screaming fans, looking dapper as ever in a smart navy suit.

Tom added a fashionable flair to his attire with a pale blue shirt and a jazzy pocket square.

Also joining him were co-stars Samuel L. Jackson and John C. Reilly, putting on animated displays as they waved to onlookers.

Fancy seeing you here! Brie and Tom shared a laugh as they hugged on the red carpet at the premiere

All together now: The duo posed alongside Samuel L. Jackson on the red carpet

Excitment: The trio couldn't contain their excitement on the carpet together

Say cheese! The Hollywood superstar was on top form, taking endless selfies on his phone

Snazzy suit: The Night Manager star Tom set off his smart suit with a colourful silk pocket square

Getting wet: The British actor carried a clear umbrella in his hand as he walked up the red carpet

Work it: Tom didn't appear fazed by the rain as he took photos on the carpet

In the navy: The co-stars complemented each other in similar blue looks for the cinematic festivities

Blockbuster film: The plot centres around secretive organization Monarch discovering an island shrouded in mystery

New story: They launch an expedition where a motley crew of adventurers hired by the company discover the giant ape Kong, who is revered as a god by the local human tribes

Kong: Skull Island is set in in 1971 and the plot centres around secretive organization Monarch discovering an island shrouded in mystery and supposedly the home of a new species.

They launch an expedition where a motley crew of adventurers hired by the company discover the giant ape Kong, who is revered as a god by the local human tribes.

He is battling vicious predators nicknamed Skullcrawlers, who have been wiping out his kind.

Main man: Leading the group is Tom's James Conrad, a disillusioned former Rhodesian SAS Captain hired to serve as a hunter-tracker

Dapper chap: John C. Reilly got into the spirit of things, wearing a three-piece checked suit

Cheeky: The popular actor was in his element as he played up to the camera in Leicester Square

Hats off! The funnyman posed like a pro, tipping his trilby to the photographers

Stylish pair: Tom and Samuel showcased their flair for fashion in their very different red carpet attire

Putting in an appearance: Black Mirror star Toby Kebbell got suited and booted for the occasion

Proud pose: Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts celebrated the release of his epic new film

As the expedition crew makes plans to fight for survival against Kong and the other monsters on the island, some of them begin to see that Kong is worth saving.

They are joined by antiwar photographer Mason Weaver (played by Brie Larson) and discover missing Second World War soldier Marlow (John C Reilly).

Tom plays Captain James Conrad, a former British SAS tracker hired by American scientists to help hunt down the legendary giant ape.

Unlike the old gorilla-like beast featured Peter Jackson's remake of the original 1933 King Kong, the monkey in the new film is an adolescent, and has yet to reach his full potential in terms of power.

Singing in the rain! Main man Tom posed under an umbrella as the London weather took a turn for the worse

Weathering the storm: Tom remained cheerful despite the torrential rain lashing down

Joker: The handsome British actor had fun as he posed without his leading lady

Pleased as punch: Hiddleston looked like he was having a whale of a time as he promoted the new film

Full-line up: The main cast, including Planet Of The Apes star Toby Kebbell, posed together

The movie is a reboot of the franchise, and in the next planned film the ape will test his mettle against a more threatening foe, in 2020's Godzilla vs. Kong.

The cast and crew of around 120 spent around a month in Vietnam filming in stunning remote locations including Quang Binh's caves, northern province Ninh Binh and the famous Ha Long Bay.

Tom has told how he woke up at 4am every morning to undertake gruelling SAS training for the role.

Speaking at the film's European premiere, he said: 'The only reason I chose to take on the physical aspect is because the SAS are so highly-regarded for the discipline, so I should try and do something.

Chic: Betty Bachz looked incredible in a white flared jumpsuit with a nude, flower applique top

Belted: The quirky attire was completed with a chunky, rope inspired belt cinching it in at the waist

Mellow yellow: Xenia Tchoumitcheva stunned in a yellow spaghetti strap number with a low back

Ruby red: The brunette beauty pulled her look together with a bright slick of red lipstick

'Let's just be straight: I am nowhere near fit enough to be a professional soldier, I have more respect for their bravery and courage than you can imagine.'

Made more than 80 years after the original King Kong film, Kong takes place at the end of the Vietnam War in 1973.

Hiddleston said: 'The reason he (the King Kong character) has lasted all this time is he has become an emblem of the power of nature - he is a myth that symbolises there are still parts of nature that are wild and have never been touched by human beings, but sometimes the impact of human beings isn't a positive one.'

Kong: Skull Island is released in UK cinemas on March 9.

Lovely in lace: Billie JD Porter showed off her legs in a floor-skimming black lace number with a semi-sheer skirt

Cute and kitsch: Betty Bachz completed her elegant attire with a quirky Truffles emblazoned handbag

Dressed to impress: Jada Sezer, Kara Marshall and Vick Hope (from left to right) pulled out all the stops
She recently admitted that her boobs had grown once again, after undergoing a breast reduction in 2014.

But Casey Batchelor still seemed confident to show off her assets on Tuesday as she attended the London screening of new TV series The New Edition Story.

The 32-year-old flashed her eye-popping cleavage in a low-cut top and leather jacket draped over her shoulders as she arrived at the bash, held at the Hippodrome Theatre.

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Confident: Casey Batchelor still seemed confident to show off her assets on Tuesday as she attended the London screening of new TV series The New Edition Story

Tell me about it, stud: The 32-year-old flashed her eye-popping cleavage in a low-cut top and leather jacket draped over her shoulders as she channeled the iconic Grease era at the bash

The reality star was not afraid to draw attention to her chest in her tight-fitting bustier top, which plunged into a daringly low neckline to give a glimpse of her cleavage.

Mirroring the 50s vibe of her top, which pulled into a halter neck, Casey then accessorised with a leather jacket casually draped across her shoulders, and a retro neckerchief.

Keeping the look trendy however, the star paired the look with high-waisted jeans, which cinched in at her slim middle and skimmed her long legs to the floor.

Busty babe: The reality star was not afraid to draw attention to her chest in her tight-fitting bustier top, which plunged into a daringly low neckline to give a glimpse of her cleavage

Tell me about it, stud: Mirroring the 50s vibe of her top, which pulled into a halter neck, Casey then accessorised with a leather jacket casually draped across her shoulders

Adding vibrant red stilettos and a clutch bag of matching hue, the brunette remained co-ordinated from head to toe as she posed confidently for cameras.

She swept her hair into a slicked-back ponytail to display her striking features, and added a slick of scarlet lipstick in a glamorous finishing touch.

The glamour model cosied up to EastEnders actor Richard Blackwood on the carpet, before she headed inside for a quick drink as the show began.

The New Edition Story is a three-part miniseries, following the R&B group of the same name from their humble beginnings as kids in Boston, and through their whirlwind journey to fame.

Svelte: Keeping the look trendy however, the star paired the look with high-waisted jeans, which cinched in at her slim middle and skimmed her long legs to the floor

Clear for all to see at the bash, Casey recently spoke out about her bust - confirming that her breasts have actually grown, despite having a reduction in September 2014.

The TV personality admitted to feeling 'insecure' about her former 32GG cup size and underwent the surgery reducing her bra size to a 32E.

Speaking to Closer magazine recently, she said: 'Weirdly my boobs have grown again since then (the reduction) and I'm back up to an EE or F.

Colour pop: Adding vibrant red stilettos and a clutch bag of matching hue, the brunette remained co-ordinated from head to toe as she posed confidently for cameras

Vixen: She swept her hair into a slicked-back style to display her striking features and added a slick of scarlet lipstick in a glamorous finishing touch

'Apparently it does happen if that's the way your body wants to be be and large boobs run in my family on both sides so I have to get used to it.'

At the time of the operation, Casey opened up about how pleased she was with the results of her surgery, telling MailOnline: 'For the first time, I can now go out bra-less. I no longer have to worry about my boobs wibbling and wobbling all over the place.

'My boobs are so much perkier and I love them. They have given me so much more body confidence.'

The New Edition Story premieres on March 2nd at 9pm only on BET

Excited: The The New Edition Story cast - Luke James, Algee Smith, Keith Powers, Elijah Kelley, Woody McClain - also attended the event to see the premiere of their three-part mini series

Ready to go: The New Edition Story premieres on March 2nd at 9pm only on BET

Casual: Richard Blackwood kept things low-key in a grey tracksuit and white trainers as he posed for cameras

Sports-chic: The casual wear was adorned with chunky silver zips and padded panels all over, to give it a trendy biker feel

Think pink: Meanwhile X Factor star Chloe Paige dazzled in a form-fitting pink mini dress

Model material: The tight dress clung to each and every curve of her body, drawing attention to her bust, waist and peachy derriere as she posed

All-black everything: JB Gill of JLS also headed to the bash with his wife Chloe - with the pair co-ordinating in sleek black ensembles
She's the Real Housewife Of Sydney known for speaking her mind.

And Lisa Oldfield opened up on Tuesday about being a 'complete ratbag' before marrying her husband of 17 years, former politician David Oldfield.

In a new entry on her personal blog written about same-sex marriage equality in Australia, the 41-year-old described the 'transformative effects' of marriage.

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Transformation: Lisa Oldfield opened up on Tuesday about being a 'complete ratbag' before marrying her husband of 17 years, former politician David Oldfield

'I was a complete ratbag before I met my husband David,' the reality star offered.

'I ran with the 'wrong crowd', I probably kept the Medellin drug cartel in the black, I partied until dawn and completely lacked ambition and motivation,' she continued.

In 2007 she told Woman's Day, 'Six months into taking a couple of ecstasy tablets on a weekend, I was introduced to cocaine.'

Lisa then admitted that she couldn't imagine life without it and began to lose control.

'I was having violent episodes where I would throw things and scream at people  not bash anybody, but I had to be physically restrained. I abused my partner, he bore the brunt of much of it,' she added.

Lovebirds: In a new entry on her personal blog written about same-sex marriage equality in Australia, the 41-year-old described the 'transformative effects' of marriage

The mother-of-two, campaigning for her gay friend Dave to be able to legally marry his partner Kyle in Australia, said wedding her husband David got her 'life on track'.

'Having seen the transformative effects on two people I love, I now realise same-sex marriage is a no-brainer,' she declared about her friend's commitment to his union.

The businesswoman penned an earlier entry critically detailing her experiences filming the first season of Real Housewives Of Sydney with her co-stars.

Of longtime friend Nicole O'Neil, she wrote, 'If she wasn't a sweetheart, I'd probably hate her guts.'

Outspoken: The mother of two, campaigning for her gay friend Dave to be able to legally marry his partner Kyle in Australia, said wedding her husband David got her 'life on track'

She called Athena X 'a phenomenal woman', but said 'it is bloody hard to find' good in Victoria Rees and Krissy Marsh was 'rather tiresome'.

The mature beauty complimented Melissa Tkautz as 'awesome to have a laugh and a few drinks with' and Matty Samei as 'a trusted friend and confidant'.

She described a prescription to painkillers after spinal surgery as responsible for her erratic behaviour on the show, saying 'I was off my t*** on Endone' to OK! Magazine.
A Hugh Jackman superfan first met his idol when they bumped into each other at a sandwich shop in South Korea.

And after posting on Reddit about their encounter at a Quiznos in Seoul eight years ago, the production company of the Hollywood heavyweight's new film Logan got in touch with Clayton Spencer to offer him the opportunity of a lifetime.

Twentieth Century Fox flew the fan to the New York Premiere of the film, which took place on Friday, where he met the man himself on the red carpet.

Dream come true: Twentieth Century Fox offered to fly superfan Clayton Spencer (R) to the New York Premiere of Logan, where he met Hugh Jackman (L) on the red carpet on Friday

'Apparently FOX Studios caught wind of this and they are flying me to New York to meet Hugh Jackman, and see LOGAN at a RED CARPET Screening! Thank you REDDIT!' he wrote.

The self-confessed comic book nut admits to owning every Marvel and DC superhero movie that has ever been released, including all eight films which star Hugh as Wolverine - his ninth, Logan, has yet to be released.

The post which got Clayton noticed recalled how he turned round, while in the queue for a sandwich at Seoul World Trade Center, to find the 48-year-old stood behind him.

Chance meeting: The superfan first met his idol when they bumped into each other at a sandwich shop in South Korea in 2009, while Hugh was in town for the premiere of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Pictured at the event in Seoul in 2009

Making a meal of it: Hugh proceeded to ask for some advice from Clayton, who was working as a teacher in the city at the time. Pictured at a press conference in Seoul in 2009

Picture perfect: After recommending his regular order, Clayton was too 'star struck' to ask the Sydney native for a photo. Pictured at the X-Men Origins: Wolverine premiere

Hugh, who was in the Korean capital for the premiere of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, proceeded to ask for some advice from Clayton, who was working as a teacher in the city at the time.

After recommending his regular order, Clayton was too 'star struck' to ask the Sydney native for a photo, but the experience held fond memories for him nonetheless.

He wrote: 'For him it is just a Wednesday getting a sandwich. For me it is meeting the perfect personification of a childhood hero that I had read about for more than 20 years at that point.

Clayton wrote: 'For him it is just a Wednesday getting a sandwich. For me it is meeting the perfect personification of a childhood hero'. Hugh pictured in X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Fandom: Clayton admits to owning every Marvel and DC superhero movie that has ever been released, including all eight films which star Hugh as Wolverine - his ninth, Logan, has yet to be released

'I'm also sure that asking someone what is good to eat means nothing to most people but it meant the world to me.'

Clayton finally got his photo with his hero eight years on from their chance meeting at the sandwich shop, when they were reunited on the red carpet.

Posting on Monday, he wrote: 'It was great to meet him again, if only for a brief moment. Either way this weekend has been absolutely fantastic.'

Logan will be released in Australian cinemas on 2 March.
Sam Worthington has opened up about fatherhood for the first time, revealing that it's made him a 'better person'.

Speaking to News.com.au the actor confessed, 'I love it more than anything in the world. If my job now didn't exist I would be a stay at home dad.'

The actor says having children has culled his tempter, admitting, 'Suddenly it becomes about them and that leads you to go, 'Well I don't need to be angry at this person anymore or angry at the world''.

Dad of the year: Sam Worthington has opened up about fatherhood for the first time, revealing that it's made him a 'better person'

Sam however said he was 'protective' of his family and reluctant to give inside details of their daily routine, saying he and Lara wish to lead a 'normal life'.

The family are based in New York, and Sam told the publication that he sees his children as 'American' even though he and his wife Lara Bingle are Australian.

The 40-year-old, who has two sons with the model, has still not revealed the name of his younger son, believed to have been born in October last year.

The high-profile couple also have an older son, Rocket Zot, who turns two in March.

Father's day"Speaking to News.com.au the actor confessed, 'I love it more than anything in the world. If my job now didn't exist I would be a stay at home dad'

The actor says having children has culled his tempter, admitting: 'Suddenly it becomes about them and that leads you to go, 'Well I don't need to be angry at this person anymore or angry at the world''

Yankee babies! The family are based in New York, and Sam told the publication that he sees his children as 'American' even though he and his wife Lara Bingle are Australian

The actor sweetly revealed to the news website that Lara and his family are his 'happy place'.

The Avatar star says that 'every part' of fatherhood 'is a joy' even if he's lacking sleep, echoing statements made by his wife earlier this year.

'It's amazing, two children under two definitely keeps us busy,' Lara told the Sydney Morning Herald at the David Jones Autumn/Winter launch earlier this month.

Smile Sam! The actor sweetly revealed to the news website that Lara and his family are his 'happy place'

Busy mum: 'It's amazing, two children under two definitely keeps us busy,' Lara told the Sydney Morning Herald at the David Jones Autumn/Winter launch earlier this month

The 29-year-old quickly added: 'But it's the most rewarding thing ever'.

Sam and Lara were married on December 29, 2014 in a super private ceremony which only ten people attended.
It is one of Hollywood's most dazzling bashes, where the world watches on as A-list stars stun in glamorous attire to celebrate the annual Academy Awards.

And Australian designer Alex Perry had his couture designs on full display as celebrities took to this year's red carpet events.

The 2017 Vanity Fair Oscars After Party on Sunday saw three Australian beauties don his creations: Actress Isla Fisher, model and actress Sarah Murdoch and Extra TV host Renee Bargh.

An ode to home: Hollywood stars Isla Fisher, Sarah Murdoch and Renee Bargh wow in couture gowns by designer Alex Perry at Vanity Fair's Oscars after party on Sunday

Alex has recently made a concerted effort to break into the US market, with his growing presence at the world's hottest events following suit.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, he revealed: 'Ive got good relationships with all those celebrity stylists now Im over in New York and LA all the time.'

The former Home And Away star turned Hollywood starlet, Isla Fisher, wore a yellow canary design to perfection as it clung to her svelte waist before flowing into a full skirt.

Belle of the Ball! Isla Fisher wowed in a yellow canary couture gown by designer Alex Perry at Vanity Fair's Oscars after party, with the design perfectly clinching at her svelte waist and pushing up her ample assets

'Ive got good relationships with all those celebrity stylists now': Alex has recently made more efforts to break into the US market, with his growing presence at the world's hottest events following suit after he's stated he's in LA and New York regularly in an interview with Daily Telegraph

Isla felt like a princess in the gown, as she wrote on Instagram: 'Auditioning for beauty and the beast.'

She gave a busty display, as the frock's off-the-shoulder design pushed her ample assets about the cut and featured a sheer panel below her cleavage.

Isla accessorized the couture creation with a silver clutch and bangle.

Power couple: Isla's husband Sacha Baron Cohen looked suave next to her glamorous gown, as he wore a fitted black suit with a bow tie

Stunning supporter: Isla recently supported the Australian designer, sporting a sleek dotted Alex Perry halterneck frock at the 2016 AACTA Awards in Sydney last December

Attending the same Vanity Fair after party soiree, Australian-born Extra TV host Renee Bargh wore a plunging black dress that hugged at her enviable frame.

The journalist provided an ample display of her cleavage through the design's sheer panel, as she kept her decolletage bare from accessories.

Stunning! Australian-born Extra TV host Renee Bargh wore a plunging black dress that hugged at her enviable frame and put her ample assets through the design's low-cut sheer panel

Australia's Next Top Model judge Sarah Murdoch also wowed in a full-length white Alex Perry gown.

She showcased her sculptured arms in the semi off-the-shoulder design, with a spaghetti strap detailing around her neck.

The dress appeared to have pockets, as she posed with her left hand hidden within the white fabric and her other hand holding a black clutch.

Doing it white! Attending the same Vanity Fair after party soiree, Australian model and actress Sarah Murdoch also wowed in full-length white Alex Perry gown




She has made a number of striking appearances at the New York, London and Milan Fashion Weeks over the last month.

But Bella Hadid proved her selection of stylish ensembles has still not run out on Tuesday, as she stepped out in Paris, France in another sexy but chic look.

The model, 20, put on a raunchy display in a micro mini T-shirt, paired with racy fishnet tights, as she headed to support her sister Gigi at the Tommy Hilfiger after-party, held at swanky eatery La Perouse.

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Model material: Bella Hadid proved her selection of stylish ensembles has still not run out on Tuesday, as she stepped out in Paris, France in another sexy but chic look

The young model flaunted her famously leggy figure in the thigh-skimming frock, which took shape as an oversized logo T-shirt.

The grungy white tee was emblazoned with a red, yellow and black cartoon image as well as the word 'Tommy' on the front - as a garment of her sister's new collection with the iconic designer.

Remaining casual in style, the dress then cut off at an eye-watering height on her thigh to flash her long and slender pins, which she clad in saucy black fishnet tights from DKNY Hosiery.

Skimpy: The young model flaunted her famously leggy figure in the thigh-skimming frock, which took shape as an oversized logo T-shirt

Represent: The grungy white tee was emblazoned with a red, yellow and black cartoon image as well as the word 'Tommy' on the front, as part of Hilfiger's collection

Keeping warm in the skimpy ensemble, the beauty layered a yellow and navy raincoat on top, before upping the sex appeal further with leather knee-high boots.

The Victoria's Secret model slicked her brunette tresses to one side to create a dramatic fringe - which framed her naturally striking model features.

Accentuating her glowing skin with minimal make-up and a slick of mascara, Bella oozed glamour as she made her way into the party after her sister and her boyfriend Zayn Malik, 24.

Sexy but sensible: Keeping warm in the skimpy ensemble, the beauty layered a yellow and navy raincoat on top, before upping the sex appeal further with leather knee-high boots

Bella and Zayn were no doubt at the party to support Gigi, 21 - who has just seen the release of her second capsule collection 'Tommy X Gigi' with the designer.

Meanwhile Bella has had a hectic few weeks jetting all round the world for Fashion Week - where she has walked for the likes of Versace, Moschino and Anna Sui.

The brunette has been heavily documenting her jet-set lifestyle on her social media pages, sharing both the glamorous pre-catwalk preparations as well as her well-earned fast food breaks after the shows.

Stunning: The Victoria's Secret model slicked her brunette tresses to one side to create a dramatic fringe - which framed her naturally striking model features

Ready to go: Accentuating her glowing skin with minimal make-up and a slick of mascara, Bella oozed glamour as she made her way into the party after her sister

Loved-up: Gigi Hadid also headed to the after-party of her Tommy Hilfiger event in Paris hand-in-hand with her boyfriend Zayn Malik, 24

However it during her time in London that she was linked with a mystery man, who she reportedly 'flirted' with at the LOVE and Burberry party.

Newly-single Bella's appearance comes after she was linked with a mystery man in London, who she reportedly 'flirted' with.

According to PageSix, the beauty was at the bash at private members' club Annabel's where she struck up a conversation with the photographer.

In demand: Meanwhile Bella has had a hectic few weeks jetting all round the world for Fashion Week - where she has walked for the likes of Versace (L) and Moschino (R) in Milan

The site said she was 'cosying up to the mystery man', adding that the two were 'very flirty' at the party, which she attended with Kendall Jenner and Hailey Baldwin.

'They were whispering to each other at various points throughout the evening,' the source added.

This is the first time the brunette beauty has been linked to another man since her November split from The Weeknd, 27, who has since moved on with Selena Gomez.
They were recently seen enjoying some winter sunshine in Barbados, after making their relationship known last month.

But things may not have been quite as romantic for Jeremy Kyle and Vicky Burton on their flight home to the UK - as the pair reportedly sat in different classes on the plane.

According to The Sun, the presenter, 51, was seen heading into first class on their British Airways jet - while his girlfriend, who is the former nanny to his two children with ex-wife Carla Germaine, remained in her cheaper seat.

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Living the high life: Jeremy Kyle reportedly flew home from Barbados in first class, while his new girlfriend Vicky Burton remained in her cheaper seat

Jeremy, who had spent a few weeks with his new partner on the luxurious Caribbean island, was reportedly spotted by a fellow passenger chatting to Vicky in her standard seat prior to take-off.

However as the plane prepared for the long-haul journey home, the ITV favourite then allegedly took his own seat up in first class - leaving Vicky behind.

A source told the paper: 'He got her settled into her seat and then he went to first class and she stayed there. She was on her own for the whole flight.'

New lovers: Jeremy and Vicky went public with their romance last month, after she served as a nanny to his children with ex-wife Carla Germaine for 9 years (Vicky pictured far left, with the family in 2013)

Adding that Jeremy had indulged in the luxuries of his cabin for the duration of the journey, the source went on to claim: 'He didn't go back to see her for the eight hours that's why I noticed it.

'It was definitely them - it was really odd.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Jeremy for comment.

It was only last month that the pair went public with their romance - having got together with his family's former nanny following his split from ex-wife Carla.

On Monday afternoon, a visibly reluctant Jeremy was forced to comment on his developing romance with the blonde for the first time in public.

Opening up: An otherwise straightforward Loose Women interview took an unexpected turn as Jeremy Kyle reluctantly answered a series of questions about his personal life on Monday afternoon

Addressing the panel, he said: 'It's a new relationship, a new chapter. I'm very happy thank you very much, let's move on with our lives.'

His appearance came just hours after his relationship with Burton was referenced by Piers Morgan during a live interview on Good Morning Britain.

Referencing the presenter's notorious daytime show, Morgan inquired: 'I have to ask, it would be rude not to. You obviously do a show about dysfunctional private lives, and all I'm reading about at the moment is your dysfunctional private life.'

Plenty to talk about: Making an appearance on Loose Women , the divisive TV personality was on hand to talk about his latest lifestyle show, The Kyle Files: Extreme Eaters

Addressing the panel, he said: 'It's a new relationship, a new chapter. I'm very happy thank you very much, let's move on with our lives'

Head in hands: Kyle enjoyed some playful banter with the Loose Women panel during his appearance on the daily chat show

'Everything's great  loving it,' replied an expressionless Kyle. 'You have to take everything with a pinch of salt, but listen  moving on, new chapter, thank you very much.'

Undeterred by his hasty response, Morgan, also 51, asked if they were an item  and if the presenter was happy with his new girlfriend following his acrimonious separation from Carla, whose alleged affair with a younger man was exposed in 2015.

'Yep. Absolutely, things are great,' he replied. 'I am happy. I am happy and you know, I've been through quite a bit, everybody's been through quite a bit and you get on with your life, that's the way it goes isn't it?'

I'll ask the questions: His appearance came just hours after his relationship with Burton was referenced by Piers Morgan during a live interview on Good Morning Britain

So happy: 'Everything's great  loving it,' Kyle said. 'You have to take everything with a pinch of salt, but listen  moving on, new chapter, thank you very much'

Probing: Morgan, also 51, asked if they were an item  and if the presenter was happy with his new girlfriend following his acrimonious divorce from Carla

I'm doing fine: 'Yep. Absolutely, things are great,' he replied. 'I am happy. I am happy and you know, I've been through quite a bit, everybody's been through quite a bit and you get on with your life, that's the way it goes isn't it?'

Kyle's former wife recently claimed that Burton deliberately copied her style and looks before beginning a relationship with the TV host.

Carla said to friends that she gradually 'morphed' into looking like her during nine years serving her family.

Kyle began dating his children's nanny, who is 16 years his junior, more than a year after he split up with his wife of 13 years.

Carla believes Vicky - who considered a close companion - copied her hair-style and clothes.

A friend told The Sun On Sunday's Laura Armstrong: 'Carla realises now how during their friendship Vicky gradually morphed into looking like her, copying her clothes and style.'

Controversy: Kyle, who has been hosting the Jeremy Kyle chat show for 13 seasons on ITV, announced that he and wife were splitting in 2015

The former model noticed the changes in her former nanny's look when she was throwing out pictures of her.

Her friend said Vicky's brown hair was lightened to become more like her own, and that she had begun to wear skinny jeans and halter-neck tops, just like those she liked.

Kyle has been with Vicky - who stopped serving the family last April - for three months. However, their relationship was only made public last month.

Carla told a friend she considered the relationship a betrayal, as she had seen her nanny as 'a sister'.

Kyle, who has been hosting the Jeremy Kyle chat show for 13 seasons on ITV since 2005, announced that he and wife were splitting in 2015.

News of their break-up came after Kyle made a frank admission about the couple's sex life during his self-titled show in June 2015, while interrogating a woman about whether she'd cheated on her partner.

The presenter and his wife 'grew apart' and it was reported that Carla was caught having an affair with England polo player James Carr, 25.

Kyle, who has been married twice, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2012 and publicly spoke about his troubles with gambling.

The presenter and his wife 'grew apart' and it was reported that Carla was caught having an affair with England polo player James Carr, 25. Seen at the O2 in 2015 (left) and at Glorious Goodwood in 2014 (right)

He has four children, including a 26-year-old daughter from a previous marriage and three with Carla

His first marriage to Kirsty Rowley ended in 1990 after a year together and the pair have a daughter called Harriet.

MailOnline has contacted Kyle's agent for comment.
A baby gets tested for malnutrition in Thonyor, South Sudan, where years of conflict have inflicted famine on thousands of people

Thousands of people at the epicentre of a man-made famine in South Sudan emerged from the safety of the swamps this past weekend hoping to receive emergency deliveries of food.

For months now Bol Mol, a 45-year-old former oil field security officer, has struggled to keep his family alive, spearfishing in nearby rivers and marshes while his three wives gather water lilies for food.

They eat once a day if they are lucky, but at least in the swamps they are safe from marauding soldiers.

"Life here is useless," Mol said, his hand clutching his walking stick as he waited with thousands of others beneath the baking-hot sun at Thonyor in Leer County.

Aid agencies have negotiated with the government and rebel forces to establish a registration centre in the village ahead of food deliveries.

The UN declared a famine in parts of South Sudan a week ago, but the hunger affecting an estimated 100,000 people is not being caused by adverse climate conditions.

More than three years of conflict have disrupted farming, destroyed food stores and forced people to flee recurring attacks. Food shipments have been deliberately blocked and aid workers have been targeted.

- 'It is not enough' -

It is no coincidence that soaring levels of malnutrition have been found in Leer, a rebel stronghold and the birthplace of opposition leader Riek Machar, whose falling out with President Salva Kiir in December 2013 led to the civil war.

Evidence of the devastating conflict is everywhere: in the burnt walls of schools and clinics, in the ruins of razed homes and public buildings, and in the desolation of the once-thriving market.

A peace deal signed in August 2015 was never fully implemented. As recently as December the members of yet another 56,000 households were forced to flee to the safety of the swamps when yet another government offensive reached the area.

The constant need to escape the war means people are unable to plant or harvest crops, and their livestock is often looted by armed men.

With their livelihoods destroyed, people are reduced to gathering wild plants, hunting and waiting for emergency food supplies that come too rarely and are frequently inadequate.

"It is not enough," Mol said as he waited to register for the next food delivery.

A helicopter arriving with food supplies in South Sudan, where the UN has declared a famine in several areas

The fighting and the fleeing have interrupted all aspects of life: Mol said his children had not gone to school for the last three years.

"Right now the majority of the people are living in the swamps. If you go there and see the children you can even cry, the situation is too bad," he said.

Nyangen Chuol, 30, keeps her five children alive with aid agency rations of sorghum supplemented with lilies, coconuts and sometimes fish.

"Before the conflict I lived here in Thonyor but had to move far away to the islands in the swamp for safety," she said. This weekend's registration for food deliveries had drawn her back.

Outside the famine's epicentre in the northern Unity State, there are nearly five million people who also need food handouts, mostly in areas where the fighting has been fiercest.

"The biggest issue has been insecurity in some of these areas which makes it very difficult to access," said George Fominyen of the World Food Programme (WFP).

- Too late for some -

Aid workers warn that by the time a famine is declared it is already too late for some, but the declaration has put pressure on the government to open up access, at least for now, and international aid agencies are ratcheting up their efforts.

Ray Ngwen Chek, a 32-year-old waiting for food, said the situation had steadily worsened over the years.

"Since 2013 we have planted no crops, nothing, we just stay like this. You don't know what you will survive on tomorrow," he said.

Hospitals and schools are shut, Chek said, and children, surrounded by conflict and with no other options, "are practising how to carry guns" instead of learning for the future.

Betrayed and neglected by the country's leaders, the people of Leer struggle to hold out hope for a political solution that would end the conflict.

But Chek is certain of one thing: "Fighting is not a solution."
Wilbur Ross, a 79-year-old billionaire who specializes in troubled businesses, has been confirmed by the US Senate as commerce secretary

Wilbur Ross sailed through Senate confirmation to become the new commerce secretary, despite tough questions about his possible ties with Russian oligarchs through his position on the board of the Bank of Cyprus.

Several Democrats gave their support, for a total of 72 of 100 senators casting their votes for the 79-year-old billionaire who specializes in troubled businesses and is now tasked with implementing Trump's promises to return industrial jobs to the United States.

A total of 21 Democrats voted for him.

Ross, who succeeds another billionaire, Penny Pritzker, will now also coordinate US commerce policies with the US trade representative, a post for which Trump has nominated Robert Lighthizer, who awaits Senate confirmation.

Democrats' questions of Ross's ties with Russia come at a time when Trump is defending his administration's relations with Moscow, following leaks about repeated contacts between members of his campaign team last year and Russian intelligence officials.

Since 2014, Ross has served as vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Cyprus, the largest bank in Cyprus, which was saved from bankruptcy in 2013 by a bailout from the Eurozone countries and the IMF and by forced contributions from most of its savers.

Wilbur Ross' predecessor as vice chairman of the Bank of Cyprus board is Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, a former KGB agent known to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin

This bank also is the second largest shareholder in the Russian conglomerate Lamesa Holding, owned by the Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg, whose fortune is valued at more than $12 billion by Forbes.

"@CommerceGov nominee Wilbur Ross is practically a cartoon stereotype of a Wall Street fat cat with no interest in anyone but himself," wrote prominent Trump opponent Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Ross's predecessor as vice chairman of bank's board is Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, a former KGB agent known to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The United States Senate and the American public deserve to know the full extent of your connections with Russia and your knowledge of any ties between the Trump Administration, Trump Campaign, or Trump Organization and the Bank of Cyprus," Democratic Senator Cory Booker said in a letter to Ross.

In mid-February, Booker and five other Democratic senators sent a letter to Ross asking him whether the Bank of Cyprus had lent to Trump's real estate group, the Trump Organization.

The officials also called on Ross to reveal whether he had any contact with Russian officials or agents during the presidential campaign.

Ross's team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer deplored the fact that the White House would not release Ross's response to the Democrats' queries.

"It is another example of this administration abandoning transparency and trying to jam their nominees through without making all the relevant information public and available," Schumer said on the Senate floor.

"On an issue as sensitive and important to national security as Russia, it is another black mark on this nascent administration."

In mid-February, Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was forced to resign after it was revealed that he misled Vice President Mike Pence and other administration officials about pre-inauguration discussions he had with the Russian ambassador in Washington about US sanctions against Russia.
Thomas Kent, president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty which hopes the new venture will reach an audience of more than 270 million people

Nearly three decades after it helped topple communist totalitarian regimes in Eastern Europe, US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is challenging Moscow again, this time with a new 24-hour TV news channel in Russian.

Officially launched in Prague this month, the "Current Time" channel targets an audience of more than 270 million people, mostly in the former Soviet area, with news and views that provide an alternative to the Kremlin's version of reality as channelled through state-controlled media.

The new channel's launch comes as relations between Moscow and the West have hit their lowest point since the Cold War, triggered by Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and its military campaign in Syria a year later.

Suspicions also linger in the West about the extent to which the Kremlin may be using the internet and other means to spread fake news that could boost the popularity of pro-Russian politicians, thereby destabilising NATO and the European Union.

Moscow has been quick to denounce the new channel, with prominent Kremlin-appointed talk show host Dmitry Kiselyov -- known as Russia's chief spin doctor -- labelling it a scam.

It's "mostly money laundering under the guise of fighting Russian propaganda," he said on Russian state TV last week, without elaborating or offering any proof of fraud.

RFE/RL, which reaches 23 countries in 26 languages, has launched the venture jointly with the Washington-based Voice of America.

As the official US international broadcaster, VOA targets more than 236 million people a week in more than 45 languages.

- 'Need for objective news' -

For decades, the stations fought a key ideological battle for the West during the Cold War.

Prague residents listen to the radio for news during the Prague Spring before the short-lived period of greater freedom was brutally crushed by a Soviet invasion in August 1968

Banned across the communist bloc, the stations regularly had their signal jammed by various regimes, but people behind the Iron Curtain still managed to listen in secret to broadcasts that inspired them to oppose totalitarian rule.

Current Time executive editor Kenan Aliyev told AFP the new station, known as Nastoyashcheye Vremya in Russian, has similar aims to win viewers in Vladimir Putin's Russia.

"Our ambition is to gain the audience in this important region which has lately been bombarded by a lot of disinformation, lies and propaganda," he said.

"We feel there is a need for objective news and we will try to provide this type of service to our audience."

Current Time programming ranges from breaking news to business, documentaries and even cooking shows. Coverage of issues like poverty, corruption and healthcare also features prominently.

Some programmes focus specifically on the Baltic states, Moldova and Ukraine, all under Moscow's thumb during Soviet times and now home to significant ethnic Russian populations.

The station broadcasts via satellite, cable and the internet from Prague, where RFE/RL has been based since its 1995 move from Munich.

"Most importantly, we do social media and digital coverage for audiences that are particularly hard to reach, like those in Russia," Current Time director Daisy Sindelar told AFP.

- Riga: a hub for independent media -

Conceived during the administration of former US president Barack Obama who took a firm line against Moscow over Crimea, the station officially launched its around-the-clock broadcasts under US President Donald Trump, known for his seemingly pro-Moscow stance.

Riga has become a hub for independent Russian media who have trouble operating in Russia itself

RFE/RL President Thomas Kent says that while the US Congress has approved funding for "decades", he told AFP that possible federal cost-cutting under the billionaire reality TV star-turned-president could affect programming.

Current Time's operating budget for this year is $10 million (9.5 million euros).

"We hope that the uniqueness of what we do will help preserve our funding," Kent told AFP.

Similar channels that operate free of Kremlin control include the BBC's Russian language service, which is setting up a new bureau in Riga, the Latvian capital.

Ethnic Russians make up a quarter of Latvia's population of two million people. Authorities in Riga are concerned Moscow is trying to target the country's largest minority with propaganda designed to destabilise the Baltic NATO and EU state.

Last April, Latvia banned broadcasts by the Russian-language Rossiya RTR TV channel for six months, claiming it had incited hatred and made anti-Ukrainian statements.

Latvian state broadcaster LTV has a Russian-language TV and radio station as well as a news website to draw ethnic Russians away from almost exclusively pro-Kremlin media beamed in from Russia.

Riga has also recently become a hub for independent Russian media who have trouble operating in Russia itself, including the Meduza website run by former journalists from the Russian news site Lenta.ru.

Estonia's public broadcaster ERR has also created three Russian-language media outlets.

According to a 2016 TNS Emor poll, the stations, including ETV, ETV2 and ETV+, captured an audience of around 20 percent of ethnic Russians who account for a quarter of Estonia's 1.3 million people.
Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn took the throne on December 1, 2016 following the death of his father

A senior adviser to Thailand's new monarch has been sacked, authorities said Tuesday, the second aide to King Maha Vajiralongkorn to be publicly purged in recent weeks.

Vajiralongkorn, 64, took the throne following the October death of his widely revered father King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned for seven decades.

He has yet to attain his father's widespread popularity.

In recent years a growing list of people in his inner circle have been fired or jailed, including two who later died in military custody.

The latest palace official to fall from grace is Jumpol Manmai, a former deputy police commissioner and palace Grand Chamberlain.

In a statement the Royal Household Bureau said Jumpol was fired for trying to improperly profit from his royal links and make political connections.

"General Jumpol committed inappropriate behaviour as a senior official close to the King," the palace order, countersigned by junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha, said.

"He abused his position to gain personal and political benefits which jeopardises security," it added, without giving further details.

The fates of fallen royal aides are closely watched and widely gossipped upon by Thais.

That is because the royal family is protected by a draconian defamation law that makes scrutiny of its inner workings, or debate over its role, almost impossible inside the kingdom.

Media inside Thailand must heavily self-censor when reporting on the royal family.

Last week another senior aide to the king, Air Vice Marshal Chitpong Thongkum, was sacked on the charge of improperly profiting from the family.

In 2015 three people -- including a celebrity soothsayer -- were arrested under the lese majeste law for trying to profit from their royal connections.

The soothsayer and one other suspect died in military custody soon after their arrests.

The year before, Vajiralongkorn announced that his then wife Princess Srirasmi Suwadee, with whom he has a son, had been stripped of her titles.

That came after half a dozen members of Srirasmi's family were jailed on lese majeste charges for allegedly improperly using their connections to him.
Bangladesh has faced a string of extremist attacks, including the siege at an upmarket Dhaka bakery that left 20 hostages dead

Five Islamist extremists who murdered a Japanese farmer in a drive-by shooting in 2015 were sentenced to death by a Bangladeshi court Tuesday.

The sentence on the five members of the Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) was handed down by a judge who found them guilty of murdering Kunio Hoshi in October 2015.

He was one of a number of foreigners to be murdered in recent years in a campaign which has battered Bangladesh's international image.

Judge Naresh Sarker said the five had killed Hoshi as part of a "campaign to destabilise the country and smear its image".

"It was a premeditated murder," the judge told the court in the northern city of Rangpur.

Four of the men were in the court amid heavy security but one of was sentenced in absentia.

A defence lawyer said they were disappointed with the verdict and would appeal to a higher court.

The 66-year-old Hoshi was shot dead by a gunman riding on the back of a motorbike on a dirt road where he was working on a project to grow grass for cattle.

Among those sentenced was Masud Rana, the JMB's 24-year-old area chief. Prosecutors say he fired the fatal shot at Hoshi near his farm near Rangpur.

Chief prosecutor Abdul Malek said two other people who had helped plan the attack, including the alleged mastermind Saddam Hossain, had already been killed in shootouts with police.

"They recced Hoshi's home and his movements for days," Malek told AFP.

"It was a targeted killing aimed at launching an Islamic movement in the country."

- Muslim convert -

Friends of Hoshi revealed after his death that he had converted to Islam but Malek said the attackers were not aware that he was Muslim. Hoshi was later buried in a Muslim graveyard in Rangpur.

His killing came just days after the murder of an Italian aid worker in the capital Dhaka, one of a string of attacks to be claimed by the Islamic State group.

Although both IS and a branch of Al-Qaeda have claimed responsibility for many of the attacks, the government insists the JMB are to blame for most of them and denies that international jihadist networks have a presence in Bangladesh.

Authorities have also blamed the JMB for the killing of 20 hostages, including seven Japanese nationals, during a siege at an upscale cafe in Dhaka in July last year.

The killings of foreigners such as Hoshi have been a major blow to the international reputation of Bangladesh, which has been trying to attract foreign investment to fuel its economic growth.

Work on Japanese-funded infrastructure projects such as coal-fired power plants and a metro system in Dhaka were temporarily halted after the attack on the cafe last year.

Analysts say Islamist militants pose a growing danger in conservative Bangladesh, and a long-running political crisis has radicalised opponents of the government.

There was no immediate reaction from the Japanese embassy to Tuesday's judgement, but the prosecutor said embassy officials have been following the case closely.

Bangladesh prides itself on being a mainly moderate Muslim country. But the gruesome killings of a series of atheist bloggers, foreigners and religious minorities have rocked the nation.

Since the cafe attack security forces have launched a nationwide crackdown on Islamist extremist groups, killing around 50 suspected militants including the founders of a new JMB faction.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (2nd L)says the arrest of a man charged with helping the Islamic State group is a reminder that terrorism is an enduring threat

An Australian was charged Tuesday with helping the Islamic State group develop high-tech weapons, including long-range guided missile capabilities.

Haisem Zahab, a 42-year-old electrician, was working alone and there was no domestic-related terror threat, said Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin.

"We will allege he has utilised the internet to perform services for ISIL," Colvin said, using an acronym for the jihadist group.

"Firstly, by researching and designing a laser warning device to help warn against incoming guiding munitions used by coalition forces in Syria and Iraq.

"Secondly, we will also allege that he has been researching, designing and modelling systems to assist ISIL's efforts to develop their own long-range guided missile capabilities."

Zahab, from the town of Young 165 kilometres (102 miles) from the Australian capital Canberra, appeared in court on two foreign incursion charges punishable by life imprisonment.

He was refused bail and will reappear on March 8.

Zahab, who was born in Australia, was allegedly in contact with networks linked to the terrorist group.

"We believe he has networks and contacts in ISIL -- not necessarily just in the conflict zones, but in other parts of the world as well and he has been relying on them to pass this information," said Colvin, adding that his research was "fairly sophisticated".

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the arrest after an 18-month operation was "yet another reminder of the enduring threat we face from Islamist terrorism".

"This highlights that terrorism, support for terrorist groups, and Islamist extremism is not limited to our major cities," he said.

"It once again shows that we all need to be very vigilant."

Canberra has become increasingly worried about homegrown extremism and the terror threat level was raised in September 2014.

Australian officials say they have prevented 12 terror attacks on home soil since then with 61 people charged.

But four attacks have gone ahead, including the murder of a Sydney police employee in 2015 by a 15-year-old boy.
Fighters from Fateh al-Sham Front take positions south of Aleppo in August 2016 during an offensive to break the government siege of the city

The head of Al-Qaeda's former Syrian branch said weekend suicide attacks in third city Homs were a message for opposition figures engaged in peace talks in Geneva to "step aside".

In a rare video address released late Monday, the head of Fateh al-Sham Front reiterated his group's responsibility for the bombings, which killed dozens of people including a top intelligence chief and close confidant of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

"This operation is a lesson to the defeated politicians in Geneva, and previously in Astana," said Abu Mohamed al-Jolani.

"This lesson will wipe off some of the shame that has followed those gambling with the lives of the Syrian people," he said, adding that the attacks were "just one episode in a series that will follow."

Opposition and government representatives are in Geneva this week for UN-sponsored talks aimed at ending Syria's brutal six-year war.

Fateh al-Sham has been excluded from the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC), as well as previous talks in Astana between rebel groups and the government.

Jolani said the deadly attacks in Homs were a message "to leave the war to our people, and to step aside."

"It has been demonstrated to them that this regime only understands the language of force and blood... These politicians... are handing the regime a victory without it having to win," he added.

The Geneva talks, the fourth under UN auspices and the first since last April, are struggling to get off the ground.

The HNC is expected to meet a Russian delegation on Tuesday, in the hope that Moscow will pressure its ally Damascus to kickstart the negotiations.

More than 310,000 people have been killed and millions more driven from their homes since the conflict broke out in March 2011.

Fateh al-Sham Front split from Al-Qaeda in July 2016 from Al-Qaeda in a move analysts said was an abortive attempt to end its blacklisting by the United Nations and Western governments.

In January, it joined forces with other hardline groups to form Tahrir al-Sham.

Its fighters have been targeted by intensifying air strikes, not just by the government but also by its ally Russia and by the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group.

Scores of its fighters have been killed since the start of the year.
Diggers under the supervision of Israeli forces destroy a house in the Jewish settlement of Ofra in the occupied West Bank, on February 28, 2017

Israeli police began Tuesday demolishing nine West Bank settler homes declared illegal by the Supreme Court, despite hundreds of protesters barricading themselves in them.

The homes in the Ofra settlement -- a symbol of Jewish settler defiance to international concerns -- were found to have been built on private Palestinian land and ordered razed by March 5.

Police cleared protesters from the houses one at a time over several hours, an AFP reporter said.

They had cleared eight of the nine houses but dozens of predominantly young protesters made a final stand on the roof of the ninth.

While still trying to clear the final home, bulldozers demolished one house, the reporter said.

Two people were arrested for attacking officers, a police statement said, and eight officers were lightly injured, including by being bitten.

Israeli police forces arrive in Ofra on February 28, 2017 to evacuate Israeli supporters of settlements

Leaders of the Ofra community said they were intent on preventing major clashes like those during the eviction of the nearby Amona settlement three weeks ago, where youths barricaded themselves in a synagogue and attacked security forces.

Amona residents announced they would begin a hunger strike on Wednesday until the government kept its commitment to build them a new settlement.

The Palestinian information ministry denounced what it said was a media stunt.

"Nine houses are destroyed in exchange for thousands of others built," it said.

Since the January 20 inauguration of US President Donald Trump, who has pledged to lead the most pro-Israel administration in history, the Israeli government has rapidly increased its settlement activities.

In the days after Trump entered the White House, Israel announced more than 5,000 new homes in settlements in east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.

Police evacuate Israeli young supporters of settlements from Ofra on February 28, 2017

The government also backed a bill passed by parliament earlier this month legalising dozens of other settlements that even Israel previously considered illegal.

The United Nations said the law crossed a "red line" towards the annexation of the West Bank, but the United States chose not to condemn the move.

More than 400,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since the Six-Day War of 1967.

Most of the international community sees settlements as a major obstacle to peace, as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state.

Police move protestors away from a house due for demolition in Ofra on February 28, 2017

Israel distinguishes between settlements it has authorised and those built without permission.

The demolition of Amona, just a few hundred metres from Ofra, became a major political story.

In total, 32 police were injured during the clearance operation as youths attacked them with stones, acid and iron bars.

The demolition was eventually completed, but the Palestinian owners of the land have not yet been able to return.
Philippine marines check a passenger jeepney at a check point in Indanan town in Sulu province on the southern island of Mindanao on February 27, 2017

With ultra-fast boats, millions in ransom payments and sympathetic locals, pro-Islamic State militants on lawless southern Philippines islands who beheaded a German hostage this week have re-emerged as one of the nation's top threats.

The Philippines is planning to bring in foreign maritime forces to help fight the Abu Sayyaf, after a kidnapping spree that has raised fears the waters around its island strongholds may descend into a Somalia-like haven for pirates.

Declarations by key leaders of the Abu Sayyaf, a loose network of militants backed by local criminals and corrupt officials, of allegiance to the Islamic State group have further stoked alarm.

"The nation's problem, the biggest threat, I would say, in the coming years it would be terrorism. It's sure to come," President Rodrigo Duterte said recently.

In an interview with AFP in February, Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana listed the Abu Sayyaf and other "terrorist" groups that have pledged allegiance to IS as the Philippines' top internal security threat.

The Abu Sayyaf group

"We are trying to put more effort into suppressing the growth of ISIS in the south," Lorenzana said.

Over the past two years the Abu Sayyaf has been involved in kidnapping dozens of people in increasingly brazen attacks mostly on foreign cargo vessels, but also on coastal tourist resorts in the south and neighbouring Malaysia.

The militants on Monday posted a video online of them beheading Jurgen Kantner, a 70-year-old German sailor who was abducted from his yacht in southern Philippine waters three months earlier.

They killed him after a demand for a ransom of 30 million pesos ($600,000) was not met.

Two Canadian hostages kidnapped from yachts moored at a marina on a tourist island in the southern Philippines in 2015 were also beheaded last year after demands for ransoms of similar amounts went unfulfilled.

- Pirates' haven -

The Abu Sayyaf is holding 19 other foreigners on its remote southern island strongholds of Sulu and Basilan, according to the military.

Philippine marines guard a highway in Indanan town, Sulu province

Most of them are Vietnamese, Indonesian and Malaysia sailors abducted from cargo vessels in or near the Sulu and Celebes seas.

To counter, the Philippines has said it is looking to Chinese and American forces to help patrol waters in the area, which also includes a busy international shipping channel called the Sibutu Passage.

Separately, the Philippines is in talks with Malaysia and Indonesia for joint patrols.

In his interview with AFP, Lorenzana said the Philippine naval and coast guard vessels could do little to catch the pirates' boats, which travelled at speeds of more than 80 kilometres (50 miles) an hour.

"The Abu Sayyaf has better boats than us," Lorenzana said.

- Turning points -

The Abu Sayyaf's spike as a kidnapping threat can be traced back to two events in 2014, according to security analysts.

Delfin Lorenzana speaks to AFP in an interview in Manila on February 7, 2017

One was the winding back of a US military programme to train Philippine forces on how to counter the Abu Sayyaf, and provide intelligence. The programme saw a rotating force of about 600 troops stationed in the south.

It ended in June 2014 after local Islamic extremists had "largely devolved into disorganised groups", according to a US government statement at the time.

Previously the Abu Sayyaf was regarded as a much bigger threat. It was accused of involvement in the 2004 bombing of a ferry in Manila that killed more than 100 people and other deadly attacks, as well as high-profile kidnappings.

During the 12 years of the American presence the Abu Sayyaf's numbers were cut from more than 1,000 to about 300, according to Philippine military estimates then, and many of its top leaders were killed or detained.

"The departure of the US advisers led to a steady resurgence of the ASG (Abu Sayyaf) and eventually the emergence of two dozen IS-centric groups," Rohan Gunaratna, a Singapore-based regional terrorism expert, told AFP on Tuesday.

Also in 2014 the Abu Sayyaf had one of their biggest paydays ever, claiming to have secured the full ransom of more than $5 million dollars for releasing two German sailors kidnapped that year.

That, and subsequent paydays worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, enabled the kidnappers to buy better weapons and boats, as well as pay local Muslim communities that harbour and protect them, according to analysts.

"The community celebrates when there's delivery of ransom. They kill cows, goats in festivity," Rommel Banlaoi, chairman of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research in Manila, told AFP.

Banlaoi and other analysts said corrupt politicians and security forces were also involved, getting a share of payouts and ensuring the Abu Sayyaf survived military offensives.

"It's really organised crime," Banlaoi said.
China has said it will halt all imports of North Korean coal for the rest of 2017, a decision it said was in line with UN sanctions

A senior North Korean diplomat arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for talks with government officials, the first known visit since a missile test by Pyongyang that prompted China to sever coal imports from its isolated neighbour.

North Korea's vice foreign minister Ri Kil-Song will be in the country until Saturday to discuss "issues of mutual interest", foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters during a regular press briefing.

Ri will meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other officials, Geng said, calling it a "normal diplomatic exchange."

It is the first known high-level North Korean visit in months and comes amid rising tensions between the two countries over Pyongyang's February 12 missile launch and the subsequent killing of the brother of the North's supreme leader Kim Jong-Un.

South Korea has blamed Kim's government for the killing in Malaysia, which involved the banned VX nerve agent.

Shortly after the murder, China announced it would halt all imports of North Korean coal for the rest of this year, a decision it said was in line with UN sanctions placed on North Korea late last year over its missile and nuclear programmes.

China is the North's sole major ally and by far its largest trading partner.

But in an unusual public attack following the coal decision, North Korean state media last week denounced Beijing for "dancing to the tune of the US."

North Korea blasted off a series of missiles and conducted two nuclear tests in 2016 in its quest to develop a weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland.

The Security Council has imposed six sets of sanctions since Pyongyang first tested an atomic device in 2006.

US President Donald Trump has called on China to do more to rein in North Korea, saying it could easily bring its errant neighbour to heel.

But Beijing denies that, and Geng on Friday urged Washington and Pyongyang to "shoulder their due responsibilities and play their due roles and work together with China to maintain stability" and denuclearise the peninsula.
Police officers check cars at the entrance to the Pan-African Film and Television Festival (FESPACO) in Ouagadougou on February 27, 2017

A night attack on two police positions in Burkina Faso was claimed by jihadists who killed 12 soldiers in the area in December, a senior official said Tuesday.

There were no deaths in the raids, which happened late on Monday, but a woman police officer was injured, Mohamed Dah, the top official of the Soum region near Mali, told AFP.

The attack coincided with Africa's biggest film festival Fespaco, which is being held in the capital Ouagadougou with tight security in place.

Dah said the assailants, who were travelling by motorbike, attacked police posts in two villages.

In Tongomayel, they "torched the police station" leaving a poster in Arabic in the name of the Ansarul Islam jihadist group. In Baraboule, they sprayed the police station with bullets and stole two computers from an adjoining government office, he said.

Ansarul Islam claimed the December 16 attack on an army squad near the Malian border in what was the deadliest-ever assault on the military.

The group is led by Burkinabe Malam Ibrahim Dicko, a radical preacher who wants to create an Islamist "kingdom" in the region, experts say.

Long spared the Islamist violence affecting several nations in the region, notably Mali and Niger, Burkina has been hit by a series of attacks and kidnappings since April 2015.

Most of the raids have occurred near the northern border, but in January 2016, 30 people were killed and 71 wounded in Ouagadougou after gunmen stormed a restaurant and a four-star hotel, taking hostages.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Mohamed Anwar Sadat has been expelled from Egypt's parliament

An Egyptian lawmaker who was one of the few dissenting voices in parliament said Tuesday his expulsion over accusations of leaking a draft law to foreign embassies was a warning to the opposition.

Mohamed Anwar Sadat, a nephew of the assassinated president Anwar Sadat, was expelled in a vote on Monday for allegedly leaking the draft of a controversial NGO law to foreign embassies.

The frequent critic of the government and parliament, which is dominated by supporters of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, was also accused of forging MPs' signatures on a bill he had presented.

Sadat denied both accusations to AFP on Tuesday, saying they were "false."

"I was not surprised because I have expressed many reservations about what parliament does and its compliance with the constitution and the law," he said.

"As we see, many people are not content with the status of democracy in Egypt," he said.

His expulsion was "a message to those inside and outside parliament: 'No one is dear to us'," he added.

Elected in 2015, parliament has been accused by critics of acting as a rubber stamp for Sisi, the former army chief who toppled his Islamist predecessor Mohamed Morsi.

Morsi's overthrow in 2013 ushered in a deadly crackdown on his supporters that killed hundreds of protesters and left thousands in prison.

Sadat had chaired parliament's human rights committee before resigning in protest at what he called its ineffectiveness.

He had heated disputes with parliament speaker Ali Abdel Al, who once shouted down Sadat when he inquired about military pensions for officers who went on to lead industry and state institutions.

He comes from a prominent political family, having been named after his uncle Anwar Sadat, whom jihadists assassinated in 1981 after he signed a peace treaty with Israel.
Gunman Seifeddine Rezgui killed 38 people including 30 British tourists and three Irish citizens in a shooting spree in June 2015 at the Sousse beach resort in Tunisia

The Tunisian police response to the 2015 Sousse beach resort massacre was "at best shambolic, at worst cowardly", the judge investigating the deaths of 30 Britons in the attack said Tuesday.

"Their response could and should have been more effective," judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith said in his conclusions after a series of hearings that began in January.

"The response by the police was at best shambolic, at worst cowardly," he said, adding that the hotel guards were not armed and had no walkie-talkies.

But he said there was no "neglect" by the tour operator TUI because the victims were "not in a dependent position" and said there was "nothing that the hotel might have done before the attack".

Gunman Seifeddine Rezgui killed 38 people, including 30 British tourists and three Irish citizens, in a shooting spree in June 2015 at the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse, Tunisia. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group.

"The simple but tragic truth in this case is that a gunman armed with a gun and grenades went to that hotel intending to kill as many tourists as he could," the judge said.

The British inquest, which is in fact a series of individual inquests into the circumstances of death of each British citizen, is not a trial but the ruling could be used in civil lawsuits.

Some families said they were now planning to sue TUI.

"We will now be preparing to commence civil proceedings against TUI," said lawyer Kylie Hutchinson, whose firm represents most of the victims' families.

A British judge said the Tunisian police response to the 2015 Sousse beach resort massacre was 'at best shambolic'

"It is now crucial that the whole travel industry learns from what happened in Sousse to reduce the risk of similar catastrophic incidents in the future."

TUI managing director Nick Longman said outside court that everyone had been left "shocked and devastated" by the attack.

"I would like to again extend our deepest sympathy. We are so very sorry for the pain and loss those affected have suffered."

He said changes had been made so that Foreign Office travel advice was now on almost every page of its website and staff in shops had it to hand to inform customers.

- Little security -

Tunisia's ambassador to Britain, Nabil Ammar, told BBC radio on Tuesday: "The police was not ready as it should be".

"A lot has changed now. Many improvements have been made in terms of security services, security efficiency, security of hotels, the level of general security in the whole country".

Britain's Foreign Office warns against all travel to some border regions of Tunisia and "all but essential travel" to the rest of the country.

Tunisia's economy is heavily dependent on tourism and has repeatedly asked for the warning to be lifted.

Samantha Leek, the main lawyer for the inquest, said at one of the hearings that a report by a Tunisian judge had identified failings by local security which could have ended the attack before more police arrived and killed Rezgui.

The Tunisian beach massacre was claimed by the Islamic State group

"He said the units that should have intervened in the events deliberately and unjustifiably slowed down to delay their arrival at the hotel," she said.

"They had the ability to put an end to the attack before the police arrived but wasted a considerable amount of time in getting to the hotel," she added.

But Ammar said the accusation that the police had deliberately delayed their arrival was "exaggerated and unfair".

A report on security at the hotels by a British embassy staff member conducted in January 2015 was also read out in court during one of the hearings by Andrew Ritchie, a lawyer representing 20 victims' families.

"There seems to be little in the way of effective security to prevent or respond to an attack" from the beach, he quoted the report as saying.
Three weeks of protests by teachers demanding better conditions led to violence and seven deaths in Guinea.

Guinean President Alpha Conde has sacked three ministers, including his education minister, in a reshuffle after a long strike by teachers and violent protests.

The unrest saw a three-week strike culminate in clashes that left seven people dead in the capital and forced the closure of schools.

Conde responded with a reshuffle which Monday saw him fire his pre-university education, civil service and environment ministers.

Former teacher and union activist Ibrahima Kalil Konate replaced Ibrahima Kourouma as pre-university education minister.

February's protests were largely by young people and students backing a strike by temporary teachers demanding full-time government contracts and better conditions.

Schools eventually reopened after unions struck a deal with the government on February 20, but some teachers complained it fell short of their demands and two days of violence resulted.

In other changes, Sekou Kourouma was dropped as the civil service minister and replaced by his former advisor Billy Nankouma Doumbouya.

In the environment ministry, Christine Sagno handed over charge to another woman, economist Aissatou Balde.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas casts his vote in internal Fatah party elections at the Muqataa, the Palestinian Authority headquarters, in Ramallah in December 2016

Palestinian local elections scheduled for May will take place in the West Bank only and not in Gaza, the government announced Tuesday, scuppering hopes of the first vote in both territories in a decade.

The Palestinian Authority, run by president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah party, sits in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, while the Islamist Hamas movement controls Gaza.

The rival parties have not competed in an election since parliamentary polls in 2006, which Hamas won -- sparking a conflict that led to near civil war in Gaza the following year.

"(We will) hold the municipal elections in the West Bank on May 13 and postpone them in the Gaza Strip," Tarek Rishmawi, spokesman for the government in Ramallah, told AFP.

He did not give a date for elections in Gaza.

Civil society organisations had attempted to find a way to hold the elections in both territories simultaneously.

Hamas said the announcement reinforced the "division" between factions and "serves Fatah's political interests."

Rishmawi, in turn, blamed Hamas for the decision.

The municipal elections are seen as a key confidence builder which could open the way to parliamentary or presidential elections.

A previous attempt to hold a simultaneous vote in both territories collapsed last year.

The last municipal elections in 2012 were held in the West Bank only and were boycotted by Hamas.

The failure of the rival movements to reconcile is seen as a major obstacle to any settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Both sides have voiced commitment to the principle of reconciliation but multiple efforts at forging a unified administration have failed.
Destroying tunnels and stopping Gaza-based Palestinian militants launching rockets into Israel were the key declared goals of Israel's 2014 Gaza war

An Israeli state inquiry accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top army brass Tuesday of being unprepared for the strategic threat of tunnels used by Hamas during the 2014 Gaza war.

The findings of the two-year inquiry sparked a frenzy among Israel's political establishment on their official release, with Netanyahu critics using the opportunity to slam the premier's allegedly flawed decision-making process.

"The political establishment, the military establishment and the intelligence bodies were aware of the tunnel threat and even defined it as strategic. And yet the actions taken to deal with the threat did not match this definition," state comptroller Yossef Shapira wrote in the report.

It said Netanyahu and then-defence minister Moshe Yaalon did not fully share information they had on the tunnels with other members of the security cabinet, speaking instead in "sparse and general" terms.

The two also failed to provide ministers with "significant and essential information," necessary to make "well-informed decisions" on the situation in Gaza before the war, the report said.

After the report's release Netanyahu again defended his record, saying in a statement the tunnel threat was discussed 13 times in cabinet.

He said the war was a "success" as Israel dealt the "harshest blow to Hamas since its inception".

"Israel killed around 1,000 terrorists and destroyed thousands of rockets," he added, saying "tangible and real lessons" had been learned.

Destroying the tunnels and stopping Gaza-based Palestinian militants, particularly Hamas, from launching rockets into Israel were the key declared goals of Israel's third offensive in the coastal territory in six years.

The tunnels were among the Palestinians' most effective weapons during the 50-day conflict.

In one particularly notable attack, five soldiers were killed when a Hamas fighter emerged from a tunnel near the Nahal Oz kibbutz inside Israel on July 29, 2014.

But tunnels were also used inside Gaza once Israeli forces invaded, with a number of soldiers allegedly killed when Hamas fighters emerged from them.

Shapira's report concluded Netanyahu, Yaalon and the chief of staff "did not ensure the army had operational plans for fighting in urban areas with tunnels".

The war killed 2,251 Palestinians and left 100,000 homeless, according to the UN.

On the Israeli side, 74 people were killed, all but six of them soldiers.

Yaalon, who during the war was a close ally of the premier only to resign last year from Netanyahu's Likud party and political life in acrimony after a dispute, also defended his record.

"Those who played politics in the security cabinet in an unprecedented way during the war will continue to do so this week," Yaalon wrote on Facebook before the report's release.

On Tuesday, in a video posted on YouTube, he denounced what he called a "political" report on "partial aspects of a complex deployment".

- Resignation call -

The fallout from the report is likely to pit Netanyahu against coalition partner and political rival Naftali Bennett, head of the right-wing Jewish Home party.

Bennett has said he and fellow members of the security cabinet were not properly briefed by Netanyahu on the tunnel threat.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the Central Synagogue in Sydney on February 22, 2017

Bennett did not immediately comment after the report.

Opposition head Isaac Herzog called on Netanyahu to resign and said the report should put "anxiety and worry in the heart" of every Israeli.

Yair Lapid, another senior opposition figure, said the report was "extremely concerning" and that Netanyahu misled the public.

"Worst of all, nothing has been done since to ensure it doesn't happen again," he said in a statement.

But analysts doubt the report will have a significant effect on Netanyahu's governing coalition.

Avraham Diskin, a political scientist from Jerusalem's Hebrew University, said he did not expect any major political upheaval or resignations, noting that such inquiries rarely have dramatic long-term impacts.

Much of the report was leaked in November.

"The report won't cause an earthquake," he said.

Israel's military found 32 tunnels, including 14 from the Gaza Strip into Israel, according to a UN inquiry on the war. Hamas says it has continued to dig new ones.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is fractious, with a rocket fired from Gaza hitting southern Israel without causing any damage Monday.

The army retaliated by bombing Hamas targets in Gaza.
Radha Rani Sarker, who escaped forced marriage at the age of 14 in Bangladesh, pictured in front of NGO Plan International's campaign poster in Paris on the eve of the UN International Day of the Girl Child, on October 10, 2016

A controversial child marriage law in Bangladesh which allows children as young as 14 to be married off by their parents was criticised by rights groups Tuesday.

Parliament passed the Child Marriage Restraint Act on Monday night, replacing a law dating back to the British colonial period.

The new rule keeps the minimum marriageable age for males at 21 and for females at 18 but relaxes the restriction for "special circumstances" -- including for girls who elope, are raped or bear children out of wedlock.

Rights groups have criticised the law, saying it would jeopardise the gains Bangladesh has made in cutting the levels of child marriage and improving the health of women and children.

"The biggest concern is the law has not set any minimum marriage age for special circumstances, meaning children can be married off at the age of 14-15," said Nur Khan Liton, who represents the Child Rights Advocacy Coalition in Bangladesh.

The coalition, which includes international charities such as Save the Children, Action Aid, national charities and rights groups, said the law could be abused and poses a "risk" to children.

But a ruling party lawmaker who heads parliament's committee on women's and child affairs said it reflects the reality in villages where 70 percent of Bangladesh's 160 million people live.

"We have taken into account the opinion of the UNICEF and other experts," said Rebeca Momin, adding that the law also toughens penalties for people violating the minimum marriage age.

She said the special circumstances in the law are aimed at protecting rights and giving dignity to children born out of wedlock.

Despite making impressive gains in many social indicators in recent decades, child marriage remains rampant in the conservative Muslim-majority country.

Bangladesh currently has one of the world's highest rates of child marriage.

According to figures posted by UNICEF on its website, 66 percent of girls are married before the age of 18 and over a third before the age of 15.

The previous child marriage law was widely ignored as parents in many poor districts were found to have married off their daughters at the age of 14.

Early marriage causes millions of girls to drop out of education. New brides are expected to work in their husbands households and are subject to the same hazards as child domestic workers.

"Weakening the law is a setback for the fight against child marriage, and sends a message to parents... that the government thinks child marriage is acceptable in at least some situations," Heather Barr of Human Rights Watch wrote after the cabinet approved the law last December.
The Confederate flag, the South's flag in the Civil War and today considered a symbol of racism by many Americans

A white couple have been handed heavy prison sentences in Georgia for shouting slurs and death threats at guests at a black child's birthday party.

A Georgia state court sentenced the two, Joel Torres and Kayla Norton, a respective 20 years and 15 years in prison on Monday.

They were convicted of making terroristic threats and violating the state's Street Gang Terrorism Prevention Act, according to local media. Torres also was convicted of aggravated assault.

In July 2015, the couple were part of a group riding in pickup trucks draped with the Confederate flag, the South's flag in the Civil War and today considered a symbol of racism by many Americans.

After harassing African-American drivers, the convoy stopped in front of the home of a black family in Douglasville who were celebrating the birthday of an eight-year-old child.

One member of the group, which calls itself Respect the Flag, brandished a shotgun, while others hurled insults and threatened to kill the partygoers.

The display of the controversial flag was not at issue in the case as it is protected by the US Constitution's free speech guarantee, said Brian Fortner, the Douglas County prosecutor.

"Instead, this case was about a group of people riding around our community, drinking alcohol, harassing and intimidating our citizens because of the color of their skin," he said in a statement.

"They used racial slurs and threatened to kill some of the partygoers. They even threatened to kill children at the party."

More than one hundred and fifty years after the end of the US Civil War, racism still afflicts the United States.

Torres and Norton's sentencing came less than two months after a federal judge in South Carolina sentenced white supremacist Dylann Roof to death over the killing of nine black churchgoers in June 2015.
The skeleton of the nearly nine-metre-long plesiosaurus, a marine reptile with a long neck and turtle-like flippers, was discovered in a phosphate basin near the Moroccan city of Khouribga

Geologists in Morocco on Tuesday denounced the planned auction of a 66-million-year-old marine dinosaur skeleton in Paris and demanded that the remains be repatriated.

The nearly nine-metre-long plesiosaur, a marine reptile with a long neck and turtle-like flippers, was discovered in a phosphate basin near the Moroccan city of Khouribga.

The skeleton is set for auction on March 7 at the Drouot auction house in Paris.

"The plesiosaurs were among the most emblematic 'giant primitive beasts' which have intrigued scientists and amateurs for centuries," Drouot said in its auction catalogue, adding that the creatures had probably inspired the legend of the Loch Ness monster in Scotland.

But the Association for the Protection of the Geological Heritage of Morocco (APPGM) on Tuesday criticised the planned auction, saying the skeleton was a "unique patrimonial treasure".

It said it had asked Morocco's chief geologist to find out if it had been authorised for export.

If not, the association would ask the Moroccan authorities to "intervene with the organisers of the sale to restitute the plesiosaurus to its country of origin, Morocco", it said.

Alexandre Giquello, auctioneer and president of Drouot, said the creature was "reconstituted in Europe from four fossils legally bought at the Frankfurt Trade Fair" by Italian collectors.

A Moroccan company had offered them for sale along with the necessary export papers, he said.

"I understand that this sale creates a stir, but we should also respect the private initiative that allowed the reconstruction of this plesiosaur, which is part of humanity's heritage," he added.

Drouot said the specimen had been screened for customs compliance and "checked by customs and heritage authorities in Italy" prior to being prepared for sale.

The skeleton, which Drouot says is 75-percent complete, will be on display at the Paris auction house from March 4-7.

APPGM said it was likely to fetch around $477,000 (450,000 euros).

"This specimen is the only complete specimen of... museum quality on the market, and the first available for a private collection," Drouot said.

"The only existing comparable specimen is exhibited in the United States at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis."

Moroccan media, citing an official at the ministry of energy and mines, said the remains had been smuggled out of the country.

The Medias24 website said the foreign ministry had been asked "to inform the French authorities of the illegality of the sale and to request the return of the skeleton to its country of origin".

The Moroccan authorities have not commented publicly on the subject.

APPGM said Morocco's geological heritage was globally recognised for its richness and diversity.

But it added that "in the absence of regulatory texts... this heritage is undergoing a systematic and continuous deterioration."
Moscow is an unconditional supporter of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Damascus, and its latest veto on the Security Council, seen February 21, 2017, adds to the six previous ones listed

Russia has now blocked seven UN resolutions regarding Syria since unrest erupted there in 2011, almost always with support from China.

Moscow is an unconditional supporter of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Damascus, and its latest veto adds to the six previous ones listed below.

- 'Unacceptable' -

Six months after the Syrian conflict begins, Russia and China on October 4, 2011 block a proposed UN resolution to impose "targeted measures" against Assad's regime.

Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States are permanent Security Council members with veto powers, while the other 10 members are selected on a rotating basis.

Moscow, which terms the European-sponsored proposal "unacceptable," pushes its own version that emphasizes a need for dialogue and seeks to bring pressure on opposition groups as well as the Syrian government.

- 'Responsibility for the horrors' -

Russia and China again veto a resolution on February 4, 2012 that condemns a Syrian government crackdown on the opposition, while the Security Council's other members vote in favor.

The veto sparks an international outcry, especially because it comes a few hours after Syrian forces bomb the protest city of Homs, killing hundreds of people.

Then US secretary of state Hillary Clinton says that by blocking the resolution, Beijing and Moscow must "bear responsibility for the horrors that are occurring on the ground in Syria."

- Blocking foreign intervention -

On July 19, 2012, Beijing and Moscow again veto a western-backed resolution that threatens Damascus with sanctions if it does not halt its use of heavy weapons.

The resolution seeks to "open the path to the pressure of sanctions and further to external military involvement in Syrian domestic affairs," Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin said afterward.

US Ambassador Susan Rice charges, meanwhile, that "the Security Council has failed utterly."

- Russian charges of hypocrisy -

A French-drafted proposal for the Security Council to refer Syrian crimes to the International Criminal Court (ICC) is blocked on May 22, 2014, again by Beijing and Moscow.

Sixty government bodies from around the world voice support for the move, but Churkin accuses France, Britain and the US of hypocrisy in not wanting war crimes in Iraq referred to the ICC.

- Russia goes it alone, presents rival draft -

On October 8, 2016, it is Russia alone that vetoes a text proposed by France to halt to bombing of Aleppo, after presenting a rival draft that urges a ceasefire but makes no mention of halting the bombing campaign.

China abstains.

- 'Provocative step' -

A resolution on December 5, 2016 that calls for a truce in Aleppo is vetoed by both China and Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticizes the proposal as a "provocative step."
Tuareg-led rebels led an uprising in 2012 that was hijacked by jihadists, throwing northern Mali into chaos

An interim authority for Mali's troubled northern Kidal region, a stronghold of the former Tuareg rebellion, was finally installed on Tuesday, the first step toward improving security enough to allow local elections.

The creation of interim bodies in four other northern regions is scheduled for later this week, a government statement said.

Hassan Ag Fagaga, a former army deserter and president of the CMA rebel alliance, was inaugurated as president of Kigal's new regional council.

"The task which has been conferred on me is not simple, and I require the support of everyone to succeed," said Ag Fagaga, quoted by a witness.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including rebel representatives as well as officials from France, the United States, Algeria, the African Union and the European Union.

Officials from the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, MINUSMA, were also present as the ceremony went ahead under tight surveillance by UN forces and their French colleagues from a regional anti-insurgent force.

After Kidal, the authorities are set to begin work in Gao and Menaka in the northeast on Thursday, followed by Timbuktu in the northwest and Taoudenni in the far north on Friday, according to an official statement.

Tuareg-led rebels led an uprising in 2012 that was hijacked by jihadists, throwing northern Mali into chaos.

The rebels broke with the jihadists to sign an accord with the government in 2015.

The rollout of the interim authorities has been long delayed, largely over disagreements on the choice of officials.

But talks on February 10 between the government, pro-Bamako militias and the former rebels yielded a definitive timeline for the local officials to take up their posts.

The authorities will represent local people until security improves sufficiently to allow local elections.

They will also look to aid thousands of displaced people, who fled their homes during the unrest, to return.

An AFP photographer said the situation was still tense in Gao, although there has as yet been no violence, as opposition to the choice of some of the interim officials continues.

Several armed groups last week protested in the ancient city of Timbuktu against the authority, highlighting schisms within Mali's complex web of militias.

One resident told AFP: "These people are being foisted on us."

The protests came against a backdrop of jihadist unrest.

Ever since the 2015 peace deal was signed, rival armed groups have repeatedly violated the ceasefire, threatening attempts to give the north a measure of autonomy to prevent separatist uprisings.
Gambian President Adama Barrow who took office on February 18 after 22 years of iron-fisted rule by his predecessor Yahya Jammeh

The Gambian parliament on Tuesday scrapped the constitutional age limit on presidential election candidates after new President Adama Barrow faced questions over his deputy's eligibility due to her age.

Anyone over 65 has been barred from running for The Gambia's highest office under a constitutional amendment that came into force in the west African country in 1997.

The new change comes after Barrow -- who took office on February 18 after 22 years of iron-fisted rule by his predecessor Yahya Jammeh -- faced criticism over his decision to nominate 68-year-old Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang as his vice president.

According to the constitution, the vice president must fulfil the qualifications required for a president -- which made Tambajang overage.

Tambajang was last week named women's minister instead, with a mandate to oversee the vice-presidency.

The constitutional change adopted by parliament Tuesday will have to be approved by Barrow to enter into force -- a move that would allow him to name Tambajang officially to the vice-presidency again, according to observers.

Lawmakers also voted to lift the retirement age of judges by five years to 75.

Interior Minister Mai Fatty defended the changes, saying: "It is envisaged that this will facilitate and encourage qualified, competent and experienced Gambians to be appointed as judges of the superior courts or be elected to political office."

The national assembly remains dominated by Jammeh's Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction party.

The former strongman went into exile in Equatorial Guinea after finally ceding power to Barrow following intense international political and military pressure.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, seen February 18, 2017, said about the country's fight against the Islamic State group, "We are like a surgeon who wants to remove the danger without damaging the rest of the patient,"

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has defended his country's fight against the Islamic State group, after dozens of Christian families fled the Sinai Peninsula following a string of jihadist attacks.

An IS affiliate waging an insurgency in the Sinai last week released a video calling for attacks on Egypt's Coptic Christian minority.

Dozens of families have left the peninsula after seven Christians were killed in suspected jihadist attacks, including a Copt murdered in the north Sinai city of El-Arish whose house was also burned.

"(The attacks aim to) destabilise the fabric of Egypt... to give the impression that one group isn't protected as it should be," Sisi said in remarks broadcast on television late Tuesday.

"(The attacks make) people say that Egyptians are targeted in El-Arish and we are beginning to disunite. Some accuse the state of not helping them."

Copts, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt's 90-million population, say they are sidelined in both the education system and state institutions.

Jihadists and Islamists accuse them of supporting the military overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, which ushered in a deadly crackdown on his supporters.

The IS video last week included an anti-Christian speech by a militant who later detonated an explosive vest in a Coptic church in Cairo last December 11, killing 29 people.

"You say 'don't abandon the Sinai'. At a state level, that means the mobilisation of army and police forces," Sisi said.

He said Egypt was bearing a "huge cost" in battling IS, and paid tribute to army and police "martyrs" killed in north Sinai.

The former army chief said security services were doing their utmost to protect civilians in the region.

"We are like a surgeon who wants to remove the danger without damaging the rest of the patient," Sisi said.
Protestors gather outside at the front of the Trump International Tower & Hotel during the official opening on February 28, 2017 in Vancouver, Canada

US President Donald Trump's two sons inaugurated a Trump International Hotel and Tower in Vancouver, Canada Tuesday as protesters outside chanted "Not in my city."

About a hundred protesters demonstrated in front of the building, one of Vancouver's tallest, as Donald Jr and Eric Trump joined Malaysia-based developer Joo Kim Tiah for the ribbing cutting.

Chants of "Dump Trump," "Not in my city" and "Humanity against Trump" went up from the crowd.

Another protest was expected later in the day outside the US consulate in Vancouver.

"We have had an unbelievable past year on so many fronts as a family," Donald Trump Jr said at a ceremony inside the hotel.

"Vancouver is one of the great cities of the world, truly one of the most beautiful places in the world and so fitting for the Trump brand, something we hold in the highest esteem," he said.

The Trump-branded building is the first to open outside the United States since the president's inauguration.

It boasts a spa designed by Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter, a Trump Champagne Lounge and other luxury amenities.

Its construction, however, has been fraught with controversy.

"Trump's name and brand have no more place on Vancouver's skyline than his ignorant ideas have in the modern world," mayor Gregor Robertson said in a letter to the developer seen by AFP.

Vancouver city council member Kerry Lang called it "a beacon of intolerance, sexism and bullying."

Joo Kim Tiah, however, rebuffed calls to remove the Trump name from the 69-storey skyscraper, saying he is locked into a licensing agreement.

During its construction last April, a Mexican-born steel framer climbed to the top to hang his country's flag in protest of Trump's campaign rhetoric bashing Mexicans.

Last month, according to the Vancouver Sun, the board representing residential units in the building voted to increase its insurance coverage for terrorism.

Meanwhile, a survey released to coincide with the tower's grand opening found significant support among Canadians for a boycott of Trump products.

Two in five respondents said they would boycott hotels, restaurants or stores that sell Trump wares. That percentage jumps to three in five in westernmost British Columbia province.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The nation's historically black colleges and universities are pushing for President Donald Trump to set aside more federal contracts and grants for their schools, and take a greater hand in their welfare by moving responsibility for a key program for those colleges to the White House.

The presidents of the nation's 100-plus HBCUs, pressing their case for greater attention from the new Republican-controlled government, met with Trump briefly in the Oval Office and later with Vice President Mike Pence. On Tuesday, they planned to meet with GOP lawmakers.

"Know that beginning today, this administration is committed to ensuring that historically black colleges and universities get the credit and the attention they deserve," Pence said after the meeting. "Our administration at the president's direction is working to find new ways to expand your impact so that more students, especially in the underserved communities of this country, have a chance at a quality education."

President Donald Trump shakes hands as he meets with leaders of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

The college presidents, as well as the United Negro College Fund, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and other HBCU advocates, planned to express their support for migrating the White House Initiative on HBCUs from the Education Department to the White House itself.

Such a move would give the initiative "greater impact for our institutions," said Johnny Taylor, head of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, a nonprofit organization that has supported public historically black colleges and universities since 1987.

"Anything that the Trump administration could do to channel more federal dollars in form of grants and contracts to and through the HBCUs would really benefit our institutions and in many cases, our communities, as well," said Mickey L. Burnim, president of Bowie State University, in Bowie, Md.

Conservative commentator Armstrong Williams, who donated $250,000 to his alma mater, South Carolina State University, said Monday night: "When you have it in the White House, you have that creditability, that weightiness that goes with it."

There were more than 231,000 students enrolled at black colleges and universities in 2014, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Almost 80 percent were black.

Total HBCU enrollment declined from 326,614 to 294,316 between 2010-2014, according to the latest information available from National Center for Education Statistics. The percentage of black college students attending a historically black college or university also dropped from 18 percent of the overall total in 1976 to 8 percent in 2014.

Trump got 8 percent of the African-American vote in his presidential election.

The UNCF and the Marshall fund also have been lobbying for the new president to devote some direct attention to the well-being of HBCUs. Trump is expected to soon release an executive order aimed at helping black colleges and universities. One of Trump's most visible African-American aides, Omarosa Manigault, holds degrees from two of these colleges: Central State University in Ohio and Howard University in Washington, D.C.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Monday that the White House would likely "look at the various resources throughout the federal government that support HBCUs."

He said they may look to ensure "there's a direct pipeline to the president of the United States that those programs are being executed in a way that's benefiting the future of HBCUs and the various projects and teaching that goes on there."

It is time for HBCUs to have a more robust discussion with Republicans, Taylor said. In the past, HBCUs leaned heavily on the heavily-Democratic Congressional Black Caucus to defend them in Washington. "In this environment, if you don't have Republican support, you may not have any support at the federal level," Taylor said.

Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., said it was time for Republicans to step up to help majority-black colleges and universities. North Carolina has one of the nation's largest HBCUs in North Carolina A&T University.

"We want our tone to match our work, and that means more than just an awareness or lip service," said Walker, one of the lawmakers behind the meeting Tuesday between the HBCU presidents and the GOP. "We want our actions to speak just as loud."

The CBC said it was ready to help the Trump administration push through help for the black colleges and universities. They suggested that, as a start, Trump should increase the maximum Pell Grant award for students and double the funding for Pell Grants, or provide two years of free tuition at HBCUs.

"We hope that you and your administration are serious about supporting these schools," CBC chair Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., said in a letter to the White House. "The way to show that you are is to not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. Give these schools the resources and support they deserve and that they and the CBC are asking for."

___

Jesse J. Holland covers race and ethnicity for The Associated Press. Contact him at jholland@ap.org, on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/jessejholland or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jessejholland

President Donald Trump meets with leaders of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republicans have blocked an attempt by Democrats to force President Donald Trump to release his tax returns to Congress.

Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey said Monday that Congress has a responsibility to hold the executive branch "to the highest standard of transparency to ensure the public interest is placed first."

Pascrell and other Democrats said the tax returns also would help lawmakers and the public determine whether Trump has any investments in Russia.

Trump has said he has no investments in Russia, and Democrats acknowledged they have no evidence otherwise. They said that is one reason they want to obtain access to Trump's returns.

The Republican-controlled House on Monday approved Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's motion to postpone indefinitely Pascrell's proposal. The vote was 229 to 185.
ELIZABETH, N.J. (AP) - Prosecutors say a man found sleeping in a car with his fingers on the triggers of two loaded guns will be sleeping in a New Jersey prison for at least the next six years.

Guilio Mesadieu was sentenced Friday to 12 years in state prison. Union County prosecutors say he'll be required to serve at least half of that sentence.

They say the 35-year-old was found sleeping in the car behind an apartment complex in Elizabeth in 2014 after police responded to a report of a group of disorderly people.

Police say they saw three cars parked in the area and approached one with loud music coming from it, where they found Mesadieu.

He pleaded not guilty. But he was convicted in December of illegally possessing the guns.
ASIA:

MALAYSIA-NORTH KOREA - Malaysia's attorney general says the two women accused of killing the half brother of North Korea's leader with a nerve agent in a Kuala Lumpur airport terminal will be charged with murder on Wednesday. SENT: 200 words.

SKOREA-SAMSUNG-POLITICS - South Korean special prosecutors said they planned to indict Samsung's de facto chief Tuesday on bribery, embezzlement and other charges linked to a political scandal that has toppled President Park Geun-hye. SENT: 300 words.

TAIWAN-CRACKDOWN ANNIVERSARY - Amid renewed tensions between Beijing and Taipei, Taiwan on Tuesday marked the 70th anniversary of a bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters that is widely seen as a rejection of China's claims to the self-governing island democracy. By Ralph Jennings. SENT: 430 words.

THAILAND-PRISON CONDITIONS - Thailand's prisons fail to meet international standards, with inmates routinely shackled, stuffed into overcrowded cells and forced to work in harsh conditions, an international human rights group said Tuesday. By Kaweewit Kaewjinda and Dake Kang. SENT: 400 words.

VIETNAM-JAPAN - The emperor and empress of Japan departed Tuesday for a one-week trip to Vietnam and Thailand. SENT: 200 words, photos.

AUSTRALIA-ISLAMIC STATE - Australian counterterrorism police arrested a man on Tuesday who officials say was planning to advise the Islamic State group on how to develop missiles. SENT: 250 words.

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

FINANCIAL MARKETS - Asian stocks were mostly higher Tuesday after another strong finish on Wall Street as investors awaited a speech by President Donald Trump to the U.S. Congress. By Kelvin Chan. SENT: 440 words, photos.

CHINA-COAL CONSUMPTION - China says that its coal consumption fell in 2016 for a third year in a row. SENT: 150 words.

ASIA-INFRASTRUCTURE - Developing countries in Asia and the Pacific will need to spend up to $1.7 trillion a year, or $26 trillion through 2030, to meet their infrastructure needs and to maintain the region's growth momentum, the Asian Development Bank said in a report Tuesday. By Teresa Cerojano. SENT: 400 words, photos.___

HOW TO REACH US:

The editor in charge at the AP Asia-Pacific Desk in Bangkok is Scott McDonald. Questions and story requests are welcome. The news desk can be reached at (66) 2632-6911 or by email at asia@ap.org. The Asia Photo Desk can be reached at (81-3) 6215-8941. Between 1600 GMT and 0000 GMT, please refer queries to the North America Desk in New York at (1) 212-621-1650.

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 (1) 877-836-9477.
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) - An Afghan policeman turned his rifle on his colleagues at a checkpoint in southern Helmand province, killing 11 of them before fleeing the scene, officials said Tuesday.

The attack happened late on Monday night in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, said Omer Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor.

The attacker collected all the firearms and ammunition from his colleagues, then fled the scene in a police vehicle - presumably to join the Taliban. "An investigation is underway," Zwak added.

Dr. Din Mohammad at the Lashkar Gah Hospital said the hospital morgue received 11 bodies of slain policemen, all with gunshot wounds.

The Taliban made no official statement or claim about the attack but Afghanistan has seen several such incidents over the past years, cases in which Afghan troops or policemen - or Taliban militants dressed in Afghan uniforms - turn their guns on their colleagues or U.S.-led coalition partners.

Earlier this month, an Afghan policeman turned his rifle on his colleagues in northern Faryab province, killing eight of his fellow policemen as they were sleeping in an outpost in the district of Almar. He then collected all their firearms and fled the scene.

In another similar incident, a member of a state-backed militia shot and killed five fellow militiamen in December in northeastern Kunduz province. The attacker, who was on guard duty, shot and killed his colleagues as they were sleeping, then made off with weapons and ammunition.

And last October, a U.S. soldier and an American civilian contractor were killed when an Afghan man in army uniform opened fire on them inside a military base in the capital, Kabul. The attacker died in a subsequent shootout with other U.S. and Afghan forces.
BERLIN (AP) - Police on Tuesday searched dozens of sites in Germany linked to a mosque that was frequented by the Berlin market attacker Anis Amri, after authorities banned the Islamic group that operated it.

Some 450 officers raided 24 locations in Berlin, the neighboring state of Brandenburg, and Hamburg in northern Germany starting at 6 a.m. In addition to the mosque itself they searched 15 apartments, two company offices and six prison cells. No arrests were made.

Senior security officials said authorities had been watching the mosque for some time because of concern that it had become a meeting point for Islamic extremists. A previous attempt to ban the organization behind it, known as Fussilet 33, was aborted last summer.

Police stand in front of a residential building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 after a raid in connection with the ban of the Fussilet 33 organization. (TeleNewsNetwork/dpa via AP)

That decision was heavily criticized months later when it transpired that Amri had visited the mosque only an hour before driving a truck into a crowded Christmas market on Dec. 19, killing 12 people and injuring dozens more. Amri, a 24-year-old Tunisian citizen, was shot dead by police in Italy four days after the attack.

Berlin's top security official said authorities on Tuesday had seized funds belonging to Fussilet 33, shut down its website and imposed a blanket ban to prevent the organization from establishing itself under a different name or location.

"It was necessary to ban the organization and all successor organizations to stop it once and for all," Andreas Geisel told reporters. "People who preach hate have no place in this city."

Several people associated with the mosque, including leading members of Fussilet 33, had been arrested in the past on suspicion of supporting extremist organizations such as the Islamic State group and Jund al-Sham, said Geisel.

The organization is alleged to have collected donations and helped recruit fighters for armed groups in Syria and Iraq.

Documents and electronic devices seized during Tuesday's raids were being examined to see whether members of Fussilet 33 knew of Amri's plans, he said.

"We currently have no indications that any further concrete attacks are planned in Berlin," Geisel said.

A man walks past the Fussilet Mosque located in the ground floor of an apartment building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. German police are searching dozens of sites across Berlin linked to the mosque visited by the truck attacker Anis Amri. The raids follow a decision by state authorities on Tuesday to ban the organization that ran the mosque, Fussilet 33. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

Police stand in front of the Fussilet 33 mosque after a raid following a decision by state authorities to ban the organization that ran the mosque in Berlin-Moabit, Germany, Tuesday Feb. 28, 2017. The mosque visited by the truck attacker Anis Amri. (Gregor Fischer/dpa via AP)

The entrance door of the closed Fussilet Mosque is pictured in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. German police are searching dozens of sites across Berlin linked to the mosque visited by the truck attacker Anis Amri. The raids follow a decision by state authorities on Tuesday to ban the organization that ran the mosque, Fussilet 33. German text reads 'This Mosque Is Finally Closed'. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

The entrance door of the closed Fussilet Mosque is pictured in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. German police are searching dozens of sites across Berlin linked to the mosque visited by the truck attacker Anis Amri. The raids follow a decision by state authorities on Tuesday to ban the organization that ran the mosque, Fussilet 33. German text reads 'This Mosque Is Finally Closed'. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
HYDERABAD, India (AP) - The mother of an Indian engineer who was killed in an apparently racially motivated shooting in an American bar said she asked her son to come back to India if he felt threatened in the United States, but he said he was not in any danger.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla's mother wailed Tuesday as her son's body was cremated in his hometown of Hyderabad, in the capital of Telangana state.

"I had asked him to return to India if he was feeling insecure there. But he used to say he was safe and secure," Parvatha Vardhini said.

Parvatha Vardhini grieves by the body of her son Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a 32-year-old engineer who was killed in an apparently racially motivated shooting in a crowded Kansas bar, in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Feb.28, 2017. According to witnesses, the gunman yelled "get out of my country" at Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani before he opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City, on Wednesday evening. Both men had come to the U.S. from India to study and worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Now she wants her younger son and his family to come home. "I will not allow them to go back," she said. "My son had gone there in search of a better future. What crime did he commit?"

Hundreds of grieving relatives and friends tearfully mourned the 32-year-old who came to the U.S. in 2005 to pursue a master's degree at the University of Texas at El Paso.

"It is so cruel. He was such a kind soul, very friendly. He was so excited that he and his wife were going to start a family soon. Now this has happened," said P. L. Narayana, his uncle.

His father, Madhusudhan Rao, was philosophical: "I believe in destiny. Whatever was destined has happened."

He added, "Now I want the U.S. government to take care of the security of our Indians who are working there."

A statement issued Tuesday by the Indian External Affairs Ministry said American authorities "are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the U.S., a matter which continues to receive the government's top priority."

Kuchibhotla's body was flown Monday from Newark, New Jersey. His widow, Sunaina Dumala, looking dazed, and his brother, Sai Kiran, who studies in the United States, arrived on the same flight.

Hours later, the flower-laden body was taken in an open carriage from his home to a crematorium in the Jubilee Hills area, where it was placed on a wooden pyre and lit as part of Hindu last rites.

According to witnesses, the gunman yelled "get out of my country" at Kuchibhotla and a colleague named Alok Madasani before opening fire at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City, on Feb. 22. Both men worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin.

Madasani and another bar patron were wounded.

Adam Purinton of Olathe was arrested at a bar in Missouri after telling a bartender that he shot two people he described as Iranian. He remains jailed on murder and attempted murder charges.

India's information and broadcasting minister, M. Venkaiah Naidu, who visited the bereaved family over the weekend, condemned the attack.

"Such incidents," he said, "should not happen in one of the oldest democracies of the world."

Madhusudhan Rao, center wearing white dhoti, and Parvatha Vardhini, center right wearing pink sari, perform rituals around the body of their son Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a 32-year-old engineer who was killed in an apparently racially motivated shooting in a crowded Kansas bar, at their residence in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Feb.28, 2017. According to witnesses, the gunman yelled "get out of my country" at Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani before he opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City, on Wednesday evening. Both men had come to the U.S. from India to study and worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Sunaina Dumala performs rituals around the body of her husband Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a 32-year-old engineer who was killed in an apparently racially motivated shooting in a crowded Kansas bar, at their residence on the outskirts of Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Feb.28, 2017. According to witnesses, the gunman yelled "get out of my country" at Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani before he opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City, on Wednesday evening. Both men had come to the U.S. from India to study and worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin. (AP Photo /Mahesh Kumar A.)

A family member performs rituals over the body of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a 32-year-old engineer who was killed in an apparently racially motivated shooting in a crowded Kansas bar, at a crematorium in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Feb.28, 2017. According to witnesses, the gunman yelled "get out of my country" at Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani before he opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City, on Wednesday evening. Both men had come to the U.S. from India to study and worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Relatives grieve as last rites are performed on Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a 32-year-old engineer who was killed in an apparently racially motivated shooting in a crowded Kansas bar, at his residence in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Feb.28, 2017. According to witnesses, the gunman yelled "get out of my country" at Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani before he opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City, on Wednesday evening. Both men had come to the U.S. from India to study and worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Sunaina Dumala grieves near the body of her husband Srinivas Kuchibhotla at their residence on the outskirts of Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Feb.28, 2017. Hundreds of grieving family and friends tearfully mourned the 32-year-old engineer in his southern Indian hometown Tuesday after he was killed in an apparently racially motivated shooting in a crowded Kansas bar. (AP Photo /Mahesh Kumar A.)
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrived in Vietnam on Tuesday for a visit to promote goodwill and soothe some of the wounds of World War II by meeting with the abandoned wives of former Japanese soldiers.

The 83-year-old Akihito, the first-ever Japanese emperor to visit Vietnam, will be given a red carpet welcome by Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang on Wednesday.

During their six-day visit, the imperial couple is scheduled to meet with a dozen surviving widows and families members of Japanese war veterans. The wives and their families used to face discrimination because the women had married Japanese men.

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko walk into their car at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. The royal couple arrived in Hanoi for a goodwill visit where they will meet with the abandoned wives of former Japanese soldiers from World War II. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Japanese troops invaded Vietnam in 1940 and remained there until Japan surrendered to the allies in 1945, but some 700 Japanese soldiers, most of them married to Vietnamese women, stayed in Vietnam after revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh declared independence from French colonial rule shortly after that.

The Japanese soldiers provided Ho Chi Minh's Viet Minh with their military expertise to fight the French. By the time the Viet Minh defeated the colonial forces in 1954, placing the North under Communist rule, about half of the Japanese soldiers died from fighting or illness and the first group of 71 had to leave without being able to bring their families in 1954. The rest had to leave in 1960, but this time with their families because Japan was on the other side of the Cold War.

Despite their stormy relations in the past, the two countries have steadily improved their ties since Vietnam's Communists launched reform policies in the mid-1980s and opened up to the world in early 1990s.

Today, Japan is Vietnam's biggest foreign donor and one of its top investors and trading partners.

The two countries have enjoyed closer military and security ties in recent years, with both facing separate maritime disputes with China. The emperor's visit follows one by Japanese Prime Minister in January during which he pledged to provide Vietnam with new patrol vessels.

"The state visit to Vietnam by the Japanese emperor and empress is an event of symbolic significance, a historic milestone in the friendship and cooperation between the two countries," Vietnam's government said in a statement on its website Tuesday. "It demonstrates the sentiment and interests of Japan to the country and people of Vietnam."

The visit will help to further promote the strategic partnership and understanding between the two countries, it said.

Despite his age, Emperor Akihito has maintained a busy schedule, greeting foreign dignitaries and traveling overseas and around Japan.

He has attempted to soothe some of the wounds from World War II, traveling to China early in his reign. He has visited other major battlefields overseas - the western Pacific island of Saipan in 2005, the western Pacific nation of Palau in 2016 and the Philippines earlier this year.

The emperor is scheduled to meet with other Vietnamese leaders and tour Vietnam's ancient capital of Hue before heading Sunday to Thailand, where he will pay respects to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in October, and meet with new King Maha Vajiralongkorn before going home.

Children wave Vietnamese and Japanese flags as the motorcade of Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko passes by in Hanoi, Vietnam, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. The royal couple arrived in Hanoi for a goodwill visit where they will meet with the abandoned wives of former Japanese soldiers from World War II. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Japan's Empress Michiko looks at Emperor Akihito after arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. The royal couple arrived in Hanoi for a goodwill visit where they will meet with the abandoned wives of former Japanese soldiers from World War II. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrive at the Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, Vietnam on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. The royal couple arrived in Hanoi for a goodwill visit where they will meet with the abandoned wives of former Japanese soldiers from World War II. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Japan's Emperor Akihito, center, and Empress Michiko shake hands with Vietnamese officials at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. The royal couple arrived in Hanoi for a goodwill visit where they will meet with the abandoned wives of former Japanese soldiers from World War II. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Japan's Emperor Akihito, second from left, and Empress Michiko speak to Vietnamese Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, right, at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. The royal couple arrive in Hanoi for a goodwill visit where they will meet with the abandoned wives of former Japanese soldiers from World War II. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko receive flowers from Vietnamese officials at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. The royal couple arrived in Hanoi for a goodwill visit where they will meet with the abandoned wives of former Japanese soldiers from World War II. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko smile as they leave for Vietnam at the Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
MANILA, Philippines (AP) - The Philippines' main antinarcotics agency signed an agreement with the military Tuesday to harness troops in President Rodrigo Duterte's deadly anti-drug crackdown after he barred the national police force from carrying out the campaign to cleanse its ranks of rogue personnel.

Military spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said that troops would only back up the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, or PDEA, which has a tiny force, in assaults against major drug suspects and in raids in far-flung areas facing insurgency and terrorism threats under the new agreement.

Troops would not get involved in routine street and residential checks and raids against small-time targets, Arevalo said. Previous community raids by police have left thousands of mostly suspected drug users and petty dealers dead since July, alarming the United States, Western governments and human rights groups.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Isidro Lapena, left, delivers a speech beside Philippine military chief Gen. Eduardo Ano during signing rites at Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines,Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. The Philippines' main antinarcotics agency and the military already overburdened with counter insurgency and territorial defense work have signed an agreement to harness troops in the president's deadly crackdown against illegal drugs. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

"With this agreement, we can now push through with our new and bigger role in ending the illegal drugs scourge," Arevalo said. "The Armed Forces of the Philippines will only be involved in high-impact operations and arrest of high-value targets."

The military would also back the agency in building up intelligence and investigating government officials and personnel and influential groups linked to illegal drugs, he said.

Duterte barred the 170,000-strong national police from his anti-drug crackdown a few weeks ago after two anti-narcotics officers were implicated in the killing of a South Korean businessman in an extortion scandal that allegedly used the antinarcotics campaign as a cover.

The victim was reportedly strangled to death by one of the officers inside the main national police camp in metropolitan Manila, angering Duterte, who ordered an internal cleansing of a police force he once said was "corrupt to the core."

Since the police force was removed from the crackdown, the number of raids nationwide has declined and police officials have reported that the illegal drug trade has returned in some communities.

On Tuesday, Duterte said he has ordered the national police chief to form special task forces of new police personnel with clean records and "imbued with the fervor of patriotism" to carry out anti-drug operations. It may take a long time to form such task force, he said, because "it's not easy to look for honest men."

"I have to call back the police again to do the job most of the time on drugs," the president said. "I have to do it because I don't have enough people."

The PDEA, which only has more than 1,800 agents, has tapped the national police to help it fight an illegal drug trade Duterte said has worsened into a national security threat.

Drug assaults whether by the military or police would be supervised by the PDEA, he said, adding he has asked the police to form monitoring squads to conduct surveillance on police personnel who would be dismissed from the force amid the ongoing cleansing operation.

"They were criminals when they were policemen, so all the more they would be when they're out of the police force," Duterte said.

"I will really have them marked," he said. "I would like to warn them, I won't spare you, you will really be the first to die if you commit a wrongdoing ... your wives will really become widows."

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Isidro Lapena, left, shakes hands with Philippine military chief Gen. Eduardo Ano after signing rites at Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines,Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. The Philippines' main antinarcotics agency and the military already overburdened with counter insurgency and territorial defense work have signed an agreement to harness troops in the president's deadly crackdown against illegal drugs. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday aimed at signaling his commitment to historically black colleges and universities, saying that those schools will be "an absolute priority for this White House."

HBCU presidents are hoping Congress will bolster Trump's actions to strengthen the schools with dramatically increased funding in the upcoming federal budget. They are calling for $25 billion for infrastructure, college readiness, financial aid and other priorities. Under President Barack Obama's administration, historically black colleges and universities received $4 billion over seven years.

"The next step is the budget. You cannot have mission without money," Thurgood Marshall College Fund President Johnny Taylor told reporters outside the White House after the signing ceremony.

President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with leaders of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Many of the college presidents also went to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to lobby Congress for more funding. Taylor said the $25 billion is needed to make up for years of underfunding and would cover the country's more than 100 HBCUs.

Several presidents and HBCU advocacy organizations echoed Taylor's sentiments.

GOP lawmakers said there were currently no concrete plans for increased funding. Several of them attended meetings Tuesday that Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., arranged with HBCU presidents, GOP officials and business leaders.

Scott said he and Walker planned to personally push for more money for black colleges, and "hopefully we will be more successful than they have been in the last few years."

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said if Trump was interested in helping HBCUs, he would increase spending on education instead of proposing cuts. She called his executive order "more empty symbolism."

The founder and co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, Rep. Alma Adams, D-N.C., called the executive order a first step. "This action on HBCUs is not sufficient to hold up to promises made by this administration," she said.

Trump's order moves the Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities from the Department of Education into the executive office of the White House. It directs the initiative to work with the private sector to strengthen the fiscal stability of HBCUS, make infrastructure improvements, provide job opportunities for students, work with secondary schools to create a college pipeline and increase access and opportunity for federal grants and contracts.

It does not specify how much federal money the colleges should receive.

The moves are among the actions some college presidents said they would like to see from the new administration. Some of them decided to come to Washington over the objections of students and alumni, saying they can ill afford to play politics while Trump moves quickly to set priorities.

Larry Robinson, interim president of Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida, said he felt it was incumbent upon black college leaders to engage federal officials, "regardless of who's sitting in the White House, or what their political affiliations are."

"We're appealing to his good business sense and hoping he finds an investment worth paying for," said Roslyn Artis, president of Florida Memorial University in Miami. She said she favors tax incentives that would attract government contractors and private companies to invest in historically black schools.

Trump met briefly with the college leaders on Monday, as did Vice President Mike Pence and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Present alongside Trump was one of his most visible black aides, Omarosa Manigault, who holds degrees from two HBCUs: Central State University in Ohio and Howard University in Washington.

President Ronald Reagan created the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities by executive order in 1981. In 1989, President George H.W. Bush established a Presidential Advisory Board on HBCUs, and in 2002, President George W. Bush transferred the initiative from the White House to the Department of Education.

Nearly 300,000 students are enrolled at historically black colleges, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. While the number has increased over the past generation, the percentage of HBCU attendees among the overall black college student population has decreased from 18 percent in 1976 to 8 percent in 2014.

The Washington trip was led by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the nonprofit umbrella organization of public HBCUs. Taylor pointed out that two-thirds of such schools are in red, or Republican-controlled states, and that the colleges are heavily reliant on federal and state funding to survive.

Several of the presidents may have a tough time explaining to their students and alumni why they were willing to meet with Trump and GOP lawmakers. Trump only received 8 percent of votes from African-Americans during his election, and far more blacks vote Democrat than Republican.

Any funding coming from the federal government will have to have Republican approval, several presidents said. "We owe it to our alumni, we owe it to our students to be at the table," said Ray Belton, president of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

While some HBCU presidents in attendance are proceeding with cautious optimism, some African-Americans are wary of the administration's intentions - concerns underscored by DeVos' seemingly tone-deaf comments Monday praising HBCUs as "pioneers" in school choice that gave black students more options to pursue higher education.

In fact, many of the HBCUs - including some established in the aftermath of the Civil War - were the only option, as state-sanctioned segregation blocked generations of blacks from enrolling at white colleges.

Grambling State University President Rick Gallot pointed out that more than 90 percent of the students at his Louisiana college are eligible for the federal Pell grant, and added he would like to see the program strengthened and made into a year-round opportunity.

"As HBCUs, we've always done what politicians stress to agencies: To do more with less," Gallot said. "Think of the opportunities that would be there to do more with more."

___

Jesse J. Holland and Jill Colvin 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.

President Donald Trump meets with leaders of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
LONDON (AP) - Former U.K. Independence Party leader Nigel Farage is calling for the ouster of the party's only lawmaker in Parliament, as internal squabbling threatens to split the right-wing anti-EU party.

Farage says in an article for Tuesday's Daily Telegraph newspaper that Douglas Carswell has sought to divide and damage UKIP, and "the time for him to go is now."

The newspaper also published what it described as leaked emails between Carswell and a party official suggesting Carswell made only a half-hearted attempt to get Farage a knighthood. In one, Carswell suggested Farage should get a lesser honor, "for services to headline writers."

UK Independence Party's former leader Nigel Farage sits at the back of a press conference as Owen Paterson launches a paper on the impact of Brexit on the fisheries industry, in central London, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. Former U.K. Independence Party leader Nigel Farage is calling for the ouster of the party's only lawmaker in Parliament, as internal squabbling threatens to split the right-wing anti-EU party. Farage says in an article for Tuesday's Daily Telegraph newspaper that Douglas Carswell has sought to divide and damage UKIP, and "the time for him to go is now." (Victoria Jones/PA via AP)

Some UKIP members are at odds with the flamboyant Farage, who put immigration at the center of the successful campaign for Britain to leave the EU. He stepped down as leader after last year's referendum but retains a high profile and has made several trips to the United States to meet President Donald Trump.

Trump has suggested that Farage should be Britain's ambassador to the U.S.

Carswell appeared to make light of the dispute late Monday, tweeting: "Knight night."

If Farage wanted to raise any concerns with UKIP members of Parliament, Carswell said Tuesday he'd be happy to respond. "It won't take long, it's just me," Carswell said.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Five Samsung executives, including the company's 48-year-old billionaire heir, will stand trial in the coming months on bribery, embezzlement and other charges linked to a massive scandal that toppled South Korea's president.

Before being arrested earlier this month, Lee Jae-yong, the third generation of the Samsung founding family, was seen as bringing a string of changes to South Korea's largest business group, such as increasing shareholder returns. The criminal charges can put the Samsung scion, his former mentor and three other Samsung executives behind bars for several years if they are found guilty.

What you need to know and what we can expect next:

FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2017, file photo, Lee Jae-yong, front, a vice chairman of Samsung Electronics Co. arrives for the hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea. South Korean prosecutors say they will indict Lee on bribery, embezzlement and other charges linked to a political scandal that has toppled President Park Geun-hye. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)

WHY SAMSUNG?

Even though Samsung is one of dozens of South Korean business groups that have donated funds to entities controlled by Choi Soon-sil, a longtime confidante of South Korean President Park Geun-hye, the special prosecution team investigating the scandal focused on Samsung. This was in part because the investigation period was limited to 70 days. It was also due partly to the fact that Samsung's donation was the largest and Samsung was the only family-controlled business group to separately have signed a multimillion-dollar contract with Choi's company in Germany that bankrolled equestrian training for her daughter.

Prosecutors believe that during Samsung heir Lee's three private meetings with Park from 2014 to 2016, the president asked Lee to support Choi's various entities in exchange for giving the government's support for a smooth company leadership transition, an allegation denied by Samsung.

Samsung also takes a special place in South Korea, where citizens sometimes call the nation the "Republic of Samsung" due to its widespread influence in everything from exports and jobs to health care, academics and more. Samsung's nearly 60 affiliated companies account for a third of South Korean stock market capitalization.

___

REFORMS, AGAIN

Shortly after prosecutors announced that five Samsung executives would stand trial, Samsung issued a statement laying out a list of measures in an apparent effort to appease public anger by tackling the problems that have emerged as the scandal unfolded, including disbanding a shadowy office.

Known as the Corporate Strategy Office, the office consists of the Lee family's right-hand aides who exert influence behind closed doors on big business decisions, including promotions and personnel reshuffling, at dozens of Samsung affiliates. The office has been criticized for orchestrating the elaborate, decades-long father-to-son leadership transition since Lee was in his 20s that involved tax evasion and breach of trust toward investors, according to court rulings. Aware of the public criticism of the shadowy office, Lee's father promised to disband it after he was indicted in 2008. But that promise was not carried out.

The younger Lee reiterated the promise in December to lawmakers as the office came under fresh scrutiny for its role in the latest scandal. But the criminal investigation has left few key figures at the office free of allegations. The current head of the Corporate Strategy Office, Choi Gee-sung, offered to resign and leave the company after prosecutors revealed that they would bring criminal charges against him. Chang Choong-ki and Park Sang-jin, presidents at Samsung who also face criminal charges, will resign and leave the company as well.

Lee will likely stay on the Samsung Electronics board and as its vice chairman for the time being. Analysts said he will continue to run the company from behind prison bars, as other imprisoned business leaders have done.

Samsung also said it would disband the team that has been in charge of overseeing external relationships with government and public policymakers. In South Korea, where lobbying is illegal, the team was accused of carrying out deals with Choi's company in Germany. Samsung added that it would seek the board's approval for donations from now on.

___

PRESIDENTIAL PARDON

Lee's father, Lee Kun-hee, received a special pardon from a former South Korean president who hoped that it would help South Korea's bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. The elder Lee, 75, was pardoned in 2009 and South Korea won the bid to host the Olympics.

At that time, it was customary for presidents to pardon business leaders, acknowledging large companies' past and future contributions to the national economy. Upon the pardons, the company chiefs would tell the public that they would do their best for the country. Announcements of big investments and hiring plans would follow.

But the odds may be stacked against the younger Lee, with calls mounting to show no more leniency for crimes and corruption by big businesses.

Moon Jae-in, who leads popularity polls among presidential contenders, has vowed to show no tolerance of crimes committed by large companies. Moon, an opposition party candidate, also has promised to limit presidential pardons for crimes committed by the companies. Other presidential contenders have also said they will rein in large companies and pass laws to improve corporate governance and transparency.

___

Follow Lee on Twitter at twitter.com/YKLeeAP

A spokesman of the special prosecution team, Lee Kyu-chul, speaks to the media during the news briefing in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. South Korean special prosecutors said they would indict Samsung's de facto chief Tuesday on bribery, embezzlement and other charges linked to a political scandal that has toppled President Park Geun-hye. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
PARIS (AP) - French presidential candidates are admiring cows and promising new solutions for farmers who fear their livelihood - and the treasured cuisine and picturesque landscape it represents - is on its last legs.

Would-be presidents are parading through the huge annual Paris agricultural fair this week to promise new solutions for French farms struggling after years of crisis.

Sampling melons and chatting with the fair's star cow from Brittany, far-right candidate Marine Le Pen said Tuesday that she wants to "Frenchify" farm aid instead of relying on centralized European Union subsidies. She called for a "national agriculture policy so that we can determine ourselves where this aid goes."

French far-right leader Marine le Pen watches a cow as she visits the Agriculture Fair Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 in Paris. Recent polls suggest she could win the first round of the April-May election, but predict she would lose the ensuing runoff vote. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Also visiting the farm fair, Agriculture Minister Stephane Le Foll countered that Le Pen's push to leave the 28-nation European Union and the 19-nation shared euro currency would devastate many French farms by leaving them unable to compete internationally.

He noted that French dairy producers export up to 5 billion liters of milk annually to other European countries.

"I simply say to the farmers: think hard. These 5 billion liters of milk that are exported to the European market, where will they go, if we close off, and if we kill Europe? Where will they go?" Le Foll asked.

Marching past speckled rabbits and grazing goats, protesting sheep and dairy farmers interrupted the fair Tuesday to demand delayed EU aid.

"The money isn't arriving at the farms, and we are in a catastrophic situation," said Laurent Pinatel, spokesman for the Farmers' Confederation that organized the protest. "The government owes money to farmers ... this is not acceptable."

No French politician has an easy solution for a money-losing sector that relies hugely on EU subsidies but is important to the fabric of French life.

Centrist independent candidate Emmanuel Macron is laying out his farm solutions Tuesday in Gennes-sur-Glaize in western France, then will visit the Paris farm fair on Wednesday.

Conservative candidate Francois Fillon is also expected to visit the farm fair on Wednesday, while Socialist presidential candidate Benoit Hamon is expected to be there Thursday.

Far-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon is skipping the event, saying it favors corporate interests. He visited an organic farm north of Paris on Monday instead.

France is holding a two-round presidential election this spring. The top two vote-getters in the first ballot on April 23 will meet in a presidential runoff on May 7.

___

Nicolas Garriga contributed.

French far-right leader Marine le Pen touches the cow Fine, symbol of the 2017 Agriculture Fair, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 in Paris. Recent polls suggest she could win the first round of the April-May election, but predict she would lose the ensuing runoff vote. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
NAYPYITAW, Myanmar (AP) - Myanmar's military, under international pressure over alleged abuses against members of the country's Muslim Rohingya minority, said Tuesday that official investigations failed to substantiate most accusations.

The military's chief of general staff, Gen. Mya Tun Oo, said at a news conference in the capital, Naypyitaw, that the growing population of Rohingya in Rakhine state in western Myanmar, along with an increase in the number of religious leaders and mosques, disproved general allegations of genocide and religious persecution.

He said official investigations failed to find convincing evidence that widespread rape or other atrocities directed against civilians had taken place, but allegations that the army burned down thousands of homes were still under investigation.

Myanmar's military spokesman Maj.-Gen. Myat Tun Oo speaks during a press conference at Defense Ministry in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. Myanmar's military, under international pressure over alleged abuse against members of the Muslim Rohingya minority, said official investigations failed to substantiate most allegations. He said the increasing population of Rohingya in Rakhine state in western Myanmar, along with an increase in the number of religious leaders and mosques, disproved general charges of genocide and religious persecution. (AP Photo/ Min Kyi Thein)

The two-and-a-half-hour briefing, including PowerPoint presentations and video clips, was an unusually extensive event for the military, which is seeking to counter a wave of accusations against it. Mya Tun Oo discussed specific cases raised by human rights investigators, saying the government was unable to find firsthand or verifiable accounts that could confirm them. Critics have said the government cannot expect to conduct a credible investigation by itself and should allow an independent international investigation.

The government has barred independent media access to the Rohingya area of Rakhine since an army crackdown began in October after insurgents killed nine police guards along the border with Bangladesh. Human rights groups have said that satellite photos support their allegations of the mass burning of houses, which the government had earlier dismissed as the work of insurgents.

The U.N.'s human rights agency in early February issued a detailed report based on interviews with Rohingya who fled to Bangladesh alleging widespread rapes of women by Myanmar government security forces, as well as other atrocities.

On Monday, after a visit with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, the U.N's special envoy for human rights in Myanmar called for Myanmar's government "to immediately cease the discrimination that the (Rohingya) community continues to face, to act now to prevent any further serious rights violations and to conduct prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations into those already alleged to have occurred."

"The magnitude of violence that these families have witnessed and experienced is far more extensive than I had originally speculated," Yanghee Lee said.

Western governments have also expressed concern about treatment of the Rohingya.

The estimated 1 million Rohingya in Buddhist-majority Myanmar face official and social discrimination. Most are regarded as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Many fled their homes during communal violence in 2012 and over 100,000 live in refugee camps.

___

This story has been corrected to fix the rank of the military official to general.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Latest on Mardi Gras celebrations that end with Fat Tuesday, the culmination of the Carnival season (all times local):

8 a.m.

The 30 or so people taking the 7 a.m. Tuesday ferry to Canal Street includes a couple of groups in tutus and a half-dozen pirates.

A flat follows a marching band during the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Craig Channell (shuh-NEL') says, "this is the one time of year people can act like fools and get away with it."

Channell, his wife, Darlene Channell, and friend Dian Walsh are visiting from Tampa, Florida. Host Bill Tucker is pulling a wagon holding a big cooler and four roll-up chairs.

Tucker says the cooler holds water and soft drinks. All agree that it's too early for drinking anything stronger.

With three of the four wearing tutus, Tucker is accessorized with a wide studded leather belt. Craig Channell's costume consists of a jester's hat. He jokes that his tutu is in the wash.

They went to the glitzy Endymion parade Saturday. Channell says Tampa's Gasparilla parade cannot compare.

___

7:45 a.m.

The port city of Mobile, Alabama, is transforming itself into one big parade route for the climax of Mardi Gras season, Fat Tuesday.

Government offices and many businesses will be closed as parades roll almost continuously through the city starting Tuesday morning.

The weather is supposed to be good, and tens of thousands of people are expected to line parade routes trying to catch colorful beads, Moon Pies and Mardi Gras trinkets.

Alabama parades also are planned in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on the Baldwin County side of Mobile Bay.

New Orleans gets most of the crowds and attention around Mardi Gras, but Mobile bills itself as having the nation's oldest Mardi Gras celebration.

The Christian season of Lent leading up to Easter begins Wednesday.

___

2:35 a.m.

Thousands of people are expected to throng the streets for Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans.

Fat Tuesday is the culmination of the city and region's Carnival season.

Some of the biggest parades will take place along the St. Charles Avenue parade route.

Families, tourists and locals generally set up their chairs and ladders early to get a good seat for catching the trinkets thrown by riders on the floats.

In another part of the city, people dressed in elaborate costumes will take part in the St. Anne's parade, an eclectic walking parade.

At the stroke of midnight, police on horseback will do a ceremonial clearing of revelers on Bourbon Street to mark the formal end of the Mardi Gras season before Lent begins Wednesday.

Float riders toss beads during the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A float rider tosses beads during the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) - Somalia's new president declared a national disaster Tuesday for a drought that threatens millions of people and is creating fears of a full-blown famine.

The statement from the office of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed said he has appealed for help from the international community and Somalia's diaspora of 2 million.

Combating the drought is a priority for Mohamed, who was elected this month to lead this fragile Horn of Africa nation also coping with attacks by the Islamic extremist group al-Shabab.

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, malnourished baby Ali Hassan, 9-months-old, is held by his mother Fadumo Abdi Ibrahim, who fled the drought in southern Somalia, at a feeding center in a camp in Mogadishu, Somalia. Thousands of desperate people are streaming into Somalia's capital seeking food as a result a prolonged drought, overwhelming local and international aid agencies, while the Somali government warns of a looming famine, compounded by the country's ongoing conflict against Islamic extremists. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh)

The United Nations humanitarian office estimates that 5 million people in Somalia, or nearly half the country's population, need aid.

About 363,000 acutely malnourished children "need urgent treatment and nutrition support, including 71,000 who are severely malnourished," says the U.S. Agency for International Development's Famine Early Warning Systems Network.

Thousands have been streaming into Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, in search of food aid, overwhelming local and international aid agencies. Over 7,000 internally displaced people checked into one feeding center recently.

Because of a lack of clean water in many areas, there is the additional threat of cholera and other diseases, U.N. experts say.

The government earlier this month said the widespread hunger "makes people vulnerable to exploitation, human rights abuses and to criminal and terrorist networks."

The U.N. humanitarian appeal for 2017 for Somalia is $864 million to provide assistance to 3.9 million people. But last month, the U.N. World Food Program requested an additional $26 million plan to respond to the drought.

Somalia was one of four regions singled out by the U.N. secretary-general this month in a $4.4 billion aid appeal to avert catastrophic hunger and famine, along with northeast Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen. All are connected by a thread of violent conflict, the U.N. chief said.

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, displaced Somali girls who fled the drought in southern Somalia stand in a queue to receive food handouts at a feeding center in a camp in Mogadishu, Somalia. Thousands of desperate people are streaming into Somalia's capital seeking food as a result a prolonged drought, overwhelming local and international aid agencies, while the Somali government warns of a looming famine, compounded by the country's ongoing conflict against Islamic extremists. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh)
Attorney General Jeff Sessions painted a grim vision of violence in America on Tuesday, telling state law enforcement officials that a recent uptick in murders threatens to undo decades of progress. He pledged to 'put bad men behind bars.'

In his first major policy speech as attorney general, Sessions promised that combating violent crime would be a top priority of the Justice Department.

He warned of a surging heroin epidemic with drugs pouring in from Mexico, of police officers made to feel overly cautious for fear of being captured on 'viral videos' and of rising homicide rates in big cities.

Warning on crime: Attorney general Jeff Sessions said: 'We've seen clear warning signs  like the first gusts of wind before a summer storm  that this progress is now at risk.'

'We've done a lot of good. We need to not give up on that progress,' he said, in reference to the current levels of crime.

'I do not believe that this pop in crime - this increase in crime - is necessarily an aberration, a one-time blip. I'm afraid it represents the beginning of a trend.

'But in the last two years, we've seen clear warning signs  like the first gusts of wind before a summer storm  that this progress is now at risk.

'We are diminished as a nation when any of our citizens fear for their life when they leave their home; or when terrified parents put their children to sleep in bathtubs to keep them safe from stray bullets; or when entire neighborhoods are at the mercy of drug dealers, gangs and other violent criminals,' Sessions said, according to prepared remarks to the National Association of Attorneys General.

He added: 'Now we are at a time, it seems to me, that crime is going back up again.'

Sessions promised that his Justice Department would prioritize cases against violent offenders, aggressively enforce immigration laws and work to dismantle drug cartels.

Meeting: Jeff Sessions addressed the National Association of Attorneys General before they met with president Trump in the East Room of the White House

He announced the creation of a multi-agency task force, to be headed by the deputy attorney general, to propose crime-fighting legislation and study crime trends.

He said the task force would include the heads of Justice Department agencies such as the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Although it is true, according to FBI statistics, that homicide and other violent crimes have recently been on the rise, the numbers are nowhere close to where they were in the 1980s and early 1990s, and it's hardly clear that the recent spike reflects a trend rather than an anomaly.

Sessions' early focus on drug and violent crime is a radical departure for a Justice Department that has viewed as more urgent the prevention of cyberattacks from foreign criminals, international bribery and the threat of homegrown violent extremism.

STOP LEGAL BID TO HANDCUFF OUR COPS Sessions said that the federal government should stop spending money to sue local police departments, signaling a sharp departure from the previous administration's policy toward law enforcement exhibiting patterns of racism or excessive force. He said the Justice Department should instead use its resources to help police figure out the best way to fight crime. The Justice Department is still weighing whether it should impose reforms on the Chicago Police Department, which was the subject of a critical report by the Obama administration. The Obama administration began several investigations into police departments that it said were unfairly targeting minorities and using excessive force. Videos of such incidents shared online have sparked protests in cities from Baltimore to Ferguson, Missouri. The address to the attorneys general, who are responsible for prosecuting state-level crimes, signaled that the Trump administration would commit itself to supporting police rather than questioning their practices. 'To confront the challenge of rising crime, we must rely heavily on local law enforcement to lead the way,' Sessions said in prepared remarks. 'And they must know they have our steadfast support.' Advertisement

Yet Sessions made no apologies for his focus on violent crime, saying he was concerned the increase could be part of a 'dangerous new trend.'

'We need to enforce our laws and put men behind bars,' said the former Alabama senator and federal prosecutor.

'And we need to support the brave men and women of law enforcement as they work day and night to protect us.'

He also indicated that, unlike his Democratic-appointed predecessors, he believes some police officers have pulled back on enforcement because of anxiety their actions could be recorded on video and scrutinized by the public.

'They're more reluctant to get out of their squad cars and do the hard but necessary work of up-close policing that builds trust and prevents violent crime,' Sessions said.

FBI Director James Comey has floated the idea that the change in police behavior could help explain increases in crime, although former attorneys general Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch both refused to embrace that idea.

Past attorneys general have used their appearances before their state counterparts to make policy pronouncements.

In 2014, for instance, Holder said state attorneys general were not obligated to defend laws in their states banning same-sex marriage if the laws discriminate in a way forbidden by the Constitution.
ONANCOCK, Va. (AP) - Authorities on Virginia's Eastern Shore helped rescue a man who got his lower leg caught in a bear trap along the side of a road.

Onancock Volunteer Fire Department Chief Adam James tells news outlets that the man got his leg caught Saturday evening when he jumped over a fence and into a ditch in order to avoid traffic in Accomack County.

Rescue workers were able to free the unidentified man from the trap and take him to a hospital for treatment. The severity of the injury was not immediately clear.

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has been called to investigate the incident.

The department has maps indicating black bears have been seen occasionally on the peninsula.
BALI, Indonesia (AP) - An Australian woman on trial with her British boyfriend in the death of a police officer on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali expressed deep regret Tuesday and apologized, but said she did not personally kill the victim.

Prosecutors are seeking eight-year prison terms for Sara Connor and David James Taylor, who were arrested last August in the death of traffic police officer Wayan Sudarsa, whose bloodied body was found on the beach outside the Pullman Hotel in the popular tourist area of Kuta.

They are charged with committing violence leading to death, which carries a maximum 12-year prison term under Indonesia's criminal code.

Australian national Sara Connor, center, sits in a court room during her trial in Bali, Indonesia, Tuesday, Feb. 28 2017. Indonesian prosecutors want jail sentences of 8 years for Connor and British man David Taylor for the murder of an Indonesian police officer in August 2016. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

"If this is what God had planned for my life, to punish me so harshly and deprive my children of their mother, I hope he will give my children the strength to cope," Connor, weeping, told Denpasar District Court in her defense plea.

Connor, 46, said she believed her boyfriend when he told her the assault was not serious.

Taylor has admitted hitting the Indonesian repeatedly with a cellphone, binoculars and a broken beer bottle, leaving him face down and unconscious. But he said he didn't realize Sudarsa would die.

Connor and Taylor had been drinking beer on the beach in the hours before the late-night incident. Taylor has said he got into a fight with Sudarsa, who was on duty, after Connor realized she had lost her handbag and accused Sudarsa of being a fake police officer and stealing it.

Connor said she never tried to escape, even though she said she could have fled using her Italian passport which has a different surname.

"I deeply regret and I apologize for any mistakes made unknowingly and unintentionally by me but none of my actions caused the death of the victim," she said. "I feel terribly sorry for all the pain that this situation has created."

She expressed deep condolences and sadness to the victim's family, to the Balinese people, to Indonesia, and to her family, especially her children.

The trial is to resume Thursday for the prosecutors' response.

Australian national Sara Connor, right, arrives at the Denpasar district court for her trial in Bali, Indonesia, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. Indonesian prosecutors want jail sentences of 8 years for Connor and British man David Taylor for the murder of an Indonesian police officer in August 2016. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

Australian national Sara Connor, center, arrives at the Denpasar district court for her trial in Bali, Indonesia, Tuesday, Feb. 28 2017. Indonesian prosecutors want jail sentences of 8 years for Connor and British man David Taylor for the murder of an Indonesian police officer in August 2016. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

Australian national Sara Connor, center, reads her statement in a courtroom during her trial in Bali, Indonesia, Tuesday, Feb. 28 2017. Indonesian prosecutors want jail sentences of 8 years for Connor and British man David Taylor for the murder of an Indonesian police officer in August 2016. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Latest on Mardi Gras celebrations that end with Fat Tuesday, the culmination of the Carnival season (all times local):

5:21 p.m.

A man watching a Mardi Gras parade in Biloxi, Mississippi, died after falling from the back of a pickup truck onto a piece of exposed rebar.

A reveler dressed as Joseph Hazelwood, captain of the Exxon Valdez, rides in the street during the Society of Saint Anne Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Biloxi officials told Gulf Coast media that Tuesday's accident happened at an Interstate 110 underpass.

Fire Chief Joe Boney said the man was standing or sitting on the back of a pickup truck, fell off, and the rebar pierced his body.

The Gulf Coast Carnival Association parade was halted so that an ambulance could get to the man.

The man's name was not available. Boney estimated he was in his early 20s.

___

3:40 p.m.

Authorities in Gulf Shores, Alabama, are trying to determine why an SUV driven by a 73-year-old man accelerated and hit members of a high school band at the start of a Mardi Gras parade.

Tuesday morning's accident injured 12 students. At a news conference, city spokesman Grand Brown said three were in critical but stable condition as of Tuesday afternoon. Police Chief Ed Delmore said investigators have obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. They hope to get electronic data from the 2008 Ford Expedition. Investigators also were looking at video of the accident.

Officials said the driver is cooperating with authorities and there is no indication drugs or alcohol were involved.

Brown said the band was at the head of the parade and the SUV was staged behind the band.

___

This story has been corrected to show the age of the man involved in the crash is 73, not 72.

___

2:35 p.m.

A national organization for military officers says one of its chapters was involved in a crash that injured a dozen young people during a Mardi Gras parade on the Alabama coast.

Jonathan Withington of the Virginia-based Military Officers Association of America says a vehicle representing its Baldwin County branch was part of what authorities are calling a horrible accident during the Gulf Shores parade on Fat Tuesday. Officials say four of the injured are in critical condition.

Photos from the scene show a large sport-utility vehicle decorated with a banner from the military association. Withington says he doesn't know who was driving or exactly what the vehicle was doing in the area.

Authorities have said a 73-year-old man from Fairhope was driving as part of the parade when the vehicle lurched forward and struck members of the Gulf Shores High School marching band from the rear.

Police say the driver is cooperating with authorities, and there are no signs that alcohol or drugs are involved.

___

1:45 p.m.

Revelry turned to horror on the Alabama coast when a vehicle driven by an elderly man slammed into a high school band marching in a Mardi Gras parade on Fat Tuesday.

A flute and shoes were left lying on a highway following the crash Tuesday in the beach town of Gulf Shores, where authorities say four victims are critically injured and eight others have less-severe injuries.

Video and photos from the scene show emergency workers helping injured members of the Gulf Shores High School band as onlookers wearing Mardi Gras colors looked on. A man who works at a nearby automotive shop, James Reeves, describes the aftermath as "chaos." He says rescue teams did a great job dealing with the horrible scene.

Authorities say a 73-year-old man who was driving a vehicle in the parade plowed into the band from behind. The annual parade was canceled immediately as firefighters and other emergency workers turned from parade participants into caregivers.

Officials say there's no indication of drugs or alcohol being involved, and they're calling the crash a horrible accident.

___

12:10 p.m.

Authorities say an elderly driver slammed into a marching band during a Mardi Gras parade on the Alabama coast, critically injuring four young people and leaving eight with less-severe injuries.

Officials with the city of Gulf Shores told a news conference they don't believe the crash Tuesday morning was anything other than an accident.

City spokesman Grant Brown says the band from Gulf Shores High School had just entered the parade route for Fat Tuesday when a vehicle behind the group lurched forward into the group.

Brown says the vehicle struck multiple people, injuring 12 in all. He says the victims ranged in age from 12 to 17.

Authorities identified the driver only as a 73-year-old man from nearby Fairhope. Police say they're looking into reports that the man was driving a large sport-utility vehicle with a banner on the side.

Details on the most severe injuries weren't immediately available. The parade was canceled after the crash.

Video and photos from the scene show emergency workers helping the injured on the main highway running toward the beach.

___

11:53 a.m.

Boston-native Jennifer Phan was thrilled to be at her first Mardi Gras, carrying a stalk of sunflowers nearly as tall as she was to ensure she and her tall boyfriend could find each other.

"I get lost in the crowds," she explained.

A passing stranger stopped to show her another use, lifting it in her hands high.

He told her, "Hold it higher and use it to catch the beads."

___

11:23 a.m.

Police in the Alabama beach town of Gulf Shores say a car participating in the city's Fat Tuesday parade accidentally plowed into a band, leaving three young people in critical condition and eight others with less-severe injuries.

City spokesman Grant Brown tells The Associated Press that the band had just entered the parade route Tuesday morning when a car behind the group lurched forward into the group.

Brown says the vehicle struck multiple people, injuring 12 in all. Details on the most severe injuries weren't immediately available.

Brown says there is no indication the crash was anything other than what he calls a "horrific accident." Brown says he's not sure whether the band was from a school in Gulf Shores or elsewhere.

Video and photos from the scene show emergency workers helping the injured on the main highway running toward the beach.

___

11:20 a.m.

Candace Crawford, a New Yorker who has lived in New Orleans for three years, wore bright leggings and a black shawl from which a grinning skull nestled against her left cheek.

Skeleton hands emerged as if one arm was around her neck and the outer at her waist.

"This is my little skull and bones guardian, and this is his little friend, "she said, while pointing to a skull near her waist. "Everyone's so colorful at Mardi Gras. I said, 'Oh. I'm going to darken it up."

___

11 a.m.

Although clarinetist Pete Fountain died last year, Pete Fountain's Half-Fast Walking Club strutted from Commander's Palace restaurant to the French Quarter on Tuesday, tossing beads and doubloons to recordings of his music.

A banner bore a photo of Fountain showing his eyes closed and hands folded in prayer.

That was the only solemn note. Club members were decked out from hat to shoes in nearly fluorescent spring green.

___

10:30 a.m.

The sidewalk along St. Charles Avenue near Canal Street barely had room for pedestrians. Either there were two rows of chairs or a row of chairs and ladder seats for small children with ice chests and portable benches along a building wall.

Elaine Thomson of Silver Spring, Maryland, in a group of eight, says she'd been there since 7 a.m. Tuesday. The 48-year-old Thomson's group included two "Mardi Gras virgins" whom she'd met during Day's Bacchus parade.

Melinda Zetrouer (ZET'-roh-uhr), whose chair was in front of Thomson's, had arrived at 5:45 a.m. and got the last four front-row spots.

The 56-year-old Zetrouer said she couldn't count the years since her parents began taking her to parades rather than dropping her off at her grandfather's house.

Thomson says, "This is my 23rd Mardi Gras. Every year they do it bigger and better."

She says she'd go back to her hotel after the Rex parade if she could get across the street. She wasn't sure whether she'd be able to do so before the truck parades began.

___

10 a.m.

Costumes, costumes and more costumes.

And the costumes and creativity were on display Tuesday as hundreds of people gathered in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans for the St. Anne's parade.

Gabrielle Begue describes her costume as "shrubs, greens, topiary" although she conceded that the leaves festooned around her body were a bit unruly to be called topiary.

Begue and her husband, Erik Winkowski, were dressed as what could best be described as large bushes put together with fake ivy and the liberal use of a glue gun.

Begue said with all of the year's heated political commentary they wanted outfits that were "full whimsical."

The St. Anne's parade is a walking parade that goes from the Bywater and Marigny neighborhoods into the French Quarter and features people wearing an eclectic mix of homemade costumes.

___

9:501 a.m.

Jim Segreto of New Orleans was a photo magnet with his Trump's wall costume: blue sateen pants, an Uncle Sam hat and a cardboard box marked with black lines for cinderblocks.

A computer printed label read, "Trump's $26 billion wall. Mexico offers 'nada.' We're stuck with the bill."

He says, "Unlike Trump's plan, it only cost me about 26 cents."

Segreto says he doesn't always wear a costume for Mardi Gras.

He says, "This is a political year. This year I had to have something that made a statement."

___

8:25 a.m.

A half dozen pirates on the ferry from New Orleans' west bank sliver were heading across the Mississippi River to join a much bigger crowd on the city's east bank.

They were all active duty or retired military and families, heading to an annual Navy League breakfast called the Krewe of Eggs.

Charlene Wenrich, wearing an orange-red wig under her tricorn hat, said the group chooses a costume theme each year. "Last year was Harley. This year it's pirates."

Gerry (GAR'-ee) Leonard says pirates made for a much easier costume than motorcycle gang members: "You just throw on an earring and you're good to go."

___

8 a.m.

The 30 or so people taking the 7 a.m. Tuesday ferry to Canal Street includes a couple of groups in tutus and a half-dozen pirates.

Craig Channell (shuh-NEL') says, "this is the one time of year people can act like fools and get away with it."

Channell, his wife, Darlene Channell, and friend Dian Walsh are visiting from Tampa, Florida. Host Bill Tucker is pulling a wagon holding a big cooler and four roll-up chairs.

Tucker says the cooler holds water and soft drinks. All agree that it's too early for drinking anything stronger.

With three of the four wearing tutus, Tucker is accessorized with a wide studded leather belt. Craig Channell's costume consists of a jester's hat. He jokes that his tutu is in the wash.

They went to the glitzy Endymion parade Saturday. Channell says Tampa's Gasparilla parade cannot compare.

___

7:45 a.m.

The port city of Mobile, Alabama, is transforming itself into one big parade route for the climax of Mardi Gras season, Fat Tuesday.

Government offices and many businesses will be closed as parades roll almost continuously through the city starting Tuesday morning.

The weather is supposed to be good, and tens of thousands of people are expected to line parade routes trying to catch colorful beads, Moon Pies and Mardi Gras trinkets.

Alabama parades also are planned in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on the Baldwin County side of Mobile Bay.

New Orleans gets most of the crowds and attention around Mardi Gras, but Mobile bills itself as having the nation's oldest Mardi Gras celebration.

The Christian season of Lent leading up to Easter begins Wednesday.

___

2:35 a.m.

Thousands of people are expected to throng the streets for Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans.

Fat Tuesday is the culmination of the city and region's Carnival season.

Some of the biggest parades will take place along the St. Charles Avenue parade route.

Families, tourists and locals generally set up their chairs and ladders early to get a good seat for catching the trinkets thrown by riders on the floats.

In another part of the city, people dressed in elaborate costumes will take part in the St. Anne's parade, an eclectic walking parade.

At the stroke of midnight, police on horseback will do a ceremonial clearing of revelers on Bourbon Street to mark the formal end of the Mardi Gras season before Lent begins Wednesday.

Revelers dance to bounce music during the Society of Saint Anne Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Revelers toss beads from the balcony of the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Bourbon Street Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Revelers congregate at the start of the Society of Saint Anne Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Revelers congregate on Bourbon Street as seen from the Royal Sonesta Hotel during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Revelers call for throws during the Gulf Coast Carnival Association Mardi Gras parade in Biloxi, Miss., on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. Four parades rolled in South Mississippi on Fat Tuesday, the last day of the Carnival season. John Fitzhugh/The Sun Herald via AP)

A woman encourages revelers below as she throws beads from a balcony, while the Society of Saint Anne Mardi Gras parade passes below in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A child walks through a crowd of revelers at the start of the Society of Saint Anne Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Revelers fake wrestle on a small float during the Society of Saint Anne Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Revelers blow trumpets at the start of the Society of Saint Anne Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

People dressed as members of the press corps being attacked by a flock of Donald Trump's tweets march in the Society of Saint Anne Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Revelers play music at the start of the Society of Saint Anne Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A member of the New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies walks down St. Charles Avenue ahead of the Zulu Parade during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Revelers march through the streets during the Society of Saint Anne Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Brazilian police say gunmen shot and wounded an Argentine tourist in Rio de Janeiro for Carnival when the car she was riding in strayed into a slum.

The shooting occurred Monday afternoon in the Morro dos Prazeres slum located next to the bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood.

Police said Natalia Lorena Cappetti was in stable condition in a hospital, where she was taken with wounds to her legs and stomach.

Capetti's husband and a Spanish couple were also in the car but were unhurt.

Police said the gunmen fled without stealing anything.
PARIS (AP) - Three teenage girls and an 18-year-old woman were detained in different parts of France Tuesday as suspects in attack plots, the Paris prosecutor's office said.

The four teenagers are suspected of taking part in an online chat channel, called "The Lionesses," through the Telegram instant messaging application, the office said.

Prosecutors allege they spoke of the possibility of preparing "violent actions."

Three of the detained teens are minors ages 14, 15 and 17. The fourth turned 18 in January, the office said.

Several French news outlets, citing unnamed judicial sources, reported the four teenagers were following the Telegram channel of Rachid Kassim, a French Islamic State fighter who was targeted in a U.S. drone strike in early February and who is believed to have overseen multiple plots in his homeland.

A growing number of young women and teen girls have been detained in France on suspicions of plotting attacks within the country or trying to go to Iraq and Syria to join the Islamic State group.
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - Two explosions occurred at a military facility in central Serbia Tuesday, killing at least one person and injuring 25 others, Serbia's Defense Ministry said. Three people are missing.

The statement said the blasts took place at an ammunition depot in Kragujevac, some 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of Belgrade, which stores mines and other ammunition.

Local media said a roof caved in, possibly trapping some people inside. Firefighting teams were at the scene.

Defense Minister Zoran Djordjevic said at the scene that there are fears of more explosions.

"Drones and robots will have to be brought in to find the missing," he said.

Local hospital officials said most of the victims suffered severe burns.

The facility has been tasked with destroying the surplus of weapons left over from the wars in the Balkans in the 1990s during the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia.
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A resolution aimed at promoting inclusivity in a small Alaska fishing community has been rejected after it proved too divisive.

The Homer City Council on Monday night voted 5-1 against the measure, which was aimed at affirming Homer's commitment to inclusion amid national concerns about the treatment of immigrants, religious groups, the LGBTQ community and others.

In an interview Tuesday, council member Donna Aderhold said the resolution's wording was unclear and that people took their own message from it. She said it isn't good legislation if it's ambiguous.

In this May 23, 2015, photo the welcome sign is displayed on the outskirts of Homer, Alaska. The fishing town is the latest U.S. city to consider affirming its commitment to inclusion amid national concerns about the treatment of immigrants, religious minorities and others. Homer city leaders are expected to weigh a resolution Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, that says Homer will resist any efforts to profile "vulnerable populations." (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

She joined with four others in voting it down, even though she personally agreed with what she saw as the measure's aim to uphold human rights and "reaffirm that for individuals in this town who feel vulnerable at this time or at any time."

"What I read was very different from what other people read," Aderhold said. "You don't want things out there that are that open to interpretation."

The resolution stated that Homer would resist any efforts to profile "vulnerable populations" and reject any expressions of fear and hate.

It said that before "and especially since the election," some people on extreme ends of the political spectrum have been emboldened to express an intolerance of diversity, but most others disagree with their actions.

The resolution had been softened from an earlier draft, which was posted online, that said President Donald Trump took power without a popular mandate, and he had stated a "disregard" for the First Amendment.

Even with the revisions, some residents considered the measure unnecessary for a community they already consider welcoming. Some had a hard time separating it from the earlier draft they considered distasteful.

Mayor Bryan Zak called the earlier draft damaging and worried about potential economic fallout.

"Now, we want to move forward," he said Tuesday. "A lot of people put a lot of effort into communicating Homer as a beautiful, wonderful, sharing place, where people help each other, where we have beautiful views, and we have just an incredible quality of life. That's the message we want to continue to share."

Homer, a community of about 5,200, bills itself as the "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World" and has a history of political activism. It's literally where the road - the Sterling Highway - ends on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula.

If the measure had passed, Homer would have joined other cities like Boise, Idaho, that in recent weeks have branded themselves as welcoming. It wouldn't have gone as far as places like Seattle, San Francisco and New York, which offer sanctuary protections for people in the country illegally.

In this May 24, 2015, photo, seasonal tourism businesses set up on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. Homer is wading deeper into the national political debate, becoming the latest U.S. city to consider affirming its commitment to inclusion amid concerns about the treatment of immigrants, religious groups, the LGBTQ community and others. The City Council on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, is expected to weigh a resolution that states Homer will resist any efforts to profile "vulnerable populations" and will reject any expressions of fear and hate. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

In this May 25, 2015, photo people use paddle boards in Kachemak Bay in Homer, Alaska. Homer is wading deeper into the national political debate, becoming the latest U.S. city to consider affirming its commitment to inclusion amid concerns about the treatment of immigrants, religious groups, the LGBTQ community and others. The City Council on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, is expected to weigh a resolution that states Homer will resist any efforts to profile "vulnerable populations" and will reject any expressions of fear and hate. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

In this May 23, 2016, photo small boats rest at a harbor in Homer, Alaska. The fishing town is the latest U.S. city to consider affirming its commitment to inclusion amid national concerns about the treatment of immigrants, religious minorities and others. Homer city leaders are expected to weigh a resolution Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, that says Homer will resist any efforts to profile "vulnerable populations." (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
LOS ANGELES (AP) - "Gary from Chicago," the everyman catapulted to fame when he walked into the Oscars and onto the world's biggest stage, had just been released from prison days earlier.

Gary Alan Coe was among a group of tourists who were led into the show during a one of host Jimmy Kimmel's gags. Coe and his fiancee posed for selfies with Hollywood stars, had Denzel Washington perform a faux wedding for them and held Mahershala Ali's Oscar trophy.

Coe's public defender said in a Facebook post that he had served 20 years for petty theft when he was released, and had a 1975 conviction for attempted rape when he was a teenager.

Mahershala Ali, right, hands his award for best actor in a supporting role for "Moonlight" to a tourist named Gary during the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

The 59-year-old Coe said in an interview with ABC7 in Chicago that he is a changed man.

"I'm the luckiest man in the world," he told the TV station. "It's a sad day to be in prison for 20 years and not be able to be a dad, granddad to your children."

Coe's public defender Karen Nash said he was released Friday. She posted a photo on Monday of the pair, saying she had worked on his case for years.

"If you watched the Oscars, you know the rest," she said.

Coe's daughter said she did not see the show Sunday, but her phone buzzed with messages the day after.

Jacqui Williams, 36, a Chicago native who lives in Lafayette, Indiana, told The Tribune her father was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and moved to Chicago at age 12 in 1969. He moved to the West Coast in 1992. She declined to comment about his time in prison.

"He's a really sweet, genuine, loving-type of dad. He's the best. I'm proud of him," Williams said.
NEW YORK (AP) - Usually people don't notice the "cloud" - unless, that is, it turns into a massive storm. Which was the case Tuesday when Amazon's huge cloud-computing service suffered a major outage.

Amazon Web Services, by far the world's largest provider of internet-based computing services, suffered an unspecified breakdown in its eastern U.S. region starting about midday Tuesday. The result: unprecedented and widespread performance problems for thousands of websites and apps.

While few services went down completely, thousands, if not tens of thousands, of companies had trouble with features ranging from file sharing to webfeeds to loading any type of data from Amazon's "simple storage service," known as S3. Amazon services began returning around 4 p.m. EST, and an hour later the company noted on its service site that S3 was fully recovered and "operating normally."

FILE - This Sept. 6, 2012, file photo, shows the Amazon logo in Santa Monica, Calif. Amazon's cloud-computing service Amazon Web Services experienced problems in its eastern U.S. region, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, causing widespread problems for thousands of websites and apps. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)

THE CONCENTRATED CLOUD

The breakdown shows the risks of depending heavily on a few big companies for cloud computing. Amazon's service is significantly larger by revenue than any of its nearest rivals - Microsoft's Azure, Google's Cloud Platform and IBM, according to Forrester Research.

With so few large providers, any outage can have a disproportionate effect. But some analysts argue that the Amazon outage doesn't prove there's a problem with cloud computing - it just highlights how reliable the cloud normally is.

The outage, said Forrester analyst Dave Bartoletti, shouldn't cause companies to assume "the cloud is dangerous."

Amazon's problems began when one S3 region based in Virginia began to experience what the company called "increased error rates." In a statement, Amazon said as of 4 p.m. EST it was still experiencing errors that were "impacting various AWS services."

"We are working hard at repairing S3, believe we understand root cause, and are working on implementing what we believe will remediate the issue," the company said.

WHY S3 MATTERS

Amazon S3 stores files and data for companies on remote servers. Amazon started offering it in 2006, and it's used for everything from building websites and apps to storing images, customer data and commercial transactions.

"Anything you can think about storing in the most cost-effective way possible," is how Rich Mogull, CEO of data security firm Securosis, puts it.

Since Amazon hasn't said exactly what is happening yet, it's hard to know just how serious the outage is. "We do know it's bad," Mogull said. "We just don't know how bad."

At S3 customers, the problem affected both "front-end" operations - meaning the websites and apps that users see - and back-end data processing that takes place out of sight. Some smaller online services, such as Trello, Scribd and IFTTT, appeared to be down for a while, although all have since recovered.

The corporate message service Slack, by contrast, stayed up, although it reported "degraded service " for some features. Users reported that file sharing in particular appeared to freeze up.

The Associated Press' own photos, webfeeds and other online services were also affected.

TECHNICAL KNOCKOUTAGE

Major cloud-computing outages don't occur very often - perhaps every year or two - but they do happen. In 2015, Amazon's DynamoDB service, a cloud-based database, had problems that affected companies like Netflix and Medium. But usually providers have workarounds that can get things working again quickly.

"What's really surprising to me is that there's no fallback - usually there is some sort of backup plan to move data over, and it will be made available within a few minutes," said Patrick Moorhead, an analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy.

AFTEREFFECTS

Forrester's Bartoletti said the problems on Tuesday could lead to some Amazon customers storing their data on Amazon's servers in more than one location, or even shifting to other providers.

"A lot more large companies could look at their application architecture and ask 'how could we have insulated ourselves a little bit more,'" he said. But he added, "I don't think it fundamentally changes how incredibly reliable the S3 service has been."
HOUSTON (AP) - Two Houston police officers were shot and taken to hospitals, one of them in critical condition, as they were investigating a home burglary Tuesday, authorities said.

One suspect was killed in a shootout with the officers and one other man was being sought, police said.

"If he's hiding somewhere, we're not leaving," Police Chief Art Acevedo said as hundreds of officers combed the southwest Houston neighborhood. "We ain't going away."

Acevdeo lifted a lockdown on the southwest Houston neighborhood of about 1,800 homes, including three schools, more than four hours later and urged residents to notify police of anything suspicious.

"We'd rather you report it and be on the safe side," he said. "We don't want to leave any stone unturned."

The chief said three homes in the neighborhood were burglarized Tuesday and while police didn't know if all three were connected, the suspect killed in the shootout was involved in at least one of them.

"My primary concern now is for the condition of the two officers," Mayor Sylvester Turner said outside one of the hospitals where the officers were being treated.

One officer, Jose Munoz, was shot in the foot and his condition was not considered life-threatening. The other officer, Ronny Cortez, had a bullet lodged near his spine, the mayor said.

Cortez is a 24-year veteran of the department and was at Memorial Hermann Hospital. Munoz has been an officer for 10 years and was at Ben Taub Hospital.

Houston Emergency Services Director Dr. David Persse said Cortez's condition "is improved since he first got here."

"He is awake and talking and is with his family," Persse said.

Acevedo said Cortez was "in pain but he's alert. ... Both these officers have hearts of lions."

Acevedo said the officers were among several called late Tuesday morning to investigate a burglary in the neighborhood. A woman at one of the homes alerted them that a door at a storage shed behind her home was ajar and appeared to be suspicious.

"Two of our officers actually jumped the fence and went into that backyard to clear that storage shed when a male Hispanic suspect opened the door, came out and opened fire on our officers," he said. "Officers were able to return gunfire."

One gunman was killed there. He described the second suspect as a Hispanic man dressed in black and with a blue bandanna.

"We will assume the second suspect at large is armed and dangerous," Acevedo said. He apologized for the inconvenience to the neighborhood, "but someone that's willing to shoot and try to kill two fully uniformed officers in broad daylight after committing a burglary, which is a property crime, is someone that will not hesitate to kill a member of that community."

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Associated Press reporter Juan A. Lozano contributed to this story
WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans confronted a conservative rebellion in their own party Tuesday over their long-promised plans to repeal and replace the health care law, and beseeched President Donald Trump to settle the dispute.

In his first speech to a joint session of Congress Trump embraced a key element of the emerging House GOP health plan, in comments that cheered Republican House leaders and could help bring conservatives back in line.

Trump's remarks were short on details, but for the first time he announced his support for tax credits to help consumers buy health care. House GOP leaders are structuring their health plan around those tax credits, but they've been running into trouble with conservatives in the House and Senate who say they amount to a costly new entitlement.

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., followed by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of La., leaves a closed-door strategy session on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, to meet with reporters before President Donald Trump's speech to the nation. A month into the new administration, the GOP is discovering the difficulties of making good on its promises on repealing Obama's health care law, and other issues. Speaker Ryan says he isn't frustrated though on Trump's lack of detailed direction, saying "I see him as more of a chairman." (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

"We should help Americans purchase their own coverage, through the use of tax credits and expanded Health Savings Accounts - but it must be the plan they want, not the plan forced on them by the government," Trump said as he called on Republicans to make good on long-held promises to repeal President Barack Obama's health care law and replace it with something better.

The comments, cheered by many Republicans in the House chamber as Democrats sat silent, came amid roiling debate on Capitol Hill as conservatives revolt over the tax credits and threaten to vote down a leadership plan taking shape in the House.

"He's the leader on this issue right now; he's the one that's got to hold us together," Rep. Dennis Ross of Florida said ahead of the speech as he left a meeting during which he said Republican leaders urged the rank-and-file to "'stay strong'" on health care and told them: "'Now is not the time to back down."

The dispute comes a month into Trump's presidency, and seven years after the Affordable Care Act passed a Democratic-controlled Congress with Barack Obama in the White House. Now the Republicans are in charge of the White House and Congress. Yet, having spent all those intervening years promising to uproot the law and replace it with something better, they find themselves flailing and divided at the moment of truth.

"What the president can say is that the plan that gets presented to the conference is the one you need to vote 'yes' on," GOP Rep. Bill Flores of Texas said ahead of the speech. "That's how he can be helpful."

Trump didn't go quite that far, but he did back principles enshrined in the emerging House GOP plan, and leadership aides immediately cheered his remarks, especially his support for tax credits.

Trump also spoke of ensuring that people with pre-existing conditions continue to have coverage and giving flexibility to governors to manage the Medicaid federal-state health care program for the poor.

It remained to be seen whether Trump's remarks would convince rebellious conservatives. After a recess week filled with raucous town hall meetings, lawmakers' return to the Capitol this week immediately put deep divisions on display. The two leading conservative groups in the House both announced their opposition to House leadership health care plans based on a leaked draft and reports that the bill would cost more than expected while covering fewer people than the Affordable Care Act.

And three key conservative senators, Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas, added their voices in opposition, too, announcing that they will resist "Obamacare Lite" and "accept nothing less than full repeal of Obamacare."

"I think we have the votes now to tell the leadership that this is what we want to do," Paul said on a conference call with House conservative leaders Tuesday.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky summoned Republicans to a meeting Wednesday afternoon to hash things out.

"The goal is for the administration, the House and the Senate to be in the same place," McConnell said on health care. "We're not there yet."

Health care is far from the only issue dividing Republicans. Plans to overhaul the tax code have them tied in knots, and senior lawmakers are busy throwing cold water on Trump's budget proposal, which was made public in broad outlines on Monday. The budget envisions a huge $54 billion surge in U.S. military spending while slashing domestic programs and foreign aid.

Asked Tuesday whether the Senate could pass a budget that slashes the State Department budget by a third as Trump envisions, McConnell replied shortly: "Probably not."

And, Trump's budget would leave large deficits intact while sparing Social Security and Medicare, the entitlements that make up an enormous and growing share of the federal budget. That puts Trump in direct conflict with Ryan and other leading Republicans who've long advocated adjusting entitlement programs to put them on a more sustainable footing and get deficits under control.

Trump made no mention of Medicare or Social Security Tuesday night. And Ryan himself, pressed on whether he still favored reforming entitlements, something that has been his legislative calling card for years, claimed that repealing and replacing Obamacare actually qualifies as entitlement reform.

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Follow Erica Werner on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericawerner

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. speaks to reporters outside the White House in Washington, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, following a meeting with President Donald Trump inside. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Trump to issue broad call for action on economy, health care

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump will issue a broad call for overhauling the nation's health care system and revving up the U.S. economy when he delivers his first address to Congress Tuesday night. But he could leave anxious lawmakers with few specific guidelines for tackling the complicated legislative priorities that have divided his own Republican Party.

In one surprise, Trump may also voice support for immigration legislation, a senior administration official said ahead of the address. The White House offered no details about what the president would want in such a measure, including whether he would support a path to citizenship or legalization for millions of people in the U.S. illegally.

"He is open to having conversations about that moving forward," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

Trump's address comes at a pivotal moment for a new president elected on pledges to swiftly shake up Washington and follow through on the failed promises of career politicians.

The president spent his opening weeks in office flexing his executive power but has yet to push into the complex legislative battles over health care and tax reform. The White House bungled the rollout of a sweeping immigration and refugee ban and has been plagued by persistent questions about Trump campaign advisers' contacts with Russia during the election. The president has picked fights with the media and the intelligence community, blaming agencies he now oversees for leaking classified information that put him in a negative light.

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What to watch for when Trump makes 1st address to Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) - A presidential address to Congress is always part policy speech, part political theater. With President Donald Trump, a former reality TV star, there's extra potential for drama as he makes his first address to Congress.

After a chaotic start to his presidency, Trump will be trying to project his administration as ready to stride forward on top priorities such as changes to President Barack Obama's health care law and a tax overhaul. Congressional Democrats, in turn, will be trying to calibrate how strongly to oppose the Republican president in the staid setting of the House chamber, where manners still matter.

Some things to watch for Tuesday night:

PRE-GAME

Which members of Congress will arrive hours early to stake out seats on the center aisle of the House chamber for Trump's big entrance? Expect core Trump supporters to try to line the aisle. But will some of the Democrats' traditional aisle-huggers continue to angle for prime seats, then make a point of passing up a handshake with the president? Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat who has often positioned herself on the aisle for presidential addresses, does not plan on shaking Trump's hand, according to her office.

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Conservatives rebel on health care, and GOP looks to Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans confronted a conservative rebellion in their own party Tuesday over their long-promised plans to repeal and replace the health care law, and beseeched President Donald Trump to settle the dispute.

"He's the leader on this issue right now; he's the one that's got to hold us together," said Rep. Dennis Ross of Florida as he left a meeting during which he said Republican leaders urged the rank-and-file to "'stay strong'" on the issue and told them: "'Now is not the time to back down."

The pep talk from leadership came amid signs of serious trouble for the emerging House GOP health care plan even before legislation is officially released. Conservatives are objecting to new tax credits that would help consumers buy health care, arguing they amount to a costly new entitlement.

Influential House conservatives say there's no way the approach can pass the House.

The dispute comes a month into Trump's presidency, and seven years after the Affordable Care Act passed a Democratic-controlled Congress with Barack Obama in the White House. Now the Republicans are in charge of the White House and Congress. Yet, having spent all those intervening years promising to uproot the law and replace it with something better, they find themselves flailing and divided at the moment of truth.

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Trump sons open newest hotel in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - Ignoring protests, claims their newest real estate venture clashes with Canadian values and a no-show mayor who tried to change the tower's name, U.S. President Donald Trump's sons said Tuesday that it was "so fitting" to see the Trump brand in Vancouver, a city known for its diversity and progressive politics.

Protesters, some carrying posters proclaiming, "Love Trumps Hate," surrounded the entrance to the Trump hotel and condominium tower while police and security officers in black suits gathered on sidewalks at the soaring edifice, which has drawn praise for its sleek design but has also raised ethical concerns about the business interests of the new U.S. president.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, who had lobbied for the Trump name to be removed from the tower, refused to attend the ceremony in protest of Trump's policies on immigration and other matters. "The name Trump has now become synonymous not with luxury and lifestyle, but with racism, sexism and intolerance," said city Councilman Kerry Jang, who was among other city officials boycotting the event.

Despite the protests and controversy, however, the Trump brothers said Vancouver was the perfect location for a new Trump enterprise.

"Vancouver is truly one of the great cities of the world. It's truly one of the most beautiful places in the world and it's so fitting for the Trump brand," Eric Trump said in a speech before the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

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Amazon cloud storage failure causes widespread disruption

NEW YORK (AP) - Amazon's cloud-computing service, Amazon Web Services, is experiencing an outage in its eastern U.S. region, causing unprecedented and widespread problems for thousands of websites and apps.

Amazon is the largest provider of cloud computing services in the U.S. Beginning around midday on the East Coast, one region of its "S3" service based in Virginia began to experience what Amazon, on its service site , called "increased error rates."

In a statement, Amazon said as of 4 p.m. E.T. it was still experiencing "high error rates" that were "impacting various AWS services."

"We are working hard at repairing S3, believe we understand root cause, and are working on implementing what we believe will remediate the issue," the company said.

WHY S3 MATTERS

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South Korean prosecutors indict Samsung's de facto chief

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korean special prosecutors indicted Samsung's de facto chief Tuesday on bribery, embezzlement and other charges linked to a political scandal that has toppled President Park Geun-hye.

The indictment of Samsung Electronics vice chairman Lee Jae-yong is a huge hit for the largest and most successful of the big businesses that dominate the South Korean economy. It also signals the still roiling state of South Korea's political and economic circles after weeks of massive demonstrations that led to Park's impeachment.

The announcement of the indictment came after a three-month investigation by a special prosecution team that ended Tuesday after the country's acting leader refused a request for an extension.

Shortly after the announcement, Samsung said several top executives also facing criminal charges will resign from their positions and leave Samsung.

It did not say anything about Lee's status, implying that the Samsung heir will likely keep his position and board membership at Samsung Electronics while he is under arrest and stands trial.

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Mother of slain Indian man told him to leave US if in danger

HYDERABAD, India (AP) - The mother of an Indian engineer who was killed in an apparently racially motivated shooting in an American bar said she asked her son to come back to India if he felt threatened in the United States, but he said he was not in any danger.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla's mother wailed Tuesday as her son's body was cremated in his hometown of Hyderabad.

"I had asked him to return to India if he was feeling insecure there. But he used to say he was safe and secure," Parvatha Vardhini said.

Now she wants her younger son and his family to come home from the U.S. "I will not allow them to go back," she said. "My son had gone there in search of a better future. What crime did he commit?"

Hundreds of grieving relatives and friends tearfully mourned the 32-year-old who arrived in the U.S. in 2005 to pursue a master's degree at the University of Texas at El Paso.

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Trump signs executive order on black colleges

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday aimed at signaling his commitment to historically black colleges and universities, saying that those schools will be "an absolute priority for this White House."

HBCU presidents are hoping Congress will bolster Trump's actions to strengthen the schools with dramatically increased funding in the upcoming federal budget. They are calling for $25 billion for infrastructure, college readiness, financial aid and other priorities. Under President Barack Obama's administration, historically black colleges and universities received $4 billion over seven years.

"The next step is the budget. You cannot have mission without money," Thurgood Marshall College Fund President Johnny Taylor told reporters outside the White House after the signing ceremony.

Many of the college presidents also went to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to lobby Congress for more funding. Taylor said the $25 billion is needed to make up for years of underfunding and would cover the country's more than 100 HBCUs.

Several presidents and HBCU advocacy organizations echoed Taylor's sentiments.

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Trump ordering review of Obama rule protecting small streams

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump will sign an executive order Tuesday mandating a review of an Obama-era rule aimed at protecting small streams and wetlands from development and pollution.

The order will instruct the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers to review a rule that redefined "waters of the United States" protected under the Clean Water Act to include smaller creeks and wetlands, according to a senior White House official.

The official briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity, despite the president's recent complaints about unnamed sources.

Trump had railed against the water rule during his campaign, slamming it as an example of federal overreach. Farmers and landowners have criticized the rule, saying there are already too many government regulations that affect their businesses, and Republicans have been working to thwart it since its inception.

But Democrats have argued that it safeguards drinking water for millions of Americans and clarifies confusion about which streams, tributaries and wetlands should be protected in the wake of decades-long uncertainty despite two Supreme Court rulings.

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New help for that bane of middle-age: blurry close-up vision

WASHINGTON (AP) - Squinting while texting? Always losing your reading glasses? An eye implant that takes about 10 minutes to put in place is the newest in a list of surgical repairs for the blurry close-up vision that is a bane of middle age. But who's really a good candidate to toss their specs?

"It's not bringing anybody back to being 20 again," cautioned Dr. Shilpa Rose, a Washington ophthalmologist who tests whether patients' eyes are healthy enough to qualify. "But it decreases the need to rush to get that pair of reading glasses every time you want to send a text or read an email."

Nearly everybody will experience presbyopia at some point, usually starting in the mid-40s. At first you may notice yourself holding restaurant menus at arm's length. Eventually, even in good light, reading becomes a blur.

How well you see has to do with how light is directed through the natural lens to the back of the eye. That lens stiffens with age, losing its ability to shift and bend light so that it becomes more difficult to focus close-up.

The usual options are magnifying drugstore reading glasses or, for people with other vision problems, bifocals, multifocal contact lenses or what's called monovision, correcting for distance vision in one eye and near vision in the other.
SEATTLE (AP) - Airport officials and civil rights lawyers around the country are getting ready for President Donald Trump's new travel ban - mindful of the chaos that accompanied his initial executive order but hopeful the forthcoming version will be rolled out in a more orderly way.

The new order was expected as soon as Wednesday. A draft suggested it would target people from the same seven predominantly Muslim countries but would exempt travelers who already have visas to come to the U.S.

Since last month's ban, which courts have put on hold, a section of the international arrivals area at Dulles International Airport outside the nation's capital has been transformed into a virtual law firm, with legal volunteers ready to greet travelers from affected countries and ask if they saw anyone being detained.

Asti Gallina, a volunteer law student from the University of Washington, sits at a station near where passengers arrive on international flights at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, in Seattle. Gallina was volunteering with the group Airport Lawyer, which also offers a secure website and mobile phone app that alerts volunteer lawyers to ensure travelers make it through customs without trouble. Airport officials and civil rights lawyers around the country are getting ready for President Donald Trump's new travel ban, which is expected to be released as soon as Wednesday. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Similar efforts are underway at other airports, including Seattle-Tacoma International, where officials have drawn up plans for crowd control after thousands crammed the baggage claim area to protest the original ban.

"The plan is to be as ready as possible," said Lindsay Nash, an immigration law professor at Cardozo School of Law in New York who has been helping prepare emergency petitions on behalf of those who might be detained.

Trump's initial action, issued Jan. 27, temporarily barred citizens of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan and Libya from coming to the U.S. and halted acceptance of all refugees. The president said his administration would review vetting procedures amid concerns about terrorism in those seven nations.

Protesters flooded U.S. airports that weekend, seeking to free travelers detained by customs officials amid confusion about who could enter the country, including U.S. permanent residents known as green-card holders.

Attorneys also challenged the order in court, including officials from Washington state. That lawsuit, which Minnesota joined, resulted in a federal judge temporarily blocking the government from enforcing the travel ban, a decision unanimously upheld by a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Many civil rights lawyers and activists have said they don't believe a new order would cure all the constitutional problems of the original, including the claim that it was motivated by anti-Muslim discrimination.

Trump has said he singled out the seven countries because they had already been deemed a security concern by the Obama administration. And in a speech Friday to the Conservative Political Action Committee Friday, he said, "We are going to keep radical Islamic terrorists the hell out of our country."

Last week, analysts at the Homeland Security Department's intelligence arm found insufficient evidence that citizens of the seven Muslim-majority countries pose a terror threat to the United States.

"It's not enough to just tweak an order and not change the nature of why it was issued in the first place," said Rula Aoun, director of the Arab American Civil Rights League in Dearborn, Michigan, which sued over the initial ban and is prepared to do the same with the rewrite if necessary.

In New York, American Civil Liberties Union attorney Lee Gelernt said the organization was ready to go to court if the administration tries to immediately enforce its new order.

"The primary focus is being able to respond immediately to any request by the government to lift any of the injunctions, before the courts have had a chance to examine the new order," he said.

Activists and airport officials alike said they hoped it would be phased in to give travelers fair warning, which might preclude any detentions from arriving flights.

"We are prepared and willing," said Rebecca Sharpless, who runs the immigration clinic at the University of Miami School of Law. "But it's unlikely to cause the same kind of chaos of last time."

At Dulles, Sea-Tac, Minneapolis-St. Paul and other airports, legal volunteers have greeted arriving travelers in shifts every day since the initial ban, wearing name tags or posting signs in different languages to identify themselves.

The legal-services nonprofit OneJustice was ready to send email alerts to 3,000 volunteers in California if needed, deploying them to San Francisco and Los Angeles airports for people affected by any new order, chief executive Julia Wilson said.

In Chicago, travelers have been signing up for an assistance program started by the local Council on American-Islamic Relations office to ensure swift legal help if they're detained.

Groups urged those arriving at 17 other airports, including Miami, Atlanta and San Diego, to register with Airport Lawyer , a secure website and free mobile app that alerts volunteer lawyers to ensure travelers make it through customs without trouble.

Asti Gallina, a third-year student at the University of Washington Law School, volunteered at Sea-Tac for the first time Tuesday. It was quiet, she said.

"An essential part of the American narrative is the ability to come to America," Gallina said. "Any infringement of that is something that needs to be resisted."

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Associated Press writers Tammy Webber and Sophia Tareen in Chicago; Deepti Hajela and Larry Neumeister in New York; Matthew Barakat in Alexandria, Virginia; Adriana Gomez Licon in Miami; and Amy Forliti in Minneapolis contributed to this report.

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This story has been corrected to show that Cardozo Law School is in New York, not affiliated with New York University

Asti Gallina, left, a volunteer law student from the University of Washington, sits at a station near where passengers arrive on international flights at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, in Seattle. Gallina was volunteering with the group Airport Lawyer, which also offers a secure website and mobile phone app that alerts volunteer lawyers to ensure travelers make it through customs without trouble. Airport officials and civil rights lawyers around the country are getting ready for President Donald Trump's new travel ban, which is expected to be released as soon as Wednesday. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Asti Gallina, left, a volunteer law student from the University of Washington, sits at a station near where passengers arrive on international flights at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, in Seattle. Gallina was volunteering with the group Airport Lawyer, which also offers a secure website and mobile phone app that alerts volunteer lawyers to ensure travelers make it through customs without trouble. Airport officials and civil rights lawyers around the country are getting ready for President Donald Trump's new travel ban, which is expected to be released as soon as Wednesday. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Port of Seattle workers Aaron Washington, left, and Tracy Jenkins, right, carry a table and snacks into a room near where passengers arrive on international flights at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, in Seattle. The airport is making the room available for lawyers and legal volunteers to meet with family members and others picking up or dropping off international travels to answer questions and assure that they are able to travel with out difficulty. Airport officials and civil rights lawyers around the country are getting ready for President Donald Trump's new travel ban, which is expected to be released as soon as Wednesday. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Asti Gallina, right, and Emily McDaniel, left, both volunteer law students, talk to a traveler as they staff a station near where passengers arrive on international flights at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, in Seattle. Gallina and McDaniel were volunteering with the group Airport Lawyer, which also offers a secure website and mobile phone app that alerts volunteer lawyers to ensure travelers make it through customs without trouble. Airport officials and civil rights lawyers around the country are getting ready for President Donald Trump's new travel ban, which is expected to be released as soon as Wednesday. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
LES CAYES, Haiti (AP) - Haiti's three-day Carnival festivities have brought rum-fueled parties, imaginative costumes and high-energy dance music to a southern city that's still recovering from last year's punishing Hurricane Matthew.

Revelers have danced and sang their troubles away for three days in Les Cayes, the biggest city in the southwest region slammed by the Category 4 hurricane in October. President Jovenel Moise decided to hold this year's official events here to bring some revenue to the storm-hit area and show national solidarity.

Tuesday's celebrations were the last major party day of Haiti's Carnival, a mixture of Catholic pre-Lenten festivities and African, Spanish and native cultures found throughout the Americas and the Caribbean.

Dancers perform at a Carnival parade in Les Cayes, Haiti, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. Haiti's three-day Carnival festivities have brought rum-fueled parties, imaginative costumes and high-energy dance music to a southern city that's still recovering from last year's punishing Hurricane Matthew. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

Costumed Haitians marched down the city's main avenues: drummers who made their skin glisten with oil and crushed charcoal, dancing girls clad in matching outfits and bright head wraps, and shirtless men with intricately painted faces and chests.

The beat of traditional "ra-ra" bands and rollicking Carnival songs known as meringues pulsed through Haiti's third largest city.

There were also Carnival street parties in other Haitian cities, including Port-au-Prince, Gonaives and Jacmel.

While Carnival is traditionally a time of all-night bashes and escape from the worries of daily life, Matthew's aftermath has put a damper on the celebrations for some in southwest Haiti.

Widline Jerome, whose shack was toppled by Matthew's winds and floodwaters, is still living in a camp of dozens of makeshift tents made of thatched palms and plastic tarp, said there was no temporary respite from uncertainty and poverty for her family.

"If I'm living in misery I can't go and enjoy myself," the 22-year-old storm victim said by her flimsy tent pitched on a windswept field outside Les Cayes.

Haiti's government spent some $3 million on this year's Carnival celebrations, hoping to lure tourists and Haitians living abroad. It's far from clear how much money the festivities will actually generate in Les Cayes and surrounding areas, where there are few hotels.

In recent days, some Haitians have argued that the impoverished and highly indebted country should be spending its meager financial resources on any number of more pressing needs.

But Les Cayes Mayor Jean Gabriel Fortune said he was grateful for the chance to host Carnival, describing it as a "gesture of solidarity."

____

Follow Chery on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheryHaiti

___

AP photographers and photo editors on Twitter: http://apne.ws/150o6jo

Performers dance during Carnival celebrations in Les Cayes, Haiti, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. There were also Carnival street parties in other Haitian cities, including Port-au-Prince, Gonaives and Jacmel. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

Children watch the Carnival parade in Les Cayes, Haiti, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. President Jovenel Moise decided to hold this year's official events here to bring some revenue to the storm-hit area and show national solidarity. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

Performers wait during a pause on the Carnival parade route in Les Cayes, Haiti, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. Costumed Haitians marched down the city's main avenues, along with drummers who made their skin glisten with oil and crushed charcoal, dancing girls clad in matching outfits and bright head wraps, and shirtless men with intricately painted faces and chests. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

Dancers perform in the Carnival parade in Les Cayes, Haiti, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. Haiti's government spent some $3 million on this year's Carnival celebrations, hoping to lure tourists and Haitians living abroad. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

A Carnival performer holds a mirror shard as she puts on lipstick in Les Cayes, Haiti, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. Haiti's three-day Carnival festivities have brought rum-fueled parties, imaginative costumes and high-energy dance music to a southern city that's still recovering from last year's punishing Hurricane Matthew. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

A queen and other performers sit in a bus after in performing in Carnival celebrations in Les Cayes, Haiti. Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. Les Cayes Mayor Jean Gabriel Fortune said he was grateful for the chance to host Carnival, describing it as a "gesture of solidarity." (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

A performer rests during a pause at a Carnival parade in Les Cayes, Haiti, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. Haiti's government spent some $3 million on this year's Carnival celebrations, hoping to lure tourists and Haitians living abroad. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

A papier mache head made by students from the town of Jacmel stands on a bench at a school during the Carnival celebrations in Les Cayes, Haiti, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. Revelers have danced and sang their troubles away for three days in Les Cayes, the biggest city in the southwest region slammed by the Category 4 hurricane in October 2106. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

A masked performer waits for his friends before a Carnival parade in Les Cayes, Haiti, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. Tuesday's celebrations were the last major party day of Haiti's Carnival, a mixture of Catholic pre-Lenten festivities and African, Spanish and native cultures found throughout the Americas and the Caribbean. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

A performer waits during a pause on the Carnival parade route in Les Cayes, Haiti, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. Haiti's government spent some $3 million on this year's Carnival celebrations, hoping to lure tourists and Haitians living abroad. It's far from clear how much money the festivities will actually generate in Les Cayes and surrounding areas, where there are few hotels. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

A performer is helped by friends to stand up, after resting as the parade stopped, in Les Cayes, Haiti, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. Tuesday's celebrations were the last major party day of Haiti's Carnival, a mixture of Catholic pre-Lenten festivities and African, Spanish and native cultures found throughout the Americas and the Caribbean. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

A performer holds a bowl of cigarettes, money and a candle as he performs a voodoo blessing ceremony in Les Cayes, Haiti, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. Revelers have danced and sang their troubles away for three days in Les Cayes, the biggest city in the southwest region slammed by the Category 4 hurricane in October. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

A Carnival performer is painted by his friends before the start of a parade in Les Cayes, Haiti, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. Tuesday's celebrations were the last major party day of Haiti's Carnival, a mixture of Catholic pre-Lenten festivities and African, Spanish and native cultures found throughout the Americas and the Caribbean. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

Queens walk to a waiting bus after promenading in the Carnival parade in Les Cayes, Haiti, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. In recent days, some Haitians have argued that the impoverished and highly indebted country should be spending its meager financial resources on any number of more pressing needs. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

Dancers perform at a Carnival parade in Les Cayes, Haiti, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. Haiti's three-day Carnival festivities have brought rum-fueled parties, imaginative costumes and high-energy dance music to a southern city that's still recovering from last year's punishing Hurricane Matthew. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
Grieving relatives of British tourists killed in the 2015 Tunisia terror attack are preparing to sue travel firm TUI over the deaths of their loved ones at the hands of an Islamic extremist.

Lawyers said they planned civil proceedings against the tour operator after the coroner conducting the inquests of the 30 Britons murdered on the Mediterranean coast in Sousse ruled they were unlawfully killed.

However, Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith ruled against a finding of neglect by Thomson owner TUI, or the owners of the Riu Imperial Marhaba where radicalised mass-killer Seifeddine Rezgui slaughtered a total of 38 people, including three Irish citizens.

The families of the dead, many of whom wept as the inquests conclusions were read out on Tuesday, were highly critical of security at the hotel, which only had a handful of unarmed guards on duty when Rezgui struck, armed with an AK-47 assault rifle and home-made grenades.

Tourists pass tributes left on the beach in Sousse in memory of those who were killed in the terror attack

They also believed that TUI did not do enough to warn holidaymakers before they booked about the dangers in Tunisia, which had suffered a fatal terrorist attack in the capital Tunis just three months earlier. This included making them aware of official Foreign Office travel advice which warned of a high threat of terrorism.

Kylie Hutchison, from law firm Irwin Mitchell, which represents 22 victims families, said they had heard shocking evidence about the level of security precautions at the Imperial Marhaba Hotel at the time of the terrorist attack.

Christine Cullen, the widow of Stuart Cullen, outside the Royal Courts of Justice after she gave evidence to inquests into the deaths of 30 Britons in the terror attack (Victoria Jones/PA)

Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice after the inquests finished, she said: It is now crucial that the whole travel industry learns from what happened in Sousse to reduce the risk of similar catastrophic incidents in the future.

On behalf of our clients who lost members of their family and those who suffered injuries in this terrible incident, we will now be preparing to commence civil proceedings against TUI.

Rezgui, who had been radicalised just 18 months before the June 26 attack, killed holidaymakers on the hotels private beach before walking through an unlocked gate into the grounds and the main building to continue the slaughter.

Of the 38 people killed when an Islamist gunman opened fire in the attack, 30 were British

Earlier Judge Loraine-Smith said that the law limited the circumstances in which he could rule neglect played a part in a death, which applied only in cases were someone had a duty of care towards someone because of their youth, age, illness or incarceration.

He added: That does not cover, it seems to me, tourists who have voluntarily agreed to go on holiday abroad.

The judge said although in general the response of the hotel staff was disorganised and chaotic some displayed conspicuous personal courage in their efforts to protect the guests.

He added: The simple but tragic truth in this case is that a gunman armed with a gun and grenades went to that hotel intending to kill as many tourists as he could.

Summing up the evidence heard during the inquest, Judge Loraine-Smith referred to the response of police and military, who were criticised for deliberately stalling their arrival to avoid tackling Rezgui.

He said the local police most certainly were responsible for tourist security, and said: Their response could and should have been effective. The response by the police was at best shambolic, at worst cowardly.
The Ministry of Justice has warned it will take legal action over unlawful industrial action by prison staff.

Officers at jails in England and Wales are threatening to withdraw labour as part of a dispute over pay and pensions.

Members of the Prison Officers Association (POA) will withdraw from voluntary duties, including providing first aid and negotiating in hostage situations, from Wednesday.

General view inside a prison

Manning of the Tornado teams deployed during disorder is also among the voluntary roles curtailed by the action, while an overtime ban will be introduced from April.

The MoJ said it had struck a deal with the unions leadership and would seek to block action in the courts.

A spokesman said: Industrial action by prison officers is unlawful. If the POA do not withdraw their bulletin, we will seek an injunction to prevent any such action occurring. We made a good offer to the Prison Officers Association in December, which was endorsed by their leadership but rejected by the POA membership.

General view inside HMP Brixton

The MoJ said it was working hard to retain experienced staff and it recognised the expertise and dedication of prison staff.

However the union said in a briefing paper: The POA condemns the systematic failure of Noms (National Offender Management Service) to provide safe, decent and secure prisons, failures which have created a prison service in crisis.

More and more members are being assaulted every day, the increase in self-inflicted deaths and daily security breaches are unacceptable and as a result of staff shortfalls and budget cuts.

Earlier this month Justice Secretary Liz Truss announced pay increases for thousands of prison staff.

Prisons & Courts Bill paves way for biggest overhaul of prisons in a generation https://t.co/sQuerOm3Gh #PrisonReform pic.twitter.com/LuN2TaDzvp  Ministry of Justice (@MoJGovUK) February 23, 2017

The MoJ said over 2,000 experience prison officers would benefit from progression opportunities and pay increases.

Front line staff in areas where the cost of living is higher would see salaries increase to an average of 30,000 a year.
Lifeguards will provide cover this summer at a beach where seven men drowned last year after councillors approved funding plans.

Rother District Council agreed to allocate 51,000 in its 2017-18 budget to bring in seasonal lifeguard cover at Camber Sands, near Rye, East Sussex.

Lifeguards will now be stationed at the beach from the late May bank holiday until the end of the summer holidays in a bid to reassure the more than a million people who visit each year.

There have been growing calls for safety to be increased since seven men died last summer at Camber Sands, which can attract up to 30,000 day-trippers during peak season.

Among those who demanded action were relatives of five young men of Sri Lankan origin who died during a day-trip to the beach last August.

The victims were: Kenugen Saththiyanathan, 18, known as Ken, and his brother Kobikanthan Saththiyanathan, 22, known as Kobi, both of Normandy Way, Erith, south-east London, and their friends Nitharsan Ravi, 22, of Admaston Road, Plumstead, south-east London, Inthushan Sriskantharasa, 23, of Chadwell Road, Grays, Essex, and Gurushanth Srithavarajah, 27, of Elsa Road, Welling, south-east London.

The coffins of Kenugen Saththiyanathan and his brother Kobikanthan Saththiyanathan are loaded into a hearse (Jonathan Brady/PA)

About a month before they died, two others also lost their lives at Camber. Mohit Dupar, 36, from Hayes, west London, died after trying to reach Brazilian Gustavo Silva Da Cruz, 19, as he got into difficulty.

The RNLI was asked to carry out a safety assessment of the beach following the first drowning in July, and has since been working on a proposal for a lifeguard service.

Rother District Council said the beach, which is three miles long and up to 700m wide at low tide, can never be completely risk-free.

The RNLI was asked to carry out a safety assessment (Steve Parsons/PA)

But Councillor Sally-Ann Hart said, following Monday nights full council meeting, they were determined to boost safety at the beach.

She also said the issue was about people from all communities across Britain being better informed about beach safety.

Ms Hart said: As a council, we are determined to reduce the risk of such incidents where we can. We not only need to protect the visiting public, but also the economy and livelihoods of our coastal tourism businesses in Camber.

The issue is not just about safety provision on the beach; it is also about people from all communities across Britain being better informed on beach/water safety before they come to the beach.

Inquests into the five drownings are awaited.

The council said it would carefully consider the coroners findings and act on any recommendations made.
Sale have announced the signing of Scotland international Josh Strauss.

The Glasgow Warrior has signed a three-year deal with the Sharks.

The 30-year-old South Africa-born back-row has made 11 appearances for Scotland and has been hailed as a world-class signing by the Sharks director of rugby, Steve Diamond.

Josh Strauss

He has been performing well for both Glasgow and Scotland over the past five years and will compliment the squad in the ball-carrying department, Diamond said.

He is a leader and a very powerful athlete. The new owners Simon Orange and Ged Mason are keen to help Sale Sharks become one of the leading clubs and signings like Josh will help our cause.

Strauss was ruled out of the Six Nations after Scotlands meetings with Ireland and France with a knee injury.

The player added: Since coming to the UK I always had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to play in the Premiership, which is a highly-rated competition by players in South Africa.

I signed for Glasgow and needed to sign for a second term in order to qualify to play for the national side. I have really enjoyed my time with the Warriors but I asked my agent to look around in the Premiership for me.

Strauss has made 104 appearances for the Warriors since joining from the Lions in 2012, helping the club to the Pro12 title in 2015.
Britain must not pull up the drawbridge on globalisation as it withdraws from the European Union, Boris Johnson has warned.

Brexit will allow the UK to be the worlds great free trading nation again, by allowing it to strike trade deals with countries around the globe, the Foreign Secretary told a conference of the British Chambers of Commerce in London.

Mr Johnson said he anticipated a fantastic free trade deal will be struck under the Article 50 withdrawal talks which are due to be triggered by Prime Minister Theresa May next month.

Boris Johnson

His speech came shortly after a Cabinet discussion of progress towards Brexit negotiations, at which the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU David Davis told senior ministers that their departments must prepare not only for Britains most important peacetime agreement, but also for the unlikely scenario that no mutually satisfactory agreement can be reached.

The BCC has set out a series of demands for Brexit, including potentially delaying the break from the EU if a trade deal cannot be struck by the end of the two-year negotiation process.

Today at #bccconf we publish our Business Brexit Priorities - outlining Chamber members priorities for negotiations https://t.co/wXy1pZbXup pic.twitter.com/BgLDJDMUWs  BCC (@britishchambers) February 28, 2017

It also called for firms to be allowed freedom to continue recruiting skilled and low-skilled workers from the European Union after the UK has broken away from Brussels.

The BCC said concluding both the divorce arrangements and a new trade deal within the two years allowed by Article 50 would be the ideal outcome, but should this prove impossible, we should seek an extension to the negotiating period to enable completion of both agreements concurrently.

But Mr Johnson insisted that the interests of EU nations in exporting cars, champagne and prosecco to the UK meant that a deal should be in reach.

.@BorisJohnson tells #BCCConf that globalisation has gotten a negative reputation - wants to reclaim it as a positive force  BCC (@britishchambers) February 28, 2017

"We can change our relationship with the EU from one of membership to one of friendship and partnership" says @BorisJohnson #BCCConf  BCC (@britishchambers) February 28, 2017

Britain would move from a position of membership of the EU to a relationship of friendship and partnership, with continued collaboration in areas ranging from defence to foreign policy, counter-terrorism and intelligence-sharing.

What we need to do now is work with our partners to ensure we have a strong EU and a strong UK, connected by a fantastic free trade deal, which is manifestly in the interest of both sides, he said.

"Britain is at its best when we are most global in our outlook" Foreign Secretary @BorisJohnson #bccconf  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) February 28, 2017

"#GlobalBritain is a safer Britain, a more successful Britain and above all a more prosperous Britain" FS @BorisJohnson #bccconf  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) February 28, 2017

Mr Johnson warned that it would be profoundly wrong and make no economic sense for a post-Brexit Britain to turn its back on globalisation by closing its markets, which he said would increase costs, discourage investment, stifle innovation and increase distrust between nations.

Under this Government, led by Theresa May, Britain is preparing once again to be the leading champion for that liberating and enriching force (globalisation), he said.

We can be that great free trading nation again and we can be ever more internationalist.
The Duchess of Cambridge might use Mumsnet, her husband joked today.

The Duke of Cambridge told the websites co-founder, Justine Roberts, Kate may well be a user of her parenting network as he presented her with a CBE at Buckingham Palace.

Recalling her conversation with William at the glittering award ceremony, Ms Roberts said: We speculated as to whether the Duchess of Cambridge was a Mumsnetter.

The Duck of Cambridge talks with Mumsnet co-founder Justine Roberts

I suggested that a lot of conversation (on the website) was about feckless husbands but said dont worry because it is all anonymous.

Ms Roberts, 49, said William did not confirm Kate used the site but said she may well be.

Ms Roberts said: We speculated that she might and that if she did, no doubt she would be joining in the conversations about feckless husbands.

Justine Roberts

Her CBE is for services to the economy. It comes after Ms Roberts helped steer Mumsnet, founded in 2000, into an influential advice and campaigning network for parents.

The 2010 election was dubbed the Mumsnet election as the sites middle-class members were seen as vital swing voters.

Retailers approach Ms Roberts to find out if their childrens clothes are acceptable and employers are interested to find out if their family friendly policies hit the right note.

Being much courted by politicians was not the original plan but once it happened it was only right we use it to campaign on the issues our users have, she said.

Ms Roberts said striking a good work life balance and being flexible is a challenge but making time for an important event like the investiture with her family was  great fun. She attended the ceremony with her husband Ian and children Lola and Scarlet, both 18, Jake, 14, and Jesse, 11.
Having a baby is a life-changing moment, the Duchess of Cambridge has told the family of a sick child.

Kate was visiting the new Ronald McDonald Evelina House in London, a purpose built home away from home, which accommodates the families of children being treated in hospital.

She told Dion Mifsud and Danielle Debono, whose eight-month-old daughter Mia has had both kidneys removed: For any family having a baby is a life-changing moment, but for you having to go through all that as well is extraordinary.

Mia Mifsud was born in Gibraltar, but brought to the UK at just three days old, because of the rare illness autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. She was given just a 10% chance of living past one month.

The Duchess, who was wearing a blue Rebecca Taylor suit, marked the opening of the house by meeting the families and children that use the facilities.

Equipped with kitchens and playrooms, the 13 million home can house 59 families, and is just a five-minute walk from Evelina London Childrens Hospital.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets Dion Mifsud and Danielle Debono with baby Mia

Ms Debono, 32, said Mia is now waiting for a kidney transplant, adding: We have to wait until she weighs 10 kilos. She weighs 6.7 kilos so we are nearly there.

Father Mr Mifsud, 40, said: And I have to lose weight to give her mine!

He was not joking. Mr Mifsuds kidney is a match for his tiny daughter, and he plans to donate his to her.

(Jeremy Selwyn/Evening Standard/PA)

He said Kate and Mia were laughing and smiling together, and added: The Duchess also made it very easy for us to talk to her.

The Duchess watched the children decorate pancakes and biscuits, and revealed a plaque to officially mark the homes opening.

Kate also spoke to 42-year-old mother Rebecca Bridges, whose son is in hospital after being born at 23 weeks.

Ms Bridges said the Duchess was fantastic. She said: You could tell when I got overwhelmed and nearly started crying. She was quite sympathetic and she sounded quite concerned.

Ms Bridges four-year-old son James asked the Duchess where George was, to which Kate replied he was at nursery.
The 2018 Tour de France Grand Depart will take place in the Vendee region of western France, organisers Amaury Sport Organisation announced on Tuesday.

The first stage on July 30, 2018, will begin on Noirmoutier-en-llle and travel across the often submerged Passage du Gois before finishing after 195 kilometres in Fontenay-le-Comte.

The 2011 edition also began on the island and crossed the causeway.

The peloton rides up Main Street as stage two of the Tour de France passes through Haworth, Yorkshire in 2014 (Martin Rickett/PA)

2018 @LeTour to start on Passage du Gois. Check out the full map for the Grand Depart. #TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/j9oIJVmMoW  Le Tour de France UK (@letour_uk) February 28, 2017

La Roche-sur-Yon, which has not hosted a Tour finish for 80 years, will be the finishing spot for the second stage.

And stage three will be a 35km team time-trial in Cholet as the race leaves the Vendee.

Stage four will start from La Baule, with the finish to be announced on October 17 in Paris, when the full route will be unveiled.

The 2017 Tour begins in Dusseldorf, Germany on July 1.
Car giant Nissan may adjust its business in the UK, dependent on the outcome of Brexit, a senior executive has told MPs.

Senior vice-president Colin Lawther warned it would be a complete disaster if the delivery of parts to its giant Sunderland plant was disrupted by customs checks as a result of the UK leaving the European Customs Union (CU).

The car manufacturer 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 plants competitiveness.

Yesterday - BMW considering locating electric Mini investment outside UK; Today - Nissan reconsidering Sunderland. What tomorrow?  Stephen Dorrell  (@stephen_dorrell) February 28, 2017

But chief executive Carlos Ghosn later said the company would re-evaluate the situation once the final Brexit deal is concluded.

Now Mr Lawther has told MPs that Nissan will constantly review its decision in the light of any material changes to its ability to trade with the remaining EU.

Giving evidence to the House of Commons International Trade Committee, Mr Lawther said that Nissans preferred outcome from Brexit negotiations was for Britains relations with the EU to stay as they are, with continued membership of the single market.

Nissan had made a strong request to Government for Britain to remain within the CU, which was very important to us, he said.

Nissan senior vice-president Colin Lawther (PA)

He warned that a move to World Trade Organisation tariffs would change the business circumstances for the company.

If the UK crashed out of the EU without a deal and was forced to revert to WTO rules, Nissan would have to look at the degrees of change and adjust our business to take into account whatever this new trading platform would be, said Mr Lawther.

The decision to expand in Sunderland was based on a set of circumstances at that point in time, he said.

As those circumstances change, and we wouldnt wait until the end of the process, we will continually review the decisions that we take, based on anything that materially changes, he told MPs.

So at the moment we have got a set of circumstances we are happy with and we will honour that decision going forward.

But if anything materially changes, we would review constantly.

Asked about the possible impact of tighter customs checks if Britain left the CU, Mr Lawther said that the smooth delivery of five million parts every day  many of them entering the UK through ports such as Folkstone  was vital to the operation of the Sunderland production lines. Delays totalling as little as six minutes a day were a disaster for competitiveness, he said.
A runway at Manchester Airport has been closed due to a vehicle fire in a road tunnel which runs underneath.

Flights have been moved to the airports second runway due to the smoke, causing delays and diversions.

A Manchester Airport spokeswoman said that seven flights had been diverted elsewhere so far because of the closure, and that there were delays for the majority of flights.

General view of Manchester Airport (Dave Thompson/PA)

Due to an ongoing incident close to the airport we have had to switch runway operations. This is causing delays to some flights. 1/2  Manchester Airport (@manairport) February 28, 2017

2/2 We advise passengers to check the status of their flight with their airline.  Manchester Airport (@manairport) February 28, 2017

She said: There is a fire in the road tunnels that go underneath the runway. The fire brigade are on scene at the moment dealing with the fire but due to the smoke weve moved our operations from runway one to everything on runway two.

Were just waiting on updates from the fire service before we can assess when to reopen.

A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police said a van had caught fire on Wilmslow Road, which tunnels under the runway.

The fire brigade attended and put the blaze out, she said.

Passengers have been advised to check the status of their flight with their airline.
By Rod Nickel

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Asylum seekers crossing in the dead of night into Canada from the United States may face a new danger in coming weeks, as heavy snowpack melts in the flood-prone U.S. northern plains and province of Manitoba.

The western Canadian province on Monday said the Red River, which runs from North Dakota and Minnesota north into Canada, poses a major flood risk this spring.

Floodwaters that spread over land will make fields hard to navigate in the dark, said Bill Spanjer, emergency coordinator for the Rural Municipality of Emerson-Franklin, Manitoba, where 143 people have crossed illegally since Jan. 1, according to police, after 32 made the trip in December.

"Imagine gumbo and water," Spanjer said. "It would make even rescues difficult."

The exodus is partly out of concern they will be deported under U.S. President Donald Trump, whose crackdown on illegal migrants and travel restrictions against some Muslim-majority countries have alarmed asylum seekers.

Fearing they may be returned to unsafe conditions in their native countries, asylum seekers have been travelling by car from Minneapolis, where there is a large Somali community, to North Dakota.

From there, they walk along railway tracks and across open fields for hours to cross an unmonitored stretch of the Canada-U.S. border near Emerson, Manitoba, about 60 miles (100 km) south of Winnipeg.

Bitter cold, made worse by winds whipping across the plains, have been the biggest danger during the trek, with many dressed inadequately for the elements.

Melting conditions in early February shrank the snowpack, but left the ground saturated and prone to floodwater running across fields if there is further rain or snow, the Manitoba government said.

Floods in the Red River valley are so common that towns such as Emerson sit behind high earth dikes to protect them in case the Red breaches its banks.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said this month that there is a moderate to major risk of flooding from northeast North Dakota to northwest Minnesota, where the region's wettest soils and deepest snowpack conditions are found.

"There is a huge concern about that," said J.P. Venegas, senior manager at Welcome Place, a Winnipeg refugee agency, adding he hoped asylum seekers in the United States would hear about the risk before trekking north.

Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Blaine Pedersen said the government is prepared to rescue people if necessary. He could not say if the province and neighboring states are taking any new measures because of the migration.

The amount of precipitation the area receives in the coming months, and the pace at which the snow melts, will be key factors in how severe flooding becomes. (Reporting by Rod Nickel in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Editing by Denny Thomas and Alan Crosby)
CONAKRY, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Guinea's President Alpha Conde fired three ministers, according to a decree read on state television on Monday, following violent protests over a teachers' strike last week in which seven people were killed and dozens more were injured.

Ibrahima Kourouma, the minister of pre-university education, and Civil Service Minister Sekou Kourouma were removed along with Environment Minister Christine Sagno, the decree said.

Though the decree gave no reason for the dismissals, a senior government official, who asked not to be named, said the sackings of Ibrahima Kourouma and Sekou Kourouma were directly linked to the strike.

The government agreed to a deal to end the strike last week.

Teachers in Guinea walked out early this month over the government's decision to dismiss or cut the salaries of many junior staff after the latest civil service exams. Their students then took to the streets to support them.

The protests turned violent when demonstrators clashed with gendarmes in several neighbourhoods of the capital Conarky. (Reporting by Saliou Samb; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Andrew Hay)
By Lin Taylor

LONDON, Feb 28 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Women and children making the dangerous journey to Europe to flee poverty and conflicts in Africa are being beaten, raped and starved in "living hellholes" in Libya, the United Nations children's agency (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.

The Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Italy has become the main crossing point for asylum seekers and economic migrants seeking a better life in Europe, after a clampdown on sea crossings from Turkey.

There were a quarter of a million migrants in Libya as of last September, most of whom languish in unsanitary, disease-ridden detention centres which UNICEF described in its report as "no more than forced labour camps ... and makeshift prisons".

Armed groups have taken effective control of official detention centres for migrants amid the political chaos that now reigns in Libya and they also run their own centres, competing and cooperating with criminal gangs and smugglers, according to the United Nations.

"For the thousands of migrant women and children incarcerated, (the centres) were living hellholes where people were held for months," the UNICEF report said on Tuesday.

In interviews with more than 100 women and children, nearly half said they had been raped or abused several times during their journey, it said. Most of the children said they were beaten by adults along the way, with girls suffering more abuse than boys.

"Here (in the detention centre) they treat us like chickens. They beat us, they do not give us good water and good food," said Jon, a 14-year-old boy who travelled alone from Nigeria to escape the militant group Boko Haram.

"So many people are dying here, dying from disease, freezing to death," he was quoted as saying in the report.

"PAY AS YOU GO"

UNICEF said women and unaccompanied child migrants rely on people smugglers to get to Europe, often under a "pay as you go system", leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking and violence, including prostitution and rape.

Smugglers typically demand thousands of dollars from migrants for a risky journey across the desert before cramming them onto ill-equipped boats for a perilous crossing of the Mediterranean.

"The route is mostly controlled by smugglers, traffickers and other people seeking to prey upon desperate children and women who are simply seeking refuge or a better life," said Afshan Khan, head of UNICEF's refugee operations in Europe.

Having largely closed off sea crossings between Turkey and Greece last year, the European Union is searching for ways to stem the flow of migrants from Libya.

This month European leaders offered Libya money and other assistance to try to reduce the numbers departing across the Mediterranean. Aid groups criticised the move, saying such plans exposed migrants to further risks and abuses within Libya.

Last year, a record 181,000 migrants crossed between Libya and Italy, the U.N.'s migration agency reports. More than 4,500 people drowned, and at least 700 were children, UNICEF said.

"Children should not be forced to put their lives in the hands of smugglers because there are simply no alternatives," said Khan in a statement.

"We need to address globally the drivers of migration and work together toward a robust system of safe and legal passage for children on the move, whether refugees or migrants." (Reporting by Lin Taylor @linnytayls, Editing by Ros Russell; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters that covers humanitarian issues, conflicts, global land and property rights, modern slavery and human trafficking, women's rights, climate change and resilience. Visit http://news.trust.org to see more stories)
HARARE, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Zimbabwean public sector workers will hold a demonstration on Monday calling on the government to pay bonuses for 2016, the civil service union said, setting them on a collision course with President Robert Mugabe's cash strapped administration.

Without balance of payment support from foreign lenders, the southern African nation is spending more than 90 percent of the national budget on salaries, leaving no money for infrastructure or bonuses that were due by December.

Last July, doctors joined nurses, teachers and other civil servants in a national shutdown over unpaid wages, which coincided with anti-government protests called by social media groups over a deteriorating economy.

The Apex Council, which represents all civil service unions, issued a notice of the strike to the government. It accused the government of trying to undermine unions by directly engaging workers in a survey to determine whether public employees could opt for residential land in lieu of the bonuses.

Public sector unions last month rejected the land proposal.

The government then issued forms to every civil servant asking whether they preferred residential land instead of cash bonuses, angering the unions.

"Bonuses are part of our conditions of service so we can't mix that with land. The government is being provocative and disrespectful by engaging workers directly," Apex Council president Cecilia Alexander said.

Alexander said next Monday's demonstration "will show that we have a constituency that we represent."

Public Service and Labour Minister Prisca Mupfumira defended the survey, saying it would determine how the government should proceed on the issue of bonuses.

"We will continue to dialogue with them but we do not tolerate threats," Mupfumira said. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by James Macharia and Janet Lawrence)
By Atul Prakash

LONDON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - European equities steadied on Tuesday, with a rally in shares of companies such as GKN and Meggitt following their encouraging results offset by weaker miners.

The STOXX Europe 600 was flat in percentage terms by 1028 GMT. However, the pan-European index, up 2.7 percent so far in February, was heading for progress over the month after slipping in January.

"European markets are trading little changed ... traders in Europe seem to be needing persuading to increase their risk exposure in form of more positive economic data or less uncertainty going forward," said Markus Huber, trader at City of London Markets.

"Overall sentiment is neutral to positive, however with today being the last trading day of the month it wouldn't come as too much of a surprise if we see the occasional round of profit-taking."

Miners lost ground after prices of major industrial and precious metals such as copper, aluminium and gold fell. The European basic resources index was down nearly 1 percent, the biggest sectoral decliner.

BHP Billiton, Anglo American, Rio Tinto and Randgold Resources fell 0.7 to 2.6 percent.

Precious metal miner Fresnillo fell 1.5 percent, tracking the broader sector weakness, despite reporting a more than six-fold jump in its profit for the year on higher output and metal prices and a weak Mexican peso. Some investors also took profits after recent gains in its shares.

However, losses seen by the basic resources sector were negated by some positive company updates.

Shares in Meggitt surged 11.5 percent, making them the top gainers in the STOXX 600, after the British car and aeroplane parts maker posted a 13-percent rise in adjusted profits and raised its dividend payout.

Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets, said that investors were reacting to Meggitt's positive outlook for 2017 on expectations that the company would be a beneficiary of increased U.S. military spending.

British engineering group GKN was up 6.6 percent after the company reported a 12-percent rise in adjusted pretax profit, beating market expectations, and said it would grow faster than both its main aerospace and autos markets in 2017.

Ferrovial rose 4.8 percent after announcing results and saying that its order book last year was higher than in 2015.

Elsewhere, price comparison site Moneysupermarket.com and Dutch industrial services company Aalberts Industries fell 5.2 percent and 5 percent respectively as their results were not well received by investors.

UK mid-cap company Go-Ahead Group plunged 13 percent after the British transport group said full year profits would be lower than it previously expected due in part to repeated strike action on the Southern rail business.

Across Europe, both Germany's DAX and France's CAC were trading flat. (Editing by Keith Weir)
By Robert-Jan Bartunek

BRUSSELS, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Germany will back a plan to strengthen carbon prices, a senior official said on Tuesday, ahead of a meeting of European Union environment ministers on balancing the needs of industry with cutting emissions in reforming the carbon market.

EU member states such as Germany, Italy, Austria and Greece are prioritising measures to ensure that regulation does not drive big industry abroad, while poorer, coal-reliant nations in Central and Eastern Europe are keen to get the most generous provisions possible to help modernise their economies.

Last week the European Parliament adopted a draft reform of the EU's emissions trading system (ETS) and environment ministers meeting in Brussels are keen for swift adoption of what will be its first big piece of climate legislation since the EU ratified the Paris accord on global warming.

The cap-and-trade permit system is the EU's flagship policy for meeting its climate goals by regulating emissions at 11,000 industrial and power installations. It has suffered from excess supply since the financial crisis, which depressed prices.

But EU nations are divided over the level of ambition in measures to strengthen prices, how much protection industry needs to remain competitive and how best to manage funds to help laggards modernise their economies.

Sweden and France are leading a push to shore up carbon prices by doubling the rate at which the scheme's Market Stability Reserve soaks up excess allowances and a mechanism for cancelling surplus permits after five years.

Although ten nations back this plan, EU diplomats had feared it will not carry enough weight without Germany's backing. A minimum of 16 member states is required to back the compromise deal, representing at least 65 percent of the total EU population.

"The MSR has to be strengthened, we support that," Jochen Flasbarth German state secretary for the environment told journalists ahead of Tuesday's meeting. But big differences remain on other aspects of the reforms: "We have a lot to discuss ... with a bit of flexibility we can get there."

The ETS is the EU's main tool to achieve its goal of a 43 percent cut in greenhouse gases from industry and power plants compared with 2005. If ministers fail to find common ground, they will next take up the issue in June, delaying reforms.

"Europe has to keep its leadership in the climate arena," French Environment Minister Segolene Royal told reporters. "We have to protect our industries but only up until a certain point, without it leading to a fall in the carbon price." (Writing by Alissa de Carbonnel; Editing by Alexander Smith)
By Eric Onstad

LONDON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Zinc and copper prices rose on Tuesday as ongoing strikes in Canada and Chile added to supply worries while a weaker dollar also supported the market ahead of a speech by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Benchmark zinc on the London Metal Exchange climbed 0.7 percent to close at $2,825 a tonne while copper also ended 0.7 percent higher at $5,973.

"Zinc and copper are pretty well supported by supply problems," said Robin Bhar, head of metals research at Societe Generale.

Strikes continued at Noranda Income Fund's zinc processing plant in Quebec, the second-largest in North America, and at Escondida in Chile, the world's biggest copper mine.

Output also remained halted at giant copper mine Grasberg in Indonesia due to a contract dispute with the government.

LME prices had a fillip from a weaker dollar index as traders took profits on the U.S. currency ahead of Trump's speech at a joint session of U.S. Congress due at 9 p.m. (0200 GMT Wednesday).

"Now what we need to see is some real concrete plans from Trump. He's promised a lot but hasn't said very much recently on tax cuts and his grandiose infrastructure plans," Bhar said.

Aluminium gained 1.3 percent to close at $1,924, the highest since May 2015.

Deutsche Bank raised its aluminium price forecasts for this year and next by an average of 7.5 percent, it said in a note, though it warned of near-term downside.

"Chinese 'supply side reforms' or 'de-capacity' and a much more stringent focus on environmental standards could hold the key to a much healthier market," analyst Grant Sporre said.

"Although the supply-demand fundamentals for the aluminium market have improved significantly since the beginning of 2016, we think the current spot price is at risk of a correction."

Nickel, the only LME metal in the red, fell 0.6 percent to finish at $10,980.

"We believe that we are at a critical turning point in fundamentals, which will weigh on nickel prices. First, the latest fundamental data shows the nickel market softening into year-end due to a sharp upswing in Indonesia's output," said Nicholas Snowdon, an analyst at Standard Chartered in London.

Lead rose 0.1 percent to close at $2,257 and tin gained 1.4 percent to $19,225.

PRICES

Three month LME copper

Most active She copper

Three month LME aluminium

Most active She aluminium

Three month LME zinc

Most active She zinc

Three month LME lead

Most active She lead

Three month LME nickel

Most active She nickel

Three month LME tin

Most active She tin

(Additional reporting by James Regan in Sydney, editing by David Evans/Keith Weir)
By Dmitry Zhdannikov

LONDON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Iraq's Kurdistan has agreed new deals to borrow $3 billion from trading houses and Russian state oil firm Rosneft that will be guaranteed by future oil sales to strengthen its fiscal position as the semi-autonomous region fights Islamic State.

Kurdistan's natural sources minister Ashti Hawrami told Reuters the new deals had been concluded in recent weeks. The region also negotiated grace periods of between 3 and 5 years for repaying the debt.

Trading houses have been pre-financing Kurdish oil exports for the past two years after the government in Erbil decided to start independent oil exports via Turkey's Mediterranean terminals. Rosneft said last week it would join them. .

Kurdistan says it needs to export oil independently as Baghdad has not paid Erbil its budget share just as the region needs money to fight Islamic State and host Syrian refugees.

Baghdad has said it would sue buyers of Kurdish oil, arguing that the central government was the only legal exporter. The new Baghdad government has softened its stance, however, as it cooperated with Erbil against Islamic State in Mosul.

"This helps our economic independence although it is important to understand that this cannot be achieved just by oil revenues and higher oil prices. We also need to press on with our economic reforms," Hawrami said in an interview in London.

"We have learnt a lot from the oil price shock, the costs of fighting ISIS, and the burden of some 1.8 million refugees coming to our territory... Reform is a must - we have a lot of debts to deal with."

He declined to name the trading houses but market sources have previously identified Vitol, Petraco, Glencore and Trafigura as buyers of Kurdish barrels. Last week, Glencore confirmed it had concluded deals for Kurdish oil. The other trading houses do not comment on their dealings with Kurdistan and Rosneft did not give any details on the size of the deal.

Hawrami said the deals would serve as a hedge against an oil price slide for several years. Previous deals with trading houses have usually lasted 6-12 months.

"It is also positive for the traders as they don't have to renegotiate their contracts every six months," said Hawrami.

"It strengthens our fiscal situation. It means we can pay more regularly to the international oil companies working in Kurdistan and we can invest some money in expanding our oil infrastructure," he said.

Kurdistan's finances suffered badly during the oil price slump of 2015-2016 and it has accumulated several months of arrears to producers such as Genel, DNO and Gulf Keystone due to tight revenues and supply glitches.

"This year we want to avoid repeating this. I'm confident we will do better. We know the producers needs and plans. We are prioritizing not to fall behind again," Hawrami said.

GROUND BREAKING DEAL

Hawrami said the arrival of Rosneft in addition to trading houses to the marketing of Kurdish barrels was good news for the region as it gave Erbil its first big end-user and opened up new markets - Rosneft has refineries in Germany and India.

"We hope Rosnefts deal will become a ground breaker for other majors," he said adding Rosneft was also looking at exploration blocks in Kurdistan.

He also said relations with Baghdad were improving.

"We didn't hear any negative comments from them after the deal with Rosneft. They know we are selling our oil. And actually if we help each other rather than hindering progress, we can both achieve better prices as buyers will not be able to seek unreasonable discounts."

He also said the fact that Erbil was now selling some barrels for Baghdad from the northern Kirkuk field was evidence of improving relations.

"In reality, Baghdad has given us some share of oil to export. So we have an arrangement that we both honour. We have real cooperation and we hope to build on that," he said.

INFRASTRUCTURE EXPANSION

Kurdistan's existing pipelines can handle just over 650,000 barrels per day of exports and more investments are needed to bring that capacity to 1 million bpd, including upgrading of pumping stations, said Hawrami.

He said pipeline capacity should be expanded by the year-end but production would not start rising until next year.

"We have to be mindful about supply and demand. You tell me what the oil price is going to be and I will tell you when we could reach 1 million bpd of output. Investments have dried up in the last two years because of the oil price crash and attacks by ISIS," he said.

Kurdistan is planning to offer some 20 blocks of land for exploration to investors. The region took some blocks back from investors after discovering they did little exploration, said Hawrami without naming the companies.

Some operators relinquished blocks as they were disappointed with what they found, including U.S. oil giant Exxon Mobil which has given back three blocks out of six over the past year.

Hawrami said he did not see this as a set back.

"Exxon has concluded that they will continue working on 3 blocks while on another three the potential reserves were simply not big enough for them. Those blocks could suit other firms. We are now looking to farm them out," he said. (Editing by Anna Willard)
ALGIERS, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Algerian troops on Tuesday killed nine Islamist militants in an operation in a mountainous region east of the capital that was once the stronghold of al Qaeda, the Defence Ministry said.

Troops recovered Kalashnikovs, rifles and ammunition in the raid, the ministry said in a statement on APS state news agency.

The operation in Azeffoun, in the Tizi Ouzou region, 60 miles (100 km) east of Algiers, came a day after a militant bomber was shot trying to detonate his explosive belt in a police station in the northeastern city of Constantine.

Militant attacks and bombings have become less common in Algeria since the end of the North African country's 1990s war against armed Islamists in which more than 200,000 people died.

But al Qaeda's North Africa branch, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and small brigades of Islamic State-allied militants are still active, mostly in remote mountains and the desert south near the country's frontiers.

The mountains around Tizi Ouzou were a stronghold for commanders of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and previous Islamist militant groups during the 1990s. (Reporting by Patrick Markey; Editing by Alison Williams)
By Andrei Khalip and Daniel Alvarenga

LISBON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Portuguese windpower company EDP Renovaveis(EDPR) expects pretax earnings growth to accelerate to 10 percent this year, it said on Tuesday after reporting weaker than expected 3 percent growth for 2016.

The world's fourth-largest wind-generated electricity producer attributed its forecast to increased capacity and technical innovation and expectation that its largest single market, the United States, will remain strong under President Donald Trump's administration.

However, it forecast the average selling price to slip again to about 58 euros per megawatt-hour from 2016's 61 euros.

CEO Joao Manso Neto said in a conference call that "there are still very good conditions to supply aeolic and solar resources at a low price" in the United States.

"The renewables are ... clearly pro-growth, pro-jobs, an incentive to the local economy," he said, playing down concerns that the Trump administration could enfeeble green energy.

"The US is going to continue to be a very solid market and we continue to see it as our main market."

The company, majority owned by EDP-Energias de Portugal, the country's largest industrial company, also said that a change in its asset depreciation schedule to 30 years from 25 years will boost its bottom line by between 65 million euros ($69 million) and 75 million euros from this year.

EDPR posted a 66 percent drop in 2016 net profit to 56 million euros on below-average wind load in the final quarter of the year, lower power prices and one-offs.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 3 percent to 1.17 billion euros, slightly below expectations.

It now expects EBITDA to grow by about 10 percent in 2017, it said while reiterating its previous longer-term EBITDA growth forecast of 8 percent a year for 2015-2020.

EDPR shares, which fell almost 2 percent after the results, recovered after on the latest guidance and comments to close with a 0.3 percent gain at 6.21 euros.

Analysts see cash-flow generation as a key strength at EDPR, which is also constantly expanding capacity.

Retained cash flow rose 13 percent last year to 698 million euros and this year EDPR projects an increase of between 10 percent and 15 percent, with the number expected to hit 900 million euros by 2020. ($1 = 0.9430 euros)

(Editing by Keith Weir and David Goodman)
With the core objective of working concertedly towards greater good and progress of the automobile repair business, a new organization called The Sri Lanka Automobile Service Providers Association (SLASPA) was inaugurated by entrepreneurs representing this vital industry on an

island-wide basis.

With a history spanning more than 100 years, the automobile repair industry in Sri Lanka plays a pivotal role as a fundamentally important cog in the overall economic scenario. In this backdrop, the formation of the new body of industry stakeholders provided a window of opportunity to collectively address and resolve longstanding common issues confronting the trade.

The chief guest at the ceremonial inauguration in Colombo on recently, was Erwin Shulz, Principal of the German Technical Institute in Kilinochchi, while Gamini Herath, Secretary-General, Sri Lanka Boat Builders Association, was a guest-of-honor, along with Hemantha Dambadeniya, a veteran engineer in the insurance industry. The vision of the new Association that was inaugurated is to offer a superlative service on par with international standards to customers in the automobile repair sector, clear obstacles that hinder the forward-march of the industry, provide a training on an international level to professionals in the industry to improve their skills and update their knowledge, attract modern global technology to this industry in Sri Lanka, in addition to many other objectives to take this key segment to greater heights.

The President of SLASPA, Rajitha Gomes, in his welcome address, said the Association is a longstanding need for the whole automobile repair industry, including service stations, mechanical repairers, body shops and Auto A/C repairers to express their views and also voice concerns on diverse issues pertaining to their business activities in providing automobile related services. The Association will endeavor to ensure an efficient, courteous and expeditious service to clients of the members, whilst improving the standards and quality of their workshops. The Association will negotiate with government establishments, regulatory bodies and insurance companies on behalf of the members, and will address the need for skilled and trained staff to face the challenges in repairing modern motor vehicles, he stressed.

Erwin Shulz said that the formation of an Association to represent the interests of the automobile repair industry is essential as there was not a single body to set out the skills needed by young persons entering this industry in Sri Lanka. He invited SLASPA members to visit the German Technical Institute in Kilinochchi to acquaint themselves with the training facilities and see for them the young community receiving training in the area so that they could be employed as apprentices among SLASPA member establishments

Amal Piyatilake, Secretary of SLASPA, in his vote of thanks to the inaugural gathering, noted that the Association would help all stakeholders in the automobile service industry to improve their capacity and quality of services provided, whilst building networking opportunities. We will liaise with all relevant institutions as a group to safeguard the automobile service industry, he emphasized.
The Ceylon Motorcyclists Association (CMA) has expressed displeasure over gazette notice directing motorcyclists including pillion riders to wear protective helmets which do not conceal any part of the wearer's face.

In a letter to President Maithripala Sirisena the CMA said the gazette notice had been issued in contempt of the April 2, 2015 Court order which stayed the ban on face-covered helmets.

The gazette notice issued by Transport Minister Nimal Siripala is an indirect ban on face-covered helmets. A rider has a clear vision by wearing contrasting helmets which obstructs sunlight. The use of such helmets have been banned, CMA Secretary Chirantha Amarasinghe said.

He said even when the government imposed a ban on face-covered helmet there was no drop in road accidents.

Mr. Amarasinghe said the CMA was of the view that the use of helmets should be standardised but wondered whether the gazette notice would impact on full-face helmets such as DOT, Snell and ECE, which are of international standards.

However, the Chairman of the National Council for Road Safety, Dr. Sisira Kodagoda said the normal chin-guard helmets have not been banned.

The gazette notice only has only banned the face-covered helmets used in racing. The reason behind banning the face-covered helmets because the chin guard is too long and obstructs a clear view of the speed 'o meter, he said adding that the ban was meant to ensure public safety. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)
At the turn of the Twentieth Century, Ceylons struggle for independence had rippled across the length and breadth of the island with an unwavering vision to break the chains of colonial servitude. While there were many who travelled to the far corners of the island to gather support for this struggle, there was a man who believed in the power of the written word that originated from the editorials of Lake House to explain the worth of self-rule to the common people.



The late D.R. Wijewardene, founder of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. is remembered as a man who worked among minds. Few can match the influence he had over the course of the island nations history. He understood that the media was inseparable from the strength of the nation and that democracy is dependent on the quality of information the people receive.

The D. R. Wijewardene memorial panel discussion was held at the Lakshman Kadiragamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies, as the nation celebrated the 131st birth anniversary of the press magnate. Organisers of the event noted that D.R. Wijewardene laid the foundation for Sri Lankas independence by understanding that the 20th Century would be redefined by the media. In keeping with his pioneering principles, the discussion explored the present dangers of online anonymity, fake news and online hate with contributions from the countrys leading media institutions, Lake House and Wijeya Newspapers together with online media platforms Ground Views, Yamu and Aniwa.lk.



Finding a balance in sensationalism, catchy headlines and the need to break news fast with accuracy was among the key challenges explored throughout the evening. The panelists included several editors of digital media platforms, entrepreneurs and journalists who attempted to tackle the grey areas of integrity in online journalism. The panelists included Rasika Jayakody from Lake House, Raisa Wickrematunga from Ground Views, Umair Wolid from Wijeya Newspapers, Indi Samarajiva from Yamu and Anisha Yasarathne of Aniwa.lk.



Fact and fiction

Discussing misleading news, click-bait and media bias, Rasika Jayakody attempted to differentiate fake news from bad journalism. When we started journalism there were two views; news and not news. News goes to the paper and not news will be left out. There was misinformation, disinformation, fabricated stories, cooked up stuff, all with elements of bad journalism. Today there is a new entity called fake news especially in the light of the US election. What differentiates fake news from bad journalism is the intent and the style of publishing, Jayakody opined.

In our newsrooms we try we try our best to get news right because we dont want mistakes. Our intention is to get it right and there are various bodies and frameworks to monitor these. Fake news [ articles] do not have frameworks. They [publishers] know in very clear terms that their purpose is the clear factor. Their objective is to use fake news to earn money, more hits or to aid some campaign, he added.



Jayakody cited examples of fake news with stories such as Donald Trump being endorsed by the Pope in the run to the US Presidential Election. He also spoke of the more recent news that US changed its VISA accreditation on Sri Lanka. According to Jayakody these stories define fake news.

One hundred years ago D. R. Wijewardene had the required amount of capital to start a large scale publishing company. Now the manufacturing cost of news and information has gone down to zero. Everyone is a publisher at least on social media. There is a huge influx of fake news online and we cant do anything about it. We need to single out fake news from bad journalism, he said.

Speaking further on the distinction between fake news and news that is inaccurate Umair Wolid of Wijeya Newsapapers spoke of how private media entities confront the new financial rival that that is fake news. According to Wolid fake news dissemination happens in two ways. While some stories are published purely with financial or political intent, some are the result of poor fact checking.

The US visa story, was picked up by Sri Lankan websites which said that Sri Lankans could travel visa free to the US. That was pure fake news. Its intent was not to pull out the fake news but it displayed a lack of fact checking. This is a common issue in any media institution. The entire news industry is so competitive because everyone wants to break their news first. There is no excuse for journalism sans fact checking. It is becoming a major issue at the moment. Paying news vs. false news are actually two dilemmas that modern journalists need to worry about, Wolid said.

Threat to democracy

Following these remarks the panelists were then questioned if there are instances where fake news can be good or useful. In response to the question, Indi Samarajiva of Yamu, an online media presence that sparked heated debate for its content on social media recently  took a rather unusual stance on the subject. He declared that fake news is not necessarily bad as often portrayed.

If you have a weapon, you dont ask if the weapon is real or not, you just ask if it is effective. If media is a weapon and you need to get what you want, then why not make it fake? Fake news allows a lot of people into the media establishment. Even now you need capital to have a media organisation. With access to a web server many people can be reached, Samarajiva said adding that alternative media outlets empowered the disenfranchised to voice their opinions.



However Raisa Wickrematunge of Groundviews countered this argument in response to the questions posed if fake news was a danger to democracy. I think its interesting that you think fake news is a stone that could be thrown at the establishment. When Ive written about the media I have often said that its like youre holding an unexploded grenade. And you are not aware of the power you wield. That might be an interesting analogy. Having said that, fake news also has a negative impact. Wickrematunge then went on to narrate a personal encounter in 2012 where she was a victim of fake news. In 2012 an article written by Wickrematunge had been picked up by another news outlet. The cooked up story had evolved into a news report alleging that she had been arrested. Wickrematunge notes that whenever her name is Googled, one of the things that appear in the results page is a false report of her arrest.



When you dont verify things it does have an impact on people. While for me this is an interesting anecdote, there are instances where it negatively impacted peoples lives. For instance in November there were two unarmed university students shot dead by police in Jaffna. One newspaper said that they were driving banned motorcycles, with the hope this somehow excused what happened. This was then picked up by several news organisations who reported it without fact checking. Imagine the feelings of the families of the victims when they saw this news. It is important to note that when you dont verify things it can have a negative impact on peoples lives, she cautioned.

Not the news

The panelists went on to discuss the willingness of an editorial team to balance sensationalism and reporting the truth. Anisha Yasaratne of Aniwa.lk said that reports are mostly formulated from the point of view from individual media organisations whose abilities are often restricted.

If your goal is to be a sustainable media organisation I dont think that you can push the envelope too far when youre crafting your click-bait for a website. When you draft your headlines and taglines, you would be doing yourselves a disservice if you dont represent the content of your article in the headline itself. In the Sinhala media space, if you dont do news youre automatically cast into the gossip sphere which is very veracious. It is also a necessity to be a little extreme these days because youre competing with so many other publications. You have to balance this with the truth. If you dont youre not going to last too long, he said.

The panelists went on to explore the restrictions and limitations media could and should draw in reporting with sensationalism and questioned as to where the lines could be drawn. While the audience could not clearly comprehend a conclusive account through the question and answer session at the end of the discussion a number of interesting queries were posed by the audience. This included the redaction of popular names and the selection of editorial content by each media organisation. However the panelists were firm in their stance that when questioning peoples identities and religion through reports of the media must be approached with caution and calls for better preparation for the reactions it may cause.

Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
A university student who faced being deported from the UK to Sri Lanka has had the order halted hours before she was due to board a plane.

Shiromini Satkunarajah, who is studying electrical engineering at Bangor University, North Wales, faced being sent to her country of birth with her mother Roshina on Tuesday morning.

The student, who has lived in the UK since she was 12, faced leaving the UK three months before completing her degree.

The Home Office rescinded her deportation order on Monday, shortly after her local MP Hywel Williams raised a point of order in the House of Commons.

Satkunarajah and her mother were due to be released from Yarls Wood detention centre on Monday evening.

Williams, the Plaid Cymru Westminster leader, said: This is the news weve all been hoping for. Im so very glad that Shiromini and her mum have had this deportation order rescinded and released from the detention centre.

Id like to thank everyone who backed the campaign to have the deportation order lifted. So much has been achieved in so little time.

He added: The outpouring of support from across the country has been staggering, particularly from North Wales, where Shiromini is highly regarded within the Bangor community.

Since the campaign was launched on Friday Ive received messages of support for Shiromini from across the country and Im glad that Bangor University will now be able to welcome one of their best students back.

Of course the campaign to right this unjust situation is not over. There is clearly something seriously wrong with the current system and it is an issue I intend to pursue. (The Guardian)
The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) today wrote to Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne to state his frank opinion on the Appeal Court ruling on the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) in Malabe instead making contradictory statements.

GMOA Secretary Dr. Naveen D. Zoysa told a media briefing that the Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) who appeared for Minister Senaratne had told courts that the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) was not empowered to visit private institutions such as the SAITM.

It is surprising to note that the Ministers counsel had made such a statement in court while outside Courts he had said the Health Ministry worked according to the recommendations of the SLMC. The minister should clearly state whether he advised the DSG to express the ministers actual opinion on this matter, Dr. Zoysa said.

Dr. Zoysa said a proper inquiry should be launched against the Deputy Solicitor General for acting against the instructions of his client, if he had expressed something that went against Minister Senaratnes instructions. (Kalathma Jayawardhane)
The 2017 edition of the Dr. Nihal Jinasena Memorial Cup sailing regatta took place on 18th February. Supported by Sail Lanka Charter and sponsored and organised by Ruhunu Sailing Association (RCA) of Sri Lanka, the Yacht Association Sri Lanka (YASL) and, most importantly, Mrs. Nihal Jinasena, this successful race keeps the legacy of famed industrialist and enthusiastic sailor Dr. Nihal Jinasena alive and fulfils his vision encouraging the development of sailing in Sri Lanka as the sport is gaining more and more popularity on this beautiful island with long shorelines perfect for the sport.

A sunny day witnessed keen participants from The Royal Colombo Yacht Club, Ceylon Motor Yacht Club, Sri Lankan Navy and the RSA competing, with a total of 58 boats and 10 windsurfers, all competing for the first spot. The regatta was honored with the presence of the famous French TV station TF1 that filmed the race in the splendid blue waters of the Indian Ocean, for telecast for viewers back in France. Spectators and race enthusiasts were offered an opportunity to watch the race in comfort on Sail Lankas Jade vessel, with an appetizing lunch served onboard. The prize-giving ceremony took place at the Naval Hotel Malima in Mirissa with the winners in different classes accepting their hard fought prizes. Last years edition of this regatta was a huge success, witnessing the participation of 35 boats from the optimist, enterprise, laser, GP14, Mini Bee classes, along with some breathtaking windsurfing.

Sail Lanka Charter is now offering 3-day and 6-day trips to Jaffna during which guests can enjoy an ideal combination of a relaxing traffic free holiday in full privacy on the beautiful ocean whilst, exploring beautiful the beachscapes and visiting the historic sites in the Jaffna region.



Sail Lanka Charter is spearheading the boating industry to achieve new milestones and is committed to grow with the Sri Lankan tourism industry as a brand new experience the country can offer. The company is committed to empowering Sri Lankan people and business while also putting Sri Lanka on the global yachting tourism map. Established in 2014 as part of the Sri Lanka Yachting Group, Sail Lanka Charter is enhancing local boat building skills as a tool to construct a bright future for young Sri Lankans as well as expanding the potential of the Sri Lankan tourism industry.
SAITM CEO Dr. Sameera Senaratne allegedly staged the shooting which took place in Malabe to falsely portray his life was in danger, Police said.

Investigations alleged that Dr. Senaratne together with a Pradeshiya Saba member, who is a close friend, and a driver of a local government body had planned and executed the shooting. Police said they were searching for both the PS member and the driver who have fled.

Meanwhile, Police yesterday arrested a resident of Embilipitiya in connection with the incident. The suspect had a 9mm pistol, a 3.8 revolver and a motor cycle which Police believe was used for the shooting.

The suspect was produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate Court yesterday and was remanded till March 13.



Police also questioned a former army special force soldier, who was in remand custody on other charges, regarding the incident.

Dr. Sameera Senaratne was also questioned at length regarding the incident on Monday, Police said.

The SAITM CEO escaped unhurt on February 6, when two men on a motor bike wearing full-face helmets opened fire at the car, driven by him near the SAITM campus in Malabe.

The Colombo Organized Crime and Prevention Division and the Nugegoda Special Crimes Investigation Division are investigating the incident.(Darshana Sanjeewa)
- Award-winning collaboration bridges 16 countries across 3 continents

Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (SLT) and the SEA-ME-WE 5 Consortium proudly announce the completion of the 20,000- kilometre subsea cable infrastructure developed by a 16-nation consortium. This submarine cable system won the Project of the Year  Subsea award at the Global Carrier Awards in Paris in November 2016 for its technological and managerial excellence.

The SEA-ME-WE 5 subsea cable system, spanning over 16 countries from Southeast Asia to Western Europe, is a technological breakthrough, which marks a global communications milestone. It is designed with a capacity of 24 Terabits per second on 3-fibre pairs, fully capable of accommodating the future demand of data from other bandwidth-intensive low latency applications such as internet of things (IoT), enterprise data exchange, internet TV and online gaming.

The SEA-ME-WE 5 submarine cables advanced 100Gbps technology is expected to meet the quadrupling demand for bandwidth between Europe and Asia, providing the lowest latency and further enhancing the network diversity and resilience to the heavily loaded Asia to Europe route. In contrast with other submarine cable systems, the SEA-ME-WE 5s main endpoints are carrier-neutral/open Points-of-Presence (PoPs) and not just Cable Landing Stations (CLS).

The completion of the SE-ME-WE 5 project is a landmark system upgrade for all data users worldwide. This system facilitates a new age of digital transformation and innovation, catalysing greater economic activities, trade and growth across three continents, noted Linette Lee, Chairperson, SEA-ME-WE 5 Consortium Management Committee. I would like to thank all the members of the consortium for their unstinting support and commitment towards this project.

Together, we collaborated across different time zones and overcame numerous challenges to achieve the complex integration of technologies as promised and on time.

The gigantic capacity derived through this new cable system will facilitate the exponential growth in demand for data, both locally and internationally enabling Sri Lanka to leverage on its strategic geographical location. It will definitely accelerate the move towards an inclusive digital economy.

SLTs investment in the cable will help prepare Sri Lanka to take on the envisaged data explosion. I am proud to note that Sri Lanka has been given full landing status by the SEA-ME-WE 5 consortium, which will pave the way to establish a global point of presence in Sri Lanka very soon. This will make the island a preferred destination in the region for data centre operations expressed SLT Group CEO Dileepa Wijesundera.

19 Members of the SEA-ME-WE 5 Consortium:

Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL), China Mobile International (CMI), China Telecom Global (CTG), China United Network Communications Group Company Limited (CU), Djibouti Telecom (DT), Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du), Myanmar Post and Telecom (MPT), Ooredoo, Orange, PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia International (Telin), Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (Singtel), Sparkle, Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (SLT), Telecom Egypt (TE), Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), TeleYemen, Turk Telekom International (TTI) and Trans World Associates (Pvt) Limited Pakistan (TWA).
A funny thing happened in-between the reconvening of the Steering Committee of the Constitutional Assembly (Feb 21) and the adjournment motion on the Constitution held the next day in Parliament. TNA MP MA Sumanthiran and target of an assassination attempt by the LTTE, struck a discordant note in his speech at a seminar on The Constitution, Reconciliation & You, organized by Sri Lanka Inc. and held at the Buddhist Cultural Center auditorium on February 21st evening. His speech and mine (which came much later) triggered off a heated debate that kept the event going until 9:30 p.m.



Mr. Sumanthiran spoke second, following upon Prof GL Pieris. My own speech took on more of an edge than it otherwise would have, in response to the latent note of intimidation visa-vis the Sinhala majority struck by both Suma and former Chief Secretary of the North Eastern Provincial Council, Dr. Wigneswaran.



When criticizing the concept of majority rule based on the principle of one man one vote, Mr. Sumanthiran chose to quote from the remarks in Parliament of Mr. C. Sundaralingam, a pioneering Eelamist (he called it Eylom) who stood for a separate state even when the TULF did not, and ran for election on that slogan. More curiously, but quite revealingly, Mr. Sumanthiran chose a quote in which Mr. Sundaralingams critique of democratic majority rule included an explicit threat of physical violence.



Addressing the Speaker of the House who was of the Islamic faith, Mr. Sundaralingam had said that a parliamentary majority, reflecting the countrys demographics, may legislate that the Hon Speaker cannot wear his fez cap in parliament, but if such a majority attempted to legislate that he, Mr. Sundaralingam, could not wear holy ash on his forehead in the precincts of Parliament, his fist would meet their faces, and it would then be a matter, not of counting heads but of cracking of heads!

If Mr. Sumanthiran wished to quote a Tamil parliamentarian in his speech at a public event on the eve of the parliamentary adjournment motion for a new Constitution, he could surely have quoted Neelan Tiruchelvam. Instead, his choice of source and quote demonstrated just how far he was from the Harvard educated intellectual and genuine moderate Neelan Tiruchelvam.

When a moderate invokes the discourse of physical violence against the principle of majority rule, it tells me that something is going on. When a moderate behaves in that manner under a liberal government a few weeks after he has been the target of an assassination attempt by separatist terrorists, it tells me that something is rottenor remains rottenin the (separate?) state of Tamil politics.



This was not a one-off reference that evening. Both Mr. Sumanthiran and Dr. Wigneswaran brandished the threat of external pressure and intervention. In the Q&A spell Mr. Sumanthiran approvingly quoted a Rwandan Bishop who visited Sri Lanka and warned the Sinhalese that if they couldnt treat their Tamil brother as an equal, the Tamil brothers older brother living overseas would ensure that the Sinhala brother could not live in peace.

I replied saying that in a democracy, no minority can be the political equal of the majority as a collective, but that as individual citizens everyone should enjoy equal rights and opportunities and that this is why I had called in my speech for a powerful Bill of Rights, anti-discrimination legislation and an Ombudsman, which I dubbed the Soulbury Plus model (meaning a reinforced Section 29 C). I pointed out that the majority community on this island had taken the worst that the Tamil Big Brother outside the island could throw at it during a thirty years war which had included an episode of foreign intervention, and yet the Sri Lankan State had prevailed.



Dr. Wigneswarans threat came in the course of his speech, not the debate session. Dr. Wigneswaran reminded the audience that the 13th amendment was due to Indian intervention and cautioned that we risk external intervention yet again if we do not agree to a new Constitution which goes beyond the 13th amendment. He rhetorically queried as to whether we want foreign intervention.

The most important thing that happened that evening, and it is of truly national importance, is that the real strategy and battle-plan of Tamil nationalism was revealed or uncovered. I had made the point in my speech that Sri Lanka needed constitutional change but not a change of Constitution. I drew the distinction between structure and system, making the case for structural reform but standing firmly against the replacement of the state system, the state form as enshrined in the Constitution.

Arguing against me and much more importantly against the perspective of the SLFP and the JO as stated in Parliament and outside, Mr. Sumanthiran challengingly queried as to why we were opposed to a referendum at which the Sinhala majority had the opportunity to shoot down the new Constitution, and why we were for a mere reform which could be enacted by a two thirds majority in parliament. Addressing Parliament on Feb 22nd in a 90 minute long speech (a written text) Mr. Sampanthan pushed the case for a new Constitution and a referendum. He was assisted by UNP Minister Mangala Samaraweera who made a 30-minute speech (also from a written text).

The real question was not why the SLFP and JO were against a new Constitution but why the TNA preferred a risky referendum at a time in which incumbent administrations were losing referenda to nationalist-populist protest votes throughout the world. Why did the TNA not prefer the far safer and surer option of one or more amendments that could be enacted by a two thirds majority in parliament?

At the previous evenings seminar, I ventured an answer to the riddleand neither Mr. Sumanthiran nor Dr. Wigneswaran rebutted me. I expressed the view that what was more important for Tamil nationalism was not winning or losing at a referendum but the very holding of the referendum! For the Tamil nationalist project what matters more than a new Constitution is the referendum itself!

At a referendum the Tamils can be counted on to vote en bloc for a non-unitary model and call it a plebiscite which rejects living in a unitary state. It could be billed as an assertion of Tamil sovereignty and self-determination as a nation, and a huge endorsement obtained in the North and parts of the East. The Tamil nationalists pulled the same number at the general election of 1977 at which they called for a vote on the single slogan of a an independent, sovereign, secular,socialist state of Tamil Eelam and swept the board in the North as well as part of the East. It is that electoral result that was hawked throughout world as a mandate for Tamil Eelam.



Theirs is an exit strategy from Sri Lankalets call it TEXIT (for Tamil Exit).Either (A) the new constitution is passed at a referendum, in which case they will have the benefit of a weak, non-unitary, de facto federal state in which the majority will fragment along provincial lines under Chief Ministerial warlords while the Tamil-speaking North and East will be magnetically drawn by the demographics and geography of neighbouring Tamil Nadu into a separate existence, or (B) the Constitution will be shot down by the Sinhala majority but the massive yes vote in the North and East (Trincomalee district) will be the stepping stone for a Kashmir-style permanent civic uprising and a call for external intervention. Given that Tamil Nadu is to Sri Lanka what Florida is to Cuba, with its attendant electoral dynamics, a Bangladesh/Kosovo outcome down the road is almost inevitable.The referendum is the first step in the process.
The campus unrest in India, which had started with the suicide of Rohith Vemula, a Dalit research scholar of University of Hyderabad in January 2016, reached its highpoint with the arrest of JNU student leaders in February 2016 on charges of sedition.

Student protests had spread to many campuses around the country last year, including Jadavpur University. After a few months of relative calm, campus politics has again captured national headlines in the last few days.

A violent attack by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists against a protesting group of students and teachers on February 22, 2017, outside Ramjas College in Delhi has again raised the spectre of student unrest spreading to other academic campuses in India.

The main issue is that while ABVP bullies student activists to confine themselves within the rubric of its stipulated "nationalist dogma", others strive to preserve their academic freedom and engage in intellectual debates.

Kargil War martyrs daughter Gurmehar Kaur's social media campaign to protest against the ABVPs "tyranny of fear" in Delhi University campus has received nation-wide attention, and seems to have unnerved the ABVP and their supporters.

These so-called nationalist hoodlums have gone to the extent of viciously attacking the brave young daughter of the martyred officer on social media and even issuing rape threats to her.

Since coming to power in May 2014, Narendra Modi's government has waged an unrelenting attack on the countrys educational institutions and has been projecting any intellectual dissent as the work of forces determined to destroy the country from within.

Academics are being regularly branded as anti-nationals. Many RSS members are being handpicked to head prestigious universities and are being patronised to promote the divisive Hindutva agenda within their campuses.

The Modi government does not hesitate to use brutal police actions inside academic campuses and even arrests student leaders on charges of sedition. At the same time, it uses its ABVPs vandal power to suppress any dissenting voice.

ABVPs penchant for violence in the name of nationalism is not new. In 2006, its activists allegedly killed Professor HS Sabharwal in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. In 2011, another professor in Madhya Pradesh died of shock after witnessing ABVP activists beating one of his colleagues.

However, the thuggish power of ABVP has got a major boost after the 2014 general elections. With protection and promotion from the Modi government, ABVP has started to spread a reign of "nationalist" terror in academic campuses across India.

The right-wing student body ABVP, affiliated to the RSS, is probably one of the worlds largest student organisations with more than 3 million members. It claims to strive for inculcating a nationalistic voice in student politics of India in order to contribute to the cause of nation-building, but what it actually does best is engage in violence and vandalism in academic campuses.

The ABVP claims to be at the forefront of many struggles against anti-national ideologies, starting from the fight against Left-wing extremism to oppose Muslim infiltration from Bangladesh, to resisting the forces supporting separatist movements in Kashmir.

But, its real legacy is in the name of patriotic nationalism - its activists brand the students and teachers of an opposing political ideology as anti-national elements and try to use whatever means available to silence them.

Under RSS teachings, ABVP lacks understanding that educational institutions thrive not because of discipline or nationalist order, but when they provide an environment to think, deliberate and debate freely.

ABVPs idea of education is what Freires "Oppressed Pedagogy" theory will describe as "banking" education, which considers the student as only a passive subject, as opposed to the "liberation" education which treats a student as an active actor and education as a liberating device.

Academic institutions should broaden horizons and develop assurance and self-determination that enable a person to interact and compete with others. Campuses should encourage acceptance and tolerance to help people lead responsible civic lives. But ABVP has a skewed perception about the role of an academic institution.

An academic institution is not a state-controlled industrial enterprise as ABVP tends to think, which only produces "nationalist" products as defined and directed by the countrys political leadership, but is a place of universal learning whose two principal functions are providing quality education and undertaking deliberation and research on matters of intellectual and social importance.

Political activism is a fundamental part of this learning process of a student. Muzzling students and professors is not the way to imbue them with the necessary critical thinking skills. Students will not remain students forever. Political activism, not forced indoctrination on the campus prepares them to be engaged and active citizens of the country.

For a developing democracy like India to sustain and thrive, it expects its citizens to take responsibility for supporting communities, helping to solve public problems, and participating in the political and electoral processes. Moreover, active and healthy campus politics helps to create tolerance for opposing viewpoints and prepares students to learn the "agree to disagree" approach.

Student politics at the university level is almost as old as university itself. Some student activism focuses on mundane academic issues; some others take up greater political causes. Way back in the 13th century, universities in Paris and Bologna had witnessed student mobilisation over residential facilities and dress code.

There is also a long history of students taking up political causes. University students in Korea had led an opposition against the King in 1519.

Not only in university, even young school students openly opposed government policy when their country is at war. At the height of the Vietnam War in 1965, 15-year-old John Tinker, his younger sister, and their friend, violating the rule of their school, wore black armbands to protest against the War. Americas Supreme Court considered this act within their right to freedom of speech and expression.

Students help to drive social change in the country and academic campuses where social issues are raised and many voices are heard. From time to time during the difficult hours of a country, students become the spark for very positive and progressive transformations.

To preserve the democratic and inclusive ethos of India, it is critical that students and professors should have an open academic space, which is free from ABVPs fear and available for political debate and activism.

Under government patronage, ABVP has been regularly resorting to violence in educational institutions in recent years. It raises serious apprehensions over the availability of an inclusive campus environment for maintaining intellectual discourse and academic debate.

It is critically urgent that the Modi government rein in its ABVP cadres from making this cheap but dangerous "nationalist" drama and restore normalcy and freedom in academic campuses.
Our security challenges in the Indian Ocean are set to increase in the years ahead, with Chinas maritime ambitions as the biggest source. Chinas 2015 White Paper on Military Strategy formalised a new maritime strategy encompassing open seas protection for which its naval capacity to protect its overseas interests and sea lanes of communication must increase. This makes the Indian Ocean an integral part of its maritime strategy.

Naval bases

China has established a naval base at Djibouti. Apart from its strategic location, by maintaining its naval contingent so far away from home for long periods it is obtaining vital experience in blue water naval operations. It is developing Gwadar, once again located strategically  at the mouth of the Straits of Hormuz  as a commercial port to begin with, but its evolution as a naval base is a matter of time. The sale of eight submarines to Pakistan will establish the presence of Chinese naval personnel on the Balochistan coast on an enduring basis. A Chinese submarine has already surfaced at Gwadar, and China has supplied two warships to Pakistan for the ports security.

Gwadar can become a veritable naval base as it has hinterland access. [Photo: Mail Today]

China is selling two submarines to Bangladesh, which too will mean a Chinese presence on the Bangladesh coast, albeit limited. As evidence of its increasing naval activity in the Indian Ocean, Chinese submarines have twice surfaced at the Colombo port. China, seeking a foothold in Maldives, has acquired an island there, ostensibly for the purpose of tourism development. Once it implants itself there more deeply economically, and should Maldives walk into a debt trap as Sri Lanka is sliding into, China will have greater influence.

Naval experts rightly say that for the present Chinese naval activity in the Indian Ocean is no cause for alarm as the assets it is creating are vulnerable as they are too far away from the Chinese mainland and lack air cover. US naval power, it is argued, rests on the vast network of military bases that America has across the world. Simply having access to ports for replenishment of stores, rest and recreation and for doing exercises is not enough to wield naval power. A proper naval base would require the positioning of ordnance, spares and capacity to service vessels. From providing peaceful passage to foreign naval vessels to allowing base facilities is a strategic step that Indian Ocean countries may refuse in view of a strong Indian response. Pakistan is the only exception.

Objective

Gwadar can become a veritable naval base as it has hinterland access, meaning that the Chinese can position equipment, ammunition, spares, etc, there through the illegal China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Given Pakistans declared willingness to offer naval rights to China at Gwadar, the threat to us from Chinese activities there is not to be dismissed.

China is expanding its naval capacities with the construction of additional aircraft carriers and a sizeable nuclear-powered submarine fleet. The immediate objective is to challenge US naval power in the western Pacific. China is, like Russia in a sense, substantially landlocked as it does not have unfettered access to the open sea and is largely confined to the seas along its coast. From Taiwan to Japan it is ringed by the so-called first island chain, shored up by a powerful US military presence. Chinas major strategic objective would be to break out of this throttling island chain and obtain access more freely to the Pacific and Indian Oceans for its navy.

Chinese President Xi Jinping. [Photo: Mail Today]

In this context, Taiwan is critically important and hence Chinas paranoia about the possibility of it becoming independent. Chinese assertiveness in the East China Sea and, even more so, in the South China Sea is explained by its strategic goal of exerting as much control over these waters as possible, and by changing the balance in the region and increasing the level of threat to US naval assets there push the US to politically accommodate its interests. The new great power relationship that it seeks with the US  a form of G 2 in Asia  is focused on this goal.

Strategic vision

Our joint strategic vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions with the US and our endorsement of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abes concept of the Indo-Pacific stem from our own increasing concerns about Chinas geopolitical ambitions in Asia and, in particular, our neighbourhood. If Chinas ambitions are curbed in the Asia-Pacific its rapid naval expansion in the Indian Ocean will be thwarted. India, US and Japan, along with Australia, have therefore a shared interest in maintaining a strategic balance in the Indo-Pacific region to ensure peace and stability.

Indonesia would be a partner in this because to avoid the Malacca Straits choke point, the Sunda and Lombok Straits passing through the Indonesian archipelago provide a route for Chinese submarines to enter the Indian Ocean. India and the US are already collaborating in tracking the movement of Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean, as publicly disclosed by the US Pacific fleet commander in New Delhi recently.

China, through its One Belt One Road project, is seeking to control the Asian landmass to the north as well as the Indian Ocean to the south, with the CPEC as the link. This is the geopolitical challenge India  located at the centre of these two projects  faces as no power before in history has dominated both the hinterland and the sea in our extended region.
Dunelm Group plc retails homewares in the United Kingdom. The company offers furniture and beds products, which include bedroom, living room, dining room, and other furniture, as well as bed and mattresses, and sofas and chairs; bedding products comprising bed linen, dorma, baby and kid's bedding, and duvets, pillows and protectors; curtains and rugs; and venetian, roller, roman, vertical, and made to measure blinds. It also offers range of home decor products, such as mirrors, clocks, ornaments, pictures and frames, candle and home fragrance, flower and plants, vases, kid accessories, cushions, bean bags, and letterbox flowers, as well as housewarming, engagement, anniversary, and wedding gifts; lighting products, including ceiling and wall lights, table and desk lamps, floor lamps, and pendants and lamp shades; and paint, wallpaper, DIY and upcycling, and haberdashery products. In addition, the company provides kitchen and utility products comprising cooking, dining, electrical, utility, and pet products; towel and bathmats, and bathroom accessories, as well as furniture and decor products; storage products, such as travel and luggage, home, clothes, and kitchen storage; kids bedroom, nursery, and accessories products; outdoor products, which include garden furniture and decoration, and entreating and dining products; and trends christmas products and winter essentials. It operates through a network of 177 stores and 2 distribution centers, as well as sells its products through an online store at dunelm.com. Dunelm Group plc was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Syston, the United Kingdom.
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.
Dear Annie: I have a real problem with my 52-year-old son, Robert, who is cross-addicted. Hes struggled with substance abuse since he was 14 years old. Years ago, he got sober for a stretch of five years, so I know he is capable of getting clean. But hes using now.

He is very verbally abusive, especially to me. I tried to help him for two years by having him live with me. I kicked him out when I found needles and other paraphernalia in the house. Of course, he lies like a rug and recently claimed he was robbed of his medication. He had me running to the police to file a report of the robbery and then had me go to the pharmacy to pick up a refill.

I have had it up to my eyeballs and cannot help him. He always sends texts saying, You never loved me, You hate me, You talk to me like Im Dad. (He is just like his father.) His brother died of an overdose, and he throws that in my face  even to the point that he says I enjoyed watching him die! He is so sick, and when I say we need a long break, he turns that around to: You have no feelings and are a hard, cold woman. He lives in the same town I do and constantly calls for favors. He needs long-term rehabilitation, and I am fed up with his abuse. What should I do?

 Tired and Exhausted

Dear Tired: Addiction is a cunning and opportunistic disease, one that leads its victims to go to great lengths to further afflict themselves. Im so sorry it claimed the life of your other son.

Please know that when Robert says monstrous things to you, its his illness talking, not your son. Tell him that you love and support him but you will not love, support or enable his addiction. Thats that. Dont let him guilt you into lending him money; dont let him hoodwink you into refilling prescriptions.

And consider attending an Al-Anon or Nar-Anon Family Groups meeting so you can hear from others who know painfully well what youre going through. I cannot recommend these groups enough.

Dear Annie: I was so pleased with your response to Speech Problems in Pennsylvania, saying that the writer offered an invaluable perspective. The writer is in a unique place, as the serving job he or she has gives him or her repeated opportunities not only to educate others but also to face his or her own feelings regarding having a speech disorder.

It sounds to me as if the writer is projecting his/her own emotions about the problem onto others. I would suggest that the writer say straight out and very kindly that he/she has a speech problem and do a little sharing. Also, most people who comment on a persons accent mean it as a compliment, not an insult. At any rate, this is my perspective, one based upon my being a certified speech language pathologist for over 45 years. The writer may consider receiving some counseling to clarify and study his/her own feelings, as well as to get support and encouragement. This person sounds very capable and just could use a little boost!

 Speech/Language Pathologist, Retired

Dear Speech: Thank you for sharing your expertise. Im printing your letter with the hope that it provides encouragement to Speech Problems in Pennsylvania and anyone else coping with speech issues.
ELKO  More than 20 hand-tied fleece blankets have been donated to the Shriners Hospital in Salt Lake City to be gifted to the young patients, thanks to the hard work of Elko High School FCCLA (Family Career and Community Leaders of America) members.

According to Elko FCCLA Advisor Barbara Hereford, the idea for the project was brought to her by Susie Sandoz whose son is a Shriners patient and FCCLA member.

The material for the project was bought by money raised from selling healthy food snacks to students, faculty, and administration, said Hereford. I then asked FCCLA member Ciara Mendez to spearhead the project.

Mendez said she thought the project was a good idea and completed five blankets on her own before enlisting the aid of her fellow FCCLA members and classmates in her Foundation of Design class to help complete the project.

I hope our donation can help keep the kids at the hospital warm and raise their spirits, said Mendez.

Elko Shriners President Reed Mosley and Elko Shriners past president and past 10-year Board member of the Shriners Hospital Judge Frazier stopped by Elko High School to thank Mendez and Hereford for all of their hard work on their project.

Donations such as these are always appreciated by the kids at the hospital, said Frazier. The kids always get a blanket or pillow when they come to the hospital for treatment and get to take them home with them when they leave. They really love them.
ELKO  High school seniors and Great Basin College students are invited to apply for NV Energys Powerful Partnership Scholarship Program administered by the Community Foundation of Western Nevada.

NV Energy offers $1,000 scholarships to students based on the programs selection criteria and number of applications received.

In 2015 a total of $49,000 was awarded to incoming freshman and current college students.

Over the past 16 years, NV Energy Foundation has given nearly $1.76 million in scholarships to Nevada students statewide.

Nevada high school seniors and GBC students are eligible for the scholarship program. Students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, show proven community service, and plan to attend a post secondary institution. An interview with an NV Energy Foundation representative is mandatory.

For additional information contact Sarah Polito, senior corporate communications specialist at 834-3891, 771-3891 or spolito@nvenergry.com.
Rep. Tom Garrett, R-5th, introduced legislation Monday that would federally decriminalize marijuana, according to a news release from his office.

The Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2017 would take marijuana off the federal controlled substance list if it is passed.

The release stated that the bill would fulfill a responsibility to create a level playing field across the country.

Statistics indicate that minor narcotics crimes disproportionately hurt areas of lower socio-economic status, and what I find most troubling is that we continue to keep laws on the books that we do not enforce, Garrett said in the release. Virginia is more than capable of handling its own marijuana policy, as are states such as Colorado or California.

This bill originally was introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in 2015, but the legislation died.

Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat representing Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District, is the lead original cosponsor on Garretts legislation.

Garretts bill comes after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said theres more violence around marijuana than people would think.

Sessions is reviewing the previous administrations memo to the Justice Department that gave states flexibility when it comes to passing marijuana laws.

Eight states, as well as the District of Columbia, have legalized recreational marijuana use.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
ELKO  With flood waters receding, the City will officially rescind the emergency declaration that was put into effect on Feb. 11.

The City chose to add the item onto the City Council agenda rather than schedule a special meeting to declare the end of the state of emergency.

Assistant City Manager Scott Wilkinson said the Citys announcement of the end of the state of emergency is in line with the county.

The county had a declaration of emergency initially and they have since declared the incident over, he said. To ensure that would we maintain any rights that we would have under those types of declarations we went ahead and declared an emergency also.

Wilkinson also said the City can declare a state of emergency without the county if flooding becomes an issue when the snow melts again during the spring.

Wilkinson said while municipalities across northern Nevada are concerned about the spring runoff, it is impossible for the City to know how severe it will be.

We dont know one way or the other. There are a lot of variables that go into the amount of runoff you receive over time, he said. We dont know what remains of the snowpack, what the temperatures are going to be and the duration of those temperatures, so we have no idea how thats going to play out this spring.

City Council will meet at City Hall at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
Charlottesville police are classifying a shooting that left two people dead on Sunday as a domestic-related murder-suicide.

At 7:17 p.m. on Sunday, city police responded to a home in the 1700 block of Monticello Road for a report of a shooting. Officers arrived on the scene and found the bodies of 33-year-old Whitney Leigh French and her husband, 37-year-old Rafal Konrad Kalemba, both with apparent gunshot wounds.

Police said it appeared that Kalemba shot his wife before killing himself.

French had been a senior product designer at WillowTree Inc. since June 2015, according to the company.

It is with extreme shock, disbelief and sadness that we learn of the events surrounding Whitney Frenchs death, CEO Tobias Dengel said in a statement Monday. Whitney embodied everything that is great in this world. She was incredibly talented, positive and creative. She made everyone she touched better. She will be dearly missed by everyone at WillowTree, as well as by many of our clients she worked with. We would like to express our deepest condolences to Whitneys family and friends.

Police are still trying to piece together the events that led to the deaths. Officers said they believe Kalemba acted alone and that there is no threat to the community.
A Richmond judge ruled Tuesday that an anti-gerrymandering lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of several state legislative districts can move forward.

Richmond Circuit Court Judge W. Reilly Marchant rejected a motion by the House of Delegates leadership to have the case dismissed before a trial.

The case, brought by redistricting advocacy group OneVirginia2021, argues that the General Assembly did not follow required compactness standards during the 2011 redistricting process.

Today's ruling puts the case, which focuses on 11 House and Senate districts represented by lawmakers from both parties, one step closer to a March trial. The final ruling in the matter, however, is expected to come from the Supreme Court of Virginia.

Marchant found "material facts in dispute" that warranted further legal exploration and rejected a motion for summary judgement to dismiss the case for failing to state a clear basis for a legal challenge.

Should the plaintiffs prevail, the state's electoral map could be redrawn.

Leaders in the Republican-controlled House have argued the map was overwhelmingly approved with support from both parties.

Richard B. Raile, an attorney representing House leaders from Washington-based firm BakerHostetler, argued today that the case should be dismissed because the districts in question fall within compactness scores upheld in prior redistricting cases.

Wyatt Durette, an attorney representing OneVirginia2021, argued that numerical scores had not been established in case law as a "one-size-fits-all" solution that absolved lawmakers of their responsibility to prioritize compactness above other interests such as partisan advantage or incumbent protection.

Raile countered by saying that if compactness was not a factor, the map would look "crazy."

"To some degree they all look a little crazy," Marchant said. "They don't look like a circle or a square. They look like a salamander."
The Trump administration's move to rescind bathroom access protections for transgender students rests on the idea that school bathroom policies are "a states' rights issue," as White House press secretary Sean Spicer has explained, and that, in any event, it is "preposterous on its face" that the authors of the federal law barring sex discrimination in schools imagined it would cover transgender students.

On the states' rights question, the administration is both wrong and offensive. On the issue of what the authors of Title IX contemplated in 1972, it is correct but irrelevant. The issue isn't what the authors intended but what discrimination "on the basis of sex" means.

For Gavin Grimm, the 17-year-old high school student whose case is now before the Supreme Court, it means that he is a boy  he has an amended birth certificate saying so  who, alone among the boys at his rural Virginia school, is barred from using the boys' room. Tell him that's not discriminating on the basis of sex.

The states' rights argument, redolent of 1960s resistance to civil rights protections for African-Americans is, to repeat Spicer's language, "preposterous on its face." Of course, education is traditionally a state and local issue. But the federal government provides billions of dollars every year to local schools  and attaches a host of conditions to the receipt of that funding. Among those conditions: that they not discriminate on the basis of sex.

It was the authors of Title IX  the very legislators whose intentions Spicer is so solicitous of  who determined that sex discrimination in educational institutions was not a states' rights issue but a matter of federal concern. If treating transgender students differently is discriminating on the basis of sex, the Trump administration's argument is with Title IX itself. Why should a transgender student in Gloucester County, where Grimm lives, be treated differently, and enjoy fewer protections, than a transgender student elsewhere?

So the relevant question remains: Are transgender students protected under Title IX? Here, Spicer is undoubtedly correct that the authors of Title IX didn't have transgender students in mind. That's not the point, nor is it the way that the court interprets statutes. Back in 1972, no one imagined that sexual harassment was a form of sex discrimination. The legal theory didn't exist. That has not stopped the Supreme Court from recognizing that sexual harassment constitutes impermissible discrimination, including under Title IX.

Dismissing legislative intent in interpreting statutory meaning in favor of focusing on the language of the statute itself is not some rogue liberal method of judging  it's what the late Justice Antonin Scalia advocated. Thus Grimm's lawyers, in their just-filed brief at the Supreme Court, cite Scalia from 1998: "Statutory prohibitions often go beyond the principal evil to cover reasonably comparable evils, and it is ultimately the provisions of our laws rather than the principal concerns of our legislators by which we are governed."

That case involved male-on-male sexual harassment in the workplace, clearly not what the authors of the 1964 Civil Rights Act had in mind when they made it illegal to discriminate in employment on the basis of sex.

Similarly, as the Justice Department under President Obama argued in a lower court brief in Grimm's case, "Treating a student differently from other students because his birth-assigned sex diverges from his gender identity constitutes differential treatment on the basis of sex under Title IX." Forcing Grimm, and Grimm alone, to use a separate, single-stall restroom, the Justice Department said, "singles him out in a way that is humiliating and stigmatizing."

This, the Trump administration notwithstanding, is not a wacky legal interpretation. The majority of lower courts that have considered the issue have agreed that discriminating against a transgender individual is sex discrimination under federal civil rights laws and the Equal Protection Clause.

The Trump administration is making a big fuss over the Obama administration's decision to express its position through a guidance letter to school districts rather than by passing a new regulation. Don't let that distract you. What really matters is whether transgender students are protected by the law and the Constitution.

On that question, it might help to consider what Gavin Grimm had to tell the Gloucester County School Board when his legal odyssey began three years ago: "All I want to do is be a normal child and use the restroom in peace, and I have had no problems from students to do that  only from adults."

Ruth Marcus is a columnist with the Washington Post Writers Group. Email her at ruthmarcus@washpost.com.
The Trump administration claims its policies will usher in economic growth of 3 percent per annum  and even possibly twice that, Trump boasted at one point during the campaign.

Thats quite a stretch. The average growth during the past decade is 2 percent, and the Federal Reserve predicts 1.8 percent going forward. But higher growth is possible, and very much desired; its the least painful way to straighten out the nations messy long-term fiscal picture. (The other options: brutal spending cuts or brutal tax hikes.)

Unfortunately, the president faces some big obstacles on the path to 3 percent. One of them is demographics: 10,000 baby boomers are retiring from the workforce every day. In economic terms, thats like taking a couple of engines off an airplane and storing them in the cargo hold.

The administration has proposed some steps that would help reduce economic drag. It wants to cut taxes and roll back regulations. Any reduction would increase efficiency, and any cut in taxes would help capital flow to its highest and best use.

Yet the Trump administration seems intent on overwhelming any potential benefits from such moves by imposing other policies that would be immensely harmful.

One of them involves restraints on trade  including high tariffs and the renegotiation or abandonment of trade agreements.

Even without the almost certain retaliation from foreign trading partners, such measures would kick the economy in the solar plexus, because economic growth consists mostly of an increase in the volume of trade, both domestic and foreign. A country without trade is a country without an economy.

Cutting imports ignores this key fact: Half of all imports consist of raw materials, capital goods or intermediate manufacturing components  i.e., things U.S. factories need to keep running. Cutting off the flow of imports is a recipe for layoffs.

The other big threat to economic growth comes from Trumps immigration policies. As The Wall Street Journals Greg Ip points out in a recent column, a nations economic output depends on the number of people it employs and how productively they work.

Whats more, falling fertility rates in the U.S. have reduced population growth to the lowest point in the countrys history. If that trend continues, before long immigration will account for all the growth in the labor force.

While any reduction in immigration would hurt, some sectors of the economy would suffer disproportionately  farming, construction, restaurants, hotels.

Immigration hawks say the answer is obvious: Raise wages, and idle Americans will rush to fill the jobs left open by deported illegal aliens. That might work if the U.S.-born workforce were growing fast enough, but it isnt. And even if it were, many Americans simply wont do some kinds of work. Just ask John Harold, a Colorado farmer who made a point a few years ago to hire Americans to work his onion fields. Many of them quit within six hours.

For a fellow who likes to boast about his business acumen, Trump doesnt seem to have a clue about how the economy actually works.

Excerpted from the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
TUESDAY

Culpeper Town Council meetings

At 9:30 a.m. Feb. 28 of the Personnel & Ordinance committee followed at 10 a.m. by the Public Works & Public Safety Committee at 10 a.m. in the economic development center, 803 S. Main St.

Blue Ridge Art League

Meets every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Stephens Episcopal Church on East St. in Culpeper offering Plein Air painting and other art related classes

Tuesday Morning Story Times

At the Culpeper County Library for Pre-School (ages 3-5) at 10:30 a.m. and Toddlers (age 2) at 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. Stories, songs, rhymes, puppets, activities, and tips for helping children develop pre-literacy skills are shared. Pre-registration required. 540/825-8691.

Caregiver support group

Meets from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the board room at Novant Health UVa Heath System Culpeper Medical Center. No registration required. 540/547-4824.

DJ Skillz in Fredericksburg

Germanna Community College hosts the well known hip-hop musician for a Black History Month presentation. Starts at 12:30 p.m. at Sealy Auditorium on the Fredericksburg campus. Free.

Book worms for grades K-2

At 4:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Culpeper County Library featuring a wizard theme. Sign up in advance.

Shrove Tuesday pancake supper

From 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Culpeper. $5 per person or $20 for a family of five or more. Proceeds go to the youth group. No RSVP needed.

Dr. Seuss celebration

At 5:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in the gym at Pearl Sample Elementary School.

Pajama Story Time

At 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Culpeper County Library. Join Miss Walda for stories, rocking music, and other activities. Children in pajamas who are able to remain seated for stories and their caregivers are invited. No registration required.

WEDNESDAY

Culpeper Town Council meetings

At 8:30 a.m. March 1 of the Utility Committee followed at 9 a.m. with the Finance Committee in the economic development center, 803 S. Main St.

Culpeper County meeting

At 9 a.m. March 1 of the Agricultural & Forestry Advisory Committee in the county boardroom, 302 N. Main St.

Silver Citizens Club

Meet 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays at the Culpeper County Library. 540/645-7189.

Wee Ones

The Museum of Culpeper History will hold its program for kids ages 1 to 4 at 10:30 a.m. Includes a story, craft and snack. $1. RSVP at 540/829-1749 to reserve a spot.

Manna Ministry

Offers free lunch for anyone 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the Culpeper Presbyterian Fellowship Hall, 215 S. Main St. 540/825-8616.

Ash Wednesday services

March 1 at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Culpeper marking the beginning of Lent. At noon, a brief service of prayer and Imposition of Ashes, without preaching and music. At 7:30 p.m., a full Service of Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes, with preaching and music. St. Luke Lutheran Church is located at 1200 Old Rixeyville Rd. 540/825-8358.

Introduction to Proposal Writing

At 2 p.m. March 1 in the Culpeper County Library large study room is a free live webinar providing an overview on how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation.

Dr. Seuss Read Across America event

From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 1 in the Culpeper County Library is sponsored by the Culpeper County Educational Association. Guest speakers, face painting, bracelet-making and more. 540/308-0215 or mortman@culpeperschools.org.

Lenten service in Brandy Station

At 5:30 p.m. March 1 at Christ Episcopal Church, 14586 Alanthus Rd. 540/321-4301.

Curriculum fair

At 6 p.m. March 1 in the gym at Eastern View High School.

Culpeper Chess Club

Meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Culpeper County Library. 540/727-0695.

Ash Wednesday services

At noon and 7 p.m. March 1 at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 115 N. East St. in Culpeper. Parking at 120 N. Commerce St. All are welcome. 540/825-8786.

Ash Wednesday Service in Lignum

At 7 p.m. March 1 at Hopewell United Methodist Church marking the beginning of the Christian season of Lent. Following a practice that dates back over one thousand years, mourning for the suffering of Jesus, and general penance for the community will be symbolized by the imposition of ashes on the foreheads of worshipers. All are welcome to attend the service in the church located off of Route 3 at 23557 Lignum Rd. 540/399-1843.

Culpeper County Library Board meeting

At 7 p.m. March 1 at the library.

Call-In Bible Study

Every Wednesday from 7 to 7:30 p.m. with Pastor Kenneth Pitts of Beulah Baptist Church in Rixeyville. Call-in number 302/202-1118;access code 862090.

THURSDAY

Culpeper Town Planning Commission

Work session at 8:30 a.m. March 2 in the economic development center, 803 S. Main St.

Itsy Bitsy Story Time

At 10:30 a.m. March 2 at the Culpeper County Library for babies to age 23 months. Bouncing, hugs and kisses, tickle time and lots of rhymes at this one-book story time followed by a half-hour play with Infant to Toddler Connection. 540/825-8691. No registration necessary.

Free gentle yoga classes

Are held each Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at St. Lukes Lutheran Church in Culpeper. All ages and abilities are welcome.

Community yoga

At 5:30 p.m. Thursdays at Pranapiloga, upstairs at 162 E. Davis St. Sign up online. Pay what you can. 540/317-5518.

Live music at Grass Rootes

Starting around 6:30 p.m. March 2 featuring Briana Lauren. No cover. The restaurant is located at 195 E. Davis St. in downtown Culpeper. 540/764-4229.

Local Masons monthly meeting

At 7 p.m. March 2 of the Royal Arch Masons Fairfax No. 13 and Fairfax Commandry No. 25 Knights Templar in the lodge at 209 E. Davis St. in Culpeper.

Sleepless in Seattle

Screens for free at 7:30 p.m. March 2 in the Packard Campus Theatre, 19053 Mt. Pony Road in Culpeper. No reservations needed. 202/707-9994.

FRIDAY

Fun Friday Story Time

At 10:30 a.m. at the Culpeper County Library. This program is geared towards children who can sit while stories read. No registration needed.

Manna Ministry

Offers free lunch for anyone 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fridays in the Culpeper Presbyterian Fellowship Hall, 215 S. Main St. 540/825-8616.

VFW Friday Night Bingo

At Post 2524 in Culpeper. Doors open at 5 p.m., play starts at 6:45. Guaranteed $1,000 jackpot, regular games pay $100 if 90 or more players. Upstairs and downstairs seating, the entire facility is non-smoking.540/825-3424.

Donuts for teen artists and writers

At 6:30 p.m. March 3 at the Culpeper County Library for grades 6-12 featuring sweet treats and fun prompts for creative expression. Sign up in advance.

Live music at Grass Rootes

Starting around 6:30 p.m. March 3 featuring Kate Hohman. No cover. The restaurant is located at 195 E. Davis St. in downtown Culpeper. 540/764-4229.

Chocolat

Screens for free at 7:30 p.m. March 3 in the Packard Campus Theatre, 19053 Mt. Pony Road in Culpeper. In French with English subtitles. No reservations needed. 202/707-9994.

SATURDAY

Big Country Breakfast

From 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. March 4 in the clubhouse of Brightwood Ruritan Club at U.S. 29 and route 607 in Madison County. Pancakes, eggs, biscuits, sausage, sausage gravy, hot spiced apples and more. $8/adults, $3/children with proceeds to support community service. 540/948-5108.

Milestone Jam

From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. March 4 at Beer Hound Brewery in Culpeper featuring live music by eight different bands.

Gray Ghost's 23rd Annual Barrel Tasting

Will be held 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 4 at the vineyard, 14706 Lee Highway in Amissville.Taste developing wines directly from the barrel and experience wine blending. No reservations necessary. $20 per person includes barrel tasting, tasting of current releases, logo glass and light hors d'oeuvres. 540/937-4869 or grayghostvineyards.com.

Full STEAM Ahead

At 1 p.m. March 4 at the Culpeper County Library is a monthly program focusing on science, technology, engineering, art and math for third through fifth grade. Build simple machines with Legos. Sign up in advance.

Little Women

Screens for free at 2 p.m. March 4 in the Packard Campus Theatre, 19053 Mt. Pony Road in Culpeper. Its the 1994 version based on the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott starring Winona Ryder as Jo, Kirsten Dunst as Amy, Claire Danes as Beth and Susan Sarandon as marmee. No reservations needed. 202/707-9994.

Summer activity fair

From 3 to 5 p.m. March 4 at the Culpeper County Library featuring Verdun Adventure Bound, Culpeper Parks & Recreation, Belle Meade Day Camp, Culpeper Baptist Child Development Center, Library Summer Reading Program, Kid Central, Fresta Valley Christian School Summer Camps and more. Room is still available for vendors that would like to be included. 540/825-8691 or skeller@cclva.org.

Free gospel concert at Antioch Baptist

At 5 p.m. March 4 featuring the Mighty Spiritual Lights of Alexandria, the Divine Life Mens Chorus of Culpeper, The Old Gospel Dynamics of Reston and The Sensational Voices of Bristow. Doors open at 4 p.m. Antioch church is located at 202 S. West St. in downtown Culpeper. 703/459-0821.

Live music at Grass Rootes

Starting around 6:30 p.m. March 4 featuring Aubrey Driggers. No cover. The restaurant is located at 195 E. Davis St. in downtown Culpeper. 540/764-4229.

Folk music at Little Washington Theatre

At 8 p.m. March 4 featuring the nine-member music group Shenandoah Run. The Washington, D.C. area band blends traditional and contemporary folk music in a manner that appeals to a diverse audience. $25/ adults and $10 for students 17 and younger. littlewashingtontheatre.com, email info@littlewashingtontheatre.com or call 540/675-1253.

SUNDAY

Gray Ghost Vineyards tasting event

Will be held 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 5 at the vineyard in Amissville.Taste developing wines directly from the barrel. 540/937-4869 or grayghostvineyards.com.

Black History program

At 3 p.m. March 5 at Mount Olive Baptist Church, 8412 White Shop Rd. in Culpeper. The program will be a musical, "Men and Women of the Bible," narrated by Pastor Dwayne Robinson with a soul food dinner served immediately after. All are welcome.

Death Cafe

From 3 to 4:30 p.m. March 5 in the meeting room at the Culpeper County Library. Free event provides an open, respectful place to eat dessert, drink coffee and discuss dying and death. Death Cafe is part of a global movement whose main objective is to increase awareness of death while helping people make the most of the rest of their lives. RSVP at 540/718.5323 or craig.wilt@hopva.org by March 2.

Mid-Day Lions Bingo

Held at Peppers Grill every Sunday, doors open at 6:30 p.m. Three progressives each night, $1,000 jackpot. 540/937-1730.
The Virginia State Board for Community Colleges announced Tuesday that the search for Germanna Community Colleges next president has narrowed to three finalists.

John R. Donnelly of Charlottesville, Janet Gullickson of Spokane, Wash., and Linda Thomas-Glover of Onley are all vying for the position David A. Sam has held for the past 10 years.

The finalists are among more than 100 applicants from across the nation.

This opportunity at Germanna is attracting an impressive breadth and depth of talent, said Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginias Community Colleges. We take that as a vote of confidence in the college, as well as the entire Virginia Community College System. Our focus on student success, our innovative approaches to providing short-term workforce training and our stability make us attractive to community college leaders who yearn to make a difference.

Sam announced plans to retire June 30 several months ago, after leading the school since March 2007. The new president will take the helm July 1.

John R. Donnelly is currently vice president for instruction and student services at Piedmont Virginia Community College, a position he has held since 2010. Prior to that, he served for two years as vice president of academic and student affairs/provost for Massachusetts Bay Community College in Wellesley Hills, Ma. Donnelly began his community college career as an adjunct instructor of history at Germanna Community College in 1999 and rose through the ranks, serving as a full-time faculty member and eventually as an assistant dean and dean at the college.

He holds a doctorate in higher education from the University of Virginia, masters and bachelors degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a bachelors degree from James Madison University.

Janet Gullickson has presided over two community colleges, including her current position as president of Spokane Falls Community College, a position she has held since 2012. Prior to that, she served two years as chief academic officer for the second largest district of the Community Colleges of Spokane. Gullickson served as president of Front Range Community College in Westminster, CO, between 2004 and 2005. She was also interim president and provost of what is now known as Minnesotas Northeast Higher Education District.

Gullickson holds a doctorate in education from the University of Minnesota, a masters degree from South Dakota State University, and a bachelors degree from the University of South Dakota.

Linda Thomas-Glover is the current president of Eastern Shore Community College, a position she has held since 2009. Prior to that, she served as provost/chief academic officer of Elizabethtown Community and Technical College in Kentucky beginning in 2004. Thomas-Glover also worked for more than a decade at Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown, N.C., rising through several positions, ultimately serving a nine-month term as the colleges interim vice president of instruction.

She holds a doctorate in chemistry from Temple University, a masters degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and a bachelors degree from South Carolina State College.

The finalists will each spend a day or more on the campuses of Germanna between March 20 and March 30 to meet with faculty, staff, students and community members.
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, is asking President Donald Trump to send a clear message decrying hate crimes following bomb threats Monday made to a Jewish school in NOVA.

Gesher Jewish Day School in Fairfax County was the target of a bomb threat, one of 31 similar incidents targeting Jewish centers and schools across America in a single day, according to a news release Tuesday from Kaines office.

I am saddened and outraged by the recent rise of anti-Semitic incidents across our nation, he said. There is nothing more cowardly than targeting institutions where our children go to learn and thrive. I want to express my deep solidarity and support to Americas Jewish community and to all who are victims of hateful threats and actions. I strongly condemn these terrifying incidents, which must be rejected.

Kaine said it was no coincidence that hate speech and crimes were on the rise, including more than 100 bomb threats against Jewish entities so far this year, and a 67 percent increase in hate crimes against Muslims in 2015.

Divisive political rhetoric has sadly contributed to a climate where individuals who espouse hate feel emboldened, he said. The administration must speak out clearly, consistently and forcefully against the rising tide of anti-Semitism and hate crimes impacting communities across our nation. But words are not enough. I urge the administration to outline to Congress and to the American people how it plans to respond to this threat, including bringing to justice the individuals or groups behind these incidents, and taking the necessary steps to effectively deter these threats in the future.
Elko is my home town. I return regularly to visit family, friends, and to hike in the Rubies. Given my long, continued connection to Elko, I feel compelled to rebut Thelma Homers bullet statements and refute her views of President Obama as a dictator and a disaster. Divisiveness is destroying us as a nation. It is critical we be able to communicate objectively with one another regardless of our political leanings. Lets compare the use of Obamas executive powers with those of President Trump.

 Obama assumed the role of dictator. This is a misinformation-inspired denouncement. Given the Republican partys compact to obstruct any/all of Obamas legislative agenda and to make Obama a one-term president, his only response was to attempt compromise (refused by Republicans) and subsequently to issue executive orders. Lets look at Trumps dictatorial stance, using his quotes and actual facts: President Trump refers to the press as the opposition party, the enemy, and bad  the worst people; has publicly humiliated/denigrated minorities and women; advocates taking out families of terrorists; speaks approvingly of Putin; refuses to remove himself from his world-wide business interests; detains or bans Muslims with valid visas and green cards; bans all Muslim refugees who underwent a 2-year vetting process; bans U.S. agencies (the EPA and Dept. of Agriculture) from publishing news releases; belittles a war hero and Gold Star parents, and argues that the justice department has no business interfering with an executive order. Are these not dictatorial? Isnt he aware of the constitutional checks on executive power?

 Obama lied about Benghazi: Seven congressional probes indicate there was no wrongdoing or lying. Lets look at Trumps lies: millions voted illegally in the 2016 election (absolutely refuted). He was at the top of his class the year he graduated from the U of PAs Wharton School (a complete lie); hes a successful businessman (multiple bankruptcies and business failures). Trump University? (a reprehensible scam). He stated that Muslims were openly celebrating in New Jersey on 9/11 (a complete fabrication.) and stated for years that President Obama wasnt born in the U.S. (a shameful lie). Since his election: He states he had a massive victory (H. Clinton definitively won the popular vote.) To justify his xenophobic/paranoid agenda he states that crime is rising at an alarming rate (actually is 65% less than its peak in 1990); that it is tough for Christian refugees to be admitted to the U.S. (in 2016 the number of Christian and Muslim refugees were almost identical); that illegal Mexicans are pouring over the border (Since 2009, more Mexicans have returned to Mexico than have entered the U.S.) ; and that Muslims have been implicated in terrorism-related crimes in the U.S. (Zero fatal attacks have been carried out by immigrants from the seven targeted Muslim-majority countries).

 Obamas subsidies of green energy supposed to create jobs and got more embarrassing: Solar energy creates jobs nearly 20 times faster than the overall U.S. economy. Demand for clean renewable power is growing nationally and adds thousands of jobs each year that cant be outsourced. The world is going solar; we need to jump on that band wagon. Big Oil receives $500 billion in subsidies; renewable energies receive about $6 billion. Trump is assaulting our climate scientists; hes the only world leader to deny a human contribution to global warming.

 Obama encouraged the invasion of our borders, and is pro-Muslim.: Obama deported immigrants at a faster rate than any other U.S. president (2009-2014, he deported approximately 2.5 million.) The idea that the Muslim Brotherhood is infiltrating our country has been widely and laughably dismissed by individuals such as John McCain and the House Intelligence Committee. Rather, hate crimes against Muslim citizens and mosques have dramatically increased since the travel ban.

 the Communist Party endorsed B.O.: The CPUSA did endorse Obama; much more distressing is the Ku Klux Klans official endorsement of Trump. Mrs. Homer implies the Affordable Care Act is a government-run program. For-profit insurance companies call the shots: the cost of insurance premiums, coverage options, deductibles, and premium increases, (far from a communist approach to health care!) The ACA includes federal protections which forbid insurance companies capping their coverage and denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions, (positive changes for patients.) Mrs. Homer states, Medicare was cut to pay for the ACA. There were no cuts to benefits, only attempts to control current and future payments to health providers in order to control future growth of Medicare spending. Does anyone remember that the ACA was originally a Republican program (Romney Care in Massachusetts)?

Trumps sinister destruction of regulations (protections), his personal attacks on federal judges, his adolescent twitter rants, his destruction of fiduciary rules, his grotesque tax evasions (which he brags about), his goal of further voter suppression, and his endorsement of cabinet nominees hostile to departments theyre entrusted with, show how little President Trump cares for average Americans and how cavalierly he treats our democratic principles.

All presidents are imperfect, but stating Obama had disastrous policies? What disasters? Millions of Americans had first-time access to health care; unemployment steadily improved; we were arguably far more secure as a country (maybe too secure with the NSAs access to everyones email and Facebook accounts); and banks and financiers couldnt run amok with citizens investments. Donald Trumps rhetoric presents a starkly grim, dark vision of our country. This has sparked divisiveness and massive confusion in the U.S. and throughout the world, all in a mere four weeks. Rather than draining the swamp he is populating his swamp with self-serving super-predators.
State Senator Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania, announced Tuesday that he has submitted nearly 13,000 petition signatures to the Republican Party of Virginia in his bid for lieutenant governor.

The energy and excitement from countless of our volunteers made today possible, said Reeves in a statement. This is only the beginning. Our momentum is continuing to build each day as we advance our field operations. I remain blessed to have so much support from the grassroots.

The Virginia State Board of Elections requires candidates to collect at least 10,000 valid signatures to be eligible for the June 13 Primary, according to a news release.

Bryces positive message and vision for Virginia are resonating with thousands of voters across the Commonwealth," said campaign manager Jordan Wiggins. "This is a huge milestone in our campaign and Im confident in Bryce, our team, and our determined volunteers.

Bryce Reeves represents the 17th Senate District of Virginia. He is a small business owner, former Prince William County Vice-Narcotics Detective, and U.S. Army veteran.

As a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Reeves said he is focused on improving Virginias economy, preserving family values, protecting Constitutional rights, and fighting for taxpayers. He resides in Spotsylvania County with his wife Anne and their two children.

Other Republicans seeking the party nomination for lieutenant governor are State Senator Jill Vogel, R-Upperville, and Del. Glenn Davis, of Virginia Beach.

Democratic candidates running for the office include former federal prosecutor Justin Fairfax, Assistant U.S. Attorney Gene Rossi and political consultant Susan Platt.
Ivanka Trump doesnt hold an official position in her fathers administration. But you wouldnt know it from the visuals coming out of the Trump White House.

The first daughter is regularly seen sitting in on President Trumps meetings, greeting foreign dignitaries, sitting in on news conferences and, per White House press secretary Sean Spicer, dispensing expertise in policy areas shes familiar with.

On the face of it, theres nothing wrong with that. Presidents often rely on trusted family members for counsel and advice. James Buchanan was a bachelor whose niece, Harriet Lane, took on a lot of the duties normally given to first ladies. Gerald Fords daughter, Susan, took on a lot of responsibilities after her mother had a mastectomy. And Hillary Clinton is perhaps the most notable example of a presidential family member formally taking on concrete policy issues (though many others have done the same informally).

And presidential family members arent just a sounding board; they can also serve as very effective advocates for a president policy platforms, potentially connecting with groups of voters the president himself is having trouble reaching.

But Ivanka Trumps proximity to her fathers administration has presented problems. White House counselor Kellyanne Conway was counseled after overtly promoting Ivanka Trump-branded jewelry on television. And while Ivanka Trump has reportedly divested her common stock, she still receives fixed payments from the Trump Organization and clearly has an interest in its continued success.

Its hard to say exactly how much sway Ivanka Trump has over her father, but shes thought to be one of his closest advisers, along with her husband, Jared Kushner, who does have an official position in the administration. The two of them are in a position to influence policy (and appear to want to use it), and wield an enormous amount of power in a different kind of currency: access to Trump himself.

She is clearly an effective surrogate for the president. Shes likable and popular, and despite a few hiccups around her branded products, shes been an effective conduit for his policies. And as long as shes a positive public relations presence, who can help sell her dads policies to the American people, were likely to see a lot of Ivanka Trump around the White House.
Five-year-old Alvaro Garcia didn't know where Dubai was until earlier this month. The only things he knew about this tiny but densely populated city in the United Arab Emirates concerned camels and turbans. On February 15, he flew out from Spain with his parents to the Middle-Eastern desert state to show the world how the exoskeleton for children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) works.

The exoskeleton is a Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) invention and was nominated for the UAE AI and Robotics Awards for Good  considered the Oscars of the robotic world. Pitted against eight other candidates in the Most Innovative Design category, the exoskeleton came second, just two points behind a robotic arm for amputees.

When I tried the exoskeleton, I felt happy, said Alvaro before leaving, beaming from the wheelchair he has used since he was one. I want an exoskeleton at home!

Spinal muscular atrophy is a rare genetic disease affecting one in 10,000 babies in Spain

His dexterity with the chair is awesome, as is his ability to articulate his thoughts and feelings. Alvaro has SMA type 2, which prevents him from standing up, walking and breathing properly. The first time he was asked to try the exoskeleton was two years ago. Since then, he has been called back on various occasions while the design has been developed and perfected with collaboration from both the Ramon y Cajal hospital in Madrid and the San Juan de Dios hospital in Barcelona.

Weighing 12kg and made from aluminum and titanium, it is basically a frame that supports the legs and back  areas where the muscles have been wasted as a result of an attack on the nerve cells in the spinal cord. It was presented to the world last June and could change the lives of the one out of every 10,000 newborns who suffer this rare degenerative disease.

Ten other children with SMA also participated in the clinical trials for the exoskeleton, but Alvaro was the only one who went to Dubai to demonstrate how the device helps him walk. Were the only ones mad enough to have volunteered, said his mother, Ana Garcia, 36, who accompanied him.

Ana and her husband  an office worker and computer engineer  have another son called Miguel who is eight and suffers from Aspergers Syndrome. The childrens treatment is the equivalent to a second mortgage, she said, speaking from a clinic in San Sebastian de los Reyes, Madrid, where Alvaro had his last rehabilitation session before they set off for Dubai.

The exoskeleton is basically a frame that supports the legs and back

The exoskeleton is the brainchild of Elena Garcia, a researcher at CSIC and the founder of Marsi Bionics. This is her second exoskeleton  the first was designed for quadriplegic children. Its very exciting to see them walking, she says. They are very bright, these children, as youve seen with Alvaro, and you can see the delight in their faces.

Garcia explains that when it comes to projects like hers, there is a lack of government funding to transform research into tangible inventions, and private companies are also loathe to become involved. Marsi Bionics is Garcias solution. Through it, she has managed to crowd-fund various projects, including both her exoskeletons. In fact, Alvaros exoskeleton was not the only Marsi Bionic invention competing for the award in Dubai, though Garcia says it is the most revolutionary.

Alvaros suitcase for his trip to Dubai. A. G.

Dubai also saw the unveiling of the current version of the exoskeleton for SMA sufferers. After a long process, the device is in line to get its CE distribution certificate and Garcia hopes it will be on the market by the end of the year.

One of the main advantages of the exoskeleton is that it allows SMA children to breathe more easily. Because they are not upright, colds and flu can have far more serious consequences as secretions are hard to shift. The lungs will have more space, explains Elena Pinzon, physiotherapist for the DACER Foundation where Alvaro goes for therapy. They will have more strength to get rid of secretions It would give the child more postural control and a better quality of life.

Rehabilitation is crucial for the muscles of children with SMA as it slows down the inevitable wasting process. Alvaro attends therapy three times a week and, according to his mother, his condition has improved considerably on account of it. When he was diagnosed, they told me Id better have another child because he was going to die. And now look

If we dont win the prize, Im going to find a sheik to finance the exoskeleton, said Ana ahead of the trip. Meanwhile, Alvaro learned two phrases in Arabic to use when he got to Dubai. " ": "My name is Alvaro" and "  ": "I want to walk".

English version by Heather Galloway.
If the announcement made in 2013 when he began his sixth year in office is fulfilled, Raul Castro, currently aged 85, will stand down as president of Cuba in February 2018, opening the way for a government not led by a Castro for the first time in six decades . This is Rauls opportunity to define his political legacy, without his brother Fidel, who died in November and whose presence was considered a brake on reform. Raul Castros last year in office could be year zero of the transition to a new era on the island.

Raul Castro and his possible successor, Miguel Diaz-Canel, last year in Havana. RAMON ESPINOSA (AP)

More information Cuba, ano cero de la Transicion

If 2015 was the year of the thaw with the United States, 2016 has been called the year of the counter-reform: following Barack Obamas visit and invitation to open up the country, Fidels supporters reacted, and the cautiously flexible approach of Rauls pro-reformers receded.

It is clear that the reforms have stagnated for the last two years. Raul Castro has a year to get things going and improve the economy, says Michael J. Bustamante, of Florida International University, who highlights two key factors: The threat of Trump will set back bilateral relations, and the end of the escape valve that migration offered, without which there will be increased pressure in society for change, he forecasts.

Cuba needs to grow by more than 5% if it is to develop

The economy is unlikely to take off in 2017, most experts argue. The government is hoping for 2% growth because the Venezuelan economy is improving now that oil prices are rising. I think that is optimistic and Venezuela will continue to decline, says Carmelo Mesa-Lago, an economist at the University of Pittsburgh, who estimates that trade with Caracas makes up 10% of Cubas GDP. Along with remittances from Cubans working abroad, tourism is the most dynamic sector. In 2016, four million visitors arrived, a record, and among them 270,000 people from the United States, thanks to Obamas efforts to make it easier to acquire a tourist visa. Last year, regular direct flights from the United States to the island began after a hiatus of decades.

Now Donald Trump is threatening to demolish the bilateral policy of his predecessor, but former Cuban diplomat Carlos Alzugaray says that for the moment Trump has done nothing. If he did, it would affect important companies, he notes.

Cuban Economist Omar Everleny Perez says that Cuba needs to grow by more than 5% if it is to develop, and to help do that it needs to liberalize its economy.

Alzugaray says reforms will be left to a new generation of Cuban leaders. Until 2021, Castro will remain secretary of the Communist Party, still the only legal party on the island. The presidency will be passed on to the current vice president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, aged 56, an apparatchik with a reputation for reform. Among the other faces that might lead renovation are Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, former Economy Minister Marino Murillo, and Josefina Vidal, currently tasked with US affairs.

2016 has been called the year of the counter-reform

It is possible that Raul Castro will speed up the promised law allowing for the existence of small businesses, along with a low-level reform of the electoral law, but that he wont usher in a multi-party system.

Cubas economic transition cannot be halted, although its political reforms could take a lot longer. There are rumors that Alejandro Castro, aged 52, and his fathers right hand, will be brought into the highest echelons of power to serve as an envoy to Washington and a mediator between the interior ministry and the armed forces.

English version by Nick Lyne.
In January, the transgender support group Chrysallis launched an awareness campaign in northern Spain using the slogan: There are girls with penises and boys with vulvas. An ultraconservative Catholic group called Hazte Oir (Make Yourself Heard) then started an online petition to have the campaign pulled. It did not work, but Hazte Oir had another ace up its sleeve.

This bus reaffirms that boys have penises and girls have vulvas.

More information Madrid orders bus with anti-transgender message off its streets

On Monday, the group launched a campaign of its own in Madrid: a bus plastered with a sign that says: Boys have penises, girls have vulvas. Dont let them fool you. If youre born a man, youre a man. If youre a woman, you will continue to be so.

The bus will circulate in the capital throughout this week, although it will not make any fixed stops, said a spokesperson from the groups media department.

Hazte Oir feels that sexual diversity laws in Spain reward the conversion of individuals to homosexuality

Inside, its a bus like any other. The message is on the outside, said the spokesperson.

Actuall, a publication used by Hazte Oir to publicize its actions, reported that the bus will travel to other Spanish cities as a counter-campaign to respond to the message by the Chrysallis association.

But the groups press department denied that it is a direct counter-campaign, and said that the real goal is to publicize a brochure that Hazte Oir created last November warning citizens about the real threat posed by diversity laws in Spain.

The original campaign by Chrysallis said that there are girls with penises and boys with vulvas.

That brochure features a cover in which two children raise their arms in a fascist salute to a rainbow flag (a personal take on an original photograph showing children saluting a Franco image). The texts main message is that sexual diversity laws in Spain reward the conversion of individuals to homosexuality and turn heterosexuals into second-rate citizens.

The response to the appearance of the bus in Madrid was swift. Arcopoli, a Madrid-based LGTB association, said it was considering taking legal action against Hazte Oir over this campaign, the news agency Europa Press reported, while on Tuesday the Socialist parliamentary group in Congress called for the public prosecutor to intervene to have the vehicle taken off the roads.

For its part, Madrid City Hall said that the campaign bus does not meet municipal requirements, and is studying possible measures to take it off the roads.

The regional premier of Madrid, Cristina Cifuentes of the conservative Popular Party (PP), also announced that she had called on the central government delegate to communicate the facts of the campaign to the public prosecutor.

English version by Susana Urra.
A 24-year-old woman and her ex-partner are engaged in both a legal battle and a race against the clock in an abortion case without precedents in Uruguay, the only country in South America where the procedure is legal .

A 2012 protest in El Salvador calling for abortion to be made legal. EFE

More information Cuando mama quiere abortar, pero papa no

Last week a judge in the city of Mercedes in the west of the country ruled the woman could not terminate her pregnancy after her former partner lodged a legal appeal to prevent her from doing so.

The controversial decision  which was handed down when the woman was 10 weeks pregnant and just two weeks away from the legal cut-off of 12 weeks for abortions in the country  has divided a nation that is well known for its comparatively liberal stance on social issues.

Handing down her ruling, Judge Pura Concepcion Book argued the womans decision to terminate the pregnancy against her ex-partners wishes contravened international child-protection treaties and the Uruguayan Constitution, as well as infringing on the rights of the father.

Legal delays could see the woman forced to proceed with an unwanted pregnancy

The magistrate also ruled the woman had not respected the terms of the 2012 law that legalized abortion.

Along with Cuba and Puerto Rico, Uruguay is the only place in Latin America where abortions are legal, but for women who wish to terminate their pregnancy, the process is lengthy and involves steps including a meeting with an interdisciplinary medical team and a five-day period of reflection. The abortion is then authorized  as long as it is the womans choice.

The woman in the current case says she has no feelings for the father of the child and is not a stable relationship with him. For his part, the man has promised to take care of the child.

The young womans lawyer has appealed the magistrates ruling, saying her clients paperwork is in order, while the Coordinator of the Legal Abortion in Uruguay group has called the judges decision abhorrent, arguing the decision to terminate a pregnancy is that of a woman alone.

The group also highlights that the two people involved in the current case had an informal relationship only, and that under the law fathers do not have parental authority until a child has lived more than 24 hours. The organization also notes Uruguayan law does not make provision for the rights of unborn children.

Uruguay is the only country in South America where abortions are legal but the approval process is complicated

But the Uruguay Magistrates Association has backed the ruling of the judge overseeing the case, arguing any legal complaints must go through the proper channels.

Meanwhile time is running short and the fathers lawyers are taking as long as possible to respond to his former partners appeal. And with judges possibly taking as long as several weeks to deal with the case, the woman could find herself obliged to continue with an unwanted pregnancy because the 12-week cut-off point has passed.

Everything now depends on whether the courts give the case priority.

No matter what decision the court reaches on this matter, the man has also lodged an appeal with the Constitutional Court on the issue of whether fathers have rights from conception onward.

English version by George Mills.
Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH

SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders

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PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces

There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan

Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia

Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox

UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS

There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur

EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol  Armenia and Azerbaijan  to do so without delay

An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan".

UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT

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The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022

Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully

The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces

LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN

This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan

Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments

Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan

Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement

With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building

OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh
Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH

SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders

PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces

There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan

Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia

Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox

UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS

There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur

EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol  Armenia and Azerbaijan  to do so without delay

An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan".

UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT

Google Ad

The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022

Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully

The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces

LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN

This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan

Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments

Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan

Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement

With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building

OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh
Sit-in continues at Liberty Square (video)

A group of citizens have spent the night at Liberty Square in Yerevan, Yesterday, they started an open-end hunger strike, demanding release of Artur Sargsyan (nicknamed bringer of bread). In the evening, they will hold a rally and march in support of the jailed man. Gevorg Nikoghosyan, one of the participants of the sit-in, says they aim to eliminate apathy among people. We call on them to think of their honour and dignity. The bringer of bread derived himself of bread and helped people without losing his dignity. We want to awaken the same feelings among indifferent people, he said. It was a little cold at night but we were able to tolerate the cold. People were passing by and asking us questions. There were some who decided to join us and stay at the square at night, but then they changed their minds and left the site, says Robert Grigoryan, 17. He believes that Artur Sargsyan is a prisoner of conscience. Artur Sargsyan drove his car through a police cordon to deliver food to the armed members of the Sasna Dzrer group during their two-week standoff with law enforcement forces. Sargsyan, himself started a hunger strike on Feb. 10, one day after he was again arrested by Armenian law-enforcement authorities, demanding to change his restraint.
Aram Manukyan: We have misspent funds and a failed project (video)

The Armenian parliament today discussed a 44 million Euro loan agreement signed between the Republic of Armenia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in November 2016 During the debate, Aram Manukyan, Secretary of the parliamentary group of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK), said that HAK has always been against all loan agreements as Armenia cannot cover its debts which are added by new ones. The loans do not serve their aim and the money is wasted. The North-South Transport Corridor project is a shameful deal which clearly shows that 25 percent of our state debts come from the transport sector, Mr Manukyan said. With regard to the Armenia-Iran railway construction, the opposition lawmaker said a number of offshore companies are involved in the project. Here, we are dealing with misspent funds and a failed project. There was a political order and funds were allocated, he added. In his speech, Deputy Minister of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies Artur Arakelyan said he would try to speak without emotions, presenting specific figures. Particularly, there is much talk about the North-South Transport Corridor project. It is widely believed that billions have been spent on the project but those are simply emotional talks. $ 70 million has been spent until now to build a 35-km route. Current indicators and comparisons show that we have not spent a dollar more, he said.
Diaspora responds to PM's appeal (video)

The Assembly of Armenians of Europe (AAE) has responded to the appeal made by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan to Diaspora Armenians. The Armenian premier has called on internationally recognized Armenians from around the world to take part in the reforms underway in Armenia. The Diaspora has its idea about in-depth cooperation. We suggest that a commission comprising our [Diaspora] compatriots be set up adjunct to each ministry which will have two definite functions. It will provide consultations or have influence wherever it sees and reveals cases of corruption and show how the problem must be handled. Should this happen, I am convinced that there will be investments and corruption will disappear in the country, says AAE President Karo Hakobyan. The Diaspora has heard similar appeals from the previous premiers as well, but the PMs did not take any steps. The state does not prepare the ground for immigration. The Diaspora has such resources and potential that many nations in the world are devoid of. But we cannot use them. I am not only speaking about money, I am speaking about knowledge, experience, and education. If the plan did not work out in the past, why should it work out now? he adds. How can we think about large-scale immigration if 40 000 people leave the country every year? In purely economic terms, the capital must feel safe. Everything is well written on paper, but we are all aware of numerous difficulties in real life. Those very difficulties will not allow it to happen, Mr Hakobyan says. Armenians in Europe are excited that Armenia has eventually reached a framework agreement with the European Union. It [the agreement] opens an opportunity for Armenia to benefit from Europe, which, I think is positive. The closer contacts we develop with Europe, the more helpful we shall be to Armenia in political and economic terms, as well as to the Karabakh issue, the AAE President says. The Assembly of Armenians of Europe will not back any of the political forces running in the April 2 parliamentary elections. We do not consider it right to support any political force because forces are changing all the time and the Diaspora splits in the result. We are against it. We second the force that accepts democracy and free elections. Anyway, the AAE will not remain indifferent and will carry out observation mission within the framework of the Justice in Armenia project.
Jeep will introduce the all-new second-generation Compass in the Indian market in a couple of months. It will be Jeep's first vehicle to be manufactured in India and is likely to be retailed through FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) showrooms in the country.

It is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated global launches from Jeep in recent times, like the Renegade. It will be built in four countries  India, China, Brazil and Mexico  and will be sold almost everywhere from Brazil to Beijing. The Compass was spied in Pune recently, which is in the vicinity of FCAs Ranjangaon manufacturing plant.

Perhaps, the automaker is about to wrap up testing of the Compass in the country as the launch is around the corner. The prices of the Compass in India are expected to be extremely competitive because, first off, it will be heavily localised and, second, courtesy the economies of scale (export+domestic production).

For the uninitiated, Jeep officially entered India with the launch of the Grand Cherokee and the Wrangler Unlimited SUVs in the country in August last year. Presently, FCA, which owns the brand, has a limited number of exclusive Jeep dealership in the country. But a mass-market product such as the Compass requires a much larger reach. So FCA will also retail the Compass from its recently opened and growing Destination Stores, which sell cars from all three brands  Fiat, Abarth and Jeep. The countrys first such retail outlet was opened in November last year in Mumbai.

Source: Cardekho.com
New Delhi: Larsen and Toubro Hydrocarbon Engineering today said it has signed a 5-year framework agreement with Shell for engineering, procurement and construction management services.

"L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering, a fully-owned subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro, has signed an enterprise framework agreement with Shell Global Solutions International for providing engineering, procurement and construction management services," Larsen and Toubro said in a BSE filing.

The company said the order, for five years, is for Shell projects in the Middle-East, South-East Asia and India. Larsen and Toubro (L&T), which operates in over 30 countries, is engaged in technology, engineering, construction, manufacturing and financial services.
Growth exceeded most analyst predictions in the wake of the government's shock note ban. (Photo:Representational Image)

New Delhi: India's economic growth rate fell to seven percent in the third quarter of the financial year after the controversial ban on high-value banks notes in November, the government said Tuesday.

Gross domestic product in one of the world's fastest growing economies expanded 7.0 per cent year-on-year in the three months to the end of December, down from 7.3 percent in the previous quarter, official figures showed.

While growth came in lower than the previous quarter, it exceeded most analyst predictions in the wake of the government's shock move to remove all 500 (around $7.50) and 1,000 rupee notes from circulation immediately.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has defended his so-called demonetisation scheme as a necessary strike against corruption.

But the move triggered massive lines outside banks in the weeks afterwards as authorities struggled to print replacement notes fast enough.

India's chief statistician T.C.A Anant told reporters after the data was announced on Tuesday that it was difficult to assess the full impact of demonetisation, which the government had already acknowledged has hit growth.

"Policies like demonetisation are very difficult to assess without a lot of data," Anant told a press conference.

"We will keep evaluating the numbers. I will not like to draw any conclusions at this stage."

Anant said some sectors such as agriculture and mining had in fact performed better than expected in the third quarter.

"The only two sectors in which it is distinctly worse is finance and the real estate category," he added. "The aggregate of deposits and credits is comparable but on the lower side."
London: India takes the issue of defaulters very seriously, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said, indicating that he may raise the matter of liquor baron Vijay Mallya with his British counterpart.

"Certainly, when the opportunity does come, I do take that opportunity to mention it (issue of defaulters based in Britain) to my counterparts here," he told reporters here when asked if the issue of defaulters based in the UK will feature on the agenda of his discussions with British ministers.

The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs is set to meet his UK counterpart and the Chancellor of Exchequer today. "As far as the government of India is concerned, we take this issue of defaults against the financial system in India very seriously and we have already sent a strong signal that if [you] dupe the exchequer or dupe the banking system, the government of India will lend its full support to all financial institutions to recover up to their last pie," Jaitley told reporters at a media briefing here yesterday.

"It is obvious that because of this strong position the government has taken, that some defaulters are on the run. Being on the run, they find refuge in certain other jurisdictions, exploiting the systems in other parts of the world," the minister added.

He said Indian investigating agencies are utilising every provision of the law available to them to recover amounts and attach assets in India to "get these people back and held responsible as per law".

Over the weekend, Jaitley had said that the UK's democracy was "liberal enough to permit defaulters to stay here", in an apparent reference to liquor baron Mallya, who is wanted in India for loan default and other cases.

Mallya, the chief of the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines, had moved to Britain in March last year after banks sued him to recover around USD 1.4 billion owed by the airline. Earlier this month, the Indian government formally requested Britain to extradite him to India to stand trial for alleged loan default and money laundering.

Jaitley also said that the UK must realise the importance of Indian students to its economy because they help "subsidise" education costs here. Referring to a major drop in students coming to study at the UK universities over the last few years, he highlighted that there were other countries that were more welcoming.

"They (the UK) have to realise that when international students come here (Britain), they subsidise the educational costs here," he told PTI. "We already have a reality where the quantum of students coming into the UK is declining and other jurisdictions are available. The UK also is a part of the competitive market in that area," Jaitley said.

The minister is in the UK to represent the Indian government at a special reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace to launch the UK-India Year of Culture.
Mumbai: Market remained on the backfoot for the second straight session today ahead of release of GDP data as the Sensex slipped another 70 points to 28,743.

Investors waited for the December quarter GDP data to find out if demand took a knock following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surprise decision to recall high-value currency notes in November last year.

The growth numbers are scheduled to be released after market hours.

The 30-share index, which had lost 80.09 points in the previous session, fell further by 69.56 points or 0.24 per cent to 28,743.32 after shuttling between 28,876.54 and 28,721.12.

The broader NSE Nifty eased by 17.10 points, or 0.19 per cent to close at 8,879.60. It moved between 8,914.75 and 8,867.60 intra-day.

Caution is in the air as market players tracked the much-awaited US President Donald Trump's address to the Congress later in the day, which can throw light on tax reforms and infrastructure spending.

Another record closing on the Wall Street on Friday and a firm trend in Asia kept mood positive.

Idea Cellular managed to close higher after falling nearly 6.5 per cent in early trade following reports that Providence Equity Partners is likely to exit the telecom firm by selling its 3.33 per cent stake.

However, some action was witnessed in broader markets, with the smallcap index rising by 0.59 per cent and mid-cap 0.14 per cent.

Stocks of automobile companies such as Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors saw selling activity and lost up to 1.56 per cent ahead of monthly sales figures for February to be released on Wednesday.

Coal India, NTPC, TCS, ICICI Bank, ITC Ltd, ONGC, Axis Bank, PowerGrid and HDFC were other laggards.

However, buying in select stocks such as Bharti Airtel, Asian Paints, Adani Ports, M&M, Lupin, Sun Pharma, Tata Steel, SBI and Infosys capped the downside.

Foreign capital outflows also affected market sentiment.

Foreign funds net sold shares worth of Rs 145.55 crore yesterday, as per provisional data.

Other Asian markets ended mixed as key indices like Hong Kong and Singapore fell while Japan's Nikkei and the Shanghai index moved up.

In Europe, London' FTSE, Paris CAC 40 and Frankfurt lost in their early session.

In the domestic market, 20 scrips out of the 30-share Sensex ended lower.

Oil and gas fell 1.34 per cent, followed by PSU, FMCG, IT and auto. Realty, capital goods, metal and power went up by up to 1.44 per cent.
Kangana had been in a tumultuous relationship with Shekhar's son, Adhyayan.

Mumbai: Kangana is not really in a great space, with the highly anticipated 'Rangoon' failing miserably at the box-office.

And Shekhar Suman has decided to rub some serious salt on her wounds, lashing out at her, branding her a 'cocained actress'.

However, Shekhar did backtrack later insinuating that he had meant someone entirely different, when Twitterati started associating her to his tweets.

Kangana had been in a tumultuous relationship with his son, Adhyayan, during the making of their film together, 'Raaz: The Mystery Continues'.

However the relationship had gone sour and the two had separated. Kangana had also been in the news for her alleged relationship wih Hrithik Roshan, which the latter has vehemently denied.

Adhyayan had come out in the open leveling allegations against her, ranging from paganism to extreme obsessiveness.

Kangana being the outspoken, candid person that she is, can be expected to make a response.
Mumbai: Today actor Dhanush appeared before the Madurai bench of the Madras Court for personal verification of the identity marks which the Melur couple, Kathiseran and Meenakshi, claims are on his body and which would establish that he was their son.

The verification was done in the registrars chamber and the case was adjourned to March 2 for final hearing.

Moments after coming out of the court, Kathiseran made some startling revelations to the media. He said, Till class 8 Dhanush was with us, then we moved him to new school where he was put in hostel, later he ran away.

While seaching, we got to know that he's with Kasthuri Raja; when we went to meet him, he didn't let us; Case adjourned till Mar 2, added the alleged father.

Earlier, following a direction from the court, counsel for the actor submitted Dhanushs Class X education certificates and a transfer certificate establishing that he studied in Chennai.

The aged couple  R.Katharesn and Meenakshi from Manampatti village- who petitioned Judicial Magistrate court in Melur taluk alleging that the actor had been born to them on November 7, 1985 also submitted a set of documents in the bench recently.

The court asked both the parties to submit the school documents after actor Dhanush filed a petition in the high court seeking to quash the couples petition in the lower court, which also sought maintenance. The actor denies that he is their son and believes that somebody is behind them (the couple) trying to extract money from him.

When the case came up for hearing, Justice G Chockalingam examined the documents submitted by both the parties.

In addition to the school certificates, the actors counsel also submitted additional materials to prove that Dhanush first movie Thulluvadho Illamai got released on May 6, 2002 contradicting the couples claim that the actor had registered for employment in June 2002 and that he was subsequently admitted to class 11 in a Sivaganga school.

Though the transfer certificate submitted by the actor doesnt mention any identity marks, the TC certificate submitted by the couple mentions the identity marks on his body.

According to the birth certificate submitted by the actor, he was born on July 28, 1983. The couple, however, claim that the certificate is not genuine as it does not have Dhanushs name on it and was issued on June 21, 1993, ten years after he was born. The couples side argue that a birth certificate after ten years from the date of birth cannot be issued without the childs name.

Besides, it was said that the name of the father in the birth certificate is Krishnamoorthy. The records have a different story to tell. It shows that Krishnamoorthy changed his name as Kasturi Raja on February 18, 2015. However, one thing was evident that the Tamil movie Thulluvadho Ilamai, released in May 2002, was directed by Kasthuri Raja, the couple's side said.

The actor said his birth name, R K Venkatesh Raja, was changed to Dhanush K Raja in the year 2003. But the typed papers produced before the court said that his name was mentioned as Dhanush in 2002, the couple's side said.
Mumbai: Ranveer Singh is inarguably the zaniest actor in Bollywood currently and the tremendous fan following that he enjoys is primarily owing to the same.

The actor, who's currently busy playing antagonist Alauddin Khilji in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati,' will soon commence work on Zoya Akhtar's 'Gully Boy,' as a rapper.

The actor will be seen opposite none other than Alia Bhatt in the highly anticipated film.

Alia is currently gearing up for the release of her latest, 'Badrinath Ki Dulhania' opposite Varun Dhawan.

The film already has a few chartbusters in its kitty, including the reinterpretation of yesteryear's cult hit, 'Tamma Tamma'.

While the crackling chemistry between Ranveer and Alia have already been demonstrated in a slew of hilarious television commercials, it was once again on display in a video shared by both Alia and Ranveer.

Ranveer dressed as a surd can be seen grooving to 'Tamma Tamma' along with the effervescent actress.

While Ranveer was last seen in Aditya Chopra's 'Befikre,' Alia was seen in Gauri Shinde's 'Dear Zindagi'.

We can barely wait to watch the two explode together on-screen.

Watch the video here:
Barry Jenkins giving his acceptance speech for the 'Best Picture' award.

Mumbai: An accountant for the Academy Awards was at the centre of a probe on Monday over how a meticulous procedure for announcing the Oscar best picture went disastrously awry, handing victory to La La Land before declaring Moonlight the real winner.

In a gaffe on Sunday that stunned the Dolby Theatre crowd in Hollywood and a television audience worldwide, presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were handed the wrong envelope for the movie industry's top award.

The Wall Street Journal and celebrity website TMZ.com reported on Monday that one of the PricewaterhouseCoopers accountants responsible for handing out the sealed envelopes on Sunday had posted a backstage photo of actress Emma Stone on Twitter minutes before the mix-up.

The photo, from the Twitter account of Brian Cullinan, was later deleted but was still viewable on Monday on a cached archive of the page.

PricewaterhouseCoopers U.S. chairman Tim Ryan told USA Today on Monday that Cullinan was the person who handed the envelope to Beatty.

PwC did not respond to requests for comment on Cullinan's tweet, nor his role in the envelope fiasco. Cullinan could not immediately be reached for comment.

The mistake was not rectified until the La La Land cast and producers were on stage giving their acceptance speeches. It was left to the musical's producer, Jordan Horowitz, to put things right.

"Guys, guys, Im sorry. No. Theres a mistake, Horowitz said. Moonlight, you guys won best picture. This is not a joke."

It took PricewaterhouseCoopers, which has been overseeing Academy Awards balloting for 83 years, three hours to issue a statement confirming that Beatty and Dunaway had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope.

We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred, the accountants said in a statement on Monday. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organises the Oscars, has made no comment.

An embarrassed Beatty carried the envelope in his hand to the glitzy Governor's Ball after the show, with the writing clearly saying actress in a leading role La La Land star Stone had been awarded that Oscar moments before.

Brand management experts said it could take years for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to recover.

"This is not advanced math. PwC had to get the right name in the right envelope and get it to the right person," said Tim Calkins, a marketing professor at Northwestern University, calling the blunder a bit of a branding tragedy.

Under a tried and tested PwC procedure, just two accountants know the names of the 24 winners after their names are placed in two sets of sealed envelopes. The two accountants also memorize the winning names.

Tradition has it that the envelopes are taken separately in two briefcases to the Academy Awards venue. The two accountants - in this case Cullinan and Martha Ruiz - are driven there separately in case an accident or traffic should befall them.

The pair then stand off stage at opposite sides and hand envelopes to the respective presenters as each category is announced.

Last week, Cullinan told the Huffington Post that the procedure for dealing with the hand-off of an incorrect envelope, other than signalling to a stage manager, was unclear.

"It's so unlikely," Cullinan told the Huffington Post.

Anthony Sabino, a law professor at St John's University in New York, said that although precious minutes passed, the error was corrected quickly.

"It's not as if we woke up this morning, or if it had been uncovered after the telecast was over. That would have really have been a black eye," Sabino said.

Sabino said that compared to accounting fraud at other companies in the past, this incident diminished vastly to a vanishing point.

The Moonlight filmmakers were gracious about the error.

Director Barry Jenkins told reporters back stage that he was given no immediate explanation for the mix-up but that it made a very special feeling even more special, but not in the way I expected.

"Please write this down: The folks from 'La La Land' were so gracious," Jenkins added.
Hyderabad: A former employee of French MNC Capgemini from Hyderabad and three associates were arrested by Special Operations Team of Rachakonda police on Tuesday for duping a businessman by collecting Rs 24 lakh from him for providing him Rice pulling Material, that doubles the property. The suspects, identified as P Krishna Reddy, a software engineer from Adibatla, R Prakash, a turner from Begumpet, V Rajendra Chary of Nacharam and Vel Kumar, a tailor from Tamil Nadu, along with another accused Abdul Khaleel of Tamil Nadu, cheated Shiv Shankar, a businessman from Kushaiguda.

They met Shiv Shankar who wanted to earn easy money. They looted Rs 12 lakh from him on the pretext of providing him rice pulling material.

With the amount collected they purchased an idol and said that it is the rice pulling idol with mystic powers and is worth over Rs 3,000 crore. investigating officials said.

The kingpin in the racket, Abdul Khaleel is still at large. Shankar had lodged a complaint with Kushaiguda Police. Police when the accused repeatedly postponed the delivery of the mystic material he had sought.
KANNUR: Fr Robin Vadakkumchery, former vicar of St Sebastians church, Neendunokki, near Kottiyoor, who was under custody over raping a minor girl, was arrested by police on Tuesday. He was already nabbed by a team led by Peravoor CI N Sunilkumar on Monday night, while he was trying to escape to Canada. The girl had given birth in the second week of this month and the hospital authorities also tried to hush up the matter. The accused admitted his crime during interrogation.

The newborn was shifted to a Christian orphanage in Vythiri, Wayanad, just a day after the delivery, said the CI, who is the investigating officer. The police shifted the newborn to a government home in Pattuvam on Monday. Fr Vadakkumchery was taken to the Parish house for collecting evidence, before taking him to Kuthuparamba judicial first class magistrate court. Since he is charged under POCSO Act, he will not receive bail until the trial is over.

The 16-year-old victim was a student of IJM Higher Secondary School, Kottiyoor, where Fr Vadakkumchery was the manager. She was raped at the Parish house, said the police. The school authorities as well the parents were not aware of the pregnancy, until the delivery, they said. The girl attended classes until February 6, and the she gave birth on February 8, if the statements are true. The parents took her to hospital in order to treat an infected appendix. It was only on Sunday, an anonymous call, from inside the school informed the Childline about the involvement of the priest in the pregnancy. The girls statement was taken first by women cops, to whom she said her father was responsible. The father also admitted to raping his own daughter, the CI said.

However, the police could identify the conflict between the statements of the father and the daughter and in a detailed questioning, the girl herself admitted that she was abused by Fr Vadakkumchery. Iritty DySP Prajeesh Thottathil said that the police were misled in the beginning, but the detailed questioning helped them to track the accused and trace him immediately. The police said that Christuraja hospital, Kuthuparamba, was also part of the crime, though the authorities insist that they were informed that the girl had crossed 18. The orphanage also played foul by concealing the information even from the police and Childline authorities.
Ramaseetha, who caused a sensation claiming she quit the Apollo Hospital as a doctor in protest against the hospital admitting Jayalalithaa in the ICU for treatment despite her being lifeless when brought in, has now landed in jail. It turned out she was not a doctor and had never worked at the Apollo. (Representational image)

Chennai: Ramaseetha, who caused a sensation claiming she quit the Apollo Hospital as a doctor in protest against the hospital admitting Jayalalithaa in the ICU for treatment despite her being lifeless when brought in, has now landed in jail. It turned out she was not a doctor and had never worked at the Apollo. Cyber crime police arrested her Saturday morning for spreading rumours about Jayalalithaas death and falsely claiming she was a doctor. Ramaseetha was produced before a metropolitan magistrate at the Egmore court and remanded to custody. A case has been registered against her under IPC section 419 (cheating by impersonation), sec 153 (making provocative statement with intent to cause riot) and sec 505 (threat to public order).

The police action followed a complaint from Apollo saying Ramaseetha was spreading falsehood about Jayalalithaas treatment and lying that she was a doctor at the hospital. A resident of Perambur, she had studied nutrition and it was not clear whether she worked in any medical institution. Joining up with Jayalalithaas Deepa, Ramaseetha made her controversial proclamation during a public interaction saying Jayalalithaa had no pulse when she was admitted to Apollo on September 22. She had also said within 20 days of her admission in the hospital, arrangements for Jayalalithaas burial at the MGR memorial had begun. Her statement was widely carried in the media besides going viral on the Web, which alarmed the Apollo Hospital. Confronted by the police now, Ramaseetha reportedly admitted she lied so as to impress Deepa and get some post in her outfit as reward.
Serzh Sargsyan: We will herald to the world establishment of long-awaited peace with our renowned brandy (video)

Serzh Sargsyan started the second day of his working visit to the Kingdom of Belgium by visiting the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Brussels. Hosted at this prestigious research institution, Serzh Sargsyan met with the experts of the Center. The moderator of the meeting, a scientific researcher of the Carnegie Endowment Stephen Lehne, who has been studying the EU foreign policy developments and relations among the member states since the Lisbon Agreement, presented Serzh Sargsyan to the audience. Serzh Sargsyan made a statement and answered the questions raised by the participants of the event. The audience was interested in Armenias foreign and internal policies, as well as in the RA Presidents viewpoints and assessments on the regional and international pressing issues. *** Remarks by Serzh Sargsyan at the Carnegie Center Distinguished Mr. Lehne, Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great honor of course for me to speak at the event held at the Brussels office of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. I am here for the first time but I recall warmly my meetings and discussions held at the Carnegie headquarters in Washington, D.C. Reputable platforms such as this one, on one hand provide the opportunity to present the logic behind the developments taking place in our country, and on the other hand, we learn from the very source about the latest expert analysis, estimates, and approaches. Finally, the very idea of international peace, which is laid in the basis of this Endowment, is the objective that has always attracted the entire civilized world. Distinguished Colleagues, Andrew Carnegie once said, Teach a man to be a good citizen and you have solved the problem of life. A good citizen is indisputably a guarantee of the success for a state. The more mature and informed the civil society is, the more efficient the state structures are. Strong civil society, along with the separation of powers, is one of the best mechanisms for checks and balances. That was the driving force behind the process of constitutional reforms we initiated in our country, and it has been going on for over two years. The amended Constitution has defined more precisely the authority framework for different branches of power, stressing the respect for human rights and making the voice of people heard in all areas. As a result, in our country has already commenced the process of building such a political system in which the influential actors will be not the individuals but political forces, political institutions. Enlargement of political parties and formation of political coalitions is going on in Armenia at this moment; that is a welcome development, and we have been striving to achieve that. Political parties are getting consolidated as stable institutes; smaller parties are disappearing or merging together. For Armenia, to amend the Constitution was a bold step aimed on one side to the decentralization of the government, on the other hand  at the strengthening of the legal and constitutional order, which will allow to eradicate unacceptable manifestations of the post-Soviet flaws, decrease the corruption risks and provide the best possible conditions to move the country forward on the path of sustainable development. In coming weeks, Armenias political system will undergo a serious test: at the beginning of April, in accordance with the amended Constitution and the new Electoral Code, we will conduct parliamentary elections. Fundamental changes were introduced into the Electoral Code as well, some of which resulted from the unprecedented dialogue and consensus between the authorities, opposition, and the civil society. To ensure a considerably greater public trust towards the electoral process and to conduct free and fair elections, we have actively introduced contemporary technical measures for the election monitoring. Moreover, in line with the wishes expressed by the opposition, we agreed to introduce such transparent and novel approaches towards which certain reservations were voiced by the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe. We agreed to do it because at this point a greater trust towards the process was the most important objective. With this regard, I express gratitude to all our international partners, and particularly to the European Union, for the assistance provided from the very beginning of the process. The reformation process and its results have been praised by our international partners, such as the OSCE/ODHIR, the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, and the European Union. We have set the bar high: to conduct democratic, free, fair, and transparent elections. I have no doubt that we will reach this goal, and the atmosphere of the elections and the results of the entire process will prove the aptness of our approaches. When we started the process of constitutional reforms, our major objective was not just to introduce a parliamentary model of government but to further strengthen democratic institutions through the decentralization of the authority and introduction of a fully proportional voting system. I think with this regard Armenia sets a positive example for other post-Soviet and regional countries. Ladies and Gentlemen, The reckless four-day military escapade carried out by Azerbaijan in April 2016 was the epitome of Bakus years-long belligerent policy and ideology. It dealt a heavy blow to the NK peace process. Azerbaijani aggression proved once again that the struggle of the people of Artsakh for living safely on their own land and be free has no alternative. This is not an opinion, but the reality created and imposed on us by Azerbaijans policy. There are strictly defined agreements reached in Vienna and Saint Petersburg after the April war, related to upholding of the unlimited tri-party ceasefire agreements of 1994-1995 and on the creation in the conflict zone of the mechanisms to investigate violations of the ceasefire regime. However, Azerbaijan, true to its long-standing tradition, refuses to implement these agreements and declares that their implementation will allegedly reinforce the existing status quo in Nagorno Karabakh. If Azerbaijan is truly concerned with changing the status quo in Nagorno Karabakh, there is only one way to do it  to recognize the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh for self-determination. It would be naive to assume that Azerbaijan was unaware of the heavy blow it dealt to the peace process, to reinforcing the status quo, to pushing pack the peace process. Obviously, Baku is using the Nagorno Karabakh conflict to divert the attention and rising discontent within its own society related to the pressing social and economic issues and blatant violations of human rights in the country. For that very reason, Baku recently stated that Nagorno Karabakh was its internal affair. It has been for years that the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, namely France, Russia and the US, who form the agreed international format, have been mediating the Nagorno Karabakh issue. Someone in Baku might have had a bad dream and based on that deluded himself that these three major international actors have put aside their own complicated issues and suddenly chose to engage in Azerbaijans internal affair. This was just an episode from the theater of absurd which is being staged in Baku. We encounter it almost on a daily basis. However, sincere outbursts also happen. On one such instance, the leader of Azerbaijan, trying to boost his very significance in front of his subordinates, admitted publicly that at the negotiations behind the closed doors he was under pressure to recognize independence of Nagorno Karabakh, and he was the sole person able to withstand the pressure coming from the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, as mediators, are also called upon to prevent possible escalation in the area of conflict. Negotiations conducted under the shelling hold no promise. That is the stage the Artsakh conflict resolution process has reached now. Both Artsakh and Armenia are in principle against the use of force and are in favor of solving the problem as soon as possible through peace negotiations. Azerbaijans new attempts to engage in a military adventure can have unpredictable consequences for Azerbaijan itself. Armenia, as the guarantor of Nagorno Karabakhs security, has stated on many occasions that it was ready to respond adequately to any attempt to use force. Despite Azerbaijans incessant threats, the people of Artsakh continue to build resolutely their own future. On February 20, a referendum took place in Nagorno Karabakh on constitutional reforms. The people of Artsakh have voted for the presidential model of governance. As you see, with regard to the system of governance, the positions of Armenia and Nagorno Artsakh differ; however, the resolve to build a democratic system is unwavering. The people of Artsakh have been manifesting that resolve for decades  they formed through the elections their executive, legislative, and local government bodies. The people of Artsakh dream of no other future and are busy with creating a free society based on human rights and basic liberties. Just as anyone in the democratic world, people of Artsakh have every right to enjoy all universal and fundamental freedoms. People of Artsakh know better than anyone the price of being free because they paid for it with the blood of their sons. Today, Artsakh is building democracy under fire. Azerbaijan, meanwhile, is trying to silence the voice of freedom, urging to condemn democratic processes in Artsakh. While Artsakh is taking consistent steps on its path towards a consolidated democracy, its neighbor Azerbaijan, especially at the current stage, has been taking consistent steps towards the establishment a totally hereditary tyranny. I see that all gathered here are notable experts. If there are alternative mechanisms of governance and self-organization for unrecognized entities, I would appreciate if you let us know. It is hard to explain to our colleagues in Artsakh why the unrecognized Kosovo can cooperate with the OSCE/ODHIR and form its governmental institutions democratically, while some think that the people of Artsakh cannot do it. Even though Armenia has not recognized independence of Kosovo, by the virtue of financing the OSCE budget we are part of that process. I am confident that the international community should start to gradually assist Artsakh in its democratic processes, regardless of the status of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Distinguished Colleagues, It is well-known that sustainable development is one of the most critical components of the public security, while with regard to a state, development cannot be sustainable unless it is based on a strong economy. Recent developments prove that Armenia has been able with scarce resources to form a flexible economic system. These achievements are called to verify that the main source for our economic development is the human capital. I will give you one example: the area of information and communication technologies in recent years has become one of the locomotives of our economy. In this area, Armenia is working with prominent companies such Microsoft, IBM, Sysco, D-Link, Oracle, Synopsis, Mentor Graphics and others. There are nearly 400 enterprises functioning in Armenia in this area alone, with the number of employees close to 15 thousand. In this sphere, the women in Armenia are among the most engaged in the world. In this area we register a 20-25% increase on average each year; it makes nearly 4% of the GDP which is comparable to that of many developed countries. It would be hard to ensure through the standard models of economic development the level of advancement that would allow us to withstand the current global challenges. Therefore, we need a new vision with innovative approaches and solutions. We have been able to form an economic system that is free of the impact of the raw natural resources. Armenia differs positively from a number of the regional countries, where the economic crises of the recent years resulted in the destabilization of the economy and devaluation of the national currency. Armenia proved that even under a blockade and limited availability of resources we were able to form a stable and predictable economy, which registered progress with regard to a number of international indices, in particular, the World Bank Doing Business 2017, as well as most recent reports by the Fitch Ratings. In accordance to Doing Business 2017, Armenia has improved its standing by five points and occupies the 38th position among 189 states while Fitch rated Armenia stable with B+. Our new government, which was formed at the end of last year, has come up with the impressive reforms agenda. The reforms should enhance the level of recognizability of the country and investment attractiveness, especially for the European investors; it will boost the public-private partnership, ensure a comprehensive state assistance to the business projects which will encourage a rapid economic growth. Distinguished Colleagues, While speaking about improving Armenias international milieu, I would be remiss not to mention the Syrian crisis. From the beginning of the crisis and until today, over 20 thousand Syrian refugees of the Armenian descent have found a safe haven in Armenia. Certainly, it is painful to state because they are not refugees in our understanding. They are part of us, who because of certain historical developments had found salvage in Syria. Today, as a result of the unfolding tragic geopolitical developments they found refuge in Armenia. However, we are doing more than that. Armenia is regularly sending humanitarian aid to Syria: another aircraft with the cargo, days ago landed in Syria. The aid is sent not only to our fellow Armenians in Syria, but to all Syrians, regardless of their religious or ethnic affiliations. This is the least we can do as a token of appreciation to the people of Syria who once opened their doors to the Armenians who had survived the Genocide. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Yesterday with President Tusk we announced that the negotiations on the Armenia-European Union framework agreement have basically been concluded. The new Armenia-EU agreement is first and foremost a political document that allows us to accommodate various interests towards the vitality of the so-called policy of both, and. It is true that back in 1996, we signed the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to regulate the relations between Armenia and EU. It, however, was not fully reflecting either the real scope, or depth, or the ambitions of the Armenia-EU relations. Therefore, with the new Agreement we will register the achievements and development milestones and announce that we will continue to develop our bilateral agenda in all areas. It is important that this cooperation is based on shared values. Even at the most difficult junctions of its history Armenia has never been confronted with making a civilizational choice. Nobody is forcing upon us the implementation of democratic reforms; it is our choice. Our people view themselves as Europeans: our spiritual and cultural heritage and our lifestyle are European. It is no coincidence that today hundreds of thousands of Armenians reside in Europe, and are exemplary citizens, whose talents and hard work serve their countries. They also present an important link which connects Armenia and the European Union. It is true that Armenias accession to the EAEU at the initial stage was received as a thorny issue by some of our western partners. I am glad that time made things fall into place and sorted them out. We are ready to promote the mutually beneficial EU-EAEU relations to make them closer. Armenia is interested in the Pan-European cooperation. We are fully aware that cooperation is the best way to solve the existing issues, while confrontation and a policy of creating new dividing lines has no future. At the same time, Armenia has historically accumulated a rich experience with Iran, and our current close economic, political and cultural contacts make Armenia a good platform for those European companies that might wish to enter Iran. Developing an exemplary regional cooperation with Iran, Armenia has good prerequisites of becoming the safest and the shortest transit route connecting the seaports of the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea. That was the reason behind the inclusion of the North-South highway, which runs from the seaports of Georgia to Yerevan and further to the border checkpoint with Iran, among the main routes of the European Union. Friendly relations between Armenia and Georgia are an important element of the security in the South Caucasus. With Georgia, we have always able to address every issue in the atmosphere of good-neighborly relations and mutual understanding. We have never conditioned our relations with the relations with third countries. Current cooperation between Armenia, as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, and Georgia, as an EU associated partner, proves that there are new opportunities for the mutually beneficial cooperation. Armenia is ready to become a stable partner in the region which will encourage the process of ironing out differences existing between the major actors, developing the avenues for the economic advancement and forming efficient investment policy. Distinguished Colleagues, In conclusion, I would like to stress again the importance of a durable peace in the world and in our region. I strongly believe that any conflict can be solved through the joint efforts of the international community. It is symbolic that at the Yerevan Brandy factory there is a peace cask that is surrounded by the flags of Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan and countries of the OSCE Minsk Group. It is just a sign, one among many, of our anticipation of peace and reconciliation. We are looking forward to the day when we will herald to the world the establishment of a long-awaited peace in our region and celebrate it with our world-renowned brandy, opening new opportunities of development for all those living in the South Caucasus. Thank you.
15-year-old N Harsha Raj was found lying on the ground with a chest injury, about 200 metres from Yelahanka police station on Monday. (Photo: Representational Image)

Bengaluru: A Class 10 student was stabbed to death outside his school campus in Yelahanka, North Bengaluru, on Monday afternoon.

According to reports, 15-year-old N Harsha Raj was found lying on the ground with a chest injury, about 200 metres from Yelahanka police station on Monday.

A traffic policeman found the boy and he was rushed to a nearby government hospital, but he succumbed to injuries sustained on the left side of his chest, reports said.

Police suspect that the boy was killed because he was in a relationship with a girl from a neighbouring college, said reports. Police are questioning Harshas classmates and and some boys from nearby schools.

Harsha had been warned against speaking to the girl, and there had been a skirmish earlier in the day, the police said.

10-12 boys were seen fighting with each other on a road behind the railway track around 2.30 pm. Suddenly, the fighting stopped and one boy, Harsha, was left on the ground clutching his chest.

A 16-year-old boy is also suspected have been injured in the left ear during the clash. The boy went to a hospital and got treated, reports said.

Harsha is survived by father Narayanaswamy, a milk vendor, mother Annapurna and a sister.
Students who gathered in front of the government school at Yelahanka in Bengaluru after the stabbing incident on Monday and inset is Harsharaj N.(Photo: DC)

BENGALURU: In a shocking incident, a 15-year-old SSLC student was stabbed to death by a gang of three teenagers near Yelahanka Government Composite PU College on Monday afternoon. The reason for the murder is yet to be ascertained, while the police have detained two minor boys in connection with the crime.

The deceased, Harsharaj N., was a tenth standard student at the Yelahanka Government High School and a resident of Surabhi Layout in Yelahanka. His father, Narayan, is a daily wage labourer.

The police said that the school was celebrating its annual day on Monday. Harsharaj along with his friends was sitting and watching the cultural events.

Meanwhile, a gang of three other teenagers, including a former student of the school and the other one said to be a PU student, called Harsharaj and his two friends out.

After leaving the school premises, they went near the railway track around 100 metres away from the school. Both the groups started a fight and Harsharaj and his friends also assaulted members of the other gang. In the melee, a member of the other gang pulled out a knife and stabbed Harsharaj. His friend, who came to his rescue, also sustained a minor stab injury. Passersby rushed Harsharaj to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead, a police official said.

The police swung into action and picked up three boys from a PG accommodation in Hunasamaranahalli. All the accused and injured people involved in the case are minors, the police said.

School Vice-Principal Mr Vivekananda clarified that the incident did not take place on the school premises. Harsharaj was a good student and he had also received an appreciation certificate during the school day function, for his achievement in sports, he said. A murder case was registered at the Yelahanka police station.
Chennai: Elayaraja, 35, a 108 ambulance driver, was, along with a colleague in the vehicle, assaulted in the wee hours of Monday.The driver from Dharmapuri, who resides in Teynampet, was assigned to pick up an emergency case from Thomas Road, Teynampet, at 10 pm on Monday. The patient, Chandran, was accompanied by caregiver Lakshmi Manimegalai.

She misplaced her bag and questioned the driver. She picked up a quarrel with the ambulance crew, said Prabhudoss B, head, marketing and hospital relations, GVK EMRI, which operates the 108 Helpline. The woman called for four boys who stabbed the driver causing him injuries. He was taken to the Government Roypettah hospital. He is also said to have filed a complaint with the Teynampet police station.

Stating that such practices are discouraged, Prabhudoss said, Usually, patients and their kin tend to panic and are highly stressed during such emergencies. We do whatever it takes to calm them down. However, this was unexpected. We have never encountered something like this in the past in the city. Elayaraja is completely fine now.
The students, who are pursuing courses in various branches of engineering at Brilliant Engineering College, alleged that the teachers made sexual overtures and used obscene language. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: The Rachakonda police has booked a case against three assistant professors of a private engineering college who allegedly demanded sexual favours from students in return for giving them more marks.

The trio allegedly sent the women students flirtatious and vulgar messages on whatsapp. The students, who are pursuing courses in various branches of engineering at Brilliant Engineering College, alleged that the teachers made sexual overtures and used obscene language.

The students showed these messages to student leaders, who then organised a protest demanding the arrest of the three assistant professors for harassment.

On learning about the incident, SHE Teams intervened. They spoke to the students and identified the suspects as Venna Saidi Reddy, Gopi Reddy and Osman, all aged between 30 and 35, and residents of LB Nagar.

The students showed their chat history to the SHE Team police, who found that the assistant professors were demanding sexual favours from the girls to give them more marks in exams. One of the suspects was examination section in-charge," said a police official.

Abdullapurmet SI B. Sreenu said that the suspects have been stalking the girls on social media. For the past four months, they have been harassing the students. A case has been booked against them under section 354 of the IPC and investigation is on, he said.
Kochi: A local court on Monday sent four accused -- Martin Antony, Pradeep, Salim aka Vadival Salim and Manikandanto police custody till March 3 in connection with the actor abduction and sexual assault case. The Special Investigation Team will interrogate them together with the key accused Pulsar Suni and Vijesh to corroborate the statements given by the duo and throw more light on the conspiracy and attack on the actor on February 17. Earlier the four accused told the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Aluva, that Suni was the mastermind behind the abduction plot and that they had no idea about the victim till the last minute.

Meanwhile, the cops registered the arrest of Charlie, a native of Eratti in Kannur who was taken into custody by the cops late on Sunday, after finding that he had facilitated the stay of Suni and Vijesh at Peelamede in Coimbatore while they were hiding. During interrogation, Charlie told the police he knew Vijesh earlier and arranged the accommodation to them at Sreeram Nagar on a request by the latter. He is also suspected to have arranged a bike for the duo to escape from Coimbatore though Charlie claimed that the bike was stolen.

Meanwhile, the investigation team on Monday continued the evidence collection when they took Suni and Vijesh to Wagamon, Kolencherry and Alappuzha after completing the procedure at Coimbatore. The owner of a hotel at Wagamon identified Vijeesh who had purchased food during their stay there. However, the cops failed to recover the mobile phone or memory card used to record the assault of the actor. Were now awaiting the report of the scientific test on a mobile phone and a memory card seized earlier, police said.
Representational imageFr Robin Vadakkumchery is a vicar of St Sebastians church and the girl aged 16 is a student of IJM Higher Secondary School, Kottiyoor, where the priest is the manager. (Photo: Representational Image)

Kannur: A priest has been taken into custody for raping a plus-one student who gave birth to a child at a private hospital here 20 days ago.

The vicar, Fr Robin Vadakkumchery of Neendunokki, Kottiyoor, was held from Chalakkudy, Thrissur, late on Monday night after the girl gave a statement against him.

Earlier, her father had confessed to raping her reportedly after being bribed with a huge amount. But the truth came out when the Childline authorities received an anonymous call and the police conducted an investigation.

However, the police did not confirm his arrest. Fr Robin Vadakkumchery is a vicar of St Sebastians church and the girl aged 16 is a student of IJM Higher Secondary School, Kottiyoor, where the priest is the manager.

Fr Vadakkumchery faces rape charges as well as those under the POCSO Act, since the girl is a minor. The newborn, who was admitted to a private orphanage at Vythiri, was shifted to a government home at Pattuvam on Monday morning, said Peravoor CI N. Sunil Kumar, who is investigating the case.
Kannur: A 48-year-old vicar of a church was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly sexually exploiting and impregnating a minor girl at Kottiyoor in the district, police said.

Father Robin Vadakkumchery of St Sebastian's Church in Kottiyoor was taken into custody on Monday night and arrested this morning under IPC Section 376 (punishment for rape) and the Protection of Children From Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, they said.

The incident came to light after the 16-year old girl, a resident of Neendunokki near Kottiyoor, delivered a baby boy at a private hospital in Koothuparamba on February 7.

Based on information from NGO "Childline", police held an inquiry with the girl and her parents.

Initially, the girl's father told police that he was responsible for her pregnancy.

The police, who werent convinced, further questioned him after which he revealed that it was the vicar who had committed the crime.

Mathew, who went missing, was picked up from Chalakkudy in Thrissur district on Monday and brought here.

Police also found the baby had been left in an orphanage at Vythiri in Wayanad District and shifted it to a government-run orphanage here on Monday.
Chennai: Finally there is light at the end of the tunnel for the stalled Rs 1,815 crore Chennai Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Road with Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami announcing that the high-profile project will be executed jointly by the Tamil Nadu and Union Government.

The breakthrough was achieved during a meeting between Mr Palanisami and Union shipping minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday morning in New Delhi.

The elevated corridor along Coovum river was stalled due to differences arising between the two governments on land acquisition, alignment of the project and various other issues.

Union and State government would jointly take up Maduravoyal Scheme and start the work as soon as possible, the Chief Minister said, three months after the government headed by his predecessor O.Panneerselvam wrote to the Union Government evincing interest in reviving the project with some changes in the alignment of the corridor.

The project, once completed, will usher in a paradigm shift in the way people commute to places like Marina Beach.

Once the 17-km long elevated corridor is complete, one can zip through the expressway to reach Marina from Maduravoyal in just 15 minutes. Sources said the two governments have agreed in principle to revive the project and will hold talks to discuss the modalities on executing the project.

They also said technical teams will meet and decide alignment of the project and whether there is any need to shorten the length of the corridor.

The project was stalled in 2012 when only 20 per cent of the work on the corridor was complete. During the meeting with Mr Gadkari, the Chief Minister also demanded that the Transport Ministry take up 700 kilometres of the State's roads under National Highways.

During his meeting with Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, the Chief Minister discussed the second phase of Chennai Metro, slum development and other welfare programmes.
Actor Dhanush is seen visiting the Madurai Bench of the Madras high court at Madurai on Tuesday (Photo: DC)

Madurai: Actor Dhanush, who is married to Rajinikanths daughter Aishwarya, presented himself in the Madurai Bench of the Madras high court on Tuesday for personal verification of his birthmarks to enable the court to ascertain his parentage, which has come under question after a Melur couple filed a case in the lower court alleging that the actor was born to them.

The aged couple, R. Katharesan and Meenakshi from Manampatti village, who petitioned the Judicial Magistrate court in Melur taluk regarding their child also sought maintenance of Rs 65,000 per month from the actor. They claimed he was born to them on November 7, 1985.

When Dhanush filed a petition in the high court bench seeking to quash the couples petition in the lower court, the court directed him to submit his education certificates.

His counsel recently submitted Dhanushs Class X certificates, including a Transfer Certificate, to establish that he had studied in Chennai. Though the TC submitted by the actor does not mention any identity marks, the TC certificate submitted by the couple mention identity marks on his body and hence the court directed him to make a personal appearance.

When the actor appeared before the court, Justice G Chockalingam directed that he submit himself to a medical examination in the presence of the Registrar (Judicial) of the court in his room. Government Rajaji Hospital Dean, MR Vairamuthu Raju and two other doctors subjected Dhanush to a medical examination lasting nearly an hour and submitted their report in a sealed cover to the judge. The court posted the next hearing to March 2.

Dhanush came to the court with his mother Vijayalakshmi while his father Kasthuri Raja joined them later and they were seated together in the court before the actor left for the medical examination.

The Melur couple were also in court and witnessed the case while waiting in the visitors hall when the judge was hearing the case. Advocates and court staff were thrilled to see the actor in court and Dhanush wished them all.
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday suspended operation of the final allotment order made by the Centre allotting doctors working in TS to AP.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice Shameem Akhter was granting the interim order while dealing with two separate petitions by Dr Bathini Kezia and Dr S. Narendra Babu, both civil assistant surgeons, working in Hyderabad and Mahbubnagar challenging the final allotment order.

Dr K. Lakshmi Narasimha and P.V. Krishnaiah, counsels for the petitioners, submitted that final allotment order issued by the Centre was contrary to the provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act 2014 and also the Constitution wherein any discrimination based on nativity alone was illegal.

They submitted that as per the Reorganisation Act, the only method by which any person could be allotted was by way of the option exercised by him or her.

They contended that the provision of the Act 2014 prevails over the Article 371 D of the Constitution and also the Presidential Order and the post of Civil Assistant Surgeon is a state-wide post and not a zonal one.

Counsels told the court that final allotment order which was based purely on nativity and without any consideration of the option of the petitioners for TS, which amounts to violation of their fundamental rights.

They brought to the notice of the court that the court in earlier case directed the Centre not to make any final allotment.

Counsel for Telangana opposed the petitions, stating that what was done earlier was at the time of tentative allotment and now that the final allotment order was issued and since the petitioners were relieved no order could be passed.

Reacting to the submissions, the ACJ observed that in the earlier matter, substantial questions of law were raised and the Centre directed not to make any final allotment. Just because the final allotment were made and persons were relieved could not be countenanced, the ACJ said.
Karabakh National Assembly: The civilized world is still silent and does not give adequate assessment to atrocities

STATEMENT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH ON THE 29TH ANNIVERSARY OF POGROMS OF ARMENIAN POPULATION IN SUMGAIT

claims that the Sumgait pogroms are fully consistent with the legal formulation of the crime of genocide defined in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 1948;

reaffirms the determination of the National Assembly of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Republic to pursue a consistent policy of bringing the organizers and perpetrators of the genocide of Azerbaijani Armenians to responsibility under international law;

calls on the international community and parliamentary institutions of all countries to condemn the mass pogroms of Armenians in Sumgait giving them an adequate legal assessment.

From 27 to 29 February, 1988 in the city of Sumgait of Azerbaijan SSR the Azerbaijani authorities committed pre-planned and organized mass pogroms of Armenian population. Taking the advantage of permissiveness and using all possible means of cruelty, the perpetrators brutally killed and tortured dozens of Armenians; more than 20 000 people of Armenian nationality were subjected to violence and looting in the city built by them. The horrible massacre committed by Azerbaijan in Sumgait was the continuation of the Turkish policy of the early 20century aimed at the annihilation of Armenians in their homeland. This time it was a response to the decision of the NKAO Council of February 20, 1988 to transfer the region from Azerbaijan SSR to Armenian SSR. Taking advantage of inaction of the Soviet authorities and trying to prevent the exercise of the right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh, Azerbaijan continued its anti-Armenian policy extending the wave of genocide in other cities of Azerbaijan SSR, particularly in November 1988 in Kirovabad and January 1990 in Baku. The civilized world is still silent and has not given an adequate assessment to these atrocities yet. Moreover, the authoritarian government of Azerbaijan is consistently implementing anti-Armenian policy taking advantage of the passive behavior of the international community. The obvious consequence of this are the military operations unleashed by Azerbaijan in April 2016 against the population of Artsakh, the blatant violations of international law; and tortures used against the civilian population. On these days, the international community`s attitude of putting an equality sign between the parties allows the Azerbaijani side to periodically violate the ceasefire regime and incite military provocations on the Karabakh-Azerbaijan border. Honoring the memory of innocent Armenians fell victims to the pogroms and forcible expulsion, demanding the restoration of their violated rights and condemning any manifestation of xenophobia, extremism and terrorism, the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh:28, February 2017 Stepanakert
New Delhi: Clearly unwilling to rock the boat on close strategic ties with the United States and the newly-installed Trump administration there, India on Tuesday said there was no need to issue a demarche to the US in the wake of the killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla since certain assurances had already been furnished by top authorities at Kansas to the Indian Consulate in Houston.

Referring also to the strong condemnation of the incident by the US embassy on Friday, New Delhi said, the United States authorities are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the US, a matter which continues to receive the Governments top priority.

The MEAs comments came just hours after news agencies reported that the White House had said early reports coming from Kansas were disturbing.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said: The United States and senior authorities in Kansas have pro-actively responded to the unfortunate death of Mr. Srinivas Kuchibhotla. In this context, I would like to draw your attention to the strong condemnation of the tragic shooting, issued by the US Embassy in New Delhi on February 24. Further, the Charge d Affaires of USA stated that the US welcomes people from across the world and the US authorities will investigate thoroughly and prosecute the case. These developments obviated the need for a demarche by the Government on this matter.

The MEA added: It is important to note that the US authorities are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the US, a matter which continues to receive the Governments top priority. We also must not forget the noble and courageous gesture of the young American Mr. Ian Grillot, who risked his life while countering the shooter.

The close proximity with which the Indian Government and the Trump Administration are operating was witnessed recently after the US moved a UN committee for a ban on Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar but the move was blocked again by China.

India had earlier moved the proposal but the Chinese had blocked it. India has also moved closer to the United States during the current tenure of the Modi Government.

Shocked at the hate crime in Kansas where Kuchibhotla  working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe  was killed and two others including Indian Alok Madasani injured after a US Navy veteran yelling terrorist and get out of my country opened fire on them in a crowded bar last Friday, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had last week assured all help to the family of the deceased.

Srinivas' mum wants younger son back

K. Sunayana, whose husband Kuchibotla Srinivas from Hyderabad was gunned down in the US last week, has returned to India for the funeral rites of her husband. Experts said H4 status terminates once the spouse dies because it is dependent on the husbands H-1B status.

Till the date on which I-94 expires, the H4 visa holder can stay back in the US. However, in this case, Sunayana had to return to India. Krishna Mohan, Sunayanas uncle said her husband wanted her to work in the US. But now Sunayana is not able to speak on it. Both families have to sit together and decide on it.  Srinivas father is still in shock.

All Americans should know they all migrated to America at some point or the other. Both the governments should now take up measures to keep Indians safe in the country, he said.
Hyderabad: K. Sunayana, whose husband Srinivas Kuchibhotla from Hyderabad was gunned down in the US last week, has returned to India for the funeral rites of her husband.

She is now facing a peculiar problem: whether she will be allowed into the United States again as she was on an H4 dependent visa. Her husband was on an H1B visa.

Telugu associations and Garmin, the company her husband worked for, are trying to help her if she has to enter a legal fight to ensure that she returns to the US and stays there legally.

The Telugu Association of North Americas emergency assistance management team headed by Mohan Nannapaneni has said that they will work with immigration lawyers to facilitate Ms Sunayanas return and continued stay in the US if she so wishes. We are going to appeal to the US immigration and government on this, said Mr Nannapaneni. Srinivas Kuchibhotlas green card application was still under process.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will have to approve a change of status of Ms Sunayanas visa to B2 and it may use its discretion to do so if it is satisfied that the circumstances are beyond the control of the applicant.
Srinivas Kuchibhotla working at the Garmin headquarters in Olathe, was killed in the shooting at a restaurant in Kansas on Wednesday night. (Photo: AP)

Hyderabad: On Tuesday, scores of students from Srinivas Kuchibhotlas alma mater, the St. Francis de Sales high school at Lallaguda, attended a prayer ceremony to remember the man teachers described as a humble student.

Growing up near Maula Ali, Srinivas was part of the school from LKG to Class 10. And his teachers had very fond memories of the boy who was almost never late to class.

Its been two decades but I clearly remember how good he was at studies. He was humble and possessed excellent leadership qualities which is why he was once made class leader, Ms. Jessie Jose, who taught Srinivas maths in Classes 6 and 7 said.

Teachers were also sure the boy would go on and carve out a good career for himself. The schools administration staff too spoke highly of Srinivas and his brother. For 11 years, the brothers were never late and used to come to school early. Srinivas was a disciplined student, G. Peter Cardoz, a senior clerk at the school, said. Other teachers and support staff said they had clear memories of Srinivas, the student.

Hundreds of students pass out every year from this school but we remember only a few. Srinivas passed out in 1999 and we remember him very well, another staff member said. Srinivas and his two brothers studied at the school before pursuing their higher education.

ORR brings Srinivas home for the last time

Hundreds gathered outside the home of Srinivas Kuchibhotla at Khajipur on Tuesday, to pay their respects. Wife Sunayana Dumala remained inconsolable as the final rites were performed at Jubilee Hills.

Meanwhile, the Outer Ring Road, a crucial link for the Kuchibhotla family whenever their children came home from the airport served its purpose for the last time on Tuesday when Srinivas body traveled 40 km on it to reach his house in the city. When he left for the States 10 years ago, the ORR was under construction and later, had become the first sign of home for Srinivas.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to grant permission to a 37-year-old woman from Maharashtra to terminate her 23-week-old foetus, taking note of a report of the medical board that abortion was not advisable.

The foetus is diagnosed to suffer from Down syndrome. A Bench of Justices S.A. Bobde and L. Nageswara Rao perused the report of a panel of doctors from Mumbais KEM Hospital that the baby had chances of survival and, therefore, abortion should not be performed.

Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar for the Centre also opposed abortion. The woman from Alibaug sought Supreme Courts permission for abortion because the law does not allow a woman to abort if her pregnancy crosses 20 weeks.

The Bench said, As per the report of the medical board, there is no physical risk to the mother to continue with the pregnancy. Everybody knows that children with Down syndrome are undoubtedly less intelligent, but they are fine people.

The bench said that as per the report, the foetus is likely to have mental and physical challenges but the advice of the doctors does not warrant termination of pregnancy.

With this report, we dont think we are going to allow the termination of pregnancy. We have a life in our hands.

In these circumstances, as per the present advice, it is not possible to grant permission to terminate the pregnancy, the bench said.

Termination of pregnancy is allowed in extreme cases if continuation is likely to cause grave injury to the womans health and/or increase or induce a risk of abnormalities in the child.

The womans counsel, Colin Gonsalves, said if a foetus is detected with Downs syndrome before the 20-week ceiling, doctors advise abortion.

The advocate said no other country in the world had restrictions like the one under the Indian law.

This is the third such case in which pregnant women have approached the Supreme Court for permission to abort a defective or under-developed foetus beyond the legally permissible 20-week limit.
Raipur: Five Naxals, who were allegedly involved in torching two vehicles, including a passenger bus, in the insurgency-hit Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh two days back, were arrested on Tuesday, police said.

The cadres were nabbed from the forests of Parcheli village under Katekalyan police station limits of the district by a joint team of CRPF and local police, an official told PTI.

Those arrested were identified as Hidma Vetti (22), Pojja Vetti (22), Somaru Mandavi (20), Somdu Vetti (20) and Fagnu Vetti (19), all natives of Parcheli village, located around 400 kms away from the state capital, the police official added.

On February 26, Naxals had torched a bus and a multi utility vehicle (MUV) after asking the occupants to alight at separate places in Katekalyan police station area to enforce their a day-long bandh call yesterday.

While the bus was set ablaze near Gatam village, the MUV was torched between Chikpal and Parcheli.

In the wake of the incidents, security forces had stepped up search operation to apprehend the rebels, who were involved in the incident, the official said.

According to him, some more ultras were yet to be arrested in connection with these incidents and efforts were on to trace them.
Chandigarh: Army veterans in Punjab have stepped forward to fight a legal battle on behalf of Gurmehar Kaur, the daughter of an army martyr, who started a social media campaign against the ABVP.

The mother of the 20-year-old Delhi University student, whose defiant stand against the ABVP drew a volley of hate messages on her Facebook account, however, refused to be drawn into the controversy over it.

When contacted, Rajvinder Kaur said, "No thanks... I do not want this controversy to go on."

Punjab State Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association (Sewa) president Col (retd) Kuldip Singh Grewal vowed to fight a legal battle on Gurmehar's behalf "till the matter reaches its logical conclusion".

"Her opinion should be respected as she has the right to raise her voice," he said.

"No one should remain unaffected when a daughter is threatened with rape. The people of the country should raise their voice to protect the daughter of a martyr," Col (retd) Tejinder Singh Bajwa, a member of the association, said. Gurmehar's father Capt Mandeep Singh was commissioned in the 49 Army Air Defence Regiment in 1991 and was serving with the 4 Rashtriya Rifles battalion when he died fighting militants on August 6, 1999.

Brigadier (retd) Ashwini Kumar, former Commanding Officer of the 3 Rashtriya Rifles battalion, who was serving in the area when the attack on Capt Mandeep's company took place, said, "The Captain and his men fought against militants with great courage and they were given a befitting reply."

Mandeep's brother Davinderdeep Singh, a professor at a college in Nakodar at Jalandhar -- Gulmehar's hometown, said his brother would have stood like a rock behind her.

"She is entitled to her opinion... she did not say anything anti-national," he said.

Meanwhile, a number of ex-servicemen and representatives of various organisations condemned the rape threat to Gurmehar and appealed to the Delhi government to provide "proper security" to her.
New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Monday filed an FIR against unknown persons for allegedly issuing rape threats to martyrs daughter Gurmehar Kaur.

The police also said they would provide security to Kaul and that the threats against her were being investigated.

The police action came a day after Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal asked the force to provide protection to Kaur. Maliwal had then said that two Home Guards would be assigned to Kaur.

Kaur, who launched a social media campaign against RSS youth wing ABVP through a Facebook profile picture, said on Tuesday that she was withdrawing from the Save DU campaign.

Im withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to sayI have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take :) she tweeted on Tuesday morning.

Kaur however urged Left-wing students to continue with the planned protest march today. The campaign is about students and not about me. Please go to the march in huge numbers. Best of luck, she tweeted.

She added,To anyone questioning my courage and bravery.. Ive shown more than enough. One thing is for sure, next time we will think twice before resorting to violence or threats and thats all this was about.

On Monday, Kaur had said that she was heartbroken over the controversy her views had caused.

However, Kaur, the daughter of a Kargil martyr, also hit back at MoS Home Kiren Rijiju, stating that she was not under anyones influence.

I have my own mind. Nobody is polluting my mind. I am not anti-national, news agency ANI quoted Kaur as saying. She was responding to Rijijus tweet saying, Who has poisoned this young girls mind?

Gurmehar also hit back at those attacking her on social media. "Don't call me a Martyr's daughter if that bothers you. I never claimed to be anything otherwise. You can call me Gurmehar."
Bank employees shouting slogans during their one day strike for various demands, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Tuesday. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Banking operations were hit on Tuesday by the day-long, nation-wide strike called by employees of public sector banks, with ATMs running dry at various places across the country. The All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) claimed success, saying all the branches kept their shutters down.

People could not go to banks to transact anything, deposit money, withdraw money or do any other transaction. Government treasury transactions could not be done, import and export transactions were hit, money market operations were not possible, AIBEA general secretary C.H. Venkatachalam told PTI.

Money transfer and cash remittances were also hit. Venkatachalam said clearing operations have been paralysed in a big way despite the Reserve Bank keeping its operations open because employees were not available.

Some private sector banks are also part of the strike called under the aegis of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) to press their demands including fixing accountability of top officers over increasing bad loans, opposing labour reforms as well as outsourcing of permanent jobs.

Karur Vysya Bank and Federal Bank said Staff Union and Officers Association of the Bank under the banner of UFBU are participating in the strike.

Regular functioning of the branches of the bank might be affected on that day. However the banks ATMs and digital channels will function to meet customer needs, Federal Bank said.

Private sector banks including ICICI, HDFC, Axis were not part of the strike. ATMs have gone dry in various places, Venkatachalam said, adding that some banks had limited cash to keep the machines going.

UFBU is an umbrella body of 9 unions. However two of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh affiliates  the National Organisation of Bank Workers and the National Organisation of Bank Officers  are not part of the strike.

The demands include compensation to employees and officers for extra hours they have put in following demonetisation in November and early initiation of next wage revision.

They have also demanded adequate recruitment in all cadres, stringent measures to recover bad loans and accountability of top executives. Besides, they have pitched for criminal action against wilful defaulters.

The UFBU, which claims membership of nearly 10 lakh across banks, also requested the government for cost reimbursement of demonetisation to banks. As many as 27 public sector banks control 75% of the total business.
New Delhi: Comparing Congress leader P. Chidambaram's language used in his recent statement with that of a separatist, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has questioned Congress President Sonia Gandhi if Chidambaram's stance represents the stance of the Congress.

"As far as P. Chidambaram is concerned, I am amazed at the language he is using, almost akin to a separatist. I would like to ask Sonia Gandhi, does the comment of P. Chidambaram represent the views of Congress Party," Prasad told ANI.

Defending the remarks made by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at the London School of Economics, Prasad said that the former has always stood for freedom of speech and expression.

"Arun Jaitley was the president of Delhi University in 1974-75 and was opposing the emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi and the way freedom was completely compromised and people were put into jail. Mr. Jaitley also went to jail, not for breaking India, but for the freedom of Indians," he said.

"I do not know where Chidambaram was then, but I think he needs to understand that BJP has always stood for freedom and also for integrity of India," he added.

Speaking at the London School of Economics earlier, Jaitley had said that freedom of speech does not allow anyone to challenge the sovereignty of the nation.

"Any idea which thinks in terms of disintegration of the country is something I abhor. Within the framework of upholding the sovereignty of the country, we can ideologically differ but free speech does not permit you to assault the sovereignty of the country," Jaitley said.

Responding to the statement, Chidambaram had asked if Jaitley was heading an "alliance of subversion" when he was the President of Delhi University students union in 1975.

"When Mr Jaitley was President of DUSU in 1975, was he heading an 'Alliance of Subversion'?" he tweeted.

The above remarks came in the backdrop of the violence that has engulfed the Delhi University following mass protest by the students against disruption of a cultural event at Ramjas College by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
New Delhi: As the controversy surrounding Gurmehar Kaur's video message is getting murkier, her grandfather Kanwaljeet Singh on Tuesday lashed out at the politicians and said that they should refrain from giving any statement.

"Drama is being created which shouldn't be highlighted. Politicians must refrain from giving statements," Kanwaljeet told ANI.

Earlier in the day, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju alleged that the Leftists were misleading the youth.

"She (Gurmehar Kaur) is a young girl and creating a controversy over her isn't right. It is about leftists who celebrate when our jawans die. They mislead the youth and it is not right," Rijiju had told media.

Rijiju further said that Kaur is the daughter of a Kargil martyr whose soul must be weeping by seeing his daughter being misguided by those who celebrate on the bodies of martyrs.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge came out in defence of Kaur, saying that she is being portrayed as if she is under some influence.

"The student (Gurmehar Kaur) is being blamed and called an anti-national. It is being portrayed that she is under some influence," Kharge told ANI.

Kaur, who is a Delhi University student and daughter of Kargil war martyr, invited a stir by posting a message against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on social media.

Kaur also visited the Delhi Commission for Women alleging that she received rape threats on social media for posting the message.

The Delhi Police also filed an FIR against the rape threat to Kaur. The FIR was registered under relevant Sections of the IT Act and IPC.

The entire controversy gained momentum after last week's clash that erupted between Left-affiliated All India Students Association (AISA) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) backed ABVP over the cancellation of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid's talk at Delhi University's Ramjas College.

The seminar was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by the ABVP.
New Delhi: Union Minister of State Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday launched a fresh attack against Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaurs posts about the violence at Ramjas College.

Continuing his tirade, Rijiju said her soldier father's soul must be weeping on seeing his daughter being misguided.

"She is a martyr's daughter. His soul must be weeping that his daughter is being misguided by those who celebrate on the bodies of martyrs," Rijiju said to NDTV on Tuesday.

After the clash between ABVP and AISA last week, Kaur had started a Save DU' campaign with a picture of her holding a post that said, I am not afraid of ABVP.

The post also showed Kaur saying, Pakistan did not kill my father. War killed him. Kaurs father was killed during the Kargil war in 1999.

Her campaign went viral receiving massive support from students as well as a few politicians. However, she also faced criticism from a few, such as Rijiju. The union minister had earlier wondered who was polluting her mind.

Taking to Twitter, he said, Whos polluting this young girls mind? Strong armed forces prevent a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded.

He further added, One should not say things which could demoralise the countrymen and the forces. Everybody has freedom but that does not mean that you raise slogans to weaken the country.
Jayalalithaa had passed away on December 5 last year after spending 75 days at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. (Photo: PTI)

Chennai: AIADMK MP V Maitreyan, who has joined the O Panneerselvam camp amidst a power struggle in Tamil Nadu politics, on Tuesday said that there is huge doubt among late Chief Minister Jayalalithaas followers over her death.

Maitreyan met President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday to demand a probe into Jayalalithaas death, and made the comments while speaking to the media later.

When Jayalalithaa was admitted, it was told that she had fever and no major health problem. But then she was there for 75 days, Maitreyan told media persons.

Jayalalithaa had passed away on December 5 last year after spending 75 days at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai.

We demand a thorough probe into the matter. We (Panneerselvam camp) think the present Tamil Nadu government will not accept our demand. Hence we approached the President and submitted a memorandum, Maitreyan explained.

Former CM O Panneerselvam, who lost out on the battle for CMs post to Sasikala pick Edappadi Palanisamy earlier this month following a trust vote in the Assembly, had said that the AIADMK general secretary did not let him meet Jayalalithaa for several weeks after her hospitalisation. He also demanded a probe into the late CMs death.
Waving Indian flags, students were heard shouting "This country is ours, not the fiefdom of thugs. (Photo: Twitter/ @kavita_krishnan)

New Delhi: A day after RSS youth wing ABVP held its Tiranga march in the national capital, hundreds of students and teachers from Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University (DU) on Tuesday gathered at Khalsa College to participate in the 'Save DU march', to protest against last week's violence at Ramjas College.

Many of the assembled did not vow allegiance to any particular political outfit, Hindustan Times reported. The protesters claimed they had gathered there to protect their freedom of expression, and exercise their democratic right to agitate.

With chants of 'Hum honge Kamyab', 'ABVP why so creepy?' and 'Delhi Police why so sleepy?', the protest march crossed Lady Sri Ram College and moved towards the Arts Faculty.

Some students even held up copies of the preamble of the Indian Constitution to assert their rights to protest.

Waving Indian flags, students were also heard shouting "This country is ours, not the fiefdom of thugs. This is not a fight between Left and Right, it is a fight against goondas."

JNU's Kanhaiya Kumar and Shehla Rashid also joined the anti-ABVP protest march.

Tight security has been put in place in view of the march.

Earlier in the day, Delhi University student and daughter of martyr Gurmehar Kaur, who faced much flak for her social media campaign against ABVP, declared that she was withdrawing from the 'Save DU' campaign.

Im withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to sayI have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take :) she tweeted on Tuesday morning.

Kaur however urged Left-wing students to continue with the planned protest march today. The campaign is about students and not about me. Please go to the march in huge numbers. Best of luck, she tweeted.

She added,To anyone questioning my courage and bravery.. Ive shown more than enough. One thing is for sure, next time we will think twice before resorting to violence or threats and thats all this was about.

Kaur has been promised security by the Delhi Police after she complained that ABVP cadre threatened to rape her.

The genesis of the ABVP-AISA clash was an invite to JNU student Umar Khalid, facing sedition charges, and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar at Ramjas College on 'Culture of Protests' which was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by the ABVP.

This triggered clashes between ABVP and other opposing student groups.
Relatives grieve around the body of Srinivas Kuchibhotla after the body was flown from the US to his residence on the outskirts of Hyderabad. (Photo: AP)

Telangana: The last rites of engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the United States will be performed on Tuesday. His mortal remains reached Hyderabad late on Monday night.

Kuchibhotla was killed when 52-year-old Adam Purinton, walked into Austins Bar and Grill in the Kansas City suburb of Olathe and opened fire on Wednesday evening.

Kuchibhotla's friend, Alok Madasani, and Ian Grillot, a bar-goer who tried to intervene in the attack, were also shot, but survived.

Witnesses told local media they heard the suspect yell, "Get out of my country." Meanwhile, the FBI has launched an investigation to determine whether the shooting was a hate crime.

Purinton has been charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder.

However, the White House has attempted to downplay notions that there was any correlation between the incident and President Donald Trump's stance on immigrants.

Noting that the incident was tragic indeed, White House spokesperson Sean Spicer asserted that it was "absurd" to draw parallels between with the President's rhetoric.

"Obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but I'm not going to get into, like, to suggest that there's any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So I'm not going to go any further than that," Spicer said.

However, the relatives of Kuchibhotla held the recent election of Trump as President as the reason for this incident.
New Delhi: The English Department of Lady Shri Ram College, where Kargil martyr Mandeep Singhs daughter Gurmehar Kaur is a first year student of English Honours, has unanimously issued the following statement today.

We, the faculty members of the English Department, Lady Shri Ram College unequivocally and strongly support our student Gurmehar Kaur and her right to express her opinion on issues that embroil our university. It is immensely gratifying to us as her teachers that she has responded sensitively, creatively and bravely to events in her immediate context rather than seek the safe refuge of silence. We feel that it is the bounden duty of educational institutions to nurture sensitive, responsive and critical thinking students without the fear of violent retaliation. We are proud that Gurmehar has fulfilled her duty as a young citizen of this country. The threats of violence and brutality that she faces are absolutely reprehensible. Responses on social media by public figures such as Virender Sehwag and Randeep Hooda are shameful trivialization of the intimidation that Gurmehar faces at the hands of violent mobs whose viciousness the university has recently witnessed. We fervently appeal to the good sense of the public and to institutions of redressal to help restore our faith in law and justice in our country and let our young citizens think and articulate without fear of intimidation.

Rita Joshi, Madhu Grover, Rukshana Shroff, ArtiMinocha, Maya Joshi, ShernazCama, Mitali Mishra, Arunima Ray, DiptiNath, Maitreyee Mandal, JanetLalawmpuii, Ngangom Maheshkanta Singh, Karuna Rajeev, Wafa Hamid, Jonathan Varghese, TaniyaSachdeva, Rachita Mittal.

Kaur has received rape threats from ABVP members and other individuals on social media after she changed her profile picture on Facebook, which said, 'I am not afraid of ABVP'. She subsequently complained to the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), which provided security to her.

Kaur on Tuesday also withdrew from the 'Save DU' campaign, and the march by left-wing students which is supposed to be held from Khalsa College today.
Police registered an offence against the MLA, journalists from Bhayander who had staged a sit-in in front of the police station since Monday called off their protest. (Photo: Representational Image)

Thane: More than 200 people including Bhayander BJP MLA Narendra Mehta have been booked for rioting in the township on February 24, police said on Tuesday.

Thane District Rural police booked all of them last night under sections 143,147,149, 452, 504, 506 and 427 of the IPC and also under sections 37(1)/135 of the BP Act following a complaint in this regard.

After police registered an offence against the MLA, journalists from Bhayander who had staged a sit-in in front of the police station since Monday called off their protest.

The journalists had undertaken the protest after Mehta and irked BJP activists, took objection to a picture of State Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a publication and allegedly threatened scribe Vasant Mane.

Mehta along with his men had held a dharna at the Bhayander police station on the night of February 24 and later took a morcha to Mane's house where the legislator allegedly abused and threatened him and his wife.

Mane's house was ransacked too following which a complaint in this regard by filed by the local journalists association, demanding strong action against the culprits.
The police has not been able to confirm whether the 20 missing persons from Kerala, who include women and children, are in Afghanistan or Iraq. (Photo: File)

Kochi: The Kerala police are still groping in the dark, two days after a drone strike in Afghanistan killed ISIS member Hafeezuddin, 26, a native of Padanna near Cheruvathur in the state.

The Kerala cops are still ascertaining the validity of the information that Hafeezuddin, one among 20 others from the state suspected to have joined ISIS, had been killed, said a report.

However, a Whatsapp message has been received by a relative of the slain youth, showing a photo of his body lying on the ground, said the report.

The local police could not as yet ascertain the whereabouts of the persons who went missing under mysterious circumstances in June last year and are said to have joined the IS later, Deputy Superintendent of Police VT Assainar was quoted as saying.

He added that only Central agencies like the NIA could get any information, a view held by Superintendent of Police KG Simon too.

The police has also not been able to confirm whether the 20 missing persons, who include women and children, are in Afghanistan or Iraq.
New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee will be on a two-day visit to Kerala and Tamil Nadu from March 2, during which he will inaugurate the centenary celebrations of Women's Indian Association at Theosophical Society in Chennai.

The President will inaugurate a seminar on 'Importance of Sustainable Culture Building', on March 2, being organised as part of the third edition of the 'Muziris Biennale' in Kochi.

"On the same day, he will also deliver the Sixth K S Rajamony Memorial Lecture at Kochi," a Rashtrapati Bhavan press release said today.

On March 3, the President will present Standard to 125(H) Squadron and Colours to Military Training Instructors of Indian Air Force at Tambaram, Tamil Nadu. On the same day, he will also inaugurate the centenary celebrations of Women's Indian Association at Theosophical Society, Adyar, Chennai, it said.

The Kochi Muziris Biennale is an international festival of contemporary art organised by the Kochi Muziris Foundation in association with the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.

Its three editions, since 2012, have resulted in Kochi occupying a prominent position on the global art calendar. The biennale has till date exhibited over 300 artworks by over 250 artists from all over the world and hosted more than a million visitors.

This edition showcases 97 artists from 31 countries such as the UK, the US, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. It has received around four lakh visitors till date.

The memorial lecture in Kochi is being organised in memory of late K S Rajamony, prominent lawyer and former Member of the Kerala Public Men's Inquiry Commission (with the rank of a High Court Judge) from 1992 to 1997.

Initiated in 2002, the K S Rajamony Memorial Lectures have been delivered in the past by eminent persons like Justice V R Krishna Iyer, Justice K T Thomas, Justice K P Balasubramanian, Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan and Minister of Law and Justice Salman Khurshid.
Toxic gas had leaked from the Union Carbide's now-defunct pesticide factory in Bhopal on the intervening night of December 2 and 3, 1984. (Photo: Representational Image)

Bhopal: A local court has stayed the proceedings initiated by a lower court against the then Bhopal Collector and SP for allegedly helping Union Carbide Chairman Warren Anderson escape after the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy.

On February 7, the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Bhubhaskar Yadav had issued bailable arrest warrants against the then Collector Moti Singh and retired SP Swaraj Puri.

The proceedings against both the retired bureaucrats were stayed by Additional District and Sessions Judge D K Paliwal on Monday, on a plea by the duo that a hearing on a revision petition filed by them (before Judge Paliwal's court) was on, and therefore the same case cannot be heard by the lower court.

The lawyers of the two retired officials urged the court to stay the proceedings till the hearing on the revision petition is complete, to which the court agreed.

Hence, the proceedings in the court were stayed till April 24, when the court is expected to decide on the revision petition.

On February 7, Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Bhubhaskar Yadav had issued bailable warrant of Rs 5,000 each against the two officials as the duo had failed to appear before the court for the second time.

The court of CJM was then hearing petitions filed by Abdul Jabbar of NGO Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Udyog Sangathan and Bhopal Gas Peedit Sangharsh Sahyog Samiti, and Satinath Sarangi of Bhopal Group for Information and Action.

The case was filed after the activists sought action against the two former officers for allegedly helping Anderson escape from the country.

Both the officers, now retired, were charged under IPC sections 212 (harbouring offender), 217 (public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment) and 221 (intentional omission to apprehend on the part of public servant bound to apprehend).

Toxic gas had leaked from the Union Carbide's now-defunct pesticide factory in Bhopal on the intervening night of December 2 and 3, 1984. Nearly 15,000 people were killed and lakhs maimed in the industrial disaster.
Chennai: Protests by residents with empty pots seeking drinking water are growing across Tamil Nadu.

Chennai, Vellore, Kancheepuram and Krishnagiri are facing severe water shortage and the state police are facing a tough time with growing protests.

Sensing that the situation is becoming tough for people, Commissioner of Revenue Administration K. Sathyagopal instructed district collectors to closely monitor the drought situation and take immediate water augment works to address the growing water shortage issue.

On Monday, it was the turn of Pammal residents to stage a demonstration with empty pots, highlighting the water crisis situation. Life took a pause for almost half an hour, at Pallavaram-Kundrathur Road, as angry protestors demanded a solution, which according to them, had been unattended for the past two months.

Police personnel, who arrived at the spot pacified the agitators and restored the blocked traffic. Narrating their ordeals, protestors said they had not received water for the past three weeks, prompting them to rely on private water tankers and water cans.

"There is no responsibility on the part of the special officers. Neither the Commissioner nor the Municipal Engineer was present at the office. We found no way, but to protest, to put forth our demands," said Rajya Lakshmi, a protestor.

Meanwhile residents of Vellore also complained that they were facing acute shortage of drinking water. "Last week, the residents of Bagayam lodged a complaint to Vellore Corporation seeking drinking water supply at least once in three days, but there is no response so far and if the situation continues the residents are ready to stage a road rook," said S. Arumugham a retired army jawan.

Hunt for irrigation wells, abandoned quarries to tap surface water

With the water storage level of all reservoirs in red and with all major reservoirs in Tamil Nadu now having less than 13 per cent of their storage level, water managers are now perambulating the agricultural lands in Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Cuddalore looking out for borewells. The water available in the abandoned Tirusulam and Maangadu quarries are now being examined for consumption.

Water quality tests are underway and the results are expected. On Monday Poondi received an inflow of 299 cusecs of water released from Kandeluru and the overall storage capacity of all four reservoirs stood at 1.7 mcft against the total capacity 8,108 mcft.

Locals regret relocating to suburbs

A majority of Pammal residents, who had relocated to this suburb, to enjoy pollution free environment and low cost of living apparently regret their decision. Reason: Civic body's negligence towards water schemes.

Residents are now forced to spend a major part of their monthly budget to meet water requirements.

The parched locality, with the declining ground water table solely relies on Palar and Chembarambakkam water, which is supplied, once in ten days to 20 days.

Proposed to meet the water scarcity, Pallavaram-Pammal Kootu Kudineer Thittam earmarked at `128 crore is not yet completed.
Jaipur: A six-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped by a man today in Rajasthans Bhilwara district, police said.

The incident took place this morning when the girl was feeding cattle in her village.

Kailash Prajapat (25) has been booked for kidnap and rape, they said, adding the accused is yet to be arrested.

The victim was found screaming in pain by some villagers, who admitted her to a community health centre. The girl was later referred to a hospital in Bhilwara as her condition was stated critical, Mandal DSP Chanchal Mishra said.

A case has been registered at the Mandal police station.

The victim is undergoing treatment and medical examination has been done, the DSP said.

Teams have been formed to nab the accused, he said.
New Delhi: Two alleged ABVP activists were arrested for attacking two AISA supporters on the North Campus of Delhi University on Tuesday.

The AISA activists, Raj Singh and Utkarsh Bhardwaj, alleged that they were strangulated by Prashant Mishra and his friends, who followed them while they were returning from Arts Faculty around 5:20 pm, police said.

Utkarsh and Raj claimed that they were attacked by seven-eight people near Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College and were strangulated with belts.

Police managed to nab two persons -- Prashant and Vinayak Sharma -- from the spot.

They have been booked under IPC sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) and arrested, said a senior police officer.

Police are trying to identify the other students who were involved in the alleged attack on the AISA activists.
Policemen guard as All India Students Association (AISA) and Jawaharlal Nehru University students hold a protest demanding the arrest of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members at the police headquarters in New Delhi. (Photo: File/PTI)

New Delhi: Following complaints that female students and media persons were harassed by police personnel during the violent clashes at Ramjas College on February 22nd, the National Human Rights Commission on Tuesday issued a notice to the Delhi Police Commissioner.

"Allegedly, some journalists who were covering the clashes were slapped, punched and kicked by the policemen. The Commission has taken on record complaints as well as media reports, making similar allegations including threats to some students on social media. The Commission has given him four weeks to submit a detailed report in the matter," read the NHRC notice.

Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that he was in touch with Delhi Police over the turbulent situation arising out of the Ramjas College clash.

"I have told Delhi Police to practice restraint so that nothing goes wrong. I am constantly in touch with the police commissioner," he said.

A day after a clash broke out between All India Students Association (AISA) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) students at Ramjas College, the Delhi Police had called for strict action. They also asserting that few policemen's unprofessional actions were also noticed in handling law and order situation during the scuffle.

"On Monday, it came to the notice of top leadership of the Delhi police that unprofessionalism was seen on the part of certain policemen in handling law and order situation. We will take action according to the circumstances," Delhi Police spokesperson Dependra Pathak told ANI.

Asserting that strict action would be taken against the guilty, Pathak said a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) level officer is conducting an enquiry into the matter.

"A committee is instituted and top leadership is monitoring and taking care of it. We don't condone such action. Strict action will be taken," he added.

Emphasising that the police would make sure such events do not recur in future, he said: "In future, regarding student protest, we request students to remain peaceful and be in the bounds of law."

He further said a probe has been launched into the matter.

"The allegations and adverse things have come out but we are enquiring into it. We are looking into certain allegations," he added.
Lucknow/New Delhi: The Congress Party on Tuesday said Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sakshi Maharaj's controversial 'Kabristaan' remark is part of a communal atmosphere being created by the saffron party amid the ongoing assembly elections in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh.

"Every religion follows its own ritual. If there will be need of 'kabristaan' then it will be constructed. Similarly, if there would be need of 'shamshaan' then it would be made. This cannot be affected by provocative statements of any leader or saint," Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit told ANI.

Echoing similar views, Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal said Sakshi Maharaj's statement aims at spreading communalism and widening the gap between Hindus and Muslims.

"This shows the BJP's disappointment. They don't have any issue to discuss," Agarwal told ANI.

The Samajwadi Party leader further said that the BJP could clearly see its failure in the assembly polls, adding that is the reason for the saffron party allowing its party leaders to speak whatever they want to.

Sakshi Maharaj, who is known for making controversial statements, yesterday said that a law should be enforced to stop the construction of Kabristaan (graveyard) and Muslims should be cremated since there is not enough land for graveyards.

"Whether it is named Kabristaan (graveyard) or Shamshaan (crematoriums), nobody needs to be buried. There are 2-2.5 crore Hindu saints in this country who should have a memorial after their death. That will require land. There are 20 crore Muslims, all of them need a grave. Where is the land in Hindustan?" he said while addressing a public rally in Unnao.
Supreme Court said as per the report, the foetus is likely to have mental and physical challenges but the advice of the doctors does not warrant termination of pregnancy. (Photo: Representational Image)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to allow a woman, who is in her 26th week of pregnancy, to abort her foetus on the ground that it suffered from 'down syndrome', saying "we have a life in our hands".

The apex court said that as per a report of the medical board constituted to examine the 37-year-old woman, there was no physical risk to the mother in continuation of pregnancy.

A bench of Justices S A Bobde and L N Rao observed that though "everybody knows that children with down syndrome are undoubtedly less intelligent, but they are fine people."

The bench said as per the report, the foetus is "likely to have mental and physical challenges" but the advice of the doctors does not warrant termination of pregnancy.

"With this report, we don't think we are going to allow termination of pregnancy. We have a life in our hands," the bench said.

"In these circumstances, as per the present advice, it is not possible to grant permission to terminate the pregnancy," the court said.

Down syndrome is a congenital disorder which causes intellectual impairment and physical abnormalities.

The bench had on February 23 constituted a medical board comprising doctors of Mumbai-based KEM Hospital to examine the woman and file a report about her condition and advisability of permitting medical termination of pregnancy forthwith.

The woman, a resident of Maharashtra, had approached the apex court seeking nod to terminate her pregnancy saying that apart from serious mental and physical health problems for the child on birth, even her life was in danger.

The law prohibits termination of pregnancy after 20 weeks even if there is a fatal risk to the mother and the foetus.

The woman had said in her plea that this disorder could cause physical and mental retardation and the child would not be able to lead a normal and healthy life.

In a separate case, the apex court had on February 7 allowed a 22-year-old woman to terminate her 24-week pregnancy on the ground that it would endanger her life.

In another case, the apex court in January had allowed a Mumbai-based woman, who was in her 24th week of pregnancy, to terminate her pregnancy under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act while taking into consideration the report of a hospital which had suggested that the foetus would not be able to survive without the skull.
Srinivas Kuchibhotla working at the Garmin headquarters in Olathe, was killed in the shooting at a restaurant in Kansas on Wednesday night. (Photo: AP)

Hyderabad: The Telangana American Telugu Association (TATA) has advised the community to avoid communicating in Telugu in public places in the US.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, working at the Garmin headquarters in Olathe, was killed in the shooting at a restaurant in Kansas on Wednesday night. Another Indian and his colleague Alok Madasani was injured in the incident.

"Much as we love talking in our mother tongue, it can often be misconstrued. Please see if you can communicate in English in public places," the association said in a statement put out in its Facebook page.

The organisation further advised people not to get into argument with others in public places and leave the place immediately without confrontation.

"Isolated places can often be targets. Please avoid going or going single," it said.

Meanwhile, the mortal remains of Srinivas were brought here last night and his last rites will be performed today.

The shooting took place at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri.

Ian Grillot, an American, was injured when he tried to tackle the accused, Adam Purinton (51), who was arrested on Thursday morning, five hours after the incident.

Purinton had reportedly yelled "get out of my country" before opening fire on Kuchibhotla and Madasani.
The driver was suspected to be sleepy and his negligence is being seen as the prime cause of the accident. (Photo: DC)

Vijayawada: At least 11 people were killed and 30 others injured after a private bus heading to Bhubaneswar from Hyderabad fell into a river near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh early morning on Tuesday.

While nine people, including driver Adinarayana Reddy were killed on the spot, one passenger died in a hospital at Nandigama while another died while being taken to Vijayawada.

The private Volvo bus with 44 people on board was on its way to Hyderabad from Bhubaneswar when the mishap occurred between two culverts on the highway, police said. The passengers were fast asleep during the accident.

The injured have been taken to the Nandigama Government Hospital, said reports.

Of the 30 injured people, 10 are critical, said a report. The bus, Diwakar Travels, was owned by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLA from Tadipatri JC Prabhakar Reddy.

The bus had made a stop at Vijayawada along its 1000-kilometre journey, where a new driver took over. It overran a bridge divider and plunged through the gap between the two lanes into a river in Mullapadu around 5:30 am, said reports.

The bus driver, who was also killed in the mishap, was drowsy and lost control over the vehicle, police said.

Soon after the incident, an eye witness called the police. Authorities in Krishna district were asked to constantly aid the injured and track their health condition. Gas cutters were used to rescue the passengers.

Nandigama Deputy Superintendent of Police Umamaheswara Rao is supervising the investigation. Krishna District Superintendent of Police Vijaya Kumar rushed to Mullapadu to oversee rescue and relief operations.

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Chinna Rajappa and Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas are continuously monitoring the situation. Transport Minister Sidda Raghava Rao has ordered an inquiry into the mishap.
Madhusudhan Rao, center wearing white dhoti, and Parvatha Vardhini, center right wearing pink sari, perform rituals around the body of their son Srinivas Kuchibhotla. (Photo: PTI)

Hyderabad: As Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotlas last rites were performed at his residence in Hyderabad on Tuesday, his wailing mother said she would not allow her younger son to return to the US.

I will not allow my younger son to go back to the US again. I want him and his family to return to Hyderabad for good, Hindustan Times quoted Kuchibhotlas mother Parvatha Vardhini as saying.

Kuchibhotla was killed in the shooting by US Navy veteran Adam Purinton at a bar in Olathe, Kansas, last Wednesday. Two others, including Indian engineer Alok Madasani and an American national, who tried to intervene to stop the shooting, were injured in the attack.

His younger brother, Sai Kiran, is also employed in the US and lives there with his family.

I will not allow them to go back. I used to tell Srinivas also to return, if he felt insecure there. But he used to say he was very safe and secure, their mother said.

Kuchibhotlas dead body was handed over to his family in Hyderabad on Monday night. Srinivas's wife Sunayana Dumala had accompanied the mortal remains of her husband from Kansas.

A large number of people from various walks of life visited Kuchibhotlas residence in Praneet Nature Bounty colony in Mallampet on Tuesday to pay last respects to him before the last rites.
New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry has asked states to curb "needless" Caeserean section surgeries, after a health survey pointed a sharp rise in such operations in the private sector.



According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) made available by the ministry today, the nationwide average Caesarean section surgeries rose from 8.5 per cent (NFHS-3) among all deliveries in the 2005-06 survey to 17.2 per cent in the 2015-16 survey.



In the private sector, Caesarean section surgeries made up about 40.9 per cent of deliveries in 2015-16 from 27.7 per cent in 2005-06.



Similarly according to NGHS-4, such surgeries in public health facilities declined from 15.2 per cent during NHFS-3 to 11.9 per cent during 2015-16.



"We are trying to tell the states to convince the private sector to do Caesarean only when it is required," Union Health secretary C K Mishra told reporters here.



He said it is a very "dichotomous" situation where on one hand, the ministry is trying to create facilities to do caesarean operations in public health facilities while a lot of caesarean surgeries is happening in private sector which is elective.



Other health officials informed that the Ministry has been writing to the state governments and gynaecology associations and trying to suggest to them to use provisions of The Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act and others to nudge the private providers whose caesarean rates are "excessive".



Recently, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi had written to Health Minister J P Nadda, saying the doctors who carry out Caesarean operations without a valid medical reason must be "named and shamed".



Gandhi wanted Nadda to make it mandatory for hospitals to display their rate of Caesarean, also known as C-section, deliveries in response to a Change.org petition against hospitals and doctors profiteering by pushing women towards surgical deliveries instead of natural vaginal birth.
Thiruvananthapuram: In the bedtime stories told by mothers in the deeps of Kerala he is called by different names. In Muthanga, he is Irulan. In Aralam, he is Theekkaalan. In Kottur, he is Kullanthuppan. But the folkloric being that goes by these names is the same everywhere: a dwarf, with an unquenchable thirst, and a tongue of fire that can reach up to the skies. He appears in the forest deeps during drought years, and promptly dries up the water in the streams and ponds.

Still burning with thirst, forest lore has it that he would desperately shoot his fiery tongue upwards to suck water from the clouds. But as he does this, he unwittingly burns the forests. Mandan Kullan, kids call him. The dwarfs folly seems to be ravaging the forests of the state like never before. If, last year, Forest Survey of India had identified 10 sq km of forest land as highly prone to forest fires, this year it has mapped 500 sq km as high-risk, an unprecedented assessment.

Never before had we such a situation where both the monsoons had failed. There is virtually no moisture content within the forest, and fire incidents are exceptionally high, said Mr Deepak Mishra, the chief conservator of forests (Kollam). We have recruited more daily wagers to fight fires in our circle, he said. The fire season has only begun, it starts from February and extends up to June 15. In Wayanad, a large continent of nearly 170 forest personell, including top officials, had camped inside the forests for 10 consecutive days. It was only yesterday that we came out, said P Dhanesh Kumar, the chief wildlife warden of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

Our major attempt was to prevent the sparks from across the border to stoke fire inside our areas, Mr Dhanesh said. Five ranges of Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary, while lies northeast to Wayanad sanctuary, have already been burnt down. Bandipur and Mudumalai, on the eastern and southern borders of Wayanad sanctuary, are burning. There were heavy fires in Chembra mountain within Wayanad. Along with Kollam, Palakkad has recorded the most number of fires this season. The Forest Department has revived an old community participation experiment to tackle forest fires. Vana Samrakshana Samithis, with 15-20 members, have been given Rs 1000 each to protect one hectare of forest. Each VSS will have 150-200 hectares within their ambit.
Hyderabad: After the Congress and Left parties opposed the TS Assembly passing the Land Acquisition Amendment Bill, 2016 that was sent to the President for his assent, various rights activists and organisations have now started coming together to oppose the Bill.

They have requested the President not to approve the controversial Bill that, according to them, will nullify the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 passed by Parliament.

Peoples movements, farmers organisations, womens groups including National Alliance of Peoples Movements, Women Against Sexual Violence and State Repression, Mahila Kisan Adhikar Manch, Rythu Swarajya Vedika, Human Rights Forum, Telangana Vyavasaya Vruthidarula Union, Caring Citizens Collective, Mallannasagar project-affected peoples organisation, along with well-known activists, academics and lawyers including Medha Patkar, Aruna Roy, Sandeep Pandey, Dr Sunilam, Prof. Uma Chakravarty, Sujatha Surepally, Padmaja Shaw, Jeevan Kumar, Kiran Vissa, P. Chennaiah and many others have sent a letter to the President calling upon him not to approve the Bill. They termed the Bill as anti-farmer and anti-people.

In the letter signed by over a 100 activists, they said that the Bill completely nullifies the progressive provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 passed by Parliament and would result in immense harm to lakhs of small and marginal farmers, landless families and displaced persons, most of who are Dalits, adivasis and women in TS.

The Amendment Bill strikes a death blow to the concept of a Welfare State that must protect the marginalised communities. Instead, it gives legislative sanction to state-sponsored real estate, through private agreements with landowners and mere payment of meagre cash to all other landless / livelihood losers, the letter stated.
Hyderabad: The BJP on Tuesday slammed Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for trying to blame the Opposition for the delay in irrigation projects.

The party also opposed TJAC chairman M. Kodandarams demand of 12 per cent reservations for Muslims.

BJP national executive member Nagam Janardhan Reddy questioned Mr Rao as to why he was afraid of courts when his government has done no wrong in construction of irrigation projects. He said it was against awarding of works to inexperienced contractors.

Since TRS came to power, KCRs focus is not on completion of projects, but on projects where he can make money. Why is KCR sweating when PILs are filed against contracts being awarded to ineligible persons and other irregularities? We are not stalling development but stalling corruption. Fight against corruption is not new, the BJP leader said.

Is it a crime to approach courts? Its a right granted by the Constitution. How were contracts awarded to those who failed to complete Palamur-Ranga Reddy LI scheme? he asked.

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao objected to Prof. Kodandaram demanding implementation of 12 per cent reservations for Muslims.

The Constitution clearly opposes religion0based reservations and the Supreme Court has clearly ruled against any such provisions by either the Central or state governments. KCRs promise of 12 per cent reservations to Muslims is an election firework. KCRs promise is fake, illegal and unconstitutional, he said.
Leaders of the people welfare alliance G. Ramakrishnan of CPI(M), R.Mutharasanof CPI and Thol. Thirumavalavan of VCK hold a demonstration at Alangudi near Pudukkottai on Tuesday. (photo: DC)

Pudukkottai: The villagers struggle against the hydrocarbon project at Neduvasal and its surrounding villages in Pudukkottai district entered its 13th day on Tuesday, with the support of various political parties including the MDMK, People Welfare Alliance consisting of the CPI, CPI(M), VCK and other like-minded organisations.

Activists held demonstrations in support of the cause. Tamil Nadu Congress President S Thirunavukkarasar also visited Neduvasal village, met the agitators and assured the Congress partys support for the common cause.

Meanwhile, residents of more than 50 villages hoisted black flags on their houses and public places of their villages. Villagers had a sit-in strike at a common place of the village. Young mothers carrying infants also took part in the agitation.

Police made elaborate security arrangements in and around Neduvasal village and allowed vehicles entering the village only after a thorough check up. College students boycott class, protest hydrocarbon project.

Students of Rajah Serfoji College and members of the Students Federation of India boycotted classes and staged a dharna in front of the college in support of the anti-hydrocarbon project agitation by villagers of Neduvasal in Pudukottai district, here on Tuesday. G.Aravindsamy, district secretary of SFI led the agitation. Honest Raj, town secretary and others participated.
Chennai: Madras high court has directed the TN government to spell out its decision, if any, regarding displaying the portraits of former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa in government offices and government schemes, following the Supreme Court verdict in the disproportionate assets case against her on February 14.

The first bench comprising acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh and Justice R Mahadevan has passed the order when PILs filed by DMK legislator J. Anbazhagan and president, Advocates Forum for Social Justice. K. Balu, came up for hearing on Monday.

Anbazhagan's senior counsel and former additional solicitor-general of India P. Wilson said Jayalalithaa was convicted in a corruption case and constitutionally debarred from holding any public office. He said merely because the appeals abated on account of her death, the government could not be justified for displaying her portraits in government offices and schemes.

Wilson said authorities were also planning to introduce a lesson on Jayalalithaa in school syllabus.

The SC had ordered attachment of her properties. When he said a representation to remove the portraits was submitted in person on February 25, the bench said, "give them a breathing time. Let them take a decision on displaying the portraits in public offices post-conviction. Let them answer all queries raised by you."
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi with sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at an election rally in Raebareli. (Photo: PTI/File)

Lucknow: Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday said that partys star campaigner Priyanka Gandhi Vadra "will not be campaigning" any more in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.

Azad told NDTV that Priyanka wont be attending election rallies in the state as she does not have time for campaigning.

Priyanka had attended only one poll rally in Raebareli, the traditional stronghold of the Congress, earlier this month.

Priyanka was expected to play a prominent role in UP elections after her name had appeared in the list of 40 star campaigners. Even the senior party leaders had suggested that she will campaign for the party in state elections.

Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chief Raj Babbar had in November last year said if she gives enough time then Priyanka could campaign in all the 403 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh.

However, a month ahead of the assembly elections, reports suggested that Priyanka would campaign only in Raebareli and Amethi  the constituencies where she has always campaigned for the Congress. Although, she could manage to campaign only in one of the two constituencies.

Meanwhile, Congress President Sonia Gandhi has also remained absent from the campaigns due to poor health.

The Congress is contesting the elections in the state in alliance with the Samajwadi Party.
Imphal: Launching a frontal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged that the former did not even discuss about the Naga Peace Accord with Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

"Prime Minister Modi didn't even talk to CM Ibobi Singh. The ministers are not aware of what is there in Naga Accord. It is all in PM Modi's mind," Gandhi said while addressing a rally in Imphal.

"You must ask Modi that when the Naga Peace Accord was made, why the people of Manipur were not consulted or spoken to? Till date, no one knows what is there in this pre-paid accord," he added.

The Naga Peace Accord was signed in 2015 by the Government of India and the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) in Modi's presence.

Elections for the 60-member Manipur assembly are slated for March 4 and 8.
The high-profile, high-decibel student politics in Delhi, comprising Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University, is really insignificant. The faces and voices that loom large on the capitals campuses just melt away. The so-called glory is just so ephemeral. A few politicians have emerged from these teeny-weeny students union melee on to the national level, including the BJPs Arun Jaitley from the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) pool and the Communist Party of India (Marxist)s Sitaram Yechury from the JNU Students Union (JNUSU), but their number is no greater than those who have emerged from student union politics from Osmania University (OU) in Hyderabad, Andhra University in Visakhapatnam, Gorakhpur University, Patna University and Allahabad University. But the tally does not go up to more than a score. So the clashes between the right-wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the rest of other so-called democratic student unions are to be treated as mere headlines on the city pages of a newspaper.

The governments assault on free speech is happening elsewhere. The symptoms are to be seen in the sparks flying in Delhi because of the intense media coverage. Delhi is not the battleground. It is finance minister Arun Jaitleys observation in an interaction at the London School of Economics, when he said whether assaulting national sovereignty can be part of freedom of speech, that is of far greater concern. For the majority of ordinary people, his remark makes immense sense. The nation cannot be broken up in the name of free speech and ordinary people have nothing but disdain for leftist radical groups. For the millions who are struggling to eke out their living and who have to cope with more pressing problems day in and day out, freedom of speech is not a priority. It is an unfortunate situation but that is the truth. Therein lies the danger of Mr Jaitleys call for a debate on limits to free speech. He is setting up a false trail for the whole issue. He is surely aware that Article 19(2) and (3) provide for restrictions on freedom of speech for the sake of public order. Even these two sub-sections do not question that freedom enshrined in Article 19 (a) and (b).

As a lawyer from a right-wing party like the BJP, he is indeed justified in putting forward a conservative point of view about basic freedoms and fundamental liberties. There is however an underlying contradiction and inconsistency in the stance. It is the claim of many of the former Young Turks of the 1975 Emergency period, some of whom are now in the BJP, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Jaitley, information and broadcasting and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, that they are the torch-bearers of freedom of speech because they stood up for it against the dictatorial ways of Indira Gandhi then. Mr Jaitleys statement about the need for debate on free speech against this background marks a change in political colours, of a rebel becoming the pillar of the system, placing the government, state and nation above the individual. It has to be conceded that it is not just the right-wing politicians who are caught in this embarrassing situation. Many of the Leftists were in a similar situation when the Left Front ruled West Bengal for three decades and more. Yes. People change.

The young dissidents become older conservatives. And it can be termed a natural progress. Mr Jaitley and others can take solace from the fact that the British romantic poet William Wordsworth, who was fired by the French Revolution when he was young, became a stolid conservative during the Napoleonic wars. This was seen as a betrayal by younger romantics, like Shelley and Byron and it seems an ignominious fall from the high pedestal for Wordsworth. Mr Jaitleys fall or rise from rebel to conservative is ironic because his statement is an attempt to undermine the liberal principle of liberty, which does not change with the individuals change in political beliefs and affiliations. If democracy is to survive in India and elsewhere, liberty cannot be caged and arguments suggesting that there should be limits to freedom of speech is a clear message from those in power that dissent, the soul of democracy, will not be tolerated.

Mr Jaitley is also indulging in the dangerous game in the name of reasoned debate of erasing the distinction between expression and action under the freedom of speech and that acts of sabotage of the ultra-left groups who have declared war against the Indian State. It is the inalienable right of an individual in a democratic polity to question everything, including national sovereignty, and this includes the fetishism about the national flag and national anthem. It has to be proved in law that this exercise of the freedom of speech has endangered the nation and the State by spreading disaffection. To say that no one has the freedom to speak against the nation in a democracy is to consign India to the low category of unfree societies, scattered all over Asia and Africa. It is also distortion of facts amounting to a lie to say that those who question the Central governments policy in Jammu and Kashmir, and the acts of omission and commission of the security forces in J&K and in the Northeast are not questioning national sovereignty per se. But more importantly, there can be no taboos. Of course, the logical implication is that ultra-nationalists and ultra-leftists must be left to speak their thoughts, and they will be liable for their expression when it can be proven in a court of law that their freedom of speech is spreading public disaffection and social unrest. But neither the leftists nor the rightists have a right to prevent the other side from speaking. It is the job of the government to see to it that both sides enjoy the freedom of speech. And that was the assurance that was expected from Mr Jaitley.
Karachi: It was good while it lasted, but it was too good to last for too long. The complacency has ended as we see terrorists still striking nationally. The official reaction has been swift and furious. But swift and furious do not often add up to being effective. The top soldier has vowed to avenge terrorism. Top analysts have penned articles on how to do so. But talk of avenging terrorism is troubling, for it often implies anger and disregard for the rules. Predictably, many immediate reactions have shown such disregard and ineffectiveness. Cross-border action breaks international law, will only push terrorists deeper into Afghanistan and may make neighbours retaliate. Sealing official borders disrupts innocent civilians lives and trade without deterring terrorists who may use other paths. Military courts are ineffective and discourage judicial reform. Evicting Afghan refugees breaks refugee law and apes Donald Trumps mean actions. Seeking justice is a more apt goal. It implies respecting law, using both military and diplomatic means, and reviewing our own follies.

In 2006, terrorisms hubs lay in plain sight within Pakistans borders but we dithered as the Army, ruling then, developed the same compulsions that stop politicians from targeting terrorists. Increasing insecurity hastened democracys return in 2008 which transferred the Armys national (but not regional) compulsions to politicians. This allowed it to start meaningful actions against terrorists, leading to the seemingly very potent Zarb-i-Azb. By 2016, we had almost perfected the art of having our cake and eating it too: protecting ourselves against major terrorism without curbing our regional aims. But 2017 has broken this myth and shown that blowback is inevitable. Now we are upset and puzzled even though it was inevitable. What do we do now? We can try to secure soft targets. But terrorists will still find places where desperate suicide bombers can cause fatalities that spread chaos. We can aim to choke the transmission routes and facilitators. Most effective is eliminating hubs. But they lie across the border now. Firing at them may cause initial loss, but nimble-footed terrorists will soon regroup far enough from the border to be safe. We can wade deeper into alien territory chasing them. But that is risky. Afghan forces may attack us. More likely, terrorists may ambush us in areas alien to us but familiar to them. It is also against international law even in retaliation for cross-border attacks.

We can demand from the hosts to clamp down on these groups. But this involves states we have gripes with  Afghanistan, US and even India. We have been stone-walling their similar demands for years under different pretexts: provide better proof, we are busy with our own war, why should we fight your wars, we have already cleared terrorists from our soil; or these are not terrorists but freedom fighters. At best, they will repeat these pretexts back to us and demand reciprocity. But this thought must not deter Pakistan from reviewing its regional policies. Basing its policies on principles, laws and logic alone will produce best long-term results whatever the policies of others. In Afghanistan, Pakistan pursues a place for the Afghan Taliban in the political set-up, despite years of efforts not even getting peace talks started earnestly. Chances that they will start now are remote, and that they will succeed and produce a lasting and functional governing coalition which secures Pakistani interests are almost zero.

Pakistan should instead focus on working with others to eliminate the Afghan Taliban militarily, by choking their supplies, eliminating their leaders and working to develop good relations with whoever rules Afghanistan, as does China. In Kashmir, we argue it is not terrorism but a freedom struggle. This mixes goals with means. Freedom is a goal and terrorism one means to it. One can be both a freedom fighter and a terrorist if one kills civilians in pursuing freedom. Terrorism cannot be justified despite Indian state terrorism. Freedom fighters could justify non-terrorist militancy, i.e., targeting only armed forces, as a last resort. But it is wrong for a state to support even that even in a disputed area. We must only support peaceful means in Kashmir and encourage local groups to pursue only them. We say we no longer support militants in Afghanistan and India. But outsiders and credible local media sources doubt this. Pakistan must take tangible steps that remove all doubts on this count.

By arrangement with Dawn
ZOPO Mobile, the fastest growing Smartphone brand sets up the stage to capture a significant market share with its new offering, the Flash X Plus. With an elegant design, exotic applications and impressive features this phone will target all the middle and high end 4G Smartphone users. This will be the companys first launch under the Flash Series, which will be held in March 2017, exclusive for India.

In a bid to offer more to the Indian Smartphone users, ZOPO mobile has come up with a perfect blend of style and performance to stand strong against other popular brands. The Flash X Plus offers a 5.5full HD IPS, powered by a 64-bit Octa-core MT6753 processor. It is supported by a 3GB RAM & 32GB internal storage, expandable up to 128GB which ensures seamless multi-tasking and snappy performance with amazing 3100 mAh Li-Polymer battery backup.

It is available in 4 different unique colors: Royale Gold, Charcoal Black, Space Grey and Orchid Rose. The phone will be available on all ZOPO counters across India and online stores like Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal and Shopclues for the far-fetched price of Rs. 13,999. Also, this ZOPO offering comes with an extra special 365 days replacement warranty.

With a new Smartphone coming up every week ZOPO wants to make sure that the Flash X Plus stands out in every possible way. The company has devised an aggressive ongoing marketing strategy to introduce the new member.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
President Donald Trumps top aide Kellyanne Conway checks her phone after taking a photo of US President Donald Trump and leaders of historically black universities and colleges in the Oval Office. Ms Conway came under fire for casually kneeling on a couch in the Oval Office with Twitteratis berating her for lack of respect. (Photo: AFP)

Washington: President Donald Trump said he believes former President Barack Obama is behind the leaks within his administration. He also blamed Mr Obama for the angry town hall crowds Republicans are facing across the US.

During an interview on Fox News, Mr Trump said: You never know what's exactly happening behind the scenes. You know, youre probably right or possibly right, but you never know.

In the interview, a clip of which was released on Tuesday, he said: I think that President Obama is behind it because his people are certainly behind it. And some of the leaks possibly come from that group, which are really serious because they are very bad in terms of national security. But I also understand that is politics. In terms of him being behind things, thats politics. And it will probably continue.

Mr Trump did not provide any evidence for his statement. During the interview he gave himself an A for his presidency so far but said he would only give himself a C for communicating how great he has been, the New York Times reported. I think Ive done great things, but I dont think I have  I and my people  I dont think weve explained it well enough to the American public, he said. I think I get an A in terms of what Ive actually done, but in terms of messaging, Id give myself a C or a C-plus.

He acknowledged that he does not have the support of a majority of Americans in polls, but he said those who do back him are more intense. The love is great, he said. And I saw a poll where I was at 45 or 46 percent, but one of the things they said is that the level of enthusiasm for me is as strong as theyve ever seen.

He also criticised his press secretary, Sean Spicer and said it was wrong of him to bring a group of staff members into his office and inspect their telephones. He added: I would have handled it differently than Sean. But Sean handles it his way, and Im O.K. with it.
After the shooting, Purinton, who is white, drove 70 miles east to an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, where he made the shocking admission to the bartender. (Photo: AP)

Olathe: A bartender at the restaurant where a man was arrested last week for an apparently racially motivated bar shooting of two Indian men told a 911 dispatcher that the suspect admitted shooting two people, but described them as Iranian.

A recording from Henry County, Missouri, 911 reveals that the bartender warned police not to approach the building with sirens blaring or the man would "freak out" and "something bad's going to happen."

The man, Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe, made his first appearance in court Monday via video link. He has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder.

According to witnesses, Purinton yelled "get out of my country" at two 32-year-old Indian men, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, before he opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in the Kansas City suburb on Wednesday evening.

Kuchibhotla was killed and Madasani injured. The two had come to the US from India to study, and they worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin. A third patron, Ian Grillot, 24, was wounded when he tried to intervene.

After the shooting, Purinton, who is white, drove 70 miles east to an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, where he made the shocking admission to the bartender.

In the 911 call, the bartender, Sam Suida, told the dispatcher a man had come into the bar and said he'd done something "really bad" and was on the run from the police.

"He asked if he could stay with me and my husband, and he wouldn't tell me what he did. I kept asking him, and he said that he would tell me if I agreed to let him stay with me," the bartender said. "Well, I finally got him to tell me and he said, like, that he shot and killed two Iranian people in Olathe...."

Authorities have declined to discuss a possible motive for the attack or to say if they are investigating it as a hate crime. But the incident has raised concern about the treatment of immigrants, who feel targeted by President Donald Trump's promises to ban certain travelers, build a wall along the Mexico border and put "America first."

During Monday's court appearance lasting less than two minutes, Purinton was seen wearing what was described by a sheriff's department spokesman as a "safety smock," assigned to suspects who said something during jail processing that suggested they might do harm to themselves.

Johnson County sheriff's Master Deputy Rick Howell would not disclose the comment by Purinton that raised concern, but said the suspect would wear the smock until mental health professionals say otherwise.

Andy Berthelsen, a neighbor of Purinton's for the past 15 years, told the AP that Purinton had become "a drunken mess" after his father's death about 18 months ago. He said he doesn't believe the shooting stemmed from hatred, and that it likely resulted from Purinton's physical and mental deterioration.
Adam Purinton is charged with the premeditated murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla as well as the attempted murders of Kuchibhotla's friend, Alok Madasani and American Ian Grillot. (Photo: AP)

Olathe: A white US Navy veteran charged with murdering an Indian software engineer at a Kansas bar gazed stoically at a camera from jail and gave curt answers to a judge by video during his initial court appearance on Monday over the shooting, which federal authorities are probing as a possible hate crime.

Adam Purinton, 51, is accused of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and wounding Alok Madasani, also 32, as well as an American who tried to intervene during Wednesday evenings incident at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, a Kansas City suburb.

At least one bystander told the Kansas City Star he shouted get out of my country before shooting. The incident led news bulletins in India, where some suggested on social media that a climate of intolerance in the United States had been fuelled by President Donald Trumps rhetoric on immigration.

Purinton, appearing via video conference from jail, asked the court to appoint him an attorney and waived the reading of the formal charges against him of one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder during the five-minute hearing in the Johnson County District Court in downtown Olathe.

Purinton, who could only be seen from the chest up on the courts television screen, is being held on $2 million bond in the adjacent Johnson County Jail. In clear language, he replied to a handful of questions from the judge, mostly with curt answers.

Michael McCulloch, who was named by the court to be Purintons attorney, declined to comment after the hearing.

Purinton wore an Army green, sleeveless suicide-prevention smock and stared straight at the camera the whole time. His reddish-brown hair was short on the side and spiked on top. He had sideburns to his jawbone and the shadow of a beard.

His next hearing is set for March 9.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer on Monday called reports about the shooting and more acts of vandalism at Jewish cemeteries disturbing. On Friday, he said any loss of life in the shooting was tragic, but it was absurd to link the killing to Trumps America First stance.

Purinton was arrested hours after the shooting at an Applebees restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, about 80 miles (130 km) south of Olathe.
Stephen Rogata climbed 21 floors of Trump Tower in New York in August 2016, using suction cups and a harness. (Photo: AP)

New York: A 19-year-old Donald Trump supporter who climbed 21 floors of Trump Tower in New York in August 2016, using suction cups and a harness, pleaded guilty on Monday to reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct, a prosecutor's spokesman said.

Stephen Rogata of Great Falls, Virginia, had a three-hour televised standoff with police at the 58-story tower on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, which was the Republican's election campaign headquarters for the November 8 vote that put him in the White House.

A spokesman for the Manhattan District Attorney's office said on Monday that under Rogata's plea deal he was to have no contact with President Trump.

"As part of the plea agreement, he has to continue mental health treatment, he has to stay in school or maintain employment for the next year, and have no new arrest for the next year," the spokesman said.

He said Rogata could face up to a year in prison if he were unable to abide by the conditions of his plea deal. But compliance would allow him to withdraw his guilty plea for reckless endangerment, leaving him only with a disorderly conduct charge.

A representative for Rogata did not immediately respond to a request for contact.

As Rogata scaled the tower's glass exterior August 10, 2016, police removed large window panes above him as several officers, some in helmets, stood at the windows watching him. It had previously been reported that Rogata was 20 years old.

Rogata shifted his route several times in what appeared to be an attempt to get around the officers before he was yanked into a window and arrested

New York Police Department officials told a news conference later that day that Rogata did not express a desire to harm anyone, and that his only mission was to meet with Trump.

"The reason I climbed your tower was to get your attention," Rogata said in a video uploaded to YouTube before his climb.
An injured person is carried on a stretcher to an ambulance during the performing of the Unidos da Tijuca samba school for the Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. (Photo: AP)

Rio de Janeiro: The top of a float collapsed during Rio de Janeiro's world famous Carnival parade on Tuesday, injuring at least 17 people, officials said.

The incident involved the second float of the popular samba school Unidos da Tijuca, themed around the Carnival in New Orleans. Revelers cried on the pavement and in the stands as injured people were removed by rescuers.

Police were investigating the cause of the accident. Rio state health secretary said in a statement that among the 17 injured at the city's Sambadrome, six were taken to the hospital and two were in serious condition. One of them suffered a head trauma.

The parade had to be stopped for almost 25 minutes so the injured could get medical attention. The show was allowed to proceed.

Reveler Felix Souza said he was dancing next to the float when the incident happened. "We heard a burst on the top," he said. "People started screaming, we didn't understand what it was. It was a moment of despair for all there."

Ailton Freitas, a director at Unidos da Tijuca, said their floats had been tested repeatedly before the Carnival. "We tested three times a week with more weight than we carried today. When the parade approached we started doing those tests every day. We are even more shocked than you all are," Freitas told journalists. "I don't know what is happening, but Rio's Carnival is not being blessed this year."

Minutes earlier a smaller incident happened with samba school Mocidade Independente. A platform detached from their fourth float and dropped a reveler to the ground. The samba school said she was not injured.

On Sunday, a float belonging to samba school Paraiso de Tuiuti crashed and injured at least 20 people, including three seriously. Following that accident, organizers also decided to proceed with the show.
Washington: Pakistan is experiencing drip drip genocide, a noted scholar from the country has said, describing it as the most dangerous kind of wiping out of religious minorities in the Islamic nation.

Right before the partition of India and Pakistan, we had a very healthy balance of religions other than Islam. Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Zoroastrians. (Now) Pakistan goes from 23%, which is almost a quarter of its population, to three per cent today, noted Pakistani author, journalist and politician Farahnaz Ispahani said.

I call it a drip drip genocide, because its the most dangerous kind of wiping out of religious communities, said Ispahani, whose book Purifying the Land of the Pure was launched in the US this month.

It (genocide) doesnt happen in one day. It doesnt happen over a few months. Little by little by little, laws and institutions and bureaucracies and penal codes, textbooks that malign other communities, until you come to the point of having this sort of jihadi culture that is running rampant, she said.

Describing Pakistans journey as depressing, Ispahani said that the country she grew up in does not exist today.

Responding to a question on the recent global trend against religious minorities, the top Pakistani scholar said it is shocking that today, countries like the US, which were known as the bastions of liberal democratic intuitions and values towards religious minority populations are now turning into places of hate.

Whether it is towards refugees, whether its towards Jews whove been settled in France for centuries, Jews whove been settled in the United States for generations. Its Muslims, its Jews, its Christians, but the whole world seems to be changing in a very ugly way, she said.

One of the reasons I wrote my book was as a heeding that the example of Pakistan is an example the whole world needs to watch. The example of India, of course, is different, because the Indian constitution actually uses the word secular.

Even though right now theres a tussle in India between two different weaves of the society, I would say, till today the laws still say that all Indians are equal citizens, which is still also the fact in the United States of America, Ispahani said.
San Francisco: A federal appeals court on Monday rejected a US Department of Justice request to place on hold an appeal over President Donald Trump's travel ban on people from seven majority-Muslim countries.

The order from the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals could increase pressure on the Trump administration to clarify its intentions regarding the controversial executive order.

The 9th Circuit suspended Trump's travel ban earlier in February, while litigation over the measure proceeds. Trump has said he will soon issue a new executive order that addresses concerns raised by the appeals court judges.

The president's January 27 order had caused chaos at airports around the world as visa holders heading to the United States were pulled off planes or turned around upon arrival at US airports.

Trump has said travel limitations are necessary to protect the United States from attacks by Islamist terrorists. His original order 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.

Americans were deeply divided over the measure, which was condemned by prominent US companies and allies and challenged in court by the state of Washington.

The 9th Circuit had directed the Justice Department to file a legal brief defending the travel ban later this week. Given Trump's intention to issue a new order, however, the Justice Department asked last week for the appeal to be placed on hold.

In a response, the state of Washington said the Trump administration has said both that it would pursue an appeal, and that it would issue a new order.

"Throughout these proceedings, there appears to have been a lack of communication between the Department of Justice and the White House," the Washington attorney general's office said in a court filing arguing that the 9th Circuit move forward now.

Representatives for the Justice Department declined to comment.

After stating that a new travel ban would be issued last week, a White House official said on Wednesday that a new order would come sometime this week.
An autopsy revealed Daniel died of a Diphenhydramine overdose in 2015 after prosecutors say Shafeirad forced him to swallow medication containing the antihistamine.(Representational Image)

Gaithersburg, Maryland: A Maryland woman has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for giving her 5-year-old son a fatal overdose of antihistamine before setting her car on fire with the boy inside.

Media outlets report that before 35-year-old Narges Shafeirad was sentenced Monday, she spoke about her bitter divorce and custody fight. She pleaded guilty in July to first-degree murder in the death of Daniel Dana.

An autopsy revealed Daniel died of a Diphenhydramine overdose in 2015 after prosecutors say Shafeirad forced him to swallow medication containing the antihistamine.

Prosecutors say Shafeirad then tried to stage a wreck after putting her son's body inside the car, dousing it with gasoline and setting the vehicle on fire beside a Montgomery County highway. Responding police and firefighters found Shafeirad lying outside the car.
Seoul: The heir to the Samsung empire and four other top executives were indicted on Tuesday on multiple charges, including bribery and embezzlement, South Korean prosecutors said in the latest blow to the worlds biggest smartphone maker.

The presentation of formal charges against Lee Jae-Yong and his colleagues makes them almost certain to face trial, casting new uncertainty over South Koreas biggest business group as it seeks to recover from a humiliating recall.

As well as charges of bribery, embezzlement and hiding assets overseas, Lee is accused of perjury, said the spokesman for prosecutors probing a corruption and power abuse scandal that has seen President Park Geun-Hye impeached.

Three of the five men  but not Lee, the vice-chairman of flagship subsidiary Samsung Electronics  resigned their positions, the conglomerate said.

The group said it was dismantling its Future Strategy Office, the coordinating body that oversees major decisions such as acquisitions or entering new business.

The move, described as a reform plan, was announced in a brief five-line statement emailed minutes after the indictment. Under the scheme, each Samsung unit will be allowed to run more independently.
The spectacular killing of Kim Jong-un's half-brother with VX, a fast-acting poison developed for warfare, sparked an international probe and lurid stories of Pyongyang's Cold War-style tradecraft.

Kuala Lumpur: Two women arrested over the nerve agent assassination of Kim Jong-nam are to be charged with his murder, Malaysia said Tuesday, as North Korea sent a senior diplomat to retrieve the body from the morgue.

The spectacular killing of Kim Jong-un's half-brother with VX, a fast-acting poison developed for warfare, sparked an international probe and lurid stories of Pyongyang's Cold War-style tradecraft.

South Korea says its isolated neighbour was behind the assassination, and claims the North's agents engaged two outsiders to carry out the murder.

"They will be charged in court under Section 302 (murder) of the penal code," Malaysia's attorney general Mohamed Apandi Ali told AFP by text message, referring to the two suspects.

The women will appear in court on Wednesday. If convicted, they could face death by hanging.

Kim Jong-nam, a well-travelled polyglot who fell out of favour at home after a botched 2001 attempt to get into Japan, died less than 20 minutes after he was set upon at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 13.

CCTV footage shows two women approaching him and seemingly pushing something in his face.

Investigators say this was VX, a deadly poison classed as a weapon of mass destruction and banned around the world.

Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, reportedly told a senior diplomat on Saturday she had been paid just 400 ringgit ($90) for her role, adding she believed she was handling a liquid like "baby oil".

Her alleged accomplice, Doan Thi Huong, 28, from Vietnam, told Hanoi officials she had been tricked into killing Kim Jong-nam and thought she was taking part in a prank for a comedy video.

Speaking from the rural Vietnamese village of Quan Phuong, Huong's stepmother appealed for a fair trial.

"I think she was set up." Nguyen Thi Vy told AFP. "I don't believe she was brave enough to do such thing."

A third suspect, 46-year-old North Korean man Ri Jong-Chol, is also being held, but Apandi made no mention of whether he would be charged.

Corpse row

North Korea has not acknowledged the identity of the dead man, but has insisted Malaysia hand over the corpse, and says it does not accept the findings of an autopsy.

Pyongyang has repeatedly lashed out at Kuala Lumpur over the investigation into the killing, claiming the Malaysians are playing politics.

Veteran North Korean diplomat Ri Tong Il, deputy envoy to the United Nations, told reporters outside the embassy he was there to discuss "the question of the return of the body of the deceased DPRK citizen".

He added the North Korean delegation would also raise "the question of the release of the DPRK citizen arrested by Malaysian police".

Malaysia has refused to release the body, with police saying they are waiting for next-of-kin to come forward to identify the remains and provide a DNA sample.

Malaysia's previously warm relations with North Korea have deteriorated sharply since the killing.

On Tuesday, Kuala Lumpur said it was shutting down firms linked to a North Korean front company the UN says was selling military equipment.

International Global System and International Golden Services have been connected to Glocom, which a United Nations' report said was based in Malaysia and operated by Pyongyang's intelligence agency.

The UN report said Glocom was selling North Korean-made military communications equipment to Eritrea, with suppliers in China and an office in Singapore.
Seoul: South Korea's former president Park Geun-Hye expressed "belated regret" on Monday over the scandal that triggered her impeachment, as the Constitutional Court wrapped up hearings on her fate and her supporters screamed threats outside.

Park Geun-Hye was elected in 2012 with the highest vote share of any presidential candidate in South Korea's democratic era.

But she was impeached by parliament in December over a massive corruption and influence-peddling scandal that prompted millions to take to the streets to call for her ouster.

She has since been on trial for her political life at the Constitutional Court in Seoul, which is set to decide in March whether to approve her removal from office -- which would trigger new elections -- or return her to the Blue House.

Park has not attended any of the hearings, which began in January.

Her lawyers maintain that she was not aware of any wrongdoing and blamed her secret confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who is accused of using her presidential ties to force local firms to "donate" nearly $70 million to non-profit foundations.

In a statement read out by her advocate on Monday, Park reiterated that her only fault was trusting Choi and seeking advice from her longtime friend, who took care of her daily affairs for years, including her wardrobe choices.

"In retrospect, I have belated regret that I should have been more cautious with my trust in her," she said in her final defence to the court's eight sitting judges.

Park bemoaned a "miserable reality" in which her policies and actions had become objects of "misunderstanding and suspicion".

But she has rejected repeated requests from the judges to make herself available for questioning, and has also refused to answer questions from prosecutors probing the scandal.

Outside the court, hundreds of Park's elderly supporters loudly protested against the drive to remove her, with some attempting to break through hundreds of police guarding the court.

Some waved banners threatening "civil war" if the impeachment goes through, others hurled personal threats against the judges. "I will kill all of them if they impeach the poor president!" shouted one.

Dozens of rival demonstrators held banners backing her removal.

Choi is on trial for coercion and abuse of power.

The two women became close through Choi's father, a shady religious figure who was Park's mentor for years.

Park's own father, dictator Park Chung-Hee, was assassinated in 1979 by his intelligence chief.

The 65-year-old president is accused of colluding with her friend to extract money from local firms as well as letting her handle a wide range of state affairs including nominations to senior posts, despite having no official title or security clearance.

A number of former presidential advisors and cabinet members have been arrested or charged for their involvements in the scandal, including allegedly leaking secret state documents to Choi at Park's order.

Lawmakers pushing for Park's impeachment say she betrayed voters.

"A series of unbelievable developments in recent weeks have left South Koreans deeply insulted, humiliated and frustrated," Kweon Seong-Dong, a member of the parliamentary impeachment committee, told the hearing.

"We urge the constitutional court to strictly hold her accountable so that people can no longer feel ashamed of the Republic of Korea."
Jurgen Kantner who was behedaded after he failed to pay the ransom demanded by ISIS affiliate Abu Sayyaf (Photo: AP)

Manila: The Philippines condemned on Monday the "barbaric beheading" of an elderly German captive by Islamic State-linked Abu Sayyaf militants who posted a video of the killing after a deadline for a $600,000 ransom passed.

The video showed a machete-wielding militant behead Jurgen Kantner. The German had appealed for help twice in short video messages, saying he would be killed if ransom were not paid. Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser on the Philippine peace process, said officials had exhausted all efforts to save Kantner, 70, who was held on the tiny southern island of Jolo.

"We grieve as we strongly condemn the barbaric beheading of yet another kidnap victim," Dureza said in a statement. "There must be a stop to this killing of the innocent and the helpless." He made no mention of the ransom demand.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said Berlin was in contact with the Philippine authorities, which had yet to confirm the authenticity of the video.

If the video turned out to be genuine, Gabriel added, it would be "one of the cruellest crimes one could imagine".

Abu Sayyaf decapitated two Canadians last year on Jolo but later freed their two companions, a Filipino woman and a Norwegian. The four were seized from a tourist resort.

The ransom demand for the Canadians was 6.4 million each. Abu Sayyaf's activities in recent years have been mainly banditry, but the Philippines believes Islamic State has been in contact with members of the group's leadership with a view to gaining a foothold in Southeast Asia.

Abu Sayyaf, which means "bearer of the sword", has capitalised on decades of instability in the southern Philippines and generated tens of millions of dollars from piracy and ransom payments.

It uses the money to buy arms, high-powered boats and modern navigation equipment, allowing it to avoid detection and seize crew of slow-moving vessels with ease.

Yacht seized

Kantner and his companion were taken captive in November while sailing on a 53-footer yacht near Sabah, eastern Malaysia, and brought to Jolo. His companion was shot dead when she tried to resist the militants.

Reports of Kantner's execution emerged on Sunday evening but the authorities cautioned that information they had received about his death was preliminary and drawn from sketchy, unverified intelligence. No body parts have been found. Speaking on the sidelines of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Philippines Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said Manila was seeking technological help from allies to pinpoint the location of hostages.

"We will undertake our operations to make sure we give a premium to saving the lives of the hostages, and precisely because of this our task has not been easy," Yasay said. "But we are prepared to crush them when the opportunity comes." Thousands of troops have been deployed to do that in the Abu Sayyaf strongholds of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo islands, yet despite air and ground offensives, piracy and kidnappings continue unabated. The rebels are entrenched in local communities, complicating operations by a military that is wary of incurring civilian casualties.

Abu Sayyaf is currently holding 26 hostages - 13 Vietnamese, seven Filipinos, a Dutch national, a Japanese, two Indonesians and two Malaysians, the military says.

Experts say the group is very unlikely to free any hostages without payment.
Colombo: Hundreds of Tamil people, mostly relatives of those who disappeared during Sri Lanka's civil war, on Tuesday held protest outside the missions of India, the US, UK and EU here as the UN Human Rights Council session began in Geneva.

The protesters held placards which said 'India please help in demilitarisation (in the north)' and 'India stop betraying Tamils'.

They later also held protest opposite the Secretariat of President Maithripala Sirisena, demanding the release of civilians lands held for military purposes.

At the 34th session of the UNHRC which began yesterday in Geneva, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera is expected to push for a technical rollover giving Sri Lanka more time to implement the resolution it co-sponsored in 2015.

Sri Lanka made commitments towards reconciliation and setting up transitional justice mechanisms.

The government's lack of progress in this regard has faced criticism from activists who raised serious concerns. They had recommended a number of action points to the government ranging from the repealing of the anti-terrorism act to prevent enforced disappearances and replace it with a legislation in compliance with international human rights standards to criminalising the act of enforced disappearance in the national law.

Sri Lanka is averse to setting up of an international hybrid court with local and foreign judges to investigate alleged war crimes committed by the government troops and the LTTE in the last phase of the military conflict that ended in 2009.

Relatives of the missing people allege that the Lankan state - particularly its army, navy and police - were behind most of the disappearances.
Brisbane: A mother helped her severely disabled son kill himself because she was concerned about his 'paedophilic tendencies' and obsession with the Marquis de Sade, a court has heard.

Kim Margaret Earle, 49, was of diminished responsibility when she killed the 18-year-old on the Gold Coast in 2013, the Brisbane Supreme Court heard on Tuesday.

Justice Roslyn Atkinson sentenced her to a maximum of three years in prison but ordered she be released on parole on May 28.

'Your son's interest in sadomasochism, (child) pornographic websites and chat rooms and art had got you to the point where you couldn't see any way out, where he wanted to die ... and essentially you helped him to die out of your great love for him,' Justice Atkinson said.

Earle also tried to take her own life and has since had electric shock therapy, which had affected her memory and means she needs be reminded of what she has done.

While working as a nurse at the Gold Coast Hospital, she took anaesthesia drugs and medical equipment to assist her son's suicide before trying to kill herself, crown prosecutor David Meredith said.

Earle gave her son the drugs at their home and took the family dog to the vet to be put down. She then took the drugs herself, but they did not work and she was arrested after waking up the following day.

Earle believed her son had Asperger's syndrome, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin.

She was concerned about her son's sexual obsessions, the court heard.

'He had pedophilic tendencies,' Mr Meredith said.

The former nurse, whose life revolved around her son, has serious mental health issues including depression and anxiety, the court heard.

She has suffered a stroke from Lithium toxicity.

Earle has been in custody for about three years and three months and both the Crown and defence have asked Justice Roslyn Atkinson to set a non-parole period which would allow her to leave jail soon.

The Marquis de Sade was known in the 18th century for giving his name to masochism and later, sadomasochism.

The French soldier published fantasy novels of graphic sexual violence and spent many years in asylums and prisons for his violent sexual behaviour.
An appeals court in the southern city of Aix-en-Provence found Jean-Marie Le Pen, the 88-year-old founder of the National Front (FN) party, guilty of inciting hate and making racist and negationist statements with the comments at a press conference in Nice. (Photo: AFP)

Aix-En-Provence: The father of French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen was ordered Monday to pay 5,000 euros ($5,300) after losing his appeal against a conviction for describing people from the Roma minority as smelly.

An appeals court in the southern city of Aix-en-Provence found Jean-Marie Le Pen, the 88-year-old founder of the National Front (FN) party, guilty of inciting hate and making racist and negationist statements with the comments at a press conference in Nice in 2013.

Le Pen said at the time: "It appears you have a problem with several hundred Roma who have an irritating and, let's say, smelly presence in this city."

It was the ninth time that Le Pen, who infamously repeatedly referred to the Holocaust as a "detail of history", has been convicted for such offences.

"I stick by these terms because it is what I think," Le Pen said at an earlier hearing.

"Jean-Marie Le Pen's words were extremely serious and an open call to hate and ethnic discrimination," said Sonny Phung of the anti-racism group SOS Racisme, which will receive 2,000 euros of Le Pen's fine.

The Roma minority largely come from Bulgaria and Romania, and are often stigmatised in France where they have been accused of being responsible for a rise in petty crime.

Le Pen was the runner-up in the 2002 presidential election that rocked the French political establishment.

In recent years, he has had a high-profile falling out with his daughter after she took over the reins of the party and has sought to purge it of its more extreme elements.

Marine Le Pen is currently forecast to win the first round of France's presidential election on April 23 but lose the all-important May 7 runoff to either centrist Emmanuel Macron or conservative Francois Fillon.

However, polls show she has significantly reduced the projected margin of defeat in the past two months.
Farage says in an article for Tuesday's Daily Telegraph newspaper that Douglas Carswell has sought to divide and damage UKIP, and "the time for him to go is now." (Photo: AP)

London: Former UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage is calling for the ouster of the party's only lawmaker in Parliament, as internal squabbling threatens to split the right-wing anti-EU party.

Farage says in an article for Tuesday's Daily Telegraph newspaper that Douglas Carswell has sought to divide and damage UKIP, and "the time for him to go is now."

The newspaper also published what it described as leaked emails between Carswell and a party official suggesting Carswell made only a half-hearted attempt to get Farage a knighthood. In one, Carswell suggested Farage should get a lesser honor, "for services to headline writers."

Some UKIP members are at odds with the flamboyant Farage, who put immigration at the center of the successful campaign for Britain to leave the EU. He stepped down as leader after last year's referendum but retains a high profile and has made several trips to the United States to meet President Donald Trump.

Trump has suggested that Farage should be Britain's ambassador to the U.S.

Carswell appeared to make light of the dispute late Monday, tweeting: "Knight night."

If Farage wanted to raise any concerns with UKIP members of Parliament, Carswell said Tuesday he'd be happy to respond. "It won't take long, it's just me," Carswell said.
Women and children making the dangerous journey to Europe to flee poverty and conflicts in Africa are being beaten, raped and starved in living hellholes in Libya, the United Nations childrens agency (Unicef) said on Tuesday.

The Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Italy has become the main crossing point for asylum seekers and economic migrants seeking a better life in Europe, after a clampdown on sea crossings from Turkey.

There were a quarter of a million migrants in Libya as of last September, most of whom languish in unsanitary, disease-ridden detention centres which Unicef described in its report as no more than forced labour camps ... and makeshift prisons.

Armed groups have taken effective control of official detention centres for migrants amid the political chaos that now reigns in Libya and they also run their own centres, competing and cooperating with criminal gangs and smugglers, according to the United Nations.

For the thousands of migrant women and children incarcerated, (the centres) were living hellholes where people were held for months, the Unicef report said on Tuesday.

In interviews with more than 100 women and children, nearly half said they had been raped or abused several times during their journey, it said. Most of the children said they were beaten by adults along the way, with girls suffering more abuse than boys.

Here (in the detention centre) they treat us like chickens. They beat us, they do not give us good water and good food, said Jon, a 14-year-old boy who travelled alone from Nigeria to escape the militant group Boko Haram.

So many people are dying here, dying from disease, freezing to death, he was quoted as saying in the report.

Pay as you go

Unicef said women and unaccompanied child migrants rely on people smugglers to get to Europe, often under a pay as you go system, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking and violence, including prostitution and rape.

Smugglers typically demand thousands of dollars from migrants for a risky journey across the desert before cramming them onto ill-equipped boats for a perilous crossing of the Mediterranean.

The route is mostly controlled by smugglers, traffickers and other people seeking to prey upon desperate children and women who are simply seeking refuge or a better life, said Afshan Khan, head of Unicefs refugee operations in Europe.

Having largely closed off sea crossings between Turkey and Greece last year, the European Union is searching for ways to stem the flow of migrants from Libya.

This month European leaders offered Libya money and other assistance to try to reduce the numbers departing across the Mediterranean. Aid groups criticised the move, saying such plans exposed migrants to further risks and abuses within Libya.

Last year, a record 181,000 migrants crossed between Libya and Italy, the UNs migration agency reports. More than 4,500 people drowned, and at least 700 were children, Unicef said.

Children should not be forced to put their lives in the hands of smugglers because there are simply no alternatives, said Khan in a statement.

We need to address globally the drivers of migration and work together toward a robust system of safe and legal passage for children on the move, whether refugees or migrants.
Baghdad: Since Iraqi government forces launched the push to take the western half of Mosul from the Islamic State group last week, about 8,000 people have fled from that part of the city and surrounding villages, the UN humanitarian aid agency said on Tuesday.

The agency, known as OCHA, said it is expanding displacement camps to cope with the increasing numbers of those fleeing Mosul.

With the support of the US-led coalition, Iraqi forces began the operation to retake western Mosul on February 19, and have so far captured the city's international airport and a sprawling military base next to it as well some neighborhoods from the southern edge. Iraq declared eastern Mosul "fully liberated" in January, after three months of fierce fighting.

The people fleeing western Mosul are "often exhausted and dehydrated," the OCHA statement said, adding that an estimated 250,000 people could flee the fighting in the coming days.

It also noted "high" trauma casualty rates from western Mosul, with at least 75 civilians treated near the front lines over the past week and warned the situation for the estimated 750,000 civilians remaining in western Mosul "is desperate" as supply lines have been cut off, in particular the highway from Mosul into neighboring Syria.

Citing eyewitness accounts, OCHA said civilians still in western Mosul are enduring shortages of everything - from food and water to gas, heating oil and medical supplies. The prices of staples such sugar and potatoes have gone up.

Associated Press footage from the village of al-Salam southwest of the Mosul airport shows hundreds of civilians trickling to a gathering point in an open and dusty area, carrying a few of their possessions in bags. Security forces separate the men from the women and children before they are taken away in buses and military pickup trucks.

Meanwhile, Iraqi special forces moved into western Mosul's Shuhada neighborhood amid fierce clashes with IS militants as federal police units continued clearing up Gawsaq, a neighborhood retaken on Monday from IS, according to special forces and police officers.

A mortar round landed in one of the streets, killing three civilians and wounding a fourth, another police officer said, as security forces scrambled to try and evacuate civilians to safe areas. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to talk to reporters.

The offensive to capture Mosul is the biggest military operation in Iraq since American troops left in 2011. Iraq's second-largest city has been under IS rule for more than two years and remains the Islamic State group's last urban stronghold in Iraq.
Islamabad: Pakistans political parliamentary parties, except the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), agreed to extend tenure of military courts for another two years. Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq chaired sitting of parliamentary leaders in this regard.

The military courts were set up in January 2015 for a two year term after a constitutional amendment following a terror attack on an army-run school in Peshawar in December 2014 that killed over 150 people, mostly students.

Since their expiry last month, government has been trying to bring the political parties around the idea of another tenure for military courts. Talking to reporters after the meeting, finance minister Ishaq Dar urged parties not to politicise the issue of military courts.

He said all the political parties had agreed on extension of military courts following new wave of terrorism. PTIs Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the current situation was threatening Pakistans integrity and sovereignty.
The new law keeps the minimum marriageable age for males at 21 and for females at 18 but relaxes the age bar for "special circumstances" including for girls who elope, are raped or bear children out of wedlock. (Representational image)

Dhaka: Rights groups on Tuesday criticised a controversial new child marriage law in Bangladesh which allows children as young as 14 to be married off by their parents.

Parliament passed the Child Marriage Restraint Act on Monday night, replacing a law dating back to the British colonial period.

The new law keeps the minimum marriageable age for males at 21 and for females at 18 but relaxes the age bar for "special circumstances" including for girls who elope, are raped or bear children out of wedlock.

Rights groups have criticised the law, saying it would jeopardise the gains Bangladesh has made in cutting the levels of child marriage and improving the health of women and children.

"The biggest concern is the law has not set any minimum marriage age for special circumstances, meaning children can be married off at the age of 14-15," said Nur Khan Liton who represents the Child Rights Advocacy Coalition in Bangladesh.

The coalition, which includes international charities such as Save the Children, Action Aid, national charities and rights groups, said the law could be abused and poses a "risk" to children.

But a ruling party lawmaker who heads parliament's committee on women's and child affairs, said it reflects the reality in villages where 70 percent of Bangladesh's 160 million people live.

"We have taken into account the opinion of the UNICEF and other experts," said Rebeca Momin, adding the law also toughens penalties for people violating the minimum marriage age.

She said the special circumstances in the law are aimed at protecting the rights and giving dignity to children born out of wedlock.

Despite making impressive gains in many social indicators in recent decades, child marriage remains rampant in the conservative Muslim-majority country.

The previous child marriage law was widely ignored as parents in many poor districts were found to have married off their daughters at the age of 14.

Bangladesh has one of the world's highest rates of child marriage and the highest rate in Asia, with 52 percent of girls marrying before 18 years of age and 18 percent married before they turn 15, according to one set of statistics.

"Weakening the law is a setback for the fight against child marriage, and sends a message to parents ... that the government thinks child marriage is acceptable in at least some situations," Heather Barr of Human Rights Watch wrote after the cabinet approved the law last December.
Islamabad: Describing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a game changer that would transform the lives of the billions of people in Asia, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told a visiting Chinese delegation that Pakistan and China are iron brothers and Islamabad's friendship with Beijing is the cornerstone of his government's foreign policy.

Interacting with China's Executive Vice Foreign Minister Yesui Zhang, who called on him on Tuesday, Sharif thanked the Chinese government for its continued support on its bid for becoming a member of the NSG and its stand at the UNSC 1267 Committee.

He also appreciated China's diplomatic and material support to Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.

He also welcomed participation of the Executive Vice Foreign Minister as a Representative of the Government of People's Republic of China in the ECO Summit on special invitation.

Sharif, according to Radio Pakistan, said he will visit China in May in 2017 to participate in the "Belt and Road Forum" for International Cooperation (BRF) at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.

Executive Vice Foreign Minister Yesui also called on Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi.

Both discussed Pakistan-China relations, the ECO Summit and regional situation.
Corruption is considered to be a major problem in Pakistans state-run institutions including the police and in government departments. (Representational Image)

Karachi: Millions in Pakistani and foreign currency, along with gold and 10 cars were recovered on Monday from a low- ranked policeman and his constable son during a raid following which the duo was arrested by authorities here for graft.

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials were left stunned when they recovered millions in Pakistani and foreign currency along with gold from the ex-policeman and his son, who is a serving police constable.

Former policeman Muhammad Yousuf and his son Arif Yousuf were both arrested during a raid on their house and office from where around four million Pakistani rupees, 20 million Iranian riyals and other foreign currencies along with nearly half a kilos of gold was recovered.

We have also recovered documents of plots whose net worth is over 100 million rupees and ten cars from their possession, the official said.

He said the raid was conducted on their house and office after months of investigations the led authorities to find out how the father and son had accumulated so much wealth despite holding low positions in the Sindh police department.

Muhammad Yousuf was dismissed from service some time back on corruption charges, he said.

Corruption is considered to be a major problem in Pakistans state-run institutions including the police and in government departments.

The NAB was set up as an autonomous and constitutionally approved federal institution in 1999 to root out corruption from public and private institutions and departments and to fight economic terrorism.
The soul of the martyred father of Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur must be crying as she is being misled by people who celebrate when soldiers die in action, Union minister Kiren Rijiju today said.



Rijiju's comment may further stoke the controversy over Kaur's allegation of threats of rape and assault following her social media protest against the violence involving members of the RSS-backed ABVP at Delhi University's Ramjas College last week.



"She is the daughter of a martyr. But his soul must be crying as she is being misled by people who celebrate when our soldiers die," he told reporters here.



Rijiju said the 20-year-old girl has "full liberty to speak her mind" and she will be given total protection as her security is government's responsibility.



The Union Minister of State for Home said his remark on who was "polluting" the mind of an army martyr's daughter was aimed at "the Leftists".



Rijiju's comment came a day after he questioned whether someone was polluting Kaur's mind. His remark drew flak from opposition parties. "I stand by my comments. Anybody who tweets on social media platform should be careful. But anyone with a contrary view should be allowed to speak. Gurmehar is a young girl and she should be allowed to speak her mind," he said.



"When I said somebody is polluting her (Gurmehar's) mind, I meant the Leftists," he said.

Kaur had started a video campaign 'Not Afraid of ABVP'. The Minister said if there was any threat to Kaur, it should be dealt with sternly.



"But someone is playing politics over the issue," he said. Rijiju also slammed the Leftists for their stand, saying whenever Indian soldiers die, "they always celebrate".



"In 1962 when the Chinese were fighting with us, the Leftists supported the Chinese. Even today when our soldiers die, they celebrate. They also go to the universities and try to mislead our youth," he said.



Rijiju described Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as an "anarchist" who was siding with some students who were creating turmoil at the Delhi University. The minister asked the Congress to stay away from universities as they have "no ideology".



He said everyone has the freedom to speak, they can speak against the Prime Minister, they can stage protests, but no one has the right to speak against the nation.



Rijiju's comments yesterday had come amidst the ongoing row over the clashes between the Left-affiliated AISA and the RSS-backed ABVP at Ramjas College.



Kaur, daughter of Captain Mandeep Singh, who was killed by militants in Jammu and Kashmir in 1999, had made a video asking India and Pakistan to amicably settle their disputes.



She had held a placard, saying, "Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him." Kaur claimed she was getting "rape threats" from unknown persons after she spoke against the ABVP.
Amid heart-rending scenes, the mortal remains of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US in an apparent hate crime incident, were consigned to flames here today.



Kuchibhotla's father Madhusudana Rao lit the funeral pyre at the crematorium in Jubilee Hills in the afternoon. The parents of the 32-year-old engineer were in deep sorrow over the tragedy that has struck them.



Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, several other leaders, family members and friends of Kuchibhotla were present on the occasion.



As the funeral pyre was lit, some of those present at the crematorium raised slogans in memory of Kuchibhotla and against the US administration. The body was earlier taken to the crematorium from his house at Bachupally on the city's outskirts.



It was a picture of sadness and grief at the house, where a pall of gloom had descended, as Kuchibhotla's wife Sunayana took part in the last minute rituals.

His parents and other family members too looked crest-fallen.



Kuchibhotla had been working at the Garmin headquarters in Olathe in Kansas City. Another Indian and his colleague Alok Madasani was injured in the incident that took place on last Wednesday.



A teacher of Kuchibhotla recalled him as a simple and good-natured person who always had a positive outlook towards life. The engineer's body was brought to his parents' house shortly before midnight yesterday after being flown from the US to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here.



Ministers from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, MLAs and other leaders belonging to different political parties visited his house here after the shooting incident. Union Ministers M Venkaiah Naidu and Bandaru Dattatreya had earlier visited the family.



The shooting incident had taken place at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. Ian Grillot, an American, was injured when he tried to tackle the accused Adam Purinton (51), who was arrested on Thursday morning, five hours after the incident. Purinton had reportedly yelled "get out of my country" before opening fire on Kuchibhotla and Madasani.
The residents of Hassan city will get water once in two days for the next four months, Deputy Commissioner V Chaitra has said.





Speaking at a meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee here on Tuesday, the deputy commissioner said that it had been decide to release 20 cusec of water from Yagachi dam in Belur to Hassan city for tackling water scarcity.



At a high-level meeting chaired by Regional Commissioner M V Jayanthi, it was decided to release water from the dam to Haluvagilu pick up from where it would be supplied to Hassan, the DC said.



City Municipal Council president H S Anil Kumar explained the problems faced by the people after water was released from Hemavathi dam. Water has to be drawn from distance of more than 1.5 km. It is not possible to draw water even with two motors. The CMC should release Rs 1 crore as 10 motors are required for the purpose, he said.



Anil complained that the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board had stopped supplying water from the borewells located on its premises. While the CMC charges Rs 120 water cess, they demand Rs 450. The KIADB should be directed to continue supply of water, he stressed.



Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda directed the officials of KIADB to supply water and promised to speak to Industries Minister R V Deshpande in this regard.



MLA K M Shivalingegowda said that Arsikere taluk was facing fund shortage to tackle water and fodder crisis. He said that as many as 530 villages in the taluk were reeling under water crisis. He appealed to consider the issue on a priority basis. Soon MLAs H D Revanna, H S Prakash, H K Kumaraswamy and C N Balakrishna joined the issue.



Deputy Commissioner Chaitra said that Rs 39 crore is required to tackle water problems in villages. She added that a Rs 6.58-cr proposal had been submitted to the Revenue department to tackle the water problem in the town. Deve Gowda said that another meeting should be held on March 10 to review the situation. Zilla Panchayat president Shwetha Devaraj was present in the meeting.
The killing of an Indian engineer, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, in Kansas has confirmed the worst fears of immigrants living in the United States  they can expect little security in Donald Trumps America. Kuchibhotlas assailant, Adam Purinton, shot at two others, including another Indian immigrant and an American national who intervened to stop the assailant. Purinton is reported to have shouted get out of my country before opening fire on them. Police have not described the shooting as a hate crime. But that it was fuelled by hate and racial prejudice is apparent. Even if Trumps anti-immigrant rhetoric did not directly instigate Purinton to attack the Indian immigrants, his abusive rants demonising immigrants  he has described immigrants as criminals, drug dealers and rapists  and anti-immigrant policies have fuelled xenophobia in the US. An environment that thrives on vilification and hatred of others encourages the unleashing of violence against them. The White Houses dismissal of any link between Trumps rhetoric and Kuchibhotlas killing as absurd is therefore an attempt at shaking off responsibility for the hate crime committed in Kansas last week. The Trump administration, on Tuesday, merely described the murder as disturbing.



At least some of the damage done by Trumps racist rhetoric could have been undone had he spoken up to swiftly and unequivocally condemn the attack in Kansas. That the generally garrulous president did not is reprehensible and irresponsible. There is a disturbing pattern to his responses to rising incidents of hate crime in the US and abroad. He was silent when a white man opened fire in a mosque in Quebec in Canada in late January, killing six Muslims. He has been slow in responding to mounting anti-Semitism, bomb threats to synagogues and desecration of Jewish cemeteries in the US. When he did issue a statement, the promise of support to the Jewish community was half-hearted. With his silence on the killing of an Indian immigrant in Kansas, Trump has reaffirmed that his presidency thrives on anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim and anti-migrant bigotry.



Racist and xenophobic attacks happened during Barack Obamas presidency too. In 2012, for instance, a white supremacist opened fire in a gurudwara in Wisconsin, killing six Sikhs. Offering his condolences, Obama described Sikhs as part of our broader American family. The US Congress passed a resolution condemning the attack. Compare this to Trumps irresponsiveness and his lack of empathy for victims of hate crimes. The Indian government must take up the issue of the safety of Indian nationals working and studying in the US. Indians are contributing enormously to the US economy and Washington owes them its protection. It is still not too late; Trump must reassure immigrants by putting in place robust measures to prevent hate crimes and protect religious and ethnic minorities.


Michael Flynn lasted 25 days as US President Donald Trumps National Security Advisor before resigning, making his tenure the shortest in the American NSA history. His ouster comes as a growing cloud of scandal envelopes the White House over its reported ties with the Kremlin.



The former three-star general leaves after a series of stories were published in the US media outlining his communications with Russias ambassador Sergey Kislyak, and as his story changed as to what those conversations entailed.



In his resignation letter, Flynn explained, 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. I have sincerely apologised to the president and the vice president, and they have accepted my apology.



But if Trump thought that Flynns departure would close the topic, he was wrong. The US intelligence seems to have collected phone records and intercepted calls showing that the people surrounding Trump had been in touch with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election. There is a full-on war between Trump and American intelligence establishment.



Flynn became the second top Trump official to resign over linkages to the Kremlin. In August, Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort stepped down amid questions over his work for pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarchs. Rather unhelpfully, Russian lawmakers mounted a fierce defence of Flynn from Moscow.



Flynn is also being investigated by the army on whether he received money from the Russian government during a trip he took to Moscow in 2015. Any payment could violate the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, which prohibits former military officers from accepting money from a foreign government without an OK from Congress.



Last year, Flynn had suggested that he was paid by RT  a Kremlin-funded mouthpiece  to appear at the event, in which he was seated next to Russian President Vladimir Putin.



It was Washington Post, which reported that just after Trumps January 20 inauguration, acting attorney general Sally Q Yates informed the White House that she believed Flynn had misled senior administration officials about the nature of his communications with Kislyak.



Yates would later be fired by Trump for refusing to carry out his executive order banning travel from seven Muslim-majority countries. Yates argued with the administration that Flynns evasions could make him a blackmail risk.



Flynn had initially denied that sanctions came up in his conversations, but later walked that back, insisting he couldnt recall if the subject came up or not. Vice President Mike Pence was reportedly furious that Flynn had misled him on the issue, causing Pence to defend Flynn on national television in the days before the inauguration.



There has been widespread chaos at the NSC with many NSC staffers reportedly deciding to go back to their home agencies rather than work for Flynn. The front-runner to take over the NSC was retired US Navy Vice Admiral Bob Harward, who served as Defence Secretary Jim Mattis deputy at the US Central Command.



But he turned down Trumps offer after he was denied the authority to select his own national security council staff. Trump finally selected Gen H R McMaster as his new national security advisor, whose book, Dereliction of Duty, about the failure of American generals to push back against civilian leaders during the Vietnam War, earned him a reputation as a both a talented academic and a general inclined to speak truth to power.



There are multiple institutional challenges that are emerging. Most significant of which is the continuing marginalisation of the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. His choice of a deputy, Elliott Abrams, has been scuttled by the president and he was not consulted on a major policy change on Palestinian statehood or putting Iran on notice for its most recent ballistic missile test. As the nations chief diplomat, he has been largely absent from the presidents key meetings with world leaders.



Trump who had claimed to be a great manager during his campaign is now looking at a leader completely out of depth in his new job. The US intelligence community is so convinced that Trump and his administration have been compromised by Russia that theyre no longer giving the White House all of their most sensitive information, lest it end up in Putins hands.



Targeting Trump



After getting Flynn, Trumps detractors will be hoping to target Trump himself. During the campaign, Trump publicly called on Russia to hack Hillary Clintons emails. Since becoming president, his statements on Russia have been all over the place. His UN ambassador Nikki Haley condemned Russia and insisted sanctions imposed over the seizure of Crimea were here to stay. But when Trump was asked about Putin being a killer, he suggested the US government has no moral standing to criticise him.



That the Flynn scandal erupted at a time when North Korea decided to test the Trump administration by test firing a nuclear-capable missile into the Sea of Japan further complicates decision-making in Washington. Anticipating North Korean provocations, Trump had already ordered a national review of policy options for dealing with Pyongyang.



But it had now become imperative for Trump to get a grip on governance and policy-making. How he manages these initial few months will, in more ways than one, determine the long-term sustainability of his presidency. After all, Russias foreign minister has spoken of a post-West world order and Chinas president has called for his country to help guide a new world order.



Trump will have to navigate his country at a time when there are fundamental questions about Americas ability to lead the world and his idiosyncratic style has not helped.



(The writer is a Distinguished Fellow at Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi and Professor of International Relations, Kings College, London)
India refrained from issuing a demarche to America on the killing of one of its citizens in Kansas, ostensibly to avert contributing to the clamour against President Donald Trumps administration.





With the White House finally ending its silence on the killing of Indian information technology professional Srinivas Kuchibhotla in an apparent hate crime in Kansas on February 22, New Delhi on Tuesday dismissed reports that the Embassy of India in Washington D C had issued a demarche to the US State Department.



Though Trump drew flak from Democrats like Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders for not speaking up against the killing, his press secretary Sean Spicer on Monday said that early reports about the incident were disturbing.



The White House ended its silence on the incident just a day before Indias top diplomat  Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar  reached Washington DC to commence the first formal engagement with the Trump Administration.



It is important to note that the US authorities are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the US, a matter which continues to receive the Governments top priority, Gopal Bagley, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said in New Delhi on Tuesday.



Bagley noted that the US Embassy in New Delhi had on February 24 issued a strong condemnation to the incident.
The last rites of Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was gunned down in a reported hate crime in Kansas in the US, were performed at the Mahaprasthanam crematorium here in Jubilee Hills on Tuesday.





Hundreds of relatives and friends, and even the general public, had gathered at the crematorium to have a last glimpse of the 32-year-old man, whose dreams to earn laurels in the aviation industry were nipped in bud.



While Srinivas father K Madhusudhan Sastry lit the pyre, his family members wept amidst slogans of Srinivas Kuchibhotla amar rahe and Bharat mata ki jai.



Around 12.30, after the traditional rituals at his residence in Bachupally, the mortal remains of Srinivas were loaded into the van and was taken to the crematorium. An exhausted Sunayana Dumala, Srinivas wife, almost collapsed as the body was being loaded into the van.



Union minister Bandaru Dattatreya, cine actress Jeevitha Rajasekhar and eminent educationalist Chukka Ramaiah attended the cremation and consoled the family members. Evangelist K A Paul also arrived and offered prayers. His dead body was brought here on Monday night and was kept for public view at his residence.
The National Human Rights Commission on Tuesday sought a report from the Delhi Police Commissioner over charges of excesses outside Ramjas College in Delhi University last week.





An NHRC spokesperson said the Commission has issued a notice to the Delhi Police Commissioner on a complaint that police personnel attacked a female student and snatched cameras from mediapersons, who were recording the incident outside the campus on February 22.



...some journalists, covering clashes, were slapped, punched and kicked by the policemen. The Commission has taken on record complaints as well as media reports making similar accusations, including threats to some students on social media, the spokesperson said.



The Commission has given the Commissioner four weeks time to submit a detailed report in the matter. The police last week suspended three policemen for indulging in inappropriate and unprofessional conduct during clashes between AISA and ABVP activists following invitation to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar on Culture of Protests. The programme was withdrawn following opposition by the ABVP.



Separately, the Delhi Police registered a case of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation against unknown persons in connection with the rape threats received by Gurmehar Kaur.



Deactivate FB accounts



The Delhi Commission for Women asked Facebook to deactivate accounts threatening Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur for her stand against the ABVP.



In a letter, DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal said that Gurmehar has been subjected to extreme abuse and rape threats on her Facebook profile. We are in the receipt of a complaint from her which is self-explanatory and contains relevant screenshots of rape threats and abuse as evidence. The same is being forwarded to you for your perusal and necessary action. Urgent action needs to be taken against the abusers by Facebook and their social media accounts need to be deactivated immediately, she said.
Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur on Tuesday withdrew her social media campaign against Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, saying it was not about her but the students.





I am withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I said what I had to say. I have been through a lot and this is all that my 20-year-old self could take. This campaign was never about me but students, she said in her new Facebook message.



She was learnt to have left the city earlier in the day due to security reasons. Police sources in Delhi said arrangements had been made to ensure her security.Gurmehar had come under attack after she started a social media campaign against the ABVP after violent clashes between the BJP-affiliated group and left-backed students organisations last week.



The ABVP had objected to the presence of Umar Khalid, who was charged with sedition after the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) unrest last year, at a seminar planned in the Delhi University.



Gurmehar, daughter ot army martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, claimed to have been threatened with rape by trolls because of her Facebook post. Now, her grandfather Kamaljit Singh has come out in support and urged the government to stop inflaming the issue.



She said the correct thing. She didnt say anything against India or any political leader. Punjabis live for the nation. Will they teach nationalism to us? We have lost our son, do we need to prove anything? he told a news channel.



In the new message, Gurmehar said people will now think twice before resorting to threats and violence, and this is all that this was about. I request to be left alone the daughter of Army martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, said, uploading her new Facebook profile picture in place of the one which created a political storm here on Monday.



Meanwhile, Delhi Police registered a case of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation against unknown persons on Gurmehars complaint that she was threatened with rape. They also provided security for her.



The Delhi Women Commission had forwarded her complaint to the police on Monday. ABVPs national media convener Saket Bahuguna lodged a separate complaint at Maurice Nagar police station, also demanding that those had threatened Gurmehar with rape and death must be identified and brought to justice. Dear @mehartweets ji, @ABVPVoice demands that @DelhiPolice takes action against those who gave rape threats to you. Plz don't defame my org, he tweeted.



In another case, two ABVP activists were held for attacking two AISA supporters during a protest march.
Bengaluru has slipped four places and is ranked 16th in a survey of cities conducted by Bengaluru-based NGO Janaagraha.The city was in the 12th position in 2015.





The Annual Survey of Indias City-Systems evaluates laws, policies and institutions in 21 cities across 18 states. Overall, Thiruvananthapuram came first, retaining its 2015 position. Pune has gone up from the fourth to second place, while Kolkata remains in the third place.



Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bhopal are ranked fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. While Bengalurus overall score remained unchanged, its rank has fallen because the scores of Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad, Raipur and Ranchi have improved since the previous survey.
Two drunk passengers of a domestic flight, who created a ruckus by abusing the captain and cabin crew midway on their journey, were booked by the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) police.



The incident happened on February 26 on an AirAsia flight (No i5-1983) bound for Bengaluru from Guwahati, the police said. The duo who were taken into custody were identified as Ajay Kumar Munura and Kala M Pankaj, natives of Nagaland and residents of Bengaluru.



According to the police, the drunk duo were a part of a group returning from the northeast after attending a wedding. The duo picked a quarrel with the cabin crew over a trivial issue. The two demanded a menu card and a beverage which the cabin crew said they did not have. This resulted in the quarrel, the police said.



They screamed at the cabin crew members and were abusing them loudly which caused panic among other passengers. When the plane landed in Bengaluru, the captain and cabin crew, after discussions with their seniors, lodged a police

complaint.



The KIA police registered a case of nuisance against the two and took them into custody.



AirAsia India, in its statement, mentioned the incident involving the unruly and disruptive behaviour by passengers, which could have potentially caused danger and harm to those on-board. The two passengers, classified as unruly and disruptive by the captain and cabin crew in their remarks, boarded the flight under the influence of alcohol and created nuisance on the flight.



The passengers in question, inconsiderate of flying etiquette, caused much disturbance by not only being extremely loud, but were uncouth in their behaviour displayed in causing nuisance to the cabin crew as well. The airline condemns this unfortunate incident and calls out the implications that directly lead to the safety and security of cabin crew and guests on-board, the statement said.


Members of Citizens for Bengaluru (CfB) and Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike (BBPV) on Tuesday urged people to leave their private vehicles and board buses on Bus Day on March 4 extending more support to Bus Bhagya Beku campaign.





Speaking to media persons at the official launch of the campaign on Tuesday, CfB member Srinivas Alavilli said that they hope to draw the governments attention to the plight of people who are forced to pay high bus fares.



We demand that the state government reduce bus fares so that a common citizen, who earns less than Rs 10,000 a month, need not walk for long distances, but use the bus, he said. The volunteers also demanded that the state government increase the number of buses plying on city roads, so that the number of private vehicles come down.



Financial support



The members of both the groups demanded that the government declare Bus Bhagya in the coming budget, grant financial support to BMTC to procure more buses and reduce bus fares.



They also demanded the government build infrastructure to encourage more people take the bus, rather than private modes of transport. They said the government should impose parking and congestion fee on private vehicles. The funds, thus generated, should be diverted to BMTC to improve services, they urged.
The officials of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday met the state government officials and urged them to speed up the process of making farmers register on M-Kisan portal.



Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan had written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on January 5 urging him to draw farmers to register on the the portal (which was launched in 2013 to disseminate accurate and regular weather updates to all Indian farmers).



The IMD officials said that there has been no response to the letter from the state government so far.



Sundar M Metri, IMD-Bengaluru director in-charge, told DH on the sidelines of the Open Day programme held at IMD on Tuesday: Registering farmers to the portal is the need of the hour, especially in wake of the changing weather conditions. So, we held a meeting with additional chief secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar on this issue. We wanted to know what has happened after the letter was sent. It has been a month and so far no state government official has contacted us.



The IMD aims to register the farmers before the onset of monsoon, so that they can get the maximum benefit of this. Vijay Bhaskar said that he would look into the matter and ask the officials to reach out to the farmers.



The portal plays a vital role in communicating with the farmers. Everyday the head and regional IMD offices get calls seeking weather details. The number of calls increase during monsoon and pre-monsoon season, when weather is changing. But once farmers are registered on the portal, they will get periodic weather updates which include maximum and minimum temperatures, rainfall details and warning alerts. The portal is being managed by IMD-Pune office, he explained.



The ministry has asked the state government to actively involve its 10 agro climatic zone units (the agro- meteorological field units) of Karnataka. The IMD has also sent letters to agricultural universities of Bengaluru, Raichur, Dharwad and other districts asking them to reach out to farmers and urge them to register on the portal.



IMD Open Day



The Open Day at IMD, Bengaluru, received a good response.



Metri said that a team of around 90 people (doctors, patients and others associated) from Nimhans visited the IMD head office on the occasion of World Science day.



Metri said that they took keen interest to learn how weather is recorded.
The drivers associated with Ola and Uber will begin their hunger strike at Freedom Park on Wednesday. Drivers union said that there wont be taxi services from Wednesday.





The strike will be total. We wont disrupt services. In fact, union leaders have warned that any driver resorting to violence will be handed over to police, leader of a union said.



The drivers got a shot in the arm after they met former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday, who assured them of getting permission from the police that was denied on Monday.



You should continue the strike without disturbing peace. I understand your problems. The government has refused to come to your aid. I will also consider hiring a good lawyer to fight for you in the court, he told drivers who met him.



The Karnataka High Courts injunction on Monday barred the agitating drivers from disrupting the Uber services, leading many to believe that the strike may fizzle out. However, there were no signs of the services resuming on Tuesday though the Uber app showed a few taxis at the nerve centres of the city.



An estimated one lakh cars are associated with Ola and Uber. About 15,000 of them are said to be vehicles rented out to drivers by these companies. There may be other drivers who may start working driven by need.



I sold my auto and took a loan to buy this car. I have to pay for vehicle loan and take care of my family. After six days of strike, I have been reduced to hand-to-mouth existence. I have no option but to work tomorrow, said Suresh Nanjapa, a driver.



Ola is already luring its employees with special incentives. More incentives will be given to woo the drivers, a source said.



Meanwhile, Jalahalli police booked two drivers associated with app-based cab aggregators for snatching the smartphone of another driver who continued to work despite the strike call.



Police sources said a case under IPC Section 392 (robbery) was registered after victim Shashikumar went to the police station with Olas legal and law enforcement head Anik.
BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday said new revelations from Congress MLC K Govindarajs diary will be more embarrassing for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.





The contents that have been revealed from the diary are just the tip of the iceberg. More details will tumble out soon, Yeddyurappa told reporters in Bengaluru.



The contents of the diary purportedly provide details of payoffs by state Congress members to their national leaders.



Soon after a national TV channel revealed the contents, (Chief Minister) Siddaramaiah remained confined to his house for three days. More is yet to come.....after which Siddaramaiah will not be able walk with his head up because of shame, Yeddyurappa added.



Yeddyurappa reiterated his charge that Siddaramaiah and his family received Rs 65-crore kickbacks for sanctioning the controversial steel flyover in Bengaluru. An enquiry will confirm that I am speaking the truth, he said.



Later in the day, Siddaramaiah lashed out at the media for asking a question on Yeddyurappa. Do you have nothing worthwhile to do? Why do you chant Yeddyurappas name all the time? he asked, before moving on.


The police in Kannur on Tuesday recorded the arrest of a Catholic priest in connection with the rape of a minor girl in Kottiyoor in the district.





Questions remained on the reported attempts to cover up the incident and the help that the priest got from some quarters as he attempted to flee the country.



Kelakam Police has registered a case against Robin Vadakkancheril (48) under the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 376 (rape) of the IPC. The incident came to light after a17-year-old girl delivered a child earlier this month.



Vadakkancheril was vicar at the St Sebastian Church in Kottiyoor, under the diocese of Mananthavady, and manager at a higher secondary school. He has since been removed from the positions.



The class XI student was raped by the vicar in the parish about a year ago. She was 16 at the time of the incident.



The accused was at a position in which he was expected to protect the girl. He was both vicar and manager of her school; this aspect brings in more gravity to the case, Prajeesh Thottathil, DySP, Iritty, told reporters.



The priest was arrested from Chalakudy in Thrissur district when he was reportedly travelling to Kochi to fly to Canada. The police brought him to the parish on Tuesday to record evidence in the case amid protests against him. Police sources said there were other unconfirmed complaints of abuse against Vadakkancheril.



Mathew Thelliyil, chairman of the Child Welfare Committee, Kannur, told DH that there were attempts to shield the priest. We requested the police to immediately record the victims statement before a magistrate under Section 164 (of the Code of Criminal Procedure), Thelliyil said.



Police are following up on the reported cover-up attempts at a hospital near Koothuparamba, where the girl gave birth, and an orphanage in Vythiri in Wayanad district, run by nuns, where the new-born was reportedly shifted.



Representatives of the diocese of Mananthavady have, so far, not made any public statements on the case. Bishop Jose Porunnedom confirmed in a statement, on Monday, the priest was removed from office with immediate effect. The priests name, photograph and other details have been removed from the dioceses website.
Jessica Marie Alba (born April 28, 1981) is an American actress, model and businesswoman. She has won various awards for her acting, including the Choice Actress Teen Choice Award and Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television, and a Golden Globe nomination for her lead role in the television series Dark Angel. Alba began her television and movie appearances at age 13 in Camp Nowhere and The Secret World of Alex Mack (1994). She rose to prominence as the lead actress in the James Cameron television series Dark Angel (20002002) when she was 19 years old. Alba later appeared in Honey (2003), Sin City (2005), Fantastic Four (2005), Into the Blue (2005), Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) and Good Luck Chuck (2007). In January 2012, Alba co-founded The Honest Company, a consumer goods company that sells non-toxic household products, and owns between 15-20 percent of the company.
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Mammootty was born as Muhammad Kutty Ismail Paniparambil and raised in the village of Chempu near Vaikom in the Kottayam district of the state of Kerala, he is one of the pillars of Malayalam movie...More

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Devon is one of the most scenic locations in the country, and arguably, the majority of residents who live here are 'dog mad'.

Whether it's a stroll along the beach, or an adventurous hike in the countryside, Devon is extremely popular for dog walks for locals and visitors alike.

And are there many better places than this region to take your dog for a walk?

Read more:19 Devon villages so pretty you'll want to move there immediately

Below, we have put together a list of all the best places to take your pooch for a walk in Devon.

1) Haldon Forest Park

(Image: Caroline Abbott)

There really is something for everyone here, with plenty of different walks to choose from.

The map in the car park will help you decide which route to take, from easy shorter walks to long, harder ones if you like to be more adventurous. It's all signposted along the way so you can't get lost.

There are various off-lead areas for dogs as well so they can enjoy a run around.

For more information click here.

2) Fingle Bridge

Located in north Dartmoor, Fingle Bridge is often regarded as one of the enchanted spots of mid Devon.

The area offers two very different walk choices. For an easier route, you can wander up the less steep side of the valley, and it is great if your dogs love water. There are no lead restrictions.

The other walk takes in the other side of the valley, which has many steep sections, twists and turns.

For the adventurous walkers, it will take around 90 minutes to complete. But if you're taking a more relaxed approach, you're looking at around two hours.

And you can end the walk with a visit to the large pub right next to the bridge, which is dog-friendly!

3) Eggesford Forest

Located approximately between Exeter and Barnstaple, the forest walk is relatively short, but scenic.

The walk lasts around one-and-a-quarter miles, and you will struggle to get lost as it is a circular route.

There are no restrictions for keeping your dog on a lead, although you may need to bring your towels, as there is a stream on the route.

4) Stover Country Park

You can find this country park just before you reach Newton Abbot, where you will discover the surrounding woodland.

The only restriction for dogs is that they cannot go into the lake.

5) Thurlestone Beach

Thurlestone Beach is a National Trust beach located near Kingsbridge.

The area offers hilly, flat and, of course, beach walks. It is also a fairly quiet spot, which is unusual for most beaches in Devon.

6) Saunton Sands

Does your dog enjoy sand? Then Saunton Sands near Barnstaple is arguably the best place in Devon to take your dog.

There are miles of clean sand and sea water, where dogs have the freedom to run.

7) Exeter Quay/Canal

(Image: Caroline Abbott)

This walk can be as long or short as you like. Hugely popular with dog walkers and cyclists, you can explore Exeter Quay, or head towards the famous Double Locks pub, which is one of the most popular pubs in Exeter during the summer.

Or head to The Turf, another dog-friendly pub, on a route which carries on towards the historic Powderham Castle.

You can stay up to date on the top news near you with DevonLive's FREE newsletters  to sign up go here

8) Porlock

This walk features on the South West Coast Path, and includes a stroll through woodland and onto the beach.

You can start along the western side of Porlock Bay, making your way through the hills above Porlock Weir, and finally, the pebbles of the dog-friendly Porlock Beach.

9) River Avon Dam, Dartmoor

An excellent scenic walk, as to be expected from Dartmoor. Starting at Shipley Bridge, you walk alongside the river where your dog may choose to have a dip, before making your way up to the dam. The walk may be slightly hilly, but it is pathed the whole way, making it accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

10) Parke, Bovey Tracey

Part of the National Trust, Parke features lovely walks around the grounds and woodlands of the grand Parke House.

There are many different types of walks to choose from  you can go through the woodlands, or along the streams.

Dogs are welcome in the grounds, but are asked to be kept on a lead where livestock is grazing.

And to end this eventful walk, you can enjoy the dog-friendly pub the Cleave at Lustleigh.

11) Exmouth Seafront

One of Devon's most popular beaches, Exmouth beach is a must for dog walkers.

The two-mile stretch of sandy beach is open to dogs between September 30 and May 1.

As well as the usually busy beach, there are plenty of dog-friendly cafes and pubs to explore. The town is well signposted, and there are plenty of pathed routes.

12) Ashclyst Forest

One of the largest woods in East Devon, Ashclyst Forest has plenty of popular trails for exploring.

The biggest attraction is the butterfly walk, where you encounter many types of butterflies; the four-mile walk around Killerton is completely dog-friendly.

13) Branscombe to Beer coastal walk

A scenic but long walk, this coastal walk offers stunning views of the Jurassic Coast.

Beginning in the heart of Branscombe village, you pass through the historic forge and old bakery, before heading to Branscombe beach, where you will notice the 13,500kg anchor of the MSC Napoli which famously grounded on the beach in 2007.

Follow the Jurassic Coast and you will end up in the seaside village of Beer.

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14) Brampford Speke

Located in Stoke Canon, this walk takes you through fields and past a stream. You can either divert to the nearby pub, or continue along the footpath, where you come across more fields and another stream.

15) Lynmouth circular walk

This walk showcases some of the best scenery that Exmoor has to offer. The historic Lynmouth harbour gives you the chance to find out about the devastating floods that hit the town in 1952.

Head towards Wester Wood and East Lyn, where you will encounter the waterfalls and may encounter an otter.

Finally, join the South West Coast Path back to Lynmouth, which offers views along the North Devon coast, and across to Wales.
Kids can learn to hunt turkey April 1 at White River Wildlife Area



February 27, 2017

SALEM, Ore.Register by March 28 for the annual turkey hunting clinic for kids ages 8 to 17, a popular event sponsored by ODFW, Oregon Hunters Association and Celilo Bowmen.

The event is Saturday, April 1 at the White River Wildlife Area near Tygh Valley.

Kids who attend will learn the tricks, tips and strategies needed to turkey hunt including: turkey identification and behavior, scouting techniques like sign identification and how to locate turkeys in the woods, plus turkey calls and calling techniques. There is also a hands-on session about how to pattern a shotgun, establish effective ranges and hold a shotgun as a tom approaches. New this year, Celilo Bowmen will be teaching kids how to shoot compound and traditional bows at a 3D target range set up at the event.

This is a fun annual event that will get your child ready for the statewide general spring turkey season April 15-May 31, said James Reed, ODFW hunter education coordinator. Kids can also hunt the special youth-only season April 8-9.

Hunter education certification is not required to attend this clinic.

Pre-registration is required and costs $10. The deadline to register is March 28 and a maximum of 100 youth will be accepted. Each youth must be accompanied by an adult.

Register online at ODFWs license sales site, or register at any license sales agent. Registration includes lunch; adults can purchase lunch for an additional $5 at the clinic.

For more information, see the event listing at www.odfwcalendar.com or contact Myrna Britton at (503) 947-6028 / Myrna.b.britton@state.or.us

Note that ODFW will waive the parking permit requirement on White River Wildlife Area for that day and camping is allowed at designated campsites.

ODFW and partners host a variety of events where people can learn how to hunt and fish, see www.odfwcalendar.com for more.

###
Lee Jae-yong was arrested earlier this month on charges of bribery and influence-peddling, causing the impeachment of South Korea's 11th President, Park Geun-hye.

Samsung has more trouble in the offing as fresh reports from Bloomberg confirm that heir to the business and the current boss at Samsung, Lee Jae-yong, has been indicted for bribery, embezzlement and hiding funds overseas. Lee was arrested a few weeks back on charges of bribery and influence-peddling, causing the impeachment of South Korea's 11th President, Park Geun-hye. He was also accused of bribing state officials to influence an important merger.

Lee is the current Vice Chairman of South Korea-based Samsung Electronics. He is also the son of Samsungs head, Lee Kun-hee, and by that relationship, heir to the Samsung empire. Lee was accused of bribing $40 million to President Parks confidant, for influencing policy changes. He was also accused of influencing a merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries back in 2015. The said merger was stone walled by many Samsung investors and was consequential in easing Lee into his leading role at Samsung, after his father suffered a heart attack in 2014. The merger later went through because of the approval of Seoul's state pension fund, one the largest shareholders in Samsung.

Apart from Lee, four other Samsung executives have also been charged including Corporate Strategy Office Vice Chairman Choi Gee-sung and President Chang Choong-ki. Other key officials are also reportedly stepping down from their posts.

Lees trial is expected to last 18 months and the billionaire honcho has admitted to transferring fund to President Park. However, Lee said that the same was not done for any political gain.

This will surely not help boost investor confidence in Samsung, which has barely managed to scrape itself out of the Galaxy Note 7 mess.
The pact will reportedly be signed at MWC 2017 and includes strategic cooperation for a smoother transition from 4G to 5G, 5G demonstrations , IoT applications and more

The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nokia at MWC 2017 today. According to a report by PTI, the MoU is in the areas of 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) applications. It entails strategic cooperation for smoother evolution and transition from 4G to 5G. It also involves join 5G demonstration, IoT applications, and more.

BSNL Chairman, Anupam Shrivastava told PTI, After 4G, the future is 5G and IoT, which is useful in the concept such as smart cities... The MoU will help BSNL to draw a framework for transition from the current network to futuristic 5G network.

Shrinivasan notes that the pact involves collaborative workshops to define a phased strategy for network evolution, transformation and its implications on business, technology and operations. Further, the two companies will share 5G technology concepts, new products and innovations available in the public domain. This also includes the demonstration of possibilities of 5G and IoT for the Indian Market.

Nokia has already made a splash at the ongoing MWC. HMD, the company that hold the licensing rights to the brand, announced four new devices. This included the Nokia 3 and Nokia 5 smartphones, along with a global variant of the Nokia 6, which was launched in China last year. The company also launched an updated version of the Nokia 3310 feature phone. The device now comes with a colour display and brings back the Snake game.
Looking forward to Wednesday, there are many data releases to keep macro watchers interested, while markets may well still be reacting to Donald Trumps much-trumpeted speech due later.

In the UK, the first release will be shop price data at midnight from Nielsen, before the official money and credit release at 0930 GMT.

Last month this showed a big drop off in consumer credit growth, with new loans coming in at their lowest level since May 2015.

February's data will show if this was a correction or a trend.

Manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index survey from Markit is due at the same time, following the fall to 55.9 in January.

New orders, employment and export growth all saw a small decline last month.

The survey appears to show that the sector is still benefiting from the global cyclical upturn in recent months, HSBC said.

"However, with price growth reaching record levels and a fall in export order growth in January, we forecast a fall in the headline index to 55.1."

The consensus is for a more moderate decline 56.0.

US Personal income and spending is due at 1330 GMT, with the consensus pointing to flat income growth of 0.3% month-on-month but a slowdown in personal spending from 0.5% to 0.3%.

The ISM manufacturing index may be bigger news, having picked up at the end of 2016.

Said HSBC: "The rise in commodity prices over the past twelve months has helped promote a virtuous cycle of higher prices, increased new orders, and stronger production."

Early indications for February have been mixed, with the Empire State, Philadelphia Fed, and Kansas City Fed manufacturing prints all increased strongly, while the preliminary reading of the Markit manufacturing PMI falling.

The consensus is for a slight decline to 55.8 from 56.0 in January.

Wednesday 01 March

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Construction Spending (US) (15:00)

Crude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30)

ISM Prices Paid (US) (15:00)

MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)

Personal Consumption Expenditures (US) (13:30)

Personal Income (US) (13:30)

Personal Spending (US) (13:30)

Unemployment Rate (GER) (09:00)

Q4

Livanova

FINALS

Admiral Group, Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company, Costain Group, CRH, Livanova , Novae Group, Riverstone Energy Limited

AGMS

Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust, Ediston Property Investment Company

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

BRC Shop Price Index (00:01)

Consumer Credit (09:30)

M4 Money Supply (09:30)

Mortgage Approvals (09:30)

Nationwide House Price Index (07:00)

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Cohort, Coral Products

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

Toro Limited

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Bank of America Corp.
An Indonesian and a Vietnamese woman will be charged with the murder of the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Malaysia, the attorney general in Kuala Lumpur has confirmed.

Kim Jong-nam was attacked with nerve agent VX at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on 13 February, with Siti Aisyah and Doan Thi Huong being arrested close by in the hours following the attack.

A delegation of high level representatives from North Korea have arrived in Malaysia, saying that they are seeking to retrieve the body of Kim Jong-nam, who was thought to be the leading candidate to lead the country before being overtaken by his younger half brother.

The team also said it hopes to develop "friendly relationships" with Malaysian diplomats after a breakdown in communication between the sides in the aftermath of the incident.

Both of the women accused of killing Kim have protested that they were tricked into the incident, believing it to be part of a prank orchestrated by a comedy show.

Another North Korean man is being held in custody in relation to the death. As many as 10 suspects have been identified by Malaysian authorities as well

South Korea believes that at least four of the suspects have been employed as spies by North Korea.

"They will be charged in court under Section 302 of the penal code," attorney general Mohamed Apandi Ali said, which is a murder charge with a mandatory death sentence if convicted.
UK's quitting the EU without an alternative trade deal would be the biggest single action of protectionism in the nation's history, warns former Chancellor George Osborne in London.

Osborne's tilt at Prime Minister Theresa May's rose-tinted Brexit plans is this third such launched by a Tory icon in the past week, and underscores the acrimonious mood within the party, which appears fractured along Bremain and Brexit battle lines.

The MP for Tatton said that even trade deals with other countries around the world would not offset the loss of trade resulting from a so-called hard Brexit when leaving the EU.

May plans to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty in March, beginning a two-year countdown to Brexit.

"Lets make sure that we go on doing trade with our biggest export market, otherwise withdrawing from the single market would be the biggest single act of protectionism in the history of United Kingdom," said Osborne.

"No amount of trade deals with New Zealand are going to replace the amount of trade we do with our European neighbours," he told the British Chambers of Commerce's annual conference in Westminster.

He added that in-out EU referendum in June last year had produced a clear mandate, but commented that in achieving such an outcome the "devil's going to be in the details".

Osborne said further clarity was required on issues surrounding Brexit, among them immigration.

His robust comments follow others made over the weekend by a senior Tory, Lord Heseltine, stated he would rebel against the government when peers debated the Brexit Bill, which was needed for Article 50 to be triggered.

Lord Heseltine said he would support an opposition amendment in the House of Lords that demanded MPs get a meaningful vote on any deal reached with the EU.

Separately, Sir John Major, the former Tory PM, said the probability of no agreement being reached between the UK and EU in Brexit talks was very high.

He laboured the "unreal and over-optimistic" vision of Brexit was being put forward, and opined that the costs would be both substantial and unpalatable.

Sir John said there was little chance the advantages UK enjoyed as part of the EU could be replicated outside the bloc.

"I have watched with growing concern as the British people have been led to expect a future that seems to be unreal and over-optimistic," he stated in a speech in London, the BBC reported

"Obstacles are brushed aside as of no consequence, whilst opportunities are inflated beyond any reasonable expectation of delivery."

Meantime, Downing Street claims the government is determined to make a success of the UK's departure from the EU.

(Additional reporting by Maryam Cockar in Westminster)
The Northern Ireland Education Authority has extended its contract with Capita to provide ICT services for over 1,100 schools by two years in a deal worth more than 50m.

The original 170m five-year contract began in 2012.

The contract sees Capita provide a managed IT service to every primary, post-primary and special needs school in Northern Ireland, providing services to over 300,000 pupils and 50,000 teachers and support staff.

Capita supports schools in their use of ICT to support teaching and learning both within and beyond the classroom through a range of services and software. This includes the provision of the company's SIMS management software.

Chief executive Andy Parker said: Over the past five years weve worked closely with schools across Northern Ireland to deliver a huge range of IT services, enabling them to introduce innovative technology solutions to improve teaching and learning.

"It is testament to the quality of the service provided by the Capita team that the Northern Ireland Education Authority has chosen to extend its contract for another two years.

The contract is delivered by Capita Managed IT Solutions, which is based in Newtownabbey in Northern Ireland.

At 1124 GMT, Capita shares were up 0.7% to 552.50p.
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IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP)  The Idaho Falls City Council has voted to accept a $500,000 donation to build an education center at the Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautpheus Park.

The donation accepted by the council on Thursday is from the William J. Maeck Foundation and the new building will be called the William J. Maeck Education Center.





. . .
Lorenza Conner was born and raised in Cartersville, Georgia. As an Airman he gave his life for his country.

Born Feb. 19, 1943, Conner was a diligent student. He was described as kind by those who knew him and decided before he went to college that he wanted to fly planes. Conner attended Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University). He was a member of Omega Psi Phi and graduated with honors from Air Force ROTC. After graduation, Conner entered the active-duty Air Force where he went on to fight in the Vietnam War.

On Oct. 27, 1967, pilots 1st Lt. Lorenza Conner and Capt. Jon D. Black were flying an F-4D Phantom II fighter. They were the number two aircraft in a formation flight of four. Black and Conners aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft artillery fire and later crashed in the Son Duong District of the Tuyen Quang Province.

Reports from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam said one parachute was seen and one electronic beacon signal was heard after the fighter plane was struck. The flight leader established contact with Capt. Black on the ground.

[Conners] seat malfunctioned and he told Black to go ahead and eject, recalled Terri Durrah, first cousin of Conner.

It was reported that Conner could not reach the ejection handle which he said repeatedly to Black over the intercom. After Black ejected, there was no sign of Conner. The aircraft disintegrated prior to impact.

After the crash, while Conner carried the status of Missing in Action, the U.S. Air Force promoted him to the rank of captain.

Black was captured by Vietnamese forces.

During the time Black was captured, it was really hard for him, reported Durrah.

Black was returned to U.S. control on Feb. 16, 1968 where he was able to report the events of the day their aircraft went down.

Prior to the crash in Vietnam, Conner flew from Dobbins ARB to California, from California to Hawaii; from Hawaii to Thailand, then to Vietnam.

In August 1992, a Hue City Hotel staff member approached a member of a joint investigation team with a tip that a local had buried the remains of three Americans. Conners name was provided along with service number, blood type and religion.

Over the next several years the team investigated the claim, interviewing three alleged firsthand witnesses. Due to the areas varied terrain, they faced difficulty in locating the remains. From October to December of 2007, the team made more progress than previous attempts. They found a woman who said her husband had discovered and reburied the remains from the crash site. The team was taken to the area where the remains were believed to be buried.

They had to do a DNA testing of his remains and my mother, Daisy, because she was his closest living relative, said Durrah.

Durrah said, Conners remains were verified in June 2008. Durrahs mother, Daisy Pearl Durrah, was presented with the military ceremonial flag at Conners memorial service October 25, 2008.

Conner had an honorable home going service after the recovery of his remains. The route of his journey from Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, in Atlanta, to his hometown of Cartersville, Georgia, was made public. People came out in large numbers to pay their respects and salute Capt. Conner.

He is now buried in his hometown and memorialized in numerous Vietnam War dedications throughout the nation.
Former colleagues of a Donegal soldier killed in Lebanon while on UN duty in 1981 have called for the publication of a report into his death more than 18 months after it was passed to the defence minister.

Retired High Court Judge Mr. Roderick Murphy carried out a review of the investigation into the death of Private Hugh Doherty, from Letterkenny, and the disappearance of Private Kevin Joyce in April 1981 while they were serving as members of the Irish Battalion with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil).

The report was presented to the Minister for Defence Simon Coveney in June 2015 but was not published by him or his successor, Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

The review of the investigation followed a campaign by family members and former colleagues of the soldiers who believed the deaths were not adequately probed.

Terms of reference

The terms of reference of the review included an examination of two inquiries - a UN board of inquiry and an investigation by the Defence Forces.

Private Hugh Doherty died of gunshot wounds near the village of Dyar Ntar while manning an observation post.

Private Doherty had only been in the country five days.

The Department of Defence has said it has sought and received legal advice from the Attorney General in relation to the publication of the report.

The draft report was forwarded on a confidential basis to the families and former colleagues of the two men and further legal advice has been sought from the attorney general.

Former soldier Michael Walker, from Dungloe, saw Hugh Doherty on the day he died. He is one of a number of former soldiers who have been in contact with the department seeking information on the publication. He said the delays in the publication of the report are unacceptable and he has called on the department to release it as soon as possible.

Mr Walker and other former soldiers were interviewed by the retired judge for the report.

He said that when the report was sent to the minister it was believed it would have been released within months.

They (the department) are just saying that it is with the attorney general and that they received legal advice from the attorney general and they are awaiting more advice on other issues, he said.

He said he was not aware what the issues are.

Mr Walker has also written to the taoiseach's office asking for Enda Kenny to intervene and see that the report is released.

This has been going on too long and it is very frustrating. After it went to the attorney generals office we thought it might have been five or six months but it is now more than a year and a half.

They (the department) are just saying that it is with the attorney general and that they received legal advice from the attorney general and they are awaiting more advice on other issues, he said.

He said he was not aware what the issues are.

Mr Walker has also written to the taoiseach's office asking for Enda Kenny to intervene and see that the report is released.

This has been going on too long and it is very frustrating. After it went to the attorney generals office we thought it might have been five or six months but it is now more than a year and a half.
A personal insolvency arrangement has been agreed by the High Court for Donegal county councillor John ODonnell, who has debts of more than 4.2 million.

A meeting of Mr ODonnells creditors had last month rejected the proposed arrangement, the Irish Times has reported.

Ms Justice Marie Baker on Monday approved an arrangement which involves Mr ODonnell paying a lump sum of 40,000 within three months and continuing to pay a restructured mortgage on his family home, with a substantial writedown of the original mortgage debt.

The independent councillor owes an estimated 4.2 million to financial institutions, including AIB (owed just over 2 million) and ACC Loan Management (almost 1.5 million).

The Revenue, a preferred creditor, is owed 4,559.

Ms Justice Baker said the debtor had substantial debt and relatively small income and very small assets.

Bankruptcy proceedings initiated by Mr ODonnell will also now be struck out, the court heard.

Under the proposed arrangement, which includes a 140,000 writedown on his 226,664 mortgage, Mr ODonnell can remain in the family home, a three-bed property at Cluain Ard, Letterkenny.

The remainder of the mortgage of 86,500 has been restructured with the effect Mr ODonnell has to make monthly repayments of 892.31 over the next 120 months.

Mr ODonnell has also agreed to sell a three-acre development site worth 10,000, which he co-owns with his brother.

In an affidavit, Mr ODonnell said he had fallen into arrears on his principal private residence mortgage in 2010.

He had been making contributions towards his debts and trying to engage with creditors, he said.

While he had also lodged an application to self-adjudicate in bankruptcy, there was a reasonable prospect that confirmation of the proposed arrangement would enable him resolve his indebtedness without recourse to bankruptcy, and enable his creditors to recover debts due to them to the extent his means reasonably permitted, he said.

Keith Farry BL, instructed by Alan McGee & Co, for Mr ODonnell, said his client had a high level of debt and a low level of income and assets.

A creditors meeting concerning the arrangement was held on January 26th last and did not approve of the proposal, counsel said.

A 33,000 award made against Mr ODonnell in a personal injuries case has been excluded from the arrangement and Mr ODonnell is making payments of 434 a month towards the compensation award, made concerning an incident in 2000 in which Mr ODonnell had driven over a womans foot on a building site.

Mr ODonnell, an Independent Councillor, previously featured in an RTE Investigates programme on standards in public office.
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The burglary at a Donegal school at the weekend was the second there in just three months.

St Bernadette's Special School in Letterkenny was burgled in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Two masked men broke into the school, which has 77 pupils, by smashing a window.

They entered an office where they tried to access a filing cabinet and then ransacked a desk.

While no cash was stolen in the incident, keys for two school buses were taken meaning the ignition systems on the two vehicles have had to be changed.

The men, who were captured on CCTV, were in the school for under seven minutes.

The school was broken into December, again over a weekend, and cash was taken.

Vice Principal Ailbhe Dunne said the schools alarm went off at 2.20 am.

They emptied the drawers of the desk on to the floor looking for money, but we dont keep money on the premises, she said.

Everybody is just gutted. Its a horrible feeling and it costs us to repair the damage. Its just a disruption to the school and everybody is very upset.
Amazon's tax collection system expands on March 1 with Oklahoma and Wyoming joining the ever-growing list of locations where online customers will see sales tax added to their purchases.

Photo by MikeBlogs via Flickr

In February, five more states -- Mississippi, Missouri, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Vermont, joined the Amazon sales tax list.

With the addition tomorrow, March 1, of two more, that will bring the number of taxing jurisdictions where the Seattle-based online retail giant will be collecting sales levies to 41.

In addition to collection sales tax on products shipped to Washington, D.C., the table below shows the 40 states where, in less than 24 hours, Amazon will be collecting sales taxes.





Alabama Kansas Nevada South Dakota Arizona Kentucky New Jersey Tennessee California Louisiana New York Texas Colorado Maryland North Carolina Utah Connecticut Massachusetts North Dakota Vermont Florida Michigan Ohio Virginia Georgia Minnesota Oklahoma Washington Illinois Mississippi Pennsylvania West Virginia Indiana Missouri Rhode Island Wisconsin Iowa Nebraska South Carolina Wyoming



Since 5 states don't collect a state-wide sales tax, that leaves just five states where Amazon customers -- and, in some cases, other cyber shoppers -- won't see sales taxes added to their online invoices.

The still Amazon tax free states, for now, are Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine and New Mexico.

Not stopping at Amazon: Since Amazon is the largest global online retailer, it is viewed as a sales tax collection bellwether. The hope of the 40 states and District of Columbia is that other companies will follow Amazon's tax collection lead.

But several of the 45 states with sales taxes aren't waiting for that to happen.

In addition to welcoming Amazon's collection action, they are continuing legislative efforts to try to get every possible sales tax penny they're due.

Take, for example, Colorado's unpopular tattletale tax. Beginning July 1, if an online seller doesn't follow Amazon and collect sales tax on items sold to Colorado customers, the company must instead send state officials sales data so Centennial State tax collectors can focus on getting the money from the buyers per the state's use tax law.

Three states -- Louisiana, Oklahoma and Vermont -- have passed laws similar to Colorado's.

And of the five states where Amazon does not yet collect sales taxes, Arkansas, Hawaii and New Mexico lawmakers are considering legislation that would broaden nexus.

Another high court sales tax decision: Meanwhile, South Dakota's sales tax law soon could rewrite nationwide sales tax collection on remote sales.

The Mount Rushmore State's law says that remote sellers with no physical location still must collect and remit sales tax on online purchases sent to customers within its borders. That directly challenges the nexus requirement cited in the U.S. Supreme Court's 1992 Quill v. North Dakota ruling that now governs interstate tax collection.

This challenge to nexus is working its way through the legal system.

That's exactly what South Dakota officials hoped when they enacted the law. They and other state officials hope the South Dakota law will supplant the one from its northern neighbor when it comes to taxation of online and other remote purchases.

A decision by the nation's highest court, along with Amazon and other online retailers voluntarily expanding their sales tax collection to the remaining five states (you know it will happen eventually) could make stalled Congressional efforts to deal with online taxes irrelevant.

Insert your own House and Senate effectiveness joke here.

You also might find these items of interest:
The Elba Police Department was called to the scene of a shooting in the Shiloh Community, just outside of Elba, Monday afternoon that left one man fatally wounded.

According to Elba Police Chief Freddy Hanchey, Nicholas Tyler Bolling, 27 of Andalusia, was shot near the intersection of Highway 84 and County Road 501 in the Shiloh Community.

We arrived on the scene which had a gunshot victim that medical personnel performed CPR on, Hanchey said. He was transported to Enterprise Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

No arrests have been made, but according to Hanchey the investigation is still ongoing.

Certainly we want to thank Coffee County Sheriffs Office and the District Attorneys office in assisting us in the ongoing investigation, Hanchey said. (The investigation) will continue until a determination on the shooting has been made.
New Brocktons Gerald Hartley passed away in November 2014, but his memory is still strong with the families whose lives he touched.

The 77-year-old spiritual counselor at Crossover Ministries served in the military for 20 years and taught for 11 years at Enterprise High School as a JROTC instructor. He also helped with the preservation of bluebird by building bluebird houses and education people of their importance, as well as devoting his time witnessing to people in recovery.

In honor of Hartley, a 5K faith run/walk and celebration will be held on April 1 at Lake Frank Jackson in Opp.

He has been such a huge inspiration to helping clients beat their bondage of addiction and living their lives for Christ, said Matt Hickman, who is hosting the event. He carries many famous sayings behind and his legacy is still very present. He poured his heart into others, and when he spoke, people listened. So we want to remember him in a big way.

Interested runners can pay a $20 pre-registration fee, or a $25 fee the day of the event. T-shirt are guaranteed for pre-registered runners. To sign up for the run, contact Crossover Ministry at 334-493-1030. Signups for the race begin at 8 a.m., with the race starting after Hartleys wife sounds the starting horn at 9 a.m.

It is asked that communities or attendees that do not plan on running or walking to bring a positive cardboard testimony to encourage the runners.

Medals will be awarded for the first, second and third place runners in both the male and female division for ages 50-60 years and 61 and up. Awards will be given to walkers for the first five walkers, male and female combined. There will also be trophies for the top three overall male or female.

Aside from the race, a fun family atmosphere will be held on the lake, including free face painting by the LBW softball team, bouncy house, cars display from Massey Automotive in Andalusia and a musical performance by Taylor Weeks.

There will also be a picnic with $5 hamburger plates that include a hamburger, baked beans, chips and a choice of water or soda.

Door prizes will be given away throughout the day, with a 65-quart Yeti cooler donated by Marvins of Andalusia on the list.

Interested parties may contact Crossover Ministry at 334-493-1030, visit their booth at the Rattlesnake Rodeo in Opp on March 11-12 or visit the events Facebook page under 3rd Annual Brother Hartley 5K Run/Walk Faith Run.

If he was here today I know he would want me to use his life to send a message to others the good news of Christ, Hickman said.
The City of Dothan appears on the verge of approving a sprawling $22 million public safety training center designed to meet local training needs, encourage regional cooperation and provide opportunities for local residents.

The icing on the cake is a $20 million commitment from the Wiregrass Foundation that will fund the overwhelming majority of the project. The city would be required to kick in only $1.87 million over 10 years and budget approximately $130,000 per year to help maintain the facility.

Our (public safety) members need this, our citizens need this and our community needs this, Dothan Fire Chief Larry Williams said.

The center would be located on 23 acres of city-owned land off Ennis Road, not far from the City of Dothan landfill.

Williams and Dothan Police Chief Steve Parrish told members of the Dothan City Commission during a work session Tuesday that the police and fire departments have been relying on a hodgepodge of cobbled-together training opportunities that often do not meet the expanding needs of the departments.

We need real smoke, real fire, real heat in order to train the way we really need to train, Williams said. We havent been able to do that in a comprehensive way since 2004. Since then, we have had to rely on a mobile trailer that gets brought in.

The Wiregrass Foundation became interested in partnering in the project more than a year ago. When the Foundation began doing its due diligence in researching the project, President Barbara Alford said the Foundations board saw an opportunity to do something unique.

There is nothing like this in Alabama, and only a handful of these types of regional training facilities throughout the country, Alford said.

The Wiregrass Foundation is a privately funded charitable organization.

The Dothan Police Department lost its firing range and training center recently with the expansion of the Omussee Wastewater Treatment Plant. Parrish said the regional training facility will allow the police department to meet almost all of its training needs at one location, which will save the department the cost of sending officers elsewhere for some of the training that can be done at the new facility.

Parrish lauded the regional training opportunities as well as the citizen training opportunities the new center would create.

This hits right at two of our three core values, which are education and training as well as community policing and relations, Parrish said. This has always been an important part of policing but it has never been more critical than it is today.

The Dothan City Commission is expected to authorize an agreement soon with the Wiregrass Foundation to move forward. The City will be asked to float a $17 million bond issue. The bulk of the payments would be made by the Wiregrass Foundation with the City asked to front $250,000 each year for the next two years (already budgeted), $100,000 toward the $17 million bond issue each year for the next 10 years and $370,000 in in-kind costs to extend sewer, water and electric to the property.

-------------------

Coming this weekend in the Dothan Eagle and dothaneagle.com

The Dothan Regional Public Safety Training Center

- Why now?

- What are the components?

- How will it function?

- Who benefits?
The Elba Police Department was called to the scene of a shooting in the Shiloh Community, just outside of Elba, Monday afternoon that left one man fatally wounded.

According to Elba Police Chief Freddy Hanchey, Nicholas Tyler Bolling, 27, of Andalusia, was shot near the intersection of Highway 84 and County Road 501 in the Shiloh Community.

We arrived on the scene which had a gunshot victim that medical personnel performed CPR on, Hanchey said. He was transported to Enterprise Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

No arrests have been made, but according to Hanchey the investigation is still ongoing.

Certainly we want to thank Coffee County Sheriffs Office and the District Attorneys office in assisting us in the ongoing investigation, Hanchey said. (The investigation) will continue until a determination on the shooting has been made.
Home Off beat The Most Epic Road Trip On A KTM 390 Duke  From India To The Isle Of Man oi-Dennis James

A KTM owner by the name of Rohit Upadhyay recently completed the ride many riders simply dream of by travelling from India to the Mecca of Motorcycle racing, the Isle Of Man aboard his trusty motorcycle.

{photo-feature}

Most Viewed Photo Gallery
The Fair Work Commission recently ruled that Sunday and public holiday penalty rates will be reduced for full-time and part-time workers in the hospitality, retail, pharmacy and fast-food industries.

The Fair Work Commission heard evidence from 143 lay and expert witnesses during a prolonged period of deliberation.

In addition 5,900 submissions were received from State and Territory Governments, political entities, individual employers and employees.

The decision to cut penalty rates makes it transparent that the Fair Work Commission is very much about protecting employers, not the employees.

The employee representatives possibly assumed the rates would not be reduced and did not put forward a sufficiently strong economic case.

As the President of the Fair Work Commission is a former union official, the employee representatives may have mistakenly thought that he would inherently accept the need to uphold the penalty rates in a time of flat wage growth.

Leading up to the decision

Upon its founding over 100 years ago, the Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration was very much about protecting the Australian standard of living.

The Fair Work Commission has clearly broken with the early legal precedents from the Harveter Case in 1907 where a living wage for workers was considered sacrosanct.

When business is bigger and stronger than its ever been, it is curious that the Fair Work Commission favoured business over Australian workers and shows no sense of 60 to 80 years of history.

Many Sunday shift workers are people who cannot find full time work during the week, or are students who are unable to work through the week due to study commitments. They are workers who need a living wage.

The concept of living wage is as important today as it was over 100 years ago. It is short-sighted of businesses to reduce the income of the very people they need to buy their products.

Traditionally, the objective of modern awards and penalty rates are to compensate employees for working outside normal hours and a deterrence to employers to scheduling work in these times. Weekends are not yet considered normal hours.

What is the impact for employees?

For employees in the affected industries, there has been long term controversy and heated debates surrounding the ongoing effects to the lives of people working in these sectors if penalty rates are cut.

The Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission was entrusted with deciding the outcome of penalty rates and concluded that the Saturday rate met the object of the award across the hospitality, retail, pharmacy and fast-food awards. However, Sunday rates did not meet the relative standards.

For casual employees working in retail and those working between 7am  9pm in the pharmaceutical sector, Sunday rates will decrease from 200% to 175% of their regular wage, and full-time and part-time employees will go from 200% to 150%.

For full-time and part-time employees in hospitality, Sunday rates will decrease from 175% to 150% of their regular wage.

Employees in a level 1 position under the Fast Food Award will see their Sunday wage will decrease from 175% to 150% for casuals, and 150% to 125% for full-time and part-time employees.

What are employers set to gain from these changes?

The penalty rate reduction will mainly present changes to the retail, fast-food, and hospitality industries as the trading hours of operation have the potential to expand.

The main benefit for employers would be increased operating hours for smaller businesses who traditionally claim they could not afford to have extended hours, and lower public holiday surcharges for visiting patrons. However as the rate cut will continue to be seen as a transgression to the employees, the willingness to work the extra hours may be a hurdle for employers.

Hundreds of thousands of workers will be negatively impacted by the decision in the short term. Businesses might be hit hard as a result by the reduced spending power by those workers. There is a chance that this will reduce the capacity to employ the additional workers that it promised to employ in the medium term.

About the author

Alan McDonald is the Managing Director of McDonald Murholme, an employment law firm based in Melbourne and Adelaide.
Customers are everything in business  that holds true for large enterprises, and its equally true for micro and small to medium businesses. In todays economy, if you dont keep your customers in focus and nurture your relationship with them, youll harm your sales, sustainability and growth. Lets face it, its likely youll even end up closing.

Here are key digital strategies to engage  and hold onto  customers:

Be interactive

Directly engaging customers, either online or in-person, is an invaluable means of growing your fanbase. Here are interactive techniques that paid dividends for Dropbox and Lays:

Referral Marketing: This strategy takes time and hard work but can be incredibly rewarding, if done right. Dropbox successfully employed referral marketing to raise a whopping $250 to $400 million dollars, which saw the companys valuation rocket to $10 billon. How did they achieve this feat? They offered users 500 MBs of bonus space for each friend they referred to the service up to a limit of 16 GBs  plus the referees also received 500 MBs for signing up.

Social media contests: In 2012, to celebrate their 75th anniversary, chip brand Lays ran a campaign on Facebook that encouraged customers to participate in a contest to determine their new chip flavour for the chance to win $1 million in prize money. With the help of the social media giant (Facebook), the company turned the Like button to Id eat that button. The outcome? The contest generated more than 8 million ideas. Not only did lays gain valuable market insights, the contest raised brand awareness.

Be attractive

First impressions last, for better or worse, which is why, sound website design, supported by regularly updated content, is essential. A businesss website should also be designed to support multiple devices. Did you know two in five people will cease engaging with a site if it is unattractive? Did you also know that three in four consumers judge a companys credibility based on site design?

To help convert a casual site visitor into an engaged user, you might also consider presenting relevant information in the form of an attractive infographic. Remember, your website is your marketing pitch: it should speak directly to the audience and succinctly convey what your business is about.

Be unique

Aping content that is widely available across the internet will not generate large amounts of site traffic. Rather, you should offer people unique content that demonstrates your company keeps its finger on the pulse when it comes to trends. Websites will not achieve higher page authority and domain authority if their content is not unique. As such, you should conduct research into credible, high-ranking websites.

Critically, your website needs to help distinguish your brand from your competitors. Because if your users dont think your site is useful, unique, valuable or engaging then Google wont think it either. And users will consider you as an average brand having a website like others. But you can stand out from the crowd by answering these questions, what do my users need on my site? How can I make something more well for my users? How my site is different from my competitors?

About the author

Nital Shah is the founding director at Octos Digital Marketing Agency. He is an expert in search strategies, planning and management with ten years under his belt and has served big corporate brands in Australia.
Lovell brings 47 homes to Derbyshire Peak District town

Construction has just got under way on The Coppice: a 12 million development set to bring 47 new homes to the town of Chapel-en-le-Frith, on the edge of the Derbyshire Peak District.

Partnership housing specialist Lovell is developing the site, off Manchester Road, with 33 brand-new homes for sale as well as 14 homes for Peaks & Plains Housing Trust which will be available for rent and shared ownership. The overall scheme is set to be complete in autumn 2018.

Designed to complement the developments setting in the attractive High Peak town, known as the Capital of the Peak District, the new homes will feature four one- and two-bedroom apartments and 43 three-, four- and five-bedroom houses.

Robert Adams, regional managing director for national developer Lovell, says: Were absolutely delighted to be bringing these new homes at The Coppice to Chapel-en-le-Frith. This development of well-designed homes in a superb location will provide contemporary, stylish accommodation for a range of homeseekers, including single people, couples and families. As well as properties for sale, there will be homes for shared ownership and rent providing urgently-needed affordable homes for people with local connections, enabling them to get their own home in this vibrant community. Were excited to be bringing the companys expertise in developing high-quality homes to this, our first scheme working with Peaks & Plains Housing Trust.

Nigel Bennett, assistant director partnerships for Peaks & Plains Housing Trust, adds: This opportunity to provide affordable homes on this prestigious development marks an exciting new partnership with Lovell and continues our work within High Peak. The mix and range of properties available allows real choice and options for anyone seeking a new home in Chapel-en-le-Frith.

To register your interest in the new homes for sale and for updates on the development, visit lovellnewhomes.co.uk.
The EBRD invests in changing lives  a mission that couldn't be achieved without its employees.

With staff coming from dozens of countries, our workforce is as diverse as our portfolio.

The EBRD recruits talented and driven individuals to work in our London headquarters and resident offices spread across the countries where we invest.

Search and apply for current vacancies at our careers site

Locations and job types

The EBRD is a unique international financial institution supporting projects across three continents. Investing primarily in private sector clients whose needs cannot be fully met by the market, we promote entrepreneurship and foster transition towards open and sustainable market economies.

We look to recruit people passionate about our values and work. Whether you are a banker, analyst, economist, IT specialist or researcher, there are a number of opportunities to support the EBRD in its operations from client relations to communications.

If you are a national of one of our shareholders or countries where we work, you are eligible to apply. Our employees come from a diverse range of educational and professional backgrounds and speak a number of languages, all helping to create a diversified, passionate, forward-thinking workforce.

At the EBRD we seek to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and is given equal opportunities.

Benefits & rewards

We believe that hard work deserves great rewards. We offer competitive base salaries and annual performance-based bonuses. Permanent staff can enjoy addition benefits such as medical insurance, generous and flexible annual leave options, retirement benefits, reduced gym membership rates and staff discounts at a wide array of retailers.

We recognise the challenges of working far from home, so if you move from another country to take up a post with us, well help by providing ongoing assistance and relocation allowance.

International Professionals Programme

We offer high-performing, early career professionals with exceptional academic achievement an opportunity to join the EBRD for two years, with two placements in our London Headquarters plus an international assignment in one of our resident offices.

Learn more

Internships

We recruit interns on an ongoing basis, to fill a variety of junior roles across many EBRD departments. Whilst we do not operate a formal internship programme as such, the numerous interns working at the EBRD gain valuable experience and insight into the organisation.

Learn more
The independent Evaluation Department evaluates the performance of the Banks completed projects and programmes relative to objectives.

It systematically analyses the results of both individual projects and wider themes defined in the Banks policies.

The core objective of evaluation is to contribute to the Banks legitimacy, relevance and to superior institutional performance. To achieve its core objective, the Evaluation Department fulfills two primary functions:
The EBRD has played a critical role in helping its countries of operation respond to and plan for a sustained recovery from the financial crisis.

In the aftermath of the global crisis of 2008-09, the EBRD worked hard to maintain the flow of finance to its regions, head off a withdrawal of cross-border banking groups and support projects critical for the long-term.

The EBRD actively cooperated with other International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in investing and policy dialogue to support the region.

Amidst the credit crunch of 2009, its immediate response was to boost its level of investments by more than 50% and to sustain record levels of investment over the subsequent years.

Taking equity stakes in troubled banks, financing SMEs through foreign bank subsidiaries and expanding its lending in local currencies have all been part of the EBRDs successful efforts to support the regions' economies.

A Joint Action Plan, also agreed in 2009, by the EBRD, the World Bank Group and the European Investment Bank eventually delivered more than 33 billion in funding for eastern European banks to onlend to businesses.

It was succeeded by other initiatives such as the November 2012 Joint IFI Action Plan for Growth Central and South Eastern Europe.

A highly visible part of the EBRDs response has been the Vienna Initiative, a network and virtual think-tank for safeguarding the financial stability of emerging Europe.

The Vienna Initiative originally worked to prevent a large-scale withdrawal of cross-border banking groups.

It has subsequently evolved to help countries manage deleveraging from the region and address high levels of non-performing loans.

To advance further along the path of income convergence, the EBRD regions will have to push through tough fiscal and structural reforms, develop local capital markets, better husband its energy resources and diversify away from dependence on commodities.

The EBRD is well placed to help them meet those challenges.
Accelerating the digital transition, 2021-25 In its five-year Strategic and Capital Framework (SCF 2021-25), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) committed for the first time to using the digital transition as an enabler of transition in all of the economies and sectors in which it invests.1 In this paper, the Bank sets out a framework for delivering on this commitment. Read paper

Access to Information Policy The Access to Information Policy sets out the EBRDs commitment to transparency and disclosure based on the principles of Transparency, Accountability, Good Governance and Client Responsibility to Affected Stakeholders, describes the principles of implementation arrangements as well as contains a limited list of exceptions to disclosure and corresponding overrides. Learn more

Addressing staff grievances The Grievance Procedures and the Appeals Procedures establish a graduated and defined three-tier appeal mechanism under which a staff member can seek redress of any administrative decision that adversely affects him or her. View policy



Anti-terrorist statement The EBRD will not provide financing or award any contract for the supply of goods, works or services to any person or entity that, according to the UN Security Council and/or the counter-terrorism subsidiary bodies of the Security Council, is or may be supporting terrorist activities. Learn more

Approval of new governance policies On 7 May 2014, the EBRD Board of Directors approved revisions to three major governance policies: the Environmental and Social Policy, Public Information Policy, and Project Complaint Mechanism Rules of Procedure. Learn more

Capital Resources Review The EBRDs operations during the CRR4 period 2011-2015 will be guided by the strategic objectives endorsed by the Board of Governors at the 2009 Annual Meeting in London. A significant focus will be placed on tackling energy efficiency, climate change and helping to ensure energy security, as well as accelerating transition in the infrastructure sectors in the Banks countries of operations.

Learn more

The EBRDs Engagement with Civil Society: Roadmap (2017-20) This paper outlines the way in which the EBRDs engagement with civil society supports the priorities of the Banks Strategic and Capital Framework (SCF), namely promoting economic resilience, fostering regional integration and addressing regional/global challenges. Looking ahead to 2020, the Roadmap also outlines how civil society engagement can go even further to support the Banks efforts to reenergise transition, promote the qualities of a well-functioning market economy in line with the revised transition concept, as well as address key challenges faced by civil society in the EBRD region. This paper was approved by the Banks Strategy and Policy Committee on 21 December 2016.

Learn more

Codes of conduct Code of conduct for EBRD personnel English | Russian | French | German Code of Conduct for Officials of the Board of Directors of the EBRD English | Russian | French | German

Common Performance Assessment Report The African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank are making good progress in adopting Managing for Development Results (MfDR) practices. These MfDR practices aim to improve the design, implementation, and evaluation of strategies and operations with a view to achieving relevant development results. Learn more

Conduct and Disciplinary Rules and Procedures The Conduct and Disciplinary Rules and Procedures of the EBRD consists of rules and procedures for reporting and investigating suspected staff misconduct and for imposing disciplinary measures when misconduct has been established. Read procedures

Domiciliation of EBRD clients The EBRD supports international efforts to discourage money laundering, terrorism financing, tax evasion and other harmful tax practices. In that context, this Policy sets out the conditions under which the EBRD may finance a project when the borrower, the investee or a controlling entity is located in a third jurisdiction, i.e., a jurisdiction other than the country of operations where the project is located. This Policy was approved in January 2019, in response to developments in international tax policy, and entered into force on 1 July 2019 (superseding the policy that was approved in December 2013). VIEW POLICY

Economic Inclusion Strategy Economic inclusion and inequality have become defining political, social and economic issues shaping the EBRD region today.This is the EBRDs first Economic Inclusion Strategy that follows the update of the Banks transition concept that defined economic inclusion as one of the key qualities of a sustainable market economy. The EIS solidifies the EBRDs strong commitment to enhancing economic inclusion through its distinct private sector led approach in partnership with its clients and policy stakeholders. In this context, the Strategy draws on the Banks Environmental and Social Policy and aligns with the Strategy for the Promotion of Gender Equality (SPGE). Strategy

Report on public comments

Enforcement policy and procedures The Enforcement Policy and Procedures (EPP) of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD or the Bank) set out the Banks policy and procedures for processing allegations of fraud, corruption, collusion, coercion, obstruction, theft or misuse of the Banks resources or Banks assets in relation to activities and projects financed from the Banks ordinary capital resources (including the purchase of the goods, works or services for the Bank) or from Special Funds resources, or from cooperation funds administered by the Bank. View policy

Environmental and social procedures The EBRD is directed by its founding agreement to adhere to sound banking principles and to "promote in the full range of its activities environmentally sound and sustainable development". The various ways in which the EBRD promotes such development are described in the Bank's Environmental and Social Policy.



One specific step taken by the Bank to address this mandate and the General Principles and Objectives set out in the Policy is to ensure that all of its investment and technical co-operation projects undergo environmental appraisal along with the financial, economic, legal and technical due diligence which is carried out, and ensure appropriate monitoring is undertaken following approval of projects by the Board of Directors. For this the Bank has developed Environmental and Social Procedures. VIEW PROCEDURES

Environmental and Social Policy The Environmental and Social Policy is one of the Banks three good governance policies and a key document that guides the EBRDs commitment to promoting environmentally sound and sustainable development in the full range of its investment and technical cooperation activities. It sets out the ways in which we implement this commitment in practice and on our projects. View policy

Equality of Opportunity Strategy 2021-2025

Ethnic minorities and the EBRD This paper explores the political aspects of the Banks mandate in relation to ethnic minority rights and suggests the Banks future approach. It does so because of the threat to democratic and economic progress from increasing tension in the Banks region of operations between many minority groups and their countries governments, and also from threats to peace between separate countries. The approach taken is to consider the status of international and regional protection of the human rights of individuals belonging to minorities, particularly through those bodies or instruments cited in the Agreement Establishing the European Bank and in the Banks policy paper on Procedures to Implement the Political Aspects of the Mandate of the European Bank. View paper
This past Saturday morning, the electors of the Democratic National Committee narrowly selected former Obama administration Labor Secretary Tom Perez to be their new Chair. It was a very close vote of 54-46%. The Michigan delegation all voted for Ellison in the second round of voting and only one person voted for someone besides Ellison in the first round.

In his first act as Chair, Perez gave Ellison the position of Deputy Chair, a new position created especially for Ellison, acknowledging his important role in the organization and ensuring he will have a voice in leadership into the future.

In a press conference following the vote, Ellison spoke directly to his supporters. We dont have the luxury to walk out of this room divided, he told them. When speaking to reporters later, the two sported each others campaign buttons in a clear sign of unity.

Addressing reporters with Mr. Ellison after the election, Mr. Perez vowed to shift the committee from its overriding focus on presidential politics. Were no longer simply the committee that helps elect the president; were the committee that helps to ensure were electing people up and down the Democratic ticket, he said, switching to Spanish for a time. Neither of the two, by this point wearing each others campaign buttons, laid out Mr. Ellisons role at the party, but they intimated that they had discussed joining forces before the vote. Directly appealing to his disappointed supporters, Mr. Ellison said, If they trust me, they need to come on and trust Tom Perez as well.

I was on the record as supporting Keith Ellison. As we talked about in the opening segment of our podcast this week, I believe this was a missed opportunity for the DNC. I feel strongly that both men represent a move to a more progressive party. Given that, Ellison would have been able to bring his supporters, many of whom pinned any hope of being united with the Party on Ellison being elected to the Chair position. This influx of new energy and new ideas is crucial the growth of the Party, in my opinion. With Ellisons strong background in grassroots organizing, there was, simply put, no reason for me not to support him.

The fact that he lost by such a narrow margin is, for some of his supporters, irrelevant. In the days since the election, its clear that this was the final straw for many self-described Berniecrats who have now sworn to leave the Party because their candidate lost by a mere 35 votes  just 8% of the total votes. This, some of the say, is clear evidence that the DNC is full of establishment elites who will not learn their lesson.

Though I feel that this was a missed opportunity, I also entirely reject the notion that Perezs narrow victory means the DNC has sold out to corporate interests or has forsaken the progressive movement. The fact is Tom Perez is a progressive lion with a catalog of important achievements in areas so many of us care so deeply about as progressives whether we supported Sec. Clinton or Sen. Sanders in the Democratic primary.

David Corn, who nobody would mistake for anything but a dyed-in-the-wool progressive, wrote a great explainer at Mother Jones titled Why Tom Perez Is a Strong Competitor Against Keith Ellison in the Democratic Party Race. In it, he describes the two men (who are close friends) as battle-hardened and experienced progressives with much to offer their partisan comrades. This wing-versus-wing dustup, says Corn, is unfortunate for the party.

The rhetoric coming from those who are angry to the point of #DemExit is, in some ways, nonsensical. In the days and months leading up to the election, they saw Keith Ellison as a strong-willed and talented visionary who was the only candidate who could change the direction of the Democratic Party in the right direction. Then, when he accepted the newly-created leadership position, many of them saw it as token gesture with no real meaning. What makes this nonsensical to me is the idea that Ellison is a strong-willed visionary one day and weak-willed capitulator the next. This latter view is not one supported by Ellisons accomplishments in the realm of politics.

The idea that Ellisons new role is demeaning because it never existed before is also nonsensical. This DNC Chair election may be the most closely-watched match up in DNC history. Ellisons supporters and others are watching this like hawks. Tom Perez knows this and its simply not logical to think that he is setting up a friend, someone he has publicly and repeatedly praised and respected, to be played for a fool. Its also not logical to think that a man with the moral convictions of Keith Ellison, someone with his strong background of speaking truth to power, would EVER allow himself to be put into that position.

So we find ourselves with two men, one a Latino and one a black Muslim, at the helm of the Democratic Party. Both men share the bond of friendship along with deep and abiding progressive values. The fact that the top two contenders are this progressive is proof that the Overton Window into the Democratic Party has shifted decisively to the left.

As someone who supported Keith Ellison, Im disappointed that my candidate didnt win. But the more I learn about Tom Perez, the more satisfied I am that he will be a tremendous progressive champion and that the position he created specifically so that Ellison can continue to have a voice is not some sort of denigrating insult.

One final thing: In a beautiful moment of trolling of Pr*sident Trump, Ellison is bringing Perez as his guest when Trump speaks to Congress later today. As Perez told Trump in a tweet, Democrats united across the country will be Donald Trumps worst nightmare:

Call me Tom. And don't get too happy. @keithellison and I, and Democrats united across the country, will be your worst nightmare. https://t.co/fu7WvLofrD  Tom Perez (@TomPerez) February 25, 2017

*Donald Trump is the biggest loser of the popular vote to ever hold the office of President of the United States of America.
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 Zak S.
By Sami Yassa

A pre-eminent think tank in the United Kingdom, Chatham House, issued a seminal report last week challenging a fundamental assumption underlying European renewable energy policy: that burning forest biomass to produce electricity is carbon neutral. The report, Woody Biomass for Power and Heat: Impacts on the Global Climate, finds that many forms of forest-derived biopower are likely increasing carbon pollution rather than reducing emissions and calls for restrictions on existing government incentives for the biomass industry in the EU.

The context for this analysis is a cross-Atlantic dirty energy boom, fueled by misplaced subsidies intended to promote clean energy. Currently energy companies are cutting U.S. forests and producing wood pellets to export to EU markets, claiming that biomass fuel is clean and renewable. These exports are driven by generous EU renewable energy subsidies that erroneously reward all forest biomass as carbon-neutralequivalent to non-polluting sources like solar and wind energy. In other words, when counting carbon pollution at a biomass power plant, EU regulators treat the discharge from the smokestack as zero carbon, even though biomass combustion releases carbon emissions at levels comparable to fossil fuels.

The Chatham House report is the capstone to a growing body of peer-reviewed scientific analysesincluding the UK governments own modelingthat show forest biomass is not carbon neutral. It underscores that in many cases forest biomass produces more emissions than fossil fuels and these emissions persist in the atmosphere for decades.

The report provides exhaustive research and deliberate reasoning to debunk the industry-promoted myths underlying the EUs misplaced carbon-neutrality assumptions. Here are a few of their top-line conclusions and recommendations:

Biomass Plants Pollute at the Smokestack at Levels Comparable to Fossil Fuels.

Since wood has a lower energy content compared with fossil fuels while also having a higher moisture content, its combustion for energy usually emits more carbon per unit of energy produced than fossil fuels. The Chatham House study, citing numbers from the IPCC confirms this fact:

 in most circumstances, comparing technologies of similar ages, the use of woody biomass for energy will release higher levels of emissions than coal and considerably higher levels than gas.

Burning Biomass Produces a Carbon Debt Which is Not Automatically Offset by Forest Regrowth.

The report goes on to underscore a fundamental flaw underlying the arguments of biomass proponents: namely, since forests can regenerate over time and sequester carbon in the process, this regrowth balances or offsets the stack emissions produced by burning wood for energy. The report rejects this overly simplistic error and instead stresses that biomass burning creates a carbon debtexcess carbon in the atmosphereand that the intensity and duration of this debt depends on the type of forest biomass burned (for example, whole trees versus logging residues versus mill waste). In sum it confirms the findings of many prior scientific inquiries that not all biomass is created equal and burning whole trees in particular is always detrimental to climate.

The harvesting of whole trees for energy will in almost all circumstances increase net carbon emissions very substantially compared to using fossil fuels. This is because of the loss of future carbon sequestration from the growing treesparticularly from mature trees in old-growth forests, whose rate of carbon absorption can be very highand of the loss of soil carbon consequent upon the disturbance.

The use of sawmill residues for energy has lower impacts because it involves no additional harvesting; it is waste from other operations of the wood industry. The impact will be most positive for the climate if they are burnt on-site for energy without any associated transport or processing emissions.

While wood pellet manufacturers in the U.S. southeast claim that most of their wood pellets are produced with residues, the report shows that about three quarters of the pellets from the southern U.S. came from whole trees and residues accounted for only a quarter.

Time Scale Matters

These two examples from the study show that when biomass is burned it releases carbon emissions immediately and this carbon debt lasts anywhere from a few years to many decades (often called the payback period)depending upon the type of feedstock used. But carbon emissions from burning forest biomass will have real consequences for climate in the near termand not just some distant future 100 years from now. These near-term tipping points include melting glaciers, sea level rise, disruptions to agricultural systems and effects on human health. So only those feedstocks that reduce emissions in the short term will provide climate benefits. The Chatham House study confirms this finding:

Some have argued that the length of the carbon payback period does not matter as long as all emissions are eventually absorbed. This ignores the potential impact in the short term on climate tipping points (a concept for which there is some evidence) and on the worlds ability to meet the target set in the 2015 Paris agreement to limit temperature increase to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels, which requires greenhouse gas emissions to peak in the near term. This suggests that only biomass energy with the shortest carbon payback periods should be eligible for financial and regulatory support.

Sustainable Forestry Does Not Mean Carbon Neutrality

Many biomass proponents like to argue that biomass fuel sourced from a region where the net forest growth is positive or where sustainable forestry is practicedis carbon neutral. Such logic is nonsense. Rates of forest growth simply cannot detect, quantify or reflect the carbon emissions from an individual biomass-burning facility and it does not establish a proper baseline for accounting or a cause-and-effect between the power plant and the regions forests. The Chatham House study flatly debunks this industry myth:

It is often argued that biomass emissions should be considered to be zero at the point of combustion because carbon has been absorbed during the growth of the trees, either because the timber is harvested from a sustainably managed forest, or because forest area as a whole is increasing (at least in Europe and North America).

These arguments are not credible. They ignore what happens to the wood after it is harvested (emissions will be different if the wood is burnt or made into products) and the carbon sequestration forgone from harvesting the trees that if left unharvested would have continued to grow and absorb carbon. The evidence suggests that this is true even for mature trees, which absorb carbon at a faster rate than young trees.

Among the reports many recommendations, three stand out as rejecting the fundamental carbon neutrality assumption underlying the EUs Renewable Energy Directive and restricting financial support only to biomass feedstocks that actually reduce carbon emissions in the short termmill residues and post-consumer waste.

It is not valid to claim that because trees absorb carbon as they grow, the emissions from burning them can be ignored.

The provision of financial or regulatory support to biomass energy on the grounds of its contribution to mitigating climate change should be limited only to those feedstocks that reduce carbon emissions over the short term.

In practice, this means that support should be restricted to sawmill residues, together with post-consumer waste. Burning slower-decaying forest residues or whole trees means that carbon emissions stay higher for decades than if fossil fuels had been used.

Burning forest biomass is not a climate solution. It often worsens climate change by emitting more carbon than burning coal. These findings have now been corroborated by an established UK institution with a history of independent and rigorous research. It should serve as a wake-up call to policymakers in both the UK and EU that their renewables incentives and subsidies aimed at reducing carbon emissions from power plants arein the case of forest biomass powerlikely having the opposite effect and making our climate problems worse.

Sami Yassa is a senior scientist for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

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Former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official Jess Rowland may have to testify over claims that he covered up evidence that glyphosate, the main ingredient in Monsantos top-selling herbicide Roundup, could cause cancer.

A federal judge said at a hearing in San Francisco on Monday that he is likely to grant the deposition of Rowland, a key figure named in multi-district cancer lawsuits alleging that Monsanto failed to warn about the cancer risks associated with exposure to glyphosate.

My reaction is when you consider the relevance of the EPAs reports, and you consider their relevance to this litigation, it seems appropriate to take Jess Rowlands deposition, U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria said at the hearing.

At hearing today judge in cancer victims V. @MonsantoCo Roundup #glyphosate litigation poised to grant deposition of key @EPA official.  carey gillam  ? (@careygillam) February 28, 2017

The plaintiffs lawyers argue that Rowland had a highly suspicious relationship with Monsanto, Bloomberg reported.

Rowland, a former deputy division director at the EPA, chaired the agencys Cancer Assessment Review Committee (CARC). The CARC determined that glyphosate was not likely to be carcinogenic to humans, which differs from the International Agency for Research on Cancer conclusion that glyphosate was a probable human carcinogen. Rowland left the agency just days after a copy of the CARC report was leaked to the press in May 2016.

This new development in the caseRoundup Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2741, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (San Francisco)is yet another litigious nightmare for the St. Louis-based agrochemical giant, which is pending acquisition from Bayer AG. Incidentally, the German pharmaceutical company recently signaled that its $66 billion mega-merger with Monsanto may face delays amid regulatory concerns.

In response, Monsanto insisted that glyphosate is safe and does not cause cancer.

While we empathize with anyone facing these terrible illnesses, there is no evidence that glyphosate is the cause, Scott Partridge, Monsantos Vice President of Global Strategy, said in a statement published by Bloomberg. The very long and well-established history of safe glyphosate useover 40 years in more than 160 countriesshows clearly that these claims are supported neither by the science nor the facts.

As U.S. Right to Know reported, the litigation involves more than 60 plaintiffs accusing Monsanto of covering up evidence that Roundup herbicide could cause cancer. The plaintiffs, all of whom are suffering from non-Hodgkins lymphoma or lost a loved one to the disease, have asserted in recent court filings that Monsanto wielded significant influence within the EPAs Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), and had close ties specifically to Rowland, who until last year was deputy division director within the health effects division of the OPP.

Judge Blocks Monsanto's Bid to Stop California From Listing Glyphosate as Carcinogenic https://t.co/srYsV0fmtA @justlabelit @GMWatch  EcoWatch (@EcoWatch) January 30, 2017

A Feb. 10 court filing includes correspondence dated March 4, 2013, from a 30-year career EPA scientist Marion Copley accusing Rowland of playing political conniving games with the science to favor pesticide companies such as Monsanto.

Citing evidence from animal studies, Copley wrote, It is essentially certain that glyphosate causes cancer. Copley went on to say that Rowland and another official intimidated staff into changing reports related to the glyphosate findings.

According to Bloomberg, Raven M. Norris, a lawyer at the U.S. Attorneys Office in San Francisco representing the EPA, said it was premature to take Rowlands testimony.

The EPA has until March 28 to file written arguments opposing Rowlands deposition.
Here are summaries of recent annual addresses by governors around the country.

Montana

Gov. Steve Bullock (D)  Jan. 24

In his third State of the State address , Bullock urged the legislature to fund early-childhood education, proposing a $12 million preschool grant program for low-income 4-year-olds.

Like the other 45 states that have implemented state funding for preschool, we know this works, he said. It costs us not to invest in kids.

In Bullocks last proposed budget, he asked for $37 million for publicly funded preschool, which the legislature voted down. The governor said in his address that the state still made progress through a federal grantlast year, more than 650 children from low- to moderate-income families attended high-quality preschool.

Bullock also asked the legislature to add about $1.5 million to the states $42.9 million base of special education funding, and to invest $2 million toward internet connectivity in schools. And he touted the states all-time-high graduation rate of 86 percent and an increase in schools with internet access.

Madeline Will

Texas

Gov. Greg Abbott (R)  Jan. 31

Pledging to empower parents, Abbott used his address to trumpet a plan that would let residents use public money to send children to private schools. His administration has failed in the past to win passage of legislation that would grant families access to vouchers for tuition at nonpublic schools. He gave no details during the speech, but is backing legislation that would base the amount available through an education savings account on family income.

Abbott also focused on school finance, calling on legislators to overhaul the states funding system. Hundreds of districts and charter schools challenged the formula before the state supreme court last year, arguing that the state doesnt spend enough money to educate its 5 million public school students. The court deemed the funding system barely constitutional.

Noting that Texas leads the nation in teacher-student sexual assaults, Abbott also urged lawmakers to pass legislation that would strip the licenses of teachers convicted of such crimes and set up safeguards to prevent offenders from landing new jobs in the state.

Corey Mitchell

Utah

Gov. Gary Herbert (R)  Jan. 25

In his seventh State of the State address , Herbert announced the creation of Talent Ready Utah, a collaboration among the governors office of economic development and state education officials that aims to help fill 40,000 new high-skill, high-paying jobs over the next four years.

Business leaders, parents, and educators from across Utah are also very close to uniting on an innovative 10-year plan for kindergarten through post-high school, Herbert said.

He also touted Utahs high school graduation rate, which has risen from 75 percent to 85 percent since 2009.

Benjamin Herold

West Virginia

Gov. Jim Justice (D)  Feb. 8

The governor acknowledged his states education woes"Weve proven how to be dead last"in a folksy, no-notes State of the State speech that outlined the remedies he intends to champion.

Justice proposed a 2 percent raise for teachers and said he was ashamed that it couldnt be more. In his proposed budget, Justice recommended saving $3.5 million by eliminating state funds to eight regional education service agencies.

Beyond that, he proposed that Smarter Balanced assessments be thrown in the trash can and replaced with the ACT. And the current A-F school grading system should be jettisoned, too, he said.

Education can be a revenue producer, the governor said, because businesses want to go where your kids are going to be educated the best. If state residents could create an education mecca in West Virginia, honest to Pete, people would come, and you couldnt beat them away, he said.

Michele Molnar
I left corporate America more than 10 years ago to join the education reform movement. I took an administrative leadership position within a high-performing charter network because, as a first-generation college graduate, I knew firsthand the power of education to shape ones life trajectory. I wanted to be part of the solution to improve public education for all children, and charter schools seemed a promising catalyst to transform public schools.

A decade later, my passion for the movement has changed. Somewhere along the way, the narrative of charter schools seemed to shift from inspire and innovate to why cant all schools succeed? The goal switched from establishing a proof point to gaining market share.

I had not joined the education reform movement to fight for charter expansion. And I definitely didnt join because I believed teachers in traditional public schools were less talented, motivated, or passionate educators than teachers in charter schools, or that they cared more about their jobs and pensions than the children they teach.

The discourse on public education has boiled down to a war between reformers and teachers unions, and the arguments on both sides serve as examples of reductive reasoning at its worst.

The options presented to reformers: Save public schools, or proliferate charters? Give parents the right to choose high-quality schools, or let kids languish on waiting lists? Believe poverty does not determine a childs academic achievement, or that poverty must be fixed before low-income kids can learn? Those leaders holding the mic on both sides of the argument have limited the conversation to a false dichotomy that pits educators against one another.

As a past education reformer who still supports charters and as a progressive thinker who cant stomach the rhetoric of either side, I wonder when we will wake up and realize that we are having the wrong conversation.

Even the staunchest charter proponents dont suggest that charters can grow to serve all children who attend underperforming schools in urban districts. If the true goal of education reform is to bring high-quality education to all children, reformers should bow out of the ideological wars and elevate the discourse on urban public education. They must craft a more inclusive narrative that restores charters original purpose as inspirational models and uplifts teachers in traditional public schools as partners in a common struggle to improve education.

I wonder when we will wake up and realize that we are having the wrong conversation."

Why? Because the state of public education in America is a reflection of the state of our larger society. The inequalities found in public education are no more unjust than those found in our employment, health, housing, and criminal-justice systems. A true education reform movement should extend beyond school walls and address not only the achievement gap measured by standardized tests, but also the social, economic, and racial injustices that affect childrens lives.

I long to be part of a reform movement that pushes for change while exercising humility and acknowledging the role history, policy, racism, bureaucracy, and funding play in keeping public education separate and unequal for African-American children. Instead, we should be willing to press pause on growth plans to address the real impact of reformers actions on the communities they serve and districts in which they operate.

The success of charter schools was made possible through vast philanthropic support that spans the political spectrum. In my home state of Illinois, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner is an avid charter supporter who has contributed millions to charters and boasts a namesake school on Chicagos West Side. Since taking office in 2015, he has single-handedly held the state budget hostage until the demands of his pro-business turnaround agenda are met. As a result, funding of basic social services has been decimated, child-care vouchers for low-income parents have been eliminated, and promised grants to low-income college students have been placed on hold .

These safety-net programs provide critical supports to low-income families served by charter schools and have a direct impact on the educational outcomes of Illinois children. The irony of the governors actions is not rare among charter funders, with U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos defining the extreme.

Education reformers can no longer turn a blind eye to the impact of powerful charter supporters actions on the children they are trying to serve. For too long, the reform movement has remained silent on issues beyond school walls, focusing advocacy efforts and support solely on issues and politicians in favor of choice. This comes at the expense of the greater socioeconomic interests of students and families. In 2017, the stakes are too high to remain politically neutral in the name of choice.

Let us wake up and realize that educators in charters and traditional public schools are working amid the same gross economic and social inequalities. We as a country are facing challenges no single faction can tackle alone. The stakes are too high to continue to fight on opposite sides of a false dichotomy that, if won by either side, would still fail to bring high-quality education to all students.

It is time for reformers to join in solidarity with teachers unions, who are already on the front lines. Together, they must start a new conversation rooted in the belief that the possibilities for increasing educational equity are abundant and not limited to the choices placed before them now.
Cairo, 27 February 2017  The World Health Organization (WHO) is scaling up its response in Somalia to provide critical health services for 1.5 million people currently affected by severe drought conditions and a worsening food crisis. However, the Organization urgently requires US$ 10 million as part of the United Nations appeal for the first 6 months of 2017.

The humanitarian situation in Somalia continues to deteriorate, and there is a high risk that the country will face its third famine in 25 years. More than 6.2 million people  half of the total population  are in urgent need of humanitarian aid, including almost 3 million facing a food security crisis. Nearly 5.5 million people are at risk of contracting waterborne diseases, more than half of whom are women and children under 5 years of age.

Acute drought in many parts of Somalia has reduced the availability of clean water sources, and the food crisis has given way to malnutrition. More than 363 000 acutely malnourished children and 70 000 severely malnourished children are in need of urgent and life-saving support. According to United Nations estimates, if the current situation food and security continues, these numbers are estimated to double in 2017.

Drought conditions have increased the spread of epidemic-prone diseases such as acute watery diarrhoea, cholera and measles. In the first 7 weeks of 2017, over 6000 cases and 65 deaths by acute watery diarrhoea/ cholera have been reported, and a total of 2578 cases of suspected measles were reported as of September 2016.

Somalia is now at a critical point as a result of this drought and environmental hazards and lack of basic services, said WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Mahmoud Fikri. Less than half of the population in Somalia has access to basic health services. WHO is providing all possible support to address the ongoing challenges and reduce the dire consequences of drought and pre-famine. WHO Regional Office rapid response teams have been deployed to reinforce support in the areas of emergency response, disease outbreaks, health systems and nutrition.

WHOs Regional Office has delivered medicines and medical supplies to health facilities in drought-affected areas. A total of 265 sentinel sites are providing enhanced surveillance for epidemic-prone diseases such as cholera and measles. Cholera treatment centres have been established in 40 districts to manage cases of severe acute watery diarrhoea/ cholera.

The United Nations has launched an appeal for US$ 825 million for the first half of 2017 for the pre-famine response, of which US$ 85 million is required by the health sector, including US$ 10 million required by WHO.

For more information:

Rana Sidani

Senior Communication Officer

Direct: +20 2 22765552

Mobile: +20 1099756506

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Overseas aid, red meat, apprenticeships to be discussed in HoK



Ayre and Michael MHK Tim Baker will ask about the Government's donation to Syrian refugees.

The overseas aid budget, red meat and apprenticeships will be discussed in the House of Keys this morning.

Ayre and Michael MHK Tim Baker wants to know how the Government's decision to award almost 1m to Syrian refugees will reduce aid to other organisations.

Health Minister Kate Beecroft will be asked to give details about the amount of locally-produced red meat serviced by the Government's catering services, while the growth of apprenticeships will also be discussed.

The sitting gets underway from 10am.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have seemingly gone back and forth with their issues, particularly with a potential divorce from the popular couple. Despite being one of the most influential worldwide couples to date, it is said that the two have been going through a rather rough patch, majorly affecting their children's welfare.

Both Kanye and Kim seemingly have their fair share of shortcomings in terms of treating each other well-in this case, it is said that Kardashian is the one who wants out. Many claims all over the web say that it was back in December when the last straw was seemingly drawn, but still ended up otherwise.

According to Daily Mail, Kanye West allegedly took the wrong amount of medication after the attack on Kim Kardashian in late 2016, pointing to the rapper's breakdown on November 10 of that year. Basically, West did not take the drugs made for him, and is now being watched constantly to make sure he does so. Kim, on the other hand, was said to think that Kanye was not on her side when she needed it him most, presumably becoming one of the reasons behind Kim's negativities towards their relationship.

It was also notable that Kanye is under outpatient care and is away from Kim, and his behavior since was considerably outrageous. Kanye was reported on having massive outbursts during his concerts, as well as cancelling all the lined up stops on the "Life of Pablo" tour. The two, according to RadarOnline, are almost beyond each other's control and can collapse anytime soon-but Kim may think otherwise. It was said that Kim is not ready to give Kanye the boot just yet, and likes the fact that Kanye is getting help.

After the gunpoint robbery that happened to Kim, it was confirmed that she does not want to travel along the European territories just yet. The other end of the party, however, aims to revive the tour but with no further details just yet. Is Kanye really the cause of a possible divorce between them? Keep posted for more news and updates.
Ever since the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 fiasco in 2016, Samsung has been treading lightly when it comes to matters of the Note 7 and its successors. There was a rumor suggesting that the tech giant might reconsider the Note lineup and stop it completely after its customers lost confidence in them. However, that did not stop fans from speculating that a new Samsung Galaxy Note 8 might come out in 2017.

Samsung ever since has been trying its very best to come up with marketing strategies to fuel its Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge sales. Now, it seems like the reigning king of phablets is coming back to dominate the markets in 2017. Samsung Galaxy Note 8 news and rumors suggest that the phone company is going to unveil the new phablet by April 2017.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is codenamed "Baikal" by the South Korean tech giant. The phone would be coming with a curved infinity display with gorilla glass protection. The phone would also come with a massive 256-gigabyte storage option and might be having a microSD card slot.

Other Samsung Galaxy Note 8 rumors suggest that the phone will be VR capable and would provide an immersive VR experience with its 4K display. Under the hood, the phone would be powered by a top of the line Snapdragon 835 chipset coupled with a massive 6 gigabyte of RAM.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 updates the camera module to a dual lens camera, with one of the lens being a wide angle like the LG G5. It would also have an IP68 certification, which means it would be dust and water resistant.

The phone would be coming with Samsung's own digital assistant called Bixby, which will be present in the upcoming flagships. Just like the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 would also have an iris scanner.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 rumors also suggest that the S Pen might get updated, and might come with speakers. The screen size would be a massive 6.2-inch and a bezel-less design.

PhoneArena reports that the handset might be coming anytime after 20th April, after it has been showcased at the end of March. Stay tuned for more Samsung Galaxy Note 8 news and updates.
Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux is at the center of divorce rumors these days. Reports say that a third party ruined the couple's marriage and that they have separated already.

These rumors are not new as this same stories have been surfacing since last year but apparently, they were proven wrong. However, this time, the status of Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux marriage is uncertain.

MStars News also mentioned that the "Friends" star and her husband has grown apart due to their respective schedules. As a proof, many pointed out that Aniston has been going to events alone in the past couple of months.

Today, reports claimed that the pair is really heading for divorce because Justin Theroux was caught cheating his wife with Naomi Watts. Sources supposedly revealed the actor/director and the model were spotted at an event in New York. It was said that they appeared to be flirting and when the news reached Aniston, she just flared up.

It was added that the actress saw all the photos of her husband and Watts, while they were getting extra cozy with each other, and Aniston's patience really hit the limit. As a result, she decided to end her barely 2-year marriage.

"Jen was absolutely livid when she saw photos of Justin and Naomi. They looked way too close for Jen's liking, and they had a major screaming match over the phone," Korea Portal quoted the alleged source as saying. "The problems in their marriage are so severe that Jen was afraid that he will file for divorce right around her birthday and it is her worst nightmare."

On the other side of the Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux divorce story, it was said that it was Theroux who will be filing the divorce because he supposedly cannot stand Aniston's insecurities and false accusations anymore. Likewise, after an argument over the phone, it was assumed that the actor realized that he will not be able to put up with his wife's suspicions so it would be better to go on their separate ways.

Then again, just a few days after these Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux divorce rumors surfaced once again, the couple was spotted at Vanity Fair's Oscars bash. Daily Mail UK reported that the husband and wife looked so in love as ever when they showed up at the party in Beverly Hills which took place on Feb. 26.

To conclude, the rumors about the Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux divorce are not true. There is no question that they are still together, as proven at the recent Oscar's after-party.
Larry Nassar, the former gymnastics doctor, has been accused of molestation by around 30 female young athletes. The doctor was once considered as the best but now, people are coming out to testify how they were sexually abused during the time that they were actively training.

With the mounting number of victims, Larry Nassar was arraigned on Feb. 24 with 25 counts of sexual misconduct. Apparently, the doctor used his position as the official physician of the gymnasts with whom he molested under the guise of medical treatment.

So far, five of the victims were discovered to be under 13 years old while the rest were between 13 and 16 when the abuse happened. At that time, Larry Nassar was still a faculty member and a doctor at the Michigan State University. He worked there from 1997 to 2016 as he was fired after the allegations came to light.

Although the doctor pleaded not guilty, his victims who were gymnasts pointed at him as the man who mistreated them for years. Nine of the victims who are adults now recalled that they were sexually assaulted during medical appointments. They said that the doctor performed digital vaginal or anal penetration to them, without consent.

According to NBC News, attorney general Bill Schuette stated that even if there are already more than 80 girls and women who have stepped out, many more are expected to come forward to file their complaints against Larry Nassar.

"This guy is disgusting. This guy is despicable," Schuette described the accused man as the charges against him were stated. The attorney general added, "He is a monster."

BVT News further reported that Larry Nassar is facing a total of 25 sexual assault charges and this is on top of three child pornography complaints in federal court. Just for the first three sex charges, the judge ruled that evidences are enough for the doctor's trial to proceed. If convicted, he may spend the next 40 years of his life in jail.

Dr. Larry Nassar was a known physician whose medical specialty was treating hip and back issues of female gymnasts. For almost two decades, he "treated" young athletes who trained at Michigan State University and the USA Gymnastics organization.
It looks like fans won't miss the vampire world that much as "The Originals" Season 4 will be quickly released a week after "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 ends. In fact, The CW now drops new teaser photos of the "TVD" spinoff giving a glimpse of what viewers are about to see in its premiere episode.

The promotional snaps are from the first episode of "The Originals" Season 4, TV Line reported. Here, fans will see Klaus (Joseph Morgan) and Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) in a tense scene.

In fact, in the pictures from the set of "The Originals" Season 4, Marcel is seen holding a curved blade. In another photo, Klaus is caught sitting on the ground as the role of Charles Michael Davis' hostage.

There is also a snap where Marcel and Klaus are seen eyeing each other while the latter is in chains. Aside from the two, "The Originals" Season 4 teaser photos showed Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) sitting at the bar. Lastly, she, too, is spotted with Keelin as they seem seriously talking.

Moreover, "The Originals" Season 4 will be featuring a five-year time jump, Just Jared Jr. noted. "On the fifth anniversary of Klaus' defeat, Marcel is king of the city and welcomes the un-sired vampires to New Orleans," the official synopsis read.

However, these vampires have posed a threat to Marcel's rule unintentionally, thus the new king gets the support of an "unlikely source." Hayley, on the other hand, is about to find the cure to revive Elijah (Daniel Gillies) and the Mikaelsons in "The Originals" Season 4.

Hayley, too, has to make a hard decision to surpass the final part of her task. The first episode of "The Originals" Season 4 is set to be released on March 17 on Freeform after "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 officially bid its final goodbye.


The Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick drama have still not played out fully. The pair is pretty relevant and significant even now. Media circles speculate that though Kourtney has been "down" since she broke up with Scott, she is beginning to move away into a more self-destructive mode.There are suspicious rumors that she is drinking heavily too.

However, other circles in the media do not believe one word of the rumors regarding Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick. Even though she is said to be into a self-destruction mode, it hasn't happened earlier. Whenever she was said to have broken up with Scott Disick, she always seemed to bounce back. Every quarrel with the actor could not automatically point towards a break-up, say media circles.

Just last month, after Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick returned from a vacation together, Kourtney shattered the public image of the happy family, according to Life&Style. She picked up a few lines from The Weeknd song: "Tell me how to love, it's been so long," Kourtney mused. "You're only looking for attention/The only problem is you'll never get enough."

Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick's relationship took another turn when his trip to Dubai put him out of her reach. Their ties began to weaken again. Kourtney was having a fling with a young model and boxer Younis Bendjima, while Scott Disick was shacking up with ex-girlfriend and celebrity stylist Chloe Bartoli, according to In Touch.

However, it was found that the rumors of Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick drinking heavily were more rumors than facts. With Scott Disick deciding to drink heavily, his marriage with Kourtney Kardashian seemed to crumble. But Kourtney was the one who was said to be more "stable" in her "lunatic" family, or even in her crazy coupling with Scott. As she knows that her children's health and safety depend upon her sanity, she certainly cannot afford to plumb into the depths of drinking or decide to get into public substance abuse. She has tried her best to remain sober in every circumstance.

The point is, that the rumors about Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick might just be empty gossip merely to generate interest in her private life. After all, alcohol abuse and a crumbling marriage are hot issues, even if they have been repeated, as her case shows.

YouTube/Hollywood Life
"Prison Break" Season 5 series creator has been teasing fans on social media on what to expect of the hit serial drama. Fans are apprehensive that there confirmed deaths among the characters.

According to some reports, Wentworth Miller will be back on "Prison Break" Season 5 but not to reprise his role. Now, fans are wondering, if Wentworth Miller will not be Michael Scofield, then who will he be? Such speculation came from Paul T. Scheuring's tweet that says Michael is dead and he cannot be hurt. He also teased that whoever will be the character of Wentworth Miller could possibly get hurt in season 5.

"Prison Break" Season 5 series creator, Paul T. Scheuring, has teased fans about deaths of certain characters. Will Michael Scofield be one of them? That might be an unlikely possibility since his character could be alive. However, there are rumours that some characters will meet death as they help Michael Scofield break from his prison in Yemen according to a report by Express.

Paul T. Scheuring goes on saying that fans should read "Odyssey" to learn about the plot of "Prison Break" Season 5. For those familiar with the literature piece, all characters who tried to save the protagonist have died.

PB fans...read up on the Odyssey. Clues there in that 2500 year old work...  Paul T. Scheuring (@paultscheuring) February 17, 2017

"Prison Break" Season 5 is due for release on April 4. Some viewers cannot wait and has done some investigative works. According to a report by Travelers Today, Lincoln Burrows, portrayed by Dominic Purcell will die trying to save Michael Scofield. The speculation started when Paul T. Scheuring himself raised the question, "What if Linc does die?"

Who else do you think will die in "Prison Break" Season 5? What character will Wentworth Miller portray? Stay tuned with Enstarz for more updates on "Prison Break" Season 5.
Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) and the National Treasury is hosting a seminar from 28 February to 01 March 2017 at Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre.

As part of a series of nationwide seminars to enhance and improve Public Sector procurement in the construction sector by designing a procurement system that is better able to deliver value for money, while minimizing the scope for corruption.

The purpose of the seminars are to introduce and explain the recent watershed publication of the National Treasury Standard for Infrastructure Procurement and Delivery Management (SIPDM) which enables the supply chain management system for infrastructure to be separated from that of general goods and services. This standard is required to be implemented by all organs of state which are subject to the PFMA with effect from 1 July 2016, and those subject to the MFMA by 1 July 2017.

The seminars will be held over two days to enable participants to gain insights into an in-depth understanding of the practical implementation of the SIPDM. Seminar participants will be provided with templates, Performa documents, guidance document, comprehensive workshop notes and will be invited to undertake a multiple choice question online examination at a later date to verify their understanding of the SIPDM.

CESA agreed to support National Treasury with the capacitation of Public Sector officials and Private Sector built environment practitioners, in the effective implementation of this standard. This resulted in CESA and the National Treasury signing a Memorandum of Understanding in November, last year.

Seminars will also be held in Durban, Cape Town, East London, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley and Bloemfontein over the next six months as follows:

1. 28 February - 01March 2017  Gauteng

2. 28 March -29 March  Durban

3. 25 April-26 April 2017  Cape Town

4. 30 May- 31 May 2017  East London

5. 27 June -28 June 2017  Bloemfontein

Attendance is no longer limited to professionally registered Built Environment Professionals but anyone who wishes to be trained in the SIPDM may attend. Please note that a cost recovery fee will be payable. Details regarding venues in the regions will be publicized once they are available.
The European Union prolonged sanctions against Belarus for one year in yesterdays decision (27 February) by the Council. The measures include an arms embargo, an asset freeze and a travel ban against four people listed in connection with the unresolved disappearances of two opposition politicians, one businessman and one journalist in 1999 and in 2000. The sanctions include one exception introduced by the Council, which allows exports of biathlon equipment to Belarus subject to an authorization by national authorities.

The sanctions against Minsk were introduced for the first time in 2004 in response to the disappearance of the four persons mentioned above. The EU later broadened the restrictive measures against those involved in the violation of international electoral standards and international human rights law including in the crackdown on civil society and democratic opposition. The arms embargo was introduced in 2011.

At the beginning of last year, the EU lifted the sanctions against 170 individuals and three legal entities, while retaining the embargo and the sanctions against four persons. This decision was taken while acknowledging the steps taken by Belarus that have contributed to the improvement in EU-Belarus relations. The future of the ties between both sides will mostly depend on the tangible steps taken by Minsk to respect human rights and rule of law, which will both remain key for the shaping of the EUs future policy towards Belarus. The relations between the EU and Belarus have been relatively distanced and cold since the rise to power of Alexander Lukashenko in 1994.


Illustration: Barry Downard

Lufax is the unacknowledged dynamo of Chinese internet banking. BAT  Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent  get all the press as they convert e-commerce and social media businesses into emergent financial service enterprises with customer bases the size of continents. But Lufax, which is preparing what could be Hong Kongs biggest IPO of the year, is in some ways the most interesting of them all.

Founded in 2011, Lufax  known locally as Lujiazui, or in full, Shanghai Lujiazui International Financial Asset Exchange  started out as a peer-to-peer lender. That is not unusual. As many as 3,000 P2P businesses were operational in China by 2015, although many have since vanished or collapsed.

But Lufax had two distinguishing features: the backing of the Ping An group and a great deal of ambition.

Six years on, it has expanded to become a large wealth management, consumer finance and institutional trading business, with 25.5 million registered users, Rmb390.92 billion ($57 billion) of retail assets and Rmb111.65


Mike Baird is to become NAB's chief customer officer, corporate and

institutional banking



At a press conference in Melbourne on Tuesday, National Australia Bank (NAB) announced three new appointments.

Two were of passing interest: Sharon Cook, managing partner at King & Wood Mallesons, as chief legal and commercial counsel, and Patrick Wright, the chief technology and operations officer of Barclaycard, as chief technology and operations officer. The third? That raised some eyebrows.

Mike Baird, who stepped down as premier of the state of New South Wales in January, is to become chief customer officer, corporate and institutional banking.

A state premier is a powerful job in Australia: the states, of which New South Wales is the biggest by population and economy, have considerable autonomy and he probably had a bigger day-to-day impact on the lives of Sydneysiders than the prime minister. He is said to have had his pick of offers when he retired from public life.

So, chief customer officer? It sounds like a mighty step down, particularly since NABs corporate and institutional bank  the bit for which he will have a mandate  is arguably the weakest of the big four Australian banks.

Though it holds its own in investment banking, chiefly DCM, it lags ANZ and Westpac in markets more broadly, and Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Westpac on the transactional side of the business, but theres more to it than that.

[Baird] has to use every one of his diverse array of skills to turn around what is clearly the countrys worst-performing corporate and institutional banking business - Tony Boyd, Chanticleer

Firstly, despite the abject title, Bairds role puts him straight on to the 10-strong NAB Group executive leadership team reporting to CEO Andrew Thorburn.

It is not a ceremonial door-opening role, as one might argue Australian politician Warwick Smiths initially was when he joined Macquarie, or former Western Australia premier Alan Carpenter, who became corporate affairs head for Wesfarmers. Baird has a big job ahead of him that will need resources.

Also, one has to think he is looking ahead.

Mike Baird is the first Australian politician to make the leap from parliament to business with a more than even chance of having a shot at becoming the chief executive of a top 100 company, said Tony Boyd in the influential Chanticleer column.

But in order for that to happen he has to use every one of his diverse array of skills to turn around what is clearly the countrys worst-performing corporate and institutional banking business.

He has a better shot at this than most in his position because, although few in Sydney can recall a political landscape without Baird in it, he is a banker by background, who spent 17 years in the industry: at NAB, Deutsche and HSBC. He started out at NAB in 1989.

I loved it, he said. NABs in my DNA. Its like coming home.

Challengers

Thorburns not going anywhere soon: he only joined in 2014 and is expected to stay in the job for a few years, but already Baird is being seen as a future leadership candidate  Chanticleers Boyd reckons his challengers would be chief operating officer Antony Cahill, head of consumer and wealth Andrew Hagger, head of business and private Angela Mentis and chief risk officer David Gall.

Baird said the right things on Tuesday: What Andrew [Thorburn] brings is a great sense not just of the importance of looking after our customers but the values and the way we do it.

Im determined to play a role in that, under Andrews leadership. He called Thorburn a great leader.

Thorburn himself said on Tuesday: [Baird] returns to banking and NAB with invaluable experience in leading economic and financial reform to grow the economy.

Mike has outstanding leadership and a determination to drive change and make a difference by building relationships with customers and the community.

Baird is returning to banking at a time of some dissatisfaction around the industry from both consumers and shareholders, and with growing fears that the mortgage- and commodity-fuelled glory days of Australian banking might be behind them.

He said on Tuesday: Ultimately, all of the noise around the banking sector is an acknowledgement that from a customer point of view, they have a sense that banks arent necessarily listening to them.
Investment banking in emerging Europe is not for the faint-hearted. In the 25 years since the introduction of market economics, the region has ridden a roller coaster from the highs of post-Communist privatization and EU accession to the lows of the global financial and eurozone crises.

At times deal flow in many sectors has all but dried up, putting local hopefuls out of business and sending global bankers scurrying back to the safety of London or Frankfurt. Yet a handful of hardy domestic players in countries from Poland to the Balkans have found ways not merely to survive but to thrive through rich and lean years alike.

What has enabled some firms to flourish while their less resilient brethren have gone to the wall? While business models naturally vary, there are several things these success stories  most of which date back to the early days of transition  have in common.

One is an early realization of the need for diversification.




More than a century ago, hardy individuals dropped everything to search for Klondike gold. Today, a new breed of adventurers is changing course to search for a different kind of gold: information at a scale so tiny, it couldnt be read until recently. Its called non-genetic information.

Biochemists are as excited as prospectors without having to haul packs up remote snowbanks. More secrets of the cell are coming to light, revealing new levels of regulation in the burgeoning field of epigenetics. In Nature, Cassandra Willyard expresses the fervor that is growing in labs around the world: An epigenetics gold rush: new controls for gene expression. As she reports on How rediscovered chemical tags on DNA and RNA are shaking up the field, she uses the word excited or exciting five times. It began in 2008, she explains:

At the time, biologists were getting excited about the epigenome  the broad array of chemical marks that decorate DNA and its protein scaffold. These marks act like a chemical notation, telling the cell which genes to express and which to keep silent. As such, the epigenome helps to explain how cells with identical DNA can develop into the multitude of specialized types that make up different tissues. The marks help cells in the heart, for example, maintain their identity and not turn into neurons or fat cells. Misplaced epigenetic marks are often found in cancerous cells. [Emphasis added.]

Whats new is the assignment of RNA tags to the glossary of non-genetic information. Geneticists were familiar with methyl tags on DNA and histone proteins (the histone code), but only recently were these tags recognized as functional elements on the bases of RNA as well. In January, we shared one of those discoveries: a tag named m6a that affects the stability of messenger RNA (mRNA). The number and position of tags on the mRNA affect its lifetime, and consequently its activity. Jaffreys team considered this dynamic and reversible epitranscriptomic mark an instance of epitranscriptomic information that determines the fate of mRNA.

Willyard now has more examples to share. Dr. Chuan He, a chemist at the National Institutes of Health, and his colleague Chao Pan at the University of Chicago set out to look for chemical notation on RNA molecules. When they started working together in 2009, He and Pan knew of about 100 chemical tags on RNA, but nobody knew what they did. How often are major discoveries made by expecting function? Look what has happened with that focus:

Nine years later, such research has given birth to an ome of its own, the epitranscriptome. He and others have shown that a methyl group attached to adenine, one of the four bases in RNA, has crucial roles in cell differentiation, and may contribute to cancer, obesity and more. In 2015, Hes lab and two other teams uncovered the same chemical mark on adenine bases in DNA (methyl marks had previously been found only on cytosine), suggesting that the epigenome may be even richer than previously imagined. Research has taken off. I think were approaching a golden age of epigenomics and epitranscriptomics, says Christopher Mason, a geneticist at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. We can actually start to see all these modifications that we knew have been there for decades.

Their experience mirrors the downfall of the junk DNA myth. Non-coding DNA had been known for many years, but only when researchers intentionally looked for function did the golden age come. Now a new vein of gold is being found in long-ignored RNA tags (some of them known since 1974), but it required breaking out of old dogmas.

The governing rule of molecular biology  the central dogma  holds that information flows from DNA to messenger RNA to protein. Many scientists therefore viewed mRNA as little more than a courier, carrying the genetic information encoded in a cells nucleus to the protein factories in the cytoplasm. Thats one reason why few researchers paid much attention to the modifications made to mRNA.

Some of the delay is excusable. Scientists didnt have the tools we have now for powerful mass spectrometry and high-throughput sequencing techniques, Willyard explains. Even with those tools, the work remains difficult. We can only wonder, though, if gold fever might have accelerated the development of the tools.

In about 2010, the reversible m6a mark was discovered. To He, it seemed like proof of an RNA-based system of gene regulation. The hidden gold veins started to shine under the flashlights. Further studies revealed more than 12,000 methylated sites on mRNAs, originating from 7,000 genes.

The maps showed that the distribution of m6A is not random. Its location suggested that the mark might have a role in alternative splicing of RNA transcripts, a mechanism that allows cells to produce multiple versions of a protein from a single gene.

Since then, researchers have uncovered the molecular machines controlling the tags. Each requires a writer to place it, an eraser to remove it and a reader to interpret it, Willyard says; As the identities of these proteins emerged, scientists have come to understand that m6A affects not only RNA splicing, but also translation and RNA stability. They started finding function all over the place.

This change in mRNA content, which He calls a transcriptome switch, requires precision and careful timing. He thinks that the methyl marks might be a way for cells to synchronize the activity of thousands of transcripts.

By now, labs from Tel Aviv to Boston to Pasadena had gold fever. Researchers wanted to learn how different tissues tag their RNAs, and how the marks differ between organisms from algae to humans. Why, for instance, were some of these marks easier to find in bacteria than mammals? Earlier researchers had walked right past the gold veins.

In 2013, Hes postdoc Fu had found an intriguing paper from the 1970s, which showed that algal DNA contains methylated adenine. Nobody ever knew the function, and nobody ever followed up, Fu says.

Fu and a colleague started looking for these marks in algae, and found it in more than 14,000 genes. And the distribution wasnt random, Willyard points out. It clustered near start sites for transcription. The postdocs reasoned that the mark might be promoting gene activation. And so it was. Then they discovered that the marks are present in higher animals, too, but at low levels. Catch the fever:

Greers lab head, Yang Shi, knew that He had uncovered 6mA in algae, and asked him for help. When He heard what Shi had found, he was excited. We decided were going to do this together, He says. A couple of months later, He met a researcher in China who had found 6mA in the fruit fly Drosophila. I almost fell to the floor, He says. In April 2015, the three papers came out simultaneously in Cell. Andrew Xiao, who studies epigenetics at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, read the articles with interest. Xiao and his colleagues had identified 6mA in mammalian cells, but they hadnt published their results. Literally we thought nobody will take interest in this field, Xiao says. The Cell articles proved him wrong. We realized we should hurry up.

And thus it goes. Marks are found to appear, surge, then disappear, indicating they act like a molecular switch during development. His paper was absolutely a bombshell, one researcher exclaimed, reacting to clear evidence that a certain tag is functional. Another calls the work incredibly exciting. Willyard continues the gold rush metaphor in a section, Mining for more marks. Theyre talking like excited miners looking into their gold pans.

We are only in the beginning of the story, Rechavi says. And as the techniques improve, scientists will be able to see these marks more clearly. The wealth of research possibilities makes Mason feel euphoric, he says. Its like the most exciting time to be working in the field.

Sound familiar? Vestigial organs must be leftovers of evolution; wait: they have a function! Noncoding DNA strands must be leftovers of evolution: wait, they have a function! These useless tags on RNA, nobody knew the function, and nobody ever followed up. Wait! Theres gold in them thar hills!

For an encore, look at this article from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Start codons in DNA and RNA may be more numerous than previously thought. Its a bad-news, good-news story about the fall of another dogma. This one is about so-called start codons at the beginnings of genes. It was previously thought that only seven of the 64 possible triplet codons trigger protein synthesis. But then, to their surprise, Stanford and NIST researchers found that some genes were being expressed without start codons.

To the best of their knowledge, no one had ever systematically explored whether translation could be initiated from all 64 codons. No one had ever proved that you cannot start translation from any codon. We kind of all collectively asked ourselves: had anyone ever looked? said Hecht. A further review of available literature on the topic indicated that the answer was no. The implications of the work could be quite profound for our understanding of biology. We want to know everything going on inside cells so that we can fully understand life at a molecular scale and have a better chance of partnering with biology to flourish together, said Stanford professor and JIMB colleague and advisor, Drew Endy. We thought we knew the rules, but it turns out theres a whole other level we need to learn about. The grammar of DNA might be even more sophisticated than we imagined.

Needless to say, this discovery opens up additional vistas of information and control in the genome. Also, needless to say, these articles are strangely silent about Darwinian evolution.

Advocates of intelligent design should be pleased but unsurprised by these discoveries. And not to push the gold rush analogy too far, but we note that back in the day, many prospectors who set out for their journey to Alaska and the Klondike did so by way of Seattle. They equipped themselves and embarked just blocks away from what are today Discovery Institutes offices.

Were not saying, We told you so (although we did). Instead, lets all capitalize on the excitement of this gold rush. Isnt the search for function more rewarding than tossing unknown phenomena to the junk pile? ID is delightedly to point the way for the gold rushers to likely veins, with the modest reminder, Knowing how minds create hierarchical levels of information, you can expect to find functions similar to those in computer networks  only even more sophisticated.

Photo: Klondike prospectors, Chilkoot Pass, 1898, by Cantwell, George G. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.
If you follow us at Evolution News, youre likely familiar with Richard Lenskis Long-Term Evolution Experiment with E. coli bacteria, which has been the subject of much media spin over the years. Well, guess what, weve been conducting our own long-term experiment  not on E. coli, but gauging media accountability and truthfulness.

Writing over at The Stream, I give a sense of the results weve obtained.

Following the national news lately has been a frustrating exercise in He said, she said. Is Trump on a fast track to impeachment for high treason in colluding with Putins Russia, per the drumbeat of the media? Or are the media a fountain of very fake news, as Trump says, panting for revenge over a lost election, and willing to see the White House implode along with the country, sending the struggling middle class to hell as a bonus?

Since few of us have the resources to verify any of this with first-hand information, must it come down to a question of which side you trust least? With so much at stake, that is unsatisfactory. No, whats needed is some sort of independent metric for weighing the credibility of at least one side in the standoff over media truthfulness. In that, I may be able to help.

For more than a decade, my colleagues and I at Discovery Institute have been conducting what I call a Long-Term Media Accountability Experiment. In this multiyear project, we have gauged the trustworthiness of mainstream media sources, focusing on a subject where we have first-hand knowledge: the debate about Darwinian evolution. Evolution is convenient for present purposes because so far it hasnt figured prominently in controversies around the Trump Administration.

Weve found that journalists routinely prevaricate and mislead and, when challenged, almost invariably refuse to correct the record. Though fake news is a recent coinage, weve been documenting it for years in media outlets from the national level  the Washington Post, ProPublica, the New York Times, the Guardian, Mother Jones, The Atlantic, Vox, Inside Higher Ed, Religion News Service, National Review, Slate, Science, and more  to a range of local newspapers. You may not be familiar with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram or the Texas Tribune, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, the Austin American Statesman, the Weatherford Democrat, Huntsville Item, or Jacksonville Progress, the Akron Beacon Journal or similar venues, but they are influential in their communities.

When I say evolution, thats shorthand not so much for the scientific question of biological origins  whether the long history of life gives objective evidence of intelligent design. On that, thoughtful and honest people may disagree. Instead, Im talking about the mundane and tractable question of how media spokesmen report on this debate, especially its public policy aspects, and characterize those on both sides.

In scores of articles at our daily reporting and analysis site, Evolution News, we have found that in the hands of the mainstream media, journalism merges seamlessly with axe-grinding propaganda.
Banded mongooses go to war over sex and territory

Gang warfare is not unique to humans  banded mongooses do it too.

Now researchers from the University of Exeter have shed light on the causes of the fights  and found they are most common when females are receptive to breeding and when there is competition over food and territory.

The scientists, who studied a population of banded mongooses in Uganda, observed ferocious fighting between groups that often led to serious injury and even death.

During the conflicts, they saw individuals raiding dens and killing the pups of their neighbours, and males and females of rival groups mating with each other.

These fights are very chaotic, with 20 or 30 mongooses on each side arranged in battle lines, said lead author Dr Faye Thompson, of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation on the University of Exeters Penryn Campus in Cornwall.

They all rush forward and fighting breaks out, with some individuals chasing each other into bushes  but at the same time males and females from opposing groups will sometimes mate with each other.

The fighting is costly to both individuals and groups. Individuals are more likely to die and litters are less likely to survive to emergence if their group is involved in an aggressive encounter with a rival.

Intriguingly, they discovered that pregnant females were less likely to lose their litters after such conflicts.

Dr Thompson added: We found that females were significantly less likely to abort their litter if their group was involved in a fight with another group during gestation.

This is a puzzling result, but one possible explanation is that unborn litters may be seen as particularly valuable during periods of conflict with rival groups.

Pregnant females could be finding some way to maintain their pregnancy, perhaps to offset mortality from fighting and make their group bigger and more competitive in the future.

Banded mongooses rarely leave the group into which they are born, so group members are usually genetically related to one another. Fights between groups may provide an opportunity to avoid inbreeding.

As a result, males or females sometimes lead their group into enemy territory in search of unrelated mating partners.

Professor Michael Cant of the University of Exeter, who leads the long-term study of banded mongooses in Uganda, said: Intergroup conflict can be very intense in social animals but has really only been studied in depth in humans and chimpanzees before now.

Our results suggest that fighting between groups is one of the major forces promoting solidarity and cooperation within groups in these highly social mammals.

The paper, published in the journal Animal Behaviour, is entitled: Causes and consequences of intergroup conflict in cooperative banded mongooses.

The research was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and the European Research Council.
Australia is the top country in the world for attracting millionaires with more moving from overseas than other popular locations such as the United States and the UK.Overall 82,000 millionaires moved to another country in 2016, up from 64,000 in 2015 and a rise of 28%, according to the latest study from market research firm New World Wealth which is based in South Africa.  Millionaire migration has grown by 60% since 2013 and the research says it shows no signs of slowing with the top performing wealth markets are expected to be Vietnam, China, India, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.Indeed, Andrew Amoils, head of research at New World Wealth, said he expects that the ranks of millionaires on the move to top 100,000 within the next two to three years.A breakdown of the figures show that 11,000 millionaires moved to Australia in 2016, compared with the 10,000 who moved to the United States, 8,000 to Canada, 4,000 to New Zealand and 3,000 to the UK.France is the country that is losing the highest number of wealthy people with 12,000 moving away in 2016 while China saw 9,000 move, followed by Brazil with 8,000 and India and Turkey both losing 6,000.Australia is a top choice for Wealthy Chinese people as it has a popular special investor visa programme with a minimum investment of AUS$5 million which has attracted more than 1,300 of which 90% were from China.Amoils said Australia was especially attractive to Chinese millionaires because of its relative proximity, its wide choice of private schools, its clean environment and its political and economic stability.There are also investor visa programmes in Canada and the United States. The USs EB-5 visa programme starts with a minimum investment of US$500,000 which is likely to be raised to $1 million soon. Canada scrapped one of its main investor visa programmes in 2014 but there are other programs available for wealthy foreigners.Millionaires are leaving France because of high taxes, it is suggested, but overall with the waning of tax havens due to more global tax transparency, tax is not as important as it used to be. According to Amoils education is becoming increasingly important for millionaires with families. Investing in property in locations such as London is also rising.The research also suggests that the decision to leave the European Union has not dimmed the attractiveness of the UK to millionaires with very few leaving as a result. The research predicts that millionaires from France, China, India, the Middle East and Africa will continue to move to Britain.
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Billionaire investor Carl Icahn and the leading U.S. biofuel trade group provided a deal to the Trump administration for revamping the Renewable Fuel Standard that would give both parties a long-sought change to the regulation, according to people familiar with the agreement.

The parties, including representatives of San Antonio-based refiner Valero Energy Corp., presented the White House with a memorandum containing draft language it could use to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to make the adjustments, according to the people, who declined to be identified discussing ongoing negotiations. Prices for biofuel credits plunged on the news while futures contracts for corn, the raw material used to manufacture ethanol, surged.

It was unclear whether the accord would win traction in the Trump administration amid opposition from others in the oil and ethanol industries. White House spokeswoman Kelly Love said there was no executive order in the works dealing with ethanol.

As majority owner of refiner CVR Energy Inc., Icahn has pushed to shift the burden for complying with the biofuel quotas from refiners to fuel blenders. Icahn, who is also a special regulatory adviser to President Donald Trump, and other refiners have now won agreement from a major ethanol trade group to support shifting the point of obligation, as its known within the industry.

The Renewable Fuels Association had just this month filed comments with the EPA opposing the move. But now it has agreed to back the change in return for a pledge for a waiver allowing gasoline blends containing 15 percent ethanol, called E15, to be sold year-round in U.S. markets.

I was told in no uncertain term that the point of obligation was going to be moved, and I said I wanted to see one of our top agenda items moved, Bob Dinneen, head of the Renewable Fuels Association, said in a phone interview. That waiver ensuring year-round access to E15 would greatly expand the market opportunities for ethanol, and I think it is a darned good thing for our industry.

In a statement emailed later, Dinneen stressed that the group was told the executive order was not negotiable. Trump can act on this without input from Congress.

San Antonio-based Valero, and two other refiners  HollyFrontier Corp. and Delta Air Lines Inc.s Monroe Energy LLC  had petitioned the EPA to shift the obligation away from refiners to blenders. The EPA under the Obama administration proposed rejecting that.

Valero, one of the four biggest U.S. biofuel producers, joined the Renewable Fuels Association last November. In a statement, the company said it would welcome any efforts by the Trump administration to negotiate an acceptable compromise.

Changing the RFS point of obligation is critical to protecting fuel manufacturing jobs, small-business retailers, energy security and U.S. consumers, Valero said.

Under current law, refiners and importers are obligated to meet annual quotas for using biodiesel and ethanol. Refiners are affected unevenly by the mandates. Those that do not have infrastructure to blend in the biofuels themselves must buy credits known as renewable identification numbers, or RINs, to comply. Under the current program structure, some blenders that dont actually refine fuels generate RINs every time they mix in biofuel. They can then sell those compliance credits to refiners that need them to satisfy the law.

RINs tracking ethanol blending compliance in 2017 dropped 13 percent on the news, ending the day at 40 cents, the lowest since those tracking this years consumption targets started trading. Earlier in the day they had dropped to 30 cents. Corn futures jumped as much as 4.9 percent before retreating to close up 1.5 percent.

The Renewable Fuels Associations support could help win backing from corn growers and Midwest voters who helped elect Trump last year. Trump made inroads in the U.S. Corn Belt proclaiming his support for the ethanol industry. But he has also made it a top priority to eliminate regulations and fight imports. This deal would do both.

Shifting the biofuel compliance burden also is important to another key Trump constituency: laborers in Pennsylvania who supported him at the ballot box last November. Advocates of the change, including the United Steelworkers union, argue that some Northeast refineries are imperiled by the current approach.

The three-part accord also aims to curb imports of biodiesel from Argentina by ensuring domestic producers qualify for a currently expired tax credit. That would require action from Congress, where the tax credit is up for renewal.

Critics say the change would introduce more uncertainty into the marketplace, by forcing companies that have never had to participate actively in the program to comply with the mandates. Growth Energy, a separate group of biofuel supporters, including producers Poet and Green Plains Inc., blasted the agreement.

I assure you this is no deal for anyone but Carl Icahn, Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, said in an emailed statement. This would gut the RFS and violate the presidents commitment to the policy.

Poet CEO Jeff Broin derided the agreement as a back-room deal made by people who want out of their obligations.

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.

Icahns stake in CVR Energy grew by as much as $126 million after news of the proposed deal sent the Texas refiners stock up as much as 7.7 percent.

This is the purest definition of a conflict of interest that you can get, said Tyson Slocum, a director at Washington-based watchdog Public Citizen. It is clear that Icahn has played a role in influencing aspects of administration policy that have a direct financial impact on Icahns business at CVR.

A spokeswoman for Icahn, Susan Gordon, didnt respond to telephone and email requests for comment. CVR Energy CEO Jack Lipinski declined to comment.

Asked about criticism of Icahns role in renewable fuel policy, Deputy Press Secretary Lindsay Walters said, I cant speak to the particular issue in that article, but the only criteria the president uses to make policy decisions is what is in the best interests of the American people.

Its all disturbing, said Todd Becker, chief executive officer of Green Plains Inc., the third-largest U.S. ethanol producer.

Federal ethics rules govern employees and outside consultants and experts, called special government employees. Its not clear that an informal adviser like Icahn would be covered by them, even in a case where the advice given produced a personal benefit, according to John Wonderlich, executive director of the Sunlight Foundation, a government transparency advocate.

Its certainly unethical, but as to whether it breaks any laws isnt clear, Wonderlich said.

The American Petroleum Institute also has battled the administrative change, arguing that it would detract from broader attempts to overhaul the Renewable Fuel Standard in Congress.

In a letter to the Renewable Fuels Association this month, Trump highlighted that regulations are hurting ethanol producers.
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President Donald Trump met with major health insurers Monday morning, in the midst of intensifying public pressure to preserve the law and political divisions over how to best dismantle and replace former President Barack Obamas signature domestic policy achievement, the Affordable Care Act.

The meeting included leaders from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealth Group, Aetna, Anthem, Kaiser Permanente and the industry lobbying group, Americas Health Insurance Plans.

We must work together to save Americans from Obamacare, Trump said in his public remarks before the meeting began. He criticized the Affordable Care Act for creating minimal health coverage requirements that restricted the types of plan insurers could sell. He said a replacement would allow insurers to sell plans across state lines.

Obamacare forced providers to limit the plan options they offered to patients and caused them to drive prices way up, Trump said. Now a third of U.S. counties are down to one insurer, and the insurers are fleeing. You people know that better than anybody.

Trump also called for expanded health savings accounts, tax-exempt financial accounts used to pay for medical expenses.

In remarks to the National Governors Association before the meeting with insurers, Trump said the plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act would give states the flexibility they need to make health care work. He also said the politically wise thing for Republicans would be to let the law implode so that its failure can be blamed on the Democrats.

Let it be a disaster because we can blame that on the Dems that are in our room  and we can blame that on the Democrats and President Obama, Trump said. But we have to do whats right, because Obamacare is a failed disaster.

Trump called insurers to the White House at a time that the short-term future of the Affordable Care Acts exchanges, where people buy individual health coverage, are in a precarious position. That means the industry comes to the meeting in a position of some power; although Republican lawmakers have vowed to replace the law, the prospect of millions of people becoming uninsured in the interim has become a major worry.

Over the past month, more insurers have warned that they are pulling out next year or considering it  and Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini has described the exchanges as being in a death spiral.

Humana  which insures about 150,000 people on the exchanges this year  announced in mid-February it would exit the exchanges in 2018. In an earnings call, Molina Healthcare disclosed that its exchange business lost $110 million in 2016 and said it would evaluate its participation for next year on a state-by-state basis. A Molina spokeswoman said the company, which insures 1 million members through the exchanges, was not invited to the meeting.

Before the closed-door portion of the meeting began, Joe Swedish, the chief executive of Anthem, praised proposed actions the administration announced earlier this month to stabilize the Affordable Care Act exchanges  a business in which he said his company was deeply embedded.

He was referring to a proposed rule that would tighten up the qualification for special enrollment periods, which allow people to sign up for insurance after the enrollment period is over. Insurers have said people are misusing those periods, waiting to sign up for health coverage only when theyre sick.

I dont want to miss the opportunity to thank you for the swift and decisive actions that occurred most recently, Swedish said.

It was going to be an implosion, Trump responded. We had to step in.

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Trumps meeting with major insurers comes on the heels of private meetings the president has held with a handful of Republican governors, including John Kasich of Ohio, Rick Scott of Florida, and Scott Walker of Wisconsin, and as governors from both parties have gathered in Washington for their annual winter conference.

Several governors have drafted their own proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, which they shared Sunday with Vice President Pence and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price. The plan is still being finalized and has not yet been unveiled, but it aims to preserve more of the law than is currently envisioned by some congressional Republicans while also providing states with additional flexibility.

Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, who spoke with Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, R, last week, said Snyder and others seeking a middle way believe that a combination of moving more Medicaid recipients into managed care plans and having them take personal responsibility for their care with modest fees could cut costs. But such a move, Portman emphasized, should be combined with ensuring those covered under the ACA remain insured with the help of federal subsidies.

At the same time, however, governors that did not expand Medicaid under the ACA are anxious that they are not penalized under whatever plan replaces it.

You cant treat an expansion state better than a nonexpansion state, said Scott, who discussed the issue with Trump over lunch on Saturday. Because you did an expansion, you should not get more dollars.

Hes convinced there can significant saving there, if they have a chance to make that transition, Portman said of Snyder.
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After months of growing optimism spawned by the election of Donald Trump, Texas manufacturers are turning their attention more toward global market conditions.

The Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, which surveyed 115 Texas manufacturers this month, showed continued increases in manufacturing activity.

The production index, which measures the amount of goods that companies produce, increased by 4.8 points in February to 16.7. The percentage of manufacturers reporting increases in production remained steady, while the percentage reporting decreases dropped by 4.5 percentage points.

Other indexes saw slowdowns in their growth rates. The indexes for new orders, growth rate and shipments fell, with most manufacturers reporting that after a January bump, February saw little new growth. The three measures remained in positive territory.

In addition, manufacturers optimism about the outlook for their companies also fell, to 35.6 points from a high of 48.8 points in January. Of the respondents, 44 percent say their company outlook continues to increase, a drop from the 54.6 percent in January.

Some indicators saw the upward trend continuing, with capacity utilization  the extent to which a company is using its plant and equipment to produce goods  increasing 5.6 points to 14.7, its eighth consecutive month of growth.

Rey Chavez, the CEO and president of the San Antonio Manufacturing Association, said that theres optimism out there from businesses when they talk about the potential benefits from the Trumps administration, such as his vows to cut domestic regulations in a bid to improve American competitiveness.

But while Chavez welcomed negotiations to improve the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, to make it more fair and equitable, he said the presidents threat to eliminate it is a nonstarter.

Trump has railed against NAFTA. He has also said he wants to put taxes on goods coming into the United States, specifically from Mexico.

That is going to go to the consumer, Chavez said. We in the business, we dont want to see that. We think that would be detrimental.

Market conditions appear to be weighing on Texas manufacturers, with one fabricated metal product manufacturer saying in the comments section that the global economies and U.S. economy are very weak and uncertain, while another in the computer and electronic manufacturing industry said, The rising dollar is hurting American manufacturers.

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Labor appeared to be a problem for one fabricated metal product manufacturer who said, The ability to find qualified labor for manufacturing jobs has become nearly impossible, adding that the labor force for manufacturing opportunities in my opinion has gone to near full employment.

Chavez said he is working through the local manufacturing association to create opportunities for local manufacturers to hire veterans and train high school graduates for entry-level positions.

But, he emphasized, theyre going to be entry-level candidates, which means manufacturers are going to have to step up to the plate and take chances on them.

Multiple San Antonio manufacturers run Department of Labor-accredited apprenticeship programs that do on-the-job paid training. Even so, many have said it is hard to find enough apprenticeship candidates for their positions.

rdruzin@express-news.net

@druz_journo
On the eve of a trip to Mexico City, Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos says hes working aggressively  with the governors blessing  to bolster the states $200 billion in annual trade with Mexico, despite talk of tariffs by President Donald Trump.

Were working in spite of headwinds, tuning out the static noise, said Pablos, a Mexican-born Republican who was recently appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott. I am certain that the White House isnt going to do anything to hurt Texas. And if Mexicos hurt, if theyre not strong, thats going to hurt Texas.

Pablos, who headed up an economic development initiative between El Paso and neighboring Ciudad Juarez, was speaking at a luncheon of the San Antonio chapter of the Association of Mexican Entrepreneurs (AEM), a networking group that has more than two dozen chapters in the U.S. and Mexico.

He said Abbott was extremely bullish about continuing a trade relationship that is worth about $200 billion a year and makes Mexico the Lone Star States most important business partner. He said his trip, which starts today and includes meetings with both public and private-sector trade officials in Mexico, will be laying the groundwork for a trip Abbott plans to take in a few weeks.

Were going to bring top private-sector individuals (in Mexico) to meet with Gov. Abbott in a few weeks, and Gov. Abbott plans to take top private-sector individuals from Texas to Mexico, he said. Were focusing on the relationship itself, which should be based on respect. Were focusing on ensuring the message is transmitted that Texas wants to not only do business but also wants to cooperate from a cultural and familial standpoint.

Pablos takes office during shaky times for those who rely on U.S.-Mexico trade.

Trump has pledged to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, a 23-year-old pact that has led to job losses in U.S. factory towns but has contributed to a thriving Mexican manufacturing sector and booming commerce along the Texas border, which now has 28 international crossings to Mexico. Hes also raised the specter of tariffs on Mexican exports to the U.S., and Republican leaders have floated the idea of a border adjustment tax that would tax imports to the U.S. but not exports. Meanwhile, Trump has railed against illegal immigration from Mexico and has made having Mexico pay for a wall between the two countries a cornerstone of his Make America Great Again platform.

Its resulted in talk of a U.S.-Mexico trade war that has been disconcerting for members of AEM, many of whom are Mexican nationals running cross-border businesses from San Antonio.

Lorena Contreras, vice president of international private banking at Frost Bank, told Pablos that the Trump talk had some of her customers reluctant about making new or continued investments in the U.S. She said headlines about the fate of U.S.-Mexico trade under the Trump administration were bad in the U.S. but even worse in Mexico. It hasnt been enough for her to advise customers to at least wait for the smoke to clear.

All we hear from the liberal media is all these negative messages about how NAFTAs going to be ruined, how horrible its going to be for Texas, how horrible its going to be for Mexicans, she said. Dealing with customers in the international department, theres a lot of fear. And Mexico does an incredible job in instilling fear in their citizens. As far as working with customers, potential investors in Texas, what message, what positive message, can I relate to them?

Ruben Linder, a native of Monterrey, Mexico, who is the president of AEMs San Antonio chapter, said politicians in Washington didnt seem to have an understanding of binational trade.

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The information we have here is really different from the information they have, he said.

The Mexico City trip will be Pablos first international trade mission as secretary of state. That position, which he said makes him the states chief protocol officer as well as ambassador of Texas, means hes responsible for advising the governor on Texas-Mexico relations. He succeeds Carlos Cascos, a Republican who had formerly served as Cameron County judge.

My position is very clear, Pablos said. Texas needs a strong Mexico, and Mexico needs a strong Texas. And we all need a strong Mexico-Texas relationship.

He said the state needed to keep its focus on Texas-Mexico ties and lead by example on binational trade.

Gov. Abbott is leading by example, he said. He is reaching out to Mexico; he does want to continue the relationship; he does want to talk about trade. He understands clearly that we should focus on making sure that nothing stands in the way of legitimate travel and trade between our two countries.
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On Friday night, Jonah Wendt and a handful of other Trinity University students went door to door in the dorms, distributing 600 fliers for an upcoming speech by conservative author and filmmaker Dinesh DSouza.

Set for March 7, the lecture was organized by Tigers for Liberty, a conservative student group founded last February by Wendt and his twin brother, Manfred.

By Saturday morning, a thick stack of the handbills had been returned to the campus suite the Wendts share. We fixed them, declared an attached post-it note. Two small American flags that the brothers keep pinned outside their doors had also been turned upside down. When the pair fanned out the fliers later that morning, they realized every single one  all 228  had been written on in various shades of permanent marker. Immigrants. No ban. The people will fight back.

On the back of one flier, a short letter had been written:Were okay if you make yourselves look bad. However when you bring controversial speakers to Trinity and put Trinity in a bad light. It effects [sic] all of our reputations and makes all of us look bad. We work hard to keep our reputations looking nice and we dont need you messing them up.

Though Jonah Wendt largely chalked the incident up as an immature hissy fit and anti-Trump liberal projection, he and his brother still filed a report with campus police, alleging harassment. Wendt feels slightly uncomfortable that students who clearly do not like him know where he lives.

This is a clear attempt at intimidation, Wendt said.

Trinity takes claims of harassment seriously and is looking into the incident, said university spokeswoman Sharon Jones Schweitzer.

The university works very hard to create an environment in which a variety of perspectives are allowed to be expressed, she said. The Tigers for Liberty event is an example of that.

DSouza is behind provocative films such as Hillarys America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party and 2016: Obamas America. He has been labeled by some as a conspiracy theorist. In 2014, DSouza pleaded guilty to violating federal campaign contribution laws, for which he was sentenced to eight months in a San Diego community confinement center.

Tigers for Liberty chose DSouza for his articulation of conservative ideals and to demonstrate diversity in conservatism, in light of his background as an Indian immigrant. Most of the topics scrawled on the fliers were directed at Trumps agenda, not DSouzas, Wendt said.

Maddie Kennedy, co-president of Trinity Progressives, said she was disappointed to hear about the incident. While she does not support DSouza or his work, she said the Wendt brothers should not have to face personal attacks.

The incident at Trinity comes as political tensions have reached a boiling point across the nation. The election of President Donald Trump ushered in a rash of student demonstrations, including pushback against conservative speakers sharing their views at colleges and universities. Earlier this month, the University of California, Berkeley canceled an appearance from right-wing activist Milo Yiannopoulos after protests turned violent. In December, hundreds of students at Texas A&M University peacefully demonstrated when Richard Spencer came to campus.

Instead of defacing an organizations message, Trinity political science professor John Hermann said he would rather see students engage in meaningful dialogue or actively support the causes touted on the returned fliers. At Trinity, as is the case on many college campuses, Republicans remain an insular and discrete minority, he said. Until students with conflicting beliefs actively listen to each other, Hermann said, campus  and, more broadly, the country  will remain divided.

It seems were talking through each other, not to each other, right now, Hermann said.

For his part, Wendt hopes the incident will bring increased attention to DSouzas visit to campus.

Hopefully its a full crowd for Dinesh on March 7, he said.

lcaruba@express-news.net
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The Shrine of Texas Liberty is launching two new ways to remember the Alamo.

Beginning Saturday, the Alamo will offer updated guided walking tours and a free exhibit on legendary defender Jim Bowie and the knife that embodies his legacy.

The special exhibit, Bowie: Man-Knife-Legend, is the first to open to the public in a newly renovated special exhibition hall at the Alamo. The hall is a 1950 building that housed a library run by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

Ian Oldaker, Alamo chief operations officer, said the exhibit, set to run possibly through Dec. 31, tells a very interesting story about a man whose legend was proliferated by the knife itself.

They way the knife is constructed recalls Bowies persona  the huge handle, the strength, the blade, he said.

The exhibit will use interactive touch-screen technology to chronicle the life of Bowie, who married into a prominent Tejano family in San Antonio and became a leading figure in the Texas Revolution before he fell ill prior to the early-morning Battle of the Alamo on March 6, 1836.

More Information Alamo anniversary events Daily readings: Feb. 23 - March 6, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Alamo re-enactors present historical readings that illustrate what was happening at the Alamo during each day of the 13-day siege in 1836. Readings are free to the public, in front of the Alamo church, and last about 10 to 15 minutes. Texas Independence Day Ceremony: Thursday, 1 p.m. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Alamo Mission Chapter, will hold a ceremony at the Alamo commemorating the March 2, 1836, signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence An Evening with Heroes: Friday, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Join the Alamo for a special after-hours theater event based on conversations that took place the evening before the final attack. Tours will depart every 10 minutes, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Each tour will last about 45 minutes. Tickets, at $20 per person, are on sale at the Alamo - thealamo.org. Fiddle Fest: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Alamo presents its ever-popular Fiddle Fest, a free event on the Alamo grounds featuring a full day of western swing, bluegrass, and old-time country from world-renowned artists Jason Roberts (Asleep at the Wheel, Van Morrison), Rick McRae (George Strait), and Ron Knuth (Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Jr.). Dawn at the Alamo: Monday, 6 a.m. Annual ceremony held by the San Antonio Living History Association in Alamo Plaza. Dusk at the Alamo: Monday, 6 p.m. A year after the Battle of the Alamo, Colonel Juan N. Seguin and his battalion returned to San Antonio to hold a memorial service in honor of their fallen comrades. Re-enactors will commemorate the lighting of the funeral pyres with a brief ceremony in front of the Alamo church. Seguin's memorial address will be recited in English and Spanish. See More Collapse

Although frontiersman and former congressman David Crockett is the most celebrated Alamo defender today, Bowie was a legendary knife fighter in his day. He had killed a family rival in the Sandbar Fight, which unfolded on the Louisiana side of the Mississippi River, outside Natchez, Mississippi, and was widely reported in American newspapers in 1827.

In todays language, the story of the Sandbar Fight went viral. And thats what spread the fame of Bowie and the knife, said Alamo historian and curator Bruce Winders.

The exhibit also covers the three main kinds of Bowie knives  primitive, coffin and classic  the process and tools used by blacksmiths to make them; the knifes evolution from blacksmiths to jewelers and mass production; and the influence of Bowie and his famed knife on popular culture. One translucent touch-screen display  a new technology in museum exhibition  lets visitors see rare historic cutlery while getting a close-up view of a Spanish notch, an indentation at the bottom, designed to catch an opponents blade and possibly break it during a fight.

What this technology lets you do is explore the artifact. While keeping the artifact front and center, in your attention, you can deep-dive on it, said Bryan Preston, director of communications with the Texas General Land Office, which oversees the Alamo.

Also starting Saturday, for those willing to pay for a well-rounded overview of the Alamos nearly 300-year history, including the 1836 siege and battle, is a revamped guided walking tour, priced at $15 per person. The tour, for groups of up to 30 people, includes animation graphics illustrating the taming of the Texas frontier, spatial orientation of the site, 1836 troop movements and the evolution of the area from Spanish mission to fortress to urban plaza.

Tour guide Shiela Skipper led a demonstration tour Monday. She recalled a cannon shot fired from the Alamo at the start of the siege, in response to a red no quarter flag flown a half-mile away at San Fernando Church under orders of Mexican Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

And with that, Santa Anna had his answer. The Texans planned to fight, Skipper said.

Oldaker said the tour, which uses audio equipment to help visitors hear narration over the din of traffic and other noise in the plaza, was developed in response to an increasing demand for guided tours that seek to explain visitors questions. Many visitors did not know Mission San Antonio de Valero operated there from 1724 to 1793 and was renamed the Alamo after a company of Spanish lancers from the Mexican pueblo of San Jose y Santiago del Alamo began a military occupation in 1803.

We were finding our tour guides were having to stay a long time afterwards and answer a lot of questions, Oldaker said.

But there also will be questions at the Alamo that may never be answered, including the whereabouts of the knife Bowie had carried into the Alamo before he became bedridden and was killed with bayonets by Mexican soldados.

The answer is, We dont know, Winders said.

shuddleston

@express-news.net

Twitter: @shuddlestonSA
San Antonio Express-News file photo

Breaking ranks with other educators statewide, the Comal Independent School Districts board of trustees has endorsed the states new A-F accountability rating for public schools that takes effect next year.

The board unanimously passed a resolution last Thursday in support of the new grading system for districts and schools. It said the prior use of pass-fail grading has been universally condemned as limiting student engagement and incentive to excel academically.
WASHINGTON  The Trump administration is abandoning the governments 6-year-old claim that Texas voter ID law was intended to discriminate against Hispanics and other minorities, signaling a new course in one of the signature voting rights cases brought by former President Barack Obama.

Although the decision was not unexpected, it sent shock waves through legal rights groups that had partnered with the government in challenging the law. Some had warned that the Justice Department under incoming Attorney General Jeff Sessions  whose nomination was bitterly opposed by many civil rights groups  would retreat from Obamas fight against state photo ID requirements that critics say are designed to suppress minority voting.

Were absolutely outraged, said Danielle Lang, a lawyer with the Campaign Legal Center, a group involved in the multiyear legal battle over the Texas law, one of several passed by Republican-controlled states around the nation. There havent been any changes in the facts.  Nothing has changed except for Jeff Sessions is running the Department of Justice.

The about-face came on the eve of todays scheduled hearing before U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos in Corpus Christi. It also came a week after the Justice Department and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton had asked for a delay in the case because the Legislature is considering changes to the law, which the federal courts already have found to have a discriminatory effect.

In court filings Monday, the Justice Department again cited new efforts in the Legislature to rectify any alleged infirmities with the 2011 law, including a reasonable impediment or indigency exception.

A department spokesman said the government would remain a party to a broader discrimination lawsuit brought by a number of legal and civil rights groups.

Paxtons office declined to comment Monday on the federal governments move, though the Justice Department briefs said lawyers for the state consent to the motion. Texas officials have denied any allegations of intentional discrimination in the law, considered one of the toughest voter ID laws in the nation.

Lang said that despite the governments new position, a consortium of civil and legal rights groups will continue to press the case, seeking legal remedies for what they allege was intentional discrimination.

After several rounds in the lower courts, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the Texas law in July, handing a victory to critics who maintained that it could have meant that up to 600,000 Texas voters would have been without proper ID in advance of the 2016 elections. The law requires voters to present one of seven state-approved photo identification documents, such as a Texas drivers license, passport or concealed handgun permit, to cast a ballot.

Then last month, days after President Donald Trump was sworn in, the U.S. Supreme Court let stand the appeals court decision but also signaled that the top court could review the case again after further lower-court proceedings.

The incoming Trump administration also obtained a 30-day delay, giving rise to speculation that it may change sides in the case, as some Trump allies have urged.

Attorney General Sessions decision to drop the ill-conceived Obama administration intervention in the Texas case demonstrates that the rule of law is being restored in D.C., Rick Manning, president of Americans for Limited Government, said in a statement. The state of Texas voter identification law merely puts common-sense requirements for voters to present identification in order to vote.

On the other side, the reversal came under withering criticism from groups ranging from the League of Women Voters to the Mexican American Legislative Caucus in Austin.

In 2011, it was clear that the Texas Republican majority took intentional steps to disenfranchise thousands of Texas voters for political expediency, caucus chairman Rafael Anchia said in a statement. Since day one, we knew minority voters, the elderly and the poor would be hardest hit by these efforts, yet these laws were still passed.

Although the laws opponents won a series of legal victories, they still sought to prove that the laws discriminatory effect was not inadvertent, a long-held contention of Democrats in states around the nation that have passed tough voter ID laws in recent years.

Compelling evidence establishes that Texas enacted (the law) at least in part because of its detrimental effects on African-American and Hispanic voters, Obama administration lawyers wrote in November.

Even as Texas has sought to defend the law in court, Republicans in the state Senate have introduced revised voter ID measures to address problems identified in federal court rulings as barriers to minority voting. One bill by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, would allow Texans a way to vote if they cannot reasonably obtain one of seven forms of identification required at the polls. It also would provide stiff penalties for illegal voting.

The bill has been endorsed by Paxton, who said it would protect the integrity of the voting process while complying with last years ruling by the 5th Circuit.

Huffman said Monday that she still intends to move forward with the bill.

We still have that court ruling to deal with, and so even though it appears the (Justice Department) will weigh in in this case in a different way, we still need to change the existing law, she said. I hope that this will show everyone the merits of the bill, and the need to pass it.

Huffman, a former judge in Houston, said she thinks the about-face by the Justice Department could help the state in court.

Clearly, not having them opposing us will strengthen the state of Texas case, she said.

In explaining the governments change of course, the new Justice Department filings indicate that the government could not act earlier in the absence of a state legislative session and while the fall elections approached.

The circumstances have now changed dramatically, the government lawyers wrote Monday. There are no impending federal or statewide elections; the Texas Legislature is currently convened in its biennial legislative session; and the state has asked the court to defer to its ongoing legislative efforts to enact an appropriate amendment to its voter identification law.

Reporter Mike Ward in Austin contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trumps proposal for a historic $54 billion increase in defense spending in his pending budget  while cutting heavily from foreign aid and agencies across the federal government  has initiated what promises to be fierce debate in Congress over slashing programs in favor of a large military buildup.

A budget blueprint sent to federal departments Monday aims to increase defense spending to $603 billion while cutting nondefense, so-called discretionary spending to $462 billion, said Mick Mulvaney, director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Trump, who will address a joint session of Congress tonight, offered governors visiting the White House on Monday a rationale for his spending plans that was accompanied by few details.

This budget will be a public safety and national security budget, the president said, and will include a historic increase in defense spending to rebuild the depleted military of the United States of America.

Trump said the increase would be paid for by finding efficiencies and savings across federal agencies.

The budget, if approved by Congress, would reduce funding to agencies by roughly 10 percent and in some cases, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, even more. The biggest portion of federal spending, nearly $1.5 trillion for Social Security and Medicare, is out of the presidents reach.

The buildup could have major implications at Joint Base San Antonio, which is spread across three major installations at Fort Sam Houston and at Lackland and Randolph air bases. The San Antonio Military Medical Center at Fort Sam is the militarys largest and houses the leading burn treatment center in the armed forces. Altogether, JBSA employs about 78,000 people, with indirect employment estimated at more than 200,000.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-San Antonio, argued that Trump is forcing a false choice between military and economic security by proposing deep cuts in federal agencies to pay for a military buildup.

Doggett said some of the new military spending might be well justified if directed to service members rather than weapons systems or nuclear armaments.

But slashing spending at the State Department, he observed, could be unwise, given the need for the U.S. to project power in nonmilitary ways. Likewise, cuts in domestic spending that strike at protections for Americans and economic competitiveness can diminish the security that Trump speaks of, Doggett said.

Our failure to make proper investments for health and education are reducing the number of young people ready to serve in the military, he said.

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, said the administrations budget guidance shortchanges American workers and cuts agencies already operating under pared-down budgets.

This drastic reduction will likely slash programs that invest in Americans jobs, education and health. Wherever the cuts are made, Texas families will suffer, Castro said in a statement.

John OGrady, president of the union that represents many EPA employees, said the agencys staff  now about 15,000  already has been reduced by more than 3,000 since its high point in 1999.

If we shrink 10 percent, that will impact the agencys ability to protect human health and the environment, he said, adding his expectation that the EPA cuts could turn out be about 15 percent.

Nonetheless, Trump can expect to find favor in a GOP-run Congress keen on reducing governments size. And defense hawks are pressing for even more military spending.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry, R-Clarendon, each have proposed a $640 billion budget plan.

McCain said in a statement that Trumps plan would mark an increase of just $18.5 billion over what President Barack Obama wanted for new fiscal spending in a two-year plan he proposed last year.

Thomas Spoehr, who directs defense policy at the conservative Heritage Foundation, said Trump can expect criticism from many directions on Capitol Hill.

Democrats are saying no, no, no, you cant spend this month on defense. Defense hawks like McCain and Thornberry are saying you have to spend more. And deficit hawks want to bring back budget caps, said Spoehr, a retired Army general.

Spoehr, among those who advocates spending at a higher level than Trumps proposal, said a first order of business should be paying for an additional 24,000 service members authorized by Congress last year.

He said he believes that both the Army and the Air Force need to grow, pointing to Air Force Chief of Staff David Goldfeins recommendation in December that his service increase to 350,000 from about 317,000 now.

Loren Thompson, CEO of the Lexington Institute, a Washington-area nonprofit that deals with security matters, pointed to the Air Forces recent problems maintaining aircraft. Todays Air Force is the oldest it has ever been, he said.

After six years of the defense being capped by law, there are many facets of training and equipment maintenance that have fallen way behind where they should be, he said.

Nonetheless, Thompson added, the president will need to do a lot of bargaining to get what he wants.

On Jan. 31, Defense Secretary James Mattis distributed a memo to defense agencies spelling out a three-phase spending plan that starts with improving readiness. Mattis said the Pentagon would prepare a supplemental budget request for this fiscal year to address urgent war-fighting readiness shortfalls across the joint force and new requirements driven by acceleration of the campaign against ISIS, or the Islamic State.

Beyond initial needs, Mattis wrote that the Defense Department would seek balance by addressing shortfalls and build a larger and more capable military.

The ultimate objective is to build a larger, more capable and more lethal joint force driven by a new national defense strategy, the memo read.

bill.lambrecht@hearstdc.com
Theres a paradox at the heart of U.S. Rep. Beto ORourkes desire to run for Senate. The affable Democrat from El Paso might have a fighting chance at advancing to a general election against Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018, but only if its political suicide.

Thats due to the Castro factor.

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro is also eyeing the seat. Like former Mayor Julian Castro, his twin brother, Joaquin is renown for approaching politics with strategic caution. If the San Antonio Democrat sees a path forward against the Republican senator and decides to run, he would likely have ORourke outgunned in a primary.

Castro is far better known statewide and nationally than Beto is, said Cal Jillson, a professor of political science at Southern Methodist University. He has a broader fundraising network and would probably win a Democratic primary  But (the Castro brothers) are very careful. Both of them. Both of them have tried to read the tea leaves and not go too early.

On Monday, Joaquin chuckled at his reputation as exceedingly cautious.

I dont mind a tough race, he told me. But I wouldnt go on a kamikaze mission.

His record supports that assertion.

In 2002, Castro ran for the Texas House against a Democratic incumbent, Arthur Reyna  and won in the primary by 64 percent.

About a decade later, he jumped into another forbidding primary against U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, who had six times the cash he did. (Castro avoided the clash by declaring his candidacy for a different seat when former U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez announced his retirement.)

There are increasing signs that a Democratic challenge to Cruz would prove merely tough and not suicidal in Texas, where Hillary Clintons loss to President Donald Trump revealed a silver lining for Democrats.

In the state Senate, Clinton easily won a district now controlled by a Republican, and she almost carried two more, according to data from the Texas Legislative Council and reported by the Texas Tribune. The same analysis showed Clinton carried 10 Republican House districts and nearly won several more.

The mere fact that Trump won is also a boon to ambitious Democrats, who would reap the benefits of any backlash in Texas. And Cruz has diluted his brand as a principled conservative, conspicuously flopping to support the president even after Trump insulted his wife and father.

Meanwhile, Trump has stolen Cruzs thunder, radiating more contempt for government on any given day than even the senator could muster in an entire term.

Both Castro and ORourke see the potential.

Theres a lot of energy and passion, and its clear that Texans are hungry for a change, Castro said. The presidential race is the closest its been in a generation, and I think its just the tip of an iceberg.

ORourke agreed. On Monday, he said hes spent the last three months intensively traveling the state.

The more I do that, the more certain I am that something very special is happening right now in Texas that would allow for the first time in 30 years, since 88, for a Democrat to be competitive in a Senate race, he said.

Of his potential opponent in a primary, ORourke only had glowing things to say.

I think (Castro) is just a great member of Congress, has become a great friend, and he would be a really good candidate, ORourke said. I think hed be a great senator.

He added, Hes just one of the strongest members in terms of the relationships hes built, the national profile hes built and the respect that he enjoys from me and his colleagues.

Asked whether that very strength would dissuade him from battling Castro, ORourke punted.

Ill make any decision independent of Joaquin, and Im sure he would say the same thing about any decision he would make relative to mine, he said. I think what were trying to do is continue to talk to each other.

bchasnoff@express-news.net
MOGADORE, Ohio  Ava Lonneman, 17, a third generation 4-Her, is a prime example of the 4-H slogan, Learn by Doing. She won the National 4-H Councils 2017 Youth In Action Pillar Award for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and will be recognized at the 4-H Legacy Awards in Washington March 21.

4-H has taught me to be a critical thinker, Lonneman said. 4-H is so hands-on.

STEM+M

Since she started high school at the Bio-Med Science Academy in Rootstown,  a year-round STEM+M (STEM plus medicine) school on the campus of Northeast Ohio Medical University  Lonneman has engaged more than 1,000 students to take interest in STEM fields. She founded the Bio-Med Science Academy 4-H Afterschool Makers Club last year, which encourages youth involvement in STEM+M projects and 4-H.

Throughout the year, club members traveled to Portage County middle schools and used samples from the Junk Drawer Robotics 4-H curriculum to engage students. Junk Drawer Robotics is an introduction to robots and uses design principles and critical thinking to create mechanized objects.

They also took this concept to STEM Day at the Portage County Fair. Lonneman said participants at the fair built Chip Mobiles out of everyday office supplies and had a race in the junior fair building.

4-H life

Lonneman has always had an interest in the STEM field. Her first science project through 4-H was an electricity project that involved using a lemon to power a light. Since joining 4-H as a Cloverbud, Lonneman has taken a variety of life skills projects, mostly sewing and science projects, to the fair. She started taking market and fancy breed poultry with her sister, Maria, two years ago.

The avian influenza outbreak kept her from showing the first year the family purchased chickens, but this past year, Lonneman took first place in her breed class and second overall  only to be beaten by her younger sister. Lonneman also won poultry junior showmanship, beating the long-standing undefeated youth champion  and it was only my first year, she said.

Lonneman was also runner-up for Portage County Junior Fair Queen this past year, serves on the junior fair board, and served as a 4-H camp counselor for the past three years.

Ashley Hughey, 4-H youth development educator for Portage County, said she could sum up Ava in two words: creative and innovator. Hughey, who has worked with Ava through camp counselor training, said the teen always thinks outside the box and brings new ideas to everything.

4-H roots

You could say 4-H is in her blood, as a third generation 4-Her. Her grandmother, Audrey Boyd, started 4-H in 1947, and Rhonda Lonneman, Avas mother, and her two sisters also participated in 4-H  mostly taking life skills projects and rabbits.

We all developed a strong love of nature and the environment through 4-H, said Rhonda. They also went on to have careers in STEM-related fields  Rhonda as an engineer and both her sisters in the medical field. Rhonda Lonneman is also the adviser and founder of her daughters 4-H club, Lucky Clovers 4-H.

Her future

Lonneman will receive a $5,000 scholarship for higher education. Although she is undecided on a college, she knows she wants to pursue a career in a STEM field, possibly in medicine, and wants to receive her doctorate so she can continue to teach. Her dream is to become the head of a university.

My goal is to help other young people  and especially other girls  realize that STEM is fun, and that success is within your reach, said Lonneman. Through STEM and 4-H, Ive seen an incredible improvement in the confidence, leadership skills, and sense of community of the teen STEM leaders in my after-school Makers Club.

Ohio leaders

Sally A. McClaskey, marketing and education director at Ohio 4-H, said it has been an honor to have Ohio youth recognized for their success in the 4-H program. Last year, Jacob Shuman, from Ross County, was the Youth in Action Award winner for Agriculture and Animal Sciences.

I think it speaks so well to the 4-H programs, the advisers and the parents who have supported these youth through their endeavors, said McClaskey. Ava is just a remarkable young lady, and I never cease to be impressed by what 15-, 16- and 17-year-old youth can do through the 4-H program.

Lonneman will serve as a spokesperson for 4-H STEM programming for the year, and she knows she has a busy year ahead. She will be traveling to New York to host National Youth STEM Day, take a trip to the Capitol, as well as a possible trip to California to encourage other youth to participate in STEM.

Shes Miss STEM America, joked her mother.
CAMP HILL, Pa.  Longtime Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Administrative Secretary Louis Lou Sallie has announced his retirement after 25 years in the top post. Sam Kieffer, current manager of PFBs Government Affairs and Communication division, will be his successor.

When you take into account his employment as an area director for the Northeast with the American Farm Bureau Federation and his job as director of member relations for the New York Farm Bureau, Sallie has spent more than 42 years working for Farm Bureau.

My whole time with Farm Bureau has been on the organization side, working with volunteers, said Sallie. Our grassroots members are so vital to this organization. It has been a privilege to work for them, because they are the strength of farm bureau.

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Rick Ebert said Sallie has helped him grown professionally.

He was a true mentor throughout my career going back to when I was starting out as a young farmer, working my way through the Young Farmer and Rancher committee, as a member of the state board of directors, as PFB vice president and now as president.

Sallie also worked as administrator of PFBs charitable organization, the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation. During his tenure, the foundation created and expanded the Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab program, which reached a major milestone in 2016, when it welcomed its 1,000,000th student inside a lab for a lesson.

Kieffer has held two positions with Pennsylvania Farm Bureau since joining the organization in 2005, working as federal government affairs director and as a regional organization director.

Having grown up in a Farm Bureau family, I am humbled to take on this new role, said Kieffer.

Kieffer, who was a former logistics officer in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and serves on the Pennsylvania FFA Foundation board of trustees, says dedicated farmer volunteers and a talented professional staff are the key to future success.

We have many opportunities in the coming years to grow our membership, enhance our programs and add to our services. Im excited about Pennsylvania Farm Bureaus future and am committed to serving Pennsylvanias farm and rural families, Kieffer said.
Kicking things off at the Oklahoma Pork Congress in Norman Friday, was National Pork Board CEO Bill Even, who gave attendees an update on the NPBs recent activities since the former South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture accepted his new role roughly seven months ago. Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Associate Farm Director Carson Horn was there to speak with Even about some of the changes hes made and his outlook on where the US pork industry is headed.





The National Pork Board has got a strategic plan that really is focused on those three pillars - how do you build consumer trust, how do you grow production sustainably and then how do you grow demand as well, he said. Those are in line with our statutory obligations.



In order to best serve the producers that fund the NPB, Even has taken measures to meet goals guided by those three missions, more efficiently and effectively, by merging and streamlining certain operations within the organization. Part of this effort, entails reviewing and refreshing the NPBs domestic marketing tactics and strategies.



One example of something the Pork Board has done quite well is our emphasis on multicultural marketing, particularly speaking with the Hispanic population in the US, Even reported.



According to him, the Caucasian demographic is only projected to increase over the next several decades by about 1 percent. On the other hand, the Hispanic population is expected to grow by nearly 160 percent.



Click here to see more...
A Canadian Meat Business exclusive by Scott Taylor

In fact, the Ottawa-based Director of Government and International Relations for the Canadian Cattlemens Association believes quite strongly in a single, positive approach to what might appear to some as administrative and legislative chaos south of the border.

I have a saying Im sticking to, an upbeat Masswohl said via telephone from Nashville, Tenn. Its called finding opportunity in uncertainty.

Were busy taking every opportunity we have to interact with Americans and convince them  although in fairness, most of the people we have worked with dont need all that much convincing  that trade between our two nations has long been beneficial to both sides and will be beneficial in the future.

Its worth remembering that the only time the US fully closed its border was on 9/11. And we all understood that. Youre under attack and youre going to hunker down. No one had a problem with that, at the time. But then, within a few hours, auto plants all over the United States were shutting down and sending their workers home because they didnt have enough parts to continue building cars.

What were doing is reminding Americans  and people all over need to be reminded  that American jobs rely on trade. Sure, its easy to become concerned about a trade deficit, but the movement of goods in both directions means more jobs for Americans as well as Canadians.

Just remember, our industry is not in the crosshairs. In terms of international trade, a lot of President Trumps people are from the steel and manufacturing industries and trade agreements have, indeed, hurt those segments more significantly than theyve hurt agriculture

Its been a rather amazing month as Donald J. Trump settles in as President of the United States. The New York-based hotelier, landlord, salesman, reality TV star/producer and elite country club operator rode to power on a platform that included, among other things, building a wall between the United States and Mexico, pulling out of the Trans Pacific Trade Partnership and making life as miserable as possible for people who didnt operate businesses within the United States.

The loud, charismatic and yet obviously undisciplined, indelicate and often careless 45th U.S. President, has made a number of statements that have beef and cattle producers on both sides of the border wondering (a) when will it end, (b) why is this happening and (c) whats the end game?

For Masswohl and his boss, Canadian Cattlemens Association President Dan Darling of Ontario, an attitude of wait-and-see is substituting for the approach known as, oh-my-goodness-what-happens next?

Of course, Masswohl is eminently suited for the White Houses current chaotic approach to international business. Based in the CCAs Ottawa office, Masswohl is the associations government and international relations liaison. He spends the majority of his time as the voice for the Canadian beef industry to both the Canadian and U.S. governments, as well as maintaining international relations around the world.

Masswohl joined the CCA after previously working closely with the Canadian beef industry as Agriculture and Trade Counsellor with the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. He is experienced enough to understand clearly that despite all the talk in Washington  talk that seems to be going off in all directions  international trade has never been in as good a place as it is today.

Our approach to the situation in Washington is business as usual, Masswohl said. Ive been around all this for more than 15 years and I can say, there has not been a day when something doesnt come up thats crucial and sometimes controversial in terms of international trade. However, I can also say that weve never been in as good a position on trade as we are right now.

I look at it this way. Despite what President Trump says from day to day, were not in any trouble, at least not yet. Our relationship with the beef and cattle organizations in the United States has never been better, more co-operative and more understanding of each others needs than it is right now.

I believe when it comes to our relationship with the United States, we just have to take everybody aside and assure them that Canada-US trade is beneficial to everyone and from what weve encountered, our American counterparts share our view. We just have to continue to remind them that we have mutual interests that are made stronger by our solid, positive, long-term relationships.

That being said, there are some choppy waters out there. There is CETA and TPP and a U.S. President who has convinced many Americans that international trade is a problem and if something isnt done in the good ol USA soon then trade must be stopped  immediately.

Masswohl and Darling are not going to spend a lot of their time worrying about it.

I think we might end up in a situation where we might have to negotiate individually with some countries on trade or we might have to deal with something in regards to President Trump that upsets current agreements, said Darling. It is concerning from the perspective that nothing seems to be off the table with Mr. Trump. We were hoping that we were all going to be more liberal on trade, but there is no longer a guarantee that its going to go in that direction and we will have to be prepared for potential stoppages and the occasional extra tariff or even border closing.

However, I also dont believe you can worry about the every-day. President Trump has been firing shots over every bow, often just to see what he can flush out. I think he likes having people on edge. We just need to think long-term and go about our business as we always have, keeping in mind that what comes out of Washington now is not necessarily what were used to anymore.

In the meantime, Canada is still upbeat about both CETA and the TPP. And while Trump has officially pulled the United States out of the TPP (actually the Republican Congress was not going to support it anyway), CETA is proceeding. While the agreement isnt completed yet, both Masswohl and Darling are convinced it will be beneficial for Canadian cattlemen.

Negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) began in 2009 and ended in August 2014. The deal aims to eliminate 98 per cent of tariffs between Canada and the European Union and includes new courts for investors, harmonized regulations, sustainable development clauses and access to public sector tenders. The agreement was signed in late October during the EU-Canada Summit.

On CETA, we are optimistic the final agreement will be completed, but we do have some significant technical issues to iron out, said Masswohl. In virtually every public document related to CETA, the CCA has indicated that while the zero-duty quotas for additional access to European markets are welcome, the real benefits for Canada will come through removing longstanding technical barriers and these include carcass washes such as citric acid and peroxyacetic acid.

Until these treatments are approved, the signal that we have from the cattle side, from Cargill and JBS, is that they will not be interested in accessing the European market. And, as long as Cargill and JBS remain uninterested in the European market, theres not really much incentive for cattle producers to increase their production of cattle that are eligible for Europe.

However, we arent giving up on the process. There is a lot to do, but everyone agrees if we can come to an agreement on these technical issues, then CETA could be, potentially, worth $600 million a year to us and would be our second largest trade agreement. Right now, all of our negotiations are designed to make the agreement better and while we wish it was a fait acompli, we arent going to give up on the process. We are committed to the advocacy plan and were doing the technical work and if were committed and our government is committed then I believe it will happen, but I would also say its at least three years down the road.

Meanwhile, as Trump publicly pulled out of the TPP, the Canadian Cattlemens Association was almost immediately looking at ways to make the agreement work without the United States.

TPP is now a little less clear, Masswohl said. The original agreement involved 12 countries, but they all agreed that 85 per cent of each countrys GDP had to be part of the agreement to make it go forward. The United States would look at no more than 65 per cent and now they wont proceed.

But that doesnt mean the negotiations have ended. There are now discussions about bringing in China. We know that both Korea and Taiwan want in. So stay tuned on that one over the next couple of months.

Both Darling and Masswohl are still bullish on international trade and also on Canadas desire to be part of it.

I think its safe to say that despite what you hear in the news every day, trade issues arent as grim as they might sound, said Darling. As John says, its better today that its ever been before. If some of the bigger agreements fall through, we will continue to direct our attention to bi-lateral agreements or with the remaining TPP partners.

Masswohl agreed and added that there are always issues with which to deal, especially when those issues involve international traded relations.

Were in a constant state of expectation, he said. Hey, another BSE case could come up tomorrow and some country might irrationally over-react and shut their borders and well have to deal with that. You know, possibly talk of COOL could come back, although I think well see that coming at a distance and have our various retaliations at the ready.

But I think my point is this, you can see the Bogeyman in every corner if you want, but we choose not to. Our counterparts at the National Cattle and Feed Association and at the national Cattlemens Beef Association agree that trade between Canada, Mexico and the United States works for all of us. And you know, President Trump just ordered that for every new regulation, two have to be removed. For us, there are a number of old, outdated regulations that could be dropped as soon as possible so maybe that type of order will be good for trade between our nations.

Just remember, our industry is not in the crosshairs. In terms of international trade, a lot of President Trumps people are from the steel and manufacturing industries and trade agreements have, indeed, hurt those segments more significantly than theyve hurt agriculture.

Were just going to continue to remind our counterparts that American jobs rely on trade moving in both directions and thus far, I would say that we havent had any problem doing that.

Source: Meatbusiness
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Tokyo-based Takata Corporation pleaded guilty Monday to one count of wire fraud and was sentenced to pay $1 billion in criminal penalties for lying about defective airbag inflators.

Takata appeared before U.S. District Judge George Caram Steeh in the Eastern District of Michigan.

Judge Steeh sentenced Takata to pay a total criminal penalty of $1 billion, including $975 million in restitution and a $25 million fine, and three years probation.

Under the plea deal, the DOJ required a $125 million fund for people physically injured by Takatas airbags and who havent already reached a settlement with the company.

There will also be a $850 million fund for airbag recall and replacement costs incurred by car makers who were victims of Takatas fraud.

A court-appointed special master will oversee payouts from the restitution funds.

Takata agreed to retain an independent compliance monitor for three years and cooperate with the DOJs ongoing investigation, including its investigation of individuals.

Takata is one of the worlds biggest suppliers of automotive safety-related equipment.

The DOJs Kenneth Blanco said, For over a decade, Takata lied to its customers about the safety and reliability of its ammonium nitrate-based airbag inflators.

The defect is linked to at least 11 deaths and more than 100 injuries in the United States. Worldwide Takatas airbags have killed at least 16 people and injured 180.

From 2000 through 2015, Takata defrauded customers and auto makers by providing false and manipulated airbag inflator test data, the DOJ said. The false data made the performance of the companys airbag inflators appear better than it actually was.

Even after repeated problems with the inflators in the field  including ruptures causing injuries and deaths  Takata executives withheld accurate inflator test data from customers, according to the DOJ.

We hope that todays guilty plea and sentence will send a message to suppliers of consumer safety products that they must put safety ahead of profits, U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade said.

Takata executives learned about the defects in 2000.

In 2013, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, and General Motors recalled about 3.4 million older-model vehicles worldwide because of defective Takata airbags.

By May 2016, the U.S. government had recalled 68 million Takata airbag inflators.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration fined Takata up to $200 million in November 2015 and required the company to institute a massive recall.

_____

Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog.
Bradley Walsh has inked a new deal with Sony Music CMG to release a second album after selling more LPs than Zayn Malik.

Bradley Walsh

The 56-year-old TV presenter's debut LP 'Chasing Dreams' beat the former One Direction star's record sales for his first solo album 'Mind of Mine' last year, and he has now reportedly signed a contract, which could see him release two more records and hit the the road for a UK tour.

An insider told The Sun newspaper: "Bradley's album surpassed all expectations and he's now a key focus for the label in 2017.

"Sony have signed him up for another album and don't want to waste any time getting it out, as well as putting him on stages around the UK.

"He has proven there is an enormous market for his swing covers and they intend to capitalise on it.

"Discussions have even taken place about a third album at some point too.

"They know what works and he is already picking out songs for the second record and arranging studio time."

It comes after the 'Chase' host said he'd happily give Zayn, 24, a few pointers if he asked.

He joked: "I haven't seen Zayn yet but I don't want him to be too upset, you know, it's tough for these young artists.

"You know these young artists come along and they see an old stage entertainer whose played Watford Trades and Labour Club many times, it's very difficult for the youngsters to have any grounding and breeding in the industry. So yeah, if he wants any tips on how to sing a tune..."

Bradley also teased that he is plotting a collaboration with grime star Stormzy - whose real name is Michael Omari - after they bonded at the BRIT Awards last week.

He laughed: "My mate Stormzy, that. We hang together. Do a bit of grime. What else do we do, grunge? No, just grime.

"Definitely grime. Bruno Mars, he's here, he's my mate.

"We have something in common. He's from Hawaii. I like Hawaiian pizza. That's quite cool. Other than that, I don't know why I'm here.

"Me and Stormzy we are going to do an album. We're gonna do an album of Nelson Riddle arrangements in grime form. It's gonna be called 'Griddle'. We're looking forward to it, we're gonna collaborate. "
Duchess Camilla has praised the "skill and spirit" of soldiers returning from deployment in Iraq.

Duchess Camilla

The 69-year-old royal - who is married to Prince Charles - recently paid a visit to the 4th Battalion The Rifles at their base at Normandy Barracks in Aldershot Garrison, Hampshire, South West England, where she inspected the soldiers before reading out a speech to the families of the men who were based in Al Asad Airbase in Western Iraq, who she says are the "unsung heroes".

After speaking with troops, she said: "In the most difficult circumstances you have shown your usual skill and spirit, no matter wha the circumstances, and I also know that this will have been enhanced by your irrepressible humour."

And in a message in support of their loved-ones, he said: "Speaking as an army officer's daughter, may I say that I think sometimes the unsung heroes are the families.

"Your support has been vital over these past months, you have kept the home fires burning despite the constant concern for those whom you love so dearly. Thank you for your steadfast support."

On Camilla's visit, Commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Carl Boswell, commented: "The boys all returned after six months away and getting home seeing your family, seeing your friends, is just the biggest party known to man, it's great morale and having Her Royal Highness here today to mark that occasion has been a real privilege for us."

And Sergeant John-Paul Archer added: "It's great to be back, great to see my family. I'm a family man so they mean a lot, they are here today which is great."
Strictly Come Dancing star is hitting the road to showcase his signature moves in a UK-wide tour this summer.

TV heartthrob Giovanni Pernice will appear at 31 venues across the country with his Il Ballo e Vita tour which opening on 26 April in Coventry.

Giovanni Pemice and Luba Mushtuk

He will be joined by Strictly troupe dancer Luba Mushtuk and a team of dancing professionals from the show, which is directed and choreographed by BBCs Strictly Come Dancing creative director, Jason Gilkison.

Il Ballo e Vita  Italian for Dance is Life  is a love story set in a Sicilian cafe bar. Leading man Giovanni thinks he has found love, but not everything is as easy as it first appears.

The show woll feature classic dances the Quickstep, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Argentine Tango, and Giovannis signature move, the Jive.

Giovanni told us Im very excited about my first ever tour, its incredible to be able to do what I love and take it around the UK for audiences to enjoy, adding. The title translates as dance is life which is an expression I have always believed in.

Dancing is my life, and with the help of some very talented people we have created this story filled with some of my all-time favourite dance styles. The show is not just a dance performance, but also a beautiful love story.

Laura Whitmore and Giovanni Pernice

Sicily-born Giovanni rose to fame when he joined the hit BBC show in 2015 as dance partner to Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote. The pair went all the way to the grand final, then in 2016 he partnered Laura Whitmore, getting before going out in week seven.

As an aside Giovanni holds a Guinness World Record, achieving 55 jive kicks and flicks in 30 seconds last December.

Il Ballo e Vita opens on 26 April at Coventrys Albany Theatre and will visit 25 towns and cities across the UK before closing at the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft on 23 July.

Tickets are available from Ent24

by Matt Shine for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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A pancake is a thin, flat cake, made of batter and fried in a frying pan. A traditional English pancake is very thin and is served immediately, usually topped with golden syrup or lemon juice and caster sugar.

The pancake has a very long history and featured in cookery books as far back as 1439. The tradition of tossing or flipping them is almost as old.

And every man and maide doe take their turne, And tosse their Pancakes up for feare they burne. (Pasquils Palin, 1619).

What is Pancake Day?

Pancake day, or Shrove Tuesday, marks the last day before Lent, traditionally a period of abstinence, associated with clearing your cupboards of things like sugar, fat and eggs before the Lenten fast.

Anglo-Saxon Christians went to confession and were shriven (absolved from their sins). A bell would be rung to call people to confession. This came to be called the Pancake Bell and is still rung today.

The Pancake Bell saved from the Old Morley Chapel in Yorkshire, originally thought to have come from Kirkstall Abbey.

When is Pancake Day?

Pancake Day takes place 47 days before Easter Sunday. Because the date of Easter Sunday is dictated by the cycles of the moon, Pancake Day can occur anytime between February 3 and March 9. This year Pancake Day falls on Tuesday 16h February.

What will we be having in Fethiye?

Why pancakes of course! Except that we will be enjoying the delicious Turkish version, Gozleme.

Heres a recipe from Ozlems Turkish Table for you to make your own.

Gozleme: Anatolian flat breads stuffed with spinach and cheese

We Turks love these stuffed flat breads, gozleme. Turks were originated from Central Asia, where they drifted towards Anatolia gradually and made their home. They have been making these stuffed flat breads since then. Gozleme is a much loved Turkish street food and a special part of the delicious Turkish breakfast. These popular snacks are cooked quickly on a hot griddle and can be filled with various fillings. Some of my favorite fillings are mashed potatoes, cheese and parsley; spinach and cheese, and ground meat and onions. And they go down very well with a glass of cay, (Turkish tea) or ayran, traditional Turkish yoghurt drink.  Ozlem Warren

Makes about 5 Gozleme Ingredients: 1lb./ 16 oz. / 3 cups plain flour 8g / 1 sachet instant dried yeast Pinch of salt 45 ml/ 3 tbsp. olive oil 30 ml / 2 tbsp. plain natural yoghurt (preferably whole milk) 260 ml/ 9 fl. oz. / 1/5 cups warm water (150 ml/ 5 fl. oz. warm water to be mixed with the yeast) For the filling: 200gr/7 oz. baby spinach leaves 1 onion, finely chopped 5ml/1 teaspoon Turkish red pepper flakes or 2 tsp. Turkish red pepper paste (optional) 230gr/8oz feta cheese 15ml/1 tbsp. olive oil

Non-stick pan or griddle to cook the Gozleme

Combine about 150 ml/ 5 fl. oz. warm water, yeast and salt in a small bowl, stir and cover. Stand in a warm place for 5 minutes or until bubbles form on the surface.

Divide the gozleme dough into balls, cover with a damp cloth and leave them to rest for 30 minutes.

Sift the flour into a large bowl. Make a well in the middle and pour in the yeast, water & salt mixture, olive oil, yoghurt and the remaining warm water (about 110 ml/ 4 fl. oz./  cup) . Using your hand, draw in the flour from the sides and work the mixture into a dough. Knead thoroughly to form a soft dough. Divide the dough into 5 pieces, knead them and roll into balls. Place the balls on a floured surface, cover with a damp cloth and leave them to rest for about 30 minutes, or until the dough doubles in size.

Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Chop the washed spinach leaves roughly. Knead the onions, spinach, olive oil and if you are using, red pepper paste (or red pepper flakes) with your hands for a few minute or so  that will soften the onions and blend the flavors well.

Stir in the feta cheese to the spinach mixture and mix well.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out each of the balls of the dough with a rolling pin into thin, flat rounds, about 40cm/16in diameter. Sprinkle a little flour as you roll the dough so that the dough wont stick. Roll until you achieve a thin sheet of a flat round.

Fold the left and right sides of the dough in a way for the edges to meet in the middle and spread the filling in the middle.

Then fold the top and bottom edges over the filling, making sure all the filling is safely covered.

Fold the left and right sides of the dough in a way for the edges to meet in the middle. Spread about 2  tablespoon filling into the middle part of this flat sheet. Then fold the top and bottom edges over the filling, making sure all the filling is safely covered. Press edges together well to seal. Repeat the same procedure for the rest of the dough balls.

Heat a griddle or a non-stick pan, and brush one side of the gozleme with a little olive oil and place on the pan to cook for about 2 -3 minutes, or until golden brown.

Brush the uncooked side with a little olive oil and then flip it over. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until golden brown.

Brush both cooked sides of gozleme with a little olive oil -this will keep the gozleme moist. Cook the rest of the gozleme the same way.

Ispanakl & Peynirli Gozleme  Turkish Flat breads with cheese, onion and spinach stuffing; they are indeed easier than you think!

You can either roll the Gozleme to serve, or you can cut in halves or quarters. Serve with Ayran (Turkish yoghurt drink) or cay (Turkish tea).

Afiyet Olsun!

Sources: Historic UK/Recipe published with kind permission of Ozlem Warren
Marks & Spencer (M&S), the iconic British brand, has been launched on Amazon India, the country's largest online store, making it even more convenient for customers across India to shop its quality clothing. Over 1,000 M&S products across womenswear, lingerie, menswear, kidswear and more are available on the online shopping website for Indian customers.

In womenswear, customers can choose from key pieces from the spring range including stylish floral dresses with feminine detailing, authentic and fitted denim, and that must-have soft-touch trench coat. M&S' renowned quality and innovative lingerie including bras, knickers, shapewear and sleepwear in delicate and feminine colours and prints will also be available.

In menswear, the range contains all the must-have pieces across casual and formalwear, whilst in kidswear, M&S is a one-stop shop for high quality, on-trend baby and kids clothing for girls and boys including daywear, accessories, nightwear and essentials.

Marks & Spencer (M&S), the iconic British brand, has been launched on Amazon India, the country's largest online store, making it even more convenient for customers across India to shop its quality clothing. Over 1,000 M&S products across womenswear, lingerie, menswear, kidswear and more are available on the online shopping website for Indian customers.#

"Marks & Spencer is one of the leading and most loved brands and our endeavour has always been to offer the best brands with the most curated selection of products to our discerning customers across the country. Offering M&S merchandise on Amazon is another step in that direction and will be an extension of the portfolio of global brands that our customers can enjoy through our platform," said Arun Sirdeshmukh, head of fashion, Amazon India.

"Whether choosing a classic white shirt, that special occasion dress or the ultimate feminine sleepwear, online shopping continues to grow in popularity in India as customers look for more choice and greater convenience. Were delighted to launch today on Amazon.in, Indias largest online store, making it even easier for our customers to shop with us. Our range of 1000 quality, stylish products, combined with Amazons reach and fast delivery, means our customers can order something truly special online, wherever and whenever suits them," said Venu Nair, managing director of M&S Reliance India.

As the online fashion retail market in India continues to grow, the move responds to the changing way Indian customers shop today and complements M&S' 56 stores across 27 cities in India. M&Ss launch on Amazon India is in line with its international strategy to work with established online marketplaces to benefit from their scale, infrastructure and local expertise. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The Aldi North and Aldi South groups have joined the Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI) to increase the sustainability of their supply chains. The move comes as the companies' bid to step up their efforts to reduce the chemical impact of their global supply chains operations. BEPI is an initiative by the Foreign Trade Association (FTA).

BEPI aims to improve the environmental sustainability of global supply chains. Supply chain partners of Aldi will benefit from the chemical module, which offers participants common tools and industry-wide standards, such as those developed within the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals programme (ZDHC), of which BEPI is a contributor.

Aldi and its supply chain partners will also have access to BEPIs full array of services, including: a broad range of monitoring tools that target 11 environmental performance areas, training and development activities for staff at all levels of the supply chain, and an intelligence dashboard with all relevant sustainability data maintained in one place. By joining BEPI, Aldi will be joining a network of industry peers dedicated to the improvement of supply chain environmental performance.

The Aldi North and Aldi South groups have joined the Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI) to increase the sustainability of their supply chains. The move comes as the companies' bid to step up their efforts to reduce the chemical impact of their global supply chains' operations. BEPI is an initiative by the Foreign Trade Association (FTA).#

''The Foreign Trade Association welcomes Aldi as a participant of BEPI and praises their commitment towards tackling environmental challenges in their supply chains. The company is already an extremely valued and active member of our Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), and adding our environmental initiative to its FTA membership has consolidated efforts towards a more complete approach to sustainability. We look forward to working with ALDI and following their improved performance," said Christian Ewert, FTA director general.

The two Aldi North and Aldi South groups headquartered in Essen and Mulheim an der Ruhr are among the leading retail companies in Germany and Europe.

By implementing BEPIs bespoke Supply Chain Chemical Management Module, Aldi will be able to better work towards the goals set by the Greenpeace Detox commitments, such as eliminating potentially hazardous chemicals from its supply chains by 2020. The BEPI module provides the platform and tools necessary to communicate with producers at all tiers of the supply chain, target Aldis specific chemical management impacts and improve performance accordingly. (RR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
SEAMS, the National Association for the US sewn products and textile industries, is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary at the annual spring networking conference entitled Shaping the Next 50 Years, on May 16 and 17, 2017, in North Carolina, exploring future trends and opportunities for diverse sewn products brands, manufacturers, OEMs, and retailers.Speakers and session details will be announced as they are confirmed at www.seamrs.org, the SEAMS website. Highlights of the planned conference agenda include keynote presentation on trends and predictions delivered by a noted futurist, feature presentations covering trade, government relations, human resources, and more, breakout sessions on several relevant industry topics to choose from, and panel discussion on updates on trends in military, automotive, industrial, and other segments.

SEAMS, the National Association for the US sewn products and textile industries, is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary at the annual spring networking conference entitled Shaping the Next 50 Years, on May 16 and 17, 2017, in North Carolina, exploring future trends and opportunities for diverse sewn products brands, manufacturers, OEMs, and retailers.#

To accommodate even the busiest attendees, a new single-day conference program, on May 17, 2017, will be held. SEAMS conference attendees will have the opportunity to introduce their company to all attendees, meet industry-focused benefits providers, and visit special products/services displays during the conference.SEAMS and HomTex, Inc. president Jeremy Wootten said, While we will pay tribute to the first 50 years of SEAMS members and industry leadership, we are focusing our conference agenda on how our members and guests can best prepare for and embrace the future. We are happy to be returning to the beautiful and historic Grove Park Inn in Asheville with a newly streamlined agenda that will allow more people to attend and enjoy this wonderful venue. We invite all industry professionals and executives to join us in what promises to be a highly productive and enjoyable industry event. (GK)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Heres an interesting piece of goss we came across. Who do you think this gal is?

Our actors groom their bodies to perfection, but a crash course in etiquette is hugely needed too. An overly bubbly female actor (honestly, we're going to offer her a tranquilizer next time we see her) recently attended an event organized by the police.

Our lady walked up to a senior sleuth and hugged him, not paying heed to the formal namastes the others were offering. The gent could barely contain himself, and asked her not to behave in this manner in public. To which missy just giggled and pirouetted off.

Well, in her defense, its complete OKAY to show some affection. Thats our say, whats yours?
Saif Ali Khan Thought Of Changing Taimur's Name

In a recent interview to a daily, Saif said, ''I thought for a second about changing his name. For a couple of weeks. I don't want him to get unpopular. And I still might, maybe when he's one or two, I might change his name in a while, it's still sinking in, what to do.''

Kareena Was Against It

''Kareena was a little against it and she said, 'People respect you for your opinion and you can't'... So I said, yeah, but it's not about people.''

Saif Even Drafted A Small Letter

''Someone in my PR agreed with me, and we drafted a small letter. And when I read it, it was so pathetic, that I cancelled the idea. Because it was really like, uhh, 'I'm sorry', and 'I didn't want to offend' and 'I'm an idiot', and you know, I've given in to pressure.''

It Was For The Wrong Reasons

''It just sounded awful. However you write it, it just wasn't sounding right. It was like I didn't realise where I live or what I'm doing. So I did think about it. I thought about it, but it was for the wrong reason.''

Saif Might Change His Name

''If I feel that he's going to get in trouble in school, I might change it still. It's a bit late now though. Or not. I don't know.''

Saif Calls His Little Munchkin Tim

''Tim, that's what he's called (laughs). Tim Khan. Tim Pataudi. Timmy, Tim... What's your name? Taimur if it comes in... He's quite a fiery guy though, I must say.''
Onscreen Reunion Of Ranbir Kapoor's Exes

It would be quite interesting to watch the two leading ladies share screen space for the first time considering the two actresses don't talk or even acknowledge each other in public, courtesy their common ex, Ranbir Kapoor.

Katrina Kaif Turns Superstar, Deepika Padukone Is A Desi Girl

As per Catch News, Katrina Kaif will essay the character of a leading Bollywood star in the film whereas Deepika Padukone will be seen as a rural Indian girl romantically paired with Shahrukh Khan.

The Film Has Been Tentatively Titled 'Katrina Meri Jaan'

The report further suggests that the initial title of the film was Katrina Meri Jaan' as the basic plot revolved around the journey of a little man, from a small town in India, to meet his idol, Katrina Kaif. Katrina Meri Jaan is just a working title and the actual title is expected to be announced along with the rest of the star-cast in the coming days

'My Look Is Very Different From Kamal Haasan's Appu Raja'

Earlier while talking about his look in the film, Shahrukh Khan had said, "My look is very different from Kamal Hassan's in Appu Raja. We have done the test, we are through with the trailers. We will be releasing it (look) properly. It's important that the audience accepts our effort."

'Casting Shahrukh Khan Is The Demand Of The Role'

When quizzed why Rai chose SRK as his protagonist, the filmmaker had quipped, "I have always cast on actor based on the demand of the character. Casting Shah Rukh Khan is the demand of the role exactly the way it applied on Dhanush to play Kundan in Raanjhnaa' or Kangana Ranaut to play Tanu. It was never about making a film with a superstar."
The web series are the recent trend. Every television actor now wants to do a web-series or a short film. We have seen Namik Paul in a web series along with Lisa Haydon in The Trip, which was impressive. Kritika Kamra's short film White Shirt, which starred Bollywood actor Kunal Kapoor, was also appreciated by the audiences. But, it was Barun Sobti and Surbhi Jyoti's Tanhaiyan that struck the right chord with audiences.

Tanhayian has been keeping the audiences waiting ever since it was announced. The show was premiered on Valentine's Day. All 10 episodes were aired online on Hotstar. The viewers loved the show (especially Barun's look) and wanted to watch more!

Barun Sobti as Haider Ali Khan was seen as a casanova on the show. His female fans went crazy about his stubble look! Although the viewers loved the show, (it seemed like) many of them just watched the show for Barun! We had recently reviewed the show, and here is what the readers had to say....

Harkirat Deep "Madly in love with Barun.... he is damn sexy.. :) can't take my eyes off you.. :)

but y only 10 episodes??? i hate that ..

Waiting for next episodes... When it will aired now??" Maneeha Mind Blowing... Barunnnn love you Maaaaaan

Haider Ali Khan poora Naaman"  "Barun, Sobti , You amazing actor , YOU are a Master of disguise! Your Haider Ali Khan is above all praise , and he made me laugh , cry and blush ! Thanks to the creators for the wonderful Tanhaiyan exciting web series !" Jas & Marivic "Jas: Excellent!! Barun is the best!! Waiting for more ..............

Marivic: Damn sexy Barun." Chaitali Mallick "Tanhaiyan is just awesome.Barun Surbhi nailed it as Haider Meera.loved other casts.yes tanhaiyan made me laugh cry love blush.thanks to makers for this wonderful Web series." Anita "There is no chemistry between the leads and no story.Only good thing is Barun.He is good in it and that is all."   "Barun Sobti, Your Haider Ali Khan a wonderful, colorful character!!! In Tanhaiyan you showed more of your talent, You are a super star!!!"

The web-series produced by Gul Khan (4 Lions Films) and directed by Gorky M. We had reported as to how the show is a Valentine's Day treat for the viewers.

The show is a hit and the team had even thanked the fans for their love.

Worth Watching! Barun Sobti & Surbhi Jyoti's Tanhaiyan Will Make You Laugh, Cry, Love & Hate!

For the uninitiated, the show is set against the backdrop of a wedding celebration. Haider meets fashion designer Meera Kapoor at a friend's wedding. Both are instantly drawn towards each other, but are affected by their bitter past. How the emotionally scarred couple fall in love, is the story all about.

15 Best Scenes Of Barun Sobti & Surbhi Jyoti's Tanhaiyan That We Loved The Most!

Barun and Sanaya looked lovely in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon. With this show, we can say, Barun and Surbhi too, looked wonderful together. What say guys?

Hit the comment box to share your views....
SINGAPORE -- (Marketwired) -- 02/27/17 -- E-commerce is witnessing explosive growth. According to Frost & Sullivan, the global e-commerce market, which amassed more than US$1.5 trillion in 2015, is projected to exceed US$3.0 trillion by 2018.(1)

This fast expansion in e-commerce is driven primarily by improvements in technology and the increasing pace of technology adoption. With the proliferation of smart phones, tablets and wireless networks, more and more consumers have jumped on the Internet bandwagon and grown increasingly confident in dealing with online activities and transactions.

The increased confidence has resulted in impatient and demanding online consumers. Research by Frost & Sullivan shows that the slow loading time of Web pages is one of the main reasons why customers move from one e-Commerce company to another. This page-loading delay -- also known as latency -- translates into a loss of customers and revenue, not to mention the negative impact on a company's brand. For instance, an e-commerce website making daily sales of $100,000 is expected to lose $2.5 million annually due to a one-second page delay(2).

United in the Face of Latency

For global e-commerce company Shopify, which hosts over 40,000 active online retailers worldwide, it faces the constant challenge of ensuring the best user experience for shoppers in a multitude of countries from US and Europe to Australia and New Zealand. And as its customer base of online merchants grow around the globe, the challenge becomes more acute.

"We needed a single solution to address the existing large volume of site traffic in the US, Canada, and Europe while at the same time allowing for global growth, particularly in Australia," shares Mr. Dale Neufeld, Director of Technical Operations at Shopify.

As for Arirang, Korea's leading global broadcaster, it needed to deliver a smooth and uninterrupted delivery of its content to viewers scattered around the world, especially the live streaming of videos. And its challenge was exacerbated by the rise in popularity of watching broadcasts on mobile devices.

Arirang management realised that the company needed to create a Web environment in which viewers can catch its programmes smoothly across multiple devices, be it desktops, mobile devices or smart TVs. Since its viewers are scattered around the globe, establishing such a Web infrastructure would be a costly exercise for the company.

Combating Latency with CDN

Shopify and Arirang are instances of how the growing consumer demand for fast and uninterrupted access to applications and websites have companies scrambling for solutions to reduce the inherent Internet latency and congestion. And most companies find subscribing to Content Delivery Network (CDN) services the most viable option. A CDN handles the Web infrastructure demands in a cost-effective manner, freeing companies to focus on their core business areas.

CDNs can accelerate Web performance and bring the content -- be it static, dynamic or mobile -- closer to consumers, thus reducing latency and speeding up page-loading. According to Frost & Sullivan, one second of speed boost increases sales by 3% per customer(3).

Shopify turned to CDNetworks, a global CDN service provider to accelerate its web applications and content.

"With CDNetworks' local Points-of-Presence, our Australia-based merchants get the same performance as in North America. Neither Shopify nor our customers have to invest in data centres or co-hosting," says Mr. Neufeld.

Since subscribing to a reliable CDN solution, Shopify merchants have enjoyed 100 percent uptime of their online stores. This has not only optimised the end-user experience on the merchants' websites, but also helped Shopify grow its business. "We can attract those customers who want to focus on their business, not on the IT needed to run and optimise their websites," Mr. Neufeld adds.

For Korean broadcaster Arirang, tapping on CDN services to accelerate its content has allowed it to provide stable and high-quality live broadcasts to both local and overseas viewers. In addition, users are now able to enjoy Arirang's programs on smartphones, tablet PCs and other mobile devices anytime and anywhere. And the global performance of its applications and content is achieved without the company incurring a huge cost in infrastructure investment.

"The issue with video quality, to which most of the complaints raised by customers on the bulletin board relate, has been decisively resolved by CDNetworks' Media Acceleration service. I would like to thank the company for the way it actively resolved the different unexpected issues that occurred in the service," shares Mr. Yoon Hyeon-Kyeong, Senior Manager of New Media Team at Arirang.

Minimising Latency without Compromising Security

Alongside the latency issue is another equally, if not more, important issue of security. Cyber attacks can render a company's website and services unavailable for hours, or even days, resulting in loss of revenue and consumer confidence. And the situation is aggravated if such attacks result in a breaching of customers' data.

According to a Cloud Security Alliance report(4) on the top threats faced by organisations using cloud-based solutions, DDoS attacks, data breaches and permanent data loss are among the major security threats that caused long-term implications.

Mr. Jerry Chung, Head of Southeast Asia & Pacific, CDNetworks, shares, "A robust CDN needs to integrate enhanced Web performance and cloud security technology, with features such as 24x7 monitoring and Web Applications Firewall technology to counter cyber attacks."

As more consumers get connected to the Internet and increase their spending and activities on the Web, companies across industries will face increasing pressure to cater to the online needs of their customers. And the challenge is compounded by the geographical dispersion of their customers around the world, accessing their services and applications on any platform 24x7x365.

"Businesses simply want to offer their customers around the globe a unified experience -- fast and secured access to their websites and online services. The right CDN service provider can boost Web performance and protect companies from cyber attacks that can cripple their core infrastructure. This frees up precious time and resources for companies to focus on their core business areas and not worry about their online presence, costs and technology scale-up," says Mr. Chung.

Speed and Security with CDNetworks

Companies looking to deliver a superior online user experience and increase revenues can get in touch with CDNetworks for a two-week trial to see the difference in the performance of their websites.

They can contact CDNetworks at http://www.cdnetworks.com.sg/trial-and-benefits/, enquiry.sg@cdnetworks.com or +65 69081198.

About CDNetworks

CDNetworks is a global content delivery network with fully integrated Cloud Security DDoS protection and web application firewall. Our mission is to transform the Internet into a secure, reliable, scalable, and high-performing Application Delivery Network. CDNetworks accelerates more than 40,000+ websites and cloud services over a network of more than 200+ global PoPs in established and emerging markets including China and SEA. We have been serving enterprise customers for 15 years across industries such as gaming, finance, e-commerce, high tech, manufacturing, and media. CDNetworks offices are located in Singapore, the US, UK, South Korea, China, and Japan. For more information, please visit: http://www.cdnetworks.com.sg

(1) e-Commerce Retailers: The Next Billion $ Opportunity. Are We Ready?

http://www.cdnetworks.com.sg/resources-whitepapers/e-commerce-retailers-the-next-billion-opportunity-are-we-ready

(2) Why Web Site is Speed Critical to Online Retail Success in 2015 by CDNetworks, https://www.cdnetworks.com/blog/website-speed-critical-online-retail-success-2015/

(3) e-Commerce Retailers: The Next Billion $ Opportunity. Are We Ready?

http://www.cdnetworks.com.sg/resources-whitepapers/e-commerce-retailers-the-next-billion-opportunity-are-we-ready

(4) https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/download/the-treacherous-twelve-cloud-computing-top-threats-in-2016/

Contact

CDNetworks

Rebecca Cheong

+65 6908 1192

Email Contact




Fujitsu Limited Public and Investor Relations Tel: +81-3-3215-5259 URL: www.fujitsu.com/global/news/contacts/

TOKYO, Feb 28, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu today announced that it is launching an initiative to transform the way its employees work, seeking to allow each and every person to create value given their limited time. The initiative's aims are to strengthen its global competitiveness, achieve digital innovation, and improve the work-life balance of employees.As part of this initiative, Fujitsu is officially implementing "Telework System" in Japan from April 2017, using ICT tools such as virtual desktops and its Global Communications Platform(1). This system will apply to all of the approximately 35,000 employees of Fujitsu Limited in Japan, enabling a flexible way of working, without being confined to a specific location, whether from home, a satellite office, on a business trip, or in transit.In addition to transforming its internal systems, beginning with telework, Fujitsu will use ICT and will work to transform the mindsets of its management and each employee, in order to bring about a new way of working that delivers high productivity. In addition, Fujitsu will use the experience and insights gained through this internal implementation to contribute to a transformation in the way its customers work, from planning their transformations, to implementing solutions and handling operations.BackgroundRecently, due to such shifts as the progress of globalization and changes in labor structure, there has been an increasing demand for flexible ways of working, focused on the active participation of diverse personnel. In addition, in order to support customers' digital transformations through providing connected services, as advanced in Fujitsu's management direction, it is necessary to improve the productivity and growth of each employee, and embrace a way of working that supports the advancement of digitalization, including improving the expertise of employees, co-creation with customers, creating innovation, and improving the speed of business.In response to this changing environment, Fujitsu has promoted the development of programs to mobilize to the fullest the capabilities and creativity of each employee, given their limited time available. One example is an initiative that provides actual support for employees to engage in both work duties and childcare or other kinds of family care, put in place in 2010. In addition, Fujitsu has been increasing its utilization of ICT, such as in the implementation of its Global Communications Platform since 2011, including in Fujitsu Group companies outside Japan.Details of the Initiative to Transform Fujitsu's Way of WorkingFujitsu has now launched an initiative to transform the way it works, combining the three prongs of structural transformation, ICT usage, and transforming mindsets, in addition to existing policies, with the goal of improving productivity and creating diverse and flexible ways of working, as well as ways of working that are not predicated on long hours of labor.1. Structural TransformationThe new Telework System will be officially implemented on April 21, 2017, which will enable flexible ways of working, independent of location, including from home, satellite offices, on business trips, or in transit, for all of the approximately 35,000 Fujitsu employees in Japan.This will not be a blanket implementation. Rather, workplaces will take the lead in studying and implementing ways of working that improve productivity based on the environment and business characteristics of that workplace.2. ICT UsageFujitsu will build an environment in which telework can be employed while maintaining high information security, using thin-client devices, virtual desktops, and its own Global Communications Platform.In order to provide timely working hours management, Fujitsu has been implementing a system since January 2017 in which employees can clock in and out of work from anywhere using PCs and smartphones.In order to support operations in which necessary overtime is only taken at the direction of a supervisor, Fujitsu plans to implement the FUJITSU Software ID Link Manager II, developed by Fujitsu FSAS Inc., in April 2017. This software aims to strengthen working hours management and transform employees' mindsets toward individual working styles by enabling managers and general employees to think together about efficient ways of working, keeping time in mind.3. Transforming MindsetsIn order to deepen understanding of the aims, meaning, and management issues involved in transforming the way Fujitsu works, Fujitsu will be carrying out a variety of initiatives to change employees' mindsets, including explanatory meetings and e-learning for all employees, and management training for management positions.Future InitiativesFujitsu has established a Committee to Promote the Transformation in Ways of Working to check on the progress of Fujitsu's workstyle transformation, and to consider further initiatives, promoting a transformation in ways of working across the company as a whole. In addition, Fujitsu is continuing its internal implementation of methods to improve productivity using technology, such as AI, and also continuing to use the results of this implementation to develop services to offer to customers.Related Links"Fujitsu Launches Digital Global Communication Service to Support Rapid Implementation of Communication Platforms," (press release dated December 8, 2016)(1) Global Communications PlatformA global communications platform incorporating email, portal sites, document management, online meetings, telephones, social networking, and videos.About Fujitsu LtdFujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company, offering a full range of technology products, solutions, and services. Approximately 159,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702; ADR:FJTSY) reported consolidated revenues of 4.7 trillion yen (US$41 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. For more information, please see http://www.fujitsu.com.* Please see this press release, with images, at:http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/resources/news/press-releases/Source: Fujitsu LtdContact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
CAN THO CITY,Vietnam, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- UBM, the organizer of Aquaculture Vietnam 2017 launched the event at a press conference in Can Tho on February 22. To be held 25-27 October at the Can Tho International Exhibition Fair Centre (EFC), Aquaculture Vietnam 2017 will address issues to support the further sustainable development of the Vietnamese aquaculture industry.

Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472236/Aquaculture_Vietnam.jpg

Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472237/UBM_and_Press_visit.jpg

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472238/Aqua_3_Logo.jpg

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472306/UBM__Purple_Logo.jpg

According to UBM Asia's Group Director - ASEAN, Ms. Rungphech (Rose) Chitanuwat, "Aquaculture Vietnam 2017 will cover the whole aquaculture sector value chain, including feed, health and nutrition, genetics, equipment, processing and much more.A diverse technical and scientific program featuring locally and internationally renowned speakers will be complemented by a major trade show with leading exhibitors from around ASEAN and the world, showcasing the latest in products and services.Our objective is to provide aquaculture professionals valuable opportunities to network and meet decision makers, create business opportunities and provide solutions to their business challenges."

Aquaculture is essential to meet the future demand for seafood products.The sector plays an important role in the economy of Vietnam. Seafood exports in 2016 grew by 7.4 percent in value to US$7.05 billion, accounting for 24 percent of the country's total agricultural, forestry and fisheries exports, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Producers and Exporters (VASEP). The value of Vietnam's seafood exports is expected to increase by 5 percent this year to around US$7.5 billion. Aquaculture production accounts for about 65% of Vietnam's total fisheries exports in value, with shrimp, mainly black tiger prawn accounting for about half of the total export value.

Given aquaculture's strategic importance, the Vietnamese government aims to massively upgrade the country's shrimp industry with a view to boosting exports.Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc recently said the shrimp industry should strive for an export value of US$10 billion by 2025, to account for 10 percent of the country's GDP.He noted that "inadequate high tech for intensive farming has resulted in only modest productivity of 250 to 300 kilos of shrimp per hectare; if productivity is doubled, we can immediately reach our goal."

As Asia's leading organizer of exhibitions, UBM is committed to driving innovation in and boosting the competitiveness of the Vietnamese aquaculture industry.Ms. Chitanuwat noted that "Aquaculture Vietnam 2017 can help Vietnam reach this and other goals, by facilitating Vietnam's aquaculture sectors development by partnering with governments, NGO's, industry and academia to promote best practice production systems that are environmentally friendly, consumer-oriented and economically viable."

"Recognizing Can Tho's crucial role in Vietnamese aquaculture, as one of the most potential aquaculture provinces in Vietnam, and that it is home of the College of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Can Tho University - one of the country's leading units doing research in aquaculture and fisheries, it just makes sense to hold Aquaculture Vietnam 2017 here," commented by UBM Asia's Managing Director, Mr. M Gandhi "The Can Tho International Exhibition Fair Center (EFC), will provide an outstanding setting and venue for this important industry event," she said.

Aquaculture Vietnam 2017 is supported by our valued partners; the Vietnam Fisheries Society (VINAFIS), International Collaborating Centre For Aquaculture and Fisheries Sustainability (ICAFIS), the Aquaculture Without Frontier and The International Aqua Feed Magazine.

As a part of the launch, UBM organized visits to an aquaculture farm in Vinh Long province, and a seafood processing facility in Can Tho City. The visits helped provide insights into the opportunities and challenges, and needs of the Vietnamese aquaculture sector in an increasingly competitive market.

"Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your aquaculture operation.See you at Aquaculture Vietnam 2017, where you will be inspired by ideas and innovations," concluded Mr. M Gandhi. For more information, please visit our website www.aquaculturevn.com.

ABOUT AQUACULTURE VIETNAM 2017

Aquaculture Vietnam 2017 is the Vietnam's International Aquaculture Industry Event which will present the latest innovations in aquaculture, fisheries and seafood, for the whole value chain, from production to processing and packaging to plate.

The show will be held on 25 - 27 October 2017 at the Can Tho International Exhibition Fair Center (EFC), Can Tho City, Vietnam.
Past installation record

Project Location



Mitsubishi Corporation Telephone: +81 3 3210 2171 Facsimile: +81 3 5252 7705

TOKYO, Feb 28, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), together with Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Ltd. (MHPS) and H Young & Co. (E.A.) Ltd. (HY), has been awarded a full turnkey contract by Kenya Electricity Generating Company Ltd. for the construction of a geothermal power plant (Olkaria V) in Kenya. The installment will be the fifth in the series of geothermal power plants being built in the Olkaria area of Kenya. MC will be responsible for supplying the plant's main equipment, while MHPS will handle in-land transportation and installation. HY, a Kenya-based engineering and construction company, will supply the remaining components needed for plant construction, as well as conduct civil engineering and installation works. The construction is scheduled for completion in 2019.The Olkaria V project will oversee the construction of a geothermal plant with the capacity to supply 140 MW of power. It will be financed by an Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).MC and MHPS have been working together to build geothermal power plants in Kenya since the 1980s(1). Once Olkaria V is completed, these projects combined are expected to supply 290 MW of power in Kenya, more than 10% of the country's energy overall.Furthermore, given projections of a sharp increase in energy demand, the Kenya Vision 2030 national development policy includes targets for expanding energy generation capacity to 18,000 MW by 2030. This project is therefore well positioned to help achieve that target while at the same time contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preserving the environment.By investing in this sector, indispensable for stimulating industrial development and improving standards of living, MC aims to continue contributing to economic growth and environmental sustainability in Kenya, while at the same time playing a role in increasing the export of high-quality infrastructure from Japan.(1) Past installation recordhttp://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_MitsubishiPastInstallation.jpgProject Locationhttp://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_MitsubishiProjectLocation.jpgAbout Mitsubishi CorporationMitsubishi Corporation (MC; TSE: 8058) is a global integrated business enterprise that develops and operates businesses across virtually every industry including industrial finance, energy, metals, machinery, chemicals, foods, and environmental business. MC's current activities are expanding far beyond its traditional trading operations as its diverse business ranges from natural resources development to investment in retail business, infrastructure, financial products and manufacturing of industrial goods. With over 200 bases of operations in approximately 80 countries worldwide and a network of over 500 group companies, MC employs a multinational workforce of nearly 60,000 people. For more information, please visit www.mitsubishicorp.com.Source: Mitsubishi CorporationContact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
LONDON, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The GlobalBrands Magazine(GBM), UK,Awarded Nan Shan Life Insurance theTitle'Best Life Insurance Brand - Taiwan 2016'

Global Brands Magazine (GBM)is a prestigious online and print magazine in the United Kingdom for the leading brands of all industries across the globe. GBM provides the readers with in-depth and updated news, reviews, opinions and polls on 'best-in-class' brands.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160518/369255LOGO )



TheAnnual Brand Awardsaim to identify and reward exceptional service-delivery by celebrating 'best-in-class' brands. The judging criteria behind the Global Brands Awards includes an assessment of the financials, growth, service, customer experience and branding activities by a research team in partnership with an external judging panel from the relevant region.

Award announcement on GBM:http://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/award-winners-2016/

Y. T. Tu, the Chairman of Nan Shan Life Insurance, shared his sentiments on an interview with GBM, "It's such an honor to win Global Brands Awards for Nan Shan Life. Nan Shan aims at becoming a paragon of 'public welfare services' by developing insurance products and services for various life stages in order to help customers build comprehensive insurance coverage. The recognition goes to Nan Shan's insight and commitment to enhancing our products and service through corporate social feedback."

AboutNan Shan Life Insurance

Incorporated in July 1963, Nan Shan Life Insurance Co., Ltd. ("Nan Shan") has been running its business in Taiwan for half a century. Nan Shan is highly regarded for its professional management and financial soundness and is well recognized for its leadership role in quality agents, professional training and education, technology solutions, and customer services.

Holding fast to the belief in trust, caring and integrity, Nan Shan keeps customers' interests at heart and provides caring services and innovative products that far exceed customers' expectations.

About Global Brands Magazine

Global Brands Magazine is one of the world's best branding publications. The magazine provides the reader with up-to-date news, reviews and polls on brands across the globe. The magazine is head-quartered in England.

For more information, please visit:http://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com

Media Contact:

Edwin Martin

Phone: +44-208-133-3927


Accordingly, famous pottery and ceramics from Japan and a collection of Japanese bronze mirrors in the 17th and 18th centuries, among others, are on display at the exhibition. Vietnams antiquities which were favoured by Japanese traders such as frankincense and rhino horn were also exhibited.

There are some official documents exchanged between the Nguyen Lords and Japanese authorities in early of the 17th century, contracts of Japanese and Vietnamese merchants and three roll paintings reflecting the two countries close trade relation.

In history, the trade relation between Japan and Vietnam had been established and developed since the late of 16th century, especially in the period of the Shuin-sen trade (Japanese ship-licensed trade). In this period, Japanese merchant ships were granted Shuin-jo (Commercial license for merchant ships) by Shogunate government of Japan to go abroad for doing business. They imported minerals into Vietnam (former Dai Viet) and bought pottery, frankincense, silk and agricultural products from Vietnam to transport to Japan.

The exhibition will run until May 5th.

Following are objects displayed at the exhibition:




















TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Rockcliff Copper Corporation ("Rockcliff" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: RCU)(FRANKFURT: RO0)(WKN: A142TR) is pleased to announce it has acquired by staking the Penex zinc property (the "Property"), Snow Lake, Manitoba. The Property is strategically located approximately 4.5 kilometres southwest of Hudbay Minerals Inc.'s ("Hudbay") high-grade Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide Lalor mine and less than 200 metres from Hudbay's historic high grade Pen zinc deposit. The Property hosts the down dip continuation of the high grade Pen zinc deposit and now becomes part of the Company's Snow Lake Project, one of the highest grade base and precious metals property portfolios in North America. The Snow Lake Project is located in the Snow Lake mining camp located within the prolific Flin Flon-Snow Lake greenstone belt hosting high-grade precious and base metal deposits and mines.

Ken Lapierre, President and CEO of Rockcliff commented, "Staking of the Penex zinc property containing the down dip continuation of the high grade Pen zinc deposit was very strategic and timely. It underpins our commitment to acquire properties either by staking or acquisition that have significant metal potential within trucking distance to milling facilities in this world class base and precious metals camp. We feel confident that our 100% owned Penex zinc property will become a very strategic asset for Rockcliff."

Hudbay's high grade Pen zinc deposit hosts multiple zinc-rich lenses, strikes northeast-southwest and dips/plunges northwest. The deposit is located less than 200 metres on surface from the Property's northern boundary. All lenses of the Pen zinc deposit dip towards the Property's northern boundary and at least one of the zinc-rich lenses dips and plunges onto the Property at a vertical depth of between 300-350 metres. The deepest historical drill hole (CPen-03) on the Property intersected the deposit at approximately 475 metres vertical. The hole assayed 6.7% zinc equivalent across 2.6 metres within a much thicker zinc envelope of 7.6 metres grading 4.0% zinc equivalent. Bore hole geophysics completed in drill hole CPen-03 confirmed that the deposit's conductivity continued downward within the Company's Property and was strengthening at depth below the hole in an area completely untested by drilling.

Rockcliff's fully permitted surface geophysical Deep Penetrating ElectroMagnetic (DPEM) survey has commenced on the Property. The DPEM survey will assist in determining the extent and depth potential of the conductivity related to the Pen zinc deposit on the Company's Property and will provide a framework for a diamond drilling program planned in 2017.

The following Pen zinc deposit longitudinal outlines the depth potential of the Pen zinc deposit above and below drill hole CPen-03. Borehole geophysics confirmed that the conductivity of the deposit was strengthening at depth below the hole.

To view the image, click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/7158a.jpg

Talbot Property Update:

Rockcliff continues its Phase 2 diamond drill program on the Talbot property. Three holes will test geophysical conductive plates below the north copper zone located 2.5 kilometres from the Talbot deposit and the north lens deep conductive plate located immediately below the Talbot deposit's north lens. The north lens deep conductive plate measures 300 metres by 600 metres and drilling will attempt to determine the economic significance of this plate.

The image below identifies the location of the north lens deep conductive plate to be drilled located below the Talbot deposit north lens and additional plates located in close proximity to the high grade gold-rich Talbot copper deposit.

To view the image, click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/7158b.jpg

Pursuant to an option agreement Rockcliff can earn a 51% interest in the Talbot property from Hudbay. Please refer to the news release dated October 11, 2016 for specific terms of the option agreement.

Ken Lapierre P.Geo., President and CEO of Rockcliff, a Qualified Person in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101, has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this press release

Please visit our website at www.rockcliffcoppercorp.com for additional information about the Company.

Please visit Rockcliff at the PDAC in the Investors Exchange at Booth #2816, between the dates of Sunday March 5 to Wednesday March 8, 2017 at the Toronto Convention Centre-South Building.

About Rockcliff Copper Corporation

Rockcliff is a Canadian resource exploration company focused on the discovery, advancement and consolidation of the highest grade unmined metal deposits in the prolific Flin Flon - Snow Lake (FF-SL) greenstone belt specifically centered on Snow Lake, MB. The Snow Lake Project, totalling in excess of 45,000 collective hectares is located in and around the Snow Lake mining camp and hosts the highest grade unmined NI 43-101 copper deposits (the gold-rich Talbot copper deposit and the Rail copper deposit), the highest grade unmined historical zinc deposits (the Lon zinc deposit, the Bur zinc deposit, the Morgan zinc deposit and the down dip continuation of the Pen zinc deposit). The Snow Lake Project also includes a high grade former lode gold producer (Laguna gold property), a Net Smelter Royalty (NSR) on the Tower property (the T-1 copper deposit) in the FF-SL greenstone belt and the near surface MacBride zinc deposit located north of Snow Lake near Leaf Rapids, Manitoba. Additionally, Rockcliff owns a zinc-silver rich NI 43-101 Resource (the Shihan deposit) in Ontario and a royalty on two gold properties in Colombia, South America.

Rockcliff is well funded with approximately CDN$1.5 million in its treasury and no debt.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: 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 Rockcliff 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.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

Rockcliff Copper Corporation

Ken Lapierre, P.Geo

President & CEO

Cell: (647) 678-3879

Off: (416) 644-1752

klapierre@rockcliffcoppercorp.com



CHF Capital Markets

Cathy Hume

CEO

Phone: (416) 868-1079 ext.231

cathy@chfir.com




HAUPPAUGE, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 --



Highlights:

Innovative new service provides IoT view of VSAT network assets

Ships can use Globecomm Connect to monitor their VSAT availability status

Fleet managers can monitor location and performance of VSAT installations in realtime.





Globecomm, one of the leading providers of global connectivity services, is enabling advanced monitoring of VSAT communications systems with a new service, Globecomm Connect.

Customers of Globecomm VSAT can use Globecomm Connect to gain visibility of their network's status and performance whether at sea or ashore. Maritime customers can use the Connect Ship portal to monitor performance at sea while land-based users in any market vertical can use the Connect Customer portal.

"The increasing popularity of VSAT, with customers looking to access higher throughput also brings with it the need for better monitoring and management of those connections," says President of Globecomm Maritime, Malcolm McMaster. "Knowing that your system is operating as expected, how much throughput remote sites are achieving and whether interruptions are likely are becoming key requirements that Globecomm Connect meets with ease."

The Connect Ship portal provides visibility to the master and crew of network status, current beam in use, ship's course and speed and diagrams of beam direction and elevation enabling better communication's management.

The Connect Customer portal is accessible to shore-based users who wish to monitor location and network performance and receive comprehensive ship-based telemetry from their fleet. This can benefit fleet operators with more efficient routing and potential fuel savings.

Network throughput statistics for the last day, week, and month can easily be viewed providing ship managers with transparent updates of data usage, a tool which, when combined with Globecomm's unique metered data plans, can help operators control communication costs.

Globecomm Connect will soon provide customers with detailed network availability reporting. By tracking outages and using tools to identify the causes, Globecomm can demonstrate the high availability of Globecomm VSAT in support of customer operations.

"Using the Internet of Things to monitor network assets is an ideal application of a powerful technology that can deliver performance information into the hands of users quickly and easily," adds McMaster. "Globecomm Connect offers powerful data and information from service launch and this is just the beginning as more IoT features will be developed and added by our development teams in the near future."

Globecomm will be demonstrating the Globecomm Connect service as a sponsor and exhibitor at DigitalShip iShipping Conference 2017, March 1-2 in Copenhagen, Denmark, where Sales and Marketing Director Gregor Ross will also be taking part in the panel on March 1st 'Reviewing Challenges and Threats Driven by Autonomous Shipping'. http://www.copenhagen.thedigitalship.com/agenda-day-one/

About Globecomm

Globecomm is the leading engineering-driven, global connectivity provider serving media, maritime, enterprise and government markets in over 100 countries. We develop smart connectivity solutions to address customer issues across a broad spectrum of areas, including system design and integration, managed communication services including mobile and IoT, media services and mission critical networks. We are known for our unique ability to provide robust connectivity to the most remote locations under the most treacherous conditions. Globecomm is dedicated to improving communications and leverages its world class, global network to offer end-to-end, managed service communication's solutions worldwide. Based in Hauppauge, New York, Globecomm also maintains offices in Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, the Netherlands, South Africa, Germany, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan. For more information, please visit www.globecomm.com

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3113749


HONG KONG, CHINA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK) has concluded its largest-ever Top MICE Agents Awards Ceremony and Familiarisation Trip, held from 22 to 26 February 2017, recognising over 50 top-performing agents from four strategic MICE markets, including Mainland China, India, Indonesia and South Korea.

This is the fifth consecutive year the city has hosted the award ceremony and mega familiarisation trip. New elements added this year included participants from South Korea and an experience-packed itinerary for the agents.

"Last year, Hong Kong saw 9.9% growth in MICE arrivals, the performance of our four strategic short-haul markets including Mainland China, India, Indonesia and South Korea was phenomenal," said Kenneth Wong, General Manager of the Hong Kong Tourism Board's MICE and Cruise Division. "Our in-market agency partners are a large part of this success, we would like to show our greatest gratitude for their tremendous support through the awards ceremony and familiarisation trip in the city."

Key highlights of this year's Top MICE Agents Awards Ceremony and Familiarisation Trip

Celebrating Success at the Award Ceremony: Over 50 winning agents from four countries received accolades for their extraordinary achievement at an award ceremony hosted at the Maritime Museum, a unique MICE venue featuring the backdrop of Hong Kong's iconic skyline. Award categories were customised for each market, including top performers for bringing the largest number of groups and delegates, plus best newcomers to recognise upcoming MICE stars with great potential.

Experiencing Hong Kong First-hand in a Mega Familiarisation Programme: During the five-day trip, over 50 top agents got to experience Hong Kong up-close and learn about the latest MICE venues, products and offers, including:

The Iron Man Experience, which recently opened at Hong Kong Disneyland, the first Disney theme park featuring the Marvel-themed ride;

The Chill Out @ The South pop-up at Ocean Park Hong Kong, for a unique wine and dine experience;

Happy Wednesday at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, where MICE delegates were treated to beer, food, a carnival party and a horse-racing experience; and

The Kerry Hotel, which houses a 1,756 square metre pillar-less grand ballroom with the capacity of 1,000pax in banquet setting, one of the city's largest (to be opened this year).

Old Town Central, a compact neighbourhood reflects the contrast between old and new, heritage and creativity, as well as East and West.

To allow the top agents to experience Hong Kong like a local, a slew of Hong Kong attractions and experiences were seamlessly integrated into customised itineraries for each market, including guided tour of Old Town Central, trendy great outdoors experiences, such as hiking at the Peak, and rich cultural experiences for agents from different markets, including wing chun class for Indian delegates, tea-pairing for Indonesian delegates, Hong Kong-style milk tea and egg tart-making at PMQ for South Korean delegates, and an energising team-building experience for Mainland delegates at one of the city's tallest event venues, sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck.

Business Exchange at Contract Hong Kong: Over 60 local trade partners, including hotels, attractions and DMCs, gathered under one roof on 23 February for a direct business exchange session with top MICE agents from Mainland China to explore business collaboration opportunities.

To learn more about and apply for the 2017/18 Top MICE Agents Awards programme, contact our closest worldwide office below or the website landing page of the respective market, Mainland China, India, Indonesia or South Korea.

Media can download additional photos from the following FTP:

ftp://IChung-b:du3agxyk@ftpsvr01.hktb.com/

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3114024

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3114027



Mainland China

Ms. Rebecca Zhu

Tel: + 86 10 8518 3778

Email: Email Contact



India

Ms. Akshata Nair

Tel: + 91 22 2673 1197

Email: Email Contact



Indonesia

Ms. Wendy Kosasih

Tel: + 62 21 2907 9802

Email: Email Contact



South Korea

Mr. JooSeung Lee

Tel: + 82 2 778 4647

Email: Email Contact




BARCELONA, SPAIN and REDWOOD CITY, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS - Aricent, a global design and engineering company, announced today that it has joined the Central Office Re-architected as a Datacenter (CORD) community to contribute software, integration and testing frameworks to the CORD reference implementations.

The CORD Project's mission is to transform legacy central offices by redefining datacenter economics and leveraging the agility of cloud computing. Proprietary hardware is replaced with composable infrastructure, white-box servers and open-source software. The architecture is designed to support connectivity and cloud-based services for residential, enterprise and mobile subscribers.

Drawing on its 20-year history of datacenter and network equipment design and engineering, Aricent helps service providers build tomorrow's on-demand and digital networks. Aricent's capability portfolio spans network function virtualization (NFV), software-defined networking (SDN), micro services and container architectures, open network operating system (ONOS), and OpenStack (infrastructure-as-a-service). Aricent is working with key network equipment and service providers to accelerate the adoption of various implementations of CORD including GPON, SD-WAN, Residential Gateways, vCPE, vRouter and other on-demand resources and network operations.

By joining the CORD Project, Aricent becomes part of a diversified open source community that is comprised of leading service providers, vendors, individual contributors, and other collaborators, all working to redefine network access through cloud systems.

An example is CORD's VOLTHA (Virtual OLT Hardware Abstraction), a project that seeks to develop a software module that acts as an isolator between an abstract (vendor agnostic) passive optical networking (PON) management system and a set of vendor-specific PON hardware devices. Aricent is developing a real-time performance monitoring (PM) framework for VOLTHA to enable access networks to stream statistics and counters for analysis. VOLTHA provides a set of abstract APIs, via which northbound systems can interact with the PON network with relative ease. On its southbound side, VOLTHA communicates with the PON hardware devices using vendor-specific protocols and protocol extensions.

"We want to evolve the intelligence of the network to a point where it's able to improve service quality at the right place and time in the customer experience," said Walid Negm, Aricent's Chief Technology Officer. "The idea of gaining visibility and insight from distributed network elements is critical to a self-aware and self-steering network," he said.

"Imagine applications that can subscribe to a data stream of patterns that indicate network congestion, traffic outages, and proactive network diagnosis. Operators can get a better handle on the utilization of network resources and system health that are the foundation of a superior customer experience," Negm said.

In the initial development phase of the VOLTHA project, Aricent's performance monitoring framework will include:

Light-weight PM agents that collect the real-time raw data and metrics from lower device driver layers and funnel them to external entities through an Apache-based Kafka interface (on the northbound side)

Collection of PM data in the form of metrics, counters, ONT status monitoring, and error signals

Southbound support, with generic APIs that can be easily mapped to different hardware devices

These metrics can be used by an analytics framework like Analytics-CORD, or a third-party consumer application, which can have its own intelligence and take network actions and decisions based on machine-learning techniques.

About Aricent

Aricent is a global design and engineering company innovating for the digital era. With more than 12,000 talented designers and engineers and over 25 years of experience, we help the world's leading companies solve their most important business and technology innovation challenges -- from Customer to Chip.

About CORD

CORD (Central Office Re-architected as a Datacenter) combines NFV, SDN and the elasticity of commodity clouds to bring datacenter economies and service agility to the Telecom Central Office. An open reference implementation of CORD uses commodity servers and white-box switches, coupled with open source software that includes OpenStack, Docker, ONOS and XOS. This reference implementation is a general and extensible platform that supports a variety of domains and business requirements (e.g., residential, enterprise, mobile), and is also sufficiently complete to support field trials.

http://opencord.org/

Aricent media and analyst contact:

Juhie Gorwara

Juhie.gorwara@aricent.com




NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE (dpa-AFX) - Thales (THLEF.PK), a French technology company focused on the aerospace and defense markets, reported Tuesday that its fiscal 2016 consolidated net income group share increased 24 percent to 946 million euros from 765 million euros last year. Adjusted net income group share for the year was 897 million euros, compared to 809 million euros a year ago. Adjusted net income per share was 4.25 euros, compared to 3.89 euros last year. Sales amounted to 14.89 billion euros, up 5.8 percent from 14.06 billion euros last year. Organic sales grew by 6.8 percent. However, order intake declined 13 percent from last year to 16.51 billion euros. Further, the company said its Board will propose a dividend of 1.60 euros per share, an increase of 18 percent from last year. Looking ahead to fiscal 2017, Thales projects EBIT between 1.48 billion euros and 1.50 billion euros, representing an increase of 9 percent to 11 percent versus 2016, while sales should see mid-single digit organic growth. The company projects order intake at around 14 billion euros. Further, the company confirmed its mid-term objectives of a mid-single digit organic sales growth on average in the 2016-2018 period, and an EBIT margin of between 9.5 percent and 10 percent in 2017-2018. 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.
277 Live Mobile Money Services Available in 92 Countries;

GSMA Launches Mobile Money Developer Portal



The GSMA today unveiled its sixth 'State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money', offering a current snapshot of the mobile money landscape and highlighting the impact of mobile money on lives, economies and innovation over the past 10 years. The report provides the only comprehensive picture of mobile money around the globe. This edition looks back across the decade since the pioneering launch of M-Pesa in Kenya, which first demonstrated the potential of mobile technology to transform access to financial services. Today there are more than half a billion registered mobile money accounts across 92 countries.

"Giving underserved people access to digital payments has expanded financial inclusion to hundreds of millions of people in developing countries and has enabled them to be more secure, more empowered and more active contributors to local communities," said Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA. "Mobile operators have been at the centre of this success story. The reach and impact of their services provides a clear example of how important the mobile industry is to ensuring achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals."

Mobile Money Drives Economic Growth

Mobile money is a key driver of economic growth in emerging markets, particularly through formalising payments, increasing transparency and boosting GDP. Mobile money providers are at the forefront of payment services in many emerging market economies. In December 2016 alone, the industry processed 1.3 billion transactions, averaging around 30,000 transactions a minute.

The research further shows:

More than half a billion registered mobile money accounts globally, as of the end of 2016;

Nearly 174 million accounts that are active (on a 90 day basis);

There are 35 mobile money services with over 1 million active accounts;

More than 4.3 million mobile money agent outlets, with 30 countries now having 10 times more active mobile money agents than bank branches; and

The average cost of sending international remittances using mobile money is less than half the cost of doing so via a global money transfer operator.

A Decade of Reaching Scale

This edition of the annual report charts the story of mobile money over the last decade, from the emergence of mobile money to the rapid advancement of financial inclusion. It looks at lessons learned in areas such as business models, enabling regulation and interoperability, and assesses the impact of mobile money on people's lives, as well as the broader economic benefits delivered. The report also looks to the future by examining the emerging trends that promise to take mobile money to new heights in its second decade.

With 277 live services in 92 countries, mobile money is now available in 66 per cent of low- and middle-income markets. A stellar decade of achievements that include:

The extension of affordable and commercially sustainable financial services to hundreds of millions of underserved people;

The use of mobile money in a growing range of applications, such as school fees, pay-as-you-go solar systems, and international remittances;

The positive macro-economic impact of mobile money, such as increased productivity and job creation, as well as greater transparency to reduce leakage; and

Beyond its significant contributions to universal financial access goals, including the World Bank's initiative to enable a billion transaction accounts by 2020, mobile money is a key enabler of broader economic development and empowerment.

Granryd added, "In just ten years, mobile money has made amazing strides. With two billion people still excluded from financial services, mobile money's potential for the future is greater still. Over the next decade, the industry needs to work together to place the transformational power of mobile money in the hands of those who need it most."

Launch of Mobile Money Developer Portal

As the industry looks to new growth opportunities, the emergence of harmonised application programme interfaces (APIs) could unlock a wave of innovation and further extend the reach of mobile money services. To this end, the GSMA today launched a developer portal for platform vendors and the technical community, which will help ensure compatibility with GSMA industry-standard Mobile Money APIs.

This approach can ensure interoperability across the ecosystem, seamless deployment and access to the latest standard APIs, through which developers can build mobile money products and services. The developer portal is free and will allow users to access a real, production-ready test environment. The portal offers an open and accessible way to work technically with the APIs and will be supported by the majority of vendors throughout the mobile money industry, with the aim to accelerate further industry growth.

The 2017 State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money, as well as further information on the GSMA's Mobile Money Programme, is available at: www.gsma.com/mobilemoney.

-ENDS-

Note to editors:

The State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money draws on the results of the annual GSMA Global Adoption Survey of Mobile Financial Services and data from the GSMA Mobile Money Deployment Tracker, and provides insights on mobile money performance from the GSMA's engagement with the industry.

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with almost 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai, Mobile World Congress Americas and the Mobile 360 Series of conferences.

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227005545/en/

Contacts:

For the GSMA

Sophie Waterfield

+44 77 7945 9923

Sophie.Waterfield@webershandwick.com

or

Pau Guerrero

+34 607 348 364

PGuerrero@webershandwick.com

or

GSMA Press Office

pressoffice@gsma.com
FOSTER CITY, Calif., 2017-02-28 08:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TeraRecon (www.terarecon.com), a leader in advanced visualization and enterprise medical image viewing solutions, has selected to participate in the new UK NHS Supply Chain Framework. The NHS Supply Chain provides high-quality, cost-effective, and patient-focused healthcare products and supply chain services to the UK's National Health Service (NHS), including hundreds of NHS trusts and healthcare organizations. "The UK is emerging as a very exciting and innovative market for us, and we are excited to announce our participation in the NHS Supply Chain Framework. We are seeing a deep commitment and openness to more pure-play solutions that better position NHS hospitals for the rapidly changing healthcare IT landscape," said Maria Proud-Levitas, UK Regional Sales Manager. Maria continued, "We work across the entire enterprise to offer a single viewing platform to serve the many various specialties requiring advanced tools for image review. Advanced visualization is at our core and is the reason we are being selected by our customers to consolidate on one platform and plan for the future." TeraRecon provides a full medical image viewing platform, including their industry leading advanced visualization, universal viewing, Overlay PACS viewing, as well as new holography and 3D Printing solutions. With deep roots in multi-specialty clinical tools, TeraRecon has been helping UK customers achieve their viewing and infrastructure goals in the UK since 2002. About TeraRecon (www.terarecon.com) TeraRecon is the largest independent, vendor neutral medical image viewing solution provider with a focus on advanced image processing innovation. TeraRecon iNtuition and iNteract+ solutions advance the accessibility, performance, clinical functionality and medical imaging workflow throughout many areas of the healthcare ecosystem. The company provides world class advanced visualization 3D post-processing tools, as well as a spectrum of enterprise medical image viewing, diagnostic interpretation, image sharing, cloud, interoperability and collaboration solutions. TeraRecon is a privately-held company with its world headquarters in Foster City, California with major offices in Frankfurt, Germany; Tokyo, Japan; Acton, MA, and Durham, NC. Press Inquiries: TeraRecon US: 1-650-372-1100 | info@terarecon.com

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
NEW DELHI, Feb.28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --The Annual Reports of Vedanta Limited and Vedanta Resources Plc won Platinum and Gold, in the Materials and Energy - Equipment & Services category respectively, at the LACP Vision Awards 2016. The awards recognize best practice in international financial reporting.

Vedanta Limited's FY 2016 Annual Report earned 99 of a 100 points and was ranked 19 among the top 50 reports worldwide.

Vedanta as a purpose driven organisation ensures best practices in financial and non-financial disclosures, including governance, ethics and proactive information sharing. The Annual Reports reflect the best practices of Vedanta, which are benchmarked globally.

"We are delighted that Vedanta's Annual Reports were recognized at the Vision Awards. These awards truly credit the excellent performance of our teams and place our Annual Reports among the best in the world in terms of the quality of their disclosure," said Tom Albanese, Chief Executive Officer, Vedanta Resources plc and Vedanta Limited.

The League of American Communications Professionals (LACP) is a forum within the PR industry that facilitates discussion of best-in-class practices within the profession while also recognizing those who demonstrate exemplary communications capabilities.

About Vedanta Limited (Formerly Sesa Sterlite Limited.)

Vedanta Limited is a diversified natural resources company, whose business primarily involves producing oil & gas, zinc - lead - silver, copper, iron ore, aluminium and commercial power. The company has a presence across India, South Africa, Namibia, Australia and Ireland.

Vedanta Limited is the Indian subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Plc, a London-listed company. Governance and Sustainable Development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety and environment and on enhancing the lives of local communities. The company is conferred with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) 'Sustainable Plus Platinum label', ranking among the top 10 most sustainable companies in India. To access the Vedanta Sustainable Development Report 2016, please visit http://sd.vedantaresources.com/SustainableDevelopment2015-16/

Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange in India and has ADRs listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more information please visit www.vedantalimited.com

For further information, please contact:

Communications:

Roma Balwani

President - Group Communications and Sustainable Development

Tel: +91 22-6646-1000

gc@vedanta.co.in

Investors:

Ashwin Bajaj

Director - Investor Relations



Sunila Martis

Associate General Manager - Investor Relations

Vishesh Pachnanda

Manager - Investor Relations

Tel: +91-22-6646-531

ir@vedanta.co.in





Disclaimer

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" - that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "should" or "will." Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets including the London Metal Exchange, fluctuations in interest and or exchange rates and metal prices; from future integration of acquired businesses; and from numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different that those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.
ASOCS showcases the In-building vRAN solution with HPE OpenNFV Platform at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017

February 28th, 2017

ASOCS Ltd., a pioneer in RAN virtualization, today unveiled its in-building virtual Radio Access Networks (vRAN) solution. The solution delivers on the promise of the Network Function Virtualization (NFV) initiative carried out by carriers around the globe aiming to virtualize network services currently being carried out by proprietary, dedicated hardware.

Virtualizing baseband processing in the Radio Access Network (RAN) is one of the hardest elements to virtualize due to its real-time nature. ASOCS' virtual base station (vBS) runs software performing real-time baseband processing on Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) servers using a cloud-architecture. This fully virtualized solution allows for dynamic and automated allocation of baseband resources based on actual data traffic, eliminating the need to over provision base stations to meet peak demand. The vBS is designed for networks at any scale, from nationwide outdoor networks to campus and in-building networks.

Wireless users are consuming more data than ever before, which is straining the carrier networks. With over 80% of mobile usage happening indoors, more and more carriers are adding capacity inside buildings- at the edge of their network. Using base stations connected to Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), carriers are delivering enhanced services to their users where most data is being consumed. To address this need, ASOCS has integrated its vBS with DAS solutions creating an and end-to-end vRAN solution.

"The value of bringing capacity into the enterprise in the form of a virtual Base Station is two-fold. First, being a cloud based on standard IT-servers, the solution looks and feels like any other IT cloud, and is simple to implement and manage. Second, it creates an open mobile edge cloud (OMEC) for carriers or enterprises to offer applications that either consume a lot of bandwidth, require low-latency performance, or can terminate locally without traveling back to the core network," said Eran Bello, Chief Marketing Officer, ASOCS.

"The pre-integrated ASOCS's vRAN solution and cellular processing capabilities with HPE's OpenNFV platform and IT telecommunications expertise enables communications service providers (CSPs) a fast transition to a multi-vendor NFV solution at their network edge, where a great deal of capacity is consumed," said Werner Schaefer, vice president general manager, NFV, HPE.

ASOCS is demonstrating its vRAN solution at MWC2017 at stand 2E60, Hall 2 in the IMA Pavilion and at the HPE OpenNFV Partner Showcase at stand 3E11, Hall 3.

Watch the ASOCS in-building vRAN solution video here.

To schedule a demo please email info@asocsnetworks.com

About ASOCS

ASOCS is a pioneer in virtual Radio Access Networks (vRAN) and a provider of fully virtualized, NFV-compatible virtual Base Station (vBS) solutions. Transitioning LTE baseband processing from proprietary, bundled hardware, to a software-rich application that runs on Commercial Off -The-Shelf (COTS) servers significantly improves spectrum efficiency, and enables Open Mobile Edge Clouds (OMEC) at any scale, from in-building and campus deployments to outdoor Macro networks.

With a strong ecosystem of partners, ASOCS collaborates with tier one carriers, enterprises and cloud companies to revolutionize the way cellular networks are deployed, managed and scaled. visit www.asocsnetworks.com to learn more.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006264/en/

Contacts:

ASOCS's Press Contact:

Roni Saban

Marketing Director

ASOCS Ltd.

ronis@asocsnetworks.com

Tel: +972-3-901-2090
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Meggitt PLC (MGGT.L) reported profit before tax of 195.5 million pounds for the year ended 31 December 2016, down 7 percent from 210.2 million pounds last year. Profit for the year attributable to equity owners decreased to 171.2 million pounds from 182.1 million pounds in the previous year, while earnings per share were 22.1 pence compared to 23.2 pence a year ago. However, underlying profit before tax increased to 352.1 million pounds from 310.3 million pounds in the previous year. Underlying basic earnings per share were 34.8 pence, compared to 31.6 pence last year. Revenue for the year rose 21 percent to 1.99 billion pounds from 1.65 billion pounds last year. Organic revenue growth was 1 percent. The Board of Meggitt has recommended final dividend up 5 percent to 10.30 pence, resulting in full-year dividend up 5 percent to 15.1 pence. Looking ahead to fiscal 2017, Meggitt expects organic revenue growth of 2 percent to 4 percent, and operating margin to be flat to up 30 basis points. 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.
Chairman of the Bac Ninh People's Committee Nguyen Tu Quynh (right)

presented the investment licence to Sam Sung Display Vietnam.

(Photo: bacninh.gov.vn)

The Government gave the expansion the preferential treatment of a large-scale project.

Through the expansion, Samsung Display Vietnam will officially increase its investment in Vietnam to USD6.5 billion. It is also the first billion-dollar project in the country this year.

Samsung Display Vietnam started construction of display panel production facilities in late 2014 on unused land at Samsung Electronics plant in Bac Ninh, with initial investment of USD1 billion. It began production in March 2015 and increased its investment to USD4 billion.

The organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display modules produced in the province are used to supply Samsung Electronics manufacturing plants located in both Bac Ninh and Thai Nguyen (another northern province).

Industry insiders said the move is in response to growing demand for smart phone display panels, the biggest growth segment in the display business, especially the smart phone segment.

Samsung is the only group in the world with the exclusive technologies and adequate capacity for AMOLED production. The Republic of Korea firm holds up to 95 percent of the global AMOLED display market share, with an average capacity of around 200 million products a year.

With the new investment, Samsung continues its role as the largest foreign investors in the country. The expansion also dispelled concerns that Samsung would halt investment plans in Vietnam after its recent incidents, the Dau Tu (Investment) Newspaper reported.

Samsung has committed to invest more than USD17.3 billion in Vietnam: including the USD6.5 billion Samsung Display, the USD9.5 billion Samsung Electronics Complex in Thai Nguyen, Bac Ninh (USD2.5 billion) and HCM city (USD2 billion).

In addition, the group also has the USD1.2 billion Samsung Electro-Mechanics project in Thai Nguyen./.
TAALERI PLC INVITATION TO ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 28 FEBRUARY 2017 AT 9:30



Time Wednesday 29 March 2017 at 3 p.m.



Place Porssitalo, Fabianinkatu 14, 00100 Helsinki



The shareholders of Taaleri Plc are invited to the Annual General Meeting, which will be held on Wednesday 29 March 2017 starting at 3pm at Porssitalo, Fabianinkatu 14, 00100 Helsinki.



Admittance of those registered for the meeting and the distribution of voting tickets will begin at 2pm.



A. MEETING AGENDA



1. Opening of the meeting 2. Calling the meeting to order 3. Election of the persons scrutinising the minutes and supervising vote counting 4. Recording the legality of the meeting 5. Recording those present and confirming the voters list 6. Presentation of the 2016 Financial Statements, Annual Report, and Auditor's Report - Review by the CEO 7. Adoption of the Financial Statements 8. Allocation of the profit shown on the balance sheet, and deciding on dividend distribution 9. Deciding on the discharge from liability for the members of the Board of Directors and the CEO 10. Deciding on the remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors 11. Deciding on the number of the members of the Board of Directors 12. Election of the members of the Board of Directors 13. Deciding on the auditor's remuneration 14. Election of the auditor 15. Authorising the Board of Directors to make a decision on the purchase of the company's treasury shares 16. Authorising the Board of Directors to make a decision on share issue 17. The maximum ratio between fixed and variable component of remuneration 18. Amending of Section 7 of the Articles of Association 19. Closing of the meeting



B. DOCUMENTS OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING



Decision proposals and this meeting invitation can be viewed by shareholders on Taaleri Plc's website at www.taaleri.com/en/investor-relations/general-meetings. Taaleri Plc's Financial Statements, Annual Report and Auditor's Report will be available on 8 March 2017 or sooner on the above-mentioned website and at the company's head office at Kluuvikatu 3, 00100 Helsinki. The decision proposals submitted to the Annual General Meeting and the financial statements documents are also available at the Annual General Meeting.



The minutes of the Annual General Meeting can be viewed by shareholders at the above-mentioned website on 12 April 2017 or sooner.



C. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MEETING ATTENDEES



1. Right to attend, and registration



Each shareholder who on 17 March 2017 is registered in the Shareholders' Register of the company held by Euroclear Finland Ltd has the right to attend the Annual General Meeting. A shareholder whose shares have been entered in his/her personal Finnish book-entry securities account is listed on the company's Shareholders' Register.



A shareholder who is registered in the Shareholders' Register of the company and who wishes to attend the Annual General Meeting must register for the meeting no later than on 24 March 2017 at 10:00am, by which time the notice of registration must have been received by the company.



Registration for the Annual General Meeting can take place:



-- online at www.taaleri.com/en/investor-relations/general-meetings (registration will open on 8 March 2017 or sooner) -- by telephone: +358 800 552 135, Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:00pm; or -- by letter to the address Taaleri Plc, Annual General Meeting, Kluuvikatu 3, 00100 Helsinki



In connection with the registration, a shareholder must give his/her name, personal identification number or business ID, telephone number and the name and the personal identification number of any authorised representatives or assistants. The personal data will be used only in connection with the Annual General Meeting and the necessary management of the registrations.



The shareholder or his/her authorised representative must, when necessary, be able to prove his/her identity at the meeting venue.



2. 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 would be entitled to be listed in the Shareholders' Register held by Euroclear Finland Ltd on 17 March 2017. The right to participate also requires that the shareholder on the basis of these shares has been temporarily registered in the Shareholders' Register held by Euroclear Finland Ltd by 24 March 2017 at 10:00am. As regards nominee-registered shares, this is considered due registration for the Annual General Meeting.



A holder of nominee-registered shares is advised to request from his/her custodian bank well in advance the necessary instructions regarding the temporary registration in the Shareholders' Register, the issuing of powers of attorney and registration for the Annual General Meeting. The account management organisation of the custodian bank must temporarily register a holder of nominee-registered shares who wishes to attend the Annual General Meeting in the Shareholders' Register of the company by the time stated above.



3. Use of an authorised representative, and powers of attorney



A shareholder may use an authorised representative to participate in and exercise his/her rights at the Annual General Meeting. A shareholder's authorised representative must produce a dated power of attorney or otherwise prove in a reliable manner that he/she is authorised to represent the shareholder. If a shareholder attends the Annual General Meeting by means of several authorised representatives who represent him/her through shares held in different book-entry accounts, the shares on the basis of which each authorised representative represents him/her must be identified in connection with registration for the Annual General Meeting.



Powers of attorney should be delivered in original to the address Taaleri Plc, Annual General Meeting, Kluuvikatu 3, 00100 Helsinki, before the registration period closes.



4. Other instructions and information



Under Section 25 of Chapter 5 of the Limited Liability Companies Act, the shareholders present at the Annual General Meeting have the right to present questions on the matters discussed at the meeting.



On the date of this notice, 28 February 2017, the total number of Taaleri Plc's shares is 28,350,620, each of which provides one (1) vote at the Annual General Meeting.



Helsinki, 28 February 2017



TAALERI PLC



BOARD OF DIRECTORS



Proposals for the Annual General Meeting, 29 March 2017



8. Allocation of the profit shown on the balance sheet, and deciding on dividend distribution



On 31 December 2016, Taaleri Plc's distributable assets were EUR 42,775,914.58, including profit from the 2016 financial period of EUR 6,364,826.18.



The Board of Directors proposes that, based on the balance sheet to be adopted for the financial period 2016 that ended on 31 December 2016, EUR 0.22 of dividend per share be distributed. The Board of Directors proposes that the remaining share of distributable assets be left as equity.



Dividend will be paid to shareholders who, on the dividend payment record date of 31 March 2017, are registered in the company's Shareholders' Register maintained by Euroclear Finland Ltd. The Board of Directors proposes that the dividend be paid on 7 April 2017.



10. Deciding on the remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors



Shareholders who represent a total of approximately 33% of the company's shares have proposed that the members of the Board of Directors be paid annual remuneration as follows:



-- Chairman of the Board of Directors EUR 38,000 per annum -- Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors EUR 28,000 per annum -- Member of the Board of Directors EUR 23,000 per annum



The annual remuneration covers the whole of the term of office and committee work.



Shareholders who represent a total of approximately 33% of the company's shares have also proposed that the costs of travel and accommodation for attending meetings of the Board of Directors and committees held elsewhere than the home locality of the member of the Board of Directors be reimbursed according to invoice.



11. Deciding on the number of the members of the Board of Directors



Shareholders who represent a total of approximately 33% of the company's shares have proposed that the number of the members of the Board of Directors be set at six (6).



12. Election of the members of the Board of Directors



Shareholders who represent a total of approximately 33% of the company's shares have proposed that, of the present members of the Board of Directors, Peter Fagernas, Juha Laaksonen, Vesa Puttonen, Esa Kiiskinen and Hanna Maria Sievinen be re-elected to the Board, and Tuomas Syrjanen be elected as a new member. Of the present members of the Board, Pertti Laine has announced that he is not available for re-election.



The term of office of the Board of Directors will end at the close of the following Annual General Meeting.



The above-mentioned candidates have consented to their positions.



All the proposed members of the Board of Directors are deemed to be independent of the company and of the company's significant shareholders in accordance with the Corporate Governance Code issued in 2015 by the Securities Market Association.



The persons proposed for the Board of Directors are presented on Taaleri Plc's website www.taaleri.com and the CV of the new candidate at www.taaleri.com/en/investor-relations/general-meetings.



13. Deciding on the auditor's remuneration



The Board of Directors proposes, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, that the auditor's remuneration be paid based on invoices approved by the company.



14. Election of the auditor



The Board of Directors proposes, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, that Authorised Public Accountants Ernst & Young Oy be elected as auditor for the term of office that will end at the close of the following Annual General Meeting.



Ernst & Young Oy has announced that auditor-in-charge will be Ulla Nykky, APA, if Ernst & Young Oy is elected as the company's auditor.



RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONCERNING THE ELECTION OF A STATUTORY AUDITOR



This recommendation has been prepared and issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 537/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on specific requirements regarding statutory audit of public-interest entities and repealing Commission Decision 2005/909/EC (hereinafter "the Auditing Regulation").



By virtue of Article 16, Paragraph 2 of the Auditing Regulation, the Audit Committee of Taaleri Plc (hereinafter "Taaleri") must issue a recommendation to the Board of Directors of Taaleri concerning the election of a statutory auditor. In accordance with the Auditing Regulation, the Audit Committee must report two alternatives for an auditing assignment, and justify which alternative it is prioritising.



The Audit Committee has carefully evaluated and considered several good and qualified auditor candidates. The Audit Committee has evaluated the auditor candidates in question using the generally applied selection criteria. All candidates have been transparently informed about the selection criteria in the selection process. Based on these criteria, the Committee has specified Ernst & Young Oy and KPMG Oy Ab as the best alternatives for the auditing assignment. After careful evaluation and consideration, taking into account offers, the above-mentioned criteria and Taaleri's present circumstances and planned development, the Committee considers Ernst & Young Oy to be the first option.



As required by the Auditing Regulation, the Audit Committee confirms that this recommendation is free from third-party influence, and that the Committee has not been required to comply with a clause similar to the clause referred to in Article 16, Paragraph 6 of the Auditing Regulation. This recommendation, including the alternative considered as the first option by the Audit Committee, is included in the Board of Directors' proposal for the 2017 Annual General Meeting.



Taaleri Plc's Audit Committee



Vesa Puttonen Esa Kiiskinen Hanna Maria Sievinen



Chairman member member



15. Authorising the Board of Directors to make a decision on the purchase of the company's treasury shares



The Board of Directors proposes that it be authorised to decide on the purchase of the company's treasury shares using assets belonging to unrestricted equity on the following conditions:



Up to 2,000,000 shares may be purchased, corresponding to 7.05% of all the company's shares. The purchase may be made in one or more instalments.



The purchase price per share shall be the price given on the Helsinki Stock Exchange or another market-based price.



The shares may be acquired to develop the company's capital structure, to finance or implement corporate acquisitions, investments or other arrangements related to the company's business operations, to be used as part of the company's reward scheme, or to be cancelled if justified from the point of view of the company and its shareholders.



The authorisation issued to the Board of Directors includes the right to decide whether the shares will be acquired in a private placement or in proportion to the shares owned by shareholders. The purchase may take place through private placement only if there is a weighty financial reason for it from the company's perspective.



The Board of Directors has the right to decide on other matters concerning the purchase of shares.



This authorisation is valid for 18 months from the date of the close of the Annual General Meeting.



This authorisation supersedes the authorisation to purchase the company's treasury shares issued at the Annual General Meeting of 8 January 2016.



16. Authorising the Board of Directors to make a decision on share issue



The Board of Directors proposes that it be authorised to decide on the issue of new shares and the assignment of treasury shares in the possession of the company on the following terms:



The Board of Directors may issue new shares and assign treasury shares in the possession of the company up to a maximum of 2,500,000 shares, corresponding to 8.82% of all the company's shares.



The new shares may be issued and the treasury shares possessed by the company may be assigned to the company's shareholders in relation to their ownership of shares or deviating from the shareholder's pre-emptive subscription right in a private placement, if there is a weighty financial reason for it from the point of view of the company, such as using the shares as consideration in potential corporate acquisitions or other arrangements that are part of the company's business operations, or to finance investments or as part of the company's reward scheme.



The Board of Directors may also decide on a free-of-charge share issue to the company itself.



The new shares may be issued and the shares possessed by the company may be assigned either against payment or without payment. A private placement may only be without payment if there is an especially weighty reason for it from the point of view of the company and taking into account the benefit of all its shareholders.



The Board of Directors will decide on all other factors related to share issues and the assignment of shares.



It is proposed that the authorisation be valid for one (1) year from the close of the Annual General Meeting, but no later than until 30 June 2018.



This authorisation supersedes the authorisation issued at the Annual General Meeting on 7 April 2016.



17. The ratio between fixed and variable component of remuneration



The Board of Directors proposes that the General Meeting of Shareholders decide to increase the annual 100% remuneration limit for employees so that the variable component of an employee's remuneration may not exceed 200% of the employee's fixed salary.



Increasing the variable component of remuneration up to 200% enables offering of dynamic total remuneration structure to the Company's employees through variable remuneration. In this way, the Company expects to minimize the increase in fixed costs and to award its employees for the Company's long-term success and value increase.



Variable remuneration may better be aligned with the Company's strategy, long-term performance and controlling level of risk. Increasing the maximum ratio will lead to a more controlled cost structure and more flexible solvency planning for the Company.



The possibility to increase the maximum ratio of variable remuneration is applied for entire personnel, excluding the members of the Board of Directors. The maximum ratio will be applied to approximately 170 employees in operative management as well as in investment and retail banking, in asset management, corporate functions and independent control functions as well as in other functions.



18. Amending of Section 7 of the Articles of Association



The Board of Directors proposes that, due to a change to the terminology of the Auditing Act, Section 7 of the Articles of Association be amended to read as follows:



Section 7 Auditor



The company has one (1) auditor that must be an auditing organisation referred to in the Auditing Act. The term of office of the auditor ends at the close of the first Annual General Meeting following the election.



Valid Section 7 of the Articles of Association:



Section 7 Auditor



The company has one (1) auditor that must be an Authorised Public Accounting organisation referred to in the Auditing Act. The term of office of the auditor ends at the close of the first Annual General Meeting following the election.

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
SINGAPORE, Feb 28, 2017 - (ACN Newswire) - Ntegrator International Ltd ("Ntegrator" or "the Group"), a leading regional communications network specialist and systems integrator, today announced that it has secured two major contracts worth S$47.8 million.The contracts involve the supply of fibre installation and maintenance services, and were awarded by a regional service provider and another customer. The contracts are scheduled to commence in March 2017, and cover a contract period of two years and three years respectively. The contracts are expected to contribute positively to the Group's financial performance over the next two to three financial years, subject to timely completion of the project and effective cost management.Mr. Jimmy Chang, Managing Director of Ntegrator, said, "The Group is heartened to start the year on a strong footing with these contract wins. The latest contracts awarded by two of our repeat customers in the network and communications space, underscore the Group's established track record and our strong relationships with key industry players in Singapore. The confidence placed in us by our repeat customers reinforces the Group's unrelenting commitment in delivering quality products and services. Moving forward, we will continue to leverage on the developments within the industry to capture growth opportunities in our core markets of Singapore, Vietnam and Myanmar."About Ntegrator International LtdEstablished in April 2002 and listed on Catalist (formerly known as SESDAQ) three years later, on October 26, 2005, Ntegrator's core businesses include the design, installation and implementation of data, video, fibre optics, wireless and cellular network infrastructure as well as voice communication systems. The Group provides project management services as well as maintenance and support services. Headquartered in Singapore, Ntegrator has operations in the region, covering Singapore, Vietnam and Myanmar. www.ntegrator.comIssued on Behalf of Ntegrator International LtdBy Citigate Dewe Rogerson, i.MAGE Pte Ltd55 Market Street#02-01Singapore 048941Contact:Mr Winston Choo / Ms Lynette Tanat telephoneDURING OFFICE HOURS: +65-6534-5122 (Office)AFTER OFFICE HOURS: +65-9068-2099 / +65-9689-2846 (Handphone)EMAIL: winston.choo@citgatedrimage.com / lynette.tan@citigatedrimage.comSource: Ntegrator International LtdCopyright 2017 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
TCL goes a long way in moving public opinion away from the stereotype traditionally associated with "Made in China "

Chinese companies reshape the global color TV landscape

BEIJING, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- China-based TCL is giving its Japanese and South Korean peers a run for their money in the TV industry, as it revealed that the company became the first Chinese TV maker with global shipments breaking the 20 million mark, an event that occured in 2016.

Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472223/TCL_TV_Shipments.jpg

According to data from Beijing All View Cloud, an independent data analysis and market research firm more commonly known throughout the industry as AVC, Chinese TV brands, with TCL taking the lead, captured a 30 percent share of global shipments, further taking market share from South Korean peers. The rapid rise of Chinese companies who are taking a strong position in the market has reshaped the competitive landscape across the sector.

Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471787/CES_TCL.jpg

In the past year, Chinese TV makers have become the "dark horses", as South Korea-based LG was only able to muster a middling performance for 2016, a result of the company having to reduce the number of shipments due to an internal reorganization and having achieved no breakthrough in terms of OLED TVs, while veteran Japanese manufacturers continued to lose market share and core competitiveness as they failed to foresee the changes taking place across the market.

Statistics show that Chinese color TV brands, led by TCL, accounted for 30 percent of global shipments in 2016, an increase of 3.2 percentage points from a year earlier, with color units made in China taking a 60.3 percent share. TCL made the biggest contribution with its TV shipments surpassing 20 million units last year. In North America, TCL's market share has gradually increased with access to almost all mainstream sales channels in the US. TCL has increased its brand awareness among local shoppers through collaborative efforts with Google, RokuTV, Amazon and Netflix. Revenue outside China now accounts for nearly 50 percent of TCL's total, with North America being an important market as part of its globalization strategy. TCL has climbed to fourth place in terms of brand awareness among US shoppers.

TCL was the first Chinese brand to adopt the quantum dot display technology. Over a three-year period, TCL built a complete industrial structure for the development of the technology in China by integrating talent and technical resources. In 2016, TCL, with a focus on promoting the technology, established XESS, a subsidiary brand that specializes in high-end products. OLED TVs launched by some vendors had inherent defects including a short lifetime and ghost images coupled with a high price tag due to the limited properties of the organic materials. Using inorganic luminescent materials, quantum dot TVs feature a more stable display, higher quality image and cost performance, as well as 110% coverage of the NTSC color gamut, while the HDR technology's heightened contrast and dynamics enhances the brightness as well as the 3D color gamut. Although other brands such as South Korea-based Samsung have also turned to quantum dot technology, TCL, with years of R&D experience in the field, has more obvious first-mover advantages.

Furthermore, China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT), a well-known panel designer and manufacturer and TCL subsidiary, owns the world's largest 8.5-generation LCD panel production line by capacity and the world's highest-generation panel production line. The cost, production and yield advantages brought about by its complete industry chain have allowed TCL to stand out from other brands, ensuring the Chinese manufacturer's ability to supply far more than 20 million TVs and reach the next milestone in terms of position in the market.

The rise of TCL is similar to that of another Chinese brand, Huawei. In addition to independent ownership of the core technology in their respective industries, their development strategy and abilities at innovation have also gone well beyond the stereotype that has been traditionally associated with "Made in China". The global shipments of 20 million units reflect the success of TCL's efforts at greatly improving the quality of its products while seizing a big share of the market. If more Chinese companies were to consider TCL and Huawei as their role models, similar changes in terms of what China's makers can produce would spread across the entire manufacturing spectrum, going way beyond TVs and mobile phones. Japanese and South Korean giants, the original leaders in the display industry, have been deeply impressed by what TCL, the "Huawei in TV sector", has done and achieved.

Chinese brand TCL's successful expansion in the global TV market during 2016 has set another milestone in terms of resetting the meaning of the term "Made in China", as the world once again recognizes the strength of the growing Chinese economy. Time will tell how far Chinese brands like Huawei and TCL can go.
NEC Seiichiro Toda s-toda@cj.jp.nec.com +81-3-3798-6511

TOKYO, Feb 28, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - NEC Corporation and Netcracker Technology announced today that Globe Telecom has selected them to support its digital transformation initiative and lay the foundation for next-generation infrastructure, including virtualization. Globe will use Netcracker's sophisticated OSS suite and comprehensive Service Orchestration solution, a component of NEC/Netcracker's Hybrid Operations Management solution and Agile Virtualization Platform and Practice.Globe Telecom is the leading mobile service operator in the Philippines, managing one of the nation's largest networks which delivers sophisticated mobile, broadband and fixed-line services to consumers, small and medium businesses and large enterprises.Known for delivering innovative services and exceeding customer expectations, Globe Telecom is constantly investing in new capabilities to maintain its market leadership. As part of this mandate, Globe is upgrading and optimizing its infrastructure for new digital services. Netcracker's OSS suite, comprised of Service Activation, Resource Inventory and Discovery & Reconciliation, and NEC/Netcracker's Service Orchestration solution will enable Globe to lay the foundation for hybrid operations between physical and virtual infrastructure. The solutions will also optimize current service deployment processes and increase the level of automation."Our customers expect us to offer the most innovative digital services in the market and deliver those services reliably and consistently. As such, we continue to invest in cutting-edge technology that will allow seamless customer experience," said Pebbles Sy-Manalang, Chief Information Officer at Globe. "We are excited to launch this partnership with NEC and Netcracker and leverage their expertise and solutions to meet our key business objective of being the best digital service provider for our customers.""As one of the leading service providers in the Philippines, Globe is using our solutions to give it the agility and flexibility needed to keep pace with such a fast-moving market," said Elizabeth Pangan, President of NEC Philippines. "We are excited to support Globe in achieving their mission of creating wonderful experiences and overcoming challenges, we are confident that these capabilities will result in better operations for Globe, introducing even more possibilities for growth in the future.""The transition into a next-generation service provider requires the deployment of new technologies and processes, both of which are important aspects of transformation," said Loh John Wu, General Manager of Asia Pacific at Netcracker. "We are excited to help Globe evolve and set the foundation for virtualization and digitalization, which will enable it to deliver the best experience to its diverse customers."About GlobeGlobe Telecom is a leading full service telecommunications company in the Philippines, serving the needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connections, internet and managed services. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel who are acknowledged industry leaders in the country and in the region. For more information, visit www.globe.com.ph. Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/talk2Globe and Facebook: http://facebook.com/GlobePHAbout Netcracker TechnologyNetcracker Technology, a wholly owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation, is a forward-looking software company, offering mission-critical solutions to service providers around the globe. Our comprehensive portfolio of software solutions and professional services enables large-scale digital transformations, unlocking the opportunities of the cloud, virtualization and the changing mobile ecosystem. With an unbroken service delivery track record of more than 20 years, our unique combination of technology, people and expertise helps companies transform their networks and enable better experiences for their customers.For more information, visit www.netcracker.com.About NEC CorporationNEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company's experience and global resources, NEC's advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society. For more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com.Based on its Mid-term Management Plan 2015, the NEC Group globally provides "Solutions for Society" that promote the safety, security, efficiency and equality of society. Under the company's corporate message of "Orchestrating a brighter world," NEC aims to help solve a wide range of challenging issues and to create new social value for the changing world of tomorrow. For more information, please visit http://www.nec.com/en/global/about/solutionsforsociety/message.html.Source: NEC CorporationContact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Elektrenai, Lithuania, 2017-02-28 08:55 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lietuvos energijos gamyba, AB, legal entity code 302648707, registered head office address Elektrines Str. 21, Elektrenai (hereinafter referred to as the Company). The total number of registered ordinary shares issued by the Company is 635 083 615, ISIN code - LT0000128571.



Following the launch of new electricity connections with Sweden and Poland and the elimination of quotas for electricity generation, all power plants operated by the Lietuvos Energijos Gamyba had to adapt to the new market conditions in 2016.



"Changes in business environment and increased competition affected our results, - says Ms. Egle Ciuzaite, Chairwoman of the board and chief executive officer of Lietuvos Energijos Gamyba. - Nevertheless, we managed to successfully respond to the challenges of 2016 and today we can reap both better corporate results and a higher level of employee engagement. We continuously change and improve so that the Company operates more efficiently in the future and give shareholders a change to earn better returns and create value for employees."



Revenue of the Company decreased, as well as the costs



In 2016 the Company's revenue totalled Eur 172.9 million and was 19.3 per cent lower than the revenue in 2015 (Eur 214.4 million). The Company's sales revenue decreased 25.3 per cent, mainly due to the decreased electricity production in Elektrenai Complex. The cancellation of the supported electricity production quota halved the output of the Elektrenai complex units (0.491 TWh) when compared to the year 2015 (0,491 TWh). The decrease of sales revenue was partly counterbalanced by the revenue received from disposal of part of business in the beginning of 2016.



As a result of decreased production, variable costs incurred by the Company were significantly reduced (-43 per cent) as well. In addition, due to efficient organisation and performance of repair works and constant improvement of business processes, the Company managed to significantly reduce operating costs as well.



Costs reduction in the Elektrenai complex, which met public service obligations (PSO) and provided the tertiary active power reserve service in 2016, amounted to almost 10 per cent, which grants direct benefits to electricity consumers because it contributes to the electricity rate reduction.



Produced competitive electricity by CCGT was sold on the market and over the year it has allowed to earn nearly EUR 6 million gross profit which will be given to the PSO tariff reduction for consumers.



As the market situation changed, hydroelectric power plants managed by the Company operated more efficiently and flexibly. In 2016, Kaunas Algirdas Brazauskas' Hydroelectric Power Plant produced 30 per cent (0.363 TWh) more electricity than in 2015. Production at Kruonis PSHP decreased slightly more than by 20 per cent (to 0.517 TWh); however, this power plant played a particularly important role in ensuring the safety of electricity supply when the operation of the "NordBalt" link was unstable. When the link was disconnected, particularly in the first half of 2016, Kruonis PSHP was the first to provide help: the emergency reserve of this power plant was activated 57 times in 2016 (20 times in 2015)



Profitability has increased



The increased scope of the secondary reserve service in 2016 improved the EBITDA result of the Company's regulated activity, while the EBITDA indicator of commercial activities of the hydroelectric power plants, despite increased competition, was similar to 2015. However, the change in the Company's EBITDA in 2016 in comparison with 2015 was substantially affected by evaluation of the decisions of the regulator in financial statements. EBITDA increased by Eur 7.8 million (Eur 58.1 million and Eur 50.3 million, accordingly). EBITDA margin was 33.6% in 2016 (23.4% in 2015).



The net profit of the Company in 2016 exceeded the profit from 2015 due to higher EBITDA and the impact of one-off factors: the sale of a part of the business at the beginning of 2016 (the recorded result before tax was EUR 19.8 million) and the reduction of the assets value recorded in 2015 related to the decision to terminate the operation of units 5 and 6, which caused a reduction of the net profit by EUR 30 million in 2015.



Biggest attention - to the implementation of business strategy



In 2016 the Company has updated its business strategy for 2020. Sticking to the guidelines set out in the strategy, the Company will seek to ensure the continuity of the Company's activities, to return to shareholders and to retain jobs of employees. The Company, therefore, plans to significantly expand its service portfolio by 2020. It is planned that in four years every employee of the Company will devote at least 15 per cent of their working time for new services. The Company will pursue to have main operating expenses for electricity and heat production and provision of system services reduced by at least 15 percent by 2020.



The Company has already made the first steps in offering new services in 2016 - business was offered territories next to the power plant as well as services of weighing heavy vehicles and biofuel and other laboratory tests. In the future, the Company plans to considerably expand the range of services.



Key goals of the Company include low employee turnover, assurance of occupational safety and health, and implementation of the LEAN management system principles-based Operational Excellence programme



According to E. Ciuzaite, the main requirement for the implementation of all the actions provided for in the strategy and development of new activities is engaged employees generating ideas and focused on the achievement of goals. "I have no doubt that an even deeper fostering of fundamental values of the company, such as responsibility, cooperation and pursuit for the achievement of goals, will help successfully implement our vision of becoming a competitive international energy generation and service centre", - says the head of Lietuvos Energijos Gamyba.



Valentas Neviera, Head of Communication Division, tel. +370 670 25997, e-mail. valentas.neviera@le.lt



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Utena, Lithuania, 2017-02-28 09:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Utenos trikotazas, the largest textile manufacturing group in Central and Eastern Europe, earned a pre-tax profit of EUR 1.2 million in 2016, compared with a pre-tax loss of EUR 0.3 million in 2015. The group's EBITDA amounted to EUR 2.2 million in 2016, up from EUR 1.0 million in 2015. The Utenos trikotazas group is comprised of companies Utenos trikotazas, Satrija, Gotija and Mrija (Ukraine). The group is part of the SBA concern.



AB Utenos trikotazas posted a pre-tax profit of EUR 0.7 million for 2016, versus a pre-tax loss of EUR 0.2 million in 2015. The company's EBITDA made up EUR 1.4 million, a three-fold rise from EUR 0.5 million in 2015.



The group's consolidated sales grew by 20.4%, year-on-year, to reach EUR 22.8 million in 2016. The sales of Utenos trikotazas for the previous year amounted to EUR 19.6 million, up from EUR 16.0 million in 2015.



The main reason for the improvement in the profitability indicators is a significant increase in the business volumes of the company and the group. Satrija contributed to the performance of the group with a 16% growth of sales and a pre-tax profit of EUR 0.4 million. The sales volume of Utenos trikotazas went up by 22.5% in 2016. Growth was achieved in all major sales regions: German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland (DACH), Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland), Lithuania and elsewhere.



The largest - DACH - region grew by 6.2%, generating 42.9% of the company's sales. The acquisition of new customers resulted in a 44.8% rise in sales in Scandinavia, with the region's sales accounting for 26.2% of the company's sales. Encouraged by the sales of products manufactured under own brands (UTENOS and ABOUT) as well as products manufactured on demand of other clients, the sales volume in Lithuania went up by 54.3%. Sales in Lithuania accounted for 21.9% of the company's total sales volume.



"We expect to maintain double-digit sales growth in 2017. Developing new innovative materials remains one of the main priorities of the company. In addition, this year Utenos trikotazas has joined the Detox campaign initiated by Greenpeace, thus affirming its commitment to environmentally-friendly and clean production. Our customers show an increasing interest in the impact of products and manufacturing processes on the environment and humans, therefore there's a strong focus on this area in our strategy too," Algirdas Sabunas, CEO at Utenos trikotazas, said.



"The attraction of new customers and the sales development of own brands should become the key drivers for further growth. Rebranded last year, the UTENOS brand has attracted considerable attention from partners and customers in the Lithuanian market. We expect that the development of new shops that started at the end of last year will further increase the availability of our products and will contribute to sales growth this year," A. Sabunas added.



Utenos trikotazas is the largest and one of the most modern knitwear manufacturers in Central and Eastern Europe, which is to mark its 50th anniversary in 2017. The Utenos trikotazas group of companies, which also comprises Satrija, Gotija and Mrija (Ukraine), is part of the SBA concern. Utenos trikotazas currently owns the Utenos and About retail brands. In 2017, Utenos trikotazas became the first Lithuanian company to join the Detox campaign of Greenpeace, committing itself to eliminating by 2020 any raw materials likely to have adverse effects on humans or the environment from its production chains.



More information:



AB Utenos trikotazas



CEO Algirdas Sabunas



Phone 8 389 51445



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BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The KOF Swiss Economic Institute is due to release its leading indicator index for February at 3:00 am ET Tuesday. The index is expected to improve slightly to 102.1 in February, up from 101.7 in January. Ahead of the data, the franc traded miexd against its major rivals. While the franc rose against the euro and the pound, it fell against the U.S.dollar and the yen. The franc was worth 1.0665 against the euro, 1.2517 against the pound, 1.0069 against the greenback and 111.56 against the yen as of 2:55 am ET. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Sigfox Foundation has developed a tracking solution combining GPS and Sigfox low powered IoT connectivity to monitor Rhinos in the wild

10 animals have been equipped for six months with low-powered connected sensors

SIGFOX Foundation announces today, at Mobile World Congress 2017, a 6-month experiment for a new rhinoceros tracking system. Involved in the conservation of the endangered species, the Sigfox Foundation is partnering with three of the largest international organisations dedicated to rhinos conservation.

According to Save the Rhino, an international organisation supporting endangered rhinos, there are only 29,000 animals left in the world, compared to 70,000 only 50 years ago. Rhinos could become extinct in just over 10 years' time if poaching continues at current rates. The Sigfox Foundation, which uses connected sensors to save lives, has partnered with conservationists to better monitor rhinos, by having exact locations with a secured and long term tracking system on the Sigfox network, and therefore better protect the animals.

"Now Rhinos Speak"

The first phase of the experiment, called "Now Rhinos Speak", took place from July 2016 to February 2017, on a conservation area protecting 450 wild rhinoceroses in Southern Africa.

The operations, jointly carried out by the Sigfox Foundation and Lowveld Rhino Trust, first deployed the infrastructure to enable Sigfox's Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) network across the nature reserve in just four days. Three Sigfox antennas and base stations have been deployed, now covering the area. Christophe Fourtet, co-founder and scientifc director of Sigfox, has been personaly involved in the field operation, with the help of four volunteer technicians.

The Sigfox Foundation, closely partnering with the conservationists of Lowveld Rhino Trust, have also prototyped a GPS tracker. Implanted in the horn of 10 black and white rhinos, this prototype is now securely sending 3 GPS signals per day via the Sigfox network, on a dedicated secured platform also developed internally by Sigfox Foundation. EUTELSAT has provided pro bono satellite connectivity.

The battery life of the prototype low-powered sensor is estimated between 1 and 3 years.

Raoul du Toit, Director of Lowveld Rhino Trust said: "Sigfox devices allow automated downloading of GPS positions at specified intervals without the need for constant human effort, unlike VHF radiotracking that requires a person to listen to a radio signal, and a directional antenna to follow physically the signal and determine the position of the rhinoceros".

"By only transmitting a few GPS positions every day, we drastically simplify the tracking and monitoring of endangered wildlife. We now give a voice to rhinoceroses, everyday, wherever they are. It is a big hope to better understand endangered species, so to protect them", added Marion Moreau, head of the Sigfox Foundation

Now Rhinos Speak, next step

Next operations have been planned in the conservation reserve, to equip a larger number of wild rhinos with new devices. The next step of this initiative is to develop a new generation of IoT long-life wireless sensors.

"Our goal is to help to produce 29,000 connected sensors to monitor all the living rhinos around the world. We are already collaborating with French animal tracking company, Argos, who are piioneering these devices. We are looking for donors to support the production of very low-cost sensors, able to last several years in full autonomy", said Marion Moreau.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228005822/en/

Contacts:

Sigfox

Marion Moreau, 33 6 60 95 43 79

marion.moreau@sigfox.org

or

Simon Chan, +44 7875 198091

Simon.chan@edelman.com
LONDON, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

70 data scientists from 25 insurance companies competed in the day-long learning event.

Earnix, a provider of predictive analytics solutions for the financial services industry, completed its first Xperts Analytics Hackathon, which was held at The Trampery in London yesterday. Using the competitive format of a traditional hackathon, teams of insurance data scientists competed in a day-long simulation using the Earnix Analytics Platform. The winning team had to outfox the rest of the pack by finding the most balanced pricing decisions, taking into consideration short- and long-term results.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150721/238725LOGO )



The Xperts Analytics Hackathon brought together a community of industry practitioners and Earnix experts for an exclusive peer-to-peer learning experience, applying best practices in predictive analytics to the complex pricing decisions used in the insurance industry. Throughout the day, participants had hands-on exposure to some of the latest analytics technologies available, including new Machine Learning techniques.

Commenting on the event, Reuven Shnaps, Earnix Chief Analytics Officer said: "The Xperts Analytics Hackathon was a wonderful experience for all participants. Our clients sharpened their predictive modeling skills, and were exposed to new advanced Machine Learning techniques. They learned from each other and were able to see the results of their decisions in the fast-paced simulation of the real-world competitive marketplace. They learned first-hand how the technology is able to speed up analytics-based decision making".

About Earnix

Earnix offers a specialized Financial Services cloud-based predictive analytics platform, which delivers significant business benefits to banks and insurance companies by seamlessly integrating scientific real-time business decision making into their business processes. Earnix's advanced customer behavior modeling and pricing algorithms optimize business outcomes by enabling rapid deployment of customer-centric offers. For more information visit http://www.earnix.com
VALLEY COTTAGE, New York, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

After witnessing multiple garbage crises occurring across European countries, the European Union (EU) strives to ensure that all sorts of waste remains locked & sealed in disposable bags. Changing lifestyles and growing urbanization observed across European countries has triggered the use of garbage bags, compelling people to avert health hazards emanating from open dumping. Future Market Insights' latest research report on Europe's garbage bags market estimates that in 2016, more than US$ 1.5 billion worth of garbage bags were consumed. It has been projected that by the end of 2026, Europe's garbage bag sales will rise steadily at 5% CAGR and reach US$ 2.52 billion in value.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161020/430874LOGO )



Although, the report also reveals that in terms of volume, Europe's garbage bags market will soar at a moderate CAGR of 3.7%. According to the report, the waste management rules imposed by EU haven't entirely favored the use of garbage bags. The European Environment Agency has laid down strict rules that curb the use of plastic or polythene garbage bags, thereby bringing ambiguity among European citizens and civic authorities in regards to managing waste on a daily basis. Moreover, several landfill sites have been shut down across Europe over the past decade, giving rise to strikes by garbage collectors.

Request a Sample Report with Table of Contents: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-eu-3034

Presently, garbage bags manufactured in Europe are available in materials namely, polypropylene, high-density polythene, low-density polythene, and linear low-density polythene, among others. With the help of technological advancements, European garbage bag manufacturers are likely to adopt eco-friendly materials in the future. In 2017 and beyond, the demand for polythene garbage bags will remain predominantly higher in European countries. Among them, high-density polythene garbage bags are expected to gain traction. Through 2026, around 30% of Europe's garbage bags revenues will be accounted by garbage bags made from high-density polythene materials. Meanwhile, revenues arising from sales of low-density and linear low-density polythene garbage bags in Europe will remain marginally different throughout the forecast period.

Preview Analysis on Europe Garbage Bag Market Share: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/europe-garbage-bag-market

In the report, titled "Garbage Bags Market: Europe Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026," Europe's retail & consumer industry has been identified as the largest end-user of garbage bags. With over 40% revenue share, garbage bags worth over a billion dollars will be sold across retail & consumer verticals in Europe by the end of 2026. On the other hand, institutional and industrial end-use of garbage bags will collectively account for sales of every other garbage bag being manufactured in Europe during the forecast tenure. Depending on their use, the report reveals higher demand for garbage bags bearing around 20 to 30 gallons in volume. In 2016, close to US$ 470 million revenues were amassed from sales of 20-30 gallon garbage bags in Europe. In the years to come, the demand for 32-35 gallon garbage bags will also gain momentum across the region.

Speak with Analyst for any Report Related Queries: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-eu-3034

Among all European countries, Germany is projected to be the largest consumer of garbage bags in Europe. Throughout the projected period, around one-fourth of Europe's garbage bag market value will be accounted by Germany alone. The consumption of garbage bags will also be considerably high in the UK, France, and Italy. Some of Europe's leading garbage bag manufacturers include, Primax D.o.o., Plasta.it, Pack-it BV, MirPack TM, Novplasta S.R.O, Dagoplast AS, EXTRAPACK Ltd., International Plastic, Inc., Terdex GmbH, and Achaika Plastics SA.

More from FMI's Cutting-edge Intelligence:

Parenteral Packaging Market Segmentation By Product Type - Bags, Ampoules, Vials, Prefilled Syringes and Cartridges and Ready-To-Mix Systems; By Material - Glass, Plastic and Polymer, By Packaging Type - Mall Volume Parenteral and Large Volume Parenteral: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/parenteral-packaging-market

Smart Labels Market Segmentation By Labelling Technology - RFID, NFC Tags, Electronic Article Surveillance, Sensing Labels and Electronic Shelf Labels; By End Use - Healthcare, Automotive, FMCG, Logistics, Retail and Others; By Printing Technology - Flexographic, Digital, Gravure and Screen: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/smart-labels-market

Temperature Controlled Pharmaceutical Packaging Solutions (TCPPS) Market Segmentation By Product Type -Insulated Shippers, Insulated Protective Shippers, Insulated Containers; By Application - Frozen, Chilled, Ambient: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/temperature-controlled-pharmaceutical-packaging-solutions-market

About Us

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The two sides showed their pleasure with the fine development in friendly relations and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Brunei in the 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties; appreciated the visit by State President Tran Dai Quang to Brunei in August 2016; and agreed to maintain high-ranking visits as well as peoples exchanges to increase mutual understanding and trust. Minister Lim Jock Seng said that Sultan of Brunei will attend APEC Summit in 2017 to be held in Da Nang city.

The two sides put forth measures to increase cooperation in economics, trade, investment, defence and security, oil and gas, agriculture and fisheries, culture, tourism, education - training and labor.

In terms of economics, trade and investment, they agreed to increase exchange of experience, promote investment and trade, organize conferences, and expand cooperation in exploratory activities in the exploitation, processing, transport and distribution of oil and gas products, striving to lift the two-way trade turnover to USD500 million by 2025.

Regarding security and security cooperation, the two sides agreed to carry out existing agreements and mechanisms, promote cooperation among military arms, especially among navy forces and coast guard; and expand cooperation in some other areas such as terrorism, rescue work at sea, and drug prevention training.

The two sides reached a consensus on negotiating and signing agreements on the prevention of trans-national crime; on judicial support; on extradition and on transfer of sentenced prisoners.

Deputy Prime Minister Binh Minh appreciated Burneis addressing of issues relating to Vietnamese fishermen and vessels.

Minister Lim Jock Seng showed his thanks to Vietnamese experts for supporting Brunei in rice development, agriculture and fisheries, pledging to urge relevant agencies to promote labor cooperation.

The two sides will continue to coordinate with and support each other at regional and international forums, especially in ASEAN and the UN, committing to maintain and promote peace, security, stability, safety and maritime and aviation freedom in the East Sea, calling on parties to act with restraint, not threaten to use or use violence, fully respect diplomatic and legal process, and address disputes by peaceful measures in line with international laws, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea.

They re-confirmed their support toward the full and effective implementation of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the building of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Concluding the conclusion, the two sides signed a document agreeing to organize the second meeting of the bilateral cooperation committee in Brunei in 2019./.




Mitsubishi Motors Public Relations Department http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com +81-3-6852-4275

TOKYO, Feb 28, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced that the company today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regarding a joint study into environmental load reduction using the electric-powered technology employed in MMC's I-MiEV EV and Outlander PHEV plug-in hybrid EV models.MMC President, CEO Osamu Masuko stated, "We want to contribute to a more mobile society. The joint study with the Philippines DENR addresses how to lower the environmental impact to society through automotive electrification, utilizing our electric car i-MiEV, the first mass-marketed EV, and our popular plug-in hybrid Outlander. When the project becomes concrete, we would like to extend the participation to other Philippine governmental institutions and research institutions including universities, and electric companies."About Mitsubishi MotorsMitsubishi Motors Corporation is the fifth largest automaker in Japan and the fifteenth largest in the world by global unit sales. It is part of the Mitsubishi keiretsu, formerly the biggest industrial group in Japan, and was formed in 1970 from the automotive division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.Throughout its history it has courted alliances with foreign partners, a strategy pioneered by their first president Tomio Kubo to encourage expansion, and continued by his successors. A significant stake was sold to Chrysler Corporation in 1971 which it held for 22 years, while DaimlerChrysler was a controlling shareholder between 2000 and 2005. Long term joint manufacturing and technology licencing deals with the Hyundai Motor Company in South Korea and Proton in Malaysia were also forged, while in Europe the company co-owned the largest automobile manufacturing plant in the Netherlands with Volvo for ten years in the 1990s, before taking sole ownership in 2001.Source: Mitsubishi MotorsContact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
CALGARY, AB--(Marketwired - February 28, 2017) - Two Canadian provinces -- Saskatchewan and Manitoba -- are the top two most attractive jurisdictions in the world for mining investment, followed by Western Australia, according to an annual global survey of mining executives released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian policy think-tank.

"A richness of mineral reserves, coupled with competitive tax regimes, efficient permitting procedures and certainty surrounding environmental regulations can still attract significant investment -- even with slumping commodity prices," said Kenneth Green, senior director of the Fraser Institute's energy and natural resource studies and co-author of the Fraser Institute's Annual Survey of Mining Companies, 2016.

The annual survey ranks 104 jurisdictions around the world based on geologic attractiveness and the extent government policies encourage or deter exploration and investment.

The rest of the top 10 (in ranking order) includes the U.S. state of Nevada, Finland, the Canadian province of Quebec, the U.S. state of Arizona, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, and the Australian state of Queensland.

Notably, Chile tumbled in the rankings this year from 11 th to 39 th , and now ranks below Peru at 28 th . Argentina continues to fall in the eyes of mining investors, with five Argentinian provinces placing in the bottom 10 jurisdictions worldwide. Near the bottom of the rankings, Venezuela is the 3 rd least attractive jurisdiction for mining investment globally.

The African continent, as a whole, continues to look better and better in the eyes of investors, this year buoyed by Ivory Coast (17 th ), Botswana (19 th ) and Ghana (22 nd ). As a region, Africa ranks ahead of Oceania, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Argentina for its investment attractiveness.

This year, the Fraser Institute also released a separate study examining issues surrounding the exploration permitting process.

Overall, Permit Times for Mining Exploration in 2016 finds that Canadian provinces performed better than their international counterparts for approving exploratory permits, but a number of states in the U.S. and Australia, as well as Finland and Sweden tended to offer more transparency in the permitting process, and explorers in these jurisdictions had more confidence than those in Canada that they would receive their necessary permits.

"Time is money, and if permit approval times are unnecessarily long or lack transparency, confidence plummets, overall costs increase and investors will take their money elsewhere," said Taylor Jackson, a senior policy analyst with the Fraser Institute and co-author of the two studies with Green.

Worldwide investment attractiveness rankings (Top 10):

1. Saskatchewan

2. Manitoba

3. Western Australia

4. Nevada

5. Finland

6. Quebec

7. Arizona

8. Sweden

9. Republic of Ireland

10. Queensland

Worldwide investment attractiveness rankings (Bottom 10):

104. Jujuy (Argentina)

103. Neuquen (Argentina)

102. Venezuela

101. Chubut (Argentina)

100. Afghanistan

99. La Rioja (Argentina)

98. Mendoza (Argentina)

97. India

96. Zimbabwe

95. Mozambique

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ken Green, Senior Director, Natural Resource Studies

Fraser Institute

Taylor Jackson, Senior Policy Analyst, Natural Resource Studies

Fraser Institute

For interviews with Ken Green or Taylor Jackson, or for more information please contact:

Bryn Weese, Media Relations Specialist, Fraser Institute

Tel: (604) 688-0221 Ext. 589

E-mail: bryn.weese@fraserinstitute.org

Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter | Become a fan on Facebook

The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. To protect the Institute's independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit www.fraserinstitute.org

Bryn Weese

Media Relations Specialist

Fraser Institute

Tel: (604) 688-0221 Ext. 589

E-mail: bryn.weese@fraserinstitute.org
SINGAPORE -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Singapore-based Luye Medical Group has entered into a strategic partnership with OncoCare Cancer Centre furthering its ongoing strategy to make private healthcare services more integrated and available.

OncoCare is the second largest private oncology treatment center in Singapore with strong growth in the last few years. With new equity investment from Luye Medical, the integrated oncology specialists will be able to further accelerate their expansion in Singapore, creating greater values to the local healthcare environment. The tie-up also allows Oncocare to benefit from Luye Medical's broad international network, including access to the rapidly growing China market. Both organizations will work together in jointly developing healthcare capabilities and services in line with the increasing local and regional demands.

Through its investment in OncoCare, Luye Medical will see the group's capabilities in oncology treatment significantly expanded, thereby giving a boost to their core strategy of developing Singapore as a centre of excellence for oncology. Luye Medical Group has been building up their Singapore operations as a platform for new research and development to foster innovation and drive knowledge and best practices sharing around the region.

Meeting Local Healthcare Demands

Through the newly formed alliance, synergy will be leveraged between Luye Medical's resources and the capabilities of Oncocare, with ongoing plans to offer a seamless one stop oncology treatment and diagnosis centre to provide elevated care services for patients. "The capacity and capability of Luye Medical's oncology care will be expanded," said Mr Choo Kin Poo, Group Vice President, Strategy Planning & Business Development, Operations on the partnership.

Despite being known for its standard of practices, quality of services, and excellence as a regional medical hub, Singapore's healthcare industry has been faced with greater challenges due to increasing demand from the local population on the availability of accessible and affordable healthcare services.

Mr Choo shared his views on the current landscape of our local healthcare system, and how Luye Medical plays a role in contributing to the local medical industry. "Waiting time is a continuous challenge in the public system. It is thus important to develop synergies that will not only add value to our patients, but also help to make care more affordable. As a private healthcare provider, this is where Luye Medical comes in to support the system and provide an affordable option to our patients in the private environment as well as to create more job opportunities within the medical industry."

With a common dedication towards patient care, Dr Tay Miah Hiang, CEO and Consultant Medical Oncologist of OncoCare, said, "As doctors and especially as oncologist, we must care for our patients and their relatives like how we would want ourselves or our loved ones to be cared for in similar circumstances. With this partnership, there will be an increased relentless pursuit of service excellence through employment of more doctors and staff with the same mindset, research, precision investigation and therefore better treatment and delivery of services to our patients."

Adopting Best Practices Regionally

In addition to benefiting the local community, another core focus of Luye Medical will be on expanding their core capabilities in both the Southeast Asian region and the China market. Headquartered in Singapore, Luye Medical has a global presence across China, South Korea, and Australia.

"As a regional medical hub known for its excellence and quality in standards of practices and healthcare services, we are honoured to be able to share common industry practices that will bring benefit not only to patients, but of which can be adapted to different healthcare environments as well," mentioned Mr Liu Dianbo, Chairman of Luye Group. "The innovative healthcare model of Singapore provides an adequate eco-system to test-bed the latest industry practices before we extend our expertise and capabilities abroad. An emphasis on patient centrality and providing quality services are values we share with OncoCare, and we are definitely looking forward to the synergies which will be created."

The tie up with OncoCare is part of Luye Medical Group's strategic plan to leverage the best medical expertise, standard of practices and quality of healthcare services for its upcoming development in the region, specifically, the China market. Luye Medical currently operates medical centres in Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu and Yantai. As part of the Group's mid-term strategy, Luye Medical will focus on developing specialized medical centers as well as general tertiary hospitals in major cities in China.

About Luye Medical

Luye Medical is the regional healthcare services arm of Luye Group. Headquartered in Singapore, Luye Medical oversees operations in Australia, China, South Korea and Singapore including Healthe Care (Australia), AsiaMedic (Singapore), Luye Ellium (China and South Korea), Bobath Memorial Hospital (China) and GoodWill Dental (China). Through its acquisitions and partnerships with leading healthcare organisations, Luye Medical adopts and develop world-leading technology as well as operational and management systems. Luye Medical continues to strive to provide integrated and high-quality healthcare services to both global and local customers and patients in pursuit of fulfilling its vision to become the leading global organisation in the healthcare industry.

About OncoCare

Founded in 2007, the OncoCare Cancer Centre (Singapore) has been committed to providing the best available cancer care to patients with its expert, personalized treatments, and efficient services. As Singapore's second largest provider of private oncology healthcare services and the fastest growing group, it currently has 5 clinics separately located at Singapore's premier hospitals. With a present team of 9 doctors, a 50% increase of staff over the next two years is expected in line with the expansion needs of Luye Medical.

For more information, please contact



Right Hook Communications:

Debbie Pereira

Account Manager

Tel: +65 9880 9848

Email: Email Contact



Gladys Ngiam

Junior Account Executive

Tel: +65 9742 7792

Email: Email Contact




First A350 Delivery to a French Carrier

AerCap Holdings N.V. ("AerCap") (NYSE: AER) today announced the delivery of a new Airbus A350-900 to Air Caraibes, the first of three new A350 aircraft deliveries on long-term lease from AerCap's order book with Airbus. The aircraft was transferred to the French carrier at a ceremony in the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse, attended by Philip Scruggs, President and Chief Commercial Officer of AerCap, Jean-Paul Dubreuil, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Air Caraibes, and Marc Rochet, Chairman of the Managing Board of Air Caraibes, amongst other delegates. A second A350-900 aircraft is scheduled for delivery to Air Caraibes in March 2017.

AerCap has one of the largest Airbus A350 XWB portfolios with a total of twenty-nine owned and on order, delivering through 2019.

AerCap President and Chief Commercial Officer Philip Scruggs said, "AerCap is proud to deliver the first A350 aircraft to Air Caraibes. Air Caraibes will be the first French airline to operate the A350. The aircraft will offer Air Caraibes greater capacity, increased range and superior operational efficiency. We look forward to continuing our successful relationship with Air Caraibes."

Air Caraibes' Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Jean-Paul Dubreuil said, "We have been working with AerCap, and previously with ILFC, for over 14 years. They helped us launch our first transatlantic services in 2003 and 2004, by providing two Airbus A330 aircraft, on lease agreements. Our decision to invest in the A350 XWB was down to the competitive positions provided by AerCap."

About Air Caraibes

As a scheduled French airline and specialist in the Caribbean, Air Caraibes employs close to 900 people. In 2016, the subsidiary company of the Dubreuil Group, transported 1,395,000 passengers. Air Caraibes operates flights from Paris Orly South to Guadeloupe (Pointe-a-Pitre), Martinique (Fort-de-France), French Guyana (Cayenne), Haiti (Port-au-Prince), Saint-Martin (Juliana), the Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo and Punta Cana in code-share with French Blue for this destination), the Bahamas and Cuba (Havana and Santiago de Cuba). The airline has also set up the schedules of its regional network so as to offer passengers from mainland France fast connections to all its Caribbean destinations. More information: www.aircaraibes.com.

About AerCap

AerCap is the global leader in aircraft leasing with, as of December 31, 2016, 1,566 owned, managed or on order aircraft in its portfolio. AerCap has one of the most attractive order books in the industry. AerCap serves approximately 200 customers in approximately 80 countries with comprehensive fleet solutions. AerCap is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (AER) and has its headquarters in Dublin with offices in Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Shannon, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Singapore, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, Seattle and Toulouse.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements, estimates and forecasts with respect to future performance and events. These statements, estimates and forecasts are "forward-looking statements". In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "might," "should," "expect," "plan," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "predict," "potential" or "continue" or the negatives thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements and are based on various underlying assumptions and expectations and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. As a result, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate or correct. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future performance or events described in the forward-looking statements in this press release might not occur. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results and we do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to, and will not, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For more information regarding AerCap and to be added to our email distribution list, please visit www.aercap.com and follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/aercapnv.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228005896/en/

Contacts:

AerCap Holdings N.V.

For Media: Gillian Culhane, +353 1 636 0945

Vice President Corporate Communications

gculhane@aercap.com

or

For Investors: Brian Canniffe, +353 1 418 0461

Head of Investor Relations

bcanniffe@aercap.com
ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN and COPENHAGEN, DENMARK -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Express (KTZE), the leading provider of transportation and logistics for China's New Silk Road, and global supply chain visibility specialist Globe Tracker International (GT) announce the deployment of hundreds of intermodal GT Smart UNIT45 reefer containers. These assets will travel along one of the longest rail trade route journeys in the World from ChongQing, China to Duisburg, Germany.

"The technology deployed for KTZE's solution is very robust, state of the art, with two-way communication to the reefer controller and multiple wireless sensors all customized to their specifications. The system is built to handle the harsh winter environments in Kazakhstan and Russia where temperatures often fall below -40 degrees centigrade," said Globe Tracker CEO, Jakup Lamhauge.

"We have worked hard with Globe Tracker and UNIT45 to develop this unique system for our valued customers and we couldn't be happier with the results," noted Daulet Kakim, Container Transport Department Director of KTZE.

The new KTZE - GT technology development, along with the rail route transit times from China to Europe approaching 13 days, is providing an exciting alternative trade route and solution that is attracting attention from traditional ocean and airfreight shippers.

About KTZ Express

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), a subsidiary of Joint Stock Company (JSC), provides a full range of transportation and logistics services to all the Eurasian routes. KTZE integrates rail, sea, air and road transport, port and airport infrastructure, warehouses and a network of terminals across the world. KTZE is also the dry port operator and the Management Company of the Special Economic Zone "Khorgos - Eastern Gate" on the border with China. The trust management of "KTZ Express" operates airports in Kazakhstan. KTZ Express operates its own fleet of refrigerated containers, dry cargo vessels, and other owned assets to private operator-partners.

For more information: http://ktze.kz/en

About Globe Tracker International, ApS

Globe Tracker is a privately held Danish company and leading global provider of sensor-based tracking, monitoring, and supply chain analytics solutions specializing in Cold Chain, Security and Visibility. Globe Tracker has offices in Copenhagen, Denmark; Reykjavik, Iceland; Torshavn, Faroe Islands, Sarasota and Melbourne, Florida in America.

For more information: www.globetracker.com

for KTZE

Kakim Daulet

Container transportation Department, Director

+7172611429 int.408

mob: +77788289491

email: Email Contact



for Globe Tracker

Don Miller

1-800-506-4030 ext. 5 or +1-647-984-4693




PUNE, India, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

According to the new market research report "Industrial IoT Market by Device & Technology (Sensors, RFID, Industrial Robotics, DCS, Condition Monitoring, Smart Meters, AHS, Camera System, Networking Technologies), Software (PLM Systems, MES, SCADA), Vertical, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2022", published by MarketsandMarkets, the IIoT market is expected to grow from USD 113.71 Billion in 2015 to reach USD 195.47 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 7.89% between 2016 and 2022.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 )



Browse 129 market data Tables and 75 Figures spread through 228 Pages and in-depth TOC on"Industrial IoT Market"

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/industrial-internet-of-things-market-129733727.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.



A key influencing factor for the growth of the IIoT market is the need to implement predictive maintenance techniques in industrial equipment to monitor their health and avoid unscheduled downtimes in the production cycle. Factors which driving the IIoT market include technological advancements in semiconductor and electronics industry and evolution of cloud computing technologies.

Download PDF Brochure @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=129733727

Manufacturing vertical accounted for the largest share of the IIoT market in 2015

The manufacturing vertical is witnessing a transformation through the implementation of the smart factory concept and factory automation technologies. Government initiatives such as Industrie 4.0 in Germany and Plan Industriel in France are expected to promote the implementation of the IIoT solutions in Europe. Moreover, leading countries in the manufacturing vertical such as U.S., China, and India are expected to further expand their manufacturing industries and deploy smart manufacturing technologies to increase this the contribution of this vertical to their national GDPs.

The market for camera systems is expected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period

The IIoT market for camera systems is expected to grow at the highest rate between 2016 and 2022. Camera systems are mainly used in the retail and transportation verticals. The need of security and surveillance in these sectors is the key reason for the high growth rate of the market for camera systems. In the retail sector, the camera systems are used for capturing customer behavior, moment tracking, people counting, and heat mapping. The benefits of installation of surveillance systems include the safety at the workplace, and the prevention of theft and other losses, sweet hearting, and other retail crimes. Video analytics plays a vital role for security purpose in various areas in transportation sector including airports, railway stations, and large public places. Also, intelligent camera systems are used for traffic monitoring, and incident detection and reporting.

APAC accounted for the largest share of the IIoT market in 2015

APAC is a leading manufacturing hub and held the largest share of the IIoT market in 2015. The market in APAC is also expected to witness rapid growth during the forecast period owing to the growing adoption of IIoT solutions across the manufacturing, mining, retail, and transportation sectors. China held the largest share of the IIoT market in APAC, whereas the market in India is expected to grow at the highest CAGR among all the major markets in this region.

Inquiry Before Buy @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=129733727

The major players operating in this market includes ARM Ltd. (U.K.), Cisco Systems, Inc. (U.S.), General Electric (U.S.) Intel Corporation (U.S.), Rockwell Automation, Inc. (U.S.), ABB(Switzerland), Texas Instruments Incorporated (U.S.), Dassault Systemes (France), Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.), Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (China), IBM Corporation (U.S.), Kuka AG (Germany), NEC Corporation (Japan), Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), Siemens AG (Germany), and ZIH Corp. (U.S.).

Browse Related Reports

Industrial Control and Factory Automation Market by Technology (SCADA, PAC & RTU, DCS, Safety, MES & MOM, PLM), Component (Industrial Robots, Machine Vision, Control Valves, Enclosures, Cables), Industry (Process, and Discrete) - Global Forecast to 2022

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/factory-industrial-automation-sme-smb-market-541.html

Smart Factory Market by Technology (PLM, MES, PLC, SCADA, ERP, DCS, HMI), Component (Sensors & Actuators, Communication Technologies, Industrial Robotics, Machine Vision), Industry (Process, Discrete), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2022

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/smart-factory-market-1227.html

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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 info graphics 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.

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FARNBOROUGH, England, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

DX chooses Sentiment app for social customer service, to support and engage customers.

Sentiment today announced that DX, a leading independent mail, parcels and logistics end-to-end network operator in the UK and Ireland, will deploy Sentiment's intelligent social customer care platform to deliver enhanced social engagement and support.

Sentiment will work closely with DX to deliver a responsive social customer service experience, powered by smart automations and workflows alongside consolidated social data. Reporting and analytics will provide a full 360-degreeview of the customer on social media.

Katherine Jacobs, Integrated Marketing Campaigns Manager, DX said: "It's key for DX to be where our customers are, to support and assist them. Social plays a key role in this and it's vital we have the technology platform to enable our agents to engage and respond efficiently."

DX deliver over 200 million items a year across the UK and Republic of Ireland and operate from over 70 locations. As a specialist provider of customer-driven solutions for the delivery of time sensitive, mission critical, 2-man and high value deliveries, DX routinely handles goods from many etailers, high street retailers, and a wide range of items from many industry sectors. The Sentiment platform will enable the organisation to listen and manage social interactions across key social channels, providing the best social experience possible.

Intelligent workflows and automations within the Sentiment app will make it easier for the DX customer support team to prioritise and manage inbound messages effectively. These time-saving processes reduce the time it takes to manage and respond to customer service enquiries making sure all comments which require a response are identified. The inbox is simplified into a single stream view and agents have conversation histories available at their fingertips to inform replies.

Leon Chaddock, CEO at Sentiment said: "DX are fully committed to providing great service and social media is an ideal medium to help them achieve this. We are excited to be supporting DX with the Sentiment social customer service app, helping them increase speed and efficiency by reducing response times and improving agent productivity. In addition, centralised social data and reporting will create a robust 'single version of the truth' that can provide actionable insight on customer behaviours and help drive improvements to the customer experience."

For more information please visit www.sentimentmetrics.com

ENDS

About Sentiment

Sentiment is a cloud-based social customer service platform that uniquely provides marketing, publishing and customer service capabilities. This has enabled 100s of major brands across the globe to deliver social customer service and marketing from a single, integrated app. It allows organisations to prioritise and purposefully engage with customers when they need it most. It delivers a single source of the truth for all social data and provides visibility of when and why social engagement is happening, enabling brands to engage quickly and efficiently.

About DX

Established in 1975 as the Document Exchange mail network for delivering important documents for the legal and financial sectors, DX is now a leading independent logistics and parcel distribution company operating throughout the UK & Ireland. Renowned for offering great service, high security, and customer choice, DX is relied upon by both public and private sector organisations. DX provides proven next-day or scheduled delivery services for mail, parcels and 2-Man deliveries to business and residential addresses nationwide.

As the specialist provider of customer-driven solutions for the delivery of time sensitive, mission critical, 2-man and high value deliveries, DX routinely handles goods from many etailers, high street retailers, and a wide range of items from many industry sectors including legal papers, jewellery, optical lenses, pharmacy items and high street fashion.

For further information about DX please visit www.dxdelivery.com

PR Contact

Anita Matthews

Anita.matthews@sentimentmetrics.com

+44-(0)-845-658-9945

@smetrics


SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 --



WHO:

Jill Witty, vice president of Talent & Operations for Entelo, providing recruiters with the tools they need to build world-class teams

WHAT:

Will deliver the session "Creating Innovation for Outside the Box Sourcing Strategies" during the 2017 Virginia SHRM Conference.

WHEN:

Sunday, March 12 - Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Witty is scheduled to present on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 11:45 a.m. EDT.

WHERE:

The Williamsburg Lodge

310 S. England Street

Williamsburg, Va.

DETAILS:

When it comes to building diverse, high-performing teams, recruiters face a number of challenges and knowing where to find the right applicants is just the start.

During 2017 Virginia SHRM Conference, themed "The Joy of HR," Jill Witty, vice president, Talent & Operations for Entelo, will offer attendees a creative look at sourcing strategies. Highlighting the latest technologies, Witty will show how recruiters can leverage big data, predictive analytics and social signals to supply organizations with much needed talent. In addition, Witty will explain how recruiters can assess existing strategies to identify any gaps in the sourcing process in order to determine which technologies would best serve the organization.

For information about the 2017 VA SHRM Conference, visit: https://virginiashrmstateconference.com.

About Entelo

Entelo is a new and better way to recruit. The Entelo platform combines machine learning, predictive analytics, behavioral listening and social signals to help recruiting organizations identify, qualify and engage with talent. Entelo was named a Best Place to Work in 2017 by Glassdoor, recognizing the exceptional experience it provides employees as they help customers recruit the best talent. To learn how leading companies like Facebook, Cisco and UPS are building their teams using Entelo, visit www.entelo.com.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP. (TSX: FR)(NYSE: AG)(FRANKFURT: FMV)(BVM: AG) (the "Company" or "First Majestic") is pleased to announce the promotion of Dustin VanDoorselaere, previously Vice President of Operations, to the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) beginning March 1, 2017. Mr. VanDoorselaere, an experienced mining engineer, will be responsible for overseeing all operational functions at each of the Company's six operating silver mines in Mexico.

Prior to joining First Majestic in November 2016, Mr. VanDoorselaere held the position of General Manager for Nyrstar, a global metals and mining company, and was responsible for overseeing all aspects of mining operations, including legal and government relations, at the El Mochito mine in Honduras and the Campo Morado mine in Mexico. Prior to Nyrstar, Mr. VanDoorselaere held various operational positions at Goldgroup Mining and Aurico Gold in Mexico. Prior to working in Mexico, Mr. VanDoorselaere held senior operating positions with Redback Mining in Ghana, Norilsk Nickel in Australia, as well as numerous international mining companies within Canada.

Salvador Garcia, who previously held the COO position since July 2014, has been appointed to the new position of Country Manager of Mexico and will be responsible for government and stakeholder relations in Mexico. He will represent First Majestic at various political and social functions and will continue to work with Mr. VanDoorselaere, in a supporting role, to maintain positive relationships federally and in the local and state regions in which the Company operates.

In addition, First Majestic is also pleased to announce the appointment of Marjorie Co, effective March 1, 2017, to the Company's Board of Directors. Ms. Co brings over 20 years of legal, business and corporate development experience. She currently provides business development and legal advice for technology-focused organizations and start-up companies. Her previous roles have included being the Director of Strategic Relations at Westport Innovations and Chief Development Officer at The Proof Centre of Excellence. Ms. Co was called to the British Columbia Bar in 1996 and is a Member of the Law Society of British Columbia. Ms. Co obtained her Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of British Columbia, and her Bachelor of Science degree from Simon Fraser University.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

First Majestic is a mining company focused on silver production in Mexico and is aggressively pursuing the development of its existing mineral property assets. The Company presently owns and operates six producing silver mines; the La Parrilla Silver Mine, the San Martin Silver Mine, the La Encantada Silver Mine, the La Guitarra Silver Mine, Del Toro Silver Mine and the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine. Production from these six mines is projected to be between 11.1 to 12.4 million ounces of pure silver or 16.6 to 18.5 million ounces of silver equivalents in 2017.

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.

Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the price of silver and other metals; the accuracy of mineral reserve and resource estimates and estimates of future production and costs of production at our properties; estimated production rates for silver and other payable metals produced by us, the estimated cost of development of our development projects; the effects of laws, regulations and government policies on our operations, including, without limitation, the laws in Mexico which currently have significant restrictions related to mining; obtaining or maintaining necessary permits, licences and approvals from government authorities; and continued access to necessary infrastructure, including, without limitation, access to power, land, water and roads to carry on activities as planned.

These statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in the spot and forward price of silver, gold, base metals or certain other commodities (such as natural gas, fuel oil and electricity); fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada, Mexico; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); risks relating to the credit worthiness or financial condition of suppliers, refiners and other parties with whom the Company does business; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; and the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining, including those currently enacted in Mexico; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities; diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as properties are mined; the Company's title to properties; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form, under the caption "Risks Relating to First Majestic's Business".

Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

Contacts:

First Majestic Silver Corp.

Toll Free: 1.866.529.2807

info@firstmajestic.com

www.firstmajestic.com




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Atlantic Gold Corporation (TSX VENTURE: AGB) ("Atlantic" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a construction progress update for its Moose River Consolidated Project ("MRC Project"), one of Canada's few construction stage, permitted and financed open pit gold projects.

Construction is progressing as planned with commissioning scheduled for September 2017 and construction expenditures remains within budget. Overall project completion reached 40% at the end of January.

A link to construction photos can be viewed by clicking the following link:

http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Feb22_AGC.pdf

Mine

The Company is working towards operating on two 12 hour shifts per day 7 days per week with regular rotations for three crews plus supervisory staff. All major equipment for pre-production has been delivered and the fleet will be expanded as the mine moves towards full operation. Currently the focus is on moving till and rock for the Tailings Management Facility (TMF) construction. To date approximately 865,000 tonnes of rock has been excavated, including 135,000 tonnes crushed, to provide construction material for the TMF, haul roads and plant site.

Plant

On February 3rd, a key milestone was achieved with the delivery of the ball mill and its components. The mill building is enclosed and the roof and cladding completed. Work has started erecting steel around the mill, and assembly of the ball mill components will start upon completion of steel erection. The 40-ton overhead crane has been installed. Mobilization of the Structural, Mechanical and Piping (SMP) contractor commenced early in February and first structural/mechanical activities commenced on February 13, 2017 on the grinding and reagents areas.

Preliminary placement of the first mechanical equipment occurred during January with the placement of several tanks within the reagents and plant services area.

For the leaching circuit, all Carbon in Leach (CIL) leach tanks and detox tanks are in place. Launders and bypass valves connecting the leach tanks have been installed.

In the reagents building, the concrete slab work as well as the erection of all major plate-work for the CIL and detox tanks has been completed. The foundations are also ready for the Motor Control Centre, gold room and lube room buildings. The first reagent tanks have been received on site and placed in position.

In the mining infrastructure area, work on the run of mine (ROM) wall was completed to the underside of the truck dump slab. The laboratory construction continued with exterior sheeting and roofing installed. Electrical installation has commenced in the Laboratory building. Wall framing has also commenced for the administration building. The septic field for the mine infrastructure area was completed and inspected by Nova Scotia Environment during the month of January.

Energization of the plant sub-station is planned for June 2017.

Tailings Management Facility (TMF)

The original TMF design included a grout curtain for seepage control which upon further evaluation could not be executed as designed. An upstream clay blanket, which is a more conventional method of seepage control was adopted, and is now under construction.

TMF construction is progressing and has now reached 15% completion. The material is sourced from the mine and used as rock fill for the dam embankment. The maximum height required for commissioning and the first 6 months of production is 6 metres before the second lift is required to be initiated. It is expected that activities related to placing the clay core and the layers of fine and coarse filter materials will start in the last week of March. Approximately 25 % of the upstream till blanket has been completed.

Social

A Community Liaison Committee (CLC) has been in place since 2011. In 2016, Atlantic Gold expanded the CLC to ensure its membership was diversified with representation from the surrounding communities, including the two closest Mi'kmaq communities. The nine volunteer members act as an advisory board to Atlantic Gold. The CLC provides a mechanism for information exchange between communities and the company, as well as a forum to share questions, concerns, and input regarding the MRC Project. The CLC meets quarterly with the potential for additional meetings depending on interest and project developments. The next meeting is being scheduled for March 2017.

John Thomas, P.Eng., VP Projects to the Company and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.

Further updates will be provided in due course.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Steven Dean, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This release contains certain "forward looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this press release, and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding discussions of future plans, guidance, projections, objectives, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations with respect to, among other things, the activities contemplated in this news release and the timing and receipt of requisite regulatory, and shareholder approvals in respect thereof. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, without limitation, statements related to proposed exploration and development programs, grade and tonnage of material and resource estimates. These forward looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results may vary.

Important factors that may cause actual results to vary include without limitation, the timing and receipt of certain approvals, changes in commodity and power prices, changes in interest and currency exchange rates, risks inherent in exploration estimates and results, timing and success, inaccurate geological and metallurgical assumptions (including with respect to the size, grade and recoverability of mineral reserves and resources), changes in development or mining plans due to changes in logistical, technical or other factors, unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications, cost escalation, unavailability of materials, equipment and third party contractors, delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters), political risk, social unrest, and changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets. In making the forward-looking statements in this press release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, the assumptions that: (1) market fundamentals will result in sustained gold demand and prices; (2) the receipt of any necessary approvals and consents in connection with the development of any properties; (3) the availability of financing on suitable terms for the development, construction and continued operation of any mineral properties; and (4) sustained commodity prices such that any properties put into operation remain economically viable. Information concerning mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates also may be considered forward-looking statements, as such information constitutes a prediction of what mineralization might be found to be present if and when a project is actually developed. Certain of the risks and assumptions are described in more detail in the Company's audited financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2015 and for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. The actual results or performance by the Company could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any forward-looking statements relating to those matters. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what impact they will have on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company. Except as required by law, the Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update, alter or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Contacts:

Atlantic Gold Corporation

Maryse Belanger

COO

+1 604 689-5564




Vietnam's booth at the bazaar (Photo: VNA)



At the bazaar, Vietnam's booth introduced many handicraft products such as boxes decorated with mosaic, conical hats, coffee, bamboo and rattan furniture, lacquer paintings, embroideries, handmade toys, hats, clothing, which attracted a lot of tourists to visit and purchase.

In addition, many visitors were interested in two special dishes of noodle soup (Pho) and fried meat roll, prepared by female staff and spouses of officials from the Vietnamese Embassy.

The bazaar is an annual activity of the diplomatic corps in India, organized by the Delhi Commonwealth Women's Association

Every year, the Vietnamese Embassy also attends the bazaar.

In addition to charitable fundraising purposes, the bazaar is an opportunity to promote and introduce the images of countries, people, products, handicrafts and cuisine culture of nations. This is also a chance for countries to express an interest in humanitarian projects implemented by the UN worldwide./.
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Fura Emeralds Inc. ("Fura" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: FUR) is pleased to announce that an annual and special meeting of the common shareholders of the Company has been called for March 30, 2017 (the "Meeting"). At the Meeting, Fura shareholders will, among other things, be asked to consider, and if thought appropriate, approve the Company's proposal to change its name to "Fura Gems Inc." (the "Name Change"). Additional information concerning the Name Change will be included in a management information circular to be mailed to Fura shareholders in connection with the Meeting.

Fura is proposing to change its name to more accurately reflect the activities of the Company. Dev Shetty, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fura, commented: "While our focus remains on the exploration of ECH-121, Fura's emerald concession in Colombia, we will also seek to further expand our asset base by pursuing diamond and colour gemstone assets. The proposed name change reflects the Company's new strategy of focusing globally on all gemstones."

The Company does not intend to change its ticker symbol, "FUR", in connection with the Name Change. The Name Change will be subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Fura Emeralds Inc.

Fura Emeralds Inc. is a natural resource company. The Company is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and evaluation of properties in Colombia and abroad. The Company is currently exploring the exploration concession contract, ECH-121, a grassroots emerald license, located in the Boyaca District in Colombia approximately two kilometres south of the Muzo emerald mine.

Regulatory Statements

This press release contains "forward looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Name Change, the Meeting, the Company's exploration activities, the Company's ability to acquire assets and the Company's performance. Generally, forward looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; the actual results of exploration activities; regulatory risks; risks inherent in foreign operations; and other risks of the oil and gas industry. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Contacts:

Fura Emeralds Inc.

Dev Shetty

President & Chief Executive Officer

dev.shetty@furaemeralds.com




LAKEWOOD, COLORADO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- AUC LLC ("AUC") is pleased to report that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ("NRC") has issued to AUC its Source and Byproduct Materials License to construct and operate an ISR uranium recovery facility at the Reno Creek Project in Campbell County, Wyoming. AUC now possesses all permits and licenses needed to proceed with the project.

NRC issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement on December 17, 2017, noting that "only small environmental impacts would result from the construction, operation, aquifer restoration and decommissioning of the proposed in situ recovery facility. Small impacts are defined as those that would be undetectable or so minor that they would not noticeably alter any important attribute of the environmental resource in question."

On February 3, 2017, NRC posted its Record of Decision, which stated that the decision to issue the Licence to AUC was based on the license application, consultation with federal, state, tribal and local agencies, the NRC staff independent review and the assessments summarized in the EIS. The License, signed by NRC, was received February 24, 2017.

The Reno Creek Project

The Project includes approximately 22,000 acres of private land, including a small amount of Wyoming State land, located in the Powder River Basin of northeastern Wyoming, USA, a well-established ISR uranium mining district. Operating uranium ISR projects in or near the Powder River Basin include Uranium One's Willow Creek project, Cameco Corporation's Smith Ranch-Highland and North Butte facilities, Energy Fuels' Nichols Ranch project, and Peninsula Energy's Lance Project. Several other projects are in the permitting stage in Wyoming and adjacent South Dakota.

The Reno Creek Project holds 22 million pounds of Measured and Indicated uranium as U3O8 at a GT cutoff of 0.2 %-ft. The project also holds a 0.9 million pound Inferred Resource, as reported in a July 31, 2016 Technical Report and Audit of Resources by Behre Dolbear.

The Project will use standard ISR processes to recover uranium from the host sandstone to produce uranium as a U3O8 yellowcake product. Yellowcake will be packaged in 55 gallon drums and shipped to a licensed conversion facility for further processing after sale. The CPP, located on 40 acres of land owned by AUC, will include ion exchange, elution, precipitation, yellowcake drying and packaging operations. Groundwater restoration and reclamation/decommissioning operations are also part of the integrated development and closure plan.

About AUC

AUC is a U.S. uranium company in the process of developing the Reno Creek Uranium ISR Facility near Wright, Wyoming. AUC's management team has many years of experience in the discovery, permitting, development and operation and restoration of ISR uranium facilities. The Pacific Road Resources Funds ("PRRF") hold a 97.3% ownership interest in RCHI, the holding company of AUC.

About the Pacific Road Resources Funds

The Pacific Road Resources Funds are managed and advised by Pacific Road Capital Management Pty Ltd ("PRCM"). PRRF are private equity funds investing in the global mining industry. They provide expansion and buyout capital for mining projects, mining related infrastructure and mining services businesses located throughout resource-rich regions of the world. The PRCM team, located in Sydney, Australia, San Francisco, USA, and Vancouver, Canada, is comprised of experienced mining investment professionals that have extensive knowledge and experience in the mining and infrastructure sectors, including considerable operating, project development, transactional and investment banking experience. For further information on the Pacific Road Resources Funds and PRCM, please go to their website at www.pacroad.com.au.

About Bayswater Uranium Corporation

Bayswater Uranium Corporation ("BYU") is a uranium exploration and development company. Bayswater holds a 2.7% interest in Reno Creek Holdings, Inc ("RCHI") the holding company of AUC LLC. The Company also owns a 100% interest in the Brudell property located in the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan. Shares of Bayswater are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "BYU". For further information see the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

ON BEHALF OF AUC

Jim Viellenave, President

AUC LLC

Contacts:

AUC LLC

Jim Viellenave

President

1536 Cole Blvd., Suite 230, Lakewood, CO 80401

(303) 953-7975

jviellenave@auc-llc.com




EASA eRules Platform Published Using Innovative Dx4 Structured Content Management Software

Safety is of paramount importance to air travelers and regulatory bodies such as the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) play a fundamental role. In the past, adhering to regulations meant sifting through dozens of individual, long documents for stakeholders in the aviation industry. Following months of close collaboration with EASA, DitaExchangeTM announced today that its Dx4TM structured content management software was chosen by EASA to support its new eRules platform. This platform aims at fulfilling EASA's objective to make European aviation regulations more user-friendly than ever before.

To learn more about Dx4, visit http://ditaexchange.com/dx4-benefits/

Structured Content Management (SCM) for everyone : Dx4 enabled EASA to create modular content that can be tagged, organized and reused without the need for complex XML authoring tools and in Microsoft SharePoint and Word.

: Dx4 enabled EASA to create modular content that can be tagged, organized and reused without the need for complex XML authoring tools and in Microsoft SharePoint and Word. Easy reuse : By using SCM, EASA was able to produce audience-targeted deliverables that provided the right content at the right time, to the right person using less authoring and reviewing time.

: By using SCM, EASA was able to produce audience-targeted deliverables that provided the right content at the right time, to the right person using less authoring and reviewing time. Advanced, automated publishing : The Dx4 advanced publishing engine enabled EASA to produce beautifully styled print documentation with a single click.

: The Dx4 advanced publishing engine enabled EASA to produce beautifully styled print documentation with a single click. Metadata-driven search: Using the advanced search capabilities of DitaExchange and SharePoint, EASA is positioning itself to deliver its content to stakeholders through a variety of mediums, including an advanced search-based interface.

Kent Soerensen, CEO, DitaExchange, said:

"We are very proud to help EASA by supplying the core functionality to a cutting-edge IT platform that will set new standards for delivering regulatory information to the aviation industry. We see a strong tie between the ambitions of EASA and our commitment to bringing the power of structured content management to every organization delivering crucial information. The eRules platform is going to be a valuable tool for the entire aviation industry."

Visit DitaExchange and EASA at the LavaCon conference from May 22-24 in Dublin, Ireland to learn more about structured content management for regulated industries.

About DitaExchange

DitaExchange is committed to simplifying the way regulated organizations create, manage, share and deliver important content though structured authoring and content management solutions that are built to run on the SharePoint platform. A leader in Structured Content Management, DitaExchange is a privately held company headquartered in Denmark with locations around the world. For more information, visit www.ditaexchange.com.

Copyright 2017 DitaExchange, Dx4. Various other trademarks are held by their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228005211/en/

Contacts:

DitaExchange

Lauren Heckler, +45 4243 9029

info@ditaexchange.com


ISTANBUL, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The World's Biggest Smart Phone Wall Has Been Built by VESTEL

Vestel has broken Guinness World Record with its 500 special V3 5570 model smartphones

The leading global manufacturer, Vestel, participated in Mobile World Congress -- the world's largest gathering for the mobile industry, held in the Mobile World Capital Barcelona for four years to showcase their latest mobile technologies including brand new smart phones, tablet PCs, as well as visual solutions products, smart home/kitchen platforms, interactive flat panel displays, and Ultra HD TV sets.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472003/VESTEL_Logo.jpg )

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472792/VESTEL_Guiness.jpg )



Undoubtedly, one of the most attractive parts of this fair was VESTEL's glorious Smart Phone Wall. In order to build this wall, 500 V3 5570 model smart phones were used. This wall has been registered as The World's Biggest Smart Phone wall by a jury of Guinness World Record Association. The previous record was registered with 400 smart phones.

After many years of research, Vestel has developed this staring smart phone wall (1,9 meters height X 3, 6 meters width). Those 500 smartphones could perform in harmony and create one complete vision. Also, this special model, V3 5570, provides Full HD display resolution with the help of its Full HD IPS screen. In addition to this, V3 5570, is designed by inspiration of reflections in nature and has unique style thanks to its diamond cut technology.

The largest display products manufacturer in Europe, Vestel has earned its position as a global player, consistently building upon its reputation for delivering manufacturing excellence. Highly acclaimed across multiple sectors, the Vestel Group is renowned for its expertise in manufacturing, technology development and marketing as well as in the development and distribution of consumer electronics, professional displays, mobile technologies and household appliances.

http://www.vestel.com

Contact:Ekin Ismailoglu, telephone: +90-236-2332582, email:ekin.ismailoglu@vestel.com.tr
BALTIMORE, MD -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- The Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce today announced the launch of their Annual Scholarship Award program, and First Annual Baltimore City Chamber Scholarship Dinner taking place March 21, 2017 at Fogo De Chao. (PURCHASE TICKETS HERE)

The award was created to recognize and inspire academic excellence and support the continuing advancement of higher education in Business among Baltimore City college and university students.

The Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce collegiate scholarship will be awarded annually to a student enrolled in a Baltimore City college or university who demonstrates a steadfast commitment to entrepreneurial and business success.

Chamber leadership will also pay tribute to Charles R. Owens at the First Annual Scholarship Dinner for his eight years of service as President, and unparalleled dedication to the advancement of Baltimore's business community.

"Charlie has built a strong foundation for the Chamber to succeed for years to come," said Yvette Clark, Chair of the Board of Directors, Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce. "His dedication and hard work over the past 8 years has helped the Chamber build a depth of resources and develop strong connections throughout the region and most importantly, the City of Baltimore. We are forever grateful for his lasting contributions."

The proceeds of the event will be used to support the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce's Annual Scholarship Award.

Event & Ticket Information:

Date: Tuesday, March 21st

Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: Fogo De Chao 200 E. Pratt Street

Tickets: http://bit.ly/2kFAXnC

ABOUT BALTIMORE CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce's mission is to promote business interaction among its members, provide information and resources for its members and to advocate the adoption of a pro-business agenda by the City of Baltimore and the region on behalf of its members. Information on membership can be found on the Chamber's website, www.baltimorecitychamber.org

CONTACT:

Mostafa Razzak

JMRConnect (for Baltimore Chamber)

202-904-2048

m.razzak@jmrconnect.net




MIAMI, FL -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Tiger Reef, Inc. (OTCQB: TGRR), a diversified producer of ultra premium rums under the Tiger Reef brand and a developer of casual dining restaurant properties in the Caribbean, announces that it has developed a new upscale casual dining restaurant concept that it has branded as Mermaid Reef Ocean Grill & Bar (Mermaid Reef).

The Mermaid Reef concept is an intimate restaurant of between 60 to 80 seats, with both indoor and outdoor seating, featuring a variety of proteins, both from the ocean and the land, seasonal crispy vegetables, and an array of rich, delectable sauces to please even the most discriminating palette. Each restaurant will be built on-site at an existing major Caribbean resort chain and, even though it will be operated as a resort amenity, each restaurant will also be actively marketed to non-resort guests and local residents.

Tiger Reef is currently in advanced negotiations to construct the initial Mermaid Reef in a major Caribbean resort located on the island of St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies. This particular resort operator has several additional resort properties located throughout the Caribbean where the Mermaid Reef concept could be expanded to in the future. Tiger Reef anticipates completing negotiations and executing a definitive lease agreement within the next 60 days at which time it will disclose the name and exact location of the resort property.

Upon successfully demonstrating proof of concept with this initial St. Maarten location, Tiger Reef intends to open one new Mermaid Reef restaurant on-site at a major Caribbean resort property each year moving forward.

About Tiger Reef

Tiger Reef, Inc. is a diversified producer of ultra premium rums under the Tiger Reef brand and a developer of casual dining restaurant properties in the Caribbean. For more information, visit www.tigerreefinc.com.

Certain statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, may include forward-looking information that involves various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Actual result and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. Tiger Reef, Inc. ("Tiger Reef") assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change, other than as required pursuant to applicable securities laws. For a description of additional risks and uncertainties, please refer to Tiger Reef's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including "Risk Factors" in its Annual Report filed on Form 10-K.

Tiger Reef, Inc.

Investor Relations



949.264.1475

ir@tigerreefinc.com




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Kootenay Zinc Corp. (the "Company") (CSE: ZNK)(CSE: ZNK.CN) is pleased to announce that all subscribers and eligible finders/brokers who participated in the Company's previously announced private placement (see November 4, 2016 news release) have entered into a voluntary pooling agreement with the Company whereby the common shares will be released as follows:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Term Percentage of Common Shares ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 28, 2017 25% of the common shares ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 31, 2017 25% of the common shares ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 31, 2017 25% of the common shares ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- August 31, 2017 25% of the common shares ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Company

Kootenay Zinc Corp. is a mineral exploration and development company based in Vancouver, British Columbia that is presently targeting the Sully Property. The Company is focused on discovering large-scale sedimentary-exhalative ("SEDEX") deposits.

The Sully Property comprises 1,375 hectares located approximately 30 kilometres east of Kimberley, B.C., and overlies rocks of similar age and origin as those which host the world-class Sullivan deposit, owned by Teck Resources Ltd. Sullivan was discovered in 1892, and is known to be one of the largest SEDEX deposits in the world. Over its 100-year lifetime, Sullivan produced approximately 150 million tonnes of ore, including approximately three hundred million ounces of silver, eight million tonnes of zinc and eight million tonnes of lead. The equivalent level of strata as at Sullivan and that formed on the margin of that same basin are present at the Sully Property. The Company cautions that past results or discoveries on proximate land are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved on the Sully Property.

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by the Company's Project Manager, Paul Ransom, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

David Schmidt, President and Chief Executive Officer

Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain statements that constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law, including without limitation, statements that address the Sully Property, comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, costs and timing of future exploration and development, requirements for additional capital, other statements relating to the financial and business prospects of the Company. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved), and variations of such words, and similar expressions are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statement are necessarily based upon a number of factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements express or implied by such statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of zinc and other metals, anticipated costs and the ability to achieve goals. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events, level of activity, performance or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: (i) risks related to zinc, base metal and other commodity price fluctuations;

(ii) risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration results; (iii) risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; (iv) that resource exploration and development is a speculative business; (v) that the Company may lose or abandon its property interests or may fail to receive necessary licences and permits; (vi) that environmental laws and regulations may become more onerous; (vii) that the Company may not be able to raise additional funds when necessary; (viii) the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; (ix) exploration and development risks, including risks related to accidents, equipment breakdowns, labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in exploration and development; (x) competition; (xi) the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of geologic reports or studies; (xii) the uncertainty of profitability based upon the Company's history of losses; (xiii) risks related to environmental regulation and liability; (xiv) risks associated with failure to maintain community acceptance, agreements and permissions (generally referred to as "social licence"); (xv) risks relating to obtaining and maintaining all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations relating to the continued exploration and development of the Company's projects; (xvi) risks related to the outcome of legal actions; (xvii) political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; (xix) risks related to current global financial conditions; and (xx) other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business strategy.

These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. There can be no assurance that planned exploration will be completed as proposed or at all, or that economic resources will be discovered or developed at the Sully Property. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, the loss of key directors, employees, advisors or consultants and fees charged by service providers. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Contacts:

Kootenay Zinc Corp.

604-833-6999




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Continental Precious Minerals Inc. (TSX: CZQ) ("Continental", the "Company") reports that it has applied for voluntary delisting of its shares on the TSX and concurrently applied for a listing on the NEX, a separate board of the TSX-V.

Following the sale of the Viken Project in Sweden, Continental does not currently have any assets other than its cash of approximately $5.5 million. An NEX listing will continue to offer investors an opportunity to buy and sell Continental shares, while at the same time reducing the Company's expenses. The Company is currently evaluating other opportunities and will provide updates as they become available.

The Company expects the delisting of its shares from the TSX and transition to the NEX to happen simultaneously and the Company will issue a further press release once the date has been determined.

The Company also wishes to announce that Dave Pryce has resigned as a director of the Company. Norman Brewster, Interim CEO, commented, "On behalf of CZQ, we thank Mr. Pryce for his contributions to the company over the years and we wish him the very best in his future endeavours."

Common Shares: 11,706,896

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Contacts:

Continental Precious Minerals Inc.

Norman Brewster

Interim CEO

416-203-7722




WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has presented a preliminary version of the Pentagon's new plan to rapidly defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, during a meeting of the White House Principals Committee. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said at his daily news conference Monday that Mattis briefed the principals on the options presented in the plan, and is seeking their input and feedback. Separately, Pentagon Press Secretary Captain Jeff Davis said at a press briefing that the Cabinet-level senior interagency forum, which usually does not include the president, already has received copies of the classified report. Davis described it as a framework for a broader global plan. President Donald Trump requested the plan in a presidential memorandum one month ago. 'This is not just a military plan. It draws upon all elements of national power -- diplomatic, financial, cyber, intelligence [and] public diplomacy, and it's been drafted in close coordination with our interagency partners,' he told reporters. 'This plan is truly trans-regional,' Davis said. This is not just about Iraq and Syria, it is about defeating ISIS and other trans-regional violent extremist organizations,- such as al-Qaida around the globe,' he added. While officials did not name countries or the region listed in the plan, they reportedly include Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the Asian countries where ISIS presence is growing. 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.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN--(Marketwired - February 28, 2017) - Scale Computing, the market leader in hyperconverged solutions for midsized companies, today announced its Scale Partner Community (SPC), a newly reimagined channel program. The new strategic program will allow Scale to work closely with partners both in North America and EMEA to expand its reach of hyperconvergence.

Scale Computing has a 100% channel-focused model and has revamped its channel partner program, making it more simple and profitable. Through this development, Scale is better positioned to offer partners the products, programs and services they require to address their customers' infrastructure needs, while simultaneously growing their businesses. Scale Computing focuses on reducing costs, simplifying deployment and data center management, consequently helping both partners and customers save time and money. As part of the program Scale will be offering three tiers: Silver, Gold and Platinum

"When choosing a vendor to promote with our clients, it's important to our Link team that the manufacturer's approach is to truly partner with us. Scale has always actively partnered with us to ensure that we are well-positioned to deliver hyperconvergence to our customers at every stage of the sales process," said Tim Morder, SVP Sales & Marketing of Link Computer Corporation. "The new SPC program will provide a tremendous advantage in our marketing efforts, with better value, pricing, and benefits. Now, as a part of the SPC, we look forward to accelerating our growth together with Scale's HC3 virtualization platform."

The hyperconverged infrastructure market is a multi-billion-dollar market that is expected to grow at a faster rate than any other IT business over the next five years. With Scale's HC3 hyperconverged platform, partners can pursue many business opportunities; thereby, helping customers to consolidate their complex IT infrastructure needs with one easy to use platform.

Scale Computing's HC3 platform brings storage, servers, virtualization and management together in a single, comprehensive system. With no virtualization software to license and no external storage to buy, HC3 products lower out-of-pocket costs while radically simplifying the infrastructure needed to keep applications running. This can save both partners and customers money. HC3 products make the deployment and management of a highly available and scalable infrastructure as easy to manage as a single server.

After successfully targeting the midsized market, Scale Computing has expanded opportunities to encompass all customers from the SMB to the distributed enterprises. This expansion dramatically increases the breadth of sales opportunities for Scale's channel partners. In addition to having access to Scale Computing's award-winning and game-changing technology, SPC members enjoy competitive margins, real sales opportunities rather than just leads, marketing support and the tools to successfully promote Scale Computing's HC3 Virtualization Platform to customers.

"Our channel partners have always been the lifeblood of Scale Computing as we rely solely on them to get our HC3 solutions to the marketplace and into customer locations," said Jeff Ready, CEO and co-founder of Scale Computing. "As we expand our offerings to encompass new opportunities and territories, we decided to reimagine how we work with our partner community to help them achieve the best possible sales success. Our new SPC offers many of the same great benefits that we've always provided our partners but streamlines the process and ensures that those doing the heaviest lifting get the greatest rewards. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with hundreds of channel partners worldwide to address the infrastructure requirements of their customers."

Scale Computing offers various options for referral partners, reseller partners, managed service providers, distribution partners and technology ISV partners. For more information about the unique set of benefits and requirements for each or to become a member of the SPC today, interested parties can visit https://www.scalecomputing.com/partners/channel-partners/

About Scale Computing

Scale Computing integrates storage, servers and virtualization software into an all-in-one appliance-based system that is scalable, self-healing, and as easy to manage as a single server. Using industry standard components, the HC3 appliances install in under an hour, and can be expanded and upgraded with no downtime. High availability insulates the user from any disk or server failure and a unified management capability driven by the patented HyperCore Software', efficiently integrates all functionality. The result is a data center solution that reduces operational complexity, allows a faster response to business issues, and dramatically reduces costs.

Media Contact:

Scott Kline

JPR Communications

818-798-1474

Scottk@jprcom.com
The Povisional Executive Committee of the Vietnamese Physicians Association in Cambodia (Photo: VNA)

The Provisional Executive Committee of the Vietnamese Physicians Association in Cambodia was assigned by the Standing Committee of GAVC, including seven doctors from state-owned and private hospitals in Cambodia.

Doctor Hoang Hoa, Director of Clinic 215 Phnom Penh, is the Head of the Provisional Executive Committee.

The Provisional Executive Committee is responsible for building the content, operation orientation of the Vietnamese Physicians Association and organizing effective implementation in the provisional period; communication, mobilization, development and admission of new members for 3-6 months, and completion of organization work to organize a congress to elect the official Executive Committee.

Speaking after the debut, Head of the Provisional Executive Committee, Doctor Hoang Hoa said that on Vietnam Doctor's Day every year, a team of Vietnamese physicians in Cambodia often held meetings to review the traditional day of the sector, share experiences, difficulties and advantages in the process of working as a physician in Cambodia. However, the scale of the organization was only spontaneous and small. It hasnt promoted the united power to contribute to help the community.

She also said that the Provisional Executive Committee would try to quickly carry out activities of the association to really become a voluntary organization for the Vietnamese community in Cambodia.

Mr. Chau Van Chi, Head of GAVC, said that the Vietnamese Physicians Association in Cambodia not only connects Vietnamese physicians, but it is also voluntary organization for overseas Vietnamese in Cambodia, organized free communication on common healthcare; examination, vaccination and medicine distribution for overseas Vietnamese in difficult circumstances.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Thach Du welcomed the establishment of the association and believed that the Provisional Executive Committee would soon carry out activities to serve and support the community, carrying out the traditional medical ethics of Vietnamese physicians and in accordance with the laws of the host country./.
Burlington, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2017) - Green Swan Capital Corp. (TSXV: GSW) ("Green Swan") announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire 2,800 hectares in five large unpatented claim blocks located in the Gowganda region of north-eastern Ontario.

This region produced 60.1 million ounces of silver and 1.4 million pounds of cobalt between 1910 and 1989, representing 11% of the total silver and 6% of the total cobalt endowment of the Cobalt-Gowganda camp. This output came from ten separate mines, with the Miller-O'Brien mine in Nicol Township being the largest (production of 38.0-million ounces silver and 0.8-million pounds cobalt (Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6318). The claim blocks being acquired do not cover areas of past production.

Gowganda is located 85 km northwest of the town of Cobalt and its world famous silver-cobalt camp, and roughly 120 km north of Green Swan's other cobalt assets in Sudbury, Ontario. Infrastructure is readily available in the region in the form of Highways 560 and 65 as well as several secondary roads.

Green Swan has been aggressively acquiring strong cobalt assets in ethical jurisdictions (Ontario and Quebec), with a view to supplying the skyrocketing demand in cobalt. Cobalt is a key component in the cathode of those batteries, for cell phone, laptops, hand held tools and most importantly electric vehicles. Cobalt pricing on the London Metal Exchange has increased roughly 250% since February, 2016, and management believes that the price will continue to trend upwards for the foreseeable future.

The silver-cobalt deposits at Gowganda occur within fracture-fill type carbonate veins that include a wide variety of minerals containing combinations of cobalt-iron-nickel, arsenic-antimony-sulphur and minor amounts of chalcopyrite and galena. The veins occur within Nipissing Gabbro sills that have intruded Archean metavolcanic rocks which are unconformably overlain by flat-lying meta-sedimentary rocks of the Coleman Member of the Gowganda Formation. The veins tend to be vertical to sub-vertical, narrow and somewhat discontinuous, but very high-grade.

The claim blocks being acquired were targeted to cover mineral occurrences documented in the Ontario Mineral Deposits Inventory database and prospective Nipissing Gabbro sills. Management is of the opinion that these blocks are highly prospective for cobalt, silver and copper.

Historic exploration conducted on the claim blocks is described below as taken from the Ontario Mineral Deposits Inventory database website (http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/en/mines-and-minerals/applications/ogsearth/mineral-deposits-mdi):

Morel (36 units) covers the Solid Silver (MDI41P15SE00009) and Bloom Lake (MDI41P15SE00015) occurrences, along with a five kilometer section of a Nipissing Gabbro sill. A value of 411g/t silver is reported from a single surface grab sample taken at Solid Silver. Values ranging from 219 to 603g/t silver, 0.3 to 0.9% cobalt, and 11.0 to 14.7% copper are reported from four surface grab samples taken at Bloom Lake. Previous underground exploration work at Bloom Lake includes development of a shaft and several adits;

United Reef (48 units) covers the Unit Reef prospect (MDI41P10SE00006) and parts of several Nipissing Gabbro sills. A single drill hole intersection of 1,250g/t silver over 3.0 metres is reported at the Unit Reef prospect;

Nicol (36 units) covers parts of a Nipissing Gabbro sill. Strong historic values have been reported to the west, northwest and east of Nicol. In particular, values of 50 and 7,800g/t silver were reported from two surface grab samples taken at the Byberg prospect (MDI41P10NE00046), 400 metres west of Nicol. At the Bishop occurrence (MDI41P10NE00002), 325 metres northwest of Nicol, a 365 metre shaft and adit were part of the development work, with values of 0.3% cobalt and 1.6% copper reported from a single surface grab sample taken there. To the east, values of 0.1% silver and 0.9% cobalt were reported from a single surface grab sample taken at the Powerful prospect (MDI41P10NE00065), 575 metres east of Nicol;

Lawson (32 units) covers parts of a Nipissing Gabbro sill. A single grab sample taken from a trench exposing this same Nipissing Gabbro sill returned 65.4 oz/ton (1,844 grams) silver and 0.2% cobalt at the Lacarte prospect (MDI41P10SE00008) located 2.5 km north of Lawson.

All historic sample results quoted above have not been verified by Green Swan. Grab samples are selective by nature and may not be representative of the rest of the claim blocks. Green Swan has not yet carried out any field work on these blocks. All historic work was carried out by third parties and Green Swan will have to carry out work to test the historic results.

The purchase price for the four Gowganda claim blocks is a total of $72,750 in cash and 450,000 units issued at a deemed price of ten cents per unit with each unit consisting of one common share and one common share purchase warrant exercisable at $0.15 for a period of eighteen months from the date of issue . The 450,000 units would be subject to a hold period of at least four months and a day. In addition, Green Swan will grant to the vendor a Net Smelter Returns Royalty of 2%, with half of such NSR re-purchasable at any time at Green Swan's option for $1,000,000.

The vendor is arm's length to Green Swan. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval.

In addition, as previously announced, Green Swan's management is proposing to change the name of the company to "CBLT Inc.". Management feels this name is more descriptive of the company's focus on strong cobalt assets and will bring greater attention in the global markets. The Company has reserved "CBLT" as a new trading symbol and shareholders will be asked at the April 24, 2017 shareholder meeting to approve the name change.

The technical contents of this release were approved by Dr. Tom E. McCandless, P.Geo., an independent director for Green Swan and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. None of the claims blocks have been the subject of a National Instrument 43-101 report and Dr. McCandless has not verified the technical data disclosed in this release.

About Green Swan Capital Corp.

Green Swan Capital Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company with a proven leadership team, targeting cobalt in reliable mining jurisdictions. Green Swan is well-poised to deliver real value to its shareholders. With the Gowganda acquisitions, Green Swan continues to build its impressive portfolio of assets in mining-friendly jurisdictions, including its main Sudbury asset, Dryden Cobalt, Otto Lake, Chilton Cobalt, Geneva Lake, Ryliejack and Mikayla.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking statements as they relate to the Company and its management. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but represent management's current expectation of future events, and can be identified by words such as "believe", "expects", "will", "intends", "plans", "projects", "anticipates", "estimates", "continues" and similar expressions. Although management believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be correct.

By their nature, forward-looking statements include assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. If and when forward-looking statements are set out in this new release, the Company will also set out the material risk factors or assumptions used to develop the forward-looking statements. Except as expressly required by applicable securities laws, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. The future outcomes that relate to forward-looking statements may be influenced by many factors, including, but not limited to: reliance on key personnel; risks of future legal proceedings; income tax matters; availability and terms of financing; distribution of securities; effect of market interest rates on price of securities, and potential dilution.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

GREEN SWAN CAPITAL CORP.

"Peter M. Clausi"



Peter M. Clausi

CEO and Director

For Further Information:

Peter M. Clausi

pclausi@greenswancapital.com

1 905-681-1925

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.
Vilnius, Lithuania, 2017-02-28 15:05 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The preliminary equity of INVL Technology, after the revaluation of financial assets, as of 31 December 2016 was EUR 19.7 million or EUR 1.62 per share (compared to 1.99 euro per share at the end of 2015) and decreased 18.6 percent in 2016.



Reported financial indicators of INVL Technology are preliminary, unaudited and do not represent disclosure of the net asset value of the Company. Net asset value of INVL Technology will be reported under the terms set in the Articles of Association of the Company. If audited net asset value is different from the value calculated based on preliminary financial indicators, provisions on error reporting set by articles of association of the Company shall not be applied.



Investments of the Company amounted to EUR 16.7 million at the end of December 2016. During the year the Company invested EUR 3.8 million - the biggest investments were related to the acquisition of Algoritmu sistemos UAB (by increase in share capital of Inventio UAB) and Andmevara AS. Also FINtime UAB was established and investments were made in the share capital of managed companies. Decrease in fair value of investments amounted to EUR 4 million.



The cash and cash equivalents of the Company decreased from EUR 7 million to EUR 3.1 million. Preliminary net loss of the Company in 2016 was EUR 4.5 million.



Additional information:



The preliminary equity capital of INVL Technology, a company that invests in IT businesses, was EUR 19.7 million at the end of 2016, or EUR 1.62 per share, and decreased 18.6 per cent in the year. During the year INVL Technology made investments of EUR 3.8 million. The total value of the company's investments, after a revaluation of the businesses it owns, decreased by EUR 4.0 million, to EUR 16.7 million at year-end. According to preliminary data, the company's net loss for 2016, including the revaluation, was EUR 4.5 million.



The valuation of INVL Technology's investment assets in 2016 was influenced by poorer performance of its businesses due to the costs of regional expansion and development of proprietary products, non-recurring events, and a cyclical contraction of the market caused by delays in the start of a new EU structural funds investment programme.



At the same time, two of the companies controlled by INVL Technology - Algoritmu Sistemos and BAIP - announced dividends during 2016 of EUR 0.25 million and EUR 0.85 million, respectively.



"Having become a closed-end investment company in the middle of last year, we aim to generate a significant return for investors by 2026, and that's why we've focused on decisions which make it possible to boost the value of the business portfolio over the medium and long term. We've given priority to expansion of constant access to markets and of the portfolio of business holdings. For their part, the businesses INVL Technology owns have focused on developing and enhancing new and existing products and strengthening competencies for international operations. We believe value will recover and expect to start seeing some of the potential of the new markets, products, and acquisitions already during 2017," said Kazimieras Tonkunas, Managing Partner for UTIB INVL Technology at INVL Asset Management.



In this period of active business development, he said, a significant role is being played by cooperation among the company's firms, which is enabling them not only to use their resources more effectively and adopt best practices, but also to benefit from access to foreign markets and jointly develop new specialised competencies. "We'll continue to actively develop the companies we've acquired. Our objective is to make them global operations, toward that end taking advantage of our businesses' access to markets and intellectual capital," Mr Tonkunas said.



At the start of 2017, INVL Technology's portfolio of directly and indirectly controlled businesses included 16 active companies. Six were added in the past year: the company FINtime was established in Lithuania and Norway Registers Development Rwanda Ltd was established in Rwanda; the creation of NRD Bangladesh, which began in late 2016, was completed in February this year; and the newly acquired companies Algoritmu Sistemos in Lithuania and Andmevara in Estonia and Moldova joined the portfolio.



The change in the company's investment portfolio was mainly due to the acquisitions of Andmevara and Algoritmu Sistemos in the first half of 2016 and investments in the capital of owned businesses. FINtime UAB was also established.



INVL Technology's firms, expanding the range of their services, conducted projects in 17 countries in 2016. They provided services to state and commercial institutions, banks, law enforcement structures and other organisations. By the start of 2017, their enlarged network of representative offices provided continual access to nine markets. Such representative offices currently operate in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Moldova, Norway, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, foreign revenues of Lithuania-based BAIP increased to EUR 2.7 million and 28 per cent of all revenue, and NRD CS's revenue outside Lithuania grew nearly 90 per cent and accounted for 36 per cent of all the company's revenue.



To-date INVL Technology has invested in the Norwegian company Norway Registers Development AS with subsidiaries NRD UAB and Etronika UAB in Lithuania, Norway Registers Development East Africa Ltd in Tanzania, Norway Registers Development Rwanda Ltd in Rwanda, NRD Bangladesh Ltd in Bangladesh, and the associated company Infobank Uganda Ltd in Uganda. It has also invested in BAIP UAB with its subsidiary Acena UAB as well as NRD CS UAB and Algoritmu Sistemos UAB, all in Lithuania, and Estonia's Andmevara AS with its subsidiary Andmevara SRL in Moldova.



On its receipt of a closed-end investment company license in July 2016, INVL Technology's management was assumed by INVL Asset Management - a part of Invalda INVL, one of the leading asset management groups in the Baltics. INVL Technology will operate until 14 July 2026.



The person authorized to provide additional information: Kazimieras Tonkunas INVL Technology Managing Partner e-mail k.tonkunas@invltechnology.lt



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Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation ("MAR"). Upon publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service ("RIS"), this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

28 February 2017

Conroy Gold and Natural Resources plc

("Conroy" or "the Company")

Half-yearly results for the six months ended 30 November 2016

Conroy (AIM: CGNR; ESM: CGNRI), the Irish-based resource company exploring and developing gold projects in Ireland and Finland, is pleased to announce its results for the six months ended 30 November 2016. During the period, drilling successes at Clontibret in County Monaghan Ireland included the discovery of five new gold zones, together with high grades and wide intersections of gold. The Company also moved forward with its plans for mining at Clontibret.



Highlights:

Recent drilling results at Clontibret have included the discovery of five new gold zones

High Grades including 0.5m grading 25.9g/t gold

Wide intersections including 5.75m grading 5.0g/t gold

Plans for Mine Development at Clontibret advanced

Major gold target at Glenish - four new gold zones identified

Additional Claim Reservations in Finland

Appointment of Professor Garth Earls to Board



Commenting, Chairman, Professor Richard Conroy said:

"I am delighted with the continued progress and excellent drilling results at Clontibret, where we are focused on bringing in a gold mine. Elsewhere, ongoing work further enhanced the overall potential of our extensive licence area in Ireland."

For further information please contact :

Conroy Gold and Natural Resources plc Tel: +353-1-661-8958 Professor Richard Conroy, Chairman Allenby Capital Limited (Nomad) Tel: +44-20-3328-5656 Virginia Bull/James Thomas/Nick Harriss Hybridan LLP (Broker) Tel: +44-20-3764-2341 Claire Louise Noyce/Niall Pearson/William Lynne IBI Corporate Finance Limited (ESM Adviser) Tel: +353-766-234-800 Ger Heffernan / Jan Fitzell Lothbury Financial Services Tel: +44-20-3290-0707 Michael Padley Hall Communications Tel: +353-1-660-9377 Don Hall

Visit the website at: www.conroygold.com







CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

Dear Shareholder,

I have great pleasure in presenting your Company's Half-Yearly Report for the six months ended 30 November 2016. During the half-year excellent progress was made at your Company's flagship project, Clay Lake - Clontibret.

During the half-year, drilling at Clontibret resulted in the discovery of five new gold zones, high gold grades including 0.25m at 35.4g /t gold and wide intersections including 5.75m grading 5.04g/t, giving further encouragement to your Company's belief in a combined multi-million oz. gold exploration target at Clay Lake - Clontibret.

The excellent results of the drilling programme were complemented by results from a structural study by independent consultant Dr. Francis Murphy. The structural survey identified eight gold lodes in stream bedrock at Clontibret. All of these corresponded to gold lodes previously identified by the drilling, thus giving further crucial technical information and confidence as your Company moves forward with its plans for mine development at Clay Lake - Clontibret, starting with a conventional open pit gold mine at Clontibret. A Scoping Study prepared by independent consultants Tetra Tech Wardrop demonstrated that the established resource, on only 20% of the target area at Clontibret, was technically and financially viable.

Drilling results at your Company's Glenish target, which is at the junction of two major geological structures - the Orlock Bridge and Glenish Faults, gave further evidence of the overall gold prospectivity of your Company's licence area. Channel sampling at Glenish had proved 1.3m Au grading 9.4g/t gold. The drilling results together with the channel sampling demonstrated the presence of four new gold zones in a 150 metre wide structural corridor in the western part of the Glenish gold target. The gold mineralisation in bedrock was traced down dip for over 70 metres and remains open in all directions.

Your Company has now delineated three major targets close together in the North-East of your Company's licence area - Glenish, Clontibret, and Clay Lake. Clay Lake is to the North-East of the original gold discovery at Clontibret and Glenish is to the South-West. Each of the targets has a large (more than 100 hectares) gold-in-soil surface expression.

Additional claim reservations have been applied for in Finland which has excellent potential for gold but your Company's prime focus is, of course, in Ireland at Clay Lake - Clontibret.

During the half-year Professor Garth Earls was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the Company. Professor Earls, who has worked with the Company for a number of years as a consultant, has over 25 years mineral exploration and management experience. Professor Earls was a project geologist on the team which discovered the Curraghinalt gold deposit in the North of Ireland, now under development. He was Director of the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland ("GSNI") from 2002-10 and after leaving the GSNI was Managing Director of Dalradian Gold and Chief Operating Officer of Premier Gold. I am delighted to welcome him as a member of the Board of your Company.

Financial

The loss after taxation for the half-year ended 30 November 2016 was 176,680 - (2015: loss 107,618) and the net assets as at 30 November 2016 were 16,976,644 (2015: 15,256,853).

As in previous years I have supported the working capital requirements of the Company and at the period end the amount due to me was 79,000. Since the period end I have advanced a further 55,000. These loans have currently been provided on an interest free and unsecured basis and are repayable at any time at the discretion of the Company. In addition, at the period end there was 135,287 of accrued interest outstanding on previous loans provided by me.

In the light of the excellent exploration results achieve to date, your directors are considering how best to fund your Company's activities going forward. Options being studied include joint venture, farm-out and equity funding, as well as other arrangements as may be appropriate for advancing the interests of your Company.

Outlook

Your Company continues to make excellent progress with its exploration and mining development plans. I look forward to further enhancement of the potential of the overall licence area in Ireland and to development of a mine at Clontibret.

Directors and Staff

I would like to thank all of my fellow directors, staff and consultants for their dedication and hard work which has played a major role in the continued success of your Company.

Yours faithfully

Professor Richard Conroy

Chairman

28 February 2017





CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

FOR HALF-YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2016

Six months ended Six months ended Year ended 30 November 30 November 31 May 2016 2015 2016 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)    OPERATING EXPENSES (176,680) (107,302) (291,486) Finance income - bank interest receivable - - - Finance costs - interest on shareholder loan - (416) (679) LOSS BEFORE TAXATION (176,680) (107,618) (292,165) Taxation - - - LOSS FOR HALF-YEAR (176,680) (107,618) (292,165) Loss per ordinary share - basic and diluted (0.0160) (0.0246) (0.0479)





CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR HALF-YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2016

Six months ended Six months ended Year ended 30 November 30 November 31 May 2016 2015 2016 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)    LOSS FOR PERIOD (176,680) (107,618) (292,165) Total income and expense recognised in other comprehensive income - - - TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD - ENTIRELY ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITYHOLDERS

(176,680)

(107,618)

(292,165)





CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 30 NOVEMBER 2016

30 November 30 November 31 May 2016 2015 2016 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) ASSETS    Non-current Assets Intangible assets 19,349,507 18,029,895 18,696,602 Property, plant and equipment 17,105 16,150 16,150 19,366,612 18,046,045 18,712,752 Current Assets Trade and other receivables 26,899 56,592 38,334 Cash and cash equivalents 8,573 29,224 687,708 35,472 85,916 726,042 Total Assets 19,402,084 18,131,961 19,438,794 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Capital and Reserves Called up share capital

Called up deferred share capital 11,014

10,504,431 4,373,208

6,135,597 11,014

10,504,431 Share premium 10,649,252 8,855,525 10,649,252 Capital conversion reserve fund 30,617 30,617 30,617 Share based payments reserve 1,503,496 1,162,830 1,464,030 Retained losses (5,722,166) (5,300,924) (5,545,486) Total Equity 16,976,644 15,256,853 17,113,858 Non-current Liabilities Shareholder loan 79,000 265,000 - Financial Liabilities 135,287 193,102 135,287 Total Non-current Liabilities 214,287 458,102 135,287 Current Liabilities Trade and other payables 2,211,153 2,417,006 2,189,649 Total Current Liabilities 2,211,153 2,417,006 2,189,649 Total Liabilities 2,425,440 2,875,108 2,324,936 Total Equity and Liabilities 19,402,084 18,131,961 19,438,794





CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

FOR THE HALF-YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2016

Six months ended Six months ended Year ended 30 November 2016 30 November 2015 31 May 2016 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)    Cash flows from operating activities Cash (used in)/generated by operations (84,266) 88,884 41,014 Tax paid - - - Net cash generated/(used in)by operating activities (84,266) 88,884 41,014 Cash flows from investing activities Investment in exploration and evaluation (621,213) (432,910) (858,769) Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment (2745) - - Net cash used in investing activities (623,958) (432,910) (858,769) Cash flows from financing activities Issue of share capital - - 1,800,367 Advances from shareholders 79,000 267,080 - Share issue costs - - (60,015) Interest on shareholder loan - - (679) Amount repaid to shareholders - - (201,955) (Repaid to)/advances from related parties (49,911) 82,690 (55,735) Net cash generated from financing activities 29,089 349,770 1,481,983 Increase/(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (679,135) 5,744 664,228 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 687,708 23,480 23,480 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 8,573 29,224 687,708





STATEMENTOF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE HALF-YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2016

Capital Conversion Share-based Retained Share Share Reserve Payment Earnings Total Capital Premium Fund Reserve (Deficit) Equity       At 1 June 2016 10,515,445 10,649,252 30,617 1,464,030 (5,545,486) 17,113,858 Share-based payments - - - 39,466 - 39,466 Loss for the period - - - - (176,680) (176,680) At 30 November 2016 10,515,445 10,649,252 30,617 1,503,496 (5,722,166) 16,976,644

Conversion Share-based Retained Share Share Reserve Payment Earnings Total Capital Premium Fund Reserve (Deficit) Equity       At 1 June 2015 10,508,805 8,855,525 30,617 1,120,009 (5,193,306) 15,321,650 Share-based payments - - - 42,821 - 42,821 Loss for the period - - - - (107,618) (107,618) At 30 November 2015 10,508,805 8,855,525 30,617 1,162,830 (5,300,924) 15,256,853





Notes to the Financial Statements

1. Basis of preparation

The half-yearly financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the recognition and measurement requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union (EU), and their interpretations adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The accounting policies used in the preparation of the half-yearly financial information are the same as those used in the Company's audited financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2016. The half-yearly financial statements do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 May 2016, which are available on the Company's website www.conroygold.com. The auditor's report on those financial statements was unqualified and contained emphasis of matter paragraphs relating to the preparation of the accounts on the going concern basis and the recoverability of tangible assets.

2. Earnings per share

The calculation of the loss per ordinary share of 0.0160 (2015: 0.0246) is based on the loss for the financial year of 176,680 (2015: 107,618) and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period of 11,013,537 (2015: 4,373,207).

Since the Company incurred a loss the effect of share options and warrants would be anti-dilutive.

3. Dividends

No dividends were paid or are proposed in respect of the period ended 30 November 2016.

4. Copies of Accounts

A copy of the Half-Yearly Report will be available on the Company's website www.conroygold.com and will be available from the Company's registered office, 9 Merrion Square North, Dublin 2.
GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- DMS Governance (DMS), the world's leading fund governance firm, welcomed William ("Bill") H. Woolverton, former Senior Managing Director and General Counsel at Gottex Fund Management., as a key legal and fund governance appointment in its New York office in November of last year.

The Hedge Fund Law Report recently interviewed Bill in connection with his move to DMS, during which he discussed the role of robust fund governance in the context of private funds, mirroring the views of our firm. Please visit our website at http://media.dmsoffshore.com/the-hedge-fund-law-report-the-importance-of-fund-governance/ to read the full article.

About DMS

In 2000, DMS pioneered the first professional fund governance firm.

Today, with more than 225 professionals and the longest and most successful history in fund governance, DMS works with 60% of the world's top hedge fund managers providing highly trusted fund governance services to more than $330 billion in fund assets around the world.

With the largest capacity in the industry, DMS excels at delivering high quality Fund Governance, International Tax Compliance, AIFMD, Banking, Custody, Trust, Corporate and Outsourcing solutions across a diverse range of investment fund structures and strategies.

Managers and investors seeking high-quality fund governance overwhelmingly turn to DMS when they want to achieve industry-wide sound practices.

Media Contact

Alison Sims

Marketing Manager

DMS Governance

(p) +1.345.749.2514 (c) +1.345.325.1776

E:asims@dmsgovernance.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/robust-fund-governance---why-its-important-300414921.html
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Hillary Clinton has called on President Donald Trump to speak out against hate crimes in the country in the wake of the killing of an Indian engineer in Kansas last week. 'With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out,' the former US Secretary of State said on Twitter Monday. In an apparent hate crime Wednesday night, Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot to death and two others injured in an Olathe bar. Trump has not yet commented on the shooting incident that shook the Indian community in the US. 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.
Full trading support via TradingView's web-based Trading Terminal to be available to FOREX.com customers in the coming weeks

BEDMINSTER, New Jersey, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc.(NYSE: GCAP) ("GAIN") today announced a new partnership with TradingView to make TradingView's charts available to its FOREX.com U.S. customers.

"TradingView provides one of the most powerful web-based charting platforms available today. In keeping with our commitment to provide the best trading tools to our customers, we are thrilled to be working with the TradingView team to offer their advanced charting to our FOREX.com customers," said Samantha Roady, President of Retail at GAIN Capital.

With TradingView charts, FOREX.com customers now have access to a fast, responsive web-based charting package that works on all browsers and operating systems and provides:

FOREX.com's real-time pricing for 50 currency markets

Up to 20 years of historical data for all major FX markets

A library of over 60 customizable technical indicators, including MACD, Bollinger Bands, Ichimoku and many more

Over 50 advanced drawing tools, including Pitchforks, Fibonacci, Gann Fans and Elliott Wave

A wide range of chart types including candlestick, Heikin Ashi, line and mountain

Flexible time zone preferences

TradingView charts are now available to all FOREX.com customers in the U.S. and are accessed directly from FOREX.com's ForexTrader PRO platform. The new charts are part of a suite of technical and market analysis tools available, which also include AutoChartist and Trading Central.

GAIN Capital and TradingView also announced plans to extend their partnership to support full trading via Trading View's trading terminal. "In the coming weeks, we'll be integrating full trading capabilities, allowing customers to place trades through TradingView's trading terminal, which will expand the current offering on FOREX.com. Additionally, FOREX.com customers will be able to access their FOREX.com account and trade directly from TradingView's website," added Ms. Roady.

"TradingView is very excited to partner with FOREX.com, one the world's leading brands in the forex industry," said Stan Bokov, COO and cofounder of TradingView. "Supporting FOREX.com's customers on TradingView.com for data and order execution is a welcome addition to our offering and we look forward to continuing to build a strong long-term relationship."

For more details on TradingView at FOREX.com, visit: www.forex.com

About TradingView

TradingView is one of the largest investing communities on the web, with over 1.5 million active traders sharing ideas, providing feedback and using thefree stock and forex charting trading platform every month.TradingView's open and free chart components are unsurpassed on the financial web and have been integrated into more than 8000 stock and futures exchanges, websites and applications globally. For more information, visit www.tradingview.com.

AboutGAIN Capital

GAIN Capital(NYSE: GCAP) provides market access and trade execution services to a diverse customer base of retail and institutional investors across a range of exchange-traded and OTC markets. Founded in 1999, the company today supports customers in over 180 countries via several globally recognized brands, including FOREX.com, City Index and GTX.GAIN Capitalis headquartered inBedminster,New Jersey, with a global presence acrossNorth America, Europeand theAsia Pacificregions. For further company information, visitwww.gaincapital.com.
DORTMUND, Germany, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

News solutions for biometrics, bag drop and New ADA-compliant kiosk

At PTE 2017 in Amsterdam from 14 to 16 March, Materna will present its complete end-to-end passenger journey, from home to destination, and show how seamless travel is a real benefit for passengers. To accelerate the whole passenger handling process, Materna has added biometrics to their passenger touch point solutions to take passengers through the complete integrated process with a single token ID. You will find us at stand 5040.

Seamless biometrics integration

Materna has now integrated biometrics within the passenger journey: While checking-in at home using a mobile app, or later at the airport-kiosk, a biometric photo of the passenger is taken. This information is stored as a biometric token which enables the passenger to be recognized at every point along their journey from then on. This biometric face enrollment is carried out as a background process that saves a lot of time, accelerates the whole passenger journey and avoids unnecessary stops for passengers as, for example, they are then identified automatically at the pre-security or boarding gates. For this biometrics identification process to work efficiently, it is necessary to integrate all the steps along the passenger journey from check-in to boarding.

Unique solutions for bag drop

Visitors at stand 5040 can experience the whole range of self-bag-drop solutions designed for one- or two-step bag drop processes, all based on intuitive graphical user guidance. The solutions are CUSS- and CUWS-compliant. Materna, as the leading supplier for self-bag-drop, offers a range of solutions to airports and airlines based on retrofit or kiosk models of different sizes. Each kiosk can handle up to 4,000 boarding passes and up to 1,200 bag tags before they need to be refilled. All Materna standard bag drop solutions already include multi-airline payment options and linerless bag tag printing.

The customer-proven solution at London Gatwick, which has the world's largest self-bag-drop installation, will be presented by Gavin Jackson, Project Leader at Gatwick, in a live talk at the conference on 16 March, and visitors can meet him in person at the Materna booth.

New ADA-compliant kiosk

Materna will also be showcasing their brand-new ADA-compliant kiosk for the first time at this year's PTE in Amsterdam. This new kiosk is much lower than the well-known Materna standard kiosk. It is compliant to the American Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design published by the US Department of Justice in September 2010. These standards state that all electronic and information technology must be accessible to people with disabilities e.g. wheelchair users and people with visual handicaps. The new kiosk is equipped with additional controls, e.g. a large panel with hieroglyphic buttons.

This press release as well as picture material you will find here:

http://www.materna.com/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/EN/2017/Siepe/Materna-at-PTE-2017-in-Amsterdam.html

Materna GmbH

Materna is one of the leading IT consulting companies in the information and communications technology sector, employing around 1.700 staff members throughout Europe and achieving revenues of EUR 210 million in 2015. Materna is a full service provider, delivering a complete range of services for the premium segment: from consultation and implementation through to operation and cloud services for large enterprises and the public sector.

Under the brand Materna ips (Integrated Passenger Services) and as one of the worldwide most famous suppliers for airports and airlines, Materna offers solutions for automated passenger handling at airports. In addition to the European market, Materna focusses with its Integrated Passenger Services portfolio market on the North-American market having its own subsidiary in Orlando, Florida. Materna has also a focus on the Asian market.

For more details, please contact:

Materna GmbH

Information & Communications

Corporate Communications

Christine Siepe

Vosskuhle 37, 44141 Dortmund, Germany

Phone: +49-231-5599-168

Email: Christine.Siepe@Materna.de

http://www.materna-ips.com
NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- PebblePost, the inventor of Programmatic Direct Mail, today announced it has secured a $15 Million Series B round, led by RRE Ventures, with existing investors Greycroft and Tribeca Venture Partners, and additional seed funds and strategic angels also contributing to the round. The investment will be used to support strong demand for PebblePost's Programmatic Direct Mail solutions and the company's infrastructure growth and market expansion. In addition, Jim Robinson, Managing Partner at RRE Ventures will be joining PebblePost's Board of Directors.

At founding, PebblePost created Programmatic Direct Mail as the first new marketing channel since search and social. In the past two years, hundreds of brands on the platform have proven the value and effectiveness of the channel. PebblePost's always-on platform solves the many challenges that digital marketers face, specifically, viewability, fraud, disruption of the user experience and ad blocking.

"PebblePost's sales, client satisfaction, innovation, strength of management and expansion lead the market and we are excited to further accelerate even more rapid growth and success," said Jim Robinson, Managing Partner at RRE Ventures. "I have tremendous respect for Lewis, the other board members, and what the team at PebblePost is doing. I'm looking forward to working with them."

"We are thrilled by the reception to Programmatic Direct Mail," said PebblePost CEO, Lewis Gersh. "Our solution combines the best of both worlds -- digital's real-time interest and intent data and direct mail's physical media into home. The raise will accelerate our infrastructure buildout to better serve our customers, and enhance our product offerings as we help digital marketers turn their data assets into real results. We are also delighted to welcome Jim to our board of directors and are proud to be included in RRE Venture's impressive portfolio of category-defining companies. RRE Ventures has championed innovative companies in their growth toward market disruption and dominance for more than 20 years."

PebblePost's clients are equally optimistic, touting unprecedented returns on advertising spend. The company has seen on average 7-10% of all mail sent results in a purchase across campaigns to existing customers, email subscribers and website prospects.

PebblePost plans to use the round to expand the reach and presence of its new marketing channel beyond retail, into other consumer sectors and B2B where marketers struggle to address and convert audiences. The company will also continue to innovate its 1:1 personalized Programmatic Catalog product announced last Fall and employed by brands like Boxed, Saatchi Art, ModCloth and more, in addition to launching more channel partnerships with email service providers, e-commerce engines, and CRM platforms. These moves will deepen the value it provides clients and investors.

PebblePost's funding follows a year of record growth and widespread adoption across enterprise, mid-market and SMBs in the retail and ecommerce categories. The company has also expanded its footprint in the US by adding a San Francisco office and growing its team, including the recent hire of Marita Scarfi (formerly of 72andSunny) as CFO and Head of West Coast Operations.

Fenwick & West LLP provided legal counsel on the round.

PebblePost will be onsite during eTail West, where they'll be hosting a wine tasting on Wednesday, March 1, at the J.W. Marriott.

For more information about PebblePost, please visit, PebblePost.com.

About PebblePost

PebblePost invented Programmatic Direct Mail to transform real-time online activity into personalized, dynamically rendered direct mail that's delivered into postal hubs within 12-24 hours, every day. The company's patent pending digital-to-direct mail platform integrates segmentation, campaign management, production, analytics and optimization. PebblePost combines the power of intent data with the effectiveness of in-home to achieve far higher response, conversion rates and ROAS. PebblePost is a venture-backed company based in NYC.

About RRE Ventures:

RRE Ventures is a New York-based venture capital firm that makes early stage investments, including seed. In its 23 year history, RRE has backed companies such as 8i, Bark & Co, Business Insider, Buzzfeed, Clearpath Robotics, Concur, Giphy, Makerbot, Managed by Q, Proofpoint, Spaceflight, theSkimm, Venmo, Vine and Wisdom Tree.

RRE has raised seven funds with total capital commitments of $1.5 billion. RRE Ventures invests nationally across all sectors, with a current focus on Enterprise Software, Financial Services, Media, Robotics, VR/AR, Space & Satellites, AI/ML, Real Estate Technology, and Healthcare IT.

About Greycroft:

Greycroft Partners is a leading venture capital firm focused on investments in the Internet and mobile markets. With offices in the two media capitals of the world -- New York and Los Angeles -- Greycroft is uniquely positioned to serve entrepreneurs who have chosen us as their partners. Greycroft leverages an extensive network of media and technology industry connections to help entrepreneurs gain visibility, build strategic relationships, bring their products to market, and build successful businesses. Greycroft manages in excess of $1 billion and has made over 150 investments since inception in leading companies including Acorns, App Annie, Boxed, Buddy Media, Extreme Reach, Huffington Post, JW Player, Maker Studios, Plated, Scopely, TheRealReal, Thrive Market, Trunk Club, Venmo, and WideOrbit. For more information please visit http://www.greycroft.com.

About Tribeca Venture Partners:

Tribeca Venture Partners (TVP) is an early stage venture capital fund with more than 90% of its' investments based in the firm's hometown of New York City. TVP's investments include NY-based ACV Auctions, AiCure, AlphaSense, Appnexus, BetterCloud, CommonBond, Crowdtap, PebblePost, ShopKeep and Truveris. TVP partners with world class entrepreneurs leveraging emerging technologies and business models to create and disrupt huge markets. TVP serves entrepreneurs who transform industries and build great companies. TVP invests across a wide variety of industry and technology sectors including adtech, fintech, healthcare IT, consumer tech, AI & machine learning, digital media, Software as a Service (SaaS) and mobile tech. For more information please visit www.tribecavp.com.

Media Contact:

Cassady Nordeen

Blast PR for PebblePost

Email Contact






DALLAS (dpa-AFX) - In response to stiff competition from its rivals, AT&T Inc. (T) has lowered the price of its unlimited data plan and is also offering a video credit if customers subscribe to a video service plan.



The unlimited mobile data plan was made available to all AT&T customers less than two weeks ago. The plan for a single phone will now cost $90 for the first line, a price cut of $10.



AT&T had started to offer the unlimited data plan over a year ago, but the offer was limited to customers who also paid for one of the company's television services.



But less than two weeks ago, AT&T opened the plan to all wireless customers, dropping its requirement of video subscription. The company's move came after data announcements from rivals Verizon Communications Inc. and T-Mobile US Inc.



The new AT&T Unlimited Plus plan for wireless customers begins this Thursday. Customers who subscribe to the unlimited mobile plan will receive a $25 monthly video credit if they also subscribe to an AT&T video service plan - DirecTV, DirecTV Now or U-verse TV.



An AT&T Unlimited Plus customer will get unlimited data, talk, and text as well as 10 GB of tethering per smartphone. After the 10 GB is used, the maximum tethering speed will be reduced to 128Kbps.



AT&T also introduced its new Unlimited Choice plan that costs $60 a month on a single smartphone. The video is reduced to about 480p resolution at a maximum bandwidth of 1.5Mbps. The plan offers unlimited data with a maximum speed of 3Mbps.



On both plans, after 22 GB of data usage per line, AT&T said it may slow speeds on that line during times of network congestion.



Meanwhile, T-Mobile US Inc. (TMUS) said that starting March 1, it will give customers an additional line of service free. All customers on T-Mobile ONE or Simple Choice plans with at least two voice lines can get an additional line for free after bill credits.



Customers with at least two voice lines can use that extra line however they want. It can be used for a new tablet or smartwatch, or to even turn the car into a 4G LTE hotspot. The deal is available for a limited time only.



T-Mobile and networking giant Ericsson (ERIC) also said they will bring gigabit-capable 4G LTE across the U.S. in 2017. Gigabit LTE is also a precursor for 5G deployment in 2020, according to the two companies.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
SAN DIEGO (dpa-AFX) - TCL Communications CEO Nicolas Zibell announced the plan to launch new Blackberry brand smartphone with superior security features. The new android phone BlackBerry KeyOne will be a beginning of a new story, he noted. Though the iPhones with smarter and popular features killed the Canadian smartphone maker, the BlackBerry brand has been maintaining strong fan-following around the globe. Its security features have attracted thousands of clients, including heads of States. The brand is owned by TLC, while security features and software are provided by BlackBerry itself. TLC is expected to introduce three BlackBerry phones this year. Some of the key features of KeyOne smartphone include extended battery life with fast charging capabilities; Qualcomm 625 processor and Nougat 7.1 Android; 4.5 inch screen display with 12 megapixel rear and 8 megapixel front camera; and expandable memory of 32 GB. Monday, Nokia has re-introduced its popular brand 3310. 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.
A delegation from the Veterinary Department inspects avian flu prevention in Bac Ninh province. (Photo: nongnghiep.vn)

Apart from inspection delegations, the Veterinary Department has established eight emergency response teams to treat any possible flu A/H7N9 occurrence in Vietnam.

Although flu A/H7N9 has not been reported in Vietnam, there is a high risk of the disease transmission into the country through the illegal transport, trade and consumption of poultry and poultry products.

The Veterinary Department has urged northern border localities to increase the inspection of illegal transport and trade of poultry and poultry products, strictly punishing violations while encouraging breeders to buy breeding animals in foundations that are under inspection of the veterinary forces.

On February 20th, the Veterinary Department invited representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to join in the development of technical solutions for the prevention.

Earlier, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development disseminated a dispatch asking for an increase in the implementation of measures preventing flu A/H7N9 and other viruses from penetrating into Vietnam.

The World Health Organization and FAO has warned that in the first two months of 2017, China reported 112 cases of flu A/H7N9 infections./.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - February 28, 2017) - March of Dimes announced today a substantial investment in California community grants. One-year grants totaling $139,000 are being distributed to four new recipients. March of Dimes is also distributing $139,000 to five recipients in their final year of 2015 - 2017 grant projects, with three-year funding totaling more than $560,000. This brings the multi-year investment to $699,000. March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit for pregnancy and baby health. Community grants support March of Dimes vision to close the health inequities gap and improve infant health by reducing the occurrence of birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

With the one-year California Community Grants, March of Dimes is funding innovative efforts to engage women in reproductive life planning and to encourage women to space pregnancies at least 18 months apart. "Thirty-nine percent of all pregnancies in California occur less than 18 months after the birth of a child," said March of Dimes State Maternal Child Health Committee Chair, Diana E. Ramos, MD, MPH, Director, Reproductive Health, Los Angeles County Public Health. "Interpregnancy spacing (the time between the end of one pregnancy and the beginning of the next one) of less than 18 months is associated with higher rates of premature birth, low birth weight, neonatal complications, neonatal death and maternal complications, with very short pregnancy spacing (<6 months) carrying the greatest risk. There is a two-fold increase in early preterm births among women with very short pregnancy spacing of fewer than 6 months." 1

1 Cofer FG, Fridman M, Lawton E, Korst LM, Nicholas L, Gregory KD. Interpregnancy Interval and childbirth outcomes in California, 2007-2009. Matern Child Health J. November 2016; 20(1):S43-S51.

All of the one-year grant recipients will implement One Key Question, an initiative created by the Oregon Foundation for Reproductive Health. This model provides primary care health teams, community health workers, and other providers with a simple question to incorporate pregnancy intention screening, "Would you like to become pregnant in the next year?" into routine care and services. Women are then offered essential preconception care and reproductive health services (or referrals) depending on their needs.

The one-year grant recipients were selected from priority counties in California with a high burden or high volume of preterm births and high rates of pregnancies spaced less than 18 months apart.

"We know we can make a difference in the lives of babies and their moms when we provide funds to community-based or statewide projects that have the potential to improve birth outcomes and reduce premature birth rates, especially among high-risk groups," said Kelly Ernst, MPH, March of Dimes Vice President of Maternal Child Health. "Fully one-third of all pregnancies in the U.S. occur less than 18 months after the birth of a child, which is a known risk factor for preterm birth. Ensuring that more women wait at least 18 months between giving birth and getting pregnant again can help reduce preterm birth rates. The March of Dimes has invested in community programs for more than 70 years. While we proudly fund innovative research in many of California's leading educational institutions, research to develop new interventions takes time. Our community programs can ensure that known evidence-based interventions are made available to women right now to improve birth outcomes."

March of Dimes California one-year grant recipients are:

La Clinica de La Raza (Alameda County) - $24,500

The goal of the Reproductive Life Planning Project is to improve La Clinica's capacity to proactively support female patients in meeting their reproductive health and family planning goals through patient-centered screening, follow-up, and care. La Clinica will implement One Key Question  at one clinic site in Alameda County, targeting women age 15-50.

Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center- $45,000

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Women's Health Programs and Innovation Division has added reproductive life preference questions to its new Electronic Health Record system to be asked of all women of childbearing age who come in for ambulatory care services. The project team will train nurses, medical assistants and community health workers to ask One Key Question, document in the medical record and provide follow-up services and education.

Project Concern International - $24,500 (San Diego County)

The Preconception Care Coordination Collaborative for San Diego will implement the One Key Question model in 2-3 clinic and community locations. They will screen women who have had a baby in the previous 12 months. Women who answer the question with positive or uncertain pregnancy intention will be offered a class and home visit for preconception education, including reproductive life planning, and care coordination for any services needed. Women who receive a home visit will also receive a three-month follow-up visit to assess if they have made progress toward goals set during their first visit and to assist them with services.

2-1-1 San Diego - $45,000 (San Diego County)

2-1-1 Health Navigators will check in with new mothers 6 weeks following the birth of their child asking One Key Question, educating them about spacing and risks associated with short pregnancy intervals and offering referrals for support services, with the goal of educating and empowering women to make knowledgeable decisions about their family planning and child spacing. (2-1-1 is the county-wide nonprofit resource and information hub that connects people with community, health and disaster services, with partnerships dedicated to serving pregnant and postpartum women and women with children 0-5 years old).

"Birth spacing and preconception health is a key issue in our San Diego communities but one that hasn't received the attention it deserves, nor the resources," said Katherine Selchau, MA,Director, Local Capacity Strengthening & Collective Impact, California Border Healthy Start PLUS Project. "So many programs and resources are directed towards the health of pregnant women and infants, but not enough towards the health of women before and between pregnancies, which has a huge effect on positive outcomes for both mother and child. With this March of Dimes grant, we have an opportunity to pilot a great framework that is community- based and can set San Diego apart as a leader in strategies that can impact families from the earliest possible opportunity."

March of Dimes is also distributing $139,000 to five recipients in their final year of 2015 - 2017 grant projects, with three-year funding totaling more than $560,000. These community grants are increasing and enhancing prenatal care, improving screening and diagnosis of heart birth defects, as well as, improving interconception health. Programs target diverse, underserved women, including those who are incarcerated, as well as the Latina, Pacific Islander, and African-American communities. The March of Dimes California 2015-2017 grant recipients are:

Alameda County Department of Public Health: will strive to reduce preterm birth among Pacific Islanders by increasing early and regular prenatal care as a result of culturally appropriate care coordination in Alameda County.

Alameda Health System: will strive to ensure healthy birth outcomes for mothers and newborns by increasing access to prenatal care through offering group prenatal care using the popular CenteringPregnancy model at Highland Wellness, Alameda Health System's largest prenatal health clinic.

City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services: will strive to decrease depression, increase positive coping skills and increase physical activity among African-American women, with the goal of improving maternal health and birth outcomes.

Loma Linda University Children's Hospital: will strive to improve the prenatal diagnosis rate of complex congenital heart disease (CHD) in the Southern Inland Counties Regional Perinatal Program Region through health care provider trainings.

Special Service for Groups, Families & Criminal Justice Division: will strive to improve maternal and newborn health through case management, education and support services for pregnant, jailed women.

About March of Dimes

Each year nearly 4,000,000 babies are born in the United States, and March of Dimes touches each one of them through community programs, advocacy, research, education, and support. March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. Premature birth and its complications are now the leading global cause of death for children under 5 years old. Premature birth costs the United States more than $26 billion annually, according to the Institute of Medicine. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org or for resources in Spanish, nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Educational video resources are available on our YouTube channel.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/2/27/11G131545/Images/March_of_Dimes_Premature_Baby_in_NICU-7b5ed793d5389a4dafeb6553cd226b34.jpg

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:



Elizabeth Williams

Regional Director of Marketing & Communications,West Region

ewilliams@marchofdimes.org

(408) 398-9417
AURORA, IL -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- BERNINA of America, the premier manufacturer of sewing, embroidery and quilting machines, is pleased to announce that it has partnered with RARE Science to create the BEAR-NINA Sew-In, where the community is invited to make stuffed bears for children. RARE Science is a non-profit organization that works globally with patient families and foundations to help aid in finding cures for children with rare diseases. In 2015, RARE Science initiated the RARE Bear program, a grassroots community-driven effort that makes and donates RARE Bears to children affected by these diseases.

"BERNINA is proud to partner with RARE Science to help children and families affected by rare diseases," said Amy Gutierrez, Director of Marketing for BERNINA of America. "We are excited for members of the community to come together to sew RARE Bears that will bring comfort to children and their families."

"We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with BERNINA which will help us unite even more patient families around the world and bring joy to these special kids," said Christina Waters, Founder and CEO of RARE Science, Inc. "The RARE Bear Program is instrumental in building rare patient communities around the world which is the critical foundation by which we can begin the journey to find therapies."

About RARE Science, Inc.

RARE Science, Inc. is a non-profit research organization that focuses on accelerating identification of more immediate therapeutic solutions for kids with rare disease by empowering patient families and lowering the barriers to rare disease medical research. The RARE Bear Program is supported by the ever-growing RARE Bear Army of volunteers that span 15 countries and partners including BERNINA, The Quilt Show, Spoonflower, Mountain Mist and Simplicity that help make one of a kind bears for special one of a kind "rare" kids. The RARE Bears are instrumental in worldwide patient community outreach enabling research for rare disease. Each unique RARE Bear is matched to a child's favorite hobby and colors and is identified by a unique serial number on the tag of authenticity. For more information on RARE Science and the RARE Bear Program, visit http://www.rarescience.org, or contact info@rarescience.org.

About BERNINA

Founded in Switzerland more than 100 years ago, BERNINA is the world's premier manufacturer with a proven reputation for offering quality state-of-the-art sewing, quilting and embroidery machines, overlockers, and embroidery software. BERNINA's leadership is marked by an impressive number of ambassadors, industry leaders, influencers and bloggers who chose to partner with the company. BERNINA products are sold in the United States through a network of over 400 fully trained independent dealerships that also offer support and education. Select BERNINA and bernette machines, and BERNINA software can also be purchased online. BERNINA products are designed for beginning to advanced sewists and priced to meet a variety of budgets, with new products being introduced every year. You can follow BERNINA on Facebook: www.facebook.com/berninausa, Instagram: @BERNINAUSA, and Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/WeAllSew, and read BERNINA's WeAllSew blog at www.weallsew.com. To learn more about BERNINA and to find a Dealer, visit www.bernina.com or call (630)978-2500.

Media Contacts for BERNINA of America, Inc.:

Lia Antonetti

(312)780-7218

Email Contact

Joanne Tedesco

(312)780-7210

Email Contact



Media Contacts for RARE Science, Inc.:

Christina Waters

805-635-RARE (7273)

Email Contact




SAN CARLOS, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Alliance Memory today introduced a new high-speed CMOS mobile low-power DDR3 (LPDDR3) SDRAM designed to extend battery life in compact portable devices. Featuring low voltage operation of 1.2V/1.8V and a number of power-saving features, the 16Gb AS4C512M32MD3 is offered in the 11.0mm by 11.5mm 178-ball FBGA package.

With each new product generation, designers of mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) headsets are tasked with providing more functionality in less space while using less power. To meet this demand, the LPDDR3 device released today features auto temperature-compensated self-refresh (TCSR) to minimize power consumption at lower ambient temperatures. In addition, its partial-array self-refresh (PASR) feature reduces power by only refreshing critical data, while a deep power down (DPD) mode provides an ultra-low power state when data retention isn't required.

"Reducing IC power consumption can directly increase battery life in portable devices, so the applications for LPDDR3 SDRAMs in the consumer and mobile communication markets continue to grow," said David Bagby, president and CEO of Alliance Memory. "At the same time, the number of suppliers for these devices is decreasing. Alliance Memory is offering designers a new alternative and shorter lead times for the low power consumption they require. Devices such as our new 16Gb AS4C512M32MD3 provide reliable drop-in, pin-for-pin-compatible replacements for a number of similar solutions in high-bandwidth, high-performance memory system applications."

Manufactured using a 20nm process, the AS4C512M32MD3 is internally configured as 8 banks x 32 Mbit x 32. The device offers high-speed operation with a clock frequency of 667MHz and data rate of 1333Mbps, and it features an extended commercial temperature range of -25 degrees C to +85 degrees C. The LPDDR3 SDRAM offers fully synchronous operation and programmable read or write burst lengths of 4, 8, or 16. An auto pre-charge function provides a self-timed row pre-charge initiated at the end of the burst sequence. Easy-to-use refresh functions include auto- or self-refresh. The RoHS-compliant device is lead (Pb)- and halogen-free.

Samples and production quantities of the new LPDDR3 are available now, with lead times of four to six weeks for production quantities.

About Alliance Memory Inc.

Alliance Memory is a worldwide provider of critical and hard-to-find DRAM and SRAM memory ICs for the communications, computing, consumer electronics, medical, automotive, and industrial markets. The company's product range includes DRAMs and SRAMs with commercial, industrial, and automotive operating temperature ranges and densities from 64Kb to 8Gb. Privately held, Alliance Memory maintains headquarters in San Carlos, California, and regional offices in Europe, Asia, and South America. More information about Alliance Memory is available online at www.alliancememory.com.

Editor resources:

Link to product image:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alliancememory/albums/72157677391372303

Link to detailed product info:

http://www.alliancememory.com/datasheets/AS4C512M32MD3.asp

Agency Contact:

Bob Decker

Redpines

+1 415 409 0233

Email Contact



Alliance Memory Contact:

Kim Bagby

CFO

+1 650 610 6800

Email Contact




TILLSONBURG, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament for London North Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, will make an important announcement to support the manufacturing sector in Tillsonburg.

Media are invited to tour the company prior to the official announcement.

MP Fragiskatos will be available to answer questions from the media, following the event.

Please note that all details are subject to change. All times are local.

DATE: Wednesday, March 1, 2017 TIME: Tour - 11:00 a.m. Announcement - 11:30 a.m. PLACE: Marwood Metal Fabrication Limited 35 Spruce Street Tillsonburg, Ontario N4G 5C4

Contacts:

Media Relations Office

FedDev Ontario

416-954-6652

fdo.mediarel-relmedias.fdo@canada.ca




JERSEY CITY, NJ -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Jackson Hewitt Tax Service launched a new program today at participating locations to support hardworking Americans in saving for their future. Jackson Hewitt has partnered with NerdWallet to connect customers to High Yield Savings Accounts that pay 5 times more than the national average interest. Plus, Jackson Hewitt is giving customers who file their taxes with them $50 to kick-start their savings.

According to a recent Federal Reserve study*, about one-third, 31 percent, of all Americans are not putting any money into savings. The study also found that more than half, 51 percent, of Americans making less than $40,000 a year did not put any of their pay into a savings safety net. Forty-six percent of adults said they did not have enough money on hand to cover an emergency expense of $400.

"Our clients have a desire to build a safety net and save for the future, but we know getting started can be difficult," said David Prokupek, Co-CEO of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. "Because the tax refund can be one of the biggest checks our clients receive all year, we wanted to use this event to help kick-start their savings goals."

When a client files with Jackson Hewitt, they may be eligible to receive a $50 gift. By visiting JacksonHewitt.com/savings, clients can learn more about some great savings options that have:

Brand name banks that are federally insured

No monthly maintenance fees and low minimum balance requirements

Easy access to your account from anywhere

Terms and conditions apply to all offers. To learn more visit www.JacksonHewitt.com/savings.

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. is an innovator in the tax industry, with a mission of offering its hard-working clients access to simple, low-cost solutions to manage their taxes and tax refunds. Jackson Hewitt is devoted to helping clients get ahead with Maximum Refund and 100% Accuracy Guarantees. With approximately 6,000 franchised and company-owned locations, including 3,000 in Walmart stores and online and mobile tax solutions Jackson Hewitt makes it convenient for clients to file their taxes. For more information about products, services and offers, or to locate a Jackson Hewitt office, visit www.JacksonHewitt.com or call 1 (800) 234-1040.

About NerdWallet

NerdWallet offers consumers clarity for all of life's financial decisions. Whether it's regarding credit cards, insurance, loans or investing, people lack the clear, unbiased information they need to make the best choice. With NerdWallet, consumers have free access to user-friendly tools and advice that save time and money, and give them the freedom to do more. NerdWallet is based in San Francisco and employs more than 400 Nerds. NerdWallet was ranked No. 76 on the 2016 Technology Fast 500 Award List. For more information, visit nerdwallet.com.

*https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/press/other/20160525a.htm

Contact:

Elizabeth Sedlock

(636) 699-9554

Email Contact




Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Aumento Capital V Corporation (TSX VENTURE: AWN.P) ("Aumento" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") has accepted the Corporation's application to extend the period by which it has to complete a Qualifying Transaction. As a result, the Corporation has until August 22, 2017 to complete a Qualifying Transaction or its listing will be transferred to the NEX and 50% of the seed shares of the Corporation held in escrow in accordance with TSXV Policy 2.4, will be cancelled.

Regarding Aumento's trading status, reinstatement to trading can occur either when Aumento completes its Qualifying Transaction in accordance with TSXV Policy 2.4 or upon application for reinstatement satisfactory to the TSXV at the time of transfer to the NEX.

The Corporation continues to work towards completing the previously announced Qualifying Transaction with WeedMD RX Inc. (the "Transaction").

About WeedMD RX Inc.

WeedMD is a licensed producer of medical cannabis pursuant to the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR). WeedMD operates a 25,000 square foot, scalable production facility in Aylmer, Ontario with four acres of property for future expansion. The Company is focused on providing consistent, quality medicine to the long-term care and assisted living markets in Canada through its comprehensive platform developed exclusively for that industry. WeedMD is dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners and furthering public understanding of the role medical cannabis can play as a viable alternative to prescription medication in relieving a variety of chronic medical conditions and illnesses.

Aumento will issue additional press releases related to the final legal structure of the Transaction, officers and directors of the resulting issuer, sponsorship and other material information as it becomes available. For further information regarding the Transaction, please contact:

David Danziger, CEO david.danziger@mnp.ca (416) 515-3923

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and, if applicable, pursuant to the requirements of the TSXV, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the transaction, any information released or received with respect to the transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.

The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the terms and conditions of the proposed Transaction; future developments; the conduct of the Shareholders Meeting and the business and operations of the resulting issuer after the completion of the proposed Transaction. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive shareholder or regulatory approvals; and the results of continued development, marketing and sales. 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. Aumento 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:

David Danziger

CEO

david.danziger@mnp.ca

(416) 515-3923




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- The Executive Council of the Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) today announced the appointment of Neil Parmenter as President and Chief Executive Officer of the CBA, effective May 1, 2017. Mr. Parmenter succeeds Terry Campbell, who announced his retirement in September 2016 and has been in this role for six years.

"We are pleased to have Neil lead the CBA and are confident his extensive knowledge of banking and hands on experience in government relations will ensure he is an effective voice for the industry," said Mr. Cameron Fowler, Group Head, Canadian Personal & Commercial Banking at Bank of Montreal and Chair of the CBA's Executive Council. "We would also like to thank Terry for his exceptional work as CBA President and throughout his 20 years at the CBA. He provided strong leadership on behalf of the industry, particularly following the global financial crisis, and strengthened the reputation of banks in Canada. We wish Terry all the best in his retirement."

Mr. Parmenter is currently the Senior Vice President, Corporate and Public Affairs (Global) and Chief Communications Officer at TD Bank Group. He leads TD's Corporate Communications for Canada and the United States and he leads TD's Canadian Government Relations practice, and counsels the CEO, CFO, Senior Executive Team and Board of Directors on key government relations, communications, and public affairs issues. He also sits on TD's Enterprise Reputational Risk Committee and Senior Executive Crisis Communications team.

"We have a very competitive and strong banking sector that plays a significant role in the Canadian economy and helps Canadians achieve their financial goals," said Neil Parmenter. "I am honoured to be taking on this leadership role at the CBA where I will be representing such a key national industry."

Neil holds a B.A. in Political Science from Western University, a Certificate in Public Relations from Humber College, a Canadian Securities designation and completed an Executive Program in Strategic Marketing Management from Stanford University. He has won several industry awards from the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). He also serves as a Director of the Toronto Financial Services Alliance and the Institute for Public Relations.

About the Canadian Bankers Association

The Canadian Bankers Association works on behalf of 61 domestic banks, foreign bank subsidiaries and foreign bank branches operating in Canada and their 280,000 employees. The CBA advocates for effective public policies that contribute to a sound, successful banking system that benefits Canadians and Canada's economy. The Association also promotes financial literacy to help Canadians make informed financial decisions and works with banks and law enforcement to help protect customers against financial crime and promote fraud awareness. www.cba.ca

Follow the CBA on Twitter: @CdnBankers

Watch videos: Youtube.com/CdnBankers

Follow the CBA on LinkedIn

Contacts:

Andrew Perez

Manager, Media Relations

Canadian Bankers Association

(416) 362-6093, ext. 219

Cell: (416) 587-7733

aperez@cba.ca






WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump is seeking to put the blame on his predecessor for the media leaks that have plagued his administration as well as the town hall protests faced by Republican congressmen.



In an interview with Fox News' 'Fox & Friends' that aired Tuesday morning, Trump suggested that former President Barack Obama and his supporters are behind the leaks and the protests.



'I think he is behind it. I also think it's politics. That's the way it is,' Trump said. 'I think that President Obama's behind it because his people are certainly behind it.'



He added, 'And some of the leaks possibly come from that group, you know, some of the leaks - which are very serious leaks, because they're very bad in terms of national security.'



Trump did not offer any evidence for his claim, although CNN said Organizing for Action, a group spawned from Obama's campaign operation, has professional organizers involved in teaching local activists to effectively vocalize opposition to the GOP's top agenda items.



The president has repeatedly warned about the threats posed by leaking sensitive information to the media and previously blamed 'liberal activists' for the angry crowds at Republican town hall events.



Trump said he is not surprised Obama would be behind the leaks and the protests, noting that he is seeking to undo many of the former president's policies.



During the interview with Fox News, Trump also praised his achievements during his first weeks in office but suggested he could do a better job with messaging.



'In terms of messaging, I would give myself a C or a C plus,' Trump said. 'In terms of achievement, I think I'd give myself an A. Because I've done great things, but I don't think we've explained it well enough to the American people.'



(Photo: Michael Vadon)



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
DOHA, Qatar, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The World Innovation Summit for Education, the leading global initiative for innovation and collaboration in education, announced the theme of the 2017 WISE global Summit, which will take place 14-16 November in Doha: "Co-Exist - Co-Create: Learning to Live and Work Together". The announcement was made during the closing session of WISE@Madrid, a regional education one-day forum organized in partnership with Banco Santander.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160929/413266LOGO )



Since its establishment by Qatar Foundation in 2009, WISE has been dedicated to enabling innovation in education around the world. The 2017 WISE theme -- "Co-Exist - Co-Create: Learning to Live and Work Together"-reflects WISE's commitment to address important education challenges particularly in times of disruption and economic uncertainty stemming from conflict, mass migration, growing inequality, and on-going, rapid technological change.

WISE 2017 will gather a wide variety of education stakeholders in Doha, to discuss ways to respond to the world's most pressing problems, turn challenges into opportunities for positive change, and build the future of education. Recognized world leaders, experts and thinkers will explore the impact of education on economies, health and well-being, citizenship, inclusion, the science of learning, and other key issues. More than 2,000 attended the previous WISE Summit in Doha, with talks by global leaders including former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard, and Leymah Gbowee of Liberia, recipient of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, among others.

Additionally, WISE has been organizing educational forums internationally featuring expert speakers in a wide range of fields and sectors to shed light on key regional and global trends in education. The first of these WISE@ gatherings took place last year in Tunis and in Beijing, co-organized with local partners. The WISE@Madrid forum, the first initiative of the series in Europe, was dedicated to reflecting and imagining the future of education, notably addressing the high youth unemployment issue, among other subjects.

About the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE):

Qatar Foundation, under the leadership of its Chairperson, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, launched the World Innovation Summit for Education in 2009. WISE is an international, multi-sectoral platform for creative, evidence-based thinking, debate and purposeful action. Through the biennial Summit, collaborative research and a range of ongoing programs, WISE is a global reference in new approaches to education. The next global Summit will take place 14-16 November 2017 in Doha.

For further information about WISE, visit http://www.wise-qatar.org
It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover the
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- A British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) panel has permanently banned Siu Mui "Debbie" Wong and Siu Kon "Bonnie" Soo from B.C.'s capital markets for illegal distributions and multiple acts of fraud. In the same decision, the panel also ordered permanent bans against two joint venture companies for illegal distributions. Wong and Soo are sisters and residents of B.C.

In June 2016, the panel found that Wong, Soo, and Wheatland Industrial Park Inc. illegally distributed securities. Wheatland was a joint venture company the sisters created to buy and develop land in Wheatland, Alta.

The panel also found that the sisters committed fraud by transferring 33.5 Wheatland joint venture units to companies owned by their adult children and husbands without consideration and without obtaining investor approval, and by misappropriating investors' subscription proceeds to fund two related company loans totalling $1,208,000 without the investors' permission.

The panel found that Soo, Wong, 1300302 Alberta Inc. and D&E Arctic Investments Inc. also illegally distributed securities. Similar to Wheatland, the sisters set up 1300302 and D&E Arctic to buy and develop land in Rocky View, Alta.

The panel also found that the sisters committed multiple acts of fraud with respect to the Rocky View development project. The panel found that the sisters inflated the purchase price of the Rocky View lands and lied about it to investors, and that they withheld information about potential delays in development of the Rocky View lands from an investor. On the basis of new evidence, the panel revoked its initial finding, made in June 2016, that the sisters had also used mortgage proceeds for purposes other than the development of the Rocky View lands without consent from investors.

The panel found that the sisters were enriched by over $2 million as a result of their misconduct. Describing the impact of Wong and Soo's misconduct, the panel wrote, "Investors testified as to their mental anguish and increased financial burdens. They have suffered those harms even if they later recoup their investments (for which there is no evidence to suggest that it is a possibility)."

For their misconduct, the panel has permanently banned Wong and Soo from trading in or purchasing any securities or exchange contracts (with limited exceptions), becoming or acting as a director or officer of any issuer or registrant (with limited exceptions), becoming or acting as a promoter, acting in a management or consultative capacity in connection with activities in the securities market, and engaging in investor relations activities. They have each been ordered to pay administrative penalties of $6 million.

The panel also ordered that 1300302 and D&E Arctic permanently cease trading in, and be permanently prohibited from purchasing, any securities or exchange contracts, and permanently banned them from engaging in investor relations activities. The panel further ordered that the respondents pay various disgorgement orders totaling $9,857,850 with joint and several liability:

-- 1300302, Wong and Soo are ordered to pay $2,785,000 on a joint and several basis; -- D&E Arctic, Wong and Soo are ordered to pay $1,105,000 on a joint and several basis; and -- Wong and Soo are ordered to pay an additional $5,967,850 on a joint and several basis.

The panel declined to make market bans against Wheatland, as the company is no longer directed or controlled by Wong and Soo. The panel stated there is no evidence that the company poses a threat to B.C.'s capital markets.

You may view the sanctions decision on our website www.bcsc.bc.ca by typing Siu Mui "Debbie" Wong, Siu Kon "Bonnie" Soo, Wheatland Industrial Park Inc., 1300302 Alberta Inc., D&E Arctic Investments Inc. or 2017 BCSECCOM 57 in the search box. Information regarding disciplinary proceedings can be found in the Enforcement section

Please visit the Canadian Securities Administrators' Disciplined List

About the British Columbia Securities Commission (www.bcsc.bc.ca

The British Columbia Securities Commission is the independent provincial government agency responsible for regulating capital markets in British Columbia through the administration of the Securities Act. Our mission is to protect and promote the public interest by fostering:

-- A securities market that is fair and warrants public confidence -- A dynamic and competitive securities industry that provides investment opportunities and access to capital

Learn how to protect yourself and become a more informed investor at www.investright.org

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Alison Walker, Media Relations

604-899-6713



Public inquiries:

604-899-6854 or 1-800-373-6393 (toll free)




EDMONTON, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Members of the media are invited to attend an important event with the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Mill Woods, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, as part of the Government of Canada's celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Confederation.

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.
ORMOND BEACH, FL -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Choose Rain, Inc. (OTC PINK: CHOS), announced today that it has finalized and signed its Exclusive License Agreement and Change of Control Agreement with Cloudburst Distribution Pty Ltd (Cloudburst). CHOS, through Cloudburst, now has a manufacturing base in Western Australia to serve as a global launching platform for their products. The possibilities are endless for the high quality herbal products and the bespoke spirits now available by license through CHOS.

The Exclusive License Agreement grants CHOS Exclusive rights to all Cloudburst's USA revenues, for any Cloudburst products manufactured and/or sold in the USA. These product sales will flow through CHOS with CHOS retaining a royalty of 10% of all revenues. CHOS also announced the completion and signing of a future Change of Control Agreement as CHOS debts are retired using funds from the License Agreement. Both Choose Rain, Inc. and Gabriel's Ventures LLC, the majority shareholder, have agreed to the issuance of new restricted shares for the License Agreement and the transfer of the control block of Gabriel's 200M shares (the "Control Shares") to Cloudburst as CHOS debts are paid.

As of December 31, 2016, pursuant to the Agreement, CHOS had issued 95,230,000 new restricted shares and, in September 2016, CHOS issued 10,938,300 shares without restriction upon conversion of a convertible Note Payable. The total outstanding shares as of the news release were 485,317,243. Gabriel's has already transferred 92M of its Control Shares. The remainder of the 200M share Control Block will be transferred to Cloudburst as the debts are retired. The Agreement contains, among other provisions, a non-dilution clause which imposes restrictions on any increase in the 500M shares authorized or any reverse split.

Recognizing Choose Rain's shift in emphasis away from bottled rainwater, concentrating instead on distilled products including Herbal Products and Bespoke Spirits, Choose Rain, Inc. has begun the process of changing its name from Choose Rain, Inc. to Rooshine, Inc. ("Rooshine"). Rooshine reflects the Australian heritage of Cloudburst and their products. CHOS will be filing a request for the name change with FINRA also requesting a new stock symbol reflecting this change.

"We are quite excited about the variety of new products and the new relationships that we now have at our disposal. We will begin with the Bespoke Spirits then follow up with the Herbal Capsules and Tinctures," said Larry Curran, President and CEO of Choose Rain, Inc. "Gabriel's Ventures LLC would not have agreed to the Change in Control if we did not firmly believe that the royalty fees would retire CHOS' debts and allow Rooshine to fund future products and enter additional markets. Cloudburst has two links that pertain to the Bespoke Spirits: https://joom.ag/1xiW and https://joom.ag/Zb4W. Rooshine's web site should be completed in the near future."

Statement as to Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-Looking Statements certain statements in this release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "future," "may," "will," "would," "should," "plan," "projected," "intend," and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve 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. The Company's future operating results are dependent upon many factors, including but not limited to the Company's ability to: (i) obtain sufficient capital or a strategic business arrangement to fund its expansion plans; (ii) build the management and human resources and infrastructure necessary to support the growth of its business; (iii) competitive factors and developments beyond the Company's control; and (iv) other risk factors. We assume no obligation to update the information contained in this news release.

Larry Curran

President and CEO

Choose Rain, Inc.

386-673-RAIN (7246)

Larry@ChooseRain.com




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Augusta Industries Inc. (the "Corporation") (TSX VENTURE: AAO) is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Marcon International Inc. ("Marcon"), has been awarded contracts with various departments of the United States government for the supply of instrumentation and equipment. The aggregate value of the agreement entered into was $283,563.90 in the month of February. The current pipeline of orders, including these new contracts, is $651,813.50 as of February 28, 2017.

"The Corporation is pleased that it continues to enter into new agreements with various entities of the United States government," stated Allen Lone, President of the Corporation. "The Corporation's sales strategy has resulted in increased sales and continued growth."

About the Corporation:

Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Marcon and Fox-Tek Canada Inc. ("Fox-Tek"), the Corporation provides a variety of services and products to a number of clients.

Marcon is an industrial supply contractor servicing the energy sector and a number of US Government entities. Marcon's principal business is the sale and distribution of industrial parts and equipment (Electrical, mechanical and Instrumentation.) In addition to departments and agencies of the U.S. Government, Marcon's major clients include Saudi Arabia-Sabic Services (Refining and Petrochemical), Bahrain National Gas Co, Bahrain Petroleum, Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Gas, Qatar Petrochemical, Gulf of Suez Petroleum, Agiba Petroleum and Burullus Gas Co.

Fox-Tek develops non-intrusive asset health monitoring sensor systems for the oil and gas market to help operators track the thinning of pipelines and refinery vessels due to corrosion/erosion, strain due to bending/buckling and process pressure and temperature. The Corporation's FT fiber optic sensor and corrosion monitoring systems allow cost-effective, 24/7 remote monitoring capabilities to improve scheduled maintenance operations, avoid unnecessary shutdowns, and prevent accidents and leaks.

The TSX Venture Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions, uncertainties and management's best estimates of future events. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements are detailed from time to time in the Corporation's periodic reports filed with the Ontario Securities Commission and other regulatory authorities. The Corporation has no intention or obligation to teupda or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts:

Augusta Industries Inc.

Allen Lone

President, CEO

(905) 275-8111 Ext 226

atlone@fox-tek.com






WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Potentially offering clues about key elements of President Donald Trump's highly anticipated speech Tuesday night, the White House has released a list of special guests.



The special guests will be seated with First Lady Melania Trump during the president's address to a joint session of Congress.



Trump's guest list includes three family members of victims of deadly crimes committed by illegal immigrants, suggesting immigration will be a main component of the speech.



Cracking down on illegal immigration was a key theme of Trump's presidential campaign, and signing his controversial executive action on immigration was one of his first acts in office.



The guest list includes Jessica Davis and Susan Oliver, the widows of two California police officers killed in the line of duty in 2014 by an illegal immigrant.



Jamiel Shaw, Sr., whose son Jamiel Jr. was fatally shot by an illegal immigrant in 2008, will also attend the event as Trump's guest.



Signaling a potential focus on education, another guest is school choice advocate Denisha Merriweather, who used the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program to enroll in private school.



The White House noted Merriweather would go on to be the first member of her family to graduate from high school and college.



The guest list also includes Maureen McCarthy Scalia, the widow of late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.



Trump may invoke Scalia as he discusses his nomination of federal appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.



Also seated with the First Lady will be Megan Crowley, a 20-year-old college student diagnosed with Pompe Disease as an infant.



The White House said Crowley's father founded Novazyme Pharmaceuticals to look for a cure for the rare genetic disorder and built the company from a five-person startup into a 100-person company



(Photo: Gage Skidmore)



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
VLC Energy today announced the development of two of the UK's largest energy storage plants, to be connected to the electricity network by year end. The newly created company is a joint venture between Low Carbon, a renewable energy investment company, and VPI Immingham, owner of one of the largest combined heat and power plants in Europe and part of the Vitol Group. VLC Energy was established to fund early stage energy storage and renewable energy projects in the UK, with the intention of accelerating the development of the UK's renewable energy market and complementing VPI Immingham's existing combined heat and power (CHP) generation capabilities.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228006634/en/

Artist impression of 40MW battery storage park at Glassenbury in the UK. Image courtesy of Low Carbon.

The use of batteries will enhance National Grid's ability to manage surges in supply from renewable energy sources, as well as surges in demand, and ultimately increase the Grid's capacity to accommodate energy generated from renewables. They will also be an integral part of building a smarter, cleaner and more flexible energy system for the UK.

The first multi-million dollar projects to be developed by VLC Energy include two of the UK's largest energy storage plants in Cleator in Cumbria and Glassenbury in Kent. The energy storage plants were awarded contracts in the National Grid's Enhanced Frequency Response (EFR) tender process, as well as the Capacity Market Auction for delivery in 2020. The Cleator and Glassenbury sites will have a combined capacity of 50MW (35MWh) accounting for 25% of the total EFR contract capacity awarded by National Grid.

The battery projects will harness the latest Lithium-ion battery technology from LG Chem and sophisticated energy management systems from NEC Energy Solutions, Inc. to provide a vital balancing service to National Grid, with almost instantaneous responses of less than one second to surges in energy supply and demand. This rapid response service will provide significant cost savings to National Grid, with some estimates suggesting as much as $250 million (200 million) in savings across all EFR contracts, by reducing wasted energy.

Justin Thesiger, Operations Director at Low Carbon, commenting on the selection of NEC Energy Solutions and LG Chem stated: "NEC Energy Solutions, in association with LG Chem, offered a comprehensive solution that matched our requirements for the delivery of our first two utility scale storage sites."

Low Carbon has a proven track record in the development, construction, financing and management of renewable energy assets, and was the only organization to be awarded two contracts in the National Grid EFR tender process. To date, the UK-based renewable energy investment company has enabled the deployment of more than $500 million (400 million) into renewable energy projects and has experience with solar photovoltaic, battery storage, wind, combined heat and power, concentrated solar power and anaerobic digestion. The investor has developed enough renewable energy to power more than 100,000 homes and save more than 143,600 tons of CO2 annually.

Russell Hardy, Chairman, VPI Immingham and member of Vitol's executive committee, added, "We're pleased to be entering into an exclusive, strategic partnership with Low Carbon that will enable us to grow our investments in alternative energy in the UK. Batteries perfectly complement renewables and gas and together offer a cleaner, more efficient energy future for the UK."

Roy Bedlow, Chief Executive, Low Carbon, said, "Renewable energy is playing an increasingly important role in the UK's energy mix and as this role expands, the development of energy storage plants will be central to the future success of the UK's energy network. As a leading player in the renewable energy market, we're delighted to be partnering with Vitol to accelerate the development of new energy storage and renewable energy projects. Furthermore, by actively building a robust portfolio of renewable energy projects at scale, we are substantively challenging the causes of climate change, while helping to meet the growing demand for renewable energy in the UK."

About Low Carbon

Low Carbon is a privately owned investment company committed to the development and operation of renewable energy power production. Low Carbon invests into both renewable energy developers and projects across a range of renewable energy technologies including solar, wind, anaerobic digestion, combined heat and power, concentrated solar power and energy storage. Low Carbon has a strong management team with a proven track record in the development, construction, financing and management of renewable energy assets. For UK solar alone, Low Carbon has funded more than 320MW. Low Carbon remains involved in the projects for the long term with a dedicated asset management team that manages assets on balance sheet and for third parties (unlisted and listed). www.lowcarbon.com

About VPI Immingham

VPI Immingham is a combined heat and power (CHP) plant near Immingham, on the South Bank of the river Humber. It is one of the largest CHP plants in Europe, capable of generating 1,240 MW about 2.5% of UK peak electricity demand and up to 930 tonnes of steam per hour, which is used by nearby oil refineries to turn crude oil into products such as gasoline.

It is part of the Vitol Group, an energy and commodities company. Vitol's primary business is the trading and distribution of energy products globally it trades over 6mbpd of crude oil and products and, at any time, has 200 ships transporting its cargoes.

Vitol's clients include national oil companies, multinationals, leading industrial and chemical companies and the world's largest airlines. Founded in Rotterdam in 1966, today Vitol serves clients from some 40 offices worldwide and is invested in energy assets globally including; circa 15.5mm3 of storage across six continents, 390kbpd of refining capacity and Shell-branded downstream businesses in 16 African countries, as well as Australia. Revenues in 2015 were $168 billion. www.vitol.com

About LG Chem

LG Chem Ltd. is one of the world's largest lithium-ion battery manufacturers with significant market share in consumer, automotive and stationary applications. The LG Chem Energy Solution division engineers and delivers energy storage systems for utility, C&I and residential applications. LG Chem Ltd. is a globally diversified chemical company that operates three main business units: Petrochemicals, IT Electronic Materials, and Energy Solution. The company manufactures a wide range of products, from petrochemical goods to high-value added plastics, and extends its chemical expertise into high-tech areas such as electronic materials and rechargeable batteries. For more information, please visit www.lgchem.com www.lgesspartner.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228006634/en/

Contacts:

LG Chem

Dick Pacini

The Millerschin Group

1-248-276-1970

Cell: 1-248-770-6446

dpacini@millerschingroup.com

or

VPI Immingham/Vitol

Andrea Schlaepfer

+44 207 973 4230

acs@vitol.com

or

Low Carbon

Quentin Scott

+44 207 318 8083

Quentin.scott@lowcarbon.com

or

Imogen Nation

+44 207 608 4657

Imogen.nation@hotwirepr.com
VISALIA, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- San Joaquin Valley Homes (SJV Homes) had another strong year in 2016 with 305 homes sold. SJV Homes constructed and closed escrow on 297 homes in 2016 -- a 25 percent increase over the 237 homes it closed in 2015. The company also opened three projects in 2016.

"As we enter our fourth year building beautiful single-family homes in the San Joaquin Valley market, we are thrilled with our continued success," said Joe Leal, co-founder for Visalia-based San Joaquin Valley Homes. "Our goal for 2016 is to begin construction on five new neighborhoods located in Hanford, Tulare, Kingsburg and Visalia."

In 2016, SJV Homes opened three projects: Sedona, Viscaya and Pine River Estates. Back in March of 2016, SJV Homes started selling the first of 53 single-family homes at Sedona, which is located in the highly desirable East Tulare and the first phase is nearly sold out. Viscaya's 87 single-family homes in Dinuba, Calif., which celebrated a grand opening in November 2016, are in high demand as sales have been extremely strong. In December 2016, model homes opened at Pine River Estates, a 37-acre community offering 144 single-family homes located on Virmargo Street between St. John's Parkway and Houston Avenue in Visalia.

This year, SJV Homes plans to open at least three new communities. The 113-home Chandler Park will open in June to replace Hartley Grove in Hanford. Also, in June, the homebuilder will begin selling Chelsea West, an 81-home community in Visalia that will replace nearby Chelsea Place. Later in 2017, SJV Homes will open a high-density, single-family project with 51 homesites in Visalia.

Founded in 2013 by Leal, Jim Robinson and Randy Merrill, SJV Homes plans on closing its 1,000th home by year end making it one of the most active homebuilders in the region.

The following is a breakdown of SJV Homes' projects:

Tulare County

Catalina, 71 units, Tulare (closed out February 2016)

Chelsea Place, 155 units, Visalia (open for sale)

San Marino, 95 units, Visalia (open for sale)

Savannah, 231 units, Tulare (open for sale)

Sedona, 106 units, Tulare (open for sale)

Pine River Estates, 144 units, Visalia (open for sale)

Viscaya, 87 units, Dinuba (open for sale)

Chandler Park, 114 units, Visalia (opens June 2016)

Chelsea West, 81 units, Visalia (opens June 2016)

Kings County

Hartley Grove, 182 units, Hanford (open for sale)

Pheasant Ridge, 73 units, Corcoran (closed out July 2016)

Kern County

Tuscany, 116 units, Bakersfield (open for sale)

About SJV Homes

Deeply rooted in residential construction, the founders of Visalia, California-based San Joaquin Valley Homes have built thousands of quality homes and attractive neighborhoods for Central Valley residents. Founders Joe Leal, Jim Robinson and Randy Merrill share a vision of delivering excellence through every level of building, delivering wonderful homes in great neighborhoods. In 2013, SJV Homes combined forces with Presidio Residential Capital, a real estate investment company based in San Diego. www.sjvhomes.com

Media Contacts:

Anton Communications

Vanessa Showalter

vshowalter@antonpr.com

Genevieve Anton

ganton@antonpr.com




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- A British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) panel has found that SunCentro Corporation; John Leonard Carswell; Robert Thomas Helina; Donald Weiss; YDS Energy, Resources and Humanitarian Relief Corporation; Yawar Sattar Khan; and David Kenge Kato illegally distributed securities to investors without a prospectus.

SunCentro is a Nevada corporation that has never filed a prospectus under the Act. Carswell is a B.C. resident and is SunCentro's president, CEO, CFO, secretary, and treasurer. Helina is also a B.C. resident and is the chairman of SunCentro's board of directors. Both men are also directors of SunCentro and were not registered under the Act during the relevant time.

YDS is a B.C. company that entered into a business development agreement with SunCentro, authorizing it to provide marketing and financing services to SunCentro. Kato and Khan are both B.C. residents and directors of YDS and have never been registered under the Act. Kato is YDS's vice president and Khan is its president and CEO.

Weiss is a U.S. resident and is not a director or officer of either company and has never been registered under the Act. He referred investors to SunCentro and was paid commissions for his work.

The panel found that between 2011 and 2013, the respondents were involved with raising money for SunCentro by distributing securities to investors who did not qualify for prospectus exemptions. The panel made various findings of illegal distribution against the respondents:

-- SunCentro with respect to distributions to 19 investors in the amount of US$165,500; -- Carswell with respect to distributions to 20 investors in the amount of US$171,500; -- Helina with respect to distributions to 19 investors in the amount of US$165,500; -- YDS with respect to distributions to 19 investors in the amount of US$165,500; -- Kato with respect to distributions to 19 investors in the amount of US$165,500; -- Khan with respect to distributions to 19 investors in the amount of US$165,500; and -- Weiss with respect to distributions to 6 investors in the amount of US$78,025.

In its decision, the panel noted that "the respondents, with respect to varying numbers of the investors, did not ensure that the requirements of the exemptions were met with the result that those investors were denied the protections intended by the Act."

The panel also found that as directors and officers of SunCentro, Helina and Carswell were liable for all 19 of SunCentro's illegal distributions in the amount of US$165,500. The panel also found that as directors and officers of YDS, Kato and Khan were each liable for all 19 of YDS's illegal distributions in the amount of US$165,500.

The panel also dismissed some allegations of illegal distributions against certain of the respondents on the basis that those respondents had a due diligence defence to those allegations.

For its misconduct, the panel has permanently cease-traded securities of SunCentro and permanently prohibited SunCentro from purchasing or trading any securities or exchange contracts. SunCentro has been ordered to pay a disgorgement of US$165,500.

The panel also ordered that YDS cease trading in and be prohibited from purchasing any securities or exchange contacts, and prohibited the company from becoming or acting as a registrant or promoter and acting in a management or consultative capacity in connection with activities in the securities market. YDS has been ordered to pay disgorgements of US$4,020 and $11,755 to the Commission. YDS and SunCentro are jointly and severally liable for these amounts. YDS's bans are to remain in effect until the later of the date that it pays its monetary orders and February 20, 2019.

The panel also ordered that Carswell, Helina, Kato, Khan, and Weiss resign any positions they hold as, and are prohibited from becoming or acting as, directors or officers of any issuers (with limited exceptions). They are also banned from trading in and purchasing any securities (with limited exceptions), becoming or acting as a registrant or promoter, acting in a management or consultative capacity in connection with activities in the securities market, and engaging in investor relations activities. In addition:

-- Carswell has been ordered to pay an administrative penalty of $5,000. His bans are to remain in effect until the later of the date that he pays his monetary order and February 20, 2021. -- Helina has been ordered to pay an administrative penalty of $3,000. His bans are to remain in effect until the later of the date that he pays his monetary order and February 20, 2020. -- Kato has been ordered to pay an administrative penalty of $2,000. His bans are to remain in effect until the later of the date that he pays his monetary order and February 20, 2019. -- Khan has been ordered to pay an administrative penalty of $2,000. His bans are to remain in effect until the later of the date that he pays his monetary order and February 20, 2019. -- Weiss has been ordered to pay an administrative penalty of $2,000 and a disgorgement of US$5,000. His bans are to remain in effect until the later of the date that he pays his monetary orders and February 20, 2019.

In a dissenting decision, BCSC Vice Chair Nigel Cave found there was no evidence to suggest that SunCentro used the funds raised from the illegal distributions in any manner that is inconsistent with investor expectations. As a result, Cave would not have made a disgorgement order against SunCentro.

You may view the decision on our website www.bcsc.bc.ca by typing SunCentro Corporation, John Leonard Carswell, Robert Thomas Helina, Donald Weiss, YDS Energy, Resources and Humanitarian Relief Corporation, Yawar Sattar Khan, David Kenge Kato or 2017 BCSECCOM 58 in the search box. Information regarding disciplinary proceedings can be found in the Enforcement section of the BCSC website.

Please visit the Canadian Securities Administrators' Disciplined List for information relating to persons and companies disciplined by provincial securities regulators, the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and the Mutual Fund Dealers Association (MFDA).

About the British Columbia Securities Commission (www.bcsc.bc.ca)

The British Columbia Securities Commission is the independent provincial government agency responsible for regulating capital markets in British Columbia through the administration of the Securities Act. Our mission is to protect and promote the public interest by fostering:

-- A securities market that is fair and warrants public confidence -- A dynamic and competitive securities industry that provides investment opportunities and access to capital

Learn how to protect yourself and become a more informed investor at www.investright.org.

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Alison Walker

604-899-6713



Public inquiries:

604-899-6854 or 1-800-373-6393 (toll free)

inquiries@bcsc.bc.ca




WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Congresswoman Maxine Waters, D-Calif., has indicated she will not attend President Donald Trump's highly anticipated speech to a joint session of Congress. 'The president is not going to say what I want him to say,' Waters said in an interview with ABC News on Tuesday. 'He's gonna take credit for everything.' Waters reportedly told a House Democratic caucus meeting she would skip the speech due to concerns she could not 'contain her enthusiasm.' The liberal congresswoman is the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee and also serves as member of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. Waters, who also did not attend Trump's inauguration, has been a staunch critic of the president in the early weeks of his administration. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has reportedly urged her Democratic colleagues to be on their best behavior during Trump's prime-time address. 'I think we have to deal with this in the utmost dignity. We cannot become them; we don't like what they did to our president,' Pelosi said during the caucus meeting, according to Politico. 'We cannot be out-classed by Donald Trump. That would be the worst of all outcomes.' Politico suggested Pelosi is hoping to avoid a moment similar to when Congressman Joe Wilson, R-S.C., shouted 'You lie!' at President Barack Obama during an address to Congress in 2009. 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.
NEW WESTMINSTER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Public Services and Procurement Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to growing the economy and the middle class, and helping those working hard to join it. Through the Build in Canada Innovation Program, the Government of Canada is investing in Canadian innovations to create sustainable economic growth for communities across Canada.

Today, while addressing attendees of the Innovation Forum 2017, the Honourable Judy M. Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, announced that the Government of Canada is investing in a cloud-based communication system developed in British Columbia.

Lightship Works Inc., of Kamloops, British Columbia, received a $590,000-contract for its Lightship Worksite Management Platform. This innovative platform allows organizations to effectively respond in real time during emergencies, providing a safer work environment. The platform also enables organizations to communicate with workers, track vehicles and equipment and monitor tasks.

Public Services and Procurement Canada, the provincial Ministry of Environment and Emergency Management BC are testing this innovation. The Lightship Worksite Management Platform will help these organizations share information in case of emergency, such as wildfire situations.

This investment was made through the Build in Canada Innovation Program, which helps Canadian innovators land their first sale and get their innovations tested by the Government of Canada. The program is just one of the many ways the Government of Canada supports innovation and small and medium-sized businesses across Canada.

Canadian innovators can submit their proposals on the Build in Canada Innovation Program's website.

Quotes

"Our government is committed to growing the economy and the middle class, and helping those working hard to join it. Investments in innovation are a key driver of jobs and prosperity. By matching innovative products such as the Lightship system with government needs, the Build in Canada Innovation Program helps Canadian companies move their products from the testing phase to the marketplace."

The Honourable Judy M. Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement

"Support from the Government of Canada through the Build in Canada Innovation Program is allowing us to deploy Lightship with multiple agencies in British Columbia. The outcomes of this project will fine tune business practices for information sharing that will help ensure the safety and resiliency of communities across British Columbia."

Jaethan Reichel, Chief Executive Officer, Lightship Works Inc.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Federal Government to offer a Forum that provides information resources for individuals in the tech industry, research and development and generally help inspire the potential of knowledge-based workers."

Mayor Jonathan Cote, City of New Westminster

Quick Facts

-- Lightship Works Inc. was founded in 2015 in Kamloops, British Columbia. The company has a background in construction, consulting, development and design. -- The Lightship Worksite Management Platform combines daily managerial tasks with emergency response capabilities; as a result, both functions are more powerful. Employees are able to communicate, manage tasks and trigger alarms from their personal devices underground, through a cellular network, Wi-Fi or satellite. -- The Build in Canada Innovation Program has recently simplified the application process and improved the evaluation process. -- More than 200 contracts have been awarded under the Build in Canada Innovation Program, bringing Canadian companies one step closer to selling to domestic and international markets. -- More than $80 million has been awarded in contracts since the Build in Canada Innovation Program began in 2010.

Associated Links

Build in Canada Innovation Program

Follow us on Twitter

Follow us on Facebook

Contacts:

Annie Trepanier

Office of the Honourable Judy M. Foote

819-997-5421



Media Relations

Public Services and Procurement Canada

819-420-5501

media@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca




OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Canada Border Services Agency

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that a new dedicated Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lane and inspection booth have opened at the Fort Erie, ON, port of entry. The new FAST lane provides eligible commercial vehicles with expedited passage and reduced wait times.

At the same time, the Pacific Highway port of entry in Surrey, BC, has modified its existing FAST lane and booth to a new model called "FAST-1st", which uses lighting and queuing technology to provide pre-qualified vehicles with priority access. A dedicated approach lane leading to the border will reduce wait times for Trusted Trader members.

FAST is a joint Canada-U.S. initiative to enhance border and trade security while making cross-border commercial shipments simpler and subject to fewer delays. FAST gives members of the CBSA Trusted Trader programs access to dedicated lanes and booths at specified ports of entry that allow them priority access to the border and expedited clearance. FAST lanes and booths are also in operation in Sarnia and Windsor, ON.

Later in 2017, the CBSA will enhance FAST member benefits by expanding the eligibility criteria for FAST lane use to include members of either of the CBSA' s trusted trader programs, i.e. Partners in Protection or Customs Self-Assessment. Currently, the FAST lanes are only accessible to those who are members of both programs.

Quote

"The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring our border is efficient and secure. The FAST program supports Canadian businesses by allowing low-risk shipments to be processed more quickly at the border, saving them time and money. By facilitating trade, we are helping grow the economy for the middle class and all those working so hard to get there."

- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Quick Facts

-- With the launch in Fort Erie, FAST lanes will now be available at Canada's four busiest commercial highway locations. -- "FAST-1st" is based on the successful model currently in operation to process U.S.-bound commercial motor vehicles at Blaine, Washington. The existing dedicated FAST lane at Pacific Highway will remain in operation, but the dedicated booth will be converted into a regular commercial inspection booth. -- Stop lights and queuing technology will stream commercial traffic to offer FAST vehicles priority access to any open inspection booth leading to reduced border congestion.

Associated Links

Canada Border Services Agency

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Contacts:

Canada Border Services Agency

Media Line

613-957-6500




RIMOUSKI, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Puma Exploration Inc. (TSX VENTURE: PUM)(SSE: PUMA) (the "Company "or "PUMA") is pleased to release an update on the acquisition of the Murray Brook Property.

Murray Brook Property Transaction

As previously reported in Puma's news release on December 21st, 2016 a revised NI 43-101 compliant underground resource estimate totaling 5.28 million tonnes averaging 5.24% Zn, 1.80% Pb, 0.46% Cu, 68.9 g/t Ag and 0.65 g/t Au was completed and submitted to the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). On February 20th, the NI 43-101 report was accepted and filed on SEDAR.

On February 24th, 2017, Puma Exploration closed the purchase agreement with Votorantim Metals Canada Inc. and acquired approximately 67.9-per-cent beneficial interest in the Murray Brook zinc-lead-copper-silver volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposit.

Additionally, El Nino Ventures Inc. ("ELN") and PUMA have agreed to extend the closing date for the acquisition of ELN's interest in the Murray Brook Property to, on or before, March 31st, 2017. To demonstrate that PUMA is confident that the deal will close, the Company is providing to ELN a deposit in the amount of $60,000 to be credited against the closing cash consideration for the acquisition of the Murray Brook Property. In the event that the transaction contemplated in the Asset Purchase Agreement with ELN does not close on, or before, March 31st, 2017 the $60,000 deposit will be retained by ELN.

PUMA has closed the second and final tranche of its current private placement on February 24th, 2017 (see news releases of 2017-02-01 and 2017-02-24). A total of $955,050 was raised by issuing 13,643,569 units at a price of $0.07. Each unit is comprised of one common share and one full warrant entitling the holder to acquire one common share at a price of $0.15 for 24 months.

PUMA's projections for 2017 in view of the purchase of the Murray Brook Deposit ("MBD") are as follows:

1. Produce a new PEA during 2017 focused on developing an underground mining scenario of the higher grade sulphide portions of the MBD contained in the current Mineral Resource Estimate. 2. Proceed with additional advanced recovery (metallurgical) tests on the MBD's mineralization, focusing on GOLD and SILVER recovery with the objective of establishing the economic value of the MBD. 3. Proceed with a drilling exploration program to delineate the size of the deposit and potentially find more deposits along strike in the direction of the Caribou Mine.

About Puma Exploration Inc.

Puma Exploration is a Canadian mineral exploration company with advanced precious and base metals projects in Canada. The Company's major assets are the approximately 67.9-per-cent beneficial interest in the Murray Brook Property, the Turgeon Zinc-Copper Project, the Nicholas-Denys Project in New Brunswick and an equity interest in Black Widow Resources related to the Little Stull Lake Gold Project in Manitoba. Puma's objective for the coming year is to focus its exploration efforts in New Brunswick. Canada.

You are welcome to visit us at the 2017 PDAC in Toronto at the Booth #3336.

You can visit us on Facebook and Twitter.

Learn more by consulting www.pumaexploration.com for further information on Puma Exploration Inc.

The contents of this press release were prepared by Marcel Robillard, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Puma Exploration Inc. to be materially different from actual future results and achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date the statements were made, except as required by law. Puma Exploration undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described in the quarterly and annual reports and in the documents submitted to the securities administration.

Contacts:

Marcel Robillard, President

(418) 724-0901 or Toll free: (800) 321-8564

president@explorationpuma.com




GOODYEAR, AZ--(Marketwired - February 28, 2017) - Mountain America Credit Union is pleased to announce the opening of its Goodyear, Arizona branch located at 16326 West Yuma Road. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Friday, March 3 at 12:00 p.m. A grand opening celebration and barbeque lunch will follow on Saturday, March 4, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Refreshments, prizes, and more will be available for attendees at the barbeque.

The Goodyear branch is managed by Heather Darcell, an Arizona resident of over 20 years. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Darcell previously served in the United States Army and worked for a bank before joining Mountain America Credit Union. Darcell has been a resident of Goodyear for the past ten years.

"The new Goodyear branch offers another convenient location for members in Arizona to enjoy our signature member service experience. We are thrilled to be growing in this market," says Darcell. "I am excited to see what our talented team can accomplish for our members, community, and local businesses."

The Goodyear branch provides a wide range of financial products and services, including traditional savings, insurance, investments, auto and RV loans and a full array of mortgage loans and services. Mountain America also offers the innovative MyStyle Checking" account with customizable rewards like online shopping credits, cash gifts, loan discounts, credit monitoring and more. Being federally chartered, Mountain America provides an additional broad assortment of services, including real estate and business lending.

About Mountain America Credit Union

Mountain America Credit Union has more than $6 billion in assets and serves more than 600,000 members, wherever they are, through online and mobile banking, 86 branches in five states and provides access to more than 50,000 surcharge-free ATMs and 5,000 shared-branching locations nationwide. With credit union roots dating back to the 1930s, Mountain America has become a tradition for many members offering a variety of financial products and services for consumers and businesses, including savings accounts, auto loans, checking accounts, mortgage loans, business checking, student loans, SBA loans and retirement options. Visit www.macu.com for more information.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/2/28/11G131678/Images/Heather_Darcell_Goodyear_AZ-909e721f73708eeea046cca4bb977a77.jpg

Media Contact:

Bryan Packer

801-325-6439

Email contact


CULVER CITY, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- FlitWays (OTC PINK: FTWS), a Los Angeles-based ground travel technology company, today announce plans for their expansion into Australia markets. There are several Australian based organization that FlitWays has partnered with to grow their international reach.

FlitWays Director of Growth, Zacky Hamraz, commented, "Australia is one of the cities that is increasing in frequency for business travelers. FlitWays is one of the leading providers of business class transportation solution."

Since its inception, FlitWays has been designed to fulfill the needs of businesses and corporations alike. Australia is an upcoming major travel destination for both business and vacations. FlitWays is ecstatic to be at the forefront of expanding into these new markets.

The flagship and all-inclusive FlitWays vehicles will be available for use by corporate traveler making the trips to Australia. Our Australia expansion is directly tied to our ongoing strategy to reach international markets.

FlitWays will be immediately available in 10 major Australian cities with more on the way:

Australia

Adelaide - ADL

Geelong - AVV

Perth - PER

Hobart - HBA

Sydney - SYD

Byron Bay - BNK

Melbourne - MEL

Toowoomba - TWB

Canberra - CBR

Mornington - AVV

FlitWays strives to be at the forefront of the enterprise ground transportation. FlitWays insists on the upmost standards for business travelers that choose to use FlitWays.

About FlitWays:

FlitWays, a Los Angeles-based travel technology company, offers enterprise ground transportation solution for businesses in 170 cities around the world. Currently servicing over 400 airports with a fleet of over 20,000 vehicles. FlitWays provides businesses with enterprise suite and integrated booking tools that helps business to manage their global ground transportation through a secured platform that fits the way businesses travel.

For additional information regarding FlitWays, visit www.FlitWays.com.

Additional information regarding FlitWays Technology, Inc. can also be found in the Company's most recent filings with SEC at www.sec.gov and further Company press releases.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of FlitWays Technology Inc. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein are "forward-looking statements," including, but not limited to; the proposed corporate name change; and any other statements of non-historical information. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects" or similar expressions, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website (www.sec.gov). All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

Contact:

Hermosa Capital Management Inc.

310 546 4600

ir@FlitWays.com




MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Stingray Digital Group Inc. (TSX: RAY.A)(TSX: RAY.B), a leading business-to-business multi-platform music and in-store media solutions provider, today announced that Tom Pentefountas, currently Senior Vice-President, International Sales, EMEA and Asia, will be leaving the company to pursue new opportunities in April 2017.

"Contributing to Stingray's international growth has been a very rewarding professional experience," said Tom Pentefountas. "It is now time for me to strike the right balance between my professional obligations and my family and this requires me being closer to home."

"On behalf of Stingray's board of directors and employees, I want to thank Tom for his contribution to our global growth strategy," said Eric Boyko, President, Co-founder, and CEO of Stingray. "We wish him every success in the next stage of his career."

Tom Pentefountas joined Stingray in November 2015. During his tenure, he oversaw international sales development and forged relationships with sales agents and TV operators in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Prior to his employment at Stingray, Mr Pentefountas served as vice-chairman, broadcasting of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

About Stingray

Stingray (TSX: RAY.A)(TSX: RAY.B) is a leading business-to-business multi-platform music and in-store media solutions provider operating on a global scale, reaching an estimated 400 million pay TV subscribers (or households) in 152 countries. Geared towards individuals and businesses alike, Stingray's products include the following leading digital music and video services: Stingray Music, Stingray Concerts, Stingray iConcerts, Stingray Brava, Stingray DJAZZ, Stingray Music Videos, Stingray Lite TV, Stingray Ambiance, Stingray Karaoke, Festival 4K, and Classica. Stingray also offers various business solutions, including music and digital display-based solutions, through its Stingray Business division. Stingray is headquartered in Montreal and currently has close to 350 employees worldwide, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Israel, Australia and South Korea. Stingray was recognized in 2013 and 2014 as a finalist in the Top 50 of Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 list, and figures amongst PROFIT magazine's fastest-growing Canadian companies. In 2016, Stingray was awarded best IR for an IPO at the IR Magazine Awards - Canada. For more information, please visit www.stingray.com

Contacts:

Mathieu Peloquin

Stingray

Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications

514-664-1244, ext. 2362

mpeloquin@stingray.com




MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 03/02/17 -- Sphinx Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: SFX)

NOTE TO READER - This press release has been refiled to correct the amount of the finder's fee which was initially and by inadvertence listed as $60,992 to $66,578, as well as the amount of the non-transferable finders Warrants which was initially listed as 918,528 to 1,011,628. The amount of the finders' fee payable to Haywood was also and consequently revised from $50,702 to $56,288. There are no other changes to the news release that was previously filed on February 28, 2017. This version of the new release includes the foregoing revisions and replaces the previous filing.

Sphinx Resources Ltd. ("Sphinx" or the "Corporation") (TSX VENTURE: SFX) announces that it has closed a non-brokered hard dollar private placement (the "Private Placement") for aggregate gross proceeds of $ 1,402,810, including $ 804,110 from subscribers identified by Haywood Securities Inc. ("Haywood") and $ 400,400 from four Quebec-based institutional funds:

-- Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec ("CDPQ") ($ 150,000); -- Capital croissance PME II, s.e.c. ("CCPME") ($ 100,200); -- Societe de developpement de la Baie-James ("SDBJ") ($ 100,200): and -- Societe d'investissement dans la diversification de l'exploration ("SIDEX") ($ 50,000).

The Private Placement was comprised of 23,380,165 units of the Corporation at a price of $0.06 per unit. Each unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Corporation and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share at a price of $0.09 per common share until February 28, 2020. The securities of the Corporation to be issued pursuant to the Private Placement are subject to a four-month hold period expiring June 29, 2017. Management and one director of the Corporation subscribed for an amount of $15,300 of the Private Placement.

The net proceeds of the Private Placement will be used to fund the Corporation's precious metals exploration projects (Cheechoo-Eleonore Trend and Chemin Troilus in Eeyou Istchee James Bay and Green Palladium in the Pontiac regional municipal county in southwestern Quebec) and for general working capital purposes. Funding for drilling the Calumet-Sud zinc project (next to the Green Palladium project) will be provided solely by SOQUEM, Sphinx's partner on that project. SOQUEM can acquire a 50% interest in the Project by carrying out exploration work totaling $450,000. The Private Placement has been conditionally accepted by the TSX Venture Exchange.

"We would like to thank Haywood, Quebec institutions, and our existing and new shareholders for their support. We are enthusiastic about the upcoming drilling programs on three separate projects: Calumet-Sud for zinc, Green Palladium for palladium and Chemin Troilus for gold, and look forward to a steady flow of news for the balance of 2017." stated Normand Champigny, President and CEO.

In connection with the Private Placement, the Corporation has agreed to pay to certain finders a finder's fee of up to 7% in cash, representing an aggregate amount of up to $66,992 and will issue 1,011,628 non-transferable finders Warrants, each such entitling the finder to acquire one common share at a price of $0.09 per common share for a period of three years from the date of grant. This amount includes finders' fees of $56,288 paid to Haywood.

CDPQ is a long-term institutional investor that manages funds primarily for public and parapublic pension and insurance plans. As at December 31, 2016, it held $ 270.7 billion in net assets. As one of Canada's leading institutional fund managers, CDPQ invests globally in major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure and real estate. Through its CDPQ Sodemex mining portfolio, la Caisse contributes to the development of Quebec's mining industry by acquiring interests in junior mining companies and mining producers active in Quebec.

CCPME is a fund jointly set up by CDPQ and by Capital Regional et Cooperatif Desjardins for the purpose of supporting the economic development of Quebec businesses and encouraging their growth. Desjardins Venture Capital Inc. acts as the manager of CCPME.

SDBJ was created in 1971 by the James Bay Region Development Act. The SDBJ's mission is to promote the James Bay territory's economic development and the development and use of its natural resources, other than hydroelectric resources, which are Hydro-Quebec's responsibility, from a sustainable development perspective. It can also generate, support and participate in projects for these purposes. www.sdbj.gouv.qc.ca

SIDEX was established in 2001 by the Government of Quebec and the Fonds de solidarite des travailleurs du Quebec (F.T.Q.). The mission of SIDEX is to invest in mineral exploration companies working in Quebec to diversify Quebec's mineral base. SIDEX encourages companies to explore for new substances, to use new metallogenic models and to open new territories. SIDEX also helps to promote entrepreneurship and innovation.

About Sphinx

Sphinx is engaged in the generation and acquisition of exploration projects in Quebec, Canada which is recognized as an attractive mining jurisdiction worldwide. The Corporation has 83.9 million shares outstanding, including 12% held by insiders and 20% by Quebec institutions.

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 and activities to vary materially from targeted results and planning. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in Sphinx's periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Sphinx from time to time with securities regulatory authorities.

Contacts:

Normand Champigny

President and Chief Executive Officer

514.979.4746

info@sphinxresources.ca

www.sphinxresources.ca




CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- The Alberta Energy Regulator's (AER's) annual reserves and supply/demand outlook is out, and it's easier to use than ever.

The interactive online approach to ST98: 2017 Alberta's Energy Reserves & Supply/Demand Outlook allows users to find, customize, and create figures and data according to their specific needs.

Published since 1961, ST98 reports on Alberta's energy resources, how they are produced, and how they are used.

"While ST98 might seem like a technical report best approached by economists, there are stories in the numbers-stories about the economy, Alberta, and its resources that have wide-ranging consequences," explained Carol Crowfoot, vice-president of Regulatory Development & Economics at the AER. "The format brings these stories to the forefront, giving an all-encompassing view of Alberta's energy landscape, now and for the next ten years."

According to ST98, Alberta remains the largest producer of natural gas and oil in Canada, despite crude oil prices dropping 11 per cent in 2016.

The AER's report highlights remaining reserves and historical production of Alberta's bitumen, oil, coal, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and sulphur in 2016. The report also examines production and demand trends to 2026, giving industry and investors information they can use to assess investment opportunities in Alberta's energy sector.

"It's important to understand that the information contained in this report is holistic and unbiased. It is generated independently by the AER's technical staff, as opposed to many other jurisdictions that rely on industry surveys," Crowfoot emphasized.

This annual reserves report is an important tool used in tracking energy development in the province, and it helps the AER deliver on its mandate to ensure that development is safe and environmentally responsible.

The Alberta Energy Regulator ensures the safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally responsible development of hydrocarbon resources over their entire life cycle. This includes allocating and conserving water resources, managing public lands, and protecting the environment while providing economic benefits for all Albertans.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

The Alberta Energy Regulator's (AER's) annual reserves and supply/demand outlook report for Alberta's bitumen, oil, coal, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and sulphur resources has been released. The AER expects the price of North American crude oil to average US$53.00/barrel in 2017 and says expenditures in Alberta's energy sector was down an estimated 35 per cent in 2016. The online report is on www.aer.ca.

Fast Facts

-- Alberta is Canada's largest producer of natural gas and oil. -- Alberta produced 67 per cent of Canada's natural gas and 81 per cent of Canada's oil last year. -- Bitumen represented more than 60 per cent of Canada's total oil production in 2016. -- Crude oil prices dropped 11 per cent in 2016. -- The AER expects oil to average US$53.00 per barrel in 2017.

Backgrounder: Key Highlights of AER Annual Reserves and Supply/Demand Outlook Report

Calgary, Alberta (February 28, 2017)

The Alberta Energy Regulator's (AER's) annual reserves and supply/demand outlook reports on Alberta's energy resources, how they are produced, and how they are used.

Key Highlights

-- Alberta remains the largest producer of natural gas and oil in Canada. In 2016, Alberta produced 67 per cent of Canada's natural gas and 81 per cent of Canada's oil. -- More than 60 per cent of Canada's total oil output was marketable bitumen from Alberta's oil sands. Marketable bitumen production decreased slightly to 2.3 million barrels per day in 2016. -- North American crude oil prices decreased 11 per cent from US$48.79 per barrel in 2015 to US$43.32 per barrel in 2016. -- The AER expects the price of West Texas Intermediate to average US$53.00 per barrel in 2017. -- Expenditures in Alberta's oil, natural gas, and oil sands sectors dropped an estimated 35 per cent in 2016, from $39.8 billion in 2015 to $26.0 billion in 2016. -- The AER expects expenditures in Alberta's oil, natural gas, and oil sands sectors to increase slightly to $26.2 billion in 2017 based on the conventional oil and gas drilling forecast and on the forecast of oil sands projects. Capital expenditures are projected to moderately increase over the next ten years, with growth supported by the conventional oil and gas sector. -- Bitumen production from Alberta's oil sands decreased by an estimated 3 per cent in 2016, primarily as a result of the Fort McMurray wildfires affecting mining operations. -- In 2016, Alberta's crude oil and natural gas production decreased by an estimated 16 per cent and 2 per cent, respectively, due to decreased well activity as a result of low commodity prices. -- Alberta's remaining reserves: -- Crude bitumen, 26 billion cubic metres (165 billion barrels) -- Crude oil, 254 million cubic metres (1.6 billion barrels) -- Natural gas, 775 billion cubic metres (28.2 trillion cubic feet) -- Coal, 33 billion tonnes (36.6 billion tons)

Contacts:

Alberta Energy Regulator

Kate Bowering

AER Public Affairs

403-297-8724

kate.bowering@aer.ca



Alberta Energy Regulator

Media line: 1-855-474-6356

www.aer.ca




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Entree Gold Inc. ("Entree or the "Company") (TSX: ETG)(NYSE MKT: EGI)(FRANKFURT: EKA) is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors (the "Board") has unanimously approved a strategic reorganization of its business (the "Arrangement"). Pursuant to the Arrangement, Entree's Ann Mason and Lordsburg projects (the "US Projects") will be transferred to a newly incorporated company, Mason Resources Corp. ("Mason"). Shareholders of Entree ("Shareholders") will receive common shares in Mason ("Mason Common Shares") in proportion to their shareholdings in Entree. There will be no change to Shareholders' existing interests in Entree.

It is intended that, as part of the Arrangement, the Shareholders will receive Mason Common Shares by way of a share exchange, pursuant to which each existing share of Entree (an "Entree Common Share") is exchanged for one "new" share of Entree and 0.45 of a Mason Common Share. Optionholders ("Optionholders") and warrantholders ("Warrantholders") of Entree will receive replacement options and warrants of Entree and options and warrants of Mason which are proportionate to, and reflective of the terms of, their existing options and warrants of Entree. The reorganization will be effected by way of a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Plan of Arrangement") and must be approved by the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "Court") and by the affirmative vote of 66 2/3% of the Shareholders, as well as the Shareholders, Optionholders and Warrantholders (collectively, the "Securityholders") voting together as a single class. A meeting of Securityholders to approve, among other things, the Arrangement, will be held on May 1, 2017 (the "Meeting").

Once the Arrangement becomes effective, the result will be two separate and focused, well-capitalized entities, each with a high quality advanced project providing new and existing shareholders with optionality as to investment strategy and risk profile.

Entree currently has a treasury of approximately US$18.5 million, of which US$8.75 million will be transferred to Mason as part of the Arrangement. In the event that all outstanding warrants are exercised following the Arrangement, the two companies would receive up to an additional approximately C$6 million in the aggregate.

Entree is undertaking the Arrangement in order to focus on its carried 20% joint venture interest in two of the Oyu Tolgoi deposits in Mongolia and potentially acquiring other value accreting and synergistic assets. The Arrangement is also intended to maximize Shareholder value by allowing the market to value Entree's assets independently of the US Projects. It is expected that transferring the US Projects from Entree to Mason will help accelerate development of the Ann Mason project and give scope to new acquisitions.

Mason will initially be managed by Entree's current team of officers. Its board will consist of four directors who also currently sit on the Entree Board, as well as at least one other new director who is independent of Entree.

Additional details of the spin-out transaction will be included in an information circular to be mailed to Securityholders on or about March 24, 2017 in connection with the Meeting. Subject to receipt of all required Securityholder, Court and regulatory approvals, the Arrangement is expected to close by May 30, 2017.

Entree will be attending PDAC in Toronto between March 5 and 9, 2017 and will give a presentation at the conference on Monday, March 6 at 2:20 p.m.

ABOUT ENTREE GOLD INC.

Entree Gold Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company balancing opportunity and risk with key assets in Mongolia and Nevada. As a joint venture partner with a carried interest on a portion of the Oyu Tolgoi mining project in Mongolia, Entree has a unique opportunity to participate in one of the world's largest copper-gold projects managed by one of the premier mining companies - Rio Tinto. Oyu Tolgoi, with its series of deposits containing copper, gold and molybdenum, has been under exploration and development since the late 1990s. Additionally, Entree has also been advancing its Ann Mason Project in one of the world's most favourable mining jurisdictions, Nevada. The Ann Mason Project hosts the Ann Mason copper-molybdenum deposit as well as the Blue Hill copper deposit within the rejuvenated Yerington copper camp.

Sandstorm Gold, Rio Tinto and Turquoise Hill Resources are major Shareholders, holding approximately 14%, 10% and 8% of issued and outstanding shares, respectively.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws with respect to the Financing, corporate strategies and plans; and other matters that may occur in the future.

While the Company has based these forward-looking statements on its expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee of Entree's future performance and are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies, statements with respect to the completion of the Arrangement, benefits of the Arrangement, obtaining Shareholder, Court and regulatory approval of the Arrangement, the composition of Mason's management and board of directors, the timing for the mailing of an information circular, holding the Meeting and completing the Arrangement, and the exercise of outstanding share purchase warrants. Important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements and information include, amongst others; Entree not obtaining Shareholder, Court or regulatory approval of the Arrangement; the market valuing Entree and Mason in a manner not anticipated by Entree; the resulting Entree and/or Mason share purchase warrants not being in-the-money as a result of the market valuing Entree or Mason in a manner not anticipated by Entree; unanticipated costs, expenses or liabilities; actions by Sandstorm Gold, Rio Tinto and Turquoise Hill Resources; and misjudgements in the course of preparing forward-looking statements. In addition, there are also known and unknown risk 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 and information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to factors described in the Company's most recently filed Management's Discussion and Analysis and in the Company's Annual Information Form for the financial year ended December 31, 2015, dated March 30, 2016 filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at 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. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws.

Contacts:

Monica Hamm

Senior Manager, Investor Relations &

Corporate Communications

Entree Gold Inc.

604-687-4770 (FAX)

604-687-4777 or Toll Free: 866-368-7330

mhamm@entreegold.com






WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The Hershey Company (HSY) announced initiatives designed to drive continued net sales, operating profit and earnings per share-diluted growth. The company's 'Margin for Growth' program is expected to generate about 22% to 23% adjusted operating profit margin by year end 2019. The 'Margin for Growth' multiyear program is designed to improve overall operating profit margin through supply chain optimization, a streamlined operating model and reduced administrative expenses, with savings primarily being achieved in 2018 and 2019. The company estimates that implementation of the program will reduce its global workforce by approximately 15% driven primarily by its hourly headcount outside of the United States.



The company anticipates that the program will result in total cumulative pre-tax charges of $375 million to $425 million, including one-time employee separation benefits of $80 million to $100 million. The portion of non-cash program costs, included in the aforementioned total, are expected to be between $200 million to $225 million. Cash savings are expected to reach an annual run-rate of between $150 million to $175 million by year end 2019.



Hershey said, over the long term, the company expects annual constant currency net sales growth of 2% to 4%, driven primarily by its North America business. This update, versus the previous outlook, reflects changes in U.S. shopping habits and continued macroeconomic challenges impacting growth in international markets. Given the scale advantages of the company's North America business and the 'Margin for Growth' related initiatives, the company expects to generate long-term adjusted earnings per share-diluted growth of 6% to 8%.



Hershey announced, in 2017, the company expects reported earnings per share-diluted of $3.19 to $3.45, including items impacting comparability of approximately $1.36 to $1.53 per share-diluted. Adjusted earnings per share-diluted is expected to increase 7% to 9% and be in the $4.72 to $4.81 range. Hershey reaffirmed its outlook for full-year 2017 net sales growth of about 2% to 3% percent, including a net benefit from acquisitions of about 0.5 points and unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates of about 0.25 points.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/28/17 -- Constellation Software Inc. ("Constellation") (TSX: CSU) today announced that its wholly-owned division Volaris Group ("Volaris") has entered into an agreement to acquire a provider of enterprise resource planning (ERP) shipping solutions to the Marine industry. Completion of the acquisition remains subject to mutually agreed closing conditions.

About Volaris Group

Volaris acquires, strengthens and grows vertical market technology companies. As an Operating Group of Constellation Software Inc., Volaris is all about strengthening businesses within the markets they compete and enabling them to grow - whether that growth comes through organic measures such as new initiatives and product development, day-to-day business, or through complementary acquisitions. Learn more at www.volarisgroup.com.

About Constellation Software Inc.

Constellation Software acquires, manages and builds vertical market software businesses that provide mission-critical software solutions.

Contacts:

Constellation Software Inc.

Jamal Baksh

Chief Financial Officer

(416) 861-9677

jbaksh@csisoftware.com

www.csisoftware.com






OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - Maxwell Technologies, Inc. (MXWL) and Nesscap Energy Inc. (NCE.V) announced they have entered into an agreement in which Maxwell proposes to acquire substantially all of the assets and business of Nesscap. Maxwell will purchase the operating entities of Nesscap for a total purchase price of $23.175 million. The purchase price will be paid by the issuance of approximately 4.6 million Maxwell shares, subject to a 10% upward or downward adjustment. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Maxwell's non-GAAP earnings per share following close, which is anticipated to be in second quarter of 2017, and Maxwell expects the Nesscap business to deliver positive adjusted EBITDA in 2017.



Nesscap is an award-winning global leader in technology innovation and product development of ultracapacitors. Attributes of the ultracapacitor allow for the technology to be used in applications where power, life cycle requirements or environmental conditions limit the suitability of batteries or capacitors. Nesscap products are available in both cells and modules and are used to enhance the performance of modern applications ranging from portable electronic devices to high performance windmills and high-tech 'green' cars.



'With the acquisition of the Nesscap business, Maxwell will be stronger and better equipped to help existing and new customers address the growing demand for advanced ultracapacitor solutions to improve energy efficiency and meet government mandates for reduced emissions,' said Franz Fink, Maxwell's CEO.



Nesscap shareholders and debt holders are expected to own approximately 12% of Maxwell's total outstanding common shares following completion of the transaction. Maxwell entered into a principal shareholders agreement with I2BF and Arbat, which together own approximately 80% of the common shares of Nesscap, and will represent approximately 10% of the ownership of Maxwell following closing. Maxwell has agreed to appoint a representative of I2BF and Arbat to Maxwell's Board.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV), the $1 billion fund launched in December 2016 to finance emerging technology with the potential to deliver affordable, reliable, zero-carbon energy, announced Eric Toone as executive managing director and science lead and David Danielson as managing director for science.

As the core of the scientific team, Toone and Danielson will work with investors, entrepreneurs, and managers as part of the BEV leadership group, which is currently being hired.

Toone was most recently the leader of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative at Duke University. In 2009, he was a founding member of the U.S. Department of Energys Advanced Research Projects Agency  Energy (ARPA-E) where he created and led the agencys electrofuels program.

Toone, who holds a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Toronto, has also founded three pharmaceutical companiesVindica Pharmaceuticals, Valanbio Therapeutics and Aerie Pharmaceuticalsthat scaled novel research into commercially-viable products.

Danielson joins BEV from Stanford University, where he is a Precourt Energy Scholar. Prior to Stanford, he spent seven years at the U.S. Department of Energy, including four years as assistant secretary of energy heading the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energythe worlds largest government funding agency devoted exclusively to energy innovation. In 2009, Danielson joined ARPA-E as its first employee and worked closely with Toone to build the organization. Danielson holds a PhD in materials science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

FinSMEs

28/02/2017
Gambol Pet Group, a Liaocheng, Shandong Province, China-based provider of pet food, received a private equity investment from KKRs China Growth Fund.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

The company will use the funds to expand its production capacity in key markets including China, Thailand, countries in Europe, and the US, where it is currently the largest private-label provider of pet treats to Walmart.

Led by Qin Hua, Chairman & CEO, Gambol provides a wide range of pet food products including dry food, wet food, real meat jerky treats, rawhide chew, dental bone etc, supplying them to a broad customer base in Europe, Asia and North America.

In its local market, the company sells pet food product through its Myfoodie brand, through both online and traditional retail channels.

FinSMEs

28/02/2017
Amit Singhal, senior vice president - engineering at Uber, has been asked to step down after it was revealed he allegedly left Google a year earlier on sexual harassment charges. Singhal has denied the charge.

According to media reports, Singhal was asked to leave by Uber CEO Travis Kalanick. As per the charge, at the time of recruitment Singhal failed to disclose at Uber the sexual harassment charges at his former employer. This is the reason for his dismissal from Uber.

It was Recode, the technology news portal, that sounded out Uber about charges against Singhal at Google. According to sources cited by Recode, Uber did extensive background check but that did not uncover the allegations.

Singhal acknowledged the dispute with Google to Recode, but denied all allegations. "I certainly want everyone to know that I do not condone and have not committed such behavior," the report quoted him as saying in an email.

While quitting Google in February 2016, where he was head of search, Singhal had said in the farewell letter that he would be focusing on philanthropic efforts. In the letter, he had said that in the next fifteen years he would like to give time to the family and also "give back to people who are less fortunate". Singhal worked with Google for 15 years.

Singhal Foundation, set up by Singhal and his wife, have been working among "the most talented under-privileged children" to give them access to high quality education.

However, in October 2016, Singhal joined the board of One97 Communications which owns Paytm, and in January 2017 Uber as senior vice president, engineering.

Singhal decided to join Uber after he met Kalanick through a mutual friend.

This company is not only doing things that are amazing, this company also has some of the toughest computer science challenges that I have seen in my career of 25 years. Those computer science challenges for a computer science geek are just intriguing  you give a geek a puzzle, they cant drop it; they need to solve the puzzle. Thats how it felt to me, Singhal told Tech Crunch in an interview, explaining the rationale behind his move.

For Uber, the move comes at a time when the company is facing charges of sexism and sexual harassment from a former female employee. In a blog post, Susan Fowler alleged she faced sexual harassment at Uber and the human resource department ignored her complaints. The company faced backlash on Twitter after the blog went viral, with detractors trending #deleteUber.

Kalanick swung into action promising urgent investigation into the charges. However, the Singhal episode is likely to dent the company s image further.
The bank employee unions strike on Tuesday to protest against the anti-people banking /labour reforms' will likely end up hurting only the common customer approaching bank branches to do his/her normal banking transactions. To be sure, many demands raised by the trade unions pertaining to working hours, employee benefits and wages deserve to be heard. However, chances are less that this pan-India protest will force the government to rethink on certain other demands, such as reimbursing cost of demonetisation to banks and criminal action against wilful defaulters.

On the issue of merger of state bank subsidiaries with the parent, another area of contention, trade unions are again fighting a losing battle. As we have seen in the last two instances when the government merged two of the subsidiaries with the parent, State Bank of Indore and State Bank of Saurashtra, such objections have not shown any results. With the government setting the stage for merger of remaining five subsidiaries with parent (State Bank of India) effective 1 April, there isnt much the trade unions can do but fall in line.

The larger question is this. Isnt it time trade unions rethink on their aversion to consolidation in banking sector and the idea of privatisation? It is even more critical now to think about privatisation of some of the nationalised banks now with evidence emerging to say that the four decades of nationalisation has only damaged the health of state-run banks. State-run banks continue to be the extended divisions of the incumbent governments and mere tools to roll out government schemes. These entities are also highly vulnerable to corporate-political nexus, as empirical evidence suggests. These banks still lack autonomy and scope to innovate in major way unlike their private sector counter parts.

Compared with this, the private sector banks continue to be much healthier than state-run lenders on all parameters on account of the free market principle they operate in. Only those which have improvised their business models have been able to survive. The laggards have been forced to shut shop or merge with stronger rivals over time. Those remaining are fit to face competition and find capital from the market time to time by growing healthy balance sheets.

State-run banks continue to be the finest specimens of white elephants in the Indian banking sector. They wait for their turn with a begging bowl every year in front of North Block for survival money. This begging bowl syndrome has been present since the time they were born. They still continue to be a heavy burden on the state exchequer. The governments, both past and present, have miserably failed to address the capital needs of PSBs, which will have long-term ramifications on their health.

Over years, trade unions have weakened, so is the effectiveness of their protests. Unlike the old days, now branch banking constitutes only one mode of banking. Customers today can use ATMs, internet and mobile banking services for basic banking transactions even on a strike day. But, other transactions that require the customer to go to the branch gets disrupted.

For years, trade unions in state-run banks has acted as a powerful corrective force against the excesses by bank managements but has somewhat lost steam in the recent years with the newly joined young officers and employees showing no active interest in union activities, even though most of them religiously contribute to the monthly subscription fees.

However, one cannot ignore the fact that the trade unions continue to be a formidable force in nationalised banks. A confrontation between unions and the managements will only be self-destructive for both. In this backdrop, bank trade unions should seriously rethink their course and priorities for the greater good of the banking sector.

Reforms in the public sector, especially, consolidation of smaller banks are something that is unavoidable and long overdue. So, letting in private capital come to some of the state-run banks will make them even more efficient and professionally run institutions while retaining some amount of their public sector character.

Instead of blindly opposing the much-needed reform steps, it would have been far better if trade unions constructively engage with the government to jointly prepare a roadmap for the future of public sector banks. There are no real winners in this round of battle.
New Delhi: Fitch Ratings has affirmed state-run hydro power producer NHPC the Long-Term Foreign and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at 'BBB-' with stable outlook -- reflecting its robust operating and financial profile.

At the same time, Fitch has chosen to withdraw the ratings of NHPC for commercial reasons, Fitch Ratings said in a statement.

According to statement, NHPC's ratings benefit from its position as the largest hydropower producer in India with about 15 percent of the country's hydropower capacity.

It has around 40 years of experience in constructing and operating hydropower projects. Its portfolio is diversified with 21 operational hydropower projects across seven states, with no plant accounting for more than 20 per cent of its total operating capacity.

NHPC does not have any offtake risks as it has long-term power purchase agreements for all of its operational power plants. The group benefits from a favourable regulatory regime within which it is able to pass through to its customers all of its costs - operational, financial and depreciation.

A 15.5-16.5 percent return on regulatory equity is built into its tariff structure, along with incentives on exceeding the normative availability factor. The current tariff formula covers five years from April 2014 to March 2019.

"We expect NHPC's financial profile remain moderate despite the interim dividend and share buyback recently announced by the company. We expect NHPC's net leverage, as measured by net debt/EBITDA, to weaken to around 3x for the financial year ending March 2017 (FY17) from 2.2x for FY16.

Further we expect NHPC's free cash flows to remain negative on account of its ongoing capex, which is likely to result in its leverage remaining around 3x over the medium term," it said.

Work at NHPC's 2,000MW Subansiri project has been stalled since December 2011. NHPC has also faced delays in completion of the Kishanganga plant, which it now expects to complete it in FY18 instead of 3QFY17, it said.

While Indian regulations allow prudent cost overruns to be included in the provisional tariff computation, and capitalisation of non-controllable costs incurred, NHPC has over the last two years made provisions for costs related to these stalled projects impacting profitability, it said.

Fitch expects the company's cash generation to improve once the Kishanganga project becomes operational. However, the long delay in the completion of projects, mainly at Subansiri, continues to be a concern as the earnings from the project will also be delayed.

The weak credit profile of its key counter-parties -- the state-owned distribution companies in India's north and north-eastern states, impacts NHPC's receivables. The company's standalone receivables remained high at Rs 26 billion as of end-2016 (end-2015: INR 34 bn) with Jammu and Kashmir accounting for the largest share of total receivables.
New Delhi: The Urban Development Ministry has proposed a six-fold increase in 'reform incentive fund' to over Rs 3,000 crore annually over the next three years to push implementation of various schemes in the urban sector.

For providing the incentives, the cities will be ranked based on performance under five reforms -- getting credit ratings, initiatives for value capturing finances, adopting 'trust and verify' method, land title reforms and bringing in professionalism in municipalities.

These set of reforms were recommended by a group of secretaries for bringing in transformation in the urban sector.

Under trust and verify approach, the government gives nod for various services, like building construction, first and then do the verification.

"To incentivise, implementation of these five transformational reforms, the Ministry of Urban Development has proposed to increase 'reform incentive fund' from Rs 500 crore during 2017-18 to over Rs 3,000 crore per year over the next three years of implementation period," an official release said.

In 2016-17, about Rs 400 crore was distributed for those who pursued reforms indicated in AMRUT guidelines. The Urban Development Ministry has come out with implementation framework in respect of these reforms under which it targets to provide online approval facility for building construction in all 4,041 cities and towns by 2019-20.

The move aims to cut down on delays for granting permission by adopting 'grant approvals first and verify later' approach. Besides, the government has set a deadline of March, 2020 to make available title certificates for all properties in the next three years on the recommendations of the panel.

Citing a study by consultancy firm McKinsey, the panel noted that 90 percent of the land records in the country are unclear and cost "land market distortions and unclear land titles" are costing the country 1.30 percent of the GDP per year.

It recommended enactment of land titling laws and their implementation in a specific time frame.

The ministry will discuss these reforms with states and Union Territories at a national workshop on urban development tomorrow.

To be chaired by Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, the workshop will also witness discussions on new initiatives like Transit Oriented Development Policy, Metro Policy, Green Urban Mobility Scheme, Value Capture Policy and Fecal Sludge Management Policy.
New Delhi: Tata Sons and NTT Docomo filed a joint petition in the Delhi High Court today saying they have agreed to settle the dispute regarding the Tata Group paying an arbitration award of $1.17 billion (Rs 7,250 crore) to the Japanese telecom company.

If the two partners part amicably, this will not only be good news for the salt-to-software Tata group but it could also pave the way for further consolidation in Indias telecom industry. Tata Teleservices, where the two partners hold equity stake, has been a marginal player in Indias telecom industry. Like other small players, it has also been hit hard by the ongoing fierce battle between bigger telecom operators. The only way out may be merger with a bigger entity, but any M&A is possible only after the DoCoMo dispute is resolved.

The Japanese telecom major has been fighting with Tata Sons over the right to sell its stake in their Indian wireless venture Tata Teleservices for at least 50 percent of the original investment since 2014, when it decided to exit the JV. It had moved Delhi High Court to enforce an order it won in June from the London Court of International Arbitration, which ruled Tatas should pay $1.17 billion to NTT Docomo.

So, why have the two estranged partners come together and filed a joint petition now, after much public wrangling and international arbitration? According to sources close to the developments, it was the intransigence of the Japanese partner which was holding up a solution to this dispute for all these months. NTT DoCoMo allegedly insisted all this while that the money due to it should be paid in cash. This created problems for the Tatas, since the RBI had come out with norms specifying foreign companies can only exit investments at a valuation based on the return on equity. What the Japanese major was seeking was pre-determined value based on its JV agreement with the Tatas while what the RBI allowed was a value based on return on equity  much lower than what NTT DoCoMo sought.

Basically, RBI norms barred the Tatas from making the payment of $1.17 billion in cash to NTT DoCoMo despite the JV agreement clearly stating the terms under which the Japanese partner will walk out. Sources close to the developments said today that finally, the Japanese company may have agreed to take payment in a mode which will not violate the RBI norms. It is possible that the entire dispute will be settled by working around the RBI norms now, the money paid to DoCoMo in a mode other than casheveryone wants a solution so we do not think the RBI will have any problems in the way the deal will be structured now. The two sides will now work out modalities of how the payment should be routed.

One must recall how the inability of Tata Sons to resolve the DoCoMo muddle was seen as a major failure of sacked chairman Cyrus P Mistry. The sources quoted earlier said that though the Tatas had offered many different solutions even during Mistrys time to end the dispute, the Japanese partner continued to insist on cash payment  which would have violated RBI norms.

In his defence, Mistry had also said last November that the board of Tata Sons had discussed this issue multiple times and that the Tatas had repeatedly said they would honour all commitments within the law. He had also said that under his leadership, Tata Sons had requested DoCoMo to join the Tatas in seeking the approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Docomo did not agree. Nevertheless, Tatas applied to the RBI for approval. Since RBI approval was not forthcoming, DoCoMo initiated arbitration. The award was passed in favour of DoCoMo and against the Tatas. said Mistry then. Tatas under Mistry did not challenge the decision in UK. On the contrary, RBI was approached once again by the Tatas for permission to pay the amount awarded. RBI again refused permission. DoCoMo then sought enforcement of the award in the Delhi High Court. In order to show their bonafides, Tatas deposited a sum in excess of Rs 8,000 crore in court.

According to this story the accumulated losses of Tata Teleservices were at Rs 31,500 crore and the companys net worth was eroded completely in 2015-16. Its loss in FY16 was Rs 3,386 crore against Rs 3,846 crore loss in the previous year. Revenue for the period was down to Rs 10,708 crore in FY16 from Rs 10,965 crore reported the previous year. The company had debt of about Rs 30,300 crore as on March last year.

Is it any wonder then that NTT DoCoMo wanted to call it quits? And wanted money in accordance with the agreement the two parties had signed at the time of entering a joint venture in 2009, where the Japanese company was mandated to get a fair value or half its stake acquisition price, whichever is higher? The government did not quite see the matter in the same light though, and the RBI refused permission to the Tatas to give DoCoMo the sum they sought as per the JV pact. Perhaps, the RBI can now look away as the two partners try to solve this puzzle.
Mumbai: Private equity fund Providence is set to sell it's 3.33 percent holding in the country's third biggest telco Idea Cellular for over Rs 1,267 crore, marking its complete exit from the Aditya Birla Group company that is planning to merge with larger rival Vodafone.

It will be selling the stake on the exchanges today in the block deal in a price range of Rs 106.5 to Rs 114.55,

sources said. At the lower end of the price, which is a 7 percent discount to the stock's close on the NSE yesterday, it will raise about Rs 1,267 crore.

It can be noted that the Idea Cellular stock has had a rally for over a month now, ever since speculation and a confirmation of talks for a merger with second biggest telco Vodafone came out. The stock gained 53 per cent since January but declined over 4 per cent today Citi india is the sole boon runner of the dealm according to marky sources.

The PE firm had picked up 15 percent in 2006 through its investment arm P5 Asia Investment (Mauritius) for around

Rs 1,800 crore and has been paring its holding continuously over the years. Last June it had sold 3.47 per cent in the telco for Rs 1,383.
New Delhi: Operations at state-owned banks will be impacted today as most unions under the aegis of UFBU will go on strike to press for various demands including those related to wages.

However, the functioning of private banks like ICICI, HDFC, Axis and Kotak Mahindra is expected to be normal except for delays in cheque clearance.

Most of the banks, including SBI, PNB and BoB, have already informed their customers that functioning of branches and offices will be impacted if the strike takes off.

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) is an umbrella body of 9 unions, but two of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh affiliates -- National Organisation of Bank Workers and National Organisation of Bank Officers -- are not part of the stir.

"Strike is on as there has not been serious effort from the bank management especially Indian Banks' Association (IBA) to defer it by accepting some of our demands," All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC) General Secretary Harvinder Singh told PTI.

According to All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) General Secretary C H Venkatachalam, Chief Labour Commissioner held a conciliation meeting between the bank management Association (IBA) on 21 February and the unions but due to the approach of the management and its not coming forward to solve any of the issues, the conciliation meeting did not yield any positive result.

Hence, he said, CLC advised IBA and Ministry of Finance to initiate the dialogue with the UFBU for amicable settlement of issues so that proposed strike is averted.

Unions are also opposed to the proposed labour reforms of the government and outsourcing of permanent jobs in the banking sector.

Some of the other demands include compensation of employees and officers for extra hours of work put in following demonetisation in November and early initiation of process of next wage revision of bank employees.

They have also demanded adequate recruitment in all cadres, stringent measures to recover bad loans and accountability of top executives. Besides, they have pitched or criminal action against wilful defaulters.

UFBU, which claims membership of nearly 10 lakh people across banks, also requested the government for cost reimbursement for demonetisation to banks.

As many as 27 public sector banks control 75 percent of the total business in the country.
Broadening the scope of investigation to unearth hidden black money from the system post the demonetisation exercise in November last year, the government has decided to crack the whip on the institutional money laundering which is rampant in the system.

The government said it will shut down around 6 to 7 lakh dormant companies, many of which were engaged in high-value transaction post note ban and also deposited huge amount of cash in banks, a report in Times of India said. According to the report, these companies have not been filing their annual returns with the registrar of companies and thus never came on the tax department's radar.

There are such 15 lakh registered companies, of which over 40 percent entities are suspected to be involved in money laundering cases.

"There are about 15 lakh registered companies in India and only 6 lakh companies file their annual return. This means a large number of these companies may be indulging in financial irregularities," a statement from PMO said earlier this month.

In reality, most of the companies with business operations float dormant or shell entities mainly to launder money on behalf of their clients.

Earlier this month, the government in a major crackdown on domestic shell companies had decided to take "harsh punitive" action, including freezing of their bank accounts used to launder money or evade taxes.

Following a review by the Prime Minister's Office, a task force with members from regulatory ministries and enforcement agencies was constituted to monitor action against "deviant" shell companies.

"Harsh punitive actions will be taken against the deviant shell companies which will include freezing of bank accounts, striking off the names of dormant companies, invocation of Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016," it said.

These shell companies had been under surveillance of the I-T for not filing annual returns with the Registrar of Companies.

It was decided at the meeting earlier this month that appropriate "red flag" indicators will be used for identifying shell companies, and a database of such companies and their directors will be built by pulling in information from various agencies.

For this mammoth exercise, the government took the support of intelligence agencies, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the RBI, the Intelligence Bureau and the corporate affairs ministry, the TOI report said.

With PTI inputs
We now have the final trailer for director Jordan Vogt-Roberts' upcoming film Kong: Skull Island (2017), starring Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L Jackson, Brie Larson, John Goodman and John C. Reilly. The film will open in theaters on 10 March 2017.

Kong: Skull Island debuted its first look at the San Diego Comic Con 2016 and is adapted from a screenplay written by Max Borenstein, John Gatins, Dan Gilroy, and Derek Connolly.

The official synopsis states that the film 'reimagines the origin of the mythic Kong in a compelling, original adventure' as a team of scientists, soldiers, and adventurers uniting to explore a mythical, uncharted island in the Pacific, as dangerous as it is beautiful

The film takes place in 1971 where the team of explorers is cut off from everything they know, and they decide to take a journey into the domain of the mighty Kong, igniting what is described as 'the ultimate battle between man and nature' as their mission of discovery becomes one of survival. Though the 'skull crawlers' want to claim the island as their own, the giant beast wrestles two of the reptilian creatures  much like when the character battled multiple V-Rexes in Peter Jackson's 2005 King Kong  in order to prove who Skull Island's king really is.

The events that will take place in Kong: Skull Island will ultimately lead into Godzilla vs. King Kong, which is very subtly teased in the the final trailer which is set to a cover of Eric Burdon and the Animals' 'We Gotta Get Out Of This Place':
Tamil superstar Rajinikanth's younger daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth met an accident with an auto rickshaw driver, who threatened to file an FIR against her.

International Business Times reports that the accident occurred when the filmmaker was travelling in a car in Alwarpet, Chennai. Her car banged into an auto-rickshaw which injured the driver of the three-wheeler. The driver got into an argument with Soundarya and threatened to file a complaint against her at a police station nearby.

Sensing the heightened tension, Soundarya intimated her brother-in-law and actor Dhanush, prompting him to reach the site at once. Dhanush talked out the matter with the auto-rickshaw driver who insisted on filing an FIR against Soundarya.

The Indian Express reports that after Dhanush assured him a good monetary compensation and medical treatment, the driver got pacified and changed his mind consequently.

The incident provides an insight into the bond that Soundarya and Dhanush share. They not only are related through Rajinikanth's eldest daughter Aishwarya, but are also on the brink of the commencement of their creative partnership.

Soundarya is currently directing the sequel of Velraj's 2014 entertainer Velai Illa Pattadhari. The film is being produced by Aishwarya and Dhanush's production house Wunderbar Films. It stars Dhanush and Amala Paul in the lead roles and Hindi actor Kajol in her third negative role after Rajiv Rai's 1997 suspense thriller Gupt: The Hidden Truth and her most recent film, Rohit Shetty's 2015 family drama Dilwale.

This will also mark Soundarya's second directorial venture. Her last one was the 2015 record-breaking period drama Kochadaiiyan, starring her father Rajinikanth. She took a break from film making post the release of her directorial debut, owing to her troubled marriage with a businessman.

She announced last year that she has separated from her husband, moments after announcing her next project, Velai Illa Pattadhari 2.
After sitting in their seats for hours at the 2017 Oscars, the celebrities let loose and attended the biggest after-party in town, the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

This year's bash, hosted by Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, took place in Beverly Hills, and as per tradition some of the stars stopped to pose in the glamorous portrait studio set up by Vanity Fair. Already looking stunning, the stars brought it to the next level with the help of an old Hollywood studio and regal lighting assisted by photographer Mark Seliger. Here are some of the portraits:

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux

: Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux inside the 2017 #VFOscars @Instagram portrait studio. See even more exclusive portraits at the link in bio. Photograph by @MarkSeliger. A post shared by Vanity Fair (@vanityfair) on Feb 27, 2017 at 1:47am PST

Katy Perry

: @KatyPerry inside the 2017 #VFOscars @Instagram portrait studio. Photograph by @MarkSeliger. A post shared by Vanity Fair (@vanityfair) on Feb 26, 2017 at 6:28pm PST

Viola Davis

: Oscar-winner @ViolaDavis inside the 2017 #VFOscars @Instagram portrait studio. See even more exclusive portraits at the link in bio. Photograph by @MarkSeliger. A post shared by Vanity Fair (@vanityfair) on Feb 27, 2017 at 1:01pm PST

Scarlett Johansson

: Scarlett Johansson inside the 2017 #VFOscars @Instagram portrait studio. See even more exclusive portraits at the link in bio. Photograph by @MarkSeliger. A post shared by Vanity Fair (@vanityfair) on Feb 27, 2017 at 5:48am PST

Jon Hamm

: Jon Hamma special guest on the V.F. live streaminside the 2017 #VFOscars @Instagram portrait studio. See even more exclusive portraits at the link in bio. Photograph by @MarkSeliger. A post shared by Vanity Fair (@vanityfair) on Feb 26, 2017 at 10:02pm PST

Emma Stone

: Oscar-winner Emma Stone inside the 2017 #VFOscars @Instagram portrait studio. See even more exclusive portraits at the link in bio. Photograph by @MarkSeliger. A post shared by Vanity Fair (@vanityfair) on Feb 27, 2017 at 12:42pm PST

Other arrivals included our favourite Bollywood exports. Priyanka Chopra wore a black Michael Kors number.

Vanity Fair #oscars @michaelkors A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on Feb 27, 2017 at 2:15am PST

Rumour has it that there were In-N-Out burgers at the party. Chopra seems to love them:

And it's over! #oscarweekend !! my treat. #innout A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on Feb 27, 2017 at 1:51am PST

Deepika Padukone also made it to the party dressed in a black and gold dress ,which some say is similar to a dress she wore at the Indian Vogue Beauty Awards 2012, but nonetheless she looks beautiful.

A post shared by Elizabeth Saltzman (@elizabethsaltzman) on Feb 27, 2017 at 4:19am PST

According to Variety, there was a daze of the most bizarre moment in Oscars history hanging over the party. Everyone at the party could not stop gossiping about the Best Film goof-up, when La La Land was named best picture, and after three minutes of thank yous, presenter Warren Beatty rushed onstage to admit the wrong envelope had been read. Moonlight was the winner after all. "I really f***ed that up," Faye Dunaway, who co-presented the final award, was overheard telling a friend.

"At least everyone got to make a speech," Catherine O'Hara was heard telling a friend, trying to find the silver lining. Sofia Vergara and her husband Joe Manganiello attempted to explain the strange conclusion to friends Reese Witherspoon and her husband Jim Toth, who had missed it on the car ride over.

Casey Affleck was seen holding his Oscar till the party ended at 2 am and Emma Stone still couldn't believe that she had won the award.

Other guests included the likes of Salman Rushdie, the Jonas brothers (Nick and Joe), Freida Pinto and many more.
NEW DELHI Australia paceman Mitchell Starc is bracing for a heavier workload in the second test against India having hardly broken a sweat in his team's romp in the series opener in Pune.With spin twins Steve O'Keefe and Nathan Lyon claiming 17 of the 20 Indian wickets, Starc and pace colleague Josh Hazlewood bowled a combined 20 overs as Australia triumphed by 333 runs inside three days to go 1-0 up in the four-test series."It's amazing. I think it's making up for the summer Josh and I had," Starc told reporters on Tuesday."The spinners bowled really well and the pitch didn't have much in it for Josh and me. There was very minimal natural swing because it was so abrasive and it didn't really go too much reverse."But when Steve's taking that many wickets and Nathan's bowling really well there's not really much need for us on that wicket."

World number one India were all out for 105 in the first innings and managed only two more in the second before succumbing to a crushing defeat that snapped their 19-test unbeaten streak.With the smarting hosts unlikely to repeat the mistake of rolling out another turning track at Bengaluru, Starc reckoned he and Hazlewood would have to shoulder more responsibility in the match starting on Saturday.

"I'm sure it will be a pretty dry wicket again, so that'll probably help reverse swing there and it's something we'll be working hard at all the time in the nets," said the 27-year-old."It's about looking after that shine on an abrasive square. And if it's not going to spin as much in Bangalore, we're going to have to make sure we're using that reverse swing to make up for not as much spin as we've seen here in Pune."

Starc did not hide his glee at having silenced those who had predicted a 4-0 whitewash for his team though he refused to get totally carried away."To shut a few people up and really show that this young team is here to play has been great for the group. But it's one test win, it's not a series win yet so we'll be doing all we can," he added. (Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; Editing by Alison Williams)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Jill Serjeant

| LOS ANGELES

LOS ANGELES Oscars officials on Monday were investigating an embarrassing mix-up over the best picture award, which eventually went to African-American coming-of-age drama "Moonlight," after a ceremony studded with political jokes and minor mishaps.In a mistake that stunned the Dolby Theatre crowd in Hollywood and a television audience worldwide, presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway at first said the winner was romantic musical "La La Land," the presumed best picture favorite.As both films' casts stood awkwardly on stage, Beatty explained he had received the wrong envelope. PricewaterhouseCoopers, which oversees the ballots, confirmed the error."We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred," the professional services firm said in a statement while apologizing to "Moonlight," "La La Land," Beatty, Dunaway and Oscars viewers.Two PricewaterhouseCoopers accountants, Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz, are tasked with holding all 24 winner envelopes during the ceremony, according to an article in Medium published before the show. The pair was to stand on either side of the stage, off-screen, and hand envelopes to the respective presenters.Just days before the Oscars, Cullinan told the Huffington Post in an interview that the procedure for dealing with the hand-off of an incorrect envelope, other than signaling to a stage manager, was unclear. "It's so unlikely," Cullinan told the Huffington Post.Sunday night's best picture gaffe may have been unlikely, but it was not unprecedented. In 1964, Sammy Davis Jr. was given the wrong envelope in the category for best music score. Officials from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences were not available to comment.

"Is that the craziest Oscar moment of all time?" Stone, who won the best actress award for her "La La Land" role as a struggling actress, told reporters backstage.While the best picture mix-up took top spot in the evening's embarrassments, the ceremony was beset with smaller blunders.During the "in memoriam" segment, the name of celebrated Australian costume designer Janet Patterson, who died last year, was accompanied by a photo of Jan Chapman, an Australian movie producer who is alive and well.Also, Auli'i Cravalho, the 16-year-old actress and lead voice in Disney's animated film "Moana," was struck on the head with a flag waved by a backup dancer while performing the best song-nominated "How Far I'll Go." "Moonlight," a tale about a young boy struggling with poverty and his sexuality in Miami, also brought a supporting actor Oscar for first-timer Mahershala Ali.

Viola Davis won for her supporting role as a long-suffering housewife in African-American family drama "Fences."The recognition for both the actors and their films was a stark contrast to the 2016 Academy Awards, when no actors of color were even nominated."Moonlight" producer Adele Romanski said she hoped the movie would inspire "little black boys and brown girls and other folks watching at home who feel marginalized.""LA LA LAND" SWEEPS SHOW

"La La Land" began the evening with a leading 14 nominations and emerged with the most wins at six, including for its score and theme song "City of Stars." Director Damien Chazelle, 32, became the youngest person ever to win for best director."Manchester by the Sea" star Casey Affleck was named best actor, winning his first Oscar despite 2010 sexual harassment allegations that resurfaced during awards season. Affleck denied the allegations, which were settled out of court.The best picture mistake during Hollywood's biggest night seemed to eclipse the prior three hours of a show peppered with jokes about U.S. President Donald Trump, capping an awards season marked by celebrities' fiery protests of his policies.Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel fired off political zingers and even tweeted at the Republican president, getting no immediate response.Several celebrities wore blue ribbons on Sunday in support of the American Civil Liberties Union advocacy group, which worked to get Trump's bid to ban travelers from seven majority Muslim nations blocked in U.S. courts. But for the most part, the speeches were mild or made general pleas for tolerance rather than direct attacks on Trump.Iranian director Asghar Farhadi was an exception. His drama "The Salesman" was named best foreign-language film, but Farhadi boycotted the ceremony because of Trump's travel ban.In a speech given on his behalf by Iranian-American space expert Anousheh Ansari, Farhadi said his absence was due to "an inhumane law that bans entry into the U.S. ... Dividing the world into the 'us' and 'our enemies' categories creates fear, a deceitful justification for aggression and war." (Additional reporting by Laila Kearney and Melissa Fares in New York; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Lisa Von Ahn)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
New Delhi: Banking operations were hit on Tuesday by the daylong, nation-wide strike called by employees of public sector banks to press for their demands, leaving ATMs dry at various places across the country. Operations such as clearing of cheques, money transfer, cash remittances and deposit and withdrawals at branches were paralysed across public sector banks and some old generation private sector banks, the All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) claimed.

Karur Vysya Bank and Federal Bank said their staff union and officers' associations under the banner of UFBU participated in the strike, which was called by seven trade unions to press for demands of the banking industry. However, branches of new generation private banks like ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank were functioning as usual. Industry body Assocham said the strike may negatively impact forex and paper clearing transactions worth up to Rs 1.3 lakh crore.

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), which is umbrella body of nine unions, had called the one-day strike. However, two of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh affiliates -- the National Organisation of Bank Workers and the National Organisation of Bank Officers -- did not support the stir. "People could not go to banks to transact anything, deposit money, withdraw money or do any other transaction. Government treasury transactions could not be done, import and export transactions were hit, money market operations were not possible," AIBEA General Secretary C H Venkatachalam told PTI.

He said that the strike became necessary due to "the government's ostrich-like approach in understanding the demands. Even very reasonable demands like payment of overtime wages for extra hours worked during demonetisation period has not been settled". The strike was to protest against the continued attempts to privatise public sector banks which are the main engine of growth of the economy, he further said.

According to reports from various parts of the country, including major business centres like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Pune and Jaipur, functioning of banks and ATMs was paralysed due to the strike.
I suffer from information overload on a daily basis, I watch funny videos, baby videos, read comics, and still I can never ever detach myself wholly from that what happens around me. Just as well I would love to get up from my seat right now, and go be with all the Delhi University students marching for free speech, and against the saffron-addled ABVP hooliganism. But as an alumnus of Lady Shri Ram College for Women under Delhi University, I cant just sit still, and be truthful to the nature of what we are taught at LSR  words are your best weapon.

Never aggression, always words.

One of my first classes at Lady Shri Ram College For Women wasnt really a lecture, but a sit-down introduction in a conference room-like class room. Our teacher, a self-proclaimed, Gandhian-Marxist didnt believe in dilly-dallying and straight up went for the first question (mind you, we were fresh out of schools, just 17-18 years of age): What are your political theories? It was something completely unexpected. Were we as students required to have political theories? Were we as students required to preempt an awareness as high as this and have an answer in mind?

Well, we needed to.

Like a naive kid, I said, Capitalism. I shuddered as I waited for a flicker of anger from my teacher, but she just moved on to the next kid and so on. Thats when I knew and tasted my first experience of the 'Magic of LSR.' Soon, this became a norm, and not just in my journalism class, but in all of the electives we took. We were taught not to exercise projectile information, but to be equipped with faculties that imbibed what was being taught to us, hone the skill to mold it in a way we deemed appropriate. Every class was fraught with expression, discourse, and above all with ingenuity. We were taught propaganda, we were shown Burma VJ, we attended seminars on nuclear treaties, we managed newsletters that had pieces on Naxalism and Haruki Murakami at the same time. There was no path we couldnt walk on, no stretch we couldnt explore, no opinion we couldnt form. The only thing we needed to keep in mind was presence of mind and acknowledge the possibility of consequences and use semantics for dissent not violence.

Never violence.

And thus, Gurmehar is not just a daughter of martyr or just a girl with a polluted and naive mind or even a girl siding with anti-nationals  she is a girl who has been told to use her mind, her voice, and encourage others to do the same should there be a crisis. She is a girl who has studied not for jobs, or placements, or packages, but a girl who has studied to learn and to possess knowledge so varied and so accommodating in her repertoire, that it will question you, oppose you but never rob you the right of having a belief. Its appalling to see how someone so sorted, and so forthcoming with her justified opinions is met with an unabashed and absolutely ignorant barrage of trolling. Not just trolling actually, its more deep-rooted than that. Its the natural aversion to understand a girls point of view without mansplaining, being patronising or at the most disgusting  blaming it on her hormones.

Thanks to my suicidal embrace of information overload, I watched multiple discussions on news channels where ABVP representatives and RSS ideologues called out Gurmehar for cashing in on her fathers martyrdom. And her response wasnt a rude bout, but a calm acknowledgment to the fact that in the disgusting game of politics and normative nationalism there is no shame, there is no retribution, there is no sense. Seeing her on the television, her bravery, her resilience is such a resounding reminder of how this is natural for her. Being at the forefront of politically charged conversations, and still holding your own ground without losing your cool but debating it with fervor is a quality few have. This is the very quality that is honed to precision at our college.

There is no better way of reinforcing that thought but by pointing out the supportive message sent by the college in complete and unflinching backing of Gurmehar, and a number of other students who believe in reading humanities, in studying theories and literature, in giving not only a space but a platform to voice the most controversial sentiments. Especially women. We as citizens need to applaud these young minds, applaud their nuanced understanding of complex subjects. We dont want a Kiren Rijiju patronising us, we dont want our peers being referred to as "Dawood Ibrahim", we dont want our sportsmen/sportswomen and our Bollywood figures to question our patriotism. Because the first rule of patriotism is to respect the Constitution, and the essence of constitution lies in freedom of speech and expression.

The fact that a Gurmehar can speak her mind, I can write my mind, the entirety of my college is supporting these thoughts signify our respect for the Constitution and our respect for India because we still believe that this is the largest democracy, that we live in a 2017, that women have their voice  one that should be out in the open, that despite what everyone says, we are a free nation.

The author works for a television channel, she graduated from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Journalism Batch of 2011.
In normal times, a senior minister of the rank of Union Home Minister of State would have unequivocally condemned any collective threat of violence made by individuals on social media, regardless of the political and ideological affiliation of those making the threats.

But these are not normal times. And that perhaps explains why Union minister Kiren Rijiju has obliquely chosen to defend those threatening Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of an Army Captain who died fighting militants in Jammu and Kashmir, after Kaur launched a social media campaign against the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) following last weeks violence in Delhi Universitys Ramjas College.

On the NDTV programme We the People on Sunday, Kaur, 20, a student of Lady Shri Ram College, said that since protesting the violence on North Campus and expressing solidarity with the attacked students, she has received rape threats. One man in particular, Kaur said, has put out a description in the comments section on her Facebook, detailing how he would rape her.

Alarmingly, it is not just social media trolls who are intimidating Kaur. These trolls are drawing support from BJP legislators and even ministers. It appears that the AVBP and BJP is pushing a collective objective to deepen the already existing climate of fear, and muzzle civil society critics, students and political opponents alike. Take for instance, the case of Pratap Simha, a BJP Member of Parliament, who, in a tweet compared Kaur to fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. According to a report in The Indian Express on Monday: On Sunday evening, he posted a picture collage on Twitter with Kaur on one side and Ibrahim on the other side. Kaur is behind the Not Afraid of ABVP campaign.

In a rejoinder to a video made by Kaur last year, in which she held a placard saying Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him, Rijiju has blamed those (read Left-wing students) who critique the politics of war for apparently polluting Kaurs mind. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded, Rijiju further said in a tweet. Union minister Venkaiah Naidu along with Rijiju told Kaur not to abuse the motherland.

Who's polluting this young girl's mind? A strong Arm Force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded. https://t.co/gXHkAGi9sh  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 27, 2017

What exactly is going on here? Under the tutelage of the Modi government, the ABVP has begun spinning out of control. The truth is the powers that be, those now calling the shots, are not inclined to use the law against hooligans associated with the organisation. If anything, the tweets and responses of legislators and ministers are tantamount to encouragement for an organisation, which, since the Modi government came to power in 2014, has escalated its violent activities against students and teachers who are ideologically opposed to their views.

In a situation that can best be described as alarming and fast moving towards complete chaos, the police continues to shield the vandals  in some cases even joining them (recall the recent scenes of policemen beating up students)  in attacking, beating up students and professors from the other side.

The prime minister does not seem to care that university campuses across the country are turning into battlefields. Even as Modi waxes eloquent on democracy, his ministers, MPs and MLAs trot out statements and tweets which express an essential intolerance toward any views on nationalism other than their own. The situation is becoming grimmer given the prime minister and his trusted lieutenant, Amit Shahs recent communal campaign in Uttar Pradesh.

The question is: Who is going to enforce the rule of law? Those indulging in violence and those supporting criminal actions must be held accountable. If these elements continue to violate the spirit and letter of the Constitution with such willful abandon, the Indian Republic will soon start to resemble a totalitarian regime.

The dismal state of the Congress party, particularly its weak leadership at the top, has made the task of holding the government responsible more difficult than ever before. Currently, the Modi regime is facing its most formidable challenge from academia, students and teachers alike. The Congress is taking its political cues from them.

At the heart of this violent conflict is a vigorous debate on the definition of the nation itself. Will India be defined as a majoritarian country, or will it embrace a multi-cultural, democratic, liberal social order? In such a context, the slogan of aggressive and homogeneous nationalism has come to stand in for aggressive Hindutva  the ideology that has always defined the RSS, which provides ideological inspiration to the BJP, ABVP and a host of others.

Indias campuses are rapidly hurtling towards chaos, deliberately engineered by the ABVP and indulged by the government. If the tide of intolerance is not stemmed soon, then the choice between an open society and a totalitarian one will no longer even be a choice.

Follow our live coverage on the Ramjas College issue here
Even as events continue to unfold at breakneck speed in Delhi University, the scenes of students marching on a college campus are reminiscent of those that unfolded at Jawaharlal Nehru University in February 2016.

However, this time, the focus of the students remains on fighting the goondaism of the ABVP, as compared to the JNU affair, which centered around what constituted sedition as student protesters allegedly raised anti-India slogans. Then as now, the cries of 'anti-national', rang out from the right-wing, as a means of stifling free speech.

The former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested by the Delhi police on a wide variety of charges, including sedition after Home Minister Rajnath Singh called for action against 'anti-national' elements. Lady Shriram College student Gurmehar Kaur, in addition to receiving threats of rape and murder from hooligans after she came out against the ABVP on Facebook, was also targeted by politicians.

Union ministers M Venkaiah Naidu and Kiren Rijiju, accused her of abusing the motherland, Rijiju even wondered who was "poisoning her mind". BJP MP Pratap Simha, who represents Mysuru, on Sunday posted an image on microblogging site Twitter with the pictures of Kaur on one side and Dawood Ibrahim on the other.

Meanwhile, celebrities such as Randeep Hooda and Virender Sehwag were accused of bullying the 20-year-old after they took to social media sites to ridicule Kaur's stand. Hooda described the young woman as a 'political pawn'. Unlike Kumar, who emerged from the turmoil with a higher profile, the abuse and ridicule has taken a toll on the young woman and has forced her to step back from the protests and leave Delhi.

Then, as now, the teachers have come out in support of the students: in 2016, JNU alumni formed a human chain to demand that the 'arbitrary charges' be dropped against Kumar. On Tuesday, the JNU faculty joined the student protest, saying that they were completely behind the students.
Fourty-year old Mohammad Rafiq Shah was recently acquitted in a 2005 Delhi serial blast case. Though innocent, he served 12 years in Tihar jail where he had to survive not just the harsh conditions of a prison but also battle the jail staff who would blame him for every militancy incident in Kashmir. But Shah is not the only prisoner who had to face the brunt of jail staff. Shah is one of the many Kashmiris, lodged in prisons in Jammu and Kashmir or outside the state, who have complained of being attacked and thrashed by the jail staff and treated in most inhumane conditions.

In fact, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association (HCBA) which carried out visits to different jails both within and outside the state under the directions of the high court found the condition of jail inmates as "horrible".

Earlier, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) had asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to improve the condition of prisons in the state. Last year in November, the SHRC directed the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Baramulla, and Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Baramulla, that adequate medical facilities should be made available at the Baramulla district jail and that a doctor should be made available to women prisoners as well. In 2013, the SHRC also took notice of "pitiable" condition of jail inmates at the Central Jail in Srinagar after the inmates complained of substandard food and medicines. The Commission directed the government to improve the conditions of the jail.

As per government statistics, there were 2,809 people lodged in prisons in Jammu and Kashmir most of them in the age group of 45-60 years by December 2016. The data includes Kashmiris, prisoners from other states of India as well as foreign militants.

Acting on the orders of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir which were issued on 28 December 2015, a team of lawyers of HCBA inspected jails in the Jammu region including the Central Jail in Kotebalwal (Jammu) and district jails in Ambphala, Udhampur, Kathua and Hira Nagar on 27 January 2016. The visits were carried out after the HCBA filed a public interest petition against the State of Jammu and Kashmir in the high court.

In its report, the HCBA noted that prolonged "trials" add to the miseries of the inmates.

Based on its visit to Tihar jail earlier, the HCBA compiled a report, which was filed before the Court on 3 February 2015. The report noted that the Tihar jail remained overcrowded. But that was not the only issue that came up. One of the Kashmiri prisoners told the HCBA team that "prosecution and the courts are totally biased". He expected a long drawn and a protracted trial of his case fearing that his youth will be entirely lost in the prison. He had also alleged torture by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Another prisoner stated that he is hypertensive and is denied medicine by the jail authorities at Tihar while a third prisoner complained that he was not allowed to talk to his family members.

In its report on Central Jail in Jaipur, Rajasthan, the HCBA noted that Kashmiri prisoners stated that they were attacked by other 20 prisoners and were ruthlessly beaten up by the home guards posted at the jail. "In the said attack, a prisoner named Latief Ahmad Waza received an injury on his head. A case was registered against those who had attacked and injured Waza and others, but their blood-soaked clothes were seized, and subsequently the prisoners were forced to withdraw the case. On 17 April 2013, five Kashmiri prisoners were again attacked and ruthlessly beaten by the Hindu inmates of the jail as a result of which prisoners Mirza Nissar Hussain and Abdul Gani received severe injuries on their bodies," the report said.

The HCBA report also noted that unsafe drinking water was supplied to the inmates in the Baramulla district jail, and "money was being charged" for medical tests like X-Ray and ECG. The inmates were also refused to be taken to outside hospitals on the ground that no police escort was available in the jail. Some of the under trials also complained that there was no quarterly review of their cases being done and are handcuffed while being taken to the court in violation of Supreme Court guidelines. As for the Central Jail in Udhampur, the HCBA report noted that some of the detainees were tortured for years in police custody and denied trial.

Bashir Sidiqui, the general secretary of the HCBA, said that the association members have been visiting different jails on regular basis. "We visited the Baramulla jail last year as the inmates had gone on a strike after they alleged that they were being thrashed. The prisoners lifted the strike after they were assured that action will be taken on their complaint," he said.

Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Mohammad Sultan Lone, said that a system of "grievance redressal" has been put in place to deal with complaints of jail inmates. "Apart from the regular visits to prisons that are being carried out by SHRC officials, we also dispose-off applications which are filed by prisoners before the courts about their treatment," he said.
A Catholic priest in Kerala has come up with a unique suggestion to rid society of the evil of women who dress provocatively: Drown them. In a video that was published on Shalom TV that has since gone viral, the priest said in Malayalam: "If your clothes entice youth, you are sinning."

In the video, the unnamed priest speaks about societal ills caused by women wearing "half-nude" clothes such as jeans, shirts and T-shirts that arouse men. However, the priest left out his commentary on men's clothing.

In a report on India Today, the comments were translated into English and one can hear the priest saying, "When I go for prayer meetings in some churches, especially during the Holy Mass, I feel like leaving because of some women who I see in front of me. I feel its better to kick them out of the church premises. They will wear jeans, trousers, shirts or T-shirts, and will have a mobile phone in their hands. They wouldn't even tie their hair. They do this to get attention. I dont know why these 'things' come to the church."

"Heres my question to women: Did the Catholic Church give you permission to wear what men wear? Okay, let's keep the Church away. Did the Holy Bible give you permission?" he asked.

"Let me tell you what the Bible says: 'Men should not wear women's clothes, women should not wear men's clothes. If you do, you disregard God.' Will you get mercy if you go against God and then act in church as if you're more devoted than your mother?" he asked.

However, these verses are indeed to be found in the Bible and according to the Webster's Bible Translation, the adage goes, "A woman shall not wear that which pertaineth to a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination to the LORD thy God."

Insinuating the eventual punishment of these 'sinners', he quoted a verse from the Bible. He said, "Bible verses say, 'Those who provoke you into sin should be drowned in the depths of the sea, with a rock tied to their bodies'. If you [women] arouse men, youre the sinner."

The pastor had further advice on how women should dress themselves. "The best suited attire for women is a churidaar, but these days, when Satan enters them, women throw away the dupatta. They walk around without shawls," he said.

He also went on to absolve rapists who were provoked by "such girls" and accused women of even tempting their brothers and fathers.
National Science Day is celebrated with great enthusiasm on 28 February to commemorate the discovery of Raman Effect on the same day in 1928 by Indian physicist and Nobel Laureate Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman in India.

The day is celebrated as one of the prominent science fests in India every year, during which students of various schools and colleges demonstrate motley of science projects and national and state science institutions exhibit their latest researches. The occasion is also o widely spread a message about the significance of scientific applications in the daily life of the people.

The then Central government was asked to honour this event always in the future by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) in the year 1986. According to space-india.com, every year NCSTC announces a new theme to celebrate.

In the spirit of this day, New Delhi-based Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE) organisation conducts various science related activities involving public, school and college students.

Theme of the year

This year's theme is 'Science and technology for specially-abled persons', in accordance with which New Delhi-based Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE) organisation will take skill development classes  air rocket construction and launching, weigh yourself on different planets, catch the meteors, ring the planet, astronaut can you be one, take a picture as an astronaut and dress as an alien and astronaut, the organisation said in a statement on Monday.

Children and youngsters  from the Asthavakra School, Rohini; Sparsh Foundation, Kalyan Vihar and Model Town in Delhi; Nirdosh School, Sarbha Nagar in Ludhiana and Sankalp-Open School and Learning Centre in Chennai, will participate in the initiative by SPACE.

The organisation also conducts various science related activities with public, school and college students and have successfully organised various programmes such as Astronomy fairs and competitions with the objective to create enthusiasm among people and to inculcate scientific temper among the masses.

Physically and visually impaired children and youngsters in Delhi, Ludhiana and Chennai will get an opportunity to learn various aspects of astronomy as part of the National Science Day celebrations in the country, SPACE said on Monday.

Life of Sir CV Raman

According to Nobel.org, Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman was born at Tiruchirappalli in Southern India on 7 November 1888. His father was a lecturer in mathematics and physics so that from the first he was immersed in an academic atmosphere. He entered Presidency College, Madras, in 1902, and in 1904 passed his BA examination, winning the first place and the gold medal in physics; in 1907 he gained his MA degree, obtaining the highest distinctions.

His earliest researches in optics and acoustics  the two fields of investigation to which he has dedicated his entire career  were carried out while he was a student.

Since at that time a scientific career did not appear to present the best possibilities, Raman joined the Indian Finance Department in 1907; though the duties of his office took most of his time, Raman found opportunities for carrying on experimental research in the laboratory of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science at Calcutta (of which he became Honorary Secretary in 1919).

In 1917, he was offered the newly endowed Palit Chair of Physics at Calcutta University, and decided to accept it. After 15 years in Calcutta, he became Professor at the Indian Institute of Science at Bangalore (1933-1948), and since 1948 he was the director of the Raman Institute of Research at Bangalore, which was established and endowed by him. He also founded the Indian Journal of Physics in 1926, of which he is the Editor. Raman sponsored the establishment of the Indian Academy of Sciences and has served as President since its inception. He also initiated the proceedings of that academy, in which much of his work has been published, and is President of the Current Science Association, Bangalore, which publishes Current Science (India).

Raman's accomplishments

Nobel.org says that some of Raman's early memoirs appeared as Bulletins of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science. In 1922 he published his work on the "Molecular Diffraction of Light", the first of a series of investigations with his collaborators which ultimately led to his discovery, on the 28th of February, 1928, of the radiation effect which bears his name and which brought him the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Other investigations carried out by Raman were: His experimental and theoretical studies on the diffraction of light by acoustic waves of ultrasonic and hypersonic frequencies (published 1934-1942), and those on the effects produced by X-rays on infrared vibrations in crystals exposed to ordinary light. In 1948 Raman, through studying the spectroscopic behaviour of crystals, approached in a new manner fundamental problems of crystal dynamics. His laboratory has been dealing with the structure and properties of diamond, the structure and optical behaviour of numerous iridescent substances (labradorite, pearly felspar, agate, opal, and pearls).

Among his other interests have been the optics of colloids, electrical and magnetic anisotropy, and the physiology of human vision.

Raman has been honoured with a large number of honorary doctorates and memberships of scientific societies. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society early in his career (1924), and was knighted in 1929.

Raman Effect

According to Britannica.com, Raman effect, change in the wavelength of light that occurs when a light beam is deflected by molecules. When a beam of light traverses a dust-free, transparent sample of a chemical compound, a small fraction of the light emerges in directions other than that of the incident (incoming) beam. Most of this scattered light is of unchanged wavelength. A small part, however, has wavelengths different from that of the incident light; its presence is a result of the Raman effect.

(with inputs from the agencies)
New Delhi: The AAP on Tuesday urged the police to arrest "ABVP goondas" who attacked and made rape threats to women students at the Delhi University.

"We urge you to take cognizance in this utterly despicable (conduct) and arrest these ABVP goondas who perpetrated violence on women in the garb of nationalism," the AAP told Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik.

In a letter submitted to Patnaik, Aam Aadmi Party leaders Atishi Marlena and legislators Alka Lamba and Sarita Singh sought action against the Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the February 22 violence in the campus.

The AAP leaders, while pointing out the rape threats given to Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, who criticized the ABVP on social media, accused the police of failing to protect women's rights.

"The ABVP created a ruckus and disrupted a literary event that was to take place at the Ramjas College on 21 February," their letter said.

They then accused the ABVP of attacking female protesters "with invective and threats of sexual harassment and rape" during a protest march the next day in the campus, the AAP said.

"Amulyaji, we are sure you will appreciate the fact that gender equality and gender rights are non-compromisable."
Congratulations, fellow Indians. The news is that Gurmehar Kaur "has fled''. At 7:23 am on 28 February, she put out two tweets announcing she is opting out. "I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say. I have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take :)"

I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say.. (1/2)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

I have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

Serves her well, purred her critics. In their worldview, Gurmehar sinned. Because according to them, she is not just a student, she is allegedly an 'AAPian', a term you could soon find in the Roget's Thesaurus as a synonym for 'anti-national'. And what's more, she dared to take a stand against hooliganism on campus. She dared to speak out against the student wing of the ruling party. She forgot the ABVP has the right to disrupt, vandalise, abuse teachers and fellow students on campus.

Did Gurmehar actually think she could get away with this? So the nationalists led by the combined force of a minister and an MP showed Gurmehar her place. Kaur became the latest addition to the long list of 'sickulars', 'libtards' and 'gaddaars'.

Conspiracy theorists with an over-fertile imagination claim Gurmehar is part of a larger conspiracy to target Narendra Modi (pray, where did the prime minister come into this?) Others accuse her of being a mask of a 'commie' agenda. Some mock her, saying she pressed 'escape' when she knew her game was up. This is the gang that plays to the gallery on cacophony-hungry television studios or on the battlefield called a smartphone, taking advantage of Twitter's tax-free status that also allows anonymity behind an egg.

I hope India has not killed Gurmehar's spirit. No one knows where Gurmehar is now. She is not at her accommodation in New Delhi so the assumption is that she must have gone back home to Jalandhar. TV reporters have been dispatched to Jalandhar to track her down because "khabar ko play up karna hai". OB vans are permanently parked outside her PG accommodation near Lady Shri Ram College where she studies, compromising the privacy of the other girls who live there.

The media has been on her trail for over 72 hours now. So much so that she had to tweet a public request and also tell individual reporters to stop spamming her phone with texts and calls. A colleague told me yesterday that Gurmehar is no longer the strong girl with spunk and courage. "She is an emotional wreck now, who fears she may soon be homeless because of all the media attention. Landlords don't understand all this standing-up-for-what-you-believe-in, nonsense. They only see that she has drawn unwanted attention,'' she said.

The media has contributed to this in a large measure. The nature of the beast is such that conflict sells. And thanks to the likes of Virender Sehwag and Randeep Hooda reacting to a year-old video where she made a larger point about peace between India and Pakistan, the issue has snowballed from being a mere campus dispute to an Indo-Pak issue, where she was accused of praising the enemy nation that killed her father. An RSS ideologue took insensitivity to a new low by accusing Gurmehar of trolling her late father. Can anyone even imagine the havoc the abuse, rape threats, vitriol must be playing with Gurmehar? Hate has been institutionalised and Gurmehar has been its victim.

It is time media took a step back and give Gurmehar breathing space. Because if this is the price to pay for showing spine, no independent-minded youngster, especially a girl, will ever do what Gurmehar did.

The ABVP now alleges the rape threat was issued by AISA. The AISA points to Gurmehar's placard that says, "I am not afraid of ABVP''. Frankly it does not matter if the threat was red or saffron. That the threat of sexual violence has wrecked this young girl from within, is more worrying.

But in the middle of all this, the real story has been forgotten. On 21 and 22 February, the literary society of Ramjas College and its English department (my alma mater) had organised a seminar on 'Cultures of Protest'. With its focus on Kashmir and Bastar, professor Nandini Sundar was initially pencilled in as a speaker on the troubled Maoist zone. But eventually the dates were not suitable for Sundar and Umar Khalid was brought in because his PhD work is on adivasis in Bastar.

Some members of the organising committee had apprehensions about whether Khalid's presence could create trouble. But the principal gave them the go-ahead. That was a refreshing change because other colleges have indulged in self-censorship after incidents of trouble on their campus. In August 2015, when Kirorimal College organised the screening of Muzaffarnagar Baaqi Hai, ABVP members disrupted the screening. Ramjas' decision to go ahead was applauded and the liberal principal praised.

A day prior to the event, a student with ABVP leanings warned a first year student of English (Hons) to watch out for trouble the next day. And as predicted, objections were raised by ABVP, just a couple of hours before Khalid was to address the seminar. The police was called in and they reportedly told the principal that it cannot promise "protection'' if Khalid was to speak at the seminar. Khalid, who was on his way to Ramjas college, was asked not to come.

But just cancelling Khalid's talk was no more enough. Having tasted blood, the protesters went for the kill. The event had to be called off. Professors say it is unfortunate that when the curriculum teaches feminism, decolonisation, theatre of revolution and that authority should always be questioned, organising an event on 'Cultures of protest' is branded as a "lab for separation''.

The Ramjas students and faculty were held hostage on the following day. What was worse is that teachers were heckled, abused and assaulted. They were told to go to Pakistan, warned to find another job and a chair was thrown at two lady professors, shocking everyone around. Outside professor Prasanta Chakravarty was assaulted by non-Ramjas students. Ironical that those who take pride in Indian culture and celebrate Guru Purnima, were the first in attacking those who teach them.

Fear rules Ramjas now. Students as well as lecturers are scared to come into college because the ones who beat up and threatened the students roam free. The college has borne the brunt of this game of one-upmanship played out between the ABVP and the AISA.

The mistake the organisers of the event made was to take the space for debate for granted. They now realise it comes with terms and conditions attached.
Nandita Narain, a professor at St Stephen's College Mathematics Department, spoke on Tuesday about the horrors she witnessed at the police station on the second day of the Ramjas College clashes. Nandita claimed to have been present when one of the students got being beaten up by a boy while the police stood by as spectators, with no intention to intervene.

She alleged that after she had left the station, the police apparently joined the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in beating up the students.

"At least 60 students from St Stephen's College were also caught who were also there. They came back injured and we had to get them first aid at night. The police behaved in a criminal manner with the students, particularly the women," said Nandita.

When asked what message she gleaned from the protests, Nandita replied that the law of the land and the constitution needed to be followed.

"There is the government which itself is encouraging complete lawlessness and allowing their own students to actually bash up people whom they don't agree with, to keep them quiet. And that is not acceptable in a democracy and it is not acceptable in a university where different ideas are exchanged, differences are expressed, critiqued, and independent thinking is developed," said Nandita.

She added, "So while you may place your position very clearly, you can have a protest. You cannot take the law into your hands and bash up the other people, break windows, vandalise to keep people quiet. They cannot dictate terms. So, action must be taken against all those who have committed a murderous assault against students and teachers."

"These people have been doing it more and more boldly over the last one-and-a-half years. They beat up a teacher in Shri Ram College of Commerce(SRCC). Then they beat up, humiliated the Dean of the Faculty of Law and vandalised his office. Then they attacked me and broke the mirrors of my Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) office."

The DUTA president also accused the vice-chancellor and police of refusing to take action against those responsible.

Nandita compared the ABVP actions to a child gone astray. She said that senior leaders of BJP and the government were to be held culpable.

She said, "In such a situation the child will become anti-social or a criminal or a terrorist. Parent has to be blamed. So it is the senior leaders of the BJP and the government who have to be blamed for creating this monster which they will not be able to control."

In a resolution adopted by the Delhi University Teachers' Association's Executive on 23 February, 2017 the teachers' body expressed shock and dismay over the 'brutal violence' witnessed at Ramjas College and in the University campus on 21 and 22 February. The teachers' body condemned the role of ABVP in the violent clashes accusing it of resorting to 'mob violence'. The resolution also stated that DUTA held the university administration equally culpable.

"Allowing mobsters and anti-social elements to get away with impunity has emboldened them (ABVP) and the DUTA office-bearers themselves were at the receiving end of their physical aggression during a demonstration concerning Daulat Ram College in July 2016, said DUTA president Nandita Narain.

DUTA categorically demanded that vice-chancellor set up an enquiry against the perpetrators of the violence meted out to students and teachers and press upon the police to initiate due process of investigation.

DUTA secretary Sandeep said the DUTA also expressed solidarity with the Dean of the Faculty of Law and demanded that those responsible for physically abusing her be punished.

Ramjas College had last week witnessed large-scale violence between members of the All India Students' Association (AISA) and the ABVP. The genesis of the clash was an invite to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar on 'Culture of Protests', which was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by ABVP.

Resolution Adopted by the Delhi University Teachers' Association's Executive on 23 February by Firstpost on Scribd

To listen to St Stephen's professor speak.

With inputs from agencies
Students of Delhi University took to the streets on Tuesday protesting ABVP's alleged hooliganism on the campus. Students from across various colleges affiliated to the university gathered at the North campus, chanting slogans of "azaadi from ABVP gundagardi" and "Go back ABVP".

The protest has now gained steam following voices of support from intellectuals like Yogendra Yadav and Opposition parties like the Congress and the Left. Meanwhile, the poster girl of the "Save DU" movement, 20-year-old Gurmehar Kaur, has withdrawn from the protests after receiving rape threats from right-wing trolls over her video urging peace between India and Pakistan. She has also decided to leave Delhi.

However, Gurmehar has urged fellow students to support the movement.

Reacting sharply to the development, Ram Subramanian, the founder of Voice of Ram, slammed trolls for forcing her to take such a decision. Voice of Ram is the Facebook page on which the video had been posted in May 2016.

"India needs to feel ashamed that a young girl who was fighting for the safety of women in India and in the colleges of Delhi was forced to quit the city," Ram told Firstpost. He continued, "This is an issue very close to Gurmehar. The awareness of women safety must begin at the college campuses and the fact that rape threats are being issued is deeply saddening."

Commending the Lady Shri Ram College student for her courage, Ram said what she stood for is a very big cause.

The whole fiasco began amid the Ramjas College clash after Gurmehar had changed her Facebook profile picture holding a placard which read: "I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me. #StudentsAgainstABVP." However, the issue snowballed into that of nationalism after her video stressing for peace between India and Pakistan resurfaced online.

Talking about the 2015 video by Gurmehar, which is now in the eye of the storm, Ram said that the video was shot as he wanted to tell her story to the world. In the video, she blamed the 1999 Kargil war and not Pakistan for her father's martyrdom.

When asked how he came in contact with Gurmehar, Ram said, "She (Gurmehar) was part of the "Profiles for Peace" campaign as part of my India-Pakistan peace initiative. I called her to Mumbai and shot her video."

On being asked if he ever thought that the 2016 video would receive negative reactions from online trolls and politicians, Ram rubbished the trolls and advised them to stop demeaning her. "If these people feel they have done more than what Gurmehar's family has done for the country, they can very well join a debate on nationalism," he said. "I have not received any negative feedback on the video. All that I have received is good views from all across the world, that she is a brave girl and has made everyone proud," he added.

Regretting the change in narrative, Ram slammed Gurmehar's detractors for diverting the debate from women safety in Delhi to nationalism.

On his Voice of Ram initiative, the ad man said that the page was created to voice his opinions on issues which matter to him. "I speak about peace, politics, and social change. But I realise that a lot of social change is about political change also. I am a creative person who likes these things," the Mumbai-based activist said.

Ram said that his last campaign was on saving Aarey colony from encroachment.

Urging youngsters to join the protest, Ram said," Let the establishment know that we need safer campuses in across the country."

Here is the message in support of the protesting students.
Violent clashes that rocked Delhi University last week didn't take time to reach Pune. The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) campus also witnessed clashes between student members of the ABVP and SFI. The dispute over these protests led to a fight between rival groups. Cross complaints were filed and nine people  five SFI members and four from ABVP  were arrested and charged with rioting. They were later released on bail.

The ABVP had organised a protest at SPPU, and effigies of JNU student Umar Khalid were reportedly burnt at this protest. It was alleged that this protest led to clashes between ABVP and SFI. "ABVP secretary Pradeep Gawade said, "SFI activists were abusing ABVP. We then started questioning them."

SFI activists have a different version. "We were sticking posters protesting against statements made by Maharashtra education minister and MLC Prashant Paricharak. We were questioning these statements, when they (ABVP activists) started tearing off these posters and started fighting with us. They specifically targeted Nasir Shaikh, vice-president of SFI Pune, over his religion," said Somnath Bhangire, SFI vice-president.

Looking around the SPPU campus, the anti-ABVP posters as alleged by the Right-wing group were nowhere to be seen.

However, this is far from the first incident of rioting seen by Pune University. On 25 March, 2016, ABVP president Alok Singh was visiting Ferguson College in the city to deliver a lecture titled 'Truth of JNU' following last year's protests. JNU students leader Kanhaiya Kumar was not being allowed to visit Pune, but Alok Singh was given permission. A few Dalit students who tried to attend the lecture were also not allowed to enter. These students questioned the ABVP and asked them if they had the required permission. This resulted in heated arguments, and the police had to intervene.

The face-off took a violent turn when youth members of BJP and NCP clashed with each other. NCP leader and MLA Jitendra Awhad was manhandled and was injured in the ensuing stone-pelting. Police had to ultimately resort to lathi-charge.

A similar incident had taken place a few years earlier, on 21 August, 2013, when an altercation between ABVP members and the Kabir Kala Manch resulted in four people getting injured. It took place after the FTII students' wing had organised a Kabir Kala Manch programme at their national film archives campus. After the programme had ended, the Kabir Kala Manch members were waiting to speak with the students, when ABVP activists arrived at the campus, and abused them and called them Naxalites. When FTII students intervened, it led to an argument and members of both parties were injured.

But are these sporadic incidents connected to each other?

Sujaat Ambedkar, great-grandson of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, and one of the students present at Fergusson College during last year's violence, says there is a connection. "ABVP has always been aggressive, but they weren't violent earlier. However, since 2014, following Narendra Modi's win and BJP's euphoria, they have become violent," he said.

He feels Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur is also a victim. "It's really sad to see a 20-year-old girl receive rape threats for offering a differing political view. Though roles were reverse in our case  it was us protesting against ABVP's programme  we never beat anybody up. We raised questions. It's the ABVP's philosophy of silencing the opposition and refusal to debate that has remained the same," he added.

Ram Satpute, state head of ABVP, said the problems started after university elections in Maharashtra were announced. Varsities across the state will have elections after a gap of 20 years, after they were banned due to repeated violence. The state legislature passed the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016, permitting polling to take place again.

Satpute said clashes at the universities have taken place because the different unions wanted to make their presence felt. He blamed things on Left-wing student unions, but said the scenario is changing now. "ABVP has always been active on different issues. But after the announcement of the elections, Congress and NCP have become opportunistic and are supporting the Left-wing groups. We aren't into student politics; we are into student activism. But they (Congress and NCP) want universities to become the centre of politics," he said.

However, Maharashtra education minister Vinod Tawade denied these incidents are are taking place because of the upcoming university elections.

Shriranjan Awate, a politics professor from Fergusson College, also blames the BJP government. "Post 2014, these incidents are taking place all over the country. The ABVP is trying to establish itself through violence and is trying to create a space for themselves ahead of the university elections. They are being supported indirectly, since no action is ever initiated against them. This has now gone to such an extent that a war martyr's daughter is getting rape threats just for putting forth her views. This indirect support of violence is something we need to worry about," Awate said.

Gawade denied these allegations. "We condemn the abusive language used on social media. But what about the hashtag #ISupportABVP that was trending throughout the day?" he asked.

SPPU professor and political scientist Suhas Palshikar said varsities need to take a clear stand and stick to it. "People will always have differing opinions. It will be evident in university campuses, which are known for being welcoming of different ideologies. But it appears the ABVP wants to oppose liberal thoughts, and freedom of opinion. They want to stop people from anti-establishment thought. This is an attempt for regimentation of universities. And it's not just a question of law and order. The varsities' administration and faculty need to take a stand as well. It's necessary that professors teach students to think freely, no matter what their ideologies," he said, adding that it's not something specific to India.

"It's happening even in the US after Donald Trump became President. However, the universities' administration and professors have taken a clear stand on the issue. Indian universities too need to do the same," he added.
Here are recent two stories that are quite telling about what our government feels about womens reproductive health.

On 15 February, the Chhattisgarh High Court declared that RK Gupta, the doctor who conducted a botched sterilisation camp in Bilaspur in November 2014, had to be let off. It didnt matter that the man had performed tubectomies on 83 women in 90 minutes, or that 18 of these women had died because of it.

It would be an abuse of the process of the law to proceed with the investigation, the bench said, because the investigators did not have the state governments sanction to prosecute Gupta, a public servant. Evidently this abuse of the law mattered more than the women who had died because of surgeries he had performed.

Apparently, it also mattered more than the women who had been infected because he had used the same gloves, syringes, and sutures on all the women. After all, he had even been rewarded earlier in 2014 for his record of 50,000 surgeries in his career.

The second horrifying story is from Kalaburagi. On 6 February, more than 600 Dalit and Lambadi women gathered in front of the office of the Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner to protest mass unwarranted hysterectomies that doctors in private hospitals had performed on them.

The women had approached the doctors for problems like irregular menstrual cycles, white discharge, or pain in the lower abdomen, and instead of simply treating these problems, the doctors had told them that an urgent hysterectomy was the only way they could survive, or they would get cancer.

You have had children, so why do you need this organ? the doctors asked them. We can only imagine the outrage that would have erupted if mens genitalia had ever been removed this way. It would have been no surprise if the government had fallen.

These are two of the most recent cases that Minister for Women and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi, and Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda obviously need to be reminded of, even though it hasnt even been a month since they happened.

On 22 February (in fact reports of RK Gupta being freed broke a day before this), Gandhi wrote to Nadda demanding that all hospitals be asked to declare the number of caesareans they performed every month. Gandhi also called for the naming and shaming of gynaecologists who performed C-sections on women for no reason at all except money, essentially saying that C-sections had also become a market. She was responding to a Change.org petition started by Mumbai-based Subarna Ghosh.

Gandhi didnt stop there. She told reporters, I would like all women in India to get together and start protesting because a caesarean for a woman is very invasive, and it turns a natural delivery into something that is an unnecessary operation. The key words in all this gyaan are obviously invasive and natural delivery  but even if we forget the part where shes telling women what to do with their bodies, we cant help but feel like Gandhi has caught hold of the wrong end of the stick. Why is she telling women to chase after so-called natural deliveries instead of dealing with the pathetic problems women shouldnt have to deal with when they try to access healthcare (in this case reproductive healthcare) in the first place?

The extremely disturbing stories about the women in Kalaburagi, or of how RK Gupta was let off by the Chhattisgarh High Court on an unbelievable technicality are not new. While the Kalaburagi case has been happening in profit-hungry private hospitals across the country, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, state-run negligent government hospitals, as RK Gupta showed us, are not any better. We also know the problems that are prevalent in government hospitals, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveniently ignored time and again in his rehashing of schemes for pregnant women.

Since weve been using recent examples of a sustained disinterest in looking after womens reproductive health, theres also the Supreme Court (SC) believing that it makes perfect sense to deny women healthcare for the sake of research. This time, on 23rd January, the SC dismissed a PIL on unethical research in cervical cancer screening by the Tata Memorial Hospital. The trials were supposed to compare the use of a visual inspection with acetic acid to a pap smear in detecting cervical cancer  but the research used a control group, where 1,41,000 women were not given any screening for cervical cancer254 of these women died. Despite this, the SC dismissed the PIL stating that the women hadnt died because they were denied medicine, never mind that denying the women access to easily available screening was the problem in itself.

While we are at it, let us also just say that if Gandhi is calling all women to protest caesareans being performed and is so in favour of women getting organised, why has the government taken so long to notice and vaguely register that women in Kalaburagi have been protesting against these private hospitals performing unwarranted hysterectomies for the last two years? After all this time of not responding or providing flimsy explanations, its not like the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Health have gone after the doctors who have committed these crimes.

The maternal mortality rate in India is one of the highest in the world: In 2016, the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that nearly 45,000 women die during childbirth in India, accounting for nearly 17 percent of maternal deaths globally. A similar study by ORF in 2016 stated that after Nigeria, India was the second largest contributor to the number of global maternal deaths.

What is the point if women go to gynaecologists to get their problems addressed, when the only solution they are offered is a hysterectomy or tubectomy? Women, it seems, have to choose from one of two terrible sides, both of which are driven by profiting from policing womens bodies: Private hospitals that have made women a market and government hospitals that have conducted tubectomies in huge numbers without any consideration.

How has the government so easily forgotten the gynaecologist who, in Deepa Dhanrajs harrowing film Something Like a War (1991) said with great swagger that he can finish a tubectomy in 45 seconds? Its high time that Gandhi and the ministries all start looking beyond their own ideas of what is good for women and actually take womens healthcare seriously.

With all this going on why is Gandhi spending her energy claiming that natural births are the issue at hand, as if there is some pure and morally uplifting way to go through childbirth? Notice then also the onus is on women to demand this pure existence? She might as well say that all pregnant women in India should demand organic food.

The Ladies Finger (TLF) is a leading online womens magazine delivering fresh and witty perspectives on politics, culture, health, sex, work and everything in between.
The ruling BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra has reached a fork in the road. Should it take the path to power in the local bodies, the elections for which were recently held, by making compromises or strive to grow by staying true to itself and its ambitions? Though Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party swept into power in 2014, it came with conditions in Maharashtra; now it has to aim to be on its own for the 2019.

If that were the goal of the party, then immediate ends do not justify any means, and as pointed out here earlier, it would not rush into deals. The Shiv Sena, searching for offices instead of being a robust Opposition, made one and remains in discomfort in the Devendra Fadnavis government. It chaffs at the subordinate status but hangs on regardless because growth is not its immediate objective, but power is. These can be their undoing.

In what was once the Congress stronghold till the mid-1990s, the BJP has emerged as a single largest party which dwarfs others in terms of vote shares and positions the votes secured for it. Towards the end of 2016, it secured about a quarter of all votes cast in the civic councils  smaller cities local governments  and secured seats in the same proportion, had its council chiefs directly elected even if the bodies they were to preside on went to other parties.

In the civic corporation and zilla parishad and panchayat samiti elections, it did better. It led the ranks of the parties in the municipal corporation elections with a vote share of 24.19 percent, with the Nationalist Congress Party close on the heels with 22.25 percent vote share. Congress and Shiv Sena followed on the third and the fourth positions, except that the Sena emerged the strongest in Mumbai and Thane, though Mumbai did not automatically slip into its control. The picture in the rural areas is different.

The Sena is behind the BJP but with a substantial vote share difference of 14 percent and the former made it out that it was an existential battle with its former ally. The others are far behind, and the BJPs purpose should now be to consolidate the gains and tune itself for the 2019 elections  Lok Sabha and the Assembly. The question, therefore, is whether the party would opt for the long term or quake at the prospect of not having corporations, councils, and parishads under its hegemony.

To get into the saddle in the zilla parishads, the two frenemies  Congress and the NCP  will necessarily have to make deals. Since they see the BJP as a real rival, and with the Sena weakened despite the roars of the tiger to the contrary, their teaming up would be natural, and even be the stepping stone for a return to an alliance in 2019. These parties are starved of power and need to bolster. The BJP is a growing party, and they have Modi, and can build upon the gains so far with a long-term view.

As Suhas Palshikar rightly pointed out in the The Indian Express the other day, Congress and the NCP, after their rout in 2014 in Maharashtra have been clueless about how to respond to the political agenda set by Fadnavis by pitching the battle on questions of clean government and states development. He underscored how they have had no agenda, no leadership, no organisation, and above all, no willingness to reconnect to the masses on the issues their opponents raise. The BJP could avoid conferring on them a status of being unavoidable.
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Autorickshaw rally for Congress party in Thoubal district, Manipur. The state goes to polls on 4 and 8 March.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking in Manipur ahead of the Assembly polls, accused the Congress and Chief Minister Okram Singh Ibobi of creating confusion and vowed that the territorial integrity of Manipur would not be affected. Singh said that there was no law and order situation in Manipur and the major evil was the corruption by the Congress. Manipur goes to the polls on 4 and 8 March.

The BJP has been on a tear in Manipur, on the last day of campaigning before the first phase of polling. Campaigning in Manipur officially ends at 3 pm.

Activists of Kangleipak Students Association on Thursday, demanding justice for extra-judicial killings in Manipur, burned effigies of Manipur Chief Minster Okram Ibobi Singh, Addl SP AK Jaljit and ex DGP Y Joykumark on Thursday. The Kangleipak Students Association (KSA) is demanding the repeal of Afspa and justice for fake encounter cases, including the 23 July, 2009 case, in which a pregnant woman and a former PLA militant were killed in broad daylight. On Wednesday, a group of irate student activists belonging to the association allegedly vandalised the state unit office of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) situated in the heart of Imphal city after being denied a meeting with BJP leaders.

The 33-year-old Harvard-educated Erendro Leichombam, was attacked by unknown people in Manipur on the day of the first phase of polls in the state. This US-returned former World Bank Fellow, who also served in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is the convener of People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA), a party started by Irom Sharmila. Trained in Economics at the Soka University of America and in Mathematics at the University of California, Irvine, Erendro refused to live the life of an NRI and joined Irom Sharmila's party to bring about a social change in his home state.

Over 80 percent voter turnout was recorded in the first phase of polling in Manipur in 38 constituencies spread across six districts in the hill state. Officials said the final figure would go higher as this was only the preliminary report at 3 pm when polling officially ended. The second and final phase of polling will be held on 8 March.

The second and final phase of polling will be held on 8 March.

Haokip also said he was confident of the Congress winning 40 seats in Manipur Assembly polls. The second and final phase of polling will be held on 8 March.

State unit Congress president TN Haokip has said that the BJP and the United Naga Council are the two faces of the same coin.

A troop of 25 Assam Rifles apprehended four Kuki National Front (P) militants at Churachandpur on early Sunday morning. The militants were nabbed at 5.30 am. Two AK-56 rifles, two pistols, four cell phones and 148 rounds were recovered during the counter-insurgency operation. The militants were then handed over to the Churachandpur police.

HuffPost-CVoter poll has predicted that the Congress will win fewer seats than the BJP in Manipur. According to the poll, the BJP's voteshare in the state will see a huge increasefrom 2.1 percent in 2012 to 32.1 percent in this electionmeanwhile, the Congress' voteshare is estimated to fall from 42.4 percent in 2012 to 31.3 percent.

At least six persons including four women sustained injury in an IED blast near Kasturi Bridge in the hear of Imphal city on Wednesday evening at about 5.40 pm as the last phase Manipur polls ended. The police said that the two women among the five injured in the blast, which took place in the Kasturi Thong area in Imphal, were admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical Science, a government hospital.

Manipur unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to file a counter-FIR against the State Election Commission (SEC) for "mentally harassing" the party's office bearers, and for allegedly creating confusion with regards to advertisements that were published in local dailies in Imphal, Manipur, on 3 March.

There was tight security at the polling stations to ensure that there was no untoward incident.

Voters stand in queues at a polling booth in Manipur. PTIVoters stand in queues at a polling booth in Manipur. PTI State Chief Election Officer Vivek Kumar Dewangan disclosed that the repolls were being held as per directives of the Election Commission.

Peaceful repolls were reported in 34 polling stations in eight districts of Manipur on Thursday.

Voter turnout of 67% recorded till 1 pm in second & final phase of voting in #ManipurElection2017 pic.twitter.com/1QXIUaMmve

Polling ends at 3 pm in the second and last phase of #ManipurElection2017 pic.twitter.com/miuhmwwktJ

State Chief Electoral Officer VK Dewangan has ordered repoll in 34 polling stations which went to the hustings in the first phase on 4 March. The re-poll will take place on 9 March from 7am till 3pm in the 34 polling stations. CEO Manipur Vivekumar Dewangan said re-polling would be held in five polling stations of Andro AC, one each in Uripok, Saikot and Singhat AC, 12 in Saikul, three in Saitu, six in Thanlon and five in Henglep.

At least six persons including four women sustained injury in an IED blast near Kasturi Bridge in the hear of Imphal city on Wednesday evening at about 5.40 pm as the last phase Manipur polls ended. The police said that the two women among the five injured in the blast, which took place in the Kasturi Thong area in Imphal, were admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical Science, a government hospital.

Manipur unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to file a counter-FIR against the State Election Commission (SEC) for "mentally harassing" the party's office bearers, and for allegedly creating confusion with regards to advertisements that were published in local dailies in Imphal, Manipur, on 3 March.

There was tight security at the polling stations to ensure that there was no untoward incident.

Voters stand in queues at a polling booth in Manipur. PTIVoters stand in queues at a polling booth in Manipur. PTI State Chief Election Officer Vivek Kumar Dewangan disclosed that the repolls were being held as per directives of the Election Commission.

Peaceful repolls were reported in 34 polling stations in eight districts of Manipur on Thursday.

Elections in Manipur will be held in two phases  on 4 March and 8 March  with the results being declared on 11 March. Representatives from 60 constituencies will be elected.

The previous Assembly election, held in 2012, resulted in a landslide victory for the Congress, giving them 42 seats and allowing Okram Ibobi Singh to be re-elected as chief minister for an unprecedented third consecutive term.

While Manipur has been a Congress stronghold for over a decade, thanks to the leadership of Ibobi, a savvy political operator, the BJP has been upbeat about its chances, buoyed undoubtedly by its success in last year's Assam elections. All eyes are also on Irom Sharmila, who shocked many political observers by giving up her 16-year fast against the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (Afspa), and decided to enter politics.

Manipur's Iron Lady has formed the People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) and will be taking on the chief minister in his own den  Thoubal constituency  only time will tell if this is a masterstroke or a blunder.

Sharmila, while announcing her decision, had said: "During his 15 years of leadership he has not done anything to repeal Afspa. Since I realise that no politician shall repeal it, I am planning to contest the election, become the chief minister and repeal it."

Here are some quick facts about the state:

Number of Parliamentary Constituencies: 2

Number of Assembly Constituencies: 60

The present ruling party: Indian National Congress

Opposition Party: Trinamool Congress

Chief Minister: Okram Ibobi Singh

Governor: Dr. Najma A. Heptulla

Chief Electoral Officer: Oinam Nabakishore Singh



Political Parties in Manipur

The Indian National Congress (INC)

The Bharatiya Janata Party

The Rashtriya Janata Dal

The Nationalist Congress Party



The main regional political parties are :

Democratic Revolutionary Peoples Party

Manipur State Congress party

Lok Jan Shakti Party

All India Trinamool Congress

Manipur People's Party (MPP)

Federal Party of Manipur

Manipur National Conference

Naga People's Front

National People's Party (India)

Nikhil Manipuri MahasabhaManipur Assembly Election 2017
Imphal: Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar, who is camping in Imphal to canvass support for BJP nominees in the Manipur Polls, alleged that Congress government has failed to bring any significant development during its 15 years regime in Manipur.

Addressing the media at the BJP Manipur Pradesh office at Nityaipat Chuthek on Sunday, Javadekar alleged that the incumbent Congress government in its 15 years tenure, has failed to provide safe drinking water to the people living in rural and urban areas, prompting the general public to spend Rs 2,000 per month to purchase water. It is unfortunate that the people in the heart of the city cannot be provided drinking water 70 years after India attained independence.

Blaming the Congress government for failing to utilise the infrastructure constructed with a huge amount of money, Javadekar asked as to why the Inter-State Bus Terminus at Chingmeirong was lying unused for two years and the big building was converted into a monument. He also alleged that the 25 semi low floor buses provided under JNRUM are lying unused at the MSRTC at Moirangkhom as the government had no knowledge how to use them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday clarified about the framework agreement and assured that the Naga peace dialogue would never infringe upon the territorial integrity of Manipur. However, the prime minister said that Ibobi is politicising the issue to mislead the people so as to gain political mileage in the ensuing election. Manipur government has no answer to the charges" levelled against it by Modi, he said.

Alleging that the Manipur government has deliberately failed to lift the three-month long economic blockade along the lifeline of the state imposed by United Naga Council (UNC), the Union minister reminded the people that law and order was the responsibility of the state. India being a federal structure the centre cannot interfere with the state's law and order situation unless the state govt asked about it, he asserted.

Reiterating the Modis statement that if BJP comes to power it will end the blockade, Javadekar said, even though the Centre has provided enough strength of security forces to neutralise the economic blockade imposed by the UNC from 1 November last year, the state government has not taken any adequate steps, he claimed.

There was strict instruction from the high court that the state government should bear the responsibility of clearing the economic blockade, yet the Ibobi-led government has failed to respond to the instructions. Ibobi has kept the security forces personals inside the barracks, he said.

Economic blockade continues and the suffering of the public continues because the chief minister has failed to act in time. The people continue to suffer because of his inaction, said Javadekar. The Chief Minister should be held responsible for all the sufferings which each and every individual of Manipur is going through. He has failed the state and the people of Manipur, said Javadekar.

Claiming that the prime ministers election rally in Manipur on Saturday was a grand success, the Union minister said BJP will win 40 seats in the upcoming Manipur elections.

Meanwhile, referring to Saturdays reported clashes between BJP and Congress supporters at Sugnu in Thoubal district, he said after the prime ministers successful rally, the Congress is desperate and hence indulged in attacking BJP workers. A complaint has been registered with the Election Commission and the national party has requested for violence-free and fair elections, Javadekarsaid. The two-phase state Assembly elections are scheduled on 4 and 8 March.
Imphal: With only five days left for the Manipur Assembly Poll, series of pre-poll violence have witnessed in several parts of the state.

On Tuesday, at least three people got injured in a pre-poll clash between the supporters of NCP candidate MI Khan and Independent candidate Md Nasiruddin (Boboy) in Keirao Assembly constituency under Irilbung police station.

The clash was a fallout of Monday nights incident in which some supporters of Khan allegedly vandalised two vehicles of the workers belonging to Nasiruddin.

The injured are identified as Md Alimuddin(20), Md Salman Khan(24) and Md Manisana(35) of Keirao. They sustained bullet injuries in the incident.

In Khundrakpam Assembly constituency, a police team was attacked by villagers and two jeeps were vandalised on Monday.

An intelligence input was received saying Khogen, a police sub-inspector has live bullets in his house. During the inquiry, an unruly mob attacked the police party, an official said."

Police had to resort to tear gas and firing of rubber bullets to disperse the mob, the official said. Some people, including a seven-month-old baby, were injured in the police action. The Congress committee of the Khundrakpam constituency in a statement said the party had no hand in the incident.

Villagers said there was a political motive behind the attempt to arrest Khogen, adding that nothing incriminating was found.

Besides, the police commandos, who failed to produce a warrant of arrest, also allegedly refused to issue an arrest memo, the villagers said.

Meanwhile, some youths, who identified themselves as members of an insurgents outfit, had left a bullet with John Maibam, a worker of the North East India Development Party in the Wangkhem constituency. The youths reportedly told him that if he ignored the warning to not work for the party, he will face dire consequences. There were increasing reports of pre-poll clashes from other constituencies as well.

On the other hand, some candidates from remote hill areas cannot go to their respective constituencies and were carrying on the election campaign through some hardcore supporters. Most of them have escaped assassination attempts in the past.
Twenty-year-old Gurmehar Kaur, who suddenly appeared to be in the heart of the ongoing crisis at the Ramjas College, said that she has had enough with everything and pulled out of the students' campaign on Tuesday. Gurmehar announced her decision to distance herself from the ongoing campaign against ABVP playing out at Ramjas College.

Gurmehar, in a series of tweets posted on Twitter on Tuesday morning, said that she would not be participating in the AISA march but encouraged everyone to go attend it in huge numbers.

I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say.. (1/2)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

I have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

The campaign is about students and not about me. Please go to the March in huge numbers. Best of luck.  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

To anyone questioning my courage and bravery.. I've shown more than enough  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

One thing is for sure, next time we will think twice before resorting to violence or threats and that's all this was about (2/2)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

Gurmehar, whose social media campaign against ABVP recently went viral, on Sunday had alleged to have received "rape threats". Student of Lady Sri Ram Ram College and daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, Gurmehar said she has attracted a barrage of hate messages over her stand on the issue. "I have been getting a lot of threats on social media. I think it is very scary when people threaten you with violence or with rape," she told NDTV.

Giving rape threats "in the name of nationalism" is not right, she added. Her comments received widespread support including from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. "Just listen to this. THIS is BJP. They will destroy our country. Everyone must rise against their goondaism," he tweeted while sharing her statement. After the North Campus clash, Kaur had changed her Facebook profile picture holding a placard which read "I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me.#StudentsAgainstABVP".

Delhi University's Ramjas College had on Wednesday witnessed large-scale violence between members of AISA and ABVP workers. The genesis of the clash was an invite to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar on 'Culture of Protests' which was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by the ABVP.

Follow our live coverage on the Ramjas College issue here
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday moved the Election Commission seeking an inquiry into "large-scale deletion" of names of eligible voters from electoral rolls for the ongoing polls to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.

A BJP delegation led by Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission contending that large-scale deletion of names of genuine voters was a clear violation of the constitutional guarantees to citizens.

The party claimed that it has received complaints from almost every Assembly constituency in the state about voters' names having been deleted from the lists without any prior information.

"The commission may institute an inquiry into such state-wide and unauthorised deletion of valid voters from the electoral rolls, fix responsibility and institute prosecution of officials responsible," the party said in the memorandum.

It also urged the EC to ensure that all Electors Photo Identity Card holders are allowed to vote in the remaining two phases of the Assembly polls.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally at Mau in eastern Uttar Pradesh on Monday, promising loan waivers to debt-ridden farmers, payment of sugarcane produce within 14 days and criticising the states ruling Samajwadi Party for not utilising funds provided by his government at the Centre to ensure round the clock electricity supply.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his newfound ally in Congress scion Rahul Gandhi, meanwhile, were busy slamming Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gorakhpur  supposed political bastion of BJPs star campaigner and chief ministerial hopeful Yogi Adityanath.

Elsewhere, former chief minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati was busy slamming them all in her quest to return to power, after forfeiting the chair to Akhilesh in the 2012 Assembly elections.

These rallies were taking place while polling for the fifth of the seven-phased Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections was underway, in 52 constituencies of the 403-member Assembly. Voting is due in 89 seats over the next two phases, slated to go to polls on 4 and 8 March respectively.

The rallies were telecast live on various news channels. Modi, expectedly, hogged the lions share of the coverage since he continues to draw the maximum TRP for the channels, in comparison to the other three leaders. Viewers across the state were able to watch these rallies before heading to their respective polling booths.

Now take into account the fact that electoral rules imposed by the Election Commission (EC) clearly stipulate that all forms campaigning must stop by 5 pm the day before polling.

The EC, over the years, has made elections a dull and drab affair. In its quest to ensure free and fair elections  by eliminating bogus voting, booth capturing that used to be the norm until not long back  the EC has has not registered that elections are a democratic festival.

But have these measures effectively stopped last-minute campaigning? The obvious answer is no.

If Modi can promises relief to farmers in Mau, the relief should be available for the entire state, and not just for the regions concerned in that phase of polling. Similarly, promises made by Akhilesh, Rahul and Mayawati are also for the entire state, provided they remember and implement these after being voted to power.

This raises a serious issue: That campaigning does not stop in the stipulated time frame before polling gets underway. Realistically, it continues until the nth hour in this electronic and digital world. Modi was busy promising the heavens to Uttar Pradesh voters even as the polling entered into its last four hours on Monday.

It's a known fact that the maximum polling takes place during the closing hours, which often forces authorities to extend polling hours beyond the deadline, allowing those standing in queue at the closing hour to cast their votes. Is it not possible that these people watched the various rallies on television and were influenced by the last minute speeches?

This raises a pertinent question: Have the existing electoral rules become archaic, particularly after the mushrooming of various regional news channels? Do they not provide a ready platform to politicians to reach out to the last voter, by appealing for votes while addressing rallies elsewhere in the same state?

Tightening of electoral rules started when TN Seshan took over as the 10th chief election commissioner between 1990 and 1996. The entire country admired and is indebted to the self-proclaimed Alsatian. Though Seshans maverick style and tough decisions met with protests initially, they ended the era of bogus polling and booth capturing.

But those were the days when only a handful of television news channels existed and live coverage was expensive, if not unavailable. Those were the days when newspapers dominated the news segment.

Over the last two decades, news has started becoming more and more area specific. From the monopoly of national channels, we witnessed a growth of regional and then state-specific channels, and now we even has district or constituency specific channels. Whether they are profitable and who funds them are different questions altogether, but they end up playing the role expected out of them  of covering rallies live while the elections are underway.

The recent spurt of mobile-specific channels and streaming pose a further threat and raise questions about whether the time has not come to review these archaic rules, which prohibit exit polls but allow live coverage of rallies.

A voter in Punjab and Goa, states which went to polls on 4 February, has no way to know which way their fellow voters voted, until the last ballot is cast in Uttar Pradesh on 8 March.

Now this leads one to think, what is the way out if live telecasts or mobile streaming of such rallies pose the threat of influencing the last minute voters?

The best solution of course is to go in for same day polling for Lok Sabha and all state Legislative Assemblies. An approach advocated by the Modi government, though the reason given by it is that a party should not be in election mode all the time, since every year some state or the other goes for polls.

There is no doubt that frequent polls interfere with governance, as was witnessed when the Modi government met with failed protests of the opposition to present the Union budget on the first day of February instead of the customary last day of February this year.

The second solution, if same day elections in the entire country are not feasible, is to do away with multi-phased or staggered polling in bigger states like Uttar Pradesh. The idea behind staggered polling is better mobilisation and utilisation of central forces, crucial in putting an end to the rampant electoral malpractices of the years gone by.

If central forces are not available in requisite numbers, police forces of states from far off places can be used for election duty. For example, if Bihar Police personnel can have vested interests in the outcome of UP polls, it is unlikely that Tami Nadu police would have one.

Another solution can be an amendment in broadcasting rules and imposing a ban on live telecast of such rallies in constituencies going to poll on that day, or the next day, after official closure of campaigning.

Whatever be the solution, time has come for all concerned to review these archaic electoral rules as the very purpose of preventing last minute campaigning gets defeated with the television boom and constantly evolving technology.

It would be akin to a self goal if the autonomous Election Commission continues to turn its eyes away. If TV debates can influence voters in the United States of America, where they are held much before polling dates and usually make or seal the fates of wannabe Presidents, it would be foolhardy to imagine that live broadcast of these rallies do not impact and influence last minute voters in the worlds largest democracy.
Varanasi: Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday accused the Samajwadi Party government of discrimination in power supply on religious grounds in Uttar Pradesh. Goyal said only big houses in SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav's Saifai village were getting 24-hour power supply whereas rest of the state was reeling under power cuts. He said UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and senior SP leader Azam Khan have admitted their government does not act against those who had taken illegal power connection (locally called as 'Katiya') in Uttar Pradesh.

Goyal warned those with illegal power connections to mend their ways, saying, "If BJP comes to power in UP it will not spare such dishonest people "and added that "we will not let such people enjoy illegal electricity in their houses on the hard earned money of honest men who pay their electricity bills on time and on whose money the entire state gets uninterrupted power supply". Goyal also accused the Akhilesh-led UP government of discriminating in power supply on religious grounds. He alleged there are some areas in the state with large Muslim population that were getting power supply on priority basis.

"Its really a serious issue that the UP government is discriminating in providing power connections to people," he said. "Only big houses lined in Saifai village enjoy 24X7 uninterrupted power supply and rest of the state faces power cuts," he said. Taking jibes at Akhilesh, Goyal said "Akhilesh does not need to take "Ganga Maiyya Ki Saugandh", saying the UP CM can check all the data regarding electricity supply on Union government's 'Urja' and 'Garv' apps. He said the state government's electricity department stopped giving details regarding the amount of power supply to the union power ministry's app on power supply fearing the truth would be discovered.

Goyal exuded confidence that BJP was going to form the next government in Uttar Pradesh, after which it will bring an end to 'Goondaraj' in the state and free UP from corruption and work for its development. He said "BJP had promised in its UP Assembly elections manifesto of providing not just soil health card to farmers but also energy efficient pumps for irrigating their farm lands," adding "these pumps will function through their mobile phones via SMS and the next BJP-led state government here will even bear the charges of upkeep for next five years".
Four clear themes have emerged from Firstposts coverage of the ongoing Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, derived from closely following the series on millennial voters and reports on the trends and thinking of Muslim voters:

The first is the overwhelming irrelevance of the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress which, it is safe to assume, will be wiped out as the results will eventually show on 11 March.

The second is the pervasive sentiment among the electorate that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's government has further impoverished the state and set records in corruption, rapes, and lawlessness.

The third is the alarming increase in rampant Islamic radicalism among its Muslim population, most notably in western UP; a fact that a recent Firstpost piece places on a larger national canvas, concluding that India is headed towards multiple 'Partitions'.

The fourth is the near absence of any single factor or plank that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) can use to unite Hindus, to form a decisive vote block, as this Firstpost report suggests.

Its now a historical fact that abandoning the Ram Mandir issue was one of the decisive causes for the BJP near-permanently losing the plot in Uttar Pradesh. That and its numerous skulduggeries to marginalise Kalyan Singh and the ill-advised alliances with Mayawati cost it dearly.

And so, for fifteen years, the BJP floundered in political wilderness in the state until Amit Shahs ongoing, high-pitched battle to wrest it once again.

The same, more or less, applies to BJPs shock-loss in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections  while 'India Shining' is the favourite punching bag, the more important causes were:

- A sense among the party cadre of being ignored by the top leadership. This peaked 2002 onwards after the BJP lost the UP mid-term polls, and the Congress was in power in a whopping thirteen

- The partys core support base  apart from the Sangh Parivar  including the Sadhus, Mahants and millions of others who had worked tirelessly for the Ram Mandir felt betrayed at language like you cant cash the same cheque twice coming from sitting ministers.

- Anger against not implementing the chief agenda items it proclaimed it would: Article 370 and the Uniform Civil Code.

And so, as it stands today, the BJP has largely abandoned the Ram Mandir issue but continues to invoke it as tokenism, merely as a card for elections. To a disinterested observer, this invocation appears as a sort of twisted homage to the plank to which it owes everything that it is today. But it is not that surprising when we trace the history of the Ram Mandir movement. Quoting former BJP minister Swami Chinmayanandas Parliamentary debate of 18 December, economist Arun Shourie says:

He began by saying that he had been listening to the debate on the Ayodhya issue for two days, and he had heard everybody passing on the responsibility to someone else. The BJP leaders were holding the Congress responsible and the Congress leaders were holding the BJP responsible. He would tell them who was responsible. It was the sadhus, like him, who were responsible. The sadhus, he said, set up the Ram Janmabhoomi Muktiyajna Samiti in 1984. Not a single member of the VHP, RSS or the BJP was a member of that samiti. It was an effort of the sadhus alone.

Indeed, the said abandonment also offers a case study in what happens when spiritual and cultural mass movements are appropriated by and fall into the realm of politics. As the Ram Mandir issue shows, the goal of the movement rarely, if ever, is achieved.

Additionally, in a political atmosphere of India whose public discourse has been vitiated by the brand of secularism practised from Jawaharlal Nehrus time, the problems only compound. To put it bluntly, the discourse over Ayodhya, the Babri Masjid demolition and related issues continue to remain imbalanced. To paint the demolition as the death of secularism in India has become received wisdom even today.

In fact, the Ayodhya movement had less to do with anti-Muslim sentiments on the part of the Hindus and more to do with the cultural reawakening and reassertion of the Hindus. Yet, when we recall the grand theorising of the secular discourse back then, it was painted as the exact opposite in a bid to deny Hindus their voice, while simultaneously supporting regressive moves like the Shah Bano case and banning Salman Rushdies book, which only hurt the Muslim community.

The restoration of the Somnath Temple by Sardar Vallabhai Patel offers a good comparative study. The mosque existing on its site was pulled down, relocated to a nearby site, and the temple was rebuilt. The entire process attracted no opposition from the Muslims, much less the violence and riots that characterised the Ayodhya movement.

What had changed by the time of the Ayodhya movement was the aforementioned vitiation of public discourse. Dr Koenraad Elst, who has produced some of the finest academic analyses on the Ayodhya issue, captures this well:

Lourdes became the most important pilgrimage site for Roman Catholics and other Mary worshippers France prided itself on being a secular state yet it acknowledged and protected Lourdes as a place of pilgrimage. Not many French officials actually believe in the apparition, but that is not the point. The believers are human beings, fellow citizens, and out of respect for them does the state respect and protect their pilgrimage.

For essentially the same reason, the mere fact that the Ram Janmabhoomi (Ramas birthplace) site in Ayodhya is well-established as a sacred site for Hindu pilgrimage, is reason enough to protect its functioning as a Hindu sacred site, complete with proper Hindu temple architecture. Ayodhya doesnt have this status in any other religion The site most certainly doesnt have such a status in Islam, which imposed a mosque on it [closed by court order after riots in 1935, surreptitiously turned into a Hindu temple accessible only to a priest in 1949, opened for unrestricted Hindu use in 1986]

The well-attested fact that Hindus kept going there even when a mosque was standing, even under Muslim rule, is helpful to know in order to gauge its religious importance Secular prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had understood this, and from the court-ordered opening of the locks on the mosque-used-as-temple in 1986, he was manoeuvring towards an arrangement leaving the contentious site to the Hindus in exchange for some other goodies (starting with the Shah Bano amendment and the Satanic Verses ban) for the Muslim leadership. Call it Congress culture or horse-trading, but it would have been practical and saved everyone a lot of trouble.

This changed for the worse when a bunch of influential Marxists and Marxist historians appointed themselves as the protectors of Muslim interests and, given their dominance in public discourse, denied the historical fact there ever was a Hindu temple of the site. And as is the case, to cover up this one lie, they resorted to academic lies on an industrial scale sullying their scholarships and positions as teachers. Heres a small sample:

an officer of the Archaeological Survey reviewed the procedures of Professor Irfan Habib and found that if Habibs dating [of Ayodhya excavations] procedures were to be followed, then one would come to the conclusion that the reign of Emperor Akbar shall begin in 2009 AD!

The Allahabad High Court indeed called their bluff, as this Firstpost scholarly piece shows.

In parallel, they also used their good offices with the Muslim clergy to whip up doomsday fears within the community. Not stopping at this, they fanned a demand for re-Islamising a sacred Hindu site, which eventually led to the ensuing, unfortunate bloodbath, and cost them the goodwill of the majority community.

Instead, had Sardar Patel, or even Rajiv Gandhis formula for peaceful negotiations been followed, the course of history wouldve perhaps been different.

Yet, despite the Allahabad High Courts 2010 verdict sealing the matter amicably, the issue remains in limbo as the Supreme Court said in 2015 that itll take a decade to read the case files.

It appears that the Muslim community has largely abandoned the issue, while only the most devout and committed Hindus have been patiently pursuing it through constitutional channels.

Had a call for rebuilding the Ram Mandir been given in the present time, it would barely attract a significant number of Hindus as two things have changed.

One, pervasive westernisation has penetrated almost all spheres of India, making Hindus less Hindu in the sense of an erosion of their cultural and religious moorings. And two, a prevailing atmosphere of economic progress and/or the pursuit of wealth as ends in themselves among the millennial generation has also contributed to this erosion.

A large percentage of the pre-millennial generation of Hindus had intuitively imbibed the notion of cultural rootedness  which doesnt lend itself to precise definition  that was regarded as a value to be preserved, and the pursuit of wealth wasnt seen as being exclusive to said rootedness.

The millennial generation sees it differently, as noted in this Firstpost report:

In Faizabad's most intensely fought seat of Ayodhya, there are theories suggesting that Ram Mandir is an issue, and there are theories suggesting it is not

Mandir will not ensure a job for hundreds of youngsters like me," said the MSW student What good will it ever achieve?"

Millennial voters in the upper caste families may not feel as strongly about Ram Mandir as their parents do, and are not wasting their time agitating for it.

Cynically speaking, the BJP seems to have exhausted the vote-fetching potential of the Ram Temple agenda pan-Uttar Pradesh. It might perhaps work in and in the vicinity of Ayodhya. If its past record of delivering on this promise is any indicator, Ram might well have a longer wait before hell finally be installed inside the temple.
The price range of Gazprom's export gas contracts will be $180 to $190 per 1,000 cubic meters in 2017, the Russian gas giant's deputy CEO Alexander Medvedev said during a presentation for investors.

The average export price in 2016 was $167 per 1,000 cubic meters, he recalled.

Gazprom exported a record 179.3 billion cubic meters of gas to countries outside the CIS in 2016. This is equivalent to the combined gas consumption of Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam, a presentation for a meeting with Asia-Pacific investors in Singapore states.

The company had a 34% share of the European gas market in 2016 and intends to keep its share at up to 35% in the period to 2025, the presentation said.

"Unlike in sports, we set our records without the use of doping, without any subsidies, which are ultimately paid for by consumers," Medvedev said.
Beijing: China is planning to introduce a "baby bonus" scheme to provide financial incentives to encourage couples to have a second child, as surveys showed that many of them were reluctant to go beyond one child due to economic constraints, official media reported on Tuesday. Wang Pei'an, vice-minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, said the potential move at a social welfare conference, state-run China Daily reported.

Last year China, the world's most populous nation, relaxed its controversial and over four-decade-old 'one child' policy allowing all Chinese couples to have a second child to counter looming demographic crisis. Nationwide, the change led to 17.8 million births in 2016, an increase of more than 1.3 million compared with the previous year and the biggest annual increase in 20 years.

"That fully met the expectations, but barriers still exist and must be addressed," Wang said.

"To have a second child is the right of each family in China, but affordability has become a bottleneck that undermines the decision," he said. A survey by the commission in 2015 found that 60 percent of families polled expressed reluctance to have a second baby largely due to economic constraints. China has a population of 1.35 billion, the world's largest. To address that, Wang said, the government is considering introducing supporting measures including "birth rewards and subsidies" to encourage people to have another child.

It is the first time that the top population authority has suggested such a move to boost the birthrate, Yuan Xin, a professor at Nankai University in Tianjin said. The Hunan provincial statistics authority also suggested in a recent report that the local government give subsidies to couples having a second baby to help reverse falling fertility rates. "It's not easy, and a 'baby bonus' plan should be applied evenly nationwide as all government policies should be transparent and fair for all," he said, adding that the population authority alone cannot handle such a plan as it requires consensus and cooperation among all authorities.

In some low-fertility countries like Japan, baby incentives such as cash subsidies, prolonged maternity leave, tax breaks, and child and healthcare benefits have been introduced by the government to boost the population. "It's not the right time to introduce any financial incentive plans," he said. Also, "the second-child policy is a choice by the top decision-makers facing a dilemma of the existing challenges and structural population problems like rapid ageing and a shrinking workforce", he said. After all, having one or two children should be a decision made by the families themselves, Yuan said.
As a trans person who has just entered my thirties, I look to this generation of transgender youth with pride and a little bit of wonder. I see their strength and resilience in the face of bigotry from authoritative, proper grown-ups who would prefer to see them pushed  or more accurately, crushed  into gender roles determined at birth. I see them stepping courageously into the public spotlight, as Gavin Grimm and Nicole Maines have done, knowing full well that doing so will make them targets of endless public discussion.

When I was in my teens, I didnt know many transgender adults, nor did I see their pictures or stories in the media I consumed. In fact, it is still rare today to see the photos and stories of trans adults and elders. Photographer Jess T Dugan, whose work explores gender, sexuality and community, notes that [r]epresentations of older transgender people are nearly absent from our culture and within artistic realms. Trans youth, as strong as they are, must also wonder: Is there a future for me? Is this community, this country, a place where I can live with dignity, have a family, grow old? Can I, too, be part of this nation, with my whole and unbroken self?

These questions are surely on their mind today, as they and their families process the news that Trumps administration has revoked a guidance from the Obama administration that affirmed transgender childrens rights to use school restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identities. The Obama-era directive stated that these rights for trans children fall under the protective umbrella of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.

In a statement, Attorney General Jeff Sessions explained the Trump administrations position on the matter  that the issue was best left, in their view, to state and local governments. The position offers a bone to some who would like to see trans people pushed back into the shadows. Still, by not outright attacking transgender youth but rather leaving their fates to the tides of opinion on the local and state levels, the administration is able to maintain the appearance of neutrality.

Advocates for trans youth immediately criticised the administrations actions. Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffen wrote, The consequences of this decision will no doubt be heartbreaking. This isnt a states rights issue, its a civil rights issue. The National Center for Transgender Equality called the 2016 guidance a life-saving policy.

And they may be right. Affirming schools offer many benefits to trans youth. A supportive environment drastically reduces the risk of attempted suicide, depression, low self-esteem and other risk factors, according to research by Grant et al. (2011) and Travers et al. (2012), among many others. Most crucially, affirming schools help trans youth by supporting their authenticity and agency as they grow into confident, healthy adults.

And this is a pivotal moment for sustaining those powerful qualities. When I was growing up, transgender children still mostly hid their true selves, coming out as trans only in adulthood when they learned from other trans people that the happiness they had dreamed of  the joy that comes from living authentically  was, in fact, possible for them as well. Much has changed since then. Today, trans people are coming out earlier and earlier, eliminating years of pain and struggle.

In 2010, I helped to lead a creative workshop for transgender youth and their families. As we worked, Director Susan Maasch of Trans Youth Equality Foundation led the youth in vibrant discussions of their challenges and victories as trans kids.

Through these conversations, I learned that these were passionate, resilient youth who wanted to express themselves and attend school without fuss. They were proud to be a little different but didnt think that being trans was their most important quality. They imagined a world where kids and adults like themselves would be free to exist openly, and they had big dreams for their futures. Some of them were already experienced advocates who had dealt with school bureaucracies, legal battles and other adult issues with grace and perseverance.

Yet again and again, I heard about families with transgender kids who were forced to relocate in secrecy to avoid harassment from other parents in the community. I listened to stories of childhoods preoccupied with legal battles and the stresses of harassment and family separation. What experiences forcing these families move across the state, seeking relief from harassment? What issue was so critical, so earth-shattering, as to make these kids lives into objects of public scrutiny and fear?

The answer is, of course, is simply that these children wanted to walk easily and without fear into the restroom that best matched their gender identity. Often, these young people had come out to their parents a few years prior and had begun the highly personal process of social gender transition. Finally, they were able to dress the way they wanted to and hear a name and pronoun on others lips that matched their self-awareness. Often, other children were quick to accept them. Adults in the community, however, were thrown into a panic with disastrous consequences.

There is a phrase that is very apt here, and it comes not from social science but from agriculture. To lead by the nose is to control another person so as to get that person to do what one wants; it especially refers to a way of doing this that conceals ones true intentions. In agriculture, leading by the nose  literally guiding an animal by pulling on a nose ring threaded through the septum  is a way to control even large and dangerous animals by exerting pressure on a sensitive area.

Unfortunately, otherwise smart and savvy adults have been led by the nose when it comes to trans children. There are adults who fear these smart and courageous kids; adults who dont want them to grow up proud, strong, and ready to take the world by storm. These frightened adults spread myths that imply that trans people pose a danger to the things most precious to us: Our culture, our children, and our way of life. These sacred things and people are our most sensitive area, and when fear tugs on them, we tend to follow where were led, just like the powerful bull who can be tamed by anyone who has him by the nose.

Driven by this fear, otherwise reasonable adults have whipped entire school districts into a panic over which bathroom a transgender child will use. What ought to be a personal matter to be decided by the child and supportive family members has been blown into a safety issue that adults, led by their fears, imagine poses a threat to their own children. The issue of bathroom use is so inconsequential to bystanders  and so personal  that we ought to be embarrassed for those adults who parade the controversy on the national stage as then next big scare; the trumped-up fear of gender mixing used as a weapon against kids who pose no threat and have no ulterior agenda.

However, if I had to bet on the outcome, Id always bet on the trans kids. Their resilience and grace has strengthened them through challenging times, and many are already changing the world before their 18th birthday. This setback cannot ultimately stand up to their principled, determined vision.

As 17-year old trans youth advocate Gavin Grimm said to a crowd gathered outside the White House last week, We will stand with and protect trans youth. No matter what happens, no one, not even the government, can defeat a community so full of life, color, diversity and most importantly, love.

The author is a writer, editor, web designer and artist living in Maine.
Washington: US President Donald Trump has accused his predecessor Barack Obama of being responsible for the leaks within his administration and the sizable, angry town-hall crowds Republicans have faced across the country.

Trump was asked in an interview on Fox News' "Fox and Friends" if he believed Obama was responsible for the town-hall protests against Republicans this month.

"It turns out his organisation seems to do a lot of these organising to some of the protests that these Republicans are seeing around the country against you. Do you believe President Obama is behind it and if he is, is that a violation of the so-called unsaid Presidents' code?" Trump was asked.

"No, I think he is behind it. I also think it is politics, that's the way it is," Trump said in the interview, a clip of which was released Monday night.

Trump then discussed the leaks that have disrupted his first month in office.

"You never know what's exactly happening behind the scenes. You know, you're probably right or possibly right, but you never know," Trump said in another preview clip of the interview.

"No, I think that President Obama is behind it because his people are certainly behind it. And some of the leaks possibly come from that group, which are really serious because they are very bad in terms of national security. But I also understand that is politics. In terms of him being behind things, that's politics. And it will probably continue."

Trump, however, did not offer any evidence for his claim.

Earlier this month, Trump told Fox News that reports of his calls with the leaders of Mexico and Australia were caused by leaks from "Obama people".

Trump's administration has been beset by leaks within his administration to the media, and he has continually railed against those doing the leaks and against the media since taking office. He has said the leaks are damaging to national security.
Washington: President Donald Trump is proposing a huge $54 billion surge in US military spending for new aircraft, ships and fighters in his first federal budget while slashing big chunks from domestic programs and foreign aid to make the government "do more with less."

The Trump blueprint, due in more detail next month, would fulfill the Republican president's campaign pledge to boost Pentagon spending while targeting the budgets of other federal agencies. The "topline" figures emerged on Monday, one day before Trump's first address to a joint session of Congress, an opportunity to re-emphasize the economic issues that were a centerpiece of his White House run.

Domestic programs and foreign aid would as a whole absorb a 10 percent, $54 billion cut from currently projected levels  cuts that would match the military increase. The cuts would be felt far more deeply by programs and agencies targeted by Trump and his fellow Republicans, like the Environmental Protection Agency as well as foreign aid. Veterans' programs would be exempted, as would border security, additional law enforcement functions and some other areas.

"We're going to start spending on infrastructure big. It's not like we have a choice  our highways, our bridges are unsafe, our tunnels," the president told a group of governors at the White House on Monday. He added, "We're going to do more with less and make the government lean and accountable to the people."

However, Trump's final version of the budget is sure to leave large deficits intact  or even add to them if he follows through on his campaign promise for a huge tax cut.

His plan faces strong opposition from Democrats, who possess the power to block it. The immediate reaction from Republicans was mixed, with prominent defence hawks like Senator John McCain of Arizona saying it would do too little to help the Pentagon and fiscal conservatives and supporters of domestic agencies expressing caution.

The White House indicated that the foreign aid cuts would be particularly large. Asked about those plans, top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell of Kentucky would say only, "We'll see how it works out."

A congressional showdown is inevitable later this year, and a government shutdown a real possibility.

White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney said the spike in Pentagon spending would bring the total defence budget to a record $603 billion  and that's before including tens of billions of dollars for overseas military operations.

The United States already spends more on defence than the next seven countries combined, but military leaders have complained repeatedly that aircraft are aging. Congress was told recently that the average age of Air Force aircraft is 27 years, and more than half of the service's inventory would qualify for antique vehicle license plates in Virginia.

"It is a true America first budget. It will show the president is keeping his promises and will do exactly what he said he was going to do," Mulvaney said. "It prioritizes rebuilding our military, including restoring our nuclear capabilities, protecting the nation and securing the border, enforcing the laws currently on the books, taking care of vets and increasing school choice."

The border wall would cost $2.9 billion in 2018, according to draft documents for the Department of Homeland Security, which assume the agency would hire 500 new members of the Border Patrol and 1,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents next year. Detention beds for apprehended immigrants would receive $2 billion over current-year spending. The Transportation Security Administration ticket fee would increase by $1 to $6.60 for each one-way flight.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said, "It is clear from this budget blueprint that President Trump fully intends to break his promises to working families by taking a meat ax to programs that benefit the middle class."

Mulvaney said the plan wouldn't add to the budget deficit  currently projected to hit about $500 billion next year  but it wouldn't reduce it, either. The administration again made clear that the government's largest benefit programs, Social Security and Medicare, would be exempt from cuts when Trump's full budget submission is released in May.

GOP Representative Mike Simpson of Idaho, a member of the Appropriations Committee, said the large cuts Trump envisions making to domestic programs won't fly.

"There's a lot of members that have a lot of interest in a lot of these programs," Simpson said. "There's more to our government than just defence."

But McCain said Trump's Pentagon plans would fall short by almost $40 billion and represent just a small increase over former President Barack Obama's recent Pentagon wish list.

"With a world on fire, America cannot secure peace through strength with just 3 percent more than President Obama's budget," said McCain, chairman of the Armed Services Committee.

On Monday, tentative proposals for the 2018 budget year that begins on 1 October were being sent to federal agencies, which will have a chance to propose changes.

Before the new budget year, there's a 28 April deadline to finish up spending bills for the current 2017 budget year, which is almost half over, and any stumble or protracted battle could risk a government shutdown then as well.

There's expected to be an immediate infusion of 2017 cash for the Pentagon of $20 billion or more, and also the first wave of funding for Trump's promised border wall and other initiatives like hiring immigration agents.
By Andrea Shalal and Ece Toksabay

| BERLIN/ANKARA

BERLIN/ANKARA Berlin summoned Ankara's ambassador on Tuesday to protest the arrest in Turkey of a correspondent for a German newspaper, further fuelling tensions between the two NATO allies as demonstrations took place across German-speaking Europe.Deniz Yucel, a German-Turkish dual national with Die Welt, faces up to 10-1/2 years in prison after being arrested on charges of propaganda in support of a terrorist organisation and inciting public violence, his lawyer Veysel Ok told Reuters on Tuesday."German-Turkey relations are facing one of their greatest challenges of the modern era," Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel told reporters in Berlin.Gabriel said freedom of speech was protected by the constitutions of both countries, and none that claimed to be democratic or to respect human rights could "misuse" its judicial system to go after journalists.Yucel, the first German journalist held in a widespread crackdown in Turkey following a failed coup in July, was first detained on Feb. 14 and on Monday an Istanbul court ordered him jailed pending trial.Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday called the decision "disappointing" and "disproportionate," and said Berlin would insist on "fair and legal treatment" for Yucel.German-Turkish ties have been strained over post-coup arrests and sackings of tens of thousands of people, and by a federal probe into possible spying by Turkish clerics in Germany.

At the same time, Berlin is counting on Turkey to uphold a deal with the European Union to prevent refugees from crossing to Greece. Axel Springer media group (SPRGn.DE), which owns Die Welt, mounted a huge sign proclaiming "#freedeniz" on the roof of its building in central Berlin, while protests against his arrest took place in 10 German cities as well as in Switzerland and Austria.'INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT'

German Justice Minister Heiko Maas on Tuesday said Ankara's prospects of joining the EU would become "increasingly difficult to impossible" unless it stuck to basic European values.He also set a high bar for a possible visit by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan."With respect to visits by Turkish politicians in Germany, it is clear that those who want to benefit from freedom of speech here should also safeguard the rule of law and freedom of the press at home," Maas said in a statement.

During their investigation, prosecutors questioned Yucel's ties to a leftist hacker group alleged to have obtained emails from the private account of Berat Albayrak, Turkeys energy minister and Erdogans son-in-law, Yucel's lawyer said.They also questioned him about a 2015 interview with Cemil Bayik, a senior member of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the lawyer said.Gabriel said the case was making it "extraordinarily difficult" for even well-intentioned Turks and Germans to continue to work for improved relations. He said Berlin was demanding consular access to Yucel, and doing all it could to secure his release.Yucel said at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October he was lucky to have a German passport because it had allowed him to keep working, said Can Dundar, a Turkish journalist now working in exile in Germany. "He had faith in his German identity, but it didn't work," Dundar told Reuters. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal in Berlin and Ece Toksabay in Ankara, with additional reporting by Gulsen Solaker; editing by Andrew Roche and John Stonestreet)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
BEIJING A youth named by China as the second-highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism, but reviled as a fake by many Tibetans, has praised the Communist Party's religious policies in Tibet in a lunar new year message, saying they made him feel "very happy".Although officially atheist, China selected Gyaltsen Norbu as the 11th Panchen Lama in 1995 in a drive to win the hearts and minds of Tibetans.Tibet's current spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing brands a dangerous separatist, had announced his own choice of a six-year-old boy, but he was taken away by authorities and has since vanished from public view.In a message to mark the Tibetan lunar new year, carried by the United Front Work Department which helps oversee religious groups, China's Panchen Lama discussed six months of Buddhist activities he carried out in Tibet last year."My deepest impression after the inspection tour was that Tibet's ethnic and religious policies have been carried out very well," he said in comments carried late on Monday.

"At the same time, the party has formulated a series of special beneficial policies, and the vast majority of Tibetans have received real benefit. After seeing this I felt very happy," he said.He added that he visited herders, where he got to understand the changes that have taken place for Tibetans."This has made me even more confident in Tibet's tomorrow," he said.

China has gradually exposed its Panchen Lama in public roles in the hope he will achieve the respect commanded by the Dalai Lama among Tibetans and globally. He made his first trip outside mainland China in 2012, when he visited Hong Kong.Chinese troops marched into Tibet in 1950. China routinely rejects criticism of its rule there, saying it has brought much-needed development to a remote region and that it respects Tibet's culture and religion.

After the Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, the 10th Panchen Lama stayed on and was initially seen as a collaborator. It later emerged that his criticism of Beijing had earned him more than a decade spent either in prison or under house arrest.Freed in 1977, he was politically rehabilitated the following year, and died in 1989. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Paul Tait)

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TRIPOLI A Philippine nurse held by Islamic State in the Libyan city of Sirte said on Monday that she and her colleagues had been forced to treat militants and give them medical training. The nurse is from a group of seven women, one man and a 10-month-old child who are being repatriated from Libya to the Philippines. They were freed from Sirte when local forces drove Islamic State from the city last year. Islamic State took full control of Sirte in early 2015, turning it into their North African stronghold and holding dozens of foreign captives. The Philippine nationals are medical staff who were among foreign workers already in the city when it came under the ultra-hardline group's rule. "When they found out we were Muslim they released us but under a strict condition that we will have to work as nurses in their hospital and we had to train ISIS (Islamic State) on emergency care and nursing course," the nurse told reporters in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. "It was a horrible time. Each day we lived in fear. We didn't know what was going to happen next. And they threatened to kill us if we left Sirte."

The Philippine staff worked at Sirte's main hospital, which Islamic State used to treat their wounded fighters until they were pushed out of central Sirte in August.Militants then retreated towards their final strongholds near Sirte's seafront, taking medical equipment and foreign captives with them.

Islamic State was defeated in Sirte in early December, after nearly seven months of fighting. The Philippine medical staff and many of the other foreign captives were freed in the final stages of the battle.Since then they have been held in Misrata, the city that led the military campaign in Sirte. Also held there are dozens of women from sub-Saharan Africa who were captured while crossing Libya as migrants and used as sex slaves in Sirte.

Earlier this month an Indian doctor who had also been trapped in Sirte, Ramamurthy Kosanam, was flown out of Libya. He said on Sunday that he had worked in field hospitals run by Islamic State for about two-and-a-half months, and was shot in the hand and both legs during battles before being rescued by local Libyan fighters. (Reporting by Hani Amara; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Karen Dillon

| OLATHE, Kan

OLATHE, Kan A white U.S. Navy veteran charged with murdering an Indian software engineer at a Kansas bar gazed at a camera from jail and gave curt answers to a judge by video during his initial court appearance on Monday over the shooting, which federal authorities are probing as a possible hate crime.Adam Purinton, 51, is accused of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and wounding Alok Madasani, also 32, as well as an American who tried to intervene during Wednesday evening's incident at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, a Kansas City suburb. At least one bystander told the Kansas City Star he shouted "get out of my country" before shooting. The incident led news bulletins in India, where some suggested on social media that a climate of intolerance in the United States had been fuelled by President Donald Trump's rhetoric on immigration. Purinton, appearing via video conference from jail, asked the court to appoint him an attorney and waived the reading of the formal charges against him of one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder during the five-minute hearing in the Johnson County District Court in downtown Olathe. Purinton, who could only be seen from the chest up on the court's television screen, is being held on $2 million bond in the adjacent Johnson County Jail. In clear language, he replied to a handful of questions from the judge, mostly with curt answers.

Michael McCulloch, who was named by the court to be Purinton's attorney, declined to comment after the hearing.Purinton wore an Army green, sleeveless suicide-prevention smock and stared straight at the camera the whole time. His reddish-brown hair was short on the side and spiked on top. He had sideburns to his jawbone and the shadow of a beard.His next hearing is set for March 9.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer on Monday called reports about the shooting and more acts of vandalism at Jewish cemeteries "disturbing." On Friday, he said any loss of life in the shooting was tragic, but it was absurd to link the killing to Trump's "America First" stance.The Indian Embassy in Washington has expressed India's deep concern over the incident to the U.S. government and requested a "thorough and speedy investigation."Purinton was arrested hours after the shooting at an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, about 80 miles (130 km) south of Olathe.

According to a recording of a 911 call made by a female bartender at the Applebee's, Purinton said he needed to hide because he had killed two Iranian men, local NBC affiliate KSHB-TV reported."He wouldn't tell me what he did. I kept asking him and he said he would tell me if I agreed to let him stay with me. I finally got him to tell me," the bartender tells a dispatcher, according to the tape obtained by KSHB-TV. "He said he shot and killed two Iranian people in Olathe."Both the gunman's Indian victims worked as engineers with navigation device maker Garmin Ltd. (GRMN.O) (Additional reporting and writing by Gina Cherelus in New York and Tim Ahmann in Washington; Editing by Daniel Wallis, Andrew Hay and David Gregorio)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Houston: Former US Secretary of State and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has asked President Donald Trump to "step up and speak out" on rising hate crimes in the US, in the wake of the killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla in a Kansas City bar last week.

"With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out," Clinton tweeted.

The Democratic presidential nominee, who was thought to be a favourite to win the November elections, lost to Donald Trump of the Republican Party.

Her comments came as the body of Kuchibhotla was flown to India and cremated on Tuesday in Hyderabad with grieving relatives, friends and neighbours gathering for the last rites.

Kuchibhotla, 32, was shot dead by a US Navy veteran, Adam Purinton, 51, in an apparent hate crime.

Purinton shot dead Kuchibhotla while his friend Alok Madasani was injured at a pub in Kansas.

Purinton, 51, made his first court appearance in the case that is being investigated as a possible hate crime.

Purinton appeared before a Johnson County District Court judge via video conference on Monday. He faces one charge of first-degree murder and two charges of attempted first-degree murder in last Wednesday's shooting at the bar in Olathe, Kansas.

On Friday, the widow of Kuchibhotla sought answers to what she perceived was a spread in American hate crimes.

"I have a question in my mind: Do we belong?" said Sunayana Dumala, who like her husband travelled from India to attend a US college.

"We've read many times in newspapers of some kind of shooting happening," she said at a news conference at the headquarters of Garmin, where Kuchibhotla worked as an aviation systems engineer. "And we always wondered, how safe?"

While President Trump is yet to comment on the shooting, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said last week that it was too early to call the act a hate crime.

Spicer also referred to the shooting at a news conference on Monday while addressing President Trump's concerns against recent acts of vandalism against Jewish cemeteries in St Louis and Philadelphia.

"No one in America should feel afraid to follow the religion of their choosing freely and openly. The president has dedicated to preserving this originating principle of our nation," Spicer said.

"And while we're at it, I don't want to get ahead of law enforcement, but I was asked the other day about the story in Kansas, the shooting in Kansas. And while the story is evolving, early reports out of Kansas are equally disturbing," he said.
Houston: Adam Purinton, the man charged with killing Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injuring two others in an apparent hate crime at a pub in Kansas, has made his first court appearance. The US Navy veteran appeared before a court on Monday.

Michelle Durrett from the Johnson County Public Defenders Office will serve as Purinton's attorney. According to Steve Howe, Johnson County District Attorney, Purinton faces hard 50 on state charges.

The FBI is also helping gather evidence in the shooting because Kansas does not have a hate crime statute.

If their agents can prove that Purinton's alleged actions constitute a hate crime, he could face federal charges that could potentially carry the death penalty.

Purinton is currently being held in the Johnson County jail on a USD 2-million cash bond.

Prosecutors claim Purinton opened fire inside Austin's restaurant in Olathe on last Wednesday night, killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla and wounding his Indian colleague Alok Madasani. Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American man was also injured while intervening in the shooting.

Police arrested Purinton in Henry County, west central Missouri, after he reportedly walked into an Applebee's restaurant there and confided to the bartender that he had been involved in a shooting.

The shooter was charged Thursday with first- degree murder. He was also charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder in the shootings of Alok and Grillot.

He was extradited back to Kansas on Friday.
Import/export goods order from uncontrolled territories of Donbas not agreed upon yet

Deputy Minister of Ukraine on the Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons, Heorhiy Tuka, says that the project of import and export order from the uncontrolled territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions has not yet passed the approval procedure with the interested state bodies.

"The order has not been agreed upon yet," the deputy minister told Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday, responding to a question.

Tuka expressed hope that the order would be considered at the next meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

As reported, the Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov said that the government would consider the order at the next meeting.
Hyderabad: The last rites of Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US last week in a suspected hate crime, would be performed on Tuesday at Jubliee Hills, family members said.

The mortal remains of the slain 32-year-old were flown in on Monday night. It was brought by a cargo flight, which arrived at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport around 10 pm.

Kuchibhotla's parents K Madhusudhana Sastry and Parvata Vardhini and other family members received the body. After completing all formalities, the body was carried in an ambulance to his house at Bachupally on the city outskirts.

Kuchibhotla's wife Sunayana Dumala, her brother, sister-in-law and another relative reached the city by a passenger flight.

Large number of relatives and friends gathered at the house to catch last glimpse of Kuchibhotla. Police were deployed to stop media persons away from the casket.

A picture of the slain engineer was kept in front of the house to enable people to pay their last respects. Few banners carrying pictures of Kuchibhotla were also put up.

Telangana Transport Minister Mahender Reddy and some leaders of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Andhra Pradesh's Minister for NRI Affairs Palle Raghunath Reddy and leaders of various parties also paid their last respects to Kuchibhotla at his house.

Speaking on the occasion, the two Ministers condemned the killing of the techie and urged the central government to take up with the US the issue of safety of all Indians.

Raghunath Reddy said it was matter of concern that after Donald Trump took over as the President, several incidents of racial discrimination had taken place in the US. He said the two Telugu states would do everything possible to ensure protection to their professionals and students living in the US.

The Ministry of External Affairs made arrangements to bring the mortal remains. Police had made elaborate security arrangements at the airport to bar the media from the cargo terminal.

Kuchibhotla was killed and Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W Purinton, a white man who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on Wednesday night.

Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled, "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them.

Kuchibhotla of Hyderabad and his colleague Madasani from Warangal district in Telangana were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an MNC.
Washington: The White House has said that the early reports coming from Kansas, where an Indian engineer was shot dead and another injured in an apparent hate crime, were "disturbing".

The White House also condemned the alleged hate crimes against the Jewish community in the US.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters at his daily news conference that "early reports coming from Kansas are equally disturbing".

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani, of the same age, was injured in the shooting by 51-year-old US navy veteran Adam Purinton who screamed racial slurs and told them "get out of my country".

A 24-year-old American named Ian Grillot tried to intervene and received injuries in the firing in Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas.

Spicer, during his briefing, also condemned the alleged hate crimes against the Jewish community and asserted that there is no space for violence based on religion and ethnicity.

"From our country's founding, we've been dedicated to protecting the freedom of our citizens' rights to worship. No one in America should feel afraid to follow the religion of their choosing freely and openly. The President has dedicated to preserving this originating principle of our nation," Spicer said.

"And while we're at it, I don't want to get ahead of law enforcement, but I was asked the other day about the story in Kansas, the shooting in Kansas. While the story is evolving, early reports out of Kansas are equally disturbing," the White House Press Secretary said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has joined local law enforcement agencies in investigating the incident that has shocked the entire Indian-American community and several hundreds of Indians either working or studying in the United States.

Spicer said Trump continues to be deeply disappointed and concerned by the reports of further vandalism at Jewish cemeteries.

"The cowardly destruction in Philadelphia this weekend comes on top of similar accounts from Missouri and threats made to Jewish community centers around the country.

"The president continues to condemn these and any other form of anti-semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms," he said.

His remarks came after vandals broke and overturned more than 500 gravestones at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, the latest in a spate of recent bomb threats and attacks against sites for Jews across the United States.
Kuala Lumpur: Two women arrested for the assassination of Kim Jong-Nam are to be charged with his murder, Malaysia said on Tuesday, even as North Korea sent a senior diplomat to seek the return of the body.

The spectacular killing of Kim Jong-Un's half-brother with VX, a fast-acting poison developed for warfare, sparked an international probe and lurid stories of Pyongyang's Cold War-style tradecraft.

South Korea says its isolated neighbour was behind the assassination and claims Pyongyang's agents engaged two outsiders to carry out the murder.

"They will be charged in court under Section 302 (murder) of the penal code," attorney general Mohamed Apandi Ali told AFP by text message, referring to the two suspects.

The women, from Indonesia and Vietnam, will appear in court on Wednesday. If convicted, they could face death by hanging.

Kim, a well-travelled polyglot who fell out of favour at home after a botched 2001 attempt to get into Japan on a false passport, died less than 20 minutes after he was set upon at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on 13 February. CCTV footage shows two women approaching him and seemingly pushing something in his face. Investigators say this was VX, a deadly poison classed as a weapon of mass destruction and banned around the world. Both women have claimed they thought they were taking part in a practical joke.

Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, reportedly told a senior diplomat on Saturday she had been paid just 400 ringgit ($90) for her role, adding she believed she was handling a liquid like "baby oil".

Her alleged accomplice, Doan Thi Huong, 28, from Vietnam, told Hanoi officials she had been tricked into killing Kim and thought she was taking part in a prank for a comedy video.

Speaking from the Vietnamese village of Quan Phuong, Huong's stepmother appealed for a fair trial. "I think she was set up." Nguyen Thi Vy told AFP. "I don't believe she was brave enough to do such a thing."

A third suspect, a 46-year-old North Korean man Ri Jong-Chol, is also being held. Apandi said whether Ri was charged in the coming days "depends on the outcome of the police investigation, which is still ongoing".

North Korea has not acknowledged the identity of the dead man, but has insisted Malaysia hand over the corpse, and says it does not accept the findings of an autopsy.

Pyongyang has repeatedly lashed out at Kuala Lumpur over the investigation into the killing, claiming the Malaysians are playing politics.

Veteran North Korean diplomat Ri Tong-Il, deputy envoy to the United Nations, told reporters outside the embassy that he was there to discuss "the question of the return of the body of the deceased DPRK (North Korean) citizen". He added the North Korean delegation would also raise "the question of the release of the DPRK citizen arrested by Malaysian police".

Malaysia has refused to release the body, with police saying they are waiting for next-of-kin to come forward to identify the remains and provide a DNA sample.

Health Minister S Subramaniam brushed off suggestions the body would be handed over. "We need to have the definite identity of the person," he said. "And the body will be given to the next of kin."

South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-Se called for North Korea to be suspended from the UN's Conference on Disarmament if Malaysia found conclusive proof it was behind the poisoning. It should also be made to face suspension of its rights and privileges as a UN member, he told the conference in Geneva.

"Serial rule-breakers should not be granted a seat in this august rule-making body," Yun said, adding that "the Doomsday clock must be stopped now".

Malaysia's previously warm relations with North Korea have worsened sharply since the killing, with Kuala Lumpur warning Pyongyang's outspoken ambassador on Friday that he would be thrown out of the country if he continues to "spew lies" over the police investigation.

Earlier on Tuesday, Malaysia said it was shutting down firms linked to a North Korean front company which the UN says was selling military equipment.

International Global System and International Golden Services have been connected to a firm called Glocom, which a United Nations report said was based in Malaysia and operated by Pyongyang's intelligence agency.

The UN report said Glocom was selling North Korean-made military communications equipment to Eritrea, with suppliers in China and an office in Singapore.
Washington: Defence Secretary Jim Mattis on Monday gave the White House a plan to "rapidly defeat" the Islamic State group, a Pentagon spokesman said on Monday. The strategy includes significant elements of the approach President Donald Trump inherited, while potentially deepening US military involvement in Syria.

Navy Captain Jeff Davis said Mattis, who traveled to Iraq last week to help inform his thinking, presented the results of a 30-day strategy review at a Cabinet-level meeting of the National Security Council. It's unclear whether the meeting included Trump, who said last week his goal is to "obliterate" IS.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Mattis was ensuring that he had input from other Cabinet agencies. "That can help guide where we go from here," Spicer said.

Davis said details of the report are classified secret.

"It is a plan to rapidly defeat ISIS," Davis said, using the Pentagon's preferred acronym for the group, which has proven resilient despite losing ground in its strongholds in Syria and Iraq.

Officials familiar with the review have said it will likely lead to decisions that mean more US military involvement in Syria, and possibly more ground troops, even as the current US plan in Iraq appears to be working and will require fewer changes. The officials weren't authorized to speak publicly about the document and demanded anonymity.

Davis described the Mattis report as "a framework for a broader discussion" of a strategy to be developed over time, rather than a ready-to-execute military plan. In a 28 January executive order, Trump said he wanted within 30 days a "preliminary draft" of a plan to "defeat ISIS." Davis said the report defines what it means to "defeat" the group, which he wouldn't reveal to reporters.

It also includes some individual actions that will require decisions by the White House, Davis said, "but it's not a 'check-the-block, pick A or B or C' kind of a plan."

"This is a broad plan," he said. "It is global. It is not just military. It is not just Iraq/Syria."

Beyond military options, the officials familiar with the review said the report increases emphasis on nonmilitary elements of the campaign already underway, such as efforts to squeeze IS finances, limit recruiting and counter propaganda that is credited with inspiring violence in the US and Europe.

Marine Corps general Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last week the emerging strategy will target not just Islamic State militants but also Al-Qaeda and other extremist organizations in the Middle East and beyond, whose goal is to attack the United States. He emphasized that it would not rest mainly on military might.

Dunford's comment suggests Pentagon leaders may have a more nuanced view of IS than is reflected in Trump's promise to "obliterate" the group, as he put it on Friday. Dunford said the US should be careful that in solving the IS problem, it does not create others. Among sensitive questions are how to deal with Turkey, a NATO ally with much at stake in neighboring Syria, and Russia, whose year-and-a-half military intervention has propped up Syrian President Bashar Assad's government.

Davis said Mattis' report was built on broad concepts and based on advice from across the government.

The officials familiar with the review say the recommended approaches will echo central elements of the Obama administration's strategy, which centered on the US military supporting local forces rather than doing the fighting for them. Mattis already has signaled publicly he sees no value in having US combat forces take over the ground war.

"I would just tell you that by, with and through our allies is the way this coalition is going against Daesh," he said last week in Baghdad, using an Arabic term for IS.

Asked if adding more US troops or better arming Syria's Kurds were options, Mattis said he will "accommodate any request" from his field commanders. He said a degree of "confidentiality" was required so plans aren't exposed to the enemy.

Army general Joseph Votel, the commander of US Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Mideast, has said more American troops may be needed to speed up the fight in Syria. The US currently has about 500 special operations forces in Syria helping to organize, advise and assist local forces.

One of the thorniest problems the Trump administration faces concerns Russia's military role in Syria. Although Trump has expressed interest in working with Russia against IS, the Pentagon has been reluctant to go beyond military-to-military contacts aimed at avoiding accidents in the airspace over Syria.

Senior military leaders, including Mattis, seem more confident in the Iraqi military campaign, suggesting the new options will put greater emphasis on Syria.
By Steve Holland

| WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON After a turbulent start to his presidency, Donald Trump goes before the U.S. Congress on Tuesday night to give a speech that will be closely watched for details of his plans for the economy and whether he can strike a more conciliatory tone. World financial markets will be scrutinizing the 9 p.m. (0200 GMT Wednesday) address in the House of Representatives for specifics of how the Republican president aims to make good on promises to tackle tax reform, boost infrastructure spending and simplify business regulations. White House officials say the speech will include some gestures toward unifying a country polarized by a bitterly fought election and divided in the early days of his presidency.An average of recent polls by Real Clear Politics put his approval rating at about 44 percent, low for a new president.Trump, whose inauguration speech on Jan. 20 painted a dark picture of the United States and referred to American carnage, told Reuters last week that his address would be a speech of optimism.In a rare show of self-criticism, Trump told the "Fox & Friends" television program in an interview broadcast on Tuesday that "maybe it's my fault" the administration's goals on immigration may not have been communicated effectively. [nL2N1GD0ET]He was referring to the troubled rollout of his Jan. 27 order to temporarily ban people from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the country. Overall, Trump said he had performed well in the Oval Office so far. "I think I get an A in terms of what I've actually done, but in terms of messaging, I'd give myself a C or a C+." Invited to say how he would change the messaging, the businessman and former reality TV star said, "Maybe I change it during the speech."Trump has signed a flurry of executive orders, pulled the United States out of a Pacific trade deal and nominated a conservative judge, Neil Gorsuch, to fill a vacant position on the Supreme Court. But his first month has been characterized by missteps, internal dramas and acrimonious disputes with the news media, and he has yet to score any legislative accomplishments. The president's party controls both the House and Senate, giving him a chance to reshape the economy with lawmakers. He faces a host of questions going into his first speech before a joint session of Congress.

DETAILS NEEDED

Specifics of his plan to overhaul former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law have not been released. He has yet to describe how to pay for a sharp increase in planned spending on rebuilding U.S. roads and bridges.His proposals to cut taxes for millions of people and corporations have not been sketched out. His strategy for renegotiating international trade deals remains unclear. He took delivery on Monday of a Pentagon proposal for fighting Islamic State militants and must decide on it in the days ahead. Trump seeks a big increase in defense spending but that plan includes a demand that non-defense federal agencies cut funds to offset the cost, painful reductions likely to face opposition in Congress.

Trump's lack of legislative success so far contrasts with most of his recent predecessors, though not all of them.With the country facing a financial crisis, Obama laid out an economic stimulus plan days after his January 2009 swearing-in and it was approved in mid-February. In early February Obama signed two other bills into law: one providing federally funded healthcare to children and another making it easier for employees to sue employers for wage-based discrimination. George W. Bush sent a sweeping tax cut proposal to Congress less than three weeks after taking office in January 2001. It was enacted four months later. Bill Clinton fulfilled a central campaign promise in his first weeks in office when he enacted a family-leave bill on Feb. 5, 1993.Ronald Reagan sent dozens of detailed budget cut plans to Congress less than a month after his 1981 swearing in but George H.W. Bush accomplished little of note in his first 100 days.DEMOCRATIC DISPLEASURE

Trump's travel ban, which he says was needed for national security reasons, caused wide disruption at airports, sparked protests and was blocked by a federal court. He is expected to sign a replacement order on Wednesday. Only three weeks into his term, Trump fired his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, after disclosures surfaced that Flynn had discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office and then misled Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations.Stocks on major markets dipped along with the U.S. dollar and U.S. Treasury yields on Tuesday as investors waited for clues in Trump's address on how he aims to implement his economic agenda. [nL5N1GD5ST] "If he gives minimal detail this evening, then perhaps we might get a little bit wind out of the sails on this recent equity move," said Erik Wytenus, global investment specialist at J.P. Morgan Private Bank.Tim Albrecht, a Republican strategist in Iowa, said the speech was Trump's best opportunity to date to explain where he wants to take the country. Albrecht doubted there would be much in the way of conciliatory language."Despite those at home or in the audience, hes going to put forward what he believes needs to be done just as he did in the two years he ran for president," he said. "As with everything in Trump land, conventional wisdom is thrown out the window." Democratic lawmakers plan to attend the speech. But at least one, Representative Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, has said he will protest Trump by refusing to applaud or give him a standing ovation, as is a custom at presidential speeches.Democrats aim to highlight their opposition to Trump's agenda through guests invited to watch the speech in the House visitors galleries, such as Muslim immigrants, an advocate of programs for people with disabilities and people who want new gun control measures. (Additional reporting by Richard Cowan, Ayesha Rascoe, Jeff Mason, Emily Stephenson, Doina Chiacu; Editing by Peter Cooney and Frances Kerry)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Michelle Nichols

| UNITED NATIONS

UNITED NATIONS Russia on Tuesday cast its seventh veto to protect the Syrian government from United Nations Security Council action, blocking a bid by Western powers to impose sanctions over accusations of chemical weapons attacks during the six-year Syrian conflict.China backed Russia and cast its sixth veto on Syria. Russia had said the vote on the resolution, drafted by France, Britain and the United States, would harm U.N.-led peace talks between the warring Syrian parties in Geneva, which began last week.Nine council members voted in favor of the resolution, Bolivia voted against, while Egypt, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan abstained. A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, France, Russia, Britain or China to be adopted.Russian President Vladimir Putin described the draft resolution on Tuesday as "totally inappropriate.""For my friends in Russia, this resolution is very appropriate," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told the council after the vote. "It is a sad day on the Security Council when members start making excuses for other member states killing their own people. The world is definitely a more dangerous place," she said.

The vote was one of the first confrontations at the United Nations between Russia and the United States since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January, pledging to build closer ties with Moscow.Russia's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov described the statements made against Moscow in the Security Council as "outrageous" and said "God will judge you."Western powers put forward the resolution in response to the results of an investigation by the U.N. and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The international inquiry found Syrian government forces were responsible for three chlorine gas attacks and that Islamic State militants had used mustard gas.British U.N. Ambassador Matthew Rycroft told the council before the vote: "This is about taking a stand when children are poisoned, it's that simple."Chlorine's use as a weapon is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013. If inhaled, chlorine gas turns to hydrochloric acid in the lungs and can kill by burning lungs and drowning victims in body fluids.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government has denied its forces have used chemical weapons. Russia has questioned the results of the U.N./OPCW inquiry and long said there was not enough proof for the Security Council to take any action.French U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre said the failure by the council to act would "send a message of impunity." The draft resolution would have banned the sale or supply of helicopters to the Syrian government because the U.N./OPCW inquiry found Syrian government forces had used helicopters to drop barrel bombs containing chlorine gas.It also proposed targeted sanctions - a travel ban and asset freeze - on 11 Syrian military commanders and officials, as well as on 10 government and related entities. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by James Dalgleish)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Moscow: Relations between Moscow and Washington are at their lowest point since the end of the Cold War, but there is hope in US President Donald Trump, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday.

Ryabkov made the remarks while addressing lawmakers at Russia's State Duma, the lower parliamentary chamber, Efe news reported. "The current state of links between Russia and the US, as we all know, leaves much to be desired," said Ryabkov. "It's not an exaggeration to say that our relations are at their lowest point in the post-Cold War period."

He told Russian lawmakers that former US President Barack Obama increased tensions and opted for confrontation with Russia long before the conflict in Ukraine.

The Obama administration drew up sanctions against Moscow for its alleged role in the pro-Russian insurgency that sprung up in Ukraine's Russian borderlands following the 2014 ousting of President Viktor Yanukovich.

"The rate of degradation in (US-Russian) relations quickly accelerated following the coup d'etat in Kiev three years ago. In the White House, they opted for open confrontation," he said.

Reiterating views already expressed by some of Russia's top officials, including President Vladimir Putin, Ryabkov said he hoped that the arrival of Trump to the White House would create an opportunity to defrost Russian-American relations. Any future discussions between the nations must be balanced and free of blackmail, he said.

Trump is due to address Congress later on Tuesday, where he would expound the set-up of his new Cabinet. "It will be very important to analyse the signals and the approaches Trump takes in his first speech as leader of a superpower," Ryabkov said.

Trump has previously expressed his willingness to normalise ties with Moscow. However, his Cabinet recently came under considerable scrutiny when leaked documents suggested some of its members had held discussions with Russian officials before Trump was inaugurated.

That scandal led to the involuntary resignation of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who according to the White House, failed to fully divulge to vice-president Mike Pence the contents of a telephone discussion he held with a Russian diplomat.
By Krishna N. Das

| LEDA, Bangladesh

LEDA, Bangladesh Rohingya Muslim refugee Ali Hasan is desperately looking for a bride for his 14-year-old son, jailed last year in Bangladesh for carrying the popular drug ya ba. He hopes the girl's family would pay the $620 needed for Mohammed Hasan's bail as dowry.Graphic - Ya ba in Bangladesh: hereGraphic - Bangladesh/Rohingya relocation: hereGraphic - Ya ba flow routes: here Police arrested Mohammed with 5,000 pills of ya ba, as methamphetamine is widely known in Asia, last June. His elder brother, Izzat Ali, was arrested a few months later with 200 pills and sent to prison.Bangladesh says the influx of Rohingya fleeing Buddhist-majority Myanmar is partly to blame for soaring methamphetamine use in its cities. But many Rohingya say their young people are being pushed into crime because they cannot legally work or, in many cases, access aid.Ali Hasan fled Myanmar three decades ago and his sons grew up in an unofficial camp in Leda, a 15-minute drive from the Naf river separating Bangladesh from Myanmar.It is not uncommon for Rohingya families to arrange marriages while the couple are still in their mid-teens, and the 60-year-old does not think the fact Mohammed is in jail awaiting trial will be an issue, so common have such brushes with the law become among the refugees."We're looking for a bride for him so that they can pay the dowry in advance," he said. "People know that he was lured into it and he had no wrong intentions, so I don't think getting a bride would be difficult."Rohingya Muslims have been fleeing apartheid-like conditions in northwestern Myanmar, where they are denied citizenship, since the early 1990s, and there are now more than 200,000 in Bangladesh. More than 70,000 have flooded across the border since October, escaping an army crackdown.LOCAL RESENTMENT

Consumption of ya ba - Thai for "crazy medicine" - is booming in Bangladesh. Seizures alone jumped more than 2,500 percent to 29.4 million pills last year compared with 2011 - and the business is worth an estimated $3 billion annually.Police and government officials say the stateless Rohingya refugees, who cannot easily be traced, are the traffickers' preferred mules.The authorities have cited a growing drug problem as one reason for pushing ahead with a controversial scheme to move thousands of refugees from their border camps to an undeveloped island in the Bay of Bengal."Local population, local leaders are extremely unhappy about this influx," H.T. Imam, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's political adviser, said in Dhaka. "They displace labourers by undercutting locals. Ya ba trade is flourishing due to them."He did not provide any data about the refugees' involvement in the drug trade.Residents of Cox's Bazar, the coastal district neighbouring Myanmar where most of the refugees live, are now holding public meetings and rallies in support of the refugee relocation plan.Sanmaraz, a 35-year-old Rohingya woman living in Leda, arrived from Myanmar two decades ago. Her husband, Amanullah, is now in jail awaiting trial on charges of carrying ya ba. She says he was "framed" by local villagers.

"Bangladesh has given us shelter, but the local people don't want us here," she said. "They want to harm us; they want to chase us away."Only the 34,000 refugees living in two official camps are eligible for international aid. In places such as the Leda Unregistered Rohingya Refugee Settlement, where Ali Hasan and Sanmaraz both live, there are few means of support.As a result, many end up working as drug carriers, while some women are lured into the sex trade, said Afruzul Haque Tutul, a senior police officer in Cox's Bazar.Rukina Begum, 35, said she was persuaded to join another Rohingya woman carrying 1,000 ya ba pills on a bus by the promise of work for her 11-year-old son."If only I had money I would never have sent my young son to work anywhere, and this would not have happened," said Begum, who was out on bail after spending eight months in jail.Bangladesh insists the Rohingya, though undocumented, are Myanmar citizens and must ultimately return."We cannot allow citizens of Myanmar to work here," said Imam, the prime minister's adviser. "There are several local committees under the district administration to provide relief to them."

SURGING YA BA DEMAND

This month Reuters was taken to a tin shed by a canal in the Leda camp, where a 19-year-old youth wearing a blue T-shirt and longyi took orders for ya ba from two customers seated on a mat.The youth, who fled to Bangladesh three years ago, said he buys 20-50 ya ba pills from a local villager every day after tasting one or two himself for quality.Bangladesh consumes an average of 2 million such pills a day, estimated two officials at the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) in Dhaka.Each pill retails for around 300 taka ($3.75). The same pill can be bought for around 60 taka in Cox's Bazar. Rohingya "mules" can earn 10,000 taka for transporting 5,000 pills to Dhaka and other urban centres, the officials said."Our data shows that majority of the carriers are Rohingya," said police officer Tutul, but declined to share specific numbers. A DNC mobile court has convicted 15 refugees in the past six months.But the Rohingya mules are only a small cog in the ya ba supply chain.From negligible ya ba sales a few years ago, Bangladesh has become a big market for traffickers who source the drug from factories in lawless northeastern Myanmar, according to Jeremy Douglas, regional representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime."Whatever has been coming is growing very, very fast," he said. "But it's much bigger in Myanmar. Internal demand there has been very carefully cultivated and developed by organised crime groups. They have been trafficking inside the country and they have been pushing the product fast, including towards Bangladesh." ($1 = 79.7500 taka) (Reporting by Krishna N. Das in COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh; Additional reporting by Serajul Quadir in DHAKA; Editing by Alex Richardson)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Steve Holland

| WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON Donald Trump gets a chance to put the rocky start to his presidency behind him on Tuesday night with a speech to the U.S. Congress where he will lay out his plans for the year including a healthcare overhaul and military buildup.The speech at 9 p.m. (0200 GMT Wednesday) in the chamber of the House of Representatives will be Trump's biggest chance yet as president to command a large prime-time audience and describe his agenda after a first month in office characterized by missteps, internal dramas and acrimonious disputes with the news media.The address, which Trump has been writing with aide Stephen Miller and others, will include some gestures toward unifying a country polarized by a bitterly fought election and divided in the early days of his presidency.An average of recent polls by Real Clear Politics put his approval rating at about 44 percent, low for a new president.White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the theme of the speech to Congress, which is controlled by Trump's fellow Republicans, would be "the renewal of the American spirit" and that it would be grounded in how to solve the problems of everyday Americans."He will invite Americans of all backgrounds to come together in the service of a stronger and brighter future for our nation," Spicer told reporters on Monday.Trump, whose inauguration speech on Jan. 20 painted a dark picture of the United States and referred to American carnage, told Reuters last week in an interview that his address would be a speech of optimism.The president faces a host of questions going into his first speech before a joint session of Congress.Specifics of his plan to overhaul former Democratic President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law have not been released. He has yet to describe how to pay for a sharp increase in planned spending on rebuilding U.S. roads and bridges.

His proposals to cut taxes for millions of people and corporations have not been sketched out. His strategy for renegotiating international trade deals remains unclear. He took delivery on Monday of a Pentagon proposal for fighting Islamic State militants and must decide on it in the days ahead.He seeks a big increase in defense spending but that plan includes a demand that non-defense federal agencies cut funds to offset the cost, painful reductions likely to face opposition in Congress. Some Republicans have said the proposed 10 percent defense spending increase is not enough to meet the military's needs. [nL2N1GC0S1]Asked in a Fox News interview broadcast on Tuesday how he would pay for the increased spending, Trump said, "I think the money is going to come from a revved up economy."[nL2N1GD0AZ]His executive order temporarily banning people from seven Muslim-majority nations on national security grounds stirred protests and was put on hold by federal courts. He was expected to sign a replacement order on Wednesday.

DEMOCRATIC DISPLEASURE

Tim Albrecht, a Republican strategist in Iowa, said the speech was Trump's best opportunity to date to explain where he wants to take the country. Albrecht doubted there would be much in the way of conciliatory language."Despite those at home or in the audience, hes going to put forward what he believes needs to be done just as he did in the two years he ran for president," he said. "As with everything in Trump land, conventional wisdom is thrown out the window."Democratic lawmakers plan to attend the speech and give their reactions to reporters afterward, as is the custom during similar events, according to congressional aides.

But at least one Democrat  Representative Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, has said he will protest Trumps speech by refusing to applaud or give him a standing ovation, as also is a custom at presidential speeches.Democrats aim to show their displeasure with Trump policies by inviting an array of guests to the House visitors galleries to highlight their opposition to his agenda.Democratic Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois has invited Aaima Sayed, a medical student who participates in an Obama administration program that defers deportation for youths brought to the United States illegally. Trump has not given a definitive answer on whether he will leave the program in place.Other Democratic guests include Muslim immigrants, an advocate of programs for people with disabilities and people who want new gun control measures.Trump's guest list illustrates some of his favorite themes: the widows of two California police officers killed by an illegal immigrant, a young woman who benefited from a Florida school choice program and the daughter of a pharmaceutical entrepreneur who founded his company to look for a cure for her illness.Another guest will be Maureen Scalia, wife of late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, a hero to conservatives whom Trump hopes to replace on the court with Neil Gorsuch.House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi told reporters on Monday that if Trumps address was anything like his inaugural speech, it will be a very sad evening for our country. (Additional reporting by Richard Cowan, Ayesha Rascoe, Jeff Mason, Emily Stephenson, Doina Chiacu; Editing by Peter Cooney and Frances Kerry)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
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The managing partner and second largest stakeholder in Savik Shuster's 32.TV channel Pavlo Yelizarov has again announced the end of transmission via satellite  now from March 1, 2017  due to the lack of paying subscribers.

"Tomorrow is the last day of broadcasting of our channel via satellite. Thank you for your support, but we don't have enough subscribers and time has caught up with us," he wrote on his Facebook page on Monday evening.

According to Yelizarov, society and business for now do not feel the need for independent media and are ready to consume "prepared programming of oligarchic [TV] channels."

As earlier reported, Shuster's TV channel began broadcasting in September 2015. Shuster in December 2016 announced his intention to cease satellite broadcasts from January 1, 2017 if he failed to attract investors.

"We will have to abandon this beloved business, because there will be no more money," the TV channel's press release said.

According to the information posted on the site, Canadian citizen Savik Shuster owns 50% of the limited liability company TV and Radio Company World Information Service. Pavlo Yelizarov owns 40%, and Olena Demchuk - 1%, while 9% belong to World Information Service, Ltd.
With their extended metaphor about mutation as a stand-in for all the many reasons humans find to be bigoted toward other humans, the X-Men stories have always been perhaps the most grounded of the superhero universes, at least in their exploration of what it means to be super in a world where super is feared and hated, where super is ostracized. The mutants of X-Men are just ordinary people with unusual talents that, for the most part, they have to hide, and the movies in this series  of which we have had 10, counting this one, since the series debuted in 2000 with X-Men  have been as much about realistic people trying to come to terms with their abilities as theyve been about the usual comic-book action thrills.

No spandex or capes. Almost no FX. Hell, theres barely even much color.



And among the characters we might call the alpha males of comic-book superdom, Wolverine  aka James Logan  stands apart, too. Though he is close to invulnerable, he has none of the cheerful godhood of Superman. Unlike Batman, he did not seek out a career righting wrongs. And very much unlike Captain America, he was tricked into consenting to the experimentation that augmented his mutant powers, a horrific and invasive violation of his body (when a mad military man surgically traded in Logans bone claws for ones made of the superstrong medal adamantium). There has never been a more reluctant hero than Wolverine. There has, perhaps, never been a hero so abused by life and so cursed by his abilities. But even the X-Men series has never seen a film like Logan before: raw, rageful, tormented, human. This doesnt look like any other superhero movie ever, either from any comic-book universe. No spandex or capes here. Theres almost nothing by way of FX  lots of car chases and crashes, lots of stuntwork, yes, but almost all of that seems to be practical. Theres none of the big brash sci-fi whiz-bang weve come to expect from the genre, and of which there has always been plenty in this series. Hell, theres barely much in the way of color, even: director James Mangold (Knight and Day, 3:10 to Yuma) and cinematographer John Mathiesons (Pan, The Man from U.N.C.L.E.) muted palette of desert browns and industrial grays mirrors the grim mindset of down-on-his-luck Logan and the emotional and physical depletion hes running on these days.

These days is 2029, and Logan (Hugh Jackman: Eddie the Eagle, Chappie) is hiding out along the Mexican border, eking out a scant living as a limo driver in El Paso. Hes got 90-something Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart: Ted 2, Green Room) tucked away with him, keeping the elderly mutant mostly doped up all the time because hes having telepathic seizures that conk out everyone in the vicinity. (Theyre in the middle of nowhere. Theres no one else around except another mutant, Caliban [Stephen Merchant: I Give It a Year, Movie 43], whos helping Logan take care of Charles.) Something is wrong with Logan: hes covered in scars and walks with a limp, which means his mutant superhealing isnt working for some reason. Hes going gray and getting old, but its more than that, too: he looks like hell, actually. Something is very wrong with him. (In case youre wondering, the story here bears no resemblance whatsoever to Mark Millars graphic novel Old Man Logan, though the films title is perhaps an homage.) Something is wrong in the larger world, too: no new mutants have been born for 25 years. Its like Children of Men for mutants. (The science fiction worldbuilding here is minimal, and sneaky, and all the more effective because of it. Driverless trucks passing by in the background on a freeway, for instance, are somehow creepy and eerie in their modified familiarity: they have no cabs, which makes them seem decapitated.) Except out of nowhere little Laura (a ferocious Dafne Keen) appears; shes around eight years old, she has mutant powers like Logans, and she needs to get somewhere safe, away from the mysterious and menacing Pierce (Boyd Holbrook: Morgan, Jane Got a Gun), who is pursuing her for reasons that will later become clear. Will Logan please drive her to a place in North Dakota called Eden, allegedly a refuge for young mutants (others also exist!)? Logan doubts such a place is real, but his reluctant heroism has been engaged

The SF worldbuilding is minimal, sneaky, and all the more effective because of it.



Everything that is shocking and dark and upsetting and surprising here  of which there is much  is all the more so all of those things because Logan is not an action movie: its a personal drama that only happens to be set in a parallel reality where mutants exist. Jackman has always given Logan an appealing emotional vulnerability under the characters gruff exterior, but here that engages new depths of empathy on our part with Logans new physical susceptibilities, not only for the character but for the actor as well. The fantasy of superpowers and the blow their deterioration must mean to a man like Logan takes on a new poignancy when we consider that playing a character who has not, previously, seemingly been subject to aging simply is not possible for a nonmutant man like Jackman to keep up forever. Hes been playing this character for 15 years, and while the actor is still extremely robust  the most dramatic FX here may be the hair-and-makeup job that makes Logan look way more beat-up than Jackman actually is  he is nearly 50. He wasnt going to be able to play an ageless badass like Wolverine for much longer. (In fact Jackman has said this will be his last outing in the role.)
Ukraine's State Aviation Service has suspended the operation certificate of Dart Airline (Kyiv).

The press service of the authority told Interfax-Ukraine that the decision was made as the certificate failed to meet certification requirements.

"The certificate has been suspended until the airline complies with remarks," the authority said.

In addition, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) temporarily suspended the permit to Dart Airline to fly to the countries of the European Union (EU).

This is outlined in the list of authorized third country operators for flights to the EU dated February 27, 2017 posted on the EASA website.

Dart Airline has been operating as a charter airline since 1997. The company operates Bombardier Lear Jet 60, Airbus-320 and Boeing 737-300/500 aircraft.
Tuka says Russia makes use of Savchenko for its own purposes

Deputy Minister of Ukraine on the Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons, Heorhiy Tuka, considers the trip of a people's deputy Nadia Savchenko to the territory of Donbas, beyond control of the Ukrainian authorities, as an attempt of legitimization of direct talks with the leaders of separate regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (ORDLO) to output Russia itself and the OSCE from the process. "Russia uses Savchenko's actions in their favor [...] Efforts of "legitimization of direct talks" with the leaders of ORDLO are being made to confirm the status of "internal civil conflict" and withdraw Russia itself and the OSCE from the negotiations," Tuka wrote on Facebook page on Tuesday morning.

According to him, the only thing Savchenko obtained from this trip were letters from Ukrainian prisoners. He said Russia-backed militants didn't transmit the missives through international organizations.

Tuka believes that the "image" of Savchenko's trip, which the Russian TV channels covered, will be used "not only to demonstrate the "great confinement conditions," but also to demonstrate the level of democracy and security, using it as an argument for the promotion of the possibility of holding local elections in ORDLO."

The deputy minister expressed hope that Savchenko is not an "agent of the Kremlin," but said Russia "skillfully uses her purely for their own purposes."

"If Savchenko ignores it, her "activities" should be limited by legal means," he said.

As reported, on February 24, member of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada Nadiia Savchenko and head of the Officer Corps center for the release of prisoners of war Volodymyr Ruban arrived at a penal colony in occupied Makiyivka, where Ukrainian soldiers are kept.

The SBU questioned Ruban in the Donetsk region over the instance of his violation of the rules for crossing the dividing line. On February 27 the SBU canceled the permission to cross the contact line in Donbas for Ruban.

The SBU has said it intends to call Savchenko in for questioning in the near future.
At the Mobile World Congress 2017, Sailfish OS maker Jolla took the podium to announce its support for the Sony Xperia devices. As per the announcement, Jolla will release it Sailfish OS for Xperia smartphones starting with Xperia X. The company also said that there will be more compatible devices in the future.

While the Sailfish OS is available for variety of devices, Jolla has tied up with Sony this time and its Open Device Platform for better compatibility. If you want to use the official version of the device, you need to wait a bit longer, as it wont be out until early summer.

Also, on the other hand, the company has granted an exclusive license and rights to further develop a Chinese operating system based on Sailfish OS. With this, the Sailfish China consortium will develop Sailfish OS based for smartphones, Automobile industry, TV, IoT and smartwatches. Having said that, the Sailfish consortium is planning to invest US$ 250 million for the Sailfish development in China.

Sami Pienimaki, CEO of Jolla, said:

Sony Mobile is trusted worldwide for its premium brand and quality, and we believe that Xperia devices are a perfect fit for many Sailfish OS customers and community members around the world. We are thrilled to start this exploration together with Sony Mobile to provide our licensing customers with a solid hardware solution, and to offer our community a follow-up device for the Jolla C launched last year.

Karl-Johan Dahlstrom, Director, Sony Developer Program, said:

We support innovation and development on our open-source platform. The overall aim of Sonys Open Devices program is to build the strongest possible ecosystem of unique software experiences for advanced users and developers  and collaborating with Jolla will only serve to further strengthen that offering.

Shan Li, one of the leading private equity investors in China and an early Jolla investor, said:
The new Republican head of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission promised "light-touch" regulation of areas such as the internet, a dramatic shift away from the Obama administration's approach to telecommunications oversight.

Ajit Pai, whom President Donald Trump named in January to chair the FCC, said at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that the agency made a "mistake" in 2015 when it adopted landmark "net neutrality rules" reclassifying internet service like a public utility.

"The FCC decided to apply last-century, utility-style regulation to todays broadband networks," Pai said in prepared remarks released by his office.

"Our new approach injected tremendous uncertainty into the broadband market," he added. "And uncertainty is the enemy of growth."

The Obama administration's net neutrality rules, which a federal appeals court upheld, bar internet access providers from slowing consumers' access to web content.

Pai has not disclosed his plans to reverse the rules, but he has emphasized he is committed to ensuring an open internet.

"We are confident in the decades-long, cross-party consensus on light-touch Internet regulation  one that helped Americas digital economy thrive," Pai said. "Our approach will be not zero regulation, but light-touch regulation  rules backed by long-standing principles of competition law."

Pai said on Monday that he would not review AT&T Inc's planned $85.4 billion acquisition of Time Warner Inc.

In December he vowed to take a "weed whacker" to unneeded rules and said net neutrality's "days are numbered."

Internet providers fear net neutrality rules make it harder for them to manage traffic and discourage investing in additional capacity, while websites worry that without the rules they might lose access to customers.

Pai cannot simply issue an order doing away with the net neutrality rules but must go through an administrative process. He has not disclosed his plans, saying he will mount a "careful look at the regulatory framework."

Last month Tom Wheeler, then the FCC's chairman, said reversing the net neutrality rules "is not a slam dunk."

Earlier this month, Pai sent letters to Verizon Communications Inc and AT&T to notify them that the FCC was closing investigations into "sponsored data" or "zero rating" programs in which mobile phone companies give customers free data for using certain video services. The FCC had previously raised concerns about those policies.

Pai also is moving to block some stricter privacy rules on internet providers that are set to take effect Thursday.
Oil prices slipped on Tuesday but continued to trade in a tight range, as concerns about rising U.S. crude inventories ahead of data overshadowed OPEC production cuts.

U.S. crude stockpiles have been rising for seven consecutive weeks, and forecasts of an eighth build of 2.9 million barrels last week fueled worries that demand growth may not be sufficient to soak up the global crude oil glut.

Inventory data is due from industry group the American Petroleum Institute at 4:30 p.m. EST (2130 GMT) and the government's report at 10:30 a.m. EST on Wednesday.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures settled down 4 cents, or 0.1 percent, at $54.01 a barrel and Brent crude fell 34 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $55.59 a barrel.

For the month, Brent was little changed, and WTI set for a gain just above 2 percent.

U.S. gasoline futures settled down 1.35 percent to $1.5120 a gallon, also weighing down the petroleum complex.

Gasoline was under pressure on the final trading day for the March contract, the final month in which gasoline that complies with environmental standards for winter-grade fuel is offered. Abundant supplies of the fuel, which has different additives from those required in the summer, have weighed on prices.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has so far surprised the market by showing record compliance with oil-output curbs, and could improve in coming months as the biggest laggards - the United Arab Emirates and Iraq - pledge to catch up quickly with their targets.

While the Nov. 30 agreement to reduce production prompted oil prices to rise $10 a barrel, they have been trading in a narrow $3 range in recent weeks.

"Without full compliance by the OPEC cartel and non-OPEC producers, and signs that demand is picking up, we are positioned for a correction," said Gene McGillian, manager of market research at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut.

"There's a risk that some of the new longs will start to head for the exits, and that's where we could see a correction."

Still, he said, prices are likely to stay locked in their current band unless there are signs that the production cut agreement has failed, or that compliance is dropping.

OPEC agreed to curb output by about 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) from Jan. 1, the first cut in eight years. Underlying the high compliance to the deal, Iraq trimmed exports of Kirkuk crude oil to help meet its output target.

In addition, 11 non-OPEC oil producers have promised to cut their output - Russia reduced production by 124,000 barrels per day this month compared with October levels, Interfax reported on Tuesday citing a source familiar with the data.

Broadly, analysts and economists expect an average 2017 Brent price of 57.52 a barrel, according to a Reuters poll.

Oil industry and OPEC country sources told Reuters Saudi Arabia wanted crude prices to rise to $60 a barrel this year, a level it saw as encouraging investments but not spurring a fresh surge in U.S. shale production.

But a report from consultancy Rystad Energy issued earlier this month said the break-even price for U.S. shale oil producers fell last year to an average $35 per barrel.

The market shrugged off a report Tuesday afternoon that showed U.S. crude production had contracted in December. The market has been looking to the weekly rig count report for a more timely picture of U.S. crude production.

(By Jessica Resnick; Additional reporting by Naveen Thukral in Singapore and Sabina Zawadzki in London; Editing by Marguerita Choy and David Evans)
The Trump administrations vow to be tougher on crime and illegal immigration plus his top law enforcement officers endorsement of privately run prisons have sent shares of private prison management companies soaring.

The two leading firms, CoreCivic (NYSE:CXW) (formerly Corrections Corporation of America) and GEO Group (NYSE:GEO), essentially have doubled their stock prices since Election Day and are near their 52-week highs. Over the last year CoreCivic shares have jumped 19 percent, while those of GEO are up 68 percent.

Since Trumps election, the market capitalization of GEO has roughly doubled to about $3.7 billion; the market capitalization of CoreCivic is now more than $4 billion.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently rolled back an Obama-era directive issued last August that called for phasing out the federal governments use of private prison management firms at the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Sessions is also a proponent of aggressive enforcement of drug and immigration laws and of taking a no-holds-barred approach to violent crime perpetrators, something that could increase the demand for more prison capacity.

The former Alabama lawmaker said last years move to end BOP contracts  which currently includes 12 private contracts for correctional centers that house about 21,000 inmates  impaired the Bureaus ability to meet the future needs of the federal correctional system. The BOP has an average of 189,000 people in custody.

Private prison firms handle facilities and detainees for the BOP, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Department of Homeland Security  chiefly Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

ICE relies on private contractors to hold about 60 percent of its detainees, according to Canaccord Genuity strategist Michael Kodesch. As of November of last year (the latest available figure) ICEs average daily detention population was 40,875. CoreCivic and GEO alone have 13,000 beds for immigrant detainees.

Trump plans to add 10,000 immigration officers and 5,000 border control agents, which could increase ICEs average daily detention population.

Housing detained immigrants may well account for the private prison industrys strongest prospects under the Trump administration, Canaccord Genuity strategist Michael Kodesch told Fox News.

When you have the administration ramping up border security and detention, youll have higher criminal alien populations, and youll need those beds. Its a positive headline for prisons, Kodesch said.

He added, however, that Trumps policy wont likely mean an immediate boost to capital improvement budgets for private prisons. Thats because the companies dont often do development based on speculative need, but rather on the procurement of a new contract and immediate demand.

Such speculation may be warranted.

The Obama administrations plan was to phase out private contractors over time, as opposed to cancelling these contracts right away, said Michele Deitch, a senior lecturer at the University of Texas School of Public Affairs and an expert on private prisons. The fact that the attorney general is saying we are planning to expand the federal prison system is very indicative of plans to step up law enforcement and expansion of sentences.

The overall prison population has declined since Obamas Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which eliminated the five-year mandatory sentence for simple drug possession, among other things. But Trumps immigration orders calling for aggressive tracking down, detention and deportation of illegal immigrants, plus those who have legal status but have committed crimes, are expected to reverse that decline and result in a need for more detention beds.

Both prison companies avoided directly commenting on Trump and Obama but expressed optimism about their future collaboration with the federal government.

Our company welcomes the memorandum by the Attorney General reinstating the continued use of privately operated facilities, which has been long-standing practice and policy at the federal level," Pablo Paez, GEO's vice president of corporate relations said in a statement. "We believe that the decision made last August was based on a misrepresentation of the report issued by the Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General."

Private prisons have their critics, to be sure. The Office of the Inspector General issued a critical report last year of privately run federal facilities. When she was expected to win the election last year, Hillary Clinton expressed a commitment to ending private prisons and immigrant detention, sending shares of companies that depend on federal clients plummeting.

Others say private contractors are better positioned to run jails and detention center.

Private facilities are dedicated ICE detention centers that have things as simple as air conditioningthey also has health screenings and processing abilities for these populations, Kodesh said.

Click here for more reporting from Victoria Craig and Liz Llorente.
Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross was confirmed by the Senate Monday to serve as the next Secretary of Commerce.

Here are three things to know about Ross.

Trade Overhaul on Agenda

Ahead of his confirmation, Ross identified renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement as a top priority for the Trump administration. The president has criticized NAFTA as an unfair trade deal for American workers, arguing that it encourages domestic companies like automakers to make goods in Mexico and ship them back to the U.S.

I think the pro-growth thing is stimulating exports, much more than just curtailing imports, Ross told the Senate Commerce Committee during his confirmation hearing.

He also told lawmakers that he will crack down on illegal steel dumping, which has hurt American steel producers by driving down prices.

Tech's Impact on Jobs

Cybersecurity will be another priority for the Commerce Department under Ross. He said the U.S. should develop harsher penalties for countries that perpetrate cyber-attacks in the U.S, warning of potential attacks on the power grid, banking system or transportation system.

New technologies will impact jobs at home, Ross added. He used self-driving cars as an example, noting how autonomous trucks could put three million Americans out of work.

I think what we have to do is figure out how to make sure we get the benefits of improved technology and yet cope with the dislocation that it will inevitably produce in certain industries, Ross said.

'King of Bankruptcy'

Ross, 79, became known as the King of Bankruptcy for rescuing distressed companies, especially manufacturers, steel makers and coal miners.

The New Jersey native crossed paths with Trump during their business careers. Ross represented bondholders in Trumps troubled Taj Mahal casino in 1990, and he ultimately struck a deal that helped the casino avoid bankruptcy and allowed Trump to retain control. The largest bondholder was another well-known investor, Carl Icahn, who is serving as a special adviser to the president on overhauling federal regulations.

Ross, whose net worth is $2.5 billion according to Forbes, has said he would divest various holdings and leave WL Ross & Co., the private-equity firm he founded, if confirmed by the Senate. The buyout shop is a division of Invesco (NYSE:IVZ).
More voters have faith in the U.S. military than in other national institutions, according to the latest Fox News Poll released Monday.

The news media rank at the bottom of the list asked about in the poll.

Virtually all voters believe in the military: 96 percent have either a great deal (67 percent) or some (29 percent) confidence.

The military is followed by the Supreme Court, the FBI, and the IRS. Majorities have at least some confidence in these institutions (83 percent, 80 percent, and 55 percent respectively).

Confidence in the high court is up 14 percentage points since 2014, the last time the question was asked on a Fox News Poll.

Narrow majorities have confidence in the presidency (53 percent) and Congress (53 percent). Yet four times as many have a great deal of faith in the presidency (33 percent) as in Congress (8 percent).

Faith in Congress is up 14 points since 2014. The highest level of confidence in Congress was 76 percent in 2002.

While overall faith in the institution of the presidency is up just one point in the last three years, the number having a great deal of confidence is up 10 points to 33 percent.

Confidence in the presidency hit a record high 86 percent in April 2002 -- seven months after 9/11 and just weeks after President George W. Bush launched Operation Iraqi Freedom. At that time, 59 percent had a great deal and 27 percent had some confidence in the office.

Forty-six percent lack confidence in the presidency -- almost identical to the 47 percent who felt that way in 2014. At the same time, thats nearly four times as many as the 12 percent who lacked confidence in the office 15 years ago (2002).

Congress ranks just above major business organizations, which have the confidence of 51 percent of voters.

Some 44 percent have faith in the media. While thats mostly unchanged since 2014, its a significant 19-point drop since 2002. A majority, 55 percent, lacks confidence today.

Equal numbers of voters have no confidence at all in the media (36 percent) or the presidency (36 percent). Both are record highs.

Since 2014, confidence among Democrats has increased 19 points in the media and dropped 69 points in the presidency. By comparison, confidence among Republicans is down 14 points in the media and up 68 points in the presidency.

More independents feel confident in the presidency today (59 percent) than did so in 2014 (39 percent).

The Fox News poll is based on landline and cellphone interviews with 1,013 randomly chosen registered voters nationwide and was conducted under the joint direction of Anderson Robbins Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R) from February 11-13, 2017. The poll has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points for all registered voters.
Starobelsky district court in Luhansk region has satisfied the request of prosecutors to prolong pretrial confinement of former Party of Regions head Oleksandr Yefremov.

The court on Tuesday extended pretrial confinement for Yefremov until April 28, from the previous date March 17.

Yefremov's lawyers called for a recess in proceedings until March 13 in order for them to study case materials provided by prosecutors.

The court informed participants in the case of the schedule of hearings set for March. They will be held on March 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22 and March 23.

Yefremov was arrested on July 30, 2016 on suspicion of conspiring against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine in a Kyiv airport. He is also charged with supporting the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic and illegally seizing property from the Luhanskvuhillia coal mining enterprise.
While President Trump is expected to tout his administrations accomplishments one month into his term during a speech before a joint session of Congress Tuesday night, former Reagan Budget Director David Stockman said he doesnt see much progress being made.

Ive thrown in the towel because hes not paying attention and hes not learning anything and hes making ridiculous statements, Stockman told the FOX Business Networks Neil Cavuto.

During the address, Trump is expected to talk about the new budget blueprint, which Stockman said doesnt add up.

We dont need a $54 billion increase in defense when the budget already is ten times bigger than that of Russia. We dont need $6 trillion of defense spending over the next decade because China is going nowhere except trying to keep their Ponzi scheme together.

President Trump will also talk about the GOP replacement for Obamacare. Stockman said he wasnt sold on Speaker Ryans plan.

If you look at the Ryan draft that came out over the weekend, its basically Obamacare-like. Its not really repealing anything, he said. Its basically reneging and turning the Medicaid expansion into a block grant, turning the exchanges into tax credits [and] its still going to cost trillions of dollars.

Last week, Trumps Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, told FOX Business the administration is focused on an aggressive timeline to produce a tax reform plan by August, but in Stockmans opinion, tax reform wont happen this year. He also warned that the administrations run up against the debt ceiling this summer could lead to a debt crisis.

I dont think we will see the tax cuts this year at all, he said. There is going to be a debt ceiling crisis like never before this summer and thats what people dont realize. Theyve burned up all the cash that Obama left on the balance sheet for whatever reason.
A Republican effort to repeal and replace Obamacare encountered resistance on Tuesday from party conservatives who said draft legislation emerging in the U.S. House of Representatives would not reduce the cost of healthcare.

Growing divisions among House Republicans over how to approach the healthcare law could signal new problems for a top party priority just as President Donald Trump prepares to address lawmakers and the public about his 2017 agenda.

House Speaker Paul Ryan had promised legislation on Obamacare after lawmakers returned to Washington this week from a 10-day recess.

On Tuesday, he told reporters that the White House, Senate and House were working on a single plan to repeal and replace the healthcare law known formally as the Affordable Care Act. He insisted there were no rival plans.

"At the end of the day, when we get everything done and right, we're going to be unified on this," Ryan said.

But two prominent members of the House Freedom Caucus, a conservative bloc of about 40 Republican lawmakers, criticized draft legislation circulating among House members, which was first reported last week by Politico.

The draft plan would be paid for by limiting tax breaks on some employer-sponsored healthcare plans and would provide tax breaks based on age rather than income to help consumers buy insurance.

"Its a new entitlement program," said Representative Mark Meadows of North Carolina, the Freedom Caucus chairman.

"It raises taxes on the middle class to give subsidies to others who could indeed be millionaires," he added. "It also comes down to a plan that doesn't reduce the cost of healthcare."

Meadows said it would become clear within the next 48 hours whether the proposal has enough support to pass the House as lawmakers review the document.

He said he supported a bill introduced by Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky and Representative Mark Sanford of South Carolina.

That bill, the Obamacare Replacement Act, would expand the use of health savings accounts to pay for healthcare costs and provide a $5,000 tax credit to those to make contributions.

Another Freedom Caucus member, Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, said he favored adopting an earlier Obamacare repeal and the replacement bill put forward by Paul and Sanford.
President Trump praised Americas historically black colleges in his Saturday address, saying, I also want to honor and promote the achievements of historically black colleges and universities throughout our nation. They do a fantastic job. And, on Monday, Trump met with leaders of Americas historically black colleges and universities. But Trumps outreach efforts were overshadowed by criticisms of a photo of the meeting at the White House in which Kellyanne Conway, a White House senior advisor, is kneeling on a couch in the Oval Office. Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke discussed the controversy over the photo.

Well, look, the leftist medias in panic mode right now. Donald Trump, President Donald Trump, is doing an outstanding job of outreach. He has this magnetism about him and people are drawn to him, so hes reaching out to some traditional demographics that Republicans dont really pay a lot of time with, spend a lot of time with, Clarke told the FOX Business Networks Stuart Varney.

According to Clarke, the reaction to Conway is fake news, a distraction from Trumps outreach efforts.

The liberal mainstream media wants this to be the news, but most people now are beginning to realize this is kind of an example of fake news. Shes sitting, kneeling on a couch, its fake news, who cares about that. Whats important here was Donald Trumps, President Trumps, outreach to historically black colleges and also other aspects of the black community.

Despite the medias focus on other issues, such as Kellyanne Conway in the photo, Varney asked if Trumps message was getting through to the black community.

We saw it during the election, he got more black votes than any Republican candidate over the last, I dont know, two or three elections.

But when Varney interjected, Only 8%, Clarke responded, Its a start, you have to build on it, this isnt going to flip overnight, okay, its a process.
A macabre piece of music history is for sale.

The car Tupac Shakur was fatally shot in is currently listed on the website of celebrity memorabilia dealer Moments in Time for $1.5 million.

On September 7, 1996, Shakur was being driven around Las Vegas in the black BMW 760iL by Death Row Records founder Suge Knight when a Cadillac pulled up alongside it and its occupants opened fire.

Fourteen shots hit the car, with one entering Shakurs chest and puncturing his lung, an injury that led to his death six days later.

The car was originally sold at a Las Vegas Police auction after the investigation into the incident was closed, and has privately changed hands several times over the years, according to TMZ.

TUPAC'S HUMMER SELLS FOR $337K AT AUCTION

Its been fully restored, save for a couple of bullet dents that can still be seen on an interior door panel, and now has over 92,000 miles on the odometer.

The vehicles most recent owner is unknown, but the timing of the sale is likely linked to an upcoming biographical film about the rapper/actor called All Eyez on Me thats set to open on June 16, which would have been his 46th birthday.
Jon Stewart is urging the media to get over President Donald Trump and kick him to the curb.

The 54-year-old former TV host made a guest appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Monday where he shared his two cents on Trumps battle with the press.

So I heard Donald Trump broke up with you, joked Stewart, addressing the media. Finally thought you met your match: a blabbermouth whos as thin-skinned and narcissistic as you are. Well now its over. Good riddance I say! Kick him to the curb."

JON STEWART DRESSES AS DONALD TRUMP, MOCKS EXECUTIVE ORDERS

He added, It is time for you to get your groove back, media. Cause lets face facts, you kind of let yourself go a little bit for these past few years. Put on a few pundits. Obsessing 24 hours a day, seven days a week about this one guy. Whats Donny up to? Did he say anything about us? You think hes gonna come on our show? Do you think he even likes us? He doesnt even have to come on, he could just call us, oh Donny please. Just let us know youre OK!

And the whole time youre chasing after Donny, the rest of us are thinking, Cant you see hes an a--hole?

The media wasnt the only target for Stewart. He also commented on Trumps relationship with the press.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Trump lies more in one press conference than CNN does in a year, stated Stewart. And this is coming from a guy who, as you know, hates CNN.

Stewart stepped down from The Daily Show in 2015 after his 16-year run.
Not so quietly Netflix has scooped up some of comedys heaviest hitters, making the streaming service a top dog in the stand-up special sphere.



Louis C.K, Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, Amy Schumer and Chris Rock, have all signed Netflix deals. Many of the A-listers previously took their stand-up specials to HBO or Comedy Central, which have previously dominated the genre.

But with 93 million members paying an average of $10 a month worldwide, Netflix has clearly decided to put resources behind stand-up. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Chris Rock deal cost Netflix $40 million  $20 million per special.

Chris Rock is a beloved actor and director, and his remarkable stand-up makes him comic royalty. There is no one like him, and Netflix offers the global platform and creative freedom that will serve as a perfect home for someone with his incredible talent, Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in a statement released in October 2016.

It's possible Netflix is getting so many big stars because HBO has backed away from stand-up. Schumer, Rock and Chappelle have long histories with HBO.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

About eight or nine years ago We decided to reduce the number of specials we air to focus on comedians that offer a unique perspective as well as continuing to find new, emerging voices, Jeff Cusson, executive vice president of HBO Corporate Affairs, told Fox News.

Whatever the reason, Netflix has stepped in and signed some serious deals.

-- This year, Louis C.K. will premiere two new stand-up comedy specials exclusively on Netflix. The first of the specials, titled 2017, was shot in Washington D.C., and is set to debut on April 4.

-- In January, Seinfeld signed an elaborate production deal, which includes two exclusive stand-up specials and both new and old episodes of his web series, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.

-- Also in January, Netflix announced Amy Schumer would film a stand-up special for the service.

These stars will join comedians such as Aziz Ansari, Hannibal Buress, Ali Wong, Patton Oswalt and dozens of others who have all filmed stand-up specials for Netflix.

"Increasingly, Netflix is becoming the preeminent destination for stand-up comedy, partnering with top-tier talent across a wide variety of styles and humor, enabling them to bring their fresh, distinctive and hilarious voices to our members in 190 countries around the world," said Lisa Nishimura, vice president of original documentary and comedy at Netflix told The Hollywood Reporter.

NETFLIX TRIES OUT NEW KIND OF TV SHOW WITH 'ABSTRACT: THE ART OF DESIGN'

Fox News reached out to both Netflix and Comedy Central and neither responded by the time of posting.
The chicken in your Subway chicken sandwich might not contain very much chicken meat at all.

A recent study conducted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has found that the sandwich chain's chicken meat contains about only about 50 percent chicken DNA  or about half as much as fresh chicken from a supermarket.

The findings were part of a larger survey examining chicken items from several different fast food chains that operate in Canada, including Wendys, McDonalds, Tim Hortons and A&W-- but it was Subways results that were most surprising to researchers, Fox 5 San Diego reports.

5 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT SUBWAY

In the tests, most of the meat from Subways competitors was shown to contain 85 to 90 percent chicken DNA, but Subways oven roasted chicken registered at just 53.6 percent. Its chicken strips scored even lower, containing just 42.8 percent chicken DNA.

Trent Universitys Wildlife Forensic DNA Laboratory, which conducted the tests for the CBC, says that chicken purchased from a butcher or supermarket should register at 100 percent chicken DNA, although the process of marinating or seasoning the meat can result in a lower percentage.

In Subways case, however, Trent Universitys team concluded that the restaurant bolsters its chicken products with soy fillers.

Subways results were such an outlier that the team decided to test them again, biopsying five new oven roasted chicken pieces, and five new orders of chicken strips, CBC News explained.

Following the study, the CBC contacted all five restaurants from which samples were obtained. And while Subway claimed to use only 100 percent white meat chicken in their chicken products, they did admit to using soy as a stabilizer.

Subway Canada cannot confirm the veracity of the results of the lab testing you had conducted, the sandwich chain said in a statement.

However, we are concerned by the alleged findings you cite with respect to the proportion of soy content. Our chicken strips and oven roasted chicken contain 1 percent or less of soy protein. We use this ingredient in these products as a means to help stabilize the texture and moisture.

We will look into this again with our supplier to ensure that the chicken is meeting the high standard we set for all of our menu items and ingredients, they added.

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Subways chicken also caused a stir in late 2015 following a study by the environmental group Friends of the Earth, which awarded the franchise an F for using antibiotics in their meat. In response, Subway announced that they would be removing poultry raised with antibiotics from its 27,000-plus of its U.S. locations by the end of 2016.

A representative for Subway was not immediately available for comment.
A Florida woman who is accused of practicing medicine without an active, valid health care license told a Jacksonville news station that the alleged crime was a misunderstanding and denied she ever provided medical care to her company's clients.

However, investigators revealed Amy Suzanne Pohlman, who was arrested Monday and released after posting $50,000 bond, signed a do-not-resuscitate-order (DNR) and performed a physical exam on an applicant while employed by Ponte Vedra Home Care, News 4 Jax reported.

Deputies told the news outlet that 48-year-old Pohlman claimed to be a registered nurse, to have a Ph.D., and to be an advanced registered nurse practitioner when she was hired by the company as a nurse administrator in October 2015. Pohlman reportedly provided documents alleging she had a nursing license, and her job duties included writing patient care plans, visiting clients and assisting with marketing, News 4 Jax reported. Her accusers allege Pohlman began offering medical care to patients as her client base grew.

The auspices under which I worked, as well as my agreement with my partners, was completely legal  nothing hidden or not discussed from the beginning, Pohlman told News 4 Jax.

Pohlman is charged with performing a physical exam on an applicant of the home care company, and detectives investigating her case said she did not obtain a doctorate degree, did not have any degree in nursing or any record of a medical license, News 4 Jax reported. Detectives also said an award displayed in her office from Mayo Clinic trustees was falsified.

The inception of this entire disagreement is about the partnership, and it is over money, Polman told News 4 Jax. It was a come after the partner first. So its unfortunate that it was something that became personal. It shouldnt have.

Polhman told News 4 Jax she is cooperating with investigators. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact authorities at 904-209-2161.
A friend of the Minnesota lawyer who was arrested last week after the SUV he was driving hit and killed a jogger told a local news outlet that he has since been diagnosed with brain tumors. St. Paul police arrived at the scene last Wednesday and found 60-year-old Peter Holmes Berge, who appeared to be under the influence of one or more substances and unsafe to drive a motor vehicle, but a breath test detected no alcohol in his system, Pioneer Press reported.

Berge reportedly informed investigators that he had no physical defects, did not consume any illicit substances or alcohol, and had not taken any medications prior to the crash. Officers described Berge as unable to complete a field sobriety test and reported that he almost fell during another.

I thought he was so shook up that the police officers may have interpreted his behavior wrongly, Mike Salovich told Pioneer Press. But apparently they didnt think about a possible medical issue associated with it.

Salovich told the news outlet that Berge was devastated to learn that the crash killed 35-year-old Scott Spoo, who, according to police, was struck in a crosswalk at around 4:40 p.m. Berge was released Ramsey County jail on Friday and began feeling weakness on his left side. He was taken to Abbott Northwestern Hospital where Salovich said an MRI detected four lesions in Berges brain.

No one had any clue, including Peter himself, because his symptoms were very, very subtle, Salovich said. Its premature to say, but we think the source is some other cancer somewhere in his body, but theyre not sure yet.

The Hennepen County attorneys office is reviewing Berges case, which includes a blood sample taken after the crash, The Pioneer Press reported.
A Pennsylvania boy recently celebrated his third birthday with a group of local first responders who helped save his life in December. Luke McCabe wore Newtown Square firefighter gear and hung out with the paramedics who responded to his parents frantic 911 call, Fox 29 reported.

Luke fell into cardiac arrest and stopped breathing for more than five minutes just hours after being released from the hospital for an undisclosed illness, according to Fox 29. His mother, Karen, said that Luke flat-lined and was turning blue in his dads arms before paramedics responded to the call.

Its just amazing that we live somewhere where you can literally dial three numbers and there are people rushing to your home, Patrick, Lukes dad, told Fox 29. Rushing to help your family.

Responding firefighters and police officers performed CPR on Luke while waiting for the ambulance to arrive and eventually found a pulse, the news outlet reported. Matt Brinkmann, who was one of the first responders, said it was the first time in his 20-year career that he saw CPR work to revive a patient.

There are so many of us that do this every day and it doesnt work, Brinkmann told Fox 29. And you are part of something that actually works, it makes you feel special.
MP Friz to raise issue of "Ukrainian providers" of Kremlin policy at U.S. State Department

Head of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine's subcommittee on security for state information systems (of the Rada's national state security committee) Iryna Friz (Petro Poroshenko Party faction bloc) has said Russia started to actively use its agents in Ukrainian politics and will raise the issue at the U.S. State Department.

"The Kremlin has begun aggravating the situation and started to use its agents in Ukraine's political establishment more actively. Artemenko (Rada deputy) began the information attack involving Crimea, and MP [Nadia] Savchenko vis a vis Donbas. I am certain the two are connected," Friz wrote on her Facebook page on Monday.

Friz also expressed the belief that "Kremlin sleeper agents" will be activated more often, requiring a "quicker and more forceful response" [by authorities].

"We don't want to engage in witch hunts. But the Ukrainian deputies and politicians as a conduit for Kremlin propaganda is a reality. A measured response is required. I think Ukraine may need a modern variant of the American House of Un-American Activities Committee," the deputy said.

Friz said she would raise the "issue of Kremlin information agents" in Ukraine in her meetings at the U.S. State Department. She earlier appealed to Ukraine's SBU Security Service for a legal appraisal of the actions by Artemenko involving his proposal to lease the Crimean peninsula to Russia.

MP Savchenko on February 24 visited Donetsk and militant-controlled Makiyivka, where Ukrainian soldiers are being held prisoner by combined Russian-separatist forces.
Since the beginning of this year, Jewish American community centers and schools have received seventy three bomb threats. This past week, headstones in Jewish cemeteries were seriously vandalized in St. Louis and Philadelphia.

This is now happening In America--not in Europe, not in the Middle East.

Horrible as this may be, at least those who claim that anti-Semitism no longer exists are just a little bit quieter.

Israeli opposition leader Isaac Herzog is a bit hysterical; he is advising the Israeli government to prepare for "waves" of immigrant from the West.

Ah--not so fast. It is my strong impression that Jews have always been very reluctant to leave their cities, villages, jobs, friends, schools, cemeteries, mother tongues, until it is almost too late; that uprooting oneself if one is not young, healthy or quite rich is hard to do, especially if one has children and grandchildren who will not be coming along; if one believes that things are either "not that bad" or will "soon get better;" and, above all, if leaving one's familiar place in the universe means living at a more impoverished level, having to obtain one's degrees and licenses again--again!--and in a new language; and if it means starting over from scratch in a new country where one may have few friends or no relatives.

Long ago, the Hebrew slaves did not want to leave Egypt. And, once in the wild, wild wilderness, they even longed to return. Trusting that God will provide, no matter what, may not be how many modern, assimilated, and secularJews think.

A few years ago, I met with young French Jews. I asked them about the dangers they faced in Paris. The response: "This is our country. No one can make us leave."

But if their family had money, their parent and grandparents were already quietly buying homes outside of Tel Aviv on the ocean. Many have indeed moved there.

Today, some Jewish-American organizations believe that aligning themselves with Muslims and African-American groups will make us safe, that other minorities will fight for us, that such alliances will save us because we, too, will be seen as "victims."

While I myself work with Muslim and ex-Muslim dissidents and reformers, (on defending the West), we all know that their heroic work represents only a minority of their current or former co-religionists.

The problem with such alliances is that so many progressive movements, including the civil rights and feminist movements, have drifted very far left. This has meant that the politically correct view held by all is an anti-Israel and anti-Judaism POV. This racism, which is never acknowledged as racism, has increasingly driven out pro-Israel Jews, Orthodox Jews, and young Jewish students, who do not understand why they are being attacked.

Making common cause with progressives or with reactionaries who are overtly or secretly anti-Semitic is a losing proposition.

Some "interfaith" activists argue that it is especially important for Jews to defend Muslims--including potential refugees--because once, we were "strangers in a strange land."

It is important to choose our allies carefully.

Islamist Linda Sarsour and her Islamist, terrorist, and anti-Zionist allies (such as Angela Davis and Rasmeah Odeh) are making political hay out of the vandalized Jewish cemeteries by offering to raise funds to restore the damaged headstones.

I suggest that the Jewish communities politely and firmly refuse their funding--although I might suggest that Sarsour and Company consider restoring the synagogues and cemeteries that Muslims have been destroying for 1400 years. With tongue in cheek, I might also suggest: Why not start with restoring the Temple in Jerusalem? Any vandalized graves on the Mount of Olives? How about the Jewish gravestones Jordan destroyed?

Most Jews have enjoyed safety and opportunity in America from the moment the Republic was formed. Anti-Semitism existedprivate clubs, certain neighborhoods, elite collegeswere either closed to Jews or had quotas. That all changed for the better in the last half-century. Many Jews, especially the public intellectuals, specialized in minimizing anti-Semitism.

However, since 9/11, when Usama bin Laden declared war on Americans, Zionists, and Westerners, the FBI has logged Jew-hatred, not Islamophobia, as the most frequently occurring hate crime. Synagogues were bomb-threatened, internet-based Jew-hatred became far more rampant. Anti-Zionism became a way of expressing Jew hatred while claiming that one loved Jews but just happened to disagree with the policies of only the Jewish state--not with those of Iran or Sudan.

Most American Jews do not feel endangered now, but they are currently sickened, frightened, perhaps reeling a bit. Our strongest allies are Christian Evangelicals, Orthodox Jews, and hopefully, the Trump Administration.

Jews are the canaries in the mine. If Jews are driven out of America, many other Americans will soon follow, and a darkness will cover our bright and shining civilization.

I do not envision a mass exodus from America anytime soon. But if we do not make America work as it was intended to workthen woe to Western civilization.
The Trump administration is apparently considering expansion of U.S. engagement in Yemen, with the idea of helping Saudi Arabia win a two-year proxy battle against Iran. Supporting the Saudis would allow them to help the U.S. more in Syria while stripping Iran of a burgeoning Hezbollah-style proxy in Yemen, a strategic sliver of land along the Red Sea.



Or so the thinking goes. Unfortunately, its a bad idea based on Saudi hyperbole about the faction it is fighting in Yemen.

Giving more bullets and bombs to the Saudis will make things worse, rather than better, in Yemen, which is now facing a mammoth humanitarian crisis a la Syria.

Moreover, it is likely to drive Yemeni rebel factions even further under Iranian control, and enable the Saudis to continue to ignore a growing threat in Yemen from ISIS and al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

There are plenty of good reasons why the U.S. needs to reduce Irans toehold in Yemen. Iran is on the rise in the region, chipping away at the strength of Americas Sunni partners. Iranian-backed insurgents have already attacked U.S. naval vessels in the Red Sea from Yemens coast, and disrupted the vital Red Sea shipping route.

But Saudi policies have not improved matters. The Saudis have been trapped in Yemens civil war since they began direct military operations there in March 2015. They back the internationally-recognized government of President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi against an odd coalition of supporters of former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh and the Iranian-backed insurgent movement known as al Houthis.

The al Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah (Supporters of God), have been disturbingly successful. They seized power in September 2014, triggering the current war while posing as defenders of the 2011 revolution that overthrew Salehthus making the current al Houthi-Saleh alliance fraught indeed.

The Saudis suddenly launched military operations against the al Houthis to prevent them from taking Aden, Yemens southern port city. The Saudis aim to reinstate Hadis government, which fled Yemen before the al Houthi onslaught.

The al Houthis, however, are not strong enough to become a Yemeni Hezbollah. They rely on Saleh to control areas outside their norther stronghold. The al Houthis do not control Saleh, who has a vast patronage network of loyalists in key positions of power.

Splitting the al Houthis from Saleh is possible, and would dramatically reduce their strength.

Iranian influence in Yemen has unquestionably grown as a result of the al Houthi coup, and Tehran is probably behind the al Houthis aggressive behavior in the Red Sea. Yet Iranian influence remains less than the Saudis claim.

Meantime, the influence of Sunni-inspired terrorism is growing. AQAP has expanded its support among Yemenis by helping local militias fighting al Houthi-Saleh forces. It is even regaining control of territory in areas recently cleared by the Saudi coalition. ISIS established itself in Yemen in 2015 and retains its foothold.

As long as the Saudis cast the struggle in terms of a fight against Iranian proxies, al Qaeda and ISIS will have a strong base for recruitment, since they have presented themselves as protectors of the Sunni against Iran and other Shia factions in the Middle East.

Saudi war-fighting methods are also part of the problem. A Saudi air campaign has devastated cities and infrastructure, but will not be able to bomb Yemenis into submission. The Saudi coalition now wants to start an offensive to regain control of the countrys Red Sea coastline, which would isolate the al Houthi-Saleh faction from external support.

It would also effectively besiege nearly 80 percent of Yemens population of 24 million, which already faces mass starvation and humanitarian catastrophe.

Rather than give the Saudis a few high-profile military shipments, the U.S. should instead reshape the coalitions strategy to engage the al Houthis directly.

American recognition of al Houthi grievances and support for an al Houthi role in a future Yemeni government would go a long way toward splitting the insurgents from Iran.

The U.S. should also refocus the Saudi coalitions military operations to deprive AQAP of additional resources and limit the humanitarian toll that feeds AQAPs narratives of grievance.

The smart U.S. choice is to shrink our problems in Yemen, not make them worse.
Governors from across the country personally appealed to Capitol Hill lawmakers on Monday for flexibility as Washington Republicans weigh how to overhaul the Affordable Care Act -- capping a critical weekend of meetings on the issue among lawmakers, White House officials and insurance CEOs.

What works in Virginia, Colorado or Hawaii may not work in Utah, the states Republican governor, Gary Herbert, said after meeting with congressional lawmakers. We need to find a formula that works for everybody and gives flexibility to respective states based on demographics, politics, whatever. Weve got to get away from a one size fits all.

Herbert spoke on Capitol Hill at the conclusion of the National Governors Associations annual winter meeting in Washington, D.C., at which ObamaCare was a top concern.

This is the hearing room where we discussed to what extent we can give back to states more flexibility on Medicaid and more opportunity to rescue the individual [ObamaCare] insurance markets that are collapsing, said Tennessee GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander.

Alexander and Herberts comments came as leaders of the GOP-controlled Congress face mounting pressure over ObamaCare. President Trump and essentially every Washington Republican campaigned on a vow to repeal and replace the 2010 health care law, amid rising premium costs and shrinking options.

But after nearly a month of work in Washington, they have yet to agree on how and when to fulfill the promise.

Tensions over the uncertainty flared during a congressional recess last week in which Republicans -- including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell -- were confronted at town hall meetings about plans to dismantle the law without a clear alternative.

Trump is likely to discuss his goals for an ObamaCare repeal in his address Tuesday night to a joint session of Congress. Ahead of that speech, Trump met numerous times over the weekend with governors, including one-on-one sessions with Floridas Rick Scott and Wisconsins Scott Walker, both Republicans, on how to repeal and replace the law.

Weve got to fix this for every American, Walker told Fox News on Monday, after meeting with Trump. And we now have a partner whos willing to do that and give the states the flexibility.

Virginia Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe said the 46 governors who attended the winter meeting want every citizen to have quality health care.

And he praised the White House for including governors in the discussions, pointing out that Trump, Vice President Pence and new Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price all met with them.

However, he argued that the governors still have not been provided with any information of the information that we want.

Among the key issues is how taxpayers will pay for the costs of a replacement plan -- with lawmakers grappling over whether to continue to offers tax subsidies to help cover premiums costs and if some or all states should still be allowed to expand Medicaid to help low-income Americans get coverage.

Herbert said the median age in Utah is about 30, which makes his state unique and should afford him some flexibility.

Trump on Monday hinted the administration indeed has an ObamaCare replacement plan. And he thanked the governors for their talent and expertise on the matter.

Nobody knew that health care could be so complicated, Trump said.

At the conclusion of a subsequent meeting Monday with insurance executives, Trump again hinted at a replacement. We have a plan that is going to be fantastic. It will be released fairly soon.

He also called the insurance companies and their executives the big ones and said he would work with them to create a competitive marketplace and provide Americans with affordable insurance.
The Trump administration plans to abandon the federal government's longstanding opposition to a key portion of Texas' toughest-in-the-nation voter ID law, a U.S. Justice Department spokesman said Monday.

It's a dramatic break from the agency under President Barack Obama, which spent years arguing that the 2011 voter ID law that Texas' Republican-controlled Legislature passed was intended to disenfranchise poor and minority voters.

Danielle Lang of the Washington-based Campaign Legal Center called the decision an "extraordinary disappointment."

"It's a complete 180," said Lang, the center's deputy director of voting rights. "We can't make heads or tails of any factual reason for the change. There has been no new evidence that's come to light."

The law requires voters to show one of seven forms of state-approved photo identification -- gun permits are acceptable but college IDs are not. Voting rights activists sued, and the case returns to court Tuesday in Corpus Christi, Texas, before U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos.

Justice Department spokesman Mark Abueg said the agency was preparing a brief detailing its rationale for the move. He said that although the Justice Department will no longer argue that the law was intended to discriminate against minorities, it doesn't plan to withdraw from a portion of the lawsuit that argues that the law had the effect of discriminating against them.

A federal appeals court last year ruled on effect, deciding that the Texas law discriminated against minorities and the poor and ordering changes ahead of the November election.

The U.S. Supreme Court last month declined a Texas appeal that sought to restore the law, but Chief Justice John Roberts left the door open for another appeal at a later time.

Along with Texas, the Obama-led Justice Department launched a high-profile legal challenge against North Carolina's voter ID law, arguing that its requirements were unnecessary and unconstitutional.

North Carolina's top Democrats recently asked the U.S. Supreme Court to dismiss an effort to restore the law, which had been struck down as unconstitutional.

Republican-led legislatures around the country have in recent years rushed to pass restrictions on voting in an effort to prevent fraud at the ballot box, despite any evidence that it's a widespread problem.

Under Obama, the Justice Department sought to contest such measures, but the Trump administration's change in strategy could empower other conservative-controlled states to follow Texas' lead and tighten their voter ID rules.

Trump has consistently touted unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud and has praised laws requiring ballot box photo identification.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions repeatedly sounded alarms over voting fraud and intimidation as a U.S. senator and challenged Justice Department attorneys over whether they were pursuing it aggressively enough. As a U.S. attorney in Alabama in the 1980s, he prosecuted three civil rights activists on charges of tampering with ballots.

The three defendants were acquitted in a matter of hours. And during his confirmation hearing last month, Sessions defended laws requiring voters to show picture identification at the polls: "I think voter ID laws, properly drafted, are OK."

Wendy Weiser, director of the democracy program at the Brennan Center for Justice, said it was disappointing that the Justice Department would change its legal position.

"The more vigorously the Department of Justice pursues illegal discrimination when it happens, the more deterrent an effect it has," she said.

"When they pull back from vigorous enforcement, it may have an unfortunate and pernicious effect of sending a green light to states that there's going to be less policing" of discriminatory laws.
President Trump is planning to outline an ambitious first-year agenda tackling everything from immigration to infrastructure when he delivers his first address to a Joint Session of Congress Tuesday night, the White House said.

The White House detailed Trumps highly anticipated address on Monday, outlining what will be the presidents biggest speech since his inauguration. Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Trump will push a bold agenda, while another White House official described it as an "optimistic" look toward the next four years.

For the new president, whose opening month has been marked by rapid-fire executive actions but also a string of controversies, the primetime televised address is a critical chance to reframe some of the more contentious aspects of his young presidency  and reinforce campaign pledges that have yet to kick into action, like repealing and replacing ObamaCare.

Spicer said the goals outlined in Tuesdays speech will also strike a balance on the challenges ahead, while reflecting a more optimistic, forward-looking tone that focuses on the American spirit.

Such a tone would strike a contrast with Trump's inauguration address, marked by gloomy warnings about the countrys economic decay and rampant crime which he vowed to fix. The official said the same team of speechwriters who worked on the inaugural speech were working with Trump on Tuesday's address.

Spicer also said the president would highlight public safety, including defense, increased border security, taking care of our veterans, and then economic opportunity, including education and job training, health care reform, jobs, taxes and regulatory reform.

Trump is also expected to reach out to Americans living in the poorest and most vulnerable communities, and let them know that help is on the way, Spicer said.

Trumps young administration has seen its share of growing pains.

The president has faced sustained resistance from Democrats, over everything from his Cabinet picks to his border security plans. But other issues have drawn bipartisan criticism from some corners: late-night tweets; the rocky rollout of the controversial suspension of refugee and other admissions (actions on hold by the courts and currently being rewritten); the forced resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn following reports of contacts between him and a Russian diplomat; White House leaks driven by infighting; and strained relationships with China, Mexico and Australia.

Trump has an opportunity Tuesday to refocus on his policy priorities.

This will be an opportunity for the people and their representatives to hear directly from our new president about his vision and our shared agenda, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said.

The White House official said much of the speech would be derived from so-called "listening sessions" Trump has held over the last several weeks with a number of interest groups, including law enforcement officials and union leaders.

On Monday, Trump laid much of the groundwork for Tuesdays speech, as he met with governors and health insurance CEOs in large part to discuss plans to replace ObamaCare.

The Obama legacy legislation has been a GOP target for many years. On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly promised to repeal and replace it during his first 100 days in office. He went so far as to claim in the last few weeks of the general election that he would consider calling a special session of Congress to repeal it  something that has not happened.

Governors visiting Washington, D.C., over the weekend and on Monday voiced concern about the future of Medicaid and its related costs, but Trump insisted that the current insurance market is going to absolutely implode and something must be done.

The president also announced a historic $54 billion increase in defense spending, alongside cuts to almost every other federal agency as part of his forthcoming budget plan. This budget will be a public safety and national security budget, Trump said.

He added that he wanted to better prepare the military not only to prevent wars but also win them when called to fight.

During a meeting with governors at the White House on Monday, Trump also teased a big statement on infrastructure. He told the governors he plans to boost spending to rebuild the nations roads and bridges.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., asked what he wanted to hear from Trump on Tuesday, told a Chamber of Commerce crowd in Kentucky last week: "A tweet-free, optimistic and uplifting message about where America needs to go."

Already, the Democratic leadership has issued a pre-buttal and called out Trump for being a lot of bluster and blame.

The first month of a Trump presidency is less of a bang and more of a whimper, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said. Not much impact.

Schumer predicted Trumps speech will mean nothing if this president continues to do as hes done these first few weeks - breaking promises to working people, and putting an even greater burden on their backs while making it even easier to be wealthy and well connected in America.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi also needled the White House, saying it had failed to deliver on its promise to create jobs.

He has created a lot of jobs, Spicer countered Monday at the daily press briefing. I think that he is continuing to work with Congress on both repealing and replacing ObamaCare, tax reform and fundamentally both of those two items alone I think can help spur a lot of growth.

While the traditions of Congress typically dictate an atmosphere of cordiality, there have been moments of outburst over the years that have hyped up the drama.

In 2009, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., blurted out You lie! during then-President Barack Obamas address. The remark was viewed widely by both parties as disrespectful.

Michael Waldman, chief speechwriter for former President Bill Clinton, told The Associated Press that Trump could easily "blow up a speech" with just a few deviations from the text on his teleprompter.

Waldman added that opposition from Democrats could also throw Trump off his game.

Following Trumps speech, former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear will deliver the Democratic response.

Fox News' Lesa Jansen contributed to this report.
The Senate voted Monday to confirm billionaire investor Wilbur Ross as secretary of commerce in President Trump's Cabinet.

Ross was approved by a vote of 72-27, with 20 Democrats and Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, joining 51 Republicans to vote "aye." Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., did not vote due to his ongoing recovery from back surgery.

The Senate later voted 67-31 to move forward on the nomination of Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., to lead the Interior Department. A final vote on Zinke's confirmation is expected Wednesday.

Ross is the 14th member of Trump's Cabinet to be cofirmed, with seven nominees still to be voted on.

Senators from both political parties were deferential to Ross at his nearly four-hour confirmation hearing, which was much more subdued than the confirmation hearings of other Trump nominees.

Former Commerce secretaries have praised him, including one who served under former President Barack Obama.

"I believe his extensive management experience in the private sector, and his understanding of the challenges faced by workers and businesses alike, will equip him well for the job of leading the Department of Commerce," said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Commerce Committee.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who voted "nay," had criticized Ross' business ties to Russia and the way he ran a mortgage lender during the housing crisis.

"Mr. Ross has extensive ties to Russia. He plans to keep making money from his major oil shipping companies while working as Commerce Secretary. He's made billions off the backs of struggling home owners," Warren said. "He is practically a cartoon stereotype of a Wall Street fat cat."

At his confirmation hearing, Ross was not asked about business ties to Russia or his work as a mortgage lender, and he did not address the issues.

Senators did note that Ross is divesting from much of his business empire.

Breaking with Republican orthodoxy, Ross said the Trump administration will work quickly to re-do the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a massive trade pact with Canada and Mexico that has boosted trade but still stings laid-off workers across the Midwest.

Ross said all free trade agreements should be systematically re-opened every few years to make sure they are working in the best interests of the U.S.

Ross said he is pro-free trade but noted his close relationship with the United Steelworkers union as proof that he will fight to protect American jobs. The union has endorsed him.

NAFTA was negotiated and signed by President Bill Clinton, with broad support among Republicans in Congress.

Worth an estimated $2.9 billion, Ross has extensive business ties around the globe. In 2000, he founded WL Ross & Co., a private equity firm. As part of his ethics agreement, Ross will divest from the firm, if confirmed.

The commerce secretary has several roles in promoting American business interests in the U.S. and abroad. The department handles trade issues, working to attract foreign investment to the U.S. The department also oversees agencies that manage fisheries, weather forecasting and the Census Bureau, which will conduct a count in 2020.

Ross said he has experience at that agency; he was a census-taker while he attended business school.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
There was a significant dip in illegal immigration across the southwest border during President Trumps first month in office compared to that of the last three months of Obamas presidency, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said.

In January, 31,575 individuals were taken into custody between ports of entry on the southwest border. That contrasts with an average of more than 45,000 for each of the previous three months, according to a CPB report released Monday.

The agency said that while it is experiencing a decrease in illegal attempts at entry, the overall total migration remains at elevated levels due to family units and unaccompanied children from three groups: Central Americans, Haitian nationals migrating from Brazil and Cuban nationals.

Jim Carafano, a security expert with the Heritage Foundation, said an assortment of factors could account for the change in numbers.

There are a lot of reasons why numbers go up and down, but some of it could be a reaction to statements from President Trump that were going to increase border security and seeing media reports that were going to get tougher on illegal immigration in the U.S. People may be more resistant to come, Carafano told Fox News.

You cant make too much of monthly numbers, but if you see the total lawful immigration population drop, that means youre doing something thats impacting the system overall.

A senior Trump administration official said Tuesday that the president is considering legislation to provide a pathway to legal status, but not yet citizenship, for those currently in the United States illegally -- despite reports throughout his campaign for a mass deportation.

The senior administration official said that the president thinks it is time to push for an immigration bill.

Even still, plans to build a wall are underway, with the administration making its first steps to developing and implementing one of Trumps hallmark campaign promises.

Trump told the Conservative Political Action Conference last Friday that construction will start very soon and is way, way, way ahead of schedule.

Nevertheless, a White House spokesperson said Tuesday the president is open to having conversations about fixing Americas immigration system, but the primary focus now is on border control.

The White House said Tuesday afternoon that immigration will be mentioned in Trumps address to the joint session of Congress Tuesday night.

Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum anchor from Washington. Tune into Fox News Channel at 8:50pm ET for special coverage of President Trumps first address to the Joint Session of Congress.
Democrats might not be planning a mass boycott of President Trump's first address to Congress, as they did for his inauguration -- but that doesn't mean they'll greet the president with open arms, either.

Some of Trump's biggest critics are planning to demonstrate their opposition to the 45th president in their own way when he enters the House chamber Tuesday night.

Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., for instance, is planning to ditch his years-long tradition of standing at the edge of the aisle to shake the president's hand.

He announced Tuesday he won't shake hands with Trump.

This isnt part of our normal political discourse, this goes beyond ideological and political differences, Engel said, referring to reports of the Trump administrations ties to Russia and efforts to repeal ObamaCare. I will listen to what he has to say today, but I will not greet him and shake his hand.

At least one Democrat, California Rep. Maxine Waters, reportedly does plan to skip the speech.

Democrats also are turning to former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear to deliver the partys official response. And another Democratic response will be delivered, in Spanish, by Astrid Silva, who was brought illegally to the U.S. as a child.

Other Democrats are making a statement of sorts with the guests they invite.

Rhode Island Rep. Jim Langevin is leading an effort to encourage members to bring guests from their districts who have been, or could be, negatively affected by Trump administration policies.

Some of those participating include Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., who is attending with a beneficiary of the Obama-era policy sparing illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as children from deportation. Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., will attend alongside a 35-year old Iranian graduate student impacted by Trumps executive order calling for a temporary ban on immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

Participating Democratic members are hoping that their diverse body of guests will remind President Trump that he is not the arbiter of patriotism, a statement from Langevins office said. This country belongs to people of all colors, genders, orientations, and faiths, and Democratic members of Congress will continue to stand against President Trumps divisive actions that marginalize communities across the country.

Members of the House Democratic Womens Working Group, meanwhile, plan to wear white to show their commitment to protecting womens rights, such as access to affordable health care, equal pay, and affordable childcare.

We wear white to unite against any attempts by the Trump Administration to roll back the incredible progress women have made in the last century, and we will continue to support the advancement of all women, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., group chairwoman, said in a statement. We will not go back.

Despite the preemptive pushback, White House officials are previewing a largely "optimistic" speech that will highlight Trump's key accomplishments to date and lay out the agenda ahead.

While House Democrats say they wont disruptively protest during the presidents speech, there might be one thing Trump could do to win them over.

If the president wants a standing ovation from the Democrats side of the aisle tonight, hell announce that hell release his taxes, Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y., quipped.

He said Democrats would otherwise be "polite and show very little, if any, enthusiasm of what we anticipate he has to say.
The FBI was on the verge of paying a former British spy who compiled a dossier full of sensational and salacious  but unverified  claims about President Donald Trump's dealings in Russia, a government official told Fox News Tuesday.

The official said that ex-MI6 agent Christopher Steele would have been compensated for continued work in the run-up to last November's presidential election.

The near-agreement was first reported by The Washington Post, which said a deal was struck in October. However, communication between the FBI and Steele was interrupted as details of the dossier became public in the run-up to the vote.

The U.S. official stressed to Fox News that the decision to pay Steele was not a judgement on the quality of the intelligence in the dossier. The official said that Steele's information would have been vetted by the bureau once it had been paid for.

Steele served in Moscow during the 1990s before opening his own business intelligence firm in 2009. He reportedly was hired by Trump's opponents to investigate his ties to Russia in mid-2016.

The report contains unproven information on close coordination between Trump's inner circle and the Russians about hacking into Democratic accounts  as well as unproven claims about unusual sexual activities by Trump attributed to anonymous sources. Fox News has not been able to verify any of the dossier's claims.

Fox News' Catherine Herridge and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click for more from The Washington Post.
Republicans on Monday blocked Democrats attempt to obtain President Trumps tax returns.

House Republicans won a procedural vote, 229-185, that called for his IRS returns. The Wall Street Journal reported that all Democrats were in favor of the release.

If theres nothing there, then what are Republicans afraid of? Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said. She reportedly said Republicans made themselves accomplices to Trump in hiding his financial affairs.

Trumps refusal to disclose his tax returns is a break with presidential tradition. He has said he would be happy to release them after the completion of an IRS audit.

Two weeks ago, House Republicans blocked an attempt by Democrats to use an obscure law to obtain the tax returns from the IRS. Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee tried to frame the issue as a matter of national security, questioning whether Trump has any investments in Russia.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, said last week that she is open to using a subpoena to investigate President Donald Trumps tax returns for potential connections to Russia.

Collins, a Republican who has served as a U.S. senator from Maine since 1997, sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Collins was asked if the committee would subpoena Trump, whos also a Republican. She said she hopes for voluntary cooperation but is open to using a subpoena if necessary.

This is a counter-intelligence operation in many ways. Thats what our committee specializes in, she said during the radio appearance. We are used to probing in depth in this area.

Trump has said he has no investments in Russia, and Democrats acknowledged they have no evidence otherwise. They said that is one reason they want to obtain access to Trump's returns.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov encourages the Anti-Terrorist Centre (ATC) to take appropriate actions to lift the blockade in Donbas, which the government could perform.

"I appeal to the people's deputies: colleagues, it serves no purpose in sitting out, 'let's take a law that every citizen of Ukraine has the right to block the railway track.' Would you like to have this law? There isn't such a law and won't be. Then let's abide by the laws that we have and let's give the powers of law enforcement agencies to restore the situation there. I'd like to ask the leaders of the ATC to weigh all the relevant decisions of the antiterrorist center, which oversees all military operations in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) zone, take an appropriate decision and we will ensure this solution," Avakov said during a meeting of Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman with the representatives of the steel industry in Kyiv on Tuesday.
Democratic senators gave high marks Tuesday to former colleague Dan Coats in his bid to become the next director of national intelligence. But they made clear their confirmation votes hinge on the Indiana Republicans commitment to help them in ongoing Russia probes.

We have known each other for many years, and I believe the president has made an excellent choice, said Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the panel holding the confirmation hearings.

One of the first challenges I would ask you to take head-on is to support our efforts to understand Russias interference in the 2016 presidential election  We take this matter seriously.

Coats, who was a U.S. ambassador to Germany and served roughly 24 years in the House and Senate before retiring in January, like other Trump nominees has built-in support for confirmation. Republicans have the majority on the committee and hold 52 seats in the full Senate.

But bipartisan calls to learn the extent to which Russia meddled in the White House race and if any members of President Trumps campaign team were in direct contact with Kremlin officials loom large over Coats confirmation.

Trump insists there were no high-level connections, and House Speaker Paul Ryan said Tuesday the intelligence community so far has found no evidence of collusion.

If confirmed, the 73-year old Coats would be the presidents top intelligence official and lead the countrys 17-agency intelligence community, which includes the CIA, FBI and National Security Agency.

The position of director of national intelligence was created several years after the 9/11 attacks as an attempt to improve the lack of information-sharing among the agencies.

Among other bipartisan concerns raised Tuesday was whether Coats would support efforts to renew the NSAs authority to collect information on Americans' phone calls to prevent more attacks, under what is known as Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act.

Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden suggested his support would depend on whether Coats would provide information about how many Americans have their call information collected under the nine-year-old law. He essentially demanded Coats, if confirmed, provide Congress with a monthly report.

Will you commit now to getting us a number every 30 days on the number of innocent Americans being swept up? Youre a friend. I need to know the answers, he said. You had me at hello for going after foreign threats, but Im not there on innocent Americans.

Coat, throughout the roughly one-hour, open hearing, repeatedly vowed to provide Congress with the information needed to conduct investigations and assured senators that his largely political background would not be a problem.

I will provide the most accurate, objective, apolitical intelligence as possible, he said. You will have access to the information you need to conduct oversight responsibilities.  I will follow the rule of law in every aspect, regardless of what my personal beliefs are.

Still, panel members raised questions about whether Coats would be able to stand up to the strong-willed president and sought assurance that he would be included in highest-level intelligence talks, following a memo that appeared to diminish the intelligence directors clout.

You are one of the most likable, affable people Ive ever met, said Maine Sen. Angus King, an independent. But I dont know if I want a likable person.  Can you assure me  youre going to be hard?"
There is a balance beam in the U.S. Capitol.

Its kind of like the one in Olympics gymnastics. The president of the United States calls on lawmakers each January or February for a Joint Session of Congress. And everyone must stride down that narrow, wooden beam, striking the right balance.

Tip too far to the left or the right and the president, lawmakers or anyone else involved in the entire affair plunges off.

But this year is different. Never in recent memory has everyone had to navigate that beam so gingerly. The odds are different tonight. President Trumps speech to Congress presents a whole new set of variables.

Everyone wants to see how this will go down.

Most congressional Republicans are on board with the president for now. Theyre expected to greet the president with full-throated exuberance.

Everyone will watch the dynamic of Vice President Pence and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., sitting behind Trump on the dais. Over a decade ago, then-Vice President Cheney and former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., looked like the Brothers Grimm, hunched behind President George W. Bush. In contrast, Pence and Ryan are happy warriors. Yet remember how Trump and Ryan openly sparred last autumn. Many observers will track Ryans reactions to the speech. Too much enthusiasm and detractors could interpret the speaker as a sell-out or in league with the president. Remember, the speaker represents a district in a battleground state that narrowly favors Republicans. Tepid reactions from Ryan will illuminate fissures between the speaker and the president.

TV networks will watch moderate Democrats who face challenging re-election campaigns next year. Expect lots of reaction shots of Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D. Thats to say nothing of moderate Republicans who have broken with the president on key issues due to their states and districts. Keep an eye on Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; Susan Collins, R-Maine; and Reps. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., and Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla.

Its customary for lawmakers of both parties to squat on aisle seats in the House chamber for hours in advance. During the Obama administration, multiple members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) camped out in the chamber early to score a prime aisle spot. As a result, those lawmakers made sure their constituents spotted them on national TV shaking hands with the president  or grabbing a selfie.

Certainly many of Trumps loyalists will plop down on the aisle to greet the president. But will Democrats  and especially CBC members  follow their traditional patterns with Trump at the helm? What about Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, and Eliot Engel, D-N.Y.? They often hung around for hours on the aisle.

Party allegiance drives some of this. But many Democratic lawmakers also clamored for aisle seats under President George W. Bush. They may not have appreciated Bushs policies or politics, but they respected the office and the individual.

President Trump?

Therein lies the challenge for Democrats. Some will certainly skip the speech just as they ditched the inauguration. Its good politics for Democrats in their left-leaning districts. But too much of that will make Democrats appear small and churlish. Democrats must strike the right balance between showing opposition and seizing the moment to emphasize their viewpoints.

Some Democrats will bring DREAMers and undocumented persons as their official guests. Others might invite those with compelling narratives which highlight how they benefitted from ObamaCare.

These are easy contrasts for Democrats to make as they underscore the chasms between them and Trump. The president may not like it (and this one really doesnt like it), but Democrats are obligated to highlight their differences. Thats how the system works.

But any over-the-top opposition with the entire country watching could be counterproductive for Democrats. The president may note during his remarks the remaining vacancies in his Cabinet. Some argue the Democrats strategy to slow-walk nominees has been too much. But its really the only item Democrats have in their arsenal.

Democrats cannot go Joe Wilson on the president.

President Obama journeyed to Capitol Hill in September 2009 to deliver a speech outlining his health care reform plan. The president asserted that illegal immigrants wouldnt be eligible for coverage. An apoplectic Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., then hectored the president, shouting, You lie!

It is the era of fake news. Reporters from a swath of news organizations have accused the president and many administration officials of outright falsehoods. Some Democrats might suggest this is the perfect forum to go toe-to-toe with the president should he embroider the truth during his speech. Again, that might resonate back home. But its poor decorum and violates House rules to speak ill of the president on the House floor.

Keep in mind that House Democrats voted to disapprove of Wilsons heckling nearly eight years ago.

And then there is the president and how he comports himself.

His words are everything. Trump must be careful of how he responds to any potential Democratic disruptions or reactions he doesnt like. This is a speech before a Joint Session of Congress, not WWE (although Small Business Administration Administrator Linda McMahon will likely be there). Based on his election performance, Trump needs to court Democrats and swing voters. He cant just lurch into attack mode.

Trump has been on big stages before. But never one as big as this.

And thats the irony.

Its a big stage  but a narrow balance beam.
President Trump said in an exclusive interview Tuesday that he believes former President Barack Obama and his top aides are behind the protests and leaks that have tormented the new administration  and he doesnt expect it to stop anytime soon.

Trump, during an interview with Fox & Friends, blamed Obama acolytes and the ex-president himself for the organized demonstrations that have sprung up nationwide since the Nov. 8 election, and also for the politically embarrassing leaks that have hindered Trumps messaging.

I think that President Obamas behind it because his people are certainly behind it, Trump said. And some of the leaks possibly come from that group, you know, some of the leaks  which are very serious leaks, because theyre very bad in terms of national security.

VIDEO: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP

Trump didnt provide evidence to support the charge.

He certainly is not alone, though, in his view that top Obama administration officials could be involved. A former senior intelligence official told Fox News earlier this month that he suspects ex-CIA Director John Brennan and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper  among others  were connected to leaks.

Some of those officials have pushed back. A Clapper spokesman, in a recent statement, appeared to distance the former intel boss from any leaks, voicing support for a probe while urging the new administration to take a sober approach to the investigation.

Leaks need to be investigated, but those investigations should be conducted in a manner that is not disparaging of our dedicated IC professionals, nor destructive to the entire community, spokesman Shawn Turner said.

Ben Rhodes, former deputy national security adviser, also denied any involvement in leaks in an email to The Atlantic.

Its totally absurd and doesnt make any sense, he wrote.

VIDEO: TRUMP GIVES A TOUR OF THE WHITE HOUSE

But the assertion that Obama  who began his political career as a community organizer  is actively aiding protests against Trump is new. Though, Trump added, it doesnt necessarily bother him.

But I also understand thats politics, Trump said. And in terms of him being behind things, thats politics. And it will probably continue.

He added: Im not really surprised because I understand the way the world works. Its politics. I mean Im changing things that hes wanted to do.
President Trump said in an exclusive interview Tuesday that his address to Congress this evening will focus on the central planks of his campaign  the military, the border, jobs and health care  and he took responsibility for any communications miscues that have blunted the effectiveness of his message in the early days of the administration.

Trump, in an interview with Fox & Friends, specifically cited his immigration policy, and said that perhaps the rollout of his plan to keep out and remove criminal illegals hadnt been communicated effectively.

And maybe thats my fault, Trump said.

He later awarded himself a grade of a C or C-plus on communicating, straightforwardly saying, My messaging isnt good. He clarified that he would give himself an "A" for achievement and "A-plus" for effort.

VIDEO: TRUMP REFLECTS ON FIRST MONTH IN OFFICE

Trump added on immigration: Were getting the bad ones out, the bad people, gang people, drug lords, in some cases, murderers, echoing the campaign rhetoric that dominated speeches from Day 1 of his candidacy for the GOP presidential nomination.

Im much tougher in getting the bad guys out, Trump said, contrasting himself with former President Barack Obama. He was much less focused on that.

On health care, Trump said the yet-to-be released replacement for ObamaCare is really terrific and inclusive, and he said Congress is right not to be hasty in repealing the current law.

I think we have a great plan and I think Congress is absolutely taking a lot of blame, but its not their fault, Trump said. Ive only been here for  what is this my fifth week?

VIDEO: TRUMP GIVES 'FOX & FRIENDS' A TOUR OF THE WHITE HOUSE

As the president plans to boost the military, Trumps proposed $54 billion increase in defense spending is coming largely from cuts to the State Department and Environmental Protection Agency. He suggested Tuesday that foreign aid would be a target of the cuts.

Were going to do things having to do with other countries because were treated very, very unfairly, Trump said. Were taking care of their military and were not being reimbursed. Theyre wealthy countries.

Trump pledged to use his Art of the Deal expertise to drive down costs, as well.

I am going to get involved in negotiating, Trump said. We have many planes and boats and ships  were spending too much money individually on. He said the U.S. would get a lot more product for our buck.

Trump also said some of the monetary increases would come from a revved up economy and pointed to the numerous manufacturers and car makers  such as Carrier, GM and Ford  that have announced investments in U.S.-based factories and jobs since he was elected. Previously, Trump said, they were fleeing this country. Meanwhile, a bullish stock market has created trillions of dollars in value.

Part of Trumps plan to add jobs had been stalled by the amount of time it took for the Senate to confirm Scott Pruitt, now the EPA administrator. When Pruitt gets going its going to mean thousands and millions of jobs, Trump said.

We have hundreds and hundreds of massive deals that are tied up in environmental protection, he said.

Though he pledged to give the U.S. the greatest military weve ever had by the time I finish, Trump spoke somberly about the Jan. 29 special operations mission in Yemen that resulted in the death of a Navy SEAL. Sen. John McCain  a frequent Trump foil  had criticized the daring raid, saying he would not describe any operation that results in the loss of American life as a success. Trump said McCains remarks were inappropriate.

I feel badly when a young man dies and John McCain says, That was a failed mission, he said.

Trump also ramped up his war with the press, questioning whether many journalists are simply making up the stories hes infamously derided as fake news.

I believe that sometimes they dont have sources, Trump said. I believe that a lot of the sources are made up. I believe a lot of the sources are pure fiction. They just pull it out of thin air.

The White House has been plagued by a deluge of leaks leading to a series of politically embarrassing stories, and it was reported that Press Secretary Sean Spicer, in an attempt to stem the flow, called a meeting with dozens of aides and searched their electronic devices. While Trump is eager to find the source  or sources  of the leaks, he disagreed with Spicers controversial methodology.

Sean Spicer is a fine human being. Hes a fine person. I would have done it differently, Trump said. I would have done it one-on-one.

He added: Sean handles it his way and Im okay with it.

Trump said the administration had sort of ideas who had been leaking information.

We have people from other campaigns, we have people from [previous] governments, Trump said.


President Trump signed an executive order Tuesday directing a review of a controversial Obama-era water rule that gave the federal government broad regulatory authority over rivers, streams and wetlands.

The order was among several items, including two bills, Trump signed Tuesday ahead of his address to a joint session of Congress.

The regulation Trump targeted is known as the "waters of the United States" rule. Covering 60 percent of U.S. waterways, it included smaller creeks, wetlands and other water bodies for protection under the Clean Water Act -- but was met with resistance from property owners, farmers and others.

A senior White House official said the problem with the rule is that it "vastly expands jurisdiction into state and local areas and vastly expands federal jurisdiction over state waters. "

Trumps order instructs the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers to review it.

At the signing, Trump also cited its impact on jobs.

We're going to free up our country and it's going to be done in a very environmental and positive environmental way, I will tell you that, Trump said Tuesday. [We will] create millions of jobs, so many jobs are delayed for so many years that it's unfair to everybody.

Congressional Republicans, who have tried to repeal the water rule, cheered the order Tuesday.

"I welcome President Trumps review of this rule and hope it will be repealed once and for all. The livelihoods of Americas farmers, ranchers, and cattlemen are at stake, House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement.

Trump's order asks the EPA and Army Corps to look specifically at a 2006 opinion by the late Justice Antonin Scalia on the jurisdictional scope of the Clean Water Act. Scalia wrote a plurality opinion in a split decision  an opinion that would have reduced the scope of the act by defining waters of the United States as covering only permanent, standing or continuous flowing bodies of water.

Democrats and environmental groups say the rule safeguards clean drinking water and clarifies confusion over which wetlands and streams are protected, amid uncertainty surrounding two Supreme Court rulings on the subject.

The order also instructs the attorney general to suspend ongoing court action in response to a number of legal challenges against the rule. The Ohio-based Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals had stayed the rule, thereby putting it on hold.

Also Tuesday, Trump signed an order moving the HBCU (Historically Black College and Universities) offices back from the Department of Education to the White House  which the administration says will allow the HBCU to be a partner in Trumps agenda of creating jobs and making inner cities safe.

He also signed the Inspire Act  which encourages NASA to have women participating in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to pursue careers in those areas, and another bill promoting women in entrepreneurship. That bill encourages the National Science Foundation to use existing programs to improve and support employment of women.

The Associated Press and Fox News Lesa Jansen contributed to this report.
President Trump, when he addresses a joint session of Congress Tuesday night, will be looking to telegraph a clear agenda not only to the American people but to congressional Republicans increasingly divided over how to repeal ObamaCare, overhaul the tax system and cut government spending.

All I can do is speak from the heart and say what I want to do, Trump said in an exclusive interview with Fox & Friends, previewing his speech. He touted a terrific health care plan as well as policies to boost the military and secure the border.

Like any traditional State of the Union, Trumps address Tuesday is a chance for the president to sum up his accomplishments and set the course for what he wants to achieve in the next year and beyond.

This is especially critical at this moment, as Trump tries to galvanize a Congress that, despite being under full Republican control, still has not advanced legislation to deal with key campaign vows to replace the Affordable Care Act and reform the tax system. He is under pressure Tuesday to unite party allies behind a common agenda.

On the former, some Republicans already have seized on a leaked repeal plan draft to blast GOP leaders efforts on ObamaCare. Conservatives like Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., and Mark Walker, R-N.C., both have criticized the outline, including its treatment of tax credits.

Ahead of Tuesday nights speech, House Speaker Paul Ryan played down divisions.

This is a plan that we are all working on together, he told reporters. There arent rival plans here.  Were going to be unified on this.

But Ryan, at a separate briefing, voiced some concerns about Trumps approach to the federal budget  a day after White House officials previewed a plan to boost military spending by $54 billion, cut other agency budgets by the same amount and leave entitlements like Medicare untouched.

Asked about the presidents apparent reluctance to cut entitlements, Ryan said, "There is an open question on long-term entitlement reform."

Ryan said Trump and GOP leaders agree entitlements should not be changed for those "in or near retirement." But he suggested congressional leaders might be able to sell a long-term debt reduction plan.

Trumps forthcoming budget faces pitfalls on other fronts, as some defense hawks think it doesnt go far enough to rebuild the military, deficit hawks think it doesnt go far enough to cut spending and others are worried about cuts to nondefense accounts.

Hours before the speech, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell cast doubt on whether the Senate could pass a budget proposal that seeks steep cuts to the State Department, one of the ways Trump might fund the increase for the military.

He also said a health care bill isnt ready yet.

Trump nevertheless is expanding his agenda goals, saying Tuesday its time for an immigration bill. A senior administration official said Trump will mention the issue Tuesday night.

Aside from internal GOP tensions over legislative goals, Trump continues to grapple with numerous leaks from inside his administration and intermittent staffing controversies that most prominently included Michael Flynn resigning as national security adviser over apparently misleading Vice President Pence on past contacts with the Russian ambassador. Multiple media reports, which Trump repeatedly decries as bogus, have raised questions about additional contacts between his allies and Moscow  another issue that has divided Republicans, with some seeking an independent probe and others rejecting those calls. And most immediately, Trumps team is looking to rewrite and reissue his controversial executive order suspending the refugee program and admissions from seven mostly Muslim countries, after it was blocked in court amid widespread protests.

Speaking with Fox & Friends, Trump took some of the blame for the pushback over separate executive orders on border security and deportations.

He said perhaps the rollout of his plan to keep out and remove criminal illegals hadnt been communicated effectively.

And maybe thats my fault, Trump said. He later awarded himself a grade of a C or C-plus on communicating, straightforwardly saying, My messaging isnt good.

He clarified that he would give himself an "A" for achievement and "A-plus" for effort.

Trump is expected to list his accomplishments to date in the first part of his speech, according to a senior White House official. This includes pulling the U.S. out of the Trans Pacific Partnership and his efforts to nudge major companies to invest in jobs in America.

The official described the speech as optimistic, and looking ahead to the agenda of the next four years.

Fox News Mike Emanuel, Bret Baier and Lesa Jansen contributed to this report.
Not since 1972 and the Apollo 17 mission has an astronaut been anywhere close to the moon. But that may be set to change next year.

Two "private citizens" will get to take a trip around the moon in late 2018, SpaceX announced on Monday.

SpaceX has already been launching rockets to deliver cargo to the International Space Station (ISS), and even has successfully landed a section of the rocket back on Earth on multiple occasions. Along with Boeing, the company is contracted by NASA to eventually lift astronauts up to the space station, which is due to happen in 2018, the company said.

KEYS TO LIFE? SCIENTISTS EXPLAIN HOW NEWLY-DISCOVERED EXOPLANETS COULD BE HABITABLE

But this moon shot is a newly-announced endeavour.

We are excited to announce that SpaceX has been approached to fly two private citizens on a trip around the moon late next year, the company announced in a blog item published on Monday. They have already paid a significant deposit to do a moon mission. Like the Apollo astronauts before them, these individuals will travel into space carrying the hopes and dreams of all humankind, driven by the universal human spirit of exploration.

The company said that health tests and training could start as soon as this year.

THE UAE'S NEXT AMBITIOUS PROJECT IS TO BUILD A CITY ON MARS

A huge rocket, SpaceXs Falcon Heavy, will be used to blast the two people towards the moon. The Falcon Heavy hasnt yet flown, but SpaceX says that when it does, it will pack two-thirds the thrust of a Saturn V moon rocket and offers more than double the thrust of the next largest launch vehicle currently flying.

Falcon Heavy is due to launch its first test flight this summer and, once successful, will be the most powerful vehicle to reach orbit after the Saturn V moon rocket, the company said.

SpaceX hasnt yet attempted to send people to the ISS. It plans to conduct an unmanned trial flight of its Crew Dragon spacecraft to the ISS this year, and then the first with astronauts on board in 2018. The company, founded by Elon Musk, said that it will launch its private moon mission after the missions to the ISS are already established.

INDIA LAUNCHES MORE THAN 100 SATELLITES INTO ORBIT

Once operational Crew Dragon missions are underway for NASA, SpaceX will launch the private mission on a journey to circumnavigate the moon and return to Earth, the company said, noting that the rocket will blast off from historic launch pad 39A. This presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep space for the first time in 45 years and they will travel faster and further into the Solar System than any before them.

The company launched two rockets successfully in January and February of this year, with the most recent launch happening from the same historical launchpad, 39A, that NASA used during the Apollo program. But in September of last year, the company suffered a disastrous failure when one of its rockets exploded on the launch pad while being fueled. No one was hurt.
Microbes that may be between 10,000 and 50,000 years old have been revived from the inside of enormous, glittering crystals from a Mexican cave.

The microbes come from the Cave of the Crystals within Chihuahua state's Naica Mine. This chamber is filled with selenite crystals many yards long that formed over hundreds of thousands of years in magma-heated, mineral-rich groundwater. Inside these crystals are small, fluid-filled pockets, from which researchers cultured organisms that have never been seen before. [See Photos of the Cave of the Crystals]

"What we have been finding are organisms whose closest relatives are also from extreme environments around the world," said study leader Penelope Boston, director of NASA's Astrobiology Institute. (Astrobiologists study extreme life on Earth to understand the sort of environments that might be amenable to life on other planets.)

Crystal cave

The Naica crystals were discovered by accident in 2000, according to The Naica Project, an organization dedicated to researching and preserving the cave. The formations were accessible only after the company that operated the Naica Mine pumped the groundwater out of the chamber. Even so, reaching the beauty of the Cave of the Crystals was a challenge: The 90 to 100 percent humidity and temperatures ranging from 113 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit mean that humans must wear protective clothing packed with ice bags and leave the cave quickly. The recommendation, Boston told Live Science, is to stay no more than 30 minutes.

"I stayed in once for 55 minutes, which was a giant mistake," said Boston, who described the results as "life-threatening." After a half-hour in the hot crystal cave, researchers had to chug electrolyte drinks in a nearby cavern that was cooled to a refreshing 100 degrees F in order to recover. [The 7 Harshest Environments on Earth]

Today, the Naica Mine is no longer active, and water has again filled the crystal cavern. Boston and her colleagues took two trips to the mine, in 2008 and 2009, before the cave was flooded.

Microbe revival

The idea to search for microbes in the crystals arose shortly after the cave was discovered in 2000, Boston said. Paolo Forti, an emeritus professor at the University of Bologna, in Italy, alerted Boston (who was then at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology) to what appeared to be microbe fossils in samples from the caves. [The 10 Strangest Places to Find Life on Earth]

When drilling into the crystals in 2009, the researchers took multiple precautions to avoid contaminating the ancient microbes. They used a sterile drill and drill bits, wore sterile gloves, and disinfected the surface of the crystals with hydrogen peroxide. They extracted fluid with sterile micropipettes. Later, the researchers created potential growth media, the nutrient gels on which bacteria grow in labs, based on their best guesses of what microbes in that environment might use for survival.

Then, the researchers put portions of the fluid from the crystal in each of the various media, to see if any of the microbes might start metabolizing. Some did.

The microbes that ended up growing were genetically distant from any known living microbes, Boston said. Based on the growth rate of the crystals, they were probably isolated in the fluid pockets for between 10,000 and 50,000 years, the researchers reported Feb. 17 at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. They are now preparing their results for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

The results will certainly undergo scrutiny by fellow scientists, as claims for ancient microbe revivals are always controversial. However, 10,000 to 50,000 years of dormancy is a relatively conservative claim in the world of ancient microbes. In 2000, researchers claimed in the journal Nature to have grown 250-million-year-old bacteria from a salt crystal found in Carlsbad, New Mexico. There have also been claims of ancient life dating back tens or hundreds of thousands of years from salt in Death Valley, California , and from under glaciers and permafrost in the Arctic and Antarctic.

These claims are often controversial, both because of the potential for modern contamination and because salt and ice flow (very, very slowly) over geologic time, Boston said. It can be difficult, she said, to prove that the samples weren't exposed to the outside world between the time the salt and ice formed and the modern day. The Naica crystals have the advantage of being static, Boston said; they don't flow, so they're easy to date.

There is always the chance that the bacteria entered the crystals through microfractures, Boston said, which is why the team was meticulous in disinfecting the crystal surfaces and genetically analyzing the microbes that did grow. For that reason, Boston is optimistic that the microbes from the crystals will prove to be truly ancient.

"We have been pretty excruciatingly careful trying to test our ideas and look at the organisms, and then try to see if we ourselves believe what we are claiming," she said.

The nine years it has taken to get from sampling the crystals to announcing the first results is only the beginning, though, Boston said.

"The amount of work that it's going to take to really characterize that environment and its inhabitants is stupefying," she said.

Original article on Live Science.
Data from internet-connected smart teddy bears has been leaked and ransomed, exposing childrens voice messages and more than half a million customer accounts, according a security expert.

In a blog post, cybersecurity expert Troy Hunt says that an unnamed source contacted him about a data breach affecting the CloudPets range of stuffed animals. The Bluetooth-connected toys let parents upload and download messages to and from their children via an app.

The CloudPets database had allegedly been left exposed online.

MY FRIEND CAYLA: DOLL BANNED IN GERMANY NOT 'ESPIONAGE DEVICE,' COMPANY SAYS



Someone sent me data from the table holding the user accounts, about 583k records in total, wrote Hunt, in his blog post. There are references to almost 2.2 million voice recordings of parents and their children.

Hunt added that the information was sent to him by someone who travels in data breach trading circles, and said that others had also accessed the information. The CloudPets data was accessed many times by unauthorised parties before being deleted and then on multiple occasions, held for ransom, he wrote.

According to data received by Hunt, the 583,000 records were part of the larger database, which contained more than 820,000 users.

PC MICROPHONES HELPED STEAL HUNDREDS OF GIGABYTES OF DATA FROM UKRAINE FIRMS

Technology news website Motherboard also reports that it was contacted about the breach independently by two security researchers in the last few weeks. With the help of the researchers, Motherboard was able to verify the legitimacy of the breach, it said.

Spiral Toys, the company behind CloudPets, has denied that customers were hacked. In a statement emailed to Fox News.com the Los Angeles-based firm said that it was notified of a potential breach on Feb. 22. "When we were informed of the potential security breach we carried out an internal investigation and immediately invalidated all current customer passwords to ensure that no information could be accessed," it said. "To our best knowledge, we cannot detect any breach on our message and image data, as all data leaked was password encrypted."

Spiral Toys is also requiring users to choose new increased security passwords. "An email will be sent out informing customers of the potential compromised login data and will give them a link to create a new password," it said.

BEWARE GOOGLE CHROME SCAM THAT COULD INJECT MALWARE INTO YOUR COMPUTER

The company added that its CloudPet services have been running safely since March 2015. "We are taking all steps necessary to continue to run safely on our production servers," it said. "We are committed to protecting our customer information and their privacy in order to ensure against any such incidents in the future."

Spiral Toys said that once customers' needs have been addressed and it has documented the incident, it will file the cyber-crime report with the State Attorney General in California.



Other internet-connected toys have also been grabbing headlines. The My Friend Cayla doll, for example, was recently banned by The Federal Network Agency in Germany amid hacking fears, although the dolls German distributor insists it is safe to use. Hello Barbie has also been in the security spotlight in recent years, while electronic toy maker Vtech has been targeted by hackers.

HOW AI AND TECH COULD STRENGTHEN AMERICA'S BORDER WALL

Steven Malone, director of security product management at security company Mimecast told Fox News that users need to think carefully about the security implications of the Internet of Things, where a wide range of devices are connected to the web. "Just because you can connect a device to the Internet, it doesnt mean you should!" he wrote.

Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
The best approach for border security and immigration control is a layered strategy, experts tell Fox News. This harnesses artificial intelligence, aerial drones, biometrics and other sophisticated technologies in addition to existing or future fencing or walls along U.S. borders.

Dr. Brandon Behlendorf, a noted border security expert and professor at the University of Albany, New York, told Fox News that advancements in technology have made virtual border security much more feasible. Motion sensors, surveillance systems, drone cameras, thermal imaging -- they help form a barrier that is fed into operations centers all across the border.

[This hinges on] the use of physical and virtual infrastructure, combined with patrol and response capabilities of agents, to provide multiple opportunities for detecting and interdicting illegal border crossings not just at the border, but also some distance from the border, he said. You need to leverage the benefits of each with properly trained and outfitted agents to provide the most effective approach to border security. Neither a wall nor technology itself will suffice.

HOW AI FIGHTS THE WAR AGAINST FAKE NEWS

One of the most interesting innovations is called the Edgevis Shield, a surveillance platform originally developed for use in Afghanistan. The platform uses ground-based sensors that detect activity, and they are self-healing. The sensors form a mesh network, so if one of them is compromised, the entire network can self-correct and keep functioning. The shield can detect whether someone is moving on foot or in a vehicle; and, it uses a low latency wireless network.

Charles King, principal analyst of the Hayward, Calif.-based tech research firm Pund-IT, says other advancements are helping create a virtual border. Because a physical wall only stops illegal border crossings above ground, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection plans to deploy surveillance robots called Marcbots that can explore tunnels, similar to what the military uses today for bomb detections, he says.

The AVATAR (or Automated Virtual Agent for Truth Assessments in Real-time) is a kiosk being developed at San Diego State University. The kiosk uses artificial intelligence to ask questions at a border crossing and can detect physiological changes in expression, voice, and gestures.

NEW $27 MILLION FUND AIMS TO SAVE HUMANITY FROM DESTRUCTIVE AI

For example, the kiosk might ask an immigrant if he or she is carrying any weapons, then look for signs of deception. The kiosk is currently being tested at Canadian border crossings.

Behlendorf says some of the most interesting work related to border patrol is in development at computer labs in the U.S., not at the actual border. Today, there are reams of data from the past that show how illegal immigrants have moved across the border and are then apprehended. This data provides a rich trove for machine learning to look for patterns and even predict likely behavior in the future. Its more than only tracking or blocking one individual crossing.

Developments in other fields related to pattern recognition, machine learning, and predictive analytics could greatly enhance the information with which sector and station commanders have to decide on allocations of key resources, Behlendorf said. Those efforts are starting to develop, and in my opinion over the next few years will form a cornerstone of virtual fence development.

WHITE HOUSE: WE'RE RESEARCHING AI, BUT DONT WORRY ABOUT KILLER ROBOTS

One example of this: using analytics data, border patrol agents could determine where to allocate the most resources to augment a physical wall. Theres already a precedent for this, he says. Los Angeles International Airport uses game theory to randomize how security guards go on patrol, rather than relying on the same set pattern that criminals and terrorists could predict.

The technologies required for supporting a virtual wall, from sensors to surveillance drones to wireless networks and communications to advanced analytics, are more capable and mature today than they have ever been in the past, said Pund-ITs King. The stars are better aligned for the development and deployment of virtual border security today than in the past.

In the future, border patrols could rely more on a virtual infrastructure -- the technology on the back end that looks for patterns, the facial recognition technology at borders -- for security.

In the end, its all of the above that will help protect U.S. borders.
Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman says that the Cabinet of Ministers at a meeting on Wednesday, March 1, will take the order of import/export of goods from the uncontrolled territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

"Tomorrow we will take the government's decision on the critical positions that are important for the economy of Ukraine and for ensuring of our energy independence. And this will be a rule that will regulate the movement of critical components, as well as a small number of necessary components," the prime minister said during a meeting with the representatives of the steel industry in Kyiv on Tuesday.
An Air Force noncommissioned officer was sentenced to three months confinement and one month of hard labor Saturday night, in what one retired colonel believes was a light sentence for his conviction of misconduct with eight women.

NAVY VETERAN SAYS HE'S FORCED TO LIVE IN A STORAGE UNIT

During the trial at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Technical Sergeant Anthony Lizana was reduced in rank to Airman First Class and dishonorably discharged.

According to the San Antonio Express-News, the jury could have sentenced Lizana to nearly 38 years in prison for his conviction on four charges with specifications including dereliction, adultery, assault consummated by battery and sexual assault. The jury was made up of two officers and five senior noncommissioned officers.

REMAINS OF MARINE SHOT DOWN DURING VIETNAM WAR HEADING HOME AFTER 48 YEARS

The San Antonio Express-News also reported that Lizana asked for leniency and told jurors, The person I was 16 months ago is not the person who stands before you today.

Retired Colonel Don Christensen, president of the not-for-profit organization Protect our Defenders, believes the sentence is very light, especially the confinement.

He was convicted of sexually assaulting a subordinate. And considering how much of an issue sexual assault is in the military, to have a superior sexually assault a subordinate and only get three months confinement I think is exceptionally light, said Christensen.

This is the type of sentence we would typically see for an 18-to-20-year-old airman who abused cough medicine, Christensen added.

Christensen estimates that Lizana will serve only about 2 months for good behavior. In addition, the dishonorable discharge will have to go through a lengthy appeals process that could take anywhere from one to three years.

Christensen, who served as the chief prosecutor for the U.S. Air Force from 2010 to 2014, also explained the hard labor process. He said Lizana will likely perform his normal duties under his commander. When hes done performing his normal duties for the day, hell do an additional four hours of work. Lizana will also likely have to come in on Saturdays for eight hours and Sundays for four hours. The extra tasks could include painting or pulling weeds.

In a word, its a joke, Christensen said of the hard labor punishment.

So why was the punishment so light? According to Christensen, the sentencing in the military is totally messed up. Christensen said theres very little guidance to jurors on how to sentence, which he believes is one of the reasons theres so much disparity in sentencing.

Christensen also said it can be difficult for jurors to give a harsh punishment to someone who's just asked for mercy. He said this is one of the reasons judges should sentence the convicted.

Not everyone agrees with Christensen, the Express-News reports. Tom Fleener, Lizanas civilian attorney, said a dishonorable discharge has a lasting effect forever and was punishment enough for his client.

Lackland Air Force Base was the center of a sexual assault scandal in 2012 when at least 31 female trainees were identified as victims of 12 instructors. Those 12 instructors were investigated for misconduct; six of them faced charges from rape to adultery.

Five former commanders were disciplined for not reporting the problems quickly enough, and a group commander and squadron commander in charge of many of the accused were removed.

New airmen report for eight weeks of basic training at Lackland. The base has five training groups for basic training, technical training and international training. The base expects to graduate 39,000 airmen from basic training and 45,000 from technical training this year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A small plane crashed into two houses in Riverside, Calif., Monday evening, killing at least four and injuring two others.

The Cessna 310 aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Riverside Municipal Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the plane was bound for San Jose.

Riverside Fire Chief Michael Moore said the Cessna's occupants, a husband, wife and three teenagers, were returning to San Jose on Monday after a weekend cheerleading conference at Disneyland.

Moore says one of the teenagers, a girl, was thrown from the plane on impact and had only minor injuries. She was able to talk to firefighters about what had happened as she was taken to a hospital.

An unconscious victim from one of the homes is in surgery.

Riverside Police Lt. Charles Payne told Fox 11 that four people were on the plane and the pilot was extricated from the crash. Riverside fire Capt. Tyler Reynolds said two additional victims were pulled from one of the houses that caught fire. It wasn't immediately clear whether the dead person was from the house or the plane.

Three witnesses said they saw a woman claiming to be the pilot crawl from one of the houses with her clothes on fire.

H.L. Reyes, who lives about a quarter-mile from the crash site, said she felt the ground shake and saw plumes of black smoke.



"I thought it was a possible earthquake, and we heard all the birds just suddenly react outside, too," Reyes said. "Every time an engine sputters, I'm afraid ... This was just like a nightmare coming true."

Video from a news helicopter showed plane wreckage and at least one home engulfed in flames about a half-mile northeast of the Riverside airport. The video also appeared to show a person being loaded onto a stretcher and removed from the home.



At least one of the homes was engulfed in flames and nearly destroyed. The plane's propeller appeared to be left sitting on the roof of a nearby home. Firefighters were still putting out hotspots from the ferocious fire nearly two hours after the crash.



Police said that approximately 30 residents of nearby homes were evacuated and taken to a nearby community center.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click for more from FoxLA.com.
More than 100 retired U.S. generals are pushing back against a White House proposal to cut nondefense spending to offset a planned hike in the military budget.

The group of 121 retired three- and four-star flag and general officers from all branches of the armed services sent a letter to congressional leaders defending spending on diplomacy, as well as the military. The letter responded to President Trumps request for an additional $54 billion in spending for the Department of Defense, a request that also included commensurate spending cuts for nonmilitary purposes.

Among the group of prominent generals who signed the letter are Gen. Keith Alexander, former director of the NSA under President Bush and President Obama; Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the NATO International Security Force under Obama; Gen. Bryan Doug Brown, commander of U.S. Special Ops Command under Bush.

The letter, which was sent to House Speaker Paul Ryan, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, quoted Defense Secretary James Mattis who, as commander of U.S. Central Command, said, If you dont fully fund the State Department, then I need to buy more ammunition.

You need to have a mix of hard and soft power, and you cant rely on hard power alone, retired Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis told Fox News, siding with the generals' message. We cant forget that a lot of warfare is prevented if we apply the soft power effectively.

Maginnis told Fox News that the combination of hard and soft power relies on the budget and the transferring of funds from the State Department and other parts of the federal government.

The State Department is about diplomacy and building bridges and the Defense Department is about breaking those bridges down when the enemies threaten our national interest, Maginnis told Fox News. So while taking money from the State Department may be a good budget decision, it is dangerous if we send the wrong message. We dont want to be known only as the country carrying the stick and not putting out our hand in diplomacy to work with those who need assistance.

Trump said this week, Were going to spend a lot more money on military, referring to Mondays $54 billion figure. However, Trump also cited an additional $30 billion more than that. Fox News contributor Gen. Jack Keane said that $30 billion is necessary. He cited a January "white paper" by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, detailing a $640 billion base defense budget in FY2018 and an additional $430 billion above current defense plans over the next five years.

I think more money is absolutely necessary, Keane told Fox News. Our viewers need to understand how seriously depleted our military has been over the past couple of years  we dont have the credible deterrent we used to have.
Border patrol officers announced Tuesday they arrested two adults caught trying to smuggle $141,252 in cold, hard cash from Texas to Mexico.

FEDERAL JUDGE OKS 'FORCED LABOR' CLASS-ACTION SUIT BY IMMIGRANTS AGAINST PRIVATE PRISON COMPANY

The couple, traveling with two children, was caught at the El Paso Ysleta port of entry Sunday. The money turned up in the woman's purse and a child's backpack.

Its not illegal to bring money back and forth. However, travelers do have to properly report their currency when either leaving or entering the United States.

BIG DROP IN NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ENTERING USA THROUGH ITS SOUTHERN BORDER

There is absolutely no limit to the amount of currency a traveler can bring into or take out of the United States, Customs and Border Protection El Paso Port Director Beverly Good explained in a statement. The only requirement is travelers must report aggregate amounts that reach or exceed $10,000 to CBP. Failure to do so can result in criminal or civil penalties.

The arrest unfolded Sunday morning after the couple tried to drive the car, with two children in the back, into Mexico through the port of entry. CBP officers selected the vehicle for a search.

Officers arrested the 31-year-old male driver who is a Mexican citizen, and the 27-year-old female passenger, an American. They were turned over to the El Paso County Sheriffs office along with the car and the cash for prosecution.

Although the main goal of the Customs and Border Patrol is anti-terrorism, officers also search cars heading into Mexico for illegal items like guns, ammunition, and unreported money.

Customs and Border Patrol Agents also seized more than 15 pounds of cocaine at the Santa Teresa port of entry in New Mexico Friday and Sunday. In two separate seizures, the CBP officers found cocaine in the engine areas of two trucks. Officers used K-9s and x-ray machines to help find the drugs.

These were deeply concealed drug loads, said CBP Santa Teresa Port Director Ray Provencio in a statement. Smugglers worked hard to conceal the contraband. However, our highly professional CBP officers worked even harder to discover and seize the cocaine.
The FBI announced Tuesday it's working with the Olathe, Kansas, police department to investigate the deadly shooting at a bar last week as a possible hate crime.

"The FBI will continue to work jointly with Olathe Police Department and our state and local partners regarding this ongoing investigation," a statement from the FBI's Kansas City Division said.

The White House described the Kansas shootings as an "act of racially motivated hatred," The Hill reported. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, "The president condemns these and any racially and religiously motivated attacks.

$20 DEBT LEADS TO MELEE AT FLORIDA GIRL SCOUT COOKIE STAND

Witnesses to the shooting said 51-year-old suspect Adam Purinton yelled "get out of my country" at 32-year-olds Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani before opening fire last Wednesday.

More on this... Indian man killed in possibly racial shooting at Kansas bar

Kuchibhotla was killed and Madasani was wounded. Both were working as engineers for GPS device-maker Garmin. Another bar patron who tried to intervene also was wounded.

JEWISH CENTERS ACROSS SEVERAL STATES EVACUATED

Purinton is charged with murder and attempted murder.

Kuchibhotla's mother said she asked her son to come back to India if he felt threatened in the United States, but he said he was not in any danger.

Her son's body was cremated in his hometown of Hyderabad, in the capital of Telangana state.

"I had asked him to return to India if he was feeling insecure there. But he used to say he was safe and secure," Parvatha Vardhini said.

Now she wants her younger son and his family to come home. "I will not allow them to go back," she said. "My son had gone there in search of a better future. What crime did he commit?"

Hundreds of grieving relatives and friends tearfully mourned the 32-year-old who came to the U.S. in 2005 to pursue a master's degree at the University of Texas at El Paso.

"It is so cruel. He was such a kind soul, very friendly. He was so excited that he and his wife were going to start a family soon. Now this has happened," said P. L. Narayana, his uncle.

Fox News' Matt Dean and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A federal judge based in Denver approved a class-action lawsuit by former and current immigrant detainees against one of the largest private prison management companies in the United States.

BIG DROP IN NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ENTERING USA THROUGH ITS SOUTHERN BORDER

The lawsuit, filed in 2014, alleges that at a 1,500-bed detention center in Aurora, Colorado, that is run by GEO Group under contract to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, detainees were forced to work for little or no pay and threatened with solitary confinement and criminal charges if they failed to comply.

U.S. District Judge John Kane, who has refused requests by GEO to dismiss the lawsuit or not allow it to proceed as a class-action case, said in a ruling Monday that there appeared to be sufficient basis in the complaint to allow it to move forward on behalf of some 50,000 former and present detainees held there.

PRO-TRUMP TOWN RILED UP AFTER IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS ARREST POPULAR RESTAURANT MANAGER

The lawsuit says GEO unjustly enriched itself through forced labor and violated the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which prohibits obtaining labor or services from someone by means of force, threats of force, physical restraint, or threats of physical restraint.

The detainees, most of whom are held for civil immigration-related violations, were pressured to sweep and mop floors and clean toilets and showers, among other chores. For a $1 a day, the complaint said, detainees did laundry, prepared meals and cleaned the facility.

Detainees were aware of the Sanitation Policy during their detention and claim that they performed the required duties to avoid solitary confinement, the judge wrote in his decision. Kane added that the only recourse for immigrants held at the facility was a class-action suit, since manylack English proficiencyhave limited financial resources and reside in countries around the world. It is very likely that these claims would not be brought by individual detainees, especially considering the cases innovative nature.

Nina DiSalvo, executive director of Towards Justice, a nonprofit legal group representing the detainees, said to Fox News that using immigrant labor was how GEO was able to get by with just one full-time custodian for a large facility that houses more than 1,000 people. She said the judges ruling paves the way for immigrant detainees to fight back against what she described as exploitation by private prison firms.

American immigration policy is too often driven by the profit motives of the private corporations that we pay to round up and detain our immigrants, DiSalvo said. Judge Kanes ruling allows vulnerable detainees to band together and hold GEO accountable for profiteering on the backs of its captive labor force.

In a statement to Fox News, GEO denied the allegations and said it will fight the suit. The company says it abides by federal standards in its management of the detention center.

We have consistently, strongly refuted these allegations, and we intend to continue to vigorously defend our company against these claims, Pablo Paez, GEOs vice president of corporate relations, told Fox News.

The volunteer work program at immigration facilities as well as the wage rates and standards associated with the program are set by the federal government," Paez said. "Our facilities, including the Aurora, Colo. facility, are highly rated and provide high-quality services in safe, secure, and humane residential environments pursuant to the federal Governments national standards.
An Orange County deputy was shot on Tuesday near an apartment complex in Orlando. According to authorities the deputy was shot near the Savannah at Park Central apartment complex. At 1:20 p.m. the Orange County Sheriff's Office tweeted the officer was in stable condition.

According to Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, Sgt. Richard Stelter was shot on the scene by the suspect. Upon firing, authorities returned fire mortally wounding the suspect. "According to an eye witness, the actions taken by the deputy was appropriate," Demings said.

SUSPECT AT LARGE AFTER 2 HOUSTON POLICE OFFICERS SHOT

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to OCSO, Sgt. Stelter suffered multiple gunshot wounds, mostly to his upper extremities, but he is expected to be okay. Demings also said Sgt. Stelter has a wife and 3 children.

In addition, a female victim was also shot, but she too is expected to be okay according to Sheriff Demings.

READ MORE FROM FOX 35 ORLANDO.
A former mayor was killed when his small plane crashed into a building in Methuen, Mass., Tuesday afternoon, according to officials there.

The tail of the plane could be seen sticking out of the roof of the building. Methuen Mayor Stephen Zanni said no one was in the building was injured when the plane crashed into it shortly before 1:30 p.m.

Alan Lavender, 60, was later identified as the pilot killed in the crash. He was the former mayor of Newburyport.

Mayor Zanni also told FOX25 firefighters could see smoke coming from the hole in the building, but flames were not visible from the outside.

Everything is under control here, but its a very unfortunate situation, Mayor Zanni said.

Witnesses told FOX25 the plane seemed to nose-dive straight down into the building. Other witnesses said the plane was on fire when it went down.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane, a Sonex aircraft, was on "one-mile final approach" to the Lawrence Municipal Airport when it crashed just across the river at the apartment complex.

The FAA will investigate and the NTSB will determine the probable cause for the accident.

Read more at FOX25Boston.com.
Several churches throughout the Chicago area are planning to show their support for the LGBTQ community by providing ashes mixed with glitter on Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday  the tradition of marking the sign of the cross with ashes on foreheads marks the beginning of the Lenten season for Christians. The event falls on March 1st this year.

NEW ORLEANS GOES ALL-OUT FOR MARDI GRAS

Several Chicago area churches this year plan to mix a purple glitter with the ashes to show a sign of support for the LGBTQ community. The Glitter Ash Wednesday initiative was created by the New York faith-based organization Parity. The organization focuses on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community. Paritys goal is to combine the message of solidarity and support with the traditional symbol of lent  repentance.

Some of the participating churches in the Chicago area include Unity Lutheran Church in Edgewater, Holy Covenant Metropolitan Community Church in Brookfield, and Berry United Methodist Church in Lincoln Square.

I think its really important for the church to respond to the intolerance and culture of fear that is being created especially toward LGBTQ people said April Gutierrez, Berry United Methodist Pastor. We want to make sure the Christian message is one of love and inclusivity.

Click for more from FOX32.
A Northern California high school canceled a 15-year-old tradition after oppinents claimed it was racially insensitive.

An online petition started by John F. Kennedy High School student Lamari Johnson, 17, compared the schools annual "senior auction" to slavery.

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY'S HISTORY 'INTERTWINED' WITH SLAVERY, STUDY SAYS

Students would voluntarily auction themselves off to do entertaining tasks for others to help raise money for the senior ball, Fox 40 reported.

Johnson took to the Internet to explain that this practice was insensitive and all-around wrong, especially during Black History Month.

TEENS WHO DEFACED BLACK SCHOOL ORDERED TO LEARN ABOUT RACISM

She noted in her petition that her ancestors fought for freedom, fought to not be enslaved, sold and separated from their family, and that putting a price to someones worth is wrong.

One of Johnsons concerns was that students were actively making slave jokes about the auction, saying, Oh hey look. I just bought two slaves.

Principal David Van Natten said that he's ending the tradition in future years after hearing Johnsons concerns and disapprovals voiced by others, the Sacramento Bee reported.

The cancelation sparked a wave of reactions, some cheering and some slamming the move. In the end, what mattered to her was seeing how important it is to take a stand for something you believe in, even when people are against you, she said.

Sacramento City Unified School District spokesperson Alex Barrios told Fox 40, "I think in today's environment where there's a lot of insensitivity towards groups of people we need to be very mindful of that.

Click for more from Fox 40.
The State Space Agency of Ukraine (SSAU) aims at providing for the practical implementation of the project on the creation of the Cyclone 4 medium class rocket launcher with a new foreign partner instead of Brazil which left the project in 2015 at its final stage. The agency is working on several options of partnership under the project, acting Head of SSAU Yuriy Radchenko has said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

"Recently gossips appeared that the Cyclone 4 is the unpromising rocket. According to our opinion, it has the serious prospect and it is of demand on the international market: today we are working on at least three options of cooperation with foreign partners under the Cyclone 4 project," Radchenko said.

"I think soon, in March-April, we will have an interim result of the discussion of the prospects of signing contracts with foreign partners under the program," he said.

He did not specify the cooperation plans, adding that North America and the Middle East countries show their interest to the potential of the Cyclone 4 rocket.

"There are proposals to create the launcher in one of Arab countries. It is a serious proposal. We held negotiations during the international space forum in Abu-Dhabi on February 1 and February 2. There are plans to sign a cooperation agreement in April," Radchenko said.

Commenting on the possibility of compensation of losses by Brazil over the unilateral termination of 10 year cooperation under the Cyclone 4 project to Ukraine raised in the political circles and Brazilian media, Radchenko said that at present the parties are holding talks on the quick return of Ukrainian equipment supplied under the project. The equipment is on the balance of the Ukrainian-Brazil JV that was realizing the project.

"I think it is early to discuss the compensation of losses until the assets on the balance of the JV are divided legally," he said.
A student slashed one of his classmates with a machete in a Florida high school bathroom, in an attack thats stunned students and parents this week, local media reported.

Parents said one of the reasons they were outraged was because Ocoee High School officials kept them in the dark for days after the attack on Thursday.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ARRESTED WITH MACHETE ON CAMPUS

Nobody knew, the school didnt tell nobody, senior Thalia Burt told Fox 35, and for something like that to happen and all us kids being there, its crazy, cause we wouldnt have known, what if it happens to us?

The wounded students injuries were minor, police said.

Principal Laura Beusse sent a message to parents on Monday calling it an isolated incident between two students, the Orlando Sentinel reported. At no time was the safety on campus compromised.

CHARGES UPGRADED FOR MAN ACCUSED IN MACHETE ATTACK ON GIRL

The attack started in a bathroom, where a 15-year-old student jumped out of a stall and slashed a classmate on the wrist with a machete, police said. They arrested the suspect in the schools parking lot, and the machete was found on the grass nearby. They did not name the students.

When asked about the attacker, two people who claimed to be his cousins told Fox 35 his classmates were all picking on him.

Despite a noticeable police presence at the school west of Orlando, students say there is still a violence problem on campus.

The suspect was being held in juvenile detention without bond after being charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and having a weapon on school property.

Beusse reportedly said the school would take appropriate disciplinary action. Please know that safety is a top priority for all students and staff on campus at all times.

Click for more from Fox 35.
A judge sentenced two people to prison Monday for their involvement in a confrontation at a child's birthday party that involved weapons and the Confederate flag.

In July 2015, just weeks after the Charleston church massacre, a large group of people drove up to a birthday party in Douglasville in trucks, flying American, military and Confederate flags. According to prosecutors, about 15 people, several pointing guns, were riding through town that day with a group called Respect the Flag.

HOMEOWNER'S PRO-TRUMP SIGNS VANDALIZED FOR 6TH TIME

The childs mother, Melissa Alford, said the group walked up to her property and threatened her family.

The people accused in the case said the confrontation started when someone at the party threw an object at one of the trucks, but the mothers accusations and video of the incident were enough to charge two people, Kayla Norton and Jose Torres, with aggravated assault, making terroristic threats and violating the Georgia Street Gang Act, for which they were found guilty earlier this month.

Monday morning, a judge sentenced Torres to 20 years in prison, with 13 to serve. Norton was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with six to serve.

$20 DEBT LEADS TO MELEE AT FLORIDA GIRL SCOUT COOKIE STAND

If you drive around town with a Confederate flag, yelling the N-word, you know how its going to be interpreted, Judge William McClain said. Its inexplicable to me that you werent arrested by the police that day.

With tears in her eyes, Norton spoke directly to several of the family members who were at the party.

What happened to you was horrible. Mother-to-mother, I can't imagine what it was like to explain what that word means to a child. I accept responsibility for what I did, but that was not me, the 25-year-old mother said fighting back tears in her eyes.

According to Douglas County prosecutors, Norton was not one of riders who pointed shotguns at the adults and children in the yard of the Douglasville home, but Assistant District Attorney David Emadi she was among many who hurled menacing threats while yelling the N-word.

They repeatedly yelled death threats saying they were going to killing all the N----. They said, 'We'll blow the heads off all the little b------ and the little n----- can get one too,' Emadi told Judge William McClain during the sentencing hearing.

Hyesha Bryant was at the party with her 3 children and other loved ones and responded to Norton's apology.

JEWISH CENTERS ACROSS SEVERAL STATES EVACUATED

We all have to be held accountable for our actions. I forgive you. I forgive all of you. I am not a mean spirited person and I'm sorry for your family that it had to come this far, Bryant said as Norton and Torres wept.

No shots were fired that day, but Judge McClain said the group's actions were still quite harmful.

I don't think it's a coincidence that this incident happened one month after the Charleston shooting, Judge McClain said speaking directly to both convicts. I suppose confederate flags can be interpreted different ways and different contexts, but if you're driving around waving Confederate flags and using the N-word everywhere you go, then there's only one way to interpret that, he said.

Read more at Fox 4 Atlanta.
MUST-SEE INTERVIEW

In an exclusive interview with 'Fox & Friends' President Trump previewed his upcoming address to a joint session of Congress at 9 p.m. ET. He discussed a wide range of other topics on 'Fox & Friends,' including immigration, tax reform and the economy.

I will be interviewed on @foxandfriends at 6:00 A.M. Enjoy!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2017

FOX BUSINESS OPINION: Trump Needs to Get It Right Tonight

Former U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commissioner Bart Chilton says the Trump transition is off to a rough start, so the president needs a good night.

'HANNITY': GINGRICH BLASTS HOLLYWOOD'S TRUMP OUTRAGE

OBAMACARE REPLACE DOUBT GROWS

A top Republican lawmaker said Monday that he is unhappy with the partys current plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare. Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., reportedly said that the bill contains what increasingly appears to be a new health-insurance entitlement with a Republican stamp on it.

'TUCKER CARLSON TONIGHT' BIG QUESTION ON HOW TO PAY FOR TRUMP'S BUDGET

KRAUTHAMMER ON THE DEFENSE BUDGET PROPOSAL

WINTER CHILL

A top Russian official said Tuesday that Moscows relationship with the U.S. is at its lowest level since the Cold War. He said that the Kremlin will watch Trumps address to Congress on Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET. (Watch Live on Fox News and FoxNews.com)

WHAT ARE REPUBLICANS AFRAiD OF?

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, responded Monday to House Republicans blocking Democrats attempt to obtain President Trumps tax returns. She blasted the 229-185 procedural vote and called Republicans accomplices to Trump hiding his financial affairs.

DIPLOMATIC ROW

A high-level North Korean delegation arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday seeking the body of Kim Jong Nam, the half brother of leader Kim Jong Un. Tensions between the two countries have increased since the death.

COMING UP ON FNC

9 a.m. ET: Attorney General Sessions delivers first major speech while holding the office in Washington, D.C.

10:15 a.m. ET: Swimmer Michael Phelps testifies at House Energy Committee suring hearing on anti-doping systems. (Watch live on FoxNews.com)

9:10 p.m. ET: President Trump addresses the Joint Session of Congress. (Watch live on Fox News Channel and FoxNews.com)

TBA: Former Kentucky Gov. Steven Beshear delivers the Democratic response
Mardi Gras celebrations are coming to a close Tuesday as the costumes, beads and makeup are at their peak in New Orleans.

Parades have been running through New Orleans since the beginning of January. The pre-Lent festivities end just before Ash Wednesday.

MARDI GRAS: NEW ORLEANS LETS THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

Surrounded by bright colors and spirit, Mardi Gras-goers are not allowed to be bored, as Fox 8 found. While there is the occasional moment of downtime, the party doesnt stop in New Orleans.

Bands and floats make their way down multiple parade routes bringing pure energy and excitement to the city. People of all ages can be found lining the streets indulging in the lively celebration.

11 TEENAGERS INJURED AFTER CAR PLOWS INTO MARDI GRAS PARADE

The Fat Tuesday party started early this morning. The group aboard the 7 a.m. ferry traveling from New Orleans' west bank to the partying crowds on the east bank was dressed to impress and ready to celebrate.

The passengers were all active-duty or retired military families on the way to the Krewe of Eggs annual Navy League breakfast. This years costume theme was pirates, which was way easier for participant Gerry Leonard than last years theme of motorcycle gang members. You just throw on an earring and youre good to go, he told The Associated Press.

The 30 or so people taking the 7 a.m. ferry to Canal Street also had the idea to channel their inner pirates, as well as ballerinas.

Craig Channell was one of just a few without a tutu. He joked that his was in the wash. This is the one time of year people can act like fools and get away with it.

The celebration also continues in Rio de Janeiro as the Carnival parade sambas with costumes and floats galore. Competitors have been dancing their way to success at the sambadrome since Saturday. The winners, as scored by 54 judges, will receive trophies and epic bragging rights.

The Mardi Gras festivities in NOLA will officially wrap up at the stroke of midnight tonight when police officers on horseback clear the revelers on Bourbon Street. Once the street is cleared, the Mardi Gras season reaches its official end.

Click for more from Fox 8.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
It was a saga that started on Memorial Day weekend in 2014 when two already romantic Michigan State University students, referred to in legal documents as Nathan and Melanie, began a consensual sexual tryst in the backseat of a car.

A passerby interrupted them, and Melanie revealed that the incident brought up unpleasant memories of a previous abusive relationship. The incident and its aftermath triggered a long-running and sometimes confusing case that underscores the challenges colleges and universities face in dealing with ambiguous sexual assault allegations outside the legal system.

Later that night, Nathan tried to resume the encounter -- reaching underneath Melanies shirt -- but he said he stopped after she rejected him. Sixteen months later, Melanie -- who reportedly is awaiting gender reassignment surgery and now identifies as a man -- made a formal complaint to MSU officials for the one-time, non-consensual touching.

Melanie cited being transgender as a key reason for coming forward, and claimed to fear encountering her ex-lover in the male bathrooms.

The complaint came after the school launched a revised sexual-harassment policy, one featuring more explicit definitions of sexual misconduct. Schools across the nation did the same, after the Obama administration threatened to withhold Title IX funding if schools did not crack down on sex assaults.

The case has since led to more than 2  years of administrator investigations, legal bills and sanctions against Nathan  and it is not likely to be closed anytime soon. His attorney, self-titled feminist and progressive Deborah Gordon, said she intends to file a federal lawsuit against MSU on his behalf.

The so-called sexual harassment is not really sexual harassment. I have been doing these cases for more than 30 years. The breast touch occurred in the summer, off campus, the school was not in session, it had nothing to do with the school, Gordon told Fox News. Title IX does not require you to take cases when they dont involve the school.

In the firestorm over on-campus rapes during the Obama administration, Gordon said that Nathan fell victim to the get-tough policies that punished the accused even if the evidence against him or her was flimsy. In Gordon's view, his case was one of overzealous school administrators trampling on a student's civil liberties to protect the institution.

Throughout his administration, Obama took a hard line against sexual violence on campus. In 2011, his Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights sent letters to college administrators across the country requesting tougher and faster enforcement for sexual assault cases, rendering institutions responsible for their dealings with such cases. The letter also threatened non-compliant schools with reduced federal financial support.

The Nathan and Melanie encounter took place prior to the implementation of the new guidelines; however, the gender studies professor tasked with the investigation incorrectly listed on the documents the date of the incident as being after the new guidelines were implemented, and so Nathan was investigated under the updated policy.

Nathan has not been charged with any type of crime by local authorities, but has been punished for sexual harassment by MSU under the Obama administrations federal Title IX anti-discrimination law. The universitys ruling means it stays on his permanent record and he has to divulge the information when he is seeking employment.

This is not a rational result. You cannot deprive a student of his right to an education without due process of law. He had no opportunity for a hearing, Gordon said. And yet [he] is going to have a permanent record that says he engaged in sexual misconduct and that is a very serious thing. Apply for anything, and you are asked about your disciplinary record.

To Gordon, this case is nothing short of overkill.

California-based criminal defense attorney Troy Slaten said Nathans case underscores how the campus rape scandals eventually led to prosecutorial overreach.

The investigative model that universities are employing pursuant to Title IX deprive students and the public of the benefit of traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice in these quasi-judicial proceedings. Most deprive the student, the accused, of traditional rules of evidence and cross examination, he explained. Often the hearing officer is also an advocate for the alleged victim. This is akin to the prosecutor and judge being the same person.

Slaten said it appears unconstitutional for a student to suffer permanent and public sanctions without due process, and that it seems as though the university was under the microscope by the federal Department of Education and reacted in a way that was disproportionate to the alleged victim.

MSU did not respond to a request for comment.

Not everyone, though, agrees that the Nathan and Melanie case is an irrational one. Although accurate statistics are difficult to obtain, the National Institute of Justice says that 1 in 5 women have been the victim of rape or attempted rape while in college. Advocates for sexual assault victims stand by MSUs investigation.

This is a big deal. Prior consensual sex does not give anyone the right to have sex subsequently without consent. The woman was deeply upset and embarrassed. This is not a state of mind conducive to sexual relations, said John Foubert, national president of One in Four, a group dedicated to supporting college sexual assault victims. He has no standing to sue. We have got to learn that womens bodies  and mens for that matter  are not open access formations for us to touch at will.

It is not yet clear what mechanisms the Trump administration will use to combat sexual violence on campus and what changes will be made to the Title IX guidance. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has said it would be premature to commit to standing by the previous administrations directive.

And even though the Obama team put the issue at the top of its education agenda, Foubert insists that not enough is being done to tackle the epidemic of campus sexual assault.

I would advise the Trump administration to quickly increase the staff in the Office of Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education, he added. Too many institutions are trying to come out looking clean when, in fact, they are covering up rape on campuses. They deserve a federal investigation that happens in a reasonable time frame.
A shooting in Houston wounded two police officers Tuesday, one critically, and forced officials to lock down a neighborhood for hours as they hunted for a suspect.

FLORIDA DEPUTY SHOT, SUSPECT KILLED IN ORANGE COUNTY

Police initially said they believed an armed and dangerous suspect was on the loose in southwest Houston. By late Thursday afternoon they said he was linked to burglaries in the area -- but may not have taken part in the shooting. The man who opened fire was killed in an exchange of gunshots with police.

The officer in critical condition took a bullet to the spine, Mayor Sylvester Turner told reporters. Police Chief Art Acevedo urged people to "pray" for the wounded officers.

TWO MEN SHOT IN STANDOFF WITH CLEVELAND SWAT TEAM, POLICE SAY

UPDATE: per @HISD_Supe HPD has issued an "all clear" and the shelter in place cancelled. All HISD schools will dismiss students. @HoustonISD  Rita Garcia (@TheRitaGarcia) February 28, 2017

Police were responding to a burglary call when a homeowner said something suspicious was going on inside a backyard storage shed on Sterlingame Drive. As the officers approached, the gunman burst out and opened fire, Acevedo said.

Officer Ronny Cortez, a 24-year veteran of the force, was in critical condition at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. Officer Jose Munoz, a 10-year veteran, was stable at Ben Taub Hospital with injuries to his leg and back. Both officers are married.

Aerial video from the scene showed officers with K-9s scouring the neighborhood. The wanted burglary suspect was wearing dark clothes and a blue bandana, Acevedo said.

He urged people in the neighborhood to keep an eye out for the suspect, even as the police search winded down. "We need our community to be alert."

At least three schools went on lockdown. Police did not immediately name the suspects.

Click for more from Fox 26.
A group of revelers were mowed down by an out-of-control vehicle at a Mardi Gras parade for the second time in a week, with Tuesday's incident involving a dozen injured high school band members at an Alabama event.

DRIVER HAD DAUGHTER BLOW INTO ANTI-DUI DEVICE BEFORE CRASH, WITNESSES SAY

A total of 12 Gulf Shores High School band members -- aged 12 to 17 -- were injured, including three people who were in critical condition, when an SUV hit them on Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

The driver, who has not been named, is a 73-year-old man who did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, officials said.

TROOPERS: WRONG-WAY SCHOOL BUS DRIVER CHARGED WITH DUI

"We are certain at this point that it wasn't an intentional act, that it was an accident," said Gulf Shores Police Chief Edward Delmore.

Delmore said he didn't want to "speculate on dynamics," and wanted investigators to have time piece together the crash. The driver has already given blood samples and statements voluntary, he added.

The vehicle may have been "a part of the parade," according to an official who spoke earlier Tuesday, though police said they were still looking into the man's potential role. Witnesses told FOX10 it was a white late-model SUV with the letters MOAA on its side. MOAA are the initials of the Military Officers Association of America.

The Department of Homeland Security was monitoring the situation.

A police spokesperson, who termed the crash "a tragic accident," said the SUV's driver was "aware there's been an incident."

A witness told FOX 10 the SUV struck the students and "mowed them over."

Gulf Shores canceled the parade after the incident and closed U.S. Highway 59 in the immediate area.

"Right now our thoughts and prayers are with the Gulf Shores High School Family," said Eddie Tyler, the superintendent for Baldwin County Alabama Public Schools. "I want to thank all the EMS and law enforcement professionals who responded and are still assisting families."

The crash unfolded just days after 28 people were injured when a truck plowed into the crowd at a New Orleans Mardi Gras parade on Saturday. The driver in that incident allegedly was highly intoxicated.

CLICK TO READ MORE FROM FOX 10.

Fox News' Catherine Herridge contributed to this report.
The persecution of Christians and other religious groups in China has intensified since Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, a new report by watchdog group Freedom House found.

The report estimated that a third of all religious believers in China who belong to faith groups face high to very high levels of persecution ranging from bureaucratic harassment and economic exploitation to harsh prison terms and even deadly violence.

Many spiritual activities practiced freely around the world -- from fasting during Ramadan to praying with ones children or performing Falun Gong meditation exercises -- are restricted and can be harshly punished in China, Sarah Cook, a senior research analyst at Freedom House, said in a press release. The scale and severity of controls over religion, and the trajectory of both growing persecution and pushback, are affecting Chinese society and politics far beyond the realm of religious policy alone.

Freedom Houses report focused on seven different religions practiced in China -- Chinese Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Tibetan Buddhism, and Falun Gong -- that account for more than 350 million believers.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. and the Chinese Consulate in New York City did not return Fox News request for comment.

While a burgeoning relationship between Beijing and the Vatican has led some Catholics in China to be optimistic about the future of the religion in the country, persecution of Protestants -- both unofficial and state-sanctioned -- has increased in recent years amid fears from state officials over the threat of Western values and the need to Sinicize religions.

Freedom House found that the approximately 60 million to 80 million Protestants in China have been particularly affected by cross-removal and church-demolition campaigns, punishment of state-sanctioned leaders, and the arrest of human rights lawyers who take up Christians cases.

On the other hand, Chinas 12 million Catholics have seen a minor decrease in oppression from the state as the thaw between the nation and Vatican City continues. The Catholic Church appears to be on the verge of a breakthrough agreement with China to fill the more than 40 vacancies of bishops in the country that have opened up.

Skeptics, however, warn that by dealing closely with Beijing, the Vatican may betray the underground Catholic Church in China in favor of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association -- the government-controlled church in which bishops are installed by the Chinese government.

Cardinal Joseph Zen, the bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, recently said that any deal with China would betray many faithful Catholics who must live out their faith in secret and often suffer under the communist regime.

They dont have much public voice, the underground, Zen told LifeSiteNews. People who come from China to see me, they all say, please, you must raise your voice. We cannot say anything because they have no freedom to talk. So I keep talking, but it seems that [the Holy See doesnt] listen. They dont like to listen.

Another religious group that has seen a sharp increase in persecution is Uighur Muslims.

Uighurs, who live primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China and number about 11 million, have seen controls over their faith expand and deepen in the last decade. Among the crackdowns, Chinese authorities now closely monitor smartphone usage and force businesses to sell alcohol, while incidents of security forces opening fire on Uighur civilians also have become more common.

After 2009, everything changed. Now the rule is, if I go to your house, read some Koran, pray together, and the government finds out, you go to jail, Barna, a Uighur woman from Xinjiang who now lives in the United States, told Freedom House.

China is officially an atheist state, but somewhere between 185 and 250 million people in country consider themselves Buddhists. Chinese Buddhism  along with the indigenous Taoist religion  has seen very low levels of persecution by state officials in recent years.

Xi Jinping has essentially continued the policies of his predecessor, Hu Jintao, with some rhetorical adjustments, the Freedom House report stated. For [Chinese Communist Party] leaders, Chinese Buddhism and Taoism are seen as increasingly important channels for realizing the partys political and economic goals at home and abroad.

The same, however, cannot be said for Tibetan Buddhism, whose practitioners have faced harsh persecution since Mao Zedongs Great Leap Forward in the late 1950s and Chinas Cultural Revolution about a decade later.

The partys rigid constraints render it impossible for state-sanctioned institutions to meet the growing demand for religion in Chinese society, Cook said. The result is an enormous black market, forcing many believers -- from Taoists and Protestants to Tibetan Buddhists -- to operate outside the law and to view the regime as unreasonable, unjust, or illegitimate.
Alaa Abd al-Akeedi asked his family for forgiveness and not to mourn him before ending his life in a suicide bomb attack against Iraqi security forces last year.

Dont be sad and dont wear the black clothes. I asked to get married and you did not marry me off. So, by God, I will marry the 72 virgins in paradise, Al-Akeedi wrote in a handwritten letter found by Reuters at an Islamic State training compound in eastern Mosul.

COULD ISIS BE USING PUPPIES AS SUICIDE BOMBERS?

Al-Akeedi was one of the dozens of young recruits to pass through the ISIS training compound in the past 2  years, Reuters reported. His letter was written on an ISIS form marked Soldiers Department, Martyrs Brigade and addressed to his parents home in western Mosul.

A relative of Al-Akeedi told Reuters that the boys father was deeply distressed by his decision to join ISIS ranks and that he rarely visited after joining the jihadists. On his last trip home, Al-Akeedi reportedly told his father that he was going to carry out a suicide attack in Baiji, an oil refinery town south of Mosul.

He told his father, I am going to seek martyrdom, the relative said, declining to give his name over fear of repercussions from ISIS or Iraqi forces.

ISIS REPORTEDLY USING WEAPONIZED DRONES IN IRAQ AND SYRIA

A few months later, militants told the family that he had succeeded. He was 15 or 16 years old.

The letter was part of a series of documents ISIS militants left behind when they abandoned the facility after an Iraqi Army offensive to reclaim parts of the city since October. They offer an insight into the mindset of recruits who are prepared to die for their ultra-hardline cause.

Reuters also found a handwritten registry containing personal details of about 50 recruits, with about a dozen photographs attached. The majority of the recruits were from Iraq; however, there were a few from the United States, Iran, Morocco and India.

VIDEO SHOWS BEHEADING OF SAILOR BY ISIS-LINKED TERRORISTS

ISIS militants have attracted thousands of young recruits all over Iraq and Syria and have carried out hundreds of suicide attacks in the Middle East and in the West.

Many of the young recruits are school boys who are still in their teens, like Atheer Ali, whose registry included a photo of a young boy with bushy eyebrows and large brown eyes.

His family told Reuters that Ali had once been an outstanding student. They were horrified to learn in 2015 that he didn't return home from school because he and several other school friends joined the jihadists.

He died a few months later.

"Even now I'm still astounded. I don't know how they convinced him to join," said his father Abu Amir. "I'm just glad we could bury him and put this whole thing to rest."

According to Reuters, the training compound consisted of three villas confiscated from Mosul residents. The lower floors were littered with ISIS posters and pamphlets ranging from weaponry to the Koran.

The upstairs rooms were packed with bunk beds for almost 100 people.
Non-aligned deputy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Nadiya Savchenko says she crossed the line of demarcation [between Ukrainian troops and combined Russian-separatist forces] in eastern Ukraine using foot paths used by contraband traders.

"I crossed the line on foot paths used by contraband traders," she said during a briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday. She added Ukraine's SBU Security Service knows the routes, which she said are used by some 6,000 inhabitants of eastern Ukraine daily.

Savchenko said she offered to work with the SBU on ways to release Ukrainian soldiers held in captivity by militants in eastern Ukraine, but was rebuffed.

The deputy said she did not cross over into occupied areas of Donbas with the head of the Prisoner Release Center Volodymyr Ruban.

"I did not make the crossing with Ruban," she said, adding that they [Ukrainian authorities] are doing everything in their power to complicate his efforts to win the release of prisoners.

Savchenko said she does not consider her trip to occupied Donbas to be criminal, because the area is Ukrainian territory.

She said it is necessary to visit all prisons in occupied eastern Ukraine to find citizens of Ukraine, whom the militants are hiding.

"It is necessary also for observers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation Europe or the Red Cross to visit [these prisons], in order to determine how many people are being held," Savchenko said, adding that one person in her list [of prisoners] said he would refuse to return to Ukraine.
The illegal trade of human organs in the Middle East has surged recently as Syrian refugees seek money to afford smugglers fees for a Mediterranean Sea crossing to Europe.

ISIS FIGHTERS' HANDWRITTEN LETTERS FOUND AT ABANDONED MOSUL TRAINING COMPOUND

One young Syrian man, who gave his name as Mayar, fled his war-torn Syrian village for Cairo, hoping to be able to earn a living and support his family in that city. But that was unsuccessful.

By God, I dont know how much money I can make from my kidney, but I have no other solution, A refugee given the pseudonym Mayar said to Vocativ in a recent interview. Life in Egypt is expensive.

EU LAWMAKERS APPROVE CENSORING COMMENTS DEEMED RACIST

Mayar said that last month he posted an ad on a Facebook group called Sell Kidney Online, describing himself as a young Syrian man living in EgyptO positive blood type interested in donating my kidney in exchange for a monetary sum so that I may be able to survive my circumstances. Please reply as soon as possible.

A price list on the social media page shows the going rates from kidneys around the world -- From $650 in Kenya to as much as $300,000 in South Africa and Europe. It is often enough for refugees to pay the approximately $1,000 per person fee smugglers typically charge for a one-way ride on an often unseaworthy boat across the Mediterranean.

Experts say that both Egypt and Turkey have become hot spots for organ trafficking due to the large amount of refugees and migrants. And most of the money is going towards not only criminal networks, but terrorist organizations as well.

"We're looking at bank accounts, where the money is actually going to, and that appears to be giving the pattern that we would expect from money laundering from some of the large criminal and terrorist groups," Dr. Campbell Fraser from Australias Griffith University said to abc.net.au.

"Because we know where the donors are coming from, these are countries associated with terrorism  so Syria in particular."

Prof. Duminda Wijesekera, a money laundering expert from George Mason University in Northern Virginia said to the Australian news agency that the money is both directly and indirectly feeding ISIS.

"These people who get this money are in fact working for the human smugglers to get people into Europe, he said.

"It directly and indirectly feeds ISIS and the money flows have been traced  sometimes you do not directly give cash to these organizations, you pay the people who supply weapons, they supply fighters."

The increase in human organ selling has gained the attention of NGOs and religious groups around the world. Earlier this month, the Vatican held a summit to address the growing criminal market.

Destitute individuals are victimized in schemes of organ trafficking when induced to sell their organs in a desperate search for a better life, the Vatican said in a statement during the summit.
A top Russian official reportedly said Tuesday that Moscows relationship with the U.S. is at its lowest level since the Cold War.

Sergei Ryabkov, Russias deputy foreign minister, said his country would analyze President Trumps address to Congress later Tuesday, Reuters reported, citing the Interfax news agency.

Earlier this month, Russian officials voiced concerns about signs that the Trump administration may have been infected by anti-Russian feelings. The comments came after the high-profile resignation of Trumps national security adviser Michael Flynn.

"Either Trump has not gained the requisite independence and he is consequently being not unsuccessfully backed into a corner, or Russophobia has already infected the new administration also from top to bottom," MP Konstantin Kosachev said, according to news reports out of the country.

Kosachev's counterpart at the lower chamber of the Russian parliament, Alexei Pushkov, tweeted shortly after the announcement that "it was not Flynn who was targeted but relations with Russia."

Federal investigators in the U.S. have been looking into possible contacts between Trump advisers and Russia for months, along with Russia's role in political hacking during the campaign.

Trump has denied knowing that any of his campaign advisers were in contact with Russians during the campaign. He has also said he has no financial ties or other connections to Russia.

The GOP chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes of California, said that so far, he has not received any evidence from the intelligence community that anyone in Trump's orbit was in contact with Russians during the presidential campaign.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
An Argentinian tourist is fighting for her life after she, her husband and another couple visiting Rio de Janeiro tried to get to Christ the Redeemer statue following Google Maps directions  and ended up in a dangerous favela (slum).

According to O'Globo newspaper, 42-year-old Natalia Lorena Cappetti underwent surgery to remove a bullet that entered through her back. She remains in serious condition, the paper said.

The two couples - one from Argentina, the other one from Spain - arrived in the city last week to attend the Carnival festivities.

A spokesman for the Military Police told Telam that the incident occurred at one of the entrances to the Morro dos Prazeres favela at around 3 p.m., when a group of men approached the tourists' vehicle, shot several rounds and fled.

ITALIAN TOURIST KILLED IN FAVELA IN BRAZIL'S RIO DE JANEIRO

Witnesses told police the criminals, believed to be drug dealers, fled into the slum without stealing anything.

Morro dos Prazeres is the same favela where an Italian citizen traveling across South America on a motorcycle was fatally shot in December after following faulty GPS directions.

3 DEAD IN SHOOTOUT NEAR TOURIST SPOTS IN RIO DE JANEIRO

The favelas in this area are considered the most dangerous and are only a mile away from the Sambodromo, where more than 72,000 revelers are expected Tuesday night to attend the Carnivals wrap-up.
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Jan Ahlgren, the founder of Vilhelm Parfumerie in New York, was born in Sweden to an American mother and a Swedish father. After leaving his small hometown to move to Paris he led a nomadic life for a while, traveling throughout Europe and working in the fashion industry. Three years ago, Jan relocated to New York, where he fell in love with the city and a girl, now his wife and Vilhelm partner.

While designing handbags in New York, Jan was inspired by the old practice of glove makers of imbuing leather with scent, and he enlisted the supreme talents of perfumer Jerome Epinette to craft such a scent for his creations. After this successful first collaboration, Jan couldnt think of anything else. He was captivated by the power of scent to elicit, capture and convey emotion and so this first collaboration quickly morphed into a beautiful partnership and Jans singular focus: Vilhelm Parfumerie was born.







Founder Jan Ahlgren and a New York city street

In May 2015, their first collection launched in Barney's New York and by the end of 2016 the Vilhelm house counted 15 editions in our database, all scents with "an elaborate founding story. From a memory of childhood summers in a seaside cabin to a conception of early 1900s Paris  its colors, energy, and rhythm embodied in scent  each fragrance is the culmination of a broad, creative and collaborative process. We consult our memories from youth and from travel. We allow ourselves to be taken by a distant time or place."

Over the last years, you may have encountered mentions of Jan's black-tea based scent that came out as a love letter to his wife, named Dear Polly. It's a warm scent, musky, and a tad spicy but still light and a bit sweet. "I wanted to capture a scent for Polly that had tea elements, the base is black tea, because that's her favorite drink. She loves that moment where she takes her tea. I also wanted something that is a bit smoky and mysterious throughout. We also created it so I would have it when I travel and we're never apart," Jan explains in an interview with Harper's Bazaar.



"Vilhelm finds its namesake in Jans grandfather. A debonair, charismatic figure, he helped inspire Jans appreciation for classic aesthetics and early 20th century glamour. Youll find in Vilhelm a nod to the past, expressed in our contemporary aesthetic and olfactory language. From the dynamic, innovative scents to the heritage design and contemporary prints, every element of a Vilhelm product is personally and carefully crafted."



The new launch from the house of Vilhelm in the beginning of 2017 is called Don't Tell Jasmine and described as the seemingly effortless seduction of jasmine with a direct emotional connection to the senses. It's enhanced with lemon, kir and petal musk. We hear it's heavy on jasmine, heady and powerful and only for those who really, really love jasmine.





Vilhelm's Don't Tell Jasmine is available through Barneys in bottles of 3.4 fl oz/100ml Eau de Parfum prized at $245. Most of their fragrances are also offered in an .61 fl oz/18 ml travel spray for $80. More on Vilhelm Perfumerie New York and their fragrances you can read on their website. Click here for a quick look where to find Vilhelm's fragrances in the US, London, Paris and Bucharest.

Photos: Vilhelm Parfumerie website, Barneys

Sources: Vilhelm Parfumerie website, interview with Harper's Bazaar
Exiled Rwandan priest declares alternative Cabinet

News In Summary "The people of Rwanda need a way of overcoming fear," Mr Nahimana announced, naming himself as president and several other exiled individuals as part of his Cabinet. The prelate has twice attempted to return to Rwanda but failed.

http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Exiled-Rwandan-priest-declares-alternative-Cabinet/2558-3830318-f49xbd/index.html
New U.K. Treasury chief Jeremy Hunt has reversed most of an economic package announced by the government just weeks ago, including a planned cut in income taxes. Hunt said Monday he was scrapping almost all the tax cuts announced last month by the Conservative government of Prime Minister Liz Truss, and also signaled that public spending cuts are on the way. It was a bid to soothe turbulent financial markets spooked by fears of excessive government borrowing. The move raises questions about how long the beleaguered prime minister can stay in office, though Truss insisted she has no plans to quit. She vowed to lead the Conservatives into the next general election, but many in the party want her gone.
MONTPELIER STATION  When the National Trust for Historic Preservation acquired James Madisons Montpelier from the duPont family in the 1980s, the 2,650-acre property featured not only the famous mansion that was home to the fourth president of the United States and his wife, Dolley, but also scores of other buildings, many of them overgrown with weeds and in disrepair.

One such falling-down structure was across state Route 20 from the original Montpelier property but on land that had been acquired by the duPonts. No one seemed to know the significance of the old house, but Rebecca Gilmore Coleman did.

It had belonged to her great-grandfather George Gilmore, who had been born into slavery at Montpelier around 1810, but was emancipated after the Civil War. He moved across the road with his family, built a cabin and eventually gained full title to the land. Once owned as property, Gilmore became a property owner.

I approached them about it, and asked them to please save it, Coleman said in a phone interview from her home in Orange County. They agreed to have it restored. What a blessing, not only to my family but to the whole community.

The Montpelier Foundation, which was formed in 2000, began restoration of the cabin in 2001. Gilmore Farm is now a public stop on Route 20  within sight of the main Montpelier entrance  with signage that explains the history of the Gilmores. That project also signaled a significant shift in the way the foundation approached the telling of Montpeliers story.

Beginning in the 90s, weve had specific African-American programming from an interpretive standpoint, said Christian Cotz, director of education and visitor engagement for James Madisons Montpelier. But our push to really do more from a big, holistic interpretative standpoint began with Rebecca Gilmore Coleman. Developing that relationship with Rebecca kind of started this whole journey for us.

That journey has come to include a major archaeological dig in what is known as the South Yard, next to the mansion, where a community of slaves lived and worked. Based on the findings of the dig, a half-dozen structures  including slave quarters, a kitchen and smokehouses  are being reconstructed. Four of those buildings are scheduled to be completed and open to visitors by June, when a new exhibit opens in the mansions cellar that will focus on Montpeliers enslaved people and address the issue and legacy of slavery from Madisons time to today.

The title of the new exhibition is Mere Distinction of Colour, borrowed from Madisons acknowledgment of the evil of slavery in his speech at the Constitutional Convention in 1787: We have seen the mere distinction of colour made in the most enlightened period of time, a ground of the most oppressive dominion ever exercised by man over man. However, slavery proved to be too thorny a predicament even for a problem-solver such as Madison.

The interactive exhibit and the reconstruction of the slave buildings are being financed through a $10 million gift from financier and philanthropist David Rubenstein. Part of the gift also will help complete the furnishing of the mansion, which underwent a major restoration a decade ago that returned the house to its configuration during Madisons time.

Over time, the foundation came to realize it could not properly tell the story of Montpelier  or of the Madisons or the Constitution  without also telling the story of the enslaved people who lived there, said Elizabeth Chew, vice president of museum programs.

Its not African-American history, Chew said. Its American history.

***

A 90-minute drive northwest of Richmond, Montpelier is relatively new as a cultural institution because for generations Montpelier was privately owned and not opened to the public. James Madison died in 1836, and Dolley Madison moved to Washington and in 1844 sold the estate that James Madisons father had built. Montpelier was sold to a succession of owners until the duPonts acquired it in 1900.

The last duPont to own the estate died in 1983, and Montpelier was acquired by the National Trust, which opened it to the public. The Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution  Madison is considered the father of the U.S. Constitution  was launched in 2003. The completion of an $8.8 million visitor center in 2007, along with the $24 million restoration of the mansion, transformed Montpelier into a full-fledged public attraction.

More than 125,000 visitors come to Montpelier every year, and what they find is a young museum devoted to the obvious history of Madison and the Constitution endeavoring to incorporate lesser-known and still-emerging stories of the people who were enslaved there. The result, foundation officials hope, is a more comprehensive and honest portrayal of Montpelier and its place in history.

The opening of the reconstructed slave buildings and the new exhibit in June represent another peak in the development of Montpelier, said Kat Imhoff, James Madisons Montpelier president and chief executive officer.

People find slavery a painful subject, but its also an amazing opportunity as Americans to know this more complete and fulsome story, Imhoff said. Its not a slavery story for the sake of a slavery story. Its about us as Americans, where weve been and where we can go.

In researching the history of the enslaved at the estate, Montpelier officials have enlisted the help of descendants of those slaves. In 2001, the foundation arranged a reunion of descendants. It was a small group, precise lineage being difficult to trace because of a paucity of records, so Montpelier also opened the group to those who think they might be descended from slaves at Montpelier or any other plantation.

The group also welcomes those who simply have an interest in that history. As a result, Montpeliers vibrant descendant community includes a range of participants, from university anthropologists to relatives of the enslaved, such as descendants of Paul Jennings, a household slave who served the Madisons at Montpelier and in Washington and wrote what is considered the first memoir about life in the White House.

Members have offered insights, information and critiques, as well as pitching in with hands-on help for archaeological digs and building projects.

We had a gathering in the spring of 2014 with a group of people we invited from the descendant community, Cotz said. We asked, What would you like to see happen? What can we do better? The overwhelming message that came back was, You have to put our buildings, our homes, the places we worked back on the landscape. You have to return the landscape to the way it looked at the time because its just too easy to ignore.

Six months later, we got the (Rubenstein) gift.

***

Montpelier was at one time the largest slave-holding plantation in western Orange County with more than 100 slaves working the entire estate. An estimated 20 to 30  cooks, butlers, maids, seamstresses and laundresses among others who worked in the mansion  lived in the South Yard, under constant scrutiny by those in the big house, just a few steps away.

The owners of Montpelier between Madison and the National Trust apparently did little in the way of soil disturbance around the mansion, meaning the South Yard yielded a multitude of treasures in the archaeological digs: writing slates and pencil tips, an abscessed tooth with marks from implements used to extract it, buttons, pieces of ceramics, dolls, bricks with fingerprints on them and a Masonic pipe bowl with Liberty inscribed on it. Some of those artifacts will be part of the upcoming exhibit.

Montpelier is in an uncommon position to tell the story of slavery and its legacy not only from Madisons time but also through the arc of history, Chew said, because of  among other features  the restored train depot with its segregated restrooms at the edge of the property that was built by the duPonts during the Jim Crow era, and its emphasis on the Constitution, which enabled slavery and then abolished it.

And, of course, the Gilmore Farm.

Im just so thrilled that theyre being inclusive, said Coleman, George Gilmores great-granddaughter. Its very important to tell the story of the enslaved people and how they helped build this country. We have to tell the complete and truthful story of American history.
KYIV. Feb 28 (Interfax-Ukraine)  Some 21,000 tourists from Ukraine visited India in 2016, Ambassador of India to Ukraine Manoj Kumar Bharti has said.

"According to our information, in 2016, around 21,000 tourists from Ukraine visited India, including 18,000 who visited India under new "visa on arrival" rules. This means that the embassy issued only around 3,000 visas for special cases," the ambassador said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday.

The diplomat said that everyone who wants to visit his country for the period of no more than 30 days are not obliged to come to the embassy and receive visas. It is enough to fill in the form on the website.

"Visa will be issued on the arrival for the period of up to 29 days. I am glad to say that this service will be improved in two months," Bharti said.

He said that the key tourists' destinations last year were Goa and Kerala beaches for beach holidays and Varanasi, Rishikesh and Hyderabad for tourists interested in Indian culture, history and philosophy.

He said that Indian tourists do not visit Ukraine due to the complicated visa registration procedure.

"At present, according to my information, there is no tourist from India. Students from India or Indian citizens and members of their families and friends come here. The main problem is the visa. It is hard to receive it. India has introduced the visa on arrival that has been in effect for six months. We would like Ukraine make counter moves," he said.

Bharti said that Indian tourists could bring around $37 million to the Ukrainian economy.
By STAFF REPORTS

The State Board for Community Colleges has certified three finalists for the position of president at Germanna Community College. The finalists were among more than 100 applicants from across the nation.

The three candidates are John R. Donnelly of Charlottesville, Janet Gullickson of Spokane, Wash., and Linda ThomasGlover of Onley.

This opportunity at Germanna is attracting an impressive breadth and depth of talent, said Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginias Community Colleges. We take that as a vote of confidence in the college, as well as the entire Virginia Community College System. Our focus on student success, our innovative approaches to providing short-term workforce training and our stability make us attractive to community college leaders who yearn to make a difference.

Donnelly is vice president for instruction and student services at Piedmont Virginia Community College, a position he has held since 2010. He served for two years as vice president of academic and student affairs/provost for Massachusetts Bay Community College in Wellesley Hills, Mass.

Donnelly began his community college career as an adjunct instructor of history at Germanna Community College in 1999 and rose through the ranks, serving as a full-time faculty member and eventually an assistant dean and dean at the college. He holds a doctorate in higher education from the University of Virginia, masters and bachelors degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and a bachelors degree from James Madison University.

Gullickson has presided over two community colleges, including her current position as president of Spokane Falls Community College, a position she has held since 2012. She served two years as chief academic officer for the second largest district of the Community Colleges of Spokane.

Gullickson served as president of Front Range Community College in Westminster, Colo., between 2004 and 2005. She was also interim president and provost of what is now known as Minnesotas Northeast Higher Education District. Gullickson holds a doctorate in education from the University of Minnesota, a masters degree from South Dakota State University, and a bachelors degree from the University of South Dakota.

ThomasGlover is the president of Eastern Shore Community College, a position she has held since 2009. She also served as provost/chief academic officer of Elizabethtown Community and Technical College in Kentucky beginning in 2004.

ThomasGlover also worked for more than a decade at Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown, N.C., rising through several positions, ultimately serving a nine-month term as the colleges interim vice president of instruction. She holds a doctorate in chemistry from Temple University, a masters degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and a bachelors degree from South Carolina State College.

The three finalists are vying to succeed David Sam, who has served as Germannas president for nearly a decade. Sam announced last summer that he would retire at the end of the current academic year.

The finalists will each spend a day or more on the campuses of Germanna between March 20 and 30, to meet with faculty, staff, students and community members.

The three finalists are vying to succeed David Sam, who has served as Germannas president for nearly a decade.
Youve heard it before. One mans trash is another mans treasure.

But it best describes one debate among watermen about plans for a marine sanctuary on the Potomac River, just off the Maryland shore across from Widewater in Stafford County.

A panel of both Virginia and Maryland watermen advises the Potomac River Fisheries Commission on finfish issues. They were asked to weigh in on the potential designation of Mallows Bay and its more than 100 World War I ghost ships as a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration marine sanctuary.

Many watermen have gill, fyke and pound nets over and near some of the ship remnants. Two of the proposals would extend farther up and down the river from Mallows Bay, where they also fish.

At a PRFC meeting last week, members of the advisory panel, headed by Maryland Watermens Association President Robert T. Brown, questioned whether the ships were ever used in the war effort or just overstock, discarded like household trash.

Bob Eaton, who attended the meeting, said theres great recreational fishing around the wrecks, but said he was puzzled by why they need to be made a sanctuary.

The ships were deemed of no value when they were taken there, Eaton said. Im not aware they have any historic significance. Having said that, 25 years ago, the first time I boated around the wrecks, I thought that was pretty cool.

NOAAs Paul Sammy Orlando tried to set the record straight.

The history of this area is actually quite significant. These actually did serve their purpose in World War I  as transport vessels and for coastal missions for battle-ready ships, said Orlando, adding that mass production of a wooden and composite steamship fleet was the beginning of a complete transformation of the U.S. Navy during World War I.

It really dramatically increased our capacity for shipbuilding and the naval power that this country is now, he said.

Watermen have a combative history with the ghost ships of Mallows Bay. In 1923, more than 100 ships built for that WWI war effort were scrapped and hauled to areas of the Potomac to be burned.

According to the book Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay and Other Tales of the Lost Chesapeake, by Donald G. Shomette, watermen hired a lawyer to write letters to the secretaries of commerce, interior and the Navy to stop the polluting practice because it was driving away fish. Virginias fisheries commissioner also was asked to intervene.

All these protests led to moving the ship burnings from the Potomac, just below Quantico, to farther down in Mallows Bay. But watermen continued to complain about the effects on fishing and on the bay, which could no longer function as a safe harbor. The move also put a family-owned sturgeon and caviar fishing operation in Mallows Bay out of business.

Today, the remaining hulls are great places to set nets and to draw ecotourism. If the area becomes a marine sanctuary, kayakers and other boaters would be able to follow signs for a water trail similar to the Capt. John Smith Trail.

Most watermen are suspicious of any federal endeavor, pointing to regulations that protect marine species decimated by pollution, disease and over-harvesting, while making deep cuts into the livelihoods of watermen. A sanctuary designation means federal involvement, something Brown and other watermen dont want.

As far as Im concerned, the [wrecks] theyve got on the shore  if they want to do something with that, thats fine. If theyve got some sticking out in the river and they want to buoy off a little area that can be very easily worked out without going through all this sanctuary, said Brown. Most of the time when NOAA comes in, it doesnt work in our favor.

Even more problematic is the word sanctuary. Watermen are familiar only with sanctuaries that are no-go zones, such as oyster and crab sanctuaries, which are associated with considerable fines or loss of fishing licenses and sometimes jail.

But NOAA marine sanctuaries are parks, where the federal government has a very basic authority of three regulations: dont take or damage sanctuary resources, dont take or damage sanctuary signs and dont interfere with sanctuary enforcement. Orlando calls them, Dont take it, dont break it regulations.

Orlando said much of the conflict in designating sanctuaries would decrease if they could be called something else to distinguish them as parks where people are welcome and fishermen can fish.

Any changes to fishing regulation, he told the watermen, would have to come from the established government channels that handle fisheries management, such as their own state.

But they werent buying it.

Waterman James Bowling, a vice chairman on the commission panel, said he believes a sanctuary designation would eventually take precedence over commercial fishing.

Were going to bring people in to educate them and go to the schools and tell them how great our natural resources are, thats all a part of this. Then  you have the public saying, We need to save this,  he said.

People are so many generations away from their family farm. They dont understand where their food comes from or that youre taking care of the resources.

In the end, the watermen recommended to the commission the sanctuary stay within the confines of Mallows Bay, from Marylands Smith Point to Sandy Point.

The PRFC will consider the recommendation as they take up the Mallows Bay Marine Sanctuary at their next full meeting, March 20, in Colonial Beach.

To see the schedule, visit PRFC.us.
WHO KNEW that writing this generations definitive biography of Star Wars creator George Lucas was a process that started with studying author Washington Irving?

Or that the second stop on Brian Jay Jones rise as a nationally known biographer would be an insightful look at the life and achievements of puppetry and television pioneer Jim Henson?

Its all a journey, said Jones of the three biographies hes written. His first was Washington Irving: An American Original in 2008.

I like to say that a biography is history taken personally, Jones said. Its been interesting spending years of my life getting to know these three fascinating individuals.

Jones, now at the University of Mary Washington as a biographer in residence and the associate director of the William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series, will pull from his recently published George Lucas: A Life on Thursday night.

The Great Lives session, at 7:30 p.m. at UMWs Dodd Auditorium, is billed as a multimedia look at the life, work and galaxy-spanning influence of one of cinemas most famous filmmakers.

I caught up with Jones recently to hear about his interesting journey.

He grew up and went to college in New Mexico, then worked in local government in Maryland and the halls of Congress, all while writing three very different biographies.

It helped that he was an English major at UNM and enjoyed years of exploring romanticism, from Shelley to Keats and beyond.

After a brief turn running a comic book store, Jones worked for nearly 10 years as a policy advisor in the U.S. Senate, first for Pete V. Domenici and then James M. Jeffords.

Toss in jobs in education, at a Washington think tank and as an aide to Maryland elected county officials and Jones has an eclectic resume.

But in all those years working in the government world, the English major in Jones wouldnt quite let go. His curiosity was sparked when he found a book by Irving at a vintage D.C. bookstore.

He was really one of the first celebrities we had in this country, said Jones, a Forrest Gump sort of person in that if something important was happening, Irving was part of it. If someone was famous, Irving was his friend.

He also was amazed to learn that it was Irving who gave us many of the traditions and trappings of Christmas.

The Yule log, the wassail bowl, caroling and holly garlands are all found in his stories of Old Christmas, said Jones, all appearing years before Dickens and others thought of them.

Thats the fun part of a biography, getting wrapped up in every detail you can find. Jones said the work part was organizing it, then getting up early and staying up late to write before and after whatever job was paying the bills.

Reading about Jim Henson gave him the idea for his next biography, and the notion gained traction when he realized there wasnt anyone else working on one.

It helped that Henson grew up in Maryland, one county over from where Jones was living at the time, and that the Sesame Street and the Muppets innovator had gone to the University of Maryland.

The critical thing for the project that ended up as Jim Henson: The Biography in 2013 was getting the cooperation of the Henson family, which still runs his company and a connected foundation.

Their interest went from hot to cold and back again, he said, noting that he finally won them over by doing a sample chapter.

For his latest book, which sold out on Amazon in just a few hours, Jones tried to work directly with Lucas, who was initially interested but eventually said no.

Though disappointed, Jones said he thinks working without Lucas turned the biography of the man he describes as a charmingly reckless film innovator into a more meaningful look at Lucas life.

He noted that Lucas was the first to create his own studio, Skywalker Ranch, his own special effects company and a movie franchise that is still filling theaters with new generations of moviegoers.

I dont have space here to share all the details about Lucas and Star Wars that Jones packed into his new biography, which People magazine called a whiz-bang tribute and The Washington Post called admirably comprehensive. But one of the best is that Lucas and others were considering killing character Han Solo off earlier in the series, only to be dissuaded by the fact that a dead Han Solo wouldnt sell many action figures.

Jones now lives with his wife in Stafford County, has a daughter in college and says he has an idea for his next biography, but doesnt want to jinx it before seeing if it will fly.
Jobs and health care are the top issues facing Virginia, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam said during a stop in Fredericksburg Tuesday in his campaign for governor.

Northam held a meet and greet at J. Brians Tap Room downtown. Campaign staffers said 57 people signed in at the event and that they had given out 75 blue and green Northam for Governor stickers.

Tuesday was the second day of the lieutenant governors Virginia Values tour, which began in Leesburg and will continue throughout the state this month. Northam, a pediatric neurologist, said he has been talking to voters and their requests are simple.

They want a good-paying job with good benefits. They want to be safe in the workplace. They dont want to be discriminated against.

They want to be able to have access to affordable and quality health care for themselves and their families. They want to make sure their children have access to a world-class education system. And they want to make sure their streets and communities are safe.

Northam will face former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello of Charlottesville in the June 13 Democratic primary. At least three RepublicansEd Gillespie, Corey Stewart and Sen. Frank Wagnerare running for their partys nomination.

Northam said he, Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Attorney General Mark Herring ran four years ago on a platform of creating economic opportunities. He said they helped bring 187,000 new jobs to the state and lower the unemployment rate from 5.4 percent to 3.7 percent, but more must be done.

Do we have challenges? Absolutely, especially in rural Virginia where I come from, on the Eastern shore. The Southside, Southwest, they need our help, Northam said.

He pointed to his recently announced workforce development plan, G3: Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back, which pledges to fill positions in cybersecurity, computer programming, clean energy and health care with Virginia workers by offering state funding for tuition and fees to pursue an associate degree or workforce training in these fields.

Northam, an Army veteran who served during Desert Storm, noted that Virginia was the first state to effectively end homelessness for veterans. He said he would continue the Virginia Values Veterans initiative, which provides incentives to businesses in the state to hire veterans, noting that the McAuliffe administration has already exceeded its goal of hiring 20,000 veterans by 2018 and is on the way to 30,000.

Northam described himself as a gun owner who grew up hunting and said he would follow a policy of advocating for responsible gun ownership.

I took care of wounded soldiers during Desert Storm and I have seen things firsthand that the average person would just as soon not see, he said. I can tell you what assault weapons do to human beings and in my opinionand I hope youll agreethere is no excuse for having an assault weapon on our streets.

The candidate spoke for 18 minutes and took questions from the audience.

In an interview after his remarks, he said that the number one thing voters should know about him is that he understands the importance of economic opportunity for all Virginians, no matter who they are, no matter where they are.

He said he would fight to maintain health care coverage for the 400,000 Virginians who are now covered as a result of the Affordable Care Act.

He pointed to Perriellos A rating from the National Rifle Association and said his opponent has been on the wrong side of womens reproductive health care by voting for the Stupak amendment, which he said would have limited lower-income womens access to abortion providers.

Im not a person that puts my finger up in the air and sees which way the winds blowing and I think people will realize that for the last 10 years since Ive been in public service, Ive been unwavering in my support for Democratic progressive values, he said.

Fredericksburg resident Vickie Curtin said she came to meet Northam because she has followed his career and likes his ideas on health care, gun control and womens rights.

Hes got a lot of backbone, she said. You need backbone.

Leslie Kash, also of Fredericksburg, said she came to get educated.

Ive started to get more politically active because of whats going on nationally, she said.
Europe supporting Ukraine less now because of Russian propaganda campaign  expert

KYIV. Feb 28 (Interfax-Ukraine)  Support for Ukraine in Europe is lessening as a result of a strong Russian propaganda campaign. The process may continue because of future scheduled elections in a number of European countries.

"It is necessary to see that support for Ukraine is lessening somewhat  Ukraine fatigue is setting in among several classes of western European residents  This is a big success for Russian propaganda, which shows Ukraine as hard-to-understand place. Putin speaks about Ukraine as if the country is a joke, not a real country. Unfortunately, this propaganda works in several parts of Europe," said Co-Chairman of the Board of the Heinrich Boell Foundation (Berlin) Ralf Fuecks on Tuesday at the Kyiv-based Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

Fuecks said international support for Ukraine, which is based on the Berlin-Brussels-Washington axis, helps strengthen diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia. However, the situation involving elections in a number of European countries in 2017 may lead to the weakening of Europe's pro-Ukraine position.

The expert believes the presidential elections in France may end in victory of a pro-Russian candidate.

At the same time, Fuecks said that the continuation of Germany's support for Ukraine is also under question, because Angela Merkel may no longer be the chancellor after the elections.

Nevertheless, there is still a determination to continue the sanctions despite a large number of pro-Russian organizations, the expert said.

He suggested the Ukrainian authorities should continue the reform and inform the international community about their progress.
Everyone is doing sequencing, but most people arent able to analyze their sequences as well or as quickly as they might want to, Bedford said. Were trying to fill in this gap so that the World Health Organization or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  or whoever  can have better analysis tools to do what they do. Were hoping that will get our software in the hands of a lot of people.

For now, the tool is easy to use for Zika and Ebola. (The researchers also built a separate platform called nextflu for influenza.) But adapting the platform for other pathogens still involves a fair amount of work and technical skill, so Bedford is working with a web developer to get that bar down so it will be easier to have this built out for other things.

By lowering the technical bar, he and Neher hope to nudge researchers to overcome another obstacle: a longstanding reluctance to share data. That is also a goal of the Open Science Prize.

Sharing is caring

Open science supporters believe, as Bedford and Neher do, that sharing preliminary information quickly speeds discoveries, including those that could improve human health, and is therefore good for both science and society. The Open Science Prize competition aimed to stimulate the development of groundbreaking tools and platforms to make it easier for researchers and the wider public to share and find publications, datasets, code, and other research outputs as well as to generate excitement, momentum and further investment in doing so, according to the prize sponsors.

Nextstrain is an exemplar of open science and will have a great impact on public health by tracking viral pathogens, said Robert Kiley, who leads Wellcomes work on open research, in a statement. All of the Open Science Prize entrants demonstrated whats possible when data and code are made open for all, he said.

Bedford and Neher were among six teams of finalists chosen in May from 96 entries representing 450 innovators and 45 countries. In January, a public vote (3,730 votes from 76 countries, to be precise) narrowed the field to three. Bedford praised both runner-up teams as doing really fantastic work. MyGene2 is designed to help people with rare diseases share health and genetic information with other families, clinicians and researchers worldwide. OpenTrialsFDA is aimed at making it easier to find information from clinical trials that was reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration but never published in academic journals.

For all of its cutting-edge technology, nextstrain, the winning project, belongs to a long tradition of using data visualization to understand  and intervene in  outbreaks, dating back to the 1854 London cholera outbreak. At the time, cholera, an infectious and often fatal intestinal disease, was thought to be spread by miasma or bad-smelling air. Dr. John Snow, the father of modern epidemiology, which is the study of the causes and patterns of disease, suspected the disease was spread by contaminated water. He drew a map of public well sites and cholera cases and noted that cases clustered around a particular well.

The map, Bedford said, made an intervention  removing the handle of the Broad Street water pump  obvious.

What were doing with nextstrain is meant to be in this tradition, he said. Right now its more of a now-cast, but we really want to be doing a real-time forecast of whats going on with an epidemic.

Evolutionary and computational biologists like Bedford and Neher are in the open-science movements vanguard. One reason is that their fields are the ones most concerned with outbreaks, where waiting to publish can have deadly consequences.

Real-time tracking of genetic mutations during disease outbreaks helps scientists discern what makes viruses so severe and informs public health efforts to contain them. Being able to do so depends on researchers openly sharing the genetic-sequencing data, something that not all scientists embrace in a competitive world where researchers rush to publish in prestigious journals and stake claims to discoveries.

Lessons from Ebola

The seed for nextstrain sprouted while Bedford was doing postdoctoral research at the University of Michigan. He had published a paper on flu migration using data from up to 2010. He found himself thinking what a pity it was that the analysis couldnt be updated as new data came out. But the fact that a paper had already been published was a disincentive for anyone to write a new paper with just a small update to the data.

From that frustration, nextflu was born. And nextflu led to nextstrain.

The devastating 2013-2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa leant the project new urgency. Relatively early in the outbreak, researchers sequenced Ebola genomes from patients and immediately uploaded them to the public database GenBank, leading to a surge of collaboration from experts in diverse fields. The collection of shared, publicly available data helped answer critically important questions as the epidemic was unfolding. It added to the confirmation that the outbreak was being sustained by human-to-human contact, not contact with bats or other animal carriers, it suggested probable transmission routes and revealed where and how fast mutations in the virus were occurring  all information crucial to both public health and medical interventions.

Even when data is shared, speed is everything in responding to outbreaks, so any tool that hastens data analysis contributes to the effort.

But despite the precedent set by the response to the Ebola epidemic, fewer researchers have shared Zika virus genome sequences from the more recent crisis in Brazil, Central America and the Caribbean, the researchers said.

Im not seeing the same thing with Zika, said Dr. Gytis Dudas, a postdoctoral fellow in Bedfords laboratory who worked on many of the Ebola analyses. In part, Dudas said, the Zika virus is more difficult to sequence than Ebola, making researchers more likely to guard their rare sequences for publications.

And that, Bedford said, is a tragedy, even as he understands that academic careers depend on publishing.

The idea is that this nextstrain platform would provide some neutral ground with which to share data, Bedford said. Were not trying to make a flashy paper. We just want [the data] to be on the website so people can look at the latest thing and do analyses that arent stymied by publication practices. This kind of simple sequence sharing during outbreaks is something that if you could just push the [scientific] community a little bit, you could have some real-world impact in helping respond to epidemics.

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KYIV. Feb 28 (Interfax-Ukraine)  Co-Chairman of the Board of the Heinrich Boell Foundation (Berlin) Ralf Fuecks believes the presidential election in France will be a serious challenge for the entire European Union.

"Indeed, this is not just France election, this is the election of the further fate of the European Union. This election is the future of Europe. If Marine Le Pen wins, it will be a blow to the European Union," he said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday.

However, Le Pen is unlikely to win, the expert said. "I think she won't win the runoff election. I think that the European integration of France will not experience such a blow," Fuecks said.

He also said the current crisis has become a serious challenge for the European Union. "We cannot leave the battlefield to the right-wing populists. I think that the current crisis will unite and mobilize the pro-European forces," the expert said.
The Ukrainian construction community gradually captures the experience of international organizations to improve construction activities and works to establish new forms of cooperation. The goal is development of the industry that sets the pace of development of other related industries. And the integration of the national construction industry in the European Union market is an important part of progress in this process. This requires joint efforts of government, professional community and civil society organizations, which show unanimity in the work on deepening the integration processes in practice. As its evidence the Association of German Consultants Engineers "Verband Beratender Ingenieure" (VBI) and "Interstate Consultants Engineers Guild" (ICEG, Ukraine) held the joint expanded meeting in Kiev on February, 27. The meeting had a high representative level. Among the key participants was Rainer Bomba, the State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transport and digital infrastructure, Maksym Malashkin, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine, Lev Partskhaladze, the Deputy Minister, representatives of international donor organizations, experts in the field of construction. "Ukraine is on the path of European integration. The professional building community is proactive in this process. We are talking not only about the construction industry, but also about the entire economy of our country. The country is interested not only in attracting investment, but also in the improvement the efficiency of its usage. I mean that it is necessary to eliminate the lack of experience in concluding transparent construction contracts in accordance with the world established canons and market mechanisms for compliance monitoring "- said the Deputy Minister at the meeting. He also focused on the fact that standard forms of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) are the most common recommendations on the above mentioned issues. It was noted that FIDIC standard forms are recommended for use by the overwhelming majority of the international financial institutions involved in lending to the investment projects in Ukraine. Rainer Bomba, the State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transport and digital infrastructure also placed emphasis that the construction itself is the key to successful economic development. He welcomed Ukraine's efforts to reach a whole new level of technical regulation in construction, the level of the EU member countries, that according to his words will provide investors with clear, understandable and easy in implementation rules and regulations. Rainer Bomba also informed that it was not his first visit to Ukraine. Last year's meetings with the representatives of the Ukrainian party have established some agreements on cooperation in the context of providing expert support by the German party in reforming road, railway and sea industries. He noted that Germany was also ready to provide expert support in reforming the construction industry. During the meeting the parties signed the Memorandum of Cooperation between the "Verband Beratender Ingenieure" (VBI) and "Interstate Consultants Engineers Guild" (ICEG). The framework document establishes joint steps in the improvement of the construction activities. Oleksandr Nepomnyashchyy, ICEG President, and Volker Cornelius, VBI President, called the signing of the document one of measures in implementing the systematic interaction between the professional builders of Ukraine and Germany. "The signing of the Memorandum of cooperation is a small step on the long way of the industry development. But only by moving step by step we can achieve the goal. We are not interested in the process, but in the result. As our country more than ever needs the implementation of quality and quick solutions that will enable it to become European not geographically, but in its essence," - said Oleksandr Nepomnyashchyy. "There is an expression that God helps those who help themselves. I welcome the productive efforts of Ukraine to implement the extremely complex important reforms that will strengthen it. There are some results already notable today. The process of decentralization is in progress. Those powers in the architectural construction sector control were transferred to the local level, and now the local authorities together with the community can control construction on its territory themselves. It indicates to the investor exactly who he can deal with locally. So there is a small issue left - to establish legislative rules that are clear to all, including international investors. We have such experience and are ready to share,"- said Volker Cornelius.From left to right:Association of Consulting Engineers of Germany (VBI) was established in 1903 and is the leading professional organization of independent consulting, design and engineering companies in Germany. It has over 3,000 members and is one of the largest consulting organizations in the world. VBI administration policy aimed at maintaining fair competition. Interstate Consultants Engineers Guild (ICEG) is an independent professional association which aims to harmonize existing market model in Ukraine engineering and consultancy services in accordance with universally recognized international standards. ICEG is an affiliated member of FIDIC. International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) is the largest international organization in the field of construction consultancy which unites more than 97 national associations of consulting engineers worldwide. FIDIC has a policy of globalization, sustainable development and integrative understanding of business.
Richard Yu, chief executive officer of Huawei's consumer business, holds up a new P10 device during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, on Feb 26, 2017. (Photo/guancha.cn)

Chinese players steadily increase their presence in overseas markets

Chinese smartphone vendors Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and ZTE Corp are stealing the limelight at this year's Mobile World Congress, as they step up efforts to grab a bigger share of the high-end segment.

The moves came as Chinese players steadily increase their presence in overseas markets and take advantage of Samsung Electronics Co Ltd's exploding smartphone crisis to accelerate growth.

Huawei unveiled its latest flagship handsetthe P10in Barcelona on Sunday, right before the opening of the telecom industry's biggest conference. The new handset features front and back cameras developed with the German optics company Leica, which the firm hopes will replicate the success of the P9, its most popular premium device ever.

ZTE also made a big splash with its prototype handset, which can download data at 1Gbps, which is 10 times faster than most smartphones currently on the market. Dubbed the "Gigabit Phone", the device is expected to go into mass production early next year, in a move to prepare for the upcoming commercial application of 5G technology.

"Chinese smartphone vendors strengthened their position as competitive contenders against Samsung and Apple Inc," said James Yan, research director at Counterpoint Technology Market Research.

"It is Chinese players, not foreign firms, that are actively experimenting with new technologies," he said, adding that ZTE's latest phone shows that in the next 10 years, 5G-driven applications, such as augmented reality content and instant cloud storage, will become available on smartphones.

Though Samsung and Apple still hold the top two spots in the global smartphone market, they are losing ground to Chinese smartphone vendors including Huawei, Oppo Electronics Corp and vivo Mobile Communication Technology.

Huawei, Oppo and Vivo accounted for a combined market share of 21.6 percent last year, up from 13 percent in 2015, data from IDC show.

Samsung, whose reputation tumbled after its Galaxy Note 7's recall, did not showcase a new handset at the Barcelona event, and Apple, as usual, just skipped the gathering.

"Huawei is maximizing Samsung's unfortunate issues with its battery, and, if Huawei continues to invest in its brand-building strategies, it will become the No 2 smartphone brand," said Ben Little, co-founder of innovation consultancy Fearlessly Frank.

Huawei is already the world's third-largest smartphone maker. Last year, the Shenzhen-based company shipped 139 million smartphones worldwide, an increase of 29 percent year-on-year.

Huawei's market share in 33 countries exceeded 15 percent and in another 18 countries topped 20 percent in the first half of 2016, according to German research firm GfK.

Cecily Liu and Liu Zheng contributed to the story.
Conway Fire Chief Robert Baker describes the situation to state Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, in the aftermath of Saturday's category 1 tornado. Recorder Staff/Andy Castillo.

Conway resident Jeanne Thompson (left) describes damage to her house at 100 Whately Road to state Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito (center), Kurt Schwartz, director of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, looks on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, in the aftermath of Saturday's category 1 tornado. Recorder Staff/Andy Castillo.

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito speaks to reporters Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, in the aftermath of Saturday's category 1 tornado. Recorder Staff/Andy Castillo. Recorder StaffAndy Castillo

Antiques are salvaged from the collapsed barn at J&J Maggs Antiques in Conway after Saturday's tornado. February 27, 2017. Recorder Staff/Paul Franz

Tree and homes with damaged tops on Whately Road after Saturday's tornado in Conway. February 27, 2017. Recorder Staff/Paul Franz

The salt shed located at the Conway Grammar School lost its metal roof, peeled off by Saturday's tornado. February 27, 2017. Recorder Staff/Paul Franz

The salt shed located at the Conway Grammar School lost its metal roof, peeled off by Saturday's tornado. February 27, 2017. Recorder Staff/Paul Franz

The salt shed located at the Conway Grammar School lost its metal roof, peeled off by Saturday's tornado. February 27, 2017. Recorder Staff/Paul Franz

Trees down and damaged homes and the United Congregational Church along Whately Road in Conway after Saturday's tornado. February 27, 2017. Recorder Staff/Paul Franz

The United Congregational Church in Conway, shown Monday, was one of many buildings damaged by Saturday's tornado. Recorder Staff/Paul Franz

CONWAY  State officials including Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Sen. Adam Hinds visited Conway Monday to survey the aftermath of Saturdays category 1 tornado, assuring residents of the states intention to help out.

Flanked by representatives from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and other state agencies, Polito surveyed Pumpkin Hollow and Whately Road, which received the brunt of the tornados force.

As she walked past damaged houses and fallen trees, Polito listened to updates from local emergency officials and talked with residents directly affected by the storm, including John Maggs, whose barn was destroyed, and Jeanne Thomas, who lost the entire front of her house.

Addressing a large group of reporters from as far away as Boston, Polito highlighted successful state and local collaboration in response to the storm, which she described as a force of nature on a Saturday evening.

After the tornado touched down in Conway, a state of emergency was declared within two hours. The emergency response was rapid, it was collaborative, and it worked to bring stability to this community in about a 36-hour time period, Polito said.

Moving forward, Polito said the state will continue to help Conway with ongoing operations and calculating costs. Polito said state engineers would help assess damages.

Polito called for state leaders to work with local officials to help Conway with the financial burden, being a small town with a $5 million budget. To that end, she said Governor Baker and I have been in strong communication through the last 36 hours.

Church damage

The bottom line is its a terrible incident, Hinds said, walking past the United Congregational Church of Conway, which was structurally damaged during the storm. We feel blessed that no one was hurt.

Hinds comments were echoed by Bill Leno, a member of the church council, who is also on the churchs building committee. Work crews continued to remove tree limbs, rappelling down the historic churchs roof to secure loose slate shingles, and cover a large hole on Monday.

We have no loss of life, Leno said as he helped to clear brush. Thats wonderful when you look at the magnitude of what happened.

Todays mission is to secure the outside of the building so we dont have inside damage, which is sufficient already, he said as behind him, a Bobcat loader and a few chain saw workers removed larger limbs.

Inside the church, built in 1885, Leno said, the walls have many cracks, caused by torque as the building twisted, while buffeted by 80-to-110-mph winds.

As a result, Leno expressed structural concerns, noting the building is insured and that its foundation wasnt damaged.

High winds also knocked the churchs bell from its mounting. Leno said while its still in the bell tower, you cant pull the rope and make it do anything.

Three years ago, the church underwent extensive renovations  essentially overhauling the entire interior  which Leno said cost upward of $400,000. At least some of that money was contributed by taxpayers, through Community Preservation Act funds. In light of those renovations, Leno said the recent storm damages are a huge blow.

As far as how much the damages could cost to repair, Leno said its too early to tell, adding, we dont even have a preliminary number. Whats next is to get an evaluation from an engineer.

Looking ahead

Hinds said moving forward, My job is to work with the town and the governors office to make sure the financial burden isnt too much for the town to handle.

Addressing finances, acting Town Administrator Patricia Vinchesi said its too early to give hard numbers. The Select Board deputized her with the position Sunday while current administrative aide Tom Hutcheson is on vacation.

Were still assessing the extent of damages. We have a (long) tree removal process ahead of us, Vinchesi said. Also, the town will be fixing its salt storage facility.

In the short term, Select Board Chairman John P. ORourke said, theres still a safety concern, and the next step is to remove debris and assess damages.

The town was lucky. No injuries, he said.

Throughout the day Monday, Eversource linemen worked with tree crews and private contractors continued cleaning debris and damage left by the tornado.

Officials said Monday that thousands of trees fell in the path of the storm, 33 roads were closed, at least half a dozen homes were damaged, and about 87 percent of the town lost power.

As of Monday, electricity had been restored, and all but three roads were open to traffic.

Were good today  everyone has been restored, said Eversource regional president Craig Hallstrom, whos responsible for Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Vengeful tornado

The tornado touched down with vengeance, the National Weather Service said on Monday morning.

The weather service reported that the EF1 tornado first touched down in Goshen at 7:18 p.m. It then headed to Conway from 7:20 to 7:25 p.m. Winds reached 100 to 110 mph on Main Poland and Whately roads.

The path of the tornado varied in width, ranging from 50 yards in western Conway to 200 yards near the town hall, according to the report.

Donations

To provide relief for the Thomases and the Conway Congregational Church, a Conway Tornado Relief Fund has been set up. Those interested in donating can do so through a GoFundMe page, bit.ly/2lZcUB6. Its managed by Conways Firemens Auxiliary, with input from town officials.

According to a news release, cash and gift cards for the Conway Tornado Relief Fund are also being accepted at the Greenfield Savings Bank Branch on Route 116 in Conway. Send checks to Conway Mass Tornado Relief, c/o Greenfield Savings Bank, 181 Parsons Road, Conway, MA 01341.

Clothing donations arent needed and wont be accepted. For more information and updates visit Conways website, www.townofconway.com.
State land managers are working on plans to preserve what remains of Camp Adair, and theyre seeking public input on the best way to go about it.

An important Army training base during World War II, the camp just north of present-day Adair Village was dismantled after the war and is now the site of the E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area, managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Building foundations and other artifacts of the camp remain, and ODFW is working on a management plan that balances preservation of historical relics with wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities such as hunting and fishing.

Agency representatives will host a public meeting on the plan from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Room 20 of the Siuslaw National Forest headquarters, 3200 S.W. Jefferson Way in Corvallis.

People are invited to share their memories of Camp Adair and bring photos, letters or other memorabilia. Volunteers will be available to scan documents for digital archiving by the Benton County Historical Society.
Barb Lachenbruch and Everett Hansen live in Corvallis during the week, but they spend most of their weekends at their log cabin in the Coast Range.

No wonder: The setting is spectacular  80 acres of lushly forested land on Little Lobster Creek, about 15 miles southwest of Alsea near the border of Benton and Lincoln counties  and the cabin itself is a delightfully rustic retreat, with a wood-burning stove in the living room, a propane range in the kitchen and a wood-fired hot tub on the back deck.

We have sourdough pancakes every morning, Lachenbruch said with a grin.

And lately theyve been topping off their breakfast with a homemade treat: maple syrup from trees growing wild on their property.

The commercially produced syrup you buy at the grocery store typically comes from the sap of sugar maple, red maple or black maple trees that grow in the frosty climate of eastern Canada or the northeastern United States. But Lachenbruch, an Oregon State University forestry professor, met a maple syrup expert at a conference and asked if he thought she might be able to make syrup from a Pacific Northwest native, the bigleaf maple.

He said, Of course you can, she recalled.

Lachenbruch found a wealth of information online about making syrup from bigleaf maple trees, and last September she bought her husband a book on the subject for his birthday. In November, they tapped their first trees.

The tools of their hobby are pretty basic: 10 small stainless-steel spigots, called spiles, purchased online from a company in British Columbia; some lengths of food-grade latex tubing; an assortment of recycled plastic milk jugs and juice bottles; a cordless electric drill; and a hammer.

Its so easy, said Lachenbruch, holding up a spile as she knelt in front of a tree. You just drill a hole and tap it in.

The trick is to drill deep enough to get through the bark and the cambium into the sapwood, but not so deep that you damage the sensitive heartwood at the center of the trunk.

People say it doesnt hurt the trees, Lachenbruch said  although her husband, a retired OSU botany and forest pathology professor, felt obliged to amend that statement.

It doesnt do them any good, Hansen said, but these small wounds heal very quickly.

In general, maple trees can be tapped from mid-November to early March, but Lachenbruch and Hansen didnt start getting much sap in their containers until about the third week in December.

You really seem to need the branches to freeze and then to thaw to get the sap, Lachenbruch said.

Maple trees have specialized fiber cells that promote freezing and the storage of frozen water, explained Lachenbruch, whose academic specialty involves the hydraulics and biomechanics of trees. When the branches freeze in the winter, that causes them to take up moisture from the soil; when they thaw, that moisture flows down through the trunk as sap.

Once the freeze-thaw cycles kicked in and the sap started flowing, it flowed a little faster than the couple expected.

Were not very sophisticated, a rueful Hansen admitted. When we started out, we had smaller containers, and one time we overflowed our containers. That hurts.

Still, they managed to collect enough sap to make their first batch of bigleaf maple syrup. The recipe is simple: Run the sap through a filter to get the twigs, leaves and bugs out, then boil it down till what remains is about two-thirds sugar. (The proportion should be about right when the boiling point of the liquid in your pan is 7 degrees Fahrenheit above the normal boiling point of water.)

Anybody can do it, Lachenbruch said. Theres no chemistry.

And the result is delicious.

Its really tasty, she said. I find it a little tart or acid compared to normal maple syrup.

But heres the catch: It takes a lot of sap to make syrup. For bigleaf maple, were talking 60 to 80 gallons of sap for a single gallon of syrup, compared with a 40-to-1 ratio for sugar maple.

This is our years haul, Hansen said, pointing to a pair of pint-sized Mason jars filled with amber fluid and a third jar that was less than half full.

You figure out pretty quick that it doesnt pencil out, as they say, he added. The energy to boil it down is much more than the sugar you get.

So why do it? The couple struggle a bit to explain the appeal of their DIY project.

In part, its because making homemade syrup gives them a sense of kinship with the rough-and-ready settlers who homesteaded the area more than a century ago.

Its a totally different world, Hansen acknowledged. We can afford to have fun and try different things 

 and pretend to be pioneers, his wife added, finishing the thought.

Tapping native bigleaf maple trees to produce the syrup also makes them feel closer to nature.

The whole thing feels sort of  just, Lachenbruch said. Theres so much that we do that feels out of balance. This makes us feel that theres some things we do that arent contributing to the problems of our consumption and waste.

But theres something else, too  something intimately personal about making syrup from trees growing just a few steps from their door.

The same rain that falls on their cabin roof is soaked up through the roots of those maples, taking in minerals and nutrients from the earth. The trees subtle alchemy infuses those ingredients into the sap, and it all comes back to Lachenbruch and Hansen when they bite into their breakfast pancakes.

Their homemade syrup has its own very particular terroir, a word coined by French winemakers to express the unique characteristics imparted to grapes by the soil and the climate in which they were grown. Its that intangible something that makes wine from one vineyard taste just a bit different from wine made one or two valleys away.

As Lachenbruch put it: It makes you feel closer to the land where you are.
By Fei Liena (Xinhua) 09:03, February 28, 2017

BEIJING, Feb. 27 -- South Korea's Lotte Group approved the land swap with the government here on Monday to enable the deployment of the controversial U.S. missile defence system known as THAAD, virtually opening a Pandora's box in Northeast Asia.

The swap, which gives the South Korean defense ministry the Lotte Skyhill Country Club in Seongju County, North Gyeongsang Province, for the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system, paves way for a speedy installation of the system by late June at the earliest.

THAAD's planned deployment is in the name of protecting South Korea's security from the neighboring Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Yet ironically, THAAD might not be able to intercept DPRK missiles targeting South Korea's territory, as THAAD is designed to shoot down missiles at a relatively high altitude of 40 to 150 km, but the DPRK's rockets fly at a lower altitude of about 20 km.

What's worse, South Korea's drinking poison to quench a thirst might further irritate the DPRK and make it speed up nuke development by building more nuclear bombs and testing more missiles. THAAD's arrival would only escalate the military confrontation between the two sides and bring more danger to regional security.

South Korea's THAAD deployment decision has also met strong opposition from China and Russiaas THAAD's powerful X-band radar can detect as far as 2,000 km, well into Chinese and Russian territories, allowing the U.S. to monitor flights and missile launches of the two countries conveniently.

China has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the THAAD deployment as it damages China's security interests and breaks a strategic balance in the region, while Russia has indicated a military response by deploying a missile unit in the Far Eastern region. Beijing and Moscow have agreed to take "further countermeasures" once the system is installed.

South Korea has also set a bad example for Japanon the THAAD issue, which also claims that its national security is threatened by the DPRK's missile and nuclear developments. If Japan also chooses to become a U.S. "military colony" and deploy THAAD, the situation in Northeast Asia would become even more complicated.

It's obvious that the THAAD deployment is a key step for the United Statesto build an Asian version NATO, and an important move for the U.S. to build an anti-missile system in the western pacific region.

In general, the THAAD deployment would cause more problems than it solves -- Not only has it little use of shielding Seoul from a possible Pyongyang missile attack, but it will also definitely increase tension in Northeast Asia, leaving very little interest to South Korea itself -- which is quite contrary to the Blue House's initial intention.

The THAAD deployment, which is obviously a bad deal for South Korea and the region though superficially a good one for the U.S., virtually means the opening of a Pandora's box in Noretheast Asia and beyond that the very perpetrators can hardly bring under control.
The city of Corvallis has lost the first court test in its challenge to a new state law on voter-approved annexations.

Benton County Circuit Court Judge Matthew Donohue has ruled in favor of the state in a summary judgment issued Friday on SB 1573, the state law signed by Gov. Kate Brown last March.

The city, which was joined in the lawsuit by the city of Philomath and the League of Oregon Cities, argued that SB 1573 violates the Oregon Constitution because it infringes on the citys home rule decision-making authority and restricts citizens rights to vote on annexations.

However, in his 12-page opinion (see the full text online) Donohue countered that cities do not have constitutional authority to annex property and municipal citizens do not have a constitutional right to vote on annexation.

Donohue, who heard oral arguments in the case Jan. 20 and took the matter under advisement Feb. 3, also noted that because the Legislature provides the authority for annexation, it also may establish the annexation procedure a city must follow.

Donohue itemized the three conditions in SB 1573 for annexations that do not require vote.

 First, all landowners within the area to be annexed must consent.

 Second, the land must be within the city's urban growth boundary and at least one parcel must be either contiguous to existing city property or separated by water or public right of way.

 Third, the annexation must adhere to all city ordinances and land-use codes.

Corvallis City Attorney Jim Brewer said that an appeal of the ruling was likely, although he noted that he has not yet had a chance to discuss the ruling with the City Council. Brewer said he anticipated that councilors will decide at their March 6 meeting to hold a March 20 executive session to discuss the ruling.

There was not much doubt that it probably didnt matter which way he ruled  it was going to be appealed, Brewer said.

Brewer added that the thoroughness of the ruling will benefit both sides.

Judge Donohue gives you a good indication of what he was thinking, Brewer said, and by giving such a thorough opinion that gives the parties a lot to work with. A one-page ruling produces a lot more matters to speculate about. Its a very complete decision, but that doesnt mean we agree with it.

Corvallis was the first city in Oregon to offer voter-approved annexations, passing a measure in 1976. The city has voted on 79 annexations, passing 58 and rejecting 21. Most recently, on Nov. 8, 2016, voters approved the Lawndale annexation, which brought five properties off of Northeast Lawndale Place into the citys stock of land. The annexation was driven by septic failures in the neighborhood.

Brewer said that the state Court of Appeals and then the state Supreme Court would be the avenues for appeals. Because no federal issues are at stake, there will not be any involvement by federal courts of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Legislators got good news about the state's budget last week, but it wasn't enough to fill a looming shortfall  and it didn't much change the tone of the discussions in Salem over new tax revenue.

State economists reported that Oregon's growing economy will generate nearly $200 million more in tax revenue than had been expected. That means the state's shortfall for the 2017-19 budget cycle now is $1.6 billion, instead of the $1.8 billion previously estimated.

The economists offered notes of caution along with the good news: While Oregon's economy still is growing, the rate of growth is slowing. Over the next eight years, they said, the state's revenue growth (as measured in two-year budget cycles) will fall from 13 to 9 percent, driven by a drop in income taxes as baby boomers retire. And, they said, even revenue growth in the 8-10 percent range won't cover increased spending.

Democrats said the new numbers, while welcome, still showed the need for additional revenue. Republicans said the forecast highlighted the need for spending cuts.

Senate President Peter Courtney likely came closest to the truth when he noted that legislators will have to craft some combination of spending cuts and additional taxes.

And it's clear that some legislators are eyeing increased business taxes as a way to generate more revenue. Earlier in the session, for example, members of the House Revenue Committee heard a report about a study from the Council on State Taxation, the State Tax Research Institute and the accounting firm Ernst & Young. The conclusion: Oregon is one of the few states in which businesses receive more in state services than they pay in taxes. The report concluded that for every dollar in state services businesses receive, they pay just 80 cents in taxes.

The implication was clear: Oregon businesses aren't paying their fair share of taxes. It's the same argument that drove the debate over Measure 97, the proposed tax on the gross receipts of some state corporations.

It's an argument that doesn't tell the whole story: While it is true that Oregon rates relatively low in terms of business taxes, that's because the state doesn't have a sales tax. If sales taxes were removed from the picture, Oregon has the 26th-lowest rate of business taxation in the nation.

This focus on business taxes comes with some political risks, especially for Democrats, who need at least some votes from Republicans to approve any increase in taxes. If the partisan lines become too divisive, the session runs the risk of stalemating the way it did in 2015, when the lack of a single Republican vote doomed prospects for a transportation package to pay for needed work on the state's roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

Business leaders and Republicans this session consistently have suggested that they might be willing to come to the table and discuss business taxes, but they've put a couple of conditions on that: First, they want to see progress toward reforming the state's public pension system, which is driving a good portion of that revenue shortfall.

Republicans also have said they want the Legislature to take big steps toward wrapping up that transportation package.

Neither of those tasks will come easily, as we saw in 2015. But to its credit, the Legislature has started work on the public pension issue. And a joint transportation committee is continuing its work. On both those fronts, the Legislature appears to be ahead of where it was in 2015. But that work could go for naught if legislative leaders don't put a premium on working with their counterparts across the aisle. Legislators have long prided themselves on their ability to do just that. And Oregon citizens are counting on it. (mm)
(Xinhua) 13:28, February 28, 2017

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 28 -- The 89th Academy Awards may have had one of the most dramatic endings in its history, but it failed to give any help to the ratings.

The annual ceremony has brought in an average of 32.9 million viewers in the Untied States on Sunday night, down 4.4 percent from the 34.4 million audience a year earlier, Walt Disney Co.'s ABC Network said on Monday in a statement.

That was the second lowest level in Oscar history and the smallest audience since 2008, according to ratings data from Nielsen.

The highest point of the award rating came in 1998, when 55 million viewers in the United States watched blockbuster Titanic win Best Picture.

After nearly four-hour performance, the Hollywood's biggest night ended with a surprise twist when musical "La La Land" announced as the winner of Best Picture even though the award actually went to coming-of-age tale "Moonlight."

The producers of "La La Land" were interrupted when giving acceptance speech, as it was revealed that the presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty had named the wrong winner with the Best Actress envelope.
Carnival in pictures : Jecks out and about in Bonn and the region

BONN GA-photographers got right into the thick of things at carnival events and parades. Heres a summary of how carnival went down according to the officials and a look at all the photos from Bonn and beyond!

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It was a wonderful parade said parade director Axel Wolf at the Rose Monday press conference given by parade organizers, police and the fire department. There were clearly more people out there this year than in the past year, he added. He estimated that there were around 250,000 parade spectators this year.

Medical workers and volunteer helpers report that it was a remarkably quiet day. Spokesperson Heiko Basten said they treated 37 people, including four alcohol-related maladies, and one under 18-years-old. They treated eleven minor injuries but nothing worse than cuts.

In terms of security, police superintendent Klaus Kapellner said they especially monitored areas in the north including Maxstrae, Heerstrae and Vorgebirgstrae where young people were hanging out, displaying alcohol-induced aggressive behavior. A total of six persons were taken into custody. Police received no complaints of sexual harassment or assault.



Carnival photos

In comparison to Cologne with several thousand police, Bonn had a modest team of around 350 police officers deployed. On the whole, Bonns Rose Monday Parade in the inner city remained a cheerful and joyous event, said Wolf. The parade director emphasized, Such a small contingency of police at such a big event speaks for Bonn and Rose Monday.
City of Bonn resident services : Self-service in six languages

BONN New self-service terminals at the municipal administration building allow citizens to take photos, give fingerprints and signatures for new passports, ID cards and drivers licenses. Average waiting times are short.

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"Welcome to the service center of the city administration in Bonn": Two new self-service terminals offer a friendly welcome to users applying for a passport, ID card or drivers license. At the terminal, users can have a passport photo taken, fingerprints registered and give a signature.

From her position at the information desk, Brigita Piljic looked at the new terminals. Oh, God, I thought, what can I expect from that, she says. When the photo machine was there, people came to me frequently and didnt know how to use it. Also because the instructions were only in German. Or they wanted to change money, or they werent happy with the pictures. But now everything is running smoothly. The terminals lead users through the process in German, English, Spanish, French, Russian or Turkish.

Thomas Fricke, department head at the service center, recalls, We got some negative press last year with lots of people and long waiting times. He is pleased that the average processing time required to create fingerprints and signatures has been shortened by about five minutes per operation. Our average waiting times at the moment are clearly in the green, he comments. He doesnt want to attribute this result to the new terminals alone but wants to wait for the figures at the end of the month. But we can already guess that it has helped us a little.

GA spoke to some citizens at the service center about the new terminals and they felt the self-service screens were running smoothly, saving time and customer-friendly. Information given on the displays was widely viewed as self-explanatory. One visitor criticized that the fact that everyone could watch as a person posed for the photo - there is no curtain like in the old photo booths. But for the nostalgic, the old kiosk can still be found at the town hall. The main thing is that the photo is biometric.
A journalist tries the new features of the Gionee device at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 27, 2017. (Xinhua/Lino De Vallier)

BARCELONA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Mobile World Congress (MWC) opened its doors here on Monday, showcasing the latest innovations of the mobile phone industry.

In the lead-up to the congress, the King of Spain, Felipe VI, said on Sunday: "the mobile industry, which is at the heart of this Congress, is an expression of the best combination of cutting-edge technology and business efficiency, the most advanced communications services to offer better products in order to better meet the citizens' needs."

This year's event has a new theme, "Mobile, the Next Element", which is based on the idea that mobile is more than everything (last year's theme), organizers said.

"The 2016 theme was 'Mobile is everything'. This year we want to go a step further. We were thinking about what is more than everything and the answer to that is mobile is elemental, it is part of everything in our lives, it is part of every new innovation," the chief marketing officer for the GSMA, a trade body which represents the interests of more than 800 mobile operators, Michael O'Hara said.

"Right now I have heard a lot about 5G, I guess we have more and more smart connected devices, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality", Stephanie Baghdassarian of U.S. internet technology research firm Gartner told Xinhua about what she expected of this year's edition.

During the weekend, several companies launched their new devices including Huawei, ZTE, LG, Lenovo Moto, Samsung, Blackberry and Nokia.

"At the Mobile World Congress you can see the future -- the next ten, 15 years -- a lot of technology, very good brands," said Gerard Marques Bertran, from event management company Tote Vignau.

Under strong security measures, the main companies are showcasing their technologies in the Fira Gran Via, where there are almost 600 security cameras surveying the 240,000 square meters of the exhibition distributed into eight pavilions. The event is expected to gather some 2,200 exhibitors and receive 101,000 visitors.
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.
Soludo, Utomi & Other Igbo leaders Demand Immediate Release Of BIAFRA Leader, Nnamdi Kanu

nametalkam at 28-02-2017 07:37 PM (5 years ago) (m)

Some Igbo leaders have demanded the unconditional release of the leader of Indigenous People Of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.





Addressing journalists on the detention of Mr. Kanu, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Charles Soludo, described the continued detention of Mr. Kanu as unacceptable and an abuse of Mr. Kanus right to legitimate agitation.







Mr. Soludo was in the company of other Igbo leaders including former presidential aide, Pat Utomi, and former head of Nigerias electricity regulator, Sam Amadi.

The former bank chief said Nigeria cannot thrive in an atmosphere devoid of the democratic freedom of speech.

The leaders also condemned the failure of the federal government and its security agencies to obey court rulings, saying the plan by government to only obey favourable court rulings is unhealthy for the peace of Nigeria.

Mr. Kanu, whose group is calling for an independent Igbo country of Biafra, is being prosecuted for treason by the Nigeria government. Addressing journalists on the detention of Mr. Kanu, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Charles Soludo, described the continued detention of Mr. Kanu as unacceptable and an abuse of Mr. Kanus right to legitimate agitation.Mr. Soludo was in the company of other Igbo leaders including former presidential aide, Pat Utomi, and former head of Nigerias electricity regulator, Sam Amadi.The former bank chief said Nigeria cannot thrive in an atmosphere devoid of the democratic freedom of speech.The leaders also condemned the failure of the federal government and its security agencies to obey court rulings, saying the plan by government to only obey favourable court rulings is unhealthy for the peace of Nigeria.Mr. Kanu, whose group is calling for an independent Igbo country of Biafra, is being prosecuted for treason by the Nigeria government.

Post Reply I specialize in investigative reportage across several subject matter and sectors but mainly focus on metro events and investigation. Do leave your thoughts and opinion on my reports to let me know what you think about them. Thank you Posted: at 28-02-2017 07:37 PM (5 years ago) | Addicted Hero

freethinker at 28-02-2017 07:56 PM (5 years ago)

(m) AS LONG AS MAZI KANU IS STILL IN DETENTION, BUHARI WILL NEVER KNOW PEACE, FROM ONE PROBLEM TO ANOTHER.

WHO DO HE THINK HE IS, gods?

HE HAS NOT SEEN ANYTHING YET, HE WILL CONTINUE TO SUFFER FROM ONE THING TO ANOTHER...

LET HIM REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED TO HEROD..... Posted: at 28-02-2017 07:56 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac AS LONG AS MAZI KANU IS STILL IN DETENTION, BUHARI WILL NEVER KNOW PEACE, FROM ONE PROBLEM TO ANOTHER.WHO DO HE THINK HE IS, gods?HE HAS NOT SEEN ANYTHING YET, HE WILL CONTINUE TO SUFFER FROM ONE THING TO ANOTHER...LET HIM REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED TO HEROD..... Reply

favourita at 28-02-2017 08:26 PM (5 years ago)

(f) Though am not an Igbo person but I think it time dem should let these people be they aren't d cause of d problems Nigeria are facing there are other things are should concentrate on poor education, poor medication and other tins idiot fellows Posted: at 28-02-2017 08:26 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac Though am not an Igbo personbut I think it time dem should let these people bethey aren't d cause of d problems Nigeria are facingthere are other things are should concentrate onpoor education, poor medication and other tinsidiot fellows Reply

Mykie010 at 28-02-2017 08:39 PM (5 years ago)

(m) Quote from: favourita on 28-02-2017 08:26 PM but I think it time dem should let these people be they aren't d cause of d problems Nigeria are facing there are other things are should concentrate on poor education, poor medication and other tins idiot fellows

Though am not an Igbo personbut I think it time dem should let these people bethey aren't d cause of d problems Nigeria are facingthere are other things are should concentrate onpoor education, poor medication and other tinsidiot fellows Posted: at 28-02-2017 08:39 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac . Now you are talking very well.there is nothing wrong in letting people be. Reply

morolayo at 28-02-2017 11:10 PM (5 years ago)

(f) Okay Posted: at 28-02-2017 11:10 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac Okay Reply

akinmanchy at 28-02-2017 11:48 PM (5 years ago)

(m) Ok na Life na jeje so just try to take am softly Posted: at 28-02-2017 11:48 PM (5 years ago) | Hero Ok na Reply

WhaleDog at 28-02-2017 11:59 PM (5 years ago)

(m) Salufo and utom jv no legitimacy to demand a criminal release .Biafra is forever dead long before damned ojukwu died .Ys agitation is unlawful ,Nigeria remains Nigeria and its land no group can divide .If ya Igbo feeling like a foreigner in nija then pack your load and do the mass migration to the amazing but not on any geographical landscape of Nigeria . Spare me Posted: at 28-02-2017 11:59 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac Salufo and utom jv no legitimacy to demand a criminal release .Biafra is forever dead long before damned ojukwu died .Ys agitation is unlawful ,Nigeria remains Nigeria and its land no group can divide .If ya Igbo feeling like a foreigner in nija then pack your load and do the mass migration to the amazing but not on any geographical landscape of Nigeria . Reply

showskill at 1-03-2017 01:10 AM (5 years ago)

(m) Quote from: freethinker on 28-02-2017 07:56 PM AS LONG AS MAZI KANU IS STILL IN DETENTION, BUHARI WILL NEVER KNOW PEACE, FROM ONE PROBLEM TO ANOTHER.

WHO DO HE THINK HE IS, gods?

HE HAS NOT SEEN ANYTHING YET, HE WILL CONTINUE TO SUFFER FROM ONE THING TO ANOTHER...

LET HIM REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED TO HEROD.....



YOU STUPID DIRTY LOCAL A*#S BOY COZ OYINBO HAVE MAKE DOG AND RAT USED TO INTERNET YOU WON'T LET WISDOM PEOPLE THAT KNOWS MORE THAN YOUR FATHER WHO THOUGHT YOU TRIBALISM STORY REST AGAIN COZ I SAW YOU AS DUMP ASS BOY, WHY CAN YOU COMMENT ON (GIFTY) ISSUE COZ SHE IS FROM YOUR STATE ANABRA ABAKALIAKI BUT IF IS ANOTHER TRIBE YOU WILL BRING THAT DIRTY, SLICK, SMELLING MOUTH TO RUBBISH THEM BUT IS YOUR TRIBE TURN YOUR KEPTQUIT ABI BASTARD BOY, AS YOU KNOW TO PRAY BAD PRAYER TO OTHERS REMEMBER SO SHALL HE COMES BACK TO YOU. Posted: at 1-03-2017 01:10 AM (5 years ago) | Upcoming YOU STUPID DIRTY LOCAL A*#S BOY COZ OYINBO HAVE MAKE DOG AND RAT USED TO INTERNET YOU WON'T LET WISDOM PEOPLE THAT KNOWS MORE THAN YOUR FATHER WHO THOUGHT YOU TRIBALISM STORY REST AGAIN COZ I SAW YOU AS DUMP ASS BOY, WHY CAN YOU COMMENT ON (GIFTY) ISSUE COZ SHE IS FROM YOUR STATE ANABRA ABAKALIAKI BUT IF IS ANOTHER TRIBE YOU WILL BRING THAT DIRTY, SLICK, SMELLING MOUTH TO RUBBISH THEM BUT IS YOUR TRIBE TURN YOUR KEPTQUIT ABI BASTARD BOY, AS YOU KNOW TO PRAY BAD PRAYER TO OTHERS REMEMBER SO SHALL HE COMES BACK TO YOU. Reply

proly at 1-03-2017 01:53 AM (5 years ago)

(f) Igbo ndioma....chukwugozie unu Posted: at 1-03-2017 01:53 AM (5 years ago) | Hero Igbo ndioma....chukwugozie unu Reply

gocworldwild at 1-03-2017 06:43 AM (5 years ago)

(m) ALL HAIL BIAFRA, THE WORD NIGERIA, HAVE NEVER WORK AND WILL NEVER WORK OUT AS A NATION. NIGERIA IS A UNION OF NATIONS.



WHY SHOULD SOMEONE BE HERD, BECAUSE, HE ASK AND SPEAK ABOUT FREEDOM? IS IT A SIN? THE HAUSA FULANI AND THE YORUBA GAME IS OVER.



HOW CAN A GOVERNMENT SECRET AGENTS KILL THEIR OWN PEOPLE? THE BIAFRAN LAND IS UNDER SERGE.



THE MONEY STEALL BY THE MILITARY, FROM BIAFRAN LAND, ARE ALL BANK IN THE HAND OF THE SO CALLED AFRICAN RICHEST MAN AND WOMAN (HAUSA/YORUBA).



BIAFRA, ARE SPECIAL PEOPLE, THE REAL CHILDREN OF THE MOST HIGH. NNAMDI KANU, IS A TRUTH LEADER. HE IS A MAN WITH BALLS. ALL AND ANY IGBO BIAFRAN,



WHO THINK, THAT WE ARE JOKING, SHOULD REFLET BACK, TO WHOM WE ARE AND WERE WE ARE GOING. BIAFRA IS LIGHT, AS THE RAISING SUN, INSIDE OUR FLAG, THE RED,



WHICH MEANS, THE BLOOD OF OUR FALLEN HERO. THE GREEN, WHICH MEANS, OUR LAND IS RICH. THE BLACK, WHICH MEANS, THAT IS THE REGION AND HOME TO ALL BLACKS ALL OVER THE WORLD.



Posted: at 1-03-2017 06:43 AM (5 years ago) | Newbie ALL HAIL BIAFRA, THE WORD NIGERIA, HAVE NEVER WORK AND WILL NEVER WORK OUT AS A NATION. NIGERIA IS A UNION OF NATIONS.WHY SHOULD SOMEONE BE HERD, BECAUSE, HE ASK AND SPEAK ABOUT FREEDOM? IS IT A SIN? THE HAUSA FULANI AND THE YORUBA GAME IS OVER.HOW CAN A GOVERNMENT SECRET AGENTS KILL THEIR OWN PEOPLE? THE BIAFRAN LAND IS UNDER SERGE.THE MONEY STEALL BY THE MILITARY, FROM BIAFRAN LAND, ARE ALL BANK IN THE HAND OF THE SO CALLED AFRICAN RICHEST MAN AND WOMAN (HAUSA/YORUBA).BIAFRA, ARE SPECIAL PEOPLE, THE REAL CHILDREN OF THE MOST HIGH. NNAMDI KANU, IS A TRUTH LEADER. HE IS A MAN WITH BALLS. ALL AND ANY IGBO BIAFRAN,WHO THINK, THAT WE ARE JOKING, SHOULD REFLET BACK, TO WHOM WE ARE AND WERE WE ARE GOING. BIAFRA IS LIGHT, AS THE RAISING SUN, INSIDE OUR FLAG, THE RED,WHICH MEANS, THE BLOOD OF OUR FALLEN HERO. THE GREEN, WHICH MEANS, OUR LAND IS RICH. THE BLACK, WHICH MEANS, THAT IS THE REGION AND HOME TO ALL BLACKS ALL OVER THE WORLD. Reply

Larry28 at 1-03-2017 10:14 AM (5 years ago)

(f) ok Posted: at 1-03-2017 10:14 AM (5 years ago) | Hero ok Reply

soladunga at 1-03-2017 10:38 AM (5 years ago)

(m) Ook Posted: at 1-03-2017 10:38 AM (5 years ago) | Upcoming Ook Reply

max219 at 1-03-2017 11:33 AM (5 years ago)

(m) Quote from: WhaleDog on 28-02-2017 11:59 PM Salufo and utom jv no legitimacy to demand a criminal release .Biafra is forever dead long before damned ojukwu died .Ys agitation is unlawful ,Nigeria remains Nigeria and its land no group can divide .If ya Igbo feeling like a foreigner in nija then pack your load and do the mass migration to the amazing but not on any geographical landscape of Nigeria .





FOOL, YOU IDIOT, I MUST LET YOU KNOW THAT FOOLS LIKE YOU DO NOT HAVE AN IDEA ABOUT WHAT IS UNLAWFUL AND LAWFUL, READ YOUR CONSTITUTION VERY WELL AND YOU WILL KNOW THAT KANU HAS THE RIGHT FOR AGITATION, AND BEEN IN THE PRISON TODAY IS UNLAWFUL, NOW WHERE IS YOUR HEROD BUHARI. WATCH AND SEE HOW IT WILL HAPPEN LIKE A MOVIE, HE WILL BE RELEASE AND HE WILL MATCH OUT TO HAVE THE BIAFRA HE IS AGITATING FOR. YOU NIGERIA IS ACCUSING HIM FOR NOTHING, YOUR NIGERIA IS AFRAID OF BEEN THE POOREST NATION ON EARTH AND DIE ON HUNGER WHEN THE BIAFRANS LEAVE THEM. MARRIAGE IS NOT BY FORCE, I AM NOT A NIGERIAN BUT BELIEVE ME NIGERIA IS LAWLESS NATIONS AND WILL REMAIN AS STUPID, NAIVE AND GREEDY AS THEY HAVE BEEN FOREVER AND PEOPLE LIKE YOU WILL PAY THE PRICE WITH DEAD IF YOU DON'T CHANGE FROM BAD TO GOOD HEART... YOU MONKY. Posted: at 1-03-2017 11:33 AM (5 years ago) | Newbie FOOL, YOU IDIOT, I MUST LET YOU KNOW THAT FOOLS LIKE YOU DO NOT HAVE AN IDEA ABOUT WHAT IS UNLAWFUL AND LAWFUL, READ YOUR CONSTITUTION VERY WELL AND YOU WILL KNOW THAT KANU HAS THE RIGHT FOR AGITATION, AND BEEN IN THE PRISON TODAY IS UNLAWFUL, NOW WHERE IS YOUR HEROD BUHARI. WATCH AND SEE HOW IT WILL HAPPEN LIKE A MOVIE, HE WILL BE RELEASE AND HE WILL MATCH OUT TO HAVE THE BIAFRA HE IS AGITATING FOR. YOU NIGERIA IS ACCUSING HIM FOR NOTHING, YOUR NIGERIA IS AFRAID OF BEEN THE POOREST NATION ON EARTH AND DIE ON HUNGER WHEN THE BIAFRANS LEAVE THEM. MARRIAGE IS NOT BY FORCE, I AM NOT A NIGERIAN BUT BELIEVE ME NIGERIA IS LAWLESS NATIONS AND WILL REMAIN AS STUPID, NAIVE AND GREEDY AS THEY HAVE BEEN FOREVER AND PEOPLE LIKE YOU WILL PAY THE PRICE WITH DEAD IF YOU DON'T CHANGE FROM BAD TO GOOD HEART... YOU MONKY. Reply
Nokia 6 India release date likely pegged for April 5 News oi -Abhinaya Prabhu Is Nokia 6 coming to India in April?

Yesterday, at the MWC 2017 show floor, the Nokia 3310 (2017) grabbed the spotlight. Besides unveiling its devices, it looks like Nokia is focused a lot on the Indian market as it considers the same as a significant market for its growth.

We say this as Nokia made an interesting announcement for its fan base in India. The company confirmed that it will launch the Nokia 6 smartphone in the country in the second quarter of 2017. So long, the Nokia 6 was a Chinese affair, but with the Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 smartphones, the global variant of Nokia 6 was also unveiled.

While HMD Global did not announce a specific release date of Nokia 6 for India, the speculations that are making rounds all over the internet suggest that an April 5 release. Besides announcing the global variant of the smartphone, the company also announced the availability of the Arte Black special edition of the Nokia 6.

Nokia 6 available in India at a premium price tag

Nokia 6 is speculated to be released in India in two variants. The regular one will have a price tag of around Rs. 16,000 and the special edition with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage will be priced around Rs. 21,000. However, these details are yet to be officially confirmed by Nokia and HMD. Moreover, the device will arrive with Google Assistant as well.

To refresh on the specs, the Nokia 6 boasts of a 5.5-inch FHD 1080p display with 2.5D Gorilla Glass. The handset is equipped with a Snapdragon 430 processor paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage space. The camera optics include a 16MP main snapper with PDAF and f/2.0 aperture and an 8MP front-facer with the same aperture. The other aspects on board the Nokia 6 include USB OTG, a fingerprint scanner embedded on the home button, and a 3,000mAh battery.

Best Mobiles in India

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The exhibition Sincere Heart and Flying Dreamsfeatures Fu Juanfu's paintings (above) and his collection of works by such established modern artists as Feng Zikai and Zheng Yuebo. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Shortly after the opening of the Hangzhou-based Zhejiang Art Museum in 2009, the staff was contacted by the families of Fu Juanfu (1910-2007) in the United States. They hoped to make a considerable donation to the museum including Fu's artworks and his art collection.

Fu, who was trained to be a calligrapher and ink-brush painter from childhood, grew up in a neighborhood on Nanshan Street which is close to West Lake. It is the same street where the Zhejiang Art Museum is located.

Fu moved to Taiwan in 1949, never to return to Hangzhou. He then became one of the spearheads of the ink art movement there and devoted himself to fine arts education.

He moved to San Francisco in 1990 and died there.

Fu's family believed that the donation of his works to the museum would be the best way to mark the intense homesickness he felt over the years.

The Fu family transported to Hangzhou a treasure trove of more than 570 works, in four batches, from 2010 to July 2016. The works included Fu's ink-brush paintings, drafts, calligraphic pieces, diaries and carved seals, as well as his collection of works by established modern artists and his letters to some of them.

A selection of these are now on display at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing.

The exhibition, Sincere Heart and Flying Dreams, is named after Fu's studios: one used when he lived on the mainland and then in Taipei and the other used after he settled in San Francisco.

One part of the show focuses on Fu's artworks as a testament to his cultural attainment.

At an early age, he studied calligraphy, classical poetry and seal art under his grandfather. He later learned ink-brush painting at the Xiling Calligraphy and Painting Society for seven years.

In his mountain-and-water landscapes, Fu infuses his love of West Lake and the scenes in southwestern China where he traveled extensively in the late 1930s and early'40s.
Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus leaked photos show the 6-inch display News oi -Abhinaya Prabhu Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus photos leak.

Since the past few days, we have been coming across leaks of the Galaxy S8 showing us the possible design and looks of the upcoming flagship. Now, its bigger brother, the Galaxy S8 Plus has been spotted on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.

The leaked photos of the Galaxy S8 Plus show the large curved edge display that has become a standard feature in the flagship devices from Samsung. The notable aspect is these leaked photos show slim bezels at the top and bottom that is possible with the removal of the fingerprint sensor and the physical home button. Like the previous flagship phones from Samsung, the purported Galaxy S8 Plus seems to have the power button on its right.

Samsung Secure App hints at possible Galaxy S8 design

One of the photos shows the box of the device along with the name Galaxy S8 6 printed on it. This points out that the device could feature a 6-inch display. The earlier rumors allege that the Galaxy S8 Plus might arrive with a relatively larger 6.2-inch display. Along the name, the box also shows "Samsung, Yateley", which is where the European QA lab of Samsung is located.

Notably, Samsung will announce the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus release date at the MWC 2017 in Barcelona on Sunday. While we are sure that the company might not showcase these phones at the conference, these photos seem to have given us the best look of the device until now. The launch date of the flagship smartphones is likely to fall in March with an April release.

Source 1, 2, 3

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Ui phones: We Plan to sell 2 lakh feature phone units per month in India [Exclusive] News oi -Rohit ui feature phones price range starts from as low as Rs. 800

It is believed that smartphones are dominating the market when it comes to mobile communication; however it is the 'Feature phones' that are ruling the charts and even surpassing so called smartphones in terms of sales figures.

As per an IDC report, these humble feature phones dominated the Indian market in the year 2016 with more than 50 per cent share, and are expected to rule the Indian mobile phone space even in the year 2017.

These low-cost basic handsets are widely preferred by consumers in small towns and rural areas where people have little need for or money to buy pricey smartphones, which often fails to deliver longer battery life and ranks low in durability and affordability.

That said, we are expected to witness the same trend in the year 2017 where a number of affordable feature phones will hit the Indian market from companies such as iBall, Celkon, Intex, iTel, etc. These will be joined by ui phones- a part of BTM Group of Companies, focused to offer feature loaded low-cost mobile handsets to be manufactured under the "Make in India" campaign.

We at GIZBOT interacted with Nikhil Chopra, Executive Director, BTM Exports to find out what ui phones has in store for the Indian market in the feature phone category, and how the brand plans to sell its products in the already crowded Indian mobile phone space.

To start with, BTM Exports Limited is the parent company of the 'ui phones' and Essline is the manufacturing arm that will produce the feature phones for the Indian market. The manufacturing facility is in Kundli, Haryana, which as per the company has the capacity to produce 1.5 million feature phone units per month.

SEE ALSO: MWC 2017: Find out how Moto G5, LG G6, Sony Xperia XZ Premium and Nokia 5 competes with their rivals

Mr Chopra informed us that the production facility can manufacture any kind of feature phone and smartphone in the market and that the brand also has plans to foray into smartphone category within next two months. Ui phones will soon announce their first Android powered 4G VoLTE smartphone for the Indian consumers and it is expected to be priced under Rs 4,000.

On being asked how the company plans to sell their feature phones, Mr Chopra informed that UI phones will follow the direct to distributors model (D2D) where the company's feature phones will be made available on retail stores across the country.

Besides, the company has also tied up with an online sales partner for northern India that will help the brand to sell their products on all leading e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Shopclues, etc.

The company also has plans to open exclusive ui stores in country. The team has already identified four locations as a test pilot run including Ayodhya and Patna being the two.

To meet the demands of Tier II and Tier III cities, ui phones plans to sell 2 lakh feature phone units per month in the Indian market. The company plans to invest Rs. 150 crore in mobile manufacturing by 2020 that will cover manufacturing, marketing and infrastructure for after sale service support.

As we reported earlier, ui phone's prime focus will be on cost effective feature phones and steering smart phones and tablets going forward. As an initial plan the brand will be available in 13 states of Northern and East India, with primary locations covered in phase I including J&K, HP, Chandigarh,Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi NCR, UP, Uttrakhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand & Odisha, soon.

SEE ALSO: OPPO introduces 5X lossless digital-zoom camera technology at MWC 2017

Ui phones plans to reach out to PAN India by year End. As of now, ui phone will offer service support via 650 service centers throughout the country.

Ui phone will start shipping out the feature phones to distributors today and the products will go online by March 3, 2017. The company is also hosting a launch event in Punjab on 2nd March and in Haryana on 3rd March, 2017. It is worth mentioning that Sach Telecom will be the distributor of ui phones in Haryana where you can check out company's product line-up.

Initially the company would be coming up with 8 models in 4 categories; Super Connect, Super Power, Super Selfie and Super Nexa. We also tried our hands on the ui feature phones.

The phones come with features such as dual-SIM standby, digital camera, LED torch, Wireless FM, Bluetooth, 32GB external memory support, regional language support, auto call recorder, dedicated music keys, etc.

We really liked the company's Power 2 feature phone that packs in a 2,700mAh battery unit and can even charge your smartphone with its reverse charging functionality. These features in low-cost mobile phones will please consumers who are looking for feature rich low-cost mobile handsets.

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Jio and Samsung join hands to bring 5G in India News oi -Priyanka Samsung is also providing professional solutions to Jio which will help the teleco to offer superior service to its consumers

With an aim to expand the current network capacity as well as network coverage Reliance Jio today announced its collaboration with Samsung on I&G (Infill & Growth) project.

This project will help Jio to expand or to extend its services in rural areas to 90 percent of the population in India and it will also provide coverage in dense urban areas.

While India is still focussing on providing 4G services, this project is aiming to bring 5G connectivity to all users in the country.

Youngky Kim, President and Head of Networks Business at Samsung Electronics, said "As Jio's end-to-end LTE solutions partner, it is a great pleasure for Samsung to contribute to Jio's tremendous success."

SEE ALSO: Sterlite Tech to showcase end-to-end smarter telecom solutions

"The massive deployment of over a million cells across India is especially remarkable. We will strive to create new paradigms for LTE-Advanced Pro and 5G by closely cooperating with Jio as a unified workforce," he added.

"We successfully achieved 100 million subscribers in 170 days, making us the fastest-growing company in the world, and the numbers continue to rapidly grow. It was possible because we introduced a truly effective LTE service, Pan-India. We are committed to bringing game-changing digital experiences to India with superior ecosystems, mobile content, all-IP networks and ongoing process innovations," said Jyotindra Thacker, President of Reliance Jio Infocomm.

This is not the first time that both the companies have signed Memorandum of Understanding in 2012, the two companies signed an agreement which covers the entire scope of network,ranging from equipment to establishment and maintenance services.

Samsung is also providing professional solutions to Jio which will help the teleco to offer superior service to its consumers.

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Overall, dont let the bhoot mislead you, nothing bhootiya about this story. Had the makers tried to push the envelope, the idea could have been outstanding for a bhootiya comedy.
US Drone in Syria Takes Out al-Qaida's Deputy Leader

By Jamie Dettmer February 27, 2017

A drone attack in northern Syria, part of a series of recent strikes by the United States in and around the province of Idlib, killed a top al-Qaida leader who had participated in the planning for the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington.

Several hours after the drone strike Sunday, jihadists confirmed on several websites the death of Abu al-Khayr al-Masri, who was appointed a deputy leader of the terror group last year.

A close confidante of al-Qaida's emir Ayman al-Zawahiri, a fellow Egyptian, as well as the husband of one of Osama bin Laden's daughters, the 59-year-old al-Masri was killed by a missile that struck a small car in which he was traveling. U.S. officials have confirmed the strike, but won't say who was being targeted.

Video posted online by jihadists showed a four-door Kia sedan destroyed by the roadside. There was a large hole in its roof.

The news of his death was first reported by analyst Charles Lister, author of the book The Syrian Jihad. He described the death as "big news," pointing out that the dead jihadist was a member of the terror group's secretive Shura Council since its formation in the late 1980s.

"Abu al-Khayr al-Masri was jihadi royalty of the highest pedigree," Lister said. "Abu al-Khayr personally hosted the meeting in which al-Qaida planned the 9/11 attacks.

"His arrival in Syria in mid-2015 heralded al-Qaida central leadership's pivot to Syria as its key global safe haven," Lister said.

Loyal fighter

Abu al-Khayr fought alongside bin Laden in Afghanistan and spent more than 10 years in detention in Iran, fleeing there after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. According to the Long War Journal, an online publication of the Washington-based Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, he was released in 2015 for an Iranian diplomat who had been kidnapped in Yemen.

After a brief sojourn in Iraq, he was sent to Syria to join up with an advance guard of al-Qaida veterans sent to the war-torn country by al-Zawahiri to assist in the grooming of a local jihadist group, Jabhat al-Nusra, and to form an independent organization, which some Western officials dubbed Khorasan.

In July 2016, Abu al-Khayr al-Masri released an audio message in support of the Syrian jihadist group Jabhat al-Nusra, breaking with al-Qaida, a break approved publicly by al-Zawahiri.

The break was seen by U.S. and British intelligence officials as a ploy, part of a makeover for the Syrian jihadist group that would make it more appealing to Syrian rebels battling to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

U.S. Central Command Chief Gen. Joseph Votel portrayed the break as a public relations gambit. "At the core of it, they are still al-Qaida," he told a security forum in Aspen, Colorado, last year.

The U.S. government designated al-Masri an al-Qaida associate in October 2005. The Treasury Department said he was born Abdullah Muhammad Rajab abd al-Rahman in 1957 in the Egyptian town of Kafr al-Shaykh. Analysts say he fought in Egypt, Bosnia and Pakistan.

Another target

Earlier this month, the Pentagon announced a U.S. drone strike killed another core al-Qaida leader with ties to Ayman al-Zawahiri, Abu Hani al-Masri. He was the fourth al-Qaida veteran the U.S. claimed it had targeted this year. He was killed while riding in a vehicle near Idlib, a defense official told VOA.

U.S.-led coalition airstrikes have killed more than 100 jihadist fighters in northern Syria in recent weeks. Some have been members of the former Jabhat al-Nusra, which merged last month with four other militias and has been renamed Tahrir al-Sham; while others have been part of the Khorasan group. Jihadists in January accused more moderate Islamist and secular based groups of supplying targeting information to the U.S.

Tahrir al-Sham is locally focused, Lister said. But the Khorasan group has been preparing the ground for attacks on the West.

"Ultimately, this is what al-Zawahiri always dreamed about for Syria  the creation of safe bases' from which the far enemy could be threatened thanks to preparatory work undertaken by a locally focused affiliate," Lister said.

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White House Defends Yemen Raid Following Criticism from Fallen Commando's Father

By VOA News February 27, 2017

The White House has continued to defend a recent anti-terrorism raid in Yemen that killed one Navy SEAL, after the father of the commando sharply criticized the administration over the mission.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the raid was "successful in helping prevent a future attack." He said he cannot imagine what Bill Owens is going through following the loss of his son, William "Ryan" Owens.

Spicer said the younger Owens died a hero and that the mission he participated in is "going to protect our country more." He said the mission led to the collection of "a lot of information that will help us keep safe."

Bill Owens told The Miami Herald, in a story published Sunday, that he wants an investigation into the planning of the mission. He also said he refused to meet President Donald Trump when they were both at Dover Air Force Base to receive the casket carrying his son.

"I told them I didn't want to make a scene about it, but my conscience wouldn't let me talk to him," Owens said of the president.

Spicer said it is standard operating procedure for the Defense Department to undergo a review of such a mission. He said in this case, the review is three-pronged because there was a fatality during the operation, there were civilians involved, and a U.S. helicopter was damaged.

The Navy SEAL died in late January during a raid on a suspected al-Qaida compound in Yemen. The Pentagon said approximately 14 militants died during the raid, which was aimed at capturing information about potential al-Qaida terrorist attacks on the United States and allies. The Defense Department has acknowledged that several civilians, including some children, were also killed in the attack, after initially denying there were civilian causalities.

Republican Senator John McCain called the operation a failure. The White House, however, has called it was a success and said its detractors are dishonoring Owens' memory.

"Don't hide behind my son's death to prevent an investigation," Bill Owens told the Herald. "I want an investigation. ... The government owes my son an investigation."

The elder Owens questioned the timing of the mission so early into the new Trump administration.

"Why at this time did there have to be this stupid mission when it wasn't even barely a week into his administration? Why?" Owens told The Herald. "For two years prior, there were no boots on the ground in Yemen  everything was missiles and drones  because there was not a target worth one American life. Now all of a sudden we had to make this grand display?"

The White House said that while Trump authorized the raid, it had been planned under the Obama administration.

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US House Intelligence Leader Balks at Wider Probe of Trump-Russia Links

By Ken Bredemeier February 27, 2017

The chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee said Monday he has seen no evidence of improper contacts between officials working on President Donald Trump's campaign for the White House and Russian agents and has no plans to expand an investigation already underway.

"We just cannot go on a witch hunt," Congressman Devin Nunes told reporters.

The Republican is leading one of three congressional probes into possible links between Trump and Russians, but has balked at calls for a wider investigation.

However, the top Democrat on the intelligence panel, Congressman Adam Schiff, later said no conclusions have been reached yet on whether Trump aides had contact with Russian officials during last year's presidential campaign.

Lawmakers in both the Senate and House of Representatives are looking at details of findings by the U.S. intelligence community that Russia meddled in the U.S. presidential election in an effort to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton, a former U.S. secretary of state.

American intelligence officials concluded that Russia hacked into the computer of Clinton's campaign chief, with the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks later releasing thousands of emails showing embarrassing behind-the-scenes efforts by Democratic operatives to help Clinton win the Democratic presidential nomination.

Before he was inaugurated as the country's 45th president, Trump reluctantly accepted the finding that Russian President Vladimir Putin interfered with the election, but says he knows of no contacts between his campaign aides and Russian intelligence officials.

At a White House meeting with insurance company executives, Trump was asked by a reporter about demands by some lawmakers for a special prosecutor to investigate any links between his campaign and Russia.

"I haven't called Russia in 10 years," he said.

Earlier this month, National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigned following reports he misled Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials about his frequent contacts with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the transition period before Trump's inauguration.

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The Tibetan New Year, also known as Losar, is the most important festival on the Tibetan calendar. This year, the special occasion fell on Feb. 27. Teachers made piping hot dumplings to celebrate the festival in a children's welfare home in Tibet Autonomous Region, and a festive atmosphere pervaded the snow-capped plateau.

Losar is celebrated for 15 days, with the main celebrations occurring during the first three days in accordance with Tibetan customs. Singing, dancing and costume shows highlight traditional Tibetan culture.
Cambodia Threatens Media Outlets, Using Trump as Justification

By William Gallo February 27, 2017

Cambodia's government has threatened to expel several media outlets, including the Voice of America, and is using U.S. President Donald Trump's criticisms of the press as justification.

In a Facebook post Saturday, Phay Siphan, a spokesman for Cambodia's cabinet, threatened to "take action" against the media outlets, which he said are threatening the country's peace and stability.

It appears to be the first time a foreign government has used Trump's treatment of the media as justification for its own censorship activities  something press watchdog groups have warned could happen.

Trump has called press coverage he dislikes "fake news," referring to it as "the enemy of the people." Last week, the White House banned several organizations, including the New York Times and CNN, from an informal press gaggle with Press Secretary Sean Spicer. The White House argued it was trying to include more reporters in the event, however the action drew strong criticism from media outlets, which called it an insult to democratic ideals.

In his Facebook post, the Cambodian spokesman appeared to reference the White House's move to exclude certain media organizations from the gaggle, saying it sent a "clear message" that some journalists' reporting "does not reflect reality."

"President Donald Trump thinks that the news reported by these organizations did not reflect the truth, which is the responsibility of the professional reporters," the spokesman said. "This means that freedom of expression must respect the law and the authority of the state."

The spokesman specifically took aim at Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, both U.S.-government funded broadcasters, as well as the local Voice of Democracy, an independent, nonprofit radio station.

Though Cambodia's constitution provides for a free press, most media are indirectly controlled by the state and closely monitored. The government of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power for three decades, has in the past criticized VOA and RFA, saying they were fomenting instability.

In his Facebook post, Phay Siphan accused the broadcasters of being "foreign agents," and said they must "reconsider" their use of airtime before the government takes unspecified actions.

The story was first reported by the Phnom Penh Post, an independent paper based in the Cambodian capital. After the warning was issued, the paper reached out to Phay Siphan, who said any media outlet that doesn't follow the government's orders would be expelled.

"Shut it down. Very simple. Expel them," he said.

In a statement, Jing Zhang, the acting director of VOA's East Asia Pacific division, rejected the characterization of VOA as a "foreign agent."

"VOA is a media organization that reports news in an objective, fair and balanced manner," he said. "Millions of VOA listeners and Facebook fans in Cambodia can attest to our journalistic integrity."

The U.S. State Department replied to VOA's request for comment by saying, "The United States has long supported freedom of the press as fundamental to any democracy."

But some human rights groups and ex-diplomats warn that it may not be the last time an authoritarian government cites the Trump administration's behavior as justification for their own press crackdown.

"It's hard enough to be a journalist in dictatorships like Cambodia when the United States is setting a good example," Tom Malinowski, the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy and Labor, told VOA.

"Now every dictator who wants to ban media he doesn't like can say, 'Trump does it so why can't I?'" said Malinowski, who served under former U.S. President Barack Obama.

In October, the Committee to Protect Journalists, a nonpartisan media rights watchdog, warned that Trump's presidency would represent an "unprecedented" threat to press freedom.

"The consequences for the rights of journalists around the world be far more serious," said the CPJ statement. "Any failure of the United States to uphold its own standards emboldens dictators and despots to restrict the media in their own countries."

White House officials have insisted that Trump respects freedom of the press, saying he is only fighting against what they see as unfair media coverage.

Spicer, Trump's chief spokesman, on Friday defended his decision to bar several news organizations from the gaggle, saying he was only trying to include, not exclude, more reporters.

"We had a pool and then we expanded it, we added some folks to come cover it," Spicer said. He later added: "We are going to aggressively push back. We're just not going to sit back and let, you know, false narratives, false stories, inaccurate facts get out there."

VOA's Mony Say in Washington and Narin Sun in Phnom Penh contributed to this report.

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The Annual General Meeting of GlobalConnect A/S was held today at the company's offices at Hrsktten 3, DK-2630 Taastrup, Denmark. The general meeting had the following

Agenda

1) Election of chairman of the meeting

2) The board of directors' report on the company's activities in the past year

The board of directors' report was adopted.

3) Presentation for adoption of the annual report for the financial year 2016 and resolution on discharge of the board of directors and the management board from its obligations

The annual report 2016 was approved and the general meeting discharged the board of directors and the management board from its obligations.

4) Resolution on appropriation of profits or provisions for losses in accordance with the adopted accounts

The board of directors' proposal for appropriation of profits for the financial year 2016 was approved.

5) Amendments to the Company's articles of association re. transfer of shares

It was proposed that clause 4.1 "transfer of shares" was removed from the articles of association. The general meeting adopted the proposal.

It was proposed to adopt the following clause 3.6:

"Prior to the termination of the share pledge in respect of the shares in the Company dated 28 February 2017 between Skynet Invest A/S and Danske Bank A/S (the "Share Pledge"), any rights over treasury shares in the Company, including ownership rights, may only be transferred to Skynet Invest A/S, CVR-no. 38234552. This restriction on transfers of treasury shares is without prejudice to the Company's right to cancel its treasury shares at any time and acting in its sole discretion".

The proposal was adopted

6) Proposal to reduce the Company's share capital by cancellation of the Company's treasury shares

It was proposed to amend the Company's share capital with nominally DKK 216,788 treasury shares

The proposal was adopted.

7) Election of the board of directors

Per Morten Torvildsen, Masoud Homayoun, Martin Lippert, Svante Ostblom, Peter Bredgaard were elected to the board of directors.

8) Appointment of auditor

ERNST & YOUNG Godkendt Revisionspartnerselskab was elected as auditor of the

company.

9) Any other business

There was no other business.

Attachments:

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/29d937be-2cd7-4d4c-a894-ca7495551ecd
Latvian English

The Company was established in 1900 and operates under the current name since 1970. Due to SPI Group internal reorganization the major shareholder of Latvijas balzams AS from October 2014 is Amber Beverage Group SIA, which owns 89.99% of the Companys equity capital.

Latvijas balzams AS is the largest producer of alcoholic beverages in the Baltic States with a range of more than 100 different products. Our production is exported to more than 170 export markets as mediated by Stoli Group, and to 42 markets via the Company`s direct export route.



The Company`s Activity

The unaudited turnover of the Company reached 75.7 million Euros in Year 2016 that represents 2.6% growth versus the Year 2015. The positive results are rooted mainly into increased level of provided 3-rd party services.

Based on new services the company managed to increase unaudited profit for the reporting period to 7.45 million euro that represents 5.3% increase in comparison to Year 2015.

Although the Company has expanded its export geography this year, the turnover from sales of alcoholic drinks dropped by 1.7%. To compensate production and sales volume drop, Latvijas balzams AS has started providing an additional services  using employee competence and warehouse resources. From beginning of 2016 Company is providing a number of warehousing and logistics services, mostly to beverage companies  like transit assurance service, bonded warehouse services, 3-rd party logistic services, value added services, picking, etc. Actions taken, has allowed to increase the profit due to more efficient use of available resources and assets. Latvijas balzams AS has been performing as European hub for group distributed brands in Europe, including Scandinavia and Russia (KAH, Bayou, Arinzano, Achaval Ferrer).

Latvijas balzams AS is the leading producer of alcoholic beverages in Latvia, as well as one of the largest local taxpayers. During the reporting period, Company paid 52.3 million euro to the state budget, including excise tax, amounting to 40.1 million euro.



Future prospects

In 2017 Company will keep focusing on investment opportunities in existing and new export markets with strong growth potential and accelerating sales. Well keep the strong focus on our core brands - Riga Black Balsam and Cosmopolitan Diva - investing into international recognition, brand equity and increasing market share.

The Company will also continue to improve the efficiency of production with focus on purchasing, planning and infrastructure improvements to support our goal - to deliver quality products with a competitive cost advantage.

Latvijas balsams AS is an active member of Latvian Alcohol Industry Association and cooperates with core non-governmental organizations, representing the interests of industry in any dialogue with legislators and law enforcement institutions. Company supports development of well - considered industry policy in Latvia and promotes responsible consumption and public education on these issues, as well as continues to combat the illegal production and distribution of non-commercial alcohol.



AS Latvijas balzams

Chairman of the Board Intars Geidans



Riga, February 28, 2017
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Are we fighting a new Cold War, but this time in cyber space?

Anyone over the age of 35 remembers the Berlin Wall coming down like it was yesterday  and the world looked forward to peace, stability and prosperity.

It hasn't quite worked out like that and it seems that tensions between the West and Russia have, over the last few years, been ratcheting up.

But instead of tank manoeuvres either side of the Iron Curtain, that tension is being played out in cyber space.

Rumours continue to abound about the involvement of Russian hackers, whether state-sponsored or not, in the US presidential elections.

And Ciaran Martin, director of the new National Cyber Security Centre - which is part of GCHQ - has recently spoken about dozens of serious attacks, over computer networks, on British systems, many of which 'threaten national security'.

Earlier this month Mr Martin spoke to The Sunday Times and said the UK is hit by 60 'significant' cyber attacks every month.

Many of these attacks are from Russia, according to Mr Martin, who said: "Over the last two years there has been a step-change in Russian aggression in cyberspace. Part of that has been a series of attacks on political institutions, political parties, parliamentary organisations and that's all very well evidenced by our international partners and widely accepted."

He said Russian and Chinese-sponsored hackers were also probing so-called soft targets such as charities, local authorities and universities and said: The level of sophistication is such that we keep very vigilant and I expect there will be a category One incident at some point."

Included in recent attacks was one attempting to disrupt the 2015 general election, which was foiled by GCHQ. The intelligence and security organisation, based in Cheltenham, is reported to have said it was the first such attack on the UK.

So how seriously should we take the threat?

Does this suggest that Russia and China are becoming adversaries, even enemies, of the West in a way not seen since the late 20 century?

John Bassett is a security and intelligence expert and a founder of the Project for the Study of the 21 Century. and is a member of its International Advisory Group.

He said: "Russia is becoming increasingly assertive internationally, especially in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Cyber is a key element of this but not the only element: the Russian air force and navy are deployed in Syria, Russian army went into Georgia in 2008, there are Russian special forces and weapons deployed in support of Russian nationalists in Crimea, and the Ukraine.

What distinguishes cyber warfare, though, is that it's hard to track and not governed by international norms as conventional forces, traditional espionage and diplomacy are."

Mr Basset thought that rather than be a symptom of serious tensions between the West and Russia, increased cyber activity from Moscow may have its roots at home.

He said: "Putin's motivation probably about shoring up domestic support through a nationalist agenda at a time when Russia's economy is struggling. I don't think he's intentionally on a collision course with the West - this is opportunism where the West looks weak. We are not quite in a new Cold War yet."

Which is a relief.

But there is still a risk.

Mr Bassett said: "The risk is miscalculation by both sides, leading to heightened tension. This is a particular risk with cyber which is so much more tenuous and harder to track and not governed by international conventions.

"This make this significant investment by the government in the NCSC so important."

So we may not be fighting a new cyber-based Cold War. And the attacks we face maybe part of normal international relations in the 21 Century, or something more alarming.

Whatever it is, it seems that GCHQ and the NCSC will be at the forefront of defending the country.

GloucestershireLive contacted both GCHQ and the NCSC, but neither wished to comment and the NCSC pointed us to Mr Martin's remarks.
Feb. 27, 2017, the second day of February according to Chinas lunar calendar, is an important festival for the Qiang ethnic group living in southwestern Chinas Sichuan province. The Qiang people celebrated Guairu Festival by worshiping the god of nature and praying for good fortune. Several activities were also held to exhibit the unique Qiang culture.
VIRGINIA CITY, Nev., Feb. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Comstock Mining Inc. (Comstock Mining or the Company) (NYSE MKT:LODE) will host a conference call on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time/11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to report 2016, full year results and provide a business update.



The live call will include a moderated Q&A, after the prepared remarks. The dial-in telephone numbers for the live audio are as follows:

US / Canada Toll Free: 888-287-5529; confirmation code 2506277

[International: +1 416-849-4292]; confirmation code 2506277

The audio will be available, usually within 24 hours of the call, and for 30 days thereafter, at http://www.comstockmining.com/investors/investor-library

About Comstock Mining Inc.

Comstock Mining Inc. is a Nevada-based, gold and silver mining company with extensive, contiguous property in the Comstock District and is an emerging leader in sustainable, responsible mining. The Company began acquiring properties in the Comstock District in 2003. Since then, the Company has consolidated a significant portion of the Comstock District, amassed the single largest known repository of historical and current geological data on the Comstock region, secured permits, built an infrastructure and commenced production in 2012. The Company continues evaluating and acquiring properties inside and outside the district expanding its footprint and exploring all of our existing and prospective opportunities for further exploration, development and mining. The near term goal of our business plan is to maximize intrinsic stockholder value realized, per share, by continuing to acquire mineralized and potentially mineralized properties, exploring, developing and validating qualified resources and reserves (proven and probable) that enable the commercial development of our operations through extended, long-lived mine plans that are economically feasible and socially responsible.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and any related calls or discussions may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about Comstock. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements about matters such as the future quality of life on the Comstock and Comstocks future production, operations and infrastructure.

The words believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, project, plan, should, intend, may, will, would, potential and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of doing so. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical and current trends, current conditions, possible future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, representations or warranties and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Some of those risks and uncertainties include the risk factors discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors of our annual report on Form 10-K. Occurrence of such events or circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows or the market price of our securities. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements by or attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.

Neither this press release nor any related calls or discussions constitutes an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.
FIRST IN HISTORY PROVINCIAL POTASH MINING REGULATIONS TO APPLY ON FEDERAL FIRST NATIONS RESERVE LAND

TSXV: EPO

VANCOUVER, Feb. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - Encanto Potash Corp. ("Encanto" or the "Company") (TSXV: EPO) is pleased to advise that, together with their project partners, the Muskowekwan First Nation, the successfully signed Tripartite Agreement is expected to lead to the First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act ("FNCIDA") being finalized this Spring. The Tripartite agreement was signed by Muskowekwan First Nation Chief Reginald Bellerose, the Honourable Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, Carolyn Bennett on behalf of the Canadian Federal Government and the Honourable Provincial Minister for the Economy Bill Boyd on behalf of the Saskatchewan Provincial Government.

Muskowekwan First Nation Chief Reginald Bellerose commented that "by achieving this milestone, the first ever for such a planned large scale operation in Canada, we have been breaking entirely new ground and not only moving to ensure that we ourselves are a significant resource player in Canada for generations to come, but paving the way for other First Nations to achieve self-source revenues and a self-dictated future full of promise."

"There were many hands at all levels of government demonstrating an unprecedented level of cooperation and support between themselves and our own Nation. It took some time, but all involved wanted to ensure that we got this precedent setting process entirely right".

According to the FNCIDA website, the process enables a First Nation that has decided to pursue a large scale commercial or industrial on-reserve project to request the Government of Canada to develop regulations applying to a specific project on a specific piece of reserve land. FNCIDA works by essentially reproducing the provincial rules and regulations that apply to similar large-scale commercial or industrial projects off reserves and applying them to a specific on-reserve project. This approach, called incorporation by reference, ensures that both on and off-reserve projects are subject to similar regulatory regimes. It increases the certainty for investors, developers and the public while minimizing costs.

This case-by-case approach means that the unique needs and circumstances of each project can be respected, as can the Government of Canada's unique relationship with, and responsibilities toward, First Nations. Agreements between the Government of Canada, individual First Nations and the provincial government will be developed to enable the province to carry out the monitoring and enforcement of FNCIDA regulations for particular projects. In practice, this means that projects regulated under FNCIDA are required to meet similar standards as those that apply in the rest of the province and it gives investors and developers certainty by ensuring that they are dealing with regulations and regulators that are well known and understood.

The goal of FNCIDA is to enable First Nations to develop their economies, provide more tools to manage their resources, increase self-sufficiency and enhance their quality of life.

Notice of the intent to form these mining regulations was published by the Governor in Council in the Federal government online newspaper the Gazette (Canada Gazette  Part I) in June, 2016. The final step in this process would be a second publication (Canada Gazette  Part II) which the Company expects in the near term.

Encanto President, Stavros Daskos commented "I'd like to personally thank Chief Bellerose for his instrumental and tireless efforts particularly over the last 18 months in bringing this process to a successful conclusion. This was entirely a government (First Nation) to government (Canadian Federal Government) to government (Province of Saskatchewan) transaction which will result in a historic agreement between all parties. This represents another critical piece being in place to allow for the eventual development of the first potash mine on First Nation land in Canada and the first whatsoever to complete the FNCIDA process for such a major project."

ABOUT ENCANTO:

Encanto Potash Corp. is a TSX Venture Exchange listed and traded Canadian resource company engaged in the development of potash properties in the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada, the largest producing potash region in the world. Through a joint venture agreement with Muskowekwan Resources Ltd. on our flagship property, Encanto has a project land package which totals approximately 61,000 largely contiguous acres. A Pre-Feasibility Study dated February 28, 2013 titled "Encanto Potash Corp. Technical Report Summarizing the Preliminary Feasibility Study for the Muskowekwan First Nations Home Reserve Project in South Eastern Saskatchewan, Canada" confirms the Proven and Probable KCI Reserves totaling 162 MMt grading 28% (average) which supports primary and secondary mining for over 50 years at an assumed annual rate extraction rate of 2.8 million tonnes.

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by James Walchuck, a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101.

For additional information about Encanto Potash Corp., please visit the Company's website at www.encantopotash.com or review the Company's documents filed on 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 FOREGOING INFORMATION MAY CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION RELATING TO THE FUTURE PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY. FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE ANTICIPATED IN OUR FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. SUCH RISKS AND OTHER FACTORS INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, THE SATISFACTION OF ANY APPLICABLE CONDITIONS IN RESPECT OF THE MMTC MOU AND THE OFFTAKE AGREEMENT INCLUDING THOSE IN RELATION TO PROJECT TIMELINES, THE ASSUMPTIONS AND ESTIMATES IN THE COMPANY'S PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY OF THE MUSKOWEKWAN PROJECT (THE "PFS") PROVING TO BE ACCURATE OVER TIME INCLUDING APPLICABLE RESOURCE ESTIMATES, THE POTENTIAL FOR DELAYS AND INCREASES TO PROJECT COSTS AS A RESULT OF POTENTIAL CHANGES IN PLANNED PRODUCTION RATES, CHANGES IN WORLD COMMODITY MARKETS OR EQUITY MARKETS, THE ADEQUACY OF THE COMPANY'S FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND THE AVAILABILITY OF ADDITIONAL FINANCING ON REASONABLE TERMS OR AT ALL, THE RISKS OF THE MINING INDUSTRY INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENVIRONMENT, DELAYS IN OBTAINING GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS, PERMITS OR FINANCING OR IN THE COMPLETION OF DEVELOPMENT OR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES, TITLE DISPUTES, CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT AND CHANGES TO REGULATIONS AFFECTING THE MINING INDUSTRY, AND OTHER RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES DETAILED FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE COMPANY'S FILINGS WITH THE CANADIAN SECURITIES ADMINISTRATORS (AVAILABLE AT WWW.SEDAR.COM). FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE MADE BASED ON VARIOUS ASSUMPTIONS AND ON MANAGEMENT'S BELIEFS, ESTIMATES AND OPINIONS ON THE DATE THE STATEMENTS ARE MADE. SHOULD ONE OR MORE OF THESE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES MATERIALIZE, OR SHOULD UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS PROVE INCORRECT, ACTUAL RESULTS MAY VARY MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DESCRIBED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. READERS ARE CAUTIONED THAT CURRENT MARKET PRICES FOR THE COMPANY'S PROPOSED PRODUCTS ARE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT THAN THE ESTIMATES USED IN THE PFS AND CHANGES TO THE PROPOSED PRODUCTION RATE WOULD BE EXPECTED TO CAUSE MATERIAL CHANGES TO THE REQUIRED CAPITAL COSTS OF THE PROJECT. THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS IF THESE ASSUMPTIONS, BELIEFS, ESTIMATES AND OPINIONS OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD CHANGE, EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

SOURCE Encanto Potash Corp.
Villagers harvest mushrooms in a development base of edible fungi in Chenluo village, Gao'an city, Jiangxi Province on February 23. The city government of Gao'an implements a targeted policy to equip each impoverished village with an industry that can alleviate residents from poverty. (Photo by Peng Songlin from People's Daily)

The "targeted poverty alleviation" strategy launched by China has not only managed to bring numerous Chinese people out of poverty, but has also provided enlightenment to other countries.

"We should not forget the fact that China has contributed the most in world poverty alleviation in the past decade," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in Munich, Germany. He added that in light of the fragile international environment, development is an important channel to prevent conflicts.

China, with an over 1.3 billion population, has lifted more people out of poverty than any other country in the world, and is one of the first countries which achieved the UN Millennium Development Goals.

Over the past three decades, more than 700 million people in China have been lifted out of poverty, accounting for more than 70 percent of the world's total. The number of impoverished people in rural areas was reduced to 55.75 million by 2015.

Chinese President Xi Jinping came up with the "targeted poverty reduction" strategy soon after assuming office, vowing to alleviate impoverished people in rural areas and poverty-stricken counties under the current standard by 2020. To realize the goal, China has established a 5-level responsibility pattern that covers provinces, cities, counties, townships and villages.

From 2013 to 2016, China has lifted more than 10 million people out of poverty every year, 55.64 million people in all. The living standard of rural residents in poverty-stricken areas has been improved greatly.

China's "targeted poverty reduction" strategy, to be more specific, means more targeted support subjects, proper project arrangement, precise capital allocation, exact policy implementation and personnel assignment as well as specific results, so that the benefits of each policy can be brought to the recipients themselves. No one should be left behind.

The strategy not only opened up a new landscape for China's poverty alleviation work, but offered enlightenment for other developing countries.

A series of initiatives proposed by Xi, including accelerating global poverty reduction, strengthening cooperation in poverty reduction, realizing diverse, independent and sustainable development and improving the global development environment have been embraced by the UN and developing countries.

China also takes an active part in launching South-South cooperation by providing assistance to other developing countries, especially the least developed countries to eliminate poverty. Over the past 60 years, China has offered nearly 400 billion yuan ($58.27 billion) and dispatched more than 600,000 aid personnel to 166 countries and international organizations, statistics indicated.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Feb. 28, 2017) -

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Osisko Mining Inc. (TSX:OSK) ("Osisko" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce, further to its announcements on February 6, 2017, that the Corporation has completed (i) a private placement financing of 5,450,000 flow-through common shares of the Corporation (the "Flow-Through Shares") at a price of $5.52 per Flow-Through Share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $30,084,000 (the "Flow-Through Offering"), and (ii) a private placement financing of 15,327,000 units of the Corporation (the "Units"), at a price of $3.40 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Corporation of $52,111,800 (the "Unit Offering"). Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Corporation (each, a "Unit Share") and one whole common share purchase warrant of the Corporation (each, a "Unit Warrant"). Each Unit Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Corporation (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $5.00 per Warrant Share, for a period of 18 months following the closing date of the Unit Offering.

The Corporation intends to use the net proceeds of the Unit Offering to continue exploration and development of the Windfall Lake gold project and for corporate purposes. The Corporation intends to use the gross proceeds of the Flow-Through Offering to fund "Canadian exploration expenses" (within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) related to Osisko's projects in the Province of Quebec.

All securities issued under the Unit Offering and the Flow-Through Offering will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from the date hereof. The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Osisko Mining Inc.

Osisko is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious metal resource properties in Canada. Osisko holds a 100% in the high-grade Windfall Lake gold deposit located between Val-d'Or and Chibougamau in Quebec and holds a 100% undivided interest in a large area of claims in the surrounding Urban Barry area (82,400 hectares), a 100% interest in the Marban project located in the heart of Quebec's prolific Abitibi gold mining district, and properties in the Larder Lake Mining Division in northeast Ontario, including the Jonpol and Garrcon deposits on the Garrison property, the Buffonta past producing mine and the Gold Pike mine property. The Corporation also holds interests and options in a number of additional properties in northern Ontario. Osisko continues to be well financed with approximately $200 million in cash and investments (after giving effect to the Unit Offering and Flow-Through Offering).

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. The information in this news release about the Flow-Through Offering; the Unit Offering; the timing and ability of the Corporation to complete the formal documentation and obtain the final listing approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange, if at all; the use of the gross proceeds from the Flow-Through Offering; that the gross proceeds of the Flow-Through Offering will be used for "Canadian exploration expenses" (as defined in subsection 66.1(6) of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) related to Osisko's project in the Province of Quebec; that all such "Canadian exploration expenses" will be renounced with an effective date no later than December 31, 2017; the use of the net proceeds from the Unit Offering; and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be "forward-looking information". Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. This forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of Osisko, at the time it was made, involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Osisko to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the Offering; volatility in the trading price of common shares of the Corporation; risks relating to the ability of the Corporation to obtain required approvals, including the final approval of Toronto Stock Exchange; ability of Osisko to complete further exploration activities, including drilling; property interests; the results of exploration activities; risks relating to mining activities; the global economic climate; metal prices; dilution; environmental risks; and community and non-governmental actions. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, Osisko cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither Osisko nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking information. Osisko does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.
TSX-V: "VRB"

VANCOUVER, Feb. 28, 2017 /CNW/ - VANADIUMCORP RESOURCE INC. February 28, 2017, VanadiumCorp Resource Inc. (TSX-V: "VRB") is pleased to announce that it has applied jointly with Electrochem Technologies & Materials Inc. "Electrochem" for a US provisional patent application (US 62/463,411) for a combined metallurgical and chemical process. Successful test work commenced by Dr. Francois Cardarelli at Electrochem's facilities in Boucherville, Quebec yielded high recoveries of both iron and vanadium values from a vanadiferous titanomagnetite concentrate that was extracted, prepared and beneficiated by IOS Services Geoscientifiques Inc., directly from the Company's 100% owned Lac Dore Vanadium Project in Chibougamau, Quebec.

Conventional pyrometallurgical processes utilize either direct soda ash roasting of the magnetite followed by water leaching, or the arc smelting and slagging of the magnetite followed by soda ash roasting of the vanadium-rich slag. Smelting or roasting is capital intensive with high operating costs, technical risks and significant emissions of greenhouse gases that pose serious environmental issues. Hydrometallurgical processes for the extraction of vanadium have been proposed in the last decade as a lower cost alternative in replacement of the conventional processes but they fail to produce a high quality iron co-product.

The Vanadiumcorp-Electrochem Technology addresses these key issues and allows the full recovery of vanadium for the production of either a vanadium electrolyte (VE) or vanadium chemicals used for preparing vanadium battery electrolyte as well as the concurrent production of a high quality and competitive iron co-product.

Adriaan Bakker, CEO of Vanadiumcorp states, "Direct co-recovery of high quality and competitive iron product adds significant value to our resources and production potential. Our entire "Mine to technology" transformation plan is now environmentally friendly in addition to our battery electrolyte lasting forever in 100% green energy storage technology. Vanadiumcorp is committed to the development of a low cost vanadium electrolyte alternative to facilitate mass deployment of vanadium redox flow batteries."

Highlights



Joint US provisional patent application filed to protect a novel technology developed jointly by VanadiumCorp Resource Inc. and Electrochem Technologies & Materials Inc.

Clean alternative to roasting and smelting, with negligible greenhouse gases emissions and minimizing the amount of wastes

Maximum recovery and transformation: Combination of metallurgical and chemical processes suitable for recovering iron and vanadium for preparing a vanadium electrolyte (VE) directly from vanadiferous titanomagnetites.

Successful trials conducted with a vanadiferous titanomagnetite concentrate from the Vanadiumcorp Lac Dore Vanadium Project.

Demonstration of potential industrial applicability of Vanadiumcorp-Electrochem Technology from successful test work initiated in 2016 and that continues during 2017 with other vanadium sources.

Direct, high efficiency VE and Iron process technology

Advantage of coproduct recovery over conventional iron and vanadium production methods

Scalable production with modular design

Low cost production target for 100% reusable battery material

Location agnostic: Creates opportunity for process technology centers next to primary vanadium resources and secondary vanadium feedstocks such as spent catalysts, slags and fly ash

100% green vertically integrated supply stream "mine to technology"

Complete vertically integrated climate change solution

Primary Supply: Exclusive NI 43-101 low impurity vanadium resource in magnetite (66% Iron & 1.08% V2O5 in concentrate)

Secondary Supply: VE Recovery potential from vanadium feedstocks such as oil sands fly ash waste

Exclusive Process technology - Vanadiumcorp-Electrochem Technology

Cost reduction potential for vanadium batteries Vanadiumcorp Electrolyte

End users: Partnerships secured with leading US, Canadian and Global Vanadium Battery Companies for commercial deployment

Production testing of vanadium electrolyte and iron co-product will continue into Q2 2017. The VE produced will be tested in vanadium battery deployment projects VanadiumCorp is considering as well as collaborative R&D projects.

Request samples and preorders are available on the Company's website at www.vanadiumcorp.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE VanadiumCorp Resource Inc.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Feb 28, 2017) - Sphinx Resources Ltd. ("Sphinx" or the "Corporation") (TSX VENTURE:SFX) announces that it has closed a non-brokered hard dollar private placement (the "Private Placement") for aggregate gross proceeds of $ 1,402,810, including $ 804,110 from subscribers identified by Haywood Securities Inc. ("Haywood") and $ 400,400 from four Quebec-based institutional funds:

Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec ("CDPQ") ($ 150,000);

Capital croissance PME II, s.e.c. ("CCPME") ($ 100,200);

Societe de developpement de la Baie-James ("SDBJ") ($ 100,200) : and

Societe d'investissement dans la diversification de l'exploration ("SIDEX") ($ 50,000).

The Private Placement was comprised of 23,380,165 units of the Corporation at a price of $0.06 per unit. Each unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Corporation and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share at a price of $0.09 per common share until February 28, 2020. The securities of the Corporation to be issued pursuant to the Private Placement are subject to a four-month hold period expiring June 29, 2017. Management and one director of the Corporation subscribed for an amount of $15,300 of the Private Placement.

The net proceeds of the Private Placement will be used to fund the Corporation's precious metals exploration projects (Cheechoo-Eleonore Trend and Chemin Troilus in Eeyou Istchee James Bay and Green Palladium in the Pontiac regional municipal county in southwestern Quebec) and for general working capital purposes. Funding for drilling the Calumet-Sud zinc project (next to the Green Palladium project) will be provided solely by SOQUEM, Sphinx's partner on that project. SOQUEM can acquire a 50% interest in the Project by carrying out exploration work totaling $450,000. The Private Placement has been conditionally accepted by the TSX Venture Exchange.

"We would like to thank Haywood, Quebec institutions, and our existing and new shareholders for their support. We are enthusiastic about the upcoming drilling programs on three separate projects: Calumet-Sud for zinc, Green Palladium for palladium and Chemin Troilus for gold, and look forward to a steady flow of news for the balance of 2017." stated Normand Champigny, President and CEO.

In connection with the Private Placement, the Corporation has agreed to pay to certain finders a finder's fee of up to 7% in cash, representing an aggregate amount of up to $60,992 and will issue 918,528 non-transferable finders Warrants, each such entitling the finder to acquire one common share at a price of $0.09 per common share for a period of three years from the date of grant. This amount includes finders' fees of $50,702 paid to Haywood.

CDPQ is a long-term institutional investor that manages funds primarily for public and parapublic pension and insurance plans. As at December 31, 2016, it held $ 270.7 billion in net assets. As one of Canada's leading institutional fund managers, CDPQ invests globally in major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure and real estate. Through its CDPQ Sodemex mining portfolio, la Caisse contributes to the development of Quebec's mining industry by acquiring interests in junior mining companies and mining producers active in Quebec.

CCPME is a fund jointly set up by CDPQ and by Capital Regional et Cooperatif Desjardins for the purpose of supporting the economic development of Quebec businesses and encouraging their growth. Desjardins Venture Capital Inc. acts as the manager of CCPME.

SDBJ was created in 1971 by the James Bay Region Development Act. The SDBJ's mission is to promote the James Bay territory's economic development and the development and use of its natural resources, other than hydroelectric resources, which are Hydro-Quebec's responsibility, from a sustainable development perspective. It can also generate, support and participate in projects for these purposes. www.sdbj.gouv.qc.ca

SIDEX was established in 2001 by the Government of Quebec and the Fonds de solidarite des travailleurs du Quebec (F.T.Q.). The mission of SIDEX is to invest in mineral exploration companies working in Quebec to diversify Quebec's mineral base. SIDEX encourages companies to explore for new substances, to use new metallogenic models and to open new territories. SIDEX also helps to promote entrepreneurship and innovation.

About Sphinx

Sphinx is engaged in the generation and acquisition of exploration projects in Quebec, Canada which is recognized as an attractive mining jurisdiction worldwide. The Corporation has 83.9 million shares outstanding, including 12% held by insiders and 20% by Quebec institutions.

For further information, please consult Sphinx's website.

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 and activities to vary materially from targeted results and planning. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in Sphinx's periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Sphinx from time to time with securities regulatory authorities.
Complexity, says Brookings Institution social mobility expert Richard V. Reeves, is the friend of the upper middle class. To me, Reeves observation provides insight into the insidious way governments can, even without realizing it, work against the bulk of the people they seek to serve. It reminds me of my days as a social worker, when a lot of my clients would ask me to interpret government letters and forms for them. I worked for the state of Pennsylvania, but the forms they brought to me were from the city, the county, the state, the feds. It didnt matter -- it was all the government to them, and the special skill I brought was that I could interpret bureaucratese.If what Reeves says is true, then what Nick Macchione, director of health and human services for San Diego County, Calif., calls potent simplicity is the friend of everyone else. Macchione and his colleagues used the concept to create a clear, empowering message to underpin Live Well San Diego, the countys strategic community health plan. They came up with notion of 3-4-50 to communicate the idea that three behaviors -- smoking, lack of exercise and poor nutrition -- contribute to four chronic diseases that cause more than half of the countys deaths.In the book, authors Alan Siegel and Irene Etzkorn write that achieving simplicity is anything but simple. It takes work to organize, streamline, clarify and generally make sense of the world around us, they write. An example of the scope of effort involved is Rhode Islands work to increase voter participation. Secretary of State Nellie Gorbeas team began by redesigning the ballot, working with the Center for Civic Design, the federal Election Assistance Commission, the American Institute of Graphic Arts and the Brennan Center for Justice. They tested it with focus groups and people on the street and then educated voters with videos, sample ballots online, interviews with Gorbea in both Spanish and English, and 120 voter information sessions.Simplifying the school selection process for Boston families -- a system perceived by many as working to perpetuate the inequities it was supposed to be fighting -- also was anything but simple. Susan Nguyen, chief of staff for the Boston Mayors Office of New Urban Mechanics, says the changes had to be made with a lot of attention to who was using the process. Collaborating with Code for America and spending a lot of time talking with parents, Nguyen and her team ditched an eight-page printed foldout crammed with complex details in favor of a multilingual Web page that functions like Hotels.com.Reeves quotes a mantra of the artist Georgia OKeeffe: Select, simplify and amplify. Public officials who take those words to heart in shaping public services will have succeeded in opening another front for combating inequality and the decline of trust in government.
Less than seven miles from the White House, where President Trump has popularized the term "fake news," residents in a suburban Maryland library gathered recently to learn how to not be duped themselves.Social media is a common theme here because you see things being shared over and over again, Ryan OGrady, media producer and director of the Maryland State Library Resource Center, told the audience. Just because something is popular doesnt make it true.The program, which OGrady is running at several libraries in Marylands Montgomery County, is in response to the recent explosion of unverified, unsourced and sometimes untrue information that purports itself as news. The program aims to educate residents about how to spot fake news.While it's not a recent phenomenon -- the Bigfoot myth goes back centuries, and fabricated stories abounded when emailing was new, for example -- fake news played a prominent role in the 2016 presidential election and continues to do so in the new administration. Sites like Facebook and Twitter give fake news outlets a platform to reach more people than they would otherwise be able to. Once the misinformation is out there, it can spread quickly, often before users even read or verify a story.The president himself has shared fake news on social media and accused credible, mainstream media outlets, such as CNN and, as being fake news.All this has led to a discussion among public libraries -- charged with promoting education, literacy and culture in their communities -- about what their role should be in helping citizens navigate this overwhelming information landscape.Were not in the business of disrespecting anyone, says Julie Todaro, president of the American Library Association. The authority of the president of the strongest country in the world needs to be protected. But we have to think about facts and information now more critically than ever.Across the country, libraries are tackling the subject in various ways.Like Montgomery County, Derry Public Library in New Hampshire hosted an educational program for residents this month. Todaro, who is also the Austin Community College Dean of Library Services, says her staff has been updating an information literacy webinar to address emerging phrases like alternative facts. Meanwhile, most libraries have issued fact sheets on how to spot fake news or have worked one-on-one with residents who have sought help.Mary Ellen Icaza, Montgomery County Libraries community services administrator, says the library system decided to host OGradys talk at several branches because theyd had numerous requests on the topic.The concept of fake news has exploded with the digital age, she says, and its more difficult for people to discern whether what theyre seeing is coming from a reputable source.To verify news, O'Grady told residents to start by Googling the articles author, referring to primary sources the article uses and checking to see if other outlets have also reported the story.If there is only one place youre finding that information, OGrady says, I can almost guarantee its not true.Fake news, of course, isn't the only thing people need to watch out for. Libraries also want readers to be skeptical of satire websites, such as, and state news sites controlled by oppressive governments, like
Supreme Court justices on Monday cast doubt on a North Carolina law that bans registered sex offenders from using Facebook and other online social media.Through their questions and statements, justices repeatedly voiced skepticism about the 2008 law now being challenged by Durham, N.C., resident and convicted sex offender Lester G. Packingham Jr. A majority appeared ready to rule against the law."Does it limit free speech?" Justice Stephen Breyer asked rhetorically."Dramatically," he said.Justice Elena Kagan was even more pointed, as she hammered North Carolina Senior Deputy Attorney General Robert C. Montgomery with observations about the omnipresence of social media in modern society."Everybody uses Twitter," Kagan noted. "This has become a crucially important channel of political communication."Under North Carolina's law, Kagan added, a registered sex offender "cannot go on the president's Twitter account to see what the president is saying today."The North Carolina law forbids registered sex offenders from accessing "commercial social networking websites" that permit minors to become members. The law specifies what it means by "social networking," to cover sites that allow communication among users and allow creation of profiles that can include photos or names, among other requirements.There are about 20,000 registered sex offenders in North Carolina. More than 1,000 cases have been prosecuted under the same state law violated by Packingham."These are some of the worst criminals," Montgomery said, adding that "the law is enforceable and effective."Thirteen states have joined in a brief supporting North Carolina. Many states have adopted variations on the legislation, which often gets challenged in court.In 2014, for instance, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against a California law that required registered sex offenders to provide authorities with a "list of any and all internet identifiers established or used by the person." The California Legislature revised the law last year to correct the First Amendment violations."These people are being cut out from a very large part of the marketplace of ideas," Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said of North Carolina's registered sex offenders.When Montgomery likened the North Carolina law to a Supreme Court case in which justices upheld a ban on political speech outside polling places, Justice Anthony Kennedy brusquely dismissed the comparison, saying, "That does not help you at all."A 21-year-old college student at the time, Packingham was originally indicted in Cabarrus County on two counts of statutory rape of a 13-year-old. He subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge of taking indecent liberties with a child. He was given a suspended sentence, placed on two years' probation and required to register as a sex offender.Packingham was off probation but still on the sex offender registry when he took to Facebook in April 2010 under an assumed name to celebrate the dismissal of a traffic ticket."Man God is good!" Packingham's post declared. "No fine, no court costs, no nothing spent. ... . praise be to GOD, WOW! Thanks JESUS."One North Carolina appeals court reversed his subsequent conviction, but the North Carolina Supreme Court restored the conviction and upheld the state law."This law only applies in the places where everything that happens is a First Amendment activity," Packingham attorney David T. Goldberg told the justices.An instructor in the Stanford Law School's Supreme Court Litigation Clinic, Goldberg added that the North Carolina law "goes way too far" and "forecloses some of the most important channels of communication in our society." Several justices tried, without apparent success, to see whether the law could be narrowed so as to avoid First Amendment problems.Conservative Justice Samuel Alito, a staunch law-and-order supporter, sounded most likely to support the state's law.If the court ties 4-4, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruling would be upheld and the law would survive, but no national precedent would be set.In keeping with his standard practice, Justice Clarence Thomas did not speak or ask questions during the argument. A decision is expected by the end of June.
On Monday, in the morning, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey departed Brisbane for an official visit to the Sunshine Coast.

Following, the Governor, with Mrs de Jersey, official opened the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Rainforest Discovery Centre and addressed guests before returning to Brisbane.

In the afternoon, at Government House, the Governor received Mr Neil Laurie, Clerk of the Parliament, for the presentation of two bills for Assent.
Description

GIS  28 February 2017 : A Gender Equality Bill, whose main objectives will be to promote gender equality, help women realise their full potential and ensure their rightful place in society, is in the pipeline, announced the Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, at a press conference held in Port Louis yesterday on the celebration of the 2017 International Womens Day.

The new legislation on gender parity will follow the enactment of the Childrens Bill, which is under review at the level of the Ministry. Though women are gaining grounds in several spheres such as in the transport and building sectors, discrimination still exists as women are often denied opportunities at top management level, said Mrs Jeewa-Daureeawoo.

The Minister recalled the need for children to be educated in gender equality while highlighting the importance of inculcating, at a young age, appropriate values and attitudes namely the habit of sharing everyday tasks and other responsibilities that can contribute to achieve gender equality.

Speaking on activities that will be organised to mark the International Womens Day, Mrs Jeewa-Daureeawoo stated that the theme retained by the Ministry this year is Working towards a Gender Inclusive Society. A gender inclusive society is one which believes in social justice and fairness; to build such a society, the efforts and commitment of each and every one including Government, private sector, civil society organisations and citizens at large, are crucial, she said.

International Womens Day celebrations

International Womens Day, commemorated on 8 March annually, is an occasion par excellence, to celebrate the achievements of women as well as reflect and develop strategies and actions plan to address gender gaps and achieve gender equality.

During the month of March, several activities will be organised by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare to mark the Day. A National gathering will take place at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre on 8 March.

Prior to the event, an interactive session with three women generations sharing lived experiences to inspire young women will be held on 1 March in Pointe aux Piments. A youth forum on Advocating for gender equality and women empowerment is scheduled on 2 March while some 100 young people will gather at Plaza in Rose Hill on 4 March for a workshop on the theme Young Motherhood.

Poor and vulnerable women from Grand Port  Savanne region will, for their part, be provided a platform to voice out their problems on 6 March. Relevant organisations will be present to take cognizance of the womens difficulties, offer support as warranted and ensure follow-up actions.

Students of secondary schools will on 30 and 31 March 2017 participate in the second edition of the Model Commission on Status of Women where they will engage in the promotion of gender equality and womens empowerment issues.

On the same occasion winners of the Inter centre competition award aiming at motivating officers of women centres to be more proactive and efficient in their task so as to enhance service delivery will be announced.
(TNS)  The State of Wisconsin will delay at least 60,000 income tax refunds for up to 12 weeks this spring as part of fraud prevention efforts, a sign of how the rise of identity theft and the state's response to it is impacting state taxpayers.Last year the state stopped $63 million in refunds because of errors or fraud  a sixfold increase over the $10.4 million stopped in 2006, state officials said.In all since 2011, the efforts have blocked $255.5 million incorrect refunds by tax filers or outright fraud by identity thieves seeking to claim income tax refunds that don't belong to them.State officials are unable to say what factors their Colorado private contractor, FAST Enterprises, uses to flag tax returns as suspicious, a determination that then leads to refund delays for those taxpayers while they verify their identity with state officials.It's upset LaRon Glover, a Milwaukee school teacher who said he's had to jump through hoops to get his state tax refunds for three straight years. This year the delay was smaller  three weeks  but last year he didn't get his refund until June, he said."I needed my money and I was expecting that money," he said in an interview.State Department of Revenue officials said they believe the process treats all taxpayers fairly. The added burden and delay, they said, is a necessary step that protects both taxpayers and individual filers like Glover from identity thieves."We ask tax filers to allow up to twelve weeks processing time this season as we leverage our ID verification tools to ensure their refund is not going to someone who's stolen their personal, confidential information," Revenue Secretary Rick Chandler said in a statement.State Revenue spokesman Casey Langan said that about 2% to 3% of the state's 3 million tax returns would see a delay on their refund this spring because of identity checks. That works out to between roughly 60,000 and 90,000 tax filers  a group similar in size to the population of Appleton.These selected taxpayers, such as Glover, receive a letter from the state that lays out steps to confirm their identity to the Department of Revenue, such as having the taxpayer provide an identification number, answer a quiz about their personal information or provide documents."Using technology to help guard against fraudsters who steal identities and file false tax refunds is part of the new normal," Langan said.The state, Langan said, relies on FAST Enterprises' analytical software to identify tax returns in which "various factors indicate the possibility of identity fraud." Langan couldn't immediately say what those factors are.But the state's system concerns Glover, a special education teacher who is working on his doctorate degree and who has concerns that process might be somehow disproportionately flagging minorities like him.Glover said he had talked with his neighbors on the north side as well as co-workers from the suburbs and had drawn the impression that returns from the two areas may be getting handled differently. His accountant has drawn a similar conclusion, he said."I said, 'Oh, uh-uh, we got to do something about this,'" he said.Langan said that the state doesn't know how FAST Enterprises, the contractor, flags suspicious tax returns because the "information is proprietary." The state gives the company information about known cases of fraud along with other data about tax filings and then gets back other returns with potential fraud.In the state's twice-yearly meetings with FAST Enterprises, there's been no "discussions of age, race or ethnicity" as factors in the vendor's model, he said. FAST Enterprises works with a number of other states, including Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois."We analyze results from the vendor on a daily basis during the tax filing season and have seen no results that lead us to believe there is discrimination of this sort," Langan said.Langan said his agency would be happy to look into Glover's case to try to determine why his returns have been repeatedly flagged.
(TNS)  Expect high tech in the Mohawk Valley's future."We think the entire innovation strategy, which focuses on advanced electronics, UAS [unmanned aerial systems] and cybersecurity are three pivotal strategic thrusts for the Mohawk Valley region," said Steven DiMeo, president of Mohawk Valley EDGE economic development group.Some of that growth will come to the Marcy nanocenter and the Computer Chip Commercialization Center, known as Quad-C, at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. General Electric, Quad C's anchor tenant, has promised to invest $150 million in the site. But Austrian chip maker AMS backed out of its lease at the nanocenter last year.That doesn't mean, though, that the site won't still play an important part in the region's economic future. Empire State Development is actively searching for new tenants and the site has a lot to offer, including $600 million in promised state funding, said Howard Zemsky, president and CEO of Empire State Development and commissioner of the New York State Department of Economic Development."Anyone who is serious about fab or high tech manufacturing is looking at Utica," he said.But cybersecurity is the one high-tech field already making a big impact in the region, said Dan Kalil, vice president, commercial and marketing operations for Assured Information Security in Rome. "So while nano is a strong possibility as well as drone, cybersecurity is the one continued market, if you will, or industry or whatever you want to call it, that has grown year over year within the private sector, within the government and within education."With the explosion of the Internet, cybersecurity is becoming less of a niche and more of a mainstream field with many businesses setting up their own cybersecurity divisions, he said.And local educators are responding to the trend and its workforce needs. "The Utica-Rome region has a long and important history in cybersecurity with the Air Force Research Lab being a true pioneer in the field," said Joseph Giordano, professor of practice and chair of cybersecurity at Utica College. "Utica College provides a leading-edge educational environment where students can learn and apply practical knowledge related to cybersecurity. As a result, the area has a tremendous amount of cyber talent, which is integral to the area's economic revitalization and future."But the area's high-tech focus for the future doesn't mean all workers need high-tech training. These projects will create ripple effects boosting other sectors in the local economy, DiMeo said. A semiconductor plant with 700 jobs would require a supply chain and trigger residential development, retail sales and more business services, he said.There definitely will be opportunities for small business in the future if they can find a niche and stay relevant to their customer base, said Roxanne Mutchler, director of the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center at SUNY Polytechnic. Service-based businesses are a trend with a good line being servicing products from big box stores, she said."Say you buy a TV or something from the big box store," Mutchler said. "They may not have somebody that can repair it. But really, we do see a lot of people that have an idea for a service that they want to offer and there will always be a need for those service-based businesses, especially if some day we do get the chip plant (or another tenant at the site)."There's still a lot of interest in restaurants, but the key to success often is finding a niche, such as a specialized menu that no one else offers, she said. Many people still want to go into retail, too, she said, but too many small businesses are "missing the boat" by not developing mobile-friendly websites and using social media, she said."That is the future. It's the present, but it's definitely the key to the future," Mutchler said.Where might the region lose jobs?"I think, for the most part, it would be pretty much not a lot of change in each sector," DiMeo speculated.Health care will remain the region's largest private employer and manufacturing will hold its own or experience some upticks, he predicted.But a lot depends on how the national economy does, DiMeo said, and on federal policies under the Trump administration. A reduction in corporate taxes, for example, could help to make the United States more competitive for manufacturing, he said."I remain confident, for the most part, I think, that most of the things that are happening in our region are indicative of a renewed sense of confidence on the part of businesses that are willing to invest in our economy," he said.For a few enterprising individuals, though, the key to the future could be a blast from the past, Mutchley suggested."Skilled craftsmen like electricians and plumbers and construction workers that have their own businesses, there is such a shortage," she said. "There is just a huge need out there for these types of people. They can honestly make quite a good living, but people just aren't going into the trades like they used to."
The Belt and Road Initiative is Chinas contribution to the world, and it can benefit countries including the U.K., according to Andrew Parmley, the Lord Mayor of London.

The Belt and Road Initiative contains many opportunities. It is an exciting project for both China and the U.K., as well as for many countries along the route. London is a crucial node for the initiatives implementation in the western world, and many countries will obtain benefits from it, Parmley was quoted as saying by Thepaper.cn.

During his 10-day trip to China, which ended on Feb. 26, Parmley paid visits to Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai, meeting with each city's mayor. Parmley said he saw great potential in the development of Sino-U.K. relations, adding that London is willing to support the Belt and Road Initiative in the fields of finance, law and services, as well as helping to promote it, the 21st Century Business Herald reported.

Traditionally, the Lord Mayor of London visits China in September. Parmleys February visit has been interpreted by many Chinese media outlets as a sign that U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May could potentially participate in a major summit on the Belt and Road Initiative in May.

Generally speaking, the U.K. is one of the western countries most open to Chinese investment. The U.K.s attitude toward the Belt and Road Initiative depends on how much benefit it can obtain from the project. Currently, there are unfriendly voices discouraging Chinese investment in the U.K., which may pose a threat to the two countries future trade, Chen Qi, an expert from Shanghai International Studies University, told Thepaper.cn.
Right after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 there was a huge surge in funding to address potential Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Millions of dollars were spent to obtain chemical and radiological testing equipment, chemical decontamination capabilities and personal protective equipment (PPE) for law enforcement and fire personnel. But, no attacks came ...However, now recently, the assassination of North Korea's Great Leader's half-brother, Kim Jong Nam  we have an apparent use of a nerve agent, VX, used to kill him.North Korea has stockpiles of chemical weapons that they could readily use in any number of ways. VX is a liquid and GB is a gas. Both are deadly nerve agents.I'm wondering if WMD preparedness will once again be ramped up by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). All those PPE outfits that were purchased had a five-year shelf life. Thus, there would need to be another big push if we were to turn back to the heady days of WMD purchases.How can we regionalize (really regionalize) WMD capabilities so that we are prepared, but don't waste public funds?
Dive Team celebrates 30 years

(TNS)  In 2013, divers spent three days searching the murky waters of Lake Summit for the body of 19-year-old Tre Carter.The search was plagued with challenges. The depth, terrain and debris in the lake made visibility beyond a couple of feet impossible for divers with the Henderson County Rescue Squad.On day three, divers from the Charlotte Fire Department were brought in and, using advanced sonar technology, pinpointed the body in 80 feet of water within 10 minutes.Now the Rescue Squad joins its Charlotte counterpart as the only agencies in the state to wield the technology, which will increase diver safety by nearly eliminating the search aspect of underwater search and rescue.Last October, the Rescue Squad received a Kongsberg Mesotech Underwater Search & Recovery (SAR) SONAR System through funding from the county Board of Commissioners and a North Carolina Emergency Management Domestic Preparedness grant.After seeing its success at Lake Summit, Assistant Chief Adam Justus said the Rescue Squad began researching the device and decided to seek funding. The SAR SONAR is the second device of its kind in North Carolina and saves time, increases diver safety and provides digital records of the search and any findings.The device itself is roughly two feet long and hangs on a tripod, which is submerged into a body of water. A transducer sends out sonar beams in a 360-degree radius. That data is then sent up to a computer on the surface. The sonar beams cast a shadow on objects and divers, which simulates a nearly real-time video feed.Its almost as if I take a flashlight beam and I turn hit your body, Justus said. I see your body and behind it you have a shadow. So a lot of times you can tell what type of image it is by looking at the shadow.Unlike side-scan sonar that must be towed to obtain a readable image, scanning sonar is typically tripod-deployed, and the operator has the advantage of time to interpret multiple scans of the same target at different scale ranges.The side-scan and SAR work hand-in-hand to pinpoint targets, Justus said. The SAR system can also be taken off the tripod and used for traditional side scans sonar on a boat."We're getting a really good image of what we're facing before we are able to deploy, Justus said.Its the same technology used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to scan ships when they come into ports and contractors to scan bridges and dams underwater to spot damage. For the Rescue Squad, the primary use will be for body recoveries, but it will also be used in forensics work to recover evidence. Justus said the sonar can pick up small metal evidence, such a hammer or a gun, thats been thrown into a body of water with zero visibility.Once a likely target is identified, the system can then be used, even in zero visibility, to efficiently guide a diver to any target of interest by use of underwater communications.Our divers dive full facemask with hardwired communications, so you can talk diver-to-diver and diver-to-operator, Justus said. So the operator of the sonar is able to talk that diver to that target. It pretty much takes search completely out of dive operations. Just by deploying this, you pick out your targets and you're able to send divers to them."The Rescue Squad sent several members to Michigan for initial training and also hosted three days of training in Henderson County provided by Kongsberg. In June, several Rescue Squad members will return to Michigan for a five-day SAR SONAR & Forensics Class thanks to the Henderson County Sheriffs Office and Valley Hill Fire & Rescue."It's a great, useful tool, Justus said. We've done an extensive amount of training on it.The Rescue Squad will also able to assist counties and agencies across Western North Carolina with the new device, if needed.We feel that this is going to improve our search capabilities, make it a lot safer for the divers underwater and just overall enhance the efficiency of how we conduct underwater search and recovery operations, said Jimmy Brissie, chief of the Rescue Squad.For more information on the Rescue Squad and volunteer opportunities, visit www.hendersoncountyrescue.org On Aug. 30, 2016, the Rescue Squad's Underwater Search & Recovery Dive Team celebrated 30 years of service with a special dedication ceremony at its station on Williams Street in Hendersonville.During this ceremony the family of late Rescue Squad member Samuel R. Morgan was presented the new Underwater Search & Recovery Dive Team logo and the Dive Trailer was dedicated in his honor.Morgan was a lifetime member of the Henderson County Rescue Squad and served in many roles, including chief. Morgan was also a retired captain with the city of Hendersonville Fire Department, where he worked for 26 years.Morgan established the Underwater Search & Recovery Dive Team during the mid to late 1980s. This Dive Team was the first of its kind in Henderson County and Western North Carolina. To this day, the Henderson County Underwater Search & Recovery Dive Team remains a leader in public safety diving.Currently the dive team has 28 divers and responds to requests for assistance from all over North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.Morgan passed away July 2, 2000 after a long battle with liver disease. His memory lives on in his family and the men and women who serve the community and the state through training and emergency response, the Rescue Squad said.
(Data-Smart City Solutions)  Anyone who doubts that creativity is abundant in the public sector need only scroll through the lists of semifinalists and "Bright Ideas" recognized by the Harvard Kennedy School's Innovations in American Government awards program. The programs being highlighted for this year signal a growing trend of utilizing existing technology platforms, and particularly social media, to reduce program costs and improve services. More often than not, these innovations tap into the practical know-how of digitally savvy public employees to address difficult challenges.Blighted properties certainly qualify as that kind of challenge, one that many cities struggle to deal with effectively. Mobile, Ala., faced a growing blight problem compounded by incomplete data that relied only on residents' complaints to identify problem properties. So the city's innovation team turned to Instagram. Relying on the GPS information embedded in photos posted on the site, code-enforcement officers snapped and uploaded pictures of blighted properties to a shared account and then transferred the data to a mapping application to create a visual inventory.Next, the team combined existing property data, including tax, building permit and ownership status, with the geographic information collected via Instagram. This mapping allowed the team to visualize clusters of blighted properties and commonalities in the existing city data. That made it possible for the city to transition to a proactive model of mitigating blight, saving time and money by capitalizing on technology that city workers were already familiar with from their personal use.Across the country, the California Office of Traffic Safety's Designated Drivers VIP campaign turns social media into a friendly voice for government in an effort to reduce drunk driving. OTS wanted to find a way to reconcile the gap between the 20-something drivers it wanted to reach and that population's dislike of the perceived moralizing and authoritative tone that often comes with government campaigns. OTS created a Twitter account without conspicuous government branding at @DDvipCA , utilizing a lighthearted voice to share memes and tweets that tie into current events such as National Irish Coffee Day and the Super Bowl.The account and its accompanying mobile app reward sober drivers with discounts and deals at partner bars and restaurants, including special nonalcoholic drinks and coupons for food and games. Partner businesses advertise the rewards to their customers, broadcasting DDVIP to a larger audience without substantial advertising expense. That helps to strengthen ties between government, businesses and consumers who all share an interest in encouraging designated driving.Wake County, N.C.'s Food Safety and Sanitation Office, which conducts sanitation inspections at more than 2,600 restaurants, uses social media to address another problem many governments face: how to widely and effectively disseminate the wealth of data they have in a way that is accessible and useful to consumers.The agency had been relying on the county website to make restaurant scores available to the public, but it knew that the steps required to access the information were inconvenient and cumbersome. So like several other cities and counties in recent years , it partnered with Yelp, the popular site for sharing reviews of local businesses, in this case to automatically push inspection scores to restaurants' Yelp landing pages. For the county, the only costs associated with this program were the minimal staff hours required to set up data communication with Yelp's servers.These three innovations address very different challenges. What they have in common is that each amounts to a rethinking of traditional ways of delivering public services. Governments may never be able to keep up with Silicon Valley in terms of launching the next big thing, but it's a safe bet that they will continue to use these social media platforms  and whatever the next big thing is  to create new ways to save money and add value to the services they deliver.
Wang Wei founded SF Express in Shunde, South China's Guangdong Province in 1993. The company now has 37 cargo planes. (Photo from the official website of SF Express)

Boosted by the leapfrog development of China's digital economy, the express delivery industry has witnessed explosive growth in recent years. But analysts said that the industry is set to embrace a new era of slower growth but focusing more on profitability.

Industry insiders said that the recent listing of Chinese delivery giant SF Express could be a tipping point.

As Wang Wei, chairman and founder of SF Express, rang the bell at the Shenzhen Stock Exchange with his staff on Friday, the company officially went public through a reverse merger, also known as a backdoor listing.

The company's capitalization was $33.7 billion based on the closing price of its first trading day. The 46-year-old founder, who holds about 65 percent of the shares, saw his personal net worth swell to nearly $20 billion. The listing also made Wang the wealthiest person in China's delivery industry.

China's courier services have grown rapidly along with the booming e-commerce sector. The nation's delivery industry has maintained explosive growth of more than 50 percent for six consecutive years.

The number of packages delivered increased 51.7 percent year-on-year in 2016 to 31.35 billion. Industry revenue hit nearly $58.3 billion, up 44.6 percent. More than 2 million people in China work for the industry.

The State Post Bureau of China, in an industry development plan released earlier this month, forecast that by 2020, the country is expected to handle 70 billion express parcels, and industry revenue will reach $116.5 billion.

Analysts said that as the traditional business models now encounter more challenges such as rising labor costs, resources and environment constraints, the industry is at a turning point.

They added that some companies that only serve the e-commerce sector face the dilemma of rising orders but falling revenues. Many companies offer homogeneous service, and they are experiencing lower profits and more complaints from consumers.

As industry giants including SF Express get listed, the sector will take a new shape, and it will focus more on profitability rather than size, the insiders said.

Some companies are seeking new advantages through technological innovation.

"It is still changing very fast," John Song, who leads Deloitte China's logistics and transportation practice, was quoted as saying in the Financial Times on January 31.

"At least some of them call themselves tech companies, which means they invest big amounts of money in IT systems, big data, automation and also in last-mile delivery, using, say, drone deliveries and driverless vehicles," Song told the newspaper.
A dark cloud continues to hang over injured Sauber driver Pascal Wehrlein.

The young German is in Barcelona for the start of official testing, but still forbidden by doctors to drive after hurting his back in a January rollover crash.

"I haven't had any pain for a long time," he insisted on Monday.

However, Sauber ruled him out of action for the first of just two four-day tests, replacing him with engine supplier Ferrari's reserve Antonio Giovinazzi.

"We will monitor his medical progress and then decide on the next steps," said team boss Monisha Kaltenborn.

Wehrlein, 22, said in Barcelona that he will return for the second Barcelona test, but that decision has not yet been made formally.

"The next doctor's decision will be at the weekend in Zurich," he is quoted by the Swiss newspaper Blick.

"I hope they will say that everything is fine and I can be back in the car."

Veteran correspondent Roger Benoit said Wehrlein denied that he has damaged some vertebrae.

He said his resting phase is simply precautionary.

"Health is the most important thing," said Wehrlein. "I rely completely on the doctors' advice.

"It hurts to watch, but I'm trying to get as much information as possible about the car and the tyres and get to know the team."

He also hit back at claims that, even if he does recover in time for the second test, he will not be ready for Melbourne due to falling behind in his training programme.

"I'm not bedridden," Wehrlein insisted. "I'm still training. And by the time of the race of champions, I had already gained five kilograms of muscle."

(GMM)
F1 is already turning a sharp corner in the early days of the post-Bernie Ecclestone era.

Former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo told Italian radio Rai this week that the way the 86-year-old was ousted by Liberty Media was "not nice".

But others are hailing the sport's first post-Ecclestone steps.

For instance, teams were notably allowed to take more video footage of the paddock for social media as official testing began on Monday -- something fiercely limited by Ecclestone in the past.

"They (Liberty) seem very keen to embrace ideas to make the sport more accessible and entertaining," Horner, who is a strong Ecclestone ally, said.

Also happier is Lewis Hamilton, who says he was consistently warned about taking social media footage inside the paddock under Ecclestone's reign.

But on Monday he 'tweeted': "Through testing I'll be live on Instagram from the cockpit to give you something new".

The change of heart follows a recent lunch between Hamilton, the triple world champion, and F1's new commercial managing director Sean Bratches.

"As a world champion, as a culture carrier of the sport, I wanted his point of view on what we are doing right (and) where are the opportunities to do things better", Bratches told the Times newspaper.

"I think that there are going to be guidelines to unleash Lewis, give him the ability to use F1 iconography to drive his brand which in turn helps drive our brand," he added.

(GMM)
The possibility of a European Commission investigation into formula one remains open for now.

However, the BBC has reported that competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager in fact "rejected" calls for an investigation in a letter on Monday.

Vestager "has written to say the matter will not be taken any further", the BBC report claimed.

But F1 business journalist Christian Sylt says the BBC has simply got it wrong.

The calls for an investigation were led by British politician Anneliese Dodds, taking the side of small teams Force India and Sauber who claim the governance and income distribution models in F1 are wrong.

But her latest appeal to the Commission was about Liberty Media's recent takeover of the sport, which led to an $80 windfall for F1's regulator, the FIA.

Sylt told us: "The reply (from Vestager) specifically concerns the approval of the takeover, not the EC's intention to investigate an alleged breach of EU competition law as a result of it."

Explaining why the Commission's intervention on the Liberty sale was not necessary, commissioner Vestager said: "This transaction did not satisfy the turnover thresholds that must be met to fall within the Commission's jurisdiction".

The European commissioner added that authorities in Austria, Spain, Portugal and the UK all approved the Liberty deal.

Vestager also said her office is "looking at" F1's controversial British tax arrangements.

(GMM)
[File photo]

Chen Feifei, a Chinese student majoring in journalism in the U.S. state of California, has recently begun counting down her return to China. Today, more and more overseas students are making the same choice as Chen, returning to a China that is more attractive and alluring than ever.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress was held in 2012, China has accelerated its construction of a globally competitive talent system, which has led to a massive tide of returning Chinese talent. Thanks to China's growing international influence, more and more young Chinese professionals are opting to return to their homeland.

"Most of my friends here choose to return to China, and we all think China has big potential and is full of opportunities," Dai Jiaben, a student at Ohio State University, told the Peoples Daily. Dai's classmates all feel proud to be able to contribute to the growth of their homeland.

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Education, 4 million Chinese people studied abroad from 1978 to 2015; 2.2 million of them have since returned to China. In 2015, the number of overseas students that returned to China increased by 12.14 percent, clocking in at 44,300 people.

The governments increasing focus on overseas talent, favorable policies, stable employment and professional opportunities will help push the tide to its highest point, predicted Ai Shuguang, a member of the Western Returned Scholars Association.

Returning overseas talent has improved China's competitiveness in the world. Statistics show that over 70 percent of the heads of Chinas national key projects are overseas returnees. According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, in 2016, Chinas number of scientific papers ranked second in the world, and its contribution to scientific advancements accounted for 56.2 percent of the global total.

Returned talents have also unleashed great energy in China. So far, there are over 300 pioneer parks created by returnees in China, which generated revenue of 280 billion RMB in 2015. A total of 67,000 returned talents have started businesses in these parks.

Experts predict that in the next five years, China will reach a turning point. At that time, China will transform from the biggest source of talent in the world into a major destination for international talent.
(Xinhua) 20:28, February 28, 2017

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with Ri Kil Song, vice foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), a spokesman said on Tuesday.

The DPRK official will visit China from Tuesday to Saturday at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the ministry's spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily news briefing.

According to Geng, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin and Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou will hold talks with the visiting DPRK official.

"The two sides will exchange views on the China-DPRK relationship and international and regional issues of common concern," said the spokesman.

On Tuesday, Assistant Foreign Minister Kong would hold a meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and other issues of common concern, said the spokesman.
Sulfur compounds in fuels such as gasoline and diesel create air pollution when the fuel is burned. To address that challenge, large-scale hydrodesulfurization (HDS) at refineries remove the majority of sulfur from fuel down to a government-mandated level. The new technique, however, has the potential to reduce sulfur down to a fraction of that amount, which would further reduce air pollution and extend the lifetime of vehicles catalytic converters, which control tailpipe emissions. A paper on their work is published in the journal Nature Energy.

Scientists led by a team at Caltech and BP, and in collaboration with researchers at UCLA, ETH Zurich, and Chinas Nanjing University, have developed a new method for potentially removing nearly all sulfur compounds (down to ~2 ppm) from gas and diesel fuel. The method uses Earth-abundant materials (potassium (K), oxygen (O), and silicon (Si)hence its name, KOSi) and operates under mild conditions.

Currently, HDS is performed by treating petroleum with H 2 at high pressures and temperatures (that is, 1502,250 psi and 400 C) over heterogeneous catalysts such as cobalt-doped molybdenum sulfide supported on alumina  However, certain organosulfur speciesare not efficiently removed. Homogeneous strategies employing sophisticated, well-defined transition metal complexesincluding those based on platinum, nickel, tungsten, molybdenum, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, iron, cobalt, and othershave been extensively investigated. While these studies have provided valuable mechanistic insights, several fundamental issues  generally restrict industrial implementation of such methods.  These issues pose a formidable challenge for the development of new HDS methods. Moreover, increasingly strict governmental regulations require limiting the sulfur content in diesel fuel and gasoline (in the US: typically <15 and <30 ppm, respectively) as well as other fuels, rendering the development of new powerful HDS methods a primary global concern.

Herein, we report that the robust KOt Bu/silane-based (that is, KOSi) system is a powerful and effective homogeneous HDS method, which desulfurizes HDS-resistant dibenzothiophenes in good yield and reduces the sulfur content in diesel fuel to remarkably low levels. Toutov et al.

The new method uses a potassium salt to induce the chemical reactions required to remove sulfur from fuel. Potassium is an abundant element on Earth and cheaper and more environmentally friendly to use than rare metal catalysts that are used for similar reactions.

The discovery that potassium salts can be used to promote key chemical reactions came unexpectedly a couple of years ago. Researchers in the Grubbs laboratory had been testing ways to break carbon-oxygen bonds, which is most efficient when done with a precious metal catalyst such as platinum. Alexey Fedorov of ETH Zurich, who was a postdoctoral fellow in the Grubbs laboratory at the time, ran a control experiment without the metal catalyst and found that the reaction still worked.

After several tests, the researchers confirmed that a potassium salt, called potassium tert-butoxide, was, in fact, driving the reaction. Next, Anton Toutov, a graduate student in the lab of Robert Grubbs, the Victor and Elizabeth Atkins Professor of Chemistry at Caltech, optimized the process and further showed that the reaction produced compounds with carbon-silicon bonds, which normally require metal catalysts to form. Carbon-silicon bonds are found in many products, such as polymers, agricultural chemicals, and semiconductors.

As described in the Nature Energy paper, Toutov and his colleagues in the Grubbs lab have used the potassium salt method to remove sulfur from carbon compounds found in diesel fuel. They partnered with BP to test their method on the companys refined diesel samples, reducing the sulfur levels down from 8 parts per million (comparable to the highest quality of diesel you can get from a typical gas pump today) to an extremely low 2 parts per million. They also repeated the experiment with diesel spiked with high levels of sulfur and achieved similar results.

The new method could be used as an additional step in the oil refining process to get rid of the last traces of sulfur in fuels.

We were really surprised how well the potassium salt worked. The sulfur is contained in small organic molecules, and this process just rips it right out. The next step is figuring out how to streamline the process and make it work on an industrial scale. Anton Toutov

Toutov is co-founding a new company, Fuzionaire, to commercialize this technology.

The research was funded by BP. Support for Toutov was also provided by the Resnick Sustainability Institute at Caltech, Dow Chemical Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Resources
Baku, Azerbaijan, Fed. 28

Trend:

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is concerned over the recent escalation in Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone, Stephen Dyuzharrik, the official representative of the UN Secretary told journalists.

"We are concerned over the reports of clashes along the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh", he said. " UN Secretary-General fully supports the OSCE Minsk Groups efforts for prevent further escalation of the situation", TASS reported.

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.
Members of the Supreme Courts conservative majority are questioning the continued use of affirmative action in higher education. In lengthy arguments Monday, the justices wrestled with persistent, difficult questions of race. The justices heard from six different lawyers in challenges to policies at the University of North Carolina and Harvard. Those policies consider race among many factors in evaluating applications for admission. One conservative justice likened affirmative action to giving some college applicants a head start in a footrace. But a liberal justice said universities are the pipelines to leadership in our society and suggested that without affirmative action minority enrollment will drop.
I would never blame President Donald Trump for the death of Navy SEAL William "Ryan" Owens during a raid in Yemen last month.

But it's pathetic that Trump won't take any responsibility for it.

When asked about it during a "Fox and Friends" interview today, Trump dissembled.

"This was a mission that was started before I got here," Trump said. "This was something they wanted to do. They came to see me, they told me what they wanted to do, the generals, who are very respected  my generals are most respected we've had in many decades, I believe. And they lost Ryan."

Mission planning started before Trump took office. It happened on his watch. He made the call, although to hear him tell it, they did.

They  the generals  wanted to do it. Five times they: They wanted, they came, they told me, they wanted ...

And, finally, they  the generals  lost Ryan.

So Trump, the commander-in-chief who gave his approval for the mission, had nothing to do with it.

Blame the generals.

Except Trump claims the mission was a tremendous success.

Asked about the criticism by Owens' father, Trump doubled down.

"I can understand people saying that," Trump said. "What's worse? There's nothing worse. But again, this was something that they were looking at for a long time."

They again. Not me. Don't blame me.

Now that's an attitude our brave troops can respect.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

Trend:

Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 145 times violated the ceasefire in various directions along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry told Trend Feb. 28.

The Azerbaijani army positions located on nameless heights of Azerbaijans Gazakh district and on nameless heights and in Aghdam, Munjuglu villages of Azerbaijans Tovuz district underwent fire from the Armenian army positions located on nameless heights and in Paravakar village of Ijevan district, in Mosesgeh, Aygedzor villages and on nameless heights of Armenias Berd district.

Moreover, the Azerbaijani army positions were shelled from the Armenian army positions located near the Armenian-occupied Goyarkh, Chilaburt villages of the Tartar district, Garagashli, Shikhlar villages of the Aghdam district, Garakhanbayli, Horadiz and Ashagi Veyselli villages of the Fuzuli district, as well as from the positions located on nameless heights of the Goranboy, Tartar, Aghdam and Fuzuli 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.
Activities

Construction has officially begun on Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboros 30th anniversary house  the second piece of the affiliates 30th anniversary celebration. Founded in 1987, Habitat Greensboro celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

During its 30th anniversary kickoff breakfast in January, Habitat Greensboro announced several events scheduled throughout 2017 that make up the 30th anniversary celebration. The 30th anniversary house, located in northeast Greensboro and scheduled to be built in just 30 days, is the second event of the anniversary celebration.

Habitat construction employees will work with volunteers representing the 30th anniversary house sponsors, Brady Services, Christ United Methodist Church, Columbia Forest Products, Cone Health, First Presbyterian Church, Hillcrest Partners/Windsor Homes, Volvo Financial Services, Wells Fargo and Westminster Presbyterian Church in the effort to complete a new home for a family in the next month.

Later in the year as the 30th anniversary celebration continues, Habitat Greensboro will focus on neighborhood revitalization while working with the city to improve older neighborhoods. In July, Habitat will work to create a housing hub containing multiple housing-assistance agencies under one roof as well as a learning center to educate homeowners on important topics for success. The celebration continues in August with the Summer Bash  one night, one house, a fundraiser designed to raise enough money in one night to build a house.

Grants

Piedmont Opera has received a $100,000 donation from an anonymous donor.

The donation is restricted to replace the Norman and Matilda Anne Nickel Johnson Trust, bequeathed to the opera in 2005 in memory of Norman and Matilda Johnson. Norman Johnson was the founder of Piedmont Opera and for 18 years served as its general director.

This trust has provided operational expenses for the company on an annual basis. The anonymous donation will be used to extend the life of the trust.

***

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Carolina recently awarded a $2,855 grant to Theatre Art Galleries in High Point.

The grant will be used to fund a week-long summer art camp at three different Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater High Point.

Melissa Haynes is the art education coordinator for the Theatre Art Galleries in High Point.
State Rep. Jon Hardister of Greensboro joined a bipartisan group of legislators Tuesday afternoon in touting their new, redistricting bill that they acknowledged would not end all problems with the highly political process.

But they said in a Raleigh press conference Tuesday afternoon that it would make things a lot better.

"I think this is the right thing to do," Hardister said "I've thought it was the right thing to do for a long time."

The three-term Republican legislator, lead sponsor state Rep. Chuck McGrady (R-Hendersonville) and several colleagues introduced the proposal for a "Nonpartisan Redistricting Commission" to supervise legislative staff as they design new districts for the state's 13 congressional districts as well as those for both houses of the General Assembly.

The commission as described in House Bill 200 would hold hearings throughout the state while nonpartisan staff drew new districts without regard to demographic data favoring one party or the other.

The five-person commission would be led by the chairman of the State Board of Elections and would not include anyone who holds any public or political-party office. Also excluded from membership would be anybody related to or employed by a member of the General Assembly, the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate.

In drawing newly proposed districts, the legislative staff would be prohibited from considering the district residents' party affiliation, racial heritage, language or anything else tending to favor "a political party, incumbent legislator, member of Congress, or other person or group."

But the General Assembly would still have final say in adopting or rejecting the newly proposed districts.

Currently, the entire process is controlled by the General Assembly, creating obvious conflicts of interest at the levels of both the political parties and individual candidates.

Redistricting is the painstaking effort that follows the U.S. Census every 10 years to realign districts so that each includes roughly the same number of voting-age residents to make each person's vote count equally.

The last round after the 2010 census was controlled by Republicans who now have majorities in both the state House and Senate. Their efforts ran into successful lawsuits claiming bias or unfair political advantage in both the congressional as well as state legislative categories.

"This is not an affront to our current legislative districts, which are being litigated in court," Hardister saids. "I believe those districts are legal and in compliance with the law. This is about promoting good government and reducing the influence of politics in the redistricting process."

The press conference Tuesday was publicized by Common Cause NC, a Raleigh-based nonprofit that advocates for good government. The group publicized the press conference as part of a reform effort that will include a planned march Wednesday for redistricting reforms.

The group said it expects "hundreds of North Carolinians from across the state" to participate in the march urging legislators to approve the new proposal it described as a "bill to end gerrymandering."

Legislators at the gathering did not go that far, saying only that they viewed it as an important improvement.

"The bill before you is not a cure-all for the problems of redistricting, but it is a wonderful treatment," said state Rep. Grier Martin (D-Raleigh).

McGrady noted that the proposal is very similar to one that was introduced in the General Assembly during the 2011 legislative session. It passed the state House, but died in the Senate and was not revived in either the 2013 or 2015 sessions.

Both McGrady and Hardister said Republicans complained about the unfairness of redistricting when the Democrats were in power, but seem reluctant to change the process now that they are in charge.

"If it was the right thing back then," McGrady said, speaking of the days of Democrat control, "then it's still the right thing now."

But asked what he thought of the bill's prospects this year, McGrady said it's an "uphill struggle."
Updated at 7:19 a.m.

BROWNS SUMMIT  A man was taken into custody early Tuesday morning following an hours-long standoff.

The standoff began at a house in the 2800 block of Brookledge Court about 6 p.m. and ended more than six hours later. Col. Randy Powers was not releasing the suspect's name.

He said the man shot himself once he was clear of the house, but is expected to survive, Powers said. The suspect was wearing a bulletproof vest during the standoff.

A Guilford County Sheriff's deputy was shot twice earlier in the evening. The deputy was taken to Moses Cone Hospital for his injuries in the shoulder and leg, Powers said. He is out of surgery, but may need additional treatment, Powers said.

The suspect's wife was also injured Monday evening, having been shot once in the foot.

This story will be updated.

Posted 8:09 p.m. Monday

BROWNS SUMMIT  A man who is believed to have shot a Guilford County sheriffs deputy found himself embroiled in an hours-long standoff that stretched late into Monday night as authorities methodically worked to find a resolution.

Just after 10 p.m., the sound of flash-bang grenades reverberated throughout the normally quiet street.

Other than that, the situation remain unchanged. Both sides were deadlocked.

What prompted the use of grenades was fitting: There is a lot about what transpired Monday evening that needs explanation.

What we do know is this: The house in the 2800 block of Brookledge Court had a history of brushes with the law, according to Col. Randy Powers with the sheriffs office.

At 6 p.m., a Guilford County sheriffs deputy responded to the latest  a 911 call that resulted in the deputy being shot twice. The deputy, whose name was being withheld, was taken to Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital for surgery. His condition was unknown.

Another man  the assailant  remained inside his home as a number of deputies and Greensboro police have since been waiting outside.

And waiting.

What prompted the 911 call remains unclear.

Upon the deputys arrival, the wife of the suspect ran from the home. She was shot in the foot, but Powers wasnt sure if it was before or after the deputy arrived.

Then the suspect fired at the deputy striking him once in the shoulder and once in the leg.

The deputy, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, returned fire.

Powers said he didnt know if the suspect was hit but had this observation: He was also wearing a bulletproof vest.

And one more: We know who he is, but were not releasing the name yet, Powers said.

The female victim was also taken to Moses Cone where her condition was unknown.

As police cordoned off the area to a throng of TV news trucks, residents were evacuated from their homes.

According to Powers, this was just the latest in a string of incidents at the residence. Since 2010, he said there have been 13 calls to the home.

Powers wouldnt elaborate on the nature of those calls.

As the hour crept to midnight, the neighborhood became steeped in darkness due to Duke Energy cutting the power.

And police waited.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

Trend:

The OSCE is expected to monitor the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops on March 1, said Azerbaijans Defense Ministry Feb. 28.

The monitoring will be held under the mandate of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative along the line of contact in the direction of Chamanli village of Azerbaijans Aghdam district, said the ministry.

On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring will be held by field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative, Jiri Aberle and Peter Svedberg.

On the Azerbaijani territories occupied and controlled by Armenian armed forces, the monitoring will be carried out by Andrzej Kasprzyk, ambassador and the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative, and his field assistants Ghenadie Petrica and Hristo Hristov.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
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March 8 is International Women's Day, and here in Connecticut we have a lot of women to celebrate.

As of 2017, Connecticut (and the United States as a whole) is home to more women than men. The U.S. Census reports that in that year, 51.2 percent of Connecticut's population was female.

To celebrate the majority population, we took a look at which southern Connecticut towns are proportionately home to the most women. The top female town is Hamden with 53.6 percent female majority (as of 2015).

Weston is the most male-dominated town in the area with 50.7 percent of the population being male. Brookfield, Stamford and West Haven land right in the middle with perfect 50/50 ratios.

We also looked at where the independent women livespecifically where there is the highest percentage of female householders (homes owned or rented by women with no husband present). Bridgeport tops that list with almost 25 percent of homes in the city owned or rented by women alone.

And not only that, Connecticut was recently named one of the best states for women in 2019. Financial website WalletHub took a look at factors like social and economic well-being and health care and safety in each state and found that Connecticut ranks number six in the countryup from it's ranking of number eight in 2018.

Since 1987, March has been Women's History Month. The roots of National Women's History Month go back to March 8, 1857, when women from various New York City factories staged a protest over working conditions, the U.S. Census writes.

"International Women's Day was first observed in 1909, but it was not until 1981 that Congress established National Women's History Week to be commemorated annually the second week of March. In 1987, Congress expanded the week to a month. Every year since, Congress has passed a resolution for Women's History Month, and the president has issued a proclamation," according to the U.S. Census.

Click through the slideshow above to see the breakdown of the genders in each southwestern Connecticut town.
Headline changed, details added (first version posted at 12:17)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

Trend:

Soldier of the Azerbaijans armed forces Elvin Akhmadov, who was injured in an armed clash during Armenian armed forces' provocation, died of wounds despite efforts of doctors, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry told Trend.

The situation on the contact line between the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops has deteriorated in recent days.

Azerbaijans Defense Ministry has earlier said the Armenian army attempted to infiltrate through the Azerbaijani positions along the line of contact on the night from Feb. 24 to Feb. 25. The Armenian side attempted to seize favorable positions on the Khojavand-Fuzuli part of the frontline, said the ministry, adding heavy battles took place between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops.

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.
GREENWICH  Two Greenwich police detectives earned honors this month for their work in a burglary investigation.

Det. Anthony Fiscella and Det. Brian Perusse were cited for a successful investigation, now in the hands of Federal law enforcement.

From the department:

Detectives Fiscella and Perusse are February's Officer of the Month.

Together they have been the lead Detectives on a large scale, multijurisdictional burglary and home invasion investigation that has spanned the last two years.

The suspect is currently under federal indictment on charges stemming from multiple burglaries and one home invasion robbery that occurred in Greenwich. Despite having similar crimes, no other jurisdictions could prove that the suspect committed their burglaries. The suspect is currently being prosecuted federally and his identity will be withheld until the adjudication of his case.

The Detectives conducted countless interviews, attended and hosted information sharing meetings, conducted surveillance, built case files, networked with other agencies, and brought the investigation to a successful conclusion. The fact the entire federal case now hinges on the work of of our Detectives is a true testament to their dedication and professionalism.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

Trend:

First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has been interviewed by Rossiya 1 TV channel. The interview was featured in "Vesti Nedeli" weekly program.

The host of the program, famous Russian journalist Dmitry Kiselev emphasized that the decision to appoint Mehriban Aliyeva as First Vice-President was treated as rational in Azerbaijan.

"Mehriban Aliyeva is involved in all the social and political life of the country. She has considerable managerial experience. She is highly respected in society. Mehriban Aliyeva has been a member of the Azerbaijani Parliament of last three convocations, she successfully manages the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Baku magnificently hosted Eurovision contest under her patronage in 2012 and the first European Games were organized the year before at a very high level. A beautiful woman, Mehriban Aliyeva successfully refutes the stereotype that politics in the eastern countries is a male job," said Kiselev.

In the interview, First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva pointed out that in her new position she would justify "the confidence of the president, and most importantly the people who have a confidence and expectations."

"The decision to appoint me to the post of first vice-president of the country was a personal initiative of the president of Azerbaijan. Of course, probably it was also driven by a fact that for many years I am not only the wife but also a close ally of the Azerbaijani president," said Mehriban Aliyeva.

When asked "You just agreed at once?" Mehriban Aliyeva said: "We discussed, weighed, and my main doubt was whether I can cope with this responsibility. I definitely know, I'm sure that the interests of the state and my husbands advice will absolutely match. Therefore, in the face of my husband I have a man who definitely will help me, will support me and, in case of any doubt, will point the right way. I have to justify the confidence of the president, and most importantly, to justify the confidence of the people who have faith and expectations," said Mehriban Aliyeva.

The first vice president of Azerbaijan pointed out that her wish is to focus on solving social problems, problems of vulnerable groups of the population.

True compassion requires real work and specific steps. The most terrible things are callousness and indifference. This should not happen, and no matter who you are - a public activist or government employee, it is necessary to save humanity," she said.

Mehriban Aliyeva stressed that she is "ready to hear healthy, constructive criticism". "You can be in opposition to the authorities, but you should not be in opposition to your own country," Mehriban Aliyeva emphasized.

The program highlighted charitable activities of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, led by Mehriban Aliyeva, and its large-scale projects in the field of culture and health.

The program also described the activities of Mehriban Aliyeva as head of the country's Gymnastics Federation, her multifaceted work as a Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO.

Asked about women politicians in Muslim countries, Mehriban Aliyeva said: Of course, we are Muslims, but at the same time, we are a secular country, we have secular foundations. We have deep respect for our religion, its traditions. But state and religion exist separately, and I think that there are no problems in this regard.
Jurys still out on whether it helps fight obesity. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

When Philadelphias soda tax rolled out in January, residents had a very immediate and visceral reaction, tweeting outrage at the new price of 12-packs (almost double), sometimes followed by subversive Google Maps screenshots showing the locations of grocery stores just beyond city limits. Its no surprise this sticker shock would put a dent in Phillys soda sales and buoy public-health advocates. Whats a little wild, though, is the extent of that effect thus far: Bloomberg reported on retailers sales since the start of the year, and the fallout for local businesses seems pretty severe.

It checked in with soda distributors as well as bodega and supermarket owners around town, and found lots of them have already suffered sales declines of as much as 50 percent. Canada Dry Delaware Valley, a local distributor responsible for 20 percent of the soft drinks in Phillys market, says business citywide fell 45 percent in the first five weeks of 2017. The company says it expects to lay off 30 of its 165 employees in the next month. Meanwhile, beverage sales are down 50 percent at Phillys ShopRite and Fresh Grocer supermarkets  a big enough drop to cut the work-hour equivalent of about 280 jobs so far. As a reminder of how much grocers still depend on soft-drink sales, the total revenue at those stores has reportedly fallen by 15 percent. Their CEO calls the impact nothing less than devastating, explaining that in 30 years, theres never been a circumstance in which weve ever had a sales decline of any significant amount.

The city predicts declines will slow down as shoppers become more used to the new higher prices. A 50 percent dip in sales is significantly larger than the impact sugary-drink taxes have had elsewhere, like in Mexico or Berkeley. But new research out this month shows the tax has had a pretty sizable effect on Mexicans soda intake, too, and the number of cities debating measures of their own keeps growing. The latest is Seattle, whose mayor last week proposed a tax of two cents per ounce.
The battle between Amazon Echo and Google Home will spread across the United Kingdom this summer. The smart assistant by Google will be available for shipping in the second quarter of the year, a spokesperson from the company confirmed.

Rick Osterloh, Google Hardware SVP told BBC reporter Rory Cellan-Jones that Google Home would come to the UK in Q2. He also claimed the AI skills and access to the search engine would help beat Amazon Echo over the Atlantic. The Echo, voiced by Alexa is already on sale in the UK since September 2016 which gives Amazon a slight head start when the Clash of AI begins.

Pricing was not revealed. Google Home currently costs at $129 in the United States.

Google's Rick Osterloh tells BBC that Google Home is coming to UK in Q2, claims its AI skills and vast data will help it beat Amazon Echo pic.twitter.com/qs3oZabak0  Rory Cellan-Jones (@BBCRoryCJ) February 28, 2017

Via
Jolla and Sony come together to bring Sailfish OS to Xperia devices

Jolla has announced that it now supports Sony's Open Devices Program. This means that the company will be releasing its Sailfish OS for a range of Sony's Xperia branded devices.

The announcement was made by Jolla in a press release where-in the company also revealed that the first project under this partnership is Sailfish OS-powered Xperia X, which is being showcased at the ongoing Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona.

"The target is to offer the first release to Jollas customers and community members by the end of Q2/2017," the press release said.

Source | Via
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to attend the 13th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization Feb. 28.

A ceremonial guard of honor was lined up for President Aliyev at Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad.

The president was welcomed by high-ranking officials of Pakistan, and the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Pakistan were played.
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GSMA has recognized the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge as the Best Smartphone of 2016 in the Best Mobile Handsets and Devices category at MWCs yearly Global Mobile Awards.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge was (and still is) a wonderful device, and it got even better after the company updated the handset to Android Nougat. In fact, it really held its own, thanks in part to the Galaxy Note7 fiasco.

When Note7 users needed to turn their defective devices back in, many opted to swap it out for the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. After all, it had a large-enough screen, dual edge display, and the same CPU+RAM combination. The only things it was missing were an S-Pen, larger screen, and the Iris scanner.

We are honored to be recognized for our craftsmanship in design and innovation with the Galaxy S7 edge.

Juhno Park, Vice president of Global Product Strategy over at Samsung Electronics says: We are honored to be recognized for our craftsmanship in design and innovation with the Galaxy S7 edge. This award is a testament to our constant pursuit of excellence as we continue to exceed consumers expectations through revolutionary mobile technology.

Source




Haiti - Carnivals 2017 : First Day Review (PNH)





According to a report issued by the National Police of Haiti (PNH) Monday afternoon, for the first fat day of the National Carnival 2017 in Les Cayes, there were 2 wounded with white weapon ad 7 arrests (5 people for possession of counterfeit notes, 2 for disturbing public order, including a police officer in a state of intoxication who was not in service).



Meanwhile, the Cayes Immaculate Hospital, reported six admissions on Sunday, including five lightly wounded and one unconscious, all of them left on foot after receiving the care required by their condition.



For the Port-au-Prince Carnival, the PNH reports 10 wounded, two of them by bullets, by unidentified individuals unknown.



For this first day, no death is to be deplored in Les Cayes or in Port-au-Prince.



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Agriculture : Jovenel Moise promises his support for the revival of grape growing





Monday in the commune of Chardonnieres (Department of the South), President Jovenel Moise accompanied by his Chef de Cabinet, Wilson Laleau participated in the ceremony to revive grape cultivation, through the project "Le vieux-Chardo".



In the presence among others of Mayor of Chardonnieres, Claude Memeus, the Secretary of State for Plant Production, Patrick Severe, the CEO of the company "Le Vieux-Chardo", Alix Denis Hibart, of Head of the Unit for the Promotion of Private Investments in the Agricultural Sector (Upisa) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Agr. Carl Monde and the leaders of the city, the Head of State, who welcomed the sense of union eExisting between the citizens of Chardonnieres who contributed to this capital project, declared "I am ready to make the State serve communities. All that is needed is political will of all officials required to serve in positions. So I promise you all my support for the progress of this project and for the development of the commune," he also took the opportunity to make the mayors of the regions to reflect on development projects in their communes.



The CEO of the company "Le Vieux-Chardo", praised the objectives set by his company, both nationally and internationally. The grape represents, according to him, "a great economic opportunity, for Chardonnesiens and for Haiti in general" promising to support the marketing of grapes and their derivatives (grape vinegar and juice), in order to the needs of farmers in the South and the country as a whole.



According to the Ministry of Agriculture and other international experts who have carried out several quality control missions and visited other grape farms for exchanges between Haiti and grape producing countries, grapes produced Chardonnieres is of quality.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Details added (first version posted on 20:08)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain had a one-on-one meeting in Islamabad Feb. 28.

President Hussains visit to Azerbaijan in 2015 was emphasized at the meeting. The president of Pakistan shared his good impressions of the visit.

The presidents hailed the excellent level of political ties between the two countries. They emphasized that Azerbaijan and Pakistan show resoluteness in supporting each others fair positions on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the Kashmir problem.

Ilham Aliyev and Mamnoon Hussain discussed regional security and cooperation issues.

The meeting then continued in an expanded format.
Published on 2017/02/27 | Source

"Radiant Office" Go Ah-sung and Lee Dong-hwi aroused laughter with their 007 escape from the hospital.

Advertisement

The new MBC drama "Radiant Office" is an office drama about an office worker who changes completely after getting diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Go Ah-sung takes on the role of Eun Ho-won and Lee Dong-hwi is Do Ki-taek, a romantist.

The stills released on the 28th show Go Ah-sung and Lee Dong-hwi working as a team and exchanging looks, looking very determined about something.

Go Ah-sung looks like a spy flat on the ground and she's sending a message to Lee Dong-hwi with her eyes. Lee Dong-hwi looks as if he's seen a ghost.

Will they be able to escape from the hospital?

Go Ah-sung and Lee Dong-hwi put their heads together to think of ways to make the drama seem funnier.

"Radiant Office" will begin in March.
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Published on 2017/02/28 | Source

Added final episodes 53 and 54 captures for the Korean drama "The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop" (2016)

Advertisement

Directed by Hwang In-hyeok

Written by Koo Hyeon-sook

Network : KBS

With Lee Dong-gun, Jo Yoon-hee, Cha In-pyo, Oh Hyun-kyung, Ra Mi-ran, Choi Won-young,...

54 episodes - Sat, Sun 19:55

Synopsis

"Suited Gentlemen In Yanggye-dong" is based on a traditional tailor's with history. The drama depicts the tears, friendship, success and romance of four men.

Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2016/08/27

More
Published on 2017/02/27 | Source

"The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop" couple Lee Dong-gun and Jo Yoon-hee became real lovers.

Advertisement

TV Report reported that the two are officially dating. They acted out a couple who ended up getting married.

Rumors about the couple started coming out on the set first. They developed feelings for each other the more and more they acted and the people around them started getting vibes. However, they kept their secret.

They were careful about seeing each other. Lee Dong-gun had just broken up with someone last year so they were afraid that Jo Yoon-hee would be blamed for it.

Lee Dong-gun was born in 1980 and Jo Yoon-hee in 1982. They were also afraid of people mentioning the word 'marriage'. They have only just started after all.

"The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop" ended on the 26th. Lee Dong-gun will be taking a break and Jo Yoon-hee is currently the host of KBS "Cool FM Radio".
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

Trend:

Results of the Winter Exam Session of UNEC were revealed to society on February 28.

Education experts, parents, representatives of NGO and Media who observed the process joined the meeting on Monitoring and expectations of Observers which is held at UNEC in accordance with the actions plan implemented to provide the objectivity and transparency during the winter exam session of 2016/2017 academic year.

UNEC Rector, Professor Adalat Muradov expressed gratitude to public representatives for support in the realization of the winter exam session objectively and transparently. The rector said a series of innovations were implemented within the winter exam session.

Thus, exams of SABAH Center and the International School of Economics were managed in a centralized manner. The indicator of students comprehension was high in both faculties. In addition, the administration of exams and appeals were transferred to faculties for the first time. Exams of the Zagatala Branch and the Financial and Economic College were conducted on the basis of the rules applied at UNEC for the first time.

Around 5,491 students submitted appeals within the session. The number of the students who complete the session with academic debts decrease twice. Speaking about the addition of 1 point to the students results, rector said this year additions would not be given in accordance with the amendments made to scholarship system. It will lead to the violation of the principle of equality. The issue of repeat exams for the IV year students will be considered after the list of scholarship is determined.

The rector offered public representatives who attended the exams and Open Door days to share their impressions. He said that he is always ready to listen recommendations about the fields, they think, need improvement in the process of education as a result of monitoring.

Distinguished person of science, Professor Shahlar Asgarov highlighted the transparency and objectivity is the main paradigm in the assessment of the students knowledge. Noting UNECs leadership in the field, Professor called university rectors the Knights of Education.

Deputy Director General of the Information Agency Trend Arzu Naghiyev evaluates world universities for their alumni and international affairs. He said that we read news about UNEC alumnis achievements and its international relations recently. It means that myths about narkhoz have already been destroyed.

Head of the Public Union Education Center XX Century Etibar Aliyev revealed the results of the anonymous survey conducted among the students within the session.

He said the survey held among 400 students consisted of 8 questions, 5 of which were open. Respondents opinions about the exam session, teaching process, quality of questions, teacher satisfaction and so on were studied. The results give the ground to say that students evaluate the innovations applied at UNEC highly.

Editor-in-chief of Azerbaijan Teacher newspaper Bayram Huseynzade said the universities are leading force of society.

To this end, I appreciate highly the example of UNEC which form positive image with the reforms realized, he added. As a journalist monitoring the processes twice, I can say with confidence that UNEC trusted the process of exam directly to society. It is very commendable.

Head of Constitution Research Foundation, member of the Joint Group on Human Rights Alimammad Nuriyev proposed to organize a conference on the reforms in higher education. He said UNECs Differential Salary System, methods to fight with negative cases during the exams and other successful novelties should be distributed to other universities as a positive experience. Nuriyev also suggested conduct researches on the reforms implemented at UNEC.

While making speeches, parents noted that the satisfied student is an objective criterion. They expressed satisfaction of their childrens exams and trainings.

The public representatives received certificates and gifts for their assistance to UNEC. The Center for the Assessment of the Quality and Management of Teaching was awarded with certificate for the objective administration of the winter exam session and the Marketing and Communication Department for providing information and awareness of society.

UNEC is the brand of Azerbaijan State University of Economics. The brand of UNEC has been registered and patented by the State Committee on Standardization, Metrology and Patent on January 21 2016.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

The World Bank (WB) maintains interest in the creation of a Development Bank in Azerbaijan, Angela Prigozhina, the WB senior financial sector specialist, told Trend.

"However, we do not abandon this idea  there are a huge number of other state financial institutions, including funds and agencies that are engaged in lending to the economy and support of small and medium businesses. The development bank, or other similar consolidated and effective tool for the economic development, can be created on the basis of these institutions," Prigozhina said.

Development banks operate at the highest standards of corporate governance and always help the private sector to solve existing problems, for example, lack of long-term financing or lack of manat loans, she added.

"However, such institutions are effective only in case of availability of a favorable business environment for competition and efficient financial market regulator. At the same time, additional reforms are needed to minimize lending risks," said Prigozhina.

"Today, work is underway to create a private credit bureau and the bills "On protection of creditor rights" and "On establishment of secured transactions registry" are in the government. Also, together with the Financial Market Supervisory Authority, we are starting comprehensive work with distressed assets, making amendments to the law "On bankruptcy" and implementing other measures."

All these reforms are necessary for the Development Bank to become a catalyst for development of the economy, but it is also very important for the financial system to be stable, she added.

Azerbaijan joined the WB Group in 1992.
Dont be surprised if you check the Facebook page of a sick employee and find they actually spent the day hitting the surf at Bondi Beach.



Thats according to new research from finder.com.au which found 14% of Australians admit they have chucked a sickie to spend a day at the beach this summer.



The survey of 2,031 Australians found that women were more likely than men to have called in sick if the beach conditions were suitable.



Moreover, West Australians were most likely to take a sick day to hit the beach, followed by Queenslanders.



Over 1.6 million workers have given work the flick to go to the beach - at a cost of about $380 per worker per day. Consequently, skipping work to hit the surf is costing employers about $645 Million a year in lost productivity and payroll costs.



Andria Wyman-Clarke, professional career expert and Job Toolbox founder, told HC that some companies have an engrained sickie culture where there are many workers with a poor attitude towards attendance.



However, if you have a bad boss then the incidents of sick leave will be much higher, she said.



As an HR professional, monitoring the sick leave at different levels can give you clues as to what teams are performing better and have a better culture.



Wyman-Clarke added that because of legal situations HR is sometimes scared of tackling a sickie culture epidemic.



You can tackle it using the legal means of checking everyones Facebook account, and some people have been successful with that in the courts because it was very obvious that they are not sick.



The Finder research also revealed one in five Generation Y workers (those aged 18-34) had taken a sickie to take a midweek beach break, compared to 15% of Generation X (aged 35-54) and just 8% of Baby Boomers (aged 55-74).



Bessie Hassan, Money Expert at Finder, urged workers to lodge an annual leave day rather than chucking a sickie.



Theres a bit of a culture in Australia where we think its our right to take sickies - when in fact sick leave should be viewed as a safety net if you or a family member come down with an illness or injury that forces you to take a day off, she said.




Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

The Azerbaijani government and International Monetary Fund (IMF) will discuss prospects of Azerbaijans economic development and latest tendencies in the countrys development.

A source in the Azerbaijani government told Trend that the discussions will be held during an IMF delegations official visit to Baku, starting from Feb. 28.

The delegation is led by Chief of IMF mission in Azerbaijan Mohammed El Qorchi.

The source said that today the IMF mission has already had meetings in Azerbaijans Economy Ministry, Finance Ministry, Central Bank (CBA), State Oil Fund (SOFAZ) and Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FIMSA).

The missions visit will last until the end of this week, noted the source.

The IMF mission is also expected to have meetings in Azerbaijans Ministry of Taxes, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population, State Oil Company (SOCAR), State Statistics Committee, as well as with leading commercial banks of the country, added the source.

The previous IMF mission led by Mohammed El Qorchi visited Azerbaijan in May-June 2016. During the visit, the sides discussed economic processes in Azerbaijan and reforms being conducted in the country.

The International Monetary Fund opened its office in Baku in 1992.
(Reuters)  Jeffrey Gundlach, chief executive of DoubleLine Capital, said on Friday he expects the yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note to drop below 2.25 percent as global investors seek safety.

There is a stealth flight to safety going on. German bond yields are leading the way down, Gundlach said in emailed comments. Gold is rising. Speculators remain massively short bonds and the market is going to squeeze them out.

To read the entire article, click here.
The Finnish boutique smartphone and operating system developer said it has granted a newly-founded consortium, Sailfish China, the exclusive right to develop an independent operating system based on Sailfish OS for release in China.

Jolla announced at the World Mobile Congress in Barcelona on Monday that it has signed a licensing agreement for launching its mobile operating system, Sailfish OS, in China.

Sailfish China is set to invest 250 million dollars in developing the new mobile ecosystem, which will also include solutions for smartphones, smartwatches, television, the automotive industry and the Internet of Things, according to a press release from Jolla.

After several difficult years, Jolla will be a profitable company this year, Antti Saarnio, the board chairman at Jolla, said to Kauppalehti.

His excitement was shared by Sami Pienimaki, the chief executive at Jolla, who described the licensing agreement as a major strategic milestone for the roughly 50-employee technology firm.

Shan Li, a leading private equity investor in China and an early investor in Jolla, will take a key role in building up the consortium. He estimates that the demand for an independent mobile operating system is very high in China. A number of major companies, he reveals, have already expressed their interest in joining the consortium.

Sailfish OS is the only viable alternative for China, he says.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Roni Rekomaa  Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi Suomi
We naturally need more [housing] construction, he said in an interview on YLE TV1 on Saturday. But additionally the mechanisms used to support housing must be examined carefully to make sure they dont put more upward pressure on rents.

Kimmo Tiilikainen (Centre), the Minister of Agriculture and the Environment, has called for action to ensure housing allowances do not contribute to rising rental costs.

Tiilikainen admitted that the changes introduced to the housing allowance system a few years ago may have accelerated the increase in housing benefit costs.

I myself have proposed and continue to propose that we re-introduce a square metre-based cut-off point for rents, meaning that housing allowances for non-subsidised flats would only be paid until a certain square-metre rent, he said.

Tiilikainen estimated that the cut-off point would have to vary regionally  for example, from a maximum of 20 euros per square metre in Helsinki to a minimum of 12 euros per square metre in other parts of Finland.

The Finnish Government, he revealed, agreed in its framework session that the housing allowance system should be re-examined in light of the rising benefit costs.

Housing issues fall under the purview of the Minister of Agriculture and the Environment.

Tiilikainen is not the first decision-maker to voice his concern about the rising housing allowance costs. Elli Aaltonen, the director general at the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela), has called for a thorough overhaul of the allowance system, arguing that the system is currently vulnerable to being exploited for personal benefit.

Its a fact that the housing allowance has become a means to gain a benefit, she said in an interview with Kauppalehti in November.

Aaltonen reminded that the 300-euro deduction applied to the earnings of housing allowance applicants has resulted in a 20 per cent increase in allowance costs since the second half of 2015. When youre making these kind of fragmented reforms, its difficult to predict the outcome. People arent to blame for knowing how to calculate, she said.

Tiilikainen on Saturday also commented briefly on the general economic situation. He admitted that further measures to support economic growth are required but dismissed the need for spending cuts by estimating that in the current circumstances they would not promote economic growth.

The Government is set to decide on new measures to spur the economy in its mid-term session, which is scheduled to take place after April's municipal elections.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Antti Aimo-Koivisto  Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi Suomi
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.28

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

The price of Russian gas exported to the European Union (EU) in 2017 can stand at $180-$190 per 1,000 cubic meters, said deputy CEO of Russias Gazprom Alexander Medvedev.

He pointed out that European countries were paying on average $167 per 1,000 cubic meters of Russian gas in 2016.

Europe remains the priority market for Gazprom, RIA Novosti quoted Medvedev as saying during Gazproms investor day in Singapore.

He noted that Gazproms share in European market has increased to 34 percent in 2016, as compared to 31 percent in 2015.

Gazprom increased the volume of natural gas supplies to the far abroad by 12.5 percent to more than 179.3 billion cubic meters in 2016, thereby breaking the historic high.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Dong Ding Murder Me on High!

Theatre Royal, Windsor

Monday, February 20

THE subtitle of this show, Sleighed to Death, was a great clue as to the realm of puns, intriguing new portmanteaus and mispronunciations we were entering.

With this fourth instalment in the Pratt trilogy, playwright Peter Gordon has created a bunch of rogues, all characters larger than life in this murder mystery, centring around the jovial mishaps of one Sergeant Pratt, the Clouseau-like David Callister, and his highly capable assistant, the deadpan and pragmatic Constable Potter.

Its Christmas Eve, sometime in the Thirties, and batty aristocrat Sir Walton Gates (Jeffrey Holland) is reunited with his long-lost brother Archie (Antipodean Mark Little, famously Joe Mangel in Neighbours), who had been banished to Australia some decades ago after a falling-out with their father.

Sir Walton has a stuffy personal secretary, Mrs McKay, a haughty second wife, and a Bohemian daughter who brings home her new boyfriend, who is something of an adventurer.

Each has their own eccentricities and mannerisms and we start to see how they interact, or try not to. Tensions arise, people are reunited and seasonal preparations begin: enter Sergeant Pratt.

Dressed as Santa Claus and raising money for the Policemans Malevolent Fund, Pratt wishes to entertain the members of the homestead for the evening, by way of magic tricks with disappearing ferrets and precious jewellery, with hilarious results.

With lots of lighthearted tongue-twisters, innuendo and the odd moment of slapstick, this was all much enjoyed by an appreciative and giggling audience.

One of the lines that got the biggest laughs was If you want a proper double entendre, just wait and Ill give you one. With references to Hercule Puerile and a firm opinion that the name Archie was Japanese in origin, it was left to the patient Constable Potter to steer the hapless Pratt to the correct assumptions throughout each twist in the tale.

There were some wonderful comic moments and everyone lapped it up, as Pratt stumbled his way to the truth.

Until Saturday.

Natalie Aldred
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

By Maksim Tsurkov  Trend:

Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR will additionally produce more than 3,500 tons of oil per year thanks to two new wells, SOCAR said in a message posted on its website Feb. 28.

The wells are being drilled at the Pirallahi Deniz (Pirallahi Island) offshore field.

The projected depth of one of the wells is 895 meters and the other  850 meters.

The daily debit of each well is at the level of 4-5 tons of oil.

SOCAR drilled 11,150 meters in January 2017, as compared to 9,810 meters in the same month of 2016.

The company drilled 105,250 meters in 2016, as compared to 104,410 meters in 2015.

SOCAR includes such production associations as Azneft (the enterprises producing oil and gas onshore and offshore), Azerikimya (the chemical enterprises) and Azerigas (distributes gas produced in the country), as well as oil and gas processing plants, service companies, and the facilities involved in geophysical and drilling operations.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov
Balteanu, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour. Stock image

A father-of-two was arrested for "intimidating" train passengers as they waited on a platform in a city station.

Pompilica Balteanu (21) had "poor English" and did not understand when staff and gardai told him to leave, Dublin District Court heard.

Judge Michael Walsh applied the Probation Act, leaving him without a criminal record.

Balteanu, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

The court heard he was intimidating members of the public at Lansdowne Road Dart Station on January 27.

Pushed

He pushed members of Irish Rail security staff when they approached him and asked him to stop.

Gardai were called and Balteanu was abusive to them.

His level of English was quite poor, said his barrister, Donal Pattison.

He has two children, with a third on the way.

The defendant had been working as a driver before he came to Ireland.

"He is extremely apologetic, he did not really understand what was going on at the time," said Mr Pattison.
Thousands of commuters could be left stranded as all three CIE companies face unofficial strike action sparked by the bitter Bus Eireann row.

The troubled bus company, whose management claim it could go bust in three months unless savings are made, will start to impose pay cuts from Monday, sparking an all-out strike.

Unions have warned that members in other CIE companies could take action if the cuts are imposed.

They say Irish Rail and Dublin Bus workers could refuse to pass picket lines.

There is also the possibility of wildcat strikes.

However, there appeared to be a glimmer of hope that further talks could take place to resolve the row as the company held off on imposing some big ticket items, including cuts to premium pay and allowances in its initial plan.

Siptu organiser Willie Noone said Bus Eireann could secure agreement on some of the changes to working practices it outlined to staff yesterday. However, he said clarification was needed on redeployment plans and proposals to axe routes.

Earlier yesterday, the National Bus and Railworkers Union (NBRU) warned that the "dogs in the street" know what will happen at picket lines where Bus Eireann and Irish Rail share depots.

There could be flashpoints at depots such as Broadstone, where Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus have garages side by side.

Ignore

It is understood Dublin Bus plans to move buses, including tour buses, to the Harristown garage to avoid difficulties.

"We have been hearing that staff at Bus Eireann will take a negative view of Dublin Bus moving buses, with some even describing it as potential 'strike breaking'," said the NBRU.

It said it had heard that workers may take things "into their own hands" and ignore union advice on official strike action.

It said action by Dublin Bus could "open a new flank" in what may become "a very nasty industrial dispute".

In a letter to staff yesterday, Bus Eireann acting chief executive Ray Hernan said the measures outlined, including the abolition of overtime for trainees, were a first step.

He said more cuts were on the way because "things cannot continue as they are".

He said a 30m survival plan to be finalised next month is likely to result in job losses, and added that such a move would safeguard the jobs of remaining workers.

"A strike is not in the interest of the company, staff or our customers," he said.

Transport Minister Shane Ross called on the parties to engage in talks.

He said the strike threatened to "greatly inconvenience" the travelling public, "especially those in rural Ireland".
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.28



By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

World oil prices are rising on Feb.28 as traders remain optimistic on producers fulfilling their obligation to cut the oil output under the Vienna agreement.

The price of April futures for Brent crude oil has increased by 0.11 percent to $55.99 per barrel as of 03:01 EST. The price of April futures for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil has grown by 0.04 percent to $54.07 per barrel.

During a meeting in Vienna, Austria, on Nov. 30, 2016, OPEC members decided to implement a new production target of 32.5 million barrels per day. Later, non-OPEC countries agreed to cut the output by 558,000 barrels per day during the meeting held Dec. 10, 2016.



Eleven non-OPEC countries  Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, Sudan, and South Sudan  agreed to reduce the oil output.



OPEC and non-OPEC countries pledged to start implementing the deal from Jan. 1, 2017 for six months, extendable for another six months.



It was also decided to establish a High-level Monitoring Committee, consisting of oil ministers, and assisted by the OPEC Secretariat, to monitor the implementation of the agreement.

Earlier, the Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) said in its January report that OPEC and non-OPEC producers have achieved a conformity level of 86 percent.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.28

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

Russias Gazprom company plans to start building the offshore part of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline in coming months, said the companys management board member Oleg Aksyutin.

To date, the major part of work on expanding the gas transportation system on Russias territory is complete and we plan to start the construction of the pipelines offshore section in the second half of 2017, RIA Novosti quoted Aksyutin as saying during Gazproms investor day in Singapore.

Russia and Turkey signed an intergovernmental agreement October 10 on the implementation of the Turkish Stream project.



The agreement envisages construction of two branches of the main gas pipeline under the Black Sea, the capacity of each branch being 15.75 billion cubic meters of gas.



One branch is meant to supply gas directly to the Turkish market and the other for the supply of gas by transit through Turkey to Europe. The intergovernmental agreement also stipulates that these two offshore branches should be built by December 2019.

On Dec.8, 2016, South Stream Transport B.V., 100-percent subsidiary of Gazprom, signed a contract with Swiss Allseas Group on constructing the first line of the Turkish Stream gas pipelines offshore segment.

Later in February 2017, the two companies inked an agreement on constructing the second line of the pipelines offshore section.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.28

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

The Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) will have equity participation in PETRONAS Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) project in Malaysia.

The corresponding agreement was signed between the two companies on Feb.28, according to the message posted on Saudi Aramcos website.

Upon the completion of the transaction, both partners will hold equal ownership in selected ventures and assets of the RAPID project within the Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC), said the message.

The RAPID project is part of the PIC development undertaken by PETRONAS and is positioned to be a regional downstream oil and gas industrial hub, paving a new frontier of technology and economic development in the Southeast Asia region.

CEO of Saudi Aramco Amin Nasser said that this agreement further strengthens Saudi Aramcos position as the leading supplier of petroleum feedstock to Malaysia and Southeast Asia, and with RAPIDs strategic location in a prolific hub, it would also serve to enhance energy security in the Asia-Pacific region.

Under the partnership, Saudi Aramco will meet most of the crude feedstock requirements of the refinery, with natural gas, power and other utilities supplied by PETRONAS.

.With capacity to refine 300,000 barrels of crude per day, RAPIDs refinery will produce a host of refined petroleum products, including gasoline and diesel which meets Euro 5 fuel specifications; as well as feedstock for its integrated petrochemical complex producing 3.5 million tons per annum of products.

Situated 400 kilometers south of Malaysias capital Kuala Lumpur, the PIC development is almost 60 percent complete and is on track for refinery start-up in 2019.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Freedom of speech is a privilege. We need to treat it that way.

columns
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

By Elena Kosolapova  Trend:

Defense Ministries of member states the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) discussed future cooperation within the meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, Kazakh Defense Ministry said in a message Feb. 28.

Heads of divisions in charge of international cooperation took part in the meeting.

The main topics of the agenda were the forthcoming meeting of SCO Defense Ministers and the implementation of the Cooperation Plan between SCO Defense Ministries in 2017.

The participants also discussed a draft of the Plan of cooperation for 2018-2019, and other topical issues of cooperation within the organization.

Coordinated joint actions aimed at strengthening stability and security in the region of the organization have a special importance against the background of the growing threat of international terrorism and religious extremism, Kazakh Defense Ministry said.

The SCO was established in 2001. The SCO members now are China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Belarus are the SCO observer-countries, while Turkey, Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka, Armenia, Cambodia and Nepal are dialogue partners.

Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

By Elena Kosolapova  Trend:

Frequency of flights between the cities of Kazakhstan and China will increase in 2017, Kazakh Investment and Development Ministry said in a message after a meeting of Kazakh Investment and Development Minister Jenis Kasymbek and Chinese Transport Minister Li Xiaopeng.

The weekly flights between Almaty and Beijing will increase from 5 to 7 in 2017.Meanwhile, the weekly flights between Astana and Beijing will increase from 2 to 4.

Moreover additional flights will be launched on the Astana-Urumqi and the Almaty-Urumqi routes.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed cooperation in transit transportation, rail and road transportation, as well as air transportation.

In addition, they discussed the activity of the Chinese port of Lianyungang, the Khorgos International Center of Boundary Cooperation, located on Kazakh-Chinese border, and the Special Economic Zone Khorgos in Kazakhstan.

Container transit from China to Europe and vice versa through Kazakhstan is increasing. According to Investment and Development Ministry, 62,816 containers were transported from China to Europe through Kazakhstan in January-November 2016.

Kazakhstans President Nursultan Nazarbayev in a message to Kazakh people in late January set the task to increase the transit container transportation 7 times by 2020. This aim is consistent with the goals of China.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

By Elena Kosolapova  Trend:

Russia is chairing the Eurasian Economic Union in 2017 and will support Kyrgyzstan's integration into this organization, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the meeting with his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev in Bishkek Feb. 28, RIA Novosti reported.

He noted that the special tools have been created to soften the Kyrgyzstan's integration into the Eurasian Economic Union, and allow the country's economy to adapt to the rules of the union.

Atambayev, in turn, noted that the relations between two countries have moved to a higher level after Kyrgyzstans joining to the Eurasian Economic Union.

He thanked his Russian counterpart for the support and help provided in this period of transition and adaptation.

I am confident that we will solve all the remaining issues regarding Kyrgyzstans full-fledged membership in the Eurasian Economic Union with the help of the fraternal Russia until the end of the year, Kyrgyz president said.

The Eurasian Economic Union is an international organization for regional economic integration. Its members are Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia.

Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

By Elena Kosolapova  Trend:

Russia is ready to close its military base in Kyrgyzstan, or strengthen it if a corresponding request is received from the Central Asian country, RIA Novosti quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying.

If some day Kyrgyzstan says it has strengthened its armed forces and does not need such a base any more, we will leave the same day, Putin said at a meeting with his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev in Bishkek Feb. 28.

He noted that Russia does not need troops in Kyrgyzstan.

The Russian base is required to ensure the security of Kyrgyzstan, he said.

According to Putin, the issue of expansion of Russian military contingent in Kyrgyzstan is not on the agenda.

However, Russia could discuss this issue if Kyrgyzstan is interested. But this will entail additional costs, Putin said.

Putin reminded that Russias military base in Kyrgyzstan was created in 1999-2000 on the request of Kyrgyz leadership in order to protect the country from terrorist threats coming from Afghanistan.

Russias military base in Kyrgyzstan consists of four facilities: an air base of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Kant, a naval base at the Issyk-Kul Lake, a communication center in the village of Chaldovar, and an autonomous seismology point in the city of Mailu-Suu.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Feb. 28

By Huseyn Hasanov Trend:

Doha city hosted political consultations between the foreign ministries of Turkmenistan and Qatar, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a message.

The sides exchanged views on regional and international agenda, and noted the need to strengthen the legal basis.

The parties also discussed the possibility of expanding cooperation in political, trade and economic, energy and cultural spheres. The participants discussed the issues of holding the next meeting of the joint intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation.

In addition, the issues of the exchange of visits at the highest level were discussed, the message said.

Earlier it was reported that the preparation of the Turkmen presidents visit to Qatar this year is underway.
HICKORY  NAACP members from across the region gathered at U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenrys office in Hickory on Monday to request a town hall meeting in the district.

The group of individuals, which included those affiliated with the NAACP and other supportive activists, showed up at McHenrys office carrying letters outlining specific policy priorities.

The biggest objective for the group was to push McHenry to hold a town hall meeting in the district in March.

In addition to holding a town hall meeting, they also had a list of specific issues and positions they wanted McHenry to adopt.

These letter asked McHenry to:

 oppose the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

 oppose the deportation of immigrants.

 restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act.

 oppose discrimination against refugees and Muslims.

 denounce "lies about voter fraud and oppose "widespread voter suppression" efforts.

 support unions and a living wage.

Each member of the groups present asked to sign their name to the letter outlining those requests and submitted them to David McCary, McHenry's constituent service director.

NAACP leader Mary Degree estimated that 98 people had shown up.

Citizens from across McHenry's district, including places like Lincolnton and Shelby, were present Monday.

The office visit in Hickory was part of a statewide effort by the NAACP in which petitions were delivered to the offices of members of congress.

Representatives from other groups, including the recently-formed Indivisible Citizens of the Catawba Valley, came to express their support for the NAACP and its goals.

We are here really to help the members of the NAACPto protest some of the activities that are going on, or the lack of concern for McHenry on the issues of voter registration and voter suppression is my big reason for being here, Indivisble Citizens supporter Roger Link said.

Members of the crowd also gave short speeches addressing each of the issues in the letter.

R.E. Devoe, of Shelby, talked about the importance of embracing refugees and not discriminating against Muslims.

"These people make America great," Devoe said. "We need to let them come in."

Rev. David Roberts of Morning Star First Baptist Church in Hickory spoke on behalf of voting rights, saying he served in the U.S. Navy so that all people could have the right to vote, including those in prison.

Many of those present said it was important that McHenry be responsive to his constituents.

He represents us, Degree said. He is not on his own.
NEWTON  Success in life is all about making the most of opportunities and Newton-Conover City Schools has created a unique opportunity for its students  The Summit.

Three years ago, Newton-Conover City Schools Chief Academic Officer Heather Mullins was surprised when she found out only eight high school students were taking advantage of the College and Career Promise (CCP) program offered through Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC).

That was really concerning to me. This is a great opportunity for kids, Mullins said. They can get dual credit and for a lot of our kids, it bridges that gap of their fear of whether they will make it in college.

Career and College Promise is North Carolinas dual enrollment program for high school students. It allows eligible students to enroll in college classes in state community colleges and universities through their high school, tuition free, according the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Students also earn dual credit  meeting high school graduation requirements with college courses.

When Mullins realized so few Newton-Conover students were taking advantage of this program, she began trying to figure out why. For some it came down to transportation, the ability to get to CVCC for the classes. For others, the cost of the textbooks was a barrier. An average cost of a used American History book can range from $50 or more.

Our goal has always been to take away barriers and to remove all obstacles for kids, so we started asking internally what we could do to help, Mullins said.

She reached out to CVCC to see if theyd be interested in extending the partnership further and send their instructors to a central location for all NCCS students.

We decided we would have a college and career promise cohort but instead of those students travelling and taking a la carte courses at the community college, we would have a regimented cohort course of study we would develop with input from counselors, input from the principals, Mullins said.

Best of both worlds

The new partnership led to the creation of a new program two years ago called The Summit at Newton-Conover, and it found a home on the second floor of NCCSs central office in Newton. Qualifying students can take CVCC courses in their junior and senior years and earn 26 college credit hours along with AP credits for their high school transcript.

The number of students enrolled at The Summit has nearly doubled, from 40 the previous school year to 70 this year.

I enjoy it because its just a different environment where you get to come in and it feels more like a college space, Discovery High junior Kaitlyn Stewart said.

With the central location, NCCS now provides transportation to The Summit for students who need it and also covers the cost of all text books. The school system also pays the CVCC $26.25 per semester administration fee for each student.

Its a unique set up in that it is like a college campus because theyre the only ones here, CVCC Dean for School Academics, Education and Fine Arts Brice Melton said. Its really different from just being in a high school setting.

Theyve given it a name and created an identity for it.

Students have schedules similar to what theyll face in college with Tuesday, Thursday classes and Monday, Wednesday, and Friday classes.

The program may not be for every student. There are minimum requirements to get into the program before taking any of the classes. They include minimum ACT scores for English 18, reading 22, mathematics 22 and SAT scores for Evidence-Based reading and writing of 480 and mathematics 530.

You just cant say, Im going to do this on a whim, Mullins said. You actually have to have those requirements. Its cut and dry. You either get in or you dont.

The program allows students to still have a high school experience but also be part of a separate college style environment. They spend three quarters of their day as juniors and seniors as high school students, but they start the day at The Summit.

The motivated ones

Michael Boone, CVCC Quality Enhancement Plan Director and a teacher at The Summit described the programs students as, high fliers.

They are the ones who want that additional load, Boone said. They have their high school courses that have rigor in them as well, but theyre also looking at those opportunities to either double up, get high school credit and college credit at the same time, or just get a head start on their college career.

Discovery Highs Jillian Whitener and Stewart were both looking for a chance to see what a college class would be like without paying college tuition. They liked still being high school students as well.

Having the dual enrollment, thats really cool and there is a lot of cool opportunities we get to experience because we are in high school but also technically enrolled at CVCC, Whitener said.

For Stewart, The Summit is the perfect place to start the transition from high school to college.

Its a different challenge. I like it because the professors teach in different ways, Stewart said. Its not necessarily more challenging than our other classes but it provides a unique challenge.

Its a different type of studying. There are more papers we have to write and a different way we have to write the papers.

Students or parents interested in more information about The Summit should visit newton-conover.org or call Newton-Conover City Schools at 828-464-3191.
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For all the differences South Asias countries insist on, they have depressingly similar attitudes when it comes to human rights. Over the past year, as Amnesty International documents in its Annual Report, civil society organisations have been harassed and shut down, journalists have been targeted, crude colonial-era laws have been unleashed against government critics, new laws have been invoked against critics online, and brutal practices have endured in areas afflicted by conflict.

After a gruesome 2015 in Bangladesh, where five secular bloggers were slain in separate attacks, the machete killings continued without any determined action from the government. LGBTI activists, Hindus, Christians, Sufi Muslims and academics became new targets. In Pakistan, this year began with the suspicious disappearance of four bloggers. Theyve all since returned home, but the government hasnt investigated who took them. In 2016, according to the Pakistani Press Foundation, two journalists were killed, 16 injured and one abducted. In India, two journalists were also killed last year. Freedom of expression was curtailed by the authorities in several cases. In Bangladesh, Dilip Roy, a 22-year-old student activist, ran afoul of the countrys Information and Communications Technology Act for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid on Facebook.

In Sri Lanka, despite commitments to deliver on accountability for alleged crimes under international law, the authorities made frequent use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Tamils suspected of links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued to be detained under the PTA, which permits extended administrative detention and piles the burden of proof onto the detainee alleging torture or other ill-treatment.

In Afghanistan, the conflict has been widening. As the Taliban and other armed groups seize more territory, punctuating their advances with horrific attacks on civilians, the number of people displaced has risen to record numbers. More than 1.5 million people now languish in overcrowded camps, where they go without adequate food and water in freezing temperatures.

The humanitarian catastrophe is set to worsen as the world turns its back on Afghan refugees and asylum-seekers. In Pakistan, even as the UN noted that civilian casualty figures have reached their highest point since records began being compiled in 2009, the UN refugee agency worked with the Pakistani authorities to forcibly return tens of thousands of Afghan refugees. The returns breached the international principle of non-refoulement: People cannot be sent to a country where they are at risk of serious human rights abuses. That the UN is directly complicit in this does not bode well for the rights of refugees in the region.

Like so many other countries who have abandoned refugees over recent years, Pakistan justified its behaviour on grounds of national security. The government alleged that the refugee camps hosted armed groups. While countries are entitled to take necessary steps to protect their populations, these must never come at the cost of human rights.

Its a principle that the Pakistani authorities have abandoned in Karachi and Baluchistan, where security operations have perpetuated a range of human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, torture and other ill-treatment, and extrajudicial executions. And its a principle the Indian authorities abandoned in Jammu and Kashmir last year, where authorities imposed curfews across the valley and security forces deployed excessive and unnecessary force against protestors, even blinding hundreds of young people with the use of inherently indiscriminate pellet shotguns.

Instead of replicating each others failures on human rights in a race to the bottom, South Asias countries might want to focus their rivalries instead on who can provide a better future for their people  where each country is distinguished by the value it puts on human dignity.

Biraj Patnaik is Amnesty Internationals South Asia Director

The views expressed are personal
Court orders on gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari and Amanmani Tripathi, son of jailed former minister Amarmani Tripathi, are likely to make an impact on the Uttar Pradesh assembly election in part of the Purvanchal region where voting will be held in the sixth phase on March 4.

The Delhi high court set aside the parole granted to Mukhtar by the trial court. Similarly, Allahabad high court rejected the parole application of Amanmani on Monday.

Riding piggyback on Ansari, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was planning to mobilise Muslim voters in the east UP.

After the Quami Ekta Dal (QED) merged with it, the BSP fielded Mukhtar from Mau assembly constituency, his brother Sibgatulla Ansari, a sitting MLA, from Mohammadabad seat in Ghazipur district and his son Abbas from Ghosi.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah was quick to comment on the alliance at a rally in Ballia.

Mayawati said she will end goonda raj in UP but her posters with Mukhtar show that she requires the support of criminal elements to capture power, he said.

BSP leaders hoped that Mukhtars campaigning in the region will tilt the Muslim votes in its favour in the crucial sixth phase. The party also planned to counter the Samajwadi Party (SP)-Congress alliance that is working on the backward-Muslim formula to regain power.

The BSP is hoping to make inroads into the SPs Muslim vote bank with QED support. The QED has influence in pockets of east UP, particularly the districts that have a substantial Muslim population: Mau, Azamgarh, Varanasi and Ballia.

The SP won a majority of seats in these districts in the 2012 assembly election.

The QED merged with the SP initially but after chief minister Akhilesh Yadav became Samajwadi Party national president, he rejected the alliance.

Terming Akhilesh anti-Muslim, Afzal Ansari, Mukhtars brother and QED national president, said: We will teach the SP a lesson in the assembly election.

The BSP hopes to cash in on the anger among Muslims during the poll.

As for Amanmani, he is contesting as an independent candidate from Nautanwa assembly seat in Maharajganj. The SP initially named Amanmani as its candidate from Nautanwa but later the ticket was given to sitting Congress MLA Kaushal Singh alias Munna Singh.

The rivalry between Amarmani and Munna is well-known in the region. Amanmani, an accused in the murder of his wife Sara, is in jail. The rejection of his parole application has upset his plan to campaign in the area.

The SP has already expelled his family members from the party. With Amanmani behind bars, the contest is likely among SP, BJP and BSP candidates.

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As the sun sets, kerosene lamps flicker in every house at the non-descript Bodara Dand village in Myonpur area of Sonbhadra district.

The irony is not lost on anyone as this power-rich district  which will vote in the last phase of the ongoing Uttar Pradesh elections  has nine power plants together generating around 12,500 MW of electricity.

Bodara Dand is among the 20 powerless villages in the area where kerosene lamps are the only source of light at night.

This area accounts for 5% of the total 228,722 MW electricity generated in the country.

And the nearby Rihand dam serves as a reservoir for these power stations.

SONBHADRA FACT FILE Assembly constituencies: Obra, Robertsganj, Ghorawal and Duddhi The district has 23% tribals and 24.1% scheduled castes. The Duddhi assembly constituency has 20% scheduled castes and scheduled tribes each. --The district houses nine power plants. -- It is known as a power hub. -- Duddhi constituency shares its borders with Madhya Pradesh, Chhattishgarh, Bihar and Jharkhand.

Even 70 years after Independence, electricity is still a dream here. Sitting in the dim light of kerosene lamps, villagers watch power plants bathed in bright lights on the horizon. They are angry with politicians who make empty promises.

Jaymanagal Prasad (70), a Dalit, says, A few months after the 2012 assembly elections, I made a request to local MLA Rubi Prasad to ensure electrification of my village. She gave an assurance. Five years on, we are in the midst of another assembly election but are still waiting for electrification.

Prasad and his wife Paan Kunwar (69) say politicians visit their village once in five years.

The light of kerosene lamps is very dim. It has affected my eyesight and also caused respiratory problems. But, it hardly makes a difference to those in Lucknow and New Delhi, she says.

Villagers say snakes and scorpions enter their homes in the rainy season but cannot be spotted due to lack of proper light. Besides, its a struggle for children to study under kerosene lamps.

Another resident Sukuwariya Devi says their plight remains invisible to the politicians: The lamp emits carbon and has made our life dark. This time, when they visit the village for votes, we will seek an explanation from them.

The village has no hand pump either. Villagers have to climb down a hill and trek for about half-a-kilometre to get drinking water from the reservoir.

The villagers also have to negotiate a 14-km bumpy road to reach the nearest town of Myonpur.

Tilakdhari Prasad, a local, says the villagers have no choice but to drink water from the reservoir.

Bodara Dands 250 families are mostly Dalits and none of them has a government job. The locals are not aware of poll manifestos of different parties.

Caste politics is not good for the society. Development, education, health and other facilities should be the poll planks.

Jaymangal says, Caste politics is not good for the society. Development, education, health and other facilities should be the poll planks, not caste and creed.

Sitting MLA Rubi Prasad accepts that 20 villages are yet to get electrification. She claims to have got electrification done in 150 other villages in her constituency.

The tender for electrification of rest of the villages has already been done (floated) by the power department before the poll dates were announced. Soon, electrification will be carried out there.

Its a promise that is waiting to see the light of day.

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Tehran, Iran, Feb. 27

By Mehdi Sepahvand  Trend:

The currently discussed oil deal between Iran and Russia is a relic of the years when Iran was under sanctions, when the deal was of high importance to Tehran, says Irans OPEC representative Mohammad Ali Khatibi.

However, at present the deal may not be as important because now Iran can freely sell oil anywhere and receive its money, Khatibi told Trend February 27.

Russias Energy Minister Alexander Novak says Russia is negotiating daily purchases of 100,000 barrels of crude oil from Iran.

"The two countries are currently discussing the terms of a potential agreement," Novak said February 27, adding he expected the deal to be reached "within weeks."

Russias state trading enterprise Promsirieimport has been authorized by the government to carry out the purchase, he said on the sidelines of an economic forum in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

"Nonetheless, both countries can still gain benefits if they strike the deal. Russia is sure not to consume the oil domestically but to sell it where it is not economical for it to sell its own oil due to the long distances it would need to carry the oil," Khatibi noted.

"Also, Iran would be able to import goods from Russia instead of being paid in cash in return for the oil."
Kader Khan, one of Bollywoods most loved comedians, has been taken to Canada, where his son resides, for treatment for the joint pain in his knees.

Recently the 79-year-old actor underwent a knee surgery which did not go as per the plan and the pain aggravated.

His friend and Bollywood actor Shakti Kapoor told Spotboye.com, Yes, Kader Khan is now on a wheelchair. Its so so sad to be talking about this and I am trying to reach him since the past few days, but I am not able to get his number. I hope to have it in the next 2-3 days.

Kader Khan, a sought after dialogue writer in the 1990s, started his career in Bollywood as a lawyer in Yash Chopras Daag (1973).

He has written 12 films with Aunty No 1 being his last. He was last seen in 2015 film Ho Gaya Deemag Ka Dahi.
The embarrassing last-minute goof-up at the 89th Academy Awards notwithstanding, the 2017 Oscars ceremony will be remembered in India for more than home-bred stars Dev Patel and Sunny Pawar: The biggest award function in Hollywood honoured late Bollywood actor Om Puri who died earlier this year. Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, however, took to Twitter to slam Bollywood award functions for not honouring their own talent.

#Oscars pay homage to #OmPuri in their In Memorium segment



Catch LIVE updates herehttps://t.co/JbVTW9fE1f pic.twitter.com/UynN7fKYPa  HT Entertainment (@htshowbiz) February 27, 2017

Soon after the 89th Academy Awards, Nawazuddin tweeted, TheAcademy #Oscars paid homage 2 late #OmPuri, But in #bollywood award functions nobody converse single word for his contribution... SHAME.

@TheAcademy #Oscars paid homage 2 late #OmPuri, But in #bollywood award functions nobody converse single word for his contribution... SHAME  Nawazuddin Siddiqui (@Nawazuddin_S) February 27, 2017

Om Puri, who died in January at the age of 66, was popular in the international circuit for his performances in movies like East Is East, Gandhi, City of Joy and Wolf.

Meanwhile, Om Puris family told Indian Express, The only Indian actor to have worked consistently in Hollywood and British cinema for the last 25 years, without a fuss and letting his work speak for itself, today the Academy of Motion Pictures acknowledged his contribution at its 89th Awards. The first and only Indian actor to be acknowledged thus. Thank you Academy. Thank you everyone. We miss you Om. We miss you lots.

Apart from Puri, Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher, her mother Debbie Reynolds and Bill Paxton were also remembered and honoured at Oscars 2017. An emotional Jennifer Aniston introduced the segment and paid tribute to Paxton, who died on Saturday and was not included in the video montage.

The video also included Bill Nunn, George Kennedy, Gene Wilder, Patty Duke, Garry Marshall, Anton Yelchin, Mary Tyler Moore, Prince, John Hurt, Nancy Reagan and Curtis Hanson. The segment ended with Fishers Princess Leia saying, May the Force be with you.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
The heir to the Samsung empire and four other top executives from the worlds biggest smartphone maker were indicted today on multiple charges including bribery and embezzlement, South Korean prosecutors said.

Special prosecutors today indicted Samsung Electronics vice chairman Lee Jae-Yong... for bribery, embezzlement, hiding of assets overseas... and perjury, said Lee Kyu-Chul, spokesman for the team probing a corruption and power abuse scandal that has seen President Park Geun-Hye impeached.

Lee was arrested earlier this month. The presentation of formal charges against him and his colleagues makes them almost certain to face trial, casting new uncertainty over South Koreas biggest firm as it seeks to recover from a humiliating smartphone recall.

Three of the five -- but not Lee -- resigned their positions, said the conglomerate of which Samsung Electronics is the flagship. It added that it was dismantling its Future Strategy Office, the co-ordinating body that oversees major decisions such as acquisitions or entering new business.

The move, described as a reform plan, was announced in a brief five-line statement emailed minutes after the indictment.

Lee, 48, has effectively been at the helm of the conglomerate since his father suffered a heart attack in 2014.

Among other allegations, he is accused of paying nearly USD 40 million in bribes to a confidante of President Parks to secure policy favours. Lee -- who is also accused of concealing stolen assets -- has denied all charges.

His colleagues face similar charges except for the perjury count.

The indictment came as the special prosecutors -- who were appointed in December -- were set to hand back the case to state prosecutors Wednesday after the government rejected a request to extend their probe.

During their term the special prosecutors indicted a total of 29 suspects -- 16 of them on Tuesday -- including an ex-arts minister and former presidential chief of staff.

The special prosecutors spokesman Lee said it would be up to the state prosecutors to probe other South Korean conglomerates, including Hyundai Motor and retail giant Lotte Group.

The scandal centres on Choi Soon-Sil, who is accused of using her close ties with President Park to force local firms to donate nearly USD 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 daughters equestrian training in Germany.
The Spiderman phrase, with great power comes great responsibilities, attributed to Uncle Ben, is widely quoted but its not easy to keep away from the vices that comes along with the power -- and it has nothing to do with education and upbringing.

One such incident is of Amit Singhal, an IITian, senior vice president of engineering at Uber Technologies has been asked to resign following non-disclosure of sexual harassment charges from his Google days.

Singhal, who also recently joined Paytms board, according to a former female engineer alleged to have faced unwanted sexual advances from Singhal, and complained that Ubers human resource department had not taken any action.

Singhals case is not the only one -- in the past many such cases have been widely reported.

Former media personality, Tarun Tejpal, editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine was accused of sexual harassment amounting to rape in an elevator, by a junior colleague during an offsite in Goa. The incident was widely reported and the case is being heart at the Goa court.

And, there are repeat offenders. Phaneesh Murthy, ex-CEO of iGate, was charged twice. Once at Infosys, in 2002, when his executive secretary Reka Maximovitch filed a law suit, alleging sexual harassment. Another person, Jennifer Griffith has pressed similar charges. Infosys did an out-of-court settlement for $3 million, and ousted Murthy.

In 2013, when Murthy was heading iGate, Araceli Roiz, an employee filed sexual harassment charges. Investigation by iGate revealed that Murthy had violated the employee relationship policy, and was finally sacked.

RK Pachauri, vice chairman of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), was accused of harassing his colleague, which also grabbed abundant social media attention. Pachauri stepped down after the allegation in 2015, only to return in July. The chief, was later promoted to the position of vice chairman.

David Davidar, publishing professional with Rupa Publications, was sacked from Penguin Canada in 2010, after complaints from colleague Lisa Rundle. She alleged that Davidar harassed her for three years.

Sexual harassment charges are not limited to corporate houses or CEOs and managers. IAS officer Rupan Deol Bajaj accused former Punjab director general of police, KPS Gill, touched her inappropriately at a party. After a court trial Gill was convicted in 1996, but he did not serve jail term.

Dance icon and choreographer Shiamak Davar was charged on similar grounds by two of his Vancouver-based male students. The accusation was that Davar tried to control them, and groom them into sexual submission.

These cases are few, but prominent. There would be many more those never got reported.

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This column usually occupies itself with important international events, as viewed from my perch in New Delhi. This week, I will devote myself to an event of global import unfolding closer home: The worlds fourth-largest demonstration of democracy, currently under way in Uttar Pradesh. (The only three larger, measured by the number of people qualified to exercise the franchise, are the Indian Lok Sabha polls, the American presidential vote, and the Indonesian general election.) Ive had the good fortune to witness and cover some extraordinary elections around the world: Hong Kongs first post-colonial poll; Iraqs first experience of a free and fair vote; the election of the first black man to the White House; and last years Brexit referendum in the UK. None of them has approached the complexity of the contest for the UP state legislature, playing out like a seven-episode Netflix political drama.

To travel through the heart of the heartland state, as I did last week, is to marvel at the sheer scale of the election, and at the fact that it has proceeded so smoothly as with so little violence. Those looking on from parts foreign are more likely to be mystified by the whole thing. Why does it take seven rounds of voting? How come there are no exit polls after every round? What are Other Backward Castes? And what is all this talk about wild asses?!

Truth be told, few people outside India currently pay close attention to the politics of places like Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Allahabad and Varanasi, all stops on my route last week. But international interest in the minutiae of Middle Indian power struggles is bound to grow in years to come, commensurate with the countrys growing importance in the global economy. Just as the national elections this year in France and Germany will be scrutinised for their political and economic impact on Europe, the UP election will one day be parsed for what it tells us about the direction India is heading.

The smarter India-watchers already know that if the scale alone makes the UP election automatically a political bellwether, this time around its function as a barometer of the national mood is all the more important because it comes midway through the term of the Modi government, and just as that governments hugely ambitious demonetisation drive nears completion. But for those trying to analyse how its gone so far, I have the greatest sympathy.

In the absence of exit polls, they will have to take on faith the analysis of Indian experts  including that of many of my colleagues  that no clear winner has yet emerged. There is no state-wide wave in favour of any of the three contenders: The SP-Congress alliance, the BJP, or the BSP. Beyond that safe bet, any prediction of the outcome seems to me as much gamble as analysis.

For my own part, I used the trip to try and understand, not how the vote might go but what is in the minds of voters  the distinction is important. More specifically, I wanted to know if voters are inclined to break from the pattern of caste- and faith-based voting that has characterised the state elections for as long as I can remember. The picture that emerged was, you will not be surprised to know, complex and open to more than one conclusion.

Here are mine: Voters appear closer than ever to break away from the old block politics, but many are hesitant to take the final leap; those who make the jump will be influenced more by personalities than by issues. Over and over, I heard people say they would vote for the SP or the BSP, but that they admired Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a leader; or that they would vote for the BJP, but thought highly of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav.

I also met some who self-identified as traditional SP or Congress voters and were minded to switch to the BSP, but interestingly, none of them expressed admiration for Mayawatis leadership qualities. They seemed to be guided more by her partys choice of candidates, by the calculations of caste and creed, and by the need to defeat the BJP. This view was the strongest among Muslim voters in Lucknow, who assured me that their hearts were with Akhilesh, but that they had picked the BSP candidates because they were likelier to win.

This pattern of voters expressing a liking for one leader but voting for another party was striking and consistent, and when I described it to a colleague in Delhi, he offered a uniquely Indian analogy: These people are saying they would ideally like to have a love marriage, but that they will probably settle for the spouse chosen by their parents.

How will this affect the outcome? That will depend on how many voters made the leap of faith (or will do, for those in the remaining two rounds) at the moment of truth, in the polling booth. Those who allowed their hearts to lead them beyond older political impulses would for the most part have picked Modi, or Akhilesh, those who went with their heads will more likely have opted for Mayawatis BSP.

These voters will determine the final result. Their numbers will be small, but in a tight three-way race, they will have a disproportionate impact. For even the most perceptive India-watchers abroad, this makes the outcome on March 11 fiendishly difficult to predict. Perhaps there will be some consolation in knowing that its no less difficult for those in Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Allahabad, or Varanasi.

Bobby Ghosh is editor-in-chief of Hindustan Times

Twitter: @ghoshworld

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Its like any other day at Jantar Mantar in the heart of Delhi on Tuesday afternoon. Twelve groups, some known  others unknown, are demonstrating with their charter of demands.

A few hundred bank employees are protesting bad loans and outsourcing. None of the demonstrations, however, draw media attention. And there is a reason.

24x7 news channels have focused their cameras on protests at the University of Delhi.

From students of DU and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to teachers, from non-teaching employees to National Students Union of India (NSUI) office bearers, people with varied demands held the campus  which resembled a protest site  to ransom on Tuesday.

Thousands of students assembled at Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur (SGTB) Khalsa College for a march against the alleged violence by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad students at Ramjas College on February 22, amid chants of hum honge kaamyaab.

Some are, however, upset with the university campus  once a platform for free thinking  turning into a hub of protests.

Not that there were no protests earlier. But what we are witnessing these days is unprecedented in the sense that it has hijacked every other constructive activity the campuses should prioritise, said Dr BS Rattan, who retired as a professor from DU before settling in Chandigarh.

Dr Ratan could recall a few protests here and there on the campus over issues such as not giving admit cards to students for want of required attendance or over matters related to distribution of admission forms.

But that was in 2000. Now, it seems, politics has taken over, said the 70-year-old former professor of English. Cut to 2017. As angry students from other universities such as JNU swarmed the campus, the road towards Arts Faculty was fortified with heavy police presence.

An actor and a teacher at SGTB, Kuljeet Singh, agree. Singh, whose association with DU spans over two decades, says the last major commotion was in the 1990s when Hansraj College students were injured during a lathi-charge ordered by then joint police commissioner Kiran Bedi.

The campus used to encourage dissent till lately. But now we see stone pelting. Its hard to imagine where we are headed, Singh, now an assistant professor, said.

As the National Students Union of India (NSUI) held a sit-in outside the Faculty of Arts against the recent violence, Delhi School of Economics students distributed black badges to express solidarity with the protests against ABVP.

Elsewhere on north campus, Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) members gathered to protest outside the Executive Council meeting, where a proposal to grant autonomous status to St Stephens was to be passed.

The university employees union also protested outside the Executive Council meet venue to raise their long-pending demand for pension.

The current leg of protests by students began on February 21 after a literary event at Ramjas College was called off as the ABVP objected to an invite to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to speak at the seminar.

Deepak Pental, professor of genetics and DU vice-chancellor between 2005 and 2010, sees a partial role of police in handling the violence on campus. He has a solution to offer as well.

I think there is more to it than meets the eye. I dont understand why we give so much of importance to the so-called anti-nationals. We have better things to tackle in the country, Pental said.

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A Delhi University student allegedly made a hoax bomb-alert call to disrupt a rally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he was angry over the demonetisation exercise and wants the BJP to lose the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, police have said.

The 21-year-old student was arrested on Monday, hours after he called the Delhi Police control room and said a bomb would go off during the Prime Ministers rally in Mau. Then rally was held without any incident. He was identified by first name Deepak.

The sixth phase of the assembly polls will be held on March 4. BJP president Amit Shah said during campaigning that the part was ready to accept the poll outcome as the peoples verdict on demonetisation.

Deepak was angry with the functioning of the Narendra Modi government. The demonetisation (exercise) had left him even more agitated, said a senior police officer.

The Modi government had banned Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 banknotes in a shock announcement on November 8, leading to an unprecedented cash crisis across the country.

Though the government has defended the move as a surgical strike on black money and counterfeiting, critics say it caused hardships to the people, especially in the rural areas.

Police quoted Deepak as saying he had hoped that the call would lead to cancellation of Modis rally which in turn would help in BJP losing the polls.

Police have also seized from him a diary containing a lot of allegations Modi, his government and the ruling BJP.

Deepak is being questioned by multiple agencies.

A native of Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, Deepak is pursuing his BA from the School of Open Learning, said Vijayanta Arya, additional DCP (North-West).

He allegedly made the hoax call using a SIM card discarded by his aunt a few days ago. He immediately switched off his phone after the call.

A team of the Delhi Police procured the address of the SIM card owner who turned out to be a woman living in Adarsh Nagar. When she told police that she had thrown away the SIM card, police used technical surveillance to trace the accused to Bhalswa Dairy in Outer Delhi.
If you have metro smart cards that you would like to get refunded, you may want to do it soon. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has said that all its cards, both new and those in circulation, will become non refundable from the beginning of April this year.

The passengers will be given a sunset period from March 1 to 31, during which the passengers, if they so desire, may take refund for their smart cards from the Metro stations, reads an official statement released on Tuesday.

After April 1, only the security deposit, after deduction of relevant charges, will be returned to the customer upon surrendering the card. The recharge amount has also been capped at Rs 2000.

According to the statement, this move is in order to comply with the guidelines/directives of Reserve Bank of India and also for making Metro Smart Card interoperable.

DMRC spokesperson Anuj Dayal said that for closed loop cards, like the Metro smart card, it is mandated by the RBI that they be non-refundable.

This is ahead of trying to make the card interoperable, so that people can use the same card to pay for metros, buses, and even parking lots in the future, he said. The DMRC is currently in talks with Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and other stakeholders to make the card interoperable.

All other rules and regulations regarding the cards remain unchanged.

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A day after the Delhi Commission for Women urged Delhi Police to probe the alleged rape threats to DU student Gurmehar Kaur, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered by the cyber cell on Tuesday. Kaur has also been provided added protection by the police.

The FIR was filed after the DCW forwarded Kaurs complaint to Delhi Police. A case of outraging the modesty of a woman, criminal intimidation and under the IT Act has been registered against unknown persons, confirmed a senior police officer.

Senior officials also said that they have spoken to Gurmehar Kaur and have strengthened protection around her residence and premises to ensure her safety.

Meanwhile, ABVP has filed a complaint at Maurice Nagar police station seeking action against those who threatened her. Unfortunately, she has blamed us for it but I want to clarify that none of our people are involved in it, wrote Saket Bahuguna, national media convenor, ABVP, in his complaint to the police.

Kaur was trolled by Twitterati and others for her stance against the ABVP. Speaking to a news channel on Sunday, Kaur, a martyrs daughter, had alleged that she had been threatened with rape by some Twitter users since her post on social media that read I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of the ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me. #StudentsAgainstABVP

Though Kaur was likely to take part in the protest march in DU on Tuesday, she announced in a series of tweets in the morning that she would no longer be participating and is withdrawing from the Fightback DU movement.

There has since been an outpour of support for the Lady Shri Ram College student, with AAP members Atishi Marlena, Alka Lamba and Sarita Singh, meeting with Delhi Police chief at noon on Tuesday, to discuss why no action had been taken against those who made rape threats.

Kejriwal had also taken to twitter to say that he would meet the Lieutenant Governor at 2:30 pm on Tuesday to demand action against the ABVP hooliganism and rape threats made to (Gurmehar Kaur).
Delhi University on Tuesday is the hub of protests against the ABVP after the student group was accused of attacking students, lecturers and journalists on the campus.

Students massed outside Khalsa College shouting slogans against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Delhi Police over the February 21-22 disturbances on the campus. Gurmehar Kaur, the Delhi University student who alleged rape threats over her social media campaign against ABVP, withdrew from the protests. Scores of students and teachers gathered at the university for the DU Against Goondagardi (hooliganism) protest. Here are images from the protests.

Students and teachers from Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University as well as Left and AAP-affiliated student groups take out a rally to protest last weeks violence at Ramjas College. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

Delhi Police personnel stand guard at Delhi University to prevent violence during protests. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

Students from various Delhi University colleges sing Hum honge kaamyaab during a protest march at Khalsa College . (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

Students shout slogans against the ABVP at Khalsa College. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

A protest march at Delhi University upholds the right to dissent and accuses ABVP members of violence. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

A supporter of National Students Union of India (NSUI), which is affiliated to the Congress party, holds a poster at the Faculty of Arts at Delhi University (Burhaan Kinu / HT Photo)

NSUI members stage a sit-in protest outside Faculty of Arts. (Burhaan Kinu / HT Photo)

Students wave the national flag as they shout slogans ABVP members. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo )
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28



By Fatih Karimov  Trend:



Iran and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on banking cooperation, the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) said in a message.



The deal was signed by Valiollah Seif, the CBI head and Darmin Nasution, the visiting Indonesian coordinating minister for economic affairs in Tehran Feb. 27.



Seif said that before proceeding with any step to boost trade, it is necessary to create the appropriate atmosphere for cooperation of the commercial banks of the two countries.



Opening a joint bank account between the two countries to settle payments will accelerate mutual trade and economic ties, he added.



He further said that opening a joint account will also allow the two countries to carry out payments in their local currencies or any agreed currency.



The two sides can also use their potential to establish branch of their banks in each others countries, Seif said, adding that considering the tourism capacities of Iran and Indonesia the two parties also can link their banking card systems, so the citizens from the two countries can use their banking cards in Iran and Indonesia.



Nasution, for his part, emphasized that Indonesia welcomed the expansion of banking relations with Iran.



He added that both countries needed to take measures to promote the trust of traders from both sides.



Heading a high-ranking economic delegation Nasution arrived in Tehran Feb. 26 to follow up the negotiations on cooperation in the fields of oil, gas, petrochemical and electricity with Iranian officials.



The Indonesian delegation also held talks with Iranian officials in the fields of trade, banking, agriculture and industrial engineering as well.


Depicting Ghalibs ghazals as dance forms is no easy task, but Uma Sharma does it with finesse. The Kathak dancer, who recently paid tribute to the eminent Urdu and Persian poet at India Islamic Cultural Centre says, In 1973, I was the first lady who introduced Ghalibs ghazals into dance forms. I am trying to portray his poems into his four moodsromance, jealousy, depression and parting away from the world. To understand their deep meaning and present them in the form of Kathak is quite difficult, but I can do it because of my guruji Shambu Maharaj who taught me the art to dance and express. Some of the popular ghazals she has presented are, Aahon ko chahiye ek umar asar hone tak and Rahiye ab aisi jagah chalkar jahaan koi na ho.

A DU graduate, Sharma is rather appalled at the current state of affairs in the university. Calling the recent Ramjas College incident purely madness, she says, I had studied in Lady Shri Ram College and had participated in almost all inter-college activities but such incidents never took place in our time. Sharma believes that there is always room for discussion and debates, but violence is not justified in any case. Students must think logically about their activities and the results too. I cant understand this increasing culture of violence and acceptance for the same. First JNU, and now DU. Where are we headed?

The Padma Bhushan recipient has been born and brought up in Bengali Market in Delhi and is also a foodie. Talking about her love for vegetarian food, she says, I am a big time fan of Bhimsen ke pakode. It used to a small thella during my time in Bengali Market and we bought it four for one ana. I love Delhi ka khaana.

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Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal met lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal on Tuesday to demand action against Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) volunteers allegedly involved in violence that followed protests at Ramjas College on February 22.

BJP stage manages events where anti-national slogans are raised. The ABVP then does goondagardi on campuses... No arrest has still been made in the JNU incident, Kejriwal told mediapersons after the meeting.

The chief minister said Baijal has assured that proper probe in the violence and also threats received by Kashmir martyrs daughter Gurmehar Kaur, who triggered a storm on social media after she posted a profile picture holding a placard that read, I am a student of Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me.

Hon'ble Chief Minister, Delhi met me at Raj Niwas..Have assured him that strict immediate action will be taken against those violating law..  LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) February 28, 2017

Met LG. Demanded arrest of those who caused violence in DU, shouted anti-India slogans n who threatened Gurmehar. He assured strict action  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 28, 2017

Kaur approached the Delhi Commission for Women on Monday alleging she received rape threats on social media after her post. Delhi Police registered an FIR in the matter on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Aam Aadmi Party leaders also jumped into the controversy. Three women members  Atishi Marlena, Alka Lamba and Sarita Singh  met senior police officers to demand action in the matter.

Though we had an appointment with Amulya Pattnaik (Delhi Police commissioner), he was not in when we went to his office. We then met a senior IPS official and shared our concerns with him and submitted our complaint to him. We want the attacks on women investigated. We also want the cyber cell to investigate the threats made to Gurmehar Kaur, said Marlena, adviser to deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.

.

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Daughter of army martyr and Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur announced her decision to withdraw from the campaign against Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) even as the Delhi University braced for protests and counter-protests on Tuesday. Kaur had, on Monday, complained to the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) about receiving death threats on social media. Following up on this, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal meting L-G Anil Baijal later on Tuesday and sought action against ABVP.

Meanwhile, students and teachers from DU and JNU as well as Left and AAP-affiliated student groups have gathered at the Faculty of Arts on north campus over last weeks violence at Ramjas College. Students were different colleges in DU have been joined by JNUs popular faces such as Kanhaiya Kumar and Shehla Rashid.

Support for the students protesting against ABVP has poured in from international academics as well as other institutions like the Delhi School of Economics. Faculty members of Lady Shri Ram College, where Kaur is a student, also expressed support for her campaign. On Monday, the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU), led by the ABVP, had held a Tiranga March and sought action against those who had allegedly raised anti-national slogans during the Ramjas protests last week.

Here are the highlights of the day:

5.40pm: In the meeting of parliamentary standing committee on home affairs, chairman P Chidambaram asked Delhi Police Commissioner about steps taken on Ramjas issue.

5.35pm: Minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju says government will ensure security for Gurmehar Kaur.

5.30pm: Lyricist Javed Akhtar takes a dig at Olympic medallist Yogeshwar Dutt for mocking Gurmehar Kaur by posting her image along with Adolf Hitler, Osama Bin Laden and a Black Buck.

If a hardly literate player or a wrestler troll a pacifist daughter of a martyr its understandable but whats wrong with some educated folks  Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) February 28, 2017

5.05pm: Hearing in connection with a plea, against AISA and FSI members for allegedly raising anti-national slogans outside Ramjas College on February 21, has been posted for consideration on March 6 by a Delhi court. The plea had been filed by an RTI activist.

4.50pm: ABVP plans to take out a protest on March 2 in Delhi University. Another protest by DU students against the ABVP will take place on March 4 from Mandi House to Parliament.

4.30pm:Political parties come out in support of DU students. CPIs D Raja, CPMs Sitaram Yechury and JDUs KC Tyagi address students.

4.25pm: D Raja, who reached the protest site with Sitaram Yechury, says, This is a collective fight to defend our constitutional rights.We will be raising the issue of DU in Parliament.

Some of the posters seen at the protest by students in North Campus.

4.18pm: After meeting with the L-G, Kejriwal told reporters: BJP stage manages events where anti-national slogans are raised. The ABVP then does goondagardi in campuses... No arrest has still been made in the JNU incident. Kejriwal said Baijal assured him action in both cases.

4.10pm: Arvind Kejriwal meets L-G Anil Baijal seeks action against ABVP volunteers involved in goondagardi in Delhi University and those threatening LSR student Gurmehar Kaur on social media for raising voice against ABVPs action.

4pm: ABVP says they have filed a complaint in the Gurmehar Kaur case with Delhi Police.

3.55pm: ABVP holds press conference. ABVP national media Saket Bahuguna says, It is outsiders who indulged in violence and now blame is put on us.

3.50pm: CPI general secretary Sitaram Yechury and leader D Raja reach the protest site. Yechury says being Indian and not Hindu is nationalism for him.

Humara nationalism is We are Indian not 'who is a Hindu'?: Sitaram Yechury on #RamjasRow at Delhi University pic.twitter.com/UwHm40YoyF  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

3.45pm: We will learn our nationalism from Bhagat Singh and not from them whose forefathers never hoisted the flag at their headquarters, Yogendra Yadav says in a reference to the RSS, which is ABVPs parent organisation.

3.40pm: Remembering Jai Prakash Narayan, YogendraYadav says, Neither will we tolerate nor will we engage in violence. Says the protest isnt about Left and Right but about Wrong and Right.

3.30pm: Addressing protesters, Yogendra Yadav says the only to stand up to ABVP is to be fearless.

3.17pm: Swaraj India founder and political scientist Yogendra Yadav addresses protesters. He says the protest is not about Right or Left but what is wrong.

3.15pm: Meanwhile, Gurmehar Kaur, who has left Delhi, resurfaced on Twitter. Reacting to a tweet by social activist Kavita Krishnan, she said this 30 minutes ago:

:) thank you so much. This makes me so happy. https://t.co/pXjlOv3T8F  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

3.10pm: Protesters have decided to march again on March 4 from Mandi House to the Parliament.

3.08pm: ABVP members stand outside DUSU office to protest against #DUFightBack campaign.

3.02pm: Delhi Police video records the protests.

2.50pm: Members of JNU Teachers Association also join the DU fightback protests at North Campus.

2.45pm: JNU students Shehla Rashid and Kanhaiya Kumar join the protests at DU.

Kanhaiya Kumar (above) and Shehla Rashid (below) at the protest site in DU.

2.38pm: DU wrapped in a mood of festivity as students march to assert their freedoms and speak up against hooliganism.

2.30pm: Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad says people are politicising the Gurmehar Kaur issue. Adds that freedom of expression should not be used to talk about dividing the country.

2.25pm: Wrestler Babita Phogat, of Dangal fame, joins a list of celebrities who have spoken against Hurmehar Kaur. After Virender Sehwag, Randeep Hooda and Yogeshwar Dutt, she says that Gurmehars comments were  against our nation and martyrs.

#GurmeharKaur's view that her father was killed by war & not Pak was wrong for me;It's against our nation & martyrs-Wrestler Babita Phogat pic.twitter.com/v98CwqG9mS  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

2.20pm: ABVP also lodges a complaint against trolls on social media who allegedly threatened Gurmehar Kaur. In a written complaint to the police, Saket Bahuguna of ABVP has said that none of the office bearers of ABVP were involved in the threats to Kaur and has requested that an FIR be lodged in the case.

2.15pm: Gurmehar Kaur reportedly leaves Delhi in the wake of the backlash to her posts on social media.

2.10pm: The letter by AAP members to Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik reads: Even the Delhi Police, in dereliction of their duty, failed to detain/arrest these ABVP goondas and was a silent spectator as this tragic cinema of abuse of female rights and oppression of freedom of speech unfolded.

2.06pm: In a letter to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik, AAP members allege that there was mass violence against women at the protest march.

2.03pm: Students wave copies of the Preamble to the constitution to assert their rights.

1.50pm: AAP members, Atishi Marlena, Alka Lamba and Sarita Singh meet Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik to demand action against those who perpetuated violence against women on Wednesday at the protest march.

1.45pm: Protest march reaches Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) and moves towards Arts Faculty.

1.40pm: Chants ring out in the march hailing Gurmehar Kaur. Gurmehar was supposed to join the march but withdrew after trolls on Twitter and other social media sites allegedly threatened her for her stance against ABVP.

1.20pm: Miranda House has one of the largest contingents at the protest sites. Many of the protesting students claim that they are not affiliated with any political organisation, and are there to solely protest the alleged violence perpetuated by the ABVP.

1.15pm: Students and faculty members condemn the violence on campus. Many participating in the march say that they are there to protect freedom of expression. Others say they are there to exercise their democratic right to protest peacefully.

1.10pm: Thousands of students from various DU colleges have gathered at Khalsa college for the march. Chants of Hum honge kaamyaab resonate on campus.

12.55pm: Watch what this Miranda House student, who has come out to join the Save DU march, has to say:

12.47pm: NSUI hold a sit in outside Faculty of Arts against violent protests at Delhi University.

12.35pm: Students participating in the march say they are not a part of any political organisation. Schools students also join the protests.

Students of Miranda House at the Save DU march on Tuesday.

12.20pm: Students from Miranda House college come out in large numbers to take part in protest against violence at Ramjas College.

12.15pm: The case of outraging the modesty of a woman, criminal intimidation and under the IT Act has been registered against unknown persons, confirmed a senior police officer. Speaking on Sunday, Kaur, a martyrs daughter, had alleged that she had been threatened with rape by some Twitter users affiliated to ABVP.

12.12pm: Cyber cell files FIR over alleged rape threats to Gurmehar Kaur on social media after her campaign against ABVP.

12.10pm: Karmachari union also protests outside the DU Executive Council meet venue to resolve pension issue.

12pm: In a tweet to Gurmehar Kaur, writer Chetan Bhagat expresses his support for her right to have and air her opinions. Gurmehar retweets.

Relax. You did just fine. Whether we may agree with your opinion or not, will always stand up for your right to have and express views. https://t.co/xh5UmQgPeq  Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) February 28, 2017

11.40am: DUTA members gather to protest outside the Executive Council meet, where the proposal for autonomous status to St Stephens College is to be passed.

11.32am: DSE Students Community says they will be distributing black badges on the DSE campus, as emblematic of their solidarity with protests against ABVP.

11.28am: Students of Delhi School of Economics also express solidarity with protests in DU against ABVP.

11.20am: Road towards Arts Faculty closed by the police ahead of #DUFightBack march.

11.12am: Calling the threats received by Gurmehar reprehensible, LSR faculty members criticise the response of public figures to her stand. Responses on social media by public figures such as Virender Sehwag and Randeep Hooda are shameful trivialisation of the intimidation that Gurmehar faces at the hands of violent mobs whose viciousness the university has recently witnessed, their statement says.

11.10am: In their statement, the LSR teachers say, We feel that it is the bounden duty of educational institutions to nurture sensitive, responsive and critical thinking students without the fear of violent retaliation. We are proud that Gurmehar has fulfilled her duty as a young citizen of this country.

11.05am: The statement by LSR faculty reads: We, the faculty members of the English Department, Lady Shri Ram College unequivocally and strongly support our student Gurmehar Kaur and her right to express her opinion on issues that embroil our university. It is immensely gratifying to us as her teachers that she has responded sensitively, creatively and bravely to events in her immediate context rather than seek the safe refuge of silence.

10.55am: The English Department of Lady Shri Ram College, where Gurmehar Kaur is a first year student of English Honours, unanimously issues a statement.

10.40am: Lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar hits out at Kiren Rijiju, says Mr Minister, I know who is polluting your mind.

I don't about her but Mr Minister I know who is polluting your mind .  Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) February 28, 2017

10.10am: JNU students will leave for Khalsa college at around 11am. At a public meeting at JNU on Monday, rights activist and professor at Delhi School of Economics had said that the incidents ranging from anti-national debate at JNU to Rohit Vemula issue in Hyderabad or the latest agitations at DU, cannot be seen in isolation.

9.37am:The letter by academics reads: The ruling partys student wing- ABVP- has been emboldened to intervene violently in any attempt by students to have open discussions about matters that the Sangh Parivar deems to be inappropriate. This is thuggish censorship. We stand against it... Indias students and faculty have been brave against these attacks. We stand with them.

9.35am: International academics, including Akeel Bilgrami, Sidney Morgenbesser professor of philosophy at Columbia University, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, university professor at Columbia University, Joya Chatterji, professor of South Asian history and director of the Centre of South Asian Studies at the University of Cambridge, and Raka Ray, professor of sociology and South and Southeast Asia studies at the University of California (Berkeley), among others, have written a letter condemning the Sangh Parivar and the violence perpetuated by the ABVP in campuses.

Watch what happened on February 22 during the protest against cancellation of a literary festival at Ramjas College:

9.25am: In an unrelated protest, DU Teachers Association will be assembling at 11 am outside the vice regal lodge, during the executive council meeting, to raise their voices against a slew of decisions made in the recent past, especially that of granting autonomy status to colleges.

Students, faculty members and non teaching staff of St Stephens college had also earlier protested their bid for autonomy.

8.50am: Disgusting and shameful to see a dignified woman being trolled by respectful citizens, for her remarks against politics in DU: Robert Vadra.

8.40am: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to meet LG at 2.30 pm to demand action against ABVP and rape threats to DU student Gurmehar Kaur.

7.45am: Gurmehar Kaur urged students to go to turn up in huge numbers as the march is about them and not and individual.

7.40am: Martyrs daughter Gurmehar Kaur withdraws from Fightback DU campaign, requests to be left alone.

In a series of tweets Kaur said that she has shown enough courage and bravery.

I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say.. (1/2)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

One thing is for sure, next time we will think twice before resorting to violence or threats and that's all this was about (2/2)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

To anyone questioning my courage and bravery.. I've shown more than enough  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

I have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take :)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

7.30am: The march will begin from Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur (SGTB) Khalsa College at 12.30pm and end at the arts faculty building of DU.

The protests began after a literary event at Ramjas College was called off as the ABVP objected to an invite to controversial JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to speak at the seminar. Khalid was accused of organizing an event at JNU last year in which anti-India slogans were heard.

Unhappy with the ABVPs protest, students and teachers called a counter-demonstration last Wednesday and that turned into a street punch-up.
Its march vs march at Delhi Universitys north campus as hundreds of students and teachers from DU, JNU and Jamia Milia Islamia hit the streets on Tuesday with a call to save universities from the onslaught of the ABVP. This comes a day after a tiranga march by the ABVP, a students body linked to the RSS, on the campus. (HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY)

We are marching to reclaim the space to debate and discuss. It is about the freedom to coexist, yet disagree, said one student, not wanting to be identified.

Police have been deployed in large numbers in an attempt to prevent a repeat of last weeks large-scale violence when ABVP members clashed with students, teachers and journalists.

Trouble started on February 21 over an invite to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar which was withdrawn by Ramjas College following opposition by the ABVP.

As outrage over the Ramjas incident grows, heres a look at what happened today:

GURMEHAR PULLS OUT

The day began with Gurmehar Kaur, a student of English at Delhis Lady Shriram College, withdrawing from the north campus march  variously named Fight Back DU, Students against ABVP and DU against Gundagardi  saying she has shown enough courage and wants to be left alone. The campaign is about students and not about me. Please go to the March in huge numbers. Best of luck, Kaur tweeted early Tuesday.

I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say.. (1/2)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) 28 February 2017

I have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take :)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) 28 February 2017

The campaign is about students and not about me. Please go to the March in huge numbers. Best of luck.  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) 28 February 2017

To anyone questioning my courage and bravery.. I've shown more than enough  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) 28 February 2017

AKHTAR BLASTS RIJIJU

Lyricist Javed Akhtar tweeted in support of Gurmehar Kaur on Tuesday. (HT file photo)

Lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar hit out at Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju for hinting that DU student Gurmehar Kaur, who launched a social media campaign against the ABVP last week, was being influenced by political rivals.

I dont about her but Mr Minister I know who is polluting your mind, Akhtar wrote on Twitter without naming Rijiju.

After the campus clash on February 22, Kaur posted a picture of herself on Twitter and Facebook holding a placard that read: I am student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me.

ENTER KEJRIWAL

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal met Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Tuesday to demand the arrest of

ABVP activists blamed for the violence in Delhi University. The AAP leader said he sought the arrest of those who caused violence in DU, shouted anti-India slogans and who threatened (student) Gurmehar (Kaur).

He (Baijal) assured strict action, Kejriwal said.

Minutes after Kaur tweeted her withdrawal from the campaign, Kejriwal had replied.

Will meet Hon'ble LG today at 2.30 pm to demand action against ABVP goondaism n rape threats to @mehartweets  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) 28 February 2017

RAPE THREAT FIR

A day after the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) urged the Delhi Police to investigate alleged rape threats made to DU student Gurmehar Kaur, an FIR was registered by the cyber cell on Tuesday. Senior officials said they have spoken to Kaur and have strengthened protection around her residence and premises to ensure her safety.

The FIR was filed after the DCW forwarded Kaurs complaint to Delhi Police. A case of outraging the modesty of a woman, criminal intimidation and under the IT Act has been registered against unknown persons, confirmed a senior police officer.

RIJIJU STILL AT IT

Minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju made yet controversial comment on Tuesday over DU student Gurmehar Kaur. (AP file photo)

Minister Rijiju continued to stoke controversy over Gurmehar Kaur by referring to her father, Captain Mandeep Singh who was killed during the Kargil war in 1999, even after the DU student pulled out of the protests against the ABVP.

She is a martyrs daughter. His soul must be weeping that his daughter is being misguided by those who celebrate on the bodies of martyrs, NDTV quoted Rijiju as saying.

The minister also clarified his Monday remark, where he asked, Whos polluting this young girls mind? Rijiju said he was referring to the Leftists.

WRESTLERS WADE IN

Olympic medallist Yogeshwar Dutt and Phogat sisters, Geeta and Babita, on Tuesday joined a motley group of celebrities who mocked Gurmehar Kaur for a post that said, Pakistan did not kill my father. War killed him.

The Phogats, who have won medals at the Commonwealth Games and the inspiration behind the movie Dangal, were critical of Kaur.

If you speak against nation, people will obviously not like it. Irrespective of gender, the person wont be spared, news agency ANI quoted Geeta as saying.

Younger sister Babita condemned the alleged rape threat against Kaur but refused to stand by her because she did not speak up for her country.

When I saw the video of Gurmehar Kaur, I tweeted on the one thing which I found wrong. She said that her father was killed by war and not by PakistanHow can her fathers soul rest in peace if she speaks against the nation? Babita said in an exclusive interview to ANI.

POLITICIANS PROTEST

Politicians D Raja (CPI), Sitaram Yechury (CPM), KC Tyagi (JD-U) and Yogendra Yadav (Swaraj India) all turned up in north campus on Tuesday to address students. Raja, who reached the protest site with Yechury, said, This is a collective fight to defend our constitutional rights. We will be raising the issue of DU in Parliament.

Yechury said that being Indian and not Hindu is nationalism for him.

They cannot win this with their intellectual skill and want to replace it with violence: Sitaram Yechury on ABVP #RamjasRow pic.twitter.com/na5aa73J6i  ANI (@ANI_news) 28 February 2017

We will learn our nationalism from Bhagat Singh and not from them whose forefathers never hoisted the flag at their headquarters, said Yadav, in reference to the RSS, which is the ABVPs parent organisation.
Upright and academically very bright is how Gurmehar Kaur is described by her teachers and friends. They say they are swelling with pride over what she has done and condemned statements questioning her sense of nationalism. Daughter of a Kashmir martyr, Captain Mandeep Singh, Kaur is a first-year student of English honours at Lady Shri Ram College for Women.

Following violence at Ramjas College on February 22 when a clash broke out between two student groups, one led by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the other by Left-leaning student body All India Students Association (AISA), Kaur started a social media campaign. As part of the campaign, Kaur posted a profile picture in which she holds a placard reading I am not afraid of ABVP. The campaign went viral and students from across the country joined her.

Kaurs uncle Davinderdeep Singh told HT that the family is traumatised by the vicious attacks on her, calling her anti-national. We havent said a word about this to my father who is very ill.

On Sunday night, 20-year-old Kaur alleged that she received rape threats after she changed her profile photo. Celebrities such as Virender Sehwag and Randeep Hooda also wrote against her and politicians attacked her.

On Tuesday, Kaur tweeted she would not participate in a protest march at the Delhi University and wished to be left alone.

Mitali Mishra, her teacher at the college, says she is surprised that Kaurs idea of nationalism is being questioned.

We had our college fest on the day Punjab had elections. She missed the fest and went to vote. She told me how she could not miss her chance of exercising her right as a citizen for the sake of a fest. Thats the kind of girl she is, said Mishra.

Kaurs family belongs to Jalandhar. A first bencher in all her classes, she calls herself an ambassador of peace.

Kaur made a peace video when she was in school. She used the video to say: Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him. It took me a while to know, but today I do. I have learnt to let go of my hate.

Her father, Captain Singh, 30, was posted in 4 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) in Kupwara when militants stormed his camp in August 1999. He was killed in the gunbattle that followed. Kaur was just two. He called her Gulgul.

She is now being trolled for that old video which has left her friends and teachers surprised.

People have nothing to say against Kaur so they are now using the old video. We instead think it was a beautiful video. She is doing what her parents have taught her and I am very proud of her, said one of her classmates, who did not want to be named.

Mishra also requested that people should not equate Kaur with Kanhaiya Kumar, the former JNUSU leader caught in sedition row and said her student does not belong to any political party and she is only fighting violence. It is inhuman to call her anti-national.

Kaur had approached Delhi Commission for Women on Monday to complain against the threats she had been receiving. She told mediapersons later what she has started is not a political movement but a campaign against violence.

We have not started a political movement. I want everyone to understand that. This is not about political parties but students and our campus being safe from violence and threats. No matter which organisation you are associated with, you cannot threaten women with rape. That cannot happen, she said.

(With inputs from Manraj Grewal Sharma from Punjab)

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Jawaharlal Nehru University student Kanhaiya Kumar, who was arrested and released on bail in a sedition case, advocated for freedom of speech and non-violent opposition to differences.

Kumar joined Delhi University students and teachers in their protest against violence on campus allegedly by ABVP members.

The former JNU students union (JNUSU) president said he has no problem if people oppose them but nobody should indulge in violence.

They say Umar will not be allowed to speak. Fine, dont let him speak. There is no problem. But who are you to impose that. We have been accused of sedition. Judiciary will decide if that is correct. But your police have not been able to file a chargesheet, said Kumar.

As citizens of this country, we have a right to go speak anywhere in this country. You want to protest then please do so. But who gave you right to do violence. Take out black flags, raise slogans and oppose, but dont indulge in violence, he said, while addressing students at Arts Faculty.

Leaders from different political parties also joined the protest march. CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury, CPI leader D Raja, JDU leader KC Tyagi and Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav also addressed students.

Yadav told students that the only way to respond to violence is to be fearless.

There is an attempt to instil fear and terror. There is intimidation with ruling partys patronage, in front of police. There is an attempt to do Sanjay Gandhi style gundagardi. All this can be replied in one way which is for common students to come outside in open and say they are not afraid, he said.

He also said, There was a tiranga march in DU yesterday (on Monday) by ABVP. I want to congratulate you for that because those people whose forefathers never respected the tricolour, those who never hoisted national flag at their Nagpur headquarters, were made to carry the national flag by you.

ABVP supporters, objected to Kumars visit on the DU campus and shouted slogans of go back Kanhaiya and tried to disrupt his speech. However, police, stopped the attempt by ABVP supporters and did not let them come near the venue.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury alleged that one organisation was trying to impose its ideological positioning. Since they cant do it with reason, they are resorting to violence and terror, that has to be opposed by any democratically, he said.

Raja said, This is a collective fight to defend our constitutional rights. We will be raising the issue of DU in Parliament.
New Delhi

The crime branch have started a probe into the clashes at Delhi universitys north campus last week.

The police have contacted around 10 students seen getting manhandled and thrashed in the mobile videos and other clips circulating on social media.

Police said all the clips and the complaints police received against ABVP, AISA,SFI are being included in the FIR. Sources said they are receiving many anonymous complaints via mail.

Read: Ramjas clash: Crime branch to probe violence on DU campus, 3 cops suspended

A separate inquiry related to the alleged police lapses and police personnel attacking journalists is being enquired by additional deputy commissioner Esha Pandey. Sources said Pandeys team is looking at the videos and questioning the police personnel caught on tape. Two constables and a head constable have been suspended.

On Tuesday, the National Human Rights Commission issued a notice to Delhi police commissioner Amulya Patnaik over reports of female students being attacked by police last Thursday. The notice was sent on a complaint that police attacked a female student and snatched cameras from media persons outside Ramjas College.

Video clips of police personnel slapping and kicking journalists have gone viral on social media.

A police officer had snatched our correspondents cell phone while she was recording the clashes. An English dailys journalist was slapped and heckled by three police personnel.

The commission has taken on record complaints as well as media reports making similar allegations, including threats to some students on social media. The commission has given him four weeks to submit a detailed report in the matter, reads the NHRC statement.

Read: Ramjas clash: Is crime branch probe into DU violence an eyewash?

Special commissioner of police Dependra Pathak, who is also Delhi Police spokesperson said, We are yet to receive a notice from NHRC. We will take prompt action on the complaint.

On Tuesday, the police got additional forces from the adjoining central district to ensure there was no violence.

Unlike February 22 (the day of clashes) when there was only 1 DCP-level officer in campus, on Tuesday DCPs Nupur Prasad, MS Radhawa along with their senior Joint CP Virender Chahal were sent to the university.
A parliamentary panel on Tuesday grilled the Delhi Police brass over the recent incidents at Delhi Universitys Ramjas College.

The Delhi police registered an FIR in connection with the alleged rape threat to 20-year-old college student Gurmehar Kaur after commissioner Amulya Patnaik was questioned by members of Parliaments standing committee on home affairs.

Kaurs father captain Mandeep Singh was martyred in 1999 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Kaur, a Lady Shri Ram College student, is at the centre of a fierce debate on patriotism after her comments on social media  following the Ramjas row  that her father was killed in a war and not by Pakistan.

Read: Gurmehar Kaur row: After Virender Sehwag, wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt trolls student

At the beginning of the meeting of the committee, chairman P Chidambaram asked Patnaik what they wanted to say about the Ramjas incident.

Sources said BJPs Bishnu Pada Ray raised strong objections. He said, The meeting has been called to discuss the demands for grants of home ministry pertaining to central paramilitary forces and Delhi Police.

But Chidambaram overruled him.

Trinamool Congress Derek OBrien brushed aside Rays comments and supported Chidambaram. Other Opposition members also demanded that Delhi Police explain the situation.

The MPs asked commissioner Patnaik what action he had taken on the threat to Gurmehar Kaur, sources said.

An hour later, Patnaik informed the committee that an FIR had been registered in the case.

The members asked if security had been provided to the girl, the sources said. The members said registration of an FIR was not enough and that Kaur must get enough security.

Read: Trolling of Gurmehar Kaur reveals our utter disregard of a womans own mind

The police commissioner explained the prevailing situation in the varsity and action taken so far to maintain peace to the MPs.

The MPs told Patnaik that police should catch the real criminal, sources said.

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Hundreds of students and teachers of the Delhi University hit the streets on Tuesday afternoon to protest against campus violence as more political leaders and sportspeople joined the swirling nationalism row.

A crowd of about 2,000 -- comprising pupils from several DU colleges and other city universities -- marched from SGTB Khalsa College to arts faculty, shouting slogans against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) that allegedly thrashed several students last week.

As a student of DU it was time for me to stand against aggressive culture before it was too late, said Samudra Gogoi, a student of the Delhi School of Economics.

The march was joined by political leaders such as CPI(M)s Sitaram Yechury, D Raja, Janata Dal (United)s KC Tyagi and Swaraj Abhiyans Yogendra Yadav.

Delhi Police lodged a case against unknown persons for alleged rape threats made to Lady Shri Ram College student Gurmehar Kaur, who hit the headlines on Monday for condemning the ABVP in a social media post.

On Twitter, poet Javed Akhtar and grappler Yogeshwar Dutt wrestled it out after the Olympian mocked Gurmehar.

If a hardly literate player or a wrestler troll a pacifist daughter of a martyr its understandable but whats wrong with some educated folks, the lyricist tweeted, after Dutt posted a photo mocking Gurmehar.

The wrestler responded minutes later, saying he might not write poems but still made the country proud  a reference to his London 2012 Olympics bronze medal.

Dutt was joined by sisters Geeta and Babita Phogat, who also took potshots at Kaur. If you speak against nation, people will obviously not like it. Irrespective of gender, the person wont be spared, news agency ANI quoted Geeta as saying.

The current controversy erupted after violence on the streets of DU during a street protest last Wednesday with both sides  the Left-leaning All India Students Association and the ABVP  accusing each other of physical and sexual assault.

Kaur was sucked into the row after one of her older social media posts that read, Pakistan didnt kill my dad, war did went viral. Kaurs father Captain Mandeep Singh was killed in a militant ambush in Jammu and Kashmir in 1999.

She pulled out of the march in the morning but continued to hog the headlines. Minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju condemned those threatening her online but maintained that she was misguided.

Those threatening or abusing her should be identified and punished and the government will ensure security for her, said Rijiju in the evening.

She is a martyrs daughter. His soul must be weeping that his daughter is being misguided by those who celebrate on the bodies of martyrs.

On Monday, he had hinted left-leaning forces were polluting Gurmehar  comments for which Akhtar slammed him. She, however, was backed by Kargil martyr Saurabh Kalias family.

Politics has dominated the campus discourse over the past week and it was evident in the number of top leaders marching with students on Tuesday  a day after the ABVP took out a Tiranga march along roughly the same route.

They (ABVP) cannot win this with their intellectual skill and want to replace it with violence, Yechury told the students.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also jumped in the fray, meeting lieutenant governor Anil Baijal to press for action against people who threatened Gurmehar and were involved in campus violence.

The Delhi police cyber cell said they registered a case of sexual harassment, criminal intimidation and sending obscene materials.

Our investigators also had a dialogue with Gurmehar and she was assured that she will be protected, special commissioner of police Dependra Pathak said.

Though Tuesdays march was mostly peaceful, two ABVP members were arrested for allegedly assaulting AISA students. The two men allegedly started thrashing the AISA students after the march ended. One of them even pulled out his belt. A case under causing hurt has been registered, a police officer said.

The National Human Rights Commission also asked police to file a detailed report on the violence that occurred in the campus last Wednesday.

But while the mood in the DU campus appeared to be against the ABVP, the student group refuted allegations of violence and said they were facing a trial by media.

DU has been peaceful all these years because ABVP has dominated this campus. But now we are being blamed for the violence when in reality it was the outsiders brought by the left who initiated the violence, said Saket Bahuguna, ABVP national media-coordinator. The group has called for a counter march on March 2.
The Aam Aadmi Party has jumped into the controversy at Delhi University, with Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal demanding action against ABVP for allegedly triggering violence on the campus last week. Senior party leaders also made a representation to Delhi Police commissioner Amulya Patnaik in support of Gurmehar Kaur.

Kaur, a martyrs daughter and a first-year English student at Lady Shri Ram College, has been at the centre of the controversy following her stance against RSS-backed Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

She has said that she received an enormous amount of rape threats online, since her post on social media that read I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of the ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me. #StudentsAgainstABVP

Kaur has since said that she will no longer be participating in Tuesdays march and in a slew of tweets on Tuesday morning said that she will be withdrawing from the Fightback DU movement.

I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say.. (1/2)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

One thing is for sure, next time we will think twice before resorting to violence or threats and that's all this was about (2/2)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

The campaign is about students and not about me. Please go to the March in huge numbers. Best of luck.  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

To anyone questioning my courage and bravery.. I've shown more than enough  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

Almost immediately after, Kejriwal also took to twitter to say that he will be meeting the Lieutenant Governor at 2:30 pm on Tuesday to demand action against ABVP and those who allegedly made rape threats.

Will meet Hon'ble LG today at 2.30 pm to demand action against ABVP goondaism n rape threats to @mehartweets  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 28, 2017

Other AAP members, Atishi Marlena, Alka Lamba, and Sarita Singh, met senior police officials at noon on Tuesday, to discuss the threats against Gurmehar and violence against women during the protest at Ramjas College on February 22.

Hooliganism is going on in broad daylight in the city. It is both on our streets and online. This cannot be acceptable, said Marlena, advisor to Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia.

Marlena told HT that they approached Delhi Police to discuss what action has been taken by them against those seen attacking women at the protest march.

Though we had a n appointment with Amulya Pattnaik, he was not in when we went to his office. We then met a senior IPS official and shared our concerns with him and submitted our complaint to him. We want the attacks on women investigated. We also want the cybercell to investigate the threats made to Gurmehar Kaur, said Marlena.

The party has also expressed solidarity with Kaur, who was allegedly trolled by Twitterati and others for her stance against the ABVP.

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28



By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:



Iran's First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri has expressed concerns over the growing unemployment rate in the country, saying the number of unemployed people has annually increased by 500,000 over the past four years.



This is while the number of job seekers, mostly university graduates, annually grows by 1.2 million, the senior official told state IRINN TV.



According to Jahangiri, the number of employed people in the country in 2013 stood at 20.6 million. He further added that the countrys economy is only capable of employing up to 600,000 job seekers per year.



The vice-president further called for increasing the volume of investment in the country in order to create more job opportunities.



According to the latest report by the Iranian Statistical Center, the countrys unemployment rate during the summer (June 21-Sept. 21) stood at 12.7 percent.



According to statistics about 23 million people were employed in the country in the mentioned period with 3.3 million unemployed.


Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur whose social media campaign against the ABVP reignited free speech and patriotism debate has withdrawn from a student march planned for Tuesday, saying she has shown enough courage and wants to be left alone.

Students and teachers of DU and Jawaharlal Nehru University, Left and AAP-affiliated student groups will march in protest against the violence in the citys Ramjas College and rape threats issued to Kaur.

The march has been variously named as Fight Back DU, Students against ABVP and DU against Gundagardi.

The campaign is about students and not about me. Please go to the March in huge numbers. Best of luck, Kaur tweeted early on Tuesday.

The campaign is about students and not about me. Please go to the March in huge numbers. Best of luck.  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

Im withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say.

The Lady Shri Ram College student said she had enough and that is all my 20 year self could take.

To anyone questioning my courage and bravery.. Ive shown more than enough.

I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say.. (1/2)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

One thing is for sure, next time we will think twice before resorting to violence or threats and that's all this was about (2/2)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

Kaur had on February 25 posted a picture of herself on Twitter and Facebook, holding a placard that read, I am student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me.

She was responding to violence in Ramjas College when Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad members allegedly assaulted students, teachers and journalists during a protest march.

Her post went viral and she was trolled.

Minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju, too, jumped in. Whos polluting this young girls mind? A strong Arm Force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded, he tweeted on Monday.

The minister was referring to an old picture of Kaur that resurfaced on social media. The placard in this photo reads: Pakistan did not kill my dad, war did.

Kaur, whose father captain Mandeep Singh died fighting militants in Kashmir, said she was called anti-national and threatened with rape for her campaign against the ABVP, the student wing of the RSS, the BJPs ideological mentor.

I have my own mind. Nobody is polluting my mind. I am not anti-national, she told media.

Kaur has lodged a complaint with the Delhi commission for women against the threats she has received.
Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur may have withdrawn her campaign against the violence that the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) unleashed on the campus last week, but she has left the ground with her head held high. In fact, it would not be wrong to say that the goons of the ABVP --- helped by Union ministers and a few prejudiced celebrities --- hounded her out of the unfolding narrative. But fortunately they have not been able to scare others: Hundreds of students, who believe in freedom of speech and peaceful protests and dislike the Parishads strong arm tactics, showed that they are brave enough to come out and have their say against the violence on Tuesday. The students were joined by teachers from DU and JNU and have also been supported by international academics as well as other institutions like the Delhi School of Economics. Faculty members of Lady Shri Ram College, where Ms Kaur is a student, also expressed support for her campaign.

All those who have been trolling and threatening Ms Kaur would not have had to the guts to do so if senior members of the BJP-led government, including Union ministers, had not fanned the flames and made wrong associations between different events to vitiate the atmosphere. Union minister Jitendra Singh on Monday said the country will not allow premium on anti-India activism and outlined the a need to draw a bottom line on it. In the same speech, he attacked separatists in Jammu and Kashmir for engaging in the politics of convenience and indulging in anti-national activities. They (referring to separatists) are the people who are instigating their neighbours children to involve in stone pelting on security force personnel. Why dont they ask their own children to do it? he asked. Needless to say that there is no connection between what is happening in the Valley and in DU and by conflating these two issues, Mr Singh has sent out a dangerous signal. His colleague, minister of state, home affairs, Kiren Rijiju put out another seemingly innocuous question: Whos polluting this young girls mind? He also said that freedom of expression is not a licence to shout anti-national slogans in campuses. Criticise the government but dont abuse the motherland.

It is surprising to hear that Mr Rijiju is making that distinction between the government and motherland, when actually it is the BJP-ABVP-RSS leaders are the ones who tend to confuse it all the time. Any kind of questioning is seen as an affront to the government and by extension, the motherland. This touchiness about any form of protest or dissent being anti-national is what is emboldening the likes of the ABVP.
The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination began on Tuesday amid chaos with over 15 lakh students across Maharashtra - the highest ever in the boards history - writing the papers.

The first paper, English (01), began at 11am and close to 3.4 lakh students are appearing for the exam in over 500 centres in Mumbai division including Thane, Palghar and Raigad.

Unable to accommodate the large numbers of students, centres in south Mumbai and the western suburbs were forced to move some of their students to nearby schools.

Confusion prevailed outside Antonio Dsilva School in Dadar as seat numbers from MO61016 to MO61115 were moved to Nabar Guruji School due to lack of space. The school put up a sign outside its gate directing students to the new centre. Hundreds of students and parents rushed to the new centre.

State board helpline officials said that none of the students missed the paper.

We received a lot of calls from south Mumbai owing to the confusion over centres, said an official. Some of the centres were forced to make alternative arrangements for their students in other schools because they didnt have the capacity to accommodate them, the official added.

Similarly, Anjuman-i-Islams Dr MIJ Girls School Bandra shifted some of their students to the Bandra Hindu Association School.

We had put up the seating arrangement and instructions in the school on Monday itself, but many of the students didnt check them in advance, and so they were surprised when they came to the centre today, said Saba Patel, principal of the school.

This year, we were allotted 780 students instead of 400, the principal added.

To help students reach their exam centres on time, NGOs and volunteers arranged pickup and drop services in places like Goregaon. Volunteers were ready with their cars and bikes to ferry students. They even carried extra stationery items such as pencil boxes and pens.
Emma Watson,who is known for standing up for social causes, has added yet another feather to her hat. The 26-year-old has created a new Instagram account called The Press Tour to promote eco-friendly fashion, and is using the platform to further the cause. At various occasions, Watson has been sporting outfits designed by several designers and brands that promote clothing made of eco-friendly material. The designers and brands include Stella McCartney, Filippa K, Oscar de la Renta and Nicolas Ghesquiere of Louis Vuitton, among others.

The actor has long been an activist for sustainable fashion. Closer home, designers such as David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Premal Badiani, and others, have highlighted clothing made with sustainable raw materials for their collections.

The peplum top and dhoti pants are made from pineapple and banana fibres, and native Eri silk, which is also known as Ahimsa silk.

Just Rewind

Moving into complete sustainable fashion mode at the Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2017, Rajesh Pratap Singh pulled out all the stops when he presented a recycled, reused and reworked line that thrilled everyone. He later revealed that three garments from his collection were made out of yarn created from recycled plastic bottles. Highlighting the concept of sustainable fashion, Singh upcycled and reused unsold or rejected merchandise from his collections and gave them a stylish new avatar. Similarly, designer Nandini Baruva used natural fabrics that were woven from pineapple and banana fibres, and native Eri silk, which is also known as Ahimsa silk. These constituted the foundation of the garments.

Hand-spun and printed textiles were used to create this asymmetric two-tone poncho.

Global Connect

Badiani showcased her collection, which featured clothing made from wood pulp, at the Indian Consulate in New York, USA, as part of New York Fashion Week 2017. Calling it a green initiative, she says that she wanted to raise awareness about the human impact on the environment, and promote social responsibility by adopting sustainable fashion as a lifestyle choice.

This burgundy-coloured gown, with a hand-embroidered bodice and flared bottom, is made from the outer bark of palm trees from South India.

Style Statement

Even though the designers are using fashion runways and events to raise awareness about the cause, they are doing it in style. Sustainable or eco-friendly is no longer limited to kurtas and pyjamas. With designers experimenting with colours and eco-friendly fabrics, there are a variety of outfits you can opt for, including asymmetric ponchos, textured bundis, evening gowns and kaftans.

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Business in nationalised banks in Gurgaon was partially affected on Tuesday as bank employees participated in a nationwide strike against the unification of state bank subsidiaries and privatisation of some government owned banks.

Employees from around 400 branches in the city participated in the protest that impacted financial transactions.

Employees from different banks gathered around 10am at the State Bank of Patiala branch on Old Delhi Road and shouted slogans against the government.

They alleged that while the government has failed to rein in defaulters and waived dues amounting to thousands of crores to prominent business houses, it was doing an injustice to the people.

Naresh Bagdi, president, Haryana Bank Employees Federation, said the employees will oppose the privatisation of banks and will not tolerate the unification of PSU banks at the cost of its employees.

Bagdi alleged that while private banks were being promoted by the Central government, the PSUs were facing problems because of the governments anti-people and anti-employees policies. The employees reiterated that they will oppose the outsourcing and contract policies, which were promoted in banks.

They also demanded that the government consider their demands pertaining to increase in wages, recruitment of more employees, restricting working days to five a week and to improve working conditions.

Employees from Federal Bank, Punjab National Bank, Allahabad Bank, Indusind Bank, and State Bank of India participated in the protest.

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Parents of the schoolchildren opposed the Central Board of Secondary Educations (CBSE) school bus policy which states that schools can request a parent to be voluntarily present in the school bus to monitor the safety of children.

Parents said opting for the schoolbus service becomes of no use if they have to travel in the bus to ensure safety of their children.

Tripti Singh an entrepreneur residing in Sector 61 said, Does the CBSE really care if the school follows all norms or not? If I pay for the school bus service for my child, why should I take the extra responsibility of travelling in the bus to make sure my child is safe? I would rather use personal transport.

Another parent, Nitu Puri Vij, an entrepreneur, said, Soon, the board will also ask parents to stay on school premises for the security of children.

As per the new guidelines, parents have been assigned greater responsibility in ensuring safety of children. Apart from the guidelines for school authorities on manpower in buses, the board has also released a set of advisory for

parents.

The board has directed school authorities to evolve an arrangement in which at least one parent is present in a schoolbus to oversee the conduct of the driver and other staff in the bus.

This step would ensure that safety measures are complied with in letter and spirit and the driver drives carefully, the directive from CBSE said.

The CBSE said the management and the head of the school will be held responsible for any lapse and it could lead to disaffiliation of the school.

However, parents maintain that the directives are not practical.

Megha Arora Kataria, a doctor from Old Gurgaon said, We opted for the schoolbus not as a luxury but as a need.

Some parents also said travelling with children in schoolbuses would be a waste of time.

Payal Chauhan, an entrepreneur, said, There should also be a rule that only mothers can be teachers at schools to ensure security of children. This is absurd and how can working parents accompany children in buses?

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The crime branch team of the Gurgaon police arrested the prime accused and his accomplice wanted in the Farrukhnagar double murder case from Dwarka in Delhi on Tuesday.

The duo -- Ved Saini, 47 and Jagdish, 52 -- was arrested, while they were trying to escape from national capital, police said.

Two men were killed and one person was seriously injured when unidentified persons in a car opened fire on a property dealers office in Farrukhnagar town, 25 kms from Gurgaon on February 23. Investigation revealed that the shootout was orchestrated on the behest of Ved Saini. Three other accused in the case are still absconding.

Police did not seize any weapons or vehicle from the accused. They will be produced in a court on Wednesday and police may seek a three-day remand for the duo.

We arrested the prime accused from Dwarka and crime branch teams are working to arrest the other three accused, who have been identified. They were planning to flee from the city, Sanjeev Balhara, ACP (crime), said.
A 22-year-old died and two others were injured when a mentally challenged man attacked them at his house in New Palam Vihar on Monday around 9:20 pm, police said. The man was being taken to a rehabilitation centre in New Delhi and the alleged incident took place when the victims tried to help put him in an ambulance.

The deceased, identified as Manjeet Singh (22), was a resident of N block in New Palam Vihar where he lived with his family. A case has been registered at Palam Vihar police station under Section 302 (murder) of the IPC.

According to the police, the incident took place when the perpetrator, Vikash Salman (42), refused to enter the ambulance called by a relative to take him to the rehabilitation centre on Monday night.

Unable to convince him to go, Salmans relative called some neighbours for assistance. Singh and his friend Deepak Kumar decided to help and came to Salmans home, according to the police. They tried to forcefully take him to the ambulance, which infuriated Salman. He took a knife lying on a table and stabbed the two. An attendant of the ambulance, Dheeraj Yadav, was also injured trying to help the duo, police said.

Singh was critically injured as the knife cut into the left side of his chest and he started bleeding heavily. He was taken to a private hospital in Palam Vihar, where he was declared brought dead, said inspector Sandeep Kumar, SHO, Palam Vihar police station.

The hospital informed the police control room and a PCR van reached the spot, police said.

The body was sent for a postmortem examination at the civil hospital. Singhs relatives and family members are awaiting the postmortem report and will be taking the body to their village in Silani, Jhajjar, for cremation.

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A lot has happened since the dreaded Monday morning, which registered the biggest, most embarrassing thing to happen to the prestigious Academy Awards.

Reel-life Bonnie and Clyde, Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty, were appointed to present the most coveted award of the night, the Academy Award for Best Picture. However, they made an unprecedented goof-up and gave away the award to Damien Chazelles La La Land when the winner was actually Barry Jenkins Moonlight. And thus, an embarrassing error to haunt the Academy for the rest of forever, was born.

Writer and Director Barry Jenkins of Moonlight holds up the Best Picture Oscar in front of host Jimmy Kimmel (rear) as he stands with Producer Adele Romanski (R). (Reuters)

More jokes have been made, memes have been shared, conspiracy theories birthed and blames slapped on several people in 24 hours than ever before.

Of course, the chaos would make it difficult for regular people to keep up with. Fret not, here is a holistic guide to all that went down on the night (Monday morning in India) and everything that has happened since. So strap in and prepare yourself for yet another journey through the cringe-fest that was the 89th Academy Awards.

The Happening

Faye Dunaway, left, and Warren Beatty present the award for best picture. (AP)

It has been Oscar tradition to present the Best Picture award at the very end, right after the Best Actress in a Leading Role award is presented. Every year, last years Best Actor in a Leading Role gives away the award to that particular years best actress. On Monday, Leonardo DiCaprio gave it away to Emma Stone for La La Land.

Best Actress winner Emma Stone is congratulated by Leonardo DiCaprio as she accepts her award for La La Land. (Reuters)

After that was done and over, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were called up on stage to give away the Best Picture award. When Beatty opened the envelope, he took his sweet time and took a second and a third look at the winners name. At that moment, it looked as if he was toying with peoples patience and delaying calling out the name. He showed the card to Dunaway who read the words La La Land on it and said the name of the film out loud.

Jordan Horowitz, foreground center, and the cast of La La Land mistakenly accept the award for best picture at the Oscars. (AP)

The Dolby Theatre was filled with cheer and applause and the crew of the winning movie stormed the stage. They started giving out speeches and thanking their families. But soon, a wave of confusion ran through the winning party.

Emma Stone and others from La La Land crew realising the mistake that has been made.

Jordan Horowitz, producer of La La Land, took the mic and told everyone present that it was Moonlight that had actually won the award. He called the bewildered crew from Moonlight on stage, snatched the real Best Picture card from Beattys hand and showed it to the cameras.

Jordan Horowitz shows the envelope, revealing Moonlight as the true winner of Best Picture. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

The Clarifications

Warren Beatty holds the award envelope with Best Actress In A Leading Role clearly written on it. (REUTERS)

Warren Beatty realised it was the right time to reveal to the confused audience what actually has happened. Beatty said he was given the Best Actress in a Leading Role envelope instead of Best Picture.

He explained that he had opened the envelope and he was confused when it read Emma Stone, La La Land. He had shown it to Faye Dunaway briefly, as though he wanted her to read it, which she did, apparently assuming the Emma Stone part was off but the La La Land part correct.

More Clarifications Backstage

Warren Beatty (L) and Mahershala Ali backstage. (AFP)

Its one of the strangest things thats ever happened to me, Beatty said backstage. Thank God there were two of us up there, Dunaway responded.

Dunaway then asked Beatty, Who else should I tell?

Everybody, he said.

At that point, a security guard tried to take the real envelope and Beatty said, Security is not getting this. Im giving it to (Moonlight director) Barry Jenkins at a later time. Beatty also refused to show it to anyone else.

The Make -All-The-Memes Phase

The fiasco, reminded host Jimmy Kimmel (and almost everyone who watched the ceremony) of the 2015 Miss Universe pageant where host Steve Harvey wrongly announced Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner while the actual winner was Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach from the Philippines. Kimmel even joked on stage that he blamed Steve Harvey for this.

The internet went into an instant overdrive and started churning out thousands of memes and jokes by the second. Not just random Twitter users but even the official handle of Miss Universe and celebrities did not miss out on the golden opportunity.

Have your people call our people - we know what to do. #Oscars #MissUniverse  Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) February 27, 2017

I wrote the ending of the academy awards 2017. @jimmykimmel we really got them!  M. Night Shyamalan (@MNightShyamalan) February 27, 2017

Steve Harvey cashed in on the gaffe too and offered his support to Beatty.

Good morning everybody! Went to sleep early last night. So... what I miss? #Oscars  Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) February 27, 2017

The Conspiracy Theories

The goof-up, which has now been christened Envelopegate by the internet, also inspired quite a few conspiracy theories. Most people argued that it was all an elaborate prank by Kimmel.

95% sure this was a revenge prank by Matt Damon to finally get @jimmykimmel back  The Gregory Brothers (@gregorybrothers) February 27, 2017

Some thought Leonardo DiCaprio was to blame. People reasoned that maybe Leo gave the Best Actress award card to Beatty on his way out which led to all the trouble.

#Oscars Leonardo DiCaprio is holding the card. Emma Stone is not the real winner. Queen Elizabeth II says. "I see." I hope Emma has the card pic.twitter.com/zTRCyUnEge  Tracy Brock (@splatpolitics88) February 27, 2017

They said it was Leos way of getting back at the Academy for not giving him his award sooner.

Some even conspired that the Academy did this to up their ratings. However, this years ceremony was the least watched in US since 2006.

Emma Stone Adds Fuel To Fire

After the ceremony, Emma Stone was asked to react on the goof-up by the international press. She maintained that Moonlight is one of the best films of all time and was happy that it won. However, she also said that she was carrying her own card, given to her by Leonardo DiCaprio, the entire time. With this, she shut down the rumours that DiCaprio gave her card to Beatty on his way out.

Time To Say Sorry

Representatives from PricewaterhouseCoopers, Martha L. Ruiz, Brian Cullinan with the winners name in the briefcases. (AFP)

PricewaterhouseCooper, the accounting firm responsible for counting votes and keeping the winners names secure then issued an apology. The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and, when discovered, was immediately corrected, it said in a statement. We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred.

PwCs representatives were Brian Cullinan, a partner at the firm - and, according to his bio on the companys website, a Matt Damon lookalike - and Martha Ruiz, the second woman to serve as a PwC Oscars tabulator.

Cullinan is the lead partner for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, including the annual balloting for the Oscars ceremony. He has been part of the balloting team since 2014.

In a promotional video on the companys website ahead of the show, Cullinan said he and Ruiz are the only two who knew who the winners were on the night of the awards.

There are 24 categories. We have the winners in sealed envelopes that we hold and maintain throughout the evening and hand those to the presenters before they walk out on stage, he said.

Both Cullinan and Ruiz would have had a briefcase on either side of the auditorium to hand out the envelope for the category to be announced.

One Tweet To Ruin It All

PwC later identified that Cullinan was responsible for the mix-up. PwC Partner Brian Cullinan mistakenly handed the back-up envelope for Actress in a Leading Role instead of the envelope for Best Picture. Once the error occurred, protocols for correcting it were not followed through quickly enough by Mr. Cullinan or his partner, a statement from the company said.

The Wall Street Journal and celebrity website TMZ.com on Monday reported that Cullinan had posted a backstage photo of Emma Stone on Twitter minutes before the mix-up.

The photo, from Cullinans Twitter account, was later deleted but was still viewable on Monday on a cached archive of the page. Cullinan could not immediately be reached for comment.

Academy Apologises

The Academy's statement on the 89th Oscars Best Picture. https://t.co/wN66XSyj85  The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 28, 2017

We deeply regret the mistakes that were made during the presentation of the Best Picture category during last nights Oscar ceremony, the Academy said in a statement on Monday. We apologize to the entire cast and crew of La La Land and Moonlight whose experience was profoundly altered by this error.

The Academy also apologised to presenters Beatty and Dunaway and to fans watching around the world.

Trump Ties An Ugly Little Bow To It All

US President Donald Trump, who was at the centre of ridicule through the ceremony, managed to find a silver lining for himself.

Host Jimmy Kimmel tweets U up? to President Donald Trump during the ceremony. (Reuters)

I think they were focused so hard on politics that they didnt get the act together at the end. It was a little sad. It took away from the glamour of the Oscars. 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 told Breitbart.

With inputs from agencies

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An accountant for the Academy Awards botched the meticulous procedure for announcing the Oscar for best picture when he handed victory to La La Land before declaring Moonlight the real winner, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) said on Monday.

Accountant Brian Cullinan, who media reports said had been tweeting backstage shortly before, gave presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway the wrong envelope for the movie industrys top award on Sunday, the accounting firm said in a statement.

In a gaffe that stunned the Dolby Theatre crowd in Hollywood and a television audience worldwide, Cullinan mistakenly handed the back-up envelope for Actress in a Leading Role instead of the envelope for Best Picture to Beatty and Dunaway, PwC said.

Once the error occurred, protocols for correcting it were not followed through quickly enough by Mr Cullinan or his partner.

The Wall Street Journal and celebrity website TMZ.com reported that Cullinan had posted a backstage photo of actor Emma Stone on social network Twitter minutes before the mix-up.

The photo, from Cullinans Twitter account, was later deleted but was still viewable on Monday on a cached archive of the page. Cullinan could not immediately be reached for comment.

The mistake was not rectified until the La La Land cast and producers were on stage giving their acceptance speeches. It was left to the musicals producer, Jordan Horowitz, to put things right.

Guys, guys, Im sorry. No. Theres a mistake, Horowitz said. Moonlight, you guys won best picture. This is not a joke.

It took three hours for PricewaterhouseCoopers, which has been overseeing Academy Awards balloting for 83 years, initially to confirm that Beatty and Dunaway received the wrong category envelope.

PwC said it took full responsibility and apologized to the casts and crews of La La Land and Moonlight.

Martha Ruiz (R, in red) and Brian Cullinan (upper R) of PricewaterhouseCoopers confer on stage after the Best Picture was mistakenly awarded to La La Land instead of Moonlight. (REUTERS)

We sincerely apologize to Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, (host) Jimmy Kimmel, (broadcaster) ABC, and the Academy, none of whom was at fault for last nights errors, it said in its statement.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organizes the Oscars, also apologized for the mishap and said it was committed to upholding the integrity of the Oscars.

We have spent last night and today investigating the circumstances, and will determine what actions are appropriate going forward, it said in a statement.

An embarrassed Beatty carried the envelope to the glitzy Governors Ball after the show, with the writing clearly saying actress in a leading role. La La Land star Stone had been awarded that Oscar moments before.

Except for the end, it was fun, Kimmel said on Monday, referring to the Oscar show he hosted.

You know its a strange night when the word envelope is trending on Twitter, he said on his ABC show Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Producer Jordon Horowitz holds up the card for the Best Picture winner Moonlight. (REUTERS)

Not advanced math

Brand management experts said it could take years for PricewaterhouseCoopers to recover.

This is not advanced math. PwC had to get the right name in the right envelope and get it to the right person, said Tim Calkins, a marketing professor at Northwestern University, calling the blunder a bit of a branding tragedy.

Under a PwC procedure, just two accountants know the names of the 24 winners after their names are placed in two sets of sealed envelopes. The two accountants also memorize the winning names.

Tradition has it that the envelopes are taken separately in two briefcases to the Academy Awards venue. The two accountants -- in this case Cullinan and Martha Ruiz -- are driven there separately, in case of an accident or traffic delays.

The pair then stand off stage at opposite sides and hand envelopes to the respective presenters as each category is announced.

Last week, Cullinan told the Huffington Post the procedure for dealing with the hand-off of an incorrect envelope, other than signaling to a stage manager, was unclear.

Its so unlikely, Cullinan added.

The error was corrected quickly, although precious minutes passed, said Anthony Sabino, a law professor at St Johns University in New York.

Its not as if we woke up this morning, or if it had been uncovered after the telecast was over. That would have really have been a black eye, he added.

Compared to accounting fraud at other companies in the past, this incident diminished vastly to a vanishing point, Sabino said.

The Moonlight filmmakers were gracious about the error.

Director Barry Jenkins told reporters backstage that he received no immediate explanation for the mix-up, though it made a very special feeling even more special, but not in the way I expected.

Jenkins added, Please write this down: The folks from La La Land were so gracious.

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28



By Fatih Karimov  Trend:



The EU and Iran will hold a high-level seminar on nuclear cooperation in Brussels on Feb. 28 - March 1, 2017.



The seminar namely 'International Nuclear Cooperation: Expectations and Responsibilities' is the result of a joint initiative of the European Commissioner for Energy and Climate Action Miguel Arias Canete and Iranian Vice-President Ali Akbar Salehi, the European Commission said on its official website.



The seminar represents an important element of the growing cooperation between Iran and the EU, following Implementation Day of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA aka nuclear deal).



The seminar will be opened by Helga Schmid, Secretary-General of the European External Action Service, and Dominique Ristori, Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy.



On the Iranian side, a message will be transmitted on behalf of Salehi, who heads the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, which will be followed by Iran's opening remarks delivered by Behrouz Kamalvandi, deputy Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, responsible for International, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.



The seminar will be attended by a high-level delegation from Iran, including prominent parliamentarians, as well as senior officials from the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (and the Foreign Ministry.



Members of the European Parliament, representatives of the European Commission and the European External Action Service, and representatives of the P5+1 countries (China, France, Germany, Russia, the UK and the US) as well as the International Atomic Energy Agency will also take part in the event.




Saket Bahugunas mood turns foul as he sifts through the days newspapers. The coverage in the wake of the fracas at Delhis Ramjas College has been overwhelmingly negative and the national media convenor of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) cannot suppress his dismay.

Reports portray us as a bunch of goondas out to beat everyone up. Why is this being projected as a student versus ABVP fight? Arent we students ourselves, asked Bahuguna, a research scholar at Delhi University.

Given the recent chain of events at various campuses across the country  from Hyderabad to Delhis JNU and Ramjas last week where ABVP members kicked up more than a ruckus over the presence of anti-national speakers at a seminar  Bahuguna finds himself fighting a losing perception battle.

ABVP, the students body of the RSS, is accused of strong-arm tactics and attempting to suppress dissent forcibly. Its members have allegedly run riot and targeted members of rival groups, portraying anyone who disagrees with them as anti-national.

But no matter the derision that the outfit evokes in urban drawing rooms, ABVP is actually on a roll across the country, especially after the BJP rode to power at the Centre in 2014. Its objective of nation building is appealing to new audiences and its member-strength has grown exponentially. The organisations footprint has also expanded from remote Leh in the north to far-flung Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the south.

We are a force that no one can ignore, said Sunil Ambekar, the national organising secretary of the outfit.

ABVP has 32 lakh members, compared to 11 lakh it had in 2003. In 2014, the year Narendra Modi became prime minister, its membership jumped by a whopping nine lakh. It recruited the maximum members that year in Karnataka, 5.8 lakh, followed by Telangana and Madhya Pradesh.

It has also spread its network with over 5,300 urban units and presence in 20,000 of the 35,000 colleges countrywide. In terms of members, it has almost caught up with the other big players in students politics: NSUI of the Congress with 40 lakh and CPIs AISF with 35 lakh members. CPIMs SFI has 15 lakh members.

Buoyed by their rapid growth, ABVP leaders brush aside the controversies. We are open to any debate, but we cannot compromise with nationalism, culture and mythology, said Ambekar. An RSS pracharak, he is a full-timer with ABVP, travelling 25 days in a month. He was in Delhi over the last weekend for two days, before visiting West Bengal for a training programme for college teachers.

As for the bad press, ABVP leaders said it is all the handiwork of Leftist organisations dominating the discourses on campuses.

Unfortunately the Left is the established thought in the academic world, We are out to challenge it, argued Dr Vivek Nigam, an ABVP old-timer teaching at Allahabad University.

We remember the times when JNU leftists painted us as patriarchal. There was a general bias towards us as we were less in number, pointed out Amit Singh, now a teacher at Delhis Atma Ram College.

Now that they know we are increasing in numbers, they resort to negative publicity and exaggerate small incidents to harm us, he added.

According to Shreerang Kulkarni, the outfits spokesman, the bad publicity is the Lefts desperate ploy to checkmate its growing presence.

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Army veterans in Punjab have stepped forward to fight a legal battle on behalf of Gurmehar Kaur, the daughter of an army martyr, who started a social media campaign against the ABVP.

The mother of the 20-year-old Delhi University student -- whose defiant stand against the ABVP drew a volley of hate messages on her Facebook account -- refused to be drawn into the controversy over it.

When contacted, Rajvinder Kaur said, No thanks... I do not want this controversy to go on.

Punjab State Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association (Sewa) president Col (retd) Kuldip Singh Grewal vowed to fight a legal battle on Gurmehars behalf till the matter reaches its logical conclusion.

Her opinion should be respected as she has the right to raise her voice, he said.

No one should remain unaffected when a daughter is threatened with rape. The people of the country should raise their voice to protect the daughter of a martyr, Col (retd) Tejinder Singh Bajwa, a member of the association, said.

Gurmehars father Capt Mandeep Singh was commissioned in the 49 Army Air Defence Regiment in 1991 and was serving with the 4 Rashtriya Rifles battalion when he died fighting militants on August 6, 1999.

Brigadier (retd) Ashwini Kumar, former Commanding Officer of the 3 Rashtriya Rifles battalion, who was serving in the area when the attack on Capt Mandeeps company took place, said, The Captain and his men fought against militants with great courage and they were given a befitting reply.

Mandeeps brother Davinderdeep Singh, a professor at a college in Nakodar at Jalandhar -- Gulmehars hometown, said his brother would have stood like a rock behind her.

She is entitled to her opinion... she did not say anything anti-national, he said.

Meanwhile, a number of ex-servicemen and representatives of various organisations condemned the rape threats to Gurmehar and appealed to the Delhi government to provide proper security to her.
A group of rebel leaders of Tamil Nadus ruling AIADMK have come to Delhi to seek President Pranab Mukherjees intervention against the dominant factions actions concerning former chief minister J Jayalalithaas death and current CM E Palanisamys trust vote victory in the assembly.

A delegation of 12 MPs, owing allegiance to rebel leader O Panneerselvam, will meet the President later on Tuesday to seek a probe into the treatment provided and the causes that led to Jayalalithaas death.

Jayalalithaa had died in a private hospital in Chennai on December 5 after a prolonged illness, details of which were kept under wraps for long.

Panneerselvam, who was chosen to succeed her immediately, had claimed later that he was not even allowed to see her in hospital by Jayalalithaas long-time aide Sasikala, who has now taken control of the party.

The MPs delegation, led by Rajya Sabha member V Maitreyan, is also seeking Presidential intervention to nullify the floor test won by the Palaniswami government in the state assembly on February 18.

We have sought an appointment with the President and we will seek his help to meet our demands Maitreyan told HT.

Of the 12 MPs, 10 are from Lok Sabha and two from Rajya Sabha.

Earlier, DMK working president M K Stalin had led a delegation to meet the President on February 23, seeking a fresh trust vote in the Assembly.

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached assets worth over Rs 79 crore of Devas Multimedia Ltd in connection with its controversial deal with Indian space agency ISROs commercial arm Antrix Corporation Ltd under PMLA on Tuesday .

We have attached Rs 79,76,00,041 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in case of Devas Multimedia Ltd., the economic intelligence agency of the Union Revenue Department said in a statement here.

The attached assets are in the form of upfront capacity reservation fee available with ISRO as well as in the form of mutual fund and bank deposits.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had taken over the case based on a CBI FIR which alleged that Devas had illegally entered into an agreement with ISRO and its commercial arm Antrix Corporation Limited (ACL) by fraudulently representing certain facts.

The attachment of the satellite services provider companys money came over a month after ED officials searched Devas office here on January 23 and recorded the statements of its Director (Finance) Ranganathan Mohan, founder-Director Desaraju Venugopal and former Director D Nataraj.

Two other Directors, the brains behind the crime, Ramachandran Viswanathan and M. Chandrasekhar, are in the USA at present, the statement said.

On February 1, a Delhi court fixed March 30 to consider a chargesheet in the Antrix-Devas deal case after the Central Bureau of Investigation sought an adjournment of hearing since the agency was still awaiting government sanction to try accused officials.

The case has been filed against former Indian Space Research Organisation chairman G. Madhavan Nair, former Additional Secretary in the Department of Space Veena S. Rao, and then ISRO Director A Bhaskar Narayana Rao and others.

The CBI filed the chargesheet on August 11 last year against them for allegedly causing a loss of Rs 578 crore to the exchequer in the Devas-Antrix deal.

Antrix had signed a deal with Devas in 2005 to provide it with crucial S-Band wavelength, which is primarily kept for strategic interests of the country.

On January 28, 2005 Ms Devas Multimedia Private Limited Bangalore, falsely claimed that it had the ownership and intellectual property rights to use the technology for delivering multi-media services (to) enter into an agreement with ISRO/ACL, the ED said in a statement.

It said, Few employees of ISRO/ACL also conspired with Devas for entering into the agreement.

On the strength of the said agreement, Devas raised foreign investment of Rs 579.07 crore. Devas also incorporated its subsidiary company in America in the name of Ms Devas Multimedia America Inc. and out of the total foreign investment raised, an amount of Rs 761.90 crore was transferred to it as investment, the ED said.

It added that an amount of Rs 180.77 crore was also transferred to its subsidiary in America in the guise/pretext of providing business support services and a further amount of Rs 230.11 crore was spent as legal fee and out of the said amount a major portion was transferred to USA in the guise/pretext of legal fee.

The agency claimed that the agreement entered by Devas with the ISRO/ACL is illegal as Devas didnt have any technology/ownership of intellectual property rights to deliver the multimedia services.

It said the main purpose of entering into the agreement with ISRO/ACL was to raise foreign investments.

The subject company never did any major business in India other than providing internet services to about 20-25 customers in Bangalore. However, nearly 85 per cent of the foreign investment raised was siphoned off out of India in the guise/pretext of investment or services or fee, it alleged
In a rare gesture, Prime Minister Theresa May dropped in during a meeting between finance minister Arun Jaitley and chancellor Philip Hammond in Westminster on Tuesday, when the issue of wanted Indian businessmen overstaying in Britain was raised.

No names were mentioned during the meeting, but he was told during a brief discussion on visas for Indian businessmen that the Home departments of both countries were in touch on the controversial issue. The Indian side came away from the meeting with hopes of aquick solution.

May appreciated the progress made on issues discussed between her and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during her visit to New Delhi in November. Even without Brexit, Jaitley was told that ties between the two countries were on the upswing, official sources told HT.

Read more: Brexit wont shut doors, UK ministers tell Jaitley

India has made a formal extradition request for businessman Vijay Mallya, who is wanted in connection with alleged financial offences. Mallya arrived in London in March last year and his Indian passport was later revoked. A meeting of Home department officials from both countries discussed the issue of extraditions earlier this month in New Delhi.

Jaitley had remarked at an event at the London School of Economics on Saturday that democracy is liberal enough to permit defaulters to stay, and added that it was for the first time that strong action was being taken against defaulters in India.

Read more: FM Jaitley, economic secy Das stick to July deadline for GST rollout

Jaitley and Hammond also discussed issued related to the upcoming Economic and Financial Dialogue in New Delhi scheduled for April, the sources added.

Jaitley was scheduled to leave for New Delhi on Tuesday evening after a four-day visit here mainly to attend Queen Elizabeths Monday reception at Buckingham Palace to launch the UK-India Year of Culture.

British ministers have emphasised to India that the country would not become protectionist but more open after leaving the European Union, finance minister Arun Jaitley said here, adding that New Delhi had accepted the message from London.

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Thiruvananthapuram, Pune and Kolkata have emerged as the top three Indian cities that were tested on various urban governance parameters, according to a 21-city survey by Bengaluru-based advocacy group Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy.

According to the fourth edition of the Annual Survey of Indias City Systems 2016, Delhi that has a population of about 18 million has been ranked at a distant 9, behind much smaller cities such as Bhopal and Kanpur.

The national capital, which was ranked 6 in the 2015 survey, fared poorly on three aspects of urban governance --- urban capacities and resources of municipalities to undertake reform; empowered and legitimate political representation; transparency, accountability and participation. Delhi, however, topped the chart in the urban planning and design category with a score of 3.7 --- ahead of Mumbai and Bengaluru, among others.

Chandigarh, perceived to be a planned city, and Jaipur finds mention at the bottom of the list.

Our cities have continued to score low indicating that progress, on fixing city-systems, has been slow, Srikanth Viswanathan, Janaagraha CEO, said.

Mumbai and Ahmedabad with a score of 4.4 top the list of cities that have invested adequate funds in public infrastructure and services. A majority of the cities rely heavily on government grants.

The survey found that the 21 cities generate just 37% of the amount they spend on average, with Patna raising only 17% on its own. Only Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Pune generate over 50% of the amount they spend from their own revenue.

While Thiruvananthapurams per capita spend on capital expenditure is Rs 8,389, it is as low as Rs 418 in Patna.

Irrespective of the rankings, none of the Indian cities match up to London and New York, which top the global benchmarks.

All the 21 cities scored between 2.1 and 4.4 out of 10 on all the indicators as against 9.4 and 9.7 scored by the two global cities, implying how grossly under-prepared Indian cities in terms of delivering a high quality of life that is sustainable in the long term.

The survey says none of the Indian cities, for instance, have effective policies to deter plan violations, which is evident from the mushrooming slums and unauthorised colonies across states. All the 21 cities scored zero on this parameter as compared to 9.1 to 10 for London and New York.

** Cities were ranked on the basis of scores on four key components of governance: urban planning and design; urban capacities and resources; empowered and legitimate political representation; transparency, accountability and participation.

The report quotes a survey done by Bangalore Municipal Corporation in 2014 where out of 400 buildings that were inspected only three conformed to rules.

Our cities singularly lack in municipal capacities running on outdated systems. Municipalities are the closest governance system to citizens directly impacting their lives. They are responsible for improving the quality of life in our cities, KT Ravindran, dean emeritus at the RICS School of Built Environment, said.

If we are serious about improving our cities, we need to invest in municipal capacities, training staff, etc, Ravindran, who is the former chairperson of Delhi Urban Arts Commission, added.

Indian cities have just one planner for every four lakh citizens. (Vidya Subramanian/HT File Photo)

Most of the Indian town and country planning acts date back to last century. India has one planner per four lakh citizens as against 48 in the United States and 148 in the United Kingdom.

And poor urban planning can cost a country 3% of its GDP, the survey says.

However, the findings also reveal silver linings and aspects where Indian cities can learn a lot from each other.

Rajasthan ushering in urban land titling reforms and Odishas efforts to increase municipal capacities by constituting municipal cadres are excellent examples from this year of how we can move forward and help our cities serve their citizens better, the survey notes.

It recommends amending the planning laws, constituting a metropolitan planning committee anchored by municipal elected representatives for formulating citys metropolitan plan among others to address the deficiencies in city planning.

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Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who was admitted to New Delhis Sir Ganga Ram Hospital after she complained of breathlessness late on Sunday, was discharged on Monday evening after remaining under observation for a day, doctors said on Tuesday.

The 69-year-old leader was brought to the hospital at around 12.30am on Monday morning.

She is a known asthmatic and whenever there is a change in the weather, it affects her lung function, Dr DS Rana, chairperson of the board of governors at Ganga Ram, said.

After performing relevant tests, the team of doctors decided to admit her to closely monitor her condition. It was just as a precautionary measure and she is stable, he added.

She is under the care of Dr Arup Kumar Basu, a senior consultant in the hospitals department of chest and pulmonary medicine and his team.

Gandhi was admitted to Ganga Ram in November last year after she had developed a high fever. She was discharged two days later after a series of tests performed on her did not show any abnormal result.

She also regularly visits the orthopaedics department after underwent a shoulder reconstruction surgery for dislocated and fractured left shoulder on August 3. She broke her shoulder during a rally.

Gandhi has not addressed any election campaign in Uttar Pradesh and issued appeals to voters through a statement and video

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The increasing demand in China for pangolin scales, known for their aphrodisiac and medicinal value, is threatening the existence of the endangered mammals in central India.

According to sources, international smugglers have been targeting pangolins in Madhya Pradesh through conduits  mostly forest dwellers  despite anti-poaching initiatives undertaken by state law enforcement agencies. This has resulted in many illegal hunters ending up in traps set by wildlife officials, enabling the authorities to identify a multilayered poaching network spread across 10 states in the country.

The MP forest department, which created a special task force (STF) in March 2015 to bust the network, has arrested 122 people from 10 states so far. For the first time, it has also pushed Interpol to issue a red-corner notice against an international Pangolin poacher who jumped bail. Jaiy Tamang, who hails from Lhasa in Tibet, is yet to be re-arrested.

Smuggling routes

The STF investigation has revealed that the poachers have established three major routes for smuggling pangolins from central India to China  the first through Uttar Pradesh-Nepal-Tibet, the second through Kolkata-Manipur-Mizoram-Myanmar-Laos, and the third (still upcoming route) through Uttarakhand to Tibet.

State STF (wildlife crime) in-charge Ritesh Sirothia said consignments of pangolin scales that enter Nepal through Bhairawa and Nepalganj are shipped to Xigaze in Tibet, from where they are sent to China. In the Northeast, smuggling of pangolin scales to China happens through Churachandpur district of Manipur, and Kolasib and Champhai districts of Mizoram. From there, the consignments are smuggled to Mandalay in Myanmar, and finally to the Golden Triangle (the tri-junction of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand), he said.

Poachers salary sheet

According to STF officials, local poachers are paid anywhere between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000 for a kg of pangolin scales. While suppliers from the districts get Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 for the same amount of contraband, the rate goes up as the load moves forward  with middlemen in Kolkata earning Rs 8,000 to Rs 15,000 and traffickers at the border getting Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000. Once the scales reach China, they cost around $2,500 a kg (or Rs 1.6 lakh). Incidentally, the price of pangolin scales in China was just $1,000 (Rs 66,000) in 2015. The steep hike in price has been attributed to the sharp increase in demand, but reduction of supply due to a slump in number of pangolins in the wild.

A customs officer holds up pangolin scales during a news conference at the customs department in Bangkok, Thailand. (Reuters Photo)

Genesis of the racket

The racket first came to light on September 21, 2014, when five people were caught in Madhya Pradeshs Balaghat district with three kg of pangolin scales. The next day, a man called Jamal Iqbal was apprehended with 43 kg of Pangolin scales near the Chhindwara-Maharashtra border. It was Jamal who informed STF interrogators about the extent of Indias poaching network. Following this, the state forest department constituted the STF with Ritesh Sirothia as its head in March 2015.

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED Of eight pangolin species found across the globe, two are found in India The bigger Indian pangolin (manis crassicaudata) is found in most states, while the smaller Chinese pangolin (manis pentadactyla) is found in the northeast. The Chinese pangolin is listed as "critically endangered", while the Indian pangolin is listed as "endangered" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species)

Sirothia said his team had to chase leads as far as the Northeast, Delhi, Myanmar and Nepal to unravel the various layers of the network. Till now, we have traversed nearly 40,000 to 50,000 km in 10 states, and booked 122 people for pangolin poaching, he said.

A poacher arrested in Hoshangabad last summer had revealed that illegal operators even use postal services to send pangolin scales to Kolkata, he added. RP Singh, additional principal chief conservator for forests, told HT that the demand for pangolin scales has gone up considerably. However, we have done a lot to check it, he said.

While five of the 122 arrested poachers are still in jail, the rest have been released on bail.

Whats pushing poaching?

Madhya Pradesh, which has 12.44% forest cover, probably accounts for one of the highest pangolin populations in India.

Naturally, this makes the state a hot target for poachers catering to Chinese markets  which see the scales as a medical aid to treat issues such as impotence, asthma, reproductive problems and reduced lactation.

According to certain observers, Chinese couples keen on having a second baby  thanks to a new government policy of allowing couples to have two children  may also be fuelling the demand for pangolin scales. Besides this, STF officials believe the wildlife product is blended with party drugs for extra potency.

Pangolins found in central India are bigger than their Chinese counterparts.

What experts say

Pangolin expert Rajesh Kumar Mohapatra said that nearly 2,000 pangolins were killed between 2009 and 2014, going by the 5,913 kg of scales seized during that period.

Our research shows while the number of seizures is increasing, the volume of seized scales is declining. This is a clear indication that the population of Pangolins is decreasing in India, said Mohapatra, who is also a member of the International Union for Conservation of Natures Pangolin Specialist Group.

Considered as one of the most trafficked mammals in the world, the shy solitary animal is listed in schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act-1972.

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Bollywood lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar on Tuesday hit out at Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju for hinting that Gurmehar Kaur, a Delhi University student who launched a social media campaign against the ABVP, was being influenced by political rivals.

I dont about her but Mr Minister I know who is polluting your mind, he wrote on Twitter without naming Rijiju.

I don't about her but Mr Minister I know who is polluting your mind .  Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) February 28, 2017

Re-tweeting a tweet shared by Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda, Rijiju on Monday said, Whos polluting this young girls mind? A strong Arm Force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded.

The minister was referring to an old picture of Kaur, the daughter of Captain Mandeep Singh who was killed fighting militants in Jammu and Kashmir in 1999 , that resurfaced on social media after the Lady Shri Ram College student took on the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

Pakistan did not kill my dad, war did, read the placard she carried in the picture.

Read: Ramjas protests Live: Support for Gurmehar Kaur from Chetan Bhagat, LSR; Kejriwal condemns ABVP

The ABVP is the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, the ideological parent of the BJP to which Rijiju belongs. The student body was linked to February 22 violence at Delhi Universitys Ramjas College.

After the campus clash, Kaur posted a picture of herself on Twitter and Facebook holding a placard. I am student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me, the message read. Soon, the post went viral.

On Tuesday, Kaur withdrew from Fightback DU campaign and requested that she be left alone. In a series of tweets, Kaur said that she has shown enough courage and bravery.
The state government on Sunday finally gave Rs 50 lakh ex gratia to the family of slain soldier Mandeep Singh. This was after his family said they would approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the delay in fulfilment of promises made by the BJP government in Haryana.

However, this doesnt seem to be the sole case of delay in payment of ex gratia to martyrs families in Haryana.

In Rohtak, family of slain BSF head constable, Rai Singh Indora, is still awaiting the promised ex gratia even after more than three months of his death.

Indora, 39, was killed in mortar shelling by Pakistan in the Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir on November 20 last year.

He is survived by his wife, who is a homemaker, and three school going children. Since his death, the family income has come to a standstill, but expenses remain the same. We have not been given anything by the government so far and are now taking money from our relatives for daily expenditures, said his wife Sunita.

Indora was the third soldier from Haryana to have been killed after India carried out surgical strikes across the Line of Control.

Earlier, the state government had announced Rs 50 lakh ex gratia for the next of kin of BSF jawan Sushil Kumar, who was killed in October last year by shelling from Pakistan. However, at Indoras cremation, the state government announced only Rs 20 lakh and a job to next of kin.

Unhappy with the disparity, angry villagers had blocked NH-10 and demanded equal compensation for his family. The government agreed to it after facing protests.

However, as of now, the family has received nothing. We requested the government to give job to our eldest son. But he is only 16. The deputy commissioner promised he will get a job when he turns 18. But till then, we have no one to earn in our family, Sunita added.

Indoras elder brother Ramesh, a retired BSF jawan, said he has been touring government offices to know about the compensation, but has been left dry with false promises.

The deputy commissioner always says that we will get it within one week. But things havent changed. Even his pension has not yet been approved, said Ramesh.

When asked about the matter, Rohtak deputy commissioner, Atul Kumar, said he will remind the government about it. All the completed paper work has been sent to the OSD to the chief minister. I will remind them tomorrow morning to fast-track the case, Kumar said.

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Tehran, Iran, February 28



By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:



Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has made a one-day trip to the border province of Sistan-Baluchestan to inaugurate several projects, IRNA news agency reported February 28.



The projects include the Zahedan International Airports second runway, an airline company, Chehel Koreh copper mine and factory, and Iranshahr-Chabahar gas pipeline.



Upon arrival in the province, the president said his administration has done a great job in accomplishing 55 projects in the underdeveloped province as he had promised in 2013 when he took office.



Sistan-Baluchestan is the vastest province in Iran with an area of 187,502 square kilometers. The population of the province is 800 thousand.



The remote province has been a source of security concern for the government. Sharing borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan, the province frequently witnesses terrorist and drugs gangs from these two countries venture inside its territory.



The Iranian government has been concerned with the possibility of terrorist groups across the border influencing the jobless and economically underprivileged youth in Sistan-Baluchestan.



Recently Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered $500 million finance from the National Development Fund to go into development projects in the province.








India is likely to sign a Rs 32,000-crore deal with a South Korean shipyard for building 12 minesweeping vessels in the country by March 31.

The mine counter-measure vessels will be built at the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in collaboration with Busan-based Kangnam Corporation under the Centres Make in India initiative. Though the deal was supposed to be closed last year, discussions on technology transfer to India caused some delays.

Minesweepers are used to keep sea lanes mine-free and destroy minefields near enemy shores while undertaking offensive action.

We are working hard to conclude the contract this financial year, GSL chairman Rear Admiral Shekhar Mital (retd) told HT on Tuesday. Technology transfer is a complex issue, and both sides have to be satisfied. Ironing out the details took some time.

Kangnam had competed with Italian shipbuilder Intermarine for the project.

All 12 vessels will be constructed in India, and are expected to have 60% indigenous content. The construction of the first vessel is expected to begin in April 2018, and deliveries will be completed between 2021 and 2026.

The navy needs to fill several gaps in its mine warfare capability. Its present mine counter-measure force consists of six vessels bought from the erstwhile Soviet Union in the late 1970s. An estimated 24 minesweepers are required to plug the shortfall.

Until now, the GSL has spent Rs 800 crore on scaling up infrastructure to kick off construction of the vessels. Facilities are being created for building glass-reinforced plastic hulls, a design that reduces the ships magnetic signature and allows safer navigation through waters that be mined. The minesweepers will have a displacement of 800 to 1,000 tonnes.

Mines are deployed to limit the enemys ability to use the sea. These underwater weapons can detonate on contact, or be activated by magnetic and acoustic signatures.

After scrapping an earlier tender to import minesweeping vessels due to alleged irregularities, the government nominated the GSL in February 2015 to build minesweepers in partnership with a foreign shipyard for giving an impetus to the Make in India programme.
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday wished a speedy recovery to the American, who was injured while intervening in the shooting that killed an Indian engineer in the US, and said India salutes his heroism.

India salutes the heroism of Ian Grillot! Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Swaraj tweeted.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani, of the same age, was injured in the shooting by 51-year-old US navy veteran Adam Purinton who allegedly yelled get out of my country.

India salutes the heroism of Ian Grillot ! Best wishes for a speedy recovery.  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) February 27, 2017

Grillot, 24, tried to intervene and received injuries in the firing in Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas

He is recovering in a hospital after being shot in the hand and chest.
The White House has said reports on the killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was disturbing, breaking its silence on the Kansas shootings amid mounting pressure to condemn what many believe is the latest in a series of hate crime across the US.

I dont want to get ahead of the law enforcement, but I was asked the other day about the story in Kansas -- the shooting in Kansas, Trumps press secretary Sean Spicer said in his opening remarks at the daily briefing on Monday.

While the story is evolving, early reports out of Kansas are equally disturbing, he said after condemning strongly, on the Presidents behalf, continued reports of vandalism at Jewish community centres, synagogues and cemeteries.

The US justice department is investigating the killing of Kuchibhotla, an Indian aviation engineer working with Garmin in Olathe, Kansas and the shooting of his friend Alok Madasani and Ian Grillot, an American who tried to help them heroically, as a possible hate crime.

His earlier perfunctory comment that all killings are tragic was condemned by many in the US and pressure was mounting on the White House to condemn the shootings, which have been attributed by some to a surge in antipathy towards immigrants, especially those from Muslim-majority Middle-Eastern countries targeted by this administration.

Adam Purinton, a 51-year-old US navy veteran charged with the shootings, had mistaken the Indians for immigrants from Iran, one of the seven Muslim-majority nations whose citizens were temporarily banned from entering the United States by an executive order issued by the Trump administration that was never fully implemented because of court injunctions.

Purinton, who was arraigned in a court with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder on Monday, had told a bartender in Missouri, where he had fled to after the shooting, he had shot two Iranians. He had told them to get out of my country, before opening fire.

His motives were under investigation and the justice department had still not confirmed if the shootings amounted to a hate crime, which is possibly what Spicer alluded to when he said he did not want to get ahead of law enforcement.

But his remarks Monday came as the first clear condemnation of the shootings that had been blamed on his boss  The president had blood on his hands, a prominent Indian American had told Hindustan Times.

There was no comment or reaction from the White House until Friday, when the shootings were raised at the daily briefing, and Spicer had responded only to dismiss suggestions the presidents rhetoric may have been responsible.

Any loss of life is tragic, he had said, adding, but Im not going to get into, like, that kind of  to suggest that theres any correlation (to the president rhetoric) I think is a bit absurd.

It had seemed more like a clarification than a condemnation.

Once upon a time, presidents like (Barack) Obama or (George) Bush wouldve spoken out against this hate crime today, Jon Favreau, Obamas speechwriter for his first term, wrote on Twitter, adding, Trump yelled about the media and FBI.

Trump was immersed then in a fierce fight with that part of news media he doesnt like and with the FBI.

Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the shooting that tragically took so many lives in Wisconsin, Obama had said in a statement after the killing of six people at a gurdwara in Wisconsin in 2013. As we mourn this loss which took place at a house of worship, we are reminded how much our country has been enriched by Sikhs, who are a part of our broader American family.

The White House has generally been seen as silent on the Kansas shootings.

The President could say Dont shoot innocent brown people. Its wrong, Kumail Nanjiani, a Pakistani-American comic who plays a techie in HBO TV series Silicon Valley, wrote on Twitter. And he would save lives. But he wont. & that doesnt surprise us.

And Max Boot, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, a think tank, suggested that the President tends to take a motivated position on such issues. Of course President Trump has no comment. He only comments when the perpetrators are Muslims, Boot said in a post on Twitter on Saturday.
A grieving, wailing mother. A stoic father. A wife numb with shock. And distraught family-members. Heartbreaking scenes unfolded at the house of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla as his mortal remains arrived at his hometown late on Wednesday.

Kuchibhotla, 32, was shot dead by a US Navy veteran on Wednesday at a bar in Kansas in a possible hate crime. Kuchibhotlas colleague Alok Madasani, also an Indian, and an American citizen, who tried to stop the shooter, were injured in the incident.

The last rites were performed at the Mahaprasthanam crematorium at Jubilee Hills later in the afternoon.

Kuchibhotlas mother Parvatha Vardhini was inconsolable on seeing her sons body which arrived in Hyderabad late on Monday night and brought to his parents residence at Bachupalli on the city outskirts. She continued to weep loudly as people helped her back into the house.

I will not allow my younger son to go back to the US again. I want him and his family to return to Hyderabad for good.

He went to the US to serve that country. We were happy that one of the Kuchibhotla family went to the US for a better future. What was the crime he had committed for being killed?

She said he would ask her younger son, Sai Kiran, who is also employed in the US, to return to India along with his family.

I will not allow them to go back. I used to tell Srinivas also to return, if he felt insecure there. But he used to say he was very safe and secure, she recalled.

Kuchibhotlas father Madhusudhana Charys reaction was pragmatic as he looked at his sons mortal remains  dressed in a black blazer, a red checked shirt and tie and kept in the air-conditioned box.

I believe in the destiny. Whatever was destined to happen has happened. We only want that security of all our Indians working in the US should be taken care of, he said.

Since the arrival of Kuchibhotlas body at his residence last night, there has been a steady stream of visitors and VIPs including politicians to console the parents and his wife Sunayana Dumala.

Neighbours and family-members recalled how Kuchibhotla spent his days before leaving for the US 10 years ago.

I just did not have the courage to see the body closely. It is heart-breaking to see him in this condition. He was always lively and smiling. But now, he is lying in a state of rest, said his relative Venu Madhav.

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The ruling Janata Dal (United) on Tuesday sacked the partys Bihar unit vice-president Satish Kumar from the post for alleged anti-party activities.

Satish Kumar has been removed from the post of JD(U) state vice-president, state party chief spokesperson Sanjay Singh said.

Along with Satish Kumar, another rebel leader Sanjay Mandal was removed from the post of state organisational secretary for the same reason, he said.

Satish Kumar, a former MLA from Nalanda, has been making statements against chief minister and JD(U) national president Nitish Kumar regularly.

On February 2 last, he held a press conference and accused Kumar of keeping sycophant advisors.

His scathing comment on Kumar had come in the wake of JD(U) deciding to keep away from Uttar Pradesh elections.

Satish Kumar, who hails from Nalanda district, has been at odds with the chief minister in the past and had been removed from the party earlier too.
A silent and unique social transformation is sweeping the Muslim community in Jharkhands Palamu region, with hundreds of families returning dowry they had taken during their sons weddings.

Over the last one year, around 800 families came out in the open about accepting dowry and have subsequently returned the money. To date, over Rs 6 crore in cash has been returned to the brides families.

This process kicked off once Haji Mumtaj Ali, a native of Pokhari village in Latehar, launched a campaign against dowry in April last year. Following his footsteps, the community elders waged a war against dowry, a social evil plaguing the lives of thousands of families, especially the poor. The maulvis, too, resolved not to solemnise nikah where any exchange of dowry was involved.

The success of our campaign against dowry is astounding. So far, over 800 grooms families in Latehar and Palamu districts have returned Rs 6 crore in cash to the brides families. More importantly, the marriages are now being solemnised without any exchange of money, said Ali, who was busy preparing for a massive community meeting at Daltonganj on March 7.

The war against dowry will eat up poor families like cancer till it is completely wiped out. There are still a few families who are yet to give up the evil practice. Earlier, the Muslim community did not pay dowry, but of late, dowry has become a part of marriages, in the process badly hampering the sanctity of this sacred bond, Ali said.

We will also devise a strategy during the next meeting to tackle such families, he said.

I feel proud to declare that what I had done earlier was wrong. To make things correct, I am returning the money. I will never demand or offer dowry in future, said Salim Ansari, who returned the dowry.
A week after he became known round the world when he tried to intervene as a US Navy veteran opened fire at two Indian engineers at a Kansas bar, fame sits lightly on the shoulders of Ian Grillot.

Recovering from serious injuries caused by a bullet that pierced his hand and lodged in his chest, the 24-year-old says what he did at Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe last Wednesday was what hed have expected anyone to do.

Nobody deserves to be treated in that manner, my folks raised me (in such a way) that everybody is an equalEverybodys a human, lets treat everybody as that. So I mean it was just, I felt I had no choice. I would just hope that somebody would do that for me, Grillot told Hindustan Times on Tuesday in his first interview since the shooting.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, an employee of GPS-maker Garmin, was killed when Adam Purinton opened fire after shouting get out of my country. His colleague, Alok Madasani, 32, was also injured.

Grillot waited till he thought the shooter had run out of bullets and then tried to tackle him. But Purinton had one bullet in his gun that he fired at Grillot.

Well I was definitely a little shocked as I thought it (the gun) was emptyI really didnt know if I was going to make it. There was a scary situation but just the thought that I may have been able to help in some manner - they deserved justice for what happened and thats why I went after (Purinton) because it was not right what he did, he said.

Reports have suggested that Purinton had a problem with alcohol and was concerned about his health. He described the two Indians he attacked as people from the Middle East and Iranians.

But Grillot insists there was no reason for the attack.

I understand he (Purinton) may have been going through a lot of personal things in his life but that does not give somebody the excuse to act in the manner that he did, he said in a hoarse voice as the bullet affected a branch of the nerve that serves the vocal chords.

Grillot said he had run into Kuchibhotla and Madasani in the past and often exchanged pleasantries with them as he was a people person.

I had said hey to them pretty much every time Id been there and they were there. They normally came by once a weekTheyd make me laugh, Id make them laugh and go on our own ways, he said.

I knew a few (Indians) that I grew up with in high schoolI dont ever like to really look at it as an Indian or a Mexican or a white person or an Asian, whatever, he added.

Were all human, were all people. Thats how it should be viewed, it shouldnt be viewed as races or ethnicities. Were all humans, thats my biggest thing in life. I dont judge, theres no reason for it.

While Grillot has been hailed as a hero, President Donald Trumps silence on the shooting has been noted in both India and the US. But Grillot said he preferred to steer clear of politics.

I try to stay away from politics because no matter whats said, its always gonna be the same answer, the same feedback, he said. The political scene and all that stuff, its going to be there when Im long gone.

Grillot said he was more grateful that he had been able to give people hope  something thats been missing for so long.

The amount of hope, thats whats always gonna be there and thats whats Im grateful for, he said, adding he had received hundreds of messages of support and made a couple million of Indian friends.

The amount of feedback Ive been getting from people and its very overwhelming and touching. It brings tears to my eyes (from) the kind words that these people are saying to me, he said.

Besides hanging out with Madasani and share a cold beer or two after he recovers, Grillot also plans to visit India, a country that has long interested him.

Its the one place I always found very interesting growing up as a kid  the heritage and the culture. Ive always wanted to take a journey there. I think Ive found myself a good reason to go there now. So Id definitely have to be making a trip there sometime in the near future, he said.

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Dr. NK Kalia, father of Kargil martyr captain Saurabh Kalia on Tuesday came out in support of Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, who has allegedly received rape threats over her social media campaign against ABVP.

The retired scientist, however, said he disagrees with her viewpoint.

I strongly condemn the way she was targeted on social media. This is shameful. This is not our culture, said Dr. Kalia, who is fighting for justice for his slain son.

Captain Saurabh Kalia was tortured and killed in captivity along with his five comrades by Pakistan forces during the 1999 Kargil conflict.

This is not acceptable in a country where women are revered as goddesses, Dr. Kalia told Hindustan Times. He demanded strong action against the elements who threatened 20-year-old Gurmehar, a first-year student of English honours at Lady Shri Ram College.

Esteem of a woman is above all things, irrespective of her caste, creed or religion, he said.

Gurmehar, whose father captain Mandeep Singh was killed in Kashmir in 1999, said on Sunday she was called an anti-national and threatened with rape for her campaign against the right-wing students body.

On Tuesday morning, she pulled out from the Save DU campaign saying shes gone through enough.

Im withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say. I have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take, she tweeted.

Dr. Kalia said everyone has a right to express himself or herself and people may agree or disagree but this not a way to show disagreement.

However, the former Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) scientist said that he disagrees with Gurmehars viewpoint that Pakistan did not kill her father, war killed him.

It would be disrespectful to a soldier who laid down his life for the sake of nation, Dr Kalia said.

The young woman should understand that who perpetrated the war. Pakistan does not understand the language of peace, he said.

War did not kill my son (Saurabh), Pakistan killed him, added Dr. Kalia.

He also expressed disappointment over students over indulging in campus politics.

Meanwhile, an open letter written by a person named Vashi Sharma, on behalf of captain Saurabh Kalia, as a reply to Gurmehars Youtube video is also making rounds on the internet. The letter narrates story of captain Saurabh Kalia stating, War did not kill us. Pakistan did.

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The Malayam actor who was allegedly abducted and molested by a seven-member gang two weeks ago spoke up on Tuesday, saying I always get up. She also thanked all those who supported her.

Life has knocked me down a few times, it showed me things I never wanted to see. I experienced sadness and failures. But one thing for sure, I always get up! ThankYouAll# ForTheLove#ForThePrayers, she wrote on Instagram.

The 30-year-old actress, who has worked in more than 75 movies, was allegedly abducted on the way from Thrissur to Kochi on the night of February 17. The criminals took pictures and videos to blackmail her before letting her go.

Six persons, including prime accused Pulsar Suni and his five accomplices, have been arrested by the police.

In her complaint, the actor said Sunil Kumar told her to co-operate as they were doing a quotation work. He also threatened to inject her with drugs and take her to a secret hideout, she said.

The accused had forced their way into the actress vehicle and later escaped at a busy area here.

Several actors, including Bollywood stars, and politicians had expressed solidarity with the actress and sought stringent action against the culprits.
I want to study but my parents have fixed my marriage. Please help me, a frantic call for help from a 15-year-old in Kerala not only saved her but stopped nine more underage girls from being married off.

The call came from Karuvarakkundue, an impoverished village in the states Malappuram district, where child marriages are common. Often women are grandmothers even before they turn 40.

The girl who called Childline, a helpline for children in distress, on Sunday said she wanted to continue school but her parents were forcing her into marriage.

Childline officials rushed to the village and found nine more girls under the age of 18, the legal age of marriage for a girl, were to be wedded in the coming weeks when schools close for summer vacation.

None of the would-be grooms were underage. For boys, the legal age for marriage in India is 21.

Most of these girls belong to poor families. Their parents are daily-wagers who want to marry them off young to avoid giving a big dowry, another problem that plagues economically backward Malappuram.

Malappuram is a Muslim majority district, where the minority community accounts for 70% of the population.

Chidline volunteers said they initially contacted the local panchayat member but she refused to intervene, fearing a backlash from the villagers.

The volunteers then sought the help of district administration and social welfare board officers who talked the parents out of the wedding plans.

Initially, the parents resisted our move. We had to hold several counseling sessions to make them aware of the dangers of child marriage, Childline district coordinator Anwar Karakkadan said.

Some of the parents even told us that we would have to find a suitable match for their daughters once they were of marriageable age.

A few of the grooms families said they would wait for the girls to turn 18.

Set to check crime against minors, Chidline has a toll-free phone number as well as drop boxes across the state for children to report their problems, which vary from domestic abuse to sexual assault.

The recent arrest of Robin Vaddakumchiryil, a vicar of St Sebastian church in Kottiyoor, for an alleged rape came after a girl called up Childline.

Despite a vigorous campaign, child marriages are common in remote parts of Kerala, which in 1991 was declared the first complete literate state of the country.

The scourge, however, is not confined to Kerala. Reports of children being married off keep coming in from across the country even though law bars such marriages.

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Tehran, Iran, Feb. 28

By Mehdi Sepahvand  Trend:

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in his address to the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) has said the body needs to have all member states on board, emphasizing that the less than full membership arrangements or agreements have revealed their negative structural and institutional impacts on the Organization.

Zarif, who was addressing the ECOs Council of Ministers (COM) in Pakistan, praised the organizations recently drafted Vision, Tasnim reported.

The Vision, along with its associated plans for action, is expected to drive us towards further regional integration and cohesion. If it happens, ECO will celebrate an important milestone in its three-decade history of evolution, Zarif said.

He also assured that the Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to continuing its unwavering support for the ECO.

We believe that the Economic Cooperation Organization is by far the best option for cooperation among the countries of the region. We firmly believe ECO-sponsored regionalism not only improves prospects for individual and collective economic development, but enhances political and security relations among the member states. We can ensure a more stable, peaceful and resilient community of countries through ECOs cooperation and integration schemes, uplifting also our capacities to respond individually and collectively to the challenges and vulnerabilities.

For the coming round, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan will adopt the role of the ECO head.

ECO is an intergovernmental regional organization established in 1985 by Iran, Pakistan and Turkey for the purpose of promoting economic, technical and cultural cooperation among the member states.

In 1992, the Organization was expanded to include seven new members, namely, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan.
A priest who spoke against child abuse was arrested in Kerala for alleged rape of a minor which led to her pregnancy, police said on Tuesday.

The 17-year-old gave birth to a baby at a private hospital last month and the accused had shifted both the mother and the newborn to an orphanage in north Keralas Wayanad to hush up the incident.

Father Robin Vaddakumchiryil (48), the vicar of St Sebastian church in Kottiyoor, was arrested after the girl narrated the incident to officials of childline, a telephone helpline for children in distress. Childline officials then tipped off police.

The church official had allegedly abused the girl at the computer class provided by the church, police said.

A spokesperson of the Thalasserry diocese said the priest has been taken out of all religious duties.

Police said a DNA test will be held on the priest to ascertain to strengthen the case against him. Police have also booked the private hospital, where she delivered a baby, for not informing police.

The priest also made an attempt to implicate the girls father in the case. Since the family is from an economically weaker section he tried to implicate him and told many about this, said deputy superintendent of police Prajeesh, who uses only his first name. The priest was planning to travel to Canada to evade arrest, he said.

A police official said the priest was the chief guest at a function organised recently against crime against children. He was also known to have spoken on the issue earlier.

Police quoted the minor as saying that she has been in trauma for the last two years and the priest threatened her not to reveal the incident to anyone. Fearing social stigma, her parents also kept silent. They are also likely to be questioned.

The victims family lives near the church and the girl used to visit the church regularly.

The priest has been charged under stringent provisions of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Pocso) and IPC.

The new born was later shifted to a government-run home, said Peravur police inspector N Sunil Kumar, who is investigating the case.

The government had recently decided to fast-track cases related to sexual assault on minors.

Activists say that in most cases of child sexual abuse, the victims are known to the accused.

Data from the National Crimes Records Bureau (NCRB) show that in 2015, more than 15,000 children faced sexual assault. In more than 8,300 incidents, the accused was known to the child.

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A local BJP leader and two of his aides have been booked for allegedly gang raping a Dalit woman after promising her help in getting a BPL card in Madhya Pradeshs Morena, a senior police official said on Tuesday.

The woman has alleged she was gang raped by Bhojpal Singh Jadon and two of his associates in Morena on Sunday night after the accused lured her to his house.

A case of gang rape has been registered against three persons, including Bhojpal, but no arrests have been made, Morena SP Vineet Khanna said.

Read more: Unsafe women in MP: 11 raped every day, 6 gang-raped every week over last year

Khanna said a police team visited the place where the woman was allegedly gang raped and has found an eyewitness who told the police that Jadon had taken the woman with him on Sunday night. The 35-year-old woman, a resident of Sumawali village in Morena , was trying to get a Below Poverty Line ration card so that she could buy items at a subsidised rate.

Jadon, who is also a chairperson of society that runs the ration shop in the village, asked the woman to come to Morena to register herself for the card. When she visited his office on Sunday, Jadon allegedly took her to a room where he raped her along with his two associates, the woman has alleged. Jadon also threatened her of dire consequences if she told anyone of the incident. The woman told her husband about the incident and they registered the case with local police station later.

The opposition also raised the issue in the state assembly on Tuesday. Leader of opposition Ajay Singh alleged that an influential local BJP leader was behind the rape, and said he could influence the witnesses.

Morena BJP general secretary Jaya Chaturvedi said she had no idea about the allegations and refused to comment. Morena BJP district president Anoop Singh disconnected the phone when asked to comment on the issue.

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A five-member team of naval divers on Tuesday launched a search in a lake in Kochi to recover the smartphone dumped into it by the key accused in the alleged molestation of a Malayalam actress.

The team was deputed by the navy following a request by the police, probing the February 17 incident in which the actress was allegedly abducted and molested inside her car for two hours by the accused, a naval official said.

The 30-year-old actress, who has worked in more than 75 movies, was allegedly abducted on the way from Thrissur to Kochi. The criminals took pictures and videos to blackmail her before letting her go.

Earlier, key accused Pulsar Sunil and one of his accomplices, V P Vigeesh, were taken to a bridge from where they had allegedly thrown the phone into the lake, police said.

The accused told police that they dumped the phone, considered to be a key material evidence to tighten charges against them, in the lake while they were on the run from the police.

So far, six persons have been arrested.

In her complaint, the actress said Sunil told her to co-operate as they were doing a quotation work. He also threatened to inject her with drugs and take her to a secret hideout, she said.

The accused had forced their way into the actress vehicle and later escaped at a busy area here.

Several actors, including Bollywood stars, and politicians had expressed solidarity with the actress and sought stringent action against the culprits.
Narendra Modi is expected to visit Israel by the middle of this year, a first by any Indian Prime Minister to the Jewish nation.

Amar Sinha, secretary (Economic Relations), said the Prime Ministers visit is on cards but declined to divulge details.

Sources in the ministry of external affairs indicated the visit could take place somewhere around June.

Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also likely to visit India this year.

The two nations are celebrating 25 years of diplomatic ties this year.

Speaking at an art exhibition-- Hodu and the Jews-- here, Sinha said although both the countries have cooperation in the defence and the security sectors, conscious efforts are being made to make it a multi-dimensional relationship, and not merely unifocal.

Daniel Carmon, Israels envoy to India, said PM Modis visit is likely to be in the summer, but he too did not go into details.

Carmon also said the two sides are working on every possible area of cooperation. He, however, refused to comment on cooperation in the field of defence.

When Modi visits the Jewish nation, both the countries are expected to hold talks in areas ranging from agriculture to defence to cyber security and innovations.

Sinha underlined the cooperation between the two countries in the areas of cyber-security and drinking water.

He also cited the visit of President Pranab Mukherjee to Israel in October, 2015, followed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swarajs visit to the Jewish nation early last year.

Last November, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin also visited India.

We are trying to establish a programme under our Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) project. We already have a programme where Indian professor go and teach in Israel. So, we are exploring new areas, Sinha said.

Sinha said the two countries have planned a series of events to celebrate the silver jubilee of the diplomatic relationship this year.

It has been decided at the highest level, to create joint coordination committee to plan out the activities.

This includes visits by business delegations, academic fora. Sinha said Israel sits in an area of great concern and interest to India.

New Delhi formally recognised Israel on September 17, 1950. Embassies were opened in 1992 when full diplomatic relations were established.
By keeping mum on the killing of an Indian engineer in Kansas, President Donald Trump has stoked hate crime in America, a leading US daily said, warning that his silence will damage the vitality and strength of the country.

President Trump and his administration have not only tried to keep many immigrants and foreign visitors out of the country, they have done so by casting them as criminals, potential terrorists and trespassers, out to steal the jobs and threaten the lives of Americans, the New York Times said on Monday in its editorial Who Belongs in Trumps America?

Rather than tamp down hate, the President has stoked it, it said. He has not said anything about the Kansas shooting, the paper added.

32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was working in aviation systems for Olathe-based Garmin Ltd, died after he was shot by navy veteran Adam Purinton who, according to witnesses, yelled get out of my country and terrorist at a Kansas bar last Wednesday night before opening fire.

The NYT said while each act of hate is easily explained away as the work of a disturbed person, had these attacks been perpetrated by a Muslim or an undocumented immigrant, Trump would surely have claimed that he was right all along.

The editorial referred to the question do we belong posed by Srinivas Kuchibhotlas wife Sunayana Dumala after the killing of her husband.

The Trump administration has an obligation to convince people like Dumala that they do belong here, it said, adding that Dumala and millions of other members of minorities are integral to the US, which is almost entirely made up of immigrants and their descendants.

If Trump does nothing, he will enable the perpetrators of hate crimes and he will damage the vitality and strength of the country, it said.

The editorial slammed Trump for being shockingly slow to condemn acts of hate perpetrated across the country following his election, saying his denunciations of and policies targeting Mexicans, Muslims and others have reawakened and energised the demons of bigotry.

... this history might not comfort marginalised groups who hear the administrations words and see what is happening in this country and wonder if it is safe to stay here, or come here, it said.

It said as hate crimes and other incidents of bias have flared up in Trumps America, Kuchibhotlas murder is one end of a continuum of hate and elsewhere, people have defiled or threatened violence at Jewish cemeteries and synagogues.

The NYT said Trump can learn from Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old who confronted the Kansas killer and was injured.

In a video from his hospital bed, Grillot said: I was just doing what anyone should have done for another human being. Its not about where he was from or his ethnicity.
Private hospitals perform more than thrice the number of c-section deliveries as compared to government hospitals, shows data from National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-16), released by the Union health ministry on Tuesday.

Private hospitals carried out 40.9% caesarean sections (C-sections) as compared to 11.9% performed in government hospitals. The figures in the previous survey were 27.7% and 15.2% respectively. World Health Organisation recommends the ideal rate for caesarean sections to be between 10% and 15%.

Read more: Docs criticise Maneka Gandhis statement on C-section deliveries

Studies reveal that when caesarean section rates rise towards 10% across a population, the number of maternal and newborn deaths decreases. But when the rate goes above 10%, there is no evidence that mortality rates improve. The medical fraternity may have criticised minister for women and child development Maneka Gandhis suggestion to make it mandatory for hospitals to publicly display the number of C-section and normal deliveries carried out, the skewed data, however, underlines the need to take measures to bring down the high c-section rate.

We have written to states to take measures to stop private hospitals to conduct unnecessary c-sections by way of implementing clinical establishment Act etc, especially in states where the rates are abnormally high, said CK Mishra, secretary (health).

Read more: Cuts like a knife: Have you had a C-section you didnt need?



One reason we wanted private doctors to perform ante-natal check-up under Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyans Pledge for 9 campaign at a public health facility only, so that poor women werent misled, and made to undergo c-sec. Child birth in hospitals has also nearly doubled from 38.7% in NHFS-3 (2005-06)to 78.9% in the latest survey. More women are accessing public health care system that has reached 34.1%. Child sex ratio at birth has improved from 914 females per 1000 males to 919 at the national level, with some states doing exceedingly well.

Haryana, which is a state that has always been on the lower side as far as child sex ratio is concerned, showed significant improvement with 836 females per 1000 males as compared to 762 earlier.

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Congress vice president Rahul Gandhis support to Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur is a well-calibrated attempt by the Congress party to reconnect with the aspirational youth who had moved away from it in the wake of an anti-corruption movement launched by Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal in 2011.

The disconnect had contributed significantly to the partys drubbing in the 2014 Lok Sabha and subsequent assembly elections.

From 2014 onwards, the Congress and its vice president have made several desperate attempts to reach out to the students by taking up their issues, in and outside Parliament.

In May 2015, Gandhi took up the cudgels with the BJP-led NDA government on behalf of the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle, a students group de-recognised by IIT Madras for allegedly fomenting hatred against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The institute had acted on a complaint by the human resource development ministry which had accused the group of instigating protests against the Centres policies by distributing provocative pamphlets and posters in the campus. The ban has since been revoked.

Gandhi had then attacked the Modi government over centralisation of power and asserted that his party will always stand against injustice done to students.

On July 31, 2015, Gandhi visited the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune on the invitation of the students who had sought his support for their agitation against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the head of the institution. The students had urged the Congress vice president to check the assault on institutions of higher learning.

The Congress leader also visited the Hyderabad Central University campus on January 18, 2016, a day after Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula committed suicide. Rohith and five other students were suspended by the university in connection with an alleged attack on an ABVP leader. Gandhi had then promised full support to their agitation.

On January 30, 2016, he joined a protest march past midnight at the university campus by students demonstrating against Vemulas suicide. Gandhi later spent the night on the campus and also joined a mass hunger strike by the students.

The Congress vice president then visited the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus on February 13, 2016, a day after JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested. Kumar was charged with sedition over an event hanging the of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised.

As protests over Kanhaiyas arrest spread to many campuses across the country, Gandhi led a delegation to meet President Pranab Mukherjee to seek his intervention on February 18, 2016.

He also accused the Modi government of crushing students for opposing the RSS flawed and dead ideology.

Nationalism is in my blood, he had said, invoking the sacrifices made by his family.

His remarks came in the backdrop of not-so-veiled attempts by ruling party leaders to turn the debate over Kanhaiyas arrest into a question of nationalism and patriotism and rally support against anti-nationals and those supporting them.

On Monday, Gandhi voiced his support for Gurmehar Kaur, whose post against the ABVP took the social media by storm, and attacked the Centre on the issue.

Against the tyranny of fear we stand with our students. For every voice raised in anger, intolerance & ignorance there will be a Gurmehar Kaur, he tweeted.

On Tuesday, senior Congress leaders, including Digvijaya Singh, are likely to attend the hunger strike by the National Students Union of India (NSUI).

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The Supreme Court gave on Tuesday time till April 13 to the Sahara Group to sell their properties and raise Rs 5092.64 crore to deposit it with SEBI towards the refund of investors money.

A special bench of three judges headed by Justice Dipak Misra also sought on the next hearing (April 17) the presence of Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) that has acquired 91,65 acres land belonging to Sahara. GDA is expected to compensate the company to the tune of Rs 1112.70 crore.

The companys plea to give it six months time was turned down, with the court saying that it could extend the time if Sahara deposited the amount before the deadline ends. The court extended Sahara boss Subrata Roys parole till the next hearing.

Roy was released in May last year, two years after he was sent to Tihar jail for defying orders asking him to appear in the top court.

In accordance with the last order, Saharas counsel, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, submitted a list of 15 unencumbered properties that could be sold to realise money Sahara is required to deposit with market regulator  SEBI  to ensure Roy remains out of jail. A separate list of encumbered properties was also given to the court.

Although the SEBI counsel submitted it was difficult to auction the properties as previous attempts could not get desired results, the court still gave chance to Sahara. But, Sibals plea to let the court keep the properties as security and allow the company to arrange money in six months was not accepted.

The court allowed Sahara to sell 13 of the 15 unencumbered properties and also permitted it to dispose some of the ones mentioned in list two, provided there is no claim against it. Some of Saharas prime properties that might go under the hammer are Sahara hospital in Lucknow and its city home projects in Lucknow, Coimbatore, Bhopal, Indore and Guna.

Saharas prime property Aamby Valley  worth Rs 39,000 crore  is already attached as per the top courts February 8 order that was passed after the company failed to pay over Rs 14,000 crore it owed to its investors.

The court also directed a foreign real estate company  keen to buy Saharas stake in Hotel Plaza in New York  to deposit Rs 750 crore to show its bona fides.

Sahara has already deposited more than Rs 11,000 crore with SEBI and Rs 14,779 crore of the principal amount remains to be paid. On the last date of hearing, the company handed over bank drafts for over Rs 600 crore to SEBI in the court.
The Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear the plea filed by Sahara in connection with the return of money to its investors.

The apex court bench had in its last hearing attached Aamby Valley properties in Lonavala.

Now the properties have been kept under the supervision of court.

Sahara chief Subrata Roy was sent to Tihar jail on March 4, 2014, for not complying with the apex courts orders in connection with a long dispute with the market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

The SEBI alleged that Roy allegedly failed to comply with the apex courts order directing him to return the investors money.

Sahara, once among Indias high-profile firms, has in the past made several failed attempts to raise the bail money using its prized overseas hotels that include the Plaza in New York and Grosvenor House in London.

Sahara says it has paid more than 80 percent of the dues to share-holders, but SEBI has disputed that and said the company has not paid more than Rs. 10,000 crores.
The Shiv Sena on Tuesday hit out at Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar over the Army paper leak, and said that BJP should take entire responsibility of the incident that has dented the governments image.

Papers of universities and other exams used to get leaked. But now, the Armys recruitment question papers are also not safe. This leak, which comes at a time when soldiers are sacrificing their lives, has shattered the governments image, the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana.

Manohar Parrikar wants to become the Chief Minister of Goa again and is holding the reins of the Defence ministry from Panaji. But atleast till he holds the post (of Defence minister), he should perform his duty, it added.

The Sena said that since the issue is related to national security, the BJP should come forward and accept complete responsibility for the paper leak.

The PM talks about nationalism and sacrifice but his talks does not seem to be percolating to the ground. If there is nationalism in note ban, then it should be in Army recruitment as well, it said.

The recruitment racket came to light on Saturday night when 18 people from Maharashtra and Goa were arrested after raids. Three more persons were arrested yesterday. All of them were sent to police custody till March 4 by a Thane court.

Army recruitment exams slated on February 26 at Kamptee, Nagpur, Ahmednagar, Ahmedabad, Goa and Kirkee (in Pune) were cancelled after the question paper leak.
Tehran, Iran, Feb. 28

By Mehdi Sepahvand  Trend:

Irans President Hassan Rouhani left for Pakistan on the official invitation of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to take part in the 13th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Heads of States, IRINN TV reported February 28.

The 13th Economic Cooperation Organization Summit will be held in Islamabad on March 1. It was preceded by the 22nd Meeting of the ECO Council of Foreign Ministers (COM) on February 28.

According to Rouhanis deputy chief of staff for communications and information, Parviz Esmaeili, the Iranian president is also scheduled to meet with a number of participating heads of state on the sidelines of the Summit.

President Rouhani will be accompanied by a number of ministers and advisers on his two-day visit.

The Summit is expected to review the state of affairs of ECO in the light of the new and emerging global and regional circumstances, and agree on the course of actions ECO should follow in expanding regional economic cooperation among its member states.

The new ECO Vision 2025 is also expected to be adopted in Islamabad meetings. The Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan are the 10 member states of ECO.

The last ECO Summit was held in October 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The 21st COM meeting was held in November 2013 in Tehran, Iran.
The Punjab and Haryana high court on Tuesday said a Sonepat court judge conducting trial in the case of alleged gangrapes during the February 2016 Jat quota stir in Murthal is being pressurised.

As the hearing in suo motu petition on the February 2016 violence began on Tuesday morning, the high court bench of justice SS Saron and justice Darshan Singh stunned all with the observations that the court had been told of the trial court judge, Gagan Geet Kaur, additional district and sessions judge, Sonepat being pressurised. The court did not name anybody nor elaborated on as to what was told to the judge.

Dont pressurise that poor lady This case has proven to be a disaster for that girl, said the high court bench.

Taken aback over the observation, Haryanas additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta sought to know as to who was behind it and demanded that he should be called and taken to task.

Nobody is above the law, Mehta said demanding that if not the judicial side, the matter be taken up the administrative side by the high court.

The Haryana government constituted special investigation team headed by inspector general of police (IGP) Mamta Singh had registered an FIR of gang rape in April 2016. The section of gang rape was added against five youths arrested in other quota violence related FIRs. However, in September 2016, section of gang rape was dropped against them. All five are now out on bail.

Gagan Geet Kaur in her two reports to high court in 2016 had slammed the manner probe was being conducted by SIT and had termed it eyewash.

In her report the additional district and sessions judge had stated that before the charges were to be framed against the accused persons, the court found several shortcomings in the challan. Certain facts were overlooked/ ignored intentionally deliberately and malafidely (sic) by SIT. Section of gang rape was deleted only on the basis of a DNA report, without waiting for the CCTV footage report from the Central Forensic Lab and without making any sincere efforts to trace the prosecutrix, she had stated in the court.

Acting on her reports, the high court in the hearings conducted in December and January, had taken the SIT to task for not keeping it in the loop before dropping the charges and not presenting full picture before it. The proceedings in the FIR before trial court, has now been stayed by high court.

Mehta sought time from the high court to present fresh status report into the alleged Murthal gang rapes FIR. Although he did not elaborate on it during hearing, he claimed that there were certain fresh developments and the state would apprise about the same within ten days.
Hundreds of grieving family members and friends bade a tearful farewell to Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla as his mortal remains were consigned to the flames amid poignant scenes in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

Kuchibhotla, 32, was shot dead on Wednesday by a US navy veteran in a bar in Kansas in a possible hate crime. Kuchibhotlas colleague Alok Madasani, also an Indian, and an American citizen, who tried to stop the shooter, were injured in the incident.

Tears rolled down the cheeks of Kuchibhotla father K Madhusudhana Chary as he lit the pyre of his elder son at the Mahaprasthanam crematorium at Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad.

Kuchibhotlas wife Sunayana Dumala and other family members, hundreds of people, including politicians, residents of his colony at Bachupalli and friends wept as the pyre was lit amid chants of Vedic hymns.

Cries of Srinivas Kuchibhotla amar rahe and Bharat mata ki jai rent the air.

Union minister of state for labour Bandaru Dattatreya, film actors Jeevitha and Rajasekhar and several other VIPs were among those who paid their last respects during the funeral

The funeral procession started from his Bachupalli residence at around 12.30 pm in a special hearse van, bedecked with flowers.

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a Maharashtra womans plea to terminate her 26-week-old foetus on the ground that it suffered from Down syndrome after a court-appointed medical board advised against the abortion.

In its report submitted a day earlier, the panel of doctors from Mumbais KEM Hospital held the baby had chances of survival and, therefore, abortion should not be performed. The Centres counsel solicitor general Ranjit Kumar also opposed the plea on the basis of the medical report.

The 37-year-old woman from Alibaug approached the top court seeking judicial intervention because the law does not allow a woman to abort if her pregnancy crosses 20 weeks.

Termination of pregnancy is allowed in extreme cases if continuation is likely to cause grave injury to the womans health and/or increase or induce a risk of abnormalities in the child.

In the present case, the bench of justice SA Bobde and justice LN Rao noted the boards opinion and said there was no risk to the womans health, though it later orally observed that it was very sad for a mother to bring up a mentally retarded child.

Since the woman has also challenged the validity of the law saying it does not allow a woman to exert her right, the court tagged it with other petitions raising a similar contention.

The bench asked the solicitor to determine and address the court on whether a foetus can be termed as an independent life. If its independent then can another person - her mother - take away the life? And if its not an independent life then its like any other organ in a womans body, the bench said.

The womans counsel Colin Gonsalves said if a foetus is detected with Downs Syndrome before the 20-week ceiling doctors advise abortion. The senior advocate said no other country in the world had restrictions like the one under the Indian law.

Internationally, a woman can seek an abortion of an abnormal foetus. However, each country has its own limit, which in most cases is more than 20 weeks. Switzerland, Great Britain and the Netherlands are the only countries to not have such a ceiling.

In January this year, the Supreme Court allowed a 22-year-old Mumbai woman to terminate a 24-week pregnancy after doctors said the foetus was malformed and also posed a risk to the mothers life.

This is the third case of a pregnant woman approaching the top court seeking permission to abort a defective or under-developed foetus beyond the limit.

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A Telugu Desam Party MLA from Bhimavaram in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh has said he drank only milk till he was 20 and started eating solid food after he was compelled by his relatives.

In a recent interview to a web-based news channel I-dreams, Pulaparthi Ramanjaneyulu alias Anji Babu said he had never eaten rice, roti or curries before the age of 20.

Believe it or not, I did not have solid meal until the age of 20 years. I used to consume only milk all those years. I never felt like eating any other food, the 52-year-old legislator said.

When the anchor wondered whether it never occurred to him that he should eat solid food, Ramanjaneyulu replied in the negative. It was only when I was to get married at the age of 20, I was compelled to develop the habit of eating rice. My relatives feared that I may not get a good alliance if I dont eat proper meals, he said.

Even now, the member of the legislative assembly is not very fond of solid food. I just take a little quantity of rice at lunch. For dinner, I eat some light snack and milk, he said.

Ramanjaneyulu told Hindustan Times that his parents never forced him to eat solid meals. I was taking a good quantity of milk. So they never bothered about me eating rice or roti. I never relished it, he said.

Asked whether he ever felt sick because of the lack of solid food, which is essential for the growth of human body, the MLA said he was absolutely alright as milk contains all the nutrients. He said he did like rice when he had it for the first time but developed the habit of eating solid food only for the sake of others.

Nutritionists say a human being cannot survive only on milk and requires wholesome food with all the nutrients, vitamins, and carbohydrates that milk does not provide.

Retired nutritionist Dr V Ramdas Murthy, who was associated with National Institute of Nutrition, said it can be extremely difficult for a person to survive only on milk for 20 years.

Especially during the teenage, a person requires all kinds of nutrients for growth. It is really surprising how the person managed with just milk, he told HT.

Enquiries revealed that Ramanjaneyulu has been a diabetic patient for a long time.

In June 2014, he collapsed in the legislative assembly hall and was rushed to the hospital in Hyderabad. He underwent a bypass surgery. Maybe his food habits were responsible for his sickness then, Swamy Ayyappa, a local journalist at Bhimavaram, said.

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The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has asked the ministry of environment to ban the BBC from filming in all protected forest areas of the country for five years. The NTCA has also asked the ministry of external affairs to not renew BBC south Asia correspondent Justin Rowlatts visa, up for renewal in March.

Rowlatts documentary Killing for Conservation on the use of force in conservation efforts in Assams Kaziranga National Park has pitched the broadcaster against the government. The BBC documentary alleged a shoot at sight policy in place at Kaziranga allows forest guards to gun down people who appear to be a threat to wildlife.

An NTCA official described it as a breach of trust and said, BBC had hoodwinked the authorities to get permission.

Permission to shoot was granted with an undertaking that the broadcaster would share the film with the ministry of environment before broadcasting, something Rowlatt didnt do.

On February 13, the NTCA had called for blacklisting of Rowlatt, who lives in Delhi with his wife and four children.

The NTCA accused the BBC of not working constructively with the government of India which has resulted in the portraying of conservation efforts in India in extremely negative light. The BBC has maintained that it was not bound to show the film to authorities, and would have done so if any of the officials had requested it to do so.

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To be threatened with rape, ridiculed and trolled on social media for criticising a certain students organisation, hyper-nationalism and violence is troubling enough. But the online ordeal of Gurmehar Kaur has another aspect to it.

It brings to fore, yet again, Indian societys utter disregard for a womans own mind and her right to make her own choice.

Kaur shot to limelight post her criticism of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the recent violence in Delhi University last week and what followed were vile threats in the name of nationalism.

Since Kaur, daughter of a soldier killed by militants in Kashmir, criticised the brutal attack on innocent students by ABVP, she was labelled by many as an anti-national who should be ashamed considering her fathers martyrdom.

Others, including minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju and actor Randeep Hooda, were patronising towards the young woman in their comments, implying she cant think for herself.

Who's polluting this young girl's mind? A strong Arm Force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded. https://t.co/gXHkAGi9sh  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 27, 2017

While Rijiju asked whos polluting this young girls mind, Hooda said that was being used as a prop. In a separate tweet, Hooda said, Whats sad is that the poor girl is being used as political pawn

Both the comments have a striking resemblancethey sweep away the fact that Kaur, a 20-year-old student of English literature at the Lady Shri Ram College, is capable enough to reason out her own political ideology and take a stand.

Rijiju and Hooda, both infantilised Kaur, completely disregarding the fact that she has a mind of her own. She need not be polluted or used by anyone to arrive at a conclusion, form an opinion or a stand against the violence in her campus.

Kaur, of course, hit back on expected lines. To Hooda, she wrote back, Political pawn? I can think. I dont support violence perpetuated on students? Is that so wrong?

@RandeepHooda @ShekharGupta @virendersehwag political pawn? I can think. I don't support violence perpetuated on students? Is that so wrong.  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 26, 2017

I am not anti-national. My mind is not polluted. I have a mind of my own. I am an adult and can think and take individual decisions, Kaur told news agency ANI in response to Rijiju.

But Kaurs is not an isolated case. In the social media sphere, where she has been targeted, any Indian woman who is politically vocal, especially those who are critical of the ruling dispensation, faces nasty abuses and threats every day.

Misogyny, tinged with online anonymity, lead to sexist attacks on and trolling of women articulate on Twitter or Facebook.

But Kaurs case must also be put in the context of how both the establishment as well as societal conventions often do away with a womans right to make her own decisions and choices.

Threat to Womens Right to Choice

For instance, the very idea of BJP president Amit Shahs promised anti-Romeo squad in Uttar Pradesh is basically vigilantes taking care of girls and women (overriding the police and security machinery) and safeguard the honour and chastity of our girls from eve-teasers.

Anti-Romeo Squads will constitute yet one more threat to the right of women to make their own choices without fear of violent and unlawful retribution, wrote Subhashini Ali, vice president of the All India Democratic Womens Association (AIDWA) on NDTV website.

Rewind to the Hindu right-wings campaign against something termed as Love Jihad in 2014 which alleged a conspiracy by Muslim men tricking Hindu women into marrying themfrom which the Hindu woman must be protected.

The idea of Love Jihad disregarded the fact that a Hindu woman can willingly fall in love with a Muslim man and overlooked a womans right to choose her partner.

To cite a most recent and thought-provoking example, the first line in the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)s argument for denying a certificate to Lipstick Under My Burkha was The story is lady oriented, their fantasy above life.

It added further that there were in the film sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography and a bit sensitive touch about one particular section of society.

Director Alankrita Shrivastava was quick to observe, with which many agreed, Our films and governing bodies tell us that women can be object of desires but cant have desires of their own. That needs to change.

Of course, the trolling that Kaur faced is different from political campaigns in UP or issuance of film certificates. But its all linked together by and reflective of an inherent patriarchal mindset thats uncomfortable with a woman expressing her freedom to choose and decide.

As a debate on Kaur raged online, historian Ramachandra Guhas tweet drove home the point.

Indian patriarchy, he wrote, had a shameful past; the comments of BJP MPs and Ministers on Gurmehar Kaur suggest it has an even more shameful present.

(The views expressed are personal. The author tweets on @saha_abhi1990)

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India rejected on Tuesday media reports that a demarche was issued to the United States over the killing of a Hyderabad engineer, saying pro-active response of the American government and senior authorities in Kansas obviated the need for such an action.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, was shot dead by an American in a crowded bar in Kansas City in an apparent hate crime incident .Adam Purinton, 51, the alleged shooter, thought they were Middle Easterners and was heard telling them to get out of my country at the time of the shooting.

Kuchibhotlas colleague Alok Madasani, also an Indian, and an American citizen, who tried to stop the shooter, were injured in the incident.

It is important to note that the US authorities are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the US, a matter which continues to receive the governments top priority, external affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay asserted.

He said the US government and senior authorities in Kansas have promptly responded to the killing of 32-year-old Kuchibhotla, and also drew attention to the strong condemnation of the tragic shooting by the US Embassy in New Delhi last week.

Kuchibhotla is possibly the first casualty of the religious, racial and ethnic divisiveness that has swept the US following the election of President Donald Trump, with minorities such as Jews and Muslims reporting a surge in attacks on them and their institutions.

The US Charge dAffaires had stated that her country welcomes people from across the world and the US authorities will investigate thoroughly and prosecute the case, Baglay said.

This approach is reflected in the sentiments and assurances from senior most authorities of Kansas, who have reached out to the Indian Consul General in Houston. These developments obviated the need for a demarche by the government on this matter, Baglay said.

The spokesperson was reacting to a query on the media report that the Embassy of India in Washington had issued a demarche to the US State Department.

In Washington last week, Indian embassy spokesman Pratik Mathur had said in a statement, Government of India has taken up the matter with the US authorities to express our deep concern and have asked for speedy investigation. US government while condemning the attack, have assured us that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.

Baglay also mentioned that We also must not forget the noble and courageous gesture of the young American Ian Grillot, who risked his life while countering the shooter.

Former US Secretary of State and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has asked Trump to step up and speak out on rising hate crimes in the US. Her comments came as the body of Kuchibhotla was flown to India and cremated on Tuesday in Hyderabad with grieving relatives, friends and neighbours gathering for the last rites.

The White House has said reports on the killing was disturbing. I dont want to get ahead of the law enforcement, but I was asked the other day about the story in Kansas -- the shooting in Kansas, Trumps press secretary Sean Spicer said in his opening remarks at the daily briefing on Monday.
Eleven women were raped every day and six gang-raped every week in Madhya Pradesh over the last year, figures presented in the state assembly on Monday revealed. More than half of these victims were minors, the data shows.

The latest figures, presented in the state assembly for last six months, coupled with figures submitted to the House in July last year, show that between February 1, 2016 and mid-February 2017, as many as 4,279 women were raped of which 2,260 were minors. The data also shows that 248 gang-rapes were reported during the period.

The written reply was presented by the home minister Bhupendra Singh in response to Congress Ram Niwas Rawats query on the number of rape cases in MP since June 30, 2016.

The fresh data shows that MP continued to be one of the most unsafe places for women in the country even though the number of sexual assault cases came down from 12 rapes each day in 2015 and 14 every day in 2014.

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2015, released in August last year, revealed that MP reported highest number of rape cases (4,391) in the country. In 2014 also the state reported 5,076 rape cases, accounting for 14% of the total rape cases reported from across the country (according to NCRB 2014 report). In 2013, 4,335 rape cases were reported in the state against 3,425 rape cases in 2012.

Social activists working for the cause of women expressed concern over the rise in sexual violence in the state. There has been 74% rise in rape cases and 630% surge in cases of kidnapping of women between 2006 and 2015, according to the analysis by NGO Vikas Samwad. The analysis is based on cases registered under crime against women in the state between 2006 and 2015 in state crime records bureau.

Read more: Bhopal sees rise in rapes, vehicle theft in 2016

Womens rights activist, Shivani Taneja, said, The actual number of rapes must be much higher. Sexual violence continues against women in the state as there has been no change in the patriarchal mindset of the people, she said.

>Meanwhile, director general of police, MP, Rishi Kumar Shukla said the number of rape cases in MP was high as women were encouraged to come out and report the crime. In MP, more cases are registered. So the figures are high. MP is the only state which has started crime against women units in 50 districts of the state, which ensure all cases related to crime against the women are registered and guilty people are punished.

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BJP leader Juhi Chowdhury, suspected to be involved in the sensational child trafficking racket in West Bengals Jalpaiguri district, was arrested on Monday night close to the India-Nepal border in Darjeeling district by CID sleuths, police said.

Chowdhury, who was on the run for the last few days after her name was linked to the case involving trafficking of at least 17 children, was picked up from Batasi area under Kharibari police station in Siliguri sub-division, said Special Superintendent (north), CID, Ajay Prasad.

She was being brought for interrogation to the Pintel Village, where the CID has set up a temporary camp and will be produced in court on Wednesday.

Chowdhurys arrest came on a day when Chandana Chakraborty, arrested in connection with the scandal earlier this month, blamed her for the wrongdoing.

Chakraborty, chairperson of Jalpaiguri-based child adoption centre Bimala Sishu Griho, was arrested with Chief Adoption Officer Sonali Mondal for allegedly selling at least 17 children through shady adoption deals.

The CID later arrested Manas Bhowmik in connection with the case.

Her links with the woman BJP leader are also being probed.

Juhi Chowdhury is involved with the adoption centre for the last three years. If something wrong or immoral was done, it was done by her. Why am I being victimised? I am not the culprit, Chakraborty said in Jalpaiguri on Tuesday morning.

She admitted going to Delhi with Chowdhury to seek help for her organisation and claimed the BJP leader did all the negotiations with the senior leadership while she was in a different room.

Juhi assured me she would sort out all the issues, Chakraborty said.

I havent talked to anyone, Juhi did. She might have talked to (BJP leaders) Roopa Ganguly and Kailash Vijayvargiya. I was sitting in a separate room. We are innocent. We will definitely help in the investigation, she added.

Denying the allegations, BJP state president Dilip Ghosh claimed on Tuesday morning Chowdhury was being victimised as part of a larger political conspiracy.

Juhi was not a part of their (child adoption centre) committee. She has been dragged into the case as she went to Delhi with her (Chakraborty)... If Juhi is found guilty, the law will take its course, Ghosh said in Kolkata,

Queried on the issue before Chowdhurys arrest, Ganguly shot back: Why should I respond to what an accused has said?
Heres a quick update of whats in the news.

Gurmehar Kaur responds to Rijiju tweet: Im not anti-national, nobody is polluting my mind

Gurmehar Kaur, a Delhi University student and daughter of a martyr, whose message on social media against right-wing students organisation ABVP went viral, said that she was heartbroken over the raging controversy triggered by her stand. Kaur also said she was not acting under anybodys influence, apparently responding to junior home minister Kiren Rijijus tweet asking who was polluting her mind.

Read the full story here.

Protests by ABVP keep Delhi University on the boil, counter-campaigns lined up

Protest and counter-protests continues to rock Delhi University over last weeks violence at Ramjas College. The Delhi University Students Union (DUSU), led by the ABVP, held a Tiranga March on Monday, calling the demonstration with a giant national flag a course to instill nationalism in people, especially students. Students and teachers from DU and JNU, Left and AAP-affiliated student groups will take to the streets today.

Read the full story here.

Jaitley rejects Chidambarams criticism, says his history and facts wrong

Finance minister Arun Jaitley has rejected criticism from Congress leader P Chidambaram on his alliance of subversion remark about the turmoil in Ramjas College and said the latter had his history and facts wrong. On Chidambaram reminding Jaitley of his own role as a student leader in Delhi University in the mid 1970s, the latter told HT: He belongs to a political party which subverted democracy in 1975. I went to prison for 19 months opposing the Congress autocracy. If fighting for democracy is Chidambarams definition of subversion, he really has to redefine his grammar of politics, Jaitley added.

Read the full story here.

Congress condemns BJP MP for comparing army martyrs daughter to Dawood

The Congress denounced Union minister Kiren Rijiju and a BJP MP for making controversial remarks about Gurmehar Kaur, a slain soldiers daughter, who started a social media campaign against the ABVP. The Congress said the remarks were a perfect example of the BJPs fascist mindset.

Read the full story here.

UP election: It wouldve been better if BJP had given tickets to Muslims, says Naqvi

It would have been better if the BJP gave tickets to Muslims for the ongoing Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Monday. Home minister Rajnath Singh had reportedly said on Thursday that Muslims should have been given tickets. Water resources minister Bharti echoed similar views on Sunday. Read the full story here.

Indian engineer Srinvas Kuchibhotlas body arrives in Hyderabad

The body of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a 32-year-old engineer who was shot dead in a Kansas City bar in a suspected hate crime, arrived in Hyderabad on Monday night. His wife, Sunayana, and a couple of his friends from the US brought the body in a special flight of Air India that landed in the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad on the outskirts of the city around 9.40pm.

Read the full story here.

Donald Trump eyes massive hike in US defence budget for stronger military

US President Donald Trump is proposing a massive 10% hike in the countrys defence budget in line with his campaign promise of a stronger military. This budget will be a public-safety and national-security budget, Trump said a day before he addresses a joint session of congress. It will include a historic increase in defense spending to rebuild the depleted military of the United States of America at a time we most need it.

Read the full story here.

Padmakar Shivalkar, Rajinder Goel to get C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award

The mobile phone of Padmakar Shivalkar, the champion Mumbai left-arm spinner who was unfortunate not to play for India, did not stop ringing yesterday after the BBCI nominated him for the Col CK Nayudu lifetime achievement award. Former Haryana left-arm spinner Rajinder Goel, Ranji Trophys highest wickettaker with 637 scalps, too didnt get to play for India. He has also been bestowed with the same honour.

Read the full story here.

Oscars 2017: PwCs hard-won reputation under threat after Moonlight gaffe

For 82 years, accounting and consulting firm PwC has enjoyed a reputational boon from handling the balloting process at the Academy Awards. Now its hard-won image as a dependable partner is under threat. The company has apologised for a colossal mistake at the 89th Academy Awards on Sunday night when actors Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty wrongly announced the top Oscar went to La La Land, instead of Moonlight. The presenters, it turned out, had been given the wrong envelope by tabulators PwC, in this case the one awarding Emma Stone for best actress for her role in La La Land.

Read the full story here.

Nokia 3310 is back. Here are 5 things you need to know

The rumours were true - the iconic Nokia 3310 is back and it even has Snake. A refreshed version of the 3310, known for its simple design and a near indestructible shell, was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Sunday. For the features of the phone.

Read full story here.
Tehran, Iran, February 28



By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:



Tehran highly regards the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), said Iran's president Hassan Rouhani, prior to departing for Pakistan to attend the ECO meeting.



The ECO is the only important regional organization of which Iran is a founding member of, and Iran bears great responsibility to develop the organization, Rouhani said, IRNA news agency reported February 28.



The ECO meeting will be preceded by the 22nd Meeting of the ECO Council of Foreign Ministers (COM) on the same day.



To develop our country we need the cooperation of others, neighbors in particular. Also, many members are our neighbors and our cooperation will be vital to the future of the region, Rouhani said.



The region is facing problems such as terrorism, he noted, hoping that through cooperation at the ECO, the member states resolve regional problems.



The Summit is expected to review the state of affairs of ECO in the light of the new and emerging global and regional circumstances and agree on the course of actions ECO should follow in expanding regional economic cooperation among its Member States.



The new "ECO Vision 2025" is also expected to be adopted in Islamabad meetings.



The Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan are the ten Member States of ECO. The last ECO Summit was held in October 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
A group of six Allahabad University (AU) students has pledged to contribute their bit to the nation by educating slum kids who are otherwise forced to beg on the streets.

The group is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of building a strong India.

Working under the name Hamari Pathshala, the group teaches fundamentals of English, Hindi and Mathematics to around 110 underprivileged kids at three different slums in the city.

The group is led by Rajneesh Dubey, a resident of Mirzapur, who despite being physically challenged has been teaching for the past three years in the slums.

While two classes were held in Alopibagh one was held in George Town. The students teach the kids after attending their own classes and even provide stationary and notebooks to them from their own pocket said Rajneesh adding that undergrad students of neighbouring districts are also being contacted to start such classes. The classes that start mostly after 2 pm lasts for about one hour or as long the kids show their willingness to learn.

On what forced them to start such an initiative, Rajneesh said, One day in 2014, we saw small children begging outside a Hanuman Temple. The sight forced us to think of a solution. After a few days we set out to teach in nearby slums and stopped the kids from begging.

According to Jai Thakur, another student teaching in one of the slums, It is a satisfying experience teaching such children who never went to a school. We are making these kids learn how to read and write and make them better human beings. It is everyones duty to contribute towards nation building.

Another student Rajeev Dubey said if the ongoing Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan had been properly implemented such slum kids would not have been begging.

We will try to establish a network of such Hamari Pathshala classes, which would be handled by our juniors in days to come.

It is our moral responsibility to pass on whatever we have learnt in our life to the less fortunate, he added.

Read more: Ghaziabad students seek to educate underprivileged with spare change

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Rumana Siddiqui, 45, who till recently was BJPs minority wing chief in Uttar Pradesh, was among the 40-odd minority community members expecting a BJP ticket for 2017 UP polls.

Siddiqui, who claims that under her watch the partys minority membership in UP swelled to a record 2 lakh, had sought a ticket from Sahaswan assembly segment of Muslim-dominated Badaun. This is the seat from where BJP had fielded Alam Saifi, its lone Muslim candidate, in 2012 UP polls.

Saifi lost his deposit from the seat where BJP has now fielded west UP strongman DP Yadavs nephew Jitendra.

Yes, I was hopeful but the party must have considered winnability of candidates before taking a decision, says Siddiqui even as many BJP leaders have now begun to question why the party couldnt find even a single candidate from among the minorities.

Before 2012, the last Muslim candidate who had contested on a BJP ticket was in 2002.

Read more| UP polls: As Ayodhya votes, Vinay Katiyar plays Ram temple tune again

Party MP Vinay Katiyar, however, maintains that the BJP did the right thing by not fielding Muslim candidates. We dont have anything against Muslims. We want to take everyone along. But whats the point in fielding candidates from a community that doesnt support us, Katiyar told HT.

Siddiqui, however, isnt so sure. I guess even on a conservative estimate about 10% of the community vote does go to BJP. The response to our membership drive is proof of this, says Siddiqui, who had received a life threat in November.

The threat was to force me out of the BJP, says Siddiqui, who had filed a police complaint too.

After union home minister Rajnath Singh, two more union ministers  Uma Bharti and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi  have now publicly conceded that BJP could have done well to field some minority community candidates. We could have done that (given tickets), Uma had told a news channel.

I am really feeling sorry that we could not field a Muslim. I spoke with (BJP president) Amit Shah and (state party president) Keshav Prasad Maurya about how we could have brought a Muslim to the assembly, she said. Rajnathji has said the right thing, we could have given tickets (to Muslims), she said.

Naqvi also said it would have been better if the BJP had given tickets to Muslims for the ongoing UP polls.

He, however, said the BJP believed in taking along all sections of society and the community would be adequately compensated for after the party formed the government in the state.

Incidentally, prominent Shia cleric Kalbe Jawad had appealed to Muslims to support Rajnath when he had contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls from Lucknow. Rajnath won the poll by a record margin getting good response from Muslims too.

Interestingly the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), a body supported by RSS to connect with the minorities also was hopeful of tickets to Muslims.

It would have been nice had the party symbolically fielded at least one candidate from the community in UP. There were several hopefuls from within the MRM but I guess BJP knows better why it didnt field any Muslim, says Raees Khan, an MRM office bearer.

Ahead of UP polls Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tried to connect with the community by taking up the issue of triple talaq. Modis focus on triple talaq and how he wanted the exploitation of Muslim women to end had received mixed response from the community with many community women supporting the PM.

With the motto of sabka-saath, sabka vikas our party definitely has plans for the minorities too. We want to take everyone along, says Vinay Dwivedi, the BJP candidate from Mehnanun assembly seat in Gonda from where some Muslims were also demanding tickets. The BJPs minority cell had also staked its claim on Sultanpur seat from where BJP put up Surya Bhan Singh.

I dont think it is right to judge our intentions simply on the basis of who all were fielded. The country is progressing under Modis visionary leadership and I guess everyone, including Muslims, would enjoy the fruits of that development, says Singh. (With agency inputs)

Read more| UP polls: Why Brahmins give BJP a reason to smile in Uttar Pradeshs caste maze

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There are many who drop by Mainpuri, some on business and others to visit the numerous temples that dot its semi-urban landscape.

Shanta Ram Ratan, who arrived in the town on Monday, had a different priority. The 55-year-old resident of Holland was here to fulfill her fathers last wish  which comprised tracing their familys roots in Mainpuri with nothing more than a vague address to go by.

Shantas father was just a boy of nine when the British sent him and his mother to Surinam in South America over 105 years ago. Later, he shifted to Holland.

I have been here twice since 1984. So, this is my third attempt to trace our roots in Mainpuri, and it certainly wont be my last. I will find them sooner or later, she says.

During this visit, Shanta and a friend  Seema Kiran  visited the residence of Mainpuris late Raja Tej Singhs sarvarakar (custodian) to look for records, but in vain. Raja Tej Singh was the ruler of the region in the beginning of the 20th century.

Shantas father, Shyam Sundar Ram Ratan, had passed away in 1976. My grandmother and my father had to leave Mainpuri on April 3, 1912. The British regime took them to Kolkata on the pretext of making a trip to the Shri Ram Temple, from where they were sent to Surinam by ship. They were made to work as bonded labourers at a sugarcane farm in Surinam, she says.

Though Shanta knows Suraj Kali was 25 when she reached South America on May 14, 1912, she has no knowledge of what happened to her husband. That was yet another mystery to be unraveled.

However, it may not be a very easy task  considering that Shanta is aware neither of the caste nor the address of her fathers long-lost family. She was seen moving around Mainpuri through Sunday and Monday, making enquiries about the past from local residents.

Way back in 1984, Shanta had visited the British embassy in Surinam to look at the records of people brought in to work in plantations. They told him that the name of her grandmother, a Myanmarese citizen married to a Mainpuri resident, was Sonkali Ram Sahai. However, it wasnt clear if Ram Sahai was her husband or father. The clue that brought me here this time was an address  Chappatti Mohalla in Mainpuris Kotwali area, she says.

Shanta, who has four children and a husband back in Holland, speaks Hindi. She will be flying back to Holland from Delhi on March 10.

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After Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the Maharashtra government may bring in a bill to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, to pave the way for its centuries-old tradition of bullock cart racing.

CM Devendra Fadnavis has asked a law and judiciary department to look into bringing the bill during the first week of the budget session, scheduled to begin on March 6. Animal rights activists, however, are strongly opposed to the move, saying the race was banned as the bulls were being tortured. The BJP governments populist move comes in response to demands by farmers organisations and elected representatives, after Tamil Nadu lifted ban on Jallikattu, brushing aside objections raised by animal rights organisations there. The popular races were banned i n Maharashtra in 2011, after bulls were categorised as performing animals under the Act. The CM has sought legal opinion on the issue, after a discussion in the business advisory committee of the state legislature. Our endeavour would be to bring the bill in the first week of the budget session, said Girish Bapat, the parliamentary affairs minister. Dr Manilal Valliyate, the director of veterinary affairs, PETA India, however said they will make a representation again to the state government on the issue.

Following investigations into bull-cart races in Maharashtra in 2013, PETAs investigators observed that bulls were being deprived of food, water and shade; were forcefully yanked by nose ropes, which caused their noses to bleed. They were physically abused in order to force them to run  even when exhausted  by having their tails bitten and twisted, being struck and having irritants rubbed into their mouths. PETA India will again write to the Maharashtra government to help them understand that bullock races are inherently cruel and the state must prevent any harm to bullocks, similar to what they did by banning slaughter of bullocks for meat, Valliyate said.

Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil, Shiv Sena MP from Shirur (Pune district ) and Peasants and Workers Party legislator Jayant Patil were among the politicians pursuing the issue with the state .

The CM assured us last month with legal steps to ensure rollback of the ban about a month ago, but no announcement was made as code of conduct was in force. .. We are not averse to provisions for action against cruelty to the bulls in the law, but the centuries-old tradition should not be banned,Jayant Patil said.

Adhalrao Patil said he had raised the issue in Parliament thrice and sought intervention of PM Narendra Modi for the amendment by the Centre. If the act is amended by the Centre, it will be applicable all over the country, states will not have to go for an amendment at their level.

READ MORE

Kambala bill passed: PETA says allowing animal cruelty is black mark on India

Like TN, Maharashtra CM must remove ban on bullock-cart race: Shiv Sena
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has been facing the ire of electoral candidates who had to bite the dust in the recent civic polls. In a fresh attack on Tuesday, Shiv Sena leader Trushna Vishwasrao reiterated her partys allegations that Marathi names were deleted from the voters list, which resulted in many registered citizens being unable to exercise their franchise.

These allegations were hurled at the second-last standing committee meeting of the BMC before the new house is constituted after March 8.

Most of the 11 lakh names that were deleted from the list were those of Maharashtrians. These votes would have benefitted us. There should be an inquiry in this, said Vishwasrao.

A senior leader, Vishwasrao lost to Congress Sufiyan Vanu from ward number 179 in Wadala.

On Tuesday, current opposition leader Pravin Chheda also alleged that the BJP candidate in his ward had been favoured, as BMC had ordered four road works in Ghatkopar during the code of conduct.

There were no tenders, the works were ordered directly by the civic chief himself all of a sudden, when the code of conduct was still in place, Chheda alleged, demanding an inquiry. He lost to first-timer Parag Shah from the BJP in Ghatkopars ward number 132.

Standing committee chairman Yashodhar Phanse supported the demand for both inquiries and asked the administration to table a report in the next meeting.

Phanse said that many Maharashtrian voters from his ward could not vote because of the errors. A senior Sena leader who had been a favourite for the post of the Mayor, Phanse also lost from ward number 60 in Andheri.

BJP corporator Dilip Patel said had all the voters got a chance to cast their votes, then the BJP would have won more seats.

During the February 21 election, many could not find their names on the voter list. The Sena has also started a toll-free number for people to register complaints.

Civic officials, however, said that the complainants should have checked their names when BMC initiated the drive in 2015. A senior civic official said, We had asked citizens to check their names through different mediums even if they had voted in the 2014 Assembly election. People waking up on voting day is useless.

READ MORE

BMC polls: Muslim women corporators make history in Mumbai

Tie-up with Congress better than alliance with Afzal Guru-supporter Mehbooba Mufti, Shiv Sena taunts BJP

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Over 100 doctors from 16 municipal hospitals of Mumbai have refused to follow the three-year transfer rule.

Responding to a query filed under Right to Information Act, the municipal health department revealed that 108 senior medical officers and medical officers from the hospitals such as Rajawadi, Ghatkopar, K B Bhabha, V N Desai and others, have been working in the same establishment for 3 to 20 years.

According to the employee transfer policy laws of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, doctors are supposed to be transferred to a different medical facility every three years. The rules also state that a civic-run establishment should transfer 25% of their working staff every three years.

Health activists said that the delay in transfer works against the patients welfare and quality of care because the doctors, working in same establishment for a long time form a well-oiled nexus with pharmacies and diagnostic laboratories that offer kickbacks for referrals.

Despite the fact that Medical Council of India (MCI) has asked doctors from civic facilities to prescribe generic drugs to the patients, many of these doctors usually prescribe branded drugs, which are available at pharmacies outside the hospital. Even for the diagnostic tests, they as patients to go to certain laboratories. The transfer policy can break this nexus, said Chetan Kothari, the RTI applicant.

The BMC norms also state that the establishment should create a list of employees who have completed three years of service in April month and submit the same with their head of the department.

Dr Arun Gadre, a health activist said that while the doctor is only a cog in the system of kickbacks, transfer of doctors makes sure the nexus doesnt grow stronger. If the doctors are transferred regularly, it breaks the chain of comfort and familiarity with the certain pharmacies and private radiologists and in turn patients are benefitted because they can avail more services from the civic set up, said Dr Gadre.

Something that is bigger than the kickbacks is that of inflow and outflow of patients between the civic facilities and their own private hospitals, said a doctor on the condition of anonymity. Many doctors from BMC have received notices and faced action for working in private hospitals and they continue to use civic facilities for patients from their own private hospitals which are usually in the vicinity of the civic hospital, he added.

Dr P Jadhav, chief medical superintendent of periphery hospitals refused the statistics and said that the number couldnt be more than a handful. We keep doing internal transfers of the doctors according to the norms. Its not possible that they have stayed at one place for decades, said Jadhav.

Executive health officer Dr Padmaja Keskar and additional municipal commissioner (health department) IA Kundan, remained unavailable for comments.

Also read: Only 1 in 5 Indian children survives cancer, Mumbai docs blame wrong diagnosis, treatment
The results to the Brihanumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections might not have been quite to Uddhav Thackerays expectations, but it is becoming increasingly clear the Shiv Sena president is not giving up just yet. He is determined his party will elect a mayor and if he is looking towards the Congress, I do not find anything peculiar in this delicious situation where every party is caught between a rock and a very hard place.

The Sena, after all, is a creature of the Congress, set up as it was in the 1960s by khadi-clad, Gandhi-topi donning stalwarts of the freedom movement, simply because they and some industrialists  who then funded Bal Thackeray  wished to rid the city of the communists and their troublesome trade unions.

As Bombay has gone from a manufacturing and textile hub of those days to a city specialising in banking and financial services, however thin the Senas victory margin, the city continues to be owned by Bal Thackerays party. And an unabashed Saamna continues to hammer the BJP  this time, in response to chief minister Devendra Fadnaviss statement that his party would never take the support of the Congress to win the mayoral polls. The paper has snapped back, Better to ally with the Congress, than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of Kashmir who are supporters of Afzal Guru.

The Congress should have found comfort in that statement, but it is now caught additionally in a situation where it is damned if it does and damned if it doesnt . Dismal as its performance has been (with just 31 seats in the BMC), it is the only party with enough numbers to ensure a mayoral victory for either side. But much as it might like to deal with the Shiv Sena, it cannot afford to jeopardise its secular credentials  though its arrangement with the Sena in the Raigad zilla parshad (ZP) polls wherein posters of Sonia Gandhi and Bal Thackeray appeared on the same page have already cost its reputation a good deal. But now voting against the Shiv Sena would clearly be akin to voting with the BJP and an abstention would be seen as helping the Shiv Sena which is already busy gathering its numbers from among independents and others. So it must put up its own mayoral candidate when everybody knows it is nothing but a rump in the BMC. But that is how, probably, the party will help out its old friend, though how many will be fooled by this farce is not a tough question to answer.

Over the past few days I have been asked why the BJP is not able to snap up the Independents as the Sena seems to be doing. I guess that is because they have mopped up the maximum numbers of corporators they could before the polls  they poached from all political parties including the Congress and the Shiv Sena  and those remaining were simply not interested for various reasons in allying with the BJP.

Moreover, after these polls, Uddhav Thackeray has emerged as the leader of the most consequence in Maharashtra  he is his own man, serious and determined, unlike his cousin Raj Thackeray who messed up a great mandate in the early years of his party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, because he failed to understand that politics was not just about playing one against the other. Then, again, Uddhav now dwarfs even leaders like Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule who have to play second fiddle to Sharad Pawar, who himself is waning in influence. The Congress has only Ashok Chavan, but shackled as he is by the Adarsh case, he is virtually invisible. And Fadnavis is regarded as a mere yes-man of his party high command.

That gives Uddhav a great edge over all other leaders in Maharashtra and he is likely to find more traction among the independents, though with administrative powers at his disposal, Fadnavis could make many more promises to the independents. How far he succeeds remains to be seen.

So what happens now? My guess is they will remain allies in the State government though for a time they will have to keep their distance in the BMC if they wish to maintain the confidence of the people in their respective positions. There has been too much bitter acrimony and malice during the polls for them to kiss and make up so soon, if ever. For they win more seats fighting each other than when united. It clearly pays to keep the enmity going.

Also read: Can Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis save his wicket?

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The Bombay high court on Tuesday lambasted the Maharashtra government for ignoring passengers safety while making knowledge of Marathi mandatory for autorickshaw drivers seeking licences.

Governments emphasis should not be only on the knowledge of language, but also on passengers safety, said a division bench of justice Abhay Oka and Girish Kulkarni.

What is the mechanism to provide immediate protection to passengers, if some auto rickshaw driver misbehaves with a passenger? the judges asked the assistant government pleader, Manish Pabale, appearing for the transport department.

On Monday, the bench told the government that the language condition was prima facie incorrect. It will continue its order on Wednesday.

Noting that the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, requires, among others, autorickshaw drivers to behave in a civil and orderly manner towards passengers, the bench asked the state government how it will enforce the rules.

The court was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by various auto associations, primarily challenging the validity of a circular issued by the transport commissioner on February 20, 2016.

The order mandated that auto drivers applying for licences shall have a working knowledge of Marathi and be aware of the topography of the area for which the permit is sought.

Terming the transport commissioners circular illegal, petitioners argued the state government should have laid down the language rule.

The judges also sought to know from the petitioners lawyer, Suresh Sabrad, how they want to comply with the Marathi rule and other guideline stipulating a dress code, permits and safety of passengers.

This needs to be taken to a logical conclusion, said the bench, referring to an order passed by another bench of the court on November 17, 2016, in a similar petition filed by Mira Bhayandar Republican Rickshaw Chalak Malak Union.

On November 17, the bench had said the local language condition did not appear to be unreasonable.

Expanding the scope of the petition, the HC had also included the passengers safety issue, considering a number of complaints had been received from the public over unruly behaviour of auto drivers.

It had also directed the transport commissioner to inform it about the steps taken to redress commuters grievances.

READ

Few Maharashtrian takers for auto permits
Commuters in the city breathed a temporary sigh of relief on Tuesday after drivers attached with app-based taxi services like Ola and Uber deferred the strike by a month.

After holding a meeting at Govandi, the cab drivers decided to postpone their strike to March 21. Earlier, the decided to go on strike from March 1.

We have decided to go on an indefinite strike from March 21. Prior to this, we will protest against the companies at Azad Maidan, keeping the vehicles off the road, on March 14, said Raju Patil, president of Sangharsh Tourist Taxi Chalak Malak Sangh.

Irked by their steadily reducing income, increasing penalties and a cut on incentive policies, the cabbies had threatened strike from the end of February or the beginning of March, after an informal meeting at Bandra-Kurla Complex last Sunday.

Patil added that nearly 800 to 1,000 drivers with Ola and Uber were present at the Govandi meeting. He said that their union will submit a memorandum of the demands to the government and the managements of Ola and Uber, on Wednesday.

The drivers said that their daily earning had gone down and they were not receiving sufficient bookings from the companies for the last three months . Also, they were being slapped with penalties (for denial of duty) and their incentives had been reduced.

Presently, Mumbai has over 30,000 Ola and Uber taxis. Some drivers said that they brought taxis relying on the companys assurances about a certain amount of monthly business. They claimed that the new vehicles had been brought against loans, but it was getting difficult for them to pay the monthly instalments on time.

Delhi and several southern metro cities such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad have already faced protests.

If the cabs go on strike, this will be the first one for app-based cabs in the city. It may cause inconvenience to commuters because these cabs have rapidly become popular since their inception in 2014. Several Mumbaiites rely on the cabs now, which assure fast, reliable and comfortable ride.

Meanwhile, the state government is in the process of bringing in new rules to regulate app-based aggregators with the City Taxi Rules 2016. There is a lot of pressure on the government from the drivers of traditional cabs and auto rickshaws to reign in and regulate the app based cabs, who are seen to have diverted profits away from traditional cabs.

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Ola-Uber strike: Cabbies from Mumbai likely to announce date today

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With less than 10 days to go for the mayoral election in Mumbai, the Shiv Sena is taking steps to consolidate its position as the party with maximum strength in the House to get the citys next mayor elected and also to ensure that no defections happen, especially of the independents who have vowed to support the party. On the other hand, the BJP has still not opened its cards, although some developments are expected after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis visit to Delhi on Tuesday.

The Senas 84 corporators and four independents supporting it visited the Konkan Divisional Commissioners office and registered themselves as a group to secure the partys strength and avoid last-minute defections.

A senior Sena leader said, This will ensure that even the independents are associates of the Sena and none of them will back out at the eleventh hour when it comes to supporting our mayoral candidate. If they do back out, they face suspension as corporators. Under the rules, independents cant change sides once they become associate members of a particular party. With the Sena enrolling four independents as its associate members, the BJP will have less scope for any manoeuvers in the civic house. The two parties are locked in a power tussle with the Sena winning 84 out of 227 seats with the BJP coming a close second with 82. Either party will require a strength of 114 or secure maximum votes in the mayoral election to win power in the civic body.

The Sena also appointed senior corporator Yashwant Jadhav, a party member for nearly four decades, as its group head in the BMC.

Ever since results to the BMC election were announced on Thursday last week, the Sena has been scrambling to bolster its presence in the civic body and ensure it gets its mayor elected by reaching out to the five independent corporators, Congress and other smaller parties. Sources said this could also be an attempt to drive a hard bargain with the BJP, as the Sena is not keen on sharing the mayoral position with the latter, even in case of a tie-up in the BMC.

The Congress leadership has been divided over the partys course of action, making the possibility of a Sena and a Congress tie-up bleak. However, the partys leaders have also been considering propping up its own mayoral candidate. Such a scenario will indirectly help the Sena by reducing the number required to get its mayor elected.

The Senas leaders are also breathing easy given that the MNS has signalled that its position will benefit Marathi manoos and the NCP has said it will not help the BJP.

We currently have 88 votes with the support of independent candidates, while the BJP has 82. The NCP and MNS may either abstain or perhaps vote in our favour, but not the BJPs. The MNS says it will support the Marathi population. The BJP got its votes not from the citys Marathi population, but the Gujaratis and North Indians. Even if the Congress puts up its mayoral candidate and other parties side with it, we will still have the highest numbers to get our mayor elected, a senior Sena leader said.

The Congress has 31 corporators, while the MNS and the NCP have a tally of seven and nine, respectively. Besides, the Samajwadi Party, which has rejected the option of supporting either of the saffron parties, has six corporators, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen has two and the Akhil Bharatiya Sena has one.

The Sena, which has been at the helm of the BMC for nearly two decades, fought independently in the civic polls, without an alliance with the BJP, for the first time since 1997. While both parties led a shrill acrimonious campaign with both confident of getting a thumping majority in the BMC, the Sena and the BJP ended up neck-and-neck with the former having 84 seats and the latter 82. This was the first election in the Mumbai civic body in the past 25 years that any party came this close to the Sena, which derives its political strength from the city.

READ MORE

Tie-up with Congress better than alliance with Afzal Guru-supporter Mehbooba Mufti, Shiv Sena taunts BJP

BMC polls: Western suburbs gave BJP its edge over Shiv Sena

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28



By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:



Under an agreement with the ports and maritime organization of Iran, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) will be in charge of confiscating those vessels that violate the laws in the Persian Gulf.



According to the agreement, the IRGC will hand over the confiscated vessels to the ports and maritime organization of Iran, Tasnim news agency reported.



Last April Iranian patrol boats intercepted the MV Maersk Tigris, a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel, in the Strait of Hormuz forcing it into Iranian territorial waters.



The ports and maritime organization said that a Tehran court had given the order to seize the ship following a legal complaint from an Iranian private company.
Four years after Bollywood actress Jiah Khans death, her mother Rabia is still fighting to prove that her death was a murder, and not a suicide. Rabia has now approached the Supreme Court as her plea seeking a Special Investigations Team (SIT) was rejected by the Bombay high court on February 9.

Jiah was found hanging in her room on June 3, 2013. A week later, the Juhu police had arrested actor Sooraj Pancholi for abetment to suicide. On Tuesday, the case was scheduled for court to pass an order for commencement of the trial. However, Rabias lawyer sought time as they have moved the Apex court.

We are expecting the petition to come up for hearing after February 20, as the Apex court is on holiday, Rabias lawyer told the court.

The special public prosecutor Dinesh Tiwari also sought time, saying that they need to comply with the order of the Bombay high court.

As per the order of the Bombay high court, Rabia Khan is directed to handover all the reports and evidence to the prosecution. As per the reports, the girl is supposed to have been strangulated before being hanged. In such a case, I will have to bring all these facts before the court as soon as I am formally given copies of it, Tiwari contended.

Meanwhile, Pancholis lawyer Prashant Patil moved a plea saying that fundamental right of the accused for speedy trial is being violated. As per the law, the charges as prayed by the family can be added at any stage. There is no need for further delaying the commencement of the trial. Even if the family has approached the apex court, the trial court can still start the case as there is no stay on the trial, Patil argued.

The court, after considering all the arguments, adjourned the hearing on March 24, observing that the prosecution should open the case on the date, subject to the hearing and direction of the Apex court if any.

Confusion over trial

While the trial in the Jiah Khan murder case is deferred, the another question which is being raised is who will conduct the trial  a state appointed special public prosecutor (SPP) or a lawyer appointed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The counsel of CBI, Rajendra Bhatnagar, on Tuesday told the court that they are in the process of filing a petition before the Bombay High court on the issue.

The Special court had, in February last year, rejected the application by the CBI seeking permission for appointment of a special public prosecutor for CBI to conduct the trial. The agency said that the investigation was taken over by them from Juhu police and, hence, they should now be allowed to conduct the trial. The plea was objected by SPP Dinesh Tiwari.

The court had then ordered that the state (Juhu police) and CBI should assist the special public prosecutor to conduct the trial.

READ

Jiah Khan case: HC rejects Rabias plea for probe by special investigation team

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The Bombay high court on Tuesday came down heavily on the state government for its impassiveness in taking action in last years Rs353-crore BMC road scam, reminding it that the state possessed an overall supervisory jurisdiction and had powers over the corporation.

A bench of justice VM Kanade and justice PR Bora said the state could not be a mute spectator to what the corporation was doing by simply stating the corporation functions autonomously. It asked the state to file within four weeks, a report stating whether it extends any funding to the corporation and if so, then what monitoring mechanism does it have in place to check how such money is spent.

The bench asked the state if it was even aware of the condition of the roads and drains in the city.

It also refused to transfer the probe into the road scam to the state anti-corruption bureau (ACB) saying the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data proved that such cases with the ACB have a zero percent conviction rate. Instead, the bench asked the state polices Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) to expedite their probe.

The directions came after the SIT and the EOW submitted their respective probe reports in sealed covers. They also told the court that while 24 people had already been arrested in the case, further investigations were on.

The bench said it was a matter of common knowledge that huge amount of money was spent each year towards constructing or repairing roads and cleaning up nallahs. However, in actual reality, such an exercise is rarely undertaken properly. Instead, various parts of the city get flooded every year because the money that is supposed to be spent on repairs goes down the drain or into the pockets of officials concerned.

The government cant be a helpless witness to this. What steps have been taken to monitor the activities of the corporation? it asked.

The state, in turn, said it had appointed auditors. However, even some of these auditors had turned out to be accused in the road scam.

The corporation argued that it was trying its best to weed out such elements from its system and had suspended the officials concerned and blacklisted contractors.

The court pointed out that earlier last year, the corporation had given out new work orders to these very contractors.

The HC was hearing a plea filed by Vivekanand Gupta highlighting serious irregularities by the BMC in the construction of roads between 2013 and 2016.

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The cap on prices of the life-saving cardiac stent may have had patients smiling  but not for long.

Investigations by officials show many hospitals, to make up for the losses, are increasing the cost of services, other medical devices and tests patients undergo while in hospital for treatment. And, medical insurance companies may be aiding hospitals to get these inflated bills cleared  the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) is now focussing its probe on this angle.

On February 13, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) capped the cost of cardiac stents  the prices of drug eluting stents and bare metal stents were brought down to Rs45,000 and Rs7,623 (MRP, inclusive of vat and taxes) from the earlier Rs1.21 lakh and Rs31,080.

But officials said they have now found the hospitals and medical insurance companies have not reduced the packages offered for angioplasty procedures.

This means, while a patient will pay less for the stent itself, her overall treatment bill for an angioplasty procedure may not go down.

It was an FDA probe report from May 2015 that established the chain of profit-sharing in Maharashtras stent industry, eventually setting a plan in action to bring stents under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) and finally leading to the nationwide cap on prices. We are taking a lead from our previous investigations, and now focusing on medical insurance companies because we have found many distributors and companies also played a role in fleecing customers by altering MRP. Many hospitals and insurance companies have not yet changed packages. They are changing cost of other procedures to make up. Our officers are investigating details and will file a report, said Dr Harshdeep Kamble, FDA commissioner, Maharashtra. Dr Kamble said the core aim of the move was to stop the exploitation of patients.

When HT spoke to insurance firms, their officials said they are currently reviewing market situation and will make changes. We are observing the impact of the move (to cap stent prices). A final decision will be taken over a period of time, depending on cost of surgery and stents. We know NPPAs guidelines and are aware of MRP of stents. No claims over and above that amount, charged by hospitals, will be settled, said Sanjay Datta, chief underwriting and claims, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited. Some insurance firms accepted hospitals were refusing to lower package amounts, making it difficult for them to settle claims. The move to cap prices is welcome, but many hospitals have revised charges of catheters, balloons, cathlab charges and professional fees after the NPPAs blanket ban. We are informing hospitals that no extra amount will be paid, if they are trying to compensate for the reduction of stent prices, said Dr S Prakash, a senior executive director, Star Health Insurance.

Dr Prakash said insurance firms have a tariff chart of products used in cardiac procedures and a record of fees charged by doctors. The change will take time. An industry that earned supernatural profits for two decades is hit by a storm. But as competition reduces prices, hospitals will follow suit.

Will ask for cap on 14 more medical devices

Birender Sangwan, the Delhi advocate whose complaints and Public Interest Litigation (PIL) got the government to cap stent prices, says he will file applications asking for a cap on 14 more medical devices under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

What prompted you to file a complaint about overcharging stent prices, with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare?

Back in 2014, my friends brother had an angioplasty done and was charged Rs 1.26 lakh just for the stent. The total hospital bill was Rs3.30 lakh. I realised hospitals were charging exorbitantly for stents and filed the complaint the same year.

But the governments move on capping prices came nearly three years after your complaint...

The journey wasnt easy. We filed an RTI to understand the margins each entity was making. In February 2015, we filed a PIL against overcharging. The government included stents under the National List of Essential Medicines in July 2016. Finally, after the second PIL, NPPA capped the prices.

Are you looking at filing similar complaints with the ministry, to bring down charges of other devices, for example, orthopedic implants?

Yes. We are going to file complaints to bring down the cost of all 14 medical devices under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. We plan to file the complaints in the next two to three months.

What are your thoughts on the new fixed MRP on stents?

The new fixed MRP is very well thought out. It is going to make angioplasty affordable for a lot of people.

(As told to Aayushi Pratap)

READ MORE

KEM among two hospitals in Maha being probed for selling overpriced stents
Ahead of the Mumbai civic polls, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had directed the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) to explore a plot at Kalina as an option for car depot of Metro-3 corridor. Now, a couple of weeks after the announcement, the MMRC officials said that the plot is not feasible for a depot.

On Tuesday, citizens group Save Aarey  that has been opposing state governments plan to build a metro car depot at Aarey Colony in Goregaon,  met MMRC to discuss options for the car depot.

The groups efforts had gained momentum during the recent Mumbai civic polls with citizens pledging their support for the party that was keen on saving green spaces.

According to SK Gupta, director of projects, MMRC, the meeting was an informal discussion. The Kalina option has been examined many times. A special committee formed by the state government had also examined it but it is not fit to have a complete depot. Kalina does not have sufficient space to build a depot and we explained that to citizen group, Gupta told HT.

According to Gupta, the problem with the Kalina land is not only its sixe but also its specifications. The Kalina plot, which is adjacent to the Mumbai University campus in Kalina, is about 28 hectares. Size is a misnomer and we tried to explain it to the citizens group that the plot has to be of a particular orientation. Since it (Kalina plot) has been examined by experts, who are aware of these specifications, we should accept their decision, said Gupta.

Meanwhile, the citizens group said that the MMRC did not share all the details with them. It was nothing but an exercise in futility. The officials were reluctant to share the complete data, facts and documents on the Kalina plots survey, said Stalin Dayanand of NGO Vanashakti.

Aarey Colony in Goregaon (East) is one of last remaining green spaces in the city. A car depot is the crucial part of a Metro project, and governments decision to house it in a 33-hectare plot in Aarey colony has met with a lot of opposition from citizen groups, environmentalists and even political parties.

Also read: In Mumbai: Maha CM says Metro-3 carshed in Aarey not a prestige issue

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Even as political parties struggle to get their mayor in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the administration of the richest civic body in the country is confronted with another question  where to house the mayor who may be elected on March 9?

The sea-facing Shivaji Park bungalow, which has been home to Mumbais mayors for the past five decades, will be converted into a memorial for the late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. The general body of the corporators on Monday approved the proposal to hand over the bungalow on lease to a trust constituted by the state government for the task at a nominal annual rate of Re1 for the next 30 years.

While the existing provision does not allow the BMC cannot sell, lease or transfer any plot at less than the market value, the rule had to be tweaked after the state passed an ordinance on the memorial, which was approved by the general body.

The civic administration is yet to renovate a bungalow in Byculla zoo, which is said to be the new official residence of Mumbais first citizen. According to sources, the proposal of shifting the residence to Byculla still remains on paper.

According to the sources, the mayor may be asked to live in the bungalow at Shivaji Park for the initial few months, and may be shifted to the bungalow in Byculla zoo after it is renovated.

A senior civic officer said, The term of the existing mayor will end on March 8. He will be given a month to move out of the home. The trust and the civic body are yet to sign an agreement on the memorial. Until then, we can easily move the new mayor to the Shivaji Park bungalow, as it would still be the BMCs property. But given it is a personal or political choice, it is also possible that the new mayor may directly be moved to the new official residence.

The grade-II heritage structure at Shivaji Park in Dadar was used by the royal family of Bikaner in the late 1920s and was taken over by the civic body a decade later. It was initially used as a municipal office before it became the mayors official residence in 1962. The bungalow in Byculla zoo premises, currently vacant, is also a heritage structure.

Read more:

Decks cleared for Thackeray memorial at Mumbai Mayors Bungalow

Maharashtra govt removes heritage tag for Shivaji Park precinct

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A woman faces arrest for allegedly posting nude pictures of her female colleague.

In a complaint registered at the Navghar police station, a 45-year-old-woman alleged that her colleague, with whom she was in a relationship, uploaded her nude photo as her display picture on a social networking site.

The complainant, a divorcee, and the accused work at the pathology department of a reputable private hospital. It was after the complainants marriage broke, she and the accused came closer and later forged a relationship.

Police stated that the complainant had started to distance herself from the accused, which miffed the latter. The accused then uploaded the complainants nude picture and set it as her display picture. A complaint was eventually registered after the accused failed to pay heed to the complainants request of deleting the picture.

Though the accused woman moved sessions court and sought anticipatory bail claiming innocence, the court rejected her plea stating that the case was of serious nature and custodial interrogation of the accused was necessary. The accused is on the run since the time her bail plea was rejected.

The accused is absconding and we have launched a manhunt to arrest her, said a police officer. Cops are also investigating if there are any financial disputes between the two women.

Also read: 18-yr-old held for raping, uploading minors nude photos on social media

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Local residents, who celebrated Mahashivratri and threw garbage last week on a land in Navi Mumbai, where a patch of mangroves had allegedly been destroyed recently, were made to clean it up by the state mangrove cell. Also, they said the locals had permission and they will not take any action against them. The celebrations were attended by Navi Mumbai mayor Sudhakar Sonawane.

HT had reported on February 22 that an NGO had complained about destruction of mangroves in Nerul. On February 24, around 50 people from the Koli community were seen celebrating a festival at the site, a violation of Bombay HC rules that forbid destruction of wetland vegetation.

On Monday, state mangrove cell officers ensured locals cleaned up the area. The locals have been celebrating Mahashivratri at this site for 90 years. A verbal permission had been given by our range forest officer but since the RFO was on leave, the department was not aware of it, said Makarand Ghodke, assistant conservator of forest, Mumbai Mangrove Conservation Unit. We are not taking any action against the locals as the festival is celebrated only once a year and no mangroves were destroyed.

Locals had celebrated Mahashivratri inside the mangroves in Navi Mumbai and littered the area on February 24. (HT FILE)

According to state mangrove cell, 1,471 hectare of mangroves falls under government owned land in Navi Mumbai, which are identified as protected forest areas. Noting the PIL filed by Bombay Environment Action Group  an NGO in Mumbai  in 2005, the Bombay HC had banned the destruction of state-wide mangroves and construction within 50m of them. After Vanashakti filed another PIL, the HC banned all reclamation and construction on wetlands in 2014.

We intend to declare this area as reserved forest but as of now it is under the protected status and we cannot take away the rights of the locals, said Ghodke.

Meanwhile, environmentalists also supported the locals since mangroves had not been destroyed and the site restored. An old temple called the Brahman Dev Mandir exists at the site for many years and the walkway is cleared of shrubs, weeds and wild grass that has come up during the monsoon. No mangroves or wetlands exist on the pathway, said Stalin D, NGO Vanashakti.

The fishermen have been supportive in conservation of mangroves and they have even abandoned the existing aquaculture ponds to be transformed into mangrove forests. However, gates need to be installed at the entrance to the site to avoid unauthorised debris dumping.

The complainants Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare said they have nothing against the religious groups. We pointed out that structures had cropped up within mangroves, which is a violation of Coastal Regulation Zone 1 and HC rules, said Pawan Sharma, president, RAWW.

It was the duty of the mangrove cell to take action, which they have not and this is disappointing.

READ MORE

Navi Mumbai mayor in soup for attending celebration inside destroyed mangroves

Mangroves destroyed off Palm Beach Road in Navi Mumbai, alleges NGO

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In the last two days, officers from Thane crime branch (Unit-1) arrested four people in two separate incidents and seized Rs96 lakh in old notes. The amount and the accused were handed over to the Income-Tax department for further probe.

On Sunday, a driver and two businessmen from Malad and Ghatkopar were arrested after the cops received a tip-off that they were coming to Jambhli Naka to exchange old currency for new. Cops recovered Rs46 lakh from their possession.

In the second arrest, which occurred on Monday afternoon, another businessman from Mumbai was apprehended at Kharegaon toll naka in Kalwa. Cops recovered old currency worth Rs50 lakh from him.

An inspector from Unit-1 said, In the last two days, we caught four people carrying old notes worth Rs 96 lakh. All four were handover to the I-T department. Investigation is on to trace the source of this currency. More than a dozen people have been arrested for similar crimes of late. Also, we are keeping an eye on those trying to help people exchange old currency for new.

Also read: ED arrests Hong Kong-based Indian woman in Rs 1478 crore laundering case

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The highest salaries offered to students of the masters programme at Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) has gone up substantially. The final placement report for Masters in Management Studies (MMS) students, released on Tuesday, said that and the highest offer made to a student stands at Rs34.3 lakhs per annum, compared to Rs26 Lakh last year.

A statement released by the institute further states that the average salary offered to a student stands at Rs18.76 lakhs per annum, up from Rs18.3 lakh which was the case in 2016. A mix of regulars and first-time recruiters has given us brilliant results in placements this year. A total of 68 pre-placement offers (PPOs) were awarded to students across sectors this time round, said Stephen DSilva, placement co-ordinator for the institute.

Some of the companies offering PPOs included Abbott, Accenture Strategy, Avendus Capital, Barclays, Citibank, Danone, Future Group, Standard Chartered, etc. The largest chunk of the current batch was picked by companies from the Banking Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector with 43% students being placed in this sector. Companies that visited the campus included Aditya Birla Financial Services, Axis Securities, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, HDFC Bank, IDBI Bank, etc. Compared to last year, the consulting domain too saw a rise of 9% in the number of students recruited.

Companies from sectors like technology, advertising and media, e-commerce offered lucrative roles to students. We were very excited with the profiles of many first-time recruiters which included Capgemini, Honeywell Technologies, Tata Strategic Group, Tech Mahindra, etc, said another member from the placement committee.

A total of 77 companies came on campus this year to offer jobs and almost the entire batch has been placed in this round itself.

Mumbais management institute pushes for separate entrance exam again

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Providing a breather to around 20,000 students over irregularities in admission-related documents, officials of Dr Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) have decided to recheck the documents of each student with their respective college authorities till March 8.

On February 27, the university administration had suspended 19,834 students over irregularities in their admission related documents.

A total of 846 institutions is affiliated with AKTU across the state, with more than 150 of these colleges in Greater Noida and Ghaziabad.

For the 2016-17 academic session, a total of 82,141 students had taken admission across the state. After cross-checking the documents of the newly admitted students, we found that as many as 20,000 students had submitted incomplete forms. The migration certificate and class 12 mark sheets of many were missing. We decided to put their admission in the respective institutes on hold, Ashish Mishra, spokesperson, AKTU, said.

The university has provided students with another chance to submit the documents through their college representatives. The representatives have been called to the main campus in Lucknow where the university authorities will re-examine the documents.

We have already started the re-examination process of the documents. We had invited representatives of 150 colleges on Monday and Tuesday, Mishra said.

Colleges with code 001 to 150 have been invited on February 27 and 28, colleges from 151 to 300 on March 1 and 2, colleges from 301 to 450 on March 3 and 4, colleges from 451 to 675 on March 5 and 6, and colleges from 675 to 846 on March 7 and 8, Mishra said.

However, the university officials said that there will no leniency will be shown to students post the re-examination process. Admission of students whose documents are missing post the re-examination process will be cancelled, Mishra said.

Officials said that there are irregularities in documents submitted by a number of SC/ST category students, who are given scholarship under Samaj Kalyan department.

The fees for SC/ST students come from Samaj Kalyan department and the amount is directly transferred to the bank accounts of students. We have also found many caste certificates and mark sheets of such students to be missing or fake. Therefore, we have to be extremely cautious to ensure that the scholarship funds are not misused, Mishra said.

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:

Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli has pledged to take measures to prevent the flow of dirty money to the upcoming presidential election in the country.

He said the parliament has so far failed to pass a proposed bill on monitoring the financial sources of the nominees, Fars news agency reported.

Rahmani-Fazli however added that his ministry within the framework of the existing law will make efforts to tackle the flow of dirty money to the presidential election.

Iranians are getting ready to go to polls on May 19 to cast vote in the 12th presidential election in the country.

The incumbent President Hassan Rouhani has reportedly decided to run for the election for the second time.

Iranian reformists and moderates are likely to back Rouhani against his principlist rivals during the upcoming election.
The Ghaziabad regional transport officer has banned plying of diesel-run buses that have permits to run in Ghaziabad. The direction means that such buses will not be able to operate on city roads till they switch to CNG fuel.

The move comes after an earlier meeting held by the regional transport authority (RTA) on July 15, 2016, in which it directed the transport department to give operators six months to convert their buses to being CNG-run.

The RTA meeting was held following an order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Since the issue was taken up with state officials, they directed us to take up the issue in the RTA meeting. There it was decided to give six months to such bus operators to switch to CNG, said Mayank Jyoti, regional transport officer, Ghaziabad region.

The six-month period is over. Some operators are yet to convert to CNG. We have directed for stoppage of operations of such buses and told our enforcement department to seize such buses if found plying on city roads, he added.

According to officials, a total of 298 buses have permits to operate in the city. However, 57 of them are yet to convert to CNG. A majority of these buses have permits to run on several routes in Ghaziabad, including Ghaziabad border to Dadri and Loni Kot Ka Pul and the route from New Subzi Mandi in Sahibabad to Pilkhuwa in Hapur.

The NGT order came in response to a petition by Kaushambi apartment residents welfare association (Karwa) before NGT in August 2015 in which the issue of operation of diesel-run city buses was taken up.

We had brought it to the notice of the tribunal that operation of such buses from near Kaushambi is a major contributing factor of pollution. Then, we also filed a contempt petition and RTA gave its directions. The bus operators, running nearly 48 mini buses from Sahibabad to Pilkhuwa, also moved an intervention application and tried to obtain a stay on the RTA order. However, the tribunal has so far declined to take up their petition, said VK Mittal, president, Karwa.

On the issue of rising air pollution in and around Kaushambi, which is located next to ISBT Kaushambi, ISBT Anand Vihar and the Ghazipur landfill site, an expert committee also held a nearly three-hour joint inspection last week.

A week before, the UP pollution control board had also conducted a weeklong study and monitored the ambient air quality at Kaushambi.

Despite our repeated pleas, officials of the transport department have failed to enforce their orders. In the next hearing in March, we will apprise the court about the issue, Mittal added.

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A Ghaziabad court on Tuesday dismissed the bail pleas of Mohit Goel, the former managing director of Ringing Bells, and Sumit Kumar, the companys accountant.

Goel was the first to be arrested and sent to judicial custody on February 25. The second arrest by the Ghaziabad police was of the companys accountant, Kumar.

Goel is lodged at Dasna jail while Kumar was also sent to judicial custody on Tuesday. Their lawyers filed bail pleas before the court on Tuesday but these were rejected.

The accused were arrested following an FIR on February 22 by the companys distributor, Akshay Malhotra, who had alleged that the company officials refused to pay back a pending amount of Rs16 lakh.

Both bail pleas were dismissed by the court. We had argued that Kumar is only an employee and not a decision making authority of the company. The amount of Rs14.92 lakh, seized from him during a search, was not the money allegedly cheated from the distributor. He was in fact waylaid by the police while he was going to deposit the money in the bank for paying back the distributor, DM Bhalla, the lawyer appearing for Kumar and Goel, said.

The defence also submitted before the court that Kumar was not the beneficiary of the amount. On behalf of Kumar, another defence lawyer, Gaurav Sharma, said that they have already paid Rs16 lakh to the distributor through RTGS transfer on Tuesday.

Further, the police had produced a letter they had seized from Kumar, from Cellular Operators Association of India, which they claimed was a forged document. It was a letter of authorisation to sell mobile phones.

However, the defence lawyers said that it was just a photocopy that was planted on Kumar by the police. The court also asked for the veracity of the letter but the investigating officer could not provide a satisfactory reply, following which the court cautioned the police not to gain popularity in such a manner.

The court had negated sections of forgery and criminal conspiracy and had sent Goel to judicial custody only under sections of criminal breach of trust and cheating.

Kumar was also sent to judicial custody under the same sections, along with criminal conspiracy, on Tuesday.

Jitendra Deo, the joint director of prosecution, said, We argued that the letter seized from Sumit was forged, based on which the distributor was also cheated by the company. We will get it verified. The letter was issued on an earlier date, even before Ringing Bells was registered, Deo said.

We also maintained that Rs14.92 lakh is a large sum and could not have been planted on Sumit by the police. It was also our contention that since Rs16 lakh was paid back to the distributor through RTGS, the accused proved that they were on the wrong side, Deo said.

Besides Goel, the FIR lodged at Sihani Gate police station names the present managing director of Ringing Bells and Goels brother, Anmol, Goels wife, Dharna Garg, accountant Sumit Kumar and Goels partner, Ashok Chaddha. Garg had resigned from the post of the companys chief executive officer eight months ago. Goel and Chaddha are now members of a new firm.

The company had gained popularity after it announced the launch of Freedom 251, the worlds cheapest smartphone, at a price of Rs251 per piece.

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Short of manpower to man the vast expanse of Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh police has turned to 168 village chowkidars to secure the growing residential hub.

The move comes at a time when the district is reeling under acute shortage of personnel to maintain law and order as two-thirds of the police force is out on election duty.

Of the nearly 1,500 police personnel in Gautam Budh Nagar, only 500 are on law and order duty in the district while the others have been sent to various parts of the state on election duty. They will return to the barracks only after the assembly polls are over.

The fact that only a skeletal force is available to maintain law and order is making senior officers uneasy as it will be difficult to check criminal elements and unlawful activities.

Sources in the force said the 500 police personnel are currently juggling the duty at police stations, night patrolling and keeping the official work going. A few have been deployed to regulate traffic, an officer said.

Earlier this month, eight burglaries were reported in two weeks from Beta-1 Sector in Greater Noida. The residents had said their complaints were not being acted on by the police.

It is in this scenario that the police have turned to the village chowkidars who take a remuneration of Rs 1,500 per month from the government for carrying out registry of births and deaths in villages.

With the new role comes new responsibilities and also a new look. Wearing reflector jackets and red turbans, the chowkidars reach the police stations at 8pm. From there, they go on to perform policing duties till 8am and are dropped at their homes in a police vehicle.

Almost everyone in the village has heard of chowkidars. Last week, I saw them for the first time performing policing duties and passing through the narrow village alleys in a group. Little has changed over time. Earlier, they made their presence felt with the jaagte raho cry, now its a reflector jacket, said Jagat Singh, a villager and property dealer in Dankaur.

A chart prepared at the police station assigns duties to each of them. While some go on night patrolling, others roam around in control room vans along with police personnel.

The history of chowkidars can be traced back to the British era when they were employed as watchmen. Over the decades, their roles have transformed and, today, they are counted among the most respectable citizens in a village. It holds true for an expanding Greater Noida as well, where the 168 chowkidars are held in high respect by the villagers.

Forty-eight-year-old Satish Singh, a chowkidar for the last 16 years in Mangroli village of Jewar, said he feels privileged to work with the police.

But he doesnt agree that his ilk is held in high respect any more. Gone are the days when a chowkidar had a repute of high stature in his village. We used to be among the decision makers. Over the decades, I feel we have been confined to doing only the registration of deaths and births. I am happy that our existence is being recognised again, he said.

Sujata Singh, superintendent of police (rural), Gautam Budh Nagar, said, The chowkidars are socially active and have great respect among villagers. They keep patrolling villages so that no untoward incident takes place. Moreover, they also look into the nature of disputes that usually take place in villages. This is, in essence, community policing.

Greater Noida has 46 PCR vans and every van has two chowkidars on night patrol. Equipped with flashlights and batons, these chowkidars assist the police with valour.

In urban villages, there are private security guards who keep watch at night. However, the villages have no such system and are dependent on the police for their security, the SP said.

After the elections, the chowkidars will be felicitated by district administration and the police for their services.

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A 36-year-old man, known as Builder Baba, who had been declared a proclaimed offender in a case pertaining to cheating of Rs 11.5 crore, was arrested by Delhi police in Lucknow on Monday.

Sachin Dutta alias Sachidanand Giri had been declared a proclaimed offender in a case registered with Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police. He was arrested from his house at Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, said A K Singla, DCP (Northeast).

Narendra Barmecha, a resident of Anand Vihar area in Delhi, had filed a complaint in which he alleged that he had been duped by the accused.

He said that he had invested in a firm Balaji Constructions owned by Dutta and his associates.

As per the complaint, the victim invested in the firm and later on in 2014, when he retired from the partnership, he was offered a sum of Rs 11.5 crores, that was never paid to him, said the officer.

Efforts were made to trace Dutta, but he was found absconding. He was declared a proclaimed offender in 2016 by Karkardooma court.

On the basis of a tip-off, the accused was arrested from his house at Gomti Nagar Extension in Lucknow, police said.

During interrogation, Dutta apparently disclosed that his family was into construction business and his real estate firm Balaji Constructions had developed Balaji Residency in Indirapuram and Foster Heights, a 14-storey apartment in Ghaziabad.

He also owned a disco-cum-bar called Quantum the Leap in Centrestage Mall in Noida.

In 2015, a case of fraud had been registered at Sector 58, Noida against Dutta and seven others for allegedly mortgaging sold flats in an Indirapuram housing society to obtain bank loans. The case was subsequently transferred to the Indirapuram police station and the accused declared a proclaimed offender.

It has also been found that Dutta has business dealings with Ponty Chaddha and his relatives Ramandeep and Kamaldeep. All of them have also been found involved in a cheating case registered at Jalandhar, Punjab. The case is under investigation, said Singla.
Marine Lines resident Dr Hema Mer had an unusual Tuesday morning. When she boarded her train to work, she met the World Banks Chief Executive Officer Kristalina Georgieva.

Georgieva, as part of her visit to the city, travelled in the second-class womens compartment from Churchgate to Dadar to find out from Mumbais women commuters what they needed to feel safer on trains.

The women workforce is underutilised in India. It is important to provide them with safe commuting and mobility so that more women join workforce, said Georgieva.

This is possible, she said, by installing more CCTV cameras, improving lighting, increasing policing and also educating the people to respect women, so that women can commute fearlessly 24x7.

The World Bank CEOs agenda during her visit is to meet key policy-makers and discuss a slew of projects with the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The World Bank funds the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP)  one of the most ambitious infrastructure initiatives undertaken to improve rail and road connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Under phase I and II, the suburban rail systems got a boost with new rakes and funds for additional lines.

The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation, which is implementing these projects, is in talks with the World Bank to fund phase III of MUTP, worth Rs10,500 crore.

Women comprise 22% of all suburban passengers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). This means, of 75 lakh daily passengers on the Central and Western Railways, more than 16 lakh are women.

But not enough is being done to ensure their safety, especially of those who work odd hours. World Bank authorities also said they are also looking at improving bus and metro transport, so that more people are encouraged to take public transport.

For any city to grow, good mobility options are important so people prefer public transport over private vehicles. Private vehicles contribute to both congestion and pollution, Georgieva said.

Apart from expansion of the suburban rail network, the World Banks focus is to provide high-quality, but affordable travel to suburban commuters. We would be happy to continue funding for safer travel, one that allows the city to be more productive and where more women can take the train safely.

Also read: Gangrape at RPF chowky in Diva: Four personnel suspended
The 160 kg of raw gold, which was seized from a checkpoint 5 km from the Chandigarh International Airport on January 17, has been released to its owner on the directions of SAS Nagar court, police said on Tuesday.

The SAS Nagar court had directed police on Monday to release the gold after its owner furnished a surety bond of Rs 10 crore, said Pawan Kumar, station house officer (SHO), Sohana police station.

The gold was released to Prabhat Chowdhary, owner of a Hamirpur-based gold firm, after he furnished the bond.

Punjab Police had arrested three persons, Rakesh Kumar, Vijay Kumar and Surjit Singh, all from Himachal Pradesh, while they were on their way from Delhi to Hamirpur with plates of gold stacked in a white Hyundai Creta. However, the trio had claimed that they were employed as drivers with AJ Gold.
Aam Aadmi Party MP from Sangrur Bhagwant Mann has extended his support to Delhi University girl Gurmehar Kaur and alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) are spreading saffronisation in educational institutions.

ABVP has no right to distribute certificates of nationalism. I oppose their actions at DU (Delhi University) and PU (Panjab University). Gurmehar is receiving rape threats on social media by the goons of ABVP. Kaur is the daughter of a martyr and it is shameful for BJP to act like that. They (BJP) have made universities a battle ground of their politics and are saffronising such institutes, said Mann.

Though Gurmehar, on Tuesday, declared through a Facebook post of withdrawing her campaign which she had started against the ABVP, Mann also tweeted, Gurmehar, tere khoon mein desh bhakti hai...ham aapke sath hain...u r the pride of country..keep fighting wid enemies like ur dad (sic).

I also rang her and her mother up to express my support. I will raise the matter in the Parliament during the next session, Mann added later.

AAPs Punjab campaign committee chairman, Mann was in Dhuri on Tuesday to meet party volunteers, who were sitting outside the strongroom under his campaign Jazbe Nu Salam.

On a question of Dera Sacha Saudas support to Shiromani Akali Dal and the murder of two dera followers near Khanna, Mann said: I condemn any killing in the name of religion. AAP is a secular party and never seeks support on religious ground, but SAD has always played religious card. The jathedars come from Parkash Singh Badals pocket and they often give symbolic punishment to SAD leaders who violate religious norms, but create chaos in other cases. Indeed, they used religion as a political tool.

According to our principles, AAP never sought any help from radical Sikh organisations or other outfits, but we made a call to all Punjabis to unite to save Punjab, Mann added.
Twelve days after the murder of a financier in Longowals main market, main accused gangster Davinder Singh alias Babli Randhawa surrendered before the court of judicial magistrate (first class) here on Tuesday. The court remanded him to police custody till March 8.

A 25-year-old financier, Hardev Singh Happy, was shot dead on February 16 by a group of five gangsters led by Randhawa, who later put up four videos on Facebook Live and gloated about having avenged his insult. People of the town had staged a protest at the police station after the bhog (memorial) ceremony of the victim on February 26.

He fired and escaped from the spot. Due to polices pressure, he surrendered before the court and the police got his remand. We are also tracing his aides, said Jashandeep Singh, deputy superintendent of police (DSP), Sunam.

Randhawa had posted four videos on his Facebook page taking responsibility for the crime and celebrating the murder by joining the chorus of a song, Maare hik vich fire Jatt ne (The Jat has fired in the chest). He was also seen flashing a gun in a video.

The killers had pumped five bullets into the head of Happy, then checked if he was dead, and celebrated with a dance near his body in broad daylight.
Punjab labour department has made Aadhaar card and self declaration form compulsory for the labourers at the time of registration to avail benefits under Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Board schemes.The move is aimed to check duplicity and prevent dual distribution of benefits among beneficiaries. The decision was taken in a recent meeting held this month at Chandigarh.

The meeting was chaired by labour commissioner Tajinder Singh Dhaliwal and a direction regarding the same was issued to all the assistant labour commissioners (ALC) across the state on Friday. As per the directions, the labour commissioners have been asked to mention Aadhaar card details of the beneficiary and family members along with a self-declaration form mentioning that other family members of the beneficiary will not take benefits of labour schemes after him.

The move is aimed to check duplicity and prevent dual distribution of benefits among beneficiaries.

The decision was taken in a recent meeting held this month at Chandigarh.

The meeting was chaired by labour commissioner Tajinder Singh Dhaliwal and a direction regarding the same was issued to all the assistant labour commissioners (ALC) across the state on Friday.

As per the directions, the labour commissioners have been asked to mention Aadhaar card details of the beneficiary and family members along with a self-declaration form mentioning that other family members of the beneficiary will not take benefits of labour schemes after him.

The move came after some complaints of dual benefits under various schemes were availed by many persons of a single family.

Under BOCW Act provisions for registration of four family members of the beneficiary can be submitted to the board but only one member can claim the benefits on behalf of the family.

Sources said that in some cases beneficiary and his wife as a member have claimed benefits under Shagun Scheme separately as earlier, there was no check on the number of claimants.

Now, each beneficiary has to submit details in an amendment forum about the Aadhaar card and family members detail declaring that no other member of his family will take same benefits from the labour department, assistant labour commissioner Sukhjinder Singh said.

BOOSTING WORKERS REGISTRATION

Concerning low registration of workers with board, labour department has also asked its officials to paste a list of all the registering labour officers with their name, contact number at the notice board of labour department.

While, contact details with complete information of PWD and other department officers, who registered construction workers with board, have been asked to display in their district labour departments.

Dhaliwal said that many workers are still not aware from where they can get registered so all the officers, workers, trade union workers and NGOs can be directly approached for registration.

As per the information, state labour department has managed to register about 5.61 lakh workers till December 31, even the estimated figures are said to be over 20 lakhs in the state.

The labour department is not able to utilise funds collected in lieu of cess in the state as labour department has collected about Rs 921.75 crore cess amount and spent about Rs 335.99 crore towards the distribution of benefits to beneficiaries and other administrative expenses till the end of 2016.

The board earns its revenue from the welfare cess, 1% of the total cost of construction projects which are worth Rs 10 lakh or more, which is submitted to the labour department to utilise the labour schemes.

Labour department has also faced wrath of the Punjab and Haryana high court in past due to its slow utilisation of welfare funds.

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All the eight students arrested as preventive measure following the clash between activists of student organisations  right-wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and left-leaning Students for Society (SFS) on the Panjab University campus, were produced before the SDM around 11:30 pm on Monday and released on bail.

Station House Officer (SHO) of Sector 11 police station, Lakhbir Singh, said that the situation is under control at the moment but they are keeping a close watch. He added that the students will have to depose before the SDM on March 22.

VIDEO | Ramjas row in Chandigarh: ABVP-SFS clash at Panjab University, 8 held

The situation at Student Centre, where the clash broke out, became so tense that police had to be called in, with the rival outfits resorting to violence and hurling abuses at each other. (Karun Sharma/HT Photo)

The clash was apparent fallout of the row over the disruption of a literary event at Delhi Universitys Ramjas College last week.

Also read | ABVP vs Rest: More student marches in DU, JNU as Ramjas protests escalate

The situation at Student Centre, where the clash broke out, became so tense that police had to be called in, with the rival outfits resorting to violence and hurling abuses at each other. Eight students  four each belonging to the two organisations  were arrested as preventive measure on the complaint of the PU chief security officer.

They were arrested as a preventive measure under sections 107 and 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

Also read | ABVP march to rape threat claim by martyrs daughter: Updates of the Ramjas row

Their medicals according to police were conducted at Government MultiSpecialty Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16.

Those arrested were identified as Saurabh Kapoor, Kushal Kondal, Harmanjot Singh Gill and Akshay of ABVP; Ravinder Singh, Gurpreet, Ramanpreet and Daman of SFS. Reports said over 100 ABVP supporters gathered at the Student Centre at 1:30pm to hold a protest against the SFS, which they said had called the security forces rapists in a speech at PU on Saturday in response to the Ramjas incident. Soon after they started raising slogans, the SFS supporters entered into an argument with them, and it eventually took the shape of a brawl.

OUTFITS INDULGE IN BLAME GAME

ABVP state president Saurabh Kapoor said, We strongly condemn the violence by SFS. ABVP spokesperson Harmanjot Singh said, If such things are happening here and the university is not taking action against them it means they are hand in glove with each other.

SFS spokesperson Harmandeep said, On Saturday, we organised a demonstration at PU against the ABVPs hooliganism at Ramjas College. During the demonstration, a speaker citing a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) report on rapes of 16 tribal women by security forces in Chhattisgarh argued that such issues should be raised in universities. The ABVP made an issue out of this.

When contacted, dean students welfare (DSW) Emanuel Nahar said, The brawl took place after a student leader made a statement during a protest. I believe that such political issues should not be brought up at academic institutions. As the matter became serious, the chief security officer called police and asked the SHO to take legal action against the students named in the complaint.

NSUIS CANDLELIGHT MARCH FOR PEACE

In the wake of the clash between ABVP and SFS members at PU on Monday, the National Students Union of India (NSUI) held a candlelight march starting from Student Centre, to what they termed as a message of peaceful environment in the university. Later in the evening , SFS supporters also held a rally on the campus against the alleged hooliganism of ABVP.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

By Orkhan Quluzade  Trend:

All responsibility for the increasing tensions on the line of contact of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops falls on Armenia, said Chairman of Turkeys Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli addressing a meeting of the Grand National Assembly.

Bahceli noted that time has come for a fair solution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Armenia must stop violations of the ceasefire and withdraw its troops from the occupied Azerbaijani lands, he added.

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: @o_quluzade
Army veterans in Punjab have stepped forward to fight a legal battle on behalf of Gurmehar Kaur, the daughter of an army martyr, who started a social media campaign against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The mother of the 20-year-old Delhi University student, whose defiant stand against the ABVP drew a volley of hate messages on her Facebook and Twitter accounts, however, refused to be drawn into the controversy over it.

When contacted, Rajvinder Kaur said, No thanks... I do not want this controversy to go on.

Punjab State Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association (Sewa) president Col (retd) Kuldip Singh Grewal vowed to fight a legal battle on Gurmehars behalf till the matter reaches its logical conclusion.

Her opinion should be respected as she has the right to raise her voice, he said. No one should remain unaffected when a daughter is threatened with rape. The people of the country should raise their voice to protect the daughter of a martyr, Col (retd) Tejinder Singh Bajwa, a member of the association, said.

Gurmehars father Capt Mandeep Singh was commissioned in the 49 Army Air Defence Regiment in 1991 and was serving with the 4 Rashtriya Rifles battalion when he died fighting militants on August 6, 1999.

Brigadier (retd) Ashwini Kumar, former commanding officer of the 3 Rashtriya Rifles battalion, who was serving in the area when the attack on Capt Mandeeps company took place, said, The Captain and his men fought against militants with great courage.

Mandeeps brother Davinderdeep Singh, a professor at a college in Nakodar near Gurmehars home town Jalandhar, said his brother would have stood like a rock behind her. She is entitled to her opinion... she did not say anything anti-national, he said.

Meanwhile, a number of ex-servicemen and representatives of various organisations condemned the rape threat to Gurmehar and appealed to the Delhi government to provide proper security to her.

At Dhuri in Sangrur, Aam Aadmi Party MP Bhagwant Mann also extended support to Gurmehar and alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its student affiliate ABVP are spreading saffronisation in educational institutions.

PU clash also in focus

The ABVP has no right to distribute certificates of nationalism. I oppose their actions at DU and also at Panjab University in Chandigarh. He was referring to a clash of the ABVP with a group named Students for Society at PU on Monday, in which four students from each side were arrested.

Though Gurmehar, on Tuesday, declared through a Facebook post of withdrawing her campaign which she had started against the ABVP, Mann also tweeted, Gurmehar, tere khoon mein desh bhakti hai...ham aapke sath hain...u r the pride of country..keep fighting wid enemies like ur dad (sic).

I also called her and her mother up to express my support. I will raise the matter in Parliament during the next session, Mann added.

In Hoshiarpur, Dal Khalsas youth wing, Sikh Youth of Punjab, blamed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its ABVP for intolerance in the country. In a statement, its president Paramjit Singh Tanda said, Ever since the Modi government has come to power, ABVP activists have become all the more high-headed. After creating trouble in Ramjas College in Delhi, they perpetrated violence in Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Followers of Dera Sacha Sauda did not cremate bodies of Satpal Kumar, 65, and his son Ramesh Kumar, 35, who were gunned down by unidentified assailants on Saturday, and continued to block the Malerkotla road at Jagera village, 40km from Ludhiana, on Monday. By the night, vowing not to end the protest until the arrest of the accused, they put up a tent in the middle of the road. Police, meanwhile, were deputed in large numbers as the village remained tense.

At the congregation centre where the murders took place, the bodies  preserved in a freezer  were guarded by the sects own security team, Green Force, and the police werent allowed in. Sensing huge crowds, the deras medical team was also deputed.

Video | 2 Dera Sacha Sauda followers shot dead in Khanna village, cops suspect Sikh radicals

Also read | Dera followers murder: Police rule out personal enmity behind killing

The dera force set up three-tier security, with all entrants being frisked at the main gate. Premis (as the dera followers are called) said that police and the state government had sent personnel disguised as dera followers inside to keep a tab.

Also read | Sikh outfit condemns dera followers murder, points finger at Badals

Earlier, after partaking of the langar (community kitchen), around 2,000 dera followers came out of the congregation centre (naam charcha ghar) around 2pm, and refused to abandon the protest. Family members of the victims were also among them.

Bodies of the murdered duo inside the sects congregation centre, in Jagera village in Ludhiana district on Monday. (Jagtinder Singh Grewal / HT Photo)

In the morning, members of the deras state committee held a meeting with the Khanna senior superintendent of police (SSP), Satinder Singh, and other police officials. The SSP said several teams were trying to arrest the accused, two men who had come on a bike. Such cases take some time, he said.

The protesters raised slogans against the police and administration, and vowed revenge. Followers who have been leading the protest said in their speeches that they wanted the killers too lying in freezers as were the bodies of the victims.

Police diverted traffic to other roads to avoid jams.

TO VANDALISE OR NOT? FOLLOWERS DIFFER

A rift among the dera followers over the manner of protest came to the fore again on Monday. Some of the followers gathered took up sticks and threatened to vandalise vehicles. But another group advocated a peaceful protest.

A bus with 35 passengers got stuck, and those among the violent group broke one of its wipers. Upon intervention of the police, the bus was allowed to cross after an hour. The followers groups got into a heated argument over this.

On Sunday, too, one of the groups had blocked traffic on the Malerkotla road for 20 minutes, while the other was against such an action.

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The dung-decay method will be used for the first time in Jharkhand for the jumbo count. The forest wing of government of India has selected Jharkhands Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) to apply the method under the all India elephant census proposed to begin in June.

This is new method of elephant count, which was first used in south India. Now, the central wing of forest wants to apply the method in census across India. For this, Palamu tiger reserve has been selected, LR Singh, principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) said, adding, direct sighting method will also be used in the census for more accuracy.

To draft the modalities of elephant census, a two-day meeting of eastern states, including Jharkhand, Bihar, Chattisgarh, West Bengal and Odisha is also scheduled on March 10-11, Singh said.

The elephant census would be carried out in the region at one time to avoid repetition in the count, as population of migratory elephants is high in the region, PCCF said.

PTR director MP Singh said the dung-decay method is used to get more accurate data. In direct sighting method, it is possible that some elephants are missed due to their non visibility in dense forest. With dung-decay method, we will get more accurate figure, he said.

Explaining the method, Singh said that various factors are observed in the method including dung density, decay rate and defecation rate. Fresh piles of elephant dung is marked in an area. Thereafter, photograph is taken and GPS location is recorded. The marked dung area is revisited after a certain period to understand decay rate of dung, he said.

Under the new method, 15 fresh dung piles of elephant herd are tracked over 15-day intervals and seven to eight sets of piles are identified and monitored. The dung pile is kept under watch till it vanishes as part of bio-decomposition. Singh said experts use set formulas to identify number of elephants through dung decay rate.

Jharkhand had recorded pachyderm population at 688 in 2012 census while PTR had counted 238 elephants in the reserve.

Dalma wildlife sanctuary in Jamshedpur will, however, go for direct sighting method of elephant census. We will go with traditional method of elephant census. Direct sighting method is suitable here, as it is a hilly place, said Kamlesh Pandey, field director elephant project Dalma.

Spread over 195 sqkm, Dalma wildlife sanctuary is home to resident as well as migrating elephants. A large number of elephants from Odisha, West Bengal and other parts of Jharkhand take shelter in the sanctuary during summer, when water is abundant. As per the 2012 Census, the sanctuary has 156 elephants.

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Call it a mere coincidence or a well hatched conspiracy, loot of Rs 20 lakh and a theft of Rs 11 lakh have been reported from two different districts involving the same finance company-- Bharat Finance Inclusion Limited (BFIL).

The incidents occurred within a span of 24 hours (Sunday-Monday) in Pakur and Dhanbad districts.

Thieves broke into BFILs branch office in Pakur on Sunday night and decamped with a locker containing Rs 11.23 lakh, claimed Sunil Kumar, the companys branch manager in his complaint lodged with Pakur police.

Kumar mentioned that he and other employees noticed the broken grill of the window when the bank opened for the day. We found that the thieves also tried to break other lockers,  he alleged in the complaint.

In another incident, two motorcycle borne criminals looted Rs 20 lakh from two employees of the same company on Monday afternoon while they were coming out of City Centre based Axis bank branch in Dhanbad after withdrawing the sum.

Two criminals on a motorcycle first hit the employees of BFIL while the other two, on another motorcycle, snatched the bag from them and escaped.

The employees Rajkumar Kushwaha and Kishor Kumar Sinha were on their way to BFIL office located at JC Mallik road in Hirapur when the incident took place .

We often used to come to the bank to deposit and withdraw money, said Kushwaha in an interaction with the police. He claimed they attempted to chase the criminals driving a black Pulsar motorcycle but they managed to escape .

Superintendent of Police( SP) City Anshuman Kumar and deputy superintendent of police (DSP) DN Banka reached the bank branch soon after incident was reported and interrogated the bank employees, as well as victims. The police also went through the CCTV footage to get first hand information about the incident.

SP City said, police had sought mobile call details of both employees from respective service providers.

We are also trying to ascertain if someone was keeping an eye on movement of the employees inside the bank, as the incident took place immediately after they came out of the branch, said SP City .

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Breaking her silence after being abducted and assaulted by a gang, a noted Malayalam actor today said life has shown her things she never wanted to see but is confident that she would always get up.

She also thanked all those who supported her. Life has knocked me down a few times, it showed me things I never wanted to see. I experienced sadness and failures. But one thing for sure, I always get up! ThankYouAll# ForTheLove#ForThePrayers, she wrote on Instagram.

Malayalam film actor Prithviraj has shared her Instagram post on his Facebook wall. The actor, who has also starred in Tamil and Telugu films, was allegedly abducted and molested inside her car for two hours by a group of men on the night of February 17.

Six persons, including prime accused Pulsar Suni and his five accomplices, had been arrested by police in connection with the incident that created an uproar.

The accused had forced their way into the actors vehicle and later escaped at a busy area here.

Several actors, including Bollywood stars, and politicians had expressed solidarity with the actress and sought stringent action against the culprits.

ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28

By Orkhan Quluzade  Trend:

Turkey shares the sorrow of the Azerbaijani people over deaths of its servicemen during the recent battles on the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, said Turkeys Prime Minister Binali Yildirim during a meeting of Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Yildirim noted that the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been a bleeding wound for many years.

The Azerbaijani territories were occupied by Armenia and this problem hasnt been solved yet. Azerbaijans sorrow is Turkeys sorrow and Azerbaijans happiness is Turkeys happiness, he said.

I would like to stress once again that Turkey will always support Azerbaijan in its fair case, added the prime minister.

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: @o_quluzade
British ministers have emphasised to India their country will become more open and not protectionist after leaving the European Union, finance minister Arun Jaitley has said.

New Delhi had accepted the message from London though talks on a free trade agreement could begin only when Britain completes its withdrawal from the EU, Jaitley told Hindustan Times. India will have its own set of priorities when the fine details of such an agreement are worked out, he said without listing them.

Since Britain voted to exit the EU in June last year, Prime Minister Theresa May and several of her ministers have travelled to New Delhi for initial talks on a free trade agreement with India, one of the top target countries for a post-Brexit Britain.

Easier mobility of Indian professionals (the so-called Mode 4) is one of the key areas New Delhi has been insisting on in the long-stalled EU-India free trade negotiations. Brussels believes there will be better chances of reaching the agreement after Britain leaves the EU.

Jaitley said: As far as the UK is concerned, my meetings over the last few months, what they have repeatedly emphasised and I accept that message, is that unlike what is happening in certain other countries, Brexit should not be interpreted as a protectionist exerciseQuite the contrary.

The policy message I have got is an extremely liberal one. They would like to expand and open up more, said Jaitley, who was scheduled to discuss the upcoming Economic and Financial Dialogue in New Delhi with chancellor Philip Hammond here.

Insisting that India remains one of the most open economies amid uncertainties and slowing of the global economy, Jaitley said Indian investors saw opportunities in a post-Brexit Britain, just as British investors were in India.

He told a meeting of the UK India Business Council and FICCI: When the world is turning increasingly protectionist, India is opening upIndia has the potential for a growth rate higher than what we are achieving today.

He added, You have much greater support for reform than any other time in history. The idea of a protectionist economy has not been an issue for India. Weve opened up and its been more welcomed than opposed.

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China is considering handing out financial incentives to couples planning a second child as tight budgets have stopped willing parents from making the choice though the law now allows them to have two children.

Many couples were deciding against a second child because of economic constraints, Wang Peian, vice minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), told a seminar over the weekend.

Quoting a NHFPC survey, Wang said the commission found in 2015 found that 60% of families polled expressed reluctance to have a second baby largely due to economic constraints.

China relaxed its controversial and strictly implemented one child policy two years ago to allow couples to have a second child.

Nationwide, the change led to 17.8 million births in 2016, an increase of more than 1.3 million compared with the previous year and the biggest annual increase in 20 years, state-run China Daily newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The statistic in China Daily was different from what official Xinhua news agency reported last month: A total of 18.46 million new babies were born in China in 2016, of whom nearly 9 million were second children.

The numbers either way arent enough for the government, with a sharp reduction of people in the working age looming over China in the coming decades.

Wang said the government is considering introducing supporting measures, including birth rewards and subsidies to encourage people to have another child.

It is the first time that the top population authority has suggested such a move to boost the birthrate, Yuan Xin, a professor at Nankai University in Tianjin, told the newspaper.

The report gave the example of a low fertility country like Japan, where incentives such as cash subsidies, prolonged maternity leave, tax breaks and child and healthcare benefits have been introduced by the government to boost the population.

Yuan, however, said it wasnt the right time to introduce financial incentives for the second child in China. It's not the right time to introduce any financial incentive plans, he said, explaining that China still faces challenges from a huge population base and limited natural and public resources to sustain population development.

The second child policy is a choice by the top decision-makers facing a dilemma of the existing challenges and structural population problems like rapid aging and a shrinking workforce, he added.
Police on Tuesday searched dozens of sites in Germany linked to a mosque that was frequented by the Berlin market attacker Anis Amri, after authorities banned the Islamic group that operated it.

Some 450 officers raided 24 locations in Berlin, the neighboring state of Brandenburg, and Hamburg in northern Germany starting at 6 am. In addition to the mosque itself they searched 15 apartments, two company offices and six prison cells. No arrests were made.

Senior security officials said authorities had been watching the mosque for some time because of concern that it had become a meeting point for Islamic extremists. A previous attempt to ban the organization behind it, known as Fussilet 33, was aborted last summer.

That decision was heavily criticized months later when it transpired that Amri had visited the mosque only an hour before driving a truck into a crowded Christmas market on Dec. 19, killing 12 people and injuring dozens more. Amri, a 24-year-old Tunisian citizen, was shot dead by police in Italy four days after the attack.

Berlins top security official said authorities on Tuesday had seized funds belonging to Fussilet 33, shut down its website and imposed a blanket ban to prevent the organization from establishing itself under a different name or location.

It was necessary to ban the organization and all successor organizations to stop it once and for all, Andreas Geisel told reporters. People who preach hate have no place in this city.

Several people associated with the mosque, including leading members of Fussilet 33, had been arrested in the past on suspicion of supporting extremist organizations such as the Islamic State group and Jund al-Sham, said Geisel.

The organization is alleged to have collected donations and helped recruit fighters for armed groups in Syria and Iraq.

Documents and electronic devices seized during Tuesdays raids were being examined to see whether members of Fussilet 33 knew of Amris plans, he said.

We currently have no indications that any further concrete attacks are planned in Berlin, Geisel said.
A 24-year-old man in Germany on Tuesday allegedly murdered his grandmother before killing two police officers by running them over with his car, authorities said.

The man is believed to have killed his 79-year-old grandmother at Muellrose, a small town near the eastern city of Frankfurt-an-der-Oder, a police spokesman said.

After the killing was discovered, the man fled in a car and caused several road accidents before he ran over two officers at a temporary checkpoint set up to stop him.

The suspect was arrested shortly afterwards, close to the border with Poland.

Police did not give details on the motive for the murder of the elderly woman.
Shiraz, a 1928 silent film produced by one of the pioneers of Indian cinema, Himanshu Rai, has been restored by the British Film Institute (BFI) and will be screened in India and Britain as part of the UK-India Year of Culture.

The film has rarely been seen in India since the Indian-British-German production was made. It will premiere as the Archive Gala at the 61st BFI London Film Festival on October 14, said Robin Baker, BFI head curator. It will be showed in Agra later with the Taj Mahal as the backdrop.

Shiraz (90 min), which also stars Rai as the architect who designed the Taj Mahal, tells the love story of the 17th century princess who inspired the construction of the icon of love and romance. The film is being set to music by composer and sitar player Anoushka Shankar.

Shankar said at the launch event organised by the British Council, the Indian high commission and the British government that scoring music for the silent film was challengingas it also includes a passionate kiss. I wonder how to put it to music. Personally I was fascinated to see eroticism in an Indian film at that time.

She revealed that her father, sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, composed the iconic score of Satyajit Rays Pather Panchali (1955) over eight hours one night, intuitively and instinctively, as Ray showed him the film's scenes one by one.

I cant do the same over one night for Shiraz, she remarked. She said she would try to retain the authenticity of the time and location, and use a mix of Indian and Western instruments. She added that an opera composed by Ravi Shankar will be performed in London in May.

The event at BFI on Tuesday showcased a range of programmes as part of the year of culture, including screening of classics as part of the BFI's India on Film programme from April to December with a focus on New Bollywood films that push the boundaries of conventional film-making.

BFI archives include a range of Indian films and documentaries from 1899. Baker said the BFI is digitising 300 Indian films and will make them available online for free later this year. The collection includes films that have not been seen for decades, if ever.

Foreign secretary Boris Johnson said: The UK and India are deeply proud of our rich cultural heritages and our world class creative and cultural industries. Through the year of culture we will celebrate modern India and the long-standing relationship, rooted in our flourishing people-to-people links.

The event was addressed by digital and culture minister Matt Hancock, Indian high commissioner YK Sinha, British Council trustee Usha Prashar, and Darren Henley, chief executive of Arts Council England.

Film actor Anil Kapoor lauded the BFI initiative to restore Shiraz and said there is much the Indian film industry could learn from British filmmakers such as Danny Boyle and Richard Attenborough.

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When Alexandra Kutas headlined a recent fashion show in Kiev it was not just a personal dream come true but also a victory for disabled people in her homeland Ukraine.

Wearing a long, black dress, she wowed the crowd as she was carried across the catwalk on a wooden throne by four trim men, becoming the first model with a disability to take the lead in a high-profile event in the country.

I had the idea that I wanted to do a catwalk and show that a girl in a wheelchair can be perceived as a first-class professional, she told AFP.

For 23-year-old Kutas, it was the latest stage in a long journey.

A camerawoman makes adjustments prior to a photo and video fashion shoot with Ukrainian model Alexandra Kutas in Kiev on January 25. (AFP Photo)

In a wheelchair since birth due to a spinal cord injury, she had struggled for years to make it as a model in the ex-Soviet state where disabled people all too often get left behind.

Kutas sent letters to modelling agencies -- but the response was always the same polite refusals.

They told me that I am very pretty, but they do not know how to promote me because the market is still not ready for this, says Kutas.

Huge inspiration

Kutas was born in Dnipro city, in the east of Ukraine, and went to an ordinary school. It was a bold step to take in 2000, when inclusive education was rare.

Ukrainian model Alexandra Kutas, who is in a wheelchair from a very early age due to a spinal cord injury resulting from a doctor's mistake at birth, poses during a photo and video fashion shoot in Kiev on January 25. (AFP Photo)

There were no ramps or elevators for special needs children in schools, so Kutass father or grandfather had to carry her up the stairs so that she could study with the other children.

Yes, it was difficult, but it is generally difficult to be a person with limited physical mobility in our country. Everyone knows that, Kutas says.

In 2012, Kutas was having lunch in a cafe when a photographer approached her and asked if she wanted to become a model.

She agreed and loved the process of having her picture taken so much that she soon began looking for other photographers to work with.

When I realised that I wanted to do this, there did not seem to be a single model with a disability in the world, Kutas says, recalling how she conducted a search for role models to follow and found none.

Ukrainian model Alexandra Kutas presents a creation during a fashion show of Ukrainian fashion designer Fedir Vozianov, during the Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev. (AFP Photo)

And then she suddenly came across a 1999 show of Alexander McQueen, the late British designer, where Aimee Mullins, a world-class Paralympic athlete, modelled in his statuesque and beautiful prosthetic legs.

It was a huge stimulus for me, a huge inspiration. I wondered why, if it was possible back then, in 1999, why it could not be possible now for a girl in the wheelchair?

When the Italian house FTL Moda invited models with disabilities to participate in New York Fashion Week recently, Kutas felt that the world was finally ready for a change.

Potential is hidden

Fedir Vozianov, a 55-year-old Ukrainian designer, never expected the domestic market to be ready for such a dramatic change.

But when he met Kutas and saw her confidence, Vozianov says he understood that he, himself, was willing to give it a go.

Ukrainian model Alexandra Kutas presents a creation during a fashion show of Ukrainian fashion designer Fedir Vozianov, during the Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev, on February 3. (AFP Photo)

People are not all the same -- we are all different in this world, Vozianov says.

It would be strange to cut a part of this world off at the podium.

Today Kutas is not only a rising model, but also an adviser to the mayor in her native city.

She helps to adapt the city to the needs of disabled people, which is especially important due to the conflict between government forces and Russian-backed separatists in Ukraines east that has claimed more than 10,000 lives and wounded 23,000 people.

I know that now is the moment that Ukraine simply cannot miss, she says.

It is always possible to grow, to evolve, to do something. The main thing is to create the conditions for these people whose great potential is hidden.
The grey, grim and wet weather in London on Monday was lifted by a unique image projected of Indias national bird  peacock  across the front facade of Buckingham Palace, attracting thousands of tourists and vehicles milling around the Mall.

The image, visible from all approaches to the palace, was projected from 6pm just as London was winding down.

The rain ensured that the iconic change of guards to the tune of Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire did not take place, but the royal band shifted to nearby Guards Chapel, where it played the tune that is more popular in the West.

The Indian images wrapped over the palace as Queen Elizabeth and her family played host to nearly 250 celebrities and leading individuals in various fields from India and Britain, including finance minister Arun Jaitley, to launch the UK-India Year of Culture 2017.

The Queen was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge. Other guests included Kamal Haasan, Gopi, Manish Malhotra, Kapil Dev, violin maestro L Subramaniam and Indias high commissioner YK Sinha.

The projection was designed by Studio Carrom, the Bangalore and London-based design studio. It depicted an image of a peacock with its tail fanned across the facade; within the feathers, dancing figures were seen.

Buckingham Palace marks the India-UK Year of Culture 2017.

Alan Gemmell, British Council India director, said: It isnt every day that you have the opportunity to project an image onto the facade of Buckingham Palace. The peacock, both regal and dramatic, is the perfect metaphor for a year of incredible cultural events connecting UK and India.

A spokesperson for Studio Carrom said: We wanted to ensure people knew this was about India, but which would also surprise and intrigue people, encouraging them to follow the UK-India Year of Culture.

It needed to be cool and contemporary as well as referencing Indias rich cultural heritage. We were drawn to the idea of performance and dance as it encompasses different people and traditions that make India such a diverse and unique country.

The Indian guests rubbed shoulders with royalty as chefs from Londons oldest restaurant, Veeraswamy, rustled up nearly 5,000 canapes in the royal kitchen, such as Raj puri, Paneer square in herb crust, Tandoori prawn cocktail, Soya gujjia, Strained yoghurt kebab, pineapple and almond halwa tart and boondi chocolate rock.

Indian and British chefs preparing India-themed canapes in the royal kitchen. (HT Photo)

Royal chef Mark Flanagan and Veeraswamy chef Uday Salunkhe led a team to prepare a spread of canapes that were examples of the best British and Indian cultures.

Salunkhe said: The food is a classic case of the amalgamation of the Indian food and British food. Bringing out the Indian flavours in such miniature form was difficult, but after six weeks trial and working over the weekend, it has come out perfectly well today.

Menu prepared for Queen Elizabeths reception at Buckingham Palace on Monday to launch the UK-India Year of Culture 2017. (HT Photo)

Several events have been planned across Britain and India to mark the year of culture, which was announced during the November 2015 visit to London of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The year marks 70 years of Indias independence, and acquires added significance as Brexit-bound Britain courts India for enhanced trade after losing access to the European single market.

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Physicians say a 4-month-old Iranian girl with a rare heart condition who was affected by President Donald Trumps travel ban is out of the woods and making good progress after her life-saving surgery last Friday.

Fatemeh Reshad and her parents plans to enter the United States with a travel visa for the infants surgery were cancelled last month after Trumps executive order on immigration and refugees from seven predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran.

The girl and her parents arrived in Portland, the home of some of their relatives, a few days later after being granted a waiver the same day Trumps ban was temporarily blocked by a federal judge.

Doctors at Oregon Health Sciences Universitys Doernbecher Childrens Hospital have an expertise in the infants condition.

Reshad underwent surgery February 17, a procedure her physicians say was more complicated given that its typically performed within days or weeks, rather than months, after birth. The familys delayed arrival to the US would not have necessarily been enough time to affect her condition, the girls doctors said during a news conference Monday.

Her heart function looks beautiful, said Dr. Laurie Armsby, associate professor and interim head of the hospitals Division of Pediatric Cardiology. Were really pleased with how the surgery went and have a very strong sense at this point that shes going to recover fully and go on to lead a happy and healthy life.

Reshad underwent a series of diagnostic studies since she was admitted to the hospital February 7 in preparation for her surgery. The infant remains in intensive care and its unclear how long her recovery will take.

The physicians declined to give further details of the girls procedure and current condition, at the request of her parents. Previous statements by hospital officials estimated a five- to six-hour surgical procedure performed by Dr. Irving Shen, a nationally respected expert on Fatemehs condition, and pegged her post-surgery stay at three weeks.

Reshads uncle, Samad Taghizadeh, a US citizen who lives in Portland, stood alongside the girls doctors, thanking US Sen. Jeff Merkley, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and immigration attorneys for being instrumental in getting the waiver for the babys family.

In the beginning, I didnt have any hope for my family coming here, Taghizadeh said. But I tried, and I was surprised how the people in the US have helped.
Israeli forces began evacuating nine homes in the West Bank settlement of Ofra on Tuesday, following a Supreme Court decision that ruled they were built on private Palestinian land.

Dozens of settlers and their supporters were protesting on the rooftops as military and police forces handed the evacuation orders to settler leaders and asked them to cooperate peacefully and avoid confrontation.

Brig. Gen. Yoram Sofer pleaded with the settlers to act according to moral standards, to assist us and not to use violence.

One of the residents defiantly tore up the order while others, mainly youths, were carried away by troops tasked with clearing the area. No major disturbances were reported.

Earlier this month, Israeli forces uprooted Amona, a nearby West Bank outpost, following a similar court order. The forces removed residents and hundreds of their supporters in sometimes violent clashes as they dismantled a community that had become a symbol of Jewish settler defiance.

The outpost of Amona was the largest of about 100 unauthorized outposts erected in the West Bank without formal permission but generally with tacit support from the Israeli government. It was the scene of violent clashes between settlers and security forces during a partial demolition in 2006.

Such evacuations have created tension in the hard-line coalition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been caught between appeasing his pro-settler coalition allies and respecting the rulings issued by the Supreme Court.

The Palestinians and most of the international community consider both outposts and settlements illegal and see them as an obstacle to creating a Palestinian state.

The Palestinians want the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem  territories Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war  for their future state. Israel withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005, and the territory was subsequently overrun by the Hamas militant group.
A white US Navy veteran charged with murdering an Indian software engineer at a Kansas bar gazed stoically at a camera from jail and gave curt answers to a judge by video during his initial court appearance on Monday over the shooting, which federal authorities are probing as a possible hate crime.

Adam Purinton, 51, is accused of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and wounding Alok Madasani, also 32, as well as an American who tried to intervene during Wednesday evenings incident at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, a Kansas City suburb.

At least one bystander told the Kansas City Star he shouted get out of my country before shooting. The incident led news bulletins in India, where some suggested on social media that a climate of intolerance in the United States had been fuelled by President Donald Trumps rhetoric on immigration.

Purinton, appearing via video conference from jail, asked the court to appoint him an attorney and waived the reading of the formal charges against him of one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder during the five-minute hearing in the Johnson County District Court in downtown Olathe.

Purinton, who could only be seen from the chest up on the courts television screen, is being held on $2 million bond in the adjacent Johnson County Jail. In clear language, he replied to a handful of questions from the judge, mostly with curt answers.

Michael McCulloch, who was named by the court to be Purintons attorney, declined to comment after the hearing.

Purinton wore an Army green, sleeveless suicide-prevention smock and stared straight at the camera the whole time. His reddish-brown hair was short on the side and spiked on top. He had sideburns to his jawbone and the shadow of a beard.

His next hearing is set for March 9.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer on Monday called reports about the shooting and more acts of vandalism at Jewish cemeteries disturbing. On Friday, he said any loss of life in the shooting was tragic, but it was absurd to link the killing to Trumps America First stance.

Purinton was arrested hours after the shooting at an Applebees restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, about 80 miles (130 km) south of Olathe.

According to a recording of a 911 call made by a female bartender at the Applebees, Purinton said he needed to hide because he had killed two Iranian men, local NBC affiliate KSHB-TV reported.

He wouldnt tell me what he did. I kept asking him and he said he would tell me if I agreed to let him stay with me. I finally got him to tell me, the bartender tells a dispatcher, according to the tape obtained by KSHB-TV. He said he shot and killed two Iranian people in Olathe.

Both the gunmans Indian victims worked as engineers with navigation device maker Garmin Ltd.
Russia and China used their veto powers to block a UN Security Council draft resolution to impose sanctions on Syria over the government's alleged chemical weapons use, Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Nations and acting Security Council president Volodymyr Yelchenko said on Tuesday, Sputnik reported.

"The result of this vote is as follows: 9 votes in favor, 3 against and 3 abstentions. The draft resolution has not been adopted owing to the negative vote of the [permanent] members of the Council," Yelchenko stated.

Bolivia also voted against the draft resolution while Kazakhstan, Egypt, and Ethiopia abstained.

Earlier on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said sanctions against Syria would hinder ongoing peace negotiations and warned that Moscow would not support new UN Security Council measures against the Syrian government.

The draft resolution, co-sponsored by France, the United Kingdom and the United States, suggested imposing sanctions against 10 entities and 11 Syrians considered responsible for using chemical weapons in Syria in 2014 and 2015.

The vote comes amid ongoing intra-Syrian talks in Geneva that brought together representatives of Syrian government and opposition groups.

Despite lack of conclusive evidence, a number of countries, in particular the United Kingdom, France, and the United States, blamed the Syrian government for the chemical attacks. Syrian President Bashar Assad though denied all accusations, claiming the reports failed to provide conclusive evidence of its culpability and putting blame on the terrorist groups. The Russian authorities have repeatedly called on necessity to double-check such kind of reports, stressing that conclusions cannot be simply made on interviews of several local residents.

In late October-early November 2016, a number of chemical attacks were conducted in Syria's city of Aleppo by militants, killing dozens of Syrian servicemen and civilians. The Syrian government urged the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to conduct the investigation, while the Russian Defense Ministry handed the results of the chemical use probe to Syrias national regulator in charge of implementing the OPCW convention.

Earlier on February, Russias Foreign Ministry said it expected more effective work from the OPCW, adding that the organization's act-finding mission in Syria had conducted its activity over the past years remotely by interviewing witnesses, which raised questions over information's credibility.

Syria's civil war between government forces and a wide range of insurgents, including opposition groups and terrorists, such as al-Nusra Front and Daesh, both outlawed in Russia, has raged for some five years and has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Aleppo, fought over since 2012, was liberated and fully retaken by the government in late December.
Two Afghan friends were incarcerated together at Guantanamo Bay, but they chose starkly divergent paths after release -- one became an Islamic State jihadist, the other joined the US-led government fight to crush the group.

Haji Ghalib and Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost, whose friendship coalesced around a shared love for poetry, were scooped up in the post-9/11 American dragnet and shipped off to the prison camp in Cuba.

Their journey encapsulates Guantanamos failed legacy in the fight to expunge radicalism, as President Donald Trump appears set to reverse previous US efforts to scale it back.

Guantanamo is the worst place on Earth, said Ghalib, who estimates he is 49, deep creases lining his gaunt face.

Every day I ask myself the same questions: Why was I taken? Why did they ruin five years of my life? Why is there no justice, no compensation?

After burnishing his reputation as a fearsome commander against the Soviets and the Taliban, Ghalib was serving in the Afghan police in 2003 when he was unexpectedly accused of insurgent links.

Authorities ignominiously stripped him of his post, tore his uniform off publicly, and sent him to Guantanamo until the American military concluded in 2007 that he was not assessed as being a member of Al Qaeda or the Taliban.

When freed, Ghalib channelled his resentment to fight not the Americans but those he calls the real enemies of Afghanistan -- the Taliban and, recently, Islamic State jihadists, who are making inroads into the country.

That includes his former friend Muslim Dost, who Western and Afghan officials describe as a top IS commander in eastern Nangarhar province, and who was released from Guantanamo two years before Ghalib.

- Seedbed of terrorism -

A gifted demagogue, Muslim Dost spent his time inside Guantanamo praying and preaching to other inmates about jihad alongside 9/11 accused Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

When he preached the inmates wept, Ghalib recalled. They were left shaken by his loud, mesmerising voice.

Muslim Dost scribbled poems on drinking cups for lack of writing material.

One verse published in the book Poems of Guantanamo by US law professor Marc Falkoff reads:

Consider what might compel a man to kill himself, or another //

Does oppression not demand some reaction against the oppressor?

Guantanamo is a seedbed of terrorism, said Kako, 35, who was imprisoned along with his cousin Ghalib and returned to be a corn farmer. It gave legitimacy to fanatics like Muslim Dost.

Guantanamo, opened in 2002, remains a lightning rod for anti-American sentiment.

Nearly a quarter of the total number of detainees were Afghans, most later found to be noncombatants who were mistakenly apprehended or wrongfully turned over by local bounty-hunters or personal rivals.

Arbitrary detention was a powerful factor driving some Afghans to insurgency, helping spark a new phase in a long and bitter conflict, said Kafka in Cuba, a recent report from the Afghanistan Analysts Network.

The report by AAN analyst Kate Clark revealed that eight of the longest-serving Afghan detainees were held on vague accusations, rife with hearsay, gross errors of fact and testimony obtained under duress and torture.

It is now 16 years since the US began its intervention in Afghanistan and 15 years since it sent the first Afghans to Cuba. Yet the conflict, like Americas dilemma of what to do with its legacy of war on terror detainees, shows no sign of ending.

- Wont let him go alive -

Barack Obama, who sought to shut down Guantanamo, shipped detainees out until the last days of his presidency. But Trump may be set to bar the transfers and bring in new detainees, US media have said, citing a draft executive order.

America may consider Guantanamo a necessity, but they need to differentiate between fundamentalists and patriots, Ghalib said.

Ghalib, seen as a loyal US ally, is the district chief of Bati Kot in Nangarhar, a patchwork of rolling hills and orange and melon farms sandwiched between Taliban and IS bastions.

His loyalty is undergirded partly by personal tragedy. In 2013, the Taliban killed his brother guarding a highway project in Nangarhar.

Just weeks later, the Taliban dug explosives at the grave site where Ghalibs extended family had gathered to mourn, killing 18 people including his two wives and grandchildren.

His eldest son brought more sobering news, a walkie talkie snatched from the Taliban dangling from his chest, as Ghalib spoke to AFP inside his fortified base.

A close relative, who had poured him tea just minutes earlier, had been killed in a hit-and-run shooting as he stepped out of the base.

Ghalib turned pensive, his face dropping into his hands.

People like Muslim Dost are fighting foreigners but mostly killing Afghans, he said as he composed himself. If I ever see him on the frontline I wont let him go alive.
Malaysias attorney general said Tuesday that the two women accused of killing the half brother of North Koreas leader with a nerve agent in a Kuala Lumpur airport terminal will be charged with murder.

Mohamed Apandi Ali said Indonesian Siti Aisyah and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong will be charged Wednesday and would face a mandatory death sentence if convicted. The attorney general confirmed the women will be charged in a text message to The Associated Press.

Two other suspects in the Feb. 13 killing of Kim Jong Nam have been arrested: a Malaysian who is out on bail and a North Korean who remains in custody. Asked if the North Korean will be charged, Apandi said it depends on the outcome of the investigations.

Authorities also are seeking another seven North Korean suspects, four of whom fled the country the day of Kims death and are believed to be back in North Korea.

The killing of Kim Jong Nam took place amid crowds of travelers at Kuala Lumpurs airport and appeared to be a well-planned hit. Malaysian authorities say North Koreans put the deadly nerve agent VX on the hands of Aisyah and Huong, who then placed the toxin on Kims face. Kim died on the way to a hospital, within about 20 minutes of the attack.

South Korean lawmakers said Monday that the countrys National Intelligence Service told them in a private briefing that four of the North Koreans identified as suspects are from the Ministry of State Security, the Norths spy organ.
Four people died and up to five more were missing after a small plane crashed into two houses in a residential neighbourhood in southern California, authorities said.

Images broadcast by KABC-TV from the scene showed firefighters covering what appeared to be a body with a tarp and pouring water on the home in Riverside, about 60 miles (100 km)east of Los Angeles.

The station reported that another victim who was pulled from a window of the home and put on a stretcher appeared to be suffering from severe injuries.

The Riverside Press Enterprise newspaper, citing fire officials, said that one person had died and that four others suffered injuries.

Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration, said that a Cessna 310 crashed under unknown circumstances about a half mile northeast of Riverside Municipal Airport.

Gregor said the plane crashed shortly after taking off from the airport, bound for San Jose in Northern California and that the incident would be investigated by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board.

It was not immediately clear how many people were on board the plane when it took off. According to aviation websites the Cessna 310 is a twin-engine plane that can carry up to six people.
Pakistan said on Tuesday it would bar Islamist organisations from staging rallies commemorating the assassin of former Punjab governor Salman Taseer.

Taseer had enraged religious hardliners by calling for the reform of blasphemy laws that mandate the death penalty for insulting Islam. His stance led to his bodyguard Mumtaz Qadri killing him.

Pakistan executed Qadri on February 29, 2016, leading to vast street protests, with many religious groups considering him a hero for the assassination. His supporters also built a shrine on his grave, on the outskirts of Islamabad.

All types of protests or rallies are strictly prohibited right now, especially in this kind of security environment, said Punjab government spokesman Malik Ahmad Khan, referring to a spate of terror attacks in Pakistan this month.

Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah, a coalition of Islamist groups which planned to stage a rally on Wednesday to honour Qadri., said two of its leaders had been placed under house arrest ahead of the one-year anniversary of Qadris death.

The government has put our leaders under house arrest but we are not scared, said Ali Raza, a Pakistani member of Tehreek-i-Labaik who works in China.

He said he had travelled to Qadris shrine for the anniversary.

If you are a Muslim, you will be happy to be chopped up into a thousand tiny pieces but you will not rest if someone disrespects the prophet. I will come here every single year.

More than 100 people are charged with blasphemy and jailed each year in predominantly Muslim Pakistan, many of them Christians and other minorities. Critics say the law is often invoked in cases of personal disputes.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday he would recall some police to fight his controversial war on drugs, nearly a month after suspending the entire force from all operations in the bloody campaign.

In an about-face on his decision to remove the 160,000-member Philippine National Police (PNP) from his signature campaign, Duterte said the country was beset by security and law enforcement challenges and he needed more manpower to sustain the crackdown on drugs.

Duterte has been scathing in his criticism of police corruption after it was discovered that rogue drugs squad officers had kidnapped and killed a South Korean businessman at PNP headquarters.

After banishing police from the anti-drug campaign, Duterte handed the lead role to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and has called for the military to provide firepower for its operations.

On Tuesday, he said those police recalled to operations would have to be supervised by PDEA agents.

So, I need more men. I have to call back the police again to do the job most of the time on drugs, not everyone, he told reporters.

And its meant to be PDEA-supervised, whether done by the military or the police. There should always be a PDEA ... who will be supervising everything.

Since the Jan. 30 police suspension, the drug trade has come back out of the shadows, more than half a dozen drug users and dealers in some of Manilas toughest areas told Reuters.

PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa said on Monday drugs had returned to the streets in the past few weeks and police were ready to rejoin the campaign because the sooner we return, the better.

The war on drugs has caused international alarm, with 7,700 people killed since it was launched eight months ago, some 2,555 in operations in which police said suspects resisted arrest.

Authorities strongly reject allegations by human rights groups that many of the other deaths were extrajudicial killings carried out by police, or hit men working for them.

Duterte has resolutely defended the campaign and lambasted anyone who raises concern about it, including world leaders like then UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon and former US president Barack Obama.

He has promised to humiliate anyone who is willing to debate him on the issue.

He said the decision to recall police was made after consultations with dela Rosa, during which he ordered him to recruit young men for task forces who were imbued with the fervor of patriotism and not tainted by corruption.

He did not specify what task forces.

I have to do it because I dont have enough men, Duterte added.

PNP spokesman Dionardo Carlos said he was not aware of any recall of the police.

We have to await proper instructions and guidelines, he said. The whole situation will be studied because we need to know where are we on the drug situation and where we left off.

.
A team from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) arrived in Nepal on Tuesday for discussions with its Nepalese counterparts on management of demonetised Indian bank notes held by Nepalese citizens, banks and financial institutions.

Senior officials from the RBIs currency management and regulatory departments are part of the team. They will meet representatives of the Nepal Rastra Bank and Nepal Bankers Association, the umbrella organisation of banks.

A senior Nepalese official told Hindustan Times that the RBI team will focus on client identification and Nepals system for countering money laundering.

After completing discussions with stakeholders in Nepal, the RBI team will visit Bhutan, another South Asian country that has faced problems because of the demonetisation drive by India last November. Indian currency is widely used in both Bhutan and Nepal.

On the basis of the teams findings, the RBI will come up with a model for exchanging the demonetised high-value Indian notes held by citizens of Nepal and Bhutan.

A team from the Nepal Rastra Bank led by deputy governor Chintamani Shiwakoti visited India in January and discussed modalities for the exchange of the demonetised Indian notes.
Religious controls have intensified across China during the four-year rule of President Xi Jinping and authorities have focussed on electronic surveillance and targeted social media platforms used by believers to bypass online censorship, according to a new report.

The report released on Tuesday says Xi has presided over an overall increase in religious persecution and four communities have borne the brunt - Protestant Christians, Tibetan Buddhists, and Hui and Uyghur Muslims.

Religious activities commonly practiced around the world, such as fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramzan, can be harshly punished in China, said the report titled The Battle for Chinas Spirit: Religious Revival, Repression, and Resistance under Xi Jinping from Washington-based rights watchdog Freedom House.

The report analysed the status of seven religious groups accounting for some 350 million people  Chinese Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Tibetan Buddhism and Falun Gong (banned in China since 1999).

China officially recognises five religions: Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Taoism and Islam.

The Battle for Chinas Spirit examines the evolution of the Communist Partys policies of religious control and citizens responses to them since November 2012, Freedom House said, calling it the first comprehensive analysis of its kind.

Sarah Cook, the reports author, said: The scale and severity of controls over religion, and the trajectory of both growing persecution and pushback, are affecting Chinese society and politics far beyond the realm of religious policy alone.

The partys rigid constraints render it impossible for state-sanctioned institutions to meet the growing demand for religion in Chinese society, Cook said. The result is an enormous black market, forcing many believersfrom Taoists and Protestants to Tibetan Buddhiststo operate outside the law and to view the regime as unreasonable, unjust, or illegitimate.

The report found and examined positive developments in Chinas religious sphere as well as the countrys gradually improving relations with the Vatican. It also found, rather inexplicably as the report put it, cracks in the crackdown against Falun Gong practitioners.

The Chinese government, under Communist Party general secretary Jiang Zemin, banned and cracked down on Falun Gong, described as a spiritual practice that combines meditation and exercise, in 1999. Its practitioners continue to be among the worst hit by religious persecution in China.

Falun Gong practitioners, though still subject to severe abuses, are experiencing reduced persecution in many locales, as top officials driving the campaign have been purged in intra-party struggles, and years of grassroots outreach by adherents and their supporters have won over some lower level authorities, the report said.

Incidents that would have been unimaginable a few years ago - the release of a practitioner after only a few days detention, police permitting adherents to meditate in custody, or officers actively protecting individuals from punishment - have occurred across the country and do not appear to be isolated, it said.

Among other communities to be hit are the Uyghurs (from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region or XUAR) and Protestant Christians.

Controls on religion have deepened and expanded in the XUAR, where a majority of Uighur Muslims reside. Previously informal or local restrictions in Xinjiang - on issues such as religious dress - have been codified at the regional and national levels. Authorities have launched new campaigns to more closely monitor smartphone usage and force businesses to sell alcohol, while incidents of security forces opening fire on Uighur civilians have become more common, the report said.

The report made particular mention of Protestants being targeted after Xis call to sinicise religions.

Since early 2014, local authorities have intensified efforts to stem the spread of Christianity amid official rhetoric about the threat of Western values and the need to Sinicise religions. As the larger of the two main Christian denominations in China, Protestants have been particularly affected by cross-removal and church-demolition campaigns, punishment of state-sanctioned leaders, and the arrest of human rights lawyers who take up Christians cases, the report said.
Pakistan is experiencing drip drip genocide, a noted scholar from the country has said, describing it as the most dangerous kind of wiping out of religious minorities in the Islamic nation.

Right before the partition of India and Pakistan, we had a very healthy balance of religions other than Islam. Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Zoroastrians. (Now) Pakistan goes from 23%, which is almost a quarter of its population, to three per cent today, noted Pakistani author, journalist and politician Farahnaz Ispahani told PTI.

I call it a drip drip genocide, because its the most dangerous kind of wiping out of religious communities, said Ispahani, whose book Purifying the Land of the Pure was launched in the US this month.

It (genocide) doesnt happen in one day. It doesnt happen over a few months. Little by little by little, laws and institutions and bureaucracies and penal codes, textbooks that malign other communities, until you come to the point of having this sort of jihadi culture that is running rampant, she said.

Describing Pakistans journey as depressing, Ispahani said that the country she grew up in does not exist today.

Responding to a question on the recent global trend against religious minorities, the top Pakistani scholar said it is shocking that today, countries like the US, which were known as the bastions of liberal democratic intuitions and values towards religious minority populations are now turning into places of hate.

Whether it is towards refugees, whether its towards Jews whove been settled in France for centuries, Jews whove been settled in the United States for generations. Its Muslims, its Jews, its Christians, but the whole world seems to be changing in a very ugly way, she said.

One of the reasons I wrote my book was as a heeding that the example of Pakistan is an example the whole world needs to watch. The example of India, of course, is different, because the Indian constitution actually uses the word secular.

Even though right now theres a tussle in India between two different weaves of the society, I would say, till today the laws still say that all Indians are equal citizens, which is still also the fact in the United States of America, Ispahani said.
Russia and China on Tuesday vetoed a UN resolution backed by Western powers that would have imposed sanctions on Syria over chemical weapons use.

The measure drafted by Britain, France and the United States won nine votes in favor at the Security Council while three countries opposed it -- China, Russia and Bolivia. Kazakhstan, Ethiopia and Egypt abstained.

UN resolutions require nine positive votes and no veto to be adopted.

It was the seventh time that Russia, Syrias top military ally, has used its veto power to shield the Damascus regime.

China, also one of the five veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council, has joined Russia in vetoing six resolutions on Syria.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had warned that imposing sanctions on Syria during ongoing peace talks in Geneva was completely inappropriate and would undermine the effort to end Syrias nearly six-year war.

This resolution is very appropriate, US Ambassador Nikki Haley told the council after the measure was defeated in the vote.

It is a sad day on the Security Council when members start making excuses for other member states killing their own people.

The world is definitely a more dangerous place, she said.

The resolution would have put 11 Syrians, mainly military commanders, and 10 entities linked to chemical attacks in 2014 and 2015 on a UN sanctions blacklist.

The measure followed a UN-led investigation which concluded in October that the Syrian air force had dropped chlorine barrel-bombs from helicopters on three opposition-held villages in 2014 and 2015.

The joint panel of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) also found that Islamic State jihadists used mustard gas in an attack in 2015.

The vote marked the first major council action by the new US administration, which is seeking warmer ties with Russia.

The Syrian government has repeatedly denied using chemical weapons in the war that has killed 310,000 people since March 2011.
US President Donald Trump has accused his predecessor Barack Obama and his people of organising the demonstrations that have roiled city streets, airports and town halls during the first weeks of his presidency.

In an interview with Fox and Friends, which aired on Tuesday morning in the US, the President also suggested Obama and his allies were behind the leaks of classified information from the White House to the press.

There is no evidence that the former president has had any hand in either activity.

Trump was asked by the Fox interviewer whether he believed Obama was involved in organising protests, including the recent spate of raucous Republican town hall meetings , and if he is, is that a violation of the so-called unsaid presidents code?

No, I think he is behind it. I also think its just politics. Thats just the way it is, Trump said in the pre-taped interview, a portion of which was released on Monday night.

Trump continued: You never know whats exactly happening behind the scenes  I think that President Obamas behind it because his people are certainly behind it.

Republicans and rightwing media outlets have accused the former president of directing the demonstrations though a group called Organizing for Action (OFA), a progressive group that grew out of Obamas presidential campaigns. It is chaired by Jim Messina, who was Obamas deputy chief of staff during his first term and his campaign manager during the 2012 election.

People protest outside of the Elizabeth Detention Center during a rally attended by immigrant residents and activists on Thursday. (AFP File)

As a non-profit, the group cannot advocate for a political candidate, though its agenda aligns closely with the Democratic party and Obamas key policy positions. There is no evidence the former president is personally involved with the group.

Last week, Republicans faced angry constituents in town halls and district offices around the country. The action follows protests that erupted at airports in response to the Trump administrations travel ban, which closed the US borders to people from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

In the interview with Fox, Trump accused Obama and his allies of possible involvement in the leaks of information from the White House.

Some of the leaks possibly come from that group, Trump said in the interview.

You know, some of the leaks  which are really very serious leaks because theyre very bad in terms of national security  but I also understand thats politics and it will probably continue.

It is extremely rare for a former president to criticize his successor while in office.

Last month, Obama spoke out against Trumps travel ban . In a statement, a spokesman said Obama was heartened by the level of engagement taking place in communities around the country and that the former president fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion.

In the Fox interview, Trump further disparaged Obamas immigration policy, saying the former president had deported a lot of people, in contrast to his own administrations stepped-up deportation measures, which were focusing on a very bad group.

Earlier this month, in Texas, a woman was arrested by immigration officials at a courthouse where she was seeking protection from domestic violence . In a separate case, a Salvadoran woman fighting deportation was removed by immigration officials from a Texas hospital where she was being treated for a brain tumor and returned to a detention centre.

In response to a question about whether there was a method behind his recent spate of Twitter attacks, Trump reiterated his online criticism of John McCain. The senator had been critical of the Trump administrations operation in Yemen last month, which resulted in the death of a US Navy Seal.

I felt badly when a young man dies and John McCain said it was a bad mission  I thought it was inappropriate that he goes to foreign soil and he criticizes our government, Trump said on Fox, cautioning the Arizona senator to be careful.
Watches are not rocket science. Or are they? Watches are not rocket...

Perhaps you dont have a PhD. Well, thats a shame, because with some watches, youll need one to understand how to tell the time. Perhaps you dont have a PhD. Well,...
President Donald Trump acknowledged his immigration goals may not have been communicated effectively, saying maybe its my fault, and may use his speech to Congress on Tuesday to address the poor messaging in his month-old administration.

I dont think so. No, I dont think its been - maybe its my fault, said Trump on the message of his immigration goals not being communicated effectively.

The Republican Trump, a blustery newcomer to politics before winning the 2016 presidential election, gave himself a C or a C+ on communication in an interview with Fox & Friends television program.

In terms of achievement, I think Id give myself an A. Because I think Ive done great things. But I dont think I have - I and my people - I dont think weve explained it well enough to the American public, he said in the interview, taped on Monday for broadcast Tuesday.

I think I get an A in terms of what Ive actually done, but in terms of messaging, Id give myself a C or a C+.

Trump will lay out plans for the next year on Tuesday night in a speech to Congress after a rocky start to his presidency, marked by the firing of his national security adviser and the troubled rollout of his executive order temporarily banning people from seven Muslim-majority nations.

He recently broadened the categories of people who could be targeted for immigration enforcement to anyone who had been charged with a crime, removing an Obama-era exception for people convicted of traffic misdemeanors.

California lawmakers on Monday demanded information from the Trump administration on arrests and raids in the most populous US state, citing reports that immigration agents had gone to churches, schools and courthouses to find illegal immigrants.

Trump insists that agents are targeting dangerous criminals, not ordinary people. Asked if that has been communicated effectively, Trump said: I dont think so. No, I dont think its been - maybe its my fault.

Invited later to say how he would change the messaging, he said, Maybe I change it during the speech.
President Donald Trump can be famously unpredictable and is known to meander off script, but in his first address to a joint session of the US congress on Tuesday, he is expected to focus on the renewal of the American spirit and immigration, according to his aides.

Trump could also address the surge in social tensions, anti-Semitic attacks and the hostility towards immigrants that may have led to the killing of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, an Indian aviation engineer gunned by a man who mistook him for an Iranian.

The president will use the platform to address not only Americans but people around the world, who have watched anxiously as he and his new team have struggled to find their footing, hurtling from one controversy to another amid a flurry of executive orders.

Mostly though, Trump is expected to talk about his campaign promises and how he will fulfil them tax reforms, upgrading infrastructure, repealing and replacing his predecessor Barack Obamas healthcare law, strengthening the military and being tough on immigration.

Some of these pledges are already in motion  for instance, Trump announced on Monday a proposal to hike defence spending by 10%, which translates to an increase of $54 billion. He called it a historic increase in defence spending that will send a message to the world in these dangerous times, of American strength, security and resolve.

He will address the issue of immigration as well. Sean Spicer, his press secretary, on Monday said, You will hear about his commitment to immigration and his desire for border security, and what it means not just about keeping the nation safe, but what impact its having on the economy. So you will hear a lot about immigration tomorrow night, and he will talk about why it matters and the goal that we have and why we should come together on areas like this.

According to a talking-points memo circulated by the White House, which was cited by Politico news site, the President will lay out an optimistic vision for the country that crosses the traditional lines of party, race and socioeconomic status. It will invite Americans of all backgrounds to come together in the service of a stronger, brighter future for our nation.

He will talk about shared fundamental desires of all Americans  safe communities, good school and jobs  especially for the forgotten men and women.

Trump has also blamed Obama for some of the leaks to news media that led to a flurry of damaging reports about his administration, including links between his aides and Russia, which also led him to fire his national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Trump also blamed Obama for the protests that continue around the country.
A week after an Indian engineer was shot dead and his friend wounded by a shooter at a bar in Kansas, a growing chorus of voices is asking why President Donald Trump has not broken his silence.

In a strongly-worded editorial on Monday, the Kansas City Star said the Presidents complete silence was disquieting.  Mum. Not a word has been spoken, tweeted or prepped for Trumps teleprompter, says the piece.

On February 25, Adam Purinton, 51, a US Navy veteran, shot IT engineers Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani. Purinton thought the men belonged to the Middle-east and yelled at them to get out of my country before opening fire. While Kuchibhotla died in the hospital, Madasani was wounded. Another man, Ian Grillot, who tried to stop the attack, was also seriously wounded.

The shooting sparked fears that Donald Trumps anti-immigrant rhetoric could fuel hate crimes. While many prominent public figures stepped up to condemn the incident in no uncertain terms, Trumps studied silence has raised eyebrows. On Friday, at the daily White House briefing, press secretary Sean Spicer said the deaths were tragic but dismissed suggestions that they were linked to Trumps rhetoric as absurd.

The President, known for tweeting compulsively, has not once mentioned the killings in the 42 tweets he put out after the incident.

The editorial rips apart Trumps reaction. Trump has offered no words of condolence for the grieving widow of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who died from his gunshot wounds. The president has expressed no sympathy for Kuchibhotlas best friend, Alok Madasani, who continues to recover from bullet wounds and the trauma.

Trump usually loves to celebrate all-American heroes. But hes passed on commending Ian Grillot, a bystander who leapt to take the gunman down before anyone else was harmed. Grillot was shot, too.

The incident offered Trump a crucial opportunity to condemn such hateful acts, the newspaper goes on to say that others have grasped the role that the US President should have played, pointing to Hillary Clintons tweet.

With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out.https://t.co/QKKyXyuqNM  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 27, 2017

The editorial concludes by saying that the world will be watching Trump on Tuesday night, when he addresses a joint session of Congress. He should use the opportunity to thoughtfully and belatedly  address this brazen act of violence. Because with each passing day, Trumps silence is even more telling.
In an office cubicle at the UN refugee agency, a Syrian woman and her three daughters took turns staring into a camera for iris scans. Their biometric registration, a first step toward possible resettlement in the West, is to be followed by interviews and background checks that can take months or even years.

The 31-year-old part-time hairdresser, who fled to Jordan in 2014 after her husband went missing in Syrias civil war, feels fortunate. But the long road ahead for many Syrian refugees could grow even more arduous if US President Donald Trump fulfils campaign vows to impose extreme vetting.

Many of the five million Syrian refugees who scratch out a living in overwhelmed neighbouring states such as Jordan arent necessarily candidates for a rare slot in the resettlement programme. Priority is given to the most vulnerable, including women heading households, medical patients and victims of torture.

Still, the vetting process has come under intense scrutiny since Trump took office.

An 11-year-old Syrian refugee girl poses for a biometric iris scan in an interview room of the UN refugee agency in Amman, the first step in what are typically two years of interviews and background checks ahead of possible resettlement to the West, including the United States. (AP photo)

A week after his inauguration, Trump suspended refugee admissions, arguing that the displaced pose a potential terrorism threat and that his administration needs time to impose more stringent vetting procedures. A federal judge blocked the order, but Trump has said a new version will be announced soon.

US involvement in refugee resettlement is bound to shrink this year, even if a new executive order softens earlier provisions, such as the open-ended ban on the entry of displaced Syrians.

Trump has announced that he is reducing the US limit for taking in refugees from all over the world from 110,000 to 50,000 a year, leaving even fewer spots for refugees from the conflict-scarred Middle East.

The US has been a leading resettlement destination, taking in about half of the 20,000 refugees, most of them Syrians, who left to the West from Jordan in 2016, said Daniela Cicchella, a senior refugee agency official in Jordan.

Cicchella described the vetting as stringent, but said all involved are open to ways of improving it.

The programme is one of the most scrutinised ways of entering the United States, Cicchella said during a tour of the vetting area at the agency headquarters in Jordans capital.

We have been working very closely with different countries, including with the US authorities, in the last years, she said.

Trumps initial order asked officials to review the refugee approval process in search of possible security loopholes, but did not say what additional vetting he wants to see.

For now, the process includes in-person interviews during which refugees provide information about families, friendships, social or political activities, employment, phone numbers and email accounts.

They also provide biometric information, including fingerprints, and federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies are consulted for background checks. Syrians are subject to additional classified checks. Their vetting can take up to two years.

Last year, the US Homeland Security Department said it planned to look more closely at social media postings of people seeking to come to the United States.

The Syrian hairdresser said she hoped to move with her daughters, ranging in age from 7 to 13, to Britain, where she has family. In a small office, a UN staffer logged their details into a computer, including the names and ages of the womans siblings.

After registration, they were led to another cubicle for an in-depth interview with another UN staffer. After the first hurdle, therell be more refugee agency interviews and checks by the prospective new host country. Jordans security agencies also get involved in clearing refugees for departure.

I want to leave Jordan, and it is a chance to improve my daughters education levels, said the woman, whose name was withheld at the request of the refugee agency, which cited protection concerns.

She said she understood Western concerns about weeding out potential terrorists. But I dont think I will pose any threat, she said, adding that she and her daughters want to live in peace.

Analysts at the Homeland Security Departments intelligence arm have found insufficient evidence that citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries covered by Trumps travel ban, including Syria, pose a terror threat to the US.

A draft document that surfaced last week concluded that citizenship is an unlikely indicator of terrorism threats and that few people from the seven Muslim-majority countries listed in the travel ban carried out attacks or were involved in terrorism-related activities since the 2011 start of Syrias civil war.

A Homeland Security official said at the time that the document is not a final comprehensive review of the governments intelligence.

The initial travel ban created confusion among refugees awaiting resettlement.

At the time, about 300 Syrian refugees had tickets to fly from Jordan to the United States, said Cicchella.

They were shocked, they were sad, she said. Many had sold their belongings and were left stranded. Flights were rebooked a few days later, after the court suspension of the ban, and most have since reached the United States, she said.

Overall, 673 Syrian refugees arrived in the U.S. in the past month, according to a U.S. refugee aid agency, citing government statistics.

Several thousand others are in the pipeline, having been submitted to the U.S. as candidates for resettlement after initial screenings by the refugee agency. With shrinking U.S. refugee quotas, their prospects are uncertain.

In 2017, the UN refugee agency hopes to resettle 76,800 refugees from the Middle East and North Africa and 169,000 globally, but the scope depends on the quotas being offered by host countries.

Jordan, a key US military ally in the fight against the Islamic State group and a major recipient of US aid, has refrained from criticizing Trumps immigration policies.

However, the kingdom views resettlement as one of the ways, along with international financial aid, to ease the disproportionately heavy refugee burden on regional host countries.

More than 650,000 Syrian refugees live in Jordan, close to 3 million in Turkey and more than 1 million in Lebanon. Schools, hospitals and state budgets, especially in Jordan and Lebanon, have been strained by the mass influx.

Government spokesman Mohammed Momani said Sunday that the international community must do more to help Syrian refugees.

If we dont do this, then we will have generations of lost refugees, uneducated refugees, abandoned refugees that will continue to create further problems to the host communities (in the region), he said.

___

Associated Press writer Alicia A. Caldwell in Washington contributed to this report.
A Virginia man is accused of biting another mans face after making anti-Muslim slurs in a parking lot at a busy shopping mall late last year.

Fairfax County police say in a statement that 35-year-old Robin McGreer was arrested Monday and charged with bias-related malicious bodily injury.

Investigators say McGreer approached a 31-year-old man on Nov. 27 in the lot at Tysons Corner Center, started a conversation and threatened him with racial insults.

The two started fighting and police say McGreer bit the victim in the face before fleeing.

Police spokeswoman Megan Hawkins says the threats and slurs at issue were anti-Muslim. She says the delay between the incident and arrest was because of a thorough investigation.

Online records do not list an attorney for McGreer.
Photos of White House adviser Kellyanne Conway kneeling on an Oval Office couch with her shoes on have sparked an online debate about decorum in the executive mansion.

In the image, Conway appears on the couch with her shoes on as Trump poses for a photo with leaders of historically black colleges and universities.

Other photos show Conway leaning over to take a smartphone picture of the event.

Some Twitter users were quick to highlight the photos as evidence of a lack of respect for the office from Conway and the Trump administration. Other users have countered with numerous photos of former President Barack Obama resting his feet on the offices desk during his time in office.

Conway hasnt weighed in on the criticism.

Wall Street Journal columnist Bret Stephens was among those taking aim at Conway, suggesting that aides under previous administrations would have elicited even greater outcry.

If Rice or Jarrett had sat like this in Oval Office, conservatives would have screamed themselves hoarse for weeks. Now we own trashy, he wrote, referring to previous presidential aides.

Trumps predecessor Barack Obama repeatedly took flak for photos in which he appeared to be relaxing.

Critics also chastised Obama for unbuttoning the previous Oval Office dress code that called for a suit jacket and a tie.

Kellyanne Conway on the couch pic.twitter.com/Wl33PwhuAP  S A N D Y (@Sandy_Dover) February 28, 2017

This is not the first time Conway has found herself at the centre of a storm.

Why is Kellyanne Conway sitting on this couch in the White House like she at her man's house texting her girlfriends? https://t.co/hafHAGuhLM  Zach Stafford (@ZachStafford) February 28, 2017

She recently came under fire for plugging the fashion brand of the presidents daughter. The head of the US Office of Government Ethics urged the White House to investigate Conway after the incident, saying she should face disciplinary action.

She also famously coined the term alternative facts and referred to a Bowling Green massacre -- which never happened -- during an interview.

Breaking news: Kellyanne Conway uses "alternative etiquette" by putting her feet on the couch of the Oval Office. pic.twitter.com/erb0KwyoBr  Chris Arthur (@arthurct20) February 28, 2017

I will only be able to get mad at the way Kellyanne Conway sits on a couch if it turns out she's hiding of Trump's tax returns under her.  Josh Gondelman (@joshgondelman) February 28, 2017

Conway later tweeted that she meant to say Bowling Green terrorists -- referring to two Iraqi men who were indicted in 2011 for trying to send money and weapons to Al-Qaeda, and using improvised explosive devices against US soldiers in Iraq.
Copied from the legendary tintype, this image sold at auction last June for $15,000.

Biographers of William H. Bonney have long suspected that his tintypethe rarest, most sought-after and representative image of the Wild Westwas commercialized after his death on July 14, 1881. Researchers scoured the country, but no contemporary copy of the tintype had turned up in the 133 years since until last November.

In 1880 and 1881 sensational news reports of the manhunt, capture, escape and killing of the Kid naturally raised curiosity regarding his appearance. Only a handful of people had laid eyes on any of the four 2-by-3-inch tintypes, on which the subjects features were scarcely larger than a dime. Although a woodcut had been published during his lifetime, it was not widely circulated, and the few simple lines depicting the face were devoid of description and expression.

In September 1881 The Leavenworth Times announced it had received a genuine picture of Billy the Kidfor the purpose of having copies taken by some one of our photographers. The Kansas newspaper did not identify the photographer or what type of copies he would print, but the editor claimed it shows the features well enough to give anyone who sees the picture an idea of the face of the boy. The editor must have used a magnifying glass. The picture, he wrote, represents the Kid leaning on a gun and looking square to the front with a jaunty daredevil kind of an expression, which he is said to have cultivated to an extreme.

The report soon appeared in other newspapers, including the Albuquerque Daily Journal. The editor of Santa Fes Daily New Mexican must have read that edition, as on September 30 he quipped: It is said that there is only one photograph of Billy the Kid extant, and [Lincoln County Sheriff] Pat Garrett has that. Most people in this section have seen as much of the Kid as they want to and will be able to get along without a picture.

The second indication the tintype had been commercialized did not come until 1907 when noted Western author Emerson Hough (see Pat Garretts Writing Pal Emerson Hough, by Jeffrey R. Richardson, in the February 2014 Wild West) published a coarse halftone of it in his book The Story of the Outlaw. The image had an arched top and a straight bottom with rounded corners, indicating the tintype either sat in the window of a page in a photo album or in a paper display mat when Hough shot his copy negative. Decades passed before the badly faded silver-gelatin print used to make the halftone came to light in the authors papers. On the back Hough had written in heavy lead pencil: I found the old photo, carte de visite size, in old Fort Sumner. Return to E. Hough, 6140 Woodlawn Ave., Chicago.

Evidently, Houghs instruction to return the silver-gelatin enlargement was directed to George B. Anderson, who also published the image that year in History of New Mexico: Its Resources and Peoples. Although Houghs publisher had etched lines into the background, identical surface marks indicate that both halftones derived from the same silver-gelatin print or from the now lost copy negative from which it was printed. The halftones had one other thing in common: The face was indistinct, the features unreadable; the image captured the Kids jaunty posture, but not his daredevil expression.

In November 2013 a carte de visite surfaced within 20 miles of the Kids boyhood home of Silver City, N.M. It is a copy photograph that shows the authenticated tintype sitting in the beveled window of a page in a tintype photo album. The face is well defined, the expression distinct. The 17/8 by 31/4 image is centered on a 21/2 by 41/8 card with rounded corners (machine cuts manufactured from 1870 to 1891) on 6mm card stock (manufactured from 1873 to 1884). It is consistent, therefore, with an 1881-era carte de visite, the year in which demand for the Kids photo was at its peak. On closer examination it bears the same surface marks later recorded by Emerson Hough on his copy negative and silver gelatin print. Hough had snapped his shutter not on a tintype and when it was made or who made it. However, it is a good example of a period carte de visite that may very well have come out of Leavenworth, Kan. As of this writing the carte de visites history has remained a mystery, though, as the family that owned it insisted on anonymity and refused to respond to inquiries.

The carte de visite found its way to the annual Brian Lebels Old West Show & Auction [www.denveroldwest.com] at the Denver Mart. Lebel grabbed headlines in June 2011 when he sold the tintype of Billy the Kid for $2.3 million the highest amount ever paid for a photograph of the American West. At the Denver auction this past June 28 the CDV of the Kid sold to a phone bidder for $15,000 plus the 18 percent ($2,700) buyers premium. The pre-auction high estimate was $10,000.

Richard Weddle is the author of the 1993 monograph Antrim Is My Stepfathers Name: The Boyhood of Billy the Kid, the August 2012 Wild West article Shooting Billy the Kid and the forthcoming book Billy the Kid: An Iconographic Record. Weddle thanks Robert G. McCubbin and Brian Lebel, both of Santa Fe, and Sherry B. Stuart, of the Open Range Gallery in Scottsdale, Ariz., for their assistance.

Originally published in the October 2014 issue of Wild West. To subscribe, click here.
Belly up to these bars for several rounds of ardent spirits.

Armed only with a camera and his wits, fearless writer-photographer Bob Stinson likes to venture into Western places designated as haunted. For a portfolio in the October 2011 Wild West he photographed old hotels with ghostly guests. These three Octobers later Stinson focuses on a handful of the many historic Western saloons that serve up white ghosts in black hats and other specters that sometimes make spectacles of themselves though apparently not for Stinsons camera.

Silver Dollar Saloon

315 Harrison Ave., Leadville, Colorado, 719-486-9914

At a Glance: Prospectors found gold in the area as early as 1860, but rich silver-lead deposits discovered in the 1870s led to the birth of Leadville. In 1879 a saloon opened across the street from the Tabor Opera House, built by mining millionaire Horace Tabor. The saloon, once known as the Board of Trade Saloon, has gone by the name Silver Dollar since 1935 and is now on Facebook. Tabor reportedly hid cash in the saloon to keep it out of the hands of ex-wife Augusta, whom he divorced in 1883 to marry young beauty Elizabeth Baby Doe McCourt.

Paranormal Barflies: The top ghost here is reportedly anything but camera shy, but digital cameras dont seem to work for him (that is, they dont work in capturing his image). The back room includes photos of gambler ghosts. A noose (see photo at right) dangles from the rafters in the main bar, and while it was no doubt put up for show, patrons swear to have seen it swinging violently on its own in the early morning hours. Legend has it that vigilantes in the 1880s hanged a man inside the saloon and that the body dangled there as the centerpiece of an after-necktie party. Present-day patrons and employees have reported seeing Horace and Baby Doe, forever about half her husbands age, snuggling in a corner of the bar. Most of these sightings seem to occur in the midst of blizzard conditions outside, which is interesting, as in 1935 a destitute Baby Doe froze to death in her remote cabin after running out of firewood.

Hotel Colorado Saloon

526 Pine St., Glenwood Springs, Colorado, 970-945-6511 www.hotelcolorado.com

At a Glance: Established in 1883, Glenwood Springs, at the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers, was originally known as Defiance. Gambler John Henry Doc Holliday died with his boots off (of tuberculosis) at Hotel Glenwood on November 8, 1887. Six years later Walter Devereux and his brothers founded the Hotel Colorado a few blocks away. Famous sometime guests include Theodore Roosevelt and Titanic survivor Molly Brown.

Paranormal Barflies: Hotel employees and guests have reported seeing a robust and well-dressed (complete with fancy big hat) female ghost walking through the bar in the early morning hours. And apparently Molly Brown has proved not only unsinkable but also unwilling to leave this world. Roosevelt, too, is said to haunt the saloon, where he drank between Colorado hunting expeditions. A painting of him graces one wall mirror. But the ghostly face of Hervey Lyle, who died when his appendix burst during a party in the ballroom (off the main bar), appears regularly in the saloon mirror. Sightings are so common that employees apparently just say, Hi, Hervey! and go about their business.

The Buckhorn Exchange

1000 Osage St., Denver, Colorado 303-534-9505 www.buckhorn.com

At a Glance: Henry H. Shorty Scout Zietz (18651949), who was the youngest scout in William F. Buffalo Bill Codys Wild West and reportedly got his nickname from Lakota leader Sitting Bull, opened the Buckhorn Exchange on November 17, 1893, to serve steaks to miners and railroad men. Five presidents have dined at the Buckhorn, whose walls are decorated with 125 firearms and a 575-piece taxidermy collection featuring everything from a buffalo to a two-headed calf. The Buckhorn Exchange claims liquor license No. 1 in Colorado. The ornate white oak bar and back bar, brought from Germany by the Zietz family, now serves customers on the second floor.

Paranormal Barflies: Patrons spot plenty of spirits, the most popular being Shorty Scout Zietz in cowboy attire, while chairs reportedly slide by themselves across the second-story floor. Employees on the ground floor have heard loud music, voices and footsteps from above and believed a party to be in full swing, only to find on reaching the top of the stairs nothing but a dark, silent bar. Most of the ghosts besides Zietz remain anonymous; apparently no presidential phantoms or four-legged ghosts have made their presence felt.

Pioneer Saloon

310 W. Spring St., Goodsprings, Nevada 702-874-9362 www.pioneersaloon.info

At a Glance: At the turn of the 20th century mining was the mainstay, but this town near the foothills of the Spring Mountains was named for cattleman Joseph Good. The Pioneer Saloon has been around for more than 100 years, making it one of the oldest watering holes in Nevada. In 1915, two years after it opened, luckless miner Paul Coski was caught cheating (he held a hand with five aces) at the poker table and shot multiple times by gambler Joe Armstrong. In early 1942 actor Clark Gable waited here to hear news about his wife, Carole Lombard, who died in a plane crash on nearby Potosi Mountain that January 16.

Paranormal Barflies: Customers and employees insist that several angry spirits, the most prominent being the ghost of Coski, haunt the saloon. Three bullet holes (perhaps shots that missed Coski) are visible in a wall, and a nearby plaque contains a newspaper account of the shooting. Another prominent unhappy ghost is that of a prostitute named Ruby, whose throat was slit in the ladies room by a nasty customer. In August 2013 the Travel Channel show Ghost Adventures featured the Pioneer.

St. James Hotel Saloon

617 S. Collison Ave., Cimarron, New Mexico 888-376-2664 www.exstjames.com

At a Glance: French-born chef Henri Lambert built the saloon in 1872 and added rooms eight years later to establish what became the St. James Hotel (see more in the October 2011 issue). The historic building remains a highly spirited place, especially among the dozen second-story rooms. An ill-tempered spirit in Room 18 does not want to be disturbed, so management keeps the door locked and directs guests elsewhere. Psychics have identified at least a half-dozen other resident ghosts. For those seeking apparition-free sleep, there is now a modern 10-room annex.

Paranormal Barflies: Hotel ghosts sometimes stroll into the bar. Contemporaries counted as many as 400 bullet holes in the ceiling over the old downstairs bar, originally called Lamberts Saloon (now a dining room with a 22-hole tin ceiling, as well as the original antique bar). In one of the more notable confrontations shootist Clay Allison shared a drink with pistolero Francisco Pancho Griego one day in November 1875 and then shot him down. Pancho, though, is not among the present-day phantoms. Despite all the violence on the premises (26 men reportedly shot and killed), the ghostly big-hatted cowboy who appears (and then disappears) in the mirror behind the bar is said to be pleasant in nature. The hotel was featured in an episode of Unsolved Mysteries that aired on October 30, 1991.

Originally published in the October 2014 issue of Wild West. To subscribe, click here.
Fear not. Im not writing here about Custers Last Stand. For one thing, this isnt the June issue. For another, that Montana Territory clash is far from forgotten, thanks to Elizabeth Custer; George Custers friends and enemies; Crows on the nearby reservation; Lakotas and Cheyennes everywhere; a few Arapahos; illustrators, artists, book publishers, filmmakers, television producers and cartoonists; historians; editors; and the National Park Service. And finally, while a large-scale slaughter of human beings clearly took place on June 2526, 1876, that bloody incident on the Little Bighorn (or Greasy Grass) was a battle, not a massacre, since encamped Indian warriors fought back and routed the attacking cavalry regiment.

It was six years earlier that Montanas forgotten massacre occurred, on the Marias River about 12 miles southeast of present-day Shelby. On that occasion the soldiers who attacked an Indian camp did the slaughtering. Among the 173 victims (one scout present counted 217 dead Indians) were noncombatants women, children and elderly men. The Army claimed to have killed 120 warriors. If the camp was indeed filled with that many able-bodied men (one disputed report claimed only 15 of the dead Indians were men of fighting age), they didnt do much fighting back, as only one soldier died. There was good reason, though, as many in the camp were suffering fromand indeed dying froma white mans disease, namely smallpox. The victims of the Marias Massacre were Piegan Blackfeet, a people better known today for having had a deadly run-in with Captain Meriwether Lewis in July 1806 (also along the Marias River) and for having made mountain man John Colter run for his life in 1809. The Blackfeet Nation, unlike most of the rest of the world, has not forgotten the January 23, 1870, massacre on the Marias. Since 1987 Blackfeet Community College students and faculty, along with Blackfeet tribal members, have held an annual commemoration at the site, and they erected a memorial there in 2010.

The tragedies at Wounded Knee, in Dakota Territory, and Sand Creek, in Colorado Territory, remain far better known to Americans. But the Marias Massacrealso known as the Baker Massacre, as Major Eugene M. Baker of the 2nd U.S. Cavalry led the punitive expeditionwas more egregious (see story, P. 48). Wounded Knee happened after Indian police killed Sitting Bull and with the Sioux Ghost Dance ritual going strong. Trouble was expected. When soldiers tried to disarm Big Foots warriors, a medicine man encouraged warriors to resist, and shooting broke out (an Indian may have fired first). Some 200 Lakotas died, but so did 25 soldiers, with 33 wounded. One-sided for sure, but Wounded Knee arguably can be termed a battle or a fight rather than a massacre. At Sand Creek 150 years ago Colonel John M. Chivingtons attack on Black Kettles village claimed the lives of some 130 Cheyennes and Arapahos, while the Colorado Volunteers suffered 24 dead and 52 wounded. The fighting lasted from dawn until 3 p.m., so the Indians did put up a stand, though of course that does not justify soldier mutilation of Indian bodies. The Marias Massacre, Andrew Graybill writes in his 2013 book The Red and the White, easily belongs in any conversation about the worst atrocities committed by American military forces against native peoples, from Sand Creek in 1864 to Wounded Knee in 1890.

Major Baker, like Colonel Chivington, set out to kill Indians and succeeded, no matter if they were the right Indians. Baker sought revenge against Mountain Chiefs Piegan band, members of which had earlier killed white trader Malcolm Clarke, but the major settled for striking the camp of Heavy Runner, who held a document of safe passage. In the wake of their attacks Chivington and Baker received praise from those Westerners and officers who believed extermination the only answer to the Indian problem. Severe criticism and controversy also came their way. Today Chivington is generally viewed as a villain, while Baker has remained in historys shadows. But Bakers harsh action on the Marias River does not suffer by comparison with that of Chivington at Sand Creek. That is to say, both actions were insufferable.

Originally published in the December 2014 issue of Wild West. To subscribe, click here.
FORT DAVIS

My attention was drawn to a photo on P. 64 of the August 2014 issue (see above) captioned as Fort Davis, Texas. Having served at Fort Davis National Historic Site during my National Park Service career, I was intrigued with what I thought was a view of the fort I had not previously seen. However, on closer examination I became convinced it could not be the military post. The buildings do not correspond with those of the fort. Perhaps this view is of the adjacent town or some other? I would be curious to learn if the original image bears a caption and a photographers imprint.

Doug McChristian

Tucson, Ariz.

Editor responds: Youre right. The image does show Fort Davis the town, not the fort itself. Heritage Auctions of Dallas sold the circa 1870s cabinet card (photographer not identified) for $334.60 in September 2013, and the lot description reads, This photograph features Fort Davis, a remote West Texas military post consisting of adobe and stone structures used by the Texas Rangers and U.S. Army. On the back of the image, though, is a handwritten caption: Fort Davis, Tex. Part of town looking west, South of Post.

DEFENDING WYNKOOP

I was pleased to read the well-written article by Louis Kraft about Edward Ned Wynkoop (Wynkoops Gamble to End War, August 2014). However, after reading the Editors Letter in the same issue, it raised my ire over the continual attempt, particularly by Greg Michno, to brand Wynkoop a villain. First of all, hindsight is 20/20. Virtually every historical figure can be shown to have made a decision that didnt have the results they expected. Second, what Michno brands cognitive dissonance can be explained by the life-changing experience Sand Creek was. While Wynkoop was not there, the stories related to him by Silas Soule (I am the author of Silas Soule: A Short, Eventful Life of Moral Courage), Joseph Cramer and others had to chill him to the bone and would certainly add to the honorable dealings he had with Black Kettle and the other chiefs. Wynkoop was not the only Army officer to become pro-Indian after the events of 1864. Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Tappan also became an Indian advocate after this watershed year.

Ironically, the most important point the consistently pro-Chivington Michno makes is that Wynkoops decision caused the Cheyennes and Arapahos to camp near enough to Fort Lyon where Chivington could attack them. Their presence at Sand Creek did not require a military response. Colonel John Chivington chose to gather up the revenge-minded 3rd Colorado and attack this band of Native Americans (and not the more elusive and guiltier Dog Soldiers on the Smoky Hill), presumably because of frustration at his fading reputation and the arrival of General Patrick Connor in Denver, as well as his desire for another glorious victory like Glorieta Pass. It can be argued that Wynkoops choice was a bad onebut only because of the choice Chivington made.

Tom Bensing

Reading, Pa.

BY WAY OF PANAMA

In the article A Tale of Two Sadies, in the October 2014 issue of Wild West, author Roger Jay wrote, Born in New York City in late 1860 or early 1861, Sadie, along with her mother, two sisters and a brother, voyaged to California by way of the Panama Canal in 1869. Since France didnt begin work on the canal until 1881 and stopped, and since the United States picked up construction in 1904, and since the canal did not open until 1914, its impossible for Sadie to have traversed the Panama Canal. Now, its possible she and her family took the land route across Panama, but not the actual canal. Such an egregious error casts doubt on the credibility of the rest of the article.

John E. Kosobucki

Falls Church, Va.

Roger Jay responds: The readers point about the canal is well taken. Im gratified he scanned the article with a sharp eye. According to Sadies memoir, The transcontinental railway was not yet completed, so we made the journey by way of Panama. Anxiety in regard to the credibility of facts crucial to identifying Sadie Marcus with Sadie Mansfield will be quelled by consulting my researchpaying particular attention to my end notes published in the Wild West History Association Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, February 2013, PP. 3655.

INDIAN CAPTIVES

Editor notes: In Louis Krafts August 2014 article Wynkoops Gamble to End War a fairly well-known photograph appears on P. 50 (reprinted here) of the captive children Ned Wynkoop recovered in September 1864. Kraft identifies them this way: Daniel Marble (left), Laura Roper with Isabelle Eubank in her lap (middle) and Ambrose Asher (right). Indian wars historian Jeff Broome says Kraft is wrong and that Marble is on the right and Asher is on the left. To read Broomes letter on the matter, as well as Krafts response, please see the online version of Letters at www.WildWestMag.com.

JOSEPHINE COVER

Editor notes: The colorized photo of Josephine Sarah Marcus (who would later become the wife of Wyatt Earp) on the cover of the October 2014 issue of Wild West is from a tintype (a mirror image). It was not reversed to show how she actually looked in real life, although it says otherwise on P. 1 of that issue. Regardless, no matter which way Josephine is facing, it really is her in the pictureunless its not.

UMATILLA REZ

In regard to David McCormicks August 2014 Pioneers and Settlers article on Italian Jesuits in the American West: I had never before heard the names Father Urban Grassi and Father Joseph Cataldo, but the Catholic mission on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (Pendleton, Ore.) brought back fond memories. The name of that mission is St. Andrews. Great-great-grandpa Kirkpatrick homesteaded in Cayuse in the 1880s, and we were Presbyterians. My great-grandpa William Purchase leased Indian ground out south (south reservation) at the Presbyterian Tutuila Mission. We farmed thousand of acres for the Umatillas. There were carloads of natives coming to Poppys front door to get their crop shares. Crows Shadow Institute of the Arts [www.crowsshadow .org] is at St. Andrews Mission today; it promotes native artists.

In 2006 I talked to Louis Dick, the last horse chief on the rez. I wrote his stories down in a book. He told me Umatillas didnt fight among each other until after the Jesuit fathers physically punished them at boarding school. He told me his own father, after quitting school, hid from the Jesuit father. One winter I did help two Umatillas pack an elk out of a canyon above St. Andrews. Both were a little superstitious about hunting so close to the mission. There is an ironic side to the Italian Jesuit fathers on the rez: About 8 miles east of St. Andrews Missionat Thorn Hollow up the Umatilla Riverwas an Italian internment camp during World War II.

Todd Earl Van Dorn

Salem, Ore.

David McCormick responds: Father Grassi arrived at the Umatilla reservation in 1888 and built a school for the Indians. He died there in March 1890 of pneumonia. Father Cataldo preached to the Umatillas at the outbreak of the Nez Perce troubles in 1877. He also wrote the history of the St. Andrews Mission and spent a number of his remaining years at the mission, as well as at St Marys in Pendleton, until his death in 1928 at age 92. He was still ministering to the Umatillas as late as 1927.

MOUNTAIN OYSTERS

Irwin Mandell has passed away, and I am his beneficiary and executor. I think any Wild Westerner has a right to read this poem by Mr. Mandell, and I hope youll be able to publish it. It is called Mountain Oysters, and Mandell noted: Mountain oysters were a traditional food for cowboys. They were made of calves testicles.

Harriet Bigus

New York, N.Y.

Editor responds: Ive usually heard them called Rocky Mountain oysters; other names include cowboy caviar and Montana tendergroins. We dont as a rule publish poetry in Wild West, but in memory of Irwin Mandell, here goes:

MOUNTAIN OYSTERS

Of all the meals I never had

Though I have dined in crowds and cloisters

And some were good and some were bad

The one I want is mountain oysters.

There may be some who still remember

(And may still dine on them as well)

Before the fires final ember

How mountain oysters rang the bell.

The cook (or chef today) may face

The fact those oysters have no shells

And every appetite its place:

Ring out you distant dinner bells!

Ring out again for hungry men

Who never ever cared for cloisters

And take me back to old times when

The shout went out for mountain oysters.

Send letters to Wild West, 19300 Promenade Dr., Leesburg, VA 20176 or by e-mail to wildwest@weiderhistorygroup.com.

Originally published in the December 2014 issue of Wild West. To subscribe, click here.
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Soldiers got the right tribe but the wrong band in 1870 when they attacked a Blackfeet camp on the Marias River in an atrocity largely forgotten today.

In the bitterly cold dawn of January 23, 1870, a Piegan Blackfeet youth named Bear Head rose early and set out in search of his horses in the timber above his camp. He was returning with them in tow when he suddenly found himself surrounded by soldiers. Concerned the boy would sound a warning, the soldiers, under the command of 2nd U.S. Cavalry Major Eugene Baker, took him captive and led him to bluffs along the Marias River, a tributary of the Missouri River in northwestern Montana Territory. There, overlooking his village, the frightened youth beheld dozens of soldiers, all armed. It quickly became clear the soldiers were about to attack his camp.

The Piegan village to which Bear Head belonged was under the headship of Heavy Runner, who believed his band to be under the protection of the U.S. government and was certainly not expecting any trouble. Heavy Runner had tried to cooperate with the white men, and his band had been largely peaceful. Some young hotheads in camp had been known to cause mischief, but by and large this was a peaceful bunch. As many of the men were out on a hunting expedition, the camp population that morning largely comprised women, children and old men. When Heavy Runner got word of the soldiers approach, he doubtless believed there was no cause for alarm. He would simply show them the paper given him by Brig. Gen. Alfred Sully that proclaimed him to be friendly and not one of the hostile Piegan leaders whose warriors had raided stock and killed several settlers the previous year.

Unfortunately, Heavy Runner never got the chance. As the headman emerged from his tepee, paper in hand, a single shot from the bluffs dropped him, followed quickly by repeated volleys from the rest the command. As bullets rained down on their camp, the stunned villagers fled into the frigid morning air. What followed was shocking carnage, even for the Indian wars. On November 27, 1868, cavalry troopers had mounted another winter attack on an Indian villageBlack Kettles Southern Cheyenne camp on the Washita River in what would become Oklahoma. The officer in command then was Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, whose resulting victory came to be called the Battle of Washita. Better known is the November 29, 1864, attack on another village under Black Kettles leadership, this one in Colorado Territory. That bloody affair came to be known as the Sand Creek Massacre or Chivington Massacre, after commanding officer Colonel John M. Chivington, though some historians refer to it as the Battle of Sand Creek, as 24 soldiers died and more than 50 were wounded. The attack on Heavy Runners camp is usually referred to as the Marias Massacre or Baker Massacre. Either name is fitting, for it would be an extreme stretch for anyone to call the butchery that January morning a battle. Baker reported just one soldier dead. The exact number of Indian dead on the Marias remains a matter of debate, but arguably the attack was an even greater slaughter than the infamous one on Sand Creek.

The early Blackfoot Confederacy (Niitsitapi, or Original People) comprised the Piegans (Piikani), the Bloods (Kainawa) and the Blackfeet proper (Siksi- kawa). The Atsina, or Gros Ventres (Big Bellies), were briefly part of the Confederacy but left it in 1861. Six years later the Blackfeet defeated them in battle. The Piegans, who were further divided into northern and southern branches, were the largest group and the wealthiestthat is, they had the most horses. By the early 19th century the Blackfeet proper and the Bloods mostly lived in Canada (present-day Alberta and Saskatchewan), while the Piegans claimed the area of future north-central Montana south of the Marias River. All were nomadic people who hunted buffalo and raided for horses.

The Blackfeet were already trading partners with Canada-based British merchants in July 1806 when they encountered Captain Meriwether Lewis and a small party from the Corps of Discovery. When the Blackfeet tried to steal guns and horses from the white men, Lewis and corps member Reubin Field each killed a warrior in what was likely the first clash between these Indians and U.S. representatives. After that American mountain men generally faced hostility whenever they crossed paths with the Blackfeet. Regardless, by 1830 whites had developed peaceful trade with the Blackfeet, although contact with Americans remained limited, and for the most part the Blackfeet managed to keep out of the American Indian wars. By 1850 Americans had begun moving into extreme western Montana (then part of Washington Territory) in significant numbers, having discovered the regions potential for raising cattle and horses. In 1855 the southern Piegans moved onto a reservation in what would become northern Montana in exchange for goods and services and fixed hunting grounds.

The 1870 Marias Massacre had its genesis in an incident that occurred two years earlier on Malcolm Clarks ranch in the Little Prickly Pear Valley, about 25 miles north of Helena, a gold boomtown that would not become the capital of Montana Territory until 1875.

Born in Indiana in 1817, Malcolm Clarke grew up in Minnesota and Ohio. He was admitted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point at age 17 but only spent two years there before heading west. After several years in the army of the Republic of Texas, he headed north as an employee of the American Fur Co. in what would become Montana Territory. In the years that followed Clarke developed a good rapport with the Piegans and eventually married a Piegan, Cutting-Off-Head Woman, who bore him four childrenHelen, born in 1848; Horace in 49; Nathan in 52; and Isabel in 61. The mixed-blood family generally enjoyed friendly relations with the Indians.

In 1867, however, hard feelings arose when a Piegan cousin of Clarkes wife named Ne-tus-che-o (known to whites as Pete Owl Child) visited the Clarke ranch, during which time rustlers stole both Clarkes and Owl Childs horses. Several of Clarkes horses made their way back to the ranch, but Owl Childs stock vanished, and he held a grudge. Owl Child later snuck onto the ranch one night and took some horses and a spyglass belonging to Malcolm, later calling it payment for what the Indians had lost, although to what he was referring is unclear. In any event, Malcolm and teen son Horace took off in pursuit of the horse thieves. Entering the Piegan camp, Horace spotted Owl Child riding a favorite horse. The teenager struck Owl Child with a whip, called him a dog and reclaimed the animal. That at least was the Clarkes side of the incident. The Piegans claimed Owl Child had stolen the horses in retribution after Malcolm had entered the Piegan camp and raped Owl Childs wife while the men were out hunting. Although the incident ended without further trouble, Owl Child seemingly brooded and plotted revenge.

On August 17, 1869, a band of roving Piegansthe number is not clear, but perhaps as many as 35 or 40descended on the Clarke ranch. Most stayed out of sight, but Owl Child and four others approached the house, and Malcolm invited them to enter. Among the party was a son of the prominent leader Mountain Chief, whose band had been the most lawless of the Piegans. Owl Child said he had come to return horses stolen by another band and to convince Malcolm to open up trade with the Piegans. Whatever hard feelings might have existed from the 1867 incident appeared a thing of the past. Save for Mountain Chiefs son, who seemed nervous, the visit seemed most convivial.

The picture changed in a hurry. Around midnight Horace, accompanied by Mountain Chiefs son, set out to bring in the stolen horses from a nearby pasture. Evidently Horace expected trouble, because he searched for his revolver, until his father and sister convinced him he was with friends, and he set off without it. En route Mountain Chiefs son shot Horace in the face, knocking him from the saddle. As the teenager fell, he became tangled in his lariat, and his horse dragged him some distance before his foot slipped free. Barely conscious, Horace lay bleeding as two Piegans from the larger party came out of hiding, rifled his pockets and left him for dead.

Meanwhile, back at the house, Malcolm, unaware of his sons predicament, had just stepped outside with Owl Child when he was shot from ambush. The slug hit him in the chest and might have proved fatal by itself, but Owl Child made certain to finish him off by splitting his forehead with an ax. Inside the house screams and anguished cries from the Clarke women had replaced the friendly chatter. The badly wounded Horace managed to crawl back home, and the women helped him in and treated his wounds. After bringing Malcolms body inside, the surviving Clarkes barricaded themselves in a back bedroom. Before leaving, the Piegans ransacked the main room, stole flour, sugar and other foodstuffs, and drove off the late Malcolm Clarkes cattle. Horace, though at deaths door, eventually recovered and lived another 61 years.

The murder of Malcolm Clarke and wounding of Horace might have been gratifying to the Piegans involved, but it would have dire consequences for their people. Retaliation was an inevitable fact of the Indian wars. By years end Colonel Philippe Regis de Trobriand, a former French aristocrat, lawyer, novelist and distinguished Civil War veteran who was then commanding the military District of Montana out of Fort Shaw, was mapping plans for a campaign against the Piegans.

Meanwhile, General Sully, superintendent of Indian Affairs for Montana, arranged a visit to the new Blackfeet Agency on the Teton River, 35 miles northwest of Fort Shaw. Arriving at the agency on New Years Day 1870, he spent the next two days in council with a handful of chiefs, including Heavy Runner. Although encouraged by the meeting, Sully had expected a better turnout. The discussion was candid. Sully stipulated that all stolen stock must be returned, and, perhaps more important, that those Indians who had participated in the attack on the Clarke ranch must be surrendered and tried for their crimes. If the Piegans failed to heed the demands, Sully warned, the Army would hound them, even across the border into Canadaan exaggeration, of course, but meant to intimidate. Sully, however, was enough of a realist to realize some form of chastisement would be necessary, as certain young men were beyond the control of their chiefs. On January 13 Sully, on the advice of Colonel de Trobriand, ordered the seizure of Mountain Chief, whose band had proven the most troublesome.

Even as General Sully was laying his demands before the Piegan chiefs, Major Baker was marching out of Fort Ellis, near Bozeman, with four companies of the 2nd U.S. Cavalry. Bakers destination was Fort Shaw, from which he would be well situated to move against the Blackfeet should they fail to respond to Sullys ultimatum.

An 1859 graduate of West Point, 32-year-old Baker had served with distinction during the Civil War, leading a cavalry regiment in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia during Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridans 1864 campaign. Although regarded as an able officer, Bakers fondness for the bottle was well known in Army circles. His instructions, spelled out in Special Orders No. 62, followed the chain of command from Sheridan, commanding the broader Military Division of the Missouri, down through de Trobriand to Baker. The gloves were to come off. If the lives and property of citizens of Montana can best be protected by striking Mountain Chiefs band of Piegans, I want them struck, telegraphed Sheridan. Tell Baker to strike them hard.

Though Colonel de Trobriand hoped to avoid alerting the Indians to the brewing campaign, young Horace Clarke spilled the beans to the local newspaper. The news, however, broke late and seemed not to have alarmed the Piegans. On January 19, two days before the newspaper published the account, Baker took the field with nearly 400 men of the 2nd Cavalry and 13th Infantry. Joining the expedition were Horace and his younger brother, Nathan, seeking atonement for their fathers murder. A huge supply train trailed the column.

In carrying out Sheridans dictum, Baker was to rely on his own judgment, save for one caveat: He was not to molest the camps of Heavy Runner or other friendly chiefs who had counseled with Sully. Bakers objective was the camp of Mountain Chief, whose men had attacked the Clarke family and were suspected of having committed other depredations.

In the brutal coldthe mercury registering 30 below zero the expedition forded the icy Sun River and moved northeasterly along the Teton River. It was Bakers intent to surprise the Piegan camp, so to ensure that outcome he ordered the column to march only at night and remain encamped during daylight hours.

At dawn on January 22 Bakers force reached the Dry Fork of the Marias River and bivouacked for the day. As dusk gathered, the expedition resumed its march. After covering 11 miles, scouts located a small Piegan camp near the main branch of the Marias. These Piegans, it turned out, were some of the friendlies under Gray Wolf that Baker had been instructed not to disturb. But from them he gleaned valuable intelligence: The much larger camp of Mountain Chief swelled by the bands of two other mistrusted Piegan leaders, Big Horn and Red Hornlay just a few miles downstream at the Big Bend of the Marias.

In the predawn darkness of January 23 Baker made his final preparations. He detached the supply train and left behind a squad of infantry to protect it and also keep an eye on Gray Wolfs small band while Baker and the main body headed downriver apace to strike at dawn. Based on what he had learned from Gray Wolfs people, Baker was still operating under the assumption it was Mountain Chiefs band that lay ahead. But as they came within sight of the Piegan camp, Bakers scout, a mixed-blood named Joe Kipp, quickly determined it was not Mountain Chiefs camp but that of Heavy Runner, whom Baker had specifically been ordered not to molest. Frantically, Kipp shouted an alert to Baker. Dismissing the warning, the major instead berated the scout for his outburst, placed him under guard and prepared to attack.

Meanwhile, below in the camp on this blue cold morning, with smoke rising listlessly from the tepees, Heavy Runner attempted to calm those who brought him news of the soldiers, reminding them of his recent council with General Sully. At that meeting Sully in fact had given Heavy Runner a document of safe passage. Perhaps hearing Kipps shouted warning to Baker, Heavy Runner emerged from his tepee, moving toward the soldiers while waving Sullys safe passage overhead. Black Kettle reportedly did something similar at Sand Creek, flying an American flag over his tepee. But Black Kettle survived his 1864 encounter. Heavy Runner was not nearly as fortunate. Almost immediately a shot rang out, and he fell to the ground with a mortal wound. Another of Bakers scouts, Joe Cobell, later claimed to have fired the killing round.

Whether fired by Cobell or someone else, the shot was the flash point that triggered the full-blown attack. From their positions on the high ground, the troops unleashed a murderous volume of fire. Their deadly fusillade rent the tepees asunder and drove the inhabitants to seek cover wherever they could find it. In almost an hour of unabated shooting, the troops took virtually no return fire. It was quite possibly the most one-sided attack in the history of the Indian wars. The captive Bear Head later recalled the horror of that morning as he watched helplessly from the bluffs:

At once all of the seizers [soldiers] began shooting.Inside the lodges men were yelling, terribly frightened women and children screamingscreaming from wounds, from pain as they died. I saw a few men and women escaping from their lodges shot down as they ran. Most terrible to hear of all was the crying of little babies at their mothers breasts.[The soldiers] shot at the tops of the lodges, cut the binding of the poles so the whole lodge would collapse upon the fire and begin to burnburn and smother those within.

Finally Baker sent his troopers charging into the village, wielding sabers and firing revolvers. The infantry followed close behind, tearing apart tepees to dispatch those within. Although the soldiers swept through the village with deadly effect, they did gather nearly 150 prisoners. Baker sent one detachment of troops to round up the 300 Indian ponies, along with those Piegans who had somehow managed to survive the onslaught. By noon it was all over. According to the official tally 173 Piegans died in the attack, 120 of whom were classified as able-bodied men, the remainder women and children. (Kipp later claimed to have counted 217 Piegan casualties.) Baker lost one man, shot through the forehead when peering into a tepee.

Only in the bloody aftermath did Baker learn that Mountain Chiefhis true objectivehad moved his camp farther downriver. Directing Lieutenant Gustavus Doane and a company of the 2nd Cavalry to take charge of Heavy Runners shattered camp, Baker headed off in pursuit. But by the time his troopers reached the vicinity of Mountain Chiefs camp, the Piegan leader and his band had fled north into Canada. Baker bivouacked that night, and the next day his men burned what remained of the abandoned camp.

The fight on the Marias, if indeed it can be called that, was mercifully over. But there remained one more heinous incident. That evening, after several Piegan prisoners tried to escape the scene of slaughter, an angry Lieutenant Doane reportedly ordered his men to kill the captiveswith axes. When Baker returned early on the 24th, Doane simply reported the Piegans had been killed while attempting to escape, an explanation that seemed to satisfy Baker. Doane also reported that Heavy Runners camp had been infested with smallpox. The troops had been vaccinated, so Baker and his men had little to fear. But it would not do to bring the prisoners into contact with other whites who may not have been inoculated, so Baker ordered all 140 Piegans cut loose, leaving them a few cases of bacon and hardtack. With their lodges destroyed and horses confiscated, the hapless Piegans were forced to make their way on foot to shelter at Fort Benton, some 75 miles downriver, in the brutally cold weather.

Bakers command, meanwhile, returned to Fort Shaw on January 29. Word of the fight had preceded them, and Colonel de Trobriand gave the troops a warm welcome. Baker was the hero of the moment; after all, his arduous expedition had covered some 600 miles in harsh weather and had pulled off a spectacular victoryor so it seemed.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack on the Piegan camp, Eugene Baker may well have imagined his career secure, his future bright. Just as in the wake of Sand Creek, area newspapers praised Bakers actions, some suggesting in the strongest terms that extermination was the only answer to the Indian problem. While General of the Army William T. Sherman reacted to the early newspaper hyperbole with caution and reserve, General Sheridan greeted the news with pride and praise. But euphoria over the victory on the Marias River was short lived. Before the month was out reports of a different sort began to filter through the upper echelons of government. Humanitarians such as Vincent Colyer, Lydia Maria Child and William Lloyd Garrison began to speak out on behalf of the Indians. Baker, although lionized by Montanans, drifted along in his Army career between various routine assignments. In the end alcoholism dragged him down, and he died in 1884 at Fort Walla Walla, Wash. He was 47 years old.

In 1926 Horace Clarke, then age 77, related the story of the attack that claimed the life of his father. Three years earlier Horace, in the company of several others, had traveled to the site of the old Clarke ranch, where a shabby wooden fence ringed Malcolms grave. A year later the state of Montana had arranged for an iron fence to replace the wooden one. Some years after that a group of students from Blackfeet Community College arranged to visit the site of the Marias Massacre and erect a circle of stones as a memorial to those who lost their lives on that bitterly cold day so very long ago.

Colorado author Jerry Keenan first wrote for Wild West 26 years ago. An entry about the massacre appears in Keenans Encyclopedia of American Indian Wars, 14921890. Suggested for further reading: Tell Baker to Strike Them Hard: Incident on the Marias, 23 January, 1870, by Robert J. Ege, and The Red and the White: A Family Saga of the American West, by Andrew R. Graybill (review and author interview in the October 2014 Wild West).

Originally published in the December 2014 issue of Wild West. To subscribe, click here.
The ancients built their central great house in the 11th century.

New Mexicos celebrated Chaco Canyon, once the cultural center for the ancestral Puebloans (or Anasazis) of the Four Corners region, spawned several outlying colonies, the largest of which was at Salmon, about 45 miles to the north. Chaco Canyon is not to be missed, of course, but the same goes for these lesser-known but more accessible ruins dating from the 11th century. The museum at the Salmon Ruins and Heritage Park, 2 miles west of Bloomfield, N.M., preserves the ruins of a nearly 300-room pueblo built in the Chaco great house tradition. Archaeological research is ongoing, but the museum showcases artifacts found at the site and offers self-guided walking tours through the excavated ruins. The Salmon site also houses the San Juan County Archaeological Research Center and Library, which houses more than 17,000 books, periodicals and reports on the ruins, regional history, archaeology, anthropology and geology.

The initial construction at Salmon, on the north bank of the San Juan River, was completed circa 1090. The stone great house, home to some 200 to 300 Puebloans, is believed to have had three levels and featured a towering central kiva and a great kiva. More than 400 miles of roads connected Chaco to about 75 other communities, including the ancient villages known today as Salmon Ruins and Aztec Ruins. The first occupants at Salmon abandoned it circa 1125, but other Puebloans, probably from the Mesa Verde area, reoccupied it some 60 years later and made major modifications (subdividing rooms, adding kivas). Permanently abandoned in the late 13th century, the U-shaped complex has remained largely undisturbed.

In the late 1800s Peter M. Salmon and his son George P. Salmon homesteaded the property, and for nearly a century they protected the ruins from vandals and treasure hunters. The restored Salmon house, bunkhouse, dugout and out  buildings still stand just north of the ruins. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, the same year archaeologists began excavating the 22-acre tract of land. They soon exposed the ancient architecture of the Chaco culture and found several petroglyphs. The archaeologists would define 100 ground-floor rooms and 67 second-story rooms and recover more than 1 million artifacts, including ceramics, stone tools and weapons.

Today some of those treasured artifacts are on display at the small but inviting museum, which opened in 1973. The heritage park comprises several reconstructed prehistoric and historic dwellings, including a pit house, Navajo hogans, a Navajo sweat lodge, a Ute tepee and a Jicarilla Apache wickiup. Of course the Salmon Ruins remain the central attraction. In 2008 archaeologists discovered an ancient summer solstice and lunar standstill observatory on the site. Since then the museum has held an annual summer solstice event featuring archaeoastronomy presentations.

The Salmon Ruins museum, managed by the nonprofit San Juan County Museum Association, provides both professional and self-guided tours of the area, including Chaco Canyon. About 15 miles north of Salmon is Aztec Ruins National Monument, the remains of another Chacoan outlier village. The Salmon Ruins and Heritage Park is at 6131 Highway 64. For more information call 505-632-2013 or visit www.salmonruins.com.

Originally published in the October 2014 issue of Wild West. To subscribe, click here.
A four-man posse cornered them in a farmhouse near Grand Island.

Hall County Sheriff Joseph Kilian was taking a break from his law-enforcement duties that cold fall night in Grand Island, Nebraska. It was Monday, November 7, 1881, and he was rehearsing with the orchestra he belonged to in preparation for a Saturday night dance. But then Deputy Chris Staal of neighboring Merrick County showed up with an urgent message: Two men wanted in the Midwest for the murders of three sheriffs were spending the night at the home of resident farmer William Niedfeldt. Another neighbor had refused the two goose hunters lodging but vaguely recalled having read their descriptions in a newspaper report. Checking the old issue, he was satisfied they were the same outlaws accused of murdering lawmen and brothers Charles and Milton Coleman in a shootout at Durand, Wisconsin, on July 19. In September the Maxwells had killed another sheriff and wounded two deputies in a wild gunfight in Illinois. For Sheriff Kilian orchestra practice would have to be cut short. He knew it was going to be a long night.

Ed and Alonzo (Lon) Maxwell were two very desperate men on the run. Fugitives for almost 10 months for crimes ranging from horse theft to murder, they had sworn many times to not be taken alive. At least three other sheriffs from Minnesota to Illinois had stared down the barrels of the Maxwells guns and were spared because they used discretion and backed off. Each of the Maxwells was a crack shot with both pistol and rifle, and they had no fear of the law. In Illinois they were known by their real names, but in Wisconsin they used their alias, the Williams brothers. Communication between law enforcement of the two states was poor, which had enabled the killers to escape detection. But by November, with three sheriffs dead, every lawman in the surrounding states was aware of their dual identities, their descriptions and the sizable bounties on their heads.

In Nebraska, Ed and Lon claimed to have come up for the day from Hastings to do some goose hunting. But the Winchesters they carried belied any bird hunting; goose hunters would use shotguns, not rifles. They also carried revolvers. The suspicious farmer had sent them away. But Niedfeldt, a German immigrant who spoke little English, was more hospitable. The Maxwells holed up at his place for the night.

Knowing the Maxwell brothers propensity for shooting at lawmen, Sheriff Kilian was not going to take any chances while trying to arrest the pair. He recruited a posse, comprising Deputy Staal; Ludwig Shultz, a neighbor of Niedfeldt; and August Nitsch, a young cigar-maker from Grand Island who was not a regular deputy but would show plenty of mettle.

Armed with shotguns and revolvers, the men arrived at Niedfeldts farm about 5 in the morning on November 8. The house had only two roomsa front kitchen-living area and a back bedroom where the Maxwells spent the night in bedrolls on the floor. Each brother had two revolvers under his pillow and a Winchester within reach. Ed and Lon were just waking up when the four strangers showed up.

Also passing themselves off as goose hunters, the four possemen made small talk with the Maxwells while Niedfeldts wife prepared them all a light break fast. During the conversation Kilian asked the pair several questions about Hastings the Maxwells could not adequately answer. He also noticed that the younger of the two men put on his socks with his feet hidden beneath the bedclothes. Lon Maxwells distinctive identifying feature was a missing toe, amputated after an accident with an ax the previous winter. Kilian was convinced these were the notorious Maxwells, but he wasnt quite ready to play his hand.

The general chitchat had seemingly put the killers at ease. Lon, perhaps feeling natures call or wanting to check on their horses, put on his hat and coat and excused himself from the house, not bothering to take his rifle. He headed toward the barn.

With Lon temporarily out of the picture, Kilian decided to make his move. I want you, the sheriff told Ed, who was only 5-foot-3 but wiry and quick. The older Maxwell instinctively reached for his gun. But Killian, who had been a cavalryman during the Civil War, proved even quicker, grabbing Ed around both arms and throwing him to the floor. Meanwhile, Staal scooped up Eds rifle while Nitsch covered Ed with a double-barreled shotgun. When Kilian took Eds Winchester to the bedroom, Ed made a move for a hidden revolver. But Nitsch and Schultz pounced on him before he could reach the weapon. Kilian and Staal then put the older Maxwell in handcuffs.

Ed was no longer in a position to make a fight of it, but to warn his brother he let out a series of war whoopsa predetermined signal there was trouble. In the past such signals between the brothers had proved effective. Sheriff Kilian was afraid Lon would heed the warning and bolt. But Lon had the opposite intention.

With revolver in hand, the sheriff stepped outside the kitchen door as Nitsch covered him from inside with his shotgun. Lon also had his revolver in hand and was racing toward the small farmhouse. When Kilian ordered him to halt, Lon instead fired a shot. The slug zipped past the sheriffs ear as he ducked back into the kitchen. Lon squeezed off a second shot, which lodged in a table leg.

With the kitchen door slightly ajar, Kilian stepped to one side and blocked the sill with his foot. The fearless Lon kept coming, intending to kick the door wide open and enter the kitchen with his revolver blazing. But with the sheriffs foot in the way, the door only opened a few inches, and Lon found himself looking down the barrels of Nitschs shotgun.

Undeterred, the younger Maxwell darted from the door and ran around the side of the house to a window, where he hoped to get clear shots at the possemen. Anticipating this, Nitsch got there first and raised his shotgun. When Lon peered through the glass, Nitsch pulled both triggers. Both shells misfired. Nitsch cursed and scrambled to reload, but the outlaw didnt shoot. When Nitsch glanced up, Lon was nowhere in sight.

Killian and his companions didnt dare step outside, and they stayed away from the windows, fearing Lon might appear at any one of them. After several minutes a face did appear at the kitchen window that of Niedfeldts stable hand, who had heard the ruckus from the barn. Fortunately, the possemen held their fire. The stable hand then told them he had seen Lon Maxwell hightailing it across the bottomland toward the tall grass. Sheriff Kilian still wanted Lon of course, but first things first. The possemen loaded Ed Maxwell into the back of a lumber wagon, and Nitsch climbed up behind to keep his shotgun trained on the prisoner during the ride to jail. The lawmen half expected Lon to ambush them en route, but he didnt show. Kilian soon had Ed locked up in a Grand Island holding cell.

The posse managed, along with capturing Ed, to seize two Winchester rifles, two revolvers, $2 in cash, a silver watch and a quantity of ammunition. Lon had escaped with about 100 rounds, but they were for the rifles, and he had left his Winchester in the house. That might explain why he had felt compelled to flee.

A day or two later in nearby Hamilton County, Lon gave a boy some money and sent him into a store for groceries. That was the last verified sighting of the younger Maxwell in Nebraska or anywhere else.

Ed Maxwell was returned to Durand, Wis., to face charges of murdering Deputy Sheriff Charles Coleman and Undersheriff Milton Coleman. After the judge ordered Ed back to his jail cell following a preliminary hearing, local vigilantes, not in a mood to be patient, provided their own brand of justice.

Ed was still wearing handcuffs and shackles when the vigilantes dragged the prisoner down the courthouse steps and across the front lawn to an oak tree. Ed remained defiant as the citizens threw a rope over a branch and put the noose around his neck. Haul away! someone shouted, and several eager hands pulled the rope taut and tied it to the trunk of the oak. After the deed was done, the crowd dispersed quietly into anonymity as a few flakes of snow fell.

Canadian Les Kruger of Ontario spent four years researching the Maxwells for his 2008 book Brothers in Blood: The True Story of Ed and Alonzo Maxwell.

Originally published in the December 2014 issue of Wild West. To subscribe, click here.
In 1863 he and his brother terrorized central Colorado Territory.

By March 1863 former gold prospector Uncle Henry Harkens had settled down to work the land at Saw Mill Gulch in Colorado Territory. His new life would be short-lived. After sunset on Wednesday, March 18, two of his friends found him dead in his cabin. Another friend, Henry Priest, later described the scene for a reporter:

We found Harkens had been shot in the middle of the forehead with a Colts Navy revolver, then the murderers had taken the ax and split his head open from the top to the mouth, and then, judging from the appearance of his head and the ax, they had hit him on each side of the head with the head of the ax, and two pieces of skull and his brains lay on the ground at the top of his head. He was also stabbed twice in the left breast.

It was the first of many such grisly murders in the area that year, although overshadowed by the Civil War raging back East and the quest for gold in the mountains. The main man responsible, Mexican outlaw Felipe Nerio Espinosa, rates as one of Americas earliest serial killers, but it was a family affair. Brother Jose Vivian Espinosa and nephew Jose Vincente Espinosa also played roles in this vicious, if oft-overlooked, murder spree.

Felipe Nerio Espinosa was born in 1827 in a cramped jacal outside El Rito, New Mexico, then under Mexican rule. His parents raised him to be patriotic and intensely religious. Following the death of six family members in the Mexican War, that patriotism boiled over into vengeful nationalism. On his induction into the fraternity of Catholic flagellants known as the Santa Hermandad de la Sangre de Nuestro Senor Jesucristo (Holy Brotherhood of the Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ), or simply the Penitentes (Penitents), Felipe adopted a zealous spirituality that would steadily drive him to madness. Of his physical appearance little is known outside of witnesses description of his overdeveloped jaw and toothy jack-o-lantern grin.

At age 26 Felipe broke into the home of 17-year-old Maria Secundina Hurtado and her 11-year-old sister, Eugenia, and kidnapped the two girls. After brutally whipping Maria and holding Eugenia hostage, Felipe finally agreed to release Eugenia to her father in exchange for Marias hand in marriage. The Espinosas and the Hurtados moved north in 1858 to a small village (near present-day Conejos, Colo.). After the birth of a third child in 1862, Felipe gave up his meager bean fields for more lucrative pursuitshorse stealing and freight robbing with younger brother Vivian. One day, after holding up a teamster between Santa Fe and Galisteo, the pair tied the driver to the underside of the wagon tongue and then, laughing, whipped the mule team down the road. The man dragged for miles, his face plowing through rock and soil until another traveler spotted the runaway freight and saved the mangled teamster.

In early March 1863 soldiers from Fort Garland rode to the Espinosas home under the guise of Army recruiters. Felipe saw through the ruse, however, and opened fire from the windows. An intense gunfight erupted, the two brothers shooting out the windows as their women and children hunkered low and handed them fresh rounds. Trapped, the bandits dashed out a back door, firing wildly as they escaped into the woods.

The brothers fled deep into the crimson peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Range. There the two wrote of crimes white Americans had supposedly committed against Felipe, as well as a description of a dream in which the Virgin Mary ordered Felipe to kill 600 gringosa hundred for each of his relatives killed in the Mexican War. Over time the manifesto would include a tally of the Espinosas murders that Felipe ultimately sent to Territorial Governor John Evans in an unsuccessful demand for a pardon.

The brothers stalked the Rockies, killing randomly as they went and slinking down into the sweeping mountain valley of South Park. There they hunted lonely mining camps, watching their victims for sometimes hours before cutting them down with long-range rifles and then going to work with smaller, sharper instruments. Newspapers began referring to the unknown murderers as The Axemen of Colorado. Corpses stared to the sky wide-eyed with crude twig crucifixes protruding from bullet holes in their foreheads. In his manifesto Felipe wrote, They ruined our familythey took everything.Seeing this we said, We would rather be dead than see such infamies committed on our families!In killing one gains his liberty. I am aware that you know of some that I have killed, but of others you dont know. It is a sufficient number, however. Ask in New Mexico if any other two men have ever been known to have killed as many men as the Espinosas. We have killed 32.

Felipes boast might not have been an exaggeration. Some sources say there were about a dozen victims, while a few claim well over 32. All, from the beginning, have been marked with a peculiar singularitythe most fiendish and diabolical atrocity, reported Denvers Rocky Mountain News in early May 1863. In some cases the amount of money, or valuables, has been so trifling that it seems incredible that it should excite the cupidity of the most black-hearted murderer to commit so terrible a crime. Paranoia rippled across the region. On two separate occasions citizens of Fairplay, Colorado Territory, mobbed and lynched travelers simply for being strangers.

But the Espinosas anonymity in South Park was about to end, for on April 25, 1863, Felipe did something he had never done before: He missed. His target, a lumberman named Metcalfwho had stumbled upon the Espinosas in the midst of yet another slayingescaped in the back of his oxcart with only a minor injury. Metcalf gave descriptions of both assailants, and a posse led by Captain John McCannon of the 3rd Colorado Cavalry struck out the next day along the murderers trail. The men rode all day and into the night under a full moon. Shortly after daybreak the posse caught sight of two horses hobbled in an aspen meadow within a small canyon.

The men moved into position. When a short, dark-skinned figure emerged from a thicket, a rifle shot rang out. Wounded, Vivian Espinosa slammed into a tree trunk and then, staggering, reached for the pistol on his hip. A second bullet struck him in the head, though, and he crumpled to the ground. Suddenly, a second figure burst out of the trees. The party took aim, but McCannon yelled, For Gods sake, dont kill Billy Youngh! The man wore an expensive-looking coat (stripped from a victim) that resembled the one worn by posse member Youngh. When the man spun around to reveal his black bushy beard and gigantic teeth, the men realized they had made a mistake. But by then it was too late. The fugitive whirled back into the trees and vanished. Possemen cut off Vivians head as proof of the killing, then buried his body.

The summer of 1863 was quiet as Felipe, sequestered near his old home, reeled from his brothers death and sank ever deeper into madness. After returning to Vivians death site, exhuming the body and removing a foot from the corpse as a keepsake, Felipe resumed his vendetta, this time with his young (some sources say 14-year-old) nephew Jose. They were doomed from the start. On October 10, only days into his renewed campaign (and perhaps after only one more killing), Felipe was drunk on tequila when the Espinosas attempted to hold up a wagon. The two passengers jumped off and eluded their assailants, eventually making their way to Fort Garland and its commander, Lt. Col. Samuel Tappan.

Tappan knew just the man to reel in Felipe EspinosaThomas Tate Tobin, a bowlegged Metis guide who could reportedly track a grasshopper through sagebrush. He had worked with Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, John Fremont and Kit Carson (Tobins daughter married one of Carsons sons). In a grim irony, through his wife he was also a distant cousin to one Felipe Espinosa. Tappan summoned the guide to Fort Garland. Around midnight on October 12, Tobin and 15 Union soldiers (he grudgingly took them with him) set out. Tobin stalked the outlaws for three days and nights, following them from campsite to campsite, allowing his own party four hours of sleep a night. Tobin sent home any soldier who grew exhausted.

Early on the 15th Tobin saw in the distance magpies circling amid rising smoke. Ordering the soldiers to hold back, he crawled forward with his trusty Hawken muzzleloader in hand. He found Felipe and Jose cooking meat over a small fire. When Felipe rose to his feet and stretched, Tobin squeezed the trigger. The ball smashed into the outlaws side and sent him toppling into the fire. Jose took one look at his fallen uncle and dashed for the trees. Tobin quickly rammed another ball down his barrel, raised his rifle and fired again. The ball caught Jose in the spine, killing him instantly.

Later that evening at Fort Garland, Colonel Tappan welcomed into his office Tobin, back sooner than expected, with a burlap sack strung over a shoulder. Leaning back in his desk chair, Tappan asked, Any luck, Tom? So-so, Tobin replied, turning the bag upside down to let the heads of his quarry roll onto the floor.

In short order Tom Tobin had abruptly ended a seven-month episode that finally got a full-book treatment in 2013 with Charles F. Prices Season of Terror: The Espinosas in Central Colorado, March October 1863. The Espinosas have been called social bandits, but Price writes that whatever their provocations, grievances or mental states, their reign of terror was in no sense justifiable and may have been inspired by no motive more complicated than criminal insanity.

Adam Jones historical novel The Vendetta of Felipe Espinosa is due out in November.

Originally published in the October 2014 issue of Wild West. To subscribe, click here.
The Apache chief proved his mettle in the Battle of Massacre Canyon.

Fought on September 18, 1879, at the outset of a campaign known as Victorios War was a daylong clash since referred to as the Battle of Massacre Canyon. To stand among soldiers uniform white marble headstones on the site of this little-known but deadly daylong fight is compelling. Heightening the intrigue of the site are its remoteness22 miles from pavement in New Mexicos rocky, rugged and beautiful Aldo Leopold Wildernessand the evocative names of surrounding natural features, such Black Range, Animas Creek, Apache Peak and Victorio Park, erroneously labeled Victoria Park on some area maps. What happened on this spot 135 years agoa chaotic ambush, acts of valor amid loud rifle fire and acrid blue gun smoke, horses in their death throes, men exhaling their last full measurecontrasts with the peace and quiet of the place today.

Like the pattern of veins on an alder leaf, the tiny streams of Holden Prong and Water Canyon drain the craggy cliffs and high mountain parks on the east side of the Black Range in Sierra County. The small silver rills pick up seeps from cienegas and converge to form the stem of Animas Creek. The Animas is a stretch of perennial water that tumbles eastward but never quite makes it to the Rio Grande before being soaked up by sun and sand.

The Spanish word animas seems particularly apt in this context, as it refers to human souls. What inspired an early explorer to give the creek this name is unknown, but it may refer to the stands of pallid Arizona sycamores that line the stream, tilting with time, their roots holding steadfastly to its banks. As these trees fatten with age, they turn a ghostly white. At the juncture of Animas Creek and what came to be known as Massacre Canyon lie the buried bodies of at least three 9th U.S. Cavalry troopers (buffalo soldiers) and two Navajo scouts who helped the Army pursue renegade Apaches during Victorios War. If any Warm Springs Apaches died in the fight, their fellow warriors no doubt removed them from the field.

In late August 1879 Chief Victorio and some 60 followers had broken out of the hated San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in southeastern Arizona Territory. On September 4 they swooped into a soldiers camp at Victorios former home, Ojo Caliente, near the present-day SocorroSierra county line in New Mexico. The Apaches killed five buffalo soldiers and three civilians in the fight, made off with dozens of Army horses and mules and headed south. A week later, on the 10th, Victorio and his men struck an isolated settlement on Jaralosa Creek near the small mining town of Hillsboro, where they murdered and mutilated a family of Hispanic ranchers.

That same day a posse of armed civilians from Hillsboro, led by town pioneers Joseph Yankie and Nicholas Galles, confronted Apaches sooner than expected at H.D. McEvers ranch south of town. Victorios force had lain in wait in the surrounding hills. Yankie had a personal interest in the fight; newspaper accounts record that Apaches had abducted his child near Hillsboro several months earlier. In the subsequent 10-hour engagement anywhere from a half-dozen to 15 possemen lost their lives. Secretary of War Alexander Ramseys report to Congress recorded the names of the known dead: Steve Hanlon, Thomas Hughes, Thornton, Preissier, Green and Dr. William, killed in action at McEvers Ranch; Refugia Arvies and Jose Morena, killed at Arroyo Seco; I. Chaves, killed in action at McEvers Ranch. The number of Apaches killed, if any, is anyones guess. Today McEvers is a placid place on a small plain bisected by State Route 27 and overlooked by hillside ranchettes.

On the run but still ready for a fight, Victorios Apaches headed northwest into the mazelike recesses of the Black Range, with four companies of the 9th Cavalry and their Navajo scouts in pursuit. On September 18, in the upper reaches of Animas Creek, the buffalo soldiers, scouts and remaining civilian possemen (including Joseph Yankie) rode into another ambush. It happened in a small, yet-to-be-named canyon adjoining Animas Canyon. In short order the cavalry was turned into infantry, as Victorios men rained down bullets and arrows from the surrounding heights, shooting the horses from under the black soldiers. The Apaches killed 53 horses and mules and pinned down the buffalo soldiers on the boulder-laden slopes of the narrow canyon mouth. Only under cover of darkness were the soldiers able to retreat.

Three soldiers, two scouts and one civilian died during the fighting. Apache losses are again unknown. Remarkably, one buffalo soldier and two white officers earned the Medal of Honor for heroic acts that daySergeant John Denny, who carried a wounded soldier to safety under a hail of rifle fire, and 2nd Lts. Robert Temple Emmet and Mathias Day, for similar heroics. But those acts of valor did nothing to snatch victory from Victorio. The Apache leader was audacity personified in his ardent desire to keep Ojo Caliente his home. He may have been a victim of a fickle federal government, but he was not a helpless one. Military tacticians and university historians worldwide continue to study his successful tactics. Despite being trailed through New Mexico Territory and Texas by the Army, the Apache paladin eluded capture. In the end hundreds of soldiers and civilians died. Victorio and most of his band did, too, but it didnt happen until October 1880 in the Mexican state of Chihuahua and was pulled off by Mexican soldiers.

Craig Springer is co-author of the book Around Hillsboro, a history of the Sierra County town. Early settler Nicholas Galles built the authors home [www .HistoricMillerHouse.com].

Originally published in the December 2014 issue of Wild West. To subscribe, click here.
Drones have been widely used for many purposes in today's world, a start up organization named AirMap offers real time mapping services to drones and it allows them to operate their flight plan. Recently Microsoft Ventures invested a funding of $26 million to the start up in order to carry on with their operations.

AirMap provides information about aircraft's in their area and temporary no fly zones issued by the government. The company is also looking forward for a future where flying cars could be involved as per the Verge.

Pilots are allowed to crash in an environment with fewer consequences before flying into the real world due to Microsoft's drone simulator. AirMap has been a leader in low altitude airspace management, and the startup will certainly play an essential role in shaping the future of the drone industry.

Microsoft Ventures are happy to support the growth of AirMap and the growth for commercial recreational applications for piloted and autonomous drones. The venture strongly believes that investing in companies like AirMap will help to grow the future of the drone ecosystem.

The $26 million will help AirMap to expand fast and increase the competitive market, the startup will be opening new offices in Berlin and Mountain View. While it already has partnerships in place with 3D Robotics, Intel and DJI all have integrated its flights data with their drones and ground control stations.

The CEO of AirMap Ben Marcus stated that the potential of drones will benefit every sector of economy. It is also believed that soon enough millions of drones will fly billions of flights. This future depends on a safe, autonomous drone operation. AirMap is also one of the few companies that will join forces with the government to protect critical airspace. At this moment the investment of Microsoft Ventures will benefit the company to take operations quicker.

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Nokia, the Finnish multinational company is speculated to arrive with the same old and gold phone Nokia 3310 at the Mobile World Congress, Barcelona. The new leaks appeared on the internet claiming the exterior looks and what the phone may contain. The fresh phone's or Nokia 3310 reboot phone's leak is brought-up by a famous popular tipster Evan Blass.

According to the tipster Evan Blass (aka @evleaks), it is tipped that Nokia 3310 reboot will run on Series 30+. Series 30+ is a feature phone OS that runs on recent Nokia-branded phones like the Nokia 150. Blass also tipped that the design of this new device will look like a mix of the old 3310 and the new 150.

Few more Nokia 3310 deets:

-runs Series 30+ w color scrn

-multiple colors, faceplates poss. swappable

- think: mashup of old 3310 & new 150.  Evan Blass (@evleaks) February 24, 2017

Another report from Vtechgraphy hints something similar to the leaks mentioned by the noted and popular tipster Evan Blass. It is reported that the new Nokia 3310 will sport the same sturdy form factor as the original version. Also, the report states that it will be a feature phone and not a Smartphone, and will be a slimmer and lighter phone when compared to that of the original Nokia 3310.

It is also claimed that Nokia 3310 reboot will arrive with a larger display accompanied by a physical keyboard whose key size and structure will be changed. The monochromatic display of the phone is tipped to be changed to a color display.

Nokia 3310 reboot is reported to be launched at the MWC event. The launch is taken up by the company after 17years as this was stopped in the year 2000. It is tipped to have a price tag of EUR 59 and will be available soon after launch at MWC 2017 on February 26, 2017. Stay tuned for more updates.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
HTC, the Taiwanese tech giant might be planning well for the upcoming Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona, Spain. HTC One X10 is expected to be unveiled at the MWC 2017. HTC One X10 is spotted on Chinese networking site Weibo with fresh new image renders showing all the exterior looks of the phone with respect to design.

According to a user on the Chinese networking site Weibo first spotted by Android Police, the images posted shows front and back portions of the phone which hints the exterior looks of the phone. The leaked image render shows that the handset will feature a metal unibody design and the capacitive keys are placed on the front. The front capacitive keys include a home button, recent key and back key. The back portion of the phone is seen with a fingerprint scanner placed right below the rear camera circle.

Based on the previous leaks, HTC One X10 is speculated to feature a 5.5-inch full-HD (1080x1920) display with a screen resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. Under the hood, HTC One X10 is rumored to be powered by an Octa-core MediaTek Mt6755/C processor, clocked at 1.9 GHz and equipped with a Mali T860GPU.

Also, a 3GB RAM and 32GB of onboard storage is expected to be coupled with the processor. HTC One X10 will sport a 16.3 MP rear camera and a 7.9 MP front camera together with a 3,000mAh battery to power the phone.

HTC One X10 is speculated to be the next phone after the launch of HTC U Series phone. The device is highly expected to appear in the Mobile World Congress event.

HTC U Ultra

HTC U Ultra features a 5.7-inch 2K Super LCD 5 screen along with a 2.05-inch secondary display with 160x1040 resolution protected by Gorilla Glass 5. Under the hood, the Smartphone is embedded with Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor coupled together with a 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage.

HTC allows the storage in the handset for further expansion up to 2TB via microSD cards. The phone also carries a 3,000mAh battery, Android 7.0 Nougat straight out of the box, a 12MP (UltraPixel) rear camera with phase detection autofocus, optical image stabilization, a dual-tone flash and an aperture of f/1.8. The front camera of the phone is incorporated with a 16MP lens.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Apple takes a strong stance as they speak out against Trump's rolling back of trans bathroom protection. It turns out that the tech giant speaks out against the president's policies, they clear admit as they disagree with any effort to limit or withdraw their rights and protectors.

According to Apple they believe that everyone deserves the chance to thrive in an environment free from discrimination. The company slammed the decision of Donald Trump and they strongly support Barrack Obama's guidelines, During Obama's era transgender students were given the right to use public school restrooms that match their gender identity as per Tech Gig.

The company made a statement saying that they support efforts towards greater acceptance, and they believe that transgender students must be treated as equals. The Trump administration revoked federal guidelines that specify the freedom of transgender students.

The Department of Education and the Department of Justice told the US Supreme court to "disregard memos" on transgender student rights. These have been withdrawn because officials said the term "sex" is open to legal interpretation.

The Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said that this was an issue best solved at the state and local level. Apple previously spoke out against Trump's travel ban by joining the other tech companies. In 2015 it opposed North Carolina's bathroom bill and other states that have attempted to pass laws limiting LGBTQ rights.

The letter from Trump's administration regarding the issue will go to the nation's public schools. However, it does not offer any new guidance instead the earlier instruction will be withdrawn due to lack of extensive legal analysis. The administration further admitted that it will not rely on prior explanation of the law in the future. After the policy was passed a 17 year old trans gender male was banned from using the boys restroom by the Gloucester County School Board.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
President Donald Trump wants to see a substantial increase in US military spending and look to safeguard Medicare and Social Security from any reductions in his first main step toward compiling a budget proposal for the coming fiscal year. On Monday, the White House will issue the outlines of a budget proposal to federal agencies.

The budget outline will also call for reductions to several federal agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency. The announcement will take place a day before Trump's joint congressional address on Tuesday, where he will have to lay out his agenda and legislative priorities.

Trump always wanted to increase the military power of US and this could take place soon. Trump is first expected to address the new budget outline when he meets at the White House on Monday with governors from around the country.

There will be big changes in the budget

The changes in the budget will go hand in hand with Trump's policy proposals during the campaign, when he called for substantial increases to military spending and also vowed to protect Social Security and Medicare. The proposed budget reductions to agencies like the EPA also do not come as a surprise.

Trump often attacked what he described as the agency's burdensome regulations and has vowed to reduce regulations throughout the federal government, a plan he believes will be an even bigger benefit to US businesses than tax reductions, which he also hopes to deliver on. Trump has always wanted to revitalize the US economy.

His pick to lead the EPA, former Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, is a climate change skeptic who had many legal battles against the agency in his previous role. Lately, Trump wants Nato countries to increase their financial obligations and he also wants to improve the military capabilities of US.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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The Louis Moinet Metropolis was the first watch I saw on the Sunday before the SIHH week kicked off in earnest. And it set the scene for the evolution of the industry in 2017: carefully considered innovation pitched at an attractive price for a three-hand timepiece with an in-house movement.



The Metropolis is also geared to appeal to a wider audience, with a design that is more understated when compared with the brands other, more expensive, pieces. Metropolis is a city watch, explains Jean-Marie Schaller, CEO of Ateliers Louis Moinet. It combines ergonomics with design, and function with style. Weve broken free of neoclassical conventions and adopted a committed, contemporary approach thats unlike anything weve done before.



One of the ways that Louis Moinet has done this is to bring light into the movement by housing the three dimensional Roman numerals (a first for the brand) on a double ring attached to the inner perimeter of the case, with the outer railway minute track on a flange in neoralithe, a polymer whose name is derived from the Greek neo (new) and lithe (rock). Together with a sand-blasted black dial base, this provides the perfect contrast for the lacquered hour markers.





The new case for the Metropolis has also been dubbed neo and consists of 55 different components. Its design is based around two vertical bridges, which hold the movement housing and incorporate the openworked lugs. The bezel and case back are both affixed to these bridges by the customary six screws that are the hallmark of Louis Moinet.

Inside this 43.2mm case is a completely new self-winding movement. The LM45 calibre beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a 48-hour power reserve. Its fine decoration of circular graining can be admired through the sapphire crystal case back, while the oscillating mass displays a new, modern interpretation of the Clous de Paris pattern that Louis Moinet used in the 19th century.





After two years of development, the new Louis Moinet Metropolis models are initially proposed as two limited series of 60, one in stainless-steel with blue lacquered numerals, retailing for a very competitive 10,500 Swiss francs, and another in 18-carat rose gold with white lacquered numerals that retails for 32,000 Swiss francs.




Kiribati, a small Pacific island nation, rejected a Russian businessman's proposal to use three of its islands to revive the Russian monarchy. The 'Romanov revival' plan was proposed by Anton Bakov, a former MP who now leads the Monarchist Party.

Anton Bakov had offered the Kiribati government an investment of $350m to build tourist facilities in the country. The government in Tarawa rejected his demand because the proposed deal included sovereign rights over three of the nation's uninhabited islands, which are Starbuck, Malden and Millennium Islands.

They are located in Kiribati's eastern island chain and were in the radar of the investor. The BBC reports that the purpose of the Russian businessman was to revive the Romanov dynasty which was overthrown by the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917.

Former Tonga MP congratulated the Kiribati government

The Kiribati Cabinet rejected the proposal of the businessman, the Kiribati Foreign Investment Commission reported back its findings related with the offer and they were negative ones. Former Tonga MP and academic, Sitiveni Halapua, congratulated the Kiribati government for rejecting the offer even though there is a huge need for foreign investment.

Sitiveni Halapua stated that Kiribati decided to stand up and base its decision on a matter of principles regardless of its own needs and economic challenges. He thinks that is something that should be recognised and respected. Previously, Sitiveni Halapua had called the idea of the Russian businessman as "very strange" and "scary".

A lot of Russians favour the monarchy

In January, Mr Bakov declared that the idea was supported by a great number of Russian people who are not happy with the government of Vladimir Putin, they want to revive the Russian monarchy.

A lot of Russians dislike the government of Vladimir Putin and believe that the monarchy would be better. Anton Bakov created the "Imperial Throne" micro-nation with no territory in 2011, with a leader referred to as "Emperor Nicholas III".

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Kate Middleton would be attending the wedding of Pippa Middleton not as the bridesmaid but as the nanny. The Duchess of Cambridge has offered to look after all the kids at the wedding as she wants her sister to be the center of attraction on her big day.

Kate Middleton wants her younger sister Pippa Middleton to be in the spotlight on her wedding and this is why she has offered to be the official nanny on the occasion. According to The Sun, the Duchess of Cambridge does not want to steal the spotlight from the bride and hence, took the said decision. Sources say that no guest would be taking their nannies as Kate has offered to babysit all the kids.

This also includes Prince George and Princess Charlotte who would not be playing page boy and flower girl on the wedding of their aunt. This is because Kate feels they are too young to do the honors. So, the wedding would be all about Pippa Middleton and her fiance James Matthews, who are all set to tie the knot on May 20 at the St. Mark's Church in Englefield at Berkshire.

The event would be a low-key affair and quite a contrast to the lavish Westminster wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William where Pippa had stolen the spotlight with her figure-hugging dress. Since Kate and family will be backstage at the wedding, it should not be a surprise if Pippa grabs eyeballs for her dress, this time as well.

After all, it is rumored that she would be a donning a gown made by ace designer Giles Deacon. Also, high-profile cosmetic artist who does make-up of stars Charlotte Tilburry would be prepping her up. Well, with Kate Middleton and her kids on sidelines, Pippa Middleton does seem to be set for a wedding that would see her as the star of the day.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
President Donald Trump accuses Barrack Obama and his people of orchestrating protest against him. In an interview he stated that Obama and his friends were behind the leaks of information from the White House to the press. Trump said that this information was classified.

Trump thinks that Obama was behind these organization protests, including the recent spate of raucous Republican town hall meetings. He further stated that this is just the way it is and this is politics. He also mentioned that Obama's people are definitely behind it, which means the former president was also involved as per the Guardian.

It appears that Obama has been accused by Republicans and Rightwing media outlets, they believed that he was directing the demonstrations through a group called "Organizing for Action." This is said to be a progressive group that grew out of Obama's presidential campaigns.

The Republicans faced angry constituents in town halls and district offices around the country last week. There were several protests that exploded in airports due to the Trump's administration's travel ban. Trump continued to accuse Obama and his allies of possible involvement in this issue.

He said that some of the leaks were very serious because they are very bad in terms of national security. Obama opened up against Trump's travel ban last month, the former president disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their religion or faith.

Trump also disagreed with Obama's policy he stated that Obama had also deported many people with his administration. While immigration issues still continue in the United States, few weeks earlier a woman was arrested by immigration officials because she was seeking protection from domestic violence. Another Salvadoran woman was removed by officials from a Texas hospital where she was being treated for a brain tumor. Protest are believed to continue and do not seem to give up easily due to the immigration ban.

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Over 250 senior leaders in the hospitality industry attend the reception held annually during the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) ITB Berlin: The World's Leading Travel Trade Show. The School of Hotel Administration and Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne (EHL) co-present this high-profile event.

For more information please contact Jennifer Mayo

607.255.3101
AVANI Hotels & Resorts will debut in Europe with the opening of AVANI Avenida Liberdade Lisbon Hotel in the Portuguese capital. The 119-key hotel will launch on 1 April 2017, following the completion of a EUR 1.5 million refurbishment.

This newest addition to the AVANI portfolio will respond to the needs and aspirations of millennial-minded travellers, both in its product delivery and its design elements.

The property, formerly Tivoli Jardim Lisboa Hotel, is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment. The scope of work includes the redesign of the facade, the guestrooms, lobby, reception and the installation of an AVANIFIT gym. The open plan lobby merges the reception, lounge, meeting and chill areas together.

All guest rooms will have balconies, with AVANI Premier Rooms enjoying views over Avenida da Liberdade, whereas AVANI Deluxe rooms, located on the highest floors, will have sweeping views over the city. AVANI Family Rooms will offer king-sized beds and a double sofa-bed, making them the perfect choice for families.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served at Olivier Avenida Restaurant featuring Chef Olivier da Costa's Mediterranean inspired cuisine.

The new AVANIFIT gym will feature the latest cardio equipment allowing guests to continue their normal workout routines while travelling.

For AVANI business guests, the neighbouring Palacete Conference and Events Centre offers three floors of event space with capacity for up to 260 people. The ground floor has a large reception area, the first floor offers three function rooms with varied configuration capabilities along with an outdoor terrace, and the top floor houses an exclusive Boardroom with its own foyer and elevator access.

Located in the city centre, only 15 minutes' drive from Lisbon International Airport, AVANI is within easy walking distance of the underground station, Rossio Train Station and Tram 28. The hotel is ideally situated just off the iconic Avenida da Liberdade, with its luxury boutiques, street cafes and esplanades and is only a few minutes' walk from the charming neighbourhoods of Bairro Alto, Principe Real and Chiado.

Alejandro Bernabe, Group Director AVANI Hotels & Resorts, said, "We are thrilled to launch our upscale AVANI brand in Europe with the launch of AVANI Avenida Liberdade Lisbon Hotel. Lisbon is a dynamic European city and a 'hot' destination right now, appealing to millennial-minded travellers. AVANI hotels are specifically designed with this new breed of traveller in mind  people who aren't defined by age but by mind-set and common values and who really appreciate the details that matter."

Launched in 2011, AVANI Hotels & Resorts is an upscale, contemporary brand appealing to millennial-minded travellers who appreciate quality and value. AVANI currently has 17 properties in operation in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Seychelles, Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia and the UAE, and MH has plans to grow the brand across its global footprint.

http://www.minorhotels.com/en/avani/lisbon

About Minor International

Minor International (MINT) is a global company focused on three core businesses: hospitality, restaurants and lifestyle brands distribution. MINT is a hotel owner, operator and investor with a portfolio of over 520 hotels under the Anantara, Avani, Oaks, Tivoli, NH Collection, NH, nhow, Elewana, Marriott, Four Seasons, St. Regis and Radisson Blu brands in 56 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe, South and North America. MINT is also one of Asia's largest restaurant companies with over 2,300 outlets system-wide in 24 countries under The Pizza Company, The Coffee Club, Riverside, Benihana, Thai Express, Bonchon, Swensen's, Sizzler, Dairy Queen, Burger King and Coffee Journey brands, in addition to over 1,000 outlets of MINT's strategic alliances (i.e. S&P and BreadTalk). MINT is one of Thailand's largest distributors of lifestyle brands and contract manufacturers. Its brands include Anello, BergHOFF, Bodum, Bossini, Charles & Keith, Esprit, Joseph Joseph, Radley, Zwilling J.A. Henckels and Minor Smart Kids. For more information, please visit www.minor.com.

Jane Warburton

PR Director Cluster - AVANI Hotels & Resorts

+94 (11) 479 0500

Minor
LUMA Hotel Times Square, the newest boutique hotel set to open this spring in the heart of New York City, is thrilled to announce a series of recent executive appointments to the management team. Comprised of a seasoned group of hospitality professionals, the hotel team reflects the city's ambition and LUMA's illuminating spirit, each bringing a unique background, dynamic energy, and skill set to this hotel and its new Jose Garces restaurant, Ortzi. Joining the team is General Manager, Kate Martin; Sales & Marketing Director, Veronica Popova; Director of Human Resources, Elaine McElhinney; Director of Front Office, David Johnson; Director of Housekeeping, Gloria Franco; Director of Engineering, Kenneth Cooper; Ortzi General Manager, Ron Morgan; and Ortzi Chef de Cuisine, Michael Han.

"We're thrilled LUMA Hotel Times Square is opening in the most exciting and competitive landscape such as New York City, and we couldn't be happier to have this team in place," stated General Manager, Kate Martin. "Between our team's dynamic, industry backgrounds, levels of expertise, strong work ethic and genuine love for the industry, I'm excited to be working with such a passionate group of people, and knowing we have ensured a path to success."

With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Kate Martin brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise as LUMA's General Manager, leading the management team in all aspects in order to create hotel recognition in a competitive New York market. Prior to LUMA, Martin most recently, worked as General Manager of Hotel Chandler, where she led the team as the hotel underwent a full-property renovation. With her at the helm, Hotel Chandler became one of New York's most sought after luxury hotels. Born and raised in Greece, Martin holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel & Catering Management from Middlesex University. "With an iconic, unbeatable location, our team is looking forward to carrying the ambition and buzz of both Times Square and Bryant Park into our hotel with energetic service, attention to detail, and eagerness to provide an unparalleled level of customer service."

Serving as Ortzi's General Manager, Ron Morgan brings more than 15 years of food and beverage experience to the new Basque-inspired restaurant. Working previously at top New York City restaurants such as Boqueria Flatiron and Convivio, Morgan will be responsible for supervising the daily operations of the restaurant, including managing financial performance, analyzing sales and marketing data, maintaining standards of excellent service and hiring and training staff.

Ortzi Chef de Cuisine, Michael Han, holds a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University and brings over a decade of experience working in high-end hotels and several Michelin-starred restaurants in New York and Chicago. His most recent experience as Executive Sous Chef at A Voce Columbus earned him a great deal of culinary knowledge in a fast-paced environment, where attention to detail is imperative. After a recent backpacking trip to Spain, Han was inspired by the Spanish culture and cuisine, and he returned to New York eager and prepared to work alongside Chef Jose Garces.

Director of Sales & Marketing Veronica Popova possesses over 20 years of hospitality experience with a background in sales, marketing and management. Popova most recently served as the City Director of Transient Sales at Kimpton Hotels, where she was responsible for leading sales and marketing strategies, improving performance and increasing RevPar for four New York hotels. On what drew her to LUMA Hotel Times Square she states, "I wanted to work somewhere that was aware; a place that delivers an authentic, unique experience to every guest. Between our modern design and amenities, to our elevated level of guest service, we create an exclusive New York City experience that feels genuine and purposeful." Her current role will include working across multiple teams and disciplines to implement sales strategies, execute partnerships and hotel programming, as well as generate brand awareness in the marketplace.

Elaine McElhinney has been appointed as LUMA's Director of Human Resources. Previously serving as the Assistant Director of Human Resources at The Carlyle, McElhinney will be responsible for developing administration policies and standard operating procedures as well as all recruiting efforts and training strategies. When it comes to her unique approach to Human Resources, McElhinney has one prerequisite: "A genuine smile. We foster a welcoming environment at LUMA for both our guests and staff. It's surprising how much extending a warm demeanor can change a person's day."

David Johnson will lead the front of office staff as Director of Front Office Operations. With a background at a number of Manhattan hotels, Johnson brings a wealth of New York hospitality knowledge to LUMA. He was attracted to LUMA for its prime location and illuminating spirit. Johnson will oversee the entire front office operation by managing a staff of 25 employees and ensuring work productivity and guest satisfaction. David looks forward to helping new and repeat guests discover the hidden gems of New York. On what sets LUMA apart he states, "LUMA maintains an uncompromising attention to detail complete with personalized training for every department to incorporate both brand and service standards. Guest feedback is always encouraged, and we make sure our staff is trained to own and follow through on their initiatives."

Gloria Franco has been appointed to serve as Director of Housekeeping. With a strong background in all aspects of customer service and support with experience spanning across the local area from the TriBeCa Grand Hotel to Teaneck Marriott, Franco will be responsible for all members of the housekeeping team ensuring cleanliness of the entire hotel, customer comfort, tracking inventory and supplies, managing guest expectations, special requests and creating a memorable stay. "My favorite part of the job is the turndown service," stated Franco. "I know an unexpected amenity will put a smile on the guest's face after a long day in the city. I welcome the challenge of being on the frontlines to make the guest experience unique."

LUMA's Engineering department will be led by Director Kenneth Cooper, who will recruit and supervise all staff, providing ongoing training for engineering personnel, as well as spearheading daily maintenance of all mechanical systems. Cooper, who formerly served as the Chief Engineer at the Executive Hotel Le Soleil N.Y., was attracted to LUMA for its unique and fresh approach to hospitality. Ken brings more than 20 years of real world mechanical and maintenance experience across a number of industries within the public sector, private business industry and hospitality to LUMA Hotel Times Square.

About LUMA Hotel Times Square

Opening in 2017, LUMA Hotel Times Square is located on 41st Street between Broadway and Avenue of the Americas in the heart of New York City. Bright, innovative and inviting, LUMA shines a light on the best of modern hospitality and illuminates guests with dynamic energy and an independent spirit. Designed by New York architect Peter Poon, the hotel will boast 130 well-appointed guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows for enjoying natural light and taking in views of Manhattan. Reflecting the ambition and allure of the city, the hotel is ideally situated amongst developing tech firms, and international fashion houses, as well as steps away from New York City landmarks and attractions. LUMA"s ground floor will house acclaimed, James Beard Award-winning Chef Jose Garces" new restaurant Ortzi, taking its name from the Basque word for sky and inspired by the region"s great tradition of tapas. For more details or to book, please visit: www.lumahotels.com

Jill DeSantis

Account Executive - THE BRANDMAN AGENCY

+1 212.683.2442

Luma Hotels
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Visitors look at smartphones at the Lenovo stand at the 2015 IFA consumer electronics and appliances trade fair on Sept. 4, 2015 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo : Getty Images)

Lenovo Group has tapped a former Samsung executive to head the product strategy and management of its Mobile Business Group (MBG), China Tech News reported.



Jiang Zhen, who worked for Samsung's headquarters in South Korea, has been appointed as vice president for Lenovo's MBG in China. He will oversee the company's product planning, product portfolio and operations.



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Lenovo's vice president Chang Cheng will see a position adjustment in line with Jiang's appointment. Chang will concentrate on Lenovo's hardware and software segment. The two VPs will report directly to Qiao Jian, Lenovo's senior vice president and co-president of MBG.



Qiao replaced Chen Xudong as the MBG head last November. Since her appointment, Qiao has been reorganizing Lenovo's MBG in China. Jiang is the first senior executive to have joined the company after Qiao's appointment, China Tech News wrote.



In an open letter, Qiao said that Jiang has an extensive experience in product planning, covering both the international and local markets.



The senior VP reiterated that "Jiang's insight, innovation spirit and user thinking about product and market will lift Lenovo's product competitiveness in China to the next level," said in the letter, as translated by China Tech News.



Jiang used to work for Samsung, heading units such as communications research, product research and development, and product marketing.



Lenovo's mobile business has been facing setbacks the past few years, particularly after its Motorola acquisition did not turn out well as the company had expected. The company only sold 15 million handsets from October through December last year. Its revenue crashed 23 percent year-on-year to $2.2 billion in the said quarter.



Despite this, the company remains optimistic that it would soon turn around its fortunes.



"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 break-even and profitable growth in them," Lenovo said in a statement, via Fortune.


Remy Ma is having a moment, and its been a long time coming. The Bronx-bred Terror Squad First Lady spent six years of her prime in jail for shooting her friend in the stomach. She scored an unexpected hit last year in her All the Way Up collaboration with Fat Joe, but their new joint album Plata o Plomo failed to make a significant impact outside the Bronx.

shETHER, her savage, 7-minute, no-holds-barred Nicki Minaj has reverberated nationwide since she posted it to her SoundCloud this Saturday. Remy has vaulted herself to the front of the national rap psyche, and if she emerges from this fracas with Minaj victorious, she may well stay there.

Remy and Minajs rocky relationship goes back a decade. Click through the image gallery for the complete history.

2007: Origins of beef

Remy became an early fan of Nicki Minajs work by watching her appearances on the The Come Up DVD series. Minajs 2007 mixtape Playtime Is Over featured a song titled Dirty Money, a freestyle over Terror Squads Yeah Yeah Yeah in which she took shots at an unnamed female foe:

Tell that bitch with the crown to run it like Chris Brown

She won 3 rounds, Imma need a hundred thou

Like china town, bitches better bow down

Oh, you aint know? bet yall bitches know now

Fuck I gotta do to let em know that Im the one?

In a 2010 interview from jail, Remy recalled confronting Minaj about the song at the Playtime Is Over release party: When I seen her at her party, I was like, Yeah, what was that line about? To this day, I think it was a stab at me. Im gonna [diss her] back for that one. Its cool, like, thats what you do in rap. But why do I have to go at her? Shes not stopping me from being me.

2014-2016: Detente

Remy seemed eager to repair her relationship with Minaj when she was released from prison in 2014. Unfortunately I had went away and was incarcerated so we never had the chance to work together, she remarked in an interview. Im happy for someone from that to make it as far as she has Its a wonderful thing for me to see her where she is now. Shes lit right now and you gotta respect that.

In another interview following her release from prison, Remy expressed a desire to work with Minaj. I think it would be dope if we can get an ill chick record with everybody doing what they doing, she said. Me, maybe Iggy Azalea, Nicki like just do a nice little collabo.

Two years later, she congratulated Nicki for winning Best Female Hip Hop Artist at the BET Awards.

Congrats to @NICKIMINAJ for your BET female rapper of the year 2016 award  Remy Ma (@RealRemyMa) June 27, 2016

Omg. Thank u Remy. That means so much. Congrats to u as well, for an exciting year.  https://t.co/yTbTXqmBkT  NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) June 28, 2016

2016-present: A fusillade of subliminals culminating in shETHER

Less than a month after congratulating Minaj on her BET Awards triumph, Remy began firing off a fusillade of subliminals:

September 2016: The BET Hip Hop Awards

Remy Ma: Take away they stylist they dont know what style is / I been fly since junior high, bitch / You the biggest bird on Sesame Street / And Imma keep scrambling your egg, keep running your beak.

Take away they stylist they dont know what style is! Remy put Nicki the bird from Sesame Street in a casket! pic.twitter.com/3uFnyhcpb3  Lil Kim Buzzz (@LilKimBuzzz) September 18, 2016

November 2016: Money Showers

Remy Ma: Man, these funny style bitches, I be laughing at them / Hoes be grabbing his dick, I be grabbing his gun.

Bitch claiming she the queen, what? Not hardly / Who the fuck gave you your crown, bitch, Steve Harvey?

December 2016: Funk Flex Freestyle

Remy Ma: All this talk about my and your son / Im hot and your whole world revolve around me, bitch I am the sun / Wanted to be an icon, ended up like Akon.

December 2016: Wait a Minute

Remy Ma: Get rid of those fake breasts and put a vest on this bitch chest / Its lunch time, she food, Im Troy Ave with that tool.

That ghostwriter bout to call her / That lifeline getting shorter.

February 2017: Swalla

Nicki Minaj: I gave these bitches two years, now your times up / Bless her heart, she throwing shots but every line sucks.

February 2017: Make Love

Nicki Minaj: First Ima scorch her, then Ima torch her / Then Ima torture her, then Imma off her.

Everybody know you jealous, bitch its so clear

Tell them bum ass bitches to play their role

She see my sexy ass every time she scroll

I got it in the can, Dole

Your career gon be with Anna Nicole

Witcha dumbass face

She aint eatin but I swear she got some bum ass taste

Text her man like, Dawg, how that bum ass taste?

Pay your rent! And stay in your bum ass place

Oooohhh, oh you the qu-e-e-the queen of this here?

One platinum plaque, album flopped, bitch, where? (bitch, where?)

February 2017: shETHER



To attempt to compress Remy Mas Nicki diss track here would be futile. Head here to read the tracks 10 most savage bars.
Less than a calendar year after initially launching their SoundCloud Go paid streaming option, the company is already altering its plans. They recently announced a second tier that will cost only $4.99 per month, compared to the current $9.99 per month. In the process, theyre renaming their original paid plan SoundCloud Go+, with the new paid subscription tier taking the original name of SoundCloud Go.

So, whats the difference between these two platforms? So far, not a whole lot. Both options allow users to listen to music ad-free with the option to save tracks offline onto your mobile device. The Plus option will include access to 150 million songs versus 120 million tracks for the cheaper SoundCloud Go. Its unclear exactly which tracks those could be, but our guess is the premium tracks that only show previews for non-paying users. SoundCloud has also promised additional exclusive product features for the premium users, but those features are currently a mystery.

The Berlin-based company is pulling out all the stops to pull in extra cash after a buyout from Spotify and then Google failed to materialize. The company also said via an internal memo that they could feasibly run out of money before the end of the year.

SoundCloud Go and Go+ are up against Spotify (40 million paying users), Apple Music (20 million paying users) and TIDAL (1 million paying users that may not actually exist). SoundCloud has never released paying subscriber numbers to the public.

[via TechCrunch]

SoundCloudGo
When Stiff Little Fingers, Belfasts most internationally acclaimed Punk Rock band, played at the legendary Trident in Bangor in late 1977, little did they know that their establishment-bating punk rock ways would still be causing ructions 40 years on.

Punk historian Dee Wilson, author of The Punk Trilogy, recently proposed that a blue plaque should be placed at a Bangor venue once known as Trident, to commemorate a seminal Stiff Little Fingers gig which happened there in 1977. However, the Ulster Historical Circle, the not-for-profit organisation that places the commemorative plaques throughout Ulster, states that they have no intention of erecting a plaque.

Now Wilson is taking the fight online with a petition which he hopes will draw attention to his campaign to finally see the venue recognised with a plaque. Wilson believes the gesture would not only commemorate the seminal live event, but pay tribute to the way in which the Belfast punk scene united Catholic and Protestant youths during The Troubles in 1970s.

Wilson says: We chose the Trident because it has been immortalised in the Stiff Little Fingers 1978 Youth Anthem - 'Alternative Ulster.' However, there are separate arguments for a number of others locations! You could start with The Viking, and I dont think many would argue with that  then, there is the Glenmachan where Rudi held their Jubilee Party  Paddy Lambs, where Stiff Little Fingers and The Outcasts made their live debuts. Then, of course, there is what became the home of Belfast Punk The Harp Bar, not forgetting the Pound Club, Caroline Music and last but not least, Good Vibrations.

They all played an important role in the Punk Movement, a Movement that brought down class, social, religious and sexual barriers. We would love a plaque erected at each of these spots and who knows, we might just go down that road at a later date - but for now we are concentrating on one battle at a time."

Rudi's Brian Young put it succinctly at the time, saying: "Punk wasn't about Catholic vs Protestant. It was about The Clash vs THe Sex Pistols."

Stiff Little Fingers frontman Jake Burns says: I think its only reasonable that one of the bright spots in a fairly dark time in Northern Irelands history should be commemorated. Were all too willing to put up reminders of things that divided us, so surely its only right that something that helped bring young people together should be celebrated as well.

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Mesa Airlines flight attendants, including about 440 in Houston who work aboard United Express flights, begin voting Tuesday on whether to authorize a strike for better pay and benefits.

"The company hasn't responded to anything else in the last five years," union president for Mesa Heather Stevenson said Monday. "We're left with no other option. They haven't given us another option."

Stevenson said the vote comes after five years of negotiations between the airline and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA and two years in mediation. Mesa flight attendants typically make between $13,000 and $36,000 a year, she said, with most salaries on the lower end of that range.

The No. 1 priority, Stevenson said, is better pay. Mesa flight attendants are paid less than their counterparts on mainlines, such as United or American Airlines. But they also get paid 15 to 20 percent less than flight attendants at other regional airlines, she said.

"Our flight attendants are so far behind that they're unable to pay their bills by working here," she said.

Employees also want better insurance coverage at a more reasonable price, and they want more flexibility. She said flight attendants don't have options that their counterparts at other airlines get to guarantee they won't be disciplined if they miss work for a family emergency.

Jonathan Ornstein, chairman and CEO of Mesa, cited two primary reasons for not meeting the union demands earlier. First, he said, are the fixed-rate contracts Mesa signed with United Airlines and American Airlines. He said the profit margin is less than 5 percent, and there isn't a provision allowing Mesa to pass the cost of pay raises to its partners.

Ornstein also cited recent legislation that boosted the flying time pilots are required to have before they can be hired in commercial aviation. Increasing the minimum to 1,500 hours has put a plug in the hiring pipeline, and Mesa's excess money has gone to massive signing bonuses to lure pilots from other companies.

"I'm not saying it's fair," Ornstein said. "I'm not saying it's right. I'm not saying I agree with it. It's just the reality of the marketplace."

He said he wants to pay flight attendants more. But he was quick to add that if he agreed to the last proposal from the union, the airline would have run out of cash in 18 months.

Ornstein said the airline has never furloughed a flight attendant, and he doesn't believe the negotiations will culminate with a strike. He's confident they will come to an agreement with "significant increases in benefits and pay."

Phoenix-based Mesa Airlines operates as American Eagle from hubs in Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth and as United Express from Washington Dulles and Houston. It has about 1,100 flight attendants, with Houston its largest base.

United Airlines, which just recently got all of its own labor contracts in place, declined to comment.

Votes will be counted March 29 ahead of the union's next meeting with Mesa in early April. That meeting will be overseen by the National Mediation Board. A majority of flight attendants must vote for the strike in order for it to be authorized.

Approving the strike will add extra pressure to the negotiations, the union said. But flight attendants can't walk off the job unless the mediation board releases them.

If released, there will be a 30-day cooling-off period in which the union and company can continue negotiations. Flight attendants can go on strike at the end of that period if no agreement is reached.

If they go on strike, flight attendants would not launch a traditional full strike. The union instead implements CHAOS, Create Havoc Around Our System, in which, for example, flight attendants strike certain planes or departure cities.

That is meant to deter passengers from booking the airline without requiring every employee to go without pay.

"I hope it doesn't come to that," Stevenson said. "I hope that we can make an agreement and have our work valued."
A Harris County jury on Monday delivered a mixed verdict in a contentious fight between two Houston energy services companies over trade secrets, confidentiality and a non-compete agreement.

The case, which has stretched over more than two years, involved Jeff Russo, who signed a noncompete agreement when he took a $13-per-hour laborer job with M-I Swaco and, after working his way up to become a top salesman, left to work for rival National Oilwell Varco.

The verdict, delivered in state district court in Harris County, allows Russo to keep his six-figure job at National Oilwell Varco while finding that M-I Swaco acted in bad faith when it claimed Russo misappropriated trade secrets as a way to enforce the noncompete agreement. The jury awarded Russo and National Oilwell Varco $176,000 in attorneys' fees.

But the jury also found that Russo failed to comply with M-I Swaco's confidentiality provisions and awarded $493,000 in attorneys' fees to M-I Swaco, a unit of energy services giant Schlumberger. The verdict did not specify how Russo breached the confidentiality provisions.

The verdict underscores the complexity of the case and the lengths that companies will go to protect trade secrets. The case took several twists and turns, including charges by National Oilwell Varco that M-I Swaco attempted to use legal discovery - the process for getting documents in a dispute - as a ruse to gain access to the trade secrets at NOV. M-I Swaco denied the charge.

"It's clear to me they're fighting to the death for the trade secrets," said Jonathan R. Childers, who represents energy clients in similar trade secret cases. "It's not the employment obligations."

Both sides declared victory Monday, although the final judgment will be decided by Judge Bill R. Burke Jr., who heard the case. John Zavitsanos, who represents National Oilwell Varco and Russo, said he will ask the judge for additional fees to cover the $2 million his clients have spent and financial sanctions against M-I Swaco.

"They were chasing this guy for three years," he said. "They were doing it just to harass him."

Ed Friedman, the Houston lawyer representing M-I Swaco, praised the jury's determination that Russo violated the confidentiality agreements and said the company would seek to collect the nearly $500,000 in legal fees.

"M-I Swaco takes very seriously its confidential information," Friedman said.

Russo went to work for M-I Swaco on an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, signing a contract that prohibited him from working for any competitor within 300 miles of his employer. Russo was eventually promoted to a six-figure sales job in Denver but longed to return home to his family on the Gulf Coast. In 2014, he took a job in Houston with National Oilwell Varco.

M-I Swaco accused Russo of violating the noncompete pact. Backed by his new employer, Russo sued M-I Swaco in April 2014, claiming the agreement was unenforceable because Russo's new office in Houston was more than 300 miles from his former job in Denver. M-I Swaco countersued a month later, accusing NOV and Russo of stealing unidentified trade secrets.

Russo continued to work for NOV as the courtroom drama played out. He manages a sales force that travels to drilling sites selling mesh filters that separate debris from drilling fluid so the fluid can be reused.

Noncompete agreements are routinely used in a wide variety of industries, from cleaning companies to oil field equipment makers, but they have become increasingly controversial. Companies that use noncompete agreements say they are necessary to protect the time and money spent training employees as well as keeping sensitive information such as customer lists, technology and business strategy from competitors.

Foes of noncompete deals, however, say the agreements are designed to discourage employees from changing jobs. And without job mobility, companies don't face as much wage pressures as they do in a free marketplace for skilled workers.
Two millennials are seen together on a music festival during Chinese National Day. (Photo : Getty Images)

A startup called DouMi is banking on the job-hop trend among Chinese millennials, who are more interested in taking part-time gigs than traditional, long-term work.



Chinese millennials' truly unique generation bodes well for the startup, a temp agency and marketing services platform that offers job hunters part-time positions.



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The company has scored backing from Tencent Holdings Ltd and Baidu Inc. It doubled its monthly active users to 20 million in just six months as Chinese millennials seeking for work get accustomed to short-term jobs and employers cut labor costs, Bloomberg wrote.



The positions listed on DouMi's website are varied, including sorting boxes of milk at supermarkets or handing out pamphlets on side streets. Some can also work as live-streaming models, earning four times more than other regular jobs, Bloomberg wrote.



"Every month we have between 300,000 and 400,000 jobs," DouMi's chief executive officer Zhao Shiyong told Bloomberg. "There are a lot of younger people who say they don't want too much job security because they may not need it, because often they don't plan to stay in any one city."



The preference for these short-term jobs deviates from the conventional route that older generations in China usually take.



"Hopping from one short-term stint to another isn't the sort of aspiration an earlier generation had in China, where the middle-class dream has long been university degrees followed by a stable job--preferably one backed by the government," Bloomberg wrote.



This is backed by nearly half of the 13,000 college students polled in 2016 who said that they did not want to take a traditional job. In DouMi, students account for about half of the overall number of job seekers. About 90 percent are 35 years old or younger.



"Those born after 1990 are no longer as hardworking and uncomplaining as their parents," Bai Peiwei, an economics professor at Xiamen University, told Bloomberg. "They value freedom and leisure, and hate being restricted by superiors in traditional jobs."



One of Chinese millennials' characteristics that can be attributed to this trend is their growing desire to travel. In Banff, Alberta, restaurants and other establishments have been preparing for an influx of Chinese millennial tourists by conducting trainings and workshops among their staff.



"We know millennials will outpace any other group," Daniel Crain, an American hospitality trainer, was quoted as saying by CBC News. "The group travel will never go away, but the millennials are really taking over."


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TULSA, Okla. - Not far from a gleaming $183 million arena and other signs of a midsize city striving to become something more, smooth pavement gives way to potholes, rusted fences and shuttered storefronts. They're the remnants of what was once known as Tulsa's "Black Wall Street," before one of the worst race riots in U.S. history.

Businesses that are still open in this north-side section that some locals are adamant about reviving - the off-brand gas-and-go stores, the thrift shops and salvage yards - are often separated from the next open place by gnarled weeds, rusted fence and vacant lots.

Oil boom town

Much of this - 35 square blocks of it - made up Black Wall Street, also known as Greenwood and home to a middle and upper class of 9,000 African-Americans. Here, shop owners, doctors and entrepreneurs - some of them freed slaves looking for a new start in the recently incorporated oil boom town - thrived.

In 1921, over the course of 16 hours, a race riot decimated the economic and cultural mecca. The tally of casualties seemed more in line with the aftermath of a military battle - 300 dead, 800 wounded, more than 8,000 left homeless.

Blacks rebuilt the area in the decades that followed, only to see their work wiped out during the so-called urban progress of the 1960s.

Attempting to make good on failed hopes of an eventual renaissance, black leaders want to bring 100 businesses here by 2021, marking the race riot's 100th anniversary.

"How can we pay homage by building this community back up to what Black Wall Street was and embracing diversity?" said Reggie Ivey, who grew up in the area and is chief operating officer at the Tulsa Health Department.

Those leading the NorthTulsa100 initiative acknowledge it's an ambitious endeavor. The project is sure to be met with difficulties, as cities around the country confront similar challenges with getting businesses to move back into African-American communities, particularly poorer ones.

Leaders here are seeking manufacturers, grocery store owners and housing developers. U.S. Sen. James Lankford, among the project's higher-profile supporters, says the initiative is "not looking just for black businesses" but commercial development in general "to re-engage a community that is still scarred years later."

"North Tulsa has a stigma of being one of the worst places in town," said Donna Jackson, the project's executive director. "We don't have a grocery store, we don't have shopping."

Jackson's pitch to prospective investors is to talk up the dozens of vacant parcels they could snap up for a fraction of what they'd pay downtown, just a couple miles away.

'Just one company'

"I don't think people know this is just sitting here," Jackson said, surveying a quarter-mile long parcel of land on a recent afternoon. "All it takes is one company - just one company."

In the early 1900s, with Tulsa and the rest of Oklahoma racially segregated, Black Wall Street was an island in a city, where residents operated their own post office, police force, school system and two newspapers. Some had modern amenities, like indoor plumbing, long before their white counterparts.

In 1921, rumors of an encounter between a black man and a white woman in a downtown elevator spread, sparking anger among white residents and Ku Klux Klan members. Accounts of what happened on the elevator varied, but angry residents weren't willing to wait to sort it out.

A white mob descended on the area, looting businesses and leaving homes and churches smoldering. Leftover World War I planes that dropped bombs on the Germans just three years earlier were now employed to destroy the property of fellow Americans.

Blacks rebuilt the area in the decades that followed, only to see their work wiped out yet again, this time under the guise of urban renewal and a new highway that cut through the heart of the district.

But counting existing businesses that have recently opened or are under construction and commitments secured to relocate here, Jackson estimates she's 20 percent of the way to the goal, which must be met in four years.
Canada's Enbridge can now lay claim to the title of North America's largest pipeline and energy infrastructure company after finalizing its $28 billion acquisition of Houston-based Spectra Energy on Monday.

The Calgary-based company wasted little time in putting up the new "Enbridge" signs at Spectra's old headquarters on Westheimer Court near the Galleria. While some consolidations and job reductions are inevitable, it's unclear how many of the nearly 1,750 combined Houston-area employees will be affected, said Rob Desai, an energy analyst at Edward Jones in St. Louis.

"It's the unfortunate part of any merger like this," Desai said of Houston job cuts. "But Spectra is a well-run company, so I don't think they'll want to mess with that formula too much."

Enbridge declined to comment on its plans but said it would provide more details next week.

Enbridge sought the deal to diversify its business and expand its presence in the United States. Before the merger, Enbridge focused much of its business on crude oil and Canada. Spectra - despite its own Canadian assets - is a U.S. company focused almost entirely on its 90,000-mile network of gas and natural gas liquids pipelines. The deal faced few regulatory hurdles in large part because the companies operated in different markets.

Enbridge's Al Monaco will remain CEO of the merged company, while Spectra CEO Greg Ebel takes over as chairman. Under the all-stock merger agreement, Enbridge shareholders control 57 percent of the combined company.

Enbridge has nearly 11,000 workers, including almost 750 in Houston, while Spectra employed 6,000, with about 1,000 of them in Houston,

The deal pushes Enbridge past Houston-based pipeline giants like Kinder Morgan, Enterprise Products Partners and Plains All American Pipeline in enterprise value, a broad measure of the company's worth that includes its stock market value, debt, minority interests and other components. Enbridge's enterprise value of almost $130 billion exceeds Kinder Morgan and Enterprise, both of which fall short of $100 billion.

In terms of enterprise value, the merger also puts Enbridge ahead of Calgary rival TransCanada, which last year acquired Houston-based Columbia Pipeline Group for more than $10 billion to increase its U.S. shale market.

Spectra was created 10 years ago as a standalone company after being spun off from Charlotte-based Duke Energy, which operates utilities and merchant power companies. The Spectra name will continue, at least for the time being, with one operating unit. The master limited partnership business, Spectra Energy Partners, will remain publicly traded under Enbridge's control while a strategic review of its future is conducted.

Enbridge was founded as Interprovincial Pipe Line Ltd. and rebranded as Enbridge in 1998 as it expanded into the U.S.

Starting in 2001, Enbridge began a rapid Texas expansion by acquiring Houston-based Midcoast Energy Resources, giving the company a larger presence in the natural gas transmission business and significantly widening its geographical reach in North America. A few years later, Enbridge expanded in the Gulf of Mexico after purchasing Shell Gas Transmission.

Enbridge even has three Texas wind farms now.

Enbridge already funnels crude from the Canadian oil sands to the Houston area, thanks to its Seaway pipeline system that's owned with Enterprise. The Seaway network runs from Oklahoma to Freeport, connecting to pipeline systems that run to Alberta.

The next step is running crude from North Dakota's Bakken Shale to Texas.

Enbridge in February closed on its $1.5 billion purchase of a 27.6 percent stake in the disputed Dakota Access Pipeline, which restarted construction after receiving regulatory approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The pipeline would send Bakken crude to existing networks that funnel oil to the Texas Gulf Coast.
Ryan Eggold is ready for more action in NBC's "The Blacklist: Redemption."

Eggold's character, Tom Keen, grew into a key part of mothership "The Blacklist." Now Tom and Famke Janssen's Susan "Scottie" Hargrave are front and center in "Redemption," two people with dark pasts who are intent on righting wrongs, not committing them.

Or so we are told in "Redemption," which started an eight-episode, weekly run last Thursday. But as "The Blacklist" viewers know, and Eggold helpfully points out, appearances can be deceiving in the complicated world of Keen, his wife and FBI profiler Liz (Megan Boone), and puppet master Raymond "Red" Reddington (James Spader).

A primer for the spinoff: Tom believes that Scottie, head of a covert mercenary group, is the mother he never knew. Scottie thinks her son died as a child. But there's more than that to untangle, Eggold said, with "varying conspiracy theories" pitted against each other.

Edi Gathegi reprises his "Blacklist" role as slickly dangerous Matias Solomon. Also on hand is Terry O'Quinn, the "Lost" star who knows something about complicated plot lines. While Eggold says he's been cautioned not to discuss O'Quinn's character, he suggests it's central to "this pursuit of the greater truth of what's really happening."

More Information 'Blacklist: Redemption' When: 9 p.m. Thursday Network: NBC See More Collapse

What Eggold can offer is that the series plays, nonpolitically, off of headlines about refugees, Edward Snowden-type figures, cyberwarfare and Russia. And it has a touch of "Ocean's Eleven" camaraderie and humor, he promises.

He had more to say in a phone interview with the Associated Press from New York, where the series films.

Q: Taking Tom to a lead character in "Redemption" must be a welcome change.

A: Acting-wise, I feel like I'm almost drawn to supporting characters in a way. If it's going to be the lead, I'm glad it's this character because he's so multifaceted and almost contradictory.  He's a spy, and he's an assassin and he's a con man. And now he's a husband, and a father, and an orphan, and trying to be a good father. And he's learning how to be a good person after years of killing people in the middle of the jungle somewhere for some sum of money.

Q: Why do supporting roles appeal to you?

A: The hero is burdened with the responsibility of doing the right thing. The fun of this character is he was sort of an ancillary character who grew into himself, and we're now doing this show around him. It's a character I was excited to explore more and peel back the layers.

Q: Tom has embraced becoming a husband to Liz and dad to their baby, Agnes. How do you remain in their lives and on "Blacklist" as well as star in "Redemption"?

A: In these first eight episodes, the goal is to launch a new story and a new world and a new cast of characters. That's the focus. And then Tom's relationship with Liz and Agnes becomes something we'll deal with if we're going to continue with more episodes.  In the launching of the show, Liz gives him her blessing to pursue this mission and get at the truth of who he is, where he comes from, why he was orphaned, what really happened to him and led him to be where he is today.

Q: Janssen's Scottie looks very young to be Tom's mother, and there are hints she regards him in definitely nonmaternal ways. How is that to play?

A: As an actor, it's very fun because it's so ambiguous and strange and awkward and uncomfortable - but also perhaps alluring. Then, of course, there's the uncertainty that she is his mother. He's been told that, and that's the truth he's going on. But you know that's what "The Blacklist" does: The ground is always shifting beneath your feet and we're always putting more pieces of the puzzle into place that shift the picture.
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If you want to get in an argument with a Texan, ask him if barbecue should be served with sauce. Depending on where he's from and his personal preference, he'll either scold you for even suggesting such a travesty or make a more nuanced argument about how sauce can complement and improve the flavor of smoked meat.

If you want to get in an argument with an Italian, ask if Italy's beloved national pasta dish - spaghetti alla carbonara - should be made with spicier Pecorino Romano cheese or milder Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Again, it depends on what region of Italy they are from and personal taste.

Carbonara, as it is often called, is a deceptively simple dish: pasta, cheese, meat, eggs and black pepper. How these ingredients are assembled and combined, along with the specific nature of the ingredients, has become something of a rallying point for nationalistic Italian gourmands. Two recipes, along with their histories, have come to be an edible Rorschach test in the debate between the sovereignty of Italy's formidable culinary traditions and outside influences, especially from America, that are changing those traditions.

Let's call the first one the "American G.I." recipe. This refers to the theory that carbonara was invented in the mid-1940s when American soldiers in Rome during World War II offered their rations of bacon and eggs to local cooks who combined them with Italian cheese (in this case, probably the more ubiquitous Parmigiano Reggiano) and dry pasta to create a tasty, filling and relatively inexpensive dish. This theory is based on the fact that there are no references to carbonara in Italian literature before the early 1950s.

More Information Taste of Italy Houston 2017 Chronicle columnist J.C. Reid and food/wine historian Jeremy Parzen will moderate a seminar featuring Houston chefs Paul Petronella (Paulie's) and William Wright (Arthur Ave./Helen Greek Food & Wine) during the Taste of Italy trade show Monday at the Omni Houston Hotel, 4 Riverway. Visit iacctexas.com/taste-of-italy-festival-fair-houston-march for more information. See More Collapse

Indeed, the first known description of the dish is found in an American guidebook from 1957, "Eating in Italy." Author Richard Hammond describes the basic recipe and includes bacon as well as prosciutto for the meat component, though no type of cheese is specified. Clearly, the recipe for carbonara was still fluid and changing back then.

As for the name "spaghetti alla carbonara," there is a theory that it derives from an extant restaurant in central Rome, La Carbonara. Though the restaurant does not claim to have invented the dish, anecdotal evidence suggests that something similar to carbonara was made there in the mid-1950s, and the name stuck.

In Italian, "carbonari" describes workers who burn wood to make charcoal - this is the root of the second history and recipe that offers a more "Italo-centric" view of the dish. Italians, like most cultures, mythologize the workers and manual laborers who are credited with forging the modern traditions and values of their country. In Italy the carbonari (charcoal burners), covered in soot and ash, are one of those mythologized laborers.

The belief is that these workers would cook a combination of pasta, cheese and cured meat (there is a long history of this type of dish in Italy), and flecks of ash would fall into the mix - resembling the specks of black pepper that are now an attribute of contemporary carbonara.

The recipe, too, takes on a more Italian/Roman flavor in this case. The cheese is often specified as Pecorino Romano, a spicy, pungent sheep's milk cheese specific to the area around Rome. The meat is specified as guanciale, the cured pork jowl that is famous in cities near Rome, such as Amatrice and Norcia.

In my own research into the origins of carbonara, trips to Rome have found both recipes being served among the city's myriad restaurants. Very generally, I've found that the Parmiggiano Reggiano/bacon "American G.I." recipe is served in older, tourist-style restaurants, whereas the "Italo-centric" recipe is served in more contemporary, upscale restaurants.

My opinion is that the origins of carbonara tilt toward the American G.I. theory but that in the intervening years Italian chefs and food historians have wrested back sovereignty of this canonical Italian dish by espousing the Italo-centric angle.

Whatever the origin, spaghetti alla carbonara is a delicious dish that, for better or worse, continues to inspire new recipes and variations, often depending on the personal tastes of the chef. From a simple foundation of pasta, cheese, cured meat, eggs and black pepper, a world of different flavors and recipes continues to be created.

For recipes from two Houston chefs, scroll down below the video.

Spaghetti Carbonara

From Paul Petronella, Paulie's restaurant, 1834 Westheimer

Makes 1 large serving (two can share)

"Pasta Carbonara has been the ultimate comfort food for me since as I was very young," Petronella says. "At Paulie's, we use house-made semolina spaghetti, which adds a bit more heartiness. You can find this dish as our Saturday evening special."

 pound fresh semolina spaghetti

1 large egg yolk (or 2 small yolks)

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons diced pancetta

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan or Pecorino

Fresh ground black pepper

Instructions: Bring a slightly salted pot of water to boil and drop in pasta. Fresh pasta cooks much faster than dry; spaghetti should be ready in about 4-5 minutes. Dry pasta will be closer to 15-20 minutes.

In large saute pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Saute pancetta and cracked pepper for 1-2 minutes or until pancetta starts to brown and crisp.

Add a couple of tablespoons of pasta water to help marry ingredients. Remove pan from heat, add cooked spaghetti and toss quickly.

Transfer contents to a large mixing bowl and add egg yolk. Mix well until egg yolk is incorporated evenly throughout. Add cheese and toss once more.

Plate spaghetti, add more cheese or black pepper if desired.

Spaghetti Carbonara

From William Wright, executive chef at Arthur Ave.

Makes 2 servings (recipe can be scaled up)

Carbonara

5 ounces spaghetti

3 ounces guanciale, finely diced

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

18 cup micro-grated Pecorino Romano

 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

2 eggs, whipped (whisked together in a bowl)

 cup Pecorino stock (recipe follows)

Garnish

60-degree poached egg (see note)

Pecorino Romano, micro grated

Coarse ground black pepper

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (if desired)

Instructions: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Taste; water should be nearly as salty as sea water.

Drop in pasta and cook, stirring occasionally. If using dried pasta, cook two to three minutes less than manufacturer instructions.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in medium saute pan. Add guanciale and pinch of black pepper. Cook over medium heat until browned and crispy. Remove guanciale; set aside.

Toss in cooked pasta with rendered guanciale fat and  teaspoon black pepper. Add Pecorino stock. Cook just a minute and quickly add whipped eggs. Stir pasta continually while shaking and tossing over low heat. Once egg mixture begins to thicken, add grated Pecorino and remove from heat. Keep tossing pasta so that it is well coated. Toss in  of crisped guanciale. Drop 60-degree poached egg into hot water for a minute.

Plate pasta and garnish with the egg, the rest of guanciale, more grated pecorino and pepper.

To make Pecorino stock: Combine 2 or 3-inch pieces of Pecorino rinds (or extra bits of cheese if you don't have rinds), 1 bay leaf and 4 cups light vegetable stock in pot and bring to a simmer. Cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let infuse for 45 minutes. Strain through fine chinois.

Note: 60-degree eggs can be made using an immersion circulator; if you don't have one, any type of poached or coddled egg will do.
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Margaret Paff passes by her favorite piece of art, a print of Modigliani's "Woman With Red Hair," and mentions that it looks so nice against her new grass-cloth wallpaper.

Wallpaper isn't the only thing that's new in her chic apartment. When the now 92-year-old was 90, she decided that it was time to move into a retirement community, and she picked Brazos Tower in Meyerland.

Rather than seeing it as her last chapter, she considers it her next chapter and a fresh start. She hired interior designer Ann Schamberger of Ann P. Brennan Interior Design, who was helping other new tenants downsize and adjust at the same time.

Paff had a mix of traditional and French country furniture, but she wanted a whole new look.

Her old stuff was carted off to the Salvation Army, and the two women shopped for a new, midcentury-modern look.

They found images online and visited stores to see things firsthand. They picked an electric recliner from Noel Furniture, plus pieces from West Elm, Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams, and Crate & Barrel. Even her artificial plants are new, from For All Occasions.

Schamberger was concerned about safety hazards, but she also sought to improve functionality and style.

More Information Scale back without giving up comfort Here are tips from interior designer Ann Schamberger of Ann P. Brennan Interior Design for anyone planning to downsize. 1. Mobility: An open, spacious floor plan helps the elderly move around without impediment. For example, someone with a walker might have a hard time navigating rooms full of bulky furniture. 2. Repurposing: Consider using old furniture for different purposes. A low bedroom dresser can become a foyer table. It also allows for extra storage. 3. Furniture: Be careful which chairs you take with you. Recliners should be electric to help you get up and down. Swivel chairs aren't a good choice for those with balance issues. Barstools are tricky because if they're tall and have no back, seniors with balance issues might fall getting up or down. And they must be comfortable, because many use them several hours a day. 4. Armchairs: Seating with arms is a must. Elderly use the arms to boost themselves up and provide them with stability. 5. Table: If you live in a place with a dining hall, you'll quickly fall out of the habit of making your own meals. Instead, you'll likely use your table to play bridge and other games. 6. Lighting: Use different light bulbs for ceiling fixtures vs. table lamps. Task lighting, what you'd use for reading, calls for a coloring rendering index of 95; a color temperature of 3,000-3,500, a narrow floodlight beam spread and 650 lumens. 7. Organize: Arrange your furniture differently. Don't just push your sofa and chairs up against a wall. Downsize your clutter, too. 8. Use professionals: If your artwork is important to you, use a professional art installer. 9. Update furnishings: Your furniture can easily be decades old. Updating with even a few new pieces can have a big impact. 10. Bedding: Less is more. Some people don't have the strength or energy to make up a bed daily with heavy bedding and lots of pillows. Lighting tips Master electrician Larry Boykin of Image Electric offers these lighting tips for aging in place. Look for bulbs that have: CRI: This is the color rendering index. Aim for 90 or better; 95 is ideal. Color temperature: On the Kelvin scale, this number tells you what the color will be - the ideal here is 3,000-3,500 CRI. 2,700 provides a warm, cozy light; 4,000 will feel cold and clinical. Beam spread: This determines whether the light's beam is narrow or wide. NFL (narrow floodlight) works for task lighting (reading, knitting etc.) and WFL (wide floodlight) works for ceiling/area light. Lumens: Aim for 650 lumens; it's ideal for ceiling/area light. When in doubt: Call an electrician or lighting specialist. See More Collapse

For example, Paff wanted to keep a traditional three-light floor lamp, the kind with a tall pole and pleated shade at the top. Schamberger insisted that it wouldn't blend with the new interior and might not really serve its purpose.

Schamberger brought over an iconic midcentury floor lamp with three adjustable cone-shaped shades, and when she turned it on, Paff stopped resisting.

"I tried it and, I'll be darned, I can see," Paff exclaimed, unaware of how her vision needs had changed.

Mary Grace Greenwood, 77, and Thelma Zirckelbach, 81, both moved into the same building about a year ago and hired Schamberger to help with downsizing and design that would fit their new space and changing lifestyles.

They're not alone. America's baby boomers are getting older, but they're healthier than earlier generations - and they're living longer, too.

By 2020, more than 57 million Americans will be ages 65 to 79, and another 8 million will be 80-84 years old, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Every age group, including centenarians, will be larger.

As senior citizens look ahead to their future living arrangements, many opt for retirement communities for the companionship, activities and care they can provide. Often, those retirement communities, whether high-rises or subdivisions of patio homes, include assisted-living and nursing-home options as their residents' age and their health needs change.

For Paff, Greenwood and Zirckelbach, that meant calling in professional design help. Schamberger helps clients decide what to keep and what to get rid of, she arranges furniture in different ways and sometimes encourages clients to try something new and different.

She evaluates their floor plans and looks at what furniture they want to keep, sometimes helping them see pieces used in different ways - a buffet from the dining room might work as a foyer table, for example.

The biggest problem is when their furniture is simply too big for their new apartments.

It's not just for looks; there are safety reasons, too.

Seniors can bump into or trip over oversize ottomans with sharp edges. Rugs are another hazard; they can cause people to trip and fall. Chairs need arms that can be used for support when getting up. Electric recliners need a backup power source in case the apartment loses power during a storm.

And nearly every client once had a big kitchen full of pots and pans and gadgets. When they get to their new residence, they realize they can eat affordably in the dining hall - many now rarely cook.

And, of course, there's the lighting issue.

Master electrician Larry Boykin of Image Electric, said that seniors - and everyone else, for that matter - should pay close attention to their lighting.

First, area and task lighting require different bulbs. Area lighting - the kind in your ceiling or chandelier that helps light up the whole room - requires a wide floodlight beam spread and bulbs with 650 lumens. Task lighting, which you'd use for reading, knitting or other close-up tasks, needs a narrow floodlight, a color temperature of 3,000 to 3,500 and a color rendering index of 95.

Greenwood's challenge was deciding what to bring and how to arrange things. Schamberger taught her to see her furniture differently. Greenwood previously lived in a townhome, and when she fell and broke her ankle, she learned two things: She could live with a lot less space, and she needed to live where people could look after her.

She already had downsized from a home to a townhome, and she thought one more downsizing wouldn't be that hard. She evaluated her things and decided that if she had 10 of something, she could really get by with just three. She kept the more valuable things and got rid of others.

Schamberger helped her pick out new living room furniture: a blue sofa, blue and white swivel chairs and round ottomans that have a strip of animal-print detail.

While Greewood is healthy and mobile, the swivel chairs are what she prefers. However, anyone with balance issues might fall getting out of a swivel chair.

Zirckelbach got some new things, too, since her Meyerland home had a lot of built-in cabinets. She had a bookcase custom made to fit her space, especially in a second bedroom she uses as an office. She also bought new bedroom furniture, a sofa and barstools.

Zirckelbach is a speech pathologist and still sees clients, so she needed a seating area where she could work with them.

With many of her clients, Schamberger accepts the sentimentality factor: There are items people simply won't let go of.

For Paff, event with a whole new midcentury-modern interior, she couldn't let go of an embroidered sampler that had hung prominently in her previous home. Schamberger convinced her to hang it in her bathroom.

"She wanted it noted that there was the old with the new," Schamberger said.
"We have received a bomb threat. We are evacuating and locked down. Please do not come to pick up your child."

I received this text message from the Houston Jewish Community Center (JCC) where my four-year-old attends school. It 10:57 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 20, and I was sitting in a classroom room full of professionals. I was the leader of a diversity training program we are rolling out at work to help create tolerance.

I rushed out of the room to call my husband to make sure he was close to the school.

"I'm taking care of it," he responded.

I looked up at the room full of suited professionals, and I could hear how absurd it would sound if I said, "My daughter's school has a bomb threat, but we can't go get her."

If I said the words aloud, I knew I would break down in tears.

ACROSS THE U.S.: Jewish centers cope with bomb threats

Instead, I methodically finished the training, discussing various bias situations and giving others ideas on how step up and speak up when people aren't being treated fairly.

Hours later, we finally got a text saying, "We are back in the building and safe."

I rushed to the school, expecting the teachers to tell me horror stories. "How did you make it through the day?" I asked. I imagined what I'd do: Weeping, I'd frantically try to drag innocent, unknowing children out of the school.

"It was actually easier for us than for you," the teachers said as they laughed together. "We were singing and dancing. The kids didn't know anything. We told them we were going on a field trip."

Their calmness was eerie.

They went on, "As soon as everything was cleared and we got back to the classroom, your daughter said, 'That wasn't fun.' Then she paused and broke into a dance, and bellowed, 'That was awesome!'"

I stood there in silence, completely unprepared for their chipper reaction. Ms. Lisa touched my shoulder to comfort me: "I'm sure it was harder for you than for us. We had the best time with the kids. There is a Yiddish saying, 'Children are precious,' and indeed they are."

I felt absurd doing what I imagined I'd do  instinctively grabbing my daughter and weeping uncontrollably.

Like every other day, my daughter skipped out of the JCC. She alternated between the song "This is the best day of my life," and the Lego song, "Everything is awesome!"

I hadn't allowed myself to process any emotion all day. As soon as we got into the car, I rested my head on the steering wheel and quietly sobbed tears of relief, hoping she wouldn't hear me.

She had her after-school gymnastics class at the JCC, and I couldn't decided whether to skip it. What if they missed something during the security check? I decided I would watch her whole class. If something happened to her, it would happen to me too. My son would still have his father.

IN HOUSTON: Interfaith leaders gather to address JCC bomb threat

I'm not Jewish, and I've had the privilege of never being a part of a targeted religious or racial group. When I took the tour of the JCC, I remember fearfully asking, "Do children get treated differently if they aren't Jewish?" The administrator laughed and informed me that would be far from the case, considering maybe half the school wasn't Jewish. "We emphasize universal Jewish values of compassion, community service, and tolerance."

Unlike so many others around the world, it is rare for me, as an American, to feel so unsafe. Safety is an American privilege that I've taken for granted since the day I was born. But on this Monday, I felt completely helpless.

In our diversity trainings, one of the exercises I teach is a trust walk. Everyone stands on one side of the room, and you walk across if a topic is called to which you can relate  mental illness in your family, being an only child, having a family member in prison, dealing with an alcoholic parent, etc. Without fail, at the end of the exercise, people are stunned by how much they have in common with someone who looks so completely different from them. It is a powerful opportunity to see a new perspective.

When I brought my daughter home from the bombing scare, I was still in shock. My husband and I didn't even speak about the incident.

But while we set the dinner table together, my daughter smiled at all the different colored napkins she laid out. "In darkness, there is light," she whispered to herself.

"Where did you hear that?" I asked, perplexed.

"At school, mommy."

Nina Godiwalla is the bestselling author of Suits: A Woman on Wall Street and a nationally recognized thought leader in diversity.

Bookmark Gray Matters. We are back in the building and safe.
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Every weekday morning, Quentin Wiltz drives about 30 miles from his home in Pearland to his job in the Energy Corridor on Houston's far west side. His wife Monique's commute is even longer - almost 50 miles to a Lone Star College campus in northwest Harris County. The couple spends about $250 a month on tolls, the fees silently extracted from their accounts as they streak past electronic monitors.

Thousands of other residents of this booming city on Houston's southern fringe experience variations of this grueling daily journey. Unlike his neighbors, however, Wiltz, 36, hopes soon to be in a position to do something about Pearland's mobility challenges and other local issues. He is one of two young candidates challenging 91-year-old Mayor Tom Reid, who has led the city for 34 years, in the May 6 election.

Pearland's population has tripled, to about 120,000, since 2000, according to the city planning department. This dramatic growth has created many challenges, but none is more vexing than mobility. Pearland has a relatively small employment base, and most of its residents, like Quentin and Monique Wiltz, commute to jobs elsewhere in the vast Houston region.

"There's three things I get asked about constantly," state Rep. Ed Thompson, R-Pearland, told the Texas Transportation Commission last week. "Number one is transportation, number two is transportation, and number three is transportation."

For Pearland residents, transportation means driving, usually alone. The city is not in Metro's service area, and years of efforts to develop park-and-ride service along Texas 288 ended in 2015 when Pearland officials declined to purchase a 16-acre tract from the Metropolitan Transit Authority.

Metro board member Diann Lewter called this outcome "an opportunity missed," which seems like an understatement.

The Texas Medical Center alone employs an estimated 6,000 Pearland residents. Consider the massive inefficiency of all these people getting into their cars - perhaps waving to one another from adjoining driveways - and driving to the same destination day after day.

Reid, Wiltz and the third candidate, Jimi Amos, will no doubt be talking a great deal about this topic between now and May 6. It's unclear, though, how many people will be paying attention.

In the last mayor's race, in 2014, only about 3,300 people - less than 5 percent of Pearland's roughly 70,000 registered voters - cast a ballot. (Reid easily dispatched former City Councilman Woody Owens, 2,278 votes to 1,000.)

Older section votes

The heaviest turnout in Pearland's city elections generally comes from its older section, along Texas 35, rather than from the newer subdivisions and master-planned communities closer to 288. This limited engagement may account for the lack of diversity among the city's elected officials.

When Derrick Reed defeated Wiltz in a 2015 runoff, he became the first African-American elected to Pearland's City Council. A current group photo of the city's elected leaders shows Reed standing among six white men, including Mayor Reid. This year's mayoral challengers, Wiltz and Amos, are African-American.

All six council members are elected citywide, a system that tends to limit opportunities for people of color to get elected. Pearland's population is about 47 percent Anglo, 25 percent Latino, 17 percent African-American and 9 percent Asian.

Wiltz, who held a fundraiser over the weekend, appears to be the only mayoral candidate who plans to spend significant money. Unlike Reid or Amos, he has a campaign website and has hired a professional consultant.

Amos said he intends to rely heavily on social media to spread his message. Reid enjoys the advantages of decades of incumbency, name recognition and the chance to represent the city at countless civic club meetings and ribbon-cuttings for new businesses; he doesn't really need to campaign.

Better answers

I asked all three candidates for their ideas about mobility.

Reid focused on increased road capacity - new toll lanes on 288, additional lanes on the Sam Houston Tollway - and the possibility of light rail sometime in the distant future. Wiltz spoke of the need to create more jobs in Pearland so that fewer people would have long commutes, and he emphasized the importance of Pearland having a strong voice on a regional transportation planning board. Amos mentioned the need to "improve flow," and said mobility would be a key theme of his campaign.

If I were a Pearland commuter, I'd be pressing these guys for better answers.
Two days after an 8-year-old girl was fatally shot in the back seat of her mother's car, Houston's police chief suggested on Monday that the killer may be a gang member and Texas' governor boosted the reward for information that leads to an arrest.

"A little girl who was just starting her life (was) shot by a coward," Chief Art Acevedo said at a press conference. "Because that's what these gangbangers are, they are cowards that have no respect for the sanctity of life."

"If I were to venture a guess, I think it's going to end up being gang-related," he added in response to a follow-up question. "Now, I don't know that definitively. But let's face it, most people don't go out in the middle of the night shooting at people."

Also on Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that his office's Criminal Justice Division will give up to $10,000 to a tipster who gives information that helps police identify and arrest those who killed the girl, De'Maree Adkins. The original Crime Stoppers' reward was up to $5,000.

The child's mother, Latoyia Thomas, was involved in a crash about 2 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Beltway 8 and West Fuqua, according to Houston police. Someone pulled out a gun and started shooting Thomas' car, striking the girl who had been sleeping in the backseat before the crash.

Thomas believes it was a woman who opened fire.

"I don't know who it was, and I don't know why she was shooting," she told the Chronicle on Saturday.

After shots were fired, the mother didn't realize her daughter was injured until she tried to take her out of the car. That's when she noticed blood on De'Maree's jacket.

"I told her to stay with me, stay with me," Thomas said, breaking down into tears. "Her body just went limp."

Paramedics transported De'Maree to the hospital, where she later died. Thomas was not injured.

"Cecilia and I send our deepest sympathies to De'Maree's family during this unimaginably difficult time," Abbott said in a news release. "There is no place for heinous acts like this in Texas. We urge anyone who has any information to contact Houston Crime Stoppers immediately to bring those involved to justice."

To be eligible for the rewards, tipsters must send information to Crime Stoppers by calling the hotline at 713-222-8477, texting TIP610 plus the information to 274637, or submitting online at crime-stoppers.org. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
The private space company whose founder dreams of leading the way to colonizing Mars will start by sending two paying passengers on atrip around the moon, perhaps as early as late next year.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk said Monday that it will give two private citizens, who have already put down a substantial deposit, an up-close lunar view shortly after it begins flying astronauts to the International Space Station. The spacecraft will circle the moon, though not land there, in a voyage of eight to nine days.

"Like the Apollo astronauts before them, these individuals will travel into space carrying the hopes and dreams of all humankind, driven by the universal human spirit of exploration," the company said in a statement. "We expect to conduct health and fitness tests, as well as begin initial training later this year. Other flight teams have also expressed strong interest, and we expect more to follow."

Travelers still secret

SpaceX did not identify the citizen astronauts or provide any information about them. "It's nobody from Hollywood," Musk quipped.

SpaceX has launched satellites into Earth orbit and sent supplies to the space station but has yet to mount a mission with humans aboard. That will change next year with test flights of NASA's Commercial Crew program, which is paying SpaceX and Boeing to replace the Russian Soyuz as its means of rotating American members of the station's crew.

The moon trip will use the same Dragon capsule developed for Commercial Crew. The company did not say what modifications, if any, would have to be made to it for the longer trip. SpaceX said it will use its new heavy-lift version of the Falcon rocket to power the capsule aloft. The Falcon Heavy has not yet flown.

"Liftoff will be from Kennedy Space Center's historic Pad 39A near Cape Canaveral - the same launch pad used by the Apollo program for its lunar missions," the company said. "This presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep space for the first time in 45 years and they will travel faster and further into the solar system than any before them."

'There is some risk'

Commercial Crew was supposed to begin by 2015 but was delayed by technical problems and funding shortfalls. The first test flight is slated for early 2018. Astronauts have already been chosen for the Dragon crew and for Boeing's Starliner. They will train at company facilities near Johnson Space Center.

Musk said his company's moon mission is designed to be autonomous, meaning the paying guests will not pilot the craft - unless something goes wrong.

"I think they are entering this with their eyes open, knowing that there is some risk here," Musk told reporters in a telephone news conference, a day after announcing via Twitter that SpaceX was about to make a big announcement. "They're certainly not naive, and we'll do everything we can to minimize that risk, but it's not zero. But they're coming into this with their eyes open."

NASA has its own plans for a lunar return. It is developing a third capsule, named Orion, to be launched atop a new heavy lift rocket - called the Space Launch System - in a first unmanned test flight in 2018.

The acting NASA administrator asked human spaceflight managers at the agency to consider putting a crew on that first flight, which, if pursued, could push the launch date to 2019 or 2020.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Rodolfo Gonzalez/Associated Press

Firefighters in Texas are encountering a problem that no previous generation of first responders have had to face.

Over the weekend, Texas A&M Forest Service officials asked residents to not fly drones near wildfires they are trying to battle near college station.
Ducklings waiting to be culled in China. (Photo : Getty Images)

Chinese people are being branded as 'barbaric' by animal activists after photos taken by journalist Li Gen showed tens of thousands of male ducklings being scalded to death in Tongqiao village in Xidu, in southern China's Hunan Province.



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Other comments say that the only males who could live safely in China are the men.



The process starts with farm workers sorting the female ducklings and the male ones into separate groups. The female ducklings will be sold, but the male ones have to be discarded.



The male ducklings are then put into a net and submerged in 80 degree Celsius water before being thrown into a spinning machine to have their feather removed.



Usually, no more than four days old, the male ducklings are being culled because they can't lay eggs and are deemed useless to the commercial egg industry and it will cost the hatchery too much money to raise them.



It is more economical to scald the ducklings to death instead of burying them alive.



The duckling meat will be either sold as snake food to breeders or to street vendors to make barbecue.



The animal activists, however, noted that such practice is not unique to China as billions of day-old male chicks are gassed or grounded alive yearly by hatcheries worldwide in what is known as "chick shredding."



The website metro.co noted that the same situation happens daily in British farms, where thousands of male baby chicks are suffocated and gassed to death.



This is done for the same reason that the Chinese cull ducklings--that they don't grow up into egg-laying chickens and also not suitable to be a meat source.



On the other hand, Peter J. Li, the China specialist from Humane Society International, pointed out that the difference is that, in China culling is being done in public places where there are young children, while in the West, culling is mechanized and done behind high walls.



While some countries like Germany are taking steps to eliminate chick shredding, this is still being widely practiced.


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At 44, Dave Adox was facing the end of his two-year battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. He needed a ventilator to breathe and couldn't move any part of his body, except his eyes. Once he started to struggle with his eyes - his only way to communicate - Adox decided it was time to die.

He wanted to donate his organs, to give other people a chance for a longer life. To do this, he'd need to be in a hospital when he went off the ventilator.

"I was always interested in organ donation and had checked the box on my license," Adox said last spring at his home in South Orange, N.J., through a machine that spoke for him. He laboriously spelled out these words, letter by letter, by focusing his eyes on a tablet.

"When I got diagnosed with ALS at 42, and the disease paralyzed my entire body in six months, I definitely developed a greater appreciation of the value of the working human body," he said.

Adox and his husband, Danni Michaeli, made a plan. They would go to University Hospital in Newark, N.J., where Adox often had been treated, and have his ventilator disconnected.

The doctors there had reassured Adox he could ask to come off the ventilator anytime.

In May his family and friends flew in from around the country and joined neighbors for a big celebration of Adox's life. They spent one last weekend with him, planting a tree and painting a big, colorful mural in his honor. Some wore T-shirts printed with Adox's motto, "Celebrate everything until further notice."

But their plan suddenly changed when University Hospital's attorneys intervened.

"At the 11th hour, they emailed us and said their lawyers had stopped the process because they were afraid it looked too much like assisted suicide," Adox explained. "I was crushed."

Liability concern

Every day, physicians withdraw life support on behalf of patients in hospitals who choose to refuse care. That's generally not considered physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia - the key being that the patient is already in the hospital.

But Adox was asking to be admitted to the hospital specifically to end his life. And despite the planning, his request made some people uncomfortable.

Dr. John Bach, a professor of physical medicine rehabilitation and neurology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, which is affiliated with University Hospital, was Adox's primary physician.

Bach understood and approved of his patient's plan to end his life and share his organs.

Other physicians at the hospital supported Adox's plan, too.

"We have an ethics committee that approved it 100 percent," Bach said. "We have a palliative care committee - they all agreed, 100 percent. But it didn't make any difference to the lawyers of our hospital."

University Hospital has declined several requests for comment, but Bach said the hospital's attorneys were concerned about liability.

"The legal issue is: What is euthanasia?" Bach explained. "Are you killing a patient by taking him off a respirator that's keeping him alive?"

'Change the culture'

Planning one's death to allow for organ donation raises some thorny questions, said Arthur Caplan, director of the division of medical ethics at New York University and author of "Replacement Parts: The Ethics of Procuring and Replacing Organs in Humans."

Typically a separate team of physicians or an organ procurement team discusses donation with family members after a patient dies, to avoid any tones - whether real or perceived - of coercion or conflict of interest, Caplan pointed out.

"You'd have to change the culture of critical care and say it's OK to talk with the person about organ donation as part of their dying," he explained.

This issue may get bigger, Caplan believes, as states move to legalize physician-assisted death. Although, so far, there has been little public discussion because "it's too controversial."

"If we went in the direction of bringing more people who are dying - whether it's ALS or whatever it is - into settings where we could have them consider organ donation because they're on the machines, we'd probably have a bigger pool of organ donors," Caplan said.

But that approach would have a downside, too, he continued. People might perceive doctors as more focused on "getting organs" than caring for dying patients.

Saying goodbye

After University Hospital declined to admit Adox, he and his husband reached out to six other hospitals through various intermediaries. They waited for days to hear back.

In the end, LiveOnNY, the organ procurement organization based in New York City, stepped in to help. The organization's medical director, Dr. Amy Friedman, went to visit Adox at his home to vet his suitability as a donor.

Finally, on the palliative care floor at Mount Sinai Hospital on May 18, Adox and Michaeli prepared to say their goodbyes.

"We sat; we listened to '80s music. I read Dave a poem," Michaeli recounted, close to tears. "And when they were really sure - and we were all really sure - that he was in a deep state of sedation, they disconnected his breathing machine."

And in the end, Adox's wishes were met. He was able to donate his liver and kidneys.
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AUSTIN - A Dallas lawmaker's bill to automatically make organ donors out of driver's license holders is meeting resistance from a surprising opponent - the nonprofit that runs Texas' organ donor registry.

Donate Life Texas has been vocal in opposing so-called "opt out" or "presumed consent" programs across the country, fearing it could slow momentum at a time 47 percent of the state's adults have signed up to be donors.

According to a 2012 national survey by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 51 percent of Americans would support presumed consent laws, but 23 percent said they would opt out of the donor registry if presumed consent were implemented.

"Such strong negative public sentiment demonstrates the real risk that backlash against an opt-out system would result in fewer donations, not more," said Suzy Miller, executive director of Donate Life Texas.

State Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, counters that people are much more comfortable donating organs than they were 50 years ago.

"The stigma to it, the religious objections to it have generally fallen away, and today most people can get comfortable with the idea of this," he said.

Villalba's bill would automatically make Texans organ donors unless they opt out. The bill he has filed would apply only to first-time driver's license applicants and renewals who are 18 and over. The bill, he said, would give driver's license holders two separate notices to alert them that they are consenting to becoming organ donors unless they opt out.

"There's no trick," he said. "It's not a mandate. It's not requiring anybody to do it."

Unique bill in U.S.

The bill, if passed, would be the first of its kind in the United States. Other states, including Colorado and New York, have made similar attempts, but presumed consent laws have yet to make it far in this country.

The idea is not unheard of around the world. Austria and France have passed laws to make organ donation the default option, which experts say raises the pool of potential donors.

According to a 2012 study from Stanford University and Cornell University, 90 percent of people donate their organs in countries with presumed consent programs. In countries like the U.S. and Germany, where people must opt-in if they want to donate, fewer than 15 percent of people donate.

Villalba hopes his bill could help people like Grace Bennett, who has been waiting nearly two years for a new pair of lungs.

The 54-year-old Arlington native was diagnosed with a chronic lung disease in 2013, six years after she noticed she was having difficulty breathing and walking. Her disease, chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, appeared when her lungs became inflamed from an allergic reaction to mold inhalation. It is reversible in the early stages, but that was not possible for Bennett.

She was placed on the national transplant list in June 2015, making her one of the hundreds of Texans waiting for a lung transplant.

"I've become so aware of how many people are fighting these diseases that cause them to be placed on the transplant list and how many people there are, how few organs are available," Bennett said.

The United Network for Organ Sharing manages a nationwide list of individuals who need organ transplants, and the average wait time for a lung transplant is four months. In Texas, 136 people are waiting for a lung transplant, according to the network's data. According to government data, about 22 people die each day waiting for a transplant. Villalba said he thinks the lack of organs for people like Bennett might be because of the country's current organ donation system.

Now, Texans can become organ donors directly through Donate Life Texas or they can check "yes" during their vehicle registration or driver's license process. More than 11,000 people are on the transplant waiting list, according to Donate Life Texas. The group is a state affiliate of Donate Life America, which has opposed similar attempts across the country.

Confusion a concern

David Fleming, the CEO of the national organization, said an opt-out system might seem like an easy fix, but, "There's a real risk that we are accidentally taking advantage of people that don't understand the question."

He also said the numbers are not there to support an opt-out system.

In addition to Donate Life Texas, the influential conservative lobbying organization Empower Texans and anti-abortion group Texas Right to Life oppose Villalba's bill.

John Seago, Texas Right to Life's legislative director, said he worries an opt-out system would be deceptive and "open up the floodgates of patient abuse."

Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, also criticized the legislation in his "Bad Bill of the Week" video series, and asked viewers to call Villalba's office to oppose the legislation.

"It forces people to become organ donors - automatically enrolling you in the system when you get your driver's license," Stickland said in the video.

Stickland said he is concerned the bill would violate Texans' privacy by sending their names and addresses to a nonprofit, where "we don't know where it's going to end up."

Villalba said it is tough to read the reaction of lawmakers in the House this early in the session, but he has received overwhelming support from constituents and medical groups such as the Texas Medical Association and the Texas Hospital Association.

"The only negative feedback we've gotten was related to Stickland's video, and most of those people have actually flipped when we've spoken to them," Villalba said.

Bennett and her family have thrown their support behind Villalba's bill. Her son, Kyle Fields, uses the Facebook page "Grace's Story" to update friends about his mother's health. He also has used the page to voice his support for the measure.

"To me, there are no politics involved," Fields said. "Democrat or Republican aside  this bill will save lives. Not just my mom's life potentially, but literally the thousands of people in the state of Texas that will die if they don't get a transplant."
WASHINGTON - The Trump administration is abandoning the government's six-year-old claim that Texas' voter ID law was intended to discriminate against Hispanics and other minorities, signaling a new course in one of the signature voting rights cases brought by former President Barack Obama.

The about-face came on the eve of Tuesday's scheduled hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos in Corpus Christi. It also came a week after the U.S. Justice Department and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton had asked for a delay in the case because the state legislature is considering changes to the law, which the federal courts already have found to have a discriminatory impact.

In court filings Monday, the Justice Department again cited new efforts in the Texas Legislature to "rectify any alleged infirmities" with the 2011 voter identification law, including a "reasonable impediment or indigency exception."

A U.S. Justice Department spokesman said the government would remain a party to a broader discrimination lawsuit brought by a number of legal and civil rights groups.

Paxton's office praised the federal government's move. The Justice Department briefs on Monday said lawyers for the state "consent to the motion." Texas officials have denied any allegations of intentional discrimination in the controversial voter ID law, considered one of the toughest in the nation.

Although the decision was not unexpected, it sent shockwaves through legal rights groups that had partnered with the government in challenging the law. Some had warned that the Justice Department under incoming U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions - whose nomination was bitterly opposed by many civil rights groups - would retreat from Obama's fight against state photo ID requirements that critics say are designed to suppress minority voting.

"We're absolutely outraged," said Danielle Lang, a lawyer with the Campaign Legal Center, a group involved in the multi-year legal battle over the Texas voter ID law, one of several passed by Republican-controlled states around the nation. "There haven't been any changes in the facts. ... Nothing has changed except for Jeff Sessions is running the Department of Justice."

Lang said that despite the government's new position, a consortium of civil and legal rights groups will continue to press the case seeking legal remedies for what they allege was intentional discrimination.

After several rounds in the lower courts, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the Texas law last July, handing a victory to critics who maintained that it could leave up to 600,000 Texas voters without proper ID in advance of the 2016 elections. The law requires voters to present one of seven state-approved photo identification documents, such as a Texas driver's license, passport or concealed handgun permit, to cast a ballot.

Then last month, days after President Donald Trump was sworn in, the U.S. Supreme Court let stand the appeals court decision, but also signaled the high court could review the case again after further lower court proceedings.

The incoming Trump administration also obtained a 30-day delay, giving rise to speculation that it may change sides in the case, as some Trump allies have urged.

"Attorney General Sessions' decision to drop the ill-conceived Obama administration intervention in the Texas case demonstrates that the rule of law is being restored in D.C.," Rick Manning, president of Americans for Limited Government, said in a statement. "The state of Texas' voter identification law merely puts commonsense requirements for voters to present identification in order to vote."

On the other side, the reversal came under withering criticism from groups ranging from the League of Women Voters to the Mexican American Legislative Caucus in Austin.

"In 2011, it was clear that the Texas Republican majority took intentional steps to disenfranchise thousands of Texas voters for political expediency," caucus chairman Rafael Anchia said in a statement. "Since Day One, we knew minority voters, the elderly, and the poor would be hardest hit by these efforts, yet these laws were still passed."

Although the law's opponents won a series of legal victories, they still sought to prove that the law's discriminatory impact was not inadvertent, a long-held contention of Democrats in states around the nation that have passed tough voter ID laws in recent years.

"Compelling evidence establishes that Texas enacted (the law) at least in part because of its detrimental effects on African-American and Hispanic voters," Obama administration lawyers wrote in November.

Even as Texas has sought to defend the law in court, Republicans in the state Senate have introduced revised voter ID measures to address problems identified in federal court rulings as barriers to minority voting. One bill by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, would allow Texans a way to vote if they cannot "reasonably" obtain one of seven forms of identification required at the polls. It also would provide stiff penalties for illegal voting.

The measure has been endorsed by Paxton, who said it would protect "the integrity of the voting process" while complying with last year's ruling by 5th Circuit.

Huffman said Monday that she still intends to move forward with the bill.

"We still have that court ruling to deal with, and so even though it appears the (Justice Deparment) will weigh in in this case in different way, we still need to change the existing law," she said. "I hope that this will show everyone the merits of the bill, and the need to pass it."

Huffman, a former Houston judge, said she thinks the about-face by the Justice Department could help the state in court. "Clearly, not having them opposing us will strengthen the State of Texas' case," she said.

In explaining the government's change of course, the new Justice Department filings indicate that the government could not act earlier in the absence of a state legislative session and while the fall elections approached.

"The circumstances have now changed dramatically," the government lawyers wrote Monday. "There are no impending federal or statewide elections; the Texas Legislature is currently convened in its biennial legislative session; and the state has asked the court to defer to its ongoing legislative efforts to enact an appropriate amendment to its voter identification law."

Reporter Mike Ward in Austin contributed to this story.
Nick Anderson

President Trump continues his unrelenting assault on the media for "fake news." He asserts that reporters are making things up, then attacks people leaking anonymously to the media. So which is it? Are reporters making things up, or are people actually leaking things to the media that Trump doesn't want reported? Click the gallery below to see many more cartoons by Nick Anderson.
Civil rights groups were bracing for this moment: On Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice officially notified them was changing its position on Texas long-running voter ID lawsuit. The federal government now will support the states 2011 voting law, the strictest in the nation, reversing the position it has held since 2013.

Specifically, the Justice Department is dropping its claim that Texas lawmakers intended to discriminate against Latino and African-American voters and others when they approved the law, which requires a voter to show one of seven state-approved IDs in order to cast a ballot.

We can't make heads or tails of any factual reason for the change. There has been no new evidence that's come to light, Danielle Lang, a Campaign Legal Center lawyer, told the Chronicle.

What changed was the White House. The new attorney general, Jeff Sessions, was expected to initiate the reversal sooner or later. The fact that the hearing in a Corpus Christi courtroom is set for Tuesday meant it all had to happen rather quickly, and that has made for a few interesting developments.

The Obama Civil Rights Division drew the ire of Republicans for suing GOP-controlled states or joining standing lawsuits against them. Now, the man running the office, acting chief Tom Wheeler, is tasked with rolling out a wholesale reversal of Obama-era legal arguments.

Wheeler is well known in Republican legal circles, so much so that he advised Texas Republican lawmakers when they drafted the voter ID law. He has recused himself from the case for that reason, giving his deputy the responsibility to represent the Justice Department at Tuesdays hearing.

The Sessions Justice Department had to move this issue to the top of the pile earlier than they wanted. U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos already denied a motion to delay the hearing until after the current legislative session, while lawmakers consider changes to the law that may make it more amenable to the courts. Whats more, those who support the voter ID law, which now include the White House, do not have a string of wins to rely on  a federal appeals court last year ruled that the law had a discriminatory effect on minority and poor voters, after all.

Tuesdays hearing may well set the bar for how this newly-minted Justice Department will fashion a strategy to reverse course on a host of issues in the coming years. Texas will be its test case.
The Texas County Memorial Hospital board of trustees meeting for February has been cancelled for lack of a quorum.

The next meeting will be at noon Tuesday, March 28, in the hospital board room.
China Considering to Build an Industrial Park in Philippines to Boost Local Employment, Improve Bilateral Ties

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (L) talks with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua. (Photo : Getty Images)

According to Zhao Jianhua, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, China is considering to build an industrial park in the Philippines in order to boost the local employment and manufacturing sector of the country.



Zhao said during an investment forum: "In the Asean, we have already built eight Industrial parks but we havent built any in the Philippines yet. We will work with Philippine authorities and explore the possibility of setting up an industrial park here. This is to help boost the local manufacturing sector and create more jobs."



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China's interest in building an industrial park in the Philippines is to improve China-PH ties under the Duterte administration.



Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is pursuing a softer approach when it comes to resolving territorial disputes, which previously strained the bilateral relationship between the two countries.



Francis T. Chua, the chair emeritus of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that Ramon S. Ang, president of San Miguel Corp., had expressed interest in this Chinese investment in PH.



Chua said that investors could choose if they want to set up the park in the north or in the south, citing a source from the Department of Trade and Industry.



Ang is part of the business delegation that accompanied Duterte in his visit to China. He has not yet responded to confirm his partnership with the Philippine government for China's plan on building the industrial park.



Zhong Shan, the new commerce minister of China, will visit the Philippines by invitation from Jose Sta. Romana, the Philippines' ambassador to China.



Romana said: "The new commerce minister will come and the talks would proceed on the Joint Commission on Economic and Trade Cooperation."



Liu Yandong, Chinese Vice Premier, will visit the Philippines next month, following the visit of Zhong Shan.



The Chinese vice premier would come in Mid-March. The President (Duterte), I think, is invited to go to China for the One Belt One Road in May, Romana added.


Frieda Ann Lashly, 75, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, at Silver Stone in Rolla.

She was born July 28, 1941, in Chicago, Ill., daughter of Emory and Goldie Gibson Hobbs. She and William Wiley Lashly were married Sept. 13, 1965.

She was baptized and attended church at Munsell before her health declined and she moved to Licking to live with her daughter, Cheryl.

She enjoyed playing Yahtzee and Bingo. Some of her favorite memories were traveling with her husband, William, back to her hometown Eminence from their home in California. She like to drink coffee and visit with her family and friends. She ended her day reading her Bible and listening to old tapes. Her greatest love was her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William; a brother, Wilbert Gibson; and a sister, Patsy Keyes.

Survivors include two daughters, Lois Bowers and Cheryl Baker of Licking; three sons, Bobby Maglothin and Kelly Benson of Covina, Calif., and Ron Lashly of Eminence; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were Tuesday, Feb. 28, in Munsell Cemetery in Eminence with the Rev. James Bradford officiating. Services were under the care of Bradford Funeral Home.

Online condolences maybe left at bradfordfuneralhome.net.
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Nobel Prize Winner Scrutinized for Planning to Come Back to China

Award-winning scientists Yang Zhenning and Yao Qixhi plans to come back to China. (Photo : Twitter)

Nobel laureate Yang Zhenning, his wife and computer scientist Yao Qizhi are coming home to China, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences.



Yang and Yao will be Chinese academicians in the CAS, which is the highest title in the academy. They have renounced their American citizenships and will be part of the academe in China.



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However, China seems to dislike the return. Many criticisms online surfaced and observers saw that Yangs return was done out of convenience and not patriotism.



Netizens blamed Yang for "returning home for the pension and was contrary to Yengs statements.



Another online user posted, "The inheritance tax in the U.S. is high but there is none in China. Renouncing their U.S. nationality can save their beneficiaries lots of money.



He said that he had considered renouncing his American citizenship for a long time and that making the decision was painful.



He added, "I carry my father's blood, and it's the blood of Chinese civilization.



The Nobel laureate Yang Zhenning said that the U.S was good to him. He said, "The U.S. is a beautiful country, it gave me a good opportunity to do scientific research. I'm grateful to the U.S. And I know many American friends will oppose my renouncing my nationality.



Yang said that he was thankful for his stay in the U.S. which lasted for five decades.



However, the controversial scientist has received much criticism especially when he married a young woman named Weng Fan. She was 28 years old when they married and was a masters student at the Guangdong University of Foreign Affairs.



They met when Yang and his wife attended Shantou University in Guangdong in 1995 to participate in an international physics seminar. Weng was the couples translator.



In less than a year after his wifes death, Weng and Yang married. This raised a lot of eyebrows, but the couple was undeterred.



The Nobel prize was awarded to Yang in 1957 for his investigation of parity laws of elementary particles.



When he received the award, he said, "I should like to say that I am as proud of my Chinese heritage and background as I am devoted to modern science, a part of human civilization of Western origin, to which I have dedicated and I shall continue to dedicate my work.


Our awards highlight the innovative work that is being done in New Zealand in the diversity and inclusion arena, the benefits its provided to local businesses and their people, and how its positively impacted the community, said Bev Cassidy-Mackenzie, chief executive of Diversity Works New Zealand.

Every year, our awards grow in stature and size as awareness of the business benefits of diversity and inclusion grows, and we are a keen to attract entries from a variety of organisations and sectors in 2017, she added.
A Calgary man will likely need skin grafts after his e-cigarette's battery exploded in his pocket on Friday.

Terrence Johnson and his wife Rachel Rex had just finished eating dinner at The Embarcadero on 17 Ave. and were chatting with their waiter outside when their conversation was interrupted with a flash.

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A spare e-cigarette battery had touched some change in Johnson's pocket, causing it to burst into flames.

I literally thought someone had thrown a Molotov cocktail at us," Rex told the Calgary Sun.

Johnson's leg was left with third-degree burns, and his hands with first and second-degree burns from attempting to extinguish the fire.

The couple told CTV News that staff at the restaurant helped extinguish the flames and collected fragments of the battery before paramedics arrived and took them to Foothills Hospital. The Embarcadero also provided them with surveillance video of the incident (watch the video above).

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Johnson told CBC News that the battery, sold by Efest Power, had no warnings anywhere on the packaging.

However, the company's website warns users "DO NOT PUT ANY BATTERIES IN YOUR POCKET."

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family with medical expenses, as Johnson is now on medical leave and will likely require skin grafts.

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A family in India is grieving the deaths of three-year-old twins after they drowned in a top-loading washing machine.

Nishant and Nakshya climbed in after they were left unsupervised on Saturday, according to NDTV.

The tragedy happened in the city of Rohini after the boys mother, Rakhi, stepped out of the house to buy some laundry detergent, according to the Hindustan Times.

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She had filled up the machine with water and undressed her sons to ready them for a bath, according to the Times.

3-year-old Rohini twins found dead in washing machine https://t.co/kCUik268JB  Times of India (@timesofindia) February 26, 2017

But when she came back just six minutes later, she couldnt find them, according to the Indian Express. The twins father found them inside the machine half an hour after they went missing, drowned in 15 litres of water.

Ravinder was "shocked" when doctors pronounced the boys dead, Rohini deputy commissioner of police MN Tiwari said, according to NDTV.

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Tiwari said it appeared they had climbed a pile of clothes next to the machine to see what was inside and fell in head first.

"The second child must have followed his brother," he told the Hindustan Times.

"Since both of them fell head on, they were choked. There was no way they could have come out."

"Since both of them fell head on, they were choked. There was no way they could have come out."

The family declined a post-mortem examination, according to the Indian Express.
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)

Nokia has formally announced the development of 5G FIRST, its newest solution to the massive demands of connected people and industries. This solution lets operators use early specifications for 5G networks through mobile transport solutions, packet core, and radio access network (RAN) such as the Nokia Air Scale massive MIMO Adaptive Antennas.



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As reported by Android Headlines, this new development also includes the Intel architecture services and the Intel 5G modem, which is scheduled for initial deployment this year. Based on early specifications, operators will be the first to avail of this solution and take advantage of its benefits as soon as it becomes available in the market.



The advantages of 5G FIRST include its low latency connectivity and high capacity. In its aim to contribute to the final 3GPP standardization of the technology, Nokia will also utilize the lessons acquired through real-world deployment.



The 5G FIRST solution is also made up of other components such as the Air Scale System Module, Air Scale cloud RAN technology and MIMO Adaptive Antennas. The tech company reportedly had to update its previous Air Scale and Air Frame platforms to the specifications of 5G technology to meet the demands of the market. It also incorporated the Cloud Packet Core and Shared Data Layer into the product so as to deliver 5G fast. The move was also made to provide the massive scalability and flexibility needed by operators in delivering 5G services.



Recently, the tech company stretched its 5G Acceleration Services to cover 5G cross-domain architecture services, 5G phase one network design and 5G transformation consulting services. Currently, Nokia is also in touch with Intel and Verizon as it seeks to deliver its services to other cities, including Dallas.



According to Nokia, it will make its commercial 5G FIRST available in the second half of the year in order to meet early-adopter demands for the product. Watch Nokia's announcement at the MWC here:






We won't stop asking this until the issue becomes obsolete: why is it still hard for plus-size women to find fantastic fashion?

Actress Chrissy Metz, star of the hit series "This Is Us," spoke candidly to Yahoo! Style about the difficulty of being a plus-size actress in Hollywood come award season.

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Speaking about the green dress she was wearing at the 25th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards party on Sunday, Metz said, "A lot of designers wont work with plus-sized people, period, and I know a lot of plus-size women feel like they have to avoid jewel tones or colour in general, but I love bold colours."

Chrissy Metz attends the 25th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Academy Awards Viewing Party at The City of West Hollywood Park on February 26, 2017 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for EJAF)

Metz sported a floor-length custom gown by a friend of hers, who's a seamstress and House of Cyndarella designer, according to Yahoo.

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"I am not going to pick only black just because I am a plus-size girl," she added. "Hopefully it will encourage other women [to follow suit].

Unfortunately, this isn't the first time we've heard similar complaints from plus-size actresses.

Last year, "Ghostbusters" star Leslie Jones tweeted she was having a hard time finding designers to dress her for the premiere of the film.

It's so funny how there are no designers wanting to help me with a premiere dress for movie. Hmmm that will change and I remember everything  Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) June 28, 2016

"It's so funny how there are no designers wanting to help me with a premiere dress for movie. Hmmm that will change and I remember everything," she tweeted last June.

Fortunately, designer Christian Siriano stepped up to the plate and outfitted Jones in a smokin' hot red gown for the "Ghostbusters" premiere.

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Leslie Jones arrives at the premiere of Sony Pictures' "Ghostbusters" at TCL Chinese Theatre on July 9, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)

Siriano even took it a step further, proclaiming on Twitter that he shouldn't be called a hero just for dressing a person who isn't a size 2.

It shouldn't be exceptional to work with brilliant people just because they're not sample size. Congrats aren't in order, a change is.  Christian Siriano (@CSiriano) June 29, 2016

"It shouldn't be exceptional to work with brilliant people just because they're not sample size. Congrats aren't in order, a change is," he tweeted in response to the praise he received.

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And although we're seeing more plus-size women enter the mainstream fashion industry (see: Ashley Graham) as well as better-looking clothes for plus-size women, there's still a long way to go.

However, stylist Jessica Paster, who's dressed celebs such as Emily Blunt, Olivia Munn and Miranda Kerr, told The Hollywood Reporter that it was Jones' fault for not being able to wrangle a designer dress.

"Ive had clients who are not sample sizes, for example Nia Vardalos. Designers are more than happy to lend to her. Unfortunately, shes not a sample size. So the production company gave me a budget to buy her clothes," said Paster. "Christian Siriano saved the day by pulling non-sample sizes, and he himself, the weekend of the premiere for 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2,' did the final fitting with Nia.

"This is nobodys fault except Leslies," she continued. "She should have known four to five months ago the date of premiere, and said, Im not a sample size, I need to go to designers early or buy myself a dress.' Dont be blaming designers and saying they dont like you."

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Actress Nia Vardalos.(Photo by Gabriel Olsen/FilmMagic)

But not everyone agreed with Paster's argument.

Elaine Lui, the Canadian gossip blogger and co-host of "The Social," took issue with Paster's words, writing on her site Lainey Gossip that it was wrong to call Nia Vardalos' size "unfortunate."

"Please note the inadvertent but significant use of the 'unfortunately' when mentioning the fact that Nia Vardalos is 'not a sample size,'" she wrote. "Its 'unfortunate' is it? When someone isnt a sample size, its unfortunate? Well, thats exactly the problem."

"I dont buy that Leslies height is a problem. Its not a problem for Charlize Theron. Or Nicole Kidman. Youre telling me that those two are planning their dresses four or five months out? That if Charlize or Nicole needed a dress next week, it wouldnt happen for them? And I also dont buy that its the combination of Leslies height and her 'size' thats a problem. Because how is it that pregnant celebrities of a certain ilk are able to find designer dresses for major events when their sizes are changing week to week? Theyre not calling ahead with four or five months notice for fittings because, guess what?, they wouldnt know their goddamn measurements and the rate the baby is growing. How come its possible for them and not possible for Leslie Jones? Is it really a question of inventory? Or is it actually a matter of selective effort?"

Preach.

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Men And Women Who Inspire Positive Body Image See Gallery
Imagine you lived in a world where the alcohol content of your drink varied dramatically, and might be laced with poison. You could die and, in fact, you might have if you were around during the Prohibition Era when there was no regulation to keep alcohol safe.

In the U.S., PBS reported that on average "1,000 Americans died every year during the Prohibition from the effects of drinking tainted liquor." Even more were left blind or paralyzed.

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Yet people kept drinking anyway.

That can be compared with Canada's state of affairs when it comes to drugs, both opioids people take on purpose and cocaine or MDMA unknowingly cut with fentanyl, which is up to 100 times more powerful than heroin, or carfentanil, a further 100 times stronger and fatal at a dose the size of a grain of salt.

Yet people keep doing drugs anyway.

"How can we possibly ever guarantee people's safety if they don't know what they're taking?"  Katrina Pacey, executive director of Vancouver's Pivot Legal Society.

"This is a moment where we're coming up against the reality of what prohibition creates in terms of danger," said Katrina Pacey, executive director of Vancouver's Pivot Legal Society.

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"How can we possibly ever guarantee people's safety if they don't know what they're taking? That's the reality when you have a criminalized context with people using drugs. You're going to continue to have them facing enormous harm because they just aren't going to be able to say for sure what they're consuming."

Canadians are dying in shocking numbers, prompting last week's National Day of Action on the Overdose Crisis with demonstrations across Canada on Feb. 21. Three days later there was also a conference call between Canadian mayors, Health Minister Jane Philpott and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale about next steps.

Last year there were 914 overdose deaths in B.C., two-thirds linked to fentanyl, setting a horrific record. That number included 142 deaths last December, 11 in one night. It was the worst month ever and prompted the province to set up emergency overdose prevention sites. Another 116 overdose deaths happened in January.

While the West Coast is the epicenter, drug users are dying across the country. There were also 343 fentanyl and carfentanil-related deaths in Alberta last year, and while Ontario numbers have not yet been released, there were 253 overdose deaths in Toronto alone in 2015.

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"This is what happens when people are accessing substances through an illicit unregulated market," Pacey says. "It's a recipe for complete disaster."

Jordan Westfall of @CAPUD2016 who organized National Day of Action & @katrinapacey of Pivot #LifeWontWaitpic.twitter.com/Jbi0gyvSca  Pivot Legal Society (@pivotlegal) February 21, 2017

Canada's harm-reduction approach began in the 1990s after Vancouver went through a similar epidemic of overdoses when ultra-pure "China White" heroin arrived.

"That was the last time there was a public health emergency declared and it was in response to both very grievous and extreme HIV rates that were taking place in the [Downtown Eastside] but also the overdose rates," Pacey says.

Last year there were 914 overdose deaths in B.C., two-thirds linked to fentanyl, setting a horrific record.

"A whole bunch of important things happened after that time. There was an increase in needle distribution programs and then eventually, as a result of a lot of important grassroots organizing, there was the first sanctioned supervised injection site in 2003."

But the injection sites, which are now coming to Toronto, only serve a certain type of user. Others may take pills, use in their homes or only use on occasion. Increasingly, non-opioid drugs are tainted, whether on purpose to create addiction (and therefore demand) or by mistake from cross-contamination.

"People are using substances," Pacey says, "and they want to know what they're taking and they want to be able to do so safely."

While there's still no comprehensive national strategy to address the epidemic, efforts are being made.

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Most notable is prescription heroin, which became available to 150 people last fall at Vancouver's Crosstown Clinic following clinical trials. The cost of treating each addict is $27,000 annually but the program saves money in the grand scheme by keeping users healthy and out of the criminal justice system.

Sam Sullivan, a Liberal MLA for Vancouver - False Creek, was the city's mayor from 2005 to 2008 and "helped raise money and get that program going," he tells HuffPost Canada. During his term, Vancouver ran the North American Opiate Medication Initiative (NAOMI) followed by the Study to Assess Longer-term Opioid Medication Effectiveness (SALOME).

"The trials happened, journal articles were written saying how successful it was proven to be as a valid and very effective treatment for addiction and yet... doctors aren't prescribing," Sullivan says. "I thought 'OK good, we solved that problem. Let's get on to the next one.' Yet no one is taking all this research and actually acting on it."

Sullivan adds that B.C. history has already proven the effectiveness of this approach.

"I just go back to the prohibition on alcohol. The reason you wouldn't find a lot of statistics in British Columbia for deaths from alcohol is because we had a very active medical alcohol problem here. So people could get prescriptions for alcohol. I believe in one year alone they wrote around 300,000 prescriptions in a population of 500,000."

"I think [prohibition] has been a tremendous failure. We need to rethink the way we deal with drugs and laws. We should have legalization with very strict regulations."  Sam Sullivan, Vancouver MLA and former mayor.

Prescription heroin is also available in Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Liberal MP for Vancouver Centre Hedy Fry travelled with Swiss police in 1999 where she saw them offer users medical help rather than arrest.

"That person would register as an addict and would then, as a registered addict, go to a clinic to get their drugs. The state paid for opiates," she told the Georgia Straight. "I said, 'People in my part of the world will say that you are enabling.' And he said, 'No, what we are doing is cutting off organized crime. So people don't have to buy adulterated stuff; they don't have to wallow in the dirt; and they don't have to mug people and steal money to buy their stuff.'"

"This is the discourse that we must have now," Fry added. "Nobody is ramming anything down anybodys throats. Im not saying, 'Let's legalize.' But I am saying, 'It's time we discussed this, openly and publicly.'"

Sullivan, however, is saying let's legalize.

"I think [prohibition] has been a tremendous failure. We need to rethink the way we deal with drugs and laws. We should have legalization with very strict regulations," he says.

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"We've got to make it so people don't die. How do you do that? In the end you have to be flexible. But when you make drugs illegal you take all that flexibility out of it. You can't respond in normal ways. It makes it completely impossible. The only people who get to regulate at that point are criminals."

NDP health critic Don Davies, MP for Vancouver Kingsway, echoes his fellow politicians.

"The evidence is clear that criminalizing addiction...can drive addiction underground, increase crime, spread disease and cause avoidable injury and death."  NDP health critic Don Davies

"The evidence is clear that criminalizing addiction has a number of harmful consequences. It can drive addiction underground, increase crime, spread disease and cause avoidable injury and death," he tells HuffPost Canada. "While drug prohibition does express a social aversion to drug use  a positive message  it also stigmatizes those suffering from a recognized mental health disorder."

Citing the NAOMI and SALOME studies, Davies says he'd like to expand prescription heroin programs for "patients who suffer from substance-use disorder and for whom all other treatments have proven unsuccessful."

"This would ensure safer consumption under the supervision of health professionals and avoid the dangerous use of street drugs of unknown type and strength. It would also save lives," he says, adding he'd also like to see more emergency overdose prevention sites, expanded detox and addiction treatment and more research into non-opioid pain management therapies.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked about prohibition during a January visit to Vancouver where he met with front-line workers in the Downtown Eastside, including Coco Culbertson who works for the Portland Hotel Society, which runs the Insite supervised-injection facility.

"Everyone brought up full legalization," Culbertson told the Georgia Straight. "His reaction was that it made common sense, but that creating a policy that reflects common sense, especially around drug-policy reform, is far more complicated than he anticipated."

This week Trudeau reiterated that stance, telling press during a Vancouver Island visit that "We are not planning on including any other illicit substances in the move towards legalizing and controlling and regulating." The next day he went to the Downtown Eastside and said that harm reduction is "a pillar of our comprehensive drug strategy" and he will be expanding access to the opioid antidote naloxone and streamlining the process for safe injection sites.

Today, I met with front line workers fighting the opioid crisis in Vancouver. Were working together to keep Canadians safe & save lives. pic.twitter.com/pRiW3ygliF  Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 3, 2017

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British Columbians, however, would like to see the prime minister reconsider his anti-legalization stance.

A survey released in December mental health and addiction non-profit InnerChange Foundation found that two-thirds of the province is "completely willing" to consider legalizing hard drugs, and one-quarter of those are already in favour of legalization. Another 17 per cent are interested in learning more about potential risks and benefits.

A survey found two-thirds of the province is "completely willing" to consider legalizing hard drugs.

"They don't like what they're seeing in terms of the deaths," InnerChange Foundation's Laura Tate told the CBC, "and they're wanting to send a message to decision makers that they're open to a range of options that they may not have been open to in the past."

The crisis is getting worse, and moving east as Toronto mayor John Tory addressed in January.

"It is not acceptable in our city, it is not acceptable in our country that people who in many cases are suffering from a form of mental illness through addiction are dying in a lonely fashion and dying without us doing everything we can when we know there are things we can do to prevent those deaths,'' he told the press after a meeting of the new Toronto Overdose Early Warning and Alert Partnership.

Tory called for increased access to the drug naloxone, which can be used like an EpiPen to prevent opioid overdoses, and is hoping three supervised injection sites will be operating before summer.

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Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Toronto's acting medical officer of health, added that one reason for the deaths is an unintended consequence of current drug laws because "bystanders are often reluctant to call 911 because they fear legal repercussions, so paramedics may not arrive in time to save the person who is overdosing."

On Feb. 23, Ontario Provincial Police concluded an 18-month investigation, dubbed Project Silkstone, by seizing 11,500 pills containing fentanyl, as well as other drugs and guns, and charging 18 residents of Ontario and Quebec. Last week, Ottawa police landed another huge fentanyl bust.

"We seized thousands of pills today, so the potential there is for mass casualties, Ottawa Staff Sgt. Rick Carey told the Ottawa Sun. "We're trying to make sure this doesnt hit the street, because it's being accessed by youth who aren't aware of whats going on. People have no idea what it is they're ingesting."

"But its not going to stop the issue," he added. "This is just one [bust]."

Pacey argues the only real solution is to end the "futile" war on drugs with decriminalization and regulation.

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"When are we going to wake up to the harms created by Canada's drug laws and actually have a conversation that lets go of the hopes and dreams of what prohibition was supposed to do [and] talk about how we regulate drugs in a way that is going to better protect the health of people that are using them?"

Sullivan agrees, arguing that if we had already legalized hard drugs, we could have saved 914 lives in his province alone.

"It would be similar to the issue of bad alcohol that people used to die from during Prohibition," he says. "You wouldn't have people dying of this if there was a strictly regulated market."

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Welcoming your first child is an incredible thing, but for Moonlight star Mahershala Ali, the occasion was even more remarkable, as his daughter was born inside her amniotic sac.

The water didn't break until the baby was literally almost out, Ali told Access Hollywood. So when she was born, she came out in a clear, like, bag. And I'm going, Wow, they come brand new! And... she was in the sack, and it was incredible!

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Bari (Bar-ee) Najma Ali 2/22/17 #pisces A post shared by Mahershala Ali (@mahershalaali) on Feb 24, 2017 at 12:22pm PST





This birth phenomenon  known as an en caul birth  is rare and occurs in less than one in 80,000 births, according to Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

The amniotic sac is the bag of fluid in a womans uterus where the baby develops. This sac helps keep the baby safe and warm as he or she grows and usually breaks when a woman goes into labour  hence the term water breaking.

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Mahershala Ali and Amatus Sami-Karim at the 22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards in December 2016.

Ali and his wife, Amatus Sami-Karim, welcomed their daughter Bari Najma Ali on February 22, just four days before the first-time dad became the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar.

When the 43-year-old walked the Oscars red carpet on Sunday, he gushed to Ryan Seacrest: Im a special kind of tired right now. Its amazing, though.

He also added that his daughter arrived late, but that shes healthy and were happy.

The past week has certainly been a memorable one for Ali.

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The worlds rich are increasingly becoming globe-trotters, not rooted to any one country, and nowhere is that clearer than in the data on millionaire migration.

According to research from South African consultancy New World Wealth, the number of high net worth individuals (HNWIs) changing their country of residence soared by 28 per cent last year, to some 82,000.

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An HNWI is defined as someone who has at least US$1 million in assets, not including their primary home.

Canada is a top destination in this great migration, taking in almost as many millionaires last year as the U.S. did. The number-one destination was Australia (12,000 millionaire immigrants) with the U.S. in second place and Canada third.

Inflows to Canada were boosted by large-scale immigration from China into Vancouver, New World Wealth analyst Andrew Amoils told HuffPost Canada in an email.

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There was also significant HNWI inflows from Europe into Toronto and Montreal.

Australias top spot is easily explained by its geography: Its next door to east Asia, the part of the world thats creating the most millionaires these days, and the rich seem to have a taste for wealthy English-speaking countries.

Many countries are losing millionaires, for a variety of reasons. France is seeing the largest exodus  12,000 millionaires in the past year.

The large outflow of millionaires from France is notable  France is being heavily impacted by rising religious tensions between Christians and Muslims, especially in urban areas, New World Wealth said in a press release.

We expect that millionaire migration away from France will accelerate over the next decade as these tensions escalate.

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The survey had one surprise: There hasnt been a large outflow millionaires from Great Britain since the Brexit vote. New World expects the country to continue gaining wealthy residents from abroad even as locals emigrate to the U.S., Canada and Australia.

The consultancy notes that investor immigrant visa programs are becoming more popular around the world. Australia launched such a program in 2012.

However, Canadas various investor immigrant programs, some of which existed for decades, were limited in recent years due to perceived abuse.

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The world's scientists vehemently condemn the captivity of whales, dolphins and porpoises, and it's time that we listened to them.

Twenty marine mammal biologists from around the world recently signed a collective letter in support of the goals of Bill S-203, which would outlaw the practice of keeping these animals in captivity in Canada.

In the letter, they state that captivity of whales, dolphins and porpoises, also known as cetaceans, cannot be justified in the face of a growing body of scientific knowledge about their biological needs, which shows that adaptation to captivity is extremely unlikely.

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Captivity is harmful for many wild animals, whose biological, social and behavioural needs are rarely met, but it causes grievous harm to deep-diving, far-swimming, intelligent and socially-complex creatures like cetaceans, who travel several hundred kilometres in a single migration. Essentially, it's like living in a bathtub.

The aquarium industry attempts to justify cetacean captivity by claiming that their facilities make important contributions to science and conservation, but specialists in the field indicate that this is a blatant falsehood.

"I do not know of a commercial or other public aquarium where it could be justly claimed that its activities were important for the conservation of the species it held," says Dr. Sidney J. Holt, a renowned marine scientist with 50 years of research experience. "Claims that research performed on captive animals is for their benefit are specious, at best."

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Let's not stand by and let more captive creatures die on our watch.

Not only do captive cetacean exhibits fail to contribute meaningfully to science or conservation, but the facilities themselves do not meet any of the accepted benchmarks for animal welfare, including the Five Freedoms and the Five Domains.

We need look no further than the Vancouver Aquarium to prove this point. In 2016, two beluga whales and a harbour porpoise died at their facility -- deaths that they could not fully explain. Currently, the aquarium has no more belugas on site because they have all died (including all of the baby belugas born in captivity over the years).

Visitors watch beluga whales at the Vancouver Aquarium Feb. 17, 2009 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

These tragic deaths offer Canadians an important opportunity to better understand the cruelty of captivity and also take action to stop it. Let's not stand by and let more captive creatures die on our watch.

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Seeing a beluga whale in a tank does not educate us about the fact that they are a highly social, wide-ranging, deep-diving, migratory species that forms strong family bonds. Worse yet, it desensitizes people to the inherent cruelty of captivity -- for so many captive marine mammals, the world is a tiny enclosure devoid of joy or social connection.

After the year that Canada's cetaceans have had, Marineland and the Vancouver Aquarium will have a hard time making a case for continued captivity in the upcoming hearings before the Senate Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.

On Feb. 28 at 5 p.m., the Committee will hear its first testimony from former Senator Wilfred Moore, who introduced Bill S-203 and will detail the innumerable reasons that Canada should end the captivity of cetaceans for good.

It's time to end the cruelty.

We're at a crucial moment in Canadian history. The majority of this country's cetaceans live at a commercially-driven amusement park that is currently defending itself in court against 11 animal cruelty charges and cannot pretend to have a higher purpose than profit. It is beholden upon us as a justice-driven, compassionate country to recognize the urgency of this situation and seize the opportunity to ban a cruel practice that science indicates is both obsolete and harmful.

Conservation efforts and public education on natural behaviours are best done in the wild, through sightings in an animal's natural habitat, or as part of humane, non-invasive whale watching tours.

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It's time to end the cruelty. Science knows it and, in our hearts, we know it, too.

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Following U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order banning all travellers (including green card and visa holders) from seven "Muslim-majority" countries, decision-makers and organizations from both sides of the border have released statements of solidarity with the Muslim community, condemning this act of blatant racism and Islamophobia.

Among these were several Canadian colleges and universities who penned statements touting themselves as welcoming, inclusive and open places that value the contributions of international students. Even Universities Canada issued a rare statement, stating "Canada's universities continue to welcome students, faculty and staff around the world, including those seeking refuge from violence and hardship. They strengthen Canada's university communities, bringing new knowledge, talent and skills to higher education, research and innovation -- to the benefit of all Canadians."

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I for one am holding back my applause. For those unfamiliar with Canada's postsecondary education system, this probably sounds like a kind-hearted gesture and contributes to the perception that Canada is a welcoming nation. On the contrary, this is in fact an opportunistic marketing ploy by these institutions to recruit international students as a source of revenue. This is a cash cow scheme that we have witnessed in this country for decades.

Announced today: @ucalgary will waive application fees for students affected by the US travel ban https://t.co/pfD2t2cRJ9#cdnpse  Universities Canada (@univcan) February 3, 2017

In every single province across Canada, it is a condoned practice to charge exorbitant differential tuition fees for international students. On average, international students pay $25,589.00 per year for a general arts degree in Canada; an amount close to four times more than domestic students. In fact, average international tuition fees at Canadian universities are higher than the per capita income of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen; the seven countries impacted by the travel ban.

Universities such as Memorial University of Newfoundland and the University of Alberta have announced that they will waive application fees for prospective students from the seven countries listed on Trump's travel ban. We must resist being baited into giving accolades to these institutions. Foregoing a $145 fee is no noble sacrifice when you are poised to earn millions of dollars off the backs of international students by charging them $20,396.20 per year, as is the case for the University of Alberta.

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Arguably, the University of Ottawa has gone the farthest to offer support for students impacted by the travel ban. Recognizing tuition fees as a barrier to access, the institution announced their plan to "implement a tuition fee exemption program to allow students to pursue their studies in the fall semester at the same tuition rates as Canadian students." While this announcement is welcome, it would be an injustice for the university to encourage international students to enroll this fall only to turn around and charge these students close to four times as much for the remaining years of their program. If the University of Ottawa is genuine in its support for the students impacted by the discriminatory ban, they must commit to upholding the tuition fee exemption for the duration of these students' studies.

International students pay taxes. They pay GST, HST and income tax, just like any other Canadian resident. International students have a huge economic impact on the Canadian economy, contributing over $7.7 billion annually through everyday spending, tuition fees, rental and basic needs. According to a government report, international students created 81,000 jobs in 2010 alone. If you visit any Canadian campus today, you will see international students are a vital part of our institutions. They bring diverse experiences and world views to our classrooms, make valuable contributions to academic research and enrich campus life. The presence of international students in this country also provides a foundation for strengthening relationships between Canada and other countries around the world.

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However, international students are often the most frequent users of campus food banks. International students are not covered under provincial health insurance in most provinces, so are often forced between choosing to the cost basic needs or avoiding treatment altogether. Recently, the Government of Canada made it harder for international students to stay in Canada after graduation. Food and retail work, common jobs for students, were de-listed as valid Canadian work experience that would count towards a permanent residency application. Many international students are also confronted with racism and xenophobia in daily interactions in their classrooms and communities.

Instead of gouging them for four years (sometimes more) and sending them back to their home countries, here are three ways the government can take meaningful steps to help international students remain in Canada and make it their permanent home.

Eliminate tuition for all students in Canada (including international students). Provide public health-care coverage to international students. Make it easier for international students to immigrate to Canada permanently following their graduation.

We need more than PR statements - we need life-changing policies from our government.

It's time to end the discriminatory practice of charging students differential fees in order to finance our severely under-funded public postsecondary institutions. It is only when international students are treated the same as domestic students that we will be able to say that we are truly a welcoming, inclusive and open society. By implementing tuition-free, universal, public postsecondary education in Canada, we are ensuring all students who study in Canada have equal access to higher education in order to gain the skills and knowledge they need to find meaningful employment and grow the economy.

To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada  Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 28, 2017

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In most provinces, international students have to rely on private health insurance programs. In Ontario, for example, these programs can cost from $700 to $2,000 annually. These plans are not always accepted by all hospitals, doctor offices, clinics and specialists, which means that students often have to choose between getting treatment or paying their tuition fees and other expenses. Since international students also pay taxes, which finance provincially funded health plans, they have a right to being treated without cost, just like residents of Canada.

International students should be considered in a category of their own for a better pathway to citizenship, recognizing that they have set down roots, contributed to their communities, gained employable skills and work experience, and sometimes even started a family. This would also help Canada attract and retain the best minds and most talented individuals to grow our workforce and expand our research capacities, making us an innovation leader on the world stage.

If Canada is going to establish itself as the antithesis to Trump's America, we need more than PR statements -- we need life-changing policies from our government.

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Allison Shelley / Reuters Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, addresses the crowd at the Festival of Hope, an evangelistic rally held at the national stadium in Port-au-Prince, January 9, 2011. REUTERS/Allison Shelley (HAITI - Tags: DISASTER ENVIRONMENT RELIGION)

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness." - Isaiah 5:20

Think, "Hope." Then think, "Franklin Graham."

Now put them together in a sentence that reads: "Festival of Hope with Franklin Graham."

If you haven't heard, now imagine a rally supported by a broad swath of the Christian community in the greater Vancouver community.

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Imagine, as well, the organizers calling it a "Festival of Hope," one so big for the expected faithful, the draw is slated to fill a few days booking in March at the Rogers Centre.

Well, you may ponder, what's the concern with a little celebration of hope, religiously inspired or not?

Here's the kicker. The main speaker is the notorious American Christian evangelist, Franklin Graham.

("Evangelist" being code for those more exuberant believers who make their living telling us that their god is mad at us, and we are in for big trouble in the after life unless we believe what his book, the Bible, says about it.)

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What makes it all so much more delirious is that Graham, along with his, just as notorious fellow preacher, Pat Robertson, think unless America adopts their understanding of Christian morality, the country -- indeed the world -- is doomed.

And guess who'll help bring America to its senses, morally speaking?

When comparing Graham to Trump, it's apparent the political miracle isn't random.

Like the Orange Tainted Answer to Prayer, Graham is happy to chime along in their mutual admiration of one whom normally doesn't come to mind when thinking about moral virtue: Vladimir Putin. But through Graham's cracked and foggy optics, Putin has been doing quite well taking care of the "agenda."

"Agenda"? Who, which, what?

Yup. Haven't you heard? It's that gay and lesbian one. As Graham wrote, "Obviously, [Putin] may be wrong about many things, but he has taken a stand to protect his nation's children from the damaging effects of any gay and lesbian agenda."

So for Graham, maybe Putin is "wrong" about that war criminal and butcher stuff, but Hell -- oops, I mean, Heck -- Putin's doing a good job with the gays!

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Again, like Trump, not only are there omnipresent and looming agendas, there are "threats" too, namely, the other favorite go-to these days: the Muslim threat.

What to do?

Again, like Trump, Graham thinks Muslims should not be admitted into the U.S. until "this threat with Islam has been settled."

This has long been an obsession with Graham, with him during the Obama presidency trolling FOX News announcing how Muslims had "infiltrated" the White House.

On the ol' Nut-Bar Meter, how did the needle register on that one?

Consider it was a zinger even Bill O'Reilly had to question. Lesson? Don't let common decency and the real world get in Franklin's way.

We could go on, but this isn't so much about Franklin Graham as it is with some of those in Vancouver's Christian community. Now, there are sensible Christians still in touch with reality who are opposing Graham's appearance.

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But what about those Christians who'll still make it to the Centre to celebrate "the Hope"?

Christians who are willing to ignore a man of Graham's deplorable character, thinking he can raise any hope when he makes his living stoking hate, suspicion and fear in a world recently made more hateful, suspicious and fearful?

The Trump connection inflates Graham's typical rhetoric all the worse.

Quite the opposite.

For these Christians now linked together with Graham, and by extension, the behaviour, hatred, bragging, bigotry -- all vividly condemned in the Bible -- unveiled is the farcical absurdity to Graham's claim shared by those same Christians: That those of us, in gape-jawed horror watching the spectacle, can have no real sense of morality.

What makes it all surreal is the irony of it all. The very book the faithful extol -- a text written almost two thousand years before our era of "fake news" -- had something to say about the general predilection to twist reality into one's own version of the reality.

We'd call it dysmorphia of the brain. It's worth repeating:

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness." - Isaiah 5:20

And that's exactly what these greater Vancouver Christians, their respective churches and organizations are celebrating on those three days in March.
I have been a Holocaust educator for the past 25 years. It is the most important role that I have dedicated my life to.

I arrived in Canada in 1949, alone, with a handful of change in my pocket and an unknown future ahead of me. I had lost everything -- my family, my friends, my childhood -- I had to start over. I didn't talk about what had happened to me and my family. No one wanted to hear about Auschwitz or the death march or the loss; everyone was moving forward. While I was able to create a life and family for myself here in Canada and put the anger and pain behind me, my past never left me. In my final goodbye to my father in Auschwitz, he had told me to survive so that I could tell the story of my family. This always stayed with me in the back of my mind.

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In 1992, I retired from a successful business career and was surrounded by family and friends -- a new life that I was very proud of. It was also the year that I took on the responsibility that my father had left with me -- to tell the story of my family. As a first-witness to the Holocaust, I started to visit schools to share my testimony. Since then I have criss-crossed Canada and travelled abroad sharing my testimony and witnessing first-hand the impact and importance of this education for young people.

It is impossible to understand the number 6 million, representative of the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. The enormity of the number is beyond comprehension for anyone, let alone students. However, when you hear the story of an individual, one person who lost their mother, father and siblings; one person who was uprooted from their home and forced to work in abusive, dehumanizing conditions -- the story of one allows students to grasp the human cost to this tragedy.

I tell my story with the hope that these young people I am speaking with will learn the importance of respect and inclusivity.

The responsibility I feel to educate goes beyond the words of my father. I truly believe that if we do not learn from our past, we will continue to make the same mistakes. While "Never Again" was coined following the Holocaust, the world has continued to allow genocide to occur and millions of innocent lives continue to be lost. Our youth have incredible voices. Giving them the opportunity to learn about this past, by sharing my story and the consequences of hatred and intolerance left unchecked, we are giving youth of today the foundation of knowledge to move forward and create peaceful solutions for their future.

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Sharing my testimony with youth of today also allows the memory of this past to move forward to future generations. I truly believe that without history there is no memory; and without memory there is no future. Those who listen to a survivor, become witness to their story. They become the memory-keepers and the responsibility to guard and protect this memory and use the lessons learned to shape a more peaceful and inclusive society becomes their responsibility. The young people that I am speaking to today will become the educators and the policy makers of the future. My belief is they will carry this memory with them and use it to help them make better choices and decisions that protect humankind.

Most importantly, I tell my story with the hope that these young people I am speaking with will learn the importance of respect and inclusivity and the need to uphold and defend the freedoms and responsibilities we have as Canadians.

The impact of my presentation on high school students is demonstrated in a letter from a teacher, which goes as follows:

"Here is what we will do in your honour, we will tell your story to our families, our friends, our children and our grandchildren. And we will use some portions from your book in our course work so that an entire generation of students that pass through Mary Ward Catholic High School will know this story of humanity and pass it on."

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Max Eisen's By Chance Alone is nominated for the RBC Taylor Prize. He spoke about the book in February. View that video here.

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Co-authored by Dafina Savic, Debbie Folaron and Cristina Ruscio

While the world is outraged, and rightly so, by recent policies south of its border, we are quick to forget that not too long ago the Canadian government imposed its own ban of sorts, one that aimed to restrict entry into the country of a specific group of people fleeing persecution.

It did so on the premise that these people were "bogus refugees" undeserving of Canada's protection and explicitly targeted them as "criminals."

In 2011, financed with Canadian taxpayer money, the government initiated a billboard campaign in the predominant countries of origin of Roma claimants.

Earlier this month, Anthony Housefather, Member of Parliament for Mount Royal delivered a poignant speech during the emergency debate on the executive order signed by United States President Donald Trump to ban refugees and immigrants of Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.

Housefather shed light on Canada's own issues of xenophobia and the politics of fear. From the Chinese Exclusion Act, to the rejection of Jewish refugees aboard the St. Louis, he cited example after example of the darker side of Canada's past. And although these historic examples rung strong and true, where was mention of the more recent instances of injustice and discrimination in Canadian immigration policy?

In 2011, financed with Canadian taxpayer money, the government initiated a billboard campaign in the predominant countries of origin of Roma claimants. It sought to deliberately deter Roma from seeking asylum in Canada, stating that "people who make a [refugee] claim without sound reasons will be processed faster and deported faster." The billboards were placed in countries such as Hungary, a country which is still listed as "safe" under the current government.

Until the federal court deemed it unconstitutional in 2015, refugee claimants from the Designated Country of Origin (DCO) list were denied their right to appeal in cases of rejection, so as to avoid "abuse" of the system. The Conservative government's policy and rhetoric targeting Roma asylum seekers as "bogus and fraudulent refugees "undeserving of Canada's protection" were not only effective in blocking Roma from entering the country. They also served to embed in Canadian media and political discourse the very stereotypes and hate Roma were seeking to flee in their countries of origin.

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In this climate of animosity and hostile attitudes towards Roma, many Roma refugee claimants were being taken advantage of by their legal representatives and subjected to biased decision-making at the Immigration and Refugee Board.

Despite increasing refugee acceptance numbers under the current administration, Canadian authorities continue to practice racial profiling against Roma. In 2015, dozens of Hungarian Roma with valid travel documents were prevented from boarding flights to Canada for allegedly lacking proper documentation to enter the country due to their Roma ethnicity.

Without a thorough review of the policy in Canada, Roma refugees fleeing persecution and racism in Europe will be left behind while our very own ban will be left unaddressed.

With little attention from the media, in May 2016 the Canadian government reinstated visas on Bulgaria and Romania to curb Roma immigration. However, with European Union hesitation and the diplomatic sensitivities surrounding the Canadian-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the move proved to be problematic, and the Trudeau administration was forced to lift the visa requirements on those countries.

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Such disagreements regarding CETA ratification are reminiscent of the pressures that had stalled the agreement under the previous government and which eventually led to the imposition of discriminatory policy measures against Roma refugees. However, plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose. While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Europe in mid-February to finalise the CETA agreement, all issues affecting Roma were left off the agenda and conveniently unaddressed.

A 'two-tier' refugee system

Despite recent court decisions and widespread criticism that the DCO creates a "two-tier" refugee system, the "Safe Country" Review Panel was recently dropped from the mandate of the current Minister of Immigration Ahmed Hussen. This not only means that the DCO list will remain as is, but also that no panel of experts will be delegated to review and reassess the human rights situation of the countries listed.

While a designated "Safe Country" may be safe for most of its inhabitants, it is by no means safe for all. Without a thorough review of the policy in Canada, Roma refugees fleeing persecution and racism in Europe will be left behind while our very own ban will be left unaddressed.

As raised in a recent opinion article published by Al Jazeera, Roma are often made to be the culprits of anti-refugee sentiment in Europe, while they are fleeing those very issues. Even in situations of violent conflict, certain populations are not granted equal attention, treatment and compassion.

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Noteworthy is the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)'s report that the Domari populations, who have been present in the Middle East for thousands of years, have been equally, if not doubly, affected by the ongoing crisis and violence in the region.

According to a 2014 ERRC report, out of the estimated one million registered and unregistered refugees from Turkey, some 30,000 were of Domari origin. Political polarisation and ethnic and religious divisions often make it impossible for Syrian Domari populations to stay in official refugee camps.

It is, indeed, only by facing our darker moments that we can hope to learn from them.

After meeting with President Trump, Trudeau reiterated that we ought to be an example for the world by being the open country we are. Now is a crucial time for Trudeau to demonstrate his and the country's true commitment to refugees.

A step in the right direction would be to end the two-tier Designated Countries of Origin system and suspend the Safe Third Country Agreement with the U.S., and to implement authentic review and assessment of each refugee claimant's case on the basis of merit.

Only then can the light of true justice prevail, and hope be given to Roma and others who have suffered the consequences of Canada's failed legal system. It is, indeed, only by facing our darker moments that we can hope to learn from them.

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Dafina Savic is the founder of Romanipe, a Montreal-based, not-for-profit organisation seeking to fight discrimination against Roma worldwide. Debbie Folaron is associate professor in Translation Studies at Concordia University, Montreal, Canada. Cristina Ruscio holds a Master of Laws (LLM); Comparative Law, Economics and Finance.

This blog was originally published on Aljazeera

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OnePlus 5 (Photo : Twitter / Go_Kod)

From the OnePlus 3T, the next flagship killer to watch for is the OnePlus 5, which according to new reports will be a huge jump from its predecessors. The premium specifications and feature upgrades will still impress but the pricing will now be in the high-end sphere.



Rumors gathered so far by WCCFTech from Asia indicate that the next OnePlus installment will be in the same league as that of the Galaxy flagship devices from Samsung. And that means "the affordable price tag might also cease to exist on the phone," the report added.



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So expect that when the OnePlus 5 is unboxed, the starting price will be north of $500 or even higher. But to justify the significant price increase, the OP5 will get to keep its gorgeous design and stunning build with its maker using glass and metal for the device chassis and casing.



The OnePlus 5 will also make use of ceramic material on its body build, which according to Ubergizmo was highlighted in the Xiaomi Mi Mix. In effect, the OP5 will take a page from both the Galaxy S7 Edge and the Mi Mix in terms of design language.



And to further warrant the higher price tag, which WCCFTech said is inevitable given that the smartphone brand is now fully established with loyal following, it will be the tandem of Android 7.0 Nougat and Snapdragon 835 chip that will run the OnePlus 5 show. For the latter, the RAM support could be up to 8GB RAM, which likely be the highest RAM provision to be seen on a smartphone this 2017.



Also part of the mix is the combo of 23-megapixel camera on the rear and 16-megapixel front shooter with the internal storage capacity coming in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB. There will be USB-C connectivity and the power juice will be supplied by a 4000mAh battery pack. Wireless charging is the cards too, which explains the possible use of glass back plate on the OnePlus 5.



All told, there will be five new feature upgrades that the OnePlus 5 will bring to the table, which WCCFTech said could be the chief reason the device is getting its name. But according to Ubergizmo, the OnePlus 3T that was issued in late 2016 served as the fourth in the series and the maker is apparently avoiding the '4' label for better luck.



As for the OnePlus 5 release date schedule, the best guess is around the second quarter of 2017 for the device intro with the actual rollout to follow shortly, likely no later than June.






The five things you need to know on Tuesday, February 28

1) FROM MAJOR TO MINOR

Sir John Majors Brexit speech last night - an attack on Theresa Mays cheap rhetoric' and a warning that the NHS could suffer in a bargain-basement, WTO-style Britain - certainly sparked a fresh cycle of sectarian verbal violence.

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There was a swift backlash from Tory MPs, anti-EU newspapers and anyone else simply irritated that hed adopted the very position he loathed about Margaret Thatcher: a back-seat driver. It was like old times as bastard Iain Duncan Smith laid into Major on Newsnight, calling him strangely bitter and rather sad. The IDS tone was one of sorrow rather than anger. How strange the change, from major politician to minor, he seemed to say.

I spotted Kelvin Mackenzie at Westminster tube yesterday. In his infamous phone call to Major on Black Wednesday in 1992, the Sun editor told the then PM how his paper would cover the UK dropping out of the ERM: Ive got a bucket of shit on my desk, prime minister, and I'm going to pour it all over you. Major has since disputed this account (at Leveson no less) but buckets of merde are kind of how the pro-Brexit papers have reacted today.

The speech also laid bare what strange bedfellows the whole Leaver/Remainer row has created, as the ex-PM was praised by figures from Alastair Campbell (the man whose ruthless ridicule of Major helped Blairs 1997 landslide) to Labour MP David Lammy.

What may worry No.10 more is a warning from the British Chambers of Commerce that Brexit should be delayed if the Government is unable to agree a new free trade deal with the EU during the Article 50 period. The BCC has its annual conference today, with Boris Johnson and Greg Clark expected to join John McDonnell as speakers.

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2) DEEP CUT BARRACKED

Philip Hammond made plain to Tory MPs in private last week that if they were going to get extra cash for the NHS, business rates relief, schools and social care, the money had to come from somewhere - and it was either tax rises or spending cuts. You can guess which most Conservative backbenchers prefer, and overnight it looks like were getting another dose of austerity.

Just as Major was preparing his speech, Treasury Chief Secretary David Gauke announced Government departments have been told to find spending cuts of up to 6% as part of plans to save 3.5bn by 2020. This is all packaged as part of the efficiency review announced in Osbornes final Budget, though the NHS, defence and core schools finances are ring-fenced. Most significant is extra council efficiencies will be used to help fund social care.

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has accused the Treasury of sneaking out the announcement (I couldnt find any Written Ministerial Statement yesterday). We have Treasury Questions at 11.30am and assuming McDonnell makes it back from his BCC conference speech in time, he can ask in the House whats going on.

3) NEGLECTING TO MENTION

Shami Chakrabarti and other Corbyn allies came under attack at the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) meeting last night, chiefly over the loss of the Copeland by-election to the Tories. MP after MP said how furious they were at the Shadow Attorney Generals line on the Andrew Marr show that Copeland was one of those constituencies that was neglected by my own party over some years. Backbenchers pointed out she had only joined Labour last year, and then as an unelected peer. She'd also 'neglected' to mention Corbyn's own responsibility for the defeat, it was pointed out.

You can read my account of the PLP HERE. What didnt help matters was the lack of Shadow Cabinet ministers at the meeting. Although Corbyn had sent his apologies, backbenchers were even more unhappy when a photo circulated among MPs of Chakrabarti and Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott having a quiet drink in the nearby Pugin Room - just a couple of minutes walk away - as the meeting went on.

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Bermondsey MP Neil Coyle said their refusal to turn up to the PLP was an insult to party workers, to campaign manager Andrew Gwynne and to all the party members who worked bloody hard in Copeland - and know exactly why we lost. That was a less-than veiled reference to Jeremy Corbyn himself. Stoke Central campaign chief Jack Dromey warned against false alibis for Labours reduced vote share, citing canvass returns showing that neither Blairs speech nor divisions at Westminster had registered with voters.

John McDonnell (who to be fair to the Attorney General has made similar points and also didnt attend PLP) tried to play down his dire warning of a soft coup yesterday. But if you want to see how Corbyn supporters view the media reports on Copeland, you could do no worse than watching this spoof news clip by satirist Jonathan Pie. Oh, and theres this new video (complete with scary music) being circulated about the soft coup itself.

BECAUSE YOUVE READ THIS FAR

Watch Government minister Lord Nash refer to his departments web-shite. Nash for questions, indeed.

4) KIPPER WARS

The simmering rows within UKIP seem to have turned into open civil war today. Nigel Farage has used a Daily Telegraph column to call for the partys only MP Douglas Carswell to quit. The time for him to go is now, he says. Just think about that for second: a partys ex-leader is saying its only member of Parliament should resign.

Relations between the two have never been cordial, not least as Carswell is a pro-immigration libertarian and Farage is a populist protectionist. But it seems theyve fallen out over gongs. The Tel reveals emails showing that Farages pals wanted to get him a knighthood (or a K as they put it) but Carswell merely joked that he should be given an OBE for services to headline writers. Farage says his MP is consumed with jealousy and a desire to hurt me.

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Perhaps what got Farages goat was Carswells words on The Week in Westminster on Saturday when he said the reason he wouldnt defect back to the Tories was because his Clacton constituents had been by-electioned out. Our own Owen Bennett has done a piece looking at the fallout of the Stoke Central failure by Paul Nuttall, with Fargistes blaming the wets in the party ie Nuttalls adviser Patrick OFlynn.

5) ABUSE IN THE SYSTEM

The BBCs File on Four programme has some appalling new stats about elder abuse, with 23,000 alerts of incidents in care homes in the past three years. The United Kingdom Homecare Association, which represents 2,000 care companies, described the findings as "horrifying" and blamed cuts to local government budgets.

The Times has splashed on Britain's most senior child protection police officer saying that paedophiles who view indecent images should not be given any criminal sanction unless they pose a physical threat to children. Simon Bailey says the policing system has reached "saturation point" from increasing reports of sexual abuse, and that "lower-level offending" should be dealt with through counselling and rehabilitation. Is he saying police cuts reduce their capacity to deal with the issue?

Meanwhile yesterday England's mammoth inquiry into historical child sex abuse opened and the first testimony was of the "torture, rape and slavery" suffered by child migrants shipped to Australia. The Independent Inquiry looked at the schemes that sent thousands of vulnerable children to far-flung parts of the Commonwealth in the decades after World War II.

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Jaded, cynical, rudderless and adrift, the Labour Party this week finds itself standing on the precipice, staring into an abyss of seemingly inevitable electoral defeat.

Conjecture is heavily relied upon here, but one imagines Sandhurst to impart on its recruits the value of a good captain going down with the ship. Teaching them to be the one who drags it down, however, is unlikely to feature on the curriculum. Enter, Jeremy Corbyn. The captain who laughs giddily while singing, dancing and merrily blasting breach after breach in the bow of the Labour barge. Soon to become a skiff.

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The Conservative by-election victory in Copeland was the best by a governing party since 1878. Given that this took place in Labour's backyard it's difficult to see this as anything other than a sucker punch to Theresa May's best friend. Copeland, then, was the real eye of the storm. The comments made by Cat Smith MP that the Cumbrian result was an 'extraordinary achievement' for the red team were utterly delusional. So too were the plethora of excuses served up by Corbyn allies. Very low turnout was to blame, according to Baroness Chakrabarti. 'Fake news' alarm bells should be ringing because, in fact, in the last 60 by-elections this one had the 7th highest turnout.

Even in Stoke, the result was more precarious than had been hoped for. The combined Conservative and UKIP vote exceeded that for Labour, meaning a majority rejected them in favour of something altogether more right-wing.

If the results of Thursday were to be extrapolated it would result in a 96 seat Commons majority for the Tories. When asked during a poll who they would rather see as prime minister, working class voters dealt a right hook to the red corner. Corbyn placed 36 points behind Theresa May. 5 and a half million votes behind the Tories. That's a lot of doorsteps.

The problem is Labour have lost their narrative. What are they for? The Conservatives are the Brexit party. The Liberal Democrats are the anti-Brexit party. Labour are the party of...? For a one word answer, 'disunity' is all that springs to mind. Coherent policies on the big issues of the day, like immigration, have not been forthcoming, and issues that really matter to the people Labour used to take pride in representing, nuclear power in Copeland, for example, have been eschewed for fanciful ideologies harboured by metropolitan elites.

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Brexit has re-framed everything. The old songs like the NHS are no longer loud enough to drown out the Article 50 anthems. Given that our casting off from the anchorage of the European Union is the foreground, background and sideshow of politics, and will be for at least the next 2 years, Labour need to find their feet. Fast. As it stands they are repelling Remain voters for not being anti-Brexit, Leave voters for not being passionately pro-Brexit, and the working classes for not championing the things that matter most to them. Not many fans left, then. Labour MPs, traditional Labour voters and Labour activists are now three separate entities, the priorities and agendas of which don't overlap in the slightest. This makes them too weak to succeed, but too strong to fail.

When your deputy leader has to appear on television calling on shadow cabinet ministers, union leaders and members of the PLP to not abandon their General, you know things are looking pretty bleak.

But abandon they have. Disillusioned party members have rushed for the exit, leaving in their wake an even greater majority in favour of the current leadership, making a Corbyn deposal even less likely. The tribal tendencies of Corbyn allies in the PLP exacerbate the problem. John McDonnell spoke out against the supposed 'soft coup' taking place to shine a light on the dissension in the ranks. In reality, the sole objective was to call the troops to arms in their battle against the evils of the Murdoch empire and anyone with left-of-centre leanings. His lambasting of the alliance between party plotters and the media was a thinly veiled rally cry; an attempt to lure anyone with even a modicum of support to the front-line with the promise of trenches, cordite and lashings of political bloodshed.

These strategies make clear the Corbyn team's intention to reconstruct the Labour Party in the socialist image. An approach which worked out brilliantly for Venezuela. You know, that country that took socialism to its heart and now boasts poverty on an apocalyptic scale.

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Darkness doesn't need to be such a foreign concept. Most of us are accustomed to using our vision as our dominant sense, through which we comprehend all that we do. When we think of being plunged into darkness we often think of horror movies, scary stories, or even the more mundane routine power cut. Either way, darkness is generally not seen to be a particularly good thing.

In Dans le Noir, a dining in pitch-black experience in Farringdon in London, vision is rendered obsolete and your other faculties are forced to pull the weight. Touch a good contender for centre stage. With touch you can get an idea of the weight of your fork or glass - loaded or empty. You can distinguish your wine cup from your water cup. And arguably most importantly of all you can unfold and place your napkin on your lap (it's a messy business eating in darkness!).

Next in line is hearing, without hearing you wouldn't be able to listen out for the particularities in a person's speech that indicate their emotions, or even something like sarcasm. With vision eliminated, speaking is pretty much the only form of communication possible between you and your dining partners. A funny observation by my mum was that the volume level inside the restaurant was notably high compared to in other restaurants. Perhaps an attempt to compensate for sight is to over-use speech and hearing?

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The value of smelling senses cannot be underestimated either. We all know that sense of smell plays a key role in determining how we taste, but when you can't see what you're eating it's really put to the test. In darkness everything is smellier. Honestly! And the mingled smells of the food make it really tricky to figure out what you're eating. As myself and my parents ate our food it dawned on us just how significant a role our sight plays in understanding the process of eating. My dad was confident that the meat, which he was eating was lamb. My mum said she was sure that it was beef. I would have laid money on the fact that the tender juicy meat on my plate was goat. All three of us were eating from the same menu. Oh, and all three of us were wrong. How is this possible? you are probably asking. And you're right to ask. The fact is that without dining in the dark, you simply cant conceive of such culinary confusion. I'll add however, that despite differing opinions on what we were eating, the common consensus was that all of the food- starters, mains and deserts were incredibly tasty.

Yes, the occasion is unusual and yes, it puts you out of your comfort zone, but after about 15 minutes we adjusted to the experience and relaxed, and really enjoyed ourselves.

It was fun navigating our way around our plates, (wrongly) guessing what the food was, pouring water in the dark, 'cheersing' to my dad's birthday in the dark (one of us actually cheersed a pillar). By the end of the meal we had a real sense of how, given practice, those other senses could really become stronger, and eating in the dark would become less daunting.

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There's an important concept behind Dans Le Noir. It is an admirable one, and has a big place in today's society where we aspire to be inclusive and modern. A large part of the workforce, notably the waiters and waitresses are visually impaired. Our Italian waiter Fabio told us that he was blind since birth He said that two of his big loves are food and wine (he is studying some kind of a wine specialist course presently). We laughed and chatted with Fabio throughout our meal as he helped us when we dropped things, lost things (yes!), and needed things (more drinks/toilet trip assistance!). He is a truly excellent waiter, and being blind was no impediment at all to him in this environment. In Dans Le noir the tables turned on those of us with sight as we realised just how reliant we were on it. These splendid waiters and waitresses saved the day and humbled us, demonstrating that lack of vision isn't a weakness at all, and it can be a strength above all else, in a context like the above. While we fumbled around, and dripped food all over the place like children, we laughed, but we also marvelled, and even now weeks later are left marvelling at how amazing humans are with all their differences.

Cheers to a world which makes room to accommodate people like those fantastic staff at Dans Le Noir. It's a movement in the right direction. Here's to hoping that this company paves the way for others to follow suit and aspire to have an inclusive workforce that provides equal opportunities to everyone.
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Brexit hasn't even happened yet, and the practical aspects of life after EU membership are already the subject of energetic debate. Near the top of the list is exactly how those EU nationals with the right to work in the UK will be able to prove it.

As immigration lawyer Nick Rollason pointed out just after the 'leave' vote, simply presenting a passport will no longer be enough. It's possible that in order to stay in the UK after Brexit, EU nationals will need to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, a process which is becoming ever more exacting and complex.

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Non-EU nationals with Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (or ILR) have been getting a taste of this complexity since May 2014, when the government first took steps to make the employment of illegal workers more difficult. Since the middle of 2015, the crackdown has also applied to Swiss and other nationals from the European Economic Area.

Before the tighter regulations, proving the right to work was indeed a simple matter of showing the ILR stamp in a passport, even when that passport had expired. Now, proof of status is only valid when it's in a current national identity document.

This is a step on the road to the wholesale implementation of biometric residence permits and residence cards, a more secure form of proof than a smudged, faded stamp on ancient paper. To obtain a biometric residence permit, the applicant must have their fingerprints scanned, provide their signature, and have a clear digital photograph taken of their face.

All biometric information is kept on a Home Office database, and can be used to check the holder's immigration status and entitlement to public services. The residence permit itself is a small plastic card, similar to the identity cards issued by other countries, but containing a scannable microchip.

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Biometric documentation is clearly the most secure way of proving the right to work, but it's also one which requires a large amount of administrative and technological support. And if the requirement is applied to EU nationals as well--with 43% of immigration in 2014 coming from the EU, as opposed to 44% from outside--applications could double.

Of course, given recent form, the government could opt for a great British fudge on this issue. In order to deter EU citizens working in the UK from applying for ILR, they may simply declare that it's the employee who needs to prove their eligibility directly to the employer.

This wouldn't be a huge leap for the government, since employers are already required by law to check the immigration status of their employees. But it would complicate matters for anyone employing an EU national, and indeed for any EU national moving between jobs.

At the moment, there are two lengthy lists of documents which employers can accept as proof of the right to work in the UK. The onus is on the employer to ensure that the applicant is the true holder of the documentation presented, and to keep comprehensive records.

For employers who are in any doubt about whether an employee is legally allowed to work in the UK, there are a number of providers who can verify this with employment checks.

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Without a single, easily verifiable document such as a biometric identity card, Brexit will certainly mean an increased workload for employers. It remains to be seen exactly how the Home Office will resolve the issue, and we'll be watching with great interest.

One thing is certain, though: after the split, the process of proving entitlement to work is likely to become a lot more complicated. And if even half of the 2.9million EU nationals currently in the UK are allowed to stay on, checking their status will be a major administrative burden for somebody.
I have known her for well over two decades. We met all those years ago when we collaborated over the Middle East, she with an NGO and I with an ecumenical organisation. Even then, we were trying to find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Peace, justice and mutual security are not new words: they existed then too!

I met her a few days ago for a catch-up lunch. I suggested a pub-grub but she preferred a Lebanese eatery that offers luscious mezzes. And whilst I thought this fresh encounter would be another nostalgic chat, it did not take me too long to realise that my friend was livid.

Let me give readers a clue. She is German, and she has lived in this country for almost thirty years. And she is unhappy with the outcome of the Brexit referendum. But she is even more furious that EU nationals - she being one of them - are almost held hostage to the negotiations that will start once the Government invokes Article 50. It is beyond her that the UK is moving away from the EU and compromising its future with skewed odds.

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What was interesting for me was not that this friend was against Brexit or that she was outraged by the ambiguities of the present moment. After all, I know many people across the UK who are seriously uneasy with the outcome. What surprised me is that an imperturbable woman who has lived much of her adult life in this country and who feels she belongs here is suddenly considering herself an alien in her 'home'

I feel for her. Yet, the problem as I see it is not the democratic decision taken by the people of the UK. The voice of this country has definitely said that we must leave the EU no matter the awkward way that the whole referendum was set up. What surprises me is that those who have accepted that we are leaving this imperfect Union are still criticised, excoriated and silenced if they were to dare and raise their voices. Why has it suddenly become anti-British to voice concerns? We have witnessed this belligerence with senior judges who have delivered their verdicts. We have also seen it happen with journalists, politicians, clerics or decent men and women - and there are so many of them - holding different opinions and speaking out against brash exits.

But what are those concerns, one might ask? I know my friend is furious with the outcome of the referendum and does not fathom how people could commit political kamikaze. She is also deeply - reasonably selfishly - worried about her own future as an EU national who is proud to be German but wishes to stay in the UK.

However, I see things differently. Much as I initially blamed our former prime minister for the shoddy way he devised and later conducted the campaign, I also respected the verdict of the people and ingested the fact that we will one day forgo the EU label. But my acceptance of the referendum turned into angst when I realised that leaving the EU might mean giving up all our rights and responsibilities in order to seek trade partners elsewhere. Now, it might well be that my reasoning is flawed and that we might indeed be better off in ten years. However, the vehemence with which we are discarding our EU credentials and feigning that the grass is lushly greener on the other side are scaring me. And what is frightening even more is that a country - our country, all of us no matter our origins - so renowned for its tolerance and multicultural affinities has set itself into a myopic nationalism that is a cross between populism and jingoism. Yes, the 17 million have spoken, but does this mean that the other 15 million who have also spoken albeit differently must remain mute or else be swatted away as 'non-democrats' who are challenging the will of the country?

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The key point for me is that whilst we decided to leave the EU, we did not decide how we leave it. The choice was between leaving and staying, not on how we might leave the EU or on the process that entails legal, political or socio-economic consequences. Are we not allowed to voice our misgivings and seek clarity so we reach a consensus that heals our country? Since politicians are not leading, do we also collectively throw in the towel?
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Our burgeoning digital economy is the largest in the world and growing at a rate we could hardly have expected even just half a decade ago.

There are now more than one million employed in everything from tech start-ups in Sheffield to creative industries and our digital economy takes up an ever growing chunk of Britain's entire GDP. At its best, this disruptive force is bringing unprecedented benefits to millions. But too often workers will find themselves overworked, underpaid and exploited by bosses they never meet and who do not even fulfil their basic duties as an employer; and people across the country will suffer from digital exclusion because our infrastructure is second rate and our digital skills programmes well behind the times.

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Months of delay and a pitiful Digital Economy Bill have tempered expectations about the Government's Digital Strategy released tomorrow and many are wondering whether they really have anything like the vision this sector needs.

That's why tomorrow, above all else, we have to see ambition. That ambition should envisage the UK leading the world in automative technologies, advanced manufacturing research and the onshoring of high-level, high-paid jobs across the country. But we also must see concrete proposals on two key principles: Access Anywhere and Access for All.

Access Anywhere - that means the Government must finally commit to universal superfast broadband for all. The pathetic minimum speed they want to set will leave 400,000 small businesses, swathes of rural Britain and even some of our bustling urban centres in the digital slow lane. The Government are uniting rural farmers, urban coffee shops, and business park start-ups in a coalition against them. They want ambition and the Government is telling them 'be happy with the bare minimum well into the next decade'.

In recent times the extent of the Government's ambition on digital infrastructure has been a broadband investment fund, which they have now re-announced on three separate occasions. It would be laughable to do so again tomorrow. It was trailed by the former Chancellor during the Autumn Statement in 2015 and will only take the UK from the current 2% full fibre coverage to just 7% by 2020, or the same figure Latvia and Lithuania reached in 2012. Not good enough.

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And on 4G coverage as Lord Adonis' report showed the UK is well behind much of the developed world; many A-roads, rural areas and even city locations struggle to access it for all networks.

The target the government set industry is weak to say the least and if the Government are still only aiming for 90% voice and text 2G coverage by 2017. Again, not good enough.

The Government's approach to infrastructure is hopelessly outdated. We're spending upwards of 60billion on HS2, transporting people around, when they won't commit to 1.7billion to deliver superfast broadband and transport data around the country faster and more efficiently. Likewise, I have seen no acknowledgement of the importance of data as infrastructure - a tool not only for transparency but as an engine of efficiency and growth.

And on Access for All - we need to see a real commitment to digital skills and skills retraining, so those communities that were left behind when the manufacturing industries collapsed in the 1980s aren't left behind again as our digital economy starts to boom.

By 2022 there will be a shortage of three million people to fill 15million high-skilled jobs in the UK. Conversely nine million will be chasing three million low-paid jobs. Therefore we need to push for as close as possible to 100% digital literacy in a country where 12.5million still lack basic digital skills. And for older workers we need to back a Second Chance Career Fund so those left behind as our economy changes have the chance to reskill and begin a new career.

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So skills training in schools, in the existing workforce but crucially a commitment to re-skilling those that have lost their jobs. This strategy has to be as much about Sunderland as it is Shoreditch.

If the Government's strategy, after over a year of delays, and repeated blockings by No 10 doesn't deliver meaningfully on skills, infrastructure and address the financing of start-ups outside London and the South East it will have failed. The answers to the fourth industrial revolution are not as complicated as many would have us believe, the thinking is happening all over academia, in the industry and in the Labour Party, I hope the Government meets our expectations.
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We all like a bargain, but when is it too good to be true? When the human cost of a 'cheap deal' is exposed, what choice do we make?

This Fairtrade Fortnight, our message to consumers is urgent and simple: Don't Feed Exploitation.

How often do we think about where our food comes from? About who grew it, what their quality of life is like, about whether or not they're getting paid properly for their hard work?

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We asked the British public and found that a quarter of us have never even considered the farmers and workers behind our food and drink. Almost 17% have never thought about whether it has been produced in exploitative conditions.

If we don't question the provenance of the goods we consume on a daily basis, how do we know we're not part of the problem? That we're not feeding poverty?

In this new provocative film launched for Fairtrade Fortnight we want to challenge people to think hard about this. But while the film is fictional, the reality is even more shocking.

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Tea, coffee and cocoa industries are all extremely profitable, yet how is it that the majority of the farmers producing these commodities are not earning a decent living? 1 in 3 people in Kenya's coffee and tea growing regions live in poverty, and over 2 million children work in hazardous conditions in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, with the average cocoa farmer in the latter living on less than 40p a day.

Many of the largest coffee producing countries in the world have over 10 percent of their populations living on less than US$1.90 a day - falling short of the World Bank extreme poverty line.

Around 30% of households in Southern Malawi, the main tea growing region, live in poverty and half don't have enough food. The consequences of low income are devastating. Children may have to be sent to work rather than school, families cannot afford basic provisions like healthcare or food, and many have to take on work under poor conditions.

If you have not experienced or seen extreme poverty with your own eyes, it is a very hard thing to imagine. Is it that we think these problems are beyond our control or just too far away? Out of sight, out of mind. We don't think so. This year, we've seen just how committed the public are to the farmers who struggle to get by. Through buying Fairtrade products, sales are on the rise and as a result, consumers are helping to ensure that 1.6m farmers and workers globally get a fair deal. Over time individual action adds up and this support is transforming communities around the world every day. The success of the Fairtrade movement proves we can all make a difference.

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In Malawi, agriculture is the key economic driver but it remains one of the world's poorest countries. In rural areas, infrastructure and essential health and education services are weak. Sukambizi Association Trust is a co-operative with 9,000 small-scale farmer members. Before Fairtrade, people used to have to travel 40km to the nearest hospital and with no alternative transport, many women had to risk their lives by delivering babies at home. Thanks to Fairtrade investment, the community was able to invest in a village maternity clinic and an ambulance. 400 babies are now safely delivered there each year and sick children are able to get the care they need. Additionally, Sukambizi have been able to build a local primary school and fund projects to increase solar power.

Ongoing development is precarious in this region and a few years ago six members of Sukambizi lost their lives in floods that devastated people's livelihoods. Fairtrade stood by the community and raised money to replant crops that were destroyed, but sadly, drought in subsequent years has parched their land. The effects of climate change, combined with falling sales of tea, are pushing them to their limit. A reality experienced by too many of our farmers.

After years of improvement to their lives through investments from Fairtrade tea sales, it is desperately sad to see people falling back into poverty. As a consequence, the community is selling significantly less tea to the Fairtrade market and they don't get as good a deal from other traders. This means they can't invest in electricity, clean running water or education support for the next generation - all of which we take very much for granted.

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This is the reality for a large majority of our farmers and shows why we need businesses and consumers to stop and consider the wider effect of a 'bargain'. Change is happening, but it's not a quick fix and we must not become complacent. We are operating in a very uncertain world that is pushing us to become increasingly insular as we focus on our domestic concerns and the impact of significant decisions being made in London, Brussels and Washington. However, we must never forget that we are part of a wider world.

Fairtrade Fortnight has always been a time to celebrate, to dress up in banana costumes and hold record-breaking events that ultimately are about thanking the people who work hard so that we can enjoy the chocolate, fruit, sugar, tea and coffee we consume every day. But there is a serious message behind the frivolity and fun. We depend on these people, and they depend on trade with us. They deserve a fair deal for their hard work. We mustn't allow exploitation, child labour or poverty pay to continue. We must demand greater transparency from companies. One way we can do this with the guarantee they get fairer prices for their goods, better working conditions and investment in their communities. That's why we want people to Choose Fairtrade.

Find out more about Fairtrade's 23rd annual campaign, Fairtrade Fortnight and how to get involved.
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Being an actress means that I get to live more than one life. I like to understand how other people feel. I am a woman and an actor, and I also have a learning disability.

When I first started acting, I faced a lot of negativity. There was a lot of misconceptions from casting directors that I wouldn't be able to act a part, or that I would hold up the filming or production schedule because of my disability. They were also worried about how to direct me as they didn't know how to communicate with me or didn't think that I would be able to understand what they wanted me to do.

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This has improved now for me, but only because I have proved them wrong. I think people have realised that I'm as flexible as any other actor and I really don't mind changing how I play something. I just need it to be explained to me. If my director or producer trusts me, I will trust them. If they help me to understand the character, and I know the character's heart, I will become her.

My favourite role that I've played so far on TV was in Call the Midwife, when I played a young woman who had Down's syndrome who was pregnant. It was frustrating to hear the attitudes of people towards people with a learning disability at the time, I'm glad I wasn't born then. But unfortunately some of those attitudes are still around now.

Research from learning disability charity Mencap last year found that just 34% of the public said they'd seen someone with a learning disability in a TV drama or comedy and 12% said they'd seen someone in a film in the past six months. Those figures are too low. There are 1.4 million people with a learning disability in the UK and we see a variety of people every day in the real world, so why isn't that reflected on TV?

Things have improved and I've been lucky enough to be involved in some big steps forward. I was the first actor with a learning disability to play a character without a disability on stage, a big moment for the learning disability community of actors. It's these opportunities that keeps me going.

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It's great that the Oscars has got people talking about diversity. But there's no mention of making more opportunities for people with a learning disability. Statistics show that 16% of Oscars are awarded to non-disabled actors playing a disabled character.

It makes me angry that there are lots of actors with disabilities, but they are not given the chance to play roles, even when that role calls for someone with a disability. I think that the directors have missed a trick. Look at the amazing things critics have said about My Feral Heart and its leading actor who has Down's syndrome. I love good drama, and I think it needs to be believable, I think that's what audiences deserve. They want to look into the character's eyes and believe that they have a disability.

It's important for people with a learning disability to be seen on TV, simply because we exist, we are everywhere. We are not mythical beings and we can play characters that people can relate to and are interested in.

I would like to see more parts written for people with a learning disability and ones where the disability is not the main focus. For the few roles there are, TV is inclined to only be about the problems that having a disability brings, the character is a "disability" instead of a "person".

TV bosses should use characters with a learning disability, doing stuff that has nothing to do with disability, just being part of life. Sometimes a small part, like the guy behind the counter at your sandwich shop - that's how we'll make disability seen as a part of society.

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It is so important to challenge stereotypes because they are boring, like all stereotypes. People with a learning disability are people, just like anyone else. TV and film are supposed to reflect real life, but if people with a learning disability aren't included - then that isn't showing what society is actually like.
Buprenorphine (Photo : The Drug Classroom/YouTube)

The extent of the opioid epidemic in the U.S. is so pervasive that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated that around 23.5 million Americans, aged 12 or older, are addicted to drugs and alcohol.



In 2007, the American public spent nearly $200 billion in in healthcare, criminal justice, legal, and lost workplace production/participation costs due to drug addiction, according to data provided by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). It is estimated that the annual cost to the U.S. healthcare system from illegal drugs amounts to $11 billion per year, and the economic cost is pegged at $193 billion annually. While alcohol abuse costs taxpayers an estimated $223 billion in health care costs and lost productivity.



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Combined, alcohol and illegal drug abuse is now a huge burden to the U.S. economy, estimated to total at least 17.1 percent of the annual U.S. federal budget. The direct health care expenses for alcohol, tobacco, illegal, and prescription drug is estimated at $137 billion per year, while total economic cost, including crime and lost productivity could reach more than $600 billion annually.



Drug and alcohol abuse is obviously a serious problem in the United States, said Brady Granier, President, CEO and director of BioCorRx, Inc. (BICX). Its not just the healthcare system that is impacted. The problem needs to solved, but in order to do that, we need more prevention initiatives and better treatment options for individuals wanting treatment. Perhaps the biggest issue in regards to treatment, is getting those that actually need help into treatment. With only about 10 percent of those with a problem getting treatment, more needs to be done to encourage the other 90 percent to get help. With the growth of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and outpatient programs, there are more options available to those that want help. Many of these programs can be done discreetly which we hope will encourage more to seek help. Many experts feel that the reason more arent seeking help is because of the negative stigma that traditionally comes with addiction. That is probably one of the biggest hurdles in the industry that can hopefully change with time.



MAT is the combination of medications and counseling to treat alcohol and opioid addictions. The most common medications used in MAT are methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Suboxone is a commonly known brand name in the buprenorphine space. Revia and Vivitrol are brand names for certain naltrexone products. Unfortunately, some anti-opioid abuse medications available in the market are suspected of causing more health complications and sometimes deaths, especially if prescribed by unscrupulous doctors.



Is There a Dark Side with Buprenorphine?



British multinational consumer goods company Reckitt Benckiser Group plc (RB), with about $55.22 billion in capitalization, has developed buprenorphine in the 1960s as a treatment for moderate pain. However, in 2000, Reckitt Benckiser was allowed to sell the drug to treat patients with opiate dependency in combination with naloxone.



In 2002, after a long and laborious fight, Reckitt Benckiser convinced Congress to give it a seven-year orphan drug patent for Suboxone, the brand name for buprenorphine, making the drug a first-line treatment for opioid abuse. Federal funds were poured into the development of Suboxone and it was marketed as a safe anti-opioid dependency drug. For the effort, Reckitt Benckiser earned $1.55 billion in the U.S. alone on Suboxone sales in 2012.



Developed as a long-term treatment for opioid abuse and as a painkiller, buprenorphine is an opioid itself that can trigger dependency and even euphoria similar to the effects of prescription drugs like acetaminophen/oxycodone (Percocet) or oxycodone (OxyContin). However, SAMHSA said that the effect of buprenorphine and the risk of addiction and abuse are less likely and even less deadly.



Since its sales began in 2002, Suboxone has been faced with controversies as several critics of the drug describe buprenorphine as having evolved both as medication and recreational drug. The drug, while reporting some success in the fight against opioid abuse, has also opened the doors for unscrupulous individuals and has even resulted in deaths.



In an article written by the New York Times, Shawn Verrill of South Berwick, Maine, narrated in an interview at a federal prison in Otisville, New York how her then 20-year-old friend Miles Malone died in 2010 after taking Suboxone.



I didnt know you could overdose on Suboxone, Verrill said. We were just a bunch of friends getting high and hanging out, doing what 20-year-olds do. Then we went to sleep, and Miles never woke up.



Dr. Robert Newman, a leading advocate of methadone treatment, commented about buprenorphine in the same article, The safety factor should not be oversold. It is diverted and sold on the black market. It is misused, and it does lead to medically adverse consequences, including death. It is associated with a large number of deaths.



Reckitt Benckiser, the maker of Suboxone, is also at the center of a massive antitrust lawsuit that was filed in a federal court in Philadelphia in September 2016, accusing the company of destroying the drug in a bid to maintain its chokehold on the market.



The 92-page complaint identified 35 states and the District of Columbia as plaintiffs, questioning Reckitt Benckiser move to spinoff Indivior, and a third company called MonoSol RX, by allegedly using a series of deceptive and unconscionable practices to profit from drug addiction treatment.



The charge sheet accused the company of product hopping by making minor tweaks on a product, without actual development to apply for a new patent with the aim of keeping its market share on said product, particularly Suboxone.



Naltrexone Gaining Popularity as Opioid Antagonist; Inhibitor



Approved by the Food and Drug Administration for opioid addiction in 1984, naltrexone is a pure opioid antagonist. Clinical tests have shown that naltrexone is effective in reducing or completely reversing and blocking the effects of intravenously administered opioids.



Indeed, law enforcement agencies, including first medical responders, have been looking at the potential of naltrexone as an anti-drug and alcohol abuse treatment. Prison systems across the U.S. have started opioid abuse rehabilitation treatment programs using injectable naltrexone as the preferred treatment.



The West Virginia Division of Corrections announced in late 2016 that it has started offering Vivitrol, a monthly injection of naltrexone, to its soon-to-be-released inmates to prevent relapse to opioids once they are released and back in their environment.



Vivitrol is manufactured by Alkermes PLC, (ALKS), an $8-billion pharmaceutical company which sells the drug at $1,300 per shot. Naltrexone is being described as a wonder drug by some in the treatment of opioid addiction, although critics are skeptical about the effectiveness of the drug.



Another pharmaceutical firm Barr Laboratories, a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceuticals (TEVA), is also selling naltrexone under the brand name Revia.



Granier from BioCorRx, which is developing its own injectable naltrexone called BICX101, said, We believe that sustained release naltrexone products such as BICX101 will become the gold standard of long term addiction treatment and relapse prevention, especially once more efficient detox protocols and products are standardized such as the IHS BRIDGE device.



BICX101 is a new injectable naltrexone currently in development from BioCorRx (BICX). The company plans to seek FDA approval via 505(b)(2) application.


Devin Neal is at the center of Kansas footballs renaissance
Eminem and Jake Gyllenhall attend the 'Southpaw' New York Premiere at AMC Loews Lincoln Square on July 20, 2015 in New York City (Photo : Getty Images/Dimitrios Kambouris )

It has been almost 15 years since Eminem's song "Lose Yourself," the first rap song to win an Oscar award, was released. Recently, Jeff Bass, one of the producers of the song, talked about how he met the "Rap God" rapper.



Bass and Eminem are both from Detroit, Michigan. The former, along with his brother Mark Bass, is known as a longtime collaborator of the rapper.



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Always ready to work and passionate for it, Eminem was already sending people his mixtapes and work, Jeff said in an interview with Billboard. The producer added that when they we first started out, he and his brother worked with artists who were really serious about the narratives that they were doing.



"His work ethic was always impeccable," Jeff said of Eminem. "The kid could work 20 hours a day easily. Me and my brother strived for that and we worked many, many hours."



According to Jeff, Eminem would come in and they gave it a shot. The producer said they took the rapper in as one of their own and they started grooming him.



Jeff revealed that many people could not hang with him and his brother because they were always constantly working. However, Eminem was a trooper and was that "hungry" so he hung with the Bass brothers the entire time, Jeff said.



In 2013, Jeff talked about how his relationship with Eminem had changed since their collaboration on the rapper's "Relapse" album. In an interview with Grantland, Jeff said he still loved Eminem and he was sure that the rapper still loved him but they did not communicate like they used to.



At the time, Eminem wanted to experiment with other writers and producers, Jeff told the publication. The Bass brothers were not involved in Eminem's most recent album "The Marshall Mathers LP 2," which was released on Nov. 5, 2013.



Watch the music video of "Lose Yourself" here:






Mount Greylock Project Ahead of Schedule, on Budget

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Mount Greylock School Building Committee continues to receive good news about its timetable and cautiously optimistic reports about the bids for the $64 million addition renovation project.

At its February meeting, the committee heard that the project is still generally on track with its budget  with some bids coming in lower than expected and one coming in 8 percent higher than estimated.

The next big milestone is March 20, when the district opens bids for the trade contractors, a major piece of the overall budget.

But the project already has realized savings at other steps of the project  money that has been reallocated to other areas of the budget. It picked up $558,000 in September and another $82,500 in October, Mike Giso of Turner Construction reminded the committee. On the other hand, the "concrete package" for the project came in at just under $1.3 million, whereas the estimator had $1.2 million in the budget.

"The variance is 8 percent, $101,649," Giso said. Obviously, thats not ideal, but in the grand scheme of things, 10 percent is reasonable.

"It all balances out. When its all said and done, the general budget, we hope to be right on. Youre going to see some ups and downs along the way because of various trade packages."

He told the committee that Turner, the projects construction manager, approached a half dozen potential contractors for the concrete and heard back from three.

"Their numbers were all within a couple of points of each other," he said. "To have that tight a spread of numbers, theres confidence everyone was looking at the same job."

School Building Committee Chairman Mark Schiek pressed the construction manager to put the $100,000 variance in perspective.

"We just spent $100,000 more on concrete than we originally planned," Schiek said. "Thats coming from money we got back in our pocket from other things. Overall, were still within budget?"

"Overall, bottom line, the project is at budget," Giso said.

And it remains ahead of schedule, thanks in part to the relative lack of persistent snow cover this winter.

The district plans to move its classrooms into a new three-story academic wing during April vacation 2018, just 14 months from now. That will allow demolition of the current academic space  the one-story "doughnuts" to the west of the existing school  to begin next spring and that ground to be seeded with new grass before the frost sets in.

That ambitious construction schedule caught a break from Mother Nature  so far  this winter, and activity is set to ramp up quickly in the next few weeks, Giso and owners project manager Trip Elmore of Dore & Whittier Management Partners told the building committee.

Steel erection on the three-story academic wing could begin ahead of schedule  as early as mid-March  if the weather holds, Giso said.

"This is unusual," Elmore said. "Because we did the work in the fall, the steel contract was bought in December. They have come back to us and said, 'Can we start early? Normally, you hear, 'Can we wait a week?' This is a good thing. Theyre asking to start two weeks early because were ready for them, and they have an opening in the schedule."

While the project looks to the naked eye like it is in a holding pattern, that is going to change in a hurry.

"We're going to go from very few to zero [workers on site] like we have today to I would expect you could see 60 people here on the first of April," Elmore said. "Its going to be very fast. Its not going to be gradual."

Committee members expressed concern about the potential for all that construction traffic crossing paths with students driving onto and off of the junior-senior high school campus.

Elmore and Giso said the workers generally will be on site by 7 a.m., before students generally arrive for the day, and the workers leave at 3, long after the 2:25 p.m. dismissal and before students involved in after-school activities would start leaving campus.

"So we want to focus on the morning and make sure the [subcontractors] won't think it's OK to come driving in at 7:20," Elmore said.

"Most of them will embrace starting earlier," Giso replied.

Elmore encouraged Principal Mary MacDonald, a member of the School Building Committee, to alert him if any traffic concerns crop up once the construction phase begins in earnest.

Even as the construction phase gets going, one member of the School Building Committee used the Feb. 16 meeting to express concern that the projects designer was not responding to suggestions that could save the district money down the road.

Robert Ericson, who represents the Lanesborough Board of Selectmen on the SBC, opened the meeting by saying that he was "disturbed" that specific suggestions from the committee's Facilities Working Group, like reducing the size of water heaters, had not elicited responses from the projects designers.

Mount Greylock's facilities supervisor, who serves with Ericson on the Facilities Working Group, and Elmore, addressed his concerns later in the meeting.

"I know from conversations with the architect that the architect is reviewing your comments list and incorporating various comments as theyve been going forward," Elmore said. "Some toilets were swapped for urinals. A bathroom was swapped for an office. There are some things they can do and certain things they cant do. There may be code elements."

Facilities Supervisor Jesse Wirtes in an email subsequent to the School Building Committee meeting, confirmed that the Facilities Working Group still is engaged with architect Perkins Eastman.

"There have been many situations that demonstrate Perkins Eastman's attentiveness, which are numerous ongoing design changes along with ongoing resolutions of concerns/questions," Wirtes wrote on Feb. 24. "Also there has been an on-going behind-the-scenes of refinements with design, project concerns and phasing function, between the owner and Trip [Elmore], Perkins Eastman, Birchwood Design Group, CES (Consulting Engineering Services), Turner and etc.

"As for resolution, the Facilities Working Group had a scheduled meeting this past Wednesday with the agenda being the review of a list of concerns and design recommendations to present to Perkins Eastman. After we met, the latest design drawings were received and we as a group feel that a second review is needed, prior of sending off to [architect Dan Colli] and Trip."

In other business at the Feb. 16 School Building Committee meeting, MacDonald reported on the progress of the committees Interiors Working Group, which is nailing down design aspects of the project.

The biggest change from past iterations is that the design now calls for porcelain tile to be used in the buildings foyer and artery flooring," instead of polished concrete, MacDonald said. The group found that additives in the polished concrete to give it a non-industrial look" would be cost-prohibitive.

MacDonald also said that the designer had made improvements to the entrance foyer that will allow more natural light and brighten up the space.
A market in Uyghur autonomous region selling fish from Pakistan. (Photo : Getty Images)

People at the Uyghur region of Xinjiang are now enjoying seafood from Pakistan, thanks to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.



The China-India trade deal has facilitated roads and easier modes of trade between China and India. The roads are now enabling Pakistani fish traders to sell to Chinas northwest region.



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The trade now comprises of 2 percent of total commerce between China and Pakistan. The trade route of seafood will eventually lead to more products as the CPEC develops.



Marko Dimitrijevic, the author of Frontier Investor, said, The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been described as a Marshall Plan for Pakistan.



He added, It is a $51 billion, a 15-year project that will ultimately create a 2,000-kilometer highway/railway/pipeline route from Western China to Pakistans Gwadar Port, knocking over 10,000 kilometers off the current sea route for Middle Eastern oil to China.



The expert also said that the corridor will eventually lead to the construction of a high-speed railway from Karachi to Lahore to Peshawar, and over 26,000 MW of electric generating capacity.



The China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Company Ltd. acquired 174 acres of land in Pakistan to build the Matiari-Lahore high voltage direct current transmission line power project.



The project is estimated at the $1.57 billion and will generate power as much as 660 kilovolts. Assistance for the acquisition of the land was given by the Pakistani government.



The project will be the countrys first mega direct current structure. It is expected to deliver 4,000 megawatts of electricity.



A minister for power and water from the Pakistani government said, We have completed the land acquisition for two mega converter stations of the project that will be built near Balloki.



He added, We have also handed over control of the Lahore land to the Chinese firm. The possession of land in Hyderabad is likely to be completed soon.


Sonys new concept earphones upgrade its Xperia Ear wireless earphones by allowing users to hear sounds around them (Photo : YouTube/Sony Xperia)

Sony's wireless concept earphones could take on Apple's AirPods that were introduced with the iPhone 7 last September. This follows the Japanese company announcing its smart wireless headphones called Xperia Ear at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2016. A new design of the wireless headphones lets them sit outside the ear so the user can listen to music, talk to people, and get audio input from the environment.



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"Open-style concept" is the working name of the earphones. Sony announced the new earbuds at its WMC press conference. The goal of the technology seems to be preventing people from removing their earphones.



Sony's Future Lab Program developed the upgraded version of Xperia Ear, according to BGR. The motto of the new accessory is "Hands-free. Eyes-free. Ears-free."



Prototypes of the new wireless headphones were displayed at MWC 2017. They include ultra-powerful "special acoustic conductors" and driver units that transmit sounds directly to the wearer's ear canal.



This idea has the same effect as the "audio passthrough" technology that is built into other wireless earphones. They allow users to interact with a digital assistant and listen to music while hearing the noise surrounding them.



The units are clearly a work-in-progress project. They are based on possible game-changing tech that includes a somewhat large piece that sits behind the ear.



The concept earphones also do not fill the user's entire ear canal. This allows them to talk to people around them while wearing the units.



Xperia Ear owners will have to remove the earbuds in order to charge them. Sony did not provide information for estimated time to recharge them.



It did share that the "open-style concept" will feature the Sony Agent Technology virtual assistant that is included in the original Xperia Ear headphones. Like other concepts, however, it is not certain that the wireless earphones will be launched as a new product.



The Tokyo-based company has revealed it is upgrading its digital assistant. A new "Anytime Talk" feature makes it easier to start a group call without needing to dial.



Sony introduced the original Xperia Ear as a concept last year. When it hit the market, however, it had low sales figures. Reviewers stated that the product had limited functionality and a short battery life, according to The Verge.



Here's a review of Xperia Ear:






African donkey hides are in an all time low because of the surge of demand in China. (Photo : Getty Images)

A Chinese businessman engaged in donkey hide smuggling was arrested in Johannesburg. The Chinese national was trying to export 300 pieces of donkey hides and was a leader of a local donkey ring.



Donkey hide is in demand in China because it is used to manufacture ejiao, or a gelatin-based medicine used to treat anemia, heavy menstrual bleeding, and sleeplessness.



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The price of the skin has increased to 2,000 yuan from 600 yuan because of the dwindling supply. Chinese donkeys have decreased greatly because of the surge in the demand.



China has been a part of many controversial issues on wildlife trade. Grace de Lange from the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) Farm Animal Protection Unit, said that the demand in China is propelling the increase in donkey prices in South Africa in the last two years.



She said that the prices have increased four times.



The NSPCA released a statement last year which noted, Donkeys are the latest victims of the trade in animal parts for medicinal purposes to the Far East.



Cruelty to animals is illegal in Africa. Punishments for acts of cruelty are stated in South Africas Animal Protection Act.



Donkeys are being slaughtered with the use of rocks and knives in Limpopo, the Northern Cape, and North West Province, said Mpho Mokoena, an inspector in the NSPCAs Farm Animal Protection Unit.



Its extremely upsetting to see the remains, Mokoena said.



In efforts to stop the trade of donkey hide, online market site Gumtree banned the posting of ads for donkey hide sale.



"Gumtree has decided to ban the sale of all donkeys and mules on the site, not just the hides and by-products," the company said. We hope that this will play a small part in reducing animal cruelty.



A spokesperson from Gumtree South Africa, Claire Cobbledick said, We decided that extreme measures would be necessary to prevent further unsavory practices.


The Fellowship Calls on Government to Speak Out Against Anti-Semitism

The Fellowship | February 28, 2017 The Fellowship Calls on Government to Speak Out Against Anti-Semitism

Stand for Israel has kept you abreast of the latest wave of bomb threats to Jewish institutions across the U.S., as well as the most recent acts of anti-Semitic violence and vandalism. Now, The Jerusalem Posts Danielle Ziri reports that The Fellowship is calling for Christians and Jews to unite against anti-Semitism, and in urging the government to speak out against this worrying trend:

Jewish organizations expressed their outrage on Monday after yet another rash of bomb threats called into Jewish Community Centers and Jewish day schools and called federal authorities to speak out against the phenomenon.

Some 21 such incidents were recorded on Monday affecting 13 JCCs and seven Jewish day schools in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia.

This latest wave of threats comes after over five others in January and February, with a total of 89 incidents at 72 locations in 30 states and 1 Canadian province.

In addition, two Jewish cemeteries were vandalized in the past week, in St. Louis and Philadelphia

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, which has 1.6 million Christian donors in North America and around the world, also issued a statement condemning the latest anti-Semitic attacks nationwide, urging Christians and Jews to build bridges in response to hatred.

We have heard from so many of our Christian brothers and sisters expressing their profound dismay at the recent rise of anti-Semitic and hate crimes nationwide, and offering their love and support, President and founder of The Fellowship, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein said. Hatred only reinforces our mutual determination and resolution to continue building bridges between Christians, Jews, and other faith communities, each and every day, to counter anti-Jewish bigotry.

Through a social media campaign, the Fellowship has collected more than 10,000 signatures from Christians condemning anti-Semitism in a letter titled We stand with the Jewish community against anti-Semitism. The group plans to ultimately present the statement to President Donald Trump
One of the founders of Jolla company, Sami Pienimaki, and company CEO Tomi Pienimaki (R) present the new Jolla smartphone that uses Linux-based Sailfish operating system. (Photo : Getty Images)

Jolla, a company known for building the Sailfish OS, has signed an exclusive license with a Chinese consortium to build an independent OS for the country. This Sailfish-based OS will be completely exclusive to the Chinese territory.



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The company has courted Shan Li, one of the leading PE investors in the country, to head its exclusive Sailfish division in China.



Li has been an early investor in Jolla's vision to build an operating system that can break the monopoly of Android and iOS.



Android holds 62 percent of the market share, iOS holds 17 percent and the remaining 1 percent account for other operating systems such as Windows 10 Mobile, Tizen, Sailfish and others.



"China needs an own independent mobile operating system. I have been closely following Sailfish OS development and seen many Chinese projects fail, while Jollas Sailfish OS has been steadily progressing. Sailfish OS is the only viable alternative for China," said Li.



Jolla has long been considering to enter China and build an ecosystem around the Sailfish OS. They want to power smartphones via their operating system, but also want to reach people through consumer-focused solutions for different devices such as televisions, smartwatches, IoT devices, and connected automobiles.



To make this ambition a reality, the Chinese consortium invested $250 million for the development of the ecosystem.



Antti Saarnio, the chairman of Jolla, said: "Since the beginning of Jolla, for five long years, we have been aiming to offer Sailfish OS for the China market. At the same time, China has for many years tried to build their own OS based on Android, but without success."



"With this exclusive license to the Chinese consortium, we offer a very fast path to build an independent operating system, which gives China the opportunity to build their mobile technology on solid rock, instead of sand," he added.



Mobile OS maker Jolla has already deployed a similar independent Sailfish-based operating system solution in Russia which was developed in just six months.


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This Isnt Our Last Love Letter



Dear Don Don,

Way back in 92



I walked into the room and knew



Never felt this way before



I shook your hand while gazing into your eyes



And the feeling grew



As I took a seat I knew



A love that would have my heart



Forever



I knew



Way back in 92





They say love at first sight doesnt always last or isnt true



We were the exception to that rule



Our love had no where to hide



A spark set fire



As if this is how the universe started





I never doubted our love or what we could do



Together we grew



Forming a bond everlasting



That became our glue



My euphoria was YOU



Im eternally grateful for the love and life we shared



For how fortunate we were :



to have and to hold

through sickness and in health

Til death do us part



Until we are together again



This isnt our last love letter



I love you with all my heart and soul



Yours forever,



Deirdre (Mrs. Hank Snow)





Im fortunate to have fallen in love with, marry and make a life with the sharpest, coolest, funniest, most rare, bad ass, tender loving, loyal man on the planet, my husband Don Imus.









A True American Hero

I dont know why it has been so hard for me to write about my dear friend Don Imus.



I certainly know what he meant to me, my family, my charity, my hospital and the millions of fans that listened and loved him for so many years.



I keep reading all the beautiful condolences that people are writing about how much a part of their lives were effected by listening to him over the years.

But what most people dont talk enough about is what he did for all of us.

In every sense of the word, he was an American Hero. His work with children with so many different illnesses and his dedication to their future was unmatched by anyone I have ever known or heard about.



Besides raising over $100,000,000 for so many causes, he took care of young people for over 20 years in a state where he could not breathe. Along with his incredible wife Deirdre, he created a world where children were not defined by their disease. That was a miracle! He was a miracle.

I will miss him ever day for the rest of my life.

I was blessed to be a part of his and Deirdes life.

No one will ever do what he did.

I love you Don Imus - A TRUE AMERICAN HERO





David Jurist

IMUS IN THE MORNING

FIRST DAY BACK!
EDF Group CEO Jean-Bernard Levy, Britain's Business Minister Greg Clark, and China General Nuclear Corporation (CGN) Chairman He Yu, swap paperwork as they attend a signing ceremony in London. (Photo : Getty Images)

China General Nuclear Power Corp, China's nuclear giant, listed its applied nuclear science and technology assets on the A-Share market as it cashes in on the country's trillion-dollar nuclear power industry.



According to Huang Xiaofei, the spokesman of CGN, China Dalian International Economic and Technical Cooperation Group Co Ltd., the corporation's reverse merger partner, will be officially renamed as "CGN Nuclear Technology Development Co. Ltd."



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He stated that China Dalian International has spent approximately 4.2 billion yuan to acquire shares of seven companies held by CGNNT. The corporation also has raised about 2.8 billion yuan through private placements.



"The company aims to lead the domestic market in applied nuclear science and technology through the listing," said the general manager of CGNNT, Zhang Jianfeng.



He added: "Applied nuclear science in developed countries has formed a massive industrial chain - covering industry, agriculture, medical health, food safety, environmental protection, resource exploration, and security. The industry in China, on the other hand, has great potential for further development as it has been less tapped compared with developed countries such as the U.S."



The government of the United Kingdom has started assessing CGN's plan on building a nuclear power plant at Bradwell, southeastern England, in January. If pushed through, this would be the first full nuclear project in a developed market to use a Chinese design.



According to experts, applied nuclear technology that is related to nuclear power will boost the market.



Xu Yuming, deputy director of the China Nuclear Energy Association, said: "Applied nuclear science and technology can be widely used in industries like agriculture, medicine and other aspects, and based on that it is believed CGN has great potential in the sector."



CGN remains the largest nuclear operator in the country. It ranks fifth worldwide with its 19 nuclear power units with a capacity of 20.38 gigawatts in operation by the end of 2016.


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After Brie Larson gave Casey Affleck a frosty reception while presenting him with a Golden Globe, you might have thought the Oscars would choose someone different to present the accolade.

Nevertheless, they did not and unsurprisingly, history repeated itself. Larson, an outspoken advocate for sexual assault survivors, refused to clap and appeared visibly unimpressed and downcast as she presented Affleck, who has been the subject of sexual harassment allegations, with the Oscar statuette.

The 41-year-old actor, who took home the gong for Best Actor for his role in Manchester by the Sea, faced two sexual harassment allegations in 2010. Affleck, the younger brother of Hollywood megastar Ben, has faced fresh scrutiny over the historical sexual harassment allegations since he has moved into the limelight for his critically-acclaimed portrayal of a grief-stricken divorcee father.

While Affleck garnered a standing ovation for receiving the award, Larson, who won best actress for her role in Room in which she plays a rape survivor, appeared to offer the world a silent, noiseless protest.

However, unlike at the Golden Globes, Larson was forced to cordially but briefly hug Affleck, who was widely tipped to take home the award, as she handed over the gong.

Viewers immediately noticed Larsons apparent unenthusiasm for Affleck and the saga prompted an onslaught of memes on Twitter.

Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Show all 25 1 /25 Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Hailee Steinfeld Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Taraji P. Henson Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Chrissy Teigen Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Ruth Negga Reuters Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Dev Patel PA Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Karlie Kloss Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Emma Roberts Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Riz Ahmed Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Felicity Jones AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Isabelle Huppert AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Octavia Spencer Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Mahershala Ali Rex Features Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Michelle Williams Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Naomie Harris AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Scarlett Johansson Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Ryan Gosling Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Viola Davis Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Charlize Theron Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Dakota Johnson REUTERS Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Chris Evans Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Brie Larson Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Jamie Dornan and Amelia Warner REUTERS Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Sofia Boutella PA Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Pharrell Williams Rex Features Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Kirsten Dunst Getty Images

And Best Actress goes to Brie Larson for hugging Casey Affleck, said Sasha James.

My aesthetic: Brie Larson not clapping for literal trash hole Casey Affleck, said Tyler Stubble.

Others drew attention to the irony of the fact while Larson hugged Affleck at this years Academy Awards, last year she individually hugged sexual assault survivors as they left the stage after standing alongside Lady Gaga while she performed Till it happens to you.

Last year Brie Larson stood and hugged every sexual assault survivor who was on stage with Gaga and now she has to hug Casey Affleck, said one.

Producer Amanda White and cinematographer Magdalena Gorka sued Affleck for $2m and $2.25m respectively over alleged offences during the filming of the mockumentary I'm Still Here which stars Joaquin Phoenix.

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In the original allegations, Ms White alleged that Affleck referred to women as "cows", groped her when she rejected his sexual advances and instructed a camera operator to flash his genitals at her on several occasions. Ms Gorka claimed she was confronted with a "near daily barrage of sexual comments, innuendo and unwelcome advances" from fellow crew members who were encouraged by Affleck.

Affleck has repeatedly and vehemently denied the allegations and settled both claims out of court in 2010. While actual details of the deal remain secret, Ms Gorka and Ms Whites complaints continue to be online on the public record.

Media commentators have argued Affleck has not been sufficiently scrutinised for the allegations due to the clout of his big Hollywood family name and his privilege as a wealthy white man.

The Oscar is by no means Afflecks first gong of the awards season. He also took home the BAFTA, Golden Globe, Gotham, Critics Choice, and National Board of Review awards for his performance in Kenneth Lonergan's drama Manchester by the Sea.

A representative for Affleck or Larson did not immediately respond to request for comment.
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Donald Trump has claimed that the Oscars blunder over the Best Picture award was due to the event being "focused so hard on politics".

The US President was the subject of several jokes made by host Jimmy Kimmel, and was criticised by winners on the night.

He told Breitbart News: "It was a little sad. It took away from the glamour of the Oscars. It didn't feel like a very glamorous evening.

"I've been to the Oscars. There was something very special missing, and then to end that way was sad."

Kimmel threw barb after barb at Trump on the night, receiving cheers for moments such as when he said: "I want to say thank you to President Trump. Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? That's gone, thanks to him!"

Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal, who presented the Oscar for Best Animated Film, criticised Trump's plan for a wall on the US border with Mexico.

"Flesh and blood actors are migrant workers," she said. "We travel all over the world, we construct stories, we build life that cannot be divided.

"As a Mexican, as a Latin American, as a migrant worker, as a human being, I'm against any form of wall that wants to separate us."

Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Show all 25 1 /25 Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Hailee Steinfeld Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Taraji P. Henson Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Chrissy Teigen Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Ruth Negga Reuters Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Dev Patel PA Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Karlie Kloss Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Emma Roberts Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Riz Ahmed Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Felicity Jones AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Isabelle Huppert AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Octavia Spencer Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Mahershala Ali Rex Features Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Michelle Williams Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Naomie Harris AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Scarlett Johansson Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Ryan Gosling Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Viola Davis Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Charlize Theron Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Dakota Johnson REUTERS Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Chris Evans Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Brie Larson Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Jamie Dornan and Amelia Warner REUTERS Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Sofia Boutella PA Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Pharrell Williams Rex Features Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Kirsten Dunst Getty Images

The mix-up that saw presenters announce La La Land as the winner of the Best Picture award instead of the correct winner, Moonlight, has been blamed on the Academy Awards' accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

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In an unusual second apology issued on Monday the firm cited PwC partner Brian Cullinan for the error and apologised to everyone involved in the embarrassing blunder that was played out on national television.

"PwC takes full responsibility for the series of mistakes and breaches of established protocols during last night's Oscars," the new statement said.

Recommended Official statement issued after that shocking Oscars error

"PwC partner Brian Cullinan mistakenly handed the back-up envelope for Actress in a Leading Role instead of the envelope for Best Picture to presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway.

"Once the error occurred, protocols for correcting it were not followed through quickly enough by Mr Cullinan or his partner."

Academy spokesperson Teni Melidonian told the Hollywood Reporter: "We've essentially launched a review of the entire process that happens backstage and the way PwC has been handling the envelopes and how they are carried out at the ceremony".
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Though she may have been beaten by frontrunner Emma Stone for Best Actress at this year's Oscars, Isabelle Huppert's fearless performance still makes Paul Verhoeven's Elle a must-see.

Huppert plays Michele LeBlanc, the CEO of a successful gaming company, whose life is turned upside down when she's sexually assaulted in her own home.

Yet, what makes Elle such a fascinating and challenging watch is how Michele deals with the aftermath of her attack, remaining superficially unphased, refusing to tell the police and instead taking on the task of tracking down her attacker herself.

Recommended One of the best films of 2016 snubbed on Oscar nominations shortlist

That also includes Michele's attitude to self defense, with our exclusive clip tracking her trip to a local gun range.

Huppert may not have landed the Oscar, but she's been critically lauded elsewhere, with Best Actress wins at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards, the Los Angeles Film Critics Awards, and the Golden Globes. The film is directed by the legendary Paul Verhoeven and co-stars Laurent Lafitte, Anne Consigny, Charles Berling, Virginie Efira, and Judith Magre.

 Elle - Trailer

Elle hits UK cinemas 10 March.
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The 89th Academy Awards will no doubt be remembered for years to come thanks to one of the most catastrophic mess-ups in Oscars history.

Presenting the Best Picture award, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, through no fault of their own (as clarified by the Academy), accidentally announced the winner to be La La Land.

In reality, though, the winner was Barry Jenkins Moonlight, leading to a monstrously awkward handover of statuettes from one cast to the other.

La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz has emerged as an unlikely hero from the situation, having been the person to first reveal that Moonlight won.

Guys, guys, Im sorry, no, theres a mistake, he told the Oscars audience. Moonlight, you guys won best picture This is not a joke. Come up here.

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Horowitz has since spoken about the incident, making his first public comments during a phone interview with Good Morning America.

"It was a surreal moment for sure, he told the shows host. "There was a lot of confusion onstage, and at a certain point it was clear that the wrong envelope had been given.

Then they kind of showed us the best picture envelope, and it said Moonlight, and that's when I sort of jumped to the mic and made sure everybody knew what was going on."

"It was like this slow, steady realisation that something wasn't right. It needed to be corrected, so we jumped in and did it.

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Speaking about his role in the proceedings, Horowitz continued: I wanted to make sure that the right thing was done, because, you know, at that point it was not about me. It was about making sure that Moonlight got the recognition it really deserves.

 Oscars 2017: Watch the La La Land-Moonlight Best Picture error in full

"As I said onstage, those guys are my friends. I wanted to make sure they had their moment.

The producer revealed that he met Jenkins and the Moonlight cast at the Governors Ball after the main ceremony and spoke about the monumental moment.

"We kind of shared a moment, gave each other a hug, said, 'Wasn't that surreal?' and congratulated each other on our work and put it all behind us, he told GMA. Well move forward and do more work together.

Meanwhile, the accountancy firm in charge of the Oscar balloting has issued a statement revealing what exactly happened.

We sincerely apologise to Moonlight, La La Land, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for best picture.

"The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and, when discovered, was immediately corrected. We are currently investigating how this could have happened and deeply regret that this occurred.
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During the 89th Academy Awards, Iranian-American engineer Anousheh Ansari accepted The Salesmans award for Best Foreign Language film on behalf of director Asghar Farhadi, who did not appear at the ceremony to protest Donald Trump's so-called Muslim ban.

Before the US courts blocked the controversial ruling, it was believed Farhadi would not be able to enter the country at all; on the night, himself and lead actor Taraneh Alidoosti boycotted the event.

Of course, the win was still big news in Iran - one of the seven countries named in Trumps executive order banning travel to and from the US.

Presenting the award was Charlize Theron and Shirley MacLaine, the Mad Max actor wearing a dress with a plunging neckline.

Charlize Theron and Shirley MacLaine at the Oscars 2017 (Getty)

Iranian Labor News Agency (ILNA) decided to crudely photoshop clothing over Theron, covering her arms, body, and neck, leading to a very bizarre-looking piece of television.

Anousheh Ansari at the Oscars (Getty)

When Ansari accepted the award, the partial area of skin that protruded through the dress was also covered by the network, ILNA using a blurring technique to censor the image. Watch the footage below.

Speaking to The New York Times Women in the World, Masih Alinejad - who uploaded the footage to Facebook and a prominent voice fighting Irans compulsory hijab laws - explained how the state-run broadcaster goes to absurd lengths to keep womens bodies covered.

This is the Islamic Republic of Iran which forces girls as young as age seven to be covered up, she told the publication. While many of us, including Americans, are expressing our opposition to Trumps Muslim ban, we also have to be louder and clearer about our condemnation of Islamic Republic of Irans ban on women who cant enter Iran without hijab.

Women from all religions and cultures, many of whom are flogged and imprisoned inside Iran for not wearing proper hijab.

Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Show all 25 1 /25 Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Hailee Steinfeld Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Taraji P. Henson Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Chrissy Teigen Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Ruth Negga Reuters Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Dev Patel PA Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Karlie Kloss Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Emma Roberts Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Riz Ahmed Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Felicity Jones AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Isabelle Huppert AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Octavia Spencer Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Mahershala Ali Rex Features Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Michelle Williams Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Naomie Harris AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Scarlett Johansson Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Ryan Gosling Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Viola Davis Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Charlize Theron Getty Images Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Dakota Johnson REUTERS Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Chris Evans Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Brie Larson Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Jamie Dornan and Amelia Warner REUTERS Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Sofia Boutella PA Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Pharrell Williams Rex Features Oscars 2017: Best dressed on the red carpet Kirsten Dunst Getty Images

Farhadi's film The Salesman was nominated in the Foreign Language category alongside Land of Mine (Denmark), Toni Erdmann (Germany), A Man Called Ove (Sweden) and Tanna (Australia). The film follows a high school teacher (Shahab Hosseini) who seeks revenge against the perpetrator who attacked his wife (Alidoosti) in their apartment.
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The first Oscar win for a Muslim actor - Mahershala Ali for Moonlight - was applauded around the world on Sunday night, but caused controversy in Pakistan.

Pakistans Permanent Representative to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi deleted a tweet congratulating Ali, after other Twitter users started pointing out he is an Ahmadi - a member of an Islamic sect often persecuted for identifying as Muslim.

Article 260-3 of Pakistans Constitution declares Ahmadis non-Muslims and it is practically illegal to be one in the country.

Lodhi taking back her congratulations was fiercely criticised on social media.

If Mahershala Ali identified as a Muslim in Pakistan, hed be jailed for three years under the countrys anti-Ahmadi laws, writer and activist Kashif N. Chaudry wrote.

In Malaysia, Indonesia and much of the Arab world, hed have to worship secretly in fear of attacks by mobs or arrest by State, and hed be denied his right to enjoy religious freedom.

Recommended The quiet brilliance of Mahershala Ali

Hence, it is very relevant to remember his #Ahmadiyya identity, and appreciate what layers of hate he had to cross to be the champ that he is.

Ali discussed his conversion to Islam (my ordained minister mother didnt do backflips) at the SAG Awards last month.

A first-time Oscar nominee, the 43-year-old beat Dev Patel, Jeff Bridges, Michael Shannon and Lucas Hedges to win the Supporting Actor award at the 89th Academy Awards on Sunday night.

I want to thank my teachers, my professors, Ali said during his acceptance speech. One thing that they consistently told me Its not about you. Its about these characters. You are a servant. Youre in service to these stories and these characters.
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Many of the world's biggest websites have stopped working because of a problem at Amazon.

Amazon Web Services (AWS), the division of the retail giant that provides the infrastructure for much of the internet, appears to have broken. That means that all of the companies and websites that rely on its services  many of the world's biggest websites, like Imgur and Medium, as well as professional tools like SoundCloud and Trello  have stopped working at the same time.

Amazon says that the S3 service hasn't broken but is just experiencing a higher "error rate" than usual. But the problems mean that the websites that rely on its services can't get online all the same.

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

AWS is usually one of the internet's most reliable services. But because of the many websites that rely on it, any bug can cause catastrophic problems across the internet.

Some of those websites only rely on specific parts of Amazon's services. So the SoundCloud website appears to be up, for instance, but it's not possible to upload new audio onto it.

Others appear to rely on it more heavily and so are down entirely. Trello and other websites have been left completely broken by the problem.
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Phone companies will soon start giving people free, unlimited internet to watch films and TV, according to Netflix's boss.

CEO Reed Hastings suggested that networks will soon allow their customers access to two different streams for watching videos. They will be able to to watch as much Netflix as they want but have a relatively slow speed, he suggested, while they will also keep their unlimited allowance for other uses for the internet.

That will be necessary because there will no longer be any other way of watching TV, he said.

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

"Ten to twenty years from now all the video you view is going to be on the Internet," he said at Mobile World Congress, the annual event where mobile phone companies show off their newest product. "I think screens today are really stunning, you can see all the depth right in front of you. The beautiful thing is you can watch it on the move."

The data caps that networks impose mean that people are limited in watching such videos  meaning that the companies are likely to open them up to watch more videos, he suggested.

Recommended Some good stuff is coming to Netflix in March

"What we are going to see I think is a number of companies pioneering new ways of offering services to the consumers where it is unlimited video data but it is limited to say one megabit speed," he said.

"So it is a slower speed but you get unlimited data on that and that turns out to be very efficient on network so an operator can offer unlimited viewing."

The move would suit Netflix, whose mission is to get onto everyone's phones as well as every other device. It has been resistant to some technologies that get around problems with phone networks, like offline viewing  a technology that it first said it wouldn't introduce before it then did so, reluctantly.

But it could provoke complaints from campaigners for net neutrality. A number of companies have attempted to offer quicker streams to certain websites and similar features, but they have been met with opposition from people who believe that all internet traffic should be treated equally.
A portion of the sun is displayed to showcase its magnificence and the burning heat of its atmosphere. (Photo : YouTube/ Sw!ft W0lf)

NASA aims to uncover the mysteries of our sun. By 2018, the space agency will be sending it first unmanned mission towards the center of our solar system.



NASA plans to launch a daring mission to study the sun up close. The said mission will be dubbed as Solar Probe Plus, which will be utilizing a revolutionary space technology that will ensure the safety of the spacecraft as it would approach the gaseous ball of flame.



Advertisement

"This is going to be our first mission to fly to the sun. We can't get to the very surface of the sun, but the mission will get close enough to answer three important questions. You'd think the farther away you get from a heat source, you'd get colder. Why the atmosphere is hotter than the surface is a big puzzle," NASA's research scientist Eric Christian told Live Science..



The photosphere has an estimated temperature of 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit or 5,500 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, the sun's outer layers measure 3.5 million Fahrenheit or 2 million Celsius. Such difference continues to puzzle experts even up to this modern age.



Another question that the exploration aims to answer is the mystery behind solar winds. Experts still lack the proper answer on how does the sun blows a stream of charged particles in all directions at a million miles an hour. Moreover, the third part of the query would involve the reason behind the occasional emission of high energy particles by the sun, which poses a danger to unprotected astronauts and spacecraft.



This space mission if realized by 2018 will benefit the human kind and not just NASA itself. In order to make this historical and extraordinary space mission a success, NASA has designed a spacecraft that will adapt to the potential danger of the voyage.



The space agency will be using a 4.5-inch-thick carbon-composite shield that could withstand temperature outside the spacecraft, according to Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. To avoid a direct hit, the spacecraft will only be coming as close as 3.9 million miles or 6.2 million kilometers to the Sun, and well within the orbit of Mercury.



Watch here below discussion about the sun's temperature:






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Thirty years ago a young anaesthetist, newly appointed as head of department at Calicut Medical College Hospital in the Indian state of Kerala, encountered a case that would change his life.

A college professor aged 42 with cancer of the tongue had been referred to him by an oncologist. The man was in severe pain and the anaesthetist, Dr M R Rajagopal, was asked if he could help. He injected a numbing substance into the mans mandibular nerve, located in the jaw, in a procedure known as a nerve block, and told the patient to return in 24 hours. The next day, the pain had almost completely subsided and Dr Raj, as he is known, was pleased with his work.

He asked me when he should come back. I told him there was no need to come back, unless the pain returned. I thought he would be happy I had cured the pain. Instead, he went home and killed himself that night.

It turned out that the oncologist had avoided explaining to the college professor that his cancer was terminal. Instead, he had said he was referring him for further treatment.

It was only when I told him there was no need to come back that he realised his cancer was incurable. He went home and told his family it was all over.

Dr Raj reaches for a glass of water. We are sitting in his simple home in Trivandrum, the leafy state capital, where he now lives with his wife, Chandrika, a pathologist. In front of us, a plate of yellow jackfruit gleams in the low afternoon light. A fan whirrs above.

That experience caused Dr Raj to examine his own practice. In addition to putting people to sleep for surgery, an anaesthetists job is to tackle pain. So what was he missing, he wondered.

In those days pain was all over the hospital. It was everywhere. We pretended not to see it, but it was there. Injections of morphine were used sparingly, after surgery and for patients injured in accidents. It was never used in cancer pain.

Medical staff coped with the suffering the same way they cope everywhere. No one teaches you, but you learn to see only the disease, not the human being who has it. Maybe if there is nothing you can do it is easier to turn your back.

The compassionate volunteer program in Kerala aims to address both the physical and emotional pain of dying  Camilla Perkins (Camilla Perkins)

Dr Raj had had two earlier traumatic experiences involving the dying. Aged 18, in his first year in medical school, he had lived close to a man who had terminal cancer of the sweat glands. I would hear him screaming in the night. He had nodules all over his scalp. The family knew I was a medical student and asked if I could do anything. I didnt know how  I was helpless. I am ashamed that I never visited him after that. I did not want to go there and feel helpless again.

Later, he was looking after a patient with a gangrenous toe who was in excruciating pain. I asked my head of department if I could try a nerve block. He refused  it was not part of routine care and there was a shortage of anaesthetists. I had to tell the man there was nothing I could do. I still remember the look of hopelessness on his face.

When he became head of department at Calicut, there was no one to tell him what he could and couldnt do. That is how he came to treat the college professor. But his patients suicide showed him that treating the pain was not enough.

I realised that thinking about nerve blocks was too narrow. Pain is just the visible part of the iceberg of suffering. What is ignored is the part below the surface  feelings of hopelessness and despair, worries about money, about children. That is what palliative care is about. That man gave up his life to help me understand it.

We all wish for a pain-free, dignified death. Too few of us achieve it. Worldwide, the last year of life is marked by widespread unnecessary suffering. At least 40 million people need palliative care each year, but only around half that number receive it, according to the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance.

India comes near the bottom of the global league in access to end-of-life care  ranked 67 out of 80 countries in 2015  but Kerala is an exception. This small green and fertile state in the south-west has just 3 per cent of Indias population but provides two-thirds of the countrys palliative care services. These have developed over the last 20 years, driven by the local community and supported by a unique system of volunteers. Some claim it is Keralas strong ethos of community involvement that is the secret behind its palliative care provision, which would be difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Dr Raj, one of the drivers of the movement, disagrees. Yes, of course the strength of the community is important. But is Kerala the only part of the world where there are compassionate people? Is Kerala the only place where people who may have gained material success then want to do something meaningful with their lives?

Now a youthful 69, he recognised early on that tackling pain and supporting the dying could not be achieved by medical staff alone. The need was too great. It would depend on harnessing the commitment of volunteers.

In 1993, after he had attended a course run by an English nurse, Gilly Burn, he and his colleague Suresh Kumar established the Pain and Palliative Care Society in Calicut, a town in the north of Kerala, together with an activist friend, Ashok Kumar, who ran a printing business and provided a vital laymans perspective.

Six of us put in 250 rupees each, worth about 10 then, says Dr Raj. We found two volunteers, young women with children at school, to register patients and sit and talk to them. Then I would come after work to see them.

The project took off after Burn, who ran a trust, Cancer Relief India, donated 100,000 rupees (4,000 in the mid-1990s), enabling them to appoint their first doctor. Calicut hospital provided two nurses.

It very quickly got attention. In the hospital, we were working in a sea of suffering. But in the clinic, you could see people smiling, talking, finding comfort.

Within a year, it was being copied  by a medic whom Dr Raj met on a train and by a former student who wanted to open a clinic in his own town. The ball was rolling.

There was a limitation, however. It was exposed early on when a young man came begging for help for his mother, who was in severe pain. She lived in a remote spot where there was no road and could not be moved. When Kumar told the man that the doctors could not prescribe without seeing the patient, he broke down in tears. Kumar weakened and told the man someone would come. It was their first home visit. Gradually demand increased. Then someone donated a vehicle.

The doctors, working in their spare time, could not meet the demand alone. The organisation of the clinics and the home visits depended on volunteers. But the volunteers also provided the link between their communities and the service  they knew who was sick and where to get help. Over time, they became more and more involved. Some assisted with nursing tasks, following brief training, but most provided social care  advice, support, a shoulder to cry on.

By 2000, there were 30 palliative care groups in northern Kerala, run by volunteers and supported by mobile medical teams. Today, though there are no official figures, Dr Raj estimates there are 300 voluntary groups across the state, providing care to patients in their own homes, identifying those in need, and helping to direct limited medical resources to where they can do most good. Kerala is now a World Health Organisation demonstration site for palliative care and plays host to a stream of international visitors wishing to learn how it was done.

The strength of the groups is that they have grown organically, rooted in their communities, by popular demand, and thus have strong local support. They are largely funded by local donations, some as little as 10 rupees (12 pence) a month.

They supplement the work of the 167 institutions licensed to dispense morphine and the 900 governmentfunded panchayats, or village councils, each of which employs a nurse who provides palliative care  though they may visit patients only once a month.

Thirty kilometres outside Trivandrum, in the district of Uzhamalakkal, the white van carrying the community team turns off the road and bounces along a rutted track to a group of houses half-hidden in the rubber trees. The team of doctor, nurse and volunteers enter a house where Surendran, a former rubber tapper aged 50, is lying on a bed naked to the waist, his lower body covered by a striped cloth. His chest rattles, his stick-like arms are drawn up to his face and his breath comes in painful rasps. He is in the terminal stages of lung cancer, and for the last week has been unable to swallow  food, liquid or morphine tablets. A Josco Jewellers calendar hangs on the bare cement walls, under a strip light, and a blanket covers the window. Mini, his wife, stands at the foot of the bed.

Dr Raj lays a hand on Surendrans arm and gently explains that, as he can not swallow, to treat his pain the morphine will have to be administered rectally. The nurse will teach Mini how to do it. Dr Raj asks if he has any questions. Can I get out of this? Surendran says. Before Dr Raj can answer, Mini intervenes: Yes of course you can. You will get better.

Dr Raj suspects she knows the truth, but decides against trying to broach it with her at that point, worried about the reaction it might provoke. Just as a wrong dose of a drug can harm, so can an ill-chosen word, he says later. A reflective man, with kind eyes and neat moustache, he comes ever ready to lay a soothing hand on a fevered brow. Wearing a blue open-necked shirt and sandals, his gentle demeanour and soft voice put patients at their ease while he gently probes for their stories before quietly instructing his team, who hang on his words.

We help people live at home and die at home. Most want that, he says. But Surendrans condition is extreme, and his suffering severe, so Dr Raj urges Mini to bring him to the city, where there are a few hospice-style beds. She says she can not leave her 17-year-old daughter alone, so Dr Raj suggests bringing her too. While neighbours are often supportive, in this case they stopped visiting when they heard Surendran had cancer. Mini says she will consider it. The volunteers will help arrange transport.

The group that requested the home visit, called Sangamam (meaning confluence), was started four years ago by Dileep, 43, the manager of a paint shop, whose wife died of cancer. It is one of 11 that have sprung up in the Trivandrum area in the last decade. They are supported by Pallium India  the organisation Dr Raj founded in 2006 after he retired from the government medical service and moved to the city  which provided the mobile medical team.

Sangamam is one of the most successful groups, with 12 active volunteers and another 50 whose help can be drawn upon. It is funded by donations from the local community. In this case, friends have been generous enough to allow Dileep to hire a nurse and buy some land, where he hopes to construct a clinic. The local panchayat gives 50,000 rupees a year for drugs. Because they are convinced we are doing good work, Dileep says.

Guided by the Sangamam volunteers, the Pallium India team sees two more cases this Tuesday morning in January. One, a woman of 55, who had her tongue removed a month previously because of cancer, has developed severe pains in her neck, which prevent her sleeping. Wearing a pink sari, she breaks down in tears as it emerges from Dr Rajs careful questioning that she has argued with her son in a dispute over land, and he has left. Sobha, a volunteer, has learned from neighbours that the son is planning to get married but has not told his mother. She undertakes to contact him to try to negotiate a reconciliation. Palliative care, in this conception, is about tackling emotional pain, as well as the physical kind.

What Kerala has recognised, though the rest of the world has been slow to do so, is that the scale of the need for palliative care cannot be met by professionals alone. In the UK, the hospice movement provides the gold standard for end-of-life care. Yet just 4 per cent of deaths occur in hospices. Most people  over three-quarters in some surveys  say they would prefer to die at home, but less than a quarter do so.

Julia Riley, consultant at the Royal Marsden Hospital, London, and visiting professor at the Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College, says: Hospices do terrific things  but there are not enough of them. We have got to get the service out into the community  it can be done at home. Only 10 per cent of people who are terminally ill need specialist palliative care. The rest need only generic care.

Networks of volunteers have seen an increase in demand for home care in Kerala  Camilla Perkins (Camilla Perkins)

Palliative care is so cheap. We can do so much, relative to other areas of medicine, for so little. Giving people a dignified death is so important  both for them and for their families.

In the UK, the number of deaths is rising as the postwar baby boomers age, says Max Watson, consultant in palliative care at the Northern Ireland Hospice and visiting professor at the University of Ulster. To continue in the way we are  relying on hospices and specialist care  isnt an option, he says. It is really important to democratise specialist knowledge. We need to engage carers, voluntary groups, nursing homes and patients themselves so they can be empowered to provide good-quality end-of-life care. Most of those helping are over 60 themselves. They are a fantastic resource we are not using properly.

In the US, hospice care is more widespread  45 per cent of Americans at the end of their lives in 2010 received hospice care, more than half of them at home. These are among the highest rates in the world, according to Atul Gawande in his book Being Mortal. However, spending on the US health system is widely acknowledged to be out of control, substantially outstripping the costs of comparable systems in Europe.

The Kerala model is thus drawing attention from around the world. The estimated 300 voluntary groups are often described as a network. This suggests, wrongly, that there is some overarching organisation that links them all. In truth they are a series of networks that have grown organically, from the ground up, wherever the community has decided there is a need. One of the biggest is the Neighbourhood Network in Palliative Care in northern Kerala, led by Suresh Kumar, Dr Rajs former colleague.

In Trivandrum, Pallium India, staffed by six doctors, five social workers and 20 nurses, provides five mobile medical teams to support the 11 local groups. It also runs an outpatient clinic and an inpatient unit with 17 beds at Arumana hospital in the city, and provides outpatient services at four government hospitals.

In 2016, the mobile teams made 6,397 home visits. Some patients are starving and Pallium India currently provides 225 families with a monthly food kit, containing basic supplies, and supports the education of 300 children, in addition to supplying free drugs.

The work of creating the voluntary groups starts with talking to local people, explaining that hospitals are no place for the dying and that caring for the terminally ill is the communitys responsibility. The concept of palliative care has been extended to include the chronically ill and the paraplegic, such as stroke survivors and people with complications of diabetes, including blindness and amputation, who now constitute up to half the patients.

Once a group is formed, Pallium India encourages the organisers to register it  for the sake of transparency and to gain tax advantages on donations  and offers support with regular visits from a doctor or nurse. But the aim is that the groups should ultimately go it alone.

Their origin in the communities they represent is their strength. But the absence of any top-down organisation is also a weakness. It means there is no mechanism for spreading the concept to other parts of Kerala, or other parts of India. Organic growth is slow growth.

Out of frustration with the lack of progress, Dr Raj established Pallium India to act as an agency to spread palliative care more widely, beyond the states borders. What has happened in Kerala is beautiful. But it should not be stuck in Kerala. It could be 1,000 years before we get universal pain relief [across India], he says.

With the help of grants from foundations, donations from well-wishers and support from the Tata group, Pallium India has established 23 palliative care centres across India by providing initial funding to interested groups, training doctors and nurses, and giving support.

Kerala has been a pioneer in other ways. Its government launched the first state Palliative Care Policy in 2008. Two other states, Maharashtra and Karnataka, have followed suit and a National Palliative Care Strategy for India was published in 2012. A working group appointed by Pallium India drew up a list of essential standards, including a minimum 10 days training in palliative care for doctors and nurses, an uninterrupted supply of morphine, and documentation of patients pain scores.

But Dr Raj, who lobbied for the strategies, is not satisfied. I am upset when the palliative care community boast about what we have achieved. We are not doing nearly enough. 99 per cent of people in India do not get access to palliative care.

He paused to reconsider this bleak assessment. Okay, if I want to be optimistic, I can put it another way. 1 per cent of people do have access to palliative care. That is 12 million people.

Central to the provision of care for the dying is the alleviation of pain. But even this is not being satisfactorily achieved. India is the worlds largest legal producer of opium for medical purposes. But most is exported to the West. Over 90 per cent of the worlds morphine consumption is in the countries of North America and Europe. All middle- and low-income countries combined consume just 6 per cent.

Morphine is easy and cheap to produce. It is not the cost that restricts access, but the law. Morphine has been highly restricted in India since 1985. As a result, two generations of doctors have grown up unfamiliar with it. Misplaced fears about drug abuse have condemned millions of terminally ill patients to an unnecessarily painful death.

Kerala has again proved more enlightened than other Indian states. Since 1998, palliative care centres in Kerala have been permitted to administer the drug orally. Much more recently, in 2014, the law was finally relaxed to allow access to morphine across India.

But Dr Raj is again unimpressed. Changing the law is not translated into practice unless someone is pushing it. The new law has not had a big effect. Figures show India uses 320 kg of morphine a year. To meet the need we would need to use 30,000 kg.

He added: This is why it is vital to seize this moment, when the iron is hot. If we do not act now, it may be too late.

Volunteers are the linchpin of the Kerala model. Krishnaraj Manikoth, a retired chartered accountant who now helps at Arumana hospital, says the work offers a sense of purpose. I worked for 30 years in Dubai. I had a comfortable life, two wonderful children  I was blessed. What bothered me was that I had not done anything for society. I wanted to give something back.

Sintu Suresh, a former journalist and speechwriter whose father died a painful death in an intensive care unit, says she wanted to protect others from over-treatment. Doctors dont see the whole patient, the human being. They see only the disease, she says.

I begged those treating my father to give him something for the pain. I told them they could keep sending the same bills but to stop torturing him. Only on the last day did they mention palliative care.

In the UK, it has been estimated that there are more than 100,000 volunteers working with hospices (and nearly 500,000 in the US). Few, however, visit patients in their homes. An exception is the Hospice Neighbours scheme run by St Nicholas Hospice in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Established in 2011, the service helps between 120 and 150 people with terminal illnesses in their homes at any one time, supported by more than 150 volunteers who provide comfort, companionship and assistance with household tasks. The scheme, started by chief executive Barbara Gale, won the Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2014.

Gale interviewed 16 volunteers for a paper published in BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care in 2015. She found what chiefly motivated them was the opportunity to make a difference. Many said they found the patients inspiring, death became less scary and the experience made them think differently about life.

Death and dying are taboo topics in many countries. Essential medicines are in short supply and there is little spending on palliative care research. Dying is seen as a failure of the health system to successfully cure.

The pain of dying is compounded when families desperate to find a cure but ignorant of the poor prognosis are aided by doctors ready to impose high charges for ever more interventionist, but useless, treatments. The result is increased suffering for the patient and often penury for the surviving relatives.

The Kerala model helps protect its citizens from the excesses of the medical system by enlisting the support of the community to comfort the dying, enabling the terminally ill to be cared for at home, where most prefer to be, and providing support to bereaved families in their hour of loss. It is one from which the world can learn.

Since this article was written, Surendran has died.

This article was first published by Wellcome on Mosaic and is republished here under a Creative Commons licence
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On that November Sunday in 2015, Stephanie Thomas Nichols was 40 miles into her drive home to Townsend, Delaware, from her vacation cabin in Western Maryland when she felt an odd sensation in her upper body.

No pain, just pressure, heaviness, recalls Nichols, who owns a software company. She couldnt catch her breath. Within minutes, her left arm went numb.

She remembers thinking, Somethings not right here. She pulled off I-68 at the next exit, near Cumberland. She asked a man working in his yard where she could find a hospital, and he led her straight to an emergency room.

Nichols, then 47, was having a heart attack.

She has no family history of heart disease, she doesnt smoke, and her cholesterol and blood pressure are normal. She doesnt have diabetes, and she experiences little stress. Tests showed clear arteries with no blockages, the most common cause of heart attacks. I left them shaking their heads, she says.

In all likelihood, her heart attack was caused by one of several conditions that tend to afflict women more often than men. Those conditions produce less dramatic symptoms, such as the chest pressure that Nichols felt, rather than stunning pain, so they may be overlooked by doctors who mistake them for lesser ailments. Researchers still are trying to better understand these disorders, especially why women are so prone to them.

Nicholss physicians believe she may have suffered a temporary coronary artery spasm, which is more common in women who have heart attacks than in men, or a minor blood clot. Both are capable of stopping blood flow to the heart. Coronary arteries power the heart by carrying oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.

In the United States, 1 woman in 4 dies of heart disease, the same proportion as in men, according to government agencies. The American Heart Association puts the toll for women higher, at 1 in 3. In fact, coronary heart disease, which is the most common type of heart disease, is the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the United States.

Research has begun to recognise that men and women are different in many ways besides our reproductive systems, says Janine Clayton, director of the office of research on women's health at the National Institutes of Health. This is especially true with heart disease, where the differences between men and women can be striking.

The most frequent sign of heart attack in a man is chest pain. Women also experience chest pain, but they are more likely than men to have nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, indigestion, pain in the shoulder or jaw or even in the back, and fatigue that can persist for days, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Also, as with Nichols, women more often than men have heart attacks where there is no coronary obstruction, and the danger is hard to detect ahead of time, according to the NHLBI. In such cases, plaque doesn't accumulate to form major blockages; rather, it spreads evenly throughout the walls of blood vessels, producing clear tests. Nevertheless, research indicates that these women are at a high risk of having a heart attack that results from a narrowing in the very small arteries of the heart.

Womens cells and lungs are different from mens, Clayton says, and women have smaller coronary blood vessels. If you have multiple very small blood vessels involved (in a heart attack), she adds, it won't give you crushing chest pain. But it may give you coronary microvascular disease, which affects the walls and inner lining of tiny blood vessels that branch off from the larger coronary arteries. These small vessels typically do not have plaque, but they sometimes trigger spasms and decreased blood flow to the heart muscle, impairing the heart's ability to pump blood throughout the body, according to the American Heart Association.

Coronary artery spasms such as those Nichols probably suffered occur when the muscle that surrounds the wall of the artery has a spasm ... obstructing the flow of blood, although it is not a typical obstruction, says Nakela Cook, chief of staff to the director of the NHLBI.

Clayton agrees, saying: Women tend to have a kind of heart disease where the vessels go into spasm for a short period of time, then go back to normal. If you have a stress test, for example, and you're walking on a treadmill and you aren't in spasm, your test will be normal.

While women do experience chest pain during a heart attack, they are more likely than men to have nausea, shortness of breath and dizziness as symptoms of a heart attack (Getty)

Women also are vulnerable to takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a type of heart muscle weakness also known as broken heart syndrome, which was first described in 1990 in Japan and is related to extreme emotional stress. More than 90 percent of reported cases are in women age 58 to 75, according to Harvard Medical School. It's rare, but when it does occur, it's predominantly among women, Cook says.

Finally, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, or SCAD, another condition more common to women, occurs when an artery that supplies blood to the heart spontaneously tears, sometimes forming either a blood clot or a flap near the tear, causing acute, very intense pain, according to Cook.

SCAD may be related to fibromuscular dysplasia, a disorder that results in reduced blood flow to several organs, not just the heart, according to Pamela Ouyang, director of the Johns Hopkins Women's Cardiovascular Health Center.

A high percentage of people (with SCAD) have this abnormality in other blood vessels, she says. It's much more common in women than in men.

It also may have a hormonal connection. Men are much less likely to get a tear, Cook says. It seems to show up at times of higher levels of estrogen, such as during pregnancy. We are trying to see if hormone therapy can also trigger this. We have seen it in older women, although we don't necessarily think the mechanisms are the same.

The worst jobs for your health Show all 10 1 /10 The worst jobs for your health The worst jobs for your health 10. Surgical and medical assistants, technologists, and technicians Overall unhealthiness score: 57.3 What they do: Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel and perform medical laboratory tests. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to disease and infections: 88 2. Exposure to contaminants: 80 3. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 69 The worst jobs for your health 9. Stationary engineers and boiler operators Overall unhealthiness score: 57.7 What they do: Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to contaminants: 99 2. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 89 3. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 84 The worst jobs for your health 8. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators Overall unhealthiness score: 58.2 What they do: Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to contaminants: 97 2. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 80 3. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 74 The worst jobs for your health 7. Histotechnologists and histologic technicians Overall unhealthiness score: 59.0 What they do: Prepare histologic slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 88 2. Exposure to contaminants: 76 3. Exposure to disease and infections: 75 The worst jobs for your health 6. Immigration and customs inspectors Overall unhealthiness score: 59.3 What they do: Investigate and inspect people, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the US or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to contaminants: 78 2. Exposure to disease and infections: 63 3. Exposure to radiation: 62 The worst jobs for your health 5. Podiatrists Overall unhealthiness score: 60.2 What they do: Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to disease and infections: 87 2. Exposure to radiation: 69 3. Exposure to contaminants: 67 The worst jobs for your health 4. Veterinarians, veterinary assistants, and laboratory animal caretakers and veterinary technologists and technicians What they do: Diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals and perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to disease and infections: 81 2. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 75 3. Exposure to contaminants: 74 The worst jobs for your health 3. Anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, and anesthesiologist assistants Overall unhealthiness score: 62.3 What they do: Administer anesthetics or sedatives during medical procedures, and help patients in recovering from anesthesia. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to disease and infections: 94 2. Exposure to contaminants: 80 3. Exposure to radiation: 74 The worst jobs for your health 2. Flight attendants What they do: Provide personal services to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of airline passengers during flight. Greet passengers, verify tickets, explain use of safety equipment, and serve food or beverages. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to contaminants: 88 2. Exposure to disease and infections: 77 3. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 69 The worst jobs for your health 1. Dentists, dental surgeons, and dental assistants Overall unhealthiness score: 65.4 What they do: Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to contaminants: 84 2. Exposure to disease and infections: 75 3. Time spent sitting: 67

The question that still remains is how hormones matter during the course of a life span, Cook adds. It's an active area of investigation that really speaks to the need to have specific studies in women asking sex-specific questions.

To be sure, hormones long have been the focus of scientific scrutiny in women and heart disease, particularly because women tend to get heart attacks later in life than men, typically after menopause; they also live longer than men. The hormonal relationship may be a factor in why Nichols had a heart attack at such a young age: She underwent early menopause, at 42.

Its clear that premenopausal women have less cardiovascular disease than men, but once they become post-menopausal, they become equal to men, says Elizabeth Murphy, head of the NHLBI's cardiac physiology section. The thinking has been that there is something protective about estrogen.

(The Womens Health Initiative, which has followed nearly 162,000 women since 1993, concluded there was no protective effect against heart disease from hormone replacement therapy, or HRT. Scientists speculate, however, that this finding may be the result of timing: Many women in the study had been menopausal for a decade or longer before beginning HRT. Subsequent research indicated a critical window when hormones made by the body could be protective in women age 50 to 59 while harmful for women age 70 to 79 who begin HRT later. )

Scientists think the estrogen-related protection occurs because, among other things, the hormone stimulates an increase in an enzyme that produces nitric oxide, which promotes a healthy vascular system. It seems to be involved in helping the coronary arteries dilate to bring more blood to the heart, and in regulating ion channels, which are important for how the heart beats, Murphy said. She and others are studying whether this estrogen signaling changes with age and becomes less effective, possibly producing substances that are detrimental rather than beneficial, she says.

Historically, heart disease was regarded as a disease of men, with most studies conducted solely on them. This is no longer the case. But old assumptions persist among many clinicians and women, experts say.

Doctors need to raise their index of suspicion when women have these vague symptoms, Clayton says. If we have evidence that sex matters, which we do, we need to act on that knowledge when making treatment decisions.

Women, too, never should dismiss odd or suspicious symptoms as no cause for concern. It's important for a woman to recognise she is having a heart attack because time is critically important, Ouyang says.

Nichols agrees. She knows she was smart to act when she did, and she realises how lucky she was. Don't think I don't think about that every morning, she says.
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Children with high and medium academic ability at age 11 are more likely to use cannabis in late adolescence compared to children with low academic ability, according to a new study published in BMJ Open. Researchers, from University College London, examined the school records of more than 6,000 children. Their analysis showed that children of medium academic ability at age 11 were more likely to go on to be either occasional or persistent users of cannabis than children of low academic ability. This was the case for both early adolescence (13 to 17 years of age) and in late adolescence (18 to 20 years of age).

For children with high academic ability at age 11, the results were less certain. Although they were more likely than the low ability children to use cannabis in early adolescence, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. In other words the association could have been down to chance. However, for the period between 18 and 20 years, the high ability group was significantly more likely to be either occasional or persistent users of cannabis than the low ability group.

Previous research has found a clear link between academic ability and intelligence, so the evidence suggests that smarter kids are more likely to smoke cannabis than their less gifted peers. The big question is: why?

Adolescent intellect is a possible link to cannabis use

The authors of the BMJ report agree that their findings do not clearly identify the reasons why there is a link between academic ability and cannabis use in adolescence. However, the results of this latest study indicate that we might learn more if we turn this question on its head. Why are children with a lower academic achievement at age 11 less likely to smoke cannabis in late adolescence?

This opens up a new range of possible explanations for this link. For example, is low academic ability related to a low awareness of the possibilities to explore new experiences and a lesser willingness to challenge the orthodox beliefs of society compared to children of medium and high ability? This is still speculation  but it does identify a new set of questions for further research.

The ultimate herbal remedy: Can cannabis improve autism? Show all 6 1 /6 The ultimate herbal remedy: Can cannabis improve autism? The ultimate herbal remedy: Can cannabis improve autism? 258565.bin The ultimate herbal remedy: Can cannabis improve autism? 258571.bin The ultimate herbal remedy: Can cannabis improve autism? 258570.bin ALAMY The ultimate herbal remedy: Can cannabis improve autism? 258568.bin The ultimate herbal remedy: Can cannabis improve autism? 258567.bin The ultimate herbal remedy: Can cannabis improve autism? 258566.bin

Why do these findings matter?

Cannabis is the most popular prohibited drug in the UK. A 2016 Home Office survey reported that more than 1.8m people in England and Wales, aged between 16 to 24 years, had used cannabis at least once in their lives, although the figures for use in the past year (975,000) and the past month (476,000) were much smaller. Therefore, a significant minority of young people in the UK have used a drug which we now know to be associated with changes in the structure of the brain, with changes in the ways in which brain cells communicate with each other, and with poorer performance on some tests of mental abilities such as memory, among other problems.

If these new findings in the BMJ prompt us to think in a new way about the relationship between academic ability and cannabis use in adolescence, then they will have served a very important purpose. In science, as in life generally, identifying the most appropriate question is an important first step to finding the most useful answer.

Recommended Cannabis linked to child sexual exploitation by new study

Philip Murphy, Professor of Psychology, Edge Hill University. This article first appeared on The Conversation (theconversation.com)
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Asda is set to become the first major UK retailer to sell free-range dairy milk, in response to growing demand for organic products.

The supermarket chain will start selling the milk on Wednesday. It will carry a Pasture Promos logo, which guarantees that it comes from cows grazed for at least six months and shows that farmers were offered a fair price for the produce.

Asda said it has identified stores in its chain where there is a high level of interest in organic products and that it will initially put 70,000 litres of its Free Range Dairy Farmers Milk on shelves every week in 109 stores.

Both semi-skimmed and whole milk varieties will be sold in one and two litre bottles, costing 90p and 1.50 respectively for the two different sizes.

Most dairy farmers graze their cows for part of the year, but there are currently no guidelines set by the industry specifying the number of days and nights a cow should be kept outdoors.

In 2015, dairy farmers said they faced a crisis due to the continuing fall in the price of milk. Farm gate prices fell 25 per cent in a year to the lowest in five years, making the cost of production more expensive than the milk itself.

Plummeting milk price last year prompted a rise of so-called indoor mega-dairies in the UK, each housing up to 2,000 cows without free access to pastures, the Independent revealed last year. Supporters of the method argued that it offers high standards of welfare and is one of the few ways in which left open to British dairy farmers can to earn a living by using a method which vastly increases - by up to 50 per cent - the yield of cows kept indoors.

But dairy farmers at the time accused UK retailers including Morrisons and Asda, of using milk as a weapon in a price war with discounters like Aldi and Lidl. The National Farmers' Union (NFU) at that time argued that a supermarket price war had devalued the product in the eyes of the public, "purely to get customers through the door".

Jenny Cannon, senior category director for milk at Asda, said on Tuesday that the supermarket is launching the free-range milk because its the right thing to do for our customers.

Food and drink news Show all 35 1 /35 Food and drink news Food and drink news Healthy living makes us more inclined to binge, research suggests Gluten-free breads, dairy-free milks and other plant-based products have been some of the most favoured foods in British supermarkets this year. However, while were busy filling our shopping trolleys with gluten-free goodness, were also jamming it with junk food and alcohol, new research suggests Getty/iStock Food and drink news Growing list of Vegan celebs Making the switch to veganism is a major lifestyle choice, one that many claim can improve energy levels, lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and clear up any skin issues. Beyonce, Natalie Portman and Jessica Chastain are among the growing list of Hollywood stars who have eschewed animal products from their diets in recent years. Theres also been an increasing number of professional athletes who have gone vegan, such as boxing champions Mike Tyson and David Haye, thus debunking the myth that following a plant-based diet will leave you feeling weak and malnourished. AFP/Getty/NARAS/iHeartMedia Food and drink news McDonald's has announced the launch of a new vegan burger on its menu in Germany This will mark the first time the German franchise of the fast food chain has offered a vegan burger to its customers. The Big Vegan TS burger consists of a patty made from soy and wheat. It is served in a classic sesame seed bun, and contains salad, tomato, pickles and red onion. McDonald's Germany Food and drink news Drinking too many protein shakes could lead to an increased risk of obesity and a reduced lifespan, a new study has claimed Researchers from the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre carried out an investigation to determine the impact excessive consumption of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) has on the body. BCAA supplements are often consumed in the form of powder, which is then added to water to make a shake. Published in journal Nature Metabolism, the study found that while BCAAs help to build muscle, they can also negatively impact an individual's temperament, cause weight gain and lead to a shortened lifespan Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Britain consumes more chocolate than any other country Most people love chocolate but it turns out no one does more than the Brits  with the average Brit found to have consumed 8.4 kg of chocolate in 2017, according to new data. Chocolate consumption around the world is on the rise, according to Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD), which found that in the past year alone, Easter chocolate production has risen by 23 per cent Food and drink news 'Easter eggs should be banned for children under four' Dr Becky Spelman, chief psychologist at Harley Streets Private Therapy Clinic, is calling for Easter eggs to be banned for consumption for children under the age of four, claiming that giving them the opportunity to binge on chocolate so young will give them an unhealthy relationship with food later on. "This is a nightmare situation for parents of this generation as they have no idea how to teach their children to delay their response to cravings, she said, explaining that too many young kids binge on these chocolates because their parents dont know how to stop them. "Once a child starts overeating behaviour at a young age its very hard to turn things around for them in terms of food and their eating habits moving forward, leading to obesity from at very young age," she added PA Food and drink news Pineapple overtakes avocado as the UK's fastest-selling fruit According to Tesco, pineapple has overtaken avocado as the UKs fastest-selling fruit, with sales increasing by 15 per cent in 2017. In comparison, avocado sales rose by just under 10 per cent last year. The popular supermarket says the surge in popularity comes as shoppers buying the versatile fruit are beginning to use it as a main ingredient in everything from curries and barbecues, to juices and cocktails Getty Food and drink news Marks & Spencers launches stoneless avocados Rather than the result of genetic modification, the avocados are formed by an unpollinated avocado blossom. The fruit develops without a seed which in turns stops the growth, creating a small, seedless fruit. Whats more, the skin is actually edible, unlike a regular avocado. The flesh is much like that of a normal avocado - smooth and creamy, pale in colour and rich in flavour M&S Food and drink news Office teabags contain 17 times more germs than a toilet seat, reveals study The average bacterial reading of an office teabag was 3,785, in comparison to only 220 for a toilet seat. Other pieces of kitchen equipment also stacked up highly in their findings, with the bacterial readings averaging at 2,483 on kettle handles, 1,746 on the rim of a used mug and 1,592 on a fridge door handle Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news New study shows drinking more coffee leads to a longer life There is good news and a final hope for coffee addicts and lovers. You will now be able to drink coffee for longer as new study shows its can lead to a prolonged life. Scientists showed that those who drank between two and four cups of coffee a day had 18% lower risk of death compared to non-coffee drinkers. PA Food and drink news Coke Zero is replaced with Coke Zero Sugar Coca-Cola is pulling the plug on its Coke Zero. The much loved drink will be replaced with a new improved taste. The move, backed with a 10 million campaign, is said to come from Coca-Cola supporting people to reduce their sugar intake. Coca-Cola want people make this move while not sacrificing sugary taste of Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola Food and drink news Starbucks introduce new avocado spread The avocado craze has grown from hipster brunch restaurants to Starbucks. Starbucks have introduced their new avocado spread earlier this year and it has the internet in debate. Some argue that it not a spread but guacamole while others question if there is any avocado in there at all. When buying the new spread you can also buy an optional toasted bagel. It is a must try for all avocado connoisseurs. Starbucks Food and drink news New Mars chocolate bar The iconic British chocolate bar is about to get its partner in crime. The new bar, named Goodness Knows, will replace the gooey caramel goodness of the mars bar with oats. It is said to be more like a Florentine biscuit with a thin dark chocolate bottom. While being moderately healthy Mars says that is has good intentions. One pack has 154 calories and will sell for about 90p. Mars Food and drink news Wine prices could increase because of Brexit Wine lovers across the UK might soon have to shell out close to a quarter more for their favourite tipple after Brexit, as a weaker pound and sluggish economy takes its toll, a new study shows Rex Food and drink news Chocolate may be good for the heart A new study, published in the British Medical Journal: Heart, found that moderate chocolate intake can be positively associated with lessening the risk of the heart arrhythmia condition Atrial Fibrillation Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Brits throw away 1.4 million bananas each year British families are throwing away 1.4 million bananas that are perfectly good to eat every day at cost of 80m a year, new figures have shown PA/Armin Weigel Food and drink news Rosemary sales spike over exam time There has been a surge a surge in sales of the herb rosemary after a recent study found it helps improve memory. According to high street health food chain Holland & Barrett, sales of the herb have increased by 187 per cent compared to the same time last year Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Gluten-free diets 'not recommended' for people without coeliac disease Avoiding wheat, barley and rye in the belief that a gluten-free diet brings health benefits may do more harm than good, according to a team of US nutrition and medicine experts Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Starbucks launches two new coffee-based drinks Starbucks is launching two new coffee-based drinks in the UK, as it strives to tap into consumers growing appetite for healthy beverages. The Cold Brew Vanilla sweet cream and the Cappuccino Freddo, will both be available in stores throughout the UK from the start of May Twitter/@SbuxCountyHall Food and drink news Cadburys Dairy Milk Tiffin is making a permanent comeback after 80 years The Cadbury Dairy Milk Tiffin, first produced in 1937, is making a permanent comeback to the UK. The raisin and biscuit-filled chocolate bar is being launched after a successful trial last summer saw 3 million chocolate treats  at the cost of 1.49 for each 95g bar- purchased by nostalgic customers Cadburys Food and drink news Pizza restaurant makes worlds cheesiest 'Scottie's Pizza Parlor' in Portland Oregon has created the worlds cheesiest pizza using a total of 101 different cheese varieties. Facebook/Scottie's Pizza Parlor Food and drink news A pizza joint in Portland Oregon has created the worlds cheesiest pizza using a total of 101 different cheese varieties. Why not eating before a workout could be better for your health A study published in the American Journal of Physiology by researchers at the University of Bath found you might be likely to burn more fat if you have not eaten first Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news New York restaurant named best in the world A New York restaurant where an average meal for two will cost $700 has been named the best in the world. Eleven Madison Park won the accolade for the first time after debuting on the list at number 50 in 2010. The restaurant was praised for a fun sense of fine-dining, blurring the line between the kitchen and the dining room Getty Images Food and drink news Why you crave bad food when youre tired Researchers at Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University in Chicago recently presented their results of a study looking into the effects of sleep deprivation upon high-calorific food consumption. Researchers found that those who were sleep-deprived had specifically enhanced brain activity to the food smells compared to when they had a good nights sleep Shutterstock Food and drink news Drinking wine engages more of your brain than solving maths problems Drinking wine is the ideal workout for your brain, engaging more parts of our grey matter than any other human behaviour, according to a leading neuroscientist. Dr Gordon Shepherd, from the Yale School of Medicine, said sniffing and analysing a wine before drinking it requires exquisite control of one of the biggest muscles in the body Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news British dessert eating surges after people ditch healthy eating in February : In heartening news for anyone feeling guilty about quitting their New Year diet, it seems lots of us have given in to our sweet tooths once again. New data from nationwide food-delivery service Deliveroo reveals there was a surge in Brits ordering desserts in February compared to the first month of 2017 Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news US congress debates definition of milk alternatives A new bill has been created that seeks to ban dairy alternatives from using the term milk. Titled the DAIRY PRIDE Act, the name is a tenuous acronym for defending against imitations and replacements of yogurt, milk, and cheese to promote regular intake of dairy every day. It argues that the dairy industry is struggling as a result of all the dairy-free alternatives on the market and the public are being duped too Getty Images Food and drink news Cadburys launches two new chocolate bars UK confectionary giant Cadbury has launched two new chocolate bars, hoping to lure those with a sweet tooth and perhaps help combat some of the challenges it faces from rising commodity prices and a post-Brexit slump in the value of the pound.The companys new products will be peanut butter and mint flavoured. They will be available in most major super markets as 120g bars, priced at 1.49, according to the company Cadburys Food and drink news You can now get a job as a professional chocolate eater The company responsible for some of your favourite chocolate brands  think Cadbury, Milks, Prince and Oreo  have officially announced an opening to join their team as a professional chocolate taster. The successful candidate will help them to test, perfect and launch new products all over the world. Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news MSG additive used in Chinese food is actually good for you, scientist claims For years, weve been told MSG (the sodium salt of glutamic acid) - often associated with cheap Chinese takeaways - is awful for our health and to be avoided at all costs. But one scientist argues it should be used as a supersalt and encourages adding it to food. Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Lettuce prices are rising Not only are lettuces becoming an increasingly rare commodity in supermarkets, but prices for the leafy vegetables seem to be rising too. According to the weekly report from the Governments Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, a pair of Little Gem lettuces had an average market price of 0.86 in the week that ended on Friday, up from an average of 0.56 in the previous week  thats an almost 54 per cent increase. Getty Images Food and drink news Do-It-Yourself restaurant To encourage more people to cook and eat together, IKEA has launched The Dining Club in Shoreditch  a fully immersive Do-It-Yourself restaurant . Members of the public can book to host a brunch, lunch or dinner party for up to 20 friends and family. Supported by their very own sous chef and maitre de, the host and their guests will orchestrate an intimate dining experience where cooking together is celebrated and eating together is inspirational Mikael Buck / IKEA Food and drink news Ping Pong menu with a twist Gatwick Airport has teamed up with London dim sum restaurant Ping Pong to create a limited edition menu with a distinctly British twist; including a Full English Bao and Beef Wellington Puff, to celebrate the launch of the airports new route to Hong Kong Food and drink news Zizzi unveil the Maamgharita Unique pizza art has been created by Zizzi in celebration of the Queens 90th birthday. The pizza features the queen in an iconic pose illustrated with fresh and tasty Italian ingredients on a backdrop of the Union Jack Food and drink news Blue potatoes make a comeback Blue potatoes, once a staple part of British potato crops, are back on the menu thanks to a Cambridge scientist turned-organic farmer and Farmdrop, an online marketplace that lets people buy direct from local farms. Cambridge PhD graduate-turned farmer, Adrian Izzard has used traditional growing techniques at Wild Country Organics to produce the colourful spuds, packed with healthy cell-protecting anthocyanin, which had previously disappeared from UK plates when post-war farmers were pushed towards higher-yielding varieties

We want to provide ranges for our customers that offer them great price, quality and choice. [] We will be monitoring demand for the milk in all stores and will work closely with the Free Range Dairy Network to make sure the milk is available to as many customers as possible, Ms Cannon said.

Neil Darwent, who set up the Free Range Dairy Network, a company that aims to promote the value of pasture based milk production on British dairy farms, added: We hope that by customers being offered an active choice as to the kind of farming system they want to support, we will be able to grow the Free Range Dairy Network and recruit more dairy farmers wholl be able to benefit from this simple farming method.
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BMWs new electric Mini could be produced in Germany rather than the UK, amid concerns relating to the possible impact of a hard Brexit.

Citing sources at BMW, German newspaper Handelsblatt said that the German carmaker is looking at its plants in Leipzig and Regensburg as alternatives to Oxford.

Production of the electric Mini is slated to begin in 2019 and BMW has to make a decision about where it will produce the new vehicles in the second half of this year, according to Handelsblatt.

Sources told the paper that the automaker plans to start talks with the British government in the coming weeks, though BMW declined to officially comment, Handelsblatt said.

A decision by BMW to produce the Mini outside of the UK could deal a major blow to the UK car industry which is already gripped by uncertainty ahead of the UKs departure from the EU.

The number of cars built in the UK hit a 17-year high last year and more cars are being exported from Britain than ever before, but a failure to establish proper trade deals after Brexit could damage the industry beyond repair, a leading trade body warned in January.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said that it wants trade deals but they must be the right deals, not rushed deals.

Failure to do so could damage UK automotive manufacturing beyond repair, the group added.

Brexit Concerns Show all 26 1 /26 Brexit Concerns Brexit Concerns Brexit will put British patients at 'back of the queue' for new drugs Brexit will put British patients at the back of the queue for vital new drugs, the Government has been warned  forcing them to wait up to two years longer A medicines regulator has raised the alarm over a likely decision to pull out of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as the EU itself. ealth Secretary Jeremy Hunt dropped the bombshell , when he said he expected the UK would quit the EMA  because it is subject to rulings by the European Court of Justice. Getty Images Brexit Concerns London to lose status as 'gateway to Europe' for banks One of Germanys top banking regulators has warned that London could lose its status as gateway to Europe for the banking sector after Britain quits the European trading bloc. Andreas Dombret, who is an executive board member for the BundesbankGermanys central banktold a private meeting of German businesses and banks earlier this week in Frankfurt that even if banking rules were equivalent between the UK and the rest of the EU, that was still miles away from [Britain having] access to the single market, the BBC reports. Jason Hawkes Brexit Concerns Exodus The number of financial sector professionals in Britain and continental Europe looking for jobs in Ireland rocketed in the months after the UK voted to leave the European Union Shutterstock Brexit Concerns Brexit is making FTSE 100 executives richer Pay packages of many FTSE 100 chief executive officers are partly tied to how well share prices are doing rather than the CEOs performance -- and some stocks are soaring. ritish equities got a boost since the June vote because the likes of Rio Tinto, Smiths Group and WPP generate most sales abroad and earn a fortune when they convert these revenues back into the weakened pound. Sterlings fall also made UK stocks more affordable for overseas investors. Rex Brexit Concerns Theresa May: UK to leave single market Theresa May has said the UK "cannot possibly" remain within the European single market, as staying in it would mean "not leaving the EU at all". Getty Brexit Concerns Lead campaigner Gina Miller and her team outside the High Court Getty Brexit Concerns Raymond McCord holds up his newly issued Irish passport alongside his British passport outside the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns SDLP leader Colum Eastwood leaving the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns Migrants with luggage walk past a graffiti on a wall as they leave the 'Jungle' migrant camp, as part of a major three-day operation planned to clear the camp in Calais Getty Brexit Concerns Migrants leave messages on their tents in the Jungle migrant camp Getty Brexit Concerns The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (Adra) which distributes approximately 700 meals daily in the northern Paris camp states that it is noticing a spike in new migrant arrivals this week, potentially linked the the Calais 'jungle' camp closure - with around 1000 meals distributed today EPA Brexit Concerns Migrant workers pick apples at Stocks Farm in Suckley, Britain Reuters Brexit Concerns Many farmers across the country are voicing concerns that Brexit could be a dangerous step into the unknown for the farming industry Getty Brexit Concerns Bank of England governor Mark Carney who said the long-term outlook for the UK economy is positive, but growth was slowing in the wake of the Brexit vote PA Brexit Concerns The Dow Jones industrial average closed down over 600 points on the news with markets around the globe pluninging Getty Brexit Concerns Immigration officers deal with each member of the public seeking entry into the United Kingdom but on average, 10 a day are refused entry at this London airport and between 2008 and 2009, 33,100 people were detained at the airport for mainly passport irregularities Getty Brexit Concerns A number of global investment giants have threatened to move their European operations out of London if Brexit proves to have a negative impact on their businesses Getty Brexit Concerns Following the possibility of a Brexit the UK would be released from its renewable energy targets under the EU Renewable Energy Directive and from EU state aid restrictions, potentially giving the government more freedom both in the design and phasing out of renewable energy support regimes Getty Brexit Concerns A woman looking at a chart showing the drop in the pound (Sterling) against the US Dollar in London after Britain voted to leave the EU Getty Brexit Concerns Young protesters outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, to protest against the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU following the referendum Getty Brexit Concerns Applications from Northern Ireland citizens for Irish Passports has soared to a record high after the UK Voted in favour of Leaving the EU Getty Brexit Concerns NFU Vice President Minette Batters with Secretary of State, Andrea Leadsome at the National Farmers Union (NFU) took machinery, produce, farmers and staff to Westminster to encourage Members of Parliament to back British farming, post Brexit Getty Brexit Concerns The latest reports released by the UK Cabinet Office warn that expats would lose a range of specific rights to live, to work and to access pensions, healthcare and public services. The same reports added that UK citizens abroad would not be able to assume that these rights will be guaranteed in the future Getty Brexit Concerns A British resident living in Spain asks questions during an informative Brexit talk by the "Brexpats in Spain" group, about Spanish legal issues to become Spanish citizens, at the town hall in Benalmadena, Spain Reuters Brexit Concerns The collapse of Great Britain appears to have been greatly exaggerated given the late summer crowds visiting city museums, hotels, and other important tourist attractions Getty Brexit Concerns The U.K. should maintain European Union regulations covering everything from working hours to chemicals until after the government sets out its plans for Brexit, said British manufacturers anxious to avoid a policy vacuum and safeguard access to their biggest export market Getty

Also in January, the boss of Nissan, Carlos Ghosn, admitted that his companys UK investments would be re-evaluated if Prime Minister Theresa May delivers a bad Brexit deal, despite last October's high-profile commitment by the firm to build its next Qashqai and X-Trail model at its Sunderland plant.

BMW manufactures more than 200,000 Mini cars a year at the plant in Oxford alone and employs more than 24,000 people in Britain, according to Handelsblatt.
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UK business leaders are demanding that the timing of Brexit be pushed back if the Government proves unable to strike a comprehensive trade deal within the two-year negotiating period leading up to the split.

In a report based on feedback from more than 400 businesses, the British Chambers of Commerce said the Government needed to provide solutions and certainty to businesses before a divorce from the EU was finalised.

Amongst other things, the BCC demanded that the Government provide clarity for businesses on the residence rights of existing EU workers and companies abilities to hire from EU countries during the negotiation period.

Business communities across the UK want practical considerations, not ideology or politics, at the heart of the Government's approach to Brexit negotiations, Adam Marshall, director general of the BCC, said. Whats debated in Westminster often isnt what matters for most businesses.

Theresa May has in the past stressed her commitment to avoiding a disruptive cliff edge for businesses when Britain leaves the EU, but crippling uncertainty triggered by the Prime Ministers commitment to a hard Brexit has already caused some companies to carve out relocation plans.

In a letter to the Treasury Select Committee last month Andrew Bailey, chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority, also warned of financial stability risks if the UK's financial passport were to be suddenly withdrawn in 2019 without transitional arrangements in place for banks and asset managers.

The are already signs of UK businesses taking action in response to a looming hard Brexit.

Last week, a damning report by professional services firm PwC showed that a third of UK manufacturing firms now plan to shift at least some operations out of the country.

And several big banks with major operations in London have hinted that a major reallocation of staff to Europe could be on the cards as a result of Britain leaving the EU, while surveys have shown that graduate recruitment into the UK is slowing too.

In a bid to combat a possible brain drain, and to stop businesses being saddled by significant costs after Brexit, the BCC in todays report urges the Government to aim to minimise tariffs, seek to avoid costly non-tariff barriers, grandfather existing EU free trade agreements with third countries, and expand the trade mission programme.

It also says that the Government should guarantee that the tax office is appropriately resourced to help businesses through the transition process.

On regulation, the BCC demands that the Government ensures stability by incorporating existing EU regulations into UK law. That includes making sure that UK products remain competitive and continue to comply with the standard currently in place.

Finally, it calls on the Government to ensure that the UK maintains access to the European Investment Bank to prevent a funding cliff edge and that it does everything it can to avoid a return to hard borders with Northern Ireland that would hinder the free movement of people and goods.

At an event hosted by the UK Trade Policy Observatory (UKTPO) in London last week, experts warned that whatever the outcome of negotiations on trade, British firms will face expensive queues at customs borders after Brexit.

The experts said that while it might be legally possible to conclude new customs arrangements, this would not eliminate the need for firms to demonstrate to customs officers they are exempt from rules of origin and various product standards checks.

Those checks would inevitably lead to considerable disruption relative to the current frictionless cross-border goods trade with the EU.

Campaign group Open Britain threw its weight behind today's report, saying that businesses across Britain have repeatedly stressed that leaving the EU with no deal would be damaging for the economy, hit trade and cost jobs.

If it proves impossible to agree a good free trade deal with Europe at the end of the Article 50 process, it is essential that we arrange a transitional deal that will maintain our current terms of trade and prevent the economy from going over a cliff edge, said Anna Soubry, former small businesses minister and a leading supporter of Open Britain.

What experts have said about Brexit Show all 11 1 /11 What experts have said about Brexit What experts have said about Brexit Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond The Chancellor claims London can still be a world financial hub despite Brexit One of Britains great strengths is the ability to offer and aggregate all of the services the global financial services industry needs This has not changed as a result of the EU referendum and I will do everything I can to ensure the City of London retains its position as the worlds leading international financial centre. Reuters What experts have said about Brexit Yanis Varoufakis Greece's former finance minister compared the UK relations with the EU bloc with a well-known song by the Eagles: You can check out any time you like, as the Hotel California song says, but you can't really leave. The proof is Theresa May has not even dared to trigger Article 50. It's like Harrison Ford going into Indiana Jones' castle and the path behind him fragmenting. You can get in, but getting out is not at all clear Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Michael OLeary Ryanair boss says UK will be screwed by EU in Brexit trade deals: I have no faith in the politicians in London going on about how the world will want to trade with us. The world will want to screw you  that's what happens in trade talks, he said. They have no interest in giving the UK a deal on trade Getty What experts have said about Brexit Tim Martin JD Wetherspoon's chairman has said claims that the UK would see serious economic consequences from a Brexit vote were "lurid" and wrong: We were told it would be Armageddon from the OECD, from the IMF, David Cameron, the chancellor and President Obama who were predicting locusts in the fields and tidal waves in the North Sea" PA What experts have said about Brexit Mark Carney Governor of Bank of England is 'serene' about Bank of England's Brexit stance: I am absolutely serene about the  judgments made both by the MPC and the FPC Reuters What experts have said about Brexit Christine Lagarde IMF chief urges quick Brexit to reduce economic uncertainty: We want to see clarity sooner rather than later because we think that a lack of clarity feeds uncertainty, which itself undermines investment appetites and decision making Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Inga Beale Lloyds chief executive says Brexit is a major issue: "Clearly the UK's referendum on its EU membership is a major issue for us to deal with and we are now focusing our attention on having in place the plans that will ensure Lloyd's continues trading across Europe EPA What experts have said about Brexit Colm Kelleher President of US bank Morgan Stanley says City of London will suffer as result of the EU referendum: I do believe, and I said prior to the referendum, that the City of London will suffer as result of Brexit. The issue is how much What experts have said about Brexit Richard Branson Virgin founder believes we've lost a THIRD of our value because of Brexit and cancelled a deal worth 3,000 jobs: We're not any worse than anybody else, but I suspect we've lost a third of our value which is dreadful for people in the workplace.' He continued: "We were about to do a very big deal, we cancelled that deal, that would have involved 3,000 jobs, and thats happening all over the country" Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Barack Obama US President believes Britain was wrong to vote to leave the EU: "It is absolutely true that I believed pre-Brexit vote and continue to believe post-Brexit vote that the world benefited enormously from the United Kingdom's participation in the EU. We are fully supportive of a process that is as little disruptive as possible so that people around the world can continue to benefit from economic growth" Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Kristin Forbes American economist and an external member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England argues that the economy had been less stormy than many expected following the shock referendum result: For nowthe economy is experiencing some chop, but no tsunami. The adverse winds could quickly pick up  and merit a stronger policy response. But recently they have shifted to a more favourable direction Getty

She said that this underlines why MPs should have a meaningful vote on the final deal once negotiations have been completed.

We cannot be allowed to crash out with no deal at all without parliamentary approval.
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Never underestimate the power of one dedicated individual.

A woman has been credited by the Danish Government for single-handedly helping the country reduce its food waste by 25 per cent in just five years.

Selina Juul, who moved from Russian to Denmark when she was 13 years old, was shocked by the amount of food available and wasted at supermarkets.

She told the BBC: I come from a country where there were food shortages, we had the collapse of infrastructure, communism collapsed, we were not sure we could get food on the table.

Her organisation, Stop Spild Af Mad  which translates as Stop Wasting Food  made all the difference and is recognised as one of the key drivers behind the governments focus to tackle food waste.

She was this crazy Russian woman that walked in the door, with a crazy idea about stop wasting food and she has come really far since," Maria Noel, communication officer of Dagrofa, a Danish retail company, told the BBC.

She basically changed the entire mentality in Danemark, she added.

Ms Juul convinced Rema 1000, the countrys biggest low-cost supermarket chain, to replace all its quantity discounts with single item discounts to minimise food waste.

Max Skov Hanser, a grocer at Rema 1000, said the retailer wasted about 80 to 100 bananas every day. However, after the supermarket put up a sign saying "take me Im single", it reduced the waste on bananas by 90 per cent.

In the past five years Denmark has become one of the leading European countries in the fight against food waste.

Last year, a charity in Copenhagen opened Denmarks first ever food surplus supermarket, which sells products at prices 30 to 50 per cent cheaper than usual retailers.

Food and drink news Show all 35 1 /35 Food and drink news Food and drink news Healthy living makes us more inclined to binge, research suggests Gluten-free breads, dairy-free milks and other plant-based products have been some of the most favoured foods in British supermarkets this year. However, while were busy filling our shopping trolleys with gluten-free goodness, were also jamming it with junk food and alcohol, new research suggests Getty/iStock Food and drink news Growing list of Vegan celebs Making the switch to veganism is a major lifestyle choice, one that many claim can improve energy levels, lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and clear up any skin issues. Beyonce, Natalie Portman and Jessica Chastain are among the growing list of Hollywood stars who have eschewed animal products from their diets in recent years. Theres also been an increasing number of professional athletes who have gone vegan, such as boxing champions Mike Tyson and David Haye, thus debunking the myth that following a plant-based diet will leave you feeling weak and malnourished. AFP/Getty/NARAS/iHeartMedia Food and drink news McDonald's has announced the launch of a new vegan burger on its menu in Germany This will mark the first time the German franchise of the fast food chain has offered a vegan burger to its customers. The Big Vegan TS burger consists of a patty made from soy and wheat. It is served in a classic sesame seed bun, and contains salad, tomato, pickles and red onion. McDonald's Germany Food and drink news Drinking too many protein shakes could lead to an increased risk of obesity and a reduced lifespan, a new study has claimed Researchers from the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre carried out an investigation to determine the impact excessive consumption of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) has on the body. BCAA supplements are often consumed in the form of powder, which is then added to water to make a shake. Published in journal Nature Metabolism, the study found that while BCAAs help to build muscle, they can also negatively impact an individual's temperament, cause weight gain and lead to a shortened lifespan Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Britain consumes more chocolate than any other country Most people love chocolate but it turns out no one does more than the Brits  with the average Brit found to have consumed 8.4 kg of chocolate in 2017, according to new data. Chocolate consumption around the world is on the rise, according to Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD), which found that in the past year alone, Easter chocolate production has risen by 23 per cent Food and drink news 'Easter eggs should be banned for children under four' Dr Becky Spelman, chief psychologist at Harley Streets Private Therapy Clinic, is calling for Easter eggs to be banned for consumption for children under the age of four, claiming that giving them the opportunity to binge on chocolate so young will give them an unhealthy relationship with food later on. "This is a nightmare situation for parents of this generation as they have no idea how to teach their children to delay their response to cravings, she said, explaining that too many young kids binge on these chocolates because their parents dont know how to stop them. "Once a child starts overeating behaviour at a young age its very hard to turn things around for them in terms of food and their eating habits moving forward, leading to obesity from at very young age," she added PA Food and drink news Pineapple overtakes avocado as the UK's fastest-selling fruit According to Tesco, pineapple has overtaken avocado as the UKs fastest-selling fruit, with sales increasing by 15 per cent in 2017. In comparison, avocado sales rose by just under 10 per cent last year. The popular supermarket says the surge in popularity comes as shoppers buying the versatile fruit are beginning to use it as a main ingredient in everything from curries and barbecues, to juices and cocktails Getty Food and drink news Marks & Spencers launches stoneless avocados Rather than the result of genetic modification, the avocados are formed by an unpollinated avocado blossom. The fruit develops without a seed which in turns stops the growth, creating a small, seedless fruit. Whats more, the skin is actually edible, unlike a regular avocado. The flesh is much like that of a normal avocado - smooth and creamy, pale in colour and rich in flavour M&S Food and drink news Office teabags contain 17 times more germs than a toilet seat, reveals study The average bacterial reading of an office teabag was 3,785, in comparison to only 220 for a toilet seat. Other pieces of kitchen equipment also stacked up highly in their findings, with the bacterial readings averaging at 2,483 on kettle handles, 1,746 on the rim of a used mug and 1,592 on a fridge door handle Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news New study shows drinking more coffee leads to a longer life There is good news and a final hope for coffee addicts and lovers. You will now be able to drink coffee for longer as new study shows its can lead to a prolonged life. Scientists showed that those who drank between two and four cups of coffee a day had 18% lower risk of death compared to non-coffee drinkers. PA Food and drink news Coke Zero is replaced with Coke Zero Sugar Coca-Cola is pulling the plug on its Coke Zero. The much loved drink will be replaced with a new improved taste. The move, backed with a 10 million campaign, is said to come from Coca-Cola supporting people to reduce their sugar intake. Coca-Cola want people make this move while not sacrificing sugary taste of Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola Food and drink news Starbucks introduce new avocado spread The avocado craze has grown from hipster brunch restaurants to Starbucks. Starbucks have introduced their new avocado spread earlier this year and it has the internet in debate. Some argue that it not a spread but guacamole while others question if there is any avocado in there at all. When buying the new spread you can also buy an optional toasted bagel. It is a must try for all avocado connoisseurs. Starbucks Food and drink news New Mars chocolate bar The iconic British chocolate bar is about to get its partner in crime. The new bar, named Goodness Knows, will replace the gooey caramel goodness of the mars bar with oats. It is said to be more like a Florentine biscuit with a thin dark chocolate bottom. While being moderately healthy Mars says that is has good intentions. One pack has 154 calories and will sell for about 90p. Mars Food and drink news Wine prices could increase because of Brexit Wine lovers across the UK might soon have to shell out close to a quarter more for their favourite tipple after Brexit, as a weaker pound and sluggish economy takes its toll, a new study shows Rex Food and drink news Chocolate may be good for the heart A new study, published in the British Medical Journal: Heart, found that moderate chocolate intake can be positively associated with lessening the risk of the heart arrhythmia condition Atrial Fibrillation Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Brits throw away 1.4 million bananas each year British families are throwing away 1.4 million bananas that are perfectly good to eat every day at cost of 80m a year, new figures have shown PA/Armin Weigel Food and drink news Rosemary sales spike over exam time There has been a surge a surge in sales of the herb rosemary after a recent study found it helps improve memory. According to high street health food chain Holland & Barrett, sales of the herb have increased by 187 per cent compared to the same time last year Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Gluten-free diets 'not recommended' for people without coeliac disease Avoiding wheat, barley and rye in the belief that a gluten-free diet brings health benefits may do more harm than good, according to a team of US nutrition and medicine experts Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Starbucks launches two new coffee-based drinks Starbucks is launching two new coffee-based drinks in the UK, as it strives to tap into consumers growing appetite for healthy beverages. The Cold Brew Vanilla sweet cream and the Cappuccino Freddo, will both be available in stores throughout the UK from the start of May Twitter/@SbuxCountyHall Food and drink news Cadburys Dairy Milk Tiffin is making a permanent comeback after 80 years The Cadbury Dairy Milk Tiffin, first produced in 1937, is making a permanent comeback to the UK. The raisin and biscuit-filled chocolate bar is being launched after a successful trial last summer saw 3 million chocolate treats  at the cost of 1.49 for each 95g bar- purchased by nostalgic customers Cadburys Food and drink news Pizza restaurant makes worlds cheesiest 'Scottie's Pizza Parlor' in Portland Oregon has created the worlds cheesiest pizza using a total of 101 different cheese varieties. Facebook/Scottie's Pizza Parlor Food and drink news A pizza joint in Portland Oregon has created the worlds cheesiest pizza using a total of 101 different cheese varieties. Why not eating before a workout could be better for your health A study published in the American Journal of Physiology by researchers at the University of Bath found you might be likely to burn more fat if you have not eaten first Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news New York restaurant named best in the world A New York restaurant where an average meal for two will cost $700 has been named the best in the world. Eleven Madison Park won the accolade for the first time after debuting on the list at number 50 in 2010. The restaurant was praised for a fun sense of fine-dining, blurring the line between the kitchen and the dining room Getty Images Food and drink news Why you crave bad food when youre tired Researchers at Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University in Chicago recently presented their results of a study looking into the effects of sleep deprivation upon high-calorific food consumption. Researchers found that those who were sleep-deprived had specifically enhanced brain activity to the food smells compared to when they had a good nights sleep Shutterstock Food and drink news Drinking wine engages more of your brain than solving maths problems Drinking wine is the ideal workout for your brain, engaging more parts of our grey matter than any other human behaviour, according to a leading neuroscientist. Dr Gordon Shepherd, from the Yale School of Medicine, said sniffing and analysing a wine before drinking it requires exquisite control of one of the biggest muscles in the body Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news British dessert eating surges after people ditch healthy eating in February : In heartening news for anyone feeling guilty about quitting their New Year diet, it seems lots of us have given in to our sweet tooths once again. New data from nationwide food-delivery service Deliveroo reveals there was a surge in Brits ordering desserts in February compared to the first month of 2017 Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news US congress debates definition of milk alternatives A new bill has been created that seeks to ban dairy alternatives from using the term milk. Titled the DAIRY PRIDE Act, the name is a tenuous acronym for defending against imitations and replacements of yogurt, milk, and cheese to promote regular intake of dairy every day. It argues that the dairy industry is struggling as a result of all the dairy-free alternatives on the market and the public are being duped too Getty Images Food and drink news Cadburys launches two new chocolate bars UK confectionary giant Cadbury has launched two new chocolate bars, hoping to lure those with a sweet tooth and perhaps help combat some of the challenges it faces from rising commodity prices and a post-Brexit slump in the value of the pound.The companys new products will be peanut butter and mint flavoured. They will be available in most major super markets as 120g bars, priced at 1.49, according to the company Cadburys Food and drink news You can now get a job as a professional chocolate eater The company responsible for some of your favourite chocolate brands  think Cadbury, Milks, Prince and Oreo  have officially announced an opening to join their team as a professional chocolate taster. The successful candidate will help them to test, perfect and launch new products all over the world. Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news MSG additive used in Chinese food is actually good for you, scientist claims For years, weve been told MSG (the sodium salt of glutamic acid) - often associated with cheap Chinese takeaways - is awful for our health and to be avoided at all costs. But one scientist argues it should be used as a supersalt and encourages adding it to food. Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Lettuce prices are rising Not only are lettuces becoming an increasingly rare commodity in supermarkets, but prices for the leafy vegetables seem to be rising too. According to the weekly report from the Governments Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, a pair of Little Gem lettuces had an average market price of 0.86 in the week that ended on Friday, up from an average of 0.56 in the previous week  thats an almost 54 per cent increase. Getty Images Food and drink news Do-It-Yourself restaurant To encourage more people to cook and eat together, IKEA has launched The Dining Club in Shoreditch  a fully immersive Do-It-Yourself restaurant . Members of the public can book to host a brunch, lunch or dinner party for up to 20 friends and family. Supported by their very own sous chef and maitre de, the host and their guests will orchestrate an intimate dining experience where cooking together is celebrated and eating together is inspirational Mikael Buck / IKEA Food and drink news Ping Pong menu with a twist Gatwick Airport has teamed up with London dim sum restaurant Ping Pong to create a limited edition menu with a distinctly British twist; including a Full English Bao and Beef Wellington Puff, to celebrate the launch of the airports new route to Hong Kong Food and drink news Zizzi unveil the Maamgharita Unique pizza art has been created by Zizzi in celebration of the Queens 90th birthday. The pizza features the queen in an iconic pose illustrated with fresh and tasty Italian ingredients on a backdrop of the Union Jack Food and drink news Blue potatoes make a comeback Blue potatoes, once a staple part of British potato crops, are back on the menu thanks to a Cambridge scientist turned-organic farmer and Farmdrop, an online marketplace that lets people buy direct from local farms. Cambridge PhD graduate-turned farmer, Adrian Izzard has used traditional growing techniques at Wild Country Organics to produce the colourful spuds, packed with healthy cell-protecting anthocyanin, which had previously disappeared from UK plates when post-war farmers were pushed towards higher-yielding varieties

Wefood is hoping to help reduce the 700,000 tonnes of food waste Denmark produces every year.

Ms Juul said consumers are the biggest wasters.

Food waste is the lack of respect for our nature, for our society, for the people who produce the food, for the animals, and the lack of respect for our time and your money, she said.

In the UK, household food waste increased to 7.3 million tonnes in 2015, leading to accusations the Government is failing in its ambition to bring down waste in Britain.
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US Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has been accused of ignorance for suggesting colleges set up for black students are pioneers of choice.

After meeting with university leaders at the White House with President Donald Trump on Monday, Ms DeVos released a statement illustrating her administrations proposals to help develop underserved communities.

In it, she said Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were real pioneers when it comes to school choice."

They are living proof that when more options are provided to students, they are afforded greater access and greater quality," she added. Their success has shown that more options help students flourish."

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are institutions set up in the aftermath of the American Civil War allowing citizens or all races to apply to study.

At the time, many US states had segregated systems that banned black and ethnic minority students from enrolling in traditionally white universities.

Reacting to the statement on social media, some said Ms Devos was ignoring the history of how black Americans were denied access to higher education.

 Education secretary Betsy DeVos wants to 'advance God's kingdom' through US school system

Others argued the statement applauded the segregated Jim Crow education system for giving black students more options.

The Department of Education states on its own website that HBCUs were established because there was no structured higher education system for black students.

At a time when many schools barred their doors to black Americans, these colleges offered the best, and often the only, opportunity for a higher education.

Ms DeVos has come under regular scrutiny since the Republican win last year. When asked her views on the way students should be tested in schools, Ms Devos - then Education Secretary nominee  was ridiculed for failing to answer a basic question on education policy.

Last week the Cabinet member defended a controversial move to roll back federal guidelines specifying that transgender students have the right to use public school toilets that match their gender identity, as issued by the Obama administration.

President Trump is expected to sign an executive order on HBCUs this week.
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A coroner has ruled that 30 British tourists massacred by an Isis gunman in Tunisia were not the victims of neglect by hotel operators and travel companies, despite a "shambolic" security response.

They were among 38 victims of the shooting by Seifeddine Rezgui, a former break dancer turned extremist, in Sousse on 26 June 2015.

Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith found his victims had been unlawfully killed at the five-star Hotel Imperial Marhaba at the conclusion of inquests held at the Royal Courts of Justice.

 Tunisia terror attack inquest: Police 'stalled arrival' at Sousse massacre

Lawyers representing their families argued that holiday firm TUI and hotel operators did not take the terror threat to Tunisia seriously following a previous attack on the Bardo Museum, and wrongly assured tourists the destination was safe.

Andrew Ritchie QC, counsel to victims relatives, said there had been gross neglect but Howard Stevens QC, representing TUI, dismissed the call and said matters could have been worse during the terror attack.

The coroner could not simply dismiss the security presence, he argued, claiming that if there were additional CCTV cameras or guards at the beach it cannot be said that any of these measures would probably have made a difference.

Judge Loraine-Smith said there were a lot of what ifs around the case and better hotel security may simply have meant more people died on the beach, rather than inside the building.

As the packed courtroom watched in silence, he said the only factor that may have made a material difference was if the hotel had armed guards, which was "not a realistic option" given Tunisia's gun laws.

The coroner condemned the police response as at best shambolic and at worst cowardly but said case law limited his ability to make a neglect finding.

In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Show all 32 1 /32 In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The coffin of Denis Thwaites is carried from an RAF C-17, which repatriated the bodies of eight British nationals killed in the Tunisia terror attack, at RAF Brize Norton near Oxford in Britain In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The coffin of John Stollery is carried from an RAF C-17, which repatriated the bodies of eight British nationals killed in the Tunisia terror attack, at RAF Brize Norton near Oxford in Britain In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The coffin of Elaine Thwaites, one of the victims of the terrorist attack, is taken from the RAF C-17 aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in Tunisia In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Hearses carrying the victim's of last Friday's terrorist attack arrive at Tunis Airport Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia An RAF C17 transport aircraft arrives at RAF Brize Norton Airport in Oxfordshire carrying the bodies of 8 British people killed in the Tunisia gun attack Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Ambulances carrying the victim's of the terrorist attack arrive at Tunis Airport Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Armed police continue to patrol Marhaba beach in Sousse Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia National guard members patrol at the beach near the Imperiale Marhaba hotel, which was attacked by a gunman in Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Military personnel attending to injured British nationals on board an RAF C-17 aircraft en route back to the United Kingdom, in Tunisia In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Military personnel attending to injured British nationals on board an RAF C-17 aircraft en route back to the United Kingdom, in Tunisia In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Holidaymakers lay flowers on Marhaba beach Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Tourists pay tribute to the victims of the Sousse attack at a makeshift memorial on the beach at the Imperial Marhaba resort Reuters In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The Home Secretary Theresa May pays her respects with her counterparts, Frances Bernard Cazeneuve, left, Germanys Thomas de Maiziere, second left, and Tunisias Najem Gharsalli, in Sousse Reuters In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Two tourists pay respects to victims of IS attack on beach in Sousse, Tunisia Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Many people remain unaccounted for and many of their relatives have taken to social media in the hope of obtaining information about those who are still missing (Getty) Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A boy holds a Tunisian flag at the spot on the beach where the attack took place Reuters In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A man kisses a Tunisian flag at the site of a shooting attack on the beach in front of the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Port el Kantaoui, on the outskirts of Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The front of the Marhaba hotel Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Tunisian Ennahdha party member and former minister Houcine Jazir speaks with Belgium survivor couple Corman (R) and Claude Pesser after a mass shooting in the resort town of Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The bloodstained belongings of a tourist are seen on the sand in the resort town of Sousse AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A broken glass window of the Imperiale Marhaba hotel is seen after a gunman opened fire at the beachside hotel in Sousse Reuters In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Blood stains cover the ground at the Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse, Tunisia after mass shooting Fethi Belais/AFP/Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Policemen patrolling the beach in front of the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse where tributes have been laid to the dead AFP/Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia People stand in silence next to flowers during a gathering at the scene of the attack in Sousse, Tunisia Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Messages and flowers are left on Marhaba beach where 38 people were killed in a terrorist attack in Souuse Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Police officers control the crowd while surrounding a man suspected to be involved in opening fire on a beachside hotel in Sousse, Tunisia In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Medics help an injured man in Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A body lies on a street in Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Members of the Tunisian security forces in an armoured vehicle patrol a street in Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The beach where the massacre took place Lionel Tunisiano/Twitter In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A general view of the deserted pool and deck chairs at the Imperial Marhaba Hotel EPA In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A woman looks toward a glass door shattered by a bullet at Imperial Marhaba Hotel EPA

The simple but tragic truth is a gunman armed with arms and grenades went into the hotel intent on killing as many tourists as he could, he added.

The Governments advice at the time urged tourists to be vigilant in Tunisia and listed recent terror attacks, warning of a risk but stopping short of advising them against visiting.

British citizens are now advised against all but essential travel in the entire country, with all travel prohibited in volatile border areas.

The Sousse attack came three months after 24 people were killed in a terror attack at Bardo National Museum in Tunis, which was later linked to the same cell of Isis militants.

Rezgui, who had undergone militant training in Libya, hit his AK-47 in a beach umbrella before opening fire on the beach at 11.50am, massacring tourists for at least 20 minutes before being chased away by Tunisian hotel employees.

He was shot dead minutes later by police, who arrived after local security forces "deliberately and unjustifiably slowed down" responding to the attack according to a report by a Tunisian judge.

A memorial to the 38 people killed in the Sousse attack stands on the beach on the first anniversary of the attack (Getty)

The hotel had just a handful of unarmed guards, the inquests found, while one group of police returned to get more weapons before heading to the beach, and another fainted on arrival from fear.

The coroner found police could have been effective but said a direct link between the security response and deaths could not be proved.

Some of the families of those caught in the massacre said they raised concerns with TUI after the massacre but were assured Tunisia was 100% safe.

Paul Thompson said he and his wife were pushed towards choosing Tunisia and told the atrocity was a one-off, adding that another travel agent likened it to avoiding Skegness if there was an attack in London.

A Thomson travel agent told the inquest she did not give a safety guarantee to the couple, and that she would not say somewhere is completely safe.

Families may now launch a claim for neglect to civil courts over the attack, which was the worst on British citizens since the 7/7 bombings hit London in 2005.
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Children on a school trip were evacuated from the Jewish Museum in London after a bomb threat.

Around 100 people, including parties from two school, were ushered out of the site in Camden at around midday after a peculiar phone call.

A spokesman for the museum said the building was cleared as a precaution following a security alert.

The spokesman said: We work closely with the police and the Community Security Trust on our security procedures and were able to evacuate the building quickly and safely.

We would like to thank our staff and visitors for their patience and cooperation.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said part of Albert Street was closed, and that officers searched the building, but that nothing suspicious was found.

People were allowed to return into the building from around 1pm.

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Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. 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. 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The museum was soon able to resume functioning as normal, added a spokesman.

The Sydney Jewish Museum was also evacuated yesterday and closed for two hours after a bomb threat.

Both the UK and the US have witnessed a dramatic spike in Jewish hate crimes.

The Community Security Trust, the charity which monitors anti-Semitism, recorded 1,309 incidents nationwide during 2016.

This was a 36 per cent increase on 2015 and surpasses the previous highest tally of 1,182 in 2014.

More than 100 headstones were damaged at a Jewish cemetery in Missouri earlier this month.
Various types of aerial drones. (Photo : USAF)

The Pentagon is currently holding a first-of-its-kind competition it calls the "Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) Hard Kill Challenge" in which 10 private sector tech firms are competing over five days to physically defeat unmanned aerial systems (UAS) using technologies they've developed.



Advertisement

The Joint Improvised Threat Defeat Organization (JIDO) on Feb. 27 began the C-UAS Hard Kill Challenge at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The challenge's three phases are based on killing aerial drones, especially small, commercially available drones, at up to 250 meters distant.



As the competition goes ahead, the drones will attack faster and in greater numbers from multiple directions.



At the competition are representatives from JIDO (which is overseeing the challenge); the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), a theater-level Unified Combatant Command whose Area of Responsibility includes countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia (notably Afghanistan and Iraq); the Program Directorate Counter-Rocket Artillery Mortar Missiles (PD C-RAM) and other U.S. agencies and coalition partners.



The competition will allow these federal agencies to review the current state of technology to defeat rotary and fixed wing UASs.



The C-UAS Hard Kill Challenge focuses on evaluating "Hard Kill" technologies that can defeat UASs with a flyswatter approach.



For the purpose of this event, "hard kill" shall be defined as the physical interruption of a UAS's ability to maintain lift and continue its mission via the direct capture of the UAS; the physical destruction of the airframe or the permanent ability to disrupt the power to the airframe.



"Our commanders are very interested in being able to counter, for themselves and partner forces, these commercial UASs that are showing up on the battlefield," said James Smith, deputy director of acquisition for U.S. Special Operations Command.



"We are working those very rapidly ... A lot of those systems tend to be fixed-site (not fully mobile), a setup-and-teardown type of thing. We are looking ... to get those systems more agile. More mobile."



The Pentagon says the threat of UAS's to American interests within the continental United States and outside U.S. borders "is an ongoing concern."



It noted that continued and rapid technology improvements increase the availability of these unmanned technologies. Technological advances also allow drones to loft heavier payloads (such as small bombs) and make it easier to fly and target these drones.



The Pentagon remains concerned that with these technological advances come an increased potential for terrorist groups, rogue nations or near peer competitors such as China and Russia to deploy UASs en masse.


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Jack Monroe has started libel proceedings against Katie Hopkins over tweets the blogger claims caused serious harm to her reputation.

Monroe, a food writer and poverty campaigner, is suing the controversial Mail Online columnist over a dispute which dates back to 2015. Monroe alleges Hopkins posted tweets which implied Monroe defaced or condoned the damage of a war memorial and this resulted in death threats.

The High Court hearing, which started on Monday, originates from a series of public Twitter messages exchanged between the pair after a war memorial in central London was vandalised with the words F*ck Tory scum during an anti-austerity demonstration.

New Statesman contributing editor Laurie Penny shared an image of the graffiti, writing: I dont have a problem with this. The bravery of past generations does not oblige us to be cowed today.

Hopkins, a former Apprentice contestant who has risen to fame for her inflammatory, anti-immigrant views, then sent a tweet to Monroes account, saying: Scrawled on any memorials recently? Vandalised the memory of those who fought for your freedom. Grandma got any more medals?

The court was informed Hopkins had mistaken Monroe for Penny  both commentators have been outspoken critics of the Tory partys austerity policies.

Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Show all 16 1 /16 Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Katie Hopkins on 'plus size' 'To call yourself 'plus-size' is just a euphemism for being fat. Life is much easier when you're thinner. Big is not beautiful, of course a job comes down to how you look.' Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Katie Hopkins on naming children I think you can tell a great deal from a name. For me, there are certain names that I hear and I think Urgh. For me, a name is a shortcut of finding out what class that child comes from and makes me ask, Do I want my children to play with them? Theres a whole set of things that go with children like that and thats why I dont like those sorts of children. Hi, this is my daughter Charmaine. I hear: Hi, I am thick and ignorant. Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Katie Hopkins on gender equality 'Women don't want equal treatment, they couldn't handle it if they got it. It's a tough world out there. What a lot of women are actually looking for is special treatment. What women need to realise is that they have to toughen up.' Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Katie Hopkins on immigration 'I've always said if you go into a school playground and shout Mohammad, you'll probably get 100 children running towards you!" Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Katie Hopkins to Benefits Street's White Dee 'Do you not feel like the patron saint of druggies and dropouts?' Channel 5 Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Katie Hopkins on tattoos 'Are tattoos just a badge for the stupid? For me, and for lots of people like me, when you see tatoos you think of someone who is just looking for attention, who hasn't managed to find a way in their life through conventional means and who is just shouting 'I want attention! I want to be looked at!' Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Katie Hopkins on addiction I dont believe what Russell Brand says about addiction. I just dont buy it. Gazza likes drinking, let him crack on. He is enjoying himself. Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Katie Hopkins on The X Factor 'The X Factor 2013 has ended in a painful showdown between a fat mum in a jumpsuit (Sam Bailey) and a small boy in whatever his mum laid out for him on his bed (Nicholas McDonald)' ITV Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Katie Hopkins on the Egyptian uprising 'The difference between most mothers and me is that I didnt sit around drinking coffee at baby group for 12 months after the birth of my baby. No, in three weeks I was back in my suit, back at my desk earning profit for my business and I dont see why other women shouldnt do the same.' Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Katie Hopkins on maternity leave 'Egyptian uprising continues to look like Bonfire Night. Protest fireworks. Right up there with angry cup cakes.' Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Katie Hopkins on 'gingerism' 'Ginger babies. Like a baby. Just so much harder to love. A ginger person with tattoos called Jayden? The triumvirate of horror!' Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Katie Hopkins on affairs 'I lied to get someone else's husband because I wanted him. I give myself 8 out of 10 for ruthlessness for that one.' Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Katie Hopkins on the elderly Personally I hate mobility scooters. I find their owners intolerable. Ran past a mobility scooter going up hill. Made me giggle. I need to grow up and stop being an arse. Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Katie Hopkins after the Glasgow helicopter crash 'Life expectancy in Scotland is 59.5. Goodness me. That lot will do anything to avoid working until retirement.' Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Katie Hopkins on Ramadan 'Channel 4 broadcasts Islamic calls to prayer for Ramadan. A 30 day reminder that minority rules in the UK. Any more PC, it'd be a bloody laptop.' Katie Hopkins' most offensive moments Katie Hopkins on self-harming 'I am advised by the Twitterati to 'cut myself'. I grazed myself on my house gate yesterday. Will that suffice?'

Quickly after Hopkinss original message, Monroe wrote back: I have NEVER scrawled on a memorial. Brother in the RAF. Dad was a Para in the Falklands. Youre a piece of sh*t.

Monroe, who is reportedly seeking 50,000 in damages, later sent a second message demanding Hopkins apologise: Dear Katie Hopkins, public apology and 5K to migrant rescue and I wont sue. Itll be cheaper for you and v satisfying for me.

Hopkins deleted the first tweet but, said William Bennett, acting for Monroe, told the judge, Mr Justice Warby Hopkins did not apologise or retract the allegation even though she knew it was false.

Shortly afterwards, Hopkins said: Can someone explain to me  in 10 words or less  the difference between irritant @PennyRed and social anthrax @MsJackMonroe. Monroes lawyers claim that this second tweet bore a defamatory innuendo meaning that Monroe approved or condoned the criminal vandalization of the womens war memorial during an anti-government protest.

Mr Bennett told the court: "The claimant's primary case is that by reason of the seriousness of the allegations and the scale of publication, serious harm to reputation has been caused.

"A widely published allegation that someone has either vandalised a war memorial or approved of such an act will inevitably cause serious damage to reputation."

Mr Bennett also said: "The libel was a particular affront to her because part of her identity is as a member of a family closely involved with the armed forces".

The blogger told the court that Hopkinss messages had sparked abuse on Twitter, including death threats.

Jonathan Price, for Hopkins, told the judge in written argument that Hopkins case was that "this relatively trivial dispute arose and was resolved on Twitter in a period of several hours".

He argued "no lasting harm and certainly no serious harm", to Monroe's reputation resulted from the saga. Mr Price said the columnists case was that "these proceedings are an unnecessary and disproportionate epilogue to the parties' otherwise forgotten Twitter row".

But Monroe, from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, rejected Prices suggestion that rather than the row being the worst thing the blogger had experienced on Twitter, it had in fact been the best thing because it had offered an opportunity to bring the proceedings.

Monroe told the court: "These proceedings have been a nightmare. It has been an 18-month, unproductive, devastating nightmare.

"I did not want to be here today. I have offered several times though my lawyer to settle these proceedings outside court. This is the last thing that I wanted to be doing."

Monroe rose to fame for the blog Cooking On A Bootstrap, which receives around 100 thousand unique hits per day. The site, which was previously called A Girl Called Jack, centred on cooking on a budget and the struggle of feeding Monroes son for just 10 a week. The blogger identifies as non-binary transgender and goes by singular they pronouns, rather than "he" or "she".

Hopkins left The Sun in 2015 after writing a column that compared migrants to cockroaches" and "feral humans" and said they were "spreading like the norovirus". She became the victim of a petition calling for her to be sacked.

A representative for Monroe did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Additional reporting from Press Association
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Paedophiles should be given greater access to confidential helplines and not face criminal sanctions unless they pose a physical threat to children, a top officer has said, because the police lack the manpower to tackle the number of potential child sex abusers in the UK.

Forces across the country arrest a staggering number of people on suspicion of viewing indecent images, some 400 a month, and the capacity doesnt exist within the service to address the problem, according to Simon Bailey, the National Police Chiefs Councils lead for child protection and abuse investigations.

Britain must face up to the fact that a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to preventing child abuse includes not only arresting offenders and teaching children about the risk, but also the use of confidential phone lines for people who want help coping with their sexual attraction to children, Mr Bailey said.

The [police] service has almost got to the point where it simply can't do anything more. That means that we have to start a really difficult conversation about how we stop this happening, said Mr Bailey, who is the chief constable of Norfolk Police.

The services response to this has been really robust. They've simply reached the point whereby we have, as a country, to turn around and say, We have to look at alternatives.

Its got to be broader than just a policy that says we're going to arrest our way out of this. What Im suggesting is a multi-faceted response to the threat. Weve got to try to do everything and stop children being abused.

Mr Bailey said the number of men currently being arrested by police showed that officers were being effective.

But he added: With that effectiveness comes some real challenges. There is a capacity issue.

Mr Bailey is a keen supporter of helplines, such as the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, which is working with paedophiles and encouraging them to self-refer so they can discuss their problem before they commit any abuse.

People accessing indecent images or with an interest in doing so should stop and contact the Lucy Faithfull Stop it Now helpline.

The NSPCC estimates there could be up to half a million men in the UK who have viewed abuse images, basing its claim on the findings of a German population study. The figure is significantly higher than previous estimates.

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation helpline offers guidance to offenders and people worried they may be at risk of committing crimes. While the service is confidential, users are warned that if they talk about a child at risk, or a crime they have committed that information will be passed on to the police.

Donald Findlater, the director of Stop It Now, which runs the foundation, said: Sexual abuse is an outrageous thing to happen, and therefore it's right that we be outraged and right that we do things that address it.

The problem is how you separate outrage from vengefulness. Of course some people are outrageously dangerous and protecting the public means having to do kind of very harsh, punitive things to them.

But we then translate that understanding to the rest of the population. We don't have a nuanced approach. The police and sentencing clearly have some variety in their responses but mostly we have a binary public view about this.

Mr Findlater said it was important to take action to prevent abuse from happening in the first place. People have called [us] for a reason, theyve called for help, he said.

Stop It Now also provides guidance for the partners of people who are attracted to children, as well as parents who are concerned about their childs sexual behaviour.

Some 60 per cent of child sexual abuse of children happens within the family constellation, Mr Findlater added. And we know that the vast, vast majority of that gets nowhere close to statutory agencies, he said.

Stop It Now call handler Jennifer Michell said the service was trying to help people to change.

We give them a place to talk about things that are considered taboo and if they didn't have this place then  and this place would be a place to address problematic behaviour  then where would they go? she said.

I think that the more opportunity they have to explore really difficult thoughts, that difficult subject, the better. It can only be a step in the right direction. The fact that the helpline has grown I think says that.

More than 12,000 people accessed self-help resources on the Stop It Now website last year, and another 1,615 phoned its helpline with concerns about their online behaviour.

Juliet Grayson, a psychotherapist from the StopSO charity which links callers with therapists, said she helps offenders to start learning what their triggers are and having alternative ways to make themselves feel better, as well as identifying cognitive distortions that have allowed them to justify their actions to themselves.

She said: Almost all sex offenders have an underlying trauma in their history. Often it's something that has happened to them in childhood. When they're feeling lonely that can be a vulnerable time.

About 38 per cent of those who have called StopSO for help, equating to 162 people, have not come to the attention of the police, she said. She added: In some cases were stopping it before the first crime.

Urging understanding, she said: Just imagine what life is like. Youre never going to be able to satisfy your sexual appetite. All you can legally do is masturbate to your own images in your head. Its quite something.

In a recent report the NSPCC said: It is very important to note that the proportion of adults who report having a sexual interest in children does not equate to the number of adults who offend, as not all people act on their sexual interests and sexual urges.

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

Mr Bailey said the police are investing more resources to tackle the threat of child sex abuse, including the creation of dedicated undercover officers to target those who pose the greatest risk.

We agree with the NSPCC that the police alone cannot stop the demand for child abuse images and more needs to be done to prevent abuse in the first place.

He also believes internet service providers have a moral and social responsibility to help police fight the problem of child abuse imagery.

Another senior police officer, Chief Superintendent Gavin Thomas, has also spoken of the need for a rethink on current approaches to sexual offending.

The president of the Police Superintendents Association of England and Wales said last year that managing the sex offenders register, which holds nearly 45,000 names, was a major concern and that there was not enough space to imprison all child sex offenders.

He added: Should we be going down the criminal justice route or, based on a proper assessment, should we be going down the health route? At the moment I am not seeing alternative thinking on how we deal with this issue as it grows and grows and grows.

Judges already have the option to impose rehabilitation programmes when they pass sentence in some cases relating to indecent images of children.

An NSPCC spokesman said: Prevention of child abuse is of the utmost importance. The Lucy Faithfull Foundation provides essential interventions with offenders and potential offenders to seek to change their behaviours.

The NSPCC welcomes further focus on this aspect of prevention although it is just one of many tactics we must pursue to protect children.

The Government must implement a tough action plan to cut off the supply of these images, and to deter people from viewing them in the first place. And every child must have the right and ability to remove self-generated sexualised images from the internet.
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A university student who faced being deported to Sri Lanka has had the order halted hours before she was due to board a plane.

Shiromini Satkunarajah, who is studying electrical engineering at Bangor University, North Wales, faced being sent to her country of birth with her mother Roshina on Tuesday morning.

The student, who has lived in the UK since she was 12, faced leaving the UK three months before completing her degree.

However the Home Office rescinded her deportation order shortly after her local MP Hywel Williams raised a point of order in the House of Commons.

Ms Satkunarajah and her mother were due to be released from Yarl's Wood Detention Centre.

Mr Williams, the Plaid Cymru Westminster leader, said: "This is the news we've all been hoping for.

"I'm so very glad that Shiromini and her mum have had this deportation order rescinded and released from the detention centre.

"I'd like to thank everyone who backed the campaign to have the deportation order lifted. So much has been achieved in so little time."

He added: "The outpouring of support from across the country has been staggering, particularly from North Wales where Shiromini is highly regarded within the Bangor community.

"Since the campaign was launched on Friday I've received messages of support for Shiromini from across the country and I'm glad that Bangor University will now be able to welcome one of their best students back.

"Of course the campaign to right this unjust situation is not over. There is clearly something seriously wrong with the current system and it is an issue I intend to pursue."

Copyright PA
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The Foreign Secretary has launched a defence of economic globalisation, arguing that opposition to global free markets makes no economic sense.

In a speech to business leaders on Tuesday Boris Johnson said Britain should not let globalisation is become a boo-word in the political lexicon  as other countries erect tariff and trade barriers.

Mr Johnsons warning comes despite his own governments move to pull out of the single market and Theresa Mays pledge to cut off the free movement of people from the continent.

Recommended Boris Johnson urged continuation of arms sales after funeral airstrike

Speaking from the same stage just an hour earlier former chancellor George Osborne had said leaving the EU single market and dialling down trade with European countries would be the biggest single act of protectionism in the history of the United Kingdom.

Mr Johnson said that hauling up the drawbridge and to call time on globalisation was the wrong approach, claiming Britain would continue to be a great trading nation that would make trade deals around the world.

Mr Osborne had however said that no amount of trade deals with New Zealand are going to replace the amount of trade we do with our European neighbours.

Challenged directly on the contrast between his comments and those of Mr Osborne, Mr Johnson said: I dont think thats true, I think that Brexit, as Ive said, is an opportunity for a great free trading country, a country that built its wealth and its success once again to be the worlds leading agitator and champion for free trade.

Mr Johnson told the British Chambers of Commerce conference: Today globalisation is a word thats acquiring negative overtones and its become a sort of boo-word in the political lexicon. This afternoon I want to reclaim globalisation, I want to show you all that this is a positive force and that a global Britain is prosperous one.

Trade for the first time in decades is declining as a proportion of the growth of global GDP. For the first time we are seeing protectionist measures on the rise across the world and  as everybody knows, were seeing a rise of related but by no means identical political events in which populations are said to be rebelling against what had been seen as a second consensus.

People feel that they arent getting a fair suck of the sauce bottle as they say in Australia or that the wealth gap is growing. Theres been a temptation amongst some politicians to respond in what I think is the wrong way  by hauling up the drawbridge and to call time on globalisation. I think that instinct is profoundly wrong and it makes no economic sense as Im sure everyone in this room understands.

Brexit Concerns Show all 26 1 /26 Brexit Concerns Brexit Concerns Brexit will put British patients at 'back of the queue' for new drugs Brexit will put British patients at the back of the queue for vital new drugs, the Government has been warned  forcing them to wait up to two years longer A medicines regulator has raised the alarm over a likely decision to pull out of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as the EU itself. ealth Secretary Jeremy Hunt dropped the bombshell , when he said he expected the UK would quit the EMA  because it is subject to rulings by the European Court of Justice. Getty Images Brexit Concerns London to lose status as 'gateway to Europe' for banks One of Germanys top banking regulators has warned that London could lose its status as gateway to Europe for the banking sector after Britain quits the European trading bloc. Andreas Dombret, who is an executive board member for the BundesbankGermanys central banktold a private meeting of German businesses and banks earlier this week in Frankfurt that even if banking rules were equivalent between the UK and the rest of the EU, that was still miles away from [Britain having] access to the single market, the BBC reports. Jason Hawkes Brexit Concerns Exodus The number of financial sector professionals in Britain and continental Europe looking for jobs in Ireland rocketed in the months after the UK voted to leave the European Union Shutterstock Brexit Concerns Brexit is making FTSE 100 executives richer Pay packages of many FTSE 100 chief executive officers are partly tied to how well share prices are doing rather than the CEOs performance -- and some stocks are soaring. ritish equities got a boost since the June vote because the likes of Rio Tinto, Smiths Group and WPP generate most sales abroad and earn a fortune when they convert these revenues back into the weakened pound. Sterlings fall also made UK stocks more affordable for overseas investors. Rex Brexit Concerns Theresa May: UK to leave single market Theresa May has said the UK "cannot possibly" remain within the European single market, as staying in it would mean "not leaving the EU at all". Getty Brexit Concerns Lead campaigner Gina Miller and her team outside the High Court Getty Brexit Concerns Raymond McCord holds up his newly issued Irish passport alongside his British passport outside the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns SDLP leader Colum Eastwood leaving the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns Migrants with luggage walk past a graffiti on a wall as they leave the 'Jungle' migrant camp, as part of a major three-day operation planned to clear the camp in Calais Getty Brexit Concerns Migrants leave messages on their tents in the Jungle migrant camp Getty Brexit Concerns The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (Adra) which distributes approximately 700 meals daily in the northern Paris camp states that it is noticing a spike in new migrant arrivals this week, potentially linked the the Calais 'jungle' camp closure - with around 1000 meals distributed today EPA Brexit Concerns Migrant workers pick apples at Stocks Farm in Suckley, Britain Reuters Brexit Concerns Many farmers across the country are voicing concerns that Brexit could be a dangerous step into the unknown for the farming industry Getty Brexit Concerns Bank of England governor Mark Carney who said the long-term outlook for the UK economy is positive, but growth was slowing in the wake of the Brexit vote PA Brexit Concerns The Dow Jones industrial average closed down over 600 points on the news with markets around the globe pluninging Getty Brexit Concerns Immigration officers deal with each member of the public seeking entry into the United Kingdom but on average, 10 a day are refused entry at this London airport and between 2008 and 2009, 33,100 people were detained at the airport for mainly passport irregularities Getty Brexit Concerns A number of global investment giants have threatened to move their European operations out of London if Brexit proves to have a negative impact on their businesses Getty Brexit Concerns Following the possibility of a Brexit the UK would be released from its renewable energy targets under the EU Renewable Energy Directive and from EU state aid restrictions, potentially giving the government more freedom both in the design and phasing out of renewable energy support regimes Getty Brexit Concerns A woman looking at a chart showing the drop in the pound (Sterling) against the US Dollar in London after Britain voted to leave the EU Getty Brexit Concerns Young protesters outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, to protest against the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU following the referendum Getty Brexit Concerns Applications from Northern Ireland citizens for Irish Passports has soared to a record high after the UK Voted in favour of Leaving the EU Getty Brexit Concerns NFU Vice President Minette Batters with Secretary of State, Andrea Leadsome at the National Farmers Union (NFU) took machinery, produce, farmers and staff to Westminster to encourage Members of Parliament to back British farming, post Brexit Getty Brexit Concerns The latest reports released by the UK Cabinet Office warn that expats would lose a range of specific rights to live, to work and to access pensions, healthcare and public services. The same reports added that UK citizens abroad would not be able to assume that these rights will be guaranteed in the future Getty Brexit Concerns A British resident living in Spain asks questions during an informative Brexit talk by the "Brexpats in Spain" group, about Spanish legal issues to become Spanish citizens, at the town hall in Benalmadena, Spain Reuters Brexit Concerns The collapse of Great Britain appears to have been greatly exaggerated given the late summer crowds visiting city museums, hotels, and other important tourist attractions Getty Brexit Concerns The U.K. should maintain European Union regulations covering everything from working hours to chemicals until after the government sets out its plans for Brexit, said British manufacturers anxious to avoid a policy vacuum and safeguard access to their biggest export market Getty

History teaches us, all the economic evidence shows: if we close our markets, if we put up barriers, then we raise the costs for those that can least afford it, we make our industries uncompetitive, we entrench complacency, we discourage the investment in capital and technology, we stifle innovation and of course we breed distrust between nations.

We should never forget the old truism that when goods and services no longer cross borders then troops and tanks do instead. By rebelling against globalisation we endanger as system that has been associated with 70 years of post-war peace and prosperity and that has allowed billions to lift themselves out of penury by toil and enterprise.
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The Government has defeated the first challenge in the Lords to its plan to trigger Brexit negotiations next month.

Peers voted against an amendment to the Brexit Bill demanding the UK retains its membership of the European single market.

The 229 to 136 vote, a majority of 163, exposed deep divisions within Labour.

In the debate, former Business Secretary Lord Mandelson warned it would be an "economic disaster" for Britain to leave the single market.

However, opposition frontbencher Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town accused supporters of the amendment of offering "unrealistic hope" that the UK could stay within the EU's trading area.

Warning against re-running the arguments of the referendum campaign, she said Britain would be recipients of rules set in Brussels if it opted for a Norwegian-style model.

 Sir John Major criticises Theresa May's Brexit strategy

Lord Mandelson hit back saying the UK would be a "senior influential" member of the European Economic Area (EEA) with influence over rule-making.

"I can't understand why my own frontbench can't see it," he said.

The clash came after Supreme Court campaigner Gina Miller had urged the Lords to show "backbone" and push the Government into concessions over Brexit.

She told The Independent those debating Ms Mays Article 50 Bill this week must take the lead, because the House of Commons had shown cowardice in failing to win any compromise.

Some peers sought to change the Government's mind.

Lord Hain warned of the economic dangers of leaving the trading bloc and criticised his own party leadership for prioritising immigration over jobs and prosperity.

He said: "Both the Government and, may I say sadly, my party leadership in the Commons, have effectively put the migration issue ahead of jobs and prosperity, and I think that's fundamentally mistaken.

"Of course human rights and of course migration issues have to be addressed. But to put that first, to put migration first... ahead of jobs and prosperity, which depend on the single market, is perverse in the extreme in my view."

He warned leaving the single market could be "catastrophic".

Brexit Concerns Show all 26 1 /26 Brexit Concerns Brexit Concerns Brexit will put British patients at 'back of the queue' for new drugs Brexit will put British patients at the back of the queue for vital new drugs, the Government has been warned  forcing them to wait up to two years longer A medicines regulator has raised the alarm over a likely decision to pull out of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as the EU itself. ealth Secretary Jeremy Hunt dropped the bombshell , when he said he expected the UK would quit the EMA  because it is subject to rulings by the European Court of Justice. Getty Images Brexit Concerns London to lose status as 'gateway to Europe' for banks One of Germanys top banking regulators has warned that London could lose its status as gateway to Europe for the banking sector after Britain quits the European trading bloc. Andreas Dombret, who is an executive board member for the BundesbankGermanys central banktold a private meeting of German businesses and banks earlier this week in Frankfurt that even if banking rules were equivalent between the UK and the rest of the EU, that was still miles away from [Britain having] access to the single market, the BBC reports. Jason Hawkes Brexit Concerns Exodus The number of financial sector professionals in Britain and continental Europe looking for jobs in Ireland rocketed in the months after the UK voted to leave the European Union Shutterstock Brexit Concerns Brexit is making FTSE 100 executives richer Pay packages of many FTSE 100 chief executive officers are partly tied to how well share prices are doing rather than the CEOs performance -- and some stocks are soaring. ritish equities got a boost since the June vote because the likes of Rio Tinto, Smiths Group and WPP generate most sales abroad and earn a fortune when they convert these revenues back into the weakened pound. Sterlings fall also made UK stocks more affordable for overseas investors. Rex Brexit Concerns Theresa May: UK to leave single market Theresa May has said the UK "cannot possibly" remain within the European single market, as staying in it would mean "not leaving the EU at all". Getty Brexit Concerns Lead campaigner Gina Miller and her team outside the High Court Getty Brexit Concerns Raymond McCord holds up his newly issued Irish passport alongside his British passport outside the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns SDLP leader Colum Eastwood leaving the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns Migrants with luggage walk past a graffiti on a wall as they leave the 'Jungle' migrant camp, as part of a major three-day operation planned to clear the camp in Calais Getty Brexit Concerns Migrants leave messages on their tents in the Jungle migrant camp Getty Brexit Concerns The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (Adra) which distributes approximately 700 meals daily in the northern Paris camp states that it is noticing a spike in new migrant arrivals this week, potentially linked the the Calais 'jungle' camp closure - with around 1000 meals distributed today EPA Brexit Concerns Migrant workers pick apples at Stocks Farm in Suckley, Britain Reuters Brexit Concerns Many farmers across the country are voicing concerns that Brexit could be a dangerous step into the unknown for the farming industry Getty Brexit Concerns Bank of England governor Mark Carney who said the long-term outlook for the UK economy is positive, but growth was slowing in the wake of the Brexit vote PA Brexit Concerns The Dow Jones industrial average closed down over 600 points on the news with markets around the globe pluninging Getty Brexit Concerns Immigration officers deal with each member of the public seeking entry into the United Kingdom but on average, 10 a day are refused entry at this London airport and between 2008 and 2009, 33,100 people were detained at the airport for mainly passport irregularities Getty Brexit Concerns A number of global investment giants have threatened to move their European operations out of London if Brexit proves to have a negative impact on their businesses Getty Brexit Concerns Following the possibility of a Brexit the UK would be released from its renewable energy targets under the EU Renewable Energy Directive and from EU state aid restrictions, potentially giving the government more freedom both in the design and phasing out of renewable energy support regimes Getty Brexit Concerns A woman looking at a chart showing the drop in the pound (Sterling) against the US Dollar in London after Britain voted to leave the EU Getty Brexit Concerns Young protesters outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, to protest against the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU following the referendum Getty Brexit Concerns Applications from Northern Ireland citizens for Irish Passports has soared to a record high after the UK Voted in favour of Leaving the EU Getty Brexit Concerns NFU Vice President Minette Batters with Secretary of State, Andrea Leadsome at the National Farmers Union (NFU) took machinery, produce, farmers and staff to Westminster to encourage Members of Parliament to back British farming, post Brexit Getty Brexit Concerns The latest reports released by the UK Cabinet Office warn that expats would lose a range of specific rights to live, to work and to access pensions, healthcare and public services. The same reports added that UK citizens abroad would not be able to assume that these rights will be guaranteed in the future Getty Brexit Concerns A British resident living in Spain asks questions during an informative Brexit talk by the "Brexpats in Spain" group, about Spanish legal issues to become Spanish citizens, at the town hall in Benalmadena, Spain Reuters Brexit Concerns The collapse of Great Britain appears to have been greatly exaggerated given the late summer crowds visiting city museums, hotels, and other important tourist attractions Getty Brexit Concerns The U.K. should maintain European Union regulations covering everything from working hours to chemicals until after the government sets out its plans for Brexit, said British manufacturers anxious to avoid a policy vacuum and safeguard access to their biggest export market Getty

There were divisions on the Tory benches too, with former minister Baroness Altmann warning the Government was "gambling with millions of manufacturing jobs".

She said: "By leaving the single market we are hampering our manufacturing industry and putting barriers in the way which will ensure the destruction of millions of jobs.

"Unless we get some kind of access to the single market we are sacrificing integrated supply chains which so many smaller businesses depend on."

But Tory former minister Lord Blencathra said the move to stay within the EEA flew in the face of what the people had voted for, adding: "It is staying in the EU by the backdoor."

He said: "The Prime Minister hasn't opted for a hard Brexit or a soft Brexit.

"She's merely attempting to carry out the wishes of the people who voted to leave the EU and that automatically means leaving the single market."

Baroness Hayter said she believed Theresa May's approach to Brexit was "wrong", but passing the amendment would effectively mean "asking the Prime Minister to eat her own words".

Staying in the single market meant accepting free movement, the baroness said. She added: "With regard to free movement, we cannot simply airbrush this from the referendum decision.

"For if we turn round to those who voted out, and we say 'yes we are out, but actually we are still having everything exactly as it was, we are still having free movement unchanged', I think that might emit some surprise."

In a tense exchange, Lord Mandelson intervened on the Labour minister and dismissed her concerns.

He said: "We would not be mere recipients my lords, we would be large, senior, influential members of the EEA, negotiating our membership of the EEA in terms that would give us significant influence over policy-making and rule-making in the European Union.

"Everyone accepts that and I cannot understand why my own frontbench cant see it."

Responding for the Government, Brexit Minister Lord Bridges of Headley spoke out against the amendment.

He said: "To remain a member of the single market and to remain a full member of the customs union would, to all intents and purposes, mean not leaving the EU at all."

Addressing his fellow lords, he urged them to "stop fighting the battles of the campaign, but come together to help us to think of ways in which we can't continue to thrive, continue to trade and to overcome some of these challenges".

The Government is expected to face further challenges in the days ahead, on key issues such as having a "meaningful" parliamentary vote on the Brexit deal and allowing EU nationals resident in the UK to remain.

Additional reporting by Press Association
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Cabinet ministers have been told to draw up rearguard plans in case Britain crashes out of the EU with no fresh trade deal.

Brexit Secretary David Davis has urged his colleagues to prepare for what critics have dubbed the doomsday cliff edge prospect of leaving on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms  and hefty tariffs.

Mr Davis insisted he believed that remained an unlikely scenario  after Theresa May spoke of her confidence that a free trade deal could be quickly agreed with EU leaders.

However, his briefing to the weekly meeting of the Cabinet raised eyebrows, ahead of the Prime Minister triggering the Article 50 exit clause next month.

A No 10 spokesman said Mr Davis had told the Cabinet it was important that departments understand the challenges ahead.

He set out the need for the Government to support a smooth exit from the EU and the need to prepare, not just for a negotiated settlement, but for the unlikely scenario in which no mutually satisfactory agreement can be reached, the spokesman said.

The briefing also appeared to request contingency plans for no exit agreement  as well as no trade deal  which could send Britain and the EU to an international court to settle any disputes, including over assets and liabilities.

It came as George Osborne, the former Chancellor, warned Ms May that a trade deal with the EU was essential to economic success.

Otherwise, withdrawing from the single market would be the biggest single act of protectionism in the history of United Kingdom and no amount of trade deals with New Zealand are going to replace the amount of trade we do with our European neighbours. he told the British Chambers of Commerces annual conference.

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson  at the same event  admitted it may take longer than two years to get a trade deal with EU, saying: They can play it long.

The Foreign Secretary told a questioner: They have electoral considerations, as everybody knows. I think theres every reason why we [should] go this full tilt and get it done within two years. But lets see how it goes.

The Government has conceded a vote on any deal agreed with the EU before the European Parliament starts its consideration, probably in late 2018.

But the Prime Minister has warned it will be a take-it-or-leave-it choice  insisting she will take Britain crash out of the EU with no deal at all, if her terms are rejected.

WTO rules would mean hefty export tariffs on, for example, dairy products (36 per cent), cars (ten per cent), food and drink (20 per cent) and clothing and textiles (10-20 per cent).

Treasury documents leaked to The Times last year highlighted the predicted cost of leaving both the EUs single market and customs union.

They suggested lost tax revenues of up to 66bn a year and that the UKs gross domestic product (GDP) could fall by as much as 9.5 per cent if it reverts to WTO terms.

This morning, the British Chambers of Commerce urged Ms May to delay Brexit if she is unable to strike a comprehensive trade deal within the two-year negotiating period leading up to the split.

In a report based on feedback from more than 400 businesses, it said the Government needed to provide solutions and certainty to businesses before the divorce was finalised.
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Fighting terrorism and people trafficking will be more difficult after Brexit, the EUs security commissioner has warned MPs.

Sir Julian King, who is British, said there would be practical limits on sharing crime-fighting information, even if the post-withdrawal negotiations go well.

Speaking to a Parliamentary inquiry, Sir Julian hailed the material contribution to the UKs security from the EUs hard-earned cross-border security agreements.

He acknowledged both Theresa May and the EU had a shared interest in trying to reach new arrangements that could deliver the same benefits, after Brexit.

But, on efforts to replicate Europol  the EU-wide law enforcement agency  Sir Julian warned: There will be some legal constraints and some practical constraints.

Its likely that there will be some practical limits on what can be achieved compared with today, he told the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee.

Asked if Britain would be as safe as now, he replied: However good you are at this threat  and everybody recognises that the UK and its agencies in this field are very good  you are more effective if you are working with your partners.

On terrorism, cyber-crime and human trafficking, Britain and the EU had a shared analysis of the threat and a shared interest in fighting it collectively.

But just because something is a shared objective doesnt mean its easy to achieve, Sir Julian added.

The former UK ambassador to France was asked to give evidence ahead of the Prime Minister triggering Brexit  which will mean leaving Europol when withdrawal is completed.

Security experts have warned that maintaining access to EU law enforcement databases and data-sharing platforms is integral to day-to-day policing in this country.

Information that could currently be sourced in seconds or hours could take days or weeks to retrieve  posing a risk to the safety of the public.

Sir Julian also pointed to the benefits of the European Arrest Warrant (EAW), with 8,000 suspected criminals extradited from Britain  and a further 1,000 brought back to this country.

It has been suggested that the UK could seek to negotiate a separate extradition agreement with the whole of the EU, as Norway and Iceland have attempted to.

But Sir Julian said that would be more complicated than the EAW, particularly if it allowed some extradition decisions to be taken at a political level.

And, asked if such an agreement was possible, he added: You are asking me to make predictions about a negotiating process that hasnt even started yet. I dont know.

Sir Julian disagreed with Sir John Major, who warned this week of a sour atmosphere, but added: The negotiations have not started yet.

In November, the Home Office said it intended to remain a full member of Europol until Brexit is completed, giving the Government two years to agree on a new framework for co-operation.

It also agreed to the temporary automatic sharing of millions of DNA samples, fingerprints and vehicle registrations, to speed up the hunt for suspected terrorists and major criminals.
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Ministers have been accused of continuing with failed austerity after revealing plans for steep extra spending cuts before the next election.

The Treasury has written to Government departments, demanding proposals for savings of both three per cent and six per cent from their day-to-day budgets in 2019-20.

It means further cuts are planned at the time when Britain is expected to leave the European Union  imposing extra burdens on the Government and risking an economic slump.

Most controversially, local authorities will be told they must find extra money to tackle the social care crisis by making further efficiencies  at the end of a decade of cuts.

A letter sent by David Gauke, the chief secretary to the Treasury, reads: Efficiencies found within local government will be used to help met existing pressures on social care.

The call for more cuts comes despite a warning from the independent Institute for Government that public services are now reaching a tipping point, after a decade of austerity.

Furthermore, the timing means the Conservatives will go into the 2020 general election while trying to force through further spending reductions.

Labours Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said the announcement showed Chancellor Philip Hammond represents more of the same Tory austerity.

Sneaking out an announcement asking departments to model cuts of three per cent and six per cent for 2019-20 is no way to manage public spending, he said.

Hammond urgently needs to explain why this announcement was made in the way it was and why, after seven years of failed austerity, he thinks more of the same will now work.

The letters sent to Cabinet colleagues by Mr Gauke say up to 1bn of the savings made would be reinvested in priority areas, rather than used to reduce the deficit.

The NHS, foreign aid and core schools budgets - which excludes funding for 16 to 18-year-old pupils - are said to be protected and do not come under the scope of the review.

However, real-terms spending on school pupils is already on course to drop by 6.5 per cent over the course of this Parliament, according to the respected Institute for Fiscal Studies.

The Ministry of Defence has been asked to model a three per cent scenario only, in order to meet the Nato commitment to spend two per cent of GDP on defence.

Announcing the 'efficiency review', Mr Gauke wrote: There has been progress, but there is further to go and the whole of government is working together to consider how we can live within our means while delivering maximum value for every pound of taxpayer money.

Mr Hammond announced in November that 3.5bn of further savings would be needed in the final year of this Parliament in order to balance the books sometime in the next.

The decision to press ahead with further cuts comes despite better-than-expected tax receipts, expected to be confirmed when Mr Hammond delivers his Budget next week.

Between 2010 and 2013, the Coalition Government claimed to have found 14.3bn of savings compared with the baseline it inherited in 2009-10.
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The Government heard Cornwall's plea for tens of millions of pounds to replace EU economic investment after Brexitand turned it down.

Last year the county sought "urgent confirmation" that the 60m funding it received annually from Europe would not be lost when the UK departs the EU, as the council said it had been assured by Leave campaigners.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has awarded the region 18m in its latest round of "growth deal" investment. Julian German, Cornwall Council's member for economy, said it fell "far short" of what was needed despite an "ambitious bid for funding".

The area's local enterprise partnership (LEP), a joint venture between the council and industry, "will be forced to reduce the investment it was hoping to make in Cornish businesses," Mr German added.

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

European money has helped develop infrastructure, universities and broadband internet in the county. From 2007 to 2013, it received 654m for the projects.

Cornwall, which has a population of just 530,000 people, voted resoundingly to leave the EU, with an above-average 56.52 per cent opting for Leave compared to 43.48 per cent voting for Remain.

"Whatever your views on the referendum, we are about to go off a cliff," Labour councillor Tim Dwelly told i.

Mr German added: "The current process forces Cornwall to compete for investment with more affluent places such as London, Birmingham, Bristol and the South East. It takes no account of our low earnings, poverty and rurality."

A DCLG spokesman said: "This Government has backed Cornwall with major powers and resources in the first devolution deal for a county.

"Each bid for growth funding was individually assessed against a range of criteria, including the LEPs strategy for local growth, the strength of private sector partnerships and investment, and also past delivery record.

"There was a great amount of interest and as a result the fund was more than three times over-subscribed, with 5.9bn-worth of bids submitted."

Cornwall and the Scilly Isles' award of 18.03m was part of 191m handed out across the south-west. Dorset received 19.46m and Gloucestershire 29.13m.
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The majority of European doctors working in the UK are considering leaving the country because of Brexit, a survey by the General Medical Council (GMC) has found. Thousands could leave in the next two years, plunging the NHS into a fresh staffing crisis.

The doctors' disciplinary body surveyed 2,115 doctors from the European Economic Area (EEA), comprising the EU nations plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, and found that 1,171 - 55 per cent - were thinking of leaving the UK, with the Brexit vote "a factor in their considerations".

With EU or EEA nationals accounting for about 10,200  or roughly nine per cent  of NHS doctors, according to NHS Digital statistics, if over half of them did leave the UK, it could have a huge impact on a health service which is already suffering staff shortages in some areas.

Of the 1,171 doctors who were thinking of leaving, 596 (45 per cent) said they were considering a departure in the next two years, and 312 (24 per cent), were toying with the idea of leaving in the next three to five years.

Over 1,000 of the EU and EEA doctors added comments telling the GMC how they felt about Brexit and the impact on their practice. The GMC said two common themes emerged: the emotional impact of Brexit - with many doctors saying they felt unwanted and demoralised - and uncertainty about their future residence status. Such uncertainty is unlikely to have been helped by Theresa May's ongoing refusal to confirm the rights of EU nationals to stay in the UK after Brexit.

Charlie Massey, Chief Executive and Registrar of the General Medical Council, said: "EEA doctors make a huge and vital contribution to health services across the UK. Its deeply worrying that some are considering leaving the UK in the next few years. If they leave this would have a serious impact on patient care and would place the rest of the UK medical profession under even greater pressure."

The GMC's survey comes at a time of widespread anxiety about the staff shortages that already exist within the NHS.

Some of the shortages appear to be most severe in areas that voted heavily for Brexit. In Lincolnshire, containing Boston, the town which recorded the UKs biggest Leave vote, the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust has resorted to shutting Grantham Hospital casualty department at nights, due to the severe shortage in emergency medicine doctors at Lincoln and Boston hospitals.

In December the trust also announced it was closing neurology services to new patients at Lincoln County Hospital, Boston Pilgrim Hospital and Grantham Hospital due to staffing shortages.

The GMC's survey also comes days after a British Medical Association (BMA) poll found that 42 per cent doctors from the EEA were considering leaving the UK because of the Brexit vote.

In giving their reasons, many complained of an absence of either clarity or support from those tasked with overseeing and implementing Brexit.

A Spanish consultant anaesthetist who had been resident in the UK for 27 years said this sense of uncertainty was heightened when he recently returned from a conference in France and was  for the first time in his life - stopped and questioned by border control about whether he lived in Britain.

And Hubertus von Blumenthal, a Cambridgeshire-based GP admitted that he was now considering returning to Germany after having lived in the UK for almost 30 years.

He told the BMA Patients say to me, Oh you wont need to leave, you can stay because youre a doctor. We like you. We didnt mean you, but the reality is that the Government sees EU nationals like me as a bargaining chip in negotiations, with no consideration of what weve contributed to the UK.

For myself and many colleagues this situation is unnerving, and although its not something I want to do, I have to consider whether its time to move to another country.

Brexit Concerns Show all 26 1 /26 Brexit Concerns Brexit Concerns Brexit will put British patients at 'back of the queue' for new drugs Brexit will put British patients at the back of the queue for vital new drugs, the Government has been warned  forcing them to wait up to two years longer A medicines regulator has raised the alarm over a likely decision to pull out of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as the EU itself. ealth Secretary Jeremy Hunt dropped the bombshell , when he said he expected the UK would quit the EMA  because it is subject to rulings by the European Court of Justice. Getty Images Brexit Concerns London to lose status as 'gateway to Europe' for banks One of Germanys top banking regulators has warned that London could lose its status as gateway to Europe for the banking sector after Britain quits the European trading bloc. Andreas Dombret, who is an executive board member for the BundesbankGermanys central banktold a private meeting of German businesses and banks earlier this week in Frankfurt that even if banking rules were equivalent between the UK and the rest of the EU, that was still miles away from [Britain having] access to the single market, the BBC reports. Jason Hawkes Brexit Concerns Exodus The number of financial sector professionals in Britain and continental Europe looking for jobs in Ireland rocketed in the months after the UK voted to leave the European Union Shutterstock Brexit Concerns Brexit is making FTSE 100 executives richer Pay packages of many FTSE 100 chief executive officers are partly tied to how well share prices are doing rather than the CEOs performance -- and some stocks are soaring. ritish equities got a boost since the June vote because the likes of Rio Tinto, Smiths Group and WPP generate most sales abroad and earn a fortune when they convert these revenues back into the weakened pound. Sterlings fall also made UK stocks more affordable for overseas investors. Rex Brexit Concerns Theresa May: UK to leave single market Theresa May has said the UK "cannot possibly" remain within the European single market, as staying in it would mean "not leaving the EU at all". Getty Brexit Concerns Lead campaigner Gina Miller and her team outside the High Court Getty Brexit Concerns Raymond McCord holds up his newly issued Irish passport alongside his British passport outside the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns SDLP leader Colum Eastwood leaving the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns Migrants with luggage walk past a graffiti on a wall as they leave the 'Jungle' migrant camp, as part of a major three-day operation planned to clear the camp in Calais Getty Brexit Concerns Migrants leave messages on their tents in the Jungle migrant camp Getty Brexit Concerns The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (Adra) which distributes approximately 700 meals daily in the northern Paris camp states that it is noticing a spike in new migrant arrivals this week, potentially linked the the Calais 'jungle' camp closure - with around 1000 meals distributed today EPA Brexit Concerns Migrant workers pick apples at Stocks Farm in Suckley, Britain Reuters Brexit Concerns Many farmers across the country are voicing concerns that Brexit could be a dangerous step into the unknown for the farming industry Getty Brexit Concerns Bank of England governor Mark Carney who said the long-term outlook for the UK economy is positive, but growth was slowing in the wake of the Brexit vote PA Brexit Concerns The Dow Jones industrial average closed down over 600 points on the news with markets around the globe pluninging Getty Brexit Concerns Immigration officers deal with each member of the public seeking entry into the United Kingdom but on average, 10 a day are refused entry at this London airport and between 2008 and 2009, 33,100 people were detained at the airport for mainly passport irregularities Getty Brexit Concerns A number of global investment giants have threatened to move their European operations out of London if Brexit proves to have a negative impact on their businesses Getty Brexit Concerns Following the possibility of a Brexit the UK would be released from its renewable energy targets under the EU Renewable Energy Directive and from EU state aid restrictions, potentially giving the government more freedom both in the design and phasing out of renewable energy support regimes Getty Brexit Concerns A woman looking at a chart showing the drop in the pound (Sterling) against the US Dollar in London after Britain voted to leave the EU Getty Brexit Concerns Young protesters outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, to protest against the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU following the referendum Getty Brexit Concerns Applications from Northern Ireland citizens for Irish Passports has soared to a record high after the UK Voted in favour of Leaving the EU Getty Brexit Concerns NFU Vice President Minette Batters with Secretary of State, Andrea Leadsome at the National Farmers Union (NFU) took machinery, produce, farmers and staff to Westminster to encourage Members of Parliament to back British farming, post Brexit Getty Brexit Concerns The latest reports released by the UK Cabinet Office warn that expats would lose a range of specific rights to live, to work and to access pensions, healthcare and public services. The same reports added that UK citizens abroad would not be able to assume that these rights will be guaranteed in the future Getty Brexit Concerns A British resident living in Spain asks questions during an informative Brexit talk by the "Brexpats in Spain" group, about Spanish legal issues to become Spanish citizens, at the town hall in Benalmadena, Spain Reuters Brexit Concerns The collapse of Great Britain appears to have been greatly exaggerated given the late summer crowds visiting city museums, hotels, and other important tourist attractions Getty Brexit Concerns The U.K. should maintain European Union regulations covering everything from working hours to chemicals until after the government sets out its plans for Brexit, said British manufacturers anxious to avoid a policy vacuum and safeguard access to their biggest export market Getty

He added: With the NHS already over-stretched, it worries me that doctors like myself have been left in this situation because without them the health service will struggle to cope.

You have GP practices in this country where just the loss of a single doctor could result in that practice collapsing. People leaving is going to have an enormous impact on the provision of safe healthcare services in this country.

BMA council chair Mark Porter said: Its extremely concerning that so many are considering leaving.

At a time when the NHS is close to breaking point and facing crippling staff shortages, this would be a disaster for our health service and threaten the delivery of high-quality patient care.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has also admitted that the NHS would be reliant on EU nationals in the short term.

In January he told MPs on the Health Select Committee: At every stage of this process, I have praised the work of foreign-born doctors the NHS would fall over without them.

A Department of Health spokesperson told The Independent: "As the Government has repeatedly made clear, overseas workers form a crucial part of our NHS and we value their contribution immensely.

"We want to see the outstanding work of doctors and nurses who are already trained overseas continue, but at the same time we have been very clear that we want to give more domestic students the chance to be doctors, given the enduring popularity of this as a career.
Will 'Tokyo Ghoul' Season 3 happen? Here's what Viz Media has to say

Ken Kaneki is the protagonist of "Tokyo Ghoul" and "Tokyo Ghoul:re." (Photo : YouTube/ Weeaboo )

It seems like "Tokyo Ghoul" Season 3 will remain as a dream for many fans. Just hours after it was reported that a new season of the beloved dark anime is coming, Viz Media clarified that the series is not returning anytime soon.



In a recent sit-down interview with ICv2, Viz Media's Senior Director of Sales and Marketing Kevin Hamric talked about this year's anime projects. He said "Tokyo Ghoul" was extremely popular among teens, young adults, and adults despite its long hiatus.



Advertisement

"Nothing that's been recently released, but 'One Punch Man' is coming back on with season two," Hamric added. "There's going to be another season of 'Tokyo Ghoul' coming shortly. Later in the year, those would be the bigger releases on the anime side."



Fans were joyous of the said news, but Viz Media later set the record straight. Speaking to ANN, as cited by Anime News Network, the company said Harmic either misspoke or was misquoted as there is no new season of "Tokyo Ghoul" on its schedule. Instead, the anime getting a new season was none other than "My Hero Academia," which is scheduled to premiere on April 01.



The news comes as no surprise to many as fans believed "Tokyo Ghoul" Season 3 is unlikely to happen due to the poor reception that the anime series received. It even intensified when a live-action movie adaptation of the dark fantasy manga has been greenlit last June 2016.



In the upcoming film, actor Masataka Kubota plays Ken Kaneki, an average college student who turns into a half-ghoul after he receives an organ transplant from Rize Kamishiro (Yu Aoi). It also stars Fumika Shimizu as Toka Kirishima, Yo Oizumi as Kureo Mado and Nobuyuki Suzuki as Kotaro Amon.



Helmed by Kentaro Hagiwara, the live-action adaptation of "Tokyo Ghoul" is scheduled for release in Japan this summer. Check it out below:






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Theresa Mays national security adviser has resigned after reports that colleagues in Downing Street are fed up with his mansplaining.

Sir Mark Lyall Grant is said to have been due to leave at the end of 2016 but agreed to stay in post after the resignation of Sir Ivan Rogers, the UKs ambassador to the EU, to avoid giving the impression of an exodus of senior officials.

He will be replaced in April by Mark Sedwill, the current Permanent Secretary at the Home Office, who worked closely with Ms May during her time as Home Secretary.

Reports late last year suggested the Prime Minister was frustrated at Mr Lyall Grants mansplaining  when a man talks to a woman in a patronising and condescending way. He is also said to have talked over her during a meeting,

Mr Lyall Grant, an Old Etonian, previously served as the UKs ambassador to the United Nations (UN) before becoming national security adviser to then prime minister David Cameron in 2015. He stayed in post when Ms May entered Downing Street last July.

In a statement, the Prime Minister said: I would like to thank Mark Lyall Grant for his long years of public service, in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, at the United Nations and also in particular for his work since 2015 as national security adviser.

The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Show all 20 1 /20 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Digital Economy Bill  Give every household the legal right to fast broadband  but if they live in some remote areas, theyll have to pay part of the cost themselves  Phone and broadband companies to be forced to release details of customer complaints and average broadband speeds  New powers to allow public bodies like councils and government department to share swathes of data  including unpaid bills Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 3/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Transport Bill  New laws to govern the development of driverless cars, drones and space planes which the Government hopes will encourage investment in the new technologies to take place in the UK  Making it legal for customers to buy insurance for driverless vehicles Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 4/5 This content is subject to copyright. The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Planning Bill  Giving legal powers to villages and towns to set their own priorities for new housing. They wont be able to turn down new homes, but they will have a say in where they can be built  Create a new National Infrastructure Commission to push through big projects such as nuclear power stations and new rail and road links  cutting the amount of time it takes to develop them Controversy Rating: 3/5 Change Britain Rating: 3/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Jobs Bill  Give powers to local authorities to reduce the level of business rates they charge. City Mayors would also be able to increase rates in some areas to pay for specific infrastructure projects to that would boost local growth Controversy Rating: 2/5 Change Britain Rating: 2/5 This content is subject to copyright. The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Markets Bill  Making it easier for consumers to switch electricity and gas suppliers  Cutting down the time it takes for the Competition and Markets Authority to launch investigations into uncompetitive practices Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 3/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Bus Services Bill  Give local authorities and mayors powers to set standards for local buses  including frequency of services and fairs  Force all bus companies to provide real time information on services to app developers so everyone across the country will have the same ability as Londoners to know when the next bus is coming on their smart phone Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 3/5 2007 Getty Images The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 NHS Overseas Charging Bill  Increasing the number of services for which the NHS charges foreign patients  Reduces the number of people from the European Economic Area who are eligible for free services Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 1/5 2016 Getty Images The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Pensions Bill  Capping early exit fees on company pension schemes  Create a new pensions guidance body to help consumers know their pension rights  and make best use of previous Government reforms allowing pensioners the right to take the money they have saved in a lump sum on retirement to invest how they like Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 3/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Children and Social Work Bill  New obligation on councils to be a corporate parent to children in care and look after them even after they have grown up  Giving all children leaving care a personal advisor to help them find jobs, secure a home and deal with any problems  Create a new regulator for social work along the lines of Ofsted to drive up standards in the profession Controversy Rating: 2/5 Change Britain Rating: 3/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Education Bill  Force failing local authorities to convert all the schools in their area to academies  Reform school funding to address long standing disparities across the country that has disadvantaged schools in some rural areas Controversy Rating: 3/5 Change Britain Rating: 2/5 2015 Getty Images The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Higher Education Bill  Making it simpler and easier for companies and other providers to set up new universities around the country. Ministers want to encourage institutions like Harvard and companies like Google to consider setting up campuses in the UK  Allowing universities who have been rated "excellent" for teaching to charge more than those who are not  Law to force universities to publish information about their application processes broken down by ethnicity, gender and socio economic background Controversy Rating: 2/5 Change Britain Rating: 4/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Prisons and Courts Bill  New law to create reform prisons giving governors powers to set their own regimes and budgets  Obligation to publish re-offending rates by prison Controversy Rating: 2/5 Change Britain Rating: 4/5 2016 Getty Images The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 National Citizen Service Bill  New law to force schools to promote NCS to all 16 year olds and putting the scheme for the first time on a statutory footing Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 3/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Lifetime Savings Bill  Putting into law a Government plans to give people on working tax credits who save 50 a month a Government "bonus" of 50 up to a maximum of 300 a year Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 2/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Soft Drinks Industry Levy Bill  Introduce a sugar tax on soft drinks to fund school sports Controversy Rating: 3/5 Change Britain Rating: 5/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Bill of Rights  A new bill of rights to replace the Human Rights Act that will be based on the European Convention of Human Rights but will also take account of English common law Controversy Rating: 5/5 Change Britain Rating: 4/5 This content is subject to copyright. The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Counter-Extremism Bill  New civil powers to allow authorities to ban so-called "extremist preachers"  New powers to intervene in Madrassas and other unregulated environments where children are present  New undisclosed powers to come out of Louise Caseys review of Muslim integration Controversy Rating: 5/5 Change Britain Rating: 4/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Criminal Finances Bill  Make it an offence for companies not to stop their staff facilitating tax evasion  New undisclosed powers for courts to recover criminal assets Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 1/5 2016 Getty Images The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Cultural Property Bill (Armed Forces)  Making it illegal for UK troops to damage cultural property in conflicts at home or abroad Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 1/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Wales Bill  Bill to put plans for further Welsh devolution on a statutory footing  following the new powers recently given to the Scottish Parliament Controversy Rating: 2/5 Change Britain Rating: 3/5

Mark has made a huge contribution and I wish him every success for the future.

Mr Sedwill previously worked in the Foreign Office and as the prime ministers special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, before being appointed as Permanent Secretary at the Home Office in 2013.

Ms May said: Mark Sedwills experience means that he is ideally qualified to take up the critically important role of national security adviser.

As well as his recent time in the Home Office, he has served in both Afghanistan and Pakistan and has wide-ranging experience of foreign and security policy issues.
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One of the most senior civil servants in Government has admitted that Theresa Mays new policies will not stop the country's housing crisis from continuing as it has done for decades.

Melanie Dawes said she was simply being honest when she revealed that houses prices are set to stay out of reach of those who cannot offered a property and that homelessness will continue to rise.

The embarrassing admission from the Department for Local Governments Permanent Secretary comes just days after ministers launched a new White Paper promising radical policies to ease the crisis.

Political opponents slated the document as feeble and claimed it did little more than tweak existing policy, which have led to a situation in which London house process are now ten times the average salary.

Ms Dawes dropped her bombshell admission while she was being grilled by MPs on the public accounts committee about why the Government is not on course to build enough homes

When it was put to her that the housing crisis will never resolve itself under current conditions, she replied: It will continue as it has done for decades, I agree, and that will show itself primarily in affordability and in some places in homelessness.

I am simply being honest with you. For something on this scale and of this magnitude, we do not have some neat line that tells us when those paths will cross.

She also accepted the Government cant say exactly at which point the country will be building enough homes to meet the expected demand of 277,000.

Charities and campaigners say new policy to solve the housing crisis is desperately needed, with average prices across the country almost seven times peoples incomes, while the number of homeless households has risen to more than 50,000 a year.

DCLG permanent secretary Melanie Dawes (House of Commons)

Labours shadow housing minister John Healey said Ms Dawes appearance confirmed the Governments policies were not working.

Its clear that the Governments housing plans have failed, are failing and will continue to fail, he told The Independent.

Since 2010, home-ownership has fallen, homelessness has more than doubled and affordable house-building fell last year to the lowest level in 24 years.

After seven years in Government, theres now a huge gap between the rhetoric and record of Tory Ministers on housing. We need less hot air and more homes from Ministers to fix this housing crisis.

A DCLG spokesperson set out the Governments stated ambition is to deliver one million homes, arguing that the number of new home starts is at the highest level since 2007.

He added: We know theres more to do  thats why weve set out ambitious plans in our Housing White Paper to help fix the housing market and build more houses in the places that people want to live. After publication of this article a departmental spokesperson claimed that these comments have have been misrepresented.

The housing white paper required councils to come up with a local plan to meet housing demand in an area  as they had previously been required to do under the last government.

It also gave them more powers to speed up developments and required developers to use land more efficiently in areas near public transport links. It also changed the rules for starter homes and other affordable housing.

At the launch of the paper, Sajid Javid, the communities secretary, said: The housing market in this country is broken and the solution means building many more houses in the places that people want to live.

In pictures: Tiny London flats to rent Show all 6 1 /6 In pictures: Tiny London flats to rent In pictures: Tiny London flats to rent London properties A "cosy" flat in an upmarket area of west London is available to rent for a reasonable 520 a month, provided the tenant doesnt mind showering under the bed In pictures: Tiny London flats to rent London properties Located on Castletown Road, the advertisement on Zoopla boasts: "A cosy, single studio located in the heart of Londons fashionable and up-market area of West Kensington, this compact mezzanine includes not only a fully furnished living area including table, chair, wardrobe and chest of draws [sic] but also a personal shower and kitchenette complete with storage" In pictures: Tiny London flats to rent London properties The property is recommended for "students, working professionals and those looking for a thriving London life at an affordable rate" Rightmove In pictures: Tiny London flats to rent London properties A studio flat for rent in Kember Street, north London was advertised for 737-a-month Rightmove In pictures: Tiny London flats to rent London properties The 'well-used' kitchen of a flat in Hoxton, which was on the market for 997 per month Zoopla In pictures: Tiny London flats to rent London properties For only 125 per week you could be the lucky owner of this single studio flat, complete with shower and kitchenette, located between Barons Court and West Kensington Zoopla

Today we are setting out ambitious proposals to help fix the housing market so that more ordinary working people from across the country can have the security of a decent place to live.

The only way to halt the decline in affordability and help more people onto the housing ladder is to build more homes. Lets get Britain building.

The Independent recently revealed that a Government plan to extend the controversial Right to Buy policy to tens of thousands of new properties could "jeopardise" future affordable house building.
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In a blistering attack on the Government, Sir John Major criticised its approach to Brexit on a number of fronts.

Here are the main points of his speech:
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Londons NHS, construction, and technology sectors are hugely reliant on immigrants from the European Union and will require a special transitional period to avoid damage, a new report has warned.

The London Assemblys economic committee found that a quarter of construction workers in London were EU born, while a third of Londons tech workers were EU nationals.

Meanwhile, around one in 10 workers in the capitals National Health Service are EU-born.

Recommended UK businesses already facing recruitment crisis as Poles head home

Around 13 per cent of Londons five million jobs  600,000  are held by workers born in EU countries, which the assembly says is around four time as much as across the whole of the UK.

Assembly Members (AMs) are calling for EU nationals working in London to be given the right to stay, and a fast-track vista system for highly skilled EU workers in any post-Brexit settlement.

The cross-party group shied away from explicitly calling for a regionalised immigration system but said that any new process should be flexible and responsive to Londons needs.

Earlier this month Labours deputy leader Tom Watson said Labour was considering a regional immigration policy that allowed London to have a more liberal regime than the rest of the UK.

Around 2.9 million EU nationals live in Britain, with around 2.15 working. Three quarters of EU migrants working in the UK currently would fail existing visa rules if no special deal for them to work in Britain is currently reached.

It was reported this weekend that Theresa May plans to set a cut-off date for new EU immigrants to be allowed to stay in the UK  and that this date would when she formally triggers Article 50. She has said she wants to trigger Article 50 by the end of the month.

Fiona Twycross AM, Chair of the Economy Committee, said: London relies on EU workers like no other region. EU workers are the life blood of the capitals economy  they build vital homes, care for the sick and elderly and provide food and accommodation services.

It is vital that a new immigration system is fair and simple  and without a transitional period, the risk to London and the UKs economic dynamism will be severe.

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

The referendum result has caused a great deal of uncertainty, for residents, workers and businesses. Sectors, like health, construction and hospitality should not be pushed to the cliff edge, due to their reliance on EU workers.

We need to give EU workers the right to remain within the UK and we categorically need assurances now.
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Nigel Farage has called for Ukips only MP to be thrown out of the party because he is actively attempting to damage it.

The former party leader stepped up his attacks on Douglas Carswell as the row intensified over claims about the Clacton MP's role in blocking a knighthood bid for the MEP.

While the pair have experienced a long-running private feud, in an article for the Daily Telegraph, Mr Farage said his colleague had sought to split and divide Ukip in every way imaginable since he defected from the Conservatives in 2014 and became Ukips first MP in the Commons.

Mr Farage added: As a party, how can we let a man represent us in the House of Commons who actively and transparently seeks to damage us? I think there is little future for Ukip with him staying inside this party. The time for him to go is now

Ukip former leader Lord Pearson of Rannoch tried to organise a peerage for Mr Farage but lobbied instead for a knighthood when it became apparent he would have had to quit as an MEP. After the bid was rejected he asked Mr Carswell to approach Government chief whip Gavin Williamson to appeal the decision.

On December 31, the Ukip MP wrote in an email to the peer: "As promised, I did speak to the Government chief whip. Perhaps we might try angling to get Nigel an OBE next time round? For services to headline writers? An MBE, maybe? Let's discuss..."

Mr Carswell said the emails showed quite clearly I tried my best to make sure he got an honour that reflects his contribution.

Key Faces of UKIP Show all 11 1 /11 Key Faces of UKIP Key Faces of UKIP Nigel Farage Getty Key Faces of UKIP United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) Migration spokesman Steven Woolfe addresses supporters and media personnel in central London Getty Key Faces of UKIP Robert Kilroy-Silk, former television presenter and newly elected member of the European Parliament for the UK Independence Party (UKIP), shows a placard against the European Constitution in front of the Houses of Parliament Getty Key Faces of UKIP Mark Reckless, Director of Policy Development addresses party members during the UK Independence Party annual conference at Doncaster Racecourse Getty Key Faces of UKIP Gerard Batten MEP poses with protesters outside parliament Creative Commons Key Faces of UKIP Diane James gives an address at the UKIP Autumn Conference in Bournemouth Getty Key Faces of UKIP Douglas Carswell MP speaks to party members and supporters during the UK Independence Party annual conference Getty Key Faces of UKIP Suzanne Evans, Deputy Party Chairman of UK Independence Party (UKIP) speaks during the launch of UKIP's election manifesto Getty Key Faces of UKIP Peter Whittle, the UK Independence Party Member of the London Assembly, is interviewed in central London Getty Key Faces of UKIP MEP Mike Hookem during a visit to Concept Metal Products & Co Ltd Getty Key Faces of UKIP Paul Nuttall, Deputy Leader of the UK Independence Party speaks at a Say NO, Believe in Britain debate at Carn Brea Leisure Centre in Pool near Redruthon Getty

"If he wants to come and talk to the Ukip Parliamentary Party about it, we are happy to put it on the agenda for Monday's meeting, he told the Press Association.

I'm delighted where I am. I'm trying to double the size of the Ukip Parliamentary Party at the moment. Unfortunately we didn't manage to do that in Stoke

But if he wants to come and talk to the Ukip Parliamentary Party about any concerns he has, very happy to respond. It won't take long, it's just me.

It comes just days after the party suffered electoral defeat at the Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election to Labours Gareth Snell. Mr Farage had insisted at the partys spring conference in Bolton that the by-election was fundamental to Ukips future. He has since, however, offered renewed support for the party leader Paul Nuttall.
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The sheer intransigence of Theresa Mays government is nudging Scotland towards a second independence referendum, according to the SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon.

Warning the Prime Minister of her cast-iron mandate to call another referendum, the Scottish First Minister also accused the UK government of adopting an attitude of its way, or no way.

Writing in The Times newspaper, Ms Sturgeon said she had chosen to hold off exercising her mandate immediately to explore other options to protect Scotlands place in Europe.

As well as justification for a referendum, there is also a cast-iron mandate, she wrote. Which brings me to the issue of good faith.

The day after the EU referendum, I chose not to immediately exercise that mandate. Instead I published a compromise position, Scotlands place in Europe, which proposed a way for Scotland to remain in the single market.

She continued: Instead of meeting us halfway, however, the UK governments approach has been its way or no way. If an independence referendum does arise, it will not be down to bad faith on the part of the Scottish government, but to sheer intransigence on the part of the UK government.

Its not too late for the UK government to change course, but time is running out.

It comes following speculation that Downing Street is preparing for Ms Sturgeon to call a second independence referendum as Ms May stands to trigger Article 50 before her self-imposed end of March deadline.

On this issue, a spokesperson for the Scottish Government told The Independent: The power to hold a referendum  for which there is a cast iron democratic mandate  should lie with the Scottish Parliament. But the key focus of our discussions with the UK Government has been on our detailed proposals to keep Scotland in Europe by retaining our place in the single market, which is around eight times bigger than the UK's alone.

"Keeping our place in the single market is vital to avoid the cliff edge of a hard Brexit which would be catastrophic for Scottish jobs and livelihoods, so we will pursue all options to secure that status, including independence, if it is the best or only way to do so."

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

In response Scottish Labour and the Conservatives said the majority of people in Scotland do not want another referendum. People are growing increasingly tired of the First Ministers constant threats over a second referendum, said Scottish Tory whip John Lamont.

"Nicola Sturgeon would be better served concentrating on the day job, and focusing on getting the right deal for Scotland and the whole United Kingdom.

She should act as the First Minister of Scotland, not as a rabble-rouser for a referendum most people don't want.

Scottish Labour Westminster spokesperson Ian Murray said: This latest threat from Nicola Sturgeon is irresponsible economic vandalism.

Our economy is already in trouble following the Tories' reckless Brexit gamble, and the very last thing we need is more uncertainty for employers, workers and markets.

In 2014, more than two million Scots voted to reject separation and the polls are quite clear that Scots do not want another referendum. The SNP has no mandate for a divisive second independence referendum.
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The decision by a coroner to clear the tour operators of neglect over the murders of 30 British tourists on a Tunisian beach two years ago has left the bereaved families dismayed.

They are now suing the company, holding that it should have put more emphasis on Foreign Office travel advice for the country and ensured better security at the hotel where the lethal attack took place.

What happened at the inquest into the massacre raises important questions about holidays at a time of international terrorism, how a country is designated as unsafe for travel and what effect boycotting such places will have on local economies as well as security in the West.

Since the killings on the beach in Sousse in June 2015, there has been one significant attack in the country, in November that year, in which 12 members of the presidential guard died in Tunis. In that same period terrorists have struck a dozen times in Europe, killing more than 250 people, a large number of other plots, in addition, have been foiled.

But, unsurprisingly, British tourists are staying away from Tunisia, a drop of around 90 per cent since the attack. The government in Tunis, which has taken extensive security measures, a lot of it with UK advice, since Sousse, has asked the Foreign Office a number of times to drop its warning on travel to the country. These pleas have been turned down.

In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Show all 32 1 /32 In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The coffin of Denis Thwaites is carried from an RAF C-17, which repatriated the bodies of eight British nationals killed in the Tunisia terror attack, at RAF Brize Norton near Oxford in Britain In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The coffin of John Stollery is carried from an RAF C-17, which repatriated the bodies of eight British nationals killed in the Tunisia terror attack, at RAF Brize Norton near Oxford in Britain In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The coffin of Elaine Thwaites, one of the victims of the terrorist attack, is taken from the RAF C-17 aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in Tunisia In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Hearses carrying the victim's of last Friday's terrorist attack arrive at Tunis Airport Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia An RAF C17 transport aircraft arrives at RAF Brize Norton Airport in Oxfordshire carrying the bodies of 8 British people killed in the Tunisia gun attack Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Ambulances carrying the victim's of the terrorist attack arrive at Tunis Airport Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Armed police continue to patrol Marhaba beach in Sousse Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia National guard members patrol at the beach near the Imperiale Marhaba hotel, which was attacked by a gunman in Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Military personnel attending to injured British nationals on board an RAF C-17 aircraft en route back to the United Kingdom, in Tunisia In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Military personnel attending to injured British nationals on board an RAF C-17 aircraft en route back to the United Kingdom, in Tunisia In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Holidaymakers lay flowers on Marhaba beach Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Tourists pay tribute to the victims of the Sousse attack at a makeshift memorial on the beach at the Imperial Marhaba resort Reuters In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The Home Secretary Theresa May pays her respects with her counterparts, Frances Bernard Cazeneuve, left, Germanys Thomas de Maiziere, second left, and Tunisias Najem Gharsalli, in Sousse Reuters In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Two tourists pay respects to victims of IS attack on beach in Sousse, Tunisia Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Many people remain unaccounted for and many of their relatives have taken to social media in the hope of obtaining information about those who are still missing (Getty) Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A boy holds a Tunisian flag at the spot on the beach where the attack took place Reuters In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A man kisses a Tunisian flag at the site of a shooting attack on the beach in front of the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Port el Kantaoui, on the outskirts of Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The front of the Marhaba hotel Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Tunisian Ennahdha party member and former minister Houcine Jazir speaks with Belgium survivor couple Corman (R) and Claude Pesser after a mass shooting in the resort town of Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The bloodstained belongings of a tourist are seen on the sand in the resort town of Sousse AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A broken glass window of the Imperiale Marhaba hotel is seen after a gunman opened fire at the beachside hotel in Sousse Reuters In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Blood stains cover the ground at the Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse, Tunisia after mass shooting Fethi Belais/AFP/Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Policemen patrolling the beach in front of the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse where tributes have been laid to the dead AFP/Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia People stand in silence next to flowers during a gathering at the scene of the attack in Sousse, Tunisia Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Messages and flowers are left on Marhaba beach where 38 people were killed in a terrorist attack in Souuse Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Police officers control the crowd while surrounding a man suspected to be involved in opening fire on a beachside hotel in Sousse, Tunisia In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Medics help an injured man in Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A body lies on a street in Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Members of the Tunisian security forces in an armoured vehicle patrol a street in Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The beach where the massacre took place Lionel Tunisiano/Twitter In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A general view of the deserted pool and deck chairs at the Imperial Marhaba Hotel EPA In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A woman looks toward a glass door shattered by a bullet at Imperial Marhaba Hotel EPA

Delivering the inquest verdict of unlawful killing, Judge Nicholas Lorraine-Smith described the conduct of the Tunisian police as at best shambolic, at worst cowardly. That is roughly what my colleagues and I, reporting on the murders in Sousse at the time, discovered. But we also learned how brave the staff at the hotel had been during the attack.

And that many more of the tourists, Britons, would have been killed had these workers not repeatedly put themselves at risk from the gunman to save them.

It is these people who are now suffering. The tourist industry is Tunisias biggest employer and foreign revenue earner, and its collapse has had a devastating effect. This is sowing dissatisfaction among those losing their jobs, who happen, mainly, to be young men. A rich seam is being created for Islamist extremists to exploit.

Seifeddine Rezgui, the young student who carried out the Sousse murders, lived with other members of his cell in the Islamic holy city of Kairouan. There, at the Great Mosque of Sidi Uqba, the Imam, Taib al-Gazi, spoke about clerics coming from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states spreading intolerant Wahhabi doctrine.

The Imam and his colleagues had since then been vigilant in trying to keep extremist preachers away but, as he saw the local economy unravel, he told me: We know there are people who want to spread poison in the name of religion. There are extremists here, in small numbers, but they are here. What could happen unless the jobs come back worries us greatly.

Tunisia, the birthplace of the Arab Spring, is the only country in that tide of turbulence which did not suffer prolonged violent strife as that Spring turned into a bleak Winter. Now it is facing punitive economic sanctions because of a catastrophic fall in tourism. But the British government is unlikely to change its travel advice, especially with the threat of possible litigation if something went wrong in the future. The tour companies are also unlikely to start operating there largely for the same reason.

Islamist Jihad is now a very international phenomenon. We have seen how Isis and al-Qaeda have used their bases in Syria and Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan to plot and carry out devastating attacks in the West. Isis is in Libya, next door to Tunisia: al-Qaeda in Maghreb (AQIM) are active across the region. Europe, including Britain, will not remain untouched by what can come with the disintegration of economy and security in Tunisia.
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Donald Trump has claimed he believes former President Barack Obama is behind the protests being carried out at Republican town halls across America, and the leaks coming from inside his own administration.

The President made the remarks in an interview on Fox News Fox & Friends. The broadcaster released a snippet of the interview, showing the President making the claims ahead of it airing on Tuesday.

In the interview, Mr Trump is asked about his predecessor and his role in the protests being staged at Republican town halls. He is asked: It turns out his organisation seems to be doing a lot of the organising at some of the protests a lot of these Republicans are seeing around the country and against you. Do you believe Obamas behind it, and if he is, is that a violation of the so-called unsaid Presidents code?

Recommended Details of White House leak crackdown leaked to press

The President responds by saying he thinks Mr Obama is behind it, adding: I also think thats politics, thats the way it is.

Mr Trump goes on to blame Mr Obama for some of the leaks that have come out of his own administration.

No I think that President Obamas behind it because his people [are] certainly behind it," he said.

And some of the leaks possibly come from that group, and some of the leaks, which are really very serious leaks because theyre very bad in terms of national security, but I also understand thats politics and in terms of him being behind things, thats politics. And it will probably continue."

In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Show all 32 1 /32 In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London An image of President Donald Trump is seen on a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A view of the skywriting word reading 'Trump' as thousands rally in support of equal rights in Sydney, New South Wales EPA In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome People shout and hold signs during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A protester holds a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille A placard ready 'Pussy grabs back' is attached to the handle bar of a bike during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A young Thai girl holds a "women's rights are human rights" sign at Roadhouse BBQ restaurant where many of the Bangkok Womens March participants gathered in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A Thai woman takes a photo of a "hate is not great" sign at the women's solidarity gathering in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok American expats and travellers gather with the international community in Bangkok at the Roadhouse BBQ restaurant to stand in solidarity in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protetesters gather outside The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Women's March at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Protestors hold placards reading 'My body my choice, my vote my voice' during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome A person holds a sign during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activist Sarah Annay Williamson holds a placard and shouts slogan during the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activists participate in the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A Women's March placards are rested on a bench outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A women carries her placard ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila Women protesters shout slogans while displaying placards during a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President Donald Trump, in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Protesters take part in the Melbourne rally to protest against the Trump Inauguration in Melbourne, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters take part in the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Womens march on Melbourne protestors marching during a rally where rights groups marched in solidarity with Americans to speak out against misogyny, bigotry and hatred Rex In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau, Macau. The Women's March originated in Washington DC but soon spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila A mother carries her son as they join a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney An infant is held up at a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman attends a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman expresses her Anti-Trump views in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydeney Protesters demonstrate against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia. The marches in Australia were organised to show solidarity with those marching on Washington DC and around the world in defense of women's rights and human rights Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters march from The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square towards Trafalgar Square during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters carrying banners take part in the Women's March on London, as they stand in Trafalgar Square, in central London Reuters

The President has previously blamed the protests against him across the country, including in Utah, Kentucky and Tennessee, on liberal activists.

He previously tweeted: The so-called angry crowds in home districts of some Republicans are actually, in numerous cases, planned out by liberal activists. Sad!

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has said some of the protests had appeared manufactured.

Speaking to reporters, he said: I think some people are clearly upset. But there is a bit of a professional protester, manufactured base in there.
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Donald Trump posed for a photo with black college and university presidents on the same day his administration made it potentially harder for ethnic minority groups to vote.

The US President was pictured grinning while surrounded by representatives of historically black universities and colleges  institutions set up before 1964 to primarily serve African-American communities  in the Oval Office.

A White House spokesman subsequently announced he was due to sign a measure on aimed at boosting government support for the colleges, known as HBCUs.

Within hours of the photo opportunity, the Department of Justice dropped an objection to a piece of strict Texas voter law legislation.

The Republican-led state wants voters to show a drivers licence, passport or other government-issued photo ID - which minority and young voters often do not have  before casting a ballot.

Gerald Hebert has represented several people who sued Texas, including the League of United Latin American Citizens and African-American Democrat Texas congressman Marc Veasey.

I am appalled and disgusted that DOJ would abandon their claims, that they have advocated for years, that Texas photo ID law was enacted with a racially discriminatory purpose, he said.

Danielle Lang, a lawyer for the Campaign Legal Centre, said This is a complete 180-degree turn."

Texas lawmakers passed the ruling in 2011 but Barack Obamas justice department launched its legal action against it in 2013.

A federal appeals court last year ruled the law needed to be softened because it indeed discriminated against minority voters who lacked the required IDs.

Opponents claimed Republicans picked IDs more advantageous to the GOP.

 President Donald Trump threatens to "destroy" the career of a Texas state senator

The IDs included licences to carry concealed handguns, which are statistically more likely to be carried by white people, and excluded public university IDs - a measure expected to disproportionately affect black people.

Jeff Sessions, who replaced acting Attorney General Sally Yates after she refused to support the immigration ban, told a judge on Monday that it was withdrawing its claim on Texas.

But the Texas Legislature is considering a new bill that will allow those who do not have the appropriate ID to vote anyway by first signing an affidavit.

Richard Hasen, a law professor at the University of California, and an election-law expert, told the New York Times: This is the first step in what I expect to be a series of steps with DOJ siding with the state of Texas.

The DOJ last week withdrew Mr Obama's guidance on transgender toilets in schools.
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Donald Trump has accused his political opponents of "always pulling out the race card", in response to Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel's suggestion that his administration has a problem with racism.

Speaking in an interview with Fox and Friends aired on Tuesday morning, the President said: Look, it just seems like the other side, whenever theyre losing badly, they always pull out the race card. Ive watched it for years. I watched it against Ronald Reagan, Ive watched it against so many other people. And they always like pulling out the race card."

Kimmel's speech at the Academy Awards on Sunday failed to court with as much controversy as spectators were expecting, but he did take the opportunity to allude to recent criticism of Mr Trump's travel ban against citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries.

I want to say thank you to President Trump," Kimmel said. "I mean, remember last year when it seemed the Oscars were racist?

Alluding to nominated films Hidden Figures and La La Land, Kimmel quipped: Black people saved Nasa and white people saved jazz. Thats progress.

Mr Trump insisted his election performance showed he had the support of minority communities, even though a Reuters review of polling data in late November suggested he won with the lowest backing from black and hispanic voters of any president in 40 years.

"In fact, I did much better than many other  Republicans in the last election. I did much better with Hispanics, I did much better with African Americans," he said, without providing clear numbers to back up his point.

Also in the Fox and Friends interview, Mr Trump said he believes an extra $54 billion dollars he has proposed for the US military budget will come from a stronger economy as well as cuts in other areas.

"I think the money is going to come from a revved up economy," Mr Trump said, hours before he was to address a joint session of Congress.

"I mean you look at the kind of numbers we're doing, we were probably GDP of a little more than 1 percent and if I can get that up to 3 or maybe more, we have a whole different ball game. It's a whole different ball game."
Daniel Craig speaks onstage during The New Yorker Festival 2016 - Daniel Craig Talks With Nicholas Schmidle at MasterCard Stage at SVA Theatre on October 7, 2016 in New York City. (Photo : Getty Images for The New Yorker/Ilya S. Savenok)

Amidst the buzz surrounding Daniel Craig's silence about whether or not he will return to "James Bond," one of his co-stars have given the slightest glimmer of positivity. "Moonlight" star Naomi Harris, who co-starred with Craig in "Specter" and "Skyfall," recently revealed that there is a good chance the actor would reprise the coveted role in the 25th "James Bond" movie.



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Reports previously circulated that MGM Studios is panicking as Craig has been "off grid" for a year and elusive of the film. According to The Daily Mail, there has been no development as to discussions between "James Bond" execs and Craig, although MGM has inquired about the actor's filming availability for 2017. Moreover, the studio is reportedly willing to shell out a large sum to accommodate Craig. It was even rumored that Sony Pictures was willing to offer as much as $150 million to Craig.



Harris, who played Eve Moneypenny in the last two "Bond" movies, hinted that Craig is still pretty much attached to the franchise. "I really don't think that they've moved on from Daniel," VOGUE UK quoted Harris as saying. "I think there's a very good chance that Daniel will come back."



The 40-year-old Academy Award nominee explained that both "Spectre" and "Skylfall" have been the "highest-grossing 'Bond' movies of all time," which shows how much people love him as Bond and desperately want him to come back.



Accompanying reports of Craig's rumored retirement as Agent 007 are listings of potential successors, a tight race that includes heavy-hitters Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Tom Hiddleston and Michael Fassbender. However, Harris cautioned that it's too early to think of anyone to replace Craig, and that if she were to make a bet her money would still be on Craig.



Craig's latest statement about the "James Bond" movies came out during New York Festival's Beyond Bond panel. During the event, Craig claimed that being Bond is "the best job in the world" and he would miss it terribly if he were to stop doing it. He added that if he can "keep getting a kick" out of making the movie, he will do it again.






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El Salvador's widespread violence has reached an unexpected new low with the beating to death of the national zoo's beloved hippopotamus Gustavito.

Even among a population numbed by a huge human death toll due to gang violence in recent years, the hippo's death caused outrage.

Salvadorans mourned through social media and some left flowers at the gate of the zoo, which has been closed until further notice.

Here we're used to seeing the dead every day, said Martin Castillo, a street vendor in central San Salvador. They kill us like flies, but this tops it all. They killed an animal that only entertained us.

Zoo director Vladan Henriquez said at a news conference that the hippo was covered with bruises and puncture wounds after apparently being attacked with metal bars, knives and stones.

The attack occurred last week, but zoo keepers did not discover the hippo's injuries until Thursday because he did not leave his pool. Gustavito died of his injuries late on Sunday.

Justice minister Mauricio Ramirez Landaverde said an investigation had been opened.

El Salvador is one of the world's most violent countries, recording 5,278 homicides last year, or an average of 14 people killed per day. Most of the killings have been blamed on powerful street gangs.

Where not to visit if you love animals Show all 9 1 /9 Where not to visit if you love animals Where not to visit if you love animals Monkey shows Chimpanzees are forced to perform demeaning tricks on leashes and are often subject to cruel training techniques. Animals who are confined to small, barren enclosures and forced to perform unsurprisingly show symptoms of stress and depression. Chimpanzees have been documented rocking back and forth, sucking their lips, salivating and swaying against enclosure perimeters in distress. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Marine parks Some parks confine orcas to concrete tanks and force them to perform meaningless tricks for food - many die in captivity. Orcas are highly intelligent and social mammals who may suffer immensely, both physically and mentally, when they're held in captivity. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Tiger shows Tigers are forced to live in an unnatural and barren environment and have to endure interactions with a constant stream of tourists. Since tigers never lose their wild instincts, across the world they are reportedly drugged, mutilated and restrained in order to make them safe for the public. However, every year, incidents of tiger maulings are reported at this type of tourist attraction. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Donkey rides Sunning on the beach is great for humans  we can take a quick dip or catch a bite to eat when we get too hot or hungry. But it's pure hell for donkeys who are confined to the beach and forced to cart children around on the hot sand. Some donkey-ride operators at beach resorts in the UK even keep the animals chained together at all times. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Swimming with dolphins Some marine parks use bottlenose dolphins in performances and offer visitors the opportunity to swim with dolphins. Unfortunately, people are often unaware that these animals are captured in the wild and torn from their families or traded between different parks around the world. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Canned hunting Lions are confined to fenced areas so that they can easily be cornered, with no chance of escape. Most of them will have been bred in captivity and then taken from their mothers to be hand-reared by the cub-petting industry. When they get too big, they may be drugged before they are released into a "hunting" enclosure. Because these animals are usually kept in fenced enclosures (ranging in size from just a few square yards to thousands of acres), they never stand a chance of surviving. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Running of the Bulls Every year, tourists travel to Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls. The bulls who are forced to slip and slide down the town's narrow cobblestone streets are chased straight into the bullring. They are then taunted, stabbed repeatedly and finally killed by the matador in front of a jeering crowd. The majority of Spaniards reject bullfighting, but tourists are keeping the cruel industry on its last legs. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Horse-drawn carriages City streets are no place for horses. The animals toil in all weather extremes, suffering from respiratory distress from breathing in exhaust fumes as well as numerous hoof, leg and back problems from walking on pavement all day long. As easily spooked prey animals, horses subjected to the loud noises and unexpected sounds of city streets are likely to be involved in accidents, even deadly ones. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Zoos The zoo community regards the animals it keeps as commodities, and animals are regularly bought, sold, borrowed and traded without any regard for established relationships. Zoos breed animals because the presence of babies draws visitors and boosts revenue, yet often, there's nowhere to put the offspring as they grow, and they are killed, as we saw with Marius the giraffe in Denmark. Some zoos have introduced evening events with loud music and alcohol which disrupt the incarcerated animals even further. EPA

Gustavito was born and raised in Guatemala, but was brought to El Salvador 13 years ago.

We're angry, said Carmen Rogel, who often takes her grandson to the zoo. We didn't know they had killed Gustavito and were surprised when we arrived and the gate was closed.

AP
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Melania Trump will sit with relatives of people that have been killed by undocumented immigrants during Donald Trumps joint address to Congress.

The White House announced the six special guests, who will be seated with the First Lady during the address, due to take place later today.

Among them, Jessica Davis and Susan Oliver are the windows of Detective Michael Davis and Deputy Sheriff Danny Oliver, who were California police officers and were killed on duty by an undocumented immigrant in 2014.

The two officers have a bill named after them, which is aimed to increase cooperation between federal and local officials to enforce immigration laws.

Jamiel Shaw Sr, whose son Jamiel Jr was 17-years-old when he was shot by a gang member in 2008, also appears on the Trumps guest list. The White House says Jamiels killer was also an illegal immigrant.

The choice of guests seems to reflect the US Presidents crackdown on people living in the US illegally. The American Action Forum, a centre-right public policy institute, estimated the cost of deportations could rank up to half-a-trillion dollars.

This comes as a growing number of Democrats are reported to bring young undocumented immigrants as their guest to Mr Trumps prime-time address to Congress, The Hill reports. The legislators hope to make a point over the US Presidents immigration policies so far.

The widow of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is also expected to attend the event. Earlier this month, President Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to succeed Justice Scalia, who died in February 2016, on the Supreme Court.

Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Show all 17 1 /17 Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing An empty podium is seen as an off camera briefing is held with a small group of reporters and White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer instead of the normal on camera briefing in the White House February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing New York Times reporter, Glenn Thrush works in the Brady Briefing Room after being excluded from a press gaggle by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, on February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Mark Wilson/Getty Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing New York Times reporter, Glenn Thrush works in the Brady Briefing Room after being excluded from a press gaggle by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, on February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Mark Wilson/Getty Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing The Brady Briefing Room is shown after reporters were excluded from a press gaggle by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, on February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Mark Wilson/Getty Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Reporters in the Brady Briefing Room listen to a tape from a press gaggle by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, on February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Mark Wilson/Getty Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Glenn Thrush, chief White House political correspondent for the The New York Times, works in the briefing room after being excluded from an off camera "gaggle" meeting at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 24, 2017. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Journalists work in the briefing room at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 24, 2017. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Journalists leave after several major news organizations including CNN, The New York Times and Politico were excluded from an off camera "gaggle" meeting with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer in his office that was held in place of the regular daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 24, 2017. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing An empty podium is seen as an off camera briefing is held with a small group of reporters and White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer instead of the normal on camera briefing in the White House February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing The entrance to the Brady Briefing Room after reporters were excluded from a press gaggle by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, on February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Mark Wilson/Getty Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing A small group of reporters leave an off camera briefing held with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer instead of the normal on camera briefing in the White House February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing A small group of reporters leave an off camera briefing held with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer instead of the normal on camera briefing in the White House February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Reporters wait to try and get access to an off camera briefing with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer instead of the normal on camera briefing at the White House on February 24, 2017, in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Reporters wait to try and get access to an off camera briefing with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer instead of the normal on camera briefing at the White House on February 24, 2017, in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Reporters wait to try and get access to an off camera briefing with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer instead of the normal on camera briefing at the White House on February 24, 2017, in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Reporters leave after failing to get access to an off camera briefing with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer and a small group of reporters instead of the normal on camera briefing at the White House on February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Reporters talk after failing to get access to an off camera briefing with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer and a small group of reporters instead of the normal on camera briefing at the White House on February 24, 2017, in Washington DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

Megan Crowley, a 20-year-old university student, who was diagnosed with Pompe Disease at 15 months old and was not given more than a few years to live is due to attend. Her father founded Novazyme Pharmaceuticals, which started as a five-person start-up and has grown into a company employing more than 100 people, to find a cure to the disease.

Finally Denisha Merriweather is an example of a private-education success story. After switching schools often and struggling with course work, she enrolled in the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Programme and began going to a private school. The White House says she is the first member of her family to have graduated from high school and college.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is an advocate for school voucher programmes for private schools.
Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Nadine White Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter The Race Report Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

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More Muslim people and members of ethnic minorities are running for office in the US because their "civil rights are under attack" under Donald Trump's administration.

New American Leaders Project (NALP) chief executive Sayu Bhojwani, who said more people from ethnic minority backgrounds were going through her training programmes with a view to running for public elections and that the increase in Islamophobia was prompting a mobilisation.

Donald Trump's promise of a wall at the Mexico border and his immigration ban prompted protests at airports, a Day Without Immigrants demonstration and marches across the globe.

Latest FBI figures showed a 67 per cent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes between 2014 and 2015, from 184 to 257, higher than any annual total since the 9/11 aftermath.

 Muslim national security staffer quit after 8 days in Trump White House

And the Southern Poverty Law Centre (SPLC) said there were more than 200 incidents of anti-hate crimes in the three days following Donald Trumps election, with the organisation saying the President's words translate into violence.

Ms Bhojwani said: I think there was a moment in recent years, where there was a sense of this isnt going to change but I can be part of that change."

Its really important that were affirming for people of all backgrounds.

Keith Ellison of Minnesota, and Andre Carson of Indiana, both Democrats, are the only Muslims in Congress.

There are more on a local stage. There are at least 14 Muslim Americans serving in office in New Jersey, including board of education member Azra Baig, whose campaign signs were defaced with racist slurs late last year.

Recommended Donald Trump blamed for massive spike in Islamophobic hate crime

Robert McCaw, director of government affairs at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) told National Public Radio: Muslims didnt ask to be dragged into the spotlight, but now that were there, we need to push back.

"Getting into elected offices is one of the best means. When your civil rights are under attack, grab hold of the constitution and assert yourself.
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A fund set up by two US Muslims to raise money for desecrated Jewish cemeteries has raised almost $140,000 in a week.

Linda Sarsour and Tarek El-Messidi asked fellow Muslims to help them raise $20,000 to help rebuild two US graveyards that had been desecrated in anti-Semitic attacks  a goal that was reached within just three hours.

Within a day, $80,000 had been donated and, a week later, the figure stands at $139,000 (112,000), with 4,610 people having given money.

Recommended More than 100 headstones vandalised at Jewish cemetery

Money will be donated to a Jewish cemetery in St Louis, Missouri, where around 100 headstones were destroyed, and one Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where about 100 were vandalised.

The remaining funds will be used to support any other Jewish institutions that are the subject of attacks.

On the fundraising website, Ms Sarsour and Mr El-Messidi highlighted the message of unity, tolerance, and mutual protection found in the Constitution of Medina  a seventh-century agreement between Jews and Muslims living in the city of Medina in modern-day Saudi Arabia.

The Muslim-American community extends its hands to help rebuild this sacred space where Jewish-American families have laid their loved ones to rest since the late 1800's they wrote.

Through this campaign, we hope to send a united message from the Jewish and Muslim communities that there is no place for this type of hate, desecration, and violence in America.

We pray that this restores a sense of security and peace to the Jewish-American community who has undoubtedly been shaken by this event.

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

It comes after Jewish Community Centres (JCCs) in the United States reported a rise in harassment and anti-Semitic attacks in the weeks following Donald Trumps inauguration. The JCC Association of North America said 21 separate Jewish institutions had received bomb threats on Monday alone, taking the total in 2017 to over 90.

Some Jewish organisations have accused Mr Trump of not being vocal enough in condemning the attacks but Sean Spicer, the White House Press Secretary, said on Monday that the President continues to be deeply disappointed and concerned by the reports of further vandalism of Jewish cemeteries.

The president continues to condemn these and any other forms of anti-Semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms, he added.

Activists expressed hope that the success of the fundraising campaign would be replicated in the case of future attacks.

I hope our Muslim community, just as we did last week with St. Louis, will continue to stand with our Jewish cousins to fight this type of hatred and bigotry, Mr El-Messidi said.

Were in a very different time in the U.S. when people cannot even rest in peace after they pass away, he said, where people have to be worried about their ancestors graves.
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Donald Trump has attacked people trying to resist his presidency, claiming they are preventing him from finalising his cabinet team.

Calls for resistance to the Republicans policy agenda have grown louder in the weeks since he took office, with Democrat politicians and a number of celebrities backing demands for Americans to act to stop Mr Trump.

A number of the Presidents cabinet nominees having been blocked by Democrats in Congress.

Mr Trump lashed out at his opponents during a roundtable meeting with insurance industry executives.

I hope that Democrats will stop the obstruction and resistance  in fact thats what they have, they have a sign resist, resist - they want to resist everything, including cabinet members, he said.

I have many cabinet members that havent been approved yet  people who are extraordinary, all of whom are going to be approved, but they just take forever."

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

Initially referring to the "resist" movement by the wrong name, he continued, Its called obstruct and resist I hope I didnt give them a new phrase because their real phrase is resist. I think I just gave it another word. I shouldnt have done that, Im good at branding.

Youre going to see them now come out [saying] obstruct and resist. All right, well at least I can take credit for it."

A number of Mr Trumps policies have been met with large-scale protests, including his attempts to ban immigration to the US from seven mainly-Muslim countries.

Resist protests have also taken place around the globe as people voice opposition to the Republicans right-wing agenda.
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President Donald Trump's proposed $54bn increase to the US military budget is low, the House armed services chairman has said.

"Over the course of the Obama Administration, our military funding was cut 20 per cent while the world grew more dangerous," Representative Mac Thornberry said in a statement.

"While we cannot repair all of the damage done by those cuts in a single year, we can and should do more than this level of funding will allow.

He added: "The administration will have to make clear which problems facing our military they are choosing not to fix."

 Trump claims he saved a billion dollars on Air Force One, to the military's surprise

The president promised a "historic" increase in the US military budget.

Mr Trump said he would propose a budget that would ramp up spending on defence but seek savings elsewhere to pay for it.

He is seeking to boost Pentagon spending by $54bn (43bn) in his first budget proposal, a rise of around 9 per cent on 2016.

The increase in spending closely matches the amount requested in a white paper by John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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

"We're going to do more with less and make the government lean and accountable," the president said in a meeting with governors in which he said he planned to propose a substantial increase in public safety spending.

This budget follows through on my promise on keeping Americans safe, Mr Trump said. It will include a historic increase in defence spending.

He told the nation's governors at the White House he will rebuild the "depleted military."
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Attorney General Jeff Sessions has claimed legal cannabis causes violent crime, despite a lack of evidence for his claim.

Mr Sessions said the Justice Department will try to adopt "responsible policies" for enforcement of federal anti-marijuana laws.

He added that he believes violence surrounds the sale and use of the drug in the US.

I believe its an unhealthy practice, and current levels of THC in marijuana are very high compared to what they were a few years ago, and were seeing real violence around that, the attorney general said.

Experts are telling me theres more violence around marijuana than one would think and theres big money involved."

While stopping short of saying what he would do, Mr Sessions said he doesn't think America will be a better place with "more people smoking pot."

"I am definitely not a fan of expanded use of marijuana," he added. "But states, they can pass the laws they choose. I would just say, it does remain a violation of federal law to distribute marijuana throughout any place in the United States, whether a state legalises it or not."

Studies have found no correlation between the legalisation of marijuana and violent crime rates.

However, law enforcement officials in states such as Colorado say drug traffickers have taken advantage of lax marijuana laws to hide in plain sight, illegally growing and shipping the drug across state lines, where it can sell for much higher.

Pot advocates say officials have exaggerated the problem.

 Hollywood sign changed to Hollyweed' to promote cannabis legalisation

"You can't sue somebody for a drug debt," Mr Sessions said. "The only way to get your money is through strong-arm tactics, and violence tends to follow that."

His comments were in keeping with remarks made last week by White House spokesman Sean Spicer, who said the Justice Department would step up enforcement of federal law against recreational marijuana.

Eight states and the District of Columbia have legalised marijuana for recreational use.

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 Justice Department has several options available should it decide to enforce the federal law, including filing lawsuits on the grounds that state laws regulating pot are unconstitutional because they are pre-empted by federal law.

Mr Sessions said he met with Nebraska's attorney general, who sued Colorado for allegedly not keeping marijuana within its borders.

The lawsuit was dismissed by the US Supreme Court, but neighbouring states continue to gripe that Colorado and other pot-legal states have not done enough to keep the drug from crossing their borders.
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The White House has been accused of trying to smear a critical reporter by planting its own fake news.

Politico published an article on Sunday, by journalists Alex Isenstadt and Annie Karni, on an impromptu meeting called by press secretary Sean Spicer to examine aides electronic devices for evidence of leaks.

The same article claimed Mr Spicer pushed deputy communications director Jessica Ditto to tears by criticising her work at a staff meeting.

Spicer harshly criticized some of the work a more junior spokesperson, Jessica Ditto, had done, causing her to cry, according to two people familiar with the incident, reads the article.

But Mr Spicer, in referencing the Navy Seal killed in Yemen last month, said: The only time Jessica recalls almost getting emotional is when we had to relay the information on the death of Chief Ryan Owens.

The father of the same Seal refused to meet Donald Trump and wants an investigation into the botched operation.

 Sean Spicer cites 'fake' Atlanta terror attack

Six and a half hours after the Politico report broke, the Washington Examiner published a story about Mr Isenstadt.

It quoted an anonymous source as saying that Isenstadt appeared dismissive and laughed at Mr Spicers denial and reference to Mr Owens.

He started laughing about that Seal, said The Examiners "informed official" source.

Recommended Donald Trump attacks on New York Times have sent subscriptions soaring

Politico editor Carrie Budoff Brown accused the White House of anonymously planting a fake story to smear its reporter.

Donald Trump said last week that anonymous sources should be banned.

The 70-year-old billionaire businessman once used unnamed sources to make repeated false claims about Barack Obama.

The Independent has contacted the White House, Politico and The Examiner for further comment.
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A billionaire investor who said Brexit was a God-given opportunity to take trade from the UK has been confirmed as Donald Trumps Commerce Secretary.

In his new role, Wilbur Ross will be among those leading a potential free-trade deal between the US and the UK  although his comments sparked fears America will seek to exploit the uncertainty created by Brexit to win business.

Mr Ross hit the headlines when he said in December when he urged Cypriot financiers to strike during this "period of confusion" in Britain to draw businesses away from the City.

"I recommend that Cyprus should adopt and immediately announce even more liberal financial service policies than it already has so that it can try to take advantage of the inevitable relocations that will occur during the period of confusion, he said.

The Labour Party called his comments a statutory warning to the UK from the US that it could be exploited because of Brexit.

Recommended Theresa May suggests UK health services could be part of US trade deal

Mr Ross made his fortune as a private equity investor by taking advantage of trade deals with countries including China and Mexico and was once nicknamed the bankruptcy king for buying out distressed companies and selling them for a profit.

Said by Forbes to be worth 2.5 billion, Mr Ross will be tasked with leading plans to overhaul trade deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) for the Trump administration.

Despite opposition from Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer, former Democrat Mr Ross was easily confirmed by a vote of 72-27.

Mr Schumer accused Mr Ross of having questionable business links to Russia and described an apparent reluctance by the White House to answer questions as another example of the Trump administration abandoning transparency.

A group of Democrats wrote to the White House asking whether any members of the Trump administration had received recent loans from the Bank of Cyprus  which is partly owned by a close of ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukranian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg.

Mr Ross has indicated he will step down from his position as Vice-Chair of the bank to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

The banks former chairman, Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, is reportedly close to President Putin, a fellow former KGB agent.

The new Commerce Secretary has been required to divest a significant portion of his business interests in order to be confirmed, and will now be expected to put Mr Trumps America first pledge into practice.

At his confirmation hearing, he appeared to try and dispel the idea that Mr Trump will engage in protectionism.

I am pro-trade, but I am pro sensible trade, he told the Senate.

As head of a car parts company, he reportedly outsourced around 2,700 jobs from the US to Mexico  taking advantage of some of the Nafta legislation he will now be required to roll back.

Recommended EU and Mexico accelerate free trade talks as Trump vows to cut NAFTA

According to the Wall Street Journal, Mr Ross will maintain a minority stake he holds in a company backed by the Chinese Government, creating another potential conflict of interest.

Mr Ross served under President Clinton on the board of the US-Russian Investment Fund, and was later an adviser on privatisation to then New York Mayor, Rudy Giulliani.

He said he backed Republican Mr Trump because he believed the country needed a more radical new approach to government.

Mr Trump has assembled the wealthiest cabinet in American history, provoking much criticism from the Democrats and commentators.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts, said on Twitter that Mr Ross was practically a cartoon stereotype of a Wall Street fat cat with no interest in anyone but himself.
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Today would have marked the 89th birthday of Pakistani activist Abdul Sattar Edhi, a fact commemorated in Googles latest personalised Doodle.

Edhi, known as the Angel of Mercy, is regarded as a humanitarian hero at home and abroad having risen from poverty on the streets of Gujarat and Karachi to help thousands of poor people receive free medical care. Here are five things you need to know about his extraordinary lifes work.

1. As illustrated by Googles Doodle, Edhi was a man of humble origins whose values stem from childhood

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Born in the village of Bantva, Gujarat, in pre-partition India in 1928, Abdul Sattar Edhis lifelong passion for philanthropic causes originated from his mothers example. She would send him to school with a single paisa coin to pay for his lunch and another to give to a passing beggar.

When she suffered a stroke in 1939, the young Abdul nursed her for eight years until her death  never losing the care and compassion he learned at her bedside.

2. The Edhi Foundation was started with donations alone

In 1947, Britains colonial rule of India came to end and Edhi, aged 19, moved to newly independent Pakistan, initially selling cloth at a wholesale market and begging for donations to start his own healthcare programme. Edhi dreamed of helping the impoverished masses unable to pay for their own treatment that he encountered every day - and was especially moved by the case of a mother who committed suicide with her six children because of the misery of their circumstances.

Reliant on the kindness of strangers, Edhi had soon raised enough capital to acquire a small office, which he swiftly transformed into a medical dispensary, later buying his first ambulance and driving it himself to deliver aid and pharmaceuticals.

As his ambitions and operations grew, Edhi began to recruit medical students to support the cause. The newly formed Edhi Foundation duly came to prominence by distinguishing itself in public service during the Asian Flu Pandemic of 1957.

3. Today, the foundation is the worlds largest volunteer network

Embracing a creed of live and help live, the Edhi Foundation continued to expand across rural and urban Pakistan, branching out into orphanages, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, rehab clinics, womens centres, outpatient wards and rescue boats.

Today, the organisation can lay claim to having trained 40,000 nurses and currently operates 1,800 "super-efficient" ambulances, a fleet recognised by Guinness World Records in 1997 as the worlds largest volunteer emergency services unit.

To give an idea of the scale of the organisations reach - if you dial 115 from a phone anywhere in southern Asia, the Edhi Foundation will answer.

4. Edhi was a man of modest means - with a sharp tongue

Abdul Sattar Edhi maintained a famously monkish lifestyle, never taking a salary, never owning more than two suits of clothes and living quietly in an apartment room within the foundations original headquarters.

He was, however, never afraid to speak out against corporate greed and political mendacity and always engaged in international affairs, providing support during the 1985 Ethiopian famine and raising $100,000 for the victims of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana in 2005.

Edhi was born into Islam but never allowed faith to interfere in his humanitarian endeavours. Once asked why he helped non-Muslims, he answered simply: Because my ambulance is more Muslim than you.

He is also well-known for the aphorism: People have become educated... but have yet to become human.

In light of the new US Presidents Muslim travel ban, it is worth remembering another of Edhis remarks, after being detained and interrogated by immigration officials at New Yorks John F. Kennedy airport in January 2008 under Bush administration terror laws. Questioned by reporters as to the reason for his detention, the philanthropist wryly offered: The only explanation I can think of is my beard and my dress.

A candle light vigil to mourn the death of philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi in Lahore (Caren Firouz/Reuters)

5. Edhi died last year leaving behind 20,004 children

Abdul Sattar Edhi died of kidney failure in January last year, leaving behind his wife of 52 years, Bilquis, a former nurse, and four offspring. Oh, and the 20,000 other children he is registered as the parent or legal guardian of.

Speaking at his state funeral, Pakistans Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said: Edhi was the real manifestation of love for those who are socially vulnerable, impoverished, helpless and poor. We have lost a great servant of humanity.

The State Bank of Pakistan is planning to issue a 50 rupee commemorative coin in his honour this year but controversy reigns over the fact that Edhi has continually been overlooked for the Nobel Peace Prize, the subject of a prominent hashtag campaign on social media in 2014.

No doubt todays anniversary will do much to raise awareness of his superb relief work around the world.
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An Australian electrician accused of helping Isis develop long-range missiles and laser warning device to guard against enemy bombs has been arrested.

Haisem Zahab was arrested at his family home in the rural town of Young, New South Wales, after an 18-month investigation that exposed his alleged links with militants in Syria and Iraq.

Australias federal police (AFP) charged the 42-year-old with making preparations for hostile activities abroad, giving or receiving goods for a criminal offence and violating an order on his computer use.

Police will allege the man was performing services for the overseas activities of Islamic State by researching and designing a laser warning device to help warn against incoming laser-guided munitions used by forces in Syria and Iraq; and also by researching, designing and modelling systems to assist with Islamic State efforts to develop a long-range guided missile, a spokesperson said.

Isis is known to use weapons looted from government and opposition forces in Iraq, Syria and Libya, as well as manufacturing its own military standard weapons.

Abandoned factories discovered in Iraq have exposed a highly bureaucratic development and manufacturing process for mortars, rockets and bombs, as well as an increasingly deadly programme to weaponise drones.

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

As part of its aim to build an Islamic caliphate, Isis has recruited experts in fields including medicine and technology, like British hacker Junaid Hussain.

Ian McCartney, the AFPs assistant commissioner for counter terrorism, said Zahab  who owned a solar panel installation business - was in custody at a local police station.

Make no mistake, anyone allegedly supporting foreign fighters  whether through travelling to conflict zones, or by their actions here on Australian soil  remain firmly in the sights of law enforcement, he added.

Malcolm Turnbull, the Australian Prime Minister, said Zahab was attempting to provide Isis with hi-tech capabilities to develop missiles.

This highlights that terrorism, support for terrorist groups, and Islamist extremism is not limited to our major cities, he added.

Haisem Zahab, 42, being arrested by counter-terror police at his home in Young, Australia, on 28 February (Australia Federal Police)

Officials said Zahab was not suspected of planning a terror attack on Australia, which is among the countries bombing Isis militants as part of the US-led coalition.

The air campaign, as well as strikes by the Iraqi, Syrian, Turkish and Russian air forces, has contributed to Isis loss of swathes of territory, including the key strongholds of Fallujah, al-Bab and Jarablus.

Australia also sent troops to fight in Afghanistan and Iraq and has been on heightened alert for attacks by home-grown radicals since 2014.

Two hostages and a gunman were killed during the siege of a Sydney cafe by an Isis supporter in 2014, while a police accountant was shot dead by an extremist in 2015.

While authorities say they have thwarted a number of plots in recent years, particularly involving radicalised teenagers, they had not yet made any arrests of individuals accused of offering technical assistance to an extremist group.

Around 100 people have left Australia for Syria to fight alongside Isis and other jihadi organisations, according to the immigration minister.
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A 99-year-old woman was arrested and placed in a cell to tick off one of her bucket list dreams.

Annie was escorted into the prison in Nijmegen Zuid, which lies 75 miles south east of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, in order to complete one of her last wishes.

The elderly lady, whose surname has not been published, can be seen locked in handcuffs and grinning with delight.

The idea about after Annies niece came into the station to report a crime.

Peter Smit, a lieutenant at the police station, told The Independent she was in the cell just for a couple of minutes, adding: "She wanted to be in a police cell because of her bucket list.

"In her life she never committed any crime, and thought it would be exciting to experience. As you can see in the picture from our post, she found it hilarious to be in the inside with the handcuffs."

The stations Facebook post has scooped up more than 4,400 likes.

One commented: Happiest prisoner in the world and another: You are no one until you go to jail. Great job Annie.

A station spokesman added: We dont usually do this, but we made an exception.

It was just a couple of minutes in the cell. It was all about the experience. We dont know why it was on her bucket list.
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The number of refugee children trying to reach Europe by boat has doubled in the last year, with thousands now attempting the deadly Mediterranean crossing every month, Unicef has warned.

More than 25,000 youngsters  nine out ten of whom were unaccompanied  made the perilous journey in 2016.

On the deadliest sea route, between Libya and Italy, an estimated 4,579 people died, including more than 700 children.

The figures are published in the UN agencys latest report on the refugee crisis, which details harrowing accounts of migrant children and women who have suffered sexual violence, exploitation, abuse and detention during their journey.

The report comes a day before a vote in the Commons on how to support unaccompanied child refugees in Greece and Italy.

Theresa Mays Government has faced public anger and a backlash from some MPs after it emerged the Dubs scheme would soon be dropped.

The scheme, named after its architect, Labour peer Lord Alf Dubs, sought to provide refuge for unaccompanied children arriving in Britain.

 Tory MP Pauline Latham says people should 'stop being so sentimental' about child refugees

But it will be capped once another 150 unaccompanied children are brought to Britain, on top of the 200 already in the UK.

The Central Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe is among the worlds deadliest and most dangerous migrant routes for children and women, Unicef regional director and special coordinator for the refugee and response crises in Europe, Afshan Khan, said.

The route is mostly controlled by smugglers, traffickers and other people seeking to prey upon desperate children and women who are simply seeking refuge or a better life.

We need safe and legal pathways and safeguards to protect migrating children that keep them safe and keep predators at bay.

The Unicef survey paints a disturbing picture of the emotional and physical abuse young people face as they risk their lives to reach Europe.

A child stands in a room where women and children sleep on old mattresses laid on the floor at a detention centre, in Libya (Unicef)

Some of the 122 interviews conducted by the UN agency were with children as young as five.

Three quarters of the under-18s interviewed said they had experienced violence, harassment or aggression at the hands of adults.

Many of the abuses appeared to have taken place in detention centres dotted across Libya, the agency said.

The Libyan Governments Department for Combatting Illegal Migration runs 24 detention centres, with each site holding as many as 7,000 detainees.

Armed groups are thought to run an unknown number of unofficial detention centres housing many more refugees.

In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea Show all 7 1 /7 In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A baby being taken on to MSF's Bourbon Argos ship from a boat carrying 130 migrants and refugees Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A refugee boat carrying 101 people being rescued by MSF's Bourbon Argos Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A refugee boat carrying 101 people being rescued by MSF's Bourbon Argos all images by Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A baby among refugees on a boat carrying 185 people off the coast of Libya Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea Migrants and refugees sleeping after being rescued by MSF's Bourbon Argos ship Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A crew from MSF's Bourbon Argos ship rescuing a boat carrying 130 migrants and refugees off the coast of Libya, at sunrise Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A woman in a stretcher being lifted onto MSF's Bourbon Argos ship from a boat carrying 130 migrants and refugees off the coast of Libya Lizzie Dearden

Nearly half the women interviewed also reported suffering sexual violence or abuse during their journey.

The Unicef report also details how migrants are treated differently depending on their country of origin.

Sub-Saharan Africans tend to be treated much worse than migrants from Egypt or countries in the Middle East, Unicef found.

Will, an unaccompanied eight-year-old boy from Nigeria, who is now in detention in Libya, was one of those who gave a testimony.

Migrants lie on mattresses inside a detention centre in Libya. At one time, up to 720 people were being held at the centre, which was once used as a dining hall for weddings (Unicef)

He said: We wanted to go to Italy. We were on a boat. After a while the boat began to take in water and soon after it sank.

"There was a boy who survived, and I held onto him for many hours. He saved me. But my father and mother both died. I did not see them again.

January was a particularly deadly month for refugees crossing the Mediterranean.

Around one in 20 migrants died in the first month of the year, compared to one in 24 in December, and an average of one in 41 for the whole of 2016.

Unicef UKs deputy executive director, Lily Caprani, urged Theresa May to offer safe routes to Britain for the most vulnerable.

She said: This is one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world and yet 25,800 unaccompanied and separated children arrived in Italy by sea last year.

Because the safe and legal routes available are so limited, traffickers and smugglers control the route, preying on vulnerable children seeking a better life in Europe and UK.

Even when children reach Europe, the traffickers and smugglers continue to control and coerce these children.

The UK Government deserves credit for supporting vulnerable children in conflict affected states, but it must also protect these vulnerable children in Europe by providing safe and legal pathways to the UK for those who have a legal claim.
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More than 40,000 people have signed a petition attempting to convince Barack Obama to run for the French presidency as voters face an increasingly dire choice between scandal-hit politicians.

The unofficial Obama17 campaign is attracting strong support, despite the fact it would be impossible for the former US President to run as a foreign national.

Organisers, who have spread posters across Paris carrying the slogan Oui on peut (Yes we can), are aiming to garner a million signatures by 15 March.

 Marine Le Pen launches presidential campaign with hardline speech

The French are ready to make radical choices - that is good because we have a radical idea to propose to them, says a statement, promising to jolt France out of its lethargy.

To launch this 6th Republic, we wish to strike a blow by electing a foreign President at the leader of our beautiful country.

Barack Obama has completed his second term as President of the United States on 21 January, why not hire him as the President for France?

Calling the current election campaign a failure, the group contends that Mr Obama has the best resume in the world for the job - a sentiment that at least 42,365 people currently share.

The petition comes after polls gave far-right candidate Marine Le Pen a lead in the first round of voting in April, although she is expected to lose the decisive second round to a more establishment candidate.

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 Front National leader, who is pledging to slash immigration, hold an EU referendum and ditch Nato, has been accused of racism and xenophobia despite her attempts to distance her party from her fathers anti-Semitism convictions.

Her main competition is the independent Emmanuel Macron, Francois Hollandes former economy minister, who resigned in August to launch his own liberal En Marche! party.

His campaign suffered a setback earlier this month when he was forced to deny rumours of a gay extramarital affair, but has recovered to lead recent polls.

Francois Fillon, the former centre-right Prime Minister, was the clear front-runner until January, when a scandal broke over large payments to his wife for work she may not have done.

He denies any wrongdoing but suffered a further blow on Friday when a prosecutor appointed judges to investigate the allegations.

Ms Le Pen, meanwhile, has been hit by a separate scandal over alleged misuse of EU funds to pay parliamentary assistants.

She refused to respond to a police summons for questioning last week and her lawyer said she would not comply with any such orders until after the election.


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Frances former presidential election front-runner has likened the atmosphere in the country to near civil war amid investigations, scandals and violent protests.

Francois Fillon, the former Prime Minister, accused the government of failing to create the conditions for the peaceful exercise of democracy and allowing "a climate of near civil war to develop in the country.

He spoke after clashes in the city of Nantes, where police were injured by protesters during a visit by far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

 Protests turn violent in France over the alleged sexual assault of a youth worker

The violence, seeing police respond to Molotov cocktails and rocks with tear gas, followed weeks of unrest in Paris over a police officers alleged rape of a black man.

We are in a state of emergency but the government allows this to go on, Mr Fillon said, accusing thugs and enemies of democracy of disrupting the election campaign.

Running for the centre-right Republicains party, Mr Fillon was considered the front-runner for Frances presidency until January, when a scandal erupted over payments made to his wife.

The politician was placed under judicial investigation last week but backtracked on his previous pledge to step down from the race in the event of a formal probe into whether his wife, Penelope, carried out the work for which she was paid.

Opinion polls currently put him lagging in third place for the first round of the French election, behind Front National leader Marine Le Pen and centre-left independent candidate Emmanuel Macron.

The two front-runners are just a handful of percentage points apart in polls, with most putting Ms Le Pen narrowly ahead in the first round but predicting a heavy defeat in the second and decisive vote.

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 French Prime Minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, was dismissive of Mr Fillons comparisons to a civil war, calling it irresponsible and accusing the candidate of debasing public debate.

I can understand that certain candidates are tempted to hide their campaign difficulties behind polemics, he added. In politics, especially during campaigning, you need a certain dignity, a high-mindedness, and respect for the truth.

Critics accused Mr Fillon of using the sensational comments as an attempt to distract from his legal difficulties.

Both he and Ms Le Pen have attacked judicial investigations into their use of parliamentary aides as an attempt by outgoing President Francois Hollande and his Socialist Party to influence the vote.

Mr Fillon has described an inquiry launched in January as an "institutional coup d'etat" and has accused journalists of trying to carry out a "lynching" and an "assassination", in remarks compared to Donald Trumps frequent attacks on the media.

He and Ms Le Pen have questioned the judiciarys independence ahead of the first round of voting in April but the justice minister said any suggestion probes could have been ordered by political opponents was absurd.
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Since the evening in 2004 when policemen arrived unannounced to escort him and his wife to safety, Geert Wilders has lived in safe houses under 24-hour guard to protect him from Islamist militants who threatened to kill him.

Film-maker Theo van Gogh had been shot, stabbed and nearly beheaded by a militant Islamist earlier that day, and Mr Wilders, another prominent critic of Islam, was seen as a likely next target.

Nearly 13 years under protective seclusion have only strengthened his convictions. Mr Wilders, 53, now wants to halt Muslim immigration, close all mosques and ban the Quran, which he compares to Mein Kampf.

He is on Taliban and al-Qaeda hit-lists, and blames Islam for the long confinement that ended his life as a cosmopolitan globetrotter.

I can hardly remember what its like to cross the road alone, he said in February. I wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy. But at least I know why I do what I do. My mission is to make sure the Netherlands, unlike my own life, remains free.

With a flare for the limelight  he wears his hair in an instantly recognisable platinum bleached-blond quiff  Mr Wilders is within a whisker of leading the largest party in the Dutch parliament after next months elections.

Other parties have ruled out a coalition with him, which is likely to keep him out of government, especially since he was convicted in December of inciting discrimination for leading a crowd in a chant for Fewer! Fewer! Fewer! Moroccans. Two weeks ago he repeated calls for a crackdown on Moroccan scum.

Centre-right Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who once led a minority government that excluded Mr Wilders but relied on his support, now says he will never work with him again. Hes against the freedoms and values of our society, Mr Rutte said.

But the prospect of Mr Wilders gaining stature even while shut out of power has alarmed Dutch Muslims, who make up 5 per cent of the population.

Its not about him burning Qurans or literally closing mosques, because we know thats very unlikely, said Dounia Jari, a Moroccan-Dutch activist who helps young gay, lesbian and transgender Muslims come to terms with their identities. But with him spreading hatred, he wont be targeted, but I can be targeted on the streets by someone who shares his ideology.

Though often compared to outsiders like French nationalist Marine Le Pen, Nigel Farage or Donald Trump, Mr Wilders emerged from within mainstream Dutch politics.

When Mr Van Gogh was killed in 2004, Mr Wilders had just quit the main centre-right liberal party over his opposition to Turkey joining the EU. In February, 2006 he founded his Party for Freedom (PVV), which combined libertarian promises to raise speed limits with harsh anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Most Dutch people see openness and religious tolerance as essential national traits of their cosmopolitan seafaring country. Holland has served as a European haven for refugees since the 16th century, when the mainly Protestant Dutch broke away from Catholic Spain, dedicated their new state to religious freedom and offered protection to minorities including Spanish Jews.

Mr Wilders says it is precisely that tolerance that is threatened by Islams totalitarian ideology. Passionate about the Middle East since he spent time on an Israeli cooperative farm as a teenager, he says his opposition to Islam came from contrasting Israels openness with its neighbours.

Even as his party has grown, its opposition to Islam has strengthened. A third of the partys one-page manifesto is devoted to it.

When he entered politics in 1990 without a university degree after a stint working for a health insurer, it was as a social policy specialist, advising the liberals on ways to cut back on the Netherlands then very generous out-of-work allowances

Colleagues remember a driven expert with a skilled politicians command of his technical brief, with little time for socialising. His party started in that technocratic tradition, advocating pro-business, Atlanticist neoconservatism.

Over the years of his isolation, anti-Islamism usurped most of that agenda. Under his security regimen, his entire party sits in a secured corridor in parliament, isolated from easy contact with other lawmakers, forbidden from visiting the parliamentary bar.

 Geert Wilders: 'I will never be silent'

Two armed guards stand in front of his office door. Even when he is in Budapest visiting the family of his Hungarian wife, safe houses are kept ready for emergencies.

Hes been under guard 24/7 for 13 years, said Cas Mudde, a University of Georgia specialist in populism. If your whole life has been put on hold because of what you perceive as a religion  its an existential threat to him.

His isolation translates into a willingness to go it alone in politics. He triggered the collapse of Mr Ruttes minority government in 2012 by refusing to back social spending cuts needed to meet European Union deficit spending rules, alienating a political class that prizes constructiveness above all else.

Despite polling around 17 per cent, enough for the PVV to emerge as the biggest party, Mr Wilders has the wrong mentality to enter government, said Frits Bolkestein, who led the liberals when Mr Wilders worked there on policy.

He isnt prepared to make the changes needed to govern, because of his mental make-up, Mr Bolkestein said. If we wanted to cut him down to size, the thing would be to give him responsibility. If he ran a large ministry, hed probably fail.

His own brother, Paul, has taken to Twitter and given interviews distancing himself from his policies.

Political exploitation of social unrest is a dangerous thing, Paul Wilders told RTL Nieuws. Those with the shiniest fruit on the market often sell the most poisonous oranges.

Geert Wilders grew up as the youngest child of a family in predominantly Catholic Limburg, a south-eastern prong of the Netherlands that juts out into the borderlands between Belgium and Germany, an ancient crossroads.

His father was a middle manager for printing equipment maker Oce, a proud Dutch multinational later sold to Japans Canon. His mother, a soldiers daughter, was born in Indonesia when that mainly Muslim country was a Dutch colony. He says her parents were Dutch but he had mixed-race Indonesian cousins and that international background influenced his upbringing.

Mr Wilders became an inveterate traveller after his first trip to the Middle East, roaming eastern Europe and visiting Iran repeatedly while working for the liberals.

He was personable in the years before his confinement, remembers Laszlo Maracz, a Dutch-Hungarian academic who helped Mr Wilders write a report in the 1990s on the rights of ethnic Hungarian minorities in eastern Europe. He liked to play high-stakes dice games to relax.

Yahtzee was his favourite, Maracz said. He always knew how to go all in on a bet, managing to throw a high enough number against the odds.

Reuters
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A panel of UN experts has accused Germany of discriminating against people of African descent and allowing widespread racial profiling by the government and security agencies.

Researchers warned that the situation remains largely invisible to wider society, partly because the countrys colonial past and racism against black people has been overshadowed by a focus on Nazi history and the anti-Semitic far-right.

The repeated denial that racial profiling does not exist in Germany by police authorities and the lack of an independent complaint mechanism at federal and state level fosters impunity, said group leader Ricardo Sunga.

Recommended Cologne police deny accusations of racial profiling after NYE arrests

The Working Group believes that institutional racism and racist stereotyping by the criminal justice system has led to a failure to effectively investigate and prosecute perpetrators of racist violence, racial profiling and hate crimes against people of African descent.

There is a serious lack of ethnicity-based disaggregated data, and an incomplete understanding of history, which obscure the magnitude of structural and institutional racism people of African descent face.

The report came after police in Cologne were accused of racial profiling on New Years Eve, when a tweet from the forces official account said North African men were being security screened, using the derogatory term Nafri.

UN researchers said they were deeply concerned about the situation, warning that laws against racial discrimination were not being enforced and black peoples lives were being marred by racism and negative stereotyping, as well as hate crime.

Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Show all 13 1 /13 Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Women protest against sexism outside Cologne Cathedral on 5 January after the assaults Oliver Berg/EPA Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Women protest against sexism in Cologne following the rash of sex attacks on New Year's Eve Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Police initially failed to mention the assaults in report the following morning EPA Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Police officers patrol in front of the main station of Cologne, Germany AP Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks German far-right supporters demonstrate at Cologne`s train station (Reuters) Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Supporters of anti-immigration right-wing movement Pegida in Cologne, Germany, January 9, 2016. Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Police used pepper spray to control supporters of Pegida, Hogesa (Hooligans against Salafists) and other right-wing populist groups as they protested against the New Year's Eve sex attacks on 9 January, 2016 in Cologne, Germany Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Police use a water cannon during a protest march by supporters of anti-immigration right-wing movement Pegida in Cologne, Germany, January 9, 2016 Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Police use pepper spray against supporters of anti-immigration right-wing movement Pegida, in Cologne, Germany, January 9, 2016. Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Artist Mira Moire protests naked in Cologne against the mass sex attacks on New Year's Eve AP Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks A demonstrator holds a sign in German that reads 'No violence against women' during a demonstration in the wake of the sexual assaults on New Year's Eve, outside the cathedeal in Cologne, Germany, 09 January 2016. EPA Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Counter demonstrators hold up a sign reading "Against sexism, against racism" as they protest against a demonstration of the islamophobic movement PEGIDA at the train station in Cologne, Germany, on January 9, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Demonstration by a womens group on Saturday (AP) AP

Stop and search and controls by police are targeting at minority groups, a report said, while cases of state discrimination and violence against have not been properly investigated.

People of African descent are at the lowest rungs of Germany society, the working group found, having their opportunities limited from school onwards and ending up with the jobs which nobody else wants such as cleaning, on low wages.

Meanwhile, researchers warned that roads and metro stations continue to be named after colonialists, whose actions are not adequately covered in German education.

Because Germany does not gather official statistics on the basis of ethnicity, equality data cannot be used to identify and combat issues, while people of African descent are not recognised as a significant minority deserving specific action, according to the report.

Around 800,000 people of African descent live in Germany  1 per cent of the population  according to government estimates, although others believe the number is far higher.

The UN report urged the German government to increase awareness of the issues, improve its data gathering, combat racial profiling and recruit a more diverse workforce to state and security institutions.

The delegation from the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent visited German cities including Berlin, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Cologne and Hamburg on an eight-day trip at the invitation of the German government.

The findings and recommendations will be formally presented to the UN Human Rights Council in September.


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Isis is carrying out more suicide bombings than ever before as utterly brainwashed militants fight to defend symbolic strongholds in Iraq and Syria, a report has found.

Research by the Hagues International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT) found the group is mainly using the martyrdom operations as a military tactic rather than in foreign attacks targeting civilians.

A British militant, Jamal al-Harith, is among the jihadis to be sent to their deaths as Iraqi forces continue their advance into Mosul, where vehicles packed with explosives are being sent into enemy lines on a daily basis.

A count released through Isis propaganda channels said 90 suicide bombings were carried out in January alone, mainly in areas of Iraq where the group is under attack.

Charlie Winter, an associate fellow at the ICCT and the author of the report, said that while al-Qaedas suicide attacks were mainly carried out by foreigners on civilians, Isis mainly sends local operatives against military forces.

An Isis propaganda infographic showing the number of claimed suicide operations carried out in the group's provinces in January 2017

This reflects a new phase of operationalisation for suicide warfare; a tactical shift with strategic implications that will change the insurgent and terrorist landscape for years to come, he said.

The suicide attack, that most shocking tactic of terrorists and insurgents, has never been more commonplace than it is today.

Mr Winter, who is also a senior research fellow at Kings College Londons International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence (ICSR), compared the phenomenon to Japans use of militarised suicide in the form of kamikaze pilots in the Second World War.

He found at least 923 suicide operations were carried out by Isis in the 12 months from December 2015 to November last year and predicted that record number would continue to increase.

Around 84 per cent were military operations, while 16 per cent targeted civilians. The vast majority used vehicles packed with explosives  sometimes with the addition of a gunner  and others used fighters wearing vests or carrying guns and belts to detonate during combat.

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

Isis mainly uses 4x4 vehicles for its bombings, with photos from Mosul suggesting the vehicles are being specifically modified in factories with armour plates and toughened windscreens to prevent drivers being shot before reaching their destinations.

Around a fifth of the bombers pictured in Isis propaganda, including numerous child soldiers, were foreign fighters from outside Iraq and Syria, mainly from Tajikistan, followed by Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Tunisia, and Russia.

Isis has long used suicide bombings as a military tactic to kill and intimidate enemy fighters, but the number of such attacks has rocketed as it continues to lose swatchs of territory in Iraq and Syria, rising from 61 operations in December 2015 to a record 132 in November.

Lina Khatib, head of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House, said the trend was a sign of military weakness.

Suicide bombers are individuals who can be deployed using the minimum available explosives, whereas anything larger scale would require more sophisticated weaponry, she told The Independent. The fact they are increasingly relying on suicide bombers means they do not have the kind of military capacity they used to have to enable them to use heavy weapons.

Isiss once ready supply of weaponry and ammunition seized from overrun Iraqi and Syrian government forces and opposition fighters is drying up, as its supply lines are closed off by tightening border controls and enemy advances, she said.

An Isis suicide vehicle bombing in al-Bab, Syria, filmed by drone in a video sent out on propaganda channels last week

Weapons factories and development workshops uncovered in Iraq have exposed a bureaucratic manufacturing process for military grade weapons and customised drones, but the homemade products have been unable to fill the gap.

Dr Khatib said Isiss use of suicide bombers was initially offensive, with the group deploying them in a similar way to how a conventional army would use artillery in ground assaults on a military target, but the tactic has now become a last line of defence.

Isis is now having to be more pragmatic than ever and deploys whoever it finds available she added, saying that although the groups options are more limited than ever, suicide bombings were still an effective weapon.

It has managed to intimidate their targets, Dr Khatib said. Isis continues to use them knowing that targets are unlikely to use the same tactic.

Isis champions the gory manoeuvres on its propaganda channels, releasing breaking claims by text, followed by more detailed summaries, reports from provincial outlets and magazine articles, as well as photos and sometimes videos of the fighters involved.

Mr Winter said that although the bombings occur most frequently where Isis is under military pressure, they are used tactically and the group does not waste fighters on cities like Fallujah that it considers a lost cause.

It is apparent from the scale of Isiss suicide industry that there exists a dedicated infrastructure for manufacturing would-be martyrs and it is only increasing in efficiency, he warned.

Isiss suicide tacticians have perfected their art, not only developing explosives that are more powerful and reliable than ever, but creating what appears to be a sustainable stream of utterly brainwashed would-be suicide fighters.
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Iraqi military forces are advancing towards the main complex of government buildings in the centre of west Mosul, indicating that Isis is losing control of its last big urban stronghold in Iraq.

The provincial council and the governorate building are within the firing range of the rapid response forces, said an officer with the elite interior ministry units.

The Iraqi government offensive is evidently making ground faster than had been expected against some 4,000 Isis fighters, besieged along with 750,000 civilians in the half of Mosul city to the west of the Tigris river. The aim of the multiple attack against this enclave is to keep Isis under pressure on all fronts so it will not have enough men to hold back the Iraqi security forces that far outnumber it. Isis is making very effective use of a mix of snipers, suicide bombers, mortars, bombs, booby traps and drones.

Iraqi forces say they have seized both ends of one of the five bridges spanning the Tigris, which have all been broken by US air strikes and Isis demolition teams, but could be made passable again by using pontoon bridging equipment supplied by the US.

Recommended Iraqi forces capture Mosul bridge in boost for battle against Isis

People inside the city are running out of food, and there are reports that the old Sarj-Khana market has been burned by Isis. Militants are setting fire to private houses in order to create a smoke screen that will hide its fighters from the US-led air strikes which are clearing the way for ground troops.

The UN humanitarian aid office said on Tuesday that 8,000 people have fled to government-controlled areas south of Mosul since the latest Iraq military offensive began on 19 February and they are often exhausted and dehydrated.

The main weight of the attack so far is coming from the south and has captured the airport along with several districts of Mosul. Isis is likely to make its main stand in the close-packed residential housing and narrow alleys of the old part of Mosul. It took Iraqi security forces three months from 17 October last year to capture east Mosul during which they lost 500 dead and 3,000 wounded according to General Joseph Votel of the US Central Command.

Many of the most effective Iraqi units reportedly suffered over 30 per cent losses, though the Iraqi government in Baghdad refuses to disclose military and civilian casualties.

The recapture of Mosul by the Iraqi armed forces, which lost the city to a much smaller number of Isis fighters in June 2014, will be a crushing blow to the Caliphate that was declared at that time and at its height controlled territory the size of Great Britain. Its astonishing victories against superior forces in Iraq and Syria two-an-a-half years ago were portrayed by Isis as proof that it had divine assistance. Its string of defeats and shrinking territory since 2015 have had the contrary effect of persuading many Sunni Arab tribes and communities that the self-declared Caliphate is coming to an end.

The real situation in front line positions in and around west Mosul is unclear because the Iraqi government reports only successes and never mentions setbacks or defeats. They sometimes announce the capture of districts and towns long before government troops have reached them. The blog Musings on Iraq , which has published a detailed daily account of the 132-day campaign to take Mosul, complains that the Iraqi forces (ISF) statements either by officers or even official ones have become so unreliable that they cannot be trusted unless pictures are posted on social media or a western reporter confirms them.

Nevertheless, Iraqi forces do appear to have improved their tactics since the grinding street-to-street fighting in east Mosul, which they had expected to seize much more quickly. One significant development is that US soldiers advising and calling in air strikes are now positioned closer to the front line than they were last year. Aside from closer involvement of US troops in the fighting, the Trump administration has so far changed very little in operations against Isis initiated under President Obama.

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

General Stephen Townsend, the commander of the Combined Joint Task Force  Operation Inherent Resolve, says that since August 2014 the US-led Coalition has conducted more than 10,000 air strikes against Isis targets in Iraq and trained and equipped more than 70,000 Iraqi forces to support Iraqi operations.

Isis is under pressure on all fronts, including Syria, where it has lost the town of al-Bab to Turkish forces and Arab auxiliaries under their control. Isis commanders must also prepare for an assault on its de facto Syrian capital of Raqqa by the Syrian Democratic Forces, whose main fighting force is drawn from the Syrian Kurds operating in cooperation with the US air force and US special forces on the ground. Isis is beset on every side but is likely to fight to the end, which may be a long time coming.
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Russia and China have backed a UN resolution that would have imposed sanctions on Syrian individuals, organisations and companies allegedly involved in chemical weapons attacks during the country's six-year civil war.

It is the seventh time Russia has used its veto to protect the Syrian regime from United Nations Security Council action.

Russia had said the vote on the resolution, drafted by France, Britain and the United States, would harm UN-led peace talks between the warring Syrian parties in Geneva, which began last week.

 New CBBC documentary on refugee children fleeing war-torn syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin described the draft resolution as "totally inappropriate."

"For my friends in Russia, this resolution is very appropriate," US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley told the council after the vote.

"It is a sad day on the Security Council when members start making excuses for other member states killing their own people. The world is definitely a more dangerous place," she said.

The Western-backed resolution followed a joint investigation by the UN and the international chemical weapons watchdog that concluded the Syrian government was behind at least three attacks involving chlorine gas and Isis was responsible for at least one involving mustard gas.

In pictures: Syria surrenders a third of chemical weapons Show all 15 1 /15 In pictures: Syria surrenders a third of chemical weapons In pictures: Syria surrenders a third of chemical weapons Germany Workers in protective clothing holds a dummy grenade In pictures: Syria surrenders a third of chemical weapons Germany Workers in protective clothing unload a dummy grenade at the GEKA facility in Munster In pictures: Syria surrenders a third of chemical weapons Germany Workers check the cover of a dummy grenade at the GEKA facility in Munster In pictures: Syria surrenders a third of chemical weapons Germany Destroyed ammunition is stored in a container at the GEKA facility in Munster In pictures: Syria surrenders a third of chemical weapons Germany Syria has already missed several target dates to hand over or destroy its arsenal before a deadline and the United Nations-Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) mission called on Damascus to move faster. 'Nearly one third of Syria's chemical weapons material has now been removed or destroyed' UN-OPCW coordinator Sigrid Kaag told a meeting of the watchdog at its Hague headquarters In pictures: Syria surrenders a third of chemical weapons Germany GEKA is federally-funded facility and its sole function is the destruction of chemical weapons from military arsenals. Syria agreed to give up its chemical weapons and disposal, which is already underway on an American ship in the Mediterranean, is scheduled to be completed In pictures: Syria surrenders a third of chemical weapons Germany A worker stands next to a container that will be used to destroy chemical weapons from Syria in Munster In pictures: Syria surrenders a third of chemical weapons Germany Workers carry a dummy grenade into a bunker at the GEKA facility in Munster In pictures: Syria surrenders a third of chemical weapons Germany A worker in protective clothing stands at the door of a bunker at the GEKA facility in Munster In pictures: Syria surrenders a third of chemical weapons Germany Workers unload a dummy grenade In pictures: Syria surrenders a third of chemical weapons Germany UN Security Council resolution 2118 about destroying chemical weapons was passed after a massive attack killed hundreds in several opposition areas around Damascus In pictures: Syria surrenders a third of chemical weapons Germany Workers sit in a trailer outside of the GEKA facility in Munster In pictures: Syria surrenders a third of chemical weapons Germany A worker stands next to a machine that will be used to destroy chemical weapons from Syria at the GEKA facility in Munster In pictures: Syria surrenders a third of chemical weapons Germany A worker presents a machine that will be used to destroy chemical weapons from Syria at the GEKA in Munster In pictures: Syria surrenders a third of chemical weapons Germany A worker observes a furnace that will be used to destroy chemical weapons from Syria at the GEKA facility in Munster

British U.N. Ambassador Matthew Rycroft told the council before the vote: "This is about taking a stand when children are poisoned. It's that simple. It's about taking a stand when civilians are maimed and murdered with toxic weapons."

The use of chlorine gas as a weapon is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013. If inhaled, chlorine gas turns to hydrochloric acid in the lungs and can kill as it burns the lungs and victims drown in their own body fluids.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government has denied its forces have used chemical weapons.

French UN Ambassador Francois Delattre said the failure by the council to act would "send a message of impunity."

China's UN Ambassador Liu Jieyi said it was too early to act because the international investigation was still ongoing.

"We oppose the use of chemical weapons," he added.

The defeated resolution would also have banned all countries from supplying Syria's government with helicopters, which investigators have determined were used in chemical attacks.

It also proposed targeted sanctions of a travel ban and asset freeze on 11 Syrian military commanders and officials, as well as 10 government and related entities.

The resolution got the minimum nine votes in favour. In addition to China and Russia, Bolivia voted No. Three countries abstained: Egypt, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan.

A resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the United States, France, Russia, Britain or China to be adopted.

Sherine Tadros, head of the UN office in New York for Amnesty International, said: By vetoing this resolution Russia and China have displayed a callous disregard for the lives of millions of Syrians.

"Both states are parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention  there is simply no excuse for their vetoes today.

For six years Russia, with the support of China, has blocked Security Council decisions that would have punitive consequences for the Syrian government.

"This behaviour prevents justice and emboldens all parties to the conflict in Syria to act with indifference to international law. The message coming from the international community is that when it comes to Syria, there are no red lines.
Russia on Tuesday cast its seventh veto to protect the Syrian government from United Nations Security Council action, blocking a bid by Western powers to impose sanctions over accusations of chemical weapons attacks during the six-year Syrian conflict.

China backed Russia and cast its sixth veto on Syria. Russia had said the vote on the resolution, drafted by France, Britain and the United States, would harm U.N.-led peace talks between the warring Syrian parties in Geneva, which began last week.

Nine council members voted in favor, Bolivia voted against, while Egypt, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan abstained. A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, France, Russia, Britain or China to be adopted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described the draft resolution on Tuesday as "totally inappropriate."

"For my friends in Russia, this resolution is very appropriate," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told the council after the vote.

"It is a sad day on the Security Council when members start making excuses for other member states killing their own people. The world is definitely a more dangerous place," she said.

The vote was one of the first confrontations at the United Nations between Russia and the United States since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January, pledging to build closer ties with Moscow.

Russia's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov described the statements made against Moscow in the Security Council as "outrageous" and declared that "God will judge you."

"Today's clash or confrontation is not a result of our negative vote. It is a result of the fact that you decided on provocation while you knew well ahead of time our position," said Safronkov.

Western powers put forward the resolution in response to the results of an investigation by the U.N. and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The international inquiry found Syrian government forces were responsible for three chlorine gas attacks and that Islamic State militants had used mustard gas.

British U.N. Ambassador Matthew Rycroft told the council before the vote: "This is about taking a stand when children are poisoned. It's that simple. It's about taking a stand when civilians are maimed and murdered with toxic weapons."

Chlorine's use as a weapon is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013. If inhaled, chlorine gas turns to hydrochloric acid in the lungs and can kill by burning lungs and drowning victims in body fluids.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government has denied its forces have used chemical weapons. Russia has questioned the results of the U.N./OPCW inquiry and long said there was not enough proof for the Security Council to take any action.

French U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre said the failure by the council to act would "send a message of impunity."

China's U.N. Ambassador Liu Jieyi said it was too early to act because the international investigation was still ongoing.

"We oppose the use of chemical weapons," he said.

The draft resolution would have banned the sale or supply of helicopters to the Syrian government because the U.N./OPCW inquiry found Syrian government forces had used helicopters to drop barrel bombs containing chlorine gas.

It also proposed targeted sanctions - a travel ban and asset freeze - on 11 Syrian military commanders and officials, as well as on 10 government and related entities.

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By the year 2050 robots will do your household chores, theyll probably have taken your job, and experts reckon some people will have started marrying them.

Its already begun: we have robotic vacuum cleaners, ticket machines, smartphones (though no ones tried to marry a robot yet, probably). And now Expedia has launched Surprise Trips, an algorithm-based service that chooses your entire holiday, from the hotel to the flight times and the destination  and tells you where youre going the morning you leave.

Out of sheer fascination, my friend Penny and I decided to give the Surprise Trips site a go.

It was pretty great for a girls weekend: no agonising over where to go, which hotel has better wifi, air con or is nearer that gallery. No back and forth over hotel links on WhatsApp. You simply specify your departure airport, dates (you can choose a two, three or four-night stay) and budget (input a maximum cost per person). Booking takes a few seconds.

What to pack for a secret weekend away? Bikini, woolly hat and high heels (Clare Vooght)

Before the trip: anticipation vs fear

Its weird to think that your tickets and all the information about your holiday are somewhere on the internet  while you know very little about it.

Heres the stuff we do know at this point: the dates, flight times, airport and that we wont be going to Krakow, Berlin or Ireland (you can specify up to three places you dont fancy going if, say, youve visited recently). Paris and Barcelona are off-limits for everyone, presumably because youre assumed to have already been there.

It could be any of up to 77 city break destinations in Europe, from Biarritz to Zagreb, Cork to Gdansk or Brno to Faro. The hotel will be centrally located and three stars or above, and the flights can be with any European airline, though fares are hand-luggage only (unless your airline includes a checked bag automatically).

The weather report we receive a few days before doesnt narrow it down: it could be anything from -3 to 9 degrees.

Can Clare guess where shes going from the weather forecast? Unlikely (Clare Vooght)

But the anticipation and speculation is pretty fun. Peoples reactions range from curiosity to bafflement, but everyone has an opinion.

Pennys mum is convinced were going to Italy, while my Tinder date reckons itll be somewhere in Eastern Europe. It could be somewhere like Budapest, he says. There are really great thermal baths there  you should bring a swimsuit just in case.

So a just-in-case bikini was joined in my suitcase by a pair of massive-night-out heels, lipstick, morning-after Berocca, a woolly hat and every single piece of spare foreign currency I had.

Fate expectations: Clare (right) and Penny have no idea where theyre going (Clare Vooght)

The big reveal: were going where?

Its 5.30am when we arrive at Gatwick, as we stand by the check-in desks to open the email: inside is a link to take us to the big reveal on my tiny smartphone screen.

It opens a video of a rolling letter board, spinning through destination names, flicking through Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, then after 18 painful seconds it settles on Basel. Honestly, its not somewhere either of us would have planned to go, but were game. And, suitably, surprised.

When we touch down in snowy Basel and realise that despite packing for what seemed like every eventuality, Im totally unprepared  standing in fabric, flyknit Nikes, I regret swapping the sensible boots out of my suitcase for heels and Berocca.

Clare touches down in snowy Basel (Basel Tourismus)

Basel, youre really alright

We head straight to Walliser Kanne, an Old Town institution, to eat the national dish, fondue  which, it turns out was popularised in the 1930s by the Swiss Cheese Union (yes, theres a Swiss cheese union) as a way of getting the Swiss to eat more fromage.

The good thing about Basel: fondue. The bad thing about Basel: the price of fondue (Clare Vooght)

This delicious molten cheese is the best fondue Ive ever had. But thats not the only surprise  along with a bottle of mid-range pinot noir and two 10 side salads we rack up a bill of 126. Which is when we realise weve rocked up in one of the worlds most expensive cities at the behest of an internet-search program.

Crippling expenditure aside, Basel is pretty great. Fuelled by boozy cheese and determined to put that Berocca to good use, we have a few pre-drinks in our hotel  the clean, four-star, centrally located Spalentor, which the algorithm wisely selected for us  and head out in search of Basel nightlife.

The VitraHaus is a pleasant discovery (Basel Tourismus)

We get a pretty good sense of the techno scene in Hinterhof, a former industrial warehouse with a rooftop terrace, and on the Sunday we embrace the novelty of Basel being in three countries, walking along the Rhine to cross the borders into France and Germany, just because we can.

In a strange, meta twist of fate, over the German border, we end up at the Vitra Design Museum (go for the Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid architecture and the really fun slide). Inside, theres an exhibition about the relationship between human and machine, exploring the ways in which they are, for worse and for better, taking control of our lives.

But concerns for the future aside, thanks to a search program, we find that we have a pretty great, spontaneous weekend away. Somewhere on our epic walk, we even agree that were chuffed we ended up in Basel.

Essentials

Clare travelled as a guest of Expedia. Surprise Trips are tailored to your budget, but generally start from around 150 per person for two nights.
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On the final day of six weeks of hearings into the deaths of 30 Britons at a seaside resort in Sousse, Tunisia, Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith condemned the reaction of Tunisian police when an Islamist gunman, Seifeddine Rezgui, began shooting at the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel: Their response could and should have been effective.

The inquests heard that police were slow to respond, with some officers fainting or running away.

Recommended How the Tunisia inquest verdict could change tourism for good

The Coroner is delivering his conclusions at the end of the inquests into the deaths of 30 British tourists during the attack on 26 June 2015.

He told the bereaved families: Throughout the proceedings, you have shown a quiet dignity for which your loved ones would have been extremely proud.

Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith said: Unarmed guards could not have done much against a terrorist with a Kalashnikov and grenades.

Had the attack been seen on CCTV, it might have been identified sooner but not much sooner.

The attack was so unexpected and sudden that I cannot say that if an emergency evacuation procedure had been carried out, it would have been effective.

The one security measure that may have made a difference was having an armed guard. Having reviewed the gun law in Tunisia, it is clear that was not a realistic option.

During the inquests, several families of the victims have said that their relatives would not have gone to Tunisia if they had been told of the Foreign Office warnings after the Bardo Museum attack in March 2015.

The Coroner said: I recognise that some customers had seen and read the FCO advice, they may well have not travelled to Tunisia."
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A survivor of the attack at Sousse in 2015 has demanded better information for holidaymakers.

Olivia Leathley, a 26-year-old chef from Manchester, was on holiday with her boyfriend at the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel when the attack unfolded. She told The Independent of the chaos that day: People [were] running everywhere, bullets were flying everywhere. We ended up hiding in a security lodge for two hours.

Ms Leathley was speaking outside the High Court, where the Coroner delivered his conclusions at the end of the inquests into the deaths of 30 British holidaymakers at the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel on 26 June 2015.

Recommended How the Tunisia inquest verdict could change tourism for good

All the victims were customers of Thomson and its sister company, First Choice.

She had booked a holiday before the attack on the Bardo Museum in Tunis in March, in which 20 tourists were killed.

We were aware of the civil unrest, but we never imagined [an attack at Sousse] was a possibility, she said.

We thought were miles away on the coast.

During the inquests, several families of the victims have said that their relatives would not have gone to Tunisia if they had been told of the Foreign Office warnings after the Bardo Museum attack in March 2015.

Ms Leathley said the travel industry must do more to ensure holidaymakers have the facts about risks in resorts:

It needs to be a lot more informative. Im talking big banners on websites.

But she said she would return to the same resort.

Its not the hotels fault. It was a dream holiday for the first five days.

We want to go back and get some closure.

A spokesperson for Abta, the travel association, said: The Sousse terrorist attack was an appalling attack on innocent holidaymakers involving a terrible loss of life. It is entirely appropriate that there has been a thorough investigation into what happened on the day and in the run up to the incident. The coroner has concluded that all victims were unlawfully killed by the actions of a lone gunman.

The safety and security of holidaymakers is of critical importance to the travel industry and we will carefully review the Coroners report when it is published at the end of March to see if there are any learnings for the industry.
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On a sunny day in June 2015, on the shores of the Mediterranean, one man took 38 lives. Thirty of the victims of Seifeddine Rezgui were British holidaymakers.

For six weeks, the inquests into their deaths heard accounts of horror and heroism, as well as the lamentable response of the police  described by the coroner as at best shambolic, at worst cowardly".

Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith told the bereaved families: Throughout the proceedings, you have shown a quiet dignity for which your loved ones would have been extremely proud.

After he had summed up his conclusions, many bereaved relatives gathered at the doors of the Royal Courts of Justice.

Their solicitor, Kylie Hutchison, called for action to prevent any repeat of the massacre: It is now crucial that the whole travel industry learns from what happened in Sousse to reduce the risk of similar catastrophic incidents in the future.

 Tunisia victims' families to sue travel firm over terror deaths

Yet the response from Abta, the association representing travel agents and tour operators, was remarkably tentative.

A spokesperson said: We will carefully review the coroners report when it is published at the end of March to see if there are any learnings for the industry.

The evidence produced during the inquests indicates no shortage of learnings for the industry from the killings at the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel  particularly about what information needs to be presented to prospective holidaymakers on potential threats, and tour operators responsibility for security as well as safety.

Much of the evidence centred on the response to a previous massacre in Tunisia.

Tourists lay flowers in memory of those killed by a jihadist gunman on the beach in front of the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Tunisia (Getty)

Almost two years ago, cruise passengers visiting Tunisias leading museum, the Bardo in Tunis, were attacked. Twenty-two people from 10 countries died.

Isis claimed responsibility for the attack, as part of an attempt to destroy the Tunisian economy.

The Foreign Office, which issues travel advice for every country, did not step up its warning  which appears to have been taken by the British travel industry as a signal that it was business as usual.

Tui, the UKs biggest travel company, provided its travel agents and call-centre staff with a crib sheet with specific responses to questions asked by anxious holidaymakers.

It implied that nothing had changed in relation to Tuis beach holidays, and stressed that anyone who wanted to amend or cancel their holiday would pay the normal financial penalties.

In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Show all 32 1 /32 In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The coffin of Denis Thwaites is carried from an RAF C-17, which repatriated the bodies of eight British nationals killed in the Tunisia terror attack, at RAF Brize Norton near Oxford in Britain In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The coffin of John Stollery is carried from an RAF C-17, which repatriated the bodies of eight British nationals killed in the Tunisia terror attack, at RAF Brize Norton near Oxford in Britain In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The coffin of Elaine Thwaites, one of the victims of the terrorist attack, is taken from the RAF C-17 aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in Tunisia In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Hearses carrying the victim's of last Friday's terrorist attack arrive at Tunis Airport Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia An RAF C17 transport aircraft arrives at RAF Brize Norton Airport in Oxfordshire carrying the bodies of 8 British people killed in the Tunisia gun attack Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Ambulances carrying the victim's of the terrorist attack arrive at Tunis Airport Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Armed police continue to patrol Marhaba beach in Sousse Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia National guard members patrol at the beach near the Imperiale Marhaba hotel, which was attacked by a gunman in Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Military personnel attending to injured British nationals on board an RAF C-17 aircraft en route back to the United Kingdom, in Tunisia In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Military personnel attending to injured British nationals on board an RAF C-17 aircraft en route back to the United Kingdom, in Tunisia In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Holidaymakers lay flowers on Marhaba beach Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Tourists pay tribute to the victims of the Sousse attack at a makeshift memorial on the beach at the Imperial Marhaba resort Reuters In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The Home Secretary Theresa May pays her respects with her counterparts, Frances Bernard Cazeneuve, left, Germanys Thomas de Maiziere, second left, and Tunisias Najem Gharsalli, in Sousse Reuters In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Two tourists pay respects to victims of IS attack on beach in Sousse, Tunisia Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Many people remain unaccounted for and many of their relatives have taken to social media in the hope of obtaining information about those who are still missing (Getty) Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A boy holds a Tunisian flag at the spot on the beach where the attack took place Reuters In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A man kisses a Tunisian flag at the site of a shooting attack on the beach in front of the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Port el Kantaoui, on the outskirts of Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The front of the Marhaba hotel Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Tunisian Ennahdha party member and former minister Houcine Jazir speaks with Belgium survivor couple Corman (R) and Claude Pesser after a mass shooting in the resort town of Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The bloodstained belongings of a tourist are seen on the sand in the resort town of Sousse AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A broken glass window of the Imperiale Marhaba hotel is seen after a gunman opened fire at the beachside hotel in Sousse Reuters In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Blood stains cover the ground at the Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse, Tunisia after mass shooting Fethi Belais/AFP/Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Policemen patrolling the beach in front of the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse where tributes have been laid to the dead AFP/Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia People stand in silence next to flowers during a gathering at the scene of the attack in Sousse, Tunisia Getty In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Messages and flowers are left on Marhaba beach where 38 people were killed in a terrorist attack in Souuse Getty Images In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Police officers control the crowd while surrounding a man suspected to be involved in opening fire on a beachside hotel in Sousse, Tunisia In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Medics help an injured man in Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A body lies on a street in Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia Members of the Tunisian security forces in an armoured vehicle patrol a street in Sousse In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia The beach where the massacre took place Lionel Tunisiano/Twitter In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A general view of the deserted pool and deck chairs at the Imperial Marhaba Hotel EPA In pictures: Tunisia hotel attack Tunisia A woman looks toward a glass door shattered by a bullet at Imperial Marhaba Hotel EPA

The response was at odds with what the company had done a year earlier when a small amendment to Foreign Office advice on the Mombasa area triggered the cancellation of the companys entire programme in Kenya.

Following the Bardo attack in March 2015, Tui continued to take bookings for holidays in Tunisia for its Thomson and First Choice brands, but without prominent reference to the Foreign Office travel advice. Three months later, 30 of its customers were killed at Sousse.

The coroner said: I recognise that had some customers had seen and read the FCO advice, they may well have not travelled to Tunisia.

The court also heard about the inadequacies of security at the hotel, despite an action plan to enhance protection issued by the Tunisian authorities after the Bardo attack.

A request by lawyers for many of the victims families for a finding of neglect was rejected by the coroner on the grounds that, in an inquest, the term has a very narrow definition inappropriate to the Tunisia killings.

But Kylie Hutchison, solicitor for the families, said they would now sue the holiday firm in the civil courts for negligence: On behalf of our clients who lost members of their family and those who suffered injuries in this terrible incident, we will now be preparing to commence civil proceedings against Tui.

Gunman Seifeddine Rezgui killed 38 tourists at a beach resort in Sousse

Tuis UK managing director, Nick Longman, read a prepared statement outside the court, expressing his deepest sympathy for the families.

We have now heard the Coroners findings and his comments regarding the provision of security and visibility of travel advice.

On that day the world changed. As an industry we have adapted and we will need to continue to do so. This terrorist incident has left its mark on all of us and its impact will always be remembered.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: The Sousse attack was the largest loss of British life to terrorism since 7/7, and devastated the lives of so many.

Our deepest sympathy remains with all those people caught up in this horrific attack and we hope that the Inquest process has been of some help to the families.

By July next year, when the EU Package Travel Directive takes effect, holidaymakers will be able to cancel without penalty if a terrorist atrocity of such magnitude were to happen at their intended destination.
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Sir John Major, always a victim of the snobs, used to have the mickey taken out of him for his not inconsiderable circumlocutions of speech. Pooterish, they called it.

Hes more the elder statesman these days. Hes sticking up for the nearly half the country who voted Remain last year  theyre not the enemies of the people, but about half of the people. Quite right, Sir John, and a deft exposure of the silliness of much of the press coverage (then again, hes seen his fair share of ugly press coverage of himself).

In his speech on the European debate  tellingly more lively and emotional than it ever was before the referendum  he comes straight to the point. If we are going to survive a hard Brexit, then we will need a radical resetting of the British economy. In order to win in world markets and compete against substantial barriers on exporting goods and services to Europe, Britain will have to be the sort of bargain basement economy that Jeremy Corbyn has also spoken about (an unusual moment of perspicacity there, Ill admit).

It means, as Sir John says, scrapping the welfare state and the NHS, burning regulations and labour market protections and slashing taxation  and public services. Thats what we need to promote enterprise and generally allow the economy to let rip. This is the reality of the so-called Singapore of Europe model.

 Amber Rudd: I'd like the Brexit bill unamended

It would be the third and final chapter in the triumph of Thatcherism, the previous two being the decade the Lady herself spent smashing the unions, privatising stuff and reforming the economy, plus her posthumous victory in getting the UK out of the EU. Scrapping the NHS in favour, one presumes, of some sort of charitable safety net, would be the final victory from beyond the grave. Theresa May is merely her earthly tool. It is the heaven that Liam Fox and Michael Gove dream of.

It might work. We do need to compete, and we cant hide inside the EU for ever. The problem with all that, of course, is that there would be riots. The very areas of the country and groups of people that would be hit hardest by an ultra-low-tax thrusting Thatcherite Britain would be the ones that voted so heavily for Brexit in the hope of a better future. OK, they may well be right about that  but any brighter future is for the very long run  if they get there. It would be the 1980s all over again  mass unemployment, blighted regions, shuttered factories, dole queues, civil disturbance, inequalities and the rest, but more so. Plus, probably, some busted banks and lost savings and pensions along the way. As Sir John says, the route to such a new Britain would be a violent and painful one, and make any of those scraps Thatcher had in the 1980s look like a tea party. Would British democracy survive the strain? Would the UK stay together? Sir John suggests not. Some Tories might actually not even be bothered if Scotland floated off, and Ireland got re-united. Price worth paying and all that.

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

So is Sir John Major turning bastard? A quarter of a century ago, mired in a civil war with his own party about the Maastricht Treaty, the then Mr Major inadvertently let his feelings about his Conservative opponents  sworn enemies might be a better word  clear. They cordially returned the loathing, and his government and Cabinet never succeeded in persuading the public they were united. As Prime Minister in the 1990s, Mr Major appealed to his critics not to bind his hands in negotiations in Europe, and to put up or shut up when they continually briefed against him. Is Sir John now adopting the very truculence against the current Prime Minister that he resented so much in his own time in No 10? Is he the sort of backseat driver Mrs Thatcher was when it was Sir John trying to steer the car?

The case is superficial. What Sir John argues for now is for Parliament to have precisely the sort of scrutiny he granted it in those long arduous months of parliamentary grind back in 1992 to 1994. Parliament then had the right to chuck his deal out, and, if it wanted, to embrace more of what Brussels desired back then. It should now, as Sir John says, have the right to accept or reject the terms of exit from the EU  with the status quo of EU membership on existing terms clearly an option. As it happens, a new referendum would be appropriate, as Tony Blair argues. I am sure that will come, once people see the real alternatives. They have a right to argue and a right to change their minds. After the 1975 referendum kept us in Europe no one shut the EUs critics up, and nor should they have. Every election is about a choice.

Sir John is looking good these days. His massive achievements were to keep the UK out of the euro, out of Schengen and out of the social chapter, thus endowing the UK with what amounted to major, if youll pardon the expression, advantages over the rest of the EU. Although so badly maligned in his time, Sir Johns stock has risen high by comparison with his peers. His premiership was, after all, a time of almost uninterrupted economic recovery, of securing the best deal any nation had inside the EU, and ensuring that the UK was at the centre of the Venn diagram that has the EU and the US in the two big circles. It wasnt unalloyed success, that Major government, but many now will feel it looks a lot better than what came before or after. He deserves to be listened to. Oh yes!
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Imagine youre a stock market investor or an analyst whose job it is to advise those investors. How do you put a value on the shares of a publicly listed oil company?

You can estimate the value of the skills of the companys engineers, managers and other employees. Theres the brand, reputation and the culture of the company to factor in too. Theres also the worth of its equipment and various physical investments to consider.

Yet the bulk of the value of any oil company inevitably derives from its reserves of the black stuff (along with gas and coal) in the ground; assets that are expected to be extracted and sold over time.

But what if you knew that the company would never be able to get these assets out of the ground? What if they were destined to be stranded? What would happen to the value of the oil company then?

Some analysts  including the Bank of England  are urging financial markets to start thinking much more seriously about the possibility of tens of trillions of dollars of stranded assets in the energy sector and the profound implications for share prices.

Because if governments around the world deliver on their promises to decarbonise their economies and limit the rise in global temperatures this century to 2 per cent above pre-industrial levels, then those assets really cant see the light of day. Either they will be forbidden from being sold, or there will be no demand for them because we will have new clean means of energy production.

10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Show all 10 1 /10 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A group of emperor penguins face a crack in the sea ice, near McMurdo Station, Antarctica Kira Morris 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Floods destroyed eight bridges and ruined crops such as wheat, maize and peas in the Karimabad valley in northern Pakistan, a mountainous region with many glaciers. In many parts of the world, glaciers have been in retreat, creating dangerously large lakes that can cause devastating flooding when the banks break. Climate change can also increase rainfall in some areas, while bringing drought to others. Hira Ali 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Smoke  filled with the carbon that is driving climate change  drifts across a field in Colombia. Sandra Rondon 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Amid a flood in Islampur, Jamalpur, Bangladesh, a woman on a raft searches for somewhere dry to take shelter. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable places in the world to sea level rise, which is expected to make tens of millions of people homeless by 2050. Probal Rashid 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Sindh province in Pakistan has experienced a grim mix of two consequences of climate change. Because of climate change either we have floods or not enough water to irrigate our crop and feed our animals, says the photographer. Picture clearly indicates that the extreme drought makes wide cracks in clay. Crops are very difficult to grow. Rizwan Dharejo 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Hanna Petursdottir examines a cave inside the Svinafellsjokull glacier in Iceland, which she said had been growing rapidly. Since 2000, the size of glaciers on Iceland has reduced by 12 per cent. Tom Schifanella 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A river once flowed along the depression in the dry earth of this part of Bangladesh, but it has disappeared amid rising temperatures. Abrar Hossain 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A shepherd moves his herd as he looks for green pasture near the village of Sirohi in Rajasthan, northern India. The region has been badly affected by heatwaves and drought, making local people nervous about further predicted increases in temperature. Riddhima Singh Bhati 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A factory in China is shrouded by a haze of air pollution. The World Health Organisation has warned such pollution, much of which is from the fossil fuels that cause climate change, is a public health emergency. Leung Ka Wa 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Water levels in reservoirs, like this one in Gers, France, have been getting perilously low in areas across the world affected by drought, forcing authorities to introduce water restrictions. Mahtuf Ikhsan

But the lure of short-term profit has a way of obscuring this kind of logic with impenetrable smog. A 1991 public information film produced by the global oil giant Shell has come to light. The video warns explicitly about the extreme weather, floods, famines and climate refugees that are a likely consequence of global warming. The film also noted that the science of climate change was endorsed by a uniquely broad consensus of scientists.

Yet none of this stopped Shell, over the following two decades, lobbying against concerted government action to curb carbon emissions and investing heavily in further fossil fuel extraction. Shell told the public the truth about climate change in 1991 and they clearly never got round to telling their own board of directors, notes Tom Burke of the environmental think tank E3G.

The lesson of Shells film is that its naive to imagine oil companies will take unilateral action that will negatively impact their share price. But what about investors? Might they wise up, force a correction in asset prices and drive a change in corporate behaviour?

That increasingly seems naive too. At the moment the financial markets are assuming the energy industrys fossil fuel assets will be extracted and burned, not stranded.

The United Nations Paris Agreement on climate change, signed in December 2015, was hailed by the environmental campaigner Al Gore as the moment when the community of nations finally made the decision to act. But there has been no fundamental readjustment of energy stock prices since then. Indeed, the imminent flotation of a tranche of Aramco, the Saudi state oil giant, is widely expected to create the most valuable company on the planet.

Climate change protests around the world Show all 25 1 /25 Climate change protests around the world Climate change protests around the world People rally to promote climate protection in Rome, Italy Climate change protests around the world Hundreds of demonstrators gather in front of City Hall in Los Angeles, California EPA Climate change protests around the world People hold hands to form a human chain during a gathering called by ecologist organisations in Marseille, southern France, to protest against global warming a day ahead of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP21) held in Paris Climate change protests around the world Demonstrators clash with French riot police during protests on Place de la Republique, ahead of the COP21 World Climate Change Conference 2015 in Paris, France Climate change protests around the world Demonstrators clash with French riot police during a protest on Place de la Republique ahead of the COP21 World Climate Change Conference 2015 in Paris, France Climate change protests around the world A group of people perform during a rally to promote climate protection in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Climate change protests around the world A protester sits next to his sign that reads 'Monsanto the Devil Incorporated ' as he joined hundreds of demonstrators who gathered in front of City Hall in Los Angeles, California EPA Climate change protests around the world Environmentalists dance during a protest near the Place de la Republique after the cancellation of a planned climate march following shootings in the French capital, ahead of the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21), in Paris, France Reuters Climate change protests around the world People protest next to characters dressed as wild animals during a march against climate change near the Monument to the Revolution, in Mexico City AP Climate change protests around the world Protesters carries a banner while they take part in a protest about climate change at New York City Hall steps in lower Manhattan, New York Reuters Climate change protests around the world People take part in a protest about climate change around New York City Hall at lower Manhattan, New York Reuters Climate change protests around the world People rally to promote climate protection in Piazza Castello, Turin, Italy Climate change protests around the world A woman holds a globe during a protest for the global climate day in Lugano, Switzerland Climate change protests around the world Yemenis hold banners as they participate in the Global March for Climate in the old city of Sanaia, Yemen Climate change protests around the world Protesters dressed as Santa Claus take part in a protest about climate change at New York City Hall steps in lower Manhattan, New York Reuters Climate change protests around the world People gather at the Legislative Palace in Montevideo, during the Global Climate March to demand action on climate change telling world leaders on the eve of a crunch UN summit that there is "no planet B". From Sydney to London, humid Rio to chilly New York, at least 683,000 hit the streets in 2,300 events across 175 countries at the weekend, co-organiser and campaign group Avaaz said, calling it the largest number of people to protest over climate change all at once Getty Images Climate change protests around the world Climate change protests around the world Demonstrators participate in the Global March for Climate in Athens, Greece Climate change protests around the world A man wearing a Bernie Sanders mask leads hundreds of demonstrators who marched near City Hall in Los Angeles, California EPA Climate change protests around the world Patricia Hauser joined hundreds of demonstrators who gathered in front of City Hall in Los Angeles, California Climate change protests around the world A woman holds a poster of a sick Earth as she joined hundreds of demonstrators who gathered in front of City Hall in Los Angeles, California EPA Climate change protests around the world Hundreds of demonstrators march around City Hall in Los Angeles, California EPA Climate change protests around the world A demonstrator holds cut-out of US Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as she joined hundreds of demonstrators who gathered in front of City Hall in Los Angeles, California EPA Climate change protests around the world George Patten holds a sign that reads 'No Fracking Ever!' as he joined hundreds of demonstrators who gathered in front of City Hall in Los Angeles, California EPA Climate change protests around the world Gabrielle Sosa wears 'Rising Sea Levels' sign as she joined hundreds of demonstrators who gathered in front of City Hall in Los Angeles, California EPA

The state of politics in the most intensive per capita user of fossil fuels among the large advanced economies  the US  is hardly propitious either. It is true that a proposal for a simple domestic carbon tax has recently been presented to the White House by a group of senior Republican statesmen, including James Baker, George Shultz and Henry Paulson. And Donald Trumps Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, a former boss of Exxon Mobil, has in the past advocated such a tax, which economists agree would provide an immensely powerful incentive for firms to reduce emissions.

But other elements of the Trump White House and the Republican Party are preparing to roll back the moves taken by President Obama to reduce US carbon emissions through a regulatory clampdown on energy firms. Scott Pruitt, the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency appointed by Trump, is a climate change sceptic who sued the EPA more than a dozen times when he was Oklahoma attorney general. Trump himself has dismissed climate change as a hoax, designed by the Chinese to disadvantage American industry.

Against this background, the markets are betting against substantive government action, whether in America or anywhere else in the world, to curb climate change. And they are also betting, indirectly, against the habitable future of the planet.
The parliamentary watchdog said a third of Ireland's fishing catch is under threat

Irish food companies need to quickly move beyond their reliance on the UK if they are to survive a Brexit worst-case scenario, a parliamentary watchdog has found.

Agricultural businesses and the fishing industry are in "a position of extreme exposure to trade losses" over Britain's decision to pull out of the EU, the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine said.

In its report on the impact of the UK's in/out referendum on Ireland's food industry, the committee said 40% of food exports to the UK as well as a third of Ireland's fishing catch is under threat.

Mushroom and beef businesses are particularly at risk.

Pat Deering, committee chairman, said firms need to look beyond the UK for exports and consider developing new products for new markets as trading with our nearest neighbour could become much more difficult.

"Uncertainty has led to the weakening of sterling, which is putting serious pressure on prices and exports," he added.

"We are recommending that while our close proximity to the UK remains valuable, Ireland must diversify; finding new export markets for existing products and developing new products to substitute for loss of market share in the UK."

The committee, which held a number of hearings before compiling the report, also said any negotiated deal between the UK and the EU should "neither reward nor punish the UK" for its decision in the referendum.

Any divorce deal should be "nuanced", it argues, so as not to embolden eurosceptics in other countries who would use a lenient or overly onerous deal to pursue their own cause.
It is unlikely Irish citizens will be affected by the reported plans, given the repeated commitment by both the Irish and British governments to maintain the common travel area (Stock photo)

The UK government's plans to restrict EU migrants arriving to Britain could come into effect as early as next month.

British Prime Minister Theresa May reportedly plans to rule that EU migrants arriving in Britain after the Brexit talks process begins will not be automatically entitled to stay in the UK permanently.

She is also understood to have decided that EU migrants who have arrived in the UK before this "cut-off date" will be given rights, as long as British citizens in other EU countries are treated in a similar fashion, according to the 'Daily Telegraph'.

Legal experts have said there is no impediment to Mrs May doing that, as EU citizens are allowed permanent residency in another EU country only after five years under the so-called Citizenship Directive.

Siobhan Stack, a Dublin-based senior counsel who specialises in constitutional and EU law, said Mrs May was highlighting that the UK was likely be out of the EU in five years.

Therefore, migrants arriving after the talks process is triggered won't benefit from the permanent residency element of the Citizenship Directive.

"If she [Theresa May] said from April 2017 we would no longer adhere to the Citizenship Directive, then she would be acting unlawfully. But she's not," Ms Stack said.

"She's giving a cut-off date and saying anybody who arrives after this is not going to get the benefit of whatever reciprocal deal is negotiated with the EU for EU migrants in the UK, and British citizens throughout the EU."

It is unlikely Irish citizens will be affected by the reported plans, given the repeated commitment by both the Irish and British governments to maintain the common travel area.

A spokesperson for Mrs May said she wants to settle the question of the rights of EU citizens living in Britain as a priority, but has not set a timetable for her migration policies.
Nobody should be surprised by the proposal unveiled by Glanbia last week. Even fewer should be surprised when it sails through the vote in the coming months. This latest step in the long goodbye between the plc and the co-op was always going to happen after the watershed vote in 2012.

That was when Glanbia suppliers had their first marital fling - but only after they had slapped down the initial proposition by the plc two years previously. Everyone realises now that that was a step too far for the co-op faithful back then.

The plc learned its lesson. It beefed up its PR department with heavyweights from the world of both media and politics to ensure that future battles to win the hearts and minds of shareholders were not left to chance.

The process of weaning the farmers off the notion that they needed to hold on to the "family silver" then proceeded, but in much smaller steps. The 2012 vote was just the first, and Glanbia suppliers have done very nicely out of the share spin-outs that have flowed ever since.

It is estimated that close to 640m in shares and patronage options has been transferred to co-op shareholders since 2012, effectively replicating the wealth generation model that has lined the pockets of Kerry milk suppliers for the last 30 years.

The low profit margin Dairy Ireland division in Glanbia Plc increasingly looked like a lonely child as the company concentrated its efforts on building its turbo-charged nutritional ingredients business. Meanwhile, Glanbia Ingredients Ireland is all about milk processing, regardless of its profit margins.

And the deal is too sweet to be resisted by the vast majority of farmers. Don't forget that most are still nursing their businesses along after 24 months of bruising milk prices. The 10,400 that the average supplier stands to receive from the 2pc spin-out will be welcomed with open arms.

However, there are some questions that farmers should ask themselves before they cast their votes. Here's three for starters:

1. Timing: Is this the best time for farmers to invest in the commodity side of the plc's business? Glanbia is the biggest maker of cheddar cheese in the world, and it is cheddar cheese that could be one of Ireland's most exposed exports when Brexit washes through. We are dependent on the UK to suck up 60pc of the massive 165,000 tonnes of cheddar cheese that we produce annually. Glanbia's Wexford plant is almost exclusively dedicated to this task, pumping out a reported 20,000 tonnes in 2015 alone. How much of Dairy Ireland's 30m of profits are dependent on this market? Is it possible that they will be a lot less in two years' time? Is there alternative outlets for cheddar or can these facilities be easily orientated into other product lines?

2. The Price Tag: Is 112m a fair price for Dairy Ireland? Glanbia argue that it has to be a fair price to comply with stockmarket rules. The price-earnings ratio on last year's sales of 616m and 5pc profit margin works out at an attractive 6.2.

But if we look at the average over the last five years, the profit margin is closer to 3pc on average sales since 2012 of 630m. Using these figures the price-earnings ratio is closer to 10. Is this too high for such a low-margin business?

3. The Strategy: Farmers are getting more comfortable cashing in their assets. Indeed, it could be argued that converting their shareholding in the co-op into shares in the plc gives them more options in terms of dividing up assets among the next generation - as many a Kerry farmer will testify to.

It also brings more transparency to what the actual return is on both parts of the business - milk processing versus flavours and ingredients. Carbery Group suppliers are generally a contented bunch because their co-op is able to siphon profits from their hugely profitable flavours and ingredients businesses to subsidise milk prices to the point that they consistently have the highest price in the country.

But how do those milk suppliers know if they should be getting a 2c or 5c top-up in their milk price? Is it more transparent to break out those businesses and pay the farmer shareholders a separate dividend?

Finally, why does it make sense for farmers to invest in the part of Glanbia that has the lowest profitability? This is one that may have farmers scratching their heads for longest. In reality, the horse has bolted on Glanbia Plc, and it is going the same way as Kerry, albeit in a slightly different format.

The real opportunity for Glanbia suppliers might now be that they have a business that is very similar to their neighbours in Lakeland Dairies, Dairygold, Arrabawn and Aurivo. It brings the industry back to that prickly subject of why it can't get together to act as one, rather than the current halfway-house of Ornua that is effectively competing with individual Irish co-ops. Glanbia Ireland will have the scale to be a starting platform from which other co-ops can join to create an emerald Fonterra.

Who can claim that scale is irrelevant while they try to compete in global commodity markets? The new Glanbia Ireland business might well be the perfect springboard.

Fast facts on Glanbia proposal
Calf prices in the marts have hardened on the back of continuing strong demand from farmers and shippers and the recent reduction in veterinary inspection levies on exports.

However, the market for Jersey and Jersey-cross bulls is on the floor. There are reports of some calves being given away by farmers and other lots being sold for 5 and 10 per head.

The cut in export levies from 4.80/animal to 1.20/animal has given the export trade a real boost, with exporters and farmers competing strongly for Friesian stock.

Tom McCarthy of Cork Marts described the trade in Bandon and Skibbereen as "very strong", with "tremendous" export activity.

He said shipping-type Friesian bulls sold for 75/hd to 130/hd. Meanwhile, stronger Friesian bulls were being bought by farmers for 170-180/hd, with 200/hd being paid in exceptional cases.

Hereford and Angus bulls generally sold for 250/hd to 330/hd, with top-class animals making up to 370/hd.

There was very strong demand for the Continental calves on offer, with "anything possible" when they entered the ring. Bulls made up to a top price of 500/hd, with most heifers selling between 200/hd and 340/hd.

It was a similar story in New Ross, where auctioneer Jim Bushe said there was a "ripper of a trade" for Continental calves.

"You'd be eaten alive for Continental bulls and heifers," Bushe said.

Continental bulls sold to a top of 500/hd, with the majority in a range from 320/hd to 450/hd. The heifers made similar prices.

Hereford and Angus bulls sold from 160 to 400/hd, with the heifers making from 120/hd for younger calves, to 380/hd for stronger lots.

The shippers were very active for light Friesian bulls, with prices for these ranging from 70/hd to 120/hd. Strong farmer demand saw good square Friesian bulls make from 120/hd to a top of 280/hd.

However, despite the buoyant trade for most of the 900 calves on offer, Jim Bushe said Jersey and Jersey-cross bulls were "impossible to get sold".

He said the majority were bought for 5/hd or 10/hd, some made up to 20/hd, but "one bundle" were given away by the seller after attracting no bid.

Consignment

Padraig Blake who works with calf exporters, the Buitelaar Group, said the calf levy reduction was a welcome but necessary development.

He pointed out that charging the same levy (4.80) on a pedigree bull worth 5,000, and a calf worth 70, could not be justified.

Given that close to 270 calves are carried on modern articulated trucks, the levy reduction will be worth 970 per consignment of calves.

Blake said the calf trade on the continent was stronger than last year, with good demand from the Netherlands for calves in the 60 or 70 price bracket.

Announcing the reduction in the export fees, the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, accepted that the fees payable on young calves had been "disproportionate" relative to older animals.

"I have now moved to correct that anomaly and I am satisfied that this new arrangement is more equitable and should help to encourage exports," he said.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said his government is providing all possible help to residents of the city of Arish, who he said were being targeted as part of a cowardly plot by evil people designed to undermine national unity and confidence in the state.

The comments come in the wake of a wave of militant-linked killings of local Christians which has prompted dozens of Coptic residents of the capital of North Sinai governorate to flee to other parts of the country, primarily the city of Ismailiya.

"The government is keen to offer all help and assistance to the people of Arish", the president was quoted as saying by state news agency MENA.

Dozens of Christians have fled the area over the past few days after three of their co-religionists were killed last week in Arish, bringing to seven the number of killings in the last month.

The president made the remarks in an open discussion during a surprise visit late on Monday to young people participating in a presidential youth leadership programme.

He reiterated that the "state is determined to eradicate militants in North Sinai and eliminate terrorism there.

Earlier this week, El-Sisi ordered the authorities to help provide accommodation for the Copts fleeing Sinai--mostly to the Suez Canal city of Ismailiya.

El-Sisi also said that militant violence, focused in North Sinai, has taken toll on tourism, a pillar of the country's economy and a main source of foreign currency, saying that the industry is dependent on the "country's security and stability."

He added that Egypt's foreign policy is based on security of the Arab world. "Any threat to the brothers in Gulf countries poses a threat to the Egyptian national security," the president said.

The recent spate of killings in North Sinai came after the Egyptian affiliate of the Islamic State militant group released a video last week vowing to step up attacks against Christians.

Via the video the group claimed responsibility for the bombing of a Coptic church in Cairo in December which killed 29 people, the deadliest attack against Christians in recent years.

Copts make up approximately 10 percent of Egypt's 90 million population.

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The meat processing industry has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, of enhanced access for Irish beef to Saudi Arabia.

The agreement, which follows high-level discussions between Minister Creed and Saudi officials, will give greater access to processed and cooked meats.

In a statement, Meat Industry Ireland (MII) said progress on any international market access was welcome and that the latest announcement would help some companies to develop their business into the region.

However, the industry body pointed out that the 30-month age restriction that existed on Irish beef exports to Saudi Arabia remained a difficulty.

The Gulf States were an important outlet for high quality Irish beef in the past but trade over the last decade had been extremely limited due to the restrictive nature of certification conditions, in particular the requirement that beef must only come from under 30 months cattle, an MII spokesman said.

Minister Creed is leading an Irish agri-food trade mission to the Gulf region. Yesterday, the minister met with two of Saudi Arabias leading dairy companies, Almarai and Al Safi Danone. The meetings focused on areas of further cooperation with Irish companies.

In 2016 Saudi Arabia was the seventh highest global destination for Irish dairy exports and accounted for over 130m of exports, Minister Creed pointed out.

Saudi Arabia is a major market for our dairy exports and I am very pleased to note that dairy exports to Saudi Arabia have increased by almost 40pc in the period from 2012 to 2016, he added.
Farmers in Wicklow say they are fighting a losing battle in their efforts to reduce the number of TB reactors in the county due to the ever expanding deer population.

It comes following a well-attended meeting on the issue organised by Wicklow Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) in The Glen of Imaal, one of the worst affected areas.

ICSAs Seamus Sherlock has said that large herds of wild deer are freely roaming, damaging fences, eating valuable grass and other feeds and its causing havoc.

Added to that is the strong belief amongst local farmers that the deer are causing the spread of TB, he said.

I was given a guided tour of the affected areas by ICSAs Wicklow national executive member Tom Stephenson and it was a real eye opener to see first-hand how bad the deer problem really is.

Recreational hunters will never be able to deal with the overpopulation. Farmers in these areas are at breaking point.

Mr Sherlock added that ICSA will be requesting meetings with Coillte and National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) to relay our concerns and to stress in the strongest terms the need for solutions to be found.

Fencing, controlled burning and deer culling will be some of the options open for discussion, he said.

It is time for a more concerted effort by all sides involved. These farmers cannot be hung out to dry over a problem not of their own making.

 They need support and they need solutions and for those responsible to step up to the plate.

A limited deer cull is expected to take place in Wicklow in the near future as bovine TB outbreaks remain an ongoing issue in the county.

At a recent meeting of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee the General Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Aidan ODriscoll said TB incidences of TB in parts of Wicklow stood at 11.9pc, compared to just over 3pc nationally and conceded that there is a problem in the county.

We are talking to the Department of Arts in relation to deer and we have to have a limited cull in the Callery area working through the two Departments in the near future, he said.
Qualification for ANC payments must be based on scientific evaluation and if lands don't meet the criteria then they should not receive a payment.

This was the stark message delivered by Colm O'Donnell, INHFA chairman, at a packed meeting in Peacockes of Maam Cross last Friday evening.

Mr O'Donnell recognised that some political parties and farm organisations wanted no payment cuts under the ANC review being undertaken by the Department of Agriculture. However, he insisted that ANC designations had to be made on "biophysical criteria" and payments structures had to reflect the level of constraint identified.

The INHFA chairman repeated his call that the farm organisations have an opportunity for consultation on the new maps before they are sent to Europe.

Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness warned that any proposal to cut farmers' payments would be contentious, but she said no decision had been taken on the review.

The INHFA want ANC payments front loaded for the first 20ha.

Underspends

The association has also called for the overall ANC budget to be increased from 220m to 300m, with the extra funding to be drawn from the RDP and underspends on the GLAS and Beef Data Genomics Programme.

The call for increased funding for the ANC was supported by Fianna Fail's Eamon O Cuiv.

He called for the projected 400m underspend in the RDP up to 2020 to be used to increase the ANC budget.

Sinn Fein's Martin Kenny claimed that the areas on the west coast which were in receipt of the ANC were also the areas which had the least options for farmers to diversify and work off farm.

The different payment rates for the varying land quality designations provoked heated exchanges at the Galway meeting.

Speakers claimed that the 13/ha difference currently in place - between more severely and less severely constrained lands - was not a fair reflection of the level of difficulty involved in farming the land.
Incentives and tax reliefs for the aircraft leasing sector cost taxpayers around 577m in 2014, Oxfam Ireland claims.

Irish-based lessors manage more than 100bn in aircraft assets, while estimates put the number of people employed by the sector at between 1,000 and 2,000 - concentrated in Dublin and in and around Shannon, Co Clare.

Oxfam cited data provided in 2015 showing the industry paid less that 23m in corporation tax the previous year. The charity estimated that the real figure should have been as high as 600m.

According to the IDA, the aircraft leasing industry manages more than 100bn in assets, Oxfam Ireland said, in a new report looking at the countrys corporate tax system, published today.

While we do not have profit figures, industry observers suggest that return on investment in aircraft leasing can be between 3pc and 15pc.

If we suppose, for example, a 5pc return on those assets, the profits would be in the region of 5bn, which, taxed at 12.5pc, would give us 600m in corporate tax.

This would mean that the incentives and tax relief for the aircraft leasing industry cost the Irish taxpayer approximately 577m in foregone corporate taxes.

Updated figures for the industry, provided last week by Finance Minister Michael Noonan, show that the corporate tax take from aircraft leasing has increased, rising to 52m last year. It was 34m in 2015.

The report by Oxfam also claimed that the Apple tax decision must be seen as a watershed moment for Ireland as it has led to public debate about the extent of corporate tax avoidance.

Oxfam said there is clear evidence of high levels of profit shifting to and through Ireland. It also said Irelands transfer pricing legislation is exceptionally weak.

The regime is exclusively one-way. That is, Irish officials are only mandated to look at instances where trading profits for Irish tax purposes have been understated, whereas we know that the reverse is true for profit shifting into Ireland, the report stated.

The charity also claims that companies which might have made use of the so-called Double Irish structure, which was closed in Budget 2015, are increasingly taking up a tax relief against bought-in Intellectual Property (IP), which allows capital allowances to be claimed on the purchase of intangible assets.

Oxfam Ireland Chief Executive Jim Clarken said the European Commissions Apple decision provided a rare glimpse into a secretive world.

Globally, an estimated $100 billion is lost to developing countries every year because of corporate tax avoidance schemes. This denies the worlds poorest places the additional resources that would make a huge difference by providing the schools, hospitals and infrastructure that lift people out of poverty, he said.

This issue has also been repeatedly raised by Christian Aid Ireland.

At a recent conference, Sorley McCaughey of Christian Aid Ireland said the public perception of Ireland internationally is unfavourable when it comes to corporate tax issues.
Helped by a benign winter, FBD has returned to profit.

But analysts are confident that after a tumultuous couple of years, the insurance firm is now on course for sustained profitability, having cut costs, restructured its business and being more careful about the type of customers it takes on.

A former Central Banker, Fiona Muldoon took over at FBD as it was battered by its own financial storm. In 2015, she oversaw a deal with Canada's Fairfax Financial - founded by legendary financier Prem Watsa - that saw it lend 70m to FBD via a convertible bond.

It was a lifeline for FBD, giving it the means to bolster its capital reserves as it struggled to cope with bigger claims and low investment returns that had damaged its solvency buffer.

FBD then set about axing 100 jobs, and agreed to sell its 50pc stake in its leisure business for 48.5m to Farmers Business Development, which owns about 29pc of FBD. Last year, FBD also sold a 70pc stake in the Passage East Ferry Company, making a 1.9m profit. And although it made money in 2016, the environment FBD is operating in remains challenging - and will probably continue to be so for some time.

The recommendations from the Government's working group on insurance costs could take a couple of years to implement, creating uncertainty for consumers over how high their premiums might actually go.

FBD's average premium increase last year was 9pc, offset by a 5pc decline in policy volume from direct operations. Net claims incurred by FBD amounted to 217m last year, compared to 341m in 2015 when it set aside an additional 96m for reserving.

Ms Muldoon also pointed out that FBD didn't implement any increases in tractor or farm premiums last year. Any increases farmers saw in 2016 were a result of price changes implemented in 2015, she said.

Analysts welcomed FBD's results yesterday, with Investec arguing that 2016 may be an inflection point for the firm. Despite that, Investec noted that the insurance sector in Ireland "remains in a difficult position". And with Brexit looming, Ms Muldoon has more storms to navigate.
The Corrib Partners are benefiting from a relatively high gas-priced product and recorded estimated sales of over 420m in the first full year of production at the Corrib gas field.

Production started on the field at the end of 2015. For the 12 months of last year, the Corrib Partners, including Shell Ireland, recorded estimated revenues of (Canadian) $589m from the production of gas from the field.

This follows a new report by one of the Corrib partners, Canada-based Vermilion showing that it has generated sales of $109m for the 12 months.

Vermilion owns 18.5pc of the field and based on Vermilion's Corrib sales between January and December of last year, the total sales from the field for the three partners would be $589m (423.47m).

Vermilion state that its investment in the field will be a significant source of fund flows for Vermilion "stemming from its relatively high priced gas product".

Vermillion also point to the field being a significant source of fund flows to the firm from the "lack of cash income tax for the foreseeable future" along with the absence of royalties, low operating expense and low-maintenance capital requirements.

The new results for Vermilion show that the amount it recorded in sales from Corrib increased sharply in the final quarter of last year.

According to the Vermilion report "production results continued to benefit from better than expected well deliverability and minimal downtime".

Vermilion 'fund flows from operations' last year totalled $79.24m after taking costs into account.
Dalata has reported pre-tax profits of 44.1m for the year ended 31 December 2016 - up 55pc for the same period the previous year.

Ireland's largest hotel operator has also recorded revenue of 290.6m, up 28.8pc compared with the year ended in 2015.

Dalata operates Ireland's two largest hotel brands, Clayton Hotels and Maldron Hotels across Ireland and the UK.

Over the last twelve months, Dalata invested 25.4m in hotel redevelopment and refurbishment of existing hotels, including the refurbishment of 748 bedrooms.

The group entered into 25 year lease for the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road from Deka Immobilien  and completed the rebranding of four hotels to Clayton in the last two months of the year

Net upward property revaluation posted is 66.6m, as extensions are planned at four hotels in Dublin and Galway - and four other hotels are under construction in Dublin Belfast and Newcastle.

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A further fifth hotel is being planned at a site in Cork.

It is expected that the 500 jobs are being created in Ireland and UK as a result of Dalata's expansion.

2016 was a year that saw further significant growth in our portfolio adding seven hotels and c. 1,600 rooms to the business," Pat McCann, Dalata Group CEO, said.

"We have also locked in a growth pipeline of 1,200 new hotel rooms which will come into operation during 2018."

Mr McCann said that the Clayton and Maldron brands are now the two largest hotel brands in Ireland.

"The Dublin hotel market continued to perform very strongly in 2016. I was very pleased with our own RevPAR growth of 19.9pc versus the city as a whole at 16.1pc," he said.

"There does finally appear to be some additional supply coming into the market from the second half of 2018 but I believe that demand in the city will comfortably absorb new capacity. The Regional Ireland hotels also continued to perform very strongly for us and, with a minimal amount of new supply in the pipeline, we believe that the outlook for Cork, Limerick and Galway remains very positive."

Dalata is listed on the Main Market of the Irish Stock Exchange (DHG) and the London Stock Exchange (DAL).
A FUND is seeking judgment of more than 134.5m against developer Gerry Maguire and several companies he is a director of over an alleged failure to repay loans.

The application for summary judgments has been brought in two separate actions by Beltany Property Finance DAC, which acquired loans from Nama. They had originally been advanced to Mr Maguire and the companies by Anglo Irish Bank.

The cases were admitted to the fast-track Commercial Court list on Monday.

In its first set of proceedings, Beltany is seeking 128.9m from Mr McGuire and from Parolen Ltd, Parol Hotel Ltd, Parol Ltd, Park Street Hotel Ltd, Parol (Two) Ltd, which are all in receivership, and Tripes Fashion Ltd, and Bellaben Ltd. The loans were advanced for the renewal of existing facilities. On dates between 2007 and 2009, Beltany says, Mr Maguire entered into various guarantees in respect of the loans where he guaranteed payment on written demand for all monies due to the lender by the companies.

After acquiring the loans, Beltany says it sent letters of demand in June 2015 seeking payment but Mr Maguire failed to satisfy those demands.

In a separate application, Beltany is seeking summary judgment for 5.6m against Mr Maguire in relation to three loan agreements he entered into in August and September 2007 and in April 2009 with Anglo.

Those loans, it is claimed, were to allow him renew another loan facility and to fund Mr Maguire's purchase of shares in Anglo.

Those loans were transferred to Nama before being acquired by Beltany in 2014. Letters of demand seeking repayment were sent to Mr Maguire, which Beltany says were not satisfied. Mr Justice Brian McGovern was satisfied the case met the criteria to be admitted to the fast track Commercial Court list. He adjourned the matter to late March.
As Ireland's economy continues to grow at the fastest rate in the EU, the worst of the financial crisis is beginning to feel like a distant memory for some.

With the financial, tech and manufacturing sectors providing the platform for economic growth, other areas have benefited over the past couple of years.

One such area is tourism, which has seen a marked turnaround in fortunes since the depths of the financial crash.

Figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that visits to Ireland from overseas have grown by 3.5 million since the crisis was at its worst back in 2012.

The number of trips made to Ireland during 2016 was 9.5 million, making it a year of record growth for the Irish tourism sector.

The CSO figures show that during the period from November of last year to the end of January, the numbers of overseas visits to Ireland rose by 7.2pc compared to the same period in 2015.

Britain is by far the largest source for overseas visitors into Ireland, with 841,700 trips made across the Irish Sea between November and the end of January, a rise of 3.3pc.

While that rate of growth can be considered somewhat moderate, the figures show that UK visitors are continuing to see Ireland as an attractive location for business and tourism, despite lingering uncertainty surrounding the outcome of Brexit negotiations.

"The figures are very welcome and reflect ongoing growth for the tourism sector, said Paul Kelly, ceo of Failte Ireland.

"We need to work hard to maintain this positive momentum particularly in the light of the recent weakening of sterling relative to the euro."

Mr Kelly said it was vital that those working in the tourism sector keep developing growth strategies in the year ahead.

"It is important that we continue to invest in our visitor experiences to ensure that Ireland remains a compelling and attractive destination for overseas visitors," he said.

Significantly, there was a huge rise in the number of visits from North America during the three-month period. Traffic from the US and Canada rose by 30.8pc compared to the same three month period in 2015.

There were a total of 314,500 arrivals from North America in the three months to January, a rise of 74,000 compared with 12 months previously.

Visits from Germany accounted for 99,300, followed by the Benelux countries, which provided a total of 82,200 people over the period. There were 81,000 visits from France, while visits from Spain and France came in at 77,100 and 52,700 respectively.

Visits from other EU countries - including Eastern Europe - stood at 179,800.

"The figures published today show that 2017 has begun on a positive note," said Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross. "Last week Norwegian Air International announced their plans to launch low-cost transatlantic services from Cork, Shannon and Dublin this summer, which will contribute further to tourism growth from North America."

Tourism Ireland has said it hopes to grow revenues from overseas visitors by 4.5pc to 5.7bn over the course of 2017.

The number of Irish trips taken overseas rose by 12.4pc over the same period to 1.5 million.

Trips to mainland Europe came in at 558,500, over the three months, representing an increase of 2.3pc. Trips to other areas were up 11.4pc.
SuperValu notched up sales of 2.67bn last year, a 2.4pc increase over the 2015 figure.

Controlled by the Cork-based Musgrave group, SuperValu is the country's second-largest grocery retailer after Dunnes Stores.

Online shopping at SuperValu jumped 22pc last year, with an increasing number of its shoppers using their smartphones for browsing. That usage on the website was up 180pc last year.

SuperValu managing director Martin Kelleher said the chain's performance last year was a record for the retailer, which operates on a franchise basis. SuperValu held its national conference in Killarney, Co Kerry yesterday.

Mr Kelleher said three new SuperValu stores will open this year as part of an overall 35m investment that will include revamps. The new stores will employ 190 full and part-time staff.

Last December, SuperValu closed its outlet in Drogheda, Co Louth, due to difficult trading conditions over a sustained trading period.

The store was unable to compete against rivals including Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Dunnes Stores and Marks & Spencer.

SuperValu has 219 outlets around the country, employing 14,500 full and part-time staff. That compared to 223 outlets at the end of 2015.

Its weekly footfall in 2015 was 2.5 million, compared with more than 2.6 million last year, according to SuperValu.

Figures from research group Kantar Worldpanel showed that SuperValu had a 22.5pc share of Ireland's grocery market in terms of the value of sales during the 12 weeks to January 29. Dunnes had a 22.7pc share and Tesco had 22.4pc.

Kantar Worldpanel predicted that the intense competition between grocery retailers here would result in a good year for consumers, who'll benefit from the battle.

Mr Kelleher said yesterday that SuperValu was the "number one supporter" of the Irish agri-food sector, and sources goods from 2,200 Irish suppliers, equating, he said, to an annual economic contribution of just under 2.2bn.

SuperValu recently drew fire after it ran a promotion that offered free carrots and potatoes when customers bought roast beef, which was also discounted by 50pc. It also ran a similar offer on onions and mushrooms.

The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) made representations to SuperValu, which then ceased the promotions.

"We will be meeting with the retailer again in the near future to express farmers' anger at this type of promotion," said IFA president Joe Healy at the time.

SuperValu said the promotional offer, designed as part of its "ongoing effort to encourage consumers to cook with Irish produce", had been planned and agreed in consultation with its suppliers. It said the entire cost of this promotion was funded by SuperValu.
A spokesman for the department denied the site had been hacked, suggesting the fraudsters were sending random emails (Stock photo)

Customers paying their motor tax online have been warned to be on their guard for fraudsters trying to get their bank details.

People who renew their motor tax say they are getting emails immediately afterwards claiming there was a problem with the payment.

In the email, which looks authentic, they are then asked to confirm the details about their car and provide their billing details.

One person targeted said: "I renewed my motor insurance and then got a request for my billing details and car owner information. It is a pretty good scam."

The email claims the motor tax payment did not go through. Drivers who receive an email purporting to be from the Department of Transport, who suspect it to be fraudulent, are advised to delete it.

A spokesman for the department denied the site had been hacked, suggesting the fraudsters were sending random emails. "If an email does get someone due or just paid, it's getting lucky. It is not directed/targeted at people who are paying motor tax. We haven't been hacked," he said.
A budding start-up is about to bring toupees back into fashion with their own brand of non-surgical hair replacement, which has already become a viral hit.

'Quiff & Co' was founded by young couple Ant and Stevie who had first hand experience of balding at a young age.

The duo say they have witnessed family and friends trying medications, ointments and potions for hair growth, but to no avail.

"Over the last seven years, we have developed our knowledge in non surgical hair replacement. In 2015, we had over 300 messages from men who wanted help with their hair loss, so we decided to share our secret," the business said in a statement.

In a series of video posted on the brand's popular Facebook page, young, balding men can be seen seemingly gluing hair pieces to their scalps.

The results are seamless, much to the praise of the social media fans.

"Honestly think this is an amazing idea. I feel like this is gonna be huge in the future," one Facebook user wrote.

However, the new look does not come cheap, with hairpieces costing around 2,300.

The company offers online consultations, but they are now booked out until June.
Alison Williams and Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out

Alison Williams and Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out

It's the number one film in the US right now.

Written and directed by Jordan Peele, one half of Comedy Central's cult comedy duo Key and Peele, Get Out took in $30 million in its opening weekend in the US.

Almost universal praise has followed the breakout horror comedy, including an A- rating from audiences on CinemaScore, something which a horror movie has never achieved before, as well as a rare 99 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

It's important to note, however, that it had a perfect score of 100 percent until controversial reviewer Armond White threw a rotten tomato at it this weekend. An insignificant mark against it, if the general consensus is to be believed.

So what's the buzz about?

Starring Girls' Alison Williams and Black Mirror actor Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out is a horror trope that's been turned on its head to examine race relations in America.

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In the "social thriller", a young black man (Kaluuya) visits the suburbs to meet his white girlfriend's (Williams) well-to-do and apparently liberal parents for the first time. But the boyfriend senses that something isn't right in the seemingly idyllic community.

Pretty soon, the atmosphere shifts from pleasant to sinister.

Menacing, thrilling and, at times, hilarious, Peele's directorial debut is a stroke of genius. The movie makes a psychological thriller out of the microagressions of casual racism. And the characters who seem relatable are actually the most terrifying of all.

One review says "Part of what makes Get Out both exciting and genuinely unsettling is how real life keeps asserting itself, scene after scene."

While another says, "A memorable horror flick if ever there was one, Get Out starts with a great title and promising idea - a black man's fear as he walks at night down a street in an affluent white suburb. Then it delivers on that promise with explosive brilliance."

Intrigued? Of course you are, but you have to wait until March 17 until the film goes out on general release in Ireland.
A Wicklow man alleged to be an administrator of the Silk Road website, which dealt with illegal drugs and hacking software, has been put into custody ahead of his extradition to the United States.

Gary Davis, aged 28, of Johnstown Court, Kilpedder, Co Wicklow, is wanted by US authorities to face trial on charges of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, conspiracy to commit computer hacking and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

If convicted in the US Mr Davis could receive a life sentence.

His extradition was ordered by the High Court last August. He appealed the decision which was dismissed by the three-judge Court of Appeal today.

Mr Davis had opposed his extradition on grounds that he suffers from both a form of autism known as Asperger's Syndrome and depression. Among his points of objection were that if he is extradited he will be detained in an inhumane and degrading manner.

Counsel for Mr Davis, John O'Kelly SC, told the Court of Appeal that people with severe Asbergers were very heavily reliant on family support and on their world remaining pretty much the same but Mr Davis would be totally torn from his roots and isolated from his family, were he to be extradited.

Mr O'Kelly said his client would require a system of care so individualised to him that it simply was not available in the US prison system. He said statements from US prison authorities about their system were aspirational and accorded more with the policies of the Federal Bureau of Prisons rather than the reality.

Dismissing his appeal today/yesterday(TUESDAY), MR Justice Alan Mahon said the Court of Appeal was being invited to reach a different conclusion on the same evidence that was before the High Court.

He said he agreed with the Attoreny General that an appeal could only be brought on a point of law.

Mr Justice Mahon said he wished to emphasis that he in no way dimished or trivialised the very real concerns of Mr Davis' family in the face of being extradited.

Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice John Edwards said the agreed with Mr Justice Mahon's judgment.

More to follow....
An Irish millionaire was banned from driving after a judge said he had "failed spectacularly" to run a so-called hip flask defence.

Newtownards Magistrates Court heard 53-year-old Christopher David Walsh was more than twice the legal drink limit when his brand new 150,000 (175,542) Ferrari California T crashed into two cars on the Belfast Road in Holywood on September 26, 2015.

It was the defence case that property developer Walsh, from Mount Pleasant in Stranmillis in south Belfast, had consumed the alcohol after the crash.

Having heard seven hours of evidence on Tuesday District Judge Peter King told Walsh he had "failed spectacularly to discharge the burden that has shifted to you" on foot of his claims.

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Having heard that Walsh has a previous conviction for drunk driving, Judge King commented that given the nature of his defence: "I'm not surprised at that."

Adjourning passing sentence to allow a pre-sentence probation report to be completed, the judge told Walsh he is now the subject of interim driving disqualification but that when it came to sentencing, "I'm minded to impose "a significant driving ban as well as community service".

Walsh, who had the keys to both the Ferrari and a Porsche when he was found hiding in bushes, was warned by the judge not to be tempted to get behind the wheel of a car while disqualified.

"You are now disqualified and if you come back before me for driving while disqualified your liberty will be in jeopardy."
Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met the newly appointed US National Security Advisor Herbert Raymond McMaster on Tuesday in Washington, MENA agency reported.

HR McMaster, an army lieutenant general, was appointed by President Donald Trump last week after previous national security advisor Michael Flynn resigned.

The pair discussed bilateral issues according to MENA, and McMaster expressed Washington's keenness on enhancing cooperation with Egypt at all levels, affirming that the new administration of Donald Trump is determined to work on mutual priorities and protecting the interests of both countries.

The Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman, Ahmed Abu Zeid, said in a statement that Shoukry had vowed there would be more cooperation between Egypt and the United States under the new administration of President Donald Trump.

Shoukry arrived in Washington on Sunday and met with newly appointed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Monday.

Tillerson promised more aid for Cairo's counter-terrorism efforts and economic development plan.

Shoukry updated the US officials on the latest economic and security developments in Egypt, as well as the country's counter-terrorism efforts, according to the spokesman.

During his visit, Shoukry also discussed preparations for Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's upcoming visit to the US to meet with Trump, which will be the first meeting between an Egyptian and an American president in years, MENA reported.

Rhetoric from both sides since Trump's election late last year has been warm, in contrast with relations under the administration of Barack Obama, which grew strained after the ouster of Egypt's Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.

Shortly after the ouster of Morsi, which the Obama administration described as a military coup, Washington temporarily suspended the $1.3 billion in annual military aid to Egypt.

However, aid to Cairo was resumed in 2015.

El-Sisi was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Trump on his election as president in November 2016.

The Egyptian president met with then-presidential candidate Trump in September last year on the sidelines of the 71st UN General Assembly in New York.

Trump described his meeting with El-Sisi as "productive and great."

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A burglar who stole three pairs of panties from a woman's flat eighteen months ago was has been given an eight month jail sentence, suspended for two years, at the Crown Court in Derry.

The court was told on Monday that the knickers, which each cost 2 (2.34), were found hanging from a tree eight months after they'd been stolen.

Ronan Gillen (28) from Cornshell Fields pleaded guilty to entering as a trespasser his then neighbour's flat at Waterloo Street near the city centre on September 20, 2015. He also admitted assaulting the woman by squeezing her and hugging her.

A prosecution barrister told Judge Philip Babington that Gillen entered the woman's flat five times uninvited by pushing open the front door. She constantly told him to leave but after he did so he kept coming back.

The woman initially felt uncomfortable with Gillen in her flat and then, when he returned for the fourth time, she became frightened and hid under her bed.

"On the fourth time he went into her bedroom, with the woman under her bed, and removed three items of underwear from her bedside drawer, three pairs of panties which she had just bought that day. She said she was terrified. She called her boyfriend who returned home from work and who found her in a very distressed state.

"The defendant came back again when the boyfriend was there. He was confronted by him and then left. The police were called and when they arrived at the flat they saw that the injured party was so upset that she became physically sick", the barrister said.

Eight months later the stolen panties were found hanging from a tree outside the flat then occupied by Gillen. They were found by a neighbour who was cutting branches off the tree, the barrister added.

Defence barrister Stephen Mooney said Gillen was absolutely remorseful and distressed at the upset he caused to the woman whom he knew as a neighbour.

"It was abundantly clear he was highly intoxicated at the time having consumed a colossal amount of lager over the previous two days.

"It is probably best described as creepy behaviour as against being predatory behaviour", he said.

"He is not given to a behaviour of this particular type. This was an unusual case of burglary. It is a drunken enterprise for which there is no logic. It is inevitable they (the panties) must have ended up the tree because of my client's actions", Mr. Mooney added.

Judge Babington said he noted from the pre-sentence report that Gillen had consumed between sixteen and eighteen cans of beer and that on the night in question he "was out for a cure".

He told Gillen "you were rightly drunk as one would say. There was no excuse for your behaviour. This must have been a very frightened thing to have occurred. This woman hid under her bed and you came back in and removed her underwear from her bedside drawer. Why oh why I do not know and I suggest that probably you do not know either.

"At the end of the day I think your brain was scrambled due to the enormous amount of alcohol you had taken over the previous twenty-four hours or so", he said.
The HSE apologised today to a 6-year-old girl with cerebral palsy over the failings in her care after her birth at University College Hospital, Galway.

A letter of apology on behalf of the HSE and hospital management and staff was read out as Sadhbh Farrell settled her legal action with an interim payout of 2.66million.

Mr Justice Kevin Cross was told that the baby appeared jaundiced in the days after her birth in January 2011 and this should have triggered a simple test, which could have rectified the situation for the baby within a day.

The apology written by the Galway hospital general manager Chris Kane sincerely apologised to the Farrells for the failings in care provided to Sadhbh in the week following her birth on January 23 2011.

The letter added: "We do not underestimate how difficult and traumatic this has been for you and your families and the challenges that you and your families have faced as a result of the failings in the treatment and care provided to Sadhbh."

Sadhbh Farrell, Killeeneen, Craughwell, Co Galway had through her mother Niamh Farrell sued the HSE for negligence arising from the baby's discharge for University College Hospital, Galway without investigation for jaundice.

The case centred on the failure to carry out a test for the level of bilirubin levels in a baby who was jaundiced.

It was claimed there was a failure to have regard to the visible jaundice affecting the baby prior to her discharge from hospital in January 24, 2011 and a failure to have a proper clinical assessment of the jaundice and breaching the standard of practice in failing to, have objective measure, net of bilirubin levels in a baby who was clinically jaundiced.

Mr justice Cross was told that liability has been admitted in the case.

Sadhbh was born on 23 January 2011 at 36-weeks' gestation in good condition weighing 3.2kg.

Senior Counsel Des O'Neill said the baby showed signs of jaundice and this should have triggered a simple test but it was not done.

On 31 January 2011 she was referred to the Emergency Department of University Hospital Galway and test showed high levels of bilirubin.

Counsel said Sadhbh now needs 24 hour care.

Approving the settlement Mr Justice Cross said he knew it was an awful thing to have happened to Sadhbh in the first few days of her life. He said it was a good settlement and he hoped it will take care of her physical needs for the next five years. The case will come back before the court in 2022 to decide on Sadhbh's future care needs.

The Farrell family released a statement saying:

"Sadhbh is the baby of our family and she is adored by us all. She is a beautiful, bright and very determined little girl whose smile lights up our world. Her birth on the 23 January 2011 was one of the happiest days of our lives.

"The failings in Sadhbhs medical care in the days following her birth will restrict her ability to live out every aspect of her life, to fulfil her dreams and the dreams that we had for her when she was born.

"The interim settlement we have reached today will never remove our ongoing grief for the independent life lost to Sadhbh, but will now help our little girl get the care and support needed to have every opportunity to live as full a life as possible.

"We would like to thank everyone involved in the care of Sadhbh over the past 6 years, especially, our families, neighbours and friends for their continued support to all five of us.

"We would like to thank our Legal team at Callan Tansey for their guidance over the course of the case.

"We would kindly ask that you respect our privacy as a family."
A Belfast man accused of shaving off his pregnant partner's hair and repeatedly raping her can be released on bail, a High Court judge ruled today.

But the 30-year-old is set to be banned from going anywhere near the woman he allegedly attacked while on a three-day Crysal Meth drugs binge.

Madam Justice McBride said: "I think we should have a five or ten mile exclusion zone."

The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will not be released from custody until his bail address is approved by police.

He denies four counts of rape and two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm to his long-term partner.

The alleged attack was carried out at an address in west Belfast last November, but only reported to police in January.

According to the prosecution he accused her of sleeping with other men after using a tracking device to monitor her emails and where she had been.

He allegedly warned that if she didn't confess he would shave her like before, the court heard.

A Crown lawyer said the woman, who was three months pregnant at the time, began to make admissions in a bid to save her hair.

It was claimed the man informed her she would have to get an abortion before cutting off her pony tail with nail scissors.

He then allegedly produced electric clippers, held her down on the sofa and shaved off her hair as she tried to fight him off.

During the bail hearing prosecution counsel contended that the man threatened to put a bullet in her head and dump her in a ditch if she tried to run.

He also allegedly told her he would watch as she was assaulted by the girlfriends of men she had admitted sleeping with.

At one stage he punched her in the face, splitting open her eyebrow and then attempting to seal the wound with Superglue, the court heard.

The man then allegedly dragged her into the bedroom, ordering her to strip and saying he "owned" her.

It was claimed that he repeatedly raped her at that point.

After her partner fell asleep the woman fled into the street in her pyjamas and got a taxi to the Royal Victoria Hospital where her wounds were stitched, the prosecution submitted.

Following his arrest the accused told police the couple had been partying at a friend's flat over a six day period, the court heard.

He denied taking drugs and insisted they had consensual sex during that period.

He claimed the woman made the rape allegations up because she is mentally ill.

Defence counsel argued there were serious discrepancies in the complainant's account, telling the judge that the couple reconciled and spent six weeks together after the date of the alleged rape.

The court also heard the accused only discovered during police interviews that he may not be the unborn child's father.

Granting bail, Madam Justice McBride said the extent of the exclusion zone will be finalised once the approved address is confirmed.

The man must also abide by a curfew, electronic monitoring and an alcohol ban.

The judge warned him that any breach will lead to him being returned to prison.
A FORMER part time worker in a children's play centre has been awarded 32,000 for injuries she sustained after she slipped and fell on a wet floor while at work.

The award was made to 26-year-old Stacy Lennon against "Fun Fitness Ltd", Total Fitness Complex, Sandyford, Co Dublin, on October 29, 2011.

The company has since gone into liquidation.

The company's defence was struck out in May of last year and Ms Lennon had already secured a judgment in default of an appearance by the defendant.

The case was before the court for an assessment of damages only.

The accident occurred after she was told by her manager to go to a disabled toilet and turn off a power switch for a hand drier.

When walking across the floor of the toilet, Ms Lennon, of St Fintan's Park, Deansgrange, Co Dublin, slipped on liquid on the floor and landed heavily on her left hand.

She sued for damages claiming her employer had been negligent and in breach of its duty by allowing the floor in the toilet to be wet.

There was also an alleged failure to provide her with a safe and proper system of work.

In dealing with an assessment of damages, Mr Justice Anthony Barr was satisfied the liquidator and the company's insurers had been given adequate notice of the hearing date and had clearly indicated their intention not to contest the proceedings.

The judge was satisfied she developed a condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in her left wrist as a result of the accident.

CTS is where the nerve in the wrist is damaged and the main symptoms are pain numbness and tingling which may extend up the arm. It can also result in the weakening of the grip and muscle damage.

Ms Lennon, who was a student at the time of the accident, was let go shortly after the accident because she was unable to work.

The injury, the judge said, was relatively severe in that she had to change college courses.

The injury had also limited her employment options after she qualified, he said. She currently works in marketing.

She was entitled to 32,000 damages plus her costs.
A decorated war hero and the brother of Hollywood actor Jim Carrey's late girlfriend was bound to the peace for assaulting two brothers following a dispute arising from his sister's funeral.

James White (33) pleaded guilty to assaults on two brothers arising from a photograph he believed was taken at his sister's funeral.

Judge Elizabeth MacGrath warned that it was "a very foolish action" by Mr White.

"I do note that it was predicated by a sense of sheer grief over the loss of his sister," she said.

"Mr White is not of any danger to any members of the public."

The judge noted that Mr White has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the offences at the earliest opportunity and had expressed remorse.

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She bound him to the peace for 12 months in his own bond of 500.

The judge also directed that he pay 426 in expenses to the two victims.

Mr White of Cappawhite, Co Tipperary received the Military Cross from Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 for his heroism during an action in Afghanistan.

He pleaded guilty before Thurles District Court to two assaults on Peter and Thomas Delaney arising from an incident in Dundrum, Co Tipperary in November 2015.

The case was adjourned last December to allow for the preparation of victim impact statements and to consider if sentencing could be dealt with through the restorative justice process.

Judge Elizabeth MacGrath examined a special Probation and Welfare Service report.

"I note that restorative justice is not suitable in this matter," she said.

"The victims did not wish to meet with Mr White and did not wish to accept his apology."

She heard that the assaults arose from photographs Mr White believed were taken at the funeral of his sister, Cathriona White (30), in October 2015.

Ms White was the former girlfriend of Jim Carrey and there was substantial media coverage of her funeral in Cappawhite.

"It arose from a photograph that was taken at your client's sister's funeral," Judge MacGrath said.

"(It led to) the unfortunate course of action that he did."

Defence solicitor, Colin Morrissey, said his client now faced a civil action arising from the incident.

Mr White is currently working part-time with a builder.

"He accepts it was terrible behaviour on his part (that day)," Mr Morrissey said.

"There was a serious discrepancy in his behaviour and he can assure the court it won't ever happen again."

The court was told he was not in a position to pay substantial financial penalties.

Mr White is a brother of Cathriona White (30) who died in tragic circumstances in Los Angeles in September 2015.

She had been involved in an intermittent relationship with Hollywood actor, Jim Carrey, the star of such films as 'The Mask', 'Pet Detective' and 'Bruce Almighty'.

Ms White apparently took her own life.

Mr Carrey flew to Tipperary to support the White family during Cathriona's funeral arrangements in October 2015.

He also helped shoulder her coffin from Requiem Mass.

Mr Carrey said at the time that Cathriona was "a beautiful person" and "too fragile a flower" for this world.

The actor has since been the focus of legal action from Ms White's former husband, Mark Burton, and her mother, Brigid Sweetnam.

Her father, Pat White, died after a long battle with cancer in 2012.

Ms Sweetnam is taking a wrongful death action action in the US against Mr Carrey over the circumstances of her daughter's death.

But the White family insisted they have absolutely no part in the legal actions and said ongoing media coverage of Cathriona's death had caused them great distress.

Mr White of Greenfields, Cappawhite, Tipperary was unable to join the Defence Forces in the early 2000s and, at the urging of his late father, Pat, decided to move to the UK and join the British Army.

He served with the Parachute Regiment and reached the rank of Lance Corporal.

The young man was awarded the Military Cross in 2011 for what were described as "multiple acts of bravery."

During his deployment in Afghanistan with the Parachute Regiment, he served as part of a Special Forces Support Group involved in some of the heaviest clashes with the Taliban.

The Tipperary man was hailed for his heroism when he ran 200 metres across open ground while under fire to support colleagues in another platoon who were pinned down by Taliban fighters.

Mr White undertook the rescue act despite being under fire from Kalashnikov assault rifles and even Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs).

He received his Military Cross directly from Queen Elizabeth II in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

He later left the British Army to pursue a career in the private sector.

Mr White had moved to the UK from Tipperary in 2003 and, with some friends, opted to enlist in the army in 2005.
Late last year it was indicated to the Dail that 34,575 children were affected  but it has now emerged that the actual figure is 95,543 pupils in 397 schools (Stock picture)

The number of children without direct access to an educational psychologist service is almost three times what was previously believed, the Irish Independent can reveal.

A massive shortage of psychologists at the National Education Psychological Service (NEPS) means children are having their assessments delayed or outsourced.

Late last year it was indicated to the Dail that 34,575 children were affected - but it has now emerged that the actual figure is 95,543 pupils in 397 schools.

The situation is affecting children's access to Resource Teaching Hours and Learning Supports according to Opposition politicians. Schools without an assigned educational psychologist are disadvantaged in terms of delays to assessments for special educational needs or behavioural difficulties.

Fianna Fail's education spokesperson Thomas Byrne said the scale of the crisis "is far worse than initially feared" and NEPS is "chronically under-resourced".

"This is extraordinary when you consider the extreme stresses that many children undergo as they grow older," he said.

The Meath East TD said the new figures mean Education Minister Richard Bruton must correct the Dail record.

"This is a shocking upward revision which demonstrates the full scale of the crisis that NEPS is currently going through," he said.

Dublin is the worst affected in the country with 101 schools lacking direct access but there are also major issues in Mayo (68), Meath (67), Cork (41), Laois (29) and Wexford (29).

Other counties affected are Wicklow (14), Louth (13), Waterford (12), Leitrim (5), Longford (4) and Galway (2), while there is one school each affected in Cavan, Offaly and Sligo.

"Overall children in these schools have limited access to psychological supports and counselling services when a crisis presents," Mr Byrne said.

He said he is "alarmed" by the recently updated Action Plan for Education which "only mentions the intention to hire an additional 10 educational psychologists".

"This is in stark contrast to the 65 positions that were promised last year," Mr Byrne said.

A Department of Education spokesperson said the mistake in numbers was "due to an administrative error" when replying to Mr Byrne.

"The loss to these school of the direct assignment of a NEPS psychologist was due, in the main, to staff retirement, resignation or transfer to another NEPS region," he said.

He noted that the schools affected are given access to the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA), where they can have an assessment carried out by private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the fees.

The department plans to recruit 23 new psychologists by the start of the 2017/2018 academic year.
A dispute that could close secondary schools will "come to a head quite quickly" if the Government sacks teachers who are surplus to requirement, a union has warned.

But the Department of Education refused to confirm whether it plans to use emergency legislation to make members of the ASTI redundant for refusing to sign up to the Lansdowne Road Agreement.

The union is waiting for the department's next move after letters were sent to 60 schools informing them that they have too many teachers.

"Surplus" members of the union are under threat of redundancy, as a penalty for refusing to sign up to the Lansdowne Road Agreement.

Every year, the Department of Education identifies surplus teachers and they are normally offered jobs at schools where their skills are in demand, within a 50km radius of their home or their current school.

ASTI president Ed Byrne claimed the dispute "could come to a head quite quickly" ahead of the next school year in September. He repeated a threat that the union would immediately ballot its members for industrial action if the Government makes them redundant.

He said the teachers involved may be surplus in their schools but they are not surplus to the system.

The ASTI is the only union still outside the Lansdowne Road Agreement.

Teachers' increments have already been frozen after they stopped working 33 extra hours per year last July and they cannot apply for promotional posts.

Workers who signed up are getting pay rises, although they continue to accept cuts imposed under previous deals, including working extra hours for free.

The rest of the unions representing public sector workers are already preparing for talks in May on a deal to succeed the current agreement.

In a response to a query from the Irish Independent, the Department of Education confirmed that ASTI members do not have the protection from compulsory redundancy that other public servants have.

But it would not say if it planned to make them redundant. It said the purpose of the redeployment scheme for school surpluses is to deal with situations where teacher surpluses arise without the need for compulsory redundancies.

"The process of identifying staff surpluses takes place in the first half of each year and takes effect from the start of the following school year," said a spokesperson. "The process operates and deals with any surplus for the following school year."

He said it was too early to say what the final surplus figure might be as factors including retirements, career breaks and job sharing had to be taken into account.

"Given that Budgets 2016 and 2017 did not negatively impact on teacher allocations, it would not be surprising that the level of redeployment would be lower than in recent years," he said.
Health service staff failed in their duty of care towards an intellectually disabled girl who was left in a foster home for 20 years despite evidence she and other children were being abused, a report has found.

The girl, now a woman known as Grace, was allowed to remain in the home in the south east for 13 years after an allegation of sexual abuse was made against her foster father.

She was also not removed despite presenting at day services with unexplained bruising and a black eye, according to a report by consultants Conal Devine and Associates, which has been seen by the Irish Independent.

A commission of investigation into the affair is expected to be announced shortly.

Action was not taken even though health workers noted in the mid-1990s that the girl would strip off her clothes and engage in other "chaotic behaviour", such as wolfing down her food, stealing dinners and headbutting other children.

A second report, also being published by the HSE today, by consultants Resilience Ireland, details allegations that a second child was locked in a cupboard at the home by the foster mother.

The Devine report was unable to get to the bottom of why a decision taken in April 1996 to remove the girl from the home, on account of the sexual abuse allegation against her male carer, was later overturned.

It detailed how the foster parents wrote to then health minister Michael Noonan that August in an effort to appeal her removal. There is no suggestion he intervened on their behalf.

His officials requested a report from the health board, which responded saying it had grounds for believing it was in the girl's best interests to be removed. A local school principal subsequently wrote to Mr Noonan's office in support of Grace remaining in the foster home.

The letter was forwarded to the health board, along with a request for a further report on the matter.

Mr Noonan's office was told the principal's views would be taken into account in deliberations on Grace's future care.

The report said the decision to remove her was overturned that October and the reasons why remain in dispute.

It was noted at the case conference where the decision was taken that there was "no evidence" Grace's welfare was not being met.

Yet a decision was taken at the same meeting not to place any other children there.

The male carer died in 2001, but health authorities were not immediately informed.

Fresh plans to remove Grace were resisted by the foster mother, who said she depended on the placement for income.

Grace was eventually removed from the home in 2009 following the intervention of social workers at a day service she was attending. By then she was 31 years old and had been in the home for 20 years.

The Devine report said its investigators believed she had suffered abuse while living with the family.

It outlined a long list of failings by the health services in the area. Although the home should have been subject to six-monthly reviews, there was none.

After Grace turned 18 the team responsible for her changed from a foster care team to one at adult mental handicap services.

Specific staff were supposed to follow up decisions made about her care. But the report said there was confusion about who was supposed to do what.

There were no records of decisions taken at a crucial case conference being followed up and the report concluded there had been a failure in the duty of care towards Grace.

It also found new staff were not told about the situation.

No one looked into the reasons why she was not moved to a residential placement many years earlier.

Although the Devine report was completed in 2012 and the Resilience Ireland report in 2015, the publication of both investigations was delayed due to ongoing Garda investigations.

No one has ever been charged with an offence in relation to her care.
Scientists led by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) in Ireland are working to understand why childrens cells have an extraordinary capacity to repair bone faster (Stock picture)

Severe fractures could be repaired faster after scientists identified a gene which explains why children's bones heal so quickly.

Irish scientists are developing an advanced technology to hasten bone repair in adults who have suffered severe fractures and bone degeneration.

Scientists led by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) in Ireland are working to understand why children's cells have an extraordinary capacity to repair bone faster.

The study investigated the age-associated changes in the capacity of stem cells to form bone tissue. It opens up the possibility of developing material for restoring a childlike bone healing capacity in adults. This would be particularly helpful to adults who suffer from severe fractures and bone degeneration.

Prof Fergal O'Brien, from the Department of Anatomy in RCSI, who is lead-principal investigator on the project, said: "Ultimately we hope that this research will lead to improved treatments for patients who have suffered severe bone loss through injury or disease.

"It has the potential to tackle the decrease of bone repair capacity that occurs with age."

The research also involves children at Temple Street, Dublin.
Hero postman Darren Dixon with little Caleb Campbell and his Mum Megan McCandless (Image Mark Jamieson via the Belfast Telegraph)

A mother has said she was sure her young son had died before a hero postman saved his life.

Megan McCandless (25) from the Quickthorn area of Colaraine, Co Derry was at home last Thursday afternoon when her 15-month-old boy Caleb had a seizure, something she had never witnessed before.

As she ran onto the street for help with Caleb in her arms, postman Darren Dickson (44) happened to be on his round and came to help.

"I honestly thought Caleb was dead," she said.

"I was terrified, I was crying and screaming. I was just so glad he was there, because I didn't know what I was doing, my whole body was shaking."

That morning Caleb had a temperature and his mother had arranged a doctor's appointment.

"I woke him up to give him his lunch, 10 to 15 minutes later his eyes started to roll and he went into seizure. I didn't have any idea what happened," she said.

"Darren got Caleb to come back around, it all happened so quickly I don't even know what he did. My mind was totally blank as I was in shock."

Neighbours soon called for help, but before long Caleb took another seizure in the ambulance. Thankfully, after a night in hospital he was able to return home. Doctors said a sudden high temperature had peaked, causing the seizure.

Darren said he knew what to do thanks to a first aid course he took five years ago; and after the terrifying ordeal he carried on with his shift.

"I was doing my rounds, delivering my mail," he said.

"I'd just come out of her house and was walking down to the next door and Megan came running and shouting.

"I turned round and saw her with Caleb in her arms and he was limp and lifeless. She was screaming and didn't know what to do, so I just ran up to her and said, 'Give me the child'."

Darren brought Caleb indoors, laying him on his knee.

"I actually thought he was choking," he said.

"I tapped his back to see if I could dislodge something, then I put my finger in his mouth and pulled his tongue forward, I think it was blocking his airway. I got his airway cleared and he started to come round a bit."

Minutes passed while both Darren and Caleb's mother feared the worst.

"After a while he started to cough and started screaming, it was probably the best sound I've heard in a long time," he said.

As paramedics took Caleb into the ambulance, Darren continued his round.

"I just carried on with my delivery, I didn't know what else to do," he said. "I kept looking back and the ambulance was still sitting there. I later heard he had taken another seizure."

He continued: "I surprised myself I was actually that calm. When I saw the state Megan was in, that made me want to keep her calm.

"I'm getting a lot of praise from all the work colleagues and people in the Coleraine area have been congratulating me, which is nice but a bit embarrassing to say the least. I'm just glad I could help the wee boy.

"I would definitely say to people, do a first aid course, as you never know when it may come into use. I saw Caleb again on Saturday, he was in good form.

"It was good to see Megan looking and feeling a bit better as well, she's a lovely girl."

Megan added her thanks to Darren as well as her neighbours who called for help.

"I couldn't thank him enough, he walked in my house and I just gave him a big hug, I was just so grateful for everything he did".
The HSE has issued an unreserved and heartfelt apology to disabled people, including the woman known as Grace, who were failed by the health services during their stay at a foster home in the south east.

The apology came as two reports were published containing serious criticisms of repeated failures by health board and subsequently HSE staff to safeguard children after evidence emerged of sexual and physical abuse in the home.

However, the head of operations in HSE Disability Services, Dr Cathal Morgan, said he had not seen any evidence of a cover up of those failings, as has been alleged by a number of TDs.

In the case of Grace she was allowed stay in the home for 20 years, 13 of which came after allegations of abuse in the home were made by the family of another child.

During that time several opportunities to remove her from the home were not followed through with, despite evidence of bruising, black eyes and disturbing behaviour suggestive of sexual abuse.

HSE officials confirmed today that disciplinary proceedings would now begin against a number of staff who were central to the issues highlighted in consultancy reports by Conal Devine and Associates and Resilience Ireland.

Disciplinary proceedings are also set to begin against former health board staff who transferred to Tusla, the child and family agency.

The much delayed reports  Devine was completed in 2012 and Resilience Ireland in 2015  were only published after the HSE received clearance from Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan.

The HSE is concerned at the serious deficits in the care provided to children and young adults with intellectual disability who had placements with this family, primarily during the 1980s and early 1990s, said HSE chief officer for the south east, Aileen Colley.

I want to restate our apology to the people concerned and their families, in particular, to the one service user who was the main subject of the Conal Devine Report.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has publicly apologised to "Grace" and her family for her prolonged ordeal of abuse and neglect.

Under pressure in the Dail from Sinn Fein's Mary-Lou McDonald, Mr Kenny conceded that his first duty was to apologise in the Dail.

"The very least this House can do is to apologise to Grace and her family," Mr Kenny said.

Roisin Shortall of the Social Democrats said the case required a criminal investigation - not another public inquiry.

Ms Shortall said it was "entirely possible" that some of the people involved in the "Grace case" were still working in the childcare system.

The Taoiseach said the issues raised by Ms Shortall would be dealt with by the commission of investigation and he did not have the knowledge to deal with detailed questions.

Junior Health Minister Finian McGrath said he would be bringing a memorandum to Government next week regarding the establishment of a commission of investigation into the affair, as well as terms of reference for the proposed inquiry.

The Devine report detailed how health board staff failed to remove Grace form the home even though health workers noted in the mid-1990s that the girl would strip off her clothes and engage in other "chaotic behaviour", such as wolfing down her food, stealing dinners and headbutting other children.

The Resilience Ireland report looked into the cases of over 30 other children who were placed at the foster home.

It found one case where there were allegations a child was locked in a cupboard at the home by the foster mother. Other children complained about overcrowding.

However, the reports have failed to shed light on why a three-person health board committee decided in 1996 to overturn an earlier decision to remove Grace from the home.

An initial decision to remove her came after a sexual abuse allegation was made against the male foster carer.

The Devine report said the decision to remove her was overturned that October and the reasons why remain in dispute.

It was noted at the case conference where the decision was taken that there was "no evidence" Graces welfare was not being met.

Yet a decision was taken at the same meeting not to place any other children there.

Plans in later years to remove Grace were resisted by the foster mother, who said she depended on the placement for income.

Grace was even returned to the foster home despite being admitted to a sexual assault unit for an examination in 2009.

She was eventually removed from the home later that year following the intervention of social workers at a day service she was attending.
Gardai believe that lonely pensioner Paddy Lyons may have invited his killer into his home.

Officers investigating his brutal murder think the 90-year-old victim may have known the killer from previous visits to his isolated house in Waterford. They are now trying to establish the circumstances that resulted in his vicious death last Friday night or Saturday morning.

A man in his 20s was arrested in the Tipperary area yesterday and brought to Dungarvan garda station for questioning in connection with the case.

Mr Lyons was attacked with a blunt weapon and suffered injuries to his head and face, resulting in broken bones. He also sustained injuries to his arms in what appeared to have been an attempt to shield himself from further blows to his head.

Mr Lyons, a bachelor and an only child, lived alone in the rural townland of Loughreagh, Ballysaggart, 11km from Lismore, Co Waterford. Every Friday, he organised a lift with either a neighbour or a carer to Lismore to collect his pension. He was last seen on Friday evening, according to gardai.

Officers believe that Mr Lyons had befriended several groups of people who lived outside the area but called regularly to visit him.

They suspect that a number of people may have visited the house later on Friday and were allowed in by Mr Lyons.

At some stage during the night, some of the visitors started an argument with Mr Lyons, who was then subjected to a sustained attack.

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The weapon used in the assault has not yet been identified but gardai carried out a detailed search of the house and surrounding land yesterday. Officers were also attempting to determine if anything had been stolen from his home.

Earlier yesterday, gardai issued an appeal to a man and woman, who had alerted a neighbour to the tragedy and then driven off in a van, to come forward. Officers said later that the couple had made contact and had been eliminated from their inquiries. Shortly after 5pm yesterday, officers arrested a man in his 20s in the Tipperary area. He was being held last night under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, which allows gardai to detain him without charge for up to 24 hours.

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Mr Lyons was known to have operated an "open house" for visitors, ranging from those he knew well from the area and others who had built up a friendship with him. The pensioner was targeted in a burglary in 2011, when the burglars disguised themselves as gardai.

Neighbours said Mr Lyons was an outgoing type, who enjoyed chatting with callers and was vulnerable to those who would take advantage of his good nature. Security was lax at the house, which made it a potential target for a break-in, they said.

In recent years, a number of locals in the Ballysaggart community had operated on a rota system to keep an eye on Mr Lyons.

Concern

There was concern for his well-being when he didn't appear at the funeral of a woman in the parish on Saturday morning. The lady was a close friend whose son is understood to have provided lifts to Mr Lyons in recent years.

Signs for Community Watch are located at the entrances to the village and Tom Veale, treasurer for the group and a friend of Mr Lyons, explained that Mr Lyons had been offered an alarm system but decided against it. "It has caused a lot of shock. He was well able to get around, and he was very alert," Mr Veale said.

Gardai said last night they had not yet recovered the weapon used in the murder but were checking items for a forensic examination. Mr Lyons' home is situated more than half a kilometre away from his nearest neighbours - with the hamlet of Ballysaggart consisting of only a church, pub and two shops.

Lismore is the local garda station for Ballysaggart - and is within 10km. However, the station's opening hours are only between 10am and 1pm, Monday to Friday.
The sister and mother of a young woman murdered alongside her three children at their home are hoping to raise 50,000 for a Women's aid charity.

Clodagh (39) and her three sons Liam (14) Niall (11) and six-year-old Ryan, were killed by husband and father Alan Hawe in a frenzied attack inside the family home in Co Cavan last August 29.

Now, exactly six months on from the brutal murder suicide, the family are fundraising for an important cause.

Mary Coll and Jacqueline Connolly are aiming to raise 50,000 - that would be enough to fund the Women's Aid helpline for more than 120 days.

So far they have raised 16,333 and need a further 33,666 to reach their target.

"Clodagh was strong and beautiful inside and out and was so loving," the family say on the funding page.

"She was warm, loving, bright and capable and she was bringing her boys Liam, Niall and Ryan, up to have those same qualities. They will live on and her strength will live on.

"We want their deaths to help other women who are living in fear and isolation in their own homes. So please support our fundraising appeal for Womens Aid.

"One in five women in Ireland experience domestic abuse and many women are isolated and alone.

"Womens Aid runs the 24hr National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900 which is a confidential service for women affected by domestic abuse.

"Their work makes a life-changing difference and we hope the donations made in Clodaghs name will help them be there to listen, to believe and to support women. Every single time."
Gardai have arrested five people and seized a large quantity of drugs during an operation targeting the drug trafficking activities of organised criminals.

In a statement gardai confirmed that a car was stopped and searched on the M8 motorway close to Portlaoise as part of Operation Minstrel.

Approximately 5kg of cannabis herb, with an estimated value of 100,000, was discovered and seized.

A 35-year-old man was arrested at the scene and detained at Portlaoise Garda Station under Section 2 Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 and charged in connection with the investigation. He is due to appear before Carlow District Court tomorrow morning.

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Follow-up up searches were carried out in counties Kildare and Cork.

A planned search of a premises was carried out in Caragh, Naas where three kilograms of amphetamine and an amount of cash was seized.

Two men, aged 51 and 29 years, were arrested and are currently detained under Section 2 Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 at Naas Garda Station.

Gardai also searched a house and a van in Glounthaune Village, Co Cork and recovered 620g of cocaine and ecstasy tablets and MDMA (500g) with a combined total of 85,000.

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A 32-year-old man and a woman (29) were arrested at the scene. They were both detained at Mayfield Garda Station under Section 2 Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

The woman was released from Garda custody without charge. A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The man was charged in connection with the investigation and is due to appear before Cork District Court tomorrow morning.
Gardai move on group of homeless outside Leinster House. Picture Stephen Todd, via Twitter

This is the 'heartbreaking' moment four homeless people sleeping in tents on the doorstep of Leinster House were moved on by gardai.

The photograph, taken by Sinn Fein political advisor Stephen Todd and posted online, shows the group's temporary camp in a car park adjacent to government buildings in Dublin.

Mr Todd said he first spotted the two men and two women at around 10am this morning.

Approximately five hours later the group was 'moved on' by two gardai.

Mr Todd (26), from Dundalk, explained: "I saw them there this morning but they may well have been there overnight.

"I know from my own experience working with youths that they would used the cardboard to keep the cold from the bottom of the tent.

"The reason they were probably there was because it is ultimately a safe place for them, some place protected.

"They wanted to be away from dangers."

Mr Todd said he understood why gardai needed to move on the group but added that it exposed a wider problem in society.

The area is just yards away from where Jonathan Corrie (below) was found dead in 2014. His death sparked a massive outcry and political demands for an end to the homeless crisis.

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However, Mr Todd claimed the problem is as bad, if not worse, than when Mr Corrie died.

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"You feel heartbroken and ashamed that you live in a society that allows our vulnerable to be treated like that. The fact that that man Jonathan Corrie died across the road a few years back. It just doesn't feel like anything is happening.

"The visual aspect of seeing something like this just doesn't seem to sink in any more."

"I thought this was a shocking image. It seems to be between Leinster House and the National Library. It appears to be on the government's doorstep."

The image has sparked outrage online with many calling for Housing Minister and Fine Gael leadership candidate Simon Coveney to address the issue immediately.

TD Imelda Munster wrote: "Sad pic of homeless sleeping in tents taken from gov buildings on Min Coveney's doorstep on a cold n wet day.!"
Related Al-Azhar, Vatican agree to combat extremism after Cairo seminar Egypt's Al-Azhar, Vatican resume dialogue sessions after 7-year hiatus The head of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb, called on religious institutions in the East and West to act against Islamophobia, telling faith leaders at a Cairo conference that Islam is not the reason for wars.

El-Tayyeb was giving a speech to a conference on international freedom and citizenship in Cairo on Tuesday which is being attended by religious representatives from 50 countries.

El-Tayyeb argued that there are obvious double standards when dealing with violence committed in the name of Islam compared with that of other religions. "It is very sad how a misguided group have strayed from the true principles of the religion and is mobilising the whole world against Islam," El-Tayyeb said, arguing that if religious institutions around the world did not collaborate to act against Islamophobia, Christianity and Judaism would in the future face the same prejudice.

He also told leaders that absolving religions of any connection with terrorism would not be sufficient, and that religious institutions must deploy the principles and morals of religions to face the deteriorating situation of the world.

El-Tayyeb said that Al-Azhar avoids using the terms minority and minorities and instead prefers to spread the concept of citizenship, which he said was a principle applied by Prophet Muhammad in the city of Medina, the site of the first Muslim community.

The conference, which is taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday, will also see the participation of the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Tawadros II.

At the end of his speech, El-Tayyeb praised Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, under whose auspices the conference was held, for holding the conference at such a critical time.

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St James's Hospital in Dublin is urging patients to attend their GPs first as their Emergency Department is experiencing huge delays.

In a statement the hospital said that they currently have "an unusually high number of attendances" at their ED.

"St. Jamess Hospital is currently experiencing an unusually high number of attendances at their Emergency Department.

"This is resulting in long waiting times.

"While the Emergency Department remains open, the public are requested where possible to attend their GP or out of hours GP services in the first instance."
A drone similar to the ones that will be used to tackle dumpers (Stock picture)

Covert surveillance including the use of drones is to form part of a new crackdown on illegal dumping of waste across the country, the Irish Independent can reveal.

A campaign of 'smart enforcement' is to be launched next month with plans also in place for the use of satellite imaging and more CCTV at locations prone to fly-tipping.

Around 2m has also been allocated by Environment Minister Denis Naughten for the recruitment of extra enforcement officers at the Environmental Protection Agency.

The problem of fly-tipping has grown steadily in recent years with Dublin City Council alone spending in the region of 650,000 a year cleaning up 2,600 tonnes of illegal waste. The average number of complaints in the capital city is 8,000 a year.

However, it is hoped the use of drones to capture video evidence of illegal dumping of waste in cities and remote locations will deter offenders.

In particular the Department of Environment believes 'smart enforcement interventions' will prove to be a key tool in the fight against fly-tipping.

The Australian province of Victoria recently began a similar initiative.

"My message is clear - if you dump waste illegally and blight our countryside and roads with filth you will be caught and prosecuted," Mr Naughten said.

"The use of smart technology will be able to identify those who engage in this deplorable practice," he told the Irish Independent.

"I am confident the new initiative that I am introducing will prove effective in both deterring and catching illegal dumpers and I am encouraging community groups across the country to come together to apply and benefit from it," he said.

Funding for extra enforcement officers will be available to community groups and state agencies who will work in partnership to clean up and prevent illegal waste dumping.

Applications from Rapid (Revitalising Areas through Planning, Investment and Development) and Clar areas of the country will be prioritised as well as those identified in Irish Business Against Litter reports. The Rapid programme is being delivered in 51 disadvantaged areas across the country while the Government's Clar programme focuses on disadvantaged rural areas.
Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney are set for a televised Fine Gael leadership debate showdown as part of a "savage" campaign.

The starting gun hasn't officially been fired in the race to succeed Taoiseach Enda Kenny, but RTE sources said 'Prime Time' had been in touch with Fine Gael in a bid to organising a debate.

TV3 confirmed it was also interested in such a broadcast.

Mr Varadkar said he would be "very happy" to take part, while insisting the focus would be on Fine Gael's regional hustings.

A spokeswoman for Mr Coveney said he would be willing to participate.

Mr Varadkar was promoting the Abhaile support service for people in mortgage arrears.

Asked whether his team intended to run a "savage campaign", he said there wasn't a campaign "because there isn't a vacancy".

"If you're going to run a campaign you may as well run a savage one . . . of course, that would be savage in a good way rather than in a vicious way," he said.

Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald said she was considering if she would enter the race.
Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald says she has "full confidence" in Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan to remain in her role during the Disclosure Tribunal.

Mrs Fitzgerald also said she believes the nine-month timeframe for the inquiry into claims about the mistreatment of Garda whistleblowers is "realistic".

The tribunal is examining allegations of a smear campaign against whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe.

It has been claimed that Ms O'Sullivan was aware of the alleged campaign. Ms O'Sullivan has strongly denied this, but has faced calls from Opposition politicians to step aside from her job during the tribunal.

Policing Authority chairperson Josephine Feehily last week raised concerns about Ms O'Sullivan's ability to run a complex organisation as well as meeting the tribunal's demands.

Mrs Fitzgerald said she fully respected Ms Feehily's remarks.

Mrs Fitzgerald added that it is "reassuring" for the public that the Policing Authority will continue to monitor the situation in relation to the Garda Commissioner "both meeting the tribunal's demands and doing the very important work of leading An Garda Siochana".

But Mrs Fitzgerald said: "I have full confidence in An Garda Commissioner to do her job and she has said that she has rejected all of the charges against her.

"I've consistently said as Minister for Justice that allegations are not convictions."

Ms O'Sullivan has previously rejected suggestions that she should step aside, saying she made the decision "because I am innocent".
Commuters may be left stranded as all three CIE companies face unofficial strike action sparked by the bitter Bus Eireann row.

The troubled transport company, which could go bust in three months, will start to impose payroll cuts on staff from Monday, sparking an indefinite all-out strike.

But unions have warned that their members in other CIE companies may take unofficial action.

Irish Rail and Dublin Bus workers may refuse to pass the pickets, or there could be wildcat strikes.

But there appeared to be a glimmer of hope that further talks could take place to resolve the row, as the company held off on imposing some big ticket items including cuts to premium pay and allowances in its initial plan.

Siptu organiser Willie Noone revealed that Bus Eireann could have gotten agreements on a number of changes to the work practices it outlined to staff yesterday.

However, he said clarification was needed on a number of elements, including redeployment plans and plans to axe a number of routes.

Earlier yesterday, the National Bus and Railworkers' Union warned that the "dogs in the street" know what will transpire at a picket where Bus Eireann and Irish Rail share depots.

Dublin Bus staff are being warned that the company is "strike breaking" by moving buses to other garages.

There could be flashpoints at depots like Broadstone, where Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus workers' garages are side by side. It is understood that Dublin Bus will put contingency plans in place by moving buses, including tour buses, to the Harristown garage to avoid any difficulties.

"We have been hearing, through the 'grapevine', that staff at Bus Eireann will take a negative view of Dublin Bus moving buses, with some even describing it as potential 'strike breaking'," said the NBRU in a notice to members.

It said it had heard rumours that workers may take things "into their own hands" and ignore union advice on official strike action. It said Dublin Bus' actions could "open up a new flank" to what may become "a very nasty industrial relations dispute".

In a letter to staff yesterday, acting chief executive Ray Hernan said the measures outlined - including the abolition of overtime payments for training - were a first step but more cuts are on the way as "things cannot continue as they are".

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He said a 30m survival plan to be finalised next month is likely to result in job losses in some areas.

However, he said this was to safeguard the maximum number of jobs possible.

"A strike is not in the interest of the company, staff or our customers," he said.

In a statement, the company described its finances as "perilous", but said further talks aimed at urgently resolving these challenges would be welcome.

Bus Eireann lost 9.4m last year and losses for last month are already over 1.5m.

Transport Minister Shane Ross called on the parties to engage in talks to resolve "this difficult industrial relations situation, which threatens to greatly inconvenience the travelling public, especially those in rural Ireland".

He said in relation to the small number of route changes announced by the company, the National Transport Authority is conducting a transport needs assessment and will ensure "connectivity".
From pizza-parlour paedophile rings to Sharia law in Florida, viral fake news stories often seem propelled by their own preposterousness. It's a different matter for professionally produced disinformation. That, I learned from a former pro, requires a core of logic and verifiable fact.

Larry Martin, a retired professor who lives in the seaside town of Rockport, Massachusetts, USA, used to be Ladislav Bittman, deputy commander of the Department for Active Measures and Disinformation in the Soviet-directed Czechoslovak intelligence service. To create the kind of disinformation that changes the world, he told me, you need a story that's at least 60, 70 or even 80pc true. Even well-educated people will swallow untruth without too many questions if it's plausible and it reinforces their existing beliefs.

Today, Martin is worried about the fate of his adopted country - not just because of the epidemic of fake news, but because so many citizens have lost trust in the professional editors and reporters who spend their days trying to sort fact from fiction. He's far from the only one concerned, of course. But Martin has a unique insight into the issue: after all, part of his old job was to sow that kind of distrust in then-enemy countries.

Martin (then Bittman) was recruited to the intelligence service in 1954, right after he'd graduated from Charles University in Prague. In an interview at his home in Rockport, he recalled how, in 1964, he was chosen to head the new disinformation department, a job that involved forging documents and personal correspondence.

But before long, he started to have doubts about the Soviets, whose advisers directed Czech intelligence and approved all their plans. In 1968, after their tanks rolled in and quashed an attempted Czech revolution, he defected to the United States. There, the onetime propagandist reinvented himself as a journalism professor, teaching aspiring reporters at Boston University how not to be duped.

While disinformation campaigns often include an element of truth, he says, they're designed to lead their targets to a false conclusion. Take one of the successful projects he describes in detail in his book, 'The Deception Game'. He said he and his colleagues found several hundred German-born people unhappy to be living behind the Iron Curtain. They were told they could emigrate to West Germany if they would agree to act as spies. As expected, once across the border, most of them immediately admitted they'd been recruited to be spies - thus inadvertently becoming decoy spies, who effectively drew attention away from real spies who were already operating in the country.

His most memorable scheme was aimed at West Germany, where Nazi war criminals were still at large in 1964. That year, he created a fake story to call attention to a cache of real Nazi documents. "One of our objectives was to create rifts between West Germany and its neighbours - France, Holland and Belgium - by reviving the spectre of Nazism," he said.

Bittman was a diving hobbyist, and he recognised a disinformation opportunity when he heard from friends that a local TV crew was making a documentary about folklore surrounding the Black Lake, some 100km southwest of Prague. Nazis had retreated to that region near the end of the war and hidden Nazi war plans and other documents had turned up nearby.

As part of the documentary, divers were supposed to explore the lake and retrieve some mysterious objects they'd seen at the bottom during a previous dive. Before the cameramen arrived, Bittman got there first, diving to the location of the objects and leaving some old German military cases filled with blank paper.

Once the divers brought the cases to the surface as planned, a border guard and intelligence officer who came to the filming warned that the mysterious items could contain explosives and whisked them away, promising to X-ray them. Once out of public view, the intelligence officers replaced the blank paper with real Nazi documents which, among other things, detailed executions in France and the Netherlands. Then they arranged a press conference where the Czech minister of the interior would reveal the documents.

The papers were legitimate, but they were also old; the intelligence services had held them for some 20 years, since the end of the war. They just never made them public - until the right moment struck. People sometimes ask why they didn't just come forward with the documents, he said. His answer: No one would have paid any attention without the sensational story. The plan worked. The story was picked up all across Europe, including in the English-language press. He believes the change in public attitudes pushed West Germans to defer an impending statute of limitations on prosecuting war criminals.

In 1994, Bittman - then going by Martin - was finally released from a death sentence his home country had imposed on him for more than 20 years. He asked to see the file they'd collected on him. It was hundreds of pages long, with information on his political leanings, his family, the Jewish family of his first wife and their improbable survival hiding out in the mountains. Some of it was true, he says. Some of it was made up.

After he retired from Boston University in 1996, Martin said the journalism department lost interest in disinformation. The Cold War was supposed to be over. But in Russia, he said, Vladimir Putin is still playing deception games.

"Russians think long-term," he said. Now instead of forgery, they can engage in hacking, he said. This can be particularly effective because genuine documents - usually personal emails -can be cherry-picked to push a particular agenda. Disinformation and propaganda have always existed, but rarely have deceivers enjoyed such a strong upper hand.
Warren Beatty holds up an envelope revealing Moonlight as the winner of best picture at the Oscars (Invision/AP)

A high-flying accountant caused chaos at the Oscars after handing Warren Beatty an envelope from the wrong pile, a boss at the firm responsible for the ballot has said.

The climax of the Academy Awards fell victim to "human error", leading to La La Land being mistakenly named the winner of the top gong, according to Tim Ryan, US chairman and senior partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

The cream of Hollywood, along with millions of viewers around the world, were left squirming in their seats as the hit musical's producers handed over the statue to the real winners, the people behind Moonlight.

Emma Stone, who was named best leading actress for her turn in La La Land, reportedly described it as "one of the most horrible moments of my life".

Mr Ryan told Variety magazine that moments earlier Brian Cullinan, one of two PwC accountants responsible for the presenters' envelopes, gave Beatty the wrong one as the Hollywood star took to the stage with Faye Dunaway.

"There's a stack for the back-ups and the ones that are not the back-ups and he took from the wrong stack," he said.

Mr Ryan told the magazine Mr Cullinan, chairman of PwC's US board, was left feeling "very, very terrible and horrible" and repeated the firm's apologies for the historic mix-up.

The global accountancy company, which has held the coveted role of overseeing the ballot for 80 years, swiftly launched a post-mortem of the incident on Sunday night.

It was reportedly the fourth year Mr Cullinan had been responsible for handing out the envelopes, the contents of which are known only by the two PwC employees handing them out on the night.

Mr Cullinan, standing stage left, and colleague Martha Ruiz, in the wings, each had a pile of envelopes for presenters entering from their side of the stage, Mr Ryan told Variety.

The accountants also had a "back-up" of envelopes for their colleague on the opposite side.

It was from this pile that Mr Cullinan mistakenly picked up the best actress envelope and handed it to Beatty.

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Mr Cullinan and Ms Ruiz were forced to intervene on stage amid the confusion and chaos.

Stone told the Daily Mail: "(It was) One of the most horrible moments of my life. Wow! It was just so horrible."

The major blunder came at the end of the Oscars ceremony, which was the worst for British talent in a decade.

White Helmets, a 40-minute Netflix film about a volunteer rescue group operating in war-torn Syria, saw its director Orlando von Einsiedel and producer Joanna Natasegara take the best documentary short award.

They were the only British winners at the prize-giving ceremony, as acting nominees including Dev Patel and Naomie Harris missed out.

La La Land, which had a record-tying 14 nominations, ended with just six wins, including best actress for Stone and best director for Damien Chazelle, the youngest winner of the prize at 32.

Moonlight, which follows the life of a black boy dealing with his sexuality, scooped three prizes - best picture, best adapted screenplay and best supporting actor for Mahershala Ali.
Girl group Little Mix are heading to the US to perform at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.

The former X Factor winners have announced that they will take to the stage at the children's awards ceremony in Los Angeles to perform a medley of their hits.

Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock will sing their hits Shout Out To My Ex and Touch at the ceremony.

They could also take home a trophy as they have been nominated in the new award category of favourite global music star.

Other stars already announced to make an appearance include The Chainsmokers, Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Evans, Gal Gadot, Demi Lovato, Chris Pine, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana and Zendaya, as well as stars from some of Nickelodeon's best-loved series.

The 2017 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards will be hosted by WWE Superstar John Cena and will air on March 12 at 10am on Nickelodeon.
The court of cassation acquits former tourism minister of corruption charges

A Cairo court of cassation acquitted Mubarak-era tourism minister Zohair Garana of corruption charges on Tuesday, Ahram Arabic website reported.

The court acquitted Garana and two others defendants of profiteering and squandering public money cancelling the five-year prison sentence in the case known in the media as The Gamsha land trial.

In March 2014, a Cairo criminal court sentenced Garana to five-years in prison after he was found guilty of corruption and violation of auction laws in buying land in the resort Gamsha in Ain Sohkna.

He appealed the decision.

Two other defendants were sentenced in absentia to five-years in prison in the same trial.

The prosecution already accused the defendants of several criminal charges including profiteering and squandering public money.

Zuhair Garana, who was the minister of tourism during former president Hosni Mubarak's rule from 2006 to 2011, has been facing a number of corruption-related charges and trials since his departure from office in 2011.

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The Duchess of Cambridge smiles during a visit to the Ronald McDonald House Evelina London where she opened their 'home away from home' accommodation for the families of children treated at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The Duchess of Cambridge departs following a visit to the Ronald McDonald House Evelina London to open their 'home away from home' accommodation for the families of children treated at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The Duchess of Cambridge departs following a visit to the Ronald McDonald House Evelina London to open their 'home away from home' accommodation for the families of children treated at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The Duchess of Cambridge smiles during a visit to the Ronald McDonald House Evelina London where she opened their 'home away from home' accommodation for the families of children treated at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Ronald McDonald House Evelina London to open their 'home away from home' accommodation for the families of children treated at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The Duchess of Cambridge opens the 'home away from home' accommodation for the families of children treated at Evelina London Children's Hospital during a visit to the Ronald McDonald House Evelina London.

The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Ronald McDonald House Evelina London to open their 'home away from home' accommodation for the families of children treated at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Ronald McDonald House Evelina London to open their 'home away from home' accommodation for the families of children treated at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Ronald McDonald House Evelina London to open their 'home away from home' accommodation for the families of children treated at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Ronald McDonald House Evelina London to open their 'home away from home accommodation for the families of children treated at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Ronald McDonald House Evelina London to open their 'home away from home accommodation for the families of children treated at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Ronald McDonald House Evelina London to open their 'home away from home' accommodation for the families of children treated at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Ronald McDonald House Evelina London to open their 'home away from home' accommodation for the families of children treated at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The Duchess of Cambridge departs following a visit to the Ronald McDonald House Evelina London to open their 'home away from home' accommodation for the families of children treated at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Ronald McDonald House Evelina London to open their 'home away from home' accommodation for the families of children treated at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The Duchess of Cambridge met with the families of sick children at one of the country's biggest hospitals to mark the opening of a 13 million "home away from home" for parents.

The mother-of-two opted for a royal blue tweed skirt suit by Rebecca Taylor, just hours after dazzling in a sparkling Erdem dress at a Buckingham Palace event on Monday night.

Kate visited Ronald McDonald House at Evelina London Children's Hospital, where nearly 1,000 families a year will be able to stay as close as possible to youngsters receiving treatment.

Part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, the 59-bedroom site near South Bank is one of 14 houses across the UK that help keep families together for free.

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With most hotels in the area costing more than 100 a night, demand for an existing 20-bedroom house at St Thomas' had far exceeded supply.

The Duchess toured the new building, which opened in December, and met families already benefiting from the safe and comfortable accommodation which includes kitchens and playrooms.

The mother-of-two will also unveiled a plaque to mark the house's official opening during a reception.

The house is run in partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities, an independent charity founded in 1989 supported by global firms including McDonald's and Coca-Cola.

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An ambulance parks in front of a float as people are rescued (Leo Correa/AP)

The top of a float collapsed during Rio de Janeiro's world famous Carnival parade, injuring at least 12 people, officials have said.

The incident involved the second float of the popular samba school Unidos da Tijuca, themed around the Carnival in New Orleans.

People cried on the pavement and in the stands as injured people were removed by rescuers.

Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

The Rio state health secretary said in a statement that among the 12 injured at the city's Sambadrome, nine were taken to local hospitals.

Health officials also said eight people sought medical attention due to stress.

Rio city hall said two people were in serious condition. One suffered a head trauma, according to one doctor.

The parade had to be stopped for almost 25 minutes so the injured could get medical attention. The show was allowed to proceed.

Felix Souza said he was dancing next to the float when the incident happened.

"We heard a burst on the top," he said.

"People started screaming, we didn't understand what it was. It was a moment of despair for all there."

Ailton Freitas, a director at Unidos da Tijuca, said their floats had been tested repeatedly before the Carnival.

"We tested three times a week with more weight than we carried today. When the parade approached we started doing those tests every day. We are even more shocked than you all are," Freitas told journalists.

"I don't know what is happening, but Rio's Carnival is not being blessed this year."

Minutes earlier a smaller incident happened with samba school Mocidade Independente.

A platform detached from their fourth float and dropped a person to the ground.

The samba school said she was not injured.

On Sunday, a float belonging to samba school Paraiso de Tuiuti crashed and injured at least 20 people, including three seriously.

Following that accident, organisers also decided to proceed with the show.

AP
Women and children making the dangerous journey to Europe to flee poverty and conflicts in Africa are being beaten, raped and starved in "living hellholes" in Libya, the United Nations children's agency (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.

The Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Italy has become the main crossing point for asylum seekers and economic migrants seeking a better life in Europe, after a clampdown on sea crossings from Turkey.

There were a quarter of a million migrants in Libya as of last September, most of whom languish in unsanitary, disease-ridden detention centres which UNICEF described in its report as "no more than forced labour camps ... and makeshift prisons".

Armed groups have taken effective control of official detention centres for migrants amid the political chaos that now reigns in Libya and they also run their own centres, competing and cooperating with criminal gangs and smugglers, according to the United Nations.

"For the thousands of migrant women and children incarcerated, (the centres) were living hellholes where people were held for months," the UNICEF report said on Tuesday.

In interviews with more than 100 women and children, nearly half said they had been raped or abused several times during their journey, it said. Most of the children said they were beaten by adults along the way, with girls suffering more abuse than boys.

"Here (in the detention centre) they treat us like chickens. They beat us, they do not give us good water and good food," said Jon, a 14-year-old boy who travelled alone from Nigeria to escape the militant group Boko Haram.

"So many people are dying here, dying from disease, freezing to death," he was quoted as saying in the report.

UNICEF said women and unaccompanied child migrants rely on people smugglers to get to Europe, often under a "pay as you go system", leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking and violence, including prostitution and rape.

Smugglers typically demand thousands of dollars from migrants for a risky journey across the desert before cramming them onto ill-equipped boats for a perilous crossing of the Mediterranean.

"The route is mostly controlled by smugglers, traffickers and other people seeking to prey upon desperate children and women who are simply seeking refuge or a better life," said Afshan Khan, head of UNICEF's refugee operations in Europe.

Having largely closed off sea crossings between Turkey and Greece last year, the European Union is searching for ways to stem the flow of migrants from Libya.

This month European leaders offered Libya money and other assistance to try to reduce the numbers departing across the Mediterranean. Aid groups criticised the move, saying such plans exposed migrants to further risks and abuses within Libya.

Last year, a record 181,000 migrants crossed between Libya and Italy, the U.N.'s migration agency reports. More than 4,500 people drowned, and at least 700 were children, UNICEF said.

"Children should not be forced to put their lives in the hands of smugglers because there are simply no alternatives," said Khan in a statement.

"We need to address globally the drivers of migration and work together toward a robust system of safe and legal passage for children on the move, whether refugees or migrants."
The deer got caught in a fence at Sallys Park in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire (Scottish SPCA/PA Wire)

Firefighters have helped rescue a young deer who was stuck in a park fence.

The Scottish SPCA was called to the scene in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, after a passer-by spotted the animal in difficulty.

Animal rescue officer Sian Robertson attended but she was not able to free the deer so called firefighters in to help.

They used spreaders to separate the bars of the fence and free the animal.

Ms Robertson said: "He was likely stuck for a few hours as he'd managed to pull a lot of his coat out by the time I arrived.

"The fence backs on to a field so it's possible he was spooked by something and hasn't been looking where he was going.

"I couldn't get the poor guy out without hurting him so I put a blanket over his head to calm him down and a local resident very kindly offered to give the deer some water whilst waiting on the fire service arriving to assist.

"The firefighters from Coatdyke station were fantastic. They tried various tools but ended up having to use spreaders to bend the thick pillars above the deer, which allowed us to free him."

The incident happened on Sunday morning at Sallys Park.

The rescued deer was taken to the charity's National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross, Clackmannanshire, where he was given some medicine for bruising and was then released back into the wild.

Anyone who discovers an injured or distressed wild animal is advised to call the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
An Australian woman on trial with her British boyfriend over the death of a police officer on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali has expressed deep regret and apologised, but said she did not personally kill the policeman.

Prosecutors are seeking eight-year prison terms for Sara Connor and David James Taylor, who were arrested last August over the death of traffic police officer Wayan Sudarsa, whose bloodied body was found on the beach outside the Pullman Hotel in the popular tourist area of Kuta.

They are charged with committing violence leading to death, which carries a maximum 12-year prison term under Indonesia's criminal code.

"If this is what God had planned for my life, to punish me so harshly and deprive my children of their mother, I hope he will give my children the strength to cope," Connor, weeping, told Denpasar District Court in her defence plea.

Connor, 46, said she believed her boyfriend when he told her the assault was not serious.

Taylor has admitted hitting the Indonesian repeatedly with a mobile phone, binoculars and a broken beer bottle, leaving him face down and unconscious.

But he said he did not realise Mr Sudarsa would die.

Connor and Taylor had been drinking beer on the beach in the hours before the late-night incident.

Taylor has said he got into a fight with Mr Sudarsa, who was on duty, after Connor realised she had lost her handbag and accused Mr Sudarsa of being a fake police officer and stealing it.

Connor said she never tried to escape, even though she said she could have fled using her Italian passport, which has a different surname.

"I deeply regret and I apologise for any mistakes made unknowingly and unintentionally by me but none of my actions caused the death of the victim," she said.

"I feel terribly sorry for all the pain that this situation has created."

She expressed deep condolences and sadness to Mr Sudarsa's family, to the Balinese people, to Indonesia, and to her family, especially her children.

The trial is to resume on Thursday for the prosecutors' response.

AP
Paedophiles should be given greater access to confidential helplines and not face criminal sanctions unless they pose a physical threat to children, a top officer has said, because the police lack the manpower to tackle the number of potential child sex abusers in the UK.

Forces across the country arrest a staggering number of people on suspicion of viewing indecent images, some 400 a month, and the capacity doesn't exist within the service to address the problem, according to Simon Bailey, the National Police Chiefs Councils lead for child protection and abuse investigations.

Britain must face up to the fact that a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to preventing child abuse includes not only arresting offenders and teaching children about the risk, but also the use of confidential phone lines for people who want help coping with their sexual attraction to children, Mr Bailey said.

The [police] service has almost got to the point where it simply can't do anything more. That means that we have to start a really difficult conversation about how we stop this happening, said Mr Bailey, who is the chief constable of Norfolk Police.

The service's response to this has been really robust. They've simply reached the point whereby we have, as a country, to turn around and say, 'We have to look at alternatives'.

It's got to be broader than just a policy that says we're going to arrest our way out of this. What I'm suggesting is a multi-faceted response to the threat. Weve got to try to do everything and stop children being abused.

Mr Bailey said the number of men currently being arrested by police showed that officers were being effective.

But he added: With that effectiveness comes some real challenges. There is a capacity issue.

Mr Bailey is a keen supporter of helplines, such as the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, which is working with paedophiles and encouraging them to self-refer so they can discuss their problem before they commit any abuse.

People accessing indecent images or with an interest in doing so should stop and contact the Lucy Faithfull Stop it Now helpline.

The NSPCC estimates there could be up to half a million men in the UK who have viewed abuse images, basing its claim on the findings of a German population study. The figure is significantly higher than previous estimates.

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation helpline offers guidance to offenders and people worried they may be at risk of committing crimes. While the service is confidential, users are warned that if they talk about a child at risk, or a crime they have committed that information will be passed on to the police.

Donald Findlater, the director of Stop It Now, which runs the foundation, said: Sexual abuse is an outrageous thing to happen, and therefore it's right that we be outraged and right that we do things that address it.

The problem is how you separate outrage from vengefulness. Of course some people are outrageously dangerous and protecting the public means having to do kind of very harsh, punitive things to them.

But we then translate that understanding to the rest of the population. We don't have a nuanced approach. The police and sentencing clearly have some variety in their responses but mostly we have a binary public view about this.

Mr Findlater said it was important to take action to prevent abuse from happening in the first place. People have called [us] for a reason, they've called for help, he said.

Stop It Now also provides guidance for the partners of people who are attracted to children, as well as parents who are concerned about their childs sexual behaviour.

Some 60 per cent of child sexual abuse of children happens within the family constellation, Mr Findlater added. And we know that the vast, vast majority of that gets nowhere close to statutory agencies, he said.

Stop It Now call handler Jennifer Michell said the service was trying to help people to change.

We give them a place to talk about things that are considered taboo and if they didn't have this place thenand this place would be a place to address problematic behaviourthen where would they go? she said.

I think that the more opportunity they have to explore really difficult thoughts, that difficult subject, the better. It can only be a step in the right direction. The fact that the helpline has grown I think says that.

More than 12,000 people accessed self-help resources on the Stop It Now website last year, and another 1,615 phoned its helpline with concerns about their online behaviour.

Juliet Grayson, a psychotherapist from the StopSO charity which links callers with therapists, said she helps offenders to start learning what their triggers are and having alternative ways to make themselves feel better, as well as identifying cognitive distortions that have allowed them to justify their actions to themselves.

She said: Almost all sex offenders have an underlying trauma in their history. Often it's something that has happened to them in childhood. When they're feeling lonely that can be a vulnerable time.

About 38 per cent of those who have called StopSO for help, equating to 162 people, have not come to the attention of the police, she said. She added: In some cases we're stopping it before the first crime.

Urging understanding, she said: Just imagine what life is like. You're never going to be able to satisfy your sexual appetite. All you can legally do is masturbate to your own images in your head. It's quite something.

In a recent report the NSPCC said: It is very important to note that the proportion of adults who report having a sexual interest in children does not equate to the number of adults who offend, as not all people act on their sexual interests and sexual urges.
The entrance door of the closed Fussilet Mosque in Berlin (Michael Sohn/AP)

A man walks past the Fussilet Mosque located in the ground floor of an apartment building in Berlin (Michael Sohn/AP)

Police have searched dozens of sites in Germany linked to a mosque that was frequented by Berlin market attacker Anis Amri, after authorities banned the Islamic group that operated the prayer house.

Some 450 officers raided 24 locations in Berlin, the neighbouring state of Brandenburg and Hamburg in northern Germany, starting at 6am local time (0500 GMT).

In addition to the mosque itself, they searched 15 apartments, two company offices and six prison cells. No arrests were made.

Senior security officials said authorities had been watching the mosque for some time because of concern that it had become a meeting point for Islamic extremists.

An attempt to ban the organisation behind it, known as Fussilet 33, was aborted last summer.

That decision was heavily criticised months later when it transpired that Amri had visited the mosque only an hour before driving a truck into a crowded Christmas market on December 19, killing 12 people and injuring dozens more.

Amri, a 24-year-old Tunisian citizen, was shot dead by police in Italy four days after the attack.

Berlin's top security official said authorities had seized funds belonging to Fussilet 33, shut down its website and imposed a blanket ban to prevent the organisation from establishing itself under a different name or location.

"It was necessary to ban the organisation and all successor organisations to stop it once and for all," Andreas Geisel told reporters.

"People who preach hate have no place in this city."

Mr Geisel said several prominent members of Fussilet 33 had been arrested in the past on suspicion of supporting extremist organisations such as Islamic State and Jund al-Sham.

Documents and electronic devices seized during Tuesday's raids were being examined to see whether members of the organisation knew of Amri's plans, he said.

"We currently have no indications that any further concrete attacks are planned in Berlin," said Mr Geisel.

AP
France is keen to develop defence ties with Egypt in the areas of manufacturing, exchanging expertise, and training, French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told his Egyptian counterpart Sedky Sobhi on Tuesday in Aswan, according to an Egyptian statement.

The men discussed bolstering cooperation between the two countries militaries, and shared visions of the latest developments in the region and their impacts on security and stability, according to a statement by the Egyptian armed forces.

Egyptian-French military relations are based on solid foundations of strategic cooperation and partnership at all levels, and coordinating joint positions on topics of interest on the regional and international arenas, Sobhi said according to the statement.

Le Drian, who arrived in Aswan from France on Tuesday, expressed his country's appreciation for Egypt's pivotal role in the face of extremism and terrorism.

Following his Aswan visit, he met with President Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi at Ittihadiya presidential palace in Cairo to discuss strengthening coordination to face common threats, Al-Ahram Arabic website reported.

El-Sisi reportedly gave the French minister the Order of Merit on Tuesday during their meeting.

In January, Sobhi met with Pierre de Villiers, the French chief of defence staff, in Cairo, where they discussed the latest developments in the region.

Le Drian was last in Egypt in August 2016, when he met with the Egyptian president.

Earlier that month, Egypt raised its flag atop a Mistral-class warship that Cairo bought from France in 2015, one of two sold by France to Egypt.

The contract for the two Mistral aircraft carriers, which was finalised in September 2015, was valued at 950 million euros, according to AFP.

The deal is part of several defence contracts Egypt has signed with France, with the European country now topping the list of countries that have signed military supply agreements with Egypt during El-Sisis presidency.

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A four-month-old Iranian girl with a rare heart condition who was affected by President Donald Trump's travel ban is "out of the woods" and making good progress after life-saving surgery, doctors have said.

Fatemeh Reshad and her parents' plans to enter the US with a travel visa for her surgery were cancelled last month after Mr Trump issued his executive order on immigration and refugees from seven predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran.

The girl and her parents arrived in Portland, Oregon, the home of some of their relatives, a few days later after being granted a waiver the same day the ban was temporarily blocked by a federal judge.

Doctors at Oregon Health Sciences University's Doernbecher Children's Hospital have expertise in Fatemeh's condition.

She underwent surgery on February 17, a procedure her physicians say was more complicated given that it is typically performed within days or weeks, rather than months, after birth.

The family's delayed arrival to the US would not have necessarily been enough time to affect her condition, the girl's doctors said during a news conference.

"Her heart function looks beautiful," said Dr Laurie Armsby, associate professor and interim head of the hospital's Division of Paediatric Cardiology.

"We're really pleased with how the surgery went and have a very strong sense at this point that she's going to recover fully and go on to lead a happy and healthy life."

Fatemeh underwent a series of diagnostic studies since being admitted to the hospital on February 7 in preparation for her surgery. She remains in intensive care and it is unclear how long her recovery will take.

The physicians declined to give further details of the girl's procedure and current condition, at the request of her parents.

Previous statements by hospital officials estimated a five to six-hour surgical procedure performed by Irving Shen, a nationally respected expert on Fatemeh's condition, and pegged her post-surgery stay at three weeks.

Fatemeh's uncle, Samad Taghizadeh, a US citizen who lives in Portland, stood alongside the girl's doctors, thanking senator Jeff Merkley, New York governor Andrew Cuomo and immigration lawyers for being instrumental in getting the waiver.

"In the beginning, I didn't have any hope for my family coming here," he said. "But I tried, and I was surprised how the people in the US have helped."

AP
Japanese Emperor Akihito has arrived in Vietnam for a visit to promote goodwill and soothe some of the wounds of the Second World War by meeting the abandoned wives of former Japanese soldiers.

The 83-year-old Akihito, the first Japanese emperor to visit Vietnam, will be given a red carpet welcome by Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang on Wednesday.

During their six-day visit the emperor and empress will meet a dozen surviving widows and family members of Japanese war veterans.

The women and their families used to face discrimination because the women had married Japanese men.

Japanese troops invaded Vietnam in 1940 and remained there until Japan surrendered to the allies in 1945, but some 700 Japanese soldiers, most of them married to Vietnamese women, stayed in Vietnam after revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh declared independence from French colonial rule shortly after that.

The Japanese soldiers provided Ho Chi Minh's Viet Minh with their military expertise to fight the French.

By the time the Viet Minh defeated the colonial forces in 1954, placing the North under Communist rule, about half of the Japanese soldiers had died from fighting or illness and the first group of 71 had to leave without being able to take their families.

The rest had to leave in 1960, but this time with their families, because Japan was on the other side of the Cold War.

Despite their stormy relations in the past, the two countries have steadily improved their ties since Vietnam's Communists launched reform policies in the mid-1980s and opened up to the world in the early 1990s.

Today, Japan is Vietnam's biggest foreign donor and one of its top investors and trading partners.

The two countries have enjoyed closer military and security ties in recent years, with both facing separate maritime disputes with China.

The emperor's visit follows one by the Japanese prime minister in January during which he pledged to provide Vietnam with new patrol vessels.

"The state visit to Vietnam by the Japanese emperor and empress is an event of symbolic significance, a historic milestone in the friendship and co-operation between the two countries," Vietnam's government said.

AP
A bartender told an emergency call handler that a man arrested for an apparently racially motivated bar shooting of two Indian men admitted targeting two people, but described them as Iranian.

A recording from 911 tapes in Henry County, Missouri, revealed that the restaurant bartender warned police not to approach the building with sirens blaring or the man would "freak out" and "something bad's going to happen".

The suspect, Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe, Kansas, made his first appearance in court on Monday by video link. He has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder.

According to witnesses, he yelled "get out of my country" at two 32-year-old Indian men, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, before he opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in the Kansas City suburb on Wednesday evening.

Mr Kuchibhotla was killed and Mr Madasani injured. The two had moved to the US from India to study, and they worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin.

A third patron, Ian Grillot, 24, was wounded when he tried to intervene.

After the shooting, Purinton, who is white, drove 70 miles to a restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, where he made the admission to the bartender.

In the 911 call, the bartender, Sam Suida, told the dispatcher a man had come into the bar and said he had done something "really bad" and was on the run from the police.

"He asked if he could stay with me and my husband, and he wouldn't tell me what he did. I kept asking him, and he said that he would tell me if I agreed to let him stay with me," the bartender said.

"Well, I finally got him to tell me and he said, like, that he shot and killed two Iranian people in Olathe."

Authorities have declined to discuss a possible motive for the attack or to say if they are investigating it as a hate crime, but the incident has raised concern about the treatment of immigrants, who feel targeted by President Donald Trump's promises to ban certain travellers, build a wall along the Mexico border and put "America first".

During Monday's court appearance lasting less than two minutes, Purinton was wearing what was described by a sheriff's department spokesman as a "safety smock", assigned to suspects who say something during jail processing that suggests they might harm themselves.

Johnson County sheriff's Master Deputy Rick Howell would not disclose the comment by Purinton that raised concern, but said the suspect would wear the smock until mental health professionals say otherwise.

Andy Berthelsen, a neighbour of Purinton's for the past 15 years, said he had become "a drunken mess" after his father's death about 18 months ago. He said he does not believe the shooting stemmed from hatred, and that it probably resulted from Purinton's physical and mental deterioration.

Mr Grillot, of Grandview, Missouri, is recovering after a bullet went through his right hand and into his chest.

He said he had to do something because there were families and children in the bar when the gunfire erupted.

Mr Madasani addressed a crowd of hundreds during a vigil on Sunday night at the Ball Conference Centre in Olathe.

He described the killing of his friend and co-worker, as "a senseless crime", the Kansas City Star reported.

"The main reason why I am here is that's what my best friend, Srinivas, would have done," Mr Madasani said. "He would have been here for me.

"I wish it was a dream."

AP
Amazon Web Services (AWS), the division of the retail giant that provides the infrastructure for much of the internet, appears to have broken

Many of the world's biggest websites have stopped working because of a problem at Amazon.

Amazon Web Services (AWS), the division of the retail giant that provides the infrastructure for much of the internet, appears to have broken. That means that all of the companies and websites that rely on its services  many of the world's biggest websites, like Imgur and Medium, as well as professional tools like SoundCloud and Trello  have stopped working at the same time.

Amazon says that the S3 service hasn't broken but is just experiencing a higher "error rate" than usual. But the problems mean that the websites that rely on its services can't get online all the same.

AWS is usually one of the internet's most reliable services. But because of the many websites that rely on it, any bug can cause catastrophic problems across the internet.

Some of those websites only rely on specific parts of Amazon's services. So the SoundCloud website appears to be up, for instance, but it's not possible to upload new audio onto it.

Others appear to rely on it more heavily and so are down entirely. Trello and other websites have been left completely broken by the problem.

Web users have taken to Twitter to vent their anger and frustration:
President Donald Trump said he believes former President Barack Obama has been behind the leaks from his White House.

In an interview on Fox News' "Fox and Friends" program he was asked if he believed Obama was behind the leaks and the crowds of angry voters who have been attending Republican town halls across the country.

"No, I think that President Obama is behind it because his people are certainly behind it. And some of the leaks possibly come from that group, which are really serious because they are very bad in terms of national security.

"But I also understand that is politics. In terms of him being behind things, that's politics. And it will probably continue," he said.

The clip of the interview, due to be broadcast on Tuesday, was released on Monday night. President Obama has yet to respond to the claims and Mr Trump offered no evidence to support his claims.
An eight-year-old girl was shot just moments after surviving a car crash in Houston Texas.

De'Maree Atkins was asleep in the back of her mum's car at around 2pm on Saturday when a crash happened.

8 yo girl killed by gunfire off the Beltway in SW Houston. Her mother is making a plea that the killer come forward @abc13houston pic.twitter.com/rSVdIlaVRW  Marla Carter (@MarlaABC13) February 25, 2017

Her mother, Latoyia Jarmon-Thomas, told local media that two other cars that appeared to be racing caused the crash.

An armed woman in one of the cars then opened fire. It is not clear if the woman took deliberate aim at the mum and daughter or if they were caught in the crossfire police have said.

"I pulled her (DeMaree) out of the car," Ms Jarmon-Thomas told ABC News. "I didn't even know she had been hit. I thought she was still asleep.

"I laid her on the ground and when I looked at her jacket, I saw a blood stain."

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"I just want the person that did this to know they took away my baby... they took away half of my heart."

The youngster was hit by one of the bullets and she died in hospital.

She appealed for the killer to turn themselves in.
Displaced Somalis wait to fill plastic containers with water in a camp in the capital Mogadishu (Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP)

Somalia's new president has declared a national disaster over a drought that threatens millions of people and is creating fears of a full-blown famine.

The statement from the office of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed said he has appealed for help from the international community and Somalia's diaspora of two million.

Combating the drought is a priority for Mr Mohamed, who was elected this month to lead the fragile Horn of Africa nation, which is also coping with attacks by Islamic extremist group al-Shabab.

The United Nations humanitarian office estimates that five million people in Somalia, or nearly half the country's population, need aid.

About 363,000 acutely malnourished children "need urgent treatment and nutrition support, including 71,000 who are severely malnourished", said the US Agency for International Development's Famine Early Warning Systems Network.

Thousands have been streaming into Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, in search of food aid, overwhelming local and international aid agencies.

More than 7,000 internally displaced people checked into one feeding centre recently.

Because of a lack of clean water in many areas, there is the additional threat of cholera and other diseases, UN experts say.

The government earlier this month said the widespread hunger "makes people vulnerable to exploitation, human rights abuses and to criminal and terrorist networks".

The UN humanitarian appeal for 2017 for Somalia is 864 million dollars (694 million) to provide assistance to 3.9 million people.

But last month, the UN World Food Programme requested an additional 26 million dollar (21 million) plan to respond to the drought.

Somalia was one of four regions singled out by the UN secretary-general this month in a 4.4 billion dollar (3.5 billion) aid appeal to avert catastrophic hunger and famine, along with north-east Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen.

All are connected by a thread of violent conflict, the UN chief said.

AP
The move came after many MPs insisted that Eissa is doing his best to tarnish the image of parliament

Egypt MPs approved on Tuesday that parliament lodge a complaint against the high-profile journalist Ibrahim Eissa with the country's prosecutor-general.

The unprecedented move came after MP and journalist Mostafa Bakri accused Eissa of directing insults to parliament. "Eissa wrote an article which aimed to tarnish the image of parliament, MPs, and speaker Ali Abdel-Aal himself," said Bakri.

In response, Abdel-Aal said he agreed with Bakri's statement, insisting that Eissa has become fond of directing insults to parliament all the time.

"I said many times that I respect press freedoms, but the problem now is that Eissa has become interested in attacking parliament all the time and fond of using very bad insults in this respect to achieve this objective," said Abdel-Aal, adding that "as a result, I decided that all the insults in Eissa's article on El-Maqal newspaper be referred in a complaint to prosecutor-general for investigation."

Abdel-Aal said he decided to take this move in order to safeguard the dignity of parliament against hostile press attacks. "The insults in Eissa's article are a crime and represent a deviation from press freedoms," Abdel-Aal added.

Abdel-Aal, however, refused another request from Bakri that parliament file a complaint against Ahmed El-Sayed El-Naggar, board chairman of Al-Ahram Press Organisation.

According to Abdel-Aal, Al-Ahram represents the civilization of Egypt.

"I highly respect this organisation which produced a lot of high-profile journalists who now stand at the helm of many newspapers and TV channels," said Abdel-Aal.

Abdel-Aal said although he was shocked by a piece of news which was published by Al-Ahram Arabic news website but refuses to take any action against the organisation.

In a plenary session on Monday night, speaker Abdel-Aal took all by surprise when he attacked Al-Ahram.

On Tuesday, however, Abdel-Aal said he highly respects Al-Ahram because of its balanced and reasonable coverage of events in Egypt and abroad.

Abdel-Aal also said Egypt's parliament does not include corrupt people.

"This parliament is a democratically elected institution and is ready to rid itself of any corrupt elements," said Abdel-Aal, adding that he will be ready all the time to safeguard parliament's reputation against attacks.

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Syrian pro-government forces have reached the outskirts of Palmyra in their push to drive Islamic State militants from the ancient town, according to activists.

It is their second such offensive this year.

Syrian forces and their allies from the Lebanese Shiite militant Hezbollah group and Iranian advisers are at the town's western gateway, located about five kilometres (three miles) from the famed Roman ruins, the activist-run Palmyra Co-ordination Committee said.

The activist group also reported there were air strikes across the town on Tuesday morning.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Hezbollah's media outlets also reported the advances.

The government lost control of Palmyra in December, less than one year after it reclaimed the town from IS extremists.

Archaeologists have decried the damage to Palmyra's priceless ruins.

Palmyra was Syria's top tourist attraction before war gripped the country in 2011, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Syrians affectionately refer to the town as "the bride of the desert".

Drone footage released by Russia's defence ministry earlier this month showed new damage to the facade of Palmyra's Roman-era theatre and the adjoining Tetrapylon - a set of four monuments with four columns each at the centre of the colonnaded road leading to the theatre.

A 2014 report by a UN research agency disclosed satellite evidence of looting while the ruins were under Syrian military control.

Opposition factions have also admitted to looting the antiquities for funds.

AP
Smoke rises from a fire after a plane crashed in Riverside, California (Watchara Phomicinda/The Press-Enterprise via AP)

Three people died and two were injured when a small plane carrying them home from a cheerleading competition nosedived into two houses in southern California and sparked a major fire, authorities and witnesses have said.

A husband, wife and three teenagers were on the plane that had just taken off from Riverside Municipal Airport at 4.40pm on Monday local time intending to return to San Jose after the weekend cheerleading event at Disneyland when it crashed in the residential neighbourhood, Riverside fire chief Michael Moore said.

One of the teenagers, a girl, was thrown from a back seat of the plane but suffered only minor injuries, Mr Moore said.

"Upon impact, the plane pretty much split apart, and luckily she was ejected," he said.

Three witnesses told TV stations the girl crawled from the home asking for help.

She was able to talk to firefighters about what had happened as she was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, Mr Moore said.

Witness Brian Marsh, driving nearby, said he saw the plane's wings nearly perpendicular to the ground as it made a turn moments before the crash.

"It looked like a stunt plane. (Then) it turned and went into a nosedive. All of a sudden it turned into a freefall," he told the Press-Enterprise.

"Flames were everywhere. Smoke was billowing out."

Ken Sampson told the newspaper the flames shot so high that he could see them from his house six streets away.

Firefighters entered one of the burning houses and pulled out another plane passenger, who was unconscious.

That victim underwent surgery at Arrowhead Regional Medical Centre in San Bernardino and was in critical condition, Mr Moore said.

Three bodies, all from the plane, were found in the wreckage of the aircraft and the homes.

"It's horrible," Mr Moore said, especially given that they had gone to a cheerleading competition and it was "supposed to be a happy time".

Authorities initially said four people died and that the critically injured victim was a resident of the homes.

They later reduced the death toll to three and said all five victims had been on the plane.

Authorities have not given the ages or identities of the victims.

All residents of the destroyed homes have been accounted for, Mr Moore said.

He did not provide the name of the cheerleading competition, but the Jr USA Nationals for girls aged 15 and under was held at Disney California Adventure Park over the weekend.

The two homes that were hit directly were destroyed, and there was minor damage to neighbouring houses, Mr Moore said.

The plane broke into hundreds of pieces, its propeller sitting on the roof of a nearby home, and the fire burning with jet fuel was still ablaze several hours after the crash.

Firefighters found plane pieces about half a mile away.

HL Reyes, who lives about a quarter of a mile from the crash site, said she felt the ground shake and saw plumes of black smoke.

"I thought it was a possible earthquake, and we heard all the birds just suddenly react outside, too," Ms Reyes said. "This was just like a nightmare coming true."

Shannon Flores, a teacher at a school about three streets away, said she saw the plane out of her classroom window.

She said it was raining during the crash, though other witnesses said the rain was very light.

"As soon as we saw it fly over, we knew it wasn't a good thing," Ms Flores told KABC-TV.

"We watched it go down very quickly ... Before we knew it, there was a loud crash and huge plumes of smoke."

AP
Donald Trump said White House officials have 'sort of ideas' about who may have leaked information (AP)

US President Donald Trump has denied there is a "major leak process" at the White House following reports that press secretary Sean Spicer targeted leaks from his own staff.

In an interview with Fox News Channel's Fox & Friends, Mr Trump responded to a Politico report that said Mr Spicer convened an "emergency meeting" after details of a planning meeting got out, and conducted a "phone check" to prove they had not been leaking information.

He said he "would have handled it differently than Sean. But Sean handles it his way and I'm okay with it".

Mr Trump said "Sean Spicer is a fine human being", but added: "I would have gone one-on-one with different people."

The president also said White House officials have "sort of ideas" about who may have leaked information, adding that "we have people from other campaigns, we have people from other governments".

Mr Trump said he believes former president Barack Obama is behind some of the protests against Republican politicians across the country.

He responded to a question about the protests, saying: "I think that President Obama is behind it, because his people are certainly behind it."

The president added that he thinks Obama loyalists are also behind the White House leaks.

Mr Trump conceded: "I also understand that's politics. And in terms of him being behind things, that's politics. And it will probably continue."

He said he is not surprised, adding: "I'm changing things that (Obama) wanted to do."

Mr Trump said he is tougher than Mr Obama in terms of his efforts to deport anyone living in the country illegally.
Teenage militant Alaa abd al-Akeedi's final letter to his family appears on official Islamic State stationery in Erbil, Iraq, February 26, 2017. Picture taken February 26, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani

Teenage militant Alaa abd al-Akeedi's final letter to his family appears on official Islamic State stationery in Mosul in Erbil, Iraq, February 26, 2017. Picture taken February 26, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani

Teenage militant Alaa abd al-Akeedi's final letter to his family appears on official Islamic State stationery in Mosul in Erbil, Iraq, February 26, 2017. Picture taken February 26, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani

The ID card/childhood photo of teenage Islamic State militant Atheer Ali is seen in Mosul, Iraq, February 4, 2017. Picture taken February 4, 2017. REUTERS/Stephen Kalin

Atheer Ali appears in a photo in an Islamic State registry found in a training facility in eastern Mosul in Erbil, Iraq, February 26, 2017. Picture taken February 26, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani

My dear family, please forgive me, reads the handwritten letter discarded in the dusty halls of an Isis training compound in eastern Mosul.

Don't be sad and don't wear the black clothes [of mourning]. I asked to get married and you did not marry me off. So, by God, I will marry the 72 virgins in paradise.

They were schoolboy Alaa Abd al-Akeedis parting words before he set off from the compound to end his life in a suicide bomb attack against Iraqi security forces last year.

The letter was written on an Isis form marked Soldiers Department, Martyrs Brigade and in an envelope addressed to his parents' home in western Mosul.

Akeedi, aged 15 or 16 when he signed up, was one of dozens of young recruits who passed through the training facility in the past two and a half years as they prepared to wage jihad. In several cases this involved carrying out suicide attacks  Isiss most effective weapon against a US-backed military campaign to retake the groups last major urban bastion in Iraq.

His letter never reached his family. It was left behind with a handful of other bombers' notes to relatives when Isis abandoned the facility in the face of an army offensive that has reclaimed more than half of the city since October.

The militants also left a handwritten registry containing the personal details of about 50 recruits. Not all entries had years of birth, and only about a dozen had photographs attached, but many recruits were in their teens or early twenties.

These documents, found on a trip into eastern Mosul after the army recaptured that area, include some of the first first-hand accounts from Isis's suicide bombers to be made public and offer an insight into the mindset of young recruits prepared to die for Isis ultra-hardline ideology.

Reuters interviewed relatives of three of the fighters including Akeedi to help determine where they came from and why they chose jihad. In rare testimonies by families of Isis suicide bombers, they told of teenagers who joined the jihadists to their dismay and bewilderment, and died within months.

Reuters could not independently verify the information about other recruits in the registry. Isis does not make itself available to independent media outlets so could not be contacted for comment on the letters, the registry or the phenomenon of teenage suicide bombers.

Isis has attracted thousands of young recruits in Mosul  by far the biggest city in the caliphate it declared in 2014 over territory it seized in Iraq and Syria. The group has carried out hundreds of suicide attacks in the Middle East and plotted or inspired dozens of attacks in the West.

The training compound consisted of three villas confiscated from Mosul residents. Man-sized holes knocked through exterior walls allowed easy access between the villas.

Lower floors were littered with Isis posters and pamphlets on topics ranging from religion to weaponry, as well as tests on warfare and the Koran. Green paint and bed sheets on the windows obscured the view from outside and gave the rooms an eerie glow.

Flak jackets and body-shaped shooting targets filled one room, while medicines and syringes were scattered around another that appeared to have served as a clinic.

The rooms upstairs were packed full of bunk beds with space for almost 100 people. Printed signs outlined strict house rules. One ordered: Brother jihadi, respect quiet and cleanliness.

Most of the recruits listed in the registry were Iraqi but there were a few from the United States, Iran, Morocco and India. Akeedi's entry says he pledged allegiance on December 1 2014, a few months after the jihadis seized Mosul.

A relative told Reuters by phone that Akeedi's father was deeply distressed by his son's decision but feared punishment if he tried to remove him from Islamic State's ranks.

Akeedi rarely visited his family after joining the jihadis. On his last trip home he told his father he was going to carry out a suicide attack in Baiji, an oil refinery town south of Mosul where the militants had been fighting off repeated offensives by the Iraqi military.

He told his father, 'I am going to seek martyrdom, said the relative, who declined to be named because he feared reprisals from Isis or from Iraqi forces preparing to storm the area.

A few months later, Akeedi's family was told by the militants that he had succeeded.

Another recruit of the same age, Atheer Ali, is listed in the registry beside a passport-sized photo showing a boy with bushy eyebrows and large brown eyes. He wears a dark collar-less tunic, a brown head covering and a cautious smile.

His father, Abu Amir, said his son had been an outstanding student who excelled in science and was always watching the National Geographic TV channel. He loved to swim and fish in a nearby river and would help out on his uncle's vegetable farm after school.

Ali was shy and slim, lacking a fighter's mentality or build, Abu Amir said in an interview at his eastern Mosul home, sifting through family photos.

So the father was horrified when one day in early 2015 Ali didn't come home from school but ran off with seven classmates to join Isis.

When Abu Amir went to the militants' offices across the city to track down his son, they threatened to jail him.

He never saw his son alive again.

A few months later, three Isis fighters pulled up at Abu Amir's house in a pickup truck and handed him a scrap of paper with his son's name on it. He was dead.

Abu Amir retrieved Ali's body from the morgue. His hair had grown long but he was still too young for facial hair. Shrapnel was lodged in his arms and chest.

He said the fighters told him he had been hit by an air strike on a mortar position in Bashiqa, northeast of Mosul. They described him as a "hero".

Gathered in the family sitting room, Ali's relatives said he was brainwashed. Many of his school friends fled Mosul after the militants took control and Ali fell in with a new crowd, but his family never noticed a change in his behaviour.

"Even now I'm still astounded. I don't know how they convinced him to join," said Abu Amir. "I'm just glad we could bury him and put this whole thing to rest."

Sheet Omar was also 15 or 16 years old when he joined Islamic State in August 2014, weeks after the group captured Mosul. Next to his registry entry is the fatal addendum: "Conducted martyrdom operation".

Shalal Younis, Omar's sister's father-in-law, confirmed he had died carrying out a suicide attack, though he was uncertain about the details.

He said the teenager, from the Intisar district of eastern Mosul, had been overweight and insecure and joined the jihadists after his father's death.

"His mind was fragile and they took advantage of that, promising him virgins and lecturing him about being a good Muslim," said Younis. "If someone had tempted him with drugs and alcohol, he probably would have done that instead."
By Pritesh Samuel

This week, the domestic media reported that Apple is set to manufacture its iPhone SE model in India. Taiwanese contract manufacturer Wistron Corp will manufacture the phone.

While the proposal will need to be approved by the prime ministers office due to special incentives requested by Apple, things seem to be moving forward quickly as Apple is eyeing Indias Silicon Valley in the southern city of Bangalore as its ultimate destination.

India is a mobile-hungry market dominated by Samsung, followed by several Chinese manufacturers, such as OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Lenovo pushing out Indian smartphone manufacturers from the top five list; Apple is 10th . The budget smartphone market between the price range of US$149 to US$223 dominates Indias smartphone business.

Chinese vendors doubled their sales to 68 million last year, and have established a bedrock in Indias US$10 billion smartphone market, according to market researchers. In the latter part of 2016, one in every two phones sold in India were a Chinese brand  accounting for more than 50 percent of smartphone sales, as compared to 19 percent in the previous year.

RELATED: Pre-Investment, Market Entry Strategy Advisory from Dezan Shira & Associates

Chinese makers: joining the Make in India bandwagon

Apple isnt the only one looking to Make in India. Chinese companies like Xiaomi and Gionee are already making phones at a Foxconn manufacturing facility in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, while LeCo opened a facility in Noida, which adjoins the capital Delhi. Domestic phone manufacturers such as Micromax, Lava, and Karbonn have planned facilities in the states of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Noida (Delhi NCR), respectively.

The government has continued to push the Make in India campaign in the electronic segment. India imports electronic goods worth US$44 billion (Rs 3 lakh crore). By 2020, the government wants to bring this down to zero. Under Make in India, more than two-third of the smartphones shipped in April to June 2015 were assembled in India.

The government is providing US$1.4 billion (Rs 10,000 crore) under the Electronics Development Fund to support entrepreneurs in the electronics sector. In this years budget, the government increased allocations for Modified Special Inventive Package Scheme (M-SIPS) and Electronic Development Fund (EDF) to RS 745 crore for 2017-2018, which are schemes for companies manufacturing in electronics, telecom, automatic, and consumer electronics.

In 2015, the government imposed a 12 percent duty on imports, which further encouraged manufacturers to make phones in India. In this years budget, the government also imposed a 2 percent duty on the import of printed circuit boards for manufacturers of mobile phones, accounting for a significant cost for smartphone makers. While this may increase the price of phones in the short term, manufacturers will increasingly look to make their products in India to reduce such costs in the future.

The government also launched the Electronic Manufacturing Clusters (EMC) scheme in 2012, which provides support for world-class infrastructure to attract investments in the electronics systems design and manufacturing (ESDM) sector. Currently, there are 14 registered EMCs in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha, and West Bengal.

In addition, electronic manufacturing component makers plan to invest US$14 million (Rs 1000 crore) into the ELCINA manufacturing cluster in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan. ELCINA was originally launched by the federal government, which plans to launch 18 other such manufacturing clusters in several cities and towns. Companies investing in these clusters will also get benefits under the M-SIPS program, which provides ESDM companies with subsidies for capital expenditure.

The government has also introduced the Phased Manufacturing Program (PMP). Under this initiative, a different duty structure has been introduced for three components: chargers, batteries, and headsets, with a concessional rate of duty at 2 percent, instead of 12 percent.

Further, the government aims to create seamless credit in the supply chain under a common tax base under the proposed Good and Service Tax (GST) laws. Importers will be eligible for tax credits in return for GST paid on the import of mobile handsets, which will unlock more non-creditable taxes than are available to domestic manufacturers. The difference could be as high as 10 to 15 percent.

RELATED: Foxconn Investments in India Show New Regional Dynamic

Negotiating remaining challenges

India is gradually moving from the completely built units (CBU) import model to assembly, but design operations, hardware testing, and tooling are still based outside of India. This is even true for Indian smartphone manufacturers.

While many incentives have been launched, it still isnt cheaper to make phones in India. Further changes to duty structure may impact this further. In addition, challenges continue to hamper the end-to-end manufacturing of phones in India, such as: limited component supplies, underdeveloped manufacturing ecosystem, the high cost of finance and infrastructure, low availability of talent, and barrier to technology and research and development (R&D).

To offset these challenges, Apple has continued to ask for concessions from the government to manufacture in India. If the government does agree to its demands, it may have to bend the rules for other smartphone manufacturers seeking similar incentives.

Apple has reiterated that regardless of the governments position, it still plans to manufacture in India. Several states have also rolled out the red carpet. The chief minister of Maharashtra, for example, stated that they will offer compensation for the 11.5 percent import duty in case the proposal with the federal government does not go ahead.

With the government continuing to push Make in India, launching incentives, and increasing taxes for imports, smartphone manufacturing is likely to shift base in the short to medium term. It is just a matter of time.

India will need to speed up its federal initiatives so that domestic as well as foreign smartphone manufacturers can benefit from an end-to-end manufacturing process, starting from the designing stage all the way to finished product and packaging. As with all things, time will tell if the government can pull through with this challenge.



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.
Kolkata/Burdwan, Feb 28 (IBNS): Acting on a tip off, police raided an isolated house at Haripur village under Katwa Police Station limits in West Bengal's Burdwan district on the wee hours of Tuesday and recovered at least 60 live bombs from the location, officials said.

"Today we seized as many as 60 crude bombs and raw materials used for making bombs from Katwa PS area," a senior official of Burdwan district police told IBNS.

Later those bombs were taken to an open ground and state Criminal Investigation Department (CID)'s bomb disposal unit defused those.

However, police have begun probe into the matter, while none has been arrested so far in connection with the case.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)
Kolkata, Feb 28 (IBNS): West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday night arrested a leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s women's wing, BJP Mahila Morcha, in connection with a recently busted child trafficking racket in north Bengal, officials said.

According to reports, acting on inputs, a special team of CID booked BJP Mahila Morcha's state general secretary Juhee Chowdhury from Batasi area near India-Nepal border under Kharibari Police Station limits in West Bengal's Darjeeling district.

A senior CID official told IBNS that the BJP leader is being taken to Siliguri for further interrogation and she is likely to be produced before a local court on Wednesday.

Few days earlier, CID unearthed a north-Bengal based child trafficking racket in Jalpaiguri district and held three persons in connection with the case.

After starting probe into the matter, the CID charged BJP leader Juhee Chowdhury for her alleged role in aiding the child trafficking racket, which reportedly smuggled toddlers and newborns to other states in India and several other countries.

Since the racket was busted, Juhee Chowdhury went untraceable and finally arrested at around 10:45 pm. on Tuesday.

"Several others, including few doctors, are under our scanner in connection with the racket and they will be caught very soon if their links with the child smuggling racket are proven," a CID official told IBNS.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha, Image from Juhee Chowdhury's Facebook profile.)


Russia and Egypt held joint military drills on Egyptian soil in 2015 for the first time

Egypt's Defence Minister Sedky Sobhi discussed with Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin means of bolstering military cooperation during talks in Cairo on Tuesday, Egypt's army said in a statement.

The two leaders looked at efforts to "boost cooperationand exchanged views on the regional and international developments and effects on security and stability in the Middle East," said the statement, published on the army's official Facebook page.

In October 2015, Egypt and Russia held military exercises on Egyptian soil for the first time.

Egypt is in talks with Russia to resume flights to its popular Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, over a year since the bombing of a Russian passenger jet that killed all 224 on board and prompted a suspension of air traffic.

Egypt is struggling to revive tourism, a key source of hard currency, which has been hard hit since the 2011 uprising ushered in a period of political turmoil.

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A pact to combat terrorism will be the centrepiece of up to 10 agreements that will be signed when Saudi Arabia's king this week visits Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country, the kingdom's envoy to Indonesia said on Tuesday.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who on Sunday kicked off a month-long Asian tour, lands in Indonesia on Wednesday with an entourage that local officials have said could number up to 1,500.

Billed as a "mega trip", it would be a Saudi king's first visit to Indonesia in nearly five decades.

Apart from a side-trip of several hours to Brunei, King Salman will be in Indonesia until March 12, spending much of the time on the resort island of Bali, ambassador Osama Mohammad Abdullah Alshuaibi told Reuters in an interview.

"We know Indonesia has suffered from bombing and terrorism here," he said, singling out the Islamic State for its "different ideology" and disrespect for human life.

"We will cooperate with the Indonesians on this field. We can exchange data, we can exchange experience, and we can defeat these people."

Authorities in officially secular Indonesia have grown increasingly concerned after a series of attacks over the past year blamed on supporters of IS group.

ISLAMIC SCHOOLS

Indonesian police killed a militant on Monday after he detonated a small bomb in the West Java city of Bandung. Security officials said they were investigating whether he had links to a radical network sympathetic to IS group.

Alshuaibi said Saudi and Indonesian military officers are training in each other's countries to counter IS group.

Saudi Arabia is aiming to open more Islamic schools in Indonesia, which will teach religion using the Arabic language, and step up the number of scholarships for students, the envoy said.

The king's visit to Indonesia comes as fringe Islamist groups grow in influence and Muslim leaders take an increasingly strict line on Islamic issues, which is at odds with Indonesia's traditional brand of moderate "Islam Nusantara".

Underpinning that is a growing conservatism among Indonesians, which analysts say is partly the result of Saudi money being poured into the country over the past several decades to build mosques, schools and universities.

The ambassador said the visit could also lay the foundation for developing oil and gas projects and promoting tourism.

$25 BILLION

Oil giant Saudi Aramco, which has an existing agreement with Indonesian state energy firm Pertamina for a $5 billion refinery upgrade in Central Java, may take on more projects offered by Pertamina later this year, he said.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo is hoping the king's visit will bring investment commitments worth up to $25 billion, Indonesian officials have previously said.

During his trip to Indonesia, the Saudi king will be accompanied by more than 900 people, including ministers, princes and service staff, Alshuaibi said. Indonesian officials had earlier said the entourage could be up to 1,500 people.

The king will visit Jakarta, the state palace in Bogor, a city south of the capital, and spend the last leg of his Indonesian trip in Bali, Alshuaibi said.

Indonesia will assign at least 9,000 security personnel to protect the king's entourage, he added.

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An Afghan policeman turned his rifle on his colleagues at a checkpoint in southern Helmand province, killing 11 of them before fleeing the scene, officials said Tuesday.

The attack happened late on Monday night in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, said Omer Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor.

The attacker collected all the firearms and ammunition from his colleagues, then fled the scene in a police vehicle  presumably to join the Taliban. "An investigation is underway," Zwak added.

Dr. Din Mohammad at the Lashkar Gah Hospital said the hospital morgue received 11 bodies of slain policemen, all with gunshot wounds.

The Taliban made no official statement or claim about the attack but Afghanistan has seen several such incidents over the past years, cases in which Afghan troops or policemen  or Taliban militants dressed in Afghan uniforms  turn their guns on their colleagues or U.S.-led coalition partners.

Earlier this month, an Afghan policeman turned his rifle on his colleagues in northern Faryab province, killing eight of his fellow policemen as they were sleeping in an outpost in the district of Almar. He then collected all their firearms and fled the scene.

In another similar incident, a member of a state-backed militia shot and killed five fellow militiamen in December in northeastern Kunduz province. The attacker, who was on guard duty, shot and killed his colleagues as they were sleeping, then made off with weapons and ammunition.

And last October, a U.S. soldier and an American civilian contractor were killed when an Afghan man in army uniform opened fire on them inside a military base in the capital, Kabul. The attacker died in a subsequent shootout with other U.S. and Afghan forces.

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Amid buzz that Kader Khan had to be rushed to Canada to seek medical help for a knee surgery gone wrong, a source close to the veteran writer and actor's family said "everything" is fine with him.

"He (Kader Khan) has been in Canada since three to four months. He is alright. He is in Canada because his elder son stays there, so he is with him," director Fauzia Arshi told to media sources.

Asked if he is facing any serious medical issues, Arshi said: "There's nothing like was he rushed to Canada or anything of that nature. Everything is fine."

Arshi had directed 'Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi', the movie in which Khan was last seen acting.

The clarification comes after a digital platform quoted actor Shakti Kapoor as saying that Khan is now wheelchair bound and that he has been trying to reach the senior actor since the past few days, but in vain.
Ranveer Singh, who is currently in Switzerland as its ambassador from India, has been working round the clock to meet deadlines for his assignments.

Ranveer shot for a brand endorsement before leaving for Switzerland, and he is also expected to begin work on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati'.

"As the financial year comes to a close, most brands want to wrap up their campaigns and commercials. Ranveer is working every day and at odd hours if needed, to complete all his shoots and commitments," said a source close to the actor, adding that the vivacious star is dedicated to giving every project his 100 per cent.

"Despite being stretched with so many shoots and roles to handle, he is doing it with complete focus," the source added.

The 31-year-old has also been roped in for Zoya Akhtar's next titled 'Gully Boy', which will also feature Alia Bhatt.


IndiaGlitz was the first to break the news that Thala Ajith's 57th film 'Vivegam' will be releasing only in August 2017 and not in the month of June as speculated earlier to that.ALSO READ: Ajith's 'Vivegam' gets a new release date?

Now we get an important information about the release date of the film from sources close to the makers.

it is said that the makers have finalized two dates for the theatrical release of 'Vivegam'. It will be either August 10 or August 24. The film will definitely hit the screens in either of these two days and we can expect and official announcement in this regard very soon.

'Vivegam' is being directed by Siva and produced by Sathya Jyothi Films on a grand scale. From March 2, the climax of this film touted to be a international spy thriller will be shot in Bulgaria where the film has been shot predominantly.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday Ankara wanted to work with its allies to capture the Islamic State group bastion of Raqa in Syria, but without the involvement of Syrian Kurdish militia.

"If our allies are really sincere, we tell them: We will act with you so long as we cleanse Raqa from Daesh and give it back to its original owners," Erdogan said at an Istanbul airport before leaving for Pakistan.

Daesh is an acronym for the Islamic State (IS) group.

But he made clear Turkey would not fight alongside Syrian Kurdish fighters, who are viewed by Ankara as "terrorists".

The Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its armed wing, the Kurdish Peoples' Protection Units (YPG), are seen by Washington as the most effective force in the fight against IS but are condemned by Turkey.

Erdogan said Turkey clearly told Washington it would never cooperate with PYD or YPG.

"It is certainly not possible for us to agree with or act together with PYD or YPG," he said.

Last August, the Turkish army launched a unilateral military campaign inside Syria, backing opposition fighters to clean its border from IS militants as well as Syrian Kurdish militia.

Compared to the lightning advance at the onset of its "Euphrates Shield" operation, the Turkish army sustained increasing casualties to capture Al-Bab.

The strategic town, just 25 kilometres (15 miles) south of the Turkish border, was the militants' last stronghold in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo.

On Friday, the Turkish military said together with allied Syrian rebels it had completely taken Al-Bab from militants.

Erdogan, who met with Chief of Staff General Hulusi Akar on Monday, said Al-Bab operation was "completed."

"But this doesn't mean the process is over," he said, adding that if Ankara reached an agreement with coalition forces, steps would be taken in Raqa.

He said Turkey was also talking to Moscow because "our solidarity with Russia is also important."

Erdogan said Turkey's Syria campaign had cost the militants a "very serious price," saying more than 3,000 militants had been killed throughout the operation.

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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
The Algerian army "neutralised" nine Islamists in the North African country's restive eastern Kabylie region on Tuesday, seizing weapons and ammunition, the defence ministry said.

"An army detachment neutralised terrorists near Azzefoun," a coastal town 170 kilometres (105 miles) east of Algiers, a ministry statement said.

The authorities use the word "terrorist" to describe armed Islamists who have been active in the country since the early 1990s.

A security source told AFP the militants were shot dead following a search near Azzefoun.

Soldiers also seized ammunition, two Kalashnikov assault rifles, a sniper rifle, a shotgun and five hunting rifles, the source said.

Algeria's army has stepped up operations in its mountainous regions in recent months, killing at least 30 armed Islamists since the beginning of the year.

Earlier this month, the army said it had killed 14 Islamists during a major operation in the Bouira region, 125 kilometres (77 miles) southeast of the capital.

Algerians had hoped that a 2005 peace and reconciliation charter would turn the page on a 1991-2002 civil war that cost 200,000 lives.

But Islamist groups remain active in the south and east, largely targeting security forces.

On Sunday evening, the police foiled a suicide attack targeting a police station in Constantine that was claimed by the Islamic State (IS) militant group.

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The year was 1985. Christopher Trotter, a former member of the United States armed services, was serving a four-year sentence for petty theft at the Indiana Reformatory (now known as the Pendleton Correctional Facility), former home to infamous bank robber John Dillinger and infamous instances of corruption and gross mistreatment of inmates under the leadership of former Superintendent Edward L. Cohn.

In 1988, Cohn was reprimanded for not following prison protocol in restraining prisoners. Reportedly inmates were bound by placing handcuffs around their wrists and connecting them to leg irons with a short chain in a position that allowed them neither to stand up nor lay straight.

On Feb. 1 of that year, in an attempt to protect fellow inmate Lincoln Love, who was being beaten, Trotter along with co-defendant John Coe, found himself at the center of a riot in which seven correctional officers were stabbed and three employees were held hostage for 17 hours.

We did not go to commit an act of violence. We went to prevent an act of violence that was already happening on a prisoner who was being beaten while he was handcuffed and shackled said Trotter of that fateful day in February.

Trotter, who had experienced beatings himself while an inmate at the reformatory, described the environment as a pressure cooker as there were several instances of violence against prisoners especially those who were African-American.

He says he intervened on the behalf of Love after hearing other prisoners scream, Theyre killing him! It was how I was raised, says Trotter I know deep down in my heart of hearts that it was the right thing to do. Had I walked away I wouldnt have been able to live with myself.

As a result of his involvement in the riot, Trotter was given an additional sentence of 142 years. Of the 32 years he has already served 11 have been in solitary confinement, a portion of those years were spent in a windowless cell.

Trotter, now 52 years old, shared his remorse for the people who were hurt as a result of the incident, two of whom were his parents, now deceased  his father as a result of stroke and his mother in a car accident.

Patricia Shelton, a close friend of Trotters has taken the charge of sharing his story with people all over the world. I got reacquainted with Chris after my brother called me and told me about his interview on MSNBC Lockup says Shelton. The two have been corresponding via letter, telephone, and supervised visits at the correctional facility ever since.

Its time for him to come home because he has paid his debt to society. No one was killed, no lives were taken. Just his, Shelton said. She hopes that if more compassionate people heard his story they would be touched as well.

Due to financial strains, the family of Christopher Trotter has not been able to retain a lawyer. In a letter posted to his profile on the petition site change.org, Trotter details his legal predicament  I have a petition for post-conviction relief that has been dormant since 1992. The state public defender withdrew from my case in 1998. Then in 2002, all my legal documents (14-year-old transcripts, dispositions, witness statements, etc.) mysteriously came up missing. There has been no activity on my post-conviction petition since 1998. The state of Indiana will not provide me with another copy of my trial transcripts without charge, and I do not have the financial means to hire an attorney.

Even in the midst of such adversity, Trotter and Shelton use faith in God as the foundation to maintaining a positive outlook on their future. In a very hopeful gesture the pair have began writing Already Done, Home 2013 on the back of all their envelopes, many of which contain uplifting spiritual vitamin letters the two share to keep their spirits high.

When asked how Trotter keeps himself going, Shelton said, Chris keeps to himself these days for the most part. He spends time with the Lord. He speaks to the younger guys that are troubled and encourages them to put God first  his former cellmate was serving three life sentences and he just kind of gave up on life. Chris spent time ministering to him and a few months later he passed away. Just think if Chris wouldnt have spoken with him his soul would have been lost.

On the role of faith in his will to survive, Trotter said, Ive survived all the assassination attempts on my life, Ive survived the isolation  but not on my own. It was only through the grace of God that I survived it.

Shelton has written to several politicians on Trotters behalf including Gov. Mike Pence, and the office of President Barack Obama. She received correspondence from the White House that explained that the president is working diligently to pass legislation that will prevent such harsh sentencing from happening.

In an effort to keep Trotters story going, Shelton has created Facebook and Twitter profiles on his behalf. As a result people from as far away as Ireland, Australia, and Sweden have become involved in Trotters cause. These people just cant comprehend the level of injustice we experience here in America, says Shelton.

For more information on Christopher Trotters story visit indianapolisrecorder.com/blogs.

Black August movement

Black August is a movement that originated out of the California prison system to honor fallen members of the Black liberation movement of the 1970s, many of whom had been imprisoned or assassinated.

Some notable figures of the movement are George Jackson, Angela Davis and Assata Shakur.

Black August has evolved to include film festivals, hip-hop concerts, and mass letter writing initiatives to prisoners all over the world with all activities structured to focus on spreading the message of liberation and activism.
Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification Pahlaj Nihalani who has apparently banned the upcoming film Lipstick Under My Burkha has lashed out at all the filmmakers from the industry who have objections to his decision.

Filmi Beat

The Prakash Jha film has come under fire for its lurid language, sexual innuendos and suggestions of the sex act.

Speaking to a leading daily, the CBFC Chief said, First of all, we didnt ban the film Lipstick Under My Burkha. The Examining Committee saw the film and refused to certify it. Now, the Revising Committee has also refused to certify the film. The films producer, Prakash Jha, says he will go to the Tribunal of the censor board. He knows the procedure. He has been through it with many of his films, including his last Jai Gangaajal. So whats the fuss about.

He questioned Bollywood saying, Have Sudhir Mishra, Farhan Akhtar and Kabir Khan seen Lipstick Under My Burkha? How can they jump into the controversy just because it is fashionable to support any film that talks about womens empowerment? How genuine is this films feminism? They attack me calling me a maker of B grade films and listing vulgar songs that Ive used in my films.

But those songs are not even in my film. As for making B grade films why only B grade? I may have made C grade and Z grade films too. That doesnt give me the right to certify objectionable content in my capacity as the chairperson of the CBFC. I may have made films that I might have cut if they came to me during my tenure as CBFC chief.

Twitter
Indians all over the world appreciated Academy Awards' thoughtfulness yesterday. They paid homage to veteran actor Om Puri during their 'Memoriam' montage at the awards.

Many from the film fraternity took to Twitter to express their happiness on seeing Om Puri's name, along with other coveted members of Hollywood Film Fraternity.

Screengrab/ABC

Om Puri was one of the many actors including Carrie Fisher, Prince, Gene Wilder, Michael Cimino, Patty Duke, Garry Marshall, Anton Yelchin, Mary Tyler Moore, Curtis Hanson and John Hurt in the annual montage.

However, there was one actor who took to Twitter to express his displeasure after he noticed how Academy remembered Om Puri but Bollywood Award shows didn't.

Pointing out at the indifference of Bollywood award shows, Nawazuddin Siddiqui blatantly slammed Bollywood awards.

Twitter

Nawazuddin Siddiqui took to Twitter to express his displeasure.

@TheAcademy #Oscars paid homage 2 late #OmPuri, But in #bollywood award functions nobody converse single word for his contribution... SHAME  Nawazuddin Siddiqui (@Nawazuddin_S) February 27, 2017

He surely has made a valid point here. Agree?
China is hoping to attract highly skilled Indian workers on the lines of the United States as it strives to turn the country from a manufacturing hub into a centre of technological innovation.

BCCL/representational image

The move, which comes at a time when bilateral ties have hit a low amid China's attempts to shield Pakistan-based internationally designated terrorists and block India's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, could act as a confidence building measure, people familiar with the matter said.

In a recent article titled 'China should hire Indian science, high-tech talent to maintain innovation ability', state-run Global Times said that China has perhaps not been working hard enough to attract science and technology talent from India to work in the country.

This could open up a new destination for highly skilled Indian workers at a time when they are facing potentially tougher visa rules in the US.

BCCL/representational image

"Over the past few years, China witnessed an unprecedented boom in tech jobs as the country became an attractive destination for foreign research and development centres," Hu Weijia, a staffer with the Global Times wrote.

"However, now some high-tech firms are turning their attention from China to India due to the latter's relatively low labour costs. Attracting high-tech talent from India could be one of China's options for maintaining its innovation ability."

US-based software firm CA Technologies has disbanded its almost 300-person research and development team in China while setting up a team in India with some 2,000 scientific and technical professionals over the past few years, Chinese news portal caijing.com reported recently. India, with a sufficient young talent pool, is becoming increasingly attractive, the Global Times said.

While many Indians are based in the trading hubs of China the country has so far failed to attract Indian talent in high-tech sectors, its modernisation drive notwithstanding.

"There is a general impression in China that Indians are technically smart and have contributed to the US research and innovation driven industries. The Communist Party of China has set the objective of transforming China from a manufacturing hub to a place known for development of new-age technology," said an official, who did not wish to be identified.

BCCL/representational image

The Xi Jinping government, according to an expert on Chinese economy, intends to change the perception of China being a manufacturer of cheap goods.

"This trend has been observed in the health sector, with an exclusive institute on medical research that has been set up in Shanghai. This is attracting largely researchers from Scandinavia, Canada and the US," the expert told ET on condition of anonymity.

While the move can be seen as a confidence building measure, the Chinese will approach this as a pure business model, the expert said.

The Global Times article expressed similar sentiment. "China cannot afford to risk a decline in its attractiveness for high-tech investors. The nation is among the third echelon in cutting-edge technology fields and is working to catch up with the US and the result of its efforts will decide whether China will maintain its status as an emerging global economic power," the newspaper said. "China has made the mistake of ignoring Indian talent, and instead has attached a greater importance to talent coming from the US and Europe."

BCCL/representational image

It said the talent pool in China is not large and flexible enough to meet demand for the rapid expansion of innovation capability. "In Silicon Valley, a considerable number of software developers working there are born outside the US. China should also strive to attract more foreign talent into the country as it aims to build itself into a world-class research hub... China has made the mistake of ignoring Indian talent, and instead has attached a greater importance to talent coming from the US and Europe," it said.

According to the article, certain enterprises in Southwest China's Guizhou province provide better lifestyle and salaries for Indian talent than in Bengaluru.

A total of 1,576 foreigners were granted permanent residence in China in 2016, an increase of 163 per cent over the previous year.
An unidentified Australian man has been arrested in a raid by Australian counter-terrorism police in connection of ISIS. The man arrested by authorities on Tuesday is accused of seeking to help the ISIS by developing missile technology. Police including a dog squad and officers handling metal detectors raided a property in Young, about 270 km (170 miles) south-west of Sydney, earlier on Tuesday, pictures on Australian media showed.

AFP

Assistant Commissioner of counter-terrorism, Australian Federal Police, Ian McCartney, told reporters that the 42-year-old man had been advising the terror group on how to develop the technical capability to detect guided missiles and to build their own missiles. Read more

1. To Avoid Eye Injuries To Kashmiri Protesters CRPF Will Use Modified Pellet Guns

Pallet guns used by the security forces to dispel the protesters in Jammu and Kashmir last year were highly criticised due to its sheer lethal nature, which resulted in hundreds of eye injuries and many Kashmiris were left blind. But now the security forces posted in the valley have resorted to a modified version of the gun which is likely to minimise eye injuries.

AFP

The CRPF mainly in charge of containing the protesters has now decided to use the modified version of the weapon. Read more

Owing to the Make In India drive, the nation is getting the firsts and bests of so many things.

Aerosurvey

Last month Ministry of Railways revealed that India will soon get self-propelled trains sets, produced at two-thirds of the cost of the same trains manufactured in the international market. Another #MakeInIndia product, a car, covered a whopping 19,000 km trip across 13 countries. Read more

3. Controversial Kerala Catholic Priest Who Raped And Impregnated A 16-Year-Old Girl Arrested

Kerala police have arrested Father Robin Vaddakumchiryil, a Christian priest accused of raping a minor girl.

ANI

He was arrested on late on Monday while he was reportedly trying to flee the country. The victim was a student at a school where the accused was the manager. Read more

4. Now SBI ATM In Madhya Pradesh Dispenses Rs 500 Notes Without Serial Number

Ever since the new currency notes were launched, they have been in news for wrong reasons several times. This time, in Madhya Pradesh, an SBI ATM has dispensed new Rs 500 notes without any serial number.

ANI

Narayan Ahirwal, a schoolteacher in Damoh had withdrawn Rs 1,000 on Monday and the two notes of Rs 500 denomination did not have any serial number. Read more

5. As US Becomes Increasingly Hostile To High Skilled Indians, China See An Opportunity For Itself

China is hoping to attract highly skilled Indian workers on the lines of the United States as it strives to turn the country from a manufacturing hub into a centre of technological innovation.

BCCL

The move, which comes at a time when bilateral ties have hit a low amid China's attempts to shield Pakistan-based internationally designated terrorists and block India's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, could act as a confidence-building measure, people familiar with the matter said. Read more
George Orwell once said that 'Intellectual freedom is a deep-rooted tradition without which our characteristic western culture could only doubtfully exist.'

YOUTUBE SCREENGRAB

Not sure if Orwell was trying to become the seer of the future, but he quite aptly predicted how censorship will take over our free-will.

(Also read: Problem Is Not Censorship But Patriarchal System, Insists 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' Director)

Lipstick Under My Burkha has been in the news and a trending topic on Social media for multiple reasons, most importantly for being unable to fetch the 'nod' from our Censor Board. The board said -

The story is lady oriented, their fantasy above life. There are continuous sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography and a bit sensitive touch about one particular section of society, hence film refused under guidelines (sic).

(Also read: Prakash Jha And Shyam Benegal Condemn CBFC's Decision For 'Lipstick Under My Burkha'!)

However, despite the ban, the movie has won the audience award at the 2017 Glasgow Film Festival.

FILMYSASI.COM

The award was presented by Scottish actor David Tennant.

(Also read: CBFC Has Denied Certification To 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' For A Really Bizarre Reason!)

This story about 4 Indian women who seek more from life than the mundane domesticity has managed to offend several men in this Patriarchal System.

TWITTER

The film was presented at the Tokyo Film Festival last year and bagged innumerable recognition from the viewers.

You can always rely on the impeccable good taste of the Glasgow Film Festival audience and I am thrilled at their choice of Lipstick Under My Burkha as the winner of the 2017 Audience Award.said Festival co-director Allan Hunter.

But we believe that the award could not have been more timely, acting like a slap in the face of those, who are governing women since forever.

YOUTUBE SCREENGRAB

When will men grow above and beyond of their will to command women, is a fact in its dead cert to me. From putting an embargo over abortion to not allowing them to wear short clothes, the society has always been too busy handling futile matters than to mull over what's really necessary.

(Also read: Another Setback For 'Lipstick Under My Burkha', A Muslim Body Says It Shows Burkha In Bad Light)
Placards are taking the internet by a storm. After DU student, Gurmehar Kaur posted a video with a series of placards and appealed for peace between India and Pakistan, a man from Haflong, Assam, whose father was murdered by militants has spoken up through a series of pictures. He's asking ruling party BJP for some answers against the injustice done to him and his family.

Daniel Langthasa posted a series of pictures around 21 hours ago with words and together they told a story.

His father, the pictures say, was brutally murdered by militants in 2007. In a frustrating and highly questionable turn of events, they are now allied with the BJP and rulers of his district, Dima Hasao in Assam.

#1 My father was brutally murdered by militants of NE India in 2007.

Daniel Langthasa

When Daniels father was murdered, he writes, he asked neither for money nor a government job.

However, when the militants surrendered to the government, the government gave them crores of money.

He further wrote, With the money, they bought cars, properties and set up businesses and funded their political campaigns.

#2 The militants took up arms and were fighting against India!

Daniel Langthasa

#3 Not just my father, but HUNDREDS of innocent Indians have been killed by these anti-nationals in the last 15 years.

Daniel Langthasa

#4 I have never asked for a government job or financial help after my fathers death.

Daniel Langthasa

#5 But after the militants surrendered, Indian govt gave them crores of money.

Daniel Langthasa

#6 With the money, they bought cars, properties and set up businesses and funded their political campaigns.

Daniel Langthasa

#7 Now they have joined BJP and are the RULERS of my district, Dima Hasao in Assam.

Daniel Langthasa

#8 Can you please explain this to me BJP and ABVP?

Daniel Langthasa

#9 My family members, relatives, friends, people of my land are afraid to speak up against your party and its powerful members.

Daniel Langthasa

#10 They will see this post and most likely ask me to remove it ASAP.

Daniel Langthasa

#11 The media will not help this post go viral because Im NOT from Kashmir/DU or a Muslim/Dalit.

Daniel Langthasa

#12 But Im NOT afraid.

Daniel Langthasa

#13 FUCK THAT SHIT!  Nucleya

Daniel Langthasa

You can view the original post on Facebook.

It takes a lot of courage to raise your voice against the status quo, so Kudos to Daniel for taking a stand against what he feels is wrong and unjust.
Nearly 1,500 children have been recruited by Yemen's warring parties, mostly the Shia Houthi rebels, since March 2015, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

The UN has verified the recruitment of 1,476 children, all boys, between March 26, 2015 and January 31, 2017, said a statement by the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ravina Shamdasani.

"The numbers are likely to be much higher as most families are not willing to talk about the recruitment of their children, for fear of reprisals," she said.

"Just last week, we received new reports of children who were recruited without the knowledge of their families," she said, adding that children under 18 are either being "misled or attracted by promises of financial rewards or social status".

The Iran-backed Houthis and their allies overran the capital Sanaa in 2014 before sweeping south, forcing the internationally recognised government to flee.

The war escalated in March 2015 when a Saudi-led Arab coalition began a military campaign against the rebels in support of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

"We remind all parties to the conflict that the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict is strictly forbidden by international human rights law and international humanitarian law," said Shamdasani.

The recruitment of children under 15 "may amount to a war crime," she added.

"We urge them to immediately release such children."

Meanwhile, rights group Amnesty International accused the Houthis of "actively recruiting boys as young as 15".

It cited witnesses speaking of financial incentives to families, including monthly salaries ranging between $80 and $120 for every family of a child "martyr".

"It is appalling that Houthi forces are taking children away from their parents and their homes, stripping them of their childhood to put them in the line of fire where they could die," said Samah Hadid, Deputy Director at Amnesty's Beirut regional office.

Amnesty documented the cases of four boys taken in mid-February, saying that their families later received news that their sons were at an unnamed location on the border with Saudi Arabia.

Shamdasani said 4,667 civilians had been killed in the conflict since March 2015, with 8,180 wounded.

In total, the UN says that more than 7,500 people have been killed in the war and 40,000 wounded.

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The normally peaceful Delhi University campus is currently witnessing calibrated and choreographed violence. It all started with Ramjas College, in its wisdom, inviting Umar Khalid to speak at a seminar. After objections, Umar Khalids invite was cancelled. Irrespective, violence broke out. Gurmehar Kaur, a student of Lady Sriram College (LSR), found herself in the middle of a firestorm. The distance between LSR and Ramjas is about 20 kms. LSR is part if the South Campus of Delhi University and Ramjas is part of the North Campus.

BCCL

Almost a year back, Gurmehar Kaur had released a video in which she said that her father Capt. Mandeep Singh was a Kargil martyr. She further believed that Pakistan did not kill her father, war did. After almost a year this video resurfaced, post her condemnation of what she said was ABVP sponsored violence. The trolls got to work. She was threatened with rape, and worse, and things got really ugly.

Twitter

When people say, rape needs to be condemned, it is a weak persons argument. People who threaten rape must face violence, preferably blessed by the state. They must feel fear. In my worldview, rape is just a notch below treason. The punishment for both must be the same. Mother India is a female form. You cannot disrespect women and be a patriot. Yes, it is as simple as that.

BCCL

I defend Gurmehar Kaurs right to free speech. But I do not defend her half-truths. Her father, Capt. Mandeep Singh (Shaheed) was from 49 Air Defence Regiment, on a posting to 4 Rashtriya Rifles. He was posted in Kupwara Sector, which is approximately 260 kms from Kargil. The Kargil War started in May 1999 and ended in July 1999, when Pakistan Army was beaten back. Capt. Mandeep Singh was martyred in August 1999 in an anti-terror operation.

BCCL

Many people say that this information is not relevant. After all a martyr is a martyr. They are wrong. Kargil was Indias first televised war, with cameras beaming images of booming Bofors and wounded soldiers right into our drawing rooms. The Kargil name evokes images of Indian soldiers charging into enemy fire. Capt. Manoj Pandey, Capt. Saurabh Kalia, Capt. Vikram Batra, Capt. Vijayant Thapar, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, Grenadier Yogendra Yadav, Capt. Hanif Uddin, Major Padmapani Acharya; Kargil saw 527 Indian martyrs. These are burned into the collective memory of a nation. And a nations memory is not something to be trifled with.

BCCL

Gurmehar Kaur says Pakistan did not kill her father. War did. This argument is fallacious and misleading. In fact, it is no argument at all. Capt. Mandeep Singh did not pick up his gun and invade another country. He was martyred inside India. He did not go looking for violence. Like all soldiers, all he did was try to defend his country from a conflict manufactured by Pakistan.

BCCL

Since Gurmehar quoted Kargil, though totally wrongly and out of context, I would like to ask her what she would have us do? What should the Indian army do when the Pakistan Army attacks our country without provocation? Should we light candles and invite them to a Sufi evening at Humayuns tomb? And specifically in the context of Capt. Mandeep Singh, what would Gurmehar have wanted her father to do? He was a soldier. When the first bullet was fired, he did not think about his young wife and two infant daughters. He did what he was trained for. He was martyred defending India.

BCCL

I cannot even pretend to imagine what pain Gurmehar, her mother and younger sister must have gone through, after the martyrdom of Capt. Mandeep Singh. Gurmehars father was special; all martyrs are. The best way to remember him would be to tell the truth.

BCCL

There will always be distance between places and memories. There will always be distance between LSR and Ramjas. Or Kargil and Kupwara.
Metropolitan cities are a binary  while theyre apparently built on the model of globalisation, they also have a way of trapping you in and shutting you out from the core mechanics of this world, which is essentially nature. Globalisation is said to have come at the cost of extreme materialism that has cut us off from our natural roots, where people live in harmony with their surroundings.

Unsplash

So, while you might be connected to the world in a physical sense  in that you drive an American car and your smartphone is manufactured in China and you eat dragon fruit sourced from Vietnam  youre unaware about where the food on your plate comes from  food that connects you to the roots of earth.

Human beings began farming around 12,000 years ago and agriculture changed the landscape of our society. We went from hunter-gathering nomads to permanent settlers because farming practices allowed us to have a reliable source of food. Civilisations, cities and societies sprouted from agriculture and population erupted, from a mere 5 million people globally 10,000 years ago to 7.4 billion today.

Traditionally Homo sapiens are a farming society but rapid advancement in technology coupled with the steep population rise, food demands had to be met and quickly. Weve placed ourselves far away from the farming practices that began with the advent of agriculture  for thousands of years, it was a culture that was practised without the use of chemical fertilisers.

Kavita Mukhi, an eco-nutritionist, is taking people back to their roots. Shes the founder of Farmers Market, an organic venture that first opened doors in 2010 and now runs every Sunday in Mumbais Bandra. Through this weekly event, she brings people closer to not only organic farmers but also other organic products such as clothes and cosmetics.

Kavita Mukhi

India and the world were organic, to begin with. With industrialisation and the introduction of chemicals, organic stopped being the order of the day, she told Indiatimes.

Now farmers who are attempting to go back to being organic have to bear the burden of losses in terms of time and money. In order to produce organic food, farmers first have to balance the acidity of soil by enriching it with nutrients, which can take many months and even years. Its a patient process of simply ploughing earth with natural fertilisers such as cow dung.

Kavita Mukhi

Farmers who are going back to organic practices, for up to two years do nothing but plough soil. Theyre losing precious time and that means money, she added.

Farmers are trying to recapture the wisdom of organic agricultural practices, which were once natural to the human way of life, but faded along the years in the wake of large-scale, widespread industrialisation and capitalism.

According to Kavita, organic farming is growing crops without chemical fertilisers and pesticides. If you add another layer of meaning to it, then, Kavita says, its also multi-cropping. That is, when you grow multiple crops so that the soil doesnt drain of one type of nutrients. Growing a variety of crops also manages pests better.

Its the only sustainable way forward, she said.

Kavita breaks the misconception of the payoff between organic farming and mass production.

Feeding large numbers of people depends on consumers, she says, "And there is enough food in Indias godowns."

Its just not being distributed and instead of going to waste. The philosophy of organic farming goes beyond just feeding people. Its about preserving the earth  the earth as a whole that also includes dust, that is, soil  for future generations.

Kavita Mukhi

The long-term benefits of eating organic produce are huge.

"Among them is better health, better nutrition, less illness, stronger immunity, rehabilitated soil, more money for farmers so that the next generation remains in agriculture, and also the wisdom of farming is passed on," elaborates Kavita.

Currently, the perception is that organic food is a niche and restricted to consumers in the higher economic bracket. However, its actually a lack of consciousness that is creating the roadblock between people and organic food.

The consciousness of eating healthy came to Kavita when she had her son, who was suffering from colic, an irritation in the stomach common enough in babies. Awareness is often the result of an epiphany, and Kavitas son was hers. Were all in need of that light-bulb moment both for ourselves and nature. Consuming chemically produced food is harming us, and its harming our nature.

The connection of humans with nature runs deep, so deep that it nurtures us how we nurture it. If we want to prevent the Earth from looming, irreversible damage, then we must live organically. And to live organically is to live in harmony with nature.
Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, the Saudi Arabian king who is on a month-long trip to Asia, has packed quite the luggage for his travels.

reuters

The king has packed over 459 metric tonnes of cargo that will include two Mercedes-Benz s600 limousines and two electric elevators. Both the limousines and the elevators arrived in Denpasar, Bali, on February 18.

reuters

Air freight cargo company PT Jasa Angkasa Semesta (JAS) has been appointed with the task of managing the king's luggage that will require at least 570 workers to cater to the king's needs.

@KingSalmanEn/Facebook

His 1,500-strong entourage will keep him accompany throughout the trip that is aimed at strengthening economic ties with Asian nations. The trip comes after the king's decision to diversify his economy and reduce its reliance on oil.

reuters

As part of a rare diplomatic mission, King Abdulaziz al-Saud will spend four days in Malaysia from where he will head to Indonesia, China, and Japan.

Currently, the 81-year-old king is touring Malaysia with 600 of his best men and is expected to be joined by 800 more delegates including princes and ministers.
The journey of refugees and migrants from North Africa and the Middle East has become more dangerous ever since Europe increased border restrictions.

Reuters

A new report by the United National refugee agency found that border restrictions have caused refugees and migrants to take more diversified and dangerous journeys, which includes increased dependency on people-smugglers or using flimsy boats to cross rough seas.

Reuters

Vincent Cochetel, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Director of Europe Bureau said, This report clearly shows that the lack of accessible and safe pathways leads refugees and migrants to take enormous risks while attempting to reach Europe, including those simply trying to join family members.

Reuters

The UNHCR issued the report, called Desperate Journeys, today and said the closure of the Western Balkan route and the European Union-Turkey Statement in March 2016 caused a drastic decrease in the number of people reaching Greece via the Eastern Mediterranean route.

There is the risk of drowning at sea of course, but by making illegal journeys migrant and refugees also risk being kidnapped, held against their will for days on end, physical and sexual abuse, torture and extortion by smugglers and criminal gangs.
By now it has become an established fact that not all the so-called ISIS jihadists are fighting with the terror outfit to establish an "Islamic Caliphate" as envisioned by Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi.

AFP

In fact, a large number of them have joined the ISIS on the lure of money and sex slaves. For some others, it is the promise of "Jannat" or paradise after they die fighting for the God.

The story of Alaa Abd al-Akeedi, a 15-year-old boy from Mosul is one of such. Akeedi, who was in the Islamic State's Martyrs' Brigade and was getting ready to die, as the US-led coalition forces close in on the city.

AFP

Now a letter has surfaced, what is said to be his goodbye to his parents. The handwritten letter was written on an Islamic State form marked "Soldiers' Department, Martyrs' Brigade" in an envelope addressed to his parents.

"My dear family, please forgive me," it reads.

Reuters

But what is 'interesting' is how he sees his 'future'.

"Don't be sad and don't wear the black clothes. I asked to get married and you did not marry me off. So, by God, I will marry the 72 virgins in paradise."

According to Reuters news agency, Akeedi rarely visited his family after joining ISIS and on his last trip home he told his father he was going to carry out a suicide attack in Baiji, an oil refinery town south of Mosul.

"He told his father, 'I am going to seek martyrdom,'" a relative who wanted to remain unnamed told Reuters.

A few months later, Akeedi's family was told by the militants that he had succeeded.

The letter was left behind with a handful of other bombers' notes to relatives when Islamic State abandoned the facility in the face of the army offensive.

Reuters

The left behind documents includes a handwritten registry containing the personal details of about 50 recruits, most of them believed to been in their teens or early 20s.

Most of the recruits listed in the registry were Iraqi but there were a few from the United States, Iran, Morocco and India.
Italy's foreign ministry said Tuesday it had asked a prosecutor to investigate the suspected sale of European visas by officials at its consulate in the autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq.

The move followed reports that entry visas for Italy and the rest of the Schengen border-free zone that covers most of continental Europe were being sold for up to 10,000 euros ($10,600) a time to buyers deemed a security risk by other European consulates in the region's capital, Arbil.

A ministry investigation identified irregularities in the visa issuing procedures at the consulate and the official in charge of the section has been replaced, the ministry said in a statement.

Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported that at least 152 visas had been issued in return for illicit payments. Around half went to Kurdish locals and the rest to other Iraqi nationals or Syrian refugees, the daily said.

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Colombia's FARC rebels will begin disarming Wednesday, their leaders and the government said, the culmination of a peace process to end half a century of conflict.

After weeks of mustering its troops at designated disarmament zones, the FARC will start to inventory its weapons and destroying munitions under UN supervision, the government's high commissioner for peace, Sergio Jaramillo, told journalists Tuesday.

"As a concrete first step in the process of laying down our arms and as a sign of our unconditional committment to peace, FARC members' weapons ... will be turned over to the United Nations," said FARC leader Ivan Marquez.

The disarmament of the country's largest guerrilla group will leave rival movement ELN -- currently engaged in rocky peace talks with the government -- as the only rebel group still waging a multi-sided war that has killed 260,000 people.

President Juan Manuel Santos is scrambling to seal a "complete peace" with both leftist rebel groups, which were launched in 1964.

His historic peace deal with the FARC, or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, is running slightly behind schedule.

Under the deal, signed in November, the FARC was due to surrender 30 percent of its weapons to the UN by Wednesday. But that can only happen once the inventory is complete.

Jaramillo said a June deadline for the rebels to fully disarm would be maintained, however.

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Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ; A Letter to the US President

By Mahmoud Ahmadinejad



February 27, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Iran's former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad voiced strong support for Trump's uncompromising stand against Washington's "corrupt" political structure and media.

To: His Excellency, Mr. Donald John Trump

The president of the United States of America

Greetings,

Your Excellency has been elected, in the recent US election, as the president of the country.

It can be inferred from the political and media atmosphere in the US that the result of the election has been despite the status quo, and beyond the will and prediction of the governing body and the main system behind the scene of the US political stage.

The stances of the rival party and some of your party members and most western leaders suggest the same notion. Irrespective of whether or not that is true, the recent election revealed part of the actual and accumulated demands of the US people.

Welcoming this and hoping it will have an effect, I hereby share some points with you, whereas Id tried in the past to convey some important matters to the two preceding presidents, via letters.

A. Introduction

1- This letter is by no means political, in the common sense of the world; nonetheless, today it is from a human to another human. The letter is from a humane standpoint, rooted in interest toward and compassion for the American nation and other nations, and I expect your Excellency to read it from the same perspective, adopting a humane approach.

2- I speak as the son of the great, civilizing and culture-making nation of Iran. A nation with a prominent role in the global culture and civilization, by having presented thousands of scientists and artists, as well as innumerous scientific and cultural achievements throughout its honorable history.

A nation that, back 2500 years ago, by its great historical character, Cyrus, issued the order for freedom of thought and equality of human beings, as well as for annulling slavery, racial discrimination and exploitation; principles it has ever since adhered to.

A nation that managed an important part of the world for centuries, in brotherhood, justice and respect.

A nation that, in the current era, introduced the unique figure, Late Imam Khomeini, to the human society.

A leader who depicted the love and kindness of divine prophets to all human beings, and was the flag-bearer of freedom, justice and brotherhood for all nations. A great reformer who, from a divine-humane perspective, was the helper for all the oppressed and was the harbinger of peace, friendship and justice, heralding fundamental reforms to benefit all nations.

3- I have met many political, cultural and social figures, as well as people from all walks of life across the five continents of the world, talking to them about international issues. This letter can be interpreted as the standpoints of other nations and many contemporary experts and figures.

4- Your Excellency and I are, like other human beings, servants and creatures of The Only God, and have been created for an eternal life. God has not created us for enmity, hegemony and aggressiveness. People are all equal and in terms of possessing land, wealth, God-given opportunities and human rights, theyre alike. The true essence of human blossoms through monotheism, loving others and making endeavors toward the well-being and prosperity of others.

A human being, on his path to serve others, achieves proximity to God and eventually wins eternal salvation. In other words, a true human being and the actual winner of this worlds competitions and contests is one who spends his life in the service of other human beings well-being and welfare, and for doing away with oppression and establishing justice and friendship.

5- Enjoying the vote and trust of people and representing them is on the one hand a source of honor and on the other, causing an extremely heavy responsibility. If you have so far lived for yourself, basically you will need to henceforth live for the US people and the human society.

6- Having been elected the US president is a historic opportunity primarily for the elected person and secondly for the electorates and other nations. Although four years is a long period, but it ends quickly. The opportunity needs to be valued, and all its moments need to be used in the best way.

7- Those elected by nations and the rulers should never consider themselves being superior to people, or being their masters and dominant over peoples affairs. The rulers capacity is but to be humble toward the people, to serve them, and to follow up their demands.

All prophets, among them Prophet Jesus (Peace Be Upon him), were bearers of the same message and were in service of the people.

God, in the noble Quran, addresses Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and says You are only a reminder. You are not over them a controller.

The prophets came not to rule people and establish empires, but to unite human beings and instill sympathy, and to spread monotheism, freedom, justice and love across the planet and to endow everyone with them.

8- The laws ruling human societies have been codified by God. Those laws are unalterable. The people who, in their hearts, bear tenderness and love for human beings and strive on the path of serving people, have in fact filled their hearts with love for God and a beautiful fate awaits them, hence being honorable both in this world and in the hereafter.

9- Favoring the interests and satisfaction of the public and nations over the interest and satisfaction of an insatiable minority of tyrants of wealth and power, is a reasonable issue, bringing reputation to the rulers.

B. Some points on the status of the USA and Your Excellencys stances during the election campaign:

Mr. President,

Your Excellency is well informed of the US history and the behavior of its rulers toward other nations, particularly over the past half-century. Levels of dissatisfaction from US rulers are so that a free election at any part of the world will result in the victory of the US governments opposition.

You are also supposed to know the US internal situation and the oppression exerted over the nation, better than any other person.

Your Excellency has explicitly proscribed the US policies and performances, as well as its governance structure and media system that shapes the public opinion. Your Excellency has announced that you want to change the status-quo to peoples benefit.

Requisite for realizing those vows is paying attention to some important issues, of which I point out a few:

1- Your Excellency has truthfully described the US political system and electoral structure as corrupt and anti-public. The US electoral system has for decades enslaved peoples votes to benefit a certain minority; i.e. a group that seemingly rules in the form of two parties, but in fact represents a minority, i.e. the tyrants of global wealth and power.

Changing the US electoral system and setting peoples will and interests free from that imposed slavery, will be considered a great job and a fundamental reform.

It is clear that only with an integrated plan and relying on peoples true will, the status quo can be reformed. I believe that the position of the president in the US entails ample power and potential for taking the initiative in that great job. I hope you will be the first president of the United States of America who establishes novel changes to achieve peoples actual will.

2- Unfortunately, consecutive US administrations have assumed arrogance toward others, seeking progress of the state in holding others back, pursuing possession and welfare of US people in others poverty, questing its honor and grandeur in humiliating others, and searching US security in insecurity for others.

If all the world governments view the international arena from the same angle, and act accordingly, what will the result be? Its my belief that the US people cannot support such policies and performances, and cannot pursue humiliation, poverty and insecurity for others, and cannot seize others wealth.

Whenever the US nation has, beyond the blurred atmosphere of media, become cognizant of such policies and behaviors, it has slammed it and disavowed the perpetrators.

If we pursuing fundamental and sustainable reforms, we need to respect all nations and cultures, as well as their will and interests. We need to share the happiness of nations, as well as their sorrow. We need to seek equality and brotherhood among nations, and respect the nations rights, as well as to avoid arrogance and efforts toward domineering others.

3- Your Excellency has announced that the US treasury has produced around $23 Trillion of illegal notes (paper assets). This means that without labor, effort or providing goods and services and by having abused the internationality of dollar, the funds has been taken from world nations pocket. Regrettably, the big and modern robbery has been committed in the name of the US people, but in fact to the benefit of a certain group. This signifies that the US administration and governance owe other nations the exact amount. I dont think the US people are satisfied with this greatest robbery in history.

It is expected that the looted wealth of nations be returned to them, or at least the inhumane and destructive trend be halted. This will be an instance of fundamental and structural reform.

4- Mr. President, Your Excellency has pinpointed the existence of 70 million poor and millions of jobless people and said that resolving US domestic problems is on top of your agenda. You have announced that the US defense power has shrunk. Your Excellency has noted the $6 Trillion costs of US war in the Middle East. You know that the official US annual military expenditure is $700 Billion.

Experts believe that defending US geographical borders and preserving its domestic security vis-a-vis modern threats should not cost more than $200 Billion annually.

The basic question now is who has given the US government the mission to establish security worldwide?

What outcome has meddling in others affairs and military deployments to other regions and imposing thousands of US military, security and intelligence bases across the globe had, except for insecurity, war, division, killing and displacement of nations? Have the measures brought about anything beyond hatred and animosity toward US leaders, notoriety for the US people and imposition of military expenditures?

If all governments want to show behavior similar to the US administration, which visible horizon of peace and security will lie ahead of the human society? Isnt it better to stop warmongering and not to interfere militarily in other regions of the world, in order to create an atmosphere of international understanding and to end the arms race, war and killing of people?

By doing so, a considerable wealth of resources will be saved to develop US peoples welfare, and to shed poverty and unemployment. Isnt that the best way to change the world nations attitude toward the US governing body?

Furthermore, you know that relying on arms and threatening others is translated into entering an endless and highly costly arms race, which has no fate but war, poverty and annihilation of nations.

Nowadays it is revealed to the general public that the claim to safeguard security and establish peace in other territories by relying on weapons and warmongering is a false one, where colonial goals are hidden under humanistic slogans.

How can the race in production and export of arms create peace and security?

War instigates war, and peace is never established by war.

Killing only cumulates hatred. Sustainable peace and security will only be established by changing attitudes, beliefs and behavior.

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Sustainable security needs to be sought in kindness, respecting others rights and administering justice.

The best defensive power is peoples power and satisfaction, and this will not be achieved unless by administering justice and respecting human beings.

If Your Excellency takes the initiative to remove the deadly arms race and stop the military presence and intervention in other regions, the annual killing and displacement of millions of human beings will be prevented. If so, hundreds of billions of dollars of global military and security costs will be reduced, to be spent in the health, education and welfare of nations, as well as in reducing the social gap and other problems, and to uproot insecurity.

Hasnt the time come for all of us to believe that the human society needs human thought, justice and brotherhood more than arms and military power? Arrogance is a devilish deed and the root cause of all problems in the human society. Hasnt the time come to change arms to pens, and to replace arrogance, discrimination and hatred with love, equality and brotherhood?

5- The United Nations is the most prominent achievement of historical experiences, and is the shared human heritage and the result of mans hope for building a better world. The formation of the UN is a very sublime idea for the fair participation of all nations in global governance and for establishing sustainable peace and security, as well as yielding welfare and excellence for all.

The UN was founded for collective wisdom to replace dictatorship and arrogance.

The free participation of nations in global governance is not a threat, but a valuable opportunity that all genuine reformists will welcome.

Unfortunately, the dominance of consecutive US administrations over the global body has obstructed its right performance. Time has come for the center for manifestation of collective- and- free will of nations to be set free from the destructive dominance.

Of course, the job requires history-making men and arrival at a major decision.

6- Those ill-wishing for the US people are set to withstand the implementation of US peoples will to implement fundamental reforms in structures, policies and behavior of the US ruling system.

They seek deception, in order to divert the public movement of the US nation toward genuine reform and realization of their rights.

Unfortunately, some are pursuing the spread of discriminatory, racist and profit-driven attitudes in human relations, as well as expansion of false boundaries and causing rifts among the people.

The Devils are, under false flags of religion, race, skin color and even geography, trying to widen the gap among people, and spread hatred, to create opportunities for themselves.

The human society is, in an evolutionary trend, moving toward the one society, and on its way, is pursuing removal of the various borders and gaps among people and nations.

Human beings originate from the same root and nature, possessing a divine soul, hence respectable. Theres no enmity and hostility among nations of any religion, thought and race. Resolving the problems of the human society and building a better world would need sympathy, condolence and helping each and every of the world people.

As great Saadi, the renowned Iranian poet put it:

The sons of Adam are limbs of each other,

Having been created of one essence.

When the calamity of time affects one limb

The other limbs cannot remain at rest.

We should all try to make a better future and to expand friendship, justice and freedom. All people need to feel responsible and enjoy the opportunity to participate in and lead that sacred deed. Im positive no wise human being will condemn an effort to eradicate racial discrimination and discrimination in the US.

7- Terrorism is an anti-human tool in the hands of global powers in order to cause insecurity and rifts, as well as to impose their will and policies on nations and governments.

I regret to remind you that most of the known terrorist groups across the contemporary world have either been or are formed and reinforced by US security services, or have, halfway through, started to serve their goals.

Fundamental fight against terrorism would mean cutting the terrorists financial resources and the intelligence, financial and arms support of US security bodies, as well as those of US allied governments.

The public expectation from Your Excellency is to make the public, and particularly the nations oppressed by terrorism, happy and thankful by taking such a measure.

I long for a day when the idea of arrogance, which is the root cause of terrorism and a great number of human societys problems is transformed into humane thought.

8- The developments and the current existence of America today is the result of immigration of a variety of nations to that land. The presence and constructive effort of the elite and scientists of different nations, including the million-plus population of my Iranian compatriots has had a major role in the development of the US. It is necessary that the spirit of the policies ruling the US, value respect toward the diversity of nations and races. In other words, the contemporary US belongs to all nations, including the natives of the land. No one may consider themselves the owner, and view others as guests or immigrants. Care needs to be taken toward the same persons responsible for the current problems in the US not to infiltrate and divert the nation.

Mr. President,

Its will not be an instance of over-demanding that Your Excellency invest into fighting the root cause of corruption and support the oppressed people, who are typically in the service of building the US.

C. And the final point:

1- Enjoying a country developed, powerful, rich and effective in international relations, is what any nation would long for, but this wouldnt mean forming empires and interfering in others affairs, or boasting and exercising hegemony toward other nations.

I believe that the US land enjoys enough of natural resources and God-given wealth for making a prosperous, developed and sustainable life, so that no encroachment toward others resources will be needed. The US nation deserves enjoying all facilities and opportunities and having a sublime and stable life, via a constructive, fair and equal interaction with other nations.

You can rest assured that efforts to spread human behavior, to accept and respect the rights of other nations and to try to establish justice have always been admirable. Creating opportunities for constructive job for American youth, resolving peoples severe problems, making structural reforms and building America within the geography of the United States are welcome by the community of nations and ahead of them, the Iranian nation.

2- Women depict Gods beauty and are Gods most beautiful and valuable gift. Respecting women and dignifying them, is a sign of magnanimity.

The great men of history have paid the highest level of respect to women and recognized their God-given capabilities. Womens role in the life and perfection of human society is special and in the best and highest form. Womens management in domains of science, society, culture, etc. has been among the most precise and excellent.

We all understand the deep concept of unrivaled motherly love, the unique kindness of a sister and the irreplaceable position of a wife.

I hope women in all societies, including that of the US, while at utmost persistent esteem and respect, effectively and constructively participate and lead in building the ideal society.

Its needless to remind of the glorious history of the great Iranian nation, which has seen numerous ups and downs. No trace is left on earth of the enemies and the malice and the vengeful ill-wishers toward the Iranian nation. However, the Iranian nation is alive and progressive, having successfully gone through and passed all minor and major historic events, as it will in the future. The Iranian nation possesses a bright future. I suffice to a point: please note that the image US media provide of the Iranian nation has never been and is not indicative of the facts regarding the great and honorable Iranian nation.

Mr. President,

With the good people of US, you currently have a landmark opportunity to kick off fundamental reforms and strive on the path, to be the initiator of huge change and leave a good reputation behind.

I hope the lengthy letter, which was proportionate to the nature of a fundamental and constructive talk, hasnt tired you.

I pray to God The Merciful for all nations and also for the people of US glory, prosperity, peace, freedom, justice and welfare and for Your Excellency, success in performing the heavy duty of reforming the structure of the US system and in responding to peoples demand.
Truth vs. Trump

By Lawrence Davidson

February 27, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - During the presidential campaign I often referred to Donald Trump as a congenital liar, but it is possible that in doing so I made a category mistake. By definition liars, even chronic ones, belong to a category of people who know that there is truth from which their lies deviate. I am not sure that accurately describes President Trumps state of mind. Perhaps a more accurate way of describing Trumps outlook is that it presents as a grandiose delusional disorder .

People with this sort of disorder seem not to be able to discern what is real from what they want to be real. Their beliefs do not have to be bizarre but can appear as persistent misrepresentations that are either false or gross exaggerations. One sort of delusional disorder is called grandiose. Here the person has an over-inflated sense of worth, power, knowledge, or identity. Trump seems to fit this description.

Here are a few of Trumps misrepresentations and exaggerations that appear to underpin his alternate reality.

 According to the president, the nation was in deep trouble when he took over. He insists that he inherited a mess. No one challenged this description, although it is plainly an exaggeration. In truth the economy (including job production and employment rates) under his predecessor was doing well and no new foreign wars had been launched by Washington. Civil rights were being extended to more and more minority groups. Where there was dissension it was over such things as police violence (which Trump seems not to see as a problem).

To tackle this exaggerated mess Trump claims to have put together a  well oiled machine.  This is a misrepresentation. By all evidence his early administration is disorganized, amateurish and plagued by internal dissension . When the situation was reported in the press, Trump got very angry at this challenge to his preferred view of reality and declared that the media is the  enemy of the American people .

 President Trump claims that a key to the safety of the nation is the imposition of his immigration ban blocking immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim nations. However, the statistical evidence showing a lack of violence on American soil by such immigrants makes Trumps claim insupportable. Just so his grossly exaggerated assertion that immigrants generally hurt the economy by taking jobs away from citizens.

 He (along with that other deluded leader Benjamin Netanyahu) describes Iran as the greatest terror state in the world, even though, in practice, Iran has been a discreet ally of the U.S. in the war on terror.

 And, of course, Trump continues to insist on his overwhelming popularity , as exemplified by claims for his Electoral College numbers and an alleged record inauguration attendance , despite the fact that each claim can easily be shown to be a misrepresentation of reality. Trumps real approval rate now hovers around 40% , lower than every other post-World War II president at this point in their term.

To these instances of misrepresentation and exaggeration can be added other evidence, such as the fact that just about all contrary views appearing in the media are now described by Trump as fake news. In his own opinion, nothing he says or does is ever wrong or mistaken. If something does go wrong it is because some other person or group has maliciously sabotaged his efforts , while twisting the truth he knows to exist into a maligning falsehood. This is why he cant work with anyone who has previously criticized him or who is likely to do so to his face.

Bullshit

There is another way to understand what Trump is doing. This is explained in a 2005 book by Harry Frankfurt entitled On Bullshit . Actually, an older and less crude way of describing this is humbug. Whatever you call it, this way of relating to the world is, according to Frankfurt, worse than lying because it is indifferent to the truth. Those who consistently engage in bullshit quietly change the rules governing their end of the conversation so that claims about truth and falsity are irrelevant. You do this enough and you lose your capacity to tell what is true and what isnt. Frankfurt believes that Trump does often lie, but even more often he just bullshits, and he really cares little about what is actually true. Perhaps he has reached the stage where truth is just whatever comes out of his mouth.

The Road to Power

How are we to understand the millions of Americans who respond to Donald Trump with uncritical enthusiasm  as if these large numbers are following a pied piper into a promised world. I think we have to see them as an archaic subset of any population. In the U.S. case, this is a largely white American subgroup which has been obsessively angry since the 1960s over both economic and cultural changes. In other words the progressive political and social reality that most Americans have created beginning with the Civil Rights movement is anathema to them. For these discontented people, the changes happening around them appeared unstoppable until now. However, Trumps language, his attack on the political system per se, his choice of targets such as immigrants, have given voice and direction to the frustrations of this subgroup. Trumps alternate reality is one that they are comfortable with. This situation is not unique to the U.S., nor is it unique to our historical period.

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Even though there is no eliminating such a class of malcontents entirely, it is to be emphasized that, despite the publicity given emotional Trump rallies and the Tea Party movement, Trump devotees are a minority of the national population . If that is the case, how is it that Donald Trump occupies the White House? We can answer this question by accounting for the outlook of the rest of the adult U.S. population.

First, it is important to understand that a large percentage of American adults (perhaps 40 percent ) dont vote. In my opinion, most of them are just not interested in politics. It is not an important part of their local reality. Thus, they do not show an interest in, much less an understanding of, politically important issues beyond their own immediate locale. This accounts for the chronic low turnout for American elections both national and regional. The default position of this very large number of citizens is one of political passivity.

Second, during the past campaign season a large number of traditionally Democratic Party voters became disaffected. The party was essentially split by the Bernie Sanders challenge. When that proved of no avail against an entrenched leadership mindset more beholden to special interests then to the needs of the ordinary citizen, the party lost millions of votes. Some of these defectors probably became closet Trump supporters. Others voted for third party candidates or simply stayed home on election day.

You put all of this together with other voting variables such as gerrymandered voting districts, the usual barriers to minority group voting, and the distinct lack of enthusiasm for Hillary Clinton as a candidate, and the mystery of Trumps victory gets less mysterious.

Actually, Donald Trumps delusional worldview, and the reinforcing support given to it by his enthusiastic followers, does not prevent him from occasionally coming out with accurate observations. Unfortunately, these occur almost spontaneously, in what appears to spur-of-the-moment situations. For instance, in an interview with Bill OReilly aired just before the Superbowl, Trump responded to the assertion that Vladimir Putin was a killer by saying, weve [the U.S.] got a lot of killers. What, do you think our country is so innocent? This complemented his on-again  off-again desire to reach an accommodation with Moscow. Then, during Benjamin Netanyahus recent visit to Washington, Trump questioned the continuing viability of the two-state solution (of course, without contextualizing the statement by pointing a finger at Israeli policies).

Yet these relatively rare public displays of reality-based insight are of little reassurance to the rest of us just because they are intermittent and apparently not characteristic of any disciplined analytical way of thinking. So, we are still left with guy who, for most of his waking hours, lives in his own world of humbug.

So what can we expect from this delusional, morally suspect personality who now occupies the White House? My guess is that as things get more contentious, Trump will retreat from the policy business of governing. He will turn that over (if he hasnt already) to his accomplices: Stephen Bannon, Reince Priebus, and Vice President Pence. Having done so he will devote more and more time to his so-called reelection campaign where he can vent his spleen amongst the adoring crowds of supporters who serve, collectively, as a stimulant for the mans immense ego.
War Criminal: George W. Bush on Trump's Policies



Bush Calls for Russia Inquiry in Rare Interview

Former president George W. Bush took a few thinly veiled shots at President Donald Trump during an interview with NBCs Today show.



Ed Note: Bush Standing on the bodies of over one million people, (including many in the U.S. military) to make a dollar selling his book.

Posted February 27, 2017

"Today" host Matt Lauer confronted Bush specifically about Trump's assertion that some news-media outlets were the "enemy of the people." It was a rare interview for Bush, who was promoting his new book, "Portraits of Courage."

Though Bush qualified that Trump had been in office for only a few weeks and that the media ecosystem was far less splintered during his administration, he emphasized the importance to democracy of dissenting media voices.

"I consider the media to be indispensable to democracy," Bush said. "We need an independent media to hold people like me to account. I mean power can be very addictive, and it can be corrosive, and it's important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power. Whether it be here or elsewhere."

Over six minutes, Bush countered Trump's worldview, seeming to slightly criticize everything from Trump's immigration policy to his description of "American carnage" across the US.

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Asked about Trump's executive order temporarily banning entry to the US by people from seven majority-Muslim countries, Bush seemed to acknowledge critics' assertion that the ban discriminated based primarily on religion.

"I think it's very important for all of us to recognize one of our great strengths is for all of us to be able to worship the way they want to or not worship at all," Bush said. "A bedrock of our freedom is the right to worship freely. I understood that right off the bat, Matt, that this was an ideological conflict and people that murder the innocent are not religious people. They want to advance an ideology."

When asked if he was for the travel ban, Bush added: "I'm for an immigration policy that's welcome and that upholds the law."

Though Trump has only begrudgingly acknowledged that Russia meddled in the US 2016 election, the former president was far less hesitant that the US needed to pursue answers.

Bush emphasized the need for the US to further investigate Russia's hacking and leaking of US internal political documents, saying he trusted Sen. Richard Burr, the Republican head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, to investigate Russia's role in the election.

"We all need answers," Bush said. "Whether or not a special prosecutor is the right way or go or not, you're talking to the wrong guy."

He added: "That question needs to be answered."

The former Republican president's opposition to some of Trump's initial policy decisions came after months of public and private criticism of Trump from the former first family.
The Risk of Baiting Trump on Russia





In the drive to damage President Trump, American liberals have seized on his desire for more cooperation with Russia, baiting him as a Putin puppet, a dangerous strategy.



By Norman Solomon

Four weeks into Donald Trumps presidency, New York Times columnist Paul Krugman wrote that nothing he has done since the inauguration allays fears that he is in effect a Putin puppet. The liberal pundit concluded with a matter-of-fact reference to the Trump-Putin axis.

Such lines of attack have become routine, citing and stoking fears that the president of the United States is a Kremlin stooge. The meme is on the march  and where it will end, nobody knows. Actually, it could end with a global nuclear holocaust.

The incessant goading and denunciations of Trump as a Kremlin flunky are escalating massive pressure on him to prove otherwise. Exculpatory behavior would involve setting aside possibilities for detente and, instead, confronting Russia  rhetorically and militarily.

Hostile behavior toward Russia is what much of the U.S. media and political establishment have been fervently seeking. Its also the kind of behavior that could drag us all over the brink into thermonuclear destruction. But cmon, why worry about that?

For countless media commentators and partisan Democrats including many avowed progressives  as well as for some Republican hawks aligned with the likes of Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham  the benefits of tarring Trump as a Russian tool are just too alluring to resist.

To be clear: For a vast number of reasons, the Trump administration is repugnant. And the new presidents flagrant violations of the U.S. Constitutions foreign and domestic emoluments clauses are solid grounds for impeaching him. Im glad to be involved with a nationwide petition campaign  which already has 890,000 signers  urging Congress to begin impeachment proceedings. We should go after Trump for well-grounded reasons based on solid facts.

At the same time, we should refuse to be stampeded by the nonstop drumbeats from partisan talking points and mainline media outlets  as well as the intelligence community.

It wasnt mere happenstance when the Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, openly lied at a Senate committee hearing in early 2013, replying No sir to a pivotal question from Sen. Ron Wyden: Does the NSA collect any type of data at all on millions or hundreds of millions of Americans? The lie was exposed three months later when Edward Snowden made possible the release of key NSA documents.

Yet now were supposed to assume straight-arrow authoritative honesty can be found in a flimsy 25-page report assessing Russian activities and intentions, issued in early January under the logo of Clappers Office of the Director of National Intelligence. That report has been critiqued and demolished by one astute analyst after another .

As investigative journalist Gareth Porter noted , In fact, the intelligence community had not even obtained evidence that Russia was behind the publication by WikiLeaks of the e-mails [of the] Democratic National Committee, much less that it had done so with the intention of electing Trump. Clapper had testified before Congress in mid-November and again in December that the intelligence community did not know who had provided the e-mails to WikiLeaks and when they were provided.

More broadly and profoundly, many cogent analyses have emerged to assess the proliferating anti-Russia meme and its poisonous effects. For instance:  Why We Must Oppose the Kremlin-Baiting Against Trump  by Stephen F. Cohen at The Nation;  The Increasingly Unhinged Russia Rhetoric Comes From a Long-Standing U.S. Playbook  by Glenn Greenwald at The Intercept; and  The Did-You-Talk-to-Russians Witch Hunt  by Robert Parry at ConsortiumNews.

The frenzy to vilify Russia and put the kibosh on the potential for detente is now undermining open democratic discourse about U.S. foreign policy  while defaming advocates of better U.S.-Russia relations in ways that would have made Joe McCarthy proud. So, President Trumps expressions of interest in improving relations with Russia  among his few lucid and constructive statements about anything  are routinely spun and smeared as corroborations of the meme that hes in cahoots with the Russian government.

Many organizations that call themselves progressive are culpable. One of the largest, MoveOn, blasted out an email alert on February 10 with a one-sentence petition calling for a congressional investigation of Trump  flatly declaring that he has ties to the Russian government.

Trumps Views on Russia

Consider these words from President Trump at his February 16 news conference:

 Look, it would be much easier for me to be tough on Russia, but then were not going to make a deal. Now, I dont know that were going to make a deal. I dont know. We might. We might not. But it would be much easier for me to be so tough  the tougher I am on Russia, the better. But you know what? 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.

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 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.

 By the way, 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.

Rather than being applauded and supported, such talk from Trump is routinely depicted as further indication that  in Krugmans words  Trump is in effect a Putin puppet.

And how could President Trump effectively allay fears and accusations that hes a Kremlin flunky? How could he win cheers from mainstream newsrooms and big-megaphone pundits and CIA headquarters? He could get in a groove of decisively denouncing Russian President Vladimir Putin. He could move U.S. military forces into more confrontational stances and menacing maneuvers toward Russia.

Such brinkmanship would occur while each country has upward of 4,000 nuclear warheads deployed or stockpiled for potential use. Some are attached to missiles on hair-trigger alert  which, the Union of Concerned Scientists explains , is a U.S. military policy that enables the rapid launch of nuclear weapons. Missiles on hair-trigger alert are maintained in a ready-for-launch status, staffed by around-the-clock launch crews, and can be airborne in as few as 10 minutes.

Those who keep goading and baiting President Trump as a puppet of Russias government are making nuclear war more likely. If tensions with the Kremlin keep escalating, what is the foreseeable endgame? Do we really want to push the U.S. government into potentially catastrophic brinkmanship with the worlds other nuclear superpower?

Norman Solomon is the coordinator of the online activist group RootsAction.org and the executive director of the Institute for Public Accuracy. He is the author of a dozen books including War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death.

The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House.
Military Industrial Complex Wins:





White House Calls for $54B Bump in "Defense" Spending, Sharp Domestic Cuts





The Trump administration has not said how much money it will ask Congress to spend in total.



By Alex Guillen, Sarah Ferris and Jeremy Herb

February 27, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " Politico " - The White House took its first steps Monday toward what would be a dramatic reshuffling of the $3 trillion-plus federal budget, sending guidance to agencies that calls for a $54 billion increase in defense spending and corresponding reductions to most non-security agencies.

While Office of Management and Budget officials briefed reporters on the plan this morning, President Donald Trump publicly explained his proposal to focus federal spending on national security, including boosts to the military, local law enforcement and the Border Patrol, while cutting domestic programs and foreign aid. Trump has said his budget will not include cuts to Medicare or Social Security, the usual targets of Republicans trying to trim federal spending.

This budget follows through on my promise of keeping America safe, keeping out terrorists, keeping out criminals and putting violent offenders behind bars or removing them from our country altogether, he said.

The White House has not yet defined the depth of cuts to particular programs. But some targets, such as the EPA, are in the cross-hairs of conservative groups that want severe reductions in programs such as the Obama administration's climate initiatives.

OMB Director Mick Mulvaney said Monday afternoon the Trump administrations fiscal 2018 budget would include $462 billion in domestic funding and $603 billion in defense spending.

The proposed defense total is a $54 billion increase above the Budget Control Act spending caps for defense. Mulvaney called it one of the largest increases in history.

But the Obama administration also proposed a defense budget that busted the spending caps in fiscal 2018, and defense hawks in Congress were not happy with Mondays announcement.

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Such a budget request would represent an increase of $18.5 billion above the level proposed by President Obama for fiscal year 2018, Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) said in a statement. In other words, President Trump intends to submit a defense budget that is a mere 3 percent above President Obamas defense budget, which has left our military underfunded, undersized, and unready to confront threats to our national security.

McCain and House Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) have proposed a defense budget of $640 billion for fiscal 2018.

Trump said the proposed increase in military spending will be offset and paid for by finding greater savings and efficiencies across the federal government. He didnt offer specifics, though he pointed to recent attempts to negotiate military contracts, adding, We cut the hell out of the prices.

OMB officials declined to comment on how hard the funding reductions would hit the EPA, which now has an $8.1 billion budget. But they did note the proposal would conform to Trumps campaign pledges to take an ax to the agency. (The president promised on the campaign trail to "get rid of it in almost every form," leaving only "little tidbits left.")

Foreign aid, which makes up about 1 percent of the federal budget, will also be heavily targeted. This budget expects the rest of the world to step up in some of the programs this country has been so generous in funding in the past, an OMB official said.

The president said he would substantially increase spending to law enforcement, on the local and federal levels, blasting violent crime in urban areas like Chicago.

The Trump administration has not said how much money it will ask Congress to spend in total, or from where the cuts would come. Administration officials have said Trumps budget blueprint will not touch entitlement programs or other mandatory spending, which makes up about two-thirds of federal spending each year.

Trump hinted that he would provide some additional details in his joint address to Congress on Tuesday night, when he is expected to lay out his priorities for his first year.

The White House will propose a full budget later in the year, but the budget blueprint agencies will now work on is expected by mid-March, the OMB officials said.

Trump hinted that budget would adhere to fiscal standards, in line with previous remarks from close advisers like OMB Director Mick Mulvaney.

With the $20 trillion in debt, the government must learn to tighten its belt, Trump said.

But he also made clear he planned to stick with his big-ticket agenda items like infrastructure.

Lamenting the state of the nations roads, bridges and tunnels, Trump promised massive investments nationwide.

Were going to take care of that. Were going to start spending on infrastructure, big, Trump said.

 2017 POLITICO LLC
Home Sign up for our FREE Daily Email Newsletter What Happens When the 'Bad Hombres' Are ICE Agents?



The Finer Points of Immigration Law Get Ignored



By Sandra Hernandez February 27, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " LA Times " - Whenever U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement insists it is just doing its job, Americans should take a closer look at what is happening.



With an executive order signed in his first week in office, President Trump has taken the shackles off ICE and Border Patrol officers, according to the White House, expanding the priorities for deporting immigrants. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly claims his agents will focus on those convicted of or charged with crimes, but immigrant advocacy groups and the news media already have documented arrests, detentions and deportations of immigrants who in no way represent a threat to public safety.



From 2006 through early 2010, I reported on Immigration and Customs Enforcement. What I learned was that no matter the ostensible priorities of federal agencies  or even settled law  ICE was an agency prone to overreach.



In those days, immigration agents liked to roll out press releases touting the successes of their fugitive operations. The releases detailed how violent gang members, sexual predators and other criminals were taken off the streets. Time and again, I pressed the agency for detailed information on those arrested only to discover the detainees were neither fugitives nor serious criminals.



Some people will shrug and say that if youre in this country illegally you should be...sent packing. But enforcement is always a matter of priorities.



Instead, I found longtime green card holders who had been convicted decades earlier of minor offenses. Or who were ordered deported in absentia, in some cases because they had moved or the wrong paperwork had been filed. Among the detainees without green cards, many simply didnt come close to fitting the description danger to society. They were street vendors, construction workers, janitors and small business owners, albeit without papers.



Enforcement efforts outside the fugitive program had problems as well.



One case I reported on involved a U.S. citizen who had once before been wrongly deported to Mexico. When I met him, he was a candidate for deportation after hed been convicted of drug possession. Again and again he told ICE he was an American, born in Californias Madera County. His family produced a birth certificate, but neither the agents nor the immigration judge were convinced. Instead he was threatened with an added charge: impersonating a U.S. citizen. It took publishing a newspaper story about his plight to gain his release.



In another case, agents attempted to deport a Senegalese man who had a legal stay from a federal court allowing him to remain in the U.S. while his case was adjudicated. ICE dealt with him under a covert program that forcibly drugged immigrants with powerful psychotropics so they wouldnt resist as they were loaded onto commercial airliners for the trip home. At LAX, airline officials refused to transport him. He eventually succeeded in court and is now a legal permanent resident. Break Free From The Matrix Get Our Free Daily Newsletter Victoria Arellano, a 23-year-old HIV-positive transgender woman, was stopped at a DUI checkpoint and eventually turned over to ICE. She was held in a federal detention center and denied the life-saving drugs she took daily despite clear case law that says denial of care is unconstitutional. When Arellano died, she was bound to a hospital bed even though she was too weak to raise her arms to hug her mother, who had feared visiting her daughter because of her own immigration status.



ICE also detained green card holders with mental illnesses and sent them to a network of private hospitals where they were illegally held incommunicado. Once they were deemed stable  in the cases I covered, such judgments were questionable  they had to appear in immigration court, often without representation despite laws that require the state to provide the mentally disabled with legal help. One such green card holder was detained because of a domestic violence conviction. I spoke to him shortly before his hearing. He couldnt focus, he told me, because of the voices in his head. Days later, his mother called sobbing. Her son had been deported to Mexico, a country he barely knew and where no one could take care of him.



I found another case in Haiti. David Gerbier, a green card holder with two U.S. citizen children, was deported to the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, in 1999 after an immigration court illegally bumped up a minor drug charge to an aggravated felony. A federal appeals court ruled that Gerbiers offense was indeed a misdemeanor and tossed out his deportation order. Nonetheless, U.S. officials in Port-au-Prince repeatedly denied Gerbier reentry into the United States. It took 10 years and a pro bono lawsuit before he was finally reunited with his family.



Given ICEs disturbing track record for ignoring legal limits, the excesses were hearing about now shouldnt come as a surprise. Theres the young man in Washington state with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status. He was rousted from bed and accused of being a deportable gang member. His lawyers say the charge is only supported by doctored documents. On Wednesday, federal agents removed a Salvadoran woman, reportedly scheduled for emergency brain surgery, from a Texas hospital bed.



Some people will shrug and say that if youre in this country illegally you should be detained and sent packing. But enforcement is always a matter of priorities. The Trump deportation guidelines are extreme in their scope compared with the priorities set as far back as the late 1990s. And anyone on U.S. soil  citizen or not  ought to be entitled to due process. The president says he will keep our country safe. ICE appears to have decided that when it cannot find serious criminals, it will protect us from the depredations of students, nannies and strawberry pickers



Sandra Hernandez is the vice president for communication at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. She covered criminal justice and immigration for the L.A. Daily Journal.



 2017 The Los Angeles Times The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. What happens during a deportation raid in the US? Activists and undocumented people describe the chaos and terror of predawn deportation raids taking place across the US. 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.
Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and Odengene Air Shuttle (OAS Helicopters) have began talks over debt payment plan and withdrawal of a takeover bid of the helicopter service company.

AMCON, which sealed the company a fortnight ago, said essence of the action was to draw attention of the management, which OAS is currently doing to resolve the issues.

The Guardian gathered the AMCONs seal and marks on the companys property have been removed, with the company operating without hinderance. OAS is said to have made a good response, bordering on finance and business programme that impressed AMCON.

Head of Corporate Communications, AMCON, Jude Nwauzor, told The Guardian that their intent was never to hinder any organisation or shut any. Rather, AMCON will encourage such companies to reach their goals, especially if the goals are clear with plans to pay what they are owing the government.

The CEO of OAS, Capt. Evarest Nnaji, confirmed the talks with AMCON, giving assurance on reconciliation. Nnaji noted that the companys flight activities were never interrupted, even during the period it was negotiating with AMCON and commended the willingness on both side to reach an amicable settlement.

He added: AMCON was purely professional in the negotiation and we, as a law abiding organisation, are ever eager to abide by the rule of law. So, our flights were never hindered one bit. I wish to let you know that the matter has been amicably resolved, the CEO said.

Source: Guardian
This is a warning to all those who buy fairly used phones. Take note of this if you do not want to land in prison for a crime you do not know about.

A Facebook user, Malik Nasir has warned Nigerians to be very careful when buying new phones as it could land you in prison without you knowing. He warned Nigerians buying fairly used phones to insist on getting a receipt.

He wrote:

Any time you buy that fairly or London used phone, you could be buying your way to prison. Stolen phones are now packaged or disguised as London or fairly used phones.

Most of the phones were collected at gun-point or by robbers, stolen in traffic, snatched vehicles and bags, pickpocketed etc. Some of the disguised London or fairly used phones carry murder cases, particularly, where the true owners were murdered.

Several of such reported cases of stolen phones come from Oshodi, Mile 2, Mile 12, Mushin e.tc. These phones are mostly without packs and chargers.

Each time you buy used phone, insist on the source and get your receipt. Please, keep it. That could be your saviour when the law enforcement agents tracked the phone to you because it might be difficult getting those that sold it to you.

Note that, each time you buy that unverified fairly or London used phone, you are helping to keep robbers and criminals in business.

As soon as the robbers and criminals get their victims phones, they are moved to Computer Village, Mushin and other markets where they are made to look like London or Fairly Used Phones.
Next year, two private citizens are expected to become the first humans in nearly 50 years to fly beyond low Earth orbit and circle the moon, aerospace company SpaceX announced Monday.

SpaceX, which has been helping the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration develop a spate of future missions, said the mission will launch in late 2018 and carry a crew of two civilians on its Dragon 2 spacecraft.

Like the Apollo astronauts before them, these individuals will travel into space carrying the hopes and dreams of all humankind, driven by the universal human spirit of exploration, SpaceX said in a news release Monday.

The mission will launch from Cape Canaveral, Fla., SpaceX said, and use the same launch pad (LC 39) that propelled the Apollo missions between 1966 and 1972.

This presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep space  and they will travel faster and further into the Solar System than any before them, the announcement said.

The company, founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Elon Musk, said it expects to start fitness testing and training for the yet-to-be-identified citizens later this year. They will be identified after they have been cleared to fly, SpaceX noted.

Fly me to the moon  Ok, Musk tweeted Monday.

Fly me to the moon  Okhttps://t.co/6QT8m5SHwn  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 27, 2017

Mondays announcement is the latest step toward whats expected to be the triumphant return of humankind to the moon within the next decade. Earlier this month, NASA said it was considering adding astronauts to a lunar mission in late 2018. The project, titled EM-1, was initially conceived and planned only as an unmanned test flight for the agencys Space Launch System rocket and Orion space capsule.

Some experts say placing a crew aboard EM-1, however, will almost certainly prove too impractical for NASA to go through with  meaning SpaceXs civilian crew will most likely beat U.S. astronauts into lunar orbit.

No human being has been outside of low Earth orbit  the gravity-free zone between 99 and 1,200 miles above the planets surface  since Dec. 19, 1972, when the crew of Apollo 17 began its return descent to the Earth. Only 24 humans from eight NASA Apollo lunar missions  8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17)  have ever ventured beyond LEO.

SpaceX said Monday that it was approached for the mission by the private citizens, who paid the company a significant deposit for the space flight.

We would like to thank NASA, without whom this would not be possible, SpaceX said, noting that the agency has provided most of the funding for the Dragon 2 crew capsule. Still in the development stage, the spacecraft is scheduled to make its first unmanned test flight to the International Space Station in November. The Falcon Heavy rocket is also set to make its first test flight this summer.

SpaceX said it expects private missions, crewed with civilians, to continue beyond 2018.

Designed from the beginning to carry humans, the Dragon spacecraft already has a long flight heritage, the company said. These missions will build upon that heritage, extending it to deep space mission operations, an important milestone as we work towards our ultimate goal of transporting humans to Mars.
In what is called a Gas Revolution, and following the renewed interactive engagements of the Federal Government with oil-producing communities in several states in the Niger Delta region, a plan to put in place a gas industrial park that is valued at about $20 billion through a Public-Private Partnership model is now in process.

Tagged the Gas Revolution Industrial Park, GRIP, Ogidigben, and envisaged to be a regional hub for all gas-based industries, the project will cover 2700 hectares with fertilizer, methanol, petrochemicals, & aluminium plants located in the park that has already been designated as a Tax Free Zone by the FG.

In a statement by his spokesman, Laolu Akande, the acting president ,Yemi Osinbajo spoke yesterday at the Presidential Villa while meeting with international developers and investors of the project.

Osinbajo stated that the Buhari administration is committed to the development of the Niger Delta, and the importance of this project is underlined by the presidential attention it is attracting. The presidency is very interested.

Before he went on vacation, President Muhammadu Buhari had mandated the Vice President to embark on visits to oil-producing communities to demonstrate the resolve of this administration to the pursuit of a new vision for the Niger Delta.

The building of an industrial gas hub in Ogidigben, Delta State was one of the feedbacks that was received during the visit to the state.

As a follow-up on the Niger Delta trips, Acting President Osinbajo, alongside the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources; Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Group Managing Director; Dr. Maikanti Baru and other top government and NNPC officials met today with a a group of international investors and developers put together under a consortium by Dubai-based firm, AGMC.

The consortium is made up of Fortune 500 companies like the GSE&C of South Korea, the China Development Bank, Power China and several others global operators from Asia and the United Arab Emirates in the Middle-East.

Under the plan presented by the consortium to the Acting President, about $20 billion would be invested to develop the Gas Revolution Industrial Park, and generating 250,000 direct and indirect jobs in the process.

The industrial park would be a cluster for several industries in one location benefiting from an efficient, cost-competitive and abundant supply of natural gas, proximity to a deep sea port and centralized utilities, & services such as uninterrupted power, world class telecommunications and processed water.

The park, originally conceived by NNPC, is located about 60km from Warri, and is about 1km away from the operational base of Chevron Nigeria Limited. It will be connected to over 18 trillion Cubic Feet of gas reserves in fields such as Odidi, Okan, Forcados, located within a 50km radius. It is equally planned that the park will be connected to Nigerias most dominant gas pipeline network-ELPS, enabling supply of gas to and from the park.

According to the Acting President we already have a Steering Committee in place, chaired by the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and that shows the level of our commitment. We are unwavering.

Continuing Prof. Osinbajo added that we take the project very seriously and glad to see you are committed and ready to make several other commitments. This is a process that we intend to see happen.

In his own remarks, Dr. Kachikwu expressed confidence that the GRIP will bring the much needed succor to the people of the Niger Delta, and the oil-producing states.

Speaking earlier the leader of the group of investors and developers, Sheik Mohammed Bayo stated the commitment of the consortium, adding also that the project is important to solving the Niger Delta crisis.

Source: Leadership
The two countries are expected to sign the Memorandum of Understanding over a new industrial zone this year

A Russian delegation headed by deputy Minister of Industry Gleb Nikitin and 35 company representatives are set to arrive to Cairo on Wednesday to discuss the details of a Russian industrial zone in Egypt, state news agency MENA reported.

The industrial zone, which is currently under discussion between Egypt and Russia, would be built over two square kilometres near the coastal city of Port Said, Egyptian officials announced last year.

The two-day visit will include several meetings with Egyptian ministers.

According to MENA, the two countries are expected to sign the Memorandum of Understanding this year.

The zone would be part of the special economic area covering close to 500 square kilometres around the Suez Canal international waterway that links the Mediterranean and Red Sea.

The Suez Canal Economic Zone aims to become a global logistics and industrial hub and is one of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's flagship mega projects.

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A man has killed his own grandmother in their home and then gone ahead to do murder two police men while attempting to run away.

German police has revealed that a 24-year-old man killed his grandmother, causing a stir in the area.

According to the Associated Press, after committing the crime, the man then ran over and killed two police officers as he fled from them.

Police in the state of Brandenburg said they started searching for the man, whose identity wasnt released, after finding the body of his 79-year-old grandmother Tuesday in the town of Muellrose, east of Berlin near the Polish border.

Police spokesman Ingo Heese said when the man came to a checkpoint in his car he rammed into two police officers, who died at the scene, the dpa news agency reported.

The suspect was taken into custody a short time later but further details werent immediately available.
The Lagos State Government on Monday reiterated its appeal to the National Assembly to revisit the issue on the special status for the state.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami, made the call in Alausa, Ikeja, during the inauguration of the Eko Shirt in preparation for the celebration of Lagos at 50.

The commissioner urged the federal lawmakers to put politics aside and do the needful by granting Lagos a special status.

The National Assembly must set aside politics and regional bias to grant Lagos State a special status which the state deserves, he said.

The commissioner said the government was partnering Team Nigeria to inaugurate the Eko Shirt after which a road-show would be embarked on for 10 days to create awareness on the celebration of Lagos at 50.

He said the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led government had been promoting the concept of inclusive governance, adding that government policies, projects and programmes were being driven by the needs of communities.

Source: Punch
A Kano Magistrate Court on Tuesday remanded one Abdulaziz Hassan for allegedly raping an 11-year-old boy.

was charged with unnatural offence, contrary to Section 284 of the Penal Code.

The prosecutor, Insp. Shuaibu Musa, in his statement told the court that Hassan a resident of Rimin Kebe Quarters, on February 17, 2017, lured his victim into his shopto carry out the dastardly act.

According to Musa, a neighbour of the suspect, one Alhaji Abubakar, on February 20,2017, reported the case at the Zango Police Division.

Hassan had carnal knowledge of the victim and gave him N100, the prosecutor said.

Musa who said the offence is contrary to Section 284 of the Penal Code of the state law also disclosed that the accused had on February 18, had another unlawful sexual intercourse with the victim.

Hassan however, pleaded not guilty to one-count charge of unnatural offence.

In her judgement, the Chief Magistrate, Hajiya Maryam Sabo, ordered that Hassan be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case till March 23, for further mention.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lokoja, Kogi State, yesterday paraded a police inspector, Abali Zagi, with the Nigeria Police Force headquarters welfare bus loaded with 818.2kg of Cannabis Sativa.

The NDLEA Commander, Muhammad Idris Bello, while parading the suspects, indicated that the police officer and two other accomplices were arrested along Lokoja-Okene road on their way from Okpeila.

He said his patrol team had earlier allowed him a free pass but perceived the smell of weeds and decided to pursue the bus and arrested them. After a thorough search, the exhibits were found.

According to him, another suspect, who is a dismissed military officer, Umar Shehu, was arrested with 44kg of the banned substance. Bello said he was dismissed from the Nigerian Army because of mutiny in Maiduguri when they refused to fight Boko Haram. Also paraded was one Aminat Iredia, arrested alongside her four-year-old child, with 32.4kg.

The commander indicated that drug peddlers were fond of using the ploy of carrying little children to draw sympathy so that by the time they were arrested, they could be left off the hook. We have sent for their people to come and take away the boy because he is innocent. He has nothing to do with NDLEA.

Meanwhile, Justice B.O. Quadri of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has sentenced a 55-year-old female pilgrim, Binuyo Basirat Iyabo, to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour. She was caught last September while smuggling 76 pellets of cocaine weighing 931 grammes to Medina, Saudi Arabia.

In his judgment delivered yesterday, Quadri said the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others. Besides, he said the hard labour was added to the sentence because the convict failed to reveal the identity of her sponsors.

Binuyo tested positive to narcotic ingestion at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja while on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia last September. She was immediately placed under observation by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), where she excreted seventy-six (76) pellets of substances found to be cocaine.

NDLEA commander at the Abuja airport, Hamisu Lawan, said the convict, married with three children and a trader at Dosumu market in Lagos, in her statement, agreed to smuggle the drugs for a fee.

I wanted to expand my cosmetic business but I have no money. My sponsor offered to foot my expenses to Saudi on pilgrimage. I was excited until I was asked to take drugs along. I wanted to decline but considering the offer of a million naira, I accepted. I swallowed the drugs in Lagos and took a flight to Abuja on my way to Medina, she stated.

Source: Guardian
Sahara Reporters has learned from reliable sources at the Nigerian Presidency that President Muhammadu Buhari, who has been in the UK since January 19, is receiving intense treatment for a renewed flare-up of prostate issues. He had undergone surgical treatment for prostate cancer soon after losing the 2011 presidential election to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

In addition to his UK doctors, President Buhari has been under the care of two Nigerian physicians, Dr. Suhayb Sanusi Rafindadi, who is his Chief Personal Physician, and Dr. Ugorji Ogbonna, who had a medical practice for many years in Kano before relocating to the UK. Even though he is from the southeast of Nigeria, Dr. Ogbonna is very close to numerous powerful northern politicians, and one of his sons converted to Islam, according to a source. While Dr. Rafindadi accompanied the president on his medical trips abroad and Dr. Ogbonna often liaise with Mr. Buharis physicians in the UK to arrange for his treatments.

Our sources indicated that Mr. Buharis original surgical treatment for prostate cancer had been declared successful. However, when a nagging ear infection forced President Buhari to visit his longtime physician in the UK last year, the prognosis led the president to seek two separate medical opinions, in France and later Germany. Doctors in both countries reportedly told him it was urgent to see his doctors in the UK. Subsequently, Mr. Buhari, who was visiting France for a conference, moved from Paris to London, declaring that he needed a vacation.

Mr. Buharis UK doctors advised that he needed to stay put in London for another surgery, but the president bowed to pressure from members of his inner circle and decided to make a premature return to Abuja out of political expediency. However, before President Buhari left London, his doctors there removed polyps from his nostrils in a surgical procedure to ease his breathing.

In 2016, President Buhari made trips to the UK in February and June to consult his UK doctors on a variety of health issues, including his ear infection, said our sources.

SaharaReporters learned that President Buhari currently receives intense treatment for a prostate-related ailment. The treatment at a point severely affected his voice and appetite. He has progressively lost weight and has had to be force-fed on occasion on the orders of his doctors. One source said Mr. Buharis treatments had been compounded by his age, which his UK doctors believe to be more than 80 rather than his official age of 74 years old.

Information gleaned from our sources indicated an attempt to obfuscate the precise nature of Mr. Buharis illness, signaling efforts by competing factions around the president to keep the Nigerian public uninformed. According to our sources, four different versions of President Buharis condition were being circulated. One version, traced to his wife, Aisha Buhari, is that the president has internal organ issues.

Our sources disclosed that a cabal led by President Buharis cousin, Mamman Daura, reportedly sent Mrs. Aisha Buhari away from the UK, asking her to make a temporary visit to Saudi Arabia. To justify Aisha Buharis exit from London, Mr. Daura reportedly claimed that the presidents condition appeared to worsen each time his wife was around him. He reportedly told Mrs. Buhari that part of her husbands illness was a result of a spiritual attack, and asked her to proceed to Saudi Arabia to pray for him. From Saudi Arabia, Mrs. Buhari returned to Nigeria about two weeks ago. One source claimed that she had not returned to London ever since.

Our sources said Mr. Daura often handled the daily briefing of select Presidency officials about the presidents health. According to them, the presidents cousin continues to claim that Mr. Buhari was only exhausted and needed adequate rest before returning to Nigeria ready to take over the mantle of leadership once again.

Speaking anonymously with SaharaReporters, two close aides claimed that President Buhari was dogged by severe stomach upsets that have refused to go away. One of them said Mr. Buhari suffered from a recurring bacteria infection that is being flushed out daily.

As SaharaReporters revealed last weekend, the doctors treating Mr. Buhari in the UK have told him in clear terms that he ought to shelf any plans to return to serious work and stay back in London for as long as four months to receive a full course of treatment. One source indicated that members of the presidents inner circle were yet to fully embrace the doctors recommendation and communicate the information to Nigerians because they fear the loss of political influence.

On his part, President Buhari had reportedly told his inner political circle that he was in no hurry to return to Nigeria, adding that he was willing to let the expert advice of his doctors to prevail. However, some of his die-hard associates have not given up plotting to daily to convince him to return to Abuja in defiance of medical advice.

President Buhari reportedly communicates regularly with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, encouraging him to carry on the task of governing Nigeria while he undertakes necessary treatment needed to keep him alive.

Source: Sahara Reporters
U.S. president Donald Trump has accused his predecessor, Barack Obama, of instigating a series of leaks within the administration and the raucous town hall meetings facing Republican lawmakers across the country.

The White House has faced a wave of leaks to the media since inauguration day more than a month ago, as the administration works to fill hundreds of remaining vacancies, leaving temporary Obama administration holdovers in place.

As the Trump administration looks to plug the leaks, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer ordered staffers to submit their cellular devices for examination, to ensure they had not made unauthorized contacts with media outlets.

Multiple sources told CNN Monday night that this heightened surveillance was approved by President Trump, who they say is outraged over the leaks.

Spicer denied that claim, however, saying the president did not sign off or even know what I did. That is not accurate.

Speaking with Fox News on Monday, President Trump suggested that his predecessor, President Obama, was responsible for both the recent flood of leaks and disruptions of town hall meetings held by Republican lawmakers.

I think he is behind it, said Trump. I also think it is politics, thats the way it is.

I think that President Obama is behind it because his people are certainly behind it. And some of the leaks possibly come from that group, which are really serious because they are very bad in terms of national security. But I also understand that is politics. In terms of him being behind things, thats politics. And it will probably continue.

Among the recent leaks to media outlets are the details of a tense phone call to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and security meetings between White House representatives and Russian army officials.
One really addictive facet of Apples device ecosystem is how they work together. AirDrop lets you move files and other data from a Mac to an iPad to an iPhone, in any combination of directions. Your Apple Watch can unlock your Mac. Any Apple device can control a Keynote presentation on any other Apple device. Apples Handoff lets you start work on one Apple device and pick up where you left off on another. Bookmarks, contacts, email settings, passwords, and even credit card details can be synced automatically across all your devices.

Windows 10 was supposed to do the same, relying on Windows Phones to be take the role of the iPhone in this fluid ecosystem. But Windows Phone (renamed Windows Mobile) is in cryogenic suspension, waiting for a future miracle cure to bring it back to life. Thus, Microsofts ambitions to copy Apples liquid computing have gone unrealized.

But now, Microsoft is looking to Android to fill that mobile gap.

Microsoft has already implemented some Apple ecosystem features into Windows 10: It uses a Microsoft account to sync bookmarks and other settings across all your Windows devices, which Apple does via its iCloud accounts and Google via its Google accounts. (Google has also implemented some Handoff-like capabilities between Android and Chrome OS, but Chrome OS has a tiny market share.)

But the direct handoff of Apples other liquid computing capabilities requires direct device communications over Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi Direct, not a cloud-mediated sync. Apples devices all have this capability in their hardware and operating systems, which is why it can work so naturally.

Both Google and Microsoft are now bringing similar technology to their operating systems and devices to help create a Windows 10-Android ecosystem alternative to Apple. It wont be as seamless or consistent as in the Apple ecosystem because the devices comes from different manufacturers and often need special drivers installed. But its at least coming.

Android users can already install Microsofts Office Remote app from the Google Play Store to remote-control a PowerPoint 2013 or later presentation on a Windows PC, as long as youve also installed the Office remote plugin on your PC.

Windows 10 Anniversary Update brought authentication via other devices in its Windows Hello Companion Device Framework, which so far has seen little uptake. But Samsung says it will use the technology to allow its Galaxy S smartphones to unlock compatible Windows 10 PCs via the Samsung Flow app, which uses the smartphones fingerprint reader to transmit the stored password for the PC. Youll also need to install a companion app on your PC for this to work, howeverWindows 10 cant yet do this out of the box. Some rumors suggest that the forthcoming Windows 10 Creators Update will make such remote unlocking a native Windows 10 capability.

Longer term, theres Microsofts Project Rome, a series of Windows 10 enhancements and both Android and iOS apps meant to create an Apple-like ecosystem with Windows 10, not MacOS, at its center. A year after Microsoft announced Project Rome, it now has an Android SDK available at GitHub for developers to start using it. (Although Microsoft has described Project Rome for both Android and iOS, Android is the platform that it currently supports.)

At Microsofts current pace, were probably a good two years away from Windows 10 having Handoff-style functionality comparable to what Apple delivered to its ecosystem two years ago. But its coming.
We live in a global society. While your countrys economy may be stagnating or barely growing, someone elses economy is probably booming. Its no wonder your company is reaching across international borders to establish new business ties and revenue sources.

Thats all well and good. But you should also know that Ive consulted for a number of companies that found themselves under an APT (advanced persistent threat) attack, only to learn it originated with foreign employees of the same company. Ive even consulted with a few clients that discovered they had foreign spies working in their domestic operations. The risk is small, but it exists.

Even if no such skullduggery has occurred, most companies worry about it. After all, its common knowledge that Chinese APT attacks have been underway for years.

A true spy story

My absolute favorite APT story is about a company that had suffered its third APT attack in two years. No matter what the company did, the APT came right back.

The third time around, we decided to do what is now standard operating procedure. We brought new laptops and a new wireless hub, then held our defense meetings in an executive conference room. The goal was to decide when we would reset all passwords in the environment, including those for service accounts and administrators. We decided to call the big day, which would be a month away, the picnic event to avoid mentioning APT or password resets.

For the picnic event, employees would arrive to work and find signs saying all their passwords had been reset. We even planned to make every administrator re-apply for and provide the reason they needed admin credentials. We created a draft of the form they would be required to fill out and return to us on the day of the event.

The next day, I arrived at the conference room early, only to have the project leader tell me, We have our first picnic event forms submitted! I was confused. We hadnt even completed our draft forms. There was more work to do, and in any case the picnic event was a month out. But he handed me two forms filled out by foreign employees asking for admin credentials. In the box asking for the reason they needed admin credentials, it said: Because our passwords were reset during the picnic event.

It turns out our foreign friends had been listening, for a long time, to the videoconferencing system in every conference room in the company. We were able to catch the spies was because their translator must have missed the part where we said the picnic event was the following month. They had re-created our form, filled it out, and submitted it too early.

The form was identical to our draft except for a mistake in formatting that proved theyd re-created the form rather than stolen our offline files. Everyone who entered the room that day was aghast when we told them we had our first two submissionsand explained that the conferencing systems had been completely compromised.

How to defend against insider APT threats

How do you protect yourself from employees who are deploying APTs on behalf of a shadowy entity? Basically, go with the same actions youd take to prevent and detect against any insider threat. Heres a quick rundown.

Least privilege. First and foremost, live and practice least-privilege permissions. If a person isnt supposed to have a permission or belong to a group, make sure they dont have it. Have the least number of permanent members to elevated accounts as possibleget as as near to zero as you can. Put it another way: Delegate the least amount of permissions and privileges as necessary for the job. If elevated privileges are needed, have admins check them out on a time- and location-constrained basis. And automatically change the password when theyre checked back in.

Security domain Isolation. You cant hack what you cant reach. Place your most valuable data and resources in high-security zones. Use available tools and features to create security domains that isolate employees to give them access to what they need to do their jobs and no more. Use the dumbest, fastest devices first (like routers and VLANs) and move to smarter and slower devices and features (firewalls, IPsec, IDS). This will give you maximum performance while securely isolating.

Look for anomalous behavior. Despite such restrictions, your employees may have all the legitimate access they need to steal data and spy. Look for suspicious activity, including unusual connections between computers, big data downloads, or odd times or places of activity. To do this effectively, you first need to define what is usual, then put a system in place for detecting deviations from baseline behaviors.

Use honeypots. Create a handful of fake systems (databases, web servers, email servers, CEO workstations) and place them near the real assets. After you screen out false-positive connections (antivirus signature updates, patching updates, and so on), any unexpected connections should be investigated. No matter how good the internal attackers, they have to explore. When they touch your honeypot, you can nab them.

Look at it this way: Employees that hack your assets are APTs, whether you think of them that way. If you prepare for internal APT threats, youll be guarding against all insider threats, and that can only help your defense-in-depth strategy.
Feeder Cattle Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - 2 minutes ago The uptrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading above support level 177.700, which will be followed by reaching resistance level 182.375 and 188.250

Live Cattle Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - 3 minutes ago The downtrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading below resistance level 152.375, which will be followed by reaching support level 148.325

Soybean Oil Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - 4 minutes ago The uptrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading above support level 72.70, which will be followed by reaching resistance level 79.29

Soybean Meal Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - 4 minutes ago The uptrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading above support level 419.1, which will be followed by reaching resistance level 431 and 439

Soybean Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - 5 minutes ago The uptrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading above support level 1423.2, which will be followed by reaching resistance level 1512.2

Corn Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - 6 minutes ago The downtrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading below resistance level 688, which will be followed by reaching support level 674 and if it keeps on moving down below that level, we may...

Wheat Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - 7 minutes ago An uptrend will start as soon, as the market rises above resistance level 854.2, which will be followed by moving up to resistance level 904 and 947

Natural gas Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - 8 minutes ago The downtrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading below resistance level 6.626, which will be followed by reaching support level 5.345

Crude oil Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - 8 minutes ago The downtrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading below resistance level 93.64, which will be followed by reaching support level 81.30
Andover Properties LLC, which operates the Storage King USA self-storage brand, has purchased Route 80 Storage in Ft. Myers, Fla. Its the companys second acquisition in the region and ninth in the state. The facility will be integrated into the Storage King portfolio, according to a press release.

The 13-acre property at 11351 Palm Beach Blvd. comprises 21,000 square feet of storage space and more than 25,000 square feet of vehicle parking. Andover plans to add 50,000 rentable square feet of storage to the property, the release stated. The site is full, and it is situated on busy Route 80, which has 27,000 vehicles traversing it daily, said Michael Wachsman, director of acquisitions. Vehicle storage is a much-needed amenity in this area, he added.

Based on the propertys performance, a potential phase-two expansion might include more self-storage or a car wash, the release stated. Andover entered the car-wash industry last summer when it purchased North Main Self Storage and the adjacent Froggys Car Wash in Summerville, S.C. At the time of the acquisition, company officials said they planned to pursue the car-wash industry in the future.

Founded in 2003 and based in New York City, Andover Properties owns and operates 27 self-storage facilities in nine states, totaling nearly 1.8 million rentable square feet of storage space in 15,200 units. The firm focuses on the acquisition, development and management of industrial, retail and self-storage facilities primarily in the North and Southeast.
(Dartmouth, NS  February 27th, 2017)  The Maritime Mini Stock Tour (MMST) is excited to announce that MJS Holdings Limited will become the title sponsor for the series in 2017. The MJS Holdings Maritime Mini Stock Tour will showcase four cylinder Honda racing action at various race tracks throughout Atlantic Canada in their inaugural season.

MJS Holdings Limited stands for quality and that is why they carry the Rotary Lifts brand. Rotary Lifts are the worlds most trusted lifts in the industry. They also carry wheel service products to complete the full shop package. Whether it is an alignment machine, wheel balancer or tire changer to service everything from light to heavy duty equipment, MJS Holdings Limited can help you get the job done!

MJS Holdings Limited is proud to have this opportunity to sponsor the inaugural Maritime Mini Stock Tour, said Jake Martin, General Manager of MJS Holding Limited. MJS Holdings is a great match for the motorsports industry and the Series. We are gear heads serving gear heads. We cannot wait to see the green flag fly on an exciting racing season!

We look forward to working with MJS Holdings for a long time and representing their brand, said Mark Williams, Vice President of the MMST. Were thankful they have chosen the MMST as their advertising partner and we look forward to introducing the MJS Holdings brand to race fans throughout the Maritime Provinces.

While the complete schedule has yet to be released, Petty International Raceway in River Glade, New Brunswick has announced they will host the MJS Holdings Maritime Mini Stock Tour on Saturday, September 9th. Registration for competitors is set to open in early March.

Marketing opportunities with the MJS Holdings Maritime Mini Stock Tour are available by contacting the series directly. A new website has been launched for the series and can be found at MaritimeMiniStockTour.com.

Complete information on MJS Holdings Limited can be found at mjsholdings.ca. They can be contacted by phone at (902) 461-1045.

About MJS Holdings Limited:

MJS Holdings LTD is the leading automotive lift company in the Maritimes founded in 1985 by Michael J Sharpe. MJS Holdings LTD is located in Eastern Passage, outside of Halifax, centrally located to provide fast and efficient service. They are the only distributor and authorized installer of Rotary Lifts in Atlantic Canada, Rotary being the leading and most trusted car hoist company in the world. MJS Holdings has a versatile staff that can meet any customer demand. Visit them online at MJSHoldings.ca.

About the Maritime Mini Stock Tour:

The Maritime Mini Stock Tour was formed in December 2016 to give Mini Stock racing in the Maritimes a unified home. Featuring four cylinder Honda models, the series will host events at various oval race tracks throughout Atlantic Canada in their inaugural season. For complete information on the Maritime Mini Stock Tour, please visit MaritimeMiniStockTour.com.

Maritime Mini Stock Tour Contact:

Drew MacEachern, President of the Maritime Mini Stock Tour

Ph: (902) 880-3069 | Email: darksidelegend13@hotmail.com

Press Prepared by Tims Corner Motorsports

Tim Terry | www.timscorner.ca

Ph: (902) 478-0420 | Email: tim@timscorner.ca
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Inflation remains the primary concern for the worlds central banks, which have engaged in the broadest and fastest tightening regime in history, according to Alejandra Grindal, chief economist at Ned Davis Research.
The Australian at the helm of an international insurance business has warned traditional brokers that their days may be numbered.Christopher Williams, CEO of Tokio Marine HCC, said that traditional brokers face a tough time as the industry changes and direct offerings look to further develop in the SME space.The traditional insurance broker, in my opinion, their days are numbered, Williams told Insurance Business.If you look at a smaller premium, SME-type business, it will be very soon  if we are not there now  where you can do that online.Williams, who began his career as a broker in Melbourne and now heads up international firm Tokio Marine HCC, said that SME businesses present a specific challenge for the broker market.Smaller firms will soon turn online for their insurance needs, rather than relying on a broker to put a program together, he said. Multi-national firms or those with niche risk profiles will still require a broker to assist, but they will need to develop post-transactional duties.Williams noted that brokers of the future will edge more towards a consulting position helping clients manage risk, as well as place insurance.With this shift, Williams also sees a move towards a fee-based model rather than remuneration based on a percentage.I think there will always be a role for a broker but I think the role is changing more to one of a consultant and risk manager rather than just a risk manager, Williams continued.Williams also had strong words on the rise of broker facilities which have peppered the market in recent years. Facilities, which see underwriters take a percentage of business from brokers and are popular in the United Kingdom market are an absolute disaster, Williams said.For me, you are giving the inmates the keys to the prison.
The Federal Government has opened the first Joint Cyber Security Centre, which will bring together industry, government and law enforcement to help boost cyber resilience.The move follows recent changes to the Privacy Act, which would make breach notification following a cyber attack mandatory. These changes are likely to see the importance of cyber insurance continue to rise.The centre, to be based in Brisbane, is the first stage of a $47 million program piloting collaborative work spaces where cyber security experts,Government and law enforcement can work alongside one another to share information and develop new approaches to threats posed in the cyber world.The Government confirmed that similar centres are planned for Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth as Australia looks to sure up its cyber defences.Centre representatives will conduct a broad range of joint activities, including data analytics, targeted training, workshops and threat mapping. Work is also underway on an information sharing portal that will broaden the reach of the centres, the Government said in a statement.Cyber crime costs the Australian economy more than $1 billion each year and the launch of the centre forms one part of Australias cyber security strategy.
QBE has announced a replacement for Colin Fagen, the former chief operating officer of the business who left the firm earlier this month.Fagen will be replaced by David McMillan, who will join the business in the latter part of 2017 and will be based in the companys London office, it has been announced.McMillan was most recently the CEO of Aviva Europe and chairman of global health insurance.Davids experience and track record see him well-qualified to lead QBEs operations, claims and technology activities, John Neal , Group chief executive officer said of the appointment.As CEO of Aviva Europe, McMillan oversaw a four-year turnaround of the division and was formerly transformation director at Aviva helping to lead the turnaround of the global business.It was also announced that Victor Walter has also been appointed deputy group CFO, as the business is still searching for a permanent appointment to the role of group CFO.It was announced last year that Pat Regan would remain as group CFO until a replacement is found following his move to become the CEO of the Australian and New Zealand operations of the firm.Fagen left QBE a year after taking on the newly created Group COO role having worked for QBE for over 16 years.
Australias largest global insurer is teaming up with the Victoria police to combat increasing car thefts with the use of a real-time tracking technology. QBE is using a black box-style in-car technology that can accurately track stolen vehicles, which helps authorities not only recover the vehicles but also apprehend the perpetrators.To date, all cars stolen with our insurance box device fitted have been recovered successfully, a QBE spokesman told the Sunday Herald Sun.Insurance Box, a vehicle telematics gadget that was originally marketed to help good drivers get lower premiums, allows QBE to track a moving stolen vehicle in real-time and inform the authorities of its movement.One case saw the police track a $25,000 Holden Captiva to where it had stopped on Elgar Rd, Derrimut, hours after it was stolen from a Sunshine driveway. Another incident saw a stolen Toyota Camry from a St Kilda apartment complex found in Collingwood the same morning, the report said.The crime-busting technology comes at a time when there has been a surge of car thefts spurred by youth crime, Herald Sun said.According to Victoria Police data, there was a 20% spike in car thefts over a five-year period last year; and 90% of those statistics involved young repeat offenders.
Asta has agreed to finance the development of Arma Underwriting Limited, a new specialist managing general agent in the Middle East.

The Lloyds MGA will take a minority stake in Arma and will also support the companys infrastructure including finance and IT.

Arma has received approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority and is awaiting greenlight from Lloyds and the Dubai International Financial Centre.

Backed by Lloyds capacity, Arma intends to bring together a range of expertise to underwrite a broad spectrum of business lines. The MGA will support local insurance companies in the Middle East by providing multi-class reinsurance capacity.

Arma will be led by CEO Michael Rafter and its Dubai office will be headed by senior executive officer Hajar Fadel. They will be joined on the board by former AIG president Patrick Choffel and Astas director of underwriting, Simon Norton, and CEO Julian Tighe.

Tighe said Astas investment in Arma will actively contribute to the continued development of reinsurance capability in the Middle East.

Asta is committed to supporting innovative MGAs like Arma as they develop new lines of business not currently seen by the market, Tighe said.

Related stories:
Smaller firms will soon turn online for their insurance needs, rather than relying on a broker to put a program together, he said. Multi-national firms, or those with niche risk profiles, will still require a broker to assist but they will need to develop past transactional duties.



Williams noted that brokers of the future will edge more towards a consulting position helping clients manage risk, as well as place insurance.



With this shift, Williams also sees a move towards a fee-based model rather than remuneration based on a percentage.



I think there will always be a role for a broker but I think the role is changing more to one of a consultant and risk manager rather than just a risk manager, Williams continued.



Williams also had strong words on the rise of broker facilities which have peppered the market in recent years and see underwriters take a percentage of business from brokers, describing them as an absolute disaster.



For me, you are giving the inmates the keys to the prison, he said.





Related stories:

Brokers optimistic about 2017 despite slowing growth last year

Are Uber and Airbnb beating insurers?
Its a marriage of titans as Cincinnatis largest locally based bank, Fifth Third, has reached a deal to acquire one of the Ohios largest insurance agencies.The deal between the nations 13th largest bank and RG McGraw Insurance Agency is expected to be completed by early March.According to a report by the Cincinnati Business Courier, the deal will allow the bank to provide property and casualty coverage to its customers across its commercial banking, wealth management and personal banking business lines. The majority of the insurers business comes from the commercial market, with the personal market accounting for one third of its revenues.This is a piece of the puzzle thats been missing, McGraw chief executive Mike McGraw said in the report. Were the first (to be acquired) but were certainly not the last.Quoting Howard McClure, Fifth Thirds president of insurance services, the report said that the bank expects to make two to three insurance acquisitions per year over the next few years as it beefs up its arsenal to cover its presence across 10 states in the US.
It's critical to help clients make the most of the plans they have
A 1% rise in pre-tax profits may not grab too many headlines, but insurance brokerage giant Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) has high hopes for the immediate future.



Earlier today the company reported its profit rise, helped in part by the turnaround of its UK employee benefits business, but held back by its expansion in the USA. However, it is in the US where the London-based broker is particularly hopeful, thanks in large to the arrival of President Donald Trump whose policies it believes will boost the building sector.



In the construction space, with Trump talking about the need to rebuild America and its infrastructure, thats obviously a very positive outlook, said chief executive Dominic Burke in an interview with Reuters.



Oil prices are seen to be reasonably stable ... this is also coinciding with the cost of exploration coming down.

Want the latest insurance industry news first? Sign up for our completely free newsletter service now.
Shes won three Supreme Court cases against carriers, joined the board of directors at her firm, brought over a dozen coverage attorneys to her team all in the past year  and now she has advice for the insurance industry.



Diversity isnt just politically correct, it makes more business sense, Robin Cohen, principal litigator at McKool Smith said.



If your adversary is doing that better than you, they have a real edge over you.



Cohen said that though inappropriate comments and sexism were some of her biggest professional challenges, women on a trial jury will take notice when an insurance company is only represented by men.



Making your workplace sought after by women, who are more likely to have a bachelors degree than men according to the Census Bureau, takes a top-down approach according to Cohen.



The best way to attract a more diverse population is to have women leaders in their organization, Cohen said.

Want the latest insurance industry news first? Sign up for our completely free newsletter service now.



Meaning homegrown women who have actually made it through the ranks millennial women are doing research and what theyre looking for is role models.



The most recent case Cohen won was against 50 carriers involving the honoring of a multi-million dollar policy in a New Jersey Supreme Court.



She said her strategy was using policyholders leverage by litigating in areas where the rulings have broad implications for more than just the insurance companies involved in the case.



Working in New York, the rulings often serve as precedent for other cases as many insurers are based in the state.



The suit and the litigation is the leverage to get the carriers to the table when youre talking about these very large claims the carriers are becoming more and more reticent to pay, Cohen said.



Theyre trying to hold on to the float for as long as possible - if you dont get equally aggressive and push the carriers to honor the contracts, youre going to get nowhere with them.





Related stories:
PSA Group, the maker of Peugeot cars, is planning to conquer the American market again, this time with a ride sharing and peer to peer car rental service that it will offer with French insurer MAIF.The service will be offered in partnership with TravelCar, another French company that provides P2P ride sharing at airports and train stations in Europe, which raised almost $16 million in capital from the car maker and the insurer.TravelCars model works by trading parking spaces with car rental services for commuters at transport terminals. It also acts as a broker for reserved parking slots.Trade publication Automotive News said that the company, which started in 2012, has 200 agencies across 10 European locales managing 300,000 users.The North American service will be first offered in San Francisco and Los Angeles airports, the report added.The firms business model provides rental services at 50% lower than many existing rates.We announced our progressive entry to North America by launching mobility services with our partners, Gregoire Olivier, PSAs head of mobility services, was quoted as saying in the report. With TravelCar today, we are writing the beginning of this new step overseas.
State regulators have been meeting with their federal counterparts, and, independently, have been very focused on establishing cybersecurity standards in light of a number of high-profile data breaches, Goldsmith said.



Overall, there are potentially a number of wider regulatory changes on the horizon affecting the insurance industry, according to Goldsmith.



Certainly, I would say theres quite a focus at the moment in the US on examining a number of regulatory issues that impact insurance at the federal level, she said.



The new Trump administration looks to be bringing in several bills that may scale back parts of The Dodd-Frank Act implemented by the Obama administration in 2010, Goldsmith said.



There is also a push towards taking a look at the designation of certain insurers as systemically important financial institutions, she added.



However, despite a fair amount of activity at the federal level in the US, the system of state-level regulators as the primary mode of insurance regulation remains unlikely to be changed  at least not fundamentally  according to Goldsmith.



As for the incoming NYDFS rules, it remains to be seen exactly how the insurance industry itself will be affected.



Earlier this month, analyst firm Fitch Ratings said that the new regulatory climate could reinforce the growth trend seen in the cyber insurance space.



It also warned, however, that the new rules could raise compliance risks for financial institutions and, in turn, premiums and loss potential for D&O insurance underwriters.





Related stories:

New NYDFS cyber security rules a double edged sword for insurers, says Fitch -

Trump trade threats, Brexit may spawn risk-transfer deals, Lloyds CEO says -






Karl Siegfried, Senior Vice President of Loss Control & Safety Services at Portland, Maine-headquartered MEMIC Group recently spoke with Insurance Journal about the safety management team that is in place at MEMIC and the ways in which it seeks to benefit agents, brokers and customers through safety management training services and advice for best safety practices.

Siegfried heads a team of 40 professionals that service policy holders across the country at MEMIC. He explained that the role of MEMICs safety management team is to provide consultative safety services to policy holders and assist in their injury prevention efforts.

He added that it is important for businesses to maintain a proactive approach to injury prevention and develop a plan for combatting the effects of an aging workforce. During this podcast, Siegfried also spoke about some of the biggest trends in workplace ergonomics, the evolving role of workers compensation, particularly as it relates to the ongoing opioid crisis that has hit the Northeast especially hard, and how he sees the typical office environment transforming in the future.

Insurance Journal: Can you start off by discussing the strategy carried out by the safety management team at MEMIC?

Good ergonomics makes good sense all the way around.

Karl Siegfried: Prior to writing new policy owners, the safety management consultant visits with the perspective customer. That meeting has a number of objectives, including establishing relationships with a prospective customer and determining where the company exists within the whole safety matrix. Also, during the meeting, we evaluate workplace conditions, medical management teams and resources and company culture. Our safety management consultant collaborates on a service action plan. Thats part of that initial meeting that we have. Its before we even write them or offer them a quote. That service action plan focuses on the issues that really reduce risks and costs for the policy holders. Fast forward, when they do become a MEMIC customer and have agreed upon an action plan in place for improving and enhancing safety, performance and culture, were off to a running start. [This is because] you dont have to start from the beginning. You already established that relationship. Ill tell you, in insurancerelationships are where its at.

IJ: What was the reasoning behind MEMICs decision to establish this team, and what benefits have you seen it provide so far for agents, brokers, and customers?

KS: Safety has been such a big part of MEMICs culture from the very beginning. I really think it starts at the top with our President and CEO John Leonard, who has really created a company culture here at MEMIC of true teamwork within our own departments and provides an ability for us to do our jobs. Our people are empowered. No matter whether its underwriting claims, audit, communications  every department within MEMIC is really empowered to do their jobs. Our mantra really is safety, service and excellence. That is who we are, and thats our DNA. John Leonard has spoken on numerous occasions and in numerous publications where he really does talk about the impact of safety and the importance of the safety department within MEMIC for our policy holders. Ill tell you  it really started from the top, and the benefits are huge. I mean, if you look at the rates in the state of Maine, theyre just phenomenal. They have been going down. Safety is talked about. We started off as a state that was really suffering from workers comp and having a hard time finding providers to come in. Now, its a favorable place for people to do business. Weve been able to provide a lot of benefits for our agents and our brokers and our customers, and at the end of the day, were all in it for the same reason.

IJ: In terms of the safety management teams strategy for working with agents and brokers in particular, is there anything you would like too add about how the team seeks to benefit or serve that particular area of the industry?

KS: One of the things that agents really like about MEMIC is that were a workers comp carrier that truly puts safety first. Were consistent. Year after year, we dont change. We dont change as the market changes and fluctuates. We dont say, Nah. Were really not doing that anymore. Were the same. Were the same year in and year out. When youre really successful, you dont have to change. You can continue doing what youre doing. If we change, its towards the better in increasing our services and increasing some of the things that we do. Our agents really do tend to like what we bring to the table. We certainly love working with them.

IJ: With everything that weve spoken about so far in mind, what are some of the main safety issues that youre seeing in the industry today?

KS: Overall, I think companies are doing a better job with safety. As a result, you see injury rates are continuing to go down. If you look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics for labor standards, statistics will show you that the number of claims are going down. Injuries are going down. Fatalities are pretty much going down. OSHA has done a great job when it comes to issuing guidelines. Some of the key problems I see right now moving forward are that we have a real issue, especially in the Northeast, with an aging workforce. Thats one of the key things that we see as a challenge. The other one is, once a company gets a positive safety culture, how do you keep it? Thats another area that were looking at. With the aging workforce, this is where safety and ergonomics are combined. Companies really need to recognize that as the workforce gets older, the ability for the workers to communicate changes, their vision changes, strength capabilities change, etc. Take my word for it. Im living proof of all of that. Its amazing how the body does change over the years. We know that at MEMIC over the last two years, the second highest group that reported claims, frequency wise, has been between 50 and 59 years of age. Were seeing claims from individuals in their 70s and 80s these days. We never saw that before. When it comes to severity, the 50 to 59 age group is the highest, as well. Cost per claim also increases as age rises. Therefore, the aging workforce is certainly something all companies really need to be made aware of.

IJ: That said, what would you say is some of the best advice or guidance that the team is offering today?

KS: What we found is that we try to handle things a couple of different ways. First, when were talking about safety culture, were really trying to find the companies that integrate safety within their performance matrix. The first step in that process is for them to get out there and identify some objective safety goals, then come up with the measurements that they need in order to make those happen. Those are more what we call the leading indicators of injuries. Getting people to talk more on and off the job, for example, about safety is one of the key things that you can do. We spend a lot of time training our customers  training them in the benefits of trying to look at the culture within their companies and trying to take the steps they need to improve the safety culture within their companies. What we offer and what we actually get out there and do day in and day out really is so much more than just OSHA compliance. Things would be so much better if everybody took the same stance in company safety as they do their own personal safety. The old adage that is out there these days is: If you see something, say something. That should be the same thing for safety. If employees are out there and working, and they see something thats not good, they should say something. They should make it stop.

IJ: One thing a lot of people talk about is that one of the best ways to control injury cost is through prevention. Could you talk about how companies can take a proactive approach to controlling injury costs through prevention?

KS: Being proactive is where its at. Thats honestly where the safety culture comes in. If you have a company that has a strong safety culture, theyre continuing to push themselves to be better. They are pushing themselves to reduce injuries. When theyre starting a new line, or theyre putting in a new piece of machinery, or theyre doing something thats different, they get out there and analyze and say not only, What do we need in order to make this happen? but What do we need in order to make this happen safely? There are companies out there doing it, and they see huge benefits in it. At the end of the day, the most important resource any company has, whether its MEMIC or whether its a machine shop, office or a bank, the most important resource is the people. If you dont have the people, things arent going to go so well, so we need to do whatever we can in order to help that along. Safety culture is something we spend a lot of time on. We also have specialized programs. Workers comp is all we do. If we dont do it well, guess what? Were out of business. We also have leadership development training classes where we get in, and we help supervisors become supervisors. We recognize that a lot of times, a supervisor becomes a supervisor because theyre good technicians.What we can do with our leadership development program is give them some of the personal skills they need in order to be successful. Those are just some of the things that we do proactively. Everything that we do, we really try to be proactive. We do help customers with accident investigation, and root cause analysisWe try to get them to turn the accident investigations from being something thats reactive, which obviously they are because an accidents already happened, but turning it into something proactive. Thats where we identify all the root causes, not just one, and come up with some good plans to keep it from happening again.

IJ: From a financial standpoint, in what ways can ergonomic improvements positively impact a companys bottom line?

KS: Im a really firm believer in ergonomics. The stance that Ive always taken here at MEMIC, and in my entire career in ergonomics, is Im a firm believer that you want to engineer the behavior you want, not rely on training or reeducation to abate an injury. For example, say that you have someone whose job requires him or her to unload a pallet. The pallet is placed on the floor, and they have to pick the product up off the pallet and put it onto a workbench or conveyor. We all know that bending from the waist to pick something up is bad. We know that it puts people at risk, and its where a lot of back injuries happen. Some companies might say, Hey, can you come in and provide us training on safe lifting techniques? We have a problem here, and people arent lifting safely. They need to do this, and we have some real concern. Its a good idea to do the safelift training  in fact, we do a lot of safety training in lifting  but at the end of the day, its not going to fix the problem. The problem isnt with the persons posture, the problem is with where the pallet and the load is located. Get it off the floor. If you raise it off the floor, now youve eliminated the reason for somebody to bend over from the waist to pick it up. You want to use engineering to predict what behaviors youre going to get out of the employees. I think that ergonomics is key when it comes to reducing injuries, and at the same time, increasing efficiencies and in improving quality. Good ergonomics makes good sense all the way around.

IJ: One thing that has been a big topic recently is the opioid crises, with many states issuing legislation or guiding principles to help reduce prescription drug abuse. Can you talk a little bit about the role of workers compensation in helping to manage this crisis?

KS: An important part of the laws is really more monitoring, and shorter duration prescriptions before renewals, which MEMIC and the best insurers really already do. Often, the laws are following best practices developed by the leaders in the workers compensation industry. Properly monitoring prescriptions is a winwin for everyone, and its really allowed MEMIC to spend only about five percent of the medical cost of claims on pharmaceuticals, while the industry average is actually 10 to 15 percent. Were not healthcare providers, but we do our best to be meaningful partners in care. Our goal really is for everyone to be able to return to work and lead a meaningful and productive life. We have doctors who will look at more alternative pain management therapies that will be both more effective treatment and more cost effective than opioids. One thing we dont want is people feeling abandoned by their healthcare providers, and getting similar drugs illegally. We expect to see to an increase in the number of visits to physical and occupational therapists, cognitive behavioral therapists, chiropractors and alternative pain treatment providers, as well as more use of opioid alternatives like antidepressants, anticonvulsants, topicals, and beta blockers, etc. Its definitely an issue thats out there, and its quite a problem in the Northeast.

IJ: Another big workers compensation topic is workplace violence. Could you discuss how the safety management team at MEMIC has been involved in providing training and advice for how to handle and avoid workplace violence?

KS: We have specialized training programs on a wide range of topics. Workplace violence is one of them, but we really focus on the area of building security, because its a matter of getting in and getting out  who is allowed in and who is allowed out. We accomplish this as an onsite training. Weve done several webinars on the topic a well. A lot of it deals in the healthcare environment. When it comes to active shooter training, we refer policy holders to the experts  to local law enforcement or vendors that have a lot more expertise than what MEMIC can provide. Its a topic that definitely is on our radar, and weve tried to address it in various ways. At the end of the day, I think the more security experts that can come in and assist the policy holders, the better it will be.

Correction: It is indicated in the podcast that MEMIC is a healthcare provider that serves primarily agents. MEMIC is not a healthcare provider, and it serves a range of clients including agents, brokers and policy holders.

Topics Agencies Workers' Compensation Training Development Drugs
Six University of Connecticut students were charged Friday with alcohol-related offenses connected to the death of a student who was run over by a fire department vehicle after leaving a party last fall.

The students had been hosting an off-campus party at a fraternity-affiliated house Oct. 16 during homecoming weekend. One of the attendees was Jeffny Pally, a 19-year-old sophomore from West Hartford.

Police say Pally had been sitting with her back against a garage door of the UConn Public Safety Complex at around 1 a.m. when she was run over by a fire vehicle responding to a call that turned out to be a false alarm. Two other students have been charged in connection with the false alarm.

Pallys body wasnt found until about 30 minutes later when firefighters returned. She died from injuries to her head and torso, the medical examiners office determined. The driver of the vehicle hasnt been charged, and the death was ruled an accident.

The charged students are Patrick Callahan, Matthew Moll, Dylan Morose, Austin Custodio, Dominic Godi and Jonathan Polansky, who range in age from 21 to 22 and are from Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. Some were charged with permitting a minor to illegally possess alcohol.

They were all released pending their arraignment in Superior Court in Rockville on March 8. It couldnt be immediately determined if they had lawyers.

A university spokeswoman confirmed the students are still enrolled at UConn but said federal student privacy law prevents the university from saying whether any of them face discipline by the school.

The university noted the Kappa Sigma fraternity recently lost its recognition and housing due to off-campus incidents in September and October unrelated to Pallys death. The fraternitys national office also has revoked the local groups charter.

Jeffny Pally was a talented, ambitious, promising young woman and her death was a terrible tragedy, the university said. The entire university community joins her family and friends in continuing to mourn her loss.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Education Numbers Connecticut Universities
The number of laser attacks on aircraft is still dangerously high, although incidents are down slightly from 2015, said the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA).

BALPA was commenting on data released this week from the UKs Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which revealed there were 1,258 laser attacks on aircraft reported in 2016.

At more than three incidents a day on average, this is still a real threat to aviation safety, the pilots association said.

Heathrow remains the airport experiencing the highest level of attacks at 151 incidents  up from 121 in 2015, BALPA said, noting that Birmingham and Manchester airports also continued to experience high numbers of attacks, and incidents at Glasgow have almost doubled from 2015.

Shining a laser at aircraft is incredibly dangerous and a real threat to flight safety, said Steve Landells, BALPA flight safety specialist, in a statement. The power of these devices is increasing and were concerned that, if left to escalate without significant intervention, we could see a serious incident happen in the near future.

Although last years incidents were down from 2015  possibly the result of BALPAs campaigning  Landells said that pilots are concerned that at more than three reports a day this figure is still dangerously high.

Were also concerned that under-reporting of incidents could mean that we dont have a true idea of the scale of the problem, he added.

Weve been campaigning for tougher punishments for offenders for many years and so are encouraged by the recognition of this problem in the new Vehicle Technology and Aviation bill, which proposes to increase the powers of the courts to allow them to impose prison sentences on those putting lives at risk by shining a laser at an aircraft, Landells emphasized.

BALPA wants to see these people stopped before they commit this reckless act and we hope that the bill will give police and authorities the powers to ensure they dont happen in the first place.

The CAAs annual data about laser incidents in the UK can be viewed on its website.

Topics Aviation
Willis Towers Watson has appointed Imran Qureshi to head the companys U.S. Midwest region. In his new role, Qureshi will be responsible for managing and growing the companys business and client relationships across the Midwest. In addition, he will join the North America Leadership team.

Qureshi joined Willis Towers Watson in 1999 and has held several leadership positions, most recently having served as market leader for Greater Chicago and Wisconsin, where he led the growth of those markets. Prior to joining the company, Qureshi worked at consulting and brokerage firms in the U.K. and the U.S.

Source: Willis Towers Watson

Topics Willis Towers Watson
President Donald Trump sought on Monday to bring the nations largest insurance companies on board with his plans to overhaul Obamacare, saying their help was needed to deliver a smooth transition to the Republicans new plan.

We must work together to save Americans from Obamacare  you people know that and everyone knows that  to create more competition and to bring down prices substantially, Trump told insurers at a meeting at the White House.

The gathering took place a day before Trump was to deliver a major policy speech to the U.S. Congress. In attendance at the meeting were insurers who participate in the Obamacare health insurance exchanges as well as some that have pulled most or all of their Obamacare individual insurance offerings.

The president needs insurers to participate in the individual insurance market to keep up competition and keep costs in check.

The speech to Congress is a chance for Trump to elaborate on his healthcare policy, one of his top domestic priorities. Trump and Republicans have vowed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obamas signature piece of domestic policy, but have not released details yet.

Trump told the insurers that his changes would include expanded healthcare savings accounts, which are tax-free savings accounts typically used with high-deductible insurance plans, and the sale of health plans across state lines. He also said that he wanted states to have more flexibility but did not provide details.

Trump previously discussed these ideas on the campaign trail. It is unclear how they would be implemented, or what changes he might make to Medicaid expansion, another key component of the Obamacare law.

Trump told insurers, including UnitedHealth Group Inc., Anthem Inc. and Aetna Inc., that he was directing Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price to work with them to ensure a smooth transition to the new plan.

The administration recently granted the insurers one of their biggest requests and proposed a rule that would tighten eligibility verification for subsidized plans and allow them to seek unpaid premiums.

GOVERNORS MEETING

Trump is also seeking support from the nations governors for changes. The Obamacare law, which extended health insurance to 20 million Americans, has been popular in many states, even those controlled by Republicans. But it has also been criticized for its steep premium increases.

At a meeting with Trump and governors on Sunday, Price said he expected to have a new healthcare plan in three to four weeks, to which Trump responded he hoped to see a plan in two weeks, said Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe.

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval said many conversations during this weekends meeting of the National Governors Association centered on Medicaid, the massive government health insurance program for the poor, and how to ensure those who received coverage under the Medicaid expansion could maintain coverage.

Trump said on Monday that he wanted to win support from Democrats for the plan. McAuliffe, a Democrat, said it would be disastrous for Republicans to repeal Obamacare without a proper replacement.

The political rhetoric of the campaign has hit the reality of governing, he said. (Additional reporting by Richard Cowan in Washington; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

Topics Carriers
The full Senate has approved legislation to transfer oversight of Oklahomas Compulsory Insurance Online Verification System (OCIVS) for motor vehicle liability policies from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID).

Senate Bill 115, authored by Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, is an effort to reduce the number of uninsured drivers in the state, the lawmaker said.

Currently, around 26 percent of Oklahomans are driving uninsured, which is illegal. The Oklahoma Compulsory Insurance Verification System was created by the Department of Public Safety to help law enforcement officers, tag agents, and court clerks quickly verify if a driver has auto insurance, Sharp said in the Senate announcement. While the system does minimally serve this purpose, DPS has pointed out that its sometimes unreliable and they havent been able to afford to update it since 2009 when the system was created.

SB 115 would require the transfer of the system to take place by Jan. 1, 2018. Although district attorneys can already access the system, the bill authorizes their access. The bill allows for license plate numbers to be used in tracking.

It also affirms that the insurance commissioner does have the regulatory authority to deal with any insurance companies that violate the insurance verification law. Finally, it requires tag agents to accept proof of insurance from insurance agents in the event that OCIVS does not provide a clear answer, and to do so electronically at no extra cost to the person registering the vehicle.

The Insurance Department, with its regulatory authority over insurance companies and its ability to improve and maintain the system, is the ideal agency to oversee the system, said Sharp. Once the transfer is made, police officers, highway patrol troopers and others will be able to check the system and have up-to-date information available to them. Having that accurate, real time information will ensure that violators are held accountable and we should see the number of uninsured drivers in Oklahoma decrease.

Under the bill, the Oklahoma Tax Commission and DPS would work with OID for the ongoing improvement and maintenance of the system.

Source: Oklahoma Senate

Topics Legislation Oklahoma Politics
Florida now has legislation backed by the top Florida insurance regulator and the industry that promises to curtail homeowners insurance abuse under the assignment of benefits (AOB) feature.

Senate Bill 1038, filed Feb. 17 by State Sen. Dorothy Hukill and co-sponsored by Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, seeks to clarify the intent of the assignment of benefits provision for policyholders and limit the scope of benefits provided to those other than the named insured on the policy.

The bill drafted by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) with input from industry stakeholders, such as Citizens Property Insurance Corp., would do just that by defining the term assignment agreement and prohibiting certain awards of attorney fees to certain persons or entities in suits based on claims arising under property insurance policies.

The assignment of benefits bill would also instill specified conditions for assignment agreements to be valid. The bill stipulates that an assignment agreement will not be valid unless it meets the following conditions:

Agreement is in writing and is executed by all named insureds

Allows insureds to rescind the assignment agreement within seven business days without penalty

Requires the assignee to provide a copy of the assigned agreement to the insured no later than three business days after the agreement is executed;

And includes a written, itemized, per-unit cost estimate of the work to be performed by the assignee.

Other stipulations of the bill include: prohibiting certain provisions in an assignment agreement; specifying requirements for an assignee or transferee; and requiring an assignee to meet certain requirements as a condition precedent to filing suit under a policy.

Under Floridas current one-way attorney fee statute, policyholders suing their insurer over a claim dispute can recover their attorneys fees if the insurer is shown to have underpaid the claim, by any amount. The goal of the bill is to keep the assignment of benefits consumer protection in place, but take away the incentive  the one-way attorney fee  that the industry claims is driving abuse by assignees, who have included unregulated water mitigation, remediation and roofing contractors typically working with attorney groups.

If passed by the Legislature and signed into law, the bill would become effective July 1, 2017.

OIR praised the lawmakers Hukill and Passidomo for filing the legislation, which it drafted with input from Citizens, as well as other stakeholders.

Under provisions of the bill, consumers would be held harmless, assignment of benefits could still be utilized, and incentives to file unnecessary litigation would be eliminated, said Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier. We look forward to working with the Legislature this session on this important issue and are in full support of this bill.

The bill was referred to the Senate Banking and Insurance, Rules, and Judiciary Committees on Feb. 23 and awaits discussion. A sponsor from the Florida House has yet to sign on and OIR said it doesnt have any information yet on who may do so.

Altmaier has stepped up his efforts to fight the AOB abuse in recent months, telling the Florida Cabinet at the February meeting that it was one of OIRs highest legislative priorities. Altmaier told the Cabinet that the abuse has become so rampant in the state it is now threatening homeownership because of an increase in lawsuits against insurers by assignees.

In response, insurers have been forced to raise rates and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future if the Florida Legislature does not take action, he said.

The industrys response will also go beyond raising rates.

Companies are going to look at certain regions of the state and determine that given these trends they can no longer operate in those jurisdictions because there is no amount of rate increase they can obtain from [OIR] to make their operations sustainable going forward so they will begin to shut down certain zip codes in the state, he said. Many companies already have.

State-run insurer Citizens, which has seen a huge jump in litigation associated with water loss claims over the last several years, has also been vocal about how the abuse has impacted the company and warned that its policyholder count could start going back up if the abuse trends continue.

We have been working closely with OIR and others to put together a proposal we believe will meaningfully benefit consumers. We think SB 1038 provides such consumer benefits and look forward to working with all stakeholders as the bill moves forward, said Michael Peltier, Citizens spokesperson.

Industry and business groups also praised the bill saying its true purpose is to protect consumers.

The bill addresses what we believe is the true cost driver in the homeowners marketplace: the use of the one way attorney fee law by third parties who have no interest in the underlying insurance claim except to profit from it, said Michael Carlson, president of the Personal Insurance Federation of Florida.

Assignment of benefits fraud and abuse is increasingly a threat to keeping home ownership affordable in Florida. For many low-income Floridians, and people on fixed incomes, the premium increases being driven by AOB scams could literally put homeownership out of reach, said Carolyn Johnson, director of Business, Economic Development & Innovation Policy for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. The [Consumer Protection Coalition] is urging Florida legislators to pass meaningful reforms this spring and put consumers back in control of the policies they bought and paid for.

Florida CFO Jeff Atwater, who at his own admission has been critical of the industry on certain issues, said at the Cabinet meeting the story for AOB reform needs to stay centered on consumers, who are the ones really at risk if the Legislature fails to act.

Its time  its time the evidence be presented, its time that the consumer story be told and relief to be provided  not relief for the industry [or] trial lawyers, Atwater said.

Supporters expect that getting the bill passed will be difficult despite the support of OIR and insurers.

Lets face it, the trial bar is extremely powerful and theres absolutely no question they are going to fight this hard. They are going to fight anything that in any way shape or form impacts their ability to take on vendors as clients and eliminates any possibility for them to get fees, said Barry Gilway, CEO and executive director of Citizens.

There are also murmurs that other less controversial legislation may be introduced. PIFFs Carlson said he expects at least two other bills will be filed  one in the House and one in the Senate  that will compete with the primary legislation drafted by OIR that would avoid addressing attorneys fees.

In a statement to Insurance Journal, OIR said that it anticipates other ideas related to a solution will come up, considering the large number of stakeholders interested in the issue, however, whether any of them are filed as legislation remains to be seen.

Read Full Bill Text: Florida Senate Bill 1038

Topics Florida Legislation Homeowners
A Maserati is missing after police say a man conned a salesman during a test drive.

Police in Boca Raton, Fla., say 45-year-old Michael McGilvary II went to a dealership to test drive a $150,000 Maserati GranTurismo.

He and a salesman drove to a marina so McGilvary could supposedly show his girlfriend the car. They walked down the dock, then McGilvary told the salesman he would get his girlfriend. When he didnt return after 30 minutes, the salesman searched for McGilvary. The valet told him McGilvary had driven off.

McGilvary was arrested Feb. 22 on auto theft charges, one day later, but the car wasnt found. McGilvary was being held Saturday by federal authorities on a probation violation. It couldnt be determined if he has an attorney.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Florida
Vanderbilt University Medical Center officials say the hospital has had a security breach where two employees accessed medical records of more than 3,000 patients.

The Tennessean reports the hospital has sent out letters to patients whose personal information was inappropriately viewed.

Two patient transporters accessed information that included names, birth dates and medical identification numbers. One employee had the ability to see Social Security numbers at times.

Hospital spokesman John Howser said in a statement that there was no indication that employees printed, forwarded or downloaded the information or that any patients have suffered financial harm. The hospital will pay for credit monitoring in cases where a Social Security number was accessed.

The spokesman said the two employees have been disciplined and patient transport staff no longer has access to electronic medical records.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Education Universities
Wildlife refuge officials say a man with a drone caused 1,500 elk to stampede half a mile through the snow.

The stampede happened Monday at the National Elk Refuge in western Wyoming. Elk and bison often congregate at the refuge to eat feed put out to help them survive the winter.

This winter has been especially harsh for wildlife. More than 3 feet of snow has piled up, conditions that can be stressful for all kinds of animals.

Federal officials say they gave 45-year-old David A. Smart of Washington, D.C., a $280 ticket after he launched the drone from a highway pullout and flew it over the resting elk herd.

Disturbing wildlife is punishable by a fine up to $5,000.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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A Boat-full of Potential - Renewed Interest in the Cruise Industry Bolsters Luxury Markets (OTC: MASN) (NYSE: CCL) (NYSE: CUK) (NYSE: RCL) (NYSE: NCLH)

Vancouver, Kelowna, Delta, BC - November 2, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Investorideas.com, a leading investor news resource covering luxury goods and cruise ship stocks releases a special report featuring Maison Luxe, Inc. (OTC: MASN), a company that offers luxury retail consumer items.

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Breaking AI Stock News: GBT's (OTCPK: GTCH) AI Driven Financial Technology Patent Application Received a Notice of Publication

San Diego, CA - November 3, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) GBT Technologies Inc. (OTC PINK: GTCH) received a notice of publication for its financial software patent application.

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Breaking AI Stock News: Intellagents, a FatBrain AI (OTCQB: LZGI) Company, Announces Hiring of Insurtech Industry Veteran as Chief Revenue Officer

NEW YORK, NY - November 2, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) FatBrain AI (LZG International, Inc.) (OTCQB: LZGI), the leader in powerful and easy-to-use artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for star enterprises of tomorrow, announces the hiring of Euan King, an experienced and respected Insurtech industry leader as Chief Revenue Officer for insurance technology-focused subsidiary Intellagents.

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Health and Wellness Stock News - Endexx (OTCBB: EDXC) Secures $3.8M Order for Non-Nicotine Vape Product HYLA from Italy

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In September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that will inform their development agendas and policies over the next 15 years. Parliaments have a crucial role to play in advancing the integration of the SDGs and monitoring national progress, while both holding governments accountable for the goals they have subscribed to and also making sure that enabling laws are passed and budgets adopted. It is within this framework that the Parliament of Uganda and the Inter-Parliamentary Union are jointly organizing a Regional Seminar on Sustainable Development Goals for the Parliaments of Sub-Saharan Africa. The Seminar will take place in Kampala from 1 till 3 March 2017 and will be part of a series of IPU regional seminars to advance the work and contribution of parliaments to the SDGs. The seminar will discuss what parliaments need in order to exercise their legislative, oversight, budgetary and representative functions, and it will encourage participants to identify how to strengthen national commitments and regional cooperation in order to achieve these goals. Special emphasis will be placed on the issues of governance, climate change and health policies. Proceedings will be conducted in English, French and Portuguese.
UK economist Ruth Gregory at Capital Economics in London said the dispute over the outstanding bill which the EUs negotiator Michel Barnier has estimated at 60bn means that Britain could face paying 24.5bn- 72.8bn to the EU.

Making payments over a number of years could also prove politically unpalatable to Prime Minister Theresa Mays government, the economist has warned.

In an assessment of the size of the bill, Capital Economics said the potential exit payment could include the UKs contribution to meet the EUs past spending commitments; its obligations to the EU up to 2020; and the UKs contribution for EU pension liabilities.

It is not yet clear how the 60bn figure  which is likely to be the EU chief negotiator Michel Barniers opening gambit  is broken down but some estimates such as those in a report by the Centre for European Reform suggests that the final bill could range from just 24.5bn to almost three times that amount (72.8bn), depending on which of these liabilities or assets are included, Ms Gregory said.

Overall, given the number of contentious issues, it is possible that talks on the exit bill could drag on for a while and eat into the time remaining for trade negotiations, she said.

Yesterday, sterling fell against all its major peers on a report that Mays team is preparing for Scotland to potentially call for an independence referendum.

Sterling, which has been held hostage by politics since a Scottish referendum in 2014, fell up to 0.6% after the newspaper cited unidentified government sources as saying May could agree to a new Scottish vote, but on condition it is held after the UK leaves the EU. It stayed lower even after Mays spokesman Greg Swift said there should be no second Scottish vote.

The eventuality hasnt been largely factored in the pounds value so far, wrote Ipek Ozkardeskaya, a senior market analyst at London Capital Group.

If Scotland decides to proceed with the second referendum to quit the UK, there would certainly be another fundamental downshift in the pounds value, both against the US dollar and the euro.

The House of Lords yesterday began a detailed examination of the bill authorising May to trigger the UKs withdrawal from the EU.

In another sign of market jitters, bullion prices have rallied more than 9% as investors seek havens amid anxiety over anti-establishment electoral candidates in the Netherlands, France and Germany. Concern has mounted that victories for those candidates could cause more exits from the EU following the UKs decision in June.

Investors are also trying to gauge the impact on economic growth of US policies under President Donald Trump.

Demand for gold as a safe haven is likely to remain high amid uncertainty, Commerzbank analysts including Eugen Weinberg said.

The increased buying interest is reflected both in exchange-traded fund inflows and the market positioning of speculative financial investors, he said. n Additional reporting Bloomberg
Unveiling profits for the first time since the industry was enveloped by crisis, Fiona Muldoon nonetheless indicated there was no guarantee that the costs of injury claims wouldnt continue to climb, in the absence of government action.

A repor, published last month and commissioned by Financial Services Minister Eoghan Murphy in response to the huge rise in insurance premiums, helped underpin arguments made by the industry about high awards for injuries. Ms Muldoon said the minister needed to prioritise what she said was the reports 33 recommendations and 71 action points and legislate to ensure that costs of claims were reduced.

She wants the Government to prepare legislation to include the proposal for a Personal Injuries Commission and implement a recommendation to give powers that would allow for the automatic checking of car licence plates to detect uninsured drivers.

The turnaround for FBD to pre-profits of 11.4m was helped by the lucky outcome of benign weather that boosted its property insurance business even as overall gross premiums contracted slightly, to almost 362m, Ms Muldoon said.

We are turning a corner definitely and we do seem to have got there a little bit earlier than anticipated, she said.

However, motor insurance continued to face difficulties, while small businesses including owners of restaurants and pubs face elevated levels of costs of injury claims, she said. Shares in the FBD had collapsed from 19 three years ago as the insurer, along with rivals, plunged into underwriting losses. Insurance premiums have since soared.

Ms Muldoon said FBD reaction to the crisis to focus on its core business of farmers, SMEs and hoteliers, had paid off. What we are seeing emerge in profitability terms is a return to that core, she said, though the company was also going back to urban centres in Cork, Dublin and Galway, as it sought a larger share of the home insurance market. The shares, which have risen by over 25% since the start of the year, fell 2% to 8.01 at one stage yesterday.

Ms Muldoon said any board discussion on resuming a dividend payment would probably not start until this time next year. In 2015, Canadas Fairfax International injected 70m in a convertible bond into FBD as part of the insurers recapitalisation. The bond can convert into equity, at the earliest of September 2018, if the share price reaches 8.50.
A local authority report yesterday divulged 97% of 756 private properties inspected failed to meet regulatory standards. Many properties failed on basic life-saving installations such as smoke alarms, fire blankets and insufficient ventilation for open fires and solid fuel stoves.

Significantly, Cork County Council only has resources to inspect 5.1% of private rented housing stock.

A total of 733 of the 756 properties inspected showed breaches of basic safety legislation. Under regulations, all private properties have to be inspected at least once every four years.

Private landlords were charging huge prices but were failing abysmally to maintain standards, warned Sinn Fein councillor Des OGrady.

Mr OGrady, who had sought to see the report, described the inspectors findings as damning.

I know there are some good landlords out there but many are failing abysmally, he said. We need to contact Housing Minister Coveney on this and get a proper inspection programme in place.

Independent councillor Noel Collins said he recently viewed properties for rent at 1,100 a month and described them as unfit for human habitation.

The scarcity of social housing is playing into the hands of unscrupulous landlords, he warned.

In 2015, 65% of these properties failed nationally but just 27 legal cases were taken. Theres an enforcement black hole. Tenants are afraid of becoming homeless and, in most cases, wont challenge the landlord.

Council chief executive Tim Lucey said the council had the full-time equivalent of 2.4 people to conduct inspections. He said significant costs and resources were needed to reach the target of inspecting every rented house every four years.

A decision was made at the county council meeting to express members concerns to Mr Coveney.

Editorial: 12
Mr Justice Raymond Fullam said he was satisfied to dismiss a claim brought by Jimmy Bishop, aged 55, from Nangor Rd, Clondalkin in Dublin, and found that he did not suffer from PTSD.

Mr Bishop who works in the GPO in Dublin City Centre as a patrolman, sued An Post following the tiger kidnapping of the family of Liam OSullivan an executive with An Post on April 7, 2011. That morning, Mr OSullivan presented at the GPO and instructed Mr Bishop to let him into the mail room area.

Mr OSullivan wanted access to the mail room to secure cash from an office off the mail room to give to kidnappers who were holding members of his family.

Mr Bishop, after being informed of what had happened, let the executive into the mail room. Mr Bishop used a code word to colleagues which alerted others of the situation, and gardai were called and arrived at the GPO.

In evidence, he said for several hours he believed Mr OSullivans wife was going to die and because I had given out the code word.

An Post denied all claims.

Mr Justice Fullam said while the company should have provided Mr Bishop with training about tiger kidnappings the judge was satisfied that, Mr Bishop did not suffer from PTSD.

The judge said evidence was given that Mr Bishop had suffered from another medical condition. The judge also rejected claims aftercare provided to Mr Bishop by An Post following the kidnapping was insufficient.

The judge added he thought Mr Bishops actions on the day of the kidnapping probably saved Mrs OSullivans life. Liam OSullivan had said as much during his evidence to the court, the judge said.

Mr Bishop was not present in court for the decision.
However, with the long-promised Government-backed commission of investigation yet to take place, their release marks the end of the beginning of the case rather than the beginning of the end.

After the scandalous nature of Graces treatment was uncovered by a whistleblower looking after her in 2009, in addition to cover-up claims involving health and social services officials, the HSE set up an investigation into the case in 2010.
According to figures from the Central Statistics Office, between November of last year and January 2017, the total number of visitors to Ireland increased by 7.2% to just over 1.8m compared to the same period 12 months earlier.

The biggest increase in visitors was from North America, which saw a 30.8% rise to 314,500.

Trips to Ireland by British tourists increased by 3.3% to 841,700 while trips by residents of European countries other than Great Britain (Other Europe) increased by 2.3% to 588,500. Trips to Ireland from Other Areas increased by 11.4% to 126,400.

Irish people are also continuing to travel more, with trips abroad jumping by 12.4% to 1,551,400 between November 2016 and January of this year.

The total number of trips (Irish residents trips overseas plus trips to Ireland) in this period increased by 9.5% to 3,422,500 when compared with the same period 12 months earlier.

CSO figures published last month showed an increase of 10.9% in overseas visits to Ireland for 2016 compared to 2015. A record-breaking 9.5m tourists visited Ireland over the 12-month period.

Tourism Ireland CEO Niall Gibbons said more than 126,000 extra tourists visited here between last November and January, while the numbers from the US were particularly positive.

I am delighted to report that growth was recorded from all of our markets around the world  with exceptional results from North America. Ireland now welcomes 10% of all American visitors to Europe  particularly noteworthy given the intense competition from other destinations.

We have also seen continued growth from Britain, mainland Europe, and our long-haul markets. And it is particularly encouraging that weve seen an 8.3% growth in overseas visitors in the month of January alone, he said.

Mr Gibbons said the focus was now firmly on the year ahead with St Patricks Day traditionally being seen as the start of the season.

Our aim is to grow overseas tourism revenue in 2017 by 4.5%, to 5.7bn for the island of Ireland. Our promotions will receive a tremendous boost next month, with our Global Greening initiative for St Patricks Day set to be even bigger and better than ever before. St Patricks Day traditionally marks the real start of the tourism season for us and we will be taking every opportunity to capitalise on Irelands heightened profile, he said.

Tourism Minister Shane Ross said the figures were another positive development coming on the back of Norwegian Airs launch of low-cost transatlantic services from Cork, Shannon and Dublin this summer, which will contribute further to tourism growth from North America.

Business: 16
Mr Coveney said that there are very exciting opportunities ahead for cities like Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway and other towns and said the Government wants to hear from people about what they want from their city or town.

If we dont plan a new city strategy for Ireland were going to see the continued unsustainable growth for Dublin and were going to see the extra million people or so, that are going to be added to our population, doughnutted around the capital city which is whats happened over the last 20 years, he said in Waterford at the launch of the Southern Regional Consultation of Ireland 2040  Our Plan.

We need to create cities that are regional drivers but of course this plan is very much about the revival of rural Ireland as well; vibrant rural towns and villages, encouraging people to live in community settings again rather than one-off housing. I thinks this is going to be a very positive plan for rural Ireland but it will also be a very exciting plan for cities.

The public can make submissions on the national planning framework until March 16 and a draft plan will then be prepared, for further public consultation during the summer, before a final version is submitted to the Government in the autumn.

The Government will learn from the mistakes of the previous National Spatial Strategy, published in 2002, when 23 towns were identified for major growth, he said.

None of those 23 have been in the top 20 growth towns since then so the last National Spatial Strategy made sense in theory but in practice and in implementation it simply didnt happen.

One of the reasons for that was that every town and every county felt they had to get their fair share and so I think the resources were spread too thinly, while the arrival of the recession in 2008 also meant the money wasnt available to spend on the necessary infrastructure.

Meanwhile, there was no real plan for the development of the hearts of cities and the population ended up living on the outskirts.

We simply filled green fields with housing estates all over the country, acres and acres and acres of them. So I think this time well have a much more ambitious plan for cities, from the centre out, and well see higher density but much higher quality design of buildings, Mr Coveney said.

The minister said the plan will incorporate submissions on the controversy over an independent recommendation to transfer part of south Kilkenny into Waterford City, which has caused outrage in Co Kilkenny.

My job will be to try and find a solution that is politically acceptable for people in Kilkenny and Waterford but also can facilitate the well-managed growth and expansion of Waterford as a city. We can do both of those things I know there are very strong feelings of attachment to peoples county, and I understand that coming from Cork, but look Im confident that we can find a solution here that everyone can live with but at the same time achieve a very ambitious growth story for Waterford as a city, and thats the core issue.
Tuesday, February 28th, 2017 (2:20 pm) - Score 422

The Staffordshire County Council has established a new 400,000 Community Fibre Partnership Support Fund (CFPSF), which aims to help remote rural communities to raise enough investment to get a fibre broadband (FTTC/P) network installed by Openreach (BT).

At present the state aid supported Superfast Staffordshire project is already working with Openreach to expand the coverage of FTTC/P based fibre broadband to 97% of local homes and businesses by the end of 2017. This equates to 95% being able to access superfast speeds of 24Mbps+ and that will rise to 96% by the end of 2018.

The debate about how best to solve the final few percent of predominantly remote rural areas, which tend to be among the most expensive to tackle, is on-going. In the meantime the Superfast Staffordshire scheme has decided to launch a new fund that will help related communities to get their local areas upgraded.

The fund adopts a similar approach to BTs Community Fibre Partnerships, which focus on communities that arent yet planned to benefit from any other upgrade programme. BTs scheme then offers those communities the option of a joint funding arrangement, where the operator covers the costs in line with their commercial model and the community self-funds the remaining gap.

Similarly any money raised by households and businesses in an eligible community can now be matched by investment from the new CFPSF. On top of that additional funding may also come from Openreach, as well as BTs own Community Fibre Partnerships. This approach has already been piloted in two communities  Cotwalton village and the Brookside Business Park, near Stone (these are due to complete by the end of 2017).

On top of that 50 premises in Cold Norton can also expect to get an ultrafast 1Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premise (FTTP) network from Openreach installed, which is due to complete within the next 12 months.

Clive Fenton, Community Lead for the Community Fibre Partnership, said: It was hard to accept that our community was not going to automatically have access to high speed broadband and that, to get this technology, we would need to make a contribution towards the cost. We looked at all the options but could see no sustainable solution. However, we were able to make a strong connection with BT and the Superfast Staffordshire team, who were determined to find an achievable solution for the community, and it is fantastic that the ultrafast fibre to the premises (FTTP) technology to be installed will future proof Cold Nortons access to high speed communications.

Mark Winnington, Staffordshire Councils Economic Growth Leader, said: Staffordshire is leading the way with a unique solution to connect our most hard to reach communities to superfast fibre broadband. The Superfast Staffordshire partnership has been a resounding success and will enable 96 per cent of properties to access fast broadband by the end of 2018. We have always said we would do all we could to reach the final four per cent and the Community Fibre Partnership Support Fund initiative is one of a number of ways we can do that. It is the first of its kind in the UK and other areas are already looking to follow our example. Access to superfast broadband improves quality of life and means businesses can thrive and that is why connecting communities is a priority to us.

We assume there might also be some scope for further co-funded investment to come from the Governments rural Better Broadband Subsidy Scheme scheme too (here), which has previously been used to help expand various fixed wireless, satellite and even some of BTs own Community Fibre Partnership based networks.

Further details about the new fund can be FOUND HERE, although by the looks of it theyre only making this available for BT based solutions and appear to be shunning alternative network providers.
After reading the report, A Widening Attack Plain, by Brian David Johnson for the U.S. Army Cyber Institute, which looks at the world as it will exist in 2026 with regard to cyber threats, Ive concluded that we have little to worry about because, if this report is correct, many of us wont make it to 2027. At least that was my initial takeaway. You see, up until now, we have been largely dealing with physical attacks and cyberattacks as different and discrete, but threatcasting, a practice of collaboratively predicting the future, similar to the Delphi method, is now showcasing they wont remain separate for much longer. In the near-term future, a cyberattack will be used in conjunction with a physical attack to increase the damage and delay or eliminate timely response.

Participating in the forecasting process for this report were a large number of folks from the Army Cyber Institute, U.S. Army Cyber Protection Brigade, Carnegie Mellon University, U.S. Military Academy, USAA, Citigroup, New York Police Department, and the author of X-Men. Science fiction authors participate in efforts like this because they are better at setting possible future scenarios for the study group to consider.

The scenario the group created was a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack via Internet of Things (IoT) devices on a complex supply chain. The related failures of security protocols and the management of the artificial intelligence (AI) in the digital domain resulted in physical weaknesses that culminated in a dirty bomb attack on New Yorks Manhattan Island. The goal was to come up with a plan to mitigate, and if that failed, recover from, such an event.

You can read the report yourself. Here, Im going to focus on the critical need to use it before a reality like this hits and we discover that we cant deal with the result any better than we did for 9/11 or the attack on Pearl Harbor.

9/11 and Pearl Harbor Lessons

9/11 was a disaster not just because of the attack, but because institutionally, the government knew it was coming, was unable to translate that knowledge into action, and when it finally responded, did so inadequately and then over-reacted, doing far more damage to itself than the terrorists were capable of alone.

We could see similar elements in Japans attack on Pearl Harbor in that the U.S., institutionally, knew an attack was coming and actually facilitated the attack, by placing planes where they could be easily bombed, and in discounting the radar reports of the attacking planes.

In both cases, as an organization, the U.S. military hadnt gamed out a related attack, even though it knew, institutionally, that it was likely, and thus didnt have the capability to aggregate the information it needed to alert in a timely manner, didnt have a plan in place to respond in a timely manner, and lacked the infrastructure to adequately deal with the result. In the end, in both instances, the attacks happened and were made worse due to a severe lack of planning.

The Cyber Terrorist Future

Technology is a force multiplier and the big difference between the two attacks is that the first was done by the Japanese Navy and the second by a bunch of guys with box cutters. In the attack on Pearl Harbor, around 2,300 people lost their lives. On 9/11, it was closer to 3,000, with twice that injured. The only technology enhancements were the ability to coordinate over cell phones and the internet, and the availability of large commercial airliners that were inadequately secured. The anticipated attack this report group highlighted using blended cyber and physical resources would devastate and/or kill around 2 million people, projecting ahead to the population of Manhattan. And, be aware, there is no physical limitation to either size or number of cities, so 2 million could be massively conservative. We are also still talking a relatively small attacking force, far smaller than the army of a hostile nation and possibly smaller than the group that perpetrated 9/11.

Wrapping Up: We Wont Survive If We Continue to Think Tactically

We are largely set up to respond to threats tactically. Even the Cold War mutual assured destruction rules were set up to assure a responding strike, not to fully anticipate and respond to an initial nuclear attack. But, at least then, we were dealing with a large nation, and that still almost didnt end well. Efforts like threatcasting are critical to identifying potential threats and building up defenses against them and there are private companies and military organizations involved in this effort. Thats the good news. The bad news is that these are still more of an exception than a rule and, as big as this effort is, it is still a fraction of what it needs to be.

Im writing about this so that you are aware of the exposure and the efforts to address it, in the hope that more will get involved and the forecast future does not occur.

Rob Enderle is President and Principal Analyst of the Enderle Group, a forward-looking emerging technology advisory firm. With over 30 years experience in emerging technologies, he has provided regional and global companies with guidance in how to better target customer needs; create new business opportunities; anticipate technology changes; select vendors and products; and present their products in the best possible light. Rob covers the technology industry broadly. Before founding the Enderle Group, Rob was the Senior Research Fellow for Forrester Research and the Giga Information Group, and held senior positions at IBM and ROLM. Follow Rob on Twitter @enderle, on Facebook and on Google+
Good news to non-Pixel phone users. Google has just announced that the Google Assistant will be coming to Android Marshmallow and Android Nougat devices. The first rollout will be in the U.S. and will be followed in other English speaking countries as well.

It Is Coming To The US This Week

According to Tech Crunch, Google has set a goal to expand its place in the mobile ecosystems. Apparently, the company has announced that the Google Assistant will begin rolling out this week to users in the United States followed by English speakers in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. It will also be rolled out in Germany as well. Upon receiving the Google Assistant, Tech Times suggested that there will be no need to update the handsets to receive it.

Google To Outperform Amazon's Alexa

The Google Assistant is believed to be on par with Amazon's Alexa, which is also currently available in English and German. However, Gummi Hafsteinsson, product manager lead for the Google Assistant, wrote on a blog post that the company plans to add more language over the coming year.

How This Is A Big Step For Google

Aside from the good news of Google's plan to roll out the Google Assistant on Android Marshmallow and Android Nougat devices, this will also be a big step from the company's Google Now search app with third party service integrations ("Actions") and a bot-like intelligent, conversational interface. Thanks to this, non-Pixel owners will be able to access the service with the Google's now-famous wakeup phrase, "Okay, Google" to do things such as take a photo, set and access calendar items, ask for translations for phrases, ask for directions to places and much more.

Though this may seem to be quite a grand expansion for the Google Assistant, its reach is still limited as of now. According to Google, only 31 percent of Android devices are running on Marshmallow, while only 1.2 percent are running on Android 7.0 and 7.1 Nougat. But nevertheless, this can still be considered a huge step towards the availability of the Google Assistant on non-pixel phones running on Android or the company's goal in general of expanding its place in the mobile ecosystem.

More About Google's Recent Activities

Aside from Google announcing to roll out the Google Assistant to Android Marshmallow and Nougat, the company is also reported to roll out another update/fix for its own Pixel phones. Yes, the Google's Pixel phones have a new issue. This time, it is suffering from connectivity problems, specifically its Bluetooth feature.

Following the release of its February security patch, Google Pixel owners have been reporting that its Bluetooth feature would randomly turn off even though the paired devices (Smartwatches or wireless earphones) were within range. Thankfully, Google has acknowledged the feedback given by the users and promises to deliver a fix soon. Orrin, Pixel Community Manager has even promised to post details of the possible fix. Regarding as to when the fix will come, it is believed to be next month.

Another recent move by Google is the release of the Android 7.1.2 Nougat Beta for the Nexus 6P. It is currently available via OTA, which comes in 1.29 GB. However, this new update is only applicable to the devices that were enrolled to the Android Beta Program that you can sign up if you want to.
The important themes at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017 center around the small city tech. Companies such as Intel, Harman, Faststream Technologies and AT&T will show their smart products at the event.

Smart City Tech At Mobile World Congress

According to Computerworld, there are thousands of vendors and around 100,000 visitors at the Mobile World Congress this year. The MWC 2017 centers so far around artificial intelligence, the internet of things and 5G wireless. All these technologies are related to smart cities.

There are some thematic exhibits that focus heavily on smart city-related tech, like the GSM Association's Innovation City. Smart city tech is also the central theme of an exhibit set up by AT&T, including a light pole equipped with sensors that can inform traffic and public safety officials about parking, road and pedestrian conditions. Sensors can also be installed to monitor the sound of gunshots, weather or air pollution.

AT&T Smart City Tech

AT&T has joined in an exclusive agreement with a division of GE called Current. The partnership focuses to deliver internet of things technology to cities in the U.S., as well as Mexico. In both countries, AT&T will be GE's exclusive reseller of intelligent sensor nodes.

The nodes are integrated almost invisibly within light poles. According to AT&T, they can work with lighting elements from various manufacturers. Multiple sensors and three cameras are equipping the light poles. Data from the nodes can be connected to a fiber optic backhaul or sent wirelessly over AT&T's 4G LTE network.

The existing light poles and power supplies can be used by city governments and equipped with more energy-efficient LED lighting. City governments can pay for the software platform used to aggregate sensor data and for the sensors by using costs savings from energy-efficient lighting.

Harman Smart City Tech

Harman announced at another booth at MWC an early detection and warning system that can monitor vibrations from mechanical infrastructure such as water pumps. The system could be used by city utilities. The Harman Quick Predict system has already been put to use in Intel's fabrication facilities and it was developed using a vibration analysis algorithm built by Intel.

Harman makes software for connected products used in industrial settings, autos and more. The company has more than 30,000 employees in its workforce. Among its brands are includes Lexicon and JBL. Machine learning algorithms are used by the Quick Predict system in order to detect when machine vibrations have reached a critical point. For instance, after an earthquake the system could assess the health of utilities that process water or machines used in factories.

Faststream Technologies At MWC

According to a press release, Faststream Technologies will also hold an event at the MWC 2017. The company is a vanguard of technology solutions specializing in Big Data, IoT, Digital Transformation,product and system engineering, Security and application development. Faststream Technologies will demonstrate solutions focusing on Internet of Things, wearables, smart homes, connected cars and everyday objects to the cloud which has a impact on smart cities.

One of the important themes to be presented by the company at MWC is smart parking technology. Tech analysts forecast that about 80 percent of cars sold in U.S have rear cameras and 20 percent of car manufacturers provide WLAN hotspots. This means that IoT solutions for better connected cars would become an important focus for more companies.
LG is working with video game developer Valve to design a virtual reality device based on SteamVR tracking technology. This partnership places LG in direct competition with HTC that created the HTC Vive in collaboration with Valve.

LG Teamed Up With Valve To Create VR Headset

According to Engadget, this is not the first time when LG is trying to join the VR trend. The South Korean tech company released last year the 360 VR headset for the G5 smartphone. However, its VR gadget did not enjoy much success on the market.

LG's first foray into VR, the mobile-focused "360 VR" headset, was not well received by tech analysts and the consumers alike. While compact, the device was giving off the feeling of a premature step into the VR world. However, more than a year later, LG is focused this time on desktop VR. The alignment with the South Korean tech company will hopefully mean that this time a more mature product is in the works.

Not many details are known about this new prototype. LG is simply calling the gadget a "high fidelity, next generation VR experience." However, it is expected that the headset will use Valve's royalty-free SteamVR 3D tracking system. In fact, according to Road To VR, Valve has already confirmed that LG will utilize SteamVR Tracking and the OpenVR platform in its new VR headset.

Valve Offers Open Access To SteamVR Tracking

Open access to SteamVR tracking started to be offered by Valve last year. Besides HTC, LG will be the first company besides to utilize it. When Valve started to build their OpenVR platform, the company hoped that its design will open the door for hardware makers other than HTC to tap into the system and develop their own products that can work with all the same software.

As the company has confirmed that LG, one of the major computer electronics manufacturers, is developing a new VR headset built upon its platform, Valve's vision appears to be paying off. That includes using Valve's royalty-free and increasingly open VR tracking technology called SteamVR Tracking.

It is expected that LG will show off its new headset at this year's GDC in San Francisco, in Valve's booth. The company will meet with developers to collect impressions and feedback. Information on the prototype's launch dates, pricing, and markets are expected to come at a later date.

Even if the details on the LG VR headset are still slim, we will certainly know more when a prototype will be shown off at GDC 2017 this week. Tech analysts do not expect this LG head-mounted VR gadget to be the last SteamVR device. Valve dropped last week requirements to attend a $3,000 class for its platform. Around 500 companies have signed up to work with its Lighthouse tracking technology to develop controllers and new headsets.

Aside from SteamVR, there are also other companies licensing VR technology. For instance, Microsoft is also working with companies like Asus and Dell to develop its own VR headsets. According to tech experts, Microsoft's virtual reality devices will run on its Windows Holographic OS and use inside-out tracking.
The Mobile World Congress 2017 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in its history. Lenovo has already confirmed the release of its new Yoga 720 laptops, which may not be the expected move. The new range of notebooks is not considered a premium release like the previous Yoga 900 units, but the company remained generous with the specs and features.

As The Verge has reported, the new Lenovo 720 was not designed to be a premium Windows 10 device, unlike the Yoga 900 laptops. The starting price of the upcoming models are about US$859.99, but it has all the fixings that the public has learned to associate with the product line. That mainly means the 360-degree hinge, but there is so much more to the device as well.

The Yoga 720 laptops are being refreshed with Intel's latest seventh generation Core i7 processors. Furthermore, Lenovo has confirmed 16GB of RAM as well as 1Tb of HDD storage or 512GB of SSD. There were also fingerprint sensors added to both the 13 inch and 15-inch models, which allowed the addition of Windows 10 Hello support. What is evidently absent, however, is the infrared camera that scans your face. It looks as if this technology is being held for the company's more premium releases.

Another upgrade that was given to the Yoga 720 models is a 4K display. There is some sort of payout, however, as the battery life will undoubtedly be affected. Lenovo has claimed that there will still be 7 hours of use on the 13-inch model and 8 hours on the 15 inch. It is also possible for users to settle on the regular full HD displays, which will allow energy for another hour or so for both models. Both also offer support for Lenovo's active stylus.

The publication notes that both models look and feel very much like Lenovo's top of the line Yoga laptops, even if the price tag does not support it. Both are fitted with prevision trackpads as well as the quality keyboard that users have come to expect from the company.

And while the models are largely similar, there is one notable difference between the two. That is, the larger model provides users with the option for the Nvidia GTX 1050 graphics card. This option allows individuals to have better gaming graphics, but it is not enough power to support the virtual reality that would be possible with the GTX 1060 graphics card.

ArsTechnica has added that the 13 inch model of the 720 Yoga laptop is fitted with one USB 3.0 port, while the larger option has two. Both sport the standard 3.5mm audio jack, but neither have SD card readers. And of course, the more obvious weight and size differences.

The 13 inch Yoga 720 is 14.3mm thick and weighs just under three pounds. It is also available n platinum silver, iron gray, and copper. Meanwhile, the larger 15-inch version is 19.9mm at its thickest and weighs about 4.41 pounds. However, it is unavailable in a copper finish. Both models are expected to hit the market by April.
Though it was heavily judged as the worst kept secret ahead of Mobile World Congress 2017, the up and coming Nokia 3310 was already introduced to the general public. Though details have been few about it, the important ones were already laid out.

The New Nokia 3310 2017 Version

During the Nokia/ HMD Global launch event in Barcelona on Sunday evening Arto Nummela, CEO of HMD Global, unveiled the new Nokia 3310. It is an updated version of the classic Nokia 3310 back in the days, full of nostalgic features that pretty much resembles the old 3310 phone, with the only difference is it having some quirky new features like a 2MP camera at the back and a colored screen.

A Look Back At the Old Nokia 3310

According to Gadgets 360, Nokia phones back in the day were formidably built like a tank, and no phone epitomized that better than the iconic Nokia 3310. The old phone could survive drop tests that would definitely put modern smartphones to shame. The up and coming Nokia device has been hugely touted to be the very same as its predecessor, but some experts are having doubts.

Doubts With The New 3310

With a new manufacturer, as well as the consideration of the new trends of phones nowadays, a lot of people are having doubts that the phone would ever be the same with the "tanky" 3310 of the old. But since there has been no proper review and showcase of the phone, many analysts suggest that people should take any update regarding the phone with a grain of salt, at least up until MWC 2017.

Will The New 3310 Succeed?

According to Today Online, while HMD Global might be a new company, it's pretty much clear that it knows how to market a product, judging by how they marketed the new 3310. If the Nokia 3310 2017 had released under any other name, it would have been a non-event.

Instead, it looks like a pretty standard, and somehow overpriced feature phone will turn out to be the biggest highlight of MWC 2017. Nokia is back, and time will be the only challenge for us knowing more about their latest phone.
Astronomers have long speculated that the early solar system was not how it is now. Back then, the solar system was more chaotic. A chaotic solar system now finds new evidence.

The evidence for a chaotic early solar system has been found in an unlikely place. A team of scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Northwestern University have found evidence for it in a layer of sedimentary rock in Colorado.

The chaotic solar system theory first came out in 1989. The theory was proposed in order to account for the variations that have been discovered in the solar system. These variations were present for millions of years and had also an impact on the Earth. One of those effects changed the Earth's climate.

The impact made by these variations can be found in rocks. The evidence can be seen in layers of limestone and shale that are millions of years old. The study is being made by Stephen Meyers, professor of Geoscience from the University of Wisconsin-Madison together with Brad Sageman, professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences from Northwestern University.

From their study, they have found evidence of a resonance transition in the rocks. A resonance transition is caused in what is known as the butterfly effect in chaos theory. That means that small changes in nonlinear systems will, in time, have larger effects.

The resonance transition can be seen when two objects in space tug at one another. This can happen when a planet passes by in relative proximity to the orbit of another one. This can have an effect over time, with small changes gradually accumulating. In the case of the Earth, the changes happened that amount of radiation from the Sun had also been altered. This alteration changed the Earth's climate, according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison's site.

Finding evidence of the resonance transition has led Meyers and Sageman to the Niobrara Formation in Colorado. Joining them there is graduate student Chao Ma. The area has been chosen because it has a pronounced rhythmic rock layering, This is due to it having more clay and calcium carbonate in it, as explained by Meyers.

The study shows the connection between sedimentation and climate change, as Science Daily reports. Through this study it has been found that the Earth has changed its climate due to the effects of resonance transition. This in turn shows that the Earth has been affected by the chaotic nature of the early solar system.

The early solar system has been chaotic. Now more evidence could possibly support this. A chaotic solar system finds new evidence. Recently also SpaceX has launched a rocket on a historic NASA pad.
Netflix has just dropped a trailer for one of its upcoming original films. The first teaser for Bright has just been released and it looks promising for another fantasy-centered movie. It stars Will Smith in an all new cop adventure that involves orcs, fairies, and elves.

The new trailer for Bright starts off by introducing the city where the story is set in while the popular American folk song by Woody Guthrie, This Land Is Your Land is being played. It heads on to introduce Will Smith and the rest of the characters. Something about the trailer says that the peace will not last long and thingssomething magical, are about to go down.

Veteran actor, Will Smith stars in this Netflix original film along with Joel Edgerton, Noomi Rapace, and Lucy Fry. The synopsis of the movie did not give away that much details but it did state that the main characters named, Scott Ward and Nick Jakoby will encounter a darkness during one of their nightly patrol routines and that it will alter the future and the world as they know it.

Smiths character, Scott Ward, is a human cop who works with other species. His partner, Nick Jakoby, who was teased in the trailer, is the first Orc cop. Based on the characters of the film, they will be crossing paths with a young elf with powers. The movie even has a magic division for the FBI.

Despite how it looks, they have described Bright to be a contemporary cop thriller that has the elements of a fantasy genre. The movie will be directed by David Ayer, who has worked on Suicide Squad". "Bright" is rather infamous because Netflix has reportedly shelled out at least $90 million for it. The filming for Bright was just completed earlier this month and it is slated to premiere in December 2017.
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute (SETI) alien hunters look for signs of extraterrestrial life in Trappist-1, a newly discovered solar system, by listening to radio surveillance. With new exoplanets that are thought of capable hosting intelligent life, the institution has actually been monitoring the solar system for more than a year. They believe that by keeping an ear out for radio signals, alien contact might be finally possible.

So far, there has been no contact, but scientists say that their experiments are far from over. Watching the planets using The Allen Telescope Array (ATA), which is a Large Number of Small Dishes (LNSD) array, the technology is designed to be highly effective for simultaneous surveys undertaken for alien hunting projects. Right now, their main focus is on the seven planets in Trappist-1.

SETI alien hunters believe that since the new planets are close to each other, a life form created on one is likely to have spread to the others. Similar to our own planet, each planet is in the Goldilocks zone. This means that they are just far enough from their star to be not too hot, or too cold.

NASA has said that it was possible that sophisticated life could already be present across all the planets. Senior astronomer at SETI, Seth Shostak, writes in a blog post that life opportunities in the Trappist-1 system make our own solar system look fourth-rate. He adds that a collision with small asteroids could most likely spread life to the other planets, the Universe Today reports.

SETI aline hunters like Shostak believes that even if a single planet produced technically competent beings, species could quickly disperse across the new solar system. According to The Sun, he adds that listening out for radio signals might be the best way for us to figure out if life does exist on Trappist-1. Alien hunters continue to search with renewed hope as more information about the planets surface.
The potential for a cyber attack is high in Barcelona. In fact, security experts from Avast said that the Spanish nation is susceptible to an Internet of Things attack, thanks to millions of smart devices.

It's a common practice of Avast to do some thorough investigations during the Mobile World Congress. This year, the leading digital security company discovered that 5.3 million smart devices in Spain are vulnerable to a cyber attack. Included in that huge figure are the 493,000 devices, which include smart kettles, smart coffee machines and smart refrigerators, located in Barcelona alone.

Even more alarming is the fact that over 22,000 webcams and baby monitors can easily be hacked. This disturbing act has been happening for years now. Scour the internet and one will easily find videos of babies and young children taken through baby monitors. The possibility of government agencies spying on people through webcams has also been exposed by former CIA computer expert Edward Snowden.

Avast was able to come up with this conclusion with the help of Shodan, a connected objects search engine. As BBC noted, smart devices with outdated firmware and a known vulnerability are susceptible to such attacks. The same can happen with those that are streaming content to the internet in an unencrypted form.

According to Business Wire, the 2017 MWC is not safe from such offense. Hackers can compromise any smart device in the event particularly cameras. By doing so, these cyber criminals can witness the goings-on in the MWC and may even get to spy on some company secrets. Webcams that are set to live stream are the easiest targets for these hackers.

The biggest danger, however, is the possibility of a bot attack. Hijacked smart devices can be turned into a bot which could later become part of a wider botnet. If this is the case, the hacker can easily attack servers and eventually take down websites like what happened to Twitter, Amazon, Netflix and other major websites when Dyn was subjected to a series of DDoS attacks.
The Nokia 3310 has been one of the most popular phones ever made by the Finnish company, thanks to several specs and features that were quite incredible at its time. Considering that the brand is making a major comeback to the smartphone business, it decided to release a new version of this phone, with some differences that customers will definitely love.

Connectivity

The classic Nokia 3310's main virtue was the batterys duration and its remarkable resistance evidenced by torture tests that we can see in YouTube videos.

However, its connectivity was practically non-existent, since the original Nokia 3310 only featured 2G GSM connectivity on the 900MHZ and 1800MHz bands. Although this was quite innovative at its moment, this doesn't represent anything when compared with the connectivity that mobile devices offer today.

In order to mesmerize the customers' minds and play with their emotions, the Finnish company released a new version of the Nokia 3310 with a few options afforded by the wireless technology that we see today. The list includes an FM radio -with its headphone jack- Bluetooth and an incredible micro SD slot. Naturally, theres no Wi-Fi on this handset, and the connectivity is limited to 2.5G.

Camera

As everyone knows, Finnish company Nokia was the main player in the phone market before the release of the first iPhone, given the fact that the reign of smartphones started at this point and Nokia didn't know how to adapt to these new changes. However, even when the original Nokia 3310 was proving its excellence during its heydays, the phones popularity started to decrease a couple of years later. This is due to the fact that almost every new handset launched has thrilling cameras, and this one didn't have any.

Naturally, the inclusion of this feature was something that set a turning point in the phone business. Customers loved the opportunity of shooting photos with their handsets. However, the company has included a 2MP camera to the new version, and even when it wont match the quality of the greatest smartphones, it will come with a LED flash and digital zoom.

Interface

The original Nokia 3310 featured an interface characterized for being extremely simplified which allowed users to access games, messages, calls and setting by hitting the blue menu button and navigate through the options with the directional keys. Of course, there weren't a lot you could do with this mobile phone beyond texting and calling people.

On the other hand, the new Nokia 3310 features the Nokia Series 30+ operating system that can be found on a number of Nokia feature phones, which provides a better way of navigating the handsets menus. Believe it or not, a 3x3 tile menu provides a quicker access to call, logs, contacts, messages, calculator, photos and the almighty Snake, which is included in this device. However, this classic game will be in a slightly more glitzy affair that doesn't boast the basic appeal of the phones Snake II.
Being a good CEO not only requires a lot of dedication and commitment to the company, but also the proper knowledge and experience to make the wise decisions at the crucial moments of the firm. Nevertheless, theres a lot that actually fails by making huge mistakes in some of these elements, causing a serious damage to the company. Getting to this point, here are the worst tech CEOs in the history.

Steve Ballmer

What makes the worst tech CEO is definitely bad decision skills that end up harming the company, but if this person achieves this position after the departure of a legendary figure, things get much more complicated. In a previous article, we talked about how Tim Cook is one of the greatest tech figures, thanks to the way he managed to overcome the pressure of replacing Steve Jobs, now, theres an opposite case that everyone keeps remembering in Silicon Valley.

Thats right, were talking about Steve Ballmer, and the way he took control of Microsoft after Bill Gates retired from the company. Unfortunately, he will always be remembered as the guy that made the tech giant lose its power, thanks to several mistakeslike burning billions of dollars wanting to kill Google with online services, underestimate the power of the iPhone, and destroying Microsofts chances of achieving an important position in the smartphone market by letting Android take 80 percent of it.

Dick Costolo

After Jack Dorsey got fired from Twitter, Dick Costolo arrived as the new CEO, with the difficult mission of turning Twitter into a superpower in the social media world. Although the first moments of his period were quite successful, things went downhill to the point in which the company decided to hire back Dorsey.

And of course, given the fact that the history tells how Dorsey came back to fix a broken ship, you already know that when these kind of things happens, the previous CEO is definitely the one blamed. Unfortunately, the last moments of Dick Costolo as Twitters CEO were more than enough to put him on the list of the worst tech CEOs. The company suffered a really harmful period in which it shed more than 40 percent of its value in 2014, and venture capitalist Peter Thiel defined Twitter at that year as a horrible mismanaged company.

Robert Allen

Although you probably haven't heard about him, Robert Allen was AT&T's CEO from 1986 to 1997. Far from being remembered as one of the greatest tech leaders at that time, his period was actually so disastrous for the company.

Allen did one of the most disastrous business deals in tech history, after coercing a merger between his company and NCR Corp., costing AT&T $12 billion and resulting in 50,000 plus layoffs in the long run. Believe it or not, after his company struggled financially during the 90s, several reports surfaced that Allen received a stock option that increased his payment from $6.7 million to $16 million.

As disappointing as it can get, Allen told during an annual AT&T meeting back in 1996 that he didn't feel any kind of pay in accepting the compensation and firing thousands of employees. This lack of remorse and greedy position has been remembered as one of the most famous phrases in tech history, thus, making him one of the worst tech CEOs ever.
Samsung is making some noise at this year's Mobile World Congress but not for the right reasons. The tech giant has faced a couple of controversies in the event including a Greenpeace protester and accusations of fake news.

During Samsung's presentation at the 2017 MWC, a protester climbed the stage and showed a sign calling for the Korean conglomerate to make sure to recycle the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 properly. In other news, Samsung published a press release on Feb. 27 via the Samsung Newsroom page which has triggered a bit of controversy.

The Greenpeace protester who got up the stage while the Chief Marketing Officer of Samsung Electronics Europe, David Lowes, was addressing the crowd, was carrying a banner showing the recycle symbol along with the company's name, "#GalaxyNote7", and Greenpeace's name beneath the symbol. Lowes calmly made his way to the protester and told him that he has made his point before requesting him to get off the stage. Outside, a group of protesters also from Greenpeace attempted to unfurl a huge banner with the same contents as the first one but was stopped by a Samsung representative.

Samsung has indicated that it plans to refurbish the Galaxy Note 7 with smaller batteries and resell them to get back even a portion of their $5 billion loss due to the defective handset. The company also indicated that it is working with regulatory bodies and carrier partners to dispose of the devices in a responsible manner.

Tech Crunch noticed one important error in Samsung's press release which declared that the Galaxy S7 edge was named the best smartphone at the Mobile World Congress 2017. To be clear, the said smartphone was indeed the winner of the Best Smartphone award but not at this year's MWC event. It won the award in 2016. The award is given out by GSMA, the group behind the MWC. They also give out awards in a ceremony held every year. The nominees for the category this year is the iPhone 7 plus, Huawei P9, the Moto Z and the Pixel XL, and the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge.

Some people who commented on the Tech Crunch article pointed out that Samsung did not announce its 2016 flagship smartphone as the winner this year but only as the best smartphone at the current MWC. A number of other websites that have picked up the press release have already reported the handset as the 2017 winner. Samsung has not commented as of this writing.
The virtual reality industry has been split between two key types, mobile, and non-mobile. On the mobile side, Samsung's Gear VR, arguably, has the best hardware available. But like a true leader in the market, the tech giant is not going to slow down, as proven by its recent release of a vital VR accessory: A controller.

On the other side of the fence are the likes of the HTC Vive, the Oculus Rift, and the PlayStation VR. These players have paved the way for virtual reality, but the biggest limitation is that they need to be tethered to a computer or the PS4. But with mobile VR, users can bring their VR experiences anywhere they wish.

As noted by C|Net, the Samsung Gear VR really is one of the most popular players on the mobile VR platform. It is compatible with the more recent Samsung smartphones such as the Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, Note 6, S6 and the S6 Edge. One of its largest drawbacks, however, is that users had limited control via a touchpad attached the headset itself. The new controllers will theoretically allow more movement and an overall more efficient and enjoyable experience.

The controller itself is lightweight and easy to hold. It features a clickable trackpad at the top, a home button, a back button and two others dedicated for volume. There is also a trigger underneath the touchpad. The controller was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress 2017, but an actual demo was limited. It will take a while before a thorough review of the accessory can be discussed.

The Next Web added that the controller is powered by two AAA batteries. While this means that users will need to supply the batteries, Samsung claimed that the controller will be usable for 40 days when used for a maximum of two hours a day. More importantly, however, is what the new controller provides users.

As the publication continued, it is about time that Samsung released a controller for its Gear VR. The platform as a whole has a lot of potentials and offers some of the most immersive VR experiences currently available. But even then, there was the limitation of that small trackpad built into the headset. Hopefully, the controller hurdles that.

The publication noted as well that the Gear VR controller resembles a smaller HTC Vive remote or a slightly more powerful Google Daydream controller. These similarities are not necessarily detrimental, as both HTC and Google have some of the best overall VR setups. Whether or not Samsung properly copied the technology will be up for debate until it is made available in the market.

The controller is likely to be available in a bundle with the new Samsung Gear VR, but it can also be bought separately and will still work with the older version of the headset. The official release date and the price was not discussed, but more details are expected to be made public before the month ends. Samsung is scheduled to host an event on March 29 in New York.
At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, AT&T announced on Monday two moves to accelerate worldwide smart city development as well as strengthen its position as one of the major contributors in the urban Internet of Things (IoT) marketplace. AT&T said that it will be partnering with Current, which is powered by GE. It will be possible by using GE's Predix-powered IoT platform for LED lights as part of the overall digital foundation in a city.

Aside from that, AT&T is also collaborating with IDA Ireland and the Dublin City Council in Ireland for its first international expansion to foster IoT best practices for smart cities. IDA Ireland is the only agency in the country that is responsible for the attraction and development of foreign direct investment in Ireland. It was founded in 1949 under the name Industrial Development Authority and placed on a legal footing after a year.

AT&T Announced Partnerships With Current

"Intelligent lighting plays a huge role in a smart city," said Chris Penrose, AT&T president of IoT solutions. The new independent arrangement with Current extends AT&T's smart city worldwide services and opens new income opportunities for the company. The relationship of the two firms will continue the work as they have already been collaborating together in San Diego as well as in Atlanta, where street lights are being connected using a digital infrastructure.

According to TechRepublic, there are 14,000 new LED lights in San Diego, which are equipped with 3,200 sensor nodes being installed. The project is soon to save the city a total of $2.4 million in its annual energy costs. While in Atlanta, there is a total of 1,000 LED lights being tested in five different areas throughout the city. Mike Zeto, the general manager of Smart Cities IoT Solutions for AT&T, said they have been working with different cities across the US since the last year.

Some of AT&T's ecosystem alliance members such as Cisco and Intel have a good presence in the Dublin area where they are choosing to work. As of today, there is an ongoing IoT project in the Dublin's Docklands that has a main focus on different types of connectivity as well as security solutions around IoT. The next phase of the project will include applications and solutions powered by the firm. The key to the Dublin project will be open source and innovation as the government opens its data to be used by entrepreneurs.

AT&T Smart Cities Projects

According to DailyMail, the firms have unveiled plans to install cameras, microphones as well as sensors to more than 3,000 street lights. All connections will be added to the top of every light poles to create the futuristic system, which is said to be programmed to locate accidents related things. These occurrences include gunshots, estimate crowd sizes, check vehicle speeds and much more. The system is included in a $30 million GE LED lighting upgrade to 14,000 of San Diego's street lights.

"San Diego is a very early adopter. While it's a smallish deal in dollars it's the biggest deal of this kind yet," Zeto said. The partnership with Ireland will start with monthly meetings and an official application of the project will start in May. Smart cities are no longer the loop of the future. They are now considered as a very important growing thing as quickly as the IoT and give impacts to municipal services around the globe.
While plenty of controversy has surrounded President Donald Trumps fledgling administration, it hasnt yet faced a major crisis.

But according to Forrester Research, aside from any political or military events, the new president will face a cyber crisis sometime within his first 100 days.

The company made the prediction last fall, prior to the election, as part of its Predictions 2017 brief, so it didnt specifically focus on either Trump or Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

But it said, the momentum of winning the election gives new presidents the public sponsorship to follow through on key initiatives of their campaigns. However, the 45th president will lose that momentum coming into office by finding (himself or herself) facing a cybersecurity incident.

The Forrester brief said possible crises could range from a cyber attack by another country to a heightened debate within the country over new digital security and privacy laws.

And given the constant barrage of major cyber incidents in both the public and private sectors, such a prediction seems about as certain as predicting that Trump will take to Twitter sometime during the week.

As Dana Simberkoff, chief compliance and risk officer at AvePoint put it, to suggest that a crisis would not happen in the next 100 days is probably a bit more controversial than the reverse.

But, of course, crisis can mean things to different people.

Jeff Pollard, principle analyst at Forrester, described it as, anything that interrupts a person, or company from focusing on what they want to accomplish.

He said the aftermath of an attack  the investigation, possible legal action and fixing the problem  can take weeks to years, and is disruptive enough to, take attention away from other priorities for the parties involved.

But that doesnt amount to a crisis in the view of other experts.

Jeffrey Carr, author and principal consultant at the 20K League, said one of the biggest cyber incidents of the Obama administration  the 2014 breach of the federal Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which compromised more than 22 million personal records of current and former federal employees  was terrible, but it wasnt a crisis.

Along similar lines, he said last falls DDoS attack, which used the Mirai botnet to take down internet backbone provider Dyn, was a wake-up call and had some significant effects regionally, but it wasnt a crisis.

In his view, a crisis would, interfere with our critical infrastructure, in the areas of:

Transportation, especially air travel, trains, and trucking

Financial services, such as stock trading

Power grid, involving repeated outages over a sustained period

Richard Stiennon, chief strategy officer at Blancco Technology Group said it could range from a crisis of staffing, as the administration, scrambles to find leadership in cyber defense, but could also come from nation-state adversaries.

It could easily be a last gasp effort on the part of North Korea to demonstrate its prowess. It could be a Russian attack on critical infrastructure coincident with some military action in Eastern Europe. It could be a Ukraine-style power outage, he said.

Reg Harnish, CEO at GreyCastle Security, said it is possible that a Twitter-jacking of the presidents account could cause a crisis.

Don't underestimate the power of fake tweets  they have crushed stock prices, ruined careers and mobilized countries toward military action, he said. There are an infinite number of things that could be done.

He said it could begin as simply as an attacker spoofing a tweet from Trump saying he had decided to release his tax returns, with a link presumably to see those returns.

Within 30 minutes there would be 18 million people who clicked that malicious link, infecting their computers and giving access to corporate networks all over the world. The possibilities are endless, he said.

But Harnish agreed that more damage would come from a state-sponsored cyber attack on, our intelligence platforms, military, industrial base and critical infrastructure.

Jason Healey, founding director of Atlantic Council Statecraft Initiative and senior research scholar in cyber conflict and risk at Columbia University, agreed that a crisis would be something more significant than the kinds of major breaches and attacks that occur dozens to hundreds of times every year.

The scenarios Im concerned about are a North Korean cyber-tantrum, to go alongside their missile and nuclear testing tantrums; China, Iran or, less probably, Russia getting impatient with broken deals and lashing out, though this seems like it will take more than 70 days to unfold; and random cyber attacks not tied to geopolitical events, such as a major worm or criminal DDoS, he said.

Any of those things are possible, which raises some obvious questions: Is the Trump administration prepared for them? Can any president be prepared for a cyber crisis of that magnitude, not just within the first 100 days but for an entire presidency?

There was general agreement among experts that Clinton likely would have been better prepared, in significant measure because there would have been more continuity of staffing between the outgoing Obama administration and hers.

Healey said the Clinton team, had dozens of prepared policy memos to deal with these issues, and a huge bench to fill key positions at the White House, DHS, DoD, State, Commerce, and intelligence.

He said he also thought there would be less risk of a major crisis since, she would have been less willing to poke other nations in ways that would lead them to want to retaliate with cyber attacks.

But they also agree that no administration has yet been truly prepared for a cyber crisis. Carr and others said the risk goes well beyond who is the president. We arent vulnerable to a cyber crisis because of any one president, he said. The problem lies with private industry, which owns 90% of critical infrastructure in the areas I mentioned.

So neither Trump nor Obama nor any other president could stop it from happening.

Stiennon agreed, although for different reasons. He said while the Obama administration put significant emphasis on cybersecurity with policies and executive orders, no concrete action has been taken to reduce susceptibility to cyber-attacks.

Though assessments have been done, risks calculated and even a new CISO hired, the hard tasks of beefing up authentication and authorization and locking down systems is still ahead of us, he said.

And, as has been widely reported, while there have been two draft executive orders (EO) from the Trump administration on cyber security, the president hasnt signed one yet.

Harnish also said it doesnt matter who is president  the government is unprepared. Not because our technology is inadequate, but because our people are, he said. If you think cybersecurity risks come down to anything but people, you're wrong. There are no exceptions.

While all of this sounds ominous, experts say the new administration is not helpless  there are things it can do, both to lower the risk and to respond effectively to attacks.

Simberkoff said government, like any organization, should assume it has already been breached. That way, you can have your response plan and communication strategy ready to roll out on a moments notice, she said. Crisis is as much about perception as it is about reality. Having a very clear plan in place to prepare for a breach is critical.

Harnish agreed. Prevention is a failed concept  there is no way to avoid or prevent all cybercrime. The key is knowing when it happens and being adequately prepared to minimize its impact. This requires having an effective incident response plan, highly trained responders and a culture of security.

But that, he said, requires, very hard work. And it seems that human beings aren't too interested in really hard work these days.

Carr said the administration could start by, putting funding into building resilient, independent systems so that if one system goes down, another can take over. Then offer incentives for private industry to build them.

Stiennon said he had some hopes, from Trumps original leaked draft EO on cybersecurity, that the administration had grasped the importance of assigning responsibility at the cabinet level. Nothing gets done in cybersecurity unless there is someone whose job depends on it, he said.

What do you think will happen in the first 100 days? Head to our Facebook page.
The White House plans to substantially hike defense spending, but it's going to cut other agency budgets with a big axe. It is nail-biting time for people who develop supercomputers and do other scientific work that relies on federal R&D funding.

The White House said today it will increase defense spending, currently at about $600 billion, by $54 billion or 9%. But most other agencies, with the exception of "security agencies," will see budget reductions, it said at a briefing for reporters.

This means the cuts will fall heavily on agencies such as the Department of Energy, which funds exascale supercomputing development. Another target may be the National Science Foundation, a major funder of basic scientific research. Overall, the cuts will be focused on civilian agencies because there isn't a lot of room to cut otherwise. The Trump administration is expected to leave Medicare and Social Security alone.

"If the president wants to cut things like exascale computing, we can be absolutely 100% sure that America will be less great," said Robert Atkinson, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF).

China continues to remind the U.S. that it is winning the supercomputing race. It plans to release the first prototype exascale supercomputer, the Tianhe-3, in early 2018 -- state media had previously reported late 2017 -- according to a recent report in China Daily, a state-run news outlet.

China's exascale system "will be made entirely in China from processors to operating system," and will be fully operational by 2020 -- "earlier than the U.S. plan for its exascale supercomputer," the China Daily noted.

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In December, the U.S. developed a plan to shave two years off its exascale timetable with the goal of releasing a system by 2021, still a year behind China. This accelerated schedule, developed before President Donald Trump took office, requires more funding, but a cut in the DOE's advanced computing budget may well delay a U.S.-made exascale system.

A petaflop system can perform one quadrillion arithmetic operations per second. An exascale system runs at 1,000 petaflops.

The problem with the Trump administration is it may not be convinced it's in competition with China or with other nations globally.

The ITIF Monday released a report warning that the Trump administration will "torpedo U.S. growth" if it adopts conservative think tank Heritage Foundation's "ideological blueprint" for federal investment.

The United States' R&D funding as a percentage of GDP has been declining while China's increases, said Atkinson. "There should be zero doubt about what's going to happen after you keep that trend up a while," said Atkinson. "They will win if we don't change course."

Atkinson would like to see the U.S. increase, over five years, R&D by $100 billion, which would raise the R&D budget to a level that is comparable with that in President Ronald Reagan's era.

If the Trump administration follows Heritage's advice and rolls back the Department of Energy's advanced-computing research to the 2008 level -- a 35% cut -- the U.S. "would cede the advantage to America's global competitors, which are doing the exact opposite -- significantly increasing their investment in R&D and deployment of these technologies," the ITIF said in its report.

Ray Bjorklund, president of government IT market research firm Birchgrove Consulting, expects the Trump administration will get some, but not all, of what it asks for from Congress. The Democrats will likely seek increases in domestic spending in exchange for a large hike in national security spending, he said.

Bjorklund believes that federal contract spending in most agencies will decline 10%.

"The ramp-up in national security spending will be largely directed to hiring people, namely armed service members and law enforcement officers for border protection and customs and immigration enforcement," said Bjorklund.

The Trump budget also could spell trouble for other science-based agencies such as NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
BARCELONA -- Moscow has rolled out new technologies to make the city safer, including 160,000 outdoor cameras focused on improving municipal services like trash removal, but also traffic and crime.

A city official said 10% of the cameras are focused directly on traffic control, while most monitor timely trash removal, street cleaning and other services. If a crime or something unusual happens in a location of a camera, the video is analyzed by police.

The effort is one of the largest municipal camera installations in Europe. Moscow, with 12 million residents, has installed enough cameras in the last 18 months to rival the number of traffic and public cameras used in London. There, the use of CCTV cameras ignited a public outcry over privacy invasions.

In Moscow, the camera rollout has made the city a safer place to drive, city officials said Tuesday. Safety improvements came after initial citizen outrage over the cameras because drivers started getting steep fines for violating road signs and signals. In most cases, the cameras recorded license plates on cars as their drivers ignored road signs and signals.

[ See Computerworlds roundup of Mobile World Congress. ]

At Mobile World Congress here, a special booth highlighted dozens of startups from the Moscow area. Several of the young developers at the booth who live in Moscow groused openly about paying traffic fines as a result of the cameras, but shrugged that that technology has lately become a reality of Moscow life.

"There's a feeling in Russia that if the boss says something is this way, it's this way," said one young Muscovite who asked that his name not be used.

Without doubt, a city can use traffic cameras to generate needed revenues, several IT officials from various cities said at a smart city MWC panel discussion.

One of the presenters at the panel, Andrey Belozerov, deputy CIO for Moscow, focused on how the city financed the installation of the cameras, but didn't disclose how much revenue has been generated from fines.

The cameras were initially expected to cost $500 million. Instead, Moscow got various telecommunications operators to install the cameras and guarantee the delivery of the data to police and city officials. In exchange, the city was able to cut the cost in half, he said.

The $250 million in savings was used to fund Wi-FI in public school classrooms and tablet computers for teachers, Belozerov said.

One of Moscow's less publicized technology innovations has been a pilot project that relies on artificial intelligence (A.I.) to analyze CT scans for the presence of lung cancer, Belozerov said. The A.I. compares images of cancerous lungs with healthy lungs as a "second doctor's opinion" with a 97% accuracy rate.

The city, which oversees 500 public clinics, "hopes to find cancer at an early stage," he said.

Francesca Bria, CTO for Barcelona, said smart city innovations need to be paired with citizen benefits like more widespread broadband. The city has implemented several open government innovations, even providing a social networking channel where citizens can denounce cases of city corruption.

"Sometimes you don't need technology," she said. "Instead, you might [need to] retool the way government runs."
Sixty-three-year-old Bob Zhang is worried about the future of tech jobs in the U.S. Will the high-paying positions be a thing of the past?

Zhang thinks its already starting to happen. Hes one of 79 IT workers from the University of California, San Francisco, whove been laid off. Tuesday was their last day on the job. To replace them, the school is outsourcing some of their work to an Indian firm.

Usually, they outsource the low-paying jobs, he said at a gathering outside a school building. But now they use H-1B (visa) and use foreign workers to replace the high-paying jobs. This trend is dangerous.

It was a sentiment shared among the laid-off IT workers, whove tried to push the school to save their positions, to no avail. Now they fear other publicly-funded universities will take the same approach, and replace U.S. employees with foreign workers.

Its everybodys problem, said Jeff Tan, another laid-off staffer. I think there are lasting effects to what happens here.

Michael Kan A box of possessions from laid-off UCSF IT worker Kurt Ho on Feb. 28, 2017.

The layoffs at the school have grabbed headlines, because its a rare instance of a publicly funded university outsourcing and offshoring IT work to an Indian firm, allegedly through the use of the federal H-1B visa program.

That program contains loopholes, critics say, that have allowed U.S. companies to bring foreign IT workers to replace jobs once held by U.S. citizens.

In its defense, the university has said the outsourcing will save it more than $30 million over five years, at a time when the school is struggling to deal with rising costs.

IT costs on the universitys clinical side nearly tripled between 2011 and 2016, the university said in a statement on Tuesday. This growth rate is not sustainable.

As a result, the university is contracting out some of the work to HCL, an offshoring outsourcing Indian firm well known for its use of H-1B visas. But the school said none of the lost jobs are being replaced with H-1B visa holders.

The laid-off workers say this isn't the case. Before they left their positions, some trained their incoming replacements from HCL, which they suspect are on H-1B visas and will work at the school.

Once you send out the manufacturing jobs, once you send out the service jobs, once you send out the research jobs, whats left? Theres nothing left, said Tan, whos 55 and now looking for a new job.

Kurt Ho, another laid-off worker, said he was paid an annual salary of about US$110,000, but the new workers replacing his position will fraction that amount.

In two years, I could be at another company, and I could be facing the same thing, he said.

Thirteen of the workers are thinking about suing the school, claiming the way their jobs were eliminated amounted to discrimination. But filing a lawsuit will mean receiving no severance pay. The workers will likely file the lawsuit in 30 to 60 days, a lawyer for them said.

Forty-eight-year-old Bizhan Tabatabaian, another affected worker, said hell take some time off before looking for a new job. But hes concerned it wont be easy to find employment, partly because of his age.

Michael Kan Bizhan Tabatabaian (left) leaving his office at UCSF on Feb. 28, 2017.

Most of my co-workers have not found work, and thats a little scary, he said.

Tabatabaian is also a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. So hes bothered that a UC school is sending work and money offshore.

Its sending a mixed message, he said. Our jobs were just sent offshore by an institute of higher-learning, which should be fostering that education, not sending it off-site.

Although U.S. politicians, including President Donald Trump, are looking at changes to the H-1B visa program, Tabatabaian is doubtful anything will come of it.

Theres talk about fixing things, and no has done it yet, he said. And Im the proof.

UCSF said it gave the laid-off workers six months notice and has been trying to help them find new employment at other UC schools. Of the 49 permanent employees that were dismissed, 32 have already secured new employment or will retire, the school said.
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.
In response to government plans to convert schools into academies, the CE and Catholic Bishops of Portsmouth have agreed to a feasibility study to see if a joint Anglican and Catholic trust could be established to improve school standards.

It would be the Island's first religious academies trust.





Any new trust would be run by trustees and a company, and all schools involved would become academies.





Community schools could also join, and would not have to become religious academies.





The Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth had already said it expects its four Catholic schools on the Island to join a multi-academy trust.



In a statement issued today (Tuesday), Catholic and CE Bishops the Rt Rev Philip Egan Rt Rev Christopher Foster said: "Our commitment as diocesan bishops to taking a lead in advancing the spiritual, economic, social and wider flourishing of communities on the Island continues, and we are acutely aware that this is demonstrably evidenced in our support for schools and all they can bring to families and society.



"As part of our considerations as to how we might best work with schools in achieving the best outcomes for our children on the Island, we have decided to commission a feasibility study on the potential establishment of a joint Anglican-Catholic multi-academy trust (MAT).



"This is not a signal of intent to definitely set up a MAT, but is an initial exploration of the options, challenges, opportunities and issues that need further consideration."



The director of education for Portsmouth and Winchesters CE dioceses Jeff Williams said: "We have already set up the Portsmouth and Winchester Multi-Academy Trust, but it is hard for Island schools to receive support from this trust because of the distances involved.



"This emphatically would not involve the creation of some church school 'enclave, as seen by our willingness to involve community schools.



"But this eight-week research project should give us an idea whether there is the appetite and practical support for this plan in the schools, the local community, and in government."



Anyone who has any views about the proposals can email them to Anyone who has any views about the proposals can email them to IslandMAT@portsmouth.anglican.org





Education staff in both dioceses will consider between now and May the potential benefits and challenges to such a proposal, which would require approval from the Department for Education and regional schools commissioner.
POLICE looking for missing London man Robert 'Robbie' Gibson, who was last seen on the Isle of Wight in June 2016, continued to search for him today (Tuesday).



Officers from Hampshire Constabulary began searching the coastal path off Luccombe Road again today and plan to do so until midday tomorrow (Wednesday).



The first search of the area took place on January 16.



At 3pm on Monday, June 13, 2016, Robert Gibson, 45, left his home in Gipsy Hill, Norwood, Greater London.



There was a confirmed sighting of Robert at 6.45pm that day, catching the catamaran from Portsmouth to Ryde.



He is then believed to have boarded a train at Ryde Pier Head towards Lake and Shanklin.

& ;lt;div>

Police appealed for anyone with information regarding Roberts whereabouts to come forward.



He was described as white, 6ft tall, of slim build with grey/silver hair. He wears black rimmed Prada glasses.



He was last seen wearing a blue/grey T-shirt with green/brown khaki trousers.



Anyone with information on his whereabouts can call DS Stirling on 101, quoting 44160231297, or contact the charity Missing People on 116000.
Marvel's "Avengers: Infinity War" is casting extras in the United Kingdom. Three roles are open and only those eligible to work in the UK can apply.

Those in the United Kingdom will be seeing more of the Earth's Mightiest Heroes as filming for "Avengers: Infinity War" moves from Atlanta to the United Kingdom, reports Comicbook. Moreover, the producers are looking for extras to cast in three specific roles namely "Males and Females," "Male Arm Amputees", as well as "Males and Females 4'9" or Smaller."

Males and Females

The description for this role, writes Comicbook, requires an extra that is aged 16 to 90 and is of any ethnicity. Fans will be delighted to know that no acting experience or background is necessary to apply. You must, however, have access to Edinburgh and the surrounding areas in order to film.

Male Arm Amputees

This role is more descriptive and limiting than the former one. It asks for adult extras, aged 30 to 40 years old all of whom must be arm amputees.

This means candidates who are looking forward to play an amputee when they aren't one, will have no chance of getting this role (sadly). Similar to the previous role, the amputee candidates must be near to the filming site which is at London and must also be free during the filming dates which run from March 20 to May 10.

Males and Females 4'9" or Smaller

Lastly, if you fit this description, then this is the chance to get back at your friends for calling you "smol" or "tiny." What's a better revenge than showing them that Marvel needs your small-ness.

Teenagers and adults alike, from 16 years old to 90 years old, are welcome to apply, writes Comicbook. One must be available all throughout the month of March for filming, seeing as no specific day has been listed. Easy access to London is also needed.

The last two roles are specific to the extent that they point to what the audience may see in theaters next year. Who knows what these roles are? Maybe we'll see Rocket the Racoon ordering another potential prank victim to steal an amputee's prosthetic.

"Avengers: Infinity War" is directed by the Russo Brothers and will involve superhero teams The Guardians of the Galaxy and the Avengers working together to defeat Thanos. Watch the first look below.
Apart from being one of the most celebrated hip-hop artists of all time, Kanye West has also proven to be quite the entrepreneur as his Yeezy sneakers have attained cult status among todays youth. Now, it appears that the Famous hitmaker is about to embark on a new venture as the rapper is reportedly about to dive into the cosmetics business.

According to TMZ, Kanye West has filed legal documents declaring his intention to produce makeup, perfume, lotions, and other cosmetics which will bear the brand DONDA. The line is named after the rappers mother, Donda West, who passed away in 2007.

Sources told the media outlet that the application to get the DONDA cosmetics line is still being processed, but the father-of-two filed the paperwork in case something develops.

If the Gold Digger rappers cosmetic line comes to fruition, then its likely that the products will rival those of sister-in-law Kylie Jenners Kylie Cosmetics line. Last year, it was estimated that Jenners net worth is at $18 million, with the majority of her earnings coming from her Kylie Lipkits, which are very in demand all over the world.

West wouldnt be the first famous man to go into the cosmetics business. According to GQ, designer and director Tom Ford was the first to do so. No word yet on whether Kanye Wests makeup would be designed for both men and women in mind. In Korea, it is the norm to see young men wearing foundation or BB cream, and perhaps a hint of tinted lip balm.

Wests foray into the competitive cosmetics business is his latest move to conquer the business world. Apart from his much-coveted Yeezy sneakers, the rapper also designs clothing. Last year, his designs were showcased at 21 temporary Pablo stores all over the country.

Back in February 2016, Kanye West tweeted his plans for the Donda Communications Company, a lifestyle brand which will include video games, credit cards, banks, tech for the home, transportation, hotels, spas, salons, fitness centers, and restaurants, among others.

With his new cosmetics line, it appears that the rapper is one step closer to building the empire that he has envisioned. It is expected that his wife, Kim Kardashian West, will play a huge role in his new venture, as Kanye West once tweeted that he always gets his wifes approval for anything that he makes.

My number one design rule of anything I do from shoes to music to homes is that Kim has to like it, he tweeted.

For more, check out Jobs & Hires report on the on fleek creator who is now raising funds for a hair and makeup line.
Earlier this month, fans of Love Actually rejoiced when it was announced that the cast of the 2003 romantic comedy film will have a reunion this year. Among those who are set to return is Rowan Atkinson. While some thought that the actor will be reprising his role as the overly fastidious jeweler in the short film, it looks like his character, Rufus, will have a new job in the special.

Script editor Emma Freud took to her Twitter account last week to post a photo of Atkinson while the actor was filming his scene. It appears that in the Love Actually sequel, Rufus will be working as a cashier at his local Sainsburys.

The post was captioned, Oh look who we found in @sainsburys. Day 2 filming for #rednoseactually going wellactually.

Sainsburys is a well-known institution in the United Kingdom, being the second largest chain of supermarkets in the country.

Another photo of Rufus was shared by Freud, with the dapper cashier looking very animated. Freud wrote, Oh Rufus. Theres something unexpected in the bagging area. #rednoseactually day 2. Done.

In the original film, Rufus had a scene-stealing bit as he appeared alongside Harry (played by the late Alan Rickman) as the latter was buying a Christmas gift for his potential mistress. Harry tried to get Rufus to hurry as he was trying to keep his wife, Karen (Emma Thompson), from seeing the present, but Rufus insists on adding extra things while wrapping up the necklace.

In the hilarious scene, Rufus neatly encases the necklace in a box and places it inside a clear plastic bag. Then, he nonchalantly includes scoops of dried flower buds, sprigs of lavender, a cinnamon stick, and a sprig of holly, while an agitated Harry pleads for him to hurry up.

Clearly impatient with his shenanigans, Harry asks, What else is it gonna be? Are you gonna dip it in yoghurt? Cover it with chocolate buttons?

Apart from Atkinson, Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, Bill Nighy, and Andrew Lincoln will also be returning for the short film, which will be released as part of this years Red Nose Day, a telethon that raises money for Comic Relief. The Love Actually reunion short film will premiere in the U.K. on March 24 and in the U.S. on May 25.

For more, check out Jobs & Hires report on the Golden Girls-themed cafe which opened in New York City.
While most employees do complain about unreasonable bosses, some make a habit out of it. Some employees feel that by letting out their grievances to another person, they are reducing the stress that they feel for having a terrible boss or working on a horrible business environment.

Complaining might make employees feel much lighter right after especially when something productive comes from it like receiving a well thought of advice from a colleague. However, most often than not, complaining to other people about a horrible boss will only stress them out and it will not directly address the problem.

If complaining cannot be stopped, then employees should at least know when not to talk about their dreadful boss. While other people might understand the problem, some will probably think that employees would rather complain than tell their bosses about their complaints. This does not reflect well on the employee since it suggests a lack of communication skills.

According to a report by Forbes, an employee who tells his or her future employer about the unforgivable sins of his or her previous boss could backfire on the employee. If an employee can go around spouting complaints about his or her previous boss, chances are he or she might do the same with the prospective employer. During interviews, it is best to highlight strengths and potential contribution to the new company rather than spent the entire hour talking badly about previous bosses or companies.

It is also not advisable to complain about terrible bosses during a break with colleagues. Gossips can easily fly around the office, and they can negatively affect an employee's career, especially when they reach the ears of bosses.

For employers who are looking for new jobs, Jobs & Hire previously reported that some careers, including director of information technology and product manager can offer both happiness and high salary.
At the recent Oscar awarding ceremony, "Moonlight" Actor Mahershala Ali made history by being the first Muslim to win an Oscar. He took home the award for best supporting actor for his part in the movie "Moonlight."

In his speech, Ali proudly declared he is a Muslim. Some people consider his win an honor for the Muslim community especially since it happened after the United States President Donald Trump's controversial ban involving majority-Muslim countries, according to a report by Variety.

However, there are those who are telling other Muslims not to celebrate his win because they are denying that he is a Muslim, Washington Post reported. Ali is a member of the Ahmadiyya sect of Islam, and some Muslim countries do not recognize the members of the sect as Muslims. Some also reacted negatively to his portrayal of a young gay African-American boy in "Moonlight.

Ali expressed his gratitude to the people who have supported him throughout his career. He also gave a shout-out to his wife, who has recently given birth to their daughter, and thanked the director and screenwriter of "Moonlight."

In winning the best supporting actor award, Ali bested other nominees including Lucas Hedges for "Manchester by the Sea," Michael Shannon for "Nocturnal Animals," Jeff Bridges for "Hell or High Water," and Dev Patel for "Lion."

Ali's win can be seen as a win by the group of people who are fighting against Hollywood for minorities' lack of representation in the business. However, his win also highlighted the deep rift between Islamic sects.

Jobs & Hire previously reported that some of the female Oscar winners also have other jobs aside from acting. As an example, multi-nominee and two-time Academy Award winner, Cate Blanchett, is also a theater director. Julianne Moore and Gwyneth Paltrow also have other jobs aside from being actresses.
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The number of all-cash home sales remained on a mixed track during November in the Winston-Salem metropolitan statistical area, according to a CoreLogic report released Monday.

About 32.7 percent of homes in the five-county region were bought solely with cash, down from 35.1 percent a year ago, but up from 31.8 percent in October. The MSA includes Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Stokes and Yadkin counties.

CoreLogic, a real-estate research data company, typically issues the cash-buyers report without commenting on local markets.

Cash buyers include institutional investors acquiring properties to initially rent before selling them during a future rise in housing prices, which began to occur in recent months with a tightening of the local housing inventory.

In the Greensboro-High Point MSA, cash buyers represented 30.7 percent of home purchases, down from 34.1 percent a year ago and essentially unchanged from October.

The number of cash sales in the Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord MSA dropped year over year from 27.2 percent to 26.5 percent. The rate was 25.4 percent in October. That MSA, until recently, had been among the top markets in the nation for institutional investors.

CoreLogic said it did not have data on cash sales for the Raleigh-Cary MSA for November.

For North Carolina as a whole, the percentage of all-cash sales was 39 percent. Nationally, it was 32.4 percent.

If the cash-sales share continues to fall at the same rate it did in November, the share should hit 25 percent by mid-2017, CoreLogic said of the national market. Thats the same percentage as right before the housing bubble burst in 2007.

The rate of all-cash home purchases by private-equity groups reached its national high in January 2011 at 46.6 percent.
Lets talk about offbeat news: We humans get ourselves into some interesting situations, to put it mildly. The first one made me laugh out loud. I felt bad for the cop, but lol. Read moreSmith Says: Deputy uses taser on K9 unit that attacked cow
Fewer than 40 percent of young people in Seoul are optimistic about their careers, according to a survey by Citi Foundation. Seoul ranked the lowest among major cities around the world when it comes to the ratio of positive outlooks at only 38 percent.

The foundation conducted the survey among 18 to 24-year-olds in 25 cities including London, New York, San Francisco, Singapore and Tokyo.

It was part of the foundation's "Pathways to Progress" project, which involves an investment of US$100 million "to connect 500,000 young people, ages 16-24, to training and jobs over the next three years."


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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

Trump did an interview with Fox and Friends for this morning in which he alleged that former president Barack Obama is behind the leaks that have bedeviled Trumps White House.

The Fox agent provocateur asked Trump a leading question as to whether Obama is also behind the angry crowds of constituents who have attended some Republican town halls on issues like repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Trump replied, No, I think he is behind it. I also think its just politics. Thats just the way it is. You never know whats exactly happening behind the scenes  I think that President Obamas behind it because his people are certainly behind it.

Last we saw President Obama, he was hang gliding in the Caribbean with obvious delight at getting his personal freedom back after eight thankless years in office, during which white people prevented him from doing virtually any of the good deeds for them that he had intended. Trumps paranoid remarks would raise further questions about his sanity if a) they werent obviously planted by Rupert Murdochs mind control techniques and b) if any further questions about his sanity were necessary.

But here are the actual ways that Obama is, in a way, behind Trumps troubles:

1. Obama is famously calm, collected, rational and deliberative. The unhinged and frenetic people who replaced him have freaked out the White House staffers who stayed on into the new administration, and impelled them to let the country know what is going on. Trumps Rasputin and alt-NeoNazi Steve Bannon has so much of a temper on him that hes been accused of repeated domestic abuse, and even he admits he runs a little hot (is he an old boiler or something?). So no one can be sure of its validity, but a White House leak feed tweeted this on Monday:

Bannon is the scariest person here. He's broken so much White House stuff by throwing it in anger. Plates, phones, chairs, etc.  White House staffer (@AngryWHStaffer) February 27, 2017

Clearly it was the unrealistic expectations raised by Obamas character that have caused this panic and the spate of leaks.

2. People at the town halls are afraid of losing their health insurance. Obama had minded that when she was ill, his mothers disability insurance denied her claim because, the company said, her cancer was a pre-existing condition. So the Affordable Care Act forced insurance companies to provide coverage even for preexisting conditions. Republican legislators in the back pocket of the 1% want to abolish that provision, and therefore their town halls are full of angry Republicans who have decided that they rather like the ACA. This outrage is obviously Obamas fault for having coddled the sick in the first place.

3. Obama was extremely careful about deploying military personnel in battlefront warfare. His critics complain about the drone strikes and bombing runs he launched. Whether they are right or not, the point for Obama was that these tactics were a means to avoid putting US soldiers in harms way. Two weeks into his presidency, Trump appears casually to have launched a commando raid on a facility of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in southern Yemen. Some 30 civilians were killed in the raid, including 9 children, as well as a US Navy Seal. The Seals father is not satisfied that the raid was properly planned (Obama had ordered a study of the possibility but likely would not have signed off on such an operation). He refused to meet Trump and wants an investigation to see if the sacrifice of his sons life was warranted. So that Obama did not typically shoot from the hip on military operations has also spoiled things for his successor.

4. There is no evidence that Obamas National Security Adviser Susan Rice ever once called the Russian Embassy to reassure Moscows diplomats that sanctions placed on Russian officials over the unilateral annexation of Crimea from the Ukraine would be lifted. Nor did Rice take $40,000 to speak in Moscow at a commemoration of a Russian-government-backed television channel. So Rices absence of sketchy relations with the Russian Federation, in contrast to those of disgraced former Trump National Security Adviser Mike Flynn, clearly set a standard of behavior that impressed US security personnel and caused some of them to leak Flynns improper actions.

5. There are all kinds of people on staff at the White House, and some of them are disturbed at the white supremacist tone set by Trump, Bannon, Miller and others. One young Muslim-American woman says she only lasted 8 days in a newly hostile work environment. By treating people of all races and creeds decently, Obama without a doubt sowed dissension in the ranks of government employees who, after Trumps election, discovered that he wanted to fire and/or deport them.

So yes, Donald, it is Obamas fault. Just not in the way your warped mind imagines.



Related video:

CNN: Trump: Obamas people possibly behind leaks
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By Joschka Fischer | (Project Syndicate) |  

BERLIN  Little more than a month after US President Donald Trumps inauguration, it has become clear that nothing good will come of his presidency. Unfortunately, the pessimists turned out to be realists: things really are as bad as they said they would be. Worst-case scenarios are now baseline scenarios. Any hope that the demands of office, or political and economic realities, would persuade Trump to adhere to domestic and foreign-policy norms must now be cast aside as wishful thinking.

Realism demands acceptance of a sobering truth. When the 45th president of the United States must choose between upholding the US Constitution  which limits his authority through the separation of powers  or subverting it, he will likely choose the latter. The Trump administration intends to carry out nothing less than regime change in Washington, DC.

The Year Ahead 2017 Cover Image

Sooner or later, friction between the president and the constitutional system will create a severe crisis that will rock the US to its core, and possibly leave it politically unrecognizable. Trumps continued attacks on the judiciary and the press  indispensable institutions for ensuring executive accountability  leave no room for a different interpretation.

Even if Americas constitutional system prevails, the chaos that will ensue during Trumps presidency could cause permanent damage. Consider what might happen were a severe terrorist attack to occur in the US during this time of turmoil. Would the US experience a slide into authoritarianism, similar to what we have been witnessing in Turkey? One certainly hopes not, but it is a real possibility.

In terms of international relations, we have so far been spared an abrupt rupture of existing alliances and related commitments. But, as long as Trump pursues his America first strategy of isolationism and protectionism, those alliances and commitments will remain at risk.

A constitutional crisis in the US, a paradigm shift from globalization toward protectionism, and new isolationist security policies imply significant disruption of the international order, with no alternative order in view. If things go well, persistent instability will prevail; if not, confrontation and even military conflict could become the norm.

Trumps relationship with Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, remains unclear  if not downright mysterious. This ongoing uncertainty is particularly vexing for Eastern Europe, which cannot discount the possibility that Trump and Putin will reconcile their interests and stage Yalta 2.0, dividing Europe into separate spheres of influence.

The uncertainty with respect to Russia has been compounded by curious  and persistent  background noises in the Trump administration. Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and Secretary of Defense James Mattis have all offered assurances to NATO and Eastern Europe; and Trumps Russia-friendly National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn, has resigned. And yet when this much smoke surrounds an issue, its highly likely that something is burning.

In any case, as Trump shakes up the existing world order, Europe will bear the brunt of the shocks. After World War II, Western Europe was able to thrive because of two big American promises: military protection against the Soviet Union and free trade. The US also played a vital symbolic role as a beacon of liberty. But now, with all of Europe increasingly threatened by Russian revanchism, that role may already be a thing of the past.

Meanwhile, the European Unions severe, self-inflicted wounds have evidently left it too weak to develop an alternative to its crumbling status quo. If Europes post-war security and economic arrangements falter or break down, as now seems likely, the foundation on which a free Europe has rested will become unsound.

In that case, the proximate cause will most likely be the second round of the French presidential election, on May 7. A victory for the far-right National Fronts Marine Le Pen would cause the eurozone and the EU to disintegrate. France and other EU member states will suffer grave economic damage, and a global crisis will likely ensue. If she loses, the current nationalist wave would be broken, at least temporarily, giving Europe a second chance.

That chance, if it comes, must not be wasted. The EU urgently needs to develop the means to defend itself from both internal and external threats, stabilize the eurozone, and ensure calmness and rationality in the coming Brexit negotiations with the United Kingdom. Whatever else changes, the UKs geopolitical and security interests will stay the same. Brexit will not alter the fact that cooperation is necessary for mutual defense, the fight against terrorism, and border protection.

To be sure, the EU must not accept anything that would endanger the remaining union of 27 member states. But negotiators on both sides must also take care to avoid any outcome that could poison UK-EU relations indefinitely. As experience teaches us, life goes on, even after a divorce. Our common interests will remain, and now they include managing the risks posed by Americas truculent new president.

Joschka Fischer was German Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor from 1998-2005, a term marked by Germanys strong support for NATOs intervention in Kosovo in 1999, followed by its opposition to the war in Iraq. Fischer entered electoral politics after participating in the anti-establishment protests of the 1960s and 1970s, and played a key role in founding Germanys Green Party, which he led for almost two decades.



Related video added by Juan Cole:

AP: Trump Implies Europe Not Safe to Visit
British Museum | (Safavid Era Painting) |  

School/style: Persian School/Style term details

Culture/period: Safavid dynasty term details

Date: 1650-1700 (circa)

Production place: Made in: Iran

Four men worshipping at a fire altar and idol shrine; detached folio from an illustrated manuscript. At left, two Zoroastrian men hold their hands out in prayer toward a fire-altar, while at right, two men in European dress worship a seated and crowned idol.
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TeleSur |  

My situation was nothing compared to some of the people I saw who couldnt be defended as I was, Rousso said on Twitter.

Henry Rousso, a French historian and a prominent scholar on the Holocaust, said he was detained for more than 10 hours by federal border agents at a Houston airport and was almost deported for being an illegal immigrant before his lawyers and an official at the school he was visiting intervened on his behalf.

I have been detained 10 hours at Houston International Airport about to be deported. The officer who arrested me was inexperienced, Henry Rousso wrote on Twitter Saturday.

Rousso has given dozens of speeches over the years at several prominent U.S. universities as well as the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and was a visiting professor at Texas A&M in 2007, according to his online profile.

On the other side of the Atlantic, one now has to face complete arbitrariness and incompetence, Rousso told the Huffington Post Sunday, adding that the United States arent quite the United States anymore.

He told the online outlet that he was interrogated by border officials after they were not satisfied by his tourist visa or the invitation from Texas A&M University. He was subjected to a formal questioning which included his taking an oath and giving fingerprints as well as a standard body search to which he objected.

There were questions about my father, my mother, my family situation, with the same questions asked dozens of times: who employs me, where I live et cetera, Rousso was quoted as saying in the Huffington Post article.

He was then told that his paperwork was not in order and that he would be put on a plane back to Paris 20 hours later. However, he was asked if he wanted to contact his embassy and he said yes.

He was able to get in touch with lawyers as well as the head of the university he was visiting who managed to convince the federal airport agents to let him enter the United States.

As they let him through, the police said that the official who stopped him was inexperienced and was unaware that activities connected to teaching and research could be carried out with an ordinary tourist visa.

My situation was nothing compared to some of the people I saw who couldnt be defended as I was, Rousso said on Twitter, thanking the people who supported him. The Jewish-French scholar speculated that the officer was suspicious of him because he was born in Egypt.

The news comes just weeks after President Donald Trumps travel ban on visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries  which did not include Egypt  was suspended by a federal judge following major protests against what many called a Muslim ban.

Via TeleSur



Related video added by Juan Cole:

Newsy:  French historian detained by US Customs
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By Balsam Mustafa | (The Conversation) |  

The operation to retake Iraqs second city of Mosul from the so-called Islamic State [group] (IS) has entered its crucial phase. The Iraqi army, federal police, elite counter-terrorism units, and rapid response troops are operating on the ground, bolstered by discreetly embedded US special forces. The US and Iraqi air forces, meanwhile, are carrying out strikes.

The offensive approached from the south of the city and began by seizing small villages. The army first retook the town of Abu Saif and then Ghizlani military camp. The citys international airport soon followed.

But the assault faces tougher challenges to come. Tens of thousands of civilians remain in western Mosul, trapped in critical humanitarian conditions. Some are reportedly being used as human shields. With very narrow streets restricting the movement of vehicles, fighting could be house-to-house. And all the while, IS will be using suicide bombers, explosives deployed via drones, and a network of tunnels.

Despite the prospect of a long, tough fight, a sense of optimism is spreading. Many among the Iraqi forces and many Iraqi people now sincerely believe that the liberation of Mosul is not far away.

They have good reason to be hopeful. Fears that the effort to retake eastern Mosul would end in disaster proved unfounded, and unlike in other IS-held cities such as Ramadi, the citys infrastructure survived the assault largely intact. After the area was declared free in late January, normal life began to return and schools, shops and restaurants reopened.

The sense of recovery extends well beyond the city. Social media campaigns by young Iraqi activists have defied sectarian barriers and called for national unity. A campaign to donate books for the University of Mosuls central library  home to valuable publications and rare manuscripts before it was destroyed by IS  has drawn support from across Iraq.

These are very encouraging signs. But even if Mosul is quickly and fully retaken without being part-destroyed in the process, Iraq has a steep hill to climb.

The challenge ahead

Iraqs political elite is seriously divided and there is uncertainty about how or whether the country can take on the massive challenges of a post-IS era. Infrastructure largely obliterated during the fight against IS must be rebuilt  without this the return of displaced people to their territories cannot be granted.

Political, military and social challenges all complicate the situation. A full-blown victory in Mosul will be a major turning point for Iraqs security forces and its people, but it will not make a dent in the countrys deeper problems.

The biggest challenges are nationwide  not just in the liberated areas. Establishing real security means not just holding territory, but rebuilding trust between Baghdad, provincial authorities and local communities. As things stand, poor security and law enforcement have left dangerous vacuums across the country which are filled variously by militias and tribal legal systems.

The priority should be to establish an independent national military institution, representative of all Iraqis and able to enforce the law. But Iraq is still busy dealing with the legacy of the US-led invasion of 2003 and the ensuing reconstruction of the national system, which bequeathed a dysfunctional electoral system and a sometimes barely functional national army.

The main obstacle to clearing up the mess is the multi-level corruption installed by the post-invasion political elite. The countrys leaders have successfully enriched themselves, but theyve failed to come up with a clear vision of what the Iraqi people need and how to give it to them  and theyve also failed to stand up against regional and international interventions. This venality and incompetence has come at a heavy price  many Iraqis have died or lost loved ones, and millions more endure various kinds of hardship and suffering to this day.

The liberation of Mosul could be a turning point, but the opportunity must be seized by Iraqis themselves, not least intellectuals, academics, and influential groups and individuals in civil society. They must unite to force meaningful change at the very top of all Iraqs beleaguered institutions, whether political, military, economic, judicial or educational. Social media campaigns and shows of solidarity during hard times are a good start, but its time for more concrete action.

After all, IS is but one symptom of a prolonged political and civic failure. If the fundamental pathology is not treated, Iraq will remain stuck in its cycle of corruption, oppression, division and conflict.

Balsam Mustafa, PhD Candidate in Modern Languages & Politics, University of Birmingham

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.



Related video added by Juan Cole:

France24:  Iraq: Army forces push deeper into west Mosul
"Daviss impeccably structured debut is equal parts mystery, tribute to midcentury New York City, and classic love story. . . .

 Publishers Weekly (starred review)













HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: I didnt plan to make this rites of passage week, but its turning out that way. Yesterday, our pre-teens. Today, coming of age. Maybe. Do you remember the first place you lived all on your own?





I was 20, and, post-college, lived in a cute house (two bedrooms, LR, DR, bath, kitchen, driveway) on Illinois St. in Indianapolis. It was adorable, and such fun to share with my roommate (and still pal) Sharon. Our rent was $100. Total. A month. We scrimped and shared food and painted it ourselves and worked 7 days a week (I had two jobs, as a radio reporter and on weekends as an art galley helper, and Sharon sold real estate) and wow, we were on our own.





But you know the Barbizon? Of course you do. Think how many women were on their own for the first time there? And the brilliant Fiona Davis took that iconic apartment building in NYC and turned it into an acclaimed novel. Of course you do.And the brilliant Fiona Davis took that iconic apartment building in NYC and turned it into an acclaimed novel.





Heres a bit about THE DOLLHOUSEand I dare you not to gasp with, well, either mad desire to read it, or mad envy for not having thought of it.





 Fiona Davis's stunning debut novel pulls readers into the lush world of New York City's glamorous Barbizon Hotel for Women, where in the 1950s a generation of aspiring models, secretaries, and editors lived side by side while attempting to claw their way to fairy-tale success, and where a present-day journalist becomes consumed with uncovering a dark secret buried deep within the Barbizon's glitzy past.





Okay, love it, right?





Rachel Hulin (Hey Harry Hey Matilda) in Providence with Robin Kall Homonoff---here we are. (And in real life, we actually were in focus.) It was great fun, and Im so pleased to introduce her to you all. Fiona and I shared an event with Amy Poeppel (Small Admissions) andRachel Hulin (Hey Harry Hey Matilda) in Providence with Robin Kall Homonoff---here we are. (And in real life, we actually were in focus.)It was great fun, and Im so pleased to introduce her to you all.





(And were giving away a copy of THE DOLLHOUSE to a lucky commenter)



HANK: So, Fiona. How did you come up with this brilliant idea?





FIONA DAVIS: I stumbled on it. A few years ago, I was apartment hunting in New York City and my broker took me to the Barbizon 63 condo, in what used to be the Barbizon Hotel for Women. While I didnt take the apartment, the building had great bones and an intriguing history  the perfect setting for a work of historical fiction. Built in 1927, the Barbizon Hotel was the go-to place for cultured young women to live in while they worked or studied in New York City, the place where icons like Grace Kelly, Lauren Bacall, Joan Didion and Eudora Welty got their start





HANK: Whoa. Yes, its so incredibly intriguingwhen you think of all the women who lived there, and the changes that unfolded over the years. And why it existed in the first place! Howd you tackle the approach youd take?





FIONA: Id been working as a journalist for many years, but the thought of turning a story idea into fiction was a new one. So I approached it the same way I would an article: do the research, figure out the main characters, make an outline and off you go.  How hard could it be? I thought to myself.





HANK: Famous last words. I have said them myself. And so?





FIONA: But as I researched and plotted, my ambition got way ahead of me. Perhaps if Id stuck to the historical fiction genre, I might have gotten off easy. But I had the insane idea to write about two time periods  the 1950s and today  and not only that, I simply had to add a mystery element into the plot.





HANK: Two timelines, two sets of characters, tons of research to make sure the period details are right, AND make it a mystery?





FIONA: Anyone with good sense might have stopped right there. But I adored the work of paragons like Agatha Christie, Laura Lippman, and Elizabeth George, so it was crucial to me to have a question that was answered at the end of the book, in a way that my readers least suspected.





Ive never been a fan of books that meander along, examining the minutiae of a persons soul. Not that theres anything wrong with that, but as a reader, I crave mysteries because they engage not only my imagination, but my powers of reasoning. You know what Im talking about - that running commentary in your mind as you turn the pages: Was that a red herring? Or a clue? If the author is overtly pointing my attention to this character as the murderer, who else might have done it? So weaving a mystery element in to THE DOLLHOUSE was non-negotiable.





HANK: Were all with you on that. But back to that setting. Whod you talk to?





FIONA: As part of my research, I interviewed ex-guests whod stayed there in the 1950s and 60s and was surprised to learn there was a lot of talk of ghosts and suicides among the guests, because every so often a distraught young girl would throw herself off the balcony, and that this was often hushed up in the press.





There was my angle. In my book, a heartsick journalist moves into whats now the Barbizon condo and starts investigating a tragedy that occurred to her downstairs neighbor  an elderly woman with a terrible scar and a dark secret.





HANK: And then what?





FIONA: Over multiple drafts, the story grew to encompass a number of themes, from womens roles at work and at home to the challenges of aging, but what kept me sitting at my desk was the fun of revealing the unknown: what really happened back then?





HANK: Well it certainly worked! Heres the rest of that PW starred review! Darby and Rose, in alternating chapters, weave intricate threads into twists and turns that ultimately bring them together; the result is good old-fashioned suspense ."





Hurray!





I dont think anything as glamorous and suspenseful happened in my first place alonedoes cutthroat Charades count? But I treasure that time. How about you, Reds? The first time you lived on our ownnot schoolwhere was it?





And well give away a copy of THE DOLLHOUSE to one lucky commenter!





Fiona can be found on her website , Twitter , Facebook and Instagram









Fiona Davis





Fiona was born in Canada and raised in New Jersey, Utah and Texas. She began her career in New York City as an actress, where she worked on Broadway, off-Broadway and in regional theater. After 10 years, she changed careers, working as an editor and writer and specializing in health, fitness, nutrition, dance and theater.



Shes a graduate of the College of William and Mary and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and is based in New York City. She loves nothing better than hitting farmers markets on weekends in search of the perfect tomato, and traveling to foreign cities steeped in history, like London and Cartagena. THE DOLLHOUSE is her first novel.









THE DOLLHOUSE




[JURIST] Attorneys representing US Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl [BBC profile] said Sunday that they will ask the US Army Court of Criminal Appeals [official website] to dismiss discretion charges against their client in light of comments made by President Donald Trump [official website] on the campaign trail. Bergdahl is facing a court-martial for discretion and endangering US troops after allegedly abandoning his post in 2009 before being captured by the Taliban, who held him captive for five years. His attorneys are expressing concerns [Reuters report] over the potential for a fair trial after Trump publicly called Bergdahl a traitor and stated that he should be executed for his actions. The US Army Trial Judiciary [official website] denied a similar motion [ruling, PDF] Friday and stated that:

The comments by Mr. Trump that might be considered pretrial publicity are not so pervasive and unfair as to saturate the community and prevent any trier of fact from being impartial..  Mr. Trump has said nothing about the accused or his case since August 2016. Under these facts, the court cannot find a due process violation sufficient to make amelioration measures futile.

Bergdahls attorneys have criticized the ruling and stated the influential nature of Trumps remarks are a cause for concern.

Bergdahls actions in 2009 resulted in a huge manhunt in Afghanistan, which ultimately led to his capture by the Talibans Haqqani Network [CNN backgrounder] insurgents in June 2009. Bergdahl was imprisoned for nearly five years in eastern Afghanistan. During the time he was held as prisoner, Bergdahl appeared in six videos [advocacy website] released by the Taliban, the only indication that he was still alive. In March of last year the US military charged [JURIST report] Bergdahl with desertion with intent to shirk important or hazardous duty and misbehavior before the enemy by endangering the safety of a command, unit, or place. Bergdahl was exchanged [JURIST report] in 2014 for five Taliban members who were held at the Guantanamo Bay detention complex.
[JURIST] The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit [official website] on Monday denied [order, PDF] a request to stay the appeal regarding President Donald Trumps controversial immigration executive order [text]. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) [official website] requested [JURIST report] a hold on the court proceedings until Trump issues a new order on immigration. Minnesota and Washington opposed the request, claiming that the Trump administration has stated that the standing executive order will not be rescinded, and that the government plans to defend the order in court. The court sided with the states, denying the DOJs request without explanation or opinion. The court did extend the briefing schedule in the appeals case, giving until the end of March for mandatory briefs to be filed.

Earlier this month the appeals court upheld [JURIST report] a lower court decision issuing a stay on the executive orders pending proceedings. Trumps executive order has faced numerous legal challenges across the country. Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson sued [JURIST report] Trump over the immigration order in late January. Days later, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a class action lawsuit [JURIST report] accusing the Trump administration of violating the religious freedom of nationals from the seven nations named in the order. In February, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals received two separate filings [JURIST report] from officials in the public and private sectors who oppose the executive order.
On November 6, 1962, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 1761, which condemned Apartheid in South Africa and called on member-nations to boycott the country. The Resolution also set up a Special Committee against Apartheid.



Learn more about the role of the Special Committee against Apartheid from the African National Congress.
[JURIST] Japanese automobile parts manufacturer Takata [corporate website] pleaded guilty [DOJ press release] on Monday to wire fraud arising out of air bag defects that killed 16 people. Takata was sentenced to pay $1 billion in fines, victim compensation and compensation to the auto manufacturers for recall and replacement. Judge George Caram Steeh of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan [official website] accepted the guilty plea, in which Takata admitted that it carried out a fraud scheme from 2000 to 2015 by providing false and and manipulated airbag test data that made the airbags appear to perform better than they really did. Takata admitted that executives withheld the truth about the test data from customers even after the airbags began rupturing and causing injuries with expelled shrapnel. The company and the US Department of Justice [official website] agreed [JURIST report] last month to this fine and the terms of the plea.

Auto manufacturers have continued to face punishment for issues with their vehicles and parts in the US. In July the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration determined [JURIST report] that Fiat Chrysler failed to provide a remedy and notices for 23 recalls related to malfunctions of their automobiles. In 2014 the US DOJ announced [JURIST report] a $1.2 billion settlement agreement with Toyota for misleading customers and US regulators. In November 2012 Toyota settled [JURIST report] a class action lawsuit for $35.5 million brought by its shareholders for failing to disclose vehicle quality issues. In 2010 Toyota agreed [JURIST report] to pay $32.4 million in fines following investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. JURIST Guest Columnist Bruce Aronson in 2011 argued [JURIST op-ed] that the recent corporate scandals in Japan, including the Toyota recalls, highlight the need for reform of that countrys corporate governance structure.
Pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin of the Los Angeles Dodgers may return to the mound as early as this Wednesday in an exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hinted in an interview with local media that either Ryu or Scott Kazmir would start against the Giants. This suggests Ryu's recovery from injury has progressed more quickly than expected. At one point, it was considered unlikely that Ryu would even be fit to join spring training.

Now, Ryu needs to show that he can throw at full velocity and remain pain-free in his shoulder and elbow after pitching. His 2015 season ended in May when he underwent surgery on his left shoulder.

Ryu's recovery has been protracted, with his rehabilitation marred by frequent recurrences of pain. Ryu struggled in his first start after the operation, against the San Diego Padres in July last year, going straight onto the disabled list as the pain in his shoulder flared up again. He was forced to wrap up his 2016 season early, with elbow surgery in September.

Ryu then returned to Korea and devoted himself to regaining his form. In early February, he went through an impressive practice session in Arizona, saying he was "in the best form" and felt "no discomfort when pitching."

Despite these positive signs, however, it remains to be seen whether the left-hander has made a full recovery, as pitchers generally have a much lower rate of success after shoulder operations.


[JURIST] UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres [official website] urged [UN News Centre report] member states of the UN Human Rights Council [official website] to defend human rights in response to the global rise in populism and extremism on Monday. Guterres stated that [d]isregard for human rights is a disease, and it is a disease that is spreading. Guterres insisted on the vigilance of member states in defending the rights of their citizens as the recent rise in populism, he claims [UN report], has increased racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim hatred and other forms of intolerance. Guterres referenced the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [text, PDF] and urged the Council to address all instances of systemic violations of the Declaration and other international humanitarian laws. Guterres also addressed the treatment of and global sentiment towards refugees, stating that member states must do the utmost to re-establish the integrity of the international refugee protection regime. Most of Guterres remarks were echoed by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein [official profile], who also stated that the Council would not stand idle in the face of rising human rights concerns.

The international community has recently witnessed a rise in populist movements. In June a majority of British citizens voted for a referendum to leave the EU [JURIST report] amid growing concern over the EUs immigration policy and its impact on the UK. In November 2016, Donald Trump was elected US president [NYT report] after a controversial campaign which made use of anti-immigration and what many perceived to be anti-Muslim sentiments. In France, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Front party, who has been gaining support [NPR report] in the French presidential elections, has been campaigning on an anti-immigration, pro-economic isolationist platform that has been likened to the sentiments of the Trump and Brexit campaigns. In January Transparency International advised [JURIST report] that there is a global populist movement which links both social inequality and corruption that is nativist and often politically right-wing.
[JURIST] UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Yanghee Lee [official profile] called Monday for an immediate end to persecution against the Rohingya Muslim population after she spent four days in the country. Lee said [press release], I urge the Government of Myanmar to immediately cease the discrimination that the community continues to face, to act now to prevent any further serious rights violations and to conduct prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations into those already alleged to have occurred. Retired ambassador Keith Harper [official profile], former US permanent representative to the UN Human Rights Council [official website] also wrote [personal website] that it is justified for the UN to create a Commission of Inquiry to hold Myanmar accountable. Commissions of Inquiry have been used to investigate North Korea and Syria in the past. According to Harper, such a commission would permit the international community to shine the brightest possible spotlight to determine what the facts are so that effective, affirmative steps can be taken to redress and prevent continuation of human rights transgressions.

The situation in Myanmar has continued to be one closely monitored by advocacy groups and world organizations. Earlier this month Myanmar officials stated [JURIST report] that they would investigate alleged police crimes against Rohingya Muslims. Also in February Human Rights Watch endorsed [JURIST report] an investigation into the abuses against the Rohingya population, specifically sexual abuses against women. In January a prominent Muslim lawyer in the country was shot and killed [JURIST report] outside an airport in Myanmar, which brought condemnation from an UN expert about the human rights situation in the country. The continued abuses against this vulnerable population led the UN to send an envoy to the country last month to assess the human rights [JURIST report] situation.
Photo Credit: Filimonov / Shutterstock.com

When JustLuxe readers hear Carnival their first thought is likely the colorful feathers and jubilant celebrations of the now iconic Brazilian celebration, closely followed by either New Orleans Mardi Gras or Caribbean iterations of the festivities. What you may not know is that the origins of Carnival are actually European. From February 23 to March 1 Spain, and particularly Barcelona, celebrates their version of the festival, (Carnaval in Catalan), which uniquely incorporates cultural costumes and food. Visitors should attempt to sample as many local dishes as possible at their leisure throughout the week, and information can be found the on official website for the festival.

Six years ago the city reincorporated the historic celebration of Taronjada, a lesser-known local tradition, during the same time as Carnival. Dating back to the 14th century, Taronjada included players throwing oranges at one another; in 2017, orange balloons and confetti catapult into the air instead, followed by fireworks, and the king of the parade announcing his reign over the week of festivities.

To kick off the celebration, this past Thursday February 23, (affectionately referred to as Greasy Thursday or Dijous Gras in Catalan) was a day full of eating and stuffing oneself to the brim in one of the most densely-concentrated, Michelin starred cities in the world. Not unlike Mardis Gras' famous Fat Tuesday.

Photo Credit: Iakov Filimonov / Shutterstock.com

Throughout the holiday week, foodies should take advantage of additional culinary highlights through out the city prior to the beginning of fasting/sacrifice for lent. Enoteca by Paco Perez offers high cuisine tied to the sea. For funky, modern dining - Arola by Sergi Arola offers delicious, oozy Patatas Bravas, a speciality of the city, the tapas are unmatched in savory quality outside of this restaurant and bar.

At festivals end, with full bellies and a strong case of itis visitors can seek reprieve at Hotel Arts Barcelona, considered the premier luxury 5 star hotel in the city. Its history of excellent service makes it a perfect stay for a memorable escape to Barcelonas Carnaval. Its various gastronomical offerings contribute to a memorable foodie experience of Barcelonas unique, culinary take on Carnival.

Travelers to the city seeking last minute costumes were able to visit a variety of venues, a few of the most interesting as follows:

 Menkes offers a stock of over 15,000 outfits and immense variety, including Inquisition period costumes.

 Atucom provides costumes for television, film and theater and offers the option to rent costumes, for those whose suitcase wont allow for a keepsake ensemble.

 El Ingenio is known for handcrafted toys, masks and curiosities, among delightful costume accessories.

Saturday was the peak of the festival, during which over thirty parades took place simultaneously throughout the Barcelona neighborhoods as colorful, costumed participants from near and far crowded the streets.
Two Bear-winning films explore the austerity of modern life and the suppression of the animal side of human nature.

Despite all expectations, or perhaps precisely because these were too high, Aki Kaurismakis The Other Side of Hope, a European comedy about refugees as it was dubbed by Deutsche Welle, did not receive the Golden Bear for Best Film at Berlins International Film Festival. The prize went instead to the Hungarian director and screenwriter Ildiko Enyedi for her film On Body and Soul (Hungarian: Testrol es lelekrol).

Another Central Eastern European film, Agnieszka Hollands Spoor (Polish: Pokot) received the Silver Bear for a feature film that opens new perspectives. But the crucial parallel between the two films lies less in their region of origin than in their strikingly similar opening scenes. In both films, as soon as the lights go off and the screen ignites, the spectators, crammed in their seats, suddenly find themselves out in the open  in a forest and among deer.

Body and soul

Setting a sharp contrast with the animals that roam freely, Enyedis workplace romance places its two main protagonists in a Hungarian slaughter house. Endre (Geza Morcsanyi), the enterprises financial director, a timid and rational man, is attracted to Maria (Alexandra Borbely), who was recently hired as a new quality controller. But Marias reclusive conduct, her almost machine-like memory and attention to detail soon estrange him, as they have already done the rest of her new colleagues.

Unable to connect to their emotions, both Maria and Endre put their physical spontaneity on hold. The two would not have stood a chance of getting closer physically had they not got a chance to discover an uncanny connection between their dreams. This pushes them to step out of the comfortable and safe cage of a life, in which they walled themselves off from others as well as from themselves, Enyedi told reporters at a press conference.

Passing through security checks before my budget flight back from Berlin, my mind couldnt help going over the frank images of the industrially optimised processing of cows in On Body and Soul.

We keep cows in austere, narrow places, where they live miserably only to be killed and eaten. Unlike deer  their free siblings  they cannot lead a full life, said Enyedi. Full life does not mean happy life, though. It is just that I feel I was deprived of the beauty and the mystery of birth, love, death. Most Europeans seem to be unable to fully live and cherish these simple moments that we share with the whole of mankind; our culture does not give them space, does not respect them. I have to admit that giving birth to my children in a hospital I felt a bit like the cattle in our film.

The films poetic camerawork weaved with daring in-your-face visuals, subtly plastic acting and intelligent insights well compensates for a few easy-fix plot spots. And Im sure the film will leave nobody untouched, both sensually and intellectually.

The animal and the human

Moving between the genres of thriller and comedy, Spoor tells the story of Duszejko (Agnieszka Mandat), a charismatic retired engineer, feminist, vegetarian, and astrology enthusiast. She lives in the Polish countryside with her two female dogs and fights the local patriarchal customs based on hunting, money, religion, etc.

One day Duszejkos dogs go missing, which sets in motion a series of mysterious deaths and a trail of male corpses: a hunter, a poacher, a violent crook, a corrupt policeman and a priest that claims that animals dont have souls. She comes under suspicion.

Variety magazines unceremonious review called the renowned Polish film and television director and screenwriter Agnieszka Holland, who began her career under Krzysztof Zanussi and Andrzej Wajda, and even directed several episodes of The Wire and the House of Cards, an unreliable narrator. I thought it entirely missed the point of the film, not having understood the political context in Poland, in which the film has been produced. I felt responsible for correcting the wrong and went to see it myself.

Now, I must reluctantly agree, at least in part, with Varietys description of Spoor as a murky and disjointed mess, held together not so much by what happens as by a vague atmosphere of obsession. In any case, I do not understand what new perspectives the film is supposed to have opened, according to the jury.

Nevertheless, I could identify with the films obsessive and somewhat helpless rage at the face of the reactionary developments under Polands new government, epitomised by the infamous remark by Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski, resenting the new mix of cultures and races, a world of bicyclists and vegetarians.

The Minister of Environment, Jan Szyszko, has been focusing on doing, rather than talking. He has introduced reforms that liberalise hunting and repealed laws protecting forests. As a result, Europes most precious primeval Biaowieza forest, a UNESCO world heritage site, is no longer safe from logging, and an increasing number of trees growing on privately-owned land are reportedly being cut down simply to increase the value of the land, which is then sold for extra profit.

A just society is measured by the way it treats its weakest, said Holland in a press conference. Enyedi would agree that speaking for the weakest lies within film-makers responsibilities. Her On Body and Soul puts forward an even more convincing argument that our treatment of animals and the environment influences profoundly, though not always visibly, the way we treat each other.

Film and politics

This was the third year in a row that Polish films received Bears at Berlinale. Making successful films requires talent but it also needs political support and institutions.

After the fall of communism, Polish cinema found itself in a limbo. We believed that the free market would give us freedom, but all it brought was the freedom to produce second-rate American movies. This could not accommodate our artistic aspirations, said Holland. In 2005, after a long political struggle, a cinematography bill was passed and the Polish Film Institute was created. New financing possibilities independent of the politicised state budget boosted a new generation of original and successful film-makers. It is the biggest success story I have seen in my lifetime.

But the recent resurgence of conservatism, nationalism, and authoritarianism in both Poland and Hungary is making film-makers there bite their nails in worry. The country is becoming a more and more frighteningly absurd country, yet, so far, Hungarian film remains an island of refuge for artists and authors, said Enyedi. Knowing our new politicians love of destroying something that is alive  both in culture and in nature  Polish cinema is again under threat, Holland told the press.

It seems that, after all, the first impression that burning political issues, like the refugee crisis, had given way at this years Berlinale to cinematic contemplation of old philosophical problems  body and soul, human and animal  was evidently wrong. Berlinales film selectors and juries stay true to keeping in touch politically. This, however, has also been interpreted as the festivals chronic and somewhat morbid fascination with problematic countries.

Slaughterhouse as a social metaphor is certainly applicable, to a lesser or greater degree, to all of Europe and beyond. So much that the spread of nationalism and populism could, in part, be understood as a reaction to the increasingly rigid systematisation of life on the continent.

Both films, each in its own way, want to teach us a lesson about the inhuman nature of over-rationalisation inherent in technocracy, post-democracy, post-politics, etc. They also make the case that the animal within cannot be repressed and will not stay forgotten, that sooner or later it will remind us of its existence, no matter how hard one tries to hinder its expression.

If dreams gave voice to Martas and Endres unfulfilled desires by sending signals that circumvented the limits set by their rationality, then cinema as an industry of dreams can be seen sending, with these two films, its own warning about the current state of affairs. If we allow ourselves to inhumanly repress the animal within, then, to quote the famous opening of Terry Gilliams dystopian classic Twelve Monkeys, once again the animals will rule the world.
LITCHFIELD  Total Images Salon in Litchfield is not only a beauty salon but also is a place where community members can go to relax.

Owner Kim Santiago added on to the side of her Main Street salon last summer and calls the space BREATHE. Construction began in February 2016.

I wanted a place where people could push themselves and their dreams, Santiago said.

Santiago offers free Wi-Fi at BREATHE, and there is a full kitchen.

Santiago offers her space for people in the community for birthday parties, cooking classes or even fitness classes in the back of the building for a fee dependent upon the needs of the party. Santiago built a tiki hut in the back of the building. Theres a lot full of sand and lounge chairs to relax in when the weather is nice.

I wanted to develop a place where you can meet and greet your friends. BREATHE is limitless, and is a great place to come, slow down, and de-stress. It is a fun, happy place to unwind, Santiago said.

The Total Images Salon is a full service salon. Services include: hair color, haircuts, airbrush tanning, natural nails, and pedicures. Santiago said she will work with the public when it comes to special events such as weddings, proms, and Homecoming.

Santiago has spent 28 years of her life doing hair. Total Images Salon has been open for 20 of those years.

Santiagos interest in styling hair started when she was a child visiting her aunts in-home salon in Chapman. Santiago said she remembers going there and helping her aunt clean the brushes and combs.

I got to see how she touched people emotionally in 15 minutes, and I wanted to be a part of that, too, someday, Santiago said.

While in high school, Santiago began cutting her friends hair with clippers her dad had used while in Vietnam.

I think that is what makes this all the more special, is that I got to use his clippers to cut my first clients hair, she said.

Santiago received her education in Grand Island at Josephs College of Beauty in 1989. She is currently in the Synovation Valley Leadership Academy Program in Ord. She said she began this program in 2014.

This program helps me to reach out into my community, to find my purpose, and is encouraging me to give back to the community, she said. This program encourages me to just be me, to push past any obstacles that come my way and to learn to continue moving forward.
KEARNEY  It was no surprise to Cindy Fahrenbruch when Kari Mitchell was selected as a recipient for National Kitchen and Bath Associations 30 Under 30 Award.

Its a real honor for her because I think there were probably quite a few people that were applicants. I think it shows a lot about who she is and how she came off in the letters, and I think they made a good choice, said Fahrenbruch, owner of Artistic Cabinetry where Mitchell works as a designer. It just kind of validates how I knew when I chose her to work for me what a great person she was. It was the best thing I did.

Mitchell has worked for Fahrenbruch since 2013, helping to design kitchens, bathrooms, offices, closets and more. Fahrenbruch works out of her home in Loomis while Mitchell mans the companys showroom located in Task Lighting in Kearney. Fahrenbruch and Task Lightings owner, Ken Anderson, nominated Mitchell for the award.

They actually sent the letter to Cindy instead of to me. I was working at my desk, and I look up and here is Cindy and everyone in the office around me. They got to surprise me with the news that I was selected. Ill never forget that. That was a really neat moment for me, Mitchell said.

Mitchell received a trip to Orlando, Fla., in January to attend the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. During the trip, the 30 Under 30 group researched kitchen and bath industry trends. The award recipients were split up into groups of five and each were given a category to research, and they gave a presentation.

They basically put our generations input on those different topics and kind of what we see coming forward and how we define some of these different topics that are presented to us, Mitchell said. Basically, they are trying to get our generation and the generation ahead of us to communicate more.

The event featured luncheons and panel discussions with past presidents of the NKBA.

Our topic was on showrooms. My specific topic, my section of our speech, was on studio showrooms, Mitchell said.

With advancements in technology and the functionality of websites, it is easier for operations such as Artistic Cabinetry to have a studio showroom.

We dont have as much overhead as a huge showroom does. We just do snippets of different vignettes and things like that and try to make it pretty small and keep the overhead down. One of the neat things that we make work  and before Kari even came  my showroom was basically from my website, Fahrenbruch said.

Often trends move faster than it takes to get large pieces of a showroom together, and those items may become outdated very quickly, Mitchell said. Having large images of an entire project is more useful for their business, she added.

During her time in Orlando, Mitchell connected with other designers and professionals in the industry from across the U.S. and Canada.

We were kind of a mixed bag of different areas. In my group of five, there was only one other actual designer. The other three were all a little more in the plumbing world, she said. We had one from California, one in Baltimore, one from Phoenix, one from Canada.

Since returning home, Mitchell has goals to help improve the Nebraska and Kansas chapter of NKBA.

Because we are so spread apart, its not very easy for all of us to get together. I would like to be able to move forward, see if I can work on that, she said. I actually got some ideas at the 30 under 30 of what some of the other ones have done with this similar situation.

With design projects across the state lined up for Artistic Cabinetry, Mitchell is continuing to do what she does best.

I absolutely love my job. I love who I work for and what I do, she said.
KEARNEY  Stitch by stitch by stitch, hem by hem, zipper by zipper, Georgia Byrn, Carolyn Bock and their silent partner have used their sewing skills to build a Kearney business focused on fashion alterations.

Each garment is different. When I give it back, I want it to look like we didnt do anything to it. Its more than sewing. Its seeing the customers happy, Bock said about the goals for Stitch 3.

The business started in January 2015 at a storefront on East 25th Street. The move was made to 3710 Central Ave., Suite12, east of Dairy Queen, in February 2016.

Bock said their services include hemming pants, repairing quilts and curtains (no drapes), and fitting wedding, prom and other special occasion dresses. They have worked on some menswear and repaired banners.

Bock and Byrn said they also sew patches on Scout, military and other types of uniforms.

When asked about sewing garments from scratch, Bock said, We will, we have.

Byrn said its more economical for customers to bring in something they have purchased or had made and let the Stitch 3 sewers customize it.

When people come in for a fitting, sometimes they bring it to us pinned already and we go by how they have it pinned, Bock added.

Both women spent many years in other careers and raising families before deciding to build a business using sewing skills they learned in 4-H and from their mothers and grandmothers who sewed.

Bock and Byrn met when both were doing drafting work for local engineering firms  Bock for the late Richard Stacy and Byrn for Miller and Associates.

They became co-workers and friends after Miller bought the Stacy firm. We often went to lunch. I dont know how we figured out that we both knew how to sew, Bock said.

Byrn said that after she moved to a new job for a state Department of Education agency, they didnt communicate much until Bock asked for help to make all the dresses for her daughters wedding.

Byrn grew up in Blair where her a grandmother or great-grandmother had owned a sewing business.

She studied drafting and engineering in college.

I dont engineer roads anymore, Byrn said with a smile. I engineer garments.

She and her husband, Bob, moved to Kearney in 1980. They have two sons, Alan of Kearney and Ryan of Colorado.

Although sewing took a back seat to work and family over the years, Byrn said, Every time a special event came up, Id make a dress.

Bock grew up on a farm with 3,000 sheep near Torrington, Wyo. She started sewing, including Barbie doll clothes, at age 8.

Her mother sewed all of the familys clothes. We didnt get store-bought clothes until we were in junior high, later junior high, Bock recalled.

At junior college in Torrington, she studied commercial art and met her husband, Ron, from Ravenna. They farm between Kearney and Ravenna where they raised three children, Ben of Montana, Laurissa Epley of Broken Bow and April Nelsen of Idaho.

Bock said her children dont sew.

I tried to teach them when they were younger, but they werent interested, she said. She bought sewing machines for her daughters in hopes they will become more interested in learning as adults.

When asked if drafting skills are a benefit in a sewing business, Bock said, In mechanical drafting, you have to have an eye for it. Its the same in sewing. If you dont have that, you cant figure out things.

One thing to figure out is how to make repairs to garments that dont look like repairs.

Creativity is a strong thing to have in sewing, especially for alterations, Bock said.

Two trends draw customers to Stitch 3.

They dont sew, Byrn said about a skill that has become less common for younger generations.

Thats probably the top reason. Others just dont have time, Bock continued. Some say they used to sew, but just dont want to do it anymore.

She pointed to a bag of clothes leaning against the workroom wall and said it was from a regular customer who uses their repair services to extend the life of her childrens clothes.

I just think its a service needed in this area, Byrn said, and she enjoys providing it. Im a people person, so I really like the camaraderie.

Shes a social butterfly, Bock joked. Im more of a nose-to-the-grindstone person.

Alterations of wedding and prom dresses are a huge part of their business, which means they are entering their busiest and most deadline-sensitive months of the year.

When we first started, there were a lot of sequins and lace, Bock said about prom dress trends, but lace was the most dominant decorative feature for 2016 dresses.

Byrn said shes heard that sleeves may be coming back in style for prom season.

Although most brides bring in new wedding dresses for alterations, one asked the Stitch 3 team to make a big bow for her new dress from material taken from her grandmothers wedding dress.

Byrn said the Christmas holiday season was a slower time and, in general, they would like to be busier.

I have a goal that when anyone says, I need something sewed, someone hearing that would say, Go to Stitch 3, she said.
KEARNEY  Working on a teens re-entry into society is the goal of a new collaborative service being implemented at the states Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers.

For several months, YRTC officials in Kearney and Geneva have been working with the state Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation, a statewide agency, and the state probation department to get a jump-start on teens care from the moment they arrive at either Kearneys center for boys or Genevas facility for girls. The services goal is to give teens the skills they need to be successful once they return home.

The program is expected to be implemented by spring.

This will really enhance a kids defense out in the community once he leaves here, said Mark LaBouchardiere, administrator of the Office of Juvenile Services in Kearney, who oversees both YRTCs.

In the past, many services werent imitated until after a youth was close to their release day.

We have a core group of kids who come in here that already have their GED or diploma, so what do we do with them? LaBouchardiere said.

Under the new system YRTC teens will immediately start working on their education, life and technical skills, and career or employment preparation. In the past, teens wouldnt receive voc rehab referrals until just before they were about to be discharged from the YRTCs, and any follow up care would be at their own discretion.

Under the new collaboration, the state is helping teens with the legwork earlier so that they have a fresh start. Voc rehab helps people with disabilities prepare for, obtain and maintain employment while helping businesses recruit, train and retain employees with disabilities, said Jennifer Papproth, program director in Omaha.

Its the first time voc rehab will be helping teens at the beginning of their rehabilitation.

Through research, Papproth said voc rehab has learned many teens at the YRTCs suffer from traumatic brain injury, have abusive backgrounds, or have mental or behavioral health issues. According to LaBouchardiere, 90 percent of the teens at the YRTCs qualify for voc rehab services.

Some youths were falling through the cracks when they got back to their community, Papproth said. This is going to, hopefully, bridge that a little bit better.

Once the programs implemented, voc rehab and state probation officials will be at the YRTCs permanently to help youths with the re-entry process.

LaBouchardiere and other state officials are hoping the improvements to the re-entry program will reduce the recidivism rate of teens at the YRTCs. YRTC-Kearney has a 19 percent recidivism, or re-offender, rate, while Geneva has a 23 percent recidivism rate.

Once a teen leaves the YRTCs, the state probation department takes over their rehabilitation.

Courtney Phillips, CEO of the state Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the YRTCs, initiated the program, which she says complements other programs at the facilities and aims at getting teens prepared to return home.

It is a good example how different state agencies can work together to develop effective programs that improve public safety and give these youths a greater chance for a positive future.

@HubChic
KEARNEY  The Thedford-based construction manufacturing company that intends to purchase the former Coleman Powermate building near Kearney Regional Airport employs 300 people across the United States.

According to a press release from The Economic Development Council of Buffalo County and the city of Kearney, the prospective buyer, Midwest Partitions Inc., is family owned and was established in 1975.

Midwest Partitions has signed an agreement to purchase the vacant manufacturing facility for $800,000 from the city with the intent to create 30-40 full-time employee positions, establish a construction manufacturing process new to the area, and invest $500,000 in aesthetic improvements to the building.

The vacant Powermate building is located at 4970 Airport Road and has been maintained by the city. According to a memo from the city attorney to the Kearney City Council, purchase of the structure by Midwest Partition will end the citys maintenance expenses and place the building back on the tax rolls.

Midwest Partitions President Herb Hall said the city will receive many benefits because his company is buying the building.

We believe the proposal will be a positive impact on the community, lend to job creation, and improve dramatically the current aesthetics of the vacant building, Hall said in the press release.

Midwest Partitions intends to name Kearney as its corporate headquarters and establish a new manufacturing process that will generate exterior facade panels to be distributed across the nation to high-end construction projects.

This manufacturing process, new to central Nebraska, will eliminate the need to purchase panels from Colorado and eastern Nebraska, which will generate new revenue for the area and dramatically increase speed to market, Hall said.

Midwest Partitions hopes to be manufacturing the panels in Kearney as soon as possible.

City Manager Mike Morgan said, We are fortunate to have an interest in the building that has been sitting vacant over the past eight months. We are especially fortunate to have the opportunity for a new company to choose Kearney for its headquarters.

The City Council was scheduled to vote today on a resolution approving the sale of the building.

The Economic Development Council has been working with Hall and the city on the project.

Darren Robinson, president of The Economic Development Council, said the Midwest Partitions deal is a great opportunity for the Kearney area.

Midwest Partitions Inc. is an exceptional company that will generate new revenue and jobs that are new to the community, Robinson said. Ive had the pleasure of working with Mr. Hall and his family on the project. You couldnt ask for a better family to do business with.

The purchase agreement anticipates closing the sale on the building in late March.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Constituents of 3rd District Rep. Adrian Smith can meet with a representative of his office at mobile offices in March.

At mobile offices, 3rd District residents can meet with one of Smiths staff members about federal issues and take advantage of the services available through his office.

A staff member will be present from 11 a.m. to noon March 14 at the Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce and from 1-2 p.m. March 15 at the Lexington Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, call Smiths Grand Island office at 308-384-3900 or his Scottsbluff office at 308-633-6333.
Thanks to Scott and Rochelle Morris for their contribution to the new technical wing at Kearney High School, the Scott Morris Institute.

This facility at the new KHS, plus the new facilities of Central Community College across 11th Street from the high school, will provide students with resources very rarely available.

This will greatly benefit the area of Kearney with a strong prepared workforce. Scott and Rochelle Morris will be affecting the lives of so many students and their children and grandkids.

Education is the one area that truly pays it forward to future generations. Thank you.

Rosemary Cervantes, Kearney
Tax fairness is the best argument for more effectively collecting Nebraska sales taxes on Internet purchases.

State law sets a 5.5 percent state sales tax on goods bought at brick-and-mortar stores as well as those bought online. But while those brick-and-mortar stores are required to collect the tax, online sales tax collection is left to an honor system in which taxpayers are expected to report and pay when they file their state income taxes.

Not surprisingly, fewer than 1 percent of taxpayers self-report.

The state, by looking the other way, gives online retailers a price advantage over local stores, which employ more than 100,000 people statewide. This failing honor system is unfair to retail employers and employees who live and invest in our communities.

State senators can consider one of two bills before them that would require online businesses of varying sizes to collect the sales tax. This is already being done by states such as South Dakota and Colorado. The Colorado law passed muster in federal court.

The fiscal stakes are large for the state. Amazon, the nations largest online retailer, has voluntarily started collecting Nebraskas sales tax.

The Nebraska Department of Revenue estimates the state will collect about $28 million in sales taxes on those purchases in 2017-18. Thats from one, albeit large, online retailer.

But setting aside revenue considerations, this is a matter of principle. Lawmakers should focus on fixing a flawed process by fairly applying an existing tax. Its time to level this playing field.

Omaha World-Herald


admitted to severing her husbands manhood while he was sleeping. A woman has pleaded guilty and begged for forgiveness after sheadmitted to severing her husbands manhood while he was sleeping.



court on Monday, where she admitted causing bodily harm contrary to

section 251 of the penal code. The prosecution revealed that Mutuku

assaulted her husband Stephen Ochieng Oyuga in Magongo area of Kenya on

February 16, according to The woman identified as Angel Mutuku was charged before a Mombasacourt on Monday, where she admitted causing bodily harm contrary tosection 251 of the penal code. The prosecution revealed that Mutukuassaulted her husband Stephen Ochieng Oyuga in Magongo area of Kenya onFebruary 16, according to Nairobi Wire

Mr. Oyuga is currently admitted at Bomu Medical Centre, where he is

receiving treatment. According to Changamwe police statement, trouble

started at 5:30 am, when the wife slapped her husband in the back,

accusing him of sleeping for too long.





The complaint was asleep at around 05:30 hrs when his wife

slapped him on the back and started accusing him of sleeping for too

long, reads the police statement in part.

The angry husband reiterated by slapping her back, for waking him roughly.

Ms Mutuku then went to the kitchen and came back with a small

kitchen knife which she used to commit the deed. She then left the house

for her place of work, leaving her husband writhing in pain.

According to the report, she also called Oyugas brother to take him to hospital.

The trial magistrate directed that she be detained until Wednesday

when prosecution is expected to read facts of the case and possibly

prefer fresh charges against her.
Adeniyi with Femi Branch and Seyi Edun at the surprise party

Nollywood actor, Adeniyi Johnsons day started with the release of new photos.

Then, the outpouring of birthday shout outs began.

Of course nobody expected Nollywood actress, Toyin Aimahku to salute

him on his February 27 birthday but a special person, Seyi Edun did.



Femi Branch and Regina Chukwu

The actress who had been rumoured to be his girlfriend (fiancee according to rumour mill) took to Instagram and wrote:

Adeniyi and prophetess Olubori

Special birthday shoutout to my BEST FRIEND Aremumi, Ade mi,

Damilola Oriyomi, My aproko partner, my one and only ijongbon he can

play for Africa, my ejika my everything. ADURAGBEMI TEMI NIKAN in mummy

@dasmola_juwon s voice. On this special day of urs I pray God enlarge

ur coast. May Almighty God grant u ur heart desires. May u live long and

prosper. May the rest of ur life be the best of ur life. Alekun owo,

omo, emigigun ati Alafia. I celebrate u love. Av a fabulous birthday.

Love UUU(sic)

She kept uploading pictures and made sure she used pictures of where she was with the guy.

Prophetess and Femi Branch

Known to be the godson of Prophetess Olanbiwoninu Olubori, the famous

spiritual mother of the Havilah Mountain of Fire Church, Adeniyi got

another special shout out from his Mummy who was in London, United

Kingdom.

I cant keep calm because today is your birthday my darling son Aduragbemi temi nikan. @adeniyijohnson, (sic) the pretty prophetess wrote on IG.

Adeniyi and Prophetess Olubori

But another surprise awaited him at the Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

The party, which was organised by his Godmother, Olubori, had

actresses and actors which included Regina Chukwu; Femi Branch; Bukky

Fagbuyi; Seyi Edun, in attendance.

Even the prophetess flew down from England to be a part of the

groove. She said she came to Nigeria just to celebrate her son, whom she

fondly calls Adura Gbemi Temi Nikan.

This is wishing Adeniyi the best of his new year.
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It has been purported that one of the major take-home messages from the bizarre events of 2016 is that we are now living in a post-truth world. Indeed, that very phrase was dubbed the word of the year by Oxford Dictionaries, which defines it as relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.

We are also seeing a growing level of mistrust of science among Americans. From the climate-change deniers to the anti-vaxxers, we seem to be increasingly comfortable with the idea that we can choose to believe whatever we want, along with the related notion that experts are less reliable than the general public.

As a scientist, I am troubled by the notion that emotion or personal belief would trump (forgive the pun) objective reality. But also as a scientist, I understand that facts themselves arent sufficient to create a model of realityand as a former philosophy student, I choose the phrase model of reality because, while properly interpreted and analyzed facts are necessary in the quest for meaningful knowledge, ultimate truth is unknowable.

From this perspective, therefore, facts are necessary but not sufficient for understanding the universe. Not only must there be a clear ability to distinguish purported facts from fiction, including an ability to distinguish truths of logic from facts derived empirically (the former are immutable; the latter may change with new information); we also must critically and carefully interpret the available facts within a conceptual or theoretical framework. If this notion makes you uncomfortable, theres only one thing I can say: tough noogies. If you want to live in a world of revealed truth, go enter a monastery. If you want to live in the real world, then learn to live with it.

I have the great honor of teaching future physicians and future researchers, and try to help my learners address the challenge of making valid inferences from the facts they know or the data theyre interpreting. Unfortunately, starting in grade school and continuing through grad school, our educational system remains mired in an old model that continues to prize fact retention over analytic abilitya model that is increasingly irrelevant because, with information ever at our fingertips (right there on our smartphones), there is less need than ever before to retain facts, and conversely a greater need than ever to analyze them critically to draw reasonable conclusions. This has created the perfect situation for a post-truth world: unfettered access to (real or fake) information, and limited ability to make reasoned judgments about or with this information.

So why do educators persist in valuing fact memorization and regurgitation over reasoned judgment? The sad answer is that its a lot easier to measure what people know than how they think, and we need metrics to adjudicate educational achievement. All thats needed to test factual knowledge are some agreed-upon facts and some multiple-choice questions; measuring the true goal of education, the achievement of competency, is much more elusive. And since testing drives learning (as in the aphorism People dont respect what you expect, they respect what you inspect), this approach pushes learners to overvalue factual knowledge at the expense of analytic ability. Whether we look at the overall failure of no child left behind in primary education or the stranglehold the U.S. Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) has on medical education, we seem to exist in two parallel universes simultaneously: one that is post-truth, and one that values nothing other than the (generally agreed-upon catechism we accept as) facts, which we erroneously label truth.

But even as we bow before the gods of facts, we also understand the importance of this concept (one of my favorite Albert Einstein quotes that is, alas, not his  fact-checking can sometimes be painful!): Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. We recognize the importance of competency-based education, but downplay the challenges of assessing competency achievementthus perpetuating the convenient assessment of factual knowledge. It is in this context that my colleagues and I recently published our strong objection to a new certification examination for clinical researchers: a (you guessed it) multiple-choice test of factual information being promulgated by the National Board of Medical Examiners, the same organization that brings us (and resists changes to) the USMLE.

We lay out our arguments against this exam in this editorial. I am especially troubled because, as someone who has been educating clinical researchers for many years, I actually know how to measure their competency: most importantly, by evaluating the quality and impact of their research, and also (indirectly) by examining their professional track records (through such metrics as publications, grants and promotions). While one can argue that these metrics are imperfect  and some potentially more enlightened (although harder to measure) scales have been proposed  they are certainly better, and more aligned with competency assessment, than a multiple choice test could ever be.

Many of us will choose to fight against accepting the notion that we are entering a post-truth era. To fight that good fight, we must acknowledge that truth is an elusive concept requiring the analysis and application of factual information, and advocate for educational (and testing) approaches that will yield the educated citizenry that Thomas Jefferson recognized as a cornerstone of democracy.

Paul Marantz is associate dean, clinical research education and director, Center for Public Health Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY. He blogs at the Doctors Tablet.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
"You can be whoever you want to be" are words we hear when we grow up, even though this is not always the case.

But one Laredoan proves if you work hard enough, it just might pay off.

"Rana" is a story about a knight who meets a nun about to be burned at the stake. It's a story Jaime Herrera, Jr. had been working on months prior to starting the film.

"There's crafts, there's costuming, you know you got to pay actors, sometimes you have to pay for transportation and all these different things," Herrera said.

From makeup and costuming to casting and location scouting, making his film possible had a bumpy start.

"I didn't know what I was going to do," Herrera said. "I was even considering postponing my film. I knew I wanted to make the film, but would I be able to make it in November of 2016? That was the problem."

Herrera said that a lot of it depended on whether or not he could find a location. Luckily, SAG/AFTRA actor Dave McNutly was able to help him out.

"David was nice enough to take me over there," Herrera said. "I loved the place, and thankfully I found a location."

As for his inspiration....

"A lot of it just comes from me having gone to a Catholic school in Laredo," Herrera said. "When I first moved, and....I don't know, I guess it just left a bad taste in my mouth."

Herrera says he has been struggling with his faith, and you can see this in his film.

For now, Herrera plans on submitting his short film to various film festivals around the country as he continues to work on his next short film.

For more information on Rana, you can go

.

You can also watch the film below.
On January 31, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Agent David Tanner transferred this bald eagle to the Bird of Prey Center for observation after a citizen found it on the side of the road. The bald eagle did not recover from its injuries. Photo by Michaele Duke
How much are you paying for financial advice?

Ten to 15 years ago, my experience was that many people were stumped by that question. In fact, many of them didnt seem to realize they were paying anything at all, although lets get this straight: Something in exchange for nothing simply doesnt happen in the world of investments.

Times change, though. In the last five to 10 years, I am finding that many investors I talk to  helped no doubt by the Internet placing so much information at their fingertips  have grown more savvy about the compensation systems for their advisers, who generally are paid either by commission or by fee and, in some instances, a combination of both.

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Each method works in a different way.

Commission-based compensation

Financial professionals who are paid based on commission, such as stock brokers or insurance professionals, are paid when a transaction happens, or the commission is built into the financial product. For example, a mutual fund could come with a sales charge or commission. The investor pays the load (commission), which goes to compensate a sales intermediary, such as a broker or financial adviser, for his time and expertise in selecting an appropriate fund for the investor.

The investment products a broker sells have to be suitable to your needs, although they arent required to be the least expensive or best option for you. In addition, if youre changing your investment mix often, you could end up paying more in commissions. In todays investment world, we tend to make allocation changes based on market conditions and our future outlook.

Now, if you happen to be one of those people who makes an investment and hangs onto it for 30 years, this could work out for you. In that situation, youll likely spend less over that long time frame than you would have with a financial professional who is paid by fee for assets under advisement.

Fee-based compensation

I think many of the people who opt to connect with an adviser who charges a fee do so because fee-based or fee-only advisers put the professional on the same side as the client. The fee is based on the value of the clients investments, or sometimes the client is charged a flat fee. Fee-only advisers dont make a commission on the purchase or sale of any investment.

Financial professionals charging a fee also usually have a fiduciary responsibility, meaning they are required by law to do whats in the best interest of a client. By comparison, a commission-based professional is required to do only whats suitable for the client.

A combination approach

Some professionals work on a combination of the two compensation methods, collecting both fees and commissions. For example, a client may be charged a planning fee and then a commission for insurance and fee for assets under management. Advisers are generally compensated on insurance products via a commission from the insurance company. If the adviser is making financial planning recommendations (such as life insurance), the combination of a commission on the insurance product and a fee for assets under management might be the approach the adviser takes.

One of the advantages I see to the fee side of things is it tends to stretch the role of the professional beyond just recommending a certain stock or fund to buy. Theres financial planning, asset allocation and retirement planning that are incorporated by most fee-based professionals. The client and adviser tend to form a true, lasting relationship over the years.

While a lot of the interactions between adviser and client can take place via phone or email, personally, I like to meet clients face to face. After a while, you get to know them, their kids, and their passions in life and that can help give you a greater perspective about their needs and how your financial advice fits into that.

The bottom line

To sum it all up, there are a lot of pros and cons to the different compensation methods. The best one for you depends on your specific situation (age, risk tolerance, time frame, investment needs, etc.). Our industry has changed dramatically over the last decade and continues to evolve. The fee-based or fee-only adviser has become increasingly popular, and I see this continuing. The fiduciary standard is where the industry is heading as a whole.

Jason Mengel holds a Certified Financial Planner designation, and is a member of the Financial Planning Association. In 2010, he co-founded Fusion Capital, which operates with three locations in South Carolina.

Rozel Swain contributed to this article.
* Oil price drop forces Algeria to adapt financing

* First local bond issue criticized by conservatives

* Gov't has already trimmed budget, cut energy subsidies

By Lamine Chikhi

ALGIERS, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Algeria plans to raise money from an interest-free local bond, using a model the government hopes will draw more participation from the public and help it offset a huge fall in its energy earnings.

The North African OPEC member has already cut public spending, introduced new taxes and reduced government subsidies on fuel to help it cope with the halving of its income from oil and gas due to a long slide in international energy prices.

Finance Minister Hadji Baba Ammi told state news agency APS on Monday the new bond would not bear interest, which may help attract a greater number of Algerian buyers after a previous interest-bearing bond issue drew fire from religious conservatives.

Islam bans the use of interest, and many countries are opening up to Islamic finance, based on religious principles such as prohibiting interest on credit and creating sharia-compliant banking.

"We are about to launch a bond sale, but free of interest this time, if the government allows this approach," Algeria's finance minister has been quoted as saying to official APS.

"I would not use the word 'Islamic' but rather more 'participative'", he said when asked about the type of operations that would conform with sharia law.

The minister said bondholders would receive a share in projects that the issue would finance as an incentive. But he did not give further details about the structure of the bond or how it would differ from sukuk or Islamic, interest-free bonds.

The government launched its first local bond last April, but it was harshly criticised by the religious community made up of imams, academics and even the religious affairs minister, who said he had not been consulted over the bond issue.

While many Algerians are religiously conservative, the country is emerging from a 1990s decade-long war with armed Islamists that left 200,000 dead, and issues involving conservatism and political Islam are sensitive.

When the first local debt operation was announced, Sheikh Chemssedine Bouroubi, a well-known imam who preaches daily on local TV, openly attacked the finance minister.

"You don't have the right to transform an illicit action into a licit one.... You will suffer inside your tomb," he said.

While neighbours Morocco and Tunisia are developing laws for Islamic finance, Islamic banks and sukuk bonds, Algeria still has no legal framework for such operations.

"You have to be very cautious when it comes to handling religious issues," Islam analyst and editor of religious books Mohamed Mouloudi told Reuters.

The new bond will be launched by the end of April, APS said, quoting the finance minister. The government must first approve the bond issue.

Algeria raised $5.86 billion from its bond sale last year.

Long reliant on its oil and gas revenues, the economy is still emerging from a centralised model following its independence from France, and the state controls most strategic sectors.

Heavy bureaucracy and regulation requiring that Algerians own 51 percent of companies in the country has made investors wary of putting money into Algeria. Government attempts to open up the non-oil economy in sectors such as health, agriculture and industry are moving slowly.

Still, the dramatic fall in oil prices has hit Algeria hard, prompting the government to look at more flexible ways to improve revenues. Algeria's energy revenues were at $27.5 billion in 2016, less than half the $60 billion it earned in 2014.

(Writing by Patrick Markey; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Editor's Note: We hope you enjoy Kitco News' new look! Don't forget to try out our newest feature: Kitco Chat! You will now be able to easily share and comment on all our articles. You can do so with or without signing up, but why not join Kitco's online community? In just a few easy steps, you will be able to create your unique username and password. Make sure to do so quickly, before someone else snags your username!

The key event in markets Tuesday is a much-awaited evening speech that U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to give to a joint session of Congress, says Brown Brothers Harriman. The hope is that he provides the policy signals that allow the dollar to break out of its recent ranges, BBH says. The combination of fiscal stimulus and less accommodative monetary policy is thought to be dollar-friendly. At the same time, given the build-up, the mercurial temperament, and unorthodox style of this administration, it could set up investors for disappointment. One way markets could be disappointed would be a dampening of expectations for fiscal stimulus, BBH says. Yesterday's call for a substantial increase in defense spending, while cutting discretionary spending, may run into difficulties getting around rules designed to avoid precisely that, BBH says. In any event, the Trump economic team appears committed to stronger U.S. growth via trade adjustment, tax reform, deregulation, and infrastructure spending. Still, although Republicans hold both houses of Congress and the White House, their slim majority in the Senate denies it carte blanche, BBH says. Also, some Republicans in Congress and some Republicans in the White House do not see eye-to-eye on the full range of fiscal issues. The comprehensive tax reform efforts are predicated on raising sufficient revenue to avoid or minimize the impact on the deficit and debt.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

Commerzbank: Data Show Chinese Gold Imports Soft In January

Hong Kong trade data show reduced Chinese gold imports last month, perhaps held back by higher prices, says Commerzbank. Traders monitor gold flows to Mainland China that are included in statistics published by the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong government. According to the figures, China imported only 31.8 tonnes of gold on a net basis from Hong Kong last month, Commerzbank says. Not only was this somewhat less even than last January, already a weak month, (but) it was also the lowest level since August 2014. The higher prices appear to have held buyers back; furthermore, the Chinese New Year festival was celebrated at the end of January. Many traders had already bought sufficient gold to cover their needs back in December, as can be seen from the high gold imports from Hong Kong and Switzerland at that time.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

FXTMs Otunuga: Political Risks Bolster Safe-Haven Assets

Growing uncertainty across the board and rising political risks have bolstered the appetite for safe-haven assets such as gold, says Lukman Otunuga, research analyst at FXTM. The metal remains bullish on the daily charts, with further upside potential in the short term if the U.S. dollar continues to depreciate, the analyst says. Markets are awaiting U.S. President Donald Trumps speech to Congress Tuesday night. From a technical standpoint, the $1,250 intraday level could act as a minor support, which encourages a further incline higher towards $1,265, Otunuga adds.
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(Kitco News) - Gold prices are modestly lower in early U.S. trading Tuesday, on a normal corrective, profit-taking pullback after prices Monday scored a 3.5-mongh high. Gold and silver bulls are still in firm overall near-term technical control amid price uptrends on the charts. April Comex gold was last down $5.00 an ounce at $1,253.80. May Comex silver was last down $0.082 at $18.335 an ounce.

The world marketplace is focusing upon Tuesday evenings speech by U.S. President Donald Trump to the U.S. Congress. He will provide U.S. lawmakers with his plans for growing the U.S. economy, as well as other domestic and foreign matters. There is a bit of uncertainty surrounding Trumps speech, as the U.S. president is known for being a loose cannon.

U.S. Federal Reserve officials, including Chair Janet Yellen, are also scheduled to speak this week. Their comments will be closely scrutinized following last weeks FOMC minutes that were deemed by many market watchers as a bit dovish on U.S. monetary policy.

The key outside markets on Tuesday morning find the U.S. dollar index trading slightly lower. Trading in the USDX has turned choppy and sideways recently. Meantime, Nymex crude oil futures prices are slightly lower today. Oil prices are still in a sideways and choppy trading range that has bound that market for several weeks.

U.S. economic data due for release Tuesday includes the weekly Johnson Redbook and Goldman Sachs retail sales reports, the fourth-quarter GDP report, the S&P/Case-Shiller house price index, the ISM Chicago business survey, the consumer price index, and the Richmond Fed business survey.

(Note: Follow me on Twitter--@jimwyckoff--for breaking market news.)

Technically, April gold futures bulls still have the firm overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a nine-week-old uptrend on the daily bar chart. Bulls next upside near-term price breakout objective is to produce a close above solid technical resistance at $1,275.00. Bears' next near-term downside price breakout objective is closing prices below solid technical support at $1,225.00. First resistance is seen at Mondays high of $1,264.90 and then at $1,268.00. First support is seen at last Fridays low of $1,248.80 and then at $1,240.00. Wyckoffs Market Rating: 6.5

May silver bulls have the firm overall near-term technical advantage as prices hit a 3.5-month high Monday. Prices are in a two-month-old uptrend on the daily bar chart. Silver bulls next upside price breakout objective is closing futures prices above solid technical resistance at $19.00 an ounce. The next downside price breakout objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $17.50. First resistance is seen at Mondays high of $18.54 and then at $18.75. Next support is seen at last Fridays low of $18.21 and then at $18.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.5.
By Andrew Torchia

DUBAI, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Annual growth in Saudi Arabian bank lending slowed in January to its lowest level in nearly seven years, official data showed on Tuesday, a sign of weak corporate demand but also improving liquidity in the economy.

Bank loans to the private sector rose just 1.8 percent from a year earlier, compared to 2.4 percent in December, the central bank said. It was the slowest growth since February 2010, when the Saudi economy was still recovering from the global financial crisis.

The sluggish growth shows private companies have little desire to make fresh investments, because of an economic slump caused by low oil prices and government austerity measures.

But it is also a sign that money is flowing more freely through the economy. For much of 2016 the government, its finances strained by lower oil export earnings, delayed paying its debts to private firms. This forced them to draw down credit facilities with banks just to obtain operating funds, inflating loan growth figures.

In the last few months the government's coffers have been partly replenished by higher oil prices and a jumbo $17.5 billion debut international bond issue. This has encouraged it to resume paying its debts, and with state money flowing again, firms feel less pressure to use bank loans.

The combination of renewed flows of government money and low demand for new loans is causing Saudi money rates to plunge. The three-month interbank offered rate , which soared to an eight-year high of 2.386 percent in late October, fell to 1.7875 percent on Tuesday, its lowest level since last March.

The government is continuing to draw down assets abroad to help cover a budget deficit caused by low oil prices. Net foreign assets at the central bank fell by $12.0 billion from the previous month to $516.7 billion in January, their lowest level since August 2011.

Among those assets, the central bank's holdings of foreign securities dropped by $4.5 billion to $359.5 billion, while deposits with banks abroad decreased by $6.7 billion to $100.3 billion.

October's debut international bond issue opened up a new channel for the government to raise funds, reducing pressure on its foreign reserves, and at least one more foreign bond sale is expected in coming months.

Last week, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that Riyadh had sent a request for proposals to banks for a planned U.S. dollar Islamic bond issue. Saudi Arabia is also expected to issue a conventional bond in the international market later this year, another source said.

(Editing by Andrew Roche)
COLOMBO, Feb 28 (Reuters) - The Sri Lankan rupee rose for a third straight session on Tuesday, helped by exporter dollar sales, but the gains were capped by concerns about possible further depreciation in the local currency in the absence of central bank guidance, dealers said.

Rupee forwards were active with two-week forwards trading at 151.70/80 per dollar, compared with Monday's close of 152.00/30.

The rupee has been under pressure due to dollar demand from importers ahead of the traditional Sinhala-Tamil new year in mid-April and as foreign investors continue to sell government securities, dealers said.

Foreign investors sold a net 15.37 billion rupees ($101.62 million) in the week ended Feb. 22, extending the outflow from government securities to 64.5 billion rupees.

Sri Lanka could face balance-of-payments pressure due to foreign outflows from government securities, a government document showed last week, even as the island nation is in the process of raising up to $2.5 billion from foreign borrowing. The rupee has weakened 1.1 percent so far this year. It fell 3.9 percent last year, following a 10 percent drop in 2015.

Sri Lankan shares were 0.11 percent firmer at 6,130.62 as of 0656 GMT. Turnover was 352.1 million rupees. ($1 = 151.2500 Sri Lankan rupees)

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)
(Adds details, quotes, context)

MOSCOW/LONDON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Russia remained the world's third largest gold producer in 2016 behind China and Australia, data from the Finance Ministry showed on Tuesday.

Russia's gold mining industry has benefited from strong gold prices, up 8.5 percent in dollar terms last year, and the impact of domestic currency weakness, hit by a fall in oil prices and Western sanctions over Moscow's role in Ukrainian crisis.

"(The) weak rouble and relatively low costs have been supporting Russian gold production," Sergei Kashuba, the head of the Gold Industrialists' Union, told Reuters.

Russia produced 288.55 tonnes of gold in 2016, down from 289.51 tonnes a year before, the finance ministry said. That included 237.83 tonnes of mined output, versus 234.31 tonnes in 2015.

Russian producers usually sell the bulk of their gold to local banks which the latter then pass to Russia's central bank, one of the world's largest holders of bullion, leaving a smaller volume for supply to Asia and Europe.

The central bank added around 200 tonnes of gold to its holdings in 2016 and posted 2 percent month-on-month increase in January. The Gold Industrialists' Union estimates Russian 2016 gold production at 297 tonnes, including gold containing concentrate. It sees 2017 gold output at up to 305 tonnes. Kashuba told Reuters on Tuesday he expected Russia to remain the world's third largest gold producer in 2017 as production in Australia is also rising.

Australian gold output hit a 17-year high of 298 tonnes in 2016. China's 2016 gold output rose to 453.49 tonnes, the China Gold Association said, adding that China is targeting up to 550 tonnes of annual gold output in 2020. While GFMS data showed global gold mine production declined last year, Russia has seen rising gold output from deposits and may launch two more in the coming years.

By the end of 2017, the country is expected to commission its large Natalka gold deposit in the east, the main greenfield project of Russia's largest gold producer Polyus .

In the next three to four year Polyus will also study Sukhoi Log, one of the world's largest untapped gold deposits, rights for which a Polyus-led joint venture has just won. Spot gold prices in London have risen 9 percent so far this year and held steady on Tuesday at around $1,252 an ounce with investors looking towards a speech later in the day by U.S. President Donald Trump. (Reporting by Polina Devitt and Diana Asonova in Moscow and Jan Harvey in London; additional reporting by Elena Fabrichnaya; writing by Polina Devitt; editing by Jack Stubbs and David Evans)
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Richard Harman writes:

A former top Green official .and leadership contender in 2015 has resigned from the party because he believes it has lost its way and he is now working with National. Though he has not joined National, Vernon Tava is part of the campaign team for Erica Stamford  an old friend  who is standing for National in East Coast Bays. As for the Greens, he said he began to part ways with them because he began to doubt whether the environment was seriously at the top of their agenda. He also began to doubt that there was any genuine will on the part of the party to work with the Government whoever they were.

The Greens have given up on a constructive relationship with National. Their job now is to be cheerleaders for Labour it seems.

When I stood for co-leader one of the great things about that was that we travelled around the country and I was contacted by a lot of the older, founder members who thought it was no longer the party of Jeanette Fitzsimons and Rod Donald. And the composition of the party did change very significantly with the collapse of the Alliance. A lot fo those people did move into the Greens and being people who had backgrounds in teaching, union organising, and they were people who were very good at working with an internal structure. I do feel that there was a point where the emphasis and the balance of the part shifted. I had joined what I thought was an environmental party and I did find that on the whole, it was more of a socialist party.

Yep. And remember this is not some junior person, but a former Northern Region Convener.

Tava says his fundamental question of the Greens was to ask how serious they were about the environment. Is it that we will only protect the environment when it feels good or will do what it takes to work with whoever is in Government. And he says that in 2012 the Greens began to change the way they dealt with the National Party. I was very disappointed, and I know some members and MPs were too, that a decision was taken to personalise the attacks against the National Party. When Russel Norman really started going after John Key, a lot of us were very unhappy about that. It was like wed burned the bridge, and the party was traditionally always meant to be above the fray, and you didnt hear Jeannette Fitzsimons or Rod Donald making personalised attacks against people.

I recall Russel Norman comparing John Key to Muldoon.

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Hero of Mollywood's first musical hit 'Thiramala' shares his Hollywood stint, directing Prem Nazir and more
By Nam Hyun-woo





Hana Financial Group Chairman Kim Jung-tai

Hana Financial Group Chairman Kim Jung-tai was grilled by the special prosecutors' team investigating a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her close aide Choi Soon-sil.



The special prosecutors on Saturday summoned Kim to question him about an allegation that a KEB Hana Bank senior executive was promoted in return for helping Choi get loans in Germany.



The executive, Lee Sang-hwa, allegedly assisted Choi and her daughter Chung Yoo-ra to secure "preferential loans" for their businesses and property purchases in Germany.



In 2015, when Lee was the head of KEB Hana's branch in Germany, it lent them 380,000 euros, backed by Choi's land in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, as collateral. The bank is suspected of having offered loans to them at a 0.98 percent annual rate, which is far lower than the average 3 to 6 percent.



Lee returned home last January and took charge of a KEB Hana branch in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul, an affluent area and one of the most-favored locations in the metropolitan area. A month later, he was promoted to his current position as head of global sales.



The special prosecutors suspect former presidential secretary Ahn Jong-beom masterminded Lee's promotion through Korea Exchange Chairman Jeong Chan-woo, then-vice chairman of the Financial Services Commission.



The prosecutors' team questioned Hana Chairman Kim for nine hours. Asked whether Ahn's request influenced Lee's promotion, Kim told reporters "everybody knows what happened."



Though he claimed to have been unaware of the "preferential loans," Kim said Lee's suspicious promotion "is regretful anyway."



Another doubt surrounding Lee is that he introduced Choi to Yoo Jae-kyung, who was later appointed as Korea's ambassador to Myanmar. Yoo admitted he grabbed the diplomatic job on Choi's recommendation. The allegation is that Choi sought personal gains worth 76 billion won ($65 million) in state business in Myanmar.



The special prosecutors' team earlier this month summoned Korea Exchange chief Jeong to question him. On Feb. 3, the team searched the financial regulator to focus on finding documents and data related to Jeong.
By Nam Hyun-woo





MetLife Korea CEO Damien Green Lina Korea CEO Benjamin Hong

Korea is notorious for its male-dominated business culture. That is especially the case for the insurance industry, which is regarded as a very conservative area -- but there are exceptions such as MetLife Korea and Lina Korea.



According to data of the Korea Life Insurance Association, Sunday, the country's 19 major life insurers had 473 executives as of the end of last October. Among them only 33, or 7 percent, were women.



This starkly contrasts to their staffs whose numbers are almost the same for both genders at around 12,000 each.



Things are different for two foreign life insurers here, MetLife which has eight female executives and Lina with seven.



In particular, MetLife has put forth great efforts to shatter the glass ceiling following the inauguration of CEO Damien Green in 2014.



As of the end of 2014, women accounted for just 12 percent of the Seoul-based outfit's executives but the figure more than doubled to 29.6 percent last year.



In 2015, the company also elected its first female outside director, Mo Jin, who is chief of Danone Pulmuone.



Such changes were spearheaded by Green, who seems to have a firm belief of the value of diversity and gender equality.



"Our human resources policy is to put the right talent in the right place regardless of their gender, and to ensure that all employees have equal opportunity," he was quoted as saying in recent talks with employees.



"This is essential to creating an environment where all employees can develop to their full potential, and will ultimately bring huge benefits to the company."



Under the stewardship of CEO Benjamin Hong, who took charge in 2010, Lina has also spearheaded bringing a new culture of gender equality to the insurance industry.



Out of its 18 executives, seven are women for a high ratio of 38.9 percent.



Korea Life Insurance Association Chairman Lee Soo-chang praised the two companies.



"Using female resources is very important not only for gender equality but also for our economic growth. That also applies to the insurance business," Lee said.



"In this sense, insurers such as MetLife and Lina are doing very well."
Students pose for selfies at a graduation ceremony at the Seoul-based university in this file photo. Korea Times photo by Shin Sang-soon



By Park Hyong-ki



The population of women with college degrees for the first time surpassed that of women who only graduated high school, Statistics Korea said.



Also, the population of single females increased, while the number of women who registered as the head of their household grew more than five times that of males.



The number of college graduate females aged over 25 reached 6.64 million in 2015, or 36 percent of the total 18.4 million aged above 25.



Those with a high school diploma totaled 6.32 million, or 34 percent of the total, the second-largest demographic.



The total female population increased 3 percent, or 736,000, to 24.89 million in 2015 from 2010.



The number of females who registered as the head of households grew 25.6 percent to 1.15 million in the last five years. This was about 5.3 times that of males who registered as household heads, which increased 4.8 percent to 619,000 in the same period.



"This is because of a growing number of married couples registering wives as the heads of households, in addition to the increasing single female population," a Statistics Korea official said.



Up to 77.3 percent of women aged 25 to 29 were single, up 8.1 percentage points during the five-year span.



The increase in single women reflects the growing number of people delaying marriage and having children, the statistics agency said.



Also, as more women pursue higher education, the average age of marriage is rising. More than half of 9.29 million women aged over 20 said marriage got in the way of their career, followed by 28 percent pointing to having children as an obstacle to career development.



The average age of women getting married was 24.2 in 2015, up 0.2 from 2010. Those who did not have kids accounted for 11.2 percent of the total female population aged over 15, up about 5 percentage points in the same period. The average age of Korean women stood at 41.6, up 2.3 years.
Seal of state / Courtesy of CHA





The Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) registered 29 seals of state, lost during the Japanese occupation (1910-1945), as "stolen cultural heritage," the administration said Tuesday.

The seals of state, including three the Japanese have been confirmed to have stolen, were produced during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).

According to historical recordings, the Japanese took away Korea's seals of state in 1911, six months after annexation. The seals of state are stamps that were used by the king or emperor to symbolize royal power. Six seals were handed over to the Japanese Government-General of Korea, three of which have been returned. The whereabouts of the other three are still unknown.

The remaining stolen pieces that had not been acknowledged officially are still unreturned. The CHA, which had not revealed the artifacts were missing until now, said it decided to make it public to facilitate their return.

Korea currently owns seven seals of state, four of which were designated as national treasures after they were returned in 2000. One was purchased by the government from a Korean-American and three were returned by the U.S. government in 2014.

The CHA also released information on 47 "eobo" which were also stolen. Eobo resemble seals of state but are used for decorating the tombs of kings rather than governance.
Female freedom fighters of the Korea Revolutionary Women's Alliance, a women's independence movement group, are shown in this black and white photograph. The picture was taken on the alliance's foundation, June 17, 1940, in Chongqing, China. / Courtesy of Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs



By Park Jin-hai

Six female freedom fighters who led the Korean independence movement and 37 others will receive the Order of Merit for National Foundation posthumously on Wednesday on the occasion of the March 1 Independence Movement, according to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

The six female activists _ Kim Byeong-in, Oh Geon-hae, Lee Hyeon-gyeong, Kim Soo-hyun, Lee Sook-jin and Yoon Yong-ja _ and other patriotic martyrs and independence fighters will receive the honor for their participation in the 1919 Independence Movement against the Japanese occupation (1910-45).

The six honorees established a women's independence movement body, the Korea Revolutionary Women's Alliance, in June 1940 in Chongqing, China, and led the independence movement from there.

Lee was the wife of Cho Seong-hwan, a member of the Republic of Korea government-in-exile, and Yoon was wife of General Ji Cheong-cheon, commander-in-chief of the Korean Liberation Army.












Yeongin post office worker Cho Man-sik died of atherosclerosis caused by excessive work. He is one of the examples of "kwarosa"  death from overwork. / Courtesy of MBC



By Ko Dong-hwan

Korea Post says average annual working hours for postal workers in 2016 was 2,531 hours, or 48.7 hours a week  8.7 hours more than the national standard.

But Korean Postal Workers' Union chief Kim Myung-hwan questioned the figure's credibility. With help from a Korea Labor Institute survey, he argued that the employees actually worked more than 55.1 hours a week.

"Among 190 Korea Post employees who died in the past five years, 150 were in their 40-50s and over 85 were postal workers. It shows that the service industry's occupational hazards are very severe," Kim said.

Rep. Lee Jung-mi from the minor opposition Justice Party said most of the nine postal workers who died in 2016 frequently worked overtime, more than 12 hours a day.

Choi Seung-mook, chief of Korean Postman Workers' Union (different from the Korean Postal Workers' Union), demanded that postal work service be exempt from the list of occupations the nation selected to legalize extra overtime work because Korea Post "abuses the law to force overtime work."

Death from overwork  "kwarosa" in Korean  has emerged as one of the most debatable issues as examples from a year before to this year have shocked the nation.












By Yi Whan-woo



The United States is taking steps to put North Korea back on its list of state sponsors of terrorism, senior South Korean officials said Tuesday.



The officials, who asked not to be named, said Washington mentioned the idea of adding Pyongyang to its terrorism list again during a joint meeting among top nuclear negotiators of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan in Washington, D.C., Monday.



The U.S. removed North Korea from the blacklist in 2008 when Pyongyang agreed to open its nuclear program to international inspections in line with the then George W. Bush administration's demand.



"This is the first time the U.S. mentioned whether to put North Korea back on the terrorism list during multilateral talks with South Korea and Japan," an official said. "Even after 2008, Washington is believed to have regularly reviewed the possible addition of Pyongyang to the list of states that sponsor terrorism. And it began such a review again following the assassination of Kim Jong-nam."



North Korea has already been restricted from international trade under a series of sanctions adopted by the U.N. Security Council for its nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches.



If it is placed back on the blacklist, Pyongyang is expected to be under tighter scrutiny in line with U.S. laws on arms control, export and import banking, international finance and foreign aid.



Some experts speculate that Washington's possible measure against Pyongyang may not have substantial impact on the reclusive state and rather have "symbolic significance."



"Most of North Korea's trade is with China and therefore Pyongyang is not likely to be hurt even if it is back on the U.S. terrorism list," an analyst said. "It instead will be branded as a problem child of the world."



The U.S. first put North Korea on its terrorism list in 1987 following the bombing of Korean Air Line Flight 858.




By Lee Kyung-min

Another case of bird flu was confirmed in a white-fronted goose, marking the third occurrence in Seoul this year, quarantine authorities said Tuesday.

According to the National Institute of Environmental Research under the Ministry of Environment, the dead goose, found at the April 19th National Cemetery in northern Seoul, was infected with the H5N8 avian influenza virus. The cemetery will be closed until Friday to sterilize the area and disinfect vehicles there to prevent further spread of the virus.

Following the confirmation, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs designated the area within a 10 kilometer radius of the infected site as a "monitoring area" to detect any other infections. Eleven districts in Seoul and five counties in Gyeonggi Province are being monitored.

The ministry imposed a transportation ban on poultry, eggs and livestock excretions.
By Kim Bo-eun

Jongno-gu Office plans to take control of the controversial comfort woman statue in front of the Japanese Embassy in central Seoul. This will block any arbitrary attempts to remove the statue.

The local municipality submitted a revision to related regulations to the district council last year, and the council will vote on the revision in April. The revision will likely be passed, according to Jongno-gu Office.

The statue symbolizing women who were forced into sexual slavery for the Japanese military during World War II has been a subject of heated controversy.

The Japanese government has been pressing for removal of the statue as part of the deal reached on comfort women between the two countries in December 2015.












The Korea Seafarers' Welfare & Employment Center will provide improved interpreter service for migrant sailors working on Korean ships to resolve language problems beteen them and their captains. / Korea Times file



By Ko Dong-hwan

Migrant sailors working on Korean ships can now take advantage of an improved Korean-government provided interpreter service.

The Korea Seafarers' Welfare & Employment Center (KOSWEC) said Tuesday it will provide the service to help settle issues for foreign sailors.

KOSWEC chairman Ryu Joong-bin said the authority "aims to stabilize the employment environment for foreign sailors and empower welfare for them through better communication and partnerships between related departments and agencies."

The service is expected to resolve misunderstandings between sailors and captains due to language problems and help inspectors better examine working conditions.

It will target foreign sailors nationwide to improve their rights as seafarers and migrants.

KOSWEC has been offering an interpreter service in Indonesian, Chinese and Vietnamese.
Will Forrester, left, directs actors on the set of "Eyes Wide Open" last October. / Courtesy of Will Forrester



By John Redmond

French writer, cinematographer and film director Will Forrester has recently completed shooting of his spy thriller "Eyes Wide Open" in Seoul.

The film is the story of a CIA agent posing as a student in Seoul who has to use his skills to stop foreign spies and local gangsters from getting their hands on a supercomputer that can connect to anyone and anything.

Forrester, from Nice, France, originally studied to be a cardiothoracic surgeon and initially came to Korea to continue his medical studies but changed his mind and decided to tell stories on the screen instead.

"I'm fascinated by filmmaking, storytelling and directing. I love creating characters and working with actors to bring them to life," he told The Korea Times.

Stressing the need for authentic characters, Forrester wrote the movie after extensive research.

"I wrote and cleaned up the script in about eight months and it was a lot of fun although very stressful at times," Forrester said.

"I did a lot of research on actual CIA ground operations and tactics and I also did a lot of reading on geopolitical forums and watched many documentaries. All that was done to make sure I created realistic scenarios and characters."

The director spoke of some of the challenges facing filmmakers working in Korea.

"We experienced a lot of difficulties in getting some locations because of their high rates. I've studied Korean for about two years, so communication wasn't too much of a problem. Some crew members weren't used to the work that comes with making a full length feature film but we focused and got the job done," Forrester said.

"Eyes Wide Open" sees Russian, Korean and American characters; each speaking in their respective languages.

We rehearsed for two weeks and went into production from July to October, filming on weekends only. Everyone in the cast and crew did a wonderful job. I was very focused from day 1 on creating realistic performances and I think we did that."

The tentative release date is May 13. Forrester is currently looking for distribution deals.

Visit facebook.com/eyeswideopenfilm for more information.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra performs in Iceland last year. / Courtesy of Unknown Mortal Orchestra



By John Redmond



The American psychedelic R&B band, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, will play at Hanatour V-Hall near Hongik University in Seoul, Sunday, as part of a world tour.

The three piece from Portland, Oregon, fronted by multi-instrumentalist Ruban Nielson will promote its latest release, "Multi-Love."

"Multi-Love adds dimensions to the band's already kaleidoscopic approach, with Nielson exploring a newfound appreciation for synthesizers," the event organizer says on the band's web page.

"It felt good to be rebelling against the typical view of what an artist is today, a curator," says Nielson. "It's more about being someone who makes things happen in concrete ways. Building old synthesizers and bringing them back to life, creating sounds that aren't quite like anyone else's. I think that's much more subversive."

Silica Gel will be supporting Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Tickets cost 70,000 won at the door.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/124256941411439/.
Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo / Yonhap



Counsel to indict Samsung heir Lee



By Kim Bo-eun

The independent counsel team said in its final briefing Tuesday that it will book President Park Geun-hye and her confidant Choi Soon-sil as suspects of receiving bribes, and hand over the case to the prosecution,.

It also said it will indict Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong on charges of bribery and embezzlement in the influence-peddling scandal.

The team's announcement came as the mandate for its 90-day investigation expired Tuesday after acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn refused a request for an extension.

The counsel team indicted Choi on additional charges including hiding criminal proceeds. The team also applied charges of taking kickbacks from a business for letting it take part in an Official Development Aid (ODA) project in Myanmar, and obstructing work at Ewha Womans University for requesting the school to grant her daughter special favors.

The team said it would initiate procedures to freeze Choi's illicitly earned assets, so that authorities can reclaim the money.












The Korean Women's Association United hosted the weekly rally to highlight the Japanese military sexual slavery issue  also known as the comfort women issue  in front of the Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Feb. 1. / Korea Times file



By Ko Dong-hwan

Campaigners will focus on "comfort women" victims on the day that commemorates Korea's 1919 street demonstration that demanded liberation from Japanese colonial rule.

A civic group supporting victims and their families  the Korean Council for Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan  expects an extra 1,000 people to join its weekly anti-Japan rally in front of the Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, on the Independence Movement Day holiday today. The rally is the group's 1,272nd demonstration since January 1992.

"We prepared for the holiday rally just like any other rallies we have been holding," the group's secretary general Yang Noh-ja told Yonhap News Agency.

"The national interest on the comfort women issue and bronze girl statues symbolizing it has earned huge leverage from growing young adults. Many elderly people will also join the movement as the cold winter is fading."












An election official demonstrates how to use a vote counting machine at the National Election Commission in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. The agency said it is speeding up preparations for a presidential election, which could take place in May if the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye this month. /Yonhap
South Korea has decided to raise its voice against North Korea's possession of biochemical weapons in international meetings following the Malaysian police's announcement that a VX nerve agent was used to kill Kim Jong-nam, the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, foreign ministry officials said Saturday.



"The government will bring up the issue of North Korea's biochemical weapons programs when top nuclear envoys from South Korea, the United States and Japan meet in Washington on Monday, as well as during various multilateral talks based in Geneva and other locations," one of the officials said.

Kim Jong-nam, the eldest son of late former leader Kim Jong-il, died on Feb. 13 at an airport in Kuala Lumpur after apparently being poisoned by two Asian women. Malaysian police named eight North Koreans, including a diplomat, as suspects, though Pyongyang denies its involvement.

On Friday, the police announced that Kim Jong-nam was killed with a VX nerve agent. VX is listed as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations and its use is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), to which North Korea is not a signatory.



"The government plans to take a tough stance on the killing of Kim Jong-nam," the other government official said. The third official said, "Things went out of control as the use of a chemical weapon was unveiled... The government is currently on the stage of trying to find the truth behind the case on the one hand and considering many different countermeasures on the other."












Malaysia has requested the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur allow a diplomat and an airline employee to submit to a probe into the death of Kim Jong-nam, the half brother the North's incumbent leader, a source said Monday.



Malaysian police said last week that Hyon Kwang-song, the second secretary at the embassy, and Kim Uk-il, an employee at Air Koryo, the country's flag carrier, are suspected of being involved in the killing of Kim on Feb. 13.



Kim was killed at an airport in Malaysia after two Asian women allegedly wiped VX nerve agent on his face. VX is a deadly compound banned around the world as a chemical weapon.



Malaysia's foreign ministry is believed to have sent an official document requesting the North Korean mission to cooperate in the investigation as Hyon and Kim are wanted for questioning, according to the source.



Both are thought to be inside the embassy, with Hyon having diplomatic immunity.



"Despite Malaysia's request, it is very unlikely that North Korea would cooperate with the inquiry," the source said.



Malaysian police earlier said that eight North Koreans are suspected of being involved in the death of Kim Jong-nam, the first son of late former leader Kim Jong-il.



They arrested one North Korean man while looking for three others, including Hyon and Kim. Four others are believed to have escaped to Pyongyang after fleeing Malaysia on the day of the attack.



North Korea blamed Malaysia for pressing ahead with conducting an "illegal and immoral" autopsy on Kim's body. It claimed that Malaysia colluded with South Korea on the probe.



A diplomatic row is deepening between Malaysia and North Korea as the Southeast Asian country got angry at Pyongyang's "baseless" claim over the collusion. There is growing speculation that Malaysia will cut off its diplomatic ties with Pyongyang.



Pyongyang and Kuala Lumpur have maintained diplomatic ties for more than 40 years and each have an embassy in the other country. Malaysia is one of the few countries that North Koreans can travel without visas. (Yonhap)




The European Union imposed additional sanctions on North Korea on Monday over nuclear and ballistic missile tests carried out in defiance of the U.N. Security Council.

The decision, implementing a November UN resolution, comes with North Korea in the international spotlight after the assassination in Kuala Lumpur airport of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of leader Kim Jong-un.

The European Council, comprising the EU's 28 member states, said the new measures include restrictions on trade in coal, iron and iron ore, plus a ban on imports of copper, nickel, silver and zinc from North Korea.

The sale of new helicopters and vessels to North Korea was banned, while tighter controls were introduced on the transport, finance and property sectors.

Member states will also curb any teaching, training or scientific links which might benefit North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, it added.












By Yi Whan-woo

Korean activists have erected girl statues symbolizing victims of Japan's wartime sex slavery near Japanese missions here, but Japan claims they are not located appropriately.

Tokyo has asked the Korean government to make efforts to move the sculptures to different locations, but there is a general consensus in Korea that Japan should apologize to the victims first "in a sincere manner."

In a sense, the sculptures have become the pride of the nation in Korea, but Japan has been increasing its protests against them, making it more difficult for the two governments to find a solution.

Although there are other statues of a girl across Korea, the one in Busan has emerged as a new bone of contention because it was set up after the two neighbor reached an agreement in December 2015 over Korean sex slaves during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule.

Some government officials, experts and civic activists believe the Korean government should remove this statue set up by advocates for the former sex slaves.

The officials claim the December 2015 agreement should be respected although they acknowledged it was against public sentiment in Korea.





An activist wipes dust off the statue of a girl symbolzing former Korean sex slaves during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule outside the Japanese consulate in Busan on Feb. 4. / Yonhap



Speaking before the National Assembly on Jan. 13, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said "The international community generally views it as not appropriate to place a facility or a sculpture outside diplomatic missions of a certain country."

He was responding to a question related to Japan's recall of Ambassador to Korea Yasumasa Nagamine, Jan. 9, in retaliation for the installment of the statue in Busan.

Japan claims the statue violates the "final and irrevocable" agreement, under which the neighbors agreed to refrain from blaming each other over Tokyo's wartime sex crimes.

Japan has also argued that Korea should remove the "girl statues" outside all of its diplomatic missions, including its embassy in Seoul, in return for its offer of 10 billion yen ($8.7 million) to help surviving victims.

"As a Korean, I fully understand the negative feeling we have about the agreement, but the deal has been made and it should be carried out," said Park Won-gon, an international relations professor at Handong Global University.

He agrees with Tokyo's argument that the statue in Busan breaches the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Article 22 states that a host country should protect the premises of diplomatic missions "against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity."

"Humiliation and insult may be an effective way to raise awareness toward wrongdoings committed by a country, but they also lead to a war if we look at the past," Park said.

"There are many other places where we can erect the statues and continue our campaign against Japan's wartime sex crimes."

He suggested scrapping the December 2015 agreement by returning the 10 billion yen if Korea and Japan continue to narrow their difference over the dispute on the statues.

Lee Myeon-woo, a senior researcher at the Sejong Institute, echoed a similar view.

"I am aware of the criticism toward Japan's unrepentant view over its wartime sex crimes," he said "But at least superficially, it has made reconciliatory steps by offering 10 billion yen.

"Our government should make similar efforts by consulting civic activists who set up the statue in front of the Japanese embassy and consulate. It appears the Seoul government is falling short of making such efforts."

Frederick Carriere, a senior fellow at the Korean Peninsula Affairs Center of the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, suggested "the two parties to the conflict should meet in a confidential setting where they can try to get at the deep roots of the conflict and mutually explore a possible solution."

"Some might say this is what was done last year, and the problem is that it didn't work since the agreement reached has not survived the politics of the bilateral relationship," Carriere wrote in an e-mail.

"My view is that an agreement should initially be worked out between the aggrieved parties and then later endorsed and implemented by the governments. It seems to me that agreement reached last year took the reverse approach and this is a major reason it has not survived politically."

Carriere proposed broadening the search for a solution beyond relations during the colonial period before 1945.

"Instead of the two principal parties pointing a finger of blame at each other, what is needed is a mutual commitment by all the parties to undertake in good faith the most comprehensive, and most sincere, search for the truth that it is humanly possible,"he wrote.

"Further, I think the initial leadership in the process needs to be exercised by private citizens and not the governments."

Some civic activists posted notices near the statue in Busan in what are seen as gestures against its installment.

One notice reads, "The Republic of Korea should forgive Japan." Another reads, "Until when do we have to hate Japan? Let us forgive and reconcile with them first."






North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has claimed Pyongyang is ready to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), but military experts say the test is highly likely to fail as the country's progress in key technologies remains dubious. They say Kim's ICBM threat is an apparent effort to send a message to the new U.S. administration of President Donald Trump. / Graphic by Cho Sang-won



By Jun Ji-hye

North Korea still has a lot of work to do in developing an operational intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), so the test it threatened to do will almost certainly end in failure, according to military experts.

They said the North seems to have made progress in some technologies related to the intermediate- and long-range missile, such as stage separation, clustering of engines and guidance and control systems, but its progress in reentry vehicle capability and engine performance remain dubious.

The analysis came as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un claimed, in his New Year's Day address, that Pyongyang has entered the final stage of preparations to test-fire an ICBM, in an apparent threat that the North is close to making a nuclear-tipped missile capable of striking targets on the U.S. mainland.

Pyongyang has never flight-tested road-mobile KN-08 or KN-14 ICBMs.

On Jan. 19, the reclusive state reportedly has built two missiles, presumed to be the new ICBMs, and placed them on transport erector launchers (TELs) for the North's first test-firing of ICBMs.

However, Leon Sigal, director of the Northeast Asia Cooperative Security Project at the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) in New York, downplayed the young leader's claim, saying "in the final stages of preparation" may mean the state is not quite ready yet.

"There is no sign yet that it has perfected a reentry vehicle robust enough to resist the heat and pressure of penetrating the atmosphere," he said.

Securing missile reentry technology is the toughest challenge in developing operational middle- and long-range ballistic missiles. As missiles reenter the Earth's atmosphere at Mach 24, the warhead needs to be capable of withstanding temperatures of around 7,000 to 8,000 degrees Celsius.

In March last year, after its simulation test, the reclusive state claimed that it has secured the heat-resistant capability of the long-range missiles. But a South Korean military expert said, asking not to be named, the test environment was far different from that in real ICBM test-firing, given that the test temperature was only about 1,500 degrees Celsius.

"I don't assess that the North has secured reentry vehicle technology," he said.

Terence Roehrig, a professor at the U.S. Naval War College, said it was difficult to know for sure how reliable Kim's claim was, albeit it could be a reliable claim for a future test. But he noted that being willing and able to conduct a test does not mean the test will be successful.

"The record would suggest that an ICBM test will likely have problems," he said. "Though North Korea has improved its missile capabilities through its satellite launches, these have had difficulties."

Referring to last year's tests of the Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBM), he said, "The tests had numerous failures before one that showed some degree of success and the likely ICBMs to be tested, the KN-08 or KN-14 have yet to be flight-tested so that the likelihood of failure in the short-term seems high."

Pyongyang fired a total of eight Musudan missiles between April and October last year, with only one flying some 400 kilometers. Most of the other missiles exploded right after takeoff.

According to military officials in Seoul, the North's ICBM uses engines in the same series as those of the Musudan. They said the fact the only one of the eight tests was successful showed that the North has failed to correct faults in the missile's engines. Engine performance is essential in boosting the missiles, they added.

"Each time North Korea tests, they learn from the attempt and their program continues to move forward," Professor Roehrig said. "But there remain some important question marks for making the entire system operational. North Korea still has a good deal of work to do in developing an ICBM capability, but they are making progress and they will continue trying."

Taking into consideration the North's dubious ICBM capability, military authorities here see the greater possibility for Pyongyang to launch the Musudan instead of the ICBM if it does decide to conduct any provocations in the near future. They said any launch will probably be aimed at mastering know-how linked to the Musudan, including the stability of its engine, as part of efforts to advance its ICBM capability.

"We are closely monitoring any new military activities in North Korea, as it could launch an IRBM at any time if leader Kim Jong-un gives the order," a military official said, asking not to be named.

During a phone call with U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford last week, Seoul's JCS Chairman Gen. Lee Sun-jin cited the North Korean leader's birthday on Feb. 16, Seoul-Washington's joint Key Resolve exercise in March and the North's late founder Kim Il-sung's birthday on April 15 as possible days for the North's provocations.

Message to Trump

The Ministry of National Defense interpreted Kim's ICBM threat as part of the North's efforts to send a message to the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who was inaugurated on Jan. 20.

Referring to the two suspected new ICBMs reported a day before his inauguration, officials raised the possibility that the North intentionally revealed the existence of the new missiles to send a strategic message to the new U.S. administration, which has hinted at carrying out a hard-line policy against the North.

U.S. experts agreed with this view.

"Kim's announcement could have been an effort to see how the Trump administration would respond," Professor Roehrig said.

According to Sigal, it is noteworthy that in the past, after each United Nations Security Council sanctions resolution was passed, the North responded with test-launches and nuclear tests, but it did not do so this time.

"This could be a sign that it is waiting to see whether President Trump meant what he said during his campaign about wanting to negotiate with Pyongyang, as well as the regime change in Seoul," he said. "The statements by Kim Jong-un and the foreign ministry are a reminder of what is at stake if there are no talks."
Lt. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal, commanding general of the Eighth U.S. Army, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at Yongsan Garrison, central Seoul, Feb. 22. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



8th US Army commander calls for readiness



By Jun Ji-hye

North Korea's next "logical" step may be the test-fire of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), considering its young leader's focus on the technological development of ballistic missiles, the commanding general of the Eighth U.S. Army said.

During an interview with The Korea Times, Feb. 22, Lt. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal, who took command of the Eighth Army on Feb. 2 last year, said, "Certainly, what we have seen has been Kim Jong-un's focus on development of his capabilities of ballistic missiles."

He cited the North's two nuclear tests and 22 launches of ballistic missiles such as the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) and the Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) last year.

The North's ICBM, believed to have a range of more than 10,000 kilometers, could strike targets on the U.S. mainland in theory, but has not been tested yet.

"As you look at the acceleration of Kim's emphasis on ballistic missile technology as well as its weapons of mass destruction, the year 2016 clearly has been the year of dramatic changes with regard to North Korean threats," he said.

The commander said the latest provocation on Feb. 12, in which the North fired a new IRBM, was yet another step of Kim's emphasis on technological development.

During the launch, Pyongyang successfully fired its new missile propelled by a solid-fuel engine using a caterpillar-tracked, self-propelled missile-launching vehicle. Using such a system enables a country to prepare missile launches in greater secrecy, making it much more difficult to detect, trace and intercept them, according to military experts.

"As Kim has developed the capability, we think the next logical step that he may pursue will be that (ICBM) launch so we have to be prepared for that contingency," he said.

Lt. Gen. Vandal noted that the armed forces of the U.S. and South Korea have been preparing in a variety of different ways  from ballistic missile defense to keeping an eye on how thing are being developed in North Korea.

"As we look at that, there has to be a corresponding increase in our readiness across the United States Forces Korea (USFK) and across the U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Command," he said, giving an example of the implementation of rotational brigades that he describes are in the "much higher level of readiness."

He also cited that the U.S. Army has added in multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) battalions as well as Apache helicopter battalions.

The USFK recently replaced the 30 OH-58D Kiowa Warrior observation and light attack choppers that were stationed on the Korean Peninsula with the 24 AH-64D Apache heavy attack helicopters to better counter growing threats from North Korea.

As part of efforts to enhance the ballistic missile defense capability, the commander made it clear that a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery will be deployed on South Korean soil "sometime in this year."

South Korea and the United States announced their decision to deploy the battery last July, but concerns over possible delays or a reversal of the decision have been raised especially after President Park Geun-hye was impeached by the National Assembly in December for a corruption and influence-peddling scandal.

USFK Commander Gen. Vincent K. Brooks said last November that the anti-missile system will be brought over in the next eight to 10 months.

Regarding this, the Eighth Army commander said, "The initial assessment that Gen. Brooks conveyed is still accurate," adding that the timetable may change based upon the final agreement between the U.S. and South Korean governments.

On the upcoming Key Resolve and Foal Eagle annual joint military exercises beginning next month, Vandal said the U.S. armed forces will bring together a variety of different units  marines, army, naval and air forces.

"All of them collectively participate, some here in the peninsula and some remotely," he said, noting that the exercises are to "ensure our readiness for whatever provocations and whatever aggression may occur."

Earlier this month, Defense Minister Han Min-koo and his U.S. counterpart James Mattis agreed, during their talks in Seoul, on the need to carry out the strengthened annual exercises this year amid evolving nuclear and missile threats from the North.

Based on this agreement, this year's drills are expected to be conducted on the largest-ever scale, according to Seoul's ministry officials. Some of the U.S. strategic assets are also expected to be sent in a show of force against Pyongyang's potential provocations, officials added.

Last year, 310,000 troops from South Korea and 17,000 from the United States participated in the exercises.

Commenting on a massive $10.8 billion project to relocate the USFK, the commander said the construction project at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, is "the largest construction project in the U.S. Army over the last 15 years."

The project has proceeded based on the two major relocation plans previously signed by Seoul and Washington  the Yongsan Relocation Plan (YRP) and the Land Partnership Plan (LPP).

The YRP is to vacate Yongsan Garrison, relocating most facilities and forces including the USFK and the Eighth Army headquarters to Camp Humphreys, while the LPP will redeploy the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID), now stationed north of Seoul, also to Pyeongtaek.

"In fact, the Eighth Army, our headquarters, have already started to move this summer," Vandal said, noting that majority of units will be moved by 2018 but some units won't, based on the conditions.

"You have to keep in mind there are two aspects to that," he said. "One is the buildings, the actual infrastructure, and the second part is all of the command, control communication and computers. All of that have to be installed."

He also said the 210 Fire Brigade, the U.S. Army's key anti-artillery unit stationed in Camp Casey, north of Seoul, would remain there until the conditions are met.

"That would be sometime we project after 2020," he said.

The conditions for this include the completion of South's artillery reinforcement plan, according to Seoul officials.

Regarding the Korean Augmentation Troops to the United States Army (KATUSA), the commander said, "Young men from the Republic of Korea that serve as our KATUSAs are absolutely some of the best men I have ever worked with. They are well-educated and highly motivated. They are an integral part of the Eight Army."

KATUSA is a unique military program initiated during the Korean War, under which Seoul provides the U.S. military with soldiers who speak both English and Korean, allowing for greater functionality and maneuverability of U.S. forces throughout the Korean Peninsula.

He added he would like to see them helping U.S. soldiers learn the Korean language and culture better rather than always trying to speak English.
Asking business leaders for money to fund the Mir and K-Sports foundations set up and controlled by Choi, was to boost hallyu or the Korean wave, with the aim of raising the country's profile on the global stage, the attorneys said.

"Raising funds for the foundations was a perfectly legitimate part of conducting state affairs, and no extortion whatsoever was in play in the process. Choi's alleged involvement was a regrettable act of corruption from Park's closest inner circle, to which she was not privy," said Kim Pyung-woo, one of the attorneys.

Kim reiterated his earlier stance that he would not accept any decision by the court in an apparent attempt to preemptively reject a ruling against the President.

The lawyers also claimed that a ruling made by eight justices instead of nine was unconstitutional and therefore would hold no legal force.

"The retired former court President Park Han-chul was a President Park Geun-hye appointee," said Jeong Ki-seung, one of the attorneys. "With him gone, the ruling is destined to be unfavorable to the President. This is against the Constitution that guarantees a fair trial."



Eight Constitutional Court judges hear arguments from both National Assembly prosecutorial panel and President Park Geun-hye's defense attorneys at the final hearing of her impeachment trial, at the Constitutional Court in Jongno, downtown Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap



Justice for the people

In response, the National Assembly prosecutorial panel demanded that the court uphold the impeachment to bring justice as wished by the people.

It called for the immediate removal of the scandal-ridden leader.

"Considering that Park no longer has any basis for the power bestowed upon her  the public trust  her retaining the presidential office is meaningless as it further confuses and divides the country," said Kwon Seong-dong of the new conservative Bareun Party, leading the panel.

The impeachment charges, he said, were the result of a series of acts of malfeasance after Park failed to perform her duty as a president faithfully.

"The President's violations of both the Constitution and other criminal laws have been established through the corroboration of evidence that underwent strict verification," Kwon said.

The panel said Park abused her power by allowing her longtime friend Choi  a "nobody"  to meddle in every aspect of decision making for the country.

"The Constitution clearly states that the Republic of Korea is governed by the people and power comes from the people. By allowing or overlooking Choi's activities, Park fundamentally betrayed the public trust in her as a democratically elected leader," Kwon said.

"The top priority of Park should have been the protection of the public interest. But she abjectly failed by mobilizing not only administrative capabilities, but Cheong Wa Dae's influence in helping Choi pursue her own benefit to the fullest extent possible," he said.

The court will take up to 14 days in deliberations and likely rule on either March 10 or 13, the day of the retirement of acting court President Lee Jung-mi.
A move to close down the nation's largest dog meat market is underway.

Moran Market in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, began disposing of dog cages and slaughtering facilities, Monday.

The move follows an agreement signed between Seongnam City and the dog meat vendors' association in December.

Among the 22 meat dealers, 15 have agreed to close their shops.

The city government will assist the vendors in seeking new businesses and refurbish their shops by May.

The market has been the target of criticism from animal rights activists as well as residents in the area who complained of the noise and odor coming from the slaughter.

Because the law on hygiene management of livestock does not include dogs in its definition of livestock, there were no legal grounds for authorities to regulate the dog meat market.

There are hopes that the move will help Moran Market and the area shed its tainted image.

The market sells 80,000 dogs a year, which is a third of the total dog meat consumption here.
Police buses kept pro-President Park and anti-Park protesters apart in central Seoul on Saturday, with people at Gwanghwamun Square (top) demanding the Constitutional Court back Park's impeachment and those at bottom opposing it. / Yonhap



By Ko Dong-hwan

On the fourth anniversary of Korean President Park Geun-hye's administration, there were two large rallies in Seoul, one calling for Park's impeachment over a corruption scandal and the other against it.

Park's supporters waved the Korean national flags, demanding that Park must not be impeached. They demanded that the Constitutional Court, which is deciding whether to impeach Park, reject Park's impeachment, saying the court is trying to deliver the ruling before acting Chief Justice Lee Jung-mi leaves.

A rally participant was cited by Yonhap News Agency saying, "I am worried about the court's plan to end the hearings on Feb. 27 and deliver the ruling before Lee's departure."

Park's supporters said 3 million participated in the rally as of 2:45 p.m.












Police stand guard in front of the Constitutional Court in central Seoul, Sunday, ahead of the final hearing for the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye the next day. / Yonhap



Two sides to clash at last impeachment session

By Jung Min-ho

The Constitutional Court will hold a final hearing for President Park Geun-hye's impeachment trial at 2 p.m. Monday, heightening tensions in and out of the courthouse.

According to the court, Sunday, the President will not attend the hearing, foregoing the last opportunity to defend herself in front of eight justices.

Park's lawyers did not give specific reasons for the decision but said they will instead submit her statement to the court.

Now, representatives of Park and the National Assembly are digging in to clash head-to-head at the final hearing.

Park's lawyers fiercely oppose the court's plan to decide her fate before March 13, the retirement date for acting court president Lee Jung-mi. Given this, the trial may take a drastic turn before its end. They will likely repeat their claims that the trial is flawed from the beginning so it has to start all over again.

Kim Pyung-woo, a lawyer for Park, has insisted the impeachment motion shouldn't have passed in the first place because lawmakers did not vote for each of the 13 reasons for impeachment separately.

At the final hearing, Park's attorneys are expected to argue that the motion lacked specific information about the President's alleged crimes and the duties she is accused of failing to perform.

Son Bum-kyu, another lawyer for Park, has claimed that a decision made by eight out of the nine-member bench is subject to retrial, saying the court should suspend all proceedings until it fills the vacancy.

Representatives of the National Assembly have also been busy preparing for the final hearing. They held a meeting to draw up a final statement, which will be read by Rep. Kweon Seong-dong of the minor conservative Bareun Party.

The representatives are also making contingency plans for various scenarios.

The sign shows the final hearing schedule for President Park Geun-hye's impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in central Seoul, Sunday. / Yonhap

The court usually makes a verdict two weeks after a final hearing and reveals the date a few days beforehand.

The court reaffirmed Friday that it will proceed with the final hearing Monday as it announced previously, despite plans to appoint a new chief justice, expressing its strong will to close the case before March 13.

To prevent any possible clash outside the court between anti-Park protesters and the supporters of the President, police have beefed up security and assigned officers to guard the eight justices.

Across the country, more than 1 million people also turned the streets into political battlefields Saturday to support or protest the President's impeachment.

Impeachment supporters urged the court to quickly remove her from the presidential office permanently and called on acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn to approve the extension of the mandate for the special investigation of the massive influence-peddling scandal involving her confidant Choi Soon-sil.

Just 100 meters from the anti-Park protest, her staunch supporters took to the streets as well to oppose her impeachment and celebrate the fourth anniversary of her inauguration.

According to anti-Park protest organizers, over 1 million people participated in the rally.

People from both sides will fill the streets again on Wednesday, March 1, the country's Independence Movement Day.
Three opposition parties push to impeach Hwang



By Kim Rahn

Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn refused Monday to extend the mandate of the independent counsel's investigation into the corruption scandal involving impeached President Park Geun-hye.

Three opposition parties will now push for an impeachment vote against Hwang.

Hwang's rejection came 11 days after the team asked the acting president to exercise his authority to extend the 70-day mandate by a month, saying the team needed more time to complete the investigation. However, the team's probe will expire today as scheduled.

"The counsel team has already indicted many figures involved in the scandal or has collected enough evidence to indict some who remain, so it has achieved its goal," the prime minister said in a statement.

He said the prosecution would take over pending cases as stated in the special law on the investigation.

"If the prosecution's future investigation is unsatisfactory and requires an independent probe system, the political sector may be able to seek a second independent counsel," Hwang said.

The acting president noted that pro- and anti-impeachment rallies have been held in downtown Seoul every weekend for four months. He said the investigation, if extended, might influence the presidential election, which may be held in the first half of the year.

"I concluded that for the state's stability, it is proper not to extend the counsel's mandate but to let the prosecution take over the investigation," he said.

Hwang had widely been expected to refuse to extend the probe out of loyalty to the President who appointed him.












Choung Byoung-gug, third from left, head of the Bareun Party, speaks after a meeting with heads and floor leaders of other opposition parties at the National Assembly in Seoul to request Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun convene a direct vote on a bill to extend the special investigation into the presidential corruption scandal, Tuesday. The participants of the meeting are, from left, Bareun Party floor leader Joo Ho-young, People's Party floor leader Joo Seung-yong, Choung, People's Party Chairman Park Jie-won, Democratic Party of Korea Chairwoman Choo Mi-ae and Justice Party Chairwoman Sim Sang-jung. / Yonhap



By Kim Rahn

National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun rejected the opposition parties' request Tuesday to exercise his authority to call a vote on extending the independent counsel's investigation into the presidential corruption scandal.

Earlier in the day, floor leaders of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), the People's Party, Bareun Party and Justice Party asked for Chung to allow a direct vote on a bill to extend the probe during a plenary session slated for Thursday.

Their request came a day after acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn refused to extend the counsel's investigation into the scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her confidant Choi Soon-sil.

But Chung said he was against the direct vote.

"Chung said the direct vote on the bill could cause further confusion (in politics)," Lee Yong-ho, a People's Party spokesman, said.

The speaker also questioned whether the bill fulfilled the requirements for a direct vote. According to law, such a vote is only allowed when all party leaders and the speaker agree or when there is a state of emergency such as a war or natural disaster.












By Do Je-hae

The global craze for a lifestyle concept called "hygge" has arrived in Korea.

Hygge, which means coziness, is an entire attitude to life that puts emphasis on living well by pursuing everyday happiness. It originates from Denmark, which is often voted as one of the happiest countries in the world.

The concept has become such a huge sensation that Collins English Dictionary selected hygge as one of the words of 2016 along with Brexit and Trumpism, and has been praised as Denmark's biggest export since LEGO. Collins describes the word as "a concept of creating cozy and convivial atmospheres that promote well-being."

I was led to the world of hygge (pronounced HOO-gah) by a friend while on a plane flight last year. Aside from flipping through duty-free shopping guides, I normally don't like to read while flying. My friend brought the Korean translation of "The Little Book Hygge: the Danish Secrets to Happy Living," by best-selling author and CEO of the Happiness Research Institute, Meik Wiking. I was first drawn to the book because it had some lovely photos that looked like they came out of the pages of interior design magazines I love so much, such as House Beautiful.

Although hygge had been trending in other countries for some time, I had not heard of it until the unexpected encounter with this book, which has been widely introduced in the Korean news media over the past few months.

According to Wiking, hygge can be defined by words like togetherness, relaxation, indulgence and comfort. "I think it's because a lot of people in different countries are having the experience of growing richer but not necessarily happier," Wiking said in media interview on the reason for hygge's sweeping popularity.

Since my first column for The Korea Times is being published shortly after the start of the lunar New Year, I thought it would be useful to talk about something Koreans desperately need, which is happiness.

The topic of happiness is timely because Koreans are undergoing very difficult times, as shown by the term "hell Joseon" which sums up the unhappiness of Koreans across generations. Soaring taxes and stagnant incomes have fueled anger among many workers. The younger generation, disenchanted by the rising social injustice, wealth gap and dysfunctional education system, is increasingly losing hope in their country. We also have one of the highest poverty rates among the elderly.

These factors explain why Korea regularly ends up at the bottom of the happiness index among OECD countries and has one of the highest suicide rates. The nation has ranked low on global indexes measuring work and life balance. Koreans, who live in a highly competitive and stressful society, need to learn lessons from Denmark, which was ranked at the top of a happiness index by the U.N. last year. Denmark was also among the leading countries in an index measuring quality of life among OECD countries.

Here are some suggestions for hygge. .

- We instead of I: do something with others rather than alone, like having a family dinner.

- Lots of candles: Wiking's book says "no candles, no hygge." Candles are essential to creating a hygge-style living room or any other space you spend a lot of time in. They instantly create a soothing atmosphere.

- Reduce late hours at the office: be productive and finish work on time so that you can spend more time with loved ones.

- Exercise: Danish people love to cycle. Set aside time for physical exercise and enjoy fresh air.

- Spend time in the kitchen: making a pot of healthy porridge or baking your favorite pastry can give you a sense of fulfillment. The book had photos of some very simple yet healthy recipes, such as a fish dish and tomato salad placed beautifully on a blue and white plate.

- Indulge yourself: a piece of cake will make your coffee or tea time more enjoyable.

- Try to be thankful every day.

As a way to unwind, I have been trying to bring hygge into my life. One of the first things I did was to stock up on candles of all sizes, some warm blankets and several kinds of tea. I have always loved candles, but since I learned that it is central to hygge, I have grown more attached to them. It has become a ritual for me to warm up my living room with tea light candles and make a pot of earl grey or vanilla tea when I get home from work.

I hope this brief introduction to hygge will help our readers find more peace of mind and balance in their daily lives for a happy year.
By Jack Burton





North Korea's launch of the Pukguksong-2 ballistic missile is another example of the steady advancement that Pyongyang has made in developing its nuclear and missile arsenal. But it also raises the question of how Pyongyang has been able to master such technology.

Pyongyang's propaganda proclaimed the test of the intermediate range missile as an example of "a new strategic weapon of our own style," implying that North Korean technicians had developed the missile from scratch. But most analysts believe that North Korea has always received help from other countries in developing its nuclear and missile program since the 1980s.

The four main enablers of the North's quest for weapons of mass destruction have been Russia, China, Iran and Pakistan.

Western analysts are now debating who might have helped in developing Pukguksong-2. The missile does represent significant technical progress for North Korea. It is a solid fuel missile, similar to the submarine-launched one, the Pukguksong-1, that Pyongyang tested last year. Solid-fueled missiles allow for greater mobility and quicker launches than liquid-fueled missiles that make them easier to hide, but their technology is also more difficult to master.

What has surprised analysts is the rapid pace that North Korea has shown in developing a solid-fueled missile after years spent testing liquid-fueled ones. That has increased suspicions that North Korea has received outside help.

Some analysts believe that both Pukguksong missiles bear a resemblance to China's submarine-launched JL-1 submarine-launched missile and land-based DF-21 version. North Korea has already used related Chinese-made mobile missile systems, including transporter-erector-launcher(TEL) vehicles, although apparently the TEL used in the Pukguksong-2 launch was of its own design.

But instead of acquiring the Pukguksong technology directly from China, North Korea could have also gotten it from Pakistan, which has developed its own arsenal of mobile, solid-fuel medium-range missiles with the help of China.

Pakistan, of course, has been implicated before in the North's nuclear program. Pyongyang is believed to have obtained centrifuge technology in the 1990s from the smuggling network of A.Q. Khan, the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb, to construct a large uranium enrichment facility for its nuclear program.

The fingerprints of foreign assistance have been evident throughout North Korea's missile development over the last 40 years. In the 1970s, China offered to transfer technology to Pyongyang to produce liquid-fueled tactical missiles and trained North Korean scientists in the design and production of missile airframes and engines.

A decade later, North Korea was collaborating with Egypt in reverse engineering the Soviet Scud-B missile, whose technology dated from the 1950s. Iran was also said to have become involved in this process as well. This led to the North Korea's deployment of the mobile, short-ranged Hwasong-5 missile.

Scud technology, including some possibly obtained from China, led to the development of the larger and longer-range mobile Nodong missile by 1990s. North Korea then sold the missiles to Iran, Pakistan and Syria as part of an exchange of technologies and test data.

There are suggestions that North Korea acquired obsolete missile production lines from Russia following the collapse of the Soviet Union. This would have enabled it to begin developing multi-stage rockets, such as Taepodong missile, that represent a serious technical challenge to overcome.

When North Korea launched the Unha-2 rocket in 2009 in an unsuccessful attempt to place a satellite in orbit, analysts noticed that the third stage appear to match that of the last stage of Iran's Safir satellite launcher, which has been successfully tested by Tehran several months earlier.Analysts also believed that the second stage of the Unha-2 may have been based on a 1960s-era Soviet submarine-launched ballistic missile, increasing speculation that Pyongyang had acquired outdated production lines from Russia.

Given the history of the North Korean missile program and its apparent heavy reliance on foreign technology, it is clear that the most obvious way to stop Pyongyang's missile development would be to curb outside assistance instead of relying on economic sanctions alone.

In theory, international mechanisms, such as 35-nation Missile Technology Control Regime, are already in place to prevent the proliferation of missile technology. But among North Korea's four main missile "enablers," only Russia is a member of this organization.

It would appear then that the U.S. and the rest of the international community should apply increased pressure on China, Iran and Pakistan to stop supplying missile technology to North Korea instead of just focusing on punishing Pyongyang.

But the success of such effort will be difficult. Much of the equipment involved in missile production isconsidered "dual use" for civilian purposes as well and thus hard to regulate in terms of trade. This will continue to give North Korea many opportunities to acquire the needed technology and production hardware from complacent governments or rogue scientists and engineers.





John Burton, a former Korea correspondent for the Financial Times, is now a Washington,. D.C.-based journalist and consultant. He can be reached at johnburtonft@yahoo.com.
There was no light saber, and Steve Bannon's voice wasn't a James Earl Jones bass, but those attending the Conservative Political Action Conference outside Washington last week could be forgiven if they mistook President Trump's chief strategist for Darth Vader.



Bannon, a right-wing nationalist and former executive with Breitbart News, gave the hard-core conservatives who typically attend CPAC meetings not just a peek behind the curtain of the Trump agenda. He pulled it all the way back, and his words will again stir the Trump base but likely disturb mainstream conservatives, particularly in Congress, where leaders are getting nervous watching Trump's approval ratings drop and fearing theirs will do likewise.



Bannon hit all his (and Trump's) favorite targets: He called the media "the opposition party," and reckoned this of the president's political foes: "If you think they are giving you your country back without a fight, you are sadly mistaken." In other words, Donald Trump has retrieved the country for conservatives to control.



And Bannon revealed all, about the reasons behind the president's curious Cabinet choices. The plan, he said, was "deconstruction of the administrative state," which he and Trump apparently believes robs people of their independence and hurts economic growth.



So that's why Trump nominated a labor secretary who wants to replace workers at his fast-food restaurants with robots, an energy secretary who once advocated abolishing the department and an education secretary who doesn't care much for public schools.



Now we've got it.



If Bannon didn't have the ear of a president without political experience, and without much history of political positions, his presence in the White House might be viewed as a sort of off-the-wall amusement. But there's nothing funny about a hard-right ideologue with no tolerance for other viewpoints sitting in the Oval Office every day telling a president naive in the ways of government how to take the government apart.



However, the Republican leaders of Congress don't like being ordered around by a presidential coat-holder, and they'll recognize that Bannon's extremism will do the president and them no favors as Trump's term proceeds.



But how much damage will be done before Trump and Bannon part ways?





This editorial appeared in the News & Observer and was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.




Politicians must act responsibly in national crisis



President Park Geun-hye didn't attend Monday's final hearing of her impeachment case. In a statement read out by one of her attorneys at the Constitutional Court, Park apologized for causing great pain to the people and hampering state affairs ''because of my fault.''



But she denied all charges against her over the swirling corruption scandal involving her longtime confidant Choi Soon-sil. ''I have a belated regret that I should have been more cautious with my trust in her,'' the disgraced leader said. She lamented the miserable reality in which all her policies and actions had become objects of ''misunderstanding and suspicion.''



But even at the final hearing, Park failed to answer key questions related to her impeachment trial. For example, why did the President allow Choi, who had no official title, to control two nonprofit foundations established with money extracted from conglomerates? It also defies understanding how a businessman recommended by Choi became the country's ambassador to Myanmar.



Rep. Kwon Seong-dong of the Bareun Party, who led the National Assembly's impeachment committee, asked the top court to remove the nation's first female head of state from office. ''The President's violations of the Constitution and law have been established through the corroboration of evidence that underwent strict verification,'' Kwon said. ''We urge the Constitutional Court to strictly hold Park accountable so the public can no longer feel ashamed of the Republic of Korea.''



Monday's closing hearing put an end to the 81-day courtroom battle between Park and the National Assembly. What remains is the court's ruling that will likely come before March 13, the retirement date of acting Chief Justice Lee Jung-mi.



The Constitutional Court should make a wise judgment only based on law and principles, and our society must use the ruling as an occasion to make a new leap forward by putting a full stop to the social unrest triggered by Park's impeachment.



The problem is that there could inevitably be an angry backlash after the ruling. There is a saying these days that a ''civil war'' could occur if the impeachment is accepted, whereas there would be a ''revolution'' if the opposite is the case.



The basis of democracy is the rule of law. There can be pros and cons on any issue under the constitutional freedom of expression. But it directly challenges our constitutionalism if anyone dares not accept the Constitutional Court's decision, even though it is different from what he or she wants.



This is why politicians should show a strong sense of responsibility in times of national crisis so the nation can regain calm quickly after the landmark ruling. In the run-up to the looming presidential election, presidential hopefuls must hammer out an agreement to unconditionally respect whatever the Constitutional Court decides.




By Choi Sung-jin





Koreans cannot help but think about Japan at least twice a year  on March 1 and August 15. And which of the two national holidays a person believes, more importantly, tells much about his or her historical and ideological inclinations.

Ninety-eight years ago today, 2 million Koreans rose against the Japanese colonial rulers declaring and demanding the country's independence. Imperial Japan ruthlessly suppressed the peaceful, nonviolent popular revolt, which, however, led to the spread of independence fights, here and abroad, under the leadership of the government-in-exile in China.

The Constitution makes it clear the Republic of Korea inherits the spirit of the March 1 Independence Movement and the provisional government determines the origin of this modern republic in the two historic events.

Therefore the so-called New Rightists who allege the ROK was born on Aug. 15, 1948, are denying the heroic struggles and self-sacrifices of many independence fighters while whitewashing the shameful acts of treachery committed by pro-Japanese collaborators, including former President Park Chung-hee. The late Park, the father of President Park Geun-hye whose power was suspended by the National Assembly, ruled South Korea for 18 years with an iron fist.

Korea has yet to clear away all the remnants of Japanese colonialism, as seen by the resurgence of historical revisionists.

But the purge of pro-Japanese conservatives should not necessarily be the first task facing Korea today. Revisiting the past will tear the nation to pieces beyond repair, and Koreans have far more urgent things to tackle  ensuring national security amid the increasingly uncertain global political climate and stabilizing people's livelihood in this era of breakneck technological progress and resurgent trade protectionism. Now is the time to move forward, not backward.

The spirit of "reconciliation and healing" can hardly be applied to perpetrators of historical crimes, however, mainly because they remain unrepentant.

Nothing shows this better than the ongoing diplomatic rows between Korea and Japan over Tokyo's brazen demand to remove what it dubs as "comfort women statues," which commemorate Korean girls and women forced to work as sexual slaves for Japanese soldiers during World War II.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his government cite the December 2015 agreement between the two governments. It called for Tokyo to issue an apology in the name of its premier, acknowledge the state's involvement in recruiting the sex slaves and then pay 10 billion yen ($8.3 million) from the government's budget as compensation. Under these conditions, Park's diplomatic team agreed to bury the issue "finally and irreversibly."

Even before the ink was dry, however, Tokyo reiterated no historical records backed up Imperial Japan's involvement in the forced recruitment and the money was intended for humanitarian purposes, not compensation. Abe, who had his foreign minister read the apology on behalf of him, made it clear he had "not an iota of intention" to make a personal apology. Just a day after the agreement, Abe's defense minister paid tribute to the Yasukuni Shrine where Japan's fallen soldiers, including 14 Class-A war criminals, are memorialized, as if to demonstrate his government's resolve not to care a chip for the momentary and expedient diplomatic concession.

Ordinary Koreans are still wondering what drove Seoul to such an idiotic accord, which seemed to include a hidden consent for removing the statue from its current site facing the Japanese embassy. Two things seem all but certain, though: Park, who bet all on resolving the issue, was trapped by a self-set deadline. And the United States, bent on forming a trilateral front with its two Northeast Asian allies against a resurgent China, could have twisted Seoul's arms to swallow Tokyo's solution.

Now Japan has disappeared from the stage of the comfort women controversy, leaving Korea mired in conflicts between the pros and cons of the accord. Yun Byung-se, Korea's top diplomat, is parroting Japanese officials' claim that the statue hinders the "well-being and dignity" of foreign diplomatic missions, earning the nickname of the "Japanese foreign minister." But the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations restricts such cases to radical demonstrations in front of foreign diplomatic missions. If Japanese officials feel similar threats from a small, silent girl's statue, it must be because their conscience was stung by it.

One can see how Japan is not fit to hold a candle to Germany, which has set up a Holocaust Memorial along with a $6-billion fund for its victims.

Korea's next president should repeal  or at least supplement  the agreement. As Donald Trump has shown, international accords are for revision. In international relations, only countries that can put forth their positions fairly and squarely deserve due respect from others.

North Korea, of course, poses a common threat but the world must solve the problem peacefully, not militarily.

Koreans and Japanese may be much alike in appearance, but the old adversaries are too different in racial characteristics to reconcile with each other. Koreans are simple, emotional and straightforward while Japanese are more subtle, cool-headed and secretive.

Nor should Koreans expect the U.S. to raise their hand in their rivalry with Japan. Washington has always stood on the side of Tokyo since as early as the late 19th century when it effectively permitted Japan's colonization of Korea.

In the not so distant future, Koreans might have to think of the French intellectual Jacques Attali's imaginary scenario, which supposes all non-Anglo-Saxon forces in the world unite to face an alliance led by America, Britain -- and Japan.





Choi Sung-jin is a contributing writer to The Korea Times. Contact him at choisj1955@naver.com.
By Bernard Rowan





Finally, the United States and China should act like allies. There's nothing in the end that's not in the beginning, or so goes an old view of logic and truth. Why?

North Korean politics continues its weird ways. Recently, North Korea has tested another missile and, so it seems, orchestrated killing the leading international "rival" of its leader, creating continuing international news and intrigue. The planned Key Resolve and Foal Eagle military exercises have already stirred Pyongyang's endless on-edginess.

Despite the political turmoil in South Korea about the failed Park presidency and what comes next, relative security remains. Despite a new president in the United States, who had offered to meet Kim Jong-un, but now petulantly denies the proposed dalliance because of the missile launch, relative security remains. I mean there's no final security with two conventional (and nuclear?) forces arrayed across the DMZ. When did we last know such peace?

All that China has been willing to apply in this constant morass is to stop prospective and recent import orders of North Korean coal. I don't think that's much more than a slap on the wrist. It's seemingly tailored to appease Trumpian pressures for China to display more burden-sharing over the naughty North. Why do the Chinese resort to symbolic politics?

Why does Kim Jong-un trade in melodramas of futility? I wonder how hard it would've been to order, allow or see one's brother killed. I don't suppose they knew each other well, from what I've read. They didn't grow up together, and Kim Jong-nam was a critic of his country and government. But still, they were family. Of course, Kim Jong-un hasn't shown much aversion to killing relatives and close confidants or their kinfolk. Is he so cold that he's frozen?

I enjoyed but found surprising a discussion of Kim Jong-un's personality, summarized on personality-politics.org, the website of the Unit for the Study of Personality in Politics. It describes Kim's personality as a combination of congeniality and cooperativeness. This benign description stands in only seeming contradiction to another appraisal by Mark Bowden in Vanity Fair. Kim comes across there as a more pleasure-seeking if present-day autocrat in style than some of his 20th century counterparts. He's no less lost in this farcical family succession to lead a nation of totalitarian evil.

Kim runs a program, and the program begins to run him. The latter tragedy counterbalances the former comedy, but the rub is much injustice and death, among other crimes. Within the context of the North Korean state and political culture, the program condemns Kim to a life of realities that frustrate his inner child, shall we say. I can't see how the grandiosity of his presumed identification with the people works. Idealizing North Korea as the height of resistance to global pariahs can't compensate enough. The daily negative feedback of reality for his country and her people overwhelms.

The tragicomedy of killing his older brother puts the Kim bureaucracy in the same league as any number of fratricidal polities and leaders, past and present. Kim's a poor soul, and North Korea amounts to purgatory _ at best.

Nonetheless, the current group of global powers can't dislodge Kim, since the costs of forcibly doing so run too great. Besides that, China and the United States prefer a divided Korea, I'm sorry to suggest, since they want footholds and bases to oppose and hem in each other's regional and global pretensions and projects. I suggest that any efforts to mimic an Arab Spring offensive in the North would carry monstrous effects.

At one time, the North's progress outpaced the South's. Those days are long gone. The North's basic delusion is a religion of denial trumped up as self-reliance. How can a rebalancing of sympathies and reality promote the change to see the North past her apostasy? Can the world awaken a critical mass of the North Korean people from Kim's dreamscape?

Finally, the United States and China should act like allies. There's likely no better grand project for Northeast Asian civilization, politics, and culture in the 21st century. I hope the Korean presidential selection to come will focus on the South's efforts to hasten this result too.





Bernard Rowan is associate provost for contract administration and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University. Reach him at browan10@yahoo.com
By Joseph Yi



Following the 2015 Korea-Japan agreement, 34 of 46 registered comfort women survivors accepted compensation from the Japanese government. Two decades ago, 61 former Korean comfort women (out of 203) accepted compensation from Japan's 1994 Asian Women's Fund. Korea has the option of building on the 2015 agreement and deepening cooperation with Japan. This seems prudent in the context of uncertainties at home and abroad, including military threats from North Korea and THADD-related sanctions from China.



Activists have chosen an alternative path of confrontation, and placed a new comfort woman statue in Busan. They have been cheered on by China, which uses the comfort women issue to divide its two neighbors. The protesters are motivated by various factors, but key is a Manichean worldview that divides people into innocent victims and evil oppressors, and unawareness of legitimate, alternative viewpoints. In liberal democracies, perspectives of one side are vigorously disputed by another in public debate; but this is lacking in illiberal societies. In the past, South Koreans were taught that North Korea was a puppet of Soviet communists, and that contrary views reflected that of communist traitors. Today, young people are taught that Japan kidnapped and enslaved 200,000 Korean women, and that views to the contrary reflect that of Japanese right-wingers and pro-Japanese traitors (chinilpa).



In the popular 2016 movie "Spirits' Homecoming," Korean girls are kidnapped, abused, and their bodies burned (to destroy evidence) by Japanese soldiers. The Homecoming-style narrative is disputed by some academics as overly simplistic. According to San Francisco State Professor Sarah Soh (Comfort Women' 2008), women initially offered various testimonies for working at comfort stations, such as supporting their families economically or escaping overbearing parents. Some women suffered abuse, others experienced more supportive conditions. Soh argues that women should freely share their experiences, without pressure to conform to the nationalist, anti-Japan narrative.



Soh remains largely unknown among Koreans, because no publisher has translated her English-language book. In 2013, Sejong University professor Park Yu-ha published a Korean-language book (Comfort Women of the Empire'), with findings broadly similar to Soh's. A Seoul court partially censored Park's book and fined her 90 million won ($74 thousand) for defaming survivors of enslavement. Prosecutors also requested a three-year prison sentence.



The trial of Professor Park reflects the prevailing narrative that South Korea is the victim of malicious outsiders, such as North Korea (for political right), USA (left), or Japan (right and left); and that contrary views betray the Korean nation. An alternative, liberal-nationalist perspective would combine deep love of one's country with thoughtful, nuanced analysis and universal, liberal values. A liberal patriot would ask fellow citizens to openly discuss the complexities of their past and present, including the historically ignored, comfort women for the American army in Korea or for the Korean army in Vietnam. A thoughtful, liberal perspective that transcends the victimhood narrative would serve both Korean strategic interests and universal justice.



Joseph Yi is an associate professor of political science at Hanyang University. Write to joyichicago@yahoo.com.




By Kim Haing



Now is the right time to reflect on what we are gaining and losing through President Park Geun-hye's political scandal. To be honest, I am caught between a rock and a hard place because we live in a strange time; nobody can distinguish between fact and fiction and that is the case with me, too.



We must all confess we are subjective rather than objective in dealing with this shameful situation. Nevertheless, we have to accept the final judgment of the Constitutional Court on Park's impeachment, which is due in the weeks to come.



We cannot predict whether President Park will be impeached or not. However, the rifts between people seem to be widening and I wonder how they will react if the result is not what they want.



From a positive point of view, we have had a valuable learning experience about the democratic process. President Park, her political rivals and the Korean people have fought with all sorts of means to enforce our political convictions within the rule of law.



Every Saturday there has been a huge demonstration, and the fact it has taken place without any violence is something we should be very proud of. I am convinced that whatever the result will be, eventually our democracy will be more mature. Hence, politicians will feel pressured to be more responsible, which would be their political asset in regaining the trust of the people.



At the same time we have paid a high price due to this political disaster.



I am very sad that our people are divided into two opposing camps, left and right, for or against President Park. This painful situation will be reproduced in the next presidential election.



Who can heal this deep wound? No one. Everyone is frustrated, and the political leadership vacuum has continued for too long. Despite the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, we have no national leader to meet him.



North Korea has just conducted a nuclear test and China is putting economic sanctions on our country for the decision to deploy THAAD here. Kim Jong-un's half brother, Kim Jong-nam, was assassinated, and Pyongyang's terrorism is feared to be at its most extreme. The economic war between nations is also causing hardships, but still we have no direction.



Who will save our people? We have endured so many difficulties over the past year. I believe our people will overcome this crisis and chaos.



Koreans are resilient. Now let's go back to normal. Whether the impeachment is upheld or not, let us wait. Is not Korea's rapid democratic growth the envy of the world?



The law is not always right, but at the crucial moment, in my opinion, the law shines. I agree with Kim Jong-dae, a former constitutional judge, who said, "I believe the judges will make a decision based on their love for the country and conscience."



Now is the moment. Let us keep calm and carry on. Who can save Korea? It is you. It is me. Not the politicians.



Kim Haing is former spokesperson of the Park Geun-hye administration.




By John J. Metzler



UNITED NATIONS  "More than 20 million people in South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and northeast Nigeria are going hungry, and facing devastating levels of food insecurity," warned UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. In a stunning and passionate plea for famine relief in the drought and conflict ridden regions, Guterres stressed, "We're facing a tragedy; we must avoid it becoming a catastrophe." Over 1.4 million children remain at risk of death from famine.



Guterres cautioned, "This is preventable if the international community takes decisive action."



Addressing the media with a high-profile humanitarian panel including the UN's Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien, the Secretary General spoke of five million people in South Sudan and a further five million in northeast Nigeria who face serious food shortages.



He highlighted Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula; "Yemen is facing the largest food insecurity emergency in the world, with an estimated 7.3 million people needing help now."



In all these cases, insurgencies against already fragile governments are part of the equation.



Yemen, for example, has seen civil conflict between government forces supported by a Saudi Arabian coalition and Iranian backed Islamic rebels. The Secretary General called on all parties to the conflicts to "respect humanitarian law."



In Yemen, the food insecurity is "staggering," with 65 percent of households estimated to be food insecure; more than 460,000 children are suffering from acute malnutrition.



Yemen has emerged as a hotbed of Al-Qaida operations. Moreover Yemen also hosts Islamic State terrorists, adding to instability in the country. Since 2014 the mountainous land has drifted into protracted civil war.



Despite the daunting humanitarian task which plagues these restive regions, a shortfall of emergency relief funding has hit UN relief agencies. While the Secretary General stresses that $5.6 billion is needed for 2017 with a $4 billion budget needed by the end of March "to avert a catastrophe," the stark truth remains that only $90 million has been received thus far. "That's around two cents for every dollar needed," Guterres lamented.



He warned that not acting now would only create a larger humanitarian danger in the near future. "This is a dramatic emergency situation and it needs a response."



When asked whether donor fatigue among UN member states is part of the problem creating the aid shortfall, the Secretary General surprisingly said that it's not a case of "donor fatigue" but widening and increasing challenges and crises whether from the El Nino weather pattern affecting rainfall, and the persistence of entrenched armed conflicts.



Stephen O'Brien added that "food, nutrition, water" are needed in the affected regions to provide people with "durable resilience".



The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) stated bluntly: "Protracted conflicts also mean continuous, slow and even at times rapid, erosion of people's food security and nutrition."



As recently as 2011, over 260,000 people died from famine in Somalia. But beyond famine, the country has suffered political turmoil since 1991. The conflict is fueled by and entrenched Al-Qaida linked Al Shabaab Islamic militia which controls large parts of the strategic East African land.



In northeastern Nigeria, Boko Haram Islamic militants have until recently been operating in rural regions and have destabilized food production. A FAO report warns that "The Boko Haram conflict has had a huge impact on agriculture as a result of the large-scale population displacement and the restrictions imposed on agricultural activities."



Addressing the wider challenge in four separate countries the Secretary General stressed, "These four crises are very different, but they have one thing in common. They are all preventable. They all stem from conflict, which we must do much more to prevent and resolve."



Here the new Secretary General who comes from Portugal returned to his primary mission focus; preventive diplomacy and a respect for humanitarian law.



"The lives of millions of people depend on our collective ability to act," the Secretary General implored, adding, "In our world of plenty, there is no excuse for inaction or indifference."





John J. Metzler is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of "Divided Dynamism: The Diplomacy of Separated Nations: Germany, Korea, China." Contact jjmcolumn@earthlink.net.




Anger cannot be policy; goals need clarifying



The contact between the United States and North Korea slated for March 1 and 2 was abandoned as expected as Washington denied visas for the six-member Pyongyang delegation.



Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed negative views about the North. He was "angry" at its missile test despite his warning; twice using "late" in referring to talks with dictator Kim Jong-un; revealing an extensive review besides a missile shield to counter its threat and pushing China to do more to make the North behave.



Trump deserves support for his new approach to the decades-old intractable problem because the North's maturing programs on missiles and nuclear weapons are emerging to threaten stability on the Korean Peninsula, the region and beyond.



Still, Trump should learn from the failures of his predecessors such as President Barack Obama and formulate a doctrine on the North to ensure that resolving the North problem can be the key part of his legacy.



Above all, he should know "anger" cannot be a policy.



Obama had given up attempts to solve the North's challenge after a series of quagmire obstacles. So did his Republican predecessor George W. Bush. Bush tried a hard-line policy without success.



Trump may engage in rough and tumble play with the North, but should use cool-headedness rather than emotion. It is like Step 2 of Trump's business primer, "The Art of Deal," _ protect the downside and the upside will take care of itself.



All options for his North Korean policy may be considered as long as these principles are adhered to.



A war should be avoided at all costs. The South's population is 50 million and the North's 25 million, bringing the total to 75 million. During the Clinton administration, a strike was considered to take out the North's nuclear facilities but did not proceed because of a casualty estimate running into the millions. Plus, conflict would be highly contagious, due to the Sino-U.S. hegemonic rivalry.



Second, there could be friction along the road to resolution, but the ultimate goal should be to enable the North to coexist peacefully with its neighbors. If the goal were to bring down the regime, there would be no way to hedge against chaos that could be too enormous to handle _ tens of thousands of refugees spilling into China and the South, for one.



It is important to reconcile with each other the goals of the respective stakeholders: the South for unification; the U.S. and Japan for a nuclear-free North; and China, which wants a buffer from U.S. influence, and the North for security guarantees.



Trump should help set priorities for these goals and give them impetus to move forward in an irreversible manner. That success alone should be good enough to consider Trump for a Nobel peace prize.








Frontrunners should be vetted on reconciliation ability



A recent opinion poll confirmed an increasingly irreversible trend in the upcoming presidential election: the likelihood of the next president hailing from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).



Asked who they would vote for if the election were held tomorrow in the survey by Hankook Ilbo, the sister paper of The Korea Times, 30.9 percent of a randomly selected sample of 1,000 people supported Moon Jae-in, who lost to the incumbent President Park Geun-hye in the previous election. An Hee-jung, the governor of South Chungcheong Province, came in second at 15.8 percent, while Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-an, acting president for Park during her impeachment trial, and Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung, also a progressive, garnered 10.3 percent and 10.1 percent in the poll. Ahn Cheol-soo was behind at 7.8 percent. Hwang has not declared his candidacy so there are none among conservative candidates with a significant presence.



With the election expected in May, there appears little time for the current pecking order to change. Thus, experts say that anybody who wins the DPK candidacy will most likely become the next president. Now, Moon is often cited as a prospective shoo-in after he has gained from previous polls, with his rival An losing momentum.



The shoo-in candidacy carries dangers with it, the gravest being the lack of vetting to see how he will perform as head of state. Moon as the losing candidate in the 2012 poll ran the gauntlet of questions about his competency. He by and large passed muster.



That was then. Now, the zeitgeist of the next election is about how to bring reconciliation to the nation that is suffering from the deepening ideological division over President Park's impeachment.



Moon has so far ridden on the crest of the massive anti-Park candlelit protests that pushed ahead the impeachment process against the head of state for her alleged corruption and illegal power sharing.



So far, Moon has rarely departed from his partisan dogma and tried to reach out to the other side of the ideological spectrum. In contrast, An, who marked a stunning rise in popularity, suggested a liberal-conservative coalition a la that by his mentor, the late President Roh Moo-hyun, although it apparently triggered a backlash and took a bite out of his ratings.



Still, an ideological firebrand leader is open to little compromise in governance, one example being U.S. President Donald Trump, who is stoking the nation's division with his anti-establishment policies.



Then, the DPK has its primary to worry about. The party wants to have 2.5 million voters, over 5 percent of the total of general election voters, participate in the selection of the candidate. With such a big electorate come many problems such as "illegal votes," candidates' collusion and the disapproval of the outcome by losing candidates.



The upcoming presidential election will come with many critical limitations caused by Park's impeachment. Still, the nation is in greater need of a better leader than ever before.




Samsung Group, South Korea's top conglomerate, has decided to abolish its groupwide employment of new workers as part of reform measures following its involvement in a high-profile corruption scandal that led to the arrest of its boss Lee Jae-yong.



The decision follows Samsung's move to dismantle the group's key future strategy office, which has been responsible for coordinating major affairs among affiliates.

Samsung and other big employers in the country hold two hiring events -- one in March and the other in September -- to accept those graduating in such seasons.

According to the officials, this year's first-half hiring event will likely be Samsung's last groupwide employment, and Samsung is weighing plans to allow affiliates to recruit new or career employees on their own, depending on their respective situations.

Industry watchers said Samsung's abolition of groupwide hiring events would have a far-reaching impact on other family-controlled conglomerates, known here as chaebol.

"Other business groups are expected to take a leaf from Samsung's book after assessing changes in Samsung and their effects," an industry source said. "As was the case in the past, other conglomerates will have no choice but to follow suit."












Samsung Group, South Korea's largest business conglomerate, on Tuesday announced a set of plans to revamp the group's management, including the abolition of its key future strategy office.

The announcement came shortly after special prosecutors investigating a presidential influence-peddling scandal said they will indict Samsung's de facto chief, Lee Jae-yong, on bribery, embezzlement and other charges in connection with the scandal that led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

Under the plans, Samsung affiliates will independently make their own business decisions throughout their board meetings.

Samsung Group Vice Chairman Choi Gee-sung and President Chang Choong-ki, who led the future strategy office, resigned, Samsung said.

The office consisted of some 200 elite officials who were picked from Samsung affiliates.












By Jung Min-ho

A massive fight involving hundreds of factory workers broke out at a Samsung Display plant in Vietnam, Tuesday, according to media reports.

VnExpress, a Vietnamese online media outlet, said employees of Samsung Display clashed with guards at the plant in the country's northern Bac Ninh Province.







Speaking to VnExpress, an eyewitness said the conflict occurred between a male worker and guards after lunch at around 1 p.m. over unclear reasons.

"The guards pulled him into their room and there was a fight. Many other workers were angry and chased after the guards," the witness said.

After a couple of tense hours, police came and cleared the crowd and more than 10 officers stayed there to prevent further clashes, it reported.

A representative from Samsung Vietnam said the conflict was not between workers and the company.

The source said that one of the guards was injured and all the workers are fine.

Samsung Display has recently received a license to invest $2.5 billion in Vietnam, boosting its total investment in the country to $6.5 billion.

Samsung Display brings OLED panels manufactured in Korea to the Vietnamese factory and turns them into modules with circuits before sending them to affiliate Samsung Electronics.
Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari and his book "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind"



Harari blasts Trump for stoking nationalism

By Kang Seung-woo





The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the widening technical gap between South and North Koreas will make unification of the two countries more difficult, said Yuval Noah Harari, author of the international bestsellers "Sapiens" and "Homo Deus."

"The rise of AI might make any future integration of North and South more difficult, for both cultural and economic reasons," the Israeli historian said in an exclusive interview with The Korea Times.

"AI is likely to transform the culture and even psychology of South Koreans, and if North Koreans do not undergo a similar revolution, the gap between the populations will become bigger than ever before."

He said the gap is widening every day.

"Just think of the cultural gap between a South Korean teenager glued to her smartphone, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter, and a North Korean teenager who might well be dumbfounded to see people walking down the street and constantly looking at the small screens in their palms."

The fast technological advance would also weaken the lure of the much-touted benefits of unification  a cheap labor force in North Korea.

"There were potential economic benefits (of unification), because the North had one important economic asset to contribute to a united Korea: a disciplined and cheap workforce. However, AI is likely to make cheap labor irrelevant," he said.

As algorithms and robots replace truck drivers, factory workers and even doctors, cheap labor could lose its value, he said.

"That might make future integration even harder. South Korea might face a crisis taking care of its own unemployed masses; it will not want to take care of millions of Northerners too."












Employees of Samsung Electronics' Taiwanese subsidiary and doctors at Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-He Memorial Hospital pose during the opening ceremony of the smart school at the hospital in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, on Jan. 4. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics



By Yoon Sung-won



Samsung Electronics is carrying on with diverse corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities not just in Korea but also in overseas countries, the company said Sunday.



The company said, "We are concentrating our CSR activities in four sectors  education, healthcare, employment and environment  to help societies solve fundamental problems."



Last August, Samsung Electronics' local subsidiary in Taiwan presented a Galaxy S7 smartphone to a leukemia patient named A-Fu. The 15-year-old hospitalized Taiwanese boy wanted a smartphone with a camera to take pictures. Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-He Memorial Hospital delivered the boy's story to Samsung's Taiwanese subsidiary to make his dream come true.



Samsung Electronics expanded the occasion for a bigger CSR project. It collaborated with the hospital to open a smart school for hundreds of young cancer patients in the country on Jan. 4. The smart school has digital devices such as TVs and tablet computers and invites local social workers, arts therapists and volunteer workers to teach young patients, the company said.



On Dec. 12 last year, Samsung Electronics granted 1,000 motorcycle helmets to students in Cambodia.



Through what it calls the "Helmet Campaign," the company said it aimed at tackling a serious traffic safety problem in Cambodia. According to Samsung Electronics, about 70 percent of traffic accident victims are involved in motorcycle crashes. But only 22 percent of Cambodia's motorcycle riders wear helmets, it said.



The company worked with Cambodia's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport to boost the public perception of traffic safety, especially among young students.



"It is a pleasure to launch the Helmet Campaign alongside the ministry," said Choi Seung-ho, managing director of the Cambodian branch of Samsung Electronics' Thai operations.



Korean employees and executives of Samsung Electronics have also led CSR activities.



On Sept. 2 last year, a Samsung Electronics volunteer team went to Uzbekistan to provide information technology education to high school students and collegians in the country. It was the third consecutive year for the company to send volunteer workers to the country, according to Samsung Electronics.



The Samsung volunteer workers invited some 140 students who had participated in the country's "Intellect2All IT Projects Competition" at Tashkent Professional College of Information Technologies. They had a second session for some 20 collegians at Tashkent University of Information Technologies. The university has been considered one of the top engineering colleges in Uzbekistan.



The volunteer team provided lessons on programming with the subminiature computer module named "Raspberry Pi," virtual reality development, 3D modeling and printing and app development for Google's Android mobile operating system.



"Though we were not professional tutors, we could happily provide lessons thanks to the students who gave us energy," said Jin Eun-young, one of the volunteer team members. Jin works at Samsung Electronics System LSI division's display development team.
The Tesla Model S sedan / Courtesy of Tesla Korea



By Jhoo Dong-chan

Tesla Korea is finalizing purchasing processes for its customers here who made preorders for its premium sedans of the Model S 90D.

The U.S.-based electric vehicle (EV) maker's affiliate here opened a so-called "design studio website," where preorder customers can choose various options, including vehicle color and interior.

Tesla Korea sent an email to preorder customers, informing them they can complete their purchases via the website, according to sources.

Among the carmaker's lineup, the Ministry of Environment has so far certified the Tesla Model S 90D, which the ministry confirmed has a range of 378 kilometers when fully charged.

The luxury EV's price starts at 121 million won ($106,937), and is expected to reach 161 million won for the full-option package.

The environment ministry and provincial governments are offering 12 million won to 19 million won in subsidies for an EV, but Model S customers are not expected to benefit as the sedan failed to meet the requirements _ a vehicle should take less than 10 hours to charge on a 7 kilowatt-hour low-speed charger. It takes around 13 hours to fully charge the Model S 90D's high-capacity battery.

The Tesla Model S 90D mounts a single-speed electric motor along with a 90kWh lithium-ion battery that produces maximum 417 horsepower. It takes 4.4 seconds to reach 100 kilometers per hour. Its top speed is 250 kilometers per hour.

Preorder customers can choose their vehicle options, including the color, wheel size and interior design as well as Tesla's cutting-edge autopilot system, all through design studio website. The delivery is expected to take about three months.

An industry insider said Tesla Korea will soon finalize their approval process for its other models like the Model X SUV and the Model 3 sedan.

The first Tesla showroom in Korea, which was supposed to open last November at Hanam Starfield in Gyeonggi Province is widely expected to open by the end of next month.
Bo H. Kristensen, general manager of LEGO Korea, smiles as he stands with a transparent life-sized "mini" figure filled with LEGO bricks at teh company office in southern Seoul.

/ Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

LEGO Korea chief Kristensen promotes education through free play

By Kim Ji-soo

For LEGO fans, this winter may well feel like a treat. The LEGO Batman Movie has opened in theaters in Korea; while last December, the LEGO Store opened in Hyundai Department Store in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province. The store is the first and sole official LEGO store in Korea, giving customers a chance to buy limited edition products or "cherry-pick" blocks at the store's "Pick-a-Brick Zone."

The store also allows anyone to experience the toymaker's allure. On a regular weekday in January, children were at the store to build various objects they could dream of out of colorful LEGO bricks on two tables inside the store. As this reporter watched one boy lay one brick after another in various forms, it was easy to see how it could be anything and everything to him. He kept looking at his mom to show what he has built. Two LEGO bricks can be combined in 24 different ways, and six blocks can be combined more than 915 million ways, according to LEGO.

With the positive reception of the store, Asia's fifth following stores in Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore, the chief of LEGO Korea hopes to soon open another store  the flagship store.

"We have a lot of loyal and new consumers coming in," said Bo H. Kristensen, general manager of LEGO Korea, expressing satisfaction with the store. The opening of an official LEGO store means the company's expectation for the Korea market is high. New introductions are planned such as the LEGO Boost that will hit the Korean market in the second half of the year. The Boost, targeting kids aged 7 and up, is a lower-priced programmable LEGO robot combining the physical LEGO play with programming. But the growing toy market in Korea and the gradually changing social behavior of Koreans are other reasons LEGO Korea keeps its fingers crossed and hopes to open a larger flagship store in Korea.

The LEGO Boost, a programmable LEGO robot, will be introduced to the Korean market this year. / Courtesy of LEGO Korea

He attributed his optimism to the growing Korean toy market, which has been growing annually by around 7 percent since 2010.

"If you look at the size of the toy market in Korea and the overall size of the Korean economy, the toy market's size should be bigger," Kristensen said, adding the market has room for growth. Asked whether Korean children, notoriously pressured for academic performance early on, pose a challenging target market for the company, Kristensen said no.

He perceives that more Korean families are shifting behavior toward balancing their children's study and play. "We do see that Korean society is on a change journey ... change is happening, but it will take some time," he said. Many Koreans are changing their behaviors, and they want to give their children different life experiences.

The Korean toy market is currently the third largest in Asia, on the heels of those of China and Japan, but Kristensen hopes it will grow further with this behavioral change.

Although the so-called "kidults" or adult fans in Korea remain strong, the Danish toymaker's loyal consumers are comprised of children, who make up 80 percent of the company's sales. LEGO is an abbreviation of the Danish phrase "leg godt," which means "play well."

The educational benefits of playing with LEGO are not hard to see. Given a pile of LEGO bricks to play with, children can enhance their motor skills, imagination and creativity. "We believe this helps children become independent problem solvers of the future," Kristensen said.

"But it is important for parents to know that this only happens when it's free play, only when the child is having fun and not being told to do something ... only when you're having fun, it's free play and when you enjoy it, and it happens without you knowing it because you're doing something you like," he said.

Kristensen himself grew up with LEGO bricks first with used ones his mother bought him, and then with a whole new LEGO Technic set. He believes his experience playing with the bricks has helped him become a successful global corporate executive. A graduate of the University of Southern Denmark, Kristensen joined LEGO Group in 2006 and worked in such countries as Poland before becoming the general manager of LEGO Korea in 2015.

Asked if there were some cultural differences between the various LEGO offices he has worked in, he said there were and he had to familiarize himself with the local culture. Kristensen said Koreans are inclined to provide context, as they have learned in school. In contrast, Danish and Scandinavian employees go straight to the facts.

"I was puzzled at first. I would think, Why are you telling me all this?' I need facts and results," he said. "I am also a little impatient. Let's get to the point and discuss what we need to do about it."

LEGO Korea moved into a new office in southern Seoul last year; the office provides a bright and spacious working environment for the company's 60 or so employees.

As a global company, Kristensen said, LEGO looks mostly at cultural fit when hiring, not at whether or not a candidate is a LEGO buff.

"We find people who believe in the way we operate," he said, adding he aims to embed the so-called "LEGO DNA" into employees by empowering them. By "LEGO DNA," he refers to the values of creativity, imagination, fun, quality, learning and caring, values that come from the company's owner family, the Kristiansens.

The company, founded in 1932, has had its ups and downs. But the group is well known for its successful turnaround after a crisis in the early 2000s. The company has made many changes, including a management shakeup in 2004 when Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, the third generation owner, brought in a non-family member Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, in an attempt to bring the company back to its core values. In the process of following new developments in the toy industry in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the company forgot its core.

"The core is in our LEGO bricks. Joy of Building. Pride of Creation," Kristensen said. "If you forget why you're here and forget your core values, companies are more likely to face challenges in the future."

In addition to bringing in Knudstorp, the company also streamlined the product line, cutting down the total number of LEGO elements from 14,000 to 6,000, in an attempt to revive the company. "We saw that scarcity brought about more creativity," Kristensen said. The streamlining also improved the company's production, he added.

The Asian market, including Korea, provides significant growth opportunities for the company. Last year's Brick Korea in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province, brought in about 95,000 LEGO fans over nine days, he said.

"If I could look five to 10 years in the future, I would like to see toy manufacturers in Korea grow the market, because it will be proof that we will see children in Korea get more time for free play. We believe play is an essential right for children across the world."

Kristensen admits he still cannot help but put LEGO bricks together whenever he sees a box of them.

"What you make (with the bricks) is right; you're never wrong," he said. "What you make will always be right."
Gov't supports LG H&H, KGC in various ways



By Park Jae-hyuk

Mars Petcare, Nestle Purina and Texas Farm Products have long enjoyed dominance in the pet food market here. The oligopoly of the three foreign companies, however, is now facing a strong challenge from Korean rivals.

Recently, LG Household & Healthcare (LG H&H), Korea Ginseng Corp. (KGC), CJ CheilJedang and other large food companies have tapped into the industry with premium quality brands.

The companies want to make their presence felt in the nation's pet food industry by shaking it up. The combined market share of foreign brands approaches 70 percent, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The U.S.-based Mars Petcare occupies more than a quarter of the market with its famous Royal Canin, Cesar and Pedigree brands, followed by Nestle Purina with 11.5 percent and Texas Farm Products with 6.9 percent.

CJ CheilJedang with a 6.1 percent market share is struggling to catch up with the foreign brands. Most low-priced pet food makers in Korea, such as Daehan Feed, Daejoo Industrial and Woosung Feed, have failed to take a firm root.

"Korean firms should release premium quality products to expand their presence in the rapidly growing market," said Rep. Park Wan-ju of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea during a parliamentary audit last year. "The Rural Development Administration should boost R&D for pet-based industries, cooperating with related government institutions."

Foods for local' pets

Pet owners attribute local products' lack of popularity to the Dear My Pet brand, which was recalled last year over allegations that it caused deaths and diseases in dogs, although the government confirmed its safety last month. An affiliate of a domestic cosmetics firm manufactured the product at issue.

A spokesman for CheilJedang said there are many difficulties in catching up with foreign firms. The Seoul-based company has produced dog food since 1988, but is still no match to front-running foreign brands.

"Once consumers opt for a specific brand, they tend to keep buying it without paying attention to alternative brands. Vets and shops prefer foreign brands to Korean brands as well," he said. "Overtaking foreign brands may not be easy for the time being."

However, the spokesman said Korean brands have an advantage over foreign ones in terms of nutritional balance for local dogs. "In Korea, most dogs have less time to exercise than dogs in the U.S," he said.

As a pioneer of Korea's pet food industry, CheilJedang launched the O'Fresh and O'Nature premium brands in 2013 and 2014, respectively, earning huge popularity and posting billions of won in sales last year.

LG H&H, which began to produce shampoo for pets last August, launched the Sirius Will premium quality pet food brand last month. The nation's second-largest cosmetics maker aims to develop Sirius into a comprehensive pet care brand.

KGC has continued to foster the GINIPET health food brand since 2015. The nutritional supplements contain red ginseng concentrate as a luxury brand.

Both LG H&H and KGC said their products will satisfy the demands of pet owners who are looking for safer and healthier foods for their "companion animals." Dongwon F&B, Sajo, E-mart and Seoul Milk are also trying hard to compete in the 400 billion won ($348 million) market.

A government survey in 2015 showed that more than one in five households in Korea had a pet. The figure grew from 17.9 percent to 21.8 percent over three years and it is expected to increase further.

Analysts expect more Korean enterprises will enter into the market which is full of potential thanks to the increasing number of single households, the low birthrate and aging population.

Support from government

The government also plans to support the development of Korea's pet food industry. For example, the agriculture ministry recently established a long-term plan to improve the quality of Korea-made pet foods and to boost their exports.

"The government will support big companies because they make most domestic pet foods," an agriculture ministry official said. "Of course we will also find small firms and support them."

By the end of next year, the government will finance improvements of food manufacturing facilities and establish certification standards for the domestic market. It will also look for various supply sources of domestic raw materials.

This year, the Small and Medium Business Administration and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) will help local firms find new overseas markets for exports. The institutions will support Korean firms participate in exhibitions in other countries.

In addition, the government will establish a new team for animal welfare this week. "The new team will correct imperfect laws related to pets, as well as supporting the overall pet industry," the agriculture ministry official said.
U.S. President Donald Trump has declared a war on "fake" media in yet another attack on major newspapers and broadcasters critical of his controversial policies such as his sweeping crackdown on undocumented people and his alleged links to Russia during the presidential campaign.



The White House said on Friday (local time) it has barred several major broadcasters and newspapers from attending an informal press briefing.



CNN, BBC, The New York Times, LA Times, New York Daily News, BuzzFeed, The Hill, and the Daily Mail, were among the news outlets barred from the gathering.



White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer unveiled a list of handpicked news outlets that would be allowed into the briefing, including Breitbart News, One America News Network, The Washington Times, all news organizations with far-right leanings. Others major outlets approved included ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, Reuters and Bloomberg.



Several media outlets including the Associated Press, Time Magazine, the Wall Street Journal and USA Today refused to attend the briefing to boycott the President's decision.



According to the BBC, the selective discrimination came hours after President Donald Trump delivered another attack on the media in a speech, saying that "fake news" was the "enemy of the people." He has previously singled out CNN and The New York Times for criticism. Trump also warned that the White House was going to "aggressively push back" at "false narratives" in the news.



"Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties," Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times, said in a statement. "We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organizations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest."



BuzzFeed's editor-in-chief, Ben Smith, said: "While we strongly object to the White House's apparent attempt to punish news outlets whose coverage it does not like, we won't let these latest antics distract us from the work of continuing to cover this administration fairly and aggressively."



Jeff Mason, the president of the White House Correspondents' Association, said his organization will protest strongly against the ban.



"The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how today's gaggle (of reporters) is being handled by the White House," he said in a statement. "We encourage the organizations that were allowed in to share the material with others in the press corps who were not. The board will be discussing this further with White House staff."




Members of the media gather in front of the North Korea Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Friday. Kim Jong-nam, a half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was killed with a highly toxic chemical weapon known as VX nerve agent, Malaysian police said in statement.

/ EPA-Yonhap
Defense attorney Dee Wampler filed a motion on Tuesday that says murder suspect Ed Gutting may be not guilty by reason of mental defect or disease. That motion likely will lead to a court-ordered exam at the state mental hospital in Fulton.

Gutting is charged with killing Missouri State University professor emeritus Marc Cooper, 66, and injuring Cooper's wife, Nancy, last Aug. 17 after forcing his way into the Coopers' home in central Springfield. He's charged with first-degree murder, second-degree assault, burglary, and two counts of armed criminal action.

Investigators have not said, if they know, why they think Gutting attacked Marc Cooper. Gutting, Marc Cooper, and Gutting's wife, Angela Hornsby - Gutting, taught together from 2011 to 2014 in the MSU history department. Hornsby - Gutting still teaches at MSU, but MSU put Gutting on leave after the murder.

Nancy Cooper told police on the night of the murder that she didn't know or recognize Gutting. When she tried to stop the knife attack, Gutting injured her and told her "it was between him and Cooper," according to her statement to police.

Wampler said in a telephone interview on Monday afternoon that his motion won't say why he believes Gutting may have a mental defect or disease. Defense attorneys, however, have received permission over the last six months for two different doctors to examine Gutting in the jail. Wampler says those doctors have not yet issued reports on their conclusions, but will do so eventually.

Another hearing in Gutting's case is set for March 20 before Greene County Circuit Judge Tom Mountjoy, who likely will order a mental exam to confirm whether Wampler's suspicion is correct.

If the exam finds Gutting was suffering from a mental defect or deficiency at the time of the murder, the judge would have to find him not guilty by reason of mental defect or disease and then would order him to be confined in the state mental hospital, possibly for a long time.

If the exam concludes Gutting was not mentally deficient at the time of the attack, but is now, the judge likely would order him to be held in the mental hospital until he's well enough to help with his own defense.

----

Here's the motion that Wampler filed on Tuesday:

COMES NOW defendant and for this motion alleges, states and avers as follows:

1. That pursuant to RSMo. 552.020.1, counsel believes defendant here in suffering from a mental disease or defect and lacks the capacity to understand the proceedings against him or assist in his own defense and requests the Court for an examination herein by a psychiatrist or psychologist, as defined by RSMo. 632.005 et seq and detailed findings filed with the Court pursuant to RSMo. 552.020.3 as to whether the defendant lacks the capacity to understand the proceedings against him and to assist in his own defense, and whether or not the defendant is mentally fit to proceed, and that the Court accept this pleading herein as written notice as provided by RSMo. 552.030(2).

2. That defendant requests an extension of time to file such pleading according to RSMo. 552.030.2, that the Court, for good cause may permit the accused to file a written notice of the accused purpose to rely on such defense.

3. Further, defendant requests an opinion as to whether, at the time of the alleged criminal conduct, the accused, as the result of a mental disease or defect, knew or appreciated the nature, quality and wrongfulness of his conduct, and whether a the time he was incapable of conforming his conduct to the requirements of law pursuant to RSMo. 552.020.4. Electronically Filed - Greene - February 28, 2017 - 02:45 PM

4. That Defense Counsel reasonably believes Defendant, Edward Gutting, may suffer from a Mental Disease or Defect Excluding Responsibility and lacks capacity to understand the proceedings against him/her or to assist in his/her own defense pursuant to RSMo. 552.020 et. seq., or from diminished capacity and responsibility.

5. Defendant respectfully requests the court appoint one or more private psychiatrists or psychologists examine the accused and to direct written reports of such examination be filed with the Clerk of the Court or such other place as the Court may order.

6. Defendant requests such examination to be made pursuant to RSMo. 552.020.3 to include detailed findings as to whether the accused has a Mental Disease or Defect and/or lacks capacity to understand the proceedings against him/her or assist in his/her own defense, plus a recommendation as to whether the accused shall be held in custody in a suitable hospital facility and a recommendation as to whether the Defendant is mentally fit to proceed.

7. Defendant requests a psychiatrist or psychologist to decide whether the Defendant is mentally fit to appreciate the nature, quality or wrongfulness of his/her conduct or, as a result of Mental Disease or Defect, was incapable of conforming his/her conduct to the requirements of the law, both at the time of the alleged offense and currently.

WHEREFORE, Defendant moves the court for a mental examination herein and for approval of the attached order, and for such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

_____/s/Dee Wampler______________

DEE WAMPLER, MO Bar #19046

JOSEPH S. PASSANISE, MO Bar #46119
An 18-year-old man from Ozark is accused of raping a 17-year-old friend with whom he played sports. That other man says he had to escape from Nicholas Cole by going through a window. A detective says Cole admitted to him that he lured the other man to his home on social media by pretending to be a teenage girl.

Christian County prosecutors last week charged Cole with first-degree sodomy. Hes in the Christian County jail in ln lieu of a $75,000 bond, which a judge declined to lower during a hearing on Tuesday morning.

The probable cause statement used as the basis of the charge says the victim said Cole used the fake name Morgan and communicated repeatedly through social media with the victim, who thought Morgan was a girl.

In an interview with the detective, according to the probable cause statement, Cole admitted he used the fake name and gave the 17-year-old boy an address to meet Morgan. When the victim arrived, he realized it was Coles home.

Cole admitted approaching (the victim) while (the victim) was still in his vehicle and inviting (him) into the residence. Cole explained that Cole and (the victim) were acquainted through sport activities. Cole admitted he invited (the victim) into his residence. Cole admitted that he and (the victim) did stuff, the probable cause statement says.

At the Child Advocacy Center, the victim told a trained interviewer that Cole ripped off his clothes and sexually assaulted him. He described that he received scratches on his arms while he was trying to physically resist Cole. (He) described fleeing through a window. Further, I observed that Cole is physically larger and outweighs (the victim), the detectives statement ends.

If Cole is convicted of first-degree sodomy, he could get a prison sentence between five years and the rest of his life. His next court hearing is scheduled for March 20.

Cole was a senior at Springfield Catholic High School and played on its baseball team in the spring of 2016 after previously attending Ozark High School. Springfield Catholic High School sent this statement to parents on Wednesday morning:

"The Administration is just learning of a recent, local news release which may raise concern: The "Catholic High School" student identified in the article is not currently attending Springfield Catholic High School and has not been in attendance since Feb. 17, 2017. Please keep the families involved in your prayers.

Jeanne Skahan

Principal Springfield Catholic High School"
Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Photo courtesy of Roger Mahony.



Roger Mahony, the retired archbishop of the Catholic archdiocese of Los Angeles, spent his 81st birthday on Monday in Amman, Jordan, following three days in Lebanon visiting with Syrian refugees, Filipino guest workers and other migrants. He's in a delegation from the Vatican and posting about the working trip at his blog, Cardinal Roger Mahony Blogs L.A..

"Almost all of these refugees have had to flee terror, wars, persecution, lack of food and medical care, and general hopelessness," he writes. "Our mission is to bring that sense of "closeness" of Pope Francis to them, and to extend reasons for hope. We will also be encouraging the caregivers taking care of refugees in so many places."

After Lebanon and Jordan, Mahony's delegation moves on to Erbil in northern Iraq then to Greece, where many thousands of refugees are stranded.

From his post on visiting the Beqaa Valley, including a refugee camp filled with displaced Syrians.

First stop: a unique school operated by the Good Shepherd Sisters. The Sisters have a small school in which they take Syrian refugee children and help them with a variety of services, including hygiene practises, basic education, and various programs to assist them with their precarious living situation....

Our next stop was to visit a nearby camp where many refugee families have lived for some four years, ever since the armed conflict in Syrian began. The people live in small tent-like structures, many family members per tent. Most long to return to their homes in Syria when the terrible war in Syria ends. We met refugees from Aleppo, Homs, and other cities and towns spread across the country. [Catholic Relief Service] and Caritas Lebanon offer many services to assist the families and children. Sadly, families from rural Syria do not value education since their lives are centered on farming and each family member is needed to help with all the farm jobs... Continue to pray for all refugees and people forced from their homes by war, conflict, hunger, and persecution. Only Jesus, the Prince of Peace, can bring an end to so much displacement and suffering.



Mahony is traveling with Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, a Vatican envoy. The cardinal  an Angeleno who grew up in North Hollywood  posted that the meeting with Filipino immigrants in Beirut turned into a festive celebration  "reminded me so much of Los Angeles being with them -- so warm, friendly, kind and hospitable."

Just before beginning the trip in Rome, Mahony had put up a blog post about driving through the San Joaquin Valley and stopping to talk to some peach orchard workers. He called the post If you like peaches, you'll love immigrants and began by saying: "Without immigrants, those with legal status and those without, the State of California would shut down."

Recently I was driving through the lush San Joaquin Valley of central California listening to a local talk radio station which was berating immigrants, regurgitating the ill-informed rhetoric that has become so popular in the recent election campaigns. As I passed endless miles of dormant orchards and vineyards, open fields awaiting Spring planting, my eye caught sight of a group of men pruning peach trees.

I found an exit from the highway and doubled back to get a closer look. These young peach trees were just beginning to sprout pink and red buds, so the men were working quickly to complete the entire orchard. [skip] While these farm workers were busy at this orchard, thousands more were spread across this fertile Valley pruning grape vines and many other fruit trees so that you and I can enjoy fresh fruit, table grapes, and fine wines in the coming months. I asked these workers if non-Hispanics ever work along side them, and they looked at me amazed. They said that even in the midst of the Great Recession they never saw anyone approach the farmers looking for work doing these difficult tasks. These immigrants are essential to California's agricultural business, one of the prominent elements of the state's economy. California leads the nation in the production of fruits, vegetables, wines and nuts. The state's most valuable crops are nuts, grapes, cotton, flowers, and oranges. California produces the major share of U.S. domestic wine. Dairy products contribute the single largest share of farm income. Without our immigrant brothers and sisters, agricultural would quickly vanish as the great economic engine it is. In California immigrants are the employee engine not only of agriculture, but also of tourism, hotel and motel employees, restaurant chefs and staff, clothing manufacturing, landscape installation and maintenance, all phases of construction work, car washing and detailing, and countless other segments of production and service. Of this group of farm workers I met one who had just finished high school. He was helping his father prune trees because they must be pruned before the buds emerged. There was a rhythmical urgency to their work, and he told me they had hundreds more acres to prune. He said that soon he was going to go to Fresno State University and major in agriculture so that he could be part of the management and science side of farming.



In case you wondered what Mahony has been up to since retiring in 2011, embroiled at the time in the controversy over personnel files related to sexual abuses over the years by priests in the archdiocese. You may remember, before becoming the head of the Los Angeles archdiocese in 1985, Mahony was based in Fresno and Stockton and often worked among the farmworkers.

Peach orchard workers. Courtesy of Roger Mahony.
PRESS RELEASE

Putin Says Astana Talks Set Up a Mechanism for Monitoring Syrian Ceasefire

Feb. 27, 2017 (EIRNS)During a meeting with Kazakhstans President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that the intra-Syrian talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, paved the way for the Geneva talks.

"These talks [on Syria in Astana] reached unprecedented results," Putin said. "A mechanism for monitoring the Syrian ceasefire has been established which provided an opportunity to resume the Geneva talks."

"Kazakhstan played a very positive role, not only as the talks host, but it also influenced the positive results of the Astana meeting," the Russian leader said.

In an interview in Sputnik, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans chief adviser, Ilnur Cevik, commented on Turkish-Russian cooperation on Syria. He said, while Turkey and Russia have different opinions on the fate of the Kurds and the settlement in Syria, the leaders and diplomats from the two countries are "closely, carefully" examining them. Turkey believes that Syrias Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) is affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Turkey, which Turkey has designated a terrorist group. Ankara was also against PYDs participation in the Astana settlement talks.

On Feb. 27 Russian Special Presidential Envoy for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, told reporters that the Kurds should participate in the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva.

"The Kurds participation issue is still pressing. We believe that their representatives should be engaged in the Geneva talks on settling the Syrian crisis,"

the Russian diplomat stressed.

Despite these differences, Cevik said Turkey expressed thanks for Russian support of Turkeys Euphrates Shield operation in Syria, which began Aug. 24, 2016.

"[Russian President Vladimir Putin] is providing large support to Turkey," Cevik said.
Comcast NBCUniversal announced plans Tuesday to spend $2.3 billion to buy the remaining shares of the Universal Studios theme park in Japan.

The move is another sign of confidence in the international theme park industry, coming weeks after Walt Disney Co. announced plans to buy out its partners in Euro Disney.

Comcast NBCUniversal, the parent of Universal Studios Hollywood, said it has agreed to buy the remaining 49% ownership of the park in Osaka from such partners as Goldman Sachs and the parks former chief executive, Glenn Gumpel. The deal is expected to close by the end of April.

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Attendance at Universal Studios Japan jumped nearly 18% in 2015 over the previous year, according to Aecom, a Los Angeles engineering firm that publishes an annual theme park attendance estimate.

That jump was one of the biggest rises in attendance at any of the major theme parks in the world last year. Aecom has yet to release an attendance estimate for 2016.

In 2014, the Japanese park opened its Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion. This year, it plans to open an expansion called Minion Park, based on the characters from the Despicable Me movies.

This acquisition will bring an even stronger future for the theme park, its guests and its team members, Tom Williams, chairman and CEO for Universal Parks & Resorts, said in a statement.

Comcast NBCUniversal also plans to open another expansion based on the video game Super Mario Bros. at the Japanese park in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Earlier this month, Disney announced plans to buy out all other shareholders in Euro Disney and invest $1.6 billion in the struggling park, located outside Paris.

Read more: Disney to invest big money in Euro Disney 

The investment in France came months after Disney opened Shanghai Disneyland, a nearly 1,000-acre, $5.5-billion development in mainland China that Disney officials say has welcomed 7 million visitors and could surpass 10 million by summer.

hugo.martin@latimes.com

To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter.

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Starbucks Chief Executive Howard Schultzs vision for the chain was largely inspired by the coffee bars he saw on his first trip to Milan more than three decades ago. But it took the company growing to about 26,000 stores in 75 countries to win the credibility he felt necessary to make the leap into the country that gave espresso to the world.

I didnt think we were ready to come to Italy, Schultz told the Associated Press in an interview Monday. I think Italy is such a special place. I am so respectful of the Italian coffee heritage and the Italian culture, and I think we had to earn that respect, opportunity, and I think over the years we got to the point that we are now ready to come.

As he prepares to step down as chief executive in April, Schultz will focus on innovation. That includes a Milan location that will open in 2018 of what he called the quintessential Roastery  one of the high-end shops featuring in-house roasting and complex coffee drinks. The journey of 35 years, he said, completes my own dream and the circle of Starbucks.

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Unsurprisingly, skeptics like 70-year-old Christine Kung see Starbucks as a coals-to-Newcastle enterprise.

We are happy the way we are, Kung said on her way to a bar for coffee in central Milan. We dont need to be invaded by American scenery. We already have McDonalds and thats enough.

Indeed, the entry of McDonalds into Italy three decades ago sparked the slow food movement that encourages local food traditions, although it ultimately did not prevent the Golden Arches and other fast-food chains that followed from becoming part of the Italian landscape.

Still, espresso drinks are part of Italian tradition and the fabric of everyday life in a way a quick bite still is not. Italians are accustomed to taking an espresso standing at the bar for an average price of 1 euro, or just about a dollar, even in major cities; 1.20-1.50 euros is on par for a cappuccino.

In Italy, baristas generally make the coffee in full sight of the consumer, and hand brioche and other pastries across a glass case, often with a quip. Taking a seat in an Italian bar may incur an extra charge, especially in prime locations. There are few sugary embellishments, and Wi-Fi access is spotty at best.

It is not uncommon to see waiters with silver trays delivering coffee in porcelain cups covered with foil to neighboring businesses, a practice that underlies the rarity of the takeout coffee cup.

This sort of humanity attracted Schultzs admiration on his first Milan visit. His response is to position the first Starbucks in Italy as a premium operation.

The Milan store at Piazza Cordusio will be among the early wave of up to 30 Roastery locations Starbucks says it expects to open around the world. The Milan store will launch a partnership with an Italian partner, the Princi baker, offering deli food and baked goods. The first Roastery is in Seattle, with others announced for Shanghai, New York and Tokyo.

Besides mainstay espresso drinks, Schultz hopes customers will be attracted by specialized brewing techniques developed by Starbucks that are not typical in Italy. As in other markets, customers can take coffee out, or drink out of porcelain cups if theyre staying in. Starbucks says it hasnt yet determined its prices.

Located in an old post office building just steps from Milans cathedral, the store will be the largest to date at 25,500 square feet, or about 2,400 square meters  compared with 200 square feet for the average Starbucks location.

It is hard to gauge how many in Italy might share Kungs wariness. Schultz says market research indicates strong brand awareness among Italians, mostly from travels abroad. And younger Italians may be more disposed toward embracing Starbucks as a place to hang out. Twenty-year-old Giulia Rizzi said she is excited for the opening and has no doubt her peers will frequent Starbucks in Italy.

When I go abroad its a place I go to very often because I like it both for the place and for what they do, which cant often be found in Italy, she said. Of course in Italy coffee is sacred, so perhaps not everyone will like it.

But the brand took a brief battering on social media, along with city planners in Italys finance and fashion capital, after an oasis of palm trees appeared opposite the cathedral and it emerged that Starbucks was paying for the landscaping project, chosen by the city. Vandals burned a couple of the trees.

The fate of the Italian enterprise, Schultz said, will depend on winning over Italian customers, not just tourists. Schultz has been getting guidance on how to approach the Italian market from fashion designer and Chief Executive Brunello Cucinelli. His advice: For Starbucks to be authentic. For us to be ourselves, Schultz said.

After the Roastery, Starbucks plans to open other locations in Milan, a combination of traditional stores and Reserve stores, which are essentially smaller Roasteries, before it looks at other Italian cities. Schultz didnt say how many stores are planned for Milan, but noted in the past, 10 to 12 have opened within the first year of entering a market.

So far, Starbucks plans arent worrying the folks at one typical Milanese coffee bar, the Giacomo Caffe, with its wooden bar, round tables and straight-back chairs located in the Palazzo Reale beside Piazza Duomo, not far from the new Starbucks location.

It is something completely different, said manager Antimo Santoro. Their strongest point is to take away, to buy and take away. Our strong point is service  we serve a coffee of very high quality, with a very refined blend, a great service.

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Snapchat could be valued at more than $20 billion in an initial public offering this week. But that lofty figure might rapidly sink if the app doesnt keep adding users.

The popular photo and video messaging app, owned by parent company Snap Inc., boasts 158 million daily active users  most of them young.

The vast majority are 13 to 34 years old, with 18- to 24-year-olds making up the largest segment. The Times interviewed six of them  high school and college students involved in its High School Insider program  to find out what gets them to open the app and what turns them off.

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These teen users are valuable to Snap because theyre valuable to advertisers. They also interact with the app the most: Users 24 and younger visit it more than 20 times a day and spend at least 30 minutes there, while those 25 and older log 12 visits lasting a total of 20 minutes, according to Snap.

Heres how they use Snapchat:

The basic functions  snap and chat  remain popular

Texting and snapping (sending photos or videos adorned with filters or sketches) were the most commonly used features.

I enjoy the ability to directly send messages to others, and streaks because they offer a good excuse to talk to people, said Zena Meyer, a senior at Orange County School of the Arts, referring to a running count of how many consecutive days two users have chatted on the app.

Users were divided on whether they texted or sent photos and videos more often, but said they did both more often than watching stories  collections of snaps posted by friends or media publishers that are available for viewing for 24 hours.

My friends and I usually start a conversation first with a photo, and then usually keep the conversation by texting through Snapchat, said Simone Chu, a senior at Arcadia High School.

Snapchat benefits from these back-and-forth conversations because each message drives a visit back to the application.

Snapchat is seen as different from  and sometimes preferable to  Facebook

Snapchat is probably my single most favorite social media platform, said Joey Safchik, a senior at CHAMPS Charter High School of the Arts. It combines texting, FaceTiming, and the photographic charm of Instagram.

Its an attitude shared by more young users than older ones. Sixteen percent of users under 30 say Snapchat is their favorite app, compared to just 3% of users over 30, according to a report by Goodwater, a research firm.

Some users said Snapchat doesnt measure popularity, in contrast to Facebook.

I dont think it really matters how many friends you have on Snapchat, said Chu. Theres no way to publicly tell...so this is a platform that doesnt really fuel that need for likes that some people have.

Snapchat is also perceived as more authentic since the app favors spur-of-the-moment posts rather than carefully edited selections.

I consider it digital honesty, which is hard to find in a web of fake profiles and manipulated photos, said Camille Marquez, a sophomore at Arcadia.

There is a sense that Snapchat is a better reflection of your real life whereas Facebook and Instagram portray only an embellished life, said the Goodwater report.

Some users, though, feel that sense of authenticity is fading.

Emma Anderson, now a freshman at UC Irvine, downloaded Snapchat when she was in the eighth grade, primarily using it to exchange photos and videos with friends. What she loved most was the spontaneity and anything-goes ethos of snaps.

Snapchat was the raw, unfiltered gem of social media, Anderson said. My favorite snaps were 10-second videos of friends singing off-key at karaoke bars or stage diving during a punk concert at the Smell.

But after Snap introduced filters, replays and stories, Anderson said the app lost its appeal, becoming more like Instagram. Filtered images are almost contradictory to Snapchat, she said. If youre sharing personal moments with your friends, there is no need to add color filters.

She began using the app less and less, finally deleting it last week. Now she Skypes with friends when she cant see them in person.

Young people get news from Stories

Users said they were more likely to read news articles from Buzzfeed than watch live coverage of events like New York Fashion Week in stories. Both types of content  articles by media outlets and clips produced by Snap staff at live events  are available side by side in Snapchats Discover feature.

I spend a lot of time looking at the stories from CNN and Buzzfeed, said Safchik. Its the best way to easily ingest quick news or pass the time with quizzes and such.

Young users said they mostly followed their real-world friends on stories, rather than celebrities.

According to the Goodwater survey, users under 30 years old were more likely to use a stories function in any social photo app, and they vastly preferred the Snapchat version to the Instagram version.

Theyre wary of features that diverge from the core product

None of the high schoolers interviewed said they had used Spectacles  Snaps video camera sunglasses  with one citing the gadgets cost ($130) as a primary deterrent.

Nor did they think they would turn to Snapchat for longer videos or for search capabilities, though the company has made initial forays into both.

Simpler is better, said Marquez. Snapchat would lose its uniqueness if it started implementing features that were already in use.

Kate Sequeira, a senior at San Dieguito Academy, was skeptical Snap could compete.

I dont think Snapchat could replace anything along the lines of YouTube or Google, she said.

Sequeira said she usually keeps the sound off on her phone and hardly ever watches videos, so the availability of more video on Snapchat wouldnt appeal to her.

And Sequeira said she sees Snapchat only as a social media tool.

I dont think I would consider it as reliable as Google even if it were to have similar abilities, she said. To me it would be like using Bing or Yahoo instead of Google.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

nina.agrawal@latimes.com

Twitter: @AgrawalNina

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It might surprise you to learn that the state of California is sitting on a pile of cash that belongs to consumers  a big pile of cash  and is having trouble giving it away.

At issue are life-insurance payouts owed to state residents. Under California law, insurers are required to turn over to the state any funds that go unclaimed for three years. But audits of insurers books that began in 2008 found that the companies were clinging to billions of dollars that didnt belong to them.

California joined 40 other states in prying $7.4 billion from more than two dozen life insurers since 2011, with the companies agreeing to pay $5 billion to known beneficiaries and state officials attempting to track down recipients for the remaining $2.4 billion.

Unfortunately, getting the word out that theres a bunch of bucks looking for homes hasnt been easy. The California controllers office has identified the rightful heirs for $119 million in unclaimed insurance payouts. But it still has $365 million unaccounted for.

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Seriously. Three hundred and sixty-five million dollars. Just waiting to be claimed.

Were working very hard to reunite these benefits with the loved ones who deserve them, Controller Betty Yee told me.

Her office has only limited resources for getting the word out and mostly has to wait for people to get in touch, which many people might not even think to do.

Or even if theyre aware of unclaimed benefits, they may not know how to go about getting them.

Brandee Usadels grandfather died in 1983. He had a pair of life insurance policies from MetLife but, Usadel said, the company never cut her parents a check and they never pursued the benefits they were owed.

I dont think my parents knew about the insurance, she told me. I dont think my grandfather ever told them. He probably forgot about it and then he got sick.

Usadels dad passed away in 1999. Her mom died last year.

She said she recently got around to digging into the family finances and became aware of her grandfathers unpaid benefits. She has a death certificate but no policy numbers.

Im not sure what I should do, Usadel, 52, said. I dont think I can trust MetLife to help.

Thats understandable. Yee said Californias audit of MetLife and other insurers found that the companies were ignoring the three-year rule for unclaimed cash. Worse, theyd shrugged off their responsibility to find beneficiaries named by their policyholders.

Its not as though insurance companies dont know, or cant find out, when a policyholder has passed on.

Life insurers routinely check Social Security records so they can quickly stop making payments when an annuity holder dies. However, they werent checking the same database to determine the fate of life insurance policyholders, even when premiums stopped being paid.

Instead, they just hoarded unpaid benefits. No, I take that back. What they did was even more disgusting.

They took the money and invested it and pocketed the earnings and interest.

Its really unconscionable what they were doing with other peoples money, Yee said.

I replied that unconscionable seemed generous. The insurers behavior was downright despicable.

Shameful, despicable, Yee agreed. Paying beneficiaries was always within their power, she said, and quite easy. They had an ethical duty to their customers.

Insurance companies, not surprisingly, admitted no wrongdoing in their settlements with states. But they nevertheless pledged to change their ways.

John Mangan, a spokesman for the American Council of Life Insurers, an industry group, declined to address insurers behavior prior to the settlements.

He said that the life insurance industry is proud of its long history of honoring its obligations to policyholders. He also said that most companies are going well beyond what current laws require to identify policyholders who have died, locate beneficiaries of unclaimed life insurance and help them initiate the claims process.

So lets get to what youve been itching to know all along: How does one get a piece of the action?

In Usadels case, her first stop should indeed be MetLife, since she knows thats who insured her grandpa. Knowing which company issued coverage can cut through a lot of red tape.

John Calagna, a MetLife spokesman, told me that we encourage people to reach out to us.

The company has an online policy finder for determining if a family members benefits have gone unclaimed. Or you can call and work with a service rep.

For anyone who just wants to see if theres any up-for-grabs money floating around, your new best friend is your states unclaimed-property office.

And dont fall for pitches from private companies that say they can chase down long-lost funds for a fee or a percentage of the total recovered. Theyre just ripping you off with a service you can easily do yourself.

In California, the controllers website allows you to do a free online search for any unclaimed property  insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts, stocks, bonds, even the contents of safe deposit boxes.

The office says it holds more than $8 billion in unclaimed property belonging to about 32.5 million individuals and organizations.

For yourself, enter your own name in the search box for unclaimed property and see what comes up.

To see if you might be the beneficiary of unclaimed life insurance money, enter the name of the deceased in the life-insurance-settlement search box.

Anything found with either search can be claimed with a little paperwork.

Because the settlements with insurers included no admission of wrongdoing, Yee was reluctant to say their actions were illegal. But she had no problem saying their behavior was extraordinary.

And it wasnt just one or two companies, she said. We found that it was an industrywide practice.

Which just increases the odds that you might have some money waiting for you. What are you waiting for?

David Lazarus column runs Tuesdays and Fridays. He also can be seen daily on KTLA-TV Channel 5 and followed on Twitter @Davidlaz. Send your tips or feedback to david.lazarus@latimes.com.
In the middle of the selfies and the on-screen tweets to President Trump and a thousand and one other whiz-bang technological tools to make the Oscars seem relevant to an audience with an ever-shortening attention span, the Academy Awards were betrayed this year by the simplest item you can imagine.

Yes, a piece of paper crashed the Oscars.

Not just any piece of paper, mind you. An envelope. Or to put it more precisely: The Envelope, that most ancient of Oscar rituals, a piece of physical media, printed, lacquered, matted, die-cut, hand-folded and, in the immortal words of Stevie Wonder, signed, sealed and delivered by the trusted partners of accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

1 / 55 Mahershala Ali comes backstage after winning the Oscar for supporting actor at the 89th Academy Awards. He won for his performance as Juan, a drug dealer who cares for a bullied boy. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 55 Mahershala Ali accepts his supporting actor Oscar for his performance in Moonlight. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 55 Alicia Vikander backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 55 A PricewaterhouseCoopers accountant stands backstage with red award envelopes to hand out at the Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 55 Mahershala Ali is congratulated by Alicia Vikander backstage after winning the Oscar for supporting actor. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 55 Emma Stone is seen from backstage as she accepts the lead actress Oscar for her work as aspiring actress Mia in La La Land. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 55 Emma Stone rises to accept the Oscar for lead actress. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 55 Oscar lead actress winner Emma Stone embraces Brie Larson, the previous years winner in the same category, backstage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 55 Lead acting winners Emma Stone (La La Land) and Casey Affleck (Manchester by the Sea) hug backstage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 55 Leonardo DiCaprio, the previous years winner for lead actor, walks newly minted Oscar winner Emma Stone backstage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 55 Moonlight writer-director Barry Jenkins takes the stage with Tarell Alvin McCraney (white tuxedo) just behind him to accept the adapted screenplay Oscar. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 55 Barry Jenkins, seen from backstage, accepts the adapted screenplay Oscar. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 55 Moonlight actors Ashton Sanders, left, and Jharrel Jerome embrace backstage after the dramatic final moments of the 89th Academy Awards ceremony, in which La La Land was incorrectly announced as the best picture winner before the award went to Moonlight. For the Record, Feb. 28, 2:52 p.m.: An earlier version of this caption misidentified Sanders as Andre Holland and Jharrel Jerome as Sanders. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 55 Moonlight actors Andre Holland, left, and Ashton Sanders react backstage to their films best picture win. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 55 Moonlight actors Trevante Rhodes, center, and Jharrel Jerome, right, react backstage after their films best picture win. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 55 Moonlight actor Mahershala Ali and La La Land actor Ryan Gosling interact backstage after the formers film won best picture despite the initial announcement that the latters had. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 55 Writer Tarell Alvin McCraney and writer-director Barry Jenkins celebrate their adapted screeplay win for Moonlight. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 55 Supporting actor winner Mahershala Ali, who received the evenings first award, is congratulated backstage by Justin Timberlake, who opened the show by singing the nominated original song Cant Stop the Feeling, which he co-wrote for Trolls. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 55 Janelle Monae, who acted in two of the years best picture nominees -- Hidden Figures and the winning Moonlight -- is seen backstage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 55 Octavia Spencer, a supporting actress nominee for Hidden Figures, is seen backstage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 55 Hidden Figures stars Janelle Monae, standing from left, Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer hang out backstage with trailblazing former NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson. Henson played Johnson in the film. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 55 Viola Davis approaches the stage to accept the supporting actress Oscar for her performance in Fences. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 55 Viola Davis gives a memorable speech after winning the supporting actress Oscar for her performance in Fences as Rose, a wife whose husband betrays her trust. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 55 Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux are seen backstage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 55 Aulii Cravalho, who voiced the title heroine of Moana and performed the original song nominee How Far Ill Go during the ceremony, is seen backstage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 55 Shirley MacLaine backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 55 Dakota Johnson backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 55 Viola Davis backstage after winning the supporting actress Oscar. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 55 Charlize Theron backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 55 Chrissy Teigen and John Legend backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. Chart-topping musician Legend, who played a bands frontman in La La Land, performed both of the films original song nominees, City of Stars and Audition (The Fools Who Dream), during the ceremony. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 55 Jennifer Aniston, left, Nicole Kidman, and Keith Urban backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 55 Warren Beatty backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 55 Presenter Faye Dunaway (in white) backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 55 Manchester by the Sea writer-director Kenneth Lonergan, center, accepts the Oscar for original screenplay from Matt Damon, left, and Ben Affleck, who were presenting the award 20 years after winning it for writing Good Will Hunting. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 55 Manchester by the Sea writer-director Kenneth Lonergan approaches the stage to accept his original screenplay Oscar. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 55 Ben Affleck, left, Kenneth Lonergan and Matt Damon head backstage after Lonergans win. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 55 Presenters Matt Damon, left, and Ben Affleck backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 55 Presenter Scarlett Johansson backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 55 Co-lyricist Justin Paul, left, and composer Justin Hurwitz head backstage after winning the original song Oscar for City of Stars, which they wrote with co-lyricist Benj Pasek for La La Land. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 55 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story actors Felicity Jones, center, and Riz Ahmed backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 55 Charlize Theron, left, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 55 Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 55 Felicity Jones and Riz Ahmed talk to Samuel L. Jackson backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 55 Amy Adams backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 55 The star-studded crowd at the Oscars reacts in shock when Moonlight is revealed as the best picture winner after La La Land was initially announced as the awards recipient. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 55 The audience is stunned after its announced that La La Land was erroneously named the best picture winner instead of Moonlight. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 55 Moonlight writer-director Barry Jenkins reacts after being handed the best picture Oscar for his film following the initial, incorrect announcement that La La Land had won. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 55 La La Land producer Fred Berger congratulates Moonlight actor Mahershala Ali onstage. Representatives from both films crowded the stage after the erroneous announcement that La La Land had won was corrected. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 55 The star-studded crowd at the Oscars reacts in shock when Moonlight is revealed as the best picture winner. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 55 Moonlight actors Ashton Sanders, left, and Trevante Rhodes celebrate backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 55 The star-studded crowd at the Oscars reacts in shock when Moonlight is revealed as the best picture winner. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 52 / 55 The star-studded crowd at the Oscars reacts in shock when Moonlight is revealed as the best picture winner. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 53 / 55 The star-studded audience in the Dolby Theatre reacts to the corrected announcement that Moonlight had won best picture, not the previously declared La Land Land. Producers from La La Land were making acceptance speeches when they received the news. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 54 / 55 La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz is seen from backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. He delivered a best picture acceptance speech before being notified of the mix-up and relaying news to the audience that Moonlight had in fact won. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 55 / 55 Oscar statuettes backstage at the 89th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Only this year, one of those partners handed the wrong envelope to presenter Warren Beatty. Baffled by its contents  the card contained the winner of the lead actress Oscar, not best picture  Beatty handed the envelope to co-presenter Faye Dunaway, who erroneously proclaimed La La Land the victor.

That envelope then ended up in the hands of La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz, who told me Monday that he didnt bother looking at it or the card  because why would he? He simply held onto it because, in recent years, since the academy upgraded to fancy-schmancy stationery, that envelope has become as cherished a keepsake as the Oscar itself.

As well it should be. Last years Oscar envelopes, designed by Marc Friedland Couture Communications, required 110 man-hours (Person-hours? Cant women construct these things too?) to create. Thats 110 hours  for one envelope, each costing about $200.

Im not sure how that compares to this years set of stationery, which was made by a different company, perhaps the one George Costanza bought his wedding invitations from. There are reports that the 2017 Oscar envelope, sporting a lower contrast gold printing on a red background, making it harder to read, may have contributed to the biggest fiasco in the history of the Academy Awards.

When the correct envelope was finally produced, Horowitz held its contents up for all to see: Moonlight. Adele Romanski, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, producers. Best Picture. (The point size for Best Picture, by the way, was annoyingly small.)

The ritual of the Oscar envelope, paraded down the red carpet in locked briefcases like Moses returning from the mountain, stone tablets in hand, dates to 1940. The year before, back in the day when the motion picture academy gave the press a list of winners beforehand, the Los Angeles Times leaked the winners prior to the ceremony. (You cant trust the media!)

The winners were never much of a secret anyway, but from that point forward, the names were sealed in stationery, giving birth to the phrase The envelope, please and, later, split-screen cams designed to show us the victors joy and, sometimes, a nominees (there are no losers here) grumpiness. (Were looking at you, Bill Murray.)

Other awards shows encase their winners names in paper too, but those envelopes have never captured the publics fancy in the same way as the Oscars. That might be because the Academy Awards have always put its envelope-keepers, those pesky PricewaterhouseCoopers partners, in the spotlight, marching them down the red carpet and giving them a shout-out during the show. (Interestingly enough, this was the rare year when we didnt see them during the telecast.)

Two years ago, Cate Blanchett spied PricewaterhouseCoopers partner Brian Cullinan and his locked briefcase on the red carpet and engaged him in a spirited tug-of-war over its contents. (This from an actress who was the safest bet that year to win an Oscar.)

Cullinan, a solid professional and likable guy, is apparently the one who handed Beatty the wrong envelope this year  meaning he might not be back at the Oscars in 2018.

But you can bet the envelopes will.

glenn.whipp@latimes.com

Twitter: @glennwhipp

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A trip to the Oscars would be cool almost any day of the week. But doing that days after being released from decades in prison? Thats what happened to the Oscars newest viral sensation, Gary Alan Coe, better known as Gary From Chicago.

Coe, 59, and his fiancee, Vickie Vines, were the first of a dozen or so unsuspecting tourists to enter the Dolby Theatre while the Oscars were in progress.

I spent this afternoon laughing and crying with Gary and Vicky, public defender Karen Nash posted Monday on Facebook. For those of you who missed it, I spent years working on Garys case. He got a life sentence for stealing perfume in 1997, and we finally won release this year. He got out on Friday, and was sight seeing with his lovely fiance Vicky. If you watched the Oscars, you know the rest.

FULL STORY: From prison to the Oscars, 'Gary From Chicago' writes his own Hollywood ending

Coe was released Thursday after being resentenced earlier this year under Californias Proposition 36.

Heres a look at his record:

Coe entered Corcoran State Prison in October 1994 for grand theft exceeding $400.

He was paroled in October 1996

In early 1997, he was convicted of petty theft after stealing from a South Bay Robinsons-May store on New Years Eve 1996.

That conviction earned a three-strikes 25-to-life sentence because he had violent priors.

Those prior offenses were a 1985 robbery in Michigan, a 1982 robbery in Illinois and an attempted rape in 1978.

Coe was resentenced earlier this year under California's Proposition 36 and was released Thursday.

When he and his fiancee entered the Dolby on Sunday, host Jimmy Kimmel immediately introduced them to stars including Nicole Kidman, Octavia Spencer, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone before getting Vines to admit that her favorite actor was that man right there as she pointed to Denzel Washington .

After Kimmel asked Washington if he would be the couples best man, the actor popped out of his seat and married the couple, who are scheduled to wed in July.

I now pronounce you husband and wife, the Fences star said. Kiss the bride.

I've been watching Denzel since he was on St. Elsewhere. Oh, my God. I could die and go to heaven right now, Vines told the ABC affiliate in Chicago.

A person purporting to be Coe called the Chicago Tribune on Monday to explain what happened. He and his fiancee were holding hands, walking down Hollywood Boulevard, when they were offered a free sightseeing tour by someone he thought was a Starline Tours operator. There were about a dozen other passengers on the bus, the man said, and they had no idea theyd be stopping at the Academy Awards.

When they opened the door, we were in the Oscars live, he said.

It was a surprise for the customers, a Starline employee told People. They thought they were just on a normal tour. A few people had made reservations, but others bought their tickets that day.

cdz@latimes.com

@theCDZ

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UPDATES:

1:15 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details on Coes prison record.

4:10 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details on Coes three-strikes offenses.

This article was originally published at 10:05 a.m.

For the Record

3:45 p.m.: An earlier version of this article said Proposition 36 was newly implemented. The proposition, which made changes to California's three-strikes law, was approved in 2012.
#OscarsSoWhite creator: The wins that happened last night were not because of #OscarsSoWhite

After two years of consecutive #OscarsSoWhite controversies, does Sunday nights best picture victory for Moonlight, among other wins for actors and filmmakers of color, represent a major breakthrough for the issue of diversity in Hollywood? Or could it ultimately prove to be just a blip?

We spoke to writer and activist April Reign, creator of the #OscarSoWhite hashtag, about what Sunday nights Oscar show says  and doesnt say  about the current state of inclusion in the film industry.

After two years of all-white nominees in the acting categories, what was your main takeaway from Sunday night?

April Reign: My main takeaway was that when quality films are made that reflect the diversity of experiences in this country, people will go to see them. They will receive critical acclaim and, in some cases, they will win what is considered the highest award in the film industry.

I think if one saw all nine nominees for best picture, it was clear that Moonlight deserved to be nominated  and for me personally, it was the best film that I saw in 2016. But Im also incredibly encouraged about what happened in the lesser-known categories: adapted screenplay and best documentary and even the nominations that we had of black people in cinematography and editing.

All that said, its just one night out of 90 nights of lack of representation of marginalized communities and, even with all of the wins [Sunday] night for films that reflect the black experience, #OscarsSoWhite remains relevant because there are still so many stories from traditionally underrepresented communities that need to be told.

What went through your head when it was initially announced that La La Land had won best picture?

I was disappointed, just because La La Land didnt stay with me the way Moonlight did. Moonlight was such a beautiful film, it almost could have been a silent film and you could have just watched it and still taken something away from it. La La Land was a return to nostalgia and it was sort of a self-congratulatory film for Hollywood. I think theres a place for all different kinds of films in different genres, but it wasnt one that I would say, I need to see that a second or third time, like I did with Moonlight.

Then we had the snafu and things changed and I was elated because what I thought was the best film actually won. You know, its all personal and subjective and people can make arguments about all nine of the films and I absolutely get that. But for me, just as a moviegoer, I thought it was the best film of the year.

Had La La Land, in fact, won best picture, what is your sense of what the social media reaction and the conversation around the diversity issue might have been Monday?

There was some of that. In those 30 seconds, I was watching it happen on Twitter and people were angry.

And were going to have that every year. I already have people in my mentions saying the win for Moonlight was just as rigged as the 2016 presidential election was, or Moonlight only won because of affirmative action.

Thats the difficult thing for me moving forward, that every time a person of color wins, theres going to be someone  and unfortunately some publications, not just some random trolls  that ask whether this was just some quota thing or whether it was deserved. And I think thats unfortunate because I think it really downplays all of the effort and the hard work and the talent that goes into all of these performances.

Nobody questioned whether Emma Stone should win an Oscar or whether Meryl Streep should win an Oscar. But people always question whether a person of color should, and thats just unfair.

Well never know how the votes broke down, but do you think the steps that the academy took last year to invite its largest, most diverse class ever has somehow turned the tide, or could this year ultimately just be a kind of one-off?

I think it remains to be seen. I think the influx of 683 invitees was helpful for everyone, both those who were already members and for new members, to say, Lets look at this process and make sure that were doing the very best that we can.

But its very important to me that we make sure to say that the wins that happened last night were not because of #OscarsSoWhite.

Viola Davis deserves every award ever, in every category. Mahershala Alis gripping, haunting performance was the best that I saw last year, so he was fully deserving. And all of the movies that were nominated and won were in production or pre-production for years before January 2015 when I created the hashtag.

So it really remains to be seen what happens, lets say, three or four years from now, if Hollywood really is going to make a significant change in commitment to financing and distributing and supporting  because those three things are not always synonymous  films that represent all marginalized communities.

[Sunday] was a great night, but it was one night out of many.
Hollywood can be a bubble, an insulated space where reality is scripted and sometimes even fantastical. Still, its cultural productions, especially film, can have an indelible impact on those who watch.

As Lin-Manuel Miranda said on the Academy Awards red carpet on Sunday, film is important because it showed me worlds I never knew were possible.

It exposed me to cultures I never wouldve otherwise seen, added Miranda, who was nominated for original song for How Far Ill Go (from Moana) but lost to La La Land. It transported me beyond my small neighborhood in uptown New York. Im standing here because I saw The Little Mermaid when I was 10 and it changed my life.

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The 2017 award season has been marked by unprecedented discussion about Hollywoods values and its reflection, or lack thereof, of the broader country. It comes on the heels of two years during which the film academy nominated all white actors, prompting the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite.

This year, the Oscars nominee pool was diverse by historical standards, with seven actors of color nominated in the top categories and at least four films about people of color in the best picture race (including the surprise winner, Moonlight). Among those nominees were actors Mahershala Ali of Moonlight, who won for supporting actor, and Dev Patel of Lion and the films Fences and Hidden Figures.

Such diversity surely is a better representation of the vastness of this country and moviegoers worldwide, and its proof positive what the industry can and should look like when its operating at its full potential, said Barry Jenkins, nominated for directing and writing Moonlight.

Roger Ross Williams, nominated director for the documentary Life, Animated, agreed.

Film has to reflect the world, he said on the red carpet. Were a diverse world and a diverse country. In this political climate where diversity and difference is looked down upon by the administration, by the president, its important that we have a voice that includes us all.

Williams then challenged the academy, himself a member of its board of governors, to fill the gap.

Its not coming from the White House or Washington, [D.C.]. he said. It must come from Hollywood.

And though a ceremony like the Oscars, held at Hollywoods Dolby Theatre, might itself seem unnecessary, it too is vital, all in the name of diversity and representation.

To celebrate this art form that is so influential is a good thing, said David Oyelewo, a presenter for the evening. It gives people an opportunity to be aware of films that they otherwise wouldnt, smaller films that are made for smaller budgets, Moonlight being a case in point. A film made for $1.5 million, if it didnt have this kind of recognition, probably a lot less people would see it.
At Sunday nights Academy Awards, a last-minute fumble overshadowed a much larger, and more significant, event.

While everyone scrambled to absorb, and then deconstruct, the mistaken announcement of La La Land as best picture when Moonlight had actually won, a thousand conversations about errant envelopes threatened to take the spotlight off the historic nature of the nights winners.

After two years of blistering criticism over back-to-back slates of all-white nominees, the motion picture academy spent the better part of last year attempting to broaden its membership and its sense of what it stood for as the public face of the movie business. Stung by last years #OscarsSoWhite furor, the group headed into the 89th Academy Awards hoping to turn the page on the diversity debate  and perhaps find a moment of redemption.

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And the best picture debacle notwithstanding, thats just what it did.

This year, the academy rewarded more African American actors and filmmakers in more categories than it ever had in a single year.

Just 12 months after host Chris Rock scathingly branded the 2016 Academy Awards the White Peoples Choice Awards, Sundays Oscars offered a dramatically different picture of the state of inclusion in the film industry.

Capped by the stunning upset best picture win for the drama Moonlight  the story of a gay African American boy growing up in poverty in Miami  the evening saw a record-breaking number of awards go to black actors and filmmakers, including Fences star Viola Davis and Mahershala Ali of Moonlight, who took home supporting actress and supporting actor honors.

Accepting the adapted screenplay prize alongside Tarell Alvin McCraney, director Barry Jenkins gave a nod to those who long have felt underrepresented by Hollywood. All you people out there who feel like theres no mirror for you, that your life is not reflected  we have your back, Jenkins said.

The diversity of Sunday nights winners  which also saw Ali become the first Muslim actor ever to win an Oscar  were seen by many as a sign that, as academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs told the crowd at the Dolby Theatre, the film industry is becoming more inclusive and diverse with each passing day.

This demonstrates how far the academy has come, National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People President and Chief Executive Cornell William Brooks said in a statement. The NAACP is happy that this years Academy Awards has taken a step forward in recognizing the work that people of color bring to this industry as a whole.

The question, of course, is whether that step forward will represent lasting change or be followed by a return to business as usual in an industry in which entrenched inequities in hiring persist.

I was elated because what I thought was the best film actually won, said writer and activist April Reign, who created the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag in 2015. Im also incredibly encouraged about what happened in the lesser-known categories: adapted screenplay and best documentary and the nominations that we had of black people in cinematography and editing.

All that said, its just one night out of 90 nights of lack of representation of marginalized communities, she continued. #OscarsSoWhite remains relevant because there are still so many stories from traditionally underrepresented communities that need to be told.

In the wake of last years #OscarsSoWhite furor, the academy took dramatic steps aimed at diversifying its overwhelmingly white and male ranks, inviting the largest, most diverse class ever to join the institution. But whether those measures were directly responsible for this years results is impossible to know.

Todd Boyd, professor of cinema and media studies at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, is wary of reading too much into one years Oscar results.

There are people who are like, Look! Hollywood is cured!  Boyd said. But as we know, using that metaphor, the disease has the possibility of coming back anytime unless its totally eradicated, and were nowhere close to it being totally eradicated.

The academy, he added, made an effort to become more diverse but the ranks of studio executives and the people who call the shots in Hollywood  that hasnt changed. The power structure hasnt changed.

Though she played a key role in sparking the diversity debate, Reign said the diversity reflected in this years Academy Awards cant be chalked up to the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag  nor should it be.

I already have people [on Twitter] saying Moonlight only won because of affirmative action, she said. Thats unfortunate, because I think it really downplays all of the effort and hard work and talent that goes into all of these performances.

Nobody questioned whether Emma Stone should win an Oscar or whether Meryl Streep should win an Oscar, she added. But people always question whether a person of color should, and thats just unfair. Viola Davis deserves every award ever, in every category.

For her part, in one of the evenings most moving acceptance speeches, Davis made clear what her first Oscar win meant for her as someone who, as a girl, had started to hone her acting skills in tea party games with her sister, pretending we were rich white women.

People ask me all the time, what kind of stories do you want to tell, Viola? Davis told the crowd. The stories of people who dreamed big and never saw those dreams to fruition. People who fell in love and lost. I became an artist  and thank God I did  because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life.

josh.rottenberg@latimes.com

Twitter: @joshrottenberg
Movies like Moonlight dont win the Oscar for best picture.

Movies about the conflicted desires of young gay men, captured with quiet tenderness and exquisite intimacy, dont win the Oscar for best picture. (Just ask Brokeback Mountain.)

Movies that tell modest coming-of-age stories, light on dramatic incident but rich in emotional rewards, dont win the Oscar for best picture. (Just ask Boyhood.)

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Movies that subtly examine some of the social and systemic burdens that weigh heavily on too many African Americans today  poverty, parental abandonment, drug addiction and mass incarceration  dont win the Oscar for best picture.

Movies about black life that are not overtly about slavery dont win the Oscar for best picture.

Its hard to overstate just how culturally, economically, institutionally and statistically improbable an outcome Moonlights best-picture Oscar win represents.

Movies that lose all three major guild prizes  from the Producers Guild of America, the Directors Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild  dont win the Oscar for best picture.

Movies that dispense with the conventions of three-act narrative, that convey their most profound meanings through silence and implication rather than brashness and showmanship, dont win the Oscar for best picture.

Movies that were financed on a shoestring and that draw their deepest stylistic influences from Asian art-cinema auteurs like Wong Kar-wai dont win the Oscar for best picture.

The win was shocking enough; the reversal, even more so. Perhaps cinema this groundbreaking makes its own rules.

As many already have expressed, it was an accomplishment simply for a little-known filmmakers second feature to parlay its strong festival reception and critical acclaim into a remarkable eight Academy Award nominations.

The films supporters were hoping for wins for Mahershala Alis performance and for Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraneys adapted screenplay, and they got them on Sunday night. They had hoped for more, but they werent expecting it.

La La Land had this. Everyone knew it had this. It entered the night with the all-important PGA and DGA precursors and a record-tying 14 Oscar nominations. Awards watchers were expecting a massive trophy haul. The title on the best-picture statuette was all but engraved. Faye Dunaway, reading that title from the envelope in Warren Beattys hand, was sure La La Land had this.

And then, in a surreal blur of horror and confusion that made for the biggest blunder in the Oscars 89-year history  it didnt.

Movies like Moonlight dont win the Oscar for best picture. But then, suddenly, Moonlight did.

What happened on that Dolby Theatre stage was astonishing: a public collision of good intentions, logistical errors and very real, very human embarrassment. It was tremendously upsetting and unsettling to watch and also deeply touching.

Amid the kind of setback that would have utterly paralyzed anyone else, it was extraordinary to see how classily and decisively La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz seized control of the awful moment, explaining what had happened and expressing his pride at being able to present the Oscar to my friends from Moonlight.

Sunday nights screw-up should perhaps be viewed as a symbolic transition.

It was touching to be reminded that for all their talent and ambition, both Jenkins, 37, and Damien Chazelle  at 32, the youngest best director winner in academy history  are still so new to this industry, and far too new to have to shoulder this level of insanity. Then again, this isnt the kind of deer-in-the-headlights moment youd wish on a grizzled veteran  or your worst enemy.

I was rooting hard for Moonlight to win best picture, but I had more than contented myself with the certainty of a win for La La Land, a film I admired enormously. The respect and affection that Jenkins and Chazelle expressed for each other throughout awards season  and again, on the Oscars stage  set an example of collegial behavior and sportsmanship that shames every attempt to pit them against each other, as if they were aesthetic and ideological nemeses.

It also shames the lingering rancor of our recent presidential election, dragged out amid boasts, bluster and accusations over fake voters, fake news and Russian rigging. Anyone inclined to attack Hollywood for dwelling in a bubble of high privilege, impervious to the concerns of real, decent Americans, might look back on this crazy episode and find an instructive example of how self-respecting human beings treat each other in their shared instances of triumph and defeat.

Did it perhaps have to happen this way  with an agonizing catastrophe, followed by a symbolic righting of wrongs? The last few years have been transformative for the academy, with the #OscarsSoWhite controversy culminating in the organizations decision to dramatically diversify its membership.

The multiple nominations for Moonlight, as well as other worthy black ensemble films like Fences and Hidden Figures, marked a legitimate sea change. And that change inevitably found a more establishment rival in La La Land, which was increasingly and unfairly burdened by accusations of toxic, oblivious whiteness as the Oscar campaign season stretched on.

The promotion of diversity is a worthy cause and also a messy, sensitive, difficult business. In that context, Sunday nights screw-up  the sorrow and humiliation of the La La Land crew, and the shock and guilt that marred the Moonlight teams victory lap  should perhaps be viewed as a symbolic transition.

Yes, it was a case of human error at its most ill timed. No, it shouldnt have gone down this way. But its also curiously emblematic of the growing pains that the academy will inevitably experience as it tries to make sense of its imperfect past and build a more representative future.

And with those growing pains, as the La La Land and Moonlight filmmakers amply demonstrated, there will also be opportunities for people to show each other uncommon grace and decency.

The academy already has much to be proud of this year on the diversity front. Even without a Denzel Washington win for lead actor, the ceremony set a record for the most black Oscar winners (six, recognized in five categories). In a year of unprecedented anti-Islam hostility from the highest branches of government, Ali became the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar for his gorgeous Moonlight performance. The Iranian writer-director Asghar Farhadi, now a two-time foreign-language film winner with The Salesman, weighed in from afar with a stirring, eloquent rebuke of the Trump administrations discriminatory policies.

There is room to quibble about the merits of individual award choices, but all in all, the balance of aesthetic discernment and political astuteness could hardly have been better judged. And it was in Moonlights best picture win  a rare commingling of art, emotion, race, sexuality, culture and politics, played out on Hollywoods most prestigious stage  that the academys best intentions clumsily but indelibly converged.

The win was shocking enough; the reversal, even more so. Perhaps cinema this groundbreaking makes its own rules.

But after the embarrassment of a worldwide live-TV fiasco recedes into memory  and I know, its not going to recede anytime soon  the outcome will be the same, and itll be worth remembering. From here on out, no one will be able to say that movies like Moonlight dont win the Oscar for best picture.

Then again, it will be some time before we see another movie quite like Moonlight.

More about Moonlight . . .

 Moonlight won the best picture Oscar after a botched announcement threw the ceremony into chaos.

WATCH: Barry Jenkins, writer and director of Moonlight, on the red carpet at the 2017 Academy Awards. Everyone looks to the filmmaking community to reflect the world we live in, he said. And after the Oscars? Im going to Mexico, he said. Im

Moonlight composer Nicholas Britell, at the 2017 Academy Awards ceremony, talks about channeling the idea of poetry into the music of Moonlight and how some of the tracks are bent so far down its like a rumbling.

 WATCH: Supporting actor Oscar nominee Mahershala Ali talks about his surprise and delight in recognizing traits of people hes known in the script for Moonlight.

 WATCH: Kenneth Turan reviews 'Moonlight directed by Barry Jenkins and starring Trevante Rhodes, Andre Holland, Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Janelle Monae, Ashton Sanders, Alex Hibbert, Jharrel Jerome and Jaden Piner. Video by Jason H. Neubert

 WATCH: When Barry Jenkins directed Naomie Harris in Moonlight, he realized that following his emotional response to serendipitous moments in front of the camera was sometimes more important than strictly following the script.

 Playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney discusses Moonlights screen adaptation

 Naomie Harris describes the last-minute introduction that ensured spontaneity in a key scene in Moonlight.

 Mahershala Ali of Moonlight and Dev Patel of Lion share their thoughts about the current political climate.

justin.chang@latimes.com

On Twitter: @JustinCChang

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It was September 2014, three months after Islamic States blitz takeover of this once vibrant metropolis, when a car from the Hisbah, the groups religious police, drew up to the door of Um Sauds beauty salon.

It was Abu Ashraf, the head of the Hisbah. He said the caliph had banned all salons as haram [forbidden] said Um Saud, 25, speaking in an alley near her beauty parlor in one of Mosuls eastern neighborhoods. Um Saud is a nickname that she used for reasons of security.

He gave us 10 days to remove everything and close the shop. If we didnt, everything would be confiscated.

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It was the start of Um Sauds career as an underground hairdresser, a furtive existence in which something as seemingly innocuous as eyeliner could be punished with a lashing and any customer could be a spy.

Iraqi security forces reclaimed the eastern half of Mosul, which is split in two by the Tigris River, in late January. Although a semblance of normalcy has returned in many eastern neighborhoods, suicide bombers and grenade-dropping drones are still a threat.

Iraqi forces have since launched an assault on the western half of the city, which remains under Islamic State control.

When Islamic State initially captured the city, life had continued much as before. Um Saud said her customers still came to the parlor, which had been opened in 1996 by her mother, to get elaborate makeup and hairdos done before important occasions. (Her mother is now trapped in western Mosul, Um Saud said.)

The militants relative leniency changed after the first month, when they had established themselves, said Um Saud.

One month into the Islamic State reign, posters were put up saying women had to wear a manteau, a type of loose gown, in addition to their hijab. Soon the edicts went further, making the niqab (a full face covering), gloves and socks mandatory for women when leaving the house.

Then an Islamic State militant, who gave his name as Abu Anas Ansari, visited the salon.

When I first saw him, he was a bit of man and a lot of hair. You could barely tell there was a man underneath it all  Um Saud, underground hairdresser

When I first saw him, he was a bit of man and a lot of hair. You could barely tell there was a man underneath it all, joked Um Saud.

He said that the salons name, which was feminine, was forbidden. So was the picture of a heavily made-up woman with sultry eyes on the sign. They would have to be removed.

It wasnt a matter of discussion. Of course we said yes, said Um Saud. Also forbidden, under Islamic States particularly harsh application of Islamic law, were eyebrow plucking, hair dye and tattoos.

Any woman caught leaving the beauty parlor without being fully covered would spur a $600 fine on the salons owners, said Um Saud. A harsher fate would await the womans husband. As punishment, he would have to choose between being whipped, digging trenches near the frontline or destroying graves, whose headstones are considered idolatrous by Islamic State.

When the closure order came two months later, Um Saud moved her entire operation to her home, using a tailoring service and beauty products supply shop as a front. (Islamic State decrees allow women to wear makeup and perfume, but not in public and only in front of their husbands.)

Only my longtime customers knew I was still a hairdresser. If anyone asked, they would say they were coming to mend or alter clothes, said Um Saud, who would import beauty products from Syria, making sure to scribble crayon over any faces printed on the boxes.

If anyone new came to me, I wouldnt trust them. I was always terrified they would be Islamic State spies.

She spoke of the time a member from the Khansaa Brigade, the Hisbahs all-female group, came to the house.

She came in wearing full niqab and had a walkie-talkie and had a ghadaarah slung over her shoulder, she said, using a slang term for an Uzi submachine gun.

She told me I know you have a salon and I would like to get my hair done. I was sure she was there to trick us, so I insisted she had heard wrong and that we didnt operate anything like that anymore.

Um Saud got a steady supply of Islamic State wives who wanted to buy authorized beauty products.

They would come to us and say the caliphate wont end. Itll continue and that it would reach Rome, she said. The conquest of Rome is central to Islamic States prophecies regarding the domination of the world by Muslims.

We got lots of Russians, Syrians, French, Bangladeshis. We were always terrified of them, she said.

Work was only slightly easier for barbers who cut mens hair in Mosul. Their shops werent closed, but were still subject to heavy restrictions.

We couldnt trim the sides, define the edges of beards, remove excess facial hair, nothing, said one barber who said he had been imprisoned and whipped three times for violating the jihadists injunctions on cutting hair. He declined to give his name for fear of reprisal.

One time a customer insisted I cut his hair. When they caught him, they tortured him until he gave my name up so they got me too. I got 35 lashes for that one, the barber said. He was standing in front of his barbershop in eastern Mosul, where customers streamed in, eager to get the haircuts that had been banned under Islamic State.

But both he and Um Saud are still afraid of Islamic State sleeper cells in the city. Not only did they refuse to give their names, but requested that no information specific to their establishments be mentioned.

Um Sauds husband, a friendly 26-year-old businessman, mentioned My Fair Lady, a well-known restaurant that was struck by a suicide bomber. It had reopened at the behest of authorities shortly after Mosuls eastern half was retaken.

We know the owner, Hajj Nasser. He was cut down in the attack, and we dont want the same to happen to us said Um Sauds husband. He took a visiting reporter on a tour of restaurants in the city. Most remained closed.

Theyre still here, he said, referring to Islamic State members. All they did was change their clothes and cut their beards.

He and Um Saud sometimes wonder what happened to Abu Ashraf, the Hisbah chief.

We really hated him. He would torment us specifically because of the salon, said Um Saud, a little smile on her face as she shook her head.

I hope hes dead.

Bulos is a special correspondent.
Christian Nilo has grown up with poverty and corruption, with barely enough to eat and teachers who demand bribes in exchange for passing grades.

Two years ago, when he was 20, an acquaintance paid him $2 to deliver a package  which he later learned contained a cheap methamphetamine known as shabu. More work was available if he wanted it.

He resisted the temptation to join the drug trade, but a number of classmates did not.

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There are a lot of them, Nilo said. They have more money than regular students.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has taken a hard-line approach to his countrys illicit drug problem, overseeing a campaign of extrajudicial killings that has left more than 7,000 people dead, most of them suspected drug dealers or users.

Missing from his strategy, experts said, is any concerted effort to address the widespread poverty and corruption that have helped fuel the drug trade.

There wasnt enough employment, or social resources, so everyone needed a second job, said Clarke Jones, a professor at Australian National University who has studied drug dealing in the Philippines. Duterte might be trying to eliminate the drug market  which will never happen, by the way  but hes failed to realize, whats going to replace those funds?

This society is built on corruption, he said. Its learned at a very, very early age.

At Batasan Hills National High School  which Nilo attends  teachers and students described difficulties that help explain the attraction of the drug trade.

Tess Busadre, the head of the social studies department, said the vast majority of the schools budget goes to electricity, water and other basic needs.

With salaries of about $4,500 per year  barely enough to cover basic living costs  teachers resort to selling school materials to students to make ends meet, she said.

One of the reasons why we have dropouts, or problematic students, is that they cant finance the projects that they have to submit, she said.

Jenelyn Escovanez, a 10th-grader, said a math teacher once demanded his students order T-shirts from him in lieu of completing a project. She paid the teacher and passed the class, she said, but then discovered there was no T-shirt.

The teacher has a drug problem and remains at the school, Busadre said.

Nilo said that he has been forced to pay teachers for supplies, photocopies and the privilege to complete class projects. In one class last year, the assignment was to make a toolbox. Nilo didnt have $1.50 to buy the needed materials from his teacher.

I was made to choose between buying medicine for my father, and passing my class, he said. I chose to buy medicine for my father.

Nilo failed the class.

The school, which is located in Quezon City  one of Manilas poorest areas  allows older students such as Nilo to attend classes just once a week so they can work full time.

Most days, he operates a pedicab from dawn to dusk, ferrying commuters in a low-slung yellow carriage bolted to his rusty bicycle. He usually earns less than $5 a day and spends it on medicine for his father  who has heart trouble  and food for his two younger siblings.

Classmates in similar straits have turned to drugs and prostitution.

They hide [drugs] in socks, they hide it in their shirts, Nilo said. Some of my girl classmates, they allow themselves to be touched, caressed, and they get paid for it.

Joel M. Durban, dean of the College of Education, Arts and Sciences at National University in Manila, said that conditions at the school are typical. Its poor by Manila standards, but if youre going to look at the whole country, its basically the same, he said.

Busadre said that Dutertes drug war has reduced the schools drug problem.

But human rights organizations have roundly condemned Dutertes anti-drug campaign, with Amnesty International, in a February report, calling it a war on the poor.

Many countries, including neighbors of the Philippines, have tried a heavy-handed approach to drugs, it said. Again and again, such tactics have proven unsuccessful, devastating lives while failing to tackle the root causes of drug use and sale. Poverty and its various manifestations are a problem you treat, not shoot at.

Children have been among the targets in the presidents drug war. At least 31 people under age 18 have been killed, said Rowena Legaspi, executive director of the Childrens Legal Rights and Development Centre, a nonprofit in Metro Manila.

A bill now in Congress proposes lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 9 to prevent the pampering of youthful offenders who commit crimes knowing they can get away with it.

Duterte has said he supports the legislation, claiming that it would stop a generation of criminals in its tracks.

jonathan.kaiman@latimes.com

Twitter: @JRKaiman

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Community centers in Irvine and Los Angeles were among several Jewish facilities across the U.S. that were evacuated Monday during a rash of bomb threats.

In Los Angeles, the Westside Jewish Community Center received a threatening phone call on Monday, saying a bomb was going to go off, said Officer Tony Im, spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department. The building in 5000 block of West Olympic Boulevard was evacuated. Police later determined the threat was not credible, he said.

In Irvine, about 1,000 people were evacuated from the Merage Jewish Community Center about 4:40 p.m. Monday when a bomb threat was called into the center, according to the Irvine Police Department. No one was injured during the incident.

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Orange County Sheriffs Department bomb-sniffing dogs searched the buildings and a parking lot, at 1 Federation Way, and nothing suspicious was located, police said in a statement.

Initially, police said Tarbut VTorah school, which is on the same property, was evacuated. But on Tuesday, Celeste Signorino, director of advancement at the school, said students and staff were not evacuated. She said the center received the threat and was evacuated to the school.

Police spokeswoman Kim Mohr said school officials declined to allow bomb-sniffing dogs to search the campus.

Police said it was unclear whether the threat was tied to similar threats made across the country Monday.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, at least 20 bomb threats were made to Jewish institutions in at least 12 states Monday.

This is the fifth wave of threats that has been called into JCCs in recent weeks, the Anti-Defamation League said in a statement.

About 90 threats have been made to Jewish facilities, including a Bay Area community center and the ADLs San Francisco office since the start of the year.

While this latest round of bomb threats to Jewish Community Centers and day schools across the country again appears to not be credible, we are nonetheless urging all Jewish institutions to review their procedures, ADL Chief Executive Jonathan A. Greenblatt said in a statement.

Greenblatt said the ADL was working with local and federal law enforcement officials to investigate the threats.

Unfortunately, bomb threats are not the only manifestation of anti-Semitism in recent weeks, as we have seen Jewish cemetery desecrations strike St. Louis and Philadelphia, he said.

Greenblatt has called on President Trump to adopt a plan to address the threats.

In January, the FBI announced it was investigating possible civil rights violations in connection with the threats across the U.S.

The FBI will collect all available facts and evidence, and will ensure this matter is investigated in a fair, thorough and impartial manner, the FBI said in a statement to The Times.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

Twitter: VeronicaRochaLA

UPDATES:

12:45 p.m.: This article was updated with a bomb threat made to the Westside Jewish Community Center.

11:45 a.m.: This article was updated with comments from Celeste Signorino, director of advancement from Tarbut VTorah school. She said the school was not evacuated.

This article was originally published at 9:55 a.m.
A nude photograph of an East Bay school administrator that was being circulated by students has led to multiple suspensions and an expulsion at a high school in Concord, according to local news outlets.

The photo reportedly shows a high-ranking school administrator in a locker room at a health club, NBC Bay Area reported. The picture was circulated around Clayton Valley Charter High School and led to searches of students phones.

Alissa Guevara told NBC Bay Area that fellow students were threatened with suspension if they did not relinquish their phones to be searched.

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Guevara said she had not received or distributed the photo, but said she knew of seven classmates who were suspended and said the person who took the photo, also a student, had been expelled.

Everybody understands that what happened was not OK, and we dont condone that at all, Guevara told the outlet. However, she added that she felt the search violated students rights.

School officials said law enforcement is investigating the matter and that disciplinary action was taken in accordance with school policy.

It all comes back to where does our administrator go to get his dignity back, Said Mike MeCey, communications director for the school. Those that are commenting in the media about the students privacy should also be considering the privacy of our administrator.

A statement was also released on behalf of the high school.

CVCHS takes disciplinary issues seriously and we never comment publicly on any specific matter related to our students, the statement read. We would encourage the media to respect the privacy of our students and to recognize that discipline is always confidential.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

brittny.mejia@latimes.com

Twitter: @Brittny_Mejia

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1:16 p.m.: This article was updated with comment from a school official.

This article was originally published at 8:05 a.m.
The Los Angeles Police Department released the name of the off-duty officer who fired his gun during what quickly became a highly charged confrontation with a group of teenagers in Anaheim as residents and activists continued to criticize his actions.

The officer, Kevin Ferguson, is back on the job but is not working in the field, Capt. Andy Neiman, an LAPD spokesman, said Monday.

Ferguson works out of the Hollywood Division, officials said, but they provided no details of his specific assignment. State police records show Ferguson joined the LAPD in 2013.

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The Anaheim Police Departments investigation into the altercation, as well as a separate internal inquiry by the LAPD, are continuing, spokesmen for each agency said.

A seemingly mundane dispute spun out of control on West Palais Road last week when Anaheim police say Ferguson confronted a group of teenagers walking across his property. Other teenagers pulled out their cameras, filming the officer as he held a 13-year-old boy by the collar of his sweatshirt, trying to detain him.

The situation quickly escalated from there. At one point, another teen rushed the officer, sending him tumbling over a line of bushes. The officer then reached into his jeans and drew a gun, firing a single shot.

No one was hurt by the gunfire, which Anaheim police said was aimed at the ground. But video of the encounter stirred an uproar across the country, prompting criticism of the off-duty officers actions and questions over why investigators arrested two teenagers  but not Ferguson  at the scene.

On Tuesday, activists who regularly attend the Los Angeles Police Commissions weekly meetings repeatedly mentioned the confrontation, decrying Fergusons actions and demanding he be fired.

We need you to find a way to get Kevin Ferguson off the streets, said Melina Abdullah, an organizer with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Mani Kang told the board he was so troubled by what he saw on the video that he drove from his Orange County home to Tuesdays meeting in downtown Los Angeles to express his concern. The officers behavior, he said, has become a black eye for the city of L.A.

For him to use that type of force and discharge his weapon is just unbelievable, Kang said. If we tell children not to escalate, tell your officers not to escalate off-duty as well.

Larry Hanna, an attorney representing Ferguson, said the officer fired the shot to defuse an escalating situation. Ferguson had been punched in the face, Hanna said, and other teens were coming at him.

Thats why he then fires one round in a place where theres nobody standing, in a downward direction to make people scatter. And thats what happened, Hanna said. His aim was to make sure that nobody got hurt  him or anybody else.

Officials in Anaheim and Los Angeles said they were troubled by what they saw on videos of the clash that were posted on YouTube and Facebook. As many as 300 protesters descended on the neighborhood last week, resulting in 23 arrests.

Like many, I am deeply disturbed and frankly angered by what it shows, Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait said at a news conference. The video shows an adult wrestling with a 13-year-old kid and ultimately firing a gun.  It should never have happened.

The encounter unfolded around 2:40 p.m. Feb. 21 along West Palais Road, Anaheim police said. Chief Raul Quezada said the officer had been involved in an ongoing dispute with juveniles who continually walked across his property.

During the confrontation, Quezada said, the 13-year-old made a threat that led the officer to believe that he was going to shoot him. Ferguson then decided to try to detain the boy while waiting for Anaheim police to arrive, police said.

Hanna said Fergusons father had asked a girl to get off their property and was met with profanities. Ferguson started to intervene, Hanna said, when another teenager told him, You cant do that. Im going to shoot you.

Thats what he heard, Hanna said.

As Fergusons father called 911, Hanna said, the off-duty officer told the boy to take his hands out of his pockets. When the teenager complied, Hanna said, Ferguson decided to detain him until Anaheim police arrived.

Two online videos showing part of the confrontation show Ferguson grabbing the boy by his sweatshirt. In one video, the boy accused the officer of cursing at a girl who walked across his yard. The officer denied making such remarks.

Ferguson stumbled down the sidewalk with the boy, then pulled him into another yard, the video shows.

Youre the one thats going to jail, not me, the boy tells him. Youre starting all this.

You shouldnt have made the threat that you were going to shoot me, Ferguson later replies.

I didnt say that, the boy retorts. I said I was going to sue you.

Throughout the encounter, other young people approached the pair, occasionally tugging on the 13-year-olds backpack or trying to separate the two. At one point, another teenager rushed the officer, sending him over the hedge.

As the officer tries to drag the 13-year-old over the bushes, another appears to swing at him. The officer then reaches into his jeans for the gun.

kate.mather@latimes.com

@katemather

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6:10 p.m.: This story was updated with comments from Tuesdays L.A. Police Commission meeting.

This story was originally published Feb. 27 at 7:25 p.m.
Marking another milestone in the massive renovation of Los Angeles International Airport, city officials broke ground Monday on a $1.6-billion midfield passenger terminal that will have a dozen gates for aircraft.

The project, which is scheduled to be finished in late 2019, will help accommodate growth at LAX and reduce the use of the airports outdoor gates, where passengers exit planes onto the tarmac and take buses to the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

This is a transformative project, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told scores of city officials, local dignitaries and airport contractors who attended the groundbreaking. Its a win for Los Angeles, a win for tourism and a win for everyone.

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Phase 1 of the so-called Midfield Satellite Concourse will be built immediately west of the Bradley terminal, which underwent a $2.1-billion remodel and expansion that was completed in 2015.

In addition to the new gates, the five-story concourse includes a 750,000-square-foot terminal filled with lounges, retail and dining concessions as well as a state-of-the-art baggage system.

The building will be connected to the Bradley terminal by a 1,000-foot passenger tunnel equipped with moving walkways. Shuttle buses will be available to take passengers to other terminals.

Airport officials say the 12 new gates will help reduce a shortage of aircraft gates and provide space for planes while other terminal upgrades are underway. Two gates will accommodate the largest commercial aircraft, such as the Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A380.

A second phase of construction planned for the future could add up to seven more gates if needed.

Its a win for Los Angeles, a win for tourism and a win for everyone.  Eric Garcetti, mayor of Los Angeles

Plans for the current project also call for new taxiways and a ramp tower to better direct the movement of aircraft on the ground, particularly behind Bradley, where visibility is limited.

The concourse is one of the so-called green-lighted projects that can proceed under a 2006 court settlement that ended a lawsuit brought by neighborhood groups opposed to the ambitious airport development plans of former Mayor James Hahn.

This project symbolizes the partnership between the airport and the community, said Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin, whose district includes the airport. Its the beginning of a whole new LAX.

Airport officials say the new terminal will help accommodate future growth at LAX, which is now the premier West Coast gateway to the United States and the second busiest airport in the nation behind Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta.

Last year, LAX handled a record 80.9 million air travelers. Regional planners predict the volume could reach 98.6 million by 2040.

The midfield concourse is part of an ongoing $14-billion modernization of LAX, which has received low ratings for years in public opinion surveys.

The work includes airfield improvements, upgrades for all passenger terminals, a consolidated car rental facility, an elevated people mover and a transportation hub to link light rail service to the airport.

Officials estimate that construction of the concourse will provide about 6,000 jobs and $300 million in wages. At least 15 percent of the work will be done by small businesses, they say, and more than half the 250 plus contractors are based in Los Angeles County.

Several hundred permanent jobs are likely to be created to staff new concessions and service new airline flights once the work is completed.

dan.weikel@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter @LADeadline16
A $20,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a shooter who sprayed gunfire at a Pomona home last week, killing an 8-year-old boy.

Jonah Min Hwang and his family were visiting a friends home for dinner on Feb. 20 in the 1100 block of West 11th Street when the shooter fired at the residence from the street and drove away, according to the Pomona Police Department.

The family was sitting in the living room when Jonah was struck in the head, officials said.

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He was the only person struck by the gunfire, Lt. Eddie Vazquez said. Jonah was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Police do not believe the residents have any gang connections, but this is the second time the house has been shot at in the last three weeks, Vazquez said. No one was wounded in the last shooting.

Detectives continue to follow leads, and believe in a positive outcome for this investigation, the Police Department said in a statement. Investigators are asking for the publics assistance in this case and hope that a reward will convince someone with information to come forward.

Jonahs family said they adopted him from an orphanage in Taiwan less than three years ago.

He had an infectious smile and loved everyone and everything: sports, wrestling with his dad, running, laughing, superheroes. Jonah was a light and joy in our household and we cannot imagine our family without him, the family said in a statement.

Pomona police asked anyone with information about the shooting to call the department at (909) 620-2085 or (909) 620-2085 to remain anonymous.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

Twitter: VeronicaRochaLA
After the Los Angeles Times and other news organizations including the New York Times, CNN, Politico and the BBC were barred from a White House press gaggle Friday, readers from around the country expressed their support for the journalists. And, not surprisingly, there was one who claimed the report was fake news.

Thank you for being a champion to the American people. You should consider it an extraordinary honor to have been censored by Mr. Trump. The American people are smart enough to know who is making up the fake news and why it is being done.

Please know that we salute you and greatly appreciate your efforts. You are upholding the most important ideals of a democracy!

 Catherine Diehl, York, Pa.

I have been a subscriber since I moved here in 1987. I encourage you to stand united with other mainstream press organizations in NOT attending any White House or other events where the entire press corps in not invited. Yesterday's actions by the White House undermine a free press.

 Ken Werner, Encino

The barring of major news outlets like the L.A. Times, N.Y. Times and CNN in a White House briefing today is horrifying! This is how dictatorships start.  Hubert Miller, Stillwater, N.Y.

I just read that the Los Angeles Times was barred from a White House press briefing. This is clearly disturbing as the administration is trying to cow the news media, but this also suggests to me that the Los Angeles Times is doing EXACTLY what it is supposed to do, and the administration would not be barring your attendance if it were comfortable with your reporting.

 Kalun Lee, Arlington, Va.

Want to know why The Times is increasingly regarded as fake news?

Because your story complained that certain conservative outlets that were invited to the briefing, but you did not even mention the following mainstream outlets that were also there, as reported by others: ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, Reuters, Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal and McClatchy.

 Greg Meyer

Thanks for your commitment to quality journalism and integrity in the face of a White House that is clearly attempting to influence objective reporting.  Joe Tyburczy, Lexington, Mass.

I appreciate your courage and truthful reporting of the actions and policies and behaviors coming from all those associated with the current White House. As Americans we need to know as clearly as possible what is taking place each day and how best to counter the hateful and dangerous and destructive behaviors, policies and language coming from the staff and the occupant of the White House. Thank you for your work.

 Linda Wages, Boulder, Colo.

Not allowed in the press briefing? Must mean you are doing something RIGHT in your work as a free, independent press.  Michele Wheeler, Menlo Park, Calif.

I write to compliment you on your straightforward, aggressive reporting of the misdeeds, the chaos, and the dictatorial tendencies of the Trump administration. I was appalled that your honest, challenging journalists were excluded from Friday's press briefing. I depend on your factual, truthful reporting; I thank you for it; and I encourage you to remain relentless in maintaining the high journalistic standards that are essential to our democracy.

 David Johnston, Berkeley

The 1st Amendment is very important to me. I am appalled at how the White House is treating the press. Today's exclusion of CNN, New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Politico is unacceptable. Please explore all legal options against the White House and continue all your research into their clearly nefarious tactics.

 Jaye Bee, La Mesa, Calif.

readers.representative@latimes.com

For staff and newsroom news, follow @LATreadersrep
President Trumps address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday was his biggest speech since the inauguration. The West Wing was keen to demonstrate that Trump was keeping his promises.

With that in mind, its worth revisiting some of his signature campaign lines, along with the variations that came up Tuesday in the House chamber.

Our plan will put America first.

In his speech accepting the Republican nomination in Cleveland in July, Trump emphasized a long-running theme of his candidacy: a rejection of governing that aimed to steer American interests through an increasingly interconnected global order.

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Trumps philosophy showed great appeal during the campaign and underlay many of the presidents early actions, especially his rejection of a proposed 12-nation Pacific trade deal. The agreement hadnt been submitted to Congress for ratification and was already widely viewed as dead even before Trump was elected, but he nonetheless views his withdrawing the U.S. from it as a major accomplishment.

On Tuesday, Trump touted his cancellation of the trade pact and emphasized that his job was to represent just the U.S., not the rest of the world. But he avoided the America First slogan he has used in the past, which has drawn condemnation from the Anti-Defamation League and others who say it has anti-Semitic overtones. The America First Committee sought to keep the U.S. out of World War II.

I will be the greatest jobs president that God ever created.

In the speech kicking off his presidential campaign in June 2015  the one that followed a dramatic escalator trip  Trump cast doubt on the idea that President Obama had presided over a long-running economic recovery. He said unemployment data masked the true scope of the problem, and offered multiple diagnoses for why so many Americans remained unemployed.

Since taking office, Trump has reiterated the notion that he inherited a mess of an economy, while simultaneously taking credit for upticks in consumer confidence and the stock market that preceded his inauguration. Most independent analyses say Trump took office amid consistent economic growth.

Trump based his promise of a surge in hiring on a range of proposals  tax reform, fairer trade deals and stricter controls on immigration. Trump reminded Congress Tuesday that Wal-Mart and other companies had announced new U.S. jobs since his election. He also mentioned his effort to curb federal regulations and his plan to develop historic tax reform.

Were going to build that wall. Its going to be a great wall, and let me just tell you, Mexico is going to pay for the wall; they dont know it yet.

Perhaps no slogan was more of a crowd-pleaser than this one, delivered at a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, days before the election and many times before it.

At times during the campaign, Trump would implore audiences to answer his leading question as to who would pay for a new border wall. But he has not always given a clear picture of how exactly that would happen. The idea of a direct payment from Mexico has seemingly been dispensed with. Instead, Trump has talked more recently of a new tax scheme in which goods crossing the border might be taxed and those revenues put toward the expense of the wall.

His insistence that Mexicans will ultimately pay the price led to a very early diplomatic conflict, with President Enrique Pena Nieto canceling a planned visit to Washington over it. A joint statement from both nations later indicated the subject of paying for the wall would not come up in public again.

Trump told Congress the U.S. would soon start construction of the great, great wall, but omitted his usual vow to force Mexico to pay for it.

I say to the African American community, I say to the Hispanic community ... what the hell do you have to lose? I mean, what have you got to lose?

Trump made a point of at least being seen as trying to make inroads into voting demographics that had been long favorable to Democrats  African Americans and Latinos, most notably. His blunt pitch, in this case delivered at a rally in November in Wilmington, Ohio  a town where nearly 9 in 10 residents were white  left him open to criticism that there was little substance or conviction to it. He has pledged that his crime and economic policies would end the carnage in inner cities.

On Tuesday, Trump said work still remained on blacks civil rights, but gave no specifics  and did not mention that his administration dropped the governments legal objections this week to a Texas voter ID law that President Obamas Justice Department had argued was intentionally discriminatory against minorities.

I want the entire corrupt Washington establishment to hear the words we are all about to say. When we win on Nov. 8, we are going to drain the swamp.

Drain the swamp was a relatively late entry to the Trump roster of campaign slogans, and one that he admitted he was not sold on himself right away. But running against the establishment was a core part of his campaign.

And though hes issued an executive order to limit any lobbying done by members of his administration after their government service, watchdogs have said the proposals fall short of what Obama implemented.

Democrats have questioned whether Trump has sufficiently severed ties between him and his businesses, and whether he stands to benefit personally from the conduct of his office.

Trump told Congress that hed started to drain the swamp of government corruption with his five-year ban on lobbying by executive branch officials, and his lifetime ban on their lobbying for a foreign government.

I know more about ISIS than the generals do.

In one of the feistier speeches of his campaign, months before the first nominating contest in Iowa, Trump boasted that he knew what needed to be done to defeat Islamic State  even more than the nations military leaders.

Now commander in chief, Trump is waiting on the new plan for combating the terrorist network that is being finalized by Pentagon strategists, in a department now led by a former general, James N. Mattis. In the meantime, Trump is seeking a major ramp-up in defense spending that he says will reverse the decline in Americas fighting power under his predecessor.

In his speech to Congress, Trump said hed ordered the Pentagon to develop a plan to destroy ISIS, but provided no details.

We have a country that needs new roads, new tunnels, new bridges, new airports, new schools, new hospitals.

Trump is a builder, he and his administration like to point out. And the idea of a major new investment in infrastructure is one of the few areas that Democrats have seemed eager to cooperate with the new president. But his administration has been silent about whether and how he will proceed with a major rebuilding effort, other than to talk generally about public-private partnerships.

Democrats want direct investment on tangible projects; the National Governors Assn., a bipartisan outfit, has sent specific ideas to the administration. Trump told Congress that he would seek a law that produces $1-trillion investment in infrastructure, with both public and private capital. He avoided the issue of how he might break fellow Republicans resistance to new federal spending.

We will be a country of generosity and warmth. But we will also be a country of law and order.

In his nomination acceptance speech, Trump signaled a tough-on-crime posture that would break from policies in the Obama administration, which saw an uptick in violent crime in its final years and heightened tension between law enforcement and minority communities.

Early on, Trump has focused on border security, most notably issuing executive orders vastly expanding deportation targets to nearly everyone in the U.S. illegally and temporarily banning refugees and travelers from seven majority-Muslim nations, which was knocked down by the courts. A replacement travel ban is expected this week, Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Monday.

In his speech on Tuesday, Trump emphasized violent crimes committed by immigrants in the U.S. illegally. He reminded Congress that hed ordered the Homeland Security Department to create an office to give voice to victims of such crimes, saying theyd been ignored by the media and silenced by special interests.

michael.memoli@latimes.com

For more White House coverage, follow @mikememoli on Twitter.

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8:40 p.m.: The story was updated with remarks from President Trumps address to Congress.

The story was initially published at 3 a.m.
An employee at the restaurant where a man was arrested last week on suspicion of the racially motivated shooting of two Indian men told a 911 dispatcher that the suspect admitted to shooting two Iranian people.

The suspect, Adam Purinton, 51, made his first appearance in court Monday via video link. He has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder.

According to witnesses, Purinton yelled, Get out of my country, at two 32-year-old Indian men, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, before he opened fire at Austins Bar and Grill in the Kansas City suburb of Olathe on Wednesday evening.

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Kuchibhotla was killed and Madasani injured. The two had come to the U.S. from India to study, and they worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin. A third patron, Ian Grillot, 24, was wounded when he tried to intervene.

After the shooting, Purinton, who is white, drove 70 miles east to an Applebees restaurant in Clinton, Mo., where he made the shocking admission to a bartender.

In a recording from Henry County, Mo., the 911 call reveals that an Applebees bartender warned police not to approach the building with sirens blaring or the man would freak out and something bads going to happen.

The bartender told the dispatcher that a man had come into the Applebees and said he had done something really bad and was on the run from the police.

He asked if he could stay with me and my husband, and he wouldnt tell me what he did. I kept asking him, and he said that he would tell me if I agreed to let him stay with me, the bartender said. Well, I finally got him to tell me and he said, like, that he shot and killed two Iranian people in Olathe.

Authorities have declined to discuss a possible motive for the attack or to say if they are investigating it as a hate crime. But the incident has raised concern about the treatment of immigrants, who feel targeted by President Trumps promises to ban certain travelers, build a wall along the Mexico border and put America first.

Andy Berthelsen, a neighbor of Purintons in Olathe for the last 15 years, told the Associated Press that Purinton had become a drunken mess after his fathers death about 18 months ago. He said he didnt believe the shooting stemmed from hatred and that it probably resulted from Purintons physical and mental deterioration.

The University of Kansas Health System released a video Sunday of an interview with Grillot, of Grandview, Mo., who is recovering after a bullet went through his right hand and into his chest.

Grillot said he had to do something because there were families and children in the bar when the gunfire erupted. Grillot said he was grateful that the attack was bringing the community together and that it was awesome honestly to be able to give people a hope that not everybody hates everybody.

Madasani addressed a crowd of hundreds during a vigil Sunday night at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe.

He described the killing of Kuchibhotla, his friend and co-worker, as a senseless crime, the Kansas City Star reported.

The main reason why I am here is thats what my best friend, Srinivas, would have done, Madasani said. He would have been here for me.

I wish it was a dream, Madasani said.

Still walking on crutches, Madasani drew applause when he called the shooting an isolated incident that doesnt reflect the true spirit of Kansas, the Midwest and the United States.

At the vigil, Madasani recalled how Kuchibhotla never complained about picking him up and driving him to work for six months.

He waited till I bought a car. Thats the kind of guy he was  is, Madasani said.

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The FBI said for the first time that it is investigating as a hate crime last weeks Kansas bar shooting that killed an Indian man and wounded another.

The FBI said in a statement Tuesday that it bases that probe on the initial investigative activity involving the Feb. 22 attack at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kan.

The FBI is declining additional comment, citing the investigation.

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Witnesses to the shooting said 51-year-old suspect Adam Purinton yelled get out of my country at 32-year-olds Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani before opening fire.

Kuchibhotla was killed and Madasani was wounded. Both were working as engineers for GPS device-maker Garmin.

Another bar patron who tried to intervene also was wounded.

Purinton is charged with murder and attempted murder.

Meanwhile, Kuchibhotlas body was cremated in his hometown of Hyderabad, India, on Tuesday.

Kuchibhotlas mother said she asked her son to come back to India if he felt threatened in the United States, but he said he was not in any danger.

I had asked him to return to India if he was feeling insecure there. But he used to say he was safe and secure, Parvatha Vardhini said.

Now she wants her younger son and his family to come home from the U.S. I will not allow them to go back, she said. My son had gone there in search of a better future. What crime did he commit?

Hundreds of grieving relatives and friends tearfully mourned the man who arrived in the U.S. in 2005 to pursue a masters degree at the University of Texas at El Paso.

It is so cruel. He was such a kind soul, very friendly. He was so excited that he and his wife were going to start a family soon. Now this has happened, said P. L. Narayana, his uncle.

His father, Madhusudhan Rao, was philosophical: I believe in destiny. Whatever was destined has happened.

He added, Now I want the U.S. government to take care of the security of our Indians who are working there.

A statement issued Tuesday by the Indian External Affairs Ministry said American authorities are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the U.S., a matter which continues to receive the governments top priority.

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Nearly a century ago, a handful of anarchists engaged in a May Day bombing spree that included mailing nefarious devices, as they were called, to unsuspecting political targets in the United States. One conspirator in a later wave accidentally blew himself up trying to leave a bomb on the front steps of the home of Atty. Gen. A. Mitchell Palmer.

Understandably piqued, Palmer launched a campaign of retaliatory raids, sweeping up thousands of foreign-born residents and deporting hundreds of them based, primarily, on their foreign origins and political beliefs. Although anarchists were behind the bombing plots, communists were the primary target of the sweep  the Bolsheviks had seized power in Russia just two years earlier with dreams of spreading communism worldwide. And the roundup was followed by a broadly restrictive set of immigration laws and policies.

Its not a direct parallel to today, but the contours are similar: Adherents of extreme religious/political views are again committing far-flung acts of terror in hopes of spreading their revolution or, at the least, their beliefs. And how has the U.S. reacted? As it did in the 1920s, with a clampdown on the civil liberties of all in pursuit of the few, and with a regressive set of immigration policies.

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Fear is the political marketing point, and our P.T. Barnum of a president has cynically melded Islamic extremists and undocumented immigrants into a bogeyman that demands  demands!  that we build walls, real and figurative, against outsiders lest they turn our very streets red with our own blood. And when the bogeyman isnt taking lives, its stealing jobs.

In case his efforts were too subtle, President Trump underscored them by inviting three relatives of slaying victims in crimes for which two immigrants in the country illegally were arrested (one has been convicted) to be among his six guests at Tuesdays address to Congress. Those were atrocious crimes  two of the victims were California law enforcement officers and a third was a Los Angeles high-school student  and the victims families deserve sympathy and support, as do the survivors of the thousands of murders committed across this country each year.

But independent analyses of crime patterns find that immigrants  here legally or illegally  commit crimes at lower rates than native-born Americans. Yes, certain particular crimes would not have been committed had their perpetrators not been in the country, but it is callous, and darkly opportunistic, of the president and his supporters to extrapolate a few specific crimes into an indictment of an entire class of people.

As was reported in our news pages, Trumps effort to bar travel to the U.S. by residents of seven primarily Muslim countries and to throttle refugee admissions  on hold by the courts as he reconfigures his executive orders  are part of a broader attempt by Trump advisors to reduce immigration overall.

Chief Trump strategist Stephen K. Bannon and domestic policy advisor Stephen Miller have long wished to reduce the inflow of foreigners in an effort to preserve what Bannon recently described as a nation with a culture and a  and a reason for being. Trump himself said in a campaign speech on foreign policy that we should only admit into this country those who share our values and respect our people and called for an ideological screening test.

Their main goal in reducing immigration  or at least one of their main goals  seems to be to keep out people they believe might not assimilate. Yet it is immigrants who have, historically, spurred our economy, contributed to our culture  the very one Bannon professes to want to preserve  and defined us as a society in which ambition can find its rewards.

The argument by Trump and his acolytes that immigration somehow threatens the very essence of America is spurious. The American public would be well-served to look beyond the smokescreen sent up by the flames of fear to see what this administration really has in mind for the future of our country, a place that is both historically and at heart a nation of immigrants.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook
Last fall, as Native American protesters gathered at Standing Rock to stop the completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline, several of my friends checked in at the protest on Facebook. They were nowhere near North Dakota. They had heard  through urgent posts by other friends who were not present, either  that fake geo-tagging would protect protesters at the site from monitoring by law enforcement. NPR reported that more than a million people checked in at the protest camp, a digital version of the I am Spartacus strategy.

But the local Sheriffs office told reporters that it hadnt been monitoring protesters using Facebook geo-tags. And leaders of the protest said they had never asked far-flung allies to change their locations on social media.



For the record: This article originally said that the Standing Rock protest camp was in South Dakota. It is in North Dakota.

The geo-tagging fad was a harmless way for people to express solidarity with the protesters. It was also, arguably, part of a bigger problem with how information spreads online in the Trump era.

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Fake news, as defined by the Columbia Journalism Review, is misinformation crafted to influence public opinion or cull digital advertising dollars. When researchers from Stanford and New York University analyzed misinformation that spread on social media during the 2016 election, they found that more fake news articles were pro-Trump than pro-Clinton.

Despite liberals self-perception that we are more fact-oriented than your average Trump supporter, this is not a weakness limited to the right.

But in the months since the election, President Trump has made fake news his primary critique of any unfavorable coverage. The president applies the label to everything from independent polls finding scant support for his policies to leaked reports that his administration is in disarray.

If the term has been rendered meaningless, the underlying notion still holds up: People are too quick to share articles that confirm their beliefs. (In December, a Pew study found that 23% of U.S. adults had shared a made-up news story, either knowingly or not.) And despite liberals self-perception that we are more fact-oriented than your average Trump supporter, this is not a weakness limited to the right.

To spread misinformation, you dont have to share a post with a clicky headline from a dubious source. Sometimes all you have to do is take a funny meme a bit too seriously. Take, for example, a well-circulated animated GIF of Melania Trump during the inauguration ceremony. The clip shows her smiling while her husband is facing her, then dropping the smile as soon as he turns away. For those of us who want to believe that even those closest to the president secretly hate him, the GIF was a balm. This Melania Trump GIF is all of us, crowed Cosmopolitan. Melanias perceived unhappiness became one of the more popular liberal memes of the week, with captions like, Blink twice if you want us to save you.

The joke faded faster than Melanias smile when advocates for survivors of abuse published blog posts imploring us to take seriously the suggestion that domestic violence might be an issue in the White House. The blog Queerty claimed it had found another candid video of Donald Trump treating Melania like crap. An online joke had become a pretty serious story  and allegation  with scant evidence to back it up.

A few sites, including Mediaite, posted the inauguration footage in full, which placed the short viral clip in context. It appears the smile drops quickly from Melanias face because the GIF was captured during a prayernot exactly a moment for joking around on the dais. But the corrective was lost in a deluge of memes. No one shared it in my feed. I only found it because I went looking for it.

Was the Melania smiling meme fake news? Probably not as most on the left would define it, because no one intended to mislead the public or drive clicks to a single website. But political wishful thinking carried the story past the point of absurdity.

Memes arent the only unlikely way that alternative facts circulate in liberal circles. Like our counterparts on the right, those of us on the left dont always trust established journalistic institutions to cover certain issues thoroughly  especially when it comes to marginalized people who arent likely to be perceived as advertisers or subscribers. Groups including Native American activists, transgender teens and immigrants in the country illegally have long relied heavily on word of mouth for information.

When immigration officers stepped up enforcement efforts, resulting in raids across the country, gossip spread across social media faster than journalists were able to confirm or debunk it. Reports of ICE #raids and #checkpoints NEED TO COME WITH PICTURES OR FACEBOOK LIVE, tweeted Fusion immigration reporter Jorge Rivas. Rumors are spreading and its causing even more anxiety.

The root cause of left-wing rumor-mongering is fairly obvious. When the front-page headlines sound like conspiracy theories and plotlines from House of Cards, its easy to conflate unsourced rants on blogs and in public forums with reported facts. Cognitive scientists have found that its much harder for us to skeptically assess stories that confirm our beliefs rather than challenge our view of the world.

Fake news isnt just a problem that afflicts others. The burden falls on all of us to read news items critically before we share them  no matter what our political persuasion or how pure our intentions.

Ann Friedman is a contributing writer to Opinion. She lives in Los Angeles.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook
The toughest job facing Americas new foreign policy team is explaining away the impulsive and impolitic musings of our countrys tweeter in chief. Donald Trump appears unable to summon the self-discipline needed to keep himself from saying things that make other nations nervous.

Europeans, in particular, are alarmed by Trumps recent characterization of the European Union as a mere vehicle for Germany and his unchecked enthusiasm for Brexit which he sees as a not-unwelcome sign of a disintegrating EU.

At the recent European security conference in Munich, Germany, Vice President Mike Pence assured U.S. allies that American support for Europe remains as strong as ever and that Trump was not about to abandon Americas commitment to NATO in favor of his bromance with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Nevertheless, one reporter asked the logical question: Who should be believed, Pence or Trump?

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Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had to give similar assurances at the Group of 20 foreign ministers gathering in Bonn, as did Defense Secretary James N. Mattis at a NATO meeting in Brussels and U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley at the United Nations. All of them are delivering the same awkward message: Foreign policy pronouncements made by the president of the United States should not be taken seriously.

Not only is such an assertion unsettling, it is probably not true, no matter how much Pence, Tillerson, Mattis and Haley wish it were. That is because there is someone very close to Trump who is whispering subversive ideas into his ear: senior advisor Stephen K. Bannon. The administrations alt-right Rasputin is a very harsh critic of international trade and security agreements that extend beyond a one-to-one deal between countries. Bannon is an arch-nationalist who appears to perceive the Europeans as a bunch of globalists who disdain American sovereignty. According to a Reuters report, Bannon undermined the soothing words of the foreign policy team during a meeting with the German ambassador in which Bannon described the EU as a seriously flawed enterprise.

Just as Bannon aims to, as he says, deconstruct the administrative state and return U.S. domestic policy to the McKinley era, he also seems eager to see the international order revert to the rival nationalisms of the 19th century. There are compelling reasons such a radical shift away from the foreign policy followed by every American president since World War II would be dangerous. Pence, Tillerson and the rest appear to recognize how lfoolhardy it would be.

Unfortunately, no matter what his apologists claim, the president seems not to share their rational understanding of international relations. Just as he did as a candidate, Trump, when free to speak without a preapproved script, displays all the sophistication of a drunk blowhard ranting on a bar stool. Disturbingly, Trump doesnt even drink, so he lacks alcohol as an excuse for his state of mind.

The Europeans have good reason to be freaked out. And they arent the only ones.

David.Horsey@latimes.com

Follow me at @davidhorsey on Twitter
Dan Coats, President Trumps nominee to head the U.S. intelligence community, said at his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday that he believes Russia attempted to meddle in last years presidential race, putting him potentially at odds with the White House.

Russia definitely did try to influence the campaign, said Coats, who was nominated to head the Office of the Director of National intelligence, the nations top intelligence job.

The assertion suggests Coats supports U.S. intelligence conclusions about Russias role that Trump has repeatedly questioned or derided. If he is confirmed, Coats is likely to play a key role in the squabble over Russia that has dogged the early Trump presidency.

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Russia has a long history of propaganda and trying to influence various nations cultures and elections, said Coats. Its happening. They seem to have stepped up their game.

The Senate Intelligence Committee, which is weighing Coats nomination, is also conducting an investigation into Russias election-related activities, including any contacts between its agents and Trumps associates or campaign aides. The FBI is conducting a similar inquiry.

Trump has denied any improper contacts. He dismissed his national security advisor on Feb. 13 for not being truthful about his phone calls with the Russian ambassador.

But Trump has downplayed a U.S. intelligence report, released Jan. 6, that said hackers backed by Russian intelligence penetrated Democratic Party computers and leaked the contents in an effort to harm Hillary Clintons campaign and bolster Trumps chances of winning the White House.

Democrats pressed Coats on Tuesday to assure them he would support the committees investigation into Russias role in the campaign.

We are also looking into whether any individuals associated with U.S. political campaigns inappropriately engaged with officials of the Russian government  and we will seek to determine what the intentions of these interactions were, said Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va), the committees ranking Democrat.

Coats, 73, former senator from Indiana and U.S. ambassador to Germany, promised to fully support the investigation. He said he had not yet received a classified briefing on the subject.

Its a very key issue we understand fully what happened and how it happened, he said.

Democrats said they were irked by Trumps decision after his inauguration to exclude the director of national intelligence from a Cabinet-level committee in the National Security Council. Trump put his chief strategist, Stephen K. Bannon, on the committee.

Coats said the intelligence director was left off a presidential memorandum outlining the changes because Trumps aides had mistakenly relied on documents published before the Office of the Director of National Intelligence began operations in 2005.

He said Trump had assured him he would be part of the principals committee and that he was expected to attend its meetings.

The former U.S. senator, who stepped down in January, is respected by members of both parties and is expected to win easy confirmation.

A look at President Trumps administration and the rest of Washington 

Like several others in Trumps Cabinet, he differs with the president on a host of issues.

While in the Senate, Coats was a harsh critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and urged President Obama to severely punish Moscow for annexing Crimea in 2014 and intervening in Ukraine. The Kremlin banned him and several other congressional critics from visiting Russia several years ago.

Trump has repeatedly expressed admiration for Putin and suggested the White House might ease economic sanctions on Moscow imposed by the Obama administration. In recent weeks, however, several Cabinet members said the new administration would not lift sanctions until Russia withdraws from Ukraine.

In confirmed, Coats said, he will focus on several key threats to U.S. security, including foreign cyberspying, Chinas military buildup in the South China Sea, North Koreas nuclear weapons development and radical Islamic terrorism.

del.wilber@latimes.com

Twitter: @delwilber

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3:50 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details.

Noon: This article was updated with details from Dan Coats confirmation hearing.

This article was originally published at 3 a.m.
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 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 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.

In July, a federal appeals court ruled that the Texas law had a discriminatory effect 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 effect, 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.
Behind President Trumps efforts to step up deportations and block travel from seven mostly Muslim countries lies a goal that reaches far beyond any immediate terrorism threat: a desire to reshape American demographics for the long term and keep out people who Trump and senior aides believe will not assimilate.

In pursuit of that goal, Trump in his first weeks in office has launched the most dramatic effort in decades to reduce the countrys foreign-born population and set in motion what could become a generational shift in the ethnic makeup of the U.S.

Trump and top aides have become increasingly public about their underlying pursuit, pointing to Europe as an example of what they believe is a dangerous path that Western nations have taken. Trump believes European governments have foolishly allowed Muslims with extreme views to settle in their countries, sowing seeds for unrest and recruitment by terrorist groups.

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Take a look at whats happening in Sweden. Take a look at whats happening in Germany. Take a look at whats happened in France. Take a look at Nice and Paris, Trump said Friday during a speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference, referring to riots last week in a predominantly Muslim neighborhood in Stockholm, as well as attacks and unrest in similar neighborhoods in Germany and France over the last few years.

Trump is also expected to talk about the need for stringent security during his address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night. And he is likely to issue a new travel ban this week, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Monday.

Critics of Trumps travel ban, including several federal judges who have blocked it, have pointed to a lack of evidence that immigrants from the seven countries have engaged in terrorist acts in the U.S. Trumps aides see a lack of trouble so far in the U.S. as having little relevance.

Two days after Trump imposed the ban, a senior administration official told reporters at the White House that the order was part of a larger strategy to develop an immigration system that selects immigrants the White House believes will make positive contributions to the country.

We dont want a situation where, 20 to 30 years from now, its just like a given thing that on a fairly regular basis there is domestic terror strikes, stores are shut up or that airports have explosive devices planted, or people are mowed down in the street by cars and automobiles and things of that nature, the official said.

President Obama and his aides also sometimes contrasted the relative lack of terrorism in the U.S. experience with the higher level of violence in Europe. But they attributed the difference to America having done a better job than European countries of assimilating foreign-born residents.

Trump and his aides do not accept that. In their eyes, the U.S. has been spared mostly because its Muslim population remains much smaller than that of France, Germany or other European nations. Muslims make up about 7.5% of the French population, but only about 1% in the U.S., according to estimates by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center.

Foreign terrorists will not be able to strike America if they cannot get into our country, Trump said Friday. Take a look at whats happening to our world, folks. And we have to be smart. We have to be smart. We cant let it happen to us, he said.

But U.S. demographics have been changing rapidly  and undesirably in the eyes of top Trump aides, including his chief strategist, Stephen K. Bannon, and domestic policy advisor Stephen Miller.

Inside the West Wing, the two men have pushed an ominous view of refugee and immigration flows, telling other policymakers that if large numbers of Muslims are allowed to enter the U.S., parts of American cities will begin to replicate marginalized immigrant neighborhoods in France, Germany and Belgium that have been home to plotters of terrorist attacks in recent years, according to a White House aide familiar with the discussions.

They point to shifts in immigration in the U.S. over the past century to make their case.

In 1960, 84% of migrants to the U.S. came from Europe or Canada, a bubble that was largely a result of the Immigration Act of 1924, which restricted the migration of Italians and Eastern European Jews and essentially banned the immigration of Arabs and Asians.

Once the U.S. immigration system was revamped in 1960s to be more open to people from around the world, Europeans declined sharply as a share of those migrating to the U.S. By 2014, the most recent year figures are available, that share had dropped to 13.6%.

Immigrants from Asia made up the largest share with 26.4%.

Thats a trend Trump criticized long before he began linking it to the risk of terrorism.

I say to myself, why arent we letting people in from Europe? he asked during a speech at CPAC four years ago. Nobody wants to say it  but I have many friends from Europe. They want to come in. People I know. Tremendous people. Hardworking people. They cant come in, he said, without elaborating.

But his argument ignores other big changes in society, critics note.

If you were going to say, We dont like that equalization we did in 1965, we need to go back, that is going back to a time when the United States was more overtly racist, said Tanya Golash-Boza, a sociology professor at UC Merced who studies immigration and race.

At the same time that the European share of migration has dropped, the overall foreign-born share of the U.S. population has increased, quadrupling in the five decades since the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act took effect. In 1960, the U.S. had 9.7 million foreign-born residents. In 2014, it had 42.2 million.

That change has alarmed right-wing nationalists like Miller and Bannon, who see Trumps administration as an opportunity to change those migration trends for decades to come.

The two men see the countrys long-term security and wage growth entwined with reducing the number of foreign-born people allowed to visit, immigrate and work in the U.S.

Nations, including the U.S., are undermined by too high a level of diversity, Bannon has argued.

The center core of what we believe, that were a nation with an economy, not an economy just in some global marketplace with open borders, but we are a nation with a culture and a  and a reason for being, Bannon said Thursday at the conservative gathering.

Rule of law is going to exist when you talk about our sovereignty and you talk about immigration, Bannon said.

The deportation orders and the travel ban were both designed to protect the hardworking people of the U.S. from income suppression, crime and terrorism, Miller said on Fox News last week.

Uncontrolled immigration over many years has undermined wages, hurting prospects for people from all backgrounds and all walks of life and has made us less safe, Miller said. Proper controls will raise wages, improve employment, help migrant workers enter the middle class who are already living here and keep us safe from the threat of terror.

While the travel ban languishes in court, Trumps aides are drafting a new order that will likely apply to the issuance of future visas from the listed countries and refugee admissions and allow people already approved to enter the country.

The new order is also expected to direct the departments of State and Homeland Security to recommend restrictions on travelers from countries that dont provide adequate information to the U.S. about visa applicants or have failed to combat widespread identity fraud.

The changes are designed to address the concerns of the courts while preserving the long-term limits on travel from several countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The countries on the original banned list are Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen.

Twitter: @ByBrianBennett

brian.bennett@latimes.com

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In his first major speech as the nations top law enforcement official, Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions promised Tuesday to launch an aggressive crackdown on a surge in homicides and violent crime that he warned could be the harbinger of a long-term rise in street violence.

I sense that we could be at a pivotal time, Sessions told a gathering of state attorneys general in Washington.

Although the nations murder and violent crime rates have plummeted in recent decades and are near historic lows, Sessions cited statistics that indicate violent crime rose by 3% and murders by nearly 11% in 2015, compared with the previous year.

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Sessions acknowledged that crime has dropped substantially since the late 1980s and the early 1990s, when he served as a federal prosecutor in Alabama. But he said he worries that the recent rise in reported criminal violence in major cities is not a blip.

Im afraid it represents the beginning of a trend, he said.

He blamed the increased violence on low police morale, increasing drug use and fear of police in some communities.

In his address Tuesday and during a brief press conference on Monday, Sessions foreshadowed a push by the Justice Department to become more involved in the investigation and prosecution of drug cartels, violent gangs and other groups that fuel street crimes.

He said the Justice Department would create a law enforcement task force to develop strategies to reduce crime, identify flaws in existing laws and policies, and to propose legislation and tactics.

Sessions also vowed to push the Justice Department to be more responsive to local needs while promising an assertive effort to arrest and prosecute those who commit crimes with guns.

Robbers and other criminals may be less likely to commit offenses if they know theyre going to get popped, theyre going to federal court, theyll get five years and probably get sent off to federal prison, Sessions told reporters. It does have an intimidating effect.

The attorney general expressed skepticism about the Obama administrations expansive investigations into police departments for alleged civil rights violations and other abuses. Federal investigators were sharply critical of police in Baltimore and Chicago, for example.

Sessions indicated that those probes contributed to police officers feeling beleaguered from what they believe to be unwarranted criticism. Police also are pulling back because they worry about getting in trouble if they make a mistake, he said.

We need to help police departments get better, not diminish their effectiveness, and Im afraid we have done some of that, Sessions said. So were going to pull back on this.

His approach is not a surprise. Police unions strongly backed President Trump in his run for the presidency, and Sessions told senators during his confirmation hearing that he was concerned that suing police departments could hurt morale and hamper their effectiveness.

Its a difficult thing for a city to be sued by the Department of Justice and to be told that your police department is systemically failing to serve the people of the state or the city, he told the Senate Judiciary Committee, adding that we need to be careful and respectful of [police] departments.

Sessions told reporters Monday that he was still mulling how to proceed in the Justice Departments investigation of the Chicago Police Department.

In January, Justice issued a report that found the citys force suffered from racial bias, used force excessively, was poorly trained and was poorly overseen. It is negotiating with the city on a consent decree to address the problems.

Im really worried about Chicago with the surge in murders, Sessions said. One of the metrics that has been reported in Chicago shows a dramatic reduction in stops and arrests in Chicago by the Police Department.

Any settlement of the case, he said, should make sure we advance good policing strategies and not undermine them.

He waded into the controversial topic of legalizing marijuana and said the department was weighing how to approach the increasing number of states, including California, that are decriminalizing the drug even though it remains a federal crime to sell or possess it.

The Obama administration generally took a hands-off approach and told federal prosecutors to focus on foreign-based drug cartels and criminal syndicates peddling the drug, not local users.

States can pass whatever laws they chose, Sessions told the attorneys general. But Im not sure were going to be a better, healthier nation if we have marijuana being sold at every corner grocery store.

del.wilber@latimes.com

Twitter: @delwilber

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Over the weekend, Darrell Issa did something that no other Republican congressman has done.

Sitting for an interview with HBOs Bill Maher, the longtime Vista Republican said he believed that a prosecutor needed to investigate Russias involvement in the U.S. election and that Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, who was involved in President Trumps campaign, should not be that prosecutor.

You cannot have somebody  a friend of mine, Jeff Sessions  who was on the campaign and who is an appointee, Issa said. Youre going to need to use the special prosecutors statute and office.

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He backed that up Monday with a statement calling for a fully independent review of Russian attempts to interfere in the election, saying there is too much speculation and assumption.

An investigation is not the same as an assertion of specific wrongdoing, its following the facts where they lead so that American people can know what may or may not have taken place, Issa said.

It makes him one of the most prominent Republicans in the country to call for an independent investigation into what Russia was trying to do during the election and who knew about it, but the only one to call for a special prosecutor to do it. He added to his statement on Monday in an interview with CBS News, emphasizing that no person is currently under suspicion, which is what would usually prompt calls for a special prosecutor.

Issas position still puts him at odds with Republican leaders in the House, Senate and White House, who have said there is no need for an investigation beyond the reviews currently taking place in the House and Senate and have not supported the idea of a special prosecutor.

There are a few reasons hes taking a stand now.

Issa finds himself in a classic electoral problem: The long-serving Republican congressman faced his toughest reelection fight in years in 2016, beating back a challenge by Democrat Doug Applegate by fewer than 2,000 votes. The tight margin, and the fact that the district went narrowly for Clinton, seems to have shaken Issa.

Issa is also known for his aggressive investigations into President Obama and agency officials as chair of the House Oversight Committee, and could truly be trying to be consistent under a Republican president.

Issa took his oversight role very seriously and very aggressively during the Obama years. Its reasonable that hed adhere to the same approach with a new president, said Dan Schnur, a political communications professor at USC.

Issas district stretches from La Jolla to Dana Point and has ticked slowly left in recent years. Voters there narrowly picked Democrat Hillary Clinton over Trump with 50.5% of the vote.

His is one of seven California Republican districts Democrats have said they plan to target. Applegate has already announced plans to challenge Issa again in 2018, painting a target on the congressmans back.

While Issas special prosecutor statement was the most dramatic, its not the only change hes made since the election. Hes also shown a softer, more centrist side. On Saturday, he urged his fellow Republicans at Californias GOP convention to do a better job listening to all Americans, even those who didnt vote for them.

Earlier in the week, when many Republican members were avoiding the swarms of anti-Trump protesters outside their offices, Issa joined protesters and supporters demonstrating outside his office, answering questions on issues such as the future of the Affordable Care Act and listening to concerns for an hour and a half.

Hes smart enough to understand that he will benefit in his district by establishing some daylight between himself and the Trump administration, Schnur said.

sarah.wire@latimes.com

Follow @sarahdwire on Twitter

Read more about the 55 members of Californias delegation at latimes.com/politics

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Two years ago, Holly J. Mitchell stood on the state Senate floor and, in a crisp, deliberate voice, laced into the budget that her fellow Democrats were poised to approve.

The plan picks winners and losers, the state senator from Los Angeles said. It appears to me that poor people in California and their children continue to be on the losing end of that equation.

Mitchell had never been shy in urging her colleagues to do more for the poor. But this time, she went even further  withholding her support when the bill came to a vote, a flagrant violation of an unwritten legislative rule among the Capitols ruling Democrats that could best be described as thou shalt not defect on a budget vote.

The plan passed anyway, and Mitchell couldve been shunned and made a pariah. But since that rebellion, her influence has only grown. Last year, her signature cause  repeal of a decades-old rule capping aid to certain mothers on welfare  became law. And this year, she was awarded the job shes long coveted: chair of the Senate budget committee.

I would describe her as a moral compass and social conscience of the entire Senate, if not the Legislature, said former state Sen. Mark Leno, whom Mitchell succeeded as budget chair.

Her goal as a legislator has been to have the tenacity to keep at it, Mitchell said just before being tapped for the high-profile post. To stand my ground and not allow negotiation or compromise to water down the policies Im putting forward.

But in her new role, compromise is inevitable. Shell have to own a final budget plan that will undoubtedly fall short in addressing the causes she champions. Her dream job presents a test: As she grows her Capitol clout, can Holly Mitchell still be Holly Mitchell?

Shes at a different level now, Senate leader Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) said. You still advocate for the people you care about, but you also deal with dollars and cents.

For Mitchell, 52, standing out is inevitable. For one thing, she is 6 feet tall, female and black  a combination of attributes that is unique among her colleagues.

Unlike many legislators, her cause is not rooted in her biography. Mitchell grew up in Los Angeles in the middle-class home of Edward Mitchell, a career civil servant and Sylvia Johnson, a probation officer who, in 1980, was appointed by a younger Gov. Jerry Brown to lead a womens state prison in Chino.

Her mom was in the redemption business. Holly is in the redemption business, said Frank Mecca, an longtime friend and executive director of the County Welfare Directors Assn. of California. Johnson was smart and funny and charming and challenging...Theres a lot of Sylvia in Holly.

After graduating from UC Riverside, Mitchell got her start as an aide to then-state Sen. Diane Watson. She was captivated by the budget wonks whose expertise was the very essence of politics: Who gets what when.

Mitchells career enabled her to see the budget-making process from multiple angles: as a staffer, as an anti-poverty lobbyist and as a chief executive of Crystal Stairs, a child development nonprofit dependent on state dollars.

Exhausted by the wrenching cuts to her program during the recession, she was compelled to run for office, winning an Assembly seat in 2010 and moving to the Senate in 2014.

There was no one there, from my perspective  the outside, looking in that has a really working, deep knowledge of these programs, she said, and thats critical in figuring out how to cause the least harm.

Her legislation has been unapologetically liberal. She wrote laws to reduce the sentencing disparity between powder and crack cocaine, limit the assets police can seize from individuals not convicted of a crime and expand access to contraception.

Her hardest-fought victory, which came last year, centered on the maximum family grant, a 90s-era welfare law that denied additional benefits for women if they had children while already receiving public assistance.

Rolling back the law, which was rooted in the pejorative stereotype of welfare queens, would cost the state more than $200 million a year. It took Mitchell and her allies four years to win its repeal, persuading not just the fiscally wary Brown, but also her own Democratic leaders to prioritize her effort.

Holly had to ruffle feathers, Mecca said. She did the hard work of telling Democrats, You have to do this.

State Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) criticized the 2015 budget before breaking ranks to abstain on the vote. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) (Rich Pedroncelli / AP)

Mitchell can be blunt, even biting. Just as often, shes funny. Once, after hearing that a colleague announced plans to introduce a bill months in advance, she sarcastically likened the move to how a dog marks its territory.

Shed never send such a premature signal because, she explained to a visiting group of criminal justice reform advocates, I dont have penis envy.

She gets away with saying some things that I would never get away with, said state Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), one of Mitchells closest friends in the Legislature.

That candor is just as much political acumen as personality trait. Nancy McFadden, a top aide to Gov. Brown, said the administration most appreciates how Mitchell doesnt play games. And because of that, we know if were going to have a collision [or] if were going to be able to figure a way out.

Her frankness finds an unlikely kindred spirit in Brown, her frequent sparring partner.

As direct as she is, hes very direct, too, McFadden said. He sees her as somebody who knows what shes talking about, so he does like to hear her views. They can kind of rib each other, in a nice way.

In a statement, Brown praised Mitchell as remarkably effective. She gets stuff done and represents the people of her district with courage and persistence.

Advocates for social services such as child care and early education are unsurprisingly elated by Mitchells new role. They see her as one of their own  someone who did time in the trenches running a nonprofit and carried their banner as a legislator.

But Mitchell takes pains to temper their expectations.

Im sure a good number of you read that press release [and thought] Ooh, Hollys the chair of Senate budget. I'll just get back in bed...because were great. Shes just going to make it all happen, she told a room full of advocates in January. Help me help you. Dont sit back and figure, Oh, theyve got this.

Mitchells urging is rooted in the understanding that shell be closely watched this year to see how she makes the transition from anti-poverty warrior to a more well-rounded steward of the budget. Allies say the change is not as drastic as it may appear.

I dont perceive a tectonic difference in the way she has to approach her job, Mecca said. For all her doggedness, he said, she can be very pragmatic and realistic in terms of taking small victories along the way.

But its hard to see her reprising some of her more provocative stands on principle, like her abstention on the 2015 budget. Mitchell said she was protesting a deal that was skimpier than the one legislators had originally agreed on. Her defection caught Senate Democratic leaders off-guard.

Naturally at the time, I was not terribly thrilled, De Leon said.

Nevertheless, after a conversation last year about the jobs scope and responsibility, De Leon appointed Mitchell as chair. Both legislators struck a similar wait-and-see tone when Brown rolled out his initial budget proposal in January. The final deal is due mid-June.

Mitchell doesnt anticipate championing a signature issue in this years budget, as she had done with the maximum family grant. As chair, she said her role would be more managerial and focused on elevating her colleagues priorities.

Other limitations await. The first is the job itself, which, while key to shepherding the budget through the Legislature, typically is left out of the final deal-making among the governor and Senate and Assembly leaders.

The second is the increasingly wobbly fiscal outlook for the state. Browns administration is projecting a budget shortfall for the first time in five years. And it's not hard to imagine action out of Washington  President Trumps broad threats to strip California of federal dollars, or a drastic overhaul in national healthcare policy  tipping the budget from shaky to shattered.

But that budgetary vise might enable Mitchell to make the biggest impact. Deciding where to spend extra dollars in good years doesnt require the same precision as determining what to save in difficult times.

She has the capacity to look at the most vulnerable and make sure theyre not ignored, said former Assembly Speaker John A. Perez. Thats important in good times. Thats essential in times of crisis.

melanie.mason@latimes.com

Follow @melmason on Twitter for the latest on California politics.

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In the nearly three years since nationwide protests erupted after a Ferguson, Mo., police officer shot and killed teenager Michael Brown, state lawmakers introduced multiple bills designed to overhaul how much Californians are allowed to know about officer-involved shootings and internal investigations, and increase access to body camera videos.

But most of the major efforts have failed, and this year civil rights and pro-transparency groups have been unable to find a legislator willing to try to unwind some of the states strict protections against disclosing information about officer discipline.

The lack of legislation speaks to the substantial political influence of law enforcement within the Capitol and a waning sense of urgency on police accountability issues as some of the highest-profile examples of alleged misconduct fade from the headlines, advocates said.

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It may require unfortunately other incidents like those that gave rise to the Black Lives Matter movement for people to stand up and pick up that torch again, said Jim Ewert, general counsel for the California Newspaper Publishers Assn. The cops are going to be fighting this thing with both barrels blazing  no pun intended. Without that compelling story, it will be difficult, I think, for a legislator to go up against that very strong blue tide.

California has some of the toughest laws in the country prohibiting the release of details about police misconduct, including instances where officers were found to have used excessive force. The laws are so stringent that a state appeals court this month temporarily blocked the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department from sending a list of deputies with histories of misconduct to prosecutors. Law enforcement groups have long argued that the protections are necessary to preserve officer safety and privacy.

But civil rights groups have contended the rules erode trust between community members and police.

Last year, former Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) introduced legislation that would have allowed the public disclosure of police records in cases where departments determined officers committed serious misconduct, such as lying or racial profiling. Leno touted polling from the bills principal backer, the American Civil Liberties Union, that said nearly 80% of Californians believed the public should have access to such cases. Lenos bill, however, failed before receiving a vote on the Senate floor, amid furious opposition from police groups.

Any criminal justice reform measure without any law enforcement association support is especially difficult for obvious reasons, Leno said in an interview.

Leno cited his own efforts to end solitary confinement for juveniles as an example. For years, his bills aiming to ban the practice fell well short of passage. That changed in 2016 when the statewide organization representing probation officers signed on in support. The bill then received unanimous approval in the Legislature and was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

This year, the ACLU and other groups asked multiple lawmakers, including state Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), to introduce a new version of Lenos police discipline bill, but found no takers.

People seemed to think it was an important issue and wanted to see the reform happen, said Lizzie Buchen, legislative advocate at the ACLU of Californias Center for Advocacy & Policy. But it would require someone receiving some wounds from law enforcement. I dont fault anyone in the [Capitol] for not being willing to take it on.

Mitchell, who has a history of writing criminal justice bills, said in a statement that as the Senates lead negotiator on the state budget, she had requests to write many pieces of legislation, and had to make some tough decisions on what bills to carry. Buchen said the ACLU was now focusing on trying to find a lawmaker to introduce a similar bill in 2018.

In the absence of legislation from civil rights groups, others are pushing changes to the discipline process with the backing of law enforcement. Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Campbell) is planning to introduce a bill based on a proposal drafted last year by the Peace Officers Research Assn. of California, which represents 69,000 rank-and-file officers in the state.

Low is still working out the bills details, but two key points will involve formally notifying those who make complaints against officers of the cases status, and developing a mediation system to resolve disputes between residents and police officers. Low, whose brother is a Bay Area police officer, said its important for public safety groups to recognize community groups concerns about trust.

You have to get your head out of the sand and you must participate in the process and try to understand fundamentally how we can increase the level of trust and access, Low said hes told law enforcement organizations.

Still, unlike Lenos bill from last year, Lows legislation wont lead to the disclosure of any internal investigation results. Low said that approach went way too far.

It would impede on law enforcement, Low said.

For their part, law enforcement groups say theyre willing to accept body cameras and other tools implemented in response to national debates about police reform. Theyre also pleased that lawmakers are receptive to their opposition to major changes in statewide officer discipline and body camera policies.

In the past two years, police unions have successfully fought attempts to prevent officers from viewing body camera footage before writing their reports following police-involved shootings and other serious incidents. The unions believe officers could otherwise be held liable for making innocent mistakes when recounting high-stress situations.

Alan Barcelona, who heads the 7,000-member California Statewide Law Enforcement Assn., said police groups remain steadfast on that and other officer discipline issues.

I think the Legislature is becoming a little more educated about what we do on our side, Barcelona said.

liam.dillon@latimes.com

Twitter: @dillonliam

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Adam Schiff views documents White House says back Trump surveillance claim By Michael A. Memoli (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) traveled to the White House Friday to view documents President Trump has said partially vindicate his claim that his predecessor ordered surveillance of him during the campaign. In a statement, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said he was told they were precisely the same materials viewed previously by the committees chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare), which Schiff said should now be shared with the full panel membership. Nothing I could see today warranted a departure from the normal review procedures, Schiff said, adding that he could not discuss the contents of the documents, which remain classified. Nunes was shown the documents last week by White House officials surreptitiously, then announced to reporters the next day that he needed urgently to go to the White House to brief Trump about them. Schiff, in his statement, said that the White House has yet to explain why senior White House staff apparently shared these materials with but one member of either [Intelligence] committee, only for their contents to be briefed back to the White House. Schiff also had a brief but cordial meeting with Trump during his time at the White House, a spokesman said. White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters earlier Friday that other Democrats have been invited to the White House to view the materials, which he said would shed light on their investigation. Both the House and Senate Intelligence Committees are conducting separate reviews of Russian interference into the 2016 election; Trump has asked each panel to also probe his own claim that his predecessor engaged in wire tapping of his phones at Trump Tower during the campaign, an assertion that has been denied by Nunes as well as the heads of the FBI and intelligence agencies. Facebook

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Mnuchin regrets plugging The Lego Batman Movie, pledges to exercise greater caution in the future By Jim Puzzanghera Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Friday told a top government ethics official he should not have publicly plugged The Lego Batman Movie  a film in which he has a financial stake  and promised to exercise greater caution in the future. I take very seriously my ethical responsibilities as a presidential appointee and the head of the Department of the Treasury, Mnuchin wrote to Walter Shaub, director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics. On Monday, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) asked Shaub to determine whether Mnuchin had committed an ethics violation last week when he discussed the movie during an event hosted by the Axios news website that aired on C-SPAN2. Read More Facebook

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Rep. Adam Schiff says its too early to consider an immunity deal for Michael Flynn By Associated Press The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee says its too early to consider an immunity deal for President Trumps former national security advisor. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) says that Michael Flynn even discussing possible immunity in exchange for protection from prosecution is a grave and momentous step because of the seniority of his former position. Schiff says the House Intelligence Committee is interested in hearing Flynns story, but there would have to be coordination with the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Justice Department on the terms. The House and Senate intelligence committees and the FBI are investigating Russias meddling in the 2016 election. The investigation includes scrutiny of Flynns ties with Russia. Read More Facebook

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Trump administration admonishes California chief justice over claim that agents are stalking immigrants By Del Quentin Wilber U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions (Mark Wilson / Getty Images) The Trump administration on Friday fired back at Californias top judge, disputing her characterization this month that federal immigration agents were stalking courthouses to make arrests. In a letter to Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, leaders of Trumps Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security objected to her description of federal agents conduct. As the chief judicial officer of the state of California, your characterization of federal law enforcement is particularly troubling, wrote Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, objecting to Cantil-Sakauyes use of the word stalking. They said agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were using courthouses to arrest immigrants in the U.S. illegally, in part, because California and some of its local jurisdictions prohibit their officials from cooperating with federal agencies in detaining such immigrants under most conditions. Sessions and Kelly told Californias top judge that she should consider taking her concerns to Gov. Jerry Brown and the cities and counties that limit local law enforcements involvement with immigration agents. Cantil-Sakauye, a former prosecutor who rose through the judicial ranks as an appointee of Republican governors, said through a spokesman that she appreciated the Trump administrations admission that they are in state courthouses making federal arrests. Making arrests at courthouses, in my view, undermines public safety because victims and witnesses will fear coming to courthouses to help enforce the law, she said Friday. She expressed disappointment that courthouses, given local and state public safety concerns, were not listed as sensitive areas offlimits to agents. Federal policy lists schools, churches and hospitals as sensitive areas. The letter from the Justice Department officials defended the arrests of immigrants at courthouses. By apprehending suspects after they have passed through security screening at courthouses, federal agents are less likely to encounter anyone who is armed, the letter said. The arrest of individuals by ICE officers and agents is predicated on investigation and targeting of specific persons who have been identified by ICE and other law enforcement agencies as subject to arrest, they wrote. Cantil-Sakauye had asked the Trump administration on March 16 to stop immigration agents from seeking immigrants at the states courthouses. Courthouses should not be used as bait in the necessary enforcement of our countrys immigration laws, she wrote in a letter to Sessions and Kelly. Her letter did not say which courthouses had been the location of such stalking, but judges and lawyers in Southern California have complained of seeing immigration agents posted near courts. She said she feared the practice would erode public trust in the state courts. Sessions and Kelly urged Cantil-Sakauye to speak to Brown and other officials who have enacted policies that occasionally necessitate ICE officers and agents to make arrests at courthouses and other public places. Facebook

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Back in the spotlight, Hillary Clinton takes aim at Trumps budget By Evan Halper Hillary Clinton stepped back into the spotlight this week after laying relatively low since the election, and she had some advice for President Trump: Tear up the White House budget plan. Clinton was at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security to bestow an award named in her honor to Colombian leaders who helped bring an end to war in that country and elevate the role of women in the peace process. She spoke of the progress the world has made in advancing womens rights since she spoke forcefully on the issue two decades ago when the U.N. gathered world leaders to address it in Beijing. But she warned that progress is threatened by Trump. We are seeing signals of a shift that should alarm us all, Clinton said. This administrations proposed cuts to international health, development and diplomacy would be a blow to women and children and a grave mistake for our country. Clinton then raised the letter signed by 120 former generals and admirals beseeching the Trump administration not to make the cuts. These distinguished men and women who have served in uniform recognize that turning our back on diplomacy wont make our country safer. It will undermine our security and our standing in the world. A lot has changed since Clinton was on the campaign trail, but some things about her style on the stump havent. She pulled out a favorite line from last year as she began to talk about a study that backed up her point about the damage Trumps budget plan could do. Here I go again, Clinton said to whooping and cheering from an audience of mostly female students, talking about research evidence and facts. Facebook

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Seeking a way forward, Trump increasingly finds himself at odds with his own party By Michael A. Memoli (Evan Vucci / Associated Press ) President Trump won his office in spite of the best efforts of some in his party. Now, the tenuous nature of the bonds between Trump and the GOP are increasingly on public display as the president openly feuds with conservatives and White House officials debate whether to reach out to Democrats in order to restart his domestic agenda. The latest and strongest evidence came Thursday as Trump escalated his political battle against the members of the House Freedom Caucus, the conservative lawmakers who helped block the healthcare bill he backed. Early in the morning, he said on Twitter that the caucus would hurt the entire Republican agenda if they dont get on the team. We must fight them, & Dems, in 2018! he added. It was an extraordinary message, suggesting that Trump might try to back challengers in primaries against lawmakers of his own party  something few presidents have tried, none with much success. Read More Facebook

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Tillerson tells NATO allies to pay more, do more to fight terrorism By Catherine Stupp Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday promised NATO allies that the United States will stand by their side but also expected them to spend more on defense and do more to fight terrorism. Tillerson participated in a day of discussions with foreign ministers from the 27 other NATO member nations, his first with the full roster of allies, who were sent scrambling last week to accommodate the top U.S. diplomat after he said he could not attend the meeting originally planned for early April. The United States is committed to ensuring NATO has the capabilities to support our collective defense. We understand that a threat against one of us is a threat against all of us, Tillerson said. But, he added, as President Trump has made clear, it is no longer sustainable for the U.S. to maintain a disproportionate share of NATOs defense expenditures. The United States is amping up pressure on NATO members to increase their defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product, in line with a 2014 agreement among the alliances 28 member countries to meet the target by 2024. Only five NATO countries meet the 2% threshold. The U.S. spends 3.61% of its GDP on defense, more than any other member of the alliance. Tillerson said that if countries have not met the 2% spending goal by the end of the year, they should at least have a concrete plan that clearly articulates how, with annual milestone progress commitments, the pledge will be fulfilled. Pressure to meet that strict deadline is likely to upset some allies. German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel told reporters before Fridays meeting that he thinks it would be completely unrealistic for Germany to bring its military defense spending up to 2% of GDP. I dont know any politician in Germany who thinks that this would be reachable or desirable, Gabriel said. Germany is increasing its military spending this year to $39 billion, or 1.2% of its GDP. Gabriel rejected the Trump administrations focus on military expenditures, arguing that humanitarian aid and Germanys spending to take in refugees should be considered part of the defense budget. Tillerson also called on allies to take a greater role in the fight against terrorism. NATO can and should do more, he said. Fighting terrorism is the top national security priority for the United States, as it should be for all of us. Tillersons earlier announcement that he would skip the meeting struck a nerve among the alliance members, coming at a sensitive time when tensions between the Trump administration and NATO allies have soared. The schedule change caused an awkward protocol shuffle, with a handful of foreign ministers unable to make it to Brussels. What was supposed to be a two-day meeting was compressed into half of a day. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg tried to cast optimism on the last-minute schedule change, calling it a sign of the strong transatlantic unity and flexibility of our alliance that we were able to find a date. The foreign ministers meeting is crucial because it lays the groundwork for a NATO summit with heads of state in May, which will be President Trumps first overseas trip since taking office. Tillersons day of talks at NATO headquarters in Brussels follows visits from Defense Secretary James Mattis and Vice President Mike Pence, who attempted to dispel fears that the Trump administration will seek to loosen ties with the alliance. Trump called NATO obsolete in an interview published days before his inauguration. He later insisted, during German Chancellor Angela Merkels visit to the White House earlier this month, that the U.S. will maintain its strong commitment to the alliance. Tillerson arrived in Brussels on Friday morning after meeting Thursday in Ankara, Turkey, with that countrys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to discuss terrorism and Syria, though the leaders failed to reach an agreement on how to combat Islamic State. Facebook

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Trump weighs in on Michael Flynns request for immunity President Trumps former national security advisor, retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, is seeking immunity from prosecution in return for testifying to the House and Senate intelligence committees, a congressional aide said. The development was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Gen. Flynn certainly had a story to tell, and he very much wants to tell it, should the circumstances permit, his lawyer, Robert Kelner, said in a statement. No reasonable person, who has the benefit of advice from counsel, would submit to questioning in such a highly politicized, witch-hunt environment without assurances from unfair prosecution. On Friday morning, Trump tweeted his support for Flynns request. Flynn was ousted as Trumps national security advisor last month after news reports disclosed that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence about phone conversations with Sergey Kislyak, Russias ambassador to the U.S. The calls were picked up by U.S. surveillance targeting the Russian envoy, and a description of the contents was leaked to the Washington Post after the Justice Department warned the White House that Flynn could be subject to blackmail. Read More Facebook

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Former national security advisor Michael Flynn seeks immunity By David S. Cloud President Trumps former national security advisor, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, has been seeking immunity from prosecution in return for testifying to the House and Senate intelligence committees, a congressional official confirmed Thursday. The negotiations were first reported by the Wall Street Journal. In a statement, Flynns lawyer, Robert Kelner, said Gen. Flynn certainly had a story to tell and he very much wants to tell it, should the circumstances permit. No reasonable person, who has the benefit of advice from counsel, would submit to questioning in such a highly politicized, witch-hunt environment without assurances from unfair prosecution. Trump fired Flynn three weeks into the new administration after news reports disclosed that he had lied to White House colleagues, including Vice President Mike Pence, about his contacts with Sergey Kislyak, Russias ambassador to the U.S. In December, Flynn had telephone conversations with Kislyak in which he discussed sanctions that the Obama administration had recently imposed on Russia to punish Moscow for its interference in the 2016 presidential election. Flynn denied to Pence and other officials that he had discussed the sanctions with Kislyak. So far, the committees, which are investigating Russian interference and whether anyone close to Trump colluded with Moscow, have not taken Flynn up on his offer, the Journal reported. Facebook

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Trump administration appeals Hawaii judges order against travel ban By Jaweed Kaleem The Department of Justice has appealed a Hawaii court order that brought President Trumps travel ban to a national halt. The government has argued that the president was well within his authority to restrict travel from six Muslim-majority countries and put a pause on refugee resettlement. The appeal Thursday to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals came a day after U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson in Honolulu refused to dismiss his temporary block of the travel ban that he issued on March 15. With the appeal, the government is now fighting to reinstate the travel ban in two appeals courts on opposite ends of the country. That increases the likelihood that one of the cases will make it to the U.S. Supreme Court. Earlier this month, the Department of Justice appealed a Maryland district judges order against the travel ban to the U.S. 4th District Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va. Both rulings in Hawaii and Maryland said Trumps executive order discriminated against Muslims. Watson and U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland cited Trumps campaign promises to suspend Muslim travel to the U.S. as proof of his orders anti-Muslim bias. The Hawaii ruling is broader than the Maryland one. It blocks a 90-day pause on travel to the U.S. from nationals of six majority-Muslim countries and a 120-day moratorium on new refugee resettlement. The Maryland ruling only halted the ban on travel into the U.S. by citizens of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The 9th Circuit, which has jurisdiction over nine Western states, is the same court where a panel of three judges denied a government request last month to reverse ruling against the first travel ban by a federal judge in Washington state. Trump, in turn, lambasted the bad court and signed a new executive order on travel on March 6 that was modified in an attempt to survive court challenges. Facebook

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Senate heads for nuclear option if Democrats filibuster Gorsuch nomination By Lisa Mascaro One of the Senates most serious jobs  confirming the presidents choice for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court  has devolved into a game of political chicken. Senators are heading toward an institution-defining showdown next week as Democrats promise to try to block President Trumps nominee, Judge Neil M. Gorsuch, with a filibuster, a rarely seen maneuver for high court appointments. Republicans are threatening to respond by changing long-standing Senate rules to circumvent the 60 votes that would be needed to overcome a filibuster. Instead they would allow confirmation with a simple majority. The outcome has the potential to not only shape the future of the Supreme Court  which has been without a full bench since the sudden death of Justice Antonin Scalia last year  it also could crush one final vestige of bipartisanship in the Senate, altering the upper chamber for years to come. The battle over the Supreme Court seat was always expected to be a partisan affair in todays heated political climate. But the polemics intensified after the Republican majority denied President Obamas nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, a confirmation hearing ahead of last years presidential election. Read More Facebook

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Scalias seat has been vacant longer than any Supreme Court justices in nearly 50 years By Colleen Shalby (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Its been more than 400 days since Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalias death left his seat vacant. With Republicans having blocked a vote on then-President Obamas nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, and with Senate Democrats now making plans to filibuster President Trumps nominee, Judge Neil M. Gorsuch, it could take even longer to replace Scalia. Its not unheard of for a justices seat to remain empty for a considerable amount of time. Pew Research Center did the math and found that the longest gap was 841 days, in the mid-1840s, from the time of Henry Baldwins death to his replacement Robert Griers confirmation. But the last time in recent history that a vacancys duration in this range occurred was after Abe Fortas resigned in 1969. It took 391 days to fill that seat, an interval that ended in 1970 when Harry Blackmun  the justice who authored the courts landmark opinion in Roe vs. Wade  was confirmed. Blackmun was President Nixons third pick to fill that seat. The second-longest vacancy in recent years occurred in 1988. It took 237 days to fill Lewis Powells seat after he retired, with Anthony Kennedy succeeding him. Its been 58 days and counting since Trump nominated Gorsuch. Heres how his waiting time from nomination to confirmation stacks up against the current justices: Elena Kagan: 87 days

Sonia Sotomayor: 66 days

Samuel A. Alito Jr.: 82 days

John G. Roberts Jr.: 23 days

Stephen G. Breyer: 73 days

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: 50 days

Clarence Thomas: 99 days

Anthony M. Kennedy: 65 days If Gorsuch is confirmed soon, he wont start considering cases until the courts new term in October.

And if hes not confirmed? Trump would nominate another successor to Scalia  theres no limit on how many times he can do that. Until Scalias seat is filled, lower courts decisions serve as tie-breakers. Facebook

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Sens. Manchin and Heitkamp become first Democrats to announce support for Gorsuch By David Savage Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota became the first Democrats to say they will vote for Judge Neil Gorsuch and not support the effort to filibuster his confirmation to the Supreme Court. Their announcements came as no surprise. Both are centrists who have to run for reelection next year in states that voted overwhelmingly for Trump. After considering his record, watching his testimony in front of the Judiciary Committee and meeting with him twice, I will vote to confirm him to be the ninth justice on the Supreme Court, Manchin said. I have found him to be an honest and thoughtful man.... I have not found any reasons why this jurist should not be a Supreme Court justice. Heitkamp said she was impressed with Gorsuchs record as a judge. This vote does not diminish how disturbed I am by what the Republicans did to Judge [Merrick] Garland, referring to the GOP-led Senates refusal last year to consider President Obamas choice to fill the seat of the late Justice Antonin Scalia. But I was taught that two wrongs dont make a right, she said. The Republican majority in the Senate needs six more Democrats to join with them if they hope to stop the expected filibuster of President Trumps Supreme Court nominee. It takes 60 votes to end the debate under the Senates current rules. But the 52 Republicans may vote to simply eliminate this requirement if the Democrats stand firm against Gorsuch. On Monday, the Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to approve Gorsuch on a party line vote and send the nomination to the Senate floor. A final vote is expected April 7. Facebook

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White House invites lawmakers to see intelligence material after New York Times report By Noah Bierman The White House has invited House and Senate intelligence committee chairs to review documents that it says were recently discovered by national security staff that could help determine whether information gathered about American citizens was mishandled. White House spokesman Sean Spicer would not say whether these are the same documents that Rep. Devin Nunes, the Tulare Republican who chairs the House intelligence committee, said he reviewed last week. Nunes has refused to identify his sources. Some saw his disclosure as an attempt to give credence to President Trumps widely refuted claim that President Obama had ordered wiretaps on his phone during the campaign. Nunes said the material he reviewed suggested that intelligence agencies had incidentally collected information about Trump or his associates. He has declined to be more specific or share the information with the committee. But the New York Times reported Thursday, citing unnamed sources, that two White House officials helped Nunes get access to the documents. And now the same information may be provided to other members of the Intelligence committee. In a letter to the bipartisan group of intelligence leaders sent Thursday, White House Counsel Donald McGhan said administration lawyers would supervise the review given the sensitivity of the documents to protect the extremely sensitive intelligence sources and methods. The letter calls on the committee to investigate the possibility that classified information was inappropriately gathered and handled and whether civil liberties of American citizens were violated. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told reporters that he welcomed the chance to review the materials, though he said he would be obligated to share them with the rest of his committee. More troubling to Schiff, he said, was the cloak and dagger stuff and circuitous route that the White House national security staff appears to have used to disseminate the materials in that secret meeting with Nunes. Schiff said White House staff may have been trying to launder information through the committee, rather than simply providing it directly to the president. If that was designed to hide the origin of the materials, that raises profound questions about just what the White House is doing, Schiff said. We need to get to the bottom of whether this was some sort of stratagem by the White House. In a letter to McGhan, Schiff said answering the White Houses questions would require asking intelligence agencies how the information in the documents was gathered. I hope you will confirm to the committee whether these materials are the same as those first shared with Nunes, Schiff wrote. 2:11: This story was updated with staff reporting Facebook

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Trumps team: A network of ties to Russia By Angelica Quintero The FBI is investigating possible coordination between people associated with the Trump campaign and Russian authorities during the 2016 election. The U.S. intelligence community has said it is confident that the Russian government directed hacking operations and intended to interfere with the U.S. election process. Take a look at how some high-profile people have been drawn into the investigation. See the graphic  Facebook

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Former RNC official is first to depart senior West Wing staff By Michael A. Memoli A former top Republican National Committee official and ally of White House chief of staff Reince Priebus will depart her West Wing post in the first significant shake-up of President Trumps senior staff. Politico first reported that Katie Walsh, the deputy White House chief of staff, will leave to take on an advisory position with political groups that were formed to support the presidents agenda from the outside. Walsh had served as chief of staff at the RNC when Priebus was party chair. At the White House, she served in a similar capacity under Priebus, tasked with overseeing the senior staff and the scheduling operation. Though White House officials denied the move was a signal of disharmony within the senior ranks, her departure spoke to issues dogging the new administration  a top-heavy operation in the West Wing and also the inability of the president to sustain the kind of grassroots support for his agenda that proved key to his electoral win. It was abundantly clear we didnt have air cover when it came to the calls coming into lawmakers, and nobody can fix this problem like Katie Walsh, Priebus told reporters later, according to Time. Facebook

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Putin: Read my lips, there was no Russian meddling in U.S. vote By Ann M. Simmons Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto during the International Arctic Forum in Arkhangelsk, Russia, on Thursday. (Sergei Karpukhim / AFP/Getty Images) Calling the accusations lies, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday denied that Moscow meddled in last years U.S. elections. Read my lips, no, Putin said during a panel moderated by CNBC, according to a report on the news agencys website. All those things are fictional, illusory and provocations, lies, the Russian president said. All these are used for domestic American political agendas. The anti-Russian card is played by different political forces inside the United States to trade on that and consolidate their positions inside. Putins comments came as the Senate Intelligence Committee was set to begin a hearing entitled Disinformation: A Primer in Russian Active Measures and Influence Campaigns, which will focus on understanding the method of Russias active disinformation campaign and assess the extent of Moscows interference. FBI Director James Comey confirmed earlier this month that his agency was investigating Russias intrusion into the 2016 poll and whether there was any collusion between Moscow and President Trumps campaign. Read More Facebook

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Trump levels extraordinary threat against GOP conservatives; Ryan says he understands presidents frustration By Noah Bierman House Speaker Paul D. Ryan commiserated with President Trump Thursday after the president launched a Twitter assault on the group of rebellious Republicans known as the Freedom Caucus. I understand the frustration, I share the frustration, Ryan told reporters Thursday, when asked to respond to Trumps threat to campaign against fellow Republicans. Freedom Caucus members, who back limited government and have defined themselves in opposition to the Washington establishment, have been a major headache for GOP leaders. Ever since the Republicans took control of the House in 2010, conservative refusal to back key bills to fund government agencies has forced GOP leaders to negotiate with Democrats for the votes they need. Freedom Caucus members helped lead the charge against former Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio). The caucus was blamed by many Republicans last week for torpedoing the leaderships plan, backed by Trump, to make significant changes to Obamacare. Still, Trumps threat to fight them in the 2018 elections was an extraordinary step. Trump had previously made electoral threats against wayward members of his party, but Thursdays tweet was especially direct, threatening to treat them the same way as Democrats. The Freedom Caucus will hurt the entire Republican agenda if they don't get on the team, & fast. We must fight them, & Dems, in 2018!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 30, 2017 Freedom Caucus members have begun pushing back aggressively. A spokeswoman for the group argued on Twitter that Trump did not have his facts right and that Republican moderates were equally responsible for sinking the healthcare bill. View Twitter post Finding Trump supporters to challenge Republicans in a primary would be hard and could further thrust the GOP into civil war. Trump, despite low poll numbers nationally, remains popular in core Republican districts. Many members of Congress, however, ran ahead of him in their districts in the last election. The president has also suggested he might be open to cutting deals with Democrats, something the White House has discussed but not followed through on. That would also be difficult, given the rancor on the left. Ryan said Thursday that the best path is for Republicans to come together on healthcare and other issues About 90% of our conference is for this bill to repeal and replace Obamcare, and about 10% are not. And thats not enough to pass a bill, he said. What I am encouraging our members to do is to keep talking with each other until we can get the consensus to pass this bill. But its very understandable that the president is frustrated that we havent gotten to where we need to go, because this is something that we all said we would do. Facebook

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Pence casts tie-breaking vote to advance bill that would let states withhold federal funds from Planned Parenthood By Lisa Mascaro Republicans needed Vice President Mike Pence to cast a tie-breaking vote Thursday in the Senate to advance legislation that rolls back rules preventing states from withholding certain federal funds to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. With opposition from two Republican women, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Republicans did not have enough votes with their slim 52-seat majority to advance the bill. Pence, a longtime opponent of abortion, arrived to cast the vote breaking the 50-50 tie  and will be expected to do so later Thursday on final passage. We just saw a historic moment, said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) It is a sad day for the United States Senate. The measure rolls back a regulation finalized at the end of President Obamas administration that explicitly prevented states from denying federal Title X family planning funds to clinics, like Planned Parenthood, that also provide abortion services. Under longstanding practice, no federal funds can be used for abortions, but federal family planning money can flow to the clinics to provide other healthcare services. Some Republican-led state governments had been moving in recent years to choke off Title X funds from any clinics that offered abortion service. The Obama rule sought to prohibit such practices. The bill Thursday, sponsored by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), has already cleared the House. It is part of a series of bills being passed by Congress under the so-called Congressional Review Act, which allows federal regulations put in place during the final days of the previous administration to be undone by simple majority passage. Passage by the Senate later Thursday would send it to the White House for President Trumps signature. Busy day in D.C., but always happy to make time to meet visitors touring the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/4q6JG8wP0E  Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) March 30, 2017 Facebook

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Senate committee narrowly approves Acostas nomination to be Labor secretary By Jim Puzzanghera (Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP) A Senate committee on Thursday narrowly approved R. Alexander Acosta to be Labor secretary, moving to fill one of President Trumps few remaining vacant Cabinet posts. The nomination of Acosta, a law school dean and former Justice Department official, was approved by a 12-11 vote by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. All of the panels Republicans supported the nomination; all of the Democrats were opposed. If confirmed in a full Senate vote, which is expected soon, Acosta will be the only Latino in Trumps Cabinet. A date for the final vote hasnt been set. Read More Facebook

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Follow the money and the trail of dead Russians, expert urges senators By Del Quentin Wilber (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) The Senate Intelligence Committee hearing Thursday into Russian efforts to influence the November elections has been a long history lesson, tracing Moscows decades-long efforts to use misinformation to undermine democracies. But Clinton Watts, of the Center for Cyber and Homeland Security at George Washington University, provided a roadmap to better understanding the Kremlins efforts. He urged senators and the U.S. government to follow the money to figure out how misinformation websites and social media outlets are being funded. While the Russians conducted their hacking in the Internets shadows, their efforts to influence the election was hardly a secret, he said. You can hack stuff and be covert, but you cant influence and be covert, he said. You have to ultimately show your hand. And thats why we have been able to discover it online. The second way to trace Russian influence was more ominous: Follow the trail of dead Russians, he said. There have been more dead Russians in the past three months that are tied to this investigation, he added. They are dropping dead, even in Western countries. Watts didnt finish the thought but was likely referring to a spate of deaths of high-profile Russians, some of which appeared to be assassinations although others appear to have been from natural causes. With the daytime execution of a Russian politician in Ukraine last week, at least eight Russian politicians, activists, ambassadors and a former intelligence official have died since the U.S. election. Facebook

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Russia has stepped up efforts to influence elections, experts tell Senate panel By David S. Cloud (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) Moscow has stepped up its interference in U.S. and European elections, using social media, hacking and other tools to undermine public confidence and to raise doubts about the U.S as an ally, Russia experts told the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday. The committee was taking testimony from experts in Russian propaganda and intelligence operations as part of its investigation into Moscows meddling in the 2016 election. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the top Democrat on the panel, emphasized that in addition to examining the broad topic of Russian efforts to influence the election, the panel also must seek to answer whether President Trumps campaign had contact with Russian officials last year, noting the the FBI has opened its own probe. I will not prejudge the outcome of our investigation. We are seeking to determine if there is an actual fire, but there is clearly a lot of smoke, Warner said. Dr. Eugene Rumer, Director of the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the panel that Russian President Vladimir Putin probably viewed Moscows meddling in the U.S. election as an unqualified success. Facebook

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Tillerson meets Turkish officials to seek support for battle against Islamic State in Syria By Umar Farooq Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday met for more than two hours with Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as they hoped to shore up troubled relations between their nations. Making his first trip to Turkey, Tillerson became the highest-ranking Trump administration official to hold a face-to-face session with Erdogan, an increasingly authoritarian leader who is also a NATO member and key ally in the fight against Islamic State in Syria. The meeting went longer than planned. Turkey and the United States disagree sharply on how to combat Islamic State: Washington supports Kurdish militias that Erdogan regards as an arm of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which Turkey and the U.S. consider a terrorist organization. Trying to fight against Daesh through terrorist organizations such as ... extensions of the PKK, would be like shooting yourself in the foot, Erdogans senior advisor, Ibrahim Kalin, said ahead of Thursdays meeting. Daesh is a pejorative Arabic acronym for Islamic State. Read More Facebook

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Hawaii judge extends national halt on Trumps travel ban By Jaweed Kaleem Donald Trump in San Diego in May. (John Gastaldo / San Diego Union-Tribune)) The Hawaii federal judge who brought President Trumps revised travel ban to a national halt this month extended his order blocking the bans enforcement. The move Wednesday sets the stage for the Justice Department to appeal to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse the ruling. U.S. District Judge Derrick Watsons original order halting the travel ban was issued March 15, a day before the ban was to go into effect, in the form of a temporary restraining order. At a hearing in Honolulu on Wednesday, federal lawyers asked Watson to either dismiss that order or narrow the restrictions to apply to fewer parts of the travel ban. Instead, Watson said he would turn the order into a preliminary injunction, which has the effect of extending his order blocking the travel ban for a longer period. Watson said he would keep intact the restrictions on the travel ban -- a block of its 90-day moratorium on travel to the U.S. from nationals of six majority-Muslim countries and its 120-day pause on new refugee resettlement. If the Justice Department appeals the case, it will be heard in the same court that upheld a national halt to Trumps first travel ban last month after a Seattle federal judge ruled against it. The administration has already appealed to the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals a Maryland judges more limited March 16 ruling that stopped enforcement of the travel orders country-specific ban. Both the Hawaii and Maryland judges found Trumps executive order to discriminate against Muslims. They used the presidents campaign statements promising to suspend Muslim travel to the U.S. as evidence of the orders anti-Muslim bias. Government lawyers have argued that the president is not singling out Muslims but instead acting within his power to restrict immigration and safeguard national security while better vetting procedures are developed to prevent potential terrorists from entering the U.S. Trump has said hell take the case over the travel ban to the U.S. Supreme Court. Facebook

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Ivanka Trump gets formal White House role, with ethics obligations but no pay By Michael A. Memoli (Brendan Smialowski / AFP-Getty Images) Ivanka Trump is taking on a more formal White House role  with a title but not a paycheck  a move intended to quell ethics concerns raised about her status in her fathers administration. In a statement, the White House noted that the presidents elder daughter already had an unprecedented role in the administration different from that of previous presidential children. She now will take the title of special advisor to the president, and therefore assume the same responsibility to abide by ethics standards that other federal employees have, the statement said. The decision demonstrates the administrations commitment to ethics, transparency and compliance, the administration said. Although Ivanka Trump already had a West Wing office  as does her husband, senior advisor Jared Kushner  she now will have increased opportunities to lead initiatives driving real policy benefits for the American public that would not have been available to her previously, a White House spokesman said. The announcement came on a day when President Trump sought to promote his administrations commitment to empowering women. He delivered remarks at an East Room event that included other top women in his Cabinet, including U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Small Business Administration head Linda McMahon. Ivanka Trump held a roundtable with female business owners earlier, Press Secretary Sean Spicer said. Earlier Wednesday, leading Senate Democrats sent a letter to the Office of Government Ethics raising concerns about the increasing, albeit unspecified position Ivanka Trump had held and the potential conflicts of interest that her government position might trigger with her personal businesses, including a retail clothing brand. The letter from Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.) asked the agency whether Trump would be required to divest herself of personal assets or if she could be required to recuse herself from certain functions. Trumps new position was first reported by the New York Times. In a statement to the paper, Trump said she was acting in response to ethics concerns, but noted she already had been voluntarily complying with all ethics rules. Facebook

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Russia inquiry one of the biggest congressional probes in decade, senators say By David Lauter Sens. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), right, and Mark Warner (D-Va.). (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) The Senate Intelligence Committees probe into Russian involvement in the 2016 U.S. presidential election will be one of the biggest investigations in years and has already involved an unprecedented level of cooperation between Congress and U.S. spy agencies, the panels chairman said Wednesday. At a Capitol Hill news conference, the committee chairman, Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina, and its ranking Democrat, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, emphasized the bipartisan nature of the panels efforts, drawing a determined, though unstated, contrast with the partisan dysfunction of a parallel investigation in the House. The committee will go wherever the intelligence leads us, Burr said. And he pointedly refused to endorse White House statements that investigators inevitably will find that there was no collusion between President Trumps campaign and the Russians. It would be crazy to try to draw any conclusions at this point, Burr said. We know that our challenge is to answer that question to the American people, Burr said, referring to the issue of Trumps involvement. Warner said he had confidence in Richard Burr to run a fair investigation and produce a bipartisan conclusion. Warner said Americans should not lose sight of what the investigation is about: An outside foreign adversary effectively tried to hijack the election and favor one candidate over the other. They didnt do it because it was in the best interest of the American people, he said. "[Russian President] Vladimir Putins goal is a weaker United States. The Russian action should be a concern of all Americans regardless of party affiliation, he added. The committee staff already has reviewed thousands of pages of intelligence documents and has begun scheduling interviews with a list of 20 preliminary witnesses, who will be questioned in private before the panel holds public hearings, Burr said. He strongly implied that one of the potential witnesses is retired Gen. Michael Flynn, who was fired from his post as national security advisor to Trump after the disclosure that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and others about his contacts with Russias ambassador to the U.S. You would think less of us if the committee had not talked with Flynn, Burr told reporters. The witnesses, including Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law and advisor, will be questioned when the committee is ready, he said. Facebook

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Justice Department watchdog finds DEA cash seizure program may pose risk to civil liberties By Del Quentin Wilber A Ukiah, Calif., police officer works with a dog to search for drugs or cash in a motorists car on May 14, 2014. (Francine Orr/ Los Angeles Times) The way the Drug Enforcement Administration seizes cash and other assets may pose a risk to civil liberties, the Justice Departments internal watchdog reported Wednesday. The Justice Departments inspector general also determined that the agency does not measure or track how its asset seizure activities advance criminal investigations. Over the last decade, more than $28 billion has been seized through the departments asset forfeiture program. The effort and others in states have generated intense controversy in recent years, with critics contending that many seizures are unfair because some who lose their assets are never charged with crimes. Law enforcement officials, however, say that seizing property and cash is a key tool in disrupting criminal organizations and compensating the victims of crimes. Former Atty. Gen. Eric Holder in 2015 limited how state and local authorities can obtain seized funds by working with federal agents. In its report released Wednesday, the inspector general examined 100 cases in which the DEA seized cash. Eighty-five of the cases involved interdiction at transportation hubs, such as airports or parcel centers. Nearly 80 of those seizures resulted from the direct observation of agents or local police. The inspector general and the Justice Department have raised concerns in the past about such stops and searches, in part, due to the potential for racial profiling. Of the 100 cases, the DEA could verify that only 44 advanced ongoing investigations, led to a new investigation, or resulted in an arrest or prosecution, the inspector general found. When seizure and administrative forfeitures do not ultimately advance an investigation or prosecution, law enforcement creates the appearance, and risks the reality, that it is more interested in seizing and forfeiting cash than advancing an investigation or prosecution, the report said. The inspector general also found that the Justice Department does not provide enough training or require state and local officers working on federal task forces to be trained on asset forfeiture policies. The Justice Department responded in a letter to the inspector general that its analysis was flawed and its sample significantly underreported the amount of seized funds that are ultimately returned. In a statement, Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said, Asset forfeiture is a powerful and effective law enforcement tool, allowing the department to compensate victims, deprive criminals of the proceeds of their crimes, remove the tools of crime from criminal organizations, and deter crime. The department believes that the ongoing public debate about asset forfeiture is healthy, she added, but as outlined in our formal response, we strongly disagree with large swaths of this report and its flawed methodology that failed to address the essential role asset forfeiture plays combating some of the most sophisticated criminal actors and organizations, including terrorist financiers, cyber criminals, fraudsters, human traffickers, and drug cartels. 9:23 a.m.: This story was updated with Justice Department comment. Facebook

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Hoax. Con job. Chinese plot. Trump tweets have bashed climate science for years By Michael Finnegan President Trump signs an executive order Tuesday to rescind Obama administration policies on climate change. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) As President Trump moved to halt federal efforts against global warming on Tuesday, he avoided an important phrase: climate change. It was the same story during his campaign for president; Trump rarely mentioned it. When he pledged in May to withdraw the United States from the Paris treaty, a pact among nearly every nation on Earth to reduce the carbon emissions that cause global warming, it was one of the few occasions when Trump broached the topic. Trumps muted approach made political sense. To reject science is to risk alienating millions of moderate voters who support action to stop global warming. But before Trump started running for president, he often bluntly attacked climate science. Some highlights from his Twitter feed: Read More Facebook

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Supreme Court rules in favor of merchants who want to advertise credit card fees By David Savage Supreme Court rules on swipe fees (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)) Merchants may soon have the right to tell customers that they will pay a surcharge if they use a credit card rather than pay with cash. The Supreme Court cast doubt Wednesday on laws in California, New York, Florida and seven other states that make it illegal for sellers to impose a surcharge on credit card sales. In a 8-0 decision, the justices said these laws regulate speech and may be challenged as violations of the 1st Amendment. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said these laws do not prevent merchants from offering a discount for those who pay cash. Rather, they simply forbid disclosing that a posted price includes a surcharge of 2% to 3% for using a credit or debit card. Merchants want to pass the fees along only to their customers who choose to use credit cards, he said. They also want to make clear that they are not the bad guys -- that the credit card companies, not the merchants, are responsible for the higher prices. But the ruling Wednesday was only a partial victory for the five New York businesses, including a hair salon and an ice cream parlor in Brooklyn, that sued to challenge the ban on advertising or disclosing surcharges for using credit cards. The U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York had upheld the law on the grounds it was a price regulation, not a speech restriction. Roberts and the high court disagreed. What the law does is regulate how sellers may communicate their prices, he said. A merchant who wants to charge $10 for cash and $10.30 for credit may not convey that price any way he pleases. He is not free to say '$10, with a 3% credit card surcharge. But the justices did not strike down the state laws, instead sending the case back to the New York court to decide whether this speech regulation could be justified. Sometimes, laws are used to regulate the words of commercial transactions to prevent buyers from being fooled or confused. Until recently, the major credit card companies had imposed contract restrictions that prevented merchants from disclosing surcharges. But those provisions have challenged and knocked down. That in turn led to new legal challenges against the state laws which forbid sellers from disclosing these surcharges. The case decided Wednesday was Expressions Hair Design vs. Schneiderman. Facebook

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Trumps poll numbers are low. But the people who put him in office say its not time to judge him  yet By Noah Bierman Its been five months since the euphoria of a Donald Trump rally at the local arena brought optimism to this former Democratic stronghold. The snow from a long winter has begun melting into the rocky soil, and the digital sign in a torn-up parking lot blinks hopefully: Warm days are coming. President Trump has yet to deliver jobs or the repeal of Obamacare. But here, in an area crucial to his unexpected election victory, many residents are more frustrated with what they see as obstruction and a rush to judgment than they are with Trump. Give him six months to prove himself, said an information technology supervisor. Give him a year, said a service manager. Give him four years, said a retired print shop owner. Give the man a chance, said Crystal Matthews, a 59-year-old hospital employee. Theyre just going to fight him tooth and nail, the whole way. Read More Facebook

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To fight womans defamation claim, Trump cites the Bill Clinton-Paula Jones case  which the president lost By David Savage President Trump is citing Bill Clintons famous sexual harassment battle in his effort to block a California womans lawsuit claiming Trump lied about groping her in the Beverly Hills Hotel in 2007. Problem is, Clinton lost that bid for legal immunity when the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in 1997 that the chief executive is not shielded from responding to a civil suit regarding his private behavior. Read More Facebook

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House sends Trump bill to kill landmark broadband privacy regulations By Jim Puzzanghera Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) sponsored the repeal bill. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images) The House voted Tuesday to kill landmark privacy restrictions for Internet service providers and sent the bill to the White House, which indicated President Trump would sign it and invalidate the rules before they go into effect. The measure, approved largely along party lines, repeals tough new Federal Communications Commission regulations that would require broadband companies to get explicit customer permission before using or sharing most of their personal information. The data include health information, website browsing history, app usage and the geographic information from mobile devices. The rules also tighten data security requirements. Republicans, along with AT&T Inc., Charter Communications Inc., Comcast Corp. and other providers of high-speed Internet service, strongly opposed the rules. They argued that the restrictions are tougher than those for websites and social networks that also collect and use the highly valuable consumer data, which companies use to target advertising. Read More Facebook

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U.S. commander says theres a fair chance that coalition airstrike is responsible for civilian casualties in Mosul By W.J. Hennigan Rescuers are still recovering bodies from a suspected U.S. airstrike in the Iraqi city of Mosul. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) The top U.S. general commanding the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria said that the U.S.-led coalition was probably responsible for a blast that killed more than 200 people. If we did it, and I would say theres at least a fair chance that we did, it was an unintentional accident of war and we will transparently report it to you, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend told reporters Tuesday via teleconference from Baghdad. He made the comments in response to witness reports that an airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition leveled a large apartment block and killed scores of civilians, including women and children, in west Mosuls Jadidah neighborhood on March 17. My initial assessment is that we probably had a role in these casualties, Townsend said. But investigators are still trying to determine whether other factors -- possibly including repeated airstrikes in the neighborhood or an explosive device accidentally or deliberately planted near the building -- could have led to its collapse. The fact that the whole building collapsed contradicts our involvement, Townsend said. The munition that we used should not have collapsed an entire building. So thats one of those things were trying to figure out in the investigative process. Read More Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown calls Trump energy plan a colossal mistake that will galvanize climate change activists By Evan Halper Gov. Jerry Brown. (Gregory Bull / Associated Press) California Gov. Jerry Brown warned that President Trump has just made a colossal mistake in gutting the federal governments effort to combat climate change, which will ignite a response Trump is unprepared to handle. It defies science itself, Brown said in a call to The Times shortly after Trump signed an executive order that aims to bring an abrupt halt to the United States leadership on global warming. Erasing climate change may take place in Donald Trumps mind, but nowhere else. Yes, there is going to be a counter-movement, Brown vowed, predicting Trumps actions will mobilize environmentalists in a way President Obama never could. I have met with many heads of state, ambassadors. This is a growing movement. President Trumps outrageous move will galvanize the contrary force. Things have been a bit tepid [in climate activism]. But this conflict, this sharpening of the contradiction, will energize those who believe climate change is an existential threat. Brown and other big-state governors and mayors are moving swiftly to fill the global leadership vacuum Trump created with Tuesdays directive, which stops short of officially pulling the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord of 2015. I see Washington declining in influence, but the momentum being maintained by California and other states aligned with China and those who are willing to do something, said Brown, who will be traveling to China soon for meetings on climate. There is a growing activism on the part of millions of people who will not stand by and let Donald Trump effectively tear up the Paris agreement and destroy Americas climate leadership and jeopardize the health and well being of so many people. In the face of Trumps retreat on climate, Brown said California will step up its own efforts to push others toward clean energy. We are not fully meeting the challenge of climate change yet, he said. We are doubling down on our commitment. We are reaching out to other states in America and throughout the world and other countries . We have plenty of fuel to build this movement. This is real, Brown said of the threat created by climate change. The nations of the world have recognized it in Paris  I will continue doing my best to work with and rouse the world community, whatever the politicians in Washington do or dont do. Facebook

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Trump orders government to dismantle Obamas climate change policies By Evan Halper  President Trump ordered an abrupt halt to Americas crusade against climate change. (March 29, 2017) (Sign up for our free video newsletter here http://bit.ly/2n6VKPR) President Trump on Tuesday ordered the federal government to retreat from the battle against climate change launched by President Obama, issuing a directive aimed at dismantling the core policies that have made the U.S. a global leader in curbing emissions. The plan unveiled by Trump reflects an about-face for the U.S. on energy, and it puts into jeopardy the nations ability to meet the obligations it agreed to under the global warming pact signed in Paris with 194 other nations. It would shelve the landmark Clean Power Plan that mandates electricity companies reduce their emissions. It seeks to dislodge consideration of climate throughout the federal government, where it has been a factor in every relevant decision in recent years. My administration is putting an end to the war on coal, Trump said. I am taking historic steps to lift the restrictions on American energy to reverse government intrusions and to cancel job killing regulations. Under the order, the government will abandon the social cost of carbon that regulators had painstakingly calculated and begun factoring into their decision on permit applications and rulemaking. Restrictions on methane releases at oil and gas drilling facilities would be eased. Agencies will also stop contemplating climate impacts as they launch into new projects, and restrictions on coal leasing and fracking on federal lands will be lifted. The directive, for which progressive states and environmentalists have been preparing for months, is certain to set off years of litigation and conflicts between Washington and state capitols. Some of the most far-reaching policies Trump is seeking to bring to a halt cannot be canceled unilaterally and require lengthy administrative proceedings. But others he can end with the stroke of his pen. Smoke rises from the Colstrip Steam Electric Station, a coal-burning power plant in Colstrip, Mont., on July 1, 2103. (Matt Brown / Associated Press) Facebook

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A trade war is brewing inside the White House between rival camps By Don Lee Soon after President Trump took office, an executive order was quietly drafted to suspend talks with China on an obscure but potentially far-reaching treaty about bilateral investment. After eight years and two dozen rounds of negotiations, the treaty terms were almost in final form. Pulling out after so much time and effort would send a clear message that the Trump administration meant to take a new and tougher approach to China. But the executive order never even got to the presidents desk. It was quietly shelved, according to sources inside and outside the White House, at the behest of former Goldman Sachs President Gary Cohn, now Trumps top economic advisor. Killing the order was a small victory for a White House faction that supports free trade and the global economy. But it was only an opening skirmish in what promises to be a long and bitter struggle over trade policy that so far is being waged behind the scenes in the Trump administration. Read More Facebook

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Supreme Court reverses death sentence for Texas inmate who could not tell time or name the days of the week By David Savage The Supreme Court set aside a death sentence on Tuesday for a Texas inmate who as a 13-year-old could not tell time or name the days of the week, concluding he should not be executed in light of his mental disability. In a 5-3 decision, the justices reversed the Texas state appeals court that had restored a death sentence given to Bobby James Moore, a 57-year old prisoner who shot and killed a store clerk in a botched robbery in 1980. At issue was whether Moore had a mental disability that would make his execution cruel and unusual punishment under the 8th Amendment. The justices banned states from executing prisoners with a mental disability, but they left states some flexibility to set the standards. But three years ago, the justices faulted Florida authorities for relying almost entirely on I.Q. scores. In the Texas case decided Tuesday, the justices said state judges had ignored ample evidence that Moore had severe mental disability as a child. That evidence was not overcome by the fact that he had adapted well in prison, they said. At 13, Moore lacked the basic understanding of the days of the week, the months of the year and the seasons; he could scarcely tell time or comprehend the standards of measure, said Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. After failing every subject in the ninth grade, Moore dropped out of high school. Cast out of his home, he survived on the streets, eating from trash cans, even after two bouts of food poisoning. After fatally shooting the clerk in the 1980 robbery, he was sentenced to death. The Texas courts reexamined his sentence after the high court abolished capital punishment in 2002 for defendants with a mental disability. A state judge listened to experts and set aside Moores death sentence, But the states criminal appeals court disagreed. Its judges said Moore had demonstrated adaptive strength by living on the streets and carrying out a robbery, and therefore did not qualify as having a severe mental impairment. Ginsburg said the state judges had relied on an outdated understanding of mental disability, and her opinion in Moore vs. Texas said the state court must reconsidere its decision. Justices Anthony M. Kennedy, Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan agreed. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. dissented. While he agreed the states authorities may have used outdated standards, Moore had I.Q. scores ranging from 69 to 79 that show he did not have the significantly sub-average intellectual functioning that would exempt him from the death penalty. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito agreed. Facebook

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The Freedom Caucus roars back to relevance to challenge Trumps agenda and strategy By Lisa Mascaro When House Speaker Paul D. Ryan pulled the plug on the GOPs Obamacare overhaul, lawmakers spilled out of the Capitol basement, angry, frustrated and stunned. But Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), leader of the conservative and rebellious House Freedom Caucus that led the fight against the bill, was uncharacteristically quiet, downplaying his political victory and mulling over the next move. After coming together to battle President Obama and becoming a driving force in the Republican Party, this 30-member-plus bloc of deficit hawks and right-flank conservatives had appeared for a while to be pushed aside by the movement that swept President Trump into office. But after helping defeat the GOP healthcare overhaul, the Freedom Caucus has roared back to relevance as a political power in the Trump era. It has reasserted itself as not just a renegade assemblage of mostly back-bench lawmakers, but as a core block of votes that Trump will need to push past the healthcare debacle to tax reform, budget battles and other issues. These guys saved the Republicans, said Adam Brandon, president of FreedomWorks, a group that organized a North Carolina rally on Monday in honor of Meadows. As beaten and battered as they are, weve got a group thats willing to take the hard decisions. If youre going to drain the swamp, these are the guys who are going to do it. Read More Facebook

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White House stopped Yates testimony about Russian meddling in presidential election, lawyer says By Associated Press A lawyer for former Deputy Atty. Gen. Sally Yates said in letters last week that the Trump administration had moved to squelch her testimony in a hearing about Russian meddling in the presidential election. In the letters, attorney David ONeil said he understood the Justice Department was invoking further constraints on testimony she could provide at a House Intelligence Committee hearing that had been scheduled for Tuesday. He said the departments position was that all actions she took as deputy attorney general were client confidences that could not be disclosed without written approval. The Washington Post first reported the letters. A person familiar with the situation confirmed them as authentic to the Associated Press. The White House called the Post story entirely false. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and part of Trumps transition team, last week announced that the committee was canceling the planned public hearing with Yates and two former Obama administration intelligence officials  the former director of national intelligence, James Clapper, and former CIA Director John Brennan. Read More Facebook

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Did Mnuchin cross an ethical line in plugging The Lego Batman Movie? A senator wants to know By Jim Puzzanghera (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) A Democratic senator wants to know if Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin committed an ethics violation when he publicly plugged The Lego Batman Movie, a film in which he has a financial stake. A former Hollywood financier, Mnuchin was asked at the end of a question-and-answer session on Friday hosted by the Axios news website to name a movie people should see. Well, Im not allowed to promote anything that Im involved in. So I just want to have the legal disclosure, youve asked me the question and I am not promoting any product, Mnuchin said at the event, which aired on C-SPAN2. But you should send all your kids to Lego Batman,  he said. The crowd laughed. But Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, wasnt amused. Hes asking the U.S. Office of Government Ethics to look into the comments. Read More Facebook

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Venezuela hits back in showdown with OAS, U.S. over democracy By Tracy Wilkinson The Venezuelan foreign minister had harsh words Monday for the regional organization that is considering sanctioning her country for its failure to hold democratic elections. Delcy Rodriguez, the foreign minister, accused the Organization of American States of wanting not to punish Venezuela but to destroy it. Rodriguez appeared at an OAS panel convened in Washington. D.C., after the United States and 13 other of the hemispheres nations united to demand the leftist Venezuelan government free political prisoners and set a date for long-overdue elections. Failure to do so, the 14 countries warned, could trigger a decision to suspend Venezuela from the 69-year-old regional body. OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro, a former Uruguayan foreign minister, has been especially critical of Venezuelas embattled government. He noted that President Nicolas Maduro canceled both a referendum that could have recalled his government and later regional elections, after the opposition made huge gains in parliamentary voting in 2015. In addition, thousands of people have been arrested for their political beliefs, Almagro said, including opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who has been in jail for three years. But Rodriguez, in a speech to the OAS panel, said Venezuelas revolution continues strong. She accused Almagro of being a stooge of the U.S. government, a lying mercenary who is a traitor to everything a Latin American diplomat should represent. He lacks independence when he voluntarily bows to the wishes of the most powerful nation of this organization -- and becomes its spokesman, Rodriguez said. Although the OAS has often been accused of pro-Washington tendencies, 13 nations in addition to the United States have joined to condemn Venezuela, a significant shift in Latin America away from populist regimes. Other leftist-ruled countries, like Bolivia, have said they will support Venezuela. Rodriguez said the accusations against her government were unilateral, unjustified and biased. She called on the OAS to suspend discussion of Venezuela, but another session was scheduled to proceed on Tuesday -- the same day Maduros Socialist Party is planning big anti-imperialism marches at home. All of the countries most critical of Venezuela, including the United States, say suspension of the oil-rich, Caribbean country from the OAS should be a measure of last resort. Despite its oil wealth, Venezuela is in the throes of an economic and humanitarian disaster, with severe shortages of food and medicine and skyrocketing inflation and homicide rates. Facebook

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Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions criticizes sanctuary cities but offers no new policies By Michael A. Memoli  Decrying the safety risk posed when cities dont cooperate with federal immigration authorities, Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions repeated previous statements that the Trump administration would seek to deny so-called sanctuary cities some federal grant fun Decrying the safety risk posed when cities dont cooperate with federal immigration authorities, Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions repeated previous statements that the Trump administration would seek to deny so-called sanctuary cities some federal grant funds, but offered no new policies. Despite his high-profile appearance at the White House briefing room, Sessions merely reiterated Obama administration policy related to immigration. Justice Department officials said any new measures would be weeks or months in the future. The Obama administration issued instructions last July that required any cities applying for Justice Department grant programs be in compliance with federal law requiring cooperation between local, state and federal agencies with requests from the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Sessions noted that any jurisdiction applying for grants from his department would have to certify that compliance. The Justice Department already has been requiring that, which indicates that police and sheriff departments which currently have Justice Department grants already have been asserting that they are meeting the requirements of federal law. Although many cities have policies that they, or critics, characterize using the label sanctuary, those policies do not necessarily mean they are violating the law. Sessions did say that the Justice Department could in the future institute additional requirements, but announced none. Fundamentally, we intend to use all the lawful authority we have to make sure that our state and local officials, who are so important to law enforcement, are in sync with the federal government, he said. He did offer a warning to jurisdictions considering adopting sanctuary status. The California legislature is considering a proposal to institute the designation statewide; Sessions, though, singled out Maryland for a similar proposal. That would be such a mistake, Sessions said, while noting Marylands Republican governor opposes the change proposed by the heavily-Democratic legislature. Sessions cited a high-profile case in San Francisco where a 32-year-old woman was killed by man who had been previously deported multiple times despite a request by immigration authorities to continue his detention to illustrate the administrations case against such policies. Countless Americans would be alive today and countless loved ones would not be grieving today if these policies of sanctuary cities were ended, Sessions claimed. Facebook

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Devin Nunes plot thickens, as his spokesman concedes he met source for surveillance claim at White House By David S. Cloud The day before the House Intelligence Committee chairman revealed that conversations by Trump transition officials may have been inadvertently picked up by U.S. surveillance, he met with the source of the information at the White House, his spokesman said Monday Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare), went to the White House because there was a facility there for reviewing classified information, said Jack Langer, a spokesman for Nunes, who has refused to divulge the identity of his source. Chairman Nunes met with his source at the White House grounds in order to have proximity to a secure location where he could view the information provided by the source, Langer said. The latest news added another twist to a bizarre series of events last week: On Monday, FBI Director James Comey testified before Nunes committee that his investigators were looking at possible coordination during the presidential campaign between Russian officials and people close to Preisdent Trump. Tuesday night, Nunes went to the White House where someone showed him documents related to U.S. intelligence surveillance, according to his statement. On Wednesday, Nunes announced to reporters that he had seen evidence indicating that people close to Trump had been subjects of surveillance during the transition. He then went to the White House, saying that he needed to brief Trump about the revelations. On Thursday, Nunes apologized to committee members for not having shown the evidence to them before briefing the president. Later that day, his spokesman conceded that Nunes did not know for sure that any Trump aides had actually been subject to surveillance, just that their names had appeared in intelligence reports, which could have resulted from other people talking about them. That sequence of events could buttress Democrats claims that the episode last week was a White House ploy to shift attention away from the FBI investigation. Democrats already have been saying Nunes should be disqualified from heading an inquiry into whether Trumps aides had improper contacts with Russia. Nunes statement left several questions unanswered. One is why he would have had to go to the White House unless his source worked there, because members of Congress have access to a secure facility at the U.S. Capitol. Asked to explain Nunes actions, Langer said in an email, The information comprised executive branch documents that have not been provided to Congress. Because of classification rules, the source could not simply put the documents in a backpack and walk them over to the House Intelligence Committee space.  He added: The White House grounds was the best location to safeguard the proper chain of custody and classification of these documents, so the Chairman could view them in a legal way. Last week, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer had dismissed speculation that the White House had supplied Nunes with the information, saying that the suggestion did not pass the smell test. He added, however, that he did not for sure what Nunes had told Trump or where his information came from. After Nunes apologized to members of his committee Thursday and promised to thoroughly investigate the surveillance, several lawmakers said Nunes had promised to provide them the surveillance information he had received. That has not occurred yet. In his first statement last week, Nunes said he was concerned that some Trump transition officials identities might have been improperly revealed in intelligence reports, despite rules requiring them to be kept confidential in most cases. The Chairman is extremely concerned by the possible improper unmasking of names of U.S. citizens, and he began looking into this issue even before President Trump tweeted his assertion that Trump Tower had been wiretapped, Langer said. Whether any officials names actually were unmasked is unclear. The ranking Democrat on the committee, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) has questioned Nunes assertions about improper unmasking. But Schiff noted that he has not seen the documents Nunes claims to have seen. Schiff had no comment on the news that Nunes had seen the documents at the White House. UPDATES 10:20 a.m.: This article was updated with staff reporting. This article was originally published as an Associated Press report at 9:06 a.m. Facebook

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Venezuela in showdown with OAS, U.S. over political prisoners By Tracy Wilkinson The besieged leftist government of Venezuela is under mounting pressure after the United States and 13 of the hemispheres other leading nations demanded the release of political prisoners and other pro-democracy concessions. The Organization of American States, the regions main collective body, has threatened to suspend Venezuela because of what it called the autocratic repression imposed by President Nicolas Maduro. Maduros foreign minister, Delcy Rodriguez, will appear Monday before an OAS panel in Washington to plead her governments case. This comes after members of the Venezuelan delegation stormed out of OAS meetings last week, according to diplomats. OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro, in a report on Venezuela, noted that Maduro canceled both a referendum that could have recalled his government and later regional elections, after the opposition made huge gains in parliamentary voting in 2015. A Maduro-controlled Supreme Court then stripped the parliament of much of its power. In addition, thousands of people have been arrested for their political beliefs, Almagro said, including opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who has been in jail for three years. The OAS is demanding Venezuela hold elections or risk suspension from the group, a drastic measure. The last time a country was suspended was when the military and right-wing politicians staged a coup against the elected president in Honduras in 2009. Under OAS regulations, a country can be suspended when the democratic order is altered. Venezuela is in the throes of a devastating economic and humanitarian crisis. The oil-rich country has among the highest homicide and inflation rates in the world and suffers from severe shortages of food and medicine. The Maduro government angrily condemned the OAS actions as imperialist interference and vowed to resist. Adan Chavez, brother of the late Hugo Chavez, the socialist strongman who set Venezuela on its revolutionary path, claimed the OAS was plotting a coup against Maduro. Maduro views much of his opposition as right-wing oligarchs who have long repressed the poor. Although the OAS has often been accused of pro-Washington tendencies, it is significant that 13 nations in addition to the United States are united in condemning Venezuela. This marks a shift away from populist regimes in much of Latin America. The Trump administration, which has shown little interest in Latin America beyond Mexico, did issue instructions to diplomats to find ways through the OAS to put pressure on Venezuela, according to people familiar with the matter. Those instructions came despite parallel administration plans to slash funds to the OAS and other multilateral institutions like the United Nations. Trump recently spoke by telephone to the presidents of Chile and Brazil and in both cases discussed Venezuela, the White House said. And he met at the White House with Lilian Tintori, the wife of Lopez, the jailed opposition leader, as she lobbied for her husbands freedom. The Treasury Department earlier this year slapped sanctions on Venezuelas vice president, Tareck El Aissami, alleging he was a major drug trafficker, charges he denied. Were not pushing for Venezuelas expulsion from the OAS at this time, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said late last week. However, we do think the OAS is the appropriate venue to deal with the ongoing situation in Venezuela, he said. Elections are essential to securing accountability, and the Venezuelan people deserve a voice in creating solutions to the myriad economic, political, and social and humanitarian challenges that they face. Facebook

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Trump takes to Twitter to blame GOP hard-liners over healthcare failure By Laura King (Mandel Ngan / AFP-Getty Images) President Trump on Sunday blamed fellow Republicans and two influential conservative advocacy groups for last weeks failure of the GOP healthcare plan. The president had said on Friday that it was the fault of Democrats that House Speaker Paul D. Ryan pulled the measure from consideration rather than putting it forth for a floor showdown that the GOP leadership would have lost. In a Sunday morning tweet, the president appeared to shift culpability to the House Freedom Caucus, a conservative group of GOP lawmakers who were key to depriving Trump and his camp of the votes needed for passage. Democrats are smiling over the bills failure, Trump declared on Twitter. The Freedom Caucus, he said, had saved President Obamas Affordable Care Act with the help of Heritage Action and the Club for Growth, two organizations that had opposed the GOP measure. The chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), declined to engage in any sparring with the White House, instead predicting that a Trump-led Republican effort to overhaul Obamas signature healthcare legislation eventually would move ahead. At the end of the day, the most valuable player will be President Trump, he said on ABCs This Week. Meadows also insisted there had been no conversation about any attempt to force out Ryan, who is being blamed for failing to marshal sufficient support for the measure he had spearheaded. Trump so far has refrained from public criticism of the speaker, but  again on Twitter  he specifically urged followers to watch a Fox News segment on Saturday night, featuring commentator Jeanine Pirro excoriating Ryan and calling for him to be ousted. That gave rise to speculation that Trump would seek to force the speaker to take the fall for the debacle. Read More Facebook

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After the GOP healthcare bill fizzles, Trump blames the Democrats and says he learned a lot about loyalty By Brian Bennett  President Trump addresses the cancellation of a vote Friday on the GOPs plan to overhaul the Affordable Care Act. After failing to land a deal on the healthcare bill, President Trump on Friday blamed Democrats, even though the GOP controls Congress and the White House, and made few overtures across the aisle when pushing the bill. When you get no votes from the other side -- meaning Democrats -- it is really a difficult situation, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office after a revolt by Republican lawmakers forced House leaders to stop a vote in their bid to overhaul the Affordable Care Act. Trump insisted that the current healthcare law, commonly known as Obamacare, will collapse under its own weight, and then Democrats will want to make a deal with the White House. I truly believe the Democrats will come to us, Trump said. In the meantime, Trump is moving his attention to pushing through a tax reform bill, he said. We will probably be going really hard for the big tax cuts and tax reform -- thats next, he said. Trump, who has spent decades negotiating real estate deals and seeing many of them fall through, seemed sanguine discussing the effort he put into getting a healthcare reform bill passed. This was an interesting period of time, Trump said. We learned a lot about loyalty and we learned a lot about the vote-getting process. Trump stopped short of blaming House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) and avoided singling out the group of conservative Republican lawmakers, who dug in their heels in opposition. Lawmakers in the House Freedom Caucus that largely stood against the bill are very good people and friends of mind, he said. I was disappointed because we could have had it, he said. Im a little surprised, he said. When asked by a reporter if he would reach out now to Democrats for ideas on how to get a deal, Trump said, No, I think we need to let Obamacare go its way for a little while. Then well see how things go. Facebook

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Tillerson will meet with NATO counterparts, after all By Tracy Wilkinson Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will meet with NATO allies next week in Brussels, a move that could quell controversy over his earlier decision to skip a long-planned summit of the transatlantic alliance. The State Department said Friday that Tillerson added a stop at NATO headquarters in Brussels to a previously scheduled trip to the Turkish capital of Ankara. Tillerson will be in Ankara on Thursday to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other senior Turkish officials to discuss the fight against Islamic State militants in Syria and to reaffirm Turkeys important role in ensuring regional stability, the State Department said. The next day, he will go to NATO, the State Department said. NATO officials were attempting to put together a session with the other 27 allied nations. Earlier this week, news that Tillerson would miss the NATO ministerial meeting set for April 5-6, roiled the alliance. Administration officials said Tillerson would have to be in Washington to attend President Trumps first face-to-face meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping on April 6-7. At the same time, Tillersons aides announced he would be traveling to Moscow the following week. Criticism was swift from European allies but also from several former American diplomats and key U.S. lawmakers, who said the decision raised questions about the Trump administrations commitment to NATO. During his campaign, Trump called the alliance obsolete, although more recently he has voiced support for it while also demanding members spend more money on defense. In response, Tillersons aides said they were exchanging possible alternative dates with NATO to attempt to arrange a meeting in which all parties could participate. It was not yet clear if next Fridays meeting will take the place of the April 5-6 session, which as of late Friday remained on NATOs formal calendar. Diplomats considered the ministerial meeting as especially important because it will lay the groundwork for a May 25 NATO summit of heads of state and government, which Trump has said he will attend. Facebook

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Charter promises Trump something new ($25-billion investment) and something old (20,000 jobs) By Jim Puzzanghera Charter Communications Chief Executive Thomas Rutledge. (Mandel Ngan / AFP/Getty Images) The chief executive of Charter Communications committed in a meeting with President Trump on Friday to invest $25 billion on broadband infrastructure while joining a trend of business leaders touting previously announced job creation at the White House. In the case of Charter  Southern Californias dominant cable-TV and Internet service provider  Chief Executive Thomas Rutledge said he expected to hire 20,000 new U.S. employees over the next four years. Charter had made the hiring promise in 2015 when it was purchasing Time Warner Cable. The new development was the time period in which it will occur. Nevertheless, Trump indicated the job creation was triggered by his election. Read More Facebook

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Threats made against Hawaii judge who ruled against travel ban By Jaweed Kaleem (George Lee / The Star-Advertiser via AP) The Hawaii federal judge who brought President Trumps revised travel ban to a national halt last week has become the target of threats. U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson has received the threats since his March 15 ruling, according to FBI spokeswoman Michele Ernst. Ernst said the FBI is ready to assist but declined to provide more information. The U.S. Marshals Service also said it would not give details. The U.S. Marshals Service is responsible for the protection of federal judicial officials, including judges and prosecutors, and we take that responsibility very seriously, the agency said in a statement. While we do not discuss our specific security measures, we continuously review the security measures in place for all federal judges and take appropriate steps to provide additional protection when it is warranted. Watson, a judge in the U.S. District Court of Hawaii in Honolulu, issued a scathing 43-page opinion against the travel ban the day before it was to go into effect. He wrote that, despite the bans stated secular purpose, Trumps own words marked the executive order as a fulfillment of the presidents campaign promise to temporarily bar Muslims from coming to the U.S. The illogic of the governments contention is palpable, Watson said. In response, Trump said Watsons ruling was terrible and makes us look weak. Trump has vowed to take the travel ban case to the U.S. Supreme Court. An appeal of a separate Maryland federal judges ruling against the travel ban is currently pending in the U.S. 4th District Court of Appeals. Facebook

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House GOP gives up on healthcare bill as Trump suffers first legislative defeat By Lisa Mascaro Unable to muster enough support from his own party, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan again postponed a vote Friday on the GOPs plan to overhaul the Affordable Care Act. The move came at the request of President Trump, who just Thursday night issued an ultimatum that lawmakers should hold the vote regardless of the outcome. It was the second time House GOP leaders had to delay a final reckon
Hungary has begun building a second fence on its border with Serbia to stop migrants from freely entering the country, the government said Monday.

The government spokesmans office confirmed a report published in the pro-government newspaper Magyar Idok.

Hungary built a barrier along its borders with Serbia and Croatia in 2015. The government says the second fence is needed because it expects a surge of migrants to reach its borders this year.

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Although the EU-Turkey agreement is prevailing and the Western Balkan route is closed, we expect the migration pressure to appear at any moment at our southern borders, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said after meeting his Romanian counterpart, Teodor Melescanu. For this reason, we are strengthening the defense of our southern border.

A six-mile experimental stretch of the second fence has already been built, some of it equipped with cameras, motion and heat sensors and other surveillance tools.

About 400,000 migrants reached Hungary from the south before the border fences were erected. Nearly all passed through the country on their way west to Germany, the Netherlands and other destinations.

Human rights advocates have been strongly critical of Hungarys migration policies, including the fence and measures that would keep asylum seekers in border camps made of shipping containers while their cases are decided.

In a letter to the European Commission, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee and Human Rights Watch said the planned legal changes in Hungary would go against European Union rules by, for example, severely limiting refugees access to asylum.

The European Commission should not stand by while Hungary makes a mockery of the right to seek asylum, said Benjamin Ward, deputy director of the Europe and Central Asia division at Human Rights Watch. Using transit zones as detention centers and forcing asylum seekers who are already inside Hungary back to the Serbian side of the razor-wire fence is abusive, pointless and cruel.
The Italian president has granted partial clemency to an American ex-CIA agent on the eve of her expected extradition from Portugal.

The presidential palace said late Tuesday that President Sergio Matterella had shaved one year off Sabrina de Sousas four-year sentence for her role in the abduction of a Muslim cleric, Osama Moustafa Hassan Nas. The cleric, also known as Abu Omar, was kidnapped from a Milan street in February 2003.

De Sousa denied involvement.

De Sousa, who has dual U.S.-Portuguese citizenship, had been due to be flown from Lisbon to Milan, Italy, on Wednesday to start serving her sentence.

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The palace noted that because her sentence was reduced to three years, she no longer has to go to prison, but can serve out the remainder of her sentence in alternative service.

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Dozens dragged from their homes as police clear illegal settlement in West Bank
When the Israeli government reluctantly complied with a court order and booted several hundred Israeli settlers from a hilltop outpost in the West Bank early this month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus administration promised to break ground within weeks on a new settlement in another part of the disputed territory. There was little reason to doubt it.

The election of President Trump seemed to clear the way for Netanyahu to chart his own course on the Middle East peace process and play to his right-wing base, which favors the construction of more settlements and opposes the creation of a Palestinian state.

Though he publicly endorsed the so-called two-state solution in 2009, Netanyahu had always been lukewarm to the idea. Breaking with the Obama administration, Trump has indicated that the U.S. would no longer insist on it. Returning from his visit to Washington last week, Netanyahu boasted of his personal friendship with Trump and declared a new day in ties with the U.S.

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But now the prime minister is hesitating on his promise to the settlers of the outpost known as Amona  and playing down expectations from his staunchest supporters for a dramatic makeover of the West Bank.

On Monday, the newspaper Haaretz quoted Netanyahu telling members of his own Likud Party that the election of Trump is a historic opportunity, but one must understand the limits of that opportunity.

When it comes to building in the West Bank, things arent as simple as they look, he reportedly said.

Since Trump won, Netanyahu has faced regular calls from Likud and the Jewish Home party to annex parts of the West Bank, establish new settlements and speed up building in existing ones.

Outside Jerusalem, posters along the highway to the West Bank settlements demand that the prime minister exercise Israeli sovereignty over territory that the Palestinians claim as part of their hoped-for future state.

The ball isnt in [the hands of] Washington, but in Jerusalem, Yossi Dagan, a Likud member and a settler leader, wrote on his Facebook page shortly after Netanyahus meeting with Trump in Washington.

That may be too simplistic. Though the U.S. may have loosened the reins, the prime minister cannot simply run free.

The international community as a whole remains committed to a two-state solution and could impose sanctions on Israel if it annexes more disputed territory.

Trump himself may not be quite the partner that right-wing Israelis want. Though he has expressed doubts about the two-state solution and appointed key aides who oppose it, Trump also told Netanyahu to hold off on expansion of settlements.

Further complicating the prime ministers situation is a pair of investigations into whether he unlawfully accepted gifts from wealthy businessmen and offered to push legislation as part of secret deal with a newspaper publisher to secure more favorable coverage.

The prime minister has denied any wrongdoing. But the investigation has raised the possibility that he might face a bribery indictment, leading to speculation that members of his own government might try to replace him.

I would not want to be Netanyahus strategist today, said Stephan Miller, an Israeli American political consultant. An indictment could sour support among those who support him politically but dont like him personally.

Netanyahu said in January that hed agree to give Palestinians a state-minus  a demilitarized state where Israels army retains ultimate control over the West Bank. But hes provided few details about what that means.

Once Netanyahu starts to trace out a plan for the Palestinians, it might put him at loggerheads with ideologues in his governing coalition.

Hes in a Catch-22, said Yoaz Hendel, a former communications advisor to Netanyahu. Right now, no one really knows what he wants.

The settlers of Amona are Netanyahus most immediate challenge.

Israels Supreme Court ruled two years ago that the government could not allow them to stay, because the land is privately owned Palestinian property. To coax the settlers to leave peacefully, the government pledged to start construction within weeks on an empty hilltop near the settlement of Shilo several miles away.

We are waiting for the prime minister to make good on his promise, said Yedidya Ben Zimra, one of several settlers at a protest tent set up outside the prime ministers house in Jerusalem. Netanyahu is looking for a way out of it.'

If he does honor the promise, it would be the first time since the 1990s that Israel has officially set out to build an entirely new settlement.

A few days after Trump told him to hold off, Netanyahu signaled to members of his party that he would have to postpone his promise.

Dozens of Amona settlers are now living in a dormitory in the West Bank settlement Ofra.

Everyone knows that Prime Minister Netanyahu doesnt want to shake anything up, said one of them, 44-year-old Eli Greenberg. Netanyahu keeps on preserving the two-state solution, he doesnt want anything to change. Its a grave situation.

Since leaving Amona, Tamar Ben Izri, 38, and her husband and five children have been living in two small dorm rooms cramped with bunk beds.

The family and others have refused to leave, hoping to maintain pressure on the government.

If we move to a mobile home, Bibi will forget about us, Ben Izri said, using the prime ministers nickname.

Mitnick is a special correspondent.

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Amid protesters cries of Jews dont expel Jews, hundreds of Israeli police Tuesday enforced a high court order to extract residents from nine homes illegally built on private property belonging to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Protesters at the Ofra settlement carried banners blaming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus right-wing government for enforcing the courts orders and some demonstrators scuffled with police as officers dragged dozens of people out of the homes.

The Ofra evacuation dealt a second blow in less than a month to Israels powerful movement supporting Jewish settlers. It came only weeks after Israel carried out a rare removal of several hundred settlers at the nearby Amona hilltop outpost.

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Though the settler lobby has been emboldened to press for settlement expansion and annexation because of President Trumps apparent recent step back from endorsement of a Palestinian state, the evacuations highlight Israels ongoing trials over how to handle thousands of settler homes built on Palestinian property.

This is a fight for all of Judea and Samaria, said protester Raphael Rosenfelder, 19, referring to the territories of the West Bank by their biblical names. Last month they kicked out 40 families at Amona. Now its these nine houses. Next it will be a settlement with thousands of families.

Some protesters had crowded inside and on the roof of one of the houses.

To block future court-ordered settlement evacuations like those at Ofra and Amona, Israels parliament, the Knesset, passed a controversial law in February allowing for the retroactive expropriation and legalization of outposts and settlement homes built on property belonging to Palestinians.

The law, which opponents say legalizes land theft and marks a de-facto annexation of West Bank land, stirred criticism from Palestinians, some Israelis and the international community. Israels attorney general is refusing to defend the legislation when the Supreme Court considers an appeal against the law.

Israeli supporters of the law say it is necessary to prevent legal challenges brought by a minority of human rights groups seeking to reverse government policies.

Yesh Din, an Israeli human rights group that petitioned the high court in 2008 with landowners from the village of Ein Yabrud, welcomed the implementation of the demolition order.

It is unfortunate this was not done before the houses were inhabited, the statement said.

Outside each of the nine houses, protesters opposed to the evacuations hung giant banners with portraits and the names of each family. The banners also were critical of the government, using sarcasm with a statement reading, This is a right-wing government.

Minutes after Israeli police escorted him out of his home of the last nine years, Netzach Brodt, a 32-year-old lawyer, stared blankly at the ground while vowing to build a bigger house elsewhere in the settlement for his wife and three young children. The family likes Ofra, which has a population of several thousand people, he said.

Brodt said he was unaware of a legal challenge when he bought the two-story house.

Were going to take a [financial] hit . Were scarred from the whole situation, he said. We have hard feelings toward successive Israeli governments, who, since the Six Day War hasnt had the courage to say what the policy is in Judea and Samaria.

Palestinians and much of the international community consider all Israeli building in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem as illegal. In recent months the United Nations, the U.S. and European countries warned that settlement expansion was rapidly endangering prospects for peace through a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians.

This a long time in the making and an excruciating process for the landowners. It took many years, said Hanan Ashrawi, a senior official in the Palestine Liberation Organization. They shouldnt have been allowed to settle there in the first place.

There was significantly less resistance in Ofra than at the Amona evacuation, which attracted thousands of protesters who barricaded themselves in mobile homes, chained themselves together and resisted police over two days.

Israels police spokesman said 100 people were carted out of Ofra on buses, and 11 officers suffered minor injuries. Hundreds of protesters joined the families in the houses to make the evacuation more difficult.

We left crying, said Naama Shtern, an 18-year-old high school student who said she joined the families in the houses to disrupt the evacuations.

The land of Israel is dear to us. It hurts that a right-wing government is doing this.

By dusk, Israeli heavy machinery began demolishing the houses. Watching police struggle with protesters, Nissim Slomiansky, a lawmaker from the pro-settlement Jewish Home Party, said he hoped the new legalization law would help prevent such scenes in the future.

I hope these will be the last places evacuated, he said. In a modern and democratic country, those who determine policy is the Knesset  which is the sovereign  and not the court.

Mitnick is a special correspondent.
Russia, backed by China, vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution on Tuesday to punish the Syrian government for using chemical weapons  marking the first major public clash between Moscow and the Trump administration.

The United States and its European allies had supported the resolution, which would have imposed penalties on several Syrian military officials and entities for use of chlorine-filled barrel bombs in rebel-held areas densely populated with civilians.

Trump has said repeatedly that he sees Russia as a potential ally in the fight against Islamic State and in efforts to end the bloody Syrian war, which has dragged on for nearly six years. But the U.N. vote illustrated at least one fundamental policy difference over Syria.

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Moscow had clearly telegraphed its intention to block the Security Council measure, saying it would be damaging to U.N.-led peace talks that convened last week in Geneva. After the veto, the Russian envoy accused Western allies of committing a provocation by pushing the vote forward.

Nine council members voted in favor of the resolution, which was drafted by Britain and France, with three voting against and three abstaining. That would have been enough yes votes for the resolution to pass if it had not been blocked by Russia and China, which  along with the United States, France and Britain  are permanent members of the Security Council, with veto power.

The Trump-appointed U.S. ambassador to the world body, Nikki Haley, called the blocking of the resolution outrageous and indefensible, saying Syrian President Bashar Assad must be held to account for targeting his own people with banned weapons. The armaments can cause extremely painful injuries and deaths, and children are particularly vulnerable.

People died in one of the most brutal ways possible, Haley told the council. The suffering is inhumane. Its grotesque. It should shake every one of us to our core.

Before the vote, Britains ambassador to the U.N., Matthew Rycroft, graphically described the death of a 6-year-old Syrian boy in a chemical weapons attack.

His pupils were dilated. His lungs were crackling, he recounted, citing eyewitness testimony. All attempts to revive him failed.

The resolution, the British envoy said, would represent justice  for the hundreds, if not thousands, of Syrians whose stories are similar.

The resolution cited U.N. findings that the Assad regime had used chemical weapons at least three times in 2014 and 2015. Haley said that in addition to those confirmed instances, there were credible reports of the weapons having been used many, many more times.

She and other Western allies also said that blocking the resolution would embolden the militants of Islamic State to use chemical weapons as well, as the group has done in at least one instance.

Russia, however, impugned Western motives in pushing for sanctions. Geopolitical ends are an obstacle to reasonable thinking on the issue, said Vladimir Safronkov, the deputy Russian U.N. ambassador.

Hours before the vote, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was visiting Kyrgyzstan, told a news conference in the capital, Bishkek, that the resolution was totally inappropriate. Tuesdays vote marked the seventh time that Russia has vetoed a Security Council measure targeting Assad.

Russia, together with Iran, is Assads main patron. Moscows military support last year gave Assad his biggest victory to date against rebels trying to topple him: driving opposition fighters out of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, an industrial powerhouse before the war. The battle caused immense civilian suffering and laid waste to one of the Middle Easts loveliest and most historic cities.

Earlier in the war, the U.S. and Russia had teamed up to force Assad to sign an accord under which he agreed to dismantle the governments stockpile of chemical weapons. That came after an attack on a Damascus suburb in August 2013 using poisonous sarin gas  seemingly crossing what then-President Obama had called a red line that could trigger U.S. intervention.

A U.N. investigative panel cited repeated violations of the chemical weapons accord, and also found that Islamic State fighters had used mustard gas, another banned substance.

Russia called the findings inconclusive, although major monitoring groups like Human Rights Watch had also documented systematic use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime.

laura.king@latimes.com

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Ten new species of worms, jelly fishes and starfishes have been found thriving in the dark depths of the Atlantic Ocean. In a quest to document all marine life, a group of scientists stumbled upon oddly-shaped creatures with brightly-colored insides. The transparent creatures looked bizarre, unlike anything that they have seen before. The scientists used the latest technology submersible to document these new species.

The scientists said that the new creatures that were discovered were the missing link between vertebrate and invertebrate animals, Mail Online reported. The research was part of the MAR-ECO program which was a project on board the James Cook, a research vessel. The scientists were from the University of Aberdeen, leading contributors to marine life studies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge found in between Iceland and the Azores.

Just some of the new creatures that were found were a Basket Star or Gorgon Head Starfish (Euryalid Ophiuroid-Gorgonocephalus sp.) which was found at a depth of 800 meters below sea level, the Telegraph reported. The basket star looked like an orange basket with intertwined branches. Another creature was the Polynoid Polychaete worm which was found at a depth of 2,500 meters. This glowing blue worm looked like a brush with soft bristles all over its wriggly body.

A glowing purple enteropneust worm that looked more like a soft mushroom was seen attached on the seafloor using its small tentacles. Another fantastic creature was a Hydromedusa with a glowing orange body. The two were found 2,500 meters below sea level.

What surprised scientists were the stark difference of these creatures compared from the other side of the ridge. When the documented species in the northwest plains, they found a group of enteropneust acorn worms which were very rare in the Pacific Ocean floor.

The scientists said that they these could be the missing link in evolution between vertebrates and invertebrates. The worms had no eyes, no obvious signs of a brain or sense organs but there is a primitive head end and a tail end.

Aside from discovering new species, scientists were also curious about how the animals feed especially since food in this part of the seafloor was scarce. The research team, therefore, concluded that the availability of food supply affected the diversity of species and numbers of animals in both parts of the ridge.
Mitsubishi has debuted the new 2018 Eclipse Cross at the Geneva Auto Show.

The Eclipse was once a coupe, but the Japanese brand has made it clear that it's done building sedans and coupes. The Eclipse Cross consequently takes the form of a compact crossover aimed right at the Nissan Rogue Sport that debuted earlier this year in Detroit.

It borrows styling cues from the XR-PHEV II concept introduced at the 2015 edition of the Geneva show. Notably, thick chrome accents give the front fascia a X-shaped look, while the rear end is characterized by a sizable roof-mounted spoiler and L-shaped lights connected by a light bar. A rakish C-pillar gives Mitsubishi's newest model an almost coupe-like roof line that puts a bigger emphasis on form than on function.

All told, the Eclipse Cross takes Mitsubishi's design language to new heights. Moving forward, design will be a big part of the company's DNA.

"Land Rover has proved you can be both rugged and stylish, and we intend to follow that path," said an inside source in an interview with British magazine Autocar.

In the United States, the Eclipse Cross will exclusively be offered with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive will both come standard. Performance specifications haven't been announced yet.

Mitsubishi is expected to show the U.S.-spec Eclipse Cross in April during the New York show. The born-again Eclipse will arrive on dealer lots in time for the 2018 model year.

Live images by Ronan Glon.
Geneva LIVE: DS 7 Crossback

Mar 8, 2017, 4:30pm ET

The DS 7 is clearly aimed at German luxury rivals and designed with broader ambitions beyond China, hinting at the young brand\'s intention to enter the US.

PSA Peugeot-Citroen's DS sub-brand has previewed its next production model, the 7 Crossback.

Unlike the China-exclusive DS 6, the larger DS 7 crossover is set for wider distribution. Its design is clearly aimed at established German rivals, arguably carrying a particular striking resemblance to Audi's Q3 and Q5.

The front fascia introduces an updated design language that takes inspiration from the more exotic E-Tense coupe concept. Its large hexagonal grille is flanked by chrome wings and rotating LED headlights. The individual LED modules emit a purple light when the vehicle is unlocked, then pivot by 180 degrees. Vertical rows of smaller LEDs serve as daytime running lights and scrolling signals.

Designers used laser engraving to create rear LEDs with illuminated 'hypnotic 3D' scales, giving the DS 7 a unique appearance when viewed from the rear.

The interior further extends the luxury focus, with many elements inspired by high-end timepieces. The Nappa leather seats feature a watch-strap design, while guillochage patterns mimic the fine overlapping engraved patterns on watch dials and cases.

A wide range of powertrains will be available including three gasoline engines (up to 225 horsepower) and two diesel mills. If buyers want all-wheel drive, they will have to wait for the plug-in hybrid edition. The PHEV combines a 200-horsepower gasoline mill and two electric motors, offering a combined output of 300 ponies and up to 37 miles of all-electric driving.

The company has not announced a full list of markets that will receive the DS 7, but it will be built in France and presumably sold in Europe first. On the surface, its styling and powertrains appear well suited to DS' promised foray into the US market, but the plan is still at least a few years away from fruition.

Live images by Ronan Glon.
Feb 28, 2017, 11:13am ET

Report: Uber's autonomous cars ran six red lights in California

In the incident posted to YouTube, the car was driving autonomously when it illegally drove through the red light.

As Uber faces a potentially significant intellectual-property lawsuit filed by Google's Waymo, more details of the company's failed autonomous pilot program in California have surfaced.

The ride-hailing startup quickly pulled its prototypes out of California after one of the modified Volvo XC90 crossovers was caught on video driving through a red light. The incident coincided with a dispute with state regulators over permits required to test such vehicles.

Uber blamed "human error" for the red light violation, implying that a human was manually driving at the time, though LeftLane noted that the carefully worded statement left open the possibility that the Uber driver may have failed to intervene when the autonomous system failed to recognize the light.

"This is why we believe so much in making the roads safer by building self-driving Ubers," Uber spokeswoman Chelsea Kohler said last year.

The New York Times has uncovered documents claiming the autonomous system was active at the time. Mapping software deficiencies are said to be responsible for no less than six such incidents during the brief deployment in San Francisco.

"Our self-driving technology required human intervention," Kohler recently admitted to NYT. "The vehicle operator had time to intervene, but failed to take over before crossing the stop line and manually proceeded through the protected crosswalk."

The lawsuit is viewed as a significant setback for Uber as it attempts to bring an autonomous ride-hailing service to market. Waymo accused its former self-driving project lead, Anthony Levandowski, of stealing designs related to a proprietary LiDAR sensor system. Uber has vowed to fight the lawsuit.
An man found shot and injured last week in an Allentown parking lot reportedly told officers he was wounded after three men tried to rob him.

Allentown police, however, said Kornelle Davis was one of two men who tried to rob a man on the street, and that Davis was wounded after shooting the true robbery victim.

Davis, 21, of the first block of North Eighth Street in Allentown, was arraigned Monday night on a charge of robbery with seriously bodily injury. He was sent to Lehigh County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Seconds after police were called for shots fired at 2:40 a.m. Wednesday, an officer saw Davis stumble away from the front door of the PennDOT building at 1712 Lehigh St., and then stumble into the parking lot of the Queen City Diner.

Davis had a gunshot wound to his left side of his chest, and he was wearing black pants, a black shirt, a black ski mask pulled below his chin, and black gloves, according to police. Officers found a second man with a gunshot wound to his right shoulder.

An officer drove an ambulance while EMS worked on Davis as he was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township, police said. The second injured man was also taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Police checked the PennDOT doorway, and found a loaded, silver .22-caliber Ruger handgun, police said.

The man shot in the shoulder told police two armed men tried to rob him as he was walking away from the Queen City Diner. One man was wearing a black mask and had a long silver handgun, later identified as Davis, and the second robber had baggie jeans, short hair and a handgun, police said.

The victim reported the robber in the mask took money from the victim's pockets and then hit the victim repeatedly in the head with the gun.

The victim scuffled with both robbers, according to police, and was able to disarm the second robber before being shot by Davis, police said. The victim returned fire, shooting Davis, police said.

Police found a 9 mm bullet and a 9mm casing, as well as two .22-caliber casings in the 1900 block of 17th Street.

In an interview with officers, Davis initially claimed three men tried to rob him and he was shot as he tried to run away, police said. When confronted, Davis allegedly told police a friend named "Dev" called him about doing something that would give Davis money and a gun. Davis claimed he got out of his girlfriend's car and was shot in the chest, police said.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Bethlehem City Council agrees that it could benefit from campaign finance limits and gift bans, but members seem divided on the need for an independent board of ethics.

Bethlehem Councilwoman Olga Negron-Dipini and Councilman Michael Colon announce their new city ethics ordinance Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017.

Council on Monday night spent more than three hours debating a new 30-page ethics ordinance pitched by Councilwoman Olga Negron and Councilman Michael Colon as a way to keep city hall scandal-free.

Bethlehem already requires campaign contribution reports to be filed and published online. Last year, Mayor Bob Bob Donchez established a no-gifts policy for city employees.

The informational committee meeting drew a crowd of interested residents that thinned out as Monday night wore on.

But those who were left at meeting's end told council that campaign contribution limits, mandatory recusals and an ethics board were all needed to renew citizens' faith in government.

"Let's start here and plant the roots on the local level and build our government from the bottom up," resident Steve Diamond said.

All council members said they want to be more transparent and accountable to those who elect them. But some worried about the ongoing costs of creating an ethics board and whether unfounded complaints could be used for political retribution.

"I can see that Board of Ethics being used as a political tool," Councilman Bryan Callahan said.

Council painstakingly went through the 30-page ordinance line by line, questioning Negron and Colon on the meaning and intent of various aspects.

Ultimately, Council President J. William Reynolds said he thought that one expansive new law would take far too long to hammer out.

He indicated he planned to introduce a campaign finance ordinance in the near future that would be similar to what was discussed Monday night. He believes council should also look at its own gift ban and more contract transparency.

Councilman Shawn Martell may bring forward something on ethics education soon, Reynolds said. And it's up to other members of council to bring forward other ideas, he said.

The draft proposal was culled from over a year of meetings with city residents and ethics experts, Negron said. She emphasized it was in a rough form, literally copied and pasted from best practices and other cities' ethics ordinances, including Easton, Philadelphia and Reading.

But she brought it forward because she said she felt it had reached the point where council needed to weigh in on the scope of such a proposal.

"It should be something we do together and that's why we're here," Negron said.

Reynolds indicated several times he felt that the ordinance was redundant because it included the State Ethics Code word for word. He questioned the need for a city ethics board when citizens can already file an ethics complaint with a local district judge.

"It takes the whole operation out of city hall," Reynolds said.

Resident Breena Holland said the current system puts the onus and financial burden on residents to weed out corruption.

Reynolds pointed to Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli's grand jury investigation into former Councilwoman Karen Dolan's ties to the environmental center she led at Illick's Mill as evidence that the current system works.

The grand jury found her unfit for elected office and that she'd violated state ethics laws. Dolan resigned from council and Negron was elected to finish her unexpired term.

If Bethlehem had an ethics board, resident Dana Grubb said, he believes it would have investigated Dolan long before it rose to Morganelli's attention.

Negron said she was open to input from her colleagues. But she did stand firm on campaign contribution limits, although the exact figures are still up for debate, as well as requiring elected officials to disclose donations and recuse themselves.

The draft calls for abstaining from votes if an official has received $250 or more from a donor in an election cycle. Several on council said that might be too low of a threshold.

"If you received $4,000 from a developer you cannot vote," Negron said. "That can make a difference."

Resident Barbara Diamond, who helped craft the ethics proposal, told council that an independent ethics board would be a tool to help elected and city officials navigate thorny issues. Such a board could offer advisory opinions on many of the hypothetical situations council debated Monday night, she noted.

Most council members have spent their entire lives in Bethlehem, a city of 75,000 where many people are linked, and it is hard to tell where the ordinance draws a line and what constitutes a violation, according to Reynolds.

"It becomes a very, very slippery slope I think," he said.

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Officials evacuated about 200 people and took 31 to hospitals after what authorities described as a "mystery odor" plagued four businesses and a day care center in a Northampton County business park.

Hanover Township Manager John Finnigan said the initial call came in at 11:49 a.m Monday for what businesses reported was an indoor gas odor. It led to the evacuation of all employees at the building at 90 S. Commerce Way.

The building not far from Route 512 houses Creative Kids Club day care center, Travel Impressions, Concern Care, CB Courier Expedite Services LLC and Digital Press Inc.

Crowds of employees waited until about 2:45 p.m. in the parking lot before they got the all-clear to return inside the building. A busload of children from the daycare center were kept warm on a school bus provided by the Bethlehem Area School District.

Thirty-one people complained of nausea, vomiting and dizziness and were taken to area hospitals for treatment, officials said. Anyone who asked to be evaluated was treated at a triage unit set up at the scene, Finnigan said.

Finnigan said what led to the more than two-hour evacuation remains unclear. Air levels were deemed safe and there were no signs of a natural gas leak, he said.

Firefighters from various agencies, including Bethlehem and Hanover townships, went through the building and could be seen on rooftops checking the heating, ventilation and air conditioning units.

Authorities from utility company UGI found a small gas leak at a meter in back of the building, but that wasn't causing the fumes being reported inside, Finnigan said

"Everything was cleared in the sweep," he said, noting meters used to detect gases didn't return abnormal readings. "It's a mystery."

The next step, Finnigan said, is for the property owner to bring in an environmental team as a secondary precaution.

Employees huddled together to stay warm, with some lounging on folding chairs during the ordeal. An employee of one of the businesses said he smelled a strong stench just minutes before everyone was asked to clear the building.

Parents arriving at Creative Kids Club day care said they grew worrisome when they saw ambulances, police and fire trucks.

"I went in and just grabbed my son," said parent Karen Otrupchak, of Sellerville, Bucks County, who happened to be walking on her lunch break and saw the commotion. "I'm concerned."

Otrupchak said she was told by day care staff to wait outside with her 2-year-old until the facility got the all-clear. She said parents wanting to have their children evaluated by emergency workers were headed to the nearby Best Western hotel.

Megan Menewell, of Bangor, stopped by to feed her 8-month-old son on her lunch break and was told to take the infant to the hotel, she said.

"I'm just waiting to find out what's going on," she said.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Dozens of guns stolen from Palmer Township dealer, ATF says

John's Gun & Tackle Room, 2604 Freemansburg Ave. in Palmer Township, is seen Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. The business was burglarized Feb. 23, resulting in 28 handguns stolen, according to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. (Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com)

UPDATE: $5K reward offered in gun store heist probe

A Palmer Township gun shop robbed multiple times in the past was burglarized last week, resulting in the theft of 28 handguns, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Tuesday.

John's Gun & Tackle Room, 2604 Freemanburg Ave., was broken into about 4:20 a.m. Thursday, ATF Special Agent Sarah O'Reilly said.

ATF agents responded to begin investigating with Palmer Township police, she said.

"The investigation remains active as agents continue to pursue leads that will aid in identifying the person/persons responsible for the theft, and result in the recovery of the stolen guns," O'Reilly said in an email.

Because the investigation is ongoing, the ATF was not immediately releasing the make and model of each of the handguns stolen.

No one was injured. John's Gun & Tackle Room is a federally licensed firearms dealer, according to the ATF.

The gun shop owner, John Coscia, was beaten with a pistol and bound with tape during a robbery March 9, 2004, that resulted in the theft of 48 handguns worth about $14,000, two black-powder pistols and $600 or so in cash. He was 73 at that time.

Frank Berryman, of Philadelphia, was convicted in the holdup in November 2006 and sentenced in March 2008 to 24 years plus six months in prison. He told investigators the guns were sold on the streets, and authorities recovered at least 15 of them.

The store was robbed again Jan. 16, 2007, and Coscia suffered a cut to his head during the robbery. It was not immediately clear whether anyone was ever charged in the case.

Coscia found himself on the wrong side of the law when New York City sued him for allegedly illegal weapons sales known as straw purchases. A settlement reached in 2007 called for court-appointed supervision of sales practices there for three years. The December 2006 suit alleged Coscia knowingly participated in straw purchases, in which one person fills out paperwork for a gun they plan to give another person.

The store was closed Tuesday, according to a sign out front.

Investigators ask anyone information about gun store thefts to call the ATF 24/7 hotline at 888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477), send an email to ATFTips@atf.gov or submit a tip anonymously by using the ReportIt mobile app.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Crystal Deberry

An inmate who requested medical care after a fall is accused of assaulting a nurse when the nurse attempted to render aid.

Crystal Deberry, 29, whose last address was in the 1400 block of Washington Street in Easton, is charged in the attack at 5:15 p.m. Jan. 23.

Prison officials said when the nurse opened the door to Deberry's cell, she pushed the victim into a staircase, causing a large cut to the back of her head. The nurse received eight to 10 staples to close the wound.

Deberry then ran around the prison housing unit, grabbing a laptop computer and smashing it to the ground, prison officials said.

Deberry staged similar antics during a Jan. 16 arraignment before District Judge Daniel Corpora for aggravated assault on a prisoner, police said. She was accused of repeatedly spitting at a Wilson Borough police officer during her court appearance.

In the Jan. 23 incident involving the nurse, she is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and criminal mischief.

She was arraigned on the most recent charges before Corpora, who set bail at $20,000. Deberry remains at Northampton County Prison.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Two shows premiering in the next week on the Investigation Discovery channel offer a look at Lehigh Valley murder cases.

The father and sister of victim Jessica Padgett said they were not made aware of the episode of "See No Evil" premiering Wednesday night about their loved one's murder.

"If I would have turned on the TV that night and saw that I would have gone through the roof," said Thomas Kaczmar, Padgett's father.

He learned of the show from his daughter, Kristi Davis, whom lehighvalleylive.com had reached out to for comment. She didn't know it was airing, either.

"At this point, I wish they would do a show that focused on her life and how awesome of a person she was and how she affected everyone she came into contact with ... instead of what he did to her," Davis said.

Padgett, a 33-year-old mother of three from Whitehall Township, was fatally shot Nov. 21, 2014, by her stepfather, Gregory Graf. He then sexually abused her corpse while recording video of the acts. Graf hid the body on his Allen Township property and misled investigators searching for Padgett before confessing that Nov. 26.

"He's a sick man and the fact that they keep giving him fame over it is the problem," Davis told lehighvalleylive.com.

Now 55, Graf was convicted by a Northampton County jury after just six minutes of deliberation Nov. 13, 2015, and was sentenced immediately to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is serving his sentence at Pennsylvania's Fayette state prison in La Belle, Fayette County.

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli prosecuted the case. He was interviewed for the show by the "See No Evil" production company, London-based Arrow Media, according to a letter he shared Monday. The letter said the company would be alerting Padgett's mother, Danelle Bittner, and husband, Mica Padgett, about the episode airing.

The letter references the importance of advising anyone close to Padgett about the show airing, and states the company's hope that "the show is a sensitive representation of events."

The hourlong episode is titled "Vanished at Noon," and the synopsis reads as follows on investigationdiscovery.com: "On November 26th (sic), 2014, Jessica Padgett disappears. The only lead is her abandoned white Subaru. Surveillance cameras show her driving into a parking lot and walking down a back alley, never to return. Will police discover what really happened to her?"

Also airing in coming days on Investigation Discovery is a two-part series airing Sunday night about the 1994 murders of Joann Katrinak, 26, of Catasauqua, and her 3-month-old son, Alex.

Patricia Rorrer, now 53, was convicted at trial in March 1998 of kidnapping the pair on Dec. 15, 1994, from their Catasauqua home, shooting Katrinak in the face, and leaving her and the child in the woods in Heidelberg Township.

Authorities said the 3-month-old died either of suffocation or of exposure while lying on his mother's stomach. Their bodies were found nearly four months later.

"Murder in Lehigh Valley: Keith Morrison Investigates" is a look at the crimes by Morrison, a Dateline NBC correspondent, produced by NBC News' Emmy Award-winning Peacock Productions. Part 1 premieres at 8 p.m. Sunday followed immediately by Part 2 at 9 p.m.

Rorrer's ex-boyfriend, Andrew Katrinak, was the husband of Joann Katrinak and Alex's father. Formerly of the Phillipsburg and High Bridge areas, Rorrer was living in Linwood, North Carolina, when she was arrested in 1997.

Rorrer argued last year in Lehigh County Court investigators mishandled evidence. Judge Douglas Reichley dismissed the petition for post-conviction relief last May 26, and Rorrer is appealing that decision to Pennsylvania Superior Court.

The Investigation Discovery show features an exclusive phone interview in which Rorrer speaks out from prison for the first time ever, according to a news release.

"This is an incendiary case that continues to provoke passion on both sides," Morrison says in the release. "As we wait for the pending appeal, Rorrer shares her firsthand account and I talk with the prosecutor and law enforcement about the new allegations that have thrust this case back into the spotlight."

Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said Monday he stands by how the investigation was handled more than two decades ago.

"It has no merit," he said of Rorrer's ongoing appeal. "The case handled property. The appeal is meritless in my opinion."

Rorrer's attorney, Emmaus-based Craig Neely, said he participated in the production and believes the Superior Court will overturn the county court dismissal and grant her a hearing to re-examine evidence in the case.

"The commonwealth concealed a witness from the defense who saw Joann arguing with her husband on a public street at the time of the victims' disappearance, introduced microscopic hair comparison testimony that has been debunked as junk science and used DNA test results on a hair root taken from a hair that the FBI says did not have a hair root two years before the test whose results were introduced at trial," Neely said in an emailed statement. "Saying that these issues are 'meritless' ignores the clear import of these compelling issues."

How to watch

To find Investigation Discovery on your cable provider, visit investigationdiscovery.com.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
NATIONAL PARK -- Officials say it will take several weeks to analyze DNA collected from a human leg found on the Delaware River shoreline on Sunday.

The decomposed lower leg and foot have no markings, and no clothing or shoe were attached, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

The office is working with area police departments to come up with an identity.

Samples collected from the limb will be compared with DNA from people reported missing, officials said.

When bodies are found in such circumstances, investigators typically reach out to agencies on both sides of the Delaware River.

That includes the Delaware River Port Authority -- which manages several Delaware River bridges -- in case the body part belongs to a bridge jumper.

A woman was walking her dog along the shoreline in National Park on Sunday when she found the limb, which had apparently washed up from the river, authorities said. No other body parts were found.

The limb was transported to the Gloucester County Medical Examiner's Office for examination.

Authorities have not indicated if this incident is possibly related to the Feb. 16 discovery of a nude male body hanging over a bulkhead in the area of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers in Philadelphia.

The man's legs were severed and his head was partially decapitated, according to Philadelphia Police Department. That case was ruled a homicide, police confirmed Monday.

The area where the body was discovered is directly across the river from National Park.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
Law enforcement officers have formed a task force aimed at solving multiple cellphone store robberies in the Lehigh Valley.

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli created the multi-jurisdictional task force to "further ... investigations" into robberies at cellphone stores in the Lehigh Valley and northwest New Jersey and a related killing and reported abduction.

He announced its formation Tuesday.

Morganelli will supervise the task force that will include Assistant District Attorney Patricia Mulqueen, who heads the office's Violent Crime Unit, and law enforcement personnel, he said Tuesday.

There have been at least five robberies by two masked men of Verizon Wireless or AT&T stores since the fall. Police from those jurisdictions "have been in communication in an informal manner for some time," Morganelli said.

The bandits have gotten away with cellphones and cash, authorities have said.

Police are investigating in Lopatcong Township, Forks Township, Bethlehem Township, South Whitehall Township and Wind Gap and are trying to determine if the crimes are connected.

There are similarities in all five incidents and no suspects have been arrested. At least two stolen cars involved in robberies have been abandoned in Easton.

"Team meetings" will be held daily "until they are no longer needed," Morganelli said. The task force will analyze information and give "specific assignments to further these investigations," he said. The district attorney will be briefed by Mulqueen at the end of each meeting, he said.

A cellphone store was robbed the morning of Feb. 9 in Wind Gap. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com)

No other information can be released at the moment, he said.

The latest robbery happened Saturday night off Route 22 in Lopatcong Township, across from the Hillcrest Shopping Center. Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke said Monday that authorities are trying to determine if there are links to the other Lehigh Valley robberies.

Forks Township police Chief Greg Dorney said he expected to share information with Lopatcong police.

Palmer Township police, who are investigating a killing and an abduction tied to the first robbery in Forks, have been aware of new robberies not long after they've happened. Bethlehem Township police Chief Dan Pancoast also said his department was involved in sharing information on the crimes.

Easton police have been working with the Warren County Prosecutor's Office and helped get a search warrant for the car in the Lopatcong robbery, Lt. Matthew Gerould said Monday.

When asked if Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin would be involved in the probes, his spokeswoman said, "Police departments investigate, the office of the district attorney prosecutes."

A Verizon store robbery in Forks Township on Oct. 29 was tied to the Nov. 21 killing of Michael Davis outside his Palmer Township home.

The 25-year-old worked at the Forks store at 301 Town Center Blvd. The store manager reported he was assaulted and abducted Nov. 22 outside his home, also in Palmer. In both Palmer incidents, the assailants were two men.

Then the night of Jan. 5, the AT&T Authorized Retailer at 3859 Nazareth Pike in Bethlehem Township was robbed by two men, one of whom brandished a handgun, according to police. Police after that robbery said they were investigating to see if it was tied to the Forks crime.

On Jan. 16, two men armed with handguns and dressed in dark clothing entered the Cellular Connection store about 8:06 p.m. p.m. at 3075 Tilghman St. in South Whitehall, police said. The men there also forced employees into an office area and made off with an undetermined amount of merchandise, police said.

They fled to Easton's West Ward but were able to walk away from a silver Hyundai, which was parked in a Spruce Street alley.

A Wind Gap Verizon store was robbed at 10:48 a.m. Feb. 9, with Slate Belt Regional police confirming it involved two robbers and a clerk who was tied up in a back room.

The suspects in the Wind Gap robbery are described as one being 5 feet, 8 inches in height and the other, 6 feet, 2 inches tall. Both wore ski masks over their faces.

Store surveillance footage shows one suspect wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and light pants and the other, a green sweatshirt with a dark hood.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Gov. George Wolf is known in areas of the Lehigh Valley as an important historic figure.

But other than being the seventh governor of Pennsylvania, many may not realize how his actions lead to him being known as the "Father of the Free School System."

Wolf was born in East Allen Township and educated at a time when only the wealthy received an education. Higher education was reserved for other parts of the state, but in 1785, Wolf's father and other German farmers came together to build the Allen Academy, which was where Wolf received his college education.

He went from student, to teacher, to solicitor in Easton, to postmaster. And in 1814, he was elected to Congress. He was passionate about education and industry and was encouraged to run for governor, winning in 1829.

As governor, he was instrumental in passage of the Common School Act, which provided education to all.

The Allen Academy later became the Wolf Academy and is one of three structures on the grounds of the Governor Wolf Historical Society campus in East Allen.

The building consists of one large room with high domed ceilings. It has served many purposes over the years - a school, a church, a barn - but it is now restored to show its original intention. All three buildings offer an interesting and cool glimpse into the past.

The largest building on the campus is the 18th century Ralson-McKeen House, which is where most of the current restoration work is focused. The Georgian-style square cut limestone house has a long history of its own but the eight rooms (with six fireplaces) feature a lot of original woodwork and trim. Particularly impressive are the original staircase and original mantels on the fireplaces. The restoration of the original kitchen, which included removing an addition and restoring the original fireplace, is near completion.

The third building on the campus is the 19th century Monocacy Schoolhouse, which now serves as a meeting place, classroom and makeshift museum.

All three offer different glimpses into the past and are lovingly and carefully taken care by members of the Governor Wolf Historical Society, an all-volunteer organization.

And while the photos here offer a hint into late 1700s and early 1800s lifestyles, all three properties will be transformed this weekend as the society gears up for its ninth annual benefit Antiques Show fundraiser. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 4, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 5. More than 30 exhibitors will be offering fine antiques for sale during the event.

Included in the event is a demonstration of open hearth cooking in the newly restored Ralston-McKeen kitchen by Kathy Wilhelm, who serves as president of the Gov. Wolf Historical Society. Charlotte Schneck will be on hand 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, offering antique appraisals of up to two items for $5 each.

More information about the antiques event may be found on the society's website.

In conjunction with the fundraiser, on Saturday, the third annual Chestnut Street Antiques Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. just down the road a bit in the 1876 Christ Church of Bath, 109 S. Chestnut St.

Do you know of any cool spaces that you'd like to share? Let us know by leaving a comment below or email me at kjfrantz@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow lehighvalleylive.com on Twitter at @lehighvalley. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A 24-year-old Lehigh Township man was reportedly "out of control" smashing picture frames and threatening a woman with a hammer over a cat running away, police said.

Charged is Joshua Noel Laurie Beltzner, of the 4800 block of Timberline Drive.

At 12:20 a.m. Feb. 17, township police were dispatched to a home in the 3500 block of Church Road in the township. Officers observed the smashed picture frames throughout the house and Beltzner was "visibly upset" and "acting erratic," according to police.

The female victim told police Beltzner began arguing with her, police said. He then allegedly backed her up into a corner in the kitchen and stood over her as she laid on the floor with a hammer over his head.

The victim told police Beltzner proceeded to yell the cat being lost was her fault. She told police she was crying and begging Beltzner to stop in fear of her life. Court records did not state the relationship between the pair.

Beltzner's brother told police Beltzner also at one point was carrying a ceramic kitchen knife. Beltzner was then taken by ambulance to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township for a mental health evaluation.

Beltzner is charged with aggravated assault, harassment and simple assault. He was arraigned Tuesday before District Judge James Narlesky, who released him on $25,000 unsecured bail.

The judge ordered Beltzner to stay away from the victim and witnesses, as well as undergo a psychological evaluation.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
solar.JPG

Workers install solar panels at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey.

The Dallas Morning News editorial, "

," (Express-Times, Feb. 25) embraces the old fantasy that plundering massive revenues in energy taxes out of the economy will change the weather. It won't.

This is an academic exercise that collapses in the real world. Advocates insist the tax wouldn't do economic harm because revenues would be fully returned to the citizens. That fantasy was shattered at a June 2015 Capitol Hill event by (now Senate minority leader) Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Schumer told environmental groups that we've been starving the government for revenues and a carbon tax is the best way to fund it. When the academic exercise reaches Congress, 536 legislators will be eager to carve out funds for their usual pet projects, especially "green" initiatives to satisfy their global-warming obsessions.

The energy tax theory makes a gargantuan leap from massive taxation to a world where our homes, cars, factories and businesses magically become so energy-efficient that their energy costs go down.

The editorial implies that renewable energy can replace conventional sources. It can only to a limited degree, and only when other entities prop up its erratic, unreliable and costly supplies. Countries such as Germany, Australia and others that were pioneers in "fighting global warming" are suffering badly for their initiatives.

Even if you believe the global-warming theory and climate models, you can see that the extreme programs the alarmists are advocating wouldn't measurably change the weather.

James M. Policelli

Plainfield Township
One of Ireland's most successful homegrown businessmen, Pat McDonagh is at the front of the queue to buy a key piece of investment land on the outskirts of Portlaoise.

The Leinster Express has learned that a due diligence process is being carried on Mr McDonagh's behalf, ahead of the possible purchase of the land at Togher.

The process has been under way for up to a month, following a bid submitted by the Galway-based businessman.

Mr McDonagh declined to confirm or deny his interest in the NAMA controlled land when contacted by the Leinster Express.

If he does turn out to be the buyer, it represents further proof that Portlaoise is a town worth investing in.

Mr McDonagh already owns the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise, which he bought in June 2015, securing 98 jobs.

The site is located just to the south of the Togher Interchange. The 109-acres value is boosted by the fact that it is loacted right beside the M7.

The site was placed in receivership and put up for sale at a guide of 2.2million late last year.

News that a sale was imminent emerged at a recent Portlaoise Municipal District meeting.

The buyer has money to invest. It wasnt bought to graze cattle, said Cllr Willie Aird.

The Togher land was earmarked back in the early 2000s by Laois County Council as an Inland port because of its proximity to rail and motorway, as a ideal base for businesses, motorway services and corporate headquarters.

The local authority had invested in infrastructure on the site in the hope it would be developed, but instead it was left idle before being put on the market last year.

The site is directly accessible from the motorway and Clonminam.

It remains to be seen what impact the sale of the land will have on the council's vision for the site.

The land stretches alongside the motorway from the Midway, back towards Clonminam in Portlaoise.

Currently farming land, it includes a two storey farmhouse, and was offered for sale in one or two lots.

It was for sale by instruction of McStay Luby Statutory Receiver of TK Contract Systems Limited (In Receivership), jointly by Hume Auctioneers Portlaoise, and Colliers International.

A planing application to develop a motorway services stop near the site failed during the boom.
The death of a young Durrow man in Kilkenny is set to be referred directly to the Garda Commissioner after the Minister for Justice refused to intervene directly in the case.

Kieran Monaghan was aged 21 when he died from a stab wound in the city at a 2012 St Valentine's night party.

To Kieran's family's dismay nobody has every been prosecuted for causing his death.

But last week Laois TDs Sean Fleming and Brian Stanley decided to ask the Tanaiste and Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald to intervene.

A response given in the Dail on her behalf said that Minister Fitzgerald did not have the power to act.

Criminal investigations are properly dealt with by An Garda Siochana in the first instance and the Tanaiste has no role in particular investigations. It must be also stressed that the Director of Public Prosecutions is an independent body, who makes decisions as to whether or not a person should be prosecuted and for what offence.

While the Tanaiste appreciates the ongoing distress of the family and friends in the aftermath of this tragedy, it is not open to the Tanaiste to intervene in relation to the DPP's decisions in individual cases, said the reply.

However, the Laois TDs intend to take the matter further. Fianna Fail TD Sean Fleming intends raising it directly with Commissioner O'Sullivan.

I intend to write to the Garda Commissioner for an entirely fresh investigation because we dont think the matter was properly investigated on the night and the immediate aftermath, he told the Leinster Express.

Both himself and Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley believe a senior garda from outside the Carlow Kilkenny division must be appointed.

What I asked for in the Dail is to have a garda investigation re-opened and to be carried out by a senior officer outside the division. The senior officer should look at all aspects of the case and the incident which led to the death of Kieran, he said.

The family were angry at the Minister's refusal to intervene. They feel Kieran has been treated as the criminal and not the victim by the authorities.

His mother Mary can remember the last words she spoke to her son.

I said dont get into trouble. He said I wont mam. They were the last words I ever spoke to him, she told the Leinster Express. See page 14
A Polish national convicted of having 6,000 of drugs for sale in Portlaoise, which he claimed were for personal use, has been given the maximum amount of community service in lieu of going to jail.

Bartosz Glowacki (31),with an address listed in Tralee, Co. Kerry, claimed that that the drugs, which included cannabis and amphetamines, were to aid him in his third level studies.

The accused first appeared before the local circuit court at the end of 2016, where Garda Detective Michael ODonovan gave evidence, that when he stopped the accused driving in Portlaoise on the night of August 18, 2014, he got a strong smell of cannabis herb from the vehicle, and there was a bag of frozen mushrooms on the front seat.

The gardai found 415g of cannabis, 95g of a white powder, 76 ecstasy tablets, and two bags of mushrooms. Two mobile phones and two kitchen knives were also seized.

Glowacki acknowledged what the drugs were and said they were for personal use. He told the gardai that he grew the cannabis near Stradbally and was willing to take the gardai there, however Det ODonovan told the court: He took us on a wild goose chase, there was absolutely nothing there.

Det ODonovan also said that at all times, the accused claimed the drugs were for personal use.

A subsequent search of the accuseds home in Kerry revealed a quantity of cannabis herb, digital weighing scales, a jar containing white powder suspected to be speed, deal bags, three tick lists, and 850 made up of 17 50 notes hidden in the back of a book.

Det ODonovan said that the total value of drugs seized was 6,000, cannabis herb worth 5,000, amphetamine valued at 800, and ecstasy worth 200.

Defence, barrister Mr Colm Hennessy said that the drugs aided Glowacki in his studies, as the accused was a third level student of structural engineering.

However, Judge Keenan Johnson said he did not accept that the drugs were for the accuseds own use, and he was satisfied that Glowacki had been supplying to others.

On one count of drug dealing, the judge imposed a three-year sentence, suspended for three years on condition the accused enter into a peace bond and remain drug free for three years.

On the second count, the judge imposed 240 hours community service, and adjourned the matter for the accused to be assessed to do the work.

When the case returned to the circuit court this morning (Tuesday, February 28) the accused was found suitable for community service.

Judge Johnson imposed 240 hours community service in lieu of 18 months in prison.
Timothy O'Gorman - Ballypickas

The death took place on Sunday, February 26 of Timothy (Tim) O'Gorman of Hesperus House, Ballypickas, Ballyroan and Ballinakill.



Peacefully at the Regional Hospital, Portlaoise. Reposing at his residence from 9pm on Monday evening. Deeply regretted by his wife Gertie, son David, sisters Nonie Wallace and Anne Holohan, brother Billy, daughter-in-law Simone, sister-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, relatives and friends.

Rosary on Tuesday evening at 8pm. Removal on Wednesday at 12 noon to St. Brigid's Church, Ballinakill for Funeral Mass at 12.30pm. Burial afterwards in St. Brigid's Cemetery, Ballinakill.

Elizabeth Delaney - Castlecomer and Wolfhill

The death took place on Sunday February 26 of Elizabeth (Betty) Delaney (nee Brennan) of 6 Colliery Close, Clogh, Castlecomer, Kilkenny and Wolfhill.

Peacefully in the care of the Matron and Staff at Castlecomer District Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Sadly missed by her sons, Jim, Noel, John, Marty, daughters Catherine, Mary, Clare. Brother Michael, sister Mary, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

Reposing at her residence from 7pm Sunday evening with rosary at 8pm. Removal on Monday from her residence with prayers at 6.45pm, arriving to Saint Patrick's Church, Clogh for 7.30pm Mass. Funeral Mass on Tuesday at 12 noon with burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Angela Tyrrell - Abbeyleix

The death took place on Sunday, February 26 of Angela Tyrrell (nee Ryan) of Tullyroe, Abbeyleix.

Funeral Arrangements Later

Nora McEvoy - Portarlington

The death took place on Saturday, February 25 of Nora McEvoy (nee McEvoy) of Ballycullane, Portarlington.

Peacefully in the care of the staff of St. Vincent's Hospital, Mountmellick. Deeply regretted by her loving husband Michael, nieces, nephews, neighbours, relatives and friends.

Reposing in Moloney's Funeral Home, Mountmellick, from 4pm on Sunday. Removal at 5.30pm to St. Paul's Church, Emo, arriving at 6pm. Requiem Mass on Monday at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in St. Paul's adjoining cemetery.

Paddy Saunders - Portlaoise

The death took place on Friday, February 24 of Paddy Saunders of Dublin Rd, Portlaoise.

Peacefully at The Regional Hospital, Portlaoise. Surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of the late Joan, and and grandad to the late Keeva. Loving father to Tony, Paul, Thomas and Mairead. Deeply regretted by his loving family, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives and friends.

Reposing at his son Thomas (Mocky) residence at Borris Great (beside Ballard Nursing Home), on Saturday from 5pm with rosary at 8pm. On Sunday reposing from 3pm with rosary at 8pm. Requiem Mass at 12 noon on Monday in Ss Peter and Pauls Church followed by interment in Ss Peter and Pauls Cemetery.

Eileen Gosling - Mountrath

The death took place on Friday February 24 of Eileen Gosling (nee Fahy) of 9. St. Fintan's Terrace, Mountrath.

Peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, predeceased by her husband John, daughter Bridie and grandson Neil, deeply regretted by her loving family Marie, Joy, Martina and John, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters Tildy and Geraldine, brothers Michael and Tony, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Reposing at her home on Saturday afternoon from 3pm with rosary at 9pm. Removal on Sunday morning to St. Fintan's Church Mountrath, for Funeral Mass at 11.30am, followed by burial in St Fintan's cemetery Mountrath.

Ann Delaney - Portlaoise

The death took place on Thursday, February 23 of Ann Delaney (nee Conway) of Cappagh, Portlaoise, and formerly of Bishops Court, Straffan, Kildare.

Peacefully at home, surrounded by her family and friends. Predeceased last year by her husband Jim. Deeply regretted by her daughter Ruth and her partner John and her son Mark and his partner Fiona, grandchildren Alannah, Elisha and Kody, her brother Sean, (Allenwood), uncles and aunts, neices and nephews, relatives and many friends and her neighbours.

Reposing in her home from 5pm on Friday, recital of the rosary at 8pm. Family time on Saturday morning. Funeral arriving for 11am mass in St. Fintan's Church, Ballyfin on Saturday morning. Burial after in St. Fintan's Cemetery.
Newbridge's Museum of Style Icons has loaned out two iconic Princess Diana garments to two exhibitions at Kensington Palace and Blenheim Palace.

William Doyle CEO of Newbridge Silverware said, we were of course very pleased to lend both garments to the two palaces and we are lucky to own, what are probably two of Princess Dianas most famous pieces. She was a woman who knew the power of fashion, and understood that she could communicate various messages through her choice of clothing. The Engagement Blouse is so different to the Revenge Dress and both mark two distinct periods in the late Princess life. Its fascinating.

2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana and to recognise this special year, two important exhibitions are currently running in the UK.

Diana: Her Fashion Story opened last Friday at Kensington Palace and will run throughout the year.

Garments that are now owned by museums and private collectors all over the world, are included in this exhibition including the famous pale pink Emanuel blouse, which is owned by Newbridge Silverware.

Diana famously wore this blouse in her engagement portrait by Lord Snowdon in 1981 and the piece is regarded by the curators as one of the most important garments within the collection.

The photograph of a young, Diana wearing the blouse was originally commissioned as part of a Vogue feature on upcoming beauty.

It is reported that Diana walked into the shoot and headed straight for the garment with its distinctive satin neck ribbon.

The designers of the piece were then the little-known designers, husband and wife design duo, David and Elizabeth Emanuel.

Fortuitously for Vogue  and the Emanuels  the timing of the publication coincided with the announcement of Lady Diana Spencers engagement to the Prince of Wales.

The photograph of Lady Diana wearing the blouse with her clear blue eyes demurely looking at the camera depicted the very essence of innocence and romanticism. It was the first official portrait of Lady Diana, the future Princess of Wales and in many ways, marked the beginning of Dianas fashion evolution, said the Kildare based company.

The Museum of Style Icons and Newbridge Silverware also own another very important piece belonging to the late princess Diana, which has gone on loan to Blenheim Palace for its exhibition called A Passion for Fashion  300 years of Style.

"The black, Christina Stambolian, sexy off the shoulder dress couldnt be more different to the demure Emanuel engagement blouse and is now famously called The Revenge Dress. Dianas separation from Prince Charles, arguably one of the most distressing times of her life, inspired this most iconic fashion moment, it explained.

In 1994 Diana attended a Vanity Fair party at the Serpentine Gallery not long after Charles confession of adultery during that now infamous interview. The black off-the-shoulder number by Christina Stambolian she wore was an immediate show-stopper.

It is believed that Diana had the dress some time before she separated from Prince Charles, but always felt it was too sexy. However, after the separation became public, rather than allowing herself to be the victim she ensured she became front page news rather than Charles.

The strategy worked and the image of a confident, indefatigable Diana wearing the sexy number appeared on every front page newspaper the following day.

Named one of Irelands top five free visitor attractions by Failte Ireland, the Museum of Style Icons hosts numerous collections and artifacts relating to Stars of the Silver Screen and many modern day artists - including Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Grace, Princess Diana, Michael Jackson, the Beatles and many more.

The Engagement Blouse
Speaking at tonight's Joint Policing Committee Public meeting in Drumshanbo's Mayflower Centre, Chief Superintendent, Michael Clancy, said that the Co Leitrim remains one of the safest places in Ireland to live, raise a family, work and grow old in.

"That did not happen by accident," he told those at the public meeting, adding that it was the support of the community and the spirit of co-operation between people and the gardai, that made this possible.

He singled out the text alert scheme success in the county noting that the first scheme in Co Leitrim, started in Carrigallen, had gone on to be the blueprint for the rest of the Sligo/Leitrim division.

Highlighting the important role the text alert had played in tackling crime in the Carrigallen area, Chief Superintendent Clancy said that the scheme's success in identifying and helping gardai to apprehend criminal gangs had , "sent out a message that if you go up to Carrigallen (to commit crime) you will be caught".

This message was now spreading to other areas as more and more communities set up text alert schemes.

Chief Superintendent Clancy went on to say that text alert had been instrumental in, most recently, tackling cross border crime gangs travelling from Belfast and Derry to commit crimes.

"(Text Alert) is a great collaboration to keep the county safe," he said. "You are proud of your county. It is a peaceful place to live in and that is why, when something happens like we have seen in Dungarven (where a 90 year old was murdered in his home) this week, it sends shockwaves through the country."

He went on to stress that, while many would say that it is the elderly who were most at risk, this was actually not the case.

"The statistics show that our elderly are actually the least at risk group," he pointed out. "The greatest group at risk in Co Leitrim is actually our young people. They are out socialising, they are young drivers on our roads."

That, he said, was the irony, that the group at least risk, the elderly, felt they were most at risk while the group that actually were at greatest risk, the young people of the community, didn't feel they were at risk at all.

He said that working having gardai work with the community through Text Alert, through the Joint Policing Committees and other initiatives was vital in helping to address concerns from all sectors of the community, to keep Co Leitrim crime rates down.

"The key word here is partnership," he said.
IFA Rural Development Chairperson, Joe Brady, has said farmers are angered by the failure of the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, to make a case in Brussels for all outstanding GLAS payments to be made.

Mr Brady said ongoing delays in GLAS payments are inexcusable adding, There is a way to solve this issue by making all outstanding payments now and resolving any issues that arise at a later date. It is very disappointing that the Minister has not pursued this option.

Farmers who have undertaken work have been treated very badly and the explanations for the delays are wearing very thin.

Mr Brady said progress in making payments has been very sluggish since the beginning of the year and IFA estimates that it will take at least another three months to make all payments unless urgent action is taken. IFA is again calling on Minister Creed to intervene with imaginative ways of making payments.

Farmers due payments are suffering through severe cash flow difficulties and expect the Minister to act now, The IFA Rural Development Chairperson concluded.
What is truth? Who is God? What is the meaning of life? On this blog we explore the interactions between Christianity and topics like culture, politics and philosophy. The word says we must love God and love others. Jesus Christ is God come to us; He is alive. God will call all of us to give an explanation of how we lived. Trust in Jesus and receive forgiveness; a new life. Stand for the truth. Glorify Christ in how you live. A new world awaits.
A VIOLENT criminal who was sentenced to ten years imprisonment for his role in a tiger kidnapping in the Castletroy area of the city has moved moved to appeal his conviction.

Zachary Coughlan Ryan, aged 38, who has an address at Brennan's Row, Catherine Place was convicted by a jury in October 2013 of falsely imprisoning Stephen Cusack (19) and Niall Reddan (21) at Caisleann na hAbhainn, Castletroy, on August 19, 2012.

During a 13 day trial, which was heard at Limerick Circuit Court, the jury was told Mr Cusack and Mr Reddan were watching television in the house when a number of men entered the sitting room and threatened them with a knife and a handgun.

Both men were then gagged, tied up with cable-ties and placed in the back of Mr Cusacks Toyota Dyna pick-up truck and driven to a derelict house in the Ballyclough area where Mr Reddan was released.

He was instructed not to contact the gardai and to inform Mr Cusacks parents that he would be killed unless a ransom was paid.

The prosecution case was that the culprits demanded the payment of 500,000 as Mr Cusacks mother ran Garryowen Post Office.

Ryan moved to appeal his conviction on Monday on a number of grounds related to an unfortunate comment made before the jury that he had previously been in jail twice as well as the trial judge's directions to the jury in relation to visual identification.

Michael O'Higgins SC, said the offence related to the false imprisonment of two men who were gagged, had their hands bound by cable ties and were taken away in a pick up truck to a particular location.

One of the men's mothers worked in the Post Office and the men "clearly intended" the kidnap "as a lever" to perpetrate the robbery, Mr O'Higgins said.

The significant evidence in the case was an identification that had been made by one of the injured parties on a formal identification parade.

While the trial judge hit some of the notes required in a visual identification direction, his charge as a whole did not meet the requirements, Mr O'Higgins submitted.

After hearing the appeal, Mr Justice Alan Mahon, who sat with Mr Justice John Edwards and Mr Justice John Hedigan, said the court would reserve judgment.
GARDAI are seeking information about the theft of a television from a supermarket in County Limerick last November.

A man, who can be seen stealing the flat screen TV, featured in CCTV footage recorded in the store which was broadcast during the Crimecall programme on RTE One television on Monday night.

In the footage the man who is wearing dark pants, a white shirt and a jacket can be seen carrying the TV from the Tesco store in the town.

The incident happened at around 4pm on November 25, last.

He stops in front of a row of televisions and as he bends down you can see him tampering with the security tag on one of the boxes. He appears to remove the tag and then quite obviously carries the television out of the shop past the tills without paying, said Garda Greg Freegrove.

Footage from outside the premises shows the man walking across the car park carrying the box containing the TV under his arm.

Anyone with information about the theft or the identity of the man is asked to contact Crimecall at 1800405060 or their local garda station.
FINANCE Minister Michael Noonan was lobbied by the foster parents of an intellectually disabled girl who was at the centre of abuse allegations during his time as Minister for Health, a report has found.

The findings are contained in one of two reports published by the Health Service Executive this Tuesday into failures at a foster home in Waterford over two decades.

Among the findings of the Devine report is that those who were directly involved in the case of the girl, known as Grace, failed to discharge a duty of care to her.

The detailed report, which is heavily redacted, states that Minister Noonan received representations from Graces foster parents in August 1996 after they lost an appeal against decision by the local health board to remove Grace from their care. The foster parents appealed to the minister to decide in their favour.

A report was requested by the minister from the relevant health board with the reply stating that it was in the best interests of the child to be removed from its current child care placement.

The minister was informed that the objections of the foster parents had been noted and that there had been an agreement to leave Grace in their care for the summer of 1996.

In a letter, dated August 26, 1996, the ministers office received a letter from the principal of the local school indicating support for the stance of the foster parents.

A further report was sought from the relevant health board which replied that the matter was currently under consideration and that the views of the principal would be taken into account.

The Devine report states the decision to remove Grace from the foster home was effectively overturned in October 1996.

There is a dispute as to why that decision was made and there is nothing to suggest that Minister Noonan played any role in the decision.

There is no evidence that he intervened on behalf of the foster parents.

Grace was eventually removed from the home in 2009 following the intervention of social workers at a day service she was attending.

By then she was 31 years old and had been in the home for 20 years.
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MWC 2017: Chinese phone makers playing second fiddle Chinese phone makers are climbing up the ladder in terms of market share and global shipments, but at the MWC 2017 they are not aggressive enough /smart-living/innovation/mwc-2017-chinese-phone-makers-playing-second-fiddle-111646895841163.html 111646895841163 story

The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017 in Barcelona saw some of the oldest phonemakers, which many critics had written off at one time, announce their upcoming phones. Despite being reduced into the shadows of Microsoft and trudging with its Windows Phone OS for years, Nokia is looking for a revival, while BlackBerry is making yet another attempt with an Android phone.

Amid all this, Chinese phonemakers such as Gionee, TCL and Nubia have been showing their new phones. Though Oppo showed a sleek phone with 5x zoom camera, it was only a concept and may not show up any time soon. Surprisingly, we havent seen anything so far from major Chinese companies such as Vivo, Xiaomi, Coolpad, Meizu and LeEco.

Heres a look at some of the smartphones showcased at MWC by Gionee, TCL and Nubia which will be launched in the next few months.

Gionee A1 Plus

Gionee A1 Plus is a metal-clad smartphone with grey and mocha gold colour options. It is 9.3mm thick but tips the scales at 226g. The phones weight can be attributed to the fact that it offers a truly big 6-inch (1920 x 1080p) display. It runs Android Nougat (7.0) with Gionees Amigo UI over it. The phone is powered by MediaTeks powerful Helio P25 processor octa-core chip with 4GB RAM and a 4,550mAh battery. It provides 64GB internal storage and up to 256GB expandable storage. For better audio output, the phone comes with embedded Waves MaxxAudio processing chip. The phone offers dual camera module with 13-megapixel and 5-megapixel cameras on the back. The A1 Plus will be available for April 2017 at 499 (approximately Rs35,284). At this price, it will compete with OnePlus 3T and Huaweis P9.

Alcatel A5

Just when we though the modular design phones were on their way out, phone maker TCL has joined the bandwagon. The Alcatel A5 is a modular phone which comes with smart accessories that work on similar lines as the mods in Moto Z smartphones. These mods can be snapped on the back panel to boost the phones battery, camera and audio performance.

In this case, there is a speaker mod to get more out of the phones audio. Then there is a battery mod with a 3,000mAh battery to boost the phones battery backup. The most interesting one, however, is the back case with LED lights. It glows every time a user receives a notification on the phone. One can also modulate it to glow with a different pattern while playing music. This will definitely bring in the element of fun, but will drain the phones battery faster.

The A5 is driven by a modest MediaTek 6753 processor with 2GB RAM in tow, and offers 16GB internal storage with the option to add more via microSD card. It runs on slightly older Marshmallow (6.0) version of Android. The phones in-built battery has a capacity of 2,800mAh, which is not bad for a phone with a 5.2-inch (1,280x720p) display. The company is yet to release its date of availability and price.

Nubia N1 Lite

The N1 Lite is a variant of the N1 released last month at Rs11,999, but the new smartphone has little in common with the predecessor. Though it offers a 5.5-inch screen, it has a surprisingly lower resolution of 1,280x720p. It also runs on a less power consuming MediaTek MT6737 quad-core processor with 2GB RAM and provides 16GB internal storage and 32GB as expandable storage. Its older sibling runs on MediaTeks powerful Helio P10 octa-core processor. The company did not announce the price and date of availability. However, considering the specs, we expect the Nubia N1 Lite to be priced between Rs5,000 and Rs10,000. At that price, the phone will be up against the more powerful Redmi 3s Prime and Lenovo K6 Power.
Lionfish larva

(Image credit: Steven Kovacs/UPY 2017)

Here, a rare, tiny lionfish larva fans out its fins for photographer Steven Kovacs, who captured the divine image during a dive off Palm Beach, Florida. "Many of the animals seen during black water dives are very small and can move quickly when illuminated by powerful dive lights, so getting a nice image is, not only challenging but, very rewarding as well," Kovacs said. Kovacs won a Commended spot in the Macro category of the Underwater Photographer of the Year contest.And he had a lot of competition: Around 4,500 images of underwater animals and scenes were submitted by photographers representing 67 countries, vying to win Underwater Photographer of the Year. In addition to the top spot, photos could win awards in any of the 10 categories, including Macro, Wide Angle and Behavior. Live Science chose some of our favorites, revealing stunning close-ups of fish, shrimp and other undersea life.

One in a Million

(Image credit: Ron Watkins/UPY 2017)

Ron Watkins captured this image, entitled "One in a Million," of a whimsical-looking Lion's mane jellyfish amongst a bloom of moon jellyfish while searching for salmon sharks in Alaska.

"We cruised in the boat looking for their dorsal fins for hours and that is when we came across an enormous moon jellyfish bloom that stretched for several hundred meters," Watkins said in a statement. "It was surreal and more dense than anything I had ever experienced, including Jellyfish Lake in Palau. I came across this Lion's Mane Jellyfish rising from the bloom towards the surface and positioned myself directly over it to capture this image." Watkins' shot won the Wide Angle category.

Fire Shelter

(Image credit: Dragos Dumitrescu/UPY 2017)

Romanian photographer Dragos Dumitrescu wrote this about this alien-like image he captured in the Dauin Marine Sanctuary in the Philippines: "The underwater realm is stunning. But most of the time we tend to see only the rare and unique critters while the most common subjects are set aside. This tube anemone (which you can find almost everywhere) is a shelter to a bunch of juveniles, until they can manage on their own. They have an entire universe in there with plenty of adventures taking place. My purpose was to bring out the beauty, which is not regularly seen. I used the backlighting technique and also a fine touch of strobe from the front to make the juveniles pop-up."

Dumitrescu's photo snagged third place in the Macro category.

Shrimp Backlight

(Image credit: Fabio Freitas/UPY 2017)

Fabio Freitas won a Highly Commended award in the Macro category for this shrimp image, which he captured off Bonaire Island at a spot called Something Special.

"Shrimps are challenging subjects to photograph; we have to portray their beautiful colors and shape, and especially focus on the eyes," Freitas said. During a late-afternoon dive "I saw this shrimp underneath the rock in a perfect position to make a backlighting technique, using continuous lighting. Immediately I turned off my strobes and asked my buddy to put the lighting behind the shrimp; he was very good putting the light exactly where I wanted it. I took only 4 pictures and then the shrimp vanished. It is important to know your techniques and when to use them, it is the key to making those special pictures with something more than the norm."

Expectant Parents

(Image credit: Susannah H. Snowden-Smith/UPY 2017)

Susannah H. Snowden-Smith snagged a "Highly Commended" in the Macro category for this shot of a pair of claw shrimp resting in the bottom of a purple vase sponge. "Two claw shrimp are a rare find on Grand Cayman; these are the only ones I've seen in over 300 dives on the island," Snowden-Smith said. "When diving, I have made a habit of looking into every purple vase sponge I come across. On this particular day, my husband and I went to a secret spot on Grand Cayman. We call it 'Magicland' as we always find the most amazing creatures there. I had never seen these shrimp before, two claw shrimp as I would come to find out later. I placed one strobe along the side of the sponge to provide backlighting, and another pointing into the top of the sponge to provide fill light."

Fishing fish

(Image credit: Dragos Dumitrescu/UPY 2017)

This odd-looking creature, a frogfish, likes to "fish for fish," and that's just what Dragos Dumitrescu captured in this photo taken off the Philippines. "This picture was about capturing the hypnotic movement of the frogfish's luring. Fascinated by these weird-looking anglerfish, with their lures and baits, I was trying to transfer the 'magic' that attracts their unsuspecting prey into a still image," Dumitrescu said.

Black light

(Image credit: John Parker/UPY 2017)

John Parker got a Highly Commended award in the Macro category for this backlit shot of a Paddle-flap Rhinopias, a type of scorpionfish, at a spot called Seraya Secrets off Bali, Indonesia. "I took 30 to 40 frames to get the lighting right and get a black background which was difficult as it was daylight and at only 12 meters," Parker said.

Clownfish Swirl

(Image credit: Luc Rooman/UPY 2017)

Toward the end of a dive at a spot called Lembeh in Indonesia, Luc Rooman saw this anemone and clownfish. Rooman had to take several pictures through the aluminum tube that he mounted on his port so that he could get a round-mirror effect. The creativity paid off, as Rooman got a Commended award in the Macro category. One of the judges, Alex Mustard, said: "Creative techniques have always been a part of photographic competitions. The key to winning is to be original and use the technique well, with a subject it suits. The colors of the anemone fish make this swirl stand out."

Nudibranch Art

(Image credit: Katherine Lu/UPY 2017)

Katherine Lu shot this nudibranch at Semakau off Singapore. "I wanted to do something different and turn a nudibranch commonly found in our waters into a piece of art. I have always been fascinated by bubbles and the inspiration for this photo came about when I was reading about aquatic plants that produce oxygen bubbles from photosynthesis," Lu said. "The images of the bubbles sticking to the green leaves had an abstract quality and hence came the idea to create 'Nudibranch Art.'"

Cleaner

(Image credit: Liang Fu/UPY 2017)

Liang Fu won third place in the Behavior category for this underwater photograph of a moray eel with "cleaner shrimp" in its mouth, while diving at Tulamben in Indonesia. "On the first dive, I took a few front-facing photos with cleaner shrimps in the moray eel's mouth. When I surfaced, I came up with an idea of a side-face moray eel, widely opening its mouth with the cleaner shrimp inside. So I tried a second dive and it turned out to be how I had imagined it," Fu said.

Views at dawn

(Image credit: Pasquale Vassallo/UPY 2017)

Pasquale Vassallo captured this image of crabs tending to a barrel, or frilly-mouthed, jellyfish in the Gulf of Naples, Italy. "Over the past few months, my photographic work has focused primarily on the large presence of species of jellyfish Rhizostoma pulmo, in the Gulf of Naples. In this picture a couple of crabs, Liocarcinus vernalis species, are its tenants. When the jellyfish rub the sandy seabed, the crabs jump on it and get carried to different areas," Vassallo said.
If you've ever caught yourself thinking, "She looks like a Sue," or "He doesn't look like a Bob," a new study may back up your instincts about whether people's names suit them. In fact, people often do "look like their names," perhaps especially those named Tom or Veronique, the research suggests.

In the study, researchers found that people could correctly match an unfamiliar face to that person's name at a rate higher than expected due to chance, according to a new study. In two experiments involving 185 participants in Israel and France, people were shown only color headshot photographs of 25 total strangers, and the researchers asked them to guess the stranger's name from a list of four or five name possibilities.

For example, a participant who is shown a face and given four names to choose from has a 25 percent chance of guessing the right name. But in the study, the 70 participants in Israel matched the correct name to the face about 30 percent of the time. [Smile Secrets: 5 Things Your Grin Says About You]

And when a similar experiment was repeated with the 115 participants in France, these men and women matched the correct name and face 40 percent of the time.

Which names were some of the easiest to connect to a face? The study found that French participants could accurately identify a Veronique nearly 80 percent of the time, while Israeli participants could accurately recognize a Tom more than 52 percent of the time.

The ability to match a name with a face requires the reliance on existing name stereotypes, said study author Yonat Zwebner, who conducted the research as a doctoral candidate at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

When people attempt to match a name to a facial image, they may use personal, social and historical information to get some clues, Zwebner and her colleagues wrote in their findings, published today (Feb. 27) in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Names and faces

The findings also suggested that people's hairstyles play an important role in how easy it is for their names to be guessed correctly. In one experiment, the researchers Photoshopped some of the images so that a few of them clearly showed the hairstyle, ears and neck while the facial features were blurred. In a second scenario, only the facial features  such as the eyes, nose, mouth and cheeks  were clear, and the hairstyle and neck were digitally removed. And a third set of images showed the full facial image, including hair and facial features.

The results showed that the participants matched the correct name and face 36 percent of the time, on average, in the full-facial photos; about 33 percent of the time when the hairstyle was visible; and 30 percent of the time in the photos with only the facial features visible.

It's possible that people tend to choose hairstyles that fit the stereotype of their name, Zwebner told Live Science.

However, the overall findings also revealed that the participants were able to best match the faces to the names when the faces they looked at came from within their own culture. In one of the study's eight experiments, French study participants were unable to match Israeli names and faces at a level above random chance, and this same effect was observed when Israeli participants were asked to match French names and faces.

A familiarity with local names and faces through repeated exposure to them may help people develop the ability to know the "right" facial appearance linked with a name, the researchers said. [10 Things You Didn't Know About You]

But it was not just people who could put names and faces together; a computer could do it, too, according to the study.

The researchers developed a learning algorithm that taught a computer how to match 94,000 faces with their names. Then, the computer was presented with a new facial image and two possible names for each. Random guessing would have given the computer a 50 percent chance of being accurate, but the trained computer was shown to be 54 to 64 percent accurate when predicting a name.

The results are extremely strong support for the idea that there are indeed facial features associated with certain names, Zwebner said.

The findings also may demonstrate that names, which were chosen for us by others, can influence the way people look based on interactions with society, Zwebner said.

Zwebner suspects that a self-fulfilling prophecy  or the idea that if other people expect certain things from a person, that individual may eventually fulfill these expectations  may be one possible explanation for the face-name-matching effect.

If, for example, society assumes that people with the name Katherine share a similar stereotype, including those based on her appearance, then people will interact with a woman named Katherine in a way that matches this shared stereotype, Zwebner explained.

As a result, over time, Katherines become more and more like a Katherine is expected to be, resulting in a specific matching look, she said.

Originally published on Live Science.
This jade pendant, which may have once belonged to an ancient Maya king, is inscribed with 30 hieroglyphs.

More than a thousand years ago, the Maya couldn't dream up geoengineering schemes that would ease their climate woes. So perhaps some of them turned to the gods in a last-ditch plea for rain.

That might explain a royal "wind jewel," carved with hieroglyphs, that archaeologists recently found at a Maya settlement in southern Belize.

The artifact was uncovered in a tomb at Nim Li Punit, a hilltop site inhabited between A.D. 150 and 850, its civilization peaking just before the collapse of the Classic Maya period. Nim Li Punit means "the hat is big" in the Q'eqchi' Mayan language, in reference to the big headdress worn by a Maya leader on one of the several carved blocks known as stelae found at the site. [In Photos: Ancient Maya Carvings Exposed in Guatemala]

Geoffrey Braswell, an archaeologist at UC San Diego, led excavations at Nim Li Punit in 2015. His team uncovered a tomb that dates back to around A.D. 800-830 and contained ceramic vessels, including a vase depicting a beaked Maya god of wind, music and trade. The researchers also found shells, obsidian blades, beads, two human teeth and a set of limestone bars that might have been used for ritual musical performances. (To find out whether these bars were really some kind of rudimentary xylophone, the researchers still have to test whether the stones have any kind of tonal sequence.)

The penadnt was found in a tomb at Nim Li Punit, a hilltop site inhabited between A.D. 150 and 850. (Image credit: Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego Publications)

The most important artifact from the tomb was a large T-shaped jade pendant. Braswell has called this object the "wind jewel" because it is shaped like the Maya glyph ik', which means "wind" or "breath," and there is also a carved ik' glyph on the front of the pendant.

An image of the pendant was also seen on a carved image of a king at the site where the pendant was unearthed. (Image credit: G. Braswell/UC San Diego)

By the time it was buried, the pendant was already 150 years old. The hieroglyphs carved into the backside of the jewel say it was first used in A.D. 672 in an incense-scattering ceremony, made for the king Janaab' Ohl Kinich. Based on the names of the kings parents (which were also carved into the pendant) Braswell and his colleagues suspect this ruler probably came from northern Belize or from eastern Peten. There is separate evidence that the pendant was used in such ceremonies at Nim Li Punit, too: Two other images, dated to A.D. 721 and 731, carved into the rock slabs at the site show a king wearing a T-shaped pendant as he scatters incense, the researchers said.

Braswell said that the king of Nim li Punit perhaps had to wear a special pendant during the incense-scattering ceremonies that were thought to bring on the wind and rain. "This identified them with the god of music and the winds that brought the monsoon rains, making agriculture possible," he wrote in a forthcoming paper about the excavation in the Journal of Field Archaeology.

The researchers, who are still working on deciphering the hieroglyphs, suspect the pendant ultimately may have been buried as a dedication in desperate times.

"A recent theory is that climate change caused droughts that led to the widespread failure of agriculture and the collapse of Maya civilization," Braswell said in a statement. "The dedication of this tomb at that time of crisis to the wind god who brings the annual rains lends support to this theory, and should remind us all about the danger of climate change."

The pendant is also described in a recent paper in the journal Ancient Mesoamerica by Braswell and Christian Prager, of the University of Bonn.

Original article on Live Science.
It's pretty easy to spot a badly dubbed foreign film: The sounds that you hear coming out of the actors' mouths don't seem to match up with the movements of their lips that you see.

In other words, even when our vision and hearing are being stimulated at the same time during the film, our brains do a really good job of picking up on which lip movements go with which speech sounds.

But the brain can also be fooled. In an intriguing illusion known as the McGurk effect, watching the movements of a person's lips can trick the brain into hearing the wrong sound. [10 Things You Didn't Know About the Brain]

The McGurk effect occurs when there is a conflict between visual speech, meaning the movements of someone's mouth and lips, and auditory speech, which are the sounds a person hears. And it can result in the perception of an entirely different message.

Now, in a new study, neuroscientists at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston attempted to offer a quantitative explanation for why the McGurk effect occurs. They developed a computer model that was able to accurately predict when the McGurk effect should or should not occur in people, according to the findings, published (Feb. 16) in the journal PLOS Computational Biology. (Here is one demonstration, and another; neither of these examples were the actual video used in the study.)

In the demonstration of the McGurk effect used in the study, the participant is asked to keep his or her eyes closed while listening to a video that shows a person making the sounds "ba ba ba." Then that individual is asked to open their eyes and watch the mouth of the person in the video closely, but with the sound off. Now, the visuals look like the person is saying "ga ga ga." In the final step of the experiment, the exact same video is replayed, but this time the sound is on, and the participant is asked to keep his or her eyes open. People who are sensitive to the McGurk effect will report hearing "da da da"  a sound that doesn't match up with either the auditory or visual cues previously seen.

That's because the brain is attempting to resolve what it thinks it's hearing with a sound closer to what it visually sees. If the person closes their eyes again, and the video's sound is replayed, he or she will once again hear the original sound of "ba ba ba."

The effect was first described in an experiment done in 1976 by psychologists Harry McGurk and John MacDonald, which showed that visual information provided by mouth movements can influence and override what a person thinks he or she is hearing.

Predicting an illusion

The McGurk effect is a powerful, multisensory illusion, said study co-author John Magnotti, a postdoctoral fellow in the department of neurosurgery at Baylor. "The brain is taking auditory speech and visual speech and putting them together to form something new," he said. [6 Foods That Are Good For Your Brain]

When people are having a face-to-face conversation, the brain is engaged in complicated activity as it tries to decide how to put lip movements together with the speech sounds that are heard, Magnotti said.

In the study, the researchers tried to understand why the brain was better able to put some syllables together to interpret the sound heard correctly but not others, Magnotti said.

To do this, their model relied on an idea known as causal inference, or a process in which a person's brain decides whether the auditory and visual speech sounds were produced by the same source. What this means is that the sounds come from one person talking, or from multiple speakers, so you are hearing one person's voice, but looking at another person who is also talking, at the same time.

Other researchers have developed models to help predict when the McGurk effect may occur, but this new study is the first one to include causal inference in its calculation, Magnotti told Live Science. Factoring in causal inference may have improved the new model's accuracy, compared with previous prediction models of the illusion.

To test the accuracy of their prediction model, the researchers recruited 60 people and asked them to listen to pairs of auditory and visual speech from a single speaker. Then the participants were asked to decide if they thought they heard the sound "ba," "da" or "ga."

Their results showed that the model they developed could reliably predict when the majority of participants involved in the experiment would experience the McGurk effect. But as expected from their calculation, there were also some people who were not susceptible to it, Magnotti said. [Eye Tricks: Gallery of Visual Illusions]

Interestingly, Magnotti said that when this same test has been done with students in China rather than people in the United States, the McGurk effect has been shown to work in other languages.

Magnotti said that he thinks the computer models developed for this study may also have some practical uses. For example, the model could be helpful to companies that build computers that assist in speech recognition, such as a product like Google Home or Amazon Echo, he said.

If these smart speakers had cameras on them, they could integrate people's lip movement into what a person was saying to increase the accuracy of their speech-recognition systems, he said.

The model may also help children with cochlear implants, by improving researchers' understanding of how visual speech affects what a person hears, Magnotti said.

Originally published on Live Science.
The Webb County Commissioners Court is in no rush to appoint the replacement for Judge Chuy Garza at Court at Law II.

Visiting Judge Ron Carr is currently presiding over Court at Law II; Commissioner Wawi Tijerina said he is doing a fabulous job.

From Jan. 9 to Feb. 17, Court at Law II saw 1,530 cases. Garza was indicted Jan. 11.

The process is still going. Courts still being handled. Courts still going on, Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina said.

Tijerina said the county is spending slightly more to have a visiting judge on the bench, but it basically comes out as a wash, financially.

At Mondays meeting, commissioners mulled how to proceed after receiving eight applications for the judge position on Friday.

The applicants are Juan Flores, Bruce Werstak, Victor Villarreal, Christina Mendiola Perez, Mari Jacaman, Kelly Fitzgerald, Melissa Joy Garcia and Bryan Christopher Banks.

The court can automatically rule out Banks, because he has only been a licensed attorney in Texas for two and a half years. The minimum requirements for this position, as specified by the state, include that the appointee be a licensed attorney or judge in Texas for a minimum of four years.

Tijerina said he would like to interview all seven qualified applicants in open court.

Former Commissioner Sergio Keko Martinez entered a public comment at Mondays meeting to air his grievances about the application process so far.

The communitys perception and the scuttlebutt is that the applicant has already been selected by the Commissioners Court, Martinez said.

Martinez would not say whom he believed commissioners had chosen, but that its very clear who they want.

Commissioners denied this accusation.

I know I havent made a decision. My decision is to let Carr work there as long as possible, Commissioner John Galo said. Ive yet to see the applications.

Melissa Joy Garcia, along with several unnamed applicants, have met with Tijerina to show their interest in the position, according to spokeswoman Marah Mendez. Victor Villarreal told LMT he has also met with the judge.

Whomever commissioners appoint to the position will serve through December 2018. In March 2018, the office will be up for election. The winner of the election will take office January 2019.

Julia Wallace may be reached at 956-728-2543 or jwallace@lmtonline.com
A man indicted on murder and other charges for his involvement in a drug deal gone wrong that resulted in the fatal shooting of a man was sentenced Monday in the 111th District Court to serve prison time. .

A grand jury indicted Erik Ibarra and five other men in March 2016 on charges of murder, engaging in organized criminal activity and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in relation to the Feb. 22, 2016 death of Julio Cesar Garza-Martinez.

Garza-Martinez died after the group allegedly opened fire on a minivan he was in.

On Monday, 111th District Court Judge Monica Z. Notzon sentenced Ibarra to serve 10 years in prison for engaging in organized criminal activity. The murder and aggravated assault charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement with the state.

Ibarra received another 10-year sentence for an assault that occurred in October 2014.

Ibarra was also facing a possession of a controlled substance charge after he was found in possession of less than 1 gram of cocaine in March 2014. The charge was dismissed at the states request.

Notzon ordered the sentences to run concurrently, meaning Ibarra will serve a total of 10 years in prison.

The assault

The aggravated assault incident occurred on Oct. 30, 2014 when Ibarra and two others allegedly stabbed a teenager twice during a fight in a local pawn shop parking lot in the 1800 block of Guadalupe Street.

The Laredo Police Department identified Ibarra as the driver of the getaway car.

Ibarra, along with his brother, Ivan Ibarra, and Victor Daniel Castillo were each charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, knife or cutting instrument.

Police said the victim sustained superficial stab wounds to the upper chest and the buttocks.

On Monday, the state said it would be dismissing its case against Ivan Ibarra after Erik Ibarra claimed responsibility for the assault.

Drug deal gone wrong

Cases remain open for three men allegedly involved in the drug deal gone wrong.

On Feb. 22, 2016, Garza-Martinez is alleged to have been negotiating a drug deal with the occupants of an Xterra when several vehicles surrounded the minivan and opened fire.

Three weapons  an AK-47, a .45-caliber and a .40-caliber  dispensed approximately 14 shots in the direction of a minivan occupied by Garza-Martinez, Jorge Aguilera and the driver who was identified as Alfredo Garza.

Garza-Martinez was shot multiple times in the back. He was taken to Laredo Medical Center, where he later died. Aguilera sustained a shot in the leg and was taken to LMC for treatment as well. Garza was unharmed.

Castillo, Albert Dominguez, Luis Angel Garcia, Jesus Ruben Rodriguez and Jose Villegas were indicted along with Ibarra in connection with the case.

Castillo and Villegas reached plea agreements with the state before their cases proceeded to trial. They are scheduled to be sentenced March 13 in the 111th District Court.

On Jan. 31, after a seven-day trial, Dominguez and Rodriguez received 25- and 20-year prison sentences, respectively.

Garcia is expected to reach a plea agreement with the state on March 30, during a scheduled hearing in Notzons court.

The expected agreement includes Garcia serving 20 years in prison for murder and engaging in organized criminal activity, five years for one aggravated assault charge and 10 years for a second aggravated assault charge.

Taryn Walters may be reached at 956-728-2528 or twalters@lmtonline.com.
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School & Education, Local News, Business & Finance, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: February 28 2017

Governor Cuomo announced that members of the NY Democratic Congressional Delegation endorsed his first-in-the-nation plan to make college tuition-free for NYs working- and middle-class families.

Albany, NY - February 27, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that members of the New York Democratic Congressional Delegation endorsed his first-in-the-nation plan to make college tuition-free for New Yorks working- and middle-class families. The Excelsior Scholarship would make college possible for families making up to $125,000 per year, helping to alleviate the crushing burden of student debt while enabling thousands of bright young students to realize their dream of higher education at SUNY and CUNY. Under the Governors bold proposal, approximately 80 percent or more than 940,000 New York families would qualify to attend SUNY or CUNY two- and four-year colleges tuition-free.



"With a college education now a requirement to succeed in the modern workforce, the strength of our economy depends on our ability to help more New Yorkers go to college, and I am proud to have the support of these great New York leaders in our fight to make college tuition free for the middle class," Governor Cuomo said. "The Excelsior Scholarship will enable thousands of students to receive a college education, and help ensure New York and its economic future continue to go ever upward.



The following Congressional leaders have endorsed the Governors bold proposal to make college tuition free for middle-class families making up to $125,000 per year in New York State:

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter

Congressman Eliot Engel

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey

Congressman Jose E. Serrano

Congressman Jerrold Nadler

Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney

Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks

Congressman Joe Crowley

Congressman Brian Higgins

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke

Congressman Paul Tonko

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney

Congresswoman Grace Meng

Congressman Adriano Espaillat

Congressman Thomas Suozzi

Know the Facts  The Excelsior Scholarship

The Excelsior Scholarship program requires participating students to be enrolled at a SUNY or CUNY two- or four-year college full-time. The initiative will cover middle class families and individuals making up to $125,000 through a supplemental aid program. Currently 80 percent of NY households statewide make $125,000 or less with an estimated 940,000 households having college-aged children that would be eligible for the program.



The new initiative will be phased in over three years, beginning for New Yorkers making up to $100,000 annually in the fall of 2017, increasing to $110,000 in 2018, and reaching $125,000 in 2019.



The Excelsior Scholarship program is designed to provide the most students with the greatest opportunity to attend college tuition free in New York  and that goal is met most cost-effectively by partnering with SUNY and CUNY.



The Governors program does not treat New Yorks private universities unfairly. The state has invested more than $2.4 billion in private schools since 2011, and currently provides grants to approximately 90,000 students to attend private schools. The state of New Yorks investment in private colleges is greater than that of any other state besides Texas.



Moreover, tuition at New Yorks private colleges is much higher than at public institutions  the average tuition for a private school in New York is $34,000 a year compared to roughly $6,400 at SUNY and CUNY four-year schools and $4,300 at our community colleges.



Based on enrollment projections, the plan is expected to cost approximately $163 million per year once fully phased in. While the cost estimate of the program is low, that is because it works with already existing programs to close the last mile of tuition costs. It combines New Yorks already robust $1 billion Tuition Assistance Program with federal grant funding, and then fills in any remaining gaps.



The Governors program also works by incentivizing students to graduate on-time, requiring students to attend college full-time and graduate with an Associates Degree in two years or a Bachelors Degree in four years. Graduation rates at New Yorks public colleges, while similar to other schools nationwide, are too low  61 percent of four-year students and 91 percent of our two-year community college students in New York dont complete their degrees on time.



The Excelsior scholarship aims to change that, saving students time and money by reducing their overall debt burden. The plan also recognizes there may be circumstances outside students' control, which is why the proposal includes a stepping out provision so that students will be able to pause and restart the program if life gets in the way.



By 2024, 3.5 million jobs in New York State will require an associates degree or higher  roughly 420,000 more jobs than in 2014. But for too many families, the cost of college is currently out of reach. The Excelsior Scholarship will equip students with the skills they need to succeed by making an advanced degree tuition free, and ensure they are able to secure the high-tech, high-paying jobs of tomorrow.



Congressman Eliot Engel said, Today, more and more jobs require a college degree, and college graduates earn more over their lifetimes than high school graduates. But at the same time, the costs of college and the burden of exorbitant student debt has never been higher. That is why Governor Cuomos college affordability plan is so important. If we fail to make college affordable, we fail to provide young Americans with the opportunities they deserve. I applaud the Governors efforts to put college within reach for hardworking New York families.



Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey said, Affordable, quality higher education is critical so that todays students can succeed in a 21st century economy. We must continue working at all levels of government to ensure that a higher education is within reach for every student.



Congressman Jose E. Serrano said, Everyone deserves a fair chance at the American dream and access to affordable higher education is crucial to our young generations future success. The Excelsior Scholarship program is an unprecedented and ambitious effort to help ensure every New York undergraduate student, regardless of their familys economic background, has the opportunity to access quality education for free. Working families now wont have to consider foregoing sending their kids to college or sacrificing their short and long term financial stability to do so. I applaud Governor Cuomos leadership on this issue by setting up a program to help ensure access to quality education for all that serves as a model for other states.



Congressman Jerrold Nadler said, Making college affordable for middle class families is central to putting young people on the path to financial stability and keeping New York States economy strong. I am proud to support the Governors Excelsior Scholarship and applaud his efforts to make public college free for over 900,000 New York families.



Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney said, A college education is key for the good-paying, middle class jobs of today and tomorrow. Ive pushed for Community College for All in Congress, and am pleased that Governor Cuomo is leading the way with the Excelsior Scholarship to pave the way to a brighter future for nearly a million New York families.



Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez said, Access to a quality education can unlock doors of opportunity and this program will empower more New Yorkers to purse a college diploma. I applaud the Governor for pushing this initiative forward and will continue working at the federal level to make education more affordable for working families.



Congressman Joe Crowley said, We all know that investing in the education of future generations is the only way to ensure a bright economic future for New Yorkers and Americans across our country. At a time when obtaining a college degree is absolutely critical to competing in a 21st century economy, we literally cannot afford to sit idly by as the burden of student debt crushes the futures of so many of our youth. I applaud Governor Cuomo for leading the charge to ensure middle-class New Yorkers have the opportunity for a tuition-free higher education and the chance to build a better life for themselves and their families.



Congressman Brian Higgins said, For struggling families, the affordability of a college education remains a serious challenge. Providing more and better college tuition assistance for middle class families is an important step in our knowledge-based economy.



Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke said, The Excelsior Scholarship, the first of its kind in the nation, will make college tuition-free for thousands of students wanting to go to college. This much needed program will alleviate the crushing burden of student debt for young people and their families. I thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership on this very important issue.



Congressman Paul Tonko said, Increasing access to higher education is one of the best investments we can make in our workforce and our communities. Skills and knowledge create opportunities for higher wages for hard working individuals and their families. Education can open doors to small business development, job growth and a new era of inventors and entrepreneurs. And it can drive cutting edge research and a modern economy that will keep New York competitive. I applaud Governor Cuomo for his leadership and foresight on this issue. We need to ensure tomorrows leaders have the tools they need to be successful.



Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney said, When I was growing up, my parents sent five kids to college on one income  today, families cant even send one kid to college on two incomes. Even if someone is lucky enough to graduate, theyre stuck paying off crazy loans for the rest of their life. Governor Cuomos plan - making college affordable or tuition-free -- is one of the best things we can do to ensure people can go to school and get good paying jobs when they graduate.



Congresswoman Grace Meng said, I applaud Governor Cuomos bold proposal to make SUNY and CUNY tuition-free. The plan would help more middle class students lay the foundation for achieving the American Dream and Im proud to support the governors historic effort. A college education must be within reach for all of New Yorks students!



Congressman Adriano Espaillat said, "I commend Governor Cuomo for his visionary approach to making college accessible for all New York students who desire to achieve. The Excelsior Scholarship is the first of its kind in the nation and offers a tuition-free college education for middle class families. This proposal is a step in the right direction and creates a gateway of opportunity to help hundreds of thousands of students realize their dreams and achieve their full potential."



Congressman Thomas Suozzi said, Governor Cuomo has put forward a nation-leading plan to make college possible for hundreds of thousands of New Yorks working- and middle-class families. By significantly increasing college access and affordability, we are setting generations of strivers up for success. For too long, the heavy burden of student debt has prevented New Yorkers from reaching their full potential  and with Governor Cuomos smart proposal, we are changing that once and for all. I commend the Governor for his leadership on this issue, and look forward to working together to realize more students dreams of higher education.
Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Arts & Culture, Press Releases, Seasonal & Current Events

By Long Island News & PR Published: February 28 2017

Long Island MacArthur Airport hosted a Meet the Artists reception to honor special needs artists from Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) who have their mixed media constructions exhibited at the airport.

Old Bethpage, NY - February 27, 2017 - Long Island MacArthur Airport hosted a Meet the Artists reception to honor special needs artists from Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) who have their mixed media constructions exhibited at the airport. The artists participate in FREEs Fine Art and Art Therapy Programs. The exhibit, Landscape Constructions will be on display through March 8 in the Islip Arts Council  Art Gallery in MacArthur Airport  in the Atrium /arrivals area. All are encouraged to visit the exhibit and perhaps purchase a piece. Proceeds from sales go towards supporting the artists continue their craft.



FREE artist Peter B., flanked by Robert Schneider, Long Island MacArthur Airport Deputy Commissioner and Shelley La Rose-Arken, Long Island MacArthur Airport Commissioner. Photo by FREE.

Landscape Constructions is FREEs first professionally juried competition of artwork created by the Artists of FREE. Over one hundred fifty pieces were vigorously created over a six-month period for this years collection. One hundred and six qualifying pieces were put before an esteemed panel of judges from the New York art and business community as the finalists. Fifty-Three Landscape Constructions were selected by the judges. The collection consists of two tiers of excellence, with Tier One containing the first through third place winners, seven pieces awarded with honorable mention and the next best fifteen pieces.

Tier Two contains the remaining twenty-eight works. The wide-ranging depictions of sky, land, water and other natural elements are interpreted through three styles of art. Realistic, impressionistic, and abstract multi- media constructions were created with some artists making up to six renditions to arrive at their final submission.

The artists represented are the finalists whose quality of work rose high enough to have garnered entrance into this prestigious collection. Their courage and strength led them down the challenging path of self-revelation and allowed them to talk to us through the hidden language of images, colors and symbols.

While the artwork is beautiful to look at it is important to recognize the incredible depth of emotional release that took place over months of work with all of our dedicated staff, it was their patience and unerring commitment to stay the course and believe that our artists could reach high to not only see their healing image, but also commit it to permanent form for all to share in their vision.

Over the years much has been written about the healing power of art as therapy and the creative process of spiritual self-expression, especially for individuals who may find it difficult to express their thoughts and feelings through spoken words alone. The images on view are a testament to this healing power, as our artists have embraced feelings of trust, hope and resolution, offering them an alternative to conflict and fear, which unfortunately characterizes much of the consciousness present in our world today.

About Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE)

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), founded in 1977, benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to assist individuals of all abilities realize their full potential. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including: housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy.

FREE also collaborates with a variety of diverse 501(c)(3) nonprofit partners on educational, vocational, rehabilitative and a myriad of other creative initiatives to enhance the local communities and the lives of more than 25,000 people that reside within them. Each of the valued partners of the Family of FREE Network have a unique mission, vision and strategic goals that are aligned in purpose, and embody the spirit of the meaningful work we do every day. For more information, please call 516-870-7000 or visit www.familyres.org.
Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: February 28 2017

The Long Island volunteer committee attended The Fresh Air Funds annual Friendly Towns Leadership Conference from Friday, February 3rd through Sunday, February 5th at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.

Local volunteer leaders, (L to R), Debbi Brown, Marguerite Olsen-Daly, Anita Busby, Jackie Shapiro, David Quirk, Yvonne Patterson-Quirk and Chris Megale attended the annual Friendly Towns Leadership Conference in NYC. Volunteers attended professional development workshops throughout the conference, with topics ranging from childrens safety, to empathy and diversity, to community engagement.

New York, NY - February 27, 2017 - The Long Island volunteer committee attended The Fresh Air Funds annual Friendly Towns Leadership Conference from Friday, February 3rd through Sunday, February 5th at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. Over the course of three days, volunteers participated in interactive workshops with The Fresh Air Funds staff and community agency partners. Volunteers attended professional development workshops throughout the conference, with topics ranging from childrens safety, to empathy and diversity, to community engagement.

Former Fresh Air child, Inspector Ernest Morales, Commanding Officer of the 42nd Precinct in The Bronx, delivered the keynote speech. Inspector Morales shared with the close to 300 volunteers in attendance how The Fresh Air Funds Friendly Towns Program greatly impacted his life. The closing ceremony included inspiring remarks by Fresh Air siblings and concluded with a spectacular performance by the Bronx Theatre High School Step Team.

The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. First time Fresh Air children are boys and girls, from seven to 12 years old, who live in New York City. Children who are reinvited by host families may continue with The Fresh Air Fund through age 18 and can enjoy extended trips.

Join families in Long Island this summer as a volunteer host family and provide Fresh Air children with a unique and fun summer experience in a new environment.

Please contact Jacqueline Shapiro at 516-702-1203 or visit The Fresh Air Fund online at www.freshair.org to learn more.
Local News, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: February 28 2017

Republican candidate Ray Perini outlined his plan for reforming the embattled Suffolk County District Attorneys Office last Tuesday night in a wide-ranging interview with Phil Jusino on the internet radio Standing on Principal.

Lake Grove, NY - February 27, 2017 - Republican candidate Ray Perini outlined his plan for reforming the embattled Suffolk County District Attorneys Office last Tuesday night in a wide-ranging interview with Phil Jusino on the internet radio Standing on Principal.

Perinis primary focus has been the on-going opioid and gang violence epidemics in Suffolk County. These problems, he argued, have stemmed from a lack of collaboration between the district attorneys office and state and federal agencies. The Feds [FBI, DEA] have an intelligence base thats much greater than the county, but they cant do it without us because we have some terrific street cops - the cops in the neighborhoods - the ones who know who the bad people are. Together, we can fight it. Separately we lose.

Perini argued that his four decades in criminal law uniquely qualified him to build bridges with other agencies. I have made a career out of working with narcotics agencies. I created the East End Drug Task Force, worked with the DEA, worked with FBI, and worked with the US Attorney - both as a defense lawyer and a prosecutor. These relationships, he emphasized, are key to disrupting the cycle of gang violence and drug distribution in Suffolk County.

Perini outlined a three-point plan for combating Suffolks opioid epidemic by: 1) Aggressively pursuing heroin dealers under New Yorks Kingpin law, 2) Emphasizing treatment programs for addicts and low-level offenders, and 3) Educating the community on the crisis. If treatment straightens out an addict, I wouldnt put him in jail with a felony. The treatment component has to be there. Perini also promised to better allocate prosecution tasks by focusing on trafficking and violence, while allowing the US Attorney to prosecute more resource-intensive RICO and conspiracy cases.

On Suffolks rash of gang violence, Perini cited the same lack of collaboration: You can't have kids being murdered on their way to high school. You can't have parents afraid to send their kids to school and it's basically the same problem: We can't fight that alone. It doesn't start or stop at the Nassau border. Perini emphasized developing relationships between the Suffolk and Nassau DAs office, as well as state and federal authorities.

The candidate went on to describe his personal experience in law enforcement and working with other agencies towards a common goal. Let's not worry about who takes credit, said Perini. We have a job to do to make this county safe. I'm not going to give up the streets of Suffolk County to the gangs. They're going to know that my gang is bigger than their gang. And they're going to pay the price. We will not tolerate it. I'll use the bully pulpit. I'll be at the murder scene to say This ain't happening and I'll live up to my word.

Perini concluded with thoughts on his family and many years in the criminal justice system and in Suffolk law enforcement. Suffolk County has about 25 murders a year. We have over 250 kids dying from heroin and fentanyl overdoses. This cant be tolerated. This isnt why I moved to Suffolk in 1976 and nobody should have to tolerate this.
Local News, Business & Finance, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: February 28 2017

Senator John E. Brooks (SD-8) today announced he will fight efforts to cut essential aid to Long Island libraries.

Senator Brooks: "I will fight for the state to pay its fair share of library aid so the buck isnt passed to Long Island families.

Long Island, NY - February 27, 2017 - Senator John E. Brooks (SD-8) today announced he will fight efforts to cut essential aid to Long Island libraries. The recently released 2017-2018 Budget Proposal included a $4 million cut to State Library Aid, which could lead to reduced services and higher taxes for Long Island residents. The budget also calls for cuts to the Public Library Capital Aid program, which helps libraries fund capital projects to update and improve facilities.
Local News, Crime, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: February 28 2017

Congressman Tom Suozzi (D  Queens, Long Island) released a statement after hearing about the bomb threat and evacuation at the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center in Plainview.

Washington, DC - February 27, 2017 - Moments ago, Congressman Tom Suozzi (D  Queens, Long Island) released the following statement shortly after hearing about the bomb threat and evacuation at the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center in Plainview.

This news is alarming and continues a trend of anti-Semitism and hate talk of other religious and ethnic minorities that has been spreading throughout our country over the last several weeks. Its now come to our community and it must stop. The Mid-Island Y JCC is a place where children, senior citizens and families are supposed to feel safe, not terrorized. While I am grateful that no one was hurt, the damage has already been done.

This is a time for people of all faiths and backgrounds to come together and work toward making our communities safe for everyone, regardless of religion. Words are no longer enough. We need to take action and let those who would discriminate against and threaten certain religious groups know that bigotry and hate will not be tolerated.
Culture / Art Republik

The ancient and the contemporary collide at the 57th Venice Biennale of Art with artefacts on loan from the Iraq Museum

Feb 28, 2017 | By AFP Relaxnews

Entitled Viva Arte Vive, the Venice Biennale 2017 opens from May 13 to November 26. Among the thirty artists selected include late legends such as the Dutch conceptual artist Bas Jan Ader and the Austrian artist Franz West. Contemporary stars like Kiki Smith, known for her pieces on sex, birth and regeneration and large-scale installation artist Olafur Eliasson also feature on the list. Amongst these renowned artists, the Biennale will also feature an exhibition for the National Pavilion of Iraq. The exhibition, Archaic, will feature 40 Iraqi stone, glass and clay artifacts from the Neolithic Age to the Neo-Babylonian period. In an unprecedented loan from the Iraq Museum, most of these objects have never left their native terrain.

The artifacts consist of everyday items such as jugs and toys, as well as medical objects, a musical instrument and figurines. The selection was made by co-curator Tamara Chalabi (co-founder of the Iraqi non-governmental non-profit Ruya Foundation) in collaboration with the Director of the Department of Antiquities at the Iraq Museum and an archaeologist. The selection will juxtapose the nations immense ancient inheritance, in the context of todays fragile reality, the curators said in a statement.

These extremely important historical archives will be shown in the same context as assorted works made by eight modern or contemporary Iraqi artists. Painter and sculptor Jewad Selim was one of the first Iraqi artists to study fine art in Europe; he combined European influences with artistic training from the Iraq Museum. Two important works of his will be shown, including The Hen Seller (1951), which has not been displayed in public since the 1950s.

Hassan Shaker Al Said, a student of Selim, will have paintings from the 1960s on display that reflect his intense interest in the divine, Sufism, and abstraction. Nadine Hattom, an Iraqi-Australian artist based in Berlin, explores the traditions of the Mandaean community, a religious group from southern Iraq to which her family belongs. Luay Fadhils film will focus on a man who daily visits a scribe in an attempt to communicate with his recently deceased wife, uniting Iraqs present with its ancient history as the birthplace of writing. Ali Arkady, a photojournalist who has been reporting since 2010 on the volatile political realities of Iraq, will showcase images depicting how war affects soldiers, civilians, and the land.

The exhibition will feature a new commission by Belgian-born Mexico City-based artist Francis Alys. In February 2016 Alys undertook a trip to northern Iraq during which he visited refugee camps, followed by a second visit in November 2016 to the Mosul front line in the company of a Kurdish battalion. This new installation, which will incorporate drawings, paintings, and photographs, will address the role of the artist during wartime.

The designated Biennale exhibition space is a historical library in the Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti. The artifacts will be displayed in customized vitrines, mirroring the display associated with the exhibition of antiquities.

For more information, visit www.ruyafoundation.org. The 57th Venice Biennale of Art runs May 13 through November 26.
Culture / Events

From scenic island to growing hub for yachting, the Royal Phuket Marina is the set to have a wonderful 2018 with the upcoming luxury lifestyle event

Feb 28, 2017 | By Vimi Haridasan

With the growth of Phuket as a major yachting destination in recent years, we talk to Gulu Lalvani, Chairman of the Royal Phuket Marina, who has been at the heart of the scene to find out what made him fall in love with the island and what is in store for the future. He shares his vision for the future of the Royal Phuket Marina and what visitors can look forward to with the PHUKET RENDEZVOUS in 2018.

How did the vision of ROYAL PHUKET MARINA come to fruition?

I have travelled all over the world and love to visit new places. I used to travel to two or three new destinations each year until I first came to Phuket. That was quite a long time ago. The first time I arrived in I stayed at Amanpuri and during my time in Phuket I fell in love with both Amanpuri and the island, so much so that I bought a villa at Amanpuri there and then and still own it today!

I have sailed to many destinations around the world and my first time on the water in Phuket was magical. The cruising grounds around Phuket  the stunning Phang Nga Bay, which is less than 30 minutes away from Royal Phuket Marina  are truly world-class. I can say that having sailed in all the leading marine destinations around the world, Phuket is absolutely the best.

As my visits to Phuket became more regular I could see that the marine industry wasnt developing as it should and I soon realised this was due to the taxation system. In 2002 I met with the then Prime Minister of Thailand to discuss this. The cumulative taxes on importing foreign yachts at that time was more than 200% the value of the boat. The net result was that very few boats were ever imported and thus the government never received tax revenues on such. During my discussions with the Prime Minister I promised that if he would address the taxation issue, I would build a world-class marina in Phuket. True to his word, in February 2004 the Prime Minister reduced taxation to zero per cent. I broke ground on Royal Phuket Marina the same year.

That was the start of Phukets exponential growth as a yachting mecca. Phuket is today the marine playground of Asia and welcomes jet-setters from all over the world to enjoy its natural assets. It has huge international appeal, however, what many Thai people dont realise is that while you still have to pay over 200% taxes on an imported super car such as a Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Bentley; yachts have zero per cent duty and Thailand is home to the best cruising grounds in the world.

You are highly enthusiastic about the future of Phuket as a yachting or holiday destination. What are the latest figures you have on hand that confirm such a positive view on the future of Phuket?

Phuket attracts a diverse range of visitor nationalities and that is one of the islands unique strengths. While the Chinese are currently number one in terms of visitor numbers, what is encouraging to see is that the quality of these visitors is going up  we are seeing much more wealthy FIT Chinese visitors now, as opposed to the primary package tourists. This is a sign of the market maturing.

Up until a few years ago, the Russian visitor market was strong for Phuket but following the Rubles decline in 2014, arrivals to Phuket slowed drastically. However, Phuket is now seeing a turnaround in this market in 2017 as more Russian FITs are choosing Phuket as their holiday destination of choice again.

In addition to Phukets wonderful natural assets and charming people, what many people fail to realise is Phuket is in a geographically strategic location. Nearly 50% of the worlds population is within a six hour flight of Phuket. As Phuket connects direct with more international destinations, I only expect arrivals to the island, to increase and one market that Phuket has not yet tapped on is India. India is the second most populated country in the world  second only to China which is also on Phukets doorstep. India has a strong and growing middle class who travel, yet there are currently no direct flights from Indian cities to Phuket. I expect to see that change in the near future and when it does we can expect to see another wave of visitor arrivals from the Asian sub-continent. I truly believe this is the Asian Century.

Specifically, on the yachting front, more and more people are looking for less crowded destinations and their attention is moving from Europe and the Caribbean towards Asia, and Phuket is the number one choice for cruising. More boat owners are choosing to base their boats here long term, and more superyachts are looking to spend a season or more in the region. Add to that the growing local charter industry, and the number of international visitors who come to Phuket to spend time on the water is growing year-on-year, and the potential for further growth is considerable.

How is the ROYAL PHUKET MARINA different in its positioning and offerings to the other marinas in Phuket and in Thailand overall?

Our goal has never been to be the biggest, but to develop a waterfront community and provide the highest quality of service for our customers. Since we opened we were awarded the 5 Gold Anchor marina status by The Yacht Harbour Association and Marina Industries Association, and with periodic reviews we still retain it to this day. In fact, we are the only marina in Thailand to have been awarded this status.

We have won many other awards for the marina and our surrounding residential developments. The most recent international award was Luxury Yachting in Thailand from the Luxury Lifestyle Awards in Singapore. We are very proud to have won this and it underscores our goal to strive to be the best and at the same time be an industry leader, promoting the highest standards of marine tourism in Phuket and Thailand to a worldwide audience.

The latest addition to our marina has been a new Dry Stack facility  the first of its kind in Phuket. We completed this in February 2016 and the feedback has been excellent. It is now nearly full. Its actually more than just a dry stack storage for boats up to 40 feet (12 metres), we offer a resort-style concierge service whereby within 30 minutes of calling our marina team, an owners boat will be in the water and ready for cruising and upon disembarkation we will lift, rinse down and store your boat for you. This has been so popular we are now developing a second covered Dry Stack which we expect to be operational in the middle of this year.

You are now planning an ambitious Phase 2 in the development of ROYAL PHUKET MARINA. What will be the major axis of developments of this Phase 2 and what unique features are you looking to bringing to Phuket?

My vision for Royal Phuket Marina has always been to develop it into the iconic waterfront lifestyle destination in Asia. I believe with the marina and residences we have already achieved that, however, we have bigger plans.

To date, we have only developed one third of the total land area and I have plans to develop more hospitality and lifestyle offerings.We have created a new, innovative master plan for the entire 200 rai site which includes hotels and resorts, a beach club, convention centre and a large family resort with a world-class water park.

We are always looking to innovate, to grow Phuket and Thailands yachting capabilities, and deliver what the market needs. With the Thai Governments drive to attract more international superyachts to Thailand and allow them to charter through an innovative 12 month licensing system, we are looking to expand out superyacht facilities in support of this. However, we cannot announce details of these plans just yet.

How do you view the upcoming PHUKET RENDEZVOUS 2018? How will the event be different from PIMEX?

The Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) has been a 14-year success story and we have hosted the event at Royal Phuket Marina for 12 years. We are very excited to see the event grow and evolve into the PHUKET RENDEZVOUS, and we look forward to working with the new owners. What is very encouraging is that the former owner will remain part of the new team moving forward and I think PHUKET RENDEZVOUS will become the most important marine and lifestyle show not just in Phuket or Thailand, but in Asia.

There is a clear link between yachting and living a luxury lifestyle, and I believe the PHUKET RENDEZVOUS concept of adding new lifestyle elements and activities, be it supercars, classic cars, wine tastings, art exhibitions, is exactly the right approach. Nobody does this well yet and Im very excited for the new PHUKET RENDEZVOUS which will be held from January 4 to 7, 2018.

You love classic cars, where did this passion come from? What are the challenges of collecting classic cars in Phuket, if any?

My love for classic cars started in the 1970s and has grown slowly every since. I have three classic cars in Phuket at my Royal Phuket Marina villa and the rest of my collection is split between my homes in London and Gstaad, Switzerland.

Phuket is an ideal place to enjoy classic cars. The roads are well maintained and there are some beautiful scenic routes off the island and through Phang Nga which are a pleasure to drive and ideal for classic car enthusiasts.

I would love to host an annual classic car rally in Phuket, starting and finishing at Royal Phuket Marina. I dont currently have the time to organise this myself but if there are any interested parties that would like to work together I would be keen to create a unique classic car event for the island.

What have been your best memories of Phuket and the outlying islands?

The reason I love Phuket more than anywhere else in the world is because within one hour cruising from Royal Phuket Marina we have over 30 beautiful islands that can be enjoyed.

Many of these islands are relatively untouched and my vision is to develop floating platforms for some of these islands, allowing easier access for boats which in turn will open these islands up to visitors and increase potential opportunities for residents.

The area is stunning and the cruising grounds world-class, and this is one of the best places in the world for people to come charter. The floating platforms, that I plan to propose, will also act as safe anchorages for boats wishing to remain there overnight and will open up a whole new tourism model for this area. This is something I am looking at and is part of the expansion I have planned for the Royal Phuket Marina.
Skeuomorphism is when an object imitates the design of a similar artifact. Skewed-o-morphism is when you go insane in the membrane for skeuomorphism.

Writing for The Verge, Vlad Savov declares Samsungs Staedtler stylus is roughly 5,000 times more awesome than the Apple Pencil. (Tip o the antlers to Phil Heywood.)

Roughly. Look, this isnt an exact science. In fact, its not a science at all. Its more of an art. Well, its not that, either. Its pablum, is what it is.

Samsung introduced some tablets at Mobile World Congress last night. I was there, I listened to the whole thing, and I cant really tell you much about them other than they exist and theyre technologically advanced.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down, Perfesser.

[writes down] techno-ma-logically advanced

Okay, go ahead.

What swept me up in real emotion

was this video of dogs being reunited with their military owners after returning from deployment thats set to a Regina Spektor song.

Actually, no. That would be understandable.

was the Korean companys deal with German pencil maker Staedtler to issue an S Pen styled to look like a classic pencil.

Eh. The Macalopes more of a Blackfeet Indian guy.

The Steadtler Noris Digital for Samsung

But, thats it. Thats the whole crux of Savovs argument here and the only support for the headlines contention that the Noris digital is 5,000 times more awesome than the Apple Pencil: It looks like an old pencil. Dont go looking for specifications in the article, there arent any.

Ive never found any great utility in Samsungs S Pen or Apples Pencil

Okay, well, many people would disagree with you. For reasons that are somewhat more substantive than this lectronic pencil sure do look like a real pencil.

but I feel drawn to this digital pencil thats built exactly like an analogue pencil because its so familiar and intuitive.

Why cant they make a smartphone that looks like a rotary dial phone? At least you can convert a typewriter into a USB keyboard for your computer or tablet. Thank God for that.

The Noris digital is colored black and green, to differentiate it from the traditional black and gold Staedtler color scheme.

So much for authenticity.

Look, if I cant grind your digital pencil in a sharpener and have it leave shavings, then where is the joie de vivre? Nowhere. Thats where.

Other than that and the obviously different tip

The Macalope will await reviews of the tips lickability.

this things indistinguishable from an old school, graphite-and-wood pencil.

So much better, right? I mean, a white digital pencil? What am I, a moon man from Mars?!

Samsung has yet to disclose specifics like pricing and availability for the Noris digital, but

Well, since the Apple Pencil costs about $100, we can calculate that the Noris digital only has to come in at $500,000 or less, since its 5,000 times more awesome. Thats just math.

The crazy thing is, the Noris digital could really be way better than the Apple Pencil. We simply have no way of knowing from this article.
As explained in previous briefings, the new Civil and Commercial Code includes a series of rules referring, either directly or indirectly, to intellectual and industrial property matters which we have already reviewed in detail.

An important aspect that the new Civil Code affects is that related to actions for recovery regarding immaterial goods. In particular, we refer to the action for recovery in relation to trade marks.

The aim of the action for recovery is to obtain the restitution of the trade mark to its lawful owner. Trade Mark Law No 22,362 mentions the action for recovery in Section 11 but it does not expand on its regulation.

In the case of other immaterial rights, such as industrial models and designs, the action for recovery is specifically foreseen.

Likewise, it is understood that in the Patent Law, Section 31 establishes the setting that enables the exercise of the action for recovery when it states: "The granting of the patent shall be done with no prejudice to a third party with a better right than that of the applicant, and with no guarantee from the State concerning the usefulness of its object."

Until the new Civil and Commercial Code came into force (August 1 2015), the courts accepted lawsuits related to actions for recovery of trade marks, based on a broad interpretation of Section 11 of the Trade Mark Law.

However, Section 16 of the new code regarding goods does not mention immaterial goods, and Section 2253 expressly excludes immaterial goods from the possibility of being protected by the action for recovery.

Taking into account the new rules of the Civil and Commercial Code, now the question is how the case law related to actions for recovery will evolve.

Daniel R Zuccherino

Obligado & Cia

Paraguay 610, 17th Floor

C1057AAH, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Tel: +54 11 4114 1100

Fax: +54 11 4311 5675

admin@obligado.com.ar

www.obligado.com
Indore: A special CBI court in Indore convicted 11 terrorists of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) including its chief Safdar Nagori. The police had arrested the accused in 2008 for planning terror attacks in the country.

The accused lodged in the Sabarmati jail at Ahmedabad took part in the court proceedings through video conferencing. They were convicted for sedition and possession of explosives, ammunition and weapons.
The story of March Field began at a time when the United States was building its military forces in response to calls for the country to enter World War I. By late 1916, the United States had begun what up until that time, was its largest military buildup. In May of 1917, one month after the Senate and Congress concurred on President Woodrow Wilsons request for a declaration of war against Germany, Congress appropriated $640 million for military aviation. This meant not only was there a need for more planes, but also fully trained military aviators.

Arthur N. Sweet, who was the newly appointed official observer for the Riverside District, Aero Club of America, recognized the potential benefit an Army cantonment base would bring to the local economy. During the remainder of 1917, Sweet, and other partners from the Riverside Chamber of Commerce, would make three separate proposals to the War Department. A proposal in Nov. of 1917, given at the now historic Mission Inn, pushed for an Army aviation field at the Alessandro Plain site. Follow-on correspondence helped solidify Riversides position as a suitable aviation field to train pilots for the air war in Europe.

On Feb. 7, 1918, the Riverside Chamber of Commerce received word that the government had approved the Alessandro site on the Hendricks Ranch. On Feb. 23, 1918, Sgt. Charles E. Garlick, being stationed at Rockwell Field near San Diego, was given orders to establish a temporary camp at the Alessandro strip alongside the Perris highway and the California Southern Railway tracks. Garlick and his crew left Rockwell Field on Feb. 25 and arrived on Feb. 27, 1918. They set up a temporary and where then instructed to service cadet flights from Rockwell Field. Garlick, the installations first commander, met his first flyer, aviation Cadet Harold Compere, on March 1, 1918. The Alessandro Aviation Field was officially open for business.

In an interview 50 years later, Mr. Compere recalled:

[I was] supposed to find Alessandro with the aid of a map. But I was advised by a veteran of the Alessandro trip, forget the map. Locate Fallbrook from the air. You can recognize it by lights shining on the windows. Go there, look north, and you will see a big lake. Thats Elsinore. From there follow the railroad going north until you come to a small, brown, isolated [railroad] station with the name Alessandro in large letters. The gas truck will be in the field adjacent to the station where you land.
Sunny skies for stocks at the corner of Government and Gridlock. (Photo by JamesBrey/iStock.)

Editors' Note: MarketMinder does not recommend individual securities. The below merely represent a broader theme we wish to highlight.

A widely believed theory-hard to confirm[i]-argues stocks' rally since the election owes itself, in large part, to anticipated corporate tax cuts. Accordingly, proponents believe that if tax reform doesn't pass, stocks will surrender their gains. We see a few holes in all these arguments, and if tax reform doesn't pass, stocks should be fine.

If markets were rallying on high hopes for business-friendly tax plans, one would expect said tax plans to actually be uniformly business-friendly. Yet they aren't. They would create winners and losers, and there is some evidence the losers would outnumber the winners. For example, while there is no "Trump tax plan" per se, on the campaign trail he promised to slash corporate tax rates to 15% from 35% and let corporations repatriate foreign profits held abroad at a special, one-time 10% rate. Sounds pretty pro-business! Except he also pledged to end deferred taxation of future foreign profits. They'd be taxed immediately, regardless of whether firms brought them home-a pretty radical change that isn't to many companies' benefit. And hey, even if the 20 percentage point reduction to statutory rates happens, other changes he talked up-closing loopholes and reforming the tax code broadly-could mitigate the benefit.[ii] Few corporations pay anywhere near the statutory rate, using tax code wrinkles to lower their bill. If an eventual plan closes them, firms could pay more, not less.

Since the inauguration, President Trump has allowed Congress to take the lead on crafting a tax reform package. The main House proposal would lower corporate rates to 20%, but also includes a "border-adjustment tax" that places a 20% tax on imports. Theory being, this tax will fund the broader rate reductions while boosting US competitiveness. However, this is dubious theory. It is highly likely importers would pass the tax on to American consumers and businesses. Now, House proponents argue the US dollar would likely appreciate substantially-making imported goods cheaper for US consumers and offsetting the tax. But that is an uncertain forecast of a possible outcome that could be influenced by a wide array of variables. A border-adjustment tax risks negatively impacting broad swathes of the US economy, namely retailers and US consumers, but also many manufacturers that source parts and materials from abroad, like automakers and oil refiners.

To those arguing stocks are pricing in a tax cut, what of this aspect? A border tax could hurt Walmart, which imports much of what it sells. And yet, Walmart is approaching all-time highs. Similarly, GM-the US's largest car producer (whose supply chain extends globally)[iii] and Valero-the largest US refiner (which imports crude oil a fair bit)-are both near record levels. Incidentally, if a border tax were imposed, Valero's CEO said they'd just, "move the price onto the consumer." Raising gas prices at the pump and angering constituents are probably not high on House Republicans' to-do lists. Similarly, Congressmen from border states and in port areas likely have a strong incentive not to rock the boat. For every person who sees tax reform through a very bullish lens, it seems likely an equal number fear import taxes and the loss of deductions.

Business Unfriendly Tax Reform Isn't Likely to Pass

But none of this seems all that close to becoming signed legislation. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin talked about an August passage last week, but in the same breath announced that he understands the concerns over proposed legislation and "we're going to have a plan that addresses these concerns." President Trump also expressed reservations about the border tax, but has since contradicted himself on its merits. Talk is cheap.

Whether the border tax is a red herring or no, tax reform including it faces a tough road. The House and Senate are far apart, and the administration has made little effort to bridge the divide in this regard. And it takes only three GOP Senators to block it. So far Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), David Perdue (R-Georgia), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) have all signaled their opposition.

Don't Overrate Tax Changes

Finally, those who argue the market is pricing in big action on taxes now presume there is a powerful bullish reaction to historical corporate tax cuts-yet there isn't. We get why people think corporate tax proposals matter to stocks-tax changes do impact the bottom line. However, historically, tax cuts (corporate, individual or capital gains) haven't been inherently bullish (or bearish), and tax hikes aren't inherently bearish (or bullish). Because tax cuts are subject to endless debate[iv] before they ever get passed-if they ever get passed-by the time any changes go into effect, markets have probably discounted them. Looking at Exhibit 1, whether there was a corporate tax cut or hike, overall and on average, stocks rose over the next year. And while the 12-month forward return following corporate tax rate cuts is higher, it's worth noting that it is right around average for stocks-not hugely positive.

Exhibit 1: Stocks Aren't Too Affected by Corporate Tax-Rate Changes Regardless

Source: Global Financial Data, Inc., Internal Revenue Service, as of 9/16/2016. S&P 500 price returns, 12/31/1925 - 9/15/2016. Data are weekly from 12/31/1925 - 12/31/1927 and daily thereafter.

Tax rates and rules are only one input to corporate profitability. Interest costs, depreciation, capital investments and, of course, sales matter, too. At any given time, operations influence earnings a whole lot more. Plus, it's a big world. US tax rates are even less of a market driver when you think globally. And it isn't like US stocks have suffered for having the developed world's highest corporate tax rate for the last few decades.

Whatever your view of the specific measures that may or may not eventually emerge, it's a mistake to think tax cut expectations are the key market driver today. Those arguing otherwise are offering an opinion, but in our view, that opinion overlooks the fact not all the ideas are plausible, positive or politically popular.

[i] And the harder to confirm, the more widely believed.
Changes NATO Must Make To Remain A True Alliance

BY GEORGE FRIEDMAN AND JACOB L. SHAPIRO : US Secretary of Defense James Mattis met with defense ministers from other NATO member countries in Brussels on Feb. 15. He had a message to deliver from the Trump White House.

The meeting was closed, but some of Mattiss comments were released to the media: 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 its support for our common defense. He added, America cannot care more for your childrens security than you do.

The previous US administration criticized NATO at times but in such a way that the complaint was not taken seriously. The new administration cannot afford for that to happen. From a US strategic view, the status quo is no longer acceptable.

Is Nato Still an Alliance?

NATO was created to be a defense alliance. Defense requires military forces. Alliance means deploying those forces to protect or support an ally. Alliances usually involve countries with varying power and capabilities. Some are weak and some are strong. This is to be expected. But sharing the burden is also expected in an alliance. Each partner gives what it can for the greater good.

By all these measures, NATO is not a coherent alliance at present. It is instead a collection of states disproportionately dependent on the US for security guarantees. This arrangement is of much less value to the US than a true alliance.

The world is more unstable today than at any point since the Soviet Unions fall. The US is still the only global power, but it is not all-powerful. The US must have the support of allies to meet various challenges (such as China and Russia) and in its ongoing war with radical Islamism. Other NATO members also need the support of the US.

Mattis has pointed out an unpleasant truth: NATO military capabilities are not adequate to meet all of the challenges facing its members. This lack of capability can be attributed to three factors: the disproportionate level of NATO members defense spending, the decline in NATO members defense spending over the last seven years, and the unequal sharing of NATOs burdens relative to individual members resources.

Issue #1: Uneven Defense Expenditures

The chart above starts at the simplest level. Not all NATO members spend a similar amount on defense. NATO estimates that alliance members defense expenditures totaled $918.3 billion in 2016. More than 70% of that spending came from the United States. The US spends 2.5 times more on defense than all other NATO member states combined.

For that reason, NATO is not currently a traditional military alliance. It is a list of 27 countries the US has agreed to defend.

Issue #2: Decline in Defense Spending

The data in the table above are taken directly from NATOs own figures and show the problem from a different angle. Defense expenditures as a percentage of each individual allys GDP (including the US) have been decreasing steadily. Some claim this decline only began after the 2008 financial crisis. This is not true.

Only eight countries increased spending as a percent of GDP from 2005 to 2008. As the chart shows, these increases were small. In 2006, NATO states agreed at a summit in Riga that all members should spend 2% of GDP on defense. In that year, six countries met that threshold: Bulgaria, France, Greece, Turkey, the UK, and the US. In 2016, only five countries met this threshold: Estonia, Greece, Poland, the UK, and the US.

Then in 2014, some NATO countries reaffirmed their commitment to increase spending to requisite levels by 2024. But NATO member states had already agreed to those spending levels in 2006.

Reaffirming a commitment is code for not having fulfilled a previous promise and insisting that this time, it will be different. Promises lose their worth when theyve been broken in the past. A decade is a long enough time to wait for an ally to live up to a promise. And 18 years is an unreasonable amount of time.

The US cannot fight wars and defend NATOs varied interests with promises. The US cannot honor commitments unconditionally. Its power has limits. The US faces its own array of challenges in different parts of the world, and this makes having dependable allies is a crucial part of US strategy.

Issue #3: Relative Defense Spending

Not all NATO members are created equal. For example, Croatia is never going to spend an equal amount on defense as the US. But even when factoring in size, the US still spends significantly more on defense than other members.

As the chart above shows, the US accounts for about 50% of NATO members total GDP and 32% of their total population. But the US makes up about 72% of defense spending.

There is only one country that spends a proportionate share on defense based on its share of overall GDP and population: the United Kingdom. The US contributes far more than its share.

Every other NATO country spends less relative to its economic activity or its population. Western European countries (excluding the UK) account for 31% of NATO members GDP and 33% of their population. But they contribute just 16% to NATO members total defense spending.

Eastern European countries are much poorer and smaller than Western European countries. They account for 4.2% of NATO members GDP and 12.7% of their population. But Eastern Europe contributes 2.7% to defense spending. In effect, Eastern Europe contributes closer to its fair share than its far wealthier and stronger neighbors to the west.

On one hand, this makes sense. Eastern Europe faces more immediate threats than Western Europe. Eastern Europeans still have fresh memories of Soviet domination. As such, Russian aggressiveness poses a very real threat. On the other hand, it highlights that some NATO members that are able to contribute more are not pulling their weight.

The Imperative

After Mattiss meeting with defense ministers, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg made a statement: This is not the US telling Europe to increase defense spending. This is 28 allies, heads of states and governments sitting around the same table in 2014, and looking into each others eyes and agreeing that we shall increase defense spending.

The NATO secretary generals analysis is wrong. This is the US telling Europe to increase its defense spending. Either there will be a distinct change in NATO members behavior, or there will be a change in US support for NATO. If the second scenario takes shape, NATO will be replaced by a greater emphasis on important bilateral relationships.

The US has asked for help and hasnt gotten it. Now, the US is now demanding help. NATO member states face a serious choice over whether to give the US what it wants.

I've discussed the goals of the US with regard to NATO in great depth in This Week in Geopolitics (subscribe here for free). The US wants NATO meetings to be gatherings of officials from 28 allies, each clear-eyed about the alliances goals, and each bearing a proportional share of that cost. For the US, that is a measure of success. It is not a description of reality.

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MARTINSVILLE-If you want to know what the cars of the future will be like, just ask a teenager.

They are the ones who will be the engineers of the future who create those cars.

Recently, four of them got to present their ideas of future technology in automobiles, and they got a sneak peek at 2018 car models. They were Joey Martin, Dustin Staples, Julian Vaughn and Luis Romero from Martinsville High School.

The guys attended the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) 2017 Government/Industry Meeting at the Washington (D.C.) Convention Center, accompanied by NSBE chapter advisor Helen Howell.

Dustin, Julian and Luis have worked on projects together for years, including as the crew for WMHS, Martinsville High Schools student news program. Luis and Julian have been presenting at the automotive conference since they were in middle school; Dustin joined in later; and this was Joeys first time.

The purpose of the conference, according to SAEs website, is understanding how technology, regulations and legislation affects the design of light and heavy duty vehicles in terms of safety, environment, and energy conservation is essential to vehicle development. This forum provides opportunities for technical authorities from government, industry, and academia who are leading regulations, pending legislation, and the advanced testing and technology to address these issues influencing future decision making within the industry.

The four presented models they built, and information on, a fuel cell car and a plug-in motorized type.

The students were at the conference by invitation. Earlier in the year, they advised the SAE what their topics would be, and the SAE sent them a package with all the parts needed to build small-scale prototypes. It took the guys a few weeks to build the models, they said  much faster than it took them to build models when they first started presenting at the conference.

We present to the engineers and get their feedback, Luis said. We were trying to create a clean alternative to fuel. Hopefully in later years that research we have done can be used.

It turns out the guys werent too far off the mark on their predictions. Toyota is in the process of building a fuel cell car (like what they guys had displayed) which hasnt been marketed yet, Howell said.

It is important for students to attend the workshop, Howell said, because they are of the generation which will take the industry forward in the future.

During the day, they manned their presentation table and talked about their project with engineers. At night, they toured a showroom which had the automobile manufacturers 2017 models and 2018 models.

We go up there to see the cars of the future, Dustin said.

It was sort of like mind-blowing, Joey said. You see all those nice cars. Every year theyre getting more and more advanced.

He was particularly impressed by a Nissan whose doors open with just a fingerprint, he said. They guys all chucked at the paint job of another car  it was pink and white with the Hello Kitty logo  but liked that it can run for four hours on battery power.

What caught the guys attention the most, they all agreed, were the prices. Most of those were upwards of $40,000 or higher, Julian said, with some prices reaching $90,000.

Luis pointed out that you could buy two houses in Martinsville for the price of one of those cars.

The team from Martinsville High School was the first student team invited to the SAE conference, several years ago, Howell said  and they first were invited when they still were in middle school.

They normally did not bring students to this convention, Howell said. However, after the Martinsville groups impressive demonstrations, they invited a limited number of other high school and college groups to participate.

Its a select group that are invited each year, she said.

She had been involved with SAE when she was the site director for a STEM school in Washington D.C., she said. When she moved to Martinsville, SAE asked me to bring students from Martinsville to the conference.

Mrs. Howell brought this to me when I was in middle school, Julian said. Im one of the originals who went every year. He brought Luis in on the project right away, and Mrs. Howell asked me and Luis to find others would be interested in joining them.

A few other kids have joined their group off and on through the years, they said.

The SAE pays for all of their costs to attend the conference; the student group just pays for its hotel rooms, through fundraisers. This year, Toyota provided them with shirts, Howell said.

Going to the convention is a great experience because were able to meet with different engineers from around the world, Luis said. They all have that same common goal to better the world."

Holly Kozelsky reports for the Martinsville Bulletin. She can be reached at holly.kozelsky@martinsvillebulletin.com
The 2017 Virginia General Assembly session, which concluded this past weekend, was largely a snoozer. It may be remembered more for bills the legislature killed than laws it enacted.

One not-so nifty bit of lawmaking that died in the Senate would have made a state secret out of the chemical cocktails fracking companies inject into the ground as they try to get gas out of it.

The House of Delegates wisely flushed another measure to regulate public bathrooms, ostensibly to bar transgender individuals from restrooms reserved for the gender with which they identify. (Remember how well that worked out in North Carolina?)

But theres one thing lawmakers did this year that may actually be a good idea. Its a law that targets one of the scourges of interstate highways  the left-lane laggard. This species of road hog hangs out in the passing lane at velocities roughly equivalent to traffic on the right, and sometimes at speeds that are slower.

The highly predictable result is clots of jammed-up traffic on our highways and choruses of expletives from drivers caught in them.

More and more states  Indiana, Tennessee, New Jersey, Georgia and Florida, are five  have been going after these lawbreakers in recent years. If youve spent any time on Interstate 81 in the past decade or so, youre well acquainted with the problem.

The laggards tootle along in the passing lane, sometimes below the speed limit, seemingly oblivious to flashing headlights, honking horns, unpleasant hand signals and angry epithets uttered by frustrated drivers in the rear who are merely trying to get around them.

If theyre traveling the speed limit or slightly higher, these drivers are rarely a big problem. But when they drive at 60 mph in the left lane of a highway where the speed limit is 70, they can easily create a traffic-clogging nuisance that becomes dangerous when the obstruction finally clears.

Hanging out in the left lane of a divided highway has been against Virginia law for years. However, that went largely unenforced because never before has the General Assembly prescribed a specific penalty. The omission essentially enabled left-lane dawdling.

What trooper would pull over a motorist and waste his or her time issuing a ticket for which theres no fine? Catching speeders is much more productive, dollarwise.

Anyway, a bipartisan bill enacted this year set the fine for left-lane laggards at $250. Thats now the subject of some dickering between Gov. Terry McAuliffe and the legislature  he prefers $100. Either amount is probably good as a deterrent  the lower figure might even be better for reasons well get into.

The law was sponsored by Dels. Israel OQuinn, R-Bristol, and Margaret Ransone, R-Westmoreland. In the upper chamber, its patron was Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax. It passed both the House and Senate by wide margins.

Essentially, it means drivers may be fined if they drive in the left lane at less than the prevailing traffic speed, unless theyre passing another vehicle on the right or are preparing for a left turn.

On I-81, this is frequently an issue, except for rare stretches where the highway is three lanes in each direction. Some of the most frequent violators are tractor-trailer drivers. We will all be better off if state police initially focus their enforcement efforts on those truckers.

How many times have you been cruising along I-81 at 70 mph (or even slightly higher) when youve witnessed a truck pull into the left lane at the bottom of a long uphill grade?

Ostensibly, they seem to be trying to pass another truck. But often they lack the power to overtake the truck on their right before the hill crests. The typical result is that both trucks travel at 10 mph or so under the limit all the way to the top of a hill, as long lines of other vehicles back up behind them.

When the laggard finally moves over, it creates a frenzy among the frustrated motorists behind. And that leads to barreling left-lane drivers, traveling at higher speeds and too close together. Its a recipe for highway pileups.

(If it were up to me, all trucks would be required to drive on the right, but the trucking industry lobbyists would never allow a law like that to pass.)

With this new law, might those passing truckers escape a conviction by going to court and arguing they were werent violating the law, because it specifically allows for passing? Sure, that could absolutely happen.

But is a trucker going to waste his time in court trying to beat a $100 fine? Probably not. Many of them are from out of state; logistics make their showing up in court highly unlikely. Even truckers from Virginia would have to take time off from work to contest the charge. The hassle of challenging the ticket has a built-in deterrent effect all by itself. The lower fine might be even more effective.

And thats why, if police enforce it properly, this law could result in many more trucks staying to the right lane. Which is exactly where they belong, especially on long uphill grades.

You dont read much praise for the legislature in this column. But every now and then, miracles do happen, and lawmakers act in a bipartisan manner thats in the public interest, in spite of themselves.

This is a law thats long overdue. Well done, Virginia General Assembly!
MARTINSVILLE-With no budgetary fat left to trim, the Virginia Museum of Natural History will soon be forced to cut four to six employees in order to comply with a 7.5 percent state budget cut.

The cuts come as a result of the $107 billion state budget, which restored 2 percent raises for teachers and 3 percent raises for other state employees. A portion of that 7.5 percent cut from each agency helped balance out the cost of the raises.

In a Monday interview with the Martinsville Bulletin, VMNH Executive Director Dr. Joe Keiper said that he does not blame the governor or state elected officials for the museums current set of circumstances; it simply is what it is.

Our appropriation is what is being cut, Keiper said. Our appropriation for the next fiscal year is $2.93 million. We also derive somewhere between $500,000 and $600,000 in various forms of revenue each year, so that adds to our budget.

The bulk of the $2.93 million state appropriation goes toward paying for salaries, benefits and building operations, such as electricity, HVAC, maintenance and upkeep. The 7.5 percent budget cut will reduce that amount by roughly $215,000.

As far as I can tell, in the 30-plus year history of this institution, we are at an all-time low as far as our state appropriation goes, Keiper said. Weve really pared back a lot of our operations. The bottom line in this situation is that there isnt much discretionary cash to cut.

Cuts have already been felt across the museum. Keiper said that he chose not to attend a conference in Phoenix over the past weekend. Conferences are important, he said, but at the moment, they are also a luxury the museum cannot afford.

The museums small fleet of state vehicles has also been grounded, Keiper said. Unless a trip is going to generate revenue or is funded by a grant, the museum simply cant afford to take it.

In order to save pennies, the museum has even been forced to get rid of its photocopier.

We had to lease our photocopier, and we also get charged by the copy on top of that lease, Keiper said. We couldnt afford it. We unplugged it. We no longer make photocopies at the Virginia Museum of Natural History.

To make the reduced state budget work, Keiper said, there is nothing left to cut but staff. Unfortunately, those cuts will be coming sooner rather than later.

I have announced to the staff that unless there is a change at the state at the 11th hour regarding the budget  and Im not anticipating that  were not going to be able to get through the next fiscal year with the staff that we have, he said.

By the numbers

The reason that the cuts will be coming prior to the new fiscal year (which begins July 1) is because it will allow the museum to pay out part of the employee separation packages in the current fiscal year, which will increase the museums savings in the next fiscal year.

For example, Keiper said, if a staffer has a salary and benefits that cost a combined $50,000, and that staffer is laid off due to the budget cut, he or she is entitled to unemployment, a compensation package based on seniority, and a year of health insurance.

Thank God they have this, Keiper said. Its still going to be tough on the people who lose their jobs, but at least they have a bit of a bridge to help.

Because of the cost of the separation package, however, cutting a $50,000 employee will only result in savings of about $15,000. The hope, then, is that by making the cuts during this fiscal year, it will mean that fewer employees are cut than if the museum had waited.

If we wait until July 1, we dont incur that same savings and we would have to lay off more people, Keiper said. As every month goes by, theres the potential to add another position to the list.

Even so, four to six cut employees represent about 18 percent of the museums full-time staff of around 35 people. The challenge will be to maintain all of the museums current services while losing a large chunk of its staff. That will require altering some job descriptions, Keiper said, but he is hopeful that it can be done.

Were still going to have education programs, he said. Were still going to be out in the schools. We fund a full-time position through contributions from the city and county so we can give programs in all the Martinsville/Henry County schools. Were still going to be conducting research projects. Were still going to change out exhibits.

Because of the way the position cuts are structured, Keiper said, the positions will remain open, which means the cut staff could be rehired if the budget situation somehow changed. However, he said, he fully expects that the cut staff will be quickly snapped up by other organizations.

These people are so talented, he said. But its very unlikely that when they pursue their next steps, theyre going to be able to remain here. Theyll be in Roanoke or Richmond or Raleigh-Durham or San Francisco or New York.  Theyre going to have strong resumes.

While the museums board of trustees has offered solid input in coming up with a strategy for the museum going forward, Keiper said, he is ultimately in charge of day-to-day operations, including the hiring and firing of staff. The final decision regarding the cuts will be his, he said.

He well understands the terrible weight of those decisions.

Were talking about peoples lives, he said. If I had it my way, I would not only keep the staff that I have, but I would increase our staff.

It is one thing when somebody loses their job because they dont perform or because theyre not a part of the team, he said. But this situation is entirely different, and he will be forced to cut talented team players.

Nobody comes here to make a million dollars, Keiper said. There are people who work here who could be working in industry. Our curators, for instance; any of them could get a job in industry and be earning two or three times what they make now. They work here because they want to make a difference.

Its times like this that I wish I had come in and not learned anybodys name, he continued. I wish I had sat in my office and dealt solely with donors and policy makers and never got to know any of (the staff). But to be a spokesperson for this organization, youve got to know what theyre doing, and youve got to know who the person is.
MARTINSVILLE  In two years, students wanting to become assistants to physical therapists may no longer have to leave the area to receive training in the field.

Patrick Henry Community College (PHCC) plans to launch an associate of applied science: physical therapist assistant degree program in the spring of 2019. It will take until then to establish the program and start the process of having it accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), according to a report presented to the colleges board on Monday.

The board approved the program in a unanimous vote.

CAPTE is the only accrediting body for physical therapy and physical therapist assistant education programs, which must be accredited in order for graduates to take required licensing exams, said Kris Westover, PHCCs vice president of academic and student development services.

This is to be the colleges first physical therapy program.

In terms of demand, physical therapy assistant is one of the highest growing occupations in our area, Westover said.

The Virginia Employment Commission reports it is the fourth-highest growing occupation in the Martinsville area, and data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show opportunities in the field are expected to increase by 41 percent through 2024, statistics that she presented to the board show.

Yet the closest physical therapist assistant program to the Martinsville area is at the private Jefferson College of Health Sciences in Roanoke, Westover said. Therefore, she thinks local students as well as ones from surrounding localities will benefit from PHCC offering the program, she said.

PHCCs program will be designed to replicate similar programs at three community colleges in other parts of the state. Students will be able to complete the program in five semesters. Sixty-eight credits, including 17 in general education courses, will be required for graduation, documents show.

The college aims to have up to 28 students in the program during a semester, Westover said.

In another matter, the PHCC Board learned that the college will use a one-time $119,700 Pathways Partnership Grant from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to stimulate collaboration with local school systems for an applied engineering learning pathway to be offered in high schools.

Dual enrollment (high school students also enrolled in college classes) will be able to take courses at no cost, Westover said.

Students will be able to complete 36 percent of the requirements to earn an associated of applied science degree in general engineering technology or 60 percent of the requirements to be certified in mechatronics, she said. The latter is a combination of mechanical engineering and electronics.

If they graduate from high school and find this (type of work) is not for them, no harm is done, Westover added. All theyve done is enhanced their skill sets.

The board adopted an amendment to PHCCs sexual misconduct policy to reflect a change made by the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) as a result of changes to state law.

Under the amendment, a student who is suspended for, permanently dismissed for, or has withdrawn from college while under investigation for a violation of the policy will see a notation on his or her record.

Such service indicators or transcript notations are used to alert other colleges and universities that a student potentially has a problem with misconduct or threatening behavior, a report shows.

If an investigation concludes that a student is innocent, the notation is to be immediately removed from his or her record, the policy states.

Before a notation is placed on a students record, he or she must be notified and given the right to appeal, the policy adds.

Policies for sexual misconduct on state-operated college campuses are constantly evolving, so more amendments to PHCCs policy might be necessary in the future, said Jack Hanbury, the colleges vice president for financial and administrative services.

Several amendments already were made in recent years due to changes in state law, recalled college board member Barry Helmstutler.

The board also:

 Learned there was a 72 percent increase in faculty and staff member involvement in activities of the Patrick Henry Community College Foundation in 2016. That shows how much employees care about the college, said Greg Hodges, PHCCs vice president for institutional advancement, effectiveness and campus life. The foundation is the colleges private fundraising arm.

 Adopted a revised emergency operations plan for the college. Only minor changes were made to the plan, which legally must be reviewed and readopted every four years, according to board member Pam Foley.

 Learned from PHCC President Angeline Godwin that VCCS officials continue to review state budget legislation to figure out how community colleges will fare in the coming fiscal year.
It happens every year at the same time. At 12:15 p.m. on March 8, the people of Longyearbyen gather together to celebrate a specific event: the first glimpse of the sun since November. I know, try to say that name five times fast. This is Norway Im talking about, up close enough to the top of the world that polar bears drop in to say hi from time to time. Regardless of the furry creatures, the ceremony itself sounds like something we could learn from.

It doesnt hurt to take a step back at times. Even if the sun hasnt poked through the clouds in a while, situations happen to remind us things around here arent all bad.

Take for example the Hall family. Nobody made them take in a lost German Shepherd and bring it to the local SPCA. There was no reward money, nothing in it for them but kindness, and yet they helped reunite a puppy with her owner, after being lost for two years. Theres all the people who contributed to the GoFundMe site for the Eanes family, as their daughter Brienne recovers from surgery. Some of those gifts are even marked anonymous, not looking to do anything but help some members of the community who could use a hand.

Then theres the kids. Theres nine-year-old Michael James, who recognized that a classmate was sad and wanted to help. Thats it. He didnt get anything out of it. Michael just wanted to help his classmate and his classmates family. When he learned that the classmates brother was sick, he wrote posters and created a fundraiser, trying to make another familys life a little easier.

Theres Carlisle School senior Bayli Shivley, who decided to put pen to paper and wrote 75 Valentines Day cards to senior citizens in Patrick and Franklin counties.

This isnt just something someone should do for a scholarship, Shivley told our own Amie Knowles in the Bulletin story earlier this month. They should do it out of respect and love for their elders.

She just wanted to help. She just wanted to show love and respect.

Bethany Gilbert learned about cancer after her beagle Gracie died from a tumor. Then she saw a five-year-old cancer patient on the television and wanted to come up with a way to help. She started focusing on the kids in the Roanoke Childrens Hospital, specifically the ones battling cancer. She got family members involved, recruited help to collect food and learned how to sew, all part of the larger plan.

I realized there were kids suffering too and I thought I could help make them feel better, Bethany told our reporter Erica, when she was interviewed late last year.

Then theres even the businesses, like Anglers Choice, which held an Open House weekend earlier this month and used it to raise money for St. Jude Childrens Hospital. Back in November, Nelson Automotive went to Patrick County and raised $2,300 for the countys recreation department during their Lords Acre Sale, as well as donated $350 to the 11 churches involved.

These arent the only examples I could give, but Im running out of space. Yes, there are problems in this area. Yes, you can point to the money problems and the infrastructure as things that need to be fixed. You can even extend that argument to some of the schools. But at times like this, we can also step back and look at the good in the community, the things that make us proud to live here. After all, the darkness doesnt last forever.
A question of priorities

Tracking down a comment from Sen. Bill Stanley in Sundays Bulletin, I discovered that North Carolina plans to build an interstate highway (designated I-87) from Raleigh to Portsmouth to get access to our ports. Construction is estimated to take up to 20 years. They already have I-40 that leads to Wilmington. According to a January 2016 article in the Virginian-Pilot, this project is supported by the Virginia Department of Highways, Sen. Warner, and Sen. Tim Kaine. Our state leaders apparently think it more important to support development in North Carolina than in Virginia. Meanwhile we should not expect I-73 right of way acquisition to begin until 2030 at the earliest. At the rate of 40 million state dollars a year, it will take at least 10 years to build it, assuming Congress is supportive. It is possible that the new I-87 will be completed before any of I-73 in Virginia.

Vince Stone

Martinsville

Parents deserve respect too

While reading an article by Holly Kozelsky (Our children deserve respect) Feb. 19, it made me want to say amen, but also made me want to say a lot of parents deserve respect too.

Think about it, folks, when I say a lot of parents are treated real badly today. It seems the word respect is out of the question; that meaning, some kids are telling their parents what to do as if they are the boss. It seems as if they dont their way their temper goes out of control.

I was in a store one time and this parent would not buy their child this item and the child was hollering and fussing crying so loud it seemed the whole store was involved. I could tell the parents were so embarrassed and Im thinking: Now whos the boss of this family?

Did you know a lot of children (and yes, some adults) will put up a fit in order to get their way? Have you ever heard a parent tell their child when they are misbehaving, Just wait til I get you home, Im going to wear you out? Guess what: In most cases its all forgotten about because the parent realizes this is child abuse in todays society. It is pretty sad when we cannot teach our children right and wrong and to have respect for everyone, and when something goes wrong we cannot discipline them anymore.

Yes, children do deserve respect as well as the parents, so why not make it a two way street instead of one way where the child has complete dominance.

Danny Clifton

Ridgeway
On 18 and 19 February a Marxist School was held in Multan. This school was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Russian Revolution. Young comrades from all over the country started arriving in Multan on the evening of 16 February. From Kashmir to Karachi comrades had to travel long distances amid difficult economic conditions, but they arrived with revolutionary enthusiasm. On 17 February a convention of Multan city was organized by the Progressive Youth Alliance in which all comrades participated with Bolshevik spirit. Afterwards they stayed to attend this two day national school. More than 70 comrades participated in the school. The hosts of this school made it a success despite the financial difficulties. The school comprised four sessions - two sessions were held each day.

The first session was on World Perspectives which was chaired by comrade Faras from Karachi while comrade Asif Lashari from D.G.Khan gave the lead off. Lashari explained the crisis of capitalism, which is reflected in events throughout the world. He said that capitalism still has not found any way out of the current impasse and one event after the other adds to this crisis. This crisis is one of the most extraordinary crises in the history of capitalism and with the vast spread of global trade in the last period has had a much more severe impact on the whole world. Today the whole world economy is more integrated than ever and the shocks in the economy at one end are felt all the way at the opposite end of the world. This has also had an impact on the relations between different imperialist powers of the world and is changing the global balance of forces. China and Russia are challenging US imperialism in many regions. In the Middle East the imperialist alliance of Russia and Iran has dealt the Americans a serious blow, while China is gaining influence in South Asia. With the "One Belt One Road" project, on which more than $1 trillion will be spent China is building roads to connect 64 countries. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is also part of this project.

This is having a huge impact on politics. Events which seemed to be impossible a few years ago are becoming routine in world politics. Who could have thought that a person like Donald Trump would become president of the USA or that Bernie Sanders would get a huge response for his socialist slogans. Who could have predicted that Britain would leave the European Union or that a right-wing fundamentalist like Modi would become the Indian prime minister. Today there is a resurgence of polarization to the left and to the right in politics - the speed of political developments is much faster than in the past period. The working class is attracted to radical slogans in a struggle to improve its living conditions.

Polarization is increasing across the whole world. Traditional parties which can't play role in these events are entering into crisis while new parties are emerging. In this epoch it is not only left-wing politics that will emerge, but contradictory currents, to the Left and to the Right will emerge.

This process can be observed in Pakistan where new layers of society are becoming politically active. This can be seen in scattered movements across the country over various issues. Workers are coming out against privatizations, but due to the betrayals of the traditional trade union leadership these movements are not succeeding. There is a big vacuum in the politics of Pakistan both on the Left and on the Right. Sooner or later the rising class struggle will have to find a political expression which might not necessarily be within the current established political set up.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has made Pakistan a battlefield for various imperialist powers. Their conflicts, which are also reflected on the political horizon, are deepening. On 2 February last year a strike by workers of PIA posed new questions for the working class throughout the whole country, including the question of a general strike. Its important that all these scattered movements come together to strike fundamental blows against the ruling class. Those pessimists who have stopped believing in the strength of working class of this country will soon get a shock. We will see that our working class will write new chapters in the history of our struggle.

In these conditions we cannot move forward with old formulas and tactics for building the revolutionary forces. We have to build our strategy and tactics on the basis of the concrete situation facing us. With genuinely revolutionary methods and courage we can overthrow this rotten capitalist system.

After this introduction many comrades asked questions about the topic. Those who contributed in the session include Changez from Balochistan, Mujee Pasha from Faisalabad, Karim Parhar from Balochistan, Paras Jan from Karachi, Razaq Ghurzang from Balochistan and Aftab Ashraf from Lahore.

After the contributions Asif Lashari summed up the session. He said that the situation is demanding that we accelerate our efforts to build the revolutionary party. We have no time to lose. Such interesting times do not come very often. Today a new society can be built and humanity can get rid of this capitalist barbarism forever. History has put this responsibility on our shoulders - that we build a revolutionary party with the ideas of revolutionary Marxism, just like Bolsheviks did 100 years ago. We defend the legacy of the Bolshevik party and it is our responsibility to fulfill this historic task.

The second session was on the topic of the Theory of Permanent Revolution. Comrade Amna from Kashmir chaired the session while comrade Valeed Khan gave the lead-off.

Speaking on Trotsky's theory of permanent revolution, the comrade said that human civilization has travelled a long journey from primitive communism to capitalism, but this was never in a straight line. In different parts of the world the speed and character of development was always different. Thanks to revolutions in certain regions, development was achieved at a much faster speed compared to other societies. This development took the form of changing the social relations and modes of production of these societies. Under capitalism society is divided into two classes - the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. But in some regions capitalist development was distorted. In these places, along with the proletariat, the peasantry was playing an important role in society.

In Russia in 1904 capitalist relations were dominant but the social role of the feudal remnants posed the question of the peasantry in a revolution. In Russia, capitalism arrived not through a classical bourgeois revolution but mainly through investment by foreign capitalists. The result was a numerically weak proletariat - the population of peasants was a lot greater than the proletariat. This led to a debate between various Left currents as to which class would lead the revolution.

The Mensheviks, the Bolsheviks, and Trotsky all had different opinions on this question. The Mensheviks argued that because Russia is predominantly an agrarian society with feudalism dominating the mode of production, the revolution in Russia will be bourgeois democratic and that the bourgeoisie would lead this revolution. Until February 1917 the Bolsheviks were claiming that the Russian bourgeoisie could not lead the revolution due to its impotence in the face of imperialist capital. They said the Russian capitalists would play a reactionary role during the coming revolution. This is why, they said, the workers and peasants would lead the revolution together, and that this revolution would be bourgeois democratic in character. This, they said, would inspire socialist revolutions across Europe, which would in turn, light the spark in Russia for socialist revolution. Trotsky however argued that the Russian revolution would start from democratic demands but would not stop there - it would move forward to implement socialist measures. This revolution would go beyond the boundaries of Russia and mark the beginning of a world socialist revolution. Thus there are two aspects of the process which make it permanent: one is that it would start from democratic demands and move onto socialist ones, while the other is that it would start in one country and would go on spread across the whole world. In 1917 it was this perspective of Trotsky's that was proved correct. Lenin came to agree with it and argued the same points in his famous April Theses upon returning from exile in 1917. But, for various reasons, this successful revolution couldn't spread to other countries in Europe and remained isolated. This led to the rise of a bureaucratic clique inside Russia which strangled the revolution and eventually was the reason for the collapse of the Soviet Union eighty years later.

In his lead-off the comrade said that Stalinist bureaucracy advocated the incorrect theory of socialism in one country which is totally against Marxism and is in fact based on Menshevik theory. This false theory is the reason why many revolutions of twentieth century didn't succeed in Asia and Africa and in fact ended in counter-revolutionary forces coming to power. The collapse of the Soviet Union is proof that the revolution cannot survive within nationalist boundaries and that it must spread to other countries if we are to achieve the final overthrow of world capitalism.

After the lead-off contributions were made by Karim Jamai from Dadu, Umer Riaz from Islamabad, Ubaid Zubair and Yasir Irshad from Kashmir, Adeel Zaidi and Aftab ashraf from Lahore, Zareef Rind from Karachi and Razzaq Ghurzang from Balochistan. In their contributions the speakers said that many countries in the world are proof of combined and uneven economic development, including Pakistan. Here a modern industrial society cannot be developed by capitalism and Trotsky's theory of permanent revolution is immensely important to understand this. Whether it is imperialist aggression or nationalist oppression, only a socialist revolution can end all these injustices. Even 100 years after the Russian Revolution this theory is still relevant. Movements erupting across the whole world can only achieve victory if they move forward, beyond democratic demands, towards socialist revolution. We need to wage a war against capitalism on the basis of the ideas of Marxist internationalism. Valeed Khan summed up the session.

At the end of the sessions on the first day a youth commission was held to discuss the strategy for building the forces of revolutionary Marxism amongst the youth. Comrades from various cities participated and discussed plans to hold youth conventions and other activities in different cities. It was decided that all these activities will be dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution.

On the second day the first session was on Marxist philosophy and modern science. Umar Riaz from Islamabad chaired the session while Zain ul Abideen from Lahore gave the lead-off.

In his lead-off the comrade said that the developments in science it can sometimes seem like we don't need philosophy  all we need is science alone to understand the mysteries of universe. In this way the role of philosophy seems to have ended. But in reality, a philosophy is working beneath all scientific discoveries and inventions, whether it is explicitly recognized or not. But in many cases this philosophy is outdated or insufficient - its replacement with Marxist philosophy, with dialectical materialism, is a necessity for future developments. Science cannot resolve many of the paradoxes it has uncovered and is stumbling into one obstacle after another. This is leading to a re-emergence of religious and spiritual tendencies amongst some scientists to explain various phenomena. Only by understanding scientific processes on the basis of dialectical materialism can science answer its most profound questions. Even the history of the development of science is a dialectical process. Many laws and theories which were considered absolute at one stage were challenged with new research and their exact opposite subsequently became truth. The advances which science has achieved today and the complex processes it is discovering, such as quantum mechanics require Marxist philosophy to help understand them.

Some people say that scientists base their research on facts, but facts do not choose themselves. Without a conscious philosophical outlook scientists can make many serious mistakes. Today science is in crisis and is opening up debates that were thought to have been settled many centuries ago. Science itself needs a revolution  it needs to base itself on dialectical materialism and thereby achieve new heights.

After that questions and contributions started. Ali Shahbaz and Mujee Pasha from Faislabad, Aftab Ashraf and Adeel Zaidi from Lahore, Paras Jan from Karachi and Yasir Irshad from Kashmir took part in the debate and highlighted various aspects of the subject. Zain summed up the session at the end.

The last session of the school was on the topic of imperialism. Mujee Pasha from Faisalabad chaired the session while Razzaq Ghurzang gave the lead off. He based his discussion on Lenin's important work "Imperialism: The Highest stage of Capitalism" and explained the theory set forward in it. He said that surplus production under capitalism inevitably leads to the need for new markets for this surplus. Capitalism was a progressive step for mankind in its beginning, but today it has become a fetter on the further development of the productive forces. The capitalists of the world have waged two world wars and many other smaller wars and civil wars killing millions of human beings, all in the name of re-dividing markets amongst themselves. The nation state which emerged with capitalism has become obsolete and need to be replaced. The comrade also explained the role of multinational companies and how they are looting and plundering the whole world while building monopolies bigger than the economies of many poor countries.

He said that imperialist powers are exporting capital and that this has a different character compared to previous centuries. As opposed to direct control over colonies, as was the case in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, today they are using imperialist financial institutions to dominate countries throughout the world. This imperialist domination causes economic crisis in one country to spread to other parts of the world  this is the basis of the global crisis of capitalism.

After the lead-off comrades from different cities took part in the discussion. Faras from Karachi, Umar Riaz from Islamabad, Zareef Rind from Karachi and Rashid Khalid from Lahore participated and enriched the debate. They highlighted the role of Chinese imperialism in the region and the politics around CPEC. Ghurzang summed up the discussion in light of the questions and contributions. He concluded by saying that only through a socialist revolution we can overthrow imperialism and capitalism.

Comrade Paras Jan gave the closing remarks of the school and pointed out that we successfully organized this school despite financial difficulties. The high political level of the discussions was thanks to the preparations comrades made for these sessions, including the organization of schools in their cities on these topics before coming here. We should now translate these discussions into growth for our organisation and carry these forward to wider layers of youth and workers. The coming period will bring difficulties for us and we must be prepared to fight these obstacles. The ideas of Marxism give us strength to carry our work forward and build a strong revolutionary party to complete the task of socialist revolution.

The school ended with the singing of the Internationale!
SPRINGFIELD -- The stairway linking the top two floors of the new Pope Francis High School, now under construction in Springfield's East Forest Park neighborhood, could be just as important to learning as the building's classrooms.

Called "civic stairs," they're more like a big set of permanent bleachers where students will listen to speakers and collaborate on projects.

It's one of the design features that make Pope Francis High School suited not just to 21st century education but also to Catholic values like community, said architect Paul Viccica, principal and leader of CBT's Academic Design Group.

Viccica, who along with CBT co-workers has designed projects for Williams College, Smith College and Northfield Mount Hermon, spoke recently on the elements he thinks help make the new Pope Francis High School special.

"I think Pope Francis looks more like a college than a junior high school," Viccica said. "Which is good. You are not going backward in your academic life. You are going forward."

He described how having classrooms open not onto a long hallway but into the library helps foster collaborative learning. So does having teacher's rooms in prominent, visible spots and grouping the public areas like the cafeteria, theater and chapel on the first floor.

Viccica described how the science classrooms include a "makerspace" not just for STEM -- science, technology, engineering and math -- but for the arts as well.

"Engineering is about making things. Art is about making things," Viccica said. "The 21st-century philosophy is not to isolate people."

He's got a simple architect's trick when it comes to making sure today's teens congregate in some spots and not others: They go where you put the USB ports they use to charge their phones.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield is building the $55 million regional high school on the site of Cathedral High School, which was heavily damaged in the 2011 tornado.

The new school, already up and running at a temporary site in Chicopee, combines both Cathedral and Holyoke Catholic High School. That leaves the region with just two Catholic high schools, the other being St. Mary in Westfield. St. Joseph Central High School in Pittsfield closes for good at the end of this year.

For a time, it looked like the diocese would not rebuild on the old Cathedral site. But the neighborhood, the city of Springfield and U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, lobbied hard to keep it there.

The new school will accommodate 500 to 550 students.

Viccica said part of the design is to bring the Holyoke Catholic and Cathedral heritages together.

"How do we design the physical space to both honor their heritages, because that is important, and to help them combine into one entity?" he said.

He showed off pictures of heritage display areas on the first and third floors.

Having three floors will bring people together, Viccica said. No more classrooms sprawled out over a big, horizontal space where a sense of community can be lost. It all gets back to using architecture to bring people together.

CBT doesn't just design schools. Its corporate clients are looking for office space that fosters the same kind of collaborative work.

Viccica's job here is to make sure that the space also lends itself to teachers being able to supervise.

"No longer are you walling down a corridor," he said. "Literally and figuratively, those places are not only interconnected, they are made active and busy."

He sees the admissions department gathering prospective students on the civic stair for a presentation. As they sit there, the life of the community unfolds around them.

The guidance office is front and center, by the entrance. That way students and prospective students feel more welcomed and less intimidated.

"Pope Francis is exactly the kind of project that we love to do and that we have a great deal of practice doing," he said.
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 Boston Celtics are among the four teams expected to chat with Andrew Bogut before the big man decides on his next team, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

Andrew Bogut is expected to hold talks with Cleveland, San Antonio, Houston and Boston before choosing his next team, league sources say.  Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 27, 2017

Bogut, 32, remains an elite rebounder and interior defender when healthy. Assuming he can stay on the court, he could still lift the Celtics in several of the ways they need. Out of all the buyout free agents, he's the one who makes the most sense from their side. Still, the big man could decide he wants a better chance to win a title, which he could find in Cleveland or San Antonio, or a bit more money, which Houston can offer.

USA Today's Sam Amick reported Bogut hopes to pick his next team by Tuesday.
The jury is in: 16 jurors, to be exact, who will be sworn in Wednesday to begin the double-murder trial of convicted-murderer Aaron Hernandez.

The case against the former Patriots tight end is set to begin in Boston at Suffolk Superior Court Wednesday, after a long process to secure impartial jurors. Hernandez is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado in 2012.

Prosecutors say that Hernandez shot de Abreu and Furtado six times at a stop light outside of Boston's Cure Lounge after he became angry over a spilled drink.

Prosecutors also say that Hernandez shot former friend Alexander Bradley in the face to keep him quiet about the double-murders. Bradley has said he was in the car with Hernandez when he shot de Abreau and Furtado. The two settled a lawsuit in February 2016, and Bradley is expected to testify in the case.

It took time for the court to find unbiased jurors for the case of a high-profile former Patriots player in Massachusetts, a man already serving a life sentence for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd, who was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiance at the time of his death. When a potential juror was questioned just two weeks ago, she reportedly cited "Deflategate" as being somehow connected to the trial (which reportedly also made Aaron Hernandez laugh).

Hernandez is being represented by attorney Jose Baez, who previously defended Casey Anthony in another high-profile murder case. Anthony was ultimately found not guilty in the death of her two-year-old daughter.

Hernandez is currently serving a life-sentence at a correctional center in Shirley, Masachusetts for the murder of Lloyd in 2013. The 2012 double-murder trial is set to begin Wednesday, March 1 at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston.
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Dr. Jay Burton is founder of Survivor Journeys.

(Republican file/Dave Roback)

SPRINGFIELD - Area non-profit Survivor Journeys is launching its Cancer Survivor Mentoring Program with a free breakfast event March 25 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Baystate Medical Center's Chestnut Conference Center, 759 Chestnut St.

Dr. Jay Burton, the organization's founder and a cancer survivor, calls the program, which is not affiliated with any hospital, a first in the area, part of a growing trend and an expansion of what Survivor Journeys offers.

"No one type of emotional support can be expected to meet the personal needs of a cancer survivor or caregiver. Our cancer specific support groups, bereavement group, and pet therapy program provide fantastic emotional support to the people who are involved with them. However, some people might not feel comfortable with these type of support forms," Burton said.

"The mentoring program provides another type of emotional support, using a one-on-one approach with mentors who have experienced cancer, it's treatment, and lifestyle changes being matched with a mentee with a similar cancer, treatment, gender, and social situation if possible."

Burton said the event is designed to help build awareness for his non-profit organization as well as the Primary Care Cancer Survivorship Program of Western Massachusetts that he established at Springfield Medical Associates.

A primary care physician based in his practice's Enfield office, Burton is a seven-year survivor of adult acute myeloid leukemia. This is type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes abnormal white or red blood cells or platelets.

Burton said his own cancer experience made him aware of the need for programs, like mentoring, for survivors, as their care evolves from a focus on the "oncology of cancer care" to finding ongoing support after diagnosis and treatment.

"When I was deciding upon my treatment plan, a friend of mine connected me to his college roommate who also had AML and a stem cell transplant at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. This one-hour phone conversation greatly reassured me that my treatment plan was the correct one. He also gave me valuable information as to how to live my life while I was in treatment and afterwards. I never forgot the importance of that encounter, and I knew I had to bring this form of support to our region," Burton said.

"Survivor Journeys and PCCSP exist to fill the gaping void regarding cancer survivorship care locally. We want to educate our local hospitals, oncologist, and primary care physicians about cancers survivorship care so they can better care for their patients. This will not be easy, but I am hoping that local hospitals, oncologists, and primary care physicians can join with us to improve the lives of cancer survivors, caregivers, and families in our region."

Burton is among the speakers at the event, along with Gloria Carleton, the nonprofit's director of programs with a master's degree in social work, Craig Moore, cancer survivor and prospective mentor, and Kara Sawyer, nurse practitioner, cancer survivor and prospective mentor.

Facilitators of the nonprofit's support groups as well as board members will also be in attendance.

In its work, Survivor Journeys partners with Friend For Life Cancer Support Network, a national network of cancer survivors and caregivers who provide one-on-one support to others diagnosed with cancer as well as to their loved ones, and Volunteer Management in Cancer Care, a coalition of cancer centers and mentoring organizations.

Burton said a survivor or caregiver interested in being a mentor "has to be medically cleared by their oncologist or primary care physician."

"There have to be at least two references who give a positive indication that this person would be a good mentor. We also have a training-on-line module that mentors have to view and participate in, all prior to becoming a mentor," said Burton, adding he is "very grateful to Friend for Life for mentoring us."

The event at the Chestnut center will be in 1A and B. To RSVP, call (413) 276-6100 or email survivorshipprogram@gmail.com
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Benjamin Martinez, shown here at his 2014 arraignment in Hampden District Court, is a suspect in the 2004 stabbing death of 35-year-old Caridad Puente.

(File photo / Don Treeger / The Republican)

SPRINGFIELD -- Defense lawyer Mary Anne Stamm told Hampden Superior Court jurors Monday her client, Benjamin Martinez, will take the stand in his own defense at the end of his murder trial for the fatal stabbing of Caridad Puente in 2004 in Springfield.

Stamm said in her opening statement that Martinez will tell jurors he was in Puente's apartment but did not kill her. She said Martinez is going to be able to tell jurors "who it was that killed Caridad Puente."

Jurors heard opening arguments and saw a photo of Puente's body, showing many wounds, in a seated position in a closet.

Martinez, 48, of Chicopee, was arrested in 2014 after his DNA was found to match blood in the apartment as well as DNA recovered from under Puente's fingernails and various places at the scene of her killing a decade earlier.

Puente was 35 when she was found dead in her apartment at 443 Taylor St. in Springfield on June 9, 2004. Puente, who was stabbed 30 times, was pregnant at the time of her death.

Puente's 11-month-old child was found screaming and covered in his mother's blood next to her in the closet.

Elizabeth Puente, Caridad Puente's sister, testified that when she gained entrance to the apartment through a window, she found her sister in the closet with the 11-month-old.

"He was at her side. He was covered in blood and he was crying," she said.

Elizabeth Puente had been called by Caridad Puente's 10-year-old son when his mother didn't answer the door when he got home from school.

Assistant District Attorney Karen J. Bell told jurors in her opening statement that Puente was stabbed multiple times in her face and the back and front of her neck. Her carotid artery and jugular were severed, and a knife went into her chest cavity.

There were defensive wounds, Bell said. The fingernail of Puente's index finger on her left hand was almost completely broken off and Martinez's DNA was found under that nail, Bell said.

Bell told jurors they will hear evidence that Puente was a drug dealer, and Martinez was a drug addict.

Stamm said Martinez will explain how his DNA came to be in the apartment. The presence of his DNA there doesn't mean he killed Puente, Stamm said.

She said jurors will hear evidence about DNA and other evidence being improperly handled that will give them reason to question the DNA evidence.

Stamm said there will be testimony on leads not followed by police, such as Puente's cell phone and computer. There will be other testimony about two men who had rented rooms from Puente and about other men connected to Puente.

Judge Richard J. Carey has ruled Stamm cannot present "third-party culprit" evidence.

In Massachusetts, a defendant is sometimes entitled to present evidence that another person committed the crime. To be admissible, the evidence must be relevant, not too remote or speculative and must not confuse the jury by diverting their attention to collateral matters. Judges decide whether third-party culprit evidence can be admitted at trial.

Carey said he would allow Stamm to present evidence trying to show police did not fully investigate other possible suspects in the slaying, which remained a cold case for 10 years.
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Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker appeared on CBS with Brian Kelly, editor and chief content officer for US News & World Report. (CBS screenshot)

Eyebrows were up after an Associated Press report said Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker sat next to Ivanka Trump during the black-tie gala at the White House over the weekend. What did they talk about?

Baker, appearing on CBS This Morning to highlight US News & World Report naming Massachusetts the "Best State," said he and President Trump's daughter discussed the opioid epidemic.

"It's not just an issue in Massachusetts but an issue around the country," Baker said.

Baker, a Republican, noted he worked with a Democrat-dominated state Legislature to pass opioid legislation, which sought to cover prevention, education, and in particular better training for prescribers.

The law also calls for an opioid prescription limit of a 7-day supply for adults.

When one of the CBS hosts noted that Baker did not vote for either Trump or Hillary Clinton in 2016, the governor said many states are well-versed in bipartisanship.

"I would like to see Washington move in that direction as well," he said.

Baker appeared on CBS with Brian Kelly, editor and chief content officer for US News & World Report.

The top ranking for Massachusetts is a result of ecosystems centered on technology, healthcare, finance and education, according to Baker. "It's a terrific mix."
The pilot who died when a homebuilt, single-engine plane crashed into a Methuen condominium complex Tuesday was a former city councilor and mayor from Newburyport, authorities said during a press conference.

The pilot has been identified as Al Lavender, according to CBS Boston.

Methuen Police Captain Randy Hagger said the crash occurred at the Prides Crossing Condominiums on Riverview Boulevard in Methuen. The complex is near the Lawrence Municipal Airport, where the pilot was attempting to land.

The plane landed on the roof and into two condominiums. There was a fire after the crash.

No one was home at the time of the crash. The building is inhabitable, officials said.

The pilot died at the scene.

Methuen Fire Chief Tim Sheehy said firefighters aggressively attacked the fire. Sprinklers inside the building helped keep the fire "at bay," the chief said.

Three-quarters of the plane was inside one apartment. The propeller-driven plane crashed into the roof of building number 7.

The Federal Aviation Administration responded to the scene. Newburyport records show Lavender served as mayor from 2002 to 2003.
crooser.jpg

(The Republican file)

SPRINGFIELD - A home health aide is facing larceny and check forgery charges after allegedly stealing more than $12,000 from an elderly client.

Yvonne Peak-Temple, 55, of Southwick, pleaded not guilty in Springfield District Court to check forgery, larceny by check over $250, and larceny under $250.

Using her client's checkbook, Peak-Temple allegedly wrote 12 fraudulent checks to herself, totaling $12,862, while working as a live-in health aide, Assistant District Attorney Cary Szafranski said last week.

In late April, Peak-Temple was hired to care for the woman and her husband in their home on Porter Lake Drive in Springfield. The couple's daughter, who lives in eastern Massachusetts and has power of attorney over their finances, hired Peak-Temple, the prosecutor said.

The majority of checks were stolen between April and early July, before Peak-Temple quit her job, citing health reasons, the prosecutor said. Several checks were stolen and cashed around Christmas when Peak-Temple returned to have dinner with the couple, the prosecutor said.

They regarded "Ms. Peak-Temple as a good friend of the family," Szafranski said.



The daughter recently noticed discrepancies in her mother's accounts and reported them to the Bank of America. The bank identified 12 checks apparently forged by Peak-Temple, according to a summary of the investigation written by Springfield Police Detective Eric Ganley.

Ganley recommended imposing high cash bail, noting that Peak-Temple has ties to Connecticut, North Carolina and South Carolina.

But defense lawyer Steven Nison asked for his client's release on $1,000 personal surety, based on her lack of a criminal record, her family ties to the area and the fact that she turned herself in after learning a warrant had been issued.

The victim's daughter also testified during the hearing, and urged Judge Robert Murphy to release Peak-Temple without cash bail.

"We obviously want the defendant to make full restitution," the daughter added.

Murphy released her on personal recognizance, with orders to have no contact with her former client and stay away from her Porter Lake home.

Peak-Temple is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on April 4.
EASTHAMPTON -- With the advent of legal recreational marijuana in Massachusetts, what's the best way for a small city to respond?

Marijuana and local zoning will be the topic of a March 7 Planning Board discussion, said Planning Director Jessica Allan. No decisions will be made, but the public is invited to attend, ask questions, and express concerns.

On Nov. 8, Massachusetts voters approved Question 4 legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. The law became effective on Dc. 15. However, state regulations have yet to be issued, and many questions remain about how the law will be implemented.

Allan said the state's timeline won't give towns and cities much of a margin to put zoning laws in place.

A three-member "Cannabis Control Commission" is supposed to issue "initial regulations" by March 15. The commission will begin accepting certain applications for recreational marijuana facilities on April 1, and issue licenses within 90 days. Final state regulations are due July 1.

Some legal experts are recommending that municipalities adopt ordinances or bylaws before the state applications are filed on April 1. But until the final regulations are issued, a number of questions will remain, including whether standalone cultivation facilities will be allowed.

Certain things are known under the newly-enacted Chapter 351 of the Acts of 2016.

Municipalities are allowed to regulate marijuana establishments, provided that any ordinance or bylaw is not "unreasonably impractible."

If a city wants to prohibit marijuana establishments, or limit the number to fewer than 20 percent of liquor store licenses, then the matter must be decided by local voters at a statewide election following a ballot initiative.

It's the opposite for so-called "marijuana cafes." Municipalities may, upon petition of 10 percent of the voters, present at the next state election the question of whether such cafes will be allowed.

A municipality may not prohibit a recreational pot facility in "any area" where a medical marijuana center is located, but the law does not defined the word "area."

The law allows any town or city to adopt a 2 percent local sales tax on recreational marijuana products.

A number of cities and towns are looking at establishing temporary moratoriums on approving recreational marijuana facilities, to give leaders a chance to put zoning laws in place.

Easthampton adopted a zoning code for medical marijuana in 2014. Among other things, it requires that no odor be detectable outside the building. It bans medical marijuana facilities within 200 feet of any school, and prohibits on-site consumption. The facilities are allowed in the Industrial and Mill Industrial - Mixed Use zoning districts with Planning Board approval.

Currently, a medical marijuana dispensary and grow facility is under construction at 122 Pleasant Street. The Hampden Cares facility is due to be complete sometime this year. Medical marijuana facilities will have first dibs on recreation licenses under the new law.

Allan said regulating recreational marijuana facilities will present a different set of challenges.



"The March 7 Planning Board meeting will offer an opportunity for residents, business owners and local officials to learn more about recreational marijuana from a zoning perspective," she said.

If you go:



What: Planning Board discussion on marijuana zoning

When: Tuesday, March 7 at 6 p.m.

Where: 50 Payson Ave. Muncipal Building
SOUTHWICK

-- Three teenagers, fleeing police at a high rate of speed on Route 10 Monday night, were taken to area hospitals after their car crashed into several trees about a mile over the Connecticut line.

The victims, two females and a male in their late teens, suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to a release issued by police in Granby, Connecticut where the crash occurred.

A Southwick police officer attempted to stop the 1999 Honda on Route 10 for erratic operation and possible drunken driving shortly after 10:45 p.m.

The car fled south at a high rate of speed with the Southwick officer in pursuit, according to the release.

The Southwick officer reported that he lost sight of the car shortly after crossing the state line. A short time later he came upon the crash scene on Route 10, near Lakeside Drive, in Granby.

No Connecticut police were involved in the pursuit.

Initial investigation determined the car crossed the center line, left the east side of the road and hit several trees.

The Granby Fire Department assisted with the extrication of the occupants. EMTs reported the victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The crash remains under investigation. Police have not released the names of the victims.

Route 10 was closed in both directions until about 6 a.m. while the North Central (Connecticut) Accident Reconstruction Team processed the scene. That section of Route 10 is also known as Salmon Brook Street.

This is a developing story. Additional information will be released as soon as it is available.
21929388-mmmain.jpg

The state Department of Secondary Education has rejected the Pioneer Valley Chinese Charter School's expansion request after a lengthy discussion Monday night.

(Republican file )

HADLEY -- The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education rejected the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School's request to expand its enrollment after a lengthy discussion Monday night.

State Education Commissioner Mitchell D. Chester had recommended the board vote in favor of the expansion. And, typically, the board "votes in line with the commissioner's recommendations, as was the case on the other items last night," according to education department spokeswoman Jacqueline Reis.

The vote was seven against the expansion request and two in favor. The board Monday night approved adding three new charter schools and the expansion of two others, which the commissioner had supported.

In an email, the school's executive director, Richard C. Alcorn, said the board's decision "came as a surprise." He echoed Reis, writing that the board "typically supports the Commissioner."

Alcorn said he will be meeting the school trustees later this week "to discuss how to move forward. I remain optimistic we will be able to make more seats available for students who wish to come" to the Chinese charter school.

The Chinese charter school had asked to increase its enrollment limit by 452 students.

The current enrollment is 471, with up to 584 students allowed to attend.

But the fact that the school is not full was in part responsible for the board rejecting the request.

Paul Sagan, chairman of the state education board in a statement said, the board voted against the expansion "was in large part a response to a concern that the school did not demonstrate to us a demand by students and their families for more capacity at the school.

He wrote that the school has more than 100 open seats available, "and the Board was looking for more evidence of demand for those spots."

Alcorn said school officials asked for the expansion now because it wants to build a new high school and needed to be able to expand to apply for and secure a mortgage.

Alcorn said the school's trustees want to offer a high school that's similar in size to others that offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, which the Chinese charter school began offering in 2015. He expects an expansion would be phased in over about 13 years.

Amherst officials were among those who were concerned about the proposed expansion and were pleased with the education board's vote.

Interim Amherst School Superintendent said in an email he believes the board "saw the merit of the arguments (against expansion) made by many individuals and elected officials and boards from many communities."

The charter school serves students from more than 30 area communities.

He said board members voting against the expansion included "multiple pro-charter school Board members who voted for all other new charter schools and charter expansions last night except this one, which indicated that the concerns raised in this particular case were compelling to the Board."

Some area officials worried the Chinese school's expansion would hurt the budgets of area schools, and argued the school was not meeting its mandate to serve an ethnically diverse student body, or to serve students with disabilities or from low-income families. Alcorn has disputed those arguments, and says the school does serve those students.

Amherst School Committee chairwoman Katherine Appy, who attended the meeting, said in an email that she thinks the state board was concerned about "the impact the expansion would have on small school districts."

She said some were concerned the Chinese charter school's student population "does not reflect the diversity of sending districts."

Also she said with about 100 additional seats currently unfilled at the school, "the need for the expansion was questioned."

Appy also claimed the board was concerned about a report on exit surveys conducted with some parents of special education students who withdrew their children from the school an who expressed issues with the school.

Amherst officials sent the report -- produced by a former co-chair of the Chinese school's family association, and presented to the school's board of trustees in May 2016 -- to the state education board within the last few days.

Alcorn Monday was upset with what he called an 11th-hour campaign against expansion. He believed the state board already had the report after it was presented last May.

Appy said the report was sent "as soon as it was sent to some of us in the district and once we could verify that the sender wanted the Board to have this information."

"Perhaps it was the 11th hour, but I'm glad that the Board of Education was able take this important vote with full information," Appy wrote. "I think that's how important decisions should be made."

In regard to addressing concerns raised, Alcorn wrote: "I believe a lot of our work will focus on correcting misconception(s) by presenting additional facts."

Despite the rejection, he wrote he thinks the school "made real progress securing the support of the board for the expansion."

State officials granted the charter to the school in 2007 to teach 300 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. In 2012, the state allowed the school to add a ninth grade, then in 2013 allowed the school to add grades 10 through 12 with the cap at 584 students.

Chinese charter officials have been seeking the higher numbers for the last several years.

Marc Kenen, executive director of the Massachusetts Charter Public Schools Association, wasn't surprised by the vote. The board "praised the performance of the school." But, he said, it wasn't "satisfied with the proposal itself. It wanted to the school to do more work."

He said his group does not consider the vote a rejection, but a postponement.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is investigating a death that occurred on the tracks of an inbound train in Ashland Monday night.

Transit police responded to Ashland around 10:20 p.m. after receiving reports of a person possibly struck by the train.

Authorities said multiple transit police units and emergency response teams from Ashland arrived at the scene.

Transit police identified the victim as a male, around the age of 17.

Authorities said he was on track 2 in the vicinity of the Fountain Street Overpass when he was struck by a inbound Worcester Line train.

No further information about the victim or details surrounding the incident has been released at this time. The Middlesex District Attorney's Office is currently investigating the incident along with Transit police detectives.

This is an ongoing story and will be updated as more details become available
turlough.jpg

Turlough McConnell

(PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK PAGE)

HOLYOKE -- Plugged into the Irish-American culture as he is, Turlough McConnell knew of the Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade Committee's Ambassador Award, which means he was surprised to learn he would be receiving it.

"The award came as a complete and total surprise. I had heard of the award over the years and had/have many friends who were worthy recipients. Never thought I would be invited to accept it. A huge honor," said McConnell, president and CEO of Turlough McConnell Communications of Brooklyn, New York.

Also a writer and producer, McConnell and his company produce live events and documentaries about Irish America. The company also does marketing and promotions, works with museums and exhibitions on curatorial, production, tour management and marketing, offers production coordination, script development and marketing for film and multi-media presentations and develops print products like books, catalogs and brochures.

The Ambassador Award is presented to a person or organization that has worked to promote the relationship between the people of the Republic of Ireland and the people of the United States.

The Parade Committee announced McConnell was the Ambassador Award's 26th recipient on Thursday and he communicated with The Republican by email on Friday.

Turlough McConnell Communications works include:

"1916 - 2016: Proclaiming the American Story"

"How the Nuns of New York Tamed the Gangs of New York:

"A Monumental Legacy: Archbishop John J. Hughes and The Building of St. Patrick's Cathedral"

"Ireland's Great Hunger Museum, Musaem an Ghorta Mhoir"

"The Brian P. Burns Collection of Irish Paintings: Portrait of a People"

"Treasures of New York, St. Patrick's Cathedral"

"Joker at the Universe: The Family of James Joyce," a play

"Eight Works from the Brian P. Burns Collection of Irish Art: Celebrating the Restoration of St. Patrick's Cathedral"

"Celebrating 250 Years of the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade."

McConnell will be honored at the Ambassador's Breakfast the morning of the parade here on March 19. To buy tickets contact Brynn Feyre at brynnfeyre@yahoo.com.

McConnell, 68, said he was looking forward to attending the parade events.

"How blessed am I to be able do work that provides such personal satisfaction for so many years. In receiving this award, I am surprised and honored to discover that my work has meaning for others. The Saint Patrick's Committee of Holyoke has my deepest gratitude," McConnell said.

The 66th Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade will be March 19 and the 42nd Holyoke St. Patrick's Road Race will be the day before.

For more information visit holyokestpatricksparade.com
Authorities said the two people killed inside a Peabody home on Feb. 18 were shot and stabbed to death.

The announcement listing the causes of death for 37-year-old Mark Greenlaw and 40-year-old Jennifer O'Connor were released by the Essex County District Attorney's Office on Tuesday after the second suspect, Wes Doughty, was arraigned on two counts of first-degree murder.

Authorities allege Doughty and his co-defendant, 45-year-old Michael Hebb, shot Greenlaw in the head. O'Connor was stabbed in the neck and torso, officials said.

The district attorney's office said the victims' bodies were not dismembered.

Greenlaw and O'Connor were found inside 19 Farm Ave. in Peabody after a woman told Massachusetts State Police that a crime had been committed inside the home.

Hebb, who is from Peabody, was arrested on Feb. 20. He was arraigned on two counts of first-degree murder and was ordered held without bail.

Doughty went on the run after the killings and is accused of carjacking a man in Middleton. Authorities said Doughty took the car to South Carolina, where he was caught. He was arrested in Spartanburg, South Carolina after police found him panhandling.

Doughty faces charges out of Salem District Court in connection with the carjacking on Feb. 22.

He was held without bail after his arraignment on the murder charges in Peabody District Court Tuesday.
BELCHERTOWN

- Prosecutors have filed criminal harassment charges against Ashley Koske, one of the teenagers who admitted bullying South Hadley High School student Phoebe Prince before she took her own life in January 2010, in a new and unrelated case.

The new charges stem from social media messages and texts sent by Koske, of South Hadley and formerly known as Ashley Longe, in which she allegedly threatened to slash another woman's "tires and throat," according to The Daily Hampshire Gazette.

The alleged victim reported the messages in November.

On Feb. 22, Koske pleaded not guilty in Eastern Hampshire District Court to threatening to commit murder, threatening to damage a motor vehicle and criminal harassment, the Gazette reported Monday.

She is reportedly free on personal recognizance with special conditions and due back in court on March 20.

In 2011, Koske, then 18, admitted to facts sufficient for a delinquency finding on a misdemeanor criminal harassment charge in connection with Prince's suicide. The case was continued without a finding until she turned 19 in April 2012.

Prince's mother praised Longe's "courage" in a victim impact statement, saying she had shown "accountability and remorse."
Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito visits Northampton

Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito speaks to local media after meeting with Mayor David J. Narkewicz, left, and 11 of his department heads in City Hall Tuesday as part of her sweep through the state on a Building Stronger Communities tour, April 7, 2015. (Michael S. Gordon / The Republican)

(Republican file photo)

The state has reinforced its commitment to workforce development in the heart of the commonwealth by granting nearly $3 million in capital funding to 10 colleges and public schools.

The grants were awarded by the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center and will be used by the schools to fund workforce programs in the STEM fields.

Mount Wachusett Community College, in Gardner, received more than half of that funding to help construct a Medical Laboratory Technology/Clinical Laboratory Science facility.

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito joined MLSC president Travis McCready and representatives from across Central Massachusetts to celebrate the grant funding round.

"By training middle school and high school students on state-of-the-art STEM equipment, and creating new pipelines for workforce development and scientific breakthroughs, these awards will create new economic opportunities in Central Massachusetts, and help build a stronger commonwealth," Polito said.

For many of the schools, the grant funding is an opportunity to repair and replace outdated labs and equipment. For example, Quaboag Middle Innovation School, in Warren, will use its $50,000 portion of funding to purchase new textbooks and robotics kits.

Framingham State University is using the $454,000 it received to complete 16 new state-of-the-art biology and chemistry laboratories.

The Baker-Polito Administration is positioning Central Massachusetts to become a major hub of biotechnical research and development.

In January, Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill allowing the state to sell 44 acres of unused land on the former Worcester State Hospital campus to the Worcester Business Development Corporation

The WBDC is planning to build a biotech park that might employ more than 500 people. LakePharma is already in talks with the WBDC to become a tenant.

"Our ongoing efforts to deliver a high-quality STEM education to middle- and high-school students, and our focus on delivering impactful workforce training opportunities at community colleges and other institutions of higher education, will allow Massachusetts residents to access quality careers in growing fields, including robotics, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and biotechnology," Baker said.
The story of how Geoffrey Zakarian went from being an aspiring economics student from Worcester to one of America's most skilled and popular chefs involves El Morocco, a grasshopper and a suit.

Zakarian told the long and winding story to a nearly packed auditorium at The Hanover Theatre Monday night during an interview hosted by Discover Central Massachusetts. He also discussed the future of Worcester's dining renaissance and fielded questions from the audience.

But first, El Morocco.

"Who even remembers the old El Morocco?" Zakarian asked, resulting in roaring applause. "Just an amazing restaurant... It was liked HBO or Netflix made a movie of a Lebanese restaurant but it was like (the movie) 'Casino.'"

Long before Zakarian graced the Food Network on shows like Chopped and Iron Chef, he got himself a fake ID and became a bartender at the original El Morocco in Worcester. He made a ton of money, even though he didn't always know what he was doing.

"Someone came in and ordered a grasshopper, people used to order stuff like that back then," Zakarian said. "I didn't want to go to the bartender book because that was very embarrassing... so I would say, 'Sir, how would you like that prepared.'"

"I was a complete fraud," he added.

Nevertheless, he made more than $450 in tips one night and bought a $400 suit over at The Moon, an old fashion boutique in Worcester.

Zakarian would later travel to Paris when he was studying economics in school. While there, Zakarian would save his money and spend every Friday evening eating at a Michelin-rated restaurant.

"I would survive on wine and cheese the rest of the week," Zakarian joked.

That suit, the trip and a growing up cooking dinner every night with his Armenian family in Worcester made Zakarian the culinary force he is today.

In addition to the Chopped series on Food Network and winning an Iron Chef America competition, Zakarian owns a restaurant group consisting of half a dozen eateries across America staffed by more than 800 people.

With Worcester on the cusp of becoming a dining destination in the northeast, Zakarian's talk was a chance for the dozens of restaurant owners in the audience to learn from arguably Worcester's finest culinary success story.

"It's about the customer," Zakarian said. "The customer, whatever they want, they should get. Eliminate the rules."

For example, if a patron comes alone waiting for a party of six, Zakarian said it's absurd to not seat that customer immediately.

"Take care of the customer at all costs," Zakarian said. "Remember, it's the only business where a customer is absolutely going to spend money if they walk in."

He also said Worcester's dining scene is going to need more foodies interested in eating out two to three times a week. For the city to truly take off as a dining destination, a culture of spending will need to grow.

"It's a fiscal thing. It's about money. It's very expensive to open a restaurant," Zakarian said. "At the best, if you do 5 or 10 percent return you're a genius."

Ultimately, Zakarian's best advice harkened back to his childhood growing up as a 4-year-old food-snob, when everything was made fresh, from scratch and tasted great.

"It wasn't that we were snobs in a bad way, we didn't have any money and couldn't afford to go out every night," Zakarian said. "At 4, you're a snob because you have tasted everything that's real. When you taste a yogurt made by your mother, it stands out."

Zakarian carries that philosophy today: "Don't do cheap food, cheap food doesn't work. We don't do cheap food, we can't... A real Maine lobster costs money. You're going to have to spend the money, but it's worth it."
The former owner of a Mendon ballroom was sentenced to one year of probation in federal court after he previously pleaded guilty to a tax fraud charge.

Jon "Eddie" Rouleau, 63, was the former owner of the Myriad Ballroom in Mendon. He owned and operated the ballroom until he sold the business and property in 2014, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts.

Federal agents began an investigation in 2013 when Rouleau first advertised that the property was for sale.

"Rouleau told the agents, who posed as potential buyers, that the annual gross receipts and profits of the Ballroom were significantly greater than reported on the Ballroom's tax returns, including the gross receipts and profit reported in 2012," authorities said.

Rouleau's father had owned and operated the ballroom since 1979, but Rouleau took over the business in 2002 when his father died, court records said.

Court records show Rouleau underreported the revenue made by the business. Federal tax forms for 2012 showed receipts of around $296,000, but authorities said the actual gross receipts were more than $500,000.

Rouleau's defense attorney wrote in a court document that the government has been "made whole" in the lost tax money. Rouleau was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Worcester. He was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine.
Central Massachusetts residents will have more travel options, as JetBlue announced Tuesday that it will be expanding flight service at Worcester Regional Airport, adding flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.

The daily flights are expected to begin in early 2018, a development city and state officials say strengthens the reputation of Worcester as a major hub of development and transportation.

"It adds a certain status to the city of Worcester," said City Councilor Gary Rosen, who presides over District 5, which includes the airport. "Developers will look at that and it gives more credibility to the city."

Scott Link, the JetBlue Director of Airports, Blue Cities, joined Worcester-area officials to announce the new flights.

"JetBlue is committed to the Commonwealth," Link said. "In addition to our plans to continue to grow Boston up to 200 daily departures, we expect to operate our new service from Worcester to New York's JFK airport once daily on one of our Embraer 190 aircraft.

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito touted the ongoing development in Worcester, the second-largest city in New England.

"Now a connection to the 'Big Apple,' to New York City, for not only the businesses that will be able to connect to New York and beyond, but to all so many people that will see that there's a global connection here," Polito said. "You have really unleashed incredible opportunity for this region and for this Commonwealth by making this access to JFK possible."

JetBlue already flies to two Florida destinations out of Worcester Regional Airport: Orlando International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

At its peak in 1989, Worcester Regional Airport served more than 340,000 people, and in its first three years, more than 350,000 flew out of the airport to Florida on JetBlue flights.

The Massachusetts Port Authority, known as Massport, has been working with the Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito administration to create a $30 million investment at Worcester Regional Airport (ORH). That investment is the Category III, or CAT III, instrument landing system, which allows the ability to land planes in low visibility weather conditions.

The flights to JFK will begin after CAT III is completed. The FAA will operate and maintain the CAT III system, according to a statement from Massport.

JetBlue announces new service out of Worcester Regional Airport. Expected to announce flights to JFK in New York. Posted by MassLive Worcester on Tuesday, February 28, 2017

With the new flights, travelers will be to make day trips to New York, or connect to the larger JetBlue service there.

Dottie Hargrove, who lives on Meadow Lane, just down the street from the airport, said she will definitely take advantage of the new service to avoid a trip into Boston to go to Logan International Airport.

"I'm just going to have to buy a new rolling suitcase that will be easier to pull up the hill," she said.

The new flights are just another piece of the puzzle making Worcester a destination city. A renaissance of dining and development has been brewing in Worcester. City officials are urging young people to work and stay here as a wave of restaurants and apartments emerge downtown and beyond.

Along with JetBlue, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn, Massport Board Chairman Michael Angelini, Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty, Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus Jr., Worcester County Sheriff and Massport Board Member Lew Evangelidis and Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce President Tim Murray were at the airport to make the announcement.

JetBlue began flying out of Worcester in 2013.

Massport owns and operates Worcester Regional Airport, as well as Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston and Hanscom Field.

In 2015, Massport completed renovations to the Airport Rescue Fire Fighting station at Worcester Regional Airport, which first opened in 1946.
JetBlue announces new service out of Worcester Regional Airport. Expected to announce flights to JFK in New York. Posted by MassLive Worcester on Tuesday, February 28, 2017

JetBlue is scheduled to make an announcement along with Massport and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito Tuesday regarding flight service out of Worcester Regional Airport.

JetBlue is the only commercial passenger airline offering flights out of Worcester, with daily flights to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

A press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the airport. Polito and officials from JetBlue will be joined by Massport CEO Thomas Glynn and Worcester city officials.

According to Massport, JetBlue flew more than 110,000 passengers out of Worcester in the airline's first year in Worcester.

The Massachusetts Port Authority has spent more than $31 million in the past six years to upgrade and improve the airport, and by 2020 that investment will increase to $100 million. Those renovations have helped to develop an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting station, which has allowed the airport to double the number of rescue vehicles they can keep on-site.

In September, Rectrix, the largest Massachusetts-based private jet operator, invested over $5 million to relocate its fleet to a state-of-the-art Aerodrome facility, which opened at Worcester Regional Airport in 2015.

At its peak in 1989, Worcester Regional Airport served more than 340,000 people, and in the past three years more than 350,000 flew out of Worcester on JetBlue.

______

MassLive reporter Alban Murtishi contributed to this story.
Food Network star and restaurateur Geoffrey Zakarian returned to his hometown of Worcester to give a culinary Q&A at the Hanover Theatre Monday night.

For the "Chopped" and "Iron Chef" fans, the event was a perfect opportunity to learn more about the background of one of television's most popular cooking judges.

We learned that Zakarian was a (not-so-great) bartender at El Morocco, originally studied economics and has been a food snob since he was 4-years-old. You can hear more about that talk here:

However, the event was also an invitation to the stars of Worcester's dining renaissance, Christina Andreoli, president of Discover Central Massachusetts, said.

In addition to the Chopped series on Food Network and winning an Iron Chef America competition, Zakarian owns a restaurant group consisting of half a dozen eateries across America staffed by more than 800 people.

With Worcester on the cusp of becoming a dining destination in the northeast, Zakarian's talk was a chance for the dozens of restaurant owners in the audience to learn from arguably Worcester's finest culinary success story.
2016 Election New Hampshire Voting

(Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP)

I have been heartened to see increased grassroots political participation since the election of President Donald Trump. The Women's March, Stand Indivisible, and Swing Left movements are all welcome partners in the long-term fight for our democracy. There is one thing, however, that citizens of the Commonwealth can do right now to further bolster our freedom and strike a blow against Mr. Trump: see that SD.98, An Act Restoring Financial Transparency in Presidential Elections, becomes law in Massachusetts.



Presented by Sen. Michael J. Barrett of Lexington, this bill would require the submission and publication of federal tax returns before a candidate for president could be placed on the ballot here in Massachusetts. It would also prohibit Massachusetts electors from casting a vote in the Electoral College for any candidate who did not comply.



The refusal of President Trump to make his tax returns public was unprecedented in modern politics. This lack of transparency cannot be normalized. Knowledgeable voters are empowered citizens.



Some may say that Mr. Trump would not care whether he appeared on the ballot in Massachusetts. Perhaps so, but similar bills have appeared in many states. Even Mr. Trump may balk at a failure to challenge in so many contests. More to the point, political parties will surely apply pressure to candidates to comply since down ballot contests would suffer greatly with no candidate featured at the top of the ticket.



And so I urge everyone to take five minutes and contact their senators and representatives in the Massachusetts legislature and demand that they support Senator Barrett's bill, SD.98. Come 2020, you'll be glad that you did.

Matthew Maxwell, Northampton
Darrell Issa

In this Aug. 4, 2015 file photo U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., speaks at a news conference at the U.S embassy in Abuja, Nigeria. Issa has called for a special prosecutor to investigate whether Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election and was in touch with President Donald Trump's team during the campaign. Issa says it would be improper for Attorney General Jeff Sessions to lead the investigation. Issa made the comments Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, on HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher." (AP Photo/Olamikan Gbemiga, File)

Why would Darrell Issa, a Republican member of Congress from California who'd long been a thorn in the side of President Barack Obama, vowing to investigate this, that, the other thing, suggest that a special prosecutor should be appointed to probe links between President Donald Trump's administration and Russian operatives?

And why would he soon backtrack, softening his call for a special prosecutor?

Was the nine-term Congressman first hoping to be seen as an equal-opportunity thorn, but then thought better of it?

Or is he perhaps just trying to play things every way possible, placating anyone and everyone he can?

Issa, who was first elected to his House seat in 2000, frequently won re-election by comfortably wide margins, often racking up more than 60 percent of the vote. Last year, though, he just barely edged his opponent, with the contest not called for the incumbent until nearly three weeks after Election Day.

His district, like his state, has been getting increasingly Democratic. And nominal Republican Trump isn't exactly beloved out on the West Coast.

So here's the question that matters: Is Issa an anomaly, or is he the canary in the coal mine?

If other Republicans begin to push for a full probe of Trump's Russian connection, it will become increasingly difficult for the president to sweep the serious accusations under the rug.

Here's hoping that more members opt to do the right thing.

In our distracted era, when there's new news at any moment, when the newest shiny object can divert so many people's attention  until the next big thing comes along and the subject changes once again  it's easy for events of true importance to be forgotten, lost in the haze of the hectic day-to-day. This cannot be allowed to happen with questions about Trump's Russian connections.

Consider: There was clear evidence that Russian computer hackers broke into Democratic Party computers in an effort to damage Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Trump himself even encouraged such activity out on the campaign trail. He's been effusive in his praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin, a former KGB honcho back when the Soviet Union was our primary adversary. There's evidence that Trump campaign officials and other associates were in frequent contact with Russian operatives during last year's presidential campaign. And even before Trump was inaugurated, his first national security adviser was on the phone with Russia's ambassador, telling the nation's top diplomat not to fret about those pesky sanctions that President Barack Obama had imposed on Moscow because of the hacking. The clear, if unstated, implication: It would all be just fine and dandy soon enough.

Those pieces paint a pretty grim picture. But an incomplete one.

What's needed are answers. What's needed is a full, unfettered probe of the Trump-Russia connection.
Since it implemented huge education reforms 40 years ago, Finlands school system has consistently come at the top for the international rankings for education systems.

So how do they do it?

Its simple  by going against the evaluation-driven, centralized model that much of the Western world uses.

Adam Taylor

Full Story: http://www.businessinsider.com/finland-education-school-2011-12#

(Many thanks to Mary McCourt 

Eat Smart Move More 

Missoula City-County Health Department for passing this along.)
A television ad filmed in Montana is among five nominees for the Location Managers Guild Internationals outstanding locations in a commercial award.

Livingstons iconic mountain peaks open and close Johnnie Walkers commercial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlrtPtxIB5k This Land is Your Land, which first aired in November 2016. Montana-based production professionals helped make the ad.

"Montana is an outstanding location for filming, so its always good when industry professionals recognize our state as an ideal backdrop for telling visually-stunning stories," Montana Film Commissioner Allison Whitmer said.

Winners of the 2017 Location Managers Guild International Awards will be announced in Los Angeles on April 8.

Click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlrtPtxIB5k to watch the nominated commercial.

Full Story: http://commerce.mt.gov/News/PressReleases/ArtMID/19685/ArticleID/5856/Montana-Made-Commercial-Lands-%e2%80%98Outstanding-Location%e2%80%99-Nomination
Mark Trifilio, principal of the public pre-K-5th grade Orchard School in Vermont, sat down with the schools 40 educators last summer to discuss the soon-to-start new school year and homework  how much kids were getting and whether it was helping them learn.

By Valerie Strauss

Full Story: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/02/26/what-happened-when-one-school-banned-homework-and-asked-kids-to-read-and-play-instead/?utm_term=.d4162f7b3b07&wpisrc=nl_sb_smartbrief
Now in its sixth year, the Rural-Urban Student Entrepreneur Exchange has reached students from Miles City to Missoula. More than 130 high-school students are poised to participate in the program this year.

Funded by the nonprofit One Montana http://onemontana.org/ based in Bozeman, the program serves as something of a bridge-builder, encouraging students from different backgrounds to become "teenpreneurs" in service to their communities.

By Martin Kidston/Missoula Current

Full Story: http://www.missoulacurrent.com/business/2017/02/missoula-one-montana-business/
One year ago, the City Council adopted a zero-waste strategy that set an ambitious goal of reducing Missoulas waste stream by 90 percent by the year 2050.

Nothing would be burned or buried under the long-term goal. That means cutting back on consumption, reducing whats thrown away and reusing products where possible.

By Martin Kidston/Missoula Current

Full Story: http://www.missoulacurrent.com/business/2017/02/missoula-waste-reduction-plan/
"History shows that if these lands arent protected, theyre generally sold to the highest bidder."

Faced with a choice between asking state leaders to back down from efforts to undo the Bears Ears Monument designation or lose the lucrative Outdoor Retailer show, Gov. Gary Herbert wouldnt budge.

"If youre giving me an ultimatum here on the phone, then the answer is I guess were going to have to part ways," the governor told executives from some of the major companies in the show during a Feb. 16 conference call.

By McKenzie [email protected]

Full Story: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865674424/Facing-ultimatum-in-Outdoor-Retailer-call-Herbert-said-state-and-trade-show-must-part-ways.html

***

Governor Steve Bullock to Outdoor Industry Association: "Choose Montana" http://www.matr.net/article-75640.html
Montana Precision Products (MPP), formed in 2013, is a joint venture between GE Aviation and SeaCast. Both companies contributed experienced leaders to the new company. This arrangement allows MPP to draw on the knowledge and expertise of two premier manufacturing companies. As an AS9100 certified facility, we will satisfy the needs of our customers by safely delivering quality products on time and to specifications.

"We have a rapidly growing, highly skilled workforce of 100+ employees who thrive in a culture of safety, integrity, and quality."

All Opportunities  http://www.mtpp.com/employment/
The McDowell Chamber of Commerce announced the addition of three new members to its board of directors.

They are McDowell Hospital President Carol Wolfenbarger, JPS Senior Manager April Westmoreland and Chad Marsh, the director of marketing and human resources for G.E.M. Constructors.

The new members were confirmed at the January 2017 board meeting and will serve a three-year term. Each brings valuable skills to the Chamber and its area of work in the community. Mission Hospital, Johnson Price Sprinkle PA, and G.E.M Constructors have been engaged community partners for years, reads a news release.

April, Carol, and Chad are all distinguished professionals within their respective careers," says Chamber Board Chairman Eddie Shuford. Each of them brings a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm and team spirit, as well as a strong commitment to make McDowell County an even better place to live and do business. Their contributions have already been noted and we could not be happier with the addition of these three quality individuals to the McDowell Chamber Board of Directors.

Wolfenbarger is board certified in health care management and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). For more than three decades, she has served hospitals and health systems in east Tenn. As chief operating officer/chief nursing executive at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Jefferson City, Tenn., she was able to secure honors of Top 100 Hospitals designation three years in a row, and Top Performer status from The Joint Commission for two consecutive years. Wolfenbarger holds both Bachelors and Masters of Science degrees in nursing from the University of Tennessee. As president of McDowell Hospital, Wolfenbarger offers keen insight into the important health issues facing our county, according to the news release.

Westmoreland has been with Johnson Price Sprinkle PA since 1999. She holds a Master of Accountancy from Western Carolina University and a B.S. in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She has significant experience in assurance services and works with a broad range of industries. She is a long-standing resident of McDowell County and a graduate of McDowell High School. She is pleased to be serving the community through her new term and is proud Johnson Price Sprinkle PA has been a member of McDowells Chamber of Commerce since 1965.

The board welcomes her input and participation in continuing sound financial practices for the Chamber, reads the news release.

Marsh is a 22-year decorated Navy veteran and McDowell native. His leadership skills and drive positioned him to qualify from a pool of over 2,000 applicants as one of 50 candidates selected to the prestigious Seaman-to-Admiral Program. During his service he achieved the rank of lieutenant commander and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Jacksonville University as well as a Master's in human resource management.

Marsh doesn't allow opportunities to pass him by and has received numerous citations and been honored for his service to our country, reads the news release. Following retirement, Marsh returned to him hometown eager to serve his community. His leadership skills and human resource experience will be a welcome addition to the board's work.
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by Tobi Elkin , Staff Writer @tobielkin, February 28, 2017

Adobe Analytics released some interesting findings at Mobile World Congress this week. The company analyzed data from 1.7 trillion visits to more than 16,000 mobile Web sites and 130 billion app launches from more than 1,000 apps from January 2014 through January 2017. Data was from the U.S., EMEA, and APAC regions.

Among the findings:

--The U.S. is no longer bringing new users to the Internet: With U.S. web traffic plateauing, smartphone growth in China, India, and Brazil is responsible for driving over 400 million new people online.

--China and Brazil are leading smartphone traffic: By 2018, China is expected to have 37% smartphone traffic (up 6%) with each percentage point bringing millions of new users online; Brazil will have 45% (up 9%).

--Consumers in developing nations are bypassing infrastructure: The lack of infrastructure needed for desktop Web means that consumers are jumping straight to smartphones to access the Internetthat represents a 34% higher share growth.

--Tablets are failing to make a comeback: Despite steep discounts, share of traffic on tablets decreased or remained flat in every country around the world.

--With U.S. saturated, mobile engagement is new battleground: Double-digit declines in both app installs and launches (38%, 28%) means that brands have a large mobile audience but need focus on retention.

--In the U.S., Googles Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) is welcomed by consumers: It now accounts for 7% of all of traffic for top U.S. publishers.

There are two big takeaways for mobile marketing practitioners in the United States. The first takeaway is that the shift to smartphones shows no signs of slowing down and the growth is occurring as consumers shift away from desktops and tablets. Some brands may have a large mobile audience, but gaps in the experience could drive users to easily look elsewhere for alternatives. Marketers need to begin thinking mobile-always and not just mobile-first to ensure they are offering the best experience. They need to deliver experiences that are simple to navigate, and are more personalized to individuals," Becky Tasker, senior managing analyst, Adobe Digital Insights, told RTBlog via email.

Further Tasker said: "From a global perspective, theres a lot of insight into where the growth is coming from in the next few years. ...Developing nations, for instance, are seeing 34% higher smartphone share growth compared to affluent nations, which at the surface signals a big opportunity. True as that is, there are limitations as well. The surge in smartphones comes on the heels of a more incomplete infrastructure, which also means greater lag on the mobile experience. Load times could be a challenge, and brands must consider this as they assess and design for these areas.
by Philip Rosenstein , February 28, 2017

PebblePost, a company that developed programmatic direct-mail solutions for its clients, announced on Tuesday the completion of a $15 million Series B funding round. The round was led by RRE Ventures, along with existing investors Greycroft and Tribeca Venture Partners, among other funds.

The additional monies will be used to support programmatic direct-mail solutions and enhance the companys growth and infrastructure investments. Specifically, PebblePost hopes to expand its reach and presence beyond retail and into other consumer and B2B sectors.

Jim Robinson, managing partner at RRE Ventures, will also be joining PebblePosts board of directors.

Recent developments for PebblePost include adding a San Francisco office and hiring Marita Scarfi as CFO and head of West Coast operations.
A new study shows that patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), even without evidence of brain lesions, may exhibit changes in brain connectivity detectable at the time of the injury that can aid in diagnosis and predicting the effects on cognitive and behavioral performance at 6 months. Brain connectivity maps showed differences between patients with mTBI and healthy controls, including different patterns depending on the presence of brain lesions, as reported in an article in Journal of Neurotrauma, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Journal of Neurotrauma website until March 23, 2017.

The article entitled "Resting-State Functional Connectivity Alterations Associated with Six-Month Outcomes in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury" describes the prospective multicenter TRACK-TBI pilot study. Eva Palacios and coauthors from University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, University of Texas, Austin, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (PA), Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (New York, NY), and Antwerp University Hospital (Edegem, Belgium) concluded that resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess brain connectivity and compare spatial maps of resting state brain networks can serve as a sensitive biomarker for early diagnosis of mTBI and later patient performance.

"While, as the authors acknowledge, they are not the first group to explore the utility of resting state functional MRI in probing the morbidity associated with mild traumatic brain injury, they do elegantly capitalize on the TRACK-TBI study population to critically evaluate functional connectivity in a patient population that is well characterized and followed by traditional imaging approaches," says John T. Povlishock, PhD, Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Neurotrauma and Professor, Medical College of Virginia Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond. "Their finding of altered patterns of functional connectivity even in that mild TBI patient population, revealing no CT/MRI abnormalities, is an extremely important observation, as is the fact that these same changes in functional connectivity portend the development of a persistent post-concussive syndrome."

Article: Resting-State Functional Connectivity Alterations Associated with Six-Month Outcomes in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Palacios Eva M., Yuh Esther L., Chang Yi-Shin, Yue John K., Schnyer David M., Okonkwo David O., Valadka Alex B., Gordon Wayne A., Maas Andrew I. R., Vassar Mary, Manley Geoffrey T., and Mukherjee Pratik, Journal of Neurotrauma, doi:10.1089/neu.2016.4752, published online 13 January 2017.
Flashbacks of scenes from traumatic events often haunt those suffering from psychiatric conditions, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). "The close relationship between the human imagery system and our emotions can cause deep emotional perturbations", says Dr Svetla Velikova of Smartbrain in Norway. "Imagery techniques are often used in cognitive psychotherapy to help patients modify disturbing mental images and overcome negative emotions." Velikova and her team set out to see if such techniques could become self-guided and developed at home, away from the therapist's chair.

Healthy people are also emotionally effected by what we see and the images we remember. Velikova explains, "if we visually remember an image from an unpleasant interaction with our boss, this can cause an increased level of anxiety about our work and demotivation." There is great interest in ways to combat such everyday negative emotional responses through imagery training. But she warns, "this is a challenging task and requires a flexible approach. Each day we face different problems and a therapist teaches us how to identify topics and strategies for imagery exercises."

To find out if we can train ourselves to use imagery techniques and optimize our emotional state, Velikova and co-workers turned to 30 healthy volunteers. During a two-day workshop the volunteers learnt a series of imagery techniques. They learnt how to cope with negative emotions from past events through imagery transformation, how to use positive imagery for future events or goals, and techniques to improve social interactions and enhance their emotional balance in daily life. They then spent the next 12 weeks training themselves at home for 15-20 minutes a day, before attending another similar two-day workshop.

Velikova compared the results of participant psychological assessment and brain activity, or electroencephalographic (EEG), measurement, before and after the experiment. "The psychological testing showed that depressive symptoms were less prominent. The number of those with subthreshold depression, expressing depressive symptoms but not meeting the criteria for depression, was halved. Overall, volunteers were more satisfied with life and perceived themselves as more efficient" she explains.

Following analysis, the EEG data showed significant changes in the beta activity in the right medial prefrontal cortex of the brain. Velikova notes that this region is known to be involved in imaging pleasant emotions and contributing to the degree of satisfaction with life. There were also changes in the functional connectivity of the brain, including increased connectivity between the temporal regions from both hemispheres, which Velikova attributes to enhanced coordination of networks linked to processing of images. She concludes, "this combination of EEG findings also suggests a possible increase in the activity of GABA (gamma -aminobutyric acid), well known for its anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties."

Velikova and co-workers' results indicate that self-guided emotional imagery training has great potential to improve the everyday emotional wellbeing in healthy people. The team is now further exploring how the approach affects the cognitive function of healthy people. With minimal professional intervention, this technique could be developed to be a cost-effective aid for those with subthreshold depression. It could also be promoted by businesses to help improve workforce morale and drive up productivity.

Article: Can the Psycho-Emotional State be Optimized by Regular Use of Positive Imagery?, Psychological and Electroencephalographic Study of Self-Guided Training, Svetla Velikova, Haldor Sjaaheim and Bente Nordtug, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00664, published 12 January 2017.
Several newly discovered variants of a gene increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders. A research team aims to derive new therapies from this finding which are better tailored to the individual patients.

Mental, social and inherited factors all play a role in anxiety disorders. In the journal Molecular Psychiatry, a research team from Julius-Maximilians-Universitat Wurzburg (JMU) in Bavaria, Germany, describes a hitherto unknown genetic pathway for developing such diseases: They pinpointed at least four variants of the GLRB gene (glycine receptor B) as risk factors for anxiety and panic disorders. More than 5000 voluntary participants and 500 patients afflicted by panic disorder took part in the study that delivered these results.

In Germany, around 15 percent of adults suffer from anxiety and panic disorders. Some people may have an extreme fear of spiders or other objects while others have breathing difficulties and accelerated heart beat in small rooms or large gatherings of people. With some afflicted persons, the anxiety attacks occur for no apparent cause. Many patients suffer from the detrimental impacts on their everyday lives - they often have problems at work and withdraw from social contacts.

How are fear and anxiety triggered? How do anxiety disorders arise and evolve?

Scientists from Munster, Hamburg and Wurzburg have looked into these questions within the scope of Collaborative Research Center (CRC) TR 58 funded by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. Their goal is to develop new therapies that are better tailored to the individual patients. Anxiety disorders can be treated with drugs and behaviour therapy for instance.

Gene triggers hyperekplexia

The discovery that different variants of the GLRB gene are associated with anxiety disorders might also contribute to the development of improved therapies. The gene had been known to the researchers for some time, albeit only in connection with a different disease:

"Some mutations of the gene cause a rare neurological disorder called hyperekplexia," explains Professor Jurgen Deckert, member of the CRC and Director of the Department of Psychiatry at the JMU University Hospital. The patients are permanently hypertonic and show pronounced startle responses, which may even cause sufferers to fall involuntarily. Similar to persons suffering from anxiety disorders, these patients develop behaviour to avoid potentially frightening situations.

The "fear network" in the brain is activated

But the GLRB gene variants that have recently been associated with anxiety and panic disorders for the first time are different from the ones described above. They occur more frequently and presumably entail less severe consequences. But they, too, trigger overshooting startle responses, and as a result may excessively activate the brain's "fear network". High-resolution images of the brain activities of study participants provided the clues for the Wurzburg scientists.

"The results point to a hitherto unknown pathway of developing an anxiety disorder," Deckert says. He believes that further investigations are now necessary to determine whether these findings can be harnessed to develop new or individual therapies. For example, it is conceivable to bring the "fear network" that is misregulated by the GLRB gene back on track by administering drugs.

CRC collaborates with panic network

The members of the Collaborative Research Center "Fear, Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders" obtained these results in cooperation with researchers from the "PanikNetz" panic network. The Wurzburg team is part of the network that is funded by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research.
The results of the UK Familial Ovarian Cancer Screening Study (UK FOCSS), which is led by UCL, show that screening women at high risk of ovarian cancer every four months may reduce the likelihood of them being diagnosed with advanced cancer.

It remains uncertain whether detecting ovarian cancer by screening increases the chances of a woman surviving the disease.

For women at high risk, the current medical advice is to have their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed after having completed their families, but many women delay or decide against having the surgery.

The UK FOCSS results, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, indicate that four monthly screening with the Risk of Ovarian Cancer Algorithm (ROCA) may be an option for these women until they decide to undergo surgery.

The algorithm is used to look for rising levels of a blood protein, CA 125, which can be elevated in ovarian cancer.

Over 4,000 women with a 1 in 10 or greater risk of developing ovarian cancer due to family history or a faulty gene, took part in the study after declining surgery. A significant proportion of these cancers occur before the age of 50 but many women are keen to delay surgery until they have completed their families or had a natural menopause.

Over the three years of screening and in the year after their last test, nineteen women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer although none had any symptoms. The screening was estimated to be able to pick up 9 out of every 10 cancers.

A further 18 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the five-year period that followed. Seventeen (94%) of these 18 women had advanced stage cancer (IIIB-IV) compared to seven (37%) of the 19 diagnosed during the screening phase.

The ROCA test is licensed to Abcodia Ltd, a UCL spin-out company. The lead researchers of this study hold shares in and/or consultancy roles with Abcodia.

Professor Ian Jacobs, UK FOCSS Principal Investigator (UNSW Sydney, Australia and UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health), said: "I am delighted that this phase of the 20 year UK FOCSS research effort suggests there is a role for ovarian cancer screening in women at high risk".

Dr Adam Rosenthal, Clinical Lead on the trial (UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health) said: "The screening appears to be very effective at detecting ovarian cancer before it causes symptoms. The proportion of women who had all their tumours removed was very high, which is important in terms of predicting a better outcome."

Professor Usha Menon (UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health) added: "These results suggest that for women at high risk not opting for surgery, four monthly screening maybe a better option than the current NHS practice of symptom awareness and ad hoc annual screening."

Athena Lamnisos, Chief Executive of The Eve Appeal, a gynaecological cancer charity which co-funded the study, said: "Knowing that you are at high risk of developing ovarian cancer is a huge stress for women and their families. This research gives women hope and confidence that there is an evidence-based approach to screening if they decide to delay risk-reducing surgery."

UK FOCSS is a national multicentre study involving 42 NHS Trusts, supported by the NIHR Clinical Research Network. It is led by UCL and funded by Cancer Research UK, the Health Departments of the UK and The Eve Appeal.

Article: Evidence of stage-shift in women diagnosed with ovarian cancer during Phase 2 of the UK Familial Ovarian Cancer Screening Study (UK FOCSS), Journal of Clinical Oncology, published 27 February 2017.
Numerous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are common variants of genes with possible associations with the synthesis of RNA and alternative splicing. Such SNPs are termed sQTLs.

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Transcription Binding sites

Patterns of significant depletion or enrichment of specific sites that are involved in binding histone or transcription factors.

Earlier genome-wide association studies that aided in identifying loci associated with schizophrenia were also found to be enriched for sQTLs; this was especially true for non-exonic sQTLs.

Identification of Disease Susceptibility Genes

FXR1

NEK4

SNAP91

APOPT1

Schizophrenia

It has a lifetime prevalence of 4.0 per 1,000

It has a morbidity risk of 7.2 per 1,000

It occurs during early adulthood or adolescence

The development of schizophrenia in the fifties is very rare

Prevalence is similar among males and females.

Genetics of Schizophrenia

Dr. Atsushi Takata, who is the lead author of the study, and colleagues, studied the RNA sequencing data obtained from samples of brain tissue of over 200 study participants without any known psychiatric illness. The scientists foundThe scientists involved in the study believe that these sQTLs will aid in understanding the framework of genes in the development of psychiatric disorders.The study, on further analysis of the interactions of these sQTLs with known genetic regulatory elements, aided in identifyingThe findings of the study aided in proving that such neurological conditions may be caused due to changes in the splicing rather than due to alterations in the genes that affect the gene to protein expression pathway.Earlier studies have shown that methylation QTLs (mQTL) and expression QTL (eQTL) were associated with an increase in schizophrenia risk. The current study, according to Dr. Tadafumi Kato, who is the senior author of the study, aided in determining that sQTLs were also associated with increased schizophrenia risk.The scientists analyzed the part of the genome that overrepresented the sQTLs and were able to locate four disease susceptibility genes which were found to be implicated in schizophrenia. The genes wereThey were associated with the development of the nervous system, programmed cell death or apoptosis and neurotransmission. An increase in sQTLs at loci that is associated with schizophrenia is an indication that these genetic variations are linked to schizophrenia risk. However, the scientists caution that the genetic framework is extensive and the disease is very complex to be solely defined by any particular genetic polymorphism.Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder.This neurological disorder is characterized by fluctuating patterns and cognitive disability. Its characteristic symptom is psychosis, along with hallucinations and delusions . The affected individual may also exhibit disorientation, emotional upheaval, speech irregularity and severe mood symptoms that range from mania to depressive episodes.The genetics of Schizophrenia is very complex with many genes associated with this condition. Genome wide interaction studies are necessary to identify genes as well as interactions between genes and the environment in the development of the disease.There is a combination of rare as well as commonly found mutations that lead to the development of schizophrenia. It is important to identify these mutations as it would aid in early identification of the disease, even before the onset of symptoms. This would also aid in reducing or preventing psychotic symptoms that are often associated with schizophrenia.Source: Medindia
The only factor associated with insufficient sleep was the presence of children in the house

There was a 50% increase in the odds of insufficient sleep with every child in the house

In the same group of women, who were under 45 years of age

48 % of women with children had seven hours of sleep which was significantly less when compared with women without children (62%)

Younger women who had children in the house reported to feeling tired 14 days in a month when compared to women with no children in the house who felt tired 11 days in a month.

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Sleep Patterns in Postpartum Women

The Need to Address Sleep Deprivation

Increasing Awareness

Among the study participants, there were 2,908 women who were 45 years old or younger. The study findings showed thatThe study found that the presence of children in the house did not alter sleep duration for men. Dr. Sullivan reiterated thatIn a study conducted by Dr. Ashleigh J. Filtness and colleagues from the Queensland University and published in the journalthe sleep patterns of postpartum women were detailed. The study found that new mothers were deprived of sleep due to constant feeding and variations in the sleep pattern of their new born. Similar results were found in a study conducted on American women. The significance of these studies point towards the necessity to ensure that mothers slept for adequately long hours. This is because, sleep deprived women may not be able to carry out critical tasks during the day, endangering their lives and the lives of their loved ones.Adequate sleep is also important for the health of the women, both physical as well as for emotional health. The lack of sleep among new mothers is well known, with the period associated with feelings of intense sleep deprivation, being shell shocked, consecutive days when REM state of sleep is constantly interrupted, resulting in a '. The extreme sleep deprivation will affect the ability of women to think clearly, stressing the need for adequate support which will ensure that new mothers get the rest they need. Sleep deprivation can lead to long-term health effects for the new mother and there is a need to bring in appropriate legislations which would allow the mother to take adequate rest. This includes maternity leave, which in certain countries is as low as 3 months, including the U.S.In Canada, maternity leave extends for a period of one year, during which time the mother receives her complete pay. Such policies would ensure that the new mother bonds with her new born and will also work related stress , making way for better sleep patterns.The day time sleepiness experienced by mothers with children in the house can increase the risk for accidents. The need to lower the amount of day time sleepiness , before the mother resumes work is essential. The right support will not only ensure better health of the mother but will also boost productivity once she returns to work.Most new mothers are unaware by the shift in the sleeping pattern that they would experience soon after the birth of their infant. Most infants take about 12 weeks to settle into a normal circadian rhythm, though the maximum period of sleep time is 3.5 to 4 hours. Since mothers are the primary caregivers, they often bear the brunt of the work that is involved in getting the infant settled into a normal sleep pattern. Frequent feeding and tending to the needs of the child will mean fewer hours of sleep for the mother.The current study highlights the reduced sleep time for women with children in the household when compared to women without children in the household. The men in the house, however, do not have a reduced duration of sleep. There is an increased need to create awareness among women about managing their daily chores and the crucial need to sleep for adequate period of time which will help them feel refreshed to face the next day with renewed energy.Source: Medindia


Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced on Monday that they will be sending two individuals, who have paid for a private mission, to the moon. The launch of the missions is tentatively scheduled for 2018 and it will also be the first missions where the company will be testing the Falcon Heavy rocket.

 Reuters

As to the identity of the two people, Elon Musk refused to name them or divulge the price they had paid for their desire to see the moon. These two individuals approached the company last year to fulfil their desires to fly around the moon and they will be undergoing training, and health and fitness tests so that they can go through with the missions.

 Reuters

If SpaceX manages to fulfil the missions before ISRO or NASA or any other space agency for that matter, it will be the first mission in 45 years since mankind went to the moon. SpaceX said in a statement that the would-be passengers have already paid a significant deposit to do a moon mission, and Musk called the cost comparable to that of sending astronauts to the International Space Station.

 Reuters

Other flight teams have also expressed strong interest and we expect more to follow, the company statement read. Additional information will be released about the flight teams, contingent upon their approval and confirmation of the health and fitness test results.

The mission is scheduled to take off in 2018 from the Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A. Fittingly, this is the same pad that was used in the 60s and the 70s to launch the Apollo missions that went to the moon.

Source: The Guardian
Deputy Foreign Minister I. Amanatidis met today, on the margins of the 34th session of the Human Rights Council, with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, former Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, current Minister-Adviser to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, and a candidate for the position of Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).



The Deputy Foreign Minister highlighted the existence of longstanding, traditional and firm ties of friendship between Greece and Ethiopia, within the framework of which our country supports Mr. Ghebreyesus's candidacy.



Mr. Amanatidis also underscored the importance of the WHO mission and the strong support our country provides for the promotion of the Organization's priorities and goals, which are aimed at the effective improvement of human health, as one of the pillars of consolidating/safeguarding human rights.



Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his thanks for the support being provided and presented in detail his qualifications and many years of experience, with special reference to his country of origin, which, like most African countries, possesses 'limited resources'. Mr. Ghebreyesus promised Ethiopia's support for Greece's candidacy for election to the Security Council as a non-permanent member for the years 2025-2026 and committed to conveying the request for support to his colleagues in other African countries.



Concluding, Mr. Ghebreyesus made a commitment to the Greek side to consider the possibility of participating as a speaker in a Health Ministry conference to be held in Athens on 28 and 29 March.
It is a great pleasure for me to address such a distinguished panel in my capacity as Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece.



Unfortunately, global insecurity, armed conflicts, systematic and widespread violence and abuses of fundamental values, are increasingly becoming frequent phenomena, affectingthe enjoyment of political, economic, social and cultural rights of all individuals concerned in the areas of conflict.



Remaining committed to the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, Greece believes that an effective - efficient legal framework and a commitment to advocating and championing human rights is of paramount importance in the peace-building process.



Although peace-building is a complicated procedure and each separate case demands a tailored- made approach, we believe that the respect of Human Rights should be at the heart of any dialogue not only because they constitute the cornerstone of a democratic and fair society but, also, because they are the key for the establishment of justice, peace andsecurity which are conducive to long lasting and durable solutions.



Greece is convinced that a consensus-based approach found on inclusive dialogue and collaboration, reinforces the natural connection between the three pillars of United Nations: Human Rights, Peace and Security and Development, contributing to long term sustainability. Consequently, the participation of all segments of society, by implementing the tenet leave no one behind, should be a core element in every peace building process.



In a world confronted with multiple crises, the principles of collaboration, solidarity, cooperation and synergy have regained new impetus. The United Nations is commonly seen as the most important way forward to identify creative and sustainable solutions for the most complicated issues. Greecefirmly adheres to this opinion and believes that the United Nations Organization, by playing a unique and vital role in safeguarding and promoting Human Rights and fundamental freedoms around the world, is, also, entitled to be the key player in peace-building processes.
Photos depicting the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Many are from the collection of Bob Bragman.
BAD AXE  The judge described the incidents as horrible and gruesome, moments before he sentenced a Kinde man to prison for molesting a preteen girl over a three-year period.

Joseph Howard Jahn was originally charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct-first degree and two counts of criminal sexual conduct-second degree stemming from a lengthy investigation last year.

The 45-year-old took a plea agreement in January, which resulted in him pleading no contest to one count of criminal sexual conduct-second degree and the remaining charges were dismissed.

During authorities investigation, the victim told police Jahn touched inside her genital area once every two weeks or so throughout a three-year period  2009 to 2011. And the victim also said there were at least three incidents where sexual penetration occurred.

According to the victims testimony at Jahns preliminary examination, she told police that Jahn said, Dont tell your (relative), or bad things will happen.

The victim was between the ages of 10 and 12 when the incidents happened, but did not report it to police until years later. The victim is related to the defendant.

At sentencing on Monday, Diana Kessler spoke highly of her client to the judge  pointing out hes been a taxpaying, contributing member of the community his entire life.

Jahn has served as a volunteer firefighter for more than 30 years, Kessler said.

Your honor, because of the no contest plea  there are certain things I cannot speak on, Kessler said. I think my clients record of not having a record speaks for itself.

Kessler asked Huron County Circuit Judge Gerald M. Prill for leniency when fashioning a sentence.

Hes not stood before this court saying, I did nothing wrong, Kessler added.

Jahn declined to speak on his behalf.

Your honor, he doesnt do well with words, Kessler interjected after Jahn declined. Hes not very good when it comes to expressive language.

When the time came, the victim approached the court with a prepared letter. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Dawn Schumacher handed Prill a separate unopened letter the victim wrote to the court months ago.

I never wanted the court to know this, the victim said. I wanted my family to handle this, not the courts.

She told Prill that Jahn was someone who helped her with many things in life.

I know he understands what he did wrong and I dont hate him for it, she said as tears ran down her cheeks.

The victim and Jahn then hugged and told each other, Im sorry.

Schumacher argued that justice still needed to be served.

This is pretty big and for almost three years, he would repeatedly sexually abuse this girl who she trusted, Schumacher said.

The prosecutor said Jahn was performing the acts for his own sexual pleasure.

Prill then prepared to hand down the punishment.

In 20 years practicing law, Ive never heard a victim make statements the way this victim did, Prill said, adding the events were horrible and gruesome and there was no justification of why she needed to be put through that.

Prill said he kept the victims statements in mind when determining a sentence.

The guideline range for sentencing was between 29 and 57 months. However, Prill went below the guidelines and sentenced Jahn from 18 months to 15 years  in the state prison system. He was given credit for one day served.

Due to the nature of his crime, Jahn will be placed on lifetime monitoring.
CASS CITY  When the Novesta Township Board meets 7 p.m. March 6 for a budget hearing it is expected to also discuss issues regarding a township hall and record storage at about 7:30 p.m., following the hearing.

The board currently meets at the Cass City Gun Club building, 2676 N. Englehart Road.

We began having meetings at the Gun Club starting with the Aug. 2, 2010, regular board meeting. The old building (township hall) was in need of many repairs, said Novesta Township Clerk Joann Peters. I really dont remember exactly why we moved so soon.

I know we had the 2010 General Election at the old township hall because we were under contract with the state until that election to have elections at the old hall.

The old township hall, which only had an outhouse as a restroom, is just outside of the unincorporated community of Deford. The building was put up for sale in January 2011.

In looking to the future, several years ago the board purchased 12 acres of land with two structures for a possible township hall.

That property is located at 3320 Cemetery Road. It has a house and a shed. The township purchased it at tax sale from the county. The price was $5,971, explained Peters. The idea was to remodel the house into a hall. We found out after the fact that this was just as expensive as building a hall.

During the February township meeting, the board discussed the possibility of selling the property at 3320 Cemetery Road, and put that money away towards a new township hall, the possibility of building shelves at the Cass City Gun Club and the possibility of using the cemetery building to store records.

The board approved having Supervisor Chad Daniels meet with the townships attorney regarding the necessary steps for storing records.

The townships annual meeting will be 9 a.m. March 25.
SEBEWAING  Not many people can say theyve seen a grizzly bear up close, let alone survive an attack from one.

Thats not the case when it comes to Jim VanSteenhouse, a 1985 Unionville-Sebewaing Area High School graduate.

I can still distinctly remember thinking, This is it. Im dead, VanSteenhouse recalled the attack. Instinctively, I went into a fetal position with my hands over my head. I felt the top of his mouth on the right side of my head and the bottom of his jaw on the left.

VanSteenhouse will fly home from Houston, Texas, to tell his story of how he survived a grizzly bear attack during a moose-hunting trip in Canada in September 2015.

On March 10, VanSteenhouse will share his story with students at Unionville-Sebewaing Area and Akron-Fairgrove schools. The following day, March 11, he will retell the story at a Bear Man event for the community inside USA High Schools auditorium. The evening will start with hors doeuvres at 6 p.m. and the program begins at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased by contacting the Youth for Christ office at 989-453-3239. There will also be a free will offering.

The event is being held in conjunction with USA Campus Life  a program with Bluewater Thumb Youth for Christ. One of the groups programs includes its annual trip to Florida. All proceeds raised during the event will go toward the ministry and scholarships for USA students.

Misty Cramer, director of USA Campus Life, and the brother of Jim, was the person to contact VanSteenhouse to bring him back to the area for the event.

We hope people will come out and support our students by coming to this event that Im sure will be an evening to remember, Cramer said. Im thankful that Jim is supporting us in this way and I know people will be inspired and challenged as they hear his story.

I consider it a privilege to be afforded the opportunity to speak in my hometown of USA Nation, VanSteenhouse said. Im hopeful in my recount of The Bear Man story that there is some takeaway value for everyone. Theres a reason the Lord saved me, and my story captures my journey of putting the pieces together.
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The future of Torquay Pavilion has been decided - with planners voting in favour of the 32 million scheme.

Planners had been recommended to approve the application by the Nicolas James Group who want to bring their luxury brand of Harbour Hotels to the resort.

Mrs Susie Colley, chairman of the Torquay Chamber of Commerce, said: "This proposed development has been screaming for redevelopment for far too long.

"Approval would invite other investors and developers to help town centre regeneration."

Speaking against the plans, Cllr Robert Excell said: "Most people I have spoken to would like to see the pavilion saved.

"Concerns about the size of the new build, backed up by reports of loss of light, have been rife. The majority of people I have spoken to also object to the loss of Cary Green as a car park, and the loss of the views out to sea around the harbour.

"Other plans, with more consideration of the harbour and the surrounding areas have been submitted, but not considered."

Cllr Mandy Darling said: "No one can deny that the pavilion is in a despicable state of disrepair and it is heartbreaking to see such a beautiful building like it is today.

"There is certainly a need to invest in this area in order to preserve the pavilion, bring business to the area and protect our beautiful sea front - but at what cost?

"Many local residents have contacted me in favour of some sort of development, but not to the degree that is proposed before us. I believe this development is overkill."
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...
Like her nickname, Lt. Gen. VeraLinn "Dash" Jamieson is taking her ideas for the Air Force intelligence community and running with them -- full speed ahead.

Jamieson -- who in November became the service's deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance on the Air Staff at the Pentagon, known as the A2 -- has begun a developmental phase she believes will take intelligence gathering, and ISR missions involving platforms such as the MQ-9 Reaper, the Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS), and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, well into 2030.

"I think [what] I'm actually addressing, I'm starting with the 'I' in ISR," Jamieson said in an interview with Military.com on Feb. 15. "I came up with a vision that encompasses where I think we are, and how do we support the [Air Force's] strategic master plan, the [defense] secretary's national strategy, and address our [major command] concerns. I'm a simple person: Win today, prepare for tomorrow. And I thought all of the airmen could understand, 'What does that mean?' [The plan] addresses how do we enable and become successful in today's fight, while not ignoring tomorrow's ... [threats]."

Jamieson's ideas include an open architecture structure to data sharing; streamlining and threading together battlespace intelligence; as well as a fusion warfare concept, or merging capabilities within space, cyber, DCGS and signals intelligence communities and "integrating them into tomorrow's mission planning," she wrote in a 2015 thesis published by The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

She is the first female intelligence officer to be a director of ISR for the Air Force in more than a decade, and the first intelligence officer to hold the A2 position.

"It's quite an honor," she said during the interview at the Pentagon. "I'm breaking a lot of glass that way -- and why do I think that? Because there had never been one," she said of her intelligence background.

Airmen know Jamieson as Dash. "Everyone assumes it's a fighter pilot call sign. It's not," she said. As a baby, "I was late to walk, about 15 months, and my father said, 'Oh my gosh, there goes our little dash!' Because I just stood up and ran for the first time. No little step here and there. I just ran."

Jamieson spoke with Military.com about the importance of analysis; young, but seasoned airmen; and even artificial intelligence beyond the Air Force. Her comments have been edited for clarity and brevity.

Q.

What are some immediate changes airmen may notice in the ISR community in your first few months in the position?

A.

The A2 does not have a senior analyst. It has not had a senior analyst to dialogue [with] the [intelligence community] and with MAJCOMs for a couple of years. So I hired a senior analyst.

And we're hiring Air Force mission managers to look at the "four-plus-one" threat -- Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and [violent extremist organizations] -- and then some, that's regionally aligned, and the Air Force core mission area, the functions that we have to do in a joint war fight. So that we would have threat expertise from that to establish Air Force mission managers to drive sound analysis so that we could enable effective targeting, so that we could identify the collection gaps to maximize our operations and intelligence operations endeavors.

And we have to do that with a clear infrastructure. I've sent all that out to the field for comment, and I've gotten very positive comments. And I have said, "It's not that we're going back to basics, but as one of you, as a 14N intelligence [officer] professional, analysis is the foundation that's going to drive everything." Let's ensure that we have the tools, the ability  and the critical thinking skills to actually drive everything with analysis.

Q.

With mission managers, how does that change the scope of operations?

A.

We have not had an Air Force mission manager that says, "Here's all the analysis that the Air Force is doing in addition to what the intelligence community is doing -- such as [Defense Intelligence Agency], [National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency], the [Director of National Intelligence] -- here's how we could identify gaps and submit collection requirements based on Air Force needs to do our part of the joint mission." So we're going to broaden that and make sure that we  can have functional Air Force mission managers.

Roughly three weeks ago, in the reorganization of the team, I created for our "win today" [motto] the MAJCOM support cell [at the Pentagon], which we've never had before. [Pacific Air Forces], [U.S. Air Forces in Europe], [Air Force Special Operations Command], [Space Command], Global Strike -- all now [have] a team that they can call if they can't find in their own way, "How do I find some collection help?" We can now help them from a holistic view instead of them trying to go on their own. They now have a reachback center that can take their questions through the entire Air Staff, A2, A3 [Operations, Plans and Requirements], A10 [Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration]  and ensure that we are supporting the MAJCOMS entirely.

We've passed out the phone numbers, we've passed out the IP addresses, chat room [destinations] so that they at any time reach out. Great example: North Korea launches a missile. We can say, "Here are the products the Air Force has put out, the Joint Staff has put out, the NGA has put out," so they don't have to go searching, they just get it  We had to get airmen like a "1-800 MAJCOM" so it's easy and everybody remembers it.

Q.

How do you expect intelligence airmen to train for the next high-end threat?

A.

Culture change is going to drive actual training [of airmen]. Because the way we train now is, if you're assigned to a space wing, you're going to find out about that space mission ... you don't really look at, "Is there a network of systems approach to this?"

For example, fifth generation. It's not just one penetrating aircraft. It is a network of penetration ... from space, air and cyber together. If we can get there, then we are going to be able to fuse things together inside the adversary's decision loop cycle at a time and place of our choosing because we're going to spread that data and have a common-knowledge sight picture. Because we're thinking three-dimensionally, multi-domain integration -- where right now, we're not quite there.

And when I say fifth generation, I'm also not just talking fighters. I'm talking space, cyber, command and control, penetrating ISR -- it's all of that. It's how do we really share at the tactical edge and also back for strategic insights, how are we fusing this data for lethal or nonlethal effects that we want to create to cause confusion  to our adversary.

For example, [I talked to this] radar analyst airman  he is a 9S professional [Scientific Applications Specialist], which is not intelligence, more scientific and mathematical. But ... because of all that's going on in the Middle East, and what's going on in North Korea with the nuclear launch[es] there, and the [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] on Iran [nuclear deal], seven weeks ago [he] took the initiative and signed up for nuclear engineering classes to make sure, "I have the right analytical skills and scientific skills which could enable me to grow and dedicate to the mission." The field is hearing and seeing the focus that we're putting on [our airmen].

Q.

You've mentioned in your paper the idea of a "combat cloud" to uplink information for the Air Force to collectively share. How would that work?

A.

I think of it more now as a  data lake. And we have to make sure that everyone has a fishing pole that can go into the lake to catch the fish. The fish are the data. So you have to have a common operating infrastructure where the data can reside so that you can pull out the data that you need.

Our approach has been, "I'm going to build a sensor and it's going to collect a specific thing. It's going to watch, it's going to be [full-motion video-like]." That's what you build. Well if you're only watching, you don't hear anything, you don't see signals, you don't have differentiation ... because you're just looking at a picture. So I take that and say, "I don't want to build a sensor. I want an open architecture where the data can reside."

And if my question is if I want to see something, I can dip in and say what do I see? But I want to go back, dip in, what did I hear? And go back, dip in, and is there a change detection I could put in to filter some things out?  Maybe over for a specific space in time?... And through automation, I didn't have to [review] this time and time and time again.

Q.

Are you pushing for an artificial intelligence that can do that?

A.

Absolutely. Absolutely want to go there. But before you get to artificial intelligence, you have to get to automation, and what does that mean? It means we're really developing algorithms, so we then have to build trust in the algorithms. ... It's 2017 and we say algorithms, and we think we're really out there. An algorithm in the old days when I grew up -- that was called a checklist. It's how I problem-solve.

So as we build and understand what we put into the algorithm, we build trust. When we build trust, we then have a confidence level of the data we're looking at. And when we have a confidence level and we share it with our operators, then we go, we can jump over the hurdle  a confidence in what we are assessing.

So then you can go, now that I actually have machine to machine and I have a confidence the machine is actually providing what I want it to provide ... I can then go to an artificial intelligence that then can start sensing on its own because I have built the system with confidence. ... For example, ISR ops, or intelligence, or pick space, cyber, any operator of those, we sit down and go, "We want facial recognition. Here's how we're going to build the algorithm." Test it, [see] if it works. Then we can go, "Machine, here's the algorithm"  Then we can say, "Artificial intelligence, I need to take this algorithm, [plus] here was the old pattern of life, which is a projection, where are you taking this in a sensing grid?"

Artificial intelligence is really going to be linked with human and machine getting me to projections and where it can go to eliminate 20 billion faces, let's say, to the one in the nanosecond.

Q.

How independent would the A.I. be?

A.

Remember R2D2 [from "Star Wars"]? In the future, you'd have a little R2D2 because you have fed everything into [the machine] and as you are conducting your mission -- at the tactical edge or the analysis -- it's then saying, "Here's where we are, this is what I'm assessing, here's the next thing." But it's the human-machine interface. Because the human's going to be the decision maker.

Where we're talking -- I would say this is 2030. But to bring it back to our airmen today, it all starts with analysis and critical thinking, and we have to value that and value our airmen because the science tells us in this interconnected world that our peers and near peers have got technology edge. In 2030, there may not be a technological advantage. But I firmly believe there's always going to be a human-enabled advantage -- and that takes form in our airmen.

Q.

What's your outlook for airmen looking to begin a career in intel?

A.

I think it's an absolutely exciting time to be in intelligence. The first thing that comes to my mind is social media [these days] because we all have access to social media. And how do we -- not just from an intelligence perspective -- but how are humans now communicating? Social media is, "How do we enable everyone to communicate?"

That helps you look at getting your mind to the future -- we're sharing, communicating, floating up ideas and innovating so quickly, it's exciting. The Millennials, when I explain the data link [to airmen ages 18 to 34], they're already there. They get all of this. They live  on all the access to data that is out there. There's so much more out there to really get an analytic mind around to help our nation's security.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis presented a classified plan to the White House Monday for the rapid defeat of ISIS that was reportedly an updated version of the Obama administration's strategy of relying on local forces to carry the brunt of the fight.

"It is a plan to rapidly defeat ISIS," said Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, but he stressed that "this is a preliminary plan" whose details will be closely held to allow for continued discussion and to avoid giving the enemy forewarning.

The plan called for the involvement of "all elements of national power" in what Davis called a "trans-regional approach" to defeating the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

"Diplomacy is a key part of the plan" that was focused on ISIS but was also shaped to include other "trans-regional" terrorist groups, Davis said. "This is really a framework for broader discussion."

The formulation of the plan fulfilled a campaign pledge by Trump, who had said that if elected he would order up a 30-day review on accelerated action to eliminate ISIS as a threat. On Jan, 27, Trump went to the Pentagon for the first time to sign an executive order directing Mattis to draw up the plan within 30 days.

At the White House, Mattis outlined the plan to the "Principals Committee" of the National Security Council, led by the new National Security Advisor, Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, Davis said. The Principals Committee included White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and other senior Trump advisers.

McMaster had been at the Pentagon last Friday to be briefed on Mattis' proposals which Davis described in general terms as a "broad plan. It is global. It is not just military. It is not just Iraq-Syria." Davis said Mattis intended the plan to require choices by the president and his team "but it's not a "check-the-block, pick A or B or C kind of a plan."

The military under the Obama administration was strongly opposed to the introduction of major elements of U.S. conventional forces into the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and backed the train, advise and assist role with local forces.

U.S. commanders have suggested that the new plan would involve U.S. troops moving closer to the front lines while still avoiding ground combat. Trump has said he would favor the creation of "safe zones" for refugees in Syria, which would require large numbers of U.S. troops to police and protect them, but there was no immediate indication that the Mattis plan included safe zones.

Last week, Army Gen, Joseph Votel, commander of U.S. Central Command, told reporters traveling with him in the Mideast that the U.S. might provide artillery support to the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces now closing on the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa.

At the Brookings Institute last week, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford said that the U.S. was looking to the possibility of a long-term presence of U.S. troops in Iraq following the ouster of ISIS from its last remaining stronghold in the northwestern Iraqi city of Mosul.

"We have, as has NATO, begun a dialogue about a long-term commitment to grow the capacity, maintain the capacity of Iraqi Security Forces, but no decisions have been made yet," Dunford said.

When asked about the Mattis plan, Dunford said "It's fair to say we'll provide him (Trump) a full range of options."

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at richard.sisk@military.com

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The military has three separate investigations underway of last month's Yemen raid but nothing of the scope called for by the father of Navy SEAL William "Ryan" Owens, who was killed in the first combat action personally authorized by President Donald Trump, the Pentagon said Monday.

"I can only tell you what we're doing" in the way of looking into what happened on the Jan. 29 raid, said Capt. Jeff Davis, a Navy spokesman. He said the military is conducting an Article 15-6 fact-finding investigation by a senior officer of how the mission was carried out.

A separate aircraft mishap investigation is also underway on the loss of a Marine MV-22 Osprey, which had to be destroyed after a hard landing in which several members of the raid team were injured, Davis said.

A third investigation on civilian casualties from the raid is also underway, Davis said. According to the Pentagon, at least 14 civilians were killed in the mission, along with at least 16 militants.

The investigations do not deal with the planning of the mission, the decision-making process involved, or whether the operation was ordered in haste.

William Owens, father of Special Warfare Chief Petty Officer Owens, a member of Navy SEAL Team 6, said he wants a broader investigation to look into whether politics was involved in the decision to order the raid.

The elder Owens told the Miami Herald over the weekend that he had refused to meet with Trump during the ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware when his son's remains were returned.

"The government owes my son an investigation," he told the newspaper. "Don't hide behind my son's death to prevent an investigation."

"I'm sorry, I don't want to see him," Owens recalled telling a chaplain who had informed him that Trump was on his way from Washington. "I told them I don't want to meet the president."

The grieving father asked, "Why at this time did there have to be this stupid mission when it wasn't even barely a week into his administration? Why?"

The White House continues to defend the raid.

"I know that the mission has a lot of different critics, but it did yield a substantial amount of very important intel and resources that helped save American lives and other lives," Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the deputy White House press secretary, said on ABC's "This Week" on Sunday.

When asked if Trump would support an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Owens' death, Sanders said she had not spoken directly to the president about it but added, "I would imagine that he would be supportive of that."

U.S. Central Command and the White House have repeatedly called the raid against a compound of the Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula group (AQAP) a "success," in that the raid team took away computer discs and other intelligence material.

In addition to Owens' death, three other members of the raiding team were wounded in what CentCom has called a "ferocious firefight" against AQAP defenders, including female fighters.

In giving a timeline on the planning of the raid, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Feb. 2 that the planning was mostly done during the Obama administration but actual authorization for the raid was pushed off until after Trump was inaugurated to await a "moonless night."

Former Obama administration officials have pushed back on Spicer's account. Colin Kahl, a former security official in the Obama administration, disputes the "moonless night" scenario. He told The Wall Street Journal and other outlets that "no specific raid was discussed" while Obama was still president.

According to Spicer, CentCom submitted a plan for the Yemen raid to the Pentagon on Nov. 7, and the Pentagon approved it Dec. 19. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis reviewed the plan Jan. 24. On Jan. 25, then-National Security Adviser Michael Flynn briefed Trump, Spicer said.

On Jan. 26, Trump authorized the plan after meeting over dinner at the White House with Mattis, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford and others, Spicer said.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
A cargo ship carrying military family vehicles and household goods caught fire late Feb. 23 as it left Southampton, United Kingdom, on its way to the U.S., Defense Department officials said.

The M/V Honor, operated by American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC), was set to arrive in Baltimore on March 27, according to the company's schedule. The onboard fire started shortly after the ship's departure from Southampton, officials said. The ship's CO2 fire suppression system was deployed to extinguish the blaze, according to officials with Surface and Distribution Command, which manages troop permanent change of station moves.

Officials said they don't yet know how many troops'' shipments may be affected or the extent of the fire damage. Military families and service members whose property was on the ship haven't yet been notified of the fire, officials said. Military officials in Europe were told about the fire late Monday.

"No one has been notified as of yet," said Fred Rice, a spokesman, for the command.

No crew members were injured during the incident, and the ship remained under its own power as it returned to Southampton, Rice said.

The damage to the ship or its cargo cannot be investigated until a ventilation process has been completed and British authorities give the OK to enter the impacted cargo holds, according to an ARC press release. Once that all-clear is given, Rice said, they will have more information on how many service members are impacted, if any.

"Confirmation of whether service member property was involved in the fire will not be known until the cargo hold assessment is completed later this week at the earliest," he said.

A 2015 ARC fire on the M/V Courage destroyed 220 service members' cars and left 25 household goods shipments with smoke damage. Rice said although the extent of the damage to the Honor is still unknown, the fire was nowhere near the scale of that on the Courage.

-- Amy Bushatz can be reached at amy.bushatz@military.com.
[February 28, 2017] First Orion and NetNumber Integrate Advanced Call Management into Carrier Networks

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 28, 2017 /CNW/ -- (Mobile World Congress)  First Orion and NetNumber announced today a joint solution that empowers carriers to protect landline, voice over IP (VoIP) and wireless subscribers from dangerous and unwanted calls and enables users to customize call blocking and call management features. To learn more about the technology and partnership visit booth #7F80 at Mobile World Congress. First Orion is a leading provider of call protection solutions, already protecting millions of wireless subscribers with CallerYD, call blocking and Scam/Nuisance identification/protection products that are supported by robust data assets. The companies have now integrated the First Orion Network Enterprise Solutions (FONES) with the NetNumber TITAN Centralized Signaling and Routing Control (CSRC) platform to bring advanced call routing capabilities and unprecedented flexibility and protection into the carrier network, while minimizing impact on critical network resources. Along with industry efforts such as phone call certification aimed at addressing harmful spoofing, this solution represents a critical step toward extending effective robocall protection to the broader universe of carriers and subscribers. More details on the joint solution are available at http://netnumber.com/about/collateral-download/. "The ability to offer advanced call routing, call blocking and management services via a carrier's network has been limited to enterprises," explained Diane Myers, Senior Research Director, IHS Markit. "The opportunity for carriers to now offer similar capabilities at the subscriber level, including protection from unwanted calls, has the potential to create new revenue streams for carriers while solving a major pain point for their customers." First Orion Network Enterprise Solutions (FONES)

FONES enables carriers to easily and seamlessly deploy settings to protect all customers from identified malicious callers, such as known scammers that use robocalling. FONES also puts protection into the hands of the customers with th ability to block any number or categories of calls from any caller or device, including a variety of mobile phones, VoIP handset or online via a Web portal.



"Over 200 million unwanted calls are made to mobile phones and landlines in the U.S. every day," said Scott Hambuchen, EVP of First Orion. "By partnering with NetNumber we are able to combine their best-in-class TITAN platform with our powerful call protection products to help block calls from scammers, annoying nuisance calls and individuals on mobile and landlines, while ensuring legitimate or wanted calls still get through." NetNumber TITAN Platform

Today's carrier network operates with a variety of protocols such as SS7, SIP, Diameter, ENUM. Therefore, any robocall solution integrated into the network must be capable of addressing both legacy PSTN/PLMN and current VoLTE IMS telephony networks. TITAN is a multi-protocol engine that understands these protocols, and uses the FONES Protect to make intelligent decisions on call termination and destination. Learn more about TITAN at http://netnumber.com/products/titan/ or by contacting [email protected].

"Carriers are looking for solutions that enable innovative services," explained Steve Legge, vice president, NetNumber Corporate Development and Product Management. "We are excited about our partnership with First Orion and the market-leading capabilities such as advanced call management the First Orion solution delivers into the core of the carrier network. The combined First Orion and NetNumber solution highlights the service agility capabilities of the TITAN platform, and the breadth of signaling and routing control capabilities that are supported in our extensible, virtualized platform." About NetNumber

NetNumber, Inc. brings 16 years of experience delivering innovative signaling control solutions that enable carriers to accelerate implementation of new services across multiple generations of networks, while dramatically simplifying the core network and reducing operating costs. Today, we are the leading provider of Centralized Signaling and Routing Control (CSRC) solutions to the global communications industry. Visit www.netnumber.com for more information. Connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and Facebook. About First Orion

First Orion, provides data and phone call transparency solutions across multiple platforms, world-class data solutions, in-network call control and its PrivacyStar powered application solutions. First Orion Network Enterprise Solutions (FONES) currently provides call control, call blocking, call transparency and call management solutions to millions of mobile handsets. With branded and white-labeled applications as well as in-network solutions, First Orion assists mobile carriers in protecting mobile subscribers from unwanted or unknown calls, including Scammers, robocalls and Telemarketers. First Orion is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas with offices in Seattle, Dallas and London. Visit www.FirstOrion.com for more information. Contacts:

NetNumber

Kim Gibbons

+1 408 398 5223

[email protected] First Orion

Jackie Eicholz

+1 831 401 3175

[email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-orion-and-netnumber-integrate-advanced-call-management-into-carrier-networks-300412837.html SOURCE First Orion

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[February 28, 2017] Telit Hosts Second Financial Analyst & Investor Day at Mobile World Congress Barcelona

Telit, a global enabler of the Internet of Things (IoT), today announced that Oozi Cats, Chief Executive Officer, and Yosi Fiat, Financial Director and President, hosted Telit's second financial analyst and investor day. The event took place on Tuesday, February 28 at the Telit booth during Mobile World Congress (News - Alert). The presentations provide Telit's strategic direction, product and service offerings, roadmap and perspectives on Internet of Things market opportunities. TechMahindra, as a guest speaker, discussed their collaboration with Telit and IoT market opportunities in a digital era. The agenda included the following: Oozi Cats, CEO, Telit - Opening

CEO, Telit - Opening Alon Segal, CTO, Telit - Future of Communication Technoclogies

- Future of Communication Technoclogies Fred Yentz, CEO, Telit IoT Platforms - Enabling End-to-End IoT Solutions

- Enabling End-to-End IoT Solutions Karthikeyan Natarajan, Global Head Integrated Engineering Solutions, TechMahindra - IoT in a Digital Era

Global Head Integrated Engineering Solutions, TechMahindra - IoT in a Digital Era Yosi Fait, President & Finance Director, Telit - Positioned for Ongoing Growth "Telit now hosts the event annually to ensure financial analysts and investors interested in IoT are kept up to date from Telit's perspective; we know that IoT can still be imtimidating and complex and we want to make it easier for everyone," said Yosi Fait, President & Finance Director of Telit. "As a pure-play IoT company, Telit is one of a few suppliers that can offer IoT modules, connectivity, platforms and consulting under one roof to help our customers and partners succeed in developing end-to-end solutions."



To listen to the webcast, please visit the Company's website under Investor Relations at http://www.telit.com/investor-relations/presentation-and-webcasts/. Telit is demonstrating its end-to-end Internet of Things solutions in hall 5 booth E61 during Mobile World Congress February 27 to March 2 in Barcelona, Spain.

About Telit Telit (AIM: TCM), is a global leader in Internet of Things (IoT) enablement. The company offers the industry's broadest portfolio of integrated products and services for end-to-end IoT deployments - including cellular communication modules in all technologies, GNSS, short-to-long range wireless modules, IoT connectivity plans and IoT platform services. Through the IoT Portal, Telit makes IoT onboarding easy, reduces risk, time to market, complexity and costs for asset tracking, remote monitoring and control, telematics, industrial automation and others, across many industries and vertical markets worldwide. Copyright  2017 Telit Communications (News - Alert) PLC. All rights reserved. Telit and all associated logos are trademarks of Telit Communications PLC in the United States and other countries. Other names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170228005293/en/

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[February 28, 2017]

Syringa Networks Lights Up J.R. Simplot Company World Headquarters

BOISE, Idaho, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Syringa Networks, a fiber-optic network provider headquartered in Boise, Idaho, recently added the new J.R. Simplot Company World Headquarters complex in Boise, Idaho to its fiber network.

Initially commissioned to provide high-speed bandwidth to the Simplot facilities in and out of the United States, the J.R. Simplot Company, a privately held food and agribusiness company, commissioned Syringa Networks to provide high capacity data via fiber to its new complex in downtown Boise.

The two organizations have worked together for the past several years bringing high speed broadband services to Simplot's rural facilities. Syringa Networks began with connecting Simplot operations in Afton, Wyoming and eastern Idaho and continued to connect additional operations in rural areas in the United States, Canada, Mexico and other countries.

As an example, in conjunction with a major cellular provider and the J.R. Simplot Company, Syringa Networks worked together to build a 300-foottower, connect it with broadband, and provide the Grand View, Idaho area with high-speed voice and data service where residents previously had spotty cellular coverage.







"Telecommunications and broadband access is essential to the businesses and residents of rural areas. We are proud to do our part in bringing connectivity to remote communities," said Greg Lowe, Syringa Networks President and CEO.

To date, Syringa Networks has implemented bandwidth solutions to over 130 Simplot sites both domestic and international.

About Syringa Networks:

Syringa Networks specializes in custom network solutions for businesses, providing a broad range of networking services throughout Idaho, Utah, and Washington. Services are delivered over a 4 Terabit capacity backbone, on a purpose-built self-healing fiber optic network. Offerings are available at speeds from T1 to OC-192 and Ethernet at data rates up to 100 Gigabits (Gb). In addition to a full range of E-Line, E-LAN, and Layer-3 services, Syringa Networks operates Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technologies. Through services such as Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), the company is able to customize business communications regardless of the technologies used at each location. Additional services provided include Business Internet, Fiber-to-the-Tower, and Network Equipment sales.

Syringa Networks is a privately held corporation headquartered in Boise, Idaho, with additional offices in Idaho Falls and Pocatello, Idaho, and West Valley City, Utah.

Media Contact

Larry Price, Vice President Marketing & Sales

(208) 297-5225

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/syringa-networks-lights-up-jr-simplot-company-world-headquarters-300414367.html

SOURCE Syringa Networks
[February 27, 2017] United Health Foundation and Medical College of Wisconsin to Launch Coordinated Care Program for New and Expectant Mothers

United Health Foundation and the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) will create a program to improve women's health and birth outcomes, and reduce health disparities. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006488/en/ United Health Foundation announced a $1.2 million grant partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin to announce The Periscope Project, a real-time, care coordination program addressing the mental wellness of new and expectant mothers across the Milwaukee area. The grant was announced at Medical College of Wisconsin on Monday by Dustin Hinton, president and CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin, Becky Schroeder, co-founder, Moms Mental Health Initiative, Dr. Christina Wichman, associate professor, Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr. Donna Davidoff, ?chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, State Sen. Alberta Darling, 8th Senate District, and Dr. John Raymond, president and CEO, Medical College of Wisconsin (Photo: John-Paul Greco). The Periscope (PERInatal Specialty COnsult Psychiatry Extension) Project aims to provide real-time care coordination, behavioral health services and support for new and expectant mothers across southeast Wisconsin. Primary-care providers will have access to care-coordination services including: immediate, real-time, peer-to-peer access to consultation by a perinatal psychiatrist;

a Periscope Project coordinator to help identify community resources, and;

digital resources via MCW's website featuring a care provider toolkit composed of medical management resources including assessment tools, treatment algorithms, treatment information and continuing medical education (CME) modules. The project is funded by a $1.2 million grant by United Health Foundation, and is part of the foundation's city-based approach to provide resources to organizations that connect communities to care, support whole-person health and build healthier communities. "The Periscope Project addresses the lack of perinatal psychiatric care providers by increasing the reach and efficiency of these specialized health providers," said Dr. Christina Wichman, associate professor of Psychiatry, and Obstetrics and Gynecology at MCW. "Together, we are building the capacity of primary-care providers to efectively manage and coordinate care for their perinatal patients with psychiatric and behavioral health conditions."



"We are partnering with the Medical College of Wisconsin to help ensure that primary care providers have the tools they need to enhance new and expectant mothers' health and well-being," said Dr. Donna Davidoff, chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Wisconsin. "The Periscope Project will help more mothers and babies live healthier lives and improve access to coordinated, comprehensive care." The Periscope Project is led by a multi-disciplinary team including a perinatal psychiatrist and program staff from the MCW's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, and a researcher and health economist from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing. Secondary partnerships include Milwaukee Health Care Partnership and its member health systems, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

"These partnerships are critical to the project's success," said Jennifer Doering, associate professor and executive committee chair, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing. "This multi-institution and multi-discipline approach is rooted with a deep commitment to advancing and integrating cost-effective best practices for the care and treatment of perinatal women in Milwaukee, with a targeted approach to reaching the most vulnerable patients." According to the 2016 America's Health Rankings Health of Women and Children Report, more than 14 percent of women ages 18 to 44 in Wisconsin use alcohol during pregnancy, signaling a need for increased substance-abuse consultation and access to care during these critical months. The Periscope Project will ensure new and expectant mothers have access to these services, in addition to specialty perinatal psychiatric care. The United Health Foundation grant will be awarded over three years, with an additional $200,000 from the State of Wisconsin through the Title V Maternal Health Block Grant. About the Medical College of Wisconsin

Founded in 1893, the Medical College of Wisconsin is dedicated to leadership and excellence in education, patient care, research and community engagement. More than 1,200 students are enrolled in MCW's medical school and graduate school programs in Milwaukee, 56 medical students enrolled at MCW-Green Bay, and 26 students matriculated to MCW-Central Wisconsin in 2016. MCW's School of Pharmacy will open in 2017 or 2018 with an initial class size of 60 students. A major national research center, MCW is the largest research institution in the Milwaukee metro area and second largest in Wisconsin. In FY2015, faculty received more than $158 million in external support for research, teaching, training and related purposes. This total includes highly competitive research and training awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Annually, MCW faculty direct or collaborate on more than 3,200 research studies, including clinical trials. Additionally, more than 1,500 physicians provide care in virtually every specialty of medicine for more than 525,000 patients annually. About United Health Foundation

Through collaboration with community partners, grants and outreach efforts, United Health Foundation works to improve our health system, build a diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of local communities. United Health Foundation was established by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation dedicated to improving health and health care. To date, United Health Foundation has committed nearly $315 million to programs and communities around the world. We invite you to learn more at www.unitedhealthgroup.com/SocialResponsibility or follow Facebook.com/UHGGives. Click here to subscribe to Mobile Alerts for UnitedHealth Group. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170227006488/en/

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Samsung is at Mobile World Congress this week. But the smartphone market share leader is focused on introducing tablets as opposed to phones. Meanwhile, No. 2 smart phone player Apple has foregone the Barcelona event altogether, true to its style of only participating in events over which it has total control. And Google doesnt have much of a presence at the big gathering, although devices based on its Android operating system are certainly in evidence.

No matter. Theres still plenty of smartphone action this week in the Catalonian capital.

There, the Consumer Business Group of telecommunications powerhouse Huawei has launched the P10 and P10 Plus smartphones, along with a couple of smartwatches. These cell phones are garnering attention for their built-in Leica cameras. The P10 includes the Leica Dual-Camera 2.0, and the P10 Plus features the Leica Dual-Camera 2.0 Pro.

Meanwhile, LG is talking about its G6 smartphone. This smartphone is unique in that it presents content across the entire face of its 5.7-inch screen.

The LG G6 with FullVision was inspired by the philosophy of experts in the movie industry who believe that an 18:9 ratio screen would be the best solution for viewing both old and new cinematic content in the digital age, said Juno Cho, president of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. Weve not only embraced that philosophy in our newest smartphone but taken it to a whole new level by incorporating the 18:9 format in many other ways. I think users will appreciate the many ways weve made the LG G6 more productive.

Others like HMD Global Oy and Lenovo Group have hopped on the smartphone hog pile as well. The former company, which has a licensing relationship with Nokia, has introduced a couple of smartphones under its partners name. And Lenovo Group, the company which purchased part of Motorolas business awhile back, has come out with the Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus models. Reports indicate that Sony Corp. is considering working with Japanese messaging service Line Corp. to develop smartphones as well, and those devices are expected to leverage artificial intelligence.

All this points to a push by other vendors to make a bigger mark in the smartphone arena.

While it might seem that Samsungs and Apples leadership positions in this category are cemented, Apples phones have been in the market a good long time, so some users might be ready for a change. Meanwhile, Samsung is still trying to overcome the exploding phone public relations nightmare it had with the Note 7. And some of these devices are targeted at new markets and customers.

Some of the smaller smartphone players are coming out with more affordable and/or more fun devices. Nokia, which years ago was considered the innovator in the cell phone space, has reintroduced the 3310 that helped make it famous in this product category. The new 3310 is brightly colored, has a battery that lasts for a whole month, a two-megapixel camera, and a 2.4-inch screen.

Edited by Maurice Nagle
you are here:
Madhuchanda Dey

Moneycontrol Research

The Indian insurance sector is certainly in a sweet spot, thanks to favourable demographics, rising affluence and the silent but sustained shift towards financial savings. The demonetisation drive and the governments tacit hint to discourage physical savings are added sweeteners. In this context, the quarterly financial highlights from Indias largest insurer  Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) -- beckons attention. Given that we now have a valuation benchmark with a pure play private sector listed entity, this is a gold mine that the markets should watch closely.Source: ICICI PruIndia is the 10th largest life insurance market in the world and the fifth largest in Asia. Indias current life penetration rate of 2.7 percent is still far below the global average of 3.5 percent. Indias insurance density (premiums per capita) at USD 43 is also much lower than global peers average of USD 346. These metrics indicate that there is immense scope for growth in life premiums in India.LIC, the market leader, held a press conference after a long time to report its numbers for the first nine months of the fiscal. The insurer reported a little over 12 percent growth in total premium income as well as assets under management and an over 15 percent rise in gross total income.In the absence of detailed disclosure on profitability parameters it wouldnt be prudent to take a call on the quality of the performance. However, some of the other details deserve attention. The management of LIC, in the first nine months of FY17 invested Rs 39,705 crore in equity markets  down 38 percent yoy. This is a period that witnessed a 5.8 percent rally in the Nifty and a 14 percent surge in the Nifty Midcap Index. Interestingly, the strategy was quite different in the first nine months of FY16. LIC invested close to Rs 64,000 crore in the market between April and December 2015 when the Nifty declined by 6.4 percent. Should the 'long-term retail Investor take cues from LICs contrarian strategy?The numbers of LIC, put in the context of its listed private sector rival ICICI Pru throw some interesting insights. The state-owned LICs market share is almost 5X its nearest private sector competitor, while its assets under management is 21X. Though the private sector players optically report higher growth in premium income thanks to the lower base; in terms of size, LICs premium accretion in the like-to-like period is almost 10x and gross total income around 14x.While it will be premature to put a number on the market value of the state-owned insurer in the absence of Embedded Value (EV) that some of its private peers have started reporting, a peep into ICICI Prudentials KPI (key performance Indicator) does give us a sense of the magnitude.ICICI Pru, albeit on a high growth trajectory, has one of the lowest life new business value (NBV) margins (9.4 percent vs. 13.9 percent average) in the industry due to the predominance of primarily savings product like ULIP (Unit Linked Insurance Plan). Nevertheless, with a market capitalisation of Rs 51,900 crore (USD 7.7 bn) it trades at P/EV multiple of 3.3X (significant premium to global peers given the attractiveness of a growth market like India). As the broad KPIs suggest, LIC is at least 10X, going by any parameter.Source: ICICI PruLIC is a statutory corporation set up under LIC Act and any divestment requires the nod of the Parliament. However, its name has not come up despite the rather tall divestment target of Rs 725 billion in FY17. With the insurer now reporting its quarterly numbers and given the immense value unlocking opportunity, the government may be preserving the precious family silver for the absolutely rainy day.
business Tata Sons agrees to pay $1.17 bn to DoCoMo, withdraws case in HC In 2009, the Japanese telecom giant invested around USD 2.6 billion in order to buy a 26.5 percent stake in Tata Teleservices (TTSL). It later deemed the venture as its aworsta overseas investment, and sought USD 1.17 billion in compensation for its 2014 exit from India.
business Tata Sons, DoCoMo call truce; Japanese co suspends legal battles A dispute that had arisen with NTT DOCOMO over its investment in Tata Teleservices. The dispute was over Tata Sons buying back DoCoMos stake in Tata Tele as per their agreement signed in 2009.
business Tulsian tells: How GST will impact the unorganised sector Once the Goods & Services Tax (GST) is implemented, there will be some hiccups in first three months. But it will be positive for many sectors like tile and leather products, said SP Tulsian of sptulsian.com.
Education

Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu.

Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu.

Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events:

International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu.

EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu.

Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale  an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s  will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets  June Homecoming: Participant  $18 per person; Sustainer  $25 per person; Benefactor  $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler  Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events:

SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available  for information call 610-275-1960

Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above)

SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m.

Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.  4 p.m.  computers are available during those hours.

Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863.

Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376.

Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com.

The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes:

Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at

other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020.

CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313.

The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events:

Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m.

Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m.

Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30.

Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301.

For Kids & Families

The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443.

Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950.

Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required.

The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950.

Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus.

Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage.

Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun.

Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train.

Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world!

Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class.

Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org.

Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583.

Community Events at the Ambler Y:

-YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register.

Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org.

Health

Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot.

The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information.

Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245.

Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net.

Spring Aquatic Programs  UDHS Pool:

-Summer is just around the corner  Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required.

 Shallow Water Aerobics  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR.

 Adult Swim Instructions  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR

-Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21.

-Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday  Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m.

-Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons.

-Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates.

Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994.

SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com.

Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org.

Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs:

FITNESS CLASSES

Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month.

Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30  9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000.

Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30  7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047.

New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m.  12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30  4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931.

Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325.

Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes.

Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com.

Librarytalk

Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744

www.upperdublinlibrary.org

APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS:

Storytimes: Please register in the library.

o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m.

o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m.

o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m.

o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6.

APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS:

North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee

APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS:

NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org.

One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register  contact info above.

Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744.

o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register.

Meetings:

Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m.

Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m.

Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org.

For children and teens at Blue Bell:

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m.

* May 14  Despicable Me

* June 11  Alpha and Omega

* Special Events

* April  watch for date of spring/Easter events

* April 14 at 4:30 p.m.  Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children.

* April 14 at 7 p.m.  Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided.

* April 16 at 1 p.m.  Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King.

* April 16 at 1:30 p.m.  Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes?

* April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button.

* April 30 through May 3  Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults.

* May  sign up for Science in the Summer

* June  sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children

* June  sign up for Summer Reading, all ages

For adults at Blue Bell:

* Daytime Book Discussion Group  fourth Tuesday, Jan  April at 1:30 p.m.

* April 26  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Night-time Book Discussion Group  third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.

o April 19  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges

o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked?

*Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs

* Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class.

* Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class.

* Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m.

* Giant Book Sale, April 29  May 3

o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults!

o Held during library hours.

o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m.

o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join.

* Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series

o May 11 at 1 p.m.  Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society

* Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room.

* Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read.

* Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome.

* Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome.

*Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older.

* Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours

* Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours

* Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday!

Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library.

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* For adults:

* Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn.

* Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net

* Special Events:

* April 14 at 1:30 p.m.  Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian.

* April 19 at 7 p.m.  Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m.

* April 21 at 7 p.m.  Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades.

*May 2 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

*May 10  Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*May 12 at 1:30p.m.  Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman.

*May 17  Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*June 13 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

Meetings and Lectures

The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833.

The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200.

The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/.

LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings.

Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org.

Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org)

-Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them.

The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter.

For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps.

Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin.

Special Events

The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County.

The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065.

Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members.

Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex.

The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com.

The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348.

The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org.

Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163.

The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu.

The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com.

The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net.

Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages.

13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries.

Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family.

The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler.

JPRN  Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them  Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike.

Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies.

Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately.

Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways.

Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table.

Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp  Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall:

-Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store.

Music and Theater

The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220.

Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html.

Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free.

The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org

Religious News

The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276.

Reunions

St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net.

Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572.

Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779.

Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net

Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net

The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411.

Support

New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149.

PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931.

The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296.

Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656.

Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group  every other Wednesday, 7  8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support  second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner  Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers  Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information.

CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7  8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich,
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The following charges were served on Sunday, January 29:

 Curtis Antwan Cobbs, 38, of 2606 Old Highway 18, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear and driving during revocation. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $1,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 10.

 Stevie Allen Woody, 39, of 409 Fletcher St., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor larceny all other and first-degree trespassing. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $200 secured bond. His trial date was set for Feb. 28.

 Lisa Ann C Huffman, 35, of 444 Summers Road, in Morganton, was charged with felony obtaining property by false pretense and misdemeanor false reports to police. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $10,000 secured bond.

The following charges were served on Monday, January 30:

 Stacie Ann Whitesides, 27, of 906 Jamestown Road, Apt. D4, in Morganton, was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $2,000 secured bond.

 Jerry Edward Killian Jr., 44, of 5737 Gun Powder Road, in Granite Falls, was charged with misdemeanor larceny by trick. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $2,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for Feb. 22.

 Jerome Lee McNeely, 45, of 2349 Liberty Church Road, Lot 4, in Hickory, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor resist, delay or obstruct and one count of misdemeanor damage or injury to real property. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $3,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 14.

 Joshua Isaac Clark, 31, of 2309 Us 70 W, in Morganton, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance in prison or jail. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $1,000 secured bond.

 Nolan Lamar Weaver, 20, of 2579 Harding Road, in Connelly Springs, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $500 secured bond. His trial date was set for April 3.

 Morgan James Bledsoe, 44, of 5136 Willie Ray Drive, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor probation violation and domestic criminal trespass. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail. His trial date was set for Feb. 27.

 Brett Michael Foresman, 26, of 2631 Laurel Point Drive, in Nebo, was charged with misdemeanor larceny all other. He was cited and released.

 Joseph Paul W. Mosteller, 34, of 306 Walker Road, in Morganton, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor failure to appear and one count of misdemeanor larceny by trick. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $3,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 6.

 Crystal Bartlett Silvers, 36, of 303 37th St. SW, in Hickory, was charged with misdemeanor second-degree trespassing. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $2,000 secured bond.

 Jeconiah Amariee Davidson, 17, of 8300 David Lee Lane, in Charlotte, was charged with one count each of felony possession of marijuana with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and underage possession or consumption of alcohol. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $3,000 secured bond.

 Tyrone Martin Hampton Jr., 27, of 9805 Precious Stone Drive, in Wake Forest, was charged with one misdemeanor count each of possession of marijuana, open container in passenger area and failure to burn headlamps or rear lamps. He was cited and released. His trial date was set for May 12.

The following charges were served on Tuesday, January 31:

 Dennis Shayne Cole, 48, of 105 Ross St., Trailer C, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He was served by a criminal summons to appear for a trial date set for Feb. 22.

 Jessica Dawn Compton, 32, of 2866 Windy Hill Hollow, Lot 3, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor defacing public property. She was served by a criminal summons to appear for a trial date set for Feb. 13.

 Angela Kristen Kiser, 46, of 1265 Oak Forest Drive, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor larceny by trick and violation of school attendance law. She was released on a written promise to appear for a trial date set for March 7.

 Timothy Matthew Shelnut, 44, of 2341 Hill Drive, 36D, in Valdese, was charged with one count each of felony solicitation of a child by computer or electronic device to commit sex act and taking indecent liberties with children. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $5,000 secured bond.

 Bradley Michael Swink, 24, of 109 US Highway 70 E, in Hildebran, was charged with three counts of misdemeanor larceny by trick and one count each of misdemeanor possession of stolen goods and damage to personal property. He was issued a $2,000 secured bond and released. His trial date was set for March 6.

 Ashley Anna Addington, 31, of 109 US Highway 70 E, in Hildebran, was charged with felony obtaining property by false pretense. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $1,000 secured bond.

 Justin Matthew Setzer, 33, of 109 US Highway 70 E, in Hildebran, was charged with one felony count each of larceny of a firearm and obtaining property by false pretense. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $1,000 secured bond.

 Gwendolyn Elizabeth Carter, 37, of 1595 Kennedy Drive, in Morganton, was charged with felony obtaining property by false pretense. She was released on a written promise to appear.

 Joshua Aaron Crosby, 31, of 418 N Main St., in Drexel, was charged with misdemeanor simple assault and first-degree trespassing. He was served by a criminal summons to appear for a trial date set for Feb. 27.

 Darryl Eugene Kirk, 48, of 6030 Nowlings Chapel Church Road, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor driving while impaired. He was released on a written promise to appear for a trial date set for March 14.

The following charges were served on Wednesday, February 1:

 Bernice Pearl Dinsmore, 75, of 113 6th Ave. SE, in Hildebran, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear. She was issued a $500 secured bond and released. Her trial date was set for March 1.

 Crystal Amanda Crowe, 26, of 301 Latham Drive, in Newport News, VA, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. She was issued a $1,000 secured bond and released. Her trial date was set for March 1.

 Amy Helms Reid, 46, of 4118 River Road, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor violation of school attendance law. She was served by a criminal summons to appear for a trial date set for Feb. 28.

 Jason Lee Metcalf, 43, of 720 W Union St., C, in Morganton, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor failure to appear. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $2,500 secured bond. His trial date was set for Feb. 27.

 Rory Marshall Clark, 34, of Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor larceny all other. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $500 secured bond.

 Daniel Alexander Smith, 61, of 304 Roper St., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear. He was issued a $4,000 secured bond and released. His trial date was set for Feb. 28.

 Kiwanus Tereii Bonner, 27, of 507 Bouchelle St., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor assault on a female and larceny after breaking and entering. He was issued a $1,000 secured bond and released. His trial date was set for Feb. 8.

 Charles Glinn Maltry, 53, of 4556 Silver Creek Church Road, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor communicating threats and damage or injury to real property. He was served by a criminal summons to appear.

The following charges were served on Thursday, February 2:

 Christain Thad Barr, 19, of 1910 Bristol Creek Ave., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear. He was issued a $2,500 secured bond and released.

 William Cody Meadows, 29, of 1008 Faet St., in Valdese, was charged with misdemeanor damage or injury to real property. He was released on a written promise to appear for a trial date set for March 13.

 George Eric Setzer, 48, of 4118 River Road, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor violation of school attendance law. He was served by a criminal summons to appear for a trial date set for Feb. 28.

 Janet Sue Bryant, 38, of 7366 McDuffy Road, Lot 22, in Connelly Springs, was charged with misdemeanor cyber stalking. She was released on a written promise to appear for a trial date set for Feb. 13.

 Justin Cassidy Brown, 25, of Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor first-degree trespassing. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $500 secured bond. His trial date was set for Feb. 15.

 Misty Street Teague, 35, of 2114 Hunterwood Drive, in Hickory, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $280 secured bond. Her trial date was set for Feb. 28.

 Kristy Lynn Cook, 35, of 2114 Hunterwood Drive, in Hickory, was charged with four counts of misdemeanor failure to appear. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $6,000 secured bond. Her trial date was set for March 22.

 Shawnta Love Kirby, 30, of 1832 Hilferty Road, in Hickory, was charged with one count each of felony possession of methamphetamines, misdemeanor possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to appear. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $30,000 secured bond.

 Karen Leigh Edwards, 44, of 278 Church St., in Marion, was charged with one misdemeanor count each of larceny of property or possession of stolen goods, communicating threats and simple assault or assault and battery. She was released on a written promise to appear for a trial date set for March 1.

 Tyler Edward Waycaster, 21, of 2170 Henderson Mill Road, in Morganton, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor second-degree trespassing, one misdemeanor count each of damage to personal property, threatening phone calls, assault on a female and larceny by trick. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $1,500 secured bond.

The following charges were served on Friday, February 3:

 Robert Dale Birdsong, 47, of 3501 Smith Road, in Morganton, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault on a female, two counts of misdemeanor communicating threats and one count of misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $6,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 1.

 Charles Earl Neal Jr., 17, of 5150 Western Ave., in Morganton, was charged with two counts of felony common law robbery. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $20,000 secured bond.

 Dean Allen Yancey, 62, of 9870 Roger Hill Road, in Connelly Springs, was charged with three counts of misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $500,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 20.

 Willie Charles Davis, 42, of 4363 Homer Burns Ave., in Hickory, was charged with felony breaking or entering buildings generally. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $10,000 secured bond.

 Stefanie Michelle Holland, 32, of 1026 Dinah St. SW, in Valdese, was charged with misdemeanor defrauding a drug screening test. Her trial date was set for March 7.

 Kenneth Lee Hawkins, 62, of 100 Douglas Drive, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor first-degree trespassing. He was released on a written promise to appear for a trial date set for March 8.

 Jamie Lee Icenhour, 35, of 1651 Wilkesboro Blvd., in Lenoir, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear. He was issued a $4,000 secured bond and released. His trial date was set for March 13.

 Glenn Cole Bingham, 63, of 3493 Dean Road, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor communicating threats. He was released on a written promise to appear.

 Tyler Edward Waycaster, 21, of 2170 Henderson Mill Road, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor assault on a female and damage to personal property. He was served at the Burke-Catawba jail where he was being held on previous charges. He was issued an additional $3,000 secured bond and a trial date was set for Feb. 22.

 Lewis H Alligood, 29, of 941 Malcolm Blvd., in Rutherford College, was charged misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. He was issued a $969 bond and released.

 Torree Bryant Benjamin, 39, of 306 Center St., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor simple worthless check. She was served by a criminal summons to appear for a trial date set for Feb. 20.

 Khyran Rasaan Littlejohn, 21, of 201 Patton St., Apt. H, in Morganton, was charged with one misdemeanor count each of simple possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and expired registration. He was cited and released. His trial date was set for March 27.

 Edward Dwight Burns, 33, of 4810 Crystal Creek Road, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $3,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 13.

 Chelsea Shaylee Lambert, 25, of 906 Jamestown Road, E7, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor simple assault or assault and battery. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail. Her trial date was set for March 7.

 Lori Bolin Ammons, 45, of 7126 Nobby Lail Road, in Connelly Springs, was charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. She was cited and released. Her trial date was set for April 10.

The following charges were served on Monday, February 6:

 Gabrielle Elise Ford, 24, of 106 Conley St., in Morganton, was charged with one count each of felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of a schedule II controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $4,000 secured bond. Her trial date was set for March 20.

 Kimburley Brooke Hartley, 26, of 2549 Carl Freeman Ave., in Morganton, was charged with one felony count each of forgery by notes, checks and securities and forgery by uttering. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $10,000 secured bond.

 Jordan Ryan Miller, 28, of 9039 McCray Drive, in Hickory, was charged with misdemeanor second-degree trespassing. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $500 secured bond. His trial date was set for Feb. 21.

 Philip Matthew Cocke, 29, of 6845 Nuckolls Drive, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear. He was issued a $1,000 secured bond and released. His trial date was set for Feb. 27.

 Lily Lynn Carlineo, 22, of 2337 Watts St., in Morganton, was charged with felony larceny by employees. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $1,000 secured bond.

 Kelli Johnson Wilson, 47, of 2074 Wortman St., in Connelly Springs, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear and violation of a school attendance law. She was issued a $1,000 secured bond and released. Her trial date was set for Feb. 22.

 Morgan James Bledsoe, 44, of 5136 Willie Ray Drive, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor probation violation. He was issued a $1,000 secured bond and released. His trial date was set for Feb. 21.

 Stephanie Leighann Harris, 22, of Lenoir, was charged with one felony count of breaking or entering buildings generally and larceny after breaking and entering. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $10,000 secured bond.

 Jocelyn Desarai Beam, 16, of 3849 Hundred Acre Wood Trail, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor simple assault or assault and battery and damage to personal property. She was granted a custody release and her trial date was set for March 1.

 Wanda Waugh Weedman, 49, of 50 Madac Drive, 2, in Marion, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear. She was issued a $500 secured bond and released. Her trial date was set for Feb. 20.

 Daniel Shawn Duckworth, 23, of 607 Valdese Ave., B106, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor assault on a child under 12 years old and assault on a female. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail. His trial date was set for Feb. 21.

 Kayly Renee Allman, 25, of 100 Knowles Ave., in Morganton, was charged with one misdemeanor count each of possession of drug paraphernalia, driving during revocation and expired registration. She was cited and released. Her trial date was set for March 15.

 Shelly Lynn Cook, 44, of 4903 Heavenly Lane, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor simple assault or assault and battery. She was released on a written promise to appear for her trial date set for March 1.

 Wesley Allen Chapman, 26, of 4065 Mount Giled Church Road, in Connelly Springs, was charged with felony larceny by trick. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $5,000 secured bond. He was later charged with felony possession of stolen goods and issued an additional $5,000 secured bond.

The following charges were served on Tuesday, February 7:

 Michela Emily Allen, 19, of 100 Pine St., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor simple assault. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail. Her trial date was set for March 15.

 Marshelyn Latai Fortner, 22, of 100 Pine St., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor assault on a female. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail. His trial date was set for March 15.

 Thomas William Johnson, 48, of 131 Jones St., B, in Morganton, was charged with two counts of felony sell or deliver a controlled substance and one felony count of maintaining a dwelling, vehicle or place for drugs or controlled substances. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $100,000 secured bond.

 Mercedes Lea Colon, 17, of 1705 Bethel Road, Lot 1, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor stalking and simple assault. She was granted a custody release and her trial date was set for March 1.

 Kelly Edmond Bennett II, 43, of 3182 Hendersonville Highway, in Pisgah Forest, NC, was charged with felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on a written promise to appear for his trial date set for March 20.

 Jeremy Jerome Murray, 19, of 106 W Catawba St., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear. He was issued a $1,000 secured bond and released. His trial date was set for Feb. 27.

 Dekota Ryan Pettry, 17, of 5491 Manley Clark Road, Lot 8, in Morganton, was charged with one felony count each of breaking and entering buildings generally, larceny after breaking and entering and possession of stolen goods. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $5,000 secured bond.

 Thomas William Johnson, 48, of 131 Jones St., B, in Morganton, was charged with one felony count each of trafficking cocaine and possession of a schedule II controlled substance with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver. He was served at the Burke-Catawba jail where he was being held on previous charges. He was issued an additional $50,000 secured bond.

 Wesley Sion Hart, 29, of 3081 Windy Hill Ave., in Valdese, was charged with felony breaking and entering. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $10,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 20.

The following charges were served on Wednesday, February 8:

 Samantha Marie Pledger, 23, of 5908 Bollinger Loop in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor driving while impaired and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was granted a custody release and her trial date was set for June 21.

 Michael Allen Poarch, 29, of 1750 20th Ave. Drive NE, in Hickory, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $10,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 2.

 Bobby Allen Johnson Jr., 42, of 3427 Jamestown Road, in Morganton, was charged with six counts of misdemeanor failure to appear and one count each of misdemeanor assault on a female and probation violation. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $6,000 secured bond. He was also issued an additional $18,000 in secured bonds and a trial date was set for March 7.

 Amity Jill Wilson, 39, of 504 Bass St. NW, in Valdese, was charged with misdemeanor resist, delay or obstruct. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $1,000 secured bond. Her trial date was set for March 7.

 Craig Patrick Stinson, 32, of 2206 Westover Road, in Hickory, was charged with misdemeanor driving while impaired. He was released on a written promise to appear for his trial date set for July 17.

 Ashley Brandon Laws, 30, of 8602 Sparrow Trial, Lot 5, in Connelly Springs, was charged with two counts of felony forgery by uttering and one felony count of obtaining property by false pretense. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $5,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 20.

 Jason Eugene Clark, 38, of 5550 White Oaks Drive, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor violation of a school attendance law. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $500 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 8.

 Angel Gail Norman, 32, of 5550 White Oaks Drive, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor probation violation. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $25,000 secured bond. Her trial date was set for March 20.

 Jodi Ann Johnson, 33, of 2687 Byrd Road, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor larceny by trick and failure to appear. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $1,000 secured bond. She was also issued an additional $1,000 secured bond. Her trial date was set for Feb. 15.

 Loretta Marie Smith, 49, of 2035 Sunnyside Drive, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $3,000 secured bond. Her trial date was set for Feb. 22.

 Steven Carroll Smith, 31, of 3333 Eastwood Ave., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor resist, delay or obstruct and drunk, intoxicated and disruptive. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $1,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for May 8.

 Amanda Mae Ferguson, 33, of Morganton, was charged with one misdemeanor count each of resist, delay or obstruct, possession of drug paraphernalia and drunk, intoxicated and disruptive. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $3,000 secured bond. Her trial date was set for March 27.

 Joshua Lee Lowman, 31, of Morganton, was charged with one misdemeanor count each of resist, delay or obstruct, assault on a governmental officer, communicating threats, possession of drug paraphernalia and drunk, intoxicated and disruptive. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $5,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 27.

 Sarah Brooke Weedman, 21, of 604 Second St., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor larceny all other. She was released on a written promise to appear for her trial date set for Feb. 27.

The following charges were served on Thursday, February 9:

 Jessica Lynn Jones, 29, of 3118 1st St., in Valdese, was charged with one misdemeanor count each of possession of oxycodone, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to register vehicle and expired registration. She was cited and released. Her trial date was set for March 27.

 Perry Dean Dellinger Jr., 24, of 225 VFW Road, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct in a public building. He was granted a custody release and a trial date was set for March 6.

 Marvin Darryl Hedrick, 62, of 3640 Little Road, in Sherrills Ford, NC, was charged with misdemeanor simple worthless check. He was served by a criminal summons to appear for a trial date set for March 13.

 Benjamin Earl Johnson, 43, of 5288 Jenkins Road, 1, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $1,000 secured bond.

 Aretha Gilley Fullwood, 45, of 4186 Snowhill Church Road, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor simple assault or assault and battery. She was served by a criminal summons to appear for a trial date set for March 7.

 Davy Leonard Goodman, 41, of 1890 Bristol Creek Ave., in Morganton, was charged with one felony count each of possession of a controlled substance in prison or jail and habitual felon. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $50,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 20.

 Raydene JR Little Jr., 31, of 1135 Oak Forest Drive, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He was served by a criminal summons to appear.

 John Allen Merrell Jr., 31, of 3992 Hawkins Drive, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor possession of a schedule II controlled substance and failure to appear. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $10,900 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 20.

 Timothy Shawn Truesdale, 33, of 12th Ave. NE, Block, in Hickory, was charged with felony parole violation. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail.

 Tysaiah Claude Boston, 19, of 4032 Piney Road, in Morganton, was charged with felony larceny by employees. He was released on a written promise to appear.

 Taylor Nicole Williams, 35, of 4239 Ralph Patton Ave., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor simple assault or assault and battery. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail. Her trial date was set for March 7.

The following charges were served on Friday, February 10:

 Nada Darlene Shatley, 45, of 712 Connelly Road SW, Apt. 905, in Lenoir, was charged with misdemeanor driving while impaired and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $3,000 secured bond.

 Tony Aaron Turner, 59, of 1557 Brandon Drive, in Claremont, was charged with misdemeanor driving while impaired. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $1,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 7.

 Brett Michael Foresman, 26, of 2631 Laurel Point Drive, in Nebo, was charged with misdemeanor larceny all other. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $1,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 8.

 Reginald Allen J Miller, 25, of 401-A Alexander Ave., in Morganton, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor possession of a schedule II controlled substance and one misdemeanor count each of possession of a schedule IV controlled substance with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $3,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 7.

 James Anthony McGimpsey, 50, of 1601 Bost Johnson Ave. Ext., in Valdese, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor possession of a schedule II, III, IV controlled substance and one misdemeanor count each of simple possession of a schedule IV controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $3,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 7.

 Adrian Douglas Corpening, 38, of 3393 Etta Heights, in Morganton, was charged with one felony count each of possession of a schedule III controlled substance, failure to appear on a felony and failure to appear or comply. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under an $85,000 secured bond.

 David Loransa Young II, 27, of 4295 South Fork Ave., in Hickory, was charged with two counts of felony possession of stolen goods and one felony count each of possession of a weapon by a felon and sell or deliver controlled substances or drugs. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $50,000 secured bond.

 Jonathan Paul Holtsclaw, 32, of 900 Steele Station Road, in Steele, AL, was charged with three counts of misdemeanor failure to appear. He was issued a $6,000 secured bond and released. His trial date was set for March 20.

 Paul Eugene Morgan III, 20, of 5211 Hoffman Trail, in Connelly Springs, was charged with misdemeanor simple assault or assault and battery. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $500 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 13.

 Rony Francisco P. Castro, 27, of 107 Summit St., in Morganton, was charged with two counts of felony second-degree sex offense, one felony count of taking indecent liberties with children and misdemeanor driving during revocation. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $50,000 secured bond.

The following charges were served on Saturday, February 11:

 Timothy Justin Scronce, 23, of 882 9th St. NE, in Hickory, was charged with misdemeanor driving while impaired and a stoplight violation. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $500 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 15.

 Christina Virgie M Collins, 23, of 210 Carbondale Lane, in Morganton, was charged with one misdemeanor count each of driving while impaired, stop sign violation and failure to maintain lane control. She was granted a custody release and a trial date was set for June 21.

 Heather Leann Walsh, 22, of 5230 Mineral Springs Mountain Road, in Connelly Springs, was charged with felony obtaining property by false pretense. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $3,000 secured bond. Her trial date was set for March 20.

 Julianna Marie Webb, 32, of 2260 Conley Road, in Morganton, was charged with one misdemeanor count each of driving while impaired, manner of transportation, stoplight violation and driving during revocation. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $500 secured bond. His trial date was set for June 21.

 Sarah Anne Howard, 29, of 101 Constitution Drive, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor larceny all other. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $1,500 secured bond. Her trial date was set for March 28.

 James Phillip Kiser, 44, of 1265 Oak Forest Drive, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor violation of a domestic violence protection order. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail.

 Mary Ann Teague, 49, of 1940 Leah Drive, Trailer 19, in Hudson, was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was cited and released. Her trial date was set for March 27.

 Alan Harvey Valencia, 73, of 8447 Debbie Drive, in Connelly Springs, was charged with felony possession of a weapon of mass destruction and one misdemeanor count each of carrying a concealed weapon, resist, delay or obstruct, failure to appear and driving during revocation. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $36,000 secured bond.

The following charges were served on Sunday, February 12:

 Christopher Alan Childress, 27, of 2691 Green Haven Circle, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor driving while impaired. He was granted a custody release and a trial date was set for March 7.

 Madison Ann Fox, 17, of 7479 S Mountain Institute, in Nebo, was charged with felony possession of marijuana with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $5,000 secured bond.

 Michael Lavon Lowman-Epps, 19, of 121 Willow Drive, Apt. H, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor simple possession of marijuana. He was cited and released. His trial date was set for March 15.

 Gary Allen Hutchinson II, 32, of 4715 Tallent Road, in Morganton, was charged with one misdemeanor count each of driving during revocation, possession of stolen goods, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $2,500 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 21.

 Keandre Dayshaun Wilkerson, 21, of 606 Bouchelle St., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor assault on a female and communicating threats. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail. His trial date was set for March 7.

 James Weaver Casey V, 39, of 507 Conley Road, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $1,000 secured bond.

 Erica Dawn Farley, 27, of 1815 Conley Road, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. She was issued a $3,000 secured bond and released. Her trial date was set for March 30.

 Christopher Gene Crawford, 33, of 106 North Main St., in Granite Falls, was charged with misdemeanor assault on a female. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail. His trial date was set for March 14.

 Curtis West Moore Jr., 28, of 1312 Oak Hill Drive, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor larceny all other. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail. His trial date was set for April 12.

 Danny Lee Carson Jr., 19, of 6581 Maple Grove Ave., in Connelly Springs, was charged with misdemeanor assault by pointing a gun. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $500 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 7.

 Ashley Nicole Clay, 25, of 2119 Enon Road, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor simple assault or assault and battery. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail. Her trial date was set for March 14.

 Christopher Gene Crawford, 33, of 106 North Main St., in Granite Falls, was charged with misdemeanor unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He was served by a criminal summons to appear for a trial date set for March 30.

 Devon Wesley Downing, 24, of 2048 Corpening Drive, in Morganton, was charged with felony breaking and entering into a motor vehicle and misdemeanor larceny from an auto. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $10,000 secured bond.

 Michael James Lester II, 37, of 2907 Rocky Face Church Road, in Taylorsville, was charged with misdemeanor larceny of property. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $500 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 23.

The following charges were served on Monday, February 13:

 Jill Elizabeth Rowell, 42, of 508 Hoyle St., in Valdese, was charged with misdemeanor defrauding a drug and alcohol screening. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $10,000 secured bond.

 Janet Sue Bryant, 38, of 7366 McDuffy Road, Lot 22, in Connelly Springs, was charged with misdemeanor cyber stalking. She was served by a criminal summons to appear.

 Christian Tyler Sizemore, 22, of 1985 Duckworth Ave., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor cyber stalking. He was issued a $500 secured bond and released. His trial date was set for March 10.

 Tara Mae Prestwood, 29, of 107 Gibbs St., in Glen Alpine, was charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $500 secured bond. Her trial date was set for March 7.

 Savannah Dawn Miller, 33, of 2511 Carl Freeman Ave., in Morganton, was charged with two felony counts of obtaining property by false pretense. She was released on a written promise to appear for a trial date set for March 20.

 Alecia Nicole Taylor, 38, of 957 Burma Road, in Marion, was charged with misdemeanor simple assault or assault and battery. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail. Her trial date was set for March 13.

 Joe Ray Grindstaff, 59, of 88 Riverview Acres Drive, in Marion, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear. He was issued a $300 secured bond and released. His trial date was set for April 24.

 Harvey Jerome Jenkins Jr., 36, of 605 King Arthur Drive, in Gastonia, was charged with five felony counts of trafficking heroin, five felony counts of sell or deliver a schedule I controlled substance, three felony counts of possession of a schedule I controlled substance with intent to manufacture sell or deliver, three felony counts of manufacturing a schedule I controlled substance, two felony counts of sell or deliver a schedule II controlled substance and one felony count each of possession of a schedule II controlled substance with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver, manufacturing a schedule II controlled substance and maintaining a dwelling, vehicle or place for drugs or controlled substances . He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail.

 James Leon Carpenter, 44, of 3231 Us 64, Lot 32, in Morganton, was charged with three misdemeanor counts of assault on a female and one misdemeanor count each of assault by pointing a gun, communicating threats and false imprisonment. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail. His trial date was set for March 13.

 Amanda Dawn Silver, 30, of 4191 Norman Caraway Drive, in Morganton, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor probation violation. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $50,000 secured bond. Her trial date was set for March 20.

 Tony Allen Laws, 49, of 5125 Crawley Dale St., Lot 30, in Morganton, was charged with felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $15,000 secured bond.

 Travis Philip Smith, 40, of 110 Morgan Drive, in Morganton, was charged with one felony count each of possession of a schedule III controlled substance with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver and maintaining a dwelling, vehicle or place for drugs or controlled substances, one misdemeanor count each of possession of drug paraphernalia, driving without two headlights and brake light violation. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $25,000 secured bond.

 Joseph Allen Harris, 17, of 1361 Oak Hill Drive, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor damage to personal property. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $500 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 13.

The following charges were served on Tuesday, February 14:

 Mark Anthony Mode, 36, of 123 Amherst Road, in Morganton, was charged with one misdemeanor count each of assault on a female, assault on a child under 12 and interference with emergency communication. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail. His trial date was set for March 27.

 Rafael Lafonse Bristol, 45, of 1277 Oak Hill Drive, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor assault on a female. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail. His trial date was set for March 21.

 Laurie Reane Smith, 54, of 1044 3rd St. SE, in Hickory, was charged with felony possession of a schedule I controlled substance. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $12,000 secured bond.

 Kendal Nichole Mull, 24, of 400 Praley St. NW, in Valdese, was charged with misdemeanor unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. She was served by a criminal summons to appear for a trial date set for March 1.

 Darrell Ray Austin, 49, of 4900 Emily Drive, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor communicating threats. He was served by a criminal summons to appear for a trial date set for March 6.

 Mary Elizabeth Branch, 36, of 5650 Trailwinds St., in Newton, was charged with four counts of misdemeanor failure to appear. She was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $20,000 secured bond. Her trial date was set for March 14.

 Jesse James Carswell, 37, of 1208 Cypress Blvd., 101-A, In Virginia Beach, VA, was charged with felony embezzlement of property by office or employment. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail and placed under a $25,000 secured bond. His trial date was set for March 20.

 Scott Wayne Jackson, 49, of 5471 Rose Carswell Road, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor assault by pointing a gun. He was transported to Burke-Catawba jail. His trial date was set for April 4.

 Shanna Lynn Green, 33, of 484 Us Highway 70 SW, 202, in Hickory, was charged with misdemeanor simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was cited and released. Her trial date was set for May 3.
CATAWBA  Though he is recently retired from nearly 33 years of service as a professional firefighter, Derik Martin is not planning to give up his passion for firefighting anytime soon.

Martin, 52, first became interested in firefighting when he went to a 4-H group program at the Bandys Fire Department.

After graduating high school, Martin became a volunteer firefighter at the Bandys Fire Department.

Martin said the first fire they responded to was a house fire in the night, either on Buffalo Shoals Road or Murrays Mill Road.

We saved a dog in that fire, Martin said. Not meaning to fudge, but I mean, that was a good start.

After working for sometime as a volunteer and finding he loved the job, he applied to and became a professional firefighter with the Hickory Fire Department in April 1984.

And so I thought if you could still do this great job and get paid for it what else could you ask for? Martin said.

Martin initially spent four years with the department before leaving to pursue another area of interest by joining the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard first caught Martins attention in school during a career day when he heard about the branch's hazmat team.

Martin served with eight others on the Hickory Fire Departments hazmat team during his first stint with the department.

So I had a thorough interest in hazardous materials, Martin said.

The interest in the Coast Guards hazmat team, as well as desire to join before he exceeded the cut-off age, led him to join the Coast Guard.

During his time in the Coast Guard, Martin said he was trained as a rescue swimmer and a C-130 dropmaster.

Many of his duties in the service could be dull, including time as a deckhand chipping paint and scrapping rust, Martin said.

However, having the opportunity to travel to places like Nova Scotia and the Bahamas were a positive part of the experience, Martin said.

After four years, Martin returned with his wife and family to the Hickory area and got his job at the department back through veterans re-employment rights.

In his tenure with the HFD, Martin has held a number of leadership positions.

He was once a battalion chief who oversaw all the equipment in the city, including seven fire engines, two ladders and 39 personnel, Martin said.

Martin was promoted to deputy chief in 2013.

Starting out, he had not expected to reach that level of authority.

When I started at Hickory, I thought if I could have made captain before I retire, I would have accomplished a goal, Martin said.

As deputy chief, Martin said he worked to make some changes that would improve things for both firefighters and citizens.

In conjunction with the City of Hickorys IT department, Martin said he improved the computers that firefighters used to relay information with firefighters in the field.

Martin said he worked with Catawba Valley Community College and Hickorys EMT coordinator to develop an online program which firefighters could use to do their EMT in-service.

The purpose of the online program was to try to minimize the costs of the in-service training, which could leave portions of the city uncovered, Martin said.

While Martin said he liked being deputy chief, it's the active parts of the jobs he loves the most.

I am a hands-on guy and firefighting is very hands-on, Martin said. Although I enjoyed it, it wasnt like riding the trucks.

For the bulk of his career, Martin estimates he spent about a third of his time at the fire department with his second family.

While that had sometimes made things difficult on his own family life, which includes his wife, a son and a stepson, Martin says his family has been supportive.

In his retirement, Martin is volunteering at the same department where he got his start, and is open to the idea of potentially joining another professional department.

At this point, however, Martin said he wants to continue his passion by serving his own community.

Firefighting, Im still passionate about it, Martin said. I will be probably until I die.
NEWTON  Judge Nathaniel J. Poovey sentenced a man to 50 to 70 years in prison, after a jury found the man guilty of sexual offenses with a child, during Catawba County Superior Court on Friday, according to a press release from the District Attorneys Office.

The jury found Zachary Allen Blankenship, 32, of Sherrills Ford, guilty of one felony count of rape of a child by an adult offender, three felony counts of sexual offense with a child by an adult offender and four felony counts of indecent liberties with a child. Attorney Scott Matthews represented Blankenship.

In addition to prison time, Blankenship will be put on the sex offender registry and be under satellite surveillance for the rest of his life.

According to the release, the child was a 2-year-old girl. The rapes and other offenses occurred in November 2013.

Michael Van Buren prosecuted the case.
The Ultimate Stock-Pickers is a concept we've developed at Morningstar with one simple goal: to discover European companies that some fund managers, identified by Morningstar Manager Research analysts as the best European equity stock-pickers, hold in their portfolios. With this, we aim to uncover stock ideas that investors will find useful, also providing Morningstar stock analysts  own views on specific companies.

Our analysts have discretionally selected fund managers who have a pure stock-picking investment style and who build investment portfolios through a high-conviction and unconstrained portfolio-construction approach.

The funds selected must have not only a positive Morningstar Analyst Rating of Gold, Silver, or Bronze, in their respective category but also usually display a Positive rating on all these Pillars -Process, Performance, and People. The final list is composed of 23 funds, but it is an evolving roster, so we will update it by incorporating new funds and removing funds.

Which UK Stocks Make the List?

Morningstar fund analysts have constructed three lists showing the buying activity of our Ultimate Stock-Pickers. The first list is what we call the Top 10 High-Conviction Stock Purchases. It concentrates on the top 10 stocks that have been bought by the managers with high conviction.

To be a high-conviction purchase, the stock must show an increase in the total number of shares during the last quarter and have a relevant weight in the portfolios. There were two UK stocks in the high conviction list, Royal Dutch Shell (RDSB) and ITV Plc (ITV).

A second list is compiled called the Top 10 Stock Purchases. It considers all the stock purchases made during the last quarter independently of their conviction score. Two UK stocks can be found on this list; British American Tobacco (BATS) and Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY).

The third list, the Top 10 New Money Stocks, focusses exclusively on the stocks that have been bought by the managers but were not present in their last quarter portfolios. Only one UK stock is on this list; Glencore (GLEN). You can find Morningstar equity analysts views on all five companies below.

Royal Dutch Shell

With the BG acquisition in the books, Shell is embarking on the necessary steps to compete in a world of $60 per barrel oil. Like the rest of the integrated group, Shell is working to reduce its cost base, which has become bloated during the past five years, by reducing headcount and improving its supply chain. The integration of BG is integral to Shells efforts, as it holds the potential for $4.5 billion of cost-reduction synergies.

ITV Plc

ITV Plc operates a commercial television network in the UK. The Company's business segments are Broadcasting & Online and ITV Studios. It delivers content on demand through numerous platforms, both directly and via ITV Player.

British American Tobacco

British American Tobaccos full-year results were distorted significantly by foreign exchange movements, but on an underlying basis, the company is performing very well and delivered modest upside to our top-line forecast. We will likely raise our fair value estimate slightly to account for the time value of money, but we still think the tobacco group, including British American, is overvalued. We are reiterating our wide moat rating, which was clearly evident in the second half of the year through the realisation of 6% pricing.

Lloyds Banking Group

Lloyds is now one of the sturdiest banks in Europe. It nearly destroyed itself in 2008 with its notorious acquisition of HBOS, and the U.K. government ended up with 43.5% of the combined group. Now, after years of bailouts and setbacks, the bank has essentially righted itself, and the government has largely sold down its stake.

Glencore

Glencore ranks among the most diversified of the global megaminers. But because China is the key demand driver for nearly everything Glencore digs out of the ground, diversification benefits are limited. Weaker Chinese GDP growth and the end of the investment-led economic model portend tepid demand and lower prices for most of Glencores industrial commodities. Glencore's oil and agriculture businesses are less China-centric but smaller in size.
The exhibition Sincere Heart and Flying Dreams features Fu Juanfu's paintings (above) and his collection of works by such established modern artists as Feng Zikai and Zheng Yuebo. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Shortly after the opening of the Hangzhou-based Zhejiang Art Museum in 2009, the staff was contacted by the families of Fu Juanfu (1910-2007) in the United States. They hoped to make a considerable donation to the museum including Fu's artworks and his art collection.

Fu, who was trained to be a calligrapher and ink-brush painter from childhood, grew up in a neighborhood on Nanshan Street which is close to West Lake. It is the same street where the Zhejiang Art Museum is located.

Fu moved to Taiwan in 1949, never to return to Hangzhou. He then became one of the spearheads of the ink art movement there and devoted himself to fine arts education.

He moved to San Francisco in 1990 and died there.

Fu's family believed that the donation of his works to the museum would be the best way to mark the intense homesickness he felt over the years.

The Fu family transported to Hangzhou a treasure trove of more than 570 works, in four batches, from 2010 to July 2016. The works included Fu's ink-brush paintings, drafts, calligraphic pieces, diaries and carved seals, as well as his collection of works by established modern artists and his letters to some of them.

A selection of these are now on display at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing.

The exhibition, Sincere Heart and Flying Dreams, is named after Fu's studios: one used when he lived on the mainland and then in Taipei and the other used after he settled in San Francisco.

One part of the show focuses on Fu's artworks as a testament to his cultural attainment.

At an early age, he studied calligraphy, classical poetry and seal art under his grandfather. He later learned ink-brush painting at the Xiling Calligraphy and Painting Society for seven years.

In his mountain-and-water landscapes, Fu infuses his love of West Lake and the scenes in southwestern China where he traveled extensively in the late 1930s and early'40s.
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.
Last week, a B.C. Supreme Court judge upheld the decision of an arbitration tribunal in China, which mandated businessman Shibiao Yan to repay approximately $10 million to the China CITIC Bank.Yan, a businessman who fled China a few years back after withdrawing a 50-million RMB line of credit, was found to have purchased various multi-million-dollar properties in the Lower Mainlandnamely, 3 homes in Surrey worth $1 million, $2.3 million, and $3.1 million, with his wife spending another $2.5 million for a house in Vancouver.The China CITIC Bank filed its complaint to a Chinese arbitration tribunal back in July 2015. The tribunal then deemed Yan responsible for payment of the debt, CBC News reported.The decision has been described by China CITIC Bank lawyer Christine Duhaime as a landmark case.It's the first time that we're aware of where a state owned Chinese government entity has used an arbitration and come to a place like Canada to enforce a loan where the money has come into real estate in Vancouver, Duhaime explained.On June 2016, China CITIC Bank lawyers petitioned a B.C. Supreme Court judge to freeze Yans assets. Duhaime noted that this case might open the gates to similar applications for redress in the future.It is a good result for B.C. in the sense that I think it sends a positive message that to the extent there is some financial crime happening in Vancouver in the real estate market ... there is some recovery [possible], Duhaime stated.
"I could get on a plane and fly to China tomorrow," Monika Hoffarth-Zelloe says, as she marvels at photos on display at a community college in the US state of Virginia.

The photos are part of the China in My Eyes exhibition Hoffarth-Zelloe put together to promote Chinese language and culture in local communities.

This show, which began on Feb 1, is the sixth for the touring exhibition.

The 70 photos on the walls of the Northern Virginia Community College Library are an odd collection taken over three decades. Some are the works of National Geographic photographers while others are casual snapshots of amateurs, but they have one thing in common: They all reflect the photographer's thought of what the "real" China looks like.

For example, a vendor who displays dozens of pairs of shoes on a car is depicted in a picture, while a grandmother and her grandson playing cards on a busy public square are shown in another. In East China's Jiangxi province, a family bearing gifts takes a strenuous hike on a mountainous trail to visit relatives, while thousands of miles away in Northeast China's Jilin province, a barbecued fish stand is considered to carry the true Chinese flavor.

The exhibition is helping students at the college see what China is really like from various angles.

Matt Todd, associate dean of the college, says the exhibition has received "very positive responses from the students, many of whom studied the photos along with the captions".

Benefiting from the gallery, Chinese-related books have also seen a bump in checkouts, says Paul Chapman, a librarian.

The exhibition aims at helping people get rid of their prejudices against China.

"The more people are informed, the less fear they will have," says Hoffarth-Zelloe, a language specialist at the Goethe Institute.

Once a staunch China skeptic, Hoffarth-Zelloe had no interest in visiting China while growing up, but that changed when her son, Alexander, decided to take a Chinese course in high school.

In 2010, Hoffarth-Zelloe accompanied her son on an exchange visit to China, touring Beijing and a school in Central China's Henan province.

"People were really nice to us and made us feel welcomed," Hoffarth-Zelloe says, and at that moment, she realized how her previous impressions of the country were detached from reality.

Hoffarth-Zelloe returned to China in 2011 and again in 2016. She says she now looks at China "mostly in a positive way".

Now all four members of Hoffarth-Zelloe's family have started studying Chinese. Alexander and his sister Natascha are both learning Chinese in school, while Hoffarth-Zelloe has signed up for a Chinese course at a local Confucius Institute.
Cash, Distressed Sales Closing in on "Normal"

The end is near. CoreLogic said today that the market share of home sales accounted for by distressed properties may return to normal levels by the end of this year. This is about a half year earlier than the company had been predicting as recently as last month.

Distressed homes sales accounted for 7.5 percent of home sales in November with sales of bank-owned property (REO) accounting for 4.9 percent and short sales 2.6 percent. The total distressed property share was down 4.3 percent compared to November 2015 and was the lowest for any month since September 2007.

At the peak for distressed sales in January 2009, they accounted for 32.4 percent of the market with REO sales making up 27.9 percent. Prior to the housing crisis distressed sales usually accounted for about 2 percent of all home sales. CoreLogic now estimates that, if the current year-over-year decline continues, sales will reach that "normal" rate by the end of 2017. The company's earlier prediction was for this level to be accomplished in mid-2018.

There was a similar change in the forecast for all-cash sales, now expected to return to the pre-crisis range of about one-quarter of sales by the middle of this year, compared to the mid-2018 period forecast a month ago and a mid-2019 prediction last fall. Cash sales in November accounted for 32.4 percent of the month's sales, a decline of 4.5 percent from the previous November and 14 percentage points below the peak of such transactions in January 2011.

Cash sales were closed at the highest rate for REO properties, 60.2 percent. Just under a third of resales, which are the largest category of home sales, were all cash, followed by 31.9 percent of short sales and 15.5 percent of new home sales. The shrinking percentage of distressed sales has been a driver of the shrinking cash closings.

Distressed sales were down on an annual basis in all but eight states. The highest share, at 18.4 percent, was in Maryland, followed by Connecticut (18.2 percent), New Jersey (15.8 percent), Illinois (14.3 percent) and Michigan (14 percent). North Dakota had the smallest distressed sales share at 1.4 percent.

New York had the largest cash sales share of any state at 47.4 percent, followed by Alabama (47.3 percent), Michigan (44.1 percent), Florida (42.4 percent) and Indiana (41 percent).
Recognizing March as Red Cross Month celebrating heroes who bringing hope to people in need
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi starts his two-day visit to the US on Monday at the invitation of the US government, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang announced on Sunday.

Yang will exchange views with senior US officials on bilateral ties and issues of common concern, Lu said.

Yang is the first senior Chinese official to visit the US since US President Donald Trump took office on Jan 20.

President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken over the phone earlier this month. Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his US counterpart Rex Tillerson met on the sidelines of the foreign ministers meeting of the G20 last week.

Yang will have an extensive range of topics to discuss with US officials but foremost would be to reaffirm the tone of bilateral relations set by the two heads of state in their phone conversation, said Jia Xiudong, a research fellow with the China Institute of International Studies.

Xi told Trump that building a sound China-US relationship is in the fundamental interest of the two nations, and it is also a responsibility China and the US need to assume as the world's major countries.

Yang's visit will coincide with the 45th anniversary of President Richard Nixon's ice-breaking visit to China in 1972, which paved the way for Beijing and Washington to officially establish diplomatic ties in 1979.

Despite twists and turns over the past four decades, China-US relations have progressed ahead as both the Republican and Democratic parties understand the importance of the relationship, Jia said.

During Yang's tour, China and US officials will have exchanges on trade, security and international issues, on which Trump may take policies different from the Obama administration, according to Jia.

Jia said Yang would be the point man to be sent to the US. He is a former Chinese ambassador to Washington and former foreign minister, a respected diplomat in the US with a wealth of experience in dealing with the country.

A Xi-Trump meeting will be at the top of the agenda for Yang and US officials, who are to discuss when and where the two heads of state will meet, as they said they looked forward to a meeting at an early date in their phone conversation, according to Jia.

The nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, climate change, energy and Syria will also possibly be on the agenda, Jia said.
Defects, fraud and misrepresentation found in mortgage loan applications increased 5.8% in January, according to new data from First American Financial Corporation.Year-over-year though, First Americans Defect Index declined by 3.9%, and decreased by 28.4% from October 2013, which had a risky high point.Month-over-month, defects in refinance transactions went up by 3.5%, but was still 9.2% lower than the same time last year; defects in purchase transactions rose by 2.5%  1.2% lower than last year.This month, the Loan Application Defect Index continued the upward trend that started in December 2016.The overall index increase is largely the result of waning refinance activity in the mortgage market, said Mark Fleming, chief economist at First American. Defect, misrepresentation and fraud risk is significantly lower on refinance transactions, so the increased risk of misrepresentation and fraud is due to the increasing share of higher-risk purchase transactions within the mortgage market.While technology adoption has reduced risk for both purchase and refinance transactions, part of the overall decline in risk has been due to the recent dominance of refinance activity relative to purchase activity, Fleming added. As the mortgage market composition continues to shift toward purchase transactions in 2017, the risk of defect, fraud and misrepresentation will also increase. In real estate, location matters. In defect, misrepresentation and fraud risk, loan purpose matters.Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming rated the highest year-over-year increase in defect frequency, while California, Connecticut, Michigan, Rhode Island and South Carolina had the greatest decrease in defect frequency.
The Trump administration has the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in its sights, considering a proposal to eliminate some of the agencys authority.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said that the administration was looking at a proposal from Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, to eliminate the CFPBs authority to supervise financial firms, according to a Bloomberg report.

The administration is also absolutely on board to change the CFPBs funding process so that the agency would receive its budget through congressional appropriations, Mnuchin said. Currently, the CFPB receives its funding through the Federal Reserve  a system critics say gives the agency too little accountability to lawmakers.
Too Faced Peanut Butter & Honey Eyeshadow Palette ($36) is a new take on the Too Faced Peanut Butter and Jelly Eyeshadow Palette that launched last year. Too Faced continues on their kawaii trek with more cute food inspired eyeshadow palettes and I see no end in sight for this trend. If youre a fond fan of Japanese popular culture its easy enough to get sucked into purchasing palettes like the Too Faced Peanut Butter and Honey Palette and Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Palette, etc! The design and cute graphics definitely give off a Japanese kawaii culture vibe. Im one thats always been terribly attracted to cute beauty products which might account for my love of Japanese and Korean makeup. I really do think Too Faced was influenced heavily by Eastern makeup releases and collections when creating these food themed palettes and I have a feeling theyll be more to come in this range.

Unfortunately, although cute many of these releases havent been on par with Too Faceds normal range of products and the Peanut Butter and Honey Eyeshadow Palette is testimony of that. This is probably one of the worst palettes Ive seen from Too Faced in the past few months (of course, lets, not forget the Chocolate Chip and White Chocolate Chip Palettes though). The back of the box does say Made in Canada for those interested.

Lets take a look at my review and swatches.

Too Faced Peanut Butter and Honey Eyeshadow Palette comes housed in one of the smaller tins that the brand has been embracing for the past few years. I know many of you, like me, are happy that they are phasing out the cardboard palettes. Not that the cardboard palettes arent sturdy but I prefer the tins. This palette contains 9 total shades three of which are 0.07 oz and the other six that are 0.03 oz each. The palette also contains a how-to-get the look guide that creates three looks using the shades in the palette. This is scented and to me it smells like cocoa and peanut butter although the ingredients say it contains vanilla fragrance. Its not a scent that lingers once you apply the shades and you really have to put your nose close to the palette to smell it in my opinion.

The shades here are all neutral, natural colors with a a single unique yellow called Honey Buns that gives it the honey element. That mustard yellow is unique for Too Faced and actually for a lot of brands as it isnt one you commonly see in a palette. The palette lives up to its name for sure as there are elements of peanut butter here and a small amount of honey and dare I say even some chocolate too so maybe its a peanut butter, Nutella, honey palette. Not that I ever smeared half a jar of Nutella and Peanut Butter on my toast or anything like that.no way, not me. I loved the shade selection and I could see myself creating some really pretty Fall looks with it which is why it surprises me that they decided to do this as a Spring launch. But hey, warmer shades work great too if youre headed away for Spring break.

Sadly, although I loved the shade line up I thought the formula was a miss. First off, a third of the palette is filled with base shades that are sheer. Creamed Honey, Bee Sweet, and Queen Bee are so very sheer and these are the larger shades in the palette. Im always so confused why they give you this much base shade in these palettes. It reminds me of shampoo and conditioner. I use all the conditioner but Im left with a ton of shampoo for some reason. Likewise, for these shades. I can easily hit pan on some of the nude, natural shades but Ill never use all this base.

The main issue I had with all the shades is the fact they are dry and less pigmented than the normal soft, velvety textured Too Faced eyeshadow formula that I know and love. They are quite thin with a drier but not dense consistency that looks faded on my lids. Going Nuts is probably the most pigmented shade in this palette. I struggled quite a bit with application and building because as I blended the colors tended to fade. A cream base will help but not by much. For my swatches, I had to do several passes for color to show up on my arm.

The Too Faced Peanut Butter and Honey Eyeshadow Palette was a disappointment for me. I like the color line up a lot but the actual formula leaves a lot to be desired. If the formula was good Id be a lot more excited about this palette but unfortunately, it was a bust.

Oh well!

Did you purchase it?

The Too Faced Peanut Butter and Honey Eyeshadow Palette launches tomorrow at Ulta.com and in stores March 19th.
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Sonora, CA  Following the appearance of a wounded man on a residents front porch, sheriffs officials still have plenty of blanks to fill in.

Tuolumne County Sheriffs spokesperson Sgt. Andrea Benson states that Sunday night just before 11, deputies responded to a home in the 20000 block of Bonnie Ct. in Soulsbyville. There, she says suspicious circumstances involving a man who appeared on the homeowners porch asking for help and claiming to have been shot, were readily apparent.

When deputies arrived at the home, they found a man who had blood on his face and a gunshot wound to his left leg, Sgt. Benson recounts. She adds, The victim stated he was waiting for a ride at the Willow Springs Park when he was jumped by two males and was shot in the leg, but he would not give deputies any other information regarding the incident.

Although deputies checked the surrounding area, also talking with nearby residents, Sgt. Benson reports that nothing else unusual was seen or heard. The victims injuries were sufficient enough that he was transported by ambulance to Sonora Regional Medical Center (SRMC) and subsequently flown to a hospital out of the area.

As an investigation into the incident continues, the Sheriffs office requests anyone who might have information on any surrounding details behind what happened to please call deputies at 209 533-5815.
Voters affiliated with the Independent Party of Florida were surprised to find out this week that their party is now nonexistent in the eyes of state election officials.

Independent Party of Florida voters to receive explanation letters

Letters will specify that their party has been disbanded

Organizers working to have party reinstated

"One word of language in the statutes have advocated for obliterating the Independent Party of Florida, which in effect has taken 262,599 registered voters out of the party that they registered for as independents," party Chairman Ernie Bach said.

"In the 2014 audit, they decided that it required to be done by a certified public accountant," Bach said. "The language in the statute does not say 'certified.' It simply says 'public accountant,' which is what weve been doing for years previously."

Bach said its simply wrong to revoke the party's status based on confusing wording in the statute.

Bach is now working to get the Independent Party of Florida reinstated. Meanwhile, Supervisor of Elections offices are sending out letters to registered Independent Party voters, explaining their party's demise.

"Each voter that had been registered with the Independent Party will receive a letter from us notifying them that their party status has been canceled and that they are now registered as No Party Affiliation" per state guidelines, said Jason Latimer with the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Office.



The packet also includes a registration application and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

In Brevard County, Supervisor of Elections Lori Scott has sent out new voter information cards to 11,000 voters who were registered with the Independent Party of Florida.
The guest list for President Donald Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night features people with a wide range of political viewpoints, diverse backgrounds and various ages.

Trump to address Congress Tuesday at 9 p.m.

LIVE coverage on News 13 and Bay News 9

Follow us online for LIVE updates

D.C. DIGEST: Latest News | Find your Congressman | Washington D.C. Calendar

Trump will hold his first joint address at 9 p.m. Every member of Congress is able to bring a guest to sit in the gallery. The president also has several guests sitting with the first lady.

Sometimes those guests are important luminaries. Sometimes they are guests who benefit from a particular program or are emblematic of an issue the lawmaker is working on.

Florida's lawmakers picked their guests on hot topics such as immigration and health care.

Here's the guest list for five lawmakers in our area.

1. Christine Leinonen

One such attendee will be the mother of one of the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting from last year. Christine Leinonen's son was one of 49 who died June 12, 2016.

She is the guest of Central Florida Rep. Val Demings, D-Orlando.

Demings is highlighting several topics she disagrees with the Trump administration. One topic is the approach on how to reduce gun violence and the other is the controversial travel ban.

"The president, I understand, has been using Orlando as an example for his travel ban, Demings said. But there again the person who did the harm and broke the hearts of 49 plus families was born right here in the United States."

Another Central Floridian affected by the Pulse tragedy has been invited to attend by Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Winter Park. Dr. Marc Levy, a surgeon who worked to save Pulse shooting victims, has called for more research into gun violence.



2. Oliver Hess

Another student from Shorecrest Prep in St. Petersburg will be attending as a guest of Rep. Charlie Crist, D-St. Petersburg.

Oliver Hess, 14, has been working to help to resettle a refugee family from Syria as part of his annual passion project at school. Oliver sent a letter to Crist, who said he was impressed.

We talked to Hess about his work.

3. Colin Cagle

Lutz Martinez Middle School student Colin Cagle wants to go into politics. He'll be a guest of Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor.

On Monday, Colin and his family toured the Capitol building and other Washington D.C. landmarks. He said one of the most exciting parts of this experience is to meet the people who make the government run.

I think it'd be real cool to meet Paul Ryan and I would really like to meet my representatives from my state and Reince Priebus," Colin said.

Colin attended several rallies during the election season and went to the inauguration. He said he really admires the President's convictions.

"All of his campaign promises are being fulfilled straight out and he's only been in there for a month, Colin said. And I like how he says what he wants to do and he doesn't sugar coat it."

4. One of the DREAMers

Rep. Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, invited an undocumented immigrant brought to the country as a child. The young man, who wishes to remain anonymous, has since graduated from the University of Florida with a political science degree.

Now he says wants to help other DREAMers fulfill their own American dream.

5. Kathy Palmer

The Affordable Care Act is expected to be a big part of Trump's address Tuesday night. Kathy Palmer of Tampa will be the guest of Rep. Kathy Castor, R-Tampa.

Palmer had insurance through the Affordable Care Act. After she went to the hospital with extreme chest pains in December, she only had to pay $179, rather than the $70,000 bill she could have had.

She said the act allowed her to get health insurance, something she couldn't get through the two small businesses she worked for.
When Gustavo Estrada-Molina got pulled over in the middle of the afternoon Thursday in Cocoa, he thought, "Here we go again."

Man says unmarked Chevy Impala with police lights pulled him over

Driver had badge, name tag, says Gustavo Estrada-Molina

Driver said Estrada-Molina had to pay a fine immediately

Police: Always call 911 if you question legitimacy of officer



Behind him near the intersection of U.S. 1 and Michigan Avenue was an unmarked Chevrolet Impala with police lights flashing. Inside it was a well-groomed, clean shaven man who came to Estrada-Molina's window.

"Everything yelled 'undercover cop'  the (embroidered) uniform, badge and name tag," Estrada-Molina said.

Estrada-Molina said he's been pulled over twice in the past couple of months for traffic infractions.

"At this point, I just rolled my eyes and said to myself, 'What else'  I'm so sorry about this, officer," he said.

The "officer" told the young driver his car was going to be impounded because of expired insurance.

"The car would be impounded if I did not pay a fine immediately," he said. "OK, officer, what do I need to do, because I don't have any cash?" he asked.

"Well, what's your bank?" Estrada-Molina recalls the man said.

The man followed Estrada-Molina to a nearby Bank of America, where the ATM notified him that if he withdrew $100, he would overdraft. But in fear, he did it anyway.

The "officer" left, and the victim returned home, broke, dejected and embarrassed.

"If they are ever in doubt, call 911," the Cocoa Police Department's Yvonne Martinez said.

Police urge anyone who is pulled over and concerned about the legitimacy of the officer to call 911 right away.

"Every officer conducting a traffic stop must radio in, give their ID number and the car description," Martinez said.

For Estrada-Molina, he just wants this police impersonator caught.

"You're not a cop; you know what you are. You are a fraud. And I hope you get what's coming to you," he said.

Estrada-Molina is working with the bank to possibly get his money back.

Police are combing over the ATM surveillance video for any clues. If you have any information about this fake cop case, call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
Florida Senate Republicans are moving to slash the state's cell phone and cable TV taxes.

Lawmakers to consider Florida communications services tax cut

SB 378 would cut CST by 2 percent

Some lawmakers say it's the kind of direct relief largely absent from Gov. Rick Scott's call for $618 million in tax cuts, which primarily benefit corporations.

Under SB 378, filed Friday by Sen. Anitere Flores (R-Miami), Florida's communications services tax would be reduced by 2 percent. The tax was cut by 1.73 percent in 2015 but currently remains among the nation's highest.

"This tax relief package continues our commitment to reducing the tax burden facing Florida families and businesses," Flores said in a statement. "Reducing taxes leads to private sector job creation and a flourishing economy that benefits all Floridians."

The impact of the proposed cut would be modest, saving an average Floridian between $20 to $30 a year. But, unlike most of the cuts in the governor's package, it would be broad-based, benefiting anyone with a cell phone, a cable bill or both.

"(It's) not a big difference, but a difference," Florida State University freshman Judy Shin said of the legislation. "I mean, like, a dollar's a dollar!"

At legislative hearings on Scott's tax cuts, some of his fellow Republicans have questioned why the corporate income tax and a sales tax on commercial leases would be in line for reductions, but not the increasing property tax burden felt by most homeowners.

While a back-to-school sales tax holiday could help families save money on books and clothing, other opportunities to provide direct middle class tax relief are insufficient or altogether absent, critics say.

And after years of championing billions of dollars worth of business-focused tax cuts he predicted would result in large-scale economic reinvestment and higher state revenues, Scott is grappling with a difficult reality. State economists are now reporting that revenues have plummeted so precipitously a budget deficit of $750 million or more is on the immediate horizon.

For now, Scott is sticking to his talking points.

"They buy more equipment, put more money into research, marketing," he said of the anticipated supply side effects of tax cuts. "That ultimately adds up to more jobs."

But unlike Scott's tax cut proposal, cutting the communications services tax would be fully funded by eliminating an insurance industry tax break. That, combined with the favorable optics of reducing a tax borne by millions of Floridians, could make for an easier sell in Tallahassee.

"It's just, like, extra money!" Shin said with a smile.

Florida Communications Services Tax

According to the Florida Dept. of Revenue, the CST is imposed on a wide variety of community services.

Local, long distance phone service: Florida tax rate of 7.44 percent

Mobile communications and video services (which includes cable TV): Florida tax rate of 7.44 percent

Direct-to-home satellite service: Florida tax rate of 11.44 percent

There is also a local communications tax. That tax varies.
President Donald Trump delivered what he called a message of unity and strength to a joint session of Congress and the nation.

Live Blog President Trump's Congressional Address: LIVE Updates

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A Health Care Wish List

While not an official State of the Union address, the speech touted what the president called early successes and laid out the blueprint for the president's plans over the next few years.

The speech broke down several points for a plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

"First, we should ensure that Americans with pre-existing conditions have access to coverage, and that we have a stable transition for Americans currently enrolled in the healthcare exchanges.

"Secondly, we should help Americans purchase their own coverage, through the use of tax credits and expanded Health Savings Accounts - but it must be the plan they want, not the plan forced on them by the Government.

"Thirdly, we should give our great State Governors the resources and flexibility they need with Medicaid to make sure no one is left out.

"Fourthly, we should implement legal reforms that protect patients and doctors from unnecessary costs that drive up the price of insurance  and work to bring down the artificially high price of drugs and bring them down immediately.

"Finally, the time has come to give Americans the freedom to purchase health insurance across State lines - creating a truly competitive national marketplace that will bring cost way down and provide far better care."

A Republican framework and other reports that have come out over the last few weeks have led to division in the party.

Conservative party members have a problem, for instance, with plans to use tax credits to help people buy health insurance.

In a meeting with Republican governors Monday, the president talked about plans to turn Medicaid into a block grant program, where the states get federal funding and don't have to abide by rules from Washington.

In some cases, that might mean plans to go to a voucher system.

There's also talk of plans to move back to high-risk pools for sick Americans, which some states had before the ACA.

Immigration and defense budget

The president touted plans to re-examine vetting for immigrants and travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries, which was stopped by the courts.

"It is not compassionate, but reckless, to allow uncontrolled entry from places where proper vetting cannot occur," the president said. "Those given the high honor of admission to the United States should support this country and love its people and its values."

The president said he wanted immigration reform that traded the current system for a "merit-based system" similar to other countries, where immigrants coming to the country have to show they are able to support themselves. He says that will change the way people come into the country, and will benefit both immigrants and American workers.

The president also said again that they would begin the construction of a "great, great wall along our southern border."

On the budget, the president promised a $54 billion for a build-up of the nation's defense.

"To keep America Safe we must provide the men and women of the United States military with the tools they need to prevent war and - if they must - to fight and to win," the president said.

The budget increase also does away with defense sequestration, which was put in place has part of an agreement between the president and Congress to end a government shutdown in 2011.

The defense request would come at the expense of other domestic agencies with across the board cuts. Diplomacy and foreign aid programs would also see a reduction in funding.

Guests a spring board for policy

Several people joined First Lady Melania Trump in her box in the gallery for the address.

They included two widows of law enforcement officers killed in 2014 by an undocumented immigrant, along with the father of a teen who was shot by an undocumented immigrant.

The president touted the creation of an office at the Dept. of Homeland Security for the victims of crimes committed by immigrants.

"We are providing a voice to those who have been ignored by our media, and silenced by special interests," Trump said.

Also joining the first lady was Denisha Merriweather, a young woman from Florida. Merriweather used Florida's school voucher program, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, to attend a private school.

She was the first woman in her family to graduate both high school and college.

President Trump has made a dramatic expansion of so-called "school choice" programs a cornerstone of his administration's education policy, and his Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is an outspoken advocate.

The president will be coming to Orlando on Friday for a listening session on school choice.

Also sitting with the first lady will be Maureen McCarthy Scalia, the widow of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Trump has described his Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, as a proper heir to Scalia's legacy as a conservative jurist.

In a surprise moment, Carryn Owens, widow of Senior Chief William "Ryan" Owens was given a standing ovation by the chamber.

Owens, a member of the Navy SEALS, was killed during a raid in Yemen that took place shortly after Trump was inaugurated.

The Yemen raid was controversial because President Obama did not greenlight it. Reports indicated not much intel was gleaned from this raid. Moreover, Owens' father refused to meet with President Trump and demanded an investigation.

I just spoke to General Mattis, who reconfirmed that, and I quote, "Ryan was a part of a highly successful raid that generated large amounts of vital intelligence that will lead to many more victories in the future against our enemies," Trump said in the address. "Ryan's legacy is etched into eternity."

Information from the Associated Press and CNN were used in this report.
STRATFORD  Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Ben Eggleston and local authorities are seeking information regarding the theft of 62 head of cattle from a feed yard west of Stratford.

Operation Cow Thief, an anti-theft initiative led by TSCRA, along with the Sherman County Crime Stoppers are offering a cash reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for the crime.
AUSTIN -- Texans would no longer be allowed to sue doctors for a "wrongful birth" under a bill approved unanimously by the Senate State Affairs Committee on Monday. This is a cause of action based on an accusation that a doctor withheld, either willfully or through negligence, key information from parents who otherwise might have decided to terminate a pregnancy, and allows them to seek damages for the high cost of raising a child with disabilities.

Bill author Sen. Brandon Creighton of Conroe says suits like these send a message that some individuals aren't worthy of being born. "There are no wrongful births," he said. "Children born with disabilities ought to have the same rights as any able person. Their lives are just as valuable as any." Creighton added that the fear of liability might lead some doctors to recommend abortion to avoid being sued.
With wind gust to near 60 mph, the National Weather Service has issued High Wind Watch from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday across the region.

Winds are expected to be from the southwest at 35 to 45 mph Tuesday. As a result, the NWS warns that travel could become hazardous, especially for small cars and large trucks. Lightweight outdoor objects could be swept away if not secured. Also, blowing dust will reduce visibility, especially near construction sites and open fields. Broken tree limbs and downed utility lines also may result, the weather service warns.
Students and staff alike at Plainview Christian Academy can be excused if they complain of seeing double with four sets of twins and a set of triplets among their student body. Whats even more unusual is the fact that three sets of twins will be celebrating birthdays back-to-back-to-back. Grip and Trip Fortenberry share a birthday on March 17, followed by Paisleigh and Payton Wilkins on March 18, and Anna and Ella Parker on March 19. PCAs multiples include sisters Caytlin (front left) and Emily Sutterfield; sisters Ella and Anna Parker; siblings Nahima (middle left), Kyiah and Richard Gaitan; siblings Paisleigh and Peyton (back right) Wilkins; and brothers Grip (back left) and Trip Fortenberry
AUSTIN  Special Olympics Texas encourages all Texans to stop using the words retard and retarded.

Wednesday, March 1, is the ninth national Spread the Word to End the Word activation and awareness day, and all are invited and encouraged to take the pledge against the R-word.

Spread the Word to End the Word is an on-going effort to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word "retard(ed)" and encourage people to pledge to stop using the R-word. The campaign is intended to get schools, communities and organizations to rally and pledge their support to help create communities of inclusion and acceptance for all people.

SOTX will raise awareness by having a visible presence at the Texas State Capitol on March 1. Athletes and their families from all across Texas will hand out Spread the Word stickers to all 181 legislative offices and provide Capitol staffers with information about SOTXs ongoing efforts to replace the R-Word with a new one: Respect for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In addition, schools across the state will hose events that will encourage students to take a true commitment toward discontinuing the use of the R-word in an effort to show respect for their peers and to create a more inclusive environment.

For Spread the Word to End the Word videos, visit https://www.youtube.com/user/EndtheRword.

In 2004, Special Olympics changed its terminology from mental retardation to intellectual disabilities in response to a call from its athletes who did not want to be associated with the negative connotations tied to the term mental retardation. The change in terminology also moves us forward, as a nation, to be more aligned with the international community. It is our responsibility to spread the message that the R-word (and associated terms) is not only disrespectful and hurtful, but outdated. That is why Special Olympics Texas is asking all Texans to take the pledge, ban the R-word and change their vocabulary. For more information on the R-word campaign, visit http://www.r-word.org/.

Special Olympics Texas is a privately funded non-profit organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect. SOTX provides continuing opportunities for more than 58,300 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the Lone Star State to realize their potential develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. To learn more, visit www.specialolympicstexas.org or call 800-876-5646.
MERIDEN  Members of Platt High Schools theater department are taking on the topic of human trafficking this weekend with a show written by students.



Wilted, an original performance, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Platts library media center.



The show takes place during a group therapy session in a home for victims of human trafficking. Five girls talk with a therapist and a counselor. Two other cast members play a variety of roles during flashbacks, memories, and dreams described by the girls.



Ethan Warner, a Platt English teacher and theater director, said the group has been working on the show since December.



The idea of students writing their own show came last spring from senior Aislinn Quinn, who suggested the topic of human trafficking. Early brainstorming sessions included dance and tableau.



Little things got added and changed, Quinn said.



The cast read articles, watched documentaries and spoke with Raymond Bechard, author of The Berlin Turnpike: A True Story of Human Trafficking in America. They also contacted the Blue Campaign, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security program that combats human trafficking.



We thought about the experiences everyone had, said senior Jemaly Gonzalez, and we tried to take a specific type of case in human trafficking and scenarios that happen, and give one to each to us and base our characters off of that.



We also researched PTSD symptoms so we could add emotion to it, said senior Jazmin Lorenzo.



It was a collaborative process to create the script.



We sat down and talked as if it was our characters in this group home, said junior Julia Kudewicz.



The cast is planning to donate proceeds to Love 146, a New Haven nonprofit that helps survivors of human trafficking. The suggested donation is $10.



Love 146 provided information to the cast during the research process, as well as brochures and posters.



Were happy to have them fundraise for us, said Josh Mamis, Love 146 media and marketing specialist.



The organization formed in 2002 and is headquartered in New Haven. The group also has offices in Houston, Texas, and the United Kingdom.



Love 146 operates two safe homes for children in the Philippines, one for girls and one for boys, who have been trafficked or exploited and provides therapy, school and other services to help them regain a footing in life, Mamis said.



The group also runs a survivor care program in Connecticut.



Social workers go to locations and (help kids) live a normal, safe childhood in their community, he said.



According to Love 146s latest financial report, program spending breaks down to 71 percent on survivor care and 29 percent on prevention education. Individual contributions make up 61 percent of the groups revenue stream. In Connecticut, the organization connected 12 survivors with long-term care and expects its caseload to quadruple to more than 50 youth in the next year.



LTakores@record-journal.com 203-317-2212 Twitter: @LCTakores






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A former federal judge has been chosen to monitor Pacific Gas and Electric Co.s efforts at safety improvements following the utilitys felony convictions for violating pipeline safety laws and obstructing the investigation of the lethal San Bruno pipeline explosion.

Mark Filip, who also served as a high-ranking U.S. Justice Department official, was jointly named by federal prosecutors and PG&E on Monday to oversee the companys safety performance for up to five years, the period of PG&Es court-ordered probation. The sentence imposed last month by U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson required that an independent monitor be appointed by Henderson unless the opposing sides agreed on a selection.

Filip, 50, has worked as a private lawyer, representing business clients and, in the mid-1990s, as a federal prosecutor in Chicago, working on cases of health care fraud and political and judicial corruption, according to a Justice Department profile.

President George W. Bush appointed Filip to the federal court in Illinois in 2004, then named him four years later as deputy attorney general, the second-highest position in the Justice Department. When President Barack Obama took office in 2009, Filip served as acting attorney general for two weeks until the Senate confirmed Obamas nominee, Eric Holder. Filip then returned to a private law firm.

In August, the company he will monitor, Californias largest public utility, was convicted by a jury in San Francisco of five charges of failing to properly inspect and repair its aging gas pipelines. On a sixth felony count, jurors found that the company had interfered with the federal investigation of the San Bruno explosion by trying to conceal its practice of pumping gas at pressures up to 10 percent above legal limits.

Eight people were killed, 58 were injured, and 38 homes were destroyed in the September 2010 explosion and fire, which started in a defective pipeline weld.

The sentence included a $3 million fine, 10,000 hours of community service by PG&E employees and public statements in newspapers and television ads acknowledging the companys guilt. The state Public Utilities Commission has fined PG&E $1.6 billion for the explosion.

The monitors task is to keep track of PG&Es safety performance and file reports to Henderson and his successors after the judge retires in August. At the sentencing hearing, Henderson said the monitor could recommend changes in PG&Es operations and, if the company objected, take the dispute to the prosecutors office and then to court.

A PG&E critic, state Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, whose district includes San Bruno, said Tuesday that he was somewhat surprised by Filips selection.

He seems to have spent more time getting big companies out of messes than working to get them to clean up their messes, Hill said, referring to Filips private law practice. He also noted Filips appointments by Bush and his work as a law clerk for the late conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in 1993-94.

Hopefully he can be impartial and really protect the interests of the public, Hill said.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
A San Francisco judge on Monday turned back an effort by the citys police union to go to arbitration over a new use-of-force policy that bars officers from shooting at moving vehicles and using a neck hold on suspects known as the carotid restraint.

By denying the motion by the Police Officers Association, Superior Court Judge Newton Lam is allowing the department to continue rolling out the new policy, which was written in the wake of a series of controversial police shootings and passed by the Police Commission in December.

Union officials sued the day before the vote, asserting that the commission violated officers collective bargaining rights by going forward with the policy without their consent.

Lam ruled that under case law  established after the San Jose police union sued that city over a change in use-of-force policy  such policy shifts do not fall under the unions right to meet and confer with city officials over any changes to working conditions.

San Francisco is within its constitutional and city management authority to exercise local police authority in regards to use of force as defined in San Jose, Lam ruled.

The new use-of-force policy puts an emphasis on deescalating potentially dangerous encounters. The Police Commission reopened the policy for the first time in decades in December 2015, after the fatal shooting of Mario Woods in the Bayview neighborhood was caught on video, sparking public outrage and a push for police reform.

After months of meetings, a version of the policy was passed in June, with the union and community representatives agreeing to disagree on the issue of shooting at moving vehicles and the use of the carotid restraint.

The union says officers safety will be compromised by the restrictions, while police commissioners noted that using the carotid restraint and shooting at moving vehicles were not considered best practices by experts with the U.S. Department of Justices community policing division and President Obamas Task Force on 21st Century Policing.

The hope was that the two sides could reach an agreement on the two issues during meet-and-confer negotiations granted to the Police Officers Association. But the city declared an impasse in October. The union filed a grievance in hopes of bringing the matter to binding arbitration, but the commission passed the policy as it was.

Following the judges ruling Monday, union officials plan to meet with their attorneys to discuss options, said union President Martin Halloran.

We are going to seek other remedies in court, he said.

While some say the carotid hold can be a useful police tactic on a large subject, many experts warn that a carotid hold can shift into a fatal choke hold.

The Police Commission concluded that shooting at moving vehicles is often unnecessary, if a suspect is trying to flee, or dangerous, because a car with an incapacitated operator may not stop.

But the union launched an ad campaign arguing that officers must be allowed to shoot at moving vehicles if a motorist is trying to use the vehicle as a deadly weapon, citing the truck rampage in Nice, France. The commission maintained that the new policy has a carve-out for exceptional circumstances.

Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo
Number of the day

$100 billion

Thats how much billionaire Warren Buffett estimates that investors have wasted on unnecessary fees. In his annual letter to shareholders released over the weekend, the Berkshire Hathaway CEO bashed active fund managers who charge higher fees on the promise that they can do better than the broader market. Buffett said most savers would be better off putting their money in low-cost index funds over the long term.

Other number of the day

1 billion

Thats how many hours of video that YouTube viewers worldwide are seeing per day, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The Journal said YouTube could soon top U.S. television viewership, fueled by the 65 years worth of video that are uploaded to the Google-owned service each day.

Fly me past the moon

SpaceX will fly two people to the moon next year, a feat not attempted since NASAs Apollo heyday close to half a century ago. CEO Elon Musk said two people approached the company about sending them on a weeklong flight just beyond the moon. He said theyve already paid a significant deposit.

Daily Briefing is compiled from San Francisco Chronicle staff and news services. See more items and links at www.sfgate.com. Twitter: @techchronicle
Legacy Community Health, Texas' largest community health center, will host a citywide town hall Wednesday to discuss the future of the Affordable Care Act and what a repeal could mean to patients.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. at United Way of Greater Houston headquarters, 50 Waugh Drive, and is expected to last about 90 minutes.

Among the scheduled speakers are Dr. Ann Barnes, acting CEO and chief medical officer at Legacy Community health; Freddy Warner, vice president for government relations for Memorial Hermann Health System; Dr. Josie Fisher, with Baylor College of Medicine; and Dr. Chad Lemaire, medical director for behavioral health at Legacy.

RELATED: Where cutting taxes and Obamacare meet: The Woodlands' Kevin Brady

While the topic is the future of the ACA and to tackle misinformation about the health care law, including its proposed repeal and replacement, it is not the kind of town hall that has grabbed attention lately as angry constituents have challenged elected officials. No Congressional members are expected to attend.

"This forum will be a public health and policy discussion, not a partisan one," a statement from organizers said. Other topics to be discussed are women's health and mental health in Houston.

On Tuesday community health leaders in Houston sent a plea to the Texas Congressional delegation urging them to consider the financial and personal consequences to patients if the Affordable Care Act is repealed hastily without a comparable replacement in place that protects not only the public but also those in the community health clinics who treat them.

The Republican-led Congress and President Donald Trump have said repealing the health care law is a top priority even though they have yet to arrive or unveil a replacement plan.

"If hundreds of thousands of Texas patients suddenly don't have insurance, we are essentially stuck with the bill. This will be a significant cost, one many (Community Health Clinics) can't absorb," the letter said.

The letter was signed by Katy Caldwell, CEO of Legacy Community Health, Ann Thielke, CEO of Good Neighbor Healthcare Center, and Andrea Caracostis, CEO of Hope Clinic.
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GREENWICH  More than 30 students gathered outside Greenwich High School Tuesday to protest against the policies of Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and demonstrate their support for public schools.

Public school has the ability to raise every student up, said Joe Magliocco, senior and student body president, standing atop a concrete bench to address the crowd of students before him.

With a strong public school system, every student in America has an opportunity, an opportunity to achieve their dreams, he said. When you take funding out for private schools, when you institute voucher systems, you take money from students who need it most.

Students cheered their support for public schools and signed a poster declaring Public School Proud. Greenwich High is one of many local schools to hold a #PublicSchoolProud rally in recent weeks.

This is not a protest against Donald Trump. This is not a protest against Betsy DeVos. We understand that she is our Secretary of Education; were not trying to get her out of office, said senior Liz Murray, who helped organize the protest with the schools Young Democrats club. We want to let the incoming administration know that we are here, we are proud to be here (in public school) and we dont want any sort of system thats going to divert money away from students who need it most.

Other students also spoke out against DeVoss support for charter schools and vouchers that pay public funds for students to attend private schools. They argued public schools are most deserving of resources because they serve the majority of students. About 90 percent of American students attend public schools, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

We need this the most, said junior Sophie Lindh, speaking to the students gathered. We are here for our education and our future, and its not fair.

Senior Emma Himes, a member of the Young Democrats club at the school, urged students to call their senators and congressmen to share their thoughts on DeVos and her policies.

Students at the event who were not old enough to vote in the 2016 presidential election said the protest allowed them to share their opinion on politics.

Senior Cholo Cruz called DeVoss support for the privatization of education truly insulting.

Education should be for all students, no matter what background, class, status, he said. Education is essential for a brighter future for all students, not just in the U.S. but for the whole world.

Betsy DeVos does not represent what we should look for in a leader for the American public school system," said Magliocco, speaking on behalf of himself, not the student government. She has never worked in a public school. She has never had a role in a public school. Her solution to fixing public schools or fixing the education system in this county is to take money out of public schools.

Headmaster Chris Winters said the event was the first instance of organized political activism at Greenwich High this year that he knew of.

I thought it was really inspiring that a group of young people would be willing to gather... and draw attention to themselves to say we value public education, he said. "I would support any group that wants to very peacefully, very respectfully, get together and organize and let their voices be heard. I think thats good for democracy.

Winters said he is personally skeptical about how DeVos will run the Department of Education and concerned, like the students, about the diversion of public school funds to private institutions.

He said while he believes DeVoss role is important, The Department of Education doesnt have an enormous impact on our local education setting. We are far greater governed by our own Board of Education and secondly, by the state.

emunson@greenwichtime.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson
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WASHINGTON  Gov. Dannel P. Malloy pushed back Monday against any suggestion that a previously deported illegal immigrant suspected in last weeks fatal stabbing in Bridgeport is emblematic of an overly tolerant position on undocumented immigrants.

This is the kind of case in which we absolutely would cooperate with immigration authorities, Malloy said. The murder suspect, Oscar Hernandez, is a felon and had been deported. We would have been all in on this.

Hernandez, who was deported in 2013, allegedly stabbed and killed his girlfriend, Nidia Gonzalez, last Friday and abducted their 6-year-old daughter, Aylin Sofia Hernandez. Hernandez was apprehended later in Pennsylvania. The girl suffered minor injuries, but was otherwise unharmed.

The incident took place two days after Malloy issued a state edict to law enforcement and school districts, telling them not to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in their effort to carry out President Donald Trumps crackdown on undocumented immigrants.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer criticized Malloys guidance last week. And in the wake of news reports of the Bridgeport murder, a White House spokesman said the incident illustrates that undocumented criminals can and do find their way into our country, and that must stop.

A request for an on-the-record comment from the White House went unanswered Monday.

During his campaign, Trump promised to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and deport those living in the U.S. illegally, characterizing some Mexicans as rapists and drug dealers, although Trump also said that some, I assume, are good people.

Malloys statewide instructions indicated police should not take action that is solely to enforce federal immigration law, and that school personnel should direct any ICE agent asking for student information or for access to a student to the superintendents office.

Likewise, any ICE inquiry on an immigrant in local police custody should be referred up the chain of command.

Malloy said Monday that his immigration instructions were never meant to alter the practice of state law enforcement and prison officials referring felons leaving the criminal justice system to ICE for deportation.

If we were to receive a call from ICE about a bad guy and whether we know where he is, of course well cooperate till the cows come home, Malloy said.

But state and local authorities will not help search out the undocumented at schools, warming centers or other places where they might congregate.

We are not going to terrorize immigrant communities, he said.

Malloy was returning to Connecticut on Monday from the annual four-day gathering of the nations governors in Washington. The meeting of the National Governors Association included a White House banquet Sunday night and a working session with Trump on Monday.

While immigration and cyber security were among the ho-buttont topics, the future of health care and the Affordable Care Act dominated the discussion.

Republican governors cited the flaws of Obamacare, the main legacy of the previous administration. They criticized the rising premiums and deductibles that put health care out of reach for many in individual markets in some states.

Malloy, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, questioned whether Republicans actually have a sufficient plan to carry out their promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

Theyre in the catbird seat now, Malloy said. I think (promises to repeal and replace) will come back and bite them in rear quarter.

He also said he was particularly worried about cuts to Medicaid, the federal health care insurance program aimed at low-income families.

Under the Affordable Care Act, 31 states  including Connecticut  expanded Medicaid to families just above the poverty line.

The new line for obtaining Medicaid is 138 percent of poverty  $16,243 for an individual, and $33,465 for a family of four.

About 750,000 receive health insurance through Medicaid in Connecticut.

dan@hearstdc.com
FORT PLAIN - A 21-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly engaging in unwanted sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl, Montgomery County sheriff's investigators said.

Tyler S. Crewell of Mohawk Street was charged with second-degree rape, a felony, after the girl's mother filed a complaint against Crewell, deputies said.
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Albany

A Manhattan senator is calling for the release of internal corporate records that the legislature subpoenaed last year from three companies blamed for polluting water supplies in Rensselaer County.

Sen. Brad Hoylman, the ranking Democrat on the Senate's Environmental Conservation Committee, said he and members of his staff were recently allowed to conduct a "limited review" of the documents that were turned over by the companies in response to subpoenas issued by the legislature during a series of joint Senate and Assembly hearings on water quality.

Sen. Thomas F. O'Mara, chairman of the environmental committee, and Sen. Kemp Hannon, who chairs the senate's health committee, have declined to make the records public and it's unclear what the Senate intends to do with the documents. Both O'Mara and Hannon are Republicans.

In a letter Monday to O'Mara and Hannon, Hoylman said the records should be released. His call for disclosure comes as state and federal investigations are continuing into underground water supplies that were polluted with a toxic chemical, PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, that's been linked to certain forms of cancer and other diseases.

Hoylman said disclosure of the records is "especially pressing" because the Hoosick Falls village board has been considering whether to approve a controversial $1.04 million settlement with two of the companies  Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics and Honeywell International  whose manufacturing plants are suspected of polluting that community's wells. The village board Monday night agreed to table the settlement

A third company, Taconic, operates a manufacturing plant in Petersburgh that's been blamed for contaminating water supplies in that area.

"I am more convinced than ever that the public has a right to see for themselves the information that these companies have produced  or failed to produce  to your offices about their usage, handling, disposal or testing" of the toxic manufacturing chemicals used at the plants for decades.

Hoylman on Monday said that when he reviewed the documents last month he and his staff could take notes but were not allowed to make copies. He said the documents turned over by Taconic indicated that company notified its employees about concerns with PFOA exposure roughly 15 years ago, and also conducted air and groundwater testing for the chemical near its Route 22 plant at the time.

Saint-Gobain has owned a manufacturing plant on McCaffrey Street in Hoosick Falls since the late 1990s. Honeywell was drawn into the case because one of its predecessor corporations, Allied Signal, operated the same facility from 1986 to 1996. PFOA was used in manufacturing at that plant by at least five companies that operated the plant since 1956.

Hoylman said the records turned over by Honeywell and Saint-Gobain did not indicate the companies conducted any research on PFOA or notified employees of potential health risks when concerns about long-term exposure to the chemical began to surface more than 15 years ago.

"I'm a lawyer and I didn't see anything that would suggest this documentation shouldn't be released to the public," Hoylman said.

The subpoenas were issued last September under pressure from Hoylman during a series of joint legislative hearings examining statewide water quality issues. The hearings focused on the state's response to the discovery in 2014 of elevated levels of PFOA in the Hoosick Falls village water supply. The state Health Department was widely criticized because it declined for more than a year to warn residents to stop drinking the tainted water, which is now being filtered to remove PFOA.

A spokesman for O'Mara, R-Chemung County, did not respond to questions Monday. A spokesman for state Sen. Kathy Marchione, R-Halfmoon, whose district includes Petersburgh and Hoosick Falls, also declined comment on the subpoenaed records.

blyons@timesunion.com  518-454-5547  @brendan_lyonstu
Later this month, the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce will host its 7th annual Economic Outlook Forum at the Southwestern Energy campus.

The forum, on March 31 from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., will highlight northwest Harris County's business and community developments on Health and Education-related state legislation with perspectives from U.S. Congressmen Ted Poe and Kevin Brady.

Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner R. Jack Cagle's keynote address opens the forum. His presentation, "Git Along Lil' Dogies" will update attendees on transportation developments in Precinct 4.

"This is an important event in our community especially at a time when political uncertainty, actions of our state Legislature and the pace of change raises questions about the direction our economy is heading," said Barbara Thomason, president of the Houston Northwest Chamber.

"The idea is to bring in a panel of subject matter experts who can provide insight that will allow businesses to prepare for the future with confidence," she said.

William Way, President and CEO of Southwestern Energy, will deliver the forum luncheon's keynote address. This year's program also includes an addition, a focus on the economy of the future, with Lyft's senior public policy manager April Mims, who will discuss the sharing economy and regulations on riding-sharing companies.

"Growth in our state does not stop at the city limits and neither should ride-sharing policy. Ridesharing provides safe, affordable and reliable rides for Texans and we should be promoting a regulation that encourages connectivity across our cities and helps the industry flourish throughout the state," Mims said in a chamber press release.

The session includes others like Patrick Jankowski, regional economist and senior vice-president of research for the Greater Houston Partnership, Dr. Joshua DeFriece of Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, and Thomason, the chamber's president, updating attendees about the Grow Northwest Initiative.

"We are anticipating that this event will rank high among all the region's economic outlook events and we plan to have a full room," said Christina Bowden, chair of the volunteer committee which coordinates the event.

Additional speakers include Robert Hillier, vice-president of public policy and government relations with the Harris County Hospital District, Ken Janda, CEO of Community Health Choice, James Morrison, with Houston's Cyber Task Force through the FBI, Guy Sconzo with FastGrowthTexas.com and David Thompson, attorney with Thompson and Horton LLP who will speak on school funding in Texas.

Reservations for the event are $75 until March 15 at which point they increase to $85. Luncheon only is $40 and walk-ins are not permitted.

The forum is presented by Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital along with sponsors Southwestern Energy, Office Systems of Texas, AEI Engineering, CenterPoint Energy, North Houston Regional Center for Economic Development, Cypress Creek EMS, Northland Christian School, Community Impact Newspapers, and Windwood Church.

Register online at www.HoustonNWChamber.org and clicking on "Event Registration".

For more information about Northwest Houston Works, sponsorship opportunities, or attending the event, contact any staff member at the Houston Northwest Chamber. ChamberInfo@HoustonNWChamber.org or 281-440-4160.
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Monday night's meeting of the Dayton City Council was prefaced by some tears, words of thanks and plenty of pats on the back for a job well done.

City council chambers was packed Feb. 27 with well-wishers as they bid farewell to City Manager David Douglas.

Douglas offered his retirement to city council in a closed session last Tuesday night and announced his last day would be Friday. Prior to the special called meeting of the council, city officials and Mayor Jeff Lambright offered thanks to Douglas.

"Look around at this city and you can see his work. We wish you well," Lambright told Douglas.

Community leaders and residents offered thanks to the city manager as well.

"I think I've done some good work for Dayton," he said. "I look around at the things we've accomplished over the last 11 years and I'm very proud of that."

Most of the personnel that currently staff city hall was hired and trained by Douglas.

"The organization that I leave behind I'm very proud of. To the city council, thank you gentlemen. It's been a good run. I've enjoyed it and I wish you the best," he said to a standing ovation.

Douglas may not be going far, but it depends upon where he will find work.

"I'd love to stay right here," he said, "but it depends on what opportunities avail themselves for me."

Last Friday Douglas cleaned out his office and Monday was his first day not to report to his job.

"I guess a little boredom has set in. It's hard to go from spending numerous hours at a job 10 hours a day for six out of the seven days to doing almost nothing," he told Dayton News.

Douglas did spend some time polishing up his resume and plans to look for some new opportunities.

Douglas said with a son in college, he will probably still look for some additional work.

"He's at Sam Houston State University and a great kid," the former city manager said. "He's in his senior year and wants to become a dentist."

Monday night in the special-called meeting, the council officially accepted his resignation and the terms of his retirement.

"I have a lot of love for the folks there tonight. They're all special," Douglas said. "I really appreciated their presence and I appreciated my staff, tonight and all the years they supported me. They do a great job. I hope the council realizes what a high level of professionals they really are."

Following action on Douglas' retirement, council also accepted the resignation of Rev. Dwight Pruitt who was not at the meeting. His pastoral duties are consuming his time and so he offered his resignation.

Pruitt was acting Mayor Pro Tem for the city and so Lambright appointed Dr. John Johnson as the next Mayor Pro Tem.

In other action, the council cancelled the May 6 election since there were no opponents to the incumbents.

Council also approved the purchase of utility billing/accounting software with Tyler Technologies-Incode. The upfront cost was estimated to be at $193,000 and with less recurring charges. The deal was made through the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) that offers their members the opportunity for cost savings on equipment and technology.

The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. into executive session and almost two hours later, council members emerged with brief remarks of their action.

Council unanimously hired TexasFirst Group to provide personnel appropriate to handle the responsibilities of interim city manager of the city of Dayton.

According to City Attorney Brandon Davis, the company retains retired city managers and will provide one to the city who will be on the premises within the next couple of weeks.

"They also have contacts that can help us in our search for a new city manager," Lambright said.

The final action item was to fill the vacant council position, but council members decided to take no action. They have 20 days to fill the position.

"We didn't have anyone sign up to run and so we will look at previous council members who might be interested in returning or someone new," the mayor said.
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Foster students recognized for art, writing

Thirteen Foster High School students earned awards in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards (South and Central Texas regions). Foster photographers and writers won two Gold Key Awards, four Silver Key Awards and seven Honorable Mentions in the contest. The two Gold Key winners are headed to Nationals.

Senior Haley Keith and junior Savannah Fairless both received Gold Keys in photography.

Students submit their works earlier in the year and they are judged by a panel in New York City. The awards were announced earlier this month.

Keith and fellow senior Truman Bui received Silver Keys in Photography, while freshman Francisco Garza earned a Silver Key in short-story writing and junior Sydney Olejniczak earned a Silver Key in humor writing.

Honorable Mentions went to: Sophomore Sarah Archibong  Photography; Senior Truman Bui  Photography; Savannah Fairless  Photography; Haley Keith  Photography; Chase Martin  Photography; Carlos Yicon  Photography; and Senior Margaux Malek  Science Fiction/Fantasy writing.

Lamar CISDwelcomes visitors from Taiwan

What is the most Texan thing to do for out of town visitors?

A group of teachers and students visiting Foster and Lamar Consolidated high schools from Ping Tung Taiwan got the full tour.

"We've tried to give them the full experience," said Foster High School Assistant Principal Brian Forshee. "The students were a mix of city and rural students and we took them to the Ag Barn. Many had never touched a live chicken."

Five adults and 15 students from DongGang Senior High School, located on the southwest coast of the island of Taiwan, spent 12 days at Foster High School. The students stayed with host families and shadowed a host student.

The students are part of an exchange program involving Lamar CISD and Ping Tung Taiwan.

Forshee said they also visited a ranch, so the students could see horses.

"I decided not to chance putting one of the kids on a horse," he said.

One of the big interests of the students was the transportation system. Students at their school use private transportation. Parents drop off the student, or the student has a scooter. Being driven to school by a classmate or using a school bus was totally foreign to the group.

"The only school bus they'd ever seen was in a movie," Forshee said. He said they group was quite excited to witness dismissal from the bus porch.

Forshee said he found discussing education philosophy with his Taiwan counterparts to be quite interesting.

"Getting into a top high school in Taiwan is like getting into a top college for U.S. kids," he said. "A family's whole future can be decided just by getting into the 'right school.' It is very different from what we are used to in the United States."

Needville High Schoolers work with youngerstudents

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America students from Needville High School have taken a special interest in the students across the street at the middle school, and are making a concerted effort to teach them the perils of bullying.

Through a series of programs with the younger students, FCCLA members are encouraging them to embrace each other's differences and put an end to harassment.

Recently, some 15 FCCLA volunteers met with fifth-graders in the middle school gym, visiting with them in small groups after presenting a program that included sharing personal facts.

Leading the program were sophomores Jaela Ketchum and Taylor Amos, each of whom stressed the importance of truly being oneself.

The fifth-graders were divided into two groups which competed to see who could identify the most of a series of photos of very close-up animals and insects such as a tiger's eye, a dog's nose and a butterfly's wing.

"We are all made differently and individually," Amos said
Rita Drabeck, Fort Bend County longtime educator and champion of schoolchildren, was honored Feb. 11 by Delta Kappa Gamma, Lambda Sigma Chapter, with a luncheon at Sugar Land First United Methodist Church.

Drabeck is a 50-year member of Delta Kappa Gamma, International Society of Women Educators, and founding member of Lambda Sigma Chapter which was also celebrating its 35th birthday. She has lived in Sugar Land for 62 years.

Delia Garcia, retired Fort Bend Independent School District administrator and Drabek's long-time co-educator and friend, honored her with an account of how her character was shaped growing up in (Corrigan) East Texas, earning a degree from University of Houston, and coming to Fort Bend ISD in 1957 as a fourth-grade teacher at Sugar Land Elementary on Third Street in Old Sugar Land.

In 1957 the city renamed 3rd Street as Lakeview where she taught for 16 years as well as serving as assistant principal. She transferred to the new Meadows Elementary in 1974 and served as principal until 1984 when she as appointed assistant superintendent of instruction for FBISD. Working with Garcia, she helped write the first comprehensive curriculum for the district completed in 1990. The district was opening new schools yearly and one of these was named Rita Drabeck Elementary to honor her insight and dedication to area schools.

Drabek retired in 1990 from the district but only in name. She was elected to the FBISD board of trustees, serving from 1992 to 2001 including terms as president, and again in 2005 to fill a vacancy.

She continued to further education by serving a wider area of students on the board of Region IV, State Department of Education, two years as secretary and two as vice chairman retiring in 2008.

Scotty Hightower Bass gave an account of appreciation for having Drabeck as her fourth-grade teacher and Mary Willis spoke about having her as teacher of Bible studies in Merry Ministries, an interdenominational Bible study.

Lamda Sigma chapter president Salethia Morris presented Drabeck with a writing pen polished wood by Jamie Larson, a son of James Larson, long-time FBISD band director.

Drabeck's daughter, Linda Marshall, was a special guest at the luncheon along with Frances Ziegenhals, Texas Delta Kappa Gamma Area IV coordinator, and charter members of Lamda Sigma Chapter, Margaret Dzierzanowski, Vicky Hemme, Rene Lamb, Peggy Norman, Shirley Hopper Renfrow, Peggy Horton Wood and Carolyn Zaskoda.

Delta Kappa Gamma Society International was founded in 1929 at the University of Texas to promote professional and personal growth of key women educators and excellence in education and now has chapters in 17 countries around the world.
The Tomball Fire Department arrived to a find a home's garage fully engulfed by flames early Sunday morning after receiving a call about a structural fire in the 30500 block of Quinn Road.

Fire fighters maneuvered to protect the house and extinguish the fire in the garage, according to a press release from fire marshal, Joe Sykora. The garage was connected to the home by a breezeway.

After the home's occupants advised firefighters that someone was still inside the building, on-scene personnel searched of the house but did not find the missing person during initial and secondary searches.

A body was found inside of one of the vehicles in the garage as the blaze was being extinguished.

The Tomball Fire Department and units from the Tomball Police Department Criminal Investigation Division and the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office are conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire.

The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences recently conducted an autopsy to determine official cause of death.

Assistant Fire Chief, Jonathon Fontenot said fires, particularly fatal ones, are rare in the area.

"It's been awhile. It's doesn't happen often," he said, noting that the last one may have been five years ago.

He said the department goes to great lengths to teach good fire prevention techniques to prevent dangerous fires before they happen but he recognizes it's always a possibility.
Following an election fraught with confusion over the question of incorporation last fall, The Woodlands Township Board of Directors has started the initial planning stages of becoming a city.

The board met for a special planning session on incorporation Feb. 22 to receive clarification on legal issues and give guidance to township staff on how to proceed with the process.

Since the township is a unique form of government, it has both limited responsibility and authority. The Woodlands receives many of its services - such as road maintenance and law enforcement - from Montgomery County. The township has an agreement with the cities of Houston and Conroe that prevents either from annexing The Woodlands before 2057. But in order to remain autonomous, The Woodlands must incorporate before then.

The township set in place certain mechanisms to determine when it would be time to begin considering incorporation. Whenever an issue arises in the community, township staff assesses whether a solution can be reached through internal procedures, through contracts or through legislative initiatives, said Karen Dempsey, assistant to the president of The Woodlands Township. If none of the solutions resolve the issue, then it would trigger the need to begin planning for changing the governance structure.

Dempsey said that staff evaluated several issues that arose in 2016, including mobility and road projects, drainage issues and transit. Township staff determined that mobility issues, including the controversial Woodlands Parkway extension, had reached the point of triggering incorporation planning.

Gordy Bunch, chairman of The Woodlands Township, said that all of the issues could be considered at the level of triggering incorporation planning, depending on the residents' perspectives.

"A lot of these things are things you pick up as a municipality," Bunch said.

The path to incorporation, however, is blocked because there is no legal path to incorporating a city with a population as large as The Woodlands. The township worked with Texas Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, and Rep. Mark Keough, R-The Woodlands, on legislation to allow the township to be dissolved and incorporated into a city. The proposed legislation also would allow the residents to vote on a maximum city tax rate at the same time as a vote on incorporation. The fate of the legislation, which was filed Wednesday, should be determined by early June.

The township is engaging attorneys specializing in municipal law and incorporation to determine what The Woodlands' options might be, should they choose to incorporate.

Don Norrell, president of The Woodlands Township, said The Woodlands could choose to contract out certain city services, such as courts and law enforcement, which could save the new city a significant amount in capital costs. He also added that the municipal utility districts which provide water and drainage services throughout the township could remain as they are with incorporation. It previously was thought that the MUDs would need to consolidate if The Woodlands becomes a city.

Several board members said they would like to see different options for incorporation, from offering the minimum required services to more enhanced.

"I'd want us to walk down the road to see how we would want it to look like as a city," board member Laura Fillault said.

"We need to find the costs and benefits," board member John McMullan said. "It's incumbent upon us to do this as transparently as we possibly can."

Moving forward, the township will consider performing analyses on service gaps, fiscal impacts and legal implications of incorporation. The board also intends to create an incorporation fact sheet and hold public forums.
NEW CANAAN  Some people read for an escape, but others read to dive deeper into the world around them. The latter is the mind-set of many New Canaan residents.

We have a very educated community, and they really want to expand and learn, said Christle Chumney, manager of adult and public services at the New Canaan Library. I think they enjoy the little escape fiction can offer, but they want facts about things they only know a little something about.

When it came time to pick the book for the third annual townwide read, One Book New Canaan, Chumney and her selection committee leaned toward nonfiction and historical fiction.

The idea is basically its a townwide read, Chumney said. We select a title, and then we celebrate it for a month. We do programming around themes in the book and tangible things in the book, as well. We try to do things for all ages and do a wide variety of programs  technology, art, all different types of experiential learning  as well as reading the title itself and discussing it.

After a months long selection process, the committee chose Euphoria, a historical fiction book inspired by the life of Margaret Mead that takes place in Papua, New Guinea.

Chumney said the book met one of their criteria of covering a variety of themes. In addition to having a unique setting, the book explores anthropological themes, gender relationships, marital relationships and parent-child relationships.

The selection process began last March, when residents submitted titles via online forms, emails and paper forms turned in at the library. A committee of five librarians and community members narrowed down the 70 suggestions based on several factors. The qualifying books had to be under 300 pages, available in paperback, and have an author who was available to come to New Canaan. The committee tried to pick a book that would appeal to adult readers, but still have themes applicable to a wider audience.

The selections were further narrowed after research with publishers and librarian vetting. In June, the committee chose three books to read over the summer and summarize. At the end of the summer, each member pitched his or her choice out of the final three. The other two final books were Yes, Chef, a memoir by Marcus Samuelsson, and B.A. Shapiros The Muralist, about an artist who disappears in the turmoil of World War II. But Euphoria won out with its wide appeal, unique setting and historical focus.

When we critically looked at the selection, we tried to pick something that hasnt been done before in the community, Chumney said. We really want to try and expand.

Programs around the book include making sock snakes, as well as art similar to the book cover, talks about fauna in Papua, New Guinea, and, of course, a visit from author Lily King. The Atwater-Donnelly Duo, a husband-wife American folk music group, will host a talk and performance March 9 about the anthropology of folk music.

I enjoyed reading a book knowing we might be doing a gig, thinking about the anthropology of folk music and dance, said Aubrey Atwater, half of the duo. I was very aware of it when reading the book.

Atwater said she and Elwood Donnelly will focus on music that celebrates the themes of the book.

Theres a certain universality to music and dance, no matter what, Atwater said. If you examine the themes of folk songs anywhere in world, theyre all about the same stuff. No matter where you go and what culture youre in, youre going to encounter those traditions and ceremonies, so thats how well tie into the book.

Chumney said she has already seen people taking out the book from the library in anticipation of next months events.

There will be people reading in advance, and we encourage people to do that so they have the basis, she said. But it really varies. Some people pick up the book and do not finish it, and some people will read it right through, but everyone can participate. Overall, the idea of a townwide read is not a new concept, but its a way to get people involved and learn about a subject they may not know about. Its a way to engage the community.

ekayata@hearstmediact.com; @erin_kayata
Police officers confiscated $505,630 in cash, hidden in car panels Tuesday afternoon, a release from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office states.

The unidentified driver of the vehicle "became nervous and refused to allow deputies to search the vehicle" during a 10 a.m. traffic stop on Interstate 10 near Major Drive.

A K-9 officer was called to the scene and immediately found the money inside a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. The driver, who officials said is from south Texas, had no knowledge as to where the cash came from, and claimed it didn't belong to him, the release stated.

Officials confirmed that the money and vehicle were seized and secured pending further investigation, and the driver was released.
A teenage girl was among the three people killed when a San Jose-bound small airplane exploded Monday afternoon in a fiery crash in a Southern California neighborhood, officials said Tuesday as an investigation of the incident got under way.

Two other passengers  one woman with third-degree burns over 90 percent of her body  survived the crash in Riverside and were in critical condition as investigators work to determine what led to the tragedy.

Stephen Stein, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, the federal agency that investigates plane crashes, said Tuesday afternoon that a team of experts was combing through and categorizing the wreckage, as well as interviewing witnesses.

The airplane itself is in quite a few pieces, Stein said, adding that the debris field was spread as far as 150 feet.

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 Watchara Phomicinda/The Press-Enterprise via AP / / Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Watchara Phomicinda/Associated Press Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Irfan Khan/TNS Show More Show Less 5 of 5









Though he did not give a potential cause  and a full NTSB report could take 15 to 18 months  Stein said, We have a lot of analysis to do of surveillance footage that captured the crash.

ALSO 3 die when small plane headed to San Jose crashes in Riverside

Investigators also have to document and remove the wreckage to a secure facility, Stein said, before issuing a preliminary report in the next five to 10 days. In the second, and longer, phase of the investigation, the federal agency will examine other factors, including the pilots history and experience, the weather and the condition of the plane and its engine.

Fire officials on Tuesday detailed the inferno-like aftermath of the deadly episode that killed a man, woman and teenage girl aboard the twin-engine Cessna 310 airplane that was bound for Mineta San Jose International Airport.

None of the victims on the plane has been identified by authorities.

We had two rescues, and two patients are living today because of the firefighters, Riverside Fire Department Capt. Tyler Reynolds said during a news conference Tuesday. Thats what you get from a Fire Department that is locked and loaded and ready to go.

The five people on the plane had been in Riverside for a weekend cheerleading competition at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, officials said.

Some of the victims were San Jose residents from two families, said Officer Ryan Railsback, a spokesman for the Riverside Police Department. It was not clear who was piloting the plane.

The Riverside County coroner was working to identify the three victims and notify their next of kin. The aircraft  a T310Q Cessna manufactured in 1974  is registered to San Jose resident Nouri Hijazi.

The plane took off from Riverside Municipal Airport at 4:40 p.m. on Monday and crashed minutes later into two homes on Rhonda Road less than 2 miles northeast of the runway.

Video of the crash shows the plane swooping into the residential area followed by a bright flash of intense flames.

Brian Marsh was driving in the neighborhood and witnessed the crash, he told the Press-Enterprise newspaper.

It looked like a stunt plane. (Then) it turned and went into a nosedive. All of a sudden it turned into a free fall, he said. Flames were everywhere. Smoke was billowing out.

Delmy Pennington, co-owner of D&D Cafe inside the Riverside airport, described watching five people go back and forth between the terminal and the green-colored Cessna as bouts of rain swept through on the dark and cloudy Monday afternoon.

She said the group got out of the airplane and headed back to the terminal two times as rain intensified. At one point the group headed to her cafe, she said.

I think something was wrong with the airplane, she said. They came and sat down, and I brought them menus and silverware. When I came back, the man was worried about something. He was looking straight to the window like he was thinking what to do next.

Thats when Pennington said the group got up really fast and said they had to go as the rain temporarily stopped.

The last she saw, the Cessna was shaking as it slowly rolled out of sight.

I said, Oh no, these people are leaving, she said. I was worried about them.

Stein declined to comment on such witness accounts.

Soon afterward, about 60 firefighters raced to the chaotic crash scene and stormed into one of the smoke-filled homes. Inside a room, they discovered one of the surviving victims among the burning wreckage, Reynolds said.

Firefighters hoisted the woman out of the homes window before rushing her to a burn unit at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, where she was being treated for third-degree burns over most of her body.

Nearby witnesses ran to help the second crash survivor lying near the scattered and twisted remains of the airplane, dragging her to safety. That woman remained in critical condition at Riverside Community Hospital.

No one was injured on the ground, but two homes were destroyed and two others had smoke damage from the flames, Reynolds said.

As news of the crash spread from Riverside to the Bay Area, and the rest of the country, Pennington got a call from her daughter asking if she had heard about the crash. She said she immediately knew who the victims likely were.

I was really sad, she said. After you see the people when they are alive, then a couple minutes later they were dead, its incredible.

Evan Sernoffsky and Michael Bodley are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com, mbodley@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky, @michael_bodley
Imagine ringing a doorbell and waiting for someone to come to the door when a 6-1/2-foot tall robot kangaroo comes rolling over the threshold, zips down a flight of stairs at nearly 10 mph and then down a snowy hill and into the parking lot behind you.

Yes, this is the thing nightmares are made of. Except this is no kangaroo. Its name is Handle and it is 100 percent real.

Handle is the latest invention from Boston Dynamics, the Massachusetts-based engineering and robotics design firm that has created some of the most interesting and, for many, the most frightening-looking machines ever constructed. It released its video of Handle yesterday, highlighting the contraptions ability to handle things.

In case youre unfamiliar, Boston Dynamics was born out of MIT in the early 1990s and has since developed a small army of quadruped and biped robots that have captured the worlds attention and imagination.

Related: Stanford Develops Computer That Literally Plugs Into People's Brains

Google acquired Boston Dynamics in 2013 and was housed within the Google X research and development lab, known for its far out, moonshot projects. As it turns out, Boston Dynamics creepily walking robots were too far out there. It was reported last year that Google put the company up for sale, unsure that it will produce a marketable product anytime soon.

Marketable or not, Boston Dynamics robots are incredibleperhaps incredibly frightening as well. Heres a look at some of the other crazy robots in the companys arsenal of creations. Hopefully theyre not on standby, waiting to take over the world.

BigDog

Development of the original BigDog robot was funded by DARPA with the idea that the rough-terrain robot could serve as a pack mule for U.S. soldiers in the field. As improvements were made, BigDog was reincarnated as the LS3 and was being considered by the U.S. Marines. But the Marines backed out in 2015. "As Marines were using it, there was the challenge of seeing the potential possibility because of the limitations of the robot itself," a military spokesperson said at the time. "They took it as it was: a loud robot that's going to give away their position."

Bad, BigDog. Bad.

Related: You'll Never Guess What This Fire-Spitting Drone Is Used For

Cheetah

Another DARPA-funded project, Boston Dynamics says Cheetah is the fastest legged robot in the world, surpassing 29 mph. Go on, watch Cheetah run.

Atlas

This updated version of Atlas is a humanoid robot designed to operate outdoors and inside buildings. Boston Dynamics says: Atlas can walk bipedally leaving the upper limbs free to lift, carry, and manipulate the environment. In extremely challenging terrain, Atlas is strong and coordinated enough to climb using hands and feet, to pick its way through congested spaces.

Atlas stands at 59 and weighs about 180 pounds. We can get you his phone number, if you want. We bet he's a great conversationailst.

Related: No Bull! This Robot Could Put Cowboys Out of Work.

SpotMini

Yep, thats a robot dog trotting around a house. Not weird at all. Promise.

RHex

Six independently controlled legs give the RHex the ability to easily climb in rock fields, mud, sand, vegetation, railroad tracks, telephone poles and up slopes and stairways, Boston Dynamics says.

In other words, its a robotic insect that looks like its hopped up on amphetamines. Awesome.

Petman

This guys job is to test chemical protection clothing in more-or-less realistic conditions. Except, its not a guy at all. Petman is an anthropomorphic robot. Looks like hes got all the right moves.

RiSE

RiSE uses feet with micro-claws to climb on vertical, textured surfaces like walls trees and fences. If it could shoot webs (and had two more legs) Id call it Spider-Bot.

Related:

These Absolutely Frightening Robots Will Give You Nightmares

Stanford Develops Computer That Literally Plugs Into People's Brains

You'll Never Guess What This Fire-Spitting Drone Is Used For



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President Trump signed an executive order Tuesday that intends to bolster the federal governments support for the nations historically black colleges and universities.

The order will transfer Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) from the Department of Education to the White House for direct oversight.

This executive order will make HBCUs a priority in the White house, an absolute priority, Trump said Tuesday. A lot of people are going to be angry that they are not a priority, but thats OK.

The move intends to pave the way for partnerships with government agencies and allows for the leaders of HBCUs to serve as strategic partners under Trumps urban agenda to create jobs and make inner cities safer.

This is a very important moment and a moment that means a great deal to me, Trump said. Historically black colleges and universities are incredibly important institutions woven into the fabric of our history. They have played such an important role in achieving progress for African Americans and in our nations march for justice.

Prior to the signing of the executive order, HBCU leaders asked the White House for 5 percent of total federal grants, internship and co-op funding, as well as 10 percent of federal contract funding. The order only expands the private sectors role in supporting HBCUs.

On Monday, Trump and Vice President Mike Pence welcomed HBCU leaders to the Oval Office where university presidents were hoping to discuss the role of HBCUs and its need for more funding with the president and Secretary of Education Betsy Devos.

Walter M. Kimbrough, the president of Dillard University, released a statement after the meeting where he called for the administration to increase funding opportunities for students who have financial needs.

Here is some of The Chronicles past coverage:

 Historically black colleges push for financial support

 HBCUs, advocates looking for help from Trump on funding

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
As a parent who, just this year, pulled his two youngest kids from private schools, I appreciate the rationale behind the relentless push for school vouchers.

We all like to have choices. Good choices, that is.

In theory, it makes perfect sense for parents like me who are shelling out thousands of dollars each year in local property taxes to get something in return -- a rebate, if you will -- if our local public school isnt up to par or if we simply prefer a different educational model.

But, as a practical matter, Im afraid that siphoning taxpayer money from traditional public schools in the name of school choice -- an idea championed by our new Education Secretary Betsy DeVos -- could have a terrible effect on public education as we know it.

Those who stand to lose the most -- poor, working-class families whose vouchers wont be nearly enough to cover the freight of a top-notch alternative -- indeed will.

They will be left behind in underfunded and abandoned educational hubs of socioeconomic distress.

They will be left behind in a bifurcated educational system divided increasingly by income, religion and race, putting elitist expectations on an irreversible collision course with the centuries-old, egalitarian principles of public education.

Heres a better option: We should refine and re-engineer our pubic schools, much like Dallas ISD is doing now with its choice schools programs, instead of rebelling against them in ways that diminish education as the great equalizer in America.

Imagine what would happen if we all fought for our public schools rather than fled from them -- and if state lawmakers sufficiently funded them?

What if we recommitted ourselves, collectively, to the notion that a robust and well-funded public education system is for the greater good of society or, more parochially, our own community?

Ive struggled with this concept for years, starting when my two older kids -- son Alex, now 27, and stepdaughter, Andrea, now 38 -- were younger. Andrea was fortunate enough to attend two of the nations best public school systems -- one in Highland Park, Texas, and another in Fairfax County, Va.

Alex got a dose of both worlds, spending his first few years in private Montessori schools and then two years in a Richardson ISD elementary before enrolling in an Episcopal school that has grown fast and more expensive.

My two youngest, Selah, 10, and Judah, 8, attended a parochial school until this year, when we were able to transfer them to a high-performing elementary in the district where weve paid school taxes for nine years. It saves us money, and theyre in a school thats far more culturally and socioeconomically diverse.

Along the way, Ive certainly questioned what I was getting for my hard-earned tax dollars, first when my neighborhood public school proved to be a bad fit for my kid and we were compelled to pay for a better option; and again when my wife and I simply decided a parochial school was more to our liking.

Either way, we felt like we were being double-dipped -- paying for the public school we werent using and the private one that we were. We couldnt even write off the private school tuition on our federal income taxes.

But our frustration was tempered by the sobering realization that providing a good public school system is a shared and collective responsibility.

Funneling our tax dollars into myriad alternatives -- from private schools to competing but privately run public charter schools -- would cause a ripple effect, not only for traditional schools but sometimes for the students seeking greener pastures.

A recent New York Times article pointed out that even as school choice is poised to go national, a wave of new research has emerged suggesting that private school vouchers may harm students who receive them. The results are startling -- the worst in the history of the field, researchers say.

One of the three voucher studies examined was from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a conservative think tank and proponent of school choice, The Times reported. And that study was paid for by the pro-voucher Walton Family Foundation, focused on a large voucher program in Ohio.

Students who use vouchers to attend private schools have fared worse academically compared to their closely matched peers attending public schools, the researchers found, according to The Times article, authored by Kevin Carey, director of the education policy program at New America.

While vouchers and charters often are lumped under school choice, the best charters tend to be nonprofit public schools, open to all and accountable to public authorities. The less private that school choice programs are, the better they seem to work, Carey concluded.

State Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, sees public charters as an extension of the public education system -- which is why hes sponsoring legislation, HB 1269, to increase state funding for charter schools in Texas up to the level of traditional schools.

Its not a zero-sum game in my opinion, Villalba said in an editorial board meeting Friday with The Dallas Morning News.

Still, while the idea of shifting hundreds of millions of new dollars into public charter schools may be more palatable than, say, offering vouchers for private schools or home-schooling, its still a blow to traditional public schools that arent playing on a level field.

Blowing up schools that dont work makes sense; dismantling a competitive public education system doesnt.

Lets make sure were clear about the choices we make.

---

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.












Have you ever considered taking a yoga class? Maybe a friend keeps asking you to come to yoga class, or perhaps your doctor suggested yoga, but words like prana or phrases like breathe into your right ribs to create space, scare you away. You should give it a try anyway.

Anything new can be scary the first couple of times. I always tell myself, Do something brave every day. It helps you remember you are alive. Your new brave thing may be a yoga class.

A list of benefits from yoga can continue for pages and pages. But, here are a few at the top of everyones list. Ill start with physical benefits.

Yoga improves your flexibility. It is the most obvious benefit of yoga. Almost everyone that comes into class thinks they will be the stiffest, or tightest person in class. Yoga helps removes stiffness so that the body movements become free .Flexibility is more just about tight hamstring and whether or not you can touch your toes. Tight hips can strain the knee joint, tight hamstrings can lead to flattening the lumbar spine which can cause back pain. Tight shoulders lead to neck tensions and headaches. Yoga helps to lengthen, stretch and extend muscle fibers to gain a greater flexibility throughout the body. Youll notice that aches and pains begin to disappear within just a few classes. You move more freely and sleep better. I often hear, I slept for the first without neck pain.

Yoga releases stress. This is second most common reason for beginning a yoga practice. Yoga encourages you to relax, slow your breath and focus on the present, shifting the balance from the sympathetic nervous system (or the fight-or-flight response) to the parasympathetic nervous system. This is the calmer, more restorative system. It lowers breathing and heart rates, decreases blood pressure and increases blood flow to the internal organs so they can function. Breath and breathing is an inseparable part of yoga. Thus, the next benefit.

Yoga helps to correct posture so you have space to breathe. We spend much of the day with our shoulders slumped forward either texting, typing on the computers, driving, cooking, cleaning, etc. Yoga postures encourage the opening of the chest, bringing the shoulder blades down the back, and relaxing the neck and shoulders. This brings balance back between the front and back upper body and gives space for your breath. The oxygen allowed into the body from your breath nourishes the organs, sends blood to the brain, and calms the nerves. This is a much more wonderful way to live.

Yoga builds strong muscles, which is more than just looking good. Strong muscles protect us from back, knee and hip pain. And when you build strength through yoga, you balance it with flexibility.

Yoga benefits joints. Each time you practice yoga, you take your joints through their full range of motion. The area around joints is like a sponge. It receives nutrients when fluid is squeezed out and a new supply of nutrients is soaked up.

Yoga protects and strengthens your spine. Like the rest of your body, your back also craves movement. It receives nourishment through movement. In yoga practice backbends, forward bends and twists all help to keep your back healthy.

Yoga increases your blood flow. Your body cells get the oxygen they need to function properly. Twisting poses wring out blood from internal organs such as the liver, spleen, intestines, lungs and kidneys, and then allow oxygenated blood to flow in once the twist is released. Remember the sponge reference above? Bad out, good in. Inversions encourage blood to flow from the legs back to the heart. From there is goes to the lungs to be oxygenated and pumped through the body. Inversions are often a part of yoga practice and are not as scary as they may sound. Downward Facing Dog is an inversion. Down Dog, along with Headstand, Handstand and Shoulderstand, work on the entire system to increase blood flow.

Yoga boosts your immune system. When you contract and stretch muscles and move organs around, you increase the drainage of lymph. The lymph system doesnt have its own pumping system, like the heart, to help circulate the lymph fluid which is rich in immune cells. Stretching and contracting muscles helps the circulate the lymph fluid to fight infection and remove toxins from the body.

Yoga helps your adrenal glands fight stress. Your body naturally secrets cortisol in response to a crises or stress. This temporarily boosts your immune system. However, if the cortisol levels stay high they compromise the immune system and your bodys ability to handle stress. Yoga lowers cortisol levels. Persistently high levels of cortisol are thought to affect your memory and may lead to permanent changes to the brain. Even more, excessive cortisol has been linked to depression, high blood pressure, insulin resistance and even osteoporosis (cortisol interferes with the laying down of new bone). Asana and yoga breathing help lower the cortisol levels an help the body deal the with anxiety, stress, and depression.

But yoga is more than physical. Yoga improves your mood, makes you happier, contributes to peace of mind and increases your self-esteem. Yoga helps you stay present and increases mental focus and concentration. Yoga is a practice of self-study: a study of body awareness, on the physical level; a study of self, on an emotional level. The cool part is -- the learning never ends and its fascinating.

Everything is connected. As you read all the ways yoga improves your health, you probably noticed repeated theme? Thats because theyre connected. Change your posture and you change the way you breathe. Change your breathing and you change your nervous system. Everything is connected -- your big toe to your hipbone to your shoulder, you to your community, your community to the world. This is one of the great lessons of yoga. We arent individuals on our own island. We were meant to be connected.

Are you brave enough to give it a try? After all, Christopher Robin said, You are braver than you know Step into class and begin to breathe.
Latoyia Thomas was just five minutes from home after getting her hair braided early Saturday morning.

The 39-year-old had ventured to a new hair stylist on FM 1960. After a long day, she was eager to make it home around 2 a.m. with her 8-year-old daughter, De'Maree Adkins, who was sound asleep in the backseat.

"I was going through the light and through my peripheral vision I could see a car coming at a high rate of speed," Thomas said. "We collided."

A speeding Pontiac collided with her black Honda Accord in the intersection of Beltway 8 and West Fuqua.

"I called her name and I said, Are you OK?" Thomas remembers asking her daughter after the accident.

"Yeah I'm OK. What happened mama?" De'Maree asked.

That's when another car drove up, Thomas said. She remembers seeing a woman step out of a car and begin firing shots.

"I don't know who it was and I don't know why she was shooting," Thomas said.

After shots were fired, Thomas didn't even realize her daughter was injured until she tried to take her out of the car. That's when she noticed the blood on her jacket.

"I told her to stay with me, stay with me," Thomas said, breaking down into tears. "Her body just went limp."

Paramedics transported De'Maree to the hospital, where she later died. Thomas was not injured.

Houston police are seeking answers in the deadly shooting. "We don't know if they were firing at each other and struck the vehicle, or if once the accident happened, they got angry, jumped out and they shot the vehicle," said HPD homicide detective David Stark. "We just don't know."

Between five and seven shots were fired, Stark said.

Thomas doesn't usually travel on the Beltway, but that night she decided to.

"I should've taken a different route," she said.

The grief-stricken mother said she'd do anything for more time with her daughter, an honor-roll student at Houston ISD's MacGregor Elementary who'd recently started learning to play the violin.

"I wanted to see her teenage years," Thomas said. "I want to go and pick out prom dresses for my baby. I wanted to see her get married."

Melvin Jarmon said he spoiled De'Maree, his granddaughter, who he describes as a "girly girl." The pair would eat out together frequently.

"She was going to be somebody special," Jarmon said. "That was my heart."

Thomas, who also has a 17-year-old son, said she is still trying to make sense of why someone would shoot at people they didn't know.

"She did not deserve that," Thomas said. "She was innocent. She had her whole life to look forward to."

Police are looking for the drivers. The white Pontiac was left at the scene. The other driver fled in a dark, four-door sedan.

There are no suspects in custody and no motive known for the shooting.

Houston Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for any information leading to an arrest and filing of charges. Anyone with information should call HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

Thomas hopes for justice for her daughter.

"If the person has any conscience, any heart, please turn yourself in," she said.
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A man who died after his pickup rolled over Friday on Loop 1604 North who police said had been having an argument with his passenger was identified by the Bexar County Medical Examiner on Monday as Cory Steven Marx, 32.

San Antonio Police Department officers on the scene said witnesses noticed the truck speeding and moving erratically at about 4:30 p.m. in the 5000 block of Loop 1604 North near Judson Road.
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Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar is facing criticism for a letter he sent Gov. Greg Abbott saying he'll continue honoring requests by federal authorities to hold immigrants in the county jail.

Salazar told Abbott his hands are tied and hell continue holding inmates who U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement want to investigate because Abbott threatened to withhold state grants if he doesn't.

The sheriff wrote that he has concerns about the office of the governor subjecting the state and local officials to the dictates of the federal government.

The Feb. 17 letter was in response to a request from the governors office to county sheriffs asking them to certify they cooperate with the Homeland Security Department.

The certification, which began in November 2015, requires sheriffs to notify (the department) of all information requested by (homeland security) related to illegal aliens in the custody of the grantee; and detain such aliens in accordance with requests from homeland security.

In his letter, Salazar criticized Abbotts choice of words.

The new required certification is troubling to me on multiple fronts, Salazar wrote. First, the term illegal alien is personally offensive.

Meanwhile, immigration activists delivered a petition to the Sheriffs Office asking Salazar to halt the policy.

The petition was delivered by Josue Romero, a 19-year-old from Honduras who has a work permit under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy that gives reprieves from deportation to some young undocumented immigrants.

Romero was arrested on a misdemeanor marijuana charge earlier this month, then turned over to ICE. He later was released and said Tuesday hes no longer in imminent danger of deportation.

Romero said hes asking Salazar to honor detainers on a case-by-case basis, so immigrants arrested on minor crimes are not turned over to ICE.

Right now, anybody who gets arrested is almost guaranteed to get deported, he said. I dont think it makes any sense to treat someone whos parked illegally the same as someone who killed somebody or committed an assault.

The petition, which was circulated by the advocacy group Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services and has almost 3,000 signatures, goes even further.

It asks the Sheriffs Office to only honor detainers if theyre accompanied by warrants signed by a judge, deny ICE access to Bexar County databases, refuse to notify ICE when someone is released from the jail and limit when ICE can question those held in the jail.

Some of those measures likely would put the Sheriffs Office in violation of an executive order signed last month by President Donald Trump that denies federal grants to sanctuary cities.

The petition also asks Salazar not to take part in a program that deputizes local law enforcement officers to enforce immigration laws, which the sheriff said in an interview last week that he would not do.

In the interview, Salazar said hes concerned immigrants wont report crimes if his deputies act as immigration officers and addressed the state funding issue.

We know whats needed here, he said of local law enforcement. Just let us protect and serve our community the way we see fit.

Click here to read more about the Bexar County Sheriffs Offices immigration policies

jbuch@express-news.net

Twitter: @jlbuch
This is no Texas two-step: Three water snakes kicked off the reptile's mating season with a synchronized weaving dance of sorts, new footage shows.

Officials with Texas Parks and Wildlife said on the department's Facebook page that the video depicts two male snakes trying to mate with a female. The non-venomous water snakes moved in an undulating motion on the ground among brown leaves at Sheldon Lake State Park in Houston.
The state of Texas argued during a court hearing in Corpus Christi on Tuesday that lawmakers did not act with discriminatory intent when they passed a voter ID law that has since been struck down, but it also told a judge that fixes are on the way in the current Legislative session.

Critics, however, maintained that the proposed changes, if passed in newly introduced legislation, are irrelevant and that the 2011 law was passed with discriminatory purpose. During the hearing, plaintiffs that include civil rights groups asked U.S. District Judge Mary Nelva Gonzales Ramos to hold the state accountable.
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Testimony is expected to begin Tuesday in the trial of two former San Antonio Police Department officers who are charged with compelling prostitution after four women complained that they were duped into having sex with the officers.

Alejandro Chapa and Emmanuel Galindo were arrested Sept. 24, 2015 after a three-month investigation. Authorities charge they impersonated members of the departments vice unit and recruited the women for a phony sting operation.

Chapa, 29, and Galindo, 31, both are out on bond. Compelling prostitution is a second-degree felony. If convicted, each man faces two to 20 years in prison.

RELATED: Police: Man killed prostitute, let acquaintance have sex with her body, set her on fire

The investigation began when one of the women reported to Live Oak police that she had been sexually assaulted by an SAPD officer.

It was evident something was going on when we started talking to the victims, Live Oak Police Chief Ken Evans said at the time. In no way did they know they were getting involved in prostitution.

Aaron Alford, a third SAPD officer, was arrested and fired along with Chapa and Galindo. Alford was charged with official oppression, a Class A misdemeanor.

An arrest warrant affidavit said Alford referred one woman to Chapa and Galindo and told her she could make up to $5,000 per day if she worked as a police informant.

RELATED: Suspected Medical Center sexual attacker continues to evade capture. Here's what we know about him.

The affidavit states that the woman was given a contact number to call, and met with a man later identified as Galindo, who told the woman she needed to perform a series of tests, which included drinking beer, standing blindfolded in a bikini, dancing, twerking, performing a lap dance on Galindo, kissing him, getting naked and streaking across the living room, and eventually having sexual intercourse.

Another affidavit described a separate incident in which the officers offered money to a manager of a downtown bar to recruit women. It said the manager participated in a fake scenario set up by the officers to train the women on doing undercover work.

The trial is being heard in the 187th state District Court, presided by Judge Steven C. Hilbig.

This report contains material from Express-News archives.

ezavala@express-news.net

Twitter: @elizabeth2863
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It wasn't until drivers saw a splash from the San Antonio River that they knew something had gone wrong.

Ebenezer Oloba, 23, and Oscar Fuentes, 19, were headed north on U.S. Highway 77 around 2 p.m. Saturday when their dark gray Chevrolet Cruze left the roadway and landed into the river.

Nathan Brandley, Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman, said Oloba and Fuentes were pulled from the vehicle Sunday after a dive team was able to locate the car and have it pulled from the water. Oloba and Fuentes were pronounced dead at the scene.

RELATED: NEISD teacher identified as man killed in San Antonio crash

Although the cause of death for each is remaining, Brandley said the pair likely drowned. DPS Rangers are investigating what exactly went wrong. Brandley said the car went off the road for "unknown reasons" and there were no witnesses to the accident.

"A couple of vehicles saw the splash and the water come up over the road," he said, adding that it caused drivers to stop.

Oloba and Fuentes were students at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, officials said on their Facebook page. University officials said the pair were traveling to College Station to attend the Conference on Student Government Associations when the crash occurred.

RELATED: Police say truck driver 'drifted over, hit guard rail and flipped' on I-35

The university's student government association is planning a vigil for 8 p.m. Tuesday.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Ebenezer 'Tosin' and Oscar," they said.

Fuentes was from Kingsville and Oloba was from Snellville, Georgia, Brandley said.

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5
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Police released an extended security camera clip Monday that reportedly shows the suspect in a series of sexual assaults and attempted sexual assaults in the Medical Center area this year.

The release marks the second request from the San Antonio Police Department for the public's assistance in locating and identifying the suspect in the attacks.

Click through the slideshow above for the six things we know about the attacker, who remains at large weeks after the first reported attacks.

The attacks first came to light Jan. 17, when reports on social media alleged that an attacker was stalking and assaulting women in the Medical Center area.

SAPD confirmed that reports were made, but were unable to provide more detailed information other than a basic description of the suspect.

RELATED: SAPD releases sketch, security camera footage of suspect in several sexual assaults near Med. Center

Days after police acknowledged they were investigating, haunting surveillance footage from an apartment complex parking lot was released along with a sketch of the attacker.

The short surveillance clip, dated Jan. 8, appears to show the hooded suspect jogging across the parking lot before disappearing from view.

About a week and a half after the first reports, a woman posted on Twitter that she had been held at gun point, and nearly robbed and sexually assaulted by the man in the sketch at an apartment complex near the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Though mySA.com was unable to confirm the report, her post was retweeted over 1,400 times, spreading fear of attacks further north of the Medical Center, where the first reports originated.

READ MORE: UTSA police warn students of suspected serial sexual attacker in area

Weeks after the unconfirmed report, the UTSA Police Department issued a warning to students about the man in the SAPD sketch Monday, Feb. 20.

Nearly six weeks after the first reports surfaced, the suspect continues to evade capture.

Text "Breaking" to 48421 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

cdowns@mysa.com

Twitter: @calebjdowns
A pastor at a small Baptist church near Hillsboro was arrested Monday for allegedly engaging in sexual conduct with a child, according to media reports and a news release.

The Rev. Benjamin William Nelson, 28, was charged with two felony counts of sexual assault of a child and one Class A misdemeanor charge of deadly conduct, a news release said.

RELATED: Suspected Medical Center sexual attacker continues to evade capture. Here's what we know about him.

Fox 4 News reports a mother told police she saw Rev. Nelson in a car with her minor daughter Sunday night in a Whitney-area shopping center.

His deadly conduct charge is for driving recklessly near the girls mother when leaving the scene of the alleged crime, the television station reported.

A police news release said Rev. Nelson was arrested without incident Monday at his Waco home. He was transported to the Hill County Jail for booking.

RELATED: Police: Man killed prostitute, let acquaintance have sex with her body, set her on fire

Nelson, who is married, is listed as a reverend at Peoria Baptist Church. He studied at the University of Texas at Austin and Baylor University. He started preaching at the church in August, according to the churchs website.

RELATED: Trial begins for two former San Antonio PD officers accused of duping women into sex

Phone calls to the church for comment were not immediately returned.

The Fox news station reports Nelson was studying at a seminary in Waco.

The police department is asking for other witnesses or possible victims to notify them of any other information in this case by contacting them at 254-694-2638.

Text "Breaking" to 48421 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

twhite@mysa.com

Twitter: @tylerlwhite
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department.

Sunday, Feb. 26

12:19 a.m.  A Sanford man, 28, was arrested in Lee Township for driving with a suspended license, improper plates and no insurance. His passenger, a 26-year-old Freeland man, was arrested on a warrant.

1:52 a.m.  Deputies assisted paramedics with an intoxicated man who was found lying on a Lee Township sidewalk. The man was taken to the emergency room.

3:59 a.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Coleman home for a report of an unwanted person. The person left when asked by authorities.

4:25 a.m.  A Homer Township man, 32, was arrested for drunken driving in Midland. Deputies first were called about the man being a disorderly patron at a Lincoln Township bar.

9:51 p.m.  An Isabella County woman, 21, was arrested in Greendale Township for driving without a valid license. Two Mount Pleasant men, ages 34 and 35, were arrested on warrants.

Saturday, Feb. 25

1:20 a.m.  A motorist was arrested at South Saginaw Road and Austin Street for drunken driving.

12:05 p.m.  Police investigated a report of retail fraud in the 900 block of Joe Mann Boulevard.

4:15 p.m.  A 22-year-old man was arrested for domestic assault and interfering with a 911 call at a county address.

8:32 p.m.  A motorist was arrested in the 4000 block of Wellness Drive for drunken driving.

10:48 p.m.  A Coleman man, 31, was stopped for driving erratically in Jerome Township. He was arrested for second-offense drunken driving.

Friday, Feb. 24

1:12 a.m.  A Flint man, 30, was arrested in Lee Township for driving while his license was suspended. The man was stopped for defective equipment.

4:08 p.m.  Officers were sent to a case of retail fraud in the 900 block of Joe Mann Boulevard.

5:53 p.m.  Police investigated a hit and run traffic accident in the 4000 block of Wellness Drive.

8:19 p.m.  A $75 trash can was stolen from a Geneva Township home.

8:37 p.m.  Police investigated a case of retail fraud in the 7300 block of Eastman Avenue.

9:16 p.m.  A deputy was sent to M-20 near Nine Mile Road for a crash that occurred when a driver of a vehicle tried to avoid a mattress that fell from a truck. The driver of the truck, a 24-year-old Lee Township woman, was cited for having an unsecured load.

9:24 p.m.  Officers were sent to the 1600 block of Bookness Street for a report of a loud party.

10:16 p.m.  Officers investigated a sex offender registry violation in the 4800 block of Monteray Drive.

10:33 p.m.  Police were sent to a Harper Lane address for a report of a domestic assault.

11:23 p.m.  A motorist was arrested at Nakoma Drive and Sylvan Lane for drunken driving.
A booming meteor rocketed over Texas this weekend, rattling houses with a rare sonic boom, reports show.

Authorities in West Texas and beyond received calls about possible explosions Sunday night.

It turned out to be the fireball, which is a very bright meteor, according to the American Meteor Society.

About 40 people reported on the nonprofits site that theyd seen it in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado just before 9 p.m.

Deputy Fire Marshal Nathan Hines said he heard what sounded like thunder in Snyder, a town about 80 miles west of Abilene, The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reports.

You could see a flash, like if an electrical transformer flashes at night, up to our northwest, but it was cloudy here -- kinda rainy -- so we didnt actually see any kind of fireball or anything, Hines said.

Mike Hankey, AMS operation manager, told The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that meteors fall daily, but only about 1 percent produce a sonic boom.

A lot of people think its something hitting the ground, Hankey said. Actually like 10 miles up into the atmosphere creates that sonic effect thats like a rumbling sound or an exploding sound.

Some people said boom rattled their doors and windows.

An observer in Jayton, about 90 miles northwest of Abilene, wrote on the AMS site that three people who were on the porch and in the yard at the time could see each other momentarily like daytime.

Weatherford police Officer Tiffany Vanzant caught the meteor bursting over the Parker County Courthouse. Yet another spectacular video following the departments bull-roping footage.

Officer Vanzant had a front-row seat to a truly spectacular sight, and thanks to her in-car camera and a little movie-making magic, we want to share it with everyone, the department said. It is important to note that there were no space aliens hurt in the making of this video!

---

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency






A cartel group in alliance with former Sinaloa cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman are preparing to fight those seeking power in the absence of Guzman, new photos purportedly show.

La Linea, a subgroup of Cartel de Juarez, arrived in Sinaloa this week to assist Guzman's godson and the man who once helped him escape prison, Blog del Narco reported. The publication reported that the group is made up of 5,000 men who work along the Texas-Mexico border.
With less than two weeks from the start of Spring Break season in Texas, having sunny skies and warm weather may be weighing heavier on the minds of students than studying.

With getaway plans ramping up, we looked at weather forecasts for hit destinations like South Padre Island, Port Aransas and Corpus Christi between March 13 and March 18.
Question: Thank you for continuing the article! I have a fountain that I purchased, and there is a crack on the tub holding the water at the bottom. I am not sure of the material of the fountain, but I know it's not concrete because it is light enough for me to lift. I tried putting silicone on the inside of the fountain where I think the crack is, but it did not repair the leak. What product can I use that will work under water that is constantly in the fountain? And it's just a hairline crack; I have a real had time even seeing the crack- I just know it's there because the fountain is always losing water.

Answer: You will need to remove the silicone that you put in the fountain using the Contractor's Desolv It. Spray it on and let it work. Use a brush to remove all the silicone that you can see. Brush on Through The Roof on the tub and let it cure for seven days before using the fountain. Great question!

Question: On one side of my house woodpeckers have started pecking and making holes in our siding. I don't know why they are picking on my house; they don't bother my neighbors. What can I do? They are starting to do real damage.

Answer: There is a caulk called Bye Bye Birdie that is a deterrent to birds. The caulk is sticky and the birds do not like the way it feels on their feet. Just caulk in the area that they light on and smear it around. The caulk is clear, and you won't be able to see it, but the birds will leave your house alone.

Question: I plan to build some cabinets for my office. I am going to stain them, and I am looking for a wood dough that will take stain and look like the wood. I am also going to put a varnish on top of the stain. Do you have a suggestion on varnish?

Answer: I would suggest using the Famowood Wood Filler. Famowood is made of wood fibers and it will take a stain as well as your cabinetry. Famowood comes in several colors so you can match your wood and will not shrink or crack. Just press into the wood and in 15 minutes sand flush with the cabinet. As far as varnish, I personally like Varathane. Just remember the higher the gloss of the varnish, the tougher the finish.

Question: The light fixture on my ceiling fan rattles when I have my ceiling fan on the highest speed. Is there something simple I can do so that the rattling doesn't drive me nuts?

Answer: Put electrical tape around the top of the fixture and then tighten the screw into the electrical tape. If you don't have any electrical tape, you can wrap a rubber band around the top and then screw down.

Question: I have a toilet that will flush by itself. I can be in my bedroom and then out of nowhere I hear the toilet flush. The first time it happened I nearly had a heart attack, because I am the only one in the house. What do I need to do to fix this? I know I am wasting water.

Answer: This is called ghost flushing. Lift the lid of the toilet and place a little food coloring into the tank. Don't flush the toilet. See if the water in the bowl takes on the color  if it does your flapper is leaking. Replace it with a Frugal Flush Flapper. You want to take care of this because you are right about wasting water.

Question: I have a hairline crack that is running the length of a wall in the corner. Should I have that taped and floated or would this be a good case for Goodbye Cracks? Should I spackle first? The crack is tiny, but if I just paint over it, the crack still shows up.

Answer: There is another product that will be a better fit for your problem. Since it is in the corner, use the Big Stretch caulk. Big Stretch is paintable and will flex and stretch in the corner. If you just need a small amount and not a whole caulking tube, use Lexol in the white. It is paintable also.

If you cannot find the products mentioned here locally, you can find them at www.happyhandyman.com. Click on Shop Johnnie's Favorites, or call the store at 210-341-1573. Email Trudy Chuoke Lesage at happyhandyman2@yahoo.com. Mail can be sent to Johnnie Chuoke's Home and Hardware, 2361 NW Military, San Antonio, TX 78231.
The Trump administration so far has been smoke and mirrors, sound and fury, self-proclaimed victimhood and angry tweets. Where is the substance? Where is the competence? And where  increasingly  is the public support?

Donald Trumps approval rating of 41 percent is the lowest Gallup has ever measured for a president this early in his term. It should be no surprise that Trump isnt having a hearts-and-flowers honeymoon, given that his inauguration was followed a day later by the biggest mass protest in the nations history. But it usually takes more than a few weeks for the relationship between POTUS and populace to become so curdled.

It is true that most of those who voted for Trump are sticking with him. But they, you will recall, were in the minority.

Instead, he has worried his political allies and galvanized his opponents. House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sound a bit uncertain and defensive these days. By contrast, the House and Senate minority leaders, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, seem full of energy and purpose.

Why wouldnt the Republican leadership be nervous, given the performance of the Trump White House so far?

The administrations boldest and most sweeping action  the executive order barring U.S. entry to refugees worldwide and foreign-national travelers from seven majority-Muslim countries  was so amateurishly written and implemented that it was promptly blocked in federal court. Trump, who claims the measure is needed to prevent terrorist attacks, rashly tweeted that judges will be to blame if something happens.

Trump said that another order, greatly expanding the number of undocumented immigrants prioritized for deportation, meant the start of a military operation to expel really bad dudes. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly quickly clarified that there would be no mass deportations and no use of military force. White House press secretary Sean Spicer later explained that Trump was using military as an adjective, apparently intending it to mean non-military.

The question is inevitable: How much does the president even know about his administrations policies?

Not much, it appears. Defense Secretary James Mattis told reporters in Baghdad that the United States was not in Iraq to seize anybodys oil  after Trump said in a speech at the CIA that U.S. troops should have done just that. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said that we absolutely support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict  after Trump opined that either one state or two states would do. And Vice President Pence reassured European leaders that the United States remains fully devoted to the NATO alliance  even as Trump continues to pine for warmer relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who seeks to destabilize and ultimately destroy NATO.

Speaking of Russia, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., a staunch conservative not known as a voice for bipartisan compromise, called Friday for a special prosecutor to investigate the Russia allegations; Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Issa said, should recuse himself because he was part of the inner circle of the Trump campaign.

Meanwhile, the fate of the Affordable Care Act is emerging as potentially a massive political crisis. At packed town halls across the country, Republicans have been hearing from constituents who will lose health insurance if the ACA is repealed but not immediately replaced, which had been the GOPs plan.

You might think the president would be fully engaged in some of these issues, but youd be wrong. Instead, he has been waging a ridiculous war against the media. His cries of fake news may play well with the base, but hes not running for president at the moment. Hes supposed to be doing the job.

eugenerobinson@washpost.com
On a scale from one to 10, I believe the city of San Antonio scored a 100 for the way it responded to areas affected by the tornadoes. The response was so impressive. It makes me proud to live in a city that takes care of its citizens.

Awesome job! Kudos to every city worker who took part in the response. Thank you so much.

James Michael Brown

Getting your wish

I find it interesting that folks across the country are getting rowdy at town hall meetings with their congressmen. Apparently, people are just discovering that Donald Trump and the Republicans in Washington really do want to abolish Obamacare. Now theyre scared that they wont be able to get sick or visit a doctor.

Well, folks, you voted for em. You won. Now shut up and quit whining. You know what they say about being careful what you wish for.

Tanya Evers

Left-wing uproar

I do not understand the liberal brouhaha over breaking up families with the presidents immigration policies and ban. A family is broken up in our country every time a family member is sentenced to prison.

Doug McKenzie

Dark future

Its time to wake up. We wont win by being stupid.

When your so-called President Trumplethinskin blamed the federal judges if anything happens because they overturned his poorly conceived ban on immigration, it was sad and stupid on many levels. Primarily, what if an attack was made by citizens from Saudi Arabia (as on 9/11) or any other country not on the banned list? Are we still supposed to blame the federal judges? Its very sad our president is unable to figure this out, and sadder still that a large percentage of his followers are incapable of such fundamental critical reasoning skills.

Equally distressing is the deafening silence from those who shouted Crooked Hillary and Lock her up! now that our walking conflict-of-interest in chief has decided not to release his tax returns. Trump fears loss of support if the embarrassing truth came out, and he is ignorant for overestimating the intelligence of his supporters.

Even if proof that he really is Putins puppet were revealed, the minority who voted for him would maintain their support.

John Langan

This is security?

Another example of alternative-reality?

Our national security adviser misled (lied to) our vice president about his attempts to undermine U.S. sanctions against Russia. What kind of national security could we have expected from this gentleman?

Susan Gehle Skaer

Feeling a draft

Re: Dodging the Draft, Your Turn, Feb. 16:

Someone please correct me if Im wrong, but Im pretty sure Bill Clinton dodged the draft by attending Oxford University in England. Donald Trump was given a medical deferment. As a youth, he attended a private military academy, and its reported he did quite well.

Frank Sawyer, Seguin

First, end the bias

Re: Air commentary, Your Turn, Feb. 17:

It would be of no concern that Rep. Lamar Smith said to look to President Donald Trump as the primary source of news.

The letter writer indicated we must have a free and independent press as the main source of news. She left out one very important part of that source. She should have indicated we must have a free, unbiased and independent press.

I can make up my own mind, and I dont like being told what I must believe by any biased newspaper.

Philip McKeon

Great tax news

Re: Four neighborhoods now seeking to write own histories, front page, Feb. 17:

Imagine my surprise when I read that by owning a house in a historic district, I could have been enjoying reduced property taxes for the last 25 years.

This will be great news for my King William neighbors, who are convinced that ours are among the highest property taxes in the city.

Bill Cogburn

Bridge decadent

Re: Land bridge widens income gap, Leonard B. Rodriguez, Jan. 17:

When I first read about the Hardberger Park land bridge, I was somewhat shocked, then puzzled as to why such a peculiar improvement to the North Side would be made, this city needing so many more practical improvements.

So, thank you, Leonard B. Rodriguez, for your commentary, jolting me back to attention. Your thoughts are needed for San Antonio to recognize the issue and realize the huge mistake of missing the necessities.

A land bridge would be a strange, even bizarre, legacy when San Antonio needs so many other important infrastructure repairs and improvements. It seems to be a shoutout, a see-what-we-can-do improvement to an already comfortable part of our town  to gild the lily comes to mind.

There is real need here. Witness the sinkhole on Quintana Road that cost a life. Witness the lack of good drainage in various areas. I could go on. There are wiser ways to spend money and build a more meaningful legacy.

Money can buy good things or frivolous things. Folks can find a way to Hardberger Park the old-fashioned way. Lets not be Neros, fiddling around while important issues go awry.

Joan Strauch Seifert

Double talk on cops

Re: Patrick ignores police he pretends to support, Brian Chasnoff, Feb. 10:

Once again Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks out of both sides of his mouth. Thank you, Mr. Chasnoff, for making Patricks words and double talk very clear.

Texas needs a leader who speaks sincerely for the citizens. Republican senators and representatives need to start listening immediately to the law enforcement officers who serve the citizens rather than voting along party lines.

Start representing the people you serve, now!

Carol De Leon
Pearlesque Box

4.9 overall rating

15 Ratings | 7 Reviews

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By Lambert Strether of Corrente

Trade

Fed Governor James Bullard: I can appreciate that President Trump has a trade agenda and he wants to change things, but from a macroeconomic perspective, I see that as a slow-moving policy. There are armies of lawyers, and they meet for years and years and years and the final result is probably not all that different than what you have now. Its possible that there are other ways that this could move faster, but rules are rules and agreements are agreements, so they take a long time to change [Politico].

Politics

2016 Post Mortem

In the DNC Race, the Democratic Establishment Seems to Have Successfully Preempted the Left [Ed Kilgore, New York Magazine]. Democrats today, left and center, are in a very different position from the Republicans of the recent past. Party divisions over policy are a lot less numerous, and Democrats are united in wanting to use government for positive purposes in a way Republicans havent exhibited in 40 years. But the age-old challenge remains for partisans of every variety: keeping eyes on the prize of general-election victories instead of the fools gold of dominating ones own party. Thats as true for the Democratic Establishment types who keep frustrating left insurgents as it is for the insurgents themselves. What on earth does united in wanting to use government for positive purposes mean? Did Clinton come out of the woods and sign on to #MedicareForAll?

SOTU

Six critical reactions to keep an eye on during President Trumps first address to Congress [WaPo]. We need a drinking game; mine would be to open a bottle and imbibe steadily and systematically. But then thats my solution for most anything these days (kidding!). What the G.O.P. Wants Trump to Say Tonight [New York Times]. Media critique: Notice the extremely classy black-and-white photo of Trump. The Flynn defenestration really changed the tone. The writer, a Republican Congressman: However, President Trump will need to do more than merely wait upon a Republican Congress to produce the legislation he has championed. He must become an active participant in the legislative process. Hoo boy. Trump is not focusing his first major address as president on repealing and replacing Affordable Care Act [Politico]. Trump may be crazy, but hes not dumb. Too bad for him he got rolled on Flynn; pour encourager les autres works both ways

Trump Transition

A day after House conservatives panned a leaked GOP draft ObamaCare replacement plan, a top Republican leader on Tuesday described the proposed legislation as no longer even a viable draft that were working off of' [The Hill]. The Freedom Caucus is going bughouse again. Maybe Mitch can have Elaine cross those guys off the infrastructure goodies list? If Trump ever gets round to that? The campaign to let 20 million Americans keep their health insurance is working [David Leonhardt, New York Times]. I love liberals. Let me add the sentence Leonhardt left out: But the fight to get health care to the 20 million who dont have health insurance must never, ever begin. Fixed it for ya. President Donald Trump said he believes the extra $54 billion dollars he has proposed spending on the U.S. military will be offset by a stronger economy as well as cuts in other areas [Reuters]. I think the money is going to come from a revved up economy, Trump said in a Fox News interview broadcast on Tuesday, hours before he was to address a joint session of Congress. Military Keynsianism is the best Keynsianism. Indeed, the only Keynsianism. Trump, February 27, 2017: I have to tell you, its an unbelievably complex subject. Nobody knew that health care could be so complicated [New York Times]. Trump and Obama say health care is complicated (clip compilation) [Politico]. Thanks to Politico for ratcheting down the hysteria on this one. Trump: I think in terms of effort, which means something, but I give myself an A-plus, OK, effort, but results are more important. In terms of messaging, I would give myself a C or a C-plus.  In terms of achievement, I think Id give myself an A because I think Ive done great things, but I and my people I dont think weve explained it well enough to the American public [Time]. So, just like Obama, Trump thinks any problem can be solved with public relations? President Donald Trump finally got the leading member of his trade team after Wilbur Ross won Senate approval Monday night to be Commerce secretary in a 72-27 vote. Twenty Democrats joined 51 Republicans and one independent, Sen. Angus King, to approve Ross, who is expected to be the architect of Trumps tougher approach to trade [Politico]. So can #TheResistance please abandon the Trump-as-fascist talking point or start actively pillorying the Democrats who vote for the guy? Or is America exceptional because even a modicum of consistency is no longer necessary in political discourse? More: Other Democrats, like Sen. Sherrod Brown, looked ahead. I look forward to working with him in his new role as Commerce secretary to address the urgent need to reduce Chinas steel overcapacity, which has devastated the U.S. steel industry and its workers, Brown said. Of 549 key administration positions that require Senate confirmation, just 15 of Trumps picks have been confirmed, while an additional 18 await confirmation. For 516 of the positions  or 94% of the total  the White House hasnt yet nominated a candidate, according to the Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit group that works with the White House and campaigns to professionalize the transfer of power between administrations [Wall Street Journal, Trump Slow to Submit Nominations for Top Administration Posts]. 

Realignment and Legitimacy

Bernie Sanders tells Jake Tapper that he wont share his email list with the full DNC, but rather use it to help candidates he chooses [CNN]. Good. After the Democrat Establishments screw job on Ellison, no reason to give them anything but a poisoned chalice (which Bernie is probably too nice to do, sadly). READ IN FULL: Bernie Sanders Speech on Israel, Trump and anti-Semitism at J Street Conference [Haaretz]. As the United Nations Security Council reaffirmed on December 23, the settlements also constitute a flagrant violation of international law. I applaud the Obama administrations decision to abstain from vetoing UN Security Council Resolution 2334. Those of us who really support Israel have got to tell the truth about policies are hurting chances of reaching a peaceful resolution. Haim, thoughts? Our Revolution, the successor to Bernie Sanders campaign, is endorsing and supporting candidates from the local level up, and the new group Justice Democrats is aiming to replace every establishment politician in 2018. Even inside the structure itself, The Wall Street Journal reported last week, progressives from the Sanders camp are taking over local Democratic committees and state parties from Hawaii to Nebraska. Call it reforming the party or entryism; whatever it is, its starting to work. [The Week]. Is There More to the Flynn Story? [Philip Giraldi, The American Conservative]. On the sudden resignation of Robert Hannigan, the head of Britains highly secretive Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), which is the codebreaking equivalent of the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), who decided to spend more time with his family (!!!). [F]ormer colleagues and I have come to suspect something does not smell right with the Hannigan resignation and would seem to be quite plausibly related to Flynn Aggrieved senior officials [the nine ringwraiths current and former officials anonymously sourced by WaPo] closely tied to the outgoing White House might have surreptitiously sought assistance from a special relationship friend in a foreign government to make a case that would humiliate and ultimately bring down an unlovable and abrasive incoming national-security advisor. Of course, one still needs to learn who those senior officials were and consider whether they should be allowed to walk away from what they have done. As for Hannigan, did the Trump White House discover what had occurred and did it back channel to British Prime Minister Theresa May demanding that someones head roll? Its difficult to determine how many people decide not to pay federal taxes as a form of protest, and how many the IRS fines for that, Hedemann said. The National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee estimates there are several thousand each year who refuse to pay some or all federal income taxes, or refuse to pay federal excise tax for local service or landlines because they oppose war. The number has varied over the years and was likely at its peak during the early 1970s when an estimated 20,000 refused at least some of their income tax and 500,000 refused their telephone taxes, he said. Hedemann predicts the number will grow this year, and in the next several years, but its way too early to tell' [MarketWatch].

Stats Watch

GDP, Q4 2016 (second estimate): little change, actually no change at the headline level [Econoday]. Inventories show little change in the revision, rising what may prove an unwanted $46.2 billion and contributing 9 tenths of a percentage point or nearly half of the quarters total growth. Net exports are unchanged, subtracting 1.7 percentage points as exports fell sharply and imports rose even more sharply. Government purchases get a downgrade, contributing only a small fraction to the quarters GDP. But and: Relatively, the consumer went limp, and GDP is gamed with inventory hocus-pocus and export-import adjustments. I am not a fan of quarter-over-quarter method of measuring GDP (as it exaggerates error)  but my year-over-year preferred method showed improvement from last quarter [Econintersect]. And: Real GDP in Q4 was slightly weaker than expected, coming in unrevised at 1.9%. The shortfall relative to my expectations reflects the old saying a few billion here and a few billion there, and pretty soon it adds up to real money. There were not any big surprises, but a handful of categories came in a few billion dollars lower than I had anticipated. Business spending on equipment, intellectual property, state and local government outlays, and inventories were all a little lower than expected. Meanwhile, the main category that was revised higher was consumer spending, which was boosted from a 2.5% growth rate to a 3.0% annualized rise, in line with the robust average recorded since the beginning of 2014 [Amherst Pierpong Securities, Across the Curve].

Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index, February 2017: Manufacturing activity in the Fifth District expanded for the fourth consecutive month in February, with the Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index rising a strong 5 points to 17. Strength was broad based [Econoday]. Employment components also contributed to strength, with the number of employees index rising 2 to 10, the average workweek index up 11 to 16, and wages up 4 to 15. And: For the fourth month, the regional Fed surveys seem to be saying uniformly that growth is expanding. The Richmond Fed subcategories were strong  especially new orders [Econintersect].

Chicago PMI, February 2017: Big swings are not uncommon at all for the Chicago PMI which surged to 57.4 in February vs a January reading that was barely in the plus-50 expansion column [Econoday]. New orders are the strength of the report as is production. And: The Chicago Business Barometer which recently has spent more time in contraction than expansion, improved and remained in expansion. This survey came in well above expectations [Econintersect]. The results of this survey continue to agree with district Federal Reserve manufacturing surveys  and aligns with the overall trend of the ISM manufacturing survey.

State Street Investor Confidence Index, Februart 2017: The decline in global sentiment was again driven by a strong decline in the European component [Econoday]. State street noted that global institutional investors continued to shy away from risk despite ongoing uptrends in risky asset prices, with a striking disparity in the risk tolerance of North American institutional investors and those in other regions.

Consumer Confidence, February 2017: The consumer sentiment index may have lost a little steam but not the consumer confidence index which continues to make new post-election highs and new cycle highs [Econoday]. Expectations for future jobs are also strengthening with more, 20.4 percent, seeing more opening up and fewer, at 13.6 percent, seeing less jobs ahead. Strength in jobs sentiment makes for strength in income expectations where the spread between optimists and pessimists (18.3 vs 8.2 percent) is a very healthy 10.1 percentage points.

International Trade in Goods, Janurary 2017: The nations goods gap widened sharply in January [Econoday]. Imports of consumer goods and also vehicles are once again the source of the trade mismatch, surging 4.8 percent and 2.9 percent respectively and helping to lift total imports by 2.3 percent. Exports fell 0.3 percent with weakness in capital goods.

S&P Corelogic Case-Shiller Housing Price Index, December 2016: Lack of resales on the market is driving up prices [Econoday]. The Case-Shiller 20-city index has settled into a steady and moderate climb. And: Many pundits believe home prices are back in a bubble. Maybe, but the falling inventory of homes for sale keeps home prices relatively high. I continue to see this a situation of supply and demand. It is the affordability of the homes which is becoming an issue for the lower segments of consumers [Econintersect].

Durable Goods (yesterday): [C]ore capital goods orders were a touch softer than projected in January, falling by 0.4% (partially offset by a four-tenths upward revision to December). The modest decline in January breaks a string of three straight monthly advances (and 6 out of 7), but the setback is modest. Similarly, core capital goods shipments slid by 0.6% in January, but Decembers level was revised higher by six tenths of a percentage point. My view on business investment remains that there is a good deal of pent-up energy that had been held back by an adverse and uncertain policy environment. The surge in business sentiment in recent months suggests that some of that energy is leaking out already, but my guess is that a full-on strengthening in investment will probably have to wait until there is greater resolution on some of the outstanding policy questions, particularly corporate tax reform [Amhert Pierpont Securities, Across the Curve].

Pending Home Sales, Durable Goods Orders, Dallas Fed (yesterday): Same story, expectations trumped up but actual numbers not so good [Mosler Economics]. Also, Japans monetary policy debacle. Who could have known?

Commodities: De Beers, the worlds No.1 diamond miner by value, reported Tuesday a drop in this years second sale of rough gems, as it fetched $545 million, down from the $617 million it sold in the same period last year [Mining.com].

Todays Fear & Greed Index: 68 Greed (previous close: 70, Greed) [CNN]. One week ago: 83 (Extreme Greed). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated Feb 28 at 12:01pm. Still sedate.

Health Care

Does Trump really know how to fix Americans health care? [Brent Arends, MarketWatch]. Great meeting with CEOs of leading U.S. health insurance companies who provide great healthcare to the American people, Trump tweeted after his big summit with health insurance honchos. Wrong again, Mr. President. The CEOs of leading health insurance companies do not provide great healthcare to the American people. The CEOs of the leading health insurance companies do just three things: They collect our money. They give some of it back to us, grudgingly, when we need it. And they slip $1 of every $8  or more  into their own pockets. Thats about it. They dont do any providing whatsoever. How ironic that Trump should invite these grossly overpaid paper shufflers, parasites, and middlemen to the White House to discuss soaring medical insurance premiums and declining choice. Either we let people suffer and die from treatable illnesses because they cant pay for treatment  or we dont. If we dont leave them to suffer and die, then we must have some form of universal coverage, a.k.a. socialized medicine. There is no third option. The main reason Obamacare and the entire U.S. health-care system is too expensive to run is because we keep lying to ourselves. We are trying to have a socialized medicine system that pretends it isnt one. Im rather amazed to see prose taking this tone in MarketWatch, and from Romneys biographer, of all people. It does seem that the tide is slowly turning. It would help if the Democrats would get out of the way.

Black Injustice Tipping Point

The executive order, the development of which many advocates say has been among the most progressive partnerships between the White House and HBCUs in decades, could reveal new standards of funding and federal support for black colleges, including moving the White House Initiative on HBCUs under the purview of White House administration and mandatory funding benchmarks from federal agencies for grants and contracts [HBCU Digest]. Oh, and: First Black President Cuts Funds For Black Higher Education [Black Agenda Report]. And: Tensions spilled over after a recent Congressional Black Caucus meeting with Obama and Vice President Biden in which the president said that historically black schools, also known as HBCUs, needed to do a better job graduating students and not saddling them with debt, according to several people at the meeting. Some Black Caucus members bristled at those remarks since they say the president didnt acknowledge that his own administration was also pursuing policies that advocates say are hurting the schools [WaPo]. Plus the usual Obama finger-wagging.

There was a good deal of liberal harrumphing and pearl-clutching about this photo:

Kellyanne Conway checks her phone after taking a photo of President Donald Trump and leaders of black universities, colleges in Oval Office pic.twitter.com/MgVhCoJFuC  AFP news agency (@AFP) February 28, 2017

But

Also, I literally sit like this on the ground in every presser. Lots to question here, but wear a dress & heels & tell me how you sit first. https://t.co/MrY0kZ2VLb  Nomiki Konst (@NomikiKonst) February 28, 2017

More importantly, DeVos really is a blinkered idiot [Forbes]. What most rattled HBCU advocate was Secretary DeVos equation of the establishment of HBCUs with her longstanding philosophy of school choice, the ability of families to select what public or private schools they wish for their children. This philosophy includes state-funded vouchers that would pay for students to attend private schools that meet minimum educational standards. DeVos has been criticized for this stance because it would support religious schooling, some of which is anti-science. Instead, HBCUs were first established to provide higher education to emancipated African-Americansoften by Whites who were abolitionists and/or from the Quaker and Methodist churchesspecifically because they were unwelcome at majority institutions as part of Jim Crow laws. Wowsers.

Class Warfare

Former president Jimmy Carter said Tuesday on the nationally syndicated radio show the Thom Hartmann Program that the United States is now an oligarchy in which unlimited political bribery; has created a complete subversion of our political system as a payoff to major contributors. Both Democrats and Republicans, Carter said, look upon this unlimited money as a great benefit to themselves' [The Intercept]. Nice to see Tom Perez come out so strongly for the Sanders funding model. Oh, wait

News of the Wired

Cell phone extravaganza:

The combined revenues from mobile hardware, software and services sales in 2017 is forecast to total $1.57 trillion, a 2.6% year-over-year increase. Through 2020, products and services purchases are expected to rise at a compound annual growth rate of 2.1% and post revenues of $1.67 trillion in 2020 [247 Wall Street]. Thats real money!

Nokia 3310 wont work in many countries across the world, including the US and Canada [Independent]. [T]he new version of the handset still communicates with networks using the same old frequencies: 900 MHz and 1800 MHz, used for the kind of 2G communications that sent calls and texts before mobile internet caught on. But those frequencies have already been turned off in much of the world  including in the US and Canada  and they are gradually being switched off in many of the countries that still use them, too.

The Amazon reviews for a phone designed for rectal smuggling are pretty interesting reading [Boing Boing].

Report: Next-gen iPhone could dump the Lightning port in favor of USB-C [Ars Technica]. Sure. Ill buy new equipment because Apple changed cables again.

The Minneapolis Police Department likely disabled the cell phones of the two protesters rappelling from the ceiling of U.S. Bank Stadium on January 1 [Fox 9] Unconfirmed scanner reports mentioned police disabling the protesters phones so they would only take calls from negotiators. While the Minneapolis Police Department would not confirm the disabling, the officials sent a statement to Fox 9 on Monday saying: This technique was used twice in the past three years. This involved extreme circumstances where a persons safety was in immediate danger.

The smartphone revolution is poised to go onto the next level  with superphones equipped with artificial intelligence now on the horizon [Agence France Presse]. By learning their owners habits, these new phones will be able to carry out tasks even when theyre offline. What could go wrong?

Research shows that smartphone addiction increases stress levels and, in students, negatively affects academic performance. That likely goes for work performance as well. And whatever I have gained by clicking on another link, I have lost in uninterrupted thinking or quality time with my family [Bloomberg]. Im not alone in feeling that using a smartphone is making my life more fragmented and thus possibly poorer.

* * *

Readers, feel free to contact me with (a) links, and even better (b) sources I should curate regularly, and (c) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi are deemed to be honorary plants! See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. And heres todays plant (RH):

At last!

Readers, Water Cooler is a standalone entity, not supported by the very successful Naked Capitalism fundraiser just past. Now, I understand you may feel tapped out, but when and if you are able, please use the dropdown to choose your contribution, and then click the hat! Your tip will be welcome today, and indeed any day. Water Cooler will not exist without your continued help.
By Bill Black, the author of The Best Way to Rob a Bank is to Own One and an associate professor of economics and law at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Jointly published with New Economic Perspectives

How has the Swedish Central Banks committee that awards prizes in Economics in honor of Nobel responded to the fields abject failures regarding the recent financial crisis and the Great Recession? A lesser group would display humility, acknowledge its failures, and promise a fundamental rethink of the field. Neoclassical economists, however, are made of sterner stuff.

The committees response is to praise the discipline for its theoretical advances and proposed policies related to finance, regulation, and corporate governance. Eugene Fama, Jean Tirole, Oliver Hart, and Bengt Holmstrom exemplify this pattern. This series of articles discusses the joint award in 2016 to Hart and Holmstrom. In this introduction to the series, I outline the major errors that I will address in this series.

The major errors fall into several categories. The awards, and the committees explanation for the awards, give us the ability to look at how the committee thinks of economics. The committees message is one of complacency. Economics is progressing brilliantly and now understands the key things that can go wrong in the economy and has developed optimal solutions to those problems. Given economists catastrophic policy proposals and predictive failures that were central to the financial crisis that is an extraordinary claim. At least one of two things must be true. Either CEOs are churlishly refusing to implement these wondrous policies, or those policies are disastrous rather than wondrous. This question never occurs to the committee. The committee is not aware of the paradox that at the same time (according to the committees fairy tales) economists were taming the large corporation and creating optimal CEO compensation contracts and governance that supposedly tame the CEO, the real world was going in the opposite direction. The policies pushed by the 2016 Laureates helped create the criminogenic environment that produced unprecedented levels of elite CEO frauds that hyper-inflated multiple bubbles, drove the global financial crisis, and produced the Great Recession.

Complacency is an important ingredient to our worst failures. The great truth is the saying: it is not the things that you do not know that produce disaster  it is the things that you do know, but are not true, that produce disaster.

If CEOs refused to adopt the optimal policies, that begs the question whether Hart and Holmstrom spent from 1980-2008 trying to warn the public that a disaster was going to occur because of the churlish CEOs. As I will show, they did the opposite. They were fierce opponents of financial regulatory reforms. Holmstrom, even at the time of receiving his award, was sure that CEO compensation was not excessive. What we are seeing is the ideological blinders inflicted by training as a neoclassical economist common to the Laureates and the committee that selects them.

The committee and the Laureates are at their weakest in what they claim to be their greatest strength  their primitive and ideological assumptions about incentives. I will address four critical errors about incentives exemplified by the 2016 joint award. Neoclassical economic dogma is that money is the high power incentive. Normal humans know that this is preposterous. The highest power incentives are rarely monetary. People give up their lives for others. Some of them do so nominally for duty, honor, country, but actually because of the effects of small unit cohesion. Parents give up their lives for their children and spouses.

A second neoclassical dogma is ignoring fraud and predation. The 2016 prizes show how, despite their knowledge of the falsity of the implicit assumption, neoclassical economists repeatedly ignore the manners in which CEOs shape perverse incentives and render the Laureates compensation and governance policies criminogenic. A third neoclassical dogma is, implicitly, to assume that perverse incentives do not influence CEOs and those they suborn. Holmstrom and Steven N. Kaplans article about corporate governance in light of the Enron-era frauds unintentionally displayed this third neoclassical dogma about incentives.

No CEO wants to be the CEO of the next Enron. And no board member wants to be on the board of the next Enron (Holmstrom & Kaplan 2003: 22).

Their assertion may seem obvious to the reader, but read in context, the assertion was not that no CEO wants to be prosecuted successfully and face long imprisonment. The authors were asserting that no CEO wants to lead a fraud and no board member wants to be on the board of a fraud. That is not true and the assertion is preposterous as a matter of reality and neoclassical economic theory. Hundreds of thousands of CEOs around the world would love to run a massive fraud  as long as they could avoid successful prosecution and the claw back of their fraud proceeds. The twin dystopian economic assumptions of self-interest and rationality require the authors to assume that all CEOs want to be the CEO of the next Enron. They just want to get away with it. (Criminologists have never gone to such extremes in our assumptions.) Neoclassical economists cannot see CEOs as criminals. CEOs are their heroes (and funders).

The fourth dogma is that regulation cannot succeed because it lacks high power incentives.

Criminologists understanding of incentives and how CEOs set and pervert incentives is far more sophisticated than neoclassical economists myths about incentives. Criminologists provide the content to how CEOs that predate rig the system. Criminologists agree that perverse financial incentives are important contributors to white-collar crime.

I conclude the series by showing how these neoclassical myths persist, and receive the fields top awards, despite their falsification. I show how the literature in other fields has falsified the myths. I show the predictive errors that have falsified the myths. I even show how other Nobel Laureates have falsified the myths. Holmstrom, Hart, and the Swedish committee finesse this problem by ignoring the work of George Akerlof and Paul Romer and scholars in other fields
Yves here. Wow, Wilkerson is openly annoyed in this Real News Network interview.

PAUL JAY: Welcome to The Real News Network. Im Paul Jay in Baltimore.

President Trump is reportedly proposing a 10% increase in military spending. Thats an increase of $54 billion from approximately $600 billion that will be paired with cuts to other agencies. His so-called America First Budget will also increase funding for local law enforcement, while cutting funds to the EPA, State Department, foreign aid and social programs. Medicare and social security are apparently not on the budgetary chopping block. Trumps plan is only in the outlining stage, and the final plan should be revealed in the upcoming weeks.

Now joining us to discuss this budget increase for the Pentagon is Larry Wilkerson who joins us from Williamsburg. Larry is the former Chief of Staff for US Secretary of State Colin Powell, currently and Adjunct Professor of Government at the College of William and Mary, and a regular contributor to Real News.

Thanks for joining us again, Larry.

LARRY WILKERSON: Thanks for having me, Paul.

PAUL JAY: Does America in order to defend itself need another 10% in the military budget?

LARRY WILKERSON: No. It certainly does not. It needs a substantial cut in the military budget, and that would enhance national security because it would force the Pentagon, the military, to do some of the things that they need to do to make the future better. I understand, too, that this $54 billion or whatever it is, its not clear whether its going to come out of the authorized line or going to go into the authorized line or go into OCO, the Overseas Contingency Operations slush fund, which needs to be killed entirely. Thats a big issue for me, too, is which account it goes into.

And the payers in this are just ridiculous. The EPA, State and US aid, as the bigger bill payers, and as I understand it, too, some of the safety net programs, although hes promised to  but I dont put much store in his promises  to keep Medicare, social security and other essential programs like that going. We simply dont have the money to do all of this and the fact that we have a 600-plus billion dollar defense budget and, really, a 1.1 or 2 trillion dollar national security budget, when you throw nuclear weapons and the Department of Energy, the VA and all the rest of the security budget in there, is just ridiculous. We have a bigger national security budget than the rest of the world combined. Its absurd.

PAUL JAY: So why is he doing it?

LARRY WILKERSON: Im sorry?

PAUL JAY: Why is he doing it?

LARRY WILKERSON: Hes doing it because he promised to do it. I do believe that Donald Trump, anything he promised in his campaign that is going to keep his base titillated, apparently hes not doing that good a job even at that right now judging by the poll numbers, hell do. And this is one of the biggest things he promised to do.

PAUL JAY: One of his campaign promises in one of the speeches he was critiquing the regime change policy in Iraq. For a time he critiqued it in Libya, although theres some video surfaced how he actually wanted to send US troops into Libya, so that was a bit of a con.

That being said, at one time he actually said, Dont you worry, military guys  meaning military-industrial producers, war manufacturers  therell be plenty in this budget for you, too. The main promise seems to have been to the industrial-military complex. Thats the promise hes keeping.

LARRY WILKERSON: Well, hes keeping a promise to them to keep their money flowing and their jobs intact and so forth, and thats one of the first things that you do to get their vote. As I understand it, he probably got the military vote, certainly in the enlisted ranks, and he probably got a lot the defense-industrial complex vote, too, for the very reason that you just suggested. This is what presidents do to keep that vote in their pocket, and also to keep the American people writ large with that all important security issue at least potentially in their pocket, if not already there.

PAUL JAY: Now, 10%, its a fair amount of money. You know, $54 billion. Does this suggest that he has plans for something? And we know we you and I have talked about this before, hes certainly his foreign policy speeches and those of the people in his Cabinet more or less have all said Iran is the problem. That probably means they would like to snap sanctions back, perhaps more. Theres been the suggestion that hes  Trumps speech at the CIA, where he talks about how if Id been the president we wouldve grabbed the oil, and then he says, Maybe well have another chance.

I mean, is part of this that they are planning something?

LARRY WILKERSON: I dont think so. I hope not. Because all of those things you suggested, plus a number of others I could conjure up would not be good for this country, not in our national interests, primarily because prima facie theyre not in our national interest, but also because we cant afford to be doing these sorts of things. Paul, lets face it: we cant afford another $54 billion on the military. Where are we going to get it? Print it? Were going to go out with war bonds to the American people or maybe to the Chinese or the Japanese or the British, our biggest benefactors? Where are we going to get this money? Weve gotten $4-plus billion over the last year or two in this quantitative easing program simply by going to the Treasury and printing it, or to the Mint and printing it. Now, this is unsustainable. Its disastrous policy, and I dont know where were headed.

PAUL JAY: Well, the argument theyre giving is that the American armed forces, their hardware, the cyber warfare and such, it all needs to be modernized. General McMaster whos going to be advising Trump, hes been pushing for a new tank, newer(?) armored vehicles, lots of rhetoric around the need to have a major overhaul and modernization suggesting somehow that Russia and China are actually more modernized than the United States is.

LARRY WILKERSON: All of which is nonsense. I wouldnt be talking about tanks. I wouldnt be talking about aircraft carriers. I wouldnt be talking about bombers. I wouldnt even be talking about F35 stealth fighters. Id be talking about things like 3D printing, robotics, artificial intelligence, and other technologies that are coming on so fast that theyre going to make all these legacy systems, which are extremely expensive, and make them for the military-industrial complex, of course, a lot of money, passe. Just look at the underwater dimension, for example. 3D printing a submarine thats unmanned, and thats the future, Paul  not manned flight, not manned unmanned. You put a submarine under the ocean and hang a few smart torpedoes, smart mines on it, and you go out  and by the way, for the price of an Nimitz class carrier, a Ford(?) class carrier, you can build about 150,000 of these submarines, and you go out and kill that $14 billion Ford class aircraft carrier, or you kill a $4 billion, $5 billion ballistic missile class submarine, Ohio-class submarine. Thats the new technology.

And by the way, those technologies are going to be in the hands of state and non-state actors sooner rather than later. These are the kind of things we should be looking at. These are huge cost-savings technologies  theyre deadly, dangerous technologies. We need to have protocols and standards, international law and other things in place for their use. Cyber warfare, as you were talking about, going after peoples networks  nowhere, of course, is there anyone more vulnerable than ourselves to that kind of warfare.

These are the items, the technologies of the future, not aircraft carriers, not stealth fighter planes. Perhaps not even submarines based on what I just said about unmanned submarines taking them out.

So, you know, I would rather see the Pentagon thinking along those lines, developing systems along those lines, and getting a lot leaner in the process rather than getting more money, which is just going to kind of make them very comfortable with their current ways, all of which are dangerous for our future.

PAUL JAY: You were Chief of Staff for Colin Powell. You got a pretty good look at a very senior level of how military policy is established. How much is this driven straight, banally(?), just about money-making? The military-industrial complex lobbies, they get expensive weapons systems, but they fund various members of the Senate and Congress and so on. I mean, how much is this just rather banal ways of having weapons systems to make people that own these manufacturers wealthier?

LARRY WILKERSON: Its a huge part of it now. In the late 1970s, Paul, when I was a major working on the highmobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle, now called commonly the Hummer, I was told by the Congress to go back to Fort Benning at the time and I had a $400 million program and they said you gotta have a bigger program, gotta have a bigger program, its gotta be in every state you can get it in. I went back and developed a $9 billion program for a 59,000-vehicle buy, and sold the program. That was in the late 70s. Its mushroomed majorly since then. Now we have helicopters and fighter planes and ships and other things built, a component of which is built in every state. We have a hundred Senators behind them. We have countless representatives behind them. Im not saying that when the president says he wants a war he goes to the Congress and they say, well, here it is, but I am saying that when they make a decision to support him, when the president even makes a decision to go to war, all this money, all of this commercial interest, all of these jobs, are very much in their minds.

PAUL JAY: All right. Thanks for joining us, Larry.

LARRY WILKERSON: Thanks for having me, Paul.

PAUL JAY: Thank you for joining us on The Real News Network.
By Gaius Publius, a professional writer living on the West Coast of the United States and frequent contributor to DownWithTyranny, digby, Truthout, and Naked Capitalism. Follow him on Twitter @Gaius_Publius, Tumblr and Facebook. GP article archive here. Originally published at DownWithTyranny

Bernie Sanders: Are they going to welcome into the Democratic Party the working class in this country and young people, or is it going to be party of the upper middle class and the cocktail crowd and the heavy campaign contributors? Which to a significant degree it is right now.

[Obama] called DNC members himself [on behalf of Tom Perez], and had aides including confidante Valerie Jarrett, former political director David Simas and his White House director of political engagement Paulette Aniskoff working members by phone through the votes on Saturday afternoon.Politico

I recently wrote about the recent race for DNC Chair between Sanders-endorsed and CPC co-chair Keith Ellison on the one hand, and Obama- and Clinton-wing-endorsed Tom Perez on the other (see Field Notes from the Battle Within the Democratic Party), and concluded the following.

Four points: Whatever his other merits, theres no question that Tom Perez is running at the behest of the Obama wing of the party as a counter to Keith Ellison, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Theres also no question, whatever the organizational merits of any of the DNC Chair candidates, that for medium- to low-information voters this is seen as a proxy battle between the Obama-Clinton wing and the Sanders wing of the Party (search here for the phrase proxy battle). And theres absolutely no question that one of Sanders big issues in the primary was (a) the role of money in politics, and (b) the role of money in the way the Party does business. Needless to say, that message resonated with a great many supporters who had no interest in seeing the Partys current leadership continue. That was not only true for all Sanders voters in the primary; it was true for many Sanders supporters who failed to turn out in general election as well. Which means, finally, that if Perez wins this contest, those medium- to low-information voters may well think the Party hasnt changed much after all, and just stay home again in 2018. After all, dont you think that if every Sanders supporter had pulled the lever for Clinton, shed have won in a landslide instead of lost in a squeaker?

Whatever the merits of the two leading candidates, Perez and Ellison, with respect to this position, it could not be more obvious that the Party establishment, including and especially its outgoing, still-popular, eight-year president, really really wanted Perez to win.

Why?

Control, the Appearance of Control

For whatever combination of reasons, the need of many long-time Party insiders, from the county level up through the national level, for control of the Party is extremely great. This may be in part due to the nature of humans to protect territory, especially long-held territory. The local clique that has always run Cub Pack 257 our of your local church, for example, may resent like hell the influx of a group of new parents who start thinking, Why are you running things this way?

(And imagine their irritation if those parents discovered that much of their Cub Pack money went into the hands of a preferred supplier of equipment who happened to be married to the Assistant Pack Leader?)

Of course, organizations dont always end up filled with insiders holding tight to power for its own sake. My local HOA, for example, went in two years from having a self-protective, angry, clique-led insider club to a welcoming, lets hear from the owners inclusive leadership group  but only after a series of electoral coups took out the lower-level insiders and finally, the board chair himself (who suddenly discovered a need to move to a penthouse in a different city).

But it happens often enough, and its certainly  and for those with eyes, obviously  happening inside the modern (post-Reagan) Democratic Party. There may be any number of causes, but the result is the same.

Control of the Party. However it came about  I have a private opinion on the source of this need for dominance  starting with Bill Clinton in the 1990s, when the Democratic Party reshaped itself in response to 12 years of Republican rule, hatred by establishment Democrats directed at those to their left grew fierce. It also became quite noticeable.

For example, Matthew Karp recently wrote at Jacobin:

Two stark facts have defined the 2016 Democratic primary since the campaign began last spring. The first is the remarkable success of self-proclaimed socialist Bernie Sanders, who appears to be mobilizing far more support from lower-income voters than any other Democratic underdog in a generation. The second fact, evident since the beginning of the campaign but even more visible in recent weeks, is the fierce determination of the Democratic Party elite to nominate Hillary Clinton. With both Sanders and Donald Trump surging in the polls, many observers have framed the 2016 race as one that pits insurgent populist campaigns against consolidated party establishments. Its easy for this kind of insider versus outsider analysis to become sloppy and conspiratorial. In fact, the contours of the establishment are often difficult to define, and a closer examination frequently reveals several different elite factions facing off against each other. Yet there is abundant evidence that the Democratic Party elite has thrown its full weight behind Clinton  and against Sanders  in ways that surpass any other primary campaign in recent history.

I wont comment here about the reasons for this animus, but I will state it as a fact. Third way, establishment Democrats, by and large, hate the left. Jesse Jackson and his supporters used to be the incarnation of those to the left, which explains and accounts perfectly for Bill Clintons cruel and public Sister Souljah moment.

Today, Sanders and his supporters are the current incarnation. Establishment Democrats need to keep control of the Party  to keep the rest of the Party in line and under their thumb  is still clearlyone of their guiding principles.

Top Clinton fundraiser who whipped votes for Perez says Ellison was blocked to stop the left https://t.co/juxHQxjeoY pic.twitter.com/O8Kq2X6flK  David Sirota (@davidsirota) February 27, 2017

The Appearance of Control. Once a leadership elite seeks that degree of control  as linked just above, Chuck Schumer reportedly preferred to see Republican Pat Toomey re-elected to the Senate than let someone as independent as Democrat Joe Sestak into the insider club hes in charge of  the appearance of control is also critical. (It should be noted that Schumer was an early supporter of Ellisons candidacy.)

Much of the press commentary about this race, in attempting minimize the split between the Sanders wing and the Obama-Clinton wing, saw either of the choices, Perez and Ellison, as good ones for the Party. For example, US News concluded prior to the voting, Ellison would likely serve the party well, and his Muslim faith would serve as clear symbolic counterpoint to the policies of the Trump administration. However, the party should resist the factionalizing between Sanders and Clinton supporters and focus on the candidate who can build the infrastructure, organization, messaging and fundraising networks to make the party more competitive across the 50 states. Nathan Robinson writes much the same in the piece linked near the end. Neither is alone in this view.

So if these two candidates were presented as roughly equivalent (note the word presented), why did winning DNC Chair matter so much that Barack Obama, personally, whipped for Perez? Two of the three answers are obvious  not only did control of the DNC matter to him and his fellow insiders, but the appearance of control matters as well.

Put crudely, a machine boss cant be seen to lose, even when next to nothing is actually lost. To those for whom power matters very very much, they cant even seem to be losing it.

And Money

Which bring us to the final point, the third reason Obama-insiders wanted Perez to beat Ellison for this position. Its not just about control. There are real dollars at stake if power within the DNC, the smaller than 500-member insiders club, passes into the wrong hands.

Remember my Cub Scout example above, the one about the preferred supplier of equipment being the spouse of a pack leader? What if that preferred supplier derived all of his income from dealings with the scouts? How motivated would his pack leader-spouse be to keep complaining parents, all of them, off of her pack committee? The answer is obvious. Very motivated.

Nomiki Konst, investigative reporter for TYT Network, who covered the DNC Chair contest closely (see also here), had this to say via email after the election (my emphasis):

I keep saying to any reporters who plan on writing about Bernie vs Hillary/Obama Wing proxy fight that this was actually a proxy battle between Unity democrats vs. HRC & OFA elitists. Keith had so many establishment Dems and progressives. Unions and even most state party chairs. Perez still won because he had elitists Dems  the biggest bundlers and political operatives, as well as the president and VP, working on his behalf. Remember, Perez had barely any union endorsements, a couple state Party Chair endorsements, did not have the minority leader of the senate and absolutely NO Sanders supporter endorsements. And he still won by 35 votes.

The biggest bundlers and political operatives means, first, the bag men and women (bundlers, collectors of the millions that come into Party hands) and, second, those to whom that money goes (operatives, consultants, pollsters, campaign advisors and very well paid media buyers). Bundlers and operatives are, in other words, the suppliers and recipients of what, in a presidential election year, amounts to billions of dollars spent per candidate, and all the political favors big money purchases for its ultimate sources.

Konst highlighted that problem in a striking interview with Perez just a few days before the election (written up here):

Konst: Arent conflicts of interest a concern? If youre going to change the culture on the ground, how do you change it without banning these conflicts of interest who want to keep the party bloated? Perez: When you say that someone wants to keep the party bloated, I dont know. The people that I talk to want to build a Democratic Party that works for everyone.  The folks that are running the Unity Commission, theres going to be a lot of different perspectives that are put to bear  thats what we want! Konst (incredulous): Including consultants? Perez: We have a big tent in the Democratic Party.

Keeping the party bloated means keeping corporate money, hedge fund money and cash from very high wealth individuals (example, Haim Saban) flowing freely into Party hands so it can just as freely pass out to the hands of its friends  who in turn help Party insiders stay in power.

Few will write the story this way  Konst is one of the exceptions  but following the flow of funds explains much of whats behind the fierce determination of Democratic insiders (that is, the 447 women and men who actually vote for DNC Chair) to keep things just as Nancy Pelosi wants  the way they are right now, thank you very much.

The miracle is that Ellison got even 200 votes at all, and lost by only 35. Still, despite the support of unions and most state party chairs, he lost by a significant margin. Ellison gained zero votes from the crowded first round of voting to the two-person second round, while Perez sprinted to a win.

Whats Next for Democrats?

Whats next for Democrats deserves an essay by itself. But needless to say, an increase in #DemExit is one of the anticipated options, even by several of the delegates Konst interview on the floor at the DNC meeting.

A worst-case scenario is painted below. First, consider this from NBC News on whether the public views insiders of either party favorably, (my emphasis): One sentiment that unites the fractured nation is fury at the establishment in Washington. Fully 86 percent of those surveyed said they believe that a small group in D.C. has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. That includes 88 percent of Republicans and 85 percent of Democrats.

Then consider how that broad unpopularity of insiders may intersect with this DNC election. Of that, Nathan Robinson, editor at Current Affairs, writes, By failing to appoint Keith Ellison to chair the DNC, Democrats have written their suicide note.

Heres just a taste of the longer piece:

They Must Be Trying to Fail At this point, one has to conclude that the national Democratic Party has a death wish.  [I]t was incredibly important that the Democratic Party take some steps to indicate that it cared about progressives. Since the election, it hadnt been doing a very good job of this. (Nancy Pelosis insistence that nothing needed to change, and her rebuke to a young leftist, demonstrated the prevailing attitude.) Appointing Keith Ellison to chair the DNC was the perfect opportunity. After all, chairing the DNC is a pretty minor role. It would mostly have been a gesture of friendship and unity, showing that even after the catastrophic mistake of ignoring leftist warnings not to run Clinton, the party was capable of valuing its leftmost members. But no. Instead of granting the tiniest possible concession, the party has decided to affirm precisely what Nancy Pelosi has indicated: democratic socialists and social democrats dont belong in the party. Its not for them. What the party does depends on what billionaire donors want it to do. This is politically suicidal.

As if that wasnt enough, Robinson adds, Now, progressives in the party are further alienated. Good luck getting them to vote for Democrats.  The progressives needed to receive some kind of gesture. And they have received one: an enormous middle finger. Indeed.

Your Bottom Line

Consider these facts:

1. It clearly mattered very much, to Obama, to high Party insiders, and to the support ecosystem around them, that no one representing the Sanders camp be allowed real power in the Party. (Sanders himself is in charge of outreach and reports in that capacity to Chuck Schumer.) Even when the role is highly visible but minor. The DNC Chair does have a modicum of control, unlike those who hold messaging roles, but even that much control wont be allowed.

2. Yet all you hear from Democrats, correctly in my view, is Defeating Trump is Job One. The nation, indeed the world, is at a crossroads  on the climate front, a crossroads of world-historical proportions.

3. Yet theres an obvious disconnect between the Partys rhetoric and its actions. Is control of the Party more important than bringing in the groundswell of popular support needed to defeat the Republicans in all branches of government?

4. And people do notice that disconnect, more now than before. Some might even call it, not a disconnect, but a contradiction. Or hypocrisy. Some, those who couldnt pull the lever for Clinton, may even call it that at election time.

5. If so  if the insider-controlled Democratic Party puts its own need for party dominance over the needs of the nation  the nation and indeed the world will suffer greatly. Will insider Democrats suffer to the same degree as the rest of us? If they think theyre getting what they want, no.

So a question for those who gaze into the future. None of this dire predicting is certain, but its certainly possible. Will there be a price, for the Party and the world, attached to adherence to power at any price? If there is, establishment Democrats sure are flirting with it.

Again.
PricewaterhouseCoopers issues sincere apology for Oscars blunder Guardian. Resilc: This worked for all of the clean opinions during the financial crisis so why not now?

Were running out of treatment options for 12 priority pathogens Reuters (David L)

Superbug infections rising rapidly and spreading silently in kids ars technica (Chuck L)

Light beam replaces blood test during heart surgery PhysOrg (Chuck L)

Bioprinter makes fully functional human skin NextBigFuture (Robert H)

China?

A Nazi Skeleton in the Family Closet Consortium News. On Chrystia Freeland, Canadas new foreign minister. If you are Canadian, circulate widelyparticularly to people in the press. John Helmer reported on this earlier but was ignored: http://johnhelmer.net/victim-or-aggressor-chrystia-freelands-family-record-for-nazi-war-profiteering-and-murder-of-the-cracow-jews/ Helmer adds this via e-mail:

I followed with a Canadian radio broadcast and additional research on the Galician attacks on Jews and Poles to cleanse the entire region, with German army support: http://johnhelmer.net/gorilla-radio-vancouver-justin-trudeaus-falling-star-chrystia-freelands-rising-missile/ By the way, the historian whose papers are cited, John-Paul Himka, is Freelands brother-in-law; he is married to her sister. Thats why he got access to Grandpa Chomiaks papers in the Alberta state archive. What Himka uncovered and then reported from his research is the reason he describes the trouble he is in from the Ukrainian diaspora in this interview of May 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa7R2lmIl3Q

Have The Majors Given Up On Canadas Oil Sands OilPrice (resilc)

The French millennials marching behind Marine Le Pen New Statesman (resilc)

Brexit

Theresa Mays Brexit trade bluff Politico (guurst). If you are still operating under the delusion that the UK has leverage over the EU, this should settle it. Brexit prompts ship insurers to look at Luxembourg, Cyprus bases Reuters (guurst)

Syraqistan

As Trump Goes In: Foxing the public over Yemen and Iran Juan Cole (resilc)

New Cold War

Must It Always Be Wartime? New York Review of Books

Big Brother is Watching You Watch

Trump Transition

As Trump Heads to Congress, Polarization Is Hardening Wall Street Journal

Pentagon delivers draft plan to defeat Islamic State to White House Reuters (furzy)

Nina Turner: DNC Chooses Not to Be the Party of Everyday People Real News Network

Democrat Propaganda Group Shareblue Has Ties To Chinese Government, Host Of Foreign Special Interests Disobedient Media

Anti-Semitism Is Morally and Intellectually Imploding Veterans Today (Judy B)

American who intervened in shooting that killed Indian says was happy to risk life Reuters (EM)

Donna Brazile: I was scared Politico (UserFriendly). Ready your barf bag.

How Citizens United gave Republicans a bonanza of seats in U.S. state legislatures Washington Post

Obamacare

GOP Obamacare Plan Suffers Blow With Rejection by Key Republican Bloomberg. So far, Trump has let Congresscritters handle this hot potato. Will he take ownership in the SOTU tomorrow or continue to bob and weave? This is a huge gift to the Dems, since the Republicans have made this a priority despite having no idea what to do, and this appears to be slowing them down on other fronts. Leaked Governors only report presented to the National Governors Association shows that millions would lose health coverage under republican proposal to replace the Affordable Care Act Public Citizen (Deontos)

Fake News

J is for Junk Economics: Michael Hudson on TRNN Real News Network

AIG Directors Weigh Consequences for CEO After Big Setback Wall Street Journal

Cooking The Books? Saudi Aramco Could Be Overvalued By 500% OilPrice

As Wall Street Thrives, Americas Little Guy Chokes on Paperwork Bloomberg. The wee problem is the big guys use the costs to small banks (and the bank showcased here is so small as to be microscopic) as an excuse to have their compliance burdens reduced.

http://bruegel.org/2017/02/the-trump-market-rally-conundrum/The Trump market rally conundrum Bruegel. As I am sure Jim Haygood will point out, the skepticism of Serious Economists is a bullish sign. And recall that Summers made just about the stupidest trade evah, resulting in huge losses for Harvard, and even more inexcusably did so using funds from Harvards operating budget.

Oops, this Isnt Supposed to Happen in a Rosy Credit Scenario Wolf Richer. However, despite the above, this isnt very cheery.

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour (Tracie H). Merlyn, being a good sport:

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
Turning water into clean fuel (Nanowerk News) A pioneering research project between Masdar Institute and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a step closer to using sunlight to turn water into fuel in the form of hydrogen. The team have identified materials and developed unique structures that optimize the process that splits water into its component elements so the hydrogen can be captured and used as a fuel source.

This research is at the frontier of materials science, photonics and nanofabrication. It is not yet mature, but we are looking to build the capability and know-how not only for water-splitting but also for other photochemical reactions of interest, like wastewater treatment and high-value chemical production, explained Dr. Jaime Viegas, Assistant Professor of Microsystems Engineering at Masdar Institute.

He is part of a collaborative team of faculty from both institutes, including Dr. Mustapha Jouiad, Microscopy Facility Manager and Principal Research Scientist at Masdar Institute, and MITs Professor of Mechanical Engineering Dr. Sang-Gook Kim, W.M. Keck Professor of Energy Professor of Mechanical Engineering Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Dr. Yang Shao-Horn, and Rockwell International Career Development Professor Dr. Alexie Kolpak, which is exploring how to access the full spectrum of solar energy to split water to produce hydrogen.

While hydrogen is an energy dense fuel with many uses, there are no naturally occurring geological hydrogen reserves. That is why hydrogen is currently produced through high-energy processes that depend on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas. But if a sustainable and clean source of hydrogen could be developed for commercialization, it could provide the world with a truly carbon neutral energy source that can be used in place of many of our carbon intensive energy sources.

We have lots of solar energy and we have seawater. If we could use water-splitting to produce hydrogen from water with minor pretreatment and limited requirement for fossil fuel sources, then we could open up significant avenues for sustainable and affordable hydrogen fuel use, Dr. Viegas said.

Water-splitting is a chemical reaction in which water is separated into its component elements of oxygen and hydrogen, so energy-rich hydrogen can play a role in the sustainable energy future. However, breaking a compound into its component elements requires a significant amount of energy, which would typically negate the value of the stored energy storage from the produced hydrogen. That is why water-splitting for hydrogen production has not been able to meaningfully contribute to a sustainable energy equation.

To overcome the energy demand of water-splitting Dr. Viegas and his team have been exploring the use of catalysts that can make water splitting more efficient and sustainable using solar energy. They have identified a number of metal oxide materials and configurations that can capture more of the suns energy to split water into its component elements.

The rationale behind this area of research is to use the light from the sun to power the photochemical splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen, which you could then store and use later. This offers us a reversible energy cycle, with a hydrogen fuel that, when burned, again produces water as a byproduct, Dr. Viegas revealed.

The joint research team, which includes UAE National student Meera Al Muhairi, international students Jehad Abed and Frazly Alexander and Class of 2016 alumni Pabitra Dahal, has identified a number of metal oxide materials that can act as effective catalysts, absorbing a greater range of the solar spectrum to facilitate the chemical reaction that splits water into its component elements.

Most of the suns energy exists in the visible and infrared range, with very little in the ultraviolet. Unfortunately the most efficient photocatalysts, such as titanium dioxide, are only sensitive to ultraviolet light, thus only harnessing much less than 5% of suns available energy. To be able to absorb as much of solar energy as possible we have used very thin layers of selected metals to assist in the absorption of light in the visible and infrared spectrum, so we can have the same chemical reaction as from UV, but from the entire solar spectrum, Dr. Viegas explained.

His team has leveraged the same technology and techniques used for the fabrication of microchips to produce a wafer that incorporates the metal oxides on a silicon substrate. The wafer surface is patterned in unique nanocones with tips on the order of 100 nanometers in size, with varying height and spacing, to achieve peak solar energy absorption.

The nanocones are then given coatings of the various metal oxides to tune the optical and electronic properties to achieve the strongest water splitting. This interplay of matter and light produces what is known as a plasmonic effect, which provides the surface energy boost needed to break the water bonds to produce hydrogen and oxygen.

In this process of using light on the surface of metal oxides, assisted by the unique patterns we have designed in the metal oxide layers, we can tailor the absorption characteristics of the sunlight and induce the chemical reaction  splitting it to produce water and hydrogen, he said

The team has recorded promising results for hydrogen generation with some of the identified metal oxides, and has filed an invention disclosure on their discovery. The research has garnered a significant amount of interest in the international scientific community, and was selected to be presented at Frontiers in Optics, Optical Society of Americas centennial meeting held last October in New York, and is scheduled for presentation at the Material Research Society Fall meeting in Boston in December.

That is how this research may ultimately contribute to the development of a sustainable and commercially viable hydrogen from from water, which has been a goal of the sustainable energy community for some time.

We envision a more distant future where we take seawater, drive it through a large panel embedded with the photocatalytic metal oxides, and produce hydrogen and oxygen. When that hydrogen is later used as a fuel source, it produces water that can either be consumed, or again used to produce hydrogen.

Unlocking the potential of hydrogen using photocatalysis could also expedite a number of innovations and useful advancements. Photocatalysis has the potential to support the transformation of carbon dioxide, an undesirable greenhouse gas, into more valuable fuels like methanol and ethanol. It also has the potential to improve purification technologies, assisting in the decomposition of organic pollutants. The baseline knowledge derived from this area of research can even be applied to petro-chemical reactions through the use of new catalysts to make high-value chemicals, which fits in with the UAEs industrial and economic goals.
A house near Clonmel is being searched by Gardai in connection with a murder investigation in County Waterford.

90 year-old Paddy Lyons was found dead at his home in Loughreagh, Ballysaggart, near Lismore, last Saturday evening.

A post mortem examination revealed that he had been murdered.

A man is his 20s was arrested in the Tipperary area, shortly after 5pm yesterday afternoon, in connection with the investigation.

He is currently being detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, which allows Gardai to detain him without charge for up to 24 hours.

A house on the outskirts of Clonmel, in the Laganore area on the main road from the town to Waterford, was cordoned off on Monday evening.

Gardai are continuing to search the house and grounds today.

A spokesperson at the Garda press office in Dublin confirmed that it was an operational search as part of an ongoing investigation.

Gardai in Dungarvan are continuing to appeal for any witnesses into the murder of Paddy Lyons to contact them on 058-48600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800- 666111 or any Garda station.
ATLANTA  Wells Fargo said it plans to hire scores of minority salespeople, step up lobbying for policies to boost homeownership and form community partnerships to accelerate mortgage lending to black consumers.

On Tuesday, the San Francisco megabank introduced a program to originate $60 billion of residential mortgages to black consumers by 2027. The originations would represent about 250,000 new black homeowners.

The move comes as Wells Fargo continues to struggle with the aftermath of its fake-accounts scandal. (Notably, the mortgage unit of Wells Fargo was one of the few parts of its consumer business not embroiled in that fiasco.) Wells Fargo said it is trying to improve its own rate of lending to minorities and encourage other lenders to do the same. The bank says it wants to reverse a years-long decline in the rate of homeownership among blacks.

"We want to make the pie bigger," said Brad Blackwell, Wells Fargo's head of housing policy and homeownership growth strategies. "We want other financial institutions to join us in this. We can't do it by ourselves."

As part of the initiative, the bank is contemplating several changes to how it qualifies applicants. Wells Fargo may consider "extended household income" to help more black households qualify, which would let applicants include the income of extended family members who live in the same house. Blackwell did not specifically address whether Wells Fargo will loosen underwriting standards, or lower minimum required credit scores, to boost minority mortgage lending.

Photographer: Cindy Charles

Wells Fargo plans to do more lobbying at the federal and state level for new policies to encourage minority homeownership, Blackwell said.

"Homeownership has not been part of the conversation in Washington to date" with the new presidential administration, he said. "You've heard tax reform and immigration and national security. We think housing needs to be part of the national dialogue."

He gave few specifics on the policy agenda, except that "it's very important" that the reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac "be done properly" and that the Federal Housing Administration "needs substantial attention."

Wells Fargo has had its own issues with mortgage lending to minorities. The company in July 2012 paid $184 million to settle a Justice Department redlining lawsuit. Wells Fargo said Tuesday that it settled that suit to avoid a costly legal battle and that there was no evidence its employees intentionally committed racial discrimination.

A range of mortgage industry players attended a Wells Fargo event held on Tuesday at the Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta to unveil the new program.

"I commend Wells Fargo for recognizing that the African-American community is a very good market to go after," Ron Cooper, president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, said during a panel discussion at the event. "If two million black people buy houses in the next five years, the American economy will do very well."

Wells Fargo and other panelists described a huge market opportunity for mortgage lending to minority groups. Minorities will make up about three-quarters of the 14 million new U.S. households projected to form by 2024. Black households are expected to make up the third-largest portion of that group.

There isn't one "silver bullet" solution to increase minority lending, Blackwell said. Instead, Wells Fargo outlined several steps it will take to boost mortgage originations to black consumers. For one, the bank will increase hiring of black mortgage counselors. About 31% of Wells Fargo's 8,000 mortgage consultants nationwide are minorities and the bank wants to increase that to 35%.

"There are not enough African-Americans in the mortgage industry," Blackwell said. Wells Fargo plans to use its partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to help historically black colleges and universities prepare more students for the industry.

Wells Fargo also plans to spend $15 million over 10 years to increase financial education and counseling through new partnerships with community groups. The bank's new partners include NAREB, a trade association for black-owned real estate agencies; the National Urban League; HomeFree-USA; and NeighborWorks America.

The bank already has several ventures in place to improve financial education, including a partnership with Operation Hope, the financial-literacy group founded by John Hope Bryant, whom American Banker honored as the 2016 Innovator of the Year.

Wells Fargo also plans to continue marketing two products developed to help boost minority lending, including the yourFirst Mortgage program, which offers education for new homebuyers and lower down payments.

The panel discussion on Tuesday took a political tone when Wells Fargo's plan to lobby Congress for policies to encourage homeownership came up. Martin Eakes, the CEO of the $1.5 billion-asset Self-Help Credit Union in Durham, N.C., referred to the lending practices of the bubble years, claiming that at least half of mortgages made to black consumers between 2005 and 2008 were subprime.

"Every person who works a full-time job should, as a matter of economic justice, be able to purchase a modest home," Eakes said. "If this new administration starts to roll back all the protections that have been put in place, all of us are going to have to rise up in the streets."

Blackwell said that Wells Fargo has been developing its new program for more than year, working with NAREB and other community groups to hash out the details.

"This should help stem the decline in black homeownership rates," Blackwell said.
However, Julia Gordon is now on the record saying that the agency is actively analyzing whether or not to do so, and it's considering the potential magnitude and composition of a reduction.
The NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will visit Bern and Geneva on Wednesday, 1 March and Thursday, 2 March 2017.

During his visit in Bern, the Secretary General will meet the President of the Swiss Confederation, Ms. Doris Leuthard, the Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Didier Burkhalter and the Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, Mr. Guy Parmelin.

In Geneva, the Secretary General will deliver remarks in a Public Townhall event at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy on NATO: Projecting Stability Beyond our Borders followed by Q&As. Mr. Stoltenberg will also have a meeting with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Peter Maurer.

Still and video imagery of the meeting will be available after the event on the NATO website.

Follow us on Twitter (@NATOPress and @jensstoltenberg)
(Natural News) Google could have a record of everything you have said around it for years, and you can listen to it yourself.

The company quietly records many of the conversations that people have around its products.

The feature works as a way of letting people search with their voice, and storing those recordings presumably lets Google improve its language recognition tools as well as the results that it gives to people.

(Article by Andrew Griffin, republished in part from Independent.co.uk)

But it also comes with an easy way of listening to and deleting all of the information that it collects. Thats done through a special page that brings together the information that Google has on you.

Its found by heading to Googles history page and looking at the long list of recordings. The company has a specific audio page and another for activity on the web, which will show you everywhere Google has a record of you being on the internet.

The new portal was introduced in June 2015 and so has been active for the last year  meaning that it is now probably full of various things you have said, which you thought might have been in private.

The recordings can function as a kind of diary, reminding you of the various places and situations that you and your phone have been in. But its also a reminder of just how much information is collected about you, and how intimate that information can be.

Youll see more if youve an Android phone, which can be activated at any time just by saying OK, Google. But you may well also have recordings on there whatever devices youve interacted with Google using.

On the page, you can listen through all of the recordings. You can also see information about how the sound was recorded  whether it was through the Google app or elsewhere  as well as any transcription of what was said if Google has turned it into text successfully.

But perhaps the most useful  and least cringe-inducing  reason to visit the page is to delete everything from there, should you so wish. That can be done either by selecting specific recordings or deleting everything in one go.

To delete particular files, you can click the check box on the left and then move back to the top of the page and select delete. To get rid of everything, you can press the More button, select Delete options and then Advanced and click through.

The easiest way to stop Google recording everything is to turn off the virtual assistant and never to use voice search. But that solution also gets at the central problem of much privacy and data use today  doing so cuts off one of the most useful things about having an Android phone or using Google search.

Read more at: Independent.co.uk
(Natural News) A new organization launched this morning calling themselves Vaccine Safety Commission, a nonprofit organization that was formed by concerned scientists, doctors, journalists, and parents. For now, the group has chosen to remain anonymous, but I certainly hope that changes soon. The group has no formal affiliation to either Robert F. Kennedy or President Trump, but wholeheartedly endorses the formation of a Vaccine Safety Commission, and claims to be actively seeking additional members.

(Article by J.B. Handley, Jr., republished in part from GreenMedInfo.com)

In my opinion, we are in the dark ages of having honest conversations about vaccine injury where truth-tellers are still routinely destroyed, and I hope this group is another step in the right direction towards honest dialogue. Consider the case just this week of science journalist and Harvard educated Mish Michaels:

Mish Michaels, who lost her job as a science reporter at WGBH News this week after questions were raised about her anti-vaccine views, issued a statement Thursday night saying her personal beliefs have been positioned inaccurately. At issue are comments Michaels made before the Massachusetts Legislature in 2011 on behalf of a bill to add parental choice to the list of reasons children without immunizations may attend school. (Currently, children who arent immunized may only attend school if they have documentation from a doctor, or if a parent submits a written statement declaring that immunization conflicts with their religious beliefs.)

At least one group of doctors are going public: a group called Physicians for Informed Consent recently launched in California, speaking up about the importance of keeping vaccines as a voluntary medical procedure.

Physicians for Informed Consent

Regarding President Trumps desire to look more closely at vaccine safety, I was emboldened by an excellent editorial last week in the British Medical Journal by their Associate Editor, Dr. Peter Doshi, which should really be read by everyone. Heres an excerpt:

It does matter if the vast majority of doctors or scientists agree on something. But medical journalists should be among the first to realize that while evidence matters, so too do the legitimate concerns of patients. And if patients have concerns, doubts, or suspicions  for example, about the safety of vaccines, this does not mean they are anti-vaccine. Anti-vaccine positions certainly exist in the world, but approaches that label anybody and everybody who raises questions about the right headedness of current vaccine policies  myself included9  as anti-vaccine fail on several accounts. Firstly, they fail to accurately characterize the nature of the concern. Many parents of children with developmental disorders who question the role of vaccines had their children vaccinated. Anti-vaccination is an ideology, and people who have their children vaccinated seem unlikely candidates for the title.

Secondly, they lump all vaccines together as if the decision about risks and benefits is the same irrespective of disease-polio, pertussis, smallpox, mumps, diphtheria, hepatitis B, influenza, varicella, HPV, Japanese encephalitis-or vaccine type-live attenuated, inactivated whole cell, split virus, high dose, low dose, adjuvanted, monovalent, polyvalent, etc. This seems about as intelligent as categorizing people into pro-drug and anti-drug camps depending on whether they have ever voiced concern over the potential side effects of any drug.

Thirdly, labeling people concerned about the safety of vaccines as anti-vaccine risks entrenching positions. The label (or its derogatory derivative anti-vaxxer) is a form of attack. It stigmatizes the mere act of even asking an open question about what is known and unknown about the safety of vaccines.

Fourthly, the label too quickly assumes that there are two sides to every question, and that the two sides are polar opposites. This youre either with us or against us thinking is unfit for medicine. Many parents who deliberate on decisions regarding their childrens health ultimately make decisions  such as to vaccinate or not vaccinate  with lingering uncertainty about whether they were right. When given a choice, some say yes to some vaccines and no to others. These parents are not zealots, they are decision makers navigating the gray, acting under conditions of uncertainty in perpetual flux.

The AAP Letter

On February 7, 2017, the American Academy of Pediatrics sent a letter to President Trump protesting the establishment of a Vaccine Safety Commission, and included a list of 41 published studies which the AAP believes prove that vaccines are safe and effective, and couldnt possibly be causing American children any harm whatsoever, as they state in their letter:

Claims that vaccines are unsafe when administered according to expert recommendations have been disproven by a robust body of medical literature.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

What I find interesting about the AAPs choice of words is that they often seem to be mixing up their words when it comes to vaccine safety. On the one hand, they make statements that are simply unsupportable like expressing their unequivocal support for the safety of vaccines. What does that mean, unequivocal support? Does that mean whatever harm they cause is simply worth it, or that absolutely no harm is ever caused? By engaging in generalized hyperbole, the AAP makes it hard to have an honest conversation about the risks vs. benefits of vaccines.

In certain ways, I think the AAPs letter is laughable. The AAP claims that vaccines are safe, but most of the studies they include only address one very specific condition: autism. What about the growing body of evidence relating the aluminum adjuvant in vaccines to the chronic food allergies our children are experiencing? Never mentioned. What ahout the new HPV vaccine with an alarming rate of adverse events reported? Silent. What about the data showing that children receiving multiple vaccines have much higher rates of emergency room visits? Not a word. Are vaccines safe so long as they dont cause autism, or does safety mean something much broader?

My personal opinion about this whole mess is that weve traded a reduction in certain acute illnesses (measles, chicken pox) for an explosion in many chronic illnesses, particularly neurological and auto-immune disorders, all of which are now epidemic in our children. Let me ask you a simple question to test my hypothesis:

If you have a child between the ages of 415, do you know a single classmate of theirs who doesnt have one or more of the following conditions: autism, ADHD, asthma, anaphylactic food allergy, diabetes, a learning disability, or a sensory processing disorder?

Whats wrong with our kids, why are they so sick, and why isnt a massive uptick in the number of vaccines given a reasonable hypothesis for whats happened? I like this blog post yesterday from author, journalist, and nutritionist Catherine J Frompovich where she asks many of these questions:

If the Rand Corporation found strong evidence vaccines cause Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), myalgia, seizures, meningitis, encephalitis and other adverse health problems, and Robert F Kennedy Jr., Esq. is revealing more and more research  almost daily  this time from the Yale School of Medicine and Penn State College of Medicine about an association between vaccines and brain disorders, then whats all the tap dancing about? Lets get to some serious conclusions. Like tap dancing that makes a lot of noise, so too are vaccine studies peripherally pointing to real vaccine concerns about which the U.S. federal health agencies (HHS, CDC and FDA) and state health departments probably wont do anything to correct, i.e., eliminate vaccines, as some countries are doing with some vaccines. The ever-increasing  growing like Topsy  CDC vaccine schedule has to stop! With almost three hundred new vaccines in production, how many will infants, toddlers and teens be mandated to receive when those vaccines obtain licensure? Furthermore, arent vaccines Big Pharmas annuity products, so what should consumers expect?

A whistleblower, a wanted felon, and a paper acknowledging that vaccines cause neurological tics

The American Academy of Pediatrics is a trade union for pediatricians. Pediatricians make most of their income from vaccinating babies. They are encouraging President Trump NOT to study making vaccines safer, even though our government has paid out more than $3.5 billion to Americans to compensate them for vaccine injury. Something isnt adding up!

We really cant make vaccines ANY safer?

Can you imagine if the Automakers lobbied President Trump against forming a commission to make safer cars?

As I already mentioned, the science the AAP sent President Trump deals exclusively with the subject of whether or not vaccines cause autism. Oddly, they sent the President several papers authored by a Whistleblower scientist at CDC who has confessed to throwing away data implicating the MMR vaccine in autism, a wanted felon, and a paper that clearly explained that vaccines WERE causing neurological tics (I dont think thats safe). Heres the Vaccine Safety Commissions slides addressing these three studies. (Note that Dr. Thompson  CDC Whistleblower  and Poul Thorsen  wanted felon  are actually co-authors to many of the studies the AAP sent President Trump):

The Whistleblower:

The Wanted Felon:

The Study showing vaccines cause neurological tics (written by the CDC whistleblower, William Thompson):

50 Studies the AAP Forgot My favorite part of the Vaccine Safety Commission website are the 50 studies they provide that the AAP forgot to include in their letter to President Trump. Note that the complete study is available by clicking on each study title (and heres a pdf with every study in one place). I hope you enjoy reading these studies from all over the world, and I hope they make you think or say the thing I keep thinking and saying: Who wouldnt want safer vaccines?

1. YALE SCIENTISTS FIND STRONG ASSOCIATION BETWEEN VACCINATIONS AND ANOREXIA, OCD, AND ANXIETY DISORDER Temporal Association of Certain Neuropsychiatric Disorders Following Vaccination of Children and Adolescents: A Pilot Case-Control StudyFrontiers in Psychiatry, January 2017, Douglas L. Leslie, Robert A. Kobre, Brian J. Richmand Summary: Subjects with newly diagnosed anorexia nervosa were more likely than controls to have had any vaccination in the previous 3 months [hazard ratio (HR) 1.80, 95% confidence interval 1.212.68]. Influenza vaccinations during the prior 3, 6, and 12 months were also associated with incident diagnoses of AN, OCD, and an anxiety disorder. Several other associations were also significant with HRs greater than 1.40 (hepatitis A with OCD and AN; hepatitis B with AN; and meningitis with AN and chronic tic disorder). This pilot epidemiologic analysis implies that the onset of some neuropsychiatric disorders may be temporally related to prior vaccinations in a subset of individuals. 2. ITALIAN SCIENTISTS FIND UNEXPECTED CONTAMINANTS IN ALL PEDIATRIC VACCINES, INCLUDING LEAD, STAINLESS STEEL, TUNGSTEN, IRON, AND CHROMIUM New Quality-Control Investigations on Vaccines: Micro- and NanocontaminationInternational Journal of Vaccines and Vaccination, January 2017, Dr. Antonietta M. Gatti, Stefano Montanari Summary: Scientists found contaminants in all vaccines that are not listed on the label of the vaccines. The analyses carried out show that in all samples checked vaccines contain non biocompatible and bio-persistent foreign bodies which are not declared by the Producers, against which the body reacts in any case. This new investigation represents a new quality control that can be adopted to assess the safety of a vaccine. Our hypothesis is that this contamination is unintentional, since it is probably due to polluted components or procedures of industrial processes (e.g. filtrations) used to produce vaccines, not investigated and not detected by the Producers. If our hypothesis is actually the case, a close inspection of the working places and the full knowledge of the whole procedure of vaccine preparation would probably allow to eliminate the problem. 3. ISRAELI AND ITALIAN SCIENTISTS WARN THAT VACCINE ADJUVANTS (ALUMINUM) ARE CAUSING A WIDE-RANGE OF AUTOIMMUNE CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SJOGRENS SYNDROME Autoimmune/Inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants and Sjogrens SyndromeIMAJ VOL 18, March-April 2016, Serena Colafrancesco, Carlo Perricone, Yehuda Shoenfeld Summary: Several case reports have suggested that both vaccines and silicone may trigger the development of SS [Sjo?grens syndrome, a chronic systemic autoimmune inflammatory condition involving the exocrine glands]. Aluminum is one of the principal adjuvants used in vaccine formulation and may be responsible for the development of ASIA syndrome. It seems that its ability to behave as an adjuvant might be related to evidence that aluminum salts seem to both induce the activation of dendritic cells and complement components and increase the level of chemokine secretion at the injection site other vaccines including Bacillus Calmette Gue?rin (BCG), hepatitis A and/or B and human papillomavirus, should be avoided or considered only in selected patients There is considerable evidence raising the possibility of vaccine-triggered autoimmunity 4. INFANTS VACCINATED WITH MULTIPLE VACCINES AT ONCE HAVE MUCH HIGHER HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATH RATES THAN INFANTS WHO RECEIVE FEWER SIMULTANEOUS VACCINES Combining Childhood Vaccines at One Visit Is Not SafeJournal of American Physicians and Surgeons, Summer 2016, Neil Z. Miller Summary: Our study showed that infants who receive several vaccines concurrently, as recommended by CDC, are significantly more likely to be hospitalized or die when compared with infants who receive fewer vaccines simultaneously. It also showed that reported adverse effects were more likely to lead to hospitalization or death in younger infants. The safety of CDCs childhood vaccination schedule was never affirmed in clinical studies. Vaccines are administered to millions of infants every year, yet health authorities have no scientific data from synergistic toxicity studies on all combinations of vaccines that infants are likely to receive. National vaccination campaigns must be supported by scientific evidence. 5. ISRAELI, CANADIAN, AND COLOMBIAN SCIENTISTS SHOW THAT GARDASIL VACCINE TRIGGERS BRAIN INFLAMMATION AND AUTOIMMUNITY IN MICE Behavioral abnormalities in female mice following administration of aluminum adjuvants and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine GardasilImmunol Res, July 2016, Rotem Inbar, Ronen Weiss, Lucija Tomljenovic, Maria-Teresa Arango, Yael Deri, Christopher A, Shaw, Joab Chapman, Miri Blank, Yehuda Shoenfeld Summary: Vaccine adjuvants and vaccines may induce autoimmune and inflammatory manifestations in susceptible individuals. To date most human vaccine trials utilize aluminum (Al) adjuvants as placebos despite much evidence showing that Al in vaccine-relevant exposures can be toxic to humans and animalsIt appears that Gardasil via its Al adjuvant and HPV antigens has the ability to trigger neuroinflammation and autoimmune reactions, further leading to behavioral changesIn light of these findings, this study highlights the necessity of proceeding with caution with respect to further mass-immunization practices with a vaccine of yet unproven long-term clinical benefit in cervical cancer prevention

Read the other 45 studies at: GreenMedInfo.com
(Natural News) Since last July, a total of 119 young girls and women in Japan have filed lawsuits against both the Japanese government and the two manufacturers of vaccines for human papillomavirus (HPV), GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK) and Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. According to the suits, the companies respective HPV vaccines, Cervarix and Gardasil, caused the women to suffer serious side effects, for which they are now seeking damages.

Some of the latest suits include 28 cases in which women ranging in age from 15 to 22 developed major health conditions like chronic pain all over their bodies, impaired mobility, severe menstrual pain, and other problems following the series of vaccines. These women are suing not only the vaccine manufacturers for producing the deadly jabs, but also the Japanese government for approving them without proper vetting.

One young woman by the name of Erina Sonoda, a 20-year-old college student, told The Japan Times (JT) that she developed horrible menstrual pains following her second vaccination with Cervarix, which is administered as three separate jabs. Sonoda went through with her third vaccination despite the menstrual problems, and following this last course developed pains throughout the rest of her body, for which she now has difficulty walking without a cane, and often has to use a wheelchair.

I felt acute pain as if someone was squashing my internal organs  Such conditions have only gotten worse, Sonoda told a court while sitting in her wheelchair. Sonoda is seeking the U.S. equivalent of about $134,000 as compensation for her injuries. I received the shots because the government recommended it. I want the government to take seriously its responsibility for causing us (to suffer from) such symptoms.

Nearly 3,000 Japanese women have reported side effects from HPV vaccines since they were first recommended  then two months later un-recommended  in 2013

Many others like Sonoda have suffered similar problems after getting HPV vaccinations, including more than 100 other plaintiffs throughout Japan who say their lives have never been the same since following the governments advice. Rather than obtain the protection against cervical cancer that they were promised, many of these women are now permanently injured and in need of constant medical care.

The Japanese government, GSK, and Merck all deny that there is any causal link between HPV vaccines and serious side effects, hence their efforts to have the compensation claims denied. These entities claim that no scientific evidence exists to show any dangers from HPV vaccines, but tell that to the nearly 3,000 women throughout Japan who have reported serious side effects since the government first started recommending the vaccines back in April 2013. Two months later, the government stopped recommending HPV vaccines following a spate of controversy from major reported side effects.

Japans Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry openly admits that some 2,945 individuals have reported side effects from HPV vaccines over the past four some-odd years. At the same time, the ministry says that side effects from the vaccines are rare, and that the women who claim to have been injured by them must have been injured by something else.

Back in 2016, it was reported that vaccination rates for HPV in Japan plummeted from about 70 percent to a mere one percent after controversy over the vaccines safety went mainstream around June 2013. When the Japanese public found out that their government was using their tax dollars to support the push for more women to get vaccinated for HPV, the outcry that ensued was enough to get the program stopped in a matter of weeks. HPV vaccines are still offered to women in Japan, but the government no longer officially recommends them.

Sources for this article include:

JapanTimes.co.jp

Medscape.com
Artificial intelligence experts recently warn the threats that machines pose are not as mediocre as initially thought. They said machines can quickly outsmart human beings when they achieve human-level intelligence.

In a YouTube video released by The Future of Humanity Institute, Elon Musk, co-founder of Tesla, SpaceX and Paypal, participated in a panel earlier this month alongside the likes of DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis and Oxford philosopher Nick Bostrom.

According to The Guardian, Hassabis previously sold his company to Google for 400 million pounds in 2014.

Musk and his colleagues were asked how long it may take for machines to develop superintelligence. Bostrom said this may happen in the next few decades, which is quite a feat if such an eventuality occurs. However, this is not something that has not been predicted throughout the development of AI.

Read Also: The One Percent has Started Buying Underground Bunkers for the Apocalypse -- Why?

Max Tegmark, an MIT professor, even asked about a so-called "intelligence explosion" or a sudden "spike" of bits of intelligence created by AIs. As predicted by the singularity theory, there will come a time that AIs themselves -- once they become sentient -- will find ways to improve themselves even faster than a normal human being could predict. This means it will always be in a constant state of wanting to upgrade.

Musk said that if an AI reaches a threshold that it's smarter than the smartest human, then it's only a matter of days before it becomes smarter than anyone.

Others predicted that it may take several years before machines become superintelligent, though none of them said it will take more than 100 years.

Hassabis said it depends on the architecture that ends up delivering human-level AI, and that the timescale is something that will make a big difference. If things happen quicker than society can respond to them, it will be very hard to predict if the superintelligent AI will be for the good of humanity or not.

Regardless, other scientists are now beginning to question whether or not "sentient" AI will be here for the benefit of humanity or usher its destruction.

The recent news adds to the looming concern regarding the rise of AI-based jobs overtaking livelihoods that were normally reserved for people. In the growing age, where humans are slowly depending on automation, is there still a way for humans to find jobs, or in this case, a purpose?

Read Also: Is Your Job Safe From the AI Apocalypse? Teachers, Journalists, Lawyers to Be Replaced by Robots Soon
An extinct primordial monster worm has been identified by a team of scientists in Canada.

According to reports, the remains of the species have been stored at the Royal Ontario Museum since the mid-1990s, after Derek Armstrong, a researcher with the Ontario Geological Survey gathered it on Hudson Bay in Ontario, Canada.

In a paper published in Scientific Reports, the team from the University of Bristol, Lund University in Sweden and the Royal Ontario Museum noted that the species has jaws that reached more than 0.4 inches (1 centimeter) in length -- the largest jaws ever recorded in its kind.



Live Science notes that other ancient worms from polychaetes only have jaws that grow only to lengths of about 0.08 inches (2 mm) at most. Given the size of its jaws, it is estimated that its body have reached over one meter. This suggests that polychaete gigantism is already present some 400 million years ago.

In modern times, they are comparable to "Bobbit Worms," which, as reported by Huffington Post, are opportunistic hunters that snatch their preys with their powerful jaws before dragging them back in the sand.



"Gigantism in animals is an alluring and ecologically important trait, usually associated with advantages and competitive dominance," said lead author Mats Eriksson from Lund University, in a statement. "It is, however, a poorly understood phenomenon among marine worms and has never before been demonstrated in a fossil species. The new species demonstrates a unique case of polychaete gigantism in the Palaeozoic, some 400 million years ago."

In an interview with Gizmodo, co-author Luke Parry from the University of Bristol's School of Earth Sciences said how the species thrive during its time is still unclear. However, based on the corals they have discovered alongside the specimen, they are certain that it lived in a warm shallow sea.



The species was named Websteroprion armstrongi. Armstrongi honors Derek Armstrong while Websteroprion is in honor of a Alex Webster, a bass player for a death metal band, Cannibal Corpse.
Mexico is getting its own electric vehicle brand, courtesy of Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim Helu and the help of an unlikely partner: a bread giant.

According to Forbes, Slim is planning to set up a branch of his company, Giant Motors, in Mexico and will make an exclusive electric vehicle for the citizens. The vehicle's design will be a joint venture with Moldex, a subsidiary of the world's largest bread company, Grupo Bimbo. Grupo Bimbo was founded as early as 1954. It is known for Entenmann's, Thomas' English Muffins and the Sara Lee brand.

In a report from Forbes Mexico, Elias Massri of Giant Motors said this electric vehicle will not only be assembled in the country but will also be customised to fit the needs of Mexicans, capturing the culture of the country.

Read Also: Answer to China's Pollution: Beijing Cuts Coal Use by 30 Percent in 2017

Giant Motors hopes to launch the prototype of the new EV by 2018 in the form of an electric taxi. The company said that running the prototype in Mexico City, which has a large population, will effectively test its efficiency.

Should the government cooperate, the company said they can generate enough funding to promote it as a replacement for normal taxis.

In fact, according to Inverse, Giant Motors even announced a $215-million partnership with JAC Motors from China to manufacture these vehicles. JAC Motors is a well-known auto manufacturer in Mexico since it entered the country in 2008.

The new project is an efficient way to slowly introduce the use of renewable energy in the country without immediately replacing fossil fuels. If this pushes through, Mexico will have its own customized electric vehicle that will drastically lessen pollution.

Read Also: Electric Vehicles to Disrupt Oil Market Faster Than Anticipated, Experts Explain
Scientists around the world are hanging on the edge of their seats after a new report concludes that researchers should be allowed to "edit" embryos for implantation to eliminate genetic diseases. Are superbabies possible in the near future?

A report from the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the National Academy of Medicine in Washington emphasized that a clinical trial on gene editing of human embryos "might be permitted," provided that more research will be conducted and proper restriction is implemented.

This presents an entirely new picture in the realm of gene editing, which is still a highly debated topic in the scientific community. In fact, the recent report got mixed reception from experts, some were happy while others dissatisfied, Science Magazine reports.

For instance, genome researcher Eric Lander of the Broad Institute in Cambridge told Science Magazine that the report is consistent with other reports on gene editing. Lander said it concluded with well-defined parameters of gene-editing human embryos, which some scientists already concluded may be a possibility in the future.

Read Also: Scientific Panel Confirms Support of New Technology but No Superbabies...Yet

However, experts like Endward Lanphier said the report did not clarify if gene editing should be banned or not. Lanphier is the head of the DNA editing company Sangamo Therapeutics in California and authored a Nature commentary last 2015 that called for a moratorium in embryo editing.

The entire gene-editing debacle blew up when researchers from China reported using CRISPR -- a new gene-editing tool -- to "repair" a disease-causing gene in human embryos. CRISPR is a novel method that uses very straightforward methods to "edit" genes. Basically, they "direct" genes into cutting specific segments using a pattern it introduces into the specimen.

This led to the 2015 NAS summit, where experts discussed the future of gene editing worldwide.

Whether or not the future of gene editing has been set in stone will take decades of research and debates. However, while the question of clinical applications is still in limbo, the NAS report still endorses basic research on embryo editing on areas such as human development.

Read Also: Gene Editing to Cure Cancer: How Does It Work Against Leukemia?
A woman from Oklahoma city is choosing to carry her terminally-ill baby to full term to donate her organs to babies who will need it.

Keri Young and her husband Royce found out through ultrasound results that their unborn child, Eva, has no brain.

Anencephaly is a birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the cause and cure for this particular defect are still unknown. The organization estimates that about 1,206 cases are noted each year in the U.S. Most of the babies suffering from this condition have a short life expectancy.

In a Facebook post, Royce narrated how they came up with the decision to donate the organs of Eva.

I thought back to the moment where we found out Eva wasn't perfect, and how literally 30 seconds after our doctor told us our baby doesn't have a brain, somehow through full body ugly crying, Keri looked up and asked, "If I carry her full term, can we donate her organs?" I remember our doctor putting her hand on Keri's shoulder and saying, "Oh honey, that's so brave of you to say.

CBS News reported that 24 hours after learning about their daughter's condition, the couple went to LifeShare of Oklahoma and a doctor at Baptist Medical Center where they learned that Eva's kidneys, heart valves, liver and pancreas are qualified for donation.

New York Post noted that Eva's organs can save up to 50 lives in as little as 24 hours. Eva is expected to be born on May 7.

"We're getting closer to the finish line, and while it's going to be amazing to run through that tape and meet Eva, it comes at a cost. We'll go to the hospital for a birth, and go home without a baby," read Royce's emotional tribute on Facebook.

Read Also: Weird Pregnancy: Baby's Extended Legs Poked Through Mother's Uterus and Still Lived
A new study by an international team of researchers from Canada, New Zealand and Australia revealed that bringing back extinct animal species could potentially wipe out one or more existing animal species.

The study, published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, showed that the expense of de-extinction could be better be used to help conservation efforts for endangered animals that are still roaming the Earth today.

"De-extinction could be useful for inspiring new science and could be beneficial for conservation if we ensure it doesn't reduce existing conservation resources," said Hugh Possingham, a scientist and professor at University of Queensland and co-author of the study, in a press release. "However, in general, it is best if we focus on the many species that need our help now."

For the study, the researchers analyzed the databases from New Zealand and Australia that tracks how much conservation efforts cost for protecting endangered animals. By doing so, the researchers were able to extrapolate how much it would costs to sustain a population of animals that was brought back from extinction.

The researchers found that the money needed to sustain a de-extinct species, taken directly from the government's conservation budget, could significantly lessen the funding of all conservation efforts for extant animals. As a result of the lower budget, one de-extinct species might lead to the extinction of two extant species. For example, a government-funded conservation for 11 focal extinct species in New Zealand would sacrifice as many as 31 extant species.

If the funding for the de-extinction project would come from private institutions, then there could be a small increase in local biodiversity. However, the researchers noted that external funding for the conservation of five de-extinct species could help conserve as many as 42 extant species, more than eight times as many.
Police in Pleasanton are investigating a reported road rage incident that ended in shots being fired Monday evening, marking yet another East Bay freeway shooting.

The chaotic scene erupted about 7 p.m. on Monday between Hacienda Drive and Hopyard Road when an adult male victim said another man fired at his car "several times," according to police.

The passenger of a silver Toyota Corolla reportedly shot at the victim with a black handgun before fleeing on westbound I-580 toward Oakland, police said.

No one was injured during the shooting, police said.

Monday evening's shooting comes on the heels of a fatal freeway shooting that happened over the weekend in Antioch. Less than two weeks ago, suspects also opened fire at California Highway Patrol officers near the 98th Avenue off-ramp of Interstate 580.

In response to the dozens of shootings that have occurred along East Bay roadways over the past few years, cities such as Pittsburg have installed cameras.

Anyone with information regarding the latest I-580 shooting is asked to contact the Pleasanton Police Department at 925-931-5100.
The Anti-Defamation League in San Francisco was evacuated Monday afternoon due to a bomb threat, but police declared the building safe about two hours later after a thorough search.

Police responded to the scene about 4:30 p.m. They later brought in bomb-sniffing dogs to investigate the premises at 720 Market St.

By about 6:40 p.m., police declared the building and surrounding areas clear.

The bomb threat was made to a staff person answering calls about 4:15 p.m., according to a statement released by ADL's CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. It was the latest in a series of nearly two dozen threats fielded by local Jewish institutions across the country Monday, and it was the second bomb call threat received at an ADL office in the past week, the statement said.

Also Monday evening, the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto received a threatening phone call and evacuated its building, according to tweets by the center at about 5:30 p.m.

The center, located at 3921 Fabian Way, canceled all remaining classes Monday and was working with Palo Alto police to investigate the threat.

Police said about 7:30 p.m. nothing was found during their search, and the center was cleared.
Prosecutors and Pacific Gas & Electric Co. have selected a former acting attorney general to monitor the utility in the wake of its conviction on criminal charges stemming from a deadly natural gas explosion in San Bruno.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in San Francisco announced Monday that Mark Filip would serve as compliance and ethics monitor. Filip served as acting attorney general during the early days of the Obama administration in 2009.

A judge last month ordered a monitor as a condition of PG&E's probation following its five felony convictions for gas pipeline safety violations. The company was also convicted of obstructing investigators in the wake of the 2010 blast in the city of San Bruno that killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes.
United Airlines is ushering in a host of new flights spanning across the globe, but one unusual flight is raising eyebrows.

The international carrier will soon begin service from San Francisco to Santa Rosa, according to the airline. That's right, three daily flights beginning on June 8 will make the roughly 50-mile long trip, marking the shortest flight United offers across its global network.

Flights leaving SFO will also soon make nonstop trips to Cincinnati, Detroit, Spokane, Wash., and Hartford, Conn., the airline announced. Daily service will also be introduced from San Francisco to New Orleans and Kalispell, Mont.

United said it also plans to offer service from San Francisco to Munich for the first time in its history.
Authorities said they are searching for a 28-year-old Mississippi man wanted for allegedly murdering his girlfriend, killing another woman and shooting a jogger, NBC News reported.

On Monday, officials began a nationwide manhunt for Alex Deaton, who is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault. Deaton, who police said was armed and considered dangerous, is also a person of interest in the killing of a 69-year-old woman.

Authorities said Deaton also allegedly shot the jogger early Friday morning near Jackson in a "random act of violence." Later that day, a sheriff's deputy found the body of Deaton's girlfriend, who was strangled to death, in a nearby apartment.

Deaton's last known location was in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and local and federal authorities set up a $27,500 reward for information leading to the man's arrest.
Authorities are investigating an apparent homicide after a man's decomposed body was found in Everett, Massachusetts.

The Middlesex district attorney said state police went to an apartment on Oakland Avenue on Saturday where they found the body of a man believed to be in his 60s in an advance state of decomposition.

That man has since been identified as Francis Brescia, 65.

The building's landlord discovered the body during a well-being check. A third floor neighbor tells us Brescia's body was discovered on the second floor, and that the building had been smelling for about a week. She said it smelled as if they had mice in their kitchen.

"It was horrible. I saw him on the bus maybe 10 days ago," Alba Acevedo said.

She said he used to live with someone.

"He used to live with someone, younger guy but he left. I don't know when, two or three months ago and it was only him," Acevendo said.

Other neighbors said investigators have not told them much about the incident.

"At least tell people around here to let us know what's going on," said neighbor Janet Maliawco. "I mean is this just some random act or is there something going on?"

The state's medical examiner office ruled Brescia's death a homicide, but the cause of death has not been released.

The investigation is ongoing and no suspects have been named.

"There is a lot challenges and that's where we are, small pieces of information we do know are being withheld to protect the integrity," said Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.
President Donald Trump met Tuesday with a group of states attorneys general at the White House.

In all, about two dozen attended, but Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan declined the presidents invitation.

In a statement, Madigan told NBC 5, she "declined his invitation on behalf of the many Americans harmed by his actions.

This President has threatened our civil rights and civil liberties in a way we haven't seen in decades," the statement read. "He has put Wall Street bankers in the administration to protect the greed that brought our country to financial collapse."

The president posed for a group photo with the attorneys general calling them great people. Those attending the White House meeting included Florida, Idaho and Georgias Attorney General.

Monday Gov. Bruce Rauner was the only governor to not attend the White House meeting with President Trump and Vice President Pence during the National Governors Association conference.
As President Donald Trump prepares to make his first address to a Joint Session of Congress on Tuesday, some Illinois Democrats are inviting guests to highlight their opposition to his agenda.

In his first month in office, Trump has faced constant scrutiny, coming under fire for his divisive executive orders on travel and deportation. In addition, the billionaire has drawn heat for supporting the GOP plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, as well as his teams reported communications with Russian officials.

Trump is expected to highlight first budget proposal Tuesday, which includes $54 billion in added defense and security spending alongside cuts to other federal agencies, according to NBC News.

Heres a list of Illinois Democrats looking to send a message to Trump at Tuesdays Joint Session of Congress:

Sen. Dick Durbin

Durbin will host Illinois DREAMer Aaima Sayed, who has temporary legal status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Said currently attends Loyola University Chicago as a third-year medical student.

I am honored to host this gifted young medical student as my guest, Durbin said in a statement. I hope her presence reminds President Trump whats at stake in the debate over DACA: the lives of more than 750,000 innocent young people and the wellbeing of entire communities."

Rep. Robin Kelly

Kelly will be joined by a pair of guests Tuesday, including Donna Miller, vice chair of Planned Parenthood Illinois, and Matt McGill, host of WVONs Matt McGill Show.

My guests are leaders in the opposition to the Republicans War on Women and the Presidents War on the First Amendment, Kelly said in a statement. Our nation is at a critical crossroads. I could not think of two more appropriate guests for this vital moment in our history.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez

Gutierrez will host Chicago immigration attorney Fidaa Rashid who works primarily with Middle Eastern clientele. Rashid was born in the U.S. to refugee parents from Gaza in the Palestinian territories.

The core American values of equality, fair treatment, a day in court, and a government that is accountable to the people who vote  these are all values that the Trump Administration flouts with arrogance and disdain, Gutierrez said Friday in a Medium op-ed. "So, I will be there, with my guest, but I dont plan on angling my way to the aisle, I do not plan to shout 'You Lie' even when he does, and I will also not be putting my hands together in support of his speech. He has a great deal of work to do for me to applaud him.

Rep. Mike Quigley

Quigley is bringing Zarna Patel, a DREAMer who currently attends medical school at Loyola University Chicago.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi

Krishnamoorthi will be joined by Debbie Trueblood, a constituent who could lose her health care if the Affordable Care Act is repealed without a suitable replacement. Trueblood suffers from Hereditary Andioedema, a rare, potentially life-threatening genetic condition that has limited treatment options.

Not only could as many as 30 million Americans lose their health care if the law is repealed, but 52 million people with pre-existing conditions could find it nearly impossible to enroll in a new plan, Krishnamoorthi said in a statement. "We need to find solutions to our nations health care challenges, and making it harder for Americans to afford the care they need to survive is an answer I will never accept.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky

Schakowsky will host Chicagoan Suzanne Akhras Sahloul, the founder and executive director of the Syrian Community Network, a community-based refugee support network that focuses on resettling Syrian refugees in the U.S.

Rep. Brad Schneider

Schneiders guest will be Tracy Trovato, an Illinoisan whose husband received life-saving coverage through the ACA. After Tracys husband, Carlo, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia in 2013, he relied on reforms included in the ACA, which prohibit employer-provided plans from capping lifetime medical services at a level which may not cover necessary treatments.

The Republican plan to repeal the ACA is reckless not just for those who depend on the law for coverage, but also for the millions of Americans who receive health insurance through their employer, Schneider said in a statement. Because of the prohibition of lifetime insurance caps, families like Tracys no longer have to choose between health care and bankruptcy.

I will continue to work to find ways to build on the progress weve made in the ACA and improve the law to ensure all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care, he added.

Rep. Bill Foster

Foster will be joined by Samia Abdul-Qadir, a Naperville North High School student who participated in the congressmans recent community discussion on Trumps stifled travel ban.

Our country thrives on the innovation, culture, and diversity that immigrants from all walks of life bring to the United States, Foster said in a statement. No one should have to live in fear that these opportunities will be taken from them. History has not looked kindly on us when weve prevented people fleeing violence from seeking refuge in this country.

Samias courage and conviction have stood out as a bright spot amidst an atmosphere of fear and hate, he added.
For the first time since Jesse Jackson Jr. was released from prison, the ex-congressman spoke publicly about his time behind bars and his highly-publicized divorce case.

This is what I want to say to the people of the city of Chicago, Jackson said. I erred profoundly. I accepted responsibility for my behavior.

After a court hearing Monday, Jackson Jr. addressed reporters, saying he is moving on but will never leave the experience of 24 months in the federal prison system behind.

After a court hearing Monday, Jackson Jr. addressed reporters, saying it is the first time he has faced cameras in a number of years.

I can say that the best thing that ever happened to me was this experience, he said. Getting to meet these men and women and people from all walks of life who have so many different stories to tell that long for the idea of redemption.

Jackson said he hopes to try to help others, like himself, who must rebuild their lives after time behind bars.

I want to organize these 68 million people for the second chance that I believe the founding fathers of our country promised them under the constitution, he said. And I am going to put all my energy in that once this tragic episode of my person life has ended.

Jesse Jackson Jr. addresses why his attorneys requested multiple subpoenas in his Chicago divorce case.

That tragic episode, as he calls it, is his increasingly hostile divorce case with his estranged wife, former alderman Sandi Jackson.

Jackson is also facing new questions about more than $100,000 a year he receives in disability payments from the federal government.

Yeah, I earned it, he said. Its a very difficult process to get and you have to go through an annual renewal process. And I still meet with my professional counselors on a regular basis and have never stopped.

But now, Jackson said his ex-wife wants her share of those payments through a second divorce proceeding underway in Washington D.C.

In the Chicago case, a judge on Monday entered an order that, for now, will keep former Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy from being called to testify in the case.

The decision follows a motion filed last month by the soon-to-be former Mrs. Jackson looking to quash subpoenas in the case. The subpoenas included ones for McCarthy, Chicago businessman Richard Simon, and former police officer James Love.

Jesse Jackson Jr. says he has one thing he wants to say to the people of the city of Chicago.

McCarthys lawyer had also reached a separate agreement with Jacksons attorney to hold off on any appearance.

I am suggesting [McCarthy] has absolutely no involvement in this divorce, said McCarthys attorney Morgan Stogsdill. We have said it 10 ways to Sunday. Its still no involvement and the judge agreed with us.

But Jackson says what he is trying to do is spare his children the trauma of what could be a messy divorce.

Bottom line, its what I dont want to impact a 17-year-old and 13-year-old kid who deserve their chance, Jackson Jr. said. Their father is speaking for them, and that is what this case is about.

Jesse Jackson Jr. talks about his emotions amid his divorce and his time in prison.
Gov. Bruce Rauner was noticeably absent Monday as President Donald Trump once again highlighted Chicagos surging violence during a White House speech to the nations other 49 governors.

You look whats happening in Chicago, Trump told members of the National Governors Association. " Whats going on in Chicago? We will fight violent crime and we will win. And we will win that one fairly quickly. Once we give the police, local law enforcement the right to go in and fight it and we back them monetarily and also otherwise.

Ahead of his first speech Tuesday to a Joint Session of Congress, Trump vowed to increase federal spending to fight violent crime in the country.

Despite meeting in Washington this weekend with members of the Republican Governors Association, Rauner chose to skip the NGA meetings for the second straight year. Rauner opted out of Mondays activities, which included meetings about the nations health care system, as well as Sunday's annual Govenors Ball, where Trump hosted 46 governors at the White House.

Nevertheless, the governor, who was at Chicagos Mount Sinai Hospital Monday announcing plans to improve the states Medicaid services, said he has been in contact with the Trump administration.

I have personally been in communications with members of the Trump administration On violence issues, the folks who are developing the policy, Rauner said without offering details on the policy or the people hes been in touch with.

Ill meet with the president any time, Rauner said. As Ive mentioned, Ive talked with him on the phone. I have a very close working relationship vice president pence, many leaders in the transition team."

Last month, Trump vowed to send in the feds if Chicago officials cant get a grip on the citys carnage."

Mayor Rahm Emanuel responded, calling for additional federal resources before traveling to the nations capital earlier this month to discuss how the federal government can help address the citys violent crime. During the trip, he spoke to members of Trumps senior staff, as well as Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

"Over the last three months, the Mayor has repeatedly made specific requests of the Administration, including more resources and coordination among law enforcement agencies; prioritizing federal prosecutions of gun crimes; and funding for mentoring and summer and after-school programs," Emanuel spokesman Matt McGrath said in a statement.

"We're still waiting on any follow-through, and are hopeful the President will soon provide details, not more of the same rhetoric."
A man charged with murder for a shooting on the Dan Ryan Expressway in 2012 was mistakenly released last week instead of being returned to custody in Cook County.

Earlier today, the Cook County sheriffs office was notified that inmate Garrett Glover had been released from the Illinois Department of Corrections, a statement from the sheriffs office said.

In 2014, Glover was taken into custody and charged with an armed robbery, according to Cara Smith, Cook County Sheriffs Dept. spokeswoman.

Then, in 2015, Glover was charged with murder in connection with a Sept. 5, 2012, shooting on southbound I-94 on the Far South Side.

Last week, Glover was convicted of the armed robbery charge and sentenced to 4 years in prison, Smith said. He was taken to the IDOC intake center in Stateville, but employees there determined he had been in Cook County custody long enough to fulfill his time for the robbery conviction.

He should have been returned to custody of the Cook County Jail on the murder case, Smith said.

Instead, he was released from IDOC custody on Thursday from Stateville, located near Crest Hill in Will County. He has not been seen since.

When this kind of situation arises, IDOC should bring him back to Cook County custody, Smith said. We are trying to figure out why it did not.

The department of corrections did not receive any additional documentation or information from Cook County indicating Glover should have been held beyond his release date on the armed robbery charge, IDOC spokeswoman Nicole Wilson said in a statement.

Glover, 29, and Patrick Calvin, 23, were both charged with murder for the shooting that killed Larry Porter on the Dan Ryan near 87th Street, the Cook County states attorneys office and Illinois State Police said at the time of their arrests in April 2015.

A third man, 23-year-old Chicago resident Tyronne Mixon, was also charged with the shooting, according to ISP. Mixon was extradited from Wisconsin.

Mixon and Calvin are being held without bond in the Cook County Jail. Glover should be with them.

Instead, the sheriffs office is investigating the circumstances of his release, and conducting a manhunt to try to apprehend him.

We are not trying to level blame for this, Smith said. We are just working to bring him back into custody.

Porter, 25, was driving on Sept. 5, 2012, when a maroon van pulled alongside his vehicle near the 87th Street exit, prosecutors said at a bond hearing in 2015 for Calvin and Glover.

The suspects were among several passengers in the van who fired multiple shots at Porters vehicle, striking him in the head, prosecutors said.

Porter, of the 10000 block of South Parnell, lost control and drove into a building on Lafayette Avenue. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger isuffered a graze wound to the head.

Glover told his girlfriend shortly after the shooting that Porter had been shot by mistake, and that a person in the backseat was the intended target, prosecutors said.

Witnesses from the victims vehicle identified Calvin and Glover as being among the shooters, and both later admitted to other witnesses that they were involved, prosecutors said.

Calvin was arrested in October 2012 in Springfield, Missouri, after a car chase in which two guns were thrown out of his vehicle, prosecutors said. He told police the guns belonged to other people who fled, but he was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

While in jail in Missouri, Calvin called Glover twice and told him he threw a 30 into a nearby yard before police caught him, prosecutors said. Police later found a Glock Model 30 from the yard, and it matched shell casings from the Dan Ryan murder scene, authorities claim.

Glover also spoke by phone in September 2012 to another person, an inmate at the Cook County Jail, and they discussed the murder on four recorded calls. Glover admitted he and Calvin killed the man, prosecutors said.

Anyone with information about Glovers whereabouts should call the sheriffs Command Center at (773) 674-0169.

The public is reminded that aiding a fugitive is a Class 4 felony, punishable by up to 3 years in prison.
An inmate sentenced to prison in connection with an attempted armed robbery and charged with murder in a highway shooting was mistakenly released from the Illinois Department of Corrections Monday, authorities said.

Garrett Glover, 29, was sentenced last week to four years with the IDOC in a 2014 attempted armed robbery case. In 2015, Glover was charged with murder in connection with a 2012 shooting that took place on southbound Interstate 94.

Glover was supposed to be returned to the custody of the Cook County Jail, but the Cook County Sheriffs office said it was notified earlier Monday that Glover had been released.

The Sheriff's Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding his release, and all efforts are being made to secure his apprehension, the department said in a statement.

Anyone with information on Glovers whereabouts is being asked to call the Cook County Sheriffs Command Center at (773) 674-0169.
NOTE: NBC Chicago will offer complete coverage of the address live on TV and right here online beginning at 8 p.m. CT Tuesday.

President Donald Trump is slated to give his first address to Congress Tuesday in a highly-anticipated prime-time speech.

Whether you're at work, on the go or at home you can watch complete live coverage of the address live on NBC 5 or on the NBC Chicago app.

We will offer a live feed beginning at 8 p.m. CT online and on-air. The coverage will continue until the address ends.

The White House said Trump has been gathering ideas for the prime-time speech from the series of listening sessions he's been holding with law enforcement officials, union representatives, coal miners and others. Aides said he was still tinkering with the speech Monday night.

More on what you can expect to hear in his address here.
Donald Trump once seemed to like government leaks, praising WikiLeaks during his campaign and inviting Russia to find State Department-related emails missing from Hillary Clinton's private email server, as NBC News reports.

Now, the president fumes about "un-American" leaks coming from his administration, including ones that led to the ouster of national security adviser Michael Flynn within a month of Trump taking office.

But leaks have been a major part of American history, starting with Benjamin Franklin passing letters from the colonial governor of Massachusetts to revolutionaries and including the Watergate scandal that took down Richard Nixon.

"We have a very long history of leaks in this country," University of North Carolina law professor Mary-Rose Papandrea said. "It's almost a long-standing tradition."
Two state troopers have been arrested and charged with kidnapping, assault and additional charges after a man reported that one of the troopers beat him for hours in the other troopers Wethersfield home, hit him with a nightstick and made him kneel on a metal grater, according to court documents.

Troopers Rupert Laird, 30, of Manchester, and Xavier Cruz, 30, of Wethersfield, were arrested on Tuesday on six counts, including with kidnapping in the first degree with a firearm, deprivation of rights by force of threat, assault second degree with a firearm and conspiracy. State police said both men have been suspended.

According to court paper work, Laird is accused of brutally beating the man because the victim touched a woman the state trooper knows. The alleged assault happened at Cruzs Wethersfield home when both state troopers were off-duty.

Police began investigating on Monday, Feb. 20 after a nurse from Saint Francis Hospital reported that a man arrived there to be treated and said hed been beaten on Saturday.

After speaking with the nurse, police officers met with the victim, who was in pain and covered in dark purple bruises on his chest, back, thighs, stomach and buttocks, according to court documents.

When police spoke with the victim, he provided a detailed description of the alleged attack and said Laird punched him at least 20 times, kicked him as many times and struck him with a police baton at least 15 times.

The night started at Club Karma, on Airport Road, the victim said. Hed been there with Cruz and other people, drinking and smoking hookahs. After the club closed, the group went to Cruzs house, where they had more drinks, according to the arrest warrant application.

At one point, the victim flirted with a woman and grabbed her buttocks. When he asked if she minded, she said, no, according to the victim.

The woman had a different version of events. When police spoke with her, she said the man was more aggressive. She relayed to officers that she felt the man crossed the line and said she told him he was bothering her, court documents state.

The man who accused Laird of the assault said he left Cruzs early Saturday morning but returned around 8 a.m. because his girlfriend locked him out of the house.

When he got back to Cruzs, Laird showed up and blocked him in the driveway, the victim told police.

Inside the house, Laird allegedly pulled a gun, pointed it at the victim and said, You know I can kill you, right? according to the victim.

You know what, Im not even going to do this because Im a cop, but Ive got connections, Laird said, according to the victim. If I was going to kill you no one would find your body, he added.

After putting the gun on a shelf, Laird grabbed a police baton and told the victim he would pay for touching the woman, according to police documents.

Then Laird said, Were gonna settle this the old school way and ordered the victim to take off his glasses and to strip down to his underwear, according to the victim, who said he did what he was told out of fear.

The victim went on to tell police that Laird bashed him into sheetrock, forced him to his knees and kicked him in the chest, hit his thighs and buttocks with the police baton and made him kneel on a metal grater.

During the alleged beating, Laird got winded and took breaks to drink beer. At one point he whispered, You dont think this is the first time Ive done this? the victim told police.

After the beating, Laird handed napkins to the victim and ordered him to clean up the blood that was splattered all over the floor, on the wall and on the refrigerator, according to the victim.

When he was done clearing, Laird told Cruz to take video.

Then Laird hit the victim again twice with the baton, forcing him to fall down, and took photos of the victims license, the man told police.

Before leaving, Laird warned the man not to tell people what happened and instead say the bruises were from being drunk and falling down, court paperwork says.

When police spoke with Cruz, he wasnt willing to speak about what happened in his house, according to the court paperwork. While in the basement, investigators noticed what appeared to be drops of blood, including on the carpet and on the refrigerator.

Cruz turned himself in to police on Monday night and Laird turned himself in on Tuesday morning, according to Wethersfield police.

Cruz was released last night after posting $750,000 bond and Laird is due in court today.

Both state troopers have been arrested on six counts and charged with kidnapping in the first degree with a firearm, deprivation of rights by force of threat, assault in the second degree with a firearm, conspiracy and coercion. Cruz was released last night after posting $750,000 bond.

Photos: Mug Shots and Official Photos of State Troopers Charged With Kidnapping, Assault

Laird and Cruz have been placed under house arrest and were ordered to surrender their firearms, permits to carry and passports.

Laird's attorney called him an "asset to the community."

State police said in a statement that the department holds all members accountable.

"Immediately upon learning of the egregious conduct of two off-duty state troopers, Tpr. Rupert Laird, Troop C-Tolland, and Tpr. Xavier Cruz, Troop K-Colchester, the Connecticut State Police suspended their police powers, confiscated their weapons, badges and patrol vehicles, and opened its own administrative inquiry. Both troopers are suspended pending the outcome of the proceedings," a statement from state police says.

The police union also issued a statement, The members of the Connecticut State Police Union strive to uphold the high standards of professionalism and public service that each of our members swore to uphold when they became Connecticut State Troopers. While we are disappointed to learn that two State Troopers have been the subject of a criminal investigation, all of the facts and circumstances involving the alleged incident have yet to be reported and that the public should not rush to judgment based on headlines alone. Regardless of the outcome of the cases against these two State Troopers, it is important to remember that State Troopers risk their lives to protect the public and that for every report like this, there are hundreds of examples of heroism and public service by the members of our Union."

Wethersfield police are the lead investigators, according to state police.
When Valent Kolami hired a lawyer in order to become a legal citizen, he was shocked when the attorney didnt do what she promised.

I pay her and she never did her job, said Valent Kolami regarding an attorney he ended filing a grievance against.

Kolami is an Albanian immigrant whose dream is to become a legal U.S. citizen, so he wasnt deterred when his request for political asylum was denied by the immigration court. He hired attorney Judith Sporn to handle his appeal.

Every Tuesday, we go into the immigration office, we say, we are here, and we are waiting for our lawyer to fill out our paperwork, Kolami explained.

However, that paperwork never made it to the immigration office in New York as it was supposed to, because attorney Judith Sporn had sent it to Hartford, which made it late. The delay caused the appeal to be denied.

According to court documents, the attorney didn't know about the appeals unfavorable result, because she hadnt checked on its status for seven years.

Sporn only found out it had been denied when Kolami was detained by immigration officers. By that time, there was a deportation order for him.

While, Sporn had helped Kolami get several stay of removals, eventually, he was locked up in immigration custody and held for more than a year.

Now, his chances to become a citizen are a lot worse.

My only fear is to be deported from this country, said Kolami. To which I no want for my kids.

Kolami fears the life and business hes built in the United States for the last decade could be ripped away at any moment.

Kolami Family

NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters found Kolamis story is similar to others who hired Judith Sporn to represent them in their immigration cases. He and other clients filed formal complaints against her with the Statewide Grievance Committee.

As a result, Sporns license to practice law has been suspended for two years.

After NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters visited Sporn's office, her own attorney reached out to us and said they have appealed the suspension. An opinion just released Monday by the appellate court indicates that appeal was denied.

Complaints against attorneys are common. In Connecticut from 2013 to2016, 3,500 grievance complaints were filed. In 700 of those cases, probable cause was found by the grievance committee; the most common reason for complaints was a lack of diligence and communication by an attorney.

That harm can be widespread for attorneys who don't get the work done on time and don't tell their client the news, said Michael Bowler, counsel to the Statewide Grievance Committee. Bowler is one of people who helps decide if an attorney will be disciplined.

We don't see the things that hit the news a lot, for instance lawyers stealing money, or lawyers engaging in fraud, explained Bolwer. Those tend to be the exceptions the real cases we get, the typical cases we get are the ones we are seeing here with attorney Sporn.

NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters found complaints about other attorneys for things like not showing up to client's hearings, not taking clients phones calls or telling them results of court proceedings. In one case, an attorney failed to turn over $20,000 to her client from a real estate deal.

Kolami said its very important for an attorney who is representing someone in their immigration case to do their job.

The need help from you, said Kolami. They have (their) life your hand.

Attorneys can end up being suspended or ultimately disbarred if they violate laws governing conduct. For more information on how to file a complaint against an attorney, see the

link here.
As the president tried to tighten enforcement of immigration laws, one Connecticut mayor said his city will be cooperating with federal authorities.

Weve always worked with ICE, were going to continue to work with ICE but only on criminal conduct," Danbury's mayor Mark Boughton said.

Many immigrants living in Danbury said they are looking for more communication from the city to find out what level of cooperation they would have with federal authorities.

Boughton said the city will cooperate with locating undocumented immigrants if federal authorities, such as Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), approach them for help.

NBC Connecticut spoke with Mexican immigrant, David Sanchez, who owns a restaurant in town and while he agrees with the mayors stance, he said theres a lack of communication about what that cooperation means. He also said theres so much fear in the immigrant comunity, he is losing business.

"My business has been quiet and down since then because I think a lot of people I know is scared, is scared because of that," Sanchez said.

Albert Collado, originally from the Dominican Republic, owns a tax preparation service in Danbury. Collado agrees there needs to be more communication with the city  and the lack thereof has made some of his clients nervous. Just last week, 20 people came in to obtain a power of attorney, he said.

"So that they can get power of attorneys to anybody else that will take care of their kids in case that theyre stopped while their working or in the street, Collado said.

Boughton stressed that people would not be stopped on the streets.

What we dont do is stop people on the street and ask them for papers or look to deport people willy-nilly because thats not whats been prioritized by the department of homeland security, Boughton said.

Of the 90,000 people living in Danbury, an estimated 5,000 people are undocumented immigrants, according to the city.
People huddled for a unity vigil outside the South Windsor Town Hall on Monday.

There are concerns close to home.

Recently a high school student was verbally abused with racial slurs by someone in the community. And thats something we do not accept in our town, Saud Anwar, a South Windsor town councilman, said.

Then across the country police are investigating some twenty anti-Semitic bomb threats on Monday.

Detectives say one targeted the Hebrew High School in West Hartford.

We need people to take it seriously. Just because there may not be anything to the threats, the fact that the threats are being made is cause for some kind of action, Becky McCann of Vernon, said.

And Mondays hope for tolerance comes a day after a disturbing discovery at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia.

A rabbi reported that vandals had knocked over 460 headstones.

They are brazen acts of hate that left some in disbelief.

I havent seen in the past 90 years. This is terrible, Herb Shook of Vernon, said.

The vigil in South Windsor was also a show of defiance; to not be afraid in the face of threats and to bring people together during a time of divisiveness.

God is in everybody. So all human beings are equal. And thats the faith we believe in, Amarjit Singh of Shelton, said.

Besides the West Hartford school Monday, threats have been made against Jewish community centers in the state in the past couple months including one in West Hartford and one in Woodbridge.
The head of the UConn Health in Farmington is defending his decision to close down the 16-member on-campus fire department in June.

Dr. Andrew Agwunobi tells the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters that the closure could save as much as $3,000,000 in taxpayer dollars every year.

The firefighters and its union said they want their jobs saved and for the public to know how complex the campus is, including the type of training they do in order to keep everyone safe.

On Sunday night, an UConn firefighter put out a small fire in a dental clinic on campus in the main building. The building sustained smoke and fire damage, plus water damage after the sprinkler system was activated. Firefighters say the fire was under control as mutual aid arrived and that timing is the big concern.

Agwunobi assures the public that safety wont be jeopardized.

"We will not allow safety to be at stake, let me put it that way. Were a health system- safety is our stock and trade. Were going to make sure once its announced our plan is to keep people safe," said Agwunobi

Agwunobi authored the recent letter announcing plans to shut down UConn Healths fire department on June 1. He said officials will implement a more standard model that theyre still working on for the next 90 days.

"When all is said and done most if not all the FF are able to, will have jobs somewhere. Well retain at least six with us, there are vacancies on Storrs and across the state," Agwunobi added.

But, its not just about their jobs, Glenn Terlecki, president of the Connecticut Police and Fire Union representing the small department, said.

Terleck I said firefighters are adamant that safety will be sacrificed.

If incidents happen on campus, the response time from surrounding communities is going to be delayed," Terlecki said.

Internal documents obtained by NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters appears to show frustration manager Kathy Eagen has with UConn not presenting a detailed model so far and says keeping firefighters on campus is non-negotiable and necessary.

Eagen has refused several requests to be on camera.

The bulk of the work would be us, itd be done internally. We obviously want the town to see the plan and weigh on any concerns before putting anything out before its final," Agwunobi stated.

UConn Fire records show that they have responded to 23 fire suppression incidents last year, along with 34 haz-mat calls.

Farmington, which only has eight fulltime firefighters and more than 135 volunteers, would continue to help put out fires on campus, but would now request mutual aid for serious haz-mat calls, both at the center and in Farmington.

The vast majority of the work our department does isnt fire suppression, is not fighting fires. Its very important work but its things like permitting, education, checking fire extinguishers," Agwunobi told NBC Connecticut.

Weve had four big larger incidents in the last six months, three caused by human error and one electrical this past weekend is still under investigation," Terlecki added.

Firefighters and union leaders remind us that it only takes on catastrophic incident.

"In the event of an emergency where response time is not done efficiently or training of people showing up on scene, there could be catastrophic damage in billions of dollars in range, if research goes up in smoke," Terlecki

Agwunobi said hell be present on Tuesday in Farmington for a meeting to answer questions about the move to shut down the fire department.
East Windsor ended up being the winner of the competition to land the states third casino, and first off tribal land.

Throughout the process, the chairmen of the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribes have said they thought the process was open transparent, and most importantly, within the boundaries of existing taxation agreements with the state.

Its all about the slot revenue, said Richard Pomp, a professor of law at UConn, who specializes in municipal taxation, and Native American taxation matters.

As for the complications of configuring a new agreement between the tribes and the state of Connecticut, Pomp said, This could be a law school examination question. Theres a lot of moving parts involved.

Pomp says he doesnt expect prolonged legal challenges, simply because hes not sure what a company like MGM would gain from challenging the state, especially in the event of a loss. The entire third casino project has been a direct reaction to MGM breaking ground on a commercial casino in Springfield, less than twenty miles from the East Windsor location that was announced Monday.

He says the lawsuits that may come would be from the states other Native American tribes that do not currently have federal recognition.

They could go to Congress in theory. Theyre probably not going to get very far, so I dont think they will be in a position to litigate because they are not federally recognized.

Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen raised his concerns in a letter nearly two years ago that he sent to legislative leaders and the governor.

Jepsen mentioned how there are constitutional questions surrounding the limited competition within the state to operate the third casino, and concerns surrounding the states slot revenue compact.

Jepsen would not comment on the East Windsor site selection.

Revenues from slot machines have been a constant in Connecticut since Foxwoods opened 25 years ago. The revenues reached peaks near $600 million at different points, but for the 2017 fiscal year, revenues to the state arent expected to top $267 million according to the Office of Fiscal Analysis. After 2018, revenues will fall again to $199 million.

Pomp at UConn Law says he expects the tribes and the state to agree to a new revenue design, one that works for both parties.

The bottom line is its all about the 25 percent of the slot revenue and I would be surprised if the state and the tribes couldnt reach an agreement.
With Connecticut budget dollars scarce, the Maritime Heritage Festival, which draws thousands of people to the New London waterfront each September, is preparing to scale back this year.

Robin Goldschlager, treasurer of OPSAIL CONNECTICUT INC., the non-profit that runs the festival, said they received $60,000 from the state Department of Economic and Community Development last year to help put it together, but they likely wont be awarded money this year.

OPSAIL CONNECTICUT is not asking for funding, but is instead collecting donations and will have to make some cuts.

With the fiscal year starting in July, the non-profit doesnt want to question whether they can afford the appearance fees for ships, Goldschlager said. It costs between $5,000 to $10,000 per ship or schooner.

"Fees are about $50,000 (total). So (it would put us) in a very iffy situation. We're still going to be committed to doing a festival, we're just going to do it a little different flavored, Goldschlager said.

OPSAIL CONNECTICUT is reaching out to the military to see if they'll bring their ships for people to tour, since it won't cost any money, and will possibly be inviting military bands, according to Goldschlager.

Ronald Dutes owns the new Fatboys Kitchen and Bar on Bank Street downtown and his restaurant took part in Chowder Challenge last year. He said the festival brought people into his business so there could be a loss with a scaled back event.

Anything that's bringing people downtown is better for all the businesses down here. And anyone who lives in the downtown area, Dutes said. So, that might hurt a little bit.

Ed Dombroskas, executive director of the Eastern Regional Tourism District, said the southeastern part of the state is the largest area for tourism in the state and theres a lot of budgetary uncertainty, so other events might be affected this summer, too.

In 2014, the governors statewide marketing budget was about $12 million. The proposed budget for 2018 is $8.3 million.
A woman accused of drinking before backing into a seventh grade RHAM teacher in March 2014 was sentenced to five years in jail for misconduct of a motor vehicle, according to court documents.

In addition to misconduct with a motor vehicle, Elizabeth Everett had been charged with second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, operating a vehicle while under the influence, second-degree manslaughter and unsafe backing, according to online court records, and she pleaded not guilty.

In Dec. 2016, Everett was acquitted of all charges linked to the death of a math teacher, Dawn Mallory.

Court documents say Everett, of Hebron, was dropping off her son at the high school on March 14, 2014 when she accidentally entered the bus lane and backed up, going at least 14 miles per hour, when she hit Mallory.

Mallory died two weeks later after she was taken off life support and her family sued Everett and settled that suit for $1.1 million.

Police said Everett had been drinking prior to the crash, and her blood alcohol content was .07, just shy of the legal limit of .08, according to the warrant for her arrest.

Everetts lawyer said she made a mistake and drove into the bus lane by accident and was trying to back out.

After Mallorys death, the school added speed bumps and changed traffic patterns to make the area safe.

Everett will be sentenced on the misconduct charge on Feb. 28 in Rockville.
What to Know Millions of people have been watching the stream in anticipation of the birth of "April" the giraffe's fourth calf

Her story was vaulted into global headlines after activists complaining of "nudity" got the livestream yanked from YouTube

The livestream was back online about an hour and a half after the brouhaha started

This story was originally published Feb. 27.



The pregnancy of New York giraffe April has captivated the world, with millions of people across the globe tuning into a live stream as she prepares for the birth of her fourth calf at an upstate zoo.

But what do we know of the relationship between April and her much younger beau Oliver?

On Monday morning, Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, outside Binghamton, revealed new details about the romance that led to the pregnancy, which has had the world enthralled for days.

It was no secret April was an older woman. At the ripe age of 15, the long-necked beauty has already had three calves to at least one other giraffe.

[NATL] Unbelievable Animal Stories: Dog Befriends Abandoned Baby Giraffe

But for Oliver, who is only 5 years old, this calf is his first.

The park said the two spotted lovers met when Oliver was just a young 3-year-old bull "coming of age." April was 13 at the time.

"The park thought it had only one cougar (LuLu), until April arrived," the zoo joked of the age difference.

A cougar is a term used to describe an older woman who dates younger men.

"Here we are, almost 1 1/2 years later, waiting for their family to grow by one," the zoo said.

It also shared a picture of the couple canoodling on its first meeting at the zoo.

Animal Adventure Park

Despite his youth Oliver has showed his maturity, appearing supportive and nuzzling April through her pregnancy. He stood by her when the live stream of her pregnancy was taken down from YouTube after activists complained that she breached the platform's "nudity and sexual content" policies.

But the first-time father had to be separated from April as they frolicked outside Saturday afternoon because he got aggressive and wanted to "rough house."

According to veterinarians, bullish behavior is common for male giraffes during the final stages of pregnancy.

[NATL] Adorable Zoo Babies: White Lion Cubs Nala and Simba Born in France

"He does not want to play house -- he wants to ROUGH house," the park wrote in a Facebook post Saturday morning. "That is natural behavior as males take no part in rearing their young, nor have a need for a female once she is pregnant. Sad but true."

Viewers were concerned about the long-necked lovers' separation and questioned the vet's intentions until the zoo offered reassurance and told animal lovers to trust them.

As of Monday, April's pregnancy continued to be streamed online, with the zoo saying the expectant mother was doing well.

Three Baby Giraffes Born at Six Flags in New Jersey as Giraffe Pregnancy Captivates World
In El Paso, Texas, Carmen Ramos and her friends have developed a network to keep each other updated by text message on where immigration checkpoints have been set up.

She also makes sure she does everything by the book. From sticking to the speed limit to keeping a sharp eye on her surroundings, the 41-year-old isn't taking any chances, The Associated Press reported. In 2008, with her husband and three children, Ramos left Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, for the United States to escape drug violence and death threats. But their tourist visas have since expired.

"We are surprised that even a ticket can get us back to Mexico," Ramos told the AP. "We wouldn't have anywhere to return."

The executive order that President Donald Trump signed his first week in office takes a harsh line on immigration, one that may lead to the deterrence of immigrants' participation in public life. With undocumented immigrants under the threat of deportation by local authorities, experts say it is likely that they will shy away from any situation that may require their personal information.

"I think what were going to see are immigrants receding from public life in lots of ways," Lee Gelernt, a civil rights lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union, told NBC. "That includes not accessing emergency services and not reporting crimes they witness, which are not good for the community as a whole."

Gelernt said ACLU lawyers will challenge aspects of the executive order as they are rolled out, but for now the order has taken the form of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. The ACLU is trying to determine if there have been any civil rights violations, such as racial profiling or excessive force, during these raids.

The Department of Homeland Security is taking measures to enact the sweeping actions that Trump's executive order involves.

Although Trump has said repeatedly that the country is focused on "getting the bad ones" out of the country, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly directed ICE agents to expand their pool of undocumented immigrants to prioritize for deportation.

In the statement issued last week about the order, the department announced it would "not exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement, meaning that law enforcement officials can detain an undocumented immigrant who has committed an offense of any kind. In 2014, former President Barack Obama implemented guidelines for deporting unauthorized immigrants that focused on gang members and convicted felons.

Kelly also directed ICE to partner with state and local authorities to investigate, apprehend and detain immigrants.

"We don't want there to be this overwhelming sense of fear or panic in these communities," DHS press secretary Gillian Christensen said. "When you look at the executive order, it's still the top priority to detain people who pose a threat to public safety or national security."

Christensen also noted that undocumented immigrants covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals progam are exempt from the executive order.

But lawyers and advocates are warning those immigrants not to enroll in DACA for fear their information will be used to deport them, according to The Washington Post.

And some reported incidents suggest that ICE is taking a strict approach in its detention of immigrants. On Monday, The New York Times reported that Juan Carlos Hernandez Pacheco, a well-respected restaurant owner in Illinois, was detained by authorities without a specific reason, but immigration officials noted his two drunk-driving convictions from 2007.

Another undocumented immigrant in Fort Worth, Texas, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in early February while in an ICE detention center but was returned to the center following a short stint in the hospital. The Daily Beast reported that 26-year-old immigrant crossed the border in 2015 in search of work and asylum from her native country, El Salvador. And Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos was deported to Mexico a few weeks ago after her immigration check-inher eighth since her 2008 conviction for using a fake Social Security number to get work, CNN reported.

"Targeted enforcement, focused on actual national security threats, makes sense," William Stock, president of American Immigration Lawyers Association, said in a statement. "However, these memos, which seem to treat everyone as an enforcement priority, aren't going to make us safer, and they are already causing fear in communities across the nation."

Immigrants in the Chicago area have told the AP that they are scared to drive, and some are even wary of taking public transit. When Chicago police and federal authorities conducted regular safety checks on a train line earlier this month, many assumed it was an immigration checkpoint.

Word spread so quickly that Chicago police issued a statement assuring immigrants, "You are welcome here."

Gelernt expressed concern that the presence of the ICE agents during raids and arrests could instill fear in undocumented immigrants.

"Even if ICE is not making arrests at any moment their mere presence is going to create anxiety and fear," he said.

Michele Lamont, a Harvard professor and cultural sociologist who specializes in race, inequality and immigration, said that it would be natural for undocumented immigrants to fall into the shadows because of their perceived "undesirable" status.

"They know how they may be perceived by other Americans," she said. "The assumption that they're not good members of society can push people away from their own communities. If you know the likelihood that you will be outed, then of course privatization will be the natural reaction."

Lamont also said that Trump's executive order will likely come with "a lot of unintended consequences."
Federal officials are investigating after a city banned a small horse a man says is his service animal needed on walks to improve his health.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development tells NBC affiliate KING-TV that it is investigating Benton City's actions as a possible fair housing violation.

Tim Fulton said that his horse, Fred, senses when Fulton is about to fall, gets in front and lets Fulton lean on him for support.

"I fall down from time to time," Fulton said. "It's really a pain."

Fulton said Fred is slightly taller than a large dog but much stronger and able to give Fulton the stability he needs.

But Benton City officials say Fred isn't allowed in a residential zone and has issued Fulton a $100 fine. So Fred is staying at a ranch outside city limits.

"Mr. Fulton has not met the requirements for the City to allow him to keep a miniature horse as a service animal in a residential zone...," said the city's attorney, Eric Ferguson of Kerr Law Group, in a statement.

Ferguson also questioned the validity of the documentation for a service animal, noting it was from a nurse practitioner basing the recommendation on what Ferguson said wasn't firsthand knowledge.

Ferguson also said Fred is a Shetland pony, not a miniature horse. Ferguson said allowing Fred to remain would "fundamentally alter the nature of the City's zoning scheme with no facts to show that it is 'necessary' under the law."

David Carlson, director of legal advocacy at Disability Rights Washington, said the city's decision is illegal.

"That is discrimination, and the city is violating the federal law designed to protect someone with a disability," Carlson said. "There are good reasons why someone might use a small horse as a service animal, and if someone does that, you can't say: 'Well you can't live in our town.' "

Washington animal law attorney Adam Karp said he believed the city's argument "would fail in court."
How do you know the person driving your child to and from school is safe?

The NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters found there's a pretty high bar for applicants to pass to get the license required to drive a school bus. The investigation found there are several holes in that system, including an acknowledgement by police that they're not holding up their end of the bargain.

"You're pretty much putting the safety of your children in the school bus drivers' hands," Kristin Fuentes, a mom from Bristol, said.

In December, police arrested a driver in Shelton after he was captured on camera dozing off at the wheel multiple times.

That driver admitted to taking methadone and also said he may have taken Nyquil instead of Dayquil. He has entered not guilty pleas to 30 felony counts of risk of injury to a child, but was immediately fired.

The NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters did an extensive investigation into what safeguards are in place to ensure the men and women who transport our kids every day are safe.

DATTCO Chief Operating Officer Cliff Gibson said in his industry, there's no room for error and finding good drivers is a challenge.

"They have to like children, have a good temperament. They have to be safe drivers of course, but that kind of is expected," Gibson said.

State law requires anyone seeking a school bus endorsement on a commercial drivers license to clear several initial hurdles:

state and FBI criminal history checks

a check of the state child abuse registry

a drug test

and they must have a clean driving record.

That's before an applicant begins a nearly two-month training program.

Once they're certified, drivers receive ongoing training, physical exams and are subject to random drug tests. Plus, they're held to a higher standard than the typical driver, according to Bill Seymour, spokesman for the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.

"All C.D.L. holders need to be very careful of what they do and that they obey all of the laws whether they're behind the wheels of their private vehicles or they're in the vehicles, most importantly, that their C.D.L. is required for," Seymour said.

Any conviction on a motor vehicle infraction in their personal vehicle or on the job will lead to a suspension of an endorsement to operate a school bus.

Furthermore, school bus drivers must be pulled off the road if they are arrested for any felony or fourth-degree sexual assault.

"The police are required to report to us the arrest of someone when they find out that they have a public passenger endorsement or a school bus driver's license," Seymour said.

That notification must happen within 48-hours.

"The state in this law is being a little bit more preemptive as opposed to waiting for a conviction which may be a year or more down the road," said Monroe Chief of Police John Salvatore, who is president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association.

But the Troubleshooters spoke with officers in several local departments who tell us they knew nothing about the law. Salvatore said his inquiries revealed there's far less compliance than he expected.

"I realized that we were not as familiar with the statute as we should be. I just appreciate your bringing it to our attention. Hopefully, we preempted any negative outcome," said Salvatore.

Salvatore said he has sent a memo through the chiefs of police throughout Connecticut to reemphasize the reporting requirements of law enforcement.
An North Texas man killed his ex-wife and granddaughter before turning the gun on himself as two others fled the home Monday afternoon, investigators say.

Sgt. Jacob Smith with the Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday afternoon that 68-year-old Terry Combs fatally shot his ex-wife, 67-year-old Brenda Combs, and his 20-year-old granddaughter, Fawn Combs, inside their home in Van.

Smith said Combs' 38-year-old daughter Dawn called 911 at about 5:15 p.m. and told dispatchers her father had a pistol and was threatening to shoot her mother.

Dawn told police she had been inside her family's home on the 100 block of Private Road 8504 with her father, mother and two daughters, Fawn and an unnamed juvenile, when her father pulled out a weapon.

Dawn and her juvenile daughter escaped the home and and called for help. She told police as she ran from the home she heard gunshots coming from the direction of the house.

Moments later officers with the Van Police Department and Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office arrived and established a perimeter around the home. After Texas State Troopers and SWAT officers arrived, they entered the home and discovered the bodies of three adults, later identified as Brenda, Fawn and Terry.

Investigators later confirmed Brenda and Fawn were victims of homicide while Terry died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

All three were transported to Forensic Medical of Texas in Tyler for autopsies.

Police said though they were divorced, the couple still lived together at the residence with Dawn and her two daughters.

Smith said a search of Van Zandt Sheriff's Office records showed one previous call in 2010 for an assault and other civil and medical calls to the residence.
IKEA officials said crews have begun installing blue panels on the company's future Grand Prairie store.

Blue panel installation is a construction milestone that keeps the store on track to open this fall, according to officials.

"We hope to be enclosed in summer, and cannot wait for the building's interior to look like an IKEA store as well," IKEA U.S. president Lars Petersson said in a news release. "We know there are many customers in the area who are excited for us to open, including those who are driving to Frisco to shop as well those who have yet to experience the unique IKEA shopping concept."

The 293,000-square-foot proposed store would be built on 32 acres along the eastern side of Texas 161 near Mayfield Road.

The Grand Prairie location will be the second store to open in North Texas. The Swedish company also submitted plans to build a third Metroplex store in Fort Worth in the summer of 2019.
Just a day after a Dallas police substation was targeted by gunfire, a Dallas city councilman is calling out his fellow council members.

Multiple bullets hit the South Central Substation Sunday morning, and one narrowly missed an officer's head.

Councilman Philip Kingston says ballistic glass, fencing and more security is imperative for Dallas police officers' safety, but he says it appears he's one of few at City Hall who's expressing concern about it.

"When the police say to us, 'We don't feel supported,' I don't have a way to say you're wrong," Kingston said.

He added it's an unfortunate reality for the very men and women he represents on City Council. He says a plan to protect those in blue has fallen short.

"This City Council refuses to give voters the opportunity to decide whether to fix the infrastructure," said Kingston. "So the police are suffering from the same thing we all are on the streets, except for them it endangers their lives."

Kingston is talking about a $19 million upgrade that was proposed more than a year ago to help protect law enforcement officers. The money would be used to implement more security measures at all patrol divisions, including fencing and ballistic glass.

Dallas Police Association president Michael Mata says a security upgrade is crucial.

"How many officers have to die, how many pounds of flesh do they need to take before they take crime in this city seriously?" he said.

In a statement released Monday evening, Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax said:

"Our police officers put their lives on the line every day and in response to that need, we have been working on security enhancements to patrol stations and Jack Evans Police Headquarters. The City of Dallas has completed a full assessment to see where police stations are vulnerable and an architecture firm has provided recommendations for security enhancements. In addition to 2006 bond funds and federal grants, we intend to designate millions more in the 2017 bond package. These enhancements include upgrading to ballistic glass. We are currently completing testing for equipment that will be installed by September 2017 at patrol stations and March 2018 at Jack Evans Police Headquarters."
Police said they arrested a man in connection with an active shooter incident in Dallas late Monday night. [[414949133,C]]

Dallas police said officers were responding to a different call in the 2700 block of John West Road when they heard shots fired nearby at about 11:45 p.m. The officers called for back up for an active shooter.

Officers initially detained two men at about 1 a.m., according to police. One was a civilian caught in crossfire during the foot chase and was released.

Police said the other is the man they suspect in the shooting. He was not armed.

Authorities said they searched the area and found several shell casings on the ground. They are still searching for the weapon used.

No injuries were reported.
The LGBTQ community in Dallas gathered Monday to remember a transgender woman who was murdered over the weekend in New Orleans.

Chyna Gibson was a well-known performer with ties to North Texas and was also known professionally as "Chyna Doll Dupree."

She was shot around 10 times outside of a shopping mall in New Orleans. She had been visiting family for Mardi Gras.

Gibson is believed to be the fifth transgender woman of color murdered this year, and family members in North Texas are now looking for answers.

Her cousin, Angele Banks, lives in Dallas and can't understand why someone would hurt her.

"Chyna's loved by everyone," said Banks. "She was a sweetheart, always had a smile on her face, always positive, never a dull moment in her life. So nobody understands why someone would do this," Banks said.

New Orleans police tell NBC 5 they cannot confirm whether the murder was a hate crime. We asked Banks if she thinks it was.

"Until they get the story straight or whatever, I don't want to comment on that. I just think it's senseless and that's horrible," she said.

Abounding Prosperity, an organization serving the LGBTQ community in South Dallas, has displayed a message for Gibson on a sign outside its building: "Your death will not be in vain."

Dozens gathered there for a vigil on Monday evening to remember Gibson.

For Abounding Prosperity, this tragedy serves as a call to action to better protect  specifically  the black LGBT community in Dallas with a new program called LGBTQ S.A.F.E. The acronym stands for Solidarity, Accountability, Facts, Education.

The group will find ways to interact with city officials and police to ensure the LGBTQ community is safe.

Abounding Prosperity Inc. will take its call to action to the next City Council meeting and will also try to meet with the police chief, according to the group's chief executive officer.
Denton police investigated a crash involving a school bus and two other vehicles Tuesday morning.

The crash happened before 8:30 a.m. in the 2700 block of Hilcroft Avenue.

Denton Police say the bus was traveling west on the neighborhood street when it struck a parked car that was forced into a parked SUV. Viewer pictures from the scene show the SUV tipped onto its side by the crash.

Neither of the parked vehicles were occupied at the time.

The Denton ISD bus was transporting 37 students to Denton High School, according to District Spokesman Mario Zavala.

2 of the students, a 16 year-old and 18 year-old were taken voluntarily to Medical City Denton to be checked out, but first responders on scene said no one, including the 41 year-old female driver, appeared seriously injured.

"The rest of the students were sent over to Denton High School on a second bus, they were also checked out by the school nurse, were able to contact their families if they needed to, and then we just proceeded about our day," said Zavala.

Police and the school district have not yet identified the cause of the crash, but Zavala said they are launching a full investigation to figure the situation out.

"We're going to do our due diligence there, the driver will be placed on leave while we investigate, and we'll follow the process to see what happened," he said.

The bus and the disabled vehicles were towed from the scene by 11 am.
The next generation of engineers attended a special event in North Texas.

Fort Worth-based XTO Energy recently hosted its fifth annual Introduce A Girl to Engineering Day.

About 50 girls from middle schools in the Azle, Crowley, Fort Worth and Hurst-Euless-Bedford independent school districts got the chance to test drive engineering through hands-on activities.

Suann Guthrie said the goal was to boost the girls' confidence and encourage them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (stem) fields

Guthrie said while women make up about half of the U.S. workforce, they account for only 14 percent of practicing engineers.

Tell Me Something Good airs weekdays on NB5 Today. Send your pictures and information to isee@nbcdfw.com.
Ever since the sudden death of pop superstar George Michael, his former partner has stayed out of the spotlight. But now North Texan Kenny Goss is sharing memories of the man with whom he shared much of his life.

"I really miss him," Goss said in an exclusive interview with NBC 5.

Goss met Michael in Los Angeles in 1996.

"We just met out in L.A. at a restaurant. He asked me out," Goss said.

That was the beginning of a relationship that would last more than two decades, first as a couple and later as friends.

Remembering George Michael in Photos

The two men shared a life in the glare of George Michael's worldwide fame.

"I don't think he liked being a star at all when I met him. I don't think he got into music at all for fame. He just loved being a musician," Goss said.

There were difficult times, like Michael's arrest for cruising for sex in a public restroom.

"When somebodys being so crazy publicly  I just loved him, certainly didn't judge him. It was bad enough everybody else was talking about it," Goss explained. "I think we both wished certainly that we would have stayed together."

Michael would write several songs about his relationship with Goss. "Amazing," "American Angel" and "Where I Hope You Are," are all about their life together.

The two also started the Goss-Michael Foundation in Dallas, which raises money for charities and helps develop young artists. The foundation has raised millions of dollars for causes such as the MTV Staying Alive Foundation dedicated to the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

The grand opening of the Goss Gallery generated a lot of buzz in Dallas in 2005.

Generosity was a priority for Michael. Goss said his partner gave away tens of millions of dollars, almost always anonymously.

"He always said to me more than once, 'How much money does someone really need? So many people think I've got to keep all this money and be super rich.' He really believed that you help people a lot and you only need a certain amount of money in your bank account," Goss said.

Fans learned in 2011 that the couple had split. Goss said there were no hard feelings.

"There's no huge story at all. There's no craziness that I got upset or he was upset with me," Goss said.

Goss said they continued their friendship and stayed connected through their work with the foundation.

Goss Gallery owner Kenny Goss explains in this 2005 interview how he got hooked on beautiful artwork and dreamed of opening his own gallery. NBC 5's Todd Wallace reports.

Goss learned of Michael's death on Christmas Day in a phone call from Michael's manager, Michael Lippman.

"I said, 'Hey, Michael, how you doing? Tell Nancy I said hello. Merry Christmas!' And he said, 'Kenny, you haven't heard?' I found out that way. He said, 'George is dead,'" Goss said. "And I just went, 'Wow.'"

The days and weeks that followed were difficult for Goss. He said he knows nothing about the circumstances surrounding Michael's death, who was discovered in bed by his boyfriend, Fadi Fawaz. Goss said seeing the worldwide tributes to his former partner have been heartwarming.

"They loved him," he said.

Goss said the foundation that bears both of their names will continue.

"It won't stop until I decide it will. It's my decision. I think in death he was even more proud of it," Goss said.

Goss is currently preparing for the upcoming MTV RE:DEFINE event in Dallas, which will raise several million dollars for the Staying Alive Foundation.

More than two months after Michael's death, Goss said he still feels Michael's presence.

"All the time, yeah. I'm always asking him questions. Like coming to do this interview, I'm like, 'Darlin' I hope this is OK,' because he's really private," Goss said.

And when asked about what he would say to the man he still calls his longtime love, Goss says this: "I said it all to him already. There wasn't anything we left unsaid. 'I love you.'"

MORE: MTV RE:DEFINE

MORE: The Dallas Morning News: Dallas' Kenny Goss opens up about George Michael, their art foundation
Planning and zoning commission members in Farmersville unanimously approved the final concept plans for a Muslim-owned cemetery just outside city limits Monday evening.

The proposed 34-acre cemetery would be located on currently undeveloped land near U.S. Highway 380 and County Road 557.

Farmersville, a Collin County town of fewer than 4,000 residents, is about an hour north of Dallas.

The Islamic Association of Collin County purchased the land back in 2015 for about $500,000. Farmersville City Council members initially approved the permit unanimously in May 2015, but the plans began drawing strong opposition soon after.

Monday evening, about 40 people quietly sat during the planning and zoning commission meeting.

Public comment wasn't allowed, but residents were given comment cards to fill out about their feelings toward the cemetery.

Jack Hawkins, a Farmersville landowner, said he was strongly opposed to the cemetery and the Muslim religion in general.

"If I had my way, I would outlaw it in America. And I would tear down every mosque that was in this country. That's the way I feel about it," Hawkins said.

Pastor David Meeks, of the Bethlehem Baptist Church, was one of the most vocal opponents in 2015  opposition he said has only grown stronger.

"From what I hear, from my perspective, is that people are really more concerned than before," Meeks said. "There have been terrible, drastic things happen in the world through radical Islamic terrorism, and any thought of that coming to our community just brings and harbors anxiousness, you know, that we're concerned with."

Meeks was at the August 2015 town hall meeting that drew a standing-room only crowd, many of whom were Farmersville residents strongly opposed to the proposal.

According to Shumsur Rahman, the IACC has been working closely with city leaders over the past two years to figure out the best way to move forward.

Rahman said the initial permits expired after a year, so Monday evening's meeting was essentially starting the process over again.

The Islamic Association will now submit a preliminary plat to the planning and zoning commission. Eventually, the proposal will head to the full Farmersville City Council.

Architectural designs have not yet been finalized, but it would likely house about 15,000 burial plots. There are no plans to build a mosque on the site.

Currently, the Muslim community buries their dead in Restland Cemetery in Dallas, but space is running out.
Texas State Rep. Jason Villalba (R-Dallas) filed House Bill 724 to make March 6 Alamo Day, a day to officially recognize The Battle of the Alamo.

The Battle of the Alamo was, of course, a pivotal moment in the Texas Revolution.

The bill was read before the Texas Legislature on Feb. 20 and referred to the Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee.

Below is a statement from Villalba, a fourth-generation Texan representing House District 114 (Lake Highlands, Preston Hollow and Northwest Dallas), about the bill:

"Alamo Day will celebrate the heroic actions of the volunteer Texan soldiers who occupied the Alamo during Texas' war for independence from Mexico. Regardless of their lack of manpower and sufficient troops, these brave Texans remained steadfastly dedicated to protecting the Franciscan fort in San Antonio. After a bloody thirteen day struggle, Mexican forces overtook the Alamo on March 6, 1836. General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his troops occupied the Alamo from March to May of that year. Sam Houston led the Texas Army in the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, the battle that ultimate won them the Revolution. It was there that they shouted "Remember the Alamo!" in honor of those who fell at the Alamo. Rather than establishing Alamo Day as April 21, Rep. Villalba contends that the loyalty demonstrated at the Fall of the Alamo demonstrates the character of the men and women responsible for the Great State we know and love today. Representative Villalba said, 'We remember March 6 because of our Texan Forefathers' sacrifices for our Great State. The perseverance they showed during hardship defines their character - not only their actions in times of victory, but also in moments of crisis. Alamo Day will celebrate the importance of Texan fortitude in pursuit of a goal, during the highs and the lows.'

Villalba's bill is similar to Senate Bill 759, filed by State Sen. Jose Menendez, which would also make March 6 a state holiday, "Remember the Alamo Day," in honor of Davy Crockett, Gregorio Esparza, James Bowie, Toribio Losoya, William B. Travis, and all who fought and died at the battle of the Alamo for the independence of the great State of Texas.

If passed, the bill would take effect Sept. 1 with the first Alamo Day being celebrated March 6, 2018.
Two Houston police officers were shot and taken to hospitals, one of them in critical condition, as they were investigating a home burglary Tuesday, authorities said.[[415006333,R]]

One suspect was killed in a shootout with the officers and one other man was being sought, police said.

"If he's hiding somewhere, we're not leaving," Police Chief Art Acevedo said as hundreds of officers combed the southwest Houston neighborhood. "We ain't going away."

Acevdeo lifted a lockdown on the southwest Houston neighborhood of about 1,800 homes, including three schools, more than four hours later and urged residents to notify police of anything suspicious.

"We'd rather you report it and be on the safe side," he said. "We don't want to leave any stone unturned."

The chief said three homes in the neighborhood were burglarized Tuesday and while police didn't know if all three were connected, the suspect killed in the shootout was involved in at least one of them.

"My primary concern now is for the condition of the two officers," Mayor Sylvester Turner said outside one of the hospitals where the officers were being treated.

One officer, Jose Munoz, was shot in the foot and his condition was not considered life-threatening. The other officer, Ronny Cortez, had a bullet lodged near his spine, the mayor said.

Cortez is a 24-year veteran of the department and was at Memorial Hermann Hospital. Munoz has been an officer for 10 years and was at Ben Taub Hospital.

Houston Emergency Services Director Dr. David Persse said Cortez's condition "is improved since he first got here."

"He is awake and talking and is with his family," Persse said.

Acevedo said Cortez was "in pain but he's alert. ... Both these officers have hearts of lions."

Acevedo said the officers were among several called late Tuesday morning to investigate a burglary in the neighborhood. A woman at one of the homes alerted them that a door at a storage shed behind her home was ajar and appeared to be suspicious.

"Two of our officers actually jumped the fence and went into that backyard to clear that storage shed when a male Hispanic suspect opened the door, came out and opened fire on our officers," he said. "Officers were able to return gunfire."

One gunman was killed there. He described the second suspect as a Hispanic man dressed in black and with a blue bandanna.

"We will assume the second suspect at large is armed and dangerous," Acevedo said. He apologized for the inconvenience to the neighborhood, "but someone that's willing to shoot and try to kill two fully uniformed officers in broad daylight after committing a burglary, which is a property crime, is someone that will not hesitate to kill a member of that community."
Derogatory words, lewd images and even several racial slurs were found spray-painted on Plano West High School and throughout the parking lot Monday morning.

Students and staff arrived to find the vandalism on a building entrance and then it was quickly discovered along an entire side of the building, on signs and utility boxes on the campus, and even on at least two vans in the parking lot.

Plano Police Department Public Information Officer David Tilley said the damage was likely left sometime over the weekend and the simple amount of damage left behind could make the crime a felony.

Officers and the school district are looking into surveillance video from the school to see if the incident was recorded and if those responsible can be identified.

Tilley acknowledged Monday that crimes like this are often the product of school rivalries or teenage pranks, but he said this one clearly went too far.

"It's when it crosses that line into this particular area here that it becomes a little bit more concerning, said Tilley.

Plano West Principal Kathy King released this statement Monday:



"I know that the vandalism discovered on our campus this morning has been the subject of concern for many of you. It was disheartening for the students and staff of Plano West to return to our school following the weekend to find vulgarities spray-painted on buildings, vehicles and other campus structures.



Campus and district personnel are working with the Plano Police Department to investigate this incident and to hopefully determine who is responsible for defacing our school. Now that crime scene officers have completed their work of capturing evidence, we are glad to be able to begin removing the graffiti from our campus as we continue our instructional day. Thank you for your support as we work to maintain a safe and welcoming learning community.



Sincerely, Kathy King, Principal, Plano West Senior High School"

Police ask that anyone with information in this situation bring it to them right away or to the district's Campus Crime Stoppers program. Tilley said information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward.
A new round of threats to Jewish community centers was reported Monday across the United States, including one in Florida that drew a rebuke from actor Josh Gad, for whom the threat was close to home.

Gad said he grew up near a Jewish day school that was evacuated in Broward County Monday morning.

The national Jewish Community Centers Association told NBC News that at least 20 centers and day schools were targeted with bomb threats Monday. Among those targeted were Jewish community centers in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Alabama, Missouri, North Carolina, Delaware, New Jersey and in the New York City area, police said.

No explosives or injuries have been reported so far, and many of the centers have returned to normal operations.

"Not sure how this has become the new normal," Gad said in a message on Twitter. "Disgraceful."

David Posner, director of strategic performance at JCC Association of North America, on Monday called on members of government and law enforcement up to the White House to condemn the threats and act to stop them.

"Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in our communities," Posner said in a statement.

The statement said all threats reported so far have been determined to be hoaxes.

Paul Goldenberg, director of the Secure Community Network, a nonprofit founded by several national Jewish groups to bolster security at Jewish institutions, said "the Jewish community is back in business" after the latest wave of threats. Jewish Community Centers and other groups have extensive security protocols in place, Goldenberg said.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement Monday that he's asked state police and federal homeland security officers to investigate.

"Any anti-Semitic act or act of intimidation aimed at Jewish institutions and people in Pennsylvania is truly reprehensible and we must find those responsible and hold them accountable. This is not who we are as Americans or Pennsylvanians. We will not take these threats and acts lightly," he said.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions called the acts of vandalism and bomb threats serious, unacceptable behavior and promised the Justice Department will "do what it can to assist in prosecuting anybody" proven to have participated.

Speaking Monday, he called the attacks and threats "a very serious and disruptive practice."

It's just the latest round of threats to Jewish community centers across the country since January. No explosive has been uncovered amid the months of threats, many of which have been called in.

On Jan. 9, 16 centers in nine states received threats. In central Florida bomb threats targeted two Jewish centers and two Jewish preschools in Tampa. Authorities said no explosives were found at those locations.

On Jan. 18, 27 Jewish community centers in 17 states, including Florida, New Jersey, Delaware, Tennessee and North Carolina received threats, according to the JCC Association of North America. No injuries or actual explosives have been reported.

Other threats have been reported as well. The FBI and the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division are investigating possible civil rights violations in connection with threats, the agency has said.

In the last two weeks, Jewish cemeteries in Missouri and Pennsylvania have also been defaced, with dozens of headstones toppled.

A Muslim crowdfunding effort to support the Missouri cemetery has raised more than $136,000, and organizers say they will use some of the money for the Philadelphia cemetery where similar vandalism occurred.

The fundraising effort began last week after 154 headstones were tipped over at the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in University City, Missouri, a St. Louis suburb. The money raised so far is nearly seven times more than the original $20,000 goal and will be used to help repair damage and upgrade security.

And organizers say some of the money will go to aid Mount Carmel Cemetery in Philadelphia, where several hundred headstones were knocked over during the weekend.

The fundraising campaign is scheduled to continue another three weeks.

President Donald Trump last week called the threats to the centers "horrible and painful." His remarks came amid pressure for him to speak out about the threats.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Monday Trump is "deeply disappointed and concerned" about the latest act of vandalism in Pennsylvania and the threats to the community centers, and condemns those acts.
A Florida college student accused of randomly killing a couple in their garage and chewing on the dead man's face told television psychologist Phil McGraw he was fleeing a demon-like figure named Daniel and only had a vague recollection of the slayings.

In a 22-minute interview released Tuesday by prosecutors, Austin Harrouff said he lost his wits as he walked back to his father's home after storming out of a restaurant where they had an argument.

McGraw asked about "the devil talking to you," and Harrouff went on to describe a "dark figure" he called Daniel.

"I got scared out of my mind," Harrouff told McGraw, who interviewed him by computer when the former high school wrestler and football player was still hospitalized last fall.

Harrouff, 20, was arrested upon release from the hospital for the Aug. 15 deaths of John Stevens, a 59-year-old landscaper, and his wife, Michelle Mishcon, 53. Both had been beaten and stabbed. He could face the death penalty if convicted of murder.

The interview, which is now evidence in the case, was scheduled to air on McGraw's "Dr. Phil" show last Oct. 28 but was pulled at the last minute without explanation. Prosecutors released it without comment after NBC affiliate WPTV hired lawyers to seek its release under the state's public information law.

Harrouff, a bodybuilder who majored in exercise science at Florida State University, said he stripped off most of his clothes as he tried to run away from Daniel. McGraw asked what he was thinking.

"I just need to find someone to help me, to figure out where I am," said Harrouff, speaking in a steady, even voice as his father, dentist Wade Harrouff, stood just off camera. "I don't even remember what I said to myself. I just remember being afraid, scared."

He said he doesn't remember how he came face-to-face with Mishcon in the couple's garage. He said she screamed, and "then it's a blur."

"I don't remember what she said  I just remember being yelled at," Harrouff said. He said he grabbed a machete he found in their garage, but doesn't remember why he killed her and her husband.

"It's like it happened but I wasn't aware of it at the time," Harrouff said, crying. "I don't know, I don't know. If I knew, I would tell you."

Harrouff said he drank something he found in the garage after the attack. He refused to say what it was, but it severely burned his esophagus. He denied ever using steroids or hallucinogenic drugs such as flakka or bath salts. None showed up in his blood tests.

When sheriff's deputies arrived, they found Harrouff on top of Stevens, chewing his face. It took numerous deputies, jolts from an electric stun gun and bites from a police dog to pull him off. They said they didn't shoot Harrouff because they feared hitting Stevens.

McGraw ended the interview by promising to work with Harrouff's father to learn why he snapped.

"You keep hanging in there and we are going to look for answers," McGraw told him.

Harrouff's family has said he had been acting strange for weeks before the attack.

His mother, Mina Harrouff, told police he claimed to have superpowers and that he had been sent to help people. She said his bed had been moved to the garage because he thought there were demons in the house, and that a few hours before the attack, she stopped him from drinking cooking oil from the bottle, only to find him eating a bowl of cooking oil and cheese.
Members of the North Texas delegation in Congress are preparing to attend President Donald Trump's address Tuesday night.

Trump is proposing a huge $54 billion surge in U.S. military spending for new aircraft, ships and fighters in his first federal budget while slashing big chunks from domestic programs and foreign aid to make the government "do more with less."

These numbers are out a day before the president's first speech to a joint session of Congress. NBC 5 asked U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas, about what he wants to see in the president's first speech.

"Perhaps more importantly, somebody, that if they're going to break glass, they're going to take responsibility for the direction they're going. And the bottom line is, we do have to break glass. We have to move from one direction that we were headed, to a free market opportunity. That's what the stock market is saying. That's what the American people are saying. And that's what we want to be held accountable for. So, I want to see the President of the United States Donald Trump and the leader of our party," Sessions said.

The Trump blueprint, due in more detail next month, would fulfill the Republican president's campaign pledge to boost Pentagon spending while targeting the budgets of other federal agencies. The "topline" figures emerged Monday, one day before Trump's first address to a joint session of Congress, an opportunity to re-emphasize the economic issues that were a centerpiece of his White House run.

Domestic programs and foreign aid would as a whole absorb a 10 percent, $54 billion cut from currently projected levels -- cuts that would match the military increase. The cuts would be felt far more deeply by programs and agencies targeted by Trump and his fellow Republicans, like the Environmental Protection Agency as well as foreign aid. Veterans' programs would be exempted, as would border security, additional law enforcement functions and some other areas.

Trump's speech comes after his executive order on immigration. The order, which has been challenged in the courts, halted refugee resettlement from refugee countries for three months.

U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, has invited a North Texas Syrian refugee to attend the speech with him.

Tamam Al Sharaa and Bothina Matar came to North Texas with their two children in 2015.

"It is beyond shameful that Republican elected officials and our president want to slam the door on refugees escaping violence. We can maintain America's humanitarian leadership while keeping our nation safe, and Tamam and Bothina's story highlights the positive result when we uphold both these ideals. Refugees like Tamam and Bothina are examples of the hope and contributions immigrants bring to their new homes," Veasey said.
Some homeowners in North Fort Worth say they are being trapped by trains.[[414950233,R]]

People who live in the Vista Ranch community on Tinsley Lane near U.S. 287 reached out to NBC 5, saying trains have been trapping them in or out of their neighborhood for years.

They said sometimes it takes an hour for the train it to clear.

"It's very sporadic. It definitely varies," Vista Ranch HOA president Jill Kolb said. "Trains come here all the time. On a good day, they run perfect. On a bad day, we can get delays from 30 minutes, to the event that happened the other night that was well over an hour."

Thursday, we're told a train was stopped on the tracks for more than an hour during rush hour and caused a major back up and a lot of frustration.

"If we were to have an emergency inside this neighborhood, there is no way we can get in, and no way we can get out," Kolb said. "Emergency services can't get to us. We've worked closely with the Haslet Fire Department, and they've told us that, in the event of an emergency, they have emergency numbers that they can call, can get the train out of the way, but frankly that's kind of scary."

Kolb said she and her neighbors have reached out to the city about the issue at various community events. But, at this point, she doesn't think anyone really knows how to fix it.

NBC 5 has learned the track that crosses Tinsley Lane is owned and operated by Union Pacific. Just a half a mile down Tinsley is a docking station for rail cars, so a train more than a half a mile long can easily block the roadway.

In a statement from Union Pacific, the company acknowledges Thursday's issue:

"On Thursday, February 23, Union Pacific was made aware of a train blocking the crossing at Tinsley Road in Newark. Upon receiving several calls from drivers in the area, we were able to track down the issue. This appears to be an isolated event. A UP train was processing an unusually high number of cars at a facility just south of Tinsley Road, which led to an extended delay impacting the crossing. Our management team has since met with our customer to discuss how to avoid a repeat of this scenario.

We apologize to the drivers and residents that were inconvenienced by this delay. We are also appreciative to those who contacted our call center to advise us of the problem. Each of these calls is logged and investigated, which allows us to respond quickly to urgent situations and identify areas where we need to work to improve our fluidity and efficiency. Each public road crossing is equipped with a sign showing a toll free phone number and a crossing identification number. We ask drivers to please let us know if there are any emergency or safety concerns regarding our railroad."

"I definitely don't think that the railroad is malicious in their intent to block Vista Ranch in, I just don't think they understand where we come from and why it's so vital to us," said Kolb.

In February 2014, another Fort Worth neighborhood had a similar problem with trains stopping at crossings and blocking access to the neighborhood. After a series of stories were done by NBC 5 highlighting children crawling under the trains to get to school, the city eventually agreed to construct a roadway that allowed for a second exit out of the neighborhood.
A frantic couple in the South Bay has put their wedding on hold to blanket neighborhoods with yellow signs and pour thousands of dollars into the search for their beloved dog, who went missing on Feb. 13.

Trendee King and James Galley, who recently moved to the Bay Area from Southern California, dropped off their black and tan Brussels Griffon pooch named Theo at a national dog sitting service. The next thing they knew, he managed to slip out of a door and escape into the neighborhood near Blossom Hill Road and Almaden Expressway.

Trendee King, James Galley

"Our lives have been turned upside down and we're not sure what's next," Galley said in an email.

King, who was in the midst of purchasing her wedding gown when Theo went missing, and Galley put a halt to their wedding preparation in order to search for their missing pup.

The worrisome owners have poured dollar after dollar into covering the South Bay with signs, and they even said they used six Bloodhounds in an attempt to track down the 12-pound Brussels Griffon with a snaggletooth. They are also offering a $3,500 reward.

"Theo is family and we're sinking our wedding savings into finding our beloved pup," Galley wrote.

Trendee King, James Galley

Aside from the signs, the couple has littered social media with pleas asking for any information about Theo's location. King, who has more than 27,000 followers on her Instagram account, has plastered her profile with photos of the dog. Even an Instagram account with more than six million followers has joined in the search effort by sharing a photo of the yellow sign.

"People are supporting us because they know dogs are our best friends, our better halves, our kids," Galley wrote. "Sometimes they fill that void in your life, sometimes they bring two people closer together, and they always make your life better. It was clear that Theo brought my fiancee and I closer together."

Anyone with information about Theo's whereabouts is asked to text or call 310-663-2652.
The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday rejected historical-cultural monument status for legendary comedian Bob Hope's Toluca Lake home.

The vote pitted Councilman David Ryu, who represents the Toluca Lake area and initiated the application, against the daughter of the late entertainer, who was against the designation because she said it would go against her father's wishes.

The council voted 8-2 in favor of the designation, but required a unanimous 10 votes to move forward.

While the plan was being considered, a council committee tangled with conflicting views on designating the 15,000- square-foot home a historical-cultural monument. The Cultural Heritage Commission voted in November against the designation.

Hope's daughter, Linda, told Councilman Jose Huizar's committee and the commission that the designation would go against her parents' wishes because the proceeds from the sale of the home are to be donated to the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, which she chairs.

The designation would lower the value of the home, she said. She also argued that with streets and buildings named after her father, the landmark designation for their home is unnecessary.

"Overturning the commission's decision to deny would contradict my father's wishes and I know he would be disappointed if we could not sell this site for full value to further fund our foundation," she said.

She also argued that the home was not architecturally significant as it had undergone many renovations.

Commission President Richard Barron told Huizar's committee he was swayed by Linda Hope when she appeared before the commission.

Bob Hope died in 2003 and his wife, Dolores Hope, died in 2011.

The Hopes built the French and Tudor revival style estate in 1939 and used it as their primary residence until their deaths. It was designed by architect Robert Finkelhor, with some expansions and remodeling work designed by John Elgin Woolf.
The Los Angeles County coroner's office confirmed Tuesday that a body found on an island in the Los Angeles River on Saturday in Los Feliz was that of 14-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Sylmar, who had been reported missing during the worst storm of the year in Southern California.

Rodriguez went missing on the afternoon of Feb. 17 after leaving Cesar Chavez Learning Academies in San Fernando during a powerful rainstorm,according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The teen had borrowed someone's cellphone to call his mother at work to ask if she could pick him up but she missed the call, police said.

Authorities sought public help to find him, and Los Angeles police were joined by the FBI in the search.

The body was found at 1:15 p.m. Saturday on the island near the Golden State Freeway and Los Feliz Boulevard.

Rodriguez's family held a news conference Tuesday evening to thank law enforcement and those who assisted in the search for the teen, although they still have a lot of questions.

"Through our great pain, we are grateful," Rodriguez's aunt Jessenia Vega said.

"So much love and support has been expressed to us. That is the good that came out of this," she continued.

Vega called for better security around the Pacoima wash, saying that a warning sign is not enough.

"Looking down at the wash, we need these areas to be secure."

The family will hold a candlelight vigil for Rodriguez Friday at 7 p.m. They will light the path where he would have walked home from school, she said.
You might have launched your Fat Tuesday with a jubilant morning dance, down the center of your street, with all of your costume-rocking neighbors in tow.

Or you still might be seeking that perfect NOLA-style soiree, the kind that summons the verve and vibe of Bourbon Street, right here in LA.

But finding LA, as in Louisiana, in LA, as in Los Angeles, isn't too difficult, if you simply look to those vibrant venues that have built up a reputation for brassy, break-out-the-horns hullabaloo-ing.

Sassafras in Hollywood in a center for this brand of hullabaloo, which makes sense, since the 1933 Group's vintage-looking bar holds true to a Big Easy theme throughout the calendar.

The Vine Avenue tavern's "whimsical bayou setting" will bustle right through to 2 a.m., but the party revs up at 5 o'clock on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

A live band called the Sazerac Steppers Brass Band (complete with a tuba that "shoots out flames!"), classic French Quarter cocktails, and a Crawfish Boil Happy Hour will fold the miles between Tinseltown and New Orleans, at least for nine loud 'n lively hours.

If you're seeking out an alfresco affair, with a healthy dose of night air, the open-roof'd bash to be at is at the Original Farmers Market at Third & Fairfax. The weekend-long lark that the historical public market typically hosts is done, but they're going to keep the Mardi Gras goodness going on Tuesday night, Feb. 28.

The beads'll be out, and the authentic sounds, too, courtesy of Eddie Baytos & The Nervis Brothers. They're playing, for free, on the West Patio from 6 to 9 o'clock.

The cost to get in? Totally free, but you'll want a few dollars for a beignet or gumbo. The Gumbo Pot is also located on the West Patio, steps from the band, and it'll hum with beignet fans seeking out that perfect, sugar-sprinkled Fat Tuesday treat.
Law enforcement personnel marked the 20th anniversary of the North Hollywood shootout Tuesday with a ceremony to honor the actions of officers involved in the February 1997 gunbattle with two heavily armed bank robbers.

The ceremony at the North Hollywood Police Station began at 9:17 a.m., the time that two heavily armed gunmen wearing body armor walked into at North Hollywood bank, setting off one of the most violent days in Los Angeles history. The event included officers who were part of the 44-minute gunbattle in the streets.

A dozen officers and eight civilians were injured on Feb. 28, 1997, in the hail of gunfire between police and two gunmen carrying modified fully automatic assault rifles.

"From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all of you for what you did," said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck. "You made the difference. You were the difference. You defined this organization at a time when it depserately needed it."

The ceremony began with the playing of dramatic police radio calls from the shootout, bringing some in the audience to tears.

"Twenty years is a long time, but it doesn't feel like 20 years. It feels like a lot less," said retired LAPD Officer John Caprarelli, who exchanged gunfire with robbers Larry Phillips Jr. and Emil Matasareanu, the attackers killed in the shootout. "You know, you kind of really never forget it. That's how I would put it. You can never put that aside 100 percent."

Phillips and Matasareanu had meticulously planned the armed robbery at the Bank of America branch at 6600 Laurel Canyon Blvd. for months, and had even calculated the expected LAPD response time by listening to police scanners. But they did not foresee that two police officers would happen to drive by and see them as they entered the bank.

By the time they exited the bank eight minutes later, police had surrounded the building and the robbers immediately unloaded their illegally modified assault rifles, striking multiple officers.

In all, the robbers fired about 1,200 rounds at officers, civilians and even a police helicopter. But hundreds of officers converged to surround the area, preventing their escape. An injured Phillips killed himself and Matasareanu surrendered, but bled out at the scene.

Caprarelli planned to attend the remembrance event at 9 a.m. today at the LAPD's North Hollywood Division. Mayor Eric Garcetti, Police Commission President Matt Johnson, Chief Charlie Beck and councilmen Paul Krekorian and Mitch Englander are also scheduled to attend.
Two women who were thrown from a plane when the aircraft crashed in a Southern California neighborhood were hospitalized in critical condition Tuesday as authorities continued investigating the fiery wreck that killed three others aboard the plane.

The twin-engine Cessna 310 had departed from Riverside Municipal Airport at 4:40 p.m. Monday bound for San Jose went it slammed into houses about a mile away. The impact of the crash caused the plane to "split apart," Riverside Fire Chief Michael Moore said.

"The airplane itself is in quite a few pieces, spread over a debris field" of about 100-150 feet, said Stephen Stein, an air safety investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board.

The victims were ejected from the plane and landed inside an unoccupied house, Riverside Fire Capt. Tyler Reynolds said. One woman was rescued by witnesses and the other was pulled out by firefighters. One of the victims suffered burns to 90 percent of her body.

The three others aboard the plane  a man, another woman and a teenage girl  were killed.

There were no injuries on the ground, Reynolds said.

The crash set off a devastating fire. Two of four homes damaged in the wreck were red-tagged, Reynolds said.

"It was like a loud boom," witness Jose Bautista told NBC4.

The victims  a married couple and three others from the San Jose area  were not officially identified by authorities as of Tuesday night.

Several family members told NBC4 that the couple, Nuri and Danuta "Dana" Hijazim owned the Cessna and were killed in the crash. Their daughter, Stacey Pierce, remained at the hospital in critical condition.

"They were devoted to each other and their family which brought them so much joy," Christy Crown, the family's spokeswoman, said in a statement to NBC4.

Another family member confirmed to NBC4 that the third victim was Adine Farelas. Her mother, Silvia Farelas, is the other surviving victim.

The victims were heading back to San Jose after a cheerleading conference at Disneyland.

Investigators have received conflicting accounts of what may have led up to the crash and are continuing to interview additional witnesses, Stein said.

Weather in the area 60 miles east of Los Angeles had included rain, but there were no immediate indications of what caused the crash. NTSB investigators will examine environmental conditions, including the weather, along with the pilot's history, flight records and the physical components of the aircraft, Stein said.

Fourteen people were displaced by the crash, with nine of them receiving help from the Red Cross or family members, Riverside Councilman Mike Soubirous said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday aimed at signaling his commitment to historically black colleges and universities, saying that those schools will be "an absolute priority for this White House."

HBCU presidents are hoping Congress will bolster Trump's actions to strengthen the schools with dramatically increased funding in the upcoming federal budget. They are calling for $25 billion for infrastructure, college readiness, financial aid and other priorities. Under President Barack Obama's administration, historically black colleges and universities received $4 billion over seven years.

"The next step is the budget. You cannot have mission without money," Thurgood Marshall College Fund President Johnny Taylor told reporters outside the White House after the signing ceremony.

Many of the college presidents also went to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to lobby Congress for more funding. Taylor said the $25 billion is needed to make up for years of underfunding and would cover the country's more than 100 HBCUs.

Meanwhile, Trump's Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is still drawing criticism over a remark she made Monday on HBCUs. DeVos said that historically black colleges and universities were leaders in school choice, sparking uproar over the fact that the schools were founded because most African-Americans in the era of "separate but equal" who wanted a higher education had no other options.

Her statement Monday came as presidents from a majority of the country's historically black colleges and universities were in Washington to meet with Trump, and congressional leaders Tuesday, calling for $25 billion in the upcoming budget to help address priorities including infrastructure, college readiness and financial aid.

Trump signed an executive order aimed at signaling his commitment to the schools Tuesday.

DeVos looks forward to elevating the schools' role in the Trump administration, she said in a news release Monday, and called them "real pioneers when it comes to school choice," a term used for alternatives to public education  something for which DeVos has staunchly advocated.

"They started from the fact that there were too many students in America who did not have equal access to education. They saw that the system wasn't working, that there was an absence of opportunity, so they took it upon themselves to provide the solution," she said in the statement.

She also called the schools "living proof that when more options are provided to students, they are afforded greater access and greater quality."

DeVos's speech at a lunch Tuesday clarified that she the schools' were born "out of necessity, in the face of racism." But many have taken her initial comment to be willfully ignorant of the situation that produced historically black collegs and universities.

The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights notes that they were created because "blacks were generally denied admission to traditionally white institutions" and "became the principle means for providing postsecondary education to black Americans."

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) said DeVos's statement was "totally nuts." In a tweet Tuesday, McCaskill add DeVos is "pretending that establishment of historically black colleges was about choice not racism."

Wayne A.I. Frederick, president of Howard University, told NBC Washington he didn't want to second guess anyone, but that the school was founded 150 years ago to create an opportunity for students who had none.

"Back then, we did not have the opportunity to make choices freely," he said. "Students were presented with an opportunity in 1867 to attend an institution of higher learning and that's what we're still trying to do in 2017."

When asked about Devos's school choice comment, a Department of Education official directed NBC to Devos's remarks on Tuesday.

Her nomination was the most contentious of Donald Trump's Cabinet members, drawing ridicule for remarks about guns being necessary in a Wyoming school because of a threat from bears, something the school later denied. Her confirmation required a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Mike Pence.

Trump met briefly with the college leaders on Monday, posing for a photograph in the Oval Office before the group met with DeVos and Pence. That meeting also sparked some criticism on Twitter after a news photo showed presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway kneeling on an Oval Office couch, with her feet behind her and looking at her phone. Conway has not commented on the photo, though other photos show she had been trying to take a photo of the group.

Trump's moves are among the actions some college presidents said they would like to see coming from the new administration. For some, their decision to come to Washington was over the objections of students and alumni, but they say they can ill afford to play politics as Trump moves quickly to set priorities.

Florida A&M Interim President Larry Robinson said it is important for schools like his to have a seat at the table early.

"We are the subject matter experts in terms of what needs to be done," Robinson said. "We wanted to communicate that to those who were receptive of doing something on our behalf ... regardless of who's sitting in the White House, or what their political affiliations are."

More than 231,000 students enrolled at black colleges and universities in 2014, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Almost 80 percent were black. But HBCU enrollment declined from 326,614 to 294,316 between 2010 and 2014, according to NCES data. And in the past generation, the percentage of black college students attending HBCUs dropped from 18 percent of the overall total of black college students in 1976 to 8 percent in 2014.
Gus Arana wont let his children play outside of their home in southwest Miami Dade after spotting three stray dogs three weeks ago.

"These dogs are big enough to destroy any little kid," said Arana from the front yard of his home.

He spotted a group of stray dogs in his neighborhood, one with cuts and wounds, and reported it to the Countys 311 service in early February. NBC 6 cameras captured the animals on camera taking cover under partially constructed homes nearby.

Miami Dade County Animal Services responded to Aranas 311 call. They showed up and left a trap outside. Weeks later, the trap is gone and the animals are still roaming the area.

"Unless the authorities will do something soon, I mean these dogs are hungry, who knows what theyll do," said Arana.

Thousands of people like Arana call 311 for help about stray animals each year in Miami-Dade County.

Many of the calls come from people who volunteer to feed and rescue stray and abandoned dogs. These volunteers say its a growing concern  that pets are being dumped on the side of the road often in more rural areas.

The NBC 6 Investigators spent days following volunteers with the Redland Rock Pit Abandoned Dog Project. NBC 6 cameras captured packs of dogs running alongside traffic, some sitting on the side of the road and others roaming through fields.

"They dump them like garbage," said volunteer Kayla Harris. "The dogs are dying, they cant survive out here."

While both volunteers and county animal officials share a love of animals, they dont agree on how big of a problem it is and how to work together to fix it.

VOLUNTEERS: ANIMALS ARE HOMELESS AND HUNGRY

Volunteer Carmen Paredes is a special needs teacher by day. By night, she volunteers to feed hungry animals throughout the county. She drives from place to place, hauling dog food and water from the trunk of her car into wooded areas alongside roads.

If we didnt come and feed these dogs, no one else would, said Paredes.

She is one of several volunteers with the non-profit Redland Rock Pit Abandoned Dog Project. The group is one of at least a half dozen organized, non-profit groups that feeds and rescues stray and abandoned animals.

The volunteers say the number of dogs they have rescued has doubled over the last two years and the area they cover has spread north into more urban areas.

Volunteers say theyre also seeing an alarming number of dead dogs.

Theyre used to living in homes and all of a sudden they have to fend for themselves, said Paredes.

Volunteers also rescue some of the dogs they feed, if they have lined up a foster family for the animal.

COUNTY'S RESPONSE: NUMBERS GOING DOWN

Its the job of Miami-Dade Animal Services to respond to stray animals. Director Alex Munoz told NBC 6 Investigators the stray and abandoned animals are no more of an issue in South Florida than anywhere else.

Everywhere in the United States animals are being abandoned and strays all throughout the United States of America and thats why animal shelters exist, said Munoz.

While Director Munoz said theres no actual proof people are dumping dogs, this month he ordered a dozen signs to be installed throughout the Redland and the Rock Pit area near Okeechobee and the Turnpike. The signs warn that abandoning a pet is a crime and notifies people to call 311 to report it if they see it happening.

Abandoning an animal is against the law and thats something that would be very concerning to us, said Munoz.

He said the number of calls made to the Countys 311 service to pick up stray dogs has actually gone down over the past three years.

County numbers show the number of stray dog calls has decreased by from than 4,000 over the past three years from 13,691 in 2014 to 9,518 in 2016.

Volunteers said its a growing problem because dogs can multiply quickly. Many of the animals are not spayed or neutered.

Its just a continuous cycle, Paredes said. No matter how many dogs we pick up or moms we take care of, it doesnt matter, it keeps happening.

WORKING TOGETHER NOT WORKING

Members of the volunteer group said they need help. However, the Director of Animals Services told NBC 6 his department has offered free help. Munoz provided NBC 6 with an email showing last May, his department offered free vetting, micro-chipping and other services for members of the Redland Rock Pit Abandoned Dog Project and other volunteer groups.

Sadly, none of the groups has taken us up on this free offer, said Munoz.

Redland Rock Pit Co-founder Yleana Escobar said theyre hesitant about taking the help because they dont want the animals to go to shelter. The volunteers want to find the animals a home.

County officials said theyre also concerned volunteers are taking animals that actually have owners, even though the pets arent properly licensed. Escobar said that has happened four times over the past two years. The volunteer group posts pictures of every animal to its Facebook Page. They said if an unlicensed pet owner comes forward they immediately return the animal.

The volunteers group uses a device to scan animals to determine if they have a microchip before rescuing and placing the dog with a foster family.

MOVING FORWARD

County officials said they will continue to post more warning signs throughout problem areas and will continue responding to 311 calls. Theyve received more than 35,000 animal related service calls over the past three years.

Meanwhile volunteers will continue feeding hungry animals and do whatever they can to find homes for the ones they can catch.

"I cant go to bed knowing Im sitting in my house with my dogs, nice and comfortable, when I know there are dogs fighting just to stay alive, said Paredes.
A new bill introduced in the Florida Senate looks to keep children under the age of 16 from driving most boats in the state of Florida.

The measure, SB 1262 introduced by Sen. Gary Farmer (D-Fort Lauderdale) would keep those under that age from operating vessels that have 10 horsepower or more  or sailboats with hulls of more than 10 feet.

"It's really designed to make sure that young boaters, young kids under 16 are not put in a dangerous position," Sen. Farmer said.

According to NBC affiliate WPTV, The rule would have an exemption for those riding with someone over the age of 21  however, that adult cannot be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

A similar bill was introduced last year in response to the 2015 disappearance of two 14-year-olds, Perry Cohen and Austin Stephanos, who took their family boat from Jupiter Inlet into the Atlantic Ocean. That measure was later tabled.

"There's a complete void for dealing with kids under 16 in these types of situations. I was shocked to learn that when I was retained to represent the father of the boy who went missing. So we're trying to make sure that tragedy never occurs again," Sen Farmer said.
A Broward County School District employee was indicted on obstruction charges for allegedly meddling in a drug investigation.

Porsha Session of Boynton Beach is a relative of a detective with the Lauderhill Police Department who was investigating a drug trafficking case.

Federal prosecutors say the 31-year-old obtained confidential information about the people involved in the drug ring.

Session is accused of accessing the phone number to one of the persons of interest in the case and calling that person to warn them about the probe, prosecutors said.

Investigators said Session made a series of phone calls to the individual and told the target that an informant was giving police details about the alleged drug ring.

Prosecutors said because Session warned the target, that individual changed his/her telephone number to avoid police.

The school district employee is charged with obstructing a drug investigation. If convicted, Session faces up to 20 years in prison.

Attorney information for Session was not available. The Broward County School District made no comment on the case.
A former Florida Highway Patrol trooper has been arrested for allegedly helping a Miami Beach dentist cover up a 2015 hit-and-run crash that left a man seriously injured, authorities said Tuesday.

The former trooper, 35-year-old David Casillas, has been charged with organized scheme to defraud, making a false insurance claim, official misconduct and unlawful use of a 2-way communication device, the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office said.

The dentist, 51-year-old Jesus Enrique Del Valle, is charged with grand theft, leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury, organized scheme to defraud, making a false insurance claim and unlawful use of a 2-way communication device.

Miami-Dade Corrections

Casillas was booked into the Miami-Dade jail Tuesday and was being held on $40,000 bond, records showed. Del Valle's bond was $100,000. Attorney information wasn't available.

"In an effort to avoid prosecution for leaving the scene of an accident injury, it is alleged that a dentist, a former police officer and a body shop owner all committed a variety of serious crimes," State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a statement. "This community has seen too many tragedies where injured people suffer on the side of our roads. This must stop."

Authorities said Del Valle was involved in a June 30, 2015 crash near West 62nd Street and Alton Road that left a landscaper seriously injured. The landscaper, Yoel Montero, was struck by a Range Rover that allegedly fled the scene.

Del Valle brought the Range Rover to an auto repair shop owned by his girlfriend's cousin, Ariel Perera, for repair work. To get insurance to cover the work, Del Valle contacted his friend, Casillas, who provided a false accident report that said there had been a collision with a palm tree far from Miami Beach and dated the accident a week before the actual crash, officials said.

Perera also allegedly submitted inflated invoices for payment from the insurance company and included charges for replacement parts that were never replaced. He's been charged with grand theft, making a false insurance claim and organized scheme to defraud.

Casillas was dismissed from the FHP last month, officials said.

"Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing one of our Troopers was arrested as a result of this investigation. The Florida Highway Patrol does not tolerate any conduct that discredits the integrity of the Division. Members will maintain a level of moral conduct in their personal and business affairs, which is in keeping with the highest standards of the law enforcement profession," FHP Lt. Yosdany Veloz said in a statement. "This is not representative of the Florida Highway Patrol, and we can assure the community that any violation of integrity and public trust will be dealt with swiftly, and appropriately."
The Bahamian government has banned tourists from feeding its famous Exuma swimming pigs after more than half a dozen porcine creatures were found dead.

A draw for tourists, Exuma's Pig Beach on the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay has been populated by doggy-paddling beach Babes for the last 30 years, according to the government's ministry of tourism.

Wayde Nixon, who claims to have originally brought the swine to the island three decades ago, told the Nassau Guardian he believes the swimming pigs may have died of food poisoning.

"We have people coming there giving the pigs beer, rum, riding on top of them, all kind of stuff," Nixon said. "The pigs were given the wrong food."

He said about 15 of the pigs are still "alive and healthy."

Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources V. Alfred Gray said officials have not confirmed the cause of death.

Nixon told the Nassau Guardian that he and his partner are working with the government to regulate the feeding of the swimming pigs.

The Department of Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources have not responded to NBC6's requests for comment.
A Florida deputy was shot multiple times while trying to serve a warrant Tuesday, but he is expected to survive, authorities said. The suspect was killed in a shootout with other deputies.

Sgt. Richard Stelter was shot while trying to serve a warrant on a suspect wanted for robberies in the Orlando area, said Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings.

Demings said the suspect, identified as 20-year-old Christopher Redding, Jr., opened fire on the 46-year-old Stelter and other deputies after they blocked his car outside an apartment complex. Four deputies returned fire, and the suspect was killed.

A woman who was in the car with suspect had minor injuries, Demings said.

As is customary, those deputies will be assigned to other duties pending a review by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the sheriff said.

"Given the details that we know at this time and eyewitness testimony, it appears that the actions taken by the deputies were appropriate," Demings said.

Stelter was in stable condition. He has been with the sheriff's office since 1996.

Deming said he had visited Stetler in the hospital and that he was in "relatively good spirits."

"We're very, very confident he's in the best hands possible," Demings said.

The suspect previously had been convicted of attempted murder and served three years in prison. During the robberies he was wanted for, the suspect and others targeted elderly women leaving shopping malls, authorities said.

Last month, an Orlando police lieutenant was fatally shot while attempting to arrest a fugitive wanted for questioning in the slaying of his pregnant ex-girlfriend. An Orange County deputy was killed in a traffic accident while responding to the shooting.
A woman who vanished without a trace in Northwest Miami-Dade was found safe Tuesday, according to Miami-Dade Police. Detectives did not reveal where she was found or how.

Alexis Say, 23, was last seen leaving the North Shore Medical Center Miami on Jan. 28, Miami-Dade Police said.

Family says Say, who is from Pennsylvania, has serious medical conditions including kidney and heart problems and she has extreme hypertension. Relatives say the woman had been without her medication for weeks and her loved ones are worried about her well-being.

Her mother, Jennifer Say, posted on Facebook on Jan. 25 that the 23-year-old is a heroin addict. She says the woman was in poor health prior to drug use and worse now.

Miami-Dade Police are investigating the case, but detectives tell NBC 6 they have followed all leads and found no indication that Say was in danger.
The son of a Nazi official has returned three artworks that his family had looted from the southern Polish city of Krakow during World War II.

Polish officials said Monday they hoped the gesture by Horst von Waechter of Austria would inspire other Nazi descendants to follow suit.

In the ceremony Sunday in Krakow, von Waechter returned an 18th-century map of Poland, built into a small table, and two historic drawings that his mother, Charlotte von Waechter, had appropriated there in late 1939. It was shortly after her husband, Otto von Waechter, had become governor in the southern Polish city occupied by German and Austrian Nazis during the war. Von Waechter ordered the Krakow ghetto be set up in 1941.

The handover took place at the office of the Krakow provincial governor and was the result of efforts by Polish historian and politician Magdalena Ogorek, according to Krzysztof Marcinkiewicz, spokesman for the governor.

He said one of the paintings had Charlotte von Waechter's handwritten pencil inscription saying it came from the Potocki Palace in Krakow, where the Waechters resided during the war.

Ogorek told The Associated Press she spotted some Poland-related objects at Horst von Waechter's castle in Austria while she was doing research there about his father, who died in unexplained circumstances in 1949 at the Vatican while waiting to be smuggled to Argentina to avoid facing justice.

She said von Waechter returned the objects to Krakow for no compensation.

"He gave a good example to others and we should be happy about this," Ogorek said.

"I assume that various artworks from Poland can be found in private homes in Germany and in Austria. I am sure of that."

Poland was severely damaged during World War II, its palaces, museums and libraries bombed and plundered by the Nazis and by the Soviet Red Army from 1939-45. The government continues trying to retrieve looted artworks and the Culture Museum has posted a list of many of them.

Some of the artworks occasionally surface at auctions around the globe, leading Poland to negotiate the terms of their return.
U.S. officials say the Trump administration is proposing deep cuts in spending for diplomacy and foreign aid programs to help pay for increased military spending, but Sen. Lindsey Graham says those cuts will never get through Congress.

"It's dead on arrival," the South Carolina Republican and occasional critic of President Donald Trump said on MSNBC Tuesday. "It's not going to happen, it would be a disaster."

Officials familiar with the proposal, a way to pay for a $54 billion hike in defense spending, say it calls for slashing 37 percent of the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development budgets. Development assistance would take the biggest hit. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the spending plan publicly before it is presented to Congress.

In the current fiscal year, the State Department and USAID got $50.1 billion, a little more than 1 percent of the total federal budget. Officials say a 37 percent cut would likely require reductions in staff, including security contractors at diplomatic missions abroad.

Graham, who has at times been critical of Trump's foreign policy, offered a strong defense of what the State Department does, and how it helps the U.S. military.

"Foreign assistance is an insurance policy. Investing over there even though we have needs here makes us safer," Graham said, noting that the U.S. didn't walk away from Germany and Japan without helping to rebuild after World War II.

An outline of Trump's budget was released Monday, with Trump saying the government will "do more with less," and be more accountable to the American people. The boost to the defense budget is meant to modernize the military.

But Graham said foreign aid makes up just one percent of the budget, and that it supports the military mission as well as America's allies abroad. Nor would it necessarily end up saving money, the senator said, quoting Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, who as a general said, "If you don't fully fund the State Department, then I need to buy more ammunition."

There has been other vocal support of funding for foreign aid and the State Department. More than 120 retired three- and four-star generals wrote to congressional leaders Monday to say that the military needs civilian partners to "battle against the drivers of extremism" in order to prevent conflict and reduce the need to put troops in danger.

Among the retired generals who signed the letter were a chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a Supreme Allied Commander of NATO for Europe, two directors of the National Security Agency and two commandants of the Marine Corps.

"I'm for increasing the defense budget but doing it on the back of development and diplomacy is a mistake," retired Admiral James Stavridis, who signed and helped organize the letter, said on MSNBC Tuesday.

Stavridis, the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe from 2009 to 2013, explained that supporting nations abroad helps create stability there, which allows them both to trade with the U.S. and to partner in the fight against drugs.
Experience lesser-visited seaside escapes across the Sunshine State.

When most travelers think of Florida, amusement parks, mouse ears and fanny packs tend to come to mind. But those who go only for Disney's Magic Kingdom and popular amusement park rides are missing out on a whole side to the state that feels oceans away from the kitschy thrills they remember. So, if you want to embrace out-of-the-ordinary experiences this spring or summer, skip the twirling teacups and explore Florida's wild, unexpected side in these off-the-beaten-path locales.

Discover glitz and glamour in St. Pete.

If you're nostalgic for a bit of old-school Hollywood charm, plan your getaway to one of St. Pete's sophisticated hideaways, such as the Don CeSar Hotel and the Beach House Suites by The Don CeSar. The resort is a picturesque pink retreat on the Gulf of Mexico that has a history-filled past with iconic American figures. The property has hosted the likes of Al Capone, F. Scott Fitzgerald, the New York Yankees and former President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Immerse yourself in nature on Marco Island.

Marco Island is not only one of Florida's most beautiful islands, but it's also the largest. The area's sugary sands and laid-back atmosphere draws international visitors, but those aren't its only allures. Marco Island also happens to sit on the entrance of the Everglades National Park and the famed mangroves that line the estuaries of the Ten Thousand Islands. Everglades National Park is America's main subtropical territory and home to the American crocodile, Florida panther and manatee. For a wildlife-viewing expedition to remember, consider an Everglades Island airboat tour.

Slip away to a private island in Key West.

While many travelers crave seclusion at a high-end hideaway outside of the country, there's no need to break out your passport to slip away to a private island getaway. Key West, located along the southernmost tip of Florida, is a city made up of islands, so it's easy to find the remote isle that best suits your needs. Even better, lavish retreats like the Little Palm Resort & Spa, a Noble House Resort offer luxurious and romantic touches, from in-room dining to Balinese-inspired spa treatments to eco-tours to kiteboarding lessons.

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Ride the waves in Cocoa Beach.

Sunbathing and strolling with the sand between your toes are classic beach activities, but Cocoa Beach is the perfect antidote for those adrenaline junkies looking to steer away from lazing along a beach towel all day and doing nothing at all. As Florida's "Surf City," Cocoa Beach offers excellent surfing conditions. At Cocoa Beach, you can find surf competitions and the famous Ron Jon Surf Shop, plus keep your eyes peeled for six-time world champion surfing pro Kelly Slater, who grew up here.

Explore Little Havana in Miami.

The U.S. offers a melting pot of cultural influences, and Miami is no exception. While Miami Beach has its own party-heavy reputation, just a few miles west of downtown Miami in Little Havana, you'll find a lively atmosphere, top-notch cuisine and an authentic Cuban-American experience. Calle Ocho (or 8th Street) is a testament to the strong Cuban ties here. Cigar shops, locally owned eateries and Latin music stores line the street. Plan your visit around the annual Calle Ocho Festival in March to immerse yourself in an unforgettable Cuban party, complete with Latin Music, street performers and international cuisine.

Join a turtle walk along Juno Beach.

Florida's lush landscape beckons to those looking to experience diverse natural wonders and marine life. The Turtle Walk on Juno Beach is a must for anyone looking to get up close and personal with fascinating sea turtles. From May to October, thousands of endangered sea turtles across Florida's eastern coastline head to the beach to lay their eggs. The hatchlings then cross from their habitat along the beach to the water. This ancient race is legendary in Juno Beach, as the number of sea turtle sightings soars. The turtle walks ensure the safety of the turtle offspring, but are also a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Attend the Sunset Celebration in Mallory Square.

While some may view the sunset as an ordinary part of the day, Floridians never take the moment for granted. In fact, the sunset is a large part of the culture in Key West. The most noteworthy events take place nightly for the free festival known as the Sunset Celebration in Key West's Mallory Square, located along the northwest edge of the island. Every night, local artists, musicians and restaurants celebrate another day gone by as the sun drifts down.

Plan a Space Coast vacation in Cape Canaveral.

Ever wanted to see a rocket launch into space? Here's your chance. Head to Cape Canaveral and the John F. Kennedy Space Center to get your fix. Because the Space Center is the headquarters for America's space program, you can retrace the steps of iconic astronauts. Tours of the launch pads, museum and rockets are all available. And while a rocket does not go into space every day, you can plan your trip around the next launch. Best of all, there are plenty of fascinating attractions catering to the young and the young at heart, including Cosmic Quest, where visitors can conduct scientific experiments and complete other mission goals.





More From US News & World Report


A New Jersey man convicted in the murders of three women in 2016 is now facing fresh charges for the alleged murder of a teen girl who was solicited for sex and then strangled.

Khalil Wheeler Weaver is charged with the murder of Mawa Doumbia, 15, of Newark. Prosecutors say she was last seen by her family the evening of Oct. 7, 2016. The decomposed remains of a strangled girl were found in a house in Orange in 2019, and were identified as Doumbia in late 2021.

Essex County prosecutors allege Wheeler Weaver solicited the girl online for sex, then killed her.

Last October, he was sentenced to 160 years in prison for the murders of 20-year-old Sarah Butler, 33-year-old Joanne Brown and 19-year-old Robin West in 2016.

Stay informed about local news and weather. Get the NBC 4 New York app for iOS or Android and pick your alerts.

Butler was a sophomore at New Jersey City University who had been reported missing in November 2016. The Montclair woman's body was found eight days later on the Eagle Rock Reservation.

Brown had last been seen in October of that year; her body was found in a vacant house in Newark a few months later. West was living in Union Township around the time, and was reported missing as well.

Wheeler Weaver was also accused of attacking another 34-year-old woman who survived the attack, prosecutors say.

Ultimately, he was convicted of murder, desecrating human remains, kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated arson.

Wheeler Weaver comes from a family that includes at least two law enforcement officers -- one a cop in East Orange who, at the time of his arrest, lived in his home and another who worked for the Newark Police Department.
Republican Gov. Chris Christie has nominated a political ally whose name came up at the George Washington Bridge lane-closure trial to serve on the board of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Republican state Sen. Kevin O'Toole was not accused of playing a role in the scheme, which prosecutors say was aimed at punishing the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee for not endorsing Christie's re-election. But he had issued a statement critical of the town's access lanes to the bridge, which the agency oversees.

During the federal trial, former Port Authority official David Wildstein, who pleaded guilty in 2015 to two conspiracy charges, testified he approached O'Toole to issue a statement supporting Port Authority official Bill Baroni's 2013 statements to a state legislative committee that the lane realignment was a legitimate traffic study.

O'Toole strongly criticized the committee's probe as being politically motivated.

Wildstein testified that the traffic study story was a lie to cover up the scheme's goal of retaliating against Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich. Baroni and former Christie deputy chief of staff Bridget Kelly were convicted on all charges last November and face sentencing in March.

O'Toole would fill a vacancy at the Port Authority left by former Bergen County Executive William Schuber.

O'Toole, who represents parts of Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic counties, has served in the Legislature for 22 years and has been a close ally of the governor.

He served on the leadership team of Christie's failed presidential campaign and defended him against a Democrat-led committee investigating the George Washington Bridge scandal.

In December 2014, O'Toole and other Republicans released a scathing report on the investigation, arguing it was overtly political.

O'Toole must be confirmed by the state Senate.
What to Know Millions of people have been watching the stream in anticipation of the birth of "April" the giraffe's fourth calf

Her story was vaulted into global headlines after activists complaining of "nudity" got the live stream yanked from YouTube last week

The live stream was back online about an hour and a half after the brouhaha started

STATUS CHECK: April the Giraffe Getting Restless as Birth Nears

The 15-year-old giraffe named "April" who has captivated millions of people across the world in a live stream as she prepares for the birth of her fourth calf at an upstate New York zoo is still pregnant and doing well as her legions of fans continue to check in.

Throngs of admirers have been closely watching the live stream of April's pen as they await the birth of her baby giraffe. Some 42,000 people were tuned in to the stream before dawn Tuesday.

Veterinarians with the Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, outside Binghamton, said Tuesday morning April "had a good night and is as large as ever."

"Activity remains normal, behavior normal," the zoo said on Facebook. "Yard time will be granted this morning once temperatures rise to a safe level."

The zoo said the in-utero calf continues to kick up a storm. The happy and healthy mother-to-be has also started to produce milk and shed a few droplets during a weekend examination.

April's pregnancy was catapulted into global headlines earlier Thursday after YouTube briefly yanked the zoo's live stream following complaints by animal activists that it violated the site's policies concerning "nudity and sexual content." Thousands upon thousands of commenters voiced their frustration on Facebook and YouTube, and the stream was restored within an hour or so.



More than 30 million people across the globe have tuned in over the last few days to watch it. You can check out the live stream above.

[NATL] Adorable Zoo Babies: White Lion Cubs Nala and Simba Born in France

Giraffe pregnancies can take 15 months, and labor can last up to a few days.

The spotted beauty was up early Monday morning eating a late night snack and circling her pen. On Sunday morning, she had gazed into the camera, wiggling her ears as she chewed her breakfast. The zoo said the giraffes will stay inside due to the extreme temperature drop and wet or frozen conditions.

"Rest assured, they receive extra enrichment and extra attention on days they do not venture out," the zoo said. "A little extra bonding time!"

April has been slinking gracefully around her hay-laden home in no apparent distress. Once she goes into active labor, zoo officials say the keepers will go in to help her.

[NATL] Unbelievable Animal Stories: Dog Befriends Abandoned Baby Giraffe

She and the first-time father, 5-year-old Oliver, had to be separated from each other while they frolicked outside Saturday afternoon because he got aggressive and wanted to rough house. According to vets, bullish behavior is common for male giraffes during the final stages of pregnancy.

"He does not want to play house -- he wants to ROUGH house," the park wrote in a Facebook post Saturday morning. "That is natural behavior as males take no part in rearing their young, nor have a need for a female once she is pregnant. Sad but true."

Viewers were concerned about the long-necked lovers' separation and questioned the vet's intentions until the zoo offered reassurance and told animal lovers to trust them.

Not much changed over the weekend: April alternated between standing still, swinging her tail, drinking water and slowly circling her pen. At one point Saturday afternoon, the calf could be seen kicking around in her belly.

Giraffe pregnancies last for 15 months. Labor lasts anywhere from a few hours to a few days. The calf will be about 150 pounds and 6 feet tall at birth and up and walking in about an hour.

The zoo said it will hold an online competition to name the baby giraffe once it's born.
Drivers are demanding a long-term solution to the pothole and flooding problems along a notorious stretch of Shore Road in the Bronx.

Brothers Tommy and James Breen have been relentless advocates for a solution, capturing hazardous road conditions with their drone. News 4 met them a year ago, when Tommy Breen began posting video to social networks of the conditions on Shore Road, which connects the borough with Westchester County and runs through Pelham Bay Park.

The Breens say it's happening again, and even in a mild winter, Department of Transportation fixes from last year won't last on Shore Road.

"It's a recurring problem," said James Breen.

Breen's video shows drivers slowing down to drive through potholes on the dilapidated roadway, or crossing over into oncoming traffic to avoid driving through snow. Some drivers come to a stop as they wait for others to pass by.

In August, the Breens questioned Mayor de Blasio at a town hall, and the mayor promised an answer in January. January came and went, and a long-term fix to Shore Road was left out of the capital budget.

Councilman James Vacca has a good idea why.

"It's too expensive," he said. "Nobody wants to deal with it."

By his estimate, it's a $30 million project. He's pushing for it to be included in the final budget come June.

"It's unsafe out here," he said. "This is a potentially tragic problem that needs to be dealt with."

News 4 asked the Department of Transportation about plans for fixing Shore Road, and a spokesman said they're working with the mayor on a plan.
Hundreds of grieving family and friends tearfully mourned a 32-year-old engineer in his southern Indian hometown Tuesday after he was killed in an apparently racially motivated shooting in a crowded Kansas bar.

Tears rolled down the cheeks of Srinivas Kuchibhotla's parents, Madhusudhan Rao and Parvatha Vardhini, as his body was cremated in Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana state.

Losing a young family member is an unbearable pain, said P. L. Narayana, his uncle.

"It is so cruel. He was such a kind soul, very friendly. He was so excited that he and his wife were going to start a family soon. Now this has happened," Narayana said.

Kuchibhotla's mother wailed as the body was taken for cremation. "I had asked him to return to India if he was feeling insecure there. But he used to say he was safe and secure," she said.

"Now I want my younger son Sai Kiran and his family to come back for good. I will not allow them to go back," she said. "My son had gone there in search of a better future. What crime did he commit?"

His father Madhusudhan Rao was more philosophical. "I believe in destiny. Whatever was destined has happened."

He added, "Now I want the U.S. government to take care of the security of our Indians who are working there."

An Indian External Affairs Ministry statement said on Tuesday that the U.S. government and senior authorities in Kansas "have pro-actively responded to the unfortunate death of Srinivas Kuchibhotla.'"

"It is important to note that the U.S. authorities are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the U.S., a matter which continues to receive the government's top priority," the statement said.

Kuchibhotla's body reached Hyderabad from Newark, N.J., on Monday night. His widow, Sunaina Dumala, looking dazed, and his brother, Sai Kiran, who studies in the United States, came by the same flight.

Hours later, the flower-laden body was taken in an open carriage from his home to the crematorium in Jubilee Hills area where it was placed on a wooden pyre and lit as part of Hindu last rites.

According to witnesses, the gunman yelled "get out of my country" at Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani before he opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City, on Wednesday evening. Both men had come to the U.S. from India to study and worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin.

Madasani and another bar patron were injured.

Adam Purinton of Olathe was arrested at a bar in Missouri and remains jailed on murder and attempted murder charges. The bartender there told an emergency dispatcher that the suspect admitted he shot two people but described them as Iranian.

India's Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, who visited the bereaved family over the weekend, strongly condemned the attack.

"Such incidents should not happen in one of the oldest democracies of the world," he said.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions painted a grim vision of violence in America on Tuesday, telling state law enforcement officials that a recent uptick in killings threatens to undo decades of progress and suggesting police would be more effective if they were subjected to less federal scrutiny.

In his first major policy speech as attorney general, Sessions said his Justice Department would continue to prosecute officers for wrongdoing, but suggested federal civil rights investigations could hinder their effectiveness.

"We need to help police departments get better, not diminish their effectiveness, and I'm afraid we've done some of that," Sessions told the gathering. "So we're going to try to pull back on this. I don't think it's wrong or mean or insensitive to civil rights or human rights. It's out of a concern to make the lives of people, particularly in poor communities, minority communities, live a safer, happier life."

He warned of a surging heroin epidemic, rising homicide rates in big cities and said a lack of respect for police has diminished their crime-fighting efforts.

"One of the big things out there now that's causing trouble, and where you see the greatest increase in violence and murders is somehow, someway, we undermine our respect for police and make their job more difficult," Sessions told the National Association of Attorneys General. "We're not seeing the kind of effective, community-based, street-based policing that we have found to be so effective."

In his prepared remarks Sessions also indicated that, unlike his Democratic-appointed predecessors, he believes some police officers have pulled back on enforcement because of anxiety that their actions could be recorded on video and scrutinized by the public.

Far-reaching civil rights investigations of police departments were a staple of the Obama Justice Department's attempts to overhaul troubled law enforcement agencies.

Jonathan Smith, a former civil rights attorney in the Obama administration who headed the section that investigates police departments, called the attorney general's comments "troubling" and said further alienating police and the communities they serve will not improve public safety.

"If you want to fix what's going on with Chicago in terms of the murder rate, you have to fix the police department at the same time," Smith said. "You can't do one without the other."

Sessions said he would establish a violent crime task force, underscoring an early focus on drug and violent crime that is a radical departure for a Justice Department that has viewed as more urgent the prevention of cyberattacks from foreign criminals, international bribery and the threat of homegrown violent extremism.

Yet Sessions, a former Alabama senator and federal prosecutor, made no apologies for his focus on violent crime, saying he was concerned the increase could be part of a trend.

Although it is true, according to FBI statistics, that homicide and other violent crimes have recently been on the rise, the numbers are nowhere close to where they were in the 1980s and early 1990s, and it's hardly clear that the recent spike reflects a trend rather than an anomaly.

In his prepared remarks, Sessions also pledged to "put bad men behind bars," and he stuck to that theme in his speech, telling the crowd he would prioritize cases against violent offenders, aggressively enforcing immigration laws and work to dismantle drug cartels.

Sessions said he believes drugs are driving much of the crime, and again expressed his opposition to legalized marijuana, saying "I'm not sure we're going to be a better, healthier nation if we have marijuana sold at every corner grocery store." But, while prior attorneys general have used their appearances before their state counterparts to make policy pronouncements, he offered no details about how he intends to enforce federal anti-pot laws.

Some in the audience said they're awaiting more specifics.

Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, whose office has been prosecuting marijuana drug traffickers, said she would like Sessions to witness that state's flourishing recreational pot industry before imposing a crackdown.

"I'd like to be able to share what we have learned and where we have put in place a good framework for marijuana regulations," she said. "Now for the federal government to say we're doing things wrong, or we're going to come in and take this regulation away from you without having first looked to see what we're doing is precipitous."
A presidential address to Congress is always part policy speech, part political theater. With President Donald Trump, a former reality TV star, there's extra potential for drama as he makes his first address to Congress.

After a chaotic start to his presidency, Trump will be trying to project his administration as ready to stride forward on top priorities such as changes to President Barack Obama's health care law and a tax overhaul. Congressional Democrats, in turn, will be trying to calibrate how strongly to oppose the Republican president in the staid setting of the House chamber, where manners still matter.

Some things to watch for Tuesday night:

PRE-GAME

Which members of Congress will arrive hours early to stake out seats on the center aisle of the House chamber for Trump's big entrance? Expect core Trump supporters to try to line the aisle. But will some of the Democrats' traditional aisle-huggers continue to angle for prime seats, then make a point of passing up a handshake with the president? Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat who has often positioned herself on the aisle for presidential addresses, does not plan on shaking Trump's hand, according to her office.

THE ROBED ONES

Check out which Supreme Court justices show up this year. Samuel Alito, part of the court's conservative contingent, hasn't gone since he was caught on camera during the 2010 State of the Union address shaking his head and mouthing "not true" when Obama criticized a Supreme Court decision. Clarence Thomas, who has also stayed away in recent years, said in 2010 that the addresses had become so partisan that "it's very uncomfortable for a judge to sit there." Could this be a year for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who leads the court's liberal wing, to opt out? She criticized Trump in interviews before his election but later said she regretted making "ill-advised" comments in which she dismissed Trump as a "faker" who "really has an ego." She went to every one of Obama's speeches (but dozed off in 2015 when, she said, she "wasn't 100 percent sober.")

FOCUS FACTOR

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer is promising Trump's speech will be "an optimistic vision for the country, crossing traditional lines of party, race, socio-economic status." Trump has demonstrated that he can stick to a script for high-profile speeches. But there's always interplay between presidents and legislators in such addresses, and even a few presidential ad libs could change the dynamics of the night. If Trump veers into talk about "fake news," and "criminal leaks" from intelligence officials and complaints about the courts blocking his executive order on immigration, that would distract from his effort to show more discipline and focus.

KUMBAYA?

Spicer says he expects Trump to get "a very robust and applause-filled reception" from legislators. But dozens of Democratic legislators boycotted Trump's inauguration. And now, they have to decide how to receive the president in their own chambers. Will they applaud the GOP president? Will the decorum of the moment be pierced with boos and heckles? Some of that may be choreographed in advance, but there's always the chance of spontaneous outbursts. In 2009, Republican Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina blurted out "You lie!" during an Obama speech to Congress on health care. Expect to see lots of white in the crowd: Democratic women in the House planned to wear white to honor women's suffrage and "stand in solidarity with the women of our nation."

DETAILS, PLEASE

Republicans in Congress are getting impatient for more detail on Trump's plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and to undertake sweeping tax changes. Trump on Monday called the health care law a "complicated issue" and promised to give states "the flexibility they need to make the end result really, really good for them." The speech is a prime opportunity for Trump to go beyond such generalities, but aides say not to expect a "legislative walkthrough."

LOOKING UP

The action won't all be on the floor of the House. The galleries in the House balcony will offer another tier of commentary. Democratic members of Congress have invited immigrants, foreigners and people who have benefited from the Obama health-care law to be seated in the galleries as their guests. And first lady Melania Trump has invited special guests to sit in her box who are likely to telegraph different messages.

TWITTERAMA

No need to wait for the speech to end to get political commentary. Based on past presidential addresses to Congress, expect legislators to be live tweeting their reactions to what they view as the best and worst of it. And there's always the potential for Trump himself to amplify  or scramble  his own message with presidential tweets before and after the fact. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R.-Kentucky, said he's hoping for a "tweet-free" message from Trump.

COUNTER PROGRAMMING

Expect both official and informal counterprogramming. Former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, who helped expand health care coverage in his state under Obama's health care law, will deliver the Democrats' response to Trump's address. And immigration activist Astrid Silva, who came to the U.S. illegally when she was 5, will offer the party's Spanish-language response. Before Trump's speech, opponents of the president planned a "resistance address" and rally at Lafayette Park across from the White House, with Rosie O'Donnell as a headliner. She and Trump have been feuding for years.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is apologizing to the cast and crews of the films "La La Land" and "Moonlight" for the mistaken announcement of the best picture winner during Sunday night's Oscars award ceremony.

The Academy's apology comes after the accounting firm responsible for the integrity of the Academy Awards, PwC, said mistakes were made and its staffers did not move quickly enough to correct the biggest error in Oscars history.

"We deeply regret the mistakes that were made during the presentation of the Best Picture category during last night's Oscar ceremony," the Academy said in a Monday statement. "We apologize to the entire cast and crew of 'La La Land' and 'Moonlight' whose experience was profoundly altered by this error."

The Academy also apologized to presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway and to fans watching around the world.

The Academy's statement noted that PwC, formerly Price Waterhouse Coopers, has been entrusted with handling Oscar votes for 83 years but said the Academy "will determine what actions are appropriate going forward."

PwC wrote in its own statement that several mistakes were made and two of its partners assigned to the prestigious awards show did not act quickly enough when "La La Land" was mistakenly announced as the best picture winner. Three of the film's producers spoke before the actual winner, the coming-of-age drama "Moonlight," was announced.

"PwC takes full responsibility for the series of mistakes and breaches of established protocols during last night's Oscars," PwC wrote. It said its partner, Brian Cullinan, mistakenly handed presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway an envelope containing the winner of the best actress award.

"Once the error occurred, protocols for correcting it were not followed through quickly enough by Mr. Cullinan or his partner," the statement read.

It did not address in detail which protocols were violated, or say whether a tweet Cullinan sent about best actress winner Emma Stone before the best picture announcement contributed to the mistake.

The firm, which has handled Oscar winner announcements for eight decades, apologized to Beatty, Dunaway, the cast and crew of "La La Land" and "Moonlight," the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and host Jimmy Kimmel.

"We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to each of them for the graciousness they displayed during such a difficult moment," the statement said. "For the past 83 years, the academy has entrusted PwC with the integrity of the awards process during the ceremony, and last night we failed the academy."

The statement came after nearly a day of speculation about how the worst gaffe in Oscars history unfolded. The fiasco launched countless punchlines, memes and a probe of what went wrong.

The mystery deepened Monday afternoon after the Wall Street Journal reported that Cullinan tweeted a behind-the-scenes photo of Stone holding her statuette. "Best Actress Emma Stone backstage!" the tweet read. The tweet, sent moments before the best picture announcement, raised the question of whether the accountant was distracted from the task at hand. Although the tweet was deleted from the social media site, a copy of it was kept by Google and available through a cache page.

The mistaken announcement altered the usual celebration that follows the coronation of a best picture winner. The only Oscars mistake that came close occurred in 1964, when Sammy Davis was given the wrong envelope for best music score winner but made a quick correction.

The "La La Land"-''Moonlight" mix-up, in contrast, took a painfully long time to be announced, with two-plus minutes elapsing before it was announced to the moviemakers and the world at large.

The embarrassing episode stepped squarely on what should have been a night of high-fiving for the academy. After last year's awards were clouded by the #OscarsSoWhite protests, diversity ruled Sunday as actors Viola Davis ("Fences") and Mahershala Ali ("Moonlight") were among the people of color claiming trophies, while "Moonlight" focused on African-American characters.

PwC, which originated in London over a century ago, was quick to apologize to the movies involved.

On paper, the process for announcing Oscars winners seems straight-forward. As per protocol, Cullinan and PwC colleague Martha Ruiz toted briefcases to the awards via the red carpet, each holding an identical set of envelopes for the show's 24 categories. The accountants also memorize the winners.

During the telecast, the accountants were stationed in the Dolby Theatre wings, one stage left and one stage right, to give presenters their category's envelope before they went on stage. Most presenters entered stage right, where Cullinan was posted and where he handed Beatty and Dunaway the errant envelope.

Yet the previous award, best actress, had been presented by Leonardo DiCaprio, who entered stage left and received the envelope from Ruiz. That left a duplicate, unopened envelope for best actress at stage right.

"It's a simple process, if a painstaking one," said Dan Lyle, who had Oscar duties for Price Waterhouse for 11 years in the 1980s and '90s. Accountants attended rehearsals to learn whether presenters would enter from the right or left. But given the possibility of last-minute changes, both accountants had a full set of envelopes.

When Lyle ended up with a redundant envelope for a category handled by his colleague, he said, he got it out of the way by stuffing it in a pocket or otherwise discarding it before moving on to the next award.

Lyle said there were always nerves no matter how much care was taken. Each time an envelope was dispensed, he said, he hoped that "I handed over the right one." If the wrong winner was announced, a PwC accountant was to quickly dash to the stage to correct the error.

Such a rapid response should have occurred Sunday but didn't, as confusion reigned onstage. Backstage, however, people were working calmly to right the ship, said Matt Sayles, a freelance photographer for The Associated Press.

"It was more crazy onstage. I feel like backstage knew that something was wrong and they handled it," Sayles said. "They clearly knew that something was wrong."

Sayles, who has shot five Academy Awards from a backstage position just out of the sight of television cameras, said the result of the mix-up was a more subdued celebration from winners including "Moonlight" director Barry Jenkins.

One observer said PwC is scrambling now. Nigel Currie, an independent branding specialist in London with decades' worth of industry experience, said this mistake is "as bad a mess-up as you could imagine."

"They had a pretty simple job to do and messed it up spectacularly," he said. "They will be in deep crisis talks on how to deal with it."

AP writers Lynn Elber and Pan Pylas, and AP Social Media Editor Eric Carvin, contributed to this report.
What to Know The woman was walking on the street in Highland Park when a man with a gun came up to her

The man forced her into the basement of a nearby building and beat and sexually assaulted her

A homeowner called police when she found the woman on her front porch

A 23-year-old New Jersey man has been arrested in the brutal beating and sex assault of a Highland Park woman earlier this month, authorities say.

Middlesex County prosecutors and Highland Park police say Brandon Cox of Franklin Township has been charged with 16 counts of the Feb. 19 attack on Harper Avenue.

Cox, who was arrested last week on an unrelated charge, was charged in the attack after the investigation into the sex assault.

Authorities say the 36-year-old victim was walking with a child when the suspect approached her at gunpoint, forced her into the basement of a nearby apartment building and repeatedly punched her and sexually assaulted her.

He ran away, and a neighbor called police after the victim ran to the neighbor's home following the attack. She was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Newark.

Additional details about the baby that was said to be with the woman weren't immediately known.
The reward continues to increase for information leading to the arrest of the vandals who desecrated a Northeast Philadelphia Jewish cemetery.

Police announced Tuesday the reward has increased to $69,000. Through the support of the Mizel Family Foundation, the Anti-Defamation League is offering a $10,000 reward, an anonymous donor is offering $10,000, Councilman Allan Domb is offering $12,000, Mayor Kenney's Office is offering $15,000, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 is offering $3,000, the 15th District Police Department Advisory Council is offering a $1,000 reward and Ronald Firman of Miami, Florida and Martin Burns of Las Vegas, Nevada are offering a total of $18,000.

As the investigation continues, the Philadelphia Jewish community organized to clean-up the area around toppled headstones ahead of a community event at Independence Mall later in the week.

Police responded to a report of vandalism at Mount Carmel Cemetery on Sunday at 9:40 a.m. When they arrived, they were met by a man who told them three headstones belonging to his relatives were knocked over and damaged, authorities said.

Police told NBC10 at least 100 more headstones were knocked over. A rabbi who walked through the cemetery told NBC10 he counted 460 headstones that were toppled or damaged. [[414953713, C]]

"This is not just a random act," said Rabbi Shawn Zevit of Mishkan Shalom. "To topple so many headstones clearly is a concerted effort with intent."

The Jewish Federation of Philadelphia has seen an overwhelming response from people of all backgrounds and faiths looking to help. Scores of volunteers  capped at 50 at a time -- helped in an organized effort to clean up and restore the Jewish cemetery in the Wissinoming section. The federation doesn't, however, want volunteers to upright headstones due to the weight. [[414996273, C]]

The organized repair work -- including raking, flower planting and sprucing up the grounds -- began Tuesday afternoon and will continue Wednesday afternoon, the federation said. Volunteers of all faiths began showing up at the cemetery starting Sunday after news of the vandalism spread. A building trades union group has also offered its services for free.

The restoration efforts will be put on hold Thursday as the Jewish Federation hosts a community Stand Against event at noon at Independence Hall where people are welcome from all races, religions and creeds. The federation stressed the event "is not a political event" and that the federation is nonpartisan. [[414975233, C]]

Police have not yet determined who was behind the vandalism.

The FBI opened a civil rights investigation into the vandalism, the agency announced Monday. "The FBI will collect all available facts and evidence. As this is an ongoing investigation, we are not able to comment further at this time." The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office is also deciding whether hate crime charges will be filed as investigators work to determine the motive for the vandalism.

Last week vandals damaged 154 headstones at a Jewish cemetery in University City, Missouri. The incident sparked national outrage and a crowdfunding campaign from a Muslim group that has now raised more than $130,000. Some of that money will now go toward the Mount Carmel cemetery as well. On Monday, Jewish community centers and other organizations around the country received threats that caused evacuations. [[414819143, C]]
At least three people were killed and two were injured when a small plane on a cross-California flight crashed in a Riverside neighborhood on Monday afternoon, igniting a devastating fire.

The Cessna 310 crashed under "unknown circumstances" about a half-mile northeast of Riverside Municipal Airport, landing on at least two homes, officials said. The Riverside Fire Department responded to reports of the crash at Central Avenue and Streeter Avenue around 4:45 p.m.

"Upon impact, the plane pretty much split apart," Riverside City Fire Chief Michael Moore said.

"It was like a loud boom," witness Jose Bautista told NBC4 Southern California.

The twin-engine plane had just departed from Riverside for San Jose at 4:40 p.m. when it crashed about a mile away, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Cessna's five passengers, which included a husband and wife, were returning to San Jose after attending a cheerleading conference at Disneyland, Moore said.

Three passengers on the aircraft were killed, and their identities are unknown as of Monday night. The other two passengers were ejected from the plane, Moore said.

Fire officials had previously stated that four people were killed in the crash, but they later confirmed that only three bodies had been found.

One of the survivors was hospitalized with critical burns and the other was in stable condition, police Officer Ryan Railsback said Tuesday. He said both were adult women recovering after undergoing surgery.

The residents of one of the destroyed homes were not home at the time of the crash, Moore said. All other residents are believed to be accounted for, though firefighters are still searching for more possible victims in the wreckage.

David Swinfard was sitting in his living room doing a crossword puzzle when the plane crashed, destroying his house.

He said felt his house shake and then saw flames flying from every direction. Swinfard escaped with only a minor burn.

"I thought, I'm going to have to get out of here or I'm going to die," he said.

Daniel Hernandez, who lives in the neighborhood, described the sounds of the crash as a "very loud explosion." He said fumes entered his room and he could feel the heat on his face before he ran outside.

Ana Duran, who lives across from where the plane crashed, said that everyone in the neighborhood ran to see what they could do to help.

"It just sounded like a bomb," Duran said. "I heard people screaming and yelling."

Angelina Caballero, who lives across the street from where the plane crashed, said she saw a woman climbing out of the wreckage.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the plane crash.

NBC4's Jason Kandel contributed to this report.
NBC10/WCAU announced Tuesday that Tammie Souza will join NBC10s First Alert Weather team as a meteorologist. Souza will begin the first week of March and can be seen evenings on NBC10 News at 5 and 11.

Tammies engaging personality and passion for weather will be a great addition to the NBC10 First Alert Weather team, said Anzio Williams, vice president of news for NBC10 and Telemundo62. Having covered many severe weather events, including blizzards, tornados, wildfires and hurricanes, her expertise will complement our weather teams coverage in the Greater Philadelphia region.

Souza comes to NBC10 from WFLD, FOX32 in Chicago where she has served as both the weekday morning and weekend meteorologist. She has also worked at NBC5 Chicago/WMAQ as the weekend meteorologist. Souza was named the first female chief meteorologist in Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida while at WTSP-CBS. Prior to that, she served as a chief meteorologist at WDJT-CBS in Milwaukee. Souza got her start at KHSL-CBS in Chico, California, as the morning and noon meteorologist.

Weather and science is a family affair for Souza. Her father worked for the space program, her sister is a broadcast meteorologist in Sacramento and her brother is a pilot for FedEx.

Weather has been my passion since childhood, said Souza. I was hooked when my grandfather took me flying in a small plane and there was no turning back when I saw my first tornado. From storm chasing to blizzards to hurricanes, Ive seen it all and have forecasted it all. Now, Im excited for the next chapter in my life to unfold in Philadelphia, which is known for its various weather patterns. You get a little bit of everything  from record heat, to noreasters, below-freezing temperatures and even tornadoes.

During her career, Souza has been honored with 17 Emmy nominations and six awards for Best Weathercast, Best Science Report and Live Reporting. She was also honored by the Associated Press for a report on shipwreck diving in Lake Michigan which was done underwater on a 125-year-old shipwreck. The National Association of Black Journalists also recognized Souza with a national nomination for a story about fugitive slave ships on Lake Michigan.

A Pennsylvania native, Souza received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Environmental Science from San Diego State University, and a Broadcast Meteorology Certification from Mississippi State University. She will complete work on her Masters Degree in Applied Meteorology this summer. Souza holds both the prestigious AMS/CBM Certified Broadcast Meteorology Seal of Approval from the American Meteorological Society, and the NWA Seal of Approval from the National Weather Association. She served as the first female chairperson for the National AMS Broadcast Board. She is married to a teacher Greg and has an 8-year-old son named Caleb.



ABOUT NBC10 PHILADELPHIA / WCAU

Owned by NBCUniversal, NBC10 Philadelphia has been delivering local news, information and weather for more than 60 years, serving nearly six million viewers throughout Greater Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley, South Jersey and Delaware. Viewers turn to NBC10 for the most up-to-date breaking news and weather on a variety of platforms, including online at nbc10.com and via mobile and social platforms. COZI TV, the stations multicast network, offers a full schedule of Americas most beloved and iconic television series and hit movies as well as local programming. COZI TV can be seen on Comcast channel 248, Verizon channel 460, RCN channel 28 and over-the-air on digital 10.2.
Los Angeles-based Jungle Fire is on fire. Theyre hot! Spicy hot -- like a cayenne pepper sandwich fresh from the oven.

The 10-piece, Afro-Cuban funk ensemble of Latin descent will squeeze onto the Casbah stage March 18 and will be celebrating the first of three record-release shows in support of their latest album, Jambu.

I spoke with band percussionist (and San Diego native) Steve Haney over the phone about the new record and keeping a band of 10 together.

Surprisingly enough, its a band where everybody really gets along with each other. Its unbelievable! said Haney. Everyone really digs the music, and we just make it happen. It's a democracy in the group, so we all put in our two cents.

The bands sound is as big as its lineup. Besides the traditional sounds of bass, guitar and drums, you'll hear congas, horns, bongos, and flutes. They have a groovy, retro sound that you just dont hear anymore -- it could be the musical score to '70s adult films.

It definitely could fit into some scenes, Haney said laughing.

The conversation eventually turned to the progress of the bands five-year timeline. Beginning as the side-project of bassist Joey Reina, to eventually touring Europe before ever releasing an album, to now -- as an established band with two full-length albums. Although when our conversation was diverted by Haneys 3-year-old son in the background, I had to ask if his kiddo was following in dads footsteps.

Oh, I dont know. With kids, you never know what their heart desires until they get to a certain age -- but I got him a drum set for his birthday. So he is going to be breaking that open next week. Let him drive my wife nuts.

Looks like Jungle Fire may have found an 11th member.

Jungle Fire headline the Casbah on March 18 with Krass Bros. and DJ SK opening. Tickets are available online here.

Musician, people-pleaser, lover, fighter and writer Matthew Craig Burke has been spewing musical words of wisdom since never. He lives off of peanut butter sandwiches, beer and Beck Hansen. Follow his updates on Facebook or contact him directly.
The Medical Board of California says it is cracking down on doctors who violate their probation, while critics say the Board must do more to protect patients.

At a hearing Monday in Sacramento, Kimberly Kirchmeyer, the Medical Boards executive director, testified the Board has 15 inspectors who keep track of the 635 doctors currently on probation for gross negligence, self-prescribing and over-prescribing narcotics or other dangerous drugs, inappropriate sexual contact with patients, and other serious violations.

To see a list of which doctors are on probation, click here.

Kirchmeyer said the Board has issued more cease practice orders than ever before against doctors who violated the terms of their probation. She also said the Board conducts quarterly reviews of doctors on probation, to help make sure those physicians are obeying restrictions imposed on their practices. One thing Kirchmeyer noted is doctors ordered to have a chaperon when they examine opposite sex patients are required to inform all patients of that condition of their probation.

California State Senator Jerry Hill, who chairs the committee that reviews the Medical Boards actions, appeared unimpressed. He said 30 percent of doctors on probation violate the terms of their probation.

And thats the part thats troubling, Hill said.

Hill and other Medical Board critics are demanding all doctors on probation for serious offenses be required to notify patients of that discipline. Currently, patients can only learn about their doctors disciplinary status by reviewing licensing information on the Medical Boards website.

Click here to verify a doctors license using the Boards website.

Senator Hill has long criticized the availability of a doctors probation status, arguing the website is difficult to navigate and that some patients, especially older ones, dont have access to the internet.

At the hearing, other critics agreed and offered emotional testimony Monday.

Marian Hollingsworth, who traveled to Sacramento from San Diego, urged the Board to protect patients, not doctors by requiring the disclosure. Another patient, who claimed she was sexually assaulted by her doctor, said, Its not easy to get on your website and find information that I should know, so I can make a good choice about whether I want to see (a) doctor.

Carmen Balber, the Executive Director of Consumer Watchdog, a California-based consumer advocacy group, also testified during Mondays hearing.

Were talking about patients lives, she said urging the Medical Board to stop debating the issue of probationary notification and immediately impose that requirement.

At the end of the discussion, Kirchmeyer told the Senate committee the board is still looking into that issue. She said the Board will review any new legislation that might be introduced by Hill and take a position on that legislation at its quarterly meeting.

A representative of the California Medical Association, which represents the states doctors, said the Association continues to oppose mandatory disclosure of probation. CMA representative Alicia Sanchez said any law that forces doctors to inform all patients of their probationary status violates their constitutional right to due process and could negatively impact patient privacy.

While Sanchez pledged to cooperate with the Medical Board, she said Mondays Senate hearing was not an appropriate forum for discussion of the controversial issue.
More than 143 million gallons of raw sewage - slowly leaking into the Tijuana River - has made its way to the coast, stinking up parts of Imperial Beach.

According to a report by the International Boundary and Water Commission, the leak started February 6. The sewage, which came from Mexico, slowly began seeping into the river.

All over Imperial Beach, signs warn residents: "Don't go in the water."

This by far was the worst sewage spill in over a decade, if not ever, said Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina.

Mayor Dedina says the city filed an official complaint on February 15.

It stunk up an area probably about 15 miles along the river, so you had residents along the river complaining about it," he said. "And then it contaminated a stretch of coastline for more than 20 miles in the US and Mexico."

The IBWC says the leak was likely caused by sewer construction gone wrong.

Dedina is asking for a federal investigation into what happened.

This shouldn't have happened," Dedina said. "It was absolutely unacceptable that it happened and number two, it was unacceptable that we weren't notified.

The next step will be a community meeting on the issue, which will take place March 2, 2017.
The City Council listened to a passionate debate Monday about whether the San Diego Police Department racially profiles drivers during traffic stops, and what they're doing to prevent it.

This discussion was prompted by a study from San Diego State University researchers that found SDPD officers are more likely to search black and hispanic drivers than white drivers.

After several hours of public comment the council voted to accept the report and continue to monitor and evaluate racial profiling within the SDPD. The police agreed to comply with all the recommendations from the study.

"We believe the San Diego Police Department's culture, practice and policies must be continually monitored to help identify and dismantle those who contribute to bias policing and racial profiling," said Christie Hill, the Senior Policy Strategist at the ACLU of San Diego/Imperial Counties.

"Community policing is instilled from the very first day of the Academy and throughout our officers' careers," said San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman.

NBC 7 first reported on the independent study by SDSU in November 2016. The research findings included that black and hispanic drivers were less likely to be found with contraband compared to white drivers, despite being searched more often.

Black, hispanic and asian pacific islander drivers were also subjected to more field interviews.

The 142-page study looked at nearly 260,000 traffic stops in 2014 and 2015. It concluded that although minorities were pulled over more frequently, race and ethnicity did not appear to be a determining factor for police.

This indicates that while some races were pulled over more often, it was not necessarily caused with conscious racial bias.
Parents and educators called on the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) to protect students from what they called devastating budget cuts on Monday.

A conference was held at the San Diego Education Association (SDEA) at about 10 a.m., on the 10300 block of San Diego Mission Road, according to the SDEA. At the meeting, the school district was asked to address budget woes without harming student's educations.

"Right now we're doing everything possible to fight for our educators -- for the services our students deserve," said Carlos Mejia, the Executive Director of SDEA.

The SDUSD's Board of Trustees will decide on Tuesday whether the district should move forward with significant budget cuts that will eliminate some enriching educational opportunities, special services for vulnerable students and layoff 833 educators, said SDEA officials.

Currently, the proposed cuts are for a worst-case scenario budget that was created by district staff. Educational officials say the district plans to use this budget, even if additional funding for school programs surfaces later.

Educators at the conference expressed outrage that the district is not waiting for a complete picture of all the funding allocated for school expenses, which won't be fully available until June.

They say the district needs to take time to work with everyone and all the different stakeholders to solve the problem.

"We are understanding the fact that this budget doesn't come just overnight," said Mejia, the SDEA Executive Director. "It's a long standing practice so we are going to do everything possible to push the district into making the correct decision."

Mejia says the district has not taken all the necessary actions to ensure there is funding for teachers. He also pointed out that educator pay is below average and there is a teacher shortage in San Diego.

"Students build a connection with their teachers, they build a connection with their educators, with their service providers," said Mejia. "You are putting this on the line, you are risking these relationships."

One parent said she attended the conference to advocate for her son and the important educational programs that allow him to attend school -- programs that may be cut.

"We can't talk about being serious about the success of our kids and our students and developing their educations in a meaningful way, if those needs aren't being met," said Carol Kim at the conference.

"It just drives me nuts that we are constantly being asked to put our schools on the chopping block," Kim added. "I don't understand why we would. This is one of the most important things we do with our tax dollars and the education of our kids."

Kim said she was upset about the lack of transparency in how these budgets are created, and that the district did not give parents an opportunity to respond to these shortfalls in a more timely manner.

Educators say it will be difficult to maintain programs for special needs kids with the proposed cuts. Angry parents and teachers also attended the SDUSD board meeting last week, holding signs to protest the cuts.

"I stayed in the public schools because I truly believe that our public education systems are so tantamount to everything that the American middle class is about," said Kim. "It's the cradle of our middle class, frankly."
A San Diego couple accused of keeping 180 dogs in deplorable conditions  92 of them inside a feces-filled home in Poway  have been arrested on nearly a dozen counts of animal abuse.

The San Diego County District Attorneys office said Tuesday that Christine Calvert, 62, and Mark Vattimo, 73, are both in custody, each facing 10 felony counts of animal abuse and neglect, plus one misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer.

According to the DAs office, investigators from the San Diego Humane Society were tipped off to the couples home by a complaint from a local veterinary office. On Jan. 20, animal service workers entered the home and found 92 Yorkshire terriers and Yorkshire terrier mix-breed dogs inside, kept in a dark room upstairs.

[GALLERY] Dozens of Yorkies Rescued from Poway Home

Investigators said the dogs were in bad shape. Most of them had severe matting, faces entangled in their fur, skin issues, ear infections, hair loss, overgrown nails and poor teeth. The DAs office said one dog was even missing part of its leg.

The room in which the dogs were being kept was covered in debris, feces and mice.

The shocking conditions and sheer number of animals in the defendants home make this a particularly disturbing case of animal abuse, San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said in a press release.

Four days after the discovery at the couples home, officials found dozens more Yorkie mix-breed dogs belonging to the couple at another location.

Both Calvert and Vattimo were arrested late last week.

Calvert had fled San Diego in a motorhome purchased for her by Vattimo and was arrested on Feb. 24 in Primm, Nevada. Investigators said Calvert had another batch of dogs in her possession.

Investigators said she took those dogs with her when she fled in order to avoid having them taken away. That last batch of dogs, 46 of them, were returned to San Diego on Monday and are being cared for by the Humane Society.

Officials said those dogs are still being evaluated and are expected to be okay.

Calvert will be extradited to San Diego to face charges, the DAs office said. Vattimo was arrested on Feb. 25 and released on $50,000 bail. Hes scheduled to appear in court on March 6.

Stephen MacKinnon, chief of humane law enforcement for San Diego Humane Society, said this case was unique and, as the investigation unfolded, the Humane Society sought support from the DAs office.

In this instance, when we discovered the owners were withholding animals and interfering with an active investigation, it became intentional animal cruelty so criminal charges needed to be pursued, MacKinnon explained in a press release.

Since being the rescued, some of the dogs have been examined and treated by veterinarians at the San Diego Humane Societys San Diego campus. The pooches have been evaluated for behavior, too, and have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, groomed and outfitted with microchips. Some have received dental care as well.

The pups captured the hearts of San Diegans.

Within 24 hours of some of the dogs becoming available for adoption, the Humane Society was flooded with more than 1,800 adoption applications.

By early February, 80 of San Diegos most wanted Yorkies had been cleared for adoption. The Humane Society closed the application process on Feb. 4, much earlier than expected. They implemented a lottery system to finish out the adoption process for that first batch of Yorkies.

Some of the dogs were adopted by forever families at the Humane Societys Gaines Street shelter on Feb. 8, with additional adoptions following.

San Diego Humane Society Dr. Cindy Mitchell said many of the dogs belonging to the couple were pregnant and have since had puppies, increasing the number of dogs rescued in this case.

Mitchell has treated some of the dogs and said medical concerns have been noted in some of them, including severe dental and ear diseases.

She said there is more work to be done with this latest batch of dogs that came in this week.

We have not had to euthanize any of the dogs, she told NBC 7 on Tuesday. We still are working on some of the tougher medical cases though, so hopefully that won't happen, but I can't promise that everyone will come out okay.

Despite the conditions theyve endured, Mitchell said the dogs are wonderful but will need a little extra care from their future owners.

They are wonderful dogs and they will eventually make wonderful pets, said Mitchell. They may need additional love and support, and veterinary care than your average pet.

Mitchell said this case is certainly a unique and extreme one.

[Hoarding] is a mental illness. When people get to this point and people who are participating in this type of behavior, they need help. It's not the norm, said Mitchell. So it's important to recognize and help people if you happen to be associated with or know somebody who has a problem like this. If you have a concern that someone may be in over their heads or maybe is passed the legal city limit of the number of animals that they have, they can reach out to our humane law team through our dispatch.
Investigators searching the Pyramid Lake area for the brother of a Clairemont woman confirmed Tuesday the man has died.

Jake Roberson, 30, was last seen six weeks ago. His car was found near Pyramid Lake along Interstate 5 with a note indicating the car had run out of gas.

Then, a maintenance worker found Roberson's jeans and car keys near the lake.

On Saturday, February 26, a body was recovered from the lake, according to San Diego police.

Three days later, homicide investigator Lt. Mike Holden confirmed Jake Roberson's death.

Roberson didn't have access to medication while he was reported missing, his family told NBC 7.

Ruth Roberson described her brother as an old spirit and a loving uncle to her 4-month-old daughter.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner will determine a cause of death. Holden said it's not considered suspicious at this time.
Two people were hospitalized and three others evaluated after a San Diego flight heading to Chicago was diverted due to turbulence, according to a Denver International Airport Spokesperson.

American Airlines Flight 1296 left San Diego at approximately 2:30 p.m. Monday in the midst of a heavy storm sweeping the region.

The Boeing 737 was diverted to Denver because of turbulence, Denver International Airport Spokesperson Heath Montgomery said. The plane landed safely at the airport at approximately 5:35 p.m.

Five people on board asked to go to the hospital, Montgomery said; however, two people were taken to the hospital after being evaluated and three additional patients are being evaluated.

Their injuries are described as "non life-threatening", Montgomery said.

No further information was available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news.
What to Know The law requires school districts to notify state within 10 days of suspected misconduct instead of after a criminal conviction.

The state also approved a budge boost for the Department of Education to hire an additional investigator.

An I-Team review found at least four teachers accused of sexual improprieties in Fairfax County lost their jobs but kept their licenses.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D-Va.) signed a new law to protect students from teachers who engage in sexual misconduct.

The law requires all Virginia school districts to report cases of possible misconduct to the Virginia Department of Education within 10 days of learning of the allegations. Sponsors of the legislation said they sought new law because of the findings of a December investigation by the News-4 I-Team, which showed Fairfax County Public Schools waited years before formally requesting license revocation for four teachers who admitted sexual misconduct.

The new law takes effect in July and marks a dramatic change from current Virginia rules. Under the prior law, school districts were only required to notify state licensing officials about teachers who were criminally convicted of misconduct, though such criminal convictions often occur years after the initial offense.

After signing the new law, McAuliffe told the I-Team the failures by Fairfax County Public Schools were not acceptable.

For whatever reason, they chose not to let us know," McAuliife said. "But the good news is, it won't happen again. We have state investigators. We all want children to be safe. If there are teachers who have committed some type of offense, we all need to know it.

The I-Team review found at least four teachers accused of sexual improprieties in Fairfax County Public Schools between 2004 and 2006 who lost their jobs but escaped with their teaching licenses intact. The school district failed to initiate the formal license revocation process in three of those cases until 2012, including the lurid misconduct case of former Hayfield Secondary teacher Brad Norton.

In a fourth case, one teachers license revocation paperwork was never completed by Fairfax County Public Schools. Instead, the cancellation process was initiated by an inspector with the Virginia Department of Education in September 2016 after the inspector spotted the languishing case while researching records for the I-Team surrounding the Norton case.

Norton, who pleaded guilty to assaulting a male student at Hayfield in 2004, avoided prison time. The I-Team found Fairfax County Public Schools failed to properly submit paperwork to state regulators to revoke Nortons teaching license. Norton declined to comment when reached by the I-Team.

Norton landed a new teaching job in Baltimore County in 2007 and was arrested in October 2012, accused of sexually assaulting a student at Randallstown High School. Police reports and internal school district memos and letters obtained by the I-Team showed similarities between the two cases. In both, Norton was accused of touching the boys on their stomachs and pants, after asking each boy if they worked out.

Not until weeks after Nortons 2012 arrest in Baltimore County did Fairfax County Public Schools finally send the requisite paperwork to the Virginia Department of Education to revoke Nortons teaching license.

Del. David Bulova (D-Fairfax County) sponsored the new law earlier this year. Bulova secured the necessary votes in the Virginia General Assembly Judiciary Committee and in the Assembly itself to ensure passage.

The root of the problem came down to information not being passed along by local school districts to the board of education of the (Virginia Department of Education), Bulova said in a speech on floor of the Assembly.

The state also approved a budge boost for the Department of Education to hire an additional investigator.
The man accused of kidnapping a Georgetown University student and forcing him to try to withdraw cash at multiple ATMs last month was captured nearly 3,000 miles away after his own Facebook posts helped investigators track him down.

Paolo Aldorasi, a 34-year-old who is from Italy but lived in London, was arrested in Seattle, Washington, on Friday, D.C. police confirmed.

On Jan. 26, the student was walking in the 3400 block of O Street NW when Aldorasi approached him in a white Chevrolet Equinox and asked him where Dulles airport was.

The student, who spoke a limited amount of English, said he did not know.

Aldorasi asked the student to use the Google Maps app on his phone. But the student said he had little data left on his phone.

Aldorasi then told the student he would give him a present, court documents say. He grabbed his wrist and then got out of the SUV. Then, he grabbed the student's wrist again and led him into the vehicle.

Aldorasi allegedly asked for $2,800. Out of fear, the student took out his wallet. The Italian saw the student's debit card and began to take him to banks.

Officials say Aldorasi drove the victim to three ATMs in Georgetown; the Cartier store in Chevy Chase, Maryland; another ATM in the Tenleytown neighborhood and the Best Buy store in the neighborhood.

Aldorasi told the student he wanted him to take out money for him, officials said.

At the first and second banks, the student tried to withdraw $500. Both transactions failed. At the third bank, he tried to take out $200. That transaction failed, too.

Then, Aldorasi took the student to the Cartier store and told him to buy a $6,300 bracelet. The student's debit card again was declined.

The pair visited a fourth ATM and again tried to take out $200. Again, the transaction was declined.

Finally, at the Best Buy store, Aldorasi ordered the student to buy cellphones worth a total of $846, officials said. The transaction again was declined.

Aldorasi ordered the student to call his bank to ask about his spending limit, but the representative did not provide that information.

After two hours, the student was released unharmed.

Aldorasi was found using surveillance video, car rental records, data from license plate readers and a video on his own Facebook page. The video on his public page showed the interior of a Chevrolet vehicle, and multiple posts revealed Aldorasi's location.

Aldorasi faces a federal kidnapping charge and a maximum sentence of life in prison. He appeared in court Monday in Washington state and was ordered held pending a hearing Thursday.

He didn't get a single dollar from the Georgetown student, officials said.
The mother who is accused of shooting her 17-year-old son after an argument last week faced serious mental health issues, according to court testimony Monday.

Meanwhile, friends and teachers of Christopher Perry are left struggling with his sudden death.

He was "well liked, well behaved, respectful," said George Hornickel, head of school at Grace Brethren Christian School, which Perry attended. "He was just a good kid all the way around."

Perry's mother, Angelique Chase, is being held without bond. Police say an argument between the mother and son Thursday night resulted in Chase retrieving a gun and shooting her son once in the chest.

Chase had been prescribed several medications and has a history of mental health issues, her sister said in court Monday.

"Her family has raised the issue of her mental health, and we are not sure if she is still a danger to herself or to the public," said Angela Alsobrooks, the state's attorney for Prince George's County. "So the safest place is in the Department of Corrections."

Chase was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and assault. In an interview with police, she had admitted to shooting Perry in a Clinton, Maryland home, court documents said.
Police are looking for a suspect they said needlessly killed a pet turtle during a burglary.

A Baltimore County resident returned home to find her home ransacked and her pet turtle, Donatella, dead on the floor.

Michael Kennard Jones, 23, is believed to have killed Donatella by removing her from her aquarium home and impaling her with a knife-sharpener after ransacking a Parkville, Maryland, home.

Jones was accompanied by Calvin Krasheen Fogg, 24, who police arrested on Feb. 17.

Baltimore County Police Department

Investigators said that the two suspects got into the Parkville, Maryland, residence through an unsecured ground floor window the night of Jan. 20-21. The victim was not at home at the time of the burglary. Police said the pair stole numerous electronic devices and accessories, two TVs, gift cards, checks and jewelry.

Jones is wanted on charges of first-degree burglary and aggravated cruelty to kill an animal. He is also wanted in connection with a previous home invasion robbery with a gun.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jones should contact police at 410-307-2020. Police said Jones is considered a dangerous subject.

Information on this case can also be submitted to Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP or by visiting their website.

Anonymous tips can be sent to Metro Crime Stoppers phone, text or by visiting the website.
Prince George's County Public Schools request to start the 2017- 2018 school year in August has been rejected.

In an 8-4 vote, the county school board chose to defy Gov. Larry Hogan's executive order mandating Maryland public schools have a post-Labor Day start.

But the state Board of Education denied a wavier for the early start and required the county to comply with the executive order.

The school system announced it will 2017-18 school year on Sept. 6 and end on June 13.

Under the governors mandate, local Boards of Education can no longer implement a school calendar that reflects the unique needs of their school districts, said Dr. Segun C. Eubanks, Board of Education Chair. I strongly believe a pre-Labor Day school calendar is best for Prince Georges County.

Schools could end as late as June 15 if too many weather days are used during the school year.
A construction worker has died after he was trapped in a trench on a job site in D.C. Tuesday morning, officials say.

Crews worked for hours to free the man after the trench collapsed Tuesday morning. D.C. Fire and EMS announced Tuesday afternoon that the worker had died.

The name of the worker was not released immediately.

Crews worked overnight Tuesday, into Wednesday, and finally were able to recover the victim's body, the fire department said Wednesday evening.

The trench collapsed at a construction site on the 4600 block of Dexter Street NW, off Foxhall Road.

The man was trapped "up to his waist, and shoulder on one side," Deputy Chief John Donnelly told News4's Pat Collins Tuesday morning.

The worker was trapped when part of the foundation of the house he was working on collapsed, Donnelly said. The cause of the collapse was not immediately known.

For every foot that someone is trapped, it generally takes about an hour to free him or her, Donnelly said. The trench was very unstable, the fire department said on Twitter Tuesday morning.

Cave-in task force & other specialized resources on scene & setting up shoring to prevent further collapse. This will be extended ops. pic.twitter.com/B97zWtbtMk  DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) February 28, 2017

Stay with News4 for more details on this developing story.
More than three years after commercial passenger service returned to Worcester Regional Airport in Massachusetts, JetBlue says it is ready to expand its service.

The addition of flights landing at the airport in the near future is welcome news to travelers throughout central Massachusetts and beyond.

Oh God, I think it would be awesome, awesome, exclaimed Jan Barnum of Shrewsbury.

Theyve got the space for it, theyve got the gates for it, they just need to get it going again, Joel Thompson of Templeton said.

Sources tell NBC Boston that JetBlue will add daily flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport, in addition to the daily routes it already provides to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale.

The official announcement is expected Tuesday morning.

That allows us to then go anywhere in the world, said Worcester State University economics professor Bill OBrien.

OBrien has studied the impact the airports successes and failures have had on the area over the years.

Part of the problem at Worcesters been we havent had an instrument landing system, a Category III, said OBrien, And now MassPort passed the funding.

OBrien says the airport hasnt expanded like this since five airlines flew out in the late 80s, early 90s.

He says he expects the expansion will have a positive rippling effect on the community.

I think the airport is vital, if Worcesters going to be a vibrant city and attract people that want to improve Worcester, I think we need this service, OBrien said.
Uber badly needed self-driving car technology because it was in danger of getting pushed out of the market if many cheaper ride-hailing services using self-driving technology (no human driver) were to enter the market. So it assumed a not-so-honest way of getting it. Thats what Alphabet GOOGL is claiming after discovering the theft of its technology by a former Googler.

The Technology in Question

Google has for long held that its technology, which includes hardware and software components, is superior to others. The company, which originally used LiDAR based systems from Velodyne, later developed a number of such systems for close-range, mid-range and long-range vision of self-driving cars. These systems generate millions of laser images per second that offer a much clearer picture of the area surrounding the car and helps it take more accurate decisions.

Additionally, the company recently announced that it had devised a more economical system that would take its cost from $75,000, to $7,500, thus making it commercially viable.

The Accused

Anthony Levandowski has been accused of downloading 14,000 highly confidential files (9.7GB of data), including Waymo's LiDAR circuit board designs to an external disk drive using specialized software. He then downloaded a new OS to his company-supplied laptop that effectively deleted information, in a rather elaborate attempt to erase his activity. Strangely, Levandowski didnt use the laptop much after the new OS was installed.

After quitting Google, Levandowski set up a self-driving trucking company called Otto, wooing fifteen other Waymo engineers, who brought additional supplier lists, manufacturing details and other trade secrets.

Otto quickly sold itself to Uber for $680 million.

Ubers Response

Uber remains partners with Google for other technology despite their increased competition on the self-driving front. As an initial response, a Uber representative said, We take the allegations made against Otto and Uber employees seriously and we will review this matter carefully.

Story continues

Later, this changed to: We are incredibly proud of the progress that our team has made We have reviewed Waymo's claims and determined them to be a baseless attempt to slow down a competitor and we look forward to vigorously defending against them in court. In the meantime, we will continue our hard work to bring self-driving benefits to the world.

Other Details

The discovery of theft was intriguing: A Uber supplier had inadvertently copied a Google executive in a mail titled Otto files. The mail was being sent to people at Uber that Google thinks were involved with Ubers self-driving technology.

Google found that the replicated technology, the diagrams of which were attached to the email, bore a close resemblance to its proprietary technology and was based on Waymo trade secrets. Moreover, the Replicated Board is specifically designed to be used in conjunction with many other Waymo trade secrets and in the context of overall LiDAR systems covered by Waymo patents, the complaint reads.

Upon inquiry with the Nevada Governors Office of Economic Development and Department of Motor Vehicles, it was found that Uber said its technology was internally developed.

The Big Picture

As a Bloomberg report points out, Levandowski didnt start out at Google. He has been working on autonomous vehicles for some time, founding a startup called 510 systems in 2001 that he later sold to Google. The technology this startup brought is the foundation of Googles technology.

At the end of the day, engineers do like to move around because its more profitable and allows them liberties that arent available for sticking around at a big corporate house like Google. This is neither the first nor last time companies have whisked away people from competitors. All the major tech companies including Google itself, Microsoft MSFT, Facebook FB, Twitter TWTR, Apple AAPL, you name it, have done likewise.

Engineers are the life blood of companies like Google while on the other hand, the big companies are the only ones that can make engineers rich. So while Google could win this battle, the war will go on.

A Full-Blown Technological Breakthrough in the Making

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U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren has invited a refugee from Iraq to accompany her to President Donald Trump's first address to a joint session of Congress.

The Massachusetts Democrat says Tiba Faraj will be her guest at Tuesday's speech by the Republican president.

Warren says Faraj arrived in Massachusetts in 2010 with her parents and sibling after a journey spanning seven years and thousands of miles. She became an American citizen last year.

Faraj's journey began in 2006 when her father was shot and disabled after working for an American-backed development organization in Iraq.

The family fled to Jordan and was granted admission to the U.S. after a lengthy screening process. They live in Boston. Faraj studies accounting at UMass-Dartmouth.

Warren says Faraj's courage, resilience and optimism embody the American spirit.
A former Cape Cod substitute teacher faced a judge on multiple child sexual abuse charges Monday.

Blake Rider, 37, of Forestdale, Massachusetts, was arraigned at Barnstable District Court on multiple charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, along with two counts of reckless endangerment of a child, the Cape and Islands District Attorney's Office confirmed.

Sandwich Public Schools confirmed that Rider was a substitute teacher back in 2015 "for a very short time" and has not worked in the school district since then.

The DA's office said Rider's charges are unrelated to his prior job as a substitute teacher.

Police reports on the cases that resulted in Rider's arrest have been sealed because of the nature of the allegations and the alleged victims' ages, according to the Cape Cod Times.

Bail for Rider was set at $10,000. His next court date was set for March 28. It's unclear if Rider has an attorney.
Police say a homeowner in Barre, Vermont used a tomahawk to fight off a homeless intruder who walked into his home and pointed a rifle at him.

The Times Argues reports that 70-year-old Kenneth Pecor pleaded not guilty Monday to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, trespassing and mischief. He told police he had been living in the woods near the home for several days before Sunday's incident.

The homeowner told police Pecor came into the home and threatened him and his wife with the rifle. He says he and Pecor struggled over the rifle and that he hit Pecor several times in the head with the tomahawk.

It wasn't known Tuesday whether Pecor has an attorney.
A complex investigation is underway into what sparked a large fire early Tuesday morning in White River Junction, Vermont.

The flames destroyed or severely damaged four buildings, housing nine businesses, according to an early assessment from the Hartford Fire Department.

We were lucky, sighed Chief Scott Cooney of the Hartford Fire Department, in reference to the fact no firefighters, tenants of the buildings, or neighbors were injured in the blaze.

Fire departments from nine communities in Vermont and New Hampshire teamed up to bring the raging fireball under control, Chief Cooney noted.

The first crews arrived at 3:30 a.m. and were still dousing hotspots seven hours later.

Most of the Upper Valley was here in a second-alarm fire, Cooney said. And we're grateful we all work well together.

Neighbors told necn they woke to the sound of explosions.

Investigators explained part of the property had heavy equipment servicing bays, which contained drums of stored waste oil and propane tanks.

At four o'clock in the morning, I was sleeping pretty good, recalled neighbor Allen Swasey. But when I woke up, it was pretty loud!

I watched one of their trucks explode, neighbor Andrew Finney said, describing the sight of a massive fireball. That was unique, and that made another boom. I mean, I've never seen a truck explode, ever.

A heating oil and propane depot for the company Simple Energy sits several hundred feet from where the flames tore through the buildings.

A manager of the operation told necn the company was alerted to the fire and promptly initiated safety protocol to protect the stored fuel from exploding.

The employee said the depot wasn't ever in any real danger, because the fire departments were able to contain the exposure of the flames, which didnt get close enough to the fuel storage area to cause problems.

As fire investigation experts from both Hartford and the Vermont Department of Public Safety sift for clues about the cause and origin of the fire, property owners and tenants now have the tough job of starting over.
A simmering dispute between leaders of the House intelligence committee spilled into the public Monday over an investigation into whether President Donald Trump has ties to Russia, even as they pledged to conduct a bipartisan probe.

The Republican committee chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes of California, said he has heard no evidence so far that anyone in Trump's orbit was in contact with Russians during the presidential campaign. The top Democrat on the committee, Adam Schiff, also of California, said the committee's investigation was hardly off the ground and it was premature to make any conclusions.

The nature of ties between Trump's associates and Russia has dogged him throughout his nascent presidency, and Monday brought renewed calls for a special prosecutor to investigate the unusual situation. Federal investigators have been looking into contacts between Trump advisers and Russia for months, along with Russia's role in political hacking during the campaign aimed at Democrats. Trump, on Monday, said he hasn't called Russia in 10 years.

The House and Senate intelligence committees are conducting separate investigations. But revelations last week that the White House enlisted the Republican chairmen of those committees to push back against news reports have intensified concerns over whether the congressional investigations will be tainted by political influence.

Nunes has said the White House asked him to talk with one reporter, but didn't give him any guidance on what to say. He said he told that reporter the same thing he's said to many other reporters in the course of discussions.

Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina said he wasn't taking questions about whether the White House enlisted him to talk to reporters, as reported by The Washington Post. He said he doesn't need to talk about it.

"I'm in a comfortable place. I didn't do anything to jeopardize my investigation." Burr told The Associated Press on his way out of the Capitol after Senate votes Monday night.

The issue was likely to come up at Tuesday's Senate confirmation hearing for former Rep. Dan Coats, Trump's pick to be the next director of intelligence.

Speaking to reporters earlier Monday, Nunes  a member of Trump's presidential transition team  said Congress should not begin a McCarthy-style investigation based on news reports that a few Americans with ties to Trump had contacted Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign.

"We can't have McCarthyism back in this place," Nunes said. "We can't have the government, the U.S. government or the Congress, legislative branch of government, chasing down American citizens, hauling them before the Congress as if they're some secret Russian agent."

Former Sen. Joe McCarthy led a hunt for communists in the 1950s that was fueled by anonymous informants. Nunes said if evidence surfaces, the committee will investigate.

Schiff, who worked as an assistant U.S. attorney for six years, said it's not proper to start an investigation by stating your views of the outcome.

"The committee has reached no conclusion on whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia, Russian officials or any Russian contacts  nor could we," Schiff said. "We have called no witnesses thus far. We have obtained no documents on any counterintelligence investigation and we have yet to receive any testimony from the FBI of potential links between the Trump campaign and Russia."

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Russia's activity with regard to the 2016 election has been "investigated up and down."

"If there's nothing to further investigate, what are you asking people to investigate," Spicer said.

Trump was asked Monday whether he would support a special prosecutor to investigate Russia's influence on the 2016 election. Instead of answering that question, he said, "I haven't called Russia in 10 years." Trump did not say why he called Russia a decade ago.

According to a White House description, the last time Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin was Jan. 28 and the White House said Putin had initiated the call. Trump also traveled to Russia in 2013 for the Miss Universe beauty pageant in Moscow.

Trump has denied knowing that any of his campaign advisers were in contact with Russians during the campaign. He has also said he has no financial ties or other connections to Russia.

Previously, mostly Democrats have requested a special prosecutor, but Republican Rep. Darrell Issa late Friday said Attorney General Jeff Sessions  who worked on Trump's presidential campaign  is not in a position to oversee such an investigation and urged the administration to appoint an independent prosecutor.

"Any review conducted must have the full confidence of the American people, which is why I recommended an independent review," Issa said Monday in a statement.

Issa was the first Republican to break ranks on the subject, although House Speaker Paul Ryan said again Monday there should be no special prosecutor.

"The proper place, in my opinion, is the intelligence committees. They're the ones that have access to methods of intelligence gathering."

Sessions on Monday told reporters the FBI and Justice Department will remain independent.

"I would recuse myself from anything that I should recuse myself on," Sessions said. "That's all I can tell you."

Democratic Sen. Richard Durbin, of Illinois, also said a special prosecutor was needed. Durbin noted on MSNBC that any report the intelligence committees produce as a result of their investigations would likely be initially classified, and the Trump administration would be responsible for declassifying portions and releasing them to the public.

Conducting the investigation in the Republican-controlled Senate intelligence committee "guarantees the American people will not know what is said," Durbin said.
St Peter Mancroft Church Norwich Presents The Leaves of the Trees an installation by sculptor Peter Walker which provides a memorial for those who died of Covid-19

St Peter Mancroft Church Norwich Presents The Leaves of the Trees an installation by sculptor Peter Walker which provides a memorial for those who died of Covid-19

Community Chaplaincy Norfolk begins a new chapter Community Chaplaincy Norfolk (CCN) celebrated the beginning of a new chapter this week, as the new chair of trustees Chris Tomlinson led his first annual meeting. Read more

Lowestoft Christians launch on-line bible helps app The Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth branch of Good News for Everyone (GNFE), formerly the Gideons, have introduced a new mobile phone app called On-line Bible Helps. Read more

Addicts' rehabilitation centre plan for Drayton Hall Christian addiction charity Teen Challenge London is planning to turn Drayton Hall near Norwich into its headquarters and a rehabilitation centre for men, after it was gifted the freehold of the hall by its owner, the Lind Trust. Read more

The power of positive protest Philip Young encourages us to take a stand for what we believe, and has just written to Therese Coffey regarding climate change and the forthcoming COP 27. He explains why we should be prepared to protest. Read more

Norwich church celebrates with cribs and trees Rosebery Road Methodist Church in Norwich will be holding its annual Cribs and Trees Festival in December. Read more

Transforming Norwich lunch offers ministry tips Ex-Brighton vicar, Rev Phil Moon, will offer tips on how to keep going in ministry to the Transforming Norwich leaders lunch on Wednesday November 16. Read more

Quiet Waters in Bungay offers healing retreat Quiet Waters Christian Retreat in Bungay is holding a gentle day retreat exploring healing in the Kingdom of God. Read more

Latest Norfolk Christian community events Events of interest to the Norwich and Norfolk Christian community happening over the next few weeks are listed. Read more

Norfolk ministry coaching duo are guest speakers Former church leaders and now freelance ministry coaches, Jonathan and Paige Squirrell, are the guest speakers at the next dinner of Norwich FGB on Monday, November 21. Read more

Bringing light to Halloween Anna Price encourages Christians to engage positively with Halloween rather than hide away, on what many see as the darkest night of the year. Read more

First service takes place at Norwich church site SOUL Church hosted around 400 people for a special service on the site of their new building on Heartsease Lane. Read more

Dereham draws up list of warm places for winter As rising energy prices make it harder to heat homes, churches in Dereham are leading the way in creating warm spaces where people can go. Read more

South Norfolk church scoops national award A medieval Anglican church in a tiny hamlet in South Norfolk has won a national award and a 10,000 boost. Read more

Dereham churches help people to help themselves A group of churches in Dereham have launched an ambitious project which aims to meet needs in the town, including the provision of food and skills training. Read more

Halloween light in Gorleston church On Halloween this year, St Mary Magdalene Church in Gorleston will be preparing to welcome around 200 families to experience their Light on a Dark Night event. Read more

An opportunity for Norwich to pray for the nation Rev Nigel Fox, who has served as a Methodist Minister for 15 years in Norwich, shares an open invitation to pray for the nation at a crucial moment. Read more

Norwich church seeks musicians Kingdom Ambassadors International Church is appealing for instrumentlists, keyboardists and guitarists to be part of their worship experience. Read more
Wymondham Abbey appoints first female vicar

Following the retirement in September of Revd Canon Christopher Davies, Wymondham Abbey has announced that Catherine Relf-Pennington is to be the next vicar of Wymondham.





Catherine will be the 60th vicar of the church, which was founded in 1107. She is also the Abbeys first woman vicar.



Catherine was born in Australia, raised in Hong Kong and attended school there and later went to university in the UK. Before becoming a priest Catherine was a research scientist in the field of Artificial Intelligence. Its a skill Im still looking to put to use in the church!, she joked. She was appointed to the role of Associate Vicar at Wymondham Abbey in 2013.



Catherine said the role of vicar of any church is an important and demanding post. In a parish the size of Wymondham that is particularly true. The heart of the job is loving and serving the people of Wymondham and Spooner Row, whether they come to church or not. There is a great team at the Abbey and a wonderful church family. It is a great blessing and huge honour to have been appointed to this historic church and serve this community.



We are delighted with the appointment, said head Churchwarden Bernard Douglass. Although Catherine has been working at the church for over three years, she had to go through a full selection process, and she was clearly an outstanding candidate. We look forward to working closely with her as we embrace the challenging times ahead.



The Bishop of Thetford, the Right Reverend Alan Winton was part of the selection panel. Catherine is a first rate priest, and we were impressed with her obvious capabilities and vision for the parish, he said.



Catherine will start her new job immediately, and will be formally collated into the post in due course in a special ceremony at the church.



Pictured: Rev Catherine Relf-Pennington by Wymondham Market Cross.


There have been more egregious episodes of U.S. border agents hassling and/or needlessly detaining citizens and valid visa-holders since the White House changed hands, but perhaps none has been more bizarre  or even darkly comical  than this one.

Celestine Omin, a 28-year-old software engineer from Lagos, Nigeria, was traveling to the U.S. on Sunday as part of his job with Andela, a startup backed by Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan. Upon arrival at JFK Airport, he was questioned by one border agent, waited for an hour, and then was brought to a different room to be questioned by a second agent. From a LinkedIn story:

Your visa says you are a software engineer. Is that correct? the officer asked Omin in a tone the engineer described as accusatory. When Omin said it was right, the officer presented him with a piece of paper and a pen and told him to answer the following questions: Write a function to check if a Binary Search Tree is balanced. What is an abstract class, and why do you need it? To Omin  who now hadnt slept in more than 24 hours  the questions seemed opaque and could have multiple answers. While he is a skilled software engineer with more than seven years of experience, Omin later (said) that the questions looked to him like someone with no technical background Googled something like, Questions to ask a software engineer.

He did the best he could to answer the questions, and after first being told he had flunked the pop quiz, was nonetheless allowed to go, presumably because in the meantime Omins employer had been contacted and vouched for him.

Omin then shared his experience on Twitter.

Now, theres nothing funny about U.S. customs agents using seat-of-the-pants antics to do their jobs, but reading of Omins experience immediately brought to mind one of Monty Pythons most famous movie gags: The Bridge of Death. (You can skip ahead to the 50-second mark.)

Im thinking those border agents might be Monty Python fans.

Welcome regulars and passersby. Here are a few more recent buzzblog items. And, if youd like to receive Buzzblog via e-mail newsletter, heres where to sign up. You can follow me on Twitter here and on Google+ here.
Apple (AAPL) has some products other than the iPhone on the horizon that are "essential to Apple's growth," CEO Tim Cook said at the company's annual shareholder meeting.

The tech giant is investing a "fair amount" into research and development, the executive told shareholders. Cook didn't go into details, but lauded investors for thinking long term, especially Warren Buffett 's Berkshire Hathaway.

Buffett more than doubled his holdings in Apple in January.

Despite being one of the world's richest public companies, Apple's dearth of new blockbuster products has led some to wonder whether it is still innovative. Still, many on Wall Street say the company is investing heavily. UBS on Tuesday wrote that Apple "may have over 1,000 engineers working on a project in Israel that could be related to AR [augmented reality] ... the next major innovation from Apple."

The annual meeting gathered representatives of its 26,000 shareholders for mostly routine tasks like re-electing its board of directors, approving its accounting firm and signing off on Cook's $8.75 million annual compensation for 2016.

Also on the agenda were a series of proposals from shareholders who hold $2,000 of Apple's stock, which must be approved by a form of majority vote.

Shareholders like Rev. Jesse Jackson also pressed executives to speak up on current events affecting the technology industry. One example? The government's push to bring back manufacturing from overseas.

"We know that this company could never have thrived somewhere else, we love this country," Cook said, noting that two-thirds of Apple employees are in the U.S., and many components are built domestically.

But Cook said that focusing just on building the final product in the U.S. "discounts the reality" of the situation. He said Apple is not a big lobbying company, and doesn't "like politics," but playing a role in policy discussion is important.

(Apple's spending on lobbying has ticked up considerably under Cook's leadership, according to Opensecrets.org. Former Vice President Al Gore sits on the board.)

Story continues

Another political issue that could affect Apple's burgeoning software and services business is net neutrality  the concept that internet providers can't discriminate between, or charge more for, more intensive types of content. The Trump administration may decide to let companies decide what to charge, which could make some of Apple's content more expensive to deliver.

Apple thinks content should be treated the same, and there should be no unfair advantage for one group over another, Cook said.

Other issues on the table Tuesday were the environment, privacy, diversity, human rights and the environment.

Cook said the company is working on "greening" its supply chain and is a "staunch defender" of privacy. Jackson said at the meeting he was grateful for Apple's stance on privacy, but pushed it on social "obligations" to minority groups.

Still, shareholders shot down proposals to alter diversity hiring practices or ramp up disclosure on charitable giving.

 Reporting by CNBC's Josh Lipton and Megan Hawkins









More From CNBC


Children's education charity aims to expand

THE Hungerford-based Royal Merchant Navy Education Foundation is opening up its historic archives  a key part of the UKs national maritime heritage.

The childrens charity is making them accessible with the help of a 2,500 gift from The Patrons Fund.

The initiative will improve access to the Foundations historic collection of archives and artefacts comprising 190 volumes and 11 boxes  including manuscripts, books, papers and even navigational instruments  dating back to the first trustees minutes in 1827.

The national charity moved its offices to Charnham Lane around 12 months ago.

Its chief executive officer, Cdr Charles Heron-Watson, lives in Ramsbury.

He said: The Foundation is a relatively small charity with a niche beneficiary class and we are delighted and honoured to be able to say not only that the Queen is our patron, but also that the Duke of Edinburgh is our president.

The Foundation has a strategic aim of achieving 250 beneficiaries, which represents a threefold increase from our current number.

This donation from The Patrons Fund for which we are really grateful will help towards the costs of publicising the Foundations activities including digitising our archives, which form part of the UKs national maritime heritage.

The Patrons Fund was set up to acknowledge the work of the charitable organisations of which the Queen acts as a patron.

Started in 1827 as the Merchants Seamens Orphans Asylum, the Royal Merchant Navy Education Foundation is a British national childrens educational charity that offers support to the disadvantaged children, in full-time education or training, of current and former Merchant Navy seafarers, and of professional seagoing fishermen and RNLI crew members.

Abiding by the mantra Education is the Foundation, the Foundation has helped thousands of Foundationers achieve their educational and career-led goals.

It offers support including contributions towards school fees, living expenses while in fulltime education, educational books, visits or equipment, school uniform costs and more.
By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: Regional air carrier Air Costa on Tuesday suspended its flight operations temporarily citing 'financial issues' with the aircraft lessors. The flight operations are likely to resume from Thursday or Friday.

The airline has suspended the daily operation of 16 flights to eight destinations including two leased Embraer aircraft till Wednesday. But financial issues with the lessors have forced the airliner to stop operations temporarily.

Air Costa normally operates upto 24 flights, but is operating only 16 flights at present due to the offseason in the aviation sector as well as partial closure of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) at Bengaluru. Speaking to Express, Air Costa vice-president (marketing and brand communication) Kavi Chaurasia said that the company was trying to resolve the issues with the lessors. "

We are renegotiating the lease agreements and are also in advanced stage of talks with our investors for fund infusion as part of expansion plans. Simultaneously, we are also discussing over inducting new aircrafts and expanding our operations to ensure pan-India presence," he said. Further, the company is making alternate travel arrangements for its air passengers who have already booked tickets on these flights.

While ticket fares are being refunded to many, a few passengers who are in emergency, are being provided with alternate mode of transportation. Promoted by Vijayawada-based LEPL Group, Air Costa is one of the major regional carriers in India. Less than six months ago, the airline has suspended its operations in August last year for the same reason. During the same period, several other aircraft operators, also suspended their operations due to concerns over financial viability of the regional airlines.

VIJAYAWADA: Regional air carrier Air Costa on Tuesday suspended its flight operations temporarily citing 'financial issues' with the aircraft lessors. The flight operations are likely to resume from Thursday or Friday. The airline has suspended the daily operation of 16 flights to eight destinations including two leased Embraer aircraft till Wednesday. But financial issues with the lessors have forced the airliner to stop operations temporarily. Air Costa normally operates upto 24 flights, but is operating only 16 flights at present due to the offseason in the aviation sector as well as partial closure of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) at Bengaluru. Speaking to Express, Air Costa vice-president (marketing and brand communication) Kavi Chaurasia said that the company was trying to resolve the issues with the lessors. " We are renegotiating the lease agreements and are also in advanced stage of talks with our investors for fund infusion as part of expansion plans. Simultaneously, we are also discussing over inducting new aircrafts and expanding our operations to ensure pan-India presence," he said. Further, the company is making alternate travel arrangements for its air passengers who have already booked tickets on these flights. While ticket fares are being refunded to many, a few passengers who are in emergency, are being provided with alternate mode of transportation. Promoted by Vijayawada-based LEPL Group, Air Costa is one of the major regional carriers in India. Less than six months ago, the airline has suspended its operations in August last year for the same reason. During the same period, several other aircraft operators, also suspended their operations due to concerns over financial viability of the regional airlines.
By Express News Service

The corridors of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas were abuzz on Monday with talks of Indias third biggest fuel retailer Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) being acquired by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) in a Rs 44,000 crore deal.

However, when Express contacted senior officials in the petroleum ministry, which holds a majority stake in both the oil majors, they denied having received any specific proposal on the deal from either of the two firms.

While they sought to play it down, they also pointed out to the fact that the government had already announced the creation of an integrated oil company.

The government currently owns 68.93 per cent in ONGC, and 51.11 percent stake in HPCL. Finance Minister Arun Jaitely in his Budget 2017-18 speech had announced the setting up of an integrated oil company after about 12 years of a similar proposal suggested by the then oil minister Mani Shankar Aiyer.

We will explore all possibilities to create an integrated oil company. All options will be explored. But, no final decision has been taken, a top official in the ministry told Express.

If ONGC were to gobble up HPCL, the options before it would be to buy the governments entire 51.11 per cent stake in HPCL and follow it up with an open offer to acquire an additional 26 per cent from the other shareholders of HPCL.

The other option before the government is to merge refiners HPCL and BPCL with ONGC and merge IOC and OIL. There are only six major companies in the sector  ONGC and Oil India Ltd being the oil producers, Indian Oil Corp (IOC), HPCL and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) in refinery business and GAIL in the midstream gas transportation business.

ONGC Videsh, Chennai Petroleum Corporation (CPCL), Numaligarh Refinery and Mangalore Refinery (MRPL) are already subsidiaries of one of these six public-sector units. Yet another option before the government is to merge HPCL with ONGC while keeping BPCL as a separate entity.

The corridors of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas were abuzz on Monday with talks of Indias third biggest fuel retailer Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) being acquired by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) in a Rs 44,000 crore deal. However, when Express contacted senior officials in the petroleum ministry, which holds a majority stake in both the oil majors, they denied having received any specific proposal on the deal from either of the two firms. While they sought to play it down, they also pointed out to the fact that the government had already announced the creation of an integrated oil company. The government currently owns 68.93 per cent in ONGC, and 51.11 percent stake in HPCL. Finance Minister Arun Jaitely in his Budget 2017-18 speech had announced the setting up of an integrated oil company after about 12 years of a similar proposal suggested by the then oil minister Mani Shankar Aiyer. We will explore all possibilities to create an integrated oil company. All options will be explored. But, no final decision has been taken, a top official in the ministry told Express. If ONGC were to gobble up HPCL, the options before it would be to buy the governments entire 51.11 per cent stake in HPCL and follow it up with an open offer to acquire an additional 26 per cent from the other shareholders of HPCL. The other option before the government is to merge refiners HPCL and BPCL with ONGC and merge IOC and OIL. There are only six major companies in the sector  ONGC and Oil India Ltd being the oil producers, Indian Oil Corp (IOC), HPCL and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) in refinery business and GAIL in the midstream gas transportation business. ONGC Videsh, Chennai Petroleum Corporation (CPCL), Numaligarh Refinery and Mangalore Refinery (MRPL) are already subsidiaries of one of these six public-sector units. Yet another option before the government is to merge HPCL with ONGC while keeping BPCL as a separate entity.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: In a major breakthrough, Mico Layout police busted a drug peddling gang with the arrest of four members, including a person from Nepal. Charas and marijuana worth Rs 27 lakh have been seized from them.

The arrested are Ashok Bahadur (21), native of Nepal, Bijay Singh (30), resident of HSR Layout, Nizamuddin (25), resident of N S Palya, BTM Layout, and Avishek Singh (34), resident of Hosapalya. They were caught with 2.7kg of charas and 5.3kg of marijuana.

The police said the drugs were being smuggled from Nepal to Bengaluru via Delhi. The accused would cover the charas with three layers of thin plastic cover and hide it in a plastic material which looked like jowar. They would transport the goods in a tonga and cross the border to Uttarakhand.

From there, they would come to Delhi in a bus, where they generally sold some amount of drugs to their Delhi dealers. The remaining was transported to Bengaluru in train.

Ashok Bahadur had come to the city a year ago. He joined a private firm as a security guard and realised there was a huge market for drugs in Bengaluru. Since such drugs are grown in rural areas of Nepal, he started smuggling drugs from across the border.

BENGALURU: In a major breakthrough, Mico Layout police busted a drug peddling gang with the arrest of four members, including a person from Nepal. Charas and marijuana worth Rs 27 lakh have been seized from them. The arrested are Ashok Bahadur (21), native of Nepal, Bijay Singh (30), resident of HSR Layout, Nizamuddin (25), resident of N S Palya, BTM Layout, and Avishek Singh (34), resident of Hosapalya. They were caught with 2.7kg of charas and 5.3kg of marijuana. The police said the drugs were being smuggled from Nepal to Bengaluru via Delhi. The accused would cover the charas with three layers of thin plastic cover and hide it in a plastic material which looked like jowar. They would transport the goods in a tonga and cross the border to Uttarakhand. From there, they would come to Delhi in a bus, where they generally sold some amount of drugs to their Delhi dealers. The remaining was transported to Bengaluru in train. Ashok Bahadur had come to the city a year ago. He joined a private firm as a security guard and realised there was a huge market for drugs in Bengaluru. Since such drugs are grown in rural areas of Nepal, he started smuggling drugs from across the border.
The regal new Aquila villa in Phuket, Thailand, is a tranquil retreat located on 2.5 acres of verdant landscape and over 500 feet of stunning Andaman Sea views. This secluded slice of paradise is comprised of four modern Thai-style pavilions (Arrival, Main, Guest, and Master, the latter coming in late 2017) complete with wall-to-wall windows, high ceilings, direct access to the water, and a grand total of seven bedrooms.

Stepping onto the grounds, the Arrival Pavilion is home to the villas luxurious spaperfect for detoxing and destressingwhile also playing host to a master bedroom, en-suite bath, contemporary living area, and a kids bunk room. Journey a bit further and guests will discover the center of the property; at just over 11,800 square feet the three-story Main Pavilion is a massive living area equipped with a library, gym, a main and western kitchen, a dining area that sits up to 16, a wine cellar, recreation room (complete with wet-bar, pool table and movie theatre), a 98-foot infinity pool and an outside deck perfect for al fresco dining. If that doesnt make your heart skip a beat, the Main Pavilion also contains an exceptional spiral staircase that is inspired by Bond classics. Sitting next to the Main Pavilion is the Guest Pavilion where a majority of the sleeping quarters are housed. The two-story residence offers guests two master bedrooms, two double bedrooms, and two twin-rooms. The en-suite bathrooms are furnished with Japanese fixtures and waterfall showers, while the master bathrooms are replete with lavish plunge baths.

The luxury villa is located in the gated community of Millionaires Mile in Kamalaa short 45-minute drive from Phuket International Airportand includes a villa manger, full-time chef and around-the-clock security. Prices range from $2,750 to $7,500 per night, respectively. (aquilaphuket.com)

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By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Indian Air Forces oldest training institute in Tambaram and Pathankot-based 125 Helicopter squadron, also known as Gladiators or Mudalai by Sri Lankan Tamils, will be honoured with the Presidents Standard and Colours respectively on March 3.

Air Officer Commanding-in-chief Training Command, Air Marshal SRK Nair, told reporters here that Group Captain V D Badoni, commanding officer of 125 Helicopter Squadron, and Group Captain A Arunachaleswaran, commanding officer of Mechanical Training Institute (MTI), would receive the Presidents Standard and Colours respectively.

The award recognises the meritorious service rendered during war and peace. The event would be attended by Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command, Air Marshal C Hari Kumar.

MTI has its history dating back to pre-independence days when Indian Air force was formed on October 8, 1932. With the formation of first air squadron in 1933, a need was felt for a specialised training institute. This gave birth to the School of Technical Training at Ambala in Punjab. It was later bifurcated and in 1946 named as Schools of Ground Training.

On February 1947, one of the bifurcated training institute from Ambala was moved to Tambaram, which until then was an American Naval Base. On September 17, 1947, nationalisation of the unit was completed.

In 1980, the Ground Training School was rechristened as Mechanical Training Institute, where three premier trades of Indian Air Force --- Propulsion Fitter, Structure Fitter and Weapon Fitter-- undergo training.

Similarly, 125 Helicopter Squadron at Pathankot has played a pivotal role in peace-keeping as well as counter-insurgency operations since its inception on November 1983. The unit was equipped with Mi-35 and Mi-25 helicopters.

It proved its mettle during the Indian Peace Keeping Force operations in Sri Lanka and was nicknamed by Tamil insurgents as Mudalai (alligator in Tamil). During the operations, the squadron earned its first gallantry award Vir Chakra. It had also played a key role during Pakistani intrusion in Kargil and also in United Nations Peace Keeping mission in Sierra Leone and Democratic Republic of Congo.

It also played a stellar role in confining terrorists to a restricted area during the attack on Pathankot Air base. The squadron boasts of two Vir Chakras, two Yudh Seva Medals, nine Vayu Sena Medals and Mention-in-Despatches.

CHENNAI: Indian Air Forces oldest training institute in Tambaram and Pathankot-based 125 Helicopter squadron, also known as Gladiators or Mudalai by Sri Lankan Tamils, will be honoured with the Presidents Standard and Colours respectively on March 3. Air Officer Commanding-in-chief Training Command, Air Marshal SRK Nair, told reporters here that Group Captain V D Badoni, commanding officer of 125 Helicopter Squadron, and Group Captain A Arunachaleswaran, commanding officer of Mechanical Training Institute (MTI), would receive the Presidents Standard and Colours respectively. The award recognises the meritorious service rendered during war and peace. The event would be attended by Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command, Air Marshal C Hari Kumar. MTI has its history dating back to pre-independence days when Indian Air force was formed on October 8, 1932. With the formation of first air squadron in 1933, a need was felt for a specialised training institute. This gave birth to the School of Technical Training at Ambala in Punjab. It was later bifurcated and in 1946 named as Schools of Ground Training. On February 1947, one of the bifurcated training institute from Ambala was moved to Tambaram, which until then was an American Naval Base. On September 17, 1947, nationalisation of the unit was completed. In 1980, the Ground Training School was rechristened as Mechanical Training Institute, where three premier trades of Indian Air Force --- Propulsion Fitter, Structure Fitter and Weapon Fitter-- undergo training. Similarly, 125 Helicopter Squadron at Pathankot has played a pivotal role in peace-keeping as well as counter-insurgency operations since its inception on November 1983. The unit was equipped with Mi-35 and Mi-25 helicopters. It proved its mettle during the Indian Peace Keeping Force operations in Sri Lanka and was nicknamed by Tamil insurgents as Mudalai (alligator in Tamil). During the operations, the squadron earned its first gallantry award Vir Chakra. It had also played a key role during Pakistani intrusion in Kargil and also in United Nations Peace Keeping mission in Sierra Leone and Democratic Republic of Congo. It also played a stellar role in confining terrorists to a restricted area during the attack on Pathankot Air base. The squadron boasts of two Vir Chakras, two Yudh Seva Medals, nine Vayu Sena Medals and Mention-in-Despatches.
By Online Desk

The Kargil martyrs daughter who started a placard campaign on the social media referring to her fathers death by war and not by Pakistan was allegedly warned of rape threats and trolled. At the same time, these threats did not stop her and on Monday she stood against them openly on social media, saying she will not be cowed down by the ABVP and their threats.

Several social-conscious netizens praised her courage on Monday, and on the same lines on Tuesday, English department faculty of Lady Shri Ram College where she is studying, issued a unanimous statement extending their support.

Heres the full text of the statement:

We, the faculty members of the English Department, Lady Shri Ram College unequivocally and strongly support our student Gurmehar Kaur and her right to express her opinion on issues that embroil our university. It is immensely gratifying to us as her teachers that she has responded sensitively, creatively and bravely to events in her immediate context rather than seek the safe refuge of silence. We feel that it is the bounden duty of educational institutions to nurture sensitive, responsive and critical thinking students without the fear of violent retaliation. We are proud that Gurmehar has fulfilled her duty as a young citizen of this country. The threats of violence and brutality that she faces are absolutely reprehensible. Responses on social media by public figures such as Virendra Sehwag and Randeep Hooda are shameful trivialization of the intimidation that Gurmehar faces at the hands of violent mobs whose viciousness the university has recently witnessed.

We fervently appeal to the good sense of the public and to institutions of redressal to help restore our faith in law and justice in our country and let our young citizens think and articulate without fear of intimidation.

Signed by: Rita Joshi, Madhu Grover, Rukshana Shroff, Arti Minocha, Maya Joshi, Shernaz Cama, Mitali Mishra, Arunima Ray, Dipti Nath, Maitreyee Mandal, Janet Lalawmpuii, Ngangom Maheshkanta Singh, Karuna Rajeev, Wafa Hamid, Jonathan Varghese, Taniya Sachdeva, Rachita Mittal.

Meanwhile, the 20-year-old in a series of tweets decided to not participate in the march Save DU organized by the All India Students Association (AISA) at the North Campus.

READ HERE: DU student Gurmehar Kaur withdraws herself from AISA march, requests to be left alone

Kaur reportedly received several rape threats from the members of Akhil Bhartiya Vidya Parishad (ABVP) and many others on social media after she changed her profile picture with a placard that read, 'I am not afraid of ABVP'.

She complained to the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), which provided security to her.

The Kargil martyrs daughter who started a placard campaign on the social media referring to her fathers death by war and not by Pakistan was allegedly warned of rape threats and trolled. At the same time, these threats did not stop her and on Monday she stood against them openly on social media, saying she will not be cowed down by the ABVP and their threats. Several social-conscious netizens praised her courage on Monday, and on the same lines on Tuesday, English department faculty of Lady Shri Ram College where she is studying, issued a unanimous statement extending their support. Heres the full text of the statement: We, the faculty members of the English Department, Lady Shri Ram College unequivocally and strongly support our student Gurmehar Kaur and her right to express her opinion on issues that embroil our university. It is immensely gratifying to us as her teachers that she has responded sensitively, creatively and bravely to events in her immediate context rather than seek the safe refuge of silence. We feel that it is the bounden duty of educational institutions to nurture sensitive, responsive and critical thinking students without the fear of violent retaliation. We are proud that Gurmehar has fulfilled her duty as a young citizen of this country. The threats of violence and brutality that she faces are absolutely reprehensible. Responses on social media by public figures such as Virendra Sehwag and Randeep Hooda are shameful trivialization of the intimidation that Gurmehar faces at the hands of violent mobs whose viciousness the university has recently witnessed. We fervently appeal to the good sense of the public and to institutions of redressal to help restore our faith in law and justice in our country and let our young citizens think and articulate without fear of intimidation. Signed by: Rita Joshi, Madhu Grover, Rukshana Shroff, Arti Minocha, Maya Joshi, Shernaz Cama, Mitali Mishra, Arunima Ray, Dipti Nath, Maitreyee Mandal, Janet Lalawmpuii, Ngangom Maheshkanta Singh, Karuna Rajeev, Wafa Hamid, Jonathan Varghese, Taniya Sachdeva, Rachita Mittal. Meanwhile, the 20-year-old in a series of tweets decided to not participate in the march Save DU organized by the All India Students Association (AISA) at the North Campus. READ HERE: DU student Gurmehar Kaur withdraws herself from AISA march, requests to be left alone Kaur reportedly received several rape threats from the members of Akhil Bhartiya Vidya Parishad (ABVP) and many others on social media after she changed her profile picture with a placard that read, 'I am not afraid of ABVP'. She complained to the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), which provided security to her.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Delhi police on Tuesday arrested two alleged ABVP activists for attacking two AISA supporters on the North Campus of Delhi University.

The AISA activists, Raj Singh and Utkarsh Bhardwaj, alleged that they were strangulated by Prashant Mishra and his friends, who followed them while they were returning from Arts Faculty around 5.20 PM.

Victims claimed that they were attacked by seven-eight people near Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College and strangulated with belts.

Police managed to nab two persons -- Prashant and Vinayak Sharma - from the spot.

They have been booked under IPC sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) and arrested, said a senior police officer.

Police are trying to identify the other students who were involved in the alleged attack on the AISA activists.

NEW DELHI: Delhi police on Tuesday arrested two alleged ABVP activists for attacking two AISA supporters on the North Campus of Delhi University. The AISA activists, Raj Singh and Utkarsh Bhardwaj, alleged that they were strangulated by Prashant Mishra and his friends, who followed them while they were returning from Arts Faculty around 5.20 PM. Victims claimed that they were attacked by seven-eight people near Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College and strangulated with belts. Police managed to nab two persons -- Prashant and Vinayak Sharma - from the spot. They have been booked under IPC sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) and arrested, said a senior police officer. Police are trying to identify the other students who were involved in the alleged attack on the AISA activists.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police was today informed by their counterparts at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh about a phone call alleging that bombs were being planted at various locations in the national capital.

The phone call was received by Jabalpur SP.

It is suspected to be a hoax call. However, police is investigating the matter.

Jabalpur SP received the call on his mobile through Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) about bombs being planted at several locations in Delhi, said a senior police officer.

The SP informed the Delhi Police control room around 6.30 PM, following which police has begun the task of identifying the caller, he added.

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police was today informed by their counterparts at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh about a phone call alleging that bombs were being planted at various locations in the national capital. The phone call was received by Jabalpur SP. It is suspected to be a hoax call. However, police is investigating the matter. Jabalpur SP received the call on his mobile through Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) about bombs being planted at several locations in Delhi, said a senior police officer. The SP informed the Delhi Police control room around 6.30 PM, following which police has begun the task of identifying the caller, he added.
By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: At least 11 persons have died and 30 others suffered severe injuries when a speeding private travels bus hit a road divider and fell into a culvert near Moolapadu in Penuganchiprolu mandal near Vijayawada on Tuesday morning. The condition of around eight injured passengers is said to be critical. The injured have been rushed to the hospitals at Nandigama, Gollapudi and Vijayawada.

>>Watch video here

Some of the deceased have been identified as K Madhusudhan Reddy of Hyderabad, Panga Tulasamma from Santabommali in Srikakulam, Krishna Reddy from Suryapeta in Telangana, Sheik Basha from Bhavanipuram of Vijayawada, Baldev Singh from Cuttack and driver Adinarayana Reddy of Tadipatri.



Preliminary inquiry by the police revealed that the bus (AP 02 TC 7146) belonging to Diwakar Travels was going to Hyderabad from Bhubaneswar and had around 45 persons including two drivers and a cleaner. Most of the passengers boarded the bus in Bhubaneswar (14 passengers), Brahmapur (2), Srikakulam (15), Tekkali (4) and Visakhapatnam (15).

However, one passenger from Bhubaneswar got down the bus at Visakhapatnam and five others disembarked the bus in Vijayawada before the incident occurred.



The incident occurred at around 6 am when the bus reached Moolapadu. The onlookers informed the police that the bus fell into the culvert in the gap between two parallel bridges from a height of 22 feet. Many passengers were fast asleep when the incident occurred. The passersby and locals helped many injured passengers to get out of the bus and shifted them to nearby hospitals for treatment. The survivors said that they woke up as they felt the bus falling down.

Though the locals, passersby and the police came to their rescue, it took more than 40 minutes before they were rescued from the bus.



The police suspect the bus driver fell asleep but was driving at a full speed, resulting in the accident. The bus speed was so high that it fell off the bridge despite a three-feet high retaining wall. The transport department officials said that though the documentation of the bus was intact, the driver could be at fault and it is estimated that the vehicle was moving at a speed of 110 kmph. They said that The officials had difficulty in removing the mangled bodies crushed between the seats inside the bus. It took over four hours to remove all the bodies as well as the injured from the bus.



Sources said that the bus was registered in the name of JC Uma Reddy. The police registered a case against the Diwakar Travels management in connection with the accident.



Meanwhile, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the incident and asked the officials to provide all medical help to the injured passengers. Home minister N Chinarajappa and health minister Kamineni Srinivas directed the officials and transport to complete the post-mortem and other formalities for a speedy handover of the bodies to the family members.

Transport minister Sidda Raghava Rao ordered a probe into the incident. They condoled the deceaseds family members and made arrangements for shifting the bodies to their native places.

Heres the list of 10 passengers of the bus, one victim remains to be identified:

Nalabolu Krishna Reddy (32) of Suryapeta, Telangana

Baldev Singh (39) of Bhubaneswar

Panga Tulasamma (45) of Santhabommali, Srikakulam

K Madhusudhana Reddy of Hyderabad

Sheik Basha of Bhavanipuram, Vijayawada

Vidyapathi (34) of Odisha

Nallabothu Sekhar Reddy of Kodada

Pattamsetti Prudvi of Ganapavaram village, Guntur

Mohd Tayyab of Bholapur, Hyderabad

Bus driver Adinarayana Reddy, Tadiparti

VIJAYAWADA: At least 11 persons have died and 30 others suffered severe injuries when a speeding private travels bus hit a road divider and fell into a culvert near Moolapadu in Penuganchiprolu mandal near Vijayawada on Tuesday morning. The condition of around eight injured passengers is said to be critical. The injured have been rushed to the hospitals at Nandigama, Gollapudi and Vijayawada. >>Watch video here Some of the deceased have been identified as K Madhusudhan Reddy of Hyderabad, Panga Tulasamma from Santabommali in Srikakulam, Krishna Reddy from Suryapeta in Telangana, Sheik Basha from Bhavanipuram of Vijayawada, Baldev Singh from Cuttack and driver Adinarayana Reddy of Tadipatri. Preliminary inquiry by the police revealed that the bus (AP 02 TC 7146) belonging to Diwakar Travels was going to Hyderabad from Bhubaneswar and had around 45 persons including two drivers and a cleaner. Most of the passengers boarded the bus in Bhubaneswar (14 passengers), Brahmapur (2), Srikakulam (15), Tekkali (4) and Visakhapatnam (15). However, one passenger from Bhubaneswar got down the bus at Visakhapatnam and five others disembarked the bus in Vijayawada before the incident occurred. The incident occurred at around 6 am when the bus reached Moolapadu. The onlookers informed the police that the bus fell into the culvert in the gap between two parallel bridges from a height of 22 feet. Many passengers were fast asleep when the incident occurred. The passersby and locals helped many injured passengers to get out of the bus and shifted them to nearby hospitals for treatment. The survivors said that they woke up as they felt the bus falling down. Though the locals, passersby and the police came to their rescue, it took more than 40 minutes before they were rescued from the bus. The police suspect the bus driver fell asleep but was driving at a full speed, resulting in the accident. The bus speed was so high that it fell off the bridge despite a three-feet high retaining wall. The transport department officials said that though the documentation of the bus was intact, the driver could be at fault and it is estimated that the vehicle was moving at a speed of 110 kmph. They said that The officials had difficulty in removing the mangled bodies crushed between the seats inside the bus. It took over four hours to remove all the bodies as well as the injured from the bus. Sources said that the bus was registered in the name of JC Uma Reddy. The police registered a case against the Diwakar Travels management in connection with the accident. Meanwhile, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the incident and asked the officials to provide all medical help to the injured passengers. Home minister N Chinarajappa and health minister Kamineni Srinivas directed the officials and transport to complete the post-mortem and other formalities for a speedy handover of the bodies to the family members. Transport minister Sidda Raghava Rao ordered a probe into the incident. They condoled the deceaseds family members and made arrangements for shifting the bodies to their native places. Heres the list of 10 passengers of the bus, one victim remains to be identified: Nalabolu Krishna Reddy (32) of Suryapeta, Telangana Baldev Singh (39) of Bhubaneswar Panga Tulasamma (45) of Santhabommali, Srikakulam K Madhusudhana Reddy of Hyderabad Sheik Basha of Bhavanipuram, Vijayawada Vidyapathi (34) of Odisha Nallabothu Sekhar Reddy of Kodada Pattamsetti Prudvi of Ganapavaram village, Guntur Mohd Tayyab of Bholapur, Hyderabad Bus driver Adinarayana Reddy, Tadiparti
By PTI

IMPHAL: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Tuesday alleged corruption charges against the incumbent Ibobi Singh-led government in Manipur.

Shah alleged that the Manipur Chief Minister has only inaugurated half made projects and said that the present regime in the state has misused central funds.

Ibobi Singh invited Sonia ji and Rahul Gandhi ji to inaugurate incomplete development projects. His corruption consumed all the funds given by the Central Government, he said.

However, Shah asserted that Manipur has the potential to become a model state.

Manipur has the potential to become a model state as each of the seven north-eastern states has its own strength areas, he added.

The first phase of Manipur Assembly elections will be held on March 4.

IMPHAL: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Tuesday alleged corruption charges against the incumbent Ibobi Singh-led government in Manipur. Shah alleged that the Manipur Chief Minister has only inaugurated half made projects and said that the present regime in the state has misused central funds. Ibobi Singh invited Sonia ji and Rahul Gandhi ji to inaugurate incomplete development projects. His corruption consumed all the funds given by the Central Government, he said. However, Shah asserted that Manipur has the potential to become a model state. Manipur has the potential to become a model state as each of the seven north-eastern states has its own strength areas, he added. The first phase of Manipur Assembly elections will be held on March 4.
By ANI

JASHPUR: Setting an inspiring example to others, a woman from Chhattisgarhs Jashpur district mortgaged her jewellery to make bricks with the help of other women to construct more than 100 toilets in the village.



Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modis Swachh Bharat Campaign, Kajal Roy a sana village ward Panch said it was not an easy decision to make as she had to go through a lot of difficulties at the initial step.



First of all, I have started with my ward. Initially, I started with 50 toilets and completed it on time. We have gone to each and every households to make people aware of using toilets and their importance. When there was a problem with the funds I had to keep my jewellery on a mortgage to meet the demands. Though I dont have any regards about it, she told ANI.



She also said that she sold some of her jewellery because she thought building toilet was more important to her.



Stating that Kajal Roy has set an inspiring example, District official Priyanka Shukla told ANI that she would be felicitated for her and work, adding the administration would extend all kind of support to her.



It is a very inspiring example. She came forward to lead this drive. Her story will inspire others. Her intention and commitment are remarkable, District administration will felicitate her and will extend all kind of support to her, she added.



Meanwhile, Women sarpanch, who have done exemplary work under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, will be felicitated by Prime Minister Modi on the occasion of International Womens Day, according to sources.



The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) was officially launched on October 2, 2014 by Prime Minister Modi himself.

The campaign aims to clean the streets, roads and other infrastructure across the country.



As part of this campaign, the government is aiming to achieve an Open-Defecation Free (ODF) India by October 2, 2019, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, by constructing close to nine crore toilets.



So far, about 3.46 crore toilets have been constructed and about 1.65 lakh villages have become ODF.



In last two years, sanitation coverage of the country has also increased to 61.16 per cent from 42 percent, according to official data.

JASHPUR: Setting an inspiring example to others, a woman from Chhattisgarhs Jashpur district mortgaged her jewellery to make bricks with the help of other women to construct more than 100 toilets in the village. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modis Swachh Bharat Campaign, Kajal Roy a sana village ward Panch said it was not an easy decision to make as she had to go through a lot of difficulties at the initial step. First of all, I have started with my ward. Initially, I started with 50 toilets and completed it on time. We have gone to each and every households to make people aware of using toilets and their importance. When there was a problem with the funds I had to keep my jewellery on a mortgage to meet the demands. Though I dont have any regards about it, she told ANI. She also said that she sold some of her jewellery because she thought building toilet was more important to her. Stating that Kajal Roy has set an inspiring example, District official Priyanka Shukla told ANI that she would be felicitated for her and work, adding the administration would extend all kind of support to her. It is a very inspiring example. She came forward to lead this drive. Her story will inspire others. Her intention and commitment are remarkable, District administration will felicitate her and will extend all kind of support to her, she added. Meanwhile, Women sarpanch, who have done exemplary work under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, will be felicitated by Prime Minister Modi on the occasion of International Womens Day, according to sources. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) was officially launched on October 2, 2014 by Prime Minister Modi himself. The campaign aims to clean the streets, roads and other infrastructure across the country. As part of this campaign, the government is aiming to achieve an Open-Defecation Free (ODF) India by October 2, 2019, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, by constructing close to nine crore toilets. So far, about 3.46 crore toilets have been constructed and about 1.65 lakh villages have become ODF. In last two years, sanitation coverage of the country has also increased to 61.16 per cent from 42 percent, according to official data.
YATISH YADAV By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: After government claims that demonetisation process is almost over, the Congress is readying with ammunition to expose NDA governments game-changer. The Untold Stories of Demonetization will be unveiled by the grand old party on Friday, March 3. The Party has decided to field big names including former finance minister P Chidambaram, former Union Minister Kapil Sibal and Montek Singh Ahluwalia to present another side of demonetisation and its impact on Indian economy.

According to the sources, Congress' high-powered seminar will focus on difficulties faced by the poor in the hinterland, job cuts, impact on artisan, farmers, trade along with its overall impact on national economy.

Earlier Congress party had asked each party worker to take at least 4-5 photos and videos which captures sufferings of people in their local area because of central governments anti-people policies.

The Congress plan was to create a mosaic of collated photos and a million of stories from the grassroots to depict tangible damage done by Modi Sarkar. The Congresss drive had continued till February 20.

The Congress had also conducted grassroots public meetings under a month-long campaign covering all assembly constituencies across the country.

The selected state leaders for the campaign were told to train at least 1000 workers to hold anti-government campaigns at the block level.

A state level conclave was also held by Congress leaders between January 20-25 to brief the state wide party workers about objectives of Jan VednaAbhiyan.

While the Congress is demanding that Rs. 25,000 should be deposited in the account of at least one woman belonging to each BPL family as compensation for the immense suffering caused to women due to demonetisation, it has also put the pressure on central government demanding number of guaranteed work days and the wage rate under MNREGA be doubled for the next one year.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi had earlier attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modis move claiming it had robbed poor and farmers' off their hard earned money. Gandhi had mocked PM saying that Modi came up with an idea on November 8 last year and he announced ban of Rs 500 and Rs1000 denomination notes.

He (PM) said bhaiyo aur behno I have an idea.? The money you have in your pocket. The money farmers have in their pockets. I will make them redundant, Rahul had said.

NEW DELHI: After government claims that demonetisation process is almost over, the Congress is readying with ammunition to expose NDA governments game-changer. The Untold Stories of Demonetization will be unveiled by the grand old party on Friday, March 3. The Party has decided to field big names including former finance minister P Chidambaram, former Union Minister Kapil Sibal and Montek Singh Ahluwalia to present another side of demonetisation and its impact on Indian economy. According to the sources, Congress' high-powered seminar will focus on difficulties faced by the poor in the hinterland, job cuts, impact on artisan, farmers, trade along with its overall impact on national economy. Earlier Congress party had asked each party worker to take at least 4-5 photos and videos which captures sufferings of people in their local area because of central governments anti-people policies. The Congress plan was to create a mosaic of collated photos and a million of stories from the grassroots to depict tangible damage done by Modi Sarkar. The Congresss drive had continued till February 20. The Congress had also conducted grassroots public meetings under a month-long campaign covering all assembly constituencies across the country. The selected state leaders for the campaign were told to train at least 1000 workers to hold anti-government campaigns at the block level. A state level conclave was also held by Congress leaders between January 20-25 to brief the state wide party workers about objectives of Jan VednaAbhiyan. While the Congress is demanding that Rs. 25,000 should be deposited in the account of at least one woman belonging to each BPL family as compensation for the immense suffering caused to women due to demonetisation, it has also put the pressure on central government demanding number of guaranteed work days and the wage rate under MNREGA be doubled for the next one year. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi had earlier attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modis move claiming it had robbed poor and farmers' off their hard earned money. Gandhi had mocked PM saying that Modi came up with an idea on November 8 last year and he announced ban of Rs 500 and Rs1000 denomination notes. He (PM) said bhaiyo aur behno I have an idea.? The money you have in your pocket. The money farmers have in their pockets. I will make them redundant, Rahul had said.
By Online Desk

PANAJI: Nearly a month after the Goa elections were held, a special session of the state Assembly was convened on Tuesday to fulfil a constitutional requirement.



After the brief session that lasted for about 15 minutes, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said some "self-proclaimed constitutional experts" forced them to call for the session, at a time when the election for the new state Assembly has already been held.



"Today's was a technical session. When the fate of the next government has been sealed in EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines), convening session by the earlier government was against the Constitution, I would say, rather," Parsekar asserted while emerging from the House after the session. "That is why I was not for it (calling the session). But there are some self-proclaimed constitutional experts who forced us to call for the session to fulfill the technicalities of constitutional requirement," he said, indirectly hinting at the petition filed by social activist Aires Rodrigues in the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court.



Rodrigues had earlier sought directions to the Goa government to comply with the mandate of Article 174 of the Constitution by either summoning a session or dissolving the Goa Legislative Assembly.



"When fate of the new government is sealed, it would be a mockery of election and democracy if we raise any issue on the floor. We had no intention of taking any business. Governor will address the Assembly again when new government will be in power," Parsekar said.



Drawing the court's attention that the last session of the Goa Legislative Assembly was on August 31, 2016, Rodrigues pointed out that the Law department had in November last year moved a file for summoning the session and on January 6, 2017 had also opined that the Assembly needed to be dissolved.



The election for the 40-member Assembly was held on February 4 and the counting is scheduled on March 11.



Meanwhile, Goa Governor Mridula Sinha refrained from making any policy statement in her address to the special session of the state Assembly, owing to the model code of conduct being currently in force in the state. "The need for the summoning of this session was to comply with the Constitution of India mandate of the Article 174 (1) as per which there should not be a gap of more than six months between two sittings," the Governor told the House.



"The last session was held on August 31, 2016, and therefore, by meeting on Tuesday the constitutional limit of six months have been complied with," she added.



Meanwhile, the Congress has raised questions on the timing of the National Anthem played in the House, just when the Leader of Opposition was about to speak.

(With PTI inputs)

PANAJI: Nearly a month after the Goa elections were held, a special session of the state Assembly was convened on Tuesday to fulfil a constitutional requirement. After the brief session that lasted for about 15 minutes, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said some "self-proclaimed constitutional experts" forced them to call for the session, at a time when the election for the new state Assembly has already been held. "Today's was a technical session. When the fate of the next government has been sealed in EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines), convening session by the earlier government was against the Constitution, I would say, rather," Parsekar asserted while emerging from the House after the session. "That is why I was not for it (calling the session). But there are some self-proclaimed constitutional experts who forced us to call for the session to fulfill the technicalities of constitutional requirement," he said, indirectly hinting at the petition filed by social activist Aires Rodrigues in the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court. Rodrigues had earlier sought directions to the Goa government to comply with the mandate of Article 174 of the Constitution by either summoning a session or dissolving the Goa Legislative Assembly. "When fate of the new government is sealed, it would be a mockery of election and democracy if we raise any issue on the floor. We had no intention of taking any business. Governor will address the Assembly again when new government will be in power," Parsekar said. Drawing the court's attention that the last session of the Goa Legislative Assembly was on August 31, 2016, Rodrigues pointed out that the Law department had in November last year moved a file for summoning the session and on January 6, 2017 had also opined that the Assembly needed to be dissolved. The election for the 40-member Assembly was held on February 4 and the counting is scheduled on March 11. Meanwhile, Goa Governor Mridula Sinha refrained from making any policy statement in her address to the special session of the state Assembly, owing to the model code of conduct being currently in force in the state. "The need for the summoning of this session was to comply with the Constitution of India mandate of the Article 174 (1) as per which there should not be a gap of more than six months between two sittings," the Governor told the House. "The last session was held on August 31, 2016, and therefore, by meeting on Tuesday the constitutional limit of six months have been complied with," she added. Meanwhile, the Congress has raised questions on the timing of the National Anthem played in the House, just when the Leader of Opposition was about to speak. (With PTI inputs)
Vikram Sharma By

Express News Service

AYODHYA: Twenty-four years after that frantic day in December, the Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi site in Ayodhya is still bristling with security guards. As heavily armed policemen keep an eye from watchtowers, you go through six points of frisking and metal detector passages before you get to have a darshan of Ram Lalla from 30 ft away. Every inch of the premises is watched by CCTV cameras. And somewhere deep inside is an armoury stocked well enough to fight a small-scale war.

Along the walk towards the exit are innumerable shops selling toys, books, imitation jewellery, puja items and pictures of Lord Ram. Despite the melee, you cannot miss the CDs played endlessly by shop keepers on their TV screens, depicting the demolition of the Babri Masjid on Dec. 6, 1992.

Yet in this epicentre of a temblor that upended Indias conventional politics, you hear few resonances of Ram Janmabhoomi being an issue in this election. While the odd old-timer might mention his dream of a Bhavya Ram Mandir, the youngsters here, many born after 1992, talk about jobs and development.

Ayodhya and its sister town of Faizabad voted today. Almost all roads, full of election festoonery, were empty and shops closed as people made a beeline to the polling booths.

I want a government that will provide jobs. I have grown up hearing stories about the Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid issue. But I want development, says Abhay Gupta, an 18-year-old whose father, Rambabu Gupta, runs a shop just in the bylanes of the Hanuman Garhi temple.

Another first-time voter, Manish Kumar, was even more forthcoming on his bijli sadak pani expectations: We have all seen how families have suffered in Ayodhya. The scars are still afresh. I was not even born then (1996) but I know many such families including Muslims who suffered. Let the netas talk about development, jobs, infrastructure. Enough of this communal nonsense. No one is in the mood to take it anymore, he said.

Interestingly, the talk of the town during this election season has been Bazmi Siddiqui, the first Muslim ever to contest from the temple town. Hes the BSP candidate here. The 34-year-old candidates followers say that Behenji has dared to do something that no other party has done for decades.

There are over 3.60 lakh voters in Ayodhya of which only about 7,000 are Muslim. In pockets of the town where Muslims reside, Bazmi Siddiqui is a clear favourite. We have left the mandir-masjid issues far behind. We want basic

amenities. Whatever happens to the mandir-masjid issues (in the court), how will it help us? asks Muhammed Jameel of Faizabad.

The BJP candidate, Ved Prakash Gupta, has done a whole parikrama of political parties in the last 10 years. Showing a losers touch, he contested on a Samajwadi party ticket in 2007 and a BSP ticket in 2012 and now has returned to the BJP.

The BJP has won five elections here, four of them post-demolition. The party lost in 2012 by a small margin of about 5,000 votes to the SP candidate Tej Narayan Pandey, the sitting MLA.

Interestingly, all the left parties are supporting a social activist, Surya Kant Pandey who is leaving no stone unturned to expose the communal politics of the other parties.

AYODHYA: Twenty-four years after that frantic day in December, the Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi site in Ayodhya is still bristling with security guards. As heavily armed policemen keep an eye from watchtowers, you go through six points of frisking and metal detector passages before you get to have a darshan of Ram Lalla from 30 ft away. Every inch of the premises is watched by CCTV cameras. And somewhere deep inside is an armoury stocked well enough to fight a small-scale war. Along the walk towards the exit are innumerable shops selling toys, books, imitation jewellery, puja items and pictures of Lord Ram. Despite the melee, you cannot miss the CDs played endlessly by shop keepers on their TV screens, depicting the demolition of the Babri Masjid on Dec. 6, 1992. Yet in this epicentre of a temblor that upended Indias conventional politics, you hear few resonances of Ram Janmabhoomi being an issue in this election. While the odd old-timer might mention his dream of a Bhavya Ram Mandir, the youngsters here, many born after 1992, talk about jobs and development. Ayodhya and its sister town of Faizabad voted today. Almost all roads, full of election festoonery, were empty and shops closed as people made a beeline to the polling booths. I want a government that will provide jobs. I have grown up hearing stories about the Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid issue. But I want development, says Abhay Gupta, an 18-year-old whose father, Rambabu Gupta, runs a shop just in the bylanes of the Hanuman Garhi temple. Another first-time voter, Manish Kumar, was even more forthcoming on his bijli sadak pani expectations: We have all seen how families have suffered in Ayodhya. The scars are still afresh. I was not even born then (1996) but I know many such families including Muslims who suffered. Let the netas talk about development, jobs, infrastructure. Enough of this communal nonsense. No one is in the mood to take it anymore, he said. Interestingly, the talk of the town during this election season has been Bazmi Siddiqui, the first Muslim ever to contest from the temple town. Hes the BSP candidate here. The 34-year-old candidates followers say that Behenji has dared to do something that no other party has done for decades. There are over 3.60 lakh voters in Ayodhya of which only about 7,000 are Muslim. In pockets of the town where Muslims reside, Bazmi Siddiqui is a clear favourite. We have left the mandir-masjid issues far behind. We want basic amenities. Whatever happens to the mandir-masjid issues (in the court), how will it help us? asks Muhammed Jameel of Faizabad. The BJP candidate, Ved Prakash Gupta, has done a whole parikrama of political parties in the last 10 years. Showing a losers touch, he contested on a Samajwadi party ticket in 2007 and a BSP ticket in 2012 and now has returned to the BJP. The BJP has won five elections here, four of them post-demolition. The party lost in 2012 by a small margin of about 5,000 votes to the SP candidate Tej Narayan Pandey, the sitting MLA. Interestingly, all the left parties are supporting a social activist, Surya Kant Pandey who is leaving no stone unturned to expose the communal politics of the other parties.
Ravi Shankar By

Express News Service

PINDARA: The road to the maidan is as bumpy as the elections, filled with the potholes of political ambition. Ajay Rai is the sitting Congress MLA from this constituency outside Varanasi, and the guest of honour is Lalu Yadav.

Around 4,000 denizens of this Bhumihar-dominated area have assembled in the school campus, most of them children and old men. Lalus helicopter was a major attraction. Lalu, familiar in a blue sweater and white mop of hair, is undoubtedly given to rustic humour which made his reputation.

However, this election, being funny is not enough or else the joke is on you. Rai was once dedicated to Rajnath Singh when the latter was the BJP President. He defected to the Samajwadi Party in 2009, after being denied the Lok Sabha ticket. He lost. In 2012, he became Congress MLA from Pindara after SP denied him the seat.

The constituency has many Yadavs, who were sworn rivals with Rais caste. Lalu was meant to be the glue. Bihar lies next door. The laugh-a-minute leader exploited the proximity. "I'm your neighbour," he started. "But not just that, I'm also your relative. My daughter is married into Mulayam Singhs family. Which makes all your women my in-laws." The applause was genuine. It didn't last long. When he descended into the vilest invective against Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, the crowd's enthusiasm seemed to ebb. Modi betrayed his mentor, Advani. No response. Amit Shah is a beast.

No response. Sonia Gandhi is India's daughter-in-law. A few claps. Its obvious that the Lalu type of politics which is loaded with crude humour sans political strategy or development talk is no longer working. He even got the candidate's name wrong. Once it wouldn't have mattered.

The jokes were enough. But today the fun and games seem to be over for those who talk more and do less.

PINDARA: The road to the maidan is as bumpy as the elections, filled with the potholes of political ambition. Ajay Rai is the sitting Congress MLA from this constituency outside Varanasi, and the guest of honour is Lalu Yadav. Around 4,000 denizens of this Bhumihar-dominated area have assembled in the school campus, most of them children and old men. Lalus helicopter was a major attraction. Lalu, familiar in a blue sweater and white mop of hair, is undoubtedly given to rustic humour which made his reputation. However, this election, being funny is not enough or else the joke is on you. Rai was once dedicated to Rajnath Singh when the latter was the BJP President. He defected to the Samajwadi Party in 2009, after being denied the Lok Sabha ticket. He lost. In 2012, he became Congress MLA from Pindara after SP denied him the seat. The constituency has many Yadavs, who were sworn rivals with Rais caste. Lalu was meant to be the glue. Bihar lies next door. The laugh-a-minute leader exploited the proximity. "I'm your neighbour," he started. "But not just that, I'm also your relative. My daughter is married into Mulayam Singhs family. Which makes all your women my in-laws." The applause was genuine. It didn't last long. When he descended into the vilest invective against Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, the crowd's enthusiasm seemed to ebb. Modi betrayed his mentor, Advani. No response. Amit Shah is a beast. No response. Sonia Gandhi is India's daughter-in-law. A few claps. Its obvious that the Lalu type of politics which is loaded with crude humour sans political strategy or development talk is no longer working. He even got the candidate's name wrong. Once it wouldn't have mattered. The jokes were enough. But today the fun and games seem to be over for those who talk more and do less.
By ANI

PATNA: A day after Sakshi Maharaj stirred up a controversy courtesy his Kabristaan remark, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav while questioning his character today demanded a thorough probe against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP.

Sakshi Maharaj is a very controversial man. His character is not good, he should be investigated, Lalu told media.

The RJD supremo further said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have derailed from the right track.

Echoing similar views, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja dubbed Maharajs statement as communal and provocative against the Muslims, adding that the Election Commission should initiate an action into the same.

Sakshi Maharaj is known for making such absurd statements. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is totally failing to uphold the Constitution of the country and all BJP leaders including Sakshi Maharaj, Raja told ANI.

Raja further questioned Prime Minister Modi as to whether he backs the statements made by his party leaders.

I would like to ask the Prime Minister that is he endorsing the statement made by his leaders because he is not uttering a single word and keeping quiet, he said.

Sakshi Maharaj, who is known for making controversial statements, yesterday said that a law should be enforced to stop the construction of Kabristaan (graveyard) and Muslims should also be cremated since there is not enough land for graveyards.

"Whether it is named Kabristaan (graveyard) or Shamshaan (crematoriums), nobody needs to be buried. There are 2-2.5 crore Hindu saints in this country who should have a memorial after their death. That will require land. There are 20 crore Muslims, all of them need a grave. Where is the land in Hindustan? he said while addressing a public rally in Unnao.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Modi while addressing elections rally in Fatehpur raised the issue of Kabristaan and Shamshaan, saying that there should not be any discrimination in the allotment of land for both.

"If you create Kabristaan in a village, then a Shamshaan should also be created. If there is uninterrupted electricity in Ramzan, it should also be given during Diwali. There should be no discrimination," he said.

PATNA: A day after Sakshi Maharaj stirred up a controversy courtesy his Kabristaan remark, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav while questioning his character today demanded a thorough probe against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP. Sakshi Maharaj is a very controversial man. His character is not good, he should be investigated, Lalu told media. The RJD supremo further said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have derailed from the right track. Echoing similar views, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja dubbed Maharajs statement as communal and provocative against the Muslims, adding that the Election Commission should initiate an action into the same. Sakshi Maharaj is known for making such absurd statements. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is totally failing to uphold the Constitution of the country and all BJP leaders including Sakshi Maharaj, Raja told ANI. Raja further questioned Prime Minister Modi as to whether he backs the statements made by his party leaders. I would like to ask the Prime Minister that is he endorsing the statement made by his leaders because he is not uttering a single word and keeping quiet, he said. Sakshi Maharaj, who is known for making controversial statements, yesterday said that a law should be enforced to stop the construction of Kabristaan (graveyard) and Muslims should also be cremated since there is not enough land for graveyards. "Whether it is named Kabristaan (graveyard) or Shamshaan (crematoriums), nobody needs to be buried. There are 2-2.5 crore Hindu saints in this country who should have a memorial after their death. That will require land. There are 20 crore Muslims, all of them need a grave. Where is the land in Hindustan? he said while addressing a public rally in Unnao. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Modi while addressing elections rally in Fatehpur raised the issue of Kabristaan and Shamshaan, saying that there should not be any discrimination in the allotment of land for both. "If you create Kabristaan in a village, then a Shamshaan should also be created. If there is uninterrupted electricity in Ramzan, it should also be given during Diwali. There should be no discrimination," he said.
By Express News Service

MUMBAI: Opposition Congress and the Nationalist Congress Partys (NCP) efforts to topple the State government appear to have come to a halt as the Shiv Sena has kept them guessing on its stance on withdrawing governments support.

The no-trust motion that the opposition is planning wont have requisite numbers unless the Shiv Sena is with us. However, Im sure that they wont sacrifice power unless the BJP compels them to do so, former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Narayan Rane said on Monday.

Senior Shiv Sena minister Dr Deepak Sawant, meanwhile, said that the decision to withdraw from the government has not been reached as yet.

On the other hand, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who addressed the newly elected BJP corporators on Monday, told them that they should try to change the system instead of being a part of it.

Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam, said that the party is trying to unite all parties except Shiv Sena and the BJP in the BMC to keep a tab on the ruling party in the corporation.

Meanwhile, the business advisory committee (BAC) of the State Assembly met on Monday to finalise the business of the budget session starting from Monday March 6. The session will last until April 7, with 23 working days. The budget will be presented on Saturday, March 18, minister for parliamentary affairs Girish Bapat said after the meeting.

Leader of opposition in assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said that the opposition will try to corner the government over issues bothering the farmers and the working class. On questions related to toppling the government, he said that the opposition is certainly working in the direction.

Leader of opposition in legislative council Dhananjay Munde, too said that the crop loan waiver and falling prices of farm produce are the issues over which the government would be cornered in the upper house.

Leaders of the Congress and the NCP have decided to meet on March 3 to discuss course of action during the assembly session.

The election of Mumbai mayor has been scheduled for March 9.

MUMBAI: Opposition Congress and the Nationalist Congress Partys (NCP) efforts to topple the State government appear to have come to a halt as the Shiv Sena has kept them guessing on its stance on withdrawing governments support. The no-trust motion that the opposition is planning wont have requisite numbers unless the Shiv Sena is with us. However, Im sure that they wont sacrifice power unless the BJP compels them to do so, former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Narayan Rane said on Monday. Senior Shiv Sena minister Dr Deepak Sawant, meanwhile, said that the decision to withdraw from the government has not been reached as yet. On the other hand, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who addressed the newly elected BJP corporators on Monday, told them that they should try to change the system instead of being a part of it. Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam, said that the party is trying to unite all parties except Shiv Sena and the BJP in the BMC to keep a tab on the ruling party in the corporation. Meanwhile, the business advisory committee (BAC) of the State Assembly met on Monday to finalise the business of the budget session starting from Monday March 6. The session will last until April 7, with 23 working days. The budget will be presented on Saturday, March 18, minister for parliamentary affairs Girish Bapat said after the meeting. Leader of opposition in assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said that the opposition will try to corner the government over issues bothering the farmers and the working class. On questions related to toppling the government, he said that the opposition is certainly working in the direction. Leader of opposition in legislative council Dhananjay Munde, too said that the crop loan waiver and falling prices of farm produce are the issues over which the government would be cornered in the upper house. Leaders of the Congress and the NCP have decided to meet on March 3 to discuss course of action during the assembly session. The election of Mumbai mayor has been scheduled for March 9.
By PTI

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena today hit out at Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar over the Army paper leak, and said that BJP should take entire responsibility of the incident that has dented the government's image.



"Papers of universities and other exams used to get leaked. But now, the Army's recruitment question papers are also not safe. This leak, which comes at a time when soldiers are sacrificing their lives, has shattered the government's image," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana.'



"Manohar Parrikar wants to become the Chief Minister of Goa again and is holding the reins of the Defence ministry from Panaji. But atleast till he holds the post (of Defence minister), he should perform his duty," it added.



The Sena said that since the issue is related to national security, the BJP should come forward and accept complete responsibility for the paper leak.



"The PM talks about nationalism and sacrifice but his talks does not seem to be percolating to the ground. If there is nationalism in note ban, then it should be in Army recruitment as well," it said.



The recruitment racket came to light on Saturday night when 18 people from Maharashtra and Goa were arrested after raids. Three more persons were arrested yesterday. All of them were sent to police custody till March 4 by a Thane court.



Army recruitment exams slated on February 26 at Kamptee, Nagpur, Ahmednagar, Ahmedabad, Goa and Kirkee (in Pune) were cancelled after the question paper leak.

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena today hit out at Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar over the Army paper leak, and said that BJP should take entire responsibility of the incident that has dented the government's image. "Papers of universities and other exams used to get leaked. But now, the Army's recruitment question papers are also not safe. This leak, which comes at a time when soldiers are sacrificing their lives, has shattered the government's image," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana.' "Manohar Parrikar wants to become the Chief Minister of Goa again and is holding the reins of the Defence ministry from Panaji. But atleast till he holds the post (of Defence minister), he should perform his duty," it added. The Sena said that since the issue is related to national security, the BJP should come forward and accept complete responsibility for the paper leak. "The PM talks about nationalism and sacrifice but his talks does not seem to be percolating to the ground. If there is nationalism in note ban, then it should be in Army recruitment as well," it said. The recruitment racket came to light on Saturday night when 18 people from Maharashtra and Goa were arrested after raids. Three more persons were arrested yesterday. All of them were sent to police custody till March 4 by a Thane court. Army recruitment exams slated on February 26 at Kamptee, Nagpur, Ahmednagar, Ahmedabad, Goa and Kirkee (in Pune) were cancelled after the question paper leak.
Santwana Bhattacharya By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The problem with a long-drawn election is that fatigue sets in  the voters get listless, the campaign gets jaded and the ubiquitous poll-watchers get impatient, if not a tad bored.

The modest 57 per cent voter turn-out in the fifth phase of UP polls seems to indicate all of the above.

For Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi this was the testing phase though. The Assembly segments of his parliamentary constituency, Amethi, went to polls on Monday.

By far, Amethi saw the strangest contest. Not because it is the Congress scions backyard but because his partys candidate, Chhoti Rani of Amethi royal family, Amita Singh, is taking on Badi Rani Garima Singh. The latter is fighting on a BJP ticket. Both are wives of the erstwhile king of Amethi, Sanjay Singh  at present a Congress Rajya Sabha MP.

Well, the hapless voters were not even sure whether the contest between Amita and Garima was really for the Amethi Assembly seat or for wresting control over the 500-room Bhupati Bhavan  the royal palace. As the family laundry got washed in public, both have been claiming to be the real Rani of Amethi.

Providing a third angle to the Congress queen vs BJP queen contest, is Samajwadi Partys controversial Prajapati  rape accused Gayatri Prasad. For this seat, the new found allies, Congress and SP are pitted against each other. Making it abundance of choice, BSP put up Ramji Maurya. But the voters of Amethi, it seems, kept the caste equations at bay and cast the votes mostly to decide who should be their real Rani.

Ayodhya in Faizabad district is the other key constituency that polled on Monday. As always, Lord Ram resurfaced during the elections as a campaign point in Ayodhya, desperately seeking some facelift. Its traditionally a BJP stronghold, but SP wrested it in 2012. Meanwhile, the poll rhetoric which has hit an all-time low, remained so as the campaign for the last two phases continued.

What the political opponents had to say about each other, have already been said many times over. So, even as a part of the UP voted, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP CM Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi and BSP chief Mayawati took tired and tried pot shots at each other.

Modi accused the SP and the BSP for plotting for a hung Assembly, as they fear BJP is surging ahead. The poll analysts immediately saw in it an admission that BJP was not surging and he was preparing the ground for it. Rahul continued his tirade against Modi, accusing him of hollow speech. In the Akhilesh-Rahul rally in Gorakhpur  a Yogi Adityanath stronghold  the two claimed, the next government would be theirs.

NEW DELHI: The problem with a long-drawn election is that fatigue sets in  the voters get listless, the campaign gets jaded and the ubiquitous poll-watchers get impatient, if not a tad bored. The modest 57 per cent voter turn-out in the fifth phase of UP polls seems to indicate all of the above. For Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi this was the testing phase though. The Assembly segments of his parliamentary constituency, Amethi, went to polls on Monday. By far, Amethi saw the strangest contest. Not because it is the Congress scions backyard but because his partys candidate, Chhoti Rani of Amethi royal family, Amita Singh, is taking on Badi Rani Garima Singh. The latter is fighting on a BJP ticket. Both are wives of the erstwhile king of Amethi, Sanjay Singh  at present a Congress Rajya Sabha MP. Well, the hapless voters were not even sure whether the contest between Amita and Garima was really for the Amethi Assembly seat or for wresting control over the 500-room Bhupati Bhavan  the royal palace. As the family laundry got washed in public, both have been claiming to be the real Rani of Amethi. Providing a third angle to the Congress queen vs BJP queen contest, is Samajwadi Partys controversial Prajapati  rape accused Gayatri Prasad. For this seat, the new found allies, Congress and SP are pitted against each other. Making it abundance of choice, BSP put up Ramji Maurya. But the voters of Amethi, it seems, kept the caste equations at bay and cast the votes mostly to decide who should be their real Rani. Ayodhya in Faizabad district is the other key constituency that polled on Monday. As always, Lord Ram resurfaced during the elections as a campaign point in Ayodhya, desperately seeking some facelift. Its traditionally a BJP stronghold, but SP wrested it in 2012. Meanwhile, the poll rhetoric which has hit an all-time low, remained so as the campaign for the last two phases continued. What the political opponents had to say about each other, have already been said many times over. So, even as a part of the UP voted, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP CM Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi and BSP chief Mayawati took tired and tried pot shots at each other. Modi accused the SP and the BSP for plotting for a hung Assembly, as they fear BJP is surging ahead. The poll analysts immediately saw in it an admission that BJP was not surging and he was preparing the ground for it. Rahul continued his tirade against Modi, accusing him of hollow speech. In the Akhilesh-Rahul rally in Gorakhpur  a Yogi Adityanath stronghold  the two claimed, the next government would be theirs.
Maria Kuruvilla By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Andhra Pradesh-based regional airline Air Costa suspended its flight operations, citing financial difficulties on Tuesday barely four years into operations.

Allegedly mired in debt, the company, which had four Embraer-190 aircraft when it started off in 2013, has been left with none with the planes seized by its lender GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). Sources in the airline confirmed that the company has been struggling financially since 2015.

Sixteen flights to eight destinations were affected on Tuesday, but Air Costa said they will resume on Thursday or Friday. Employees said the management did not keep them in the loop regarding the grounding of operations.

Sources in the airline confirmed the repossession of air Costas planes. We had four aircraft in the beginning, then it went down to three, two and now we have none, he added.

Promoted by the Vijayawada-based LEPL Group, the airline suspended its operations once before, in August 2016, due to an inability to repay its defaults.

The beleaguered airline has reportedly defaulted on payments to its lender. Sources in the company said some employees have not been paid since December 2016. Sources who spoke to New Indian Express on condition of anonymity, said Air Costa has withheld some employees salary for two months, including Employees Provident Fund.

Employee sources of Air Costa alleged that the company has not responded to their queries or met them to discuss the issue. They plan to travel to Vijayawada on Thursday to discuss their arrears with the management.

A source said, It has been a very one-sided affair. Some of us havent been paid for two months. Dues are pending, salaries are pending, and we have no guarantee of getting any of it back.

CHENNAI: Andhra Pradesh-based regional airline Air Costa suspended its flight operations, citing financial difficulties on Tuesday barely four years into operations. Allegedly mired in debt, the company, which had four Embraer-190 aircraft when it started off in 2013, has been left with none with the planes seized by its lender GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). Sources in the airline confirmed that the company has been struggling financially since 2015. Sixteen flights to eight destinations were affected on Tuesday, but Air Costa said they will resume on Thursday or Friday. Employees said the management did not keep them in the loop regarding the grounding of operations. Sources in the airline confirmed the repossession of air Costas planes. We had four aircraft in the beginning, then it went down to three, two and now we have none, he added. Promoted by the Vijayawada-based LEPL Group, the airline suspended its operations once before, in August 2016, due to an inability to repay its defaults. The beleaguered airline has reportedly defaulted on payments to its lender. Sources in the company said some employees have not been paid since December 2016. Sources who spoke to New Indian Express on condition of anonymity, said Air Costa has withheld some employees salary for two months, including Employees Provident Fund. Employee sources of Air Costa alleged that the company has not responded to their queries or met them to discuss the issue. They plan to travel to Vijayawada on Thursday to discuss their arrears with the management. A source said, It has been a very one-sided affair. Some of us havent been paid for two months. Dues are pending, salaries are pending, and we have no guarantee of getting any of it back.
By Online Desk

Congress-led UDF opposition members in Kerala today staged a walk-out in the state assembly, protesting against the LDF government's refusal to discuss the alleged collapse of law and order situation in the state, even as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan rejected the charges.

Here is what happened in the assembly today:

1. Opposition UDF stages a walkout in the Assembly alleging Kerala has been converted into a 'Goons Own Country' under the LDF rule. If a government gives political patronage to anti-socials and goons, the state will have to bear disastrous results, says Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala.



2. The rise in the number of cases after the LDF came to power is due to a fearless atmosphere wherein the public can approach the police with complaints, says Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.



3. Soaring rice prices force Kerala to approach West Bengal for rice. Consignments to arrive by March 10, says Co-operation Minister Kadakampally Surendran.



4. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hits out at DGP T P Senkumar, who was replaced by his government as the state police chief. Senkumar is in search of new dens, says Vijayan. He is not speaking in a fashion befitting his stature of a DGP. He has already left your camp, Vijayan tells former home minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.



5. Kasturirangan panel report on the Western Ghats: ''If required, the State government will approach the Centre again for excluding populated areas in the regions designated as ecologically sensitive area (ESA)'' says Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.



6. The state government will go ahead with 163 MW Athirapally hydel project, says Power Minister M M Mani.



7. Actor assault case: V S Achuthanandan praises the government for taking speedy, correct and prompt action.



8. Power department adopts measures to keep the school exam season in March free of power cuts. Power purchase deal for supply of additional 85 MW power during night in place, says Power Minister M M Mani.

Congress-led UDF opposition members in Kerala today staged a walk-out in the state assembly, protesting against the LDF government's refusal to discuss the alleged collapse of law and order situation in the state, even as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan rejected the charges. Here is what happened in the assembly today: 1. Opposition UDF stages a walkout in the Assembly alleging Kerala has been converted into a 'Goons Own Country' under the LDF rule. If a government gives political patronage to anti-socials and goons, the state will have to bear disastrous results, says Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala. 2. The rise in the number of cases after the LDF came to power is due to a fearless atmosphere wherein the public can approach the police with complaints, says Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. 3. Soaring rice prices force Kerala to approach West Bengal for rice. Consignments to arrive by March 10, says Co-operation Minister Kadakampally Surendran. 4. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hits out at DGP T P Senkumar, who was replaced by his government as the state police chief. Senkumar is in search of new dens, says Vijayan. He is not speaking in a fashion befitting his stature of a DGP. He has already left your camp, Vijayan tells former home minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan. 5. Kasturirangan panel report on the Western Ghats: ''If required, the State government will approach the Centre again for excluding populated areas in the regions designated as ecologically sensitive area (ESA)'' says Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. 6. The state government will go ahead with 163 MW Athirapally hydel project, says Power Minister M M Mani. 7. Actor assault case: V S Achuthanandan praises the government for taking speedy, correct and prompt action. 8. Power department adopts measures to keep the school exam season in March free of power cuts. Power purchase deal for supply of additional 85 MW power during night in place, says Power Minister M M Mani.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: The Kerala Police with the help of Navy personnel are conducting an extensive search in the backwaters under the Goshree bridge 1 for the mobile phone used by Pulsar Suni to take the pictures of the sexual assault on a Malayalam film actress on February 17.

According to a police officer, five Navy divers are taking part in the search operation.

The search follows Pulsar Sunis deposition to the police that he threw into the backwaters the mobile phone he used to capture compromising pictures of the actress in the early hours of February 18. Police took Pulsar Suni to the place, but later took him to Alappuzha for evidence collection.

KOCHI: The Kerala Police with the help of Navy personnel are conducting an extensive search in the backwaters under the Goshree bridge 1 for the mobile phone used by Pulsar Suni to take the pictures of the sexual assault on a Malayalam film actress on February 17. According to a police officer, five Navy divers are taking part in the search operation. The search follows Pulsar Sunis deposition to the police that he threw into the backwaters the mobile phone he used to capture compromising pictures of the actress in the early hours of February 18. Police took Pulsar Suni to the place, but later took him to Alappuzha for evidence collection.
By ANI

KANNUR: A priest in Kerala is being charged with sexual abuse after a 16-year-old girl delivered a baby in a private hospital at Kottiyoor in Kannur.

Police said the girl is a Class XI student of a school at Kottiyoor and a resident of Neendunooki in Kottiyoor. The baby was born on Sunday. Tipped off about the birth, Child Line officials informed the police, who found clues indicating that she had been raped by her father. The father was taken into custody and questioned for the crime, but he alleged that it was Vadakkancheril Mathew (Robin), a priest at the Kottiyoor St Sebastian Church, who committed the crime.

The girls house is near the church and the priest might have become acquainted with the girl, police added. A case has been filed under Section 376 and the Prevention of Child Sexual Offences Act. Police are searching for the priest, who is believed to have fled to Ernakulam.

KANNUR: A priest in Kerala is being charged with sexual abuse after a 16-year-old girl delivered a baby in a private hospital at Kottiyoor in Kannur. Police said the girl is a Class XI student of a school at Kottiyoor and a resident of Neendunooki in Kottiyoor. The baby was born on Sunday. Tipped off about the birth, Child Line officials informed the police, who found clues indicating that she had been raped by her father. The father was taken into custody and questioned for the crime, but he alleged that it was Vadakkancheril Mathew (Robin), a priest at the Kottiyoor St Sebastian Church, who committed the crime. The girls house is near the church and the priest might have become acquainted with the girl, police added. A case has been filed under Section 376 and the Prevention of Child Sexual Offences Act. Police are searching for the priest, who is believed to have fled to Ernakulam.
By Express News Service

THOOTHUKUDI: With the retrieval of the body of a 12-year-old girl, on Monday morning, the death toll in the boat tragedy off Manapad Beach increased to ten. Earlier, nine bodies were retrieved from the beach on Sunday evening.

The Indian Coast Guard personnel who began search operations this morning spotted the body of Abinaya, identified as the daughter of Arumugakodi of Azhagammanpuram, near Padukapathu.

According to the Coastal Security Group police, the boat was ferrying 42 passengers including 13 men, 15 women and 14 children below 15 years of age. While eleven persons were admitted to various hospitals, 21 were lucky to escape without any injuries. The ten deceased includes four children, five women and a man.

The Tamil Nadu Marine Police have registered a case of negligence and misuse of boat against the owner D Kevin and the operator B Selvam. While Kevin has been detained, police launched a hunt for Selvam.

Speaking to Express, Sundaraj (34) of East Gate in Madurai, who lost his wife Murugeswari and 11-year-old son, said that he had never imagined he would lose a spouse and child like this. A native of Azhagammanpuram village, Sundaraj came with his family to attend the annual Amman temple festival on Friday. After the festival was over, five families went to visit Manapad on Sunday evening, he said.

When we saw a group of tourists disembarking from a boat, our children wanted to have a ride on the same boat. The boatmen agreed and charged us Rs 20 per head for a ride. As we started to sail, another group of tourists wanted to join the ride. They were about a dozen people. Despite our concerns, they also got into the boat, Sundaraj added.

Recalling the scene, Sundaraj said that due to heavy winds and overcrowding, the boat could not wade through the disturbed sea water. It lost balance and toppled. There werent any safety gears. We did not know that it was an unauthorised boat. While some managed to swim for life, the children and women were caught in the deep waters, he added.

A fisherman involved in the rescue operations said that the fishing net at the bottom of the boat fell on the victims when the boat capsized which trapped them.

Additional Director-General of Police C Sylendra Babu and South Zone Inspector General Murugan also visited the spot.

THOOTHUKUDI: With the retrieval of the body of a 12-year-old girl, on Monday morning, the death toll in the boat tragedy off Manapad Beach increased to ten. Earlier, nine bodies were retrieved from the beach on Sunday evening. The Indian Coast Guard personnel who began search operations this morning spotted the body of Abinaya, identified as the daughter of Arumugakodi of Azhagammanpuram, near Padukapathu. According to the Coastal Security Group police, the boat was ferrying 42 passengers including 13 men, 15 women and 14 children below 15 years of age. While eleven persons were admitted to various hospitals, 21 were lucky to escape without any injuries. The ten deceased includes four children, five women and a man. The Tamil Nadu Marine Police have registered a case of negligence and misuse of boat against the owner D Kevin and the operator B Selvam. While Kevin has been detained, police launched a hunt for Selvam. Speaking to Express, Sundaraj (34) of East Gate in Madurai, who lost his wife Murugeswari and 11-year-old son, said that he had never imagined he would lose a spouse and child like this. A native of Azhagammanpuram village, Sundaraj came with his family to attend the annual Amman temple festival on Friday. After the festival was over, five families went to visit Manapad on Sunday evening, he said. When we saw a group of tourists disembarking from a boat, our children wanted to have a ride on the same boat. The boatmen agreed and charged us Rs 20 per head for a ride. As we started to sail, another group of tourists wanted to join the ride. They were about a dozen people. Despite our concerns, they also got into the boat, Sundaraj added. Recalling the scene, Sundaraj said that due to heavy winds and overcrowding, the boat could not wade through the disturbed sea water. It lost balance and toppled. There werent any safety gears. We did not know that it was an unauthorised boat. While some managed to swim for life, the children and women were caught in the deep waters, he added. A fisherman involved in the rescue operations said that the fishing net at the bottom of the boat fell on the victims when the boat capsized which trapped them. Additional Director-General of Police C Sylendra Babu and South Zone Inspector General Murugan also visited the spot.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: With a view to bring the stalled projects in Tamil Nadu on fast track, the state chief minister E K Palaniswami held a series of meetings with union ministers in Delhi while discussing various state-specific projects.

It was his maiden meetings with the union ministers including Venkaiah, Nitin Gadkari and Ravi Shankar Prasad after taking charge as CM.

Palanisamy is on a two-day visit in the national capital. On Monday, he had met the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded for immediate release of relief funds for the drought-hit state and for the damage caused by the cyclone Vardah.

The Tamil Nadu CM discussed second phase of Metro, slum development and other welfare programmes with Union Urban Development minister Venkaiah Naidu. He also met Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and held talks on Port-Maduravoyal project, Madurai Inner Ring Road and four-lane ECR project.

"Second phase of Metro, housing, people affected by floods in 2015, slum development and issues related to Smart and AMRUT cities were some of the requests that were made before me," Naidu said on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu CM said, "Apart from other issues we have requested the ministry to undertake around 700 kilometres of the state roads under National Highways department. Union and State government would jointly take up Maduravoyal Scheme and start the works as soon as possible."

MoS Pon Radhakrishnan who was present in the meeting at Transport Bhawan said, "Issues regarding fishermen were discussed and steps will be taken by the central government to solve them."

"With the State government's cooperation Enayam Port Project works would be hastened to help fishermen export from Tamil Nadu and stop the present practice of exporting from Kochi. Meetings will be held for the purpose. DPR will be prepared in the first phase," he added.

Later in a meeting with Union Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, the CM discussed the issue of NEET and asked for ratification for state government legislation exempting Tamil Nadu from the ambit of NEET.



NEW DELHI: With a view to bring the stalled projects in Tamil Nadu on fast track, the state chief minister E K Palaniswami held a series of meetings with union ministers in Delhi while discussing various state-specific projects. It was his maiden meetings with the union ministers including Venkaiah, Nitin Gadkari and Ravi Shankar Prasad after taking charge as CM. Palanisamy is on a two-day visit in the national capital. On Monday, he had met the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded for immediate release of relief funds for the drought-hit state and for the damage caused by the cyclone Vardah. The Tamil Nadu CM discussed second phase of Metro, slum development and other welfare programmes with Union Urban Development minister Venkaiah Naidu. He also met Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and held talks on Port-Maduravoyal project, Madurai Inner Ring Road and four-lane ECR project. "Second phase of Metro, housing, people affected by floods in 2015, slum development and issues related to Smart and AMRUT cities were some of the requests that were made before me," Naidu said on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu CM said, "Apart from other issues we have requested the ministry to undertake around 700 kilometres of the state roads under National Highways department. Union and State government would jointly take up Maduravoyal Scheme and start the works as soon as possible." MoS Pon Radhakrishnan who was present in the meeting at Transport Bhawan said, "Issues regarding fishermen were discussed and steps will be taken by the central government to solve them." "With the State government's cooperation Enayam Port Project works would be hastened to help fishermen export from Tamil Nadu and stop the present practice of exporting from Kochi. Meetings will be held for the purpose. DPR will be prepared in the first phase," he added. Later in a meeting with Union Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, the CM discussed the issue of NEET and asked for ratification for state government legislation exempting Tamil Nadu from the ambit of NEET.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Expressing strong doubts over the circumstances surrounding the death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who died on December 5 at her hospital bed, MPs belonging to O Panneerselvam faction of the AIADMK submitted a memorandum to the President seeking a high level probe.

The dissident factions presidium chairman E Madhusudhanan announced that they would observe a one-day fast in Chennai to press for the probe. In the national capital, Dr V Maitreyan, Rajya Sabha Member, led the delegation and submitted the memorandum enlisting the suspicions over the circumstances under which the late Supremo of AIADMK was taken to the Apollo Hospitals on September 22 last.

We urged the President to take steps for a high level inquiry, either by a judicial commission or by the Central Bureau of Investigation, he told reporters.

It was learnt that the rebel MPs have submitted some evidence to prove their point regarding suspicious circumstances. Dispelling the argument that none was allowed to see her because of septicaemia, he said even Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and the number two in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet O Panneerselvam were not allowed have a glimpse.

Maitreyan, an oncologist by profession, wondered whether the hospital management had obtained consent of the blood relatives when it allowed medical cessation. PR Sundaram, MP, said they had sought a comprehensive probe into circumstances that preceded hospitalisation as well.

The MP said there were several doubts lingering in the minds of the party cadre and the public about the statements made by the hospital at the instance of Sasikala looking quite contrary to the fact. On the hospitals stance in the court that photos were not released because Jayalalithaa had asked them not to do so, he asked what evidence they have to prove this.

CHENNAI: Expressing strong doubts over the circumstances surrounding the death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who died on December 5 at her hospital bed, MPs belonging to O Panneerselvam faction of the AIADMK submitted a memorandum to the President seeking a high level probe. The dissident factions presidium chairman E Madhusudhanan announced that they would observe a one-day fast in Chennai to press for the probe. In the national capital, Dr V Maitreyan, Rajya Sabha Member, led the delegation and submitted the memorandum enlisting the suspicions over the circumstances under which the late Supremo of AIADMK was taken to the Apollo Hospitals on September 22 last. We urged the President to take steps for a high level inquiry, either by a judicial commission or by the Central Bureau of Investigation, he told reporters. It was learnt that the rebel MPs have submitted some evidence to prove their point regarding suspicious circumstances. Dispelling the argument that none was allowed to see her because of septicaemia, he said even Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and the number two in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet O Panneerselvam were not allowed have a glimpse. Maitreyan, an oncologist by profession, wondered whether the hospital management had obtained consent of the blood relatives when it allowed medical cessation. PR Sundaram, MP, said they had sought a comprehensive probe into circumstances that preceded hospitalisation as well. The MP said there were several doubts lingering in the minds of the party cadre and the public about the statements made by the hospital at the instance of Sasikala looking quite contrary to the fact. On the hospitals stance in the court that photos were not released because Jayalalithaa had asked them not to do so, he asked what evidence they have to prove this.
By IANS

HYDERABAD: Family members, relatives, friends and people from different walks of life bid a tearful adieu to Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US on February 22 in a suspected hate crime.



His last rites were performed at the cremation ground in Jubilee Hills here on Tuesday.

In pics: Family and friends mourn the death of the Kansas shooting victim Srinivas



K. Madhusudhana Sastry performed the last rites of his son as some of the mourners including the techie's friends were seen carrying placards with slogans like "down with racism".



Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary Muralidhar Rao, other leaders from the BJP, TRS and other parties, and actor couple Jeevitha and Rajasekhar paid their last respects.



The body was brought from Kuchibhotla's house in Bachupally, on the city's outskirts.

>>Telugu community in US asked to converse in English in public



As his final journey began, the engineer's parents were inconsolable while his wife Sunayana Dumala, who arrived with the mortal remains on Monday night, broke down as she had his last glimpse.



The body was brought by a cargo flight while Sunayana, her brother, sister-in-law and another relative reached by a passenger flight.



Mourners poured in at his residence through the night and Tuesday morning to pay their last respects.



Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white man who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on February 22.



Purinton got into an argument with the two and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them.



Kuchibhotla of Hyderabad and his colleague Madasani from Warangal district in Telangana were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an MNC.

HYDERABAD: Family members, relatives, friends and people from different walks of life bid a tearful adieu to Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US on February 22 in a suspected hate crime. His last rites were performed at the cremation ground in Jubilee Hills here on Tuesday. In pics: Family and friends mourn the death of the Kansas shooting victim Srinivas K. Madhusudhana Sastry performed the last rites of his son as some of the mourners including the techie's friends were seen carrying placards with slogans like "down with racism". Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary Muralidhar Rao, other leaders from the BJP, TRS and other parties, and actor couple Jeevitha and Rajasekhar paid their last respects. The body was brought from Kuchibhotla's house in Bachupally, on the city's outskirts. >>Telugu community in US asked to converse in English in public As his final journey began, the engineer's parents were inconsolable while his wife Sunayana Dumala, who arrived with the mortal remains on Monday night, broke down as she had his last glimpse. The body was brought by a cargo flight while Sunayana, her brother, sister-in-law and another relative reached by a passenger flight. Mourners poured in at his residence through the night and Tuesday morning to pay their last respects. Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white man who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on February 22. Purinton got into an argument with the two and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them. Kuchibhotla of Hyderabad and his colleague Madasani from Warangal district in Telangana were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an MNC.
By AFP

BELGRADE: One person was killed and 25 people were injured on Tuesday after two blasts at a military depot in central Serbia, the defence ministry said.

Three people remained unaccounted for, the ministry said in a statement, without providing a cause for the blasts at the munitions dump in the city of Kragujevac.

It added that the lives of the injured victims, all army or government employees, were not in danger.

Defence Minister Zoran Djordjevic was on his way to the scene.

BELGRADE: One person was killed and 25 people were injured on Tuesday after two blasts at a military depot in central Serbia, the defence ministry said. Three people remained unaccounted for, the ministry said in a statement, without providing a cause for the blasts at the munitions dump in the city of Kragujevac. It added that the lives of the injured victims, all army or government employees, were not in danger. Defence Minister Zoran Djordjevic was on his way to the scene.
By IANS

LONDON: Britain has deported a woman without warning because she allegedly spent too much time abroad.



Irene Clennell has been married for 27 years to a British man and has two children by him.



Clennell was deported from Britain to Singapore on Sunday, reportedly with only $15 on her, because she had no legal right to remain in the country, Xinhua news agency quoted the Britain's Home Office as saying on Monday.



"Clennell last entered Britain as a visitor in 2013 and went on to make an application to remain as the spouse of her husband in 2013, this was refused and her appeal rights were exhausted on July 10, 2014," the Home Office said.



Clennell, 53, reportedly first arrived in the country in 1988, married her husband two years later and received an indefinite residence permit in 1992, a right which she then lost by failing to comply with the conditions of that authorisation.



Britain's visa system for marriages with non-European Union nationals requires the British spouse to show annual earnings of at least $23,175 and that the couple can demonstrate long uninterrupted periods of time living in the country.



According to the BBC public network, Clennell and her husband, John, moved to Singapore in 1992, while he returned in 1998 to Britain with the couple's two children.



She remained in the Asian country to look after her mother, although she claims that she visited Britain several times during short periods, and returned to reside in the country from 2003 to 2005.



In 2007 she was denied entry to the country at a British airport, as persons with an indefinite residence permit must present a visa if they have been away for more than two years.



"Where a person is granted indefinite leave to remain, it will lapse if they live outside of Britain for two years or more," the Home Office said.



A statement went on to explain that Clennell had spent the majority of her life, and her married life, living in Singapore.



"Clennell was granted indefinite leave to remain in 1992 but this lapsed after she went on to live outside Britain for more than two years," the statement said.



An internet campaign over the internet has raised more than $37,350 to help Clennell.

LONDON: Britain has deported a woman without warning because she allegedly spent too much time abroad. Irene Clennell has been married for 27 years to a British man and has two children by him. Clennell was deported from Britain to Singapore on Sunday, reportedly with only $15 on her, because she had no legal right to remain in the country, Xinhua news agency quoted the Britain's Home Office as saying on Monday. "Clennell last entered Britain as a visitor in 2013 and went on to make an application to remain as the spouse of her husband in 2013, this was refused and her appeal rights were exhausted on July 10, 2014," the Home Office said. Clennell, 53, reportedly first arrived in the country in 1988, married her husband two years later and received an indefinite residence permit in 1992, a right which she then lost by failing to comply with the conditions of that authorisation. Britain's visa system for marriages with non-European Union nationals requires the British spouse to show annual earnings of at least $23,175 and that the couple can demonstrate long uninterrupted periods of time living in the country. According to the BBC public network, Clennell and her husband, John, moved to Singapore in 1992, while he returned in 1998 to Britain with the couple's two children. She remained in the Asian country to look after her mother, although she claims that she visited Britain several times during short periods, and returned to reside in the country from 2003 to 2005. In 2007 she was denied entry to the country at a British airport, as persons with an indefinite residence permit must present a visa if they have been away for more than two years. "Where a person is granted indefinite leave to remain, it will lapse if they live outside of Britain for two years or more," the Home Office said. A statement went on to explain that Clennell had spent the majority of her life, and her married life, living in Singapore. "Clennell was granted indefinite leave to remain in 1992 but this lapsed after she went on to live outside Britain for more than two years," the statement said. An internet campaign over the internet has raised more than $37,350 to help Clennell.
By AFP

NAYPYIDAW, MYANMAR: At least 160 people have died in around three months of clashes between the military and ethnic armed groups in Myanmar's northern state of Shan, a senior army official said Tuesday, threatening peace talks set for next month.

More than 20,000 people have been displaced since fighting between the army and several armed ethnic groups erupted near the border with China in late November.

Giving the army's first comprehensive toll from the fighting, the chief of the general staff said 74 soldiers, 15 police, 13 government militia fighters and 13 civilians have died in the violence.

"We have 45 dead bodies of enemies and arrested four," General Mya Tun Oo told reporters in the capital, Naypyidaw.

He said hundreds more rebels may have been killed based on pictures of a mass funeral.

The update comes as Myanmar's government prepares to hold the second round of peace talks aiming to end the decades-long conflicts rumbling across the country's borderlands.

Days earlier eight armed ethnic groups signed a statement saying they would never agree to the government-backed ceasefire deal, known as the NCA.

NAYPYIDAW, MYANMAR: At least 160 people have died in around three months of clashes between the military and ethnic armed groups in Myanmar's northern state of Shan, a senior army official said Tuesday, threatening peace talks set for next month. More than 20,000 people have been displaced since fighting between the army and several armed ethnic groups erupted near the border with China in late November. Giving the army's first comprehensive toll from the fighting, the chief of the general staff said 74 soldiers, 15 police, 13 government militia fighters and 13 civilians have died in the violence. "We have 45 dead bodies of enemies and arrested four," General Mya Tun Oo told reporters in the capital, Naypyidaw. He said hundreds more rebels may have been killed based on pictures of a mass funeral. The update comes as Myanmar's government prepares to hold the second round of peace talks aiming to end the decades-long conflicts rumbling across the country's borderlands. Days earlier eight armed ethnic groups signed a statement saying they would never agree to the government-backed ceasefire deal, known as the NCA.
By IANS

DHAKA: A Bangladesh court on Tuesday sentenced five members of an extremist group to death for killing a Japanese national in 2015.

Japanese national Hoshi Kunio, 65, was shot dead near his farm in Rangpur district on October 3, 2015. One year later, authorities charged eight people belonging to the Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) group -- one of whom was later acquitted and two others were killed in police clashes.

"The court sentenced five accused to death as the prosecution could successfully prove the allegation against them," Special Public Prosecutor Abdul Malek told Efe news.

Malek said the two deceased accused were killed in clashes with police in August 2016 and January.

Following the sentencing, defence lawyer Abul Hossin said he will appeal against it in the high court.

Between 2013 and 2016, more than 70 people -- mainly bloggers, intellectuals, foreigners and members of religious minorities in Bangladesh -- were killed in a series of attacks triggering alarm in a Muslim country that has historically been moderate and for the most part removed from extremism.

However, the most gruesome incident was the attack on a restaurant in Dhaka in June 2016 in which 22 people, mostly foreigners, were killed.

The Islamic State and Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for some of the attacks.

DHAKA: A Bangladesh court on Tuesday sentenced five members of an extremist group to death for killing a Japanese national in 2015. Japanese national Hoshi Kunio, 65, was shot dead near his farm in Rangpur district on October 3, 2015. One year later, authorities charged eight people belonging to the Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) group -- one of whom was later acquitted and two others were killed in police clashes. "The court sentenced five accused to death as the prosecution could successfully prove the allegation against them," Special Public Prosecutor Abdul Malek told Efe news. Malek said the two deceased accused were killed in clashes with police in August 2016 and January. Following the sentencing, defence lawyer Abul Hossin said he will appeal against it in the high court. Between 2013 and 2016, more than 70 people -- mainly bloggers, intellectuals, foreigners and members of religious minorities in Bangladesh -- were killed in a series of attacks triggering alarm in a Muslim country that has historically been moderate and for the most part removed from extremism. However, the most gruesome incident was the attack on a restaurant in Dhaka in June 2016 in which 22 people, mostly foreigners, were killed. The Islamic State and Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for some of the attacks.
By Associated Press

WASHINGTON: The nation's governors don't want people in their states to lose health coverage under a repeal of the Obama-era health care law, but even after a weekend of bipartisan meetings, they still don't agree on the best approach to replace it.

Governors attending the winter meeting of the National Governors' Association met Monday morning with President Donald Trump at the White House, where the president marveled about the intricacies of health policy.

"It's an unbelievably complex subject. Nobody knew that health care could be so complicated," Trump told the governors.

Discussion of health care dominated the governors' meeting. While the Trump administration pledged cooperation with the states, some House Republicans are pushing to limit future federal funding to provide care for low-income people in exchange for giving states more flexibility to run their programs.

Rifts emerged between Republican governors in states that opted to expand Medicaid under the 2010 health care law and those that did not. Medicaid insures more than 70 million low-income Americans, and budget hawks in Congress, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, want to curtail federal spending on the program.

Republican Gov. Gary Herbert of Utah, which did not expand Medicaid, said Monday after the meeting at the White House that he supports a proposal to cap funding in exchange for flexibility.

"We need to find a formula that's fair for everyone. Maybe that's going to be an impossibility, but we need to get as close to fairness as we can and give flexibility to the respective states," Herbert said.

But Gov. Brian Sandoval of Nevada, where more than 300,000 people joined the Medicaid rolls after expansion, said changes to the federal funding formula could be detrimental to his state.

"Nevada is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, so if you benchmark me three years ago, that's something that's going to punish Nevada," he said.

The divides among governors were evident even in the ways they interacted with reporters. The National Governors Association organized a news conference on Capitol Hill where Herbert and Sandoval spoke about the meeting with Trump alongside the group's chairman, Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe of Virginia. But the White House also arranged for seven Republican governors to address reporters in a gathering that the rest of the governors weren't invited to.

That group included Gov. Matt Bevin of Kentucky, a tea party conservative and a critic of Medicaid expansion in his state.

"The net result has been a remarkable decline in access to health care coverage. More people covered, but covered by what? Fewer people able to actually even see a doctor," Bevin said.

Health care wasn't the only issue on governors' minds. McAuliffe said he had frank discussions about immigration enforcement with the president and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. McAuliffe said Kelly assured him that federal authorities are only targeting immigrants for deportation if they've committed crimes since entering the country, and that people aren't being stopped randomly by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. He said he implored Trump to communicate that message more clearly.

"I told the president, 'People are confused about this policy and they are frightened about this policy, and you need to clarify it so that people are not scared in this country,'" McAuliffe said. "There is a sincere fear that they may be deported. I've been told that's not the case now. I'm going to watch very closely."

WASHINGTON: The nation's governors don't want people in their states to lose health coverage under a repeal of the Obama-era health care law, but even after a weekend of bipartisan meetings, they still don't agree on the best approach to replace it. Governors attending the winter meeting of the National Governors' Association met Monday morning with President Donald Trump at the White House, where the president marveled about the intricacies of health policy. "It's an unbelievably complex subject. Nobody knew that health care could be so complicated," Trump told the governors. Discussion of health care dominated the governors' meeting. While the Trump administration pledged cooperation with the states, some House Republicans are pushing to limit future federal funding to provide care for low-income people in exchange for giving states more flexibility to run their programs. Rifts emerged between Republican governors in states that opted to expand Medicaid under the 2010 health care law and those that did not. Medicaid insures more than 70 million low-income Americans, and budget hawks in Congress, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, want to curtail federal spending on the program. Republican Gov. Gary Herbert of Utah, which did not expand Medicaid, said Monday after the meeting at the White House that he supports a proposal to cap funding in exchange for flexibility. "We need to find a formula that's fair for everyone. Maybe that's going to be an impossibility, but we need to get as close to fairness as we can and give flexibility to the respective states," Herbert said. But Gov. Brian Sandoval of Nevada, where more than 300,000 people joined the Medicaid rolls after expansion, said changes to the federal funding formula could be detrimental to his state. "Nevada is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, so if you benchmark me three years ago, that's something that's going to punish Nevada," he said. The divides among governors were evident even in the ways they interacted with reporters. The National Governors Association organized a news conference on Capitol Hill where Herbert and Sandoval spoke about the meeting with Trump alongside the group's chairman, Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe of Virginia. But the White House also arranged for seven Republican governors to address reporters in a gathering that the rest of the governors weren't invited to. That group included Gov. Matt Bevin of Kentucky, a tea party conservative and a critic of Medicaid expansion in his state. "The net result has been a remarkable decline in access to health care coverage. More people covered, but covered by what? Fewer people able to actually even see a doctor," Bevin said. Health care wasn't the only issue on governors' minds. McAuliffe said he had frank discussions about immigration enforcement with the president and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. McAuliffe said Kelly assured him that federal authorities are only targeting immigrants for deportation if they've committed crimes since entering the country, and that people aren't being stopped randomly by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. He said he implored Trump to communicate that message more clearly. "I told the president, 'People are confused about this policy and they are frightened about this policy, and you need to clarify it so that people are not scared in this country,'" McAuliffe said. "There is a sincere fear that they may be deported. I've been told that's not the case now. I'm going to watch very closely."
By AFP

TOKYO: Japan's emperor left for Vietnam on Tuesday to meet families of Japanese soldiers sent there by his father more than seven decades earlier during World War II.

The 83-year-old Akihito and his wife, Michiko, are making their first visit to the country, the latest in a series of trips to former battlegrounds.

"It is our hope that our visit to Vietnam will contribute to the further development of the mutual understanding and friendly relations between our two countries," Akihito said at Tokyo's Haneda airport.

Akihito and Michiko are scheduled to visit Hanoi and Hue, according to the Imperial Household Agency.

On Thursday, they are set to meet with family members of some of the Japanese soldiers who stayed in Vietnam after WWII.

Many of the 700 soldiers joined forces with Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh in his fight for independence from colonial ruler France.

They were ordered to return home by Japanese authorities after France was defeated in 1954, but the first wave was not allowed to bring their Vietnamese wives or children.

Their families were often left in poverty and faced accusations of treachery for setting up house with the former enemy.

After Vietnam, the pair fly on to Bangkok on Sunday to pay respects to King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who came to the throne after the death of his father Bhumibol Adulyadej in October.

The tour comes after Akihito suggested last year he is ready to step down, citing his age and increasing frailty.

TOKYO: Japan's emperor left for Vietnam on Tuesday to meet families of Japanese soldiers sent there by his father more than seven decades earlier during World War II. The 83-year-old Akihito and his wife, Michiko, are making their first visit to the country, the latest in a series of trips to former battlegrounds. "It is our hope that our visit to Vietnam will contribute to the further development of the mutual understanding and friendly relations between our two countries," Akihito said at Tokyo's Haneda airport. Akihito and Michiko are scheduled to visit Hanoi and Hue, according to the Imperial Household Agency. On Thursday, they are set to meet with family members of some of the Japanese soldiers who stayed in Vietnam after WWII. Many of the 700 soldiers joined forces with Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh in his fight for independence from colonial ruler France. They were ordered to return home by Japanese authorities after France was defeated in 1954, but the first wave was not allowed to bring their Vietnamese wives or children. Their families were often left in poverty and faced accusations of treachery for setting up house with the former enemy. After Vietnam, the pair fly on to Bangkok on Sunday to pay respects to King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who came to the throne after the death of his father Bhumibol Adulyadej in October. The tour comes after Akihito suggested last year he is ready to step down, citing his age and increasing frailty.
By Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS: Vice President Mike Pence is asking the Indiana Supreme Court to let him keep secret some documents emailed to him while he was the state's governor.

The request comes after an Indianapolis lawyer earlier this month sought the overturning of a state appeals court decision denying access to emails sent to Pence in 2014 in which a staffer for Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott outlined a legal strategy for challenging then-President Barack Obama's executive order on immigration.

The appeals court ruled the documents are privileged attorney-client communications.

Pence lawyer Joseph Chapelle argues in a Friday court filing that requiring the release of such documents would interfere with the governor's decision-making.

The state supreme court hasn't yet decided whether it will consider the appeal.

INDIANAPOLIS: Vice President Mike Pence is asking the Indiana Supreme Court to let him keep secret some documents emailed to him while he was the state's governor. The request comes after an Indianapolis lawyer earlier this month sought the overturning of a state appeals court decision denying access to emails sent to Pence in 2014 in which a staffer for Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott outlined a legal strategy for challenging then-President Barack Obama's executive order on immigration. The appeals court ruled the documents are privileged attorney-client communications. Pence lawyer Joseph Chapelle argues in a Friday court filing that requiring the release of such documents would interfere with the governor's decision-making. The state supreme court hasn't yet decided whether it will consider the appeal.
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: Head of a Pakistani parliamentary panel has cautioned the government against allowing Chinese trucks to ply along the strategic China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) without getting "something" in return. "We are giving roads, land and the entire route to Chinese trucks as they were utilised by Nato (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), but on what terms and conditions," chairman of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Planning and Development Abdul Majeed Khan Khanan Khail said. While presiding over a meeting of the committee yesterday, Khail asked what China would give Pakistan for using the USD 46 billion corridor for trade. "Something would have been decided definitely," he was quoted as saying by Dawn newspaper.

Expressing concern over the safety of roads and their users, he wondered who would bear the cost of maintenance of roads and security on the corridor. The CPEC, a mega network of roads, rail links, power plants and other infrastructure connecting western China's Xinjiang province to Pakistan's southern port of Gwadar. In November last year, China started operating the Gwadar Port which is now connected with northwest China's Xinjiang region.

Chinese trucks loaded with goods manufactured in China are brought to Gwadar Port for export to the Middle East and other destinations. Media reports suggested that Nato logistics had badly damaged Pakistan's road network, but the country could not get any significant benefit from these supplies to Afghanistan.

Former chairman of the National Highway Authority (NHA) Mohammad Ali Gardezi told the Public Accounts Committee in May 2012 that the country had suffered a loss of Rs100 billion due to Nato supplies to Afghanistan via Pakistan, but not a single penny was paid to it for repairing the damaged highways. In reply to a question during the standing committee meeting, the secretary for planning and development said: "Although it is a big challenge for the government, we will safeguard our interests." The secretary did not define who would bear the cost of maintenance of roads but said the cost of security arrangements on the CPEC would be borne by the Pakistan government.

He said that whatever arrangements to be made for maintenance of the corridor and security would be mutually decided by Pakistan and China. "The recently held 6th Pak-China Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting in Beijing has addressed almost all such concerns," he added.

The secretary said 10,000 military personnel had been deployed for the security of projects launched under the CPEC and people working on them. "In fact security is our job for which it has been decided that one per cent of (earning from) CPEC projects will be spent on security," he said.

ISLAMABAD: Head of a Pakistani parliamentary panel has cautioned the government against allowing Chinese trucks to ply along the strategic China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) without getting "something" in return. "We are giving roads, land and the entire route to Chinese trucks as they were utilised by Nato (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), but on what terms and conditions," chairman of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Planning and Development Abdul Majeed Khan Khanan Khail said. While presiding over a meeting of the committee yesterday, Khail asked what China would give Pakistan for using the USD 46 billion corridor for trade. "Something would have been decided definitely," he was quoted as saying by Dawn newspaper. Expressing concern over the safety of roads and their users, he wondered who would bear the cost of maintenance of roads and security on the corridor. The CPEC, a mega network of roads, rail links, power plants and other infrastructure connecting western China's Xinjiang province to Pakistan's southern port of Gwadar. In November last year, China started operating the Gwadar Port which is now connected with northwest China's Xinjiang region. Chinese trucks loaded with goods manufactured in China are brought to Gwadar Port for export to the Middle East and other destinations. Media reports suggested that Nato logistics had badly damaged Pakistan's road network, but the country could not get any significant benefit from these supplies to Afghanistan. Former chairman of the National Highway Authority (NHA) Mohammad Ali Gardezi told the Public Accounts Committee in May 2012 that the country had suffered a loss of Rs100 billion due to Nato supplies to Afghanistan via Pakistan, but not a single penny was paid to it for repairing the damaged highways. In reply to a question during the standing committee meeting, the secretary for planning and development said: "Although it is a big challenge for the government, we will safeguard our interests." The secretary did not define who would bear the cost of maintenance of roads but said the cost of security arrangements on the CPEC would be borne by the Pakistan government. He said that whatever arrangements to be made for maintenance of the corridor and security would be mutually decided by Pakistan and China. "The recently held 6th Pak-China Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting in Beijing has addressed almost all such concerns," he added. The secretary said 10,000 military personnel had been deployed for the security of projects launched under the CPEC and people working on them. "In fact security is our job for which it has been decided that one per cent of (earning from) CPEC projects will be spent on security," he said.
By AFP

MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday he would recall police to fight his drug war, a month after he withdrew them and denounced the force as "corrupt to the core".

"I need more men and I have to call back the police again," Duterte told reporters, adding he had instructed his police chief to find young officers who were not corrupt to join anti-drug groups.

"At yesterday's command conference I ordered (him) to recruit young men in the Philippine National Police who are imbued with the fervour of patriotism," he said.

Duterte won presidential elections last year after promising to eradicate drugs in society by killing tens of thousands of people.

Since then, police have reported killing more than 2,550 people, while more than 4,000 others have died in unexplained circumstances, according to official figures.

Duterte had been unrepentant in the face of widespread international criticism of the drug war, including accusations the police were murdering people for their own gain and organising anonymous vigilante death squads.

Duterte repeatedly promised to shield police from prosecution if they were charged with murder for killing in the drug war.

But he was forced to change tack after an official investigation found anti-drug officers kidnapped a South Korean businessman late last year, then murdered him at the national police headquarters as part of an extortion racket.

"You policemen are the most corrupt. You are corrupt to the core. It's in your system," Duterte said on January 30, before announcing all police had been pulled off the drug war until their ranks had been "cleansed".

Duterte said then nearly 40 percent of the police force engaged in illegal activities.

Duterte handed the campaign over to the much smaller Drug Enforcement Agency, with support from the military.

The national police chief, Ronald Dela Rosa, said on Monday that gains in the drug war had been lost because his force had been withdrawn.

"The longer we are not in the war on drugs, the situation gets worse," Dela Rosa said.

Global rights monitor Amnesty International released a report on February 1 warning that the killings in the drug war may amount to a crime against humanity.

It accused police of fatally shooting defenceless people, fabricating evidence, paying assassins to murder drug addicts and stealing from those they killed or the victims' kin.

Duterte on Tuesday warned police who were sacked for corruption they would be killed if they resorted to drug dealing."If you make a mistake you will die. That's for sure. Your wife will be widowed," he said, referring to those who would be dismissed.

MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday he would recall police to fight his drug war, a month after he withdrew them and denounced the force as "corrupt to the core". "I need more men and I have to call back the police again," Duterte told reporters, adding he had instructed his police chief to find young officers who were not corrupt to join anti-drug groups. "At yesterday's command conference I ordered (him) to recruit young men in the Philippine National Police who are imbued with the fervour of patriotism," he said. Duterte won presidential elections last year after promising to eradicate drugs in society by killing tens of thousands of people. Since then, police have reported killing more than 2,550 people, while more than 4,000 others have died in unexplained circumstances, according to official figures. Duterte had been unrepentant in the face of widespread international criticism of the drug war, including accusations the police were murdering people for their own gain and organising anonymous vigilante death squads. Duterte repeatedly promised to shield police from prosecution if they were charged with murder for killing in the drug war. But he was forced to change tack after an official investigation found anti-drug officers kidnapped a South Korean businessman late last year, then murdered him at the national police headquarters as part of an extortion racket. "You policemen are the most corrupt. You are corrupt to the core. It's in your system," Duterte said on January 30, before announcing all police had been pulled off the drug war until their ranks had been "cleansed". Duterte said then nearly 40 percent of the police force engaged in illegal activities. Duterte handed the campaign over to the much smaller Drug Enforcement Agency, with support from the military. The national police chief, Ronald Dela Rosa, said on Monday that gains in the drug war had been lost because his force had been withdrawn. "The longer we are not in the war on drugs, the situation gets worse," Dela Rosa said. Global rights monitor Amnesty International released a report on February 1 warning that the killings in the drug war may amount to a crime against humanity. It accused police of fatally shooting defenceless people, fabricating evidence, paying assassins to murder drug addicts and stealing from those they killed or the victims' kin. Duterte on Tuesday warned police who were sacked for corruption they would be killed if they resorted to drug dealing."If you make a mistake you will die. That's for sure. Your wife will be widowed," he said, referring to those who would be dismissed.
By AFP

LOS ANGELES: President Donald Trump said Monday the chaos that erupted at the end of the Oscars was due to Hollywood obsessing about him rather than concentrating on running a smooth show.

In an Oval Office interview with conservative website Breitbart News, Trump said Oscars organisers had taken their eyes off the ball because they "were focused so hard on politics."

"It was a little sad. It took away from the glamour of the Oscars," he told the site, which was previously managed by Steve Bannon, who now serves as Trump's chief White House strategist.

"It didn't feel like a very glamorous evening. I've been to the Oscars. There was something very special missing, and then to end that way was sad."

Trump's comments came after Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty mistakenly presented the best picture statuette at the climax of the ceremony to "La La Land," when "Moonlight" was the real winner.

The mixup, which made for a chaotic end to ABC's telecast of the show, has been described as one of the most embarrassing moments in Oscars history.

With the dust settling on the controversy, the finger of blame has settled on PricewaterhouseCoopers partner Brian Cullinan, who was responsible, along with colleague Martha Ruiz, for ensuring that each awards presenter was handed the correct envelope.

Cullinan pulled the envelope that was supposed to be for best picture winner from the wrong pile, the company said.

"He is very upset about this mistake. And it is also my mistake, our mistake and we all feel very bad," said Tim Ryan, PwC's US chairman, according to trade magazine Variety.

Trump had been the target of light-hearted jokes and serious derision throughout the night as Oscar-winners railed against his immigration policies.

Host Jimmy Kimmel trolled the Republican via Twitter during the live broadcast and mocked the commander-in-chief's criticism of screen icon Meryl Streep.

"I want to say thank you to President Trump. Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? That's gone, thanks to him!" Kimmel scoffed.

Trump doesn't explain in the interview why he thinks the jokes at his expense led to the unrelated error, and it is unclear if he watched the show.

Breitbart, one of several news outlets favoured by America's white nationalist extremist fringe, said the comments came in a lengthy interview covering health care, tax cuts, immigration and a variety of other topics.

Breitbart said the mixup came after what it called "hours of Trump-bashing by the Hollywood elites."

"Now, the president has got the last laugh as he hammers Hollywood for its epic fail," it added.

LOS ANGELES: President Donald Trump said Monday the chaos that erupted at the end of the Oscars was due to Hollywood obsessing about him rather than concentrating on running a smooth show. In an Oval Office interview with conservative website Breitbart News, Trump said Oscars organisers had taken their eyes off the ball because they "were focused so hard on politics." "It was a little sad. It took away from the glamour of the Oscars," he told the site, which was previously managed by Steve Bannon, who now serves as Trump's chief White House strategist. "It didn't feel like a very glamorous evening. I've been to the Oscars. There was something very special missing, and then to end that way was sad." Trump's comments came after Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty mistakenly presented the best picture statuette at the climax of the ceremony to "La La Land," when "Moonlight" was the real winner. The mixup, which made for a chaotic end to ABC's telecast of the show, has been described as one of the most embarrassing moments in Oscars history. With the dust settling on the controversy, the finger of blame has settled on PricewaterhouseCoopers partner Brian Cullinan, who was responsible, along with colleague Martha Ruiz, for ensuring that each awards presenter was handed the correct envelope. Cullinan pulled the envelope that was supposed to be for best picture winner from the wrong pile, the company said. "He is very upset about this mistake. And it is also my mistake, our mistake and we all feel very bad," said Tim Ryan, PwC's US chairman, according to trade magazine Variety. Trump had been the target of light-hearted jokes and serious derision throughout the night as Oscar-winners railed against his immigration policies. Host Jimmy Kimmel trolled the Republican via Twitter during the live broadcast and mocked the commander-in-chief's criticism of screen icon Meryl Streep. "I want to say thank you to President Trump. Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? That's gone, thanks to him!" Kimmel scoffed. Trump doesn't explain in the interview why he thinks the jokes at his expense led to the unrelated error, and it is unclear if he watched the show. Breitbart, one of several news outlets favoured by America's white nationalist extremist fringe, said the comments came in a lengthy interview covering health care, tax cuts, immigration and a variety of other topics. Breitbart said the mixup came after what it called "hours of Trump-bashing by the Hollywood elites." "Now, the president has got the last laugh as he hammers Hollywood for its epic fail," it added.
By AFP

WASHINGTON: More than 120 retired admirals and generals urged President Donald Trump not to slash spending on diplomacy and development aid, CNN reported Monday.

Retired General David Petraeus, a former CIA director, and retired Admiral James Stavridis, an ex-NATO supreme allied commander, are among those who pressed Trump not to make good on his repeated threats to implement major cuts in those areas.

State Department funding is "critical to keeping America safe," CNN quoted the military brass as saying in their letter to congressional leaders, two cabinet officials and Trump's national security adviser.

Trump has proposed increasing defense spending by some 54 billion dollars. Officials say he would like to cut a similar amount from the Environmental Protection Agency and State Department.

"The State Department, USAID, Millennium Challenge Corporation, Peace Corps and other development agencies are critical to preventing conflict and reducing the need to put our men and women in uniform in harm's way," the generals wrote, according to CNN.

Earlier, the Pentagon presented the White House with possible new battle plans to defeat the Islamic State group, after Trump demanded top brass find additional ways to destroy the jihadists.

A pillar of Trump's campaign was to quicken the fight against IS -- which despite losing thousands of fighters still controls parts of northern Syria and Iraq -- and he berated Barack Obama's administration for taking too long to do so.

A US-led coalition has been bombing the jihadists in Iraq and Syria since late summer 2014, while also deploying Western commandos to train and advise local forces.

The initial draft of the review is now complete, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis presented the findings to Trump's top national security advisors.

The proposals will likely outline the possibility of sending more US troops to the Middle East and could see the Pentagon taking a more aggressive stance in other key areas.

A key question is whether America will arm Syrian Kurdish forces to lead the fight to retake Raqa -- a move sure to infuriate ally Turkey, which considers the Kurdish fighters terrorists -- or whether the United States should send in more combat troops.

WASHINGTON: More than 120 retired admirals and generals urged President Donald Trump not to slash spending on diplomacy and development aid, CNN reported Monday. Retired General David Petraeus, a former CIA director, and retired Admiral James Stavridis, an ex-NATO supreme allied commander, are among those who pressed Trump not to make good on his repeated threats to implement major cuts in those areas. State Department funding is "critical to keeping America safe," CNN quoted the military brass as saying in their letter to congressional leaders, two cabinet officials and Trump's national security adviser. Trump has proposed increasing defense spending by some 54 billion dollars. Officials say he would like to cut a similar amount from the Environmental Protection Agency and State Department. "The State Department, USAID, Millennium Challenge Corporation, Peace Corps and other development agencies are critical to preventing conflict and reducing the need to put our men and women in uniform in harm's way," the generals wrote, according to CNN. Earlier, the Pentagon presented the White House with possible new battle plans to defeat the Islamic State group, after Trump demanded top brass find additional ways to destroy the jihadists. A pillar of Trump's campaign was to quicken the fight against IS -- which despite losing thousands of fighters still controls parts of northern Syria and Iraq -- and he berated Barack Obama's administration for taking too long to do so. A US-led coalition has been bombing the jihadists in Iraq and Syria since late summer 2014, while also deploying Western commandos to train and advise local forces. The initial draft of the review is now complete, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis presented the findings to Trump's top national security advisors. The proposals will likely outline the possibility of sending more US troops to the Middle East and could see the Pentagon taking a more aggressive stance in other key areas. A key question is whether America will arm Syrian Kurdish forces to lead the fight to retake Raqa -- a move sure to infuriate ally Turkey, which considers the Kurdish fighters terrorists -- or whether the United States should send in more combat troops.
By Associated Press

WASHINGTON: Democrats are turning to an immigrant brought into the U.S. illegally as a child to give a Democratic response to President Donald Trump's address to Congress.

Astrid Silva, 28, said millions of people living in the United States are worried, whether it's about being deported, losing their health insurance coverage or being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. She made the comments in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday at the Capitol.

Silva, who will deliver the response in Spanish, said she wants them to know there are people who care about them. And she wants the president to understand his policy choices will affect millions of families around the nation.

"It's very important for President Trump to understand that even though he spent so much time campaigning about deporting us, now that he is president, he does have to make these choices," said Silva, a resident of Las Vegas. "He needs to see us as humans. That's what we are. We're families trying to find a better life."

Democrats also tapped former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear to give the party response. As governor he aggressively expanded access to health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act, which Republicans are vowing to repeal.

Silva is part of a group of 750,000 immigrants who were brought into the U.S. without authorization as children but later received deportation relief under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program authorized by former President Barack Obama in 2012. She became pen pals with former Sen. Harry Reid. Obama ended up highlighting her story during an address to the nation about a similar deportation relief program for the parents of children who are American citizens or legal residents.

Silva, who was 4 when she was brought to the U.S., said her parents and millions of other families now feel the consequences of Trump's election every day.

"My parents are thinking twice about going to the grocery store," she said. "Their friends are calling them and asking them what they do if ICE comes to their door  things that for many years were in the back of our minds but it wasn't necessarily an everyday occurrence."

Democratic lawmakers have invited several immigrants to be their guests at the address. In contrast, three people with loved ones killed by someone in the United States illegally will sit near first lady Melania Trump.

Despite White House promises that the speech will be an optimistic vision for the country that crosses traditional lines of party and race, Democrats expect to hear little that they will like.

But Rep Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., said he doesn't expect any outbursts from Democratic lawmakers in attendance. "As much as we have nothing in common with the president, we do respect the office of the presidency. Keeping that in mind, we will be polite but we will show very little if any enthusiasm at all for what I anticipate his speech will be about."

Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., said she'll skip the speech. She said she would have considered attending if the president had apologized for certain actions, citing the mocking of a disabled reporter as an example.

"I don't feel good about it, so I won't be here," Waters said.

Others are taking different paths to show their displeasure. Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., announced he would not try to shake hands with the president as he customarily does. Many lawmakers arrive hours early to position themselves for an aisle seat so they can greet the president.

Dozens of female lawmakers were wearing white on Tuesday in honor of women's suffrage. "Know that we stand committed and ready to fight on behalf of all women and girls," said Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif.

WASHINGTON: Democrats are turning to an immigrant brought into the U.S. illegally as a child to give a Democratic response to President Donald Trump's address to Congress. Astrid Silva, 28, said millions of people living in the United States are worried, whether it's about being deported, losing their health insurance coverage or being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. She made the comments in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday at the Capitol. Silva, who will deliver the response in Spanish, said she wants them to know there are people who care about them. And she wants the president to understand his policy choices will affect millions of families around the nation. "It's very important for President Trump to understand that even though he spent so much time campaigning about deporting us, now that he is president, he does have to make these choices," said Silva, a resident of Las Vegas. "He needs to see us as humans. That's what we are. We're families trying to find a better life." Democrats also tapped former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear to give the party response. As governor he aggressively expanded access to health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act, which Republicans are vowing to repeal. Silva is part of a group of 750,000 immigrants who were brought into the U.S. without authorization as children but later received deportation relief under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program authorized by former President Barack Obama in 2012. She became pen pals with former Sen. Harry Reid. Obama ended up highlighting her story during an address to the nation about a similar deportation relief program for the parents of children who are American citizens or legal residents. Silva, who was 4 when she was brought to the U.S., said her parents and millions of other families now feel the consequences of Trump's election every day. "My parents are thinking twice about going to the grocery store," she said. "Their friends are calling them and asking them what they do if ICE comes to their door  things that for many years were in the back of our minds but it wasn't necessarily an everyday occurrence." Democratic lawmakers have invited several immigrants to be their guests at the address. In contrast, three people with loved ones killed by someone in the United States illegally will sit near first lady Melania Trump. Despite White House promises that the speech will be an optimistic vision for the country that crosses traditional lines of party and race, Democrats expect to hear little that they will like. But Rep Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., said he doesn't expect any outbursts from Democratic lawmakers in attendance. "As much as we have nothing in common with the president, we do respect the office of the presidency. Keeping that in mind, we will be polite but we will show very little if any enthusiasm at all for what I anticipate his speech will be about." Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., said she'll skip the speech. She said she would have considered attending if the president had apologized for certain actions, citing the mocking of a disabled reporter as an example. "I don't feel good about it, so I won't be here," Waters said. Others are taking different paths to show their displeasure. Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., announced he would not try to shake hands with the president as he customarily does. Many lawmakers arrive hours early to position themselves for an aisle seat so they can greet the president. Dozens of female lawmakers were wearing white on Tuesday in honor of women's suffrage. "Know that we stand committed and ready to fight on behalf of all women and girls," said Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif.
By AFP

PARIS: France slammed Russia on Tuesday for vetoing a Western-backed UN resolution that would have imposed sanctions on Syria over chemical weapons use.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Russia bore a "heavy responsibility towards the Syrian people and humanity as a whole".

The resolution was "essential for peace and international security", he added.

France had drafted the Security Council resolution alongside Britain and the United States. Russia, a permanent member of the council, vetoed it along with China.

This was the seventh time that Russia, Syria's top military ally, has used its veto power to shield the Damascus regime.

"In Syria, the use of chemical weapons by the regime and by Daesh (the Islamic State group), including against civilian populations, is intolerable," Ayrault said.

"It is crucial that we do not let the crimes of those who choose to use such weapons go unpunished. This is why France took the initiative, with its partners, on this resolution," he said, expressing "deep regret" that the Security Council could not show unity on the issue.

"France will not resign itself to the abuses that continue to plague the Syrian people," Ayrault said.

"It will pursue these efforts with its partners to fight against impunity and the resort to chemical weapons."

PARIS: France slammed Russia on Tuesday for vetoing a Western-backed UN resolution that would have imposed sanctions on Syria over chemical weapons use. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Russia bore a "heavy responsibility towards the Syrian people and humanity as a whole". The resolution was "essential for peace and international security", he added. France had drafted the Security Council resolution alongside Britain and the United States. Russia, a permanent member of the council, vetoed it along with China. This was the seventh time that Russia, Syria's top military ally, has used its veto power to shield the Damascus regime. "In Syria, the use of chemical weapons by the regime and by Daesh (the Islamic State group), including against civilian populations, is intolerable," Ayrault said. "It is crucial that we do not let the crimes of those who choose to use such weapons go unpunished. This is why France took the initiative, with its partners, on this resolution," he said, expressing "deep regret" that the Security Council could not show unity on the issue. "France will not resign itself to the abuses that continue to plague the Syrian people," Ayrault said. "It will pursue these efforts with its partners to fight against impunity and the resort to chemical weapons."
By PTI

WASHINGTON: The White House today condemned the fatal attack on an Indian engineer in Kansas City last week by a US Navy veteran as "racially-motivated hatred".

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani, another Indian of the same age, was injured in the shooting by the navy veteran Adam Purinton, who yelled "terrorist" and "get out of my country" before opening fire on them.

A 24-year-old American named Ian Grillot who tried to defend the Indians received injuries in the firing.

Purinton, 51, apparently mistook the Indians for immigrants from the Middle East.

Yesterday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer had said the incident was "disturbing", but did not say whether the Trump administration believed it was a hate crime.

The tragedy has led to fears among immigrants, who feel being targeted by President Donald Trump's plans to ban travellers from certain countries and build a wall along the Mexico border to realise his campaign pledge of puttting "America first".

WASHINGTON: The White House today condemned the fatal attack on an Indian engineer in Kansas City last week by a US Navy veteran as "racially-motivated hatred". Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani, another Indian of the same age, was injured in the shooting by the navy veteran Adam Purinton, who yelled "terrorist" and "get out of my country" before opening fire on them. A 24-year-old American named Ian Grillot who tried to defend the Indians received injuries in the firing. Purinton, 51, apparently mistook the Indians for immigrants from the Middle East. Yesterday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer had said the incident was "disturbing", but did not say whether the Trump administration believed it was a hate crime. The tragedy has led to fears among immigrants, who feel being targeted by President Donald Trump's plans to ban travellers from certain countries and build a wall along the Mexico border to realise his campaign pledge of puttting "America first".
By Associated Press

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump will issue a broad call for overhauling the nation's health care system and revving up the U.S. economy when he delivers his first address to Congress Tuesday night. But he could leave anxious lawmakers with few specific guidelines for tackling the complicated legislative priorities that have divided his own Republican Party.

In one surprise, Trump may also voice support for immigration legislation, a senior administration official said ahead of the address. The White House offered no details about what the president would want in such a measure, including whether he would support a path to citizenship or legalization for millions of people in the U.S. illegally.

"He is open to having conversations about that moving forward," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

Trump's address comes at a pivotal moment for a new president elected on pledges to swiftly shake up Washington and follow through on the failed promises of career politicians.

The president spent his opening weeks in office flexing his executive power but has yet to push into the complex legislative battles over health care and tax reform. The White House bungled the rollout of a sweeping immigration and refugee ban and has been plagued by persistent questions about Trump campaign advisers' contacts with Russia during the election. The president has picked fights with the media and the intelligence community, blaming agencies he now oversees for leaking classified information that put him in a negative light.

Trump's turbulent start has left him saddled with historically low approval ratings for a new president. Just 44 percent of Americans approve of his job performance, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey.

Trump advisers say parts of Tuesday's prime-time speech will amount to a defense of his early actions. He's expected to tout his decisions to withdraw the U.S. from a sweeping Pacific Rim trade pact and to order the government to start working on a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Republicans, impatient to begin making headway on legislation, hope Trump arrives on Capitol Hill armed with specifics on replacing the "Obamacare" health care law and overhauling the nation's tax system, two issues he's so far talked about in mostly general terms. GOP lawmakers want to act on both this year but are divided over how to proceed.

More broadly, some Republicans are anxious for the president to set aside his feuds with the media, the intelligence community and the courts, which have overshadowed party policy priorities.

"It would be nice to see a speech that kind of brought us together," said Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho. "I'm not talking about the far left or the far right. The independents out there, middle of the roaders, those kind of people who want to see government work."

Trump will be standing before Democrats appalled by his politics and policies, and many Republicans who were barely more supportive during the presidential campaign. However, most Republican lawmakers have rallied around him since the election, hopeful that he will act on the domestic priorities they saw blocked during President Barack Obama's eight years in office.

Trump's speech is technically not a State of the Union address, though newly sworn-in presidents do often address a joint session of Congress in their first weeks in office. The Supreme Court justices and members of Trump's Cabinet will be on hand for the televised event.

First lady Melania Trump will be sitting with special guests on hand to amplify the president's agenda, including the widows of two California police officers killed by a man living in the country illegally. The widow of former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia will also sit alongside Mrs. Trump, a reminder of the president's well-received nomination of federal appeals court Judge Neil Gorsuch to fill Scalia's seat.

In public, Trump has spoken about his presidency's early days with his usual confident bluster, declaring that there's "never been a presidency that's done so much in such a short period of time." But he's privately vented frustrations to friends and associates.

In the Fox interview Tuesday, Trump gave himself an overall "A plus" for effort, but conceded, "In terms of messaging, I would give myself a C or a C plus."

Trump recently complained to one associate that the White House was trying to do too many things at once and none of it was breaking through. He told another associate that the White House had lost control of the story surrounding Michael Flynn, who was fired as national security adviser after misleading Vice President Mike Pence and others about his contacts with Russia.

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump will issue a broad call for overhauling the nation's health care system and revving up the U.S. economy when he delivers his first address to Congress Tuesday night. But he could leave anxious lawmakers with few specific guidelines for tackling the complicated legislative priorities that have divided his own Republican Party. In one surprise, Trump may also voice support for immigration legislation, a senior administration official said ahead of the address. The White House offered no details about what the president would want in such a measure, including whether he would support a path to citizenship or legalization for millions of people in the U.S. illegally. "He is open to having conversations about that moving forward," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. Trump's address comes at a pivotal moment for a new president elected on pledges to swiftly shake up Washington and follow through on the failed promises of career politicians. The president spent his opening weeks in office flexing his executive power but has yet to push into the complex legislative battles over health care and tax reform. The White House bungled the rollout of a sweeping immigration and refugee ban and has been plagued by persistent questions about Trump campaign advisers' contacts with Russia during the election. The president has picked fights with the media and the intelligence community, blaming agencies he now oversees for leaking classified information that put him in a negative light. Trump's turbulent start has left him saddled with historically low approval ratings for a new president. Just 44 percent of Americans approve of his job performance, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey. Trump advisers say parts of Tuesday's prime-time speech will amount to a defense of his early actions. He's expected to tout his decisions to withdraw the U.S. from a sweeping Pacific Rim trade pact and to order the government to start working on a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Republicans, impatient to begin making headway on legislation, hope Trump arrives on Capitol Hill armed with specifics on replacing the "Obamacare" health care law and overhauling the nation's tax system, two issues he's so far talked about in mostly general terms. GOP lawmakers want to act on both this year but are divided over how to proceed. More broadly, some Republicans are anxious for the president to set aside his feuds with the media, the intelligence community and the courts, which have overshadowed party policy priorities. "It would be nice to see a speech that kind of brought us together," said Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho. "I'm not talking about the far left or the far right. The independents out there, middle of the roaders, those kind of people who want to see government work." Trump will be standing before Democrats appalled by his politics and policies, and many Republicans who were barely more supportive during the presidential campaign. However, most Republican lawmakers have rallied around him since the election, hopeful that he will act on the domestic priorities they saw blocked during President Barack Obama's eight years in office. Trump's speech is technically not a State of the Union address, though newly sworn-in presidents do often address a joint session of Congress in their first weeks in office. The Supreme Court justices and members of Trump's Cabinet will be on hand for the televised event. First lady Melania Trump will be sitting with special guests on hand to amplify the president's agenda, including the widows of two California police officers killed by a man living in the country illegally. The widow of former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia will also sit alongside Mrs. Trump, a reminder of the president's well-received nomination of federal appeals court Judge Neil Gorsuch to fill Scalia's seat. In public, Trump has spoken about his presidency's early days with his usual confident bluster, declaring that there's "never been a presidency that's done so much in such a short period of time." But he's privately vented frustrations to friends and associates. In the Fox interview Tuesday, Trump gave himself an overall "A plus" for effort, but conceded, "In terms of messaging, I would give myself a C or a C plus." Trump recently complained to one associate that the White House was trying to do too many things at once and none of it was breaking through. He told another associate that the White House had lost control of the story surrounding Michael Flynn, who was fired as national security adviser after misleading Vice President Mike Pence and others about his contacts with Russia.
TN CM Palanisami to meet PM Modi today

New Delhi , Feb. 27 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami will on Monday meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital.





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The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister arrived in Delhi last night.During his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, Palanisami is likely to take up various issues, including exempting Tamil Nadu from NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) and seeking funds to address damage caused by cyclone Vardah, among others.Palanisami had a brief interaction with Prime Minister Modi at Coimbatore earlier on February 24 when he had arrived in the city to inaugurate the bust of Adiyogi.
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'Machiavellian' Mayawati can join BJP at anytime: Akhilesh

Deoria (Uttar Pradesh) , Feb. 27 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday told Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati that she can align with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at a time of her choosing, adding that she was the kind of machiavellian politician.





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"Mayawati can anytime align with the BJP, she cannot be trusted. The people should always be careful of herA. Both the BJP and the BSP don't want the Samajwadi Party to come to power again, but we trust that the people of Uttar Pradesh would support us," said Akhilesh at a rally in Deoria ahead of the sixth-phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.On Mayawati talking about development, he said, "Samajwadi Party has done the maximum amount of work in the state and we have built the metro at very fast pace that has never been done earlier by any government."Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'creamation-graveyard remark', Akhilesh said his party is more focused on discussing about laptops and smartphone.Akhilesh's comments came as the voting for the fifth-phase of assembly elections continues in Uttar Pradesh.The voter turnout has been recorded at 38.72 percent till 1 p.m. on Monday.Voting is taking place in 51 constituencies spread over 12 districts of the Terai and eastern regions.Amethi, Sultanpur, Faizabad, Barabanki, Ambedkarnagar, Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Basti, Siddharthnagar and Sant Kabir Nagar are districts where the polling is on.The sixth-phase of polling for 49 assembly constituencies spread across seven districts of Uttar Pradesh will take place on March 4.
Vivek Chaand Sehgal awarded EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2016

New Delhi , Feb. 27 (ANI-BusinessWire India): Vivek Chaand Sehgal of the Motherson Sumi Systems Limited (MSSL), the flagship company of Samvardhana Motherson Group (SMG), was today named the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2016.





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Samvardhana Motherson Group with MSSL has presence in more than 26 countries across six continents and is amongst the top auto-component suppliers across the globe.The awards were presented by Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines and Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, who were the Guests of Honor.Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman also presented awards across nine categories in the presence of over 400 guests including eminent business leaders.Vivek Chaand Sehgal will now represent India at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Award (WEOY) in Monte Carlo from June 7-11, 2017. The EOY is the only global business award program in the world and is now in its 18th year in India.Nandan Nilekani was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his invaluable contribution to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) - the Aadhaar initiative, which is a pioneering citizen-identification program, unparalleled in scope and scale worldwide.As the Honorary Advisor to the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), he has also helped create the ecosystem for digital financial services in India. He has also played a major role in the growth of the Indian Information Technology industry and is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honor, in 2009.Winners were also announced in nine other Award categories:EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2016: WinnersEY Entrepreneur of the Year 2016: Vivek Chaand SehgalChairman, Motherson Sumi Systems LimitedLifetime Achievement: Mr. Nandan NilekaniCo-founder, Infosys and Former Chairman, Unique Identification Authority of India (Aadhar card)Category WinnersBusiness Transformation: Dr. Abhay FirodiaChairman, Force MotorsConsumer Products and Retail: Chandubhai ViraniWhole time Director, Balaji WafersEntrepreneurial CEO: Uday ShankarChairman and Chief Executive Officer, Star IndiaFinancial Services: Vishwavir AhujaManaging Director and Chief Executive Officer, RBL BankLife Sciences and Healthcare: Samprada Singh and Basudeo Narain SinghChairman Emeritus, and Executive Chairman, Alkem LaboratoriesManufacturing: Hari Mohan BangurManaging Director, Shree CementReal Estate and Infrastructure: Vikas OberoiChairman and Managing Director, Oberoi RealtyServices: R DineshManaging Director, TVS Logistics ServicesStart-up: Darshan PatelChairman and Managing Director, Vini Cosmetics"Each of our winners this year have taken forward their unique ideas with unwavering determination in the face of adversity. They have taken bold risks and transformed into leading players in their respective industries. Even in a challenging and disruptive business environment, these visionary entrepreneurs are continuously creating value, generating jobs and contributing to building a better working world," said Rajiv Memani, Chairman, EY India.A distinguished nine-member jury led by Dilip Shanghvi, Managing Director, Sun Pharmaceuticals selected the winners. Other Jury members include Subodh Bhargava, Chairman, Tata Communications; Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Executive Vice-Chairman, Info Edge (India) Limited; Naina Lal Kidwai, Chairman, Max Financial Services; Uday Kotak, Managing Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank; Kalpana Morparia, Chief Executive Officer, JP Morgan Chase South Asia and India; Rishad Premji, Chief Strategy Officer, Wipro; Renuka Ramnath, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Multiples Alternate Asset Management and A Vellayan, Executive Chairman, Murugappa Group.Entrepreneur of the Year is the only business award to be based on self-nomination and it is now in its 18th year in India."Each of the winners this year, with their disruptive ideas and incredible innovation have demonstrated perseverance and foresight to scale their businesses. Their stories of courage and ambition are truly inspiring and define the India of today and tomorrow. We at EY recognise and applaud the entrepreneurial spirit and exceptional achievements of all the winners," said Farokh Balsara, Partner and EOY India Program Leader.(ANI-BusinessWire India)
Rahul to PM Modi: Target Mallya, not poor of UP

Deoria (Uttar Pradesh) , Feb.27 : Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop protecting absconding liquor baron Vijay Mallya, and instead do something for the poor, deprived and farmers of Uttar Pradesh.





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Gandhi said PM Modi is duping the poor, honest and hard-working people to help the 50 super-rich families.He questioned Prime Minister Modi of waiving off the debts of Mallya worth Rs. 1200 crores."People of UP need a government that will give jobs and work for the needy," he added.The sixth phase of the election will take place on March 6.
Assam govt to not take burden of excess cost by provincialising more venture educational institutions

Guwahati, Feb 27 : Assam government on Monday said that the state government will not take any burden of excess cost to provide salary to more teachers and employees by provincialising more venture educational institutions.





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While submitting the White Paper on Provincialisation of Services Employees of educational institutions under Assam Venture Educational Institutional Institutions (Provincialisation of Service) Act, 2011 in Assam assembly on the behalf of Assam Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, state Parliamentary Affairs minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that, the total additional financial implication to meet the expenditure for provincialisation of services of the employees of the venture educational institutions would be Rs 756 crore annually for the institutions falling under Elementary, Secondary and Higher education.Apart from it, the state government would be required additional of fund of around Rs 40 crore annually for provincialisation of services of employees of Madrasa institutions and Sanskrit Tols, Patowary said.The Assam minister said that, to cope with the requirement of additional funds, it will necessary as education cess may have to be levied on certain Goods and Services.For the purpose of provincialisation of the services of the employees of venture educational institutions, the state government can by separate acts or rules as the case may be created a pool of fund from various sources through taxation, levies, toll cess. After such imposition and collection, the shortage can be supplemented from the consolidated fund of the state to meet the requirement of salary and other dues, Patowary said.The state government said in the White Paper that, the services of 41,658 employees of 8,490 elementary, secondary and higher educational institutions have been provincialised under the provincialisation act, 2011.Apart from it, a total of 33,668 employees of 6608 institutions, which are eligible as per the provincialisation act, 2011, but have not yet been provincialised.The state government had suggested through the White Paper that, total ban on provincialisation of educational institutions which were not recognized or received permission or concurrence up to last class before January 1, 2006.Covers all eligible teachers on the basis of the total enrolment of schools, colleges including subject wise enrolment without discriminating on the basis of maximum ceiling on the number of teachers, the state government suggested.(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
ICC India recruits new President and Vice President

New Delhi , Feb. 27 : Subhrakant Panda, Managing Director, Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys Ltd and Jawahar Vadivelu, Chairman, Cameo Corporate Services Limited, have taken over as the President and Vice President of ICC India, respectively, at the conclusion of 86th Annual General Meeting of ICC India held here on Monday.





(Posted on 28 February 2017, 1667766135 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-india-news.php  (Posted on 28 February 2017, 1667766135 173O212O198O32)

ICC India is an allied body of FICCI and is the Indian Affiliate of the Paris based International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the world business organisation with presence in over 130 countries.Panda joined the IMFA Group in 1993 and has handled various responsibilities over the years. In 2006 he was appointed Managing Director of the flagship company Indian Metals &and Ferro Alloys Ltd. (IMFA) - the country's leading, fully integrated producer of ferro alloys - and his current role is to define the broad strategic goals including growth and diversification plans.He is an active member of the National Executive Committee of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and is Co-Chair of the National Tax Committee besides being Chairman of the FICCI Odisha State Council.Jawahar Vadivelu, Vice President, ICC India is Chairman of Cameo Corporate Services Limited, holds MBA degrees from the Asian Institute of Management, Philippines, and from the Booth School of Business, University of Chicago.He has served as independent director on the board of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), and on several of its sub-committees, including its audit committee, project appraisal committee and policy and planning committee. He has also served on the boards of Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation Limited (SPIC) and Sical Logistics Limited.Vadivelu is also the past president of the Southern India Chamber of Commerce & Industry, member of the national executive committee of FICCI, International Chamber of Commerce - India, All India Organisation of Employers (AIOE) and the Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA).
By Josephine Mason and Foo Yun Chee

BEIJING/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - China expressed concerns on Tuesday over what it said was increasing protectionism after European Union regulators imposed new duties on steel imports from the world's biggest producer.

The European Commission is seeking to protect EU steelmakers while avoiding tensions with Beijing, which it sees as a possible ally against protectionism and climate change.

It imposed definitive anti-dumping duties of between 65.1 percent and 73.7 percent on imports of heavy plate non-alloy or other alloy steel from China on Tuesday, confirming provisional tariffs set in October.

This prompted a statement from China's Commerce Ministry calling on Europe to treat Chinese companies "fairly and impartially", adding it was ready to strengthen communication with the EU to tackle issues in the industry.

The companies named in the Commission's ruling included Nanjing Iron & Steel Co Ltd, Minmetals Yingkou Medium Plate Co Ltd, Wuyang Iron and Steel Co Ltd [WYIAS.UL] and Wuyang New Heavy & Wide Steel Plate Co Ltd.

The EU executive said it acted after an investigation found Chinese companies to be heavily dumping their products on the EU market by selling them at well below half of the price on the producers' home market.

"The Commission has responded forcefully and quickly to unfair competition, while at the same time ensuring that the rights of all interested parties have been protected," the Commission said in a statement.

Eurofer, which represents the European steel sector, said the Commission had found clear evidence of dumping.

"Tens of thousands of steel jobs have been lost in Europe over the past few years, and dumping, particularly demonstrably from China, has been one of the causes," it said in a statement.

The EU has strengthened its policy against what it considers unfair competition for its steel industry, and said its new approach had allowed it to decide on trade sanctions more quickly than in the past.

Story continues

It said on Tuesday it has 41 anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures in place, 18 of which are on products from China.

Also on Tuesday, Europe's second highest court backed anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties imposed by the EU nearly four years ago on imports of Chinese solar panels.

(Additional reporting and writing by Barbara Lewis in London; Editing by Jason Neely, Greg Mahlich and Alexander Smith)
Kansas shooting: India salutes heroism of Ian Grillot, says Swaraj

New Delhi , Feb. 27 : Saluting the heroism of Ian Grillot, who suffered injuries in his arm and chest while trying to tackle the shooter at a Kansas city bar who opened fire on two Indian men, External Affair Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday wished for his speedy recovery.





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"India salutes the heroism of Ian Grillot ! Best wishes for a speedy recovery," she tweeted.A 24-year old American Ian Grillot is being hailed for his heroic efforts. However, he reckons he did what anyone else would have done at the time.In the tragic incident, Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot to death, but Alok Madasani managed to survive thanks to the heroic efforts of Grillot, who tried to snatch the gun away from the shooter."It just put the biggest smile on my face. I'm just very grateful that one of the gentlemen is fine and alive. It's terrible what happened to his friend," The Kansas City Star quoted Grillot as saying.Stating that he considers Madasani as his new best friend, Grillot hoped that the two could spend some time together when both of them get out of the hospital."I don't think it's going to be at the bar, though. Maybe over a backyard grill and a couple of beers," he said.Grillot jumped up to pursue the gunman after he thought the gunman was out of bullets.However, he was unfortunate as there was still a one round left with the gunman, who used it to shoot Grillot.Grillot was injured after the bullet went through his hand and then into his chest.In a video released by the University of Kansas Health System, Grillot guessed that he might have miscounted the shots before attacking the gunman."I wasn't really thinking when I did that. It was just, it wasn't right, and I didn't want the gentleman to potentially go after somebody else," he said.However, Grillot is now in stable condition and is expected to recover soon.Grillot said that he was just doing what anyone should have done. "It's not about where he's from, or ethnicity. We're all humans," he said.A fundraiser GoFundMe has been set up to assist all three men, said local U.S. media reports.
(Corrects units to megawatt from kilowatt in 1st paragraph)

BISSAU, Feb 26 (Reuters) - China will invest $184 million dollars into a 30 megawatt biomass power plant in Guinea Bissau, the Chinese embassy said on Sunday.

"The funds are meant for construction of a biomass plant fed by two generators," each with 15 megawatt capacity, an embassy statement said.

China will foot 93 percent of the bill for the project, while Guinea pays for the remaining 7 percent.

Guinea Bissau, a former Portuguese colony, suffers chronic power shortages that often leave its seaside capital Bissau in darkness.

China has pledged to put about $60 billion into African development projects. In 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a multi-billion dollar development initiative at a summit in South Africa, saying it would boost agriculture, build roads, ports and railways and cancel some debt.

China has already built Guinea Bissau's national stadium, main parliament building and a government palace.

(Reporting by Alberto Dabo; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Angus MacSwan/Ruth Pitchford)
India observes National Science Day on Feb 28, celebrates discovery of Raman effect

New Delhi, Feb 28 : On Feb 28 every year, India celebrates National Science Day through science festivals in educational and science research institutions to spread awareness about science in daily life and the country's various achievements.





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The National Science Day commemorates the discovery of the Raman effect by Indian physicist Sir Chandrashekhara Venkata Raman in 1928. He won the Nobel Prize in 1930 for his discovery.Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on Tuesday, On #NationalScienceDay, my greetings best wishes to our scientific community. Their role in nation building advancement is paramount.Union Minister of Science Technology, Earth Sciences, Dr Harsh Vardhan tweeted, Greetings on the #NationalScienceDay. Day to remember contributions of Bharat Ratna Dr CV Raman and our entire glorious scientific community.He also tweeted, Our scientists, thousands of unknown and uncelebrated faces, work tirelessly day night to help take India forward. The Societal interventions, technological breakthroughs, solutions to challenges- our scientists have provided us all.M Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister for Information Broadcasting tweeted, Wishes on National Science Day, honouring the great scientist Sir. C. V. Raman. Let us adopt promote scientific vigour in our daily lives.Various science museums across the country are holding special programmes to observe the day.Image: Dr Harsh Vardhan Twitter
Indian envoy to US Sarna meets Tom Shannon

Washington D.C. [USA], Feb. 28: Ahead of the four-day visit of Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Tom Shannon met Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Navtej Sarna at the Department of State.





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During the trip, Jaishankar will discuss the safety of Indians as well as raise the issue of H1-B visas.Jaishankar is scheduled to hold talks on regional and international issues of mutual interest with senior members of the Donald Trump administration.During the visit, Jaishankar will also raise the issue of safety of Indian nationals.The 25 Governors along with the special envoys of four other Governors, who attended Sarna's reception two nights after the killing of an Indian engineer in Kansas, expressed solidarity with India whose citizens feel threatened following recent racial attacks and President Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric.Speaking at the Indian embassy in Washington, Sarna said that more than 400,000 jobs have been directly or indirectly supported by the Indian tech companies.Sarna also said that since US and India are both federal in their polity and governance systems, the states will always have a critical role to play in spurring growth and facilitating investments.He mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a strong believer in 'cooperative federalism'.
India, World Bank sign USD 63 million agreement for 'Tejaswini'

New Delhi , Feb 28 : The World Bank on Tuesday signed a financing agreement for IDA credit of USD 63 million (equivalent) for 'Tejaswini', which is a socio-economic empowerment of adolescent girls and young women project.





(Posted on 28 February 2017, 1667766144 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-india-news.php  (Posted on 28 February 2017, 1667766144 173O212O198O32)

The agreement was signed under the presence of joint secretary Department of Economic Affairs, Raj Kumar and on behalf of the Government of India and Junaid Kamal Ahmad, Country Director, World Bank (India) on behalf of the World Bank.Also, a project agreement was signed by Mukhmeet Singh Bhatia, Principal Secretary, Department of Women, Child Development, Government of Jharkhand and Junaid Kamal Ahmad, Country Director, World Bank.The project seeks to empower the adolescent girls with basic life skills and thereafter provide further opportunities to acquire market driven skill training or completion of secondary education, depending on the inclination of the beneficiary.The project will be delivered in 17 Districts of Jharkhand, and it includes three main components, which includes expanding social, educational and economic opportunities, intensive service delivery and state capacity-building and implementation support.About 680,000 adolescent girls and young women in the project Districts are expected to benefit from the program.
Rahul Gandhi corners PM Modi over Naga Peace Accord

Imphal (Manipur) , Feb.28 : Launching a frontal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged that the former did not even discuss about the Naga Peace Accord with Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.





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"Prime Minister Modi didn't even talk to CM Ibobi Singh. The ministers are not aware of what is there in Naga Accord. It is all in PM Modi's mind," Gandhi said while addressing a rally here."You must ask PM Modi that when the Naga Peace Accord was made, why the people of Manipuri were not consulted or spoken to? Till date, no one knows what is there in this pre-paid accord," he added.The Naga Peace Accord was signed in 2015 by the Government of India and the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) in Prime Minister Modi's presence.Elections for the 60-member Manipur assembly are slated for March 4 and 8.
Advance Pricing Agreements signed by CBDT Touch 140

New Delhi , Feb 28 : The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on Tuesday announced that it has entered into 10 more Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) over the last one week, including seven Unilateral APAs.





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Two of these ten agreements are Bilateral APAs with the United Kingdom and Japan. Seven of these Agreements have Rollback provisions in them.With this, the total number of APAs entered into by the CBDT has reached 140. This includes 10 Bilateral APAs and 130 Unilateral APAs. In the current financial year, a total of 76 APAs (seven Bilateral APAs and 61 Unilateral APAs) have already been entered into. The CBDT expects more APAs to be concluded and signed before the end of the current fiscal.The APAs entered into over the last week pertain to various sectors of the economy like Telecom, Pharmaceutical, Banking and Finance, Steel, Retail, Information Technology, etc. The international transactions covered in these agreements include Payment of Royalty Fee, Trading in Goods, IT Enabled Services, Software Development Services, Marketing Support Services, Clinical Research Services, Non-binding Investment Advisory Services, Payment of Interest on ECB, etc.The APA Scheme was introduced in the Income-tax Act in 2012 and the "Rollback" provisions were introduced in 2014. The scheme endeavors to provide certainty to taxpayers in the domain of transfer pricing by specifying the methods of pricing and setting the prices of international transactions in advance. Since its inception, the APA scheme has evinced a lot of interest from taxpayers and that has resulted in more than 700 applications (both unilateral and bilateral) being filed so far in about five years.The progress of the APA Scheme strengthens the Government's resolve of fostering a non-adversarial tax regime. The Indian APA programme has been appreciated nationally and internationally for being able to address complex transfer pricing issues in a fair and transparent manner.
President of India to visit Kerala and Tamil Nadu from Mar 2 to 3

New Delhi, Feb 28 : President Pranab Mukherjee will visit Kerala and Tamil Nadu from Mar 2 to 3, officials said.





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On Mar 2, 2017, the President will inaugurate a Seminar on Importance of Sustainable Culture Building being organized as part of the third edition of the Muziris Biennale in Kochi. On the same day, he will also deliver the Sixth KS Rajamony Memorial Lecture at Kochi.On March 3, 2017, the President will present Standard to 125 (H) Sqn and Colours to MTI of Indian Air Force at Tambaram, Tamil Nadu. On the same day, he will also inaugurate the Centenary Celebrations of Womens Indian Association at Theosophical Society, Adyar, Chennai, read a government statement.The Kochi Muziris Biennale is an international festival of contemporary art organized by the Kochi Muziris Foundation in association with the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.Its three editions, since 2012, have resulted in Kochi occupying a prominent position on the global art calendar.The Biennale has till date exhibited over 300 artworks by over 250 artists from all over the world and hosted more than a million visitors.This edition showcases 97 artists from 31 countries such as UK, USA, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. It has received around four lakh visitors till date.
HPE to work with Tata Communications to build world's largest IoT network in India

Barcelona , Feb 28 : Today at Mobile World Congress 2017 Hewlett Packard Enterprise announced it is working with Tata Communications, a leading provider of A New World of Communications, to support the roll-out of India's first LoRaWAN (LoRa) based network.





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Tata Communications unveiled plans for the LoRaTM network last year. It is part of Tata Communications long-term strategy of creating mobile platforms and ecosystems that enable its customers and partners to connect people and IoT-connected devices seamlessly on a global scale. The first phase of the roll-out targets Tier 1, 2, 3 and 4 cities in India, touching over 400 million people. Alongside successful field trials in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, there are also 35 proof-of-concept applications in trial on the network.The association between Tata Communications and HPE paves the way for a new era in enabling devices with embedded connectivity for enterprise customer solutions throughout the country.The project involves connecting devices, applications and other IoT solutions over the LoRa network in smart buildings, campus, utilities, fleet management, security and healthcare services in nearly 2,000 communities, covering over 400 million people, making it the first-of-its-kind initiative in India.Tata Communications has 15 years of experience in delivering impactful and innovative communications solutions to its customers globally, said Anthony Bartolo, president, Mobility, IoT and Collaboration Services, Tata Communications. As part of our commitment to innovation and in driving digital transformation globally, we are creating a cohesive, resilient and highly secure network to deploy IoT applications in India. We are excited to be partnering with HPE in this project as this platform is critical to amalgamating all the complex variables in enabling a truly digital India.Designed for massive scale, multi-vendor and multi-network support using the oneM2M interoperability standard, the HPE Universal IoT Platform streamlines interoperability and management of heterogeneous IoT devices and applications that power the intelligent edge. The platform supports long-range, low-power connectivity deployments, as well as devices that use cellular, radio, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Recent enhancements announced for the HPE Universal IoT Platform include increased LoRa gateway support, enabling the use of multiple LoRa gateways with a common set of applications to simplify device provisioning and control in heterogeneous LoRa environments.The sheer size of this project is incredible, bringing new services to millions of people, said David Sliter, vice president and general manager, Communications Solutions Business, HPE. Through our partner centric approach, the HPE Universal IoT platform will enable Tata Communications to build multiple vertical use cases for its Indian IoT network on a common platform with a common data model.Tata Communications has also selected HPE to be an integral part of its global cellular IoT connectivity services. This provides a range of domestic and cross-border IoT connectivity and management services, particularly for applications requiring elements of mobility, such as connected cars, fleet management and transportation services.
Who are Newport's top taxpayers? Take a look at the top 50.
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).
By Keynote Contributor Dr. Richard Thompson Head of Research,

Findacure

By Dr. Richard Thompson, Head of Research, Findacure

Innovation is something of a buzz-word in modern medicine and rightly so. In order to deliver the best care and treatment to patients it is crucial that we are open to new ideas and encourage scientific advancement.

Finding new ways to successfully convert novel ideas into day-to-day practice is crucial to improve healthcare. However, all too often our focus on innovation is on new technologies, new scientific methods, or new drugs  it becomes a quest for the next big thing.

These are unquestionably important for treatments to be developed and reach patients; however, they are not the only form of innovation, and arguably not the form of innovation most needed in modern, cash-strapped healthcare systems.

Credit: Costello Medical Consultancy and Findacure

Innovation is also equally about innovative ideas  finding new ways to deliver a service or improved ways to use current resources. Drug repurposing is an excellent example of this form of innovation: using a scientific approach to identify new uses for existing drugs.

This type of research is clearly less sexy than the development of novel treatments or advanced therapies like gene editing, as it does not produce an exciting new molecule or genetic construct. Subsequently people tend to believe that a repurposed therapy can never be truly novel or transformative, it just offers an incremental improvement.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The repurposing of one of the first monoclonal antibodies is a great example. It has been repurposed from cancer into multiple sclerosis, acting to effectively boost the immune system to protect against the diseases degenerative effects. This is a novel mechanism to treat the condition derived from repurposing research: clearly a great form of innovation.

Credit: Costello Medical Consultancy and Findacure

The challenge of rare diseases

Drug repurposing has real promise for rare genetic conditions. There are over 7,000 different rare diseases and, with rapid advances in genomics, the number is constantly expanding. Unfortunately, only around 400 have licensed treatments, which leaves millions of people worldwide with little hope of disease-altering clinical support.

However, our ability to understand the underlying mechanisms of such unsolved diseases is also expanding with the rise of genomics. It is in these conditions that repurposing has its greatest potential.

Firstly, potential to deliver a meaningful and novel disease modifying treatment to a previously unsolved disease, simply by matching drugs to impaired biochemical pathways. Secondly, repurposing offers a real chance to deliver this treatment relatively rapidly, and potentially inexpensively, to patients.

Credit: Costello Medical Consultancy and Findacure

How drug repurposing works

Drug repurposing works in two distinct phases: identification of candidate drugs and testing of their effect.

The identification of repurposing opportunities is a burgeoning field of innovation, which can span simple clinical serendipity, advanced text mining approaches, and analysis of gene expression patterns.

Traditionally, serendipity has been a major driver in drug repurposing. The treatment of leprosy is a classic example. With no viable treatment clinicians were simply left to manage the symptoms of this devastating condition. Patients often suffered from severe discomfort and pain, preventing sleep.

One of Israeli physician Jacob Sheskins patients suffered so severely from this, that he felt compelled to prescribe a drug originally marketed as a sedative, which was prescribed to pregnant mothers with disastrous consequences for the development of their children. This treatment not only helped the patient sleep, but began to have a rapid impact on the patients other symptoms. This drug is now used as an effective treatment for leprosy, its side effects well understood and managed.

This type of serendipitous repurposing makes for an excellent story, but a poor route to deliver a wide range of new treatments to patients. More often clinical-led innovation is based on an individuals knowledge of disease progress or drug targets and side-effects. This type of expert driven repurposing has been the norm for years.

Recently however, things have begun to change. Firstly, drug screens have become increasingly prevalent, as a simple route to identify compounds with potential therapeutic effectives in a target disease.

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In repurposing studies, prior knowledge about disease and drug mechanisms can also help to construct intelligent screens, which specifically target a small set of drugs thought to act on the relevant pathway.

Beyond screening technologies, the wealth of data available in the digital age has spawned many new data analytic techniques that are helping to drive a more systematic approach to repurposing. Text mining approaches are allowing bioinformaticians to search the published scientific literature for connections between drugs and diseases.

In its simplest form, text mining identifies co-occurrences of drug and disease terms in the same sentence across hundreds of thousands of scientific articles. This allows a much more comprehensive review of published papers than can be managed by researchers alone.

Furthermore, new advances in natural language processing and machine learning allow computer algorithms to go beyond the sentence structure and infer connections between drugs and conditions that are not explicitly mentioned in the text. While such inferences still require extensive evaluation by human experts, they could provide a gateway to some truly novel repurposing opportunities.

Credit: Findacure

Using transcriptomics for drug repurposing

Another exciting innovation is the field of transcriptomics  essentially the study of all of the genes that are active in the bodys cells. The genes that are active in a cell and the level to which they are used determines how a cell functions.

In genetic diseases, the expression of certain genes is likely to be very different to those of unaffected individuals. This produces a specific transcriptomic signal for certain diseases in certain cells. Drugs can also alter the expression of genes in the body, as such they too can have a transcriptomic signature.

A new approach to repurposing is to attempt to identify the transcriptomic signals of specific drugs that are the opposite of the signals for a disease. In theory, this should allow the drug to cancel out the disease signal, normalizing the gene expression in affected cells, and eliminating the disease symptoms.

This type of approach is very new, but has great promise. The team at the Cambridge biotech Healx have recently used these methods to identify a potential repurposing candidate for the rare disease CDKL5.

Proof of concept

After a repurposing opportunity is identified, the second major component of a repurposing study is the proof of concept. This is the completion of rigorous preclinical and clinical trials to test the effect of the candidate drug in the patient population. While this follows the same basic rules used in any drug development process, repurposing does offer a few key advantages.

Firstly, repurposing uses compounds for which a large amount of detailed information is already known. Its absorption by the human body, its effect in its licensed condition, its side effects in diverse human population, its tolerability, and even its effect in a range of secondary conditions are all likely to be well known and documented.

This prior knowledge is the biggest advantage in repurposing. It not only helps to speed the identification of viable repurposing opportunities for a condition, it can also act to lower the need for early stage clinical trials which test drug absorption and tolerability in humans.

Removing such steps in the clinical pathway helps to reduce the time drugs take to reach clinic and spend on clinical development. This has the potential to lower development costs, which one would hope could lower the price of the drug on the market.

Credit: Findacure

Success rate of repurposing

A final key consideration with repurposing is success rate. Due to higher levels of knowledge about the candidate drugs behavior in humans from the very start of the project, repurposing projects are much more likely to advance to clinic than novel drug discovery.

While the latter is estimated to have a success rate often in the single figure percentages, repurposing projects are estimated to be delivered successfully in about 30% of cases.

Indeed, the US based charity Cures Within Reach conducted a survey of the 200 research projects they had funded 1998-2009. They found that none of the 190 de novo projects had touched patient lives, but 4 of the 10 repurposing projects had delivered patient benefit, and subsequently switched all of their attention and funding to repurposing.

The future of drug repurposing

Due to the new innovations in identifying drug repurposing opportunities, the relatively low financial bar to enter the space, and the increased likelihood of repurposing success, it is a field of drug development that is open to groups beyond the pharmaceutical industry.

Biotechs, academics, and clinicians are all able to play a significant role, sourcing new ideas or developing them for the market.

More excitingly still, patient groups  charities, often rare disease focused, set up to promote the interests of a specific group of patients  are beginning to drive repurposing research forward. Such groups can act as funders for projects to identify repurposing opportunities for their condition, provide samples and expertise necessary for such projects, or help to plan and recruit for clinical trials.

While repurposing research is becoming more prevalent, it still struggles to receive the recognition or funding it deserves. It is for this reason that Findacure, Healx, and Cures Within Reach have come together to launch the Rare Repurposing Open Call.

This three-month project is a chance for the rare disease community to come together and share their repurposing ideas that are struggling to receive the funding and support they need to be fully tested and delivered to the patients that need them.

We all believe that repurposing offers real potential to rare disease patients, many of whom lack even the hope of treatment. By launching this call we hope to highlight the potential power of repurposing for this underserved group, and help to attract the funding and support they need to deliver real change.

Further Reading

About Dr. Rick Thompson

Dr. Rick Thompson joined the UK rare disease charity Findacure in 2015, after completing his PhD in Evolutionary Biology at the University of Cambridge. As Head of Research, he is responsible for all scientific projects, with the aim of developing a socially financed drug repurposing program  Findacures rare disease drug repurposing social impact bond (RDDR SIB).

Rick has designed and completed a proof of concept study to demonstrate the feasibility of the RDDR SIB to the NHS, investors, industry, and patient groups. He also works to encourage industry engagement with rare disease patient groups, promoting an open and collaborative approach to rare disease research.

Disclaimer: This article has not been subjected to peer review and is presented as the personal views of a qualified expert in the subject in accordance with the general terms and condition of use of the News-Medical.Net website.
Northwestern Medicine scientists have found a molecule that stops the growth of an aggressive pediatric brain tumor. The tumor is always fatal and primarily strikes children under 10 years old.

Every year, about 300 children under the age of 10 years old in the U.S. develop a tumor referred to as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).

"This tumor kills every single kid who gets DIPG within one year. No one survives," said the study's first author, Andrea Piunti, a postdoctoral fellow in Shilatifard's lab in biochemistry and molecular genetics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

The study will be published February 27 in Nature Medicine.

"To the best of our knowledge, this is the most effective molecule so far in treating this tumor," said senior author Ali Shilatifard, the Robert Francis Furchgott Professor of Biochemistry and Pediatrics and the chair of biochemistry and molecular genetics at Feinberg. "Every other therapy that has been tried so far has failed."

Radiation therapy only prolongs patients' survival by a few months, he noted.

Shilatifard's lab previously identified the pathway via which this mutation causes cancer in studies with fruit flies, which was published in Science a few years ago.

He and colleagues believed the pathway would be a good target to thwart the tumor and pushed forward with their molecular studies. Shilatifard and Piunti collaborated with C. David James, Dr. Rintaro Hashizume, Dr. Craig Horbinski, Dr. Rishi Lulla and Dr. Amanda Saratsis at Northwestern Medicine. Lulla, a pediatric neuro-oncologist, and Saratis, a pediatric neurosurgeon, respectively, are also at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

The scientists also are members of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

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In a study with Hashizume's group, they demonstrated mice in the experiment, which had the drug delivered through their abdomen, had an increased survival of 20 days, which is a long time in the life of a mouse, Piunti said. Now the team at Northwestern Medicine and Lurie Children's is working on delivering the drug to the brain stem to see if the effect will be more potent and effective.

To test the molecule, scientists took tumor cell lines from a pediatric patient that was untreated and injected those cells into the brain stem of a mouse. The human tumor engrafted in the brain of the mouse. The mouse was then treated with the molecule while scientists monitored the tumor. The molecule stopped the growth of the tumor cells and forced them to turn into other types of cells, known as differentiation, thereby halting its growth.

This molecule detaches proteins, known as bromodomain proteins, from their binding to a mutant protein, the histone H3K27M, which is present in more than 80 percent of these tumors.

While the molecule itself is not yet available commercially, another similar class of molecules, BET inhibitors, is being tested in clinical trials for pediatric leukemia and other types of tumors. These could be used in a clinical trial for the pediatric tumor, Piunti said.

The collaborative environment at Northwestern made the discovery possible, Shilatifard said.

"This work could not have been done anywhere in the world except Northwestern Medicine, because of all the scientists and physicians who have been recruited here during the past five years and how they work together to link basic scientific research to the clinic," Shilatifard said. "This discovery is the perfect example of how we take basic science discoveries and translate them to cure diseases at Northwestern Medicine."

Source: Northwestern University
Children in the poorest areas of the UK are at least 10 times more likely than those in the most affluent to become involved in the child protection system, according to a report by seven British universities. It finds 'strong social gradients' in the rates of intervention across the UK: a step increase in neighbourhood deprivation increases a child's chances of being either taken into care or on a child protection plan by around a third.

A study by seven British universities has revealed significant inequalities in child welfare across the UK, with children in the poorest areas at least 10 times more likely than those in the most affluent to become involved in the child protection system.

Researchers found 'strong social gradients' in the rates of intervention across the four countries, with each step increase in neighbourhood deprivation bringing a significant rise in the proportion of children either 'looked after' in care (LAC) or on a child protection plan (CPP).

Academics from the universities of Coventry, Sheffield, Huddersfield, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Stirling and Queen's University Belfast were funded by the Nuffield Foundation to investigate data on over 35,000 children who are either LAC or on CPPs - over 10% of all such cases open in March 2015, when the study began.

The Child Welfare Inequalities Project's findings, which are revealed at a conference in London today, show that:

children in the most deprived 10% of neighbourhoods in the UK are at least 10 times more likely to be in care than children in the least deprived 10%;

across the UK, each step increase in deprivation brings a rise of around a third in a child's chances of being in care;

in all countries children are over-represented in the most deprived 20% of neighbourhoods, particularly so in Northern Ireland;

around one in 60 children is in care in England's most deprived neighbourhoods, compared with one in 660 in the least deprived area;

in the most deprived neighbourhoods in England, LAC rates for white children were five times higher than for Asian children and 75% higher than for black children.

The study drilled down below local authority level in all of the four countries, revealing that children living in equivalent neighbourhoods - whether highly deprived or not - in different LAs have starkly different chances of being in care, with low deprivation LAs around 50% more likely to intervene.

Although it was beyond the scope of the study to analyse why this was the case, the researchers say the likely explanation is that - relative to demand - more deprived LAs have fewer resources to allocate to children's services.

Researchers also spoke with local authorities and frontline social work professionals about how decisions around individual children and families were made. Poverty was often treated as a 'taken for granted' backdrop of practice, rather than a key focus of work to support families.

Many staff across the UK reported feeling 'overwhelmed' by the complex level of need they encountered in families, and did not feel that they had the power to change the inequalities that they saw.

Lead investigator Paul Bywaters, professor of social work at Coventry University, said:
A group of researchers from Pakistan, Europe and Singapore have identified and characterised a previously undiscovered rare deafness-dystonia syndrome in a family living in a remote region of Pakistan. The research, published in Disease Models & Mechanisms, describes how five of the eight children in one family developed a range of symptoms as they grew: hearing impairment at six months of age developed into profound deafness by ten years old, accompanied by delayed motor development and subsequent regression.

This condition has been named 'Siddiqi syndrome' for Dr Saima Siddiqi from the Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering in Islamabad, Pakistan, who initially made contact with the family. A research team, led by Dr Siddiqi and Dr Hannie Kremer from the Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegan, The Netherlands, used whole-exome sequencing to identify a single homozygous nonsense mutation in the gene for FITM2, a protein involved in lipid droplet formation and energy metabolism. To confirm their discovery, the team reduced the activity of the homologous gene in fruit flies and found that these flies displayed hearing and locomotor impairments, as seen in the affected family. The researchers were further able to clarify that reduced activity of the gene causes abnormal branching of sensory neurons in flies as they develop.

Making the connection

Directing resources to rare disease research might not always be the obvious choice when the results will apparently benefit only a small group of people. However, Dr Siddiqi explains that rare diseases in remote and underdeveloped regions like Pakistan are not necessarily as rare as might be thought since a lack of facilities and funding prevents proper disease management and diagnosis.

It might also only take one published study on a rare disease to start making connections to other patients for whom a diagnosis is still elusive. Dr Kremer says, "Upon publication of the paper, I was contacted by a clinical geneticist about a patient in his clinic with two mutated copies of the FITM2 gene. So there might be a second family now and further clinical examinations are being performed in the young patient to determine to which extent the disease is similar to the disease in the published family." She adds that research into rare diseases can also yield surprising results. For example, the patients with the FITM2 mutation did not have any signs of lipodystrophy, contrary to expectations based on what is currently known about the function of the gene in lipid droplet formation. Dr Siddiqi further explains that this new knowledge about the function of FITM2 might have future implications for improving diagnosis and treatment for other diseases involving defects in FITM2 and lipid droplet formation, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes. This shines a clear spotlight on how rare disease research can provide important breakthroughs for more common diseases.

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A ray of hope

To patients with rare diseases and their families, studies like this offer a ray of hope. Dr Kremer describes how obtaining a diagnosis is of tremendous importance as parents can spend many years consulting with medical professionals trying to find out what is wrong with their child. Finally understanding the nature of the disease can help to relieve feelings of guilt parents often experience that something they did might have caused the condition. Dr Kremer also explains how "a diagnosis provides the opportunity for parents and/or patients to be in contact with other families in which the same disease occurs and they can learn from each other about problems and solutions." Dr Siddiqi adds, "Now this family in Pakistan knows that they have genetic disease running in their family and that they need carrier screening for couples. Although this diagnosis has deprived them of the hope that they can be treated immediately, to me it's the start of new hope for them... that one day they will have a definite treatment."
Experiments show that Hedgehog signaling - a chain of molecular events critical in embryonic development - creates conditions beneficial to the unregulated cell growth associated with cancer in adults. Zinc deficiency is correlated with many cancers; in fact, a hallmark of prostate cancer is zinc deficiency in prostate tissue. But is there a direct link between zinc deficiency and Hedgehog?

A team of researchers led by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will examine the link between zinc deficiency, Hedgehog, and prostate cancer in a new study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Overall, the team will study the structural mechanisms of a special process in Hedgehog signaling, called Hedgehog autoprocessing. One focus is to study how zinc deficiency affects the Hedgehog signaling pathway.

"Although very important in embryonic development, Hedgehog signaling is largely dormant in adults. But in cancer, it is activated and aids in tumor growth," said Chunyu Wang, an associate professor of biological sciences and member of the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies at Rensselaer. "In test tubes and cell culture studies we can see that zinc deficiency leads to Hedgehog activation. But is this happening in human disease? This is what we want to study."

The team, which includes collaborators from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Dr. William Oh and Dr. Michael Donovan, and the State University of New York at Binghamton Assistant Professor Brian Callahan, is funded by a $1.8 million NIH Research Project Grant (RO1) titled "Structural Mechanisms of Hedgehog Autoprocessing in Physiology and Disease."

The Hedgehog pathway is a key regulator of cell growth and development that helps to establish the body plan of all animals with bilateral symmetry. In a critical step that launches Hedgehog signaling, the Hedgehog precursor protein divides itself or "self-cleaves" into two parts: the Hedgehog ligand responsible for signaling, and a catalytic domain responsible for the self-cleavage. This step is called Hedgehog autoprocessing. No external catalyst is needed in the autoprocessing reaction, with the Hedgehog catalytic domain acting as the catalyst in the transformation. In research published in 2015, the Wang group, in collaboration with the Callahan group, demonstrated that zinc binds to the active site of the catalytic domain and inhibits the autoprocessing and therefore, the generation of the Hedgehog ligand. Using solution NMR, the Wang lab also identified the specific site where zinc binds to the active site.

The NIH grant will support continuing investigation on three fronts: the relationship between zinc and Hedgehog activation in cancer cells; defining the catalytic mechanism of Hedgehog autoprocessing; and examining the mechanism of the tumor resistance to anti-androgen drugs used in prostate cancer.

To explore the relationship between zinc and Hedgehog in cancer cells, Wang and his collaborators will use tissues from normal and cancerous prostates to search for a correlation between levels of zinc and Hedgehog ligand (a sign of Hedgehog activation). The team will also conduct experiments to determine whether increased zinc can inhibit the Hedgehog pathway in cancer cell cultures.

Using solution NMR, the team will define the catalytic mechanism of Hedgehog autoprocessing, tracking on an atom-by-atom basis the two-step process in which the catalytic domain self-cleaves the precursor protein. In research published in the September 2016 issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society, Wang produced a detailed mechanism of the D46 residue, a highly conserved residue of the Hedgehog protein throughout the animal kingdom, a sign of its importance. Such detailed understanding of the catalytic mechanism could lead to new strategies to block autoprocessing in cancer.

"Without autoprocessing, there is no Hedgehog signaling, which would inhibit Hedgehog activation in cancer," Wang said. "If we can target Hedgehog autoprocessing, that would be a novel anticancer strategy."

The third area of the grant, led by Callahan, more closely examines the second step of autoprocessing, at which point the ligand is cleaved from the precursor protein, and bonds with a molecule of cholesterol. This research may shed light on why tumors develop resistance to anti-androgen drugs, which closely resemble the cholesterol molecule. The researchers hypothesize Hedgehog autoprocessing may be using the anti-androgen drugs in place of cholesterol, turning a drug intended to inhibit cancer into fuel for tumors.

"These anti-androgen drugs retard cancer for a while, but then chemoresistance emerges," Wang said. "In test tubes and cell cultures, we see the anti-androgen drugs being used in place of cholesterol in Hedgehog autoprocessing, and now we want to see whether it happens in prostate cancer cell cultures."

Wang's research is enabled by the vision of The New Polytechnic, an emerging paradigm for higher education which recognizes that global challenges and opportunities are so great they cannot be adequately addressed by even the most talented person working alone. Rensselaer serves as a crossroads for collaboration  working with partners across disciplines, sectors, and geographic regions  to address complex global challenges, using the most advanced tools and technologies, many of which are developed at Rensselaer. Research at Rensselaer addresses some of the world's most pressing technological challenges  from energy security and sustainable development to biotechnology and human health. The New Polytechnic is transformative in the global impact of research, in its innovative pedagogy, and in the lives of students at Rensselaer.
San Francisco: A new engineering executive at Uber left on Monday after the ride-sharing titan learned he ended his career at Google after a sexual harassment complaint, according to US media reports.



Amit Singhal has denied acting in any such improper manner while head of search at Google but did not disclose that there had been an internal investigation that ended with the complaining employee found "credible," according to tech news website Recode, which shared what it had learned about the situation with Uber.



Singhal, a well known figure in Silicon Valley, worked at Google for 15 years before retiring early last year. He was recently hired by Uber as senior vice president of engineering.



Nothing about the complaint at Google was uncovered in a background check done on Singhal before being hired by Uber, Recode and other outlets reported.



Uber CEO Travis Kalanick asked Singhal to resign early on Monday for not disclosing the investigation, according to Recode.



In a statement published in Recode and USA Today, Singhal condemned harassment in any setting and said "I do not condone and have not committed such behavior."



Accusations of sexism, cut-throat management, and a toxic work environment have Uber trying to pull its image out of a skid as competition revs in the on-demand ride market.



Uber hired former attorney general Eric Holder to review workplace conditions after ex-employee Susan Fowler alleged sexual harassment and sexism at the firm in a detailed online post.



A New York Times report on Friday depicted an environment at Uber in which workers were pitted against one another and misbehavior by top performers was overlooked.



Controversies threaten to revive a #DeleteUber campaign triggered by Kalanick's short-lived plan to be part of a business advisory group for US President Donald Trump.





Kalanick quit the group under pressure from a growing movement to stop using the ride-sharing service because of his connection to the new administration, and by extension an anti-immigrant agenda.



As the campaign picked up speed, rival Lyft's popularity accelerated.



Meanwhile, the race to develop self-driving vehicles took a turn last week when Google's parent company Alphabet filed a lawsuit against Uber, accusing it of using stolen technology.



Alphabet contends that a manager at its autonomous car subsidiary Waymo took technical data with him when he left to launch a competing venture that went on to become Otto, Uber's self-driving vehicle unit, in a reported $680 million deal.



San Francisco-based Uber acquired commercial transport-focused tech startup Otto last year as it pressed ahead with a pursuit of self-driving technology.



In the eyes of consumers, Uber's controversies pack together into "a snowball of trouble rolling down the hill getting bigger and bigger," said brand management specialists Bruce Turkel.
People projected negative impact of #DeMonetisation on GDP, but its not so we maintained growth at 7%: Eco Affairs Secy Shaktikanta Das pic.twitter.com/b2FuwhGkhx  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

India's growth was higher than China's 6.8 percent for the last three months of 2016.

"Perhaps this data is not capturing the impact of demonetisation," Aneesh Srivastava, chief investment officer, IDBI Federal Life Insurance Co told Reuters. "I am totally surprised and stunned to see this number ... I believe that, with a lag, we will see an impact on GDP numbers."

In a statement, the CSO said real GDP or Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at constant (2011-12) prices in 2016-17 is likely to attain a level of Rs 121.65 lakh crore, as against the first revised estimate of GDP for 2015-16 of Rs 113.58 lakh crore, released in January 2017.

The 'agriculture, forestry and fishing' sector is likely to show 4.4 per cent growth in its GVA during 2016-17, as against the previous year's growth of 0.8 per cent.

India's annual economic growth slowed to 7 percent in the three months through December, but will bring relief to the government as it shows the economy has weathered the demonetisation shock.The GDP figure is lower than the revised 7.4 percent expansion in the previous quarter, but is still surprisingly well above the 6.1 percent predicted by many analysts.The Central Statistics Office (CSO) also retained the growth forecast for the fiscal year ending in March 2017 at 7.1 percent.Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das said the numbers negate the "negative speculation" on demonetisation.Meanwhile, the CSO has also marginally revised upwards the GDP estimates for the first and the second quarters to 7.2 per cent and 7.4 per cent.The figures surprised economists, who had expected the economy to take a bigger hit from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision last November to outlaw old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes, taking out 86 percent of the currency in circulation virtually overnight.The data also backs the RBI's assessment, which all along maintained the economic disruption caused by Modi's shock monetary therapy as a transitory phenomenon."The growth in GDP during 2016-17 is estimated at 7.1 per cent as compared to the growth rate of 7.9 per cent in 2015-16," it said.The per capita net national income (current price) during 2016-17 is estimated to be Rs 1,03,818 showing a rise of 10.2 per cent compared to Rs 94,178 during 2015-16 with the growth rate of 8.9 per cent.(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: Personal data  phone numbers, email ids, online purchases and age, income and marital status  were being sold by companies called data brokers for even less than a rupee, a report has said.



The Economic Times today reported the findings of its month long investigation into the practice. Posing as prospective buyers, ET reporters approached the data brokers and found that personal data of upto a lakh people was available for between Rs 10-15,000. In some cases the data also included credit and debit card details.



ET purchased personal data of 3,000 people for Rs 1,000 and called up a dozen people living in Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru to verify the information. Online purchases on eBay and Amazon, HDFC and Axis Bank card details and other such personal information was listed in the database that the paper purchased.



An executive from a data broker firm told ET that they purchase the information from mobile service providers, loan agents, car dealers and agents from hospitals and banks. Data brokers are companies that obtain and share consumer information without their knowledge.



Indias IT law does not specifically address the issue of data brokerage and privacy. Data brokerage is still at a very nascent stage in India and the market is dominated by larger international players such as Epsilon, Equifax and Experian that offer more sophisticated data sets, the Economic Times reported.



Data is also collected from social media sites, but is unstructured. Data such as tweets are collected for analytics, and can help understand consumer behavior.



Misuse of financial data is another threat. The Reserve Bank of India registered 8,689 cases of fraud involving credit cards, ATM/debit cards and internet banking up till December 2016, ET reported. Many of these frauds are perpetrated by scamsters by getting customers to share critical data like CVVs or one-time passwords (OTPs).
St. Patrick's Day, aka the Feast of St. Patrick, is devoted not only to "the wearing o' the green," but the eating of the green. Both customs nod to the color of the shamrock, one of the great totems of Ireland, of which Patrick is the patron saint.



Like the shamrock, mint is green, which helps to explain why recipes for lamb with a sweet-and-sour mint sauce abound in Ireland (and throughout the British Isles). My version of the sauce isn't sweet  I'm no fan of sweet in my savory  but it is bright green, deeply flavorful and refreshing, a tangy complement to some thin and crispy lamb chops.



The lamb chops available in our supermarkets usually come from America or New Zealand. American chops tend to be larger and milder in flavor, but either kind would be delicious here. I call for these rib chops to be pounded, which creates more surface area, which means a more delicious crust on the chops once they've been seared in the skillet. The easiest way to pound them (or any thin piece of meat) is to sprinkle the chops liberally with water on both sides, put them into a ziplock bag or between two pieces of plastic wrap, and then pound them with a meat pounder or rolling pin until they're uniformly 1/4-inch thick. (The water keeps them from sticking to the plastic and shredding.)



If you don't want to spring for rib chops  they can be a tad pricey  use shoulder chops instead. Shoulder chops are tasty, but the bone in the center of the chop will prevent you from pounding them. Because they're thicker than the pounded rib chops, they require a little more cooking time.



What to serve with these chops? Irish tradition calls for potatoes. Just slice some Yukon Golds about 1/4-inch thick, toss them with oil, salt and pepper, and roast them in a 400 F oven until golden.



Seared Lamb Chops with Mint Herb Sauce



Start to finish: 40 minutes.



Servings: 4



For the sauce:



Ingredients:



1/2 cup finely chopped mint



1/2 cup finely chopped parsley



6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided



2 tablespoons minced shallot



1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice



2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest



1 teaspoon minced garlic



1/2 teaspoon salt



Eight trimmed, Frenched rib chops (about 2 ounces each)



Black pepper





Method:



In a small bowl combine the mint, parsley, 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, shallot, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic and salt; set aside.



Working with one chop at a time, sprinkle it generously on both sides with water. Place the chop in a large re-sealable bag or between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound the chop using either a meat pounder or a rolling pin until it is 1/4-inch thick. Repeat the procedure with the remaining chops. Pat them all dry.



In a large skillet heat half the remaining oil over high heat. Season half the chops with salt and pepper on both sides and add them to the pan. Saute until nicely browned, about 1 minute a side. Transfer to a platter and keep covered loosely with foil. Pour off the fat, add 1/4 cup water and simmer to clean the pan. Dump off the water and wipe out the skillet. Repeat the procedure with the remaining chops and the remaining oil. Transfer the chops to the platter and let them rest for 3 minutes before serving. Add any juices from the platter to the herb mixture.



To serve, transfer two chops to each of four plates and top each portion with a heaping spoonful of the mint herb sauce.



Nutrition information per serving: 515 calories; 424 calories from fat; 47 g fat (13 g saturated; 1 g transfats); 71 mg cholesterol; 380 mg sodium; 3 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 20 g protein.



NOTE: Sara Moulton is host of public television's "Sara's Weeknight Meals." She was executive chef at Gourmet magazine for nearly 25 years and spent a decade hosting several Food Network shows, including "Cooking Live." Her latest cookbook is "Home Cooking 101."
However, the protesting youth are repeating what they said or wrote in the social media during the tense and bloody summer  "Education or life. What comes first"

: Kashmiri students will return to their classrooms on Wednesday, eight months after the killing of militant commander, Burhan Wani , triggered a torrent of street rage that claimed close to 100 lives.The students could not attend school and colleges after the popular Hizbul Mujahideen commander was killed in an encounter with security forces in Anantnag district.His killing sparked a wave of street demonstrations across the Valley. To quell the clashes, security forces shot close to 100 youth, many students included, and wounded thousands others.More than 700 kids were fully or partially blinded during the widespread firing of pellets  a measure which kicked off a debate in the Valley and outside on the use of shot or pellet guns.Although the intensity of clashes has now come down considerably, incidents of stone pelting keep on pouring mainly from the volatile South Kashmir region that saw maximum casualties.Though the summer unrest shut off education, schools and colleges are shut mandatorily for three-month vacation till March."Thank God, boys and girls would return to schools and educational institutes. It has been a long time," a school education official told News 18. "We hope there are no disruptions this year. The kids have already lost lot of time."Parents who spoke to News 18 hoped for an uninterrupted class work but looked anxious as reports of clashes erupt almost every day."Let there be no strife this year, but who can predict in Kashmir. One bad incident and there is smoke and smoke," Yasmin Chashu, a parent of seventh grader said.Chashu and other parents' predicament stems from the fact that army and paramilitary chiefs have talked tough recently and Valley separatists too are not backing off.While Army chief General Bipin Rawat had warned "tough action" against people who will isrupt military operations, the head of CRPF has gone on record saying pellet guns are not off the shelf.The separatists have hit back saying "while the forces are threatening people this won't deter them from fighting for freedom". The separatists have announced a Kashmir shutdown on March 10.The closure of the schools last year, however, did not deter the students from writing 10th and 12th board exams and other competitive tests.Towards the fall of 2016, when the examination calendar was announced, nearly 30 schools, mostly run by government, were mysteriously gutted in the Valley.Though police made arrests in some cases, "there wasn't enough dope whether the incidents of burning schools were linked or unconnected."The students, meanwhile, did write some important exams, but those in the lower classes got promoted en masse.And days before the schools reopen after a long recess, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti passed on the baton of education ministry to Altaf Bukhari, replacing Nayeem Akthar  the bureaucrat turned politician.Bukhari had earlier held the Roads and Buildings portfolio in Mufti Mohammad Sayeed government but was shunted out when Mehbooba Mufti took over.But in her first cabinet reshuffle, Bukhari and Akthar swapped positions.
: Donkeys are dying and politicians are weaving their campaigns around it? said Hidayat Ali, a Kasgar or a Muslim Prajapati in Lucknows Malhor village, here many potters have been living off the traditional work of pottery. He has lost his donkeys to a mysterious disease that even the government doctor is not able to cure or fathom out.There were many at home but now he is taking care of only two  one is mother other is its progeny. The donkeys are falling ill and dying. Today they are priced so high that we cannot buy so frequently. I prefer to keep their number low, he said.His neighbor took to cycle to ferry mud from the fields and take the completed pots to the markets in time of festivities. But as the potters or prajapatis are jettisoning donkeys the politicians seem to be riding on it for political gains. The potters depend on the donkey for their work.At one of his election rallies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hit back at UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for his donkey remark. Modi said, I take inspiration from the donkey because I work for people day and night... donkeys are loyal to their master. He was responding to what UP CM had said regarding Amitabh Bachchans advertisement for Gujarats Wild Ass Sanctuary.Modi also said, "It works even if it is ill, hungry or tired and completes the task. The Kasgars are not clued in on how politicians are raising the name of donkeys to win votes, Pehle gadha banao phir gadhe ki rajneeti karo, said Zakir Ali another potter in the village.(Picture Courtesy: Eram agha/News18.com)On hearing about the donkey campaign in Uttar Pradesh for the 2017 elections, he added, Notebandi, what was that? An attempt to make us feel like a donkey. Only rich were safe but poor died.He had 6 donkeys during the pottery heydays but now he has none. My donkeys died of some illness, we showed him to the doctor but all he did was give prescription. So much money was spent on its tablets still it died.There were nights when the donkey cried in pain and Ali would wake up making a syrup of eggs, peppers and rock salt. When it did not recover he visited the doctor again, Despite the medicines my donkeys died and now I dont have the courage to buy another one.His sentiment was echoed by Muley Miyan, a 70 year old potter. He said, I have lost 10 of my donkeys. Now they are so expensive I cannot buy after every death. Today the donkeys cost around Rs 30,000 and if they fall ill the owners spend Rs 1000 on glucose and Rs 200 on tablets. Food has become expensive too. One quintal of fodder costs Rs 1500 and runs only for 1 week. Buying kandas is expensive, we pay Rs 2,200, he added.Mohd Sagheer is troubled too, Neither there are donkeys left nor mitti. The ground that was fertile for us has been acquired by the government so we went to other villages to get mud but the pradhans have become hostile to our act of fetching mud from their village.There are 40 families of Kasgars in this village  they wait for festivals to get their products sold. The problem the potters face is also of use of plastic cups," one of them said, "the government should do something to increase the use of kulhads instead of talking about donkeys.""Donkeys are pained, and so are we. We dont know what kind of fever is killing them. Ab janwar bol nahi sakta  kya karein? said Inayat Ali in Malhor.
Morena: A Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) leader from Madhya Pradesh, who is the president of a co-operative society, has been accused of raping a Dalit woman on the pretext of helping her get a ration card.



The police have also booked a woman who has been accused of abetting. BJP Sumawali Mandal deputy head and the head of Seva Co-operative Society Sumawali Bhojpal Jadone allegedly took the local woman to city to get her ration card made.



As the two could not return to village on time, the leader allegedly took the victim to the house of a woman, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her.



The woman reached the local police station on Tuesday morning but was reportedly directed to the AJK police station which registered her complaint.



DSP Munesh Rajoria said further investigation was on and arrests were yet to be made.
: Gurmehar Kaur's grandfather Kamaljit Singh on Tuesday came out to support his granddaughter saying that whatever she did was for the betterment of the students and to stop any kind of violence against them on university campuses.Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, Kamaljit also asked the government "to stop inflaming the issue" adding that "they were not trying to cool down the issue"."She said the correct thing. She didn't say anything against India or any political leader."Supporting Gurmehar's view that "Pakistan didn't kill her father, the war did", Kamaljit asserted that the "circumstances were such that it happened". "Who should we blame for our son's martyrdom? He died in the war, who should we name?" he asked.Also Read: ABVP Files Complaint on Rape Threats to Gurmehar Kaur Kamaljit also said that his family was apprehensive about Gurmehar's security. When asked about the ever-growing debate on nationalism and the various interpretations of the term, Kamaljit said: "Punjabis live for the nation. Will they teach nationalism to us? We have lost our son, do we need to prove anything?"Remembering his son as a braveheart, who died in the 1999 Kargil war, Kamaljit said, "My son killed 26 enemies before laying down his life," adding that he was a brave beyond measure.Also Read: Tweet War Over Gurmehar's Post: Pooja Bhatt, Javed Akhtar Join in Gurmehar Kaur, a Lady Sri Ram student, took social media by storm after taking on ABVP in the aftermath of violence in Ramjas College. She posted a picture holding a placard with "I am a Delhi University student, and I am not afraid of ABVP" written over it.Several Celebrities -- Randeep Hooda and Virender Sehwag being among the first few -- reacted on social media even as the charges and countercharges continue to flow thick and fast. Gurmehar has allegedly received rape threats on social media and registered a complaint with the Delhi Commission for Women.Watch full interview here...
While all other DCPs nodded in agreement, Narwal reportedly expressed confidently that his district already had a crisis management cell  a comment that earned him the ire of the police chief.

Narwal's constabulary claimed 'janaab' was briefly present outside the police station and was inside most of the time. In fact, he didn't even try to pacify students who had come to register complaints or even strike a conversation with them, they said.

Sources said it was Chahal who called the shots and asked police to prevent a repeat of the February 22 episode. They said each senior police officer was assigned a spot to man, but Narwal did not make it to the list. His name was also missing from the "overall monitoring" of the protest, sources said.

: Has DCP (North) Jatin Narwal been sidelined after the February 22 violence at Ramjas College in which several students, professors and journalists were injured?At least, this is what the Delhi Police's roll call for security arrangements at the Delhi University campus seems to suggest. Sources said Narwal also received a dressing-down from Delhi Police chief Amulya Patnaik at a recent crime review meeting.The Delhi Police have been under the scanner since February 22 when violent clashes broke out between members of the RSS-affiliated ABVP and the Left-leaning AISA at Ramjas College campus. A day earlier, the ABVP had forced college authorities to rescind a seminar invite to JNU's Umar Khalid, who was charged with sedition last year. Several students and journalists had alleged that they were beaten by the police personnel at the campus, which falls under Narwal's jurisdiction.At a crime review meeting held after the incident, Patnaik had reportedly asked all Deputy Commissioners of Police to focus on building up the crisis management cells in their respective districts to avoid a redux of the security debacle.Narwal was reportedly told by Patnaik that his immediate silence on the violence at Rajmas did not mean that he had "overlooked" the matter.As the meeting neared conclusion, Narwal switched on his mic and reportedly requested to speak. The DCP (North) then explained to Patnaik that "some seniors from (police) headquarters asked him not to detain anyone" in the clashes that broke out on February 22. He further said that he had been at court that day but "rushed" to the police station on learning of the situation.Events that unfolded on February 22 may be the reason why Narwal seemed to be at the periphery of the security set-up on Monday and Tuesday.The Delhi University was turned into a fortress for the two days where counter-protests and marches had been organized by the students. While the ABVP carried out a Triranga March on Monday, an anti-ABVP march was organized on Tuesday.On Monday, police personnel from two districts were called in along with one platoon each from the ITBP, BSF and CRPF. An additional DCP-rank officer secured the head of the march, while joint commissioner (central) Virendra Singh Chahal and special commissioner (law and order) SBK Singh monitored the situation on ground.On Tuesday, police from four different districts were called in. They were asked to report at around 8 am, over four hours before the anti-ABVP protest march was to begin. Joint commissioner Chahal himself called senior IPS officers, whom he wanted to be part of the arrangements, for a briefing. Sources said all personnel reached on time, but DCP Jatin Narwal was late.Sources said Narwal was mostly seen in his car that day or was seen shadowing Chahal.Three police personnel were suspended and an FIR was registered following the February 22 incident.
With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out.https://t.co/QKKyXyuqNM  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 27, 2017

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called on President Donald Trump to speak out against hate crimes following the murder of an Indian engineer in Kansas last week."With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out," Clinton said on Twitter.Trump is yet to comment on the shooting, which took place last Wednesday night, leaving Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla dead and two others injured in an apparent hate crime.However, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said last week that it was too early to call the act a hate crime. He said that the early reports coming from Kansas were "disturbing". he also condemned the alleged hate crimes against the Jewish community in the US.Spicer also referred to the shooting at a news conference on Monday. He was voicing the president's concerns about recent acts of vandalism against Jewish cemeteries in St Louis and Philadelphia."No one in America should feel afraid to follow the religion of their choosing freely and openly. The president has dedicated to preserving this originating principle of our nation," Spicer said.(With PTI inputs)
Students who are not so good at studies, those who are looking for a pad to play student politics, have a few select departments to apply to after graduation. Of these, the most popular choice is Buddhist Studies, he says.

Of the last eight presidents of the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) presidents, six have been students of MA Buddhist Studies. Of these six, four have won on Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) tickets  the Sanghs student outfit that is widely blamed for the violence.

In the 2016 DUSU elections, 31 of the total 91 candidates were from Buddhist studies. This was a higher proportion than the 2015 polls, when 32 of the 167 candidates were from the department.

In the 80-odd years that Gautama the Buddha lived in this world, he studiously avoided power and politics. But as it turns out, a crash course in Buddhist studies is a must for practising politics these days, especially of the hooligan variety if the incidents of the past few days in Delhi University are anything to go by.Sample this: Six of the previous eight presidents of DU Students Union were from the Department of Buddhist Studies mastering topics like stages of mental purification, womens empowerment and concept of social and cultural identity.On an average day you might not find too many people milling around in Room No. 307 on the second floor of the extension building at North Campus's Faculty of Arts, DU, but dont take the silence for granted.It is the tragedy of our department that these students use it as a political launchpad, says Professor Karam Tej Singh Sarao, who rues what has become of his department.Professor Sarao says that under the semester system, attendance counts for only 10% of the total marks. They contest elections in their first year. If they fail, they dont even bother to come back, he says.Arun Hooda of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) won the presidents post in 2012 while Manoj Chaudhary, an ABVP-backed independent candidate, was DUSU president in 2009. Chaudharys closest opponent, an AISF candidate, was also a student of the same department.Barring 2011, there has been at least one DUSU office bearer from the department since 2009. From 2013, there have been at least two. The ABVP candidates from the department who have gone on to become president are Jitender Chaudhary in 2010, Aman Awana in 2013, Mohit Nagar in 2014 and Satinder Awana in 2015.Satinder Awana, DUSU president from 2015-16, has perhaps been one of the most controversial DUSU leaders in recent times. Last year, the Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) had alleged that Awana had manhandled teachers for being supporters of (then JNUSU president) Kanhaiya Kumar. During the unrest in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) last year, Awana had threatened that he would enter JNU and shoot whoever shouts anti-India slogans.In addition to DUSU presidents, the department has produced two vice-presidents, two secretaries and two joint secretaries in the last five years. Current DUSU vice-president Priyanka Chhawri and Secretary Ankit Sangwan, both from the ABVP, are students of Buddhist studies.The other department known to produce student politicians is the Faculty of Law. Current DUSU president Amit Tanwar of ABVP who courted controversy after a picture of him posing with weapons went viral, is a student of law.
But why did they return? Khan answers, Staying away for too long would mean we have surrendered our campus to goons. It is our campus. Why should we stay away?

Khan adds, I want to break the myth that it was a case of clashes between two student groups. We are not members of AISA and not a single stone was thrown from our side. I was hit by a stone in the ribs. Instead of throwing the stone back, I kept it as a memento.

For anyone who studied in Delhi University, the sight of a deserted North Campus at 11:30 pm is an oddity. If students from across campus gather at the Delhi School of Economics for intense political debates, it is the tea shops of Vijaynagar and Hudson Lane where the action shifts to at night. It is not uncommon to see students from across the political spectrum sitting huddled over cups of chai at their preferred addas. This week, however, there is an uneasy calm on campus. News 18 spent a night on North Campus to see whether the atmosphere of fear has had an impact on DUs late-night chai debates.In Vijaynagar, outside a tea shop near Old Gupta Colony, three friends with sharply divided political views sit and talk about what happened on campus this past week. Mohammed Daniyal Khan and Shaurya Majumdar, who joined the protest against the ABVP last week, are chatting with their senior Piyush Manhar over a cup of tea. Manhar is a self-professed RSS-supporter, though he condemns the violence that broke out on campus.A sense of normalcy is returning but slowly. For the first couple of days, we had to move out of campus and live with some friends. We were fearful of being identified and targeted. We heard horror stories of ABVP guys roaming the streets on motorcycles and raiding PG accommodations. There were rape threats being made against girls. It was a planned effort on part of the ABVP. When my injured friends went to Hindu Rao Hospital to get treated, ABVP goons were waiting for them there. Some of our friends said they were chased down the street. It was not safe to stay on campus in the aftermath of the violence, says Majumdar.Delhi Universitys prestigious North Campus witnessed bloody scenes on Wednesday after a protest march against the RSS-linked Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) turned ugly. The unrest on on Tuesday when Ramjas College cancelled a seminar titled Culture of protest. This was done after ABVP activists protested against the participation of JNU research scholar Umar Khalid and former JNUSU vice-president Shehla Rashid. However, the protests began even before he could arrive. Khalid made the news last year when he was booked on charges of sedition alongside fellow research scholar Anirban Bhattacharya and then JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar. The trio was accused of shouting anti-India slogans on the JNU campus.On Wednesday, a protest march was organized at 1 pm from Ramjas College to Maurice Nagar police station to protest against the ABVPs actions. The protests were met with violent resistence as the ABVP clashed with agitating students. Journalists covering the event were also manhandled during the chaos.Has the violence and atmosphere of fear affected DUs debate addas? There is a lot of rumor mongering happening on social media. The situation is not as bad as it is being made out to be. On the day of the clashes, I went out to drink juice near Patel Chest institute. There was no unrest. However, some of the younger students are unsettled by the presence of security personnel on campus. Kisko pasand hai ki campus pe riot-gear waali police ho? (Who likes to see police in riot-gear on campus?)Majumdar, however, feels that this is a deliberate attempt on part of the ABVP. An attempt is being made by the ABVP to end these addas. However, the idea of a university is to openly discuss any and all issues. It is true that the Constitution calls for reasonable restrictions but who is the ABVP to impose these restrictions? Piyush Bhaiyya and I disagree on many things but he doesnt use violence against me. That is why we can discuss everything. I just wish others on the right-wing follow his example.A little later in the night, a similar gathering takes place inside a hostel room in Hindu College, just around 500 meters away from Ramjas. Ankit (name changed) is upset because discussions on campus have become cautious after last week. Everyone is charged. Everyone has a polarizing opinion. We now have to be careful of what we say. We would ordinarily be having this conversation outside but now, we are forced to do so inside our hostel room with people we know. Anybody could be eavesdropping on us in public. The problem is that we are getting confined to our echo-chambers. Liberals are only talking to liberals and right-students are only talking to right-wing students. This is not real debate.While Manhar claims that violence was largely perpetrated by outsiders, a third-year undergraduate student admits to News 18, on the condition of anonymity, that he had pelted stones at fellow students. I was standing with fellow ABVP activists near the Ramjas canteen when someone from the AISA side provoked us with a rude gesture. It made my blood boil and I instinctively picked up a stone and hurled it at him. I dont regret what I did. Integrity of our nation is non-negotiable. Anyone who tries to break the country will face the consequences, says the activist at a tea shop in Hudson Lane.Despite their political differences, most students hold the campus close to their hearts. Do these students see a way forward? According to Manhar, the unrest is likely to continue. This is an ideological war and it will not end. This is a battle to reclaim intellectual spaces where the left has hegemony. What we need to ensure, however, is that the campus does not became a warzone. My advice to ABVP is that they cannot reclaim intellectual spaces through violence. They need to attend Umar Khalids talk, ask him unsettling question and expose his ideology instead of using violence.Khan and Majumdar nod in agreement. They would, they say, welcome unsettling questions. I have a dream for an ideal campus. In my dream campus, ABVP also shares space with us. I want them to prosper but without the use of violence, he says.
New Delhi: Chicago-based Indian American industrialist and the founder of the Republican Hindu Coalition Shalabh Kumar has rejected the reports claiming that he was lobbying for the post of next US envoy to India.



In an interview with The Times of India, Kumar said that he was also a victim of "fake news", a term frequently used by the US president Donald Trump to castigate his critics in the US media.



Kumar told TOI, "Fake news and fake media are a growing problem. President Trump and Steve Bannon (the president's chief strategist) have spoken about it often. This year, President Trump will also boycott the White House Correspondents' dinner."



The Ambala-born Kumar -- one of the prominent Donald Trump supporters and the chief architect of Trump's outreach to the Hindu-American community -- was claimed to have lobbied for the post by the Washington post on February 22.


The Congress-affiliated NSUI took out a Mashaal March at the Delhi University campus on Tuesday evening, where slogans of Bharat Mata ki Jai and Vande Mataram were raised.

Heres a recap:

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If a hardly literate player or a wrestler troll a pacifist daughter of a martyr its understandable but whats wrong with some educated folks  Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) February 28, 2017

Mr minister , you have condemned the left by falsely accusing them for celebrating soldiers killing n not a word about AVBP. Grossly biased  Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) February 28, 2017

I don't about her but Mr Minister I know who is polluting your mind .  Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) February 28, 2017

He who laughs last,laughs alone. Pick on someone your own size boys! This is so NOT cool! https://t.co/jJ5gAe53gh  Pooja Bhatt (@PoojaB1972) February 28, 2017

Hey @mehartweets, props to you for your composure today. Ignore the insect infestation here - it's the most some people will ever amount to.  Ashish Shakya (@stupidusmaximus) February 26, 2017

Left = Anti-national

Right = Masterstroke

The only difference is, one of them lost a father fighting for our country pic.twitter.com/F3ePNcBOlF  Raghu Ram (@tweetfromRaghu) February 28, 2017

There's a girl who has the guts of fictional Rupali taking a stand in DU. More power to Gurmehar Kaur.  Ravinder Singh (@_RavinderSingh_) February 27, 2017

The Twitter war over a campaign by a Kargil martyrs daughter against the ABVP turned ugly on Tuesday, when celebrities and sportspersons traded charges on the micro-blogging site.A day after former cricketer Virender Sehwag earned the ire of twitterati for mocking Gurmehar Kaur, Olympic bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt shared a meme, comparing Kaur to Hitler and Osama bin Laden.Lyricist Javed Akhtar took exception to Dutts post and without naming him or Sehwag tweeted about hardly-literate players and wrestlers trolling Kaur.Akhtar also took aim at the government.The tweets were against Union ministers who have been coming to the defence of the RSS-affiliated ABVP since the violent episode at Ramjas College on February 22.Hitting back at Akhtar, wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt reminded him of his Olympic feat. "You may have authored poems and stories. but even I have made history for India on the world stage," he said.Earlier in the day, actor-turned-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt took a dig at actor Randeep Hooda, who had shared Sehwags tweet and said Kaur was being used a political pawn.Sehwag's reaction to Gurmehar Kaur's post also did not go down well former Union minister Shashi Tharoor who said he was "disappointed".Stand-up comedian and columnist Ashish Shakya also took to Twitter and stood shoulder to shoulder with Kaur.Raghu Ram of the Raodies fame also weighed in on the debate.Author Ravinder Singh also backed Gurmehar Kaur.
Tamil actor Dhanush appeared before the Madurai bench of the Madras high court on Tuesday. As a report suggests, the actor was directed by the court in connection with an elderly couple - R Kathiresan (65) and his wife K Meenakshis (53) claim that he was their son.On appearing before the court, justice G Chockalingam directed the government doctors and the registrar of the high court bench to authenticate his identification marks. After the process of verification of Dhanushs birthmarks, the case was adjourned to March 2 for final hearing.Dhanush had filed a petition in the high court to appeal to dismiss the proceedings started by the judicial magistrate court in Melur. As reports suggest, the couple demanded maintenance from Dhanush claiming that the he was their son.The actor not only quashed their claim, but also stated that this was a way to get money from him.While Kathiresan and Meenakshi claimed that their son had two birthmarks - a mole on the collar and a scar on forearm, the actor dismissed the presence of any such marks on his body.The couple also called the actors birth certificate - which said he was born on July 28, 1983 - fake as it didnt carry his name.According to the report, the birth certificate was issued on June 21, 1993, a decade after Dhanushs birth. And if the certificate wasnt fake, the actor should have been a Class 5 student at that time. The couples side also questioned how a birth certificate could be issued after a decade of Dhanushs birth, and still not carry his name.In addition to this, it was also stated that the name of the father in the birth certificate is Krishnamoorthy. And if the records are anything to go by, Krishnamoorthy changed his name to Kasturi Raja on February 18, 2015.But the actor clarified that his birth name R K Venkatesh Raja was changed to Dhanush K Raja in 2003. The coupes side further added that the papers that were filed before the court clearly stated that his name was mentioned as Dhanush in in 2002.
Tehran: Iran's Culture Minister Reza Salehi-Amiri and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday lauded prominent director Asghar Farhadi's best foreign film Oscar win for his movie The Salesman.



"With Farhadi's film The Salesman, the voice of the Iranian culture was heard in the world," state news agency Irna quoted Salehi-Amri as stating.



"Iranian culture is a culture of peace, friendship, convergence and coexistence.



"This message and this award showed that the US President's behaviour is against peace and friendship," Salehi-Amir added in a reference to Donald Trump's controversial ban on citizens of seven Muslim countries.



Salehi-Amir praised the art and cinema community for awarding Farhadi an Oscar at the Los Angeles awards ceremony on Sunday - and his boycotting of the star-studded event.



"Your symbolic absence from the Oscar awards ceremony has unmasked the so-called defenders of human rights while revealing the true image of Iranians."



Zarif added his praise of Farhadi's Oscar win.



"Proud of cast & crew of 'The Salesman' for Oscar & stance against #MuslimBan. Iranians have represented culture & civilization for millennia," Zarif tweeted.



In his acceptance statement, read out by two Iranian Americans at the ceremony in Los Angeles, Farhadi said his absence was in protest at Trump's "disrespectful" three-month travel and visa ban.



"My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of the other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US," read Farhadi's statement.



"Dividing the world into the US and 'our enemies' categories creates fear. A deceitful justification for aggression and war," the statement added.



All six directors nominated in the best foreign language film category signed a statement before the ceremony condemning a "climate of fascism" in the US.



Despite being granted special permission to attend, Farhadi said last month he would not take part in the Oscar awards after Trump on 27 January imposed the ban on nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.



Taraneh Alidoosti, leading actress in the movie, also declined to attend the Oscars ceremony to show her rejection of what she called Trump's "racist" visa ban for Iranians.



"The Salesman" tells the tale of a married couple who are appearing in a local production of Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman" and whose lives are thrown into turmoil after the wife is attacked while home alone, causing the husband to seek revenge.



Before the Oscar ceremony on Sunday, "The Salesman" was screened in London's Trafalgar Square at the request of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who referred to the Trump ban as "cruel" and "shameful".



US courts have blocked the travel ban but the Trump administration is preparing a new executive order.



Farhadi's earlier drama "A Separation" won the best foreign language film Oscar in 2012 and a Golden Globe award the same year.




The mushaira invite that has been sent to Indori. Photo via Hindi News18

Renowned Urdu poet Rahat Indori has rejected an offer to be part of international mushaira to be held in Pakistan. His son, Satlaj Rahat, who is also a poet, has affirmed that he wont take part in the convention either.Satlaj has stated that he and his father received an invite for the upcoming mushaira few days back. The event is set to take place in Karachi on March 22. Several noted poets of international repute are due to take part in this convention.Several noted poets have persuaded my father to be there in the mushaira but he has stood his ground and is firm on his decision, says Satlaj.Interestingly, when Rahat Indori was asked to comment on his decision, he stated that he had decided not to attend the event owing to a busy schedule and prior work commitments.Indori and his son came back recently from an event in Saudi Arabia where their writings were praised highly by the locals especially those with Pak origin. Following this, the organisers in Karachi were keen to have Indori on their invitees list.
@shekharsuman7 @AdhyayanSsuman She hs wrk on hr plate n 3 national awrds too unlike you'll. N yes I'm a fan not a paid tweeteriet u jerks!!  J !! (@jignishanv) February 28, 2017

@shekharsuman7 D cocained actress walks wit head held high n is an inspiration to many.Has established herself wit her caliber n hardwork  Sushri Sangita (@Sangita0703) February 27, 2017

@AdhyayanSsuman @shekharsuman7 flop flop flop flop flop flop flop  toltol (@raja62554440) February 28, 2017

@shekharsuman7 sir i loved you in dekh bhai dekh..but these kind of tweet should not be your way of taking a dig sir at any body..  Madih (@Madih250196) February 28, 2017

Looks like Shekhar Suman and his son Adhyayan havent moved on from the Kangana Ranaut chapter in their lives. On Tuesday, Shekhar Suman in a series of tasteless tweets, mocked Ranaut, calling her a cocained actress and responsible for the failure of Rangoon.In a series of tweets, Suman, without taking any name, mocked the actress who was once in a relationship with his son, Adhyayan.The actor appeared to be surprised at the number of people coming to defend the actress and when he realized he was being trolled, he stated that he was not talking of Kangana but someone else.His son Adhyayan at first just laughed at the uncouth tweets that his father was tweeting.Eventually when someone tweeted to him a very basic question, Adhyayan defensive tweets sort of made it clear as to who the father-son duo were mocking.Of course, the rest on Twitter were quick to hit back at the two actors and shut them up perfectly.The Adhyayan Suman-Kangana Ranaut feud dates back to the time when the actress was fighting a bitter, public legal battle with Hrithik Roshan. In a tell-all interview to a daily, Adhyayan had stated that Kangana had physically abused him while they were in a relationship and that she even practiced black magic.Kangana had, later, in a TV interview laughed off Adhyayans claims.
I feel you @brielarson for not celebrating Casey Affleck, a sexual abuser & harasser. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/3x2AUTU3ih  Gilluis Perez (@Gilluis_Perez) February 27, 2017

You know what's better than winning? Watching your friends win. @theacademy A post shared by Brie (@brielarson) on Feb 26, 2017 at 10:33pm PST

Casey Affleck wins Best Actor: "One of the first people who taught me how to act was Denzel Washington... thank you." #Oscars pic.twitter.com/FzBCwe5dbY  Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 27, 2017

For someone who has been working for victims of sexual assault for many years, actress Brie Larson did not look too pleased when she had to announce and hand over the Oscar to Casey Affleck on Sunday night. The actor who has been accused by multiple women for sexually assaulting them, walked up the stage to pick his award from Larson but the actress refused to applaud his win.This was the second time where Larson had to hand over a trophy to Affleck. Earlier in January, at the Golden Globes, Larson did not hug Affleck as he walked up on the stage to receive his best actor award.Affleck has been accused by two women, both who had worked on his films, of sexual harassment and abuse.Interestingly, Larson shared a photo of her hugging Best Actress winner Emma Stone post her win on Instagram.Larson, who has been an advocate of for victims of sexual assault for a long time has never commented on Affleck publicly though.Interestingly, while Affleck went up on stage and stated he had learnt acting from Denzel Washington, his co-nominee, Washington did not look too happy being associated to the actor. As fans observed, Washington had his "get my damn name out of your mouth" face on throughout.While most pundits predicted Afflecks win, they had not ruled out Washingtons name either. Denzel was being considered the strongest contender for the Best Actor award this year apart from Affleck. And the senior actor tearing up as Affleck spoke said a lot of things.
Varanasi: Four white SUVs come to a screeching halt outside a nondescript hotel in downtown Varanasi. It is well past 10pm, when we are ushered into the hotel lobby to meet Afzal Ansari.



"A lot would depend on Delhi High court's order on my brother's parole tomorrow. I will plan my campaign accordingly"; says Afzal ordering a cup of tea for us. The bhai, Mukhtar Ansari, has sought relief from court to campaign. He's now BSP's candidate in Mau.



Mukhtar's Quami Ekta Dal had merged with BSP on the eve of the elections. The first choice was Samajwadi Party. But denied entry by an adamant Akhilesh Yadav, the brothers had little option.



"Mulayam Singh Yadav spoke to me and showed if we merged the party, we would together have won four seats in 2014 general elections." says Afzal after a long day of campaigning.



Mukhtar Ansari's son Abbas is also trying his luck this time. So is his brother Sibaqtullah from Mahmoodabad in Ghazipur. He's the sitting MLA from the seat he won contesting on a Qaumi Ekta Dal ticket.



And challenging Sibaqtullah in this seat is Alka Rai of BJP, wife of Krishnanand Rai who was gunned down in broad daylight about a decade back. Mukhtar Ansari is an accused in the case. The rivalry between the two families here in Ghazipur is both personal and political.



"This is a fight against criminals" says Alka Rai when we catch up with her during election campaign. News has just come in that High Court has rejected Ansari's plea to campaign in Mau. "He would have otherwise influenced voters here as well," adds Rai.



Interestingly, SP has given this seat to the Congress, its alliance partner in the state. That has left about fifty thousand strong Yadav community in the constituency confused. And BJP is active trying to rope in this electorate in the fight against BSP.



" What all did they say about Mulayam Singh ji when their merger offers were spurred by the SP. Yadav community here is hurt and they will vote for us" says Alka.



Sibaqtullah who won the last election by more than six thousand votes is however confident that Dalit-Muslim (DM) combination will help him consolidate any reverse polarisation.



The footprints of this DM factor are spilling over to the adjoining Balia district where SP won 5 out of 7 seats in 2012. This is former PM Chandrasekhar's home ,and his son Neeraj is an SP MP in Rajya Sabha.



Adding to SP's trouble here is the rebellion by close aides of Shivpal Yadav, who where denied ticket by Akhilesh. Ambika Chowdhry and Narad Rai joined BSP just before polls and were nominated to fight elections on party symbol. Another Shivpal loyalist and former minister Shadab Fatima was sacked by the party chief at the peak of the family feud. She is not in the fray, but has the capacity to damage SP's prospects in Zahoorabad in Ghazipur.



Overall, in about two dozen seats of Poorvanchal, Mayawati is attempting to script a comeback by stitching together a last minute merger with Quami Ekta Dal. In UP, one generally needs three communities to mobilise a winning combination. Here in the last phase of UP polls, BSP strategy is simple, consolidate DM, and top it up with the caste vote of the party candidate.



The only worry for Mayawati remains the MBC votes like Rajbhar, Maurya and Nenua Chauhans who in the past had sought a natural socio-political affiliation with core BSP Dalit vote bank. BJP this election has aggressively wooed these communities. In fact, BJP's gambit in UP rests entirely on upper-caste, non-Yadav OBC consolidation.



Akhilesh Yadav by spurning any overtures from bahubalis of UP has attempted to create a new constituency across caste faultlines. He's sought to generate a new vote base outside the traditional Muslim-Yadav combo. That is all fine.



But what do you do with caste? The very fundamental of Indian politics.
Halsiganj, Gorakhpur: In BJP's bastion of Gorakhpur, dominated by hardliner Hindutva politician Yogi Adityanath, there is a place called Halsiganj nicknamed as 'Border'.



This because Halsiganj has come to be seen as a virtual divide between the majority-minority demographic realities of the city. Here, CNN News18 caught up with the controversial politician, while he addressed an election meeting.



As Adityanath roared, racking up the Hindu-Muslim Card, talking about kabristans and shamshan ghats, Muslim shrines and Hindu temples and Promising Modi-like Government in UP where appeasement will be replaced by 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas', a sense of unease was evident in the air.



By the time Adityanath concluded with slogans of Jai Sri Ram, there was also no doubt left about BJP's core strategy in the eastern parts of the state. Subtle communal polarisation along with 'Brand Modi'.



It's on the basis of this two pronged approach that the BJP hopes to break in the strong citadel of the Samajwadi Party, going to polls in Phase six on 4th February.



The region going to polls include 49 constituencies in districts of Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Deoria, Kushinagar, Azamgarh, Mau  and Balia. The SP-Congress together dominate the region as of now. In 2012, SP has won 27 out of these 49 seats while the Congress won four.



BSP had won four while BJP could manage just seven seats, out of which three were in Gorakhpur and one each in Maharajganj, Deoria, Kushinagar and Ballia respectively.



A unique aspect of the region is that it is dominated by bigwigs in different pockets. In Gorakhpur division, comprising Gorakhpur, Maharajganj and Deoria districts, Adityanath is a major factor.



In Mau and Gazipur, it's Mukhtar Ansari. Azamgarh is strong hold of SP Patron Mulayam Singh Yadav. He is also a MP from here. Balia had been an old centre of the Socialist Movement, going from being the bastion of left politics till early 1980's. However, this time, old and influential socialist leaders of the region, Ambika Chowdhry and Narad Rai, are with the BSP.



Professor Kumar Harsh from Gorakhpur University, who also works as a freelance journalist for the BBC, said, Despite Having swept the entire region in 2014 General election, BJP realises it's limitations in the caste and personality dominated region of the east. That's one big reason why we see the strategy of subtle communal polarisation being adopted by the party.



Demographically, Muslims are less in number in the Phase six region, making just around 14 percent of the total population. Strategy of silent communal polarisation can therefore help BJP to cut across the castes riding on a broader Majority Hindu Identity, he said.



Apart from this majority mobilisation strategy, BJP is also banking heavily on the achievements of three years of the Modi government and the Brand Modi. Schemes like Jan Dhan Yojna, Ujjwala Yojna seem to have made an impression among people in this economically backward region. The party is also keen take advantage of the Modi magic to its maximum in Phase six and Phase seven.



That's the reason why the Prime Minister was in Mau on 27th Feburary and will be in Maharajganj and Deoria on the 1st of March.



Samajwadi party and BSP, however, fully realise BJP's strategy. That was the reason why UP Chief Minister and SP president Akhilesh Yadav took time off from his hectic schedule and met the press in Lucknow on 26th Feb, only to target the BJP and Modi. The 'BJP concern' was clearly on his mind. All through his press conference he tried to bring back the electoral narrative back on the development front, accusing BJP and Prime Minister of resorting to communal polarisation. Mayawati too had been hitting out hard against the BJP, going to extent of slamming BJP president Amit Shah of being the real 'KASAB'.



In the clearly triangular electoral battle of Uttar Pradesh, it is make or break in the warzone of east UP. The remaining 100-odd seats in Phase six and rest in Phase seven can make the difference. While the BJP is desperate to retain its hold of its gains in 2014, SP-Congress alliance battles hard to save its bastion. Mayawati, a lone general for her party, works tirelessly to outsmart the two riding on her Dalit-Muslim outreach and her better track record in governance and law and order.
Patna: Bihar BJP MLA Vinay Bihari has finally decided to wear clothes after his demand to construct a 37-km road was accepted by the Centre.



As part of his protest, Bihari had been attending the last two legislative Assembly sessions in just his innerwear, demanding that the road be constructed.



Vinay Bihari had also sent his clothes to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Road and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.



The legislator was also attending the current budget session without his clothes.



Deputy CM Tejaswi Yadav made Vinay Bihari, who is an MLA from Loria, wear his clothes after the Centre announced a Rs 80-crore grant to complete the road project.



Tejaswi Yadav tweeted that his party is for all-round development without any discrimination.



The new road will connect Betia, Manuapul, Yogapatti, Navalpur and Ratwal.
Chaahe naam kabristan ho, chaahe shamshan ho, daah hona chahiye, kisi ko gaadne ki aveshyakta nahin hai: Sakshi Maharaj, BJP pic.twitter.com/zbwLzrqeVn  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 28, 2017

"So, I want to appeal to the Prime Minister that there should be only one cremation ground which should lead to 'jannat' or 'moksh dwaar'."

2-2.5cr sadhu hain sabki samadhi lage kitni zameen jayegi, 20cr Muslims hain sabko kabr chahiye Hindustan mein jagah kahan milegi: S Maharaj pic.twitter.com/27XunXowiH  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 28, 2017

Later, clarifying his remarks, he said, "The population of the country is increasing and their is a paucity of land. Where will people live if all the land is used for constructing graveyards.

A week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's graveyard-cremation ground remark sparked a row, firebrand BJP leader Sakshi Maharaj on Tuesday said there should be no graveyard at all in the country and all should be cremated.The BJP MP from Unnao said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi said a crematorium should be constructed next to a graveyard. But graveyards should not be constructed at all. If this happens, all land in the country will be used for this purpose and no space will be left for practising agriculture... There will be no fields."Maharaj, who is known for his off-the-cuff, occasionally controversial remarks, claimed, "There is no tradition of constructing graveyards in Islamic countries across the world. The bodies are cremated in these countries. There are about 3.5 crore Hindu saints in India. They follow the tradition of burying the dead.The BJP leader said a new law with "no room for graveyards should be enacted. There should be a joint crematorium for all. And if there is one, the outcome will be positive"."I am not against what the Prime Minister has said. I said that whatever the name of the place maybe, it should serve the purpose of cremating the dead. There is no need to bury anyone."
For the first time, Reliance Jio and Samsung will hold a joint press conference at a global stage like MWC in Barcelona. The press conference aims 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 1.3 billion Indians.

Shares in Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) have raced to a seven-year high, boosted by its recent announcement to soon start charging for data services offered by its Jio 4G mobile services that have notched up 100 million customers in just 170 days since launch.

Also read: Reliance Jio to Offer 20% More Data than Competitors Best Selling Plans, for the Same Price

RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Tuesday announced that Jio Infocomm Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of RIL and one of its biggest bets entailing an investment of around Rs 200,000 lakh crore, will start charging customers for its 4G data services starting April 1. He also said that Jio will offer 20% more data than its competitors on their best-selling plans.

(Follow MWC 2017 Full Coverage Here)

Here are live updates from the joint press conference of Samsung and Reliance Jio from MWC 2017, Barcelona.

Watch Live: Srinivasan from Samsung Electronics on 5G post Jio and Samsung Joint announcement

(Disclaimer: News18.com is part of Network18 Media & Investment Limited which is owned by Reliance Industries Limited that also owns Reliance Jio)



Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here.
A person in a devil costume dances to the rhythm of drums to mark the start of Carnival celebrations in the remote Andean town of Uquia, Argentina. (Photo courtesy: AP)

Hundreds of revelers dressed as devils sing and dance down a hill side to the rhythm of drums to mark the start of carnival celebrations in the remote Andean town of Uquia, Argentina. (Photo courtesy: AP)

To the beat of drums, more than 300 people dressed as devils descend a sacred hill as one of the most singular Carnival events in South America begins.Members of the dance troupe created the costumes for nine days of performances that this year began Saturday.The annual Carnival in Uquia, in Jujuy province about 930 miles (1,500 kilometers) northeast of the capital of Buenos Aires, is among Argentina's most popular festivals.More than 15,000 visitors have arrived at this community of some 1,000 inhabitants for the festivities blending Roman Catholicism with the region's ancient indigenous traditions.The dancers climb the hill with bags containing their costumes, then out of sight transform themselves into devils and give thanks to God and Mother Nature for the year's harvests.They then emerge in costumes of bright colors, decorated with sequins, mirrors and bells. They wear horns of wood, plastic, or cardboard or even the real horns of bull or sheep.
And Waters Corp honours Singapore's BTI for Glycoscience Research.

Singapore Exchange Ltd., which runs the citys equity market, is considering reinstating the midday intermission, according to people familiar with the matter. SGX in March 2011 scrapped the break, which lasted from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. every day, in an effort to boost trading. The bourse is expected to have a public consultation on the issue in the coming weeks, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. SGX will also propose a test that would widen the price increment at which shares are quoted to bring day traders back, according to the people. The proposals come after traders and SGX officials had several meetings since Loh Boon Chye became chief executive officer in July 2015, the people said. Read the full story here.

Chinese developer Qingjian Realty, through its smart home solutions provider hiLife Interactive, has teamed up with Singtel to launch iNz Residence, the first internet-ready executive condominium in Singapore. With this partnership, home buyers can expect their units to be fitted with 1Gbps Singtel fibre broadband. Singtel will also provide WiFi services within the developments facilities, such as the gym, clubhouse and pool area. Get to know the details of the story here.

At a ceremony and symposium today, Waters Corporation (WAT) welcomed into its Centers of Innovation Program the Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI), a research institute under Singapores Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). BTI is the first research institute1 focused on glycobiology to participate in the Waters Centers of Innovation Program. Read more here.





More From Singapore Business Review


Olathe (US): A bartender at the restaurant where a man was arrested last week for an apparently racially motivated bar shooting of two Indian men told a 911 dispatcher that the suspect admitted shooting two people, but described them as Iranian.



A recording from Henry County, Missouri, 911 reveals that the bartender warned police not to approach the building with sirens blaring or the man would "freak out" and "something bad's going to happen."



The man, Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe, made his first appearance in court on Monday via video link. He has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder.



According to witnesses, Purinton yelled "get out of my country" at two 32-year-old Indian men, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, before he opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in the Kansas City suburb on Wednesday evening.



Kuchibhotla was killed and Madasani injured. The two had come to the US from India to study, and they worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin. A third patron, Ian Grillot, 24, was wounded when he tried to intervene.



After the shooting, Purinton, who is white, drove 70 miles east to an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, where he made the shocking admission to the bartender.



In the 911 call, the bartender, Sam Suida, told the dispatcher a man had come into the bar and said he'd done something "really bad" and was on the run from the police.



"He asked if he could stay with me and my husband, and he wouldn't tell me what he did. I kept asking him, and he said that he would tell me if I agreed to let him stay with me," the bartender said. "Well, I finally got him to tell me and he said, like, that he shot and killed two Iranian people in Olathe...."



Authorities have declined to discuss a possible motive for the attack or to say if they are investigating it as a hate crime. But the incident has raised concern about the treatment of immigrants, who feel targeted by President Donald Trump's promises to ban certain travelers, build a wall along the Mexico border and put "America first."



During Monday's court appearance lasting less than two minutes, Purinton was seen wearing what was described by a sheriff's department spokesman as a "safety smock," assigned to suspects who said something during jail processing that suggested they might do harm to themselves.



Johnson County sheriff's Master Deputy Rick Howell would not disclose the comment by Purinton that raised concern, but said the suspect would wear the smock until mental health professionals say otherwise.



Andy Berthelsen, a neighbor of Purinton's for the past 15 years, told the AP that Purinton had become "a drunken mess" after his father's death about 18 months ago. He said he doesn't believe the shooting stemmed from hatred, and that it likely resulted from Purinton's physical and mental deterioration.
San Salvador: A fatally savage attack by unidentified assailants on a hippopotamus in El Salvador's main zoo has stunned the country, with the government highlighting "national revulsion" at the crime.



Named Gustavito and aged 15, the large animal was beaten and stabbed in the stomach and snout by unidentified individuals who entered its compound last Wednesday night, probably while it was sleeping, according to a statement by the culture ministry.



The serious wounds led to problems eating, and the male hippo eventually died late on Monday, after four days of suffering.



"I deeply and profoundly regret this situation," the culture minister, Silvia Regalado, said.



She added that she had witnessed the "hard work" by veterinarians and workers at the National Zoological Park who had tried in vain to save the hippo's life.



The head of El Salvador's Zoological Foundation, Mauricio Velasquez, said "we find it difficult to believe that someone is capable of doing that to a defenseless animal."



Officials said security at the zoo, located south of the capital, would be reinforced with police and soldiers.



The culture ministry said the park had stopped buying exotic species eight years ago, and this crime had prompted it to also stop acquiring any big animals.



"The park will accelerate its transformation into a center for the protection and rescue of our native fauna," the statement said. (AFP)


Washington: US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has delivered a "preliminary plan" to the White House while briefing the Trump administration on a detailed strategy to defeat ISIS.



"The Department of Defence presented its preliminary plan to the White House today to defeat ISIS," the White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters at his daily news conference.



"This plan has been delivered by Secretary Mattis, who is currently briefing the principals on the option presented today and seeking their input and feedback," he said.



Part of the plan is to make sure that he fully discusses the recommendations that he's making and seek the input and feedback of the other principals.



"That can help guide where we go from here, how we go," he said in response to a question.



The Pentagon Press Secretary Capt Jeff Davis said the preliminary plan submitted by Mattis is trans-regional.



"This is not just a military plan. It draws upon all elements of national power -- diplomatic, financial, cyber, intelligence (and) public diplomacy, and it's been drafted in close coordination with our inter agency partners," Davis told reporters during an off camera news conference.



"This plan is truly trans regional. This is not just about Iraq and Syria, it is about defeating ISIS around the globe and other trans-regional violent extremist organisations, such as Al-Qaida," he said.



While officials did not name countries or the region listed in the plan, the comments coming from them indicated that it also includes addressing the challenge of growing presence of ISIS in South Asia, in particular Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.



Last week, the US and NATO Commander in Afghanistan, Gen John Nicholson, expressed his concern over increasing presence of ISIS in Bangladesh.



In Afghanistan and Pakistan, he said, people from other terrorist groups are joining ISIS.


Washington: A presidential address to Congress is always part policy speech, part political theater. With President Donald Trump, a former reality TV star, there's extra potential for drama as he makes his first address to Congress.



After a chaotic start to his presidency, Trump will be trying to project his administration as ready to stride forward on top priorities such as changes to President Barack Obama's health care law and a tax overhaul. Congressional Democrats, in turn, will be trying to calibrate how strongly to oppose the Republican president in the staid setting of the House chamber, where manners still matter.



Some things to watch for Tuesday night:



PRE-GAME

Which members of Congress will arrive hours early to stake out seats on the center aisle of the House chamber for Trump's big entrance? Expect core Trump supporters to try to line the aisle. But will some of the Democrats' traditional aisle-huggers continue to angle for prime seats, then make a point of passing up a handshake with the president? Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat who has often positioned herself on the aisle for presidential addresses, does not plan on shaking Trump's hand, according to her office.



THE ROBED ONES

Check out which Supreme Court justices show up this year. Samuel Alito, part of the court's conservative contingent, hasn't gone since he was caught on camera during the 2010 State of the Union address shaking his head and mouthing "not true" when Obama criticized a Supreme Court decision. Clarence Thomas, who has also stayed away in recent years, said in 2010 that the addresses had become so partisan that "it's very uncomfortable for a judge to sit there." Could this be a year for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who leads the court's liberal wing, to opt out? She criticized Trump in interviews before his election but later said she regretted making "ill-advised" comments in which she dismissed Trump as a "faker" who "really has an ego." She went to every one of Obama's speeches (but dozed off in 2015 when, she said, she "wasn't 100 percent sober.")



FOCUS FACTOR

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer is promising Trump's speech will be "an optimistic vision for the country, crossing traditional lines of party, race, socio-economic status." Trump has demonstrated that he can stick to a script for high-profile speeches. But there's always interplay between presidents and legislators in such addresses, and even a few presidential ad libs could change the dynamics of the night. If Trump veers into talk about "fake news," and "criminal leaks" from intelligence officials and complaints about the courts blocking his executive order on immigration, that would distract from his effort to show more discipline and focus.



WHITHER KUMBAYA?

Spicer says he expects Trump to get "a very robust and applause-filled reception" from legislators. But dozens of Democratic legislators boycotted Trump's inauguration. And now, they have to decide how to receive the president in their own chambers. Will they applaud the GOP president? Will the decorum of the moment be pierced with boos and heckles? Some of that may be choreographed in advance, but there's always the chance of spontaneous outbursts. In 2009, Republican Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina blurted out "You lie!" during an Obama speech to Congress on health care. Expect to see lots of white in the crowd: Democratic women in the House planned to wear white to honor women's suffrage and "stand in solidarity with the women of our nation."



DETAILS, PLEASE

Republicans in Congress are getting impatient for more detail on Trump's plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and to undertake sweeping tax changes. Trump on Monday called the health care law a "complicated issue" and promised to give states "the flexibility they need to make the end result really, really good for them." The speech is a prime opportunity for Trump to go beyond such generalities, but aides say not to expect a "legislative walkthrough."



LOOKING UP

The action won't all be on the floor of the House. The galleries in the House balcony will offer another tier of commentary. Democratic members of Congress have invited immigrants, foreigners and people who have benefited from the Obama health-care law to be seated in the galleries as their guests. And first lady Melania Trump has invited special guests to sit in her box who are likely to telegraph different messages.



TWITTERAMA

No need to wait for the speech to end to get political commentary. Based on past presidential addresses to Congress, expect legislators to be live tweeting their reactions to what they view as the best and worst of it. And there's always the potential for Trump himself to amplify  or scramble  his own message with presidential tweets before and after the fact. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R.-Kentucky, said he's hoping for a "tweet-free" message from Trump.



COUNTER PROGRAMMING

Expect both official and informal counterprogramming. Former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, who helped expand health care coverage in his state under Obama's health care law, will deliver the Democrats' response to Trump's address. And immigration activist Astrid Silva, who came to the U.S. illegally when she was 5, will offer the party's Spanish-language response. Before Trump's speech, opponents of the president planned a "resistance address" and rally at Lafayette Park across from the White House, with Rosie O'Donnell as a headliner. She and Trump have been feuding for years.
Altavista Mayor Mike Mattox often has customers come into his restaurant at E&S Mart and ask where they can find an apartment to rent or house to buy in the town.

Now, Altavista Town Council wants hard data on the local market.

We want to have housing for whatever period in your life you are in. If you are young have some apartments or condos; houses for young families. As you age up or grow, you may need more space, and when you become older, you still want to live in this community, Mattox said by phone Monday.

Mattox previously said, quoting Megan Lucas with the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, that there are more than 2,000 jobs in the town, which equals more than $70 million in payroll. About 80 percent of those employees do not live in the town. He estimates if those employees moved into town, it would add $56 million to Altavistas tax base as well as money spent at local businesses.

The perceived gap in available housing led the Altavista Town Council to pursue a housing study from Virginia Tech. At the September 2016 council meeting, Mattox suggested the town create a six-member housing task force of local real estate agents and citizens to brainstorm what could be done.

Town Manager Waverly Coggsdale said the committee has met a few times and requested a new proposal from Virginia Tech for a housing market study that compares Altavista to other small towns.

A piece of the towns comprehensive plan and Altavista On Tracks comprehensive plan is to increase downtown living opportunities as well as housing for the mid-income employees, like those earning $35,000 or more.

We know there are going to be people looking for places to live. They might be younger and not ready to invest in a house, said Emelyn Gwynn, the Main Street Coordinator for Altavista On Track, which promotes and markets the downtown area.

The average rent in Altavista is about $400 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Renters with incomes of $18,000 to $30,000 could afford that price, based on 30 percent of income, according to a town-initiated feasibility study on a downtown building in Altavista.

Meanwhile, nearly 300 new jobs from The Standard insurance company and Abbott Laboratories are trickling into the town, and officials want the new hires to live in and spend money in the town.

The town of Altavista has an apartment vacancy rate of 2 percent. Meanwhile, the estimated number of renter households has increased from 480 renter households in 1990 to 580 renter households in 2016.

According to a feasibility study on a downtown building at 616 Broad St., only nine rental units have been added downtown since 1998.

Bob Speltz, senior director of public affairs for The Standard, said via email Thursday a lack of housing in Altavista has not been a concern and points out about 50 employees working in the Altavista office already live in town and surrounding communities.

As we look to grow, our team there will continue to hire from the Altavista community, and they will certainly be attuned to this issue, he said.

Last year, the town received a $10,000 grant for a feasibility study on the two-story, 12,000-square foot building at 616 Broad St. The study looked at the current rental market in the town and determined the market shows a need for higher-rent apartments, like what was proposed in 616 Broad St.

We wanted to work on expanding downtown living  there is a need for apartments and more lofts in downtown, Gwynn said.

Costs to renovate the building for eight one-bedroom and two-bedroom loft-style apartments and limited commercial space would be about $1.47 million.
Kyler Schmitz liked to get home from work, drink wine, and vent on Twitter. What he said there turned him into a felon.

It started after the Orlando, Fla., shooting last year. As a gay man who had spent nights in clubs such as Pulse, he was terrified and sad. As a longtime supporter of gun control, he was enraged. The way he saw it, Republican lawmakers offered prayers for the dead while ignoring the way they were killed.

Schmitz, who lives in Alexandria, decided to tell them what he thought guns were for: killing people. And to make sure they understood, in the summer of 2016 he sent them messages promising graphic revenge.

Even after he was warned by law enforcement, Schmitz didn't stop. What had begun as a rebuke of gun rights became, to him, a stand for free speech.

Few of the millions of violent threats made online are prosecuted, and the line between legal and illegal is unclear. But Schmitz learned that the uncivilized world of online discourse does have boundaries, and threatening to shoot a U.S. senator is one of them. In an interview, the 28-year-old said he sees his criminal case as a cautionary tale for people who think that what they say online don't have real-life consequences.

"It was really shocking when I saw the articles with quotes under my name," said Schmitz, who has served his sentence of home detention and works as a waiter. "That's a tough lesson . . . Even if you're playing a character, you have to take responsibility for your character."

Originally from St. Paul, Minn., Schmitz was drawn to the Washington area by an interest in activism and desire to be part of a larger gay community.

He had dozens of Twitter accounts, most of them nonsensical. One retweeted every politician's use of the word "but" with a tiny picture of poop. Another six or seven had as their avatars a rainbow kitten with a unicorn horn and butterfly wings. On his main account, where he pretended to be a bug-eyed bird, he asked scientists dumb questions about biotechnology.

It was from that account that he began lobbing threats.

"I am literally going to buy a gun shoot you in the face I watch your brains splat," he tweeted at Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. "You will never ever again hurt anyone that I love I promise." Schmitz targeted Blunt because the Missouri senator was the sitting congressman who had received the most donations from the National Rifle Association.

"I wanted to get a rise," he recalled. "I wanted to make a point that I thought was civil disobedience and nonviolent, because I wasn't going to do anything."

Schmitz said he had always been outspoken; in seventh grade he gave a speech in school against homophobia. Older boys, he said, would circle him in the halls and call him names.

Schmitz thought his first tweet on the subject  saying, "I would never buy a gun. No one should ever need to. That said, I'm going to shoot some GIF #Guns at Republicans"  made that clear. But a committee staffer for Blunt saw the tweets and referred them to the Capitol Police.

In June, authorities visited Schmitz at his home and told him to cut it out. He said he would never actually use a gun, and tried to explain to them what he thought was mostly a joke. Schmitz says they didn't make the law clear; the police said in court filings that they made clear he was committing a crime.

Either way, he knew he was near a line if not over it. What he didn't realize was that the transgression would not mean an arrest or even a misdemeanor charge but possibly 25 years in prison. Instead of backing away from the danger, he danced around it.

"Good," he thought, "Now I have an audience." He hadn't been sure anyone would see the tweets; he had only a handful of followers.

He began asking his new audience which of the messages violated the law.

"Only a moron would think take them as serious threats yet they do define the dangers of guns in a graphic and realistic way," he tweeted at the Capitol Police. "What is illegal to say on Twitter? I want to know how much #FreedomOfSpeech I have so I don't get into trouble with my words."

Experts say the question can't really be answered.

"The Supreme Court left it a little unclear where the line is," said Leslie Kendrick, a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law. "The law has to take into account the speaker's state of mind. But what state of mind does that have to be, we don't know. Does the speaker have to have the intent to intimidate, does the speaker just have to have knowledge that they will intimidate people, does the speaker just have to be reckless in whether they will intimidate people?"

Schmitz's case is easier than most. Although a spokesman for Blunt told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the tweets appeared to be attempts at "parody, satire," many of his tweets did contain explicit, violent threats. Blunt's office declined to comment for this article.

"There are a lot of threat cases that are nonsense that ignore the context or the Internet culture where the statements take place," said Kenneth White, a criminal defense attorney who often writes about First Amendment issues on the blog Popehat. "This really isn't one of them."

Still, Twitter is so permeated by threatening speech that it's easy to see why Schmitz was disbelieving.

"A lot of people make very violent threats on social media without repercussions; nobody really does anything about it even if it's reported. For the most part, people are getting away with it left and right," said Nancy Baym, an expert in communication technology at Microsoft. On both sides of the aisle, she said, people have begun to see aggressive tweets as a kind of social action.

There was no second warning. Early on the morning of June 23 last year, two dozen police knocked in the door of Schmitz's home. With guns out, they demanded all of his electronic devices. He was arrested and spent the next week in jail.

"The answer to my question  'Can you get arrested for tweets?'  was yes, you can," Schmitz said.

After his arrest he lost his job as an Uber driver, but that was the least of his problems. He learned he could face the possibility of five years in prison for each tweet. Federal prosecutors chose to charge five tweets, meaning he was looking at a potential 25 years in prison had he gone to trial. Instead, he pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, to one count of making threatening interstate communications.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Berrang pushed for a six-month sentence. Schmitz was ultimately let go with three months of house arrest, with exceptions for work, and two years of probation. He cannot use the Internet until March. He missed his brother's wedding.

Schmitz is handsome and funny, a little too talkative and trusting for his own good. He calls his GPS monitor "my FitBit," and jokes that although he lost his job he gained a felony conviction. He thinks a Kyler Schmitz in Montana who accidentally started a forest fire should be grateful for being pushed down on Google.

"He's the unfiltered, funny friend who says whatever's on his mind," said his fiance, who asked not to be named for professional reasons. But, he said, the Schmitz he sees is not mean. He stops to talk to homeless people on the street and volunteers to take care of neighbors' pets. As an Uber driver, he took NAACP donations instead of tips.

"Republicans turned into the enemy of everything he likes and stands for," his fiance said. "It was that emotional for him."

In some ways, Schmitz said, his prosecution was "the shock to my life that I needed."

He attended Northern Virginia Community College, volunteered with political groups, and worked at a bead shop, but at 28 he still wasn't sure what he was doing with his life.

"This was definitely a new side of me that I discovered," he said "Next time, if I need a rush, I'll go skydiving."
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
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.
Home News Sports Social Obituaries Events Letters Lessons learned from Vietnam veterans February 27, 2017

By U.S. Senator Mike Crapo



The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the majority of Idahos veterans served during the Vietnam War. Veterans put their lives on the line and lost friends and family during their service to our country.



They experienced great loss and personal sacrifice while being criticized for doing as they were told. They are among the first to step forward and help fellow veterans and others in our communities.



Many lessons can be learned from these great Americans.



As Americans, it is our duty to honor those who sacrificed so much for our country. To do this, we must continue to seek answers for families of Americas prisoners of war (POW)s and missing in action (MIA).



Hiedi Young, an Idahoan and past director of the POW*MIA Awareness Rally, compiled sobering information from multiple sources about the price paid by American families during and after the Vietnam War.



These details about the more than 58,000 individuals listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., are worthy of recognition:



* Three sets of fathers and sons are listed on the wall;

* 39,996 listed on the wall were 22-years-old or younger;

* The largest age group, 8,283, were just 19-years-old;

* 3,103 were 18-years-old;

* 997 service members were killed on their first day in Vietnam;

* 1,448 service members were killed on what would have been their last day in Vietnam;

* 244 service members were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War; and 153 of them are listed on the wall.



The POW*MIA Awareness Association reports that 1,618 Americans, including eight Idahoans, remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. I highlighted the immense service of these Idahoans in a September column. In addition to those missing from serving in Vietnam, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency 366 veterans from Idaho remain listed as POW/MIA, leaving some families without answers for decades.



To better enable families to find their loved ones and bring them home, I co-sponsored S. 120, the Bring Our Heroes Home Act.



This legislation would provide for an expedited and consolidated process for declassifying and collecting records of POW and MIA personnel. The legislation is meant to address the obstacles preventing families and caseworkers from accessing the records needed for recovery efforts by putting one entity, instead of the current multitude of agencies, in charge of prioritizing and facilitating the declassification of records related to missing service members.



Additionally, late last year, Congress passed and the President signed into law H.R. 4511, the Gold Star Families Voices Act, that requires the Veterans Oral History Project Act to include recordings of histories by immediate family members of service members who became missing in action or died because of wartime service.



We cannot let these accounts, which shape understanding of the realities of war, be lost to time.



Finally, the U.S. Senate recently passed legislation to add March 29, Vietnam Veterans Day, to the list of dates on which the flag should be flown to pay tribute to the servicemen and women involved in this conflict.



I am continuously impressed with Idaho veterans humility and willingness to serve others. I carry their lessons of giving with me as I work to ensure all veterans are properly honored, return home and receive the services they need for the sacrifices endured. Questions or comments about this article? Click here to e-mail!
SRP stabbed on Marli Street

SRP Scipios colleagues rushed the injured officer to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he was treated. Invesigatiors said the injuries are not life-threatening
Socas evolution

Standing under the whirling multi-coloured lights at O2 Park, Chaguaramas last Tuesday, it seemed as if one was getting set for a major music festival like a Cochella, SXSW and/or Womex. The soca concert, now in its fourth year, had a lineup of artistes who showcased that soca now stands on a global platform headed for stardom.

While there were no Rihannas or Adeles, there was a touch of something extraordinary to the performances - a cross between intimacy and professionalism.

The line-up included Jamaican reggae icon Barrington Levy, the Bajan line-up of Rupee, Alison Hinds and Edwin Yearwood, Ronnie McIntosh, MX Prime, Ravi B, Farmer Nappy, 2016 Soca Monarch winner - Voice, Nailah Blackman and Kes the Band.

While these are all acts many would have seen or heard before, the styles of performances showed an enhanced and growing soca. Hinds exercising her vocal dexterity and Kees Dieffenthaller doing a cover of Shadows Dingolay with a slower soulful touch to it at the centre of the audience, was not dissimilar to what one would expect to see at major music events the world over.

Lending even greater credence to soca events morphing into major music events, the gates opened promptly at 8 pm and the show started promptly at 8.20 pm with Farmer Nappy taking the stage.

He rang through his set, backed by the Barbadian Red Boyz band, warming the swelling crowd. There were no lapses to set up anything.

The only break that was had, was when he introduced Barbadian Marvay to sing his 2017 hit Know the Face. Nappy announced Destra Garcia would not be performing with him at last Fridayss International Soca Monarch (ISM) finals and instead introduced Barbadian Nakeeta who gave an almost replica-like sound to Destra as the duo sang Technically.

After Nappy finished his set, which included songs such as Big People Party and My House, the crowd was kept energised as DJ Ryan Sayeed.

When Dieffenthaller came on stage at approximately 10 pm with Incredible, the audience was primed and ready for him to sail through the compendium of his songs along with his friends.

Blackman and Kees pitted the audience against each other as they sang Workout.

The event also bridged the age gap as a lot of the younger members of the audience sang verbatim as Yearwood belted out past hits such as Sweatin and Pump Me Up.

Hinds exercised her vocal muscles while singing Roll it Gal and then grooved the music- hungry audience with Iron Bazodee.

Rupee took the audience back as well with his hits Blame It on the Music and Tempted to Touch among others before delivering his new hits Tipsy and Ill be Okay.

Barrington Levy sang most of his songs acapPella - encouraging the audience to sing with him.

As the concert drew close to an end, MX Prime and the Ultimate Rejects added the icing to a full palate of music with their popular Full Extreme.

Dieffenthaller said during one of his many performances that the future of soca is in good hands as he looked at younger performers such as Blackman and Voice but it was evident by Tuesday on the Rocks that the platform for socas global succession and staying power had been set by the likes of them.

The show ended at 2 am.
CHALKIE SHARES LICKS

I am going to call him (Sparrow) tonight (Sunday). I am sure he is following the story already, an elated Liverpool, 76, told reporters at the Queens Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, shortly after winning the prestigious competition for a ninth time with an overall score of 429 points.

For his history-breaking feat, Liverpool, a Professor of Calypso Arts at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, won a hefty pay packet of $700,000.

Singing Learn From Arithmetic, a telling, cleverly-written commentary on child marriage, Liverpool revealed he had contemplated staying away from the competition but Sparrow encouraged him to participate.

Sparrow told me to go ahead and do it. I was trying to stay out but Sparrow told me to go ahead and do the ninth because the young fellas would have won it, if I dont. So, it is a good feeling, he said of the victory.

The veteran bard, who began singing calypso in 1967, won the Humming Bird Medal Silver at the independence Awards in 1976 for his contribution to calypso.

He is also recognised as a historian, researcher and cultural activist.

Liverpool said the victory was doubly significant as it coincided with his 50th year in the artform.

This is my 50th year in calypso and it is a real epoch win for me because after 50 years to be among the youths and still leading them and winning them, it is a good feeling. Placing second with a score of 423 points was former monarch Karene Asche with Caught In The Whirlwind, a nostalgic presentation about the way TT used to be before it plunged into decay through crime, violence, corruption and immorality. She received $400,000.

Heather Mac Intosh came in third with Games, an almost bitter take of the controversy that surrounded Thema Williams rejection as TTs representative in gymnastics at last years Olympic Games in Brazil. Mac Intosh got 416 points and received $200,000.

Mac Intoshs presentation, which featured several young girls performing flips and other routines on mats, culminated with a surprise appearance by Williams on stage. The crowd roared.

Fourth place went to Terri Lyons, who gave a spirited performance to The Phrase, which addressed the injustices plaguing African peoples.

Lyons, who got 415 points, was along a slew of finalists who used props to enhance their presentations.

Among the others were sixth place finisher and last years monarch Devon Seale with I, Carmona, Kurt Allen The Last Badjohn of Calypso with My Corn Tree and Main Witness by National Calypso Queen Sasha- Ann Moses.

Moses and Allen placed 14th and 13th, respectively, im the competition.

The 17-member line-up - the largest in a monarch competition - featured a mixture of youth and experience. It included several past monarchs and a few first-timers on the Big Stage. One such newcomer, attorney Rondell Donawa, grabbed the fifth spot, ahead of seasoned monarch finalists Seale, Weston Rawlins (Cro Cro), Roderick Gordon (Chuck) and Victoria Cooper.

The dapper-looking Donawa sang Lip Service, a song about TT citizens penchant for talk with no action. For the most part, the offerings, through just one round of calypsoes, dealt largely with social ills plaguing the country - crime, domestic abuse, corruption and other injustices. There also was a sprinkling of nation-building tunes.

But the night belonged to Liverpool, who, singing in position 17, came into the finals as an overwhelming favourite to take the crown.

Dressed as a graduate student, complete with red cape and matching mortar board, Liverpool had the audience lapping up his every word as he dissected the controversial child marriage issue, including the stance of the Hindu community.

The songs tag line, So, Sat Maharaj, 75 cyah go into 14, sent the crowd wild.

Surrounded by his manager, family members and supporters, Liverpool told reporters the tune was simply a manifestation of what the artform is supposed to be.

Calypso is not just about the moon and the stars. It is about the craft and issues, he said.

The thought process was just that I thought about the issue and because of the event, I thought how best could I sell this to the public and I looked for the best way to entertain them, let them laugh a little, but at the same time, see the seriousness of thee issue. Liverpool, one of the stalwarts at the Kalypso Revue, also responded to concerns that he was the sole member of the tent to advance to Sundays final from last weeks Calypso Fiesta, Skinner Park, San Fernando.

This shows that our tent was the best tent. We feel very hard about the harsh judging but it shows us that we have one of the best tents in Trinidad, he said, alluding to his victory.

On threats by the Revue to quit being a member of the representing Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation over what it considered to be bias in the judging process for major competitions, Liverpool said: It is not TUCO to blame too much but the judges. The calypsonian said judges needed proper training.

What we have to do is train the judges because judges have to be literate and just understand the artform. So, I dont blame TUCO too much. You just have to select judges who understand the artform. Liverpool said the jury was still out on whether he would seek a tenth monarch title in next years competition.

OFFICIAL STANDINGS

1) CHALKDUST (Dr Hollis Liverpool)

2) KARENE ASCHE

3) HEATHER MAC INTOSH

4) TERRI LYONS

5) RONDELL DONAWA

6) DEVON SEALE

7) CHUCK GORDON (Roderick Gordon)

8) VICTORIA COOPER-RAHIM

(Queen Victoria)

9) LADY GYPSY (Lynette Steele)

10) ALL ROUNDER (Anthony Hendrickson)

11) CRO CRO (Weston Rawlins)

12) GYPSY (Winston Peters)

13) KURT ALLEN

14) SASHA-ANN MOSES

15) FYA EMPRESS (Lornette

Nedd-Reid

16) MEGUELLA SIMON

17) LADY ADANNA (Marsha Davis-

Clifton)
It May Not Be the Time

You Think It Is
In 1995, Rodney Coronado pleaded guilty to a fiery act of ecoterrorism: breaking into the office of Michigan State University researcher Richard Aulerich, erecting a makeshift firebomb, and obliterating some 32 years of animal research. Except Coronado swore police had the wrong man. Now, 25 years after the Feb. 28, 1992, attack, Coronado has changed his tune in an interview with the Lansing State Journal. The animal rights activist explains he can do so with impunity: "There are no looming criminal charges against me. I'm as free as any person in this country can be." His sentence at the time was four years and nine months in prison, along with $2.5 million in restitution to MSU and other universities and farms hit by Coronado and his Animal Liberation Front compatriots. He's paid 0.1% so far.

In the case of MSU, Aulerich researched mink; Coronado believed the commercial fur industry was bankrolling his work, and "we wanted [Aulerich and researchers like him] to live in fear," he now says. The Journal details six other fur-related attacks committed by Coronado during 1991, and the clues that led police to him, including a typewriter ribbon and handwriting analysis. He avoided arrest by hiding on Native American reservations until being apprehended on Sept. 28, 1994. Facing up to 50 years, he took the plea, and was only charged in relation to the MSU arson. Coronado, now 50, has changed his tactics but not his beliefs about animal rights, which as a 20-year-old saw him trying to save whales by sinking ships in Iceland. These days, he's campaigning against recreational wolf hunting, but without violence. Read the full story at the Journal. (Read more MSU stories.)
After 15 months gestation, giraffes are born hooves first, weighing about 150 pounds. And the internet is really, really ready for April's baby to be born. Harpursville, New York's Animal Adventure Park's giraffe live stream has picked up steam on YouTubeminus a brief incident in which it was removed over complaints about sexually explicit contentsince it went live Thursday. April was due mid-month with her fourth calf, but still no sign of baby, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

As of this writing, about 85,000 people are watching the stream, though NBC New York reports some 30 million have tuned in at some point. The window they'll have to catch the birth may not a big one: Patch.com reports the zoo won't declare "active labor" until it can see the hooves (the latest report on its Facebook page noted "continued movement of baby inside, and big baby kicks, are noticeably obvious"), and that last stage of labor can be just 30 minutes long. What you can do while you wait: brainstorm names. The zoo will hold a contest to name the baby. (Read more giraffes stories.)
It's a parent's worst nightmareleave your kids alone for a few minutes and suffer their loss for the rest of your life. Such is the tragic tale out of India, where a mother of twin 3-year-old boys says she stepped out of their Delhi home for six minutes to grab laundry detergent and came home to what appeared to be an empty house, reports the Hindustan Times. The truth was even worse. When her husband rushed home from work to help look for twins Nishant and Nakshya (the parents even began scanning CCTV footage taken outside the house in case of a kidnapping), he ultimately found them stuck head-down in their top-loading washing machine, which had filled with enough water to drown them both. They were rushed to the hospital, but they'd been without oxygen for too long.

While officers have found no evidence of foul play, an inquiry into the boys' deaths is likely, and their bodies are being autopsied, reports the Indian Express. It appears that the boys, who'd just been undressed for a bath, climbed onto the pile of clothes next to the washing machine, peered inside, and fell head-first into the small space, unable to move or escape. "They came into this world naked, they have left naked," their grandmother mourns. The couple have a 10-year-old son who was at school during the tragedy, reports the Independent. "The family is inconsolable," a police officer tells NDTV. (Even swim team captains can drown.)
A top engineering executive at Uber, Amit Singhal, is out five weeks after his hire was announced. According to the tech blog Recode, Singhal failed to disclose that he'd left his previous job at Google because of a sexual harassment allegation. Singhal denied the allegation and said he left Google a year ago for his own reasons. In a statement to the AP, Singhal said: "Harassment is unacceptable in any setting. I certainly want everyone to know that I do not condone and have not committed such behavior. In my 20-year career, I've never been accused of anything like this before and the decision to leave Google was my own."

According to Recode, Singhal left Google after executives there informed him of a harassment allegation lodged by an employee, one an internal investigation had found "credible." Citing sources at Uber, Recode said the company did "extensive background checks of Singhal" but did not uncover "any hint of the circumstances of his departure from Google." Sources tell the New York Times that Uber CEO Travis Kalanick asked Singhal to resign after learning of the allegation. Uber found itself in an unrelated sexual harassment firestorm last week after a former female Uber engineer published an essay describing sexual harassment during a "slightly horrifying" year with the company. (Read more Uber stories.)
El Salvador's widespread violence reached an unexpected corner with the brutal and fatal beating of the national zoo's beloved hippopotamus Gustavito. Even among a population numbed by a staggering human death toll due to gang violence in recent years, the animal's death late Sunday stirred outrage. Salvadorans mourned through social media and some left flowers at the gate of the zoo, which has been closed until further notice. "Here we're used to seeing the dead every day," a street vendor in the capital's historic downtown tells the AP. "They kill us like flies, but this tops it all. They killed an animal that only entertained us."

Zoo director Vladan Henriquez said at a news conference that the hippo was covered with bruises and puncture wounds after apparently being attacked with metal bars, knives, and rocks. The attack occurred last week, sometime Tuesday night, but zookeepers didn't discover the hippo's injuries until Thursday when he didn't leave his pool. Gustavito died from the injuries late Sunday. Justice Minister Mauricio Ramirez Landaverde says an investigation has been opened. (Fear of gang violence has made many of the country's women afraid to be blonde.)
It's been called history's "most destructive 'weapon'"but it might just be a convincing forgery. Frank Gnegel, head of collections at the Frankfurt Museum for Communication, believes the telephone auctioned off as Adolf Hitler's personal phone is "clearly a fake." The phone was made in Germany, but the handset was made in England, suggesting it was assembled there, he tells German paper Frankfurter Allgemeine, per Deutsche Welle. He says he finds it very odd that the phone was painted red instead of being made from red plastic. "Everything to do with Hitler was produced in a high-quality fashion; why should an engraving ... simply be painted over?" he says.

Gnegel says he finds it hard to believe that Hitler had a phone with a rotary dial, "because he was always hand-connected in the telephone exchange." The phone was sold for $243,000 earlier this month, and auction house owner Bill Panagopulos has rejected the "insulting" claims that it was a fake. In England, Maj. Ranulf Rayner tells the BBC he is "extremely angry" about the claims. He says his father, Sir Ralph Rayner, was the first Allied officer to enter Hitler's bunker and was given the phone by a Soviet officer. Rayner says he did his own research and was told by a former phone operator in Hitler's bunker that the leader brought the phone everywhere during the last two years of the war. (Mein Kampf was a "surprise bestseller" last year.)
The Washington Post calls the untimely demise of some of the famous swimming pigs of the Bahamasthe friendly feral animals who live on the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay, aka "Pig Beach"a "mysterious wave of death." But some say that the reason may not be so mysterious after all, and that tourists who come to swim with the pigs are to blame, the Telegraph reports. Wayde Nixon, a local who claims to have started the pig colony decades ago, tells the Nassau Guardian that the deceased pigs "were given the wrong food" and that visitors to the island are basically going hog-wild with the animals, including jumping on them for rides and plying them with snacks, beer, and rum. Alfred Gray, the Bahamas' minister of agriculture and marine resources, says seven pigs have perished so far, leaving another 15 or so on the island, per Nixon's count.

Officials from the Bahamas Humane Society, however, tell Tribune 242 they're not sure how many pigs have actually died (they think there are only around seven or eight left alive), or if their deaths were intentional or inadvertentonly that their carcasses were dumped into the sea after they were found. The animals are a much-frequented attraction, even bringing in the likes of Amy Schumer and Donald Trump Jr. Gray tells the Guardian that from now on, visitors won't be able to feed the pigs (they'll be roped off for pictures only), while Nixon notes he, his partner, and their families will continue to work with the government to "regulate" access to the pig colony. (Texas wants to get apocalyptic on its feral pig population.)
Two women accused of wiping chemicals on the face of Kim Jong Nam in what they say they thought was a prank will be charged with murder, Malaysian officials announced Tuesday. Siti Aisyah of Indonesia and Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam will face a mandatory death sentence if convicted, reports CNN. Both women have said they had no idea they were involved in a plot to kill the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but Malaysia isn't buying that story, per the New York Times. The women allegedly rubbed liquids on Kim's face in quick succession at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Feb. 13. Officials say the liquid was banned chemical weapon VX, which resulted in Kim's "very painful death" within 20 minutes.

It's not yet clear if a North Korean man in custody will also be charged, reports the BBC. However, a North Korean delegation led by Ri Dong-il, former deputy ambassador to the United Nations, has arrived in Kuala Lumpur to seek his release, as well as that of Kim's body. The group will also discuss "the development of friendly relations between DPRK and the Malaysian government," Ri says. Another North Korean delegation led by Vice Foreign Minister Ri Gil-song has arrived in Beijing, apparently to calm tensions heightened last week by a sniping newspaper column, reports the Times. Ri is to meet with China's foreign minister during the visit, the Chinese Foreign Ministry says. (Malaysia is still seeking a North Korean diplomat.)
A German man who resumed sailing around the world after being released by Somali pirates in 2008 has been murdered by militants in the Philippines who kidnapped him a second time. The extremist group Abu Sayyaf has released video of the beheading of 70-year-old Juergen Kantner, who was kidnapped while sailing off the coast of Malaysia in November, the BBC reports. His companion, Sabine Merz, was shot dead during the kidnapping. The couple were held captive in Somalia for 52 days after the first abduction and were released after a ransom was reportedly paid.

Philippines government envoy Jesus Dureza confirmed the killing, which happened after a deadline to pay a ransom passed on Sunday. "Up to the last moment, many sectors including the armed forces of the Philippines exhausted all efforts to save his life," Dureza said in a statement, per AFP. "We tried our best." The New York Times reports that Kantner had been well aware of the risks but couldn't remain on land. "I bought my first boat at 28," he once said. "All in all, I have spent more than 30 years at sea." Kantner's body has not been recovered. Philippines military officials believe Abu Sayyaf is still holding at least seven Filipinos and 19 foreigners. (Last year, a Canadian hostage met a similar fate.)
Chicago police are on the hunt for another alleged killer, the twist this time being that they can blame the court system's red tape. Garrett Glover, 29, had been in custody, but he was released last week because of an apparent communication gaffe, reports WGN. Glover is charged in a 2012 fatal shooting, and he's supposed to be in prison on a $2 million bond until the trial. He caught a break on Thursday, however, when he appeared in court in an unrelated case, explains the Chicago Tribune. He'd been in prison since 2014 for attempted armed robbery, and he was granted early release in that case because of time served. At that point, he should have been shuttled back to prison because he still faced the murder charges, but the court never received word.

The state Department of Corrections says that because it never got "documentation indicating Mr. Glover should have been retained or sent back to Cook County custody, the IDOC, by law, had to release him." The Cook County Sheriff's Office says it is trying to figure out how the mix-up happened. Glover and two other men are accused of shooting 25-year-old Larry Porter in 2012 from their vehicle as he drove on the Dan Ryan Expressway. ABC7 notes that Porter had just become a father earlier that day. "It's crazy because when the baby grows up, he's gonna have to say, 'My daddy died the same day I was born,'" a family friend tells the TV station. (The city just recorded seven murders in one day, which drew the attention of President Trump.)
President Trump has taken his claim that "liberal activists" are behind protests against Republicans at town hall meetings to a new level, telling Fox and Friends that his predecessor is really the one to blame. "I think that President Obama is behind it," Trump says in a clip of an interview shared Monday; the full interview is airing Tuesday. "His people are certainly behind it and some of the leaks possibly come from that group," Trump adds. It's believed he's referring to leaks about his phone conversations with Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto earlier this month, which Trump previously blamed on "Obama people," reports USA Today.

Asked if he thought Obama had broken an "unsaid presidents' code," Trump simply replied, "that's politics. And it will probably continue," per CNN. Trump's comments elaborated on a tweet last week in which he said "liberal activists" had planted "so-called angry crowds." That tweet followed a Fox News report that nonprofit Organizing for Actionformed to promote Obama's agenda while in officewas planning the protests. However, Trump and other Republicans have for some time argued Democrats are paying people to protest at town halls. Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah, who was booed at a town hall earlier this month, says attendees were paid "to bully and intimidate" him. (Read more Donald Trump stories.)
When former President Obama was photographed with his feet propped up on the Oval Office desk, the accusations that he was "desecrating" the office were so loud that Snopes weighed in (and found near-identical shots of George W. Bush and Gerald Ford). The latest accusations of disrespect are now being hurled at Kellyanne Conway, who was photographed Monday with her feet tucked under her legs while tapping on her phone on an Oval Office couch. "Twitter freaks," USA Today declares, with some users suggesting their reaction was exacerbated by the setting: Conway was surrounded by leaders of historically black colleges and universities who were meeting with the president. "Now, you can't expect us to take this 'meeting' seriously when this is the setting," tweeted Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson.

As for what she was doing on her phone, the AFP reports Conway was reviewing a photo she had just snapped of the group. Gateway Pundit suggests the couch position was selected so as to allow her to take picture without blocking the pool cameras (a photo here illustrates that), and it declares the whole thing "yet another example of why the Trump administration has such heartburn in dealing with the media": President Trump was meeting with some 60 black college leaders, and the media's gaze is solely on Conway, it argues. Mother Jones Engagement Editor Ben Dreyfuss was unperturbed by the picture, tweeting, "She was taking a photo. This is the dumbest outrage ever." (Read more Kellyanne Conway stories.)
A Georgia judge on Monday sentenced two people to lengthy prison terms for their role in disrupting a black child's birthday party with Confederate flags, racial slurs, and armed threats. Jose Ismael Torres, 26, will spend 13 years in prison for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, making terroristic threats, and violating the street gang act; Kayla Rae Norton, 25, is to serve six years for terroristic threats and violating the street gang act, reports the AP. "Their actions were motivated by racial hatred," said Superior Court Judge William McClain, who ordered the two permanently banished from Douglas County once they are released. Both wept as the sentences were handed down.

The two are the last of 15 people charged in the confrontation at the 8-year-old's party, which took place in Douglasville in July 2015, less than a month after white supremacist Dylann Roof killed nine African Americans at a historic black church in Charleston, SC. Only four were charged with felonies. The other two pleaded guilty and are serving shorter prison terms. Torres and Norton were found guilty of yelling racial slurs and threatening to kill partygoers, even the kids. Prosecutors said Torres pointed a shotgun at the party. "This is behavior that even supporters of the Confederate battle flag can agree is criminal and shouldn't be allowed," the Douglas County DA said in a statement. (Read more Georgia stories.)
In what is believed to be the first case of its kind, a 38-year-old man has been sentenced to time behind bars because he lost control of his drone. Paul Skinner, who owns an aerial photography business in Washington state, was found guilty of reckless endangerment in January and handed a $500 fine plus 30 days in jail in Seattle Municipal Court on Friday after an incident during Seattle's Pride Parade in 2015, per the BBC. Skinners droneabout 18 inches square and weighing two pounds, per Engadgetflew into a building, then dropped onto a crowd of people below, knocking a woman unconscious and leaving her with a concussion, reports the Seattle Times. A man also suffered minor bruises.

Judge Willie Gregory acknowledged Skinner hadn't meant to hurt anyone but said he "put people in danger of being injured." A prosecutor added drone "operators should know that we will continue to go after them when they disregard public safety." But Skinner's lawyer, who plans to appeal, tells the Times his client is being made an example ofa drone expert told the court he wasn't aware of a similar case involving a drone hobbyist sentenced to jail timeand his sentence is "too severe." With or without an appeal, Skinner will need to complete a drone safety course. A hearing scheduled for May will also determine how much restitution should be paid to the woman he injured. (Tigers destroyed a drone that appeared in their midst.)
The mother of an Indian engineer shot to death in a Kansas bar is not just grieving for her son but worried about his younger brother. He, too, is working in the US, and his mother, Parvatha Vardhini, wants him to come home for his own safety. I will not allow my younger son to go back to the US again," she says, per the Hindustan Times. "I want him and his family to return to Hyderabad for good. Her older son, 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla, was killed last week by a gunman who witnesses say shouted, "Get out of my country," in the bar in the Kansas City suburb of Olathe. Adam Purinton, 51, has been arrested in the shooting, which also injured one of Kuchibhotla's friends, also Indian, as well as a bar patron who tried to intervene.

Police say Purinton drove about 70 miles to an Applebee's in Missouri afterward and confessed the shooting to the bartender. Except, he seemed to believe he had shot Iranians, reports the AP, citing a 911 call. In it, the bartender says Purinton came in, claimed to have done something "really bad," and asked to hide out. "Well, I finally got him to tell me and he said, like, that he shot and killed two Iranian people in Olathe. The mother of Kuchibhotla, whose body was being cremated in India on Tuesday, says she had worried about him. "I had asked him to return to India if he was feeling insecure there," she recalls. "But he used to say he was safe and secure." (Read more India stories.)
Betsy DeVos is being accused by experts of being "embarrassingly ignorant" and inadvertently praising segregation and Jim Crow in a statement on historically black colleges and universities released Monday night, Politico reports. "HBCUs are real pioneers when it comes to school choice," the education secretary said in the statement. DeVos added that HBCUs show that "more options" for students mean "greater access and greater equality." According to ABC News, people took to Twitter to decry DeVos' statement, and HBCUs quickly trended on social media.

One expert on HBCUs says DeVos' statement was "a whitewashing of US history." Another points out HBCUs didn't represent more choice for black students; they were usually the only choice following the Civil War. Even the Education Department's website acknowledges them as "often the only choice" for black students seeking higher education. A department spokesperson says DeVos' statement was taken out of context. DeVos was scheduled to speak to presidents from HBCUs on Tuesday, the same day President Trump is expected to sign an executive order related to the schools, the New York Times reports. (Read more historically black colleges stories.)
Hyderabad techie's body reaches home

Hyderabad : The body of Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US last week in a suspected hate crime, was flown in here Monday night.



The body was brought by a cargo flight, which arrived at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport around 10 p.m.



Kuchibhotla's parents K. Madhusudhana Sastry and Parvata Vardhini and other family members received the body. After completing all formalities, the body was carried in an ambulance to his house at Bachupally on the city outskirts.



Kuchibhotla's wife Sunayana Dumala, her brother, sister-in-law and another relative reached the city by a passenger flight.



Telangan Transport Minister Mahender Reddy and some leaders of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) were also present at the airport to receive the body.



The Ministry of External Affairs has made arrangements to bring the mortal remains.



Police had made elaborate security arrangements at the airport and media persons were barred from the cargo terminal.



The last rites will be performed Tuesday at Jubliee Hills, family members said.



Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white man who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on Wednesday night.



Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them.



Kuchibhotla of Hyderabad and his colleague Madasani from Warangal district in Telangana were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an MNC.
Adam Purinton - suspect in Kansas bar shooting, appears before court in the United States of America

Washington : A former US Navy veteran arrested last week for shooting two Indian engineers and an American at a bar had his first court appearance through video conference.



Adam Purinton, 51, faces one charge of first-degree murder and two charges of attempted first-degree murder in an apparent hate crime in Olathe that killed Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injured Alok Madasani. A third patron, 24-year-old Ian Grillot, was also wounded while trying to intervene.



Appearing in court via video conference on Monday, Purinton looked haggard and was soft-spoken. He was assigned a court-appointed attorney, and his bond remains set at $2 million. His next court date is March 9, CNN reported.



Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims at the Austins Bar & Grill and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "Get out of my country" and "terrorist" before shooting them. Purinton was later arrested from Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri.



In 911 calls, released by CNN-affiliate KSHB, an Applebee's bartender told the police that a man had admitted to shooting two "Iranian" people in Olathe and was looking for a place to hide.



Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton weighed in on the matter on Twitter on Monday, calling President Donald Trump to "step up and speak out" against "threats and hate crimes".



"With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out," she tweeted.



Trump has yet to comment, but his Press Secretary Sean Spicer had earlier said that early reports on the Kansas shooting were "disturbing".



Kuchibhotla hailed from Hyderabad while Madasani hails from Warangal town in Telangana. They were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an electronics manufacturer.
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Marine Le Pen's chances of becoming France 's next president may be slipping and investors are breathing a sigh of relief.



A poll released Tuesday by French firm Ifop showed the far-right candidate's lead over centrist Emmanuel Macron declining to just 1.5 percentage points. Another poll released by Opinionway showed Macron defeating Le Pen in the May 7 runoff election. France holds two rounds of voting in presidential contests.



French bond prices rose after the polls, bringing their yields closer in line with more steady German yields. The French 10-year note (France: FR10Y-FR) yield declined to 0.888 percent, narrowing its spread with the 10-year German sovereign yield to around 0.68 percentage point. Bond yields move inversely to bond prices.

French 10-year yield in 2016

Source: FactSet

French debtholders had been selling their bonds out of fear that a Le Pen victory would lead to France leaving the European Union  potentially threatening the future of the EU itself. The French-German spread rose last week to its highest since August 2012.

France's CAC 40 (Euronext Paris: .FCHI) stock index climbed 0.28 percent on Tuesday, slightly outperforming the broader Stoxx 600 (STOXX: .STOXX) index, which was 0.23 percent higher.



John De Clue, chief investment officer of the Private Client Reserve at U.S. Bank, said the recent sell-off in French bonds may have gone too far.

"We are surprised with the market's concern over a Le Pen victory and how these spreads have widened," he said. "If this gets resolved, I'd say the market turns back to the fundamentals, which have been fairly positive."

The pace of economic growth in the euro zone reached its highest level in almost six years in February, with job creation rising to a 9-1/2 year high, according to IHS Markit.

But can polls be trusted?

The latest batch of polls suggests Le Pen will ultimately lose. That said, political polling recently has been a terrible predictor of actual results. Polls heading into last year's Brexit vote and the U.S. presidential election were mostly wrong, causing shockwaves across financial markets.



"Over the last year, we've learned that anything can happen," said Minh Trang, senior FX trader at Silicon Valley Bank. "But there is a bit more confidence that things won't go awry and remain more stable."
Washington:

The adoption of the GST could help raise Indias medium-term GDP growth to over eight per cent and create a single national market for enhancing the efficiency of the movement of goods and services, the IMF said on Wednesday.

At the same time, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also expressed concerns over the implementation of the Goods and Service Tax (GST).

Although some uncertainties remain around the design and pace of implementation of the GST, its adoption is poised to help raise Indias medium-term GDP growth to above 8 per cent as it will create a single national market and enhance the efficiency of intra-Indian movement of goods and services, the IMF said in its annual country report on India.

Also read: GST Council approves law to compensate states for loss of revenue

The IMF said larger than expected gains from the GST and further structural reforms could lead to significantly stronger growth, while a sustained period of continued low global energy prices would also be beneficial to India.

Noting that Indias tax revenue-to-GDP ratio (at around 17 and a half per cent) remains considerably below than its emerging market peers, the IMF said the implementation of a robust GST should be a key priority given its growth-enhancing effects.

The GST should have minimal exemptions, uniform cross-state rates, and as few tax rate tiers as possible, it said.

Also read: Faster remonetisation will push economy in Quarter 4: RBI Governor Urjit Patel

Key production inputs, such as energy and real estate, should be kept within the tax base to enable greater output gains and reduce the tax burden across sectors, the IMF said.

Rationalisation of the structure of direct taxes toward a lower corporate income tax rate with smaller and streamlined deductions and exemptions should continue, it said.

Efforts to improve tax administration should be stepped up as the scope for revenue gains is large.

According to the IMF report, Indian authorities were confident that the outstanding issues related to GST implementation could be settled promptly.

The GST would provide for a significant improvement over the current indirect tax system. Tax reform priorities going forward include continuing the phased reduction of the corporate income tax rate from 30 to 25 per cent over four years, coupled with a simultaneous reduction in tax deductions, it said.

The GST replaces a plethora of cascading center, state, interstate and local taxes with a single, nationwide, value-added tax on goods and services.

IMF said the destination-based GST will create, for the first time, a single Indian market, and will greatly enhance India as an investment destination.

By subsuming most of the existing indirect taxes, such as excise, sales and services levies, the indirect tax structure of the country will become less complex and the cost of doing business will decline.

The Indian government expects to roll out GST by July 1 after it could not meet the April 1, 2016, target.

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New Delhi:

The Delhi University and JNU campuses are ready to witness more marches and counter-marches on Tuesday after ABVP held a Tiranga march on Monday.

Left-affiliated AISA, Congress -backed NSUI and JNU teachers also are mulling to register their protest against the Ramjas College violence. Congress-affiliated National Students' Union of India (NSUI) is also organising a symbolic one-day hunger strike at Arts faculty followed by a 'Mashaal' rally on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, ABVP, which objected to a seminar at Ramjas College last week where JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid were invited, took out a 'Tiranga march' from the college to Delhi University's Arts Faculty.

Shouting slogans of 'Vande Mataram' and dubbing it a 'march for the nation', the ABVP members carried the national flag as they marched inside the Ramjas College campus. With hashtags like 'March4nation', 'IstandwithRamjas' and 'Istandwithnationalism', the student outfit urged more students to join via social media for the protest against Left-leaning students' groups who are "supporting those involved in anti-national activities".

On the other hand, Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu asserted freedom of expression does not mean liberty to advocate disintegration of the country. Naidu accused Congress and the Left of trying to give a "different colour" to happenings on some campuses, "I am surprised about the efforts made by the Congress and the Left to give a different colour to the issues that are happening in a few universities saying it is an assault on freedom of expression," Naidu told reporters.

He claimed certain "misguided" sections were trying to mislead the young population and create social tensions, and hurt the sentiments of the people of India.

Another union minister Jitendra Singh said the country would not allow premiumon anti-India activism and there is a need for drawing a bottom line to check such activities.

"Freedom of debate doesn't allow debating to instigate anti-India activism and there is a need to draw a bottom line on it," said the Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office. (with PTI Inputs)

Also Read: BJP MP Pratap Simha compares Gurmehar with Dawood; Rijiju questions her mindset

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Police have arrested eight persons who are suspected to be members of an interstate gang involved in reselling stolen mobile phones after erasing IMEI numbers.

Police have recovered 735 mobile phones worth Rs 1.30 crore from them, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Romil Baaniya said.

Three stolen cars and equipment and accessories used in erasing of International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of mobile phones has also been recovered from them.

One of the arrested is an engineer and has a shop in Gaffar Market in Karol Bagh. He allegedly used to change IMEI numbers of stolen mobile phones and bring the phone to factory settings using a Chinese software and other equipment, said the officer.

The gang worked at four levelsthe first level comprises pickpockets and snatchers, second set is of receivers, the third level is of engineers and the fourth set is of receivers who sell the phones with the changed IMEI, said the officer.

Pickpockets and snatchers sell stolen phones to receivers anywhere between Rs 2,500 and Rs 5,000.

The receivers then contact the engineers who are equipped with software to change the IMEI numbers and then the phones are resold.

Following a tip-off, three persons, Shakil Ahmed alias Saeed, Aslam and Rinku, were arrested from Okhla Industrial area on February 21, the police officer said.

During interrogation, the accused disclosed that they used to take stolen mobile phones from one Qayyum who is a resident of Jurhera, Rajasthan and runs a mobile shop there, said the officer.

Qayyum used to take the stolen mobile phones from one Kallu and Gaurav Mittal who have mobile shops in Delhi.

Mittal was arrested from his shop at Sitaram Bazar in Old Delhi, along with his partner Rajendra Agrawal.

During interrogation, Mittal disclosed that he used to get the IMEI numbers of mobile phones changed from Gaffar Market, Karol Bagh with the help of one engineer Gaurav Kumar.

Mittal used to sell the refreshed mobile phones to various receivers and dealers in Mewat, Punjab, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh, said the officer.

One Khalid and Irfan who ran a shop at Nuh (Mewat), Haryana were arrested along with Gaurav from his shop where they had come for changing the IMEI of stolen phones, Baaniya said.
New Delhi:

Hundreds of protesters on Morning gathered outside the school where a 7-year-old girl was allegedly molested by two senior students in west Delhis Moti Nagar area, police said.

Around 150-200 protesters, who claimed to be affiliated to various political parties, demonstrated outside the school premises this afternoon and shouted slogans against the school authorities, said a senior police officer, adding that no law and order situation was reported.

Meanwhile, police is planning to conduct sensitisation sessions in the schools of the area to create awareness against such kind of abuse.

Handling such kinds of situation requires intellect and patience. We will be speaking to teachers of the school concerned and also other schools on how to deal with such incidents, said the officer.

The student, who had accused the senior girls of allegedly molesting her after sedating her, is in a state of shock and is being counselled, he said.

She is a little incoherent about the sequence of events, but she is being counselled and even her parents are being counselled so that they can help her come out of the trauma, the officer said.

In her statement, the girl had said that two girls of senior classes used to take her to a vacant room in the school during lunch time and take off her clothes as well as theirs. They would also sedate her, the minor told her counsellor.

They allegedly touched her private parts. When she tried to resist, they would threaten her, the officer had said.

This was happening for the last few months, he said.

The girl talked about the incident with her parents who then approached the police.

One of the accused, who is a major, has been arrested while the other, a juvenile, has been identified, the officer said.

Police is also speaking to other students to gauge whether others were also violated on similar lines.
New Delhi:

Actor Dhanush on Tuesday appeared before Madurai bench of Madras High Court to verify birthmarks in connection with paternity claim made by an elderly couple.

The Madras High Court earlier directed Dhanush to appear before it on February 28 in connection with a case filed by a couple who claimed he was their son.

Justice G Chokkalingam of the bench passed the directions on the counter filed by Kathiresan, who claims to be the actors father.

In his counter, Kathiresan submitted that there was a possibility of disfiguring of the ID marks of the actor, and simply filing it through an affidavit will not prove the petitioners case.

He also submitted that the birth certificate filed by the actor was not genuine, and his name and the registration number were not mentioned in it.

In the school transfer certificate, it was mentioned that Dhanush belonged to the Scheduled Caste.

However, film director Kasthuri Raja, who claims to be the actors biological father, belonged to Naicker community (BC) from Theni district, Kathiresan claimed.

The family card filed to substantiate that Dhanush belonged to the family of Kasthuri Raja was also manipulated, he alleged.

The petition filed by Dhanush is false and the same could be proved only during the trial by the trial court, he said.

Dhanush, the son-in-law of Superstar Rajinikanth, had in January last moved this court, seeking quashing of the trial case pending in a lower court in Melur near here, wherein the couple Kathiresan and Meenakshi had claimed to be his real parents and sought a monthly maintenance of Rs 65,000.

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New Delhi:

After creating a lot of buzz over her son Taimur Ali Khan Pataudi's name, Kareena Kapoor has now got the little prince a name.

Yes! Bebo doesn't refer son as Taimur, instead she calls the Pataudi prince as 'Little John'.

According to the media reports, 'Little John' happens to be Taimur's nick-name and his entire family addresses him with the same name.

While we are still finding it difficult to get over Taimur's cuteness, there are speculations that his nick-name has been a result of the recent flak Saifeena face over their son's name.

Saif-Kareena were trolled for naming their son after a Mongolian ruler.

Also Read: Kareena Kapoor Khan's only advice for Taimur is to be humble and ignore everything else

While several celebs came out in support of the Pataudi couple, Saif too was quite unapologetic about naming his son as Taimur.

In fact, Saif also defended him saying, I am aware that there is a Turkish ruler who is possibly a little violent. That was Timur and this is Taimur. It might sound similar because it has similar roots. Also, to judge the past by todays lens is a little far out. A name doesnt really mean anything. Asoka is a violent name then. Theres Alexander too.

On the other hand, Kareena just can't stop gushing about her little bundle of joy and even called her son the 'most gorgeous child'.

Bebo was quoted as saying, I say it with a lot of pride that he (Taimur) is most gorgeous child, not because he is mine, but because he is very good looking. Yes, he has the Pathan genes, but its also because I ate a lot of ghee.

Taimur happens to be Kareena and Saif's first child since their wedding in October 2012. While Bebo became the mother for the first time, Saif already has two kids - Ibrahim and Sara from his first wife Amrita Singh.

On the work front, Saif Ali Khan was recently seen in his last release 'Rangoon', whereas Kareen Kapoor will be seen in Rhea Kapoor's production 'Veere Di Wedding'.

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New Delhi:

Banking operations were hit on Tuesday by the day-long, nation-wide strike called by employees of public sector banks, with ATMs running dry at various places across the country.



The All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) claimed success, saying all the branches kept their shutters down.



"People could not go to banks to transact anything, deposit money, withdraw money or do any other transaction.



Government treasury transactions could not be done, import and export transactions were hit, money market operations were not possible," AIBEA General Secretary CH Venkatachalam told PTI.



Money transfer and cash remittances were also hit.



Venkatachalam said clearing operations have been paralysed in a big way despite the Reserve Bank keeping its operations open because employees were not available.



Some private sector banks are also part of the strike called under the aegis of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) to press their demands including fixing accountability of top officers over increasing bad loans, opposing labour reforms as well as outsourcing of permanent jobs.



Karur Vysya Bank and Federal Bank said Staff Union and Officers Association of the Bank under the banner of UFBU are participating in the strike.



"Regular functioning of the branches of the Bank might be affected on that day. However the Bank's ATMs and digital channels will function to meet customer needs," Federal Bank said.



Private sector banks including ICICI, HDFC, Axis were not part of the strike.



ATMs have gone dry in various places, Venkatachalam said, adding that some banks had limited cash to keep the machines going.



UFBU is an umbrella body of 9 unions. However two of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh affiliates -- the National Organisation of Bank Workers and the National Organisation of Bank Officers -- are not part of the strike.



The demands include compensation to employees and officers for extra hours they have put in following demonetisation in November and early initiation of next wage revision.



They have also demanded adequate recruitment in all cadres, stringent measures to recover bad loans and accountability of top executives. Besides, they have pitched for criminal action against wilful defaulters.



The UFBU, which claims membership of nearly 10 lakh across banks, also requested the government for cost reimbursement of demonetisation to banks.



As many as 27 public sector banks control 75 per cent of the total business.

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Bengaluru:

A tenth standard student was on Monday stabbed to death allegedly by a former student and his friend following a scuffle near a government school at Yelahanka, police said.

The incident took place as the school was observing its annual day function this afternoon.Police said a fight broke out between some boys over an issue following which 15-year-old Harsha was stabbed with a knife.

Passersby noticed the boy lying in a pool of blood and rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead, they said. School authorities claimed that the incident did not take place inside the school premises.

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New Delhi:

India's metro cities Delhi and Mumbai fare poorly on the urban governance parameters, according to a 21-city survey by Bengaluru-based advocacy group Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy.

According to the fourth edition of the Annual Survey of Indias City Systems 2016, national capital Delhi ranked a distant 9, while the top slots have been occupied by Thiruvananthapuram, Pune and Kolkata.

With a population of about 18 million, Delhi was ranked 6 in the 2015 survey. The city, which was ranked 6 in the 2015 survey, fared poorly on three aspects of urban governance - urban capacities and resources of municipalities to undertake reform; empowered and legitimate political representation; transparency, accountability and participation. Delhi, however, topped the chart in the urban planning and design category with a score of 3.7 - ahead of Mumbai and Bengaluru, among others.

Chandigarh, perceived to be a planned city, and Jaipur finds mention at the bottom of the list.

Mumbai and Ahmedabad with a score of 4.4 top the list of cities that have invested adequate funds in public infrastructure and services. A majority of the cities rely heavily on government grants.

The biggest gainer in 2016 was Bhubaneswar, which jumped eight ranks over 2015 to the 10th spot. This was on the back of a slew of reforms such as instituting Municipal cadres, tiered spatial planning including ward level plans and instituting a single window clearance process for development projects that are in conformity with plans.

On the other hand, Bengaluru dropped four places to rank 16 due to better performance by some of the smaller cities. Jaipur improved its scores on the back of passage of the Rajasthan Urban Land (Certification of Titles) Bill that enabled better urban land utilisation while Chennai slipped due to Tamil Nadus legislation to elect Mayors through indirect elections.

The survey found that the 21 cities generate just 37% of the amount they spend on average, with Patna raising only 17% on its own. Only Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Pune generate over 50% of the amount they spend from their own revenue.



While Thiruvananthapuramas per capita spend on capital expenditure is Rs 8,389, it is as low as Rs 418 in Patna.



Irrespective of the rankings, none of the Indian cities match up to standards of any international city, such as London or new York.



The survey



The survey, which looks at 83 governance parameters based on the City-Systems framework, shows that Indian cities score between 2.1 and 4.4 on 10, as against the global benchmarks of London and New York, which score 9.3 and 9.8 respectively.



The low scores imply that Indian cities need to strengthen their city-systems i.e. quality of laws, policies and institutions significantly to improve service delivery and thereby, deliver a high quality of life to citizens.

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New Delhi:

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday and they were learnt to have discussed the situation post local body elections in the state.



The meeting took place days after the BJP clinched a resounding victory in the civic and zilla parishad polls in the state.



Fadnavis, who led the BJP's campaign during these elections including that to the cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), is learnt to have discussed with Modi the poll outcome and the issue of next Mumbai mayor during the nearly one-and-a-half hours meeting.



The BJP and its partner in central and state governments, the Shiv Sena, were locked in a bitter contest in the run up to the BMC polls.



Immediately after the election results were out on February 23, the Shiv Sena, having grabbed highest seats (84) in the 227-member BMC, had staked claim to the post.



The BJP, which made substantial gains from its previous tally of 31 seats, lagged behind the Shiv Sena by a slender margin of two seats.



The NDA major had contested the Mumbai polls aiming to install its first mayor in the civic body, considered as the richest in Asia.



"The chief minister was in Delhi for the first time after the elections were held. He discussed the post-poll situation with Modi," a source said.



The BJP emerged victorious in 8 of the 10 civic bodies which went to polls in the state earlier this month.

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New Delhi:

Exiled Tibetans in Himachal Pradesh on Monday celebrated Losar festival denoting beginning of New Year by offering prayers. A

Losar is a festival marking New Year in Tibetan Buddhism. The festival celebrated on various dates depending on location in and tradition in (Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan).

It is celebrated on the first day of the lunisolar Tibetan calendar, which corresponds to a date in February or March in the Gregorian calendar.

The variation of the festival in Nepal is called Lhochhar and is observed about eight weeks earlier than the Tibetan Losar.

Dharamsala: Exiled Tibetans in Himachal Pradesh usher in their New Year, Losar, with prayers (February 27th) pic.twitter.com/MhAN2nDLEb a ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

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New Delhi:

A case of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation was on Tuesday registered against unknown persons in connection with the alleged rape threats to an army martyrs daughter, at the centre of a students unrest.

In another case, two alleged ABVP activists were arrested for attacking two AISA supporters on the North Campus during a protest march in New Delhi.

A case in connection with LSR student Gurmehar Kaurs complaint to Delhi Commission for Women was registered on Tuesday.

The FIR was registered under sections 354 A (Sexual harassment and punishment for sexual harassment), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of IPC and 67 of the IT Act against unknown persons, said Dependra Pathak, Special Commissioner of Police (Southwest) and Delhi Police spokesperson.

He said 20-year-old Gurmehar hasnt joined the investigation yet.

The probe team is working on the available evidence, he said.

We are in the process of identifying the social media accounts from where those messages (of the rape threats) were generated and then the due process of getting details from these sites will be initiated, said the officer.

Senior officers said Gurmehar had submitted a screen shot of the message she received on Facebook from a man who allegedly threatened her with gangrape and making porn videos of her.

Police is likely to seek details of the account from which the message was sent.

Yesterday, DCW forwarded a complaint of a DU student reg. online abuse. Immediately, area DCP spoke to her & provided necessary security. Her complaint was examined by Cyber Cell & an FIR No.32/17, u/s 354-A, 506 IPC & 67 IT Act, PS EOW has been registered & investigation taken up, Delhi Police said in a series of tweets.

The DU student was assured that she would be provided security by Delhi Police and men in plainclothes will be patrolling the area where she stays.

However, the student left for Jalandhar on Tuesday to be with her family, following which the Delhi Police has asked its counterpart there to provide security to her.

Gurmehar, daughter of martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, had started the campaign I am not afraid of ABVP following violence at Ramjas college. The campaign went viral and received massive support from students across universities.

Meanwhile, two AISA activists from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)-- Raj Singh and Utkarsh Bhardwajalleged that they were strangulated by Prashant Mishra and his friends (allegedly from ABVP), who followed them while they were returning from Arts Faculty around 5.20 PM, police said.

Utkarsh and Raj claimed that they were attacked by seven to eight persons near Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College and strangulated with belts.

Prashant and Vinayak Sharma were arrested from the spot, police said.

They have been booked under IPC sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), said a senior police officer.

Police are trying to identify the other students who were involved in the alleged attack on the AISA activists.

There are adequate security arrangements in place. The nearby areas, where students and teachers reside, also have security in place. Further, 24X7 security arrangement will be ensured for normalcy in academic activities on the North Campus, Pathak said.

Ramjas college had last week witnessed large-scale violence between members of the AISA and the ABVP. The genesis of the clash was an invite to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar on Culture of Protests, which was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by ABVP.

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Hyderabad:

Amid heart-rending scenes, the mortal remains of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US in an apparent hate crime incident, were consigned to flames in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

Kuchibhotla's father Madhusudana Rao lit the funeral pyre at the crematorium in Jubilee Hills in the afternoon.

The parents of the 32-year-old engineer were in deep sorrow over the tragedy that has struck them.

Union minister Bandaru Dattatreya, several other leaders, family members and friends of Kuchibhotla were present on the occasion.

As the funeral pyre was lit, some of those present at the crematorium raised slogans in memory of Kuchibhotla and against the US administration.

The body was earlier taken to the crematorium from his house at Bachupally on the city's outskirts. It was a picture of sadness and grief at the house, where a pall of gloom had descended, as Kuchibhotla's wife Sunayana took part in the last minute rituals.

His parents and other family members too looked crest-fallen.

Kuchibhotla had been working at the Garmin headquarters in Olathe in Kansas City. Another Indian and his colleague Alok Madasani was injured in the incident that took place on last Wednesday.

A teacher of Kuchibhotla recalled him as a simple and good-natured person who always had a positive outlook towards life. The engineer's body was brought to his parents' house shortly before midnight on Tuesday after being flown from the US to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

Ministers from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, MLAs and other leaders belonging to different political parties visited his house here after the shooting incident.

Union ministers M Venkaiah Naidu and Bandaru Dattatreya had earlier visited the family.

The shooting incident had taken place at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri.

Ian Grillot, an American, was injured when he tried to tackle the accused Adam Purinton (51), who was arrested on Thursday morning, five hours after the incident. Purinton had reportedly yelled "get out of my country" before opening fire on Kuchibhotla and Madasani.

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New Delhi:

India rejected media reports on Tuesday that a demarche was issued to the US over the killing of an Indian engineer, saying the pro-active response of the American government and senior authorities in Kansas "obviated" the need for such an action.

"It is important to note that the US authorities are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the US, a matter which continues to receive the government's top priority," external affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay asserted.

He said the US government and senior authorities in Kansas have pro-actively responded to the unfortunate death of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, and also drew attention to the strong condemnation of the tragic shooting by the US Embassy here last week.

Further, the US Charge d'Affaires had stated that her country welcomes people from across the world and the US authorities will investigate thoroughly and prosecute the case, he noted.

"This approach is reflected in the sentiments and assurances from senior most authorities of Kansas, who have reached out to the Indian consul general in Houston. These developments obviated the need for a demarche by the government on this matter," Baglay said.

The spokesperson was reacting to a query on the media report that the Embassy of India in Washington had issued a demarche to the US State Department.

In Washington last week, Indian embassy spokesman Pratik Mathur in a statement had said, "Government of India has taken up the matter with the US authorities to express our deep concern and have asked for speedy investigation. US government while condemning the attack, have assured us that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter."

Baglay also mentioned that "We also must not forget the noble and courageous gesture of the young American Ian Grillot, who risked his life while countering the shooter." Srinivas (32), who was working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, was shot dead by an American in a crowded bar in Kansas City in an apparent hate crime incident.

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New Delhi:

Controversial BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj kicked up yet another controversy on Tuesday when he advocated that Muslims should also be cremated, saying the land for qabristan (graveyard) will lead to no place to live and no place for agriculture in future.



Claiming that the practice was prevalent in Muslim countries, he said that the last rites of all should be carried out at the same place irrespective of religion.

"Whether it is named Kabristaan (graveyard) or Shamshaan (crematoriums), nobody needs to be buried. There are 2-2.5 crore Hindu saints in this country who should have a memorial after their death. That will require land. There are 20 crore Muslims, all of them need a grave.

Where is the land in Hindustan?" he said while addressing a public rally in Unnao.

He said that "this will check terrorism as terrorist indulge in terror acts as they are promised paradise after death" where they will be in the company of 'hurs' (female angels).

ALSO READ | Exclusive: Population control remark: BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj says he did not name any religion



Meanwhile, Sakshi Maharaj has drawn flak for his controversial remarks.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav questioned his character and demanded a thorough probe against the BJP MP.

"Sakshi Maharaj is a very controversial man. His character is not good, he should be investigated," Lalu said.



Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja termed Sakshi Maharaj's statement as "communal and provocative" against the Muslims. He also said that the Election Commission should initiate an action against him.

"Sakshi Maharaj is known for making such absurd statements. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is totally failing to uphold the Constitution of the country and all BJP leaders including Sakshi Maharaj," Raja said.

ALSO READ | FIR filed against Sakshi Maharaj for population control comment on Muslims

"I would like to ask the Prime Minister that is he endorsing the statement made by his leaders because he is not uttering a single word and keeping quiet," he added.

Prime Minister Modi recently raised the issue of Kabristaan and Shamshaan during his election rally in Fatehpur. He had said that there should not be any discrimination in the allotment of land for both.

"If you create Kabristaan in a village, then a Shamshaan should also be created. If there is uninterrupted electricity in Ramzan, it should also be given during Diwali. There should be no discrimination," he had said.

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Patna:

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday trashed the BJP-led oppositions demand for CBI probe into the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) exam paper leak.

He stressed that an impartial police probe into the case would leave nobody, whose name figures in the clerical grade examination, untouched.

Kumar also ridiculed the BJP for accusing the government of shielding wrongdoers including some ministers and ruling party legislators in the case as well as in the matter involving a JD(U) MLA and absconding Congress leader in the alleged sexual exploitation of a minor girl.

When the police is investigating the case impartially what role the government has in it? he asked.

Mocking the BJP, Kumar said he would ask them to move a private member bill for Amendment in IPC and CRPC in the Assembly to get power of investigation for themselves in such cases.

We will cooperate to pass such an Amendment to IPC and CRPC and if the President gives consent to it, we would love to make the BJP leaders of their choice as investigating officer in cases like BSSC paper leak and others, he said.

BJP and its NDA allies were not present in the House at the time the CM was speaking as they had staged walkout alleging rise in scandal and corruption under the present dispensation.

Kumar, who is heading Grand Alliance coalition government, was speaking on motion of thanks to Governors address to a joint sitting on February 24.

Facing attack from BJP in both Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council in connection with BSSC exam paper leak and those connected with suspended JD(U) MLA Mewalal Chaudhary and absconding Congress leader Brajesh Pandey, the CM gave point by point reply to all allegations.

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New Delhi:

Academicians from universities across the globe, including Coulmbia, Cambridge, Trinity College and New York University, have condemned the recent Ramjas College clashes as State-tolerated violence.

In a joint statement, the academicians said no progress is possible in a country if the young people are not permitted the full freedom to discuss difficult and pressing issues.

The issues that will matter to them long after the political leadership in the country has passed on, they said.

We stand against the rule of state-tolerated violence on college campuses, the statement said.

The signatories include professors from Columbia, Cambridge, University of Pensylvannia, University of Toronto, Trinity college, University of California, New York University and University of Gottingen, among others.

Also read: Ramjas clash row | ABVP gives clarification: Violence provoked by outsiders, blame put on us

Delhi Universitys Ramjas college had last week witnessed large-scale violence between AISA and ABVP members after an invite to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar on Culture of Protests was withdrawn.

The college authorities had withdrawn the invite following opposition by RSS-backed outfit ABVP.

The ruling partys student wing ABVP has been emboldened to intervene violently in any attempt by students to have open discussions about matters that the Sangh Parivar deems to be inappropriate. This is thuggish censorship. We stand against it, the statement reads.

Also read: NHRC issues notice to Delhi Police over alleged police excesses outside Ramjas College

It alleged that the Sangh Parivar wants to use reforms to college admission policy and to the policies on student life as a way to engineer the student body.

They want to disallow progressive politics and allow only the politics of violent cultural nationalism. Their agenda is to close the Indian mind and destroy intellectual flexibility and we stand against it, the statement added.

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New Delhi:

An FIR was registered against unknown persons in connection with the case of a Kargil martyr's daughter who complained of receiving "rape threats" allegedly from ABVP members.

Now the ABVP members have also demanded probe into the matter by writing a letter to Morris Nagar SHO.

Kaur who showed courage to raise voice with her social media campaign against ABVP withdrew from a student march planned for Tuesday, saying she has shown enough courage and wants to be left alone.

Following the alleged online rape and murder threats, 20-year-old Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, who took on ABVP over North Campus violence met Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also expected to meet LG at 2.30 pm on Tuesday to demand action against ABVP and rape threats Gurmehar Kaur.

In a 30-minute meeting with the DCW chief, Kaur had submitted a complaint and screenshots of threats issued to her on social media.

Maliwal said that 'DCW Home Guards' were providing security to Kargil martyr's daughter, who complained of receiving "rape threats" allegedly from ABVP members.

Maliwal, in a letter to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik called the act shameful and demanded that an FIR be registered against the abusers and security be provided to the girl and her family.

Presently, DCW Home Guards providing protection to Gurmehar Kaur. We will be with her 24*7. Hope Delhi Police urgently gives her protection, Maliwal tweeted earlier in the day.

Presently DCW Home Guards providing protection to Gurmeher Kaur. We will be with her 24*7. Hope Delhi Police urgently gives her protection.  Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) February 27, 2017

ALSO READ | Daughter of Kargil martyr gets rape threat for opposing ABVP

Kaur who is in the eye of a storm is the daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Sing. Singh was martyred when a Rashtriya Rifles Camp came under militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir in 1999. Six other soldiers had lost their lives in defending the camp.

As it happened: (For updates after 5PM, click here)

#4:45OPM

NHRC issues notice to Delhi Police Commissioner over allegations of police excesses outside Ramjas College in DU Campus on the 22 February



#4:00PM

This is a collective fight to defend our constitutional rights. We will be raising the issue of DU in the parliament: D Raja



#3:50PM

Our nationalism is We are Indian not 'who is a Hindu'?: Sitaram Yechury



#3:45PM

D Raja and Sitaram Yechury join JNU & DU students' protest march against ABVP in North Campus area: ANI



#3:30

Ek chatra k abhivyakti ki azadi ka prashn hai aisa nhi hai,prashn isse bada hai-shiksha,peedhi k sanskar,kya rashtrya k virudh hai: JDwivedi



It's not about freedom of speech, it's about going against nation: Cong general secy Janardan Dwivedi

#3:00 PM

Former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar & former JNUSU vice-president Shehla Rashid join protest over Ramjas Row at DU's Arts Faculty



If you speak agnst nation,ppl will obviously not like it;Irrespective of gender,the person won't b spared-Wrestler Gita Phogat #GurmeharKaur pic.twitter.com/zugBlopsEJ  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

#GurmeharKaur's view that her father was killed by war & not Pak was wrong for me;It's against our nation & martyrs-Wrestler Babita Phogat pic.twitter.com/v98CwqG9mS  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

#GurmeharKaur is martyr's daughter,respect that;Ppl politicising matter,what do they've to say abt terrorists?-Union Min Ravi Shankar Prasad pic.twitter.com/meO96j6Dh9  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

Drama being created, shouldn't be highlighted.Politicians must refrain from giving statements :Kanwaljeet Singh, Gurmehar Kaur's grandfather pic.twitter.com/drscCPXq1j  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

#1:20 PM

JNU & DU students hold protest march against ABVP in North Campus area

Delhi: JNU & DU students hold protest march against ABVP in North Campus area #RamjasRow pic.twitter.com/J0Vex9653e  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

During war b/w India & China they (left) supported China; they mislead the youth and it is not right: MoS Home, Kiren Rijiju pic.twitter.com/Seo8Q3ZFEA  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

She(Gurmehar Kaur) is a young girl, creating controversy over her isn't right. Its about leftists who celebrate when our jawans die-K.Rijiju pic.twitter.com/kNxzCW8DwL  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

Students of Miranda House protest against ABVP outside Khalsa College, say, "this fight is for our University space." #RamjasRow pic.twitter.com/yWMqXLsXlZ  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

Delhi: Students of Miranda House protest against ABVP over #RamjasRow pic.twitter.com/L0Vmme8lDu  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

Olympian Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt tweets against DU student #GurmeharKaur, with the following picture. #RamjasRow pic.twitter.com/JGHADIkAJ3  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

@mehartweets dont see it as a withdrawal. you have shown courage,m spunk and dignity and made your point. More than.  barkha dutt (@BDUTT) February 28, 2017

Madam ji Kabhi desh ke liye bhi bol liya kro ek bar bolo #hindustanjindabad# https://t.co/KhDSiDM7Zv  Yogeshwar Dutt (@DuttYogi) February 28, 2017





#RamjasRow: National Students' Union of India's (NSUI) hunger strike outside Delhi University Arts faculty. pic.twitter.com/ONau3IwvhE  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

#11:55 AM

Delhi Police files FIR on rape threat to DU Student Gurmehar Kaur



Security tightened outside DU's Arts Faculty ahead of scheduled protest march by students & teachers of DU & JNU. pic.twitter.com/29kzmBobhG  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

Dignity of a woman is of paramount imp, culprits must be punished:NK Kalia, Kargil martyr Saurabh Kalia's father on rape threats to Gurmehar pic.twitter.com/HznvNHGaUD  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

I'm with you & all those who stand for their rights & freedom of speech.Nation is proud of you for fighting fascist forces:Vadra to Gurmehar pic.twitter.com/f4jpyCeNrV  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

Disgusting and shameful to see a dignified woman being trolled by respectful citizens, for her remarks against politics in DU: Robert Vadra pic.twitter.com/78zkuLyFxg  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

Kaur, last week had changed her Facebook profile picture into one holding a placard reading, I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me. #StudentsAgainstABVP.

Sooner the post went viral on social media, prompting students from various varsities across the country to change their profile pictures with similar placards.

This has led to a political slugfest with Congress demanding an apology from Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for his comments on the Ramjas row. Jaitley during a speech at London School of Economics and Political Science had said that an 'alliance of subversion' was the real reason behind violence on campus.

Following which, Congress spokesman Manish Tiwari asked for an apology from the minister for making such a remark on Indian academia, that too while on foreign soil.

ALSO READ | Ramjas College clash: Sehwag counters Army martyrs daughter on Twitter

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Hyderabad:

The Telangana American Telugu Association (TATA) has suggested the community to avoid communicating in Telugu in public places in the US.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla (32), working at the Garmin headquarters in Olathe, was killed in the shooting at a restaurant in Kansas on Wednesday night. Another Indian andhis colleague Alok Madasani was injured in the incident.

"Much as we love talking in our mother tongue, it can often be misconstrued. Please see if you can communicate in English in public places," the association said in a statement put out in its Facebook page.

The organisation further advised people not to get into argument with others in public places and leave the place immediately without confrontation.

"Isolated places can often be targets. Please avoid going or going single," it said. Meanwhile, the mortal remains of Srinivas were broughthere last night and his last rites will be performed on Tuesday.



The shooting took place at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. Ian Grillot, an American, was injured when he tried totackle the accused, Adam Purinton (51), who was arrested on Thursday morning, five hours after the incident.



Purinton had reportedly yelled "get out of my country" before opening fire on Kuchibhotla and Madasani.

Also Read: Indian techie's body brought to Hyderabad from Kansas

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Thane:

More than 200 people including Bhayander BJP MLA Narendra Mehta have been booked for rioting in Thane on February 24, police said on Tuesday.



Thane district rural police booked all of them on Monday under sections 143, 147, 149, 452, 504, 506 and 427 of the IPC and also under sections 37(1)/135 of the BP Act following a complaint in this regard.



After police registered an offence against the MLA, journalists from Bhayander who had staged a sit-in in front of the police station since Monday called off their protest.



The journalists had undertaken the protest after Mehta and irked BJP activists, took objection to a picture of state chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in a publication and allegedly threatened scribe Vasant Mane.



Mehta along with his men had held a dharna at the Bhayander police station on the night of February 24 and later took a morcha to Mane's house where the legislator allegedly abused and threatened him and his wife.



Mane's house was ransacked too following which a complaint in this regard by filed by the local journalists association, demanding strong action against the culprits.

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New Delhi:

Twitter is buzzing with news alerts from India and rest of the world. Here are the latest updates from the micro-blogging site in one scroll:

#9:58 PM

West Bengal: Human trafficking racket busted; 2 girls rescued and 1 person arrested in Darjeeling district's Panitanki on Indo-Nepal border - ANI

#8:50 PM

Hyderabad (Telangana): Fire broke out at a China Bazar Painting Store in Pet Basheerabad, now under control - ANI

#8:32 PM

Fire breaks out in Kolkata's Nonadanga Colony; 7 fire tenders at the spot - ANI

#8:27 PM

The numbers are doubtful. What are they celebrating for?: Anand Sharma, Congress on GDP growth rate - ANI

#8:23 PM

Amit Shah, PM Modi & BJP haven't been given a mandate to define Indian nationalism, any attempt to do so will be resisted: Anand Sharma, Congress - ANI

#8:16 PM

The maximum temperature in Delhi rises to settle at 32.5 deg Celsius, making it the hottest February day since 2007: MeT officials - PTI

#8:15 PM

Temperatures to be above normal this summer in the country; heatwave conditions likely in several states: IMD - PTI

#7:58 PM

NPPA issued 2 more notices to hospitals - Six Sigma Medicare & Research Centre, Nashik & Bharat Heart Institute, Dehradun over stent pricing - ANI

#7:32 PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to visit Israel by the middle of this year, a first by any Indian PM to the Jewish nation

# 7:30 PM

Mild earthquake hits Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir - ANI

#7:14 PM

Kerala: Catholic priest Robin Vadakkumchery, arrested y'day frm Thrissur over sexually abusing girl, remanded in 14-day judicial custody - ANI

#7:10 PM

Delhi: NSUI holds mashaal (torch) march in North campus, say it is a peaceful march for their university - ANI

#7:04 PM

Karnataka: During a routine training sortie, a MIG 29 K fighter aircraft diverted to Mangalore airfield following a hydraulic emergency - ANI

#6:59 PM

On complaint of Gurmehar Kaur, crime branch cyber-unit of Delhi police registered case; Investigation on: Joint CP Dependra Pathak - ANI

#6:34 PM

Aware of reports about some ATMs that dispensed fake currency, cannot say anything on it as the matter is under Police investigation: S.Das - ANI

#6:33 PM

People projected negative impact of #DeMonetisation on GDP, but its not so we maintained growth at 7%: Eco Affairs Secy Shaktikanta Das - ANI

#6:24 PM

After notebandi, Modi govt now putting 'zubaanbandi'; Would you be raped for saying ABVP gundas should stop hooliganism? - R Surjewala on Ramjas row

#6:08 PM

Agriculutre and allied sector growth estimated at 4.4 per cent in 2016-17, up from 0.8 per cent last fiscal: CSO

#6:02 PM

The growth in GDP during 2016-17 is estimated at 7.1% as compared to the growth rate of 7.9 % in 2015-16 - ANI

#5:49 PM

GDP growth was at 7 per cent in the DeMonetisation period (Oct-Dec) - ANI

#5:46 PM

Situation is tensed, it is not good for democracy and young generation, says BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha on Ramjas row - ANI

#5:45 PM

Police reaches Gayatri Prajapati's residence in Lucknow - ANI

#5:10 PM

Growth of 8 core sector industries slows to 3.4 per cent in January compared to 5.7 per cent in the year-ago month



#5:08 PM

Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) entered into 10 Advance Pricing Agreements (APA) over the last one week, including 7 Unilateral APAs - ANI

#4:45 PM

Delhi CM met me at RajNiwas; have assured him that strict immediate action will be taken against those violating law: LG Anil Baijal on Ramjas row

#4:31 PM

NHRC issues notice to Delhi Police Commissioner over allegations of police excesses outside Ramjas College in DU Campus on the 22 February - ANI

#4:28 PM

These developments obviated the need for a demarche by the Government on this matter (Kansas Shooting): MEA - ANI

#4:27 PM

USA Charge d Affaires stated US welcomes people frm across the world & authorities will investigate&prosecute the case(Kansas Shooting)- MEA - ANI

#4:26 PM

Special CBI Court extends police custody of Chhattisgarh Principal Secretary (Higher Education) B L Agrawal and two others till March 3 - ANI

#4:20 PM

ICC match referee gives poor rating to Pune Pitch where first India-Australia Test was played - ANI

#4:05 PM

Supreme Court bench extends parole of Subrata Roy till April 17

#4:04 PM

They cannot win this with their intellectual skill and want to replace it with violence: Sitaram Yechury on ABVP

#4:01 PM

This is a collective fight to defend our constitutional rights.We will be raising the issue of DU in the parliament: D Raja on Ramjas Row

#3:58 PM

Moradabad: Fire broke out in a factory at Civil Lines area. 4 fire tenders at spot

#3:56 PM

Our nationalism is We are Indian not 'who is a Hindu'?: Sitaram Yechury on Ramjas Row at Delhi University - ANI

#3:45 PM

Sensex falls 69.56 points to end at 28,743.32; Nifty down 17.10 points at 8,879.60

#3:43 PM

Delhi: D Raja and Sitaram Yechury join JNU & DU students' protest march against ABVP in North Campus area

#3:36 PM

ED attaches an amount of Rs. 80 cr (approx) under PMLA in the case of M/s. Devas Multimedia Pvt. Ltd. Bangalore

#3:35 PM

Modiji didn't spoke to Ibobi, ministers are also not having idea about Naga Accord, everything is in mind of Modiji, says Rahul Gandhi - ANI

#3:33 PM

You must ask Modiji,when the Naga Accord was made, why were Manipuri people not consulted or spoken to?: Rahul Gandhi at a rally in Imphal - ANI

#3:16 PM

It's not about freedom of speech, it's about going against nation: Cong general secy Janardan Dwivedi on #RamjasRow - ANI

#3:12 PM

Catholic priest R Vadakkumchery will be produced before Koothuparamba Magistrate Court in Kannur shortly;All procedures completed. - ANI

#3:01 PM

Former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar & former JNUSU vice-president Shehla Rashid join protest over Ramjas Row at DU's Arts Faculty - ANI

#2:36 PM

If you speak agnst nation,ppl will obviously not like it;Irrespective of gender,the person won't b spared-Wrestler Gita Phogat - ANI

#2:16 PM

There's a huge doubt among AIADMK followers over #Jayalalithaa's death: AIADMK MP V Maitreyan after meeting President Pranab Mukherjee - ANI

#2:10 PM

Drama being created, shouldn't be highlighted.Politicians must refrain from giving statements :Kanwaljeet Singh, Gurmehar Kaur's grandfather - ANI

#2:08 PM

Morena (Madhya Pradesh): Case registered against BJP leader Bhojpal Jadon for allegedly raping a Dalit woman. - ANI

#1:50 PM

Murthal Gangrape case: Punjab and Haryana High Court adjourns matter to 16 March - ANI

#1:09 PM

Jiah Khan death case: Jiah's mother Rabia moved SC, filed Special Leave Petition challenging Bombay HC order refusing further investigation - ANI

#1:06 PM

Manipur has potential to become a model state; each of the seven north eastern states have their own strength areas: Amit Shah in Imphal - ANI

#1:00 PM

Jio tariff aggressive, unsustainable; industry to respond with more competitive plans: Airtel's Sunil Mittal at MWC Barcelona. - PTI

#12:56 PM

Ibobi Singh invited Sonia & Rahul Gandhi to inaugurate incomplete development projects;corruption consumed all the funds-Amit Shah in Imphal - ANI

#12:53 PM

Students of Miranda House protest against ABVP outside Khalsa College, say, "this fight is for our University space." - ANI

#12:41 PM

North Korea sends high-level delegation to Malaysia to seek return of body of leader's slain half brother. - AP



#12:40 PM

Students of Miranda House protest against ABVP over #RamjasRow - ANI

Read More | Ramjas College row: After Delhi Police files FIR on rape threat to Gurmehar Kaur ABVP demands action; NSUI hunger strike begins

#12:20 PM

Flight was cleared by engineers, before removal of landing gear pins due to which pilots were unable to retract wheels on getting airborne - ANI

#12:19 PM

Air India puts 2 engineers off duty for deriliction of duty forcing Delhi-Kochi flight to return soon after take off.Matter reported to DGCA - ANI

#12:12 PM

Complaint examined by Cyber Cell & an FIR u/s 354-A,506 IPC & 67 IT Act,PS EOW has been registered, investigation taken up: Police - ANI

#12:00 PM

Indian shooter @JituRai wins bronze medal in 10m air pistol event of the ISSF World Cup. - PTI

#11:51 AM

Delhi Police files FIR on the rape threat to DU Student Gurmehar Kaur - ANI

#11:46 AM

Noteban may have impacted short term growth but long term effects would include important gains going forward: #OECD. - ANI



#11:43 AM

SC refused to allow a woman's plea to abort her 26-week old foetus suffering from 'down syndrome'. - ANI

#11:28 AM

Malaysia's attorney general says two women suspects in killing of North Korean will be charged in court on Wednesday. - AP

#11:09 AM

Samsung heir indicted for bribery, embezzlement: prosecutors - AFP

#11:07 AM

Sudeep Lakhtakia Additional DG CRPF to hold additional charge of the post of DG CRPF (w.e.f March 1) as K Durga Prasad retires today. - ANI

#11:00 AM

5 Bangladesh Islamists to hang for Japanese farmer's murder: court - AFP

#10:48 AM

Moradabad: 10 passengers on board Ramnagar-Delhi Ranikhet Express suffered minor injuries after a brake failure. Doors & floor damaged. - ANI

#10:46 AM

World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva travels in Mumbai local train from Churchgate to Dadar - ANI

#10:44 AM

Uphaar fire tragedy: SC decides to hear on March 3, Friday plea filed by Gopal Ansal seeking modification of court's review order on parity - ANI

#10:29 AM

School bus with 40 students overturns in Uttar Pradesh's Etah, more than 10 injured - ANI

#10:29 AM

Damoh (MP): A man gets Rs 500 notes without serial numbers printed on them from a State Bank of India ATM machine. - ANI

#10:24 AM

With decision of parliamentary board.Ticket doesn't mean govt won't work for those who haven't got ticket: Adityanath on tickets to Muslims - ANI

#10:10 AM

UFBU is protesting against wage revision,outsourcing of permanent jobs, inadequate recruitment& improvement in pension schemes in banks. - ANI

#10:07 AM

Kolkata (West Bengal): United Forum of Bank Union (UFBU) calls for All India Bank Strike today. - ANI

#9:47 AM

Getting all support required, requested govt to ensure such incident shouldn't repeat: V Madhav, Brother of Indian techie killed in Kansas - ANI

#9:41 AM

Air Costa temporarily suspends flight operations, grounds both aircraft. - PTI

#9:34 AM

Fire chief: 4 dead, 2 injured after plane returning teens from cheerleading trip crashes into Southern California homes. - AP

#9:30 AM

Indian Embassy in US issued a demarche to State Department on killing of an Indian engineer, calling for a speedy probe:US State Dep sources - ANI

#9:23 AM

Security tightened outside DU's Arts Faculty ahead of scheduled protest march by students & teachers of DU & JNU. - ANI

#9:21 AM

President continues to condemn any other form of anti-Semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms: White House Press Secy Sean Spicer - ANI

#9:03 AM

Dignity of a woman is of paramount imp, culprits must be punished: NK Kalia, Kargil martyr Saurabh Kalia's father on rape threats to Gurmehar - ANI

#8:57 AM

Ramban (J&K): Jammu-Srinagar national highway closed for traffic due to massive landslide at Mehad last night. Clearing work underway. - ANI

#8:53 AM

I'm with you & all those who stand for their rights & freedom of speech.Nation is proud of you for fighting fascist forces: Vadra to Gurmehar - ANI

#8:50 AM

Disgusting and shameful to see a dignified woman being trolled by respectful citizens, for her remarks against politics in DU: Robert Vadra - ANI

#8:35 AM

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to meet LG at 2.30 pm to demand action against ABVP and rape threats to DU student Gurmehar Kaur. - ANI

#8:34 AM

Bus falls off a flyover in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, 4 dead and 13 injured - ANI

#8:30 AM

While the story is evolving, early reports out of Kansas are equally disturbing: White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer - ANI

#8:13 AM

Loot at gunpoint in a jewellery store in Uttar Pradesh's Allahabad. - ANI

#7:53 AM

Fire broke out in a lorry in Hyderabad's Gachibowli area last night, later doused. No casualties/injuries. - ANI

#7:41 AM

this is a party which cud ever in future be handed over reins of power&governance without risking sovereignty of Indian republic: MoS PMO - ANI

#7:40 AM

which tend to instigate anti-India activism. And if he does so then I think the nation would have to rethink whether indeed: MoS PMO - ANI

#7:38 AM

Rahul Gandhi should clarify whether he, his party leadership stand by statements issued by some of his colleagues: Jitendra Singh - ANI

#7:25 AM

Ramjas row: Students & teachers from DU and JNU to hold a march from Khalsa College to Arts Faculty, Gurmehar Kaur to also participate - ANI

#7:03 AM

30 fire engines continue to be at the spot, fire under control but not completely doused - ANI

#6:07 AM

Senate confirms billionaire investor Wilbur Ross as commerce secretary -AP



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London:

British Prime Minister Theresa May dropped in to a meeting between finance minister Arun Jaitley and his UK counterpart during which the issue of "certain individuals who have overstayed" in the country figured.

Jaitley met the chancellor of the exchequer, Philip Hammond, at his office in No 11 Downing Street in London.

The British Prime Minister's move to drop in during the meeting was described as a "warm gesture" and an indication of the strong focus the UK has on improving relations with India.

Brexit and its implications on India-UK ties and the issue of "certain individuals who have overstayed their welcome" in Britain, in an apparent reference to liquor baron Vijay Mallya, were among the topics that were touched upon during the "drop in", official sources told PTI.

"It sends a signal, like her visit to India did last November when she chose the country as her first outside Europe.

The message on Brexit was that it is not a mandate for protectionism and that the UK looks forward to being an open trading nation outside the European Union (EU)," the sources said.

Mallya, the chief of the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines, had moved to Britain in March last year after banks sued him to recover around 1.4 billion dollar owed by the airline.

Earlier this month, the Indian government formally requested Britain to extradite him to India to stand trial for alleged loan default and money laundering.

During his talks with Hammond, Jaitley discussed a range of issues centred around the forthcoming India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue and the India-UK sub-fund under the National Infrastructure Fund.

Earlier in the day, the minister held meetings with UK-based investors organised by JP Morgan.

Following a final meeting with UK-based investors organised by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), he will be heading back to India at the end of his five-day tour of the UK.

Jaitley had on Monday said that India takes the issue of defaulters very seriously.

"As far as the government of India is concerned, we take this issue of defaults against the financial system in India very seriously and we have already sent a strong signal that if [you] dupe the exchequer or dupe the banking system, the government of India will lend its full support to all financial institutions to recover up to their last pie," Jaitley had told reporters at a media briefing.

"It is obvious that because of this strong position the government has taken, that some defaulters are on the run. Being on the run, they find refuge in certain other jurisdictions, exploiting the systems in other parts of the world," the minister had said.

He said Indian investigating agencies are utilising every provision of the law available to them to recover amounts and attach assets in India to "get these people back and held responsible as per law".

Jaitley represented the Indian Government at a gala launch of the UK-India Year of Culture hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London last night.

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New Delhi:

Operations at state-owned banks will be impacted today as most unions under the aegis of UFBU is on strike to press for various demands including those related to wages.

However, the functioning of private banks like ICICI, HDFC, Axis and Kotak Mahindra is expected to be normal except for delays in cheque clearance.

Most of the banks, including SBI, PNB and BoB, have already informed their customers that functioning of branches and offices will be impacted if the strike takes off.

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) is an umbrella body of 9 unions, but two of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh affiliates -- National Organisation of Bank Workers and National Organisation of Bank Officersaare not part of the stir.

UFBU is protesting against wage revision,outsourcing of permanent jobs, inadequate recruitment& improvement in pension schemes in banks. pic.twitter.com/7zyRfye8BY a ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

aStrike is on as there has not been serious effort from the bank management especially Indian Banksa Association (IBA) to defer it by accepting some of our demands,a All India Bank Officersa Confederation (AIBOC) General Secretary Harvinder Singh told PTI.

According to All India Bank Employeesa Association (AIBEA) General Secretary C H Venkatachalam, Chief Labour Commissioner held a conciliation meeting between the bank management Association (IBA) on February 21 and the unions but due to the approach of the management and its not coming forward to solve any of the issues, the conciliation meeting did not yield any positive result.

Hence, he said, CLC advised IBA and Ministry of Finance to initiate the dialogue with the UFBU for amicable settlement of issues so that proposed strike is averted.

Unions are also opposed to the proposed labour reforms of the government and outsourcing of permanent jobs in the banking sector.

Some of the other demands include compensation of employees and officers for extra hours of work put in following demonetisation in November and early initiation of process of next wage revision of bank employees.

They have also demanded adequate recruitment in all cadres, stringent measures to recover bad loans and accountability of top executives. Besides, they have pitched for criminal action against wilful defaulters.

UFBU, which claims membership of nearly 10 lakh people across banks, also requested the government for cost reimbursement for demonetisation to banks.

As many as 27 public sector banks control 75 percent of the total business in the country.

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Mumbai:

World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva travelled in a local train on Tuesday and also inspected the operations of the suburban rail system which has been supported by the international financial institution.



Georgieva arrived in Mumbai on Monday night on her first India visit.



"She visited our office in Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) and interacted with senior officials about the various World Bank-funded projects in the city," said an official from the MRVC.



The corporation, a joint venture between the Maharashtra government and Indian Railway, has been tasked with executing various projects in the metropolis.



After meeting with MRVC officials, she left with her team, bought a second class suburban train ticket at Churchgate station and got into a ladies compartment.



During her journey, she interacted with commuters and patiently heard their experiences while travelling in suburban trains, said a member of her visiting team.



Georgieva also visited a school serving low-income households in Dharavi and interacted with students, teachers and parents.



The newly appointed CEO of World Bank then met children with special needs.



"She wanted to see how administrators are striving to ensure that basic services are delivered to all residents, one -third of whom live in slums," said the team member. She is scheduled to meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and RBI Governor Urjit Patel during her visit.



A Bulgarian, Georgieva was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the World Bank in October last year.

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Beijing:

China is planning to introduce a baby bonus scheme and offer financial incentives to encourage couples to have a second child. The Chinese govt. is taking such a step as surveys showed that many of them were reluctant to go beyond one child due to economic constraints, official media reported on Tuesday.

Wang Peian, vice-minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, discussed the potential move at a social welfare conference, state-run China Daily reported.

In 2016 China, the worlds most populous nation, relaxed its controversial and over four-decade-old one child policy allowing all Chinese couples to have a second child to counter looming demographic crisis.

Nationwide, the change led to 17.8 million births in 2016, an increase of more than 1.3 million compared to 2015 and the biggest annual increase in 20 years.

That fully met the expectations, but barriers still exist and must be addressed, Wang said. To have a second child is the right of each family in China, but affordability has become a bottleneck that undermines the decision, he said.

A survey by the commission in 2015 found that 60 percent of families polled expressed reluctance to have a second baby largely due to economic constraints. China has a population of 1.35 billion, the worlds largest. To address that, Wang said, the government is considering introducing supporting measures including birth rewards and subsidies to encourage people to have another child.

It is the first time that the top population authority has suggested such a move to boost the birth rate, Yuan Xin, a professor at Nankai University in Tianjin said.

The Hunan provincial statistics authority also suggested in a recent report that the local government give subsidies to couples having a second baby to help reverse falling fertility rates. Its not easy, and a baby bonus plan should be applied evenly nationwide as all government policies should be transparent and fair for all, he said, adding that the population authority alone cannot handle such a plan as it requires consensus and cooperation among all authorities.

In some low-fertility countries like Japan, baby incentives such as cash subsidies, prolonged maternity leave, tax breaks, and child and health care benefits have been introduced by the government to boost the population.

Its not the right time to introduce any financial incentive plans, he said. Also, the second-child policy is a choice by the top decision-makers facing a dilemma of the existing challenges and structural population problems like rapid ageing and a shrinking workforce, he said. After all, having one or two children should be a decision made by the families themselves, Yuan said.

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New Delhi:

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer condemned the hate crime attacks and called early reports out of Kansas as equally disturbing. The White House also condemned the alleged hate crimes against the Jewish community in the US.

During a daily news conference Sean Spicer told reporters that early reports coming from Kansas are equally disturbing.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani, of the same age, was injured in the shooting by 51-year-old US navy veteran Adam Purinton who screamed racial slurs and told them "get out of my country".

From our country's founding, we've been dedicated to protecting the freedom of our citizens' rights to worship. No one in America should feel afraid to follow the religion of their choosing freely and openly. The President has dedicated to preserving this originating principle of our nation, Spicer said.

ALSO READ | Indian techie's body brought to Hyderabad from Kansas

And while we're at it, I don't want to get ahead of law enforcement, but I was asked the other day about the story in Kansas, the shooting in Kansas. While the story is evolving, early reports out of Kansas are equally disturbing, the White House Press Secretary said.

President continues to condemn any other form of anti-Semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms, asserted Sean.

ALSO READ | Kansas, Missouri Governors condemn Kansas shooting, assured thorough investigation

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Dhaka:

Five Islamist militants belonging to the banned JMB outfit were sentenced to death on Tuesday for the murder of a Japanese farmer in Bangladesh in 2015. The brutal killing was one of the first attacks targeting foreigners, minority Hindus and secular Muslims.

They will be hanged until death, Judge Noresh Chandra Sarker of the Special Court in Rangpur pronounced as four of the five detained convicts were escorted to the courtroom under heavy security cover.

The judgment observed that the Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operatives murdered 66-year-old Japanese citizen Kunio Hoshi in a pre-planned manner to defame and destabilise Bangladesh.

Militants targeted Hoshi, a Japanese farmer who set up a farmhouse in the northwestern Bangladeshi town of Rangpur.The judge acquitted one of the six accused in the murder case while a fugitive convict was tried in absentia.

Motorcycle-borne JMB militants shot Hoshi several times when he was heading to his grass farm. Eight JMB men were initially accused in the murder of Hoshi but two of them were killed in a police encounter.

Hoshis murder came five days after a 50-year-old Italian aid worker was shot dead by motorbike-born militants in Dhakas upmarket diplomatic area.The Islamic State militant group had claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the government rebuffed it, saying the radical group had no presence in Bangladesh though officials said JMB was ideologically inclined to the foreign Islamist group.

Bangladesh has seen a spate of gruesome attacks on secular activists, religious minorities, bloggers and foreigners, many of whom have been hacked to death with machetes.

The country had launched a massive crackdown on militants specially after the July 1 Dhaka terror attack in 2016 in which 22 people, including an Indian, were killed.

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Houston:

A US Navy veteran, who is accused of killing an Indian techie and injuring two people at a pub in Kansas, has made his first court appearance in the case that is being investigated as a possible hate crime.

Adam Purinton, 51, appeared before a Johnson County District Court judge via video conference on Monday.

Purinton faces one charge of first-degree murder and two charges of attempted first-degree murder in last Wednesday's shooting at the bar in Olathe.

According to Steve Howe, Johnson County district attorney, Purinton faces 50 years jail term on state charges.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani, of the same age, was injured in the shooting by Purinton who yelled "get out of my country" before opening fire.

A 24-year-old American named Ian Grillot tried to intervene and received injuries in the firing in Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas.

Michelle Durrett from the Johnson County Public Defenders Office will serve as Purinton's attorney.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has joined local law enforcement agencies in investigating the incident that has shocked the entire Indian-American community and several hundreds of Indians either working or studying in the US.

The FBI is helping gather evidence in the shooting because Kansas does not have a hate crime statute. If their agents can prove that Purinton's alleged actions constitute a hate crime, he could face federal charges that could potentially carry the death penalty.

Purinton is currently being held in the Johnson County jail on a 2-million dollar cash bond.

Purinton was arrested hours later at an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, about 70 miles away from Olathe.

At the restaurant, he confided to the bartender that he had been involved in a shooting.

In 911 calls released by CNN affiliate KSHB, an Applebee's bartender told police that a man had admitted to shooting two "Iranian" people in Olathe and was looking for a place to hide. Purinton was extradited back to Kansas on Friday.

Reacting to the shooting, White House press secretary Sean Spicer has said that "early reports coming from Kansas are equally disturbing".

Spicer, during his press briefing, also condemned the hate crimes against the Jewish community and asserted that there is no space for violence based on religion and ethnicity.

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BERLIN, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Germany on Tuesday summoned Turkey's ambassador to object to Ankara's arrest on Monday of a Turkish-German journalist and said the entire German government was working to ensure that the correspondent for Die Welt was freed as soon as possible.

"German-Turkey relations are facing one of their greatest challenges of the modern era," Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel told reporters at the foreign ministry, his second statement on the issue in less than 24 hours.

Gabriel said journalists were protected by the constitutions of Germany and Turkey, and no country that claimed to be democratic or to respect human rights could use its judidicial system to go after journalists.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; editing by Erik Kirschbaum)
Kuala:

Malaysias attorney general said on Tuesday that the two women accused of killing the half-brother of North Koreas leader with a nerve agent in a Kuala Lumpur airport terminal will be charged with murder.

Mohamed Apandi Ali said Indonesian Siti Aisyah and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong will be charge On Wednesday and would face a mandatory death sentence if convicted. The attorney general confirmed the women will be charged in a text message to The Associated Press.

Two other suspects in the Feb. 13 killing of Kim Jong Nam have been arrested: a Malaysian who is out on bail and a North Korean who remains in custody. Asked if the North Korean will be charged, Apandi said it depends on the outcome of the investigations.

Also Read: Video: Assassination of Kim Jong-un's half brother Kim Jong-nam, Malaysian police makes four arrests

Authorities also are seeking another seven North Korean suspects, four of whom fled the country the day of Kims death and are believed to be back in North Korea.

The killing of Kim Jong Nam took place amid crowds of travelers at Kuala Lumpurs airport and appeared to be a well-planned hit. Malaysian authorities say North Koreans put the deadly nerve agent VX on the hands of Aisyah and Huong, who then placed the toxin on Kims face. Kim died on the way to a hospital, within about 20 minutes of the attack.

South Korean lawmakers said Monday that the countrys National Intelligence Service told them in a private briefing that four of the North Koreans identified as suspects are from the Ministry of State Security, the Norths spy organ.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Washington:

Pakistan is experiencing drip drip genocide, a noted scholar from the country has said, describing it as the most dangerous kind of wiping out of religious minorities in the Islamic nation.

Right before the partition of India and Pakistan, we had a very healthy balance of religions other than Islam. Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Zoroastrians. (Now) Pakistan goes from 23 per cent, which is almost a quarter of its population, to three per cent today, noted Pakistani author, journalist and politician Farahnaz Ispahani told PTI.

I call it a drip drip genocide, because its the most dangerous kind of wiping out of religious communities, said Ispahani, whose book Purifying the Land of the Pure was launched in the US this month.

It (genocide) doesnt happen in one day. It doesnt happen over a few months. Little by little by little, laws and institutions and bureaucracies and penal codes, textbooks that malign other communities, until you come to the point of having this sort of jihadi culture that is running rampant, she said.

Describing Pakistans journey as depressing, Ispahani said that the country she grew up in does not exist today.

Responding to a question on the recent global trend against religious minorities, the top Pakistani scholar said it is shocking that today, countries like the US, which were known as the bastions of liberal democratic intuitions and values towards religious minority populations are now turning into places of hate.

Whether it is towards refugees, whether its towards Jews whove been settled in France for centuries, Jews whove been settled in the United States for generations. Its Muslims, its Jews, its Christians, but the whole world seems to be changing in a very ugly way, she said.

One of the reasons I wrote my book was as a heeding that the example of Pakistan is an example the whole world needs to watch. The example of India, of course, is different, because the Indian constitution actually uses the word secular.

Even though right now theres a tussle in India between two different weaves of the society, I would say, till today the laws still say that all Indians are equal citizens, which is still also the fact in the United States of America, Ispahani said.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Mary Barra, chairwoman and CEO of General Motors, discusses the future of the auto industry and the state of the U.S. economy in Washington, DC, U.S. February 28, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - General Motors (GM.N) Chief Executive Mary Barra said on Tuesday the Detroit automaker is exploring opportunities with French automaker PSA Group (PEUP.PA), but declined to discuss a potential sale of its money-losing European Opel unit.

At the Economic Club of Washington, Barra did not address in detail the talks with Peugeot that became public two weeks ago and refused to say when the largest U.S. automaker might decide whether to sell Opel, which has lost money for 16 straight years, to Peugeot.

"We've done a lot to improve the business but we're exploring opportunities to see if we can accelerate that even more because scale does matter in this business," she said. "We're continuing the dialogue."

Barra also said that the automaker backs corporate tax reform, but raised concerns about a Republican "border adjustment" tax proposal.

"If not done very thoughtfully it could be problematic," she said, saying tax reform needs to avoid "unintended consequences."

The planned border adjustment tax would impose a 20 percent tax on imported goods while providing write-offs for goods that are exported. Some automakers have raised concerns about the tax, especially because all U.S.-built vehicles include a significant number of foreign-produced parts.

NO TIMETABLE

Some reports in Europe have suggested GM could have a deal with PSA as early as next week, but Barra declined to discuss a timetable.

PSA, the Paris-based maker of Peugeot and Citroen cars, and Detroit-based GM confirmed on Feb. 14 they were in talks over a PSA-Opel tie-up to create Europe's second-largest carmaker by sales after Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE).

Acquiring GM's Opel and Vauxhall brands would give PSA a 16.3 percent share of the European passenger car market, vaulting it ahead of French rival Renault SA (RENA.PA).

PSA and GM have tried before to combine their small cars in the failed centerpiece of a "global strategic alliance" unveiled in 2012, and rapidly scaled back to three shared projects from 40 initially considered.

Last week, German magazine Der Spiegel reported GM told Peugeot it would only sell licenses for the manufacture of Opel cars to the French company if it agreed not to sell the vehicles in North America, Russia or China.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli)
(Adds more quotes, details)

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - General Motors Chief Executive Mary Barra said on Tuesday the Detroit automaker is exploring opportunities with French automaker PSA Group , but declined to discuss a potential sale of its money-losing European Opel unit.

At the Economic Club of Washington, Barra did not address in detail the talks with Peugeot that became public two weeks ago and refused to say when the largest U.S. automaker might decide whether to sell Opel, which has lost money for 16 straight years, to Peugeot.

"We've done a lot to improve the business but we're exploring opportunities to see if we can accelerate that even more because scale does matter in this business," she said. "We're continuing the dialogue."

Barra also said that the automaker backs corporate tax reform, but raised concerns about a Republican "border adjustment" tax proposal.

"If not done very thoughtfully it could be problematic," she said, saying tax reform needs to avoid "unintended consequences."

The planned border adjustment tax would impose a 20 percent tax on imported goods while providing write-offs for goods that are exported. Some automakers have raised concerns about the tax, especially because all U.S.-built vehicles include a significant number of foreign-produced parts.

NO TIMETABLE

Some reports in Europe have suggested GM could have a deal with PSA as early as next week, but Barra declined to discuss a timetable.

PSA, the Paris-based maker of Peugeot and Citroen cars, and Detroit-based GM confirmed on Feb. 14 they were in talks over a PSA-Opel tie-up to create Europe's second-largest carmaker by sales after Volkswagen AG.

Acquiring GM's Opel and Vauxhall brands would give PSA a 16.3 percent share of the European passenger car market, vaulting it ahead of French rival Renault SA.

PSA and GM have tried before to combine their small cars in the failed centerpiece of a "global strategic alliance" unveiled in 2012, and rapidly scaled back to three shared projects from 40 initially considered.

Last week, German magazine Der Spiegel reported GM told Peugeot it would only sell licenses for the manufacture of Opel cars to the French company if it agreed not to sell the vehicles in North America, Russia or China.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli)
PREFACE

The cloud revolution is coming, and Alphabet (GOOGL) is openly going after the two leaders: Amazon and Microsoft. But theres a deeper story here.

STORY

While the cloud has become more like a colloquialism than a name for a technology, the tailwinds to this technological shift are simply unstoppable at this point.

There is too much data and too many connected devices even today, not to speak of the absurdity that is to come, to not have a machine learning driven technology to balance the needs of every website, every app, and all the data, in complete harmony. Enter the cloud.

The worldwide public cloud market is forecast to rise from $154 billion this year to nearly half a trillion dollars by 2026. Right now, there are two distinct leaders. Amazon.com Inc (AMZN) is the undisputed leader and right behind the e-commerce giant is Microsoft Corporation (MSFT). Here is a market share chart:



(Source: SkyHighNetworks.com)

ALPHABET INC

While digital advertising is the kingpin in Googles empire, the segment is finally showing slowing growth as echoed by both Alphabet and Facebook in the latest earnings results. Even further, Googles search revenue is seeing increased competition from mobile search.

Add to that the very clear intentions of Apple Inc (AAPL) with its voice activated Siri, and we have the makings of trouble. But, of course, Alphabet Inc is ahead of the curve, not behind it.

Quietly Google has submitted some of the most impressive, if not bizarre, patent filings with respect to data hosting and the cloud. Here is one rendering:

Google may be taking the technology behind cloud computing to the absolute ends of human knowledge. Another under reported story revealed that Apple Inc (AAPL) moved half a billion dollars of business away from Amazon.coms cloud (AWS) to Google last year in what we assume is the beginning of a competitive stance that Apple will take by entering the cloud business itself.

Now that Alphabet has broken out a segment of the company that is dedicated to the growing needs of the cloud called The Google Cloud, the companys intentions are rather clear.

Story continues

ANALYTICS AND MACHINE LEARNING

In 2015, Alphabet Inc (GOOGL) brought in the co-founder of VMware, Diane Greene, to head its cloud segment. She recently spoke at a Goldman Sachs conference and said this:

The enterprise has to lean into data and thats what Google was built for. With machine learning and data analytics, were in the sweet spot of where enterprise customers are going.

While Wall Street has bemoaned Alphabet Incs late entry and their apparent lack of a competitive advantage to AMZN and MSFT, we see a different story.

When taken as a holistic entity, we could argue that there is no company better suited to deliver unparalleled analytics and there is certainly an argument that no company has done as much as quickly as Alphabet Inc has done with machine learning and artificial intelligence, save for chip marvel Nvidia.

With Amazon pulling about 60% of its operating income from its cloud business, even though it makes up less than 10% of revenue, the cloud war is going to be a critical one.

A BETTER BET

As the tech titans war over the cloud business, and that includes what feels like an inevitable entry by Apple Inc (AAPL), theres another way to play this thematic revolution in technology.

Behind every cloud, every connected computer, is a routing and switching system. It sounds boring, but this is the business that Cisco has turned into a $150 billion market cap.

But theres a new player  a young, sparkling technology company that just crossed $1 billion in revenue, and this company is the pick-axe to the cloud computing gold rush. In all the haste to pick a cloud winner, dont forget the company that aims to power every cloud, irrespective of the tech giant that owns it.

The author is long shares of Apple Inc (AAPL) and has no position in Alphabet Inc (GOOGL), Amazon.com Inc (AMZN) or Microsoft Corporation (MSFT).

WHY THIS MATTERS

If the kind of research we touched on with the cloud grabs your attention, then what we offer may be up your alley: Our research sits side-by-side with Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Barclays, JP Morgan, and the rest on professional terminals as a part of the famed Thomson First Call group.

We aim to find the companies that will be the next Apple, or the next Google by diving deep into the trends that will shape the future and finding the lesser known companies that will power them.

Each company in our Top Picks portfolio is the winner in an exploding thematic shift like self-driving cars, mobile data and connectivity, health care tech, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, drones, biotech and more. For a limited time we are offering CML Pro for $19/mo. with a lifetime guaranteed rate and you cancel at anytime with no notice. Get the most advanced premium research along with access to visual tools and data that until now has only been made available to the top 1%.



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Urgent warning: Swedish authorities are covering up a massive crime wave among migrants

Like most countries that embrace massive authoritative regimes, Sweden does not recognize the right of its people to speak freely without legal consequences. But that didnt stop senior detective Peter Springare from stepping forward and telling the public what he felt they needed to know  that the Swedish authorities have been involved in a massive cover-up of rampant crime and violence.

Springares claims were confirmed by another officer, leaving us with little doubt that the bombshell report was distorted or fabricated in any way. According to Springare, the crime wave is primarily among African and Middle Eastern migrants, leaving law enforcement struggling to restore order. As if things couldnt get any worse, a massive riot broke out last week after an arrest was made in Rinkeby, which is an area heavily populated by immigrants just outside of Stockholm. This city is no stranger to violent riots either, which have occurred frequently in Rinkeby in recent years.

Ironically, the Swedish government viciously condemned President Trump for making what now appear to be accurate remarks regarding violence in Sweden just weeks ago. Earlier in February, Trump said, You look at whats happening in Germany. You look at whats happening last night in Sweden. Sweden, who would believe this? Sweden. They took in large numbers and theyre having problems like they never thought possible. (RELATED: Donald Trump was right about Swedens crime wave). In response to his comments, the Swedish authorities denounced President Trump, and some media outlets even went as far as accusing

In response to his comments, the Swedish authorities denounced President Trump, and some media outlets even went as far as accusing him of citing a non-existent terror attack that allegedly had occurred in Sweden a day prior.

Peter Springare described the chaos that he observed going on around him. Here we go, this is what Ive handled from Monday-Friday this week, he wrote. Rape, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, rape-assault and rape, extortion, blackmail, assault, violence against police, threats to police, drug crime, drugs, crime, felony, attempted murder, rape again, extortion again and ill-treatment. Springare went on to say that it was impossible to identify the exact country of origin for about half of the suspects because they didnt have any valid papers, which usually means that theyre lying about their nationality and identity. (RELATED: Read about how migrants have turned Swedens suburbs into war zones).

Everything that Springare describes seems to be a complete contradiction to the information  or disinformation  that the Swedish politicians have been promoting. For example, multiple media outlets in both Sweden and the United States have used statistics by the government to make it seem as though crime rates have remained flat over the past few years. Springare denies these claims and says that the crime rates are rising, and rising fast.

Sources:

TheNewAmerican.com

FoxNews.com

Submit a correction >>
NEW MILFORD  Fresh off a week of budget workshops, town officials met again Monday and approved a $193,000 payment to begin engineering about eight miles of trail along the Housatonic River.

By a unanimous vote, the Town Council signed off on the payment  out of the towns Waste Management Fund  for Milone and McBroom, a consulting firm, to do preliminary engineering for the trail. It will be tricky, consultants said There are stretches where they might have to build bridges and boardwalks.

Five miles of the eight-mile trail are already finished, and a stretch near downtown is under construction and expected to be done by late spring.

The agreement calls for consultants to cobble the two together using a 2.2-mile stretch of land along the river. Once complete, the trail would essentially go along the river from the Gaylordsville section of town to near the Brookfield town line.

We have an asset in the river that we dont even use, said Frank Wargo, a council member. Anything we can do to enhance the river is money well spent.

Even council members who voiced reservations about how much it would cost to construct the trail said they were in full support of it, with Councilman Walter Bayer asking,How could anybody be opposed to something like this?

During the meeting, consultants provided a lengthy checklist of steps theyll take to get a potential trail project off the ground, including working with railroad authorities, nearby property owners and assessing nearby plant life and environmental risks.

Consultant Tom Sheil said trail construction could cost more than $1 million, but theres no way to know how much if the town doesnt do a preliminary study. Milone and McBroom will help the town craft federal and state grant applications that could largely offset the trails final cost, he added.

The town signed off on the money after the state froze millions of dollars town trail advocates had hoped would help New Milfords project. In November, the New Milford Town Council authorized Town Planner Kathy Castagnetta to apply for a $200,000 state grant to do the work, but the application now sits on a lengthy waiting list at the state level, and likely wont be funded, said Tom OBrien, president of the New Milford River Trail Association.

Trail advocates wouldnt have asked the town for money, he said, if (the state) hadnt pulled the rug out from under us.

blytton@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3411; @bglytton
TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - LSC Lithium Corporation (the "Company" or "LSC") (TSXV: LSC) (formerly Oakham Capital Corp.; NEX: OKM.H) is pleased to announce that it has received final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") for its qualifying transaction (the "Qualifying Transaction") under the rules of the TSX-V's Capital Pool Program, and will recommence trading at the open on February 28, 2017 under the trading symbol LSC. It will no longer be considered a Capital Pool Company.

LSC was established to acquire, explore and develop lithium brine projects in Northern Argentina and has amassed a large portfolio of prospective lithium rich salars. LSC's four flagship properties, the Salar Rio Grande Tenements, Salar Pastos Grandes Tenements, Salar Salinas Grandes Tenements and Salar Jama Tenements are located in the "Lithium Triangle," an area at the intersection of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile where the world's most abundant lithium brine deposits are found. In addition, LSC holds an option over almost the entire Salar de Pozuelos. Overall, LSC holds, or has under option, a land package portfolio totaling approximately 270,000 hectares of prospective lithium salar holdings.

Qualifying Transaction

On February 22, 2017, LSC announced the closing of its Qualifying Transaction involving the acquisition of LSC Lithium Inc. ("LSC Lithium") by way of a "three-cornered amalgamation" pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The Qualifying Transaction has now received all final approvals, including the final approval of the TSX-V. In conjunction with the closing of the Qualifying Transaction, Wolrige Mahon LLP will resign and KPMG LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, will be appointed as auditors.

Prior to the closing of the Qualifying Transaction, LSC Lithium completed a private placement financing of 30,769,231 subscription receipts at a price of C$1.30 each for aggregate gross proceeds of C$40,000,000. With the recent private placement financing, the Company has raised approximately C$74 million to date. The total number of issued and outstanding common shares of LSC at the commencement of trading will be 84,695,841 on a non-diluted basis and 108,707,183 on a fully-diluted basis.

LSC's largest shareholder is Enirgi Group, which owns 18.19% of the common shares of LSC. Enirgi Group is a privately held multinational conglomerate with six unique global divisions. On December 12, 2016, a subsidiary of LSC acquired a 100% undivided interest in certain material properties pursuant to a purchase agreement with ADY Resources Limited ("ADY"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Enirgi Group.

LSC has also entered into agreements with Enirgi Group for the provision of management and technical support services. LSC will also have exclusive access in Argentina to Enirgi Group's proprietary processing technology  Direct Xtraction Process Technology  which processes raw brines directly into lithium compounds without solar evaporation. LSC anticipates beginning testing of its brines in the second quarter of this year at Enirgi Group's demonstration plant located at its Salar del Rincon project in Salta, Argentina.

"LSC has assembled a large portfolio of high quality lithium brine projects and an experienced team, which means we are a lithium company, not a lithium hopeful. The properties LSC has strategically selected are not unexplored grassroots projects - real hard dollars have been spent in the ground defining the brine deposits and ensuring they have the characteristics required to fit our future plans. Our flagship projects all have a known exploration history and extractable lithium atoms. In addition to a large portfolio of quality development projects, LSC has entered a strategic partnership with Enirgi Group that will provide exclusive access to game-changing extraction technology and a team of 200+ seasoned engineers, geologists, technologists and tradespersons." commented Wayne Richardson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of LSC.

Operational Update

LSC will continue the business of LSC Lithium and its subsidiaries. The primary objectives of LSC will be the identification, acquisition, exploration and, if warranted, development of lithium brine salars in Argentina. LSC intends to carry out exploration programs as recommended in the National Instrument 43-101 ("NI-43-101") report (the "Technical Report") titled "Review of Four Lithium Exploration Properties in Argentina" prepared on January 27, 2017 with an effective date of December 31, 2016 (and available under LSC's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com) and to acquire interests in additional lithium brine salars located in Argentina. LSC aims to accumulate a significant land holding in Argentina that it believes to be prospective for lithium resources and to become a significant supplier of lithium to the global market.

Properties

The material property interests acquired by LSC (the "Properties") are located in: (i) salar Rio Grande in southwestern Salta Province of Argentina ("Salar Rio Grande Tenements"); (ii) salar Pastos Grandes, located south of Salar Salinas Grandes in Salta Province of Argentina ("Salar Pastos Grandes Tenements"); (iii) salar Jama in the Jujuy Province of Argentina at the border with Chile ("Salar Jama Tenements"), and (iv) salar Salinas Grandes in the Salta and Jujuy Provinces of Argentina, ("Salar Salinas Grandes Tenements"). In total, the Properties cover 51,760 hectares, of which LSC has an attributable interest of 49,310 hectares or 95% of the total. All of the Properties are located in relatively close proximity to each other as well as to Enirgi Group's Salar del Rincon project.

LSC has not completed any exploration activity on the Properties.

No mineral resources or reserves have been defined on any of the Properties. References herein to potential grades on the Properties are historic and conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and there can be no assurance that further geologic work will result in mineral resources being delineated on the Properties.

Salar Rio Grande Tenements

Salar Rio Grande located in southwestern Salta Province, has been a significant past producer of sodium sulphate. ADY operated on the salar for several years, with the last production being in 2013.

Exploration work by ADY on the Salar Rio Grande Tenements has included (i) geological mapping and shallow surface sampling (142 samples to 1 m depth) in 2011, (ii) 33 HQ diamond drill holes for 1653 m, 2 reverse circulation drilling holes for piezometers, 8 pumping wells to maximum depth of 100 m (31 at 50 m, 1 at 75 m, 1 at 100 m) in 2011, and (iii) an environmental impact statement report in 2015.

Average assay values for the surface sampling were 42 g/L for sodium sulphate and 380 mg/L for lithium. Assay values for samples from packer tests were 44 g/L for sodium sulphate and showed a range from 220 to 420 mg/L for lithium. Average Mg:Li ratios for the packer samples were in the range of 12:1 to 13:1; with SO 4 :Li ratios typically in the 100:1 range. The estimated porosity for the Salar Rio Grande Tenements down to 50 m depth was 13.5%, based on analysis of drill core by ADY.

Salar Pastos Grandes Tenements

Previous work by other companies on other tenements on salar Pastos Grandes has been completed, however, ADY has undertaken no exploration work on the Salar Pastos Grandes Tenements.

Alonso and Sorentino in their 2009 report reported the following brine assays for salar Pastos Grande (Table 1):

Table 1: Average Brine Assay Values  salar Pastos Grandes

Cl (%) SO 4 (%) B 2 O 3 (%) K (%) Na (%) Li (%) Mg (%) Ca (%) 15.0 0.9 0.019 0.82 9.33 0.043 0.39 0.044

These data compare to other third party sources showing the following average assay values (Table 2):

Table 2: Average Brine Assay Values  salar Pastos Grandes

SO 4

(g/L) B 4 O 7

(g/L) K

(g/L) Na

(g/L) Li

(g/L) Mg

(g/L) Ca

(g/L) Cl

(g/L) 7.78 1.89 3.55 121.0 0.317 2.12 0.80 192.6

Source: Lithia Inc.

The foregoing brine assay values are based on third party historic disclosure which has not been verified by the Company and may not be representative of mineralization on adjacent tenements held or to be held by LSC. No assurances can be made that similar results will be obtained on the Salar Pastos Grandes Tenements held by LSC.

Salar Jama Tenements

Salar Jama is located in the Jujuy Province of Argentina at the border with Chile. Segemar, the Argentine Geological Survey, completed a program of geological mapping, shallow surface sampling and trenching for delineation of borate mineralization on salar Jama in 2008. Cuper S.A. ("Cuper"), a 51% held subsidiary of LSC, completed a program of shallow surface sampling in 2015 and engaged K-UTEC AG Salt Technologies ("K-UTEC") to complete a conceptual scoping study for the project based on use of solar evaporation. No resource or reserve estimate was made in connection with the K-UTEC report. Cuper also completed an Environmental Impact Study ("EIS") Level I report on a portion of the Salar Jama Tenements in 2015. The results of the surface sampling by Cuper indicate good lithium values and favourable Mg:Li ratios for the major part of salar Jama in the north. Due diligence sampling by LSC across the 5000 hectare northern portion of the salar support the surface sampling results obtained by Cuper. Sampling by ADY in 2010 on the Nueva Ilusion tenement in the southern portion of the salar returned low lithium values of less than 5 mg/L.

Salar Salinas Grandes Tenements

Salar Salinas Grandes is a large salar located in both the Salta and Jujuy Provinces of Argentina. The Salar Salinas Grandes Tenements on the northwestern side of salar Salinas Grandes are found primarily on mud flats with some limited extension into the salt flat in the south end. Exploration work by ADY in 2009 in this area consisted of collection of shallow pit (1.5 m deep maximum) samples on a 2 km x 2 km grid and three shallow auger drill holes (maximum depth of 7 m), with collection of samples at 1 m intervals.

The results of the surface sampling work indicated the phreatic level occurred between 5 cm and 80 cm below surface level and that lithium grades varied from 227 mg/L to 2090 mg/L in the evapoflat (salt flat) area and from 2 mg/L to 55 mg/L in the mud flat zones with the phreatic level varying between 15 cm to 1.3 m below surface. The auger drill results showed that lithium grades increase moving into salar Salinas Grandes and that lithium grades decrease rapidly with depth. In 2010, ADY completed a surface sampling program (1 m deep pit samples) on a 250 m x 250 m or 500 m x 500 m grid pattern for the tenements located on certain Salar Salinas Grande Tenements in the Salta and Jujuy Provinces of Argentina.

Other Matters

The TSX-V has approved the transfer of 42,307 common shares of LSC between former directors of LSC, which shares are held in escrow pursuant to a CPC Escrow Agreement dated January 15, 2011.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information on the Properties included in this press release is based upon information prepared and approved by Donald H. Hains, P.Geo and is included in the Technical Report. Donald H. Hains is a qualified person, as defined in NI 43-101 and is independent of LSC and LSC Lithium.

ABOUT LSC:

LSC is an emerging lithium producer which has amassed a large portfolio of prospective lithium rich salars in Northern Argentina. LSC's four flagship properties, the Salar Rio Grande Tenements, Salar Pastos Grandes Tenements, Salar Salinas Grandes Tenements and Salar Jama Tenements are located in the "Lithium Triangle," an area at the intersection of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile where the world's most abundant lithium brine deposits are found. LSC holds, or has under option, a land package portfolio totaling approximately 270,000 hectares, which represents extensive lithium prospective salar holdings in Argentina.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance, including statements as to the following: timing for potential future production at our properties, the use and application of Enirgi Group's Direct Xtraction Process Technology at our properties, testing of brines at Enirgi Group's demonstration plant at the Salar del Rincon, completion of work programs on our properties, the acquisition of properties under option or new properties and the ongoing strategic relationship with Enirgi Group. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on LSC's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Whether actual results and developments will conform with LSC's expectations is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including factors underlying management's assumptions, such as risks related to exploration and the establishment of resources and reserves; the application and future licensing of new technologies; the risks around timing, funding and construction of a regional processing facility at the Salar del Rincon by Enirgi Group and the ability of LSC to fast-track production from its own properties by supplying brine to such a facility; risks relating to proposed acquisitions; volatility in lithium prices and the market for lithium; exchange rate fluctuations; the requirement for significant additional funds for development that may not be available; changes in national and local government legislation, including permitting and licensing regimes and taxation policies and the enforcement thereof; regulatory, political or economic developments in Argentina or elsewhere; litigation; title, permit or license disputes related to interests on any of the properties in which the Company holds an interest; excessive cost escalation as well as development, permitting, infrastructure, operating or technical difficulties on any of the Company's properties; risks and hazards associated with the business of development and mining on any of the Company's properties. Actual future results may differ materially. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and LSC is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. For more information see the Company's filing statement on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the filing statement prepared in connection with the Qualifying Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Qualifying Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon.

The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

SOURCE LSC Lithium Corporation

For further information: LSC Lithium Corporation, Jessica Helm, VP, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, Suite 3001, 1 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2V9, (416) 867 9298, Email: [email protected]
TSX-V: ERG

LAVAL, QC, Feb. 28, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Ergoresearch Ltd ("Ergoresearch" or "the Company") based in Laval and known under the Equilibre, ortheses et biomecanique banner  announces its results for the second quarter ended December 31, 2016. All dollar amounts in the present release are in Canadian currency.

Revenues reached $3,882,760 for the second quarter of Fiscal 2017 compared to $3,968,890 for the same quarter of Fiscal 2016. Excluding sales of the "home care" product line and discontinued since then, the Company would have posted sales growth on its flagship products. The recovery in recent quarters is continuing and the Company is positioning itself favorably with the evolution of the market.

The net profit for the quarter ending December 31, 2016 amounted to $7,328 compared to a net profit of $376 for the same quarter last year. This improvement in the result is related to efficiency gains that helped to reduce our selling and administrative expenses. Cash flow from operating activities amounted to $397,071 for the second quarter of Fiscal year 2017 compared to $902,368 for the same period last year.

Concerning the balance sheet, the Company paid its long-term debt and still has a cash equivalent of more than $8 million.

Lastly, the Company also took the opportunity during this quarter to expand its service offering in the province of Quebec. Therefore, effective this quarter, Ergoresearch will offer the sleep apnea service and the dynamic knee analysis service in some of its Equilibre laboratories in the province of Quebec. These additions will make it possible to optimize the available rental spaces and advantageously position Equilibre in the context of the reorganization of health care services in Quebec.

Development and perspectives

Our current priorities and development plan include the following objectives:

Strengthened by our cash position, pursue the exploration of potential acquisitions or partnerships in Quebec and across Canada .

and across . Deploy the "Equilibre" brand in a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary concept through the opening or designation of the super-clinics in Quebec .

. Continue to develop the marketing of our technology platform and derivative orthotic related specialty products.

Continuing our investments in Research and Development (R&D)

About Ergoresearch

Ergoresearch is a Canadian company that designs and manufactures cutting edge technologies for the orthopedic industry. The Company is a trend-setter in creating custom orthotics and speciality orthotics for the orthopedics market and holds a portfolio of patents in the orthopedics field and in human bionics. The mission of our banner "Equilibre ortheses et biomecanique" is to keep people active and moving. "EQUILIBRE", driven by its proprietary technologies and the expertise of its professionals, offers a range of products, treatments and services in order to relieve pain, restore motor function and optimize performance.

This document is not intended to encourage the purchase of securities listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. TMX Group and its affiliates do not endorse or recommend any of the securities referenced here. Please seek professional advice to evaluate specific securities.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this Press Release contain forward-looking statements and information that may entail certain risks related to uncertainties. Such statements are not historical facts and are based on current management's expectations. We ask the reader to note that these statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could affect the potential future results, circumstances or events and may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, but are not limited to, those related to the Company's ability to finance its activities, competition, ability to negotiate and maintain partnerships, the market acceptance of the Company's product, the strength of intellectual property, the success of research and development programs, the trust invested in sub-contractors or their core personnel as well as other risks and uncertainties that are put forth every now and then by the Company in the documents filed with various Canadian securities and exchange commissions and made available at www.sedar.com.

The reader should not give great importance to forward-looking statements as (i) the results may differ from conclusions, predictions or projections contained in such forward-looking statements; and (ii) certain important factors or hypotheses taken into account in reaching conclusions or the preparation of a projection or prediction may prove to be incorrect in fact.

These statements are correct only on the date on which they were written, and Management disclaims any obligation to revise these statements after any event, circumstance or other situation, except as required by law. All figures are in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise specified.

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.

SOURCE Ergoresearch Ltd

For further information: Source: Sylvain Boucher, President and CEO - Ergoresearch Ltd., Tel.: 450-973-6700, ext. 213 / [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.ergoresearch.com/


Googles Waymo self driving car company has sued Uber. The lawsuit alleges former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski secretly downloaded 14,000 files proprietary technical files before leaving to found self-driving truck startup Otto. Uber acquired Otto last summer and put Levandowski in charge of its self-driving efforts.

Wired describes the situation.

From what we know in the complaint, this seems to be fairly straightforward, says Shawn Thompson, a former FBI attorney and federal prosecutor who now advises companies on protecting against insider threats, like employee theft. From a criminal perspective, I would be surprised if the FBI werent looking into this.

Waymo is bringing this suit under the Defend Trade Secrets Act, a federal law that sailed through Congress last May as the largest expansion of the intellectual property regime in a half-century. Waymo also accuses Uber of patent infringement and violation of the California Uniform Trade Secret Act.

Although the law is designed to punish foreign secret stealers, it has three big implications that should worry Uber. First, it allows plaintiffs to ask the court for an immediate, temporary injunction, giving Waymo the power to shut down Ubers self-driving truck and car experiments until this is sorted. Second, it lets the accuser seek permanent injunctive reliefcomplicated legalese for forcing Uber to halt any part of autonomous program dealing with the allegedly swiped lidar. Third, the plaintiff can seize the products of its trade secrets, even before the case is decided. In other words, Google could use this legislation to not only temporarily halt Ubers progress, but take away its toys.

The final number settlement could range from a few million to billions of dollars. It all hinges on whether Waymo can prove that Uber acquired Otto solely for its valuable lidar secrets (and that those secrets were stolen).

Waymo could refer the case to the FBI, triggering a major federal investigation of trade secret theft and economic espionage.

Maybe prison time for Levandowski: Stealing trade secrets carries up to 10 years. If other former Google employees were involved in the plan, as Waymo alleges in its complaint, they could get dragged into conspiracy charges.

If Uber executives knew what Levandowski allegedly had when they acquired Ottoor if they went as far as to direct him to download those files from Waymothey could end up serving time, too.

SOURCE  Wired
In September 2016, there were claims from China that they had developed quantum radar. There has been recent articles discussing Chinas quantum radar

The quantum radar system was developed by the Intelligent Perception Technology Laboratory of the 14th Institute of CETC. Researchers completed experiments on quantum detection and target scattering characterization. In the target detection experiment, conducted in a real atmospheric environment, the detection ability of the system was proven to be over 100 kilometers (62 miles). If the claims are true then China can detect stealth planes at a range of 62 miles with accuracy sufficient for missile targeting. They would be able to create a detection network with quantum scanners spaced about 100 miles apart.

It had five times the potential range of a laboratory prototype jointly developed by researchers from Canada, Germany, Britain and the United States in 2015. DARPA has reportedly funded similar research and military suppliers such as Lockheed Martin are also developing quantum radar systems for combat purposes, according to media reports, but the progress of those military projects remains unknown.

According to a Sept. 8 report by Mingbao Daily, the theoretical basis of the quantum radar is that an object will change its quantum properties after receiving photonic signals. The quantum radar can easily detect stealth aircraft and is highly resistant to becoming jammed. Military experts have stated that once a stealth aircraft is located by the radar, it stands little chance to escape the strikes of air defense missiles.

Jamming would be noticable

Conventional radar can be jammed by transmitting white noise on the same frequencies. Entangled photons retain their quantum link. Attempting to break that link would be a giveaway. And any attempt to distort the behavior would be equally noticeable.

Modern composites can trap radio waves within their molecular structure, whatever happens to an entangled photon would be replicated  and measured  in its paired mate back at the radar site.

And different materials affect protons in different ways.

Because of this, analysts say quantum radar could ultimately be capable of determining what an aircraft is made of  or even carrying.

The 2015 and 2017 Work from Canadian, UK and American researchers

There has been scientific analysis around quantum radar

Arxiv  Quantum Illumination at the Microwave Wavelengths (15 pages)

Researchers assumed unit quantum efficiency for the optical part of their quantum receiver. This is not far from current experimental conditions: photon collection efficiencies from optical cavities can be very high (over 74% ), loss at the beam splitter can be extremely low, and photodetection can be extremely efficient at optical wavelengths. Thus the main source of loss may come from the optical storage of the idler mode, to be preserved during the signal roundtrip time. This is not an issue for short-range applications but, for long-range tasks, the idler loss must remain below 3 dB, otherwise the QI advantage of the phase-conjugating quantum receiver is lost. While using a good quantum memory (e.g., a rare-earth doped-crystal) would solve the problem, the practical solution of storing the idler into an optical-fiber delay line would restrict the maximum range of the quantum radar to about 11.25 km in free-space (assuming a fiber loss of 0.2 dB/km and fiber propagation speed equal to 2c/3, where c is vacuum light-speed).

Extending the results to lower frequencies (below 1 GHz), the scheme could potentially be used for noninvasive NMR spectroscopy in structural biology (structure of proteins and nucleic acids) and in medical applications (magnetic resonance imaging).

Future implementations of quantum illumination at the microwave regime could also be achieved by using other quantum sources, for instance based on Josephson parametric amplifiers, which are able to generate entangled microwave modes of high quality. These amplifiers might become a very good choice once that suitable high-performance microwave photo-detectors are made available.

A quantum radar device could detect microwave reflections that would normally be swamped by the noisy background radiation. It would contain two devices capable of interconverting visible light with microwaves, a capability that exists with current technology. First the top converter couples two entangled beams, a microwave one (red wavy line) and a visible one (red straight line); then the microwave reflection is converted to visible light that interferes with the initial visible beam in the detector.

Quantum entanglement scheme previously demonstrated for visible photons into the microwave regime could boost radar performance.

Arxiv  Quantum Estimation Methods for Quantum Illumination (revised Feb 27, 2017) (9 pages)

Quantum illumination consists in shining quantum light on a target region immersed in a bright thermal bath, with the aim of detecting the presence of a possible low-reflective object. If the signal is entangled with the receiver, then a suitable choice of the measurement offers a gain with respect to the optimal classical protocol employing coherent states. Here, we tackle this detection problem by using quantum estimation techniques to measure the reflectivity parameter of the object, showing an enhancement in the signal-to-noise ratio up to 3 dB with respect to the classical case when implementing only local measurements. Our approach employs the quantum Fisher information to provide an upper bound for the error probability, supplies the concrete estimator saturating the bound, and extends the quantum illumination protocol to non-Gaussian states. As an example, we show how Schrodingers cat states may be used for quantum illumination.

Conclusions. We have considered the problem of optimally estimating the reflectivity parameter of an object embedded in an environment. Our analysis shows that, using entangled states as a resource, we can obtain an advantage up to 3 dB in the QFI with respect the optimal classical strategy. We have applied these results to the QI scenario, providing a non-trivial upper bound on the optimal error probability. This bound depends solely on the QFI of the signal-idler state, which is easily computable, and it allows us to extend the advantage of the QI protocol to a class of non-Gaussian states. Moreover, our results are not limited to a bright environment (NB 1) and low signal photons (NS 1) cases, but they hold for any number of photons in the bath and the signal. In the examples, we have discussed the Gaussian states and the multilevel Schrodingers cat states, which also performs optimally in the low-photon regime. Indeed, recent technological advances show that Schrodingers cat states can be useful for quantum computation, and this makes of them a possible alternative to the Gaussian states in the QI protocol.

Single photon detectors claims to be heart of Chinas greater quantum radar efficiency

The CETC breakthrough benefited largely from the recent rapid development of single-photon detectors, which allowed researchers to capture returning photons with a high degree of efficiency.

CETC said the quantum radars advantage was not limited to the detection of stealth planes.

The field test had opened a completely new area of research, it said, with potential for the development of highly mobile and sensitive radar systems able to survive the most challenging combat engagements.

Quantum radar systems could be small and would be able to evade enemy countermeasures such anti-radar missiles because the ghostly quantum entanglement could not be traced, it said.

Short range radar can detect stealth aircraft but not with very good accuracy Traditional limitation of VHF and UHF-band radars is that their pulse width is long and they have a low pulse repetition frequency [PRF]which means such systems are poor at accurately determining range. As Mike Pietrucha, a former Air Force an electronic warfare officer who flew on the McDonnell Douglas F-4G Wild Weasel and Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle once described to me, a pulse width of twenty microseconds yields a pulse that is roughly 19,600 ft longrange resolution is half the length of that pulse. That means that range cant be determined accurately within 10,000 feet. Furthermore, two targets near one another cant be distinguished as separate contacts.

Signal processing partially solved the range resolution problem as early as in the 1970s. The key is a process called frequency modulation on pulse, which is used to compress a radar pulse. The advantage of using pulse compression is that with a twenty-microsecond pulse, the range resolution is reduced to about 180 feet or so.

Quantum radar is based on the theory of quantum entanglement and the idea that two different particles can share a relationship with one another to the point that, by studying one particle, you can learn things about the other particlewhich could be miles away. These two particles are said to be entangled.

In quantum radars, a photon is split by a crystal into two entangled photons, a process known as parametric down-conversion. The radar splits multiple photons into entangled pairsand A and a B, so to speak. The radar systems sends one half of the pairsthe Asvia microwave beam into the air. The other set, the Bs, remains at the radar base. By studying the photons retained at the radar base, the radar operators can tell what happens to the photons broadcast outward. Did they run into an object? How large was it? How fast was it traveling and in what direction? What does it look like?

Quantum radars defeat stealth by using subatomic particles, not radio waves. Subatomic particles dont care if an objects shape was designed to reduce a traditional, radio wave-based radar signature. Quantum radar would also ignore traditional radar jamming and spoofing methods such as radio-wave radar jammers and chaff.

Lockheed Martin had a patent related to quantum radar in 2008
SoftBank is closing the first round of investment in its $100 billion Technology Vision Fund by the end of this month, people familiar with the matter have said. The initial investments will likely include $45 billion from Saudi Arabia and $25 billion from SoftBank, as well as $1 billion each from Apple Inc., Qualcomm Inc. and Oracle Corp. Chairman Larry Ellison, they said. The initial round is likely to exceed $80 billion and the timing of the closing may still change, said one of the people. One of the leading marketing and investment spins on the fund is that it will lead to the vision of the Technological Singularity. Saudi Arabia wants to diversify from oil for a long term sustainable economy. However, investments now will have little to do with whether there is the possibility of far greater than human level artificial intelligence around 2047.

The fund will be about making large mergers and acquisitions of technology and other companies. Some will be artificial intelligence related but many are not.

SoftBank is nearing its most unusual move yet: It is buying Fortress Investment Group, an American private equity giant that oversees around $70 billion in assets. SoftBank will be paying $3.3 billion for Fortress, a premium to the companys stock market value of $2.3 billion. The purchase of Fortress, a prominent private equity firm with a specialty in investing in distressed assets, was driven by Rajeev Misra, a former top derivatives expert at Deutsche Bank who has taken a leading role in setting investment strategy for the SoftBank Vision Fund. Mr. Misra will be helping steer an enormous new fund that is intended to invest in technology companies worldwide, often by taking huge stakes.

Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son has made a lot of high profile investment bets over the years. By 1984, Softbank owned 50 per cent of Japans retail market for computer software. Its relentless CEO was exploring other business lines. The firm moved into telephone-routing devices, magazine publishing, and broadband internet service. Son loved to buy and sell, throwing money into 600 technology companies, including GeoCities, Ziff-Davis Publishing and the Comdex computer show.

Ziff-Daviss chief executive, Eric Hippeau, introduced Son to a struggling small company called Yahoo, which wanted $5 million to develop its search engine tech. Famously, Masayoshi Son offered $100 million. Yahoo founder Jerry Yang replied that they didnt need that much. To which Son countered: Everyone needs $100 million. Thus, Softbank owned more than one-third of Yahoo when it went public in April 1996.

Masayoshi Son was similarly prescient about Alibaba, offering a big sum to its CEO Jack Ma when he hadnt even asked for it. As a result, Softbank got a third of Alibaba  a stake worth $75 billion on the day of the Alibaba IPO. SoftBanks $20 million investment in Alibaba back in 2000 probably ranks as one of the greatest ever.

Masayoshi Son has been trying to get into the good graces of Donald Trump by promising to invest $50 billion in the USA and create 50,000 new jobs.




Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and eldest son of former North Korea leader Kim Jong-il, was murdered by two women at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia, on the 13th of February, a death which was caught on camera. CCTV footage showed two women walk up to him and push something into his face. He died soon after from VX poisoning, a deadly poison classed as a weapon of mass destruction and banned around the world. The women were arrested soon after and they have both claimed they thought they were taking part in a practical joke.

Indonesian Siti Aisyah reportedly revealed that she had been paid only 400 ringgit ($90) for her to insert the liquid, which she thought was probably baby oil, into Kim Jong-nam. On her part, Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam told Hanoi officials she had been tricked into killing Kim and thought she was taking part in a prank for a comedy video.



Attorney General Mohamed Apandi Ali told AFP by text message that both women will be charged in court under Section 302 (murder) of the penal code. They will appear in court on Wednesday and are likely to face death by hanging if convicted.



Doan Thi Huong's stepmother, Nguyen Thi Vy, told AFP that she believes her daughter was set up and could never have the heart to do such. She pleaded for a fair trial of her stepdaughter.



A third suspect, Ri Jong-Chol, 46, is also being held in connection with the assassination. Whether or not she will be charged is dependent on the result of the police investigation which is ongoing.



Meanwhile, there has been a row over the corpse of Kim Jong-nam. North Korea is insisting that Malaysia should hand over the corpse. They have also expressed displeasure over Malaysia's investigation into the killing, claiming the Malaysians are playing politics. The result of the autopsy carried out on Kim Jong-nam was also rejected by the North Korean representatives.



In all this, North Korea has refused to acknowledge the identity of the deceased, choosing instead to refer to him as the "body of the deceased DPRK (North Korean) citizen".



On their part, Malaysia has refused to hand over the body to the Koreans until the deceased's next-of-kin comes forward to identify and provide a DNA sample.

"We need to have the definite identity of the person and the body will be given to the next of kin," Health Minister S. Subramaniam said.

Two women, Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, and Doan Thi Huong, 28, who were arrested for the murder of Kim Jong-nam are to be charged to court.
A Boko Haram suspect who escaped from the custody of the State Security Service, SSS, has been rearrested.

A Boko Haram suspect who escaped from the custody of the State Security Service, SSS, has been rearrested.Muktar Suleiman and others still at large escaped from SSS (also called DSS) custody in 2015, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.A Lokoja Chief Magistrates Court on Tuesday ordered that Mr. Suleiman be remanded in prison custody.The Chief Magistrate, Levi Animoku, who gave the order, described the charges preferred against the accused as horrifying and grievous.Culpable homicide is the highest crime in our legal system.Section 341(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) simpliciter, precludes a court from granting bail to a person accused of such offence.Consequently, the accused shall be remanded at the Federal Prisons, Koton-Karfe and the case is adjourned till March 16, for mention, he ruled.The prosecuting counsel, Mohammed Abaji, in his application for the remand of the accused, urged the court to take cognisance of the charges preferred against him.Mr. Abaji, a counsel in the Ministry of Justice, said the accused was arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and belonging to a gang of brigands.He said that the offences contravened Sections 97(1), 221, 305 of the Penal Code and Section 4 of the Terrorism [Prevention][Amendment] Act 2013.Mr. Abaji told the court that Mr. Suleiman and one other currently at large, members of the outlawed Boko Haram, escaped from custody of the SSS with the aid of other members of the group in 2015.The escapees, according to Mr. Abaji, killed a police officer and a fellow inmate during their escape.He said that investigations revealed that they fled to places in Yobe, Zaria and Kano for further training about three months ago.The prosecutor said that investigations revealed that the accused and others after their training came to Otukpo in Benue, as well as Ankpa, Idah,and Anyigba in Kogi on recruitment drive.Mr. Abaji also told the court that the accused and his group were planning to launch attacks on specific places in Ankpa and Anyigba before he was arrested.He urged the court to adjourn the case for mention to allow for completion of investigations into the matter.About 100,000 people have been killed in Northern Nigeria since the Boko Haram crisis started in 2009.
Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that irrespective of the...

Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that irrespective of the nomenclature given to the act of budget-padding, the National Assembly will continue to pad the budget for certain reasons.Gbajabiamila, who initially claimed not to understand what budget-padding means, explained that lawmakers, even in the most advanced democracies of the world, pad the budget to be able to generate extra money for providing democracy dividends to their respective constituencies especially when their constituencies are not captured in the national budget.The lawmaker disclosed this during an interview on Channels TV that was anchored by Seun Okinbaloye.He said that it was legislative malpractice for a lawmaker to sit back and do nothing when a national budget that does not make provisions for his constituency is been appropriated.The Majority Leader said that in some advanced countries, budget- padding is not only practised but called earmarking or pump-up legislation.He said that since the National Assembly holds the power to the national treasury, it will continue to scrutinize the level of budget-padding from the executive, stressing that its not a rubber stamp.Gbajabiamila said that since suspended Rep. Abdulmumuni Jibrin decided to take the issue of legislative budget padding to the law enforcement agencies, it was proper for the House to sit back and let them do whatever they want to do, adding that there was no regret over suspension of Jibrin, if indeed he was a true whistle-blower like he claimed to be.He said: Abdulmumuni Jibrin did what he needed to do. He took the matter to the law enforcement agencies  the EFCC, the police and the rest of them. He has done his. The National Assembly does not agree with it. He put the ball in the court of the law enforcement agents. It is up to them to do whatever they want to do. Im not aware of any padding. I dont understand what that means.When it comes to money and I represent a particular constituency but I look at the budget and I dont see my constituency represented in that budget and I know that throughout the year people of my constituency have needs  they want this; they want that. It is only me they can talk to. They are not going to talk to the President.I actually consider it as malpractice not padding, if during the budget circle I have opportunity to attract something to my constituency and I sit back and do nothing and go back in four years to seek for their mandate again when I promised them all these years that I will do this and do that. What do I go back and tell them? Oh, I am not allowed to pad the budget.If for instance, I represent a constituency and a budget is sent to National Assembly. It is one of the most important pieces of legislation to come out of the National Assembly. By my representation, I should attract federal presence to my constituency.Even in the most advanced of democracies, you have heard of earmarks, you have heard of pumped-up legislation. It is the same thing. It is done everywhere in the world otherwise you are not worth the sit you seat on.Let me explain something to you about padding. Thats what Nigerians need to understand. It doesnt mean that if you hear anything thing negative about the National Assembly and you are not objective. You will not understand what is going on.In terms of padding from the executive, there are checks and balances. Thats why we have always argued that the National Assembly is not a rubber stamp. It is trite that the legislature holds the power of the purse. We will go through this budget and look at it item for item; item by item. Whatever padding means, I dont know.
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has warned international rights group, Amnesty International (AI) and other non-governmental organisat...

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has warned international rights group, Amnesty International (AI) and other non-governmental organisations to desist from meddling in Nigerias security affairs.Acting Director, Defence Information Brig.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, in a statement in Abuja, said reports from AI showed that it never meant well for Nigeria.AI criticised the military, accusing it of gross human rights abuses and extra-judicial killings in the Southeast and Northeast.But Abubakar said the military maintained an open door policy and had been cooperating with stakeholders in ensuring that the armed forces remained one of the best and a proud institution for Nigerians.Abubakar said: Activities of AI in our nation have shown that AI never meant well for Nigeria and the situation is getting clearer to national and international communities what the AI is up to.This could be corroborated by inherent lopsidedness in the AIs portrayal of Nigeria, its involvement in local politics and taking sides with terrorists and other belligerent groups to cause internal disorder, which no country can tolerate.The military in this new dispensation has maintained open door policy and has been cooperating with all stakeholders in ensuring that Nigerian Armed Forces remain one of the best and a proud institution for all Nigerians.For AI to be making spurious allegation, especially without substantiated and cogent reason, apart from those adduced by the AI itself for the reason best known to it and its collaborators, is disturbing and unethical of an international organisation that is supposed to stay clear of local politics and to be seen as maintaining neutrality in its reportage of the countries it operates.The Defence spokesperson said incessant negative report on Nigeria and the armed forces by AI was condemnable by well-meaning Nigerians who have seen and appreciated what the military and other security agencies did to decimate Boko Haram terrorists and contain criminal elements.He alleged AI actions in Nigeria would succeed in giving insight into the possibility of the organisation sponsoring criminal gangs in achieving the sponsors intent.Abubakar added: As much as the military welcomes comments, criticisms and observations that could help the institution to grow higher for the interest of our nation, the activities of the AI, to say the least, is far from being noble. Al has negative mission in Nigeria. It is an agent of destabilisation, masquerading as a reputable international NGO, which Nigerians must rise up to this daunting challenge of not giving it the chance to truncate our hard earned democracy and unity.It does not operate like this in other nations of the world. Hence, the military once again condemns the activities of the AI and its affiliates in Nigeria. It is not until you write negative report about Nigeria before you are seen as working or justifying the huge amount you receive from international bodies.While the military and other security agencies remain focus in tackling the mirage of security problems in our nation, we urge our citizens, partners and international communities to continue to support Nigeria in its quest to free us from the hands of criminal elements, which AI and its cohorts are supporting.It is our conviction that, despite AI fanning the ember of disunity, hate and destabilisation in our land, Nigeria would continue to remain united, strong and prosperous to take her rightful place in the comity of nations.
Worlds most popular social media platform, Facebook, has commended Nigerias Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, for opening up the acti...

Worlds most popular social media platform, Facebook, has commended Nigerias Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, for opening up the activities of the 8th National Assembly through various channels, especially the daily Facebook Live Video streaming of Senate plenary sittings.The Chief Product Officer and Company Lead on Product Management and Development of Facebook, Christopher Cox, gave the commendation while speaking at The Future of Media Keynote Session and opening of the annual Social Media Week held at the Landmark Centre in Lagos on Monday.Reacting to the development, the Office of the President of the Senate in a statement yesterday said it was indeed delighted at the endorsement of the Senate President by the social media giant, Facebook.According to the Special Assistant to the Senate President on New Media, Bamikole Omishore, This commendation reinforces one of the core mandates of the Senate President to the New Media unit, which is to bridge the gap between the Senate and Nigerians.The Nigerian Senate facebook live streaming has an average view of four million unique clicks monthly for the plenary live feeds and we will be expanding coverage to courtesy calls, committee hearings and oversights in the next few months.You would recall that Saraki personally attended the 2016 edition of the Social Media Week in company of Senators Foster Ogola, Dino Melaye and Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi amongst others, where he spoke on the topic: Promoting Online Communities to improve Participatory Governance and subsequently had a no-holds-barred interaction with traditional and social media enthusiasts on how to continue bridging the gap between elected government officials and Nigerians passionate about the use of social media for political engagement.We are encouraged to do more with this commendation and wish to kindly reiterate and assure our friends, from the online community and beyond, of the commitment of the Senate President towards ensuring that the 8th National Assembly continues to witness improved transparency and accountability on government functions and people participation, he said.
Former Minister of Aviation and Chieftain of the Makarfi-faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Femi Fani-Kayode has said that he w...





Former Minister of Aviation and Chieftain of the Makarfi-faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Femi Fani-Kayode has said that he will reveal shocking details surrounding the collapsed building of the Synagogue Church Of Nation owned by Pastor Temitope Joshua.This is coming almost a month the embattled politician visited Prophet Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) and described him as a true and great man of God.Fani-Kayode said the target of the perpetrators was Pastor Joshua and his successes as a church.He said: The truth about the mysterious plane that hovered over Prophet TB Joshua's Church before it collapsed and killed 126 people will soon be out I'm still doing the research before writing and it is blowing my mind. One thing is clear- the plane brought down the building and the target was TB Joshua and his great success.This was an evil and cruel act and I intend to expose those that were behind it , he said on his social media account on Tuesday.The 2014 Synagogue Church building collapse took place on 12 September 2014, when a guesthouse located within the Synagogue Church premises around Ikotun-Egbe area of Lagos State collapsed completely to the ground.Prophet TB Joshua had linked the tragedy to a strange aircraft "hovering" above the building shortly before it fell. The case is still at the Lagos High court.
The Federal Government on Tuesday evacuated 41 Nigerian girls from Bamako, Mali, through the Ministry of Defence, the Nigerian Air Force...

The Federal Government on Tuesday evacuated 41 Nigerian girls from Bamako, Mali, through the Ministry of Defence, the Nigerian Air Force, Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.The 41 girls, according to the government, are victims of human trafficking to Europe but ended up in Mali.They arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport , Lagos aboard a Hercules C-130 military transport aircraft at about 7. 55pm.The Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the girls were trapped in Mali.She said NAF was asked to bring them back after the government received a distress call to help evacuate the girls.Dabiri-Erewa said their return home was part of the directives from President Muhammadu Buhari, who insisted that Nigerians stranded anywhere in the world, should be assisted to return home .She said many Nigerians were still stranded in Mali and would be brought back home and urged the girls to make the best use of their lives as they had no business living in Mali.According to Dabiri-Erewa, prior to their evacuation, NAPTIP officials had travelled to Mali for documentation and other logistics to ease the return of the girls.She said, NAPTIP will rehabilitate them and we have commenced profiling of the girls. We call on Non-Governmental Organisations to join us in tackling this problem.They were deceived into embarking on the journey. We will ensure we train them to the state of proficiency in different vocations, after which we trace their parents and counsel them.She said many of the girls came back with stories of woes, adding that they were evacuated alongside six suspected traffickers.We have arrested six suspects and have handed them over to security agencies for prosecution, she added.Some of the girls complained of not being allowed to take their belongings as they were literally brought home empty handed.
Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state has lashed out at former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his recent comment on the idea of an Igbo presi...





Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state has lashed out at former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his recent comment on the idea of an Igbo presidency in 2019  that has generated heated controversy.Fayose in an interview with a media house said he does not take the former leader seriously, adding that he wants to be relevant at all times.His words: "Do you ever take Obasanjo seriously? I dont take him seriously. By his nature, Obasanjo wants relevance at all times. We have worked with him and used to be his foot soldiers. I know him more than anybody in this country. He just talks, so that he would remain relevant. Do you see any other former President in the country running his mouth like his? If it is not the fact that he has a voice as a former head of state, where is Obasanjos constituency? Who are his followers? How many votes can Obasanjo win in his ward? We must say the truth and we must face the truth. Lets give it to him, as a leader in this country, whoever has governed this country before would remain our leader, but he must equally recall and admit that he is becoming more fairly negative than working towards national building. ''
I banned importation of toothpick in 1977, because it was the most stupid thing to import when we can produce it here. But, about 40 yea...

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday took a swipe at his successors, blaming them for the nations economic woes. He said God was not responsible for the problems hindering the development of Nigeria.Obasanjo spoke while chairing the 38th Kaduna International Trade Fair Seminar with the theme: Promoting Public Private Partnership as Panacea for Accelerated Growth and Development.The ex-President said that Nigeria is where it is today is a question of leadership and not God.According to him, somebody came to me and said we need to pray to God and I said, for what? He said, so that God can do for us, what we cannot do for ourselves. And I said, no, let us stop troubling God, because God has done all we need for us, we only need to play our own part.But, if we must pray to God, our prayer should be that God should not take away all He has given us as a nation.God, in His mercy, has given us all the needed resources, both human and natural, but we have not been able to put them together and manage them effectively. The countries that have developed and are performing better are not better than Nigeria in terms of resources.One problem that must be corrected is the problem of leadership. This is because our leaders lack focus, commitment, continuity and sometimes proper knowledge about economic and development issues, hence we have not been able to achieve meaningful result.Another problem is that, we take one step forward and two backward. Nigerian leaders must be tough and ready to bite the bullet, because Nigeria cannot have it easy. Until we get the right leadership, the problem will continue, he said.Registering his displeasure over inconsistency in policies, Obasanjo said: I banned importation of toothpick in 1977, because it was the most stupid thing to import when we can produce it here. But, about 40 years after, one of my successors, I wont mention his name, unmanned toothpick. Then, I put on my Babanriga and went to Abuja to express my shock about the policy, but to my greatest surprise, the President told me, he signed the document unbanning toothpick without reading it.Another thing is that, he came in saying he will generate additional 30,000 megawatts to the 3,500 megawatts we left behind, and I told him, dont trouble yourself, if you can add 3,000 megawatts to the one we left behind, you will receive awards. But, to my greatest shock, he couldnt add one megawatt before leaving office, he narrated.Speaking on the public-private partnership, the former President said lack of synergy in public-private sectors was responsible for the set back in the nations economy and growth.He said: The public sector perceives the private sector as a profit making industry that reaps where it does not sow, but in actual fact, they are two legs that when brought together can accelerate development in all sectors of the economy.Public and private sectors must work together to accelerate growth and development. When we were in office, we privatised the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and sold to Dangote and partners, but the government that succeeded me revoked it and that is why till today, NNPC cannot work optimally.But, today the same Dangote that was denied ownership of NNPC is building a refinery that can produce in excess of what NNPC can produce and what Nigeria can consume. So, it means he will even export.In his lecture, former Minister of Finance Shamdudeen Usman said Nigeria was facing backwardness in economic growth and development because of the lack of continuity in governance and poor will by political leaders to complete projects started by their predecessors.According to him, delay in budgetary approval process and also padding of the budget contribute to the slow acceleration of growth and development experienced in the nation.Short term policies affected PPP projects across the country due to inconsistencies in government. Though several governments gave high support to PPP, only President Olusegun Obasanjos administration recorded about 90 per cent completion of PPP projects and they include the Garki hospital in Abuja, Lagos International Airport, port terminals, amongst others.However, the Jonathan administration took a huge step in adpoting a 30-year National Integrated Infrastructure master plan, which targets core infrastructure in the country, but nothing much has been achieved so far, he said.
The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kogi State yesterday paraded 14 suspected drug peddlers, including a serving police In...

The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kogi State yesterday paraded 14 suspected drug peddlers, including a serving police Inspector, Abali Zagi and a dismissed Army Corporal, Umar Shehu, with over 1,083.6 kilogrammes of cannabis, valued at N6 million.State Commander Mohammed Bello Idris said the policeman was apprehended with 75 sacks of cannabis, weighing 818kg, around Kabba junction, while returning from Okpela in Edo State.The seized drug, worth N4 million, was loaded at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, into a welfare vehicle marked NPF7973C.Shehu was arrested with 44kg of suspected cannabis by policemen at Obajana and handed over to the NDLEA.Obiora and two others were also arrested with 190 blocks of cannabis and 155.5kg, by the patrol team of the Army, on the Lokoja-Abuja highway.Also paraded was Aminat Iredia, 40, who was arrested with 32kg of the banned substance, around Crusher, a suburb of Lokoja metropolis, with her four-year old son.Others paraded included Samson Danladi, Musa Lawal, Musa Umar, Anthony Okoh and Shuaibu Ibrahim.Commander Idris said the suspects would be charged to court after investigations were concluded.
The Nigerian Army says efforts are ongoing to rescue a soldier who got missing in action during an ambush in Lagos.

The Nigerian Army says efforts are ongoing to rescue a soldier who got missing in action during an ambush in Lagos.Olaolu Daudu, the spokesman, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos.The search operation for the missing officer is ongoing, Mr. Daudu, a lieutenant colonel, said.A soldier on February 21 got missing in action when troops came under heavy fire during a routine patrol of Lagos creeks.The troops who were on routine patrol of the creeks around Abule-Ado, Festac Town area in Lagos, came under heavy gunfire in an ambush.Troops remain resilient and focused in search of their colleague, he said.He urged members of the public to provide the Army with useful information on the missing officer and assured residents of their continued safety.
Nigerian man identified as Oguadinma Somto, died on the plane while returning to Malaysia some days ago.

Nigerian man identified as Oguadinma Somto, died on the plane while returning to Malaysia some days ago.According to his friend/Facebook user, Princess Bonita Bolingo, Somto left Nigeria healthy but suddenly died on the plane he boarded back to Malaysia where he resides.She wrote: "A kind hearted guy. Full of life. But the evil ones wouldn't let him live long. Died yesterday on his way back to his base in Malaysia. Died in plane. Still hard to believe. Sleep on Somy nwanne m. God bless ur soul."
The 89th Academy Awards was memorable for a number of reasons, first and foremost being the bizarre and embarrassing mix-up that led to La La Land incorrectly being announced as the winner of the Best Picture award.Iranian-American engineer Anousheh Ansari accepted the award for Best Foreign Language Film, for The Salesman, on behalf of director Asghar Farhadi.Farhadi initially thought he would not be able to attend the awards on account of the US immigration ban on seven primarily Muslim countries.Iran is one of the seven countries included on this executive order from US President Donald Trump.But even when the ban was staved by US courts, Farhadi refused to attend the awards in protest of the initial ban.The award was presented to Ansari by Charlize Theron and Shirley MacLaine, and it was understandably a huge deal in Iran for one of their own to win the award.The ceremony was shown on Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA) TV, but the footage was censored. Extra clothes were photoshopped onto Charlizes Dior dress to conceal her bare shoulders, arms, and neckline, and when that didnt work she was blurred out completely. A strip of skin on Anousheh Ansaris shoulder was also blurred out.
Panic gripped over 100 passengers on Tuesday as Medview Airline flight from Lagos to Abuja was suspended midair after a fault was observed.

Panic gripped over 100 passengers on Tuesday as Medview Airline flight from Lagos to Abuja was suspended midair after a fault was observed.According to reports, a passenger on the flight said passengers suspected the plane, with flight number VL 2102, was faulty before takeoff, but they were assured by the pilot and the crew that all was well.The plane was scheduled to get to Abuja before a final journey to Yola, Adamawa State.The incident occurred at about 11a.m. forcing the pilot to abort the flight.The Medview incident happened a day after a Boeing 737 aircraft belonging to Air Peace on Monday suffered a burst tyre while preparing for take-off at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
A serving police inspector and a dismissed army corporal were among 14 suspects arrested by the NDLEA in Kogi for being in possession of...

A serving police inspector and a dismissed army corporal were among 14 suspects arrested by the NDLEA in Kogi for being in possession of 1,083.62 kilograms of Indian hemp valued at N6 million.The Commander of the NDLEA in Kogi, Idris Bello, told journalists in Lokoja on Monday that the police inspector was arrested on February 25 at Crusher area of Lokoja while conveying 75 bags of Indian hemp weighing 818.2 kg in a police bus with registration number NPF 7973 NPF.He said that the suspect was conveying the drug from Okpela, Edo, to Abuja when he was arrested alongside two other accomplices.Mr. Bello said that the dismissed army corporal was arrested in Lokoja while on his way from Edo with 44kilograms of weed suspects to be Indian hempAccording to him, 12 other suspects, including a woman, were arrested this month with varying kilograms of weed.He said that the 40- year-old woman was carrying a four-year-old boy at the time she was arrested with 32.4 kilograms of Indian hemp.The commander said that three other suspects were arrested with 190 blocks of compressed Indian hemp, although the exact kilogram and monetary value had not been ascertained.He said that the suspects, who were coming from Edo, were arrested at Obajana in Kogi in a car with registration number Kano BC 737 KMC.Mr. Bello, who attributed the success of the command in recent times to the support being received from the state government, thanked Governor Yahaya Bello for the donation of patrol vehicles.Speaking on the development, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Jerry Omodara, commended the NDLEA for its efforts, urging it to sustain the tempo.He promised that the state government would continue to offer support to all security agencies in the state.(NAN)
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari is neither critically ill n...

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari is neither critically ill nor in life-threatening situation.The minister spoke yesterday in Umuahia at the second town hall meeting for the South East and the launch of national reorientation campaign, Change Begins With Me in Abia.The minister, who was asked to tell the country about the health condition of the president and whether there was need for a regular briefing on his health stressed that there was no reason for such briefings.Mohammed said the president spoke with him on Saturday and there was no reason for Nigerians to be worried.I can say here very boldly and confidently that there is absolutely no cause for alarm.`Mr president called me at 2.43 p.m. on Saturday and we spoke.If Mr president is in the hospital or is critically ill, as minister of information, I will give daily bulletin on his health.Mr president is neither critically ill nor in the hospital and there is nothing life threatening about the checks he is going through, he said.Speaking on the state of the economy, the minister said that it was corruption that made the prices of commodities to go up.He noted that no economy in the world could survive the blind and reckless looting perpetrated by the previous administration.If one person was found with almost 10 million dollar in an uncompleted house and another with 136 million dollar in fake account and other with N7 billion how can the economy survives the kind of looting.Naturally the price of commodities will go up.These are funds meant for development of infrastructure and for provision of services.That is why you cannot do anything with the economy without first facing corruption squarely.But the good news is that the government is doing both together, as we are fighting corruption, we are also making sure that we are ensuring we are out of recession by investing heavily on infrastructure.Mohammed also pacified the audience who lamented the spate of attacks on farmers by the herdsmen.He said contrary to the position of some elements who want to destroy the unity of the country, the government was not supporting any section of the country against the other.He said it was purely security issue and it was being handled from both the federal and the state levels.I want to make the appeal that the strength of Nigeria is in its diversity and unity.We have been living together peacefully before and we shall continue to live together peacefully, he said.
Angry residents protesting lack of electricity at Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area, Delta State, weekend, laid siege to the Warri-Be...

Angry residents protesting lack of electricity at Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area, Delta State, weekend, laid siege to the Warri-Benin City highway, leaving motorists and travellers stranded for over two hours.The protesters, clutching different banners and placards with inscriptions such as, NIPP, show us our MoU and power our step down, We are tired of darkness and No light, no pay, accused the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC of being inimical to the economic development of Sapele and its environs.Paramount in the demands of the protesters is the provision of electricity supply for an average of 12 hours daily and a step- down power plant from one of the two generating power stations at Ogorode, Sapele, which plays host to two power generating stations and a transmission company. One of the leaders of the protesters, Mr. Solomon Abeke, who described the protest as the only solution left for the people of Sapele, said that officials of BEDC have practically refused to listen to their complaints.What we are demanding is an improvement in electricity supply. Just imagine, they give us only three hours light every day. We have two generating stations and a transmission station here in Sapele, yet we live in perpetual darkness, Mr Abeke stated. A rights activist, who participated in the protest, Mike Egbune, described the actions of BEDC as oppressive, stressing that the residents of the town carried out the protest because they have been cheated for long and they want their rights back.Denying the allegations of the protesters, the companys Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Adekunle Tayo, said: That is not true, we held a meeting chaired by the Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya, and in that meeting, it was agreed that a committee will be set up to look into their demands.
The local airport in Edo State, known as Benin Airport is to be renamed Oba Erediauwa Airport.'

The local airport in Edo State, known as Benin Airport is to be renamed Oba Erediauwa Airport.'This was sequel to a motion moved on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, by the Senator representing Edo South, Mathew Urhoghide and seconded by Senator Jeremiah Oseni (Plateau South).Senator Urhoghide took his time to read the biography and achievements of the late Oba, stressing that, he was also instrumental to the creation of Edo State from the then Bendel State, the role which necessarily made him the father of Edo State.Urhoghide believed that, late Oba Erediauwas memory is worth immortalizing when his achievements, numerous selfless services and contributions to Nigerias development of this outstanding Monarch which are worthy of emulation and commendation are taken into consideration.He also stressed that, the airport was one and half kilometres away from the palace of the Oba of Benin and that the kingdom of the late Monarch was a host to the airport.The Senate, therefore, resolved to immortalize the late Monarch, by renaming the federal airport to Oba Erediauwa Airport, Benin city.The Lawmakers also urged relevant Ministry, Department or Agency, vested with the duty of effecting the resolution of the motion, to do so, in the earliest possible time.
Chukwuma Soludo, ex-Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, and Patrick Utomi, a professor of economics, have called for the immediate rel...

Chukwuma Soludo, ex-Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, and Patrick Utomi, a professor of economics, have called for the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).The thought leaders under the aegis of Nzuko Umunna, a pan-Igbo group, also called for the release of his colleagues who are in jail.They declared that Nigeria was more divided now than before.Delivering the statement of the group in Abuja on Tuesday, Soludo condemned the killing of IPOB members in the south-east.Amnesty International had put the number of pro-Biafra protesters killed by security agents at 150.He also called for an investigation of the killings.We are a delegation of Nzuko Umunna, a pan-Igbo group, he said.We visited Nnamdi Kanu to hear his own point of view as well as share our own point of view with him.We believe that Nigeria has the potential to be great, and like most countries has its own challenges.Nigeria has never been more divided than now. Most discerning patriots have come to the conclusion that Nigeria has currently structured is destined to be a failed state.It is our considered view that most of the agitation is in response to a looting elite. We do not condone violence.We note that in 2015 Nigerians voted for change. As the ruling party, the APC has it duty to deliver to the Nigerian people.So far APC seems to have abandoned its cardinal duty to Nigeria.We are in a state of emergency at all levels.We demand the urgent release of Nnamdi Kanu, and his colleagues as part of the process of engineering a new Nigeria.No citizen of Nigeria deserves the treatment that is being meted to Nnamdi Kanu and his colleagues. Nnamdi Kanu is not above the law, and he should not be put below the law.
While the Nigerian government criticises South Africas handling of recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians, the South African Government...

While the Nigerian government criticises South Africas handling of recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians, the South African Government has deported 97 Nigerians for committing various offences in the country.The property of several Nigerians and other sub-Saharan Africans have been destroyed across South Africa in xenophobic attacks that have been condemned by various governments.While asking its citizens to stop the attacks, the South African government has also blamed illegal immigrants from Nigeria and other countries, as well immigrants who commit crime for the attacks. The government has thus decided to clamp down on such immigrants.The 97 deported Nigerians landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Monday night in a chartered aircraft with the registration number GBB710 from Johannesburg.The News Agency of Nigeria reports that they were made up of 95 males and two females.Joseph Alabi, the spokesperson of the Lagos Airport Police Command, confirmed the development.An immigration source told NAN on condition of anonymity that six of the deportees were returned to the country for drug offences while 10 were arrested and deported for other criminal offences .The others were said to have committed immigration offences in the Southern African country.All the deportees were profiled by officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) while those deported for drug related offences were handed over to the Police for further investigation.The Federal Government had also on Monday evacuated 41 Nigerian girls who were trafficked to Mali for sex and labour exploitation.Six of the suspected human traffickers were also apprehended and brought back to the country for prosecution.
An unnamed source close to Churchill has discredited Tonto's claims that she bought two new cars herself and passed it off as gifts from her husband. The source told journalists also said that Tonto had a drug problem and was sometimes very violent.





"They are all lies. If Churchill had ever laid hands on Tonto, she would have photo evidence, that's the kind of person she is. She would have taken photos. She was the violent one. She set fire to his clothes and destroyed property worth millions in their home





''She claimed he never bought her all those gifts but she returned the Lexus jeep he bought for her and kept the Prado. She drives a Prado, can she afford to buy one herself? She just became bitter. And she was always threatening him, saying she would go online and release lies about him and ruin his life and career because for some reason, she thinks she made him.





''Olakunle is not perfect but he's not the devil she's painting him. This is a man who bought a G-Wagon for her dad. She was still using drugs and Olakunle was seeking help for her as he was committed to their relationship.
Music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tuface, has donated N3.5 million to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (U...

Music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tuface, has donated N3.5 million to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Nigeria, to support humanitarian interventions.The commission stated this in a statement yesterday by UNHCRs External Relations Officer, Mr. Hanson Tamfu.He said the donation from the 2face Foundation was to support the commission in providing life-saving support to families forcibly displaced in Nigeria and across the continent, adding that the musician pledged his continuous support to UNHCR in its assistance to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).The statement quoted Tuface as saying: I am proud to support the UN Refugee Agency because of its record of being at the fore front of displacement emergencies.I want to help people who have been forced to flee their homes because of different issues. I care about them and this donation is one of such efforts. We plan to hold a major charity concert in June to raise money while offering my music and talents to the world for donations towards this noble cause.I am confident in UNHCR because it knows how to make a difference in the lives of millions of women, children and men who have lost everything but hope.UNHCRs Director of the Africa Bureau Mr. Valentin Tapsoba thanked Tuface for his generosity.He said having someone of Tufaces calibre, who recognises peoples needs, was encouraging.
With effect from this year (2017), candidates awaiting results would no longer be eligible to apply for the Universities Tertiary Matricul...

With effect from this year (2017), candidates awaiting results would no longer be eligible to apply for the Universities Tertiary Matriculation Examination, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, said in Abuja on Tuesday.The organisation also said it had concluded all restructuring and reforms and is now set to commence the sale of its application document in March.The restructuring exercise will now allow for only one choice of public university in which new registration platform will now be first choice, second choice, third choice and fourth choice and not most preferred, preferred choice.A statement by the spokesperson of JAMB, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said the agency had taken time to add value to the services it have been offering to Nigerians for over three decades.According to him, the restructuring was aimed at expanding the opportunities available to candidates since almost all the public universities do not consider candidates on the second choice list because they hardly exhaust their first choice.He said, We have designed a Central Admissions Processing System where the Board will interface with the institutions and ensure the compliance of this reform. The summary is that no candidate will be admitted with awaiting result. Candidates and their parents are also to note that JAMB has restructured the registration platform to allow for only one choice of public university. The new registration platform will now be first choice, second choice, third choice and fourth choice and not most preferred, preferred etc as it was.Candidates first choice can be a College, University, Innovative Enterprises Institutions or Polytechnic/Monotechnic. However, if a candidate makes a Public University his first choice, he will not have any public University to choose for second, third and fourth choice. He will have on the remaining three choices, a College, Polytechnic, Private University and IEIS. However, candidates for the 2017 UTME can now select National Certificate in Education (College) or National Diploma (Polytechnic/Monotechnic) as their first choice up to third choice and the fourth IEI. They can select the IEI (Innovative Enterprise Institution, ND) as their first choice up to the fourth choice, but can only pick a public university once.
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, Moshood Salvador, has expressed displeasure over former President Goodluck J...

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, Moshood Salvador, has expressed displeasure over former President Goodluck Jonathans alleged indifference towards the leadership crisis in the party until it degenerated to the current state of affairs.Salvador, who was a former member of the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003, said that Jonathan had been in a very good position to resolve the matter but turned a blind eye.He stated this in Lagos while fielding questions from the media on the current crisis rocking the party at the national level.The ex-lawmaker chided the former President for not deploying his capacities and experience early enough in nipping the leadership crisis in the bud.He said that if he were in Jonathans position, he would have advised Sheriff to call a national convention without delay and resign with pride and honour; stressing that the most logical thing to do was to remind Sheriff that he had hitherto given up his leadership position in party when he convened the controversial Port-Harcourt convention that threw up the National Caretaker Committee led by Ahmed Makarfi.Salvador alleged that the Justices of the Appeal Court that ruled in favour of Ali Modu Sheriff while declaring the national caretaker committee illegal did not study the partys constitution.According to him, the partys constitution stated that the convention is the supreme organ of the party, and the convention has the power to organize a committee that can be given a special assignment. Hence, the Ahmed Makarfi-led committee was in no way illegal since it derived its operating powers from the convention that Sheriff convened in Port-Harcourt.He said: Im not just happy with our former president for abandoning us this long. Well, former President Goodluck Jonathan is in a very good position to resolve the matter. I can assure you, he has the capacity; he has the experience. He abandoned us for too long to let this crisis develop to a very terrible state to let this crisis before coming on board.If I were in a position to resolve the PDP crisis, I will just advise Ali Modu Sheriff to pipe-down having gotten the judgement from Court of Appeal, I expect him to now call everybody and go back and resign, because he was the one that convened the convention which was his responsibility.At the time he was convening the convention, he has already appointed a convention chairman. Now, the convention chairman takes over the affairs of the party during the convention. Also, Ali Modu Sheriff collected forms, paid for it, submitted himself to screening and at that particular point, he was no longer the chairman but an aspirant of chairmanship position we need to clear this.Nobody can say the constitution of caretaker committee is wrong. The court declared the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee illegal because it refused to study the PDP constitution before passing its judgement. This is where the real problem came from.The constitution of the PDP clearly stated that the convention is the supreme organ of the party, and the convention has the power to organize a committee that can be given a special assignment.Having given them the court order that the convention must not contest election into some offices, you can see that the PDP obeyed that order. The party did not contest election into those offices. That was why we had to introduce caretaker committee which is within the purview of the party to do that.I dont know who the court stops and he refuses to stop. Already court has given judgement at the court of appeal but as long as the Makarfi faction of the party has filed a stay-of-action and has appealed the decision, I think status quo should remain. The status will be that the secretariat should remain as it is pending the decision of the Supreme Court.As long as the ruling has been appealed at the Supreme Court, it is enough to tell that there are dissatisfactions with the ruling of Court of Appeal, and it is tantamount to a stay-of-execution injunction. Therefore, it is nonsensical for someone to say Makarfi is parading himself as chairman of caretaker committee. That is less than acceptable.
The attacks on Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa have continued.

The attacks on Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa have continued.The Nigerian community in South Africa said yesterday that another shop belonging to a Nigerian was looted in the latest xenophobic attack at Jeppestown,Johannesburg.The South African Police said no fewer than 100 people ransacked shops in Johannesburg overnight, in the latest wave of looting incidents in South African cities.We are following up on leads and we are expecting to make more arrests, police spokesman Brig. Mathapelo Peters said.She said she did not know the nationalities of the shopkeepers and police were waiting for owners to come forward, so that they could open cases of violence and damage to property.Similar incidents have taken place in Pretoria this month, but police have been reluctant to characterised the attacks as being directed against foreigners.Anti-immigrant violence has flared sporadically in South Africa against a background of near-record unemployment, with foreigners being accused of criminal activity and taking jobs from locals.President, Nigeria Union, South Africa, Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Pretoria that the shop was looted on Sunday night.We have received information that there was an overnight attack on shops belonging to foreigners at Jeppestown, a business district in Johannesburg.A shop belonging to a Nigerian was affected.The goods in the shop were looted by the attackers. The Nigerian was not hurt during the attack.We also learnt that shops belonging to other foreigners were also looted, he said.Anyene said attempts made to loot another shop belonging to a Nigerian failed as the owner called the police.He said the value of items lost in the affected shop had not been ascertained while the incident had been reported to the Nigerian Mission and the South African police.We have told Nigerians to adopt protective measures to save their businesses and homes.The union is in touch with the Nigerian Mission and our chapters in the nine provinces of South Africa are also on alert.They have been directed to sensitise our people on the situation in the country and to be cautious in all their endeavours, he saidAlso, a Reuters witness said doors and windows were smashed in, and food and other items were strewn on the floor in stores believed to belong to immigrants in Jeppestown, an area in the central business district.Weve been stuck inside here until the police came, Abdul Ebrahim, a Somali shop owner, said after emerging from his store, where a number of his colleagues had barricaded themselves.No one told us what they were looking for, he added when asked why the mob had attacked his shop.At least one person was arrested.The Federal Government last week urged the South African government to put in place measures to end the incessant xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.In a statement yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and The Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, slammed South Africas Home Affairs Minister Mr. Malusi Gigabas statement in the aftermath of the xenophobic attacks, which has brought reprisal on MTN, a South African business conglomerate that such issues were better discussed at the diplomatic levels when more than 100 Nigerian lives have been lost in South Africa.The statement said: It appears that Mr. Gigaba would rather dwell on and entertain himself with diplomatic niceties when the welfare of Nigerians resident in South Africa are at stake now more than any time in recent history. His response to the xenophobic attacks, which has now become a recurring decimal on Africans, most especially Nigerians living peacefully in their host country of South Africa is indeed unfortunate.While its no longer news that law-abiding Nigerians in that country have borne the major brunt of these attacks, the news by the Home Affairs Minister that his country is trying to get rid of criminals in his country at the time when indiscriminate mayhem and looting of law-abiding Nigerians is very suspicious, to say the least. Even if this unguarded statement must be taken in its face value, we wonder if wanton destruction and indiscriminate killing of their African brothers is the most sensible excuse to give. The minister should have been more guarded and introspective in his statements so as not to further fan the embers of xenophobia that may get out of control if care is not taken.Xenophobia is such a debilitating social disease, based mostly on ignorance, in which its carrier also suffers. I therefore suggest that the home affairs minister should engage in the mass education of the South African people about the debilitating effects of this disease with immediate effect.The days that the Nigerian government will fold its arms while its citizens are maltreated to the point that some of them have lost their lives for no just cause are long gone.THE Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) yesterday asked the Federal Government to recall Nigerias High Commissioner to South Africa in protest over the continued killing of Nigerians.A statement by TUC President Bobboi Kaigama and General Secretary Musa-Lawal Ozigi, urged the government to immediately begin a process of evacuating Nigerians resident in that country following the silence of the South African government over the matter.It said there was a grand conspiracy by the South African government and state security apparatus to mindlessly waste lives and take over properties of innocent and harmless fellow Africans.The statement reads: The TUC expresses serious concern over the ongoing xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa and calls for the immediate recall of the countrys high commissioner to the country.From all indications, it appears there is a grand conspiracy by the government cum state security apparatus to continue to mindlessly waste lives and take over properties of innocent and harmless fellow Africans.First and foremost, their anger is misplaced and probably borne out of the inferiority complex suffered from years of oppression and apartheid. As a credible organisation, we condemn crimes in all its forms and support punishment for those found culpable.But in this case, no one has mentioned any case of crime; it is rather a case of a country, whose freedom we staked our lives, financed and spent other resources to fight for and today we get xenophobia as returns.How do we refer to this anti-Nigeria, nay Africa attitude on Nigeria? One wonders what these South Africans are turning to. Is it a case of ingratitude or lack of historical documentation by their leaders, of the unmatched leadership role Nigeria played in the 80s towards the dismantling of apartheid?It is on record that thousands of South African children were brought to Nigeria and distributed across all the unity schools in Nigeria and were fed and housed free, courtesy of Nigerian government and Nigerians.
Telecommunication service provider, MTN, has appealed to its customers to bear with them concerning the poor network experienced for the p...

Telecommunication service provider, MTN, has appealed to its customers to bear with them concerning the poor network experienced for the past few days.Although the reason for the poor network was not given, its likely that the attacks on MTN offices by Nigerians protesting xenophobic attacks of fellow citizens in South Africa may have been responsible.The statement shared via its twitter account @MTN180 reads: Dear customers we apologise for the difficulty you may be experiencing on our network.We are working hard to resolve it quickly.Please bear with us.NE reported the invasion of MTN Nigerias office in Abuja by a group of angry Nigerians protesting the continued Xenophobic attacks on their fellow citizens and other Africans in South Africa.Also, Bayelsa State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Monday, uncovered plans by some persons to attack investments of MTN in the state as reprisal for ongoing attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
Mr. David Iyofor, a media aide to the Minister of Transport and former Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi has replied the former ai...





Did you miss Reno's article? Time to question the pot bellied Amaechis sanity  Reno Omokri (PLEASE READ IT HERE)

My dear Wendell aka Reno,



I am not sure how to address you, whether to call you Reno Omokri or Wendell Smilin. This in itself is a fundamental problem.



Your multiple identities send a profound message about your character and duplicitous personality.



For the benefit of those who may not remember, I crave your indulgence to remind them that Wendell Smilin is one of your multiple names, the fake name(like the fake opinion articles, replete with fake news you write), you used to create a fake document that sought to portray our former Central Bank Governor, now Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as a sponsor of terrorism in 2014 when you worked as the lead social media attack dog for former President Goodluck Jonathan. Your role was simple: disparage and demonized anyone who attempts to disagree with, and criticize, most times constructively, your principal.



I have no qualms with how you decide to put food on your table. However, I quiver whenever I recall that you used and faked the name of your brother-In- laws innocent young son, Wendell Simlin to demonize Emir Sanusi. Who does that? What kind of a human being are you? Youre at liberty to sell your conscience, soul and even your entire being (both physical and spiritual), for a mess of porridge; but must you drag the name of your innocent young relative into your mess? Before I dig into your niggling obfuscating article- Time to question the pot bellied Amaechis sanity- on Rotimi Amaechi, Nigerias Minister of Transportation (by the way, one of our finest administrators), again, indulge me to make a confession.



I sometimes sympathize with you, especially during the early days after you and your principal were unceremoniously and shockingly (to you) voted out of Aso Rock Villa; no thanks to Rotimi Amaechi and other gallant democrats. I imagined your abysmal pain, your colossal loss, and the awful, dreadful end to your Aso Rock meal ticket; and tried to situate your profound angst, uncontrollable anger and intense hatred for Rotimi Amaechi because of the key role he played (which was noble) in dislodging your principal, which inadvertently took away your source of livelihood. Honestly, I tried to understand how you felt and that made it less difficult to ignore your early meaningless and nonsensical vituperations against Amaechi.



But for how long will you stay angry and mad at Amaechi for playing a key role in the removal of your boss? As a pastor (that is one prefix in front of one of your names I cant seem to wrap my head around), you ought to know that the Bible tells Christians not to hold a grudge or stay angry. In your case its been such a long time-almost two years after your principal lost the Presidential election.



My dear Wendell Simlin aka Reno Omokri, your recent tirade, like the previous ones targeted at Rotimi Amaechi clearly signposts a dark vengeful heart. You called Amaechi a confirmed liar and questioned his sanity; while the reality is that you are the one who had consistently lied and is still lying to Nigerians, faking documents and faking news to deceive Nigerians. Tell me where, when and how Amaechi lied? Did Amaechi lie when he said recently in the interview with some national newspapers that the then CBN(Central Bank of Nigeria) governor, the same Sanusi Lamido Sanusi that you faked documents to demonized, wrote a letter to your principal our then President, that $49 billion cannot be accounted for and so was missing from NNPC account and not paid to the federation account? Was it because Sanusi had the guts and courage to write the letter of the missing $49 billion to your principal that made you fake documents and social media accounts that designed to portray Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as a sponsor of terrorists?



Was Amaechi lying when he said in the same interview that if the missing billions of dollars were deployed for developmental projects by your principals administration, the infrastructural gap we suffer today wont be this huge and half of the missing money is enough to build the rail projects we are now going to borrow money from China for?



Did Amaechi lie when he said your principal did not save money in spite of the huge savings he inherited from previous administrations and was surreptitiously spending alone the money meant for Federal, States and Local Government Councils?



Was Amaechi lying when he said your principals administration refused to call NEC (National Economic Council) meetings for about two years, in violation of the constitution, so that the administration you were part of, can covertly continue to spend the money meant for the three tiers of government? Does it not trouble you that there seems to be an obvious link between the missing billions Sanusi Lamido Sanusi wrote about to your principal and the billons of naira and other currencies that were allegedly squandered on frivolities like the N2 billion supposedly given to marabouts to pray for your principals election victory or the N4 billion for propaganda work and many others? How do you even sleep at night? You say Amaechi lied and no money was missing; yet billions in Naira and other currencies are been recovered regularly from top operatives of your principals administration.



You even went as low as writing that Amaechi consistently betrays his benefactors without mentioning one benefactor he betrayed; and the accusations from matters that are in court. How low can you go? While you questioned the sanity of Amaechi, many Nigerians feel pity for you and know that you are the one who needs psychiatric and perhaps spiritual help. You are like a mad man in the market square that points his fingers at sane people, calling them mad. The Amaechi I know will not apologize for the prominent role he played to remove your boss from the Villa.



Your principal is gone and gone for good; perhaps, he may never return to Aso Rock as its landlord. No amount of demonizing Amaechi would reverse this. The earlier you get over the loss, the better for you, mentally and otherwise, Wendell Simlin aka Reno Omokri.



David Iyofor wrote from Abuja

Mr. David Iyofor, a media aide to the Minister of Transport and former Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi has replied the former aide of Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on electronic media, Reno Omokri saying You are like a mad man in the market square that points his fingers at sane people, calling them mad.Mr. Iyofor is replying a write-up by Reno titled Time to question the pot bellied Amaechis sanity  Reno wherein Reno said the minister of transport is a liar by accusing Jonathan of squandering money meant for Nigerias development.In his own article titledAmaechis aide said it is Reno Omokri who is a liar.READ BELOW....
StormTracker 4 still.jpg

NBC's new StormTracker 4 radar will be on the Rutgers University campus. (Courtesy of NBC)

NEW BRUNSWICK -- Rutgers University stands to make more than $350,000 over the next 10 years for hosting a local TV station's powerful new weather radar system.

NBC will pay Rutgers $366,844 if completes the initial 10-year pact it signed with the university to host the NBC 4 New York's StormTracker 4 radar, according to a lease agreement obtained by NJ Advance Media.

The deal between Rutgers and NBC starts at $32,000 a year and the rent rises 3 percent annually. NBC has options to renew the lease after 10 years and again after 20 years.

If the deal lasts 30 years, Rutgers would receive a total of $1.5 million.

The university and the television station this month announced a partnership that brought StormTracker 4 to a tract of land at Rutgers' Cook campus.

The radar can track storms in real time directly from ground level, providing greater insight on water droplets, hail, sleet, and approaching snow. It can even analyze weather data for a precise street location, according to the station.

"There is nothing like StormTracker 4," said Janice Huff, the station's chief meteorologist.

Rutgers' meteorology students will have access to the radar imagery to develop a long-term analysis of climate trends and weather patterns. It will also be used in weather broadcasts produced by RU-TV, the student television station, according to the university.

NBC can get out of the lease at any time as long as it provides Rutgers a year notice.

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
TRENTON -- When Gov. Chris Christie delivers his 2018 budget address on Tuesday, New Jersey school officials will be listening especially closely.

How Christie will address education funding is the biggest question about his final budget, leaving administrators bracing for the possibility of funding cuts.

There's some concern Christie could follow through with the "Fairness Formula," a plan he unveiled last summer to give every district $6,599 per student regardless of income or other needs. Though many education groups are convinced Christie won't do that, they still don't have high hopes for increases in school funding.

"I'm not expecting any good news in the budget," said Richard Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators.

New Jersey spends more than $9 billion a year on public schools using a formula that considers each community's ability to raise revenue through property taxes.

It expects wealthier communities to pay a higher percentage of school costs with their own tax dollars and gives school districts extra money for students from low-income families.

That means some school districts rely almost entirely on the state for revenue, while local tax payers shoulder the majority of the burden for other districts. In other words, some districts have a lot more at stake in the state budget.

Browse the gallery above to see the 20 New Jersey school districts most reliant on state aid based on data from the 2014-15 school year, the latest available from the state. The figures come from the state's Taxpayers Guide to Education Spending.

Most of the districts that rely heavily on state aid were represented in the landmark Abbott vs. Burke court case, which guarantees a high level of state funding to urban and low-income districts.

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
CALDWELL -- Authorities say a Guatemalan man living in New Jersey was stabbed to death over the weekend.

The man, who authorities have not identified pending a "formal" confirmation of his identity and a notification of his family, worked and lived in Caldwell, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Caldwell Police Chief James Bongiorno announced in a joint release Monday.

The man, who authorities described as "young," was fatally stabbed in an apartment apartment above a business in the 400 block of Bloomfield Avenue Sunday at about 2:30 p.m., officials said. Though authorities said no arrests have been made in the stabbing, they said the man and attacker knew each other before the stabbing.

An investigation into the fatal stabbing is ongoing, officials said.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
EAST ORANGE -- Leaders at East Orange General Hospital say they are in the midst of major renovations that will change the face of the facility. It's been nearly a year since the for-profit Prospect Medical Holdings of Los Angeles took over the once-bankrupt community hospital, with the promise of investing at least $52 million into updating and renovating the deteriorating facility.

"When Prospect Medical Holdings acquired East Orange General Hospital almost one year ago, it was on the verge of financial collapse, the facilities were in disrepair and overall staff morale was extremely low," CEO Otis Story told NJ Advance Media.

"Unfortunately, as the hospital struggled for years to maintain its services under the burden of massive financial debt, the physical structure of the hospital was not consistently upgraded."

A photo of the renovated lobby. (Courtesy East Orange General Hospital)

As Story says he is working on the upgrades in a piece-meal fashion, patients being treated at the facility in the meantime describe the conditions at the hospital as "horrific."

"I couldn't believe that I was in a hospital in this country," said Donyale Harris, whose 18-year-old daughter was taken to the hospital's emergency room by ambulance last month after fainting in their city home.

"I just walked around the entire emergency room taking pictures. ... I couldn't believe (the hospital) had deteriorated to this point."

According to Harris, the hospital's emergency room was littered with dust and dirt. Door frames were rotting, the bathroom sink was stuffed up, and falling down, air vents were caked with grime, and baseboards were rotted, she said.

Though Harris said she did not take issue with the medical care her daughter received from doctors, the two ended up leaving the hospital before the girl was treated, because of the conditions.

"You couldn't even go to the bathroom there," Harris said.

A photo of a renovated bathroom in the 2 West Wing of the hospital. The facility's owners say the renovation of the emergency room is set to start next year. (Courtesy East Orange General Hospital)

Story said redoing the emergency room of the 91-year-old facility is part of Prospect's second phase of renovations, set to start early next year. So far, it has invested about $9 million into improving the emergency room's waiting area, a nursing unit, and the hospital's main lobby. The owner also upgraded the cafeteria and established new departments in the hospital - a women's health center and a bariatric surgery center.

Story said addressing the condition of the emergency room, which sees about 3,000 patients a day, is a top priority.

"Most immediately, we have hired additional building services staff to address the basic need for cleanliness," he said.

"Long-term plans include a total renovation of the Emergency Room."

The recent patient complaints are the latest issue the company has had to deal with since taking over the hospital. According to a spokeswoman for the Department of Health, it last inspected the hospital in July 2016 - a visit prompted by another patient complaint.

In the inspection report, the state cited the hospital in connection with several incidents, including one in which family members were not allowed to see a patient who had died, and another in which a patient was transferred to the intensive care unit without a family member being notified.

In response, the hospital submitted corrective action plans to the state, which have been accepted, and implemented several changes and new procedures, Story said.

"We have set high performance standards for our personnel and we are consistently working to improve the overall customer experience. The hospital has implemented two new initiatives - a Concierge Program and daily updates to the loved ones of our intensive care patients - to add that distinctive personal touch that makes patients and families feel safe and secure under our care," he said.

City leaders say they are keeping tabs on the upgrade process. City spokeswoman Connie Jackson touted the changes made so far, noting that before Prospect took over, there was no one assigned to monitor the emergency room or maintain ongoing communications between the visitors and staff. That has changed, she said.

"We are aware of the conditions and we meet regularly with the hospital's new administration to stay updated on their plans to upgrade," Jackson said.

"The progress is amazing."

A photo of a renovated patient room in the 2 West Wing of the hospital. The facility's owners say the renovation of the emergency room is set to start next year. (Courtesy East Orange General Hospital)

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at

. Follow her on Twitter

. Find

.
NEWARK -- Newark residents can share feedback about policing and public safety in the city through a series of community surveys set to begin Saturday.

The surveys will be available in each of Newark's five wards and offered in Spanish, Portuguese and English, according to a city news release. The effort comes amid widespread reform of policing in Newark after a federal probe uncovered civil rights abuses among the state's largest municipal police department.

"We are making good on our promise to bring about real reform, real change, and true transparency in public safety," Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement. "As part of building trust between our police and the community, it is important to hear from residents what we can be doing better as well as what they are pleased with."

The surveys are a joint program with city officials, the police division's independent federal monitor and New Jersey Institute for Social Justice.

"This community feedback is critical to the roll-out of important reforms to the police division," Ryan P. Haygood, president of the NJISJ, said of the surveys.

A 2014 U.S. Department of Justice investigation revealed a "pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing," in the Newark, which included illegal stops and arrests, and excessive force by officers. Baraka's administration entered into a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice and hired former Essex County Prosecutor's Office Chief of Detectives Anthony Ambrose to oversee an overhaul of public safety operations in the city.

Refreshments will be offered at the survey sites and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions. More information is available at www.newarkpdmonitor.com

The events are scheduled at the following dates and locations:

Saturday, March 4: Training, Recreation, and Education Center, 55 Ludlow Street, Noon to 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 11: Bethany Baptist Church, 275 West Market Street, Noon to 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 18: West Side Park Community Center, 600 South 17 th Street, Noon to 2 p.m.

Street, Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 25: Ironbound Community Corporation, 25 Cortland Street, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, April 1: La Casa de Don Pedro, 23 Broadway, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc and on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
OLSO, NORWAY / ACCESSWIRE / February 28, 2017 / Intex Resources ASA (OSL: ITX) has secured NOK 11.25 million in a private placement. The company increases its investment in Ambershaw Metallics Inc and has renegotiated favourable conditions for a long-term investment in the Canadian mining company.

Intex Resources ASA ('Intex') has raised NOK 11.25 million at NOK 1.85 per share. Intex has also renegotiated the agreement with Ambershaw Metallics Inc. (AMI) and Legacy Hill Resources (LHR), which was announced on 22 November 2016. The renegotiation comes with favourable terms for Intex. The capital raise will partly be used to expand the convertible loan to AMI by USD 600.000, which will make AMI able to produce pellet samples to selected steel mills in North America in the second half of 2017.

In addition to expanding the convertible loan, the company has secured a five percent interest in AMI through purchase of AMI shares from Legacy Hill Resources with a settlement in Intex shares. The company buys 1 million Ambershaw shares valued at USD 439,000, settled in Intex shares valued at 60 days VWAP after disclosure of the transaction.

Intex's option to purchase up to 51 percent of the Canadian pellet producer through an equity transaction of USD 7 million has been extended from March 2017 to February 2018. The option is conditional of the financing. Completion of the equity transaction is conditional on a shareholders agreement with Legacy Hill and a management agreement between Legacy Hill and Ambershaw, on standard market conditions.

"We said last fall that we would diversify Intex. The Ambershaw deal is doing exactly that, ensuring Intex a real chance of getting earnings for the first time in the company's history, with multiples that in our view are very attractive. This is the start of "new" Intex," said Chairman Lars Christian Beitnes at Intex Resources.

Ambershaw produces "Super Premium Pellets" for the North American market. Traditional production is very expensive, and thus there is very little new production entering the market, which in turn provides stable prices. Ambershaw has secured the rights to a completely different, but proven production method, that can provide 90 percent lower CAPEX and 70 to 80 percent lower OPEX.

Story continues

"When AMI is in full production, the EBITDA is expected at USD 68 million in 2021, which should give an IRR of 63 percent and a potential NPV of USD 213 million on a 100 percent basis. These figures are based on pellet prices of USD 95/dmt, which is significantly below the current market price that are in excess of USD 130/dmt," said Beitnes.

Global commodity prices have been struggling for several years, but recently there have been clear signs that prices are ticking up again. Following years of underinvestment there are few quality projects available, including iron ore prices that have doubled over the last six months. The investment in Ambershaw Metallics ensures that Intex will be able to take part in this upturn.

Ambershaw does not only secure Intex potential revenue for the first time, but it also reduces risk factors significantly.

"The agreement secures Intex an option in a unique opportunity with minimal political, geological and market risks, with estimated revenue occuring in 12 to 18 months," said CEO Cecilie Grue in Intex Resources.

Initially Intex buys five percent of the shares of AMI for USD 439,000 from LHR. LHR receives shares in Intex as settlement for the transfer, and the number of shares to be issued will be calculated based on the volume weighted average in the first 60 days after the announcement of the transaction. Additionally Intex expands the convertible loan of USD 200,000 announced in November 2016 by USD 600,000. The company's option to buy up to 51 percent for an additional USD 7 million in an equity transaction in AMI has been extended for 11 months from March 2017 to February 2018.

"The multiples are very attractive, and with a potential EBITDA of USD 8 million in 12-18 months and USD 68 million in 2021, the future is looking really bright," said Grue.

It's London based Legacy Hill Resources, comprising a leading mining team, which accounts for the operation of Ambershaw. Legacy Hill was founded and is managed by D Saradhi Rajan, formerly a Senior Vice President at Vedanta Resources and a former Principal of a hedge fund with USD 1.6 billion under management focused on natural resources. He was also a Managing Director at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

"We are very pleased with the cooperation with Intex on Ambershaw. We have worked for more than two years with the takeover of the asset, which got into major problems in connection with the latest commodity crisis. This agreement with Intex is the last part of the puzzle to fall into place. The deal gives us access to a well-developed stock market," said Saradhi Rajan Managing Director Legacy Hill Resources.

A combination of old and new investors participated in the private placement. The investment bank Carnegie is assisting with the settlement and will also be a financial advisor for Intex going forward.

For further information, please contact:

Cecilie Grue, mobile: +47 991 62 486, e-mail: cg@intexresources.com.

Acting Chief Executive Officer

Lars Beitnes, mobile: +356 7996 1497, e-mail: lcb@intexresources.com.

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Caption: Cecilie Grue is acting CEO in Intex Resources

SOURCE: Intex Resources ASA
Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers called President Donald Trumps suggestion that China is trying to devalue its currency incredible during a wide-ranging interview with Yahoo Finances Andy Serwer on Friday.

Trump has repeatedly accused China of trying to keep its currency low to make Chinas exports cheaper.

During the conversation, Serwer asked Summers his thoughts on Trumps declaration last week that the Chinese are grand champions of currency manipulation and stealing US manufacturing jobs.

At a time moment when China has established a huge regulatory apparatus to stop people from selling renminbi for dollars, the suggestion that China is manipulating its currency downwards seems to me incredible, Summers said.

While some analysts have contended China devalued the yuan in the 1990s and 2000s, others have noted that China modified its currency policy in 2005 and allowed the yuan to appreciate. These days, many analysts believe now that China is actively trying to prop up the value of its currency as private capital flees the country.

A woman counts Chinese Yuan banknotes as she sells tickets for a job fair in Beijing, China, February 11, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Lee

Still, Summers acknowledged that China is by no means a perfect trading partner.

Are there subsidies that arent right? Things that China is doing that discriminate against US companies? Yeah, there are, Summers said. And I think those are things that its right to go after.

Indeed, the US has gone after China for its agricultural subsidies. In September, the US government filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization claiming China was giving excess subsidies to producers of corn, rice, and wheat at the expense of American farmers. And, in November, the American Chamber of Commerce in China cited a poll of US businesses in China finding that 77% of respondents felt theyd been unjustly targeted by Chinese regulators.

Still, those issues are separate from currency manipulation, according to Summers, who noted, Framing these issues in terms of currency manipulation seems to me many days late, and many dollars short.

Story continues

More from our interview with Larry Summers:

Full Interview:




See inside the jet British Airways will fly nonstop from New Orleans to London
The Nevada ABLE program is now enrolling.

Nevada's ABLE programABLE Nevadais now open for enrollment. See below for details about Nevada's ABLE program.

ABLE accounts are bank accounts that allow people with special needs to save money without jeopardizing their disability benefits. ABLE accounts come from the federal ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Act, but they are established and managed on a state level.

Not all states have ABLE accounts (yet), and each state will have slightly different rules and procedures for opening and using an ABLE account. Nevada has an active ABLE program and is a member of the National ABLE Alliance.

Save Money Without Penalty

When people with special needs apply for disability benefits, they must show that they do not have enough money to support themselves independently. Money saved in a traditional bank account counts against the ability to qualify for disability benefits.

As a result, people with special needs are not able to build savings with the money they earn or that they receive through inheritance or gifts. On a day-to-day basis, this means that people with special needs must live with very little money if they want to receive government aid.

One workaround for this issue is to use a special needs trust which provides a place to save money that can be used for the benefit of the person with special needs (without affecting his or her eligibility for benefits). But special needs trusts must be controlled by a trustee  not by the person with special needs who benefits from the trust. Not only does this leave a person with special needs with little control over his or her finances, it also limits the person's independence.

ABLE accounts fill this gap by giving people with special needs the opportunity to manage a modest bank account without penalty against their eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, or other government benefits.

Federal Rules for ABLE Accounts

The basic rules for all ABLE accounts come from the federal ABLE Act. (Read the federal act here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/647/). When states adopt and implement the ABLE Act, they must follow the federal rules and can also add their own rules and regulations. Here are the federal rules:

Disability qualifications. In order to open an ABLE account, you swear under penalty of perjury that you have a disabling "condition that began prior to reaching age 26" and you must fall under the Social Security administration's definition of "disabled" for children. (CFR 416.906.)

In order to open an ABLE account, you swear under penalty of perjury that you have a disabling "condition that began prior to reaching age 26" and you must fall under the Social Security administration's definition of "disabled" for children. (CFR 416.906.) Only one account . Each person can only have one ABLE account.

. Each person can only have one ABLE account. Anyone can put money in the account . Anyone can contribute money to an ABLE account, including the owner with a disability.

. Anyone can contribute money to an ABLE account, including the owner with a disability. Contributions are capped at $14,000 per year (in 2017) . This limit is equal to the annual personal gift tax exclusion, so it will rise every few years. Also, to be clear, this is per account, not per donor. The owner of the account must keep track of all contributions to ensure that they do not exceed $14,000 for the calendar year.

. This limit is equal to the annual personal gift tax exclusion, so it will rise every few years. Also, to be clear, this is per account, not per donor. The owner of the account must keep track of all contributions to ensure that they do not exceed $14,000 for the calendar year. For many, the account cannot exceed $100,000 . For those who qualify for SSI, the balance of an ABLE account cannot exceed $100,000. For those who do not qualify for SSI, the account can reach the limit allowed for 529 plans in that state. In Nevada, this limit is $370,000.

. For those who qualify for SSI, the balance of an ABLE account cannot exceed $100,000. For those who do not qualify for SSI, the account can reach the limit allowed for 529 plans in that state. In Nevada, this limit is $370,000. Funds must be used for Qualified Disability Expenses (QDE). QDE are expenses that are "related to the blindness or disability" of the account holder. Thankfully, this is a fairly broad definition and can include expenses for housing, education, transportation, employment training, health and wellness, financial management, legal fees, and more.

QDE are expenses that are "related to the blindness or disability" of the account holder. Thankfully, this is a fairly broad definition and can include expenses for housing, education, transportation, employment training, health and wellness, financial management, legal fees, and more. Account funds are not taxed if used properly. The income earned from the funds in ABLE accounts is not taxed. Contributions are made with post-tax dollars, and distributions made for QDE are tax-free.

The income earned from the funds in ABLE accounts is not taxed. Contributions are made with post-tax dollars, and distributions made for QDE are tax-free. Unused funds pay Medicaid. If the account owner dies with funds in an ABLE account, those funds must be used (in this order), to pay any outstanding QDE bills including funeral expenses, to provide payback to Medicaid for all Medicaid benefits received, and then to be distributed to the account holders legal beneficiaries.

ABLE Accounts in Nevada

Here are some details about Nevada's ABLE plan.

Common name : ABLE Nevada

: Website : https://savewithable.com/nv/home.html

: Statute: Nevada Revised Statutes 427A.882-427A.896

Legislation name: NEVADA ABLE SAVINGS PROGRAM

Program administrator: Office of the Nevada State Treasurer and the Nevada Department of

Health and Human Services

Program manage r: Ascensus College Savings Recordkeeping Services, LLC,

r: Investment manager: BlackRock, Sallie Mae Bank, Schwab, and Vanguard

Account limit : $370,000 ($100,000 to maintain eligibility for SSI)

: ($100,000 to maintain eligibility for SSI) Open to out -of-state residents: Yes

-of-state residents: Minimum amount to open an account: $25

Debit card available: Available Spring 2017

Investment options: Six investment options with varying risk

Account fees : $15 per quarter ($3.75 discount for electronic delivery of statements, $1.25 discount if the account owner is a resident of Nevada)

: Annual account balance fees: 0.34% to 0.38%, depending on which investment option you select

Plan Disclosure Document: https://cdn.unite529.com/jcdn/files/UABLE/pdfs/nv-programdescription.pdf

You can learn about and compare ABLE accounts across the country at the website for the ABLE National Resource Center. Nevada is a member of The National ABLE Alliance.

An ABLE account is just one planning tool for people with special needs. You might also be interested in learning more about Special Needs Trusts or Estate Planning in Nevada on Nolo.com.
New Hampshire adopted the ABLE Act and is currently developing its ABLE program.

ABLE accounts are bank accounts that allow people with special needs to save money without jeopardizing their disability benefits. ABLE accounts come from the federal ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Act, but they are established and managed on a state level.

Not all states have ABLE accounts (yet), and each state will have slightly different rules and procedures for opening and using an ABLE account.

The New Hampshire ABLE Program is in development and not yet available, see below. If you don't want to wait until ABLE accounts are available in New Hampshire, you can open one in another state.

Save Money Without Penalty

When people with special needs apply for disability benefits, they must show that they do not have enough money to support themselves independently. Money saved in a traditional bank account counts against the ability to qualify for disability benefits.

As a result, people with special needs are not able to build savings with the money they earn or that they receive through inheritance or gifts. On a day-to-day basis, this means that people with special needs must live with very little money if they want to receive government aid.

One workaround for this issue is to use a special needs trust which provides a place to save money that can be used for the benefit of the person with special needs (without affecting his or her eligibility for benefits). But special needs trusts must be controlled by a trustee  not by the person with special needs who benefits from the trust. Not only does this leave a person with special needs with little control over his or her finances, it also limits the person's independence.

ABLE accounts fill this gap by giving people with special needs the opportunity to manage a modest bank account without penalty against their eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, or other government benefits.

Rules for ABLE Accounts in New Hampshire

The basic rules for all ABLE accounts come from the federal ABLE Act. (Read the federal act here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/647/). When states adopt and implement the ABLE Act, they must follow the federal rules and can also add their own rules and regulations. Here are the federal rules:

Disability qualifications. In order to open an ABLE account, you swear under penalty of perjury that you have a disabling "condition that began prior to reaching age 26" and you must fall under the Social Security administration's definition of "disabled" for children. (CFR 416.906.)

In order to open an ABLE account, you swear under penalty of perjury that you have a disabling "condition that began prior to reaching age 26" and you must fall under the Social Security administration's definition of "disabled" for children. (CFR 416.906.) Only one account . Each person can only have one ABLE account.

. Each person can only have one ABLE account. Anyone can put money in the account . Anyone can contribute money to an ABLE account, including the owner with a disability.

. Anyone can contribute money to an ABLE account, including the owner with a disability. Contributions are capped at $14,000 per year (in 2017) . This limit is equal to the annual personal gift tax exclusion, so it will rise every few years. Also, to be clear, this is per account, not per donor. The owner of the account must keep track of all contributions to ensure that they do not exceed $14,000 for the calendar year.

. This limit is equal to the annual personal gift tax exclusion, so it will rise every few years. Also, to be clear, this is per account, not per donor. The owner of the account must keep track of all contributions to ensure that they do not exceed $14,000 for the calendar year. For many, the account cannot exceed $100,000 . For those who qualify for SSI, the balance of an ABLE account cannot exceed $100,000. For those who do not qualify for SSI, the account can reach the limit allowed for 529 plans in that state. In New Hampshire, the limit for 529 accounts is $375,000  however, New Hampshire does not yet offer an ABLE account, so the limit would be set by the provider-state of the plan you choose.

. For those who qualify for SSI, the balance of an ABLE account cannot exceed $100,000. For those who do not qualify for SSI, the account can reach the limit allowed for 529 plans in that state. In New Hampshire, the limit for 529 accounts is $375,000  however, New Hampshire does not yet offer an ABLE account, so the limit would be set by the provider-state of the plan you choose. Funds must be used for Qualified Disability Expenses (QDE). QDE are expenses that are "related to the blindness or disability" of the account holder. Thankfully, this is a fairly broad definition and can include expenses for housing, education, transportation, employment training, health and wellness, financial management, legal fees, and more.

QDE are expenses that are "related to the blindness or disability" of the account holder. Thankfully, this is a fairly broad definition and can include expenses for housing, education, transportation, employment training, health and wellness, financial management, legal fees, and more. Account funds are not taxed if used properly. The income earned from the funds in ABLE accounts is not taxed. Contributions are made with post-tax dollars, and distributions made for QDE are tax-free.

The income earned from the funds in ABLE accounts is not taxed. Contributions are made with post-tax dollars, and distributions made for QDE are tax-free. Unused funds pay Medicaid . If the account owner dies with funds in an ABLE account, those funds must be used (in this order), to pay any outstanding QDE bills including funeral expenses, to provide payback to Medicaid for all Medicaid benefits received, and then to be distributed to the account holders legal beneficiaries.

When individual states adopt the ABLE Act and provide ABLE accounts for its residents, they may also make rules and policies about:

Minimum amounts required to open an account

Fees

Availability of accounts to non-residents.

State income tax deductions for contributions

Account rollovers

Debit cards

Investment portfolios

ABLE Accounts in New Hampshire and Other States

New Hampshire passed the New Hampshire Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) savings account program (2015 SB 265). You can read the law here: New Hampshire Statutes 195-K:1 through 195-K:5.

You may be able to find updates about the development of New Hampshire's ABLE program on the website of the Governor's Commission on Disability: https://www.nh.gov/disability/achievingabetterlifeexperience.htm .

If you want to set up an ABLE account before New Hampshire has started enrollment, you can open an account in another state. Keep in mind however, that each person can only have one ABLE account.

You can learn about and compare ABLE accounts across the country at the website for the ABLE National Resource Center.

An ABLE account is just one planning tool for people with special needs. You might also be interested in learning more about special needs trusts or estate planning in New Hampshire on Nolo.com.
You can keep up to $395,000 in your Rhode Island ABLE account, but you might not want to.

Rhode Island's ABLE programRI's ABLEis now open for enrollment. See below for details about Rhode Island's program.

ABLE accounts are bank accounts that allow people with special needs to save money without jeopardizing their disability benefits. ABLE accounts come from the federal ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Act, but they are established and managed on a state level.

Not all states have ABLE accounts (yet), and each state will have slightly different rules and procedures for opening and using an ABLE account. Rhode Island has an active ABLE program and is a member of the National ABLE Alliance.

Save Money Without Penalty

When people with special needs apply for disability benefits, they must show that they do not have enough money to support themselves independently. Money saved in a traditional bank account counts against the ability to qualify for disability benefits.

As a result, people with special needs are not able to build savings with the money they earn or that they receive through inheritance or gifts. On a day-to-day basis, this means that people with special needs must live with very little money if they want to receive government aid.

One workaround for this issue is to use a special needs trust which provides a place to save money that can be used for the benefit of the person with special needs (without affecting his or her eligibility for benefits). But special needs trusts must be controlled by a trustee  not by the person with special needs who benefits from the trust. Not only does this leave a person with special needs with little control over his or her finances, it also limits the person's independence.

ABLE accounts fill this gap by giving people with special needs the opportunity to manage a modest bank account without penalty against their eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, or other government benefits.

Federal Rules for ABLE Accounts

The basic rules for all ABLE accounts come from the federal ABLE Act. (Read the federal act here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/647/). When states adopt and implement the ABLE Act, they must follow the federal rules and can also add their own rules and regulations. Here are the federal rules:

Disability qualifications. In order to open an ABLE account, you swear under penalty of perjury that you have a disabling "condition that began prior to reaching age 26" and you must fall under the Social Security administration's definition of "disabled" for children. (CFR 416.906.)

In order to open an ABLE account, you swear under penalty of perjury that you have a disabling "condition that began prior to reaching age 26" and you must fall under the Social Security administration's definition of "disabled" for children. (CFR 416.906.) Only one account . Each person can only have one ABLE account.

. Each person can only have one ABLE account. Anyone can put money in the account . Anyone can contribute money to an ABLE account, including the owner with a disability.

. Anyone can contribute money to an ABLE account, including the owner with a disability. Contributions are capped at $14,000 per year (in 2017) . This limit is equal to the annual personal gift tax exclusion, so it will rise every few years. Also, to be clear, this is per account, not per donor. The owner of the account must keep track of all contributions to ensure that they do not exceed $14,000 for the calendar year.

. This limit is equal to the annual personal gift tax exclusion, so it will rise every few years. Also, to be clear, this is per account, not per donor. The owner of the account must keep track of all contributions to ensure that they do not exceed $14,000 for the calendar year. For many, the account cannot exceed $100,000 . For those who qualify for SSI, the balance of an ABLE account cannot exceed $100,000. For those who do not qualify for SSI, the account can reach the limit allowed for 529 plans in that state. In Rhode Island, this limit is $395,000.

. For those who qualify for SSI, the balance of an ABLE account cannot exceed $100,000. For those who do not qualify for SSI, the account can reach the limit allowed for 529 plans in that state. In Rhode Island, this limit is $395,000. Funds must be used for Qualified Disability Expenses (QDE). QDE are expenses that are "related to the blindness or disability" of the account holder. Thankfully, this is a fairly broad definition and can include expenses for housing, education, transportation, employment training, health and wellness, financial management, legal fees, and more.

QDE are expenses that are "related to the blindness or disability" of the account holder. Thankfully, this is a fairly broad definition and can include expenses for housing, education, transportation, employment training, health and wellness, financial management, legal fees, and more. Account funds are not taxed if used properly. The income earned from the funds in ABLE accounts is not taxed. Contributions are made with post-tax dollars, and distributions made for QDE are tax-free.

The income earned from the funds in ABLE accounts is not taxed. Contributions are made with post-tax dollars, and distributions made for QDE are tax-free. Unused funds pay Medicaid. If the account owner dies with funds in an ABLE account, those funds must be used (in this order), to pay any outstanding QDE bills including funeral expenses, to provide payback to Medicaid for all Medicaid benefits received, and then to be distributed to the account holders legal beneficiaries.

ABLE Accounts in Rhode Island

Here are some details about Rhode Island's ABLE plan.

Common name : RI's ABLE

: Website : https://savewithable.com/ri/home.html

: Statute: Rhode Island General Laws General Laws of Rhode Island 42-7.2-20.1 through 42-7.2-20.8

General Laws of Rhode Island 42-7.2-20.1 through 42-7.2-20.8 Legislation name: ABLE Account

Program administrator: Executive Office of Health and Human Services in conjunction with the State Investment Commission

Program manage r: Ascensus Investment Advisors, LLC

r: Investment manager: BlackRock, Sallie Mae Bank, Schwab, and Vanguard

Account limit : $395,000 ($100,000 to maintain eligibility for SSI)

: ($100,000 to maintain eligibility for SSI) Open to out -of-state residents: Yes

-of-state residents: Minimum amount to open an account: $25

Debit card available: Available Spring 2017

Investment options: Six investment options with varying risk

Account fees : $40 per year ($15 more for paper delivery of statements)

: Annual account balance fees: 0.34% to 0.38%, depending on which investment option you select

Plan Disclosure Document: https://cdn.unite529.com/jcdn/files/UABLE/pdfs/ri-programdescription.pdf

You can learn about and compare ABLE accounts across the country at the website for the ABLE National Resource Center. Rhode Island is a member of The National ABLE Alliance.

An ABLE account is just one planning tool for people with special needs. You might also be interested in learning more about Special Needs Trusts or Estate Planning in Rhode Island on Nolo.com.
Crescent Elementary School was first constructed in Crescent in 1958.

The school merged with the Council Bluffs Community School District in 1966 following a vote of the residents after a mandate of the Iowa Legislature that required unattached districts to join a district with a high school.

During the 1997-98 school year, the students, staff, parents and community raised funds for new playground equipment. Then misfortune struck when school then nearly destroyed by fire in July 2006.

Because of the fire, Crescent students attended school at the former Washington Elementary School for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 school years while their school was being reconstructed and expanded.

The district believes the Missouri River flood in the summer of 2011 may have affected enrollment, as some area families were displaced. At the start of the 2009-10 school year, the decision also was made to relocate the sixth-grade classrooms to the districts middle schools.

Crescent Elementary was named a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School. The Blue Ribbon program, run by the U.S. Department of Education, recognizes schools for their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

The Alliance for Crescent Elementary was formed in 2012 with the goal of increasing science, technology, engineering and math opportunities, as well as reading support, in order to recruit and retain students. During the 2013-14 school year, Crescent was one of 44 schools nationally to pilot the elementary level of the Project Lead The Way STEM curriculum.
The belief that universities are teeming with liberal professors is not new, but an Iowa senators response is unusual.

State Sen. Mark Chelgren proposes that professors at Iowa State, Iowa and Northern Iowa be hired with an eye on equalizing the political representation on their faculties.

Chelgren, a Republican, denies that its directed toward increasing the numbers of Republicans and conservatives on faculties. He says that while he doesnt expect his bill  Senate File 288  to pass, he hopes it will generate discussion.

My concern is universities around the country are becoming intolerant, he said last week. There needs to be open dialogue from across the political spectrum on campuses, he said.

Some conservatives say the concept of diversity at universities falters when it comes to diversity in political opinion. Some professors, on the other hand, call Chelgrens proposal an ill-conceived concept that needlessly brings politics into hiring.

It makes absolutely no sense to us. ... Its clear that hes politically motivated, said Russell Ganim, director of the division of world languages, literatures and cultures at the University of Iowa. Ganim also is on the University of Iowa Faculty Senate.

Do we require political balance in other professions? asked Ganim, who was a longtime professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln before going to Iowa.

Jonathan Sturm, president of the Iowa State University Faculty Senate, said its far more important that universities achieve diversity in race, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status and disability.

As a nation, we are woefully behind in the fair representation of diverse perspectives that people such as these bring to our society and our education, he said. It is this issue that needs addressing long before Sen. Chelgrens issue.

But Richard Duncan, a professor of law at the University of Nebraska, quoted another professor as saying that when faculty members talk about diversity in race, gender and sexual orientation, what they want is people who think exactly like they do. That, Duncan said, is not intellectual diversity.

Chelgrens bill would forbid hiring a faculty member if that addition would cause the percentage of professors belonging to a political party to exceed the other party by 10 percent.

The bill calls for the state election commissioner to divulge voting records annually to the universities overseen by the Board of Regents.

Duncan, who is conservative, said there is no question that faculties at most universities across the nation are dominated by liberals.

Jenna Robinson, president of the conservative James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal in North Carolina, said her states legislature considered a somewhat similar amendment this year. It was short-lived.

Robinson said there are good data showing that university professors typically are liberal. Robinson referred to the UCLA-based Higher Education Research Institutes national survey of faculty members. The 2014 data indicated that 60 percent of faculty members identified themselves as liberal, 28 percent as moderate and 12 percent as conservative. The survey included responses from more than 16,000 faculty members at 269 colleges and universities.

I think the argument people are now having is What do we do about it, and should we do anything about it? Robinson said. I think we should talk about it. But I dont think we should look for a legislative solution.

Duncan agreed that while more intellectual diversity should be welcomed on campuses, he wouldnt care to see it done through legislation.

On the other hand, if we rely on the faculty to do it, it wont get done, he said.

Thomas Harnisch of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities called the proposal unworkable, antithetical to the values of higher education and sure to be challenged in court if it passed. Professors should be hired on merit, not because of political beliefs, he said. The law would encourage professors to change their political affiliation even if their political beliefs stayed the same, he said.

Under such a law, a scientist with millions of dollars in grant support could be rejected as a job candidate because of his political affiliation, Harnisch said.

Further, in disciplines such as chemistry, math and engineering, politics have little or no role, he said. And if the law passed, Harnisch speculated, Iowa would be at a big disadvantage in hiring the best and brightest.

Chelgren, 49, of Ottumwa, said that when he attended the University of California-Riverside years ago, there was a liberal slant on its faculty.

Chlegren, who owns businesses involved in welding, machine fabrication, injection molding and medical component manufacturing, said he left Cal-Riverside just before accruing enough credit hours to graduate. He decided, he said, that he didnt need a diploma from a school to show that he was intelligent.
The Council Bluffs City Council on Monday evening put off a vote for two weeks on Mayor Matt Walshs fiscal year 2018 budget to allow more time for review.

There are serious issues of concern on this budget, said Councilman Al Ringgenberg, who opposed projects included in the plan.

For the first time in more than a decade, city residents will see a small increase in the city property tax levy needed to balance the citys budget for the coming fiscal year under Walshs budget. It calls for a city property tax levy of $17.9072 per $1,000 of taxable valuation, up 16 cents from the current $17.75 levy.

Walsh said the increase in the citys property tax levy was needed to repay the first $7.5 million of the $20 million bond voters approved for a new Council Bluffs Police Department headquarters.

Property tax levies have not yet been announced by the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors or either of the citys two school districts. The county and school district levies will be added to the proposed Council Bluffs levy to calculate city property owners overall tax bill.

Walsh estimated city property tax collections for the coming fiscal year at $43,306,289, up $979,578, or 2.31 percent, from current fiscal year estimated property tax collections of $42,326,691.

He said $527,313 of the $979,578 increase in the total estimated property tax collection will be generated by the increase of 16.436 cents per $1,000 of taxable valuation increase in the citys debt service levy for the police headquarters bond.

Overall, the budget anticipates the total amount of revenue available for fiscal year 2018 at $171,233,109 with slightly more than 25 percent of that total coming from property taxes. Other city taxes  including sales tax, gaming taxes and hotel-motel tax  are expected to generate an additional $20,211,355 in revenue, with the balance of operating revenue coming from other contributory sources.

Among the other contributory revenue sources and current revenue estimates are $7,590,721 from insurance contributions, $3,946,079 from Community Development Block Grants, $2,063,995 from other grants, $6,988,355 from sewer fees, $5,620,664 from refuse fees, $7,467,600 from Road Use Taxes, $210,000 from parking and $7,251,700 from other fees and charges for service.

The budget also estimates $2.2 million in property tax replacements from the state for lost commercial property tax revenue and $704,000 in revenue from red light cameras. TIF revenues will add $4,743,176, and other financing sources will add $47,077,264. Licenses and permits are expected to generate $4,383,430.

Total spending for the coming fiscal year is currently estimated at $171 million.
Sams Club of Council Bluffs has teamed up with Promise Partners to make this years Laundry Love project possible.

The annual event, slated for May 4 at Wash Daze Laundromats, provides a meal and a chance for struggling families to wash clothes and learn about community resources.

Sams Club donated $2,000 and 124 hours of volunteer labor toward the event, as well as a $2,000 grant, said Mary Chenoweth, receiving clerk. Employees worked for 40 days during their spare time to assemble care packages with personal hygiene products that will be given out at participating laundromats.

They understood the importance of it, said Bernie Ruggieri, former manager of the store, who oversaw the project before relocating to Tulsa, Oklahoma in January.

We were doing so well we decided to do some socks, Chenoweth said. A lot of the males say they get a lot of stuff donated, but they dont get a lot of socks.

The socks were stuffed with hygiene products and set aside for men, she said. Sams Club purchased the socks, and the contents came from Sams and individual donations.

Employees also made packages of baby supplies for young mothers experiencing hard times, Chenoweth said. The packs contain bottles, pacifiers, receiving blankets and other goods.

We had 24 associates, and they were happy to do it, she said.

Volunteers stuffed 144 bags, said Jessica Rayment, youth development director for Promise Partners.

Because of its community service, as well as financial performance and a good safety record, the Council Bluffs store was named Market Club of the Year, Ruggieri said. The market includes 13 stores in Iowa and Nebraska.

A total of 65 adults and 14 children attended the first Laundry Love, held April 10, 2014 at Broadway Wash House. Participants washed 66 loads of laundry, ate 71 meals and received 800 toiletry items.
Clean, safe water.

For the majority of people in the U.S., its a given, although thats not always the case. But, for those living elsewhere in the world, the struggle for safe water can be deadly.

At Thomas Jefferson High School, juniors Jenna Dieatrick, Katie Eikenberry and Schuylar Ridder want to make a difference. Theyre currently raising money for the Thirst Project, a nonprofit that works to bring water wells to developing nations through fundraising by young people across the country.

According to the organization, 663 million people in the world lack access to safe, clean drinking water. Other nonprofits, like the Clean Water Project, estimate that total at closer to 1 billion.

Sometimes, we dont know whats going on outside our country, Dieatrick said. We want to help education and raise money so more people know about the problem. We hope its a chain reaction of people willing to help.

On Monday morning, Thirst Project interns  nicknamed road warriors  Kellen Brewer and Sam Marzula stopped in Council Bluffs to discuss the organizations efforts as part of a two-month cross-country trip to discuss safe water access at schools.

Brewer, of Tucson, Arizona, told the group of students gathered in the T.J. auditorium about the water crisis in developing nations, including sub-Saharan Africa. Before discussing the wells, he talked about what the people without clean water have to endure.

The road warriors brought a jerrycan, a 5-gallon container that weighs 44 pounds when full of water. In many countries, women and children travel an average of 3-4 miles to water sources to fill those jerrycans up and carry them back.

Moore called up junior Timothy Ginn to carry a full jerrycan across stage. The student admitted that those early steps werent too hard but that a mile would be a struggle.

And theyre not even full of clean water. The water sources are often streams or holes in the ground that are used by animals and insects for drinking and defecating. A variety of waterborne illnesses lurk in the liquid, brought on by parasites and other organisms.

To illustrate the problem further, Brewer told the students about Guinea worm. The parasite is ingested through water and as the larva grows into adulthood over the course of a year the worm moves to the limbs. Adult worms grow to 2 or 3 feet in length and are as wide as cooked spaghetti, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

If untreated, the worm eventually starts exiting the body via a blister, both Brewer and the CDC noted. Otherwise, people in affected African countries use a knife or hot poker to stab the worm and pull it out.

Its completely preventable, Brewer said.

The Thirst Project raises money to install hand-pump wells that tap the water table and provide safe, clean drinking water without reliance on gasoline or electricity to operate.

The organization has built wells in 13 countries and currently has a focus on Swaziland. Their #Swazi2022 effort aims to spend $50 million over a 10-year span to bring clean water to all 1.3 million people in the country.

Brewer and Marzula, a Pittsburgh native, said the cost to install a well varies from country to country, but costs $12,000 in Swaziland.

Founded in 2008 by seven 19-year-old friends living in southern California, the Thirst Project started with a day of fundraising on Hollywood Boulevard and has grown to fund 1,800 well projects. The organization says it has helped give access to clean drinking water to around 306,000 people and has raised about $8 million.

Through a donor base dedicated to covering overhead costs, the Thirst Project said it uses 100 percent of proceeds from school fundraisers on water projects.

Brewer told the T.J. he was once like them, sitting in a room hearing about the Thirst Project.

I was thinking What can I do? he said. I want you to join us. I want you to tell everyone you know about the water crisis. You can help. At the Thirst Project, we share one common belief  that we can change the world.

Brewer and Marzula came to T.J. thanks in large part to Dieatrick. She got interested in the Thirst Project as part of a project for her talented and gifted seminar class during the first semester. Eikenberry carried the project forward during the second semester, while Ridder later came on board.

Dieatrick completed a video for the class for T.J.s Swarm TV and helped organize the assembly, completing her obligation to the progress. But shell stay on.

She already has her grade, said Elizabeth Busch, Dieatricks talented and gifted seminar teacher. But shes continuing to try to engage kids.

Dieatrick, Eikenberry and Ridder have hosted a few fundraisers that didnt succeed as much as they wouldve liked, but theyve moved forward. The students are currently selling bracelets to raise funds, with an eye on other events in the near future.

Mondays presentation helped.

It went well, Dieatrick said afterward. A lot of people are interested, we had people come up that said they wanted to help with fundraisers.
kellyanne conway

At least 15 law professors have signed a letter calling for sanctions of White House counselor Kellyanne Conway.

The February 20 letter, which includes professors from law schools at Yale, Duke, and Georgetown, seeks professional discipline against President Donald Trump's counselor, whom the signatories accuse of violating a rule prohibiting lawyers from engaging in "conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation."

Conway has a license to practice law in her native New Jersey along with one in Washington, DC, which is suspended for not keeping current with fees.

Susan L. Brooks, a law professor at Drexel University, told Philly Voice that a similar ethics complaint would seek Conway's disbarment in New Jersey, her home state.

The signatories asked the DC Court of Appeals to sanction Conway for what they called misconduct as Trump's counselor. As examples, they pointed to Conway's evoking a nonexistent "massacre" to justify temporarily barring Muslim immigrants from the US, falsely saying President Barack Obama had implemented a six-month ban on entry to the US by Iraqi refugees, and endorsing Ivanka Trump's clothing line while occupying a governmental position.

At the same time, John F. Banzhaf III, a law professor at Conway's alma mater George Washington University, told Philly Voice the attempt to disbar her was "unconstitutional because it would chill the freedom of speech of any political figure."

The letter acknowledged such a concern, saying that its signatories understood the seriousness of seeking sanctions for conduct made outside the practice of law but arguing that Conway was "currently acting in a way that brings shame upon the legal profession."

"We all believe it is critically important that lawyers in public office  especially those who act as spokespersons for the highest levels of government  be truthful," the letter said.

Story continues

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United States F-35 Program Executive Officer Lt General Chris Bogdan speaks to the press at the Avalon Airshow in Victoria, Australia, February 28, 2017. REUTERS/Jamie Freed (Reuters)

By Jamie Freed

AVALON (Reuters) - The overall reliability of Lockheed Martin Corp's <LMT.N> F-35 fighter jets is being pulled down by initial versions of the aircraft which do not perform as well as more recently delivered jets, the Pentagon's head of the F-35 program said on Tuesday.

The program has experienced extensive delays and cost overruns, but the price per jet has steadily declined as production increased, Lieutenant General Chris Bogdan of the U.S. Department of Defense said at Australia's Avalon Airshow.

As U.S. President Donald Trump pushes Lockheed Martin and its suppliers to cut costs, Bogdan said the price per jet should fall to $80 million by 2020 from $94.6 million at present.

The first F-35 aircraft were delivered to the U.S. military in 2011. With some of those earlier aircraft, production advances means they underperform newer models, Bogdan said.

"Unfortunately today the aircraft reliability and maintainability of the airplane is what I would call flat," he said. "It is not bad. It is just not getting a whole lot better really fast. You separate out their (Lockheed Martin's) good airplanes, they are getting better, faster. But not if you include the older airplanes. We have to work on that."

"Eventually when we modify those older airplanes up to the standards of the newer airplanes we will have a fleet that is fairly robust," Bogdan told reporters.

The Royal Australian Air Force took delivery in 2014 of two F-35s, which are being used to train pilots, and which are scheduled to be fitted with the latest technology.

"We already have started to undertake some modifications done in later aircraft," said Air Vice-Marshal Leigh Gordon.

The F-35 will make its first public appearance in Australia at the airshow on Friday, but the aircraft will not be permanently based in the country until December 2018.

Australia is one of 10 U.S. allies participating in the F-35 program. It has ordered 72 F-35 aircraft worth A$17 billion ($13.05 billion).

Story continues

Lockheed Martin's F-35 Communications Director Mike Rein told Reuters the aircraft maker had always expected the jets would get progressively better as design and software matured.

"The good news is the older jets will all be updated to be on par with jets we're building today," he said.

(Reporting by Jamie Freed; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
In response to Mr. John Frates letter, of Feb. 15: Why is controlling disruptive/violent students classroom behavior archaic, mid-evil or mundane?

Surely, as a former administrator, you have come into contact with unruly students. One does not need to be an educator with a masters degree to know there wont be much learning going on in the classroom if just one student decides to raise hell. Is not obedience absolutely necessary in the classroom in order to avoid chaos?

The danger to the students in Nebraska is that education will continue as is, as in the past few years  standardized math scores at 45 for 11th-graders and 40 percent of our graduates enrolling in Mid-Plains Community College having to repeat high school courses (remedial classes). Doesnt this tell us we are failing?

The USA ranks 14th in the world in overall educational performance. We rank 24th in literacy, 11th in fourth-grade math and sixth in fourth-grade reading. Yeah, yeah, I know statistics can be skewed  but we are not numero uno in anything education-wise anymore. You dont have to be an educator to see the problems.

We need changes in the school districts, and enforcement of discipline should be the first change. LB 595 will permit the teacher or other authority to use physical force or physical restraint or removal from the classroom of the unruly student. No one is asking for corporal punishment.

Sen. Mike Groene has no agenda besides the welfare and education of the children. He is very willing to listen to citizens. Call him, email him. Try it!

Pat Heinzle

North Platte
Recently re-signed Dragons centre Euan Aitken is confident in the side's ability to match it with a free-flowing Panthers outfit when both sides clash in their season opener at UOW Jubilee Oval on Saturday night.



Match Draw Widget

[2017] Telstra Premiership - Round 1: Dragons vs Panthers

A late Josh Dugan try secured a 14-12 victory in a rather low-scoring affair between the two clubs at WIN Stadium last season, but with the emergence of Dally M Rookie of the Year Nathan Cleary, and return of Te Maire Martin for the Panthers, the contest shapes to be all about one style of play: attack.

It is the hot topic for the Red V, and after an error-riddled performance in the Charity Shield, Aitken says the players have come together in the final weeks of preparation to ensure they're ready to surprise everyone, and more importantly, Penrith.

"Our attack is coming along nicely now and the mood around the place is really good," Aitken said.

"We've taken a lot more onus on the right players and running the right lines so it makes the halves job easier.

"There's been a lot of pressure externally and worrying about our attack but we havent looked into it too much.

"We just want to worry about our club and what we can do internally."

A key in the resurgence of St George Illawarra's return to form will be Australian star Dugan, who could only manage two tries from 17 games last season.

"'Duges' (Dugan) is a real quality player and you've seen that the last few years with the Blues and what he can produce," Aitken said.

"I think he's had a really good pre-season, he's worked on his passing a lot more and I think we will see some good things from him this year."

The Scotland international was happy to sort his NRL future out before a ball was even kicked, with Aitken extending his career with the Red V for another three seasons a fortnight ago.

"It gives you confidence that you don't have to worry about that sort of thing (contract)," he said.

"It's a great feeling being here for three more years it was an easy decision for me.

"I love the boys, the area and I can't wait keep building over the next few years."



St George Illawarra Dragons season preview

Dragons must muscle up: Packer

Halfback role still up for grabs: McGregor

Matthews out indefinitely with dislocated hip


Wests Tigers have today confirmed disciplinary measures imposed upon player Kyle Lovett.

Lovett was charged by NSW Police with possession of a small quantity of a prohibited substance on 23 December, 2016 and faced court on 1 February, 2017.

The 23 year old pleaded guilty to the charge and received a six-month good behaviour bond, while no conviction was recorded.

Lovett has since faced the Wests Tigers board and the following sanctions are being imposed:

 A $15,000 fine payable to Wests Tigers Charity Partner beyondblue, with $10,000 of that suspended

 A four match suspension from any Wests Tigers game, with one game already being served at the NRL Auckland Nines and one at the trial match against the North Queensland Cowboys. The remaining two are to be served at the beginning of the 2017 NRL or Intrust Super Premiership seasons

 A six month commitment to rehabilitation and counseling sessions of Wests Tigers choosing

 Six months community service

The club has treated this matter very seriously and has ensured that the correct process has been followed when determining these sanctions.

Statement first appeared at weststigers.com.au
The West Side Theatre Guild continues its 20th anniversary celebration with the play "The Watsons Go To Birmingham 1963."

The production, directed by Mark Spencer, runs Feb. 28 through March 5 at The West Side Theatre in Gary.

I like that this is a slice of life from 1963," said Spencer, who is also the director of the guild. "It was a very innocent time," he said, adding it was also a very tumultuous time with racial tension and civil rights in the spotlight.

'The Watsons Go To Birmingham' tells the story of the Watson family of Flint, Michigan, who travel to Birmingham, Alabama, to take teenage brother Byron to stay with his grandmother. Byron has been getting into trouble and the family believes a stay with grandmother will do him good.

While the show features various elements of humor, there's also tragedy that occurs during the time the family travels to Birmingham. It's a time of civil unrest and also the time period of the bombing of the Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church.

Starring in the show are Jarius Taylor-Newman of Clifford Pierce Middle School, DArnez Gaston of West Side Leadership Academy, Judah Coleman of Charter of the Dunes, Jasanth Coleman of Charter of the Dunes, Dwayne Coleman Jr. of Thea Bowman High School, Tyyonne LaShea Green of Indiana University Northwest, Ryan Robinson of Indiana University Northwest, Nina Turner, and Jim Stewart.

Spencer said he's enjoying working with the cast of the play.

"It's an interesting piece. And with the writing style in the play, we have to do a lot of interpretation," the director said. In addition, with the segments showcasing travel in the show, Spencer said the cast does a lot of mime and pantomime to depict the different locales they're traveling through.

Spencer said he's thrilled to be at the helm of West Side Theatre's productions during its 20th anniversary. The theater's mission has long been "serving the community one performance at a time."

"I thank the community for the continued support over the last 20 years," he said.

FYI: "The Watsons Go To Birmingham" runs at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 to March 4 and 2 p.m. March 5 at The West Side Theatre, 900 Gerry St., Gary. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Call 219-390-9784.
GARY  Police confirmed Tuesday that two Gary police officers were involved in a shootout early Sunday that left one man dead and wounded four others outside a nightclub.

Lake County sheriff's police have opened parallel investigations into the shootout early Sunday in the 1700 block of Grant Street and the "use of force" by two Gary police officers, a spokesman said.

The Gary/Lake County Metro Homicide Unit, which is supervised by Sheriff's Department staff, is investigating the circumstances that led to the shootout, sheriff's spokesman Mark Back said.

Investigators in the sheriff's Criminal Investigations Division are looking at the use of force by Gary police, Back said.

The shootout left Dvontai Wright, 25, of Griffith, dead and wounded four other men, officials said.

The wounded included two men from East Chicago, 24 and 26, and two men from Gary, 26 and 27. There was no update on their conditions Tuesday.

Nature of 'use of force' unclear

Back said he could not confirm if the Gary officers fired their guns and, if so, whether any shots resulted in death or injury. Use of force can range from holds and joint locks to punches and kicks to firing a gun.

"Protocol dictates that our investigators must give those officers, who were involved in a traumatic incident, a 48-hour sleep cycle before interviews take place. This is standard protocol," Back said.

Records show Gary police responded at 2:38 a.m. Sunday to the area of the Hustle and Joe's nightclub in the 1700 block of Grant Street for multiple gunshot victims. Gary police on Monday referred questions about the case to the Sheriff's Department, which first confirmed late Monday afternoon that two Gary officers were involved.

Although 48 hours have passed since the shootout, sheriff's investigators have not yet had a chance to interview the Gary officers involved, Back said Tuesday.

"Unfortunately, until those interviews have occurred, our department cannot officially confirm whether the Gary officers fired their weapons during the incident," Back said. "We understand that the public wants that information, and we are working to provide it as soon as possible."

He said sheriff's investigators hope to conduct interviews with Gary officers as soon as possible. Neither Gary officer was injured in the shooting, he said.

Both of the Gary officers were on duty, in uniform and on patrol, Back said.

"They did take blood tests immediately after the incident, which will be submitted to our department for review," he said. "At this time we have no reason to believe they were doing anything but their duty."

Large amount of evidence

Gary Lt. Derrick Cannon on Tuesday afternoon said the Gary officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.

"The purpose of leave is to ensure the officers involved are able to participate in post incident matters without hindrance," Cannon said in an email.

Each officer-involved action is treated on a case-by-case basis "to ensure the highest level of cooperation of all (investigative) parties and needs of our personnel."

Cannon said he could not say how long the officers will be on leave.

Gary police asked the Sheriff's Department on Sunday morning to conduct the use of force investigation, Back said.

When asked if it would be more transparent to request that Indiana State Police conduct the use-of-force review, because of close ties across multiple divisions of the Gary and Lake County departments, Back responded the agencies were following protocol.

"Each agency goes up one level for use-of-force investigations. City police departments contact county police for investigations, and county police departments contact state police for use of force investigations," he said. "There was nothing unusual about this particular case that would cause our agencies to divert from that protocol."

Several detectives from the sheriff's Criminal Investigations Division and the dual-agency homicide unit have been "working around the clock to collect and process evidence" in the case, Back said.

The evidence includes dozens of shell casings, several firearms and several vehicles, he said.

"In this case, vehicles were impounded as evidence because they had been shot and not necessarily because they were originally associated with the individuals involved in the shooting," Back said.

The Sheriff's Department also is in the process of executing several search warrants in the case, though Back declined to release details.
INDIANAPOLIS  Children across Indiana could gain access to state-funded pre-kindergarten education under Senate legislation approved 41-9 Tuesday that now goes to the House.

Senate Bill 276, co-sponsored by state Sen. Eddie Melton, D-Merrillville, would allow 4-year-olds from low-income families in any county  not just Lake and the four other pilot preschool counties  to draw on a $16 million annual appropriation to pay for high-quality early learning opportunities.

That's $4 million a year less than requested by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, but a $6 million annual boost compared to current state preschool spending.

State Sen. Mark Stoops, D-Bloomington, said the proposed preschool funding still is inadequate to meet Indiana's need, which he pegged at $50 million a year.

"We can find the money. We spend that money on other programs that don't have anywhere near the benefit," Stoops said.

The House separately has approved a $20 million preschool funding plan that expands availability to more children in up to 10 of Indiana's 92 counties.

House Bill 1004 next will be considered by the Senate.
VALPARAISO  The City Council will consider an increase in stormwater management fees to fund some $15 million in projects.

If approved, homeowners will see an increase of 50 cents per month after adoption of the ordinance. The fee would increase another 50 cents per month in 2018 and 2019.

Commercial property owners will see larger increases based on the class of their building and associated runoff.

While the official public hearing will be held at the council's next meeting at 7 p.m. March 13, several residents spoke to the proposal Monday.

Some, who have suffered flooding in the past, supported the efforts and encouraged council members to vote for the increase. Others complained about increasing taxes and still others encouraged other ways to handle stormwater runoff besides constructing detention ponds and other control measures.

Deputy City Engineer Steve McAlpine gave a history of the city's stormwater management efforts, including in 2010, when a list of 17 projects were outlined. He said 12 of those projects or 70 percent have been completed.

The new proposal will finance a $10 million bond issue and nearly $880,000 annually for capital projects.

Top on the new list of 17 projects is the Village Station railroad culvert replacement project, which will replace a partially collapsed culvert with a 70-inch metal pipe. The cost is estimated at $2 million to $2.5 million.

Next on the list is the Beauty Creek stabilization project. The creek has eroded along the entire 2.4 miles of stream within the city's boundaries, threatening homes. A first phase would be tackled in 2017. The cost for the entire project is estimated at $3 million.

The third project the city hopes to begin in 2017 would be the Burlington Beach Road and Brentwood Drive stormwater project, estimated to cost $930,000.

Other projects are dotted throughout the city, primarily in the older parts of the city where infrastructure is aging, officials said.

"(The proposal) is consistent with our values to take care of things now and not pass them on to the next generation," Mayor Jon Costas said.
As another storm system moves through the Region, northern Lake and Porter counties remain under a severe thunderstorm warning until 9:45 p.m. Tuesday.

A severe storm was located just before 9 p.m. over Glenwood, Illinois, moving east with 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail, according to the National Weather Service.

Hail damage to vehicles is expected, the NWS said. Wind damage to roofs, siding and trees should be expected.

Earlier in the night, the severe weather impacted the start of the boys basketball postseason. The Class 3A Hammond Clark sectional being played at the Hammond Civic Center experienced a power outage at the facility, and the two games scheduled for Tuesday were postponed to Wednesday night.

Tornado watch

A tornado watch also has been issued for Lake, Porter, Newton, Benton and Jasper counties, according to the National Weather Service.

The watch is in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday. The alert means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and nearby the watch area, according to the NWS.

The greatest risk for high winds and possibly tornadoes is along and south of Interstate 80 tonight and overnight, according to a forecast for Lake, Porter, Newton and Jasper counties in Indiana and Cook and Will counties in Illinois.

A forecast for LaPorte County said the risk is especially great along and south of U.S. 30.

Thunderstorms in the Chicago area could produce large hail, forecasters said. The forecast for LaPorte County said small hail is possible, along with locally heavy rainfall that could lead to minor flooding.

The rain is expected to continue into Wednesday, and a drop in temperature could result in snow overnight into Thursday, the weather service said.
VALPARAISO  The Valparaiso Family YMCA launched For a Better Us, its annual Community Support Campaign designed to educate the community on the Ys work. The goal for GIVE DAY, March 6, is to raise $10,000 in donations from members of the community and raise awareness of the impact of the YMCA. This years annual campaign goal is $275,000.

The Y works to ensure all individuals have the support they need to achieve their full potential, regardless of their ability to pay, said Bob Wanek, CEO. Our work here in Valparaiso is to provide services addressing its most critical social issues. Since 2010 the Y has helped over 500 children prepare for kindergarten, instituted the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program and initiated the Diabetes Prevention Program in 2015.

The Valparaiso Family YMCA expects to exceed $300,000 in the demand for financial assistance in 2017. Funds raised provide subsidized child care, financial assistance for memberships to low-income families and seniors, special needs and/or handicapped individuals and members of area group homes and human service agencies.

We are especially proud of our programs that are enriching lives and guiding a healthy road to recovery; programs which are otherwise unavailable in our community. The 'CanDo-Kids' program is a camp specifically designed for special needs children, ages 5-13. Our LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program has grown to serve over 250 adult cancer survivors, the only program of its kind in Porter County, said Donna Demko, annual giving director.

We rely on the generosity of the community to help the YMCA sustain these vital programs. Please join us on GIVE DAY, March 6, to learn more about the Ys impact in our community and help us reach our goal," said Monica Decker, co-chair of the annual campaign, joined by Donna Flanagin, of Flanagin s Bulk Mail Service.

To donate, visit www.valpoymca.org, www.facebook.com/valparaiso family YMCA/ or call Donna Demko at 219-462-4185, ext. 351.
A preservation group is seeking volunteers to help clean up Gary's historic Union Station, which soon may get new life.

The architectural gem at 185 Broadway was built in 1910 shortly after the city was founded as a U.S. Steel company town but has been vacant for more than 50 years. It's a popular destination for urban explorers and were recently visited by a University of Notre Dame class touring "American Ruins."

The group Decay Devils is asking people to show up there at 9 a.m. April 8 to pick up litter and tidy up the property.

"We will clean the grounds and prepare for an assortment of murals, rec space and landscaping," the group said in a Facebook announcement.

It's part of a surge of renewed interest in preserving historic architecture in downtown Gary. The city Redevelopment Commission plans to take people on architectural tours this summer if a Patronicity campaign helps the city land a $7,500 grant to preserve landmark structures like City Methodist Church and the Heat, Light and Water Building that have often fallen into disrepair.

To RSVP, call 219-213-4893 or email decaydevils@gmail.com.
* Police confirms Reuters report on N.Korea-linked firms

* Police chief says two companies will be "struck off"

* Actions taken to comply with international regulations

* Spotlight on Malaysia-N.Korea ties amid Kim Jong Nam murder (Adds comment from UN report and background)

By Rozanna Latiff

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Malaysia's authorities were aware that two North Korea-linked companies operated an arms business in the country and both were being struck from the Company Registry, the police chief said on Tuesday.

Reuters reported on Monday that North Korean intelligence ran an arms operation out of Malaysia called Glocom, and two companies linked to the trade were International Global System and International Golden Services.

Confirming details of the story, Malaysian police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement that both firms were being "struck off".

"We have also taken all necessary actions to comply with international regulations with regards to related sanctions," he added. He was not available for comment to Reuters.

Under a 2009 resolution, the United Nations has banned North Korea from exporting arms or related military equipment.

The police chief's statement came amid an investigation into the killing of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Feb. 13 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, souring once robust ties between the two countries.

Glocom sold over 30 products related to battlefield radio equipment, according to catalogues seen by Reuters on its Malaysian website, which was taken down late last year.

EXPEL NORTH KOREANS

No company called Glocom exists in Malaysia now, but its website was registered in 2009 by International Global System Sdn Bhd, and a similarly-named company called International Golden Services Sdn Bhd was listed on Glocom's website as a contact.

The police chief said International Global System Sdn Bhd was registered in 2005 as a multimedia, electronics and general trading firm.

Story continues

International Golden Services Sdn Bhd was registered in 2012 as an information technology and telecommunication technology products firm, he said.

The U.N. report said it had asked Malaysia if it intended to freeze the assets of the two companies, and expel the North Koreans behind them. It said Malaysia had not responded to its query.

The Malaysian government did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

"The RMP (Malaysian police) is constantly monitoring and taking pre-emptive measures to ensure that Malaysia is not being used to carry out activities that would be detrimental to national security," Khalid said in the statement.

The U.N. Security Council met behind closed doors on Monday to be briefed on U.N. report, which monitors violations of U.N. sanctions on North Korea.

"During the consultations members of Security Council were unanimous in condemning the irresponsible and provocative DPRKs attempts to evade the sanctions," Ukrainian U.N. Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko, president of the 15-member council for February, told reporters.

Yelchenko said the murder of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korea's leader, was not raised during council discussions.

VX ATTACK

Kim was killed at a Malaysian airport by assassins using VX nerve agent, a chemical capable of killing in minutes and classified by the U.N. as a weapon of mass destruction.

Malaysia is considering expelling North Korea's envoy or shutting its embassy in Pyongyang, as tensions escalate over the killing.

South Korean's National Intelligence Service (NIS) believes suspects wanted for the murder of Kim Jong Nam included several agents who worked for North Korea's foreign and security ministries, according to lawmakers in Seoul.

The NIS also said on Monday five senior officials of the State Security Ministry, the North Korean "bowibu" or secret police, were executed with anti-aircraft guns for "insubordination". It did not say when.

It is unclear if the execution of the security ministry officials was related to the assassination of Kim Jong Nam.

Earlier this month, North Korea dismissed the head of the bowibu. A high-profile defector said if this was true it would be another sign of a "crack in the elite" in Pyongyang.

(Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Writing by Praveen Menon and James Pearson; Editing by Bill Tarrant)
The limitations on the number of tourists allowed to visit gorilla families is hurting business, and many hotel operators are threatening to ignore the requirements of Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park have indicated that they will not abide by the UTB requirements to get classified. UTB requires all tourist hotels to have a capacity of at least 10 rooms. However, most of the hotels in Bwindi limited their accommodation facilities to eight rooms. This is so because of governments limitations on the numbers of tourists that can visit any of the 14 habituated gorilla families.

Three of these families are found in Buhoma sector in Kanungu district, four families are in Ruhija sector in Rubanda district, while Rushaga- Nkuringo sector in Kisoro district has seven families.

Tourists tracking gorillas. Not so many people go on gorilla tracks

Limiting the number of trackers to eight is killing business. There is no way we can expand our facilities if the maximum number of guests you expect does not go beyond eight. That is why we want government to at least increase the number of trackers to 12, Jotham Awit, a manager at Mahogany Springs lodge, Buhoma, told the state minister of Tourism, Godfrey Kiwanda on February 11.

But Pontious Ezuma, the chief warden of Bwindi Mgahinga conservation area, told Kiwanda, who was in Bwindi on his Tulambule campaign, that the limitations on the numbers are for precautionary measures.

Gorillas have about 97 per cent of the genes of a human being, which means that we [humans] can transmit diseases to them and that can be counterproductive, Ezuma said.

Each group of eight tourists is allowed to spend an hour with the gorillas so as not to stress them or interfere with their feeding schedule. Under the arrangement, Bwindi can host an average of 120 tourists a day.

Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla national parks have the lowest number of Ugandan visitors. Of the 22,000 visitors recorded last year, Ugandans accounted for only 2,000, despite government keeping the rates for gorilla permits low.

While foreign tourists have to pay $450 (Shs 1.5m) in April and May, and $600 (Shs 2m) in other months, East Africans pay Shs 150,000 and Shs 250,000 for the same periods respectively.



Some blame the low numbers on the high cost of accommodation facilities. For instance, to spend a night at Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge, Nkuringo, one has to pay $610 (Shs 2.04m) a night during the off-peak season.

With government reluctant to extend basic utilities such as clean water and electricity to the area, it may not be easy for the prices to go down. A power line that was extended to Buhoma more than 10 years ago has never been connected to the national power grid, leaving the hotel owners with no option but to run power generators throughout the day.

We need to cut the cost of running business. To ensure that our guests have power so that they can remain in touch with the rest of the world, we have to run a generator that burns 10 litres of fuel per hour and it runs 24 hours. But the cost of fuel has also shot up, said Moses Turyatemba, the executive director of Trackers Safari Lodge Bwindi.

The businesses are also hurt by the poor road network. While there had been efforts to tarmac the road, Kanungu resident district commissioner (RDC) Juuko Kasiita told The Observer that such efforts were failed by conservationists.

sadabkk@observer.ug
The pilot of the airplane that crashed into a Riverside neighborhood, killing three people, injuring two others and destroying two houses, was twice unable to start the engine, then hurriedly took off Monday afternoon when the rain ceased, said the co-owner of the cafe at Riverside Municipal Airport.

Terry Williams, a spokesman for the lead agency in the crash investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board, said he had no information on engine problems or other troubles. The NTSB is planning to hold a news conference at 3 p.m.

The three killed in the crash a mile east of the airport were an adult man and woman and a teenage girl, a Riverside police spokesman said. Their names have not been released.

The two survivors, both adult women, remained hospitalized in critical condition Tuesday, fire officials said at a morning news conference. One suffered third-degree burns over 90 percent of her body. The other is listed as critical because of possible damage to her airway.

RELATED: 3 dead, 2 hospitalized after plane crashes into Riverside house

The details released Tuesday clarify preliminary information given Monday by Riversides fire chief that the plane was carrying a husband and wife and three teenagers.

All of the people in the plane were believed to be related, and to have family in San Jose, fire officials said.

They had come to Southern California for a cheerleading competition at Disney California Adventure Park and had just taken off to return to San Jose when they crashed.

I HAD SOME SORT OF FEELING

D&D Airport Cafe co-owner Delmy Pennington said she didnt know what attracted her attention to the green Cessna 310. But she noticed that when the pilot was unable to start the plane initially, the plane taxied to the terminal and all five people got off.

The second time the engine failed to start, the family came into the cafe to eat.

But when the weather improved  it had been raining on and off all day Monday  one of the adult women rushed the family out the door.

The woman said, Sorry, weve got to go, Pennington said.

Pennington had just delivered the silverware when the family left.

I had some sort of feeling, I dont know, Pennington said. My heart was telling me something.

She watched as the plane slowly taxied for takeoff. As it did, the plane rocked back and forth, front to back. Pennington said she doesnt know much about airplanes, but Ive been here 25 years and Ive never seen an airplane go like this, she said, motioning with her hand.

Pennington said she later learned of the crash from her daughter Theresa Pearce and connected that with what she saw at the airport.

I feel like my heart was broke, Pennington said.

VICTIMS REMOVED FROM WRECKAGE

Witnesses said they saw the plane turn and begin coming down steeply about 4:40 p.m. It crashed into a house in the 6400 block Rhonda Road with such force that neighbors thought there had been a train derailment or earthquake, then burst into flames that could be seen blocks away.

Two houses were destroyed and two others sustained more moderate damage, fire officials said.

Some 60 firefighters responded to the scene. Two of them heard moaning coming from a bedroom and dug out one of the victims who had been on the plane  the survivor who was badly burned.

The crash sent wreckage at least a half-mile away, Riverside Fire Chief Michael Moore said Monday. Enough fuel from the planes tank spilled that the fire burned into the night.

At the scene of the crash, a faint smell of smoke hung in the air Tuesday morning as firefighters continued combing through the wreckage. The bodies of the man and girl were removed late Tuesday morning; the womans body had been removed some time before then.

Riverside Fire Department investigators could be seen on top of the roof of one of the burned houses, inspecting a propeller situated near the houses chimney.

The house directly south of that was half reduced to rubble. The burned-out shell of a PT Cruiser was in the driveway.

About 20 homes in the neighborhood were evacuated Monday night so the NTSB could conduct its investigation. A handful of families stayed overnight at a Red Cross shelter set up at a nearby community center.

By Tuesday morning, nearly all of the evacuated residents had returned home.

Staff writer Ali Tadayon and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
SANTA ANA  On Monday alone, police say, 29-year-old Joseph Perez of Santa Ana robbed one bank and unsuccessfully tried to rob four others in Orange County.

He started off this recent string, authorities said, by robbing another bank on Saturday.

That string ended after 3 p.m. Monday after he entered the Bank of the West, at 3931 S. Bristol St., said Cpl. Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department.

After providing a demand note, the teller gave the suspect an unspecified amount of money along with a hidden tracking device. The suspect left the bank, and police immediately began tracking the signal. An employee had spotted the suspect driving off in a blue Chevy Suburban, Bertagna said.

Police followed the suspect to the back of a restaurant a couple of blocks away and learned that he had ditched the tracking device and fled.

Officers, along with an Orange County Sheriffs Departments helicopter, Duke, searched the area and located the suspect walking along Bristol Street, Bertagna said.

When the suspect saw the officers, he ran westbound across Bristol Street in an attempt to escape, he said. The officers pursued him across the street, deployed a Taser, and took him into custody.

Perez was being held Monday night at the Santa Ana Jail.

According to the FBI and Santa Ana police, Perez is suspected of:

 Robbing the Bank of America, at 3730 South Bristol St. in Santa Ana, at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

 Attempting to rob a Wells Fargo, bank at 1801 East 17th St. in Santa Ana, at 11:15 a.m. Monday.

 Attempting to rob a Bank of America, at 16192 Harbor Blvd. in Fountain Valley, at 12:05 p.m. Monday

 Attempting to rob a Bank of America, at 2015 W. First St. in Santa Ana, where he allegedly brandished a weapon that authorities would not reveal, at 12:48 p.m. Monday.

 Attempting to rob a Chase Bank, at 3600 S. Bristol St. in Santa Ana, at 2:52 p.m. Monday.

 Robbing the Bank of the West, where the pursuit began that led to the capture of the suspect.

In some of the unsuccessful attempts, bank tellers are believed to have refused to turn over money to the suspect, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.

It was unclear how often the suspect brandished a weapon.

The search for the suspect prompted a brief lockout at McFadden Intermediate School and Jefferson Elementary School.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7767 sschwebke@scng.com Twitter @thechalkoutline
RIVERSIDE  Three people were killed and two were injured Monday when a plane nosedived into a Riverside neighborhood shortly after takeoff, destroying two houses and starting a fire that burned for hours.

At an evening news conference, Riverside Fire Chief Michael Moore had said four people were dead, but late Monday night he clarified that three were killed, and said all had been on the airplane. No residents of the damaged homes were injured, he said.

The plane was carrying five people  a husband and wife and three teenagers  who had attended a weekend cheerleading competition at Disneyland, Moore said.

The Cessna 310 piloted by the wife had just taken off from Riverside Municipal Airport to return home to San Jose when, for reasons still unknown, it went down about 4:40 p.m. a mile east of the airport, setting several houses ablaze on Rhonda Road.

The impact felt like an earthquake, neighbors said, and sent up a big orange ball of fire that could be seen blocks away.

One of the injured victims was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton to undergo surgery and was in very critical condition Monday night, Moore said. That hospital has the closest burn unit, though Moore did not say that was why the victim was taken there.

The other survivor, described as a teen girl, suffered what Moore called very minor injuries. She was taken to Riverside Community Hospital.

Upon impact, the plane pretty much split apart, and luckily she was ejected, Moore said.

In addition to the two houses that were destroyed, other adjacent homes sustained moderate damage, Moore said.

During his 7:30 p.m. briefing, Moore said fire officials were concerned that more victims could be inside the houses. By 10 p.m., he said that all residents of the homes had been accounted for. Firefighters were still searching the homes just to be sure, however.

Because of the large amount of fuel released during the crash, the fire was still burning late Monday. Moore said firefighters expected to remain on scene through the night.

EVACUATION, INVESTIGATION

The wreckage was scattered at least a half-mile away. Houses on several surrounding streets, about 20 of them, were being evacuated so the National Transportation Safety Board can do a thorough assessment.

Moore said about 8 p.m. that he was expecting NTSB investigators to arrive at any minute.

While he said he imagined that Mondays weather  it rained much of the day and was cloudy at the time of the crash  could have contributed to the cause, I dont have that information.

He said the teenage survivor didnt talk to firefighters about what happened in the plane.

It was unknown how long the NTSB investigation would last or when the evacuation would be lifted.

The local American Red Cross chapter set up an emergency shelter at the nearby Joyce Jackson Community Center. It was prepared for up to 40 people, offering water, snacks, cots and counselors, chapter spokesman Tony Briggs said.

Well be open as long as they need us to be, Executive Director Lois Beckman said.

THE VICTIMS

The names and hometowns of the deceased have not yet been released. At one point during the news conference, Moore said he believed the people on the plane were all a family, but later he said he was not sure whether they were all related. A witness who helped pull the pilot out of the plane said she kept calling for her daughter.

Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim hosted the United Spirit Association Jr. Nationals cheerleading competition on Saturday and Sunday.

Its horrible, especially when you couple together that they were going to a cheer competition and this was supposedly a happy time, and then just to have a tragic incident like this  and then into one of our Riverside residences that Im sure always have that mild fear of something happening, Moore said. Its really just a sad, sad case for us.

Moore said the belief that more people may have been inside the destroyed houses was partially based on the number of cars seen in the driveways. He said fire officials were looking for residents or relatives to help them identify who may have been inside.

As he spoke about 8 p.m., he said the fire was still burning. The plane had had a mostly full tank of fuel, and quite a bit of it got spread around the scene, he said.

IT LOOKED LIKE A STUNT PLANE

Brian Marsh said he saw the plane go down as he was driving west on Central Avenue.

I thought it was turning to go back to Riverside (Municipal) Airport, he said by phone. It made a turn and the wings were almost perpendicular to the ground. It looked like a stunt plane. (Then) it turned and went into a nosedive. All of a sudden it turned into a freefall.

Flames were everywhere. Smoke was billowing out, Marsh said.

Elizabeth Espinoza happened to be looking out her parents bedroom window from their home on Walter Street when she saw a plane that was just going down.

There was no flames on the plane. It was just going down, she said. She also heard a loud boom.

I was kind of in a panic, Espinoza said.

Espinoza and her sisters were among the dozens of spectators who congregated outside to watch as a fleet of fire engines, ambulances, police cars and more than 60 firefighters worked at the scene.

Another bystander, Ken Sampson, who had been in his backyard when the plane went down, said he is used to seeing planes flying over the neighborhood. What struck him this time was that the plane wasnt coming down at a proper angle  it looked too steep.

Then, he said, he saw a big orange ball of fire. The flames shot so high that he could see them from his house six blocks away.

NEIGHBORS PULL OUT PILOT

Marvinus Johnson, 31, and Breonna Johnson, 27, who live two houses to the right of where the plane crashed, were inside when they heard a boom and saw flames.

Breonna thought a train had derailed.

The impact blew out their front two windows, Marvinus Johnson said. A wing of the plane also crashed into their house.

They ran outside to help.

Marvinus said a man wearing a blue jacket was already there, near the plane. He said they saw the pilot crawling out. The man in the blue jacket pulled her first and Marvinus helped by grabbing her leg. They laid her across the street.

The pilot said her daughter and four other people were inside the plane, Marvinus said.

The pilot was asking about her daughter the whole time, Breonna said. We stayed next to the pilot to make sure she was OK  to check on her breathing.

Marvinus added, We were holding her and all she kept saying was, My daughter, my daughter.'

Marvinus said they went back to the crash site, but the flames were too much.

The Johnsons are in the health field and said it was first instinct to help. Shes a nurse and he recently graduated from a respiratory therapist program.

Were used to being in situations where there is chaos, he said.

Javier Gutierrez Jr., 15, heard the explosion and ran to the scene, where he saw a woman who identified herself as the pilot lying on the ground.

She was covered in charcoal, Gutierrez said. She didnt seem like she had very bad burns at all. She looked OK. She wasnt screaming. She was just kind of talking about it. I think she was in shock.

IMPACT FELT LIKE EARTHQUAKE

Alberto Torres lives on Juanro Way, one street over from Rhonda Road. When he heard the crash and saw the flames, he said, he ran across the street to help his elderly neighbor, whose house backs up to the houses where the plane crashed.

The fire was on the other side of their back fence, so he tried watering it until his son said to leave. Torres said he and his son wrapped their neighbor in a blanket and brought her to their house for safety.

Bystander Amador Islaf, who lives a few blocks away on Walter Street, said the impact made the ground move  it felt like a little earthquake.

It also felt like an earthquake to H.L. Reyes, who lives about a mile from the scene and spoke by phone shortly after the crash.

I thought it was a possible earthquake, and we heard all the birds just suddenly react outside, too, Reyes said. This was just like a nightmare coming true.
IRVINE  About 1,000 people were evacuated Monday from the Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County and its Tarbut VTorah school following a bomb threat Monday, police said.

A threat was phoned into the center at 1 Federation Way around 4:40 p.m., Irvine Police Department spokeswoman Kim Mohr said. The evacuation was initiated by the centers staff.

Orange County Sheriffs Department bomb-sniffing dogs were called in to search the center and school, however, nothing suspicious was located. No one was injured.

Its unclear whether the incident is related to a wave of bomb threats made Monday to Jewish centers and schools across the nation.

Merage Jewish Community Center officials said in a statement they are working with the Irvine Police Department, FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to investigate the threat.

Anyone with information is asked to call Irvine Police Detective Michael Moore at 949-724-7316.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7767 sschwebke@scng.com Twitter: @thechalkoutline
The list is growing of local hospital providers who are donating surplus cafeteria food to groups working to feed the hungry.

Seven Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Orange and Los Angeles counties  the Anaheim, Irvine, Downey, Los Angeles, South Bay, Panorama City and Woodland Hills facilities  are now giving unserved meals to Food Finders. The Lakewood nonprofit then distributes the meals to local agencies that feed seniors and families in need.

A number of Orange County hospitals, including Kaiser, St. Joseph Hospital, St. Jude Medical Center and Childrens Hospital of Orange County, donate food to the Waste Not OC Coalition, a public/private partnership that also distributes to local pantries.

The food prepared in a hospital cafeteria is very nutritional, high quality, and healthy. Its great to know that the surplus food we wont use can go to provide healthy, nutritious meals to those in need, John Yamamoto, a vice president for Kaiser Permanente Southern California, said in a news release.

To learn more, visit foodfinders.org or wastenotoc.org.

Contact the writer: cperkes@scng.com 714-796-3686
http://launch.newsinc.com/js/embed.js

ORANGE  Making his way through the 24 Hour Fitness of The Village at Orange, 96-year-old Bill Wilson leads a parade of body builders and gym goers, booking it as fast as he can on his walker.

Halfway through his march, Wilson rallies his friends to stand in a circle and sing Shell Be Coming Round the Mountain before wheeling around and heading back to the other end of the gym.

Its going to be a great day, Wilson exclaims on the way back, as claps and cheers resound around him.

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Wilson, a Villa Park resident for 46 years, has been going to the gym a couple hours a day, five days a week, for more than 10 years. About half a year ago, he had the idea for his marches.

I tell you, at 95 years old, you get crazy ideas, Wilson said in his trademark Boston accent. This happens to be one of them.

Wilson leads his gym march at 8:30 a.m. every Thursday. Hes become an icon at the gym, garnering nicknames such as Big Bill and Wild Bill, known for shouting Geronimo! when he arrives in the morning. He started the march partly, he said, because he knows keeping the body healthy is the key to keeping the mind sharp.

The marches draw up to 20 people, with more cheering from the sidelines as they continue to work out. Fellow gym regular Dan Cornwell, 57, has been there from the beginning.

Hes an inspiration, Cornwell said. Theres times I might come here depressed and I dont want to work out, and I see him here.

Despite Wilsons advanced age, Cornwell said his friend is sharp and witty as can be, making him fun to talk to.

Gym staff have begun to get involved too  new hires are told early about Wilsons marches, which have become a fun weekly ritual.

It definitely brings in good vibes to the gym, service representative Dominic Villegas said. Hes 96 and he continues to come to the gym every day. Its an inspiration for me as well, to continue to do whatever I need to do.

Reaching the end of the march, Wilson rounds up his friends one last time to close out their trek with a Polka song  another of his crazy ideas.

Zing boom tararrel, ring out a song of good cheer. Nows the time to roll the barrel, for the gangs all here!

We love it, it makes him happy, Cornwell said. At his age, we do it for him. If he came in here tomorrow and wanted us to run circles, wed run circles for him.
Santa Ana-based Abbott Medical Optics has changed its name to Johnson & Johnson Vision following its $4.3 billion acquisition by the manufacturing titan.

The deal was first announced in September. The company will have headquarters in Santa Ana and Jacksonville, Fla. Its surgical business will be based in Santa Ana and will continue to be led by president Tom Frinzi.

A company representative said there would be a few staff reductions.

Abbott Medical Optics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abbott Laboratories, started in the 1970s as American Medical Optics. It was purchased by Allergan Inc, then spun off before being purchased by Abbott in 2009.

In 2015 the company received FDA approval for the iDesign Advanced WaveScan Studio System. The system creates a 3-D map of the eye to adapt Lasik treatment plans to each individual.

The same technology is being used to measure and shape the mirrors of NASAs James Webb Space Telescope.

The iDesign can identify imperfections in the telescope and perfect them.

Abbott has also collaborated with the U.S. Department of Defense to adapt its portable blood analysis tool, the i-STAT system, to evaluate concussions in the military.

The company also partnered with the National Space Biomedical Research Institute to identify devices to monitor astronauts vision in outer space.

In July, the company received approval for its TECNIS Symfony intraocular lenses that provide for quality vision after cataract surgery.

Abbotts cataract treatment offerings includes the Catalys. It was developed by OptiMedica, which was acquired by Abbott Medical Optics in 2013 in a deal worth an estimated $400 million.

Johnson & Johnson Vision will add ophthalmic products in three areas: cataract surgery, laser refractive surgery (LASIK) and consumer eye health. These products will join J&Js Acuvue contact lens business.

J&J Vision is poised to become a world leader in eye health, Ashley McEvoy, company group chairman of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Medical Devices, said in a statement. By bringing on board surgical solutions that are supported by the resources and global reach of Johnson & Johnson, we can improve and restore sight for more patients across the globe.

Abbott Medicals Santa Ana building was bought by Drawbridge Realty for $37 million last year from Del Mar Partnership.

Contact the writer: hmadans@ocregister.com or Twitter: @HannahMadans
Clement Guthro believes a universitys library says a lot about the institution it serves.

As Cal State Fullertons newly appointed dean of the library, Guthro aspires to set the tone of Pollak Library and provide resources, encouragement and opportunities to all who interact with it.

Guthro will officially step into the new role on March 30. He succeeds Richard Pollard, who retired in 2013 after serving 26 years as university librarian.

Susan Tschabrun served as interim university librarian from 2013 to 2014; professor of chemistry and biochemistry Scott Hewitt has served as interim university librarian since 2014.

Guthro, who currently serves as director of libraries at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, was born and raised in Nova Scotia; he emigrated to the United States in 1986.

He has worked in academic libraries his entire career, citing his time spent at the library as a graduate student as the reason for his lifelong passion.

Guthros research lies in how technology affects research, scholarship and teaching.

I think what the library signifies to a university campus can be best thought of in terms of a number of metaphors, he said.

He lists them as:

Library as brain  The human brain is the center for intellectual thought and creativity, and the brain provides the neural pathways that make connections within the brain and throughout the body, Guthro said. Likewise the library as brain is a center for intellectual engagement and creativity, helping to make connections between ideas from classrooms, labs, studios and stage with the knowledge and culture of the past and present.

Library as cafe  Library as cafe evokes the rich European coffee house tradition where the intellectuals of the day met to drink coffee and discuss the intellectual, political and social issues of the day, Guthro said. (The library) is a space that can draw the campus together in new and engaging ways; a place for interaction and engagement for faculty, students, librarians and members of the community.

Library as Apple Store/Genius Bar  Apples Genius Bar brings together customer service, product knowledge and user experience to connect customers to the Apple products they need and to provide answers to perplexing questions and product problems, Guthro said. Library as Apple Store/Genius Bar provides technology to borrow, to use, to play, to create, to visualize and to engage in new ways of thinking, learning and doing scholarship.

Library as commons  Because the library is held in common by all academic disciplines, the library is a neutral space  Switzerland so to speak; a space and service that is both safe and provocative; a space and service that supports singular contemplation as well as conversation; a place where students and faculty can do a deep dive into a single topic or make interdisciplinary connections, Guthro said.

The Register spoke with Guthro about his passion for library science, his research and what he hopes accomplish as university librarian.

Q What do you hope to bring to Cal State Fullerton as its new Dean of the Library?

A I hope to bring a spirit of optimism and opportunity. This is a great time for libraries and there are many opportunities for the library to be a key player in the educational program of the university and to play a significant role in student success.

Cal State Fullerton is making a name for itself in becoming a model for the modern university and I believe that the Cal State Fullerton library will become a model as well. I also want to see the library as a welcoming place for all members of the community  one that is both diverse and inclusive.

Q How do you predict technology will play a role in libraries, specifically CSUFs library, going forward? What does the future of academic libraries look like?

A Technology will play an increasing role in information delivery as well as in knowledge creation. The ability to access much of our collections at any time on a smart phone, laptop and tablet is certainly transformative for very busy students and faculty. The move to a more digital environment also means that many of the global resources are available at your desktop.

Print resources will continue to play a critical role in some disciplines and for certain types of scholarship they are the preferred format. Even in cases where the same content is available in print and digital formats, people often want/need access to both.

The library of the future will be a place of learning and knowledge creation. There will be an abundance of technology that allow students and faculty to find and use information in familiar and new ways. There will be print and digital resources that provide the intellectual underpinnings of learning, discovery and creation. There will be inspiring and creative spaces that will allow faculty and students to meet, to work, to create and to learn. On top of all of this there will be expertise from librarians, library staff and technologists to be partners in the learning and creative process.

Q What made you interested in pursuing a career in the library science field?

A During graduate school at Point Loma Nazarene University I worked 20 hours a week in the library. Because I was a grad student I got to work in every department, and spent many hours helping undergrads with their research.

After going back to Canada and not getting into the Ph.D. program in religious studies that really interested me, I decided to pursue a masters in library science. By that time I had been working in libraries for five years and all of my supervisors were encouraging me to be a librarian. It is a decision that Ive never regretted.

It is a constantly changing field  always things to learn and to experiment with. Librarians are some of the most connected/networked people in the world. We reach out and talk to our colleagues anywhere in the world and willingly share our expertise.

Q What impresses you most about CSUFs library? What do you hope to modify or change?

A The librarians and the library staff are what impresses me most about CSUFs library. They are the people that make the library work and connect its resources, spaces and services to students and faculty. Everyone Ive talked to is excited about the work they do and the students and faculty they work with. I was also very impressed with the students I met when I was on campus.

While it is too early to say specifically what should be modified or changed, I do want the library to play a pivotal role in student success and faculty teaching and scholarship. Renovations are underway and I would like to see the library facility to be an inviting space for students and faculty, as well as a place for intellectual engagement and programs that will bring the campus community together.
Days after OC Fair & Event Center officials announced the closure of the property during a weekend next month that coincides with a pro-Donald Trump march in the area, event organizers are now looking for a new location, according to a press release posted on the march groups Facebook page.

The Make America Great Again March was slated to run from noon to 3 p.m. on March 25 near the fairgrounds, prompting the Fair & Event Center to cancel several planned events and shut down its operations on the weekend of March 25-26.

The organizers of MAGA March were notified by an organization that had previously agreed to partner with us to host an event at the OC Fair Grounds in Costa Mesa, a Feb. 25 Facebook post read. Unexpectedly, we were informed that we were uninvited to March. Due to this unforeseen situation, we will be moving the March away from the City of Costa Mesa.

The Costa Mesa event was part of a series of nationwide marches scheduled for the same day.

March organizers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Around 1,600 people are interested in attending the Costa Mesa event, according to the Southern California MAGA March Facebook page. Costa Mesa has not received permit applications related to the affair, city spokesman Tony Dodero said Monday.

A list of canceled events at the fairgrounds include the Orange County Wine Societys Wine Extraordinaire, Crossroads of the West Gun Show and the weekly Orange County Market Place. The Heroes Hall veterans museum, Centennial Farm and the equestrian center will be closed and the farms food preservation class was canceled.

We were saddened to hear that the OC Event Center has canceled all activities scheduled for that weekend due to the conflict, the Facebook press release said. We do hope they decide to keep things as scheduled regardless of our absence.

Fairgrounds officials still plan to keep the property closed during the weekend of the march, regardless of whether it is moved to another location, said Terry Moore, communications director for the Fair & Event Center.

There are still concerns about the event even if the location has been moved because its been promoted as being near here, Moore said.

A new location is expected to be announced soon, the press release said.

Event Center officials said they had safety concerns about the march, especially in the wake of an April pro-Trump campaign rally at the Pacific Amphitheatre that turned violent when Trump supporters and anti-Trump protesters clashed. Several heated and violent confrontations between supporters and opponents of Trump ensued after the April 28 rally concluded, leading to 17 arrests.

Demonstrators blocked traffic and damaged several police vehicles, including breaking windows and jumping on top of them.

In September, the Fair Board voted in favor of several new measures and safeguards for future high-profile events on the property. The new policies include requiring event organizers to pay all costs associated with a security plan developed by law enforcement and fairgrounds officials; providing a $2 million insurance policy; and not issuing tickets exceeding the venues capacity.

Contact the writer: 714-796-2478 or lcasiano@scng.com
SANTA ANA  Twenty-five years after a young womans descent from aspiring model to street prostitute ended with her battered body abandoned in an Irvine orange grove, trial has begun for the career criminal accused of raping and murdering her.

Leonardo Pimental Sanchez, now 59, listened expressionlessly Monday as Deputy District Attorney Steve McGreevy described how DNA found in 19-year-old Cari Ann Parnes body tied Sanchez to the 1992 slaying.

The evidence, in this case, the evidence of murder, points to one defendant and one defendant only, Leonardo Pimental Sanchez, McGreevy told jurors in his opening statement.

Sanchezs attorney, Deputy Public Defender Adam Vining, acknowledged that his client had sex with Parnes, but denied that he killed her. Vining pointed to Parnes increasingly risky lifestyle as the likely reason behind her death.

Mr. Sanchez had consensual sex with a prostitute for $50 so that she could buy cocaine, Vining told jurors. He is just the one person they can link to her with forensic evidence.

On March 26, 1992, Parnes body was discovered by the manager of a now-closed orange grove off Jeffrey Road. She was fully clothed with a bashed-in skull and broken jaw.

Parnes, who had divorced parents on both coasts, moved to California two years before her death from New York state to chase her dreams of modeling. But as a cocaine addiction took hold, the young woman turned from magazine shoots to private dancing, to working as an escort and finally to street prostitution to fund her habit.

The last time friends reported seeing Parnes was on March 14, 1992, when she was dropped off in an area of Anaheim known for drug sales.

The case went cold until 1997, when detectives ran sexual-assault swabs taken from the Parnes crime scene through newly created DNA tests. DNA found on the swabs pointed them to Sanchez, who years earlier had been convicted of a rape in a nearby orange grove. After years as the prime suspect, Sanchez was located in 2014 in Mexico.

A Mexican national, Sanchez has been arrested at least 25 times by various Orange County law enforcement agencies, and was deported at least six times, authorities have said. He spent five years in prison for the 1984 rape. He was known to have used at least 27 aliases and 19 different birth dates.

Vining criticized the police investigation, noting that investigators initially believed that Parnes hadnt been raped. There were no defensive wounds on her body that would have indicated a struggle, the defense attorney noted, and no blood on her clothes, indicating she had been killed elsewhere.

Parnes was known for ripping off drug dealers and trading sex for drugs, Vining told jurors. The attorney noted that Parnes own stepfather had told her that if she wasnt careful that you are going to end up tossed into the orange groves.

Vining questioned why a number of investigative strands werent followed, including underworld ties that Parnes may have had to a dealer named Mexican Mike, as well as a scheme that one of Parnes friends told authorities about: She was planning to rob a Laguna Beach home. And there were reports that she had been seen in a white VW van.

He noted that there was also a report of someone wiping a car down near the orange grove around the time Parnes disappeared, raising the possibility that she could have been struck by a vehicle.

If convicted, Sanchez faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Contact the writer: semery@ocregister.com
NEWPORT BEACH The proposed 25-story Museum House condominium project  one of the biggest issues in Newport Beach in recent years  is headed back to the City Council Tuesday night after a successful referendum by opponents.

The council is expected to decide whether to repeal its November approval of the 100-unit project in Newport Center or bring the matter to voters. Coucil members delayed making a decision at their Feb. 14 meeting based on the advice of outside legal counsel.

Line in the Sand, a political action group opposed to the project, organized a petition drive that collected nearly 14,000 signatures over two weeks. The Registrar of Voters on Jan. 25 certified that the group had the required 5,619 signatures for the referendum.

We hope the City Council makes the appropriate decision that best represents the interests of its residents, said Tim Stoaks, spokesman for Line in the Sand. We think the outcome of the petition gathering said it all.

Petitioners argued the project would set a precedent for more large-scale developments in the city and create more traffic. Museum House developer, Related California, has said the project could boost nearby property values, enhance Fashion Island and generate more than $20 million for the city through fees.

Related California officials declined to comment about the upcoming council meeting.

If the matter goes to a public vote, voters could see a ballot in June 2018 or November 2018 or in a special election, which would cost the city $120,000, $95,000 and $300,000 respectively, according to a city staff report.

The cost could rise above $4 million if the referendum is printed on a ballot, which city staffers have advised against.

The condominium project would replace the Orange County Museum Of Art at 850 San Clemente Drive. Museum officials want to build a new museum in Costa Mesa, close to the Segerstrom Center, and would use proceeds from the sale to finance their move.

Museum officials say the move would boost attendance, which has been lagging at the Newport site.

During the petition process, Line in the Sand and Related California accused each other of shady tactics.

Museum House opponents said residents were presented with fake petitions shortly after the councils approval of the project. Developers have accused the opponents of embellishing the impacts of the project to prospective signers.

Related California spent around $435,000 in its efforts to halt the referendum drive, while Line in the Sand spent $91,645, according to expenditure reports.

The project has also been the subject of several lawsuits in recent months.

The art museum filed suit claiming the small lettering in the petitions didnt meet state elections law requirements. They are asking an Orange county judge to toss the petitions.

Earlier this month, the Irvine Company dropped a lawsuit against Related California in which it accused supporters of circulating petitioners on its shopping center properties without permission and bothering shoppers.

Contact the writer: 714-796-2478 or lcasiano@scng.com
DANA POINT  Rudy Reyes, a retired Recon Marine scout sniper, dropped from helicopters during combat dives in the Persian Gulf.

He pulled dead Marines from the Euphrates River during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. He used his scout swimmer abilities to infiltrate small islands on the Euphrates during the Battle of Fallujah and set up strongholds for the Marines.

It was challenging and very hard work, said Reyes, 45. To keep that edge  very few can do it. War is a young mans game. A lot of brothers are struggling because theres an emptiness when they get out. We cant do what we used to do.

But they can use those skills learned as wartime combat divers for the betterment of the planet.

Thats the concept behind Force Blue. The new nonprofit was created to take thousands of combat divers  veterans already trained by the U.S. Armed Forces  and put their skills toward coral reef conservation around the world. Its not only a conservation goal, but an attempt at healing.

The post-war struggle of no longer working as a team and not having a mission to fulfill contributed to Reyes difficulties with post-traumatic stress disorder.

After retiring from the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton in 2005, he looked to continue his military gig. He signed on as a military contractor and worked in the Middle East and Africa. He sought a greater purpose for his life and a way to continue working as part of a close-knit team for the benefit of something else.

Recently, Reyes and New York writer and diver Jim Ritteroff introduced Force Blue to Orange County environmentalists and military veterans during a fundraiser at the Ocean Institute. The national organization  founded by Ritteroff, Reyes and dive resort manager Keith Sahm  unites special operation veterans with the world of coral reef conservation. Representatives from Rancho Santa Margarita-based Professional Association of Diving Instructors gave their support and are partnering with the Force Blue team.

The two-week Force Blue training mirrors military-style training.

Were taking those skills given to them and re-purposing them to still have a mission, said Ritteroff, 53. Most people think that veterans suffer from PTSD because of the horrors of war. While thats true, a contributing factor is what they did then but what theyre missing now.

Most combat divers spent their military service defending communities around the world. Ritteroff wants to redirect that mentality and dedication toward defending the worlds ecosystems.

The missions give special operation veterans the chance to explore one of the most critically endangered ecosystems on the planet. Coral reefs are found worldwide and provide more oxygen than all forest on the planet. They are critical ecosystems to marine life.

Were taking men and women trained to destroy something underwater and re-teaching them to preserve it, and by doing that learn how to restore themselves, Ritteroff said.

The first team selected includes Reyes along with a Navy SEAL, a Green Beret medic, a second Recon Marine, a British Royal Marine Commando and Air Force pararescue jumper Roger Sparks, who received a Silver Star in 2012.

The groups first deployment is planned for April to the Cayman Islands. Veterans will be trained to identify fish species, understand shark and ray behavior and learn how to restore damaged coral reefs. There are plans to document the dive.

The team is the first of many the group hopes to assemble. Long-range plans include operating internationally and including special operation veterans from other countries including South Africa and Israel. Environmental work would go beyond coral reefs to include environmental hazards such as large-scale oil spills and bycatch issues with sharks and other species.

The nonprofit group bridges the interests of those who are ecologically minded with those who support military veterans, Ritteroff said.

The idea for the organization developed 16 months ago when Ritteroff ran into Reyes in New York City. The two had previously crossed paths when Reyes was involved in the HBO series Generation Kill, based on the true story of the Marines invasion of Baghdad. Reyes played his own role in the fictionalized drama.

I could see in his eyes something was off, Ritteroff said. So, I told him to come dive with us. On his first dives, he was a mess. He couldnt relax. But then he began to see things differently and thats how the whole idea took off.

Thats when Ritteroff, Sahm, who manages Sunset House on Grand Cayman Island, and Reyes, came up with the idea for Force Blue. They put together the first team with guys Reyes knows.

Ive never been as proud of myself since I was a Recon Marine, Reyes said. This is in the light and beauty. When we come out of the water, we dont have to worry about anyone shooting at us. When people see what we do, we can change the world.

Contact the writer: 714-796-2254 or eritchie@scng.com or on Twitter:@lagunaini
(Adds background, companies' no comment)

MEXICO CITY, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Mexico's telecommunications regulator plans to discuss and vote later on Monday on the antitrust rules in place against Carlos Slim's America Movil and broadcaster Grupo Televisa, three people familiar with the matter said.

The measures were part of a sweeping reform of the sector sought by President Enrique Pena Nieto's government to reign in the country's telecoms and broadcasting oligopolies.

The rules are revised periodically to see whether the board wants to toughen, maintain or loosen regulations based on how markets are evolving.

A spokesman for regulator the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) said a board meeting was planned for Monday, but did not confirm what the topic would be.

A spokesman for Televisa declined to comment. A spokeswoman for America Movil also declined to comment.

Although planned for Monday, the vote could be pushed back, and any decision would not necessarily be announced the same day, said one of the people, who declined to be named.

The IFT first has to notify the companies of their vote, and sometimes that can take several days.

(Reporting by Christine Murray, editing by G Crosse)
Allegations of price fixing, a bungled bidding process and impropriety have dogged a usually ignored, multimillion dollar contract to operate the private-plane terminals at John Wayne Airport, stretching the process into a months-long fight that involves at least two complaints to federal agencies.

On Tuesday, the Orange County Board of Supervisors could end that process, if not the dispute, when it is set to select two operators for the contract  one old and one new.

Based on the meetings agenda and recent events, it seems the loser in this selection process will be Orlando-based Signature Flight Support  the worlds largest fixed-base operator, a longtime John Wayne Airport contractor and the top-ranked applicant in the recent bidding process.

But the company isnt going down without a fight.

In January, after Signature realized it would lose the prized contract at the nations 12th-busiest business-aviation airport, it alleged that the county had violated federal and local procurement laws, sending complaints to the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation. Those agencies are reviewing the assertions, which county lawyers have called meritless.

Recently, Signatures COO and President Maria Sastre took the companys allegations further by accusing county supervisors of acting on a biased predisposition to award the contract to a smaller operator such as California-based ACI Jet  which is set to win the contract to replace Signature. ACI finished second-to-last in airport staffs assessment of bidders qualifications.

In support of its claim that supervisors have long known they would ignore the results of the contract bidding process, Signature has pointed to an Aug. 4 letter sent to county lawyers from an attorney for Atlantic Aviation  the airports other longtime fixed-base operator. That letter expressed concern over rumors circulating at the time that supervisors planned to strip Atlantic of its contract and give it to OC Jet Center, a small aviation company and an early applicant for the John Wayne lease.

Though Atlantic never lost its contract and OC Jet Center later withdrew its application, the letter alleges that unnamed supervisors had developed a close relationship with OC Jet Center CEO Joe Daichendt, who has since taken the position of interim general manager at the contracts likely winner, ACI Jet.

In a second Aug. 4 letter from the Atlantic attorney to Daichendt, the lawyer claims Daichendt told Atlantic CEO Lou Pepper that he had secured the 4 out of 5 board votes needed to make the change. ACI was awarded the contract with four of five board votes in January before that vote was rescinded, setting the stage for Tuesdays meeting.

But what remains unclear is whether the letter actually reveals any evidence of impropriety in how the contract is being awarded, or whether it reveals only that county supervisors were unhappy with how the airport was operating and subsequently ousted a disgruntled contractor that is now eager to discredit the process that unseated it.

Supervisor Shawn Nelson denied that there was any impropriety in how the contract was awarded and framed Signatures allegations as a last-ditch attempt to reclaim a contract it seems poised to lose.

Daichendt called Signatures allegation false. He supplied copies of an Aug. 8 letter he sent to Atlantics attorney, denying that he had ever talked to Pepper about having 4 out of 5 board votes and refuting that he had ever said he had a leg up in the application process.

He said his support of ACI was part of a unified effort of airport contractors who were unhappy with John Waynes two national chains and pointed out that Signature had damaged its own prospects by charging sky-high fuel prices.

Those high fuel prices, and Signatures delay in addressing supervisors concerns over them, may be what cost the company its contract.

Supervisors began considering a change at the airport as far back as mid-2015 but ramped up those calls in July after they became aware that Atlantics and Signatures fuel prices at John Wayne Airport were frequently within pennies of each other and significantly higher than at Long Beach Airport, where Signature also operates.

Nelson has accused the companies of abusing a government-created monopoly.

When supervisors announced their intent in July to search for alternate contractors, Atlantics fuel price quickly dropped by 31 percent, according to Flightaware.com, which tracks information about airports. Signature waited at least three months to drop its price, eventually lowering it by 16 percent around the time applications for the contract were due.

Nelson later called the swift price drops an admission by the companies. Signature has pointed out that its posted fuel prices accounted for only 5 percent of the sales, but Nelson still considered it a problem.

So in January, when airport staff recommended re-awarding the contract to Atlantic and Signature, board members were angered. Supervisor Andrew Do called the results suspicious. Chairwoman Michelle Steel alleged the process had been biased against local applicants. And Supervisor Todd Spitzer accused airport staff of engaging in an overt power play to defy the boards direction.

Nelson framed Signatures complaints as sour grapes.

We had a mess at the airport, and I felt a change was necessary, Nelson said. The airport staffs rankings didnt address the fuel policy. And we had (Signature) saying we never had a problem in the first place and (Atlantic) saying youll never have a problem again.

Signature is just frustrated with the outcome, he said

Signature President Sastre disagreed that the airport staffs application-review process had been flawed. In fact, she said, the process was notably similar to ones that the company has completed in other markets. The only difference, she said, was that the top-ranked applicant didnt win the contract this time.

I dont know why (county supervisors) are saying what theyre saying, other than its a veiled attempt to justify the unjustifiable, Sastre said.

When asked whether Signature would file a lawsuit against Orange County if her company isnt selected on Tuesday, Sastre stopped short of committing, saying only: We will defend our position.

In recent years, Atlantic and Signature have operated on month-to-month deals that have not included rent increases. The countys delay in securing new agreements has cost it more than $4 million in lost revenue. Spitzer has criticized airport staff for its inaction.

Contact the writer: jgraham@ocregister.com or 714-796-7960
Traitor

After reading one of your letter writers paean to Tom Hayden, may I weigh in with an observation? While your writer extols his pal, Tom, the rest of us who clearly recall his traitorous behavior throughout the Vietnam War have a much different take. Tom Haydens long and steady opposition, of which his supporters were so proud, accomplished one thing: he helped the communist North Vietnamese and their Viet Cong gang of butchers prolong the war  thereby being responsible for the many unnecessary deaths suffered by the U.S. military and the innocents in South Vietnam. Their blood is on good old Toms hands, and his ex-wife, Jane Fonda, as well. The good people now living in peace and freedom right here in Orange County surely would agree with this viewpoint.

 Roy Roudine, Los Alamitos

Hayden no hero

Re: Hayden would have defended Nguyen [Letters, Feb. 26]: In civilized society, we are told not to speak ill of the dead. Thats fine. But do not make a hero out someone whose actions led to the deaths of others. Tom Hayden was not a hero. He supported and abetted treason. The irony is that Hayden made his fortune as a Democrat, but it was Democratic presidents that were committing the acts he opposed. Hayden would not have defend state Sen. Janet Nguyen any more than he defended the right of men wanting to protect her country from communism. The Democrats in Sacramento should be ashamed, as should anyone who voted for any of them.

 Tom Cagley, Lake Forest

Apply to Hillsdale

Re: OCC reversal isnt end of campus bias [Opinion, Feb. 26]: Its great that OCC reversed the suspension of Caleb ONeil. But its sad that the war to uphold free speech rights for all on college campuses has not been won. Let me suggest to Mr. ONeil and others that there are alternatives.

A good example is Hillsdale College, an institution that teaches the U.S. Constitution and encourages civil debate among all students. The administration and faculty appear to concentrate on excellence in education rather than personal biases that spew hate and intolerance of differing views. I am sure there are a few more institutions such as Hillsdale worth checking out.

It is unfortunate that most institutions of higher learning have lost their way and are intolerant and full of teachers unable to see past the lectern.

 Michael Fipps, Coto De Caza
People report cases of paranormal activity somewhere around the world virtually every day, but its not often that you hear police officers actually confirming these occurrences. However, thats exactly what happened a couple of days ago in a Chilean city, when police investigating a domestic disturbance were allegedly attacked by mysterious forces.

On February 26, 2017, a group of Carabineros  Chilean police force  were called to investigate a home in Puerto Montt, after the desperate owners called the emergency number to complain that they were being terrorized by unnatural forces. When they arrived at the house in the municipality of municipality of Fe y Esperanza, they noticed several broken windows and a partially burned mattress in the yard. The owners were outside and as soon as they saw the police approaching they started telling them that there was strange paranormal activity inside the house. Obviously, the Carabineros didnt believe them, but they quickly changed their mind once they went inside to investigate.

Second corporal Boris Olavarria Gonzalez, of the Sixth Police Station in Puerto Montt, told reporters that he and his colleagues were questioning the owners inside the house when a trowel fell from the attic like somebody had thrown it down. After checking the attic and confirming that it was empty, Gonzalez claims that he called out the demon asking it to leave. After receiving no response, he decided to go back outside, but on his way to the front door he was struck from behind by a knife.

It was super strange, Gonzalez told reporters. Thankfully, I was wearing my bulletproof vest, so I suffered no serious injuries. This was the kind of thing you only see in horror movies, unexplainable in real life. At first we couldnt believe it either.

When the owners of the house first called the police, they mentioned levitating objects and things bursting into flames for no reason. The Carabineros later confirmed that they saw smoke inside the house even though there was nobody in there who could to start a fire. Marria Urra, one of the owners, told Cooperativa that spontaneous fires had been keeping them awake at night for weeks, and she and her husband were terrified that the house might burn down while they were sleeping.

The Urras said that the paranormal activity began on February 8, but it was never as bad as it was two nights ago, when they couldnt take it anymore and called the police. And they are not the only ones claiming that sinister forces have taken over their home.

Alexiz Ruiz, of the Puerto Montt Informa portal, claims to have experienced the paranormal activity inside the Urras house first-hand, when interviewing the owners. He said that one point his left arm went completely numb for no reason, and that he started feeling overwhelmed and depressed all of a sudden. Also, he reports losing reception on his mobile phone.

Arturo Sanchez, an official of the Community Development Department of the Municipality of Puerto Montt, also claims to have witnessed bizarre activity on February 26. After the police were unable to identify the source of the disturbance, Sanchez was also summoned and he claims to have seen windows breaking for no apparent reason and hearing strange noises in places that looked empty.

Priests were called to the haunted house as well, but they failed to drive away the unwanted guests. At around 2 a.m., the owners of the hose were relocated to a social center around 300 meters from their house, where they will remain until someone figures out how to make their home safe again.

I normally stay away from such dubious stories, but the haunted house of Puerto Montt is all over the news in Chile these days, and nobody seems to have figured out whats really going on yet.

Sources: Cooperativa, CNN Chile, Terra
For years now, international media has been reporting on the physical and psychological abuse suffered by migrant workers from poor Asian countries at the hands of rich Middle-Eastern employers, but organ theft has never been mentioned. Until now, anyway, as an Indonesian woman recently revealed that one of her kidneys had been removed without her knowledge three years ago, while she was working in Qatar.

25-year-old Sri Rabitah, from Lombok, in Indonesia, claims that in June 2014 she reached out to a local employment agency to help her find a job in the Middle East. She was originally told that she would be sent to work for a family in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, but somehow ended up in the home of a Palestinian family, in Doha, Qatar. As soon as she arrived, her employers told Sri that she first had to go through a medical checkup to make sure that she didnt have any infectious diseases and was healthy enough to work. The young Indonesian never suspected that their reasonably-sounding request was actually just a pretext to get her near an operating table.

Sri Rabitah recalls that things got really weird when she arrived at the hospital  the name of which she cannot remember  on her third day of employment. A doctor told her that she was looking weak, and that he was going to give her an injection to help her relax. Without permission, I received an injection. How come a medical needed an injection? Sri told Indonesian newspaper Detik. The doctor said I was feeling weak, so I was told to relax.

Photo: Karnia Septia/Kompas

The shot turned out to be anesthetics, and just before she went under, Sri recalls being taken into an operating room full of surgical instruments. When she woke up, she felt a sharp pain on the right side of her lower back, and a basic inspection revealed a small incision scar. She later noticed there was blood in her urine as well, but she couldnt seem to get a proper explanation about what had occurred at the hospital, from her employees.

To make matters worse, shortly after the bizarre incident, her employers took Sri back to the agency, complaining that she was unhealthy and unfit to work. She was assigned to other employers, but after falling ill several times, she was eventually put on a plane and sent back to Indonesia later that year. Sri didnt dwell too much on her short-lived experience as a migrant worker, and simply ignored the frequent pain she felt in her lower back over the last three years.

Photo: Kompas

She only learned the cause of the pain during a recent medical checkup in Lombok, when a doctor told her that she was missing a kidney. It turned out I only have one kidney left. The doctor explained to me and showed me the intact kidney and where the other kidney was. My right kidney was replaced with some kind of coiled tube as its replacement, she told reporters.

Sri is scheduled for surgery to remove the dubious tube on March 2, but she also wants those responsible for her situation to be brought to justice. I want the government to sue the perpetrator. My kidney was stolen, Rabitah said.

The House of Representatives (DPR) has called on the Indonesian Government to find those responsible for Sri Rabitahs treatment  both at home and in Qatar  and cover all the medical costs of her surgery.

Sources: Kompas, Detik
The rstatistics for homelessness announced last week for Ireland will form part of a conference to be held in the European Parliament on Tuesday, March 21.

The conference organised by Independent MEP Marian Harkin Be Fair Europe  Stand up for Homeless People, will focus on homelessness and housing exclusion in the EU. Policy makers, stakeholders and homeless people will discuss how the EU can work together with national governments, regions and cities to tackle a common problem which exists throughout the EU, she said.

SEE ALSO: Father of homeless man who died in Offaly speaks to the Offaly Express

We will focus on implementing strategies to prevent and eliminate homelessness to deliver on the EUs and the UNs commitment to leave no one behind by 2030", the Independent MEP said.

As part of the conference FEANSTA, the representative body for organisations dealing with homelessness in the EU, will present the Second Overview of Housing Exclusion in Europe which will indicate how EU member states, including Ireland, are performing, she said. FEANSTA will also launch its 2017 campaign Be Fair Europe  Stand Up for Homeless People which seeks to put the fight against homelessness at the heart of the EUs 2030 agenda, Marian Harkin said.

Irish participation, as speakers, will include Mike Allen of Focus Ireland and Glenn Alexander, National Co-ordinator of the High Hopes Choir together with two members of the Choir which was created to provide a new therapy for people with addiction problems and associated homelessness.
In 2004, Offaly rose from relative television obscurity and into focus in the award-winning RTE drama, Pure Mule. Shamie, Scobie, Jen and Co arrived on our screens as young adults in Celtic Tiger rural Ireland. The building trade was booming, the craic was 90, but the real-life drama was high and gripping.

Written by Edenderry's Eugene O'Brien and directed by Declan Recks, the show certainly captured a particular time in Irish social history, and yet absorbed viewers in the specific inter-personal intricacies of a small rural town.

We chose five of the main characters from the hit show and followed up on their career to see where they are and what they are up to in 2017.

Tom Murphy - Shamie

Tom Murphy was perhaps one of the finest actors of his generation, but sadly passed away just two years after Pure Mule had wrapped. He died in 2007 following treatment for lymphatic cancer. During his illustrious career, he was a well renowned Irish theatre and film actor. The highlight of his career came in 1998 when he won a Tony Award for his performance in the play, The Beauty Queen of Leenane. He played Scobie's brother in Pure Mule and won an IFTA for his portrayal of the character. He is also well known for his role in Adam and Paul, as well as a string of successful parts in Intermission, Michael Collins, The General and Man About Dog. He was just 39 years old when he died.

Garrett Lombard - Scobie

The loudmouth, man about town, brother of Shamie was a hugely popular character in Pure Mule. Lombard's recent screen work includes Quirke, the acclaimed 1950s themed Dublin drama starring Gabriel Byrne. He has acted in countless theatre productions, including the Walworth Farce. Garrett is also one if the most in demand voice over artists in Dublin having done TV and radio for 15 years. His CV includes work for companies like McDonalds, Jameson, O2, Lucozade, Fuji and many more.

Charlene McKenna - Jen

The troubled young Jen returned to her hometown in Pure Mule and proceeded into a series of questionable life choices, but McKenna's portrayal of her internal struggles won her many fans. She has had numerous other roles in television dramas in Ireland, including Raw, Single-Handed and Whistleblower. She won the Best Actress (Television) award at the Irish Film and Television Awards in 2009 for Raw and won the Outstanding Actress in a Mini-Series award for her role in Whistleblower. She also starred in BBC's Ripper Street, and has received widespread acclaim in many roles.

Gary Lydon - Bomber

Gary Lydon has been a successful theatre and television actor for many years. After Pure Mule, Lydon made appearances in Love/Hate, The Guarantee, where he played the role of former Taoiseach Brian Cowen, and most recently Striking Out, RTE's hugely popular legal-themed drama series. He also acted in films like The Guard, Brooklyn and Calvary. He was known to many for his role on RTE's 'The Clinic' which ran from 2003 to 2009.

Eileen Walsh - Therese

Therese was the love interest of Bomber in Pure Mule, played by Cork native Eileen Walsh. Walsh went on to appear on television again in a project by the same writer, Eden, the screen adaptation of Eugene O'Brien's acclaimed play of the same name, where she played Breda Farrell. In 2008, Walsh won an award for Best Actress at the Tribeca Film Festival for her portrayal of Breda, the lonely housewife in Eden. She had previously played a starring role in The Magdalene Sisters film.
Offalys Green Party representative Pippa Hackett, who is also the Partys Spokesperson on Animal Welfare, met with Dr Andrew Kelly, the CEO of the ISPCA at Leinster House last week.

Also in attendance were the Green Partys Leader Eamon Ryan, Deputy Leader Catherine Martin and Senator Grace OSullivan. This was a productive meeting, and lengthy discussions took place on many of the important animal welfare issues that are important to both the ISPCA and the Green Party.

Reports of animal cruelty are regularly in the news; anything from overcrowded puppy farms and wild animals in circuses, to poorly treated horses and abandoned pets, commented the Offaly Green Party representative.

Many incidences are due to ignorance and neglect, but sadly however there are also some malicious cases in which animals are deliberately mistreated and abused. Animal welfare is important, not only for the animals themselves, but also from a societal point of view. Research has shown that people who are respectful, responsible and kind to animals, also show similar characteristics towards other people, and other aspects of their lives.

She continued, there has been a welcome increase in animal cruelty convictions since the introduction of the new Animal Health & Welfare Act in 2013. While convictions like this may prove to be a deterrent for some, I would rather see fewer incidences in the first place. Better education, and an improvement in behaviour and attitude towards animals is crucial.

She also pointed to a number of groups in the county while also outlining the responsibilities of owners.

We have some wonderful animal welfare supports in Co Offaly, including the OSPCA & Offaly Dog Shelter. Responsible pet ownership (e.g. neutering and micro chipping of pets) would remove many of the welfare issues faced by the many hard working volunteers at these organisations. We all have responsibilities when it comes to our pets, and a trip to the local pound or animal rescue centre is recommended  it is certainly eye opening. Most of these charities rely on the public for donations, be it money, food or bedding, or simply some of your time by volunteering. Another way of helping is by fostering or re-homing an animal, and this is very worthwhile and fulfilling, We have rehomed a dog, two cats and two ponies, and they have brought much joy to our lives and that of our children.

I look forward to working with the ISPCA and related organisations to improve the welfare of our animals, both in Offaly and beyond. If you come across any cases of animal cruelty, please ring the ISPCA on 1890 515 515, Pippa Hackett concluded.
The first case was in a toddler, a boy the age of two, in a remote village of southern Guinea, near the border of Sierra Leone and Liberia. A week later the mysterious illness would claim the child's mother, grandmother and sister--each, a frightening and rapid decline wracked by fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. Soon, there were fourteen of such deaths in and near the village of Meliandou, in the prefecture of Gu?ck?dou. Seven of the early patients tested positive for cholera at the local hospital, but this wasn't cholera.

As others were getting sick, the traditional village healers, sometimes called the "secret societies" by outsiders, would attempt to dispel the evil spirits that seemed to cause these hellish symptoms, keeping both the illness and the ultimate deaths shrouded from the rest of the world.

This is what happened in December 2013. "It was pretty much missed by the national authorities in Guinea," said Dr. David Nabarro, a widely respected public health leader who would later be called upon to serve as the U.N. Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Ebola. "It was thought by about February 2014 that it had burned out. But all that actually had happened is that it had gone underground. The deaths, when they occurred, were dealt with locally by the secret societies. They weren't reported."

Then more and more mistakes followed, said Nabarro at an extraordinary and candid discussion on Sunday morning, graciously hosted by Claudia Gonzalez and Richard Edelman at their home in New York.

When the cases started to build up again in April 2014, it was at last picked up by national authorities in Guinea. But at first, said Nabarro, it was misdiagnosed as Lassa fever, another hemorrhagic illness brought on by a virus.

Then, when it was finally recognized as Ebola, Nabarro recounted, "it just did not sound the global alarm. And, indeed, the NGOs were beginning to say, 'There is a problem. It is Ebola.' But it did not switch from being an NGO-identified problem to being a problem that was strongly voiced by the World Health Organization. And we know from email traces that doctors were writing to Geneva from the affected countries in May and in June 2014, and their concerns were not being properly heeded."

Story continues

"In June and July 2014, there were quite loud voices coming from the WHO's regional office in Africa, and then the WHO Geneva office--but by that time, when the alarm was being sounded loud, it had already moved from Guinea into Liberia, and by June/July it was in Monrovia and was spreading with a doubling of cases every three weeks. It was like a wildfire burning out of control."

So we can see these three escalating steps of failure in the global health response, he said: "One, at the very earliest stage, it was missed in country. It wasn't identified as Ebola. Secondly, in May, it was identified but not properly voiced in country. And then by June/July, the voice was there, but it was not hitting global opinion."

The Ebola outbreak of late 2013 to 2015--which may now be a faded memory to many, particularly to those of us in the developed world who understood its distant horror and scale only by the headlines--killed more than 11,000 people. And were the global effort in containment to have been delayed even a few months more, this outbreak could easily have claimed tens of thousands of additional lives, including in the U.S.

So what lessons can public health authorities around the world take away from this episode to ensure that, next time, our global response--and yes, it needs to be a global response--is better and quicker? On Sunday, Nabarro offered three. They are:

1) Always treat reports of clusters of unexpected and unexplained deaths with at least a "high index of suspicion" that the cause may be something of potential global concern.

2) Don't ever let emailed reports from doctors, particularly those from non-governmental organizations, get buried in inboxes at the WHO (or any public health authority).

3) "Once the alarm is sounded, make sure that it's sounded at the very loudest pitch possible--because action now is worth 10 or 20 times action in two months' time."

Nabarro, who is currently Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Climate Change (the U.N. is big on long titles), is in contention to be the next Director-General of the WHO--and he is a very worthy candidate in my view. But the WHO and other global health responders can only follow rules No. 1, 2, and 3, if they have ample funding and active support from the rest of the world.

The first tests of that support, indeed, may come as early as May, when the G20 Health Ministers meet in Berlin. At that meeting, there will be a four-hour simulation of possible pandemics (an extension of one presented at the World Economic Forum at the end of January) that has been organized at the request of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"We'll see how countries react," said Nabarro. Let's hope their response is even remotely commensurate with the scale of the danger to the world when the next horrific pathogen emerges. And emerge it will.

This essay appears in todays edition of the Fortune Brainstorm Health Daily. Get it delivered straight to your inbox.

See original article on Fortune.com

More from Fortune.com
As Nebraskas budget shortfall grows, hope for additional state money for higher education declines.

Numerous higher education officials Tuesday made their cases for state money before the Nebraska Legislatures Appropriations Committee. But Stan Carpenter, chancellor of the Nebraska State College System, noted that the news about state revenue shortfalls only worsened this week.

I do want to certainly acknowledge the changes that were made by the (state) forecasting board yesterday and recognize the additional challenges that your committee faces, Carpenter said Tuesday.

Nebraskas financial picture worsened by $153 million this week, according to the states revenue forecasting board.

Carpenter and presidents of two-year colleges spoke to the Legislatures primary budget-setting committee in Lincoln. The NU system addressed the committee Monday.

Western Nebraska Community College President Todd Holcomb said the states six community colleges play an important role in job training.

Workforce, workforce, workforce, Holcomb said. Nebraska is facing a workforce shortage.

Holcomb, whose college is based in Scottsbluff, said the two-year colleges strive to fill the workforce gap in areas such as nursing, agriculture, information technology, accounting and welding.

The Appropriations Committee has recommended that state funding be flat over the next two years for the state colleges in Peru, Wayne and Chadron, and for the six community colleges across the state. For the NU system, the committee has recommended a $14 million decline over two years from the $583 million it started with in 2016-17.

But NU took a comparatively lower midyear state funding cut of 2.3 percent this year. The state colleges and community colleges took a 4 percent midyear hit.

Carpenter told the committee that tuition might go up 9 and 11 percent over the next two years if state money remains flat and the state colleges dont make internal cuts.

And this is with us holding you flat? State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln asked.

Carpenter said yes. But he said the state colleges would deal with flat funding and increasing costs through a combination of budget cuts and tuition increases.
An amateur historians gift of an 1886 deed believed to be signed by abolitionist Frederick Douglass now enjoys a prominent place in the Great Plains Black History Museum.

It is a very significant and really an impressive piece of history, said Rudy Smith, chairman of the museums board. Weve given it a prominent place in the museum. Were especially pleased to receive it during Black History Month because its important to our culture and the history of our race.

Douglass was an African-American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer and statesman. He was a confidant of President Abraham Lincoln and served as the first Washington, D.C., recorder of deeds, from 1881 until 1886.

The deed signed by Douglass on June 10, 1886, is for a land purchase in the District of Columbia, Smith said. The museum will ask experts to examine the deed to make sure its authentic.

Joe Mettenbrink, 65, of Omaha donated the deed to the museum on Saturday. It came encased under glass along with an original photograph of Douglass and a brief summary of his accomplishments.

This is something that helps us gain more understanding and appreciation for our forefathers such as Frederick Douglass, Smith said. We have two other pictures of Mr. Douglass, but this is now the most prominent one we have.

An escaped slave, Douglass became a national leader of the abolitionist movement and was noted for his dazzling oratory and writings. Douglass was described by abolitionists as a living refutation of the slaveholders argument that slaves lacked the intellectual capacity to function as citizens.

Mettenbrink said he had known of the piece for some time and finally decided to purchase it for the museum. He declined to say how much he paid.

It was owned by a friend of mine, so Id known about it for some time. I finally decided to buy it, Mettenbrink said. Im retired and I dont have any children, so I decided the museum was just the natural place for it.

During the Civil War, Douglass was instrumental in advocating for African-American combat units, and in recruiting troops. Mettenbrink said his great-great-grandfather served in the Union Army under Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and became interested in the cause of African-American troops fighting for their freedom.

I have a letter from my great-great-grandfather to Gen. (Daniel) Ullman, who was enlisting black troops to fight for the Union in Louisiana, Mettenbrink said. He told the general in his letter that he wanted to help the black troops so they could fight for our bleeding but still glorious land. I think he must have been inspired by the words of Frederick Douglass, who was saying the same thing.

Smith and Mettenbrink said theyre confident that the deed and photograph will be authenticated.

The signature matches others by Douglass exactly, Smith said. I have no doubt that this is an original deed.

The Great Plains Black History Museum is in the Crossroads Mall across from the Barnes and Noble bookstore. It is open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday or by appointment, Smith said. Admission is free.
A 40-year-old Kearney man died Monday in a one-vehicle crash after fleeing a traffic stop conducted by a Nebraska State Patrol trooper in York County.

An autopsy was ordered and a grand jury will be called to investigate the death of Anthony Emmons, according to the York County Attorneys Office. Under Nebraska law, a grand jury is called to investigate whenever a person dies while in custody or being pursued by law enforcement.

The incident began at 5:20 p.m. when York County 911 dispatchers received a report of a reckless driver weaving in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 80. A trooper found the vehicle in a rest area and made contact with Emmons.

Emmons fled from the scene in his vehicle, which was found at 5:45 p.m. crashed into a median guardrail just east of York. Emmons was pronounced dead at the scene.
WASHINGTON  Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., took to the Senate floor Monday to urge all Americans to reject overt partisanship, guard against the influence of foreign powers and embrace the need for an enlightened citizenry.

Those would certainly seem to be topical sentiments at a time when partisan passions run hot, authorities investigate Russian meddling in last years presidential election and fake news festers across social media platforms.

But the words Sasse shared Monday are actually more than two centuries old  he was reading from President George Washingtons 1796 farewell address.

In that message to friends and citizens, Americas first president warned about the corrosive effect of attacking people based on where they lived.

One of the expedients of party to acquire influence within particular districts is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts, Sasse quoted Washington. You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heartburnings which spring from these misrepresentations; they tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection.

Washingtons address specifically cited geographic tensions between North and South, Atlantic and Western areas, but its not difficult to substitute the tension between East Coast elites and those in flyover country to capture the countrys current political divide.

Sasse was participating in an annual tradition in which one U.S. senator reads Washingtons parting words in their entirety. The task fell to Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., in 2009  the first time a Nebraskan had fulfilled the role in more than 60 years.

The tradition began in 1862 as a morale-boosting gesture during the darkest days of the Civil War, according to Senate history.

The designated senators typically inscribe their names in a black leather-bound volume kept by the secretary of the Senate.

Following his reading, Sasse wrote in the book that there are many lessons in Washingtons words about the dangers of factionalism, the necessity of religious beliefs, the dangers of debt and the value of trade

May we study together these virtues of self-government again! Sasse wrote.
The writer, a state senator from Seward, is chairman of the Legislatures Retirement Systems Committee.

Recently The World-Herald published an editorial cautioning Nebraska to be wary of state intervention in the Omaha and Lincoln police and fire public pension funds. What the editorial did not examine, however, is the extraordinary risk to those who currently rely on those pensions and to the taxpayers.

For every new police and fire employee Omaha and Lincoln hire, the cities are making a lifetime pension commitment they dont have the funding to guarantee. The longer we wait to fix the problem, the more debt we accumulate for future taxpayers.

According to city actuaries, the Omaha police and fire public pension system is roughly $630 million in debt, while Lincolns police and fire pension debt is about $44 million. Neither of the plans has kept up with funding levels to be sustainable. Omaha is funded at roughly 50 percent and Lincoln at 80 percent under these projections.

These numbers, however, are calculated on the belief that the funds will yield a 7.5 percent to 8 percent return on investment, which is not happening.

Using calculations accepted by economists, the Reason Foundation finds Omahas true pension debt is closer to $1.9 billion, while Lincolns is $190 million.

Taxpayers must pay for this debt before essential city services.

The defined benefit structure used by both plans is expensive, unsustainable and highly underfunded. While it may have worked well 30 years ago, in todays markets, it falls short. Thats why I have introduced Legislative Bill 30, a measure to transition newly hired public safety employees in Omaha and Lincoln to a less-risky, cash balance plan.

I deeply value the public safety servants who risk their lives daily, and its not my intent to take any retirement benefits away from these brave men and women. My main goal is to ensure that retirement promises that were made to current employees and retirees will be kept.

Since 1983, the Nebraska Legislature has been involved in setting guidelines for municipal retirement systems. Omaha and Lincoln were previously exempt from these requirements.

But the Omaha and Lincoln police and fire pension systems, as they are currently structured, are not sustainable, leaving employees and retirees vulnerable to retirement insecurity.

Omahas fire and police unions claim there is a clear plan to pay off the incurred pension debt in 20 years, but many fiscal and pension experts agree the plan wont work. In 2003, Omaha devised a plan to put in 12 percent of payroll for 30 years to pay off $207 million in liabilities. By 2008, they revised the plan to put in 25 percent of payroll for 30 years to pay off $368 million in liabilities. By 2011, the new, new plan was to put 38 percent of payroll for 22 years to pay off $573 million in unfunded pension liabilities. By 2016, the latest version of their new plan is to put in 28 percent of payroll for 28 years to pay off $603 million in liabilities.

So far, the plans to pay off Omahas pension debt over a long period of time has led to a tripling of pension debt. Omaha taxpayers paid $42 million in 2015 for pension debt, an increase from $17 million about a decade ago. To continue with this strategy while the debt spirals out of control is not a real plan.

Further, any concerns that LB 30 would hinder employee recruitment and retention efforts are unfounded.

If Omaha and Lincoln stand a chance of meeting every penny of commitment they have promised to current police and fire employees and retirees, their pension structures need to be transitioned to a cash balance plan for newly hired employees as soon as possible. My intent is to make sure that both pension plans are financially solid and sustainable going forward. LB 30 will at least give the Cities of Omaha and Lincoln a fighting chance to make that happen.
Beyond what are appalling conditions in certain parts of the world, frequently those wracked with warfare, it appears there is now actual famine in Somalia, South Sudan, Yemen and northeast Nigeria.

Famine as a state is strictly defined, not just applied to a country or a region in an economic mess. Three specific conditions must apply: (a) one in five households in a particular region are experiencing extreme food shortages, (b) more than 30 percent of the population of the area in question is extremely malnourished, and (c) at least two people for every 10,000 of the population die each day.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in announcing the impending crisis last week, estimated 20 million coming victims, among them 1.4 million children. The causes of what is about to happen are twofold: money and conflict. The U.N. needs $5.6 billion, most of it before the end of March. At this point it has only 2 percent of the needed amount in hand.

Conflict in the afflicted countries is the root cause of the famine. People who are either involved in fighting or who are trying to live in areas that are being fought over are not raising food or getting access to relief supplies of food that can keep them alive.

The circumstances of each of these particular four conflict countries are different, as is the level of U.S. involvement in the wars in the countries concerned.

Somalia, in addition to two running years of drought, has been a scene of U.S. military involvement since late 1992. Its population of 10 million has been stirred like oatmeal by fighting, including bomb and drone attacks from the nearby American base in Djibouti for nearly a decade. Famine, which Somalia also experienced in 2011 when 200,000 died, is one result of the disruption of food cultivation brought about by war.

The United States could simply stop participating in the intra-Somali warfare, setting an example and perhaps providing humanitarian relief as well.

Yemen is another case where the U.S. is directly involved. It supports Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in their continuing systematic bombing of Yemen, the Middle Easts poorest country. The conflict, an Islamic Sunni vs. Shiite fight, to a degree a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has basically nothing to do with the United States apart from the fact that we sold the Sunni side its warplanes and support its bombing of Yemen  which has disrupted food crop cultivation and helped cause the famine. Seven million Yemenis, of which 460,000 are children, could easily die.

The United States is not participating directly to any great degree in either the conflicts in South Sudan or northeast Nigeria, the other two potential famine victim countries. Both are fully capable of feeding their own people if they could stop fighting among themselves.

It would perhaps be easier in South Sudan, where the civil war is tribally based. In Nigeria, a wealthy, oil-rich country, the government continues to have trouble exercising control in its northeast against Boko Haram, an Islamic extremist group.

Apart from stopping stimulation of the Somalia and Yemen conflicts, the United States should accept its responsibility as a rich world power to provide its share of the aid to prevent the 20 million people, many of them children, from starving to death as we ourselves fight obesity and the diseases that arrive from it  particularly since the stifled food production in Somalia and Yemen are partly a result of Americas own military activities.
Crack down on sex trafficking

Its hard to understand why there are no minimum penalties for those convicted of the despicable crimes of sex trafficking and soliciting for sex (Tougher sentences sought for trafficking, Feb. 24 World-Herald).

Very few things could be more disgusting than the exploitation of defenseless young children and minorities who are duped into this horrible way of life. I hope the Legislature passes this very important bill, which is sponsored by State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks.

Just as hard to understand is the opposition to this bill by the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association. One reason it opposes it is that one of the proposed penalties in this bill is tougher on those convicted of manslaughter and vehicular homicide. Doesnt it make more sense to support tougher penalties for those particular crimes than to let the low-life traffickers get a slap on the wrist?

And finally, I would suggest going one step further and getting rid of the ridiculous good time law, which has been talked about for many years. Make criminals pay in Nebraska.

Cheryl Bartek, Omaha

Voter fraud is not a myth

A Feb. 27 Public Pulse letter argued Legislative Resolution 1CA is proposing expensive solutions to the nearly nonexistent problem of voting fraud, citing a Loyola Law School study 2000-2014 that found only 31 cases of voter fraud in 1 billion votes.

However, a study by Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted showed 821 noncitizens were registered to vote between 2013 and 2017 and 126 had actually cast votes. His latest review of voter rolls showed that 385 more noncitizens were registered and that 82 of them cast ballots.

Since there are those who think that a photo ID is difficult to obtain, I suggest that fingerprint scans would work just great. Or how about scanning voters retinas? Both leave absolutely no question about who you are.

Sound Orwellian? Maybe it is, but dont deny there is a voter-fraud problem.

Jane Wilson, Omaha

Trumps job is done

When we elected Donald Trump, we also voted in a Republican majority in Congress and Mike Pence as our vice president.

And Trump almost singlehandedly discovered the issues that resonated with the American people. (His detractors say he created these issues).

But Trumps alternate realities are just too much for me. When he tells us that hostile nations are not a threat or friendly nations are not our allies, he is putting us in danger. I can see him sending our troops someplace based on a false reality he has created.

Trump has accomplished a lot already, and I believe he has accomplished all that he can. Vice President Pence and the Republican majority in Washington can carry on with the issues that are important to us.

Donald, you have done a great job. Now please go away.

Gerry Baker, Omaha

A threat to freedom of the press

On Friday, the White House deliberately excluded the New York Times, the Hill, Politico, BuzzFeed, the Daily Mail, BBC, the Los Angeles Times and the New York Daily News from the White House Press Briefing. This occurred after Trump called the media the enemy of the people.

Freedom of the press is such an essential right that our Founding Fathers enshrined it first in the Bill of Rights, along with freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

I commend Nebraska U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse for tweeting in support of the First Amendment following this appalling act. However, I urge Sasse and all elected officials to do more than just use their words. Enough with the platitudes. Remember Thomas Jeffersons words on freedom of the press: The only security of all is in a free press.

Brandy C. Judkins, Lincoln

Staff is what makes the VA great

The proposed new Veterans Administration clinic will be a welcome addition to the existing facility. Service to the veterans should be greatly enhanced with a state-of-the-art clinic.

The heart and soul of the VA does not lie in the brick and mortar. It is found in the professional medical personnel who provide skillful and compassionate care to the veterans. Every VA staff member whom I have encountered has been courteous, helpful and service-oriented.

The staff in physical therapy and prosthetics has spent a great amount of time to develop an apparatus to improve my mobility, for which I am most grateful. I extend a special thank you to Jan Nowling, Liz Woodruff and Ray Miles for their perseverance in this endeavor.

R.J. Shanahan, Papillion

Impressed with the quality of care

I recently met my dad at the VA hospital for his doctors appointment, which was scheduled in the Blue Clinic. I just want to say that the staff there was excellent to work with. They smiled and treated all the vets there with total respect. Even the two shuttle drivers who took us to and from our vehicles on a snowy day showed a real sense of compassion. Thank you for your kindhearted efforts.

Mary Ann Jordan, Papillion
Amit Shah to chair two-day 'Chintan Shivir of Home Ministers'; Mamata to skip the meet

In India terror down by 34%, civilian deaths by 90% since Art 370 scrapped: Shah

Only those from political families can eye a CMs post in Congress: Amit Shah

Amit Shah promises to punish 'corrupt' Congress if BJP comes to power in Manipur

India

oi-Maitreyee

Imphal, Feb 28: Attending an election rally in Kangpokpi, Manipur, on Tuesday, Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah alleged that the incumbent Congress government in the state is corrupt.

The BJP president told the crowd that if the party comes to power in the state, then it would punish the corrupt leaders of the current Congress regime in Manipur.

"Even after such levels of corruption if anyone thinks they can sleep in peace, let me alert them that once the BJP forms government in Manipur, none of those corrupt will be spared," Shah was quoted as saying by India Today.

"Even after 15 years of being in power the Congress could not provide clean drinking water to people of Manipur and the onus lies solely with Chief Minister Ibobi Singh."

Shah also mentioned the names of Congress president Sonia Gnadhi and her son and party vice president Rahul in his election speech.

"Ibobi Singh (chief minister of the state) invited Sonia and Rahul Gandhi to inaugurate incomplete development projects; corruption consumed all the funds," Shah was quoted as saying by ANI.

The state assembly elections are scheduled on March 4 and 8.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Tuesday, February 28, 2017, 16:00 [IST]
CUET impact? Only 1 from Kerala board in Hindu College's popular course so far

Anti-national propaganda being spread in DU: ABVP

India

oi-Anusha

Even as student groups from Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University protested against the ABVP in North campus area, the ABVP alleged that anti-national propaganda was being spread in the campus. In an address to the press, the ABVP representatives accused the left of vandalism and questioned the silence of Delhi University's vice chancellor.

Miscreants want to spoil Delhi University's atmosphere through violence and by raising anti-national slogans," said ABVP's Ankit Sangwan. He added that Delhi University Student Union has a stand of their own and that the ABVP will not tolerate anti-national slogans in the campus. "We will protest and fight against those elements," he added.

Meanwhile, politicians including D Raja and Sitaram Yechury joined protesting students at North Campus.

OneIndia News
Army veterans vow to fight for Gurmehar, mother keeps mum

India

pti-PTI

Chandigarh, Feb 28: Army veterans in Punjab have stepped forward to fight a legal battle on behalf of Gurmehar Kaur, the daughter of an army martyr, who started a social media campaign against the ABVP. The mother of the 20-year-old Delhi University student, whose defiant stand against the ABVP drew a volley of hate messages on her Facebook account, however, refused to be drawn into the controversy over it.

When contacted, Rajvinder Kaur said,''No thanks... I do not want this controversy to go on." Punjab State Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association president Col (retd) Kuldip Singh Grewal vowed to fight a legal battle on Gurmehar's behalf "till the matter reaches its logical conclusion". "Her opinion should be respected as she has the right to raise her voice," he said.

"No one should remain unaffected when a daughter is threatened with rape. The people of the country should raise their voice to protect the daughter of a martyr," Col (retd) Tejinder Singh Bajwa, a member of the association, said.

Gurmehar's father Capt Mandeep Singh was commissioned in the 49 Army Air Defence Regiment in 1991 and was serving with the 4 Rashtriya Rifles battalion when he died fighting militants on August 6, 1999. Brigadier (retd) Ashwini Kumar, former Commanding Officer of the 3 Rashtriya Rifles battalion, who was serving in the area when the attack on Capt Mandeep's company took place, said, "The Captain and his men fought against militants with great courage and they were given a befitting reply." Mandeep's brother Davinderdeep Singh, a professor at a college in Nakodar at Jalandhar -- Gulmehar's hometown, said his brother would have stood like a rock behind her.

"She is entitled to her opinion... she did not say anything anti-national," he said. Meanwhile, a number of ex-servicemen and representatives of various organisations condemned the rape threat to Gurmehar and appealed to the Delhi government to provide "proper security" to her.

PTI
RBI Monetary Policy meet today: What to expect? Where to watch it LIVE

From home loan EMIs to door-step banking services by co-op banks: Here are the RBI MPC meet highlights

ATMs dispensing fake notes a 'serious matter': Das

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Feb 28: Fake notes being dispensed by ATMs is 'very unlikely' and the police is investigating reports of such instances, Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das said on Tuesday

"It is under police investigation. It is very unlikely that this would have happened. But if somebody is saying that it (fake notes) has come out of ATM machines, it is a very serious matter," he said.

Banks have also initiated probes, he said, adding that action would be taken against the guilty. There have been reports of fake notes being dispensed by ATMs of various banks, including SBI and ICICI Bank.

Recently, a person reportedly received Rs 2,000 notes bearing the term 'Children Bank of India' from an ATM of ICICI Bank in Rohtak (Haryana). Some notes were printed with 'Ek Kadam Swachhta ki Aur' and 'Bharatiya Manoranjan Bank' labels.

On February 25, an SBI ATM in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, purportedly dispensed a scanned copy of a Rs 2,000 note.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the scrapping of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8, 2016, with an aim to weed out black money, counterfeit currency and terror funding.

PTI
'Gandhada Gudi' box office collection: Here's how much it collected in the US

Bank strike: Which banks are open today and what services are available

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Bengaluru, Feb 28: Nearly 75 per cent of the banking services will be hit on Tuesday owing to the strike call given by most unions under the Union Forum of Bank Unions. While most of the banks would go on strike on Tuesday, top private lenders such as the ICICI, HDFC, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Axis bank would function normally.

However, there would be no cheque clearances on Tuesday as several other banks would be on strike. The remaining services would function as normal in the above mentioned banks.

Customers who have deposited cheques may not get their money on Tuesday. There will be no cheque clearance at all or there may be a delay owing to the bank strike.

Banks such as the State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Bank of Baroda have already informed their customers that functioning of branches will be affected as a result of the strike.

PTI reported that the United Forum of Bank Unions is an umbrella body of nine unions, but two of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh affiliates-National Organisation of Bank Workers and National Organisation of Bank Officers-are not part of the stir.

The conciliation meeting before the chief labour commissioner on February 21 failed to break the logjam as the bank management represented by the Indian Banks Association did not agree to demands and put conditions, All India Bank Employees' Association general secretary C H Venkatachalam told PTI.

All attempts to find solutions to the demands raised by the unions yielded no results and hence, UFBU decided to proceed with the proposed strike on February 28, he said.

OneIndia News
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?

DU on the boil: Protest intensifies in support for Gurmehar Kaur

India

oi-Shubir

By Shubir Rishi

The National Students' Union of India is staging a hunger strike outside Delhi University Arts faculty. Earlier, around 1,000 policemen were deployed at the campus.

A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party's youth wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad took out a Tiranga march in Delhi University, several protests marches and counter-marches are expected at the DU and Jawahar Lal Nehru University campuses on Tuesday.

Here are the live updates:

03:24 pm: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal reaches L-G office to complain against ABVP, seeks action against rape threats to Gurmehar Kaur

02:28 pm: Union Min Ravi Shankar Prasad said, ''Gurmehar Kaur is martyr's daughter,respect that. People politicising matter, what do they have to say about terrorists?

Bolne ki azaadi ka pura samman hai par uske kavach me agar aap Bharat ko todne ki baat karenge uska jawab diya jaaega: RS Prasad pic.twitter.com/jfFEfd5gJS  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

01:42 pm: Congress leader Kapil Sibal tweets in favour of Gurmehar Kaur

Gurmehar Kaur victim of an intolerant mindset . Her patriotism questioned and democracy diminished . This is not the India we dreamed of .  Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) February 28, 2017

01:28 pm: JNU & DU students hold protest march against ABVP in North Campus area

Delhi: JNU & DU students hold protest march against ABVP in North Campus area #RamjasRow pic.twitter.com/J0Vex9653e  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

01:23 pm: Action should be taken against all those who are trolling Martyr's daughter Gurmehar Kaur says Kiren Rijiju

01:02 pm: Delhi Police has filed an FIR on the rape threat to Gurmeher Kaur. This came after DCW forwarded her complaint to Police commissioner under IPC 354A ,506, and 66 IT act.

Her complnt was examined by Cyber Cell& an FIR No.32/17, u/s 354-A,506 IPC & 67 IT Act,PS EOW has been registerd & invstigation tkn up.(2/2)  Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) February 28, 2017

12:59 pm: Olympian Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt tweets against DU student Gurmehar Kaur, with the following picture

12: 54 pm: The march, led by DU and JNU's teachers and students and joined by All India Students Association members begins from Khalsa College in the North Campus to the Arts Faculty. Nearly 800 students expected in the protest.

Students of Miranda House protest against ABVP outside Khalsa College, say, "this fight is for our University space." #RamjasRow pic.twitter.com/yWMqXLsXlZ  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

#RamjasRow: National Students' Union of India's (NSUI) hunger strike outside Delhi University Arts faculty. pic.twitter.com/ONau3IwvhE  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

Meanehile, security has been tightened outside Delhi University's Arts Faculty.

Congress-backed National Students Union of India is also organising a symbolic one-day hunger strike at the arts faculty, followed by a 'mashaal' rally.

Delhi University Students Unions Tiranga March led by ABVP underway at North Campus #RamjasCollege pic.twitter.com/CcpoOBvpK3  ANI (@ANI_news) February 27, 2017

Earlier in the day, Gurmehar Kaur, the Delhi University student at the centre of controversy surrounding the premier educational institution, decided to distance herself from the patriot war playing out at the Ramjas College.

Kaur, who on Monday filed a complaint and was given protection from the DCW, withdrew from the campaign on Tuesday and said, "I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say. I have been through a lot and this is all my 20-year-self could take."
Diary expose: Karnataka Lokayukta knew it all, chose to be mum

India

oi-Anusha

Did the Karnataka Lokayukta know of a 'diary' that held information of illegal money transactions much before the BJP levelled allegations against the Congress? OneIndia has accessed documents that prove that the Lokayukta knew of a certain diary and its contents way back in December 2016. While the anti-corruption body acknowledged the information about the diary, no concrete action has been initiated so far.

A diary allegedly belonging to Congress MLC Govindaraju had made it to the headlines less than a week ago. The diary alleged to have contained details of money paid to Congress leaders was used as ammunition by the BJP in the state to dent the party's image. While the issue of the diary was raked up only last week, it now seems that there is more history to it. OneIndia has accessed a complaint letter dated December 20, 2016.

Addressed to the Lokayukta, the complaint alleges that income tax raids on Govindaraju led sleuths to a diary that contained details of corruption and bribe payments. It specifies that kickbacks were received for projects such as steel flyover in Bengaluru and that engineers of the BDA have made payments. IT urged for contents of the diary to be verified and action against those involved in corruption.

Despite receiving the complaint two months ago, sources in the Lokayukta say that no case has been filed so far in this regard. The complaint was sent to the registrar of Lokayukta who in turn wrote to the Income Tax Department seeking information on the diary.

OneIndia is also in possession of the reply that Lokayukta received from the income tax department. Dated 6 February 2017, the letter asks Lokayukta to seek information in Form 46 through a police officer of or above the rank of superintendent of police in the competent jurisdiction of Lokayukta in Bengaluru. "The tone of the letter from the IT Department makes it clear that a diary exists. It was indeed seized. They have only asked the Lokayukta to seek information through the proper channel," said a source in the Lokayukta.

While a reply has been received, no one seems to know what has happened to the original complaint and where it stands today. The Lokayukta has written to the IT Department to gather evidence for a corruption allegation, however, not having evidence does not stop the Lokayukta from registering a case and probing the charijges. The peculiar behaviour of the Lokayukta in refusing to file a case in this regard for over two months has raised many eyebrows. Moreover, the IT Department's reply has not been placed before the Upalokayukta who received the complaint in the first place. Despite having the powers to register cases of corruption, what stops the Lokayukta from probing an MLC?

Will the organisation live up to its name of being an anti-corruption watchdog or will the tag of being a toothless organisation stick to the ombudsman, is the real question.

OneIndia News
DU UG first cut off list 2022 out: How to check

DU's second list of seat allocation for UG courses out

CUET impact? Only 1 from Kerala board in Hindu College's popular course so far

DU unrest: Two ABVP students arrested for attack on AISA activists

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Feb 28: Two alleged ABVP activists were arrested for attacking two AISA supporters on the North Campus of Delhi University on Tuesday.

The AISA activists, Raj Singh and Utkarsh Bhardwaj, alleged that they were strangulated by Prashant Mishra and his friends, who followed them while they were returning from arts faculty around 5.20 pm, police said.

Utkarsh and Raj claimed that they were attacked by seven-eight people near Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College and strangulated with belts.

Police managed to nab two persons -- Prashant and Vinayak Sharma -- from the spot.

They have been booked under IPC sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) and arrested, said a senior police officer.

Police are trying to identify the other students who were involved in the alleged attack on the AISA activists.

PTI
Lunar eclipse 2022: Temples to be closed on Nov 8; Are you allowed to worship?

Gurmehar Kaur leaves Delhi, friend says she is scared

India

oi-Sandra Marina Fernandes

New Delhi, Feb 28: A day after the Delhi University turned into a battlefield, Gurmehar Kaur, who received a lot of criticism for her views against the ABVP, on Tuesday tweeted and said that she had withdrawn from the 'Save DU campaign.' Kaur's friend said that she (Gurmehar) was scared and was leaving Delhi.

Read this Gurmehar: Pakistan killed 14,743 civilians and 6,276 Indian soldiers

Kaur, who on Monday filed a complaint and was given protection from the DCW, withdrew from the campaign on Tuesday and said, "I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say. I have been through a lot and this is all my 20-year-self could take."

I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say.. (1/2)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

I have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take :)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

She added that the campaign was about students and not about her. "Please go to the march in huge numbers. Best of luck. To anyone questioning my courage and bravery, I've shown more than enough," she said in another tweet.

To anyone questioning my courage and bravery.. I've shown more than enough  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

One thing is for sure, next time we will think twice before resorting to violence or threats and that's all this was about (2/2)  Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 28, 2017

Kaur was supposed to attend a march by students and faculty on Tuesday from Khalsa College. She was criticized for her views on ABVP and said that ever since she became vocal of her opinions, she had received rape and murder threats on social media.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that he would meet Delhi Lt governor on Tuesday seeking action against ABVP and threats to Kaur.

OneIndia News
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) reached record compliance levels Tuesday on production cuts. OPEC reports show that in January 90% of promised cuts, in hopes of riding a glut, delivered. A Reuters survey shows OPEC nations have cut output by 1.098 bpd, with the target at 1.164 means a 94% compliance level.

Starting in back in January, OPEC nations agreed to cut 1.2 million barrels a day and non-OPEC nations, one of the largest producers being Russia, agreed to cut about half that amount. Even the idlest nations, like Iraq and United Arab Emirates (UAE), have agreed to swiftly catch up to target levels.

At 3:37 AM GMT today, Brent crude oil added $0.17 to $56.10 a barrel and WTI crude gained 0.2% to $54.16 a barrel.

Sources tell Reuters that the worlds largest oil producer Saudi Arabia hopes to see oil rise to $60 a barrel by the end of this year. Because of this, Saudi Arabia has been cutting production more than agreed upon. In January, a Reuters survey shows Saudi Arabia cut 744,000 bpd rather than the agreed upon 486,000 bpd.

"If compliance is high by OPEC and non-OPEC, then I think prices will reach $60," writes Reuters on a statement by an OPEC delegate.

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Gurmehar's father was martyred while protecting the Amarnath Yatra

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The political debate in India today has been centered around the posts put up by Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur. Her two posts went viral and the same has elicited responses from the who is who in political circles. She is the daughter of a brave son of India, Captain Mandeep Singh. Singh was martyred while providing security to the Amarnath Yatra.

Singh, described by his colleagues as a dedicated and spirited young officer, was part of 4 Rashtriya Rifles. On August 6, 1999, Singh made the supreme sacrifice while fighting militants. The midnight attack took place in the Chak Nutnusa village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district.

Singh was the commander of the company and the took the fight to the militants. Seven other personnel were martyred in the militant attack that took place at 1.15 am of that night. The militants were however beaten and the Yatra was defended. Singh, who led the company received a bullet injury and was declared dead on the spot.

Gurmeha had created a storm with her post in which she said,"War killed her father, not Pakistan." She also posted that she is not scared of the ABVP and every student in India supports her. The post came following the ruckus at the DU last week.

OneIndia News
Lunar eclipse 2022: Temples to be closed on Nov 8; Are you allowed to worship?

Jat agitation: Gathering to be held at Jantar Mantar on March 2

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Feb 27: Members of the Jat community will gather at Jantar Mantar in the national capital on Thursday to decide on the future course of action regarding its ongoing agitation in Haryana for quota in government jobs and educational institutions.

Jats from Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country will demonstrate at Jantar Mantar on March 2 and decide on the future course of action, Yashpal Malik, the president of the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti, which is leading the stir in Haryana, said.

A memorandum on 'injustice' meted out to Jats by the Haryana government will be submitted to President Pranab Mukherjee, he said.

"The government has failed to address our demands and the next course of action will be decided at Jantar Mantar," Malik said.

The state government has set up a committee which has no power to take a decision. So, no talks will be held with any such panel in the future, he said.

The agitation will enter its next phase with a 'non cooperation' campaign from March 1 during which people will be asked not to pay government dues and charges of water and electricity besides stopping supply of milk and vegetables, he said.

The AIJASS leader said the protests will intensify from March 1 and more sit-ins will be held. Besides reservation, the Jats have been demanding that cases registered against the youth during the agitation last year be withdrawn.

Thirty people were killed and property worth crores of rupees was damaged at many places in Haryana during last year's Jat stir which had turned violent.

PTI
Kalhiko Pul's wife petitions Vice President, seeks probe into husband's suicide note

India

oi-Vicky

Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalhiko Pul's wife has petitioned the Vice President of India for a probe into the suicide note left behind by her husband.

Dangwimsai, in her petition, sought for a probe by the special investigation team.

The move comes after she had withdrawn her plea from the Supreme Court. She had written to the Chief Justice of India seeking a CBI probe. A bench was constituted to hear the matter. However her counsel, Dushyant Dave, made some sensational allegations in the court following which they withdrew the petition.

Dave said that since the note makes allegations against the judiciary, it cannot be heard by the SC.

Dave said in court that the note states that a former judge had approached Pul on behalf of the CJI, J S Khehar. He asked why the letter written by Dangwimsai had been converted into a writ petition.

He then went on to cite a Supreme Court judgment which said the SC and HC judges could be probed for corruption with prior permission from the CJI. If the CJI himself is the person against whom allegations are made, then the government shall consult any judge of the SC.

Dave sought to know why the letter was converted into a writ petition. The CJI was expected to take a decision on the administrative side. Dave further questioned if the CJI is precluded from taking a decision on the letter as the allegations in the suicide note concerned the CJI's son?

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Tuesday, February 28, 2017, 19:01 [IST]
Kansas bar shooter Adam Purinton appears in court

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New York, Feb 28: The man accused of shooting two Indian techies and an American at a bar in Kansas last week had his first court appearance through video conference.

According to a report in CNN on Monday, Adam Purinton, 51, faces one charge of first-degree murder and two charges of attempted first-degree murder in last week's shooting in Olathe that killed Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injuring Alok Madasani and an American.

Post this shooting, there have been growing worries among Indians living in US about possible violence against foreign workers.

It is not clear yet what motivated Purinton to shoot the three men.

"Appearing in court via video conference, Purinton looked haggard and was soft-spoken. He was assigned a court-appointed attorney, and his bond remains set at $2 million. His next court date is March 9," the report noted.

Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "Get out of my country" and "terrorist" before shooting them.

Kuchibhotla hailed from Hyderabad while Madasani hails from Warangal town in Telangana. They were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an electronics manufacturer.

IANS
Kashmir's missing girls: A monumental challenge of female foeticide

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a monumental challenge on missing girls as a result of female foeticide. An explosive report released by the Asian Centre for Human Rights titlted, Missing girls: J&K's biggest challenge after insurgency, " says that the Child Sex Ratio fell by drastic 79 points to 862 in 2011 from 941 in 2001 as technology enabling pre-conception and pre-natal sex determination and sex selective abortion became easily available.

ACHR stated that as per 2011 census, the Muslim dominated districts of J&K had witnessed unprecedented decline in the CSR than the non-Muslim dominated districts.

The CSR of Pulwama district with 95.4% Muslims declined by 210 points from 1046 in 2001 to 836 in 2011; the CSR of Budgam district with 97.6% Muslim population declined by 172 points from 1004 in 2001 to 832 in 2011; the CSR of Kupwara district with 94.5% Muslim population declined by 167 points from 1021 in 2001 to 854 in 2011; the CSR of Ganderbal district with 97.7% Muslim population declined by 151 points from 1014 in 2001 to 863 in 2011; the CSR of Shopian district with 98.5% Muslim population declined by 128 points from 1011 in 2001 to 883 in 2011; and the CSR of Kulgam district with 98.5% Muslim population of 98.5% declined by 121 points from 1003 in 2001 to 882 in 2011.

As per 2001 census, these six districts had more females than males in the age group of 0-6 years which exposes sex selection during 2001 to 2011.

Lack of seriousness:

The report blamed the lack of any seriousness on the part of the state government for the missing girls as a result of female foeticide despite the practice of the dowry which has to be paid by the groom at the time of marriage which legally becomes bride's property by the Muslim majority in contrast to the dowry practiced by the Hindus.

Though India enacted the Preconception and Pre-natal Sex Selection/Determination (Prohibition & Regulation) Act in 1994, the State of Jammu & Kashmir enacted the J&K Preconception and Pre-natal Sex Selection/ Determination (Prohibition & Regulation) Act only in 2002.

Further, the J&K state rules for implementation of the PC & PNDT Act were notified only on December 7, 2006. Effectively despite the rampant use of technology for sex selection since its wide spread use from mid 1980s, there was no law to prohibit sex selection in the State till December 2006.

As on date, only one conviction was secured in J&K under the PC&PNDT Act. The scheme launched by the state government in June 2011 to give cash reward of Rs 25,000, which has since been increased to Rs 50,000, to anyone providing information with evidence on female foeticide has been a non-starter in the absence of any guidelines for implementation of the scheme.

ACHR also stated that not a single disbursement has been made as on date under the Ladli Beti scheme launched by J&K Government on pilot basis in six districts with low child sex ratio namely Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Anantnag, Budgam and Pulwama in September 2015 and Srinagar and Kishtwar districts in July 2016. Bali Bhagat, Minister of Social Welfare Department of J&K stated before the J&K legislative council on June 6, 2016, that a total of 2,244 beneficiaries were identified under the Ladli Beti scheme but not a single disbursement was made to any beneficiary.

Since July 2016, the Kashmir division faced intermittent shut downs in protest against the killing of insurgent Burhan Wani of the Hijbul Mujahideen in an encounter on July 8, 2016. Obviously, implementation of the scheme has been the least priority and possibility since July 2016.

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: Pastor held for raping minor, to be produced in court today

India

oi-Madhuri

Thiruvananthpuram, Feb 28: Kerala-Catholic priest Robin Vadakkumchery(48) will be produced before Koothuparamba magistrate court in Kannur on Tuesday for allegedly raping and impregnating a minor girl.

Kerala: Catholic priest R Vadakkumchery will be produced before Koothuparamba Magistrate Court in Kannur shortly;All procedures completed. pic.twitter.com/LOnnLOpXum  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

Vadakkumchery was on Monday arrested from Thrissur over sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl. The victim gave birth to a baby boy at a private hospital in Kannur after being allegedly raped by a priest in a church.

The accused then shifted the mother and baby to an orphanage in north Kerala's Wayanad district. The incident came to light after childline activists informed the police about the same on Monday.

On enquiry, the minor girl said in a statement that she was raped by the priest in a church. It is also learnt that the victim's family did not inform anyone fearing social stigma.

Meanwhile, Vaddakumchiryil, the bishop of St Sebastian church has also confessed to the crime. According to sources, the victim's family lived near the church and the girl used to visit the church regularly.

Also, a case has been registered against a private hospital, for conducting the delivery without informing the police.

OneIndia News
Nation is proud of you: Robert Vadra to Gurmehar Kaur

India

oi-Sandra Marina Fernandes

New Delhi, Feb 28: Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra has come out in support of Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur after the latter took a stand against ABVP activists on campus.

Gurmehar Kaur withdraws from campaign, requests to be left alone

Vadra praised Kaur for her courage and in a post on Facebook said, "Way to go Gurmehar Kaur, for taking on fascists bravely. I am with you and all those people who stand for their rights and freedom of speech. The nation is proud of you for standing your ground and fighting fascist forces."

Vadra said that it was shameful for people to troll Kaur for her remarks on politics.

Kaur, who faced flak for her opinion on the ABVP, said on Monday that she had received murder and rape threats after she stood up against ABVP. However, on Tuesday she took to Twitter and said that she had withdrawn from the 'Save DU Campaign'.

Kaur said that she had withdrawn from the protest and the campaign. She tweeted, "I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say. I have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take.

The campaign is about students and not about me. Please go to the March in huge numbers. Best of luck."

OneIndia News
Why is the DMK continuing to oppose the imposition of Hindi? - 50 years of struggle and the truth!

Neduvasal says no to centre's hydrocarbon exploration project

India

oi-Anusha

A farmers' movement against centre government's hydrocarbon exploration project in Neduvasal village in Tamil Nadu is gathering steam rapidly. Villagers are up in arms against the oil extraction project deeming it a disaster for their land, water and livelihood. This village in the Pudukkotai district of Tamil Nadu is becoming the hotbed of protests with social organisations and politicians extending support to the local people.

In February, the cabinet committee on economic affairs approved the hydrocarbon extraction project in Neduvasal. The heavily agrarian village now fears permanent effects of the project on its land and water and ultimately livelihood. Placed in the Cauvery basin, this village boasts of lush greenery but has been marked by ONGC as a hydrocarbon-rich location. A total of 44 fields have been marked in Neduvasal and Karaikal for exploration and extraction purposes. Protests broke out soon after the government approved the project and has only been gathering more support.

Day long protests and hunger strikes have become common for days in Neduvasal now. Villagers refuse to let officials from the ONGC enter the village leave alone carryout any work. The Tamil Nadu government has made its stand clear to the Centre. Under pressure by protesting villagers, the government has even asked the Tamil Nadu generation and distribution corporation limited to refuse electricity supply to the project.

Not just Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisami but the leader of opposition M K Stalin has also taken representation against the project to the union government. On Sunday, Neduvasal residents hoisted black flags atop their houses and commercial establishments remained closed as a mark of protests.

OneIndia News
Ramjas College incident: NHRC issues notice to Delhi joint commissioner

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Feb 28: The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to Deputy Commissioner of Police Devendra Pathak over excesses of violent outside Ramjas College on February 22.

Pathak himself had admitted to 'unprofessional' conduct on the police's part and had added that strict action would be taken, following an inquiry -- he had also suspended three policemen on charges of assault.

Meanwhile, a lawyer has filed a criminal complaint seeking lodging of an FIR against those who allegedly raised anti-national slogans at Delhi University's Ramjas College, with a city court deciding to give it a hearing next week.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Satish Kumar Arora, before whom the plea came up, asked the lawyer why he wanted to get into a matter involving students. He said he was sending the matter to the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Abhilash Malhotra for hearing.

"There are many other pertinent issues to deal with. It is between students. Why are you entering into it? I am marking it to Metropolitan Magistrate Abhilash Malhotra for consideration for March 6," the CMM said. The plea was filed by advocate Vivek Garg who said he had given a complaint to the SHO of Maurice Nagar Police Station but no action was taken, following which he moved the court.

In his complaint, the lawyer alleged that "massive anti- national slogans/activities were being carried out by leaders/ students of All India Students Association(AISA)/ Students' Federation of India in Ramjas College, shamelessly and openly which supported India's enemy i.e. Pakistan.

"The criminal acts of accused were also boosting morale of terrorists against our country." On February 21, members of RSS student wing ABVP had gathered outside the college and shouted slogans in protest against a seminar for which JNU students Omar Khalid and Shehla Rashid were invited. The ABVP members allegedly pelted stones, vandalised the venue and disrupted the seminar. The next day violent clashes erupted between Left and ABVP students leaving "several students and three teachers injured".

PTI
My father is a martyr, but, I am not your Martyrs Daughter: Gurmehar Kaur

Rape threats to Gurmehar: Father of Kargil HERO Saurabh Kalia demands punishment for culprits

India

oi-Maitreyee

New Delhi, Feb 28: Father of Kargil martyr Saurabh Kalia has come out in support of 20-year-old Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, who received rape threats on social media after she spoke against the alleged violence committed against students of left-wing organisations by members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

"Dignity of a woman is of paramount importance. The culprits must be punished," NK Kalia, father of Kargil martyr Saurabh Kalia told ANI, while speaking on the rape threats received by Gurmehar.

Dignity of a woman is of paramount imp, culprits must be punished:NK Kalia, Kargil martyr Saurabh Kalia's father on rape threats to Gurmehar pic.twitter.com/HznvNHGaUD  ANI (@ANI_news) February 28, 2017

Gurmehar's father, Captain Mandeep Singh, also died during the Kargil war. Currently, the whole nation is debating the issue of violence in Ramjas College in DU last week, after ABVP members allegedly attacked students of left-wing organisations when they went to attend a seminar in the college campus.

In the same ruckus, several teachers and journalists were also injured. The ABVP members staged a protest in the Ramjas College as they were opposing the invitation given to Umar Khalid to speak in the seminar. Umar, a student of Jawaharlal Nehru University, was arrested last year on charges of sedition. Currently, he is out on bail.

After the violent incident, Gurmehar had posted a profile picture on Facebook of her holding a placard in which said she was not afraid of ABVP and that she was not alone.

Since then a group of people have been trolling the young woman. In fact, many threatened her of dire consequences, including rape threats. Speaking about the threats received on social media, Gurmehar said that it was scary. "But nobody can stop me from speaking my mind." She also lodged a police complaint against the threats.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Tuesday, February 28, 2017, 10:14 [IST]
Sasikala replies to EC's notice on her appointment as general secretary

India

oi-Anusha

Convicted interim general secretary of AIADMK Sasikala Natarajan has replied to the notice issued by the Election Commission. The ECI had sought explanation on her appointment as the party's general secretary. The notice was sent to Bengaluru central prison where she is currently lodged after being convicted in a disproportionate assets case.

AIADMK's advocates filed the reply on behalf of Sasikala. The 72-page reply contends allegations made by O Panneerselvam's supporters. In her reply, Sasikala has claimed that while the general secretary has to be chosen by the party cadre, her appointment as an interim general secretary was a temporary measure. She stated that the general council of the AIADMK was competent to make interim arrangements. The EC is considering her reply.

While the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's schedule demanded that he be present in New Delhi on Monday and Tuesday, AIADMK's deputy general secretary and Sasikala's nephew TTV Dinakaran also accompanied Edappadi Palanisamy.

In the notice, the EC had stated that if no reply is given before February 28, it will be understood that Sasikala does not have any comments on the subject and action, as deemed fit by the commission will be initiated. The notice was issued after rebel MPs of the AIADMK challenged her appointment as the party's general secretary days after Jayalalithaa's death.

OneIndia News
On camera: College student molested by auto driver doesn't let go off him

Shiv Sena hits out at Manohar Parrikar over army paper leak

India

oi-PTI

Mumbai, Feb 28: The Shiv Sena today hit out at Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar over the army paper leak, and said that BJP should take entire responsibility of the incident that has dented the government's image.

"Papers of universities and other exams used to get leaked. But now, the Army's recruitment question papers are also not safe. This leak, which comes at a time when soldiers are sacrificing their lives, has shattered the government's image," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana.'

"Manohar Parrikar wants to become the Chief Minister of Goa again and is holding the reins of the Defence ministry from Panaji. But at least till he holds the post (of Defence minister), he should perform his duty," it added.

The Sena said that since the issue is related to national security, the BJP should come forward and accept complete responsibility for the paper leak.

"The PM talks about nationalism and sacrifice but his talks does not seem to be percolating to the ground. If there is nationalism in note ban, then it should be in Army recruitment as well," it said.

The recruitment racket came to light on Saturday night when 18 people from Maharashtra and Goa were arrested after raids. Three more persons were arrested yesterday. All of them were sent to police custody till March 4 by a Thane court.

Army recruitment exams slated on February 26 at Kamptee, Nagpur, Ahmednagar, Ahmedabad, Goa and Kirkee (in Pune) were cancelled after the question paper leak.

PTI

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Story first published: Tuesday, February 28, 2017, 10:33 [IST]
'Flu is not a decease,' says Yogi Adityanath amid Swine flu claims nine lives in Uttar Pradesh

Myths and Home Remedies for Swine Flu

India

oi-Nairita

Bengaluru, March 3: The number of deaths due to swine flu or H1N1 virus has gone up across the country. Citizens have been advised to take precautions and report to a hospital on the first symptoms of swine flu like high fever, sneezing, cough and body pain.

People in all states got scared thinking that swine flu can't be cured and treated with medicines.

Here are a few myths about Swine Flu:

Swine flu can't be treated at home. It's a dangerous, deadly disease.

People infected with H1N1 virus should get admitted to hospitals for further treatment.

Everyone, who has fever, cold, cough, should take TamiFlu or other medicines for swine flu.

Any masks can be used to protect a person from getting infected from the virus.

The real facts about Swine Flu:

Swine flu is nothing but another type of viral influenza and can be easily treated at home.

Unlike other flu virus, H1N1 virus suppress immunity system and affect lung function only.

A swine flu patient needs urgent medical care only when he develops secondary complications like lung infection.

No one should take swine flu medicines, such as TamiFlu, Relenza etc without consulting a doctor.

Indiscriminate use of the medicines can help the virus to develop resistance against the medicine.

Instead of commonly available masks, only N-95 masks can protect someone against the flu.

Home remedies for Swine Flu: [Swine flu scare: Know how you can avoid the deadly disease]

Take 5 gram Camphor, 5 gram Elaichi. Tie all of them in a small cloth and mash them together. Take the aroma frequently.

Chew 2 Basil leaves every morning in empty stomach.

Take one glass of lukewarm water, add one pinch of salt and gargle with it many times a day.

Wash hands, face frequently. Use hand sanitizers.

Put dettol in one bucket of water and use it in toilet.

Drink aloe vera juice which helps to increase immunity system.

Take lot of fluids, water throughout the day.

According to doctors, if a person is given treatment and medications on time without much delay then for a healthy individual it might take around 48 to 75 hours to get relief from the symptoms and five to seven days to recover completely from the flu.

OneIndia News
Rushdie attack a reminder of how big a threat Iran is to the US, others

RSS chief on nationalism: Says it is not a threat to others

PFI ban and after: Why the threat still looms large?

Threat of violence is RSS' only weapon, says Sitaram Yechury

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, Feb 28: CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday flayed the Modi government and the Sangh Parivar over the death and rape threats to Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur for taking on the ABVP.

"Ministers are supposed to work under the constitutional oath to ensure the rule of law. The current lot, instead, jumps to the support of those who threaten, abuse and bully a 20-year-old lady," Yechury said on his Facebook page.

"Sangh Parivar has no strength of conviction in its reasoning, the threat of violence is its only weapon against ideas. "It is about an individual's freedom, guaranteed under our Constitution to each one of us.

"They want to impose all their regressive ideas on what you wear, eat, see, do, or the way you live," added the Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary.

Besides facing criticism from some union ministers including Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, Kaur got death and rape threats after she took on the Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

Daughter of an army officer who died in the Kargil war, Kaur spoke against the ABVP after its activists were blamed for the attacks on students, teachers and journalists in the campus. Yechury also trashed Rijiju after the minister alleged that Leftists celebrate whenever Indian soldiers die.

"Who celebrated after (Mahatma) Gandhi was killed!" Yechury tweeted. He quoted then Home Minsiter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as telling then RSS chief M.S. Golwalkar: "RSS men expressed joy and distributed sweets after Gandhiji's death."

IANS
UP: Donald Trump's effigy burnt

India

pti-PTI

Muzaffarnagar, Feb 28: An effigy of US President Donald Trump was on Tuesday burnt by RLD activists in Marna town in UP to protest against the killing of an Indian Engineer in Kansas, police said.

Rashtriya Lok Dal vice-president Sumit Sehrawat and party activists protested the killing of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and demanded strict action against the attackers.

Kuchibhotla (32) and his friend Alok were attacked at a Kansas bar by a Navy veteran screaming racial slurs, telling them to 'get out of my country' and 'terrorist' before he opened fire at them. He had reportedly mistaken them for immigrants from the Middle East.

[Kin bids tearful farewell to Srinivasa Kuchibhotla]

PTI
'Ram Setu' 1st week box office collection: Here's how much Akshay-starrer earned, so far

'Two-finger test' should be banned in matrimonial dispute cases too, says Maharashtra doctor

Khota sarkar left with egg on their faces: Team Uddhav on Andheri win

World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva travels by Mumbai local

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva on Tuesday travelled by a local train to inspect the operations of the World Bank-supported suburban rail system in Mumbai.

Georgieva, who arrived in Mumbai on Monday night on her first India visit, took a local train from Churchgate.

According to reports, she also visited Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation and interacted with senior officials about the various World Bank-funded projects in the city.

Georgieva at Churchgate station She bought a second class suburban train ticket at Churhgate station and got into a ladies compartment. (pic source - screen grab) World Bank CEO in Mumbai local During her journey, she interacted with commuters and patiently heard their experiences while travelling in suburban trains. (pic source - screen grab) Georgieva meets Fadnavis Georgieva also met Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis and discussed about the progress of World Bank funded projects. (pic source - PTI)

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, March 1, 2017, 1:04 [IST]
G20 Summit: Modi leaves for Japan, likely to hold bilaterals with Trump, Shinzo Abe on Day 1

Trump and Biden race to woo voters in final hours before US Election 2020

Donald Trump meets China's state councillor

International

ians-IANS

By Ians English

Washington, Feb 28: US President Donald Trump held a brief meeting with the China's state councillor in his first one-on-one interaction with a senior official from the country.

White House spokesperson Sean Spicer said Yang Jiechi met Trump on Monday, following his meetings with National Security Adviser H R McMaster, presidential adviser Jared Kushner and Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, Efe news reported.

"It was an opportunity to start a dialogue," said Spicer, adding Yang and the US officials discussed shared interests in national security.

Yang had travelled to Washington on the White House's invitation, two weeks after Trump gave in to Beijing's demand of recognizing the One China policy with reference to Taiwan. Trump, in a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, had also laid the foundations for a future meeting that may take place during the July G20 summit in Germany.

IANS
An ex-US prez & ex-first lady were doing something at McCains funeral and the media saw it

George W Bush: Political climate in Trumps Washington pretty ugly

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Washington, Feb 28: George W Bush broke his silence on President Donald Trump's leadership, after refusing to criticise publicly those who succeeded him since he left the Oval Office eight years ago, a media report said on Monday.

"I don't like the racism and I don't like the name-calling and I don't like the people feeling alienated," Bush, 70, told People magazine in an interview.

"Nobody likes that".

The former President, joined by his wife Laura, spoke to the magazine in the painting studio of their Dallas home to launch his first art book, "Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors".

The collection of portraits of the injured warriors of America's war on terror aims to raise awareness and funds for the post-9/11 veterans' health care and employment programmes of the George W. Bush Presidential Centre.

Talking about the Trump's January 20 inauguration, which was attended by both the former President and his wife, Bush said: "First of all, we were thrilled to be there. It's a beautiful ceremony, it really is. It's a peaceful transfer of power, which is very reassuring."

However, Bush called the political climate in Trump's Washington "pretty ugly", but said he was not feeling anxious about the direction of the country.

"Not really. I'm optimistic about where we'll end up. ... We've been through these periods before and we've always had a way to come out of it. I'm more optimistic than some."

Asked if he felt compelled to play a leadership role in these divisive times, Bush said: "No. When President (Barack) Obama got elected, friends would call and say 'You must speak out! You must do this, you must do that'. Turns out, other people are doing the same thing this time. I didn't feel like speaking out before because I didn't want to complicate the job and I'm not going to this time. However, at the Bush Centre we are speaking up."

A spokesman for the former President previously told People magazine that neither he nor the former first lady voted for Trump or for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the November 8 election.

The couple cast write-in votes for a candidate they did not reveal.

IANS

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Story first published: Tuesday, February 28, 2017, 11:07 [IST]
Who was Srinivas Kuchibhotla?

Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot dead at a bar on February 22 by a white US Navy veteran who reportedly yelled "get out of my country." He was working with the Kansas office of navigation device maker Garmin International since 2014.

March outside the conference centre

Marchers held pictures, banners and shouted 'We want peace', 'We love peace', 'Let us not leave our children', 'Unity is part of community, together we stand, divided we fall' and 'Hate + guns tragedy'.

Candlelight vigil against the hate crime

Many carried candles and signs reading, "We don`t support politics of hate." Clergypeople representing Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism and Judaism held peace prayers.

GoFundMe campaign for Kuchibhotlas family

The victim's family received tremendous support from across the world. GoFundMe had raised over $1 million in donation to help them with medical expenses.
Kuchibhotla murder: Widow of Indian-techie can stay in US for now

Indian Embassy issues demarche, seeks speedy probe into the killing of Indian engineer

International

oi-Sandra Marina Fernandes

Washington, Feb 28: The Indian Embassy in the US has issued a demarche to State Department and called for a speedy probe in the killing of an Indian engineer, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was killed in Kansas in a possible case of hate crime after a man shot at him.

This comes after Kuchibhotla was shot by Adam Purinton, 51, who hurled racial slurs at the Indian engineer and yelled, "Get out of my country" before shooting him. The incident has raised concerns among many Indians living in US about possible violence against foreign workers.

Kansas Senator Jerry Morgan met Indian Ambassador Navtej Sarna and expressed his condolences over the death of Kuchibhotla.

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on Monday told reporters that "early reports coming from Kansas are equally disturbing".

Even as Indian Embassy in US issued a demarche to State Department on killing of an Indian engineer calling for a speedy probe, another incident has been reported where Indian man's house has been trashed with poop, eggs and hate messages in Southern Colorado and racial slurs aimed at him.

OneIndia News
Even if not contesting 2020 polls, Hillary Clinton will not be entirely out of scene

Hillary Clinton says Julian Assange must 'answer for what he has done'

Indian engineer killed: Hillary Clinton asks Trump to speak up

International

pti-PTI

Houston, Feb 28: Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called on President Donald Trump to speak out against hate crimes following the murder of an Indian engineer in Kansas last week.

"With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out," Clinton said on Twitter. Trump is yet to comment on the shooting, which took place last Wednesday night, leaving Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla dead and two others injured in an apparent hate crime.

With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out.https://t.co/QKKyXyuqNM  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 27, 2017

However, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said last week that it was too early to call the act a hate crime. Spicer also referred to the shooting at a news conference on Monday. He was voicing the president's concerns about recent acts of vandalism against Jewish cemeteries in St Louis and Philadelphia.

"No one in America should feel afraid to follow the religion of their choosing freely and openly. The president has dedicated to preserving this originating principle of our nation," Spicer said.

"And while we're at it, I don't want to get ahead of law enforcement, but I was asked the other day about the story in Kansas, the shooting in Kansas. And while the story is evolving, early reports out of Kansas are equally disturbing," he said.

PTI
Luxury limousines, elevators: Part of Saudi kings 500 tonne luggage!

International

oi-Shubir

By Shubir Rishi

If you are one of those 'overpackers', who have to pay a little extra at the airports when you travel, you need to read this: When you are the Saudi King, these trivialities do not matter. King Salman bin Abdul Aziz is clearly no light traveller -- for he is carrying over 500 tonnes of carry-on luggage - these contain two Mercedes Benz s600 limousines and 2 electric elevators - all for a nine-day trip!

A report in the Washington Post says that the royal is expected to bring 449 metric tonnes of cargo n his trip to Malaysia - the first stop in a rare tour of Asia. King Salman is also expected to visit Brunei, Japan, China, the Maldives and Jordan.

Naturally, royals do everything in style -- King Salman had booked all of the 222 rooms of the Grand Seasons Hotel in Georgetown, when he visited Washington in 2015.

A spokesperson of an airfreight company told agencies that his company has indeed been appointed to handle the cargo, and around 572 workers have been employed to deal with the luggage.

But we are getting ahead of ourselves - when former United States president Barack Obama visited Brussels in 2014, his entourage had included a 900 people and 45 vehicles (including 14 limousines)!

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Tuesday, February 28, 2017, 14:15 [IST]
A private trip around the moon!

American aerospace manufacturer SpaceX said two private citizens have paid money to be sent around the Moon late next year, in what would mark the furthest humans have ever travelled to deep space. The United States has not sent astronauts to the Moon since NASA's Apollo missions of the 1960s and '70s.

Faster and further into the solar system

"We are excited to announce that SpaceX has been approached to fly two private citizens on a trip around the moon late next year," said a statement by CEO Elon Musk. "This presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep space for the first time in 45 years and they will travel faster and further into the solar system than any before them." The tourists, who were not named, "have already paid a significant deposit," Musk's statement added.

Health tests to begin

Health tests and training are to begin later this year. "Other flight teams have also expressed strong interest and we expect more to follow. Additional information will be released about the flight teams, contingent upon their approval and confirmation of the health and fitness test results," Musk said.

The most powerful vehicle

The capsule will launch atop SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, which is scheduled for its first test flight this summer. The rocket "will be the most powerful vehicle to reach orbit after the Saturn V moon rocket," Musk said.

Next largest launch vehicle

"At five million pounds of lift-off thrust, Falcon Heavy is two-thirds the thrust of Saturn V and more than double the thrust of the next largest launch vehicle currently flying."
White House responds to Kansas shooting, terms reports to be disturbing

International

pti-PTI

Washington, Feb 28:The White House has said that the early reports coming from Kansas, where an Indian engineer was shot dead and another injured in an apparent hate crime, were "disturbing". The White House also condemned the alleged hate crimes against the Jewish community in the US.

Read more: Kansas killing: Guidelines for Indians to stay safe in US

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters at his daily news conference that "early reports coming from Kansas are equally disturbing". Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani, of the same age, was injured in the shooting by 51-year-old US navy veteran Adam Purinton who screamed racial slurs and told them "get out of my country".

A 24-year-old American named Ian Grillot tried to intervene and received injuries in the firing in Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas. Spicer, during his briefing, also condemned the alleged hate crimes against the Jewish community and asserted that there is no space for violence based on religion and ethnicity.

"From our country's founding, we've been dedicated to protecting the freedom of our citizens' rights to worship. No one in America should feel afraid to follow the religion of their choosing freely and openly. The President has dedicated to preserving this originating principle of our nation," Spicer said.

"And while we're at it, I don't want to get ahead of law enforcement, but I was asked the other day about the story in Kansas, the shooting in Kansas. While the story is evolving, early reports out of Kansas are equally disturbing," the White House Press Secretary said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has joined local law enforcement agencies in investigating the incident that has shocked the entire Indian-American community and several hundreds of Indians either working or studying in the United States. Spicer said Trump continues to be deeply disappointed and concerned by the reports of further vandalism at Jewish cemeteries.

"The cowardly destruction in Philadelphia this weekend comes on top of similar accounts from Missouri and threats made to Jewish community centers around the country. "The president continues to condemn these and any other form of anti-semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms," he said.

His remarks came after vandals broke and overturned more than 500 gravestones at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, the latest in a spate of recent bomb threats and attacks against sites for Jews across the United States.

PTI
With his canvas, paint brush, Indian artist asks Trump to stop spreading hatred

International

oi-Maitreyee

New Delhi, Feb 28: We all reacted in our own ways to the tragic murder of Indian-origin techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, in Kansas, US, last week. An Indian artist too expressed his feelings to the whole 'bizarre' episode where an innocent person is shot dead because of his race, religion or ethnicity.

Painter Narendra Singh from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, created a huge painting to pay tributes to Srinivas. In the same art work, along with Srinivas seen resting in his grave, the figure of US President Donald Trump in his usual 'provocative' style catches the attention of viewers.

Without mincing any words, Singh--who like many believe that the current tension against immigrants in the US is the result of hate speeches by Trump--asked the President from restricting himself from continuing with his tirade against immigrants and Muslims.

"Moradabad: A painter Narendra Singh pays tribute to #KansasKilling victim, asks US President to refrain from making racist comments," reported ANI.

Moradabad: A painter Narendra Singh pays tribute to #KansasKilling victim, asks US President to refrain from making racist comments. pic.twitter.com/QiOA3w2LFs  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 27, 2017

The body of Srinivas arrived in Hyderabad, his home town, late Monday night. His last rites will take place on Tuesday. Srinivas and his friend Alok Madasani (32) were shot fire guns by 51-year-old US navy veteran Adam Purinton at a bar in Kansas. Luckily, Alok, who was injured in the attack, survived. American native Ian Grillot (24), who came to the rescue of two Indian men, took bullet shots during the attack. Currently, Ian is undergoing treatment at a hospital.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Tuesday, February 28, 2017, 9:09 [IST]
Man rapes 8-year-old to use her blood for removing obstacles to his marriage

Mamata to focus now on district private hospitals too

Kolkata

pti-PTI

Kolkata, Feb 28: Broadening her sweep against malpractices in private hospitals in and around the city, Mamata Banerjee will focus on the district private hospitals and nursing homes where complaints of overcharging patients are rampant.

The West Bengal chief minister would talk to the authorities of private hospitals and nursing homes in the districts during her periodic visits, state secretariat sources said on Tuesday. Banerjee held meetings last week with representatives of private hospitals and nursing homes located in and around the city in a bid to redress frequent complaints of inflated bills, forced admission in ICUs, negligence in treatment and others.

Similar complaints against private hospitals and nursing homes operating in the districts have been poring in at the health department for a long time and the chief minister has decided to take a firm stand, a senior officer at the department said.

Yesterday, Banerjee said that nursing homes and private hospitals cannot be turned into places of business and "kasaikhana" (slaughter house). She said the private health facilities should not "ignore" poor patients and serve them with a smile.

Banerjee had announced setting up the West Bengal Health Regulatory Commission, for which a bill is due to be tabled on March 3, to monitor complaints of inflated billing by private health facilities while severely criticising their wayward functioning.

PTI
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of One News Page Ltd.
LIMA, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Peru's biggest construction group, Grana y Montero , said on Tuesday that its three top executives are stepping down amid a growing graft scandal that had sunk its shares by more than 50 percent in two days.

Grana's shares climbed back up more than 10 percent on the announcement of the resignations, which came ahead of a shareholders meeting later on Tuesday to tackle the fallout of a far-reaching corruption inquiry into the company's partner, Brazilian builder Odebrecht.

The resignations of Jose Grana, the company chairman and son of one of its founders; Chief Executive Mario Alvarado; and director Hernando Grana will be effective on Thursday, the company said in a statement. Deputy chief executive Luis Diaz will become the new chief executive.

The company said it would continue to work to prove wrong allegations that it knew about $20 million in bribes that Odebrecht has admitted to giving to former Peruvian president Alejandro Toledo.

Toledo has denied wrongdoing.

The former head of Odebrecht in Peru was quoted in a local magazine on Friday telling prosecutors that Grana the company and its other local partners on two highway contracts were aware of a deal to bribe Toledo and knew they would have to "assume their part."

Grana's outgoing executives have not been accused of anything.

Odebrecht has been at the center of Latin America's biggest region-wide corruption scandal since acknowledging in late December that it distributed hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes from Peru to Panama.

(Reporting By Mitra Taj and Ursula Scollo; Editing by Bill Trott)
Median Lithium Value in First Two Batches of Drill Core Samples Exceeds Average Lithium Value of Previously Reported Surface Samples by 64% and 57%, Respectively to a New Average of 1,040ppm from 600ppm taken from Original Grab Samples

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 28, 2017 / Noram Ventures Inc. (NRM.V) (N7R.F) (OTC PINK: NRVTF) ("Noram" or the "Company") and Alba Minerals Ltd. ("Alba") (TSX-V: AA.H AXVEF:US) are pleased to announce the second batch of drill core sample results from the 46-hole Phase I drilling program that focused on the Zeus portion of its Clayton Valley Lithium Project in Nevada (see Figure 1). The Zeus claims are located within two kilometers (1.25 miles) of Albemarle's Silver Peak Lithium Mine that has been in production since 1966 and is the only lithium-brine production operation in North America.

The second group of 10 holes reported herein consisted of 151.4 meters (497 feet) of core drilling with an average hole depth of 15.1 meters (49.5 feet) and core sampling done primarily on 1.22 meter (4-foot) intervals. Bradley C. Peek, MSc and Certified Professional Geologist supervised the collection of the cores and samples; and sample analysis was performed by ALS Labs (Reno, NV) on 126 samples from the 10 holes using a 4-acid digestion and MS-ICP methods for 48 elements.

Table 1 lists each drill hole's location (NAD 83, Zone 11S), elevation and depth - all in meters. All holes were vertical. All core size was BQ.

Table 1 - Drill Hole Location Information Hole ID UTM Easting UTM Northing Approx. Elev. Depth Dip CVZ-10 455973.0 4180837.4 1339 10.7 -90 CVZ-11 456051.0 4180737.3 1344 12.2 -90 CVZ-13 456091.0 4180658.0 1347 12.8 -90 CVZ-14 456131.2 4180845.8 1343 13.4 -90 CVZ-15 456187.3 4180710.1 1349 12.2 -90 CVZ-16 456196.1 4180790.9 1346 16.8 -90 CVZ-17 455850.3 4180951.7 1335 15.8 -90 CVZ-18 455835.2 4180723.9 1339 15.8 -90 CVZ-19 455971.7 4180918.5 1339 14.6 -90 CVZ-20 455837.8 4180851.7 1334 27.1 -90

These drill holes are all located in an area of close-spaced drilling measuring approximately 800 meters (2,600 feet) by 520 meters (1,700 feet)(see Figure 2). Lithium values continue to be very consistent across the close-spaced drilling area.

Table 2 lists the samples, their intervals, their weights and their lithium analytical results. The core holes were vertical and the sedimentary units that were tested are horizontal or dipping at less than 5, so the intervals sampled are true widths.

Hole ID Sample ID Sample Wt. (kg) From (ft) To (ft) From (m) To (m) Li (ppm) CVZ-10 289639 0.68 0 4 0.00 1.22 1160 CVZ-10 289640 0.64 4 8 1.22 2.44 1320 CVZ-10 289641 0.79 8 12 2.44 3.66 950 CVZ-10 289642 0.79 12 16 3.66 4.88 940 CVZ-10 289643 0.62 16 20 4.88 6.10 1280 CVZ-10 289644 0.65 20 24 6.10 7.32 840 CVZ-10 289645 0.63 24 28 7.32 8.53 1020 CVZ-10 289646 0.64 28 32 8.53 9.75 1150 CVZ-10 289647 0.47 32 35 9.75 10.67 1320 CVZ-11 289672 0.46 0 4 0.00 1.22 830 CVZ-11 289673 0.67 4 8 1.22 2.44 920 CVZ-11 289674 0.89 8 12 2.44 3.66 1110 CVZ-11 289675 0.82 12 16 3.66 4.88 1210 CVZ-11 289676 0.95 16 20 4.88 6.10 1790 CVZ-11 289677 0.78 20 24 6.10 7.32 1240 CVZ-11 289678 0.39 24 28 7.32 8.53 1500 CVZ-11 289679 1.08 28 32 8.53 9.75 1580 CVZ-11 289680 0.82 32 36 9.75 10.97 1370 CVZ-11 289681 0.53 36 40 10.97 12.19 1660 CVZ-13 289660 0.21 0 4 0.00 1.22 1190 CVZ-13 289661 0.54 4 8 1.22 2.44 1080 CVZ-13 289662 0.5 8 12 2.44 3.66 1100 CVZ-13 289663 0.52 12 16 3.66 4.88 1760 CVZ-13 289664 0.89 16 20 4.88 6.10 1150 CVZ-13 289665 0.55 20 24 6.10 7.32 840 CVZ-13 289666 0.94 24 28 7.32 8.53 950 CVZ-13 289667 1.09 28 32 8.53 9.75 920 CVZ-13 289668 0.89 32 36 9.75 10.97 1140 CVZ-13 289669 0.75 36 40 10.97 12.19 1120 CVZ-13 289670 0.53 40 42 12.19 12.80 1230 CVZ-14 289628 0.65 0 4 0.00 1.22 1950 CVZ-14 289629 0.69 4 8 1.22 2.44 1100 CVZ-14 289630 0.87 8 12 2.44 3.66 970 CVZ-14 289631 1.06 12 16 3.66 4.88 1060 CVZ-14 289632 0.98 16 20 4.88 6.10 1210 CVZ-14 289633 0.82 20 24 6.10 7.32 1400 CVZ-14 289634 1.2 24 28 7.32 8.53 1340 CVZ-14 289635 0.96 28 32 8.53 9.75 1760 CVZ-14 289636 1.03 32 36 9.75 10.97 1930

CVZ-14 289637 1.07 36 40 10.97 12.19 1700 CVZ-14 289638 0.93 40 44 12.19 13.41 1690 CVZ-15 289649 0.6 0 4 0.00 1.22 1040 CVZ-15 289650 0.96 4 8 1.22 2.44 780 CVZ-15 289651 1.03 8 12 2.44 3.66 540 CVZ-15 289652 0.87 12 16 3.66 4.88 780 CVZ-15 289653 1.01 16 20 4.88 6.10 1120 CVZ-15 289654 0.94 20 24 6.10 7.32 890 CVZ-15 289655 0.72 24 28 7.32 8.53 870 CVZ-15 289656 0.95 28 32 8.53 9.75 1130 CVZ-15 289657 1 32 36 9.75 10.97 1050 CVZ-15 289658 1.01 36 40 10.97 12.19 920 CVZ-16 289711 0.56 4 8 1.22 2.44 900 CVZ-16 289712 0.58 8 12 2.44 3.66 930 CVZ-16 289713 0.76 12 16 3.66 4.88 1200 CVZ-16 289714 0.74 16 20 4.88 6.10 950 CVZ-16 289715 0.66 20 24 6.10 7.32 1220 CVZ-16 289716 0.68 24 28 7.32 8.53 1720 CVZ-16 289717 0.68 28 32 8.53 9.75 950 CVZ-16 289718 0.68 32 36 9.75 10.97 1110 CVZ-16 289719 0.66 36 40 10.97 12.19 920 CVZ-16 289720 0.7 40 44 12.19 13.41 870 CVZ-16 289721 0.62 44 48 13.41 14.63 920 CVZ-16 289722 0.96 48 52 14.63 15.85 1010 CVZ-16 289723 0.62 52 55 15.85 16.76 1230 CVZ-17 289683 0.42 0 4 0.00 1.22 1090 CVZ-17 289684 0.76 4 8 1.22 2.44 900 CVZ-17 289685 0.56 8 12 2.44 3.66 880 CVZ-17 289686 0.5 12 16 3.66 4.88 640 CVZ-17 289687 0.49 16 20 4.88 6.10 880 CVZ-17 289688 0.75 20 24 6.10 7.32 960 CVZ-17 289689 0.77 24 28 7.32 8.53 920 CVZ-17 289690 0.67 28 32 8.53 9.75 650 CVZ-17 289691 0.89 32 36 9.75 10.97 730 CVZ-17 289692 0.67 36 40 10.97 12.19 600 CVZ-17 289693 0.77 40 44 12.19 13.41 630 CVZ-17 289694 0.76 44 48 13.41 14.63 630 CVZ-17 289695 0.9 48 52 14.63 15.85 750 CVZ-18 289697 0.57 0 4 0.00 1.22 1130 CVZ-18 289698 0.96 4 8 1.22 2.44 930 CVZ-18 289699 0.96 8 12 2.44 3.66 1000 CVZ-18 289700 0.94 12 16 3.66 4.88 1300 CVZ-18 289701 0.76 16 20 4.88 6.10 750

CVZ-18 289702 0.84 20 24 6.10 7.32 960 CVZ-18 289703 0.68 24 28 7.32 8.53 1290 CVZ-18 289704 0.78 28 32 8.53 9.75 1220 CVZ-18 289705 0.6 32 36 9.75 10.97 1350 CVZ-18 289706 0.66 36 40 10.97 12.19 1600 CVZ-18 289707 0.6 40 44 12.19 13.41 1050 CVZ-18 289708 0.66 44 48 13.41 14.63 960 CVZ-18 289709 0.68 48 51 14.63 15.54 1060 CVZ-19 293388 0.6 0 4 0.00 1.22 890 CVZ-19 293389 0.7 4 8 1.22 2.44 1080 CVZ-19 293390 0.7 8 12 2.44 3.66 840 CVZ-19 293391 0.66 12 16 3.66 4.88 850 CVZ-19 293392 0.68 16 20 4.88 6.10 860 CVZ-19 293393 0.82 20 24 6.10 7.32 850 CVZ-19 293394 0.96 24 28 7.32 8.53 1350 CVZ-19 293395 0.84 28 32 8.53 9.75 1070 CVZ-19 293396 1.04 32 36 9.75 10.97 1510 CVZ-19 293397 0.98 36 40 10.97 12.19 990 CVZ-19 293398 0.98 40 44 12.19 13.41 920 CVZ-19 293399 0.86 44 48 13.41 14.63 730 CVZ-19 293400 0.88 48 52 14.63 15.85 790 CVZ-20 289775 0.14 0 4 0.00 1.22 1010 CVZ-20 289776 0.1 4 8 1.22 2.44 425 CVZ-20 289777 0.36 8 12 2.44 3.66 1230 CVZ-20 289778 0.88 12 16 3.66 4.88 1020 CVZ-20 289779 0.52 16 20 4.88 6.10 1030 CVZ-20 289780 0.62 20 24 6.10 7.32 860 CVZ-20 289781 0.7 24 28 7.32 8.53 820 CVZ-20 289782 0.82 28 32 8.53 9.75 980 CVZ-20 289783 0.8 32 36 9.75 10.97 1100 CVZ-20 289784 0.64 36 40 10.97 12.19 840 CVZ-20 289785 0.82 40 44 12.19 13.41 780 CVZ-20 289786 0.76 44 48 13.41 14.63 810 CVZ-20 289787 0.7 48 52 14.63 15.85 640 CVZ-20 289788 0.78 52 56 15.85 17.07 700 CVZ-20 289789 0.64 56 60 17.07 18.29 850 CVZ-20 289790 0.74 60 64 18.29 19.51 660 CVZ-20 289791 0.78 64 68 19.51 20.73 900 CVZ-20 289792 0.64 68 72 20.73 21.95 950 CVZ-20 289793 0.82 72 76 21.95 23.16 740 CVZ-20 289794 0.94 76 80 23.16 24.38 650 CVZ-20 289795 0.94 80 84 24.38 25.60 910 CVZ-20 289796 0.82 84 88 25.60 26.82 490

CVZ-20 289797 0.26 88 92 26.82 28.04 510

Sample intervals were split by geologists at the drilling program staging area. Half of the core was retained in the core boxes for future review and/or sampling. The other half was securely sent to ALS Laboratories in Reno, Nevada, USA for testing. Core recovery for these second 10 core holes averaged 84.4%.

The lithium content of the 126 samples had an interval-weighted average of 1,040.5 ppm with a minimum value of 425 ppm and a maximum value of 1,950 ppm, both over 1.22m (4 ft) intersections. The samples had a median value of 975 ppm Li.

Laboratory standards with two different lithium ranges (1,237 ppm and 783 ppm) were inserted into the sample stream, along with lithium blanks and duplicate samples (9 QA/QC samples, in all, with these samples). The standards and blanks were obtained from MEG Labs of Reno, Nevada, USA. Duplicate samples were obtained by splitting the remaining half of the split core (1/4 of the original core). All analyses of the standards, blanks and duplicates were well within acceptable ranges.

"The lithium values continue to be amazingly consistent, both vertically and horizontally, across all 20 holes we have reported to date," said Mark Ireton President and CEO of Noram. "The median lithium value in the first and second batch of drill core samples also exceeds the average lithium value of the previously reported surface samples (Dec 8, 2016) by 64% and 57%, respectively."

Sandy MacDougall said: "We are very please with the continued positive results and look forward to continuing with the next phase of exploration"

Analytical results from the remaining 26 drill holes of the Phase 1 drilling program are pending.

Noram is amassing one of the largest land packages in Nevada's Clayton Valley. Its non-contiguous North and South Blocks now total 888 claims covering 17,738 acres and are positioned both north and south of Albemarle's Silver Peak mine, North America's only lithium producer.

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Bradley C. Peek, MSc and Certified Professional Geologist, who is a Qualified Person with respect to Noram's Clayton Valley Lithium Project as defined under National Instrument 43-101.

About Noram Ventures Inc.:

Noram Ventures Inc. (TSX-Venture: NRM / Frankfurt: N7R / OTCBB: NRVTF) is a Canadian based junior exploration company, with a goal of becoming a force in the Green Energy Revolution through the development of lithium and graphite deposits and becoming a low-cost supplier for the burgeoning lithium battery industry. The Company's primary business focus since formation has been the exploration of mineral properties. Current projects include lithium properties in the Clayton Valley of Nevada and the Hector Lode in San Bernardino County, California; and the Jumbo graphite property in southeastern British Columbia. Noram's long term strategy is to build a multi-national lithium-graphite dominant industrial minerals company to produce and sell lithium and graphite into the markets of Europe, North America and Asia.

Please visit our web site for further information: www.noramventures.com.

About Alba Minerals Ltd

Alba Minerals Ltd. Is a Vancouver based junior resource company with projects in North and South America, focusing on the development of our Lithium properties. Our Lithium Projects are located in Clayton Valley Nevada where 55 hole drilling program has commenced. Our second Lithium Project is in Salta Province , Argentina, adjacent to World -class lithium projects held by Lithium Americas and Orocobre in one of the world's leading lithium producing regions.

Please visit our web site for further information: https://www.albamineralsltd.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

/s/ "Mark R. Ireton" /s/ "Sandy MacDougall"

President & Director Chairman

Noram Venture Inc. Alba Minerals Ltd.

This news release contains projections and forward-looking information that involve 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. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements; the uncertainty of future profitability; and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information. Actual results and future events could differ materially from 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 expressed qualified in their entirety by this notice. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstance or management's estimates or opinions change.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Noram Ventures Inc.
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GOwebdardy strives to be the best Custom Website Design Company of Durgapur

Durgapur, India, February 22, 2017 With new projects coming up almost every day, GOwebdardy has comprehended the flow of the work and thus, has taken new resolutions in this new year. Being custom website development the main of them, GOwebdardy has optimized its team of developers and designers in order to produce exclusive websites that are created on the basis of the clients demands and can easily satisfy the needs of the customers.Durgapur is now advancing itself in terms of IT & web development services. With thousands of companies mushrooming up here almost every day boasting of being the finest custom website design company of Durgapur, GOwebdardy faces a good deal of challenge. The team of developers and designers have realized that customization of a website is in much demand because it enables the website to be unique where the customers requirements are given the priority. Tailoring a website from the scratch requires much attention, relevant tools, skilled manpower & certain techniques & strategies to be adopted.Most of the clients actually demand of getting a totally tailored website as it is based on their concepts and ideas and expresses their own thoughts. The exclusiveness of the website brings it forward on the internet and gets a huge traffic. Therefore, GOwebdardy has decided to design their development & designing team to be skilled to design tailored websites in order to thrive as the best custom website design company of Durgapur.GOwebdardy prides its dexterous teams and the unity and cooperative mentality of them. Thus, it has built a good list of clients who has created custom websites from them.GOwebdardy is the sister concern of RL Infotechh Solutions, which is an LLP company registered in India. Established in 2014, we offer premium B2B web processes at competitive market rates. We have already worked for a number of global clients and our work has impressed them enough to refer us to other clients, which has aided us to amass a huge client baseName : GoWebDardyAddress : 180 KM,GT Road, Durgapur -713212, India
Process Oil Market Size, Share | Industry Trends Analysis Report, 2024

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=16769

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A new research report by Transparency Market Research offers a comprehensive evaluation of the global Process Oil Market. The study, titled Process Oil Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024, is available for sale on the firms website.Process Oil Market: OverviewProcess oil is a combination of paraffinic, naphthenic, and aromatic compounds with varying molecular weight. It is used as raw material component or as an aid in processing of materials in industries such as textile, rubber and polymer. Process oil is produced by refining processes such as catalytic dewaxing process and advanced hydrocracking. Process oil obtained after refining is colorless and exhibits high performance qualities such as high saturation, low volatility, and increase in purity and stability. It is nearly free of polar compounds, aromatics, and sulfur.Get PDF Brochure for more Professional and Technical insights:Materials that can be used as process oil include chemical peptizers, petroleum oil, fatty acid soaps and esters, liquid polymers, partially vulcanized rubber, and waxes. Process oil is used in a wide range of applications in various industries such as plastics, polymer, rubber, tire, adhesives, personal care, defoamers, and textile.Process Oil Market Dynamics and TrendsIncrease in usage of process oil in personal care and polymer industries, followed by textile industry, is one of the major drivers of the process oil market. Consumers of personal care products are following the trend of using natural-based products. This is boosting the personal care industry. Process oil plays an important role in manufacturing polymer products, which are used in consumer goods, automotive, medical, and industrial sectors. These applications are expected to propel the demand for process oil, resulting in significant growth of the market. In textile industry, it is essential that products made from fibers should have very low ageing effects and discoloration. These products should also avoid formation of electrostatic charge on them and not be prone to easy wear and tear. Process oil is used to achieve these specifications.Process oil is also used to improve the ability of rubber to get processed in the rubber industry. It also helps to increase the bulk of rubber in order to lower its cost. Furthermore, process oil is employed in a wide range of applications such as spray oils, defoamers, explosives, fertilizers, hot-melt adhesives, optical cable fill gels, petroleum jelly, textile and leather auxiliaries, and thermoplastic elastomers. Thus, the process oil market is expected to continue to expand in the near future.Process Oil Market: SegmentationBased on material, the process oil market can be segmented into paraffinic, naphthenic, and aromatic. Based on process oil containing materials, the market can be segmented into peptizers, petroleum oils, fatty acid derivatives, polymers, and waxes. In terms of application, the process oil market can be segmented into personal care, polymer, plastics, rubber, and textile.Process Oil Market: Region-wise OutlookIn terms of value and volume, Asia Pacific is expected to lead the process oil market due to the increasing demand in the automotive industry. Of late, many companies have been shifting their manufacturing divisions to Asia Pacific due to the easy access to labor, availability of labor at economical costs, and easy availability of raw materials. This is anticipated to boost the process oil market in the region. Thus, Asia Pacific, followed by Europe, dominates the process oil market.Process Oil Market: Key PlayersKey players operating in the process oil market include Phillips 66 Company, Panama Petrochem Ltd., Process Oils Inc., Calumet Specialty Products Partners L.P., Shell Global, Chevron, LUKOIL Oil Company, Repsol, and Avista Oil AG.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.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)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. TMR's 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.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Wave and Tidal Energy Market - Global Industry Analysis & Size :2024

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Transparency Market Research has released a new market report titled, Wave and Tidal Energy Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2016-2024. According to the report, the global wave and tidal energy market was valued at US$ 497.7 Mn in 2014 and is anticipated to reach US$ 11345.0 Mn in 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 23.2% from 2016 to 2024.Download the Exclusive Report Sample Here :When harnessed effectively, ocean could prove to be one of the largest reserves of clean and sustainable energy. Wave and tidal energy are the two major forms of harnessing ocean energy. These have significantly different market dynamics. Tidal energy can be broadly segmented into tidal stream and tidal range energy. Tidal range power plants entail construction of tidal barrages. This is a mature form of energy generation technology. Commissioned in 2011, the Sihwa Lake Tidal Power Station with 254 MW capacity in South Korea replaced Frances Rance Tidal Power Station as the largest tidal power plant in the world. Tidal stream power plants are a relatively new technology with ample scope for development. Wave energy is a relatively new concept. The two sectors are likely to experience significant market growth in terms of installed capacity and investments in the near future.Currently, over 200 companies operate in the wave and tidal energy sector. Most of these players are extensively involved in the business of development of energy converter technology. Wave and tidal stream technologies have significant potential of reaping benefits of economies of scale. Large-scale commercial array deployments of wave and tidal power plants are projected to be followed by massive cost reductions. Strong development of the offshore wind energy sector in several countries can contribute significantly to cost reduction potential of wave and tidal energy. The path from prototype testing and project demonstration to large-scale commercial project construction is a long one. Constant financial and policy support from local governments is imperative for technology developers for brisk commercialization of their energy converter devices. Currently, the industry structure is fragmented. It is difficult to ascertain if the industry would consolidate in the near future. However, establishment of special purpose project companies and strategic alliances would be imperative for small technology developers to invest in projects across the world.Major developments in wave and tidal stream plants are expected to take place in Europe. On the other hand, South Korea is estimated to grow the fastest in terms of tidal barrage operations. Wave energy development in Asia Pacific would be concentrated in Australia. Currently, only tidal barrages are capable of generating returns on investments through the sale of electricity. Tidal stream and wave power plants are still not capable of generating power at grid parity levels. Commercialization of technology is the need of the hour for this sector. Otherwise, it would be difficult for project developers to sign long-term power sale contracts. Reduction in costs would become a necessity as the sector shifts from grant financing to private equity and debt financing.Key players in the global wave and tidal energy market include Pelamis Wave Power Ltd., Carnegie Wave Energy Ltd., Ocean Power Technologies, Inc., Ocean Renewable Power Company LLC, Tenax Energy, AquaGen Technologies, Atlantis Resources Ltd., S.D.E. Energy Ltd. (WERPO Wave Energy), Marine Current Turbines Ltd., and Aquamarine Power Ltd. The report provides an overview of these companies, followed by their financial revenues (on availability), business strategies, SWOT analysis, and recent developments. The global wave and tidal energy market has been segmented as follows:Wave and Tidal Energy Market: Type analysisWave energyTidal energyWave and Tidal Energy Market: Geography analysisNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaMexicoEuropeU.K.ScotlandFranceNorwayRussiaOthersAsia PacificSouth KoreaAustraliaChinaOthersRest of the WorldSouth AfricaGhanaOthersAbout 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 :
Off-Grid Solar Lighting Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size & Share: 2024

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Sliding prices of components such as LEDs, batteries, and photovoltaic chips are prompting off-grid solar power product manufacturers in directing investments and funds towards enhancement of technology, efficiency, and durability of their offerings, states TMR in a recent report.In the fragmented off-grid solar lighting market, featuring few large-scale vendors such as Koninklijke Philips N.V., OSRAM GmbH, Total S.A., and SunnyMoney, and several small- and medium-sized players, pricing of products is a major determinant of success.Download the Exclusive Report Sample Here :Government initiatives in the form of tax abatements and tax-free loans are encouraging vendors to introduce highly cost competitive products; technology innovations and patented technologies are also being introduced at a rapid pace in the market and companies are launching products that can suit the diverse needs of consumers. Recently, in March 2015, market leader Koninklijke Philips N.V. launched the Philips LifeLight, which is a range of zero-energy solar powered LED lighting solutions. The product range comprises two sophisticated pendant lights and a USB port for charging mobile phones that is connected to a solar panel. The lights in the product have demonstrated 10 times longer lasting light as compared to candles and kerosene lamps. Total S.A. launched an adaptable 48 volt solar house kit in January, 2016, whose capacity can be extended with the addition of solar panels and batteries.Low Electrification Rates to Work in Favor of Off-grid Solar PowerReliable access to electricity is one of the most prominent challenges for millions of households in countries across Latin America, Africa, and Asia Pacific, making them directly dependent on off-grid power sources. Most of these households reside in rural areas and come from low to moderate income groups. The cost-effective and reliable off-grid solar power technology makes for a fitting power supply option for this demographics, prompting companies to make non-traditional regions a key part of their growth strategy.As for many other solar power technologies, the market for off-grid solar lighting has witnessed increased traction owing to the rising affordability of off-grid solar lighting products. Products such as solar lanterns and solar batteries have witnessed increased demand in remote parts of developing and under-developed parts of the globe that are not connected to conventional grids.The rising consumer base of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets in Asia Pacific and Africa has also augured well for the market. Increasingly reliable and innovative products such as the solar batteries capable of recharging mobile devices are becoming highly popular among the remotely located and mostly underserved demographics in these regions. The high consumer-base of mobile devices is also expected to have a major impact on the demand for off-grid multi-functional solar power systems.Off-grid Solar Lighting Products to Completely Replace KeroseneThe increased prices of kerosene is also a major reason why the consumer is shifting from the biologically and environmentally hazardous fuel to off-grid solar lighting products. As of 2013, nearly 18% of the worlds population was directly dependent on fuels like kerosene for lighting purposes.The overall financial gains of this shift are also enormous, prompting government bodies in making major contributions towards raising consumer awareness on this front. Households with no electricity spend over US$30 bn every year on kerosene for lighting purposes. On the other hand, the cost of providing solar lighting products for an equivalent amount of light and power can be as less as US$2.7 bn. This can encourage household savings of about 10%-15% annually. The drastic cut down on costs for lighting can have a major impact on the overall development of emerging economies, says a TMR analyst.Restraining the market from achieving widespread appeal and a larger consumer base are factors such as limited distribution channels, lack of consumer awareness, and issues about access to finance.The Asia Pacific off-grid solar lighting market is expected to rise in terms of revenue from US$365.09 mn in 2014 to US$2,294 mn in 2024. The number of units of off-grid solar lighting solutions sold in the region is expected to rise from 6.06 mn in 2014 to 46.20 mn in 2024. Trailing the Asia Pacific market for off-grid solar lighting will be the Africa market, which is expected to rise from US$269.9 mn in 2014 to US$2,117.9 mn in 2024 in terms of revenue.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 :
Coal Bed Methane Market size in terms of volume and value 2014-2020

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Under the purview of energy, coal bed methane primarily refers to the natural gas or methane recovery from un-mined coal seams and adjacent sandstones. Such methane recovery usually occurs prior to mining, whereas in some cases, coal seams remain un-mined and methane recovery from such sites is known as virgin coal bed methane. Coal bed methane recovery from un-mined coal mines is of strategic importance as absolute or maximum drainage of the methane seam is necessary to avoid the risk of explosion as well as mitigate the emission of methane in the atmosphere from coal mining operations. From the estimated global coal bed methane reserve of about 4,000 Tcf to 5,000 Tcf, about 20% to 25% is recoverable.Request For Report Sample@The fact that the coal in some sites is at a greater depth, makes it not feasible to extract it on account of the associated safety. This and other environmental and economic considerations serve as the drivers for the global coal bed methane market. Further, the shifting focus towards the use of unconventional energy sources serves as another factor for the growth of global coal bed methane market. The constraints of the coal bed methane are dependent on the accessibility of coal seams. Major constraints of the global coal bed methane market include environmental, regulatory, technical and economic challenges. Among these, environmental constraints include risk associated with greenhouse gas emission. The economical challenges associated with the global coal bed methane market are more prevalent in the early stages of the recovery, when large quantities of water are pumped in with minimal recovery of revenue producing gas. This dewatering and produced water disposal cost is of significant importance for any carbon bed methane project. Although the development cost for the coal bed methane project is relatively lower, it is always a challenge to keep it within minimal range to achieve profitability. The technical constraints of the coal bed methane market depend on the well completion and optimization design to achieve maximum production with optimum number, spacing and location of wells. Also, handling and disposal of water at a minimal cost alongwith the efficient reservoir characterisation are other key technical restraints for global coal bed methane market. Also, coal bed methane requires a low pressure pipeline system which acts as an economical constraint. However, the potential of carbon bed methane to serve as a supplement for conventional natural gas supply and its contribution towards the global energy mix will act as an opportunity for global coal bed methane market. However, the market expansion of the global coal bed methane will be dependent upon the growth of newer technology and development.Market segmentation of global coal bed methane can be done on the basis of application, technology and geography. On the basis of application, the global carbon methane market includes commercial application, industrial application, power generation, residential application, and transportation. On the basis of technology, the global carbon bed methane market includes fracturing techniques including hydro-fracturing, proppant-based fracturing and chemical additive based fracturing, exploration, and drilling. Among these, fracturing techniques have been utilised most frequently for coal bed methane recovery. On the basis of geography, the global coal bed methane market includes North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Japan, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Among these, the largest carbon bed methane resource bases are found in Canada, China, US, Soviet Union and Australia, with Canada accounting for the maximum share followed by the Soviet Union, China, Australia and US. On a broader level, any country with abundant coal reserves and population, and high energy demand will serve as a potential market for carbon bed methane development at a global level. The demand for coal bed methane gas is evident alongwith the demand for natural gas in China and other Asian countries. Associated exploration in the US has been active in the past few years whereas Canada witnessed lower exploration and the development offewer extraction technologies pertaining to global coal bed methane market.Visit For TOC@Some of the prominent players of the global coal bed methane market include Santos, Quick Silver Resources Inc, Baker Hughes Incorporated, BG Group, Arrow Energy, Blue Energy Limited, Halliburton, Dart Energy Ltd., Fortune Oil PLC, ConocoPhillips and Metgasco Limited.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.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Network Function Virtualization Market Revenue, Opportunity, Forecast and Value Chain 2014-2020

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Network function virtualization (NFV) is the combination of software and hardware network featured in a virtual network. The service was initiated by service operators in order to increase the deployment of new operations, maintenance and service of networks. Network function virtualization catalyzes the major changes in implementation of network and their operations. The solution offered by network function virtualization projects a prominent future by optimizing the network operations and benefitting the service providers across the globe. Network function virtualization involves implementation of network functions in software suitable for different hardware and that can be moved to various locations without any need of installation of new equipments.The primary goals of network function virtualization are to reduce power consumption and reduce equipment cost, facilitate the accessibility of several applications on one single network appliances with multi tenancy and multi version capabilities. Network function virtualization reduces capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX). These networks support a dynamic ecosystem through the development and utilization of software solutions. All the benefits of FV are derived from use commercial off the shelf (COTS) hardware that can be purposed and repurposed for multiple telecom related services that currently use proprietary hardware. Network function virtualization adopts the concept of virtualization and providing the benefit to telecommunication application infrastructure. Network function visualization supports software defining network (SDN) by providing the infrastructure upon which SDN software can be run.Request For Report Sample@The market for network function virtualization is driven by several factors including increase in demand for data intensive applications and need of cloud based services. Over the past few years the mobile industry has witnessed exceptional demand for data intensive applications which further demands for enhanced network capacity to match the user requirement. The growth of market is hindered by factors such as delay in adoption of technology. Due to nascent stage of optimization solution, vendors need more opportunities to accomplish more target customers. One of the major trends in network function virtualization market is the increasing demand for virtual server access ports. The network function virtualization market across the globe is expected to show a substantial growth with a double digit increase in CAGR by the year 2019. The global market shows immense potential because of the presence of certain trends and due to the cost benefits and high flexibility provided by b the network solutions.The market for network function virtualization is segmented on the basis of applications and geography. On the basis of application the market for network function virtualization can be segmented into switching elements (Routers), traffic analysis, service assurance, next generation signaling, security function and others. The geographical analysis of the market is done on the basis of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of World.Visit For TOC@Some of the major players in the market include Ericsson AB, Alcatel-Lucent SA, Huawei technologies Co. Ltd., 6Wind SA, Nokia Solutions and Network, Amdocs Inc., Connectem Inc., CIMI Corporation, ContexXtream Inc., Intel Corporation, F5 Network Inc., Juniper Network Inc., Open Wave Mobility Inc., NEC Inc., Oracle Corporation and Opera Software Asa among 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.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Central Venous Catheter Market Anticipated to be Valued at US$ 1,108.4 Mn by 2026

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Future Market Insights (FMI) delivers key insights on the global central venous catheter market in its latest report titled, Global Central Venous Catheter Market: Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 20162026. In terms of revenue, the global central venous catheter market is projected to register a CAGR of 5.1% over the forecast period owing to various factors, on which FMI offers detailed insights and forecasts.Growth of the global central venous catheter market is mainly driven by rising adoption and growing demand for antimicrobial coated catheters, coupled with socio-economic factors such as increasing disease incidences due to a growing geriatric population. Other prominent growth drivers are product innovations and increasing rates of hospitalisations. A key trend in the global central venous catheter market is the increasing usage of tip location devices for locating the tip of the catheter during central access procedure. Increasing number of oncologists are prescribing antimicrobial coated tunnelled catheters for chemotherapy regimens, which is another prominent trend in the global central venous catheter market.Request Report Sample@Segmentation highlightsThe market is segmented based on product type, design of the catheters, composition of the catheters, properties, end user and regions. Based on product type, the market has been segmented into tunnelled and non-tunnelled catheters.Non-tunnelled catheters are expected to exhibit the fastest CAGR, due to increase in the usage of these catheters by anaesthesiologists in the emergency room. The segment is expected to register a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period. However risk of catheter related blood stream infection with non-tunnelled catheters is expected to adversely affect demand for these central venous catheters over the forecast periodTo provide deeper insight into pattern of demand for central venous catheters, the market has been segmented based on the properties of the central venous catheters such as antimicrobial coated catheters and non-antimicrobial coated cathetersThe antimicrobial coated catheters property segment is expected to witness a highest CAGR of 6.0% over the forecast period. The market has also been segmented based on the composition of the catheter such as catheters made up of polyurethane, polyurethane/polycarbonate and silicon. Polyurethane CVCs are expected to exhibit the fastest CAGR during the forecast periodTo analyse the sales of central venous catheter further, the market has been segmented based on the design of the catheters such as single lumen catheters, double lumen catheters and multi lumen cathetersIn addition to this, the market has also been segmented by end users into hospitals, ambulatory surgical centres, and speciality clinics. The Hospital end user segment is expected to account for the highest demand for central venous catheter over the forecast period, registering a CAGR of 5.3%. Increasing patient admissions for major surgeries, trauma cases, accidents etc. is anticipated to push the demand for central venous catheters in hospitals over the forecast periodRegional projectionsThis report assesses trends driving growth of each segment on the global as well as regional levels, and offers potential takeaways that could prove substantially useful to central venous catheters manufacturers looking to enter the market. North America has been estimated to dominate the global central venous catheter market with a maximum market share in 2015. North America and Western Europe have been collectively expected to account for around 50% of the total global central venous catheter market share in terms of value in 2015. Amongst the emerging markets, APEJ region is estimated to exhibit the highest CAGR of 6.2% over the forecast period, due to an increase in the number of patients admitted to hospitals.Send An Enquiry@Vendor insightsSome key players in the global central venous catheter market identified in the report include AngioDynamics, C.R. Bard, Teleflex Incorporated, Kimal, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Vygon (UK) Ltd., Smiths Medical and Comed B.V. FMI has discussed individual strategies of these companies in terms of enhancing product portfolio, distribution partnerships, market consolidation and advanced R&D initiatives. In addition, the report also provides company share and competitive dashboard for players already present in the market.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:
Portable Oxygen Concentrators Market Projected to Be Valued at US$ 2637.7 Mn by 2026 End

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According to a latest report published by Future Market Insights titled Portable Oxygen Concentrators Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 20162026, the global portable oxygen concentrators market is anticipated to register a CAGR of 7.8% between 2016 and 2026 in terms of value.Portable oxygen concentrators supply oxygen to patients suffering from respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. The concentrator separates nitrogen and oxygen from air in the environment and then supplies 95% pure oxygen to patients. POCs are easy to carry as they are smaller in size compared to stationary concentrators. Moreover, POCs are of great use to mountaineers and travellers in places where oxygen is inadequate.Request Report Sample@According to Future Market Insights, the global portable oxygen concentrators market is likely to witness substantial growth owing to increasing prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, growing consumer awareness for oxygen therapy devices, and a changing consumer lifestyle. Further, adoption of new technologies in medical devices, increasing government expenditure towards healthcare and medical devices development and production, and a rise in investment by companies manufacturing homecare products is likely to boost the growth of the global portable oxygen concentrators market during the forecast period (2016  2026). However, high product costs and stringent FDA regulations pertaining to medical devices are some of the factors likely to restrain the growth of the global portable oxygen concentrators market during the forecast period.Segmentation highlightsThe global portable oxygen concentrators market has been segmented on the basis of Product into Continuous Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator and Pulse Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator; and on the basis of End User into Hospitals, Homecare, Ambulatory Surgical Centres, and Travel Agents.The Pulse Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator product segment is projected to be valued at US$ 1890.3 Mn by 2026, registering a CAGR of 9.0% over the forecast periodThe Homecare end user segment is projected to be valued at US$ 1820.5 Mn by 2026 and is likely to witness a CAGR of 9.0% over the forecast periodRegional market projectionsThe global portable oxygen concentrators market is segmented into the seven key regions of North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, MEA, and Japan. Growing geriatric population consequently increasing the requirement for homecare settings particularly in high income countries with increasing number of patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases is expected to result in significant growth of the North America portable oxygen concentrators market. The North America region is expected to report incremental opportunity of US$ 781.7 Mn between 2016 and 2026. Evolution of health insurance system is expected to contribute largely to the revenue generation potential and attractiveness of the Eastern Europe portable oxygen concentrators market. Rising adoption of portable oxygen concentrators in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases patients for better care is expected to fuel revenue growth in the Japan portable oxygen concentrators market over the forecast period. High product cost of portable oxygen concentrators is expected to hamper sustainable adoption in the APEJ region. Lack of product awareness is expected to hamper market growth in the APEJ and MEA regions.Send An Enquiry@Vendor insightsThe report profiles some of the top companies operating in the global portable oxygen concentrators market such as Koninklijke Philips N.V., Inogen Inc., Chart Industries Inc., Resmed Inc., Invacare Corporation, Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare, Precision Medical Inc., Besco Medical Co. Ltd., Oxus America, Inc. (Oxus), Foshan Keyhub Electronic Industries Co. Ltd., O2 Concepts LLC, and GCE Group. Key strategies adopted by leading market players in the global portable oxygen concentrators market include product approvals and commercialisation, efficient entry into markets in emerging countries, and adoption of latest innovative technologies in healthcare, thus strengthening regional proficiency and addressing customer needs effectively. New product launches, product innovation, and geographical expansion are anticipated to form the core of these strategies during the forecast period.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:
Citric Acid Market Value to Increase from US$ 2,756.5 Mn in 2015 to US$ 4,494.8 Mn by 2026

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Future Market Insights (FMI) delivers key insights on the global citric acid market in its latest report titled, Citric Acid Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 20162026. In terms of value, the global citric acid market is expected to witness a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period due to various factors on which FMI offers vital insights in detail.Consumers are preferring products comprising of plant based natural ingredients due to various health issues. This is fuelling demand for citric acid worldwide. Moreover, increased usage of citric acid as a cleaning agent due to a ban on phosphate in various regions is further expected to drive the market demand in the near future. Citric acid is used as an ingredient in manufacture of convenience food and beverages as it provides acidity, acts as a preservative, provides antioxidants and enhances the flavour, which is further expected to drive the market demand in the near future.Request Report Sample@Segmentation highlightsOn the basis of form, the global citric acid market has been segmented into powder and liquid. Powder segment is estimated to account for the largest share by 2016 end. The powder segment is further sub segmented as anhydrous and monohydrous. Anhydrous, sub segment formulation is expected be the most preferred ingredient among the food manufacturers.Global citric acid market has been segmented by application into acidulant, cleaning agent, binding agent, preservative & others. Among all these segment, acidulant segment is expected to account for highest value share during the forecast period. In terms of volume the acidulant segment has been estimated to represent 964,827.9 MT in 2016.The market has been segmented on the basis of end use into food & beverages, animal feed, pharmaceutical/personal care, metal finishing & cleaning and others. Food & beverages segment is further sub segmented as bakery & confectionery, dairy, convenience food, beverages, jams & preserve and others. Among all these sub-segments, beverages segment is expected to register a highest growth in terms of both value and volume over the forecast period.On the basis of grade, the citric acid market has been segmented into food grade, pharmaceutical grade and industrial grade. Among all these segments, food grade segment is estimated to represent highest value share of 67.0% in 2016 and expected to remain dominant over the forecast period. In terms of volume, this segment is expected to witness a CAGR of 4.1% over the forecast period.Regional market projectionsThis report discusses trends driving growth of each segment and offers analysis and insights on the potential of the global citric acid market in specific regions including North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), the Middle East & Africa and Japan. Markets in APEJ and Western Europe are expected to record high growth rates in terms of value between 2016 and 2026. Among all the regions, Western Europe is estimated to account for a comparatively higher value share in 2016. The market in Western Europe is expected to remain dominant over the forecast period. APEJ is another major market for citric acid. China is estimated to be the largest producer of citric acid followed by India in 2015 across the region.Send An Enquiry@Vendor insightsThis report covers detailed profiles of key players in citric acid market, which includes key strategies, key developments, product offerings and others. Key companies profiled in this report are Archer Daniels Midland Company, Shandong Juxian Hongde Citric Acid Co. Ltd., Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG, Basel, Delek Group, Cargill, Incorporated, Weifang Ensign Industry Co., Ltd., Tate & Lyle plc. COFCO Biochemical (AnHui) Co. Ltd., RZBC GROUP and Pfizer Inc.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:
Chlorinated Polyethylene Resins and Elastomers (CPE) Market Trends, Regulations And Competitive Landscape Outlook to 2025

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Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) resins and elastomersare thermoplastic polymers exhibiting enhanced physical and chemical properties. These are used as thermoplastic elastomer, modifier for various resins such as Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) andPolyethyelene(PE). Chlorinated polyethylene resins offer resistance against chemical, fire, heat, oil, weather, abrasion. Other properties of CPE include excellent mechanical and physical properties, high filler acceptance, tensile strength and low temperature performance. The applications of chlorinated polyethylene resins and elastomers include geomembranes, as impact modifier andflexible sheeting for automotive, roofing membranes, molded shapes, extruded profiles and cable jacketing and as a base polymer.Growing demand for chlorinated polyethylene resins and elastomers in impact modification application is expected to drive the market growth. Impact modification is the largest application of CPE in terms of consumption. It is widely used for impact modification of PVC for fence, deck, window profiles, pipes and vinyl siding.Request For Report Sample@CPEs are added into formulations of PVC, PE and PP plastic products to improve impact resistance, low temperature performance, welding strength, and weatherability. In addition, growing demand from flexible sheetingelectrical wires and cables, roofing applications and rubber products for seals and shoe soles.Flexible sheeting industry is experiencing high growth in Asia Pacific region due to growing construction and electrical industries. These two industries are driven by changing lifestyle and rising disposable income.Further, rising demand from automobile hoses and industrial hoses is expected to fuel the chlorinated polyethylene resins and elastomers market growth. Owing to properties such as ozone resistance, chemical resistance, oil resistance and temperature resistance, CPE has become ideal choice for applications such as oil tubes, power steering tubes, delivery tubes of cooling fluids. It can be also used for vent and vacuum tubes in automotive. Automobile industry is driven by global demand for various types of automotives for variety of applications. Industrial hoses are used for chemical delivery and oil delivery in difference machineries of manufacturing plants.However, rising crude oil prices and hence volatility in raw materials prices are expected to hamper the market growth for chlorinated polyethylene resins and elastomers. Polyethylene is manufactured from crude oil derivatives and is subjected to availability and price variations. In addition, high cost of processing to develop the application specific elastomer or resin is expected to hamper the market growth.Development of new applications in healthcare and pharmaceutical are expected to provide opportunities for the players in the market. Due to non-hazardous nature of chlorinated polyethylene resins and elastomers, it can be used for manufacturing plants of pharmaceuticals and healthcare industry.Asia Pacific was largest market for chlorinated polyethylene resins and elastomers in terms of consumption. China accounts for largest share in the global market in terms of production and consumption. Most of CPE in China is used for impact modifier and hoses application. Asia Pacific was followed by North America where the U.S. was the largest consumer. Demand from Europe and Rest of the World is expected to grow at moderate pace.Global chlorinated polyethylene resins and elastomers market is highly concentrated with few players dominating the market. Most of the players have their manufacturing plant in China and threat from Chinese players is moderate due to high cost of processing.Visit For TOC@Key players in Chlorinated polyethylene resins and elastomers market include the Dow Chemical Company, Sundow Polymers Co. Ltd., Lianda Corporation, Du Pont, Novista - Sanyi Chemical, WeifangPolygrandChemical Co.Ltd., Shandong SanyiIndustrial Co. Ltd., Cevo Industry Company Ltd. among 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.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
China First Aid Market Will Hit at a CAGR of 6.3% by 2020

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Future Market Insights (FMI), in its latest report titled, China First Aid Market Assessment and Opportunity 2014 - 2020, projects the China first aid market to exhibit a CAGR of 6.3% between 2015 and 2020. Adoption of aggressive promotional campaigns are key factors driving growth of the market.The report is focused on basic first aid products such as adhesive bandages, disinfectants and gauzes. Though the basic wound care segment in China accounts for miniscule share of the overall wound care market in China, it is expected to witness significant growth over the next few years. Increasing awareness about non-traditional first-aid products among consumers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities is the prime driving factor for the market in the region.As of 2014, basic first aid products accounted for less than 20% share of the overall wound care market in China. Strategies such as innovative product packaging along with aggressive market campaigning has led to surge in demand for these products in China. Government emphasis on healthcare policies, liberalization of policies related to distribution of licenses and FDI influx are other key driving factors of the first aid market in China. On the flipside, low healthcare expenditure and higher preference for Chinese traditional medicines among consumers is a major restraint for non-traditional wound care product manufacturers.Request For Report Sample:The report analyses the China first aid market in terms of sales revenue (US$ Mn) by product, cities and by retail sales channel and provides information regarding market dynamics, value chain, competitive landscape, current trends, market estimations and forecast.On the basis of city, the China first-aid market has been segmented into Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cities. Among Tier 1 cities, Shanghai offers good market opportunities for first-aid products manufacturers. It is anticipated to generate 1.4X higher sales revenue by the end of the forecast period as compared to that in 2014. Disinfectant products are anticipated to account for over half of the sales revenue in Tier 1 cities, followed by gauzes and bandages respectively. Tier 2 cities are expected to generate 1.3X higher revenue than Tier 3 cities by the end of 2020.Among retail sales channels, drugstores and pharmacies are key channels for sales of adhesive bandages. Hospitals are the key channel for sales of gauzes. Hospitals account for major share of retail sales in Tier 3 cities in China. Though drugstores, pharmacies and hospitals are key retail sales channels for adhesive bandages and gauzes, modern retail sales channel are the most preferred mode for sales of disinfectants. Hypermarkets and supermarkets account for over 60% share of retail sales of disinfectants.Send An Enquiry:By product type, the China first aid market has been segmented into adhesive bandages, gauzes and disinfectants (antiseptics). While disinfectants are projected to be the largest market segment throughout the forecast period, its presence is limited to Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in China. The disinfectant products segment is anticipated to register a CAGR of 7.5% between 2014 and 2020. Reckitt Benckiser and Walch are key players in this product segment. Organized players account for significant market share in the disinfectants products segment. Among products, gauzes (woven and non-woven) covers significant market in Tier 3 cities in China. Sales revenue of adhesive bandages is further segmented into butterfly stiches, transdermal bandages and special bandages. Transdermal bandages account for significant market share in the adhesive bandages segment.Key players in the China first aid market include Johnson and Johnson, Winner Medical Group Co., Reckitt Benckiser, Yunnan Baiyao, 3M Company, Nepstar Drugstore, 7-Eleven, Beijing Hualian Group and A.S Watson Group.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
North America Outbound Medical Tourism Services Market Anticipated to Register a CAGR of 25.5% Between 2016 and 2026

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According to a new report published by Future Market Insights titled Outbound Medical Tourism Services Market: North America Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 20162026, the North America outbound medical tourism services market is expected to reach a market valuation of US$ 15.53 Bn by 2016 end and this is likely to increase to US$ 150.36 Bn by 2026.According to Future Market Insights, factors such as a large ageing baby boomer population, large uninsured population, and better technology and wider treatment options are expected to drive the revenue growth of the North America outbound medical tourism services market over the forecast period. Economic factors such as rising rate of health insurance premiums, high cost of medical treatments in the U.S., and parallel tourism with medical treatment are expected to boost the growth of the North America outbound medical tourism services market between 2016 and 2026. The other factors impacting the North America outbound medical tourism services market are long waiting time for specialist appointments in the U.S. and increasing preference for non-conventional treatment options. The demand for cosmetic correction procedures and dental treatments has been significantly high in the U.S. market in recent years, making North America the most lucrative regional market for outbound medical tourism services. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the U.S. was the largest market for cosmetic procedures in 2015.Request Report Sample@Lack of effective follow-up care on returning home, rampant medical malpractices in medical tourism destinations, proliferation of superbugs in medical tourism destinations, problems associated with language barriers, and privacy concerns are some of the challenges anticipated to restrict revenue growth of the North America outbound medical tourism services market over the forecast period.Segmentation highlightsThe North America outbound medical tourism services market is segmented into the following therapeutic applications  Cosmetic Surgery Treatment, Dental Treatment, Cardiovascular Treatment, Orthopaedic Treatment, Cancer Treatment, Fertility Treatment, Weight Loss Treatment, Spinal Surgery Treatment, Neurology Treatment, and Other General Treatment.The Cosmetic Surgery Treatment segment is estimated to be valued at US$ 3,760.9 Mn by 2016 endThe Cancer Treatment segment is anticipated to register a CAGR of 22.0% over the forecast periodThe Orthopaedic Treatment segment is estimated to create absolute $ opportunity of US$ 1,658.9 Mn in 2017 over 2016Regional forecastThe North America outbound medical tourism services market is segmented into the two top countries of U.S and Canada. U.S. is projected to occupy a major share in the North America outbound medical tourism services market in terms of value. The U.S market is anticipated to be valued at US$ 14.98 Bn by the end of 2016. In terms of value, U.S. is expected to be the dominant regional market by 2026 end and is expected to register a CAGR of 25.7% over the forecast period. Canada is expected to have comparatively less market potential for outbound medical tourism services, registering a CAGR of 18.1% over the forecast period.Send An Enquiry@Vendor insightsThe report profiles some of the top companies operating in the North America outbound medical tourism services market. Leading market players featured in the report are Apollo Hospital Enterprise Limited, Bumrungrad International Hospital, KPJ Healthcare Berhad, Christus Muguerza Hospital, WorldMed Assist, Mednamaste, and Global Medical Tourism Inc. Major market players are adopting strategies such as market expansion and strategic alliances to maintain their market share. Some of these companies are also adopting strategies such as backward integration to support their core business of medical tourism. Companies are offering services such as insurance and financing for medical tourism and are looking to expand their global footprint by enhancing their foreign customer base.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:
Agricultural Adjuvant Market 2015-2025 by Segmentation Based on Product, Application and Region

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Agricultural adjuvant are used to enhance the effectiveness of pesticides such as herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and other agents that are used to control or eliminate the unwanted pests. Adjuvant plays a crucial role in improving the efficiency of agrochemical and also for increasing the yield or productivity of the crop. Agricultural adjuvant includes ammonium fertilizers, surfactants and oils.Request For Report Sample@Agricultural adjuvant plays a key role in the global agrochemical market. The market has grown exponentially over the recent few years and this growth is expected to continue over the forecast period. Various factors such as ease of application, innovative product contributions, advanced production practices, increased accessibility and increasing attack of pests and diseases play a vital role in driving the overall agricultural adjuvant market. Adjuvants are slowly making their mark as the best tool for farmers used to improve application, achieve more cost-effective solution, facilitate the dosage, better-targeted and more environmentally acceptable pest control. A significant amount of the demand for agricultural adjuvants market is anticipated from countries such as France, India, Australia, Italy, U.S., Brazil and Germany among others. The global agricultural adjuvant market consists of activator adjuvants and utility adjuvant. Activator adjuvants include ammonium fertilizers, oils and surfactants while utility adjuvants consists of water conditioners, buffering agents, compatibility agents, buffers, anti-foam agents and drift control agents among others. Agricultural surfactant chemicals are the most dominating product which captures the maximum market share of the overall agricultural adjuvant market. North America is expected to be the largest market for agricultural adjuvant.Visit For TOC@The leading players of agricultural adjuvant market includes Akzonoble N.V. (Netherlands),Adjuvant plus Inc. (Canada), Brandt Consolidated (U.S.),Momentive Performance Materials (U.S),Clariant International Ltd. (Switzerland), LambertiSpA (Italy),Solvay SA (Belgium), Croda Chemicals (India), Dow Croning (U.S.),Helena Chemical Company (U.S.) andTanatex Chemicals (Europe) among others. This research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data and statistically-supported and industry-validated market data and projections with a suitable set of assumptions and methodology. It provides analysis and information by categories such as market segments, regions, product types and distribution channels.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.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Learn details of the Advances in Transformer Oil Market Forecast and Segments, 2015-2025

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In order to meet the residential, commercial and industrial energy requirements and ensure a smooth operation of power supply transformer plays an important role. During transformer operation, transformers dissipate heat which can damage the system if not controlled. In order to achieve seamless operation of transformer by preventing from heat damage the oil are used. Transformer oil is used in oil-filled and submersible transformers to maintain temperature of transformer. Application of transformer oil can also be seen in high-voltagecircuit breakers and switches. Since the oil is in constant contact with components it is therefore susceptible to chemical interaction. It is therefore essential to check for the quality of transformer oil at regular intervals since with continuous reaction the chemical composition of the oil may change and this may render it unfit for use.The market for transformer oil is subjected to the demands of the various end-use industries such as chemicals and automotive, and the type of transformer used. The oil used in transformers is hydrocarbon mineral oil. There are two major types of transformer oil used in the industry; naphthenic and paraffinic based. Though bio based transformer oil have gained attention due to stringent environmental issues but their usage is restricted due to limited advantage. The market of transformer oil will be driven by the expanding energy demand and growing installation of power grids in urban scenario. Due to growing population, the power grid companies needs to expand and upgrade their existing capacities causing penetration of transformers to increase which in turn fuel the market for transformer oil. The transition towards renewable sources of energy, strict environmental laws and shift towards organic oils may restraint the market of mineral based transformer oil.Request For Report Sample@Asia is one of the largest consumer of transformer oils followed by North America, South America and Europe. For the forecasted years Asia-pacific transformer oil market will continue to lead in terms of consumption. The demand for transformer oil in Asia Pacific is rapidly growing for emerging markets of India and China. This demand is transformer oil is attributed to the increasing focus on rural and urban development in infrastructure. This involves a shift in focus from high capacity transformer to small and mid-segment transformers for domestic and agricultural uses. The transformer oil markets of China, India and also Brazil will dominate owing to the government initiative for the electricity accessibility to the countrys population. The demand for in the mineral based is anticipated to stabilize due to the shift towards green (bio based) alternatives. The demand for transformer oil in regions of Americas and Europe is related to high capacity industrial transformers. The demand for transformer oil in these regions is anticipated to be slower than those in Asia Pacific owing to the significant development of renewable sources of energy and reduced dependability on conventional sources of energy.Transformer Oil Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players identified in the transformer oil market are Hydrodec Group PLC, Nynas AB, Calumet Specialty Products Partners, Valvoline,APAR Industries, Sinopec Corporation, Engen Petroleum Limited.Request For TOC@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.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
global renal biomarker market is projected to register a healthy CAGR of 7.0% over the forecast period 2016-2026

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Future Market Insights delivers key insights on the global renal biomarker market in a new report titled Renal Biomarker Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 20162026. In terms of revenue, the global renal biomarker market is projected to register a healthy CAGR of 7.0% over the forecast period. In this report, Future Market Insights throws light on the various factors and trends impacting market growth over the forecast period (2016  2026).Segmentation highlightsThe global renal biomarker market is segmented on the basis of Biomarker Type (Functional Biomarker, Up-Regulated Proteins, Others); Diagnostic Technique (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Particle-Enhanced Turbidimetric Immunoassay, Colorimetric Assay, Chemiluminescent Enzyme Immunoassay, Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry); and End User (Diagnostic Labs,Outpatient Clinics, Research Centres, Hospitals).Request Report Sample@The Functional Biomarker type segment is anticipated to be valued at US$ 471.2 Mn by the end of 2016, registering a CAGR of 7.6% over the forecast period. The Up-Regulated Proteins type segment is estimated to create absolute $ opportunity of US$ 19.5 Mn in 2017 over 2016The Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay diagnostic technique segment is anticipated to witness high Y-o-Y rates of growth throughout the forecast period and is anticipated to reach a market valuation of US$ 390.9 Mn by the end of 2016. The Particle-Enhanced Turbidimetric Immunoassay diagnostic technique segment is estimated to register a CAGR of 7.0% over the forecast periodThe Diagnostic Labs end user segment is anticipated to reach a market value share of US$ 308.4 Mn by the end of 2016. The Outpatient Clinics end user segment is estimated to hold a market value share of 30.1% by the end of 2016, making it the second highest end user growth segment of the global renal biomarker marketRegional analysisThe global renal biomarker market is segmented into the seven key regions of North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). The North America renal biomarker market is projected to witness high Yea-on-Year growth throughout the forecast period. The market in this region is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 7.6% over the forecast period. The presence of leading renal biomarker manufacturers and established distribution channels in North America is expected to create significant growth opportunities over the next 10 years. The Western Europe renal biomarker market is estimated to represent absolute $ opportunity of US$ 14.1 Mn in 2017 over 2016.Send An Enquiry@Vendor insightsThe global renal biomarker market report profiles a few of the top companies dominating the global market. Leading market players featured in the report include Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., BIOPORTO A/S, Abbott Laboratories, Astute Medical, Inc., Randox Laboratories Ltd. and Beckman Coulter, Inc. (Danaher Corporation). The report discusses individual strategies adopted by these companies in terms of enhancing product designing, creating new manufacturing facilities, market consolidation, and advanced R&D initiatives.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:
Research report covers the Phototherapy Equipment Market share and Growth, 2016-2026

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Phototherapy is a process which uses light to treat medical conditions. Sunlight has been known to be most useful for certain skin diseases, and the UV part of the radiation emitted by the sun that is used in phototherapy, especially the ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) wavelengths. Phototherapy consists of exposure of specific wavelengths of light using polychromatic polarized light, fluorescent lamps, lasers, Light emitted diodes, Short wave UV lamp and full spectrum lamps. The light is administered for a prescribed amount of time and specific wavelength. There are three main types of phototherapy broadband UVB (290 nm-320nm), narrow band phototherapy (311nm-312nm) and PUVA (Psorlaen and UVA) and UV A1 (340nm-400nm). UV B is the most common type of phototherapy for treatment of skin related diseases. Such as atopic eczema, psoriasis, generalized itching, dermatitis, lichenoides, T cell lymphomas, vitiligo PUVA (Psorlaen and UVA) is indicated for chronic plaque psoriasis and atopic eczema whenever UVB is not able to treat effectively. According to the American Cancer Society, UV light therapy is effective in treatment of certain types of cancer. Phototherapy is used to treat the neonatal jaundice by converts toxic bilirubin form into less toxic less toxic isomeric bilirubin and that the new born can excrete through stools and urine. This treatment called bili light therapy.Phototherapy Equipment Market: Drivers and restraintsGlobal Phototherapy Market can be driven by following drivers: Phototherapy has gained widespread of acceptance very diverse range of fields such as diagnosis of infectious diseases, increasing the prevalence of the diseases i.e., Psoriasis, eczema, etc., are provides lucrative market opportunities. Increasing the prevalence neonatal Jaundice is drives the phototherapy market. Increasing technological innovations such as automated platforms include new CFL Phototherapy units are majorly encouraging the market.Request For Report Sample@Phototherapy Equipment Market: SegmentationGlobal Phototherapy Market can be segmented as following typesGlobal Phototherapy market byProducts:Portable LED LampsBed type LED LampsNeonatal Incubators with LED lampsGlobal Phototherapy market byApplication:PsoriasisNeonatal JaundiceAcneCancerGlobal Phototherapy market byEnd user:HospitalsDiagnostic CentersPhototherapy Equipment Market: OverviewIncreasing the demand for advanced treatment methods for various severe diseases, increasing the prevalence of neonatal jaundice and cancer are provides a robust market growth. Growing the severity of skin diseases and disorders are providing a healthy market growth of global phototherapy market in forecasting period.Phototherapy Equipment Market: Region-Wise OutlookDepending upon the geographic regions phototherapy 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 phototherapy market. Increasing awareness among the people towards the use of new 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 phototherapy market.Request For TOC@Phototherapy Equipment Market: Key playersSome of the key players in Market are Koninklijke Philips, N.V., Nice Neo tech Medical Systems Private, Ltd., Honle UV America, Inc.,Favoro Health Projects spa, Solarc Systems, Inc., Arjo huntlleigh.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.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Polypropylene Market 2015-2025 by Segmentation: Based on Product, Application and Region

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Polypropylene (PP) also known as polypropene, is one of the largest and single most consumed polymer resin in the world. It is a synthetic, high molecular weight thermoplastic polymer, which can be easily formed by catalytic polymerization of propylene. Due to its superior quality, its demand is increasing, especially in consumer disposable and automobile industry. This has resulted in countless opportunities for the global polypropylene market. Additionally, the trend of replacing metal with polypropylene is another factor contributing to the growth of the global polypropylene market.Request For Report Sample@Polypropylene Market: Opportunities, Drivers & RestraintsPolypropylene, owing to its numerous properties, has emerged as one of the most versatile polymers and is widely used in applications, such as construction, geotextiles, medical, automobile, electrical and electronics industries. These widespread applications are expected to have a progressive impact on the global polypropylene market. Opportunities are emerging in the use of eco-friendly materials, as such, demand for bio-based polypropylene is on the rise. Volatile prices of polypropylene, largely dependent on crude oil are the restraining factors for global polypropylene market.Polypropylene Market: SegmentationGlobal polypropylene market can be segmented on the basis of its end-user industry and geographic regions. Depending on the end-user industry, global polypropylene market can be segmented into automotive, electrical, consumer durable, construction, and packaging. Packaging segment accounts for largest share in global polypropylene market, followed by automotive and electrical segments.Polypropylene Market: Region-wise OutlookGlobal polypropylene market is anticipated to expand at a high single-digit CAGR from 2015 to 2025. Depending on the geographic regions, global polypropylene market is segmented into key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to witness a decline in its share of global polypropylene market. On the other hand, China is one of the largest consumers of polypropylene in terms of production and consumption because of increasing disposable income and changing lifestyles. Adding to this, capacity additions in China and Middle East are expected to boost the market growth.Visit For TOC@Polypropylene Market: Key PlayersSome of the key participants in global polypropylene market are SABIC, Reliance Industries Ltd, PetroChina Company Limited, Sinopec Ltd, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Borealis AG, Formosa Plastics Corporation, and Japan Polypropylene Corporation.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
automotive washer systems market expected to register a 5.4% value CAGR during the forecast period 2016-2026

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Future Market Insights (FMI) delivers key insights on the global automotive washer system market in its latest report titled, Automotive Washer System Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 20162026. Global sales of automotive washer systems including headlamp and windshield washer systems is expected to reach US$ 17.5 Bn in 2016, witnessing a y-o-y growth of 4.2% over 2015. The long-term outlook on the global automotive washer systems market remains positive, with the market expected to register a 5.4% value CAGR during the forecast period 2016-2026. Passenger car segment will account for maximum share of the total sales, extending the market share to 76.7% in 2026 as compared to 74.5% in 2016.In terms of volume, the global sales of automotive washer systems is expected to reach 1,453.4 Mn units in 2016 and is expected to expand at a CAGR 3.5% over the forecast period 20162026.Request Report Sample@Increasing vehicle production and adoption of efficient wiper and washer technologies are primary factors bolstering the sales of washer systems globally. Moreover, high replacement rate of washer system components is expected to result in high sales in the aftermarket segment. The emergence of newer wiper blade and windshield cleaning technologies is resulting in higher cost of end products, which is a major factor restraining adoption of these products among consumers. High market penetration of relatively low-cost wiper and washer system alternatives restricts demand for wiper de-icer, nozzle integrated wipers and heated nozzle washer systems.Segmentation highlightsThe global automotive washer system market is segmented on the basis of Component (Nozzles, Reservoirs, Hose & Connectors, Pumps, Windshield Wipers, Wiper Motor); Sales Channel (OEM, Aftermarket); Technology (Electric, Mechanical); Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Light Commercial Vehicles, Heavy Commercial Vehicles); and Application (Windshield Washer System, Headlamp Washer System).Windshield wiper was the largest segment by component in 2015 and this will remain unchanged in 2016Nozzle and hose & reservoir segments are expected to be the next large segment in terms of volumeBy value, wiper motor segment is expected to remain dominant over the forecast period. The segment is expected to account for share of 45.9% in 2016 and is expected to maintain dominance over the forecast periodBy product type, windshield washer segment was the largest segment in 2015, and this segment is anticipated to hold 72.3% of the market revenue by 2026. Advancements in wiper blade technology and nozzle design will support growth of the market over near futureHeadlamp washer system segment is anticipated to witness a relatively high value CAGR than windshield washer system. Increasing sales of premium and luxury vehicle globally is anticipated to bolster the growth of headlamp washer system. Furthermore, automakers in the market are focussing on introducing value added features in their mid-range vehicles, so as to earn competitive edge in the marketRegional projectionsThe global automotive washer system market is segmented into the regions of North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, MEA, and Japan. Asia Pacific, the largest market for automotive washer systems is expected account for US$ 5.5 Bn revenue in 2016. Increasing adoption of headlamp washer systems in semi-luxury and mid-sized cars is major trend witnessed in the region. North America is expected to be the next big market, the region accounted for 21.1% of the total revenue share in 2015 and is anticipated to hold 20.7% in 2016. The recent relocation of automobile production facilities to developing nations such as Mexico will impact the OEM sales of washer systems in the region. Western Europe is expected to account for US$ 3.3 Bn revenue in 2016. The market for headlamp washer systems in the region is majorly driven by the existing stringent regulations to deploy these systems with high intensity headlamps.Send An Enquiry@Vendor insightsRobert Bosch GmbH, Denso Corporation, Valeo S.A., continental AG and Mitsuba Corporation are the top five players in the global automotive washer system market, accounting for about 30% market revenue share in 2015. The leading players in the market are focusing on acquisition, collaboration and partnerships of/with technology providers to increase their product portfolio and market presence. Furthermore, expansion of production facilities, particularly in developing nations, is the key strategy adopted by major players in the market.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 IndiaContact 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:
World Automotive Power Window Switch Market Research Report 2021(Covering USA, EU, China, South East Asia, India, Japan and etc)

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SummaryICRWorlds Automotive Power Window Switch market research report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving Revenue growth and profitability.The industry report lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry Analysis of the key factors influencing the market.The report includes the forecasts, Analysis and discussion of important industry trends, market size, market share estimates and profiles of the leading industry Players.Global Automotive Power Window Switch Market: Application Segment AnalysisGlobal Automotive Power Window Switch Market: Regional Segment AnalysisUSAEuropeJapanChinaIndiaSouth East AsiaThe Players mentioned in our reportBoschDelphiStandard Motor ProductsBorgWarnerACDelcoTRWKostal GroupOmronToyo DensoValeoRequest Sample Report Here:Table of ContentChapter 1 About the Automotive Power Window Switch Industry1.1 Industry Definition1.1.1 Types of Automotive Power Window Switch industry1.2 Main Market Activities1.3 Similar Industries1.4 Industry at a GlanceChapter 2 World Market Competition Landscape2.1 Automotive Power Window Switch Markets by Regions2.1.1 USAMarket Revenue (M USD) by Types, Through 2021Market Revenue (M USD) by Applications, Through 2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20152.1.2 EuropeMarket Revenue (M USD) by Types, Through 2021Market Revenue (M USD) by Applications, Through 2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20152.1.3 ChinaMarket Revenue (M USD) by Types, Through 2021Market Revenue (M USD) by Applications, Through 2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20152.1.4 IndiaMarket Revenue (M USD) by Types, Through 2021Market Revenue (M USD) by Applications, Through 2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20152.1.5 JapanMarket Revenue (M USD) by Types, Through 2021Market Revenue (M USD) by Applications, Through 2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20152.1.6 South East AsiaMarket Revenue (M USD) by Types, Through 2021Market Revenue (M USD) by Applications, Through 2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20152.2 World Automotive Power Window Switch Market by Types2.3 World Automotive Power Window Switch Market by Applications2.4 World Automotive Power Window Switch Market Analysis2.4.1 World Automotive Power Window Switch Market Revenue and Growth Rate 2011-20162.4.2 World Automotive Power Window Switch Market Consumption and Growth rate 2011-20162.4.3 World Automotive Power Window Switch Market Price Analysis 2011-2016Chapter 3 World Automotive Power Window Switch Market share3.1 Major Production Market share by Players3.2 Major Revenue (M USD) Market share by Players3.3 Major Production Market share by Regions in 2015, Through 20213.4 Major Revenue (M USD) Market share By Regions in 2015, Through 2021Chapter 4 Supply Chain Analysis4.1 Industry Supply chain Analysis4.2 Raw material Market Analysis4.2.1 Raw material Prices Analysis 2012-20164.2.2 Raw material Supply Market Analysis4.2 Manufacturing Equipment Suppliers Analysis4.3 Production Process Analysis4.4 Production Cost Structure Benchmarks4.5 End users Market AnalysisChapter 5 Company Profiles5.1 Bosch5.1.1 Company Details (Foundation Year, Employee Strength and etc)5.1.2 Product Information (Picture, Specifications and Applications)5.1.3 Revenue (M USD), Price and Operating Profits5.2 Delphi5.2.1 Company Details (Foundation Year, Employee Strength and etc)5.2.2 Product Information (Picture, Specifications and Applications)5.2.3 Revenue (M USD), Price and Operating Profits5.3 Standard Motor Products5.3.1 Company Details (Foundation Year, Employee Strength and etc)5.3.2 Product Information (Picture, Specifications and Applications)5.3.3 Revenue (M USD), Price and Operating ProfitsBrowse Complete Report Summary With TOC:About Us:Reportbazzar.com is your trusted source for the most inclusive and informative assortment of market research reports designed to empower you with the latest in industry information that translates to time and cost savings for your business. We not only help you give wing to your latent business ideas but also facilitate you in taking the best informed and strategic decisions that guarantee success in your most promising business endeavors.ReportBazzarMary Jane30 Wall Street, 8th floor,New York, NY 10005.US: +1 (212) 389-6363India: +91 20 66528525Email Id: sales@reportbazzar.com
Bariatric Surgery Devices Market to register a healthy CAGR for the forecast period, 2015-2025

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Market OverviewUndertaking a bariatric surgery has become relatively necessary for the majority of the global population, especially the obese and the overweight demographic. The fact that obesity is one of the most prevalent and endangering health disorders has increased the awareness about bariatric surgery and devices. The demand for bariatric surgery devices has registered a considerable surge by the virtue of growing preference for less-invasive bariatric surgeries. Additionally, the rising expenditure on weight loss procedures has promoted the sales of bariatric surgery devices at the individual level. Regional government initiatives are also influencing the growth of the global market for bariatric surgery devices.Demand for Bariatric Surgery Devices: Drivers & RestraintsThe high occurrence of obesity cases is regarded as the primary driver of the global bariatric surgery devices market. The growing awareness among the obsess population is expected to fuel the demand for bariatric surgery devices. Apart from that, the other factors driving the growth of the bariatric surgery devices market include,Request For Report Sample@Availability of surgeons specialised in bariatric surgical techniquesSince bariatric surgeries are gaining demand, the existing as well as the new medical surgeons are developing and qualifying their surgical skills accordingly. As a result, the demand for bariatric surgery devices is experience a positive impact.Prevention of weight-related risksIncidence of diabetes, hypertension, gastric reflux disorders and blood pressure complications are at a higher risks among obese patients. As the surgeries intend on preventing occurrence of such diseases, the demand for bariatric surgery devices has surged extensively.Less-incisive methodsBariatric surgeries such as the sleeve gastrectomy require lower incision, which helps the patients adopt the surgeries without apprehension. This results more consumption of bariatric surgery devices by hospitals and weight-loss clinics.However, the implications arriving post-surgery are posing to be the major challenge in the global market for bariatric surgery devices. Since the surgical procedures are operated on the stomach and the intestines of the patient, there is a high risk of acquiring infections. Gastrointestinal ulcers, internal bleeding, small bowel obstruction, gastric band slippage, and hernias are some of the common implications that lower the use of bariatric surgery devices.Market Segmentation & Regional OutlookThe global market for bariatric surgery devices can be segmented on the basis the type of bariatric surgery and the device used.Based on the different kinds of bariatric surgery procedures, the market is classified into,Gastric Bypass SurgerySleeve Gastrectomy SurgeryGastric Banding SurgeryOthersBy device-type, the global market is further segmented into,Stapling DevicesGastric BandsGastric BalloonsBased on the regional segmentation, North America is expected to lead the global bariatric surgery devices market on the account of the high obesity levels in the US and Canada. Subsequently, the higher risks of diabetes and blood pressure disorders are equally inciting the demand for bariatric surgery devices. Asia Pacific & Japan are anticipated to expand at a remarkable CAGR, owing to the rising expenditure on weight-loss treatments in APEJ countries.Visit For TOC@Key PlayersJohnson & Johnson, Covidien Plc, Cousin Biotech, and Pare Surgical, Inc., among others are the some of the key companies in the global bariatric surgery devices market. Pharmaceutical and medical devices leaders such as Medtronic has launched flagship devices for sleeve gastrectomy, indicating the positive expansion of the global market. The government funding is also playing a major role in providing manufacturers with the capital required to produce enhanced devices for bariatric surgeries.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.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Now Available Global Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Treatment Market Forecast And Growth 2016-2026

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According to World Health Organization (WHO), raised blood pressure is estimated to cause 7.5 million deaths around the world. Hypertension is a risk factor for coronary heart disease, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. In addition complications of hypertension includes peripheral vascular disease, heart failure, renal impairment, retinal hemorrhage and visual impairment.Having family history of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, change in life style, unhealthy food, and physical inactivity causes hypertension.To treat pulmonary atrial hypertension following treatments are availableMedicationSurgeriesMedications include blood vessel dilators (vasodilators), Endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase III inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, anticoagulants, diuretics.Atrial septostomy and Transplantation are the two surgery option for patients who suffering from severe pulmonary atrial hypertension. Transplantation is may be an option for younger people who are suffering from idiopathic pulmonary hypertension.Request For Report Sample@Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Treatment Market: Drivers and RestraintsAccording to World Health Organization, Globally the prevalence rate of hypertension was 40% in adults who aged 25 and above in the year 2008. The prevalence rate is high in Africa region and Americas having less prevalence rate in hypertension. Change in the life style, family history of pulmonary atrial hypertension, unhealthy food, and physical inactivity are the risk factors for hypertension as well as drivers for this market. Raising the geriatric population around the world also driver for pulmonary atrial hypertension treatment market. Guidelines form government organizations such as World Health Organization (WHO), Center for Disease Control and Prevention plays a major role in the prevention of pulmonary atrial hypertension treatment.Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Treatment Market: SegmentationPulmonary Arterial Hypertension Treatment Market is segmented into following types:Based on TreatmentMedicationBlood Vessel Dilators (Vasodilators)Endothelin Receptor AntagonistsPhosphodiesterase III InhibitorsCalcium Channel BlockersAnticoagulantsDiureticsBased on End UserHospitalDrug storeHospital PharmaciesPulmonary Arterial Hypertension Treatment Market: OverviewWith good awareness about healthcare among people and guidance from international organizations about the Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Treatment, the market is expected to have a healthy growth in the forecast period (2016-2026)Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension TreatmentMarket: Region- wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, the global Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Treatment market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan and Middle East & Africa.Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Treatment is high in North America because it is highly developed region, having good healthcare setup and people are having good awareness about health care. Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a remarkable CAGR. Europe also having good growth in this market.Request For TOC@Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension TreatmentMarket: Key PlayersSome of the key players in this market arePfizer inc.Bristol myers coNovartis AG.GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals LimitedBaxterDr. Reddys Laboratories Ltd.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.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Synthetic Biology Market To Make Great Impact In Near Future by 2026

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Synthetic Biology is one of the breakthrough technologies developed by mankind from chemistry, biology, computer science and engineering which ultimately changed the approach towards therapeutics. It has a varied areas of applications in biofuels, industrial enzymes, vaccine and antibody production, bio-based chemicals and synthetic biology life science research. Synthetic biologists develop such biological systems using by molding the core components (genetic circuits, part of enzymes and metabolic pathways) and understanding their performance while using these smaller parts or devices into the specific integrated systems. The production of new medicines is now done by using synthetic biology on a cellular, molecular and genetic level to address the emerging health issues.Synthetic Biology Market: Drivers & RestraintsInternationally, companies have started investing in Synthetic biology as many governmental bodies are turning towards biomass and climate change. In past few years synthetic biology has gained industrial interest which has a large scale applications and potential of new gene editing techniques are some of the drivers for this market. Traditional medicines are being replaced by genetically engineered products, DNA sequencing and DNA synthesis technologies. This market though has a potential there with any advances there are risks and hindrance like government regulations and policies, biosafety and biosecurity issues, bio-war but these issues are being addressed by the regulatory bodies and research institutions. The synthetic biology market has changed the complete approach towards traditional ways of combating with newer diseases and genetic challenges with the advanced computing and design systems.Request For Report Sample@Synthetic Biology Market: SegmentationSynthetic Biology market is basically can be classified into products, technology and applications.The Synthetic Biology market based on product can be subdivided into following:Core Products.Synthetic DNASynthetic GenesSynthetic cellsDNA & RNA Purification KitsRecombinant ProteinsThe Synthetic Biology market based on technology can be subdivided into following:MutagenesisDNA sequencingGenome engineeringThe Synthetic Biology market based on applications can be subdivided into following:Pharmaceutical CompaniesResearch OrganizationsChemical IndustriesUniversitiesSynthetic Biology Market: Market OverviewSynthetic biology market is a technology which has now a massive demand in the biotechnology sector, chemical and biofuel industries and their products will outstrip the products of the other industries in the near future. There is progress towards making this technology useful in the therapeutic areas from which the society can be directly benefited. The success of synthetic biology in DNA sequencing and synthetic microbes in vaccines, faster and efficient modular DNA assembly methods has proved to be a potential market and thus there is a significant investment done by the pharmaceutical and healthcare companies.Synthetic Biology Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, global radiofrequency ablation system market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa.Europe is a leading market followed by North America, Europe has invested in developing synthesis of biologically based or biologically inspired systems. In North America Defense is a major contributor in the investment done in the past years. In Asia, India and China are said to progress in developments over future to be a part of the Synthetic biology market. The success of this market will depend upon the conversion from basic research to applications which will rise the future opportunities to understand the natural biological systems. Thus the market for synthetic biology is showing no sign for slowing down but managing the future social, ethical and legal responsibilities will lead to innovation.Request For TOC@Synthetic Biology Market: Key PlayersThe major key players in the synthetic biology market are Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Agilent Technologies, GEN9, Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC., Amyris Biotechnologies, Epoch Life Science Inc., Gevo Inc., Intrexon Corporation, Sangamo Biosciences and Gingko Bioworks.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.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Market Analysis and Value Forecast Snapshot by End-use Industry 2016-2026

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Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are malignant tumors that originate in endocrine cells and targets digestive tract that misbalances hormonal release. Neuroendocrine tumors are three types which include Pheochromocytoma, Merkel cell cancer, and neuroendocrine carcinoma. Neuroendocrine cells also present in the neuroendocrine system that includes pituitary gland, pineal gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid and adrenal glands. Physiological changes in the neuroendocrine cells may cause formation of two types of tumorsfunctional and nonfunctional tumors. Functional tumors develop another endocrine cells and nonfunctional tumors may cause physiological changes and based on the cause it treated. Neuroendocrine carcinoma are classified in two categories namely carcinoids and pancreatic endocrine tumors.Carcinoid tumors, originating in the neuroendocrine system, usually appear in the digestive system i.e. in stomach and appendix. Besides, some carcinoid tumors develop in other organs such as lungs, thymus and ovaries. Due to their gradual growth, the symptoms of neuroendocrine carcinoma are not visible at early stages and are discovered only during undergoing an unrelated surgery. Tumors originating in the pancreas are named depending on the type of hormone released. For example, a tumor called gastrinoma is a tumor that release gastrin which results in excessive secretion of gastric acid.Surgery is the first line therapy for removing affected neuroendocrine cells, thereafter, medication is used for treating neuroendocrine carcinoma. Sunitinib and Afinitor drugs are commonly used drugs for treatment of neuroendocrine carcinoma treatment.Immune system suppression and exposure to arsenic are the major risk factors for neuroendocrine carcinoma.Request For Report Sample@Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Market: Drivers and RestraintsSignificant increase in funding for treatment of cancer by various international organizations such as American Cancer Academy and world Health Organization is expected to boost overall neuroendocrine carcinoma treatment market. Furthermore, significant increase in healthcare spending along with high prevalence rate of neuroendocrine carcinoma in developing region is expected to boost overall neuroendocrine carcinoma market. Though market is expected to witness healthy growth, lack of skilled healthcare professional and lower adoption of advanced treatment technologies in the developing economies are key restrains for neuroendocrine carcinoma market.Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Market: SegmentationNeuroendocrine Carcinoma market further segmented into followingtype.By TreatmentSurgeryMedicationAnti-metabolitePlatinum derivativesTopoisomerase inhibitorAnthracycline antibioticBy End UserHospitalClinicsDrug storePharmaciesNeuroendocrine Carcinoma Market: OverviewNeuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are malignant tumors that originate in endocrine cells and targets digestive tract that misbalances hormonal release. The market is expected to witness healthy CAGR during the forecast period.Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Market: Region- wise OutlookThe global Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Market is expected to register a impressive CAGR over the forecast period. Depending on geographic regions, global neuroendocrine carcinoma market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan and Middle East & AfricaNorth America dominates the global neuroendocrine carcinoma market owing to presence of modern healthcare amenities along with significant healthcare expenditure in these regions. Europe occupies second place in this market with its new regulations in the major economies. Asia also shows a healthy growth rate in this market.Request For TOC@Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in this market includeNovartis AGF. Hoffman La RocheCallisto PharmaceuticalsEli Lilly & CompanyIpsen,Molecular Insight PharmaceuticalsAmgen Inc.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.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Oil and Gas Terminal Automation Market to reach Revenue US$ 1,693 Mn by 2026 End

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According to a recent market report titled Oil and Gas Terminal Automation Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026 published by Future Market Insights, revenue from the global oil and gas terminal automation market is estimated to be valued at US$ 850 Mn in 2016. It is projected to exhibit 7.1% value CAGR during 2016-2026, and is forecast to be valued at US$ 1,693 Mn by 2026 end. The market is expected to witness nearly 2X growth between 2016 and 2026.Growing need for liquefied natural gas, coupled with surplus oil and gas production in certain regions of the globe including North America has resulted in increasing focus on development of storage terminals across the globe. Accordingly, increase in investment towards development of oil and gas terminals is likely to be witnessed during forecast period. This, along with the existing demand-supply scenario is expected to boost revenue growth of the global oil and gas terminal automation market in the next 10 years. Growing emphasis on adoption of Wireless technology and Internet of Things (IoT) based terminal automation systems is anticipated to be witnessed during forecast period.Growing concerns pertaining to cyber security and safety coupled with relatively higher initial capital investment associated with building a completely automated oil and gas terminal are likely to serve as impediments to growth of the global oil and gas terminal automation market between 2016 and 2026.Segmentation highlightsGlobal oil and gas terminal automation market has been categorically divided into key market segments based on category and regions. On the basis of category, the market has been segmented into software, hardware, and services segments. These in turn are divided into key sub-segments.Request For Sample@The Software category segment is projected to dominate the global oil and gas terminal automation market during the forecast period, accounting for a market share of nearly 38% in terms of value by the end of 2026. On the other hand, the hardware segment is estimated to witness 7.0% CAGR during forecast period to account for a market share of 33.7% in the overall oil and gas terminal automation market by 2026 end. Within the hardware segment, the HMI segment is likely to witness fast growth during 2016 -2026.Regional projectionsThe North America and Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) markets are anticipated to emerge the dominant regional markets in the global oil and gas terminal automation market throughout the assessed period. Asia Pacific is estimated to project 8.8% CAGR in the forecast period, 20162026. The oil and gas terminal automation market in countries in Eastern Europe is also likely to witness steady growth in the next 10 years.Vendor insightsThe global oil and gas terminal automation market is dominated by a few top market companies such as Honeywell International Inc., Emerson Electric Co., ABB Group, Rockwell Automation, Inc., Yokogawa Electric Corporation, Siemens AG, FMC Technologies, Inc., and Schneider Electric SE. Certain key market companies are increasingly focussing on acquiring smaller players with specialised offerings  for instance, wireless technology based advanced systems  to better cater to the steadily growing global market demands so as to gain an edge over competition.Send An Enquiry@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:
Luxury Goods Market Gaining from Increasing Disposable Income among Urban Population

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Luxury goods not only ooze optimum quality, they are opulently priced in order to maintain its exclusivity. In the recent past, with increasing disposable income among the urban population, the demand for luxury goods has surged to new levels and will continue to expand at a healthy CAGR of 3.4% during the forecast period of 2014 to 2020.Download Research Brochure PDF@According to a recent report by Transparency Market Research (TMR). The report projects the valuation in global luxury goods market to rise to US$374.85 bn by the end of 2020. Growing number of high net-worth individuals (HNIs), advances in online marketing and digital market to promote the luxury goods, and resilient economy and currency dynamics in Asian and Latin American markets are some of the factors favoring the global luxury goods market. Moreover, due to burgeoning demand from emerging markets such as UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa, and Brazil, the luxury goods market is poised to grow rapidly.The TMR report segments the global market for luxury goods in terms of product, into luxury watches and jewelry, apparels and leather goods, luxury personal care and cosmetics, wines, champagne and spirits, fragrances, and others including tableware and luxury pens. Out of these, the segment of apparels and leather goods accounted for an overall revenue of US$90.82 bn in 2016 and will continue to remain most profitable segment during the course of the forecast period, although the segment of fragrances as well as luxury watches and jewelry are projected for a better growth rate. The report observes that the demand for luxury watches and jewelry id driven primarily because of high spending on hard luxury goods by the consumers to acquire a certain status in the society. This trend is particularly prevalent in the development markets wherein mens and other corporates are indulged in buying high-end watches.Geographically, the report studies the opportunities available in the global luxury goods market in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World, and rates Europe as the most lucrative regional market, followed by North America. The demand for apparels and leather accessories has significant demand in these two regions with developed economies. Moreover, the number of tourists increasing in Europe, which is further fueling the demand.The global luxury goods market is quite fragmented in nature with top five companies not accounting for even half of the market shares, and facing stiff competition from several regional and country-wide players who offer products of nearly equal quality at reasonably reduced cost. Some of the key players in global market for luxury goods are LVMH, LOreal Group, Kering (PPR), Richemont SA, and Swatch Group, Ltd. The research and development activities by these players in order to introduced advanced products to their esteemed customers is the primary strategy in the market.Browse Full Report@About Us:-Transparency Market Research 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 ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
DERMAL REGENERATION TEMPLATE MARKET - GLOBAL INDUSTRY INSIGHTS, TRENDS, OUTLOOK, AND OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS, 20162024

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Dermal Regeneration Template Market Overview:Dermal regeneration template is a two-layered skin regeneration system. The outer layer of dermal regeneration template is made of thin silicone film act as the epidermis of skin. The outer layer of dermal regeneration template helps in protecting wound from infection and controls in loss of both heat and moisture. The outer collagen Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) thermal layer functions as a biodegradable template that helps in regeneration of dermal tissue neodermis by the body. The inner layer of dermal regeneration template is made of complex matrix of cross-linked fibers. The porous material of the template helps in regeneration of skin.Get Free PDF Research Brochure for more Professional and Technical Insights:The cross-linked fiber material of dermal regeneration template acts a scaffold for the re-growth of skin layer. Once the dermal skin layer is regenerated the outer layer of template is removed and is replaced with a thin epidermal skin graft. This procedure leaves the wound to a flexible, growing and allows permanent regeneration of skin. It allows faster healing of wound with minimum scarring. Using dermal regeneration template allows immediate wound closure without risking any loss of donor material. In 2005, Integra LifeSciences received FDA approval for its INTEGRA Dermal Regeneration Template as a treatment for life-threatening burn injuries and reconstructive surgery for the repair of scars when other therapies fail. Recently, In January 2016, Integra LifeSciences received FDA approval for treatment of Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) with dermal regeneration template. The application of this template is typically completed in two operative sessions involving the product applied to the excision sites and the second procedure performed 3 to 6 weeks after the placement of product to remove silicone layer and for an epidermal autograft applied to the neodermis.Global Dermal Regeneration Template Market TaxonomyThe global dermal regeneration template market is classified on the basis of following segments:Indication Type:Burn InjuriesChronic Diabetic Foot UlcersTrauma InjuriesOthersEnd Users:HospitalAmbulatory Surgical CentersEmergency Care UnitsOthersFuture Market Outlook for Dermal Regeneration Template MarketThe global dermal regeneration template market is expected to witness significant growth due to increase in incidence of burn injuries and prevalence of diabetes globally. As per the report of WHO in 2016, burns result in around 265,000 deaths every year. Low income and middle income countries contribute majority to the total number of burns every year. In India alone, over 1,000,000 people suffer from moderate to severe burns each year. In Bangladesh, Egypt, Columbia and Pakistan, around 17% of children with burn have temporary disability where as 18% have permanent disability. The increasing cases of burns and awareness among the population of low and middle income countries provides opportunity for dermal regeneration template market. The growing concern with burning cases and governments initiatives to grow awareness among patients related to burn treatment through campaigns and national burn Awareness week to act as a fuel to the growth of dermal regeneration template market. In 2010, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services initiated medical countermeasures (MCMs) program, aimed to improve burn treatment for mass causality. The increasing research fund and grants associated for burn research is creating opportunity for dermal regeneration template manufacturers to come up with products with more innovations. American burn association (ABA) is one of such organization of the U.S. that offers awards, grants and fellowship opportunities to practitioners for education, prevention and rehabilitation of burn. The growing usage of skin grafts and skin replacement substitutes are expected to act as a restrain to the global dermal regeneration market. Dermal regeneration template usage in chemical, radiation or electrical burns are limited and can only be used after thorough evaluation by surgeon. The product can be only used in excision therapy and are contraindicated for infectional wounds. Their limitation for incision use and usage in chemical and radiation is expected to hamper the overall growth. North America, Europe and Asia Pacific contribute major revenue to the overall market. Asia Pacific is expected to grow with high CAGR as compared to other region.Browse Global Strategic Business Report :Market PlayerThe global dermal regeneration template market has only one FDA approved product from Integra LifeScience. The growing research related to innovation in material and design is expected to penetrate many companies in the market. In 2016, a research funded by Welcome Trust described a novel approach to increase the thickness of elastic- layered fiber for geriatric patients and created a hybrid of Integra dermal regeneration template.About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comVisit Coherent Market Insights Blog @Connect with us on LinkedIn @
Global Lentil Market to Reach 7.9 Million Tons by 2022

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A member of the legume family, lentils have become a staple all across the world, particularly in the developing regions such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Lentils are loaded with all the essential nutrients which include vitamin A & B, proteins, potassium, iron, minerals, fibres and complex carbohydrates. These nutrients help to detoxify the body, prevent inflammation, improve digestive system and immune system, boost the functioning of the heart, increase satiety, help to lose weight and fight fatigue.The common types of lentil available in different colours are green, red, yellow, brown and black colour. Over the past several years, the demand for lentils in the food industry has increased on account of their earthy flavour and taste-enhancing capability. Moreover, their long shelf-life, low cost and ease of cooking have also influenced the demand for lentils worldwide. They are extensively used in the form of flour and split pieces in a variety of dishes such as bakery products, breading, batters, snack foods, beverages and meat products. Some of the other growth inducing factors include huge population growth, increasing disposable incomes, a shift towards ready-to-eat foods and the growth of the organised food retail sector. According to a new report by Expert Market Research, the global lentil market reached a volume of 5.9 Million Tons in 2016 and is further expected to reach 7.9 Million Tons by 2022.Get Sample of Report:Key findings from the report:The major end-use sectors of lentils are retail store, snack food industry, flour industry and others. In 2016, retail store accounted for the largest share of the total global consumption.Country-wise, Canada dominated the market with a share of more than one-third of the global production in 2016. This can be attributed to the favourable soil and weather conditions in the region. Canada was followed by India, Turkey, Australia, the United States and others.Some of the players operating in the global lentils market include AGT Foods and Ingredients, Broadgrain, Simpson Seeds Inc, ADM Benson Quinn, Adani Wilmar Pvt. Ltd., Cargill Foods India, Eaternal Health & Organic Foods Pvt. Ltd., Victoria Foods Pvt. Ltd., Solen Food Industry and Trade Inc. and others.Browse full report with TOC @Expert Market Research has analysed the global lentil market according to end-use, major regions and top players:Market breakup by End-useRetail StoreSnack Food IndustryFlour IndustryOthersMarket breakup by RegionCanadaIndiaTurkeyAustraliaUnited StatesOthersTop playersAGT Foods and IngredientsBroadgrainSimpson Seeds IncADM Benson QuinnAdani Wilmar Pvt. Ltd.Cargill Foods IndiaEaternal Health & Organic Foods Pvt. Ltd.Victoria Foods Pvt. Ltd.Solen Food Industry and Trade Inc.OthersWe are always open on call and email (24*7) to your queries and very clean with the business methodology.Find more reports related to Food & Beverages Market Research @For more follow us @Linkedin:Facebook:Pinterest:Expert Market Research (EMR) is a market research and consultancy firm providing syndicated and custom research along with consultancy services to a wide clientele base which includes Fortune 1000 companies as well as small and medium enterprises. With our tailored approach, the clients gain valuable and unbiased insights that help to improve their competitive edge and realize sustainable growth.With a keen focus on the qualitative aspect as well as accuracy of the reports, we align our resources and services as per the clients requirement and offer a flexible engagement model that best suits their needs. We offer market intelligence across a range of industry verticals which include Pharmaceuticals, Food and Beverage, Technology, Retail, Chemical & Materials, Energy & Mining, Packaging and Agriculture.Expert Market Research85 Broad StNew York, NY 10004United StatesWebsite:Email:sales@expertmarketresearch.comUS & Canada Phone no: +1-415-325-5166UK Phone no: +44-702-402-5790
Polyimide Varnish Market 2016 - Global Industry Size, Trends, Growth, Share and Forecast by 2021

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Albany, New York, February 28, 2017: Market Research Hub adds Global Polyimide Varnish Market Research Report 2016 new report to its research database. The report provides a basic overview of Polyimide Varnish Market including definitions, applications and industry chain structure. Global market analysis and Chinese domestic market analysis are provided with a focus on history, developments, trends and competitive landscape of the market. A comparison between the international and Chinese situation is also offered.Request for Sample Report:Global Polyimide Varnish Industry Research Report 2016 also focuses on development policies and plans for the industry as well as a consideration of a cost structure analysis. Capacity production, market share analysis, import and export consumption and price cost production value gross margins are discussed.A key feature of this report is it focus on major industry players, providing an overview, product specification, product capacity, production price and contact information for Global Top15 companies. This enables end users to gain a comprehensive insight into the structure of the international and Chinese Polyimide Varnish industry. Development proposals and the feasibility of new investments are also analyzed. Companies and individuals interested in the structure and value of the Polyimide Varnish industry should consult this report for guidance and direction.The report begins with a brief overview of the Global Polyimide Varnish market and then moves on to evaluate the key trends of the market. The key trends shaping the dynamics of the Global Polyimide Varnish market have been scrutinized along with the related current events, which is impacting the market. Drivers, restraints, opportunities, and threats of the Global Polyimide Varnish market have been analyzed in the report. Moreover, the key segments and the sub-segments that constitutes the market is also explained in the report.Table of Content:Global Polyimide Varnish Market Research Report 20161 Polyimide Varnish Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Polyimide Varnish1.2 Polyimide Varnish Segment by Type1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of Polyimide Varnish by Type in 20152 Global Polyimide Varnish Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Polyimide Varnish Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global Polyimide Varnish Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Global Polyimide Varnish Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)3 Global Polyimide Varnish Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2011-2016)3.1 Global Polyimide Varnish Capacity and Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.2 Global Polyimide Varnish Production and Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.3 Global Polyimide Varnish Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.4 Global Polyimide Varnish Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)Continue@....Browse Full Report with TOC:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of Market Research Reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.90 State StreetAlbany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel : +1-518-621-2074Email : press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite :Follow us on LinkedIn:
SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY MARKET - GLOBAL INDUSTRY INSIGHTS, TRENDS, OUTLOOK, AND OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS, 2016-2024

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Synthetic biology is a combination of biology and biomedical engineering principles that favors designing and construction of novel biological parts & systems and also the reconstruction of preexisting designs according to specific application requirements. Synthetic biology is extensively used in the field of medical and pharmaceuticals to produce and manufacture improved biological drugs and systems to meet various challenges in the healthcare sector. Synthetic biology offers various opportunities in the field of healthcare such as recreating highly complex pathways, DNA sequences, and natural biological systems. In synthetic biology market, genetically modified organisms is the new approach for researchers. However, currently only one engineered gene has been developed, with increasing focus on creating clusters of genes. Also, due to the rising demand for vaccines in high income countries, synthetic biologists are more inclined towards research of various types of vaccines that can be used as prophylaxis. According to WHO, in in 2011, high income countries such as the U.S., Japan, and the U.K. contributed around 80% of global vaccine sales revenue, with these regions accounting for 20% volume share.Get Free PDF Research Brochure for more Professional and Technical Insights:Synthetic biology market taxonomy:By Product TypeSynthetic DNASynthetic cellsSynthetic genesChassis organismsGenetically modified organismsOligonucleotide SynthesisBy ToolXeno-nucleic Acids (XNA)Cloning and Assembly kitsOligonucleotidesEnzymesBy TechnologyEnabling TechnologiesBioinformaticsSite-saturation MutagenesisMeasurement and ModelingMicrofluidicsCloning and SequencingGene SynthesisGenome EngineeringNanotechnologyEnabled TechnologiesPathway EngineeringNext-generation SequencingBy ApplicationEnvironmental ApplicationBioremediationWhole-cell BiosensorsIndustrial ApplicationBiofuels and Renewable EnergyIndustrial EnzymesBiomaterials and Green ChemicalsMedical ApplicationArtificial Tissue and Tissue RegenerationPharmaceuticalsDrug Discovery and TherapeuticsGovernment funding supporting synthetic biology market growth:Growing demand for synthetic biology products such as synthetic DNA, synthetic genes for treatment of diseases and for developing genetic modified products such as hybrid crop, genetically modified animals for enhancing the nutritional value of the food is also contributing towards the growth of the synthetic biology market. Also, various governments are investing in research and development of novel synthetic biology products. For instance, according to the report from U.S. Trends in Synthetic Biology Research at the Wilson Center, during the period of six years from 2008 to 2014, the U.S. invested around US$ 820 million in research for products in synthetic biology. Among different funding agencies, the defense department became a key funder of synthetic biology research dominating the funds by national science foundation. The above key fact also suggests that U.S. is expected to be a significant contributor in synthetic biology market.Browse Global Strategic Business Report :Regional analysis of synthetic biology market:Developed countries such as the U.S., Germany, U.K., France, and Japan have mature markets for synthetic biology mainly due to large funding and favorable government regulation regarding the approval of synthetic biology products. According to genetic engineering & biotechnology news in 2010, the government of three European countries namely the Netherlands, U.K., and Germany invested around US$ 160 million in a span of five years between 2005 and 2010. Regulations such as Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in 1997, cover commercial uses of new microorganisms not regulated by other agencies: primary rules covering industrial biotechnology. European Commission and research agencies have also increased their funding for research in synthetic biology. In emerging economies in Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa, governments are focusing on tackling major issues such as under-nutrition by encouraging adoption of GMO crops. For example, Indian government is had put efforts in the past regarding in terms of intervention programs to combat malnutrition such as Integrated child development services and mid-day meal program This creates a highly conducive environment for market growth.Major acquisitions to support the growth in synthetic biology marketThere are few recent acquisitions by the big brands in biotechnology that is expected to favor the market for synthetic biology. QIAGEN N.V acquired OmicSofta software solutions company that offers scientists and researchers tools to efficiently analyze and visualize the data in bioinformatics. This acquisition is further expected to favor the working efficiency of the company. Key players operating in the synthetic biology market include DuPont, Amyris, Inc., GenScript USA Inc., Integrated DNA Technologies, Intrexon Corporation, New England Biolabs, Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Synthetic Genomics, Inc., Royal DSM, and Novozymes.About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comVisit Coherent Market Insights Blog @Connect with us on LinkedIn @
Blood Pressure Monitoring Sensors Sales Market Growth and Regional Forecast 2017-2021

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Global Blood Pressure Monitoring Sensors Sales Industry 2021 Market Research Report analysed 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 Blood Pressure Monitoring Sensors Sales 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.Get the Exemplified Analysis for the Products of Blood Pressure Monitoring Sensors at: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 Blood Pressure Monitoring Sensors Sales industry in the future years to come. Furthermore, each and every important variable which is responsible for shaping the Global Blood Pressure Monitoring Sensors Sales 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.For Sample Copy, click here:Future Development Trends in the Global Blood Pressure Monitoring Sensors Sales 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 Blood Pressure Monitoring Sensors Sales 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 Blood Pressure Monitoring Sensors Sales which will be beneficial for them.Ask for Discount @About Us:Market 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 website.Contact for more details:Sam Collins303, Astral Court,Aundh, Pune,MH - 411045, IndiaEmail: info@marketreportscenter.comWeb -
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair (RYA.I) is ramping up its expansion at Frankfurt airport (FRAG.DE) with 20 new routes and the deployment of seven planes at the home of German rival Lufthansa (LHAG.DE).

Ryanair is starting with two aircraft flying to four tourist destinations in Spain and Portugal from next month, but new routes from October include London, adding to pressure on traditional carriers serving business passengers on that route.

"We want to attract more and more business passengers to fly from Frankfurt," Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary told journalists at the airport on Tuesday.

Ryanair's push into Frankfurt (FRAG.DE) has prompted Lufthansa to look at using its own budget carrier, Eurowings, for flights from its main hub from 2018, against previous expectations.

"The boardroom of Lufthansa is the only place in Europe where people think that Eurowings is low-cost," O'Leary said on the prospect of such a move by Lufthansa.

The new Ryanair winter routes from Frankfurt also include Glasgow, Manchester and more traditional tourist destinations such as Gran Canaria and Tenerife, Ryanair said.

The company has previously flown from Hahn airport, about 120km from Frankfurt, but has been increasing its presence at primary airports as it seeks more business passengers and tries to boost passenger numbers to 200 million a year by 2024.

It carried 119 million people last year, overtaking Lufthansa Group as Europe's largest airline in terms of passenger numbers.

Ryanair is also seeking deals to provide short-haul "feeder flights" to link passengers to routes operated by long-haul carriers and plans to start serving low-cost operator Norwegian Air Shuttle (NWC.OL) from April, O'Leary said.

The Irish airline has also offered to provide feeder flights for Portugal's TAP but talks have ceased. Air France (AIRF.PA) and Lufthansa have both said in the past that they are not interested in having Ryanair provide feeder flights.

(Reporting by Maria Sheahan; Writing by Victoria Bryan; Editing by Michelle Martin and David Goodman)
Global Sodium Alginates Market Headed for Growth & Expansion by 2021

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There are several types of alginates available in the global market including sodium, calcium, and potassium out of which sodium alginates hold the highest share of the market. Sodium alginate is a type of natural polysaccharide which is extracted from the brown seaweed that grows in cold water regions. Sodium alginate market is expanding mainly on account of the increasing size of food industry. Sodium alginate is soluble in cold and hot water, and possesses thickening and binding properties. Sodium alginate forms a gel without being heated in the presence of calcium. Sodium alginate is generally used along with calcium salts in several cuisines to produce small and large spheres filled with liquid that burst in the mouth. Sodium Alginate is also used in the food industry as an emulsifier to increase viscosity. It is also used in indigestion tablets as it does not have any discernible flavor.The major drivers for sodium alginate market include the increasing consumption of convenience foods and their multi-functionality. Vulnerability of raw materials of sodium alginate to seasonal changes is one of the major restraints for the market. Increasing cost of alginates is another major concern for the sodium alginate market. China, Japan, India, and Brazil are emerging as potential markets for the sodium alginate market and provide ample opportunity for its growth.Sodium alginate is used as a thickener in syrups, sauces, and toppings for ice cream. Mayonnaise and salad dressings thickened with sodium alginate are less likely to separate into their original oil and water forms. Sodium alginate is also used in pimiento strips inside pitted olives, and as stabilizers in ice cream where it forms ice crystals during the freezing process. Another use of sodium alginate is to form films of sodium or calcium alginate, and fibers of calcium alginates.Request to view Table of content @The key companies in the global sodium alginate market include Cargill, Inc., Dastech International, Inc., FMC Corporation, DANISCO, FMC, KIMICA, QINGDAO GFURI, Qingdao Bright Moon Group, Qingdao Gather Great Ocean, Qingdao Lanneret, Qingdao Rongde, and Vishnu Gum & Chemicals.Buy Now: You can now buy a single user license of the report atThe final report customized as per your specific requirement will be sent to your e-mail id within 7-20 days, depending on the scope of the report.For more information, please e-mail us at sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Intimate Gymnastics: A One-of-a-Kind Special Fitness Program

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Tatyana Kozhevnikova is a world record holder for a most unusual feat  she is the only woman in the world who can hold a weight of 14 kilos using only her intimate muscles. Today, she shares her secret with others thru her special fitness program known as Intimate Gymnastics.Intimate Gymnastics is an exclusive method for full-body muscle strengthening that combines both Eastern and Western philosophies. Tatyana has gotten inspiration from yoga, tai-chi, tantra love techniques from the East and mixed it with modern dance, weightlifting, and kegel exercises from the West. The result is a program designed to make participants slimmer, lighter, more flexible, and have more developed intimate muscles for a more satisfying sexual experience.The unique thing about this fitness program() is that it always concentrates on the intimate muscles and how to strengthen them. However, as a result, larger muscle groups such as the hips and buttocks are also strengthened. By using balance, concentration, and breathing techniques, other smaller muscles in the body are used and are strengthened as well. Since a persons intimate muscles are strengthened, it also has a positive effect on the overall self-confidence and well-being.Tatyana has developed specialized programs within Intimate Gymnastics that would specifically cater to someones needs, including a workout for couples, a male-oriented program, those recovering from childbirth, and more. The best part about any of these programs, or about Intimate Gymnastics as a whole, is that there is no need for any special equipment unlike other fitness workouts.Tatyana graduated from the Siberian Academy of Physical Culture in Russia, and worked as a personal trainer in a gym for many years. Some time ago, she got sick with sarcoidosis, which then motivated her to live a fitness lifestyle. After studying various techniques aimed at strengthening her vaginal muscles, combined with her knowledge as a personal trainer, she was able to develop her fitness program to what it is today. She now shares her one-of-a-kind program through master class videos, online lessons, exercises, and even trains other instructors on how to properly teach her method. She won the Guinness World Record in 2003.Her motivation was primarily to look good physically, but the added effect of being stronger, healthier, looking and feeling younger, and having a positive glow has certainly aided her. Today, she is aiming to help others achieve these through Intimate Gymnastics.For more information about Tatyana and her special program, visitThe program Intimate Gymnastics is patented by Tatyana Kozhevnikova, the only one woman in the world who can hold with intimate muscles the weight of 14 kg.Intimate gymnastics is a time-tested, exclusive method for muscles strengthening and rising of the sensitivity of intimate sphere and also for prophylactic and recovery of womens and mens health.HEALTH AND RECREATION PROGRAM WITH ELEMENTS OF SHAPINGAND FITNESS FOR INTIMATE MUSCLES OF WOMENintimfitness@mail.ruheyqadriyyah@gmail.comQadriyyah Abdullah, Berkeley, Ca USA1+(510) 847-4964
SMART HOME MEDICAL DEVICE MARKET - GLOBAL INDUSTRY INSIGHTS, TRENDS, OUTLOOK, AND OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS, 20162024

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Post-discharge care plays an extremely important role in ensuring speedy and effective recovery of the patient. This is especially a matter of concern for the elderly as well as pediatric population who mostly spend their time at home and are usually dependent on someone else to ensure continued care. However, due to busy lifestyle of the populace in developed and emerging economies, post-discharge care is often hampered. This concern of family members as elderly people living alone is expected to favor growth of the market for smart home medical devices, such as fall detection system, bathroom sensors, monitoring and detecting systems and assisting systems. According to a Welfare Ministry Survey, in 2016, there were around 6.24 million people aged 65 and above were living alone in Japan. The increasing lonely deaths in the region is also a vital factor that is expected to favor the smart home medical device market.Get Free PDF Research Brochure for more Professional and Technical Insights:Global smart home medical device market taxonomyThe global smart home medical device market is classified on the basis of following segments:Product Type:Detection and monitoring systemsAsthma detection kitGlucose monitoring systemOthers (blood pressure, weight variations)Back therapy kitDigital pillsWearableClothesWrist watchesAlert patchSmart contact lensOthersMattressBathroom accessoriesApplications:Medication ManagementGlucose managementDiagnosesTherapyAssistanceInfant careTelehealth managementOthers (feeding, voiding)Data StorageCloudOn-premisesModalityBenchtopWearableStandaloneGrowing internet penetration favors growth of smart home medical devices market:Smart home medical device is latest and futuristic approach towards making life easier and secure. This revolutionary step by the medical devices company has affected the healthcare industry and the adoption rate for such technology in a positive way. While most consumers and healthcare organizations were skeptical about the technology, the scenario is rapidly changing, with higher adoption rate of such devices, a trend that is expected to continue over the forecast period. Furthermore, the wide availability of the smart home medical devices is a crucial block to fill the loop hole for acceptance of such devices and services. Easily available personal monitoring system and other electronic devices are expected to favor rise in adoption of smart home medical devices. Smart home basically defined as the residence that uses controllers to integrate the functions of the device installed at home. The controllers are connected through a computer that is connected via internet and the data of the respondent is recorded on cloud or on-premises data bank, which can be further monitored by the physician or caretaker accordingly.Browse Global Strategic Business Report :Growth in adoption of health caregiving is expected to underpin the smart home medical device marketAccording to American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), in 2016, around 80% growth has been observed in the medication management segment in the health caregiving market, which in turn is expected to support growth of the smart home medical device market in the near future. Medical technology utilized in home care settings, where the caregivers are active, ranges between complex and simple materials that are also used for administering first aid to sophisticated devices and advanced medical treatment. The products involved in home care settings can vary from tiny wireless devices to massive machines. Smart home medical devices such as blood pressure measuring equipment, sugar level measuring equipment and devices are widely used.Highly fragmented market due to dominance of ICT organizations in smart home medical device manufacturingThe global smart home medical device market is highly fragmented market as encompasses pharmaceuticals, healthcare and information and communication technology industries. Growth in internet of things segment and its acceptance globally is expected to support the market for smart home medical device. Although, it is a difficult task to align the technology to the human vitals, incorporating the appropriate features into a medical device that are utilized by the patient or the care recipient at home is the most challenging factors for such devices. Major players involved in the smart home medical device market include ViVO Smart Medical Devices Ltd., Health Care Originals, Hocoma AG, VitalConnect, Proteus Digital Health, Cyrcadia Health, Qardio, Inc., and Neurometrix.About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comVisit Coherent Market Insights Blog @Connect with us on LinkedIn @
RADIAL HEAD RESECTION IMPLANTS MARKET - GLOBAL INDUSTRY INSIGHTS, TRENDS, OUTLOOK, AND OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS, 20162024

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Elbow is a complex joint and a crucial part for forearm function. It has a unique anatomy comprising limited ball-and-socket joint and a hinge type of synovial joint, which allows for hand movement and control. Though radial head fractures are usually not too complicated in nature, various devices and radial head resection implants are available in the market that help address any issues related to the same. Products used in radial head resection are approved and are widely used by orthopedic surgeon and few of the techniques are under section of limited study. However, there are couple of medical procedures that are executed in case of radial head fractures such as closed reduction with casting or early motion and open reduction with internal fixation or resection in which radial head resection implants are mainly used. According to National Center for Biotechnology Information, radial head fractures are common worldwide with around 2.5 to 2.8 per 10,000 of incidence per year. Also, due to the patient benefits in terms of no deformity and regaining normal functionality after a relatively short period following the surgery, the radial head resection therapy is gaining wide acceptance across the globe. The use of radial head resection implants are strictly recommended by the orthopedic surgeon by looking at the severity of type III and type IV fractures.Get Free PDF Research Brochure for more Professional and Technical Insights:Global Radial Head Resection Implants Market TaxonomyThe global radial head resection market is classified on the basis of following segments:Product Type:StandardReconLateralFracture Type:Type IIIType IVMaterialTitaniumSiliconeEnd User:Orthopedic and Trauma CentersHospitalsOrthopedic ClinicsSignificantly accepted radial head implants: CO5 Series (IMECO), Solar (Striker), RHS (Tornier), Evolve (Wright), Explor (Biomet), etc.Limited data available regarding the upper extremity limb discrepancy under radial head resection implants market:Although the location of the fracture is very crucial in the upper extremity, data regarding the same is limited, which shortens the horizon for market growth in the radial head resection implants segment. However, rise in awareness among the population about consequences of limb deformity if not treated using appropriate implant is projected to support growth of the radial implants market. Furthermore, the concern is more on the altering length of the limb. However, lower extremity is more susceptible in terms of limb-length discrepancies, including abnormal body posture and various other problems. Deformity is a common phenomenon in upper limb fractures as compared to the limb length discrepancies. Furthermore, studies related to radial head fractures further highlight the importance of the radial head resection by the help of prosthesis and implants. Some such studies are short- to medium-term outcomes of radial head replacement Arthroplasty in posttraumatic unstable elbows mentioned in Chang Gung Med Journal in 2010 and resection of the radial head after mason type-III fractures of the elbow mentioned in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery published in 1998.Rising incidence of radial head fractures in geriatric population supporting radial head resection implants market growthWeakening of bones is a continuous process with the progression of age, which is further catalyzed by inappropriate healthcare infrastructure and unhealthy lifestyle, especially in emerging economies. Most economies are not balanced with either of the above mentioned criteria. For instance, most economies with a sound healthcare infrastructure have an unhealthy lifestyle and vice versa. In 2015, according to the Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Freiburg Medical Centre, Freiburg, Germany, the radial head fractures contributes to around 4% of all types of fractures, and within all elbow fractures the radial fractures constitutes to around 30%. It is also diagnosed in around 75% of all proximal lower-arm fractures, securing an incidence of around 25 to 30 cases per 100,000 patients among the adult population. Rapidly aging population in the U.S., Japan, and China are projected position these as major markets for radial head resection in the near future. Incidence rate of radial head resection is especially high among people aged above 44 years.Browse Global Strategic Business Report :Highly consolidated radial head resection implants market with high growth potentialThe global radial head resection implants market is less fragmented as major players account for major share of the market. High entry barriers and stringent regulations such as Medical Device Amendments of 1976 requires mandatory FDA approval to obtain reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness before marketing may hamper the entry of new players as only the well-established players can focus and invest on improving their existing radial head resection implants products, which further brings accuracy in the device. Furthermore, in 2013, there was a product recall for DePuy Synthes Companies, a Johnson & Johnson Company. The reason for recall as cited by the manufacturer was loosening trial head from the implant stem during manipulation of the arm during surgery. However, this incidence has not adversely impacted demand for radial head resection implants. However, it highlights the important checkpoints during production that need to be considered by market players in order to ensure sustainable growth. Major players involved in the radial head resection implants market include Biomet, Inc., Wright Medical Technology, Inc., Smith & Nephew Plc, and Stryker.About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comVisit Coherent Market Insights Blog @Connect with us on LinkedIn @
Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Global Market 2017 by Manufacturers - CNH Industrial, Cummins Westport, Volvo Trucks, Ford Motor, Honda

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Global Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Market 2017, presents a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle market globally, providing basic overview of Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle market including Definitions, Classifications, Applications and Industry chain structure, Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Market report provides development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle market size, share and end users are analyzed as well as segment markets by types, applications and companies.Download Free Sample Report @Global market research report of Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle 2017 mainly focuses on Production, means the output of Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle and Revenue, means the sales value of Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle in market. Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle market research report studies Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle in Global market, Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle market report gives detail analysis of regions especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Global Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle market report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with their Business perspective which consist of Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Capacity, Production, Price, Revenue and Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle market share for each manufacturer.Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Market Research Report 2017 Covers the following Manufacturers.CNH IndustrialDaimler TrucksGeneral MotorsMAN Truck & BusVolvo TrucksBeiqi Foton MotorBRC Gas EquipmentCummins WestportDongfeng MotorFiat Chrysler AutomobilesFord MotorGAZHondaIMPCO TechnologiesISUZU MOTORSKAMAZLandi RenzoNavistarRenaultVolkswagenAccess Full Report @Global Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Market segment by Regions, Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle market report splits Global into several key Regions, with Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle production, Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle consumption, Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle revenue, Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle market share and growth rate of Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle in these regions, from 2011 to 2021. Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Market report split by Product type and Application, with Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Production, Revenue, Price, market Share and Growth rate of each type, according to Application Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Market report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle in each application.Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Market Research Report Split by Type,Type IType IIHeavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Market Research Report Split by ApplicationLight Commercial VehiclesPassenger CarsTable of ContentsGlobal Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Market Research Report 20171 Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Market Overview2 Global Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)4 Global Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2012-2017)5 Global Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Market Analysis by Application7 Global Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Market Forecast (2017-2022)13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 Appendix14.1 Methodology14.2 Analyst Introduction14.3 Data SourceFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Fior Markets provides you the full spectrum of services related to market research, and corroborate with the clients to increase the revenue stream, and address process gaps.Mark StoneSales Manager2566, Lincoln StreetPrinceton,New Jersey 08540USAPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:
U.S. Scar Treatment Market 2024; Strategies & Insights, & Recent Developments

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U.S. Scar Treatment Market: OverviewOften considered a concept that draws from wound care and first aid, scar treatment has emerged as a niche market promising high growth to medical device manufacturers. However, products used in scar therapy are far more advanced than conventional first-aid adhesives. Driven by innovations, demand in the U.S. scar treatment market is poised to surge exponentially between 2016 and 2024.A scar is any mark on the skin caused by injury, burns, surgery, acne, or inflammation of tissue. Scars can impact the mental and physical well-being of an individual, resulting in poor self-esteem, depression, embarrassment, and altered social interactions. Scars can be of various types depending on their age, color, shape, and sizes. The incidence of skin problems leading to scar formation is significantly high in the U.S., which is driving the scar treatment market in the country.Read Full Report:Additionally, the U.S. scar treatment market is significantly gaining from the easy availability of technologically advanced products with the capability of fading apparent scars. The growing geriatric population and rising consciousness about appearance among consumers are also aiding the expansion of the scar treatment market in the U.S. Increasing expenditure on personal grooming also has been boosting the U.S. scar treatment market.A comprehensive overview of the U.S. scar treatment market has been provided in the report. The factors impacting the markets growth are studied in detail. The report also presents insights into the growth drivers and restraints that are expected to influence the markets trajectory during the forecast period. Some of the companies operating in the market are profiled in the report to examine the competition prevailing in the U.S. scar treatment market.U.S. Scar Treatment Market: Key Opportunities and ThreatsThe increasing disposable income of consumers and rising economic growth are cited as reasons for the revenue generated from the increasing sale of scar treatment products. It is important to note that while the treatment of keloids and burn scars is considered medically important by regulatory bodies, the treatment of mild to medium acne and spot correction is not considered a medical necessity. However, a rise in the affluence of the population has been fuelling the demand for aesthetic corrective procedures such as dermal filling, wrinkle reduction, volume restoration, and laser treatment.Download exclusive Sample of this Report:Botulinum type-A injections and hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers are primarily used for aesthetically improving a persons appearance.The U.S. scar treatment market is also significantly gaining from the increasing demand for combination therapeutics in scar treatment to enhance the effectiveness of procedures and shorten the time taken for treatment.The various products available in the U.S. scar treatment market include ointments, creams, gels, oils, and sprays. These products have proven helpful in reducing redness, bumps, pain, and itching caused by scars. Since these products can mostly be applied onto scars without any medical supervision, demand for them is quite high in the U.S. Additionally, the demand for minimally invasive surgical treatments and laser treatments has also significantly increased for the treatment of more severe scars.On the flip side, some of restraints witnessed by the market include the increasing awareness about the side effects associated with the usage of scar treatment products. The high cost of scar treatment therapies also has an adverse impact on the scar treatment market in the U.S.Request For Discount On This Report:U.S. Scar Treatment Market: Competitive InsightTo present insights into the prevailing competition in the U.S. scar treatment market, the report also profiles companies such as Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Johnson & Johnson Services, Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc., and others.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:
Synthetic Leather Market Projected to Reach 208.81 Billion USD by 2026

Synthetic Leather Market

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The report "Synthetic Leather Market by Type (Polyurethane, Polyvinyl Chloride, Bio-based), End-Use Industry (Footwear, Furnishing, Automotive, Clothing, Bags, Purses & Wallets) - Global Forecast to 2026",The global synthetic leather market was valued at USD 51.81 Billion in 2015, and is projected to reach USD 208.81 Billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 13.4% from 2016 to 2026.Browse 109 market data tables and 63 figures spread through 150 pages and in-depth TOC on Synthetic Leather Market - Global Forecast to 2026Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.The growing demand for synthetic leather in the footwear industry, and concerns regarding the killing of animals for the production of pure leather, is expected to drive the market in the future.PU synthetic leather accounts for the largest share in the synthetic leather marketThe global synthetic leather market is segmented based on type, into PU-based, PVC-based, and bio-based. In 2015, PU-based synthetic leather captured the maximum share of the overall market; it is also expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period. PU leather is considered more environment friendly as compared to vinyl based leather, as it does not create dioxins. PU-based based leather is more expensive than PVC-based leather, due to the extensive manufacturing process that is required. Companies are also manufacturing microfiber PU leather, which is high quality leather, and has properties that are better than pure leather.Download PDF Brochure @Growing demand from the footwear industry to boost the synthetic leather marketThe major end-use industries of synthetic leather are footwear, furnishing, automotive, clothing, bags, purses & wallets, and others. The demand for synthetic leather in the footwear industry is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth in this industry is driven by the growing incomes, and economic growth. Another major driver for the growth in demand for synthetic leather in various countries is the variation in climatic conditions, which requires different kinds of footwear.Asia-Pacific: The largest market in synthetic leatherThe global synthetic leather market is segmented into five regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and South America. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest synthetic leather market, closely followed by Europe, in terms of value. The growing end-use industries such as, automotive, footwear, and furnishing, coupled with regulations regarding animal welfare is driving the demand for synthetic leather in the Asia-Pacific region. The presence of many international fashion brands in Europe is driving the demand for synthetic leather in the region.For more Info:Currently, market players such as, Kuraray Co. Ltd. (Japan), San Fang Chemical industry Co. Ltd (Taiwan), Teijin Limited (Japan), Mayur Uniquoters Ltd. (India), Nan Ya Plastics Co. Ltd. (Taiwan), Filwel Co. Ltd. (Japan), Zhejiang Hexin Industry Group Co., Ltd. (China), Alfatex (Italy), H.R. Polycoats Pvt. Ltd. (India), and Yantai Wanhua Synthetic Leather Group Co. Ltd. (China) are leading the global synthetic leather market.About MarketsandMarketsMarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model  GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors.M&Ms flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers.We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository.MarketsandMarkets701 Pike StreetSuite 2175, Seattle,WA 98101, United StatesTel: +1-888-600-6441Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.comVisit MarketsandMarkets Blog @Visit MarketsandMarkets @
Restless Legs Syndrome Treatment Market 2016 - 2024; Impact of Key Factors Influencing the Parent Industry

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Global Restless Legs Syndrome Treatment Market: OverviewRestless legs syndrome, also called Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological disorder. It triggers an urge in patients to move their legs. Because the syndrome usually occurs during sleep, it is also considered a type of sleep disorder. People suffering from restless legs syndrome often feel an overwhelming desire to rigorously move their legs, the intensity and frequency of which leads to unpleasant pain in their limbs. This also disturbs their sleep patterns, affecting their health adversely. The condition usually aggravates at night.Read Full Report:Higher prevalence of restless legs syndrome is noted in women than in men. RLS can affect people of all ages but is mostly observed in middle-aged and elderly people. The most common symptoms of RLS include uncomfortable itching and pain in the legs that may cause a disruption in the sleep pattern and ultimately affect a patients quality of life. Despite its increasing prevalence, the precise cause of RLS is not yet known. Nevertheless, with extensive investigations being conducted in the field, the RLS market is expected to gain momentum in the near future. As of now, experts attribute the increasing incidence of the disease to genetic factors and instabilities in the dopaminergic balance.While researchers are yet to discover a specific cure for the disorder, drugs presently available in the market ensure symptomatic treatment. They help in relieving the uneasiness commonly experienced in the disorder. The report studies the prospects for the global restless legs syndrome treatment market in the forthcoming years. The impact of research and development activities on the markets future outlook is examined in the report in detail. It also presents insights into the various social and economic factors that will influence the markets growth trajectory between 2016 and 2024.Download exclusive Sample of this Report:Global Restless Legs Syndrome Treatment Market: Opportunities and Market SegmentationRestless legs syndrome causes uneasiness in patients and is also associated with other health issues such as dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, flatulence, dry mouth, and nausea. Patients suffering from restless legs syndrome may also suffer from psychiatric disorders such as depression and a decreased libido. Apart from these, labyrinthitis and other ear disorders, fatigue, irritability, peripheral edema, and nutritional and metabolism disorders indicated by weight gain or increased appetite are also related to the syndrome.The treatment of restless legs syndrome is still a relatively untapped space. The market is projected to exhibit growth at an increased rate with the development of new drugs, which promise higher efficiency and minimum side effects.Based on product type, the global restless legs syndrome treatment market can be segmented into Neupro/Leganto, Mirapex/Sifrol/Mirapexin, HORIZANT/Regnite, and Requip. Restless legs syndrome treatment can be segmented into pharmacological and nonpharmacological.Request For Discount On This Report:Global Restless Legs Syndrome Treatment Market: Competitive InsightsIn order to study the competitive landscape prevailing in the market, the report profiles companies such as GlaxoSmithKline plc., Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Manhattan Pharmaceuticals. The strengths and weaknesses of the companies are weighed out in the report using SWOT analysis. The analysis also helps the report gauge the threats and opportunities that these companies could face in the near future.The report offers a complete databank about the global restless legs syndrome treatment market by providing 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 regarding every facet of the 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:
Global Acetic Anhydride Market Expected to Observe Major Growth by 2021

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Acetic anhydride is manufactured by carbonylation of acetate. It is also manufactured by the reaction of ketene with acetic acid. Acetic anhydride acid is colorless and has a pungent odor. Acetic anhydride is majorly consumed in cellulose acetates. Cellulose acetate flakes include cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), cellulose di-acetate and cellulose tri-acetate. Cellulose acetate flakes are used in cigarette filters, plastics and filament yarns.The market for acetic anhydride was mainly driven by cigarette tow market. Cellulose acetate is mainly consumed in cigarette. Acetic anhydride is also used in fragrances and flavor as well as dyes market. In addition, acetic anhydride can be used in pharmaceuticals, textiles, coatings and pesticides market. Acetic anhydride is also used to manufacture tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) which can be used as a bleach activator in laundry detergents market. However, declining usage of acetic anhydride in cellulose acetate for domestic consumption can have major impact on the market.In terms of demand, North America was the leading region in acetic anhydride market. The U.S. had the largest demand for acetic anhydride owing to huge demand from cellulose acetate market. However, the market for acetic anhydride is declining in North America region. Market for acetic anhydride was significantly large in Europe and the trend is expected to continue on account of the growing demand for TAED and cellulose acetate in the region. Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest growing market for acetic anhydride over the next few years. The demand for acetic anhydride is huge from countries such as Japan, China and India. China and Japan were the leading consumers of acetic anhydride in Asia Pacific region. India is likely to provide better opportunity for acetic anhydride market owing to increasing demand from textile market. The Rest of the World market is anticipated to have stable demand for acetic anhydride market in near future.Request for Table of content:Some of the key manufacturers in the tissue culture reagents market are Celanese Corporation, BP Chemicals, BASF SE, DuPont, Eastman Chemical Company, SABIC, PetroChina Ltd., and Sasol Limited among others.Buy Now: You can now buy a single user license of the report atThe final report customized as per your specific requirement will be sent to your e-mail id within 7-20 days, depending on the scope of the report.For more information, please e-mail us at sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Microcontrollers (MCU) Market each US$28.49 billion in 2018 Which Shall Entail Growth At A CAGR of 9.0% from 2012 to 2018.

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According to the report, the global market for MCUs is expected to reach an estimated valuation of US$28.49 bn by 2018, from US$15.7 bn in 2011. If the figures hold true, the global MCU market will exhibit a CAGR of 9.0% between 2011 and 2018. By volume, the market stood at 10.64 billion units in 2011 and is expected to reach 29 billion units by 2018, therefore, exhibiting a robust CAGR of 16.0% from 2012 to 2018.Microcontrollers are application-specific circuits and are embedded inside the device they control. Hence, these circuits are also referred to as embedded controllers. MCUs include memory devices, a processor, and peripherals. Since, these microcontrollers are integrated inside devices depending on user interaction and requiring real-time control, the market for MCUs gains significant impetus from the increasing popularity of touch sensing technology.The market for MCUs has been witnessing rising demand ever since the advent of smartphones, phablets, tablets, and other smart gadgets. Additionally, the most widely used consumer electronic products such as microwave ovens, televisions, and washing machines also depend on MCUs for their operation. Despite registering impressive growth over the last few years, the market may face occasional hindrances due to its moderately fragmented nature and the sheer volume of operations carried out by the enterprises vying for a major share of the market. Nevertheless, the increasing demand for advanced healthcare equipment such as portable blood pressure monitors and portable glucometers, which have MCUs embedded in them, will fuel demand from the global microcontrollers market in the near future.PDF Sample For Complete Analysis @To provide a holistic analysis of the market operations, the report segments the market on the basis of application, product-type, and geography. Based on product type the market has been segmented into 32-bit, 16-bit, and 8-bit. In 2011, the 8-bit MCUs segment dominated the market with a share of 40% in the market. However, during the forecast period, the 32-bit segment is likely to exhibit the fastest CAGR of 16.2%. In terms of application, the market has been segmented into industrial, automotive, consumer goods, communications, and computers. Of these, the automotive segment accounts for more than 32% of the overall demand registered in 2011.Regionally the global microcontrollers market is spread across Asia Pacific, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), North America, and Rest of the World. Among these regions Asia Pacific led the global market in 2011, accounting for a share of 35%. Also the regional market is expected to expand at an impressive CAGR of 9.2% between 2012 and 2018.To provide a comprehensive overview of the prevailing competitive landscape, the report also profiles some of the most prominent companies operating in the market, such as, Renesas Electronics Corporation, Fujitsu, Freescale Semiconductor, Inc, Infineon Technologies, and Texas Instruments.The rising demand from the automotive industry has been aiding the global microcontrollers (MCUs) market . A considerable number of MCUs are required in an average automobile to make it function effectively. Furthermore, with the integration of novel features such as GPS and keyless entry, an automobile now requires MCUs embedded with their support circuits more than ever. In a report, titled Microcontrollers (MCU) Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth and Forecast 2012 - 2018, Transparency Market Research studies the growth trajectory exhibited by the global market for microcontrollers and presents insights into the factors influencing its growth trends.Browse the full Global Microcontrollers (MCU) Market by Product (8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth and Forecast, 2012 - 2018 report atTransparency 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:
(Adds CEO comments, details of dispute, shareholder information)

By Nicole Mordant

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Feb 27 (Reuters) - Shareholders are pressuring miner Freeport-McMoRan Inc to stand up to the Indonesian government over changes the Southeast Asian country wants to make in the U.S. miner's contract, Freeport's chief executive officer said on Monday.

Rio Tinto Plc, which is a partner in Freeport's massive Grasberg copper and gold mine in Indonesia, is also supportive of Freeport's tougher approach toward Jakarta, CEO Richard Adkerson said.

In some of his strongest language yet on the issue, Adkerson said the new regulations sought by Indonesia were "in effect a form of expropriation of our assets and we are resisting it aggressively."

"Many of our shareholders feel that we have been too nice. Now we are in the position of standing up for our rights under the contract," Adkerson told a mining conference of institutional investors in Hollywood, Florida.

He said Freeport had held talks with large shareholders but did not name them. Freeport's third-biggest shareholder is activist investor Carl Icahn, who holds around 7 percent of its shares. Icahn has been appointed a special adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Freeport, the world's biggest publicly listed copper producer, warned last week it could take the Indonesian government to arbitration and seek damages over a contractual dispute that has halted operations and exports at Grasberg, the world's second-biggest copper mine.

The dispute, which centers around the sanctity of Freeport's 30-year mining contract, comes as the Indonesian government seeks to squeeze more revenue out of the mining industry by shaking up regulations over foreign ownership and ore processing.

The two sides have 120 days to settle their differences before heading to arbitration. "The polite approach that we have had in the past, if we go to arbitration, is going to be replaced with tough lawyers," Adkerson said.

Story continues

He added that he hoped the dispute could be resolved cooperatively although the Indonesian government has so far "responded aggressively through ministers."

Freeport's inability to export copper since mid-January, coupled with a strike at BHP Billiton's Escondida in Chile, the world's biggest copper mine, has pushed copper prices to 20-month highs of $6,204 a tonne on the London Metal Exchange this month.

In the face of the export halt, Freeport last week said it was proceeding with its plan to reduce production at Grasberg by about 60 percent, make significant cuts to its workforce and suspend investments in the province of Papua.

(Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Matthew Lewis)
Blood Preparation Market: Professional and Technical industry insights 2016 - 2024

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Global Blood Preparation Market: OverviewBlood components refer to products derived from platelet-rich plasma or whole blood. Blood components such as platelets, plasma, red blood cells, and white blood cells are derived from blood by the process of phlebotomy or hemapheresis through the technique of differential centrifugation. These blood components are separated from whole blood in hospital laboratories and blood centers, and are administered to patients suffering from various diseases through transfusion. The whole blood is often collected and separated into major components before transfusion. However, automated collections are becoming increasingly popular nowadays and only blood components that are needed for transfusion are collected.On the basis of product type, the global blood preparation market has been segmented into whole blood and blood components. While whole blood comprises platelets, plasma, red cells, and granulocytes, blood components constitute whole blood components, leukocyte reduced RBC, packed red cells, frozen plasma, and platelet concentrate. According to the antithrombotic and anticoagulant type, the blood preparation market has been divided into anticoagulants, fibrinolytics, and platelet aggregation inhibitors. Major application segments in the blood preparation market include renal impairment, thrombocytosis, and pulmonary embolism.Read Full Report:Global Blood Preparation Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe growing demand for blood transfusion across emergency departments in hospitals has boosted the growth of the global blood preparation market. The rise in blood disorders such as thrombocytosis and the increasing requirement for blood during accidents and surgical procedures have supported the growth of the market.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) lead to over 60,000 deaths in the U.S. every year. Various initiatives taken by the National Institutes of Health and other regulatory bodies to spread awareness about the complications associated with these conditions have also propelled the markets growth.However, during blood transfusion, the chances of transmission of diseases such as viral hemorrhagic fever, HIV, and Hepatitis B are high. This is the single major restraining factor impacting the growth of the global blood preparation market. The overall market has a significant opportunity to grow with the development of high speed technology to separate blood components without losing their activity. The introduction of new oral anticoagulants and the re-launch of drugs such as Urokinase, the growing demand for source plasma, and the need for specific blood components such as packed red blood cells will create new growth opportunities for the market.Download exclusive Sample of this Report:Global Blood Preparation Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global blood preparation market has been segmented into four key regions: Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, and Rest of the World. North America has been contributing significantly to the growth of the market owing to the presence of a robust healthcare infrastructure. In the U.S., the collection, preparation, storage, and transport of blood is regulated by the FDA. Other federal agencies are working toward the implementation of health insurance portability standards to achieve adequate reimbursement for blood components.However, during the forecast period, the Asia Pacific blood preparation market is anticipated to expand rapidly due to various initiatives taken by governments, especially in countries such as India and China. The positive growth of the healthcare sector across Japan and Australia will also support the growth of the regional market.Request For Custom Research:Global Blood Preparation Market: Competitive LandscapeSome of the key players in the global blood preparation market are GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Pfizer Inc., Leo Pharma Inc., Celgene Corp, Sanofi Aventis, Baxter Healthcare Corp., Shandong East Chemical Industry Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., and AstraZeneca Co. The blood preparation market worldwide is being driven by technology. As a result, market players are investing heavily in research and development to introduce novel and cost-effective drugs.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:
United States Ceramic Ink Market Report 2017 - Status and Industry Outlook

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DecisionDatabases.com announces a new report 2017-2022 United States Ceramic Ink Market Report (Status and Outlook) added to its database. The report provides key statistics on the current state of the industry and other analytical data to understand the market.The Ceramic Ink market size will be XX million (USD) in 2022 in United States, from the XX million (USD) in 2016, with a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) XX% from 2016 to 2022.Browse Full Report with TOC @In United States market, the top players include many company. With key sales data like sales (volume), revenue, market share for top players. such as Ferro Torrecid Esmalglass-Itaca Colorobbia Fritta Xennia Dip-tech Zschimmer-schwarz Dowstone CREATE-TIDE Mindst Mris Huilong Santao Seqian JinyingSplit by product types/category, covering many types. with sales, revenue and market share for each type, such as Functional Ink Normal InkSplit by applications/end use industries, covers many application. This report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Ceramic Ink in each application. such as Floor Tile Inner Wall Tiles OtherDownload Free Sample Report of United States Ceramic Ink Market @Table of Contents - Snapshot1 Market Overview2 United States Ceramic Ink Sales, Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Vendors/Manufacturers3 United States Ceramic Ink Sales, Revenue (Value) by Type and Application (2012-2017)4 United States Ceramic Ink Vendors/Manufacturers Profiles and Sales Data5 Production Cost Analysis of Ceramic Ink6 Value Chain, Purchasing Strategy and Downstream Buyers7 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders8 Market Influences Factors Analysis9 United States Ceramic Ink Market Forecast (2017-2022)10 Research Findings and Conclusion11 AppendixOrder a Copy of Complete United States Ceramic Ink Market Research Report @Other Related reports -2017-2022 Global Top Countries Ceramic Ink Market Report @About Us:DecisionDatabases.com is a United States business research reports provider, enriching decision makers and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research report, customized research reports, company profiles and industry databases across multiple domains.Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise and meaningful data at a lightning speed.3rd Floor,Fountain Chambers,Nanabhai Lane,Fort, Mumbai - 40001E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.comPhone: +91 99 28 237112Website:
Pelvic Floor Stimulation Therapy Market is Expected to Witness Dynamic Growth in Future!!

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Pelvic floor stimulation therapy market: OverviewPelvic floor stimulation (PFS) therapy is a nonsurgical process that activates the nerves and muscle mechanism of the pelvic floor. PFS therapy is frequently prescribed to strengthen the neuromuscular mechanism of the pelvic floor for the treatment of urinary incontinence. With the help of pelvic floor stimulation therapy, patients suffering from urinary incontinence can regain control over their bladder muscle and the muscles around it.Pelvic floor stimulation therapy involves controlled electrical or magnetic stimulation with non-implantable stimulators to the nerves of the pelvic floor and bladder. The electrodes are placed around the gonads and the rectum or around the anus. The frequency and amplitude of the stimulating pulses, their duration, the number of treatments per day, and the overall duration of the treatment cycle depend on the type and severity of the incontinence. Pelvic floor stimulation therapy exercises the precise muscles involved in the excretion of urine, no surgery is required, and patient participation is also kept to a minimum.Read Full Report:The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market by providing 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.Pelvic floor stimulation therapy market: Trends and DriversWeakening of the pelvis floor muscles, menopause, obesity, constipation, urinary tract infections, and alcoholism are the main causes of urinary incontinence. The increasing prevalence of these conditions, added to the expanding global geriatric population, is the major driver for the global pelvic floor stimulation therapy market. The increasing healthcare awareness among patients and healthcare professionals in developing countries is also driving the demand from the global pelvic floor stimulation therapy market. On the other hand, the high prices of pelvic floor stimulation devices may hinder the growth of the market in the coming years.Interpret a Competitive outlook Analysis Report with PDF Brochure:According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, in 2012, approximately 13 million adult women and 6 million adult males above the age of 40 years were suffering from urinary incontinence in the U.S. alone. UK health data suggests that 4 in 100 adult males and 1 in 5 adult women are suffering from this disorder. As per the Canadian Incontinence Foundation, 3.3 million Canadians above the age of 40 years, equating about 10% of the total population, suffer from some kind of urinary incontinence. This has led to government agencies supporting pelvic floor stimulation therapy, which is likely to lead to better reimbursement options and thus increasing demand in the coming years.Pelvic floor stimulation therapy market: SegmentationThe global pelvic floor stimulation therapy market can be segmented according to geography and type of stimulator. Geographically, the market for pelvic floor stimulation therapy can be segmented into North American, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. Of these, North America holds the highest share in the global market, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific.On the other hand, the market for pelvic floor stimulation therapy can be segmented into two segments by stimulator type, namely electrical devices and magnetic devices. The electric devices segment accounts for a major share due to the established popularity of these devices among clinicians and patients, whereas magnetic devices were introduced relatively recently and are yet to become popular on a large scale.Request For Custom Research:Pelvic floor stimulation therapy market: Competitive LandscapeThere are many companies operating in the global pelvic floor stimulation therapy market, out of which Liberty, Athena, Active Life Technologies, and Mediwatch are the major manufacturers of electrical pelvic floor stimulation devices, while EMD Medical Technologies, MCube Technology and Iskra Medical are the key players in the market for magnetic pelvic floor stimulation devices.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:
United States Ceramic Substrate Market Key Manufacturers , Industry Overview and Forecast till 2022

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DecisionDatabases.com announces a new report 2017-2022 United States Ceramic Substrate Market Report (Status and Outlook) added to its database. The report provides key statistics on the current state of the industry and other analytical data to understand the market.The Ceramic Substrate market size will be XX million (USD) in 2022 in United States, from the XX million (USD) in 2016, with a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) XX% from 2016 to 2022.Browse Full Report with TOC @In United States market, the top players include many company. With key sales data like sales (volume), revenue, market share for top players. such as Maruwa Tong Hsing Murata Kyocera Leatec Fine Ceramics Nikko CoorsTek KOA Corporation NCI Asahi Glass Co TA-I Technology Yokowo Rogers/Curamik Ecocera Toshiba ICP Technology NEO Tech Holy Stone ACX Corp Chaozhou Three-Circle Kechenda Electronics ZheJiang Innuovo Electronic Beijing North Asahi Electronic Glass Hebei Sinopack Electronic TechSplit by product types/category, covering many types. with sales, revenue and market share for each type, such as Alumina (Al2O3) Aluminium Nitride(AlN) Beryllium oxide (BeO) Silicon nitride (Si3N4)Split by applications/end use industries, covers many application. This report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Ceramic Substrate in each application.such as LED Chip Resistor Wireless Modules Other ApplicationsDownload Free Sample Report of United States Ceramic Substrate Market @Table of Contents - Snapshot1 Market Overview2 United States Ceramic Substrate Sales, Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Vendors/Manufacturers3 United States Ceramic Substrate Sales, Revenue (Value) by Type and Application (2012-2017)4 United States Ceramic Substrate Vendors/Manufacturers Profiles and Sales Data5 Production Cost Analysis of Ceramic Substrate6 Value Chain, Purchasing Strategy and Downstream Buyers7 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders8 Market Influences Factors Analysis9 United States Ceramic Substrate Market Forecast (2017-2022)10 Research Findings and Conclusion11 AppendixOrder a Copy of Complete United States Ceramic Substrate Market Research Report @Other Related reports -2017-2022 Global Top Countries Ceramic Substrate Market Report @About Us:DecisionDatabases.com is a United States business research reports provider, enriching decision makers and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research report, customized research reports, company profiles and industry databases across multiple domains.Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise and meaningful data at a lightning speed.3rd Floor,Fountain Chambers,Nanabhai Lane,Fort, Mumbai - 40001E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.comPhone: +91 99 28 237112Website:
Distributed Energy Generation (DEG) Systems Market Estimated To Reach A Value Of US$155.8 bn, Plays An Important Role In Electric Power Distribution System

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The distributed energy generation (DEG) systems market is highly fragmented and led by a large number of multinationals worldwide. The top five companies accounted for 38.5% of the market in 2012. Key players operating in the market are GE Energy, Siemens Energy, Caterpillar, E.ON Group, and Mitsubishi Power Systems. Players are increasingly focusing on product innovation, states a new report by Transparency Market Research (TMR). Companies are also collaborating with major organizations. A case in point would be Nokia Siemens. The company collaborated with Ballard Power Systems Inc., to develop fuel cell systems, which offers backup to mobile networks during power blackout.The presence of existing conventional energy systems poses a threat to the DEG market. The availability of low cost high energy density batteries also poses a threat to the market. The distributed energy generation systems market is known for its brand value, with key players marking their presence strongly. The high potential of the market attracts new players but they have to meet with entry barriers such as EPA regulations and high capital investments.Growing Concerns over Energy Consumption and Emission to Boost Demand for DEG SystemsThe demand for DEG systems has increased substantially owing to factors such as unstable geopolitical conditions surrounding oil production, rising energy prices, and increasing concerns regarding energy consumption and emissions. The fluctuating oil and coal prices have increased the insecurity among energy consumers. This has subsequently caused a shift towards the generation of energy from renewable sources. Thus, the demand for DEG systems is increasing since these systems make use of different sources such as biomass, wind, and hydropower.PDF Sample For Latest Industry Happenings @A shift towards green technology has also created a demand for DEG systems as they have relatively lower environmental impact. These systems not only emit negligible carbon into the environment, but also prevent the loss of energy occurring due to long transmission lines, thus appealing further to consumers.Dependence on Climate Dissuades Firms from Investing on DEG SystemsChanges in weather conditions significantly impacts the working of DEG systems. Humidity causes corrosion whereas hailstorms and cyclones damage these systems. This reduces the efficacy of DEG systems and acts as a challenge. The high installation cost of DEG systems is another factor which is dissuading firms from investing in these systems, states a TMR analyst. Moreover, if the plant size is not accurately determined, the heat generated may not be effectively utilized, rendering the system economically unviable. Maintenance cost is yet another issue with DEG systems.Foreseeable Growth in Asia Pacific to Open Opportunities for DEG System ManufacturersThe intensified competition due to low prices offered by DEG manufacturers in Asia Pacific is another foreseeable growth of the market in the region. The availability of raw materials in low price and lower labor overheads with subsidized resources by the government are factors responsible for the low cost production of DEG systems.In recent times, there has been a high demand for larger homes and subsequently, more energy services. The rising number of household appliances and equipment is increasing the demand for electricity, which is expected to create opportunities for the DEG market. Similarly, commercial buildings such as retail stores, offices, malls, hospitals, institutions, and universities have high demand for electricity. Thus, the demand for DEG systems is likely to grow. Local governments are also encouraging the use of distributed energy generation systems with the intent to curb carbon emissions.According to the report, the global distributed energy generation systems market was valued at US$127 bn in 2015 and is expected to rise to US$155.86 bn by 2018. By technology, the combined heat and power segment is expected to lead by 2018 and account for 43.3% of the global distributed energy generation systems market. By application, the grid connected segment led in the past and is expected to retain its leading position in the market by 2018. On the basis of end use, the commercial and industrial segment is expected to account for 72.3% of the global DEG systems market by 2018. Europe is expected to be the leading regional segment by 2018, and account for 39.03% of the market.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 Ferrochromium Market to Witness an Outstanding Growth by 2022

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Ferrochromium, also known as Ferrochrome, is an alloy of iron and chromium containing 50 to 70% of chromium. It is produced by electric arc melting of chromium ore and chromite. Ferrochromium is consumed extensively in the manufacturing of steel to achieve the qualities such as corrosion resistance, tensile strength, heat resistance and yield strength. The global ferrochromium market is anticipated to be in deficit to cater the increasing global steel market in near future. Ferrochromium is mostly produced in India, China, South Africa and Kazakhstan because of large chromite resources found in these countries. The global ferrochromium market is witnessing a modest single digit CAGR growth up till now and is expected to continue in future.Ferrochromium is having its maximum share of consumption in steel industry and due to the ever increasing construction and demand of steel the global ferrochromium market is forecasted to flourish. In order to get a continuous supply of raw material for ferrochrome, China has established its operations in the countries like Turkey, South Africa, Philippines and Zimbabwe which would boost the global ferrochromium market in future. Due to the favourable conditions like lower electricity price and lower labour cost in upcoming markets like China, the production cost reduces comparatively. This will boost the production of ferrochrome to suffice its increasing demand and will contribute in global ferrochromium market.The global ferrochromium market can get hampered because of the increase in the export tax and fixed export quotas imposed by South Africa on chrome ore, owing to the concern of losing ferrochromium market to China. South Africa is having a significant market share in global ferrochromium market but there are concerns of power supply and higher production cost which would lead to the closure of small competitors and is estimated to slowdown the global ferrochromium market.Request to view Table of content @The global ferrochromium market can be divided into five regions, namely North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific is having the maximum market share in global ferrochromium market, China and India are the countries having an excellent steel market, so these countries are significant in the consumption of ferrochrome. China is expanding its capacity to import chrome ore for the production of ferrochrome from the countries like South Africa, Turkey, Zimbabwe. Middle East and Africa are also marking a significant growth in the global ferrochromium market, Especially South Africa is having plenty of chromite resources for the production of ferrochrome. Europe is an emerging market in the field of ferrochrome and is anticipated to have a considerable market in future due to the flourishing automobile sector in the region. North America and Latin America is at a nascent stage in the global ferrochromium market.Buy Now: You can now buy a single user license of the report atThe final report customized as per your specific requirement will be sent to your e-mail id within 7-20 days, depending on the scope of the report.For more information, please e-mail us at sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Dental Fittings Market Overview - Key Futuristic Trends And Competitive Landscape 2024

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The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth insights, understanding market evolution by tracking historical developments, and analyzing the present scenario and future projections based on optimistic and likely scenarios. Each research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology developments, types, applications, and the competitive landscape.Orthodontics mainly deals with the correction of improper alignment of teeth by braces or apparent loss of teeth by dentures/artificial teeth. Orthodontics was initially chosen for children but now it is used ubiquitously. Technological advancements have reduced the stigma related with this treatment and now many dental fittings such as tongue and teeth colored braces are available commercially. Rising awareness of dental aesthetics and related advantages has resulted in increased acceptance of dental fittings amongst all age groups.Read Full Report:The dental fittings include dentures, archwires, anchorage appliances and ligatures. The braces or the brackets are meant to place the misaligned or crooked teeth in place. Braces are small squares attached to the front of the teeth by an orthodontic bonding agent and connected to each other via connectors or bands. Orthodontic bands are stainless steel, tooth colored material or transparent. Spacers are separating parts that fit between the teeth before the bands. Archwires guide braces with the movement of the teeth. Ligatures are small rubber bands which hold on to the archwires together. Traditionally braces were made up of metals, however, with technological advancements they are now available in ceramics. The braces are also made up of stainless steel, titanium or a mixture of both. The orthodontic archwires are of two types: coated metal and transparent non-metallic. Coated metal archwires are made up of nickel- titanium or of stainless steel and are coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), parylene-polymer, and an epoxy-resin. Transparent nonmetallic arches are similar to metal arches which are made from glass spindle and are embedded in polymer matrix. The growing demand for aesthetic archwires has led to many advancements in archwires technology. These wires will continuously be developed on the basis of appearance, durability and flexibility. Non-metallic archwires may take over the future market as they are more preferred over the conventional metallic wires. Dentures are used to replace and support the missing teeth and the surrounding gum tissues. Dentures are of two types: complete ones and the partial ones. The partial ones are plastic partials or the metal partials, on the basis of the material used to attach to the teeth.The dental fittings market is on an all-time high due to many regulatory reforms in most of the countries like reimbursement coverage, access to advanced technology, increased disposable income and increased rate of awareness about dental fittings treatment. Aspects such as rising awareness about dental fittings, cheaper availability of treatment and increasing health care expenditure may boost the growth of the dental fittings market in Asia Pacific. Attributing to rapid development in healthcare, infrastructure, government reforms and access to advanced dental fittings, China and India are most profitable markets in Asia. Also, easy availability of skilled orthodontists and supporting economy is expected to spur the growth of the dental fittings market in China and India.Download Free exclusive Sample of this Report:Many of the companies are manufacturing dental fittings, and are adopting acquisitions and mergers, extensive R&D as measures to expand their geographic reach and introduction of novel products in to the market. Asia Pacific dental fittings market is expected to rise with context to volume, on basis of low product prices, less market penetration, disposable earning and improving healthcare expenditure. Also the awareness of dental aesthetics systems and dental cosmetic surgery will expectedly drive this market in North America and Europe. The advanced CAD/CAM technology and 3 Dimensional digital imaging may lead to growth in the industry. The CAD technology can support in making digital prostheses much faster. The global dental fittings market is dominated by few key players such as GC Orthodontics, Dentaurum, Henry Schein, Hangzhou Shinye, and Dental Morelli.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:
Metrology Services Market to Tap US$720.3 mn by 2018, Rising Implementation Of International Quality Standards.

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Metrology services involve providing talented metrologists and reliable instrumentation and software to original equipment manufacturers. A good service provider not only brings equipment to its clients, but also extends repair and calibration services, equipment rental, automation and systems integration of measurement equipment, training, tool design, and more.According to the report, the high adoption rate of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and statutes for international quality standards are the foremost reasons driving the growth of the global metrology services market. The demand for precisely measured parts and components across a spectrum of industry verticals such as automotive, power generation, and electronics, among others, is also driving the growth of this industry. In addition, the lack of skilled labor to operate precision equipment and the poor utility value of existing measuring machines is aiding the growth of this market.However, the growth of this market is inhibited due to several reasons. The demand for customized metrology solutions limits the application base of universal systems that are developed to offer multiple functionalities. Consequently, end users are forced to opt for multiple service providers that offer a broad spectrum of metrology services.PDF Sample For Latest Industry Happenings @The product segments of the global metrology services market are optical digitizers and scanners (ODS) and coordinate measuring machines (CMM). The sub-segments of CMM are bridge machines, articulated arm machines, gantry machines, and horizontal arm machines. The CMM segment is expected to register a CAGR of 7.2% from 2012 to 2018, while the ODS segment of the market is expected to display a CAGR of 8.9% for the same forecast period to reach a valuation of US$435.8 mn by 2018. This is because ODS affords higher precision for the computation of difficult statistics with utmost accuracy. The sub-segments of ODS are white light scanners, laser trackers, and 3D laser scanners. The demand for 3D laser scanners is the highest owing to their high accuracy and better precision capabilities. In 2012, 3D laser scanners held a share of 35.1% in the global market.On the basis of application, the market is composed of the following segments: Automotive, industrial, aerospace, power generation units, and others (such as medical sector). The booming automotive sector in Asia Pacific will significantly contribute to the markets growth in this region.The report provides insights into the competitive scenario of the global market for metrology services by profiling top players in this market. These include Renishaw Plc., Optical Gaging Products Inc., Trescal SA, Danish Micro Engineering A/S, FARO Technologies Inc., Hexagon AB, Carl Zeiss Corporation, Nikon Metrology Inc., and Optical Metrological Services.Transparency Market Research has published a new market study, titled Metrology Services Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2012 - 2018. The report says that the global metrology services market will rise at a healthy 8.2% CAGR from 2012 to 2018. The market is projected to reach a valuation of US$720.3 mn by the end of 2018, increasing from US$448.6 mn in 2012.The report presents a comprehensive analysis of the global metrology services market by means of pinpointing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats faced by this market.Browse the full Metrology Services Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2012 - 2018 report atTransparency 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:
Ultracapacitors Market Anticipated To Take A Leap At A CAGR of 25.2% ,Government Regulations to Support Growth

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The competitive landscape of the global ultracapacitors market includes companies such as Panasonic Corp., Maxwell Technologies Inc., Nesscap Co. Ltd., Yunasko, Ioxus Inc., Supreme Power Solutions Co. Ltd., CAP-XX, Vinatech Co. Ltd., Nippon Chemi-Con Corp., LS Mtron, and NEC-TOKIN Corp. The rapid growth of the energy sector, especially wind and solar energy, has proved beneficial for the growth of these market players. In the energy sector, ultracapacitors are used mainly for applications in energy harvesting, wind energy, and solar energy. In 2012, the demand for ultracapacitors for energy harvesting was the highest, followed by wind and solar. However, the automotive sector has been the key target sector for the market players as ultracapacitors are extensively employed across buses and other vehicles.High Cost of Ultracapacitors is a Major Concern among ConsumersAs the usage of ultracapacitors is still at its nascent stage, the market players are exploring the applications of ultracapacitors across various sectors and are investing significantly in research and development activities. Owing to the potential of ultracapacitors to be used as a suitable alternative for batteries, the market players enjoy a strong customer base. However, consumers are still apprehensive to make a shift from conventional batteries to ultracapacitors. The high cost of ultracapacitor is the reason behind this apprehension among consumers and the market players need to address this pricing issue at the earliest, cites a TMR analyst.PDF Sample For Latest Industry Happenings @Among the key regions in the global ultracapacitors market, Asia Pacific holds immense opportunity for the market players due to the rapid growth of sectors such as automotive, energy, military, electronics, and industrial. In 2012, Asia Pacific accounted for 35.1% of the overall market owing to the growing demand from Japan and China. On the other hand, the North America ultracapacitors market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 26.7% during the forecast period.Government Regulations to Support Growth of Global Ultracapacitors MarketThe global ultracapacitors market has witnessed increased demand due to sliding prices of components that have lowered the overall cost of ultracapacitors. Implementation of stringent regulations by governments to cut down carbon emissions especially across the developed economies in Europe and North America has significantly aided the growth of the market. Ultracapacitors offer several benefits over batteries including longer lifespan and hence, are highly preferred by consumers. There have been breakthroughs in applications of ultracapacitors across HEVs, regenerative breaking, aerospace, and micro-hybrids/stop-start systems. This has augmented the demand for ultracapacitors across various end-use sectors, TMR report states.The global ultracapacitors market is anticipated to take a leap at a CAGR of 25.2% during the period from 2013 to 2019. The market stood at a valuation of US$672.0 mn in 2012 and is anticipated to soar to US$3,120.0 mn by 2019.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:
PSORIASIS TREATMENT MARKET - GLOBAL INDUSTRY INSIGHTS, TRENDS, OUTLOOK, AND OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS, 20162024

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Psoriasis Treatment Market OverviewPsoriasis is a non-communicable autoimmune disease characterized by patches of abnormal skin. These skin spots are red, itchy, and scaly which may be small and localized or cover the entire body. Skin injury may cause psoriatic skin changes at that spot, a phenomenon called Koebner phenomenon.Get Free PDF Research Brochure for more Professional and Technical Insights:There are five main types of psoriasis namely Plaque, Guttate, Inverse, Pustular, and Erythrodermic. Plaque psoriasis, also known as psoriasis vulgaris, is the most prevalent type of psoriasis, accounting for around 90% of reported cases. Most commonly affected areas of the body include back of the forearms, shins, around the navel, and the scalp. Guttate psoriasis has drop-shaped lesions. Pustular psoriasis is characterized by the presence of small non-infectious pus-filled blisters. Inverse psoriasis forms red patches in skin folds. Erythrodermic psoriasis occurs when the rash become widespread and can develop from other types. Fingernails and toenails are affected in most people at some point of time. This may include pits in the nails or changes in nail color.Treatment options for Psoriasis fueling growth of the psoriasis treatment marketVarious treatments can help control the symptoms fueling growth of psoriasis treatment market. These treatment methods include administering steroid, vitamin D3, exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) light, and immunosuppressive like methotrexate. Around 75% of cases can be managed with creams alone. Cream and ointments of corticosteroid, and calcipotriol can effectively treat mild-to-moderate psoriasis. However, when condition become more severe, creams are combined with oral medications such as methotrexate, acitretin, and cyclosporin.Topical drugs used in treatment of psoriasis include corticosteroids, vitamin D, hydroxyanthrone, and retinoid aiding in growth of the psoriasis treatment market. Topical corticosteroids are frequently prescribed for treating mild-to-moderate psoriasis. Low-potency corticosteroid ointments are recommended for sensitive areas such as face or skin folds and for treating widespread patches of damaged skin. Medicated foams and scalp solutions are available in market to treat psoriasis patches on the scalp. Vitamin D analogues are synthetic forms of vitamin D and they slow the growth of skin cells. Calcipotriene (Dovonex) is a cream or solution a vitamin D that contains analogue, used by itself to treat mild-to-moderate psoriasis or in combination with other topical medications. Anthralin (Hydroxyanthrone) is used to normalize DNA activity in skin cells. Anthralin (Dritho-Scalp) also can remove scale, making the skin smoother. Topical retinoids normalizes DNA activity in skin cells and decreases inflammation.Light Therapy (Phototherapy) for psoriasis treatmentThis psoriasis treatment involves use of natural or artificial ultraviolet light. Phototherapy involves exposing skin to controlled amounts of natural sunlight. Other forms of light therapy include use of artificial ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) light either alone or in combination with medications.Increasing prevalence of psoriasis coupled with early diagnosis to propel growth of psoriasis treatment marketThe growth of psoriasis treatment market is projected to gain traction in North America owing to large patient pool in this region. Also, better medical facilities, commercialization of new diagnostic technology, medical policies, and favorable reimbursement policies are factors fueling growth of psoriasis treatment market. According to the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA), around 3% of the worlds population has some form of psoriasis. According to a study published in Cleveland Clinic in September 2013, there are around 150,000 new cases of psoriasis reported each year in the U.S. According to a study published in Medical Journal of Malaysia, in 2015 prevalence of psoriasis varies between 2.0% to 3.0% worldwide. Incidence rate is highest among Caucasians and lowest among Japanese and Africans. The study states that prevalence rate of psoriasis in Japan is 0.05% to 0.1%, as compared to China 0.5% and Taiwan 0.2%, and in India, the prevalence of psoriasis was reported in the range of 0.4% to 2.8%. High prevalence and increasing incidence propels growth of the psoriasis treatment market.Browse Global Strategic Business Report :Key players involved in psoriasis treatment marketThere are many global players operating in the global psoriasis treatment market. This includes Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., Cipla Ltd., Johnson & Johnson, Rowan Bioceuticals Private Limited, Stiefel Laboratories Inc. (GlaxoSmithKline plc), Win Medicare Pvt. Ltd., and Novartis AG. Novartis AG acquired Ziarco Pharma Ltd a U.K.-based dermatology therapeutics firmin December 2016 to acquire a pipeline of oral and topical products for treatment of psoriasis. Acquisition of the potentially first-in-class therapy would bolster dermatology portfolio and pipeline of Novartis. Ziarco completed Phase II trial, a proof-of-concept study with ZPL-389.About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comVisit Coherent Market Insights Blog @Connect with us on LinkedIn @
(Adds North Korean reaction)

* South Korea says killing of Kim Jong Nam a "wake-up" call

* Kim Jong Un's half-brother killed with VX nerve agent

* North Korea rejects involvement in airport attack

* Seoul suggest North could be suspended from UN

* Malaysia to charge two women with murder

By Stephanie Nebehay and Joseph Sipalan

GENEVA/KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Reuters) - South Korea called for "collective measures" to punish North Korea for using chemical weapons to kill the estranged half-brother of its leader Kim Jong Un, as Malaysia said on Tuesday it would charge two women with murder over the airport attack.

Police have said the women smeared VX nerve agent, a chemical on a United Nations list of banned weapons of mass destruction, on Kim Jong Nam's face in an assault captured on security cameras in the Malaysian capital's airport on Feb. 13.

U.S. and South Korean officials believe he was the victim of an assassination orchestrated by Pyongyang. North Korea said on Tuesday it "categorically rejects" what it called "fictitious and preposterous assumptions".

Speaking at the U.N.-backed Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva on Tuesday, South Korea's Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said the use of chemical weapons was a "wake-up call" and the international community should act - including possibly suspending the isolated North's seat at the United Nations.

"Many international media pointed out that North Korea's use of chemical weapons for the targeted killing in a third country sent a very clear message to the world," South Korea's Yun told the Geneva forum.

"Namely this impulsive, unpredictable, trigger-happy and brutal regime is ready and willing to strike anyone, anytime, anywhere."

North Korea called his comments "despicable and ill-natured".

Kim Jong Nam had been living in exile, under Beijing's protection, in the Chinese territory of Macau, and had criticised the regime of his family and his half-brother, Kim Jong Un.

Malaysian police arrested a Vietnamese woman, Doan Thi Huong, and an Indonesian, Siti Aishah, in the days after the attack.

Story continues

Police are also holding one North Korean man and have identified seven other North Koreans wanted in connection with a case that reads like the plot to a spy movie.

Both women will be formally charged on Wednesday under section 302 of the penal code, which carries the death penalty, Malaysia's attorney general, Mohamed Apandi Ali, confirmed to Reuters in a text message.

DEADLY NERVE AGENT

VX is one of the deadliest chemical weapons ever created, far more potent than Sarin, the gas used in deadly chemical attacks in Syria in 2013 and in an attack on the Tokyo subway by a Japanese doomsday cult in 1995.

"Just a few grams of VX is sufficient for mass killing," Yun said.

"North Korea is reported to have not just grams but thousands of tonnes of chemical weapons, including VX, all over the country ... The recent assassination is a wake-up call to all of us to North Korea's chemical weapons capability and its intent to actually use them."

States could invoke the Chemical Weapons Convention as the use of such agents was in "flagrant violation of international law", Yun said. Malaysia is part of the 1993 pact prohibiting their production, transfer and use, but North Korea is not.

Once the Malaysian government releases the results of its investigation, the U.N. Security Council and state parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention should take up the case as a "high priority agenda", Yun said.

States that have ratified the chemical weapons ban could invoke the treaty and "take collective measures", he added.

"It could take the form of suspension of North Korea's rights and privileges as a U.N. member," he said.

His comment drew an angry response from North Korea.

"North Korea totally rejects the despicable, irresponsible, impertinent and illogical remarks made by South Korea," North Korean diplomat Ju Yong Choi told the same meeting in Geneva later on Tuesday.

"DPRK has never produced or stockpiled or used chemical weapons and our position is clear," he added, using the abbreviation for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

'REALITY TV PRANK'

Security camera footage, which has been broadcast in the media, showed two women assaulting Kim Jong Nam in the departure hall of Kuala Lumpur International Airport. He died within 20 minutes.

Both of the women arrested have told diplomats from their countries that they had been paid to take part in what they believed was a prank for a reality television show.

Huong, the Vietnamese woman, was detained 48 hours after the murder in the same airport terminal where Kim Jong Nam was killed.

She is believed to be the woman wearing a white shirt emblazoned with the acronym "LOL", whose image was caught on security cameras while waiting for a taxi after the attack.

The Indonesian woman, Siti Aishah, was detained a day later.

Police have said the women knew what they were doing when they attacked Kim Jong Nam and were instructed to wash their hands afterwards.

Police said Aishah fell sick, vomiting repeatedly while in custody possibly as a side-effect of VX, though Indonesian embassy officials have subsequently said she was in good health.

(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay and Tom Miles in GENEVA, Joseph Sipalan and Angie Teo in KUALA LUMPUR and Zahra Matarani in JAKARTA; Writing by Alex Richardson; Editing by Robert Birsel and Mike Collett-White)
Endometrial Ablation Market 2024 Strategies & Insights, & Recent Developments

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Global Endometrial Ablation Market: SnapshotWith the rising prevalence of gynecology disorders, such as polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD), abnormal vaginal bleeding, the global adoption of endometrial ablation procedures has increased significantly, leading to an impressive rise in the worldwide endometrial ablation market. Apart from this, the upswing in the incidence rate of cervical and endometrial cancer in women is also driving the growth of this market substantially across the world.Over the forthcoming years, the growing awareness among consumers regarding the benefits of endometrial ablation procedures, such as cost efficiency, minimal invasiveness, and shorter hospital stay, is projected to fuel the demand for these procedures considerably, reflecting positively on this market. However, the stringent regulatory laws and regulations for clinical trials, product designing, and commercialization may create trouble for the market players in the near future.Read Full Report:On the whole, the global market for endometrial ablation, which was worth US$0.8 bn in 2015, is expected to progress at a CAGR of 5.50% between 2016 and 2024 and reach US$1.3 bn by the end of 2024.Radiofrequency Endometrial Ablation Devices to Continue Witnessing High DemandCryoablation device, hydrothermal ablation device, electrical ablation device, microwave endometrial ablation device, thermal balloon ablation device, radiofrequency endometrial ablation device, hysteroscopy device, and several other devices, such as ultrasound transducers and laser ablation device are the main products available in the global market for endometrial ablation.Among these, radiofrequency endometrial ablation devices witnesses a higher demand than other devices and are expected to remain so, occupying nearly 58% of the overall market by the end of the forecast period. The ease of usage, cost benefits, and short surgical procedures have increased the popularity of microwave endometrial ablation devices, which is likely to reflect greatly on their adoption in the near future.Download exclusive Sample of this report:Asia Pacific to Provide Highly Lucrative Opportunities to ParticipantsIn terms of geography, the global market for endometrial ablation is classified into Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. With a well-established healthcare infrastructure and easy access to healthcare facilities, the market for endometrial ablation in North America is expected to remain leading the overall market throughout the forecast period. By 2024, this regional market is expected to account for a share of nearly 44%.On the other hand, Asia Pacific is likely to provide more lucrative opportunities to market players over the forthcoming years. The significant rise in the prevalence of gynecological disorders due to low awareness and hygiene and high unmet medical needs are anticipated to drive the demand for endometrial ablation procedures in this region in the years to come. Japan, India, and China are expected to lead the Asia Pacific endometrial ablation market over the next few years.The global market for endometrial ablation is fragmented and highly competitive in nature. At the forefront of this market are Hologic Corp., Boston Scientific Corp., Cooper Surgical Inc., Ethicon Inc. (Johnson & Johnson), Medtronic Plc, Olympus Corp., Minerva Surgical Inc., Smith & Nephew Plc, Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG, Richard Wolf GmbH, and AngioDynamics Inc.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 Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Market Worth US$ 186 Bn Globally by 2020 End,

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According to a new market report published by Persistence Market Research Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Market the global active pharmaceutical ingredient market was valued at US$ 127 Bn in 2014 and is estimated to reach US$ 186 Bn by 2020 at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2015 to 2020.Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) refers to a therapeutically active ingredient or substance combination used in manufacturing a drug product. Production of active pharmaceutical ingredients is a highly sophisticated and technically demanding process. The global active pharmaceutical ingredient market is surging due to the increased demand for pharmaceutical drugs, which in turn is driven by aging population, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, neurological and infectious diseases among others. Further, fragmented nature of the pharmaceutical supplies market, brings a smaller profit share to each player.A Sample of this Report is Available Upon Request @The global active pharmaceutical ingredient market encompasses geographies such as North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and Rest of the World. North America accounted for the largest segment in the global active pharmaceutical ingredients market in 2014 due to fact that North America is the leading consumer of APIs and API exporters consider North America as the most lucrative market. India and China are the major suppliers of APIs to North America due to low production and labor costs. Moreover, biologics have become one of the top-selling drugs in North America. Thus, the expected market entry of biosimilars with flexible regulatory process would boost the API market in North America. The API market in the U.S. displays high level of competition, with mergers and collaborations between various key players such as Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Sandoz (Novartis AG), Mylan, Inc., and Allergen plc.Additionally, demand for biological APIs is high in the region, as technological developments in the pharmaceutical industry are paving the way for newer biotechnology drugs. These expansion strategies intensify the competition between the global players, which is a result of expected high growth in the API market.Asia Pacific ranks second due to the factors such as availability of low cost production facilities and cheap labor in countries such as India and China. The cost difference ranges from 30% to 60% if the drugs are manufactured in China or India compared to other countries. Hence, China and India are expected to witness significant growth in the near future due to increase in production capacities and presence of large number of global and domestic players... Thus, Asia-Pacific is the most competitive market in API and the competition is expected to intensify between India and China, as these are the most attractive destinations for pharmaceutical manufacturing.In Europe pharmacists are offered incentives for substituting branded drugs with generic versions, which contributes to the growth of the API market in the region. Regulations also play a vital role in the API market, as the law disallows development of generic APIs in Europe until patent expiry. However, the governments of various countries in Europe have started supporting the manufacture of generic drugs post the financial crisis. Patent expirations of major blockbuster drugs in Europe during the forecast period would fuel the growth of the API market in the near future.Request to View Tables of Content @Demand for generic drugs is increasing not only in developed countries, but also in developing and underdeveloped countries in South America and Africa. Brazils health authority Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria (ANVISA) allows the procurement or manufacturing of APIs only for companies registered with ANVISA. Moreover, foreign companies find it difficult to enter the generics market in Brazil, as nearly 80% of the market is controlled by the four local companies namely, EMS, Medley, Eurofarma and Ache/Biosintetica. According to reports published by Mexicos National Association of Drug Manufacturers (ANAFAM), in 2013 86% of drugs used in Mexico were produced domestically to help curtail rising healthcare costs. Other factors boosting the API market growth in developing regions are cost-efficient manufacturing, large patient pool, rising demand for generic drugs, and improvement in the healthcare infrastructure. For the same reasons, the API market in South America is developing steadily and is likely to witness significant growth during the forecast period.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
Failure Analysis Equipment Market Rise at a CAGR of 8.8% ,Development Of Innovative Techniques

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The report states that rapid progression in nanotechnology, combined with the development of the medical sector in Asia Pacific, are the foremost reasons driving growth of the failure analysis equipment market. Furthermore, increased investments for upgradation of research and education infrastructure are also benefitting the markets growth. However, the high cost of failure analysis equipment is limiting its adoption, predominantly in emerging nations. Nevertheless, the development of innovative techniques such as correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) and super-resolution microscopy for biological studies will bolster the markets growth in the years to come.Failure analysis equipment is used to determine anomalies in the functioning of various processes and systems across manufacturing, biotechnology, service, and other industries. The equipment is used to detect the reasons of breakdowns or errors at a preliminary stage, which can help accrue considerable savings over time.PDF Sample For Latest Industry Happenings @The report segments the global market for failure analysis equipment on the basis of end use, technology, equipment, and geography. By end use, semiconductors manufacturing, biomedical and life sciences, nanotechnology, fiber optics, metallurgy, and nanomaterials and polymers are the segments of this market. By technology, the segments of this market are focused ion beam (FIB), secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), reactive ion etching (RIE), broad ion milling (BIM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and chemical mechanical planarization (CMP). Of all, in 2012, SIMS held the majority share in the market due to its ability to identify elements present in low concentrations and to detect elements such as hydrogen and helium that other technologies are not capable of detecting.The equipment segments of this market are scanning electron microscopes (SEM), focused ion beam systems, transmission electron microscopes (TEM), and dual beam (FIB/SEM) systems. In 2012, transmission electron microscopes (TEM) and focused ion beam systems held the majority share in the market due to their widespread utilization. Nevertheless, FIB/SEM systems are expected to register the fastest growth until the end of the forecast period. This is because FIB/SEM systems exhibit several advantages over single-beam FIB systems for sample composition and microscopy applications.In 2012, Asia Pacific contributed the largest revenue to the failure analysis equipment market. This is because several countries in this region, such as China, Japan, Australia, India, and Taiwan, are investing heavily in research and development infrastructure, medical technologies, and nanotechnology. In the same year, North America and Europe collectively held a share of more than one-third in the market, since failure analysis equipment has been used in these regions for R&D purposes for a long time.The top players in the failure analysis equipment market are FEI Company, Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH, Hitachi High-technologies Europe GmbH, and JEOL Ltd. among others.According to a recent market study published by Transparency Market Research, the global failure analysis equipment market was valued at US$4.1 bn in 2012. The market is expected to rise at a CAGR of 8.8% between 2013 and 2019. The title of this report is Failure Analysis Equipment Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2012 - 2019 and it is available for sale on the companys website.Browse the full Equipment Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2012 - 2019 report atTransparency 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:
TeamSpoor: A Smart Productivity Tracking App For On-field Staff Launched by Inteurias Technologies

Taking a view of the transparency and efficiency issues of the on-field sales team, Intuerias Technology has launched an Android-based mobile app that can help the business owners get real-time location updates and DSR from their field staff. On the eve of Republic day this year the app was launched amidst much fanfare.Apart from tracking the geographical location of field staff, the app is used for recording their attendance while they are on the field, their actual productive hours and the time they spend with the client. The long-standing issue of the ground staff not being under the tabs of those who manage them from office would be resolved by this app.There was rigorous vacuum between the on-field Sales team and its manager is appalling and TeamSpoor is expectedly going to work as an essential bridge to close this vacuum.Patrick Carey, 24Hr BrandsThe entrepreneurs who remain concerned about the actual distance traveled by their team on the ground and their actual productivity can heave a sigh of relief with this app. The app can be used to track the productivity and efficiency of not only the field staff but also in-house employees. According to Mr. Tushar Bhargav, MD of the company, We have received an overwhelming response from the business owners who have tested the app for its efficacy and precision. We would soon be launching more features of the app where sending real time pictures and more would be possible.At the end of the day, the DSR can be generated automatically and the launch of several other features of the app is in the offing.To sum it up, we now have a service that will not only make on-field sales transparent but also unburden the heavy administrative risks associated with on-field sales.TeamSpoor is currently available on the Google Play store.About Intuerias Technology:TeamSpoor comes from an established SaaS Provider, Intueri Inc (US based company) with Indian venture Intuerias Technologies.. The Delaware based IT firm had earlier acclaimed recognition for their intuitive user engagement tool, Scrap.me. The company has spread its services to resolve the on-field sales issues after their successful online sales solutions.ZNI Wireless Pvt LtdHI-194, Sector I, JankipuramLucknow - 226021#+91 (0522) 3098080#+91 955-444-3322# 1800-200-5777
Packaging Printing Market is expected grow at CAGR of 5% with market size of US $180 Billion by 2022

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Market HighlightsPackaging is the technology which is used for protecting the products from storage and distribution purpose. In packaging, the goods are prepared for the transport, warehousing sales and end use. Package printing is a type of label which is a written, electronic and graphical representation on the package. There is huge demand for the global packaging printing market due to rise in manufacturing activities.The two major drivers for the growth of the packaging printing market are growing Pharmaceutical industry and increased popularity of convenient packaging. Due to the increasing demand in the pharmaceutical industry there is seen an increasing demand for the packaging printing market. Other factors which drive the packaging printing market are flexible packaging; reduce waste in packaging and growing demand of sustainable printing.The packaging printing market is expected to grow over the CAGR of around 5% during the period 2016 to 2022.Major Key Players AR Packaging Group AB, Amcor Limited, Belmont Packaging, Canon, Inc., DS Smith Packaging Limited, Duncan Printing Group, Dunmore, E.I. Du Pont Nemours and Company, Eastman Kodak Co., Edelmann Packaging Mexico S.A. De C.V., Xeikon N.V., Xerox Corporation.Request a Sample Report @Intended Audience Packaging Printing manufacturers Distributer & Supplier companies End Users consultants and Investment bankers Government as well as Independent Regulatory Authorities Market Research AnalysisThe market is highly application driven. Food & beverage is dominating the segment due to growing industries of food & beverage in China. There is a higher demand for the packaging printing in the food & beverage industry due to the growing demand of branded products. Packaged and branded products are widely used in food & beverage industry. Pharmaceutical is the second largest application segment because of the increased demand or convenience of packaging in healthcare industry.The market is further driven by the rapid growth in packaging and labeling industries. Increasing demand for product differentiation majorly fuels the market growth. However, the major restraint for packaging printing market is that it is not suitable for heavy items.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 85 market data tables and figures spread in 140 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Global Packaging Printing Market Information from 2016 to 2022"The report has been analyzed based on Printing Technology, Application, and by Region. On the basis of printing technology, digital printing technology will witness the growth between the forecasted periods. This is because packaging printing is highly preferred in personal care & cosmetic products. Based on the application, food & beverage segment is dominating the market due to high demand from food & beverage industries. Also there is growing demand of packaged and branded product. There is an increase in demand for product differentiation and printing for authentication which drives this market.Scope of the ReportThis study provides an overview of the global packaging printing market, tracking four 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 (APAC) and Rest of the World (ROW). 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 packaging printing market by by Printing Technology, Application and Region.Access Report Details @Regional Analysis of Packaging printing MarketThe Packaging printing market can be geographically segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC) and Rest of the World (ROW). Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate the global Packaging Printing market wherein, Europe is the second largest market. China is the largest consumer for the packaging printing due to growing food & beverage and healthcare industries.This research report has provides the insights, on various levels of analyses such industry analysis, market share analysis leading market players and their profiles. This report also helps in studying the target segments by providing views on emerging & high-growth segments and market conclusion. Together the market data comprise and discuss with the basic assessments on the competitive scenarios & strategies, of the global packaging printing market, including the high-growth regions, countries and their political, economic and technological environments. Furthermore the project report also provides the views over the historical market values as well as, pricing and cost analysis of the same.Make an Enquiry @Brief TOC1 Market Introduction1.1 Introduction1.2 Scope Of Study1.2.1 Research Objective1.2.2 Assumptions1.2.3 Limitations1.3 Market Structure:1.3.1 Global Packaging Prinitng Market: By Printing Technology1.3.2 Global Packaging Prinitng Market: By Application1.3.3 Global Packaging Prinitng Market: By RegionLIST OF TABLESTable 1 Global Packaging Prinitng Market, By Prinitng TechnologyTable 3 Global Packaging Prinitng Market, By ApplicationTable 4 Global Packaging Prinitng Market, By RegionsTable 5 North America Packaging Printing Market, By CountryTable 6 North America Packaging Printing Market, By Prinitng TechnologyTable 7 North America Packaging Printing Market, By ApplicationContinued.Browse Related ReportGlobal Food Packaging Market Information by Material (Glass, Paper & Paperboard, Plastic, and Metal), by Type (Bottles, Cans, Pouches, Boxes, and Others) by Application (Bakery & Confectionery, Dairy, Meat, Fruits & Vegetables, and others) and Region - Forecast to 2022About 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.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 Future+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Global Date Market  Share, Size, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017-2025

http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-dates-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/

http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-dates-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/

https://www.slideshare.net/IndexBox_Marketing/world-dates-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020

www.indexbox.co.uk

IndexBox has just published a new report "World: Dates - Market Report. Analysis And Forecast To 2025" ().This report provides an in-depth analysis of the global date market. Within it, you will find the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption and production, food balance and price developments, as well as global trade (imports and exports). The forecast reveals market prospects to 2025.Countries coverage: WorldwideProduct coverage:DatesData coverage: Date market size and value; Per Capita consumption; Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term; Global date production, split by region and country; Global date trade (exports and imports); Producer, export and import prices for date; Date market trends, drivers and restraints; Key market players and their profiles.Reasons to buy this report: Take advantage of the latest data; Find deeper insights into current market developments; Discover vital success factors affecting the market.TABLE OF CONTENTS1. INTRODUCTION1.1 REPORT DESCRIPTION1.2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY2.1 KEY FINDINGS2.2 MARKET TRENDS3. MARKET OVERVIEW3.1 MARKET VOLUME AND VALUE3.2 CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY3.3 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES BY COUNTRY3.4 MARKET FORECAST TO 20254. PRODUCTION4.1 PRODUCTION, HARVESTED AREA AND YIELD IN 2007-20154.2 PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY4.3 HARVESTED AREA AND YIELD BY COUNTRY5. IMPORTS5.1 IMPORTS IN 2007-20155.2 IMPORTS BY COUNTRY5.3 IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY6. EXPORTS6.1 EXPORTS IN 2007-20156.2 EXPORTS BY COUNTRY6.3 EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY7. PRICES AND PRICE DEVELOPMENT7.1 PRODUCER PRICES7.2 PRODUCER PRICES INDEX8. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERSDownload a free sample of the report now!You can also find a template on SlideShareIndexBox is a leading market research publisher in the world. We conduct market research and publish reports.You can find more than 25,000 research reports in our web store, which cover global industries and regional markets. All the worldwide marketing data you need is at your fingertips.We collect this data from hundreds of highly reliable sources, verify it and carry out market analysis, uncovering new business opportunities and empowering you with actionable insights.The structure of our reports is intuitive and clear. We do our best to allow you to make strategic decisions and take immediate action. If you want to go further and be a step ahead of the market, just tell us your goals and we will tailor a report to your needs.Company Name: IndexBoxContact Person: Kirill BezverhiEmail: kirill.bezverhi@indexbox.co.ukPhone: +44 20 3239 3063Adress: United Kingdom, 44 Main Street, Douglas, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML11 0QWWebsite:
Global Medical Device Packaging Sales Market Report 2016

http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/

"The Report Global Medical Device Packaging Sales Market Report 2016 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"This report studies sales (consumption) of Medical Device Packaging in Global market, especially in USA, China, Europe, Japan, India and Southeast Asia, focuses on top players in these regions/countries, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player in these regions, coveringAmcorBemis CompanyBerry PlasticsDuPontMeadWestvacoMitsubishi Chemical HoldingsSealed Air3MAphena Pharma SolutionsBarger PackagingBeacon ConvertersChesapeakeClondalkin GroupConstantia FlexiblesHTI PlasticsJ-FilmKlockner PentaplastOliver ProductsParikh PackagingPlaconPlastic IngenuityPrintpackRollprint Packaging ProductsSigma Medical SuppliesSteriPackTechnipaqTekni-PlexToppan PrintingWinpakMarket Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with sales (consumption), revenue, market share and growth rate of Medical Device Packaging in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), likeUSAChinaEuropeJapanIndiaSoutheast AsiaSplit by product Types, with sales, revenue, price and gross margin, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoType IType IIType IIISplit by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Medical Device Packaging in each application, can be divided intoApplication 1Application 2Application 3About usMarketResearchReports.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.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Travanya Holidays Offers the Best Tour Packages to Singapore and Dubai from India

https://travanya.com/

Operating out of Chandigarh, India, Travanya Holidays, as the name suggests is a travel company. With its one office located in India and another in the USA, the company aims to better the traveling experience of customers. Being there in the business for a considerable time now, the travel company specializes in planning trips from the USA to India and from India to various destinations across the world. With its acumen and industry knowledge, the company has so far helped innumerable travelers to make their business and leisure trips memorable.While talking about the travel services that Travanya Holidays offer, one of the senior executives working with it stated, We take immense pride in organizing innumerable trips every day from the USA to India and from India to any destination of customers choice across the world with perfection. We never mind going the extra mile and beyond the call of the duty to ensure that each trip is, organized to the utmost customer convenience and satisfaction. We specialize in air tickets from the USA to India and also take measures for providing some special services to travelers on arrival and during their stay in India.When dealing with Travanya Holidays, users rest assured about getting cheapest air tickets to India from USA and from India to any destination of the world. The travel company with a difference considers every single detail, peculiar needs, and specific requirements of each customer and takes necessary measures to ensure they cater to it. Arranging everything right from the client acquisition to an in-depth understanding of the travel needs and completing all the required arrangements without missing any detail or deadline is a norm for a team of professionals at Travanya Holidays.The senior executive further stated, We make sincerest efforts and have an uncompromising resolve to arrange everything perfectly enable us to remain competitive and profitable in this highly competitive industry. To better customers experience of dealing with us, we have a team of highly expert professionals who serve clients with a smile on their faces. Our professionals invest time to understand the needs of the client, and assist them in the best ways possible. On the top of this, we remain active on mail, chat, and call to provide instant travel solutions anytime.Since Travanya Holidays has an unparalleled expertise, extensive experience, vital knowledge of the industry and an understanding of what a customer looks for when buying air tickets, it is in a better position to cater to them with perfection. Therefore, Travanya Holidays is a name for offering well-managed and cost effective travel packages from India to different destinations. With the guaranteed lowest airfares, the travel company remains the first choice of travelers. Those who are looking for the best holiday packages to Dubai from India can count on Travanya Holidays.Operating out of Chandigarh, India and an office in the USA, Travanya Holiday leads as a travel company. It specializes in air tickets from USA to India and from India to different destinations of the world. The tour and travel company with a difference strives hard to provide quality travel opportunities to its esteemed clients with utmost convenience. Therefore, those who are looking for Singapore tour packages from India can count on Travanya Holidays.Shipra TravelPlot Number: 14,Rajiv Gandhi Technology ParkChandigarh, 160101Contact No: +91 172 5204000Toll Free: 1800 532 1200Email: ops@travanya.comWeb:
Global Oral Spray Market 2017 : Sunstar, Dentaid, CloSYS, Philips & Cetylite

Oral Spray

https://goo.gl/CHqr8H

https://goo.gl/fERQPE

The survey report by Market Research Store is an overview of the global Oral Spray market. It covers all the recent trends including key developments in the global market in present and in future. Analyses of the global Oral Spray 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 Oral Spray 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 Oral Spray 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 Oral Spray 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 @Thus, the research report provides in-depth analysis covering all the major regions, competitors, and vital aspects of the Oral Spray 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 Camel Milk Market 2017 : Desert Farms, Camel Milk Victoria, VITAL CAMEL MILK & Camel Milk UK

Camel Milk

https://goo.gl/MMXMZw

https://goo.gl/jWc2wu

The survey report by Market Research Store is an overview of the global Camel Milk market. It covers all the recent trends including key developments in the global market in present and in future. Analyses of the global Camel Milk 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 Camel Milk 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 Camel Milk 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 Camel Milk 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 @Thus, the research report provides in-depth analysis covering all the major regions, competitors, and vital aspects of the Camel Milk 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
Superconducting Magnets Market Trends with Value Chain and Stakeholder Analysis By 2016 - 2024

Superconducting Magnets Market

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2707

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/

The global superconducting magnets market is estimated to grow at a healthy rate in the next few years. The increasing focus on research activities in order to expand the product portfolio and application base are some of the vital factors that are estimated to fuel the growth of the global superconducting magnets market in the forecast period.The research study on the global superconducting magnets market offers a detailed analysis, emphasizing on the key aspects that are estimated to influence the growth of the market in the next few years. The rising number of applications across diverse industries is another major factor predicted to accelerate the growth of the market in the near future. The competitive landscape of the global superconducting magnets market has been discussed at length in the scope of the research study.DOWNLOAD INDUSTRY RESEARCH REPORT BROCHURE FOR MORE PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL INSIGHTS:Global Superconducting Magnets Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe global market for superconducting magnets is predicted to witness a progressive growth in the next few years. The growing demand from the medical devices market is one of the key factors that are likely to encourage the growth of the market in the next few years. In addition, the rising number of applications in the healthcare sector, such as magnetic resonance imaging is expected to generate promising opportunities for market players operating in the global superconducting magnets market in the near future.On the other hand, the global market for superconducting magnets is presently at a nascent stage, owing to which there are several challenges that are being faced by the players. Moreover, the lack of knowledge regarding this technology and products in developing economies is likely to restrict the growth of the overall market throughout the forecast period. Nevertheless, the increasing focus of key players on technological developments and innovations is expected to fuel the growth of the global superconducting magnets market in the coming few years.Global Superconducting Magnets Market: Region-wise OutlookAmong the key regional segments, Asia Pacific is expected to witness a healthy growth and maintain a leading position throughout the forecast period. As per the research study, this segment is expected to remain in the leading position throughout the forecast period. The high growth of this region can be attributed to the rising demand from the medical equipment and devices and the manufacturing industry. Furthermore, a substantial contribution from Japan and China is estimated to accelerate the growth of the superconducting magnets market in Asia Pacific.Furthermore, North America is anticipated to grow a significantly throughout the forecast period. The favorable growth of the semiconductors market in this region and the growing demand for superconducting magnets from diverse industries are projected to contribute towards the development of the North America market in the next few years. Moreover, the high contribution from the U.S. is estimated to accelerate the growth of the market in the coming years.Key Players Mentioned in the Research Report are:Some of the prominent players operating in the superconducting magnets across the globe are Agilent Technologies Inc, Superconductors SpA, Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd., Siemens AG, General Electric Co., and American Magnetics Inc. The research study offers a detailed overview of the global market and talks about the key factors that are expected to encourage the development in the next few years. In addition, the key strategies that are being used by these players to enhance their presence have been discussed in the research report.Furthermore, the growing emphasis of key players on research and development activities and new product development are some of the primary aspects that are estimated to encourage the growth of the global superconducting magnets market in the coming years. Moreover, a significant rise in the participation of new entrants is anticipated to augment the growth of the overall market across the forecast period.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. TMR's 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.Contact Us:-Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Butachlor: Global Product Intelligence (2015-2020)

https://www.reportsworldwide.com/report/butachlor-global-product-intelligence-2015-2020

https://www.reportsworldwide.com/enquiry?report_id=3724

ReportsWorldwide has announced the addition of a new report title Butachlor: Global Product Intelligence (2015-2020) to its growing collection of premium market research reports.The report Butachlor: Global Product Intelligence provides market intelligence on the different market segments, based on type, application, and geography. Market size and forecast (2011-2020) has been provided in the report.The report Butachlor: Global Product Intelligence (2015-2020) provides market intelligence on the different segments of the agrochemical, based on type of formulation, crop type and geography. Market size and forecast (2015-2020) has been provided in terms of both, Value (000 USD) and Volume (000 KG) in the report. A detailed qualitative analysis of the factors responsible for driving and restraining growth of the agrochemical and future market opportunities have also been discussed.To view a detailed description and Table of Contents please visit:KEY FINDINGS FROM THE REPORT- Butachlor, an herbicide belonging to group Chloroacetanilide, having China, Ghana, USA, Colombia, and Peru are the leading country markets among others.- Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC) & Granules (GR) were the leading formulations in 2015.- Sprout Intelligence agrochemicals expert team estimated global Butachlor market to be more than USD 240 Million.To Get Sample Copy of Report please visit @ReportsWorldwide.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 Street Boston, MA 02110US Phone +1 (617) 398-4994Fax +1 (617) 398-4995abigail@reportsworldwide.com
Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Market in the US 2015-2019

Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM)

http://bit.ly/2l7v5oL

http://www.bigmarketresearch.com/pharmacy-benefit-manager-pbm-in-the-us-market

http://bit.ly/2lRdU8p

http://www.bigmarketresearch.com

bigmarketresearch.com include new market research report "Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Market in the US 2015-2019 - Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2021" to its huge collection of research reportsRequest sample report @PBMs are responsible for processing prescriptions for corporations or insurance companies. Earlier, their major role was administration and negotiation with drug pharmacies and manufacturers to get rebates on drug prices. Now they have evolved into entities taking over the drug benefit portion of health plans in the US. Recent healthcare reforms in the US have contributed significantly to increase their area of expertise. Increase in costs of drugs and other healthcare services has made PBM's services more desirable. PBMs act as an intermediary between the payer and other entities in a healthcare system. They generate revenue through service fees they charge from large customer contracts for activities such as operating mail-order pharmacies, processing prescriptions, and negotiating with drug manufacturers and pharmacies.BMR's analysts forecast the PBM market in the US to grow at a CAGR of 7.16% during 2014-2019.Covered in this reportThe report covers the current scenario and the growth prospects of the PBM market in the US for the period of 2015-2019. To calculate the market size, the report considers revenue generated by PBMs by offering pharmacy benefit services to end-users in the healthcare market in the US.Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Market in the US 2015-2019, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the PBM market landscape in the US and its growth prospects in the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Lay eyes on complete report @Key vendors Catamaran CVS Health (CVS Caremark) Express Scripts OptumRx Prime TherapeuticsOther prominent vendors Aetna Argus Health Systems Centene Cigna Humana Medlmpact Rite AidMarket driver Increase in healthcare expenditure For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge Criticisms of PBMs For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend Shift toward multi-tier prescription drug plans by employers For a full, detailed list, view our reportAsk for discount @About Company :Big Market Research uniqueness lies in its highly ethical reports at economical rates because we value your relationship and growth more than money. Your growth is our aim. With the arsenal of different search reports, we help you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency.Contact Us :5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesDirect :+ 1-503-894-6022Toll Free : + 1-800-910-6452Email: help@bigmarketresearch.comWeb:
Global Internet of Things in Energy Industry Market By Communication Technology, Networks, Application, Component, Industry, Geography, Trends and Forecast 2017-2022

http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/215449

http://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/global-internet-of-things-in-energy-industry-market-by-communication-technology-gps-4g-lte-3g-gprs-2g-gsm-networks-wan-man--lan-pan-application-patient-monitoring--mobile-health-component-hardware-software-services--consulation-industry-geography-trends-f

http://www.orbisresearch.com/contact/purchase/215449

"The Global Internet of Things in Energy Industry market is valued at USD XX.XX billion in 2016 and is expected to reach a value of USD XX.XX billion by the end of 2022, growing at a projected CAGR of 41% during the forecast period of 2017  2022. Machine-2-Machine communication along with data analytics is helping the energy sector to drive efficiency as well as cut down on costs. Increasing demand for energy, as well as privatization of this sector, has fueled the competition and now consumers have a number of choices to meet their energy needs. Internet of Things is helping utility providers and manufacturers to take advantage of information coming through different sources.Download PDF Internet of Things in Energy Sector Market@Leaders1 Cisco2 Carriots3 Axeda4 MetraNet5 Verizon"Browse Full Report with TOC:Table of Contents"1. Introduction1.1 Research Methodology1.2 Key Findings1.3 Executive Summary2. Market Dynamics2.1 Market Overview2.2 Factors Driving the Market2.3 Factors Restraining the Market2.4 Industry Value Chain Analysis2.5 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Model3. IOT in Energy Sector - Segmented by Solution3.1 Compilance & Risk Management3.2 Connected Logistics3.3 Predictive Maintenance3.4 Smart Energy Management3.5 Others4. IOT in Energy Sector - Segmented by Service4.1 Professional Service4.2 System Integration4.3 Others5. IOT in Energy Sector - Segmented by Application Type5.1 Mining5.2 Oil & Gas6. IOT in Energy Sector - Segmented by Geography6.1 North America6.2 Europe6.3 Asia Pacific6.4 Middle East & Africa6.5 Latin Ameria7. Key Vendor Profiles7.1 ILS Technology7.2 SAP SE7.3 Northwest Analytics, Inc.7.4 Davra Networks7.5 Maven Systems7.6 Symbioticware, Inc8. Investment Analysis9. Future Trends in IOT market"Place Purchase Order for this Report@Orbis Research 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 clients.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
Food Stabilizer Market - The Biggest Trends to Watch out for 2021

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=5006

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

The global food stabilizer market is expected to experience a stable growth throughout the forecast period. Food stabilizers maintain the stability of food products in term of texture, volume and mouth feel. The global food stabilizer market is segmented on the basis of application, function and geography. By application the food stabilizers market can be segmented into bakery, confectionary, dairy products, beverages, convenience food and others. The others segment includes processed meat and, sauces and condiments among others. By function the food stabilizers market has been segmented into stabilizing function, texturing function, and moisturing function among others. In addition, the report provides a cross-sectional analysis of all the above segments with respect to different geographical regions including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW).Increasing demand for convenience food is one of the major factors fuelling the demand for food stabilizers globally. Busy lifestyle and changing eating patterns are driving the growth of convenience food products and this in turn is fuelling the growth of the food stabilizer market. Moreover, owing to increasing demand for organic food products the global food stabilizer market is expected to experience stable growth throughout the forecast period. Food stabilizers are being added to the finished product in order to increase the shelf life and to maintain the overall quality of organic food products. Increasing health concerns of people across the globe is driving the market for organic food items which in turn is driving the growth of the food stabilizer globally. In addition, the use of food stabilizers gives competitive advantage to food industry over other market players since food stabilizers helps to impart the exact volume, mouth feel and texture demanded by consumers. Owing to this factor, the demand for food stabilizers is increasing and is expected to grow rapidly during the forecast period.Download exclusive Sample of this report:However, despite of the several factors driving the demand of food stabilizers, they can pose a serious threat if consumed within specified limit. There are several side effects associated with food stabilizers. Gelatin can cause allergic reactions. Alginate or algin which is used to increase the viscosity of a food product has an adverse effect in woman during pregnancy. Excessive consumption of guar gum increases the chances of gas production, loose motion and diarrhoea and various other complications. In addition, stringent government regulations across different countries restrain the growth of global food stabilizer market. Different organizations including FDA have set safety standards to determine whether a stabilizer is safe enough for its intended use. In spite of these restraining factors the food stabilizer market will stand firm during the forecasted period.The conclusive analysis of the global food stabilizer market and the expected market growth for the period 2015 to 2021 is provided in this report. The report provides in depth study of different market segments and detailed analysis of the food stabilizer market across different segments based on application, function and by geography. This report also provides various macro and micro economic factor affecting the demand of food stabilizers.In the food stabilizer market, among application segment the dairy products held the largest market share in 2014. Increasing health concerns among the consumers is driving the market for diary food items which in turn is driving the growth of the food stabilizer market. Food stabilizers are being added to the diary product to increase the shelf life, to maintain the overall quality and to maintain nutritional stability of diary food products.In 2014, across the geography, Europe held the largest market share i.e. 40.0% in the food stabilizer market. Europe is a mature market in term of food stabilizer due to its high penetration level in European market. Consequently the market growth of food stabilizers in European market is sluggish. Europe is followed by North America. Increasing working population and rising health consciousness among consumers is boosting the demand for dairy and ready to eat products, which in turn is driving the market for food stabilizer stabilizers. On the other hand economic development in developing countries such as India, China and Japan leads to an increase in disposable income which in turn increases the purchasing power of consumers. Owing to this change in lifestyle coupled with increasing disposable income people are looking for processed and ready to eat convenience food. The market growth of food stabilizers in this region is attributed to the increasing demand for these processed and ready to eat food.Overall, the report provides a detailed analysis of the global food stabilizer and the expected growth for the period 2015 to 2021, after considering various macro and micro economic factors affecting the demand.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:
Omega 3 Ingredients Market - 2015-2021 Review: A Look at What's New and Improved

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=745

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Koninklijke DSM N.V., BASF SE, and Croda International Plc.  the three leading companies for omega 3 ingredients in 2014  held a collective share of 48.2% in terms of market value. Most of the key omega 3 ingredients manufacturers have been in the market for a long time and possess a history of business consolidation through various business strategies and mergers and acquisitions.As stated in a research report released by Transparency Market Research, the competitive intensity in the global market for omega 3 ingredients is expected to remain very high till 2021. The market is extremely concentrated in developed economies and relatively sparser in emerging ones. Additionally, the key players hold a large part of the market share, leaving little scope for regional players or new entrants to prosper in the market. The overall threat from new entrants is also expected to remain very low over the coming years, owing to the high entry barriers and the overall lack of consumer awareness in untapped regions.Download exclusive Sample of this report:The global market for omega 3 ingredients is expected to generate a revenue of US$7.49 bn by 2021. It is projected at a CAGR of 15.2% from 2015 to 2021 and is predicted to reach US$3.70 bn before the end of 2016. Supplements and functional foods have consistently been the leading application segment in omega 3 ingredients. By the end of 2021, this segment is expected to accrue a total revenue of US$3.91 bn.North America Pushes Demand for Omega 3 Fatty AcidsBy the end of 2021, North America is expected to generate US$3.62 bn in revenue from the demand for omega 3 ingredients. It is the dominant region in the world for EPA/DHA consumption since quite a few years and is expected to remain at the top till 2021. A large portion of this regions omega 3 ingredients demand comes from supplements and pharmaceuticals, but there is a strong growth rate in the demand for omega 3 ingredients in infant formula as well.Comparatively, the demand for omega 3 ingredients in Europe is much lower due to a lower rate of awareness. The awareness level reduces even further in the case of Asia Pacific. However, both regions are showing immense potential due to a gradual improvement in the flow of nutritional information within urban areas.Omega 3 Ingredients Demand Spurred by Growing Health ConcernsAt the moment, the primary driver boosting the demand for omega 3 ingredients is the growing level of concern over physical health. People are becoming increasingly aware of the high rate of diseases such as cancer and asthma around the world and are looking for ways to mitigate the risks of contracting them. One of the proven ways to do so is the regular consumption of DHA/EPA. Both fatty acids are known to reduce the chances of a person falling prey to prostate or skin cancer, and are also known to abate bronchial inflammation and asthma, states a TMR analyst.The growing consumer awareness is attributed to the increasing marketing efforts put in by nutrition companies, along with the release of scientific research which proves the benefits of consuming omega 3 fatty acids.EPA/DHA Consumption Still Marred by Low AwarenessThere is still, however, a large percentage of population in the world that is not aware of the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids. They still cannot differentiate between fatty acids that are beneficial or harmful when consumed. The overall public opinion of all fatty acids therefore remains negative. This can be dismissed by increasing awareness efforts through drives and other activities.Manufacturers of omega 3 ingredients can look to Asia Pacific for future endeavors. This region is ripe with a large number of consumers in urban areas that have positive disposable income. As the awareness of omega 3 fatty acid benefits spread, so will the demand for them in this region, adds the analyst.The information presented in this review is based on a Transparency Market Research report, titled, Omega 3 Ingredients Market By Application (Supplements and Functional Foods, Pharmaceuticals, Infant formula, Pet and Animal Feed) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2015 - 2021.Key Takeaways:Global demand for omega 3 ingredients expected to fetch US$7.49 bn in revenue by 2021.Total revenue in supplements and functional foods by 2021 expected to reach US$3.91 bn.North America expected to generate US$3.62 bn in omega 3 ingredients revenue by 2021.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:
Steady Government Support to Remain Crucial for Development of China NEV Taxi Market, says TMR

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The China new energy vehicle (NEV) taxi market is largely consolidated with a handful of companies that dominate this market. Transparency Market Research (TMR) reports that in 2013, the two leading companies, BYD Motor Company and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co. Ltd., collectively held more than 45% of the NEV taxi market in China. Other leading players in this market are Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co. Ltd., FAW Group, and Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company.Research and development activities are the primary focus of top companies in the China NEV taxi market in the bid to offer advanced NEVs to the government and taxi companies. An excellent example is BYD Motor Company. The company has undertaken extensive research in battery technology with the objective to lower production cost of new energy vehicles and steal a march over competitors in the electric cars segment.Get PDF Brochure for more Professional and Technical industry insights atGovernment support in form of financial subsidies and tax incentives coupled with advancements in battery technology are the major factors driving this market. With rapid urbanization, the number of vehicles in China has grown considerably, resulting in increased air pollution, and fuel consumption. This has necessitated the central government in China to promote the use of new energy vehicles. In spite of these growth factors, absence of comprehensive charging infrastructures and high cost of batteries have collectively inhibited the growth of NEV taxis in China. However, their lies tremendous opportunity for growth of new energy vehicles in China, especially, in the field of V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) and battery swapping technology. Moreover, use of REEVs (Range Extended Electric Vehicle) is an opportunity area, especially over the next few years till the Chinese market becomes mature enough to support mass production of BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles).In China, majority of NEV taxis are state-owned and are operated through taxi companies that receive support from the government. In 2012, company owned NEV taxis accounted for over 3/4th of the total NEV taxi market in China. With commuters preferring public vehicles over private taxis, the dominance by company-owned taxis is expected to continue over the forecast period from 2014 to 2020. In 2012, short range (80km  150 km) NEV taxis accounted for the majority of market share. However, with advancements in battery technology, long range NEV taxis are expected to outnumber short-range NEV taxis over the forecast period from 2014 to 2020. Major industry participants include BYD Auto Co., Ltd., Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co Ltd (JAC), Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co., Ltd. (BAIC), Changan Automobile Co., Ltd, Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd. and Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Food Service Equipment Market Predicted To Reach US$44.3 Bn By 2020, Rapid Growth Of Hospitality Industry Be The Major Driver

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The major players in the global food service equipment market, according to Transparency Market Research, are Meiko, Ali Group, Fujimak Corporation, Hobart Corporation, Hoshizaki Electric Co. Ltd., Manitowoc Company Inc., Rational AG, Dover Corporation, Libbey Inc., Electrolux AB, Vollrath Co., Tupperware Brands Corporation, Duke Manufacturing Co. Inc., Cambro Manufacturing Company, Inc., Middleby Corporation, Alto Shaam Inc., and Dispensing Dynamics International inc.The major driver for the global food service equipment (commercial refrigeration) market is the increasing presence of the hospitality industry. With the growing availability of urban infrastructure in developed regions and the rising disposable income of consumers, the hospitality industry is experiencing steady growth all over the world. The increasingly hectic lifestyle of urban consumers is also forcing them to eat out regularly, which is another factor driving the demand for commercial refrigeration services.PDF Sample For Latest Industry Happenings @The advancement in refrigeration technologies over the last few years has also helped the global commercial refrigeration market immensely, according to TMRs lead analyst. The cost-effectiveness of food service equipment has become increasingly important for the hospitality industry due to its direct impact on the companys profit margins, driving the demand for advanced commercial refrigeration products.High Capital Requirement Deters Small Players from Installing Advanced Food Service EquipmentThe prohibitively high capital investment required to install top-notch food service equipment has restrained the growth of the global market. While large international players can afford to install advanced commercial refrigeration services, new players have to make do with older technology. This is a key restraint on the global food service equipment market, but is likely to be ameliorated over the forecast period.Walk Ins to Remain Dominant Product TypeBy product type, walk ins held the largest share in the revenue of the global food service equipment market in 2014. Walk ins are preferred by vendors due to the higher convenience they provide to customers and accounted for close to one million commercial refrigeration units in 2013. Even though walk ins are expected to remain the leading segment of the global commercial refrigeration equipment market till 2020, the beverage dispensers segment is likely to exhibit the highest growth rate of all product segments. Other major product types in the global commercial refrigeration market include ice machines, glass door merchandisers, refrigerated vending machines, commercial fridges/freezers. Ice cream cabinets, and blast freezers.Advanced Technological Scenario Drives Demand for Food Service Equipment in North AmericaRegionally, North America was the largest market for food service equipment in 2013. The early establishment of the market in North America is a major driver for the regional market. North Americas position as the premier technological hub has also helped keep the regional commercial refrigeration industry at the cutting edge of technological innovation.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 Cosmetics Market Growth with Worldwide Industry Analysis, 2014 - 2020

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http://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/global-cosmetics-market-category-mode-of-sale-gender-and-geography-size-share-trends-company-profiles-demand-analysis-growth-opportunities-and-forecast-2014-2020v

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Cosmetics are personal care products that are used to enhance and beautify the appearance of individuals. Cosmetics comprise of a mixture of chemical compounds, which are made from synthetics and natural sources. Sun care, skin care, hair care, deodorants, makeup & color cosmetics, and fragrances are some of the popularly used cosmetics. A global increase in the use of sun screen lotions, moisturizing lotions, body lotions, facial wipes, face wash and make up products is fuelling the growth of the global cosmetics market. Retail stores and online portals are the two primary sales channels in this market. Over the past decade, the global cosmetics market has witnessed a steady growth and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period. Rising consciousness about external appearance among individuals coupled with the rise in disposable income is leading to the increased demand of cosmetics products.Request a sample copy of Report @Amongst the different key categories of cosmetics, skin & sun care is anticipated to constitute the largest market share of the global cosmetics market throughout the analysis period. The growth is primarily fuelled by the increasing usage of skin & sun care products amongst both men and women. Geographically, Europe dominates the global cosmetics market, accounting for around 1/3rd of the total cosmetics market revenue in 2014. The use of natural and organic beauty products, is a prominent trend which is fostering the growth of the cosmetics market in the region. The rising demand for natural, herbal and organic beauty products creates potential opportunities for manufacturers to innovate and develop newer products to suit consumer preferences. LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East and Africa) region exhibits a dynamic market for cosmetics. The market in the region is estimated to register a CAGR of 4.9% during 2015-2020.Product launch, acquisitions and collaborations are the key strategies deployed in this industry. Large companies seek to acquire smaller brands in order to expand and strengthen their product portfolios. For instance, in March 2015, Avon launched Outspoken Fresh, a novel fragrance for women. Additionally, in January 2015, Estee Lauder Companies Inc. acquired GLAMGLOW, a Hollywood inspired prestige skin care brand for men and women. The key players profiled in this report are LOreal Group, Avon Incorporation, Proctor and Gamble Corporation, Unilever, Oriflame Cosmetics, Revlon Incorporation, Kao Corporation, Estee Lauder Companies, Incorporation, Skinfood and Shiseido Incorporation.Browse Full Report with TOC@The global market is segmented based on category, mode of sale, gender and geography. The category segment comprises of skin & sun care products, hair care products, deodorants, makeup & color cosmetics and fragrances. Skin care, sun care and hair care products are largely used by individuals and hold a considerable amount of share in the global cosmetic products category. The mode of sale segment comprises of retail and online sale, where the retail mode of sale is further classified into general departmental store, supermarkets, drug stores and brand outlets. The customers majorly prefer the retail mode of sale for buying cosmetic products, whereas, the purchase of cosmetic products, online, is observed to be a rising trend among customers. Geographically, the global cosmetics market is segmented across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and LAMEA.Enquiry 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 clients.Contact 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
Washing Machine Market : The study includes drivers and restraints along with their impact on demand during the forecast period

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Global Washing Machine Market: OverviewThe world washing machine market is prognosticated to rake in ample amount of demand from the residential sector as consumers find a heated inclination toward smart and connected products. Vendors in the market are taking to products which can be managed and controlled with a few touches on the consumers smartphone. Commercial dryers could gain traction as manufacturers introduce heat pump technology in the wake of energy consumption rising to an alarming level. Moreover, government initiatives to support controlled energy consumption, digitalization, and a large demand in developing economies are expected to add to the growth of the market.The segmentation part of the report presented here could include an expert analysis on the basis of important classification groups such as capacity, technology, product, application, and end use. Commercial laundry equipment are envisaged to appeal to government, hospital, and hospitality sectors with outsourcing deemed as a powerful trend of growth.Request a Brochure of the Report @The publication compiled on the global washing machine market sheds light on the critical factors of growth, market opportunities, restraints, market value chain, and more aspects to help analyze the industry at a professional level. Report buyers can access a customized evaluation of the global market to take confident strides toward a realistic growth.Global Washing Machine Market: Trends and OpportunitiesAs a result of the advent of innovative solutions in the laundry sector, the commercial washing machine market is expected to accept a transition. This could push the need for increased automation in laundry services, which is foreseen to prepare a fine ground for the global washing machine market to build on a robust growth. One of the notable revolutions in the laundry sector is the shift from coin laundries to card-based or digital laundry payment services. As a favorable consequence, the demand for smart connected washing machines is foretold to intensify even more with swiftly changing lifestyle of consumers and mushrooming preference for convenience.Request for TOC of the Report @For the forecast period, the international washing machine market could invite an optimistic impact as newer technologies take precedence to address the demand for water and power efficient, next generation products. In order to control the consumption of energy, governments especially in North America are asking consumers to prefer energy-efficient appliances with smart grids. This is foreseen to aggravate the manufacturing efforts to develop technologically sophisticated products.Global Washing Machine Market: Regional OutlookThe regional demand in the international washing machine market is predicted to augment with the rising preference for smart connected and fully automatic products in the developing countries of Vietnam, India, and Indonesia. The demand is anticipated to swell further as the populations in these countries falling under the middle-income bracket see a rise. The washing machine market in China could experience a high level of penetration of different types of products, thus allowing the market to increase its growth. In 2015, Asia Pacific took hold of a whopping share in the global washing machine market.Read Complete Report @North America is forecasted to not fall behind by much distance from Asia Pacific, owing to the rising want for smart washing machine to replace their traditional counterparts. In the U.S., the demand has grown dramatically with the elevating awareness of products bearing the ENERGY STAR certification.Global Washing Machine Market: Companies MentionedMost manufacturers in the world washing machine market are counting on the formulation of holistic distribution mediums with a view to widen their clientele base. Some of the interesting strategies adopted by the top vendors in the global market are substantial focus on supply chain management through vital investments and improvement of product assortments. Among others, Electrolux AB, LG Electronics Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., and Whirlpool Corporation are deemed to be the leading players in the market.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting ser-vices 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
Clinical Oncology Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period

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Global Clinical Oncology Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market: OverviewNext Generation Sequencing (NGS) is referred to as a non-Sanger based high throughput DNA sequencing technology. This term is specifically used to define several modern and advanced sequencing technologies such as SOLiD sequencing, Proton / PGM sequencing, Roche 454 sequencing, and Illumina (Solexa) sequencing, among others. Billions of strands of DNA can be chained in parallel, substantially yielding more throughput and decreasing the requirement for methods for fragment cloning, often employed Sanger genome sequencing. Next generation sequencing enabled cataloging of the genomic outlook of numerous oncogenes is likely to pave way for the investigation of pathway leading to the occurrence of several diseases. The widespread applications of next generation sequencing is expected to bolster the use of multi gene sequencing.The report is an investigation in the growth of the global clinical oncology next generation sequencing market over the last couple of years and in the coming years. The market research publication further reasons out the causes of the changes in the market across the globe. It does this so by presenting an evaluation of the dynamics and the trends prevalent from the last few years and the ones that are likely to retain an impact during the forecast period. The Porters five forces analysis is being taken into consideration for the analysts to provide a clear view of the vendor landscape to the readers. Mergers, agreements, acquisitions, and other partnerships have also been highlighted in the report. The study further delves into the working of the various leading companies along with the information on the products, strategies, and shares of the companies in question.Request a Brochure of the Report @Global Clinical Oncology Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market: Trends and ProspectsThe global market for clinical oncology next generation sequencing is expected to be benefitted by the growing use of advanced genetic sequencing analysis in several fields of clinical research owing to the simultaneous fall in the costs of base pair mapping and is likely to render high impact on the market over the coming years. Many cancer researchers have warranted the importance of NGS technology in the field of clinical oncology and have also invested efforts for creating bioinformatics algorithms to be used for cancer test development and screening.Numerous oncologists also believe that over the coming years, next generation sequencing in combination with companion diagnostics is anticipated to play a crucial role in personalized therapeutics and diagnostics, thus exponentially triggering the demand for these platforms in clinical oncology. Moreover, loans and grants provided by governments for the purpose of research and development is also expected to bode well for the markets growth in the near future. It has also been expected that with the rise in expenditure for cancer research, the adoption of clinical oncology next generation sequencing will also magnify. However, time consuming process and data interpretation is expected to act as major bottleneck in the growth of the market.Request for TOC of the Report @Global Clinical Oncology Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market: Regional OutlookRegionally, the global market for clinical oncology next generation sequencing can be segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Rest of the World. North America is expected to emerge as a prominent region supplementing the markets growth owing to strategic initiatives taken up by the governments in the region. Other regions are also anticipated to support the growth of the market with early adoption of the technologies.Global Clinical Oncology Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market: Competitive LandscapeCompanies such as DNASTAR Inc., Roche, Illumina Inc., Agilent Technologies, Qiagen NV, CLC Bio, Biomatters Ltd., and Pacific Bioscience, among several others are likely to establish a strong position in the market with their services and products.Read Complete Report @About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting ser-vices 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
Pediatric Ultrasound Market : A detailed overview of market dynamics, including the drivers, restraints, and opportunities

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Global Pediatric Ultrasound Market: OverviewPediatric ultrasound imaging, also called pediatric sonography, is one of the standard imaging techniques used across a variety of healthcare facilities to scan different parts of body of children to diagnose and treat a number of medical conditions. The noninvasive and safe nature of the imaging technique is significantly used to evaluate and examine a variety of conditions and is witnessing a steady rise in demand across the globe owing to a significant rise in several diseases affecting children.This report on the global pediatric ultrasound market presents a detailed overview of the present growth dynamics of the market and an analytical overview of the key factors expected to exert a significant impact on the overall development of the market over the period 2017-2025.Request a Brochure of the Report @Global Pediatric Ultrasound Market: Trends and OpportunitiesA host of factors are leading to the increased demand for pediatric ultrasound devices in the global market, including the significant rise in prevalence of a number of pediatric diseases, the resultant rise in demand for increased number of diagnostic procedures, and the increased consciousness among parents about the need for early diagnosis of pediatric diseases. The low threat of exposure to harmful radiations as compared to other popular imaging techniques and technological advancements in the field of pediatric ultrasound are also expected to drive the market.Additionally, vast untapped growth opportunities in developing and less-developed economies are also expected to drive the market for pediatric ultrasounds in the next few years. However, the markets growth is expected to be restrained to a certain extent owing to the thriving industry of refurbished medical devices, limited availability of skilled resources, and some inherent limitations of the ultrasound technology that restrict their scope of use.Request for TOC of the Report @Global Pediatric Ultrasound Market: Geographical AnalysisFrom a geographical perspective, the report examines the global pediatric ultrasound market across regions such as Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Middle East and Africa. Of these, the markets across developed regions such as North America and Europe are amongst the top revenue-grossers for the global market. The high prevalence of pediatric chronic heart diseases, high awareness among parents about children health, and technologically advanced healthcare infrastructures in these regions are the key factors driving the pediatric ultrasound market.Over the reports forecast period, however, the market for pediatric ultrasound in Asia Pacific is expected to exhibit growth at the most promising pace, chiefly owing to the increased focus of government bodies on modernization of healthcare infrastructures and rising expenditure on healthcare and fitness. With the presence of some of the worlds leading medical device manufacturers such as Hitachi and Toshiba, Japan dominates the Asia Pacific pediatric ultrasound market.Read Complete Report @Global Pediatric Ultrasound Market: Competitive OverviewThe vendor landscape of the global pediatric ultrasound market features intense competition in terms of product pricing and product features. The rising demand for portable and handheld systems has compelled leading vendors to focus on this niche segment of the market to reap sustainable returns. Futuristic technologies such as 3D and 4D ultrasound devices are also gaining increasing acceptance across developed regional markets as well as developing regional markets, a trend that could result in excellent growth opportunities for vendors wanting to venture into the pediatric ultrasound market.Some of the leading companies contributing to the development of the global pediatric ultrasound market are Toshiba Medical System Corporation, Boston Scientific, Agfa-Gevaert NV, Hitachi Medical Corporation, Esaote SpA, General Electric Company, Fujifilm Corporation, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Samsung Medison Co. Ltd., Mindray Medical International Limited, GE Healthcare, and Siemens Healthcare.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting ser-vices 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
Global High Strength CFRTP Sales Market 2017 Industry Growth with CAGR in Forecast-2022

High Strength CFRTP Sales

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http://www.mrsresearchgroup.com/market-analysis/global-high-strength-cfrtp-sales-market-report-2016.html

Global High Strength CFRTP Sales Market Research ReportThe MRS Research Group High Strength CFRTP Sales report by QY Research represents an inclusive evaluation of the High Strength CFRTP Sales Market and comprises considerable insights, historical data, facts,and statistical and industry-validated data of the global market.Additionally,it consists of estimated data that is evaluated with the help of suitable set of methodologies and assumptions.The MRS Research Group report research highlights informative data and in-depth analysis of High Strength CFRTP Sales market and its corresponding segments that are based on technology,geography, and applications.Read Sample Research Report @The High Strength CFRTP Sales report also provides data regarding various market factors and their impact on the overall market and its segments.Every market segment of the High Strength CFRTP Sales industry is analyzed in a quantitative as well as qualitative way in order to provide the customers with a relative estimation of the global market. Essential information such as definition, the industry value chain and its analysis, and the trends are also explored in the MRS Research Group High Strength CFRTP Sales report.This High Strength CFRTP Sales report is an in-depth market research report in this domain.Access Full Report @MRS Research Group is the worlds giant collection of the Market research Reports. Where we specialized in global publisher, tailor made reports and specialists consulting. Global Publisher provides in-depth analysis of global and Chinese market. Tailor-made reports represent methodologies deliverable to proper insight of the client. While, expertise research specialist helps to provide strategic solution in specialists consulting.Joel John3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442United StatesToll Free : +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@mrsresearchgroup.com
Millets Market - Global Industry Analysis 2026

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Millets are small-seeded cereals that retain excellent nutritional qualities. There are nearly 6,000 varieties of millet all over the world with various colors such as pale yellow, white, gray and red. In terms of nutritional property, they are superior to certain highly consumed cereals such as rice and wheat. Despite their prominent nutritional qualities, millets have received less attention than the major cereals. Millets play an important role in food security and economy of many countries in Africa and Asia. They are gaining prominence in Europe and North America due to their gluten-free and hypoglycemic properties.Millets Market: Drivers and RestraintsDemand for food is rising with the growth in population. Thus, the pressure on water resources is also increasing. Different plant species have qualities of improved utilization of water resources. Increase in efficiency of water use in production of millets is predicted to drive the millets market during the next few years. Millets have a limited shelf life. This factor is estimated to hamper the market growth. However, the gluten-free property is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the production of gluten-free and low GI food products.View exclusive Global strategic Business report:Millets Market: SegmentationThe millets market can be segmented based on type into:Pearl milletFinger milletProso milletFoxtail milletOthers (Japanese barnyard millet, Kodo millet, etc.)Pearl millet adapts well to hot climates and is also resistant to drought conditions. It grows well compared to any other cereal in hot and dry regions. Pearl millet yields well on sandy soils where most other crops fail. Pearl millet is the major millet grown in Africa. It is also the fourth most significant food crop/cereal grown in India.Proso millet is primarily suitable to a dry continental climate than most other millets. Also known as the common millet, it exhibits the lowest water necessity. Proso millet is predominantly cultivated in Eastern Asia, including Japan, India, Mongolia, and Manchuria; and eastern and central Russia.Kodo millet is grown commercially in India; however, it is an extensive tropical weed. This cereal crop is often grown on poor soils and is drought resistant.The millets market can be segmented based on product into:PorridgesSteam cooked productsBreadsBeveragesPorridge and steam cooked products have been some of the major traditionally cooked products from millets. These are primarily consumed in different parts of India and Africa. Porridge is the commonly prepared food from millets. Countries, where sorghum and other millets are cultivated, generally consume stiff/thick porridges. In India, fermented millet flour is steam cooked to make kudumu. Sorghum millet batter, which is wet-milled and mixed with black gram batter, is fermented overnight and transferred into molds. It is then steam cooked to make idlis. Other traditionally made fermented breads in India include dosa, massa, injera, kisra, and galettes. Malted millets have been extensively used in Africa to make various non-alcoholic and alcoholic fermented beverages for centuries.Millets Market: Region-wise OutlookBased on geography, the global millets market can segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. All types of millets are generally cultivated in Africa, India, and China. In Asia, India is the key producer of pearl millet, which is primarily grown in north-western parts of the country. Nepal and Bhutan are also the major millet producing countries in Asia. However, China predominantly produces foxtail millet.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:
Thermal Management Technologies Market : The report provides estimated market size for each Product type, application, end user and geography

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Global Thermal Management Technologies Market: OverviewThe electronics industry has seen significant enhancements in technologies, system integration, and fundamental materials used to manufacture elemental structures in the past few years. This has led to a rapid rise in the total power consumed by the device, which, in several cases, are seeing a rapid reduction in size. Supplying high power to such devices, with electronic parts crammed in small packages, make the issue of heat density management even worse for the industry. This has increased the industrys focus on the development of efficient heat management technologies.This report on the global thermal management technologies market covers the state of research and development activities undertaken in this area and their influence on the electronics industry as seen in the past few years. A detailed overview of the thermal management technologies markets present growth dynamics and several forward-looking statements predicting the growth prospects of the market and its key segments over the period between 2017 and 2025.Request a Brochure of the Report @Global Thermal Management Technologies Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe development of high-performance heat spreader systems which use multi-phase cooling in place of alloy-based heat spreaders in conventional systems is presently one of the most researched areas in the field of thermal management technologies. Research efforts in the area so far have led to the development of technologies such as cold plates, jet impingement, and heat vapor chambers. Research is also underway in fabrication/discovery of structures and materials capable of providing notable decline in the thermal resistance of the thermal interface layer between the back layers of electronic devices, which could be a heatsink.Of the key components of a typical thermal management solution, namely thermal management hardware, thermal management interface product, thermal management software, and thermal management substrates, the hardware segment is presently the leading contributor of revenue to the global market. The rising demand for compact microprocessors is expected to enable the hardware segment lead over the next few years as well.Request for TOC of the Report @The segment of thermal management interfaces is also expected to see demand rise at a promising incremental pace over the reports forecast period. The rising implementation of thermal management interfaces in automated machineries and portable and miniaturized computing devices such as smartphones and tablet computers will be the key to healthy growth prospects of the thermal management interface segment.Global Thermal Management Technologies Market: Geographical and Competitive DynamicsFrom a geographic perspective, the report presents an analytical overview of the thermal management technologies market for regional markets such as North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Middle East and Africa. Of these, Asia Pacific is expected to be the leading contributor of revenue to the global market over the forecast period. The presence of some of the worlds leading electronic companies in countries such as South Korea, China, and Japan will further strengthen the demand prospects for thermal management technologies in the region over the forecast period.Read Complete Report @Europe, with the large number of electronic manufacturing and R&D facilities in countries such as the UK and Germany, is also expected to see a rise in use of thermal management technologies in the near future. The Europe market is also expected to thrive due to stringent EU regulations necessitating the use of thermal interface in electronic devices. The heightened consumer awareness about environment sustenance is expected to lead to an increased focus on the development of environment-friendly heat management materials in the near future.It has been found that the global thermal management technologies market features an exceedingly fragmented competitive landscape, wherein no leading player accounts for a major share in the global markets revenue- or value-wise valuation. Some of the markets leading players are Honeywell International, LairdTech, Alcatel-Lucent, Pentair Thermal Management, Thermacore, Heatex, Aavid Thermalloy, Advanced Cooling Technologies, Thermal Management Technologies, Sapa Group, and Honeywell International.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting ser-vices 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
Global Child Day Care Service Market Becoming a Necessary Expense for Working Parents: Trends And Opportunities (2014-2019)

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The recent research report titled Global Child Day Care Services Market: Trends and Opportunities (2014-2019) analyzes the potential opportunities and significant trends in the global child day care service industry. The report provides detailed analysis of the global child day care service market including the country analysis of the U.S., Japan, India and Australia. It also provides specific data about the different types of child care services and large local players in the U.S., Japan, India and Australia child day care service market.In depth analysis of key market growth drivers and challenges and the major observable trends in the global child day care service market are also evaluated in the report. Leading companies operating in the global child day care service market, namely G8 Education, Bright Horizons Family Solutions and JP Holdings, have been profiled with their respective business strategies and financial overview. The growth of the market has been projected taking into consideration various aspects like previous growth patterns, the current trends, the growth drivers and challenges prevailing in the child day care service market.Download Sample Copy of This Report:Country CoverageUnited StatesJapanIndiaAustraliaCompany CoverageBright Horizons Family SolutionsG8 EducationJP HoldingsExecutive SummaryChild day care services are becoming a necessary expense for working parents. Over the past five years, revenue has continued to grow despite of recession, driven mostly by increasing birth rates, increase in workforce requirements and increasing women workforce. The child daycare services industry revenue is expected to increase in the long run due to increase in number of parents returning to the workforce after recession, higher female workforce participation, increase in dual income households, growth of the disposable income and increasing focus on early education and child development.Browse More Pharmaceutical Market Research Reports:The employers are also adding the child daycare facilities to their employee benefit package to attract the talented employees and also to retain the existing employee. This employer sponsored provider market is very attractive and profitable and the large players are including this segment in their business mix to gain revenues.In the few past years, the number of companies offering child day care services has grown globally, due to rising demand for child day care services and the industrys low barriers to entry. Increasing mergers and acquisitions among major players have led to a gradual shift toward large establishments. This acquisition trend has temporarily slowed as a result of the slow economic recovery. However, companies such as Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Goodstart Early Learning, JP Holdings and G8 Education are expected to expand their global presence quickly over the next few years.About usMarketResearchReports.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.To View The Latest Industry Press Releases:ContactMr. Nachiket90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E-Mail: sales@marketresearchreports.bizFollow us on LinkedIn:Thanks..!!!!!!!!!!!MarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales Market Report 2017

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This report studies sales (consumption) of Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments 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, coveringEricssonHuaweiNokiaCiscoZTEAdtranAdva Optical NetworkingAlvarionActelis NetworksTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Market Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with sales (consumption), revenue, market share and growth rate of Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments 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 intoType IType IISplit by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments in each application, can be divided intoApplication 1Application 2Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of ContentsGlobal Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales Market Report 20171 Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments1.2 Classification of Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments1.2.1 Type I1.2.2 Type II1.3 Application of Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.4 Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments 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 Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Global Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Global Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Global Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Global Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Global Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments (Volume and Value) by Regions2.3.1 Global Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)2.3.2 Global Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)2.4 Global Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments (Volume) by Application3 United States Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 United States Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 United States Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 United States Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 United States Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers3.3 United States Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Market Share by Type3.4 United States Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Market Share by Application4 China Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 China Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 China Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 China Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 China Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers4.3 China Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Market Share by Type4.4 China Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Market Share by Application5 Europe Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 Europe Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Value (2012-2017)5.1.1 Europe Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.2 Europe Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.3 Europe Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)5.2 Europe Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers5.3 Europe Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Market Share by Type5.4 Europe Mobile Network Backhaul Equipments Sales and Market Share by ApplicationQYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for 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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
The study covers the Antiscalant Market taking into account the sales of registered companies

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Global Antiscalant Market: OverviewAntiscalants are extensively used in RO membrane systems for averting issues pertaining to mineral scaling. It is a type of a chemical that is injected into feedwater before the feedwater is allowed to flow into RO membranes. The infusion of antiscalant prevents the formation of scales by delaying the reaction time between magnesium and calcium, allowing the water to be purified by the RO systems seamlessly. Today, antiscalants are being used in the manufacturing of power, chemical, and coal gasification. The growth of these industries is projected to boost the global antiscalant market. The report states that China is a significant consumer and a producer of antiscalants, with its supply stretching all the way to the international markets.Request a Brochure of the Report @The research report has been compiled using primary and secondary research methodologies. With interviews and data sourced from reliable resources, this document aims to offer absolute clarity about the market dynamics of global antiscalant market. The research report also includes a thorough analysis segments of the global antiscalant market that have been assessed using a SWOT analysis. The competitive landscape of the global market has been discussed with the help of a Porters five forces analysis that highlights the intensity of the competition present in the market and the threat from new entrants among others. Lastly, the research report also includes recommendations and comments by market experts that not only corroborate the data present in the pages of the document, but provide a valuable insight.Request for TOC of the Report @Global Antiscalant Market: Drivers and TrendsThe emergence of oil and gas industry in global has been assessed to be a key factor is driving the antiscalant market in the coming years. The demand for power in the developing countries will come to define the oil and gas industrys activities, which in turn will decide the uptake of antiscalants. Furthermore, the chemical industrys improving performance is also attributed to fuel the expansion of the global antiscalant market in the coming few years. The emphasis of manufacturing units on the quality of water, which eventually translates into cost savings, lesser carbon footprint, and comes with better properties, is projected to a play a pivotal role in the swift adoption of antiscalants. The report predicts that the power and mining industries will also make a significant demand for antiscalants in the near future.Read Complete Report @Global Antiscalant Market: Product SegmentationThe various types of antiscalants available in the market are phosphonates, carboxylates, fluorides, sulfonates, and others. Phosphonate is a popularly used antiscalant across the nation and is expected to dominate the national market in the coming years. Its generous usage for making water treatment formulations with corrosion and scale inhibitors along with iron sequestrants is expected to benefit the product segment in the coming years. The report also indicates that the revenue for the carboxylates product segment will also surge as it can be an excellent curing agent with tremendous tolerance for pressure. This precise ability of carboxylates has made the product a famous antiscalant for the mining industry where is it used for eliminating heavy metals from wastewater.Key Players Mentioned in this Report are:The report has identified Kemira, Zaozhuang Kerui Chemicals Co., Ltd, Henan Yuguan Chemical Technology, BASF SE, Nalco Water, Shandong Great Lake New Material Co. Ltd., and Avista Technologies to be the key players operating in the global antiscalant market.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting ser-vices 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
Chronic Kidney Disease (Chronic Renal Failure) Market Research, Size, Trends, Global Clinical Trials Review, H2, 2015

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Chronic Kidney Disease (Chronic Renal Failure) Global Clinical Trials Review, H2, 2015SummaryClinical trial report, Chronic Kidney Disease (Chronic Renal Failure) Global Clinical Trials Review, H2, 2015" provides an overview of Chronic Kidney Disease (Chronic Renal Failure) clinical trials scenario. This report provides top line data relating to the clinical trials on Chronic Kidney Disease (Chronic Renal Failure). Report includes an overview of trial numbers and their average enrollment in top countries conducted across the globe. The report offers coverage of disease clinical trials by region, country (G7 & E7), phase, trial status, end points status and sponsor type. Report also provides prominent drugs for in-progress trials (based on number of ongoing trials). Global Data Clinical Trial Reports are generated using Global Datas proprietary database - Pharma eTrack Clinical trials database. Clinical trials are collated from 80+ different clinical trial registries, conferences, journals, news etc across the globe. Clinical trials database undergoes periodic update by dynamic process.The report enhances the decision making capabilities and helps to create an effective counter strategies to gain competitive advantage.*Note: Certain sections in the report may be removed or altered based on the availability and relevance of data for the indicated disease.Download Sample Copy Of This Report:Scope- The report provides a snapshot of the global clinical trials landscape- Report provides top level data related to the clinical trials by Region, Country (G7 & E7), Trial Status, Trial Phase, Sponsor Type and End point status- The report reviews top companies involved and enlists all trials (Trial title, Phase, and Status) pertaining to the company- The report provides all the unaccomplished trials (Terminated, Suspended and Withdrawn) with reason for unaccomplishment- The Report provides enrollment trends for the past five years- Report provides latest news for the past three months*Note: Certain sections in the report may be removed or altered based on the availability and relevance of data for the indicated disease.Browse More Pharmaceutical Market Research Reports:Reasons to buy- Assists in formulating key business strategies with regards to investment- Helps in identifying prominent locations for conducting clinical trials which saves time and cost- Provides top level analysis of Global Clinical Trials Market which helps in identifying key business opportunities- Supports understanding of trials count and enrollment trends by country in global therapeutics market- Aids in interpreting the success rates of clinical trials by providing a comparative scenario of completed and uncompleted (terminated, suspended or withdrawn) trials- Facilitates clinical trial assessment of the indication on a global, regional and country level*Note: Certain sections in the report may be removed or altered based on the availability and relevance of data for the indicated disease.About usMarketResearchReports.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.To View The Latest Industry Press Releases:ContactMr. Nachiket90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E-Mail: sales@marketresearchreports.bizFollow us on LinkedIn:Thanks..!!!!!!!!!!!MarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
The study provides a decisive view of the Canned Seafood Market by segmenting it in terms of type, and application

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https://www.tmrresearch.com/canned-seafood-market

Global Canned Seafood Market: OverviewBenefits of seafood, such as high protein levels, low cholesterol, and low fat are quickly spreading across the urban population across the world, wherein restless lifestyle is leading to several health disorders including heart diseases, obesity, stroke, and hypertension. With increased disposable income, urban populations in developed and emerging economies are willing to bear the cost of chosen food, and canned seafood are gaining popularity for their apparent benefits and ease to cook even for inexperienced chefs. Canning of the seafood aides in preserving its nutritious values while it is being shipped to the target consumers. Consequently, the demand in the global canned seafood market is projected to expand at a healthy CAGR during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025.This report on the global canned seafood market is meant for raw material suppliers and harvesters of seafood, suppliers of fish and seafood such as fisheries, research and development institutes, and pre-processors. The report aspires to summarize the essential dynamics of the canned seafood market to the buyers, and help them make more informed business decisions. It also contains a dedicated section on company profiles, analyzing several prominent players of the market for their shares, regional presence, and recent strategic decisions. By distribution channel, the global canned seafood market can be segmented into restaurants, retailers, wholesalers, and independent traders. Geographically, the report analyzes the opportunities available in regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and Europe.Request a Brochure of the Report @Global Canned Seafood Market: Trends and OpportunitiesIncreasing consumer preference for ready-to-eat meals and increased shelf-life of these products due to technologically advanced packaging are among the most primary factors positively influencing the market, besides the growing awareness of the benefits of seafood. The declining prices of exclusive seafood, which is a result of more efficient modes of fishing and transportation, is another important factor that is expected to positively reflect on the market for canned seafood. Moreover, rising fitness culture is increasing the uptake of seafood as they help in muscle building. Furthermore, the report also observes a trend that casual dining in restaurants is declining as consumers now prefer to save travel time and eat in the comfort of their homes. This trend will significantly favor the global canned seafood market. Conversely, government regulations to maintain the quality standards of the canned food is expected to hinder the growth rate to a certain extend during the forecast period.By distribution channel, the segment of retailers and independent dealers is expected to rise at the most robust rate, owing to the ease of availability of these products in food marts and supermarkets.Request for TOC of the Report @Global Canned Seafood Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, North America and Europe account for most of the demand for canned seafood, which is due to busy lifestyle, high awareness levels of the benefits of seafood, and improved shelf-life of these products. The U.S., the U.K, Spain, and France are some of the key country-wide markets for canned seafood in these two regions. On the other hand, the Asia Pacific canned seafood market is also expected to expand quickly during the forecast period, especially driven by emerging economies such as China, Japan, and India.Companies mentioned in the research reportHigh Liner Foods, Tri Marine International, Oceana group, Mazetta Company, Gomes da Costa, CamilAilmentos, and Mark Foods Inc. are some of the prominent companies currently operational in global canned seafood market, which is highly competitive in nature with the presence of several domestic players. Another challenge for the vendors is to assure the nutritious values of the packaged products.Read Complete Report @About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting ser-vices 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
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 28, 2017 / Stans Energy Corp. (TSX-V: HRE, OTC: HREEF), ("Stans" or the "Company") informs its shareholders of a recent favourable decision by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (the "Court") to recognize the UNICTRAL Arbitral Award (the "Award") of Entes Industrial Plans Construction & Erection Contracting Co. Inc. ("Entes") against the Republic of Kyrgyzstan (the "Republic").

In Entes v. Kyrgyz Republic, the Court recognized an international arbitral award for more than $22 million, which was granted in favour of Entes in 2015 by UNCITRAL Arbitral Tribunal on November 2016. The court found that to not grant recognition of the Award, the Award "must fundamentally offend the most basic and explicit principles of justice and fairness in Ontario or evidence intolerable ignorance or corruption on the part of the Arbitral Tribunal. Examples of public policy grounds for refusing to enforce an arbitral award are fraud, corruption, bribery and similar serious cases" stated Justice Conway in her decision.

Rodney Irwin, Stans CEO and President states, "Stans is eager to commence the merits phase of its' UNCITRAL Tribunal to pursue a final and binding decision against the Kyrgyz Republic. The comments by the Ontario Court of Justice and other legal experts reassure management of the solid foundation of pursuing damages against the Republic before the UNCITRAL Tribunal. This is especially now evident when it comes to seeking recognition of UNICITRAL awards in Canada."

In an article published on February 23, 2017, K. McCrystal and C. Chaisson comment, "the [Entes] decision confirms the Canadian courts' adherence to the mandatory nature of the enforcement provisions in the UNCITRAL Model Law and New York Convention.Without clear evidence of one of the narrow grounds for refusing enforcement under Article 36 of the UNCTRAL Model Law, the Canadian courts will recognize and enforce international arbitral awards as court judgments. This deference to the arbitral process safeguards the finality of a tribunal's decision and ensures that arbitral creditors can take advantage of the wide range of execution remedies available to judgment creditors."

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.

About Stans Energy

Stans Energy Corp. is a resource development company focused on advancing rare and specialty metals properties and processing technologies Stans is now transitioning into a supplier of materials and technologies that will assist in satisfying the future energy supply, storage and transmission needs of the world. Previously, the Company acquired, among other things, the right to mine the past producing rare earth mine, Kutessay II, in the Kyrgyz Republic Due to the expropriation actions taken by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Company is undertaking international arbitration litigation to protect the Company's rights and recover damages estimated at over US$210,000,000, caused by the Republic.

We seek safe harbour.

Contact Details

Rodney Irwin

Stans Energy Corp

Interim President & CEO

rodney@stansenergy.com

647-426-1865

David Vinokurov

Stans Energy Corp

VP Corporate Development

david@stansenergy.com

647-426-1865

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This document includes forward-looking statements as well as historical information. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, use of proceeds from the Offering, the completion of the Offering, the continued advancement of the company's general business development, research development and the company's development of mineral exploration projects. When used in this press release, the words "will", "shall", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intent", "may", "project", "plan", "should" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Although Stans Energy Corp. believes that their expectations reflected in these forward looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and no assurance can be given that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statement. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include the potential that fluctuations in the marketplace for the sale of minerals, the inability to implement corporate strategies, the ability to obtain financing and other risks disclosed in our filings made with Canadian Securities Regulators.

Nov 16/2016 OSCJ Ruling

http://www.internationallawoffice.com/Newsletters/Arbitration-ADR/Canada/Borden-Ladner-Gervais-LLP/Ontario-court-recognises-arbitral-award-and-confirms-narrow-scope-of-public-policy-defence#

SOURCE: Stans Energy Corp.
Worldwide Silicone Oil Market Key Manufacturers Analysis 2017 | DecisionDatabases.com

Silicone Oil Market

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The report on Silicone Oil Market is the latest addition to the huge database of DecisionDatabases.com. This research study is segmented on the basis of applications, technology, geography, and types. The Report provides a detailed Silicone Oil Industry overview along with the analysis of industrys gross margin, cost structure, consumption value, and sale price. The leading companies of the Silicone Oil Market, manufacturers, and distributors are profiled in the report along with the latest Industry development current and future trends.Access the Report and full TOC @This report studies Silicone Oil in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with capacity, production, price, revenue, and market share for each manufacturer, covering* Dowcorning* Momentive* Wacker* Hesheng Silicone Co., Ltd.* Jiangxi Lanxing Silicone Co., Ltd.* PolySi* Shin-Etsu Chemical Homepage* MR Silicone Industries* Clearco Products* Elkay Chemicals Private Limited* Amber Chemical Company* KCCMarket Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Silicone Oil in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), like* North America* Europe* China* Japan* Southeast Asia* IndiaDownload Free sample Report @Split by product type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided into* Simethicone* Hydrogen Silicone OilSplit by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Silicone Oil in each application, can be divided into Applications.Purchase a copy of Report @Table of Contents-Snapshot1 Market Overview2 Global Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2011-2016)4 Global Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)5 Global Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Market Analysis by Application7 Global Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Market Forecast (2016-2021)13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 AppendixView Related Reports @Global Textile Chemicals Market Research Report 2017Global Adhesives and Sealants Market Research Report 2017About Us:DecisionDatabases.com is a global business research reports provider, enriching decision makers and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research Report, customized research reports, company profiles and industry databases across multiple domains.Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise and meaningful data at a lightning speed.3rd Floor, Fountain chambers,Nanabhai Lane, Fort, Mumbai - 1E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.comPhone: +91 99 28 237112Web:
Global Elderly Care Services Market Technological Advancement, chronic illness among old age population, Segments, Trends And Opportunities (2016-2020)

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The report titled Global Elderly Care Services Market: Trends and Opportunities (2016 - 2020) provides a detailed analysis of the elder care services market with description of market sizing and growth, segmentation of market by products & services and major markets, top market players etc. The report recapitulates the factors that will be responsible for the growth in the market in the forecasted period.The market size and forecast in terms of value for the market has been provided for the period 2016 to 2020, considering 2014 as the base year and the estimated value for 2015 has also been provided in the report. The report also provides the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the forecast period 2016 to 2020. In the forecasted period global elder care services market is expected to achieve a double-digit growth.The report provides major market trends, growth drivers and challenges of the global elder care services market. The major market trends of elder care services market are rise of technology-enhanced senior care, booming healthcare industry, federal health care reforms and regulations regarding Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement etc. Rising number of ageing population, increased life expectancy, chronic illness among aged population and increase in health expenditure by senior citizens are the major growth drivers of the market. But the market also has to face lot of challenges in the coming years that will create interruption in the growth of the market. Some of the challenges are lack of qualified employees, less supply more demand and cost affordability etc.Download Sample Copy Of This Report:The report also provides country analysis of the US, Canada, Europe and India in terms of market sizing and growth. The US and Canada (in North America) are the market leaders followed by European countries. Among Asia-Pacific countries, India has been emerged as the market leader in elder care services. In coming years, Asia-Pacific will be the key market player as the growth of ageing population is more than other nations worldwide.Furthermore, the report also profiles key market players such as Extendicare Inc., Brookdale senior Living Inc., Kindred Healthcare Inc. and Genesis Healthcare Inc. on the basis of attributes such as company overview, recent developments, strategies adopted by the market leaders to ensure growth, sustainability, financial overview and recent developments.Country CoverageThe USCanadaEuropeIndiaCompany CoverageExtendicare Inc.Brookdale Senior Living Inc.Kindred Healthcare Inc.Genesis Healthcare Inc.Executive SummarySenior citizens need assistance with daily activities as well as healthcare requirements who needs a quality life. Due to all these requirements there emerged a market known as elder care services market which is specifically came into existence to serve the ageing population worldwide. Elder care services market has divided into various segments. Elderly care business includes in home care, assisted living, nursing home facilities by skilled professionals, hospital care and pharmaceuticals. Among these, in-home care, assisted living and home healthcare segment are getting popular day by day and provide quality life to senior citizens. Adult day care centres are designed for older adults who are no longer managing independently or who are isolated or lonely. Home care services are provided by family members and close relatives.Global elder care market has shown positive trends over the past few years. The primary reasons behind the growth of the market are increased ageing population worldwide, increasing demand for quality life by senior citizens, positive government regulation in healthcare segment to provide cost-effective medical treatment to the aged population, technological advancement, and chronic illness among old age population etc. the market is expected to achieve a moderate growth in the forecasted period. Global elder care services market continued to expand at a swift pace in 2015.About usMarketResearchReports.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.To View The Latest Industry Press Releases:ContactMr. Nachiket90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E-Mail: sales@marketresearchreports.bizFollow us on LinkedIn:Thanks..!!!!!!!!!!!MarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
New Released Report: Europe LED General Lighting Market Report 2017

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"The Report Europe LED General Lighting Market Report 2017 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"This report studies sales (consumption) of LED General Lighting in Europe market, especially in Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy, Spain and Benelux, focuses on top players in these countries, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player in these Countries, coveringCreeLG InnotekNichiaOSRAM Opto SemiconductorsPhilips Lumileds LightingSamsung LEDSeoul SemiconductorEverlight ElectronicsGE LightingLite-On TechnologyToyoda GoseiView Report @Market Segment by Countries, this report splits Europe into several key Countries, with sales (consumption), revenue, market share and growth rate of LED General Lighting in these countries, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), likeGermanyFranceUKRussiaItalySpainBeneluxSplit by product type, with sales, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoType IType IISplit by application, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of LED General Lighting in each application, can be divided intoApplication 1Application 2Get Sample Copy Of this Report @Table of ContentsEurope LED General Lighting Market Report 20171 LED General Lighting Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of LED General Lighting1.2 Classification of LED General Lighting1.2.1 Type I1.2.2 Type II1.3 Application of LED General Lighting1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.4 LED General Lighting Market by Countries1.4.1 Germany Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 France Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 UK Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Russia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Italy Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Spain Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Benelux Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Europe Market Size (Value and Volume) of LED General Lighting (2012-2022)1.5.1 Europe LED General Lighting Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Europe LED General Lighting Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Europe LED General Lighting by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Europe LED General Lighting Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Europe LED General Lighting Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.1.2 Europe LED General Lighting Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Europe LED General Lighting (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Europe LED General Lighting Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Europe LED General Lighting Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Europe LED General Lighting (Volume and Value) by Countries2.3.1 Europe LED General Lighting Sales and Market Share by Countries (2012-2017)2.3.2 Europe LED General Lighting Revenue and Market Share by Countries (2012-2017)2.4 Europe LED General Lighting (Volume) by Application3 Germany LED General Lighting (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 Germany LED General Lighting Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 Germany LED General Lighting Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 Germany LED General Lighting Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 Germany LED General Lighting Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 Germany LED General Lighting Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers3.3 Germany LED General Lighting Sales and Market Share by Type3.4 Germany LED General Lighting Sales and Market Share by Application4 France LED General Lighting (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 France LED General Lighting Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 France LED General Lighting Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 France LED General Lighting Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.4 France LED General Lighting Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 France LED General Lighting Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers4.3 France LED General Lighting Sales and Market Share by TypeAbout usMarketResearchReports.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.Contact us:Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E : sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Home Security Solutions Market to Expand at 18.0% CAGR from 2015 to 2022 owing to Enhanced Security Needs of Customers

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http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Transparency Market Research has published a new report on the global home security solutions market. As per the report, the global home security solutions market was valued at US$8.3 bn in 2014 and is predicted to reach US$30.3 bn by 2022. The report, titled Home Security Solutions Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2022, states that the global home security solutions market is predicted to expand at an 18.0% CAGR in the period between 2015 and 2022.Privacy and security have become primary concerns for citizens these days. Efforts are being made aimed at securing homes to ensure safety even when the house owners are away. Armed patrols, perimeter monitoring systems, and 24-hour manned security gates are some of the monitoring systems that homeowners consider. With the increasing rate of burglaries, property crime, and home invasions in the past few years, the demand for home security solutions has increased rapidly. Homeowners have become more aware and concerned about safety and security and are ready to spend more on home security solutions.Get Sample Report Copy :Due to technical advancements, smart home technologies are being globally adopted by several homeowners. This has increased the need for home surveillance, control functions, and security. Managed home security solution providers also solve the issues faced by homeowners such as installation, technical malfunctions, complexities, and maintenance of various home security applications.The global home security solutions market is segmented on the basis of component and geography. Based on geography, the global home security solutions market is divided into North America, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. In 2014, in terms of revenue, North America led the global home security solutions market. North America held a share of 37.3% in the global home security solutions market and is predicted to progress at an 18.40% CAGR during the period between 2015 and 2022.Assa Abloy AB, Honeywell International, Inc., Tyco International Ltd., Axis Communications AB, SimpliSafe, Inc., Protect America, Inc, ADT Corporation, Vivint, Inc., HikVision Digital Technology Co., Ltd., and Frontpoint Security Solutions are a few of the leading companies in the global home security solutions market.By component, the global home security solutions market is classified into hardware, software, and services. The hardware segment is sub-segmented into video surveillance, electronic locks, alarms, access control, and sensors and detectors. The increasing acceptance of video surveillance systems is expected to propel the video surveillance sub-sector in the years to come. The demand for IP-based video surveillance is expected to increase due to its improved video capturing quality.The global home security solutions market is expected to face certain challenges such as high cost of installation of security systems and low IT literacy rate. However, innovation of cost-effective home security solutions, interoperability of multiple devices, and enhanced security needs of the homeowners are some of the factors expected to propel the global home security solutions market in the years to come.About Us :Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact Us :-Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Craft Beer Market - Forecast, Demand, Outlook and Market Research Report 2025

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Global Craft Beer Market: OverviewThe global craft beer market is expected to grow at a significant rate in the next few years. The research study throws light on the key aspects that are predicted to encourage the growth of the overall market in the next few years. The challenges and limitations faced by the key players have also been discussed in the scope of the research study. Additionally, a thorough overview of the competitive landscape of the global craft beer market has been provided in the report.Global Craft Beer Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe rising demand for craft beer and the growing consumption across developed regions are the major factors that are projected to fuel the growth of the global craft beer market in the next few years. In addition, the rising demand for flavored beverages across the globe is likely to accelerate the growth of the global market throughout the forecast period. The acceptance of beer as a social drink is another vital factor predicted to supplement the growth of the craft beer market across the globe.Request a Brochure of the Report @On the other hand, the rising inclination of consumers towards substitutes is one of the key factors expected to hamper the growth of the global craft beer market in the coming years. Nonetheless, the rising consumption of craft beer and the improving distribution network are estimated to augment global beer market in the coming few years. Moreover, the introduction of new flavors is likely to generate promising opportunities for key players in the market.Global Craft Beer Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global craft beer market has been divided on the basis of geography in order to offer a clear picture of the market. Latin America, North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa are some of the key segments of the global craft beer market. As per the research study, the Asia Pacific market for craft beer is expected to lead the global market and is likely to maintain a dominant position in the next few years. A substantial contribution from Japan, Australia, and New Zealand is predicted to encourage the growth of this region throughout the forecast period.Request for TOC of the Report @Furthermore, Europe and North America are expected to witness a healthy growth in the next few years. The rising popularity of craft beer and the easy availability across these regions are projected to fuel the growth of these segments in the coming years. The market share and the estimated growth rate of each segment have been provided in the scope of the research report have been included in the scope of the research study.Key Players Mentioned in the Research Report are:The research study talks about the competitive landscape of the global craft beer market. The prominent players operating in the market have been listed in the scope of the research study in order to offer a clear understanding of the market. The company profiles of these players have been discussed in the scope of the research study, along with their business policies, financial overview, SWOT analysis, and the latest developments. In addition, the mergers and acquisitions in the global craft beer market, if any have been mentioned in the research study.Read Complete Report @Some of the key players mentioned in the research study are Omer Vander Ghinste, D.G. Yuengling and Son, Stone & Wood Brewing Co., The Boston Beer Company, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Deschutes Brewery, Chimay Beers And Cheeses, Feral Brewing Co., The Gambrinus Company, Bell's Brewery, Inc., Vagabund, Lagunitas Brewing Company, and New Belgium Brewing Company. The other players that are estimated to enter the market have also been included in the scope of the research study.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
Confectionery Ingredients Market: Analysis and Forecast by 2016-2024

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Zion Market Research, the market research group announced the analysis report titled 'Confectionery Ingredients Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts 20162024'Global Confectionery Ingredients Market: OverviewChocolate industries extensively used confectionery ingredients. It is good for health hence consumers largely prefer them. Companies focus on new product innovations and better taste also brings large customer pool. People are becoming more health-conscious hence they choose natural ingredients. It is gaining more attention as its health benefits are rising. Confectionery ingredients are used in many foods and beverages industries such as sugar confectionery, gums, chocolate, and others. It is used to furnish chocolates and other products with caramel, fillings, cereal bars, aerated confectionery, and spreads.Request Free Sample Report @Global Confectionery Ingredients Market: Growth FactorsConfectionery ingredients are in highly demanding in the various industries such as gums, chocolate, sugar confectionery, and others, which comprise aerated confectionery, fillings, cereal bars, caramel, coatings, and spreads. In addition, changing consumer preference and lifestyle may boost the global market growth. Additionally, huge investment on the innovations and R&D further contributed to the global market growth. Moreover, increasing consumer awareness about health benefits of chocolates is expected to strengthen the confectionery ingredients market in future. In addition, growth in the natural ingredients demands also propels the global confectionery ingredients market growth. Changing eating habits and gifting chocolates on the celebrations drive the global market growth.Global Confectionery Ingredients Market: SegmentationThe global confectionery ingredients market is classified based on applications as gums, chocolate, sugar confectionery, and others. Of these, the chocolate segment is the dominating in the global market. Based on types, the global confectionery ingredients market is categorized as sweeteners, dairy ingredients, oils & shortenings, hydrocolloids, starches & derivatives, flavors, emulsifiers, cocoa & chocolate, malts, and others. On the basis of form, the global market is divided as dry and liquid. Furthermore, the global confectionery ingredients market is fragmented as natural and synthetic.Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Global Confectionery Ingredients Market: Regional AnalysisGeographically, the global confectionery ingredients market is segregated as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Europe accounted for the largest market share owing to increasing demand for confectionery ingredients. Asia Pacific is another region, which is growing at a faster rate due to increasing disposable income of the people. In addition, emerging economies such as China and India are gaining popularity for confectionery ingredients as growing urban population and changing lifestyle. The abundance of human capital and evolving consumer eating habits in North America contributed to the largest market share.Global Confectionery Ingredients Market: Competitive PlayersMajor players in the global confectionery ingredients market are E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Barry Callebaut, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Olam International, Incorporated, Ingredion Incorporated, and Cargill.Browse detail report @Global Confectionery Ingredients 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:
Europe Surgical Robots Market Key Trends, Size, Growth, Shares And Forecast Research Report 2016

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Europe Surgical Robots Industry 2016 Market Research Report" to its huge collection of research reports.The Europe Surgical Robots Industry 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Surgical Robots industry.The report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Surgical Robots market analysis is provided for the Europe markets including development trends, competitive landscape analysis, and key regions development status.Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and Bill of Materials cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report focuses on Europe 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 Surgical Robots industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally the feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.With 153 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.Table of Contents1 Industry Overview1.1 Definition and Specifications of Surgical Robots1.2 Classification of Surgical Robots1.3 Applications of Surgical Robots1.4 Industry Chain Structure of Surgical Robots1.5 Industry Overview of Surgical Robots1.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Surgical Robots1.7 Industry News Analysis of Surgical Robots2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Surgical Robots2.1 Bill of Materials (BOM) of Surgical Robots2.2 BOM Price Analysis of Surgical Robots2.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Surgical Robots2.4 Depreciation Cost Analysis of Surgical Robots2.5 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Surgical Robots2.6 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Surgical Robots2.7 Europe Price, Cost and Gross of Surgical Robots 2011-20163 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Europe Key Manufacturers in 20153.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Europe Key Surgical Robots Manufacturers in 20153.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Europe Surgical Robots Key Manufacturers in 20153.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Europe Surgical Robots Key Manufacturers in 20154 Production Analysis of Surgical Robots by Regions, Type, and Applications4.1 Europe Production of Surgical Robots by Regions 2011-20164.2 Europe Production of Surgical Robots by Type 2011-20164.3 Europe Sales of Surgical Robots by Applications 2011-20164.4 Price Analysis of Europe Surgical Robots Key Manufacturers in 20154.5 Europe Capacity, Production, Import, Export, Sales, Price, Cost and Revenue of Surgical Robots 2011-20165 Consumption Volume and Consumption Value Analysis of Surgical Robots by Regions5.1 Europe Consumption Volume of Surgical Robots by Regions 2011-20165.2 Europe Consumption Value of Surgical Robots by Regions 2011-20165.3 Europe Consumption Price Analysis of Surgical Robots by Regions 2011-2016Make 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 @
Construction Repaint Market to Grow at 6% Annually and Expected to Reach USD 90 Billion by 2022

Construction Repaint Market

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Synopsis of Construction Repaint MarketMarket Forecast:Market Research Future published a half cooked research report on Construction Repaint Market. Market Research Future analysis show that the Global Construction Repaints Market is estimated to cross USD 90 billion by the end of year 2022 at a CAGR of approximately 6% between years 2016 to 2022.Key Players in Construction Repaint Market:The prominent players in the construction repaint includes are Akzonobel N.V Asian Paints Ltd. Axalta Coating Systems LLC Joint Ventures Jotun A/S Kansai Paint Co., Ltd. Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd.,PPG Industries Inc. RPM International Inc. The Sherwin-Williams Company The Valspar CorporationRequest a Sample Report @Market DriversThe global market of construction repaint is growing rapidly. Focus towards construction, and infrastructural development makes Construction repaint popular. Moreover, damage of paints in existing buildings and infrastructure are driving the market of construction repaint. Such Construction Repaint Market accounts for features such as covering ability, increased aesthetic value, ease of cleaning and thus can be conveniently used. This boosts the market of construction repaint.Acrylic paints is estimated to account for the largest share in the Construction Repaint Market due to factors such as economical, water-soluble, eco-friendly and easy to clean. However, high costs and increasing popularity of glass building acts as a significant entry barrier.Access Report Details @Market Research Analysis:The Global Market for Construction Repaint is majorly driven by factors such as growing construction and infrastructure development as well as changing preferences of the end-users. Aging paints in existing buildings, increasing demand for repair & maintenance as well as government emphasis on infrastructure are driving construction in the Global Construction Repaint Market.Asia-Pacific region is leading the market of construction repaint. This is because of the growth in construction industry and preference towards infrastructural development which are boosting the market growth. Construction repaint demand is growing in housing and infrastructure sector.Make an Enquiry for this Report @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.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.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Evolving Pharmaceutical Marketing Strategies: Digital as a Key Component of Multichannel Marketing | Now Available at Researchmoz.us

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Evolving Pharmaceutical Marketing Strategies: Digital as a Key Component of Multichannel Marketing" to its huge collection of research reports.GBI Researchs latest report,""Evolving Pharmaceutical Marketing Strategies: Digital as a Key Component of Multichannel Marketing"" provides a comprehensive analysis of the changing pharmaceutical marketing landscape in the digital age.While the pharmaceutical industry readily adopts new technologies to provide medical advancements, it has been much slower to adopt technology within its marketing efforts, mostly relying on traditional channels and methods. However, the decreasing effectiveness of these traditional channels, given changing physician, patient and consumer trends in todays increasingly digital society, is forcing an evolution of pharmaceutical marketing strategies. The report examines how the effective implementation of various digital marketing approaches, in conjunction with traditional channels in an integrated multichannel marketing strategy, has the ability to expand marketing reach, increase audience engagement, provide higher return on investment (ROI) and improve methods of tracking ROI for pharmaceutical companies.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report features an overview of the various marketing channels available to pharma, and examines the factors driving change within this field. It analyzes how a wide range of digital marketing methods can be effectively integrated into a synergistic multichannel marketing strategy that allows both traditional and newer channels to complement each other. Analysis of the main challenges and risks associated with digital marketing methods, in addition to potential solutions and approaches to overcoming them, is provided. Real-world case studies of marketing strategies and campaigns employed by pharma are also included.GBI Research conducted extensive research in order to provide a comprehensive view of the evolving pharmaceutical marketing landscape. In addition to garnering views from internal experts GBI Research conducted an extensive interview with pharmaphorum CEO and founder Paul Tunnah, who is an experienced industry thought leader and advisor with a specialist focus on cross-stakeholder communication, digital/social media engagement and collaborative innovation. Based on the totality of our research, strategic recommendations and guidelines are provided throughout the report for the effective implementation of digital marketing strategies within a coherent overall multichannel marketing strategy.This new report adds to our unique portfolio of trusted industry analyses that enable our clients to assess the most promising areas in the market and exploit key business opportunities.Scope- What are the different marketing channels available to pharma?- What factors are driving change in the traditional pharma marketing strategy?- What is a multichannel marketing strategy? What are the benefits, and how can they be implemented effectively?- What are the different digital marketing strategies that pharma can utilize in order to keep pace with changing needs, and maintain ROI? How can these be implemented effectively?- What are the main challenges and risks associated with digital marketing methods, and what are some potential solutions and approaches to overcoming these?- What digital marketing strategies and campaigns have been employed by pharma in recent years?- What are the key strategic recommendations and guidelines for digital marketing as part of an integrated multichannel marketing strategy?Reasons to buy- Understand how and why pharmaceutical marketing is evolving- Gain insights into various digital marketing strategies, their benefits and key features, and recommendations on how to effectively implement them- Assess examples of approaches taken by other companies in the field- Understand the challenges and risks involved in pharma digital marketing, and ways in which you can plan for these challenges and minimize risksMake 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 @
Veterinary Vaccine Industry Key Trends, Size, Growth, Shares And Forecast Research Report 2016

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "2016 Veterinary Vaccine Industry Market Report" to its huge collection of research reports.The Global and Chinese Veterinary Vaccine Industry, 2011-2021 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Veterinary Vaccine industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Veterinary Vaccine manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international and Chinese major industry players in detail. In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2011-2016 market shares for each company. Through the statistical analysis, the report depicts the global and Chinese total market of Veterinary Vaccine industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and Chinese import/export. The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis. The report then estimates 2016-2021 market development trends of Veterinary Vaccine industry. Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Veterinary Vaccine Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2011-2021 global and Chinese Veterinary Vaccine industry covering all important parameters.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Tablel Of ContentChapter One Introduction of Veterinary Vaccine Industry1.1 Brief Introduction of Veterinary Vaccine1.2 Development of Veterinary Vaccine Industry1.3 Status of Veterinary Vaccine IndustryChapter Two Manufacturing Technology of Veterinary Vaccine2.1 Development of Veterinary Vaccine Manufacturing Technology2.2 Analysis of Veterinary Vaccine Manufacturing Technology2.3 Trends of Veterinary Vaccine Manufacturing TechnologyChapter Three Analysis of Global Key Manufacturers3.1 Company A3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Product Information3.1.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.1.4 Contact Information3.2 Company B3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Product Information3.2.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.2.4 Contact Information3.3 Company C3.2.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Product Information3.3.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.3.4 Contact Information3.4 Company D3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Product Information3.4.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.4.4 Contact Information3.5 Company E3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Product Information3.5.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.5.4 Contact Information3.6 Company F3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Product Information3.5.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.6.4 Contact Information3.7 Company G3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Product Information3.7.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.7.4 Contact Information3.8 Company H3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Product Information3.8.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.8.4 Contact Information............Chapter Four 2011-2016 Global and Chinese Market of Veterinary Vaccine4.1 2011-2016 Global Capacity, Production and Production Value of Veterinary Vaccine Industry4.2 2011-2016 Global Cost and Profit of Veterinary Vaccine Industry4.3 Market Comparison of Global and Chinese Veterinary Vaccine Industry4.4 2011-2016 Global and Chinese Supply and Consumption of Veterinary Vaccine4.5 2011-2016 Chinese Import and Export of Veterinary VaccineChapter Five Market Status of Veterinary Vaccine Industry5.1 Market Competition of Veterinary Vaccine Industry by Company5.2 Market Competition of Veterinary Vaccine Industry by Country (USA, EU, Japan, Chinese etc.)5.3 Market Analysis of Veterinary Vaccine Consumption by Application/TypeMake 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 @
A employees poses with a cup of water at a Starbucks coffeehouse in Austin, Texas, U.S., February 10, 2017. Picture taken February 10, 2017. REUTERS/Mohammad Khursheed

By Lisa Baertlein

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O) is making a big bet on Italy, the home of espresso, with plans to debut in Milan late next year with a sprawling, super-premium Reserve Roastery in a turn-of-the-century post office building on Piazza Cordusio.

Wooing Italian coffee drinkers is a long-term goal of Chairman and Chief Executive Howard Schultz, who is handing off the top job in April to focus on building out the company's high-end brands as executive chairman.

The world's biggest coffee seller had initially planned to open its first cafe in Milan this year, but Schultz on Monday said Starbucks for the first time had decided to open a Roastery before a traditional shop. It is now "banking" a small number of sites for stores in Milan, whose openings will follow the Roastery debut, Schultz said.

Starbucks Roastery properties are playgrounds for coffee enthusiasts and significant investments for the company, which aims to dominate the craft coffee segment carved out by smaller, so-called "third-wave" chains such as Blue Bottle and Intelligentsia in the United States.

Starbucks debuted its first Roastery in its hometown of Seattle in December 2014, spending a reported $20 million on that 15,000-square-foot facility.

Schultz has frequently said that he was inspired to open his first coffee shop after visiting Milan and admiring the city's thriving cafe culture.

"This store will be the culmination of a great dream of mine  34 years in the making  to return to Milan" with an immersive retail experience, Schultz said in a statement.

Italy has the seventh highest per capita coffee consumption in Europe, according to the European Coffee Federation.

Italian artisan baker Rocco Princi will be the exclusive food provider for Starbucks' 25,500-square-foot Milan Roastery in the Palazzo Delle Poste building and all other locations. Starbucks made a financial investment and struck a global licensing deal with Princi last year.

Story continues

Starbucks previously said that Italian businessman Antonio Percassi would open the first Starbucks cafe in Milan in early 2017 under a licensing arrangement.

The Percassi group, which owns cosmetics chain Kiko and has a franchising deal in Italy with U.S. lingerie chain Victoria's Secret, will own and operate the Milan coffee shops that will open after the Roastery, a Starbucks spokeswoman said.

Starbucks' also has Reserve Roastery projects underway in Shanghai, Manhattan and Tokyo. The company plans to build as many as 30 such projects over time.

(Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
Dairy Processing Equipment Market demand and value is increasing by 2015-2021

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Zion Market Research, the market research group announced the analysis report titled 'Dairy Processing Equipment Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts 20162024'Global Dairy Processing Equipment Market: OverviewMilk is a nutritious food product and possesses short lifespan, and hence is needed to be handled carefully. It is highly perishable and is a good medium for the growth of microorganisms. Dairy processing equipment allows milk to be preserved for the longer period; hence, it reduces the chances of food-borne diseases. Dairy processing equipment is widely used to process milk and production of various milk products such as butter, cream, yogurt, cheese, and others. This processing equipment is globally used in the dairy industries as consumers demand nutritional and packaged dairy products has increased. The shift of preferences from raw milk to processed milk also created off-farm jobs such as marketing, the collection of milk, transportation, and processing of milk.Request Free Sample Report @Global Dairy Processing Equipment Market: Growth FactorsConsumer preferences for healthy products with low cholesterol, low fat, low sugar, and availability of new flavors drive the dairy processing equipment market. A major driver of the global dairy processing equipment market is the rise in the dairy production and change of taste & preferences of consumers. However, key dairy manufacturers in dairy processing equipment market focus on new launches, technological advancements, and technologically advanced dairy processing equipment, which is anticipated to fuel the growth of the global market. Increasing disposable income, changing lifestyle and increase in demand for healthy dairy products is expected to fuel the demand for dairy processing equipment.Global Dairy Processing Equipment Market: SegmentationThe global dairy processing equipment market is segregated based on the application as milk powder, protein concentrates, yogurt, cheese, cream, and others. On the basis of types, the global market is fragmented as pasteurizers, homogenizers, membrane filters, separators, churning equipment, dryers, and others. Moreover, the global market is classified based on geography as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Global Dairy Processing Equipment Market: Regional AnalysisAsia Pacific is the leading region major imports of dairy products. In addition, China acts as a lucrative market for international dairy processors benefitting from the rising consumer demand that may drive the global dairy processing equipment market in the coming years. However, growth in the dairy processing equipment in this region is owing to rising disposable income and increase in population. Further, technological advancements and new strategies adopted by the key players such as collaborations, company expansions, product launches, and others may fuel the global market.Global Dairy Processing Equipment Market: Competitive PlayersLeading players in the global dairy processing equipment market are A&B Process systems, SPX Corporation, GEA group, Feldmeier Equipment, Inc., the Krones group, Alfa Laval Corporate AB, Tetra Laval group, and IDMC Limited.Browse detail report @Global Dairy Processing Equipment 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:
The report provides the actual market size of Immunomodulators Market and estimated market size

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Global Immunomodulators Market: SnapshotImmunomodulators are referred to as the medications that are used for the regulation or for normalizing the immune system. They are the active agents used in immunotherapy. Immunotherapy refers to treating a disease by suppressing, enhancing, or inducing an immune response. Immunomodulatory regimens at times have few side effects that the existing drugs that have less potential for a resistance cover while treating a microbial disease. Immunomodulators are assorted arrays of natural, synthetic, and recombinant preparations. Applications of immunomodulators include rheumatoid arthritis, Crohns disease, and multiple sclerosis, among others. Substantial untapped opportunities along with development of new drugs to meet the unmet the needs and anticipated product launches are likely to create pave way for future growth prospects.The report is an investigation in the growth of the global immunomodulatory market over the last couple of years and in the coming years. The market research publication further reasons out the causes of the changes in the market across the globe. It does this so by presenting an evaluation of the dynamics and the trends prevalent from the last few years and the ones that are likely to retain an impact during the forecast period. The Porters five forces analysis is being taken into consideration for the analysts to provide a clear view of the vendor landscape to the readers. Mergers, agreements, acquisitions, and other partnerships have also been highlighted in the report. The study further delves into the working of the various leading companies along with the information on the products, strategies, and shares of the companies in question.Request a Brochure of the Report @Global Immunomodulators Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe global market for immunomodualtors is expected to grow exponentially over the forecast period owing to the rising cases of chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis, allergic conditions, cancer, and asthma. Additionally, the growing employment of early immunomodulatory therapy for treating Crohns disease is further expected to bode well for the growth of the market in the coming years. High remission rate and less organ rejection incidents render immunomodulator therapy as a promising alternative. The generation of advanced biological response modifiers is growing significantly owing to the rising incidences of multiple sclerosis across the globe, thus benefitting the immunomodulators market in return. With immunomodualtors posing the risk of less side effects as compared to existing drugs, its market is expected to expand extensively over the coming years. The global market for immunomodulators is also expected to expand over the years owing to the presence of unfulfilled clinical needs and need the alternativetreatments for rheumatoid arthritis.Request for TOC of the Report @Global Immunomodulators Market: Regional AnalysisThe global market for immunomodulators can be segmented on the basis region into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Rest of the World. North America is a potential region vendors can look forward to and capitalize on the opportunities arising from the region. The presence of numerous people suffering from various chronic ailments is the primary factor propelling the demand for immunomodulators in the region. High awareness level among patients and favorable government initiatives are further expected to bode well for the markets growth in North America.Global Immunomodulators Market: Companies Mentioned in the ReportSome of the key companies in the market are F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Amgen, Inc., Abbott, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis AG, Eli Lilly and Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Merck & Co., Inc., and Biogen.Read Complete Report @About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting ser-vices 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
Global Cancer Vaccine Partnering Deal trends, players, financials and forecasts 2010-2016 | Researchmoz.us

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Cancer Vaccine Partnering 2010-2016: Deal trends, players, financials and forecasts" to its huge collection of research reports.The Global Cancer Vaccine Partnering 2010-2015 report provides an understanding and access to the cancer vaccine partnering deals and agreements entered into by the world's leading healthcare companies.- Trends in cancer vaccine partnering deals- Disclosed headlines, upfronts, milestones and royalties by stage of development- Cancer vaccine partnering contract documents- Top cancer vaccine deals by valueThis report provides details of the latest Cancer Vaccine agreements announced in the life sciences since 2010.The report takes the reader through a comprehensive review Cancer Vaccine deal trends, key players, top deal values, as well as deal financials, allowing the understanding of how, why and under what terms, companies are entering Cancer Vaccine partnering deals.The report presents financial deal term values for Cancer Vaccine deals, listing by headline value, upfront payments, milestone payments and royalties, enabling readers to analyse and benchmark the financial value of deals.The middle section of the report explores the leading dealmakers in the Cancer Vaccine partnering field; both the leading deal values and most active Cancer Vaccine dealmaker companies are reported allowing the reader to see who is succeeding in this dynamic dealmaking market.One of the key highlights of the report is that over 210 online deal records of actual Cancer Vaccine deals, as disclosed by the deal parties, are included towards the end of the report in a directory format - by company A-Z, stage of development, deal type, therapy focus, and technology type - that is easy to reference. Each deal record in the report links via Weblink to an online version of the deal.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @In addition, where available, records include contract documents as submitted to the Securities Exchange Commission by companies and their partners. Whilst many companies will be seeking details of the payment clauses, the devil is in the detail in terms of how payments are triggered - contract documents provide this insight where press releases and databases do not.The initial chapters of this report provide an orientation of Cancer Vaccine dealmaking. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the report, whilst chapter 2 provides an overview of the trends in Cancer Vaccine dealmaking since 2010, including details of headline, upfront, milestone and royalty terms.Chapter 3 provides a review of the leading Cancer Vaccine deals since 2010. Deals are listed by headline value. Where the deal has an agreement contract published at the SEC a link provides online access to the contract.Chapter 4 provides a comprehensive listing of the top 25 most active companies in Cancer Vaccine dealmaking with a brief summary followed by a comprehensive listing of Cancer Vaccine deals announded by that company, as well as contract documents, where available.Chapter 5 provides a comprehensive and detailed review of Cancer Vaccine partnering deals signed and announced since Jan 2010, where a contract document is available in the public domain. Each deal title links via Weblink to an online version of the deal record and contract document, providing easy access to each contract document on demand.Chapter 6 provides a comprehensive and detailed review of Cancer Vaccine partnering deals signed and announced since Jan 2010. The chapter is organized by specific Cancer Vaccine technology type. Each deal title links via Weblink to an online version of the deal record and where available, the contract document, providing easy access to each deal on demand.A comprehensive series of appendices is provided organized by Cancer Vaccine partnering company A-Z, stage of development, deal type, and therapy focus. Each deal title links via Weblink to an online version of the deal record and where available, the contract document, providing easy access to each deal on demand.The report also includes numerous tables and figures that illustrate the trends and activities in Cancer Vaccine partnering and dealmaking since 2010.In conclusion, this report provides everything a prospective dealmaker needs to know about partnering in the research, development and commercialization of Cancer Vaccine technologies and products.Report scopeGlobal Cancer Vaccine Partnering 2010-2016: Deal trends, players, financials and forecasts is intended to provide the reader with an in-depth understanding and access to Cancer Vaccine trends and structure of deals entered into by leading companies worldwide.Cancer Vaccine Partnering Terms and Agreements includes:- Trends in Cancer Vaccine dealmaking in the biopharma industry since 2010- Analysis of Cancer Vaccine deal structure- Access to headline, upfront, milestone and royalty data- Case studies of real-life Cancer Vaccine deals- Access to Cancer Vaccine contract documents- Leading Cancer Vaccine deals by value since 2010- Most active Cancer Vaccine dealmakers since 2010In Global Cancer Vaccine Partnering 2010-2016: Deal trends, players, financials and forecasts, the available deals are listed by:- Company A-Z- Headline value- Stage of development at signing- Deal component type- Specific therapy target- Technology typeEach deal title links via Weblink to an online version of the deal record and where available, the contract document, providing easy access to each contract document on demand.The Global Cancer Vaccine Partnering 2010-2016: Deal trends, players, financials and forecasts report provides comprehensive access to available deals and contract documents for over 210 Cancer Vaccine deals.Analyzing actual contract agreements allows assessment of the following:- What are the precise rights granted or optioned?- What is actually granted by the agreement to the partner company?- What exclusivity is granted?- What is the payment structure for the deal?- How aresalesand payments audited?- What is the deal term?- How are the key terms of the agreement defined?- How are IPRs handled and owned?- Who is responsible for commercialization?- Who is responsible for development, supply, and manufacture?- How is confidentiality and publication managed?- How are disputes to be resolved?- Under what conditions can the deal be terminated?- What happens when there is a change of ownership?- What sublicensing and subcontracting provisions have been agreed?- Which boilerplate clauses does the company insist upon?- Which boilerplate clauses appear to differ from partner to partner or deal type to deal type?- Which jurisdiction does the company insist upon for agreement law?Global Cancer Vaccine Partnering 2010-2016 report provides the reader with the following key benefits:- In-depth understanding of Cancer Vaccine deal trends since 2010- Access to headline, upfront, milestone and royalty data- Analysis of the structure of Cancer Vaccine agreements with numerous real life case studies- Detailed access to actual Cancer Vaccine contracts entered into by leading biopharma companies- Identify most active Cancer Vaccine dealmakers since 2010- Insight into terms included in a Cancer Vaccine partnering agreement, with real world examples- Understand the key deal terms companies have agreed in previous deals- Undertake due diligence to assess suitability of your proposed deal terms for partner companiesMake 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 and Chinese Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Industry Key Trends, Size, Growth, Shares And Forecast Research Report 2017

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global and Chinese Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Industry, 2017 Market Research Report" to its huge collection of research reports.The 'Global and Chinese Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Industry, 2012-2022 Market Research Report' is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international and Chinese major industry players in detail. In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2012-2017 market shares for each company. Through the statistical analysis, the report depicts the global and Chinese total market of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and Chinese import/export. The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis. The report then estimates 2017-2022 market development trends of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment industry. Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2012-2022 global and Chinese Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment industry covering all important parameters.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Table Of ContentChapter One Introduction of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Industry1.1 Brief Introduction of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment1.2 Development of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Industry1.3 Status of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment IndustryChapter Two Manufacturing Technology of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment2.1 Development of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Manufacturing Technology2.2 Analysis of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Manufacturing Technology2.3 Trends of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Manufacturing TechnologyChapter Three Analysis of Global Key Manufacturers3.13.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Product Information3.1.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.1.4 Contact Information3.23.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Product Information3.2.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.2.4 Contact Information3.33.2.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Product Information3.3.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.3.4 Contact Information3.43.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Product Information3.4.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.4.4 Contact Information3.53.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Product Information3.5.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.5.4 Contact Information3.63.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Product Information3.5.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.6.4 Contact Information3.73.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Product Information3.7.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.7.4 Contact Information3.83.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Product Information3.8.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.8.4 Contact Information............Chapter Four 2012-2017 Global and Chinese Market of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment4.1 2012-2017 Global Capacity, Production and Production Value of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Industry4.2 2012-2017 Global Cost and Profit of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Industry4.3 Market Comparison of Global and Chinese Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Industry4.4 2012-2017 Global and Chinese Supply and Consumption of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment4.5 2012-2017 Chinese Import and Export of Ultrasound Diagnostic EquipmentChapter Five Market Status of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Industry5.1 Market Competition of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Industry by Company5.2 Market Competition of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Industry by Country (USA, EU, Japan, Chinese etc.)5.3 Market Analysis of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Consumption by Application/TypeChapter Six 2017-2022 Market Forecast of Global and Chinese Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Industry6.1 2017-2022 Global and Chinese Capacity, Production, and Production Value of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment6.2 2017-2022 Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment Industry Cost and Profit Estimation6.3 2017-2022 Global and Chinese Market Share of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment6.4 2017-2022 Global and Chinese Supply and Consumption of Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment6.5 2017-2022 Chinese Import and Export of Ultrasound Diagnostic EquipmentMake 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 @
United Kingdom - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband And Digital Media - Statistics And Analyses

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UK government adds to private sector investment for fibre broadbandThe UKs telecom market, one of the largest in Europe, is characterised by fierce competition in the mobile and broadband sectors. This has helped push up service penetration while helping to reduce consumer prices across the board. Network capabilities have also been greatly expanded following investments by the two principal telcos British Telecom and Virgin Media. Other operators including TalkTalk Group and Sky have made considerable effort to expand their quad-play offerings and so enable them to compete more effectively.The mobile market is served by major providers which also have a significant international presence. Recent merger activity has seen dramatic consolidation in the market and has had knock-on effects for network infrastructure deals struck between them in recent years. The merger of Orange and T-Mobile created EE as the largest operator, which in January 2016 was sold to BT, becoming a separate business unit within BT Group. The bid by Hutchison to acquire O2 was rejected by the European Commission in May 2016 on the grounds that the deal would have reduced the number of MNOs to three, and so impacted on market competition. Later in the year the broadcaster Sky joined the market through its Sky Mobile offering, while a growing number of low-cost MVNOs provide effective price and service competition for subscribers.Anticipated auctions for spectrum in the 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz bands will see more bandwidth made available for mobile broadband services, supported by regulatory moves which allow the refarming of 2G spectrum for 3G and 4G use. This spectrum is also being allocated for 5G use, while operators continue to trial 5G technologies with a number of key vendor partners.Get The Sample Copy Of This Report:The broadband market enjoys excellent cross-platform competition. DSL infrastructure is comprehensively available, while the main cable operator Virgin Media, owned by Liberty Global, aims to increase its footprint to cover about two-thirds of premises by 2019. The DSL network has been upgraded during the last few years with VDSL and Long Reach VDSL technologies, while British Telecom is also introducing G.fast as part of its multi-technology mix to provide ultra-fast broadband services to some 12 million premises by 2020. Virgin Media has also entered the fibre market, aiming to provide FttP to about one million customers while most of the remainder will eventually be serviced with the new DOCSIS3.1 standard. Openreachs wholesale FttP service covered some 327,000 premises by the end of 2016 and is expected to reach over two million by the end of 2020.For its part, the government has committed to invest over 1 billion in broadband infrastructure through new investment funds, including 400 million in rolling out FttP services.This report provides analyses on the key aspects of the UKs telecom market, presenting statistics on the fixed network services sector and an overview of the key regulatory issues. The report also surveys the mobile market, providing an overview of mobile statistics, an assessment of emerging technologies and services, and profiles of the major operators and MVNOs. In addition the report covers the broadband and digital media markets, including data on broadband technologies, and an assessment of regulatory matters and operator strategies aimed at delivering superfast broadband capabilities.Key developments:BT and Huawei trial 3Tb/s channel over existing fibre;Ofcom develops plan for Openreach to be given greater independence within BT Group;Vodafone aiming to close 3G infrastructure by 2020;Sky enters the mobile market via its MVNO Sky Mobile;MTRs set to May 2018;BT retains EE as a separate business post-acquisition;MNOs extend Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE services;700MHz spectrum to be made available for mobile data services by mid-2020;Ofcom identifies four frequency bands for 5G use, plans 5G licensing by 2018;Vodafone trials LTE-V2X technology;Openreach aiming to commercialise Dark Fibre Access product by October 2017;CityFibre expands 1Gb/s reach; BT developing G.fast technology to provide 1Gb/s services;Virgin Media introduces a 330Mb/s broadband service;Hyperoptic expands its FttP network;Government to invest 1 billion of fibre infrastructure and 5G technologies;Average download speed approaches 29Mb/s;Report update includes the regulators market data for 2016, telcos financial and operating data to Q2 2016, recent market developments.Companies mentioned in this report:Virgin Media, BT, KCom, Orange, Cable & Wireless, COLT Telecom, Carphone Warehouse, H3, Vodafone, O2, Everything Everywhere (EE, incorporating T-Mobile and Orange), Virgin Mobile, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Media, BT, KCom, Orange, Carphone Warehouse, Sky, Freeview, BBC, Tiscali.MarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global Cervical Cancer Screening Market & Patients, By Test Type (Pap Smear, HPV DNA, VIA) Forecast | Now Available at Researchmoz.us

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Cervical Cancer Screening Market & Patients, By Test Type (Pap Smear, HPV DNA, VIA) Forecast" to its huge collection of research reports.Global Cervical Cancer Screening Market & Patients, By Test Type (Pap Smear, HPV DNA, VIA) Forecast is a 238 page market research report with 245 Figures and 15 Tables. Global Cervical Market is expected to be close to US$ 7 Billion by 2020. North America controls almost 50 percent Cervical Cancer Market. United States and Japan together makes more than 50 percent market share. In Europe region, United Kingdom and France are other top two leading countries in this market place. Asia has highest share in cervical cancer screening population. Indonesia, China and India are top three countries having largest cervical cancer test population in Asia. In the study we have found that Japan market will steadily decline over forecast period.The report published by Renub Research provides a complete analysis of top 20 Countries Cervical Cancer Test 1) Market, 2)Population & 3)Mortality.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @These 3 points have been further sub divided into following segments.1.- Cervical Cancer Test Market (2008  2020)- Pap Smear Test Market (2008  2020)- HPV DNA Test Market (2008  2020)- VIA Test Market (2008  2020)2.- Cervical cancer Test Population (2008  2020)- Pap Smear Test Population (2008  2020)- HPV DNA Test Population (2008  2020)- VIA Test Population (2008  2020)3.- Cervical Cancer Mortality Population (2001  2011)All the 20 Countries Studied in the Report are as Follows- United Kingdom- France- Germany- Italy- Spain- Sweden- Switzerland- Norway- Netherlands- United States- Canada- Japan- Korea- Singapore- Malaysia- Australia- India- China- Thailand- IndonesiaKey Questions Answered in the Report?- What is Global Cervical Cancer Screening Market, Forecast and by Countries??- What is Global Pap Smear Screening Market and by Countries?- What is Global HPV DNA Screening Market, Forecast and by Countries??- What is Global Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) Screening Market, Forecast and by Countries?- What is Cervical Cancer Screening Market in Asia, Europe and North America?- What is Cervical Cancer Screening Population in North America, Asia and Europe?Make an Enquiry of this report @ResearchMoz 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 @
Vital Signs Monitoring Devices Market Is Expected to Reach $5,491 Million, Globally by 2022

Vital Signs Monitoring Devices Market

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Vital signs monitoring market size was worth $3,694 million in 2015 and is expected to reach $5,491 million by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2016 to 2022. North America was the leading regional market in global vital signs monitoring devices industry. The blood pressure monitoring devices segment is expected to maintain its lead throughout the forecast period.Read more information at:Factors such asincrease in geriatric population, growth of inclination towards home monitoring, and rise in incidence rate of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders and obesity, are expected to drive the growth of the market. Moreover, introduction of innovative and technologically advanced digital blood pressure monitors and finger pulse oximeters is set to further drive the market growth. However, lack of awareness about these devices in low- and middle-income economies hampers the market growth.Among the vital signs monitoring devices, BP monitoring devicesis anticipated to uphold the dominating position in the global market in the upcoming years, owing to increase in incidences of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and other lifestyle disorders. Pulse oximetry devices are projected to be the fastest growing segment, with CAGR of 6.3%, due to increase in incidences of respiratory disorders (such as COPD) across the globe.In the end-user segment, hospitals & clinics occupied the major share of the vital signs monitoring devices market, as these devices facilitate early detection of a patients deteriorating health condition; thereby, enabling speedy intervention and diagnosis of the disease. Home environmentswas the other dominant end-user segment, expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1%.Request for sample report at:Key Findings of the Vital Signs Monitoring Devices Market:Based on product type, BP monitoring devices segment accounted for more than half of the total market in 2015.Digital BP monitors segment accounted for more than one-third share of the BP monitoring devices market; while ambulatory BPmonitorsis expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period.Amongst the pulse oximeters devices, fingertip pulse oximeters are expected to grow at a high rate as they can be easily used in home environments and do not require trained professionalforoperation of the device.Digital thermometers accounted formajor chunk of the temperature monitoring devices market in 2015; while infrared thermometers segment is poised to grow at the highest CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period.Asia-Pacific is expected to bethefastest growing region throughout the analysis period, owing to presence of ample growth opportunities in terms of unmet medical needs for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders in this region and high disposable income of the population.Germany and France jointly accounted for almost one-third of the European vital signs monitoring devices market in 2015.North America generated the highest revenue, accounting forapproximately two-fifth share of the overall vital signs monitoring devices market in 2015, and is expected to maintain this trend throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to the rise in the prevalence of respiratory disorders, growth in awareness among patients regarding cost-effective vital signs monitoring devices, and availability of advanced healthcare facilities in the North American countries.The key players profiled in this report include Welch Allyn (a subsidiary of Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.), SunTech Medical Inc. (a subsidiary of Halma plc), Nonin Medical, Inc., Omron Corporation, Masimo Corporation, General Electric Company, Medtronic plc, Nihon Kohden Corporation, Koninklijke Philips N.V., and A&D Company, Limited.Allied Market Research is a global 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.Our market research department starts with the research task considering specific concerns and ambitions of the client. We understand that every market is driven by certain key factors locally as well as globally. Our analysts dig out those factors, helping clients understand the importance and impact of every such driving force. Moreover, possible restraints of the market are discovered and suggestions to tackle those restraints are formulated after extensive research and analysis of the overall market conditions. Making an even deeper insight, we analyze the market trend including both qualitative and quantitative present market scenario in every geographical region segmented as per the business domain concerned and overall performance in different regions throughout the globe.5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220,United States.Int'l: +1-503-894-6022help@alliedmarketresearch.com
Asia Pacific Corporate Wellness Market Value Share Analysis, by Country, 2016 - 2024

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Corporate Wellness Market: SnapshotThe corporate wellness market in Asia Pacific is predominantly driven by the increasing prevalence of obesity, the growing number of smokers, and the rising awareness levels among employers about corporate wellness. The number of key players entering the market is increasing consistently owing to the high demand for corporate wellness services in multinational companies and mid-sized firms. The market in the region was valued at US$3.4 bn in 2015 and is expected to reach US$7.4 bn by the end of 2024. If these values hold true, the corporate wellness market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to register a strong CAGR of 9.0% during the forecast period.Get Sample Copy of this Report at:Immense Scope for Growth offered by Smoking Cessation ProgramsVarious services are available under corporate wellness programs, such as health risk assessment (HRA), fitness, smoking cessation, health screening, weight management, nutrition, and others, including stress management, diabetes management, and vaccination.The fitness segment took the lead in the corporate wellness market in Asia Pacific in 2015 owing to the rising incidence of chronic diseases, increasing medical cost related to obesity, and the growing awareness about health and fitness among the population of various countries.On the other hand, the smoking cessation segment is projected to expand at an impressive CAGR during the forecast period. An estimated 5.8 trillion cigarettes were consumed globally in 2014 and the consumption is still on the rise. China ranks first in the top ten countries in terms of cigarette consumption. This list also includes other countries in Asia Pacific such as Indonesia, Japan, India, and South Korea.Strong Government Support Contributing to Japans Corporate Wellness MarketChina led the corporate wellness market in Asia Pacific in 2015 and the market in the country is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 9.1% from 2016 to 2024 owing to the increased development and high adoption of wellness programs. Changing lifestyles, an increase in the incidence of chronic diseases, rapid economic development, and large-scale urbanization are some of the other factors responsible for the growth of the corporate wellness market in China. A large number of public and private players have been providing corporate wellness services in China.Japan is also a prominent market for corporate wellness in Asia Pacific and is likely to remain a key contributor to the APAC market primarily due to the amendments in Japans Industrial Safety and Health Act in December 2015. According to the law, health checkups are mandatory for workers and employees. This is likely to drive the corporate wellness market in Japan during the forecast period. Moreover, sufficient government support to address the issue of employee health in a clear and effective manner has created a demand for corporate wellness programs in the country.Another lucrative market for corporate wellness in Asia Pacific is India. The rising number of corporate enterprises in the country is significant to the growth of the corporate wellness market. The willingness among corporate organizations to conduct wellness programs, the growing awareness among individuals about health and well-being, and the increasing incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart attacks are expected to accelerate the growth of the corporate wellness market in India.Browse Complete Report with TOC at:Key players operating in the corporate wellness market in Asia Pacific include Central Corporate Wellness, ComPsych Corporation, Optum, Inc., JLT Australia (Recovre Group), Truworth Wellness, SOL Wellness, Sodexo, ConneXions Asia, and Bupa Wellness Pty Ltd.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:
Global Market For Predictive Breast Cancer Gene Testing - Future Demand, Industry Analysis & Forecast, 2017 - 2022

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ResearchMoz presents this most up-to-date research on "Global Market For Predictive Breast Cancer Gene Testing - Future Demand, Industry Analysis & Forecast, 2017 - 2022".Predictive gene testing mentors are used to detect disease or disorder inherited by analyzing gene mutations associated with particular inherited disease or disorder. Predictive gene testing is also known as presymptomatic testing due to the fact that this test is performed even before the early signs of the disease or disorder are observed and thus enable determining persons risk of suffering disease or disorder.Predictive breast cancer gene testing is performed to identify risk of breast cancer in a person having a family history of breast cancer.Early detection of breast cancer enables complete cure of the patient and saving affected breast of the patient. Considering the advantages of early detection of breast cancer, governments worldwide have started taking initiatives to spread awareness about breast cancer and the early detection techniques available in their respective territories. Growing breast cancer incidences worldwide is another major cause of concern for governments worldwide to focus on awareness programs to reduce the morbidity rate breast cancer.The global market of predictive breast cancer genetic testing can be segmented depending on the patient types as follows:Family historyAgeGenderFurther based on the end users of such tests, this market is categorized into:Clinical laboratoriesCancer hospitalsResearch laboratoriesGeographically the global predictive breast cancer genetic testing market is segmented into:North AmericaEuropeAsia PacificRest of the worldCurrently North America is dominates the predictive breast cancer genetic testing market with the company, Myriad Genetics dominating the United States market. The European market is driven by funding from state governments; however, many private companies are entering into European market, thereby driving European predictive breast cancer genetic testing industry towards growth. Many market players will be entering into the Asia-Pacificregion considering rapid growth of medical tourism in the region. Some of major companies contributing to predictive breast cancer genetic testing market include Myriad Genetics, Complete Genomics, Ambry Genetics, PreventionGenetics and Illumina.This research report analyzes this market depending on its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends. Geographies analyzed under this research report includeNorth AmericaAsia PacificEuropeRest of the WorldMake an Enquiry of this report @This report provides comprehensive analysis ofMarket growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for upcoming yearsThis report is a complete study of current trends in the market, industry growth drivers, and restraints. It provides market projections for the coming years. It includes analysis of recent developments in technology, Porters five force model analysis and detailed profiles of top industry players. The report also includes a review of micro and macro factors essential for the existing market players and new entrants along with detailed value chain analysis.Reasons for Buying this ReportThis report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamicsIt provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growthIt provides a technological growth map over time to understand the industry growth rateIt provides a seven-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to growIt helps in understanding the key product segments and their futureIt provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitorsTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @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 @
Orbis Research - Ornithine-Transcarbamylase Deficiency Market Pipeline Review, H2 2016

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Ornithine-Transcarbamylase Deficiency  Pipeline Review, H2 2016, provides an overview of the Ornithine-Transcarbamylase Deficiency (Genetic Disorders) pipeline landscape.Ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency is a rare X-linked genetic disorder characterized by complete or partial lack of the enzyme ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC). OTC plays an important role in the break down and removal of nitrogen the body (urea cycle). The lack of the OTC enzyme results in excessive accumulation of nitrogen, in the form of ammonia (hyperammonemia), in the blood. Symptoms include vomiting, refusal to eat, progressive lethargy, and coma. Treatment includes nitrogen scavenging agents.Request a sample of this report @Report HighlightsGlobal Markets Direct's Pharmaceutical and Healthcare latest pipeline guide Ornithine-Transcarbamylase Deficiency  Pipeline Review, H2 2016, provides comprehensive information on the therapeutics under development for Ornithine-Transcarbamylase Deficiency (Genetic Disorders), complete with analysis by stage of development, drug target, mechanism of action (MoA), route of administration (RoA) and molecule type. The guide covers the descriptive pharmacological action of the therapeutics, its complete research and development history and latest news and press releases.The Ornithine-Transcarbamylase Deficiency (Genetic Disorders) pipeline guide also reviews of key players involved in therapeutic development for Ornithine-Transcarbamylase Deficiency and features dormant and discontinued projects. The guide covers therapeutics under Development by Companies /Universities /Institutes, the molecules developed by Companies in Filing rejected/Withdrawn, Phase III, IND/CTA Filed and Preclinical stages are 1, 1, 1 and 3 respectively.Ornithine-Transcarbamylase Deficiency (Genetic Disorders) pipeline guide helps in identifying and tracking emerging players in the market and their portfolios, enhances decision making capabilities and helps to create effective counter strategies to gain competitive advantage. The guide is built using data and information sourced from Global Markets Directs proprietary databases, company/university websites, clinical trial registries, conferences, SEC filings, investor presentations and featured press releases from company/university sites and industry-specific third party sources. Additionally, various dynamic tracking processes ensure that the most recent developments are captured on a real time basis.Browse the full report @Scope- The pipeline guide provides a snapshot of the global therapeutic landscape of Ornithine-Transcarbamylase Deficiency (Genetic Disorders).- The pipeline guide reviews pipeline therapeutics for Ornithine-Transcarbamylase Deficiency (Genetic Disorders) by companies and universities/research institutes based on information derived from company and industry-specific sources.- The pipeline guide covers pipeline products based on several stages of development ranging from pre-registration till discovery and undisclosed stages.- The pipeline guide features descriptive drug profiles for the pipeline products which comprise, product description, descriptive licensing and collaboration details, R&D brief, MoA & other developmental activities.- The pipeline guide reviews key companies involved in Ornithine-Transcarbamylase Deficiency (Genetic Disorders) therapeutics and enlists all their major and minor projects.- The pipeline guide evaluates Ornithine-Transcarbamylase Deficiency (Genetic Disorders) therapeutics based on mechanism of action (MoA), drug target, route of administration (RoA) and molecule type.- The pipeline guide encapsulates all the dormant and discontinued pipeline projects.- The pipeline guide reviews latest news related to pipeline therapeutics for Ornithine-Transcarbamylase Deficiency (Genetic Disorders)Reasons to buy- Procure strategically important competitor information, analysis, and insights to formulate effective R&D strategies.- Recognize emerging players with potentially strong product portfolio and create effective counter-strategies to gain competitive advantage.- Find and recognize significant and varied types of therapeutics under development for Ornithine-Transcarbamylase Deficiency (Genetic Disorders).- Classify potential new clients or partners in the target demographic.- Develop tactical initiatives by understanding the focus areas of leading companies.- Plan mergers and acquisitions meritoriously by identifying key players and its most promising pipeline therapeutics.- Formulate corrective measures for pipeline projects by understanding Ornithine-Transcarbamylase Deficiency (Genetic Disorders) pipeline depth and focus of Indication therapeutics.- Develop and design in-licensing and out-licensing strategies by identifying prospective partners with the most attractive projects to enhance and expand business potential and scope.- Adjust the therapeutic portfolio by recognizing discontinued projects and understand from the know-how what drove them from pipeline.Purchase a copy of this report @Companies Mentioned:Dimension Therapeutics IncLucane Pharma SAPhaseRx IncPromethera Biosciences SAUnicyte AGFor any enquires before buying, connect with us @ enquiry@orbisresearch.comAbout 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 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.Contact Us:Hector CostelloSenior Manager  Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas - 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +912064101019Follow Us on LinkedIn:Follow us on Twitter:Like us on Facebook:
Global Dispatching Winch Market Research Report 2016 Industry Growth with CAGR in Forecast - 2022

Dispatching Winch

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The Dispatching Winch research report by QY Research represents an inclusive evaluation of the Global Dispatching Winch Market and comprises considerable insights, historical data, facts, and statistical and industry-validated data of the global market. Additionally, it consists of estimated data that is evaluated with the help of suitable set of methodologies and assumptions. The research report highlights informative data and in-depth analysis of Dispatching Winch market and its corresponding segments that are based on technology, geography, and applications.The examination on value chain of Dispatching Winch market is provided which covers the growth factors and restraints of the industry along with the key market competitors.To Request Sample Copy Of This Report:The report comprises precise information, comprehensive analysis in two waysqualitative and quantitativeindustry experts inputs, and information provided by industry analysts and industry participants involved in the entire value chain. The report highlights exhaustive study of major market and their present trends, along with corresponding market segments. The Dispatching Winch report also provides data regarding various market factors and their impact on the overall market and its segments.Global Research report analyzes the scope of Dispatching Winch industry including size, share, analysis, sales, supply, production, definition, specification, classification, demands, application, forecast trends, industry policy, and news. The report focuses on regional as well as global market, its key players, along with market segments including detailed study on various divisions and its applications. The report provides comprehensive information on each and every segment covered of the Dispatching Winch market.Furthermore, the report evaluated major market points such as production, revenue, capacity utilization rate, gross, price, capacity, gross margin, supply, cost, demand, export, consumption, import, growth rate, market share, and so on.Browse Complete Report At:The global Dispatching Winch market report is a helpful source which assists manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, customers, and individuals and investors who have interest in this market.SummaryNotes:Production, means the output of Dispatching WinchRevenue, means the sales value of Dispatching WinchThis report studies Dispatching Winch in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringTWGPaccarwinchIngersoll RandCargotecHuisman GroupBosch RexrothThernROLLS-ROYCEBreviniAbout Us:MRS Research Group is the worlds giant collection of the Market research Reports. Where we specialized in global publisher, tailor made reports and specialists consulting. Global Publisher provides in-depth analysis of global and Chinese market. Tailor-made reports represent methodologies deliverable to proper insight of the client. While, expertise research specialist helps to provide strategic solution in specialists consulting. It consists of head such as, latest report, category, niche market and news. Reports published on the million of category like chemical, machinery and equipment, consumer goods, manufacturing and construction etc. Latest national, international, business News published under news portal.3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,Tel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651
Market Research Report on Global and Chinese Rollator Industry Analysis and Forecast 2017

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global and Chinese Rollator Industry, 2017 Market Research Report" to its huge collection of research reports.The 'Global and Chinese Rollator Industry, 2012-2022 Market Research Report' is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Rollator industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Rollator manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international and Chinese major industry players in detail. In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2012-2017 market shares for each company. Through the statistical analysis, the report depicts the global and Chinese total market of Rollator industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and Chinese import/export. The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis. The report then estimates 2017-2022 market development trends of Rollator industry. Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Rollator Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2012-2022 global and Chinese Rollator industry covering all important parameters.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Table Of ContentChapter One Introduction of Rollator Industry1.1 Brief Introduction of Rollator1.2 Development of Rollator Industry1.3 Status of Rollator IndustryChapter Two Manufacturing Technology of Rollator2.1 Development of Rollator Manufacturing Technology2.2 Analysis of Rollator Manufacturing Technology2.3 Trends of Rollator Manufacturing TechnologyChapter Three Analysis of Global Key Manufacturers3.13.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Product Information3.1.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.1.4 Contact Information3.23.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Product Information3.2.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.2.4 Contact Information3.33.2.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Product Information3.3.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.3.4 Contact Information3.43.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Product Information3.4.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.4.4 Contact Information3.53.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Product Information3.5.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.5.4 Contact Information3.63.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Product Information3.5.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.6.4 Contact Information3.73.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Product Information3.7.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.7.4 Contact Information3.83.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Product Information3.8.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.8.4 Contact Information............Chapter Four 2012-2017 Global and Chinese Market of Rollator4.1 2012-2017 Global Capacity, Production and Production Value of Rollator Industry4.2 2012-2017 Global Cost and Profit of Rollator Industry4.3 Market Comparison of Global and Chinese Rollator Industry4.4 2012-2017 Global and Chinese Supply and Consumption of Rollator4.5 2012-2017 Chinese Import and Export of RollatorChapter Five Market Status of Rollator Industry5.1 Market Competition of Rollator Industry by Company5.2 Market Competition of Rollator Industry by Country (USA, EU, Japan, Chinese etc.)5.3 Market Analysis of Rollator Consumption by Application/TypeChapter Six 2017-2022 Market Forecast of Global and Chinese Rollator Industry6.1 2017-2022 Global and Chinese Capacity, Production, and Production Value of Rollator6.2 2017-2022 Rollator Industry Cost and Profit Estimation6.3 2017-2022 Global and Chinese Market Share of Rollator6.4 2017-2022 Global and Chinese Supply and Consumption of Rollator6.5 2017-2022 Chinese Import and Export of RollatorMake 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 @
Specialty Polyamides Market : Value Share, Supply Demand, share and Value Chain 2017 - 2025

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Global Specialty Polyamides Market: OverviewSpecialty polyamide manufacturers are preferring eco-friendly and high-quality alternatives as raw materials to conventional petroleum. These polyamides, which are manufactured using renewable raw materials, have a lower CO2 and other greenhouse gasses footprint and support sustainable development. Continuous research and development activities are paving way for advanced polyamides that provide excellent thermal and mechanical characteristics and enhanced humidity resistance. Governments and organizations worldwide are taking efforts to promote the use of these polyamides across key end-user industries. Thus, the global market for specialty polyamides is anticipated to experience tremendous growth in the foreseeable future. These polyamides are used across various end-user industries such as automotive and transportation, energy, electrical and electronics, industrial coatings, and consumer goods and retail.The research report presents a concise account of the various critical parameters of the global specialty polyamides market. It includes a detailed overview of the trends and opportunities impacting the global market. It offers valuable insights into the competitive landscape of the market. It provides an in-depth analysis of business strategies, latest developments, market shares, and cost and revenue structures of key players in the market and profiles them. It covers SWOT analysis that forecasts the growth trajectory of each prominent player in the market. It segments the market on the basis of several criteria including end users and geography and provides statistics in terms of both value and volume.Request a Brochure of the Report @Global Specialty Polyamides Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe surge in the demand for emission control and fuel economy improvement is prompting automobile companies to develop alternative solutions for manufacturing lighter vehicles through design modification and material substitution. This is, thereby, fuelling the global demand for specialty polyamides. Moreover, stringent measures taken by government bodies such as EPA to reduce greenhouse gasses emissions are augmenting the market.On the other hand, volatile economic conditions in several parts of the world are hampering the growth of the market. However, the rising awareness regarding environment conservation is anticipated to promote the adoption of specialty polyamides across different end-user industries over the coming years.Request for TOC of the Report @Global Specialty Polyamides Market: Region-wise SegmentationThe key segments meticulously studied in the research report are Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World. Asia Pacific will be a prominent market throughout the forecast period. The robust growth of the end-user industries such as automotive, electronics and semiconductors, and consumer goods is driving the demand for specialty polyamides in the region. The improving economic conditions in emerging countries is also fuelling the growth of the region.Countries such as Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan are likely to be the major contributors to the growth of the region. Owing to the aforementioned factors, the region is expected to register a healthy growth during the same span. In Rest of the World region, countries including Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil will be sights of high growth rate during the review period.Read Complete Report @Global Specialty Polyamides Market: Competitive LandscapeKey players in the global specialty polyamides market are allocating sizeable funds in the research and development of superior products with high quality and extended durability in order to expand their presence in the market. Manufacturers are focusing towards developing innovative and customized products that are in line with customer requirements. Some of the prominent companies operating in the market are Solvay S.A., Radici Group, Koninklijke DSM N.V., E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, and INVISTA.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting ser-vices 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
Server Software Market - Trends and Opportunities for the Industry

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Servers are classified into various types such as application servers, web servers, database servers, cloud computing servers and file servers. Application servers are designed to install, operate and host applications for the end users. Web server is a system that uses network protocols such as hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) to deliver the HTML files requested by the end user through its Internet browser. Database server is the backend system of the database application which is used to perform functions such as data analysis, data manipulation, storage and archiving. Cloud computing servers are remotely accessed servers, built, hosted and delivered through a cloud platform over the Internet. File server is a computer or device that handles the request for files and transfers the files as requested by the end user. Server software is specifically designed for operating, managing and increasing server computing power. Server software is built to interact with servers hardware, which includes processor, memory devices, input/output devices and other communication ports. Server software is installed on the server and could be accessed by multiple users on the network.The deployment of server in the organization enables the centralization of data and installed applications. This factor would significantly help in the growth of server software market. Extensive usage of computers, laptops and smartphones is the major factor driving the growth of server software market. Rising Internet penetration in emerging economies such as India and Brazil has created huge demand of web servers which supports the growth of web server software market. Growing demand from developers to create applications for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets supports the growth of server software market. Growth of cloud based applications and development in Internet of Things (IoT) applications are likely to create immense opportunities for server software market. However, integration and compatibility issues with processors/storage devices servers pose a challenge to server software market.Get Sample Report Copy :Server software market is broadly segmented on the basis of server type, deployment and geography. On the basis of type, the server software market is segmented into application server software, web server software, database server software, cloud computing server software and file server software. On the basis of deployment, the server software market is segmented into on-premise and cloud deployment. Moreover, in terms of geographies, the global server software market is segmented into North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Middle East and Africa; and Latin America. North America is one of the leading regions in terms of adoption of server software due to huge adoption of cloud services in the region. Server software market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow significantly during the coming years due to high rate of growth in Internet penetration and digitalization in the region.The major participants of the server software market include Microsoft Corporation, Dell Corporation, International Business Machine (IBM) Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Red Hat Inc., SAP SE, Apache Software Foundation, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LLC, CodeLathe LLC, and Aprelium.About Us :Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact Us :-Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Advanced Batteries Market - Environmental Concerns Raise Demand for Sustainable Solutions

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Global Advanced Batteries Market: OverviewHighly sophisticated battery technologies will be indispensable in the near future due to the increasing need for more efficient, durable, and cost-effective technologies to meet the soaring demand for energy worldwide. Advanced battery technologies such as lead-acid batteries, sodium sulfur batteries, advanced flow batteries, lithium ion, lithium polymer, and sodium metal halide batteries can be some of the key segments based on technology.The report discusses key trends and major opportunities prevalent in the market. It also includes a detailed assessment of deterrents restraining the markets trajectory. Profiles of the most prominent companies operating in the global advanced batteries market are included in the market study. It also presents insights into their competitive business strategies, collaborations, merger, and acquisitions along with estimating market shares held by individual and topmost players.Global Advanced Batteries Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe advanced batteries market is driven by growing concerns about carbon emissions and increased awareness about using energy efficient devices. An increase in activities such as combustion of oil, natural gas, and coal, deforestation, and industrial activities such as cement production are responsible for the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide. This is a key factor fuelling the demand for advanced batteries. As these devices offer generation asset enhancement, grid flexibility, safety, and efficiency, the demand for advanced batteries is likely to witness a surge.PDF Sample For Latest Industry Happenings @Moreover, the increasing application of advanced batteries across diverse industries has been fuelling the growth of the advanced batteries market. Advanced batteries are deployed in locomotives, lift trucks, EVs, PHEVs, and HEVs, submarines, cars, wheel chairs, trucks, buses, power tools, and toys. Portable devices such as radios, laptop computers, camcorders, mobile phones, electric watches, calculators, and flashlights use advanced batteries. In the military and aerospace sector, emergency power, munitions, communications, satellites, and robots are in-built with advanced batteries. Therefore, the wide range of application of advanced batteries will ensure expansion of the global advanced batteries market.On the contrary, the relative high costs of advanced batteries and ambiguous regulatory frameworks might keep lid on the growth of the market. Nevertheless, significant opportunities are likely emerge from the electric vehicles segment, as several manufacturers are developing more powerful, lighter, durable, more reliable, and cheaper batteries.Global Advanced Batteries Market: Regional OutlookBased on geography, the global market for advanced batteries has been broadly segmented into Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, and the Rest of the World. North America, led by the U.S., is expected to exhibit considerable growth over the forecast period. With increased public investments in grid modernization and zealous carbon reduction goals, Europe has also been exhibiting a steadily rising demand for advanced batteries. Germany appears to be a promising arena for further expansion as encouragement from extensive research, technological advancements, and conferences such as the Advanced Battery Power- Kraftwerk Batterie held in March 2017 continues to swarm in.The region of Asia Pacific is slated to prosper to achieve significant share in the global advanced batteries market as the costs of advanced batteries are gradually going downhill. The growth in this region can be attributed to the growing demand from countries such as Japan, India, and China.Companies Mentioned in the ReportSome of the major companies operating in the global advanced batteries market are Samsung, Sanyo, Motorola, Sony, Nippon Chemicals, Kodak, Honda, Olympus, Siemens, Fujifilm, Maxell, Nikon, and FMC Lithium.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:
General Surgery Devices Market demand will increase by 2017 - 2025

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Global General Surgery Devices Market: OverviewSurgical devices find applications in varied surgical procedures such as in closure of wounds and plastic and reconstructive surgeries, among others. They are deployed in hospitals, small clinics, and other healthcare centers and are used in different types of surgeries, namely orthopedics, obstetrics, neurology, urology, cardiovascular medicine, and gynecology. Savvy players in the global general surgery devices market are making efforts to make build inroads in the fast-expanding developing economies of Asia Pacific and Latin America, which hold out strong opportunities.Besides expanding their geographical footprints, market participants are also resorting to other initiatives such as strategic collaborations and partnerships, product development, and carefully-considered mergers and acquisitions to further bolster their positions. A report by TMR Research provides a thorough peek into the global market for general surgery devices. It studies the market after segmenting it based on different parameters and also offers a granular analysis of the factors driving or hindering it.Request a Brochure of the Report @Further, the report presents a detailed assessment of the competitive landscape in the global market for general surgery devices and identifies key players contributing towards its growth. The companies have been profiled in the report based on important parameters such as key strengths and recent developments, product portfolio, and geographical reach. Market-leading analytical tools have also been leveraged to gauge the opportunities and threats awaiting players.Global General Surgery Devices Market: Trends and OpportunitiesGrowth drivers significantly contributing to the global market for general surgery devices are a burgeoning geriatric population, rising awareness about different surgeries, and the means to go under the knife to better looks as in plastic and reconstructive surgeries. To elaborate a bit further, the elderly population accounted for a large number of surgeries pertaining to the bone, brain, heart, and ear disorders. Technological progress resulting in cutting-edge devices and healthcare institutes providing advanced surgeries such as minimally invasive surgeries in emerging economies is also leading to market growth.Request for TOC of the Report @One key development to look out for in the global market for general surgery devices is the opportunities opened up by robotics and the computer-assisted sector, both of which are in a nascent stage now. The different products available in the market are open surgery instruments, minimally invasive surgery instruments, disposable surgical supplies, energy based and powered instruments, adhesion prevention products, and medical robotics and computer assisted surgery devices. Among them, the disposable surgical supplies segment leads the market with maximum revenue due to the soaring demand for disposable needles, syringes, and catheters.Global General Surgery Devices Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the key segments of the market are North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Rest of the World. North America, of these, is a crucial market on account of the concentration of well-entrenched players in the region, strong policy support of the government, solid reimbursement policies, and spiking demand for surgeries because of lifestyle-related diseases. In the years ahead, however, Asia Pacific is slated to overtake all other regions in terms of growth due to the increasing spend on healthcare in the developing nations of the region. Some of the prominent markets within Asia Pacific are India, Japan, China, Australia, and Singapore.Read Complete Report @Companies Mentioned in the ReportSome of the noteworthy companies competing in the global market for general surgery devices market, profiled in the report are B. Braun Melsungen AG, Smith & Nephew, Boston Scientific Corporation, Covidien Plc (Medtronic), Conmed Corporation, Integra LifeSciences, 3M Healthcare, and Care Fusion Corporation.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting ser-vices 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
Pre-harvest Equipment Market - Regional Outlook, Drivers and Barriers, Industry trends

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Agricultural machinery is considered as imperative for farmers worldwide as they provide extensive support in cultivation of crops. The use of pre-harvest equipment is expected to help the farmers in improving their production capacities in order to reduce the gap between demand and supply of agricultural produce. Some of the key products of pre-harvest equipment are planting equipment, primary tillage equipment, irrigation equipment, secondary tillage equipment, and plant protection and fertilization equipment.The market intelligence study offers a comprehensive analysis of the global pre-harvest equipment market. The study, with the help of analytical tools, provides a clear picture of the important factors that are estimated to affect the development of the global market in the next few years. In addition, the competitive landscape, key segmentation, applications, technological developments, and the latest trends in the global market have been provided in the scope of the research report.Get PDF Brochure for more Professional and Technical industry insights atGlobal Pre-harvest Equipment Market: Drivers and BarriersTh tremendous rise in the demand for food owing to the rising population is encouraging the growth of the global pre-harvest equipment market. Framers, across the globe are expected to make use of preharvest equipment in order to increase the production capacities and efficiencies. In addition, the use of these equipment is expected to enhance the quality of farm produce, which is predicted to accelerate the growth of the pre-harvest equipment market across the globe.Furthermore, the growing awareness among farmers regarding the benefits of using pre-harvest equipment and the ease of use are anticipated to boost the profitability of farmers. As a result, the demand for equipment is expected to increase substantially in the coming few years. Additionally, several government initiatives and subsidiaries provided by them, especially in developing economies are projected to augment global pre-harvest market throughout the forecast period.Global Pre-harvest Equipment Market: Regional OutlookFrom a geographical viewpoint, the global market for pre-harvest equipment has been categorized into Latin America, North America, the Middles East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and Europe. Among these, Asia Pacific is projected to lead the global market and hold a key share throughout the forecast period. The high growth of this region can be attributed to the substantial contribution from China, India, and Thailand. In addition, the tremendous rise in population and the high economic growth are some of the other factors that are likely to supplement the growth of the pre-harvest equipment market in the forecast period.Furthermore, the growing consumption of various agriculture products and the significant development of the agriculture machinery market are expected to fuel the growth of the Asia Pacific market. Moreover, the growing emphasis of leading players on the expansion of their business horizon in Asia Pacific is likely to contribute extensively towards the development of the market in the forecast period.Companies Mentioned in the Research ReportSome of the key players operating in the pre-harvest equipment market across the globe are CNH Global NV, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd., Deere & Co., Valmont Industries, Inc., Bucher Industries AG., Kubota Corporation, and Alamo Group Incorporated. The growing demand for agricultural produce is estimated to encourage the entry of a large number of players in the global pre-harvest equipment market in the coming few years. The growing focus of these players on innovations and research and development activities is estimated to encourage the growth of the market in the near future.The research study offers a detailed overview of the competitive landscape of the global pre-harvest equipment market, proving information related to the company profiles, financial overview, business strategies, SWOT analysis, and recent developments. The strategic collaborations and mergers and acquisitions among the players have been highlighted to guide the new players in making effective business decisions in the near future.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:
Demand for Higher Bandwidth Driving Cable Connectors and Adapters Market; Market to Reach US$85.75 bn by 2022

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The report is titled Cable Connectors and Adapters Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2022, and is available on the company website for sale.The global cable connectors and adapters market for the focus of study of a recent market research report published by Transparency Market Research.The report states that the market will expand at a healthy 9.1% CAGR between 2015 and 2022, rising from a valuation of US$47.78 bn in 2014 to US$85.75 bn by 2022.Out of the many factors driving the market, some of the noteworthy ones include the rising demand for high bandwidth in the information technology and telecommunications industries and for high data volumes and transmission speeds in data centers. Additionally, the mounting use of mobile devices such as smartphones, tablet computer and laptops, and technological advancements in the field of fiber optics are also significantly driving the market.Get Sample Report Copy :On the basis of type, the market is segmented into connectors and adapters for internal applications and external applications. Of these, the segment of external applications accounted for US$39.46 bn in 2014. However, as the popularity of wireless technologies rises, this segment is expected to see growth as a slower pace over the reports forecast period.On the basis of the material used to manufacture cable connectors and adapters, the market is segmented into copper cables and fiber optics. In terms of revenue, the segment of copper cables leads the market currently. However, as the demand for high bandwidth rises, the segment of fiber optics technology is expected to gain renewed and more popularity.On the basis of technology, the segment of cat5/cat6 cable connectors and adapters, used in Ethernet connectors, accounted for over 61.4% of the market in 2014. Over the reports forecast period, the section of fiber optics cable connectors and adapters is projected to expand at the fastest pace owing to the rising demand for high bandwidth solutions.Of the key applications areas of cable connectors and adapters examined, the section of computer peripherals and storage devices led the market in terms of revenue, and had a valuation of US$39.25 bn in 2014.Of the key regional markets studied, Asia Pacific led the global market for cable connectors and adapters in 2014 by accounting for a 35.30% share. The region is also expected to grow at the fastest pace over the reports forecast period as the number of datacenters rises in India, Australia, China, and Indonesia.Some of the key devices manufacturers in the global cable connectors and adapters market are Dell Inc., Western Digital Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Development Company, IBM Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, EMC Corp., LG Corp, Seagate Technology PLC, Fujitsu Ltd, Microsoft Corp, Lenovo Group Ltd, ASUSTeK Computer Inc., Acer Inc., and Samsung Electronics.Some of the key original equipment manufacturers in the market are Belden Inc., Amphenol Corp, L-Com Global Connectivity, BizLink, LS Cable & System Ltd., General Cable Corp, Nexans S.A., Southwire Company Inc., and TE Connectivity Ltd.About Us :Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact Us :-Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Built-in Hot-tubs Market 2016 In-Depth Investigation and Application Analysis

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Built-in Hot-tubs Consumption Market Report 2016" to its huge collection of research reports.This research report is a highly descriptive analysis of the global Built-in Hot-tubs market. It provides a detailed overview of the various applications and end users of the market and how the demand and supply charts are anticipated to look in the forthcoming years. It takes into account the current and historic data pertaining to the market and with the help of market experts, estimates future trends. These predictions can allow the readers to gain a coherent perspective of the global Built-in Hot-tubs market and all its dynamics.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report presents an in-depth analysis of the industry chain structure of the global Built-in Hot-tubs market. It includes the details and statistics regarding production along with industry policies that affect them, the efficiency of utilization of available resources, the currently available production capacities, and the degree at which they are utilized. This is followed by information regarding the import and export cycles within the market. The cost analysis of the global Built-in Hot-tubs market forms an important part of the report. It serves as a reliable tool for both existing and new players to maximize their profit.The report also includes market analysis tools and Porters five force analysis, which are pivotal in understanding the competitive landscape of the global Built-in Hot-tubs market. It profiles the prominent players in the market along with their latest developments, business strategies, revenue generation, and contact information. It performs the SWOT analysis that reveals the potential growth trajectory of each key player in the market. For a lucid analysis, the report has segmented the global Built-in Hot-tubs market on the basis of several parameters including application and geography. Each segment is meticulously studied in terms of both revenue and volume.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of Contents1 Industry Overview of Built-in Hot-tubs 11.1 Definition and Specifications of Built-in Hot-tubs 11.1.1 Definition of Built-in Hot-tubs 11.1.2 Specifications of Built-in Hot-tubs 11.2 Classification of Built-in Hot-tubs 21.2.1 Small Hot Tub 31.2.2 Medium Hot Tub 31.2.3 Large Hot Tub 41.3 Applications of Built-in Hot-tubs 41.3.1 Residential Applications 62 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Built-in Hot-tubs 132.1 Raw Material Suppliers and Price Analysis of Built-in Hot-tubs 132.2 Equipment Suppliers and Price Analysis of Built-in Hot-tubs 132.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Built-in Hot-tubs 152.4 Other Costs Analysis of Built-in Hot-tubs 172.5 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Built-in Hot-tubs 182.6 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Built-in Hot-tubs 193 Global Built-in Hot-tubs Sales, Sales Price and Market Size (Volume and Value) 2011-2016 Analysis 203.1 Global 2011-2016 Built-in Hot-tubs Market Size Analysis 203.2 Global 2011-2016 Built-in Hot-tubs Sales Price Analysis 213.3 Global 2011-2016 Built-in Hot-tubs Sales by Company 223.4 Global 2011-2016 Built-in Hot-tubs Sales by Product Type 233.5 Global 2011-2016 Built-in Hot-tubs Sales by Applications 253.6 Global 2011-2016 Built-in Hot-tubs Sales by Region 264 USA Built-in Hot-tubs Sales, Sales Price and Market Size (Volume and Value) Analysis 284.1 USA 2011-2016 Built-in Hot-tubs Market Size Analysis 284.2 USA 2011-2016 Built-in Hot-tubs Sales Price Analysis 294.3 USA 2015 Built-in Hot-tubs Sales by Company 304.4 USA 2011-2016 Built-in Hot-tubs Sales by Product Type 304.5 USA 2011-2016 Built-in Hot-tubs Sales by Applications 324.6 USA 2011-2016 Built-in Hot-tubs Regional Import Export Analysis 33List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of Built-in Hot-tubs 1Table Product Specifications of Built-in Hot-tubs 1Table Classification of Built-in Hot-tubs 2Figure Global Market Size (Volume) Share of Built-in Hot-tubs by Types in 2015 2Figure Small Hot Tub Picture 3Figure Medium Hot Tub Picture 3Figure Large Hot Tub Picture 4Table Applications of Built-in Hot-tubs 4Figure Global Market Size (Volume) Share of Built-in Hot-tubs by Applications in 2015 5Figure Residential Applications Examples 6Figure Commercial Applications Examples 7For Market Research Latest Reports 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
Healthcare Payer Services Market : Dynamics, Forecast, Analysis and Supply Demand 2017 - 2025

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Global Healthcare Payer Services Market: OverviewThe healthcare industry is at an interesting cusp at present with breakthrough technologies, practices, and services. This also translates as higher costs of treatment and consumer empowerment with digital transformation. Besides, tough regulations and better reimbursement policies are also transforming the contours of the industry. This has spawned the global healthcare payer services market which is primed for robust growth on account of the above factors. Major players operating in the market are focused on mergers and acquisitions to diversify business portfolio and improve delivery outcomes.In healthcare, payer refers to entities other than the patient that finance or reimburse the healthcare services cost. Typically, they include insurance carriers, third-party payers, or health plan sponsors such as employers or unions. Application of payer services include management services, provider management services, billing and accounts management services, integrated front office services and back office operations, member management services, analytics and fraud management services, and HR services. The types of payer services available in the market are BPO services, ITO services, and KPO services. Among them, the BPO services gross maximum revenue.Request a Brochure of the Report @A report by TMR Research offers essential information on the key trends in the global healthcare payer services market. It presents a granular analysis of the various growth drivers and restraints in the market. The report also presents a detailed assessment of the competitive landscape and identifies key players contributing towards its growth. Further, it leverages market-leading analytical tools to gauge the opportunities and threats awaiting players.Global Healthcare Payer Services Market: Trends and OpportunitiesSome of the factors at the forefront of driving the global healthcare payer services market are increased adoption of technologies  particularly digital technology  to bring about economical business process services, growing focus on consumerism, and a host of healthcare regulatory policies. No wonder then, tech titans are some of the main players in the market. They are increasingly integrating mobility and health plans to engage enrolled members.Request for TOC of the Report @Other factors helping the markets growth are the increasing private healthcare insurance exchanges and IT investments. The pressing demand to bring down the overall administrative costs of member management services, rising need for cost effective solutions for the healthcare payer services, and the alarming instances of healthcare fraud cases are few things expected to shape the course of the market in the near future.At present, the private payers are ahead of the public payers in the global market for healthcare payer services. This is because of the massive investment by private players in the healthcare payer vertical and significant government efforts to induce private investment in the healthcare industry. Public payers, however, are slated to clock solid growth in the years ahead.Read Complete Report @Global Healthcare Payer Services Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, North America holds a dominant position in the global market for healthcare payer services at present, powered mainly by the U.S. This is because of the rising number of health insurance enrollment, helpful reimbursement framework, and dearth of skilled professionals. Besides North America, Asia Pacific is another emerging market that holds out a strong promise of growth. In fact, India, an emerging economy in the region, is a global market leader in the knowledge process outsourcing (KPO). China and Japan in the region are also slated to contribute substantially to the market. In the Rest of the World, Mexico and Brazil are shining stars poised to impact the global market growth.Companies Mentioned in the ReportSome of the prominent companies competing in the global market for healthcare payer services, profiled in the report are Cognizant Technology Solutions, Accenture plc, Xerox Corporation, Genpact Limited, Hewlett-Packard, Hexaware Technologies Limited, HCL Technologies Ltd., Teleperformance Group, Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd., and Wipro Limited.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting ser-vices 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
By Joseph White DETROIT (Reuters) - Japan's Takata Corp <7312.T> on Monday pleaded guilty to a felony charge as part of an expected $1 billion deal with the U.S. Justice Department that includes compensation funds for automakers and victims of its faulty airbag inflators. After Takata's guilty plea, a federal judge in Detroit was hearing objections on Monday to the settlement raised by lawyers for some victims of Takata inflator ruptures, who argue the settlement will be used by automakers to avoid liability, a court clerk said. Takata hopes to wins court approval of the settlement, a key hurdle to securing the backing of an investor or acquirer that can fund a turnaround effort and help it grapple with billions of dollars in costs related to the auto industry's biggest-ever recall. Lawyers for U.S. vehicle owners have sued Honda Motor Co <7267.T>, Nissan Motor Co <7201.T>, BMW AG , Ford Motor Co , Mazda Motor Corp <7261.T>,and other automakers, alleging they knew about the defective Takata air bags for years but kept using them. At least 16 deaths have been linked to exploding Takata airbag inflators. The defects have led 10 automakers to recall more than 31 million cars worldwide since 2008. All but one of the deaths have occurred in Honda vehicles. Kevin Dean, a South Carolina lawyer for some Takata victims suing automakers, said in a court filing on Monday that the plea agreement is "wrought with inaccurate, incomplete and misleading assertions of fact" that could help automakers avoid liability. Takata last month had agreed to plead guilty to a single count of wire fraud related to receiving payment for the faulty deflators across state lines as part of a settlement with federal prosecutors. U.S. prosecutors have charged three former senior Takata executives in Japan with falsifying test results to conceal the defect linked to the recall of about 100 million air bag inflators worldwide. In January, Takata agreed to establish two independently administered restitution funds: one for $850 million to compensate automakers for recalls, and a second $125 million fund for individuals physically injured by Takatas airbags who have not already reached a settlement with the company. Both funds are expected to be administered by compensation expert Kenneth Feinberg, who managed a similar fund for General Motors Co . Automakers in the United States are set to continue recalling defective inflators through 2020. U.S. safety regulators have said automakers are responsible for replacing defective airbags no matter what happens to Takata.
Tequila Market 2016 Business Strategies, Outlook, Segmentation and Global Market Trends

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Tequila Industry 2016 Market Research Report" to its huge collection of research reports.This report on the global Tequila market is a rich data repository assembled with the aim of presenting before the reader a new viewpoint on the markets present state and estimated future growth. The report compiles vast data quantitative as well as qualitative insights into the key elements of the market. The report is intended to impart decisive data on the global Tequila market so as to enable the reader formulate effective growth strategies, take informed decisions, and stay ahead of the competition.The report includes a discussion of the key market trends of the past and present times affecting consumer choices and having a significant influence on the overall development of the Tequila markets growth. A detailed analysis of the key drivers and restraints is also included in the report, along with an analytical overview of the prospective impact of these factors on the future growth prospects of the market.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Through detailed analysis of historical data pertaining to current market trends and the key market elements, the report presents an accuracy-driven forecast for the Tequila market. This forecast on the Tequila market also includes all factors that could influence it in the near future.The report also gives a thorough overview of all the key factors that are a part of the structural foundation of the market. An overview of the regulatory scenario of the global Tequila market has also been included in the report, wherein details pertaining to key rules, policies, regulations, and plans are discussed.The report also gives an insight into the competitive landscape of the market by providing detailed business profiles of some of the key vendors operating in the global Tequila market and other relevant business details pertaining to the key players in the market.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of Contents1 Industry Overview of Tequila1.1 Definition and Specifications of Tequila1.1.1 Definition of Tequila1.1.2 Specifications of Tequila1.2 Classification of Tequila1.3 Applications of Tequila1.4 Industry Chain Structure of Tequila1.5 Industry Overview and Major Regions Status of Tequila1.5.1 Industry Overview of Tequila1.5.2 Global Major Regions Status of Tequila1.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Tequila2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Tequila2.1 Raw Material Suppliers and Price Analysis of Tequila2.2 Equipment Suppliers and Price Analysis of Tequila2.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Tequila2.4 Other Costs Analysis of Tequila2.5 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Tequila2.6 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Tequila3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Tequila3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Tequila Major Manufacturers in 20153.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Tequila Major Manufacturers in 20153.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Tequila Major Manufacturers in 20153.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Tequila Major Manufacturers in 20154 Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Tequila by Regions, Types and Manufacturers4.1 Global Capacity, Production and Revenue of Tequila by Regions 2011-20164.2 Global and Major Regions Capacity, Production, Revenue and Growth Rate of Tequila 2011-20164.3 Global Capacity, Production and Revenue of Tequila by Types 2011-20164.4 Global Capacity, Production and Revenue of Tequila by Manufacturers 2011-20165 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Tequila by Regions, Types and Manufacturers5.1 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Tequila by Regions 2011-20165.2 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Tequila by Types 2011-20165.3 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Tequila by Manufacturers 2011-2016List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of TequilaTable Product Specifications of TequilaTable Classification of TequilaFigure Global Production Market Share of Tequila by Types in 2015Table Applications of TequilaFigure Global Consumption Volume Market Share of Tequila by Applications in 2015Figure Industry Chain Structure of TequilaTable Global Tequila Major ManufacturersTable Global Major Regions Tequila Development StatusTable Industry Policy of TequilaTable Industry News List of TequilaFor Market Research Latest Reports 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
Radiopharmaceutical Market to Register Substantial Expansion by 2024

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Radiopharmaceutical Market: Scope and TrendsThis report on the radiopharmaceutical market analyzes the current and future scenario of the global market. Increase in incidence of various diseases, development of new sources for radioisotope production, and rise in demand for nuclear medicine are boosting the radiopharmaceutical market. Increase in incidence of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, growth in awareness about effective use of radiopharmaceuticals, and rise in preference for SPECT and PET scans are some of the factors expected to drive the growth of the global radiopharmaceutical market during the forecast period.Get Sample Copy of this Report at:The radiopharmaceutical market report comprises an elaborate executive summary, which includes market snapshot that provides information about various segments. It also provides information and data analysis of the global market with respect to the segments based on radioisotopes, source, end-user, and geography. A detailed qualitative analysis of drivers and restraints, and opportunities has been provided in the market overview section. Additionally, the section comprises Porters Five Forces Analysis to help understand the competitive landscape in the market. This section also provides market attractiveness analysis in terms of geography and market share analysis by key players, thus presenting a thorough analysis of the overall competitive scenario in the global radiopharmaceutical market.Radiopharmaceutical Market: SegmentationBased on radioisotope, the market has been segmented into Technetium-99, Lutetium-177, Rubidium-87, Iodine-123, Yttrium-90, and Gallium-62. Technetium-99 is the most widely used radioisotope across the globe; around 70% of radiopharmaceutical companies depend on Mo-99 to produce Technetium-99, as per the World Nuclear Association. The market segments have been analyzed based on available approved products, cost-effectiveness, and preference for technological systems by physicians and patients. The market size and forecast for each of these segments have been provided for the period from 2014 to 2024, along with their respective CAGRs for the forecast period from 2016 to 2024, considering 2015 as the base year.Based on source, the radiopharmaceutical market has been segmented into two major categories: nuclear reactors and cyclotrons. The market segments have been extensively analyzed based on increase in demand for radioisotopes for nuclear medicines, availability of radioisotopes and raw materials, radioisotopes short half-life and number of production units used for production of radioisotopes. Different types of end-user utilize radiopharmaceutical products to treat diseases either through imaging techniques or the therapeutics method.Under the end-user segment, hospitals plays a major role followed by ambulatory surgical centers, diagnostic centers, and others (such as universities, research laboratories, and pathology labs). The market size and forecast in terms of US$ Mn for each segment have been provided for the period from 2014 to 2024. The report also provides the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) for each market segment for the forecast period from 2016 to 2024, considering 2015 as the base year. Application segment signifies the usage of radiopharmaceutical products through different disease indication such as oncology, cardiology, neurology, nephrology, gastroenterology, immunology and others. Oncology segment is the dominant sector which emphasizes the use of different radioisotopes for treating various cancers and overcome the side effects of therapeutics. Brachytherapy is a sub segment of oncology application which signifies the methods of treating cancer through implants, surgery or radiation technology. The segment is expected to have a significant growth during the forecast period.Geographically, the global radiopharmaceutical market has been categorized into five major regions and the key countries in the respective region: North America (the U.S. and Canada), Europe (the U.K., Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (India, Japan, China, Australia, and Rest of Asia Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America) and Middle East & Africa (South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Rest of Middle East & Africa). The market size and forecast for each of these regions and the mentioned countries have been provided for the period from 2014 to 2024, along with their respective CAGRs for the forecast period from 2016 to 2024, considering 2015 as the base year.Browse Complete Report with TOC at:Radiopharmaceutical Market: Competitive LandscapeThe report also profiles major players in the global radiopharmaceutical market based on various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, business strategies, SWOT analysis, and recent developments. Major players profiled in this report include Advanced Accelerator Applications (AAA), Eckert & Ziegler, GE Healthcare, IBA Radiopharma Solutions, Lantheus Holdings, Inc., Mallinckrodt plc., Nordion, Inc., Siemens Healthineers, and Positron Corporation.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:
Smart and Mobile Supply Chain Solutions Market Surges at 13.2% CAGR 2014-2020 as Need to Study Consumer Behaviour Increases

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Transparency Market Research has recently published a new research report that discusses the various trends and dynamics that govern the overall smart and mobile supply chain solutions market. The research report, titled Smart and Mobile Supply Chain Solutions Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020, studies the historical data pertaining to this market and uses it to map a trajectory of the market for the near future. According to the research report, the global smart and mobile supply chain solutions market was valued at US$7.09 bn in 2013 and is expected to surge at a CAGR of 13.2% from 2014 to 2020.Smart and mobile supply solutions are extremely important to the global supply chain market. These solutions allow users to add value to their operations by offering them interconnected, intelligent, and instrumented information about the movement of raw materials, inventory, the status of finished goods from the point of production to the point of consumption, and about other factors that are integral to supply chain processes. This information plays an important role in decision making, which in turns helps managers to analyze the ever-changing dynamics of consumer behavior.Get Sample Report Copy :The growing acceptance of an organized supply chain in various businesses is driving the demand for smart and mobile supply chain solutions market. Furthermore, the need to study the changing preferences of consumers to devise intelligence business strategies will also fuel the growth of global smart and mobile supply chain solutions market.The global smart and mobile supply chain solutions market is segmented on the basis of component, application, and geography. The components in this market are connected software and services. These solutions are applied in sectors such as IT and telecommunication, retail, manufacturing, BFSI, government, energy and utility, logistics and transportation, and others such as hospitality and aerospace. Geographically, this market is segmented into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa, and Rest of the World.The retail and manufacturing segment held shares of 18.5% and 18.4%, respectively, in the global smart and mobile supply chain solutions market in 2013. A growth in the demand for integrated supply chain solutions from the retail and logistics sectors will propel the smart and mobile supply chain solutions market in the aforementioned forecast period.Some of the top players mentioned in the global smart and mobile supply chain solutions research report are JDA Software Group, Inc., Kewill Systems Plc, Epicor Software Corporation, SAP SE, Manhattan Associates, Inc., GT Nexus Inc., Descartes Systems Group, Inc., Oracle Corporation, Infor Global Solutions, Inc., and IBM Corporation. The research report profiles these players and provides a thorough analysis of the competitive landscape in the global smart and mobile supply chain solutions. Furthermore, the research report also provides an assessment of the research and development strategies, business and marketing strategies, financial overview, and investment outlook of these companies for the near future.About Us :Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact Us :-Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global White Wine Sales Market Report 2017

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global White Wine Sales Market Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.This market intelligence report examines extensively the trends in the global White Wine 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 White Wine market. The global White Wine 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 White Wine market. The estimated revenue and volume valuation of the global market for White Wine 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 White Wine 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 White Wine Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of White Wine1.2 Classification of White Wine1.2.1 Type I1.2.2 Type II1.3 Application of White Wine1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.4 White Wine 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 White Wine (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global White Wine Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global White Wine Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Global White Wine Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Global White Wine Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Global White Wine Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global White Wine Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global White Wine (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global White Wine Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Global White Wine Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Global White Wine (Volume and Value) by Regions2.3.1 Global White Wine Sales and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)2.3.2 Global White Wine Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)2.4 Global White Wine (Volume) by Application9 Global White Wine Manufacturers Analysis9.1 E&J Gallo Winery9.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.1.2 White Wine Product Type, Application and Specification9.1.2.1 Product A9.1.2.2 Product B9.1.3 E&J Gallo Winery White Wine Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.2 Concha y Toro9.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.2.2 White Wine Product Type, Application and Specification9.2.2.1 Product A9.2.2.2 Product B9.2.3 Concha y Toro White Wine Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.3 Casella Wines9.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.3.2 White Wine Product Type, Application and Specification9.3.2.1 Product A9.3.2.2 Product B9.3.3 Casella Wines White Wine Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview14 Global White Wine Market Forecast (2017-2022)14.1 Global White Wine Sales, Revenue and Price Forecast (2017-2022)14.1.1 Global White Wine Sales and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.1.2 Global White Wine Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.1.3 Global White Wine Price and Trend Forecast (2017-2022)14.2 Global White Wine Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast by Regions (2017-2022)14.2.1 United States White Wine Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.2.2 China White Wine Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.2.3 Europe White Wine Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.2.4 Japan White Wine Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.2.5 Southeast Asia White Wine Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.2.6 India White Wine Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of White WineTable Classification of White WineFigure Global Sales Market Share of White Wine by Type in 2015Figure Type I PictureFigure Type II PictureTable Applications of White WineFigure Global Sales Market Share of White Wine by Application in 2015Figure Application 1 ExamplesFigure Application 2 ExamplesFigure United States White Wine Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure China White Wine Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Europe White Wine Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)For Latest Market Research Reports 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
North America Veterinary Radiography Systems Market: Global Outlook and Competitive Dynamics 2024

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North America Veterinary Radiography Systems Market: OverviewVisualization of the internal parts of the body using X-ray techniques is known as radiography. Radiography is a technique for recording and generating an X-ray pattern to provide image after exposure of radiation. There are two major type of radiography systems, direct X-ray and Analog X-ray. Digital X-ray systems use digital radiography technology that captures the image directly into the flat panel detector without the use of cassette. Analog X-ray systems include devices that use film or CR cassette based technology for medical imaging. It is the oldest technology in the veterinary radiography system market which has been replaced by digital X-ray. This report analyzes the current and future prospects of the veterinary radiography system market based on type of product, technology, application, end user and geography.Get Sample Copy of this Report at:North America Veterinary Radiography Systems Market: Research MethodologiesThe research is a combination of primary and secondary research, conducted for understanding and arriving at trends, used to forecast the expected revenue of the major radiography techniques in the near future. Primary research formed the bulk of our research efforts with information collected from in-depth interviews and discussions with a number of key industry experts and opinion leaders. Secondary research involved study of company websites, annual reports, press releases, investor presentations, analyst presentation and various international and national databases. The report provides estimated market size in terms of US$ Mn for each Product type, application, end user and geography for the period 2014 to 2024, considering the macro and micro environmental factors. The revenue generated from each product was calculated by considering number of products used in the procedures and their market demand as per their use, number of product launched, average cost of products of each sub segment, trends in industry, end user trend and adoption rate across all the geographies. The revenue generated for applications was calculated on the basis of prevalence of diseases in animals.North America Veterinary Radiography Systems Market: ScopeThe market report comprises an elaborated executive summary, which includes market snapshot that provides information about various segments of the market. It also provides information and data analysis of the market with respect to market segments based on type of product, application, end user and geography. The market overview section of the report analyzes market dynamics such as drivers, restraints and opportunities that influence the veterinary radiography system market in the current and future scenario. The report also provides value chain analysis of the market that describes the sequence of activities involved from manufacturing to their final reach to the end users.North America Veterinary Radiography Systems Market: Competitive LandscapeMarket share analysis among the market players is analyzed to signify percentage share of the major players operating in the market. All these factors will help the market players to decide about the business strategies and plans to strengthen their positions in the global market. Based on geography, the market has been analyzed for countries of North America, U.S. and Canada.Browse Complete Report with TOC at:The report also profiles the major players in the market and provides various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, business strategies, and recent developments. Major companies profiled in the veterinary radiography system market report are Sound-Eklin- VCA Company, Idexx Laboratories, Canon, Inc., Fuji Medical Systems, Carestream Health, Cuattro Veterinary, iM3/Durr Medical, Sedecal, and Vetel Diagnostics and some other players who are involved in the veterinary radiography system market.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:
Global P-Tert-Butylphenol Sales Market Report 2017

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global P-Tert-Butylphenol Sales Market Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.A new research report on the global P-Tert-Butylphenol market offers a 360-degree overview of it. The report discusses the market in significant details and elucidates all aspects of the global P-Tert-Butylphenol market likely to impact its growth trajectory in the upcoming years. Major market stimulants and deterrents have also been examined in great detail, with quantitative and qualitative description of their expected impact on the market in the forecast period. This would enable big and small players operating in the market to understand the dynamics and maneuver their moves accordingly.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The different segments of the global P-Tert-Butylphenol market have been carefully discussed at length. The product segments, application segments, and end user segments have been detailed in the report, leveraging historical and current figures. The report gauges the growth figures for each of the segments to understand the global P-Tert-Butylphenol markets growth prospects. This helps to offer a granular overview of the P-Tert-Butylphenol market and areas in which it stands to gain and lose.A detailed analysis of the competitive landscape of the global P-Tert-Butylphenol market has also been furnished in the report. Chief competitors in the global P-Tert-Butylphenol market have been profiled and data about their business and financial activities has been presented. The report also throws light on their strengths and weaknesses. This report has been carefully crafted with data arrived at from primary and secondary research methodologies.The reports primary objective is to help the players operating in the global P-Tert-Butylphenol market to gain an insight into the current market dynamics, including opportunities and threats so as to be able to strategize sagaciously. To do, it implements market-leading analytical tools to gauge the current competitive landscape.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of Contents1 P-Tert-Butylphenol Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of P-Tert-Butylphenol1.2 Classification of P-Tert-Butylphenol1.2.1 Type I1.2.2 Type II1.3 Application of P-Tert-Butylphenol1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.4 P-Tert-Butylphenol 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)2 Global P-Tert-Butylphenol Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Global P-Tert-Butylphenol Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Global P-Tert-Butylphenol Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global P-Tert-Butylphenol Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global P-Tert-Butylphenol (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global P-Tert-Butylphenol Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Global P-Tert-Butylphenol Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Global P-Tert-Butylphenol (Volume and Value) by Regions2.3.1 Global P-Tert-Butylphenol Sales and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)2.3.2 Global P-Tert-Butylphenol Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)2.4 Global P-Tert-Butylphenol (Volume) by Application3 United States P-Tert-Butylphenol (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States P-Tert-Butylphenol Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 United States P-Tert-Butylphenol Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 United States P-Tert-Butylphenol Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 United States P-Tert-Butylphenol Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 United States P-Tert-Butylphenol Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers3.3 United States P-Tert-Butylphenol Sales and Market Share by Type3.4 United States P-Tert-Butylphenol Sales and Market Share by Application9 Global P-Tert-Butylphenol Manufacturers Analysis9.1 DIC9.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.1.2 P-Tert-Butylphenol Product Type, Application and Specification9.1.2.1 Product A9.1.2.2 Product B9.1.3 DIC P-Tert-Butylphenol Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.2 HELM AG9.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.2.2 P-Tert-Butylphenol Product Type, Application and Specification9.2.2.1 Product A9.2.2.2 Product B9.2.3 HELM AG P-Tert-Butylphenol Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.3 Hanhong Group9.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.3.2 P-Tert-Butylphenol Product Type, Application and Specification9.3.2.1 Product A9.3.2.2 Product B9.3.3 Hanhong Group P-Tert-Butylphenol Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.3.4 Main Business/Business OverviewList of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of P-Tert-ButylphenolTable Classification of P-Tert-ButylphenolFigure Global Sales Market Share of P-Tert-Butylphenol by Type in 2015Figure Type I PictureFigure Type II PictureTable Applications of P-Tert-ButylphenolFigure Global Sales Market Share of P-Tert-Butylphenol by Application in 2015Figure Application 1 ExamplesFigure Application 2 ExamplesFigure United States P-Tert-Butylphenol Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure China P-Tert-Butylphenol Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)For Latest Market Research Reports Visit @QYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. 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Lymphoma Treatment Market Evaluation of Recent Industry Developments For 2015-2021

Lymphoma Treatments Market

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Lymphoma Treatments Market: OverviewLymphoma is a type of cancer that starts from lymphametic cells which are part of immune system. The lymph system helps body to fight infection and disease. There are two main types of lymphoma such as hodgkin lymphoma and non-hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). These cells are present in the spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, thymus, and among other parts of the body. Lymphoma can occur in both children and adults. Lymphoma cancer begins in cells of the bodys immune system. Lymphoma can begin almost anywhere because lymph cells are found throughout the body.Lymphoma Treatments Market: Growth FactorThe major driving factors of the global lymphoma treatment market are increasing prevalence of cancer, occurrence of various chronic diseases and rising geriatric population. Growing health awareness coupled with improved healthcare infrastructure is expected to bolster the market growth in the years to come. However, side effects of chemotherapy expected to restrain lymphoma treatments market growth. Moreover, high cost of treatment would hamper the market growth over the forecast period.Get Sample Research Report at :The report provides a comprehensive view on the lymphoma treatment market we have included a detailed value chain analysis. To understand the competitive landscape in the market, an analysis of Porters Five Forces model for the lymphoma treatments market has also been included. The study encompasses a market attractiveness analysis, wherein product segments are benchmarked based on their market size, growth rate and general attractiveness. The report also analyzes several driving and restraining factors and their impact on the market during the forecast period.Lymphoma Treatments Market: SegmentationThe report provides detailed segmentation of the lymphoma treatment market based on treatment and region. Various drugs that are used for the treatment of lymphoma include adcertis, arranon, adriamycin (doxorubicin), decadron (dexamethasone), baycadron (dexamethasone), deltasone (prednisone), dexamethasone intensol, dexpak taperpak (dexamethasone) and folotyn (pralatrexate) and other drugs. Based on treatment, lymphoma market can be segmented into b-cell non-hodgkins lymphoma and hodgkins lymphoma. Global lymphoma treatment market is expected to witness significant growth in the years to come.Browse the full report atLymphoma Treatments Market: Regional AnalysisRegional segmentation includes the current and forecast demand of lymphoma treatments in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa with its further bifurcation into major countries including U.S. Germany, France, UK, China, Japan, India and Brazil. The lymphoma treatments market is dominated by North America followed by Europe. Asia Pacific is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period. Rising disposable income coupled with healthcare expenditure would further boost the growth of lymphoma treatments market in the region.Lymphoma Treatments Market: Key PlayersThe report covers detailed competitive scenario including the company overviews, financial revenues of the key participants to develop their positions in the global market. There is some major manufacture in the lymphoma treatments market such as Johnson & Johnson, ABIOGEN PHARMA S.p.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Aeterna Zentaris, Inc. Abbott Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company and Merck & Co., Inc.This report segments the global lymphoma treatments market as follows:Lymphoma Treatments Market: Treatment Segment AnalysisB-Cell Non-Hodgkins LymphomaHodgkins LymphomaLymphoma Treatments Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilMiddle East & AfricaAbout UsSyndicate 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 includsing energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with one-stop solution for all the research requirements.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@syndicatemarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Outdoor Waterproof Coating Market Research Report 2017 Analysis and Forecast to 2022

Outdoor Waterproof Coating Market

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Outdoor Waterproof Coating MarketDescriptionThis report studies Outdoor Waterproof Coating in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringAkzoNobelSika MortarsPPGSherwin-WilliamsGRUPO PUMAKosterBASFWeber Building SolutionsDavcoHenkelBADESEOriental YuhongHuarunMapeiRequest for Sample Report @Market Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Outdoor Waterproof Coating in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), likeNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaSplit by product type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoLiquidDrySplit by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Outdoor Waterproof Coating in each application, can be divided intoRoadBridgeTunnelOthersEnquiry before Buying @Table of Contents:Global Outdoor Waterproof Coating Market Research Report 20171 Outdoor Waterproof Coating Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Outdoor Waterproof Coating1.2 Outdoor Waterproof Coating Segment by Type1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of Outdoor Waterproof Coating by Type in 20151.2.2 Liquid1.2.3 Dry1.3 Outdoor Waterproof Coating Segment by Application1.3.1 Outdoor Waterproof Coating Consumption Market Share by Application in 20151.3.2 Road1.3.3 Bridge1.3.4 Tunnel1.3.5 Others1.4 Outdoor Waterproof Coating Market by Region1.4.1 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China 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) of Outdoor Waterproof Coating (2012-2022)2 Global Outdoor Waterproof Coating Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Outdoor Waterproof Coating Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global Outdoor Waterproof Coating Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Global Outdoor Waterproof Coating Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.4 Manufacturers Outdoor Waterproof Coating Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Outdoor Waterproof Coating Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Outdoor Waterproof Coating Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Outdoor Waterproof Coating Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Outdoor Waterproof Coating Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Outdoor Waterproof Coating Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Outdoor Waterproof Coating Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Outdoor Waterproof Coating Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Outdoor Waterproof Coating Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America Outdoor Waterproof Coating Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 Europe Outdoor Waterproof Coating Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 China Outdoor Waterproof Coating Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.8 Japan Outdoor Waterproof Coating Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.9 Southeast Asia Outdoor Waterproof Coating Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.10 India Outdoor Waterproof Coating Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Outdoor Waterproof Coating Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2012-2017)4.1 Global Outdoor Waterproof Coating Consumption by Regions (2012-2017)4.2 North America Outdoor Waterproof Coating Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Outdoor Waterproof Coating Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Outdoor Waterproof Coating Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Outdoor Waterproof Coating Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.6 Southeast Asia Outdoor Waterproof Coating Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.7 India Outdoor Waterproof Coating Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)8 Outdoor Waterproof Coating Manufacturing Cost Analysis8.1 Outdoor Waterproof Coating Key Raw Materials Analysis8.1.1 Key Raw Materials8.1.2 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials8.1.3 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials8.1.4 Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials8.2 Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure8.2.1 Raw Materials8.2.2 Labor Cost8.2.3 Manufacturing Expenses8.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Outdoor Waterproof Coating11 Market Effect Factors Analysis11.1 Technology Progress/Risk11.1.1 Substitutes Threat11.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry11.2 Consumer Needs/Customer Preference Change11.3 Economic/Political Environmental ChangeTables and Figures:Figure Picture of Outdoor Waterproof CoatingFigure Global Production Market Share of Outdoor Waterproof Coating by Type in 2015Figure Product Picture of LiquidTable Major Manufacturers of LiquidFigure Product Picture of DryTable Major Manufacturers of DryTable Outdoor Waterproof Coating Consumption Market Share by Application in 2015Figure Road ExamplesFigure Bridge ExamplesFigure Tunnel ExamplesFigure Others ExamplesContinued...Buy now @Contact US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. 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.Addres:: Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt Ltd: Pune  411028: Maharashtra, India: Ph: +91 841 198 5042
Agricultural Irrigation Machinery 2017 Global Key Players - Nelson Irrigation Corporation, Netafim Limited, Deere & Company, EPC Industries Limited Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022

Agricultural Irrigation Machinery

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Agricultural Irrigation Machinery ReportGlobal Agricultural Irrigation Machinery market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingNelson Irrigation CorporationNetafim LimitedDeere & CompanyEPC Industries LimitedJain Irrigation Systems Ltd.T-L Irrigation Co.The Toro CompanyValmont IndustriesLindsay CorporationRain Bird CorporationRivulis IrrigationClick here for sample report @Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Agricultural Irrigation Machinery in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoSprinkler IrrigationDrip IrrigationOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of Agricultural Irrigation Machinery for each application, includingFarmlandOrchardOther.......Some Major Points from Table of content:Global Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Market Research Report 20171 Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Agricultural Irrigation Machinery1.2 Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Sprinkler Irrigation1.2.4 Drip Irrigation1.3 Global Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Segment by Application1.3.1 Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Farmland1.3.3 Orchard1.3.4 Other1.4 Global Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Agricultural Irrigation Machinery (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)For Detailed Reading Please visit @7 Global Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Nelson Irrigation Corporation7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Nelson Irrigation Corporation Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Netafim Limited7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Netafim Limited Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Deere & Company7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Deere & Company Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 EPC Industries Limited7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.4.2 Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product B7.4.3 EPC Industries Limited Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd.7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.5.2 Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Product Category, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Product A7.5.2.2 Product B7.5.3 Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. Agricultural Irrigation Machinery Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.5.4 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. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPh: +91 841 198 5042info@wiseguyreports.com
Global Self-Care Medical Devices Market to Grow at CAGR of 7.0% from 2013 to 2019 due Increasing Prevalence of Diseases

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ResearchMoz added Latest Research Report titled " Self-Care Medical Devices Market (Blood Pressure Monitors, Heart Rate Monitors, Body Temperature Monitors, Blood Glucose Monitors, Pregnancy/Fertility Test Kits, Pedometers, Sleep Apnea Monitors and Nebulizers) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast (Value and Volume),2013 - 2019 " to it's Large Report database.Self-care Medical Devices are those devices that are used for measuring and monitoring various vital parameters of a patient. These devices play an important role in monitoring blood sugar level, heart rate, hypertension and other conditions. With increasing healthcare awareness, the demand for self-care medical devices is also expected to increase during the forecast period. The market for self-care medical devices is segmented as blood glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors, temperature monitors, holter monitors, pregnancy/fertility test kits, sleep apnea monitors, nebulizers and pedometers. This report also explains various technological advancements taking place in each segment. The report includes market estimations of the global self-care medical devices market in terms of value (USD million) for the period 2013  2019, considering 2012 as the base year. In addition, current market trends and recent developments are taken into consideration while determining the growth rate of the global self-care medical devices market. The report provides market size and forecasts for each segment and geographic region with CAGR % for the period from 2013 to 2019.Request for Sample PDF of Premium Research Report with TOC:The market is also forecasted in terms of value (USD million) for the period 2013  2019 for four major geographic regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). A detailed qualitative analysis of the factors responsible for driving and restraining the growth of the self-care medical devices market and future opportunities are provided in the report. A PESTLE analysis has also been done while estimating individual geographies in order to provide current as well as future status. A list of recommendations for existing as well as new entrants has been discussed in the study which would help in decision making.Some of the key market players of the global self-care medical devices market include 3M Healthcare, Abbott Laboratories, GE Healthcare, Medtronic, Inc., Johnson and Johnson, Philips Healthcare and others. Market players are profiled in this report on the basis of attributes such as company overview, financial overview, business strategies adopted by the companies to ensure sustainability and maximize profits, product portfolio and recent developments.Read All Medical Equipments Market Research Reports @Table of ContentChapter 1 Preface1.1 Report Description1.2 Market Segmentation1.3 Research Methodology1.3.1 Sources1.3.1.1 Secondary Research1.3.1.2 Primary Research1.3.1.3 Models1.3.1.4 AssumptionsChapter 2 Executive Summary2.1 Market Snapshot: Global Self-Care Medical Devices Market (2012 & 2019)2.2 Global Self-Care Medical Devices Market, by Segments, 2012 (USD Million)Chapter 3 Market Overview3.1 Overview3.2 Market Drivers3.2.1 Rising prevalence of chronic and lifestyle diseases3.2.2 Technological advancements3.2.3 Changing demographics3.2.4 Increasing preference for remote patient monitoring3.3 Market Restraints3.3.1 Inaccuracy in measurement may lead to fatal health disorders and also misguide treatment therapy3.4 Opportunities3.4.1 Investing in emerging economies3.5 Porters Five Forces Analysis: Global Self-Care Medical Devices Market3.5.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers - High3.5.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers - Medium3.5.3 Threat of New Entrants - LowAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz 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 Ghumare90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074 / Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:Follow me on Blogger at:
Cosmetics Market to Reach $429.8 Billion, Globally, by 2022

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Global Cosmetics Market is estimated to reach $429.8 billion, with a CAGR of 4.3% from 2016 to 2022, according to new research published by Allied Market Research.In 2015, Europe dominated the global cosmetics market and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the analysis period. Skincare and sun care, and hair care products are widely used cosmetics, collectively accounting for nearly 3/5th of the global cosmetics market revenue in 2015, as they play a major role in daily healthcare regimen of the individuals.Full Summary of the report:Factors such as rising awareness about overall appearance among individuals, increase in disposable income, and rising demand of natural cosmetics among others are driving the market growth.In 2015, skin & sun care product category contributed the highest revenue and would continue to be dominant segment throughout the analysis period, owing to the regular and widespread usage of these products, worldwide. Hair care segment would be the next highest revenue generating segment due to innovative product launches in recent past under this segment. Within the different modes of sale, retail was the highest revenue-generating segment, which accounted for around 89% share of the overall market revenue in 2015. However, online sales segment is projected to grow at a faster rate due to the increasing reliance on e-commerce for easy and convenient purchase of these products.Europe led the cosmetics market and accounted for over 33% share in 2015, in terms of revenue. It is expected to maintain a dominant position throughout the forecast period because of high investment in personal hygiene products and a wider established consumer base. However, Asia-Pacific and LAMEA are expected to emerge as the faster growing markets on account of the rising urbanization, increasing disposable income, which is further supported by the booming e-commerce industry.Download sample of the report:Key Findings: Global cosmetics market is expected to witness steady growth from 2014 to 2022, driven by increasing disposable income and rising beauty consciousness. LAMEA is expected to be one of the fastest growing markets, growing at a CAGR of 5.6%. The skin & sun care segment is expected to maintain its foothold in the market throughout the forecast period. Presently, retail mode of sale dominates the cosmetics market and is expected to gain traction in the developing countries such as Japan, India, and China.Some of the major players operating in this market include LOreal International, Unilever PLC, The Procter & Gamble Company, and The Estee Lauder Company Inc. These players have adopted various development strategies such as product launch, acquisition, and agreement to expand their market presence. For instance, Aussie, a hair care brand of Procter & Gamble, introduced Miracle 7N1, a hair care product, which offers a remedy for hair fall. The product is designed to make hair healthier, shinier, and lustrous without losing their strength.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. Each and every 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.Allied Market Research5933 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
Chlorothalonil: Global Product Intelligence (2015-2020)

https://www.reportsworldwide.com/report/chlorothalonil-global-product-intelligence-2015-2020

https://www.reportsworldwide.com/enquiry?report_id=3731

ReportsWorldwide has announced the addition of a new report title Chlorothalonil: Global Product Intelligence (2015-2020) to its growing collection of premium market research reports.The report Chlorothalonil: Global Product Intelligence provides market intelligence on the different market segments, based on type, application, and geography. Market size and forecast (2011-2020) has been provided in the report.The report Chlorothalonil: Global Product Intelligence (2015-2020) provides market intelligence on the different segments of the agrochemical, based on type of formulation, crop type, pest, and geography. Market size and forecast (2015-2020) has been provided in terms of both, Value (000 USD) and Volume (000 KG) in the report. A detailed qualitative analysis of the factors responsible for driving and restraining growth of the agrochemical and future market opportunities have also been discussed.To view a detailed description and Table of Contents please visit:KEY FINDINGS FROM THE REPORT- Chlorothalonil, a fungicide belonging to group Aromatic, is used for controlling various pests such as Alternaria & Phytophthora, Mycosphaerella, Phytophthora, Colletotrichum, Cercospora among others.- China, Brazil, USA, UK, South-Africa, and Argentina are the leading country markets among others.- Suspension Concentrate (SC) & Wettable Powder (WP) were the leading formulations in 2015.- Sprout Intelligence agrochemicals expert team estimated global Chlorothalonil market to be more than USD 600 Million.To Get Sample Copy of 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 Street Boston, MA 02110US Phone +1 (617) 398-4994Fax +1 (617) 398-4995abigail@reportsworldwide.com
Outsourcing Automotive Manufacturing Market: How business will boom in 2017?

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1027

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

The organizations and institutions indulged in the manufacturing of automotive and high-tech automotive have been active consumers for a very long time of outsourcing services. Logistics outsourcing and contract manufacturing are common among high-tech manufacturing firms. They were the torch bearers in the field of outsourcing automotive manufacturing and using India and China based resources for the development of application and engineering services in outsourced and captive scenarios. These type of industries are further moving aggressively towards back-office information technology outsourcing and business process outsourcing. This very perspective is expected to highlight trends in BPO and ITO, asses the gains that consumers seek and the level to which they have been achieved, and also review the feedbacks from the past outsourcing experiences and implement them in the future outsourcing projects.Get PDF Brochure for more Professional and Technical industry insights atThis industry study is an evaluation of the growth prospects and historical tract of the global outsourcing automotive manufacturing market. It deals with the assessment of the facets that are projected to sway the development of the market both negatively and positively. Further, the key trends have also been specified in the publication. The research study also presents a wide outlook on the seller landscape of the market with reference to Porters five forces analysis. The research report deals with the R&D activities, mergers, acquisitions, and particulars on certifications and collaborations. The report reviews the approaches related to shares, publicity, and product range of the key accomplices in the global outsourcing automotive manufacturing market.Global Outsourcing Automotive Manufacturing Market: Positive Trends and HindrancesIn line with the popular and growing trend of outsourcing, the automotive manufacturing industry is also implementing it to keep pace with the global trend. Outsourcing is being witnessed as a lucrative opportunity with globalization gaining traction. The development in back-office BPO in these industries, chiefly automotive, is a result of the strong competitive burdens the western-based firms are facing owing to incessant globalization of the market. Extreme product innovation and operational competences are possible prerequisites for western companies to remain competitive in the industry against their lower-cost rivals emerging in the market. The emphasis on effectiveness and efficiency is likely to move back to back-end operations that have been mostly shielded from these type of pressures in the last few years.The primary factors that are likely to push the global outsourcing automotive manufacturing market towards the competitive edge are abundance of labors and resources and their low cost, opening in the developing markets, and variation in the exchange rates. Nevertheless, there are some dynamics that may act as a bottleneck in the growth of the market such as strict import and export regulations, and strict government policies.Global Outsourcing Automotive Manufacturing Market: Regional InsightIn the global outsourcing automotive manufacturing market, China and India are regarded as regions with huge growth potentials for the market. This can be attributed to the growing infrastructure of the countries and the availability of trained and educated workforce. Several automotive manufacturing companies have set up production plants in China and India to cut down cost and also stay competitive in the market.Global Outsourcing Automotive Manufacturing Market: Companies Mentioned in the ReportThe leading players in the global outsourcing automotive manufacturing market are Denso Corporation AGC Flat Glass, Michelin Group, Autoliv Inc., Delphi Automotive LLP, BorgWarner Turbo Systems GmbH, Johnson Controls, Inc., Faurecia, Lear Corporation, Rane Group, Amtek Group, Shriram Pistons, BorgWarner Inc., KIRCHHOFF Automotive GmbH, Benteler International AG, Continental AG, Honeywell Turbo Technologies, Cummins Inc., Magna International Inc., and Robert Bosch GmbH, Bharat Forge Limited.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:
Premium Insight of Smartphone 3D Camera Market & Global Forecast to 2022

Allied Market Research

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/smartphone-3d-camera-market

Smartphone 3D Camera Market report, published by Allied Market Research, forecasts that the global market is expected to garner $4.4 billion by 2022, registering a CAGR of 49.6% during the period 2015 - 2022.View Detail Summary of this report:Stereoscopic 3D camera technology is the most preferred and cost-effective technology for Smartphone 3D camera market as compared to the time-of-flight (ToF) technology. Stereoscopic would drive the market significantly by 2022 and would maintain its dominant position in the market. Whereas, the time-of-flight 3D camera technology segment, is expected to exhibit a faster growth with a CAGR of 54.4% during the forecast period owing to its accurate sensing of the object feature.Smartphone 3D camera is available in three resolutions that include below 8MP, 816 MP and above 16MP. 3D cameras use sensors, camera lenses, and processors to perform all operations. High resolution cameras cost more than low resolution cameras, owing to the high cost of the components. Presently among these three categories, about 60% of the market revenue is garnered by smartphone 3D camera with 8MP16MP resolution. During the forecast period above 16 MP will be the fast growing resolution type among others and it will attain for the $448.7 million value by 2022.Asia-Pacific has emerged as a prime region for smartphone 3D camera, exhibiting an increased demand due to rapid rise in smartphone penetration and increase in purchasing power of consumers. In addition, presence of numerous companies in countries such as Japan, Taiwan, and China offering 3D camera component is expected to boost revenue in this region.Key Findings of Smartphone 3D Camera Market Global smartphone 3D camera market is expected to grow rapidly owing to increased smartphone adoption, technological advancements, and availability of unique features such as picture clarity and depth sensing In 2015, 8-16MP smartphone 3D camera had the highest share in the overall market of about 60% and is expected to generate maximum revenue in the forecast period. This segment would dominate the market in the forecast period 20162022 and will grow at a CAGR of 49.7%. LAMEA proves to be one of the fastest growing regions, in terms of growth. The market in the region is expected to grow at a CAGR of 55.8% from 2016 to 2022.Many prominent players operating in the smartphone 3D camera market adopted product launch as their key strategies. Companies such as Sharp Corporation, Infineon Technologies AG, and Pelican Imaging have introduced innovative and technologically advanced products to capture more market share in smartphone 3D camera market. Prominent companies profiled in the report include Toshiba Corporation, Sony Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, SoftKinetic Systems S.A., PMD Technologies AG, and Others.About Us:Allied Market Research is a global 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.Our market research department starts with the research task considering specific concerns and ambitions of the client. We understand that every market is driven by certain key factors locally as well as globally. Our analysts dig out those factors, helping clients understand the importance and impact of every such driving force. Moreover, possible restraints of the market are discovered and suggestions to tackle those restraints are formulated after extensive research and analysis of the overall market conditions. Making an even deeper insight, we analyze the market trend including both qualitative and quantitative present market scenario in every geographical region segmented as per the business domain concerned and overall performance in different regions throughout the globe.5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220,United States.Int'l: +1-503-894-6022Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285Fax: +1-800-792-5285help@alliedmarketresearch.com
Cypermethrin: Global Product Intelligence (2015-2020)

https://www.reportsworldwide.com/report/alphacypermethrin-global-product-intelligence-2015-2020

https://www.reportsworldwide.com/enquiry?report_id=3714

ReportsWorldwide has announced the addition of a new report title Cypermethrin: Global Product Intelligence (2015-2020) to its growing collection of premium market research reports.The report Cypermethrin: Global Product Intelligence provides market intelligence on the different market segments, based on type, application, and geography. Market size and forecast (2011-2020) has been provided in the report.The report Alphacypermethrin: Global Product Intelligence (2015-2020) provides market intelligence on the different segments of the agrochemical, based on type of formulation, crop type, pest, and geography. Market size and forecast (2015-2020) has been provided in terms of both, Value (000 USD) and Volume (000 KG) in the report. A detailed qualitative analysis of the factors responsible for driving and restraining growth of the agrochemical and future market opportunities have also been discussed.To view a detailed description and Table of Contents please visit:KEY FINDINGS FROM THE REPORT- Alphacypermethrin, an insecticide belonging to group Pyrethroid, is used for controlling various pests such as Eurygaster, Aphids, Anticarsia & Rachiplusia, Ceutorhynchus & Psylliodes, Eurygaster & Zabrus among others.- Australia, Mexico, Russia, France, and Argentina are the leading country markets among others.- Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC) & Suspension Concentrate (SC) were the leading formulations in 2015.- Sprout Intelligence agrochemicals expert team estimated global Alphacypermethrin market to be more than USD 150 Million.To Get Sample Copy of Report please visit @ReportsWorldwide.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 Street Boston, MA 02110US Phone +1 (617) 398-4994Fax +1 (617) 398-4995abigail@reportsworldwide.com
Vadodara Police Bhavan Entrusted Matrix for an Efficient Communication Solution

www.MatrixTelesol.com

Matrix is a leading manufacturer of Telecom and Security solutions that cater to distinct needs of the Manufacturing, Banking, Hospitality, Healthcare and Retail industries. Matrix solutions have also gained the trust of Government bodies whose timely services are vital for proper functioning of a society.Matrix recently improved communication infrastructure at the Police Bhavan, Vadodara by deploying ETERNITY GE12SAC. Since the old communication system failed to cater their need for flexibility of switching to modern technology and poor after-sales support was interrupting their daily communication, the Police Commissioner was looking for a robust solution. After supervising the demonstration and closely understanding all the features, Matrix was trusted for sufficing his daily communication needs. The case details are as follows:Challenges: Frequent Breakdown with the Old System No After-sales Support for the Old System Monthly Recurring High Communication Costs Not Supporting Latest Technology and FeaturesSolution: Matrix ETERNITY GE12SAC IP-PBX Eight CO Trunks, Four Digital Key Phone Extensions and 80 Analog Extensions Four built-in GSM SIMs for Calling Other Stations and Patrolling Jeeps over CUG Efficient Communications - Reach Patrolling Jeeps or Stations by Dialing Short NumbersResults: IP Enabled Future-proof Solution Reduced Maintenance Costs Prompt Calling through Speed Dialing Reach Patrolling Jeeps Easily through CUG Calling based on the Jeeps Route Reduced Telephony Costs by 40%Shri Manoj Sashidhar, Commissioner of Police, Vadodara quoted Matrix has played the role of a consultant and helped us formulate a solution for our problems. We have found the system working satisfactorily round the clock, allowing us to serve the society better and quicker. Moreover, the solution based on latest technology and loaded with features helped us save our communication costs significantly.Matrix Telecom solutions have satisfied the communication needs of many Government entities. Wide array of products loaded with a bundle of features has helped Matrix in satiating even the distinct requirements of our customers. We look forward to satisfy more customers with huge solutions portfolio, added Sagar Gosalia, Sr. VP Sales and Marketing.For further information:Email at - Customer.Care@MatrixComSec.comCall on - +91 9998755555Website -About MatrixEstablished in 1991, Matrix is a leader in Telecom and Security solutions for modern businesses and enterprises. An innovative, technology driven and customer focused organization; Matrix is committed to keep pace with the revolutions in the telecom and security industries. With more than 40% of its human resources dedicated to the development of new products, Matrix has launched cutting-edge products like Video Surveillance solutions, Access Control, Time-Attendance, IP-PBX, Universal Gateways, Terminals, Convergence solution, VoIP Gateways and GSM Gateways. These solutions are feature-rich, reliable and conform to the international standards. Having global foot-prints in Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Africa through an extensive network of more than 500 channel partners, Matrix ensures that the products serve the needs of its customers faster and longer. Matrix has gained trust and admiration of customers representing the entire spectrum of industries. Matrix has won many international awards for its innovative products.About MatrixEstablished in 1991, Matrix is a leader in Telecom and Security solutions for modern businesses and enterprises. An innovative, technology driven and customer focused organization; Matrix is committed to keep pace with the revolutions in the telecom and security industries. With more than 40% of its human resources dedicated to the development of new products, Matrix has launched cutting-edge products like Video Surveillance solutions, Access Control, Time-Attendance, IP-PBX, Universal Gateways, Terminals, Convergence solution, VoIP Gateways and GSM Gateways. These solutions are feature-rich, reliable and conform to the international standards. Having global foot-prints in Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Africa through an extensive network of more than 500 channel partners, Matrix ensures that the products serve the needs of its customers faster and longer. Matrix has gained trust and admiration of customers representing the entire spectrum of industries. Matrix has won many international awards for its innovative products.Matrix Comsec394 GIDC, Makarpura, Vadodara-390010
Advanced Energy Storage Systems - Top Trends To watch out for 2017

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2852

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/

http://cmfeglobalreports.blogspot.in/

Global Advanced Energy Storage Systems Market: OverviewThe global advanced energy storage systems market is characterized by the presence of companies ranging from start-ups to well-entrenched multinationals. As a result, the market comprises of a range of technologies at different maturity levels. The progress of the global market for advanced energy storage systems is to a great extent tied up with a nations policies and economic situations and the technological innovations. Going forward, the competition in the market will heat up on account of the emergence of enhanced sodium-sulfur, Li-ion, and advanced LAB products manufactured by the prominent industry players.Download the Excluasive Report Sample Here :In order to study the market in depth, the report has segmented it based on various parameters. For instance, the report classifies the market into the following seven energy segments: electricity generation, fuel production, transportation, buildings, industry, fuel delivery, and electricity delivery and management. Technology-wise, it has segmented the market into flywheels, fuel cells, pumped hydro, batteries, superconducting magnets (SMES), compressed air energy storage (CAES), and super capacitors.Global Advanced Energy Storage Systems Market: Trends and OpportunitiesDriving the demand for advanced energy storage systems is the rising pace of installation of smart grids, increasing thrust on renewable energy, favorable initiatives such as funding by the government, and soaring popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles. In the near future, the market would continue treading on a solid growth path on the back of considerable increase in demand for energy.As per the International Energy Outlook 2013, the world energy consumption is slated to increase by 56% from 2010 to 2040. This will likely propel energy generation thereby further boosting the global market for energy storage systems. This major thrust will help the market overcome the headwinds provided by high costs of installation and operation of storage systems. The robust growth scope of renewable energy due to energy conservation policies is slated to further boost the market for advanced energy storage systems.Global Advanced Energy Storage Systems Market: Region-wise OutlookGeographically, the global market for advanced energy storage can be divided into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Among them, Asia Pacific is a prominent market on account of the rapid pace of adoption of energy storage systems in developing countries of the region. This in turn has been brought about by the increasing emphasis on renewable energy installations and growth in the related market for electric cars. China is a major market in the region vis-a-vis manufacture and sale of energy storage systems on account of the presence of prominent storage systems manufacturers in the country. Asia Pacific is predicted to demonstrate good growth in the coming years too.Companies Mentioned in the Research Report:The key players operating within the global advanced energy storage market currently include Altair Nanotechnologies Inc., Active Power, Inc., ., Energizer Holdings Inc., BYD Company Ltd Electrovaya Inc., Maxwell Technologies, China Bak Battery Inc., Nippon Chemi-Con Corporation, Exide Technologies, Toshiba Corporation, the Furukawa Battery Co. Ltd., Sony, Valence Technology, and Hitachi.Major regions analyzed under this research report are:EuropeNorth AmericaAsia PacificRest of the WorldAbout 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 :
Smart Packaging Market Segmented by (Security, Type, Deployment, Industry Verticals), Global Forecast 2022

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1981

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/smart-packaging-market

Global Smart Packaging Information by Technology (Active, Intelligent and MAP), by Application (Food & Beverages, Automotive, Healthcare, Personal Care and others), and Region - Forecast to 2022Market ScenarioThe key drivers for the growth of the smart packaging market are the increased awareness about health & safety, increased shelf-life, increasing usage in the automotive industry and rising industrialization. On the basis of application it is widely used in food & beverage, personal care, health care and automotive sectors. Food & beverage and automotive sectors are expected to lead the market by application over the forecasted period. Europe contributes largely to the overall market share. The global smart packaging market size is expected to cross USD 40 Billion at CAGR of approximately 5% by 2022.Study Objectives of Global Smart Packaging Market To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 10 years of various segments and sub-segments of the Global Smart Packaging Market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To Analyze the Global Smart Packaging Market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest of the World (ROW) To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by Technology, Application and by Region. To provide strategic profiling of the key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global Smart Packaging MarketGet a Sample Report @SegmentationRegional Analysis of Global Smart Packaging MarketAsian countries, especially China is expected to grow over the forecasted period due to changing lifestyle and increasing disposable income. However, Europe dominates the market as the European Commission laws favor smart packaging.Market Size of Smart Packaging by Regions (USD Billion)Key PlayersThe key players of the global smart packaging market include- 3M Company, TempTime Corporation, PakSense Inc., American Thermal Instruments, Avery Dennison Corporation, R.R. Donnelly Sons & Company, BASF SE, International Paper, Stora Enso, Huhtamaki Group and Smartrac N.V.Target Audience Manufactures Raw Materials Suppliers Aftermarket supplier Research Institute / Education Institute Potential Investors Key executive (CEO and COO) and strategy growth managerProduct Analysis Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsBrowse Report @The report for Global Smart Packaging Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.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.comAt 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.Market Research Future Office No. 524/528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar Pune - 411028 Maharashtra, India
Eyewear Market to Exceed US$ 145.0 Billion by 2020

https://www.marketresearchengine.com/reportdetails/eyewear-market

https://www.marketresearchengine.com/requestsample/eyewear-market

https://www.marketresearchengine.com/

New York, February 28: Market Research Engine has published a new report titled as Eyewear Market (Spectacles, Contact Lenses, Plano Sunglasses) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth and Forecast 2015 - 2023The Global Eyewear Market is likely to reach around 145 billion by 2020, at a CAGR of 3% during the forecasted period.Browse Full Report:Eye wears provide safety to the human eye from dust and UV rays in daylight. Eye wears consist of various product types which include spectacles, sunglasses and contact lenses. Spectacles eye wears are mainly for those who have trouble seeing objects from a specific distance. A ophthalmologist specifically prescribes the spectacles which further enables the consumers to look clearly without causing strain on their eyes. Contact lenses can also replace spectacles but colored contact lenses are not prescribed by any medical practitioner. Similarly sunglasses are the reason the eyewear market is leading.Europe is the largest consumer of Eyewear market followed by by North America in 2015 and likely to maintain the same ranking till the forecasted period. APAC is the fastest growing market and will continue to grow at the same rate during the forecast period.Tremendous growth in eyewear market is owing to increasing demand for sunglasses. Increasing standards of life and sabotaged weather conditions is triggering the demand for sunglasses. Potential increase in population rate with refractive errors is boosting the demand for spectacles and hence increasing global eyewear market in terms of revenue and volume. Counterfeit eyewear products and replicas are a major threat to the key market players in this industry. North America is leading the global eyewear market by volume with outstanding figures.The global eyewear market is segmented based on its product types which include spectacles, plano sunglasses and contact lenses. The market segments in terms of geographical regions include North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World (ROW).This report provides:1) An overview of the global market for eyewear 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 2020.3) Identifications of new market opportunities and targeted promotional plans for eyewear market.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.Download Free Sample Report:REPORT SCOPE:The scope of the report includes a detailed study of global and regional markets for various types of eye wears 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 Luxottica Group SpA Bausch & Lomb Carl Zeiss Charmant Group CIBA Vision CooperVision De Rigo SpA Essilor Fielmann AG Hoya Corporation Johnson & Johnson Marchon Eyewear Marcolin Eyewear Rodenstock Safilo Group SpA Seiko Corporation Shamir.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 Eyewear Market has been segmented as below:By Product Type Spectacleso Spectacles Frameso Spectacles Lenses Contact Lenses Plano Sunglasseso Polarized Sunglasseso Non Polarized Sunglasseso CR-39 Sunglasseso Polycarbonate Sunglasseso Polyurethane Sunglasseso OthersBy Geography North America Europe Asia-Pacific Rest of the World (ROW)About MarketResearchEngine.comMarket 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 ContactCompany Name: Market Research EngineContact Person: John BayEmail: john@marketresearchengine.comPhone: +1-855-984-1862, +91-860-565-7204Country: United StatesWebsite:Address: 3422 SW 15 Street, Suite #8942, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442, United States
Herbert Piel, renowned reportage photographer, joins the elite group of ILFORD Masters

ILFORD Master Herbert Piel (@Herbert Piel)

http://ilford.com/community/ilford-masters

http://www.swr.de/landesschau-rp/couchgespraech/herbert-piel-grosse-ehre-fuer-fotografen-aus-boppard/-/id=5661010/did=18774074/nid=5661010/1hvtob8/index.html

http://herbert-piel.de/news-2/pel-goes-china

http://landesmuseum-koblenz.de/index

https://vimeo.com/150916006

Herbert Piel, renowned reportage photographer, joins the elite group of ILFORD Masters. The ILFORD Masters are eminent photographers from around the world, that use ILFORD GALERIE to present their work. Herbert Piel is the twenty-eighth ILFORD Master and joins Manuel Thome as one of the two Germans represented (Detail information ILFORD Masters:).The ILFORD Masters is a very prestigious group of photographers that lead the way in their particular genre of photography. To stand shoulder to shoulder with photographers like Sebastiao Salgado, one of the great photo icons, is very nice. I am very pleased about it. It is an honour to be accepted and I am committed to delivering the highest quality photography over the coming years".His recipe for his expressive portrait and reportage photography seems very simply: I need a lot of information as well as passion. It is important for me to build up a picture of the person that forms the subject of the photograph. For example, where they come from, what kind of human being they are, whether they have a pet, what are their family circumstances etc. As a result my photographs show the personality of the person and without this it would only be a reproduction of their DNA, says Herbert Piel (German TV interview:).For his reportage on his trip to the Silk Road in China, ILFORD handed him the worlds first ILFORD GALERIE Fine Art Album with black and white prints on the museum paper ILFORD GALERIE Gold Fibre Gloss. Only two copies of this photo book exist worldwide, the first one produced exclusively for Herbert. In March of this year he will travel to the Silk Road once more ().His work featuring the Arrival of Refugees in Rhineland-Palatinate is being shown from April 9th to June 18th at an exhibition in the state museum in Koblenz. (. php?id=43971&Fsize=4; German TV video:).Over the next two years, Herbert will be working on his new project: Unesco world heritage Middle Rhine.About Herbert PielHerbert Piel is considered a hunter and collector and is referred to as a memory of the German republic. Since 1975, Herbert has been treading the fine line between areas of crisis and those of tense political activity.With his special instinct for understanding situations and focussing on the key details, Herbert transforms emotions into information. His photographs are characterized by their particular formal clarity and are exemplary, displaying the highest quality in photojournalism. Many of his photographs are now icons of German press photography. Herbert has worked worldwide for international picture agencies such as Reuters, the Associated Press and the German Press Agency as well as being commissioned by Stern, Bunte and Spiegel. He has worked on photographic reportage from Ethiopia, Somalia, Kosovo and the Kurdish region of eastern Turkey as well as Iran. Herberts work has been exhibited throughout the world (http:// herbert-piel.de/home/zurperson).Herbert H. Piel was born on March 19th 1957 in Neuss/Rhine river. He lives on the Rhine heights of the Middle Rhine since 1997. First printed photo release in 1975, also since 1975 he works with ILFORD Material, film and paper.About ILFORDEstablished in 1879, ILFORD is one of the oldest photographic brands in the industry. With a history that spans over 135 years, ILFORD has been synonymous with professional quality from traditional analogue film and paper to providing inkjet paper for todays photo quality printers.The ILFORD brand is now owned as a joint venture between Chugai Photo Chemicals and CR Kennedy & Company. Both companies are extremely passionate about carrying the brand ethos forward and continuing to offer photographers the best photo quality inkjet products in the market.Photo CaptionILFORD Master Herbert Piel (@Herbert Piel)About ILFORDEstablished in 1879, ILFORD is one of the oldest photographic brands in the industry. With a history that spans over 135 years, ILFORD has been synonymous with professional quality from traditional analogue film and paper to providing inkjet paper for todays photo quality printers.The ILFORD brand is now owned as a joint venture between Chugai Photo Chemicals and CR Kennedy & Company. Both companies are extremely passionate about carrying the brand ethos forward and continuing to offer photographers the best photo quality inkjet products in the market.3DION/RGFSheldon S. NazareAm Schulberg 6D - 50858 Cologne+49 (0) 151 125 80 888
Life After Death - NDE Expert Brian McLaughlin Offers An Answer To Life's Greatest Mystery

Author Brian McLaughlin

http://www.brianmclaughlinbooks.com

The loss of a loved one - the death of a child, a spouse who has died or a good friend who has suddenly passed on - is undoubtedly the worst experience any human will be forced to endure. It is a universal form of suffering that cannot be avoided. Admit it or not, the question weighs heavily on everyone's mind, for one thing is certain - we will lose spouses. We will lose children. We will lose friends. And, at some point, they will lose us.While this issue is brought into our consciousness daily by the news media's fascination with such events - Prince, David Bowie, Gene Wilder, Arnold Palmer, Justice Scalia, Carrie Fisher, etc - it doesn't really hit home until it hits home. It is then we are literally brought to our knees by grief. These events changes the focus and direction of one's life forever thereafter. The power of death is sickening. And it is something over which no human being has any control. "Is there life after death?" is the question on everybody's mind. But perhaps we should ask a different question:Is it possible that it is all an illusion?In Deepak Chopra's 'Life After Death' he puts forth the idea that at the time of death we cross over into a new phase of existence and that what we experience in the afterlife is based on our own current belief systems and expectations. Could that be true? And, if it is true, what purpose would grief serve then? If we knew beyond any doubt that our spouse, our child or our friend continued to exist on another plane - or in some form we could understand - how would that change our reaction to death? More importantly, how would it change the way we function in life?Author Brian McLaughlin knows the answers to these questions. He hopes to offer some assurance to anyone who holds questions about the possibility of life after death. In his book and in his public appearances, he attempts to present a message that can provide some measure of comfort. He can do this because he has been there.McLaughlin explains:  In dealing with grief over the loss of a loved one, whether it be a spouse, other family member, good friend, etc., I certainly cannot erase the loss. I can however, answer some of the questions and concerns that I find most prevalent.The most common of these is: Is my child/loved one OK? Are they lonely or scared? Do they feel happy? Do they miss me? My experience has given me the answers. The Heaven I experienced, and seeing my deceased father showed me that all is good in this place. A feeling of total fulfillment and peace surround you, even to the point of not wanting to return to a life here. Imagine just how powerful that is."These concerns appear to be the same for anyone. Whether a celebrity, a great thinker, or an average person (like myself)... The grief can be consuming. Should you allow yourself to believe in this afterlife, those issues may become ones of joyful anticipation of being reunited."Eric Clapton wrote a song about the loss of his son in Tears In Heaven, asking if he would know and recognize him in Heaven. Apparently performing this song still evokes emotion, and he has removed it from his concert playlist. To see it from where I stand brings a whole new perspective, and I can picture him performing that song with a big smile on the inside!"The point is, that no matter your social status, the pain and concerns are the same. Losing a loving family member or good friend leaves a void in our lives. I can only offer to make that void a little smaller.Brian's book about his near death experience, 'A Flight Without Wings' offers readers a look at the near death experience from an unbiased point of view. It is the presentation of the material that sets this book apart from the other books about the near death experience. It is raw and it's real. There is no embellishment and no hidden agenda. While his book has a spiritual flavor certainly, there is no preaching and no religious messages. It is his near-death experience, just as it happened.McLaughlin's experience changed the course of his life forever. It instilled in him what we all seek - certainty about life after death. And with that a peace of mind that can never be shaken, nor can it be doubted. His near death experience brought a sense of clarity. It brought a sense of real, lasting peace. He now knows with certainty that we exist forever. It is that simple message he brings to his audience, both through his book and at his speaking engagements and in his media appearances.Brian serves as co-host of the Chapters Rap Show on MadhouseTV.com, an Internet television show that is broadcast worldwide. He uses this forum to showcase people who make a difference. Brian was chosen as one of '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' in both the 2015 and 2016 Book Awards.Reviews of 'A Flight Without Wings' have been overwhelmingly positive. Dr. Penny Sartori, author of 'The Wisdom of Near-Death Experiences', said "This book will help others who have had an NDE to make sense of their experience and will also help those close to someone who has had an NDE because NDEs affect close family members and friends too."Jack Magnus, a reviewer with Readers Favorite, called the book a "well written and moving memoir that neither delves into the fanciful or dogmatic,... "Well worth reading, and is highly recommended." Another stated, "Being a mother who lost her only child I found it to be a great comfort to me." Another said, "I have read many accounts such as these, but this beautifully written account simply touched my heart in ways that previous ones have not."Mark Feuerstein, Actor (Royal Pains, USA Network) wrote: I have read it and I think its an inspiring tale of deep insight and so personal and yet so universal . . . such profound perspective.Brian McLaughlin is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at bamplaya@msn.com. 'A Flight Without Wings' is available at Amazon, Payhip and other book retailers. More information is available on his website.Brian McLaughlin is the award-winning author of 'A Flight Without Wings'. In his inspirational book, Brian vividly depicts his journey into Heaven and his following return to life caused by a massive head trauma sustained while vacationing in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico twenty-one years ago.PO Box 1613Shallotte, NC, 28459
Managed File Transfer Market to Cross US$ 1.6 Billion Globally by 2022

https://www.marketresearchengine.com/reportdetails/managed-file-transfer-market

https://www.marketresearchengine.com/requestsample/managed-file-transfer-market

https://www.marketresearchengine.com/

New York, February 28: Market Research Engine has published a new report titled as Managed File Transfer Market by Deployment Type (Hybrid, Cloud, On premise), by Application Type (Retail, Logistics, Health Care, IT, BFSI, Government, Others) and by Geography  Global Market Analysis and Forecast 2022The managed file transfer market is expected to exceed more than US$ 1.6 Billion by 2022.Browse Full Report:Managed file transfer is software which provides secure ad hoc data, external data and internal data transfers through a network. This managed file transfer service manages secure data transformation from one pc to another pc through internet. This software keeps information private and provides higher level of security. It contains many features such as performance monitoring, global visibility, non repudiation, reporting, audit ability and end to end security. Managed file transfer application presents business computerization along with non repudiation and reporting.The major driving factors of managed file transfer market are as follows:Improvement in performanceIncreasing requirement of data security and governanceCost efficiencyThe restraining factors of managed file transfer market are as follows:Taut competitions from share services and file syncThe managed file transfer market is segmented on the lines of its deployment, application, type and regional. Based on deployment segmentation the managed file transfer market covers hybrid, cloud and on premise. Under application segmentation it covers retail, logistics, healthcare, IT, BFSI, government and others. The managed file transfer market is segmented on the lines of its type like accelerated transfer, business to business (B2B), administrative to administration (A2A) and Ad hoc. The managed file transfer markets 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.Download Free Sample Report:This report provides:1) An overview of the global market for managed file transfer 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 managed file transfer.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 various types of managed file transfers 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 IBM Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Ipswitch Inc., Open Text Corp., GlobalSCAPE Inc., Attunity Ltd., Biscom Inc., Axway Software SA, Jscape LLC, Tibco Software Inc., Cleo Communications Inc., Linoma Software, Seeburger AG, and South River Technologies Inc. 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 Managed file transfer Market has been segmented as below:By Deployment Type AnalysisHybridCloudOn premiseBy Application Type AnalysisRetailLogisticsHealth CareITBFSIGovernmentOthersBy Type AnalysisAccelerated transferBusiness to Business (B2B)Administrative to Administration (A2A)Ad hocBy Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificRest of the WorldAbout MarketResearchEngine.comMarket 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 ContactCompany Name: Market Research EngineContact Person: John BayEmail: john@marketresearchengine.comPhone: +1-855-984-1862, +91-860-565-7204Country: United StatesWebsite:Address: 3422 SW 15 Street, Suite #8942, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442, United States
Bio-Optronics Reveals Hourly Staff Scheduling Enhancements at European Congress of Radiology

Bio-Optronics, Sarl

www.bio-optronics.com/momentum

February 28, 2017  Coppet, SWITZERLAND  Bio-Optronics Sarl is exhibiting at the 2017 European Congress of Radiology (ECR) at location G/37, and they will be demonstrating the latest edition of Momentum Physician and Staff Scheduler. The Momentum Scheduling team is debuting the all-new hourly scheduling capabilities available to Momentum users. This functionality gives Radiology groups unparalleled ability to accurately track time worked and easily maintain compliance with labor laws.This rendition of Momentum provides European Radiologists with the tools required to create complex schedules in minutes, which are compliant with mandatory labor laws and contractual obligations, that also enhances overall practice management, states Sylvie Pommier, VP of Momentum Scheduling at Bio-Optronics.In addition to the new functionality, the Momentum team will highlight the advanced rules-based functionality in Momentum that creates complex, accurate schedules for Radiology practices around the world. To schedule time to see Momentum at ECR, click here.About Bio-Optronics SarlBio-Optronics, the creator of Momentum Physician and Staff Scheduler, is a leading software and services company that creates user-focused software and services for healthcare organizations that positively impacts the lives of patients around the world. Momentum is the all-encompassing physician and staff scheduling system used by over 200 healthcare organizations around the world. Momentum provides organizations with the tools they need to increase scheduling efficiency and overall practice management. To learn more about Momentum Scheduling please visit our website:Bio-Optronics Sarl Coppet, SwitzerlandCase postale 771296 CoppetSwitzerland
United States Sail Cloth Market Report 2017 Analysis by Manufacturers, Size, Regions, Type, Application and Forecast to 2022

http://globalqyresearch.com/united-states-sail-cloth-market-report-2017

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This report studies sales (consumption) of United States Sail Cloth Market, focuses on the top players, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player, coveringDimension PolyantContender SailclothBainbridge InternationalChallenge SailclothDoyleBritish MillerainIYU SailclothAztec TentsMazu SailclothDimensionPolyantHood SailmakersMack SailsJeckellsNorth SailsElla VickersWuxi Taiji IndustryUnifull IndustrailShenma IndustrialShanghai SHENDA CompanyHLMFF SailmakersView Full Report With Complete TOC, List Of Figure and Table:Shandong Golden Bull Canvas TextileShandong Lichang Textile TechnologyFoshan Boli Sail ClothGuangzhou Xinsheng Sail ClothMarket Segment by States, coveringCaliforniaTexasNew YorkFloridaIllinoisSplit by product types, with sales, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoLaminate Sail ClothNylon Sail ClothPolyester Sail ClothSplit by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Sail Cloth in each application, can be divided intoSacrificial CoverSailsDownload Sample this Report:Table of ContentsUnited States Sail Cloth Market Report 20171 Sail Cloth Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Sail Cloth1.2 Classification of Sail Cloth1.2.1 Laminate Sail Cloth1.2.2 Nylon Sail Cloth1.2.3 Polyester Sail Cloth1.3 Application of Sail Cloth1.3.1 Sacrificial Cover1.3.2 Sails1.4 United States Market Size Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) of Sail Cloth (2012-2022)1.4.1 United States Sail Cloth Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Sail Cloth Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 United States Sail Cloth Competition by Manufacturers2.1 United States Sail Cloth Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 United States Sail Cloth Revenue and Share by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.3 United States Sail Cloth Average Price by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.4 Sail Cloth Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.4.1 Sail Cloth Market Concentration Rate2.4.2 Sail Cloth Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.4.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 United States Sail Cloth Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by States (2012-2017)3.1 United States Sail Cloth Sales and Market Share by States (2012-2017)3.2 United States Sail Cloth Revenue and Market Share by States (2012-2017)3.3 United States Sail Cloth Price by States (2012-2017)4 United States Sail Cloth Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by Type (2012-2017)4.1 United States Sail Cloth Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)4.2 United States Sail Cloth Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)4.3 United States Sail Cloth Price by Type (2012-2017)4.4 United States Sail Cloth Sales Growth Rate by Type (2012-2017)5 United States Sail Cloth Sales (Volume) by Application (2012-2017)5.1 United States Sail Cloth Sales and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)5.2 United States Sail Cloth Sales Growth Rate by Application (2012-2017)5.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6 United States Sail Cloth Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis6.1 Dimension Polyant6.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.1.2 Sail Cloth Product Type, Application and Specification6.1.2.1 Product A6.1.2.2 Product B6.1.3 Dimension Polyant Sail Cloth Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.2 Contender Sailcloth6.2.2 Sail Cloth Product Type, Application and Specification6.2.2.1 Product A6.2.2.2 Product B6.2.3 Contender Sailcloth Sail Cloth Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.3 Bainbridge International6.3.2 Sail Cloth Product Type, Application and Specification6.3.2.1 Product A6.3.2.2 Product B6.3.3 Bainbridge International Sail Cloth Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.4 Challenge Sailcloth6.4.2 Sail Cloth Product Type, Application and Specification6.4.2.1 Product A6.4.2.2 Product B6.4.3 Challenge Sailcloth Sail Cloth Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.5 Doyle6.5.2 Sail Cloth Product Type, Application and Specification6.5.2.1 Product A6.5.2.2 Product B6.5.3 Doyle Sail Cloth Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.6 British Millerain6.6.2 Sail Cloth Product Type, Application and Specification6.6.2.1 Product A6.6.2.2 Product B6.6.3 British Millerain Sail Cloth Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.7 IYU Sailcloth6.7.2 Sail Cloth Product Type, Application and Specification6.7.2.1 Product A6.7.2.2 Product B6.7.3 IYU Sailcloth Sail Cloth Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.8 Aztec Tents6.8.2 Sail Cloth Product Type, Application and Specification6.8.2.1 Product A6.8.2.2 Product B6.8.3 Aztec Tents Sail Cloth Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.9 Mazu Sailcloth6.9.2 Sail Cloth Product Type, Application and Specification6.9.2.1 Product A6.9.2.2 Product B6.9.3 Mazu Sailcloth Sail Cloth Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.10 DimensionPolyant6.10.2 Sail Cloth Product Type, Application and Specification6.10.2.1 Product A6.10.2.2 Product B6.10.3 DimensionPolyant Sail Cloth Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.10.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.11 Hood Sailmakers6.12 Mack Sails6.13 Jeckells6.14 North Sails6.15 Ella Vickers6.16 Wuxi Taiji Industry6.17 Unifull Industrail6.18 Shenma Industrial6.19 Shanghai SHENDA Company6.20 HLMFF Sailmakers6.21 Shandong Golden Bull Canvas Textile6.22 Shandong Lichang Textile Technology6.23 Foshan Boli Sail Cloth6.24 Guangzhou Xinsheng Sail Cloth7 Sail Cloth Manufacturing Cost Analysis7.1 Sail Cloth Key Raw Materials Analysis7.1.1 Key Raw Materials7.1.2 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials7.1.3 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials7.1.4 Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials7.2 Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure7.2.1 Raw Materials7.2.2 Labor Cost7.2.3 Manufacturing Expenses7.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Sail Cloth8 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers8.1 Sail Cloth Industrial Chain Analysis8.2 Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing8.3 Raw Materials Sources of Sail Cloth Major Manufacturers in 20158.4 Downstream Buyers9 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders9.1 Marketing Channel9.1.1 Direct Marketing9.1.2 Indirect Marketing9.1.3 Marketing Channel Development Trend9.2 Market Positioning9.2.1 Pricing Strategy9.2.2 Brand Strategy9.2.3 Target Client9.3 Distributors/Traders List10 Market Effect Factors Analysis10.1 Technology Progress/Risk10.1.1 Substitutes Threat10.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry10.2 Consumer Needs/Customer Preference Change10.3 Economic/Political Environmental Change11 United States Sail Cloth Market Forecast (2017-2022)11.1 United States Sail Cloth Sales, Revenue Forecast (2017-2022)11.2 United States Sail Cloth Sales Forecast by Type (2017-2022)11.3 United States Sail Cloth Sales Forecast by Application (2017-2022)11.4 Sail Cloth Price Forecast (2017-2022)12 Research Findings and Conclusion13 AppendixMethodologyAnalyst IntroductionData SourceTo Purchase this Premium Report:About UsGlobal QYResearch () is the one spot destination for all your research needs. Global QYResearch holds the repository of quality research reports from numerous publishers across the globe. Our inventory of research reports caters to various industry verticals including Healthcare, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Technology and Media, Chemicals, Materials, Energy, Heavy Industry, etc. With the complete information about the publishers and the industries they cater to for developing market research reports, we help our clients in making purchase decision by understanding their requirements and suggesting best possible collection matching their needs.Contact Us:Unit 1, 26 Cleveland Road, South Woodford, London,E182AN, United KingdomCall: +44 20 3239 2407sales@globalqyresearch.comLinkedin:Twitter:
United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Market Report 2017 Estimates & Forecast by Manufacturers, Regions, Type, Application and Forecast to 2022

United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Market Report 2017

http://globalqyresearch.com/united-states-styrene-butadiene-rubber-sbr-market-report-2017

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This report studies sales (consumption) of United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Market, focuses on the top players, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player, coveringCNPCKumho PetrochemicalThe Goodyear Tire & RubberLANXESSSINOPECSynthosJSRAshlandDOWEniSibur HoldingZEONShen Hua Chemical IndustrialLG ChemFirestoneTSRCTRINSEOLion CopolymerView Full Report With Complete TOC, List Of Figure and Table:Market Segment by States, coveringCaliforniaTexasNew YorkFloridaIllinoisSplit by product types, with sales, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoType IType IISplit by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) in each application, can be divided intoApplication 1Application 2Download Sample this Report:Table of ContentsUnited States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Market Report 20171 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR)1.2 Classification of Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR)1.2.1 Type I1.2.2 Type II1.3 Application of Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR)1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.4 United States Market Size Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) of Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) (2012-2022)1.4.1 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Competition by Manufacturers2.1 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Revenue and Share by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.3 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Average Price by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.4 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.4.1 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Market Concentration Rate2.4.2 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.4.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by States (2012-2017)3.1 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales and Market Share by States (2012-2017)3.2 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Revenue and Market Share by States (2012-2017)3.3 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Price by States (2012-2017)4 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by Type (2012-2017)4.1 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)4.2 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)4.3 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Price by Type (2012-2017)4.4 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales Growth Rate by Type (2012-2017)5 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales (Volume) by Application (2012-2017)5.1 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)5.2 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales Growth Rate by Application (2012-2017)5.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis6.1 CNPC6.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.1.2 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Product Type, Application and Specification6.1.2.1 Product A6.1.2.2 Product B6.1.3 CNPC Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.2 Kumho Petrochemical6.2.2 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Product Type, Application and Specification6.2.2.1 Product A6.2.2.2 Product B6.2.3 Kumho Petrochemical Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.3 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber6.3.2 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Product Type, Application and Specification6.3.2.1 Product A6.3.2.2 Product B6.3.3 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.4 LANXESS6.4.2 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Product Type, Application and Specification6.4.2.1 Product A6.4.2.2 Product B6.4.3 LANXESS Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.5 SINOPEC6.5.2 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Product Type, Application and Specification6.5.2.1 Product A6.5.2.2 Product B6.5.3 SINOPEC Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.6 Synthos6.6.2 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Product Type, Application and Specification6.6.2.1 Product A6.6.2.2 Product B6.6.3 Synthos Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.7 JSR6.7.2 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Product Type, Application and Specification6.7.2.1 Product A6.7.2.2 Product B6.7.3 JSR Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.8 Ashland6.8.2 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Product Type, Application and Specification6.8.2.1 Product A6.8.2.2 Product B6.8.3 Ashland Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.9 DOW6.9.2 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Product Type, Application and Specification6.9.2.1 Product A6.9.2.2 Product B6.9.3 DOW Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.10 Eni6.10.2 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Product Type, Application and Specification6.10.2.1 Product A6.10.2.2 Product B6.10.3 Eni Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.10.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.11 Sibur Holding6.12 ZEON6.13 Shen Hua Chemical Industrial6.14 LG Chem6.15 Firestone6.16 TSRC6.17 TRINSEO6.18 Lion Copolymer7 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Manufacturing Cost Analysis7.1 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Key Raw Materials Analysis7.1.1 Key Raw Materials7.1.2 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials7.1.3 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials7.1.4 Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials7.2 Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure7.2.1 Raw Materials7.2.2 Labor Cost7.2.3 Manufacturing Expenses7.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR)8 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers8.1 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Industrial Chain Analysis8.2 Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing8.3 Raw Materials Sources of Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Major Manufacturers in 20158.4 Downstream Buyers9 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders9.1 Marketing Channel9.1.1 Direct Marketing9.1.2 Indirect Marketing9.1.3 Marketing Channel Development Trend9.2 Market Positioning9.2.1 Pricing Strategy9.2.2 Brand Strategy9.2.3 Target Client9.3 Distributors/Traders List10 Market Effect Factors Analysis10.1 Technology Progress/Risk10.1.1 Substitutes Threat10.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry10.2 Consumer Needs/Customer Preference Change10.3 Economic/Political Environmental Change11 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Market Forecast (2017-2022)11.1 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales, Revenue Forecast (2017-2022)11.2 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales Forecast by Type (2017-2022)11.3 United States Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Sales Forecast by Application (2017-2022)11.4 Styrene Butadiene Rubber(SBR) Price Forecast (2017-2022)12 Research Findings and Conclusion13 AppendixMethodologyAnalyst IntroductionData SourceTo Purchase this Premium Report:About UsGlobal QYResearch () is the one spot destination for all your research needs. Global QYResearch holds the repository of quality research reports from numerous publishers across the globe. Our inventory of research reports caters to various industry verticals including Healthcare, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Technology and Media, Chemicals, Materials, Energy, Heavy Industry, etc. With the complete information about the publishers and the industries they cater to for developing market research reports, we help our clients in making purchase decision by understanding their requirements and suggesting best possible collection matching their needs.Contact Us:Unit 1, 26 Cleveland Road, South Woodford, London,E182AN, United KingdomCall: +44 20 3239 2407sales@globalqyresearch.comLinkedin:Twitter:
Improved service quality in call centers due to automatic voice analysis by audEERING

www.audeering.com

http://www.spitch.ch

The competence and professionalism of call center service agents is an important precondition for customer satisfaction. Systematically training call center agents requires an automatic analysis of various conversation parameters, like meeting the goals set by the company and defining the predominant atmosphere during the call. This is what the company audEERING, founded by the internationally renowned Affective Computing expert Prof. Bjorn Schuller (University of Passau and Imperial College London), is specializing on. Together with the Swiss company Spitch, a leading provider of solutions for automatic speech recognition (ASR), voice user interfaces (VOI), and speech analytics, audEERING is integrating new technologies for automatic recognition of emotions in call center environments to allow for personalized training of service agents and improvement of service quality in call centers.Gilching/Oberpfaffenhofen - Zurich, 28.02.2017. The market for call centers is growing steadily since almost every company is nowadays offering their customers some kind of a service desk. Online shops, mobile phone providers, banks or insurance companies offer instant support by telephone for their customers. But not only the number of call centers is growing  so is the frustration on both ends of the line. Angry customers complain about long waiting times and swamped call center agents  about high levels of stress. To continuously improve service quality, agents need to be trained regularly  not only on technical aspects but also with respect to their general communication skills. The evidence base for such trainings are automatically analyzed calls.One of the most important parameters for customer satisfaction during a service call is the predominant atmosphere, determined by emotions of agent and caller. Emotions may also affect the customer answers affecting Net Promoter Score (NPS) measurements. Due to decades of research at the Technische Universitat Munchen (TUM), the company audEERING, which was founded by former TUM employees, is able to offer an automated solution for emotion and personality recognition. Modern approaches for pattern recognition allow for reliable automatic recognition of emotions from speech signals. The core technology for this comes from the software toolkit openSMILE which was developed by audEERING and has received multiple awards.In a joint project with the Swiss company Spitch, audEERINGs audio analysis methods are being optimized for service call recordings. For calibrating of the recognition software with respect to the service call domain, real call center audio recordings are used and labeled by experts in order to teach the software extracting emotions in a learning phase. The labeling of speech recordings is performed by the innovative crowdsourcing technology applied within the iHEARu-PLAY platform, which was developed by audEERING in cooperation with the University of Passau. iHEARu-PLAY is a platform allowing its users to assign emotions to recordings via the internet.Every innovative company nowadays explores new approaches for productive customer interaction. Speech, voice, and emotion recognition can be seen as essential elements of a continuative business strategy. Spitch is a leading provider of speech and voice recognition and we are happy about the cooperation with audEERING, the leading vendor in the area of emotion recognition from audio. Together, we offer a complete integration of identification, verification, speech recognition, and emotion recognition, allowing our customers to use this potential for competitive advantages, says Alexey Popov, CEO and founder of Spitch.By this trend-setting solution and cooperation between audEERING and Spitch, companies can not only profit from enhanced customer satisfaction due to better training and prevention measures  they also get support in improving psychological stress of call center agents. This generates added value on all areas, adds Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bjorn Schuller, CEO of audEERING.About audEERING GmbHaudEERING GmbH was founded in 2012 and is a leading company in the area of intelligent audio analysis. Its product portfolio comprises software systems for automatic emotion and speaker state recognition from speech signals and methods for music signal analysis. Furthermore, audEERING offers custom solutions for audio analysis based on its award-winning software toolkit openSMILE. Since 2015, audEERING hosts an ERC 2015 proof-of-concept grant for excellence science by the European Research Council in the area of advanced audio signal analysis for emotion and state recognition from speech. The companys headquarter is located in Gilching near Munich. audEERINGs customers comprise DAX companies in the telecommunications and automotive industry as well as leading market research organizations, national and international media companies and service providers. For further information visitAbout Spitch AGSpitch is a rapidly growing Swiss based Speech Analytics and Spoken Language Technologies company with a global perspective and a bespoke approach. In addition to Switzerland, Italy and the U.K., Spitch is currently active in the German, U.S., French, and Russian markets. Spitch is the first provider of solutions for Swiss German (Schwiizerdutsch) and its many dialects. For further information visitContact:Dr. Martin WollmeraudEERING GmbHOffice:Friedrichshafener Str. 382205 GilchingGermanymw@audeering.com+49-8105-7756150+49-175-5112554
United States TDCPP Market Report 2017 Estimates & Forecast by Manufacturers, Regions, Type, Application and Forecast to 2022

United States TDCPP Market Report 2017

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This report studies sales (consumption) of United States TDCPP Market, focuses on the top players, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player, coveringICLTIANJIN LIANRUI FLAME RETARDANT MATERIALZhejiang WanshengZhangJiaGang YaRui ChemicalZHANGJIAGANG FORTUNE CHEMICALZhejiang Honghao TechnologyTaizhou Xinan retardant MaterialsIROYAL CHEMICALView Full Report With Complete TOC, List Of Figure and Table:Market Segment by States, coveringCaliforniaTexasNew YorkFloridaIllinoisSplit by product types, with sales, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoType IType IISplit by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of TDCPP in each application, can be divided intoApplication 1Application 2Download Sample this Report:Table of ContentsUnited States TDCPP Market Report 20171 TDCPP Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of TDCPP1.2 Classification of TDCPP1.2.1 Type I1.2.2 Type II1.3 Application of TDCPP1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.4 United States Market Size Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) of TDCPP (2012-2022)1.4.1 United States TDCPP Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States TDCPP Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 United States TDCPP Competition by Manufacturers2.1 United States TDCPP Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 United States TDCPP Revenue and Share by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.3 United States TDCPP Average Price by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.4 TDCPP Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.4.1 TDCPP Market Concentration Rate2.4.2 TDCPP Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.4.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 United States TDCPP Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by States (2012-2017)3.1 United States TDCPP Sales and Market Share by States (2012-2017)3.2 United States TDCPP Revenue and Market Share by States (2012-2017)3.3 United States TDCPP Price by States (2012-2017)4 United States TDCPP Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by Type (2012-2017)4.1 United States TDCPP Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)4.2 United States TDCPP Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)4.3 United States TDCPP Price by Type (2012-2017)4.4 United States TDCPP Sales Growth Rate by Type (2012-2017)5 United States TDCPP Sales (Volume) by Application (2012-2017)5.1 United States TDCPP Sales and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)5.2 United States TDCPP Sales Growth Rate by Application (2012-2017)5.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6 United States TDCPP Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis6.1 ICL6.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.1.2 TDCPP Product Type, Application and Specification6.1.2.1 Product A6.1.2.2 Product B6.1.3 ICL TDCPP Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.2 TIANJIN LIANRUI FLAME RETARDANT MATERIAL6.2.2 TDCPP Product Type, Application and Specification6.2.2.1 Product A6.2.2.2 Product B6.2.3 TIANJIN LIANRUI FLAME RETARDANT MATERIAL TDCPP Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.3 Zhejiang Wansheng6.3.2 TDCPP Product Type, Application and Specification6.3.2.1 Product A6.3.2.2 Product B6.3.3 Zhejiang Wansheng TDCPP Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.4 ZhangJiaGang YaRui Chemical6.4.2 TDCPP Product Type, Application and Specification6.4.2.1 Product A6.4.2.2 Product B6.4.3 ZhangJiaGang YaRui Chemical TDCPP Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.5 ZHANGJIAGANG FORTUNE CHEMICAL6.5.2 TDCPP Product Type, Application and Specification6.5.2.1 Product A6.5.2.2 Product B6.5.3 ZHANGJIAGANG FORTUNE CHEMICAL TDCPP Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.6 Zhejiang Honghao Technology6.6.2 TDCPP Product Type, Application and Specification6.6.2.1 Product A6.6.2.2 Product B6.6.3 Zhejiang Honghao Technology TDCPP Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.7 Taizhou Xin'an retardant Materials6.7.2 TDCPP Product Type, Application and Specification6.7.2.1 Product A6.7.2.2 Product B6.7.3 Taizhou Xin'an retardant Materials TDCPP Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.8 IROYAL CHEMICAL6.8.2 TDCPP Product Type, Application and Specification6.8.2.1 Product A6.8.2.2 Product B6.8.3 IROYAL CHEMICAL TDCPP Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview7 TDCPP Manufacturing Cost Analysis7.1 TDCPP Key Raw Materials Analysis7.1.1 Key Raw Materials7.1.2 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials7.1.3 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials7.1.4 Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials7.2 Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure7.2.1 Raw Materials7.2.2 Labor Cost7.2.3 Manufacturing Expenses7.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of TDCPP8 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers8.1 TDCPP Industrial Chain Analysis8.2 Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing8.3 Raw Materials Sources of TDCPP Major Manufacturers in 20158.4 Downstream Buyers9 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders9.1 Marketing Channel9.1.1 Direct Marketing9.1.2 Indirect Marketing9.1.3 Marketing Channel Development Trend9.2 Market Positioning9.2.1 Pricing Strategy9.2.2 Brand Strategy9.2.3 Target Client9.3 Distributors/Traders List10 Market Effect Factors Analysis10.1 Technology Progress/Risk10.1.1 Substitutes Threat10.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry10.2 Consumer Needs/Customer Preference Change10.3 Economic/Political Environmental Change11 United States TDCPP Market Forecast (2017-2022)11.1 United States TDCPP Sales, Revenue Forecast (2017-2022)11.2 United States TDCPP Sales Forecast by Type (2017-2022)11.3 United States TDCPP Sales Forecast by Application (2017-2022)11.4 TDCPP Price Forecast (2017-2022)12 Research Findings and Conclusion13 AppendixMethodologyAnalyst IntroductionData SourceTo Purchase this Premium Report:About UsGlobal QYResearch () is the one spot destination for all your research needs. Global QYResearch holds the repository of quality research reports from numerous publishers across the globe. Our inventory of research reports caters to various industry verticals including Healthcare, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Technology and Media, Chemicals, Materials, Energy, Heavy Industry, etc. With the complete information about the publishers and the industries they cater to for developing market research reports, we help our clients in making purchase decision by understanding their requirements and suggesting best possible collection matching their needs.Contact Us:Unit 1, 26 Cleveland Road, South Woodford, London,E182AN, United KingdomCall: +44 20 3239 2407sales@globalqyresearch.comLinkedin:Twitter:
Organic Infant Food Market 2017 - Abbott Laboratories, Danone, Nestle, Hero

Food

https://goo.gl/7qoHxG

https://goo.gl/ORtzxT

The Global Organic Infant Food Market 2017 Industry Research Report focused on global and regional market, major manufacturers, as well as the current state of the Organic Infant Food industry. First, "Global Organic Infant Food Industry 2017" report analyzed the basic scope of this industry like definition, specification, classification, application, industry policy, news analysis and Organic Infant Food industry chain structure.Major Companies Covered in this report:-Abbott Laboratories,Danone,Nestle,Hero,HiPP,Baby Gourmet,Amara,Olli Organic,Initiative Foods,Request For Report Sample @The analysis on Organic Infant Food industry is provided including the up and down stream industry also with the major market players., Organic Infant Food industry competitive landscape analysis.Second, Organic Infant Food industry manufacturing process, cost structure and major plants distribution is conducted for Organic Infant Food market. This report "Worldwide Organic Infant Food Market 2017" also states major market data like capacity, gross margin, supply, price, revenue, import/export, consumption and Organic Infant Food market's growth rate by regions (Europe, North America, South America, Asia, China and ROW), as well as other regions can be added in Organic Infant Food Market area.Then, the report focuses on global Organic Infant Food market key players with information such as company profiles, contact information with product picture as well as specification.Enquiry Before Buying the report @Related information to Organic Infant Food market- Capacity, Production, Capacity Utilization Rate, Price, Revenue, Cost, Gross and contact information. Also includes Organic Infant Food industry's - Upstream raw materials, equipment, Manufacturing and downstream industry consumers analysis is also carried out. Whats more, the Organic Infant Food market development trends and Organic Infant Food industry marketing channels are analyzed.Finally, "worldwide Organic Infant Food market" report is a valuable source of guidance for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, customers, investors and individuals who have interest in this market.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 UsMarkets Planet155 North Wacker Drive,Suite 4250Chicago, IL 60606USA+17739042683
United States Popcorn Machines Market Report 2017 Analysis by Application, Size, Production, Market Share, Consumption, Trends and Forecast 2022

United States Popcorn Machines Market Report 2017

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This report studies sales (consumption) of United States Popcorn Machines Market, focuses on the top players, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player, coveringConair CorporationFocus ProductsNational Presto IndustriesNostalgia ProductsWabash Valley FarmsGreat NorthernHamilton BeachJarden Consumer SolutionsNordic WareView Full Report With Complete TOC, List Of Figure and Table:Market Segment by States, coveringCaliforniaTexasNew YorkFloridaIllinoisSplit by product types, with sales, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoType IType IISplit by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Popcorn Machines in each application, can be divided intoApplication 1Application 2Download Sample this Report:Table of ContentsUnited States Popcorn Machines Market Report 20171 Popcorn Machines Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Popcorn Machines1.2 Classification of Popcorn Machines1.2.1 Type I1.2.2 Type II1.3 Application of Popcorn Machines1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.4 United States Market Size Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) of Popcorn Machines (2012-2022)1.4.1 United States Popcorn Machines Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Popcorn Machines Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 United States Popcorn Machines Competition by Manufacturers2.1 United States Popcorn Machines Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 United States Popcorn Machines Revenue and Share by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.3 United States Popcorn Machines Average Price by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.4 Popcorn Machines Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.4.1 Popcorn Machines Market Concentration Rate2.4.2 Popcorn Machines Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.4.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 United States Popcorn Machines Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by States (2012-2017)3.1 United States Popcorn Machines Sales and Market Share by States (2012-2017)3.2 United States Popcorn Machines Revenue and Market Share by States (2012-2017)3.3 United States Popcorn Machines Price by States (2012-2017)4 United States Popcorn Machines Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by Type (2012-2017)4.1 United States Popcorn Machines Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)4.2 United States Popcorn Machines Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)4.3 United States Popcorn Machines Price by Type (2012-2017)4.4 United States Popcorn Machines Sales Growth Rate by Type (2012-2017)5 United States Popcorn Machines Sales (Volume) by Application (2012-2017)5.1 United States Popcorn Machines Sales and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)5.2 United States Popcorn Machines Sales Growth Rate by Application (2012-2017)5.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6 United States Popcorn Machines Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis6.1 Conair Corporation6.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.1.2 Popcorn Machines Product Type, Application and Specification6.1.2.1 Product A6.1.2.2 Product B6.1.3 Conair Corporation Popcorn Machines Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.2 Focus Products6.2.2 Popcorn Machines Product Type, Application and Specification6.2.2.1 Product A6.2.2.2 Product B6.2.3 Focus Products Popcorn Machines Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.3 National Presto Industries6.3.2 Popcorn Machines Product Type, Application and Specification6.3.2.1 Product A6.3.2.2 Product B6.3.3 National Presto Industries Popcorn Machines Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.4 Nostalgia Products6.4.2 Popcorn Machines Product Type, Application and Specification6.4.2.1 Product A6.4.2.2 Product B6.4.3 Nostalgia Products Popcorn Machines Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.5 Wabash Valley Farms6.5.2 Popcorn Machines Product Type, Application and Specification6.5.2.1 Product A6.5.2.2 Product B6.5.3 Wabash Valley Farms Popcorn Machines Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.6 Great Northern6.6.2 Popcorn Machines Product Type, Application and Specification6.6.2.1 Product A6.6.2.2 Product B6.6.3 Great Northern Popcorn Machines Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.7 Hamilton Beach6.7.2 Popcorn Machines Product Type, Application and Specification6.7.2.1 Product A6.7.2.2 Product B6.7.3 Hamilton Beach Popcorn Machines Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.8 Jarden Consumer Solutions6.8.2 Popcorn Machines Product Type, Application and Specification6.8.2.1 Product A6.8.2.2 Product B6.8.3 Jarden Consumer Solutions Popcorn Machines Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.9 Nordic Ware6.9.2 Popcorn Machines Product Type, Application and Specification6.9.2.1 Product A6.9.2.2 Product B6.9.3 Nordic Ware Popcorn Machines Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview7 Popcorn Machines Manufacturing Cost Analysis7.1 Popcorn Machines Key Raw Materials Analysis7.1.1 Key Raw Materials7.1.2 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials7.1.3 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials7.1.4 Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials7.2 Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure7.2.1 Raw Materials7.2.2 Labor Cost7.2.3 Manufacturing Expenses7.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Popcorn Machines8 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers8.1 Popcorn Machines Industrial Chain Analysis8.2 Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing8.3 Raw Materials Sources of Popcorn Machines Major Manufacturers in 20158.4 Downstream Buyers9 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders9.1 Marketing Channel9.1.1 Direct Marketing9.1.2 Indirect Marketing9.1.3 Marketing Channel Development Trend9.2 Market Positioning9.2.1 Pricing Strategy9.2.2 Brand Strategy9.2.3 Target Client9.3 Distributors/Traders List10 Market Effect Factors Analysis10.1 Technology Progress/Risk10.1.1 Substitutes Threat10.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry10.2 Consumer Needs/Customer Preference Change10.3 Economic/Political Environmental Change11 United States Popcorn Machines Market Forecast (2017-2022)11.1 United States Popcorn Machines Sales, Revenue Forecast (2017-2022)11.2 United States Popcorn Machines Sales Forecast by Type (2017-2022)11.3 United States Popcorn Machines Sales Forecast by Application (2017-2022)11.4 Popcorn Machines Price Forecast (2017-2022)12 Research Findings and Conclusion13 AppendixMethodologyAnalyst IntroductionData SourceTo Purchase this Premium Report:About UsGlobal QYResearch () is the one spot destination for all your research needs. Global QYResearch holds the repository of quality research reports from numerous publishers across the globe. Our inventory of research reports caters to various industry verticals including Healthcare, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Technology and Media, Chemicals, Materials, Energy, Heavy Industry, etc. With the complete information about the publishers and the industries they cater to for developing market research reports, we help our clients in making purchase decision by understanding their requirements and suggesting best possible collection matching their needs.Contact Us:Unit 1, 26 Cleveland Road, South Woodford, London,E182AN, United KingdomCall: +44 20 3239 2407sales@globalqyresearch.comLinkedin:Twitter:
High Temperature Laminated Glass Market 2017 - Saint Gobain Glass, Sisecam, Carlex, Normax

Material

https://goo.gl/eEaVmG

https://goo.gl/W36Ddg

The Global High Temperature Laminated Glass Market 2017 Industry Research Report focused on global and regional market, major manufacturers, as well as the current state of the High Temperature Laminated Glass industry. First, "Global High Temperature Laminated Glass Industry 2017" report analyzed the basic scope of this industry like definition, specification, classification, application, industry policy, news analysis and High Temperature Laminated Glass industry chain structure.Major Companies Covered in this report:-Saint Gobain Glass,Sisecam,Carlex,Normax,Seves Glass Block,Telux-Glas,Yaohua Glass,Luoyang Glass,Request For Report Sample @The analysis on High Temperature Laminated Glass industry is provided including the up and down stream industry also with the major market players., High Temperature Laminated Glass industry competitive landscape analysis.Second, High Temperature Laminated Glass industry manufacturing process, cost structure and major plants distribution is conducted for High Temperature Laminated Glass market. This report "Worldwide High Temperature Laminated Glass Market 2017" also states major market data like capacity, gross margin, supply, price, revenue, import/export, consumption and High Temperature Laminated Glass market's growth rate by regions (Europe, North America, South America, Asia, China and ROW), as well as other regions can be added in High Temperature Laminated Glass Market area.Then, the report focuses on global High Temperature Laminated Glass market key players with information such as company profiles, contact information with product picture as well as specification.Enquiry Before Buying the report @Related information to High Temperature Laminated Glass market- Capacity, Production, Capacity Utilization Rate, Price, Revenue, Cost, Gross and contact information. Also includes High Temperature Laminated Glass industry's - Upstream raw materials, equipment, Manufacturing and downstream industry consumers analysis is also carried out. Whats more, the High Temperature Laminated Glass market development trends and High Temperature Laminated Glass industry marketing channels are analyzed.Finally, "worldwide High Temperature Laminated Glass market" report is a valuable source of guidance for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, customers, investors and individuals who have interest in this market.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 HeadMarkets Planet155 North Wacker Drive,Suite 4250Chicago, IL 60606USA+17739042683
Vehicle camera Industry Research Report - Global Forecast to 2022

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1953

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/vehicle-camera-market

Market ScenarioVehicle camera is an onboard camera that continuously records the view through a vehicles windscreen. Vehicle camera also provides evidence in case of accident. Increasing the disposable income among the individuals ultimately increase the demand of luxury vehicles which will increase the demand of vehicle camera market. Rising safety concern among the consumers is also fueling the growth of this market. Additionally factors like simple installation & mantainace, affordable price are also contributing to the growth of this market. Advancement in technology like in-built GPS, audio recording and others also propel the demand of this market.Thus the Vehicle camera market is expected to register a CAGR of about 10%.Sample Report @Study Objectives of Vehicle camera MarketTo provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 5 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Vehicle camera MarketTo provide insights about factors affecting the market growthTo Analyze the Global Vehicle camera Market based on various factors such as supply chain analysis, and Porters five force analysisTo provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to regions and their respective key countriesTo provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospectiveTo provide country level analysis of the market for segments by Vehicle Type, by Camera Type, and by Technology.To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the marketTo track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global Vehicle camera Market.Browse Report @Regional Analysis of Vehicle camera MarketNorth America region dominates the Global vehicle camera market. Many insurance companies offers scheme such as in-car camera incentive program and safety regulation by government encouraging the consumers for the installation of these cameras. APAC region is expected to show the fastest growth during the forecast period. Increasing number of accidents as well as rising awareness regarding the benefits of vehicle cameras like protection from thieves, fuel the growth vehicle camera market in this region.The report for Global Vehicle camera Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.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.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 Future+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.comAt 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.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.Market Research FutureAmanora Town Centre, Office No. 528,, Amanora Chambers, Hadapsar, Pune, Maharashtra 411028
Metrology Market Segments, Industry News, Regional Analysis, and Forecast to 2027

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/metrology-market

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Market Synopsis of Metrology Market:Market ScenarioThe major growth driver of Metrology Market includes growing demand for measurement components from sectors such as automotive and energy and power sectors, and growing outsourcing trends in healthcare sector among others.However, lack of skilled precision machine operators is one of the major factors which are hindering the growth of Metrology Market.SegmentsGlobal Metrology Market can be segmented as follows: Segmentation by Type: Industrial metrology, scientific metrology and legal metrology among others. Segmentation by Product: CMM (coordinate measuring machine), optical digitizers, 3D scanners and Laser tracker among others. Segmentation by Application: Aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, industrial, and energy & power among others.Request a Sample Report @Objective of Metrology Market Study: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 10 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Metrology market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth. To Analyze the Metrology Market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW). To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by type, by product, by applications and sub-segments. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global Metrology market.Browse Report Details @KeyPlayers:Some of the major players in Global Metrology Market include Hexagon AB (Sweden), Carl Zeiss (Germany) Mitutoyo Corp.(U.S) Nikon metrology (Belgium) Renishaw (U.K.) metrology software product Ltd.(U.K.) Pantec metrology (Germany) Perceptron Inc.(U.S.) 3D Digital Corporation (U.S.) Faro Technologies (U.S.). among others.Industry News: Nikon metrology has announced in April 2016 about its new product development. It has developed MV331 and MV351 for faster measurement, automated and non-contact metrology. It also performs repetitive procedures and complex inspection task easily to enhance the measurement. Faro Technologies has announced in July 2016 about its expansion of metrology and factory automation sectors by acquisition of Build IT software & solution, one of the leader in 3D metrology software platform.Regional Analysis of Metrology Market:North-America is expected to dominate the Global Metrology Market with the largest market share due to continuous technology advancement and increasing financial support from government in the region, and is expected to grow by 2027. Metrology Market in Asia-Pacific market is expected to grow in 2016 by 2027. The Europe market for Metrology Market is expected to grow (2016-2027).Request Table of Contents for this Report @The reports also cover brief analysis of Geographical Region including:US Canada Latin AmericaEurope Western Europe Germany France U.K Rest of Western Europe Eastern EuropeAsia PacificAsia China India Japan South Korea Rest of Asia PacificThe Middle East & AfricaAbout 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.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.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.comAt 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.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.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
3D motion tracking Market 2017 - Xsens, VICON, PTI Phoenix, shadow

3D motion tracking Market

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https://goo.gl/V1uB40

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A market study based on the "3D motion tracking Market" across the globe, recently added to the repository of Market Research, is titled Global 3D motion tracking Market 2017. The research report analyses the historical as well as present performance of the worldwide 3D motion tracking industry, and makes predictions on the future status of 3D motion tracking market on the basis of this analysis.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here :Top Manufacturers Analysis Of This ReportXsensVICONPTI PhoenixshadowThe report studies the industry for 3D motion tracking across the globe taking the existing industry chain, the import and export statistics in 3D motion tracking market & dynamics of demand and supply of 3D motion tracking into consideration. The '3D motion tracking' research study covers each and every aspect of the 3D motion tracking market globally, which starts from the definition of the 3D motion tracking industry and develops towards 3D motion tracking market segmentations. Further, every segment of the 3D motion tracking market is classified and analyzed on the basis of product types, application, and the end-use industries of the 3D motion tracking market. The geographical segmentation of the 3D motion tracking industry has also been covered at length in this report.The competitive landscape of the worldwide market for 3D motion tracking is determined by evaluating the various industry participants, production capacity, 3D motion tracking market's production chain, and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the 3D motion tracking market worldwide.Enquire Here :The global 3D motion tracking market 2017 is also analyzed on the basis of product pricing, 3D motion tracking production volume, data regarding demand and 3D motion tracking 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 3D motion tracking across the globe.About UsApexResearch offer reports from top publishers and update to serve you with immediate on-line access to professional insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends. Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezBusiness Development Executive| sales@apexresearch.biz
DC Power Meter Market 2017 - General Electric, Itron, Toshiba, Melrose Plc

DC Power Meter

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https://goo.gl/rbzjYA

The Global DC Power Meter Market 2017 Industry Research Report focused on global and regional market, major manufacturers, as well as the current state of the DC Power Meter industry. First, "Global DC Power Meter Industry 2017" report analyzed the basic scope of this industry like definition, specification, classification, application, industry policy, news analysis and DC Power Meter industry chain structure.Major Companies Covered in this report:-General Electric,Itron,Toshiba,Melrose Plc,Wasion Group Holdings,ABB,Schneider Electric,Honeywell International,Siemens,EatonRequest For Report Sample @The analysis on DC Power Meter industry is provided including the up and down stream industry also with the major market players., DC Power Meter industry competitive landscape analysis.Second, DC Power Meter industry manufacturing process, cost structure and major plants distribution is conducted for DC Power Meter market. This report "Worldwide DC Power Meter Market 2017" also states major market data like capacity, gross margin, supply, price, revenue, import/export, consumption and DC Power Meter market's growth rate by regions (Europe, North America, South America, Asia, China and ROW), as well as other regions can be added in DC Power Meter Market area.Then, the report focuses on global DC Power Meter market key players with information such as company profiles, contact information with product picture as well as specification.Enquiry Before Buying the report @Related information to DC Power Meter market- Capacity, Production, Capacity Utilization Rate, Price, Revenue, Cost, Gross and contact information. Also includes DC Power Meter industry's - Upstream raw materials, equipment, Manufacturing and downstream industry consumers analysis is also carried out. Whats more, the DC Power Meter market development trends and DC Power Meter industry marketing channels are analyzed.Finally, "worldwide DC Power Meter market" report is a valuable source of guidance for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, customers, investors and individuals who have interest in this market.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 HeadMarkets Planet155 North Wacker Drive,Suite 4250Chicago, IL 60606USA+17739042683
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Market Research Report by Regional Analysis - North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa : forecast 2023

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Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry about everyday life events with no apparent reason. The patient cannot stop worrying about health, family, money, or work and eventually anxiety dominates the person thinking, that interfere with daily functioning of person. Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder includes an unrealistic view of problems, muscle tension, headache, sweating, and tiredness. Additionally, rarely GAD occurs alone as it often accompanied by other anxiety disorder, substance abuse, and depression. Number of factors are responsible to develop GAD which includes genetics, brain chemistry, and environmental factors such as trauma and stressful event, family background, or life experiences. The disorder comes on progressively and can arise across the life cycle, though the risk is highest between childhood and middle age. GAD is diagnosed when a person worries excessively of everyday problems for more than six months and has three or more symptoms. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), prevalence of anxiety disorder in Europe is over 15 % of total Europe population. In addition, CDC stated that prevalence of disorder is more in women than men. Generally, psychotherapy is preferable to GAD patient before medication which teaches a person different ways of reacting, and thinking in various life situations.Generalized anxiety disorder market is segmented into therapeutics, and geography. The therapeutics market is segmented into antidepressant, buspirone, and benzodiazepines. Antidepressants further segmented into selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor(SNRI). Benzodiazepines includes alprazolam (Niravam, Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam. However, benzodiazepines can be habit forming hence, generally used for short term basis and consider as a last choice of treatment. Antidepressant are first line therapy for GAD patient hence, hold the largest market share globally. Geographically, generalized anxiety disorder market segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa, and Rest of the World (RoW). North America dominates the global generalized anxiety market due to increasing incidence of anxiety disorders, and more awareness in people related to anxiety and it is expected to maintain the position during forecast period. However, Asia Pacific market is expected to grow at a faster rate due to changing lifestyle lead to increasing stress, and growing facilities to detect anxiety disorders.Browse full report on Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Market -Some of the major driving factors to propel the generalized anxiety disorders market are increasing incidence rate due to more stressful life, Sedentary lifestyle, and presence of strong pipeline. According to National Institute of Mental Health, every year GAD affects minimum 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population. In the National Comorbidity Survey carried out in 2005, 58% of patients diagnosed with major depression were found to have an anxiety disorder; among these patients, the rate of comorbidity with GAD was 17.2%. However, poor diagnosis rate as no single diagnosis test is available to detect generalized anxiety disorder, affectivity of psychotherapy, and side effects of medications such as habit forming nature, dry mouth, and nausea could restraint the market growth. Focusing on emerging countries such as BRICS countries would create an opportunity for a market players.Some of the key players of the global generalized anxiety disorder market are Eli Lilly and Company, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited, Pfizer, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Baxter International, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Actavis Pharmaceutical Company, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Recordati Rare Diseases, Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma, and Shionogi and Company.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:
Aged Care Market Research Report by Regional Analysis : forecast 2023

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http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/aged-care-market.html

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Most of us want to remain independent and stay in control, but due to growing age our ability starts to decline. Hence, the concept of aged care is introduced, for an easy and better living with proper nursing facility for the higher age group. It is also known as elderly care or eldercare. It emphasizes on the personal and social needs of senior citizens as they need some assistance in their daily activities and medical support who desire to age gracefully. A special act has been taken by the Australian Government for senior citizens known as The Aged Care Act 1997 for people who are unable to live independently of their own. It promises to provides them better and longer living. It is an important distinction that the designing of house, services, activities and employee training of global elderly care falls under the unpaid market sector. The main agenda is to ensure that eldercare services are targeted towards people and areas with the utmost need, it facilitate access to aged care services by those who need them, irrespective of culture, race, language, gender and economic background. Focus is also given on people who are homeless or lives in remote areas and special care is also provided for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) group. Programs are being adopted for the community based care for older people those are Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and Home Care Packages Program. These provides coordinated and personalized home care and also offers four classes of package to assist aged people with simple, low, high and very high care needs.Aged care market has lot to offer for the special service providers who are capable to run long-term as well as short-term aged care home, nutraceutical manufacturers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, senior care furniture manufacturers and real estate companies. Special products are being marketed for aged people such as smart seat hair protector, water proof seat protectors, and bed pads.Browse full report on Aged Care Market -It has already made an impact in developed countries like USA, Canada, and Australia. The aged care market is gaining its popularity in the developing countries like China, Singapore and India, as the major proportion of population is above 65 years. More elderly people will take up aged care services in the future rather depending on their families for care and support as younger people are moving to different cities leaving behind their extended family.Aged care market can be divided on the basis of services and geography. Services can be classified as home care services and residential care services.In home care services, they provide medical or nonmedical benefits which include personal care, skilled-nursing care, companion facilities, physical therapy and medical social services. It also includes in-home hospice care provider.In residential aged care, they provides well maintained accommodation for those whose care cannot be met in their own homes and thus needs a special care cell. There are again two categories in residential aged care facilities these are respite care and permanent care. Respite care offers short-term and temporary care in a residential aged care facility and supports both the older people and their care givers to live at home for as long as possible. They provide both high and low care facility. On the other hand permanent care offers tailor made individual needs in the residential aged care facility.Some of the key players can be divided on the basis of pharmaceutical manufacturer like Pfizer, Novartis, Merck & Co., GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca and Novo Nordisk. On the basis of nutraceutical manufacturer like Alkemists Labs, Asiamerica Ingredients, Inc., Barrington Nutritionals, Nutralliance, Inc., and Proprietary Nutritionals Inc. Senior care furniture manufacturers can be classified as Phoenix Contract, Inc., Flexsteel and Kwalu.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:
Peripheral Arterial Disease Market Research Report by Key Manufacturers Analysis and Forecast 2023

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Peripheral arterial disease, also known as peripheral vascular disease is a condition in which the arteries, other than supplying blood to heart and brain narrow down. Peripheral arterial disease mostly affects the legs, though other arteries may also be involved. Peripheral arterial disease is caused by the deposition of fats (plaques) in the artery walls which reduce the blood flow to organs, limbs and head. The population over the age of 50 are at the risk of suffering from peripheral arterial disease. The growing geriatric population, increasing therapies, rising minimally invasive techniques support the growth for peripheral arterial disease market. It has been estimated that globally around 20% of the total population above the age of 60 years are affected by peripheral arterial diseases. High risk factors such as smoking and diabetes contributes towards increase in incidence rate of peripheral arterial diseases which would stimulate the growth of peripheral arterial disease market globally.The peripheral arterial disease therapeutic market has been segmented into devices, drugs and pipeline. The devices segment is further categorized into devices such as peripheral vascular stents, peripheral transluminal angioplasty balloon catheters, PTA Guidewires, atherectomy devices, chronic total occlusion devices, aortic stents, synthetic surgical grafts, embolic protection devices and inferior vena cava filters. The peripheral vascular stents accounts for the largest share, followed by peripheral transluminal angioplasty balloon catheters. While emnolic protection devices are the fastest growing segment in the global peripheral arterial disease therapeutic market. The drugs segment can be segmented on the basis of cholesterol-lowering drugs, high blood pressure lowering drug, blood sugar regulating drug, and blood clot preventing drug. The phase III pipeline drugs for peripheral arterial disease include Rivaroxaban (Bayer), DLBS1033 (Dexa Medical Group), clopidogrel (SR25990) (Sonofi), Propionyl-L-Caritine (Sigma-Tau Research, Inc.) and others.Browse full report on Peripheral Arterial Disease Market -Geographically, peripheral arterial disease therapeutic market has been segmented in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Rest of the World (RoW). North America, accounted for the largest share in the overall peripheral arterial disease therapeutic market. The dominance is majorly due the high adoption rates of minimally invasive surgeries, higher healthcare expenditure and patient awareness, making North America the leading market for peripheral arterial disease therapeutic market. Europe accounted for the second largest market for peripheral arterial disease therapeutic market. The aging population would boost the demand for peripheral arterial devices in the forecast period. Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the most lucrative market for peripheral arterial disease therapeutic market. The major factors attributing the fastest growth of this region is the presence of large patient pool with unmet medical needs, acting as the opportunity for the players operating in this market. Growing healthcare scenario in the Asian countries coupled with the growing GDP and government initiative would assist the market growth for peripheral arterial disease therapeutics market. South American countries such as Brazil and Mexico are the regions that have significant potential for growth due to developing medical infrastructure, high disposable income and rising prevalence of peripheral arterial disease in the region assisting the market growth. The Rest of the World includes countries such as Russia and countries of Middle East and Africa. The market for peripheral arterial disease therapeutic is subject to grow due to the improving government initiative and rising awareness.Some of the major players operating in the peripheral arterial disease therapeutics market are Abbott Laboratories, Angioscore, Inc., Edward Lifesciences Corporation, Medtronic Inc., Boston Scientific Corporation, Bayer, Volcano Corporation, Sanofi S.A. and others.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:
Rabies Treatment Market Research Report by Regional Analysis - North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa : forecast 2023

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Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease caused due to animal bits. The disease is known to affect domestic as well as wild animals such as bats, skunks, foxes, ferrets, raccoons, cats, or dogs, and infects humans upon contact with saliva of infected animal. Rabies is known to have an incubation period of one to three months. Individuals suffering from rabies show initial symptoms of fever and pain or tingling or burning sensation also called as paraesthesia at the wound site. As the disease progresses through the central nervous system (CNS), patients exhibit hyperactivity, excited behavior, hydrophobia. Rabies can also be paralytic and accounts for approximately 3% of all rabies cases globally according to World Health Organization (WHO). This form is usually misdiagnosed and has slower progression. Muscles near the wound site begin to paralyze; untreated infections lead to coma and cause death.WHO statistics also show that although rabies is prevalent in all continents except Antarctica, more than 95% of the mortalities occur in African and Asian countries. Rabies infections are common in areas where human-animal interaction is more and no proper medical treatment facility is available for treatment. In the U.S. only 55 cases have been identified since 1955 according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rapid diagnostic tests are available for diagnosis of rabies. These tests are usually Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) or fluorescent assay technology. Synbiotics Corporation, O.K. SERVIS BioPro, s.r.o., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. and Alpha Diagnostic International are some of the players manufacturing diagnostic kits for rabies.Browse full report on Rabies Treatment Market -Novartis and Sanofi are key players in the global rabies treatment market. These companies manufacture prophylactic vaccines for humans. Sanofis Imovax Rabies is a human diploid cell vaccine; while Novartiss RabAvert is a Purified chick embryo cell vaccine. Vaccines are also available for preventing infections in animals. Merial a Sanofi company announced in July 2014 had it has launched PUREVAX Feline Rabies 3 YR vaccine. This is a non-adjuvanted rabies vaccine and provides 3 year immunity. The vaccine has been recommended for immunization of healthy cats 12 weeks and older. Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd, is also working on development of new generation rabies vaccine in India. Under-developed countries have initiated mass vaccination of stray dogs to control mortalities. According to an article published by World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014, Kenya launched a nationwide program for vaccination of dogs. Currently, more than 3,000 dogs in Makueni County have been vaccinated. In September 2014, The Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA), the Australian Government and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) launched rabies control project to reduce rabies cases due to dog in the Philippines. Earlier in 2013, massive dog vaccination program was launched, which vaccinated 92,869 dogs and attained 80% coverage according to a press release by World Organization for Animal Health. An article published in The Maravi Post, Malawi also plans to vaccinate 500,000 dogs and cats to curb the rabies crisis. Such preventive programs will help in reducing the prevalence of the disease in lower socio-economic classes. With developing economic conditions and consistent government initiatives, the prevalence of rabies is expected to shrink in the future. Higher prevalence in the Asia Pacific and Africa provides larger customer base for players in the rabies treatment 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:
Nanocapsules Market Research Report with regional analysis and forecast 2023

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Nanopharmacology is a new branch of pharmacology which deals with the application of nanotechnology in the field of nanomedicine. This is a potential step towards curing and prevention of disease by using molecular knowledge about human body and molecular tools. Nanopharmacology studies the interaction between nanoscale drugs and proteins such as DNA, RNA and cells & tissues. It also studies the interaction between physiological systems and traditional drugs at nanoscale level.Nanoparticles are solid colloidal particles that include both nanospheres and nanocapsules. Nanocapsule is any nanoparticles that consist of a shell and a space in which desired substances may be placed. It is made up of a nontoxic polymer. They are also known to be drug delivery agents in the size range of 10-1000 nm. These capsules are made up of molecules called as phospholipids such as liposomes. Now-a-days many other materials such as variety of polymers have been used to make nanocapsules by self assembly process. Polymeric capsules are studied extensively as particulate carriers in the medical and pharmaceutical fields as they act as good drug delivery systems as a result of their sustained and control release property and subcellular size.The ultrafine size of nanocapsules itself is one of the useful function as the finer drug are suitable to be absorbed easily through biological systems. The special features and functions of nanoparticles include slow release: the capsules releases drugs molecules slower over a long period of time, quick release: the capsule shell breaks and comes in contact with a surface, specific release: the shell is designed to break open when a molecule receptor binds to a specific chemical and moisture release: the shell breaks down and releases drug in the presence of water among other features. The state of the art nanocapsulation medications include drugs deliver to specific locations within the body, cuts down on the amount of drug per dose and reduces the risk of side effects. The only limitation is that it is designed to target pre-determined areas.Browse full report on Nanocapsules Market -Cancer, neutraceuticals, ethyl alcohol absorption, food usage and self healing materials are the major applications of nanocapsules. Water soluble polymer shells are manufactured to deliver a protein known as apoptin into cancer cells. Neutraceuticals are substances which are placed into food to enhance nutrition. The smaller the nanocarrier, the better the delivery particles and solubility of neutraceuticals. Nanocapsulation in foods includes the changing of texture, coloring, flavoring and stability in shelf life. Nanocapsules are known to reduce damage that is caused by high loads for components in microelectronics, polymeric coatings and adhesives.Growing pharmaceutical industry along with the rising demand for nanocapsules are expected to be the major factor driving the global nanocapsules industry. The growing demand from the end user industry is also expected to boost demand for nanocapsules in the near future.Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest consumer of nanocapsules due to growing pharmaceutical industries in the region. North America and Europe are also expected to boost demand for nanocapsules owing to the growing demand from the end-user industries for various applications.Some of the major players profiled for global nanocapsules market include: Capsulation, Sanzyme Ltd, PlasmaChem GmbH, NoCamels, Indian Instruments Manufacturing Company, Encap, Sintef, and Carlina Technologies among others.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:
Artificial Intelligence Market Effective Customer Reach & Positioning of their Services & Solutions

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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.Request A Sample Of This Report: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.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.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:
The Port of Portland and the company operating its container terminal have agreed to part ways at the end of March, nearly a year after the terminal was idled by labor strife.

With the departure of Philippine-owned ICTSI Oregon, the Port would be left once again in charge of Terminal 6, Oregon's only container terminal accessible by large ocean-crossing cargo vessels.

Under the agreement, ICTSI will pay the Port $11.45 million and return the $10 million in equipment it purchased when it took over management of the terminal, Port Executive Director Bill Wyatt said Monday.

"We were not very excited about the prospect of sitting around for the next five to 10 years with an empty terminal just collecting rent," Wyatt said. "It became clearer and clearer this was not going to get resolved anytime soon."

It also appears to be a partial victory for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 8, which had long resisted ICTSI's management of the terminal. Legal disputes between the two continue, however. Representatives from the union could not be reached Monday.

The Port's Board of Commissioners, which meets March 8, still must sign off on the agreement.

And even if the deal is approved, it's not likely the terminal will resume operations anytime soon.

The Port hasn't seen regular cargo service in more than a year, and its largest customer, South Korea's Hanjin Shipping, filed for bankruptcy in August. Other carriers are struggling with a glut of cargo vessels and a drop in global trade. Wyatt said it would likely take at least a year, and perhaps longer, to recruit a new carrier.

He said the Port won't return to its old business model of hiring an stevedore company to run the terminal on the Port's behalf. Instead, it will look for another arrangement that minimizes the Port's financial exposure.

The Port operated the terminal itself for more than 30 years, turning a profit during only two of them. It subsidized the operation as part of the public agency's mission to support the state's economy.

But by 2007, Port leaders saw a private operator as the only sustainable option.

The Port leased the terminal to ICTSI in 2010 under a 25-year contract. The company agreed to pay the Port $4.5 million annually after an initial rent payment of $8 million. ICTSI took over terminal operations in 2011.

Things went about as planned for about a year, until the International Longshore and Warehouse Union claimed jurisdiction over jobs plugging and unplugging refrigerated containers that had traditionally belonged to union electricians who worked for the Port. It also complained about safety conditions and ICTSI's stewardship of the terminal.

The dispute led to years of court battles and work slowdowns at the terminal. Carriers threatened to pull their business. By 2013, the Port agreed to pay Hanjin millions of dollars in incentives to keep calling on Terminal 6. But by early 2015, the company notified its customers that it would drop service to Portland.

Other carriers followed. Westwood Shipping Lines of Puyallup, Washington, the last container carrier making regular calls at Terminal 6, suspended service last May.

In a statement released by the Port, ICTSI Oregon Chief Executive Elvis Ganda said his company would continue to pursue legal claims against the longshore union.

But Wyatt said he didn't expect the Port to inherit ICTSI's labor woes.

"I would expect that the ILWU is anxious to get back to work," he said.

Portland's container terminal, 102 miles upriver from the ocean, never seriously competed with major West Coast container ports. In 2008, Portland accounted for just 1.3 percent of container movement along the coast, according to the Pacific Maritime Association.

Nonetheless, its idling has cost Oregon exporters about $15 million a year in the cost of trucking goods to other ports, according to a 2016 study. It's been especially costly for producers of products with small profit margins, such as compressed hay shipped to feed dairy or livestock animals overseas.

Gov. Kate Brown said in a statement the agreement was an "opportunity to re-establish a crucial lifeline to rural Oregon and businesses across the state."

"Container service at Terminal 6 was one of the first issues I took on after becoming Governor," she said. "I still believe Oregon businesses, the shipping community, those who work on the waterfront, and the Port of Portland will come together to develop a solution that supports Oregon's economy and creates jobs."

Kevin Mannix, a Salem attorney and former Republican legislator who's criticized the Port's handling of the situation, said Monday the agreement was "a whole new ball game."

"The closure of this long-term lease agreement opens the door to potential solutions to a container shipping shutdown," he said. "Now what we need are some creative approaches to getting containers ships back to the Port of Portland."

Mannix is promoting a proposal to form a public Oregon Shipping Authority to run the terminal.

The Port's other lines of marine cargo business have been unaffected by the turmoil. It led the West Coast in the export of cars last year, though the 50,000 exported vehicles were dwarfed by the 241,000 imported through Portland.

-- Elliot Njus

enjus@oregonian.com

503-294-5034

@enjus
Clackamette Park

A sign at Oregon City's Clackamette Park is shown in this 2012 Oregonian/OregonLive file photo.

(Everton Bailey Jr./Staff)

A man was taken to a hospital in serious condition after jumping into the Clackamas River to recover a boat that floated away from shore, deputies said.

The man, who wasn't publicly identified, was conscious and alert Monday night, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. He jumped in after the boat at Clackamette Park, which sits at the confluence of the Clackamas and Willamette rivers in Oregon City.

While a witness was talking with dispatchers, a second man jumped into the water to try to help wrangle the boat, according to the sheriff's office. That man made it aboard the boat and grabbed hold of the other man, who appeared to be struggling.

Deputies said rescue crews arrived on boats and found the man in the boat clutching the man in the water -- whose head was submerged at times. Authorities pulled the man into one of their boats and drove to a boat ramp.

They also took the man in the boat to shore. He was uninjured, deputies said.

He told KOIN that he and his friend are from South Dakota and that they were loading a boat back onto its trailer when it floated away.

"I backed the truck down to the water and the boat's out in the middle of the river and Steve's flailing around in the water," the uninjured man told the television station.

He told KOIN he held onto his friend for 20 minutes while they were waiting for help and that his friend had been drinking.

Clackamas River temperatures were in the low 40s near Oregon City on Monday. Authorities were dispatched to the rescue around 6 p.m.

Agencies that perform water rescues in Clackamas County urge people to wear life jackets while around water.

-- Jim Ryan

jryan@oregonian.com

503-221-8005; @Jimryan015
Public safety 1

(The Oregonian/OregonLive)

UPDATE: Man who tried to hit Vancouver officer released from hospital, booked into jail

Vancouver police have identified the officer who shot a wanted man who tried to hit him with a car Saturday.

Officer Ken Suvada is on leave, which is standard practice after officer-involved shootings. The man he shot remains hospitalized but is expected to survive, Vancouver police spokeswoman Kim Kapp said in a news release Monday afternoon.

Kapp didn't know how many times or where the man was shot. She also didn't have details about why the man was wanted.

Police were helping a state corrections officer arrest the man, who hasn't been publicly identified, Saturday morning on Main Street. The man tried to hit Suvada with his car, and Suvada fired at him, Kapp said.

The man then drove away, hit a car and building, ran away and was arrested, Kapp said. Two people in the car he hit were taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The wanted man's female passenger was not arrested, Kapp said.

She said Suvada, 45, is a patrol officer who was first hired by the department in 2002. He's worked in a variety of roles for Vancouver police.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident.

-- Jim Ryan

jryan@oregonian.com

503-221-8005; @Jimryan015

Samantha Matsumoto of The Oregonian/OregonLive staff contributed to this report
Trump25.JPG

President Donald Trump, in a file photo

(AP Photo/File)

Congressional Republicans are blocking an independent investigation into the Trump administration's ties to Russia. Do they have something to fear?

The president, in spite of his campaign promise, is refusing to release his taxes. Does he have something to fear?

If not, it would be in his best interests to agree to an independent investigation and to the release of his taxes. Otherwise, it is the American people who have something to fear.

Merrie Ziady, Portland
By Eugene Robinson

WASHINGTON -- The Trump administration so far has been smoke and mirrors, sound and fury, self-proclaimed victimhood and angry tweets. Where is the substance? Where is the competence? And where -- increasingly -- is the public support?

Donald Trump's approval rating of 41 percent is the lowest Gallup has ever measured for a president this early in his term. It should be no surprise that Trump isn't having a hearts-and-flowers honeymoon, given that his inauguration was followed a day later by the biggest mass protest in the nation's history. But it usually takes more than a few weeks for the relationship between POTUS and populace to become so curdled.

It is true that most of those who voted for Trump are sticking with him. But they, you will recall, were in the minority -- try as he might, Trump will never erase the fact that he lost the popular vote. And Trump has done essentially nothing to bring skeptics over to his side.

Instead, he has worried his political allies and galvanized his opponents. To me, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sound a bit uncertain and defensive these days. By contrast, the House and Senate minority leaders, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, seem full of energy and purpose. It's awfully hard to tell from body language who won the election.

Why wouldn't the Republican leadership be nervous, given the performance of the Trump White House so far?

The administration's boldest and most sweeping action -- the executive order barring U.S. entry to refugees worldwide and foreign-national travelers from seven majority-Muslim countries -- was so amateurishly written and implemented that it was promptly blocked in federal court. Trump, who claims the measure is needed to prevent terrorist attacks, rashly tweeted that judges will be to blame "if something happens." It was a typical reaction: lashing out at others to cover for his own failings.

Trump said that another order, greatly expanding the number of undocumented immigrants prioritized for deportation, meant the start of a "military operation" to expel "really bad dudes." Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly quickly clarified that there would be "no mass deportations" and "no use of military force." White House press secretary Sean Spicer later explained that Trump was using "military" as an adjective, apparently intending it to mean "non-military."

The question is inevitable: How much does the president even know about his administration's policies?

Not much, it appears. Defense Secretary James Mattis told reporters in Baghdad that the United States was "not in Iraq to seize anybody's oil" -- after Trump said in a speech at the CIA that U.S. troops should have done just that. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said that "we absolutely support a two-state solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- after Trump opined that either one state or two states would do. And Vice President Pence reassured European leaders that the United States remains "fully devoted" to the NATO alliance -- even as Trump continues to pine for warmer relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who seeks to destabilize and ultimately destroy NATO.

Speaking of Russia, questions continue to mount about contacts between the Trump campaign and Russians working for or connected to the Putin regime. The issue is potentially explosive because, according to U.S. intelligence officials, the Russian government actively meddled in the November election in an attempt to boost Trump's chances of winning.

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., a staunch conservative not known as a voice for bipartisan compromise, called Friday for a special prosecutor to investigate the Russia allegations; Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Issa said, should recuse himself because he was part of the inner circle of the Trump campaign. Republican leaders in Congress are resisting calls for full-blown public congressional probes, but the drip-drip-drip of revelations may wear them down.

Meanwhile, the fate of the Affordable Care Act is emerging as potentially a massive political crisis. At packed town halls across the country, Republicans have been hearing from constituents who will lose health insurance if the ACA is repealed but not immediately replaced, which had been the GOP's plan. The party has come to realize that when it comes to health care, no deed (good or bad) goes unpunished.

You might think the president would be fully engaged in some of these issues, but you'd be wrong. Instead, he has been waging a ridiculous war against the media. His cries of "fake news" may play well with the base, but he's not running for president at the moment. He's supposed to be doing the job.

Eugene Robinson's email address is eugenerobinson@washpost.com.

(c) 2017, Washington Post Writers Group
MEDICARE.JPG

A sign supporting Medicare is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., in this file photo from July 2015.

(AP Photo/File)

A longtime Oregonian, I have benefited from having Medicare Advantage for 19 years. Offering more health and preventive services than normal Medicare, Medicare Advantage has truly been a great resource for me. And it makes so much sense: Why not promote the healthiest population possible?

Through Medicare Advantage, I have enjoyed the benefits of regular group exercise with other seniors, keeping me in good shape. I have observed similar results in others. I also have noticed a growth in the sense of community among participants, supporting mental and emotional health. It is heartening to know there are currently more than 348,000 Oregonians that have a Medicare Advantage health care plan, and that number continues to grow every year.

Sadly, the program faces proposed budget cuts every year. Without the program, however, seniors would have less access to important preventive health measures, which include the fitness classes and gym membership vital to remaining physically independent in later life.

I want to thank Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader, and Greg Walden for voicing their support for Medicare Advantage. I would now urge Senator Ron Wyden to stand up for Medicare Advantage. Oregon's seniors depend on him.

Harold L. Johnson, Northeast Portland
Ammon Bundy called a clandestine meeting around the dining room of their host's home in Burns on Dec. 29, 2015, and directed the six other men there to leave their cellphones and laptops behind in a separate room.

Bundy then discussed his idea of taking over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, said occupier Blaine Cooper, called as a government witness on the fifth day of the second Oregon standoff trial.

Cooper's testimony about the dining-room sit-down marked the first time anyone in court has referenced a late December meeting between Bundy and the other men about seizing the refuge before the Jan. 2, 2016, occupation.

During his three hours and forty minutes on the stand, Cooper also became the first cooperating witness to testify against fellow refuge occupiers.

Four defendants -- Jason Patrick, 43, of Bonaire, Georgia, Duane Ehmer, 46, of Irrigon, Darryl Thorn, 32, of Marysville, Washington, and Jake Ryan, 28, of Plains, Montana -- are in the midst of trial, charged with conspiring to impede federal employees from carrying out their work at the federal refuge through intimidation, threat or force.

During cross-examination, defense lawyers sought to impeach Cooper's testimony by citing contradictory statements Cooper made on jail phone calls, including one to his wife on April 5, 2016, saying "I didn't know they were going in there'' in reference to the refuge.

They also played inflammatory videos that Cooper made, including one when he tore out pages of the Koran, wrapped them in bacon, threw them into an outdoor fire pit and then shot arrows at the Koran. They pointed out that Cooper, despite being a convicted felon, was seen with an AR-15 rifle at the Bundy ranch in 2014 in Nevada. And they elicited testimony that Cooper had spent time in institutions because of behavioral and mental health problems earlier in his life.

Cooper, his hair disheveled, shuffled into the courtroom, his ankles chained together, wearing an ill-fitting dark suit, blue-striped dress shirt and tan jail slippers - a stark contrast to the confident, camouflage-clad figure he portrayed on his Third Watch Videos that he distributed on social media during the refuge occupation.

Cooper, 37, has entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to impede federal workers in the Oregon case and guilty pleas in Nevada to conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and assault on a federal officer.

Blaine Cooper, in custody at Columbia County Jail

He acknowledged that he agreed to cooperate with the government in the hope of reducing a recommended six-year prison sentence. Cooper has been described by prosecutors as a recruiter, calling men to come to the Oregon refuge with guns and to Bunkerville, Nevada, in April 2014 during a standoff with federal agents outside the ranch of patriarch Cliven Bundy.

The December 2015 meeting lasted about a half-hour in the Burns home of Patty Overton with Cooper, Ammon Bundy, Ryan Payne, Jason Patrick, Joseph O'Shaughnessy, Corey Lequieu and B.J. Soper, Cooper said.

They talked of going into the Malheur refuge with guns, Cooper said, and if they encountered any refuge staff there, they'd ask them to leave politely. If not, "we'd probably remove them at that point,'' Cooper said.

They spoke of having security checkpoints at the front gates, he said, and discussed logistics, such as food and power at the facility and what to do if counter-protesters came.

The refuge seizure, Cooper said, sprung from frustrations born out of having Ammon Bundy's redress of grievance and petitions, distributed through legal avenues, ignored by local, state and federal officials. Bundy wanted the sheriff to prevent the return to prison of Harney County ranchers Dwight Hammond Jr. and son Steven Hammond, who were set to surrender on Jan. 4, 2016, to serve out mandatory minimum five-year sentences for setting fire to public land.

"The idea was to stay there as long as it took'' to redistrict the refuge land and give it to the people of Harney County, Cooper said.

Everybody in the group favored the takeover except O'Shaughnessy and Soper, Cooper said. O'Shaughnessy agreed to be a "buffer,'' provide medical support on the outskirts.

"He thought we could go to jail,'' Cooper said.

He remembered Soper "shaking his head.''

"He didn't want to be a part of it,'' Cooper said. Soper was the only one of the seven men identified as being at that meeting who was never charged in the case.

But the consensus "to me was to make sure nobody came in, whether it be the FBI, BLM.''

"And U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service?'' Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Barrow asked.

"And Fish & Wildlife Service,'' Cooper added.

After the Jan. 2 rally in Burns to support the Hammonds, Cooper said he returned to Overton's house to get into "militia gear,'' including body armor, camouflage clothing and boots.

He said others had assault rifles; he brought a GoPro and camera. As they drove to the refuge, he noticed some law enforcement vehicles and heard occupier Jon Ritzheimer say, "Somebody let the cat out of the bag.'' But a good omen, he testified, was spotting a bald eagle on the drive to the refuge.

Cooper identified the type of guns that each of the men who arrived first at the refuge carried in sweeps of the property. At one point, he stood in the witness stand and showed how the others cleared the refuge building, stretching out his left hand in front of him while making believe he was pointing a rifle in his right hand.

He testified that Patrick had an AR-15 rifle during the initial sweep. According to Cooper, the men would say as they went building to building, "Is anybody in here? The militia is here ... hello?''

Occupier Brand Thornton blew a shofar, a symbol "for battle -- that God is with us,'' Cooper testified.

Cooper admitted that he cut part of a barbed-wire fence on the refuge boundary during the occupation, saying that was an act of civil disobedience, a symbol that "we were taking the land back for the people.''

Cooper left the night of Jan. 26, first driving with others east out of the refuge until they encountered several law enforcement SUVs. They headed back west and then drove south to Cedar City , Utah, through Nevada, he said.

He approached the government after his guilty pleas last summer, and signed a Dec. 14, 2016 cooperation agreement, agreeing to turn over some computer hard drives in the Nevada case to prosecutors and testify truthfully at the trial of co-defendants. He said prosecutors made no promises about how his agreement would impact his sentence.

Barrow asked Cooper why he agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

Cooper said his tearful phone calls with his daughters convinced him to make amends. He has two daughters, ages 9 and 10, and one son, age 18, he said.

"My little girl Sissy,'' Cooper said. "She cries to me a half hour a day ... how she wants her Daddy to come home. She tells me I shouldn't have gone to the refuge, and should come forward and tell the truth.''

After he entered guilty pleas, Barrow asked Cooper, why did he record messages that were posted on social media, claiming he wasn't guilty.

"Ethically, morally, spiritually, I felt like I did the right thing. I had a duty to God to do that, under the Constitution,'' Cooper said, referring to his role in the refuge occupation. At first, he said he didn't understand the law of conspiracy, but after consulting with his attorney, he realized, "I did in fact commit a crime and I have to accept responsibility.''

When Cooper was arrested Feb. 11, 2016, defense lawyer Andrew Kohlmetz pointed out that he admitted to an FBI agent that he had carried an AR-15 at the Bundy Ranch in Nevada and also fired a handgun while wearing a mask in a video filmed outside his Arizona home in front of his family - both while a felon.

Cooper said he didn't remember, so Kohlmetz played the recording of the FBI interview. The agent asks Cooper why he carried the weapons if he was prohibited from possessing them. Cooper responded "The Second Amendment says I have the right to bear arms and says it shall not be infringed.''

Cooper, on the stand, denied that he ever possessed a gun, outside of the Bundy Ranch in 2014, since his felony convictions.

Kohlmetz, standby lawyer for Patrick, asked Cooper what his jail experience has been like. Cooper described it as "horrible.''

"Is it true you told folks on the phone while you've been in jail you would do anything to shorten that experience?'' Kohlmetz asked.

"Yes sir I may have said that,'' he answered.

Under questioning by Kohlmetz, Cooper acknowledged that he had tried in 1997 to join the U.S. Marine Corps, but was rejected because of an arrest warrant. In 2006, at age 27, he changed his name from Stanley Hicks Jr. to Blaine Cooper. Cooper said he took his stepfather's last name because his father was physically abusive. He said he was on disability for post traumatic stress disorder, collecting $926 a month in Supplemental Security Income.

Kohlmetz asked if Cooper took the name of Jesse Ventura's Blain Cooper character in the movie "Predator," and Cooper said he didn't know the last name of Ventura's character.

Of the Dec. 29 meeting, Kohlmetz said: "You never told this story until today."

Cooper responded: "My attorney had this information from the beginning.''

Kohlmetz played an April 5, 2016, jail phone call between Cooper and his wife. "Because phone calls are recorded, I can't say a lot," Cooper said on the recording. "I can tell you I didn't know they were going in there.''

Under additional questioning from defense lawyer Jesse Merrithew, Cooper said in the Dec. 29, 2015 meeting with Bundy and others, taking over the refuge "was agreed upon but not when.''

Kohlmetz, citing another phone call Cooper made to his wife, said Cooper suggested he was going to destroy computer evidence in the case. The lawyer asked what happened to a video Cooper took of the initial sweep of the refuge. Cooper said he had his GoPro and a camera, but the memory cards were missing.

Kohlmetz also played a video of Cooper from jail, when he said Cooper "lied under oath'' when pleading guilty in Nevada.

Asked about social media posts in which he first expressed interest in withdrawing his guilty plea but then changed his mind, Cooper said, "A lot of people thought that Trump would pardon us.''

He also said he had his attorneys tell Ammon Bundy and his brother, Ryan, about his guilty pleas before he entered them in court because he didn't want to "go behind their back.''

"I thought I had a duty and obligation to let them know that,'' he said, getting emotional. "I love the Bundys very much. They're some of the best friends I have.''

Cooper also wrote to Ammon Bundy before he testified Monday.

"I wanted to let you know I decided to do whatever I have to do to get home to my kids,'' Cooper wrote. He said he couldn't justify sitting in prison for six years if he could do something to cut that time in half. He also said "God sent me two crappy attorneys,'' who manipulated him into the plea deals.

Ammon Bundy's wife, Lisa Bundy, was in court with her sister-in-law Angie Huntington Bundy, Ryan Bundy's wife. When Cooper took the stand, Lisa Bundy waved to him, and mouthed, "We love you.''

After his testimony, Lisa Bundy said, "I'm so sad that he's lying. He's a pathological liar.''

Bundy said her husband was home with her and their family in Idaho between Christmas 2015 and Dec. 31, 2015, and couldn't have been at the meeting Cooper testified about in Burns. There could have been a meeting, but not on the date Cooper said it occurred, she said.

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
Barajas Mendoza.jpg

Police have issued an Amber Alert for one-year-old Leonnel Barajas after his abduction around 11:30 p.m. by a his uncle in Yakima, Wash., Mike Bastinelli, spokesman for the Yakima Police Department, said. Police arrested Manuel Carrasco Mendoza, 23, just before 6 a.m. Tuesday, in Yakima, but officers are still looking for the baby's mother who may have Barajas, Bastinelli said.

(Yakima Police Department)

Updated 8:45 a.m. to show the child and mom were located.

A baby was found and a man arrested Tuesday in Yakima, Washington, after authorities say he took the infant at gunpoint, according to police and social media.

Police issued an Amber Alert for one-year-old Leonnel Barajas after he was abducted from his home about 11:30 p.m. Monday by his uncle, said Mike Bastinelli, Yakima Police Department spokesman. The baby and his mother were found Tuesday morning, according to a tweet from AmberAlert.com.

CANCELLED AMBER Alert : Yakima City,WA Both suspects and child located  AMBERAlert.com (@Amber_Alert) February 28, 2017

Police arrested Manuel Carrasco Mendoza, 23, just before 6 a.m., but officers continued looking for Jessica Mendoza, the baby's mother, Bastinelli said.

Jessica Mendoza

Mendoza broke into the home and pointed a gun at an undisclosed number of occupants, police said. He then fled with the baby's mother, Bastinelli said. The dispute is over custody, he said.

Bastinelli said he didn't know where Mendoza was captured, but officers had been looking for a silver, four-door Chevrolet Impala.

Yakima police have not confirmed that they located Mendoza or the baby, or how they were found.

This post will be updated as news develops.

-- Tony Hernandez

thernandez@oregonian.com

503-294-5928

@tonyhreports
Gov. Kate Brown met with U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., Monday afternoon at his Capitol Hill office to lobby the congressman on preserving health care benefits granted under the Affordable Care Act.

Walden told The Oregonian/OregonLive through his deputy chief of staff that his meeting with Brown was "friendly and frank" and touched on Oregon's transportation, infrastructure, rural economic development, forestry, and health care policies.

Walden is singularly important to Congressional Republicans' effort -- and President Trump's campaign promise -- to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act because he is chairman of the House committee which oversees U.S. health care policy. Walden has criticized the health care law, commonly referred to as Obamacare, and vowed to replace it with something better.

Rep. Greg Walden speaks during a news conference in this January 2016 photo.

According to her press secretary, Brown, a Democrat, told Walden that she is "open to any solution" for giving better health care to Oregonians, but "is not willing to go backwards."

"Governor Brown also told Representative Walden that it is unfair to pull the rug out from under Oregonians whose lives have been changed by access to comprehensive health care in exchange for tax breaks to millionaires," spokesman Chris Pair said.

Brown echoed that statement nearly word-for-word Monday morning in an appearance on MSNBC with other Democratic governors to talk about health care policy: "We particularly don't want to cut back on who gets coverage to give a tax break to millionaires," she said.

Proposals floated by Congressional Republicans to offer age-based instead of income-based tax credits for health care spending have been cast by critics as a tax break for the rich.

Brown's get-together with Walden came at the tail end of her trip to the nation's capital for the annual National Governors Association conference. It also coincided with the governor's unveiling of a new website, 95PercentOregon.com, which shows how a repeal of the Affordable Care Act would affect Oregonians. The glossy site particularly highlights how a repeal would harm the state's rural areas, where a greater share of people rely on taxpayer-subsidized health care.

-- Gordon R. Friedman

GFriedman@Oregonian.com; 503-221-8209
Correction appended

Fatemeh Reshad, the 4-month-old Iranian infant who came to Portland for heart surgery after initially being banned by President Donald Trump's immigration ban, is "doing well" following the procedure, doctors from OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital said at a press conference Monday.

Fatemeh was born with congenital heart disease, a rare illness that affects roughly two out of every 10,000 children. Without surgery, doctors said, she likely would have died.

The surgery, performed Friday, was a complete success, said Laurie Armsby, interim head of the hospital's Division of Pediatric Cardiology.

"Her heart function looks beautiful," Armsby said. "We're very pleased with how she is recovering."

Fatemeh's parents were scheduled to fly from Tehran to Dubai earlier this month, said her uncle, Sam Taghizadeh, who lives in Portland with the young girl's grandparents, all three of whom are U.S citizens. He had helped the family fill out a tourist visa application and set up an appointment with the U.S. Embassy in the United Arab Emirates.

The travel ban had gone into effect the previous day, however.

"I got the email and everything was canceled," Taghizadeh said. "I was in shock."

The family was told they would have to wait for the ban to expire, 90 days away, and reapply for the visa. Fatemeh's condition is the kind that worsens with time, however, and Taghizadeh was worried that she might not be able to wait.

In a normal heart, blood pumps to the body and returns to the heart, Armsby explained at a previous press conference, then is pumped into the lungs where it picks up oxygen before again returning to the heart. In Fatemah's heart, blood was flowing from the body into the heart, but instead of flowing into the lungs, it pumped back into the body without the oxygen the lungs are meant to provide.

Under normal circumstances, the heart circulates blood in a series -- heart to body to heart to lungs and back to body -- but Fatemeh's heart worked more like two parallel circulations, with one circulating blood in the body and another in the lungs, but without the two ever intermingling.

Her parents asked that doctors not go into detail about the particulars of her operation, but Armsby relayed a short message from them.

"They want it known that she is doing well," Armsby said.

As her story gained more and more publicity, some prominent figures began advocating for the family. Sen. Jeff Merkley assigned a caseworker from his office and drafted a letter from the entire Oregon delegation to the heads of both the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security asking for an exception to the travel ban.

On the other side of the country, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was working with attorneys in his state to arrange for the family to travel there. All the while, a team of immigration lawyers were working behind the scenes to try to get the young girl the treatment she needed.

Eventually, a special waiver was granted. At Monday's press conference, Taghizadeh, known affectionately as "Uncle Sam," was overcome with gratitude, thanking a long list of people and acknowledging the outpouring of support for his family.

"In the beginning, I didn't have any hope of my family coming here," Taghizedah said. "I was surprised how the people in the U.S. helped. It was amazing. English is my second language for me and I couldn't find the words to say thank you."

He went on to say that, though his faith in this country was shaken by the ordeal, the outcome reaffirmed it.

"I lost my hope in the beginning. I thought 'Who is going to help us?'" he said. "But it was a miracle, every single person who tried to help. In one word, it was just a miracle."

Taghizadeh said Fatemeh's parents were even taken aback by the outpouring of support. "They couldn't believe it," he said.

Jennifer Morrissey, one of the lawyers who worked behind the scenes on getting Fatemah and her family to the U.S., said that support may be necessary in the future, especially as the president's administration seeks to implement a revamped version of the travel ban.

"Fatemeh's case was one of generosity and compassion on a great number of individuals," she said. "I hope that we'll see other cases of that kind of compassionate concern moving forward in the times to come in the immigration realm."

An earlier version of this story misspelled the young girl's name. We have updated the story to correct the error.

-- Kale Williams

503-294-4048
21981675-mmmain.jpg

Multnomah County Courthouse

(Oregonian/OregonLive file photo)

The U.S. attorney for Oregon last week briefed more than a dozen Multnomah County judges about a judicial referee who apparently helped an illegal immigrant elude federal immigration agents waiting for him outside of a courtroom.

The incident took place Jan. 27 at the county Justice Center -- the same day President Donald Trump signed an executive order on immigration, said U.S. Attorney Billy Williams.

He said two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents used "public sources" to track the whereabouts of someone in the country illegally who was being arraigned on an impaired driving accusation.

He said the federal government has long viewed illegal immigrants facing impaired driving accusations and other charges a priority for deportation.

Williams said the agents waited outside of the courtroom for the man to emerge after the hearing.

"They were waiting and waiting," he said. The agents asked the person's defense lawyer when the man would come out.

"He said something to the effect of: 'He will be coming out soon.' Well, that never happened," Williams said.

"The man exited the courtroom through a side door and found his way out of the building," he said.

Williams declined to identify the referee and said the incident was referred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as the U.S. Department of Justice.

Referees are judicial officers who have the same authority as circuit judges. They typically preside over small claims matters, as well as landlord and tenant issues, civil commitments and traffic arraignments.

Both federal agencies declined to pursue a criminal investigation or a complaint to the Oregon State Bar. Williams said he asked for a meeting with Multnomah County judges about what happened to prevent it from happening again.

"I found it to be troubling," he said. "We are all officers of the court and we all take an oath to follow the law."

Judge Nan Waller, Multnomah County Circuit Court's presiding judge, late Monday said the incident is the subject of an internal review. She declined to comment further.

She said even before she learned about it she sent an email to court staffers advising them that they can't facilitate or impede the work of federal immigration agents. Her priority, she said, is ensuring people feel comfortable coming to court.

"The courts have a responsibility to try to make sure there is good access to the courthouse and we have encouraged ICE to view the courthouse as a sensitive location," she said.

The issue of federal immigration enforcement actions at the courthouse is a highly controversial one. Late last month, an ICE spokeswoman said the agency has no new emphasis on arrests since Trump took office, but that assurance has done little to ease fear at courthouses in the Portland area.

-- Noelle Crombie

503-276-7184; @noellecrombie
Hubert Mathews' decades-long battle with drug addiction, including crack cocaine and heroin, ended in 2009.

After years of help from social services, the Portland resident found treatment, housing and employment. Now, he will help others do the same.

Mathews has been training to be part of a Central City Concern team of case managers who will operate a new diversion program announced by the nonprofit, city and Multnomah County leaders Monday. The plan allows police downtown and in the Lloyd Center district to send low-level drug offenders to Mathews and the team instead of to jail.

The intent is to keep low-level offenders from repeated trips to jail, while also reducing the wide disparity of African Americans and other minorities from recommitting drug crimes, officials say.

At a glance:

Who is not eligible or what will keep an officer from sending a person to a LEAD case manager?

* The individual has five grams or more of heroin; 10 grams or more of cocaine or methamphetamine;

* The individual has an active extraditable warrant;

* The individual has an existing no contact order, temporary restraining order, or other court orders prohibiting contact with a current LEAD participant;

* The individual is a current or former LEAD participant, unless continued participation in the program is recommended by the case management team and agreed upon by Multnomah County District Attorney's Office;

* The individual has a pending case eligible for, or is engaged in, a Multnomah County Specialty Court;

* The individual is on post-prison supervision, parole, formal probation or misdemeanor bench probation for a person offense;

* Denial by LEAD team members; or

* Any other exceptional circumstance(s) exists.

Source: Multnomah County District Attorney's Office

The most unique factor of the program: If a participant relapses into drug use, it's not necessarily a trip to a county lockup. They're given a second chance as long as they show signs of progress toward recovery, Mathews said. Everyone has bad days, he said.

"Most people that use (drugs) have probably been using for years," Mathews said. "I used for 20 years. So you become accustomed to a certain lifestyle. And everyone is not going to be able to just stop. You have to be taught a new way to live."

Officials unveiled details of the one-year pilot program in a news conference featuring the county's top prosecutor and public defender along with Mayor Ted Wheeler, Multnomah County Chairwoman Deborah Kafoury and others. The county will provide an $800,000 budget administered by Central City Concern, a nonprofit that serves the homeless.

City and county officials believe up to 500 people would be eligible, said District Attorney Rod Underhill said.

"Many will be homeless," Underhill said. "Some will have mental-health related issues or come from abusive homes or relationships."

The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program began in Seattle in 2011. In addition to Oregon and Washington, it will also operate in New Mexico, New York, West Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina in 2017. A handful of other cities and counties plan to launch programs later this year, and another 39 have explored or are developing programs.

How it works: Officers -- who have grounds for arresting someone in possession of a controlled substance with no more than five grams of heroin or 10 grams of cocaine or meth - would take the person to the case manager, according to a county policy document. Officers also have the discretion to suggest the program to individuals they may know that have a high risk of regular drug possession arrests.

If the individual agrees to treatment, the case managers will determine immediate needs, such as shelter, before an in-depth evaluation is conducted. The evaluation -- to be finished within 30 days at the most, but ideally within two -- looks at a client's behavioral health issues and other factors keeping them from employment and housing, such as prior legal involvement, gang history, or lack of education and training. If a client agrees to participate immediately but fails to show up to follow-up interviews, they can face jail time.

The person then develops a plan toward overcoming obstacles for housing and employment. No time limit is set for involvement in the program, according to the policy document.

A 2015 evaluation by the University of Washington shows that program participants in King County were 60 percent less likely to return to jail within six months when compared to others arrested for the same crime. Another study from last year shows that 46 percent of 176 participants were more likely to find employment versus others jailed for the same crime.

"More jail beds isn't a blanket answer to the question: How we can make the community safer? All too often, it's the wrong answer," Kafoury said.

Kafoury said after the news conference that it's important to especially help minorities, including African Americans, to recover from drug addiction and keep them from recommitting possession crimes.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported last year African Americans were convicted of cocaine possession at a rate of 131 per 10,000 residents, compared with a rate for whites of .43 per 10,000 residents. Blacks were convicted of methamphetamine possession at a rate three times of whites.

If the program after a year doesn't show a significant drop in such statistics, the county will reconsider it, she said. The budget received Board of Commissioners approval for this year, and it's too early to anticipate funding for next year, Kafoury said.

Underhill and Lane Borg, executive director of the Metropolitan Public Defender Services, said they're confident the program will work, based on the University of Washington studies.

Borg said the program costs less than jailing offenders.

The University of Washington study showed the LEAD program cost $10,787 per person annually after it had been operating for 29 months in King County. The study didn't calculate taxpayer costs for offenders not in the program, but it did conclude participants had fewer felony accusations than nonparticipants.

The study warns, however, that results could widely vary.

"Stay tuned," Borg said at the conference. "Look for our results, and stay engaged."

Wheeler said the program is also an opportunity for police officers to build community relationships. The city must find an alternative to the regular arrests of low-level drug offenders, bringing them to jail and ultimately releasing them back to the streets. That model needs to change, he said.

"It clearly is not working the way we'd like it to work," Wheeler said. "It's not helping that individual ... and it's not helping our community to be any safer. Law enforcement officers will be an important bridge between individuals and the services that are being provided."

The Oregonian/OregonLive reporter Noelle Crombie contributed to this report.

-- Tony Hernandez

thernandez@oregonian.com

503-294-5928

@tonyhreports

-- Charts by Melissa Lewis

-- Source: The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission
Neither Juan Avalos nor Luna Flores slept all night. On Monday morning, they wrote a lawyer's phone number on their arms, just in case. Then they drove to the one place in Portland that scares them most -- an Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office.



While other undocumented immigrants across the country had taken to staying indoors after President Donald Trump promised to ramp up deportations, Avalos and Flores planned to meet their fears head-on.



"My parents told me, 'Don't go out,'" said Avalos, a 21-year-old college student. "I understand they worry about me. But I told them that if I don't do it, no one is going to step up to do it. This is my calling to help my community."



He and Flores, a 46-year-old woman who said she fled Mexico after being kidnapped, were among eight undocumented Latinos who spoke Monday at a South Waterfront rally outside the nondescript, tan brick building that includes holding cells for undocumented immigrants.





Avalos had told his story before. A few months ago, he had spoken to a group at Portland Community College. But that was before Trump had announced he would not follow President Barack Obama's lead in prioritizing deportations of criminals. The new president hoped to deport all immigrants in the country illegally, no matter if their records were otherwise perfect.



"It's been very frustrating because it's people like me they're arresting now," Avalos said. "They're just trying to live their lives, be successful."



Avalos came to Oregon from Guanajuato, Mexico, when he was a child. His parents went first. They had little opportunity for success in the central Mexican state, Avalos said, so they moved to the Portland area to find work.



He spent seven years without them. His grandparents raised him, but his own prospects were even dimmer, he said. An education was impossible, he said. Only those born rich were able to study in reputable schools. And gangs ruled his hometown. Several of his friends died before he ever became a teenager.



When Avalos was 12, he crossed the border and traveled north to live with his parents.



"Since then, I've felt like this is my home," he said. "This is where I grew up. This is where I accomplished many of my dreams."



But, Avalos said, there is still so much he wants to do. He's good with his hands and loves creative problem solving. When he graduated from Sunset High School in 2014, he knew exactly the career he wanted -- mechanical engineer.



Because he's undocumented, he doesn't qualify for any financial aid. Instead, he works seven hours a day at an auto body shop. He uses the money to pay for two classes at Portland Community College.



He tries not to think about deportation, he said. He worries about taking care of his younger brothers, about finding the money to pay for classes that will lead to a career.



After Trump took office, promising greater crackdowns on illegal immigration, Avalos couldn't help but worry.



"It's overwhelming," he said. "But I can't stay quiet. If I stay quiet, it will get to me more."



Flores patted his shoulder as Avalos told his story. At 46, she no longer dreams the way he does. She must stay in the United States, she said, to survive.





As a young adult in Mexico City, Flores found work fixing computers. She was good at it, she said, but life there was too dangerous. Her car was stolen twice. And, she said, she was kidnapped once.



"Just for a few hours," she said. "They take your bank card and your PIN number and eventually let you go."



She secured a work visa to attend a computer fair in the United States. She flew to Texas in 2001. When her visa lapsed a few years later, she did not return to Mexico.



By then, she had moved to Portland and fallen in love with a woman. Together, they were raising a daughter. Living openly as a lesbian back home, she said, would make her a target for violence and kidnapping.



Because she doesn't have work permits, she no longer fixes computers. Instead, she volunteers at a radio station. She helps out at her church, she said, and nearby library branches. She's never racked up so much as a parking ticket, she said.



"We are not criminals," she said. "We are not terrorists. They are looking at the wrong frontier.

We are hard-working people. We're just trying to achieve the American dream."



Monday, Flores and Avalos shivered in the rain before a crowd of more than 100. Both spoke in Spanish as they recounted their journeys. The Oregonian/OregonLive is identifying them by name because they wanted to go public.



Preachers and white supporters have held press conferences and rallies in the days since Trump took office. Avalos and Flores were part of a group that believed undocumented people should be the leaders -- not just the subjects -- of those rallies.



They stood on a bench and spoke for an hour. Flores wiped away another undocumented immigrant's tears as the young woman told the crowd she had lost most of her family to deportation. Her father disappeared during the work day. Her brother was detained because he didn't have a driver's license.



The activists faced the headquarters and chanted. The building had no signs proclaiming its business, only a lone guard looking back at the crowd.



No one emerged to detain the undocumented. As the rally wound down, Avalos flashed a smile of pure, if temporary, relief. For the day, at least, he wouldn't need the lawyer's number still written on his arm.



-- Casey Parks

503-221-8271

cparks@oregonian.com; @caseyparks
Calgary-based midstream company TransCanada Corporation TRP recently announced the sale of two U.S. pipelines to affiliated limited partnership, TC Pipelines, LP TCP in order to fund the purchase of Columbia Pipeline Group. The deal will likely strengthen the cash flows and enable the company to increase its quarterly dividend. The financial terms of the agreement remain undisclosed as yet. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and satisfactory closing conditions.

TransCanada is negotiating the sale of 49.3 % stake in Iroquois Natural Gas Transmission System which connects its pipeline system to U.S. Northeast. The company will also sell its remaining11.8% interest in the Portland Natural Gas Transmission System, an inter-state system carrying gas from Canada to England.

TransCanada had earlier sold 49.9% stake in Portland system and 25.9 % stake in Iroquois system for $223 and $286.5 million, respectively. TransCanada has been divesting stakes in many of its other assets lately to fund the ambitious Columbia Pipeline acquisition deal inked in July last year.

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Midland County Habitat for Humanity has been awarded a grant through Habitat for Humanity International.

The grant, funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, reimburses the salary of a new full-time position. Midland County Habitat for Humanity will use the grant to hire a neighborhood revitalization coordinator.

The grant awarded to Midland County Habitat for Humanity totaled $70,000, divided up over three years: $35,000 the first year, $24,500 the second, and finally $10,500. An additional $5,000 is to be used for training.

Over the course of the last eight years Midland County Habitat for Humanity has served more than 175 City of Midland and Midland County homeowners with necessary rehab and repair projects to ensure the livability of these homes.

Through this grant award, our intent is to serve more families through the neighborhood revitalization program, Jennifer Chappel, executive director of Midland County Habitat for Humanity, said.

This is the second grant Midland County Habitat for Humanity has been awarded in the past five years.

We are honored to have received this grant for a second time, Chappel said. Federal dollars from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are being invested in Midland County.

Candidates interested in learning more about and applying for the neighborhood revitalization coordinator position should visit www.midlandhabitat.org

Applications are being accepted through Wednesday, March 8.
U.S. aircraft, crew and support personnel, as well as members of the Department of State and other U.S. representatives returned home this week after a strong showing at Aero India 2017 at Air Force Station Yelahanka, India Feb. 20.



On the heels of the recently announced Major Defense Partnership between the United States and India, the representation of American airpower and the robust senior-level U.S. Government delegation present during the show demonstrated the U.S. commitment to India, a growing and pivotal relationship.



The United States does not look at Aero India as a tradeshow, but rather as an opportunity to display the growth in the Indian/U.S. defense cooperation relationship, allowing the two nations to work together.



The Pacific Air Forces F-16 Fighting Falcon demonstration team, assigned to Misawa Air Base, Japan, a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft, assigned to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla. deployed to Kadena Air base, Japan, and a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 143rd Airlift Wing, Rhode Island Air National Guard, were all on display for the estimated 500,000 people in attendance.



The C-130J and F-16 also participated in the aerial demonstration portion of the show.



The C-130J played an especially pivotal role when it delivered U.S. Air Force members from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan with special operations paratroopers from the Indian Armys 2nd Parachute Regiment on two freefall jumps, to the delight of the crowd.



In addition, at the request of the Indian Navy, the U.S. Navy sent a P-8 for display at Aero India, an aircraft both countries operate.



Displaying our aircraft in the Aero India 2017 airshow reaffirms our commitment with the Indian Armed Forces and is a key opportunity to communicate our level of interest in bilateral cooperation said U.S. Navy Commander Mike Albus, the Executive Officer for Fixed Wing Patrol Squadron 10. We hope this air show is a steppingstone to further our partnership with India through military-to-military interoperability.



The sizable crowd was not the only group of people who enjoyed the airshow experience.



Demonstrating the capabilities of the C-130J draws me to participate, said U.S. Air Force Maj. Mike Collins, a RIANG C-130J pilot. It was enjoyable flying the airdrop profile and displaying the tactical ability of this aircraft. We performed multiple joint force airdrops including joint jumpmaster briefings and daily detailed mission coordination exercises. Working with 2 Para Indian Special Forces at Aero India was flawless in communication and execution and I hold my Indian military counterparts in high regard.



However, you did not need to be a part of the aerial demonstration to appreciate the shows significance.



Our attendance at the Aero India air show has been a life-changing event for many of our Sailors as they step aboard planes they have only read about, as they experience the hospitality of the Indian people, and as they take in the sensationalism of being on this side of the flight line, said Albus. We train exclusively for the operational mission, and when our combat air crews have an opportunity to put their skills to the test on a real-life mission, there is nothing more rewarding and energizing. However, I don't think any of them would turn down this opportunity in the future!



This show has been extremely enjoyable and fulfilling, said Collins. This was the first visit to India for eight of the 11 of us. We were very impressed with the hospitality and gracious efforts of our Indian hosts.



The P-8 crew was similarly enthused by the experience and the opportunity to share their mission with several Indian distinguished visitors, including the Indian Chief of Naval Staff, Sunil Lanba.



Our aircrew has enjoyed speaking a common language with our friends and having the opportunity to showcase what we do, said Albus. Airshows are a critical component for furthering partnerships through relationships. We enjoyed speaking a common language with our friends and having the opportunity to showcase what we do.
LINCOLN  A former investigator with the Illinois Department of Corrections is under scrutiny after Illinois State Police said he reportedly had a relationship with the wife of a prison officer he was investigating in a sexual misconduct case.

Jeffrey Gabor was terminated from IDOC in January following dismissal of criminal charges against Michael S. Allsup, who had been accused of custodial sexual misconduct with a female inmate at Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln.

The agency declined to comment on the Gabor investigation or whether the agency has launched an investigation into Gabor's work on other cases involving alleged wrongdoing by IDOC workers. Gabor was employed by the IDOC from 2003 until Jan. 17, 2017.

Logan County State's Attorney Jonathan Wright told The Pantagraph on Monday the charges were dropped against Allsup after Wright's office received a report from ISP related to the relationship between the inmate and the correctional officer, who resigned his post before charges were filed.

"We became aware of some allegations and we referred them to the Department of Corrections," said Wright.

The information in the ISP report indicates Gabor was allegedly involved in a relationship with Allsup's wife while he was conducting an investigation into her husband's conduct. That information compromised the state's case against Allsup, said Wright.

The Logan County prosecutor said he has not received additional investigative reports related to Gabor.

Before he went to work for the IDOC, Gabor worked as a part-time patrol officer for the village of Hudson. He was acquitted of murder in 2001 in the controversial shooting of Shannon Smith.

The victim, who reportedly had mental disabilities, was shot during a police chase after he failed to pay for $15 in gas.
MORRIS  A Pontiac man was sentenced to 7 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated driving under the influence and causing the death of an Odell woman in a crash a year ago.

Nathan Slaton, 33, of Pontiac accepted a plea agreement Monday in Grundy County Court in Morris.

According to an Illinois State Police report, Slaton rear-ended a vehicle driven by Kimberly Platt, 49, of Odell about 2 a.m. March 31 on Interstate 55 near the Route 47 exit at Dwight. She was transferred to the OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Hospital in Peoria where she died about a month later.

Slaton will have to serve at least 85 percent of the sentence.
BLOOMINGTON  In honor of Dr. Seuss 113th birthday on Thursday, United Way of McLean County and Illinois Education Association are offering a Read Across McLean County program at Twin City Schools.

Volunteers are needed to read for 30 minutes Thursday in one of the 111 classrooms serving more than 2,426 students in McLean County Unit 5 and Bloomington District 87 elementary schools.

Pat Grosso, United Way resource development director, said volunteers are needed for 11 time slots at Brigham, Grove, Sheridan and Irving elementary schools.

"Many volunteers have been very generous with their time this year and signed up for more than one spot, which is a big help," said Grosso.

The reading program is meant to motivate and instill a love of reading with area children and to ensure that children are reading at grade level, according to a news release from United Way of McLean County.

Thursdays event mirrors a nationwide event, Read Across America Day, hosted by the National Education Association.

Many elementary schools are also scheduling a Dr. Seuss theme each day of the week to celebrate.

Those interested in volunteering or learning more can contact Grosso at pgrosso@uwaymc.org.
BLOOMINGTON  About 15 percent turnout is expected to cast ballots Tuesday in the primary race for Bloomington mayor.

"I'm expecting about 15 percent total turnout," said Bloomington Election Commission Executive Director Paul Shannon. "We just posted again at 1:47 (p.m.) the vote totals and we're at about 10 percent right now. So we're looking right at a total of 15 percent."

The city has 49,878 registered voters. The top two vote-getters in today's mayoral primary will advance to the April 4 consolidated election. Voters in Lincoln and Washington also are voting today for mayor and two aldermanic spots.

In Bloomington, candidates are incumbent Tari Renner and challengers former radio talk show host Ian Bayne, retired firefighter Robert Fike, Ward 1 Alderman Kevin Lower and Ward 8 Alderman Diana Hauman.

There has not been a mayoral primary in Bloomington since Shannon began heading the election commission, which oversees elections in Bloomington, in 2009.

The city's consolidated elections typically draw a voter turnout of 20 to 25 percent, Shannon noted. For example, the turnout for the 2013 consolidated election, which included a three-way race for mayor, was 20 percent.

"So I would say as a primary with only the mayor's race the turnout would go down some," said Shannon. "I guessed about 15 percent. And it's just a guess."

As of 1:47 pm., 4,759 registered voters (or 9.54 percent) had cast ballots as they decide which two candidates have a chance at becoming Bloomington's next mayor. Polls opened at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

That total included 1,313 ballots cast during pre-election voting between Jan. 19 and Monday.

The polling places with the most voters turning out so far were Centennial Christian Church, 1219 E. Grove St., 240; First Baptist Church, 2502 E. College Ave., 236; Evangelical Free Church, 2910 E. Lincoln St., 230; and St. Luke Union Church, 2101 E. Washington St., 219.

Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, 801 W. Market St, and St. Patrick Church of Merna, 1001 N. Towanda Barnes Road, tied for the polling place with the fewest votes cast so far with 82 votes cast at each location.
BLOOMINGTON  Just as a building needs to be well built and maintained so it doesn't fall into disrepair, people need to be developed and supported so their lives don't fall into disarray.

That analogy is one way that human services agencies that argue they are misunderstood in the public arena will begin conversations to explain what they do in the months to come.

"There is a disconnect between the important work that we are doing and the public's and policymakers' understanding of that work," Bridget Gavaghan, a consultant with the National Human Services Assembly, said Monday.

Gavaghan met with 35 people  mostly leaders of McLean County human services agencies  at Chestnut Health Systems as part of the assembly's National Reframing Initiative. The assembly, organized in 1920, collaborates with human services agencies nationwide.

"The challenge right now is the (human services) sector, as a whole, for the last decade or longer, has experienced level funding or cuts, which makes it more difficult to address complex issues," Gavaghan told The Pantagraph before her workshop.

A nationwide survey by the FrameWorks Institute found that many Americans see only part of the human services sector, don't view people who work in the sector as experts developing plans to address complex issues and don't understand how human services benefits them and society.

That disconnect also exists in McLean County, said representatives of several human services agencies who participated in Monday's workshop.

"It's clear we need to change the message," said Laura Furlong of Marcfirst, which supports people with developmental disabilities and delays. "People don't understand what we do."

That's why the assembly created the nationwide reframing initiative.

"Human services help build a strong community by helping people to reach their full potential," said Peter Rankaitis of Project Oz, whose programs assist homeless and runaway youths.

"There are storms in life," he said. "We can help people to weather those storms so they can be successful."

"For example, we all agree that K-12 education is important," Rankaitis said. "But if you can't get to school, if you're not well fed, if you have a disability or if there are problems at home, that affects your education. Human services can help to alleviate those problems."

"When you have robust and well-funded human services, you have a stronger and healthier community," said D. Dontae Latson of YWCA McLean County, whose programs include child care and senior services.

Just as buildings need to be well built, people need good early childhood education, Gavaghan said. Just as buildings need repairs after a few years, young adults who graduate during a recession may need assistance for a while paying rent, people laid off when a factory closes may need retraining to find a new job and older adults may need programs to stay healthy.

"You just don't build a house and walk away from it," she said. "If our well-being isn't maintained, that impacts our health and society loses our talents and resources."

To Illinois legislators grappling with the priority of human services during the ongoing state budget impasse, Gavaghan said it's time- and cost-efficient to prevent problems rather than responding to crises later.

"Legislators need to step away from the rancor, see the important work being done by human services around the state and consider what kind of communities they want to live in," Gavaghan said.

"Legislators are worried that people are fleeing the state," Rankaitis said. "The human services are just as important to a community's infrastructure as roads and garbage pickup."
3 Reasons to Use a Credit Card for Your Summer Vacation

Flying comes with plenty of headaches, but those can quickly become migraines depending on the airline you choose.

Spirit Airlines ranks worst among the 10 major U.S. carriers, according to a new study from The Points Guy, with the lowest scores for on-time arrivals, cabin comfort, frequent flyer program and customer satisfaction. Its only redeeming quality: The Florida-based airline offered the lowest fares, which may be enough to convince budget-conscious travelers to choose the carrier.

Frontier was the second-worst airline, with last-place finishes for lost baggage and bag and change fees. But it offered the best deals on airfare, second only to Spirit.

Related: Airlines Are Earning Record Revenues From All Those Extra Fees

On the other end of the spectrum is Alaska Airlines, which broke into the top four for airfare, on-time arrivals, lost baggage, involuntary bumps, customer satisfaction and frequent flyer program. The only knock on the airline is its relatively small route network, which may expand in the future following its merger with Virgin America.

United, Virgin and JetBlue provided the best cabin comforts, which include seat size, onboard food and in-flight Wi-Fi, among dozens of other amenities. Southwest came in first for customer satisfaction and baggage and change fees. But the airline has higher airfares to make up for those low fees and no premium class seats, which hurt its score for cabin comfort.

Delta ranked seventh overall, despite its reputation as a well-run airline. It does finish in the top three for performance factors: on-time arrivals, customer satisfaction, involuntary bumps, route network and lounges. But Delta has the costliest fares  the most heavily weighted factor  which dragged down its overall ranking.

Other highlights from the study include:

Southwest had the best score for involuntary bumps.

JetBlue, Southwest, Frontier and Spirit had the worst scores for lounges.

Hawaiian had the worst route network, but the highest score for on-time arrivals.

American Airlines had the top score for route network.

JetBlue was the least likely to lose your baggage.

Story continues

The study measured 10 factors, weighted differently: airfare (25 percent); route network (15 percent); bag and change fees (10 percent); on-time arrivals (10 percent); cabin comfort (10 percent); customer satisfaction (10 percent); frequent flyer program (10 percent); lost baggage (5 percent); lounges (3 percent); and involuntary bumps (2 percent).

Related: Why the Big Airlines Are Slashing Fares

It looked at the 10 largest airlines by the number of domestic passengers and excluded regional carriers that partner with one or more of the airlines. It also excluded Allegiant Air due to a lack of data. While Alaska Air Group recently completed its acquisition of Virgin America, both were included separately in the ranking because they still operate as two carriers.

Related:

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Printed Matter's LA Art Book Fair: an overstimulating horrorshow of beautiful things your brain is too scrambled to tell your eyes to look at. This year, in the wake of LA's 750-thousand strong Women's March, which happened just down the street, the feminist representation at Printed Matter feels particularly poignant and visible. For example, the Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black closed Thursday night's preview like this:

We might be post-fact, but #information takes on a new tone when you can hold it in your hands. Pulp and zines have never been more relevant. We rounded up six awesome feminist creators who exhibited last weekend whose work champions sex positivity, gender fluidity, and feminist principles. Check them out below.

Heather Benjamin

Heather Benjamin is a Printed Matter OG. She began interning for them when she was still in high school. Primarily a book and zine artist, Benjamin took her New Jersey punk POV to RISD to study printmaking. Her work is largely autobiographical, in a symbolic sense. The work has its own logic and works within a richly developed language that deals with self- perception, self- love, and self- loathing. She draws thematic influence from 1950's romance comics and visual influence from the pre-Raphaelites.





Discipline Press: Tamara SantibanezDiscipline Press: Tamara Santibanez

Run by Brooklyn-based tattoo artist Tamara Santibanez, Discipline Press is entirely ink-funded. Santibanez even tattooed the book fair's curator, Shannon Michael Cane, who was kind enough to show me her work.

Santibanez is an artist and printmaker herself, but recently finds curation to be most compelling, especially when it means showcasing the work of people whose voices are typically marginalized. The sex- positive Discipline Press gets its name from BDSM, (it's slogan: "Often Thrashed, Never Beaten") and draws aesthetic influence from Chicano Art Magazines and black and grey tattoos. Santibanez's curation practice is deeply concerned with criminalization and incarceration as it pertains to art- making, value, and censorship.





Girls Like Us: Jessica Gysel + Katja Mater

Girls Like Us is a Brussels-based independent magazine that spotlights an international community of artists of all genders. Jessica Gysel, the magazine's founder, explained that the goal of Girls Like Us is to show how many options girls, women and nonbinary people have in regards to their self- expression. There is more than one way to be and to become a girl.





Visual Magic: Sarah Faith Gottesdiener, Nicole Killian

Sarah Faith Gottesdiener and Nicole Killian collab on a project called Issues that collects work from queer, feminist and/ or female- identified artists and thinkers. Plus, they slang some pretty sick swag via Modern Women, like "Famous Witches" shirts, feminist moon prints, and women totes.





Pegacorn Press: Caroline Paquita

Brooklyn-based Caroline Paquita of Pegacorn Press is grossed out by the current political climate. She describes her practice as a "Feminist, Queer, 'Total-Art-Freaker' Publishing Adventure." Most of the art she produces in her at-home press is her own, but if you fit into any of the above categories, she just might collaborate with you. Spirituality and meditation play a big role in her work, as well as an interest in a real or imagined pre-history in which nobody would dare to *grab* a pussy so much as worship its strength. Her work is equal parts Gaia worship, tender friendship, and off-the-wall, whimsical humor.





Emma Kohlmann

Finding her influences in punk, porn, and artists like Raymond Pettibone, Emma Kohlmann's art practice started-- like so many exhibitors at the fair-- with punk pulp. Today, she is represented by Copenhagen's V1 gallery. Her work feels deeply personal and free-flowing, populated, often, by soft, genderless and dreamlike creatures engaged in lovemaking of all kinds. Kohlmann identifies with feminism but finds that her practice often involves learning to speak, empathically, from any identity.

All photos by Eva Sealove
Black transgender woman Ciara McElveen was stabbed to death yesterday in New Orleans  the sixth-reported killing of a trans woman in 2017.

McElveen was found by police in New Orleans 7th ward and taken to hospital where she later died from her injuries. This is the second murder of a transgender woman in New Orleans in two days, the first being that of Chyna Doll Dupree.



Syria Sinclaire, member of the New Orleans trans community who worked with McElveen doing outreach for the homeless, told Mic she's "so thrown right now" Dupree and and McElveen's deaths that she's afraid to leave her house.

"Trans women don't want any special privileges," she said. "We should have the right to live our lives open and free and not be taunted and traumatized by the general public if they don't approve."

Many friends and activists expressed their sorrow online, creating the hashtag #SayHerName after a New Orleans newspaper misgendered McElveen in their account of the incident.

There was reportedly a memoriam for Ciara last night.

[h/t Mic]

Image via Twitter
Traveling by air is stressful enough but most parents would agree that traveling by plane with an infant in tow can be overwhelming. Most airlines provide free passage for babies under two years but this could mean hours of inconvenience for the parents who have to hold the baby on their lap the whole time.

Parents are concerned not just for their comfort but also for the safety of their child while on the plane. Australian planes provide infant supplemental seatbelts to ensure the child's safety during the flight. Not all airlines, however, provide this safety feature.

Transport Canada and the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority do not require their airlines to provide a child-restraint system, according to The Australian. Airlines in the other regions provide an expensive option for parents concerned about their kid's safety when traveling by plane. Parents can buy another ticket that entitles the baby to another seat where the airline attaches a child-restraint system.

Despite the laxity of the rules on the provision of a child-restraint system for kids, the International Air Transport Association agree that this system should be in place to ensure child safety when flying. Consumers can also help establish stringent laws on child safety by putting on the pressure to some airlines that do not provide a child-restraint system.

A government-approved child-restraint system or CRS is the safest place for a kid when riding on an airplane, as per the Federal Aviation Administration. This is especially true when it comes to unexpected turbulence as the parent's arms are not capable of securely holding the child during this time. The government has approved the CRS for use not only in airplanes but also in motor vehicles.

More than 90 percent of airline crashes today can be survived by passengers, according to Forbes. This is made possible by modern aircraft interiors and aircraft design structures. These enhancements, however, offer limited benefits if the passengers are not properly restrained. The safety of children should be ensured by using a child-restraint system, even for kids under two years old.
Ellen DeGeneres, together with Wal-Mart, have given the best gift to a senior class. The TV host and comedienne granted 41 graduating high schoolers college scholarships. They will be eligible to attend any state university in New York (SUNY) for four years without having to worry about tuition fees and college loans.

The seniors from Summit Academy Charter School in Red Hook, Brooklyn were invited to "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in Los Angeles. Some had an inkling they were getting something from the show as it was customary for DeGeneres to give away stuff from the sponsors. The kids, however, didn't have any idea it would be as big and important as a four-year college scholarship.

"We've never done anything this big before," the host told her guests during the episode that aired Wednesday, according to Fox 8. "We reached out to the people at Walmart and they want to give each one of you a four-year scholarship."

People reported the scholarships amounted to $1.6 million collectively. Before that, DeGeneres also gave the charter school's teachers $25,000 to fund various school projects.

School founder Natasha Campbell, who established the school 10 years ago, told DeGeneres that only about four percent of the adult population in the Red Hook community have college degrees because most families are impoverished. Last year, however, some 93 percent of Summit Academy's graduates have moved on to college, which has been quite an achievement.

For the current senior class, 80 percent have already been accepted at colleges and the school is aiming to repeat their achievement last year. It's for this reason that DeGeneres want to support their cause enough to help the students out.

The video of the kids crying and laughing as they learned about the scholarship has gone viral. DeGeneres said it has been "one of the most incredible moments I've been a part of" in her life.
More states in America are adopting their own baby boxes scheme this year. The initiative, which was spearheaded in Finland in the 1930s, aims to promote safe sleep practices and prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) among parents with newborns.

CBS Denver reported some 1,000 parents got their baby boxes from the Denver Public Health on Saturday. Aside from containing essentials for the infants, like diapers and bedding, the boxes can also be used as the baby's crib for the first few months.

Arizona's Department of Child Safety is also doing the same initiative. According to 12 News, the agency started giving away baby boxes last December 2016 and there are still plans to continue this.

Some 200 families with newborns in Arizona have benefitted so far after 74 infant deaths happened in the state last year. Officials want to lessen this number this year considering 90 percent of the time, SIDS is preventable.

A small town in Ohio, on the other hand, will also begin handing out baby boxes. The Muskingum Valley Health Center will distribute these to parents provided they undergo training on how to care for newborns with health care workers first, Whiz News reported.

"One of the countries with Finland has been decreasing their sudden infant death syndrome due to the birthing boxes they have been giving," Dr. Bijan Goodarzi of the center said. "So we're trying to decrease the other reasons for sudden infant death to be from suffocation and unknown causes," he added.

In January, New Jersey became the first American state to implement free baby boxes distribution to all Jersey parents with a newborn. An estimated 105,000 boxes are expected to be given away for the whole year.

Moms and dads who want to avail of this benefit need to sign and complete an online parenting class. The move is in partnership with retail store The Baby Box Company, as Parent Herald previously reported.
By Sophie Sassard BARCELONA (Reuters) - The European Commission should help telecom firms by cutting spectrum costs and allowing more mergers to help offset the loss of revenue from the end of roaming charges in Europe, Vodafone Chief Executive Vittorio Colao said on Tuesday. Speaking on the sidelines of the annual Mobile World Congress, Colao said he had a good meeting with Andrus Ansip, Europe's digital single market commissioner. However, the Italian executive said the European regulator was still underestimating how the present regulatory framework hindered the capacity of telecoms firms to sustain investment as revenue and profit declines. "There continues to be a missing element in the debate: the awareness of how much investment is needed and how low the returns are," Colao told reporters in Barcelona. "We are celebrating the death of roaming but nobody has figured out how to replace revenues for telcos". Colao said, for instance, leasing spectrum to operators for a fixed period as is the case in Europe made no sense and regulators should look to the United States where companies acquire frequencies in perpetuity. Telecom companies argue that the U.S. model means they can make long-term investment decisions safe in the knowledge they don't run the risk of losing the asset at some point in the future. On net neutrality, Colao said Vodafone was in favour of a balanced approach around "fair usage" of data to avoid market dominance by telecoms companies while making the field economically viable so they can keep investing. "If net neutrality is strictly applied, there will be no innovation", Colao said. Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers should treat all data in the same way and not discriminate between users or types of web content, or charge different prices depending on the kind of traffic. MORE CONSOLIDATION Vodafone's chief said Europe also needs to look at U.S. policies in the area of consolidation and allow players operating in the same market to combine and reduce costs. "Big deals are getting done in the U.S. while in Europe small deals are being blocked", said Colao, expressing frustration that the sale of its operations in New Zealand to Sky Network Television was blocked. Colao said he was open to more deals, either to rationalise Vodafone's assets and get out of certain countries, or to merge with rivals to grow or expand into broadband services. He said, however, that in practise getting all the stars aligned remained difficult as the company first needed to agree a deal with a third party and then get approval from regulators. In India, Vodafone is in talks to merge its Indian subsidiary with Idea Cellular to create the biggest mobile firm in the country and fend off cut-throat competition from new rival Reliance Jio Infocomm. Colao said the talks were still progressing but there was no certainty a deal would materialise. In Europe, Vodafone said it was focussing on making its joint venture with Liberty Global in the Netherlands a success and would advise in the future whether it made sense to broaden the alliance. "Vodafone-Liberty Global is still an attractive combination, especially if the EU wants the creation of a real Pan-European player," Colao said. (Editing by David Clarke)
Apple's CEO Tim Cook said earlier today at the Company's annual shareholder meeting that their commitment to U.S. manufacturing accounted for $50 billion last year with such U.S.-based suppliers such as 3M and Corning. Cook gave the previously undisclosed data at a time when Apple has come under pressure from President Donald Trump for building its iPhones in China. Apple also wants to work with Trump on issues like bringing back its offshore profits at lower tax rates.

According to Reuters, Cook told shareholders that "We're always looking for more ways to help our country. We know that Apple can only exist in the U.S.' Apple's stock is trading at record highs on expectations of improved iPhone demand this year following a decline in sales in 2016" and because of the Trump rally on the stock market.

What's not known is whether all of the business with U.S. companies such as 3M, Corning and others actually manufactured everything Apple purchased in the U.S., which is the point that Trump wants to ensure is happening.

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 week I had a Facebook friend request from someone I didnt know but who looked legitimate. The profile was male  scammers usually come after men with female profiles. There was the usual mixture of family and current events posts that looked organic, rather than thrown together to create a fake profile. The political posts were on the conservative side, but thats OK  I dont live in a bubble and if youll listen to me, Ill listen to you.

But as I scrolled down, I started seeing multiple posts about Muslims and especially about Muslim immigrants. The one that grabbed my attention was a picture of refugees with the caption Muslim countries wont take them because theyre already Muslim. They arent immigrants, theyre invaders.

Request deleted. You can take your anti-Muslim garbage somewhere else  I dont want it in my feed.

If you can look at refugees and see Muslims and not human beings in great need, there is something wrong with your conscience. Have you seen the pictures from Syria? Have you read the reports? Have you heard the first-hand accounts of people fleeing these war zones?

What would you do if you were in that situation? Youd do what these people are doing  youd evacuate or youd die.

It amazes me that some people will rant about Daesh and the horrors of their laws and how they enforce them (which is a worthy rant  Ive done it myself) and at the same time show zero compassion for people trying to get away from these same evil terrorists.

Muslim countries have taken in most of the refugees. When I googled this question, I came up with this CNN article from late 2015 showing how Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan have taken in 3.7 million of the 4.1 million (at the time) Syrian refugees. Right below it in the search results was a headline from Breitbart claiming Muslim countries refuse to take a single Syrian refugee. As you might imagine, the Breitbart headline is false  the text of their story explains that some Muslim countries have refused to accept Syrian refugees.

Like many other religions, Islam places a high value on hospitality, and leaders of rich Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia will answer to Allah (as a polytheist, I see Allah as one God among many) for their failure to care for their Muslim brothers and sisters. But their failure to fulfill their religious obligations does not absolve us of our human obligations to help those in great need.

Refugees want to go where they have a chance to build a new life. Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan simply do not have the resources to settle this many refugees. Europe and North America do. Beyond that, having lived with the conflict and instability in the Middle East for many years, most refugees are looking for some place where theyre reasonably sure they wont have to evacuate again in a few years.

Direct your anger at those who caused this crisis, not their victims.

Islam is not a monolithic religion. Sunnis and Shias believe different things, and both are different from Sufis. Islam as its actually lived and practiced in Egypt is different from how its lived and practiced in Malaysia, and both are very different from how its lived and practiced in Saudi Arabia. Al Qaeda, Daesh, and the government of Saudi Arabia are no more definitive of Islam than the Westboro Baptist Church is representative of Christianity.

But the Quran says these horrible things! The Bible says many horrible things too, and most Christians ignore them and do their best to live a good life. Most Muslims do the same. Christian scholars and clerics disagree on the meaning of various troublesome passages of the Bible  the same is true of Islamic scholars and clerics about the Quran. Quoting random passages from the Quran out of context and claiming this is what Islam really is shows your ignorance about how religions actually work.

There are some Christians who want to force everyone to live exactly as the Bible says  Im trying to keep them out of our government. Fundamentalist Christians are a far greater threat to freedom in United States than any Muslims.

What do you want American Islam to be? There are about 3.3 million Muslims in the United States  about 1% of the overall population. The Pew Research Center projects that ratio to double over the next 30 years, but even then Muslims will still be a tiny minority.

Left to their own devices, immigrants from places like Syria, Iraq, and Sudan will follow the same pattern as earlier immigrants from Germany, Italy, and China. The first generation will struggle to assimilate. The second generation will carry a dual identity. The third generation will speak only English and will be thoroughly American.

Most will keep their Islamic religion, as immigrants from other countries have kept theirs. But just as Islam in Bosnia and Herzegovina is very different from Islam in Saudi Arabia, Islam in American will be its own thing as well.

If Muslim immigrants are welcomed and allowed to be a part of America, their version of Islam will look very American. But if theyre constantly harassed, told to prove your loyalty and made to feel like they dont belong, their Islam will be resentful and will be dominated by Islam from places that do not share our values.

The Bible is right about one thing: you reap what you sow.

I support religious freedom for all. Im a polytheist who worships many Gods, practices magic, and loves wine. Im under no illusion as to what would happen to me if I wandered into a region controlled by Daesh. They are evil  an accusation I do not throw around lightly  and they must be destroyed. Further, the conditions that allowed them to arise must be addressed or something just as bad will take their place, but thats another rant for another time.

But I enjoyed visiting Turkey  a Muslim country  in 2012. My Pagan and polytheist friend Cynthia lived in Egypt for four years. Read some of her first-hand experiences of living in a Muslim country. I work with Muslims in my paying job  some of them are my friends. The idea that all Muslims are terrorists or that refugees are invaders is patently false and insulting to those of us who have gotten to know real live people who practice the religion of Islam.

So, my would-be Facebook friend, if you want to rant against Daesh, Al Qaeda, and the Saudis, Im right there with you. If you want to screen Syrian refugees before bringing them to America  something the Obama administration started  I wont object. My heart tells me all people should have complete freedom of movement, but my head tells me most people in most countries will never accept open borders.

But if you want to ignore the facts about the diversity of Islam, if you want to judge 1.6 billion people by the actions of the worst few thousand, and if you have no compassion for refugees fleeing war and oppression, you can take your anti-Muslim garbage somewhere else.
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
ajit jain berkshire

Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, had high praise for his colleague Ajit Jain, who handles Berkshire's insurance operations, in his latest letter to shareholders.

"Ajit has created tens of billions of value for Berkshire shareholders," Buffett wrote. "If there were ever to be another Ajit and you could swap me for him, don't hesitate."

Buffett's admiration of Jain's business acumen is nothing new.

"From a standing start in 1985, Ajit has created an insurance business with float of $37 billion and a large cumulative underwriting profit, a feat no other insurance CEO has come close to matching," Buffett wrote in his 2013 shareholder letter.

In the 2014 shareholder letter, Buffett wrote that Jain and Greg Abel, CEO of Berkshire's energy division, were in some ways better business executives than him.

"Ajit Jain and Greg Abel are proven performers who would probably be under-described as 'world-class,'" he wrote. "In some important ways, each is a better business executive than Buffett."

Whitney Tilson, the founder of the hedge fund Kase Capital, speculated that Buffett's praise for Jain in his most recent letter could be reason to believe Jain would be Buffett's likely successor at Berkshire.

"Buffett almost always sings Ajit Jain's praises (rightly so!)," Tilson wrote. "But this year he was particularly effusive  perhaps the best indicator yet that Ajit is his successor?"

Jain  whose mind Buffett said is an "idea factory"  has for some time been considered a leading candidate to become Berkshire's next chairman, although Buffett said in 2015 that Jain was "not looking to take my job."

Jain, originally from Odisha, India, met Buffett in 1985. Buffett later said: "A hugely important event in Berkshire's history occurred on a Saturday in 1985. Ajit Jain came into our office in Omaha  and I immediately knew we had found a superstar."

Jain graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology in 1972 with a degree in mechanical engineering. After losing his job as a salesman at IBM, which was closing its India operations, he moved to the US in the late 1970s to earn an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Story continues

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Former MP Demands That Iran Implement Right of Ethnic Minorities to Preserve Languages

02/28/17

Source: International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran

A former member of Parliament and Iranian-Kurdish rights activist, Jalal Jalalizadeh, has strongly criticized the Islamic Republic's refusal to recognize the constitutional right of ethnic minorities to preserve their languages.



Jalal Jalalizadeh

Eighty-eight civil rights activists have meanwhile sent a letter to President Hassan Rouhani demanding the implementation of that right.

The government's refusal to enforce Article 15 of the Constitution "shows the authorities are weak and lack confidence in the Constitution," Jalalizadeh told the Campaign for Human Rights in Iran on February 20, 2017.

"Thirty-eight years have passed since the (1979) revolution and still the officials look at this article in the Constitution as if it's a dangerous thing," he added. "What they are actually doing is denying people their rights as citizens and trampling the Constitution."

Article 15 recognizes Persian as "The official language and script of Iran" and states that "Official documents, correspondence, and texts, as well as text-books, must be in this language and script." It adds, however, that "the use of regional and tribal languages in the press and mass media, as well as for the teaching of their literature in schools, is allowed in addition to Persian."

Jalalizadeh represented the people of Sanandaj, the capital city of Iran's Kurdistan Province, in the sixth session of Parliament (2000-04) and is currently a member of the reformist Iranian National Union Party.

"We have asked the president and members of Parliament to order the Ministry of Education to implement Article 15," Jalalizadeh told the Campaign. "If we had a strong Parliament, would the education minister dare refuse or ignore the law? He could not."

"When we were in Parliament in the early 2000s, I and another representative from Sanandaj asked the minister of education at the time (about teaching mother languages in schools), but he, like our other officials, was very indifferent and irresponsible towards things like human rights and the rights of citizens in the Constitution," he added.

"Indifference to the Constitution and ignoring people's wishes are weaknesses in our state and officials," said Jalalizadeh. "Many rights in the Constitution are being sacrificed for personal reasons by officials who, for instance, think national solidarity would suffer if other ethnic groups taught their languages in schools and flourished. They are wrong to think this way."









Rouhani's Stance

In a letter to Rouhani dated February 17, 2017, 88 civil rights activists said that the implementation of Article 15 would be "an important and fundamental step" towards ending discrimination against ethnic minorities in Iran.

"The right to teach mother languages has been enshrined in many international human rights conventions and agreements... and the right to teach other languages along with Persian has been emphasized in Article 15 of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Constitution," said the letter. "We, as signatories of this letter, seek its implementation."

On International Mother Language Day, February 21, four Iranian ethnic Azerbaijanis were issued long prison sentences by a Revolutionary Court in Tehran for their peaceful activism against the official ban on teaching Azeri Turkish in state schools.

Alireza Farshi was sentenced to 15 years in prison and two years in exile while three of his colleagues-Akbar Azad, Behnam Sheikhi and Hamid Manafi-were each sentenced to 10 years in prison and two years in exile.

Rouhani made a pledge during his presidential campaign to lift state restrictions on teaching non-Persian languages in schools and universities.

Article 101 of the Charter on Citizens' Rights, which he signed in December 2016, also states: "Citizens shall have the right to learn, use and teach their own local language and dialect."

"The Rouhani administration did set up a special working group to investigate how to introduce non-Persian languages in schools, but the idea stalled when Ali Asghar Fani resigned as minister of education (in September 2016)," Jalalizadeh told the Campaign.

"I hope the new people in charge of the ministry would make a serious effort to break this spell and no one would be afraid of defending teaching other languages anymore," he said.

"They started teaching the Kurdish language at the University of Kurdistan (in Sanandaj) and it didn't cause any problem," he added. "Maybe if we stop looking at Kurdish as a threat to national security and teach it in the schools in the Kurdish-speaking regions, it might benefit national solidarity."
Unpacking Iranian Director Farhadi's Oscar-Night Balancing Act

02/28/17

By Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE/RL



Iranian director Asghar Farhadi wins Oscar

(cartoon by Hadi Lotfi, Ghanoon daily)

WATCH: Iranian Director Boycotts Oscars



Iranian director Asghar Farhadi won rave notices ahead of winning his second Oscar, for the taut "neorealist" suspense film The Salesman, but the reviews have been more mixed for his long-distance acceptance speech.

Farhadi's reaction to this year's best-foreign-film honor -- delivered live in Los Angeles by the world's first female space tourist, Iranian-born engineer Anousheh Ansari, and another Iranian-American (Firouz Naderi, a former director of Solar Systems Exploration at NASA) -- highlighted the difficult balancing act required of filmmakers (and many other artists) to practice their craft in Iran.

In it, he criticized as "inhumane" a U.S. travel ban issued last month by President Donald Trump (though currently set aside by a U.S. court) and also implicitly likened it to measures by hard-liners within Iran's clerically dominated political establishment.



Anousheh Ansari & Firouz Naderi on front page of Iranian daily Tamashagaran Emrouz:

"An Oscar from Space"



Farhadi, who boycotted the Hollywood ceremony to protest the U.S. exclusion of Iranians and nationals of six other predominantly Muslim countries, lamented that such restrictions divide the world between "us" and "our enemies."

It drew fire from observers in the United States who accused Farhadi of lecturing America on human rights and democracy while his own country remains a serial abuser in both respects.

Sohrab Ahmari, an editorial writer with The Wall Street Journal, cited "a great Persian expression" for the perceived contradiction in a tweet that concluded, "Please wipe your own *** first."

Noah Pollack, a contributor to Free Beacon and the Weekly Standard, was another critic, suggesting the movie industry was abetting the injustice and concluding, "Too perfect."



So a guy from Iran just lectured America about human rights and democracy, to lusty applause from Hollywood. Too perfect.  Noah Pollak (@NoahPollak) February 27, 2017



An 'Insult' To Iranians

Farhadi and other outspoken Iranians had bashed the travel ban as an insult to their countrymen, and stayed away amid uncertainty about who might be prevented entry into the United States.

"My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of [the] other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhuman law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S. Dividing the world into the 'us' and 'our enemies' categories creates fear, a deceitful justification for aggression and war," Farhadi's statement said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif congratulated Farhadi and the cast and crew of The Salesman on their win and the "stance against #MuslimBan," adding, "Iranians have represented culture and civilization for millennia."



Proud of cast & crew of "The Salesman" for Oscar & stance against #MuslimBan. Iranians have represented culture & civilization for millennia  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) February 27, 2017



But for long-time Iran observers, Farhadi's statement was also a veiled criticism of the establishment in Tehran, which classifies Iranians as "khodi" (from us) if they are regarded as faithful to the ideology of the ruling system and "gheyre khodi" (outsiders) if they are not.

The first group enjoys privileges generally denied to the second group, which is routinely excluded from state structures and decision-making.

'Clever' Denunciation

The Guardian's Iran reporter, Saeed Kamali Dehghan, praised Farhadi's "clever" denunciation as challenging Trump but also underscoring the division on Iran's domestic scene.



Farhadi's Oscars statement is clever, denouncing creation of "us and others", both in reference to Trump and Iran's own internal politics.  Saeed Kamali Dehghan (@SaeedKD) February 27, 2017



Forty-four-year-old Farhadi lives and works in Iran, and would be well-aware of the written and unwritten red lines laid out by the leadership that has run the country since a religiously fueled revolution ousted the Shah in 1979.

I

Asghar Farhadi on front page of Iranian daily Shargh:

"An Oscar against the righ-wing extremists"



n a statement sent last month to The New York Times announcing his decision to boycott the Oscar ceremony, Farhadi was more blunt in his criticism.

"In order to understand the world, they have no choice but to regard it via an 'us and them' mentality, which they use to create a fearful image of 'them' and inflict fear in the people of their own countries," he said at the time.

"This is not just limited to the United States; in my country hard-liners are the same. For years on both sides of the ocean, groups of hard-liners have tried to present to their people unrealistic and fearful images of various nations and cultures in order to turn their differences into disagreements, their disagreements into enmities and their enmities into fears. Instilling fear in the people is an important tool used to justify extremist and fanatic behavior by narrow-minded individuals," he added.

Farhadi's choice of a prominently successful Iranian woman to read his Oscar statement on his behalf could also be seen as a message to the Iranian establishment. Islamic law as applied in Iran denies women equal rights in divorce, child custody, inheritance, and other areas, and women routinely need the permission of their father or husband to travel.

Iranian Reaction

Many Iranians cheered the win on social media.

"Thank you, Mr. Farhadi. You make us all proud," wrote a woman on Facebook.

The hard-line Rajanews appeared to downplay Farhadi's victory by suggesting that politics was behind The Salesman's Oscar.

"Following [protests] by the political opponents of the U.S. president, the Oscar for best foreign-language film was given to The Salesman by Asghar Farhadi," the news site says in a short item titled Trump Came To Help Farhadi.

Trump has suggested he would renegotiate a major deal to relax international sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear program, and has talked about pursuing a harder line on Tehran, which the United States regards as a "state sponsor of terrorism" and a source of regional instability.

Iranian officials have in the past dismissed international cultural awards.

But on this occasion, in addition to Zarif, Culture Minister Salehi Amiri publicly congratulated Farhadi, whose first Oscar was for The Separation in 2012 about a middle-class Iranian couple drifting apart -- and battling for custody of their daughter -- under the strains of modern life in Iran.

Salehi praised Farhadi's "symbolic absence at the Academy Awards as a protest against the shortsighted and racist policies of America's novice politicians against refugees," the semiofficial Mehr news agency quoted him as saying.

"No doubt, Iranian Cinema with its major share in promoting and fostering culture and national security, can make great use of such opportunities to introduce the Iranian arts on an international level," Salehi added.

In a Twitter message, outspoken lawmaker Mahmud Sadeghi congratulated all Iranians, "particularly a generation of creative filmmakers" on the win.

Filmmakers living in Iran have arguably mastered the art of creating movies under tight censorship rules that, for example, prevent them from criticizing Islamic rules or showing couples touching each other.

Despite that, many have faced the wrath of hard-liners who accuse them of being pro-Western. Some have ended up in jail, including Keyvan Karimi, who is serving a one-year prison sentence for "insulting the sacred" in his film Writing On The City, a documentary about political slogans written on the walls of buildings in Tehran.




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Beauty. Power. Money. The Porsche Design Book One laptop, unveiled Monday night at Mobile World Congress, expresses all of these things within its high-end design.

The Porsche Design Group (owned by the same parent company as automaker Porsche AG) already crafts watches, headphones, and more for wealthy clientele with refined tastes. When the Book One ships in April for $2,495, it will present the first real challenge to Microsofts Surface Book in what well call the Trophy Laptop categorywherein you buy the PC not because you need it, but because you can afford it. The Book One does, indeed, set new standards for laptop beauty. (The laptop is designed in Germany and manufactured by Quanta Computer in Taiwan.) However, it clearly sacrifices some power for the sake of looksand the price point.

Melissa Riofrio With all the PC parts in the display, the Porsche Design Book One naturally has vents along the screens sides.

The company deserves credit for bringing some beauty to a challenging form factor that faces incessant pressure to be slimmer and lighter. The Book One starts with a brushed-aluminum shell and chiseled corners, elements youll find on other high-end laptops. Its also extremely thin, at just 15.9mm (0.63 inches). Next, it adds hints of Porsche automotive heritage in details such as the radiator-like ventilation grilles on the sides of the display, and especially in the 360-degree hinges.

Melissa Riofrio Automotive gears inspired the 360-degree hinge between the display and keyboard on the Porsche Design Book One

The gearlike hinge mechanisms are polished stainless steel. You can admire how they roll smoothly over each other and keep the two halves closely matched. Thats thanks to a small additional mechanism that Porsche calls the intelligent distance ring, which deftly tilts the hinges around each other. Thats far better than the awkward up-and-over you see with most laptops, and even the quirky, loopy turn the Surface Book makes. If were talking aesthetics, however, that little ring (which you can see in the middle of the hinge) is simple white plastic and looks out of place among all the metal bling.

Melissa Riofrio Of course the pen that comes with the Porsche Design Book One is also a high-end design, made of aluminum.

The Book One is the first laptop to have both a 360-degree hinge and a detachable display. The glossy IPS screen, protected by Gorilla Glass 4, has a sky-high resolution of 32001800 pixels, and a 5MP front camera plus an infrared camera for enabling Windows Hello face authentication. The beautiful (of course) aluminum stylus, designed with Wacom, sticks to the right side of the display using magnets.

Melissa Riofrio A small button on the right side of the Porsche Design Book Ones keyboard releases the display.

You detach the display by pressing a small button on the right side of the Book One. A small light on the bottom of the screen turns green when the display is ready to be released. You pull it up and off fairly easily, leaving a slender bar attached at the hinges. The lower half has a full-size backlit keyboard and a Microsoft Precision Touchpad, which can accept an advanced set of taps, touches, and gestures for easier navigation.

Melissa Riofrio When you separate the Porsche Design Book Ones keyboard from its display, a slender top slice with small tabs remains.

Most of the computer, of course, is squeezed in behind the display so it can function independently as a tablet. The main specs include Windows 10 Pro and an Intel 7th-generation Kaby Lake Core i7-7500U processor paired with 16GB of LPDDR3 RAM (at 1,866MHz). The 512GB SSD is roomy and fast.

The one thing that isnt top-of-the-line is the graphics. For a brand so closely associated with high performance, I expected the Book One would have discrete graphics. Instead, it has Intels HD Graphics 620, which is a pretty good solution, but nothing like the discrete Nvidia chip you get with the Surface Book SKU closest in price to the Book One. To be fair, however, theres only so much the Book One could do with the space it has (its a little smaller and thinner than the Surface Book), and it would have been difficult to build a discrete GPU into the display half without a lot more ventilation and other compromises.

Melissa Riofrio The Porsche Design Book One is shown with its keyboard and display separated, plus its included pen.

On the other hand, the Book One offers a total of 70Wh of lithium polymer battery with a projected life of up to 14 hours. That battery is split: 25Wh in the display, and 45Wh in the keyboard. Porsche Design says you can charge the unit fully within two hours. As hard as it is for PC enthusiasts to admit, many users would willingly trade some performance for longer battery life, and thats part of whats going on with Book One.

Weve had distinctively (okay, garishly) styled gaming PCs for years, and a few mainstream PCs that have taken the time and resources to be aesthetically pleasing. Having a non-computer company like Porsche Design come in with a high-style product like the Book One, however, confirms that people are willing to pay more money for pretty PCs. Hardware enthusiasts may grumble about a compromise or two, but this PC is really speaking to a different audience.
Chinese smartphone maker Meizu claims its Super mCharge technology can recharge batteries in as little as 20 minutes.

To prove its point, the company demonstrated the superfast charging capabilities during a press conference on the show floor of Mobile World Congress, which is being held in Barcelona.

The charging speed is even faster than Qualcomms recently introduced Quick Charge 4.0, which is engineered to charge a typical smartphone from zero to 50 percent in about 15 minutes or less, the chip maker claimed in a statement.

The charging demonstration was via a USB Type-C port, and the smartphone carried a 3,000-milliamp hour battery, which is the capacity range in newer smartphones. The trick is offloading some of the charging pressure off the battery to the USB cable, which can carry a maximum of 160 watts of power.

Meizu will bring the technology to its own phones later this year and ultimately, the company wants to sell it to other brands, said Damon Li, technology director for research and development at Meizu.

The Super mCharge succeeds the mCharge technology. The recharging cable reaches 98 percent efficiency, Meizu said, but also costs three times more than conventional USB Type-C chargers.

Faster charging is among a handful of features boasted by smartphone makers when introducing handsets. The race is intensifying, and most smartphones introduced at MWC have Qualcomms Quick Charge 3.0, which takes a little under an hour, more or less, to fully charge a smartphone.
Riverside County teachers union representatives have reached a tentative deal with administrators on a pay raise and other issues.

All Riverside County Office of Education teachers would get a 10 percent raise, retroactive to January, and another 5 percent increase in January 2019. Hard-to-fill positions such as speech pathologists and teachers of deaf, hard of hearing and visually impaired students would receive additional money.

I feel that its fair, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Judy White said. Its going to close the salary gap between the county and other school districts, helping us to draw quality people.

The agreement must be approved by a majority of the county offices 460 teachers, who have until March 14 to cast ballots.

The dispute, which started more than a year ago, reached fact-finding  the last stage before a possible strike  after four failed sessions with a mediator.

I feel like its a good deal, although some teachers arent happy about it, said Angela Tenneriello, lead negotiator for the Riverside County Office Teachers Association.

She said the proposal doesnt include retroactive pay to June, when county administrators got 5 percent raises.

The union also wanted a two-year contract rather than the agreed-upon three years.

This is the best we felt we could get, Tenneriello said.

She said possible changes in federal education policy and a gloomy state budget forecast make the likelihood of additional raises very low in coming years.

Union leaders say the county teachers are now the lowest paid for new teachers among 33 school districts in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

We move towards the middle of the pack with this deal, Tenneriello said.

The union represents teachers who work in juvenile halls, adult jails, special education, preschool, job training and other programs. It includes nurses, speech pathologists, audiologists and other teachers.

The deal also calls for the county office to pay part of the medical insurance for some migrant teachers. Longevity pay would no longer be limited to years of service with the county under the proposal.
A woman was rescued Monday, Feb. 27, after her car went off Interstate 15 in Temecula, fell into a drainage ditch and became submerged up to its windows in stormwater.

The woman was not injured in the crash, which was reported about 11:15 a.m. off northbound Interstate 15 north of Rancho California Road, according to a Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department news release.

Almost an inch of rain had fallen in Temecula over the preceding 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service. Heavy rain is in the forecast for southwest Riverside County, and more moderate rain elsewhere in the Inland area, through Monday evening, meteorologists say.

When firefighters got to the woman, she was standing on top of her car, the Fire Department news release said. The water in the ditch was flowing at about 2 mph.

Firefighters stuck a ladder in through the cars open passenger window, Fire Department spokeswoman April Newman said. The woman walked onto the ladder and took about four steps into a firefighters arms.

Firefighters left the scene by noon. California Highway Patrol officers remained on scene until a tow truck came to retrieve the car.

More on the weather: Heres how much its supposed to rain, snow in the Inland area Monday
Two hikers from La Jolla were escorted down Mount San Jacinto on Sunday, Feb. 26, after winter weather conditions left them stranded.

Vijay Chintalapudi, 25, and Rao Hiteshwar, 27, called 911 at 6:12 p.m. Saturday and told dispatchers that they had reached the peak of Mount San Jacinto but did not feel comfortable hiking down, according to a Riverside County Sheriffs Department news release.

The hikers took shelter in an emergency hut near the peak until California State Parks rangers and volunteers with the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit hiked up to the hut and escorted the hikers down the trail.

Though the hikers suffered minor bumps, scratches and dehydration, they did not require medical attention, the news release said.

The Sheriffs Department encourages hikers to carry proper equipment for any outdoor excursion and to share a well thought-out travel plan with friends and family when hiking a mountain.
One woman died and nearly two dozen people were injured in a crash near Kramer Junction involving a bus and two other cars along Highway 58 near Highway 395 Monday afternoon, according California Highway Patrol officials.

The crash was reported just after 12 p.m. involving a small touring bus and two other vehicles, CHP officer Brian Benson said.

A 55-year-old woman, who was in one of the cars, died in the crash, Benson said. The tour bus was coming from Fresno heading to Las Vegas when it drifted into the opposite lane striking one of the two vehicles head-on.

UPDATE: Woman killed in Kramer Junction crash identified

Benson said the bus, owned by Arcadia-based A&F Tours Inc., seats about 30 passengers. The company didnt respond to a message seeking comment.

The companys vehicles have been inspected 22 times in the last two years, and a vehicle was taken out of service during one of the inspections, according to U.S. Department of Transportation records. The company did not report any crashes in the last two years, the records showed.

Duane DeBruyne, a spokesman for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, said the agency would assist in a post-crash assessment, including an examination of both the vehicle and the bus companys safety record.

According to San Bernardino County Fire Department Twitter posts authorities asked for at least nine ambulances and eight helicopters to transport the nearly two dozen hurt in the crash.

However, due to weather conditions, some of the helicopters were having a hard time making it to the crash scene, according to initial fire reports.

Helicopters from nearby Ft. Irwin were called in to transport several of the injured.

Authorities said six people were seriously hurt and about 15 sustained moderate to minor injuries.

The crash took place on Highway 58 about two miles east of Highway 395, fire officials posted.

The tour bus flipped twice and landed upright, Benson added. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.

The Associated Press and staff writer Doug Saunders contributed to this report.
A felon who grabbed a woman walking on a French Valley street and fondled her was sentenced Monday, Feb. 27, to 16 months in prison, but was immediately released from custody and placed on parole after being credited for time served in jail.

Joshua Alan Graff, 26, pleaded guilty earlier this month to one count each of false imprisonment and sexual battery.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Kelly Hansen certified the terms of the plea agreement and imposed the stipulated sentence. However, after factoring Graffs time in county jail and other credits automatically granted to inmates under the California Penal Code to reduce prison overcrowding, the judge declared that the defendant had met his obligations, making the sentence a paper commitment only.

Graff was ordered to pay victim restitution, in an amount still to be determined by the county Department of Probation, and Hansen issued a 10-year restraining order specifying that the ex-con is to have no contact with the woman he assaulted.

On the afternoon of last June 28, the victim, whose name was withheld, was strolling along Sky Canyon Drive, near French Valley Airport, when the defendant accosted her with personal questions, according to sheriffs Sgt. Russell Hilton.

The woman became uncomfortable and attempted to get away from Graff, who blocked her path and fondled her, Hilton said.

The victim entered a nearby business, and employees reported the incident to 911, the sergeant said.

Deputies located Graff near the area where the assault occurred and arrested him without incident.

According to court records, Graff has prior convictions for grand theft and disturbing the peace.
A woman fell out of a fleeing vehicle during a quick pursuit in Highland on Sunday night, Feb. 26, San Bernardino County sheriffs officials said.

The woman, a passenger in what was later determined to be a stolen Honda Civic, was not seriously hurt by the fall, authorities said. The alleged driver  Miguel Chaidez, 26, of San Bernardino  was arrested on suspicion of felony evading and violating the terms of his probation, according to a sheriffs news release.

Just after 11 p.m., deputies from the Highland sheriffs station spotted a stolen Civic in the area of Fairfax Drive and Baseline Street and tried to pull the vehicle over. At first, officials say Chaidez did pull over, but as additional deputies arrived on scene, Chaidez drove off.

During the pursuit, the 25-year-old passenger fell out of the moving Honda and suffered cuts and scrapes, according to the sheriffs statement.

The pursuit continued for several minutes through San Bernardino and finally came to an end near Waterman Avenue and 6th Street where officials say Chaidez ran off, but was quickly taken into custody.

Chaidez was in possession of heroin and was found to be on felony probation, according to the release.

He was booked at the sheriffs Central Detention Center.
Riverside County health officials are sending notices to hundreds of Vista Murrieta High School students and their parents following reports a student there has received treatment for tuberculosis.

Around 250 letters will be sent out through the mail, according to the Riverside University Health System  Public Health. Staff members who may have been exposed will receive a separate notification from the school.

The student, who is not being identified due to medical privacy rules, has been cleared to return to school.

Were expanding the circle of people who may have been in contact with the person, just to be sure, said Jose Arballo, the systems spokesman.

In December of 2016, a student at Heritage High School in Menifee tested positive for the disease

The county had seen a decrease in annual cases since registering 74 in 2010. By 2013, that number had dropped to 54. In 2014, however, cases spiked up to 65, before falling again to 52 in 2015. The 2016 stats should be available in April. None of those cases resulted in death.

As a precautionary measure, the health department is recommending that anyone who receives the notice be screened with a TB skin test at a clinic being planned at the high school, according to a county health department release.

Anyone who receives the notification letter can also opt to be tested by their own health care provider. If the skin test is positive, the individual will get a chest x-ray and follow-up with an appropriate provider. The x-ray will help determine whether an individual might simply have been exposed to the illness rather than having active TB.

Those who do not receive the notification are considered not to be at risk for exposure, and TB testing is not recommended. Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser emphasized the risk of transmission is low.

While the risk of infection is slight, it is important that those who are notified take the time to get tested, Kaiser said. The testing is simple, does not take much time and can provide peace of mind.

Vista Murrieta also had two cases in the 2013-14 school year.

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The cedi lost grounds to the three major international currencies in the week ending February 24.Despite coming under pressure, the greenback appreciated by 2.88 per cent against the Ghana cedi.



The local currency closed trading at GH4.44, representing a year-to-date depreciation of 5.71 per cent.



The Euro, which stood on the defensive in the earlier trading sessions of the week under review, was, however, subdued as improved economic data trickled in.



As a result, the cedi appreciated by 0.95 per cent to trade one euro to GH4.7.



Year-to-date depreciation of the cedi settled at 5.88 per cent last Friday.



The British Pound, on the other hand, ended the weeks trading at GH5.56 after wrestling between gains and losses as debates on the Brexit resurfaced in the trading week.



The local currency closed trading with 2.18 per cent depreciation and a year-to-date depreciation of 6.9 per cent.



Equity market



On the equity market, the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) stood bullish in the week under review, following improvements in investor sentiments after the Presidents State of the Nation Address reaffirmed commitments at providing an enabling environment to foster business activities.



As a result, four out of five trading sessions witnessed gains.



The GSE-Composite Index, thus rose by 2.63 per cent to 1,857.10 points.



The GSE-Financial Stock Index also edged up by 3.47 per cent to settle at 1,753.94 points.



Year-to-date return of the indices stood at 9.95 per cent for the GSE-Composite Index and 13.49 per cent for the GSE-Financial Stock Index.



Trading



At the close of trading, 23 equities recorded trades, with a total volume of 921,207 shares.



The total trade for the week was valued at GH4.55 million.



Liquidity on the bourse was mainly driven by UT Bank, CAL Bank and Ecobank Transnational Inc. as they jointly accounted for 80.27 per cent of the total traded volume.



Market capitalisation moved up from GH52,207.86 to GH52,310.92, representing a 0.20 per cent increment.



Ten price movers, consisting of seven advancers and three laggards, were observed on the bourse in the week under review.



SCB went up by GH1.07 to trade at GH14.46 per share.



GCB Bank added 48 pesewas to close at GH4.88 per share.



Fan Milk Ltd gained 20 pesewas to trade at GH11.30 per share. Benso Oil Palm Plantation increased its share price by 29 pesewas to trade at GH2.50 per share. Other advancers were Ecobank Ghana Ltd, Societe Generale Ghana Ltd and the Trust Bank Gambia Ltd.



On the downside of the market, Total Petroleum Ltd shed four pesewas to trade at GH2.29 per share.



Ecobank Transnational Inc. and Ghana Oil Company Ltd also trimmed a pesewa each to close at GH7.69 and 85 pesewas per share respectively.



Treasury bills



Government of Ghana treasury securities continued to witness rate adjustments, especially on the short-dated treasuries in light of the governments measure at restoring the countrys debt portfolio and mitigating against the fall of the local currency.



Despite its macro-economic advantages, investors appetite for treasury securities has started dampening due to the lower rates as they seek other profitable ventures to place their funds.



Last Fridays auction results saw two basis points reduction of the 91-Day as it settled at 15.94 per cent.



The 182-Day, on the other hand, increased by two basis points to 16.99 per cent.



Rates on the other treasury notes, however, remained unchanged due to the absence in trading in those instruments.

Source: Daily Graphic









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Vice President of the Republic, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has assured the international business community that Ghana is a safe, investor friendly country to do business.



The Akufo-Addo government, he said, is looking to empower and partner the private sector to be the engine of growth for the Ghanaian economy, in order to achieve its vision of making Ghana the most business-friendly country on the continent.



Vice President Bawumia gave the assurance when a Brazilian business delegation led by Ambassador Laudemar Goncalves de Aguiar Neto, Charge dAffaires of the Federative Republic of Brazils Embassy in Ghana, paid a courtesy call on him at the Flagstaff House on Monday.



Commending the Brazilian businesses for the important role they continue to play in the Ghanaian economy, Dr Bawumia said the Akufo-Addo government was open for business.



The vision of our government is to promote a business-friendly, private sector driven economy, so we want to encourage as much foreign investors as possible to invest in Ghana and invigorate the economy.



The areas youre involved in are very job creating, very valuable, and we appreciate your continued support. We have very ambitious targets for Ghana, and that will be achieved in partnership with the private sector.



We want to make Ghana the most business-friendly country in Africa.



Ambassador Laudemar Neto recalled the historic relationship between Brazil and Ghana, and affirmed his governments commitment to strengthening the already strong bonds through trade.



We support the Ghanaian governments desire for business, and I am happy to say that more Brazilian companies are turning an eye towards Ghana, he declared.



A number of Brazilian companies have set up operations in Ghana, in areas such as road construction, rice farming, paint production and cashew processing.



The Brazilian delegation included Mr Karl Nasr, Honorary Consul of Brazil to Ghana at Tema; Ms Lidiane Jaconi, Managing Director of Brazil Agribusiness Group; Mr Marcos Alexandre Silva, Managing Director, West Africa, for Quieroz Galvao Construction; Danilo Trinchao Pires Rios, Country Representative of Odebrecht Construction International; and Mr Jose Roberto Passareli, Country Manager of Contracta Construction Ghana Ltd.



The rest are Charles Galvao, Executive Chairman (Ghana) for Construtora OAS Ltd; Eng Fernando Mariano, CEO Ghana for Andrade Gutierrez; Patricio Assis, Managing Director of Usibras Ghana; and Michael Akoto of the Commercial Section, Brazil Embassy in Ghana.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The first and largest of its kind India show in Ghana called Source India Ghana 2017 will hold a three days Trade Promotion Council of India at the Accra International Conference Center [AICC] on February 28  March 3 for strong business delegation of about 50 companies from India to exhibit their products.



The exhibition is also intends to invite the similar set of representation, thus, leading Manufacturers, traders and exporters from business community in Ghana so that fruitful business outcome can be derived.



India has been supportive to Ghanas development over the years through lines of credit and grants amounting to US$ 230 million.



Source India Ghana during a press conference in Accra assured their unflinching support to the leading trade organization in Ghana.



SIG is also expected that bilateral trade, investment and business relation will get strengthened which will have a positive impact on Ghanas economy through joint venture initiative, technology transfer thereby leading to employment generation, output growth and achieve import competitiveness.



About Source India



Source India is ProTrade Incs proprietary global trade show cum BSM (Buyer Seller Meet) with a focus on cost effective promotion of Indian businesses and facilitate direct access to buyers in potential foreign markets. The objective of Source India is to create a global trade promotion platform for Indian business entities which can provide them easy access to growing markets across the world and lead to increase in their export growth.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The recent erratic power supply that occurred nationwide was as a result of the absence of strategies to deal with the effects of the shutdown of the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant by the Ghana National Gas Company, Edward Bawa, Member of Parliament for Bongo and a former consultant to the Power Ministry, has said.



On Monday, 27 February, the Ministry of Energy in a press statement said maintenance work to allow for the connection and commissioning of the gas supply systems from the TEN fields to the Atuabo processing plant had been successfully completed, hence an end to the power outages, which have come to be known as dumsor.



The statement explained that completion of the works, originally slated from 3 to 20 February, 2017, had to be extended to 26 February, 2017 due to some operational difficulties experienced by Tullow Oil, the operators of the TEN fields.



Following the joint press release by VRA, Gridco, and ECG on January 23, 2017 in connection with the planned shutdown by the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) for maintenance and also to allow for the connection and commissioning of the gas supply systems from the TEN fields to the Atuabo processing plant, we wish to advise that the work has been successfully completed and it is our expectation that power supply will return to normal by February 27, 2017, the statement signed by the Communications Officer of the Ministry, King A Wellington, said.



Government said its first major objective upon assumption of office was to stop a looming dumsor resulting from these operational challenges.



Speaking in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson, host of Ghana Yensom, on Accra100.5FM on Tuesday, 28 February, Mr Bawa said: It is good if the minister has said capacity is available, but there are some technical challenges. The technical challenge is as a result of lack of planning because the energy sector agencies should have spoken to each other and rescheduled their operations to ensure that the effects [of the planned maintenance] would have been minimised.

Source: Classfmonline









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Ghana has been fined 14,301 (about GH67,000) for failing to participate in two international trade fairs in Frankfurt, Germany.



Messe Frankfurt, organisers of Ambiente, a leading consumer trade fair in the world, levied the fine on the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) after it had paid 40,000 to secure exhibition space at the fair but failed to show up.



Officials of GEPA have confirmed the imposition of the penalty, but have dismissed the claim that Ghana paid 40,000 (about GH187,000) to participate in the event but failed to attend.



Ghanas exhibition stand was empty when the Daily Graphic visited a number of country stands reserved for export promoting agencies which lead local exhibitors to display their products at the fair.



No show



Sources close to Messe Frankfurt said arrangements for GEPA to participate in the fair started in 2016 and Ghana confirmed its participation with the payment of an exhibition fee of 40,000 ahead of the event.



However, GEPA failed to show up, disappointing Messe Frankfurt.



When contacted to explain the issue, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GEPA, Mr James Z. Tiigah, dismissed the claims that GEPA paid the 40,000 as exhibition fee.



He, however, confirmed that GEPA had been fined for its failure to notify the organisers about its inability to attend the trade fair.



He told the Daily Graphic that GEPA was fined 10,309 to cover the cost of a stand and its inability to attend Ambiente in 2015; it was fined 3,992.13 for the same reasons in 2016.



Explaining the reasons for GEPAs failure to attend the just-ended Ambiente, Mr Tiiga said the trip to Germany had not been budgeted for, and that the authority was not in a good financial position to sponsor its officials to travel to Germany.



He stated that although GEPA would have wished to participate in the event, the fine could have been avoided, if the authoritys scheduled officer in charge of the Ambiente Fair had notified the organisers of GEPAs inability to be at the trade exhibition.



We did not deliberately decide not to go but the issue is that there was no budget for us to go. Also, the event coincided with the transition period so we were all busy, the CEO told the Daily Graphic.



The General Manager of GEPA, Mr Stephen K. Normeshie, corroborated Mr Tiigas assertions and presented documents to the Daily Graphic to show how much GEPA actually owed Messe Frankfurt. The amount tallied with the two figures quoted above.



Exhibitors



Ambiente 2017, with about 4,500 exhibitors, witnessed some of the worlds leading consumer goods, with a wide variety of events, promotional programmes, trend presentations and awards ceremonies.



The trade fair saw an extensive portfolio covering products for the home, furnishing, decorating, jewellery, fashion accessories, home textiles and outdoors. Renowned brands and key communicators use the platform to present their winter and Christmas trends.



This gives international bulk buyers the opportunity to place timely orders for their spring and summer collections.



Ghanaian exhibitors



Without the assistance of GEPA, some Ghanaian exhibitors managed to exhibit at the fair.



They included veteran non-traditional exporter Matamiss Pottery Ghana, producers and exporters of baskets, ceramics and trashy bags; Global Mamas, manufacturers/exporters of assorted African garments; TradeAid Integrated, makers of local baskets, and Tekura, producers of handmade furniture.



In separate interviews with the Daily Graphic, they called on the government for support to participate in subsequent trade fairs just as other countries did for their non-traditional exporters, which often attract high attention at the fair.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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The management of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital has appealed to government to complete the abandoned Ghana @50 memorial project ahead of Ghanas 60th anniversary.



The Ghana @50 memorial monument project was envisioned to accommodate relatives of patients who travel from far distances to patronize the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital; but it has been stalled for the past 10 years due to lack of funds. The sub-structure of the 250-bed capacity two-storey building project, was abandoned in November 2007.



This has led to relatives of patients sleeping in front of the emergency and accident ward at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital every evening for lack of accommodation for those who traveled from far distances. In an interview with Citi News, the Medical Director of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Dr. Eric Kofi Ngyedu, appealed to the government to complete the Ghana @50 project to improve services for the poor who seek medical care at the referral hospital.



This issue has been a great concern to the hospital. You agree with me that this hospital has been growing from strength to strength, and the demand on it to fulfill its mandate as a teaching hospital is huge; because once we are a referral centre, we expect a lot of people to bring their patients here, and could not go back home for various reasons, he stated.



He added that, the completion of abandoned hostel would give meaning to the Ghana @50 celebration as we prepare to celebrate our 60 years anniversary. Our personal plea would be to remind authorities that since we are about celebrating Ghana @60, we relook at projects which were started at Ghana @50 so that this abandoned project can come and improve our lot, he concluded.

Source: citifmonline.com









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Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency in the Western Region, Hon. George Mireku Duker, has called on state actors and other stakeholders to legalise activities of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.



According to the Tarkwa-Nsuaem lawmaker, legalising galamsey operations will create more employment opportunities for the youth in the wake of the high youth unemployment and the countrys ailing economy.



Speaking in an exclusive interview with Today, Hon. Duker, who is a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy, explained that the current approach in fighting the galamsey menace has not helped matters.



Against this background, he stressed that it was important for the country to find a more holistic way to reduce the negative impact of galamsey and maximise its huge benefits.



One surest way to deal with the galamsey menace is to first legalise their operations, put them into groups and licence them, then we can assign people to monitor them to ensure that they conform to all the laid down rules, he submitted.



Though Ghana has over the last decade suffered the effects of widespread illegal mining activities in various regions of the country, Hon. Duker however, was of the view that the huge destruction of river bodies, farmlands, forest reserves and farms was as a result of the way we have handled the issue (galamsey) in the past.



Even the current approach where assets of operators are seized, amidst shooting and killing by security agencies have compounded the situation because these people (galamseyers) go about their operations in a rush for fear of being caught so there is little time left for them to plan, he said.



Hon. Duker argued out that if the galamseyers were licensed, properly trained and monitored, they will take their time and work in the confines of the law and all negative activities that are associated with their operations will be eradicated or minimised.



The call by the Tarkwa-Nsuaem MP to legalise galamsey comes on the heels of the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewus, call for stiffer punishment for persons who flout the law by mining illegally in the country during his ministerial vetting.



The minister maintained: as a country, we must begin to enforce some of these laws. If the House gives me the nod, Im not going to take it lightly at all, if you refuse to do the right thing, the law will get you, and I am going to apply the law to address the galamsey issue in the country.



But, Hon. Duker believes that legalising galamsey operations in a confined space will be more beneficial than a total ban which has not yielded any results.



Legalising it will open the economy and create more jobs which will translate into wealth generation, he pointed out.



Water bodies including the Brim and Pra Rivers have been rendered undrinkable, because illegal mining activities have left the them polluted.





Source: Today









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Petrochemicals group Sasol has found oil in wells off Mozambique and aims to bring the fossil fuel to production for the first time in the southern African nation, one of its joint chief executives said on Monday.



Oil production will raise the hydrocarbon profile of Mozambique, an impoverished nation in the throes of a financial and debt crisis which has vast untapped offshore gas reserves and inland coal deposits.



"This will be the first oil wells in Mozambique that go to full development. Probably in two, maximum three years," Stephen Cornell told Reuters in an interview after the company announced interim results.



The company earlier said four of 12 planned wells had been drilled and the results had been surprising.



"We have drilled four wells, two of them gas, two of them oil, all showing positive results. In one of the areas where we expected mostly gas we found gas and oil," Cornell said.



The company has issued a "notice of discovery" to the government.



Cornell told Reuters Sasol had discovered oil in Mozambique before but as "part of an appraisal of the field and that helped us know where to drill."



But he said Mozambique was still "primarily a gas play."

Source: Reuters









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The Energy Ministry has assured of a stable supply of electricity following a successful deal for an increased supply from Ivory Coast.



The Ministry released a statement on Monday suggesting that the intermittent power outages have ended following the deal with the Ivorians.



...to safeguard the integrity of the national transmission system and to reduce the possibility of grid instability...government sent a delegation to La Cote dIvoire which successfully negotiated an increase in power supply despite Ghanas indebtedness of about US$60 million to our neighbour as at the end of December 2016, the statement signed by signed by the Communications Officer at the Energy Ministry, King Wellington.



A supply shortfall of 650MW due to the maintenance of power plants in the Western Region have resulted in the intermittent and unplanned power cuts in parts of the country.



The situation has triggered fears the country is returning to the dark days of severe power rationing.



However, in the two-page statement from the Ministry, Mr Wellington explains that the power outages that span some three weeks in parts of the country were caused in part by rainstorms that hit parts of the country.



With regards to the power disruptions over the last three days, we note that this was not related to a deficit in generation but due to faults triggered by the severe rainstorm that hit parts of the country, particularly in Greater Accra, Ashanti and Central Regions, on 25th to 26th February 2017. The ECG is in the process of restoring power to those who may have been unfortunate to be affected by the outages, said the statement.









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Madam Otiko Afisa Djaba, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has called for zero tolerance on child marriages in Africa.



She said all children must be protected from abuses such as child marriages; which stunts the girl child's educational opportunities.



Madam Djaba made the call Monday in Accra during the opening of the African Union (AU) Department of Social Affairs three-day regional capacity building workshop on increased advocacy to ending child marriage through media engagement.



Participants for the West and Central Africa Regional workshop were drawn from Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon and the Gambia.



The rest are Guinea- Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.



The overarching objective of the workshop seeks to enhance the capacity of the media to better investigate and report on child marriages in Africa with a focus on addressing the root causes and the different facets of the issue; and challenging all stakeholders towards ending the practice.



The workshop sought to link the role of the media as key information transmitters in delivering the key tenets of the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa, the AUs Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals.



Citing statistics, the Gender Minister noted that out of 700 million women and girls worldwide, 125 million of those that were married before their 18th birthday were in Africa.



She said Africas population was expected to grow rapidly in the coming years putting more girls, especially those dwelling in rural areas, at higher risk.



She cited an African Child Policy Forum (ACPF) document that said out of the 41 countries world-wide with child marriage prevalence rates of 30 per cent or more, 30 were in Africa.



Madam Djaba noted that 39 of girls in Africa were married before their 18th birthday.

In Ghana on average, one out of five girls in Ghana is married before their 18th birthday. In other words, the percentage of girls between 20-24 years who are married or in a union by the age 18 is 21 per cent, she added.



She noted that child marriage was becoming less common in Ghana; one in five young women today were married before 18, compared to one in three in the early 1990s.



She pointed out that if observed trends continue, the prevalence of child marriage in Ghana could halve by 2050.

With an acceleration of progress, these values could be even lower. Furthermore, the regional trends show variations, with a progressive widening gap between the Northern and Central/Southern zones of the country, she stated.



The traditional practice of marrying girls under the legal age of 18 was often a manifestation of gender inequality and the respective societies views about the gendered roles of women and girls.



Also, a consequence of the interplay between poverty, archaic traditions and customs and patriarchal norms, child marriage is primarily a rights issue, denying millions of girls their rights to access education, rights to health, mobility and safety, she said.



"Marrying girls at such a young age not only robs them of their childhood, but also has grave consequences on their health; often unable to negotiate safe sex making them vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy, morbidity and mortality," the Minister added.



She said the rate of education among women married at early ages was also very low, negatively impacting their access to formal education.



She said similarly, power dynamics makes girls vulnerable to various forms of violence, including but not limited to sexual violence.



She said in Ghana, significant efforts were also underway to address child marriage.

She explained that according to Ghanas 1992 Constitution, a person under the age of 18 was a child and therefore, could not marry or be given off in marriage.



Ms Djaba said Ghana had launched an Ending Child Marriage Campaign, the Childrens Act, the Child and Family Welfare Policy; which engage different sectors of government, civil society, development partners, the media, children, religious and traditional leaders in a joint effort to eliminate child marriage in Ghana.



"One of the priority actions of the Ending Child Marriage Campaign is the development of a 10-year National Strategic Framework to provide an integrated vision and a clear direction to all stakeholders," she stated.



She noted that the media was one of the most important socialising agents that shaped the lives of millions of people; adding that it highly affects the values, attitude and behaviour of individuals.



She said practices such as child marriage were often perceived as customary and considered to occur within traditional and religious contexts.



While it is important to put in place the relevant laws, policies and strategies that address child marriage, failure to popularize and enforce these instruments and show the challenges posed by the continuance of the practice on Africas socio-economic development, will result in good policies without a proper framework for implementation, she said.



She said the role of the media in galvanising the needed conversation and engendering the change that needs to happen, cannot be overemphasised.



Ms Djaba called upon other Ministers of Gender in the Region to enhance their support to the media in consistently positioning child marriage in media and public discourse as well as supporting the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage in general.



To be able to make the change, we must recognise that Child Marriage is a violation of human rights that has a devastating impact on both boys and girls, she said.



She also urged her fellow Gender Ministers to report progress made towards the elimination of child marriage since the establishment of the office of the Special Rapporteur on child marriages.

Ms Fadimata Alainchar, the Country Director of Plan International Ghana, urged the media to take up the issue of ending child marriage very seriously.



She said the media played a significant role in shaping the perception and social norms through transmission of certain messages.



She said ending the harmful practice of child marriage therefore required engaging the media for increased advocacy on the factors fuelling the practice, the resultant challenges and the benefits of ending the practice.

Source: GNA









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Mexico and Ghana are to strengthen bilateral ties in the areas of Defence, inland and marine security.



Madam Maria de los Angeles Arriola Aguirre, the Mexican Ambassador to Ghana, said Mexico had vast experience in peacekeeping, which they intended to share with their Ghanaian counterparts.



She was speaking during a courtesy call on Mr Dominic Nitiwul, Minister for Defence at the Square in Accra.



The Ambassador commended Ghana for its democratic credentials in promoting smooth transition of power.



She also commended Ghanas support to other African countries in times of conflict resolution in the sub-region as happened in the Gambia.



Madam Aguirre said Mexico and Ghana had enjoyed good bilateral relations over the years and it was the desire of her government to deepen that friendship.



She called on the Ghanaian government to re-open its Embassy in Mexico to continue to strengthen its ties for mutual benefit.



She said Mexican Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs would be in Ghana on a date to be approved by their Ghanaian counterpart to engage in possible areas of cooperation to improve on their economies.



The Ambassador said since assuming the position as the Head of the Embassy, she had been working closely with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre to improve peace keeping operations.



Mr Nitiwul acknowledged the cordial relations between the two countries, saying Mexico was one of the first countries to open its Embassy in Ghana.



He said government would like to partner the Mexican government in the area of marine security to combat drug trafficking and secure each others borders.



The areas we can look at in our cooperation are trade, communications, telecommunications, housing and petroleum sub-sector, he added.



He said it was important to share information and intelligence to better improve on the cooperation between the two countries.



Mr Nitiwul said Ghana viewed peace-keeping as a sacrifice and duty performed to the world on behalf of the people of Ghana.



Our experience in peace-keeping operations are rich and we are willing to share with the rest of the world, he said.

He said Ghana viewed Mexico as a stronger partner in the areas of Military defence, trade and commerce in promoting each others economies.



The Minister said government would continue to engage with the Mexican government to see how best both countries could benefit from each other.

Source: GNA









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Uganda has been named the best English Speaking country in Africa. The study conducted by World Linguistic Society names Uganda as top, followed by Zambia, South Africa and Kenya.



According to reports, the study revelations have risen amid video from a Miss Rwanda contestant who reportedly failed to express herself in English. In 2015, one of the beauty queens in the Miss Rwanda pageant, Uwase Honorine, could hardly answer questions asked by the judges.



Rwanda, a former French speaking country embraced English after a fall out with France, marking the move from francophone to Anglophone political divide.



English is Ugandas official language and the language of instruction in schools and institutions in the country. Children start studying the language as early as pre-primary school.



Recently, the Government instructed schools to teach in vernacular in the lower primary, but still maintained English as a subject in the childrens curriculum.



Top English speaking countries in Africa





1. Uganda



2. Zambia



3. South Africa



4. Kenya



5. Zimbabwe



6. Malawi



7. Ghana



8. Botswana



9. Sudan

Source: http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1447323/uganda-named-english-speaking









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is only 40 days old in office - but some individuals in opposition are of a view that the president will not succeed.



A private legal practitioner and member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abraham Amaliba recently vowed to do whatever it takes to ensure that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo fails as President and subsequently rejected by the electorates in the next elections.



Again, a deputy General Secretary of the Umbrella party, Koku Anyidoho has also averred that the president will totally fail to fulfil all promises he made during his campaign season.



Despite the presidents recent announcement to commence his Free education policy in September this year, Koku maintained that the policy among others will be a flop.



Speaking on NEAT FMs morning show dubbed 'Ghana Montie', the deputy Chief Scribe noted that President Akufo-Addo's juicy promises was to lure the electorates which he succeeded in doing so.



All what they [NPP] promised Ghanaians, they will not do it. The hardship will rather be unbearable. The same Ghanaians who gave President Mahama four years will not hesitate to give Nana Addo only four years and take him out, he said.



"Its obvious Nana Addo cannot fulfil any of his promise. He has only four years to spend at the presidency, he assured.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/ Twitter: @Washman5/ Instagram: Washman007









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Five Ghanaians were reportedly rescued, earlier this week, following xenophobic attacks on immigrants in South Africa.



Within the week, some irate South African gangs attacked and looted shops belonging to immigrants for fear that they might be taking over their local businesses.



Addressing the South African issue on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', CPP's James Kwabena Bomfeh condemned the xenophobic acts wondering why Africans would take on their fellow Africans and so called for the 'black hatred' to end.



James Kwabena Bomfeh, also called Kabila, further cited associated cases where Ghanaians abroad are confronted by despicable acts of attacks, blaming the Travel and Tours companies in the country which fly them over to such nations.



He called on President Akufo-Addo and his government to investigate the operations and license of the various Travel and Tours companies across the nation because to him, they form a major part of the problem.



Kabila told host Kwami Sefa Kayi that a video in his possession showed a Ghanaian girl also being decapitated in Saudi Arabia and wondered what may have accounted for the travels by the nationals overseas.



We should investigate all of them. Where do they take our people? Which license do they operate with . . . if we do it well, we all (Ghana) will have no cause to blame anybody.



Kabila condemned the South African xenophobic attacks and called on African leaders to denounce the incidents.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi /Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Greater Accra Regional Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) says begging the former first lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings to return to the party will be the last thing they will do on earth.



Anthony Nukpenu stated emphatically that, the party has become bigger and attractive after the exit of Mrs. Rawlings.



The NDC mans comment is in reaction to a call on the party to reconsider their stance on the former first lady who is also the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDP).



Mr. Enoch Teye Mensah who is the former Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram is convinced the NDC stances a better chance of winning the 2020 general elections if Mrs. Rawlings returns to the opposition party.



But this arguement, Anthony Nukpenu on Asempa FM Monday vehemently disagrees.



He explained that the NDC since the exit of Nana Konadu has been very attractive thus will be politically suicidal to ask her to return. However, if the former first lady wishes to returns to the party, she can do so by joining the NDC train from the back seat.



"We don't need her, the NDC will not go begging her. She can join this train from the back seat he fumed.



The NDC Regional Organizer maintained that there are still committed people working for the party, therefore they cannot bring these old wagons to lord over us.



Anthony Nukpenu maintained that there are so many young people who have put their fortunes on the line and are committed to building the NDC in opposition.

Source: adomonline.com









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Having succeeded in using half-truths and sometimes outright lies to bait Ghanaians into voting out his government, the governing New Patriotic Party has activated another devious tactics aimed at painting President John Mahama and his administration as the worse thing to ever happen in Ghana.



Headlining these crude political antics is an elaborate scheme by the Akufo-Addo government to use the power of state machinery, the media and other assigns to desecrate and denigrate ex-President Mahama, his immediate family, appointees and his supposed friends.



Leading this latest attempt to smear Mr Mahama is no less a person than President Akufo-Addo himself who threw all courtesies to the wind and launched an unrestrained onslaught on the ex-presidents record in office during his maiden State of the Nation Address.



The Presidents attacks on Mr Mahamas record without acknowledging the good works he has been bequeathed came days after the two Ghanaian statesmen at the inauguration of Gambias newly elected President, Mr Adama Barrow; ceremoniously embraced each other before the cameras to the admiration of all.



Whilst many heaped praises on the two and predicted that, that was a sign of cordial relationship between President Akufo-Addo and Mr Mahama, little did those who held this view knew the President had planned to start vile campaign against the former President and his administration.



Aside setting up Mr Mahama for public ridicule that he wanted to purchase his official residence, President Akufo-Addo and his henchmen in government also tried to accuse officials of the previous administration of stealing 200 government vehicles.



When former deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Jonny Osei Kofi, exposed them with documentary evidence, the Akufo-Addo government resorted to using officials of National Security and NPP vigilante group, Invincible Forces, to terrorize NDC members in the name of retrieving missing government vehicles.



The government has so far been embarrassed as it ended up apologizing to persons whose vehicles have been forcefully seized, and in some instances, NPP activists who led such illegal operations have been sued.



With all these antics failing, the Akufo-Addo administration has resorted to using the Economic and Organize Crime Office (EOCO) to go after some officials of the Mahama government in a desperate move to get them implicated and eventually jailed for corruption.



To sustain his negative tag of the Mahama government, President Akufo-Addo in his first State of the Nation Address painted a gloomy future he says the previous administration had left behind.



Deliberately ignoring the unmatched infrastructural achievements of the outgone NDC government and the seemingly impressive economic fundamentals, President Akufo-Addo chose to only highlight the shortfalls of the Mahama administration.



While it is on record that, it was the Mahama government that negotiated a 125 million Canadian dollars facility to support governments initiative of increasing agricultural output and reduce food prices, President Akufo-Addo failed to acknowledge his predecessors efforts in initiating and securing funding for the project expected to kick-start this year.



President Nana Akufo Addo in his maiden State of the Nation Address to Parliament last week disclosed that: An amount of 125 million Canadian dollars has been secured from Canada a friend of our nation to support the initiative. This will be anchored on the pillars that will transform agriculture, the provision of improved seeds, supply of fertilizers and the use of e-agriculture.



But in a sharp rebuttal, Minister of Food and Agriculture in the immediate past government, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, told the media there is no way a new government will resume office in six weeks and contract a loan without the donor country doing due diligence before giving out the funds adding, he expects the Canadian High Commission to react to the Presidents statement.



He added that since 2013 the government of Canada began discussions with the Mahama government of Ghana on the next budget support program which was to be designed. And we went through a number of tasks to be able to come out with this.



The Akufo-Addo government is also alleged to have deliberately created an artificial power rationing popularly known as dumsor, to rubbish Mr Mahamas investment in the energy sector and claims; he had fix the debilitating power crisis.



Perhaps, President Akufo-Addo was setting the tone for full rollout of this plot when he stated in his SONA address that Mr Mahama handed over to him an energy sector saddled with huge debt without acknowledging investments his predecessor made in the energy sector which has resulted in installed generation of over 3500MW against peak demand of 2000MW.



Government spokesperson, so-called neutral Civil Society Groups and Journalists have since been assigned to blame the ongoing power outages on the Mahama government. Vice President of IMANI Ghana, Mr Kofi Bentil amplified governments inordinate propaganda to obliterate Mr Mahamas record when he said the energy sector was put on steroids in the last quarter of 2016 to give a semblance of a crisis that has been solved.



This, The aL-hAJJs intelligence has gathered, was deliberately done to paint the Mahama government in dark colors and set the former President up for attacks even after exiting and handing over power in one of the problem-free transitions on the African continent.



Ironically, some influential members of the NDC have joined hands with President Akufo-Addo and his NPP to hound Mr Mahama even after working clandestinely to get him kicked out of office after serving just a term.



Relentless in its effort to disgrace the former President and his family, the seat of government was alleged to have engineered a false publication that President Mahamas younger brother and Chief Executive of Engineers and Planners, Mr Ibrahim Mahama and one Ali Seidu, were being investigated by EOCO over alleged corrupt deals at COCOBOD.



The aL-hAJJ is reliably informed that in the coming days EOCO will extend invitation to past government officials and persons deemed to be close associates of Mr Mahama including his wife, Mrs Lordina Mahama over alleged corrupt charges in an attempt to disgrace the former first family.

Source: The Al-Hajj









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The EU Observer Mission for Ghanas 2016 Election has suggested that an independent institution be set up to monitor political party campaign financing for elections.



The international observer mission argues that the move will help reduce extravagant spending by parties and instill transparency.



According to Dr Tamas Meszerics, leader of the mission, the Electoral Commission is expected to regulate and enforce the political party laws on campaign financing, but the EC appears overwhelmed with its responsibilities causing it to abandon this duty.



Nearly three months after the election, the mission reveals that campaign financing is key among issues the country must begin to look at critically.







Source: Today Newspaper/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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With the appointment of Paul Ansah as acting Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), he has been advised to continue with the good works he has inherited from Mr. Richard Anamoo and ignore the rebels who would want to selfishly hinder the progress of the port.



Mr. Eric Arthur, an aide to the former boss of GPHA, was boastful about the massive infrastructural development that took place at the various ports before President Akufo-Addo announced a new head.



According to him, Mr. Richard Anamoo raised the bar under his watch as GPHA boss and brought unity amongst the various unions he presided over.



In an interview on Okay FM, Mr. Eric Arthur stated that with Mr. Richard Anamoo as former head of GPHA, he ensured that the Maritime Hospital at Tema was built and extended expansion projects to Takoradi as well.



For the first time, the Takoradi port is ready for high tonnage of vessels and this can be attributed to the good works of Mr. Richard Anamoo, he said.



Mr. Eric Arthur continued that working as head of GPHA doesnt come on a silver platter and therefore cautioned Mr. Paul Ansah to gird his loins as he moves in.



President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a letter dated Wednesday February 22, 2017 announced the appointment of Paul Ansah as acting Director-General of GPHA.



A portion of the letter read Pursuant to section 8(2) of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority Act 1986 (P.N.D.C.L 160), I hereby appoint you to act as the Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, pending receipt of the constitutionally required advice of the governing board of the Authority, given in consultation with the Public Services Commission.



Paul Ansahs appointment could be described as a political appointment, and it is based on this that Eric Arthur further cautioned him not to allow partisan activities override the purpose for which he was appointed.



Speaking from experience, Mr. Richard Anamoo revealed that as soon Ghanaians elected a new government, some union members at the port who were aligned to the New Patriotic Party, came out denigrate their former boss Mr. Richard Anamoo by calling him a thief.



I expect Paul Ansah to condemn the vicious attack on his predecessor by the junior staff. If he doesnt do it today and there is a change of government someday, the same people would come out and call him names he would never like to hear and see.



It is upsetting to wake up oneday and see stories on front-pages of newspapers calling you a thief. This was the same thing that happened to Mr. Richard Anamoo, the former boss of GPHA, he stated.

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.

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It has now been established that the board of Ghana Oil Company (GOIL), slipped up for hastily accusing President Akufo-Addo of side-stepping the due process in removing and appointing a Chief Executive Officer for the oil company.



The Board Chairman, Prof. William Asumaning, was in the news recently for the wrong reasons when he took a subtle dig at the appointing authority following news of the appointment of a new head at GOIL.



The faux pas had to do with a statement he personally signed without cross-checking the veracity of the news report.



The Board would like to draw the attention of....that GOIL is a public listed company on the Ghana Stock Exchange with its own Regulations. The Regulations state the process through which a CEO can be appointed or removed....The Board would like to state emphatically that it is not aware of the observance of such processes....and that we as a Board have not made any such appointment, portions of statement read.



It is based on this misleading notion that Presidency has stepped in to correct the false impression being fueled by Prof. William Asumaning.



Ag. Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr. Eugene Arhin, issued a statement today to put an end to the news which was based on mere speculation and conjecture by an online publication.



In a statement copied to Peacefmonline.com, the presidency indicated that the statement by Prof. William Asumaning was unfortunate and completely needless and he could have saved himself from the embarrassment if he had done a background check before taking a swipe at the President.



He added that should the President decide to appoint a new CEO, he would do it in accordance with laid down procedures.



Full Statement below



RE: STATEMENT BY GOIL BOARD ON APPOINTMENT OF A NEW CEO



The Office of the President has taken notice of a statement issued by Prof. William Asumaning, the Board Chairman of Goil, on Saturday, February 25, 2017, in relation to the purported appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer of the Company by the President of the Republic.



The statement by the Board Chairman references a Ghanaweb publication of 24th February, 2017 titled Nana Addo Picks New Heads for Forestry Commission, Ghana Health Service and GOIL. It is on the basis of this story that Prof. William Asumaning put out his statement.



One would have hoped, in the interest of best practices, that the issuance of such a statement by Prof. William Asumaning would have been hinged on concrete evidence, in the form of appointment letters, and not mere speculation and conjecture by an online publication. The statement by the Board Chair was unfortunate and completely needless, to say the least.



For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to state that the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has not appointed a new CEO of GOIL, and when he decides to do so, it will be done in accordance with laid down procedures.



signed



Eugene Arhin



Ag. Director of Communications

Source: Chris Joe Quaicoe/ email: [email protected]









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The Government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should reach out to the erstwhile John Mahama administration to provide them with tuition on how to fix the prevailing erratic power supply in the country, locally christened dumsor, John Jinapor, a former Deputy Minister of Power and Member of Parliament for Yapei, has said.



According to him, the Mahama administration dealt with the energy situation in the country in a comprehensive and coherent manner and so there was no reason why the country should be having issues with energy.



Speaking on Asempa FM on Tuesday February 28, Mr Jinapor said: Under no circumstance should we be experiencing dumsor given the positive stride and the resilient robust nature of the power sector we handed over to them. And, so, if dumsor is recurring under this administration, they should solve it and not blame the John Mahama administration. We dealt with it in a comprehensive and coherent manner. If we were to be in government by now we wouldnt be experiencing dumsor.



Under the NDC administration the FPSO went down for almost two months, at a point Ameri was not running, they were not producing gas at all but we sustained power. Around August 2016 thereabout, FPSO went down again but we sustained the power and so if they want they should invite us to teach them how to deal with the power crisis and how to sustain it.



Meanwhile, on Monday, 27 February, the Ministry of Energy in a press statement said maintenance work to allow for the connection and commissioning of the gas supply systems from the TEN fields to the Atuabo processing plant had been successfully completed, hence an end to the power outages.



The statement explained that completion of the works, originally slated from 3 to 20 February, 2017, had to be extended to 26 February, 2017 due to some operational difficulties experienced by Tullow Oil, the operators of the TEN fields.



Following the joint press release by VRA, Gridco, and ECG on January 23, 2017 in connection with the planned shutdown by the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) for maintenance and also to allow for the connection and commissioning of the gas supply systems from the TEN fields to the Atuabo processing plant, we wish to advise that the work has been successfully completed and it is our expectation that power supply will return to normal by February 27, 2017, the statement signed by the Communications Officer of the Ministry, King A Wellington, said.



Government said its first major objective upon assumption of office was to stop a looming dumsor resulting from these operational challenges.

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.

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Ghanaian musician Nii Funny of Yooko Abreaki Mi fame has apologized for his demeaning comments against some new VGMA nominees.



Nii Funny, together with Medikal, Fancy Gadam, Article Wan, Feli Nuna, Ebony, Rudebwoy Ranking and Eugy were nominated for the Discovery of the Year category for the 2017 VGMA.



However, speaking in an interview with Accra-based Hot FM, Nii Funny, who was answering a question in line with whether he believes he can emerge winner at the expense of these sensational artistes, said that with the exception of Article Wan of Pu Nye Nye fame, Medikal, Fancy Gadam and the others are inferior.



This years nominations, that is the Discovery of the Year categoryso many of the artistes dont deserve to be nominated.. Apart from Article Wan, all the rest are Borla Goods..I mean, Medikal, Fancy Gadem, Ebony etc dont deserve to be nominated, he noted.



Throwing extensive emphasis on his assertion, Nii Funny adde: Fancy Gadam is only known in the Northcan anybody in this studios or at Hot FM sing Fancy Gadems song? This is what I am talking aboutyou cant be known by a section of people and then be nominatedYour song has to be popular everywhere.



However, in a statement issued on Monday, February 27, management of the Artiste apologized on his behalf.



Below is the full unedited apology:



APOLOGY



Lyrics & More, the management team of Nii Funny, has taken note of an interview our artiste granted to Hot 93.9 Fm during which he made demeaning comments about his co-nominees in the New Artiste of the Year Category for this years Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).



On behalf of the artiste and our management team, we officially apologize to all the nominees mentioned in the said interview and we retract the belittling comments made in reference to their songs and music careers.



Nii Funny, after a discussion with Lyrics & More, has realized he got carried away during the interview and slipped but in all honesty, he has a deep respect for all his co-nominees and wishes each of them the best of luck.



As a management team, we are of the opinion the VGMA is a healthy competition and should not be a reason for any form of bad blood among any group of artistes.



We once again sincerely apologize and retract the comment in its entirety.



SIGNED



Halifax Ansah-Addo



(Artiste Manager)









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A 42-year-old Australian-born electrician has been arrested for alleged terrorism offences in the rural NSW town of Young, located approximately 4 hours west of Sydney and 2 hours north of Canberra.

AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin says that the man had allegedly been researching missile technology for the Islamic State:

Hell be charged with a number of offences which include two serious foreign incursion offences under the Commonwealth Criminal Code, which carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. With these offences, we will allege that he has utilised the internet to perform services for ISIL, activities in the Syria and Iraq conflict, from Australia in the following ways. Firstly, by researching and designing a laser warning device to help warn against incoming guided munitions used by coalition forces in Syria and Iraq. And secondly, we will also allege that he has been researching, designing and modelling systems to assist ISILs efforts to develop their own long-range guided missile capabilities.

While it might seem kind of insane that a sparky in rural Australia would be designing long range missiles for ISIS, the police believe his research to be legit:

We will be alleging that the material that he was intending to provide to ISIL, the research he was doing, was credible.

NSW Police raided the mans property this morning after an 18-month investigation by the AFP. They believe the man to have been working alone and will not be making any further arrests.

Malcolm Turnbull gave a press conference announcing the arrest, claiming that the mans actions were not related to any planned attack on Australian soil and praising the work of the AFP:

This is yet another example of the excellent work the men and women of the Australian Federal Police and all our security agencies are doing in identifying and disrupting alleged assistance to ISIL.

This highlights that terrorism, support for terrorist groups and Islamist extremism is not limited to our major cities.  @TurnbullMalcolm pic.twitter.com/LEuX89UC3x  ABC News 24 (@ABCNews24) February 28, 2017

The man has been remanded in custody and will appear at Young Local Court this afternoon to face charges.

Source: SMH.

Photo: Twitter / 9 News Canberra.
Bob Harper, Murican personal trainer, author and host of The Biggest Loser in the US, has suffered a serious heart attack while working out.

Harper was reportedly working up a sweat in a shred shed in New York City when he collapsed two weeks ago. A doctor on the scene performed CPR, but Harper fell unconscious and stayed in this state for two days.

A post shared by Bob Harper (@trainerbob) on Oct 30, 2016 at 11:31am PDT

The 51-year-old has since been recovering in hospital and has not yet been given the ok to fly back home to Los Angeles.

The trainer took to the gram to today to let his fans know, and to thank his nurse Karl for looking after him.

A post shared by Bob Harper (@trainerbob) on Feb 27, 2017 at 2:37pm PST

Harper told TMZ that his heart condition is genetic, and that his mother had died from a heart attack. But, in true Hollywood style, sources have crawled outta the woodwork to suggested the cause of Harpers illness is that he pushes himself too hard.

The very ripped trainer was one of the OG Biggest Loser trainers, a position he held from 2004  2015, before being announced as host of the show. Anyone who has watch TBL will know that the trainers push the contestants to their absolute limits; a trend which has been critiqued countless times.

only tru trash tv-loving 90s kids will get this

Of course, whether or not Harpers obviously intense training regime was to blame, we hope that he has a speedy recovery and gets well soon.

Source: TMZ.

Photo: @trainerbob / Instagram.
The Sydney Jewish Museum in Darlinghurst has been evacuated following a bomb threat.

NSW Police confirmed to PEDESTRIAN.TV that a police operation is underway at the Darlinghurst Road museum and that a threat had been made. The building is being evacuated by police as a precaution while the area is searched, a spokesperson said.

The Jewish News Twitter account tweeted images of a heavy police presence outside the centre.

#BREAKING A police operation is underway at the Sydney Jewish Museum after a bomb threat. Building has been evacuated. pic.twitter.com/2qszkbyvaY  Jewish News (@aus_jewishnews) February 28, 2017

Dozens of Jewish centres in the United States have been evacuated over the past month following hoax bomb threats, with up to 27 different centres across 17 states receiving threats in just one day.

More to come.

Photo: Jewish News / Twitter.
If youve ever driven over the Harbour Bridge, youd have clocked one of Sydneys most iconic buildings: that very grey, very higgledy-piggledy block of concrete units in The Rocks.

y so sirius?

Public housing that was built back in 1979, the future of the Sirius building is looking iffy as the NSW Government forges ahead with controversial plans to sell it to cashed-up property developers who think luxury apartments will be far less an eyesore, thnx very much.

So its bittersweet that the architect of the Cumberland St block, Tao Gofers, is next month throwing open its doors for the first time in 44 years, as part of Art Month.

The tour will not only highlight the buildings significance as an example of of brutalist architecture but its social and cultural history, according to Gofers, whos unsurprisingly staunchly against its likely demolition.

Were hoping to get more support from the community by opening up the apartments to the public and educating people about social housing, he says. We have such a problem with housing affordability and the Government should be providing social housing in all areas, not just way out in the outer suburbs. Its not fair to segregate people.

Most of Sirius long-time residents were moved out in 2015, despite their protests, but one of its last remaining tenants  90-year-old Myra Demetriou  will sit for a portrait-drawing session at the end of the tour, which gets us right in the fkn guts.

Meanwhile, the fight to save Sirius continues: the governments decision not to heritage-list the building, despite a unanimous recommendation by the Heritage Council, will be challenged at a hearing in April.

You can tour Sirius for the first, and maybe last, time from March 11 to 25 at 10am. For the full Art Month Sydney program, head HERE.

Source: ABC.

Photo: Flikr / Colton Whelpton.
@PrisonPlanet Fact: The only people who have a problem with ketchup on steak (or anything) are hipster morons trying to act cultured.  Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) February 27, 2017

We know Trump has terrible and gaudy taste. A single look at his utterly deranged apartment, which features staggering amounts of gold leaf on literally every surface, should be evidence enough. Its so important to focus less on his shit rich guy taste than his terrible policy aims and reflexive tendency towards authoritarianism.

That being said, though, we cannot let this one slide: Trump apparently enjoys his steaks well done, with ketchup. Well done with ketchup. No one except ten year olds with broken immune systems enjoy that.

Its long been known that Trump prefers his steaks well done  i.e. wrong  but ketchup as his preferred condiment? That is a new and sickening revelation. It comes from conservative publication Independent Journal Review (which is kinda like a BuzzFeed for pockmarked conservative teens) which quoted a waiter who wished to remain anonymous:

The President ordered a well-done steak. An aged New York strip. He ate it with catsup as he always does. The sides and appetizers on the table were shared. Three jumbo shrimp cocktails were delivered before the meal. At one point, the President looked at his watch and remarked They are filming Saturday Night Live right now. Cant wait to see what they are gonna do to me this week. It was hard to serve him because he is so funny and relaxed, it makes you laugh.

As you can imagine, the internet hated this.

Trump eating a well done steak w/ ketchup. Dawg WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED FOR AN IMPEACHMENT !?!  Andre Leon Stalley (@PhreshTooDeaf) February 26, 2017

PsstTrump orders steaks well done with ketchup. Pass it down pic.twitter.com/jAQotAAAav  Sabith Maliackal (@SABmetrics) February 27, 2017

Trump supporters saying they love well-done steaks covered in ketchup = that dude from Shelbyville taking a huge bite out of a lemon  CAFE (@cafedotcom) February 27, 2017

Americans: aw gross Trump put ketchup on steak

Australians: [nervously] ahaha so weird of him ANYWAY  Christian McCrea (@christianmccrea) February 27, 2017

Trump orders his steak well-done.

Me: I swore off this fight to focus on real issues, not a classist-

He put ketchup on it.

Me: guh  Matt Boyd (@3PSboyd) February 27, 2017

Of course Trump likes his steaks well done with ketchup. He also probably fucks with his socks on and puts ice in his wine.  Blockhead (@BlockheadNYC) February 27, 2017

And of course, Trump supporters are pretending that this is completely fine:

@PrisonPlanet Fact: The only people who have a problem with ketchup on steak (or anything) are hipster morons trying to act cultured.  Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) February 27, 2017

Sad!

Source: Independent Journal Review.

Photo: Getty Images.
Hope youre sitting down because my god this is a spicy video.

For someone who I assume is the princess darling of pop music, Ariana Grande certainly is pushing into more provocative ground with the clip for her latest single featuring Future, Everyday.

How so? you ask? Well, lets just say that this clip is pretty much Ariana singing her sweet melodies and throwing down some serious swears as a bunch of couples in different scenarios just hop on the good foot and do the bad thing.

Its a very public affair with onlookers (read: definitely clued-in extras) looking on with feigned horror/surprise/OMG-faces as the real stars of the steamy clip get so hot under the collar that they just have to take their clothes off I guess. Its spicy. Its so very spicy.

Same.

Its a great representation of all the people that love to get their rocks off  and easily the best part is the elderly couple going at it on the bus while some very-convincing extras look absolutely mortified by whats happening next to them in the accessible seating area.

Tbh more artists that wanna do the whole raunchy ~implied sexy times~ thing should be more inclusive than just a vanilla hetero vibe. Ya dig?

Anyway, it certainly is a video that exists and if you are so inclined, check it out below.

Photo: ArianaGrandeVevo.
Late last week, beloved childrens writer and Australian treasure Mem Fox had a particularly fucked up experience on her way to a literary event in the US.

The author of Possum Magic and Where is the Green Sheep? was wrongfully detained at Los Angeles Airport, where, along with a number of other foreign visitors, was seemingly harassed for two hours by a man heavy with weaponry due to an entirely non-existent problem with her visa.

I am proud of my countrywoman Mem Fox who bravely kept quiet under Immigration questioning and didnt tell them where the green sheep was  Liam Hogan (@liamvhogan) February 25, 2017

Now, Fox has discussed the horrific incident with The Project crew, who also investigated the seemingly exponential growth in aggression amongst US customs officials during US President and xenophobic sack of shit Donald Trumps still quite short, month long reign.

She described how, after officials mistakenly thought Fox was working in the country instead of visiting, she was effectively harassed:

They pulled me out of line, took me into a holding room, and what happened next was awful, it was just awful. But it happened to every person, I saw an elderly Iranian woman shouted at, at full volume. The treatment of the people in that room, while I was there, which I was observed, made me ashamed to be a human being.

She then discussed how airport culture has changed since custom officials were given turbo-charged powers.

Since Trump began implementing tough (read: racist and unjust) immigration policies, people such as former Norway Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik and Muhammad Ali Jr have been subject to wrongful detainment.

Fox also discussed the cruel irony that her newest work, Im Australian Too, is primarily a celebration of diversity and acceptance.

Number one, the new book, Im Australian Too: all about welcoming strangers. And irony number two, which was hysterical, was the conference I was going to in Milwaukee had the theme of humanity, diversity and inclusivity.

But as horrific as her situation was, its important to remember that Fox got away relatively lightly considering shes a white woman; as another Aussie writer, Maxine Beneba Clarke, pointed out, this isnt a particularly novel experience for people of colour.

Okay please please be quiet abt Mem Fox now, its just offensive to those of us who battle airport security on a regular basis.  Maxine Beneba Clarke (@slamup) February 25, 2017

Fox has also acknowledged how much worse this would have otherwise been, previously telling the ABC that:

I am old and white, innocent and educated, and I speak English fluently. Imagine what happened to the others in the room, including an old Iranian woman in her 80s, in a wheelchair.

Christ were in for a shitty few years. Take care of each other there gang, or at the very least dont be nationalist cockheads.

You can watch the full video below.

The treatment of people in that room made me ashamed to be a human being. Mem Fox speaks about being detained in the US. #TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/tToVWwRgLk  #TheProjectTV (@theprojecttv) February 28, 2017

Source and photo: The Project.
Yeah, righto then. Former NSW Premier Mike Baird, who retired from politics last month to spend more time with his sick fam, is moving back into the banking sector.

He was announced today as the new Chief Customer Officer, Corporate and Institutional Banking at NAB, an extremely senior position that will see him in a team of ten other execs who report directly to CEO Andrew Thorburn.

NAB announced his position alongside two other executive appointees, Sharon Cook and Patrick Wright. Thorburn called all three individuals authentic, inspiring and passionate leaders, and while we cant comment Shazza and Pat Baird? Really?

Mike, Sharon and Patrick each bring to NAB exceptional track records of performance and delivery and will help accelerate the execution of our strategy so we can deliver for our customers and our shareholders, he said. They are also authentic, inspiring and passionate leaders whose values align with NABs values and our ambition to be Australia and New Zealands most respected bank.



The ABC reports that Bairds pre-politics career was very much in the financial sector, spending almost two decades working in corporate and institutional banking, including 10 years with NAB.

Baird had something of a disaster year last year (lockout laws, the greyhound backflip), but when he resigned in January, he cited the very serious health challenges facing his mum, dad and sister as the reason. At times I have been in pain not being able to spend the time that I should, he said. This will change today.

So to say Bairds new gig isnt being received *too* well is something of an understatement.

If Mike Baird is now at NAB, does that mean no withdrawals after 10pm?  James Morrow (@pwafork) February 27, 2017

Mike Baird, former NSW Premier, now a NAB executive a month after leaving politics This why we cant get royal com into banks  Geoff Pearson (@GCobber99) February 27, 2017

Popular Baird who left to look after his parents after selling our assets & destroying #ICAC https://t.co/t38kIk9smm  No Incinerator Peter (@faully33) February 27, 2017

Ex premier Mike Baird resigned due his sick dad & sister

And few weeks later takes up job at NAB. Did his dad & sis get better?

PTL#auspol  Andrew Thaler (@andrew_thaler) February 27, 2017

Baird has yet to make a statement on his new gig.



Photo: Pacific Press / Getty.
If youre a House of Cards fan, youll know Mahershala Ali as Remy Danton aka Jackies very hot on / off boyfriend.

As of about 15 hours ago, hes also an Oscar-winning actor after taking home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his turn in Moonlight  also an Oscar-winning film after a rather, er, large controversy that you definitely wouldnt have missed.

Ali can now add Calvin Klein model to his fast-growing resume, having been tapped to strip to his Calvins for the latest Calvin Klein Underwear campaign alongside his Moonlight castmates Ashton Sanders, Trevante Rhodes and Alex Hibbert, whos just 12.

Its not only the first ~farshun~ campaign for all four actors but the first celeb underwear campaign since Raf Simons was officially installed as CKs chief creative officer after exiting Dior.

Its an acknowledgment of remarkable actors who are revealing something important of being a man today in what they do, said Simons of the campaign.

Pls enjoy some of the pics:

There were a few big clues this was on the horizon: not only did Sanders take over Calvin Kleins Instagram at the Oscars, he, Rhodes and Hibbert were all suited up by CK for the ceremony (Ali actually wore Ermenegildo Zegna, which CK will no doubt be salty about now hes an Oscar winner).

If youre curious about what the guys look like in clothes, heres a photo of Sanders, Hibbert and Rhodes in their matching CK suits at the Oscars.

Getting ready for #Oscars night with @_trevante_, Alex Hibbert, and @ashtondsanders. A post shared by Calvin Klein (@calvinklein) on Feb 26, 2017 at 4:54pm PST

CUTE.

Photos: Supplied.
PEDESTRIAN.TV has partnered with Flight Centre to get your damn-fine self to Europe as soon as humanly possible. Why? Because theres nothing worse than NOT summering O/S when all your mates are. Dont be the potato whos forced to live vicariously through the Instagram feeds of others  book with Flight Centre HERE.

Social media has forced a ferocious deluge of incessant vanity upon us all, which most of us are, yknow, more than happy to participate in ourselves. This is all well and good when its an even playing field, but when someones placed in a position to really go HAM on Insta / Facebook, your feelings can often get the better of you.

Were of course referring to the emotional roller-coaster of grief thats taken us all for a ride when our friends, frenemies and fam are documenting every single frivolity theyre up to while summering in Europe.

Yes, a big ol EAD to those of you who seem to be in a financial position to travel every year whilst simultaneously not having a job because you have enough time to travel EVERY GODDAMN YEAR?!

Walk with me, good person of the internet, as we revisit the turmoil of being stuck at home in the freezing cold when everyone we know is living large in the Euro Zone.

STAGE 1: DENIAL

Kevin, or Kev as hes more commonly know as down at the footy club, lives and breathes da boishhhhhh. His career, relationships and finances revolve around his crew like an inflated-egoed Earth revolves around a were-going-nowhere-with-our-lives, pile-on group of lads who say, damn, son more frequently than they can sink a meat pie.

When a summer Euro trip was broached by the gents one night over frothies, Kev paid no heed to it. You blokes can barely tie ya shoelaces let alone organise a trip, ay, said Kev. In a similar fashion, however, to a biblical miracle, their ambitious banter began to form full-fledged plans and six months later they were off to London.

Kev, understandably devastated, blocked it all out. Theyre just all sick like that time Davo fed us off snags, hed tell himself. Theyll be back tomorr-ah.

But they didnt, and Kev was forced to endure the tall-tales of the footy clubs elderly veterans for six weeks  never once accepting, or even acknowledging that he could also be having a boonta time with the boys.

STAGE 2: ANGER

Oh, would you look at this crap. What are they, best friends or something? I, like, invented them you know?

Bridget hadnt stopped criticising her wider group of friends trip to Europe  at least, what was being presented of it to her via Instagram  since her and her boyfriend had gotten in the car for a Maccas run. Now in the drive-through, Bridget was almost at boiling point.

Charlottes changed, she would never post something like this at home, she remarks passive aggressively.

I dunno, babe. They just look like theyre having a good time, sall, her boyfriend timidly replies.

Bridget turned her head away from her phone to face him so slowly it looked as though shed been instantaneously possessed by an ancient, demonic spirit.

What?

Its just a photo of them at dinner, babe. Just because she posted a photo of her food doesnt mean shes changed, surely?

This point of reason was all it took to send Bridget off the deep end.

YOU DONT KNOW SHIT ABOUT SHIT. HOW DARE YOU? HUH? I CANT BELIEVE YOUD EVEN SAY THAT? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU.

The irrational verbal tirade continued for another 30 seconds before being interrupted by a timid voice asking, can I take your order please?.

STAGE 3: BARGAINING

Mike has been desperately flipping between Safari windows on the bus to uni for 30 minutes now. One windows dedicated to hunting down last-minute flights, while the other serves to suss potential avenues of finance in lieu of proper savings. Why didnt he just book tickets to Croatia with the rest of his mates when they were talking about it last year? Because Mikes a dumbass.

The list of questions he asks himself seem endless. Is it worth throwing away half a semester for a trip? Will it be worth paying three times what everyone else has? Will I be able to pay everything back when I return? Why am I such a dumbass?

He begins to bargain, both with himself and the universe: if I do this, Ill overload next semester to make sure I dont fall behind at uni. Ill work extra shifts to clear off the money. Ill give up my left testicle if this pans out.

The stress becomes too much, and upon arriving at uni, he hops on the first bus back home. Ill watch the lecture tomorrow, he lies to himself.

Mike doesnt end up booking the trip because, as mentioned, Mikes a dumbass.

STAGE 4: DEPRESSION

Honey? enquires Tashs mum at her bedroom door.

What? Tash replies flatly, the sound of her voice slightly muffled.

Her mother opens her door and is hit by a wave of dead air. If tears had a smell, itd be just that. Before her lies a lump thats covered by a doona  only a tied-up mass of greasy hair is protruding.

Come on, youre being a bit melodramatic now, she says as she peels back the layers of grease-stained blankets to reveal her daughters inflamed face.

You dont understand, mum, Tash says as tears begin to fall down her cheeks.

Okay, then help me understand. Why are you so upset?

Theres a large gap of silence before Tash shifts herself upright in her bed, takes a deep breath of preparation and wipes the tears away.

Okay, so theres this guy I like called John. Like, its not as if I like like him, but you, like, get the picture. Anyway, this girl Kim  no, not that Kim, mum, a different Kim  went over to Mykonos with Mel and crap. Im, like, friends with her, but not like hell good friends with her, you know? Ive just met her a few times because of Mel. Anyway, Kim and John used to be together  nothing serious, they ended because John hooked up with Kims friend at James party  but, judging by everyones Snapchats, its back on. Im, like, in a glass cage of emotion, mum. Firstly, I feel like Im missing out on the trip of a lifetime because you and dad were too cheap to pay for it. Secondly, Im, like, fucking pissed at Mel  my supposed best friend  because she hasnt put a stop to them hooking up and whatever. Lastly, John and I couldve, like, fallen in love while watching the sunset on a Greek Island, mum, and now my life is over.

Tashs mother is speechless. She sits, staring at her daughter, wondering how this FOMO-suffering human is the fruit of her loins.

STAGE 5: ACCEPTANCE

Have we got a story for the final emotional stage for ya? Nope. Lets cut the BS thats leaving you perpetually uming and ahing.

Throw your damn-fine self into the frivolities of #EuroTrip17 by getting amongst Flight Centre  including utilising their partner tour groups Topdeck and Contiki  by heading HERE.

Photo: Bridesmaid.
shutterstock_voting booth.jpg

(Shutterstock)

Good Tuesday Morning, Fellow Seekers.

We hope you're enjoying a

fascnacht

and hot cup of your favorite brew on this chilly Tuesday morning There's a bit of ground to cover, so here we go:

After suffering some legal setbacks, officials in nearly two dozen states are eyeing new restrictions on voting, including 12 that would require photo identification to vote, Stateline.org reports, citing a new study by the Brennan Center for Justice.

Lawmakers in Texas and Virginia want to take it a step further by requiring proof of citizenship, all the better to stem the nonexistent trend of undocumented immigrants voting in elections, Stateline reports.

More astute readers will recall that Pennsylvania tried to impose a photo ID restriction in 2012, only to have it knocked down by the courts.

The law, backers said, was intended to stop voter fraud. The only problem - they couldn't prove that the kind of fraud it was meant to stop (voter impersonation) - was actually a problem and the law was quite sensibly bounced.

Which didn't actually keep some Keystone State poll workers from wrongly asking that voters show photo identification before casting their ballots.

And, of course, this didn't help either:

That might actually end up on his tombstone.

Anyway ...

As Stateline notes, bills in Connecticut, Iowa and some other states would eliminate Election Day registration, which backers say actually increases turn-out (which has traditionally been thought to be a good idea).

And lawmakers in Iowa and Texas (there they go again) are among those considering bills that would shorten early voting periods, Stateline reported.

Opponents of the various proposals argue that they're intended to do one thing, and one thing only: Repress turnout among the elderly, younger voters and minorities who might be inclined to vote Democrat. It is no coincidence, therefore, that the lawmakers flogging these bills are uniformly Republican.

The situation is particularly onerous in Texas, where the state's Hispanic population is expanding, Stateline reported.

"Poor people don't have passports," James Harrington, founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, which pushes to expand voting rights, told the online think-tank.

Harrington told Stateline that " ... requiring proof of citizenship is not purely partisan, but will likely impact Hispanics. 'It's targeted at preventing the inevitable demographic change of control of the state ... people who represent Hispanic interests are going to be quite different from the people who are in power now.'"

The rest of the day's news starts now.

Police in Philly and elsewhere are searching for answers in a series of bomb threats to Jewish community centers and cemetery vandalism, The Post-Gazette reports.

PhillyMag looks at how Donald Trump's election may permanently changed politics in Philly.

In Philly, they're in a turf war over who will control (very lucrative) parking, The Inquirer reports.

Philly Gas Works wants to increase its rates (via BillyPenn).

Here's your #Harrisburg Instagram of the Day:

In case of deportation, undocumented immigrants are being told to make plans for their families, NewsWorks/WHYY-FM reports.

Gov. Tom Wolf has joined with colleagues in other states to ask the Trump White House for help on infrastructure projects, Keystone Crossroads reports.

The Morning Call explains why some SSHE schools are in danger of closing their doors.

PoliticsPA caught up with Republican Rep. Rick Saccone as he launched his bid for U.S. Senate on Monday.

What Goes On.

Just a pair of prepackaged press events on offer today. At 9:30 a.m., there's an event in the Main Rotunda looking at lead in the state's drinking water. And at 3:15 p.m., the rotunda plays host to a Housing Awareness Day event.

Meanwhile, budget hearings drone onward. Here's the schedule

In the Senate:

10 a.m.: Dept. of Labor & Industry

1 p.m.: Judiciary

In the House:

10 am.: Judiciary

1 p.m: Dept. of Corrections/Board of Probation & Parole

3 p.m.: Dept. of Health/Dept. of Drug & Alcohol Programs

WolfWatch:

Gov. Tom Wolf has no public schedule today.

What Goes On (Nakedly Political Edition).

5:30 p.m.: Reception for Dauphin County Court candidate Jeff McGuire

5:30 p.m.: Reception for state Sen. John Sabatina

Ride the circuit and give at the max, and you'll part with a mere $2,000 today.

You Say It's Your Birthday Dept.

Best wishes go out this morning to our PennLive colleague Megan Lavey Heaton and to the Morning Call's ace courts reporter (and our old pal) Peter Hall. Congrats, you two. Enjoy the day.

Heavy Rotation.

Here's a favorite from Elbow for your Tuesday morning.

And now you're up to date. See you back here in a bit.
karoodinha

(AP Images)

What do John Legend, Daya and the Roots all have in common?

A. They're awesome.

B. They all have Pennsylvania ties.

C. They're all playing at the Karoondinha Music and Arts Festival in Centre County in July.

D. All of the above.

(It's D, obviously -- it's always D in stories like these.)

The Karoondinha Music and Arts Festival announced some of its lineup on Monday, promising many more to come. Presale tickets go on sale Wednesday, March 1, at noon for the July 21-23 show at Penn's Cave and Wildlife Park, Centre Hall.

For $249 plus fees, ticket holders will gain access to all three days of the festival and a 20'x20' site on the GA campgrounds.

What's Karoondinha? It's pronounced Ka-roon-din-ha and is the Seneca Tribe's word for "The Land of the Shining Waters," according to the event's FAQ page. You can also find out more about camping and what to pack.

Pennsylvania ties

John Legend grew up in Ohio but went to college at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he directed a coed a cappella group. While he was in college in the 1990s, he also frequently made the drive to Scranton, where he served as musical director at the Bethel A.M.E. Church. In 2014, with the church behind on its mortgage and facing a possible sale, he autographed a piano for them to auction to help their financial situation.

The Roots, Jimmy Fallon's house band on The Tonight Show, was formed in Philadelphia in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson. They host events such as The Roots Picnic on Penn's Landing (which this year is on June 3).

Pittsburgh-area pop star Daya won a Grammy for a collaboration with The Chainsmokers. The Mount Lebanon 18-year-old sings all the lyrics in the hit track, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart last year. It was released just months before Daya's debut album, "Sit Still, Look Pretty."

The 2017 Karoodinha lineup

The full lineup, announced so far, includes:
Two chefs

Great meals are made by great chefs -- which means one group of diners is about to be very happy.

Greg Vernick of the highly acclaimed Vernick Food and Drink in Philadelphia, will be working with Justin Severino of Cure and Morcilla in Pittsburgh for a one-night, six-course collaboration dinner at Philadelphia's Aldine, according to Philadelphia Magazine.

The date of the dinner is set for March 7, with reservations being accepted from 5-9:30 p.m. It'll be a $100 meal, not including booze. Reservations can be made at opentable.com or by calling 215-454-629.

The menu is still being worked out, but Aldine teased to Philadelphia Magazine that it would include a bone marrow custard, cynar cured albacore, blood orange blossom sorbet, pan-seared lionfish and a duck confit with "house made brioche, concord grape mustard and pistachio."

Vernick was received nominations from the James Beard Foundation as the Best Chef in America in 2015 and 2016. His restaurant, Vernick Food and Drink, is the top restaurant in Philadelphia Magazine's list of 50 best restaurants in Philadelphia.

Severino has been a semifinalist for the Best Chef in America award be the James Beard Foundation for the past three years. His restaurants Cure and Morcilla have both been recognized for excellence by Bon Appetit magazine.

Aldine, which is run by George and Jennifer Sabatino, has developed a reputation for collaboration dinners -- especially their All-You-Can-Eat Pie Buffet on Christmas Eve.

Aldine is located at 1901 Chestnut St. in Center City, Philadelphia. For more information visit aldinerestaurant.com.

Want more news from the largest cities in Pennsylvania? Check out our coverage on Pittsburgh and stories from Philadelphia.

You may also enjoy these videos from our Life and Culture Team:
Saying the dispute needs to be resolved by a jury, a federal judge has rejected Carlisle Borough's plea to dismiss an age discrimination lawsuit filed by fired Public Works Director Michael Keiser.



The ruling issued by U.S. Middle District Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson means borough officials, especially Borough Manager Matthew Candland Sr., will have to defend themselves against Keiser's claims during a trial.





Michael Keiser

And there will be a lot of questions for the jurors to resolve, Carlson observed.



For starters, he noted, they will have to weigh Keiser's claims that Candland fired him because the borough manager wanted to bring in younger supervisors. Keiser's firing came hours after he formally accused Candland of age discrimination.



At the time of his May 2014 termination, Keiser, now 62, had been Carlisle's public works director for 27 years. He had even been offered the borough manager job several years before his firing, but had turned it down to stay in public works.



Candland was hired as borough manager in July 2012. Carlson noted in his recent opinion that no court filings list Candland's age, but they do state that he graduated from high school in 1984, which would place him in his early 50s.



Keiser filed his lawsuit in 2015. In seeking its dismissal, borough officials claimed Candland and Keiser had such a toxic working relationship that Keiser had to be fired. Any potentially ageist statements uttered by Candland were nothing more than "stray comments," borough lawyers claimed.



Still, Carlson noted that numerous witnesses have stated they heard Candland routinely make comments to Keiser in which he referred to Keiser as "outdated, old school, old fashioned and antiquated."



"Candland has admitted that he used such terms to refer to Keiser and his work," Carlson wrote. He cited testimony by other public works employees that they feared for their jobs after Candland was hired because they felt he would "rather start over with younger guys."



Candland gave Keiser the only negative performance review of his career, the judge noted. He observed that Keiser's firing wasn't expected by borough council since two council members, Linda Cecconello and Donald Grell, testified that Candland told them three days before the firing that he had no plan to ax Keiser.



Keiser's replacement in his borough job was 55 years old.



When he was terminated, Keiser was facing criminal charges relating to a dispute with one of his North Middleton Township neighbors. The neighbor accused Keiser of spraying weed killer on him in April 2014.



Disorderly conduct and harassment charges filed against Keiser over that incident were later dismissed, and Keiser's lawyer in the criminal case said video evidence proved Keiser did not commit any crime.



In ordering the dispute over Keiser's lawsuit to trial, Carlson found that Keiser has made at least a basic case that he was the victim of age discrimination and retaliation and that there is "some basis to question the borough's stated justifications" for his firing.



Therefore, the judge said, a jury should be tasked with determining whose testimony is credible.




Bishop Felton May

United Methodist Bishop Felton May, a longtime advocate for the poor and those impacted by drugs and AIDS, in Maryland on Feb. 27. May, who was 81, served as the first black bishop of the Susquehanna Conference of the church, as well as that of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. He served in Harrisburg for 12 years beginning in 1984.

(Mike DuBose, United Methodist News Service)

Bishop Felton E. May, a longtime leader in the United Methodist Church who served as the denomination's first black bishop in central Pennsylvania, and was widely acclaimed for his dedication to social justice around the world died Monday at his home in Ellicott City, Md.

May, who was 81, died in hospice care as a result of pancreatic cancer. He is survived by Phyllis Henry May, his wife of 53 years; two children, Daphne May Brown and Felton May II, and 10 grandchildren.

During his five-decade ministry with the United Methodist Church, May served as pastor of a number of of churches, as well as on conferences and agencies, impacting social justice change in local communities as well as developing nations. He was instrumental in the establishment of the church's Africa University and its Communities of Shalom movement, and had a direct impact in the U.S. investment to fight AIDS.

United Methodist Bishop Felton May (right) walks with Bishop Christopher Jokomo of Zimbabwe (center) following a meeting of global religious leaders to discuss AIDS policy in Washington in 2000. May died Feb. 27 at his home in Ellicott City, Md.

May served as the first black bishop for the Susquehanna Conference as well as that of the Baltimore-Washington Conference.

"He was a fantastic visionary," said the Rev. Mamie Williams of Silver Spring, Md., whom May appointed to his cabinet as one of the first women to the post in the Baltimore-Washington conference in 1998. "He was very concerned about the community and the world. He was a philosopher, a global person yet a local person."

May was known for his passion and dedication for working with marginalized people and communities.

The Rev. Dean Snyder, who joined May's staff in Harrisburg in 1995, remembers that much of May's work focused on people impacted by poverty and substance abuse. Yet, at the same time, May was led by a profound love for his church and saw it as an agent of local and global change.

Snyder recalled how May seized a favorite idea and turned it into his calling cry for his work in the church - that of "holy boldness."

"He called the church the holy boldness, referring to the bold engagement with the needs of society," Snyder said.

While bishop of the Harrisburg region, May took a year's sabbatical from ministry to pursue an assignment in Washington, D.C., which was being ravaged by a drug epidemic. May helped establish what became known as "savings stations," or community outposts and tent sites sponsored by churches committed to addressing the needs of their communities, particularly drug addiction.

May helped found the Communities of Shalom, a movement based on the idea of the churches creating zones in which they worked to improve conditions - from spiritual, economic, health and safety.

"Bishop May's vision was always very, very large," said Syner, retired senior pastor of Foundry United Methodist in Washington, D.C., the largest Methodist church in the nation's capital.

"He was not narrow in any sense of the word," he said. "He was not afraid to try something and not everything he led succeeded 100 percent. But he kept moving. That was the holy boldness. You can't be timid or frail. You just keep working to make a difference."

The Rev. Carola Beasley-Topliffe, of the Yeagertown Charge in Lewistown, remembers May as a man committed to and unafraid of change and social progress - in and out of the church.

She recalls that May was an ardent advocate for minorities and women in the ministry at a time when the idea was generating debate within the denomination.

May, recalled Beasley-Topliffe, appointed the first female to a cabinet post while in Harrisburg.

"That was very important to him," she said. "He was always concerned for people who might fall through cracks or people who represented opinions and experiences others may not be aware of. He was always willing to advocate for that."

Born in Chicago in 1935, May grew up on the South Side and attended a Baptist church. As a young man, he worked for a synagogue as janitor and handyman.

According to the United Methodist Church News Service, the head of the synagogue, Rabbi Louis Leopold Mann, recommended that May join the St. James Methodist Church, which had a commitment to integration.

"I think God has called you to be a minister," May is quoted in the report from a 2009 event at Wesley Theological Seminary, in which he recalled what the rabbi said to him at the time.

In a short time May was leading Sunday school and youth programs at St. James.

"And then I began to read Methodist literature and its social witness, and it made sense to me. I felt I was called by God to do that," he told the Baltimore Sun in 2001.

He was ordained as a deacon in the Northern Illinois Conference in 1962. From then until 1984, he served a number of pastoral assignments and on church agencies.

Writes Sam Hodges, of the United Methodist Church News Service:

"To get Maple Park Methodist going, May and his wife knocked on doors, started a children's ministry and held worship services. The church was chartered with fifteen families and grew to 300 in weekly attendance during May's time. It also was active in civil rights and other social justice advocacy."

May earned his master of divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary and was ordained a United Methodist elder in 1970.

In 1984, he was elected bishop and assigned to the Harrisburg Episcopal Area.

Williams, who served with him in the Baltimore-Washington area remembered that May began the "Holy Boldness" program to remind pastors and congregations that the church's ministry was global must include and start with local communities.

"It was about looking to help your neighbor and your community," she said. "He was a very caring person, very deeply caring person who was never removed from his roots and what that was was this is who I am and not an ivory tower existence."

May she said would go into communities and talk to residents, inviting them to church. He also distributed Bibles, although Williams recalls that it was "never a forced thing of trying to get people to do things."

United Methodist Bishop Felton May plays with children at a Zambian orphanage in 1999 during a trip in support of a Presidential Mission on Children and AIDS. The trip "brought me to my knees during Holy Week," said May, who died Feb. 27 at age 81.

"It was always an invitation," she said. "To join others in doing things that needed to be done. He was very down to earth and yet he knew how to lift people up."

May played an instrumental role in a number of programs in the United Methodist Church, including helping to establish - and later help lead - Africa University.

May's concept of "savings stations" in time evolved into the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries' Special Program on Substance Abuse and Related Violence.

The Rev. Brent Salsgiver, of the Paxton United Methodist Church in Harrisburg, said May treated everyone - regardless of age, race or gender - with the spirit of equality.

"He never treated you like a child. He treated you like you were an adult," recalls Salsgiver, whose calling for the church he attributes to May.

"He led me through the personal experience of what it looks like for someone to remove their ego before worship."

Snyder recalls that he was the same way with regards to race.

When May arrived in Harrisburg in 1984, the United Methodist Church had a small African-American constituency, at most two or three churches.

"He was an African-American bishop leading a primarily white annual conference," Snyder said. "But Felton ministered to people of all races passionately. Many of us who were on his staff were white males who cared about the things he cared about. We tended to be the grinds. He was the one who carried the vision. We ran behind him trying to make it happen."

Hodges writes that May in 1994 visited Rwandan refugee camps as part of a United Methodist fact-finding team, returning to Baltimore to help dedicate a tent village for orphans.

May also served on a White House Presidential Commission on AIDS. In 1999, he traveled extensively across southern Africa and, as a result of his work and advocacy, the Clinton Administration increased U.S. spending in response to the crisis of AIDS worldwide by $100 million.

His 2004 retirement from the episcopacy ushered re-invigorated work for May, who went on to serve as dean of the Harry R. Kendall Science and Health Mission Center at United Methodist-affiliated Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas, among other posts.

In his 2009 address at Wesley Theological Seminary, May said: "Programs have had their day. The power of Christ must rest upon us and our institutions."

Information on services have not yet been released.

Condolences

can be sent to the May family at 3315 Oak West Drive, Apt. 123, Ellicott City, MD 21043. Emails can be directed to Daphne May Brown at ddaja512345@gmail.com.

Memorial donations

can be made to:
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM

Response to the reported threats against multiple Jewish center and schools across the nation Monday was swift and clear, as officials denounced the anonymous actions and groups came together to repair and restore hundreds of vandalized headstones at Jewish cemeteries in Philadelphia and St. Louis.

The FBI and the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division are probing the threats.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions called the vandalism and bomb threats serious, unacceptable behavior and said the department will "do what it can to assist in pushing back ... and prosecuting anybody that we can prove to be a part of it."

"We are a nation that is a diverse constituency, and we don't need these kind of activities," Sessions said.

U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, R-Pa., released a statement regarding the threats made against Jewish Community Centers and schools in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and York earlier in the day.

"Anti-Semitic acts and crimes based upon religion are heinous and intolerable," Toomey said. "The threats levied today against Jewish Community Centers and schools across Pennsylvania are unacceptable and I fully support law enforcement conducting a swift and thorough investigation."

"Pennsylvania was struck today by multiple anonymous acts of hate. Within minutes my Office reached local, state, and federal law-enforcement officials to offer the full support of the Attorney General's office and to assist in a thorough investigation," said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. "These acts are cowardly. Their perpetrators aim to spread fear, but we will stand together to ensure they fail. Intimidation and threats against the people of any one faith are an affront to us all."

Some 200 people were evacuated from a Jewish Community Center in York after a caller told the front desk there was a bomb in the building, said Melissa Plotkin, the York JCC's director of community engagement and diversity. Police entered the building and cleared it, she said.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, who has long ties to the York center, having served on its board, called the bomb threats and cemetery vandalism reprehensible.

"These acts are cowardly and disturbing," Wolf told reporters in a conference call Monday. "We must find those responsible and hold them accountable for these hate crimes."

A similar call came in to the Harrisburg center at Front and Vaughn streets at 10:11 a.m., said Harrisburg police Capt. Gabriel Olivera. The center and its school were evacuated but resumed operations about two hours later.

In a statement issued Monday afternoon, Jennifer Ross, president and CEO of the

Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, said, "We are thankful for the support of our local law enforcement for their assistance today. We want to reassure you that The Jewish Federation maintains extensive and strong relationships with all of our local law enforcement and are taking these threats very seriously. They have been extremely responsive and sensitive to these incidents and are working hard to keep our children and community safe."

The three Pennsylvania facilities were among those in at least a dozen states received threats, according to the JCC Association of North America. No bombs were found. All 21 buildings -- 13 community centers and eight schools -- were cleared by Monday afternoon and had resumed normal operations, the association said.

It was the fifth round of bomb threats against Jewish institutions since January, prompting outrage and exasperation among Jewish leaders as well as calls for an aggressive federal response to put a stop to it.

"The Justice Department, Homeland Security, the FBI, and the White House, alongside Congress and local officials, must speak out -- and speak out forcefully -- against this scourge of anti-Semitism impacting communities across the country," said David Posner, an official with JCC Association of North America. "Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in our communities."

In Philadelphia, police investigated what they called an "abominable crime" after several hundred headstones were damaged during the weekend at Mount Carmel Cemetery, a Jewish cemetery dating to the late 1800s, said Steven Rosenberg, chief marketing officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.

Police said the vandalism appeared to be targeted at the Jewish community, though they cautioned they had not confirmed the motive. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said authorities were doing everything possible to find those "who desecrated this final resting place."

"I'm hoping it was maybe just some drunk kids," said Aaron Mallin, who discovered the damage during a visit to his father's grave. "But the fact that there's so many, it leads one to think it could have been targeted," he told WPVI-TV.

The vandalism comes less than a week after a Jewish cemetery in suburban St. Louis was targeted. More than 150 headstones there were damaged, many of them tipped over.

Both acts of vandalism spurred offers of help.

The Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council, an umbrella group for more than 50 union locals that work in the construction industry, offered to repair the damage at Mount Carmel free of charge, calling it a "cowardly act of anti-Semitism that cannot be tolerated." A community cleanup organized by the Jewish Federation was to begin Tuesday with as many as 50 volunteers per hour.

And in Missouri, a Muslim crowdfunding effort to support the vandalized Jewish cemetery near St. Louis had raised more than $136,000 by Monday, with organizers announcing they would use some of the money for the Philadelphia cemetery.

Jewish centers and schools in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Virginia also were threatened, according to the JCC Association of North America.

Since January, the group has tracked a total of 90 incidents in 30 states and Canada.

Paul Goldenberg, director of the Secure Community Network, a nonprofit founded by several national Jewish groups to bolster security in the Jewish community, said Jewish Community Centers and other Jewish institutions have extensive security protocols in place.

After dealing with Monday's threats, he said, the "Jewish community is back in business."
The NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference of Branches is asking to meet with state Sen. John Eichelberger because of remarks he made at a recent town hall in Cumberland County.

Eichelberger, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, insists he was referring to the poor quality of education inner-city students were receiving when he said vocational school would be more appropriate for them than college.

"They're pushing them toward college and they're dropping out," Eichelberger was quoted as saying in The Sentinel Feb. 16. "They fall back and don't succeed, whereas if there was a less intensive track, they would."

In an interview with PennLive Feb. 21, he said his words had been twisted in the news article. He said he does believe the same level of academic expectations can't be applied to every student, "but it isn't because their skin is a different color. It's because they didn't have the proper academic credentials coming out of a bad school."

"We take this very seriously," Dr. Joan Evelyn Duvall-Flynn, state president of NAACP PA and chair of the organization's Education Committee, said in a news release Monday. "We spoke with the Senator's office last week to express our concerns and to request a meeting with the Senator."

"It is the obligation of the NAACP to collect facts prior to taking direct action on any issue," Duvall-Flynn said. "Because the chairman of the Senate Education Committee drives educational policy decisions in the Commonwealth, it is critical that the person in this position understands basic education civil rights. NAACP PA wants the Senator to fully explain his thinking and his position on education in Pennsylvania. We do not want anyone with negative perceptions about our children to have power and influence over matters of life and death for them such as the nature and quality of their education. We also want to understand his theory on school funding," stated Duvall-Flynn.

NAACP PA noted in the release that since the Nov. 8 election, the association has received a "noticeable" increase in the number of reports of overt acts of racism and racist remarks being made in schools across the commonwealth.

"Direct threats to children have caused Governor Wolf and the Department of Education to develop an emergency intervention plan for schools to employ when such events occur," Duvall-Flynn said.

The plan is available on the home page of the NAACP PA website.
Carlisle Regional Medical Center in Carlisle could well fit the profile of hospitals its parent, CHS, is looking to sell.

Photo by SEAN SIMMERS

National for profit chain with big Pa. presence is in trouble

Tennessee-based Community Health Systems, one of country's largest for-profit hospital chains, has a major presence in Pennsylvania, where it owned 17 hospitals as of the beginning of 2017. Nationally, CHS owns 158 hospitals in 22 states, and not long ago owned more than 200. CHS is struggling, having lost $1.7 billion in 2016. As a result, it has sold off dozens of hospitals and plans to sell more. CHS has already struck deals to sell two hospitals in Pennsylvania -- Easton Hospital in Northampton County and Sharon Regional Health System in Merger County. They were sold to Steward Health Care System, a small for-profit chain based in Boston.

Don't Edit

PennLive archives photo

Four CHS hospitals in Capitol region

Four CHS hospitals are located in the Harrisburg region: Carlisle Regional Medical Center in Cumberland County; Memorial Hospital in York; and Lancaster Regional Medical Center and Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center in Lancaster County.

Don't Edit

PennLive archive photo

Possibilities abound

CHS hasn't given many details about which hospitals are up for sale, typically announcing sales only after agreements have been signed. Still, there's reason to think CHS could be open to selling its Harrisburg and Lancaster region hospitals: Much of the company's losses have been attributed to its purchase several years ago of hospitals formerly owed by another for profit chain, Health Management Associates. Those former HMA hospitals include Carlisle Regional, Lancaster Regional and Heart of Lancaster.

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Harrisburg-based PinnacleHealth System is among the system that has stressed the importance of increased size and scale.

Photo credit JOE HERMITT

Who might make a big move?

Moreover, CHS seems especially open to selling off hospitals that are in third in fourth place in their given market. That's exactly the status Carlisle Regional, Lancaster Regional and Heart of Lancaster. And within that same region is a fourth CHS hospital that captures only a small share of its market: Memorial Hospital in York. On top that, the hospital landscape across the whole region has been in flux, and it's unlikely the last seismic shift has occurred. That's especially true given the possible fallout of the failed merger attempt between PinnacleHealth System and Penn State Hershey Medical Center, which has left each of them intent on expanding their footprints by others means. In fact, leaders of both PinnacleHeath and Penn State-Hershey have said expanding their size, scale and reach is essential to their future success. So if CHS is inclined to unloading hospitals, it's hard to imagine it wouldn't have some willing buyers within the market.

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Here are the CHS hospitals and their positions in their markets

Here is a rundown of CHS hospitals in Pennsylvania, their respective market shares, and how they rank in their market. The market share numbers are from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council. They are for the fiscal year that ended in 2015 and are the latest figures available.

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Photo source: Commonwealth Health Network

Berwick Hospital Center

Berwick Hospital Center, Berwick, Columbia County

101 beds

Market share: 13.4 percent, third in market

Market leader: Geisinger-Danville, 54.6 percent market share

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Source: Brandywine Hospital

Brandywine Hospital

Brandywine Hospital, Coatesville, Chester County

168 beds

Market share: 10.6 percent, third place

Market leader: Chester County Hospital, 27.9 percent

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Photo credit: SEAN SIMMERS

Carlisle Regional

Carlisle Regional Medical Center, Cumberland County

165 beds

Market share: 13.3 percent, third in market

Market leaders: PinnacleHealth, 34.5 percent, following by Geisinger-Holy Spirit, 24.1 percent, and ahead of Penn State Hershey Medical Center, with 7.4 percent

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Photo credit: Chestnut Hill Hospital

Chestnut Hill

Chestnut Hill Hospital, Philadelphia

148 beds

No market share information available

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Photo credit: Easton Hospital

Easton Hospital

Easton Hospital, Easton, Northampton County (a sale has been announced)

196 beds

Market share: 14.3 percent, fourth in market

Market leaders: St. Luke's/Bethlehem, 32.1 percent, Lehigh Valley/Muhlenberg, 15 percent

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Photo credit: Commonwealth Health

First Hospital Wyoming Valley

First Hospital Wyoming Valley, Kingston, Luzerne County

127 beds

Market share: 5.6 percent, fourth in market

Market leaders: Wilkes-Barre General, 32.3 percent, following by Geisinger Wyoming Valley, 28.3 percent

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Heart of Lancaster

Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center, Lititz, Lancaster County

148 beds

Market share: 5.9 percent, fourth in market

Market leaders: Lancaster General, 57.6 percent, Ephrata Community, 10.8 percent, 6.8 percent

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Photo credit: Jennersville Regional Hospital

Jennersville Regional

Jennerville Regional Hospital, West Grove, Chester County

63 beds

Market share: 5.7 percent, fifth in market

Market leaders: Chester County Hospital, 27.9 percent, Main Line Paoli, 20.6 percent

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Photo credit: Lancaster Regional Medical Center

Lancaster Regional

Lancaster Regional Medical Center, Lancaster

150 beds

Market share: 6.8 percent, third in market

Market leaders: Lancaster General, 57.6 percent, Ephrata Community, 10.8 percent, 6.8 percent

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Memorial Hospital

Memorial Hospital, York

100 beds

Market share: 9.9 percent, second in market

Market leader: York Hospital, 57 percent

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Photo credit: Moses Taylor Hospital

Moses Taylor Hospital

Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton, Lackawanna County

217 beds

Market share: 29.3 percent, first in market

Second in market: Geisinger-Community, 29 percent

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Photo credit: Phoenixville Hospital

Phoenixville Hospital

Phoenixville Hospital, Phoenixville, Chester County

151 beds

Market share: 6.4 percent, fourth place

Market leaders: Chester County Hospital, 27.9 percent, Main Line Paoli, 20.6 percent

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Pottstown Memorial Medical Center

Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, Pottstown, Montgomery County

232 beds

Market share, 6.1 percent

Market leader: Abington Memorial, 18.6 percent

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Photo credit: Commonwealth Health

Regional Hospital of Scranton

Regional Hospital of Scranton, Scranton

198 beds

Market share: 21.4 percent, third place

Market leader: Moses Taylor (also a CHS hospital), 29.3 percent

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Sharon Regional Health System

Sharon Regional Health System, Mercer County,

108 beds

Market share: 37.3 percent, first in market

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Photo credit: Tyler Memorial Hospital

Tyler Memorial Hospital

Tyler Memorial Hospital, Tunkhannock, Wyoming County

48 beds

Market share: 13.2 percent, second in market

Market leader: Geisinger Wyoming Valley, 25.3 percent

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Photo credit: Wilkes-Barre General Hospital

Wilkes-Barre General Hospital

Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County

418 beds

Market share: 32.3 percent, first in market
Transgender bathroom sign .jpg

PennLive file photo.

A federal judge has ruled in favor of a trio of Pennsylvania transgender students who sued their school district last year over a bathroom choice policy they say violates their civil rights.

The ruling announced Monday grants a preliminary injunction sought by the three students at Pine-Richland School District near Pittsburgh and effectively ensures they will be able to use the bathroom corresponding with their chosen gender identity as their case proceeds through the courts.

Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, staff attorney at Lambda Legal, the group which filed the lawsuit on behalf of the students, said: "This is just a temporary preliminary injunction as the case proceeds. But as it proceeds, our clients can use the facilities that match who they are and the district is obligated to do so under the U.S. Constitution."

Gonzalez-Pagan said the district now has until March 15 to formally answer the students' complaint in the western district court where the case is being heard.

The lawsuit and complaint were filed late last year, after the district's school board reversed a long-standing policy that allowed students to use the bathroom corresponding with their gender identity.

In doing so, the district began requiring students to use unisex facilities or those matching their biological sex.

The transgender students' lawsuit followed soon after and included a request for a preliminary injunction freezing enforcement of the district's new rule.

On Monday, that injunction was granted by federal judge Mark R. Hornak who wrote: "The Plaintiffs appear to the Court to be young people seeking to do what young people try to do every day -- go to school, obtain an education, and interact as equals with their peers. ... The Plaintiffs have shown a reasonable likelihood of success on the merits of their claim that the District's enforcement of Resolution 2 as to their use of common school restrooms does not afford them equal protection of the law as guaranteed to them by the Fourteenth Amendment."

That last sentence speaking to the likely success of their lawsuit has bolstered not only the students, but also their lawyers and supporters.

It also comes just days after the Trump administration moved to rollback federal guidelines issued under President Barack Obama that urged districts to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms of their choosing.

The Trump administration said it would leave the issue up to the states, not the federal government.

"Not with-standing the Trump Administration's misguided and cruel actions last week, the court today found that the school's policy barring transgender students from the restroom that matches who they are violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution," a statement from the Pine-Richland students' lawyers reads. "Every student must be respected for who they are and be afforded equal educational opportunity."

A spokesperson for the Pine-Richland School District said the district will comply with and implement the order issued by the court on Monday. There was no further comment from the district.

In granting the preliminary injunction Monday, the court also denied the district's request to dismiss the transgender students' case.

One of those students is also the sister of Pittsburgh native and Trump inauguration singer Jackie Evancho, who requested a meeting with the president after his rollback of the Obama-era federal bathroom guidelines was announced last week.

UPDATE: This article has been updated to include comment from the Pine-Richland School District confirming it will comply with Monday's court order. It has also been updated to include the final sentence identifying Jackie Evancho's sister Juliet as one of the plaintiffs.
Eric Veronikis | everonikis@pennlive.com

Home Invasion Suspects

Philadelphia police are searching for two male suspects, one who was armed with a handgun, who allegedly broke into a 53-year-old man's home and bound and gagged him before fleeing on Feb. 17.

The suspects, two black males, entered the home in the 4200 block of Nelson Street through the garage at about 8:08 p.m., police said.

Once inside, the suspects forced a 53-year-old man to the rear bedroom, where he was gagged and bound with electrical tape and plastic ties, according to police.

After they spent about an hour inside the home, the suspects fled in an unknown direction.

It was immediately unclear whether the suspects stole anything from the home, as an investigation continues.

The victim was taken to Aria Frankford Hospital and was later transferred to Aria Torresdale hospital for treatment of bruises/contusion to his face and a broken nose.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Det. Buck with the Philadelphia Police Department's east detective division at 215-686-3243/3244 ext. 9027.

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Eric Veronikis | everonikis@pennlive.com

Bank Robber

Police are searching for a suspect who they said robbed a bank in Reading earlier this month.

Police responded to a robbery report at the Salem Five Bank, 8 Walkers Brook Drive, at 9:15 a.mm. on Feb. 4.

Upon arrival, officers learned that a male suspect entered the bank and demanded money from a teller. No weapon was shown.

The suspect fled with an undetermined amount of cash.

He is said to be about 6 feet tall and was wearing a black hooded coat, black ski mask, black gloves, sunglasses and jeans.

Anyone with information regarding this robbery is asked to contact the Reading Police Department detective division at 781-942-6772.

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Eric Veronikis | everonikis@pennlive.com

Keyon Lucas

The U.S. Marshals Western Pennsylvania Task Force is searching for 14-year-old homicide suspect Keyon Lucas.

Lucas, also known as "Lil Bill," "Jackson," "Rondo," "Keyon" and "Edward," is wanted for the shooting death of Lavelle Beason in Erie on Jan. 23. Beason was shot to death while sitting in a van in the 500 block of East 22nd Street.

Lucas is described as a black male who is 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighs 120 pounds and has a scar on his forehead.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lucas is asked to contact the U.S. Marshals, Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force in Erie at 814-464-9682 or 814-464-9683. Information also can be emailed to wpaftf@comcastnet.

Information is kept confidential and tipsters could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,500, the U.S. Marshals Office said.

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Jose Duque

Lancaster police are looking for a 20-year-old city man in connection with a shooting that happened Sunday morning.

Jose Gabriel Duque is accused of shooting a 19-year-old man multiple times at at around 11:45 a.m. Feb. 26 on the 100 block of Dauphin Street in Lancaster. Surveillance footage and witness statements helped police identify and charge Duque with felony counts of attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault and carrying a firearm without a license, police said.

Officers responded to the scene to find a man lying on the ground suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, including a head injury. The victim was taken to a local hospital and is being treated for potentially life-threatening injuries, police said.

Police said a verbal dispute may have happened prior to the shooting.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 717-735-3300; call Lancaster City-County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-322-1913; submit a tip button on the Lancaster police website; or text a tip to Crime Stoppers by texting LANCS plus your message to 847411.

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Patrick McEvoy

Crime stoppers in Lancaster County is offering a reward up to $1,000 for information in a heroin overdose case from last July.

Authorities are seeking Patrick C. McEvoy, 25, of Ephrata, in connection with a July 27, 2016, overdose death in a public restroom on the 100 block of East Main Street in the borough. Callie C. Bowen, also of Ephrata was implicated in the death of 25-year-old Brandon Lied of Ephrata.

Police said Bowen and McEvoy conspired to get Lied his fatal dose of heroin, which was laced with fentanyl. Evidence against McEvoy and Bowen includes texting conversations between them and Lied, police said.

Bowen surrendered earlier this month and is free on $200,000 unsecured bail. She is scheduled for formal arraignment at 9 a.m. March 24 in Lancaster County Court.

Anyone with information as to McEvoy's whereabouts is asked to contact Det. Ken Lockhart of Ephrata police at 717-738-9200 or lockhark@police.co.lancaster.pa.us; call Lancaster City-County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-322-1913; submit a tip button on the Lancaster police website; or text a tip to Crime Stoppers by texting LANCS plus your message to 847411.

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Military Surplus Thief

Police are looking for a man who took a 100-round magazine from a Berks County military surplus store in Berks County over the weekend.

The man, seen on surveillance footage, hid the 100-round drum magazine under his shirt and in his pants at Priority One Surplus in Tilden Township around 3:12 p.m. Saturday, police said.

He purchased another item and left the store without paying for the magazine.

Anyone with information is asked to call Trooper Masinick with state police in Hamburg at 610-562-6885 or leave a tip with Crime Alert Berks County or Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers.

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Eric Veronikis | everonikis@pennlive.com

Arson Suspect

Philadelphia police are asking for the publics assistance in identifying a suspect who was in the area when a fire broke out in the rear of the Famous 4th Street Delicatessen early on Feb. 12.

At about 4:25 am, in the 700 block of South 4th Street, police said an unknown male was captured on surveillance video trying to open vehicle doors and looking at properties along the block.

A short time later, the suspect returns running in the opposite direction, police said. Approximately 10 minutes later, a fire broke out n the rear of the Famous 4th Street Delicatessen, according to police. Fire crews extinguished the blaze, which caused cosmetic damage to the restaurants brick exterior, in addition to melting phone lines.

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 50-years-old, with a thin build. He was wearing a dark leather jacket, red or maroon shirt, gray pants with a white log on the back or left side leg, a dark belt, brown or black shoes and a black winter hat.

Police said the man might have been wearing work clothes.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Citywide Arson Task Force Det. Ken Golczewski at 215-446-7875.

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Andy Irizarry

Lancaster police have issued an arrest warrant for a man believed to have intentionally set fire to a city business.

Andy Irizarry, 36, of Lancaster, is charged with arson and conspiracy to commit arson in connection with the Dec. 10 fire at Doctor Tire on the 400 block of South Prince Street. The state police fire marshal ruled the blaze was intentionally set and authorities began investigating the incident as arson shortly thereafter.

Through surveillance video, Det. Adam Dommel was able to identify Irizarry buying gas, walking to the back of the business, and running to a vehicle after the fire was set. Police said there are three other co-conspirators who have not been identified.



Anyone with information as to Irizarry's whereabouts or the arson is asked to contact Dommel at 717-735-3361 or dommela@lancasterpolice.com; call Lancaster Crime Stoppers at (800) 322-1913; submit a tip button on the Lancaster police website; or text a tip to Crime Stoppers by texting LANCS plus your message to 847411.

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Eric Veronikis | everonikis@pennlive.com

Tyron Mosley

Police continue to search for Tyron Mosley, who walked away from the Dauphin County Work Release Center in May.

Mosley, 24, whose last known address was the 1500 block of Crums Mill Road, Harrisburg, had been granted a temporary leave from the work release center May 10 and didn't return, police said.

He was sentenced May 10 to 9-23 months in prison after pleading guilty to a second-offense DUI charge.

He could be in the Selinsgrove area, police said.

Anyone with information on Mosley's whereabouts is asked to submit a tip to Dauphin County Crime Stoppers through the Crime Watch website. Tipsters also can cal Dauphin County Emergency Dispatch at 717-558-6900.

Those with information can remain anonymous.

If a tip leads to an arrest, tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

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Bank Robber

Police in York County are searching for a man in a mask who robbed a bank at gunpoint Thursday afternoon.

The robbery occurred at 2:10 p.m. at the M&T Bank branch in Spring Grove along the first block of Roths Church Road, according to the Southwestern Regional Police Department.

"The white male suspect displayed a black colored semi-automatic handgun. He was wearing an old man costume mask and a black colored beanie hat, a black hooded sweatshirt, black snow pants, and black work boots," police said.

The suspect fled the area in a late 1990s to early 2000s Ford Ranger extended cab truck that was red in color, police said.

The windows of the truck had dark tint and a split style rear window on the cab and oversized tires, police said.

Anyone with information regarding the robbery is asked to contact police at 717-225-1333.

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Julius Stackhouse

Police are searching for one of two suspects accused in the Aug. 31 homicide of a 25-year-old man in Pittsburgh.

Julius Stackhouse, 33, is wanted for the shooting death of Domanek Cabbagestalk. Police said Stackhouse and Dymond Locke, 20, are suspects in the case. Locke turned herself in to police on Jan. 24.

Cabbagestalk was shot in the chest and leg as he stood on the porch of a home in the 1400 block of Steuben Street, police said. The shooting followed an altercation at Woodlow Street and Cherry Street, according to police. Cabbagestalk fled to the home on Steuben Street following the fight, police said.

He was rushed to Allegheny General Hospital, but ultimately died.

Stackhouse may have relocated to the Cleveland area.

He is from Crafton Heights, but is known to frequent Beltzhoover, the Hill District and Shadyside, police said.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call Pittsburgh police at 412-323-7800, or the U.S. Marshal's Western PA Fugitive Task Force at 412-422-4722.

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Eric Veronikis | everonikis@pennlive.com

Salvador Castillo-Tobar

Authorities in Franklin County are searching for a man accused of raping a teenager in 2008.

Police in Chambersburg said an arrest warrant has been issued for Salvador Castillo-Tobar, no age or address given, on charges of rape, indecent assault, simple assault, sexual assault and unlawful restraint.

Castillo-Tobar is accused of attacking the 16-year-old victim on Aug. 13, 2008, police said.

Anyone with information about Castillo-Tobar is asked to contact police at 717-264-4131 or submit an anonymous tip here.

Further information was not immediately available.

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Eric Veronikis | everonikis@pennlive.com

Antoine McNeal

Police in Luzerne County are searching for Antoine Wiliam McNeal, who is accused of shooting a man to death in Nanticoke City early on Jan. 18.

McNeal, 32, shot Brandon Smith multiple times, killing him, outside of Smith's home in the 100 block of West Church Street Naticoke City at about 2 a.m., police said.

McNeal, who investigators believe knew Smith, fled the scene following the shooting.

He was last scene wearing jeans and a blacked hooded jacket.

McNeal, whose last known address was in the 900 block of Scott Street, Wilkes-Barre, is described as a black male, who is about 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has black hair and is missing his left eye. He is known to frequent Nanticoke City and New York City, police said.

McNeal, who is considered armed and dangerous, has tattoos of bullets on his top right forearm and multiple other tattoos.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contactl Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers at 1-800-4PA-TIPS. Callers remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.

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Eric Veronikis | everonikis@pennlive.com

Timothy Bazemore

Pittsburgh police are searching for attempted homicide suspect Timothy Bazemore.

Detectives from the department's Group Violence Intervention Unit are seeking the whereabouts of Bazemore, who is wanted in connection with an attempted homicide that occurred in Homewood in July.

Pittsburgh Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Bazemore is asked to call crime stoppers at 412-255-8477. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Eric Veronikis | everonikis@pennlive.com

Homicide Suspect

Police in Philadelphia are searching for a suspect accused of shooting and killing a man outside of a business in the 4500 block of Melrose Street on Jan. 12.

The suspect, described as a black male who appears to be in his mid-to-late 30s, entered a business for a short period, left and returned about 15 minutes later, police said. When he returned, police said the suspect shot and killed a 35-year-old man multiple times as he stood outside of the business. Police said the victim was shot multiple times in the head and torso.

The suspect had a full beard and mustache, was wearing a green Philadelphia Eagles (with the old style emblem) baseball hat, a grey hooded sweatshirt under a black leather jacket with zippers on the sleeves and dark denim pants with padded patches on the front and back of the legs.

After shooting the man, the suspect is believed to have fled in a black 2015-2016 Hyundai Sonata.

Anyone who sees the suspect should not approach him, police said. Contact 911 immediately.

To submit a tip to police via phone call 255-686-TIPS, or text a tip to PPD TIP or 773847. dial 215.686.TIPS (8477) or text a tip to PPD TIP or 773847.

Use this electronic form to submit a tip anonymously. All tips are confidential.

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Eric Veronikis | everonikis@pennlive.com

Kenneth Diaz-Castro

East Lampeter Township police have issued arrest warrants for Kenneth X. Diaz-Castro, 33, of Lancaster.

Diaz-Castro, whose last known address was in the 500 blk of Zook Avenue, Lancaster, is wanted for felony fleeing or attempting to elude police and multiple retail thefts.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact East Lampeter Township police at 717-291-4676.
Beta Theta Pi

State College police on Friday charged the house manager of Penn State fraternity Beta Theta Pi with multiple drug charges. The charges, police said, are unrelated to the investigation involving the death of a Penn State student at the fraternity earlier this month.

Members of a troubled fraternity at Penn State's main campus won't be returning to their house after spring break.

The university revoked the charter of Beta Theta Pi earlier this month after a 19-year-old sophomore died from a fall that occurred during a party at the house on Burrowes Street. Investigators said Timothy Piazza of Lebanon, New Jersey, was drunk when he fell down the stairs late on Feb. 2. No medical aid was sought until 12 hours later. He died at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

In addition to revoking the charter, which will be in effect for five years, the university instituted a ban on fraternity and sorority social activities involving alcohol through the remainder of the semester.

The Daily Collegian reports the 39 Beta Theta Pi members were offered housing through

Housing and Food Services and Beta Theta Pi's alumni board beginning March 15.

State College police have charged the house manager of Beta Theta Pi with multiple drug charges. The charges, police said, are unrelated to the investigation involving the Piazza's death.
Police in Lebanon are investigating a report of shots fired along a city street Monday evening.

The shooting occurred just after 7 p.m. along the 300 block of North 11th Street, police said.

"A witness reported seeing a person shooting a gun at another person as the person being shot at ran onto the 1100 block of Brandywine Street," police said.

No injuries were reported as a result of the incident. Police said they are trying to identify both the shooter and the victim.

"Spent casings were recovered from the scene. A parked, unattended and uninvolved vehicle was struck and homes were being checked for damage," police said.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police at 717-272-2054 or Lebanon County Crime Stoppers at 717-270-9800.
Drinking water

The state Department of Environmental Protection has responded to the EPA's warning about insufficient staffing in its safe drinking water program.

(PennLive file photo)

The state Department of Environmental Protection has formally responded to the EPA's warning about insufficient staffing in its safe drinking water program.

Lisa Daniels, director of the Bureau of Safe Drinking Water, outlined a plan to generate $7.5 million from fees paid by public water systems in order to hire 33 new inspectors in a letter dated Friday, Feb. 24.

On Monday, acting Environmental Secretary Patrick McDonnell told PennLive that the entire regulatory process could take 18 months to two years, or possibly longer.

Daniels' letter to the EPA, however, set out a somewhat accelerated timetable in which the fee proposal would be submitted to the state Environmental Quality Board this May, with the hiring and training of new staff expected to begin in September 2018.

According to the letter, the new fees would generate about half of the safe drinking water program's budget, with another $7.7 million from state funding.

"Until such time as the final rulemaking is promulgated and new staff are brought on board . . . DEP will continue to prioritize inspections over other work within the program," Daniels wrote. "DEP will continue to utilize inspections, training, technical assistance and other tools, as needed, to ensure the highest level of public health protection that can feasibly be achieved with the current staffing levels."

The state currently employs 54 inspectors to oversee the state's 8,500 public water utilities, which in turn supply water to roughly 10.7 million customers across the state. On average, each inspector monitors 157 water systems.

Daniels noted that the DEP had employed 84 inspectors in 2009, who were responsible for an average of 118 water systems each. The nationwide average, according to a 2012 Association of State Drinking Water Administrators survey, was 67.

"DEP's average is more than two times the national average," she wrote.

In December, the EPA warned that the DEP's insufficient staffing risked "serious public health implications" and warned of a possible EPA takeover if the state lost primacy, or the ability to police itself.

Pennsylvania water systems perform routine water quality tests on their own. The DEP is charged with inspecting community water supplies once every three years and non-community supplies, such as schools, once every five years. According to the EPA, current DEP staffing means that those minimum requirements cannot be met.

The EPA official who issued that warning retired from the federal agency several weeks later.

It's unclear whether the EPA, under new administrator Scott Pruitt, would continue to threaten the state's primacy, which would result in the loss of roughly $100 million in federal funding in addition to a federal takeover of inspections.

McDonnell said he's committed to guaranteeing safe drinking water, regardless of what the Trump administration does.

"I want to be in a position where I can look people in the eye and say, 'Yeah, your water quality is great'," he told PennLive on Monday.

The DEP's letter is included in its entirety below.

DEP responds to EPA's warning about safe drinking water program by PennLive on Scribd

DEP has a plan for keeping Pa.'s drinking water safe--but it may be two years away
prison hands

A state appeals court has refused to void a man's prison term for a burglary-for-sex scheme.

(PennLive file photo)

Business deals can be complicated, but James Holland's burglary-for-sex scheme was criminally stupid.



And he is paying for it with a 4 1/4- to 13 1/2- year prison sentence that a state appeals court panel refused to overturn this week. The Superior Court judges just didn't buy the Delaware County man's argument that there wasn't enough evidence to convict him.



There doesn't really seem to be any dispute about that.



Holland, 37, and Waleska Nunez were caught by police inside an unoccupied home in July 2014, according to the state court opinion by Judge Jack Panella. The homeowner was away on vacation and a neighbor called 911 after spotting people in the house.



The cops caught Holland inside the Colwyn Borough home holding a purple duffel bag full of the homeowner's property. The victim's credit cards were stuffed into Holland's pants pockets.



"Nunez told police she and (Holland) had entered the house in order to have sex," Panella wrote. "Nunez later admitted she and (Holland) had planned to steal items from the home and pawn them in order for (Holland) to pay her for the sex with the proceeds."



Holland was sent to prison after a county jury convicted him of burglary and criminal conspiracy.



In his failed appeal, Holland argued that the burglary conviction shouldn't stand because he and Nunez only went into the house to have sex. He claimed as well that Nunez was an unreliable witness because she's a drug user.



Panella discounted those claims, and instead cited Nunez's testimony that Holland suggested they commit the burglary because he didn't have any cash to pay for her sexual services.



The state judges also rejected a claim by Holland, who is black, that prosecutors engaged in race discrimination by preventing two black prospects from sitting on his jury.



In finding no such racial bias, Panella cited a prosecutor's testimony that she excluded one potential black juror because he had "too muck prior experience testifying in court" and barred another because she "rolled her eyes and seemed inattentive."
gender neutral bathroom art.jpg

The Trump administration on Wednesday announced it will revoke federal guidelines directing public schools to let transgender students use bathrooms and locker rooms matching their chosen gender identity. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Wednesday that Obama's guidelines were confusing and hard to implement and that new directives would be issued later in the day. (Associated Press )

(Associated Press )

By Rachel L. Levine

The decision by the Trump administration to roll back the most basic protections for transgender and gender expansive youth is heartbreaking.

Pa. Physician General Rachel L. Levine (PennLive file)

As Gov. Tom Wolf has said, "We are not this" decision. Every student deserves the right to feel safe in school.

This decision unfairly targets students who already face increased incidences of bullying and harassment and are at greater risk for substance abuse and suicide.

As a pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist, the health and wellbeing of young people has been the focus of my career.

Young people do better when they feel supported by their family and their community. A positive school environment is one of the cornerstones of this support and this decision threatens that support.

The medical literature is clear that transgender and gender expansive youth that are raised in a supportive and nurturing environment at home and at school do very well.

Transgender and gender expansive youth that face resistance at home and bullying and harassment at school have greater mental health problems including substance use, depression and suicide.

Every day, valiant students walk the school halls as forced activists of what has become one of the most contentious issues of our time.

This decision is much more about young people's lives then about politics and bathrooms. It's about young people learning math and history while planning a prom and finalizing a college essay.

It's about the many parents, teachers, principals and school boards who have stood by young people to extend protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. It goes back to one of the first lessons we all teach our children - treat others the way you would like to be treated.

To Pennsylvania's transgender and gender expansive youth and their families who are worried or concerned, I want you to know that Governor Wolf's administration has your back.

The Wolf administration will continue to advocate for policies that are inclusive and support our LGBTQ community.

In 2016, Wolf signed two executive orders that extend workplace protections for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians who work for the commonwealth or a contractor hired by the commonwealth.

The Wolf administration expanded Medicaid coverage to cover medically-necessary gender confirmation treatment and issued guidance to commercial issuers to ensure they can no longer discriminate based on gender identity or expression.

The Department of Education established the Office for Safe Schools' Bullying Prevention Consultation Line (1-866-716-0424) - a toll-free number that allows individuals experiencing chronic and unresolved bullying to discuss effective strategies and available resources to deal with school-based bullying.

Regardless of your race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, the Wolf administration believes you have the right to be treated fairly and with dignity.

We will do everything that we can to be sure Pennsylvania remains a place where everyone feels welcome and where every student has a safe and nurturing environment to learn.

Dr. Rachel L. Levine is Pennsylvania's Physician General. She writes from Harrisburg.
AERIALSHALE02

Chesapeake Energy Marcellus shale drilling rig in Wyoming County in 2010.

(Donald Gillliland)

By Raina Rippel

A startling new investigation shows that thousands of state residents have filed health complaints linked to oil and gas drilling in their communities. What's worse, the state government isn't doing nearly enough to help those who are suffering.

This sweeping report by Public Herald lays out the scope of the crisis.

From 2004 through November 2016, the Department of Environmental Protection received more than 9,400 complaints about the effects of local drilling.

And once the Public Herald and FracTracker mapped the data from this research, it became abundantly clear that the complaints are coming from the communities closest to the drilling within Pennsylvania's Marcellus shale region.

This investigation raises two immediate concerns: Should we be alarmed by the number of complaints, and how is the state responding?

The answer to the first question is simple: Yes.

This represents a significant public health concern with widespread impacts. Looking at the complaints, we can see that they range from concern about water pollution, to home damage, to acute health symptoms.

Given this significant and far-ranging scope of legitimate concerns, Pennsylvanians deserve a thorough and timely response to these complaints.

As for the state's response, the files speak for themselves: It has been worse than inadequate.

Access to these complaint files was unnecessarily difficult to obtain, which does not inspire confidence about transparency.

The Department of Health needs to regain residents' trust after reports they were instructed to avoid responding to complaints linked to fracking under the Corbett administration.

Symptoms documented in the Public Herald complaint database, including breathing troubles, headaches, nosebleeds, and hair loss, warrant a serious investigation from state health officials.

The evidence provided does not indicate that the DOH has appropriately followed up on many of these complaints, and they must be demonstrably proactive in working with the DEP to investigate health-related complaints.

Government agencies must stop pretending that these problems do not exist. In June 2015, the EPA released a report claiming that fracking had an effect on drinking water but it was not "widespread."

Advocates for those harmed by fracking joined with scientists and environmentalists to challenge this assertion, and at the end of 2016 the EPA revised this statement, admitting that fracking does in fact contaminate drinking water.

Sadly, Pennsylvanians have known this going back a decade, when drillers contaminated the water in Dimock Township.

Far too many of our neighbors are dealing with water problems plausibly linked to unconventional oil and gas extraction. Families in the Woodlands community in Butler County are still relying on donations to fund a church's clean water drive.

Most recently, Pennsylvania faith leaders raised $5,000 to provide safe drinking water to the community for five more months.

Our government "by the people and for the people" is failing us when it comes to adequate safeguards, protecting our quality of life, and regulatory oversight of fracking.

Our Pennsylvania state agencies need to provide transparent, timely analysis and resolution of these complaints. When he took office, Governor Wolf promised to make fracking "safe."

His agencies need to immediately provide meaningful help to those who have been harmed, and cease putting communities in harm's way from this dangerous industry.

Raina Rippel is Director of the Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project. She writes from Pittsburgh.
By Alhambra Frarey

Jennifer was tearful and would not make eye contact as she explained to me how she found herself seeking an abortion at 23 weeks of pregnancy.

She told me about going to the ultrasound unit at 20 weeks with her husband by her side, excited to learn the sex of the baby, but then discovering there were serious problems with fetus's brain and heart.

They were referred to a specialist for further evaluation. The specialist recommended an MRI, and it took several days to get approval from their insurance company.

When the results were available the specialist explained that the baby's findings were not compatible with life. As the fetus moved in Jennifer's belly she was faced with the hardest decision of her life: have an abortion or continue the pregnancy only to deliver a fetus that would die.

Jennifer explained that she and her husband wanted this baby, but they were sure that the best decision for them was to end the pregnancy now.

If restrictive legislation now before the state House were to be signed into law, women and their families would no longer have the opportunity to make these difficult decisions for themselves.

This bill would leave many women diagnosed with fetal anomalies at their routine ultrasound (usually performed 18-20 weeks gestation) with only one possibility: to continue the pregnancy to term.

This would force women to take on health risks while providing no chance to deliver a baby that they will take home.

Only 1.3 percent of abortions occur after 20 weeks in the United States, often under complicated medical circumstances. And yet politicians continue to focus their efforts on restricting these procedures.

The bill, already approved by the state Senate, outlaws abortion after the 19th week and also criminalizes the most common procedure used for second trimester abortion.

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has vowed to veto the bill, but it is unclear whether such a veto could be sustained.

Many abortion restrictions are already in place in Pennsylvania.

These include a 24-hour waiting period, mandatory parental involvement for women under 18, state-mandated counseling materials, and no Medicaid coverage for most women seeking abortion.

Ambulatory surgical facility regulations targeting abortion providers are also currently enforced in Pennsylvania.

These burdensome restrictions remain in place despite the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Whole Women's Health v. Hellerstedt, which last year struck down similar provisions enacted in Texas.

Clearly, women in Pennsylvania are already over-burdened by hurdles to proper health care and do not need the additional impediment that the bill, sponsored by Sen. Michele Brooks, R-Crawford, would represent.

As a women's health provider, I urge Pennsylvanians to reach out to their state representatives and ask them to vote no on this bill.

I see women like Jennifer every week in my clinic, women faced with the hardest decision of their lives. If this bill was to become law, I wouldn't be able to provide individualized care for patients like Jennifer, because of the threat of prison.

These women must have the chance to make the best choice for themselves, with the assistance of their families and their doctors. Allowing them this choice is to treat them with the dignity and respect all of us deserve.

Dr. Alhambra Frarey is a fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health. She writes from Philadelphia.
By Sharon Houssou

My name is Sharon Houssou. My maiden name is Sharon Hinchberger. And I was born and raised in Mechanicsburg.

My maternal great-grandmother, Hannah Majek, came to American on a boat from Slovenia in 1918.

My paternal great-great-grandfather, Christian Hinchberger, came here from Alsace-Lorraine, and fought in the Civil War on the Union side.

My married name originates from Benin with my now ex-husband being an immigrant from that country.

Considering the impending travel ban and effort to deport immigrants from this nation of immigrants, he is lucky to have already gained U.S. citizenship.

I had an idyllic childhood in Mechanicsburg.

It was a blissful existence to be a white child of the 1980s on the West Shore and to be ignorant to the realities of racism and xenophobia.

My realization of the marginalization of both American minorities and immigrants began while I was still Sharon Hinchberger. It continued when I legally became Sharon Houssou.

I had to move to Middle America to wake up to the palpable realization that racism was still alive and well in the United States

I was working as a reporter in 1999 in the small town of Elwood, Ind., writing about racial polarization.

I had actually been threatened by a Klan member who told me that they didn't like what I was writing.

Little did I know, I would meet a man from Benin, West Africa, in six years and get married and have my lens widen even more to this reality while being the only white woman in my neighborhood in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

We moved there in July 2005 before the gentrification of this neighborhood, and it was a life-altering experience being the only white person there.

For the first time in my life, I viscerally knew what it was like to be a minority in this country. It was also an extremely hopeful time with "Obama" being among our son Isaiah's first words.

So, on Nov. 9, 2016, I was one of the parents that Van Jones so aptly described as "being afraid of breakfast."

Since that morning, I have had to explain in a way that my child will understand all of the divisiveness and vitriol that exists in this nation.

Last year, my son and I had many discussions about marginalization and dehumanization in society while I was teaching a course on this at Hershey High School as a long-term English substitute teacher.

I had taught Elie Wiesel's Night, his memoir about the Nazi concentration camps, and then had my students discuss marginalization in our current-day society.

Now it is a sad day in America when marginalization is again alive and well, and fear and xenophobia prevail.

When my great-grandmother, Hannah Majek, came here in the early 1900s, she was referred to as a "Hunky," which is an ethnic slur used in this country against Slavic immigrants irrespective of their individual ethnic background.

But, as white privilege goes, assimilation into American society was much easier for my family then than for my son's father or for Muslims that are being vilified in this country by the Trump administration.

I am so very thankful that we have a governor and an attorney general who are against it, and I applaud them for their efforts.

But, I worry about the immigrants here in Central Pennsylvania and how this impending travel ban and overall xenophobia will affect how they are treated.

And, as a mother of a young black male, the seed of fear sits like a nagging pain in my gut.

A little over a month has passed since Inauguration Day, and I worry about how this xenophobia that Trump is creating will spread like ripples through time and space, its tentacles of fear attaching themselves to not only undocumented immigrants but to American citizens and visa and green card holders who are minorities who do not have the cover of white privilege over them.

In one of Trump's rallies, he had defended his supporters for punching and kicking a Black Lives Matter protester.

He referred to the time during the Civil Rights Movement when worse things would have happened to them. February 26 marked five years since Trayvon Martin was murdered by George Zimmerman.

That day, I sat with my son's father in front of the television, tears streaming down both of our faces and our five year old asking why we were crying.

I embrace being part of the change in this country that President Barack Obama kick-started.

And I would like to publicly thank both Gov. Tom Wolf and Attorney General Josh Shapiro for standing firm against this xenophobic travel ban which has wide-ranging effects for citizens of this nation and the world.

Sharon Houssou is a free-lance writer and former PennLive correspondent. She writes from Harrisburg.
Obamacare Protest in Erie

Molly Brechtel, at left, and Daniel Doubet join about 15 protestors gathered at the Federal Courthouse in Erie, Pa., on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, to deliver signatures to U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., who has an office at the courthouse. The protestors urged Toomey not to repeal the Affordable Care Act without a replacement. Brechtel, 35, represents unionized registered nurses at the Pennsylvania Soldiers' & Sailors' Home in Erie, and other local nursing homes. Doubet, 33, works for Keystone Progress, a Reading-based nonprofit focused on advancing progressive policy changes. (Christopher Millette/Erie Times-News via AP)

(Christopher Millette)

By Antoinette Kraus

For the past 50 years, Medicaid has successfully provided healthcare for children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families in Pennsylvania.

Now, politicians in Washington are talking about cutting funds to Medicaid and radically restructuring how federal funding is distributed to Medicaid by switching to a "block grant" or "per capita cap" system.

These changes would devastate innovative programs that Pennsylvania has created through Medicaid. One example is a program for children with disabilities.

The state has used both the funding & flexibility provided by the current Medicaid program to support families with children with complicated and often costly medical conditions, like autism.

Meet Anna, a Hannover resident:

"In late 2008, when my children were 8 months and 3 years old, they were both diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Noonan Syndrome. This is a genetic condition that affects multiple systems of the body. After the diagnosis, we were completely unprepared for how much our lives would change...

We went through many tests and multiple surgeries for both boys at Johns Hopkins, where we found specialists who had the expertise to care for them. In September 2009, my younger son had a rupture in his GI system and was in the ICU for 10 days. He almost didn't survive.

Because my sons' conditions made it difficult to enroll them in a traditional childcare setting and because of the level of care they required, I was forced to quit work to care for them full-time.

Although my husband makes a good living, and thankfully has medical insurance through his employer, we were stretched thin financially, and our co-pays and medical bills piled up. By 2010, we had accumulated $42,000 in debt.

After joining an online support group, I found out that we qualified for Medicaid because of my children's diagnoses, despite my husband's income.

Pennsylvania created a special program (PH-95) that allows medically complex children to be approved for Medicaid regardless of income.

We had to make the very difficult decision to leave the doctors who had been caring for my sons, in order to switch to an in-state care team. Because we were drowning financially, we had no choice. The electric company was always threatening to shut off our electricity, and we had to have three yard sales a year just to make ends meet. We frequently had to choose between buying necessities like milk or bread, and paying for a needed prescription.

A few weeks after we applied, we were approved, and Medicaid began covering the costs of my sons' care that weren't covered by our insurance.

Since Medicaid took over the boys' deductibles and copays we have been able to pay off the vast majority of our debt, and our family can do normal things again, like eat out and go to the movies.

We feel as though we have been able to rejoin society, and stimulate our economy again.

We were able to avoid bankruptcy, and have settled our debts on our own.

My sons are doing much better now, but we never know what the future holds, or what interventions may be needed.

It is already hard enough to deal with this diagnosis, but at least now we don't have to worry about the financial aspect.

I'm worried that if Medicaid switches to a block-grant or per-capita cap system, programs like the one that help my family will be cut.

We, and other families like ours, will have to go back to making the heart-wrenching choice between paying our bills and paying for our children's care."

Block grants or per capita caps would cut the funding Pennsylvania has to provide programs like the one that care for Anna's children.

We must act now to protect Medicaid."

Congress is speeding up efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and with that comes cuts that puts care for vulnerable groups at risk. These deep cuts would leave Pennsylvania holding the bag and put our state's fiscal health at risk, forcing them to consider limiting care to families like Anna's.

Now is not the time to let Washington gamble with our state's budget and economy while leaving children, seniors, and people with disabilities in the dark.

Antoinette Kraus is the director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network. She writes from Philadelphia.
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley flips her hair back off her face during an interview in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday December 6, 2016. Notley says she expects to meet Wednesday with members of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Here, there, everywhere  why car washes seem to be on every corner

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Gov. Christie delivered his last budget plan Tuesday, with little drama for the most part. Here are the takeaways:

No changes for school funding  yet: Aid to districts would remain basically flat under Christie's $35.5 billion budget plan  without the dramatic shifts the governor had been pushing in his so-called Fairness Formula. That plan would have given each district the same amount of aid per pupil, redistributing funding from urban districts to the suburbs  and surely sparking a legal battle. With Democratic leaders refusing to advance it, Christie had stirred speculation he might include it in his budget plan.

Instead, Christie extended an olive branch to lawmakers, saying he was willing to work with them to change the formula  but giving them 100 days to agree on a compromise. "No phony task forces. No stupid blue ribbon commissions," Christie said. So far, Senate and Assembly leaders have been holding separate hearings, unable to agree on a plan to remedy imbalances between districts and the state's failure to fund the current formula, which was passed in 2008. ("The entire thing has been fantasy," Christie said in his speech.)

More pension spending: The governor proposed a $2.5 billion payment into the state public worker pension system, up from $1.9 billion projected in the current fiscal year. Christie touted the payments, saying his administration had done more for the "solvency and stability of the pension system" than any New Jersey governor. Still, the $2.5 billion proposed payment represents only half of what actuaries say is needed to fully fund the plan. New Jersey's pension system is the worst-funded in the country, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
AirAsia X ends Mauritius Route in March 2017

For your information, AirAsia X will end the KL to Mauritius route next month. The last flight from Kuala Lumpur to Mauritius flight will be operated on 24th March and Mauritius to Kuala Lumpur will be on 25th March. This is not a rumour story as this is announced on http://www.theindependent.sg.

Air Asia X said, the suspension of the Mauritius route is part of the companys big plan in network restructuring aimed at improving operational efficiencies in term of aircraft utilizations.

It is also to accelerate capacity growth in AirAsia X key markets of Australia, China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea, said the low cost carrier.

There is an interesting note. We could not find any announcements by AirAsia regarding the termination of Mauritius route on their website or their Facebook Page. We checked RoutesOnline.com and it stated that the last flight from Mauritius is indeed on 25th of March 2017.

Well, for those who wants to fly to Mauritius, you can try flying via Air Mauritius as they start to fly to Kuala Lumpur again as they stopped flying to Malaysia last year.

AirAsia X stops flying to Mauritius while Air Mauritius starts flying to Malaysia again. What a coincidence.

Wilson Ng A Father and traveler who enjoys to eat, shop, travel and taking pictures with Samsung S22 Ultra and Sony ZV-1. Im a full time blogger, youtuber and father for two. I used to travel around 17 International trips per year but now staying at home. Remember to follow us at www.instagram.com/placesandfoods and www.youtube.com/placesandfoods. For advertisements or features, contact me at [email protected] See author's posts
9 Top-Rated Hiking Trails in Patagonia

Written by Mark Johanson

Updated Jul 26, 2021

We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Few places on planet Earth are as remote and untouched as Patagonia. This sparsely populated region, which spans the southernmost tips of both Argentina and Chile, is rightfully famous for its soaring Andean peaks, windswept steppes, crackling glaciers, and distinct gaucho culture. It's also a mecca for adventure enthusiasts, with incredible hiking and multi-day trekking routes through some of the world's most rugged and unforgiving landscapes.

In general, the Patagonia trekking season runs from October to April. Some trails can get downright overcrowded in the height of summer (January and February), when the weather is at its most ideal, and local Chileans and Argentineans take their holidays. If you're planning to travel during this time, it may be a good idea to book campgrounds and lodgings in advance.

Your Patagonia hiking experience can be as tough or as luxurious as you choose. Over the past number of years, an excellent assortment of quality accommodation has emerged on the scene. These range from mid-range hotel options to lodges in spectacular locations right through to luxury eco-yurts complete with Jacuzzis and world-class dining.

Find the right route for you with our list of the best hiking trails in Patagonia.

1. The W Trek

The W Trek

Looking for a hike that will offer you the highlights reel of Patagonia? The five-day W Trek through Torres Del Paine National Park is, perhaps, the most quintessential experience in the south of South America and a rite of passage for any avid hiker. It's also the best trail in Patagonia for solo travelers (or female hikers) as you're guaranteed to meet others along the way to share the journey.

Most visitors enter Torres Del Paine on a bus from the regional hub of Puerto Natales and begin the 71-kilometer W Trek at Refugio Las Torres. Head north from there to hike to the base of Las Torres before swinging back around and heading into the French Valley. Continue onward into the second U of the W and over to the massive Grey Glacier, part of the Patagonian Ice Field.

Once you finish the five-day, four-night trek, you can catch a boat out at either Refugio Paine Grande or Refugio Grey. Keep in mind that, in Torres Del Paine, it's not uncommon to experience four seasons in one day. In fact, plan on it!

Campsite at Paine Grande on the W Trek

You can make this once-in-a-lifetime experience as rustic or luxurious as you like by carting all of your own camping gear on your back and sleeping at the campgrounds or bunking-up in Refugio's, where bedding is provided and cooks can set you up with three meals a day.

The luxurious option is to take a lodge-based guided tour, where you'll still see all the highlights of the W Circuit but at the same time enjoy comfortable beds, hot showers, first-class dining, shuttles, and kayaking excursions. As an added bonus, you only need to carry a day pack, not a heavy backpack with all your gear. If that's outside your budget, it is also possible to make your own trip and combine all the options by camping, staying in a refugio, and living it up at a lodge for a night or two.

Instead of carrying all your camping gear on your back, consider renting equipment that will be all set up for you when you arrive at each location. The gear is good quality, clean, and more than adequate. Make your gear booking through the same companies that operate the refugios. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Puerto Natales

2. The O Circuit

The O Circuit

If you want the full-on Patagonian experience that includes the best of the W Trek, and layers on the best of the true backcountry of the region, consider the O Circuit.

This will add an additional 50 kilometers to your hike for a grand total of 136 kilometers. Hikers are limited to 80 per day, and with the incredible vastness of this area, solitude is almost guaranteed.

The trail runs counter clockwise only and starts in Laguna Armarga, where it ascends along the Rio Paine through the Patagonian steppes, and passes beautiful Dickson Lake and the panoramic view of the Perros Glacier near Campamento Los Perrosand. It's at this point, you'll begin the ascent up and over Paso John Gardner. You'll then descend into the far side of the park and begin the classic W Trek.

Accommodation on the remote parts of this trail (i.e. the part that is not included in the W Trek) is in rustic refugios and campgrounds.

3. The Lago del Desierto Border Crossing

Panoramic view of the Fitz Roy mountain range in El Chalten

The Carretera Austral is the only artery through Northern Patagonia on the Chilean side of the Andes, but this infamous highway (popular with road-trippers and cyclists alike) peters out in the remote gaucho town of Villa O'Higgins. Not far away as the condor flies is the popular Argentinean resort town of El Chalten.

So how do you get between the two? First, you'll need to catch a four-hour ferry across the turquoise Lago O'Higgins, stopping to see the impressive O'Higgins Glacier before continuing to the remote Chilean outpost of Candelario Mansilla (home to a police station, campground, and little else). Get your passport stamped out of Chile and continue onward by foot 20 kilometers to the next border post at Lago del Desierto, where you can get an entry stamp for Argentina and camp for the evening. Continue along the edge of Lago del Desierto the following day for 15 kilometers until you reach the southern shores of the lake, where regular buses shuttle tourists to El Chalten 37 kilometers away.

The entire journey works more or less the same in reverse. You should also keep in mind that it's not uncommon for boats across Lago O'Higgins to be delayed for days due to strong winds that make the crossing unsafe. Accommodation: Where to Stay in El Chalten

4. The Laguna Torre Trek

The Laguna Torre Trek

The wind-whipped village of El Chalten is Argentina's premier trekking capital, with some of the most scenic hikes in South America. The most popular day hike from town, which can be extended into a multi-day hike for more adventurous travelers, is Laguna Torre also known as the Fitz Roy Trek. This 20-kilometer, in-and-out route takes you to several miradores (lookouts) with views of the icy spires of Cerro Torre (3,128 meters).

Much of the path follows the edge of Rio Fitz Roy until you reach the glacial lake of Laguna Torre, where you'll find a small campground. You'll then traverse the edge of the lake to the most stunning lookout of them all, Mirador Maestri, where the icy folds of Glacier Torre fade into the horizon.

5. The Huemul Circuit

The Huemul Circuit

This four-day circuit trek into the heart of Argentina's Los Glaciares National Park takes in native beech forests, high-altitude meadows, and the frozen wonders of the Patagonian Ice Field. Begin in El Chalten for a 15-kilometer hike to Laguna Toro to camp on day one, before wading across Tunel River and skirting the edge of a sweeping glacier field on day two to camp at Refugio Paso del Viento 12 kilometers later.

Continue circling the jagged peaks of Cerro Huemul on day three for 18 kilometers to camp at Bahia Cabo de Hornos on Lago Viedma, a massive lake formed from the melting ice of Argentina's largest glacier. The final push on day four is a relatively flat 18 kilometers through the Patagonian steppe.

6. The Hut-to-Hut Hike through Nahuel Huapi

The Hut-to-Hut Hike through Nahuel Huapi

One of the most stunning and well-planned paths through northern Patagonia lies in Argentina's Nahuel Huapi National Park, which surrounds the four-seasons resort town of Bariloche. This four-day hike traverses a number of mountain ridges and lake-carved valleys along the Andean frontier with Chile, and includes overnight stays in shared rooms (with mattresses) at three well-equipped mountain huts. Though they don't have showers, they do have simple bathrooms, and you can take a dip in the cool waters of the lagoons along the way.

Start trekking from the foot of the Cerro Catedral ski area up to Refugio Frey (12 kilometers) for night one. The next morning, you'll walk between the granite towers known as Los Catedrales and on to Refugio Jakob at the edge of Laguna San Martin (9.5 kilometers). Spend night three in Refugio Laguna Negra, 10 kilometers away, before wrapping up the hike 16 kilometers later on day four in Colonia Suiza, a town on the outskirts of Bariloche with chalets that recall the area's early Swiss colonists. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Bariloche

7. The Cerro Castillo Circuit

The Cerro Castillo Circuit

Looking for a lesser-known multi-day hike through Chilean Patagonia? The 43-kilometer Cerro Castillo Circuit offers the same wow factor of the W Trek (above) without the crowds. In four arduous days, you'll circumnavigate the castle-like spires of Cerro Castillo, passing glistening glaciers, turquoise lagoons, and endangered huemul deer along the way.

This circuit trail doesn't see a whole lot of traffic throughout the year and is best appreciated on a guided tour for inexperienced backpackers due to some tricky stream crossings and technical mountain passes. Find guides in the service village of Villa Cerro Castillo or the regional capital of Coyhaique 1.5 hours away. Experienced hikers with prior backcountry experience should be fine on their own with a good map.

8. The Ice Hike on Perito Moreno

The Ice Hike on Perito Moreno

Though not the biggest glacier in Patagonia, Perito Moreno is easily the most famous as it creeps forward up to two meters per day, resulting in thundering roars of cascading ice as it calves truck-sized icebergs into Canal de los Tempanos. This 30-kilometer-long, five-kilometer-wide glacier is the photogenic star of many a postcard and one of Argentina's top attractions luring visitors from near and far.

One of the best ways to experience it is on an ice hike through its frozen contours. Four-hour guided treks onto the ice can be arranged in nearby El Calafate, the main hub for lodgings and tourist services in the southern sector of Los Glaciares National Park. Most tours involve a boat ride from Puerto Bajo de las Sombras and a walk through a lenga forest before you strap on some crampons and take to the ice. Accommodation: Where to Stay in El Calafate

9. The Cabo Froward Trek

The Cabo Froward Trek

Known as "the trek to the end of the world," this 45-kilometer route skirts the edge of the Strait of Magellan and will take you to the southernmost tip of continental South America. The four-day journey traverses an uninhabited stretch of Chile's Brunswick Peninsula, with incredible views of Tierra del Fuego and Isla Dawson along the way. There's also a high probability that you'll stumble across penguins or see dolphins swimming along the shore, offering an intimate connection to the Patagonian countryside.

You can reach the trailhead in Rio Santa Maria by bus from the regional capital of Punta Arenas, but the hike is extremely challenging, not well-marked, and best done with a proper guide. Try the team at Erratic Rock Expeditions, who helped pioneer this route.
The man convicted of killing San Diego Police Officer Archie Buggs has been granted parole suitability once again, reports KGTV.

Jesus Cecena was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for shooting Officer Archie Buggs four times during a November 1978 vehicle stop. Cecena was 17-years-old during the time of the shooting. His term was later modified to give the possibility of parole, due to a change in law making him eligible for Youth Offender Parole.

Under state law, the grant will now be under the required legal review for a maximum of 120 days, after which time it will go before Governor Jerry Brown for review.
An Orange County (FL) Sheriffs Office sergeant was shot by a convicted felon while serving a warrant Tuesday, deputies said.

The man who opened fire, identified as Christopher Redding Jr., 20, was then shot and killed by other deputies, according to Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings.

Demings said Sgt. Richard Stelter, 45, was shot in the hand, arm and other areas, but is expected to recover. He remains in stable condition at Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Stelter is a 21-year veteran of the sheriffs office, WFTV reports.
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The ill-prepared Yemen raid approved by Donald Trump last month, which left U.S. Navy SEAL Ryan Owens and as many as 30 civilians dead, did not yield any valuable intelligence, according to a new NBC News report.

More from NBC News:

Last months deadly commando raid in Yemen, which cost the lives of a U.S. Navy SEAL and a number of children, has so far yielded no significant intelligence, U.S. officials told NBC News.

Although Pentagon officials have said the raid produced actionable intelligence, senior officials who spoke to NBC News said they were unaware of any, even as the father of the dead SEAL questioned the premise of the raid in an interview with the Miami Herald published Sunday.



A senior Congressional official briefed on the matter said the Trump administration has yet to explain what prompted the rare use of American ground troops in Yemen, but he said he was not aware of any new threat from al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the al Qaeda affiliate that was targeted.



Plans for the raid were begun during the Obama administration, but Obama officials declined to sign off on what officials described as a significant escalation in Yemen. Just five days in, Trump greenlighted the mission.

The report comes after the fallen SEALs father, Bill Owens, slammed Trump for greenlighting the mission less than a week after taking office.

Why at this time did there have to be this stupid mission when it wasnt even barely a week into his administration? Why? Owens asked in an interview with the Miami Herald. For two years prior, there were no boots on the ground in Yemen  everything was missiles and drones  because there was not a target worth one American life. Now, all of a sudden we had to make this grand display?

The father of the fallen SEAL is now demanding an investigation into the raid, while the Trump administrations position on the operation is that it was a huge success.

Its heartbreaking when any American hero, like Ryan Owens, is killed on the battlefield. But its even more devastating when the mission given to him by the commander-in-chief wasnt properly planned and produced no meaningful intelligence for the United States.

More and more, the botched raid looks like it was a chance for Trump to quickly prove his military toughness, not a smart strategic move to take out American enemies and gather intelligence while being mindful of the risks.

Losing a U.S. service member under any circumstance is difficult to bear, but its even harder to swallow when it was the result of a rash decision by an incompetent and unfit president.
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President Obama regularly accepted personal responsibility for his actions. He understood that he was responsible for what happened on his watch and he owned it. Donald Trump is not that man.

Donald Trump is an excuse-maker, and he took to Fox & Friends this morning, as part of a lengthy and wide-ranging interview, to attack President Obama, blaming the former president for anti-Trump and town hall protests:

I think President Obamas behind it, because his people are certainly behind it.

I think President Obamas behind it, because his people are certainly behind it. @POTUS on some of the protests around the country pic.twitter.com/YC3SEAYFts  FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) February 28, 2017

Brian Kilmeade inviting Trumps accusations by claiming that,

It turns out his [Obamas] organization seems to be doing a lot of the organizing of some of these protests that a lot of Republicans are seeing around the country and against you.

It doesnt matter that Republicans (and Democrats) who are upset with their so-called representatives can prove who they are; in the Fox News reality bubble, which now envelops the White House as well, any protests against anything Republicans do must by definition be bought and paid for by George Soros  or now, Barack Obama.

After all, nobody could possibly disagree with anything Republicans say, and Kilmeades question was asked in the context of his invented reality:

Brian Kilmeade: Do you believe President Obama is behind it, and if he is, is that a violation of the so-called unsaid presidents code?



Donald Trump: No, I think he is behind it, but I also think its politics. Thats the way it is.



Kilmeade: But Bush wasnt going after Clinton, Clinton wasnt going after Bush.



Trump: Well, you never know whats exactly happening behind the scenes. Youre probably right or possibly right but you never know. No, I think President Obamas behind it because his people are certainly behind it, and some of the leaks possibly come from that group.

Here again, Trump is reaching. President Obama has, other than criticism of the Muslim ban, been very circumspect in addressing Trumps performance, very much in keeping with George W. Bushs own silence when dealing with Obamas early days in office. In fact, many Democrats have been begging him to become more engaged.

Only a month into it, Trumps term by any measure is not a normal administration. But opposition to Trumps Muslim ban does not mean Obama is organizing anti-Trump or anti-GOP protests. He doesnt have to. Donald Trump has organized those through his own actions.

What Fox & Friends and Trump have done is to insist something is true without any evidence, and because they insist it is true, Obama must be to blame.

Thanks, Obama.

Its a ridiculous charge by any measure, and Trump leaks have already become the stuff of legend  or at least satire: Sean Spicers own team is leaking (even leaks about leaking) and it cant possibly be that any in Spicers team are Obama holdovers. Nor can anyone in Trumps team be an Obama holdover, yet Trumps team is also leaking like a sieve.

When asked, Trump told Kilmeade that he isnt disappointed in Obama (again, for something he hasnt done in the first place) because, he says, I understand the way the world works. Thats politics.

It is, after all, what he would be doing in Obamas place. With somebody elses money, of course.

Its certainly politics to lie, and here Fox News and Donald Trump have concocted a whopper of a straw man, in this case inventing an act President Obama did not commit and there is no evidence of him committing beyond their beliefs that he is guilty, and then criticizing him for it.
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George W. Bush just called Donald Trump out for alienating Americans, racism, and name-calling.

In a segment of a People magazine interview that will hit newsstands on Friday, former President Bush spoke about the atmosphere under Trump after his rocky first month, I dont like the racism and I dont like the name-calling and I dont like the people feeling alienated.

And showing that activism isnt just a Democratic thing and its also not a nasty thing, the former President said, Theres a lot of ways to speak out, but its really through actions defending the values important to Laura and me Were a blessed nation, and we ought to help others.

What is the point of discussing what a former Republican president thinks? Well, its vital to note that decency didnt used to be a partisan issue.

The things modern Republicans screech about, the outrage they howl over minorities and socially disadvantaged people wanting protections, the overt fear-mongering about people with brown skin, the prideful scorn and contempt for empathy and uplifting activism, these things are not normal.

What we have here is a party in the dredges of itself, a party so bereft of ideas that it is hanging out with the most contemptible people in society. Those people elevate nastiness, cruelty, and stupidity.

Not all Republicans are like that, and it used to be that we disagreed about policy and ideology, but agreed on universal things like not elevating racism from the White House, even when policies quietly divided.

Those days are over. We now have Republican values that even the last Republican president, who was quite a partisan in his time, cant get behind. No matter what we thought of Bushs policies, he was never a person who deliberately elevated hate. His policies sometimes enacted abuse against minorities, but he wasnt proud of that. He didnt preach it like it was a gospel.

Yes, Bush led us into a war with a sovereign nation that was not directly behind 9/11. But when it came to leading the country on moral issues, Bush was no hater. And that matters.

This is who the Republican Party used to be, and this matters because it lays to waste the absurd, childish argument that opponents of Trump are partisan Obama people.

Not true. Not true at all. There are plenty of people who abhor the racism and name-calling identified with the Trump movement. Some of them even have the courage to speak up, like former President George W. Bush.

Here is George W. Bushs speech after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, because words matter. Read it and weep for what the Republican Party has become:

Thank you all very much for your hospitality. Weve just had a  wide-ranging discussions on the matter at hand. Like the good folks standing with me, the American people were appalled and outraged at last Tuesdays attacks. And so were Muslims all across the world. Both Americans and Muslim friends and citizens, tax-paying citizens, and Muslims in nations were just appalled and could not believe what we saw on our TV screens.

These acts of violence against innocents violate the fundamental tenets of the Islamic faith. And its important for my fellow Americans to understand that.

The English translation is not as eloquent as the original Arabic, but let me quote from the Koran, itself: In the long run, evil in the extreme will be the end of those who do evil. For that they rejected the signs of Allah and held them up to ridicule.

The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. Thats not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace. These terrorists dont represent peace. They represent evil and war.

When we think of Islam we think of a faith that brings comfort to a billion people around the world. Billions of people find comfort and solace and peace. And thats made brothers and sisters out of every race  out of every race.

America counts millions of Muslims amongst our citizens, and Muslims make an incredibly valuable contribution to our country. Muslims are doctors, lawyers, law professors, members of the military, entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, moms and dads. And they need to be treated with respect. In our anger and emotion, our fellow Americans must treat each other with respect.

Women who cover their heads in this country must feel comfortable going outside their homes. Moms who wear cover must be not intimidated in America. Thats not the America I know. Thats not the America I value.

Ive been told that some fear to leave; some dont want to go shopping for their families; some dont want to go about their ordinary daily routines because, by wearing cover, theyre afraid theyll be intimidated. That should not and that will not stand in America.

Those who feel like they can intimidate our fellow citizens to take out their anger dont represent the best of America, they represent the worst of humankind, and they should be ashamed of that kind of behavior.

This is a great country. Its a great country because we share the same values of respect and dignity and human worth. And it is my honor to be meeting with leaders who feel just the same way I do. Theyre outraged, theyre sad. They love America just as much as I do.

I want to thank you all for giving me a chance to come by. And may God bless us all.

Image: Then President George W Bush photographed performing an act of service during his presidency  you know, like leaders used to do, Working alongside volunteers, President George W. Bush lends a hand in repairing the Old Boney Trail at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in Thousand Oaks, Calif., Aug. 15, 2003.
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Perhaps our media is confused about where the dangerous fake news is coming from, in their increasingly ridiculous attempts to treat the obvious as debatable, but the German weekly magazine Der Spiegel is not.

The magazine noted for its investigative journalism outed Americas biggest conspiracy theorist and epitome of fake news Alex Jones as Trumps propagandist, warning of the dangers of his treatment of Trump as some kind of Hitler-like Fuhrer.

So thats alarming.

Writing of the relationship between Alex Jones and President Trump, Der Spiegel observed that Jones sees himself as the conspiracy arm of the presidency, The unsettling thing about this, though, is that Jones has begun to treat his company as a sort of propaganda arm of the presidency, one that is mobilizing the infantry to save the homeland. This can be more dangerous than simply spreading a few unfounded conspiracy theories.

Together with right-wing nationalist websites like Breitbart News, Gateway Pundit and LifeZette, which also have good access to the White House, Jones sees himself as part of a right-wing front that aims to break the power of the traditional media, The magazine warned in an article published on Tuesday.

When Jones talks about the president, it sounds as if he were talking about some Hitler-like Fuhrer. He refers to the first few weeks of the Trump presidency as a total victory.'

Speaking of loony, marginal figures who are being mainstreamed by Trump, they write, There is no one this applies to more than Jones, the epitome of fake news.

Alex Jones is a Sandy Hook denier, for example, to give you an idea of where his moral compass sits. Our President has been on his show, apparently not only not bothered by the cruel insanity Jones promotes, but indeed Trump seems to get his facts from Jones at times.

There is a common bond between President Trump and Alex Jones. A bromance on par with Trumps deep admiration of Russian President Vladimir Putin. A bromance to make Americans long for the days of the innocent and family-values oriented Obama Biden bromance.

Your reputation is amazing, Trump raved when he was a guest on Jones show during the campaign, the magazine reminded viewers.

Scared yet? Just wait. The relationship between Donald Trump and Americas fake news conspiracy artist Alex Jones is more than skin deep, the two share a mindset.

Alex Jones told Der Spiegel that he is in regular contact with the president and feeds him his ideas.

On Monday evening, Jones Infowars claimed to have received an exclusive sneak preview from the White House of President Trumps remarks to a joint session of Congress, but other outlets received the same briefing (there was an off camera background briefing on Trumps Address to the Joint Session of Congress Monday evening, according to a White House Press Office release sent to PoliticusUSA).

Heres the deal: I know I get White House credentials, weve already been offered them, were going to get them, but Ive just got to spend the money to send somebody there, Jones has said.

Der Speigel is not confused about who is the partisan here, noting that Jones, He spewed hate-filled tirades against the Democrats for months.

Our own media wont admit that Trump is constantly spewing hate about Democrats, as are many shows on Fox News and certainly other conservative outlets, which Der Spiegel called echo chambers of hate. This hate is what has led to the dysfunction in Washington, but to hear Trump and Republicans complain, youd think they are the innocent victims here. To advance that belief is to ignore context completely.

Luckily other countries are not subject to the close your eyes and pretend both sides do it the same enabling that our media is.

The interview with Jones ended with him taking his shirt off while shoving meat into his mouth and eventually offering the Der Spiegel reporter a sausage, saying Wanna suck?

That crude attempt to be BMOC exemplifies the barbaric stupidity of the Trump White House.

I have refrained from making comparisons of Trump to Hitler, but now Germany has done it for us  warning us of the slavish devotion and propaganda coming from the far right. They ought to know.
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*The following is a column by R Muse*

Last month three Americans filed a petition with the Supreme Court of the United States for a writ of mandamus asking the High Court Justices to take mandatory action in what is called the nature of public duty. FisherShannon at Daily Kos first reported a couple of weeks ago that the hopeful document was filed by Diane Blumstein, Donna Soodalter-Toman, and Nancy Goodman, and that the petition was assigned a docket number, 16-907. The filers had waited for the High Court to render a decision on whether or not to even look at the filing, a decision the Court promised by February 21, 2017.

On Wednesday, that decision was rendered when the petition was distributed to the High Courts Justices for a conference scheduled for March 17, 2017.

The petitions filers are arguing that according to the U.S. Constitutions Article IV  4, it is the federal governments duty is to keep the United States territories safe from invasion by foreigners. Article IV  4 says:

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion.

The invasion is, according to the writs filing, the Russian cyber-attack (hacking) during the 2016 election that warrants the Courts action; nullifying the entire election going back to the primary races. The grounds are that there is more than sufficient evidence cited by intelligence agencies that the invasion (hacking) intent was altering the results of the election. The petitioners are seeking an entirely new election according to Title 28 of the U.S. Code  1251 where the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction because a foreign nation was involved.

They say that there is no remedy for the foreign cyber-invasion except for complete nullification of the election. SCOTUS has original jurisdiction over cases like this due to the involvement of a foreign state. There is no remedy for the foreign cyber-invasion, the petitions filers argue, other than complete nullification of the 2016 general election.

According to the man who authored the petition for the writ of mandamus, Jerroll Sanders:

I knew there was a strong legal argument for this, and we had cases prepared in several states, but we decided to consolidate all of our efforts into this one case for the sake of judicial efficiency. There is a chance the election could be ruled invalid due to the mountain of evidence that we were invaded with an intent to sway our election. If we are able to argue this case, I think we can win it.

Mandamus means we command and is a judicial remedy in the form or a superior court order to any government subordinate, public authority, or corporation to take a specific action that the body, in this case the federal government, is obliged to do under law; in this cases the filers believe it is a statutory duty to protect the nation from foreign invasion.

The petitions filers believe that a writ of mandamus from the High Court will remedy defects of justice; such as the injustice of a foreign government interfering with an American election.

According to legal scholars, an applicant pleading for a writ of mandamus should be able to demonstrate that they have a legal right to compel the respondent, in this case the federal government, to either do, or refrain from doing, some specific act. There are two qualities cited in order for the writ of mandamus to be enforced. It must be a duty of public nature and the duty must be imperative and not discretionary. One of the only reasons mandamus will not be granted is if adequate relief cannot be obtained by some other means, such as an appeal.

The petitions filers believe that:

As the leaders of the free world, we cannot allow an adversary to invade our territory and subvert our republican form of government. If other nations such as Austria and the Ukraine held a revote after Russia intervened in their election, so should we.

According to the filers, there is more than sufficient evidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered an influence campaign to sway public favor towards Donald Trump to put him in the White House. And they cited the then-recently declassified report detailing the extent of Russian interference based on the release of the report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

The writ being placed on the High Courts docket is rare according to SCOTUS estimates that just 0.01 percent of cases filed with the High Court are ever granted plenary review with oral arguments. At the time of filing the petitioners understood that the odds were stacked against them, but now that the writ is on the docket for the Justices to review, they are holding out more hope that the odds are now in their favor.

h/t FisherShannon
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President Trump is claiming that Jewish people themselves are calling in bomb threats and vandalizing Jewish cemeteries.

Chris Geidner of Buzzfeed News reported:

BREAKING: PA Attorney General: Trump told us "sometimes it's the reverse," when asked about anti-Semitic threats and attacks. pic.twitter.com/Pjo8FE59iN  Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner) February 28, 2017

The Pennsylvania Attorney General claims that Donald Trump said to him that Jewish people might be behind the threats and attacks on Jewish Community Centers to make others look bad.

The criticism came quickly from The Anti-Defamation League. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said, It is incumbent upon the White House to immediately clarify these remarks. In light of the ongoing attacks on the Jewish community, it is also incumbent upon the President to lay out in his speech tonight his plans for what the federal government will do to address this rash of anti-Semitic incidents.

There have been more than 100 bomb threats made against Jewish Community Centers, and President Trumps comments will only serve to add fuel to the fire. The Trump White House has played footsie with Anti-Semites, and the Presidents comments today, if true, represent a continuation of the dog whistle politics that appeal to the many bigots and racists who supported his presidential campaign.

The White House is promising that Trump will talk about the JCC threats during his speech to a joint session of Congress tonight. The question is will he have a plan to combat these threats, or should the nation prepare for more winks towards the bigots that are a part of Trumps base?

The President Of The United States should never be claiming that threats and attacks are false flags.

America needs a president, not a bigoted conspiracy theorist in chief.
Pizza has been a constant in Brian Kesslers life, from the time he got a job in a pizzeria as a teenager until the day he met his wife in a pizza joint. Read moreIggy's Pizza Shop is now open in Mount Pleasant
The Nexx Level Sports Center, planned to be built in Irmo, would host major sports tournaments weekly, and is projected to bring $51 million in spending to the area in the first five years, if developers can line up the financial support needed to build it. Read moreProposed Columbia area sports complex seeking financial commitments from county, state
South Carolina voters head to the polls Nov. 8, casting ballots in midterm elections that will not only determine the state's next governor but will also act as the first major referendum on the Biden era. Read moreYour voter guide to top races, key issues in South Carolina's 2022 midterm elections
When United Airlines starts offering flights to and from Rochester International Airport in June, how will that benefit the average local passenger?

"This is a positive for the community as a whole. It offers more opportunities," said airport Executive Director John Reed.

On June 8, United will begin offering three daily flights to and from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. That adds 150 new departing seats a day.

The new United flights add to the five daily flights to Chicago that Delta Airlines offers.

The Chicago flights have been running in the high 70 percent to 80 percent capacity in recent months. Reed said the addition of the United flights as giving more options to people arriving to and leaving Rochester.

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"This is going to be a good thing for us," he said. "Competition is not a bad thing."

Reed pointed out that about 1.8 million airplane tickets are sold in the region each year.

"We're not capturing anywhere near 1.8 million passengers a year," he said.

Rochester International Airport typically serves about 240,000 passengers from Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin each year. While the city of Rochester owns the airport, Mayo Clinic is contracted to manage it via its Rochester Airport Co.

The addition of a third airline  United  could bring new destinations to Rochester sometime in the future. Reed said he would like to see western cities, like Dallas and Denver, added to the local offerings.

"But it still has to be financially viable. You still have to have bodies," he said.

Monday's announcement of the new flights in Rochester was just one of several such United rollouts at airports across the country.

United, which lost the distinction of being the world's biggest carrier after shrinking for several years, plans to regain lost ground by adding more flights from key airports this summer.

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The airline wants to upgrade facilities at key airports and trim the use of smaller planes on important business routes.

If the expansion plans pan out, United could staunch slipping revenue numbers, which fell nearly 2 percent in the last five years, while revenue at industry leader Delta Air Lines Inc. rose 8 percent.

United has slipped in other ways, too. Only once in the last five years did United Continental Holdings Inc. top Delta's operating income. And it consistently ranks poorly in on-time flights and cancellations.

Delta and American Airlines Group Inc. have been adding flights, often on bigger planes, between major cities. Not United.

"We've been shrinking, and our competitors have been growing at our expense," says Scott Kirby, who jumped from president of American Airlines to the same job at United in August. "We're going back on offense."

Kirby thinks that new routes from hubs will win over, or win back, passengers. If traffic picks up, and as United takes delivery of new planes, it should eventually be able to phase out small planes on key business-travel routes, he said.

On Monday, United announced that this summer it will add four new destinations in smaller cities including Rochester, and Santa Rosa, Calif., add new connections to medium-sized towns, and add daily flights on 15 other routes that connect with big hubs. It will add seasonal flights between San Francisco and Munich.

United also wants to expand and upgrade facilities at key airports, including more gates at Chicago's O'Hare. The airline just opened a new club at Los Angeles International Airport, and Kirby told union pilots that United wants part or all of a future terminal there, where Delta and American have been making improvements.

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United to add three daily round-trip flights to Chicago
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.

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

Recipe by Joe Gray

Pairings by sommelier Aaron McManus of Oriole, as told to Michael Austin:

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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.
PLAINVIEW  You can think of Dean Harrington as an agricultural matchmaker.

The former Plainview bank president has been, for years, trying to teach other bankers what to look for in aspiring farmers and also teach wannabe farmers how to go about getting loans. He will reach out to aspiring farmers Saturday at a Land Stewardship Project program in Elgin.

To help both bankers and wannabe farmers at other times, he has come out with a checklist of what to look for because:

 "Bankers love checklists." They're something tangible they can look at and keep in files.

 It gives young people wanting to get into farming a list of what kinds of things they need to think of before talking to lenders.

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The five principal areas are thrift; work ethic; market diversity; pragmatism and flexibility; and good balance between big picture passion and focus on farm success.

The program Saturday and the checklist are more important today because of a greater emphasis on smaller, diversified farms, according to the University of Minnesota Extension.

"Minnesota has seen a sharp rise in small farms," it states. "The face of farming in Minnesota is changing with new urban farmers, young individuals and families and recent immigrants. Increased demand for local and organic foods is bringing more awareness to small farms  but a small farm does not mean a simple farm. Small farm owners are expected to be experts in everything from growing crops to marketing."

That's what Harrington sees, too.

While the state "mirrors the national trend of consolidation of farms," it's also seeing more young people want to farm as an earth-friendly lifestyle. Also, demand for vegetables, fruit, meat and other items from the farms is growing because much is sold locally to homeowners, co-ops, restaurants and schools, he said. Much of that is organically grown, free-range poultry or grass-fed cattle, he said.

The young farmers "want to make a living (at) doing something they see as meaningful and they could see as interesting," he said. Others just want to work for themselves.

Much of what is raised or grown on the consolidated farms, often corn or soybeans, ends up a long ways off or in ethanol plants, he said.

Harrington believes the country needs both the bigger and smaller farms working well.

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It's in the small end "we see more interest," he said. That's why he joined the stewardship project.

His background is in banking because his great-grandfather, grandfather and father all were bankers, and he was president of the First National Bank, now Foresight Bank, for many years. His children, Will Harrington and Cassie Harrington, now run the bank, but their dad is on the board of directors.

It was maybe three decades ago that he went to an LSP meeting and was singled out, being told bankers needed to help the small guys, too, he said.

"I just kind of shrunk down in my seat," he said. "But she was right."

When those wanting to buy maybe 10 to 40 acres come to bankers, some don't quite know what to do with them because the bankers are accustomed to dealing with farmers with 1,000 acres or more. The bankers need to learn about the small farms, he said. But they are willing.

"I would think there are more banks that are taking on the challenge," he said.

On the flip side, young farmers "have to be business people, too," Harrington said. "They can't just be dreamers. They have to be in it first to make a living."

He also stressed that all farms need to diversify so they can take advantage of changing markets. They also need financial discipline to save when times are good to get through harder times, he said. One way he's encouraging that from a downtown Plainview building is with Common Sense Development, which sells solar panels to people so they can produce their own electricity and sell surplus.

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"It's not just one hat that fits all," he said.
RED WING  On a night when the city thanked those who took part in the Small Business Revolution event, the Red Wing City Council approved grant funding to help a new Main Street business and approved the final plat of 44 townhomes to bring more housing to the city.

Randal Hemmerlin, executive director of the Red Wing Housing and Redevelopment Authority, asked the council to approve $25,000 in funding that originally came from the federal Small Cities Program grant funding for a new business that would include a retail store, storefront and call center located at 307 Main St. The location is where the former Sarah's restaurant was located and is next door to Red Wing Shoes on Main Street.

"This is a small business looking at a building in downtown Red Wing that would bring jobs to Red Wing," Hemmerlin said.

The unnamed business would use the funds for environmental investigation and remediation assistance, according to the notes on the agenda item passed.

If a new business is coming to town, there will be new places for workers to live. The council also approved a new plat for a section of the Ridgeview Planned Unit Development. New plat called Ridgeview Highlands. would be located near the intersection of Tyler Road and Hewitt Boulevard.

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An original planned development included 127 units, of which 46 were constructed. The new development would include 19 detached townhomes on what was previously 25 lots for attached townhomes, said Planning Director Brian Peterson.

"We're primarily marketing these homes to workforce that works in the city," said developer Roger Derrick. "I know there's a housing shortage for affordable housing. The rate is below market, and the down payment is very low."

In other business, the council passed a proclamation concerning discrimination against women, but that did not pass without some controversy.

The Convention for Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, a United Nations convention adopted as an international treaty in 1981, has been signed by 189 nations, said Ellen Kennedy, executive director of World Without Genocide at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

The only nations that have not ratified CEDAW include Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Palau and Tonga, she said.

Several individuals from the gallery stepped up to support the resolution of support for CEDAW, and one person testified against the resolution.

While most members of the city council supported the resolution, Council President Kim Beise said he spoke to more than 100 people on the topic since Thursday who were both for and against the proposal, and he could not support it. The vote on the resolution was 5-1. Council Member Peggy Rehder was absent.

The support for the resolution simply sends a message to the federal government. To adopt CEDAW, the U.S. Senate would need to get 67 votes of support, Kennedy said.

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The city also held public hearings for a pair of street projects  Levee Road from Jackson to Broad streets and 11th Street and an adjacent alley at East Avenue  before approving assessments on both projects unanimously.

Finally, Mayor Sean Dowse thanked those who helped support the city's efforts in the Small Business Revolution competition. Dowse said Red Wing had received more than 300,000 votes. "When we get together as a community, we really make things happen," he said. "With this kind of community, how can we lose?"
ST. PAUL  A Mazeppa Republican is seeking to strip any mention of the word "Zip Rail" from the state's rail plan.

Rep. Steve Drazkowski amended a bill to require Zip Rail be removed from the state rail plan. Zip Rail was the name of publicly funded proposal to build a high-speed rail line from Rochester to the Twin Cities. Last year, the state and Olmsted County announced they were suspending work on Zip Rail due to a lack of public funding. It came at a time when a private company  North American High Speed Rail Group  was proposing building a $4.2 billion elevated line between the two metro areas. The status of that project has become unclear, with the rail group's website suddenly disappearing and being replaced with one for the Minnesota Corridor.

Drazkowski added the state rail plan language to his bill, which would prohibit any public dollars from being spent on a high-speed rail line between Rochester and the Twin Cities. The bill also would require projects expected to cost more than $1 billion to purchase environmental insurance. Companies leasing state-owned property, including air rights, also must provide a financial guarantee that the state will be able to recoup costs if the project fails.

The Hearing was held on Monday in the House Property Tax and Local Government Finance Committee, which Drazkowski chairs. The bill is being considered for possible inclusion in a larger tax bill. A hearing on a similar bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Goggin, R-Red Wing, is scheduled for a committee hearing on Wednesday in the Senate.
George W. Bush is a good man. The mainstream media hammered him mercilessly and mostly unfairly for eight years. One media mainstay tried to take Bush down late in the 2004 campaign with fake news.

Yet, Bush spoke up for the embattled mainstream media today. He called it indispensable to democracy.

Politico portrays this as a break from the position of his fellow Republican, President Donald Trump, who has called the press the enemy of the American people. This may, indeed, be how Bush intended his statement to be viewed.

There is no inconsistency, though, between calling the press indispensable to democracy and labeling the press we have the enemy of the American people. (Note, though, that I dont agree with President Trumps characterization).

Trump never denied that the role of the press is central in our democracy. In fact, he implied the opposite when he said hed be doing the American people a tremendous disservice if he didnt highlight the press dishonesty. If the press lacked an important role to play in our democracy, it wouldnt be much of a disservice for Trump to let its dishonestly slide.

Trump wasnt disputing the vital role of the press, he was attacking its performance of that role. The way the press reports the news is what (in Trumps view) makes it the enemy of the people.

The real question is what, if anything, Trump intends to do in response. As long he confines himself to criticism, occasional pettiness, and (in extraordinary cases) legal action consistent with the First Amendment and other applicable law, theres no problem. If, for other than valid national security purposes, he truly interferes with the ability of the press to perform its work (whether honestly or dishonestly), then we will have a serious problem on our hands.

We dont now, though.
Something tells me that if California state senator Janet Nguyen were a liberal espousing the sacramental view of abortion or the fictitious evils of Jeff Sessions she would be an overnight sensation. As it is, Senator Nguyens removal from the state senate chamber when she sought to take issue with her colleagues recent tribute to the late Tom Hayden remains something of a secret.

Senator Nguyen is not inclined to forgive Hayden for his support of the Communists during the Vietnam War. She had some personal reflections on Haydens legacy that she sought to share with her colleagues. Seth Lipsky tells the story of Senator Nguyens suppressed speech in an editorial with the wishful headline A star is born. I urge interested readers also to check out the video below.

Senator Nguyens removal appears not to be going down well in California. It is reported that the California Senates Rules Committee will investigate the matter. Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon has gone so far as to say that Senator Nguyens removal was not one of the Senates finest moments.

Well, dont keep it a secret. Please pass it on.
Donald Trump continues to bestride the world like a colossus. I cant recall a precedent for the extent to which he monopolizes public attention and discourse. You could prove that with newspaper headlines just about every day, but here is an example of how thorough Trumps dominance isa list of the most-read articles on Politico that I captured at a random moment during the day:

Is it smart for the Left media to make the news all Trump, all the time? It isnt obvious that this is a good strategy, but they cant help themselves.

For a completely different view of President Trump, check out this report by Benny Johnson at Independent Journal Review, titled Inside Trumps Secret Dinner: A Side of the President You Dont Ever See. It is remarkable how different a view you get when the reporter isnt viciously hostile to Trump.

Saturday night, President Trump dodged the pool reporter, as he has been known to do. Benny Johnson got a tip that he was going to have dinner at the BLT Steakhouse inside Washingtons Trump Hotel. So he reserved a table near where he expected Trumps party to be and arrived early. His account includes pictures and several videos. He describes the preparations for Trumps visit by restaurant staff and the Secret Service. Coincidentally, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was in the restaurant Saturday night too, enjoying an apparent date night with his wife, as Johnson terms it.

Johnson describes what it is like to be in a public place where the president is soon to arrive:

7:27 PM: Security becomes less discreet. Armed men in black shirts with dogs sweep the Trump table. The highly trained dogs do not bother any of the diners but sniff where pointed, furiously, in and around where Trump is to dine. Another group of Secret Service members arrive. This group is carrying very official-looking luggage, and they inspect the space. The upstairs dining area is now at full capacity. Each table of guests are beginning to take notice that this will not be a standard Saturday night dinner. I leave to use the restroom and find Secret Service sweeping the mens bathroom on the first floor. I am wanded by polite security as I return upstairs to my table.

Forty-five minutes later, Trump arrives. The Democratic Party press wants us to think that Trump is deeply unpopularan odd proposition, since he just won the election. But that is not what Trump experiences:

8:17 PM: Without any announcement or indication, President Trump enters the hotel lobby which bears his name, flanked on all sides by the Secret Service. Shock and astonishment fill the guests in the room. The woman next to me screams Is it him? Its really him! Oh my God! This is like a dream! Trump is rushed by fans in the lobby as he makes his way to the steakhouse. Secret Service makes a barrier for him, and the President waves and shakes hands on his way. The young crew are the first in line. Also waiting in line as the President arrives is Nigel Farage. The entire restaurant is now on its feet, cheering and applauding. Trump makes his way upstairs, waiving and stopping for a few selfies.

Trump walks over to visit with the Tillersons:

8:25 PM: The President gets up and walks across the restaurant to his Secretary of States table. The President kisses Tillersons wife Renda, and he and Tillerson make small talk. They laugh and speak jovially for a few minutes as dinner guests who had been sitting next to Tillerson look on in stunned amazement. Another woman tells Trump its her birthday and gets a selfie. The woman tells me emotionally afterward that she had no idea Trump would be here.

Johnson observes Trump and his party throughout the dinner:

8:45 PM: Trump is served his entree. According to a waiter, who wished to remain anonymous: The President ordered a well-done steak. An aged New York strip. He ate it with catsup as he always does. The sides and appetizers on the table were shared. Three jumbo shrimp cocktails were delivered before the meal. At one point, the President looked at his watch and remarked They are filming Saturday Night Live right now. Cant wait to see what they are gonna do to me this week. It was hard to serve him because he is so funny and relaxed, it makes you laugh. Trump talks jovially with his guests for the next two hours. His iconic hand motions fill the space as dinner is served.

On his way out, Trump slips the bus boy a $100 tip:

He is again besieged by admirers:

Benny Johnsons report is a nice counterpoint to the anti-Trump propaganda with which we are bombarded 24/7. It is easy to understand why Trump doesnt believe the medias constant negativity reflects the views of most Americans.
A two-day special International Theatre Critics Conference will begin Thursday at the National Theatre, Iganmu, as part of this years edition of the Lagos Theatre Festival which began on Tuesday.

Foremost dramatist and the 2016 Thaila laureate, Femi Osofisan, has been selected to keynote the event at which theatre critics from across the world will deliberate on Theatre, Criticism and Politics  Where Are the Limits?

According to Emmanuel Dandaura, the President of the Nigerian chapter of the International Association of Theatre Critics, IATC, which is organising the event, the theme of the conference was necessitated by some of the biggest crises in the world today.

These include the ascendancy of right-wing movements in Europe, Brexit, the EU crisis, neoliberal slavery, the migration crisis, an upshot of the Arab spring, political instability in Africa and global terrorism.

Justifying the theme during a call for papers, Mr. Dandaura, a professor and Africas sole representative in the IATC International Executive Committee, argued that the world is now witnessing a volatile global political regime.

Politics, theatre, and theatre criticism have long been interwoven and interdependent. In the highest peaks of its history, theatre and other performing arts have been a collective self-representation of society, its basic values, and beliefs, including mainstream political narratives.

When contesting these narratives, theatre has been more ironic, subversive and blasphemous than openly confrontational  although direct theatrical conflicts with society are also well known, he stated.

When theatre criticism appeared as a genre in Western media in the 18th century, it fought the same battle as the (bourgeois) theatre itself. Theatre and criticism were important social platforms in the battle against conservative, aristocratic, and clerical states  even as they advocated a new and progressive bourgeois society.

Recalling the rich history of theatre and theatre criticism as they relate with politics, Mr. Dandaura said further: In the last two and a half centuries, the relationship between these three playerspolitics, theatre, and theatre criticismhas been fluid. There were periods in which all were going in the same direction  for good or ill.

In some historical periods, (dissident) theatre was courageous, provocative, and challenging. Criticism, however, strongly controlled by mainstream political power (as with much of the media), could not support it. In some constructs, media demanded that theatre be more politically daring.

The international Theatre Critics Conference, therefore, will interrogate how global theatre and theatre criticism respond to current political events.

Does theatre, internationally, address these challenging topics? Is there a new political theatre? Is there a growing trend toward the political or do individual cases arise on their own? How do critics react? Are we free (enough) to openly support theatre that dissents from accepted political and cultural norms? Is the social impact of this type of work more relevant than its artistry? How do we recognize a politically brave theatre in societies different from our own? If we recognize it, how do we communicate it to our readers?

The President of the National Academy of Letters, Olu Obafemi, a professor, is one of the notable delegates to the conference at which 76 national and international theatre critics are expected.

These include Margareta Sorenson, the global President of IATC and Swedish renowned Journalist and Critic; Ivan Medenica, the Artistic Director of Belgrade International Theatre Festival; Jeffery Erik Jenkins, Editor Best Plays Theater Yearbook, USA; Maria Shevtsova, Co-editor of New Theatre Quarterly Cambridge University; Halima Tahan, Journalist and Director Artes De Sul, Argentina; and Deepa Punjani, Editor, Mumbai Theatre Guide, India.

The special conference is the first ever official event being organized by the IATC, the UNESCO Statute B global partner in Theatre Criticism in Africa.

Mr. Dandaura said IATC-Nigeria is also partnering the British Council Nigeria to deepen international participation in the Lagos Theatre Festival.

In order to reinvigorate interest in theatre criticism in the younger ones and particularly for those who wish to take to journalism as a career, the IATC and British Council have agreed to mount a young critics seminar, in line with the IATC global format where 20 Nigerian young critics and a few of their foreign counterparts will be mentored through workshop sessions.

He said the objectives of the strategic partnership between IATC and British Council include: opening avenues for more international tours for the average Nigerian Theatre makers; increase media visibility for works of Nigerian creative artistes; facilitate cross fertilization of ideas and galvanize discourse around home grown theatre performances and other emerging forms of expressions in Nigerian Theatre.

The event will also create a meeting point for sharing of experiences between theatre critics in the media and those in the academia.

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The Organization of Petroleum Countries, OPEC, is gradually recovering from its worst experience as a result of the global oil crisis, which cost members about $1 trillion loss since 2014, an official said.

The Secretary General of OPEC, Mohammed Barkindo, said in Abuja during his first member country visit to Nigeria that since the crisis, which followed the unprecedented drop in crude oil prices, member countries of the organisation experienced significant decline in their production capacities and output.

Globally, this industry has lost nearly one trillion dollars in terms of deferred projects, outright cancellation of projects across the supply chain  upstream, midstream and downstream, Mr. Barkindo said in his speech during his visit to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu.

This (crisis) is the greatest threat that is facing future supply. We need consistent investment in order not only to maintain current production, but to take care of reserves that we produce as well as to secure the security of future supply.

In terms of national revenues, he said since all OPEC countries economies were dependent on oil, they had lost cumulatively about $1 trillion to the drastic drop in crude oil prices since 2014.

However, the OPEC scribe said members have remained optimistic that their decision to curtail output to stabilize prices has started yielding fruitful results with prices nearing the $60 per barrel mark last week.

With the joint decision we took under the Declaration of Cooperation on the 10th of December, cumulatively, we from OPEC withdrew about 1.2 million barrels per day, while the 11 non-OPEC withdrew nearly 600,000 bpd, altogether about 1.8 million bpd has been cut.

And for the first month since January (when the decision took effect), I have just brought my report, our compliance level is over 90 per cent. Even within OPEC, we have never had 90 per cent. This is the first time. So, we remain optimistic that the worse is over for this cycle, he said.

Mr. Barkindo said the challenge before the group now was how to solidify the platform of 24 members, pointing out that the signals they were getting from the non-OPEC side was highly positive, as they were willing to support efforts to achieve market stability.

Those three historic decisions  the Algiers Accord, the Vienna Agreement of November 13, and the Declaration of Cooperation on December 10 in Vienna  has changed the energy landscape and has turned a historic page in oil.

We are on the course of turning this industry out of the worse recession that we have entered to restore stability to the market, on a sustainable basis that will allow investment to come back on a continuous basis, he stated.

Mr. Barkindo used the occasion to announce that as a result of the positive impact of OPEC in the effort to resolve the global crisis, fresh requests have been received from countries wishing to join the group, to continue to promote their common interest.

One of such new requests, he said, was Equatorial Guinea, an important producer in the Gulf of Guinea, which has already applied formally to join OPEC.

In his speech, Mr. Kachikwu noted the positive impact Mr. Barkindo has recorded in OPEC within the short period he has served as the Secretary General, saying this has justified the trust reposed in his candidature by President Muhammadu Buhari, who confirmed his nomination to the position.

The minister said the decision to support Mr. Barkindo to the office was because OPEC needed someone who not only was skilled and experienced, but one with the right intellectual depth and ability to think outside the box to find solutions to the problems of OPEC.

With Barkindo taking over, we have all seen what he has done. He is the most fundamental face changing act of the management of OPEC in recent history, because what he did was not just helping us salvage the economies of all member countries, but giving OPEC a new face.

OPEC had previously lost credibility and nobody was listening to it at strategic global meetings. They could almost predict that the organization never reached resolutions. But today, in all the output build-ups found in the US of reserves, nobody is looking at that in terms of pricing, but at what OPEC will decide, Mr. Kachikwu said.

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Sub-Saharan Africa has the third highest exposure to cyber fraud incidents in the world, a new report says.

The Global Fraud Report by a leading risk management and investigations firm, Kroll, says people in lower employment cadre in the region are the most common perpetrators of fraud.

They are followed by freelance and temporary staff.

In 2016, Kroll commissioned Forrester Consulting to conduct 10 indepth interviews and an additional online survey with 545 senior executives worldwide across multiple industries and geographies. The survey was fielded through July and August 2016.

The respondents represented all major global geographies and they include Asia- Pacific region, North America, the Middle East/Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.

In the report, 89 per cent of the respondents in sub-Saharan Africa admitted experiencing at least one type of fraud in the past year- seven percentage points above the global average and five percentage points higher than in 2015.

Executives in the region also reported the highest incidence of internal financial fraud (31%), 11 percentage points higher than the global average of 20%. In addition they also experienced a higher than average incidence of information theft or loss.

Security incidents affected more respondents in the region, at six percentage points above the global average of 68%.

The most common incidents were theft or loss of intellectual property (IP) (43%) and workplace violence (26%).

Theft or loss of IP weighs heavily as a concern and was mentioned as a vulnerability by a greater percentage of respondents in the region (28%) than any other region or country surveyed.

The report also noted that the most frequently mentioned anti-fraud measure in the region was to engage the board of directors with the development of cyber security policies and procedures.

Respondents in Sub-Saharan Africa also reported the third highest exposure to cyber incidents (91%). Data deletion due to system issues was reported as the top form of attack by over a third of respondents in the region.

Other forms of attack, such as virus and worm infestations and email-based phishing attacks, were in line with the global averages. The greatest anomaly was in wire transfer fraud, which was at the highest level in the survey (26%) and nearly twice the global average of 14%.

Other findings from the sub-Saharan Africa region include:

1.Ex-employees were most likely to be responsible for a cyber incident, reported by 22% of participants.

2.Customer and employee records along with trade secrets were almost equally likely to be reported as the target of cyber attacks.

3. In the event of an attack, only 22% of participants said they would contact their IT service vendor first, while almost as many (16%) said they would contact an incident response firm.

The next most common anti-fraud measures were information security and staff background screening, both adopted by 70 per cent of respondents in the region. However, these mitigation strategies had been adopted by fewer respondents in Sub-Saharan Africa than in the rest of the world on average.

Tommy Helsby, Co-Chairman, Kroll Investigations & Disputes, commented: This years Kroll Global Fraud and Risk Report shows that its becoming an increasingly risky world, with the largest ever proportion of companies reporting fraud and similarly high levels of cyber and security breaches. The impact of such incidents is significant, with punitive effects on company revenues, business continuity, corporate reputation, customer satisfaction, and employee morale.

With fraud, cyber, and security incidents becoming the new normal for companies all over the world, its clear that organizations need to have systemic processes in place to prevent, detect, and respond to these risks if they are to avoid reputational and financial damage.

Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region surveyed where regulators were reported to significantly contribute to fraudulent activities, as they were named in over a fifth (23%) of all frauds reported.

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Malaysias Attorney-General, Tan Ali, says two female suspects in custody over the killing of Kim Jong Nam, North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns estranged half brother, will appear in court on Wednesday.

Both women will be charged under Section 302 of the Malaysian penal code which deals with punishment for murder, Mr. Tan told dpa on Tuesday.

He said Doan Huong, a 29-year-old Vietnamese woman, and Siti Aishah, a 25-year-old Indonesian woman, will be charged in Sepang Magistrate Court.

The government says the women poisoned Kim by wiping a highly toxic chemical nerve agent on his face at Kuala Lumpurs international airport on February 13.

The VX nerve agent allegedly used in the attack is classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations.

The Indonesian suspect has said she thought she was carrying out a prank for a television show, and that the poisonous liquid given to her was baby oil, Indonesian embassy officials have said.

On Sunday, Malaysias health minister told reporters that the deadly chemical killed Kim within 15 to 20 minutes.

The doses were so high, it was so fast and happened all over the body  that it affected his heart and lungs, Health Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said.

Malaysian police are still searching for seven more North Koreans believed to be linked to the killing, including a diplomat in the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur and an airline worker with Air Koryo, the state national airline.

(dpa/NAN)

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Pyongyang on Tuesday sent a high-level delegation to Malaysia seeking the body of Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Kim Jong Nam was killed on February 13 in Kuala Lumpurs international airport.

Ri Ton-Il, Former North Korean Deputy Ambassador to UN who is among the diplomats, said the purpose of his visit was to discuss the body of the deceased DPRK citizen who died in Malaysia.

He said that he intended to question the arrest of the DPRK citizen in relation to the case.

North Koreas ambassador to Malaysia had denounced the countrys investigation into the death of the exiled Kim Jong Nam, calling it politically motivated and demanding a joint probe amid increasingly bitter exchanges between the once-friendly nations.

Malaysia responded with its own accusations, with a foreign ministry statement saying the ambassadors comments were culled from delusions, lies and half-truths.

Earlier Monday, Malaysia said it was recalling its ambassador to Pyongyang.

The diplomatic spat comes in the wake of the death of Kim, who died after apparently being poisoned in the Kuala Lumpur airport.

The attack spiralled into diplomatic fury when Malaysia refused to hand over Kims corpse to North Korean diplomats and proceeded with at least one autopsy over the diplomats objections.

The investigation by the Malaysian police is not for the clarification of the cause of the death and search for the suspect, but it is out of the political aim, North Korean Ambassador Kang Chol told reporters Monday.

He said that Malaysia was in collusion with South Korea, as Seoul tries to deflect attention from its own months-long political crisis.

Also, police pinned the suspicion on us, and targeted the investigation against us, Kang said, calling on Malaysia to work with North Korea in a joint investigation.

Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak told reporters later Monday that he had confidence in the objectivity of his countrys police and doctors.

Malaysia had no reason to paint the North Koreans in a bad light, he said, adding, We expect them to understand that we apply the rule of law in Malaysia.

Over the weekend, Kang said Malaysia may be trying to conceal something, an accusation that led the Malaysian foreign ministry to recall its ambassador to Pyongyang for consultations and summon Kang to a meeting.

Police have so far arrested four people carrying identity documents from North Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Those arrested include two women who were allegedly seen approaching Kim on Feb. 13 as he stood at a ticketing kiosk at the budget terminal of the Kuala Lumpur airport.

(dpa/NAN)

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Comparing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari, and concluding that Mr. Osinbajo is doing better as he acts on behalf of the president who travelled on medical leave, is mischievous, the presidency has said.

Mr. Buhari left Nigeria for the United Kingdom on January 19 for what was initially scheduled to be a 10-day medical leave, but later extended his stay indefinitely.

He transferred power to Mr. Osinbajo before traveling, plugging a potential power vacuum and constitutional crisis once witnessed when late President Umaru YarAdua travelled for treatment in 2009.

As acting president, Mr. Osinbajo has amongst other things, supervised the implementation of a new foreign exchange policy that has managed to strengthen a rapidly sliding naira.

The government has also announced a reduction in attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in recent weeks, cuts that follow Mr. Osinbajos tour of the Niger Delta and talks with community leaders.

Many Nigerians view those decisions as swift and firm, and have compared them with President Buharis often unhurried response to needling national problems.

But the presidents political adviser, Babafemi Ojudu, on Monday condemned the assessment, and said it was done by mischief makers whose intention is to cause disharmony in the presidency.

These are mischief makers, those who do not wish this country well, who are always promoting crisis, who will not allow the people to benefit from this democracy, Mr. Ojudu told journalists. They are the ones promoting this kind of divisive tendencies.

Mr. Ojudu said all steps taken by Mr. Osinbajo were with the approval of Mr. Buhari.

There is nothing that has been done since the vice president started acting that is not something that started far back in the past. A good example is the Niger Delta initiative.

The President called the Vice-President and said I am giving you the mandate, go into the Niger Delta and meet with everyone who is a stakeholder, all the communities, talk to the militants and make sure you solve this problem for the benefits of Nigerians.

We are losing 1.2 million barrels of oil per day, all the gas pipelines powering the turbines are being blown up. And the President has said unless and until we resolve this problem we will not get out of recession.

The VP took up the mandate and went to the Niger Delta, it is the initiative of Mr. President not that of the Vice-President.

On the foreign exchange policy, Mr. Ojudu said claims of superior leadership capacity in favour of Mr. Osinbajo are touted by The same people who said we never had economic team, no policy, nothing.

It is now that the policies we are implementing are maturing and they are seeing the result. It is not a question of one person being better than the other person, he said.

Also, a lawmaker representing Kankia/Ingawa/Kusada Federal Constituency, Katsina State, Ahmad kaita, told PREMIUM TIMES that baseless, ill-motivated comparison of Messrs. Buhari and Osinbajo was capable of affecting Nigerias unity.

It is one presidency; and whatever anybody does in this administration is to President Buharis credit, said Mr. Kaita.

Meanwhile, all we now see that means progress takes root from the time before the President travelled, with the two leaders working cordially for the good of the country based on the manifesto of our party, APC.

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The acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Onnoghen, will on Wednesday appear before the Senate for his confirmation hearing.

The president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, announced the schedule on Tuesday.

Mr. Onnoghens name was forwarded to the Senate on February 8 for confirmation as a substantive CJN by acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

He has been leading the countrys judiciary in acting capacity since November 10 when he was so appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari, following the retirement of Mahmud Mohammed.

Mr. Onnoghen, 67, was born in Kruiku Town, Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.

He bagged his Law degree from the University of Ghana, Legon, in 1977 before his BL certificate at the Nigerian Law School in 1978.

He started his career as a Pupil State Counsel in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, in 1979, after which he ventured into private practice.

In 1989, he returned to public service as judge in the High Court of his native Cross River State.

He joined the federal judicial service in 1998 as Justice of the Court Appeal, a position he held until 2005 when he was elevated to the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the Senate is yet to make public its decision on the screening of Ibrahim Magu for confirmation as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Mr. Magus earlier nomination was rejected last December by the Senate, which cited allegations integrity deficiency made by the State State Security.

But on January 24, more than a week before the nomination of Mr. Onnoghen, the Senate confirmed it had received a notice from the Presidency to the effect of Mr. Magus re-nomination.

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A Medview Airline flight from Lagos to Abuja was suspended midair after a fault was observed on the plane.

A passenger on the flight said passengers suspected the plane, with flight number VL 2102, was faulty before takeoff, but they were assured by the pilot and the crew that all was well.

A few minutes after take-off, the plane had to return to the Lagos Airport due to the problem.

They want to kill over 100 passengers with their faulty plane a passenger, Oladejo Olowu, told PREMIUM TIMES.

The plane was scheduled to get to Abuja before a final journey to Yola, Adamawa State.

The Medview incident happened a day after a Boeing 737 aircraft belonging to Air Peace on Monday suffered a burst tyre while preparing for take-off at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

The incident occurred at about 11a.m. forcing the pilot to abort the flight.

The aircraft was to convey 105 passengers from Lagos to Abuja.

Details later

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Some Igbo leaders have demanded the unconditional release of the leader of Indigenous People Of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Addressing journalists on the detention of Mr. Kanu, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Charles Soludo, described the continued detention of Mr. Kanu as unacceptable and an abuse of Mr. Kanus right to legitimate agitation.

Mr. Soludo was in the company of other Igbo leaders including former presidential aide, Pat Utomi, and former head of Nigerias electricity regulator, Sam Amadi.

The former bank chief said Nigeria cannot thrive in an atmosphere devoid of the democratic freedom of speech.

The leaders also condemned the failure of the federal government and its security agencies to obey court rulings, saying the plan by government to only obey favourable court rulings is unhealthy for the peace of Nigeria.

Mr. Kanu, whose group is calling for an independent Igbo country of Biafra, is being prosecuted for treason by the Nigeria government.

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While the Nigerian government criticises South Africas handling of recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians, the South African Government has deported 97 Nigerians for committing various offences in the country.

The property of several Nigerians and other sub-Saharan Africans have been destroyed across South Africa in xenophobic attacks that have been condemned by various governments.

While asking its citizens to stop the attacks, the South African government has also blamed illegal immigrants from Nigeria and other countries, as well immigrants who commit crime for the attacks. The government has thus decided to clamp down on such immigrants.

The 97 deported Nigerians landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Monday night in a chartered aircraft with the registration number GBB710 from Johannesburg.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that they were made up of 95 males and two females.

Joseph Alabi, the spokesperson of the Lagos Airport Police Command, confirmed the development.

An immigration source told NAN on condition of anonymity that six of the deportees were returned to the country for drug offences while 10 were arrested and deported for other criminal offences .

The others were said to have committed immigration offences in the Southern African country.

All the deportees were profiled by officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) while those deported for drug related offences were handed over to the Police for further investigation.

The Federal Government had also on Monday evacuated 41 Nigerian girls who were trafficked to Mali for sex and labour exploitation.

Six of the suspected human traffickers were also apprehended and brought back to the country for prosecution.

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Former Central Bank governor, Charles Soludo, and some key leaders of the south-east region on Tuesday said their demand for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, was based on the yearning for national cohesion.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Mr. Soludo and other members of the group, Uzuku Umunna, said the Buhari-led administration of the All Progressive Congress should join hands with other Nigerians to bring about a new Nigeria, agreed to by its constituent parts and citizens.

Mr. Kanu was arrested in October 2015 and has been held since then despite court orders, on allegation of treason. His group demands the creation of a separatist Biafra state.

At the media briefing, Mr. Soludo was in the company of other Igbo leaders including former presidential aspirant, Pat Utomi, and former head of Nigerias electricity regulator, Sam Amadi.

The group said Nigeria cannot succeed by suppressing legitimate agitations or democratic expressions.

It is our considered view that much of the increasingly desperate agitations are in response to the failures of the dysfunctional/looting elite and poor governance in the context of a failing state that offers increasingly vanishing opportunities and hope for its youth and future generations, the group said in a prepared statement read by Mr. Soludo.

We do not condone violence, criminality or brigandage of any sort, and nor should any state do so. However, by failing or refusing to address the fundamental issues and instead concentrating on the symptoms, Nigeria runs the grave risk of turning the entire country into a large prison yard or a police state.

It continued: There seems to be a national consensus that the current system cannot endure. The APC, PDP, APGA and other political parties, as well as all non-partisan actors and statesmen must come together to save Nigeria. We are in a state of emergency at all levels. We demand for the urgent release of Nnamdi Kanu, his colleagues and all prisoners of conscience, as part of the process of the search for national cohesion and building a new Nigeria.

He added that Nigeria has had a very poor ranking among the global list of unsustainable states, due to reasons associated with its current structure.

Since 2005, Nigeria has drifted from a rank of 54th position in the global Failed/Fragile State Index to 17th position in 2014 and now to a dangerous 13th position in 2016 (under the Red Alert category of countries), Mr. soludo said.

He urged the Federal Government to live up to its promises and rebuild the country to overcome its years of unwarranted differences and challenges.

If the only thing the current administration succeeds in doing is to re-engineer a new Nigeria, agreed to by its constituent parts and citizens, it would have birthed a new country for the 21st century!

Mr. Soludo said although the pattern of agitation adopted by Mr. Kanu may not be acceptable to some Nigerians, the factors necessitating the agitation are issues that remain real in the current structure of the country.

There is a legitimate debate among Nigerians on the Biafra question, and there are indeed many Igbos who, like many other Nigerians, do not agree with Nnamdi Kanus objective or means. It needs to be stated, however, that no citizen of Nigeria deserves the kind of treatment meted to him and his colleagues. Government has declined to obey the orders of properly constituted courts in Nigeria for his release.

Nnamdi Kanu is not above the law; but nor should he be put beneath it. A situation where the state refuses to obey clear and legitimate court orders for his release and holds him until it gets a favourable order; moves the goalposts endlessly through endless amendment of the charges against him; and now seeks to try him in secret clearly constitutes circumstances that would fall well short of the constitutional guarantees of due process.

We demand that the right to freedom of association, assembly, peaceful protest, and expression must be accessible to all citizens of Nigeria as guaranteed by Nigerias constitution. Trying to criminalize anyone who talks about self-determination or attempts to use brute force to main and kill innocent protesters in a democracy is a strategy for a time that we no longer live in.

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The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Faisal Shuaib, has pledged to ensure the success of the current scheme to revitalize primary health care in Nigeria under a four-point agenda he has formulated to reposition the Agency.

Mr. Shuaib made the pledge on Monday while receiving the new World Health Organization, WHO, Country Representative in Nigeria, Alemu Wondi, in his office.

According to a statement by the agency, Mr. Shuaib outlined aspects of the agenda as repositioning the Agency with a culture of zero tolerance to corruption and efficient service delivery, concluding polio eradication, and strengthening routine immunization.

The President Muhammadu Buhari Administration has made revitalising primary health care the anchor for its activity in the health sector.

Under the scheme, the administration plans to make 10,000 functional primary health care centres available to deliver a number of services in every ward across the country, beginning with one in each of the 109 senatorial districts of the country. The exercise was flagged off on January 10 with the commissioning of the Kuchingoro primary health care centre in Abuja.

Mr. Shuaib said President Buhari and the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, have provided an enabling environment for transparent, accountable and result-oriented leadership that would enable him work with his team to restore partners confidence in the Agency.

He recalled donors scepticism on his agencys management of donor funds in the past and assured the WHO Country Representative of his commitment to changing the narrative by engendering transparency, accountability and probity.

While assuring of his commitment to rewarding excellence, the Executive Director warned that officials of the Agency found wanting in the discharge of their duties would be made to face the disciplinary provisions of civil service rules and regulations.

He then highlighted steps being taken by the Agency in its collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders to rid Nigeria of polio virus, improve routine immunisation and quality of data generation, and overcome cross-border challenges on mass vaccination of under-five children.

In his remarks, Mr. Wondi said the major purpose of his visit was to ensure synergy, continued collaboration and oneness of purpose in programmes implementation and service delivery.

The WHO Country Representative recalled Nigerias initial success of two years without polio transmission and current concerted efforts on polio eradication, and pledged the full support of WHO for the efforts.

Nigerias hope for a polio-free certification by the WHO had suffered a setback in August 2016, when four new cases of wild polio virus were discovered in three local government areas in Borno State liberated from the Boko Haram insurgents.

Mr. Wondi also assured the NPHCDA of WHOs support for the Primary Health Care Revitalization scheme.

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Detained Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Babatunde Gbadamosi, has approached the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court to challenge his arrest and continued detention by the State Security Service.

Mr. Gbadamosi, a former PDP gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State, was arrested by the SSS in Lagos on February 21, and was immediately transferred to Abuja, where he has been in custody ever since.

Human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegvoruwa, who filed the suit on his behalf, said Mr. Gbadamosi had been denied access to his family, doctors and lawyers since his arrest.

Named as respondents in the suit are the State Security Service, its director, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Among the reliefs sought in the suit are a declaration that his invitation, arrest, and detention by the SSS are a violation of his fundamental rights and, therefore, illegal and unconstitutional.

Mr. Gbadamosi also wants the court to declare that he is entitled to freedom of movement, liberty, and right to life; that the SSS constitutional and statutory duty do not extend to unlawful detention of innocent citizens.

The other reliefs include an order compelling the secret police to release the applicant immediately; an injunction restraining them from further violation of his rights; and N50 million being special, aggravated, punitive and general damages against the respondents.

No date has been fixed for the suit.

The SSS arrested Mr. Gbadamosi after he reported to the agencys office in Lagos to honour a verbal invitation, his wife told PREMIUM TIMES last week.

His detention without charge elicited wide condemnation among Nigerians and human rights activists, with Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State describing it as a continuation of the tyranny and barbarism of the All Progressives Congress-led federal government.

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The trial of a former Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Emeka Mba who is facing a 15-count charge of money laundering and procurement fraud to the tune of N2.8 billion commenced on Tuesday with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, presenting its first witness, John Ejim.

Mr. Mba is standing trial alongside a former Director of Finance of NBC, Patrick Areh; Basil Udotai (trading in the name and style of Technology Advisors) and Babatunde Amure (trading in name and style of Divine Partners) before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

They were alleged to have at various times connived and transferred state funds to the tune of N2.9billion from the account of NBC through various proxies for personal gains.

Mr. Mba was also alleged to have used his office as former DG to award contracts without following due procurement process.

Mr. Ejim, an operative of EFCC, while being led in evidence by counsel to EFCC, Ben Ikani, told the court that his investigation was an offshoot of a petition dated December 30, 2015, to the Presidency by one Okey Nwafor and copied to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC.

The petition alleged among others things: a diversion of proceeds of sale of 700Mhz of Spectrum to an account held by NBC in Zenith bank and that the amount diverted was illegally paid to 5 setup proxies and manufacturers under the digital switch platform, he said.

When Mr. Ikani sought to tender the document (copy of the petition) in evidence, Mr. Mbas counsel, S. I. Ameh, objected saying, the witness cannot be examined on a document he did not make.

Also counsel to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants  I. F Chude, P. Erukoro and Ikoro M. Ikoro, respectively aligned themselves with the objection raised by Mr. Ameh, while Mr. Erukoro added that there was no evidence of stamp duty paid by the prosecution on the document as stipulated by law.

Responding, Mr. Ikani noted that the witness, as an investigator, was only stating what led to the investigation and that in law, what matters is the relevance of the document tendered.

In a bench ruling, Justice Kolawole overruled the objection saying, the document sought to be tendered is relevant to the case and admitted it as exhibit 1.

Continuing, the PW1 said he invited the account officer as well as the compliance officer of Zenith bank who brought along the account opening documents in which it was discovered that Mba was a co-signatory to the account.

The documents revealed the deposit of a lump sum of N34.1 billion and a transfer of N2.8 billion from the said account to Technology Advisors.

We invited Emeka Mba and Patrick Areh to further interrogate them on the matter.

I attended to Patrick Areh who volunteered his statement after I availed him a copy of the petition, Mr. Ejim stated.

Mr. Ikani sought to tender the document (2nd defendants statement) in evidence, but its admissibility was objected by Mr. Chude, who said that the statement was not voluntarily obtained.

Justice Kolawole, thereafter, adjourned to March 8, 2017 for a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statement.

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A Bill before the House of Representatives, seeking to punish perpetrators of crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide, on Tuesday passed the second reading.

Leading debate on the Bill, its sponsor, Nicholas Ossai (PDP-Delta), explained that the legislation would provide appropriate sanctions for those guilty of such crimes.

He said it would also help to bring to justice those who took laws into their hands.

Nigeria signed the International Criminal Court of Justice Treaty in 2000; the National Assembly, therefore, has the powers to domesticate such treaty, Mr. Ossai said.

One of the benefits of this bill is that it will provide appropriate sanctions against perpetrators of such acts.

If someone commits a crime and runs away, he or she will still be brought to book in the internationally arena.

In his contribution, Nkem Uzoma-Abonta (PDP-Abia) said that the country was currently experiencing some of the crimes the bill is seeking to address.

Also, Garba Datti (APC-Kaduna) said that domestication of the international treaty would provide protection for citizens and uphold the rule of law.

On her part, Nnena Elendu-Ukeje (PDP-Abia) said that the bill would strengthen the countrys laws against the crimes.

The bill was unanimously given a second reading by members after it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara. (NAN)

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It is the role of governments regulatory agencies to act as catalysts of beneficial change and to take responsibility for facilitating businesses in the country, according to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

We must see ourselves as agents of some catalytic change, we must take some responsibility to make profound changes possible, Mr. Osinbajo told regulatory agencies today during a follow-up meeting with the Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, medium & small scale business owners from the state and some Federal Government regulatory agencies.

The acting president had visited Aba to flag-off the Presidencys MSMES Clinics where medium & small scale businesses are brought together in one spot with Federal Government regulatory agencies they interface with.

At the meeting, also attended by the Industry, Trade & Investment Minister, Okey Enelamah, and the Minister of State in the ministry, Aisha Abubakar, the acting president directed both the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration & Control, NAFDAC, and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, to ascertain specific timelines within which they would be able to grant licenses and approvals required of them by Nigerians and business interests.

The Director-General of SON, Aboloma Osita, who attended the meeting announced that within 60 days the agency will issue required approvals, while the Acting Director-General of NAFDAC, Yetunde Oni, said within 90 days the agency will issue required licenses.

Both officials said the timing starts from the day the requests are submitted.

According to the Acting President, regulatory agencies like NAFDAC and SON would be judged by how many people, businesses they are able to support to achieve the greatest public good.

He commended the Abia State Governor for his drive, adding that Made in Aba products are now acquiring a mark of quality.

Like I said during my visit to Aba, you cant have any serious kind of industrialization in this country, without a focus on Aba, the acting president said.

Also today, Mr. Osinbajo met with the Governors of Cross Rivers, Ben Ayade; Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel, and Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, alongside top officials of the National Boundary Commission, led by the Director-General, Muhammad Ahmad, to review updates on boundary and boundary demarcation issues.

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The Federal Government on Monday evacuated 41 Nigerian girls who were trafficked to Mali for forced labour and sexual exploitation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that six persons, alleged to be human traffickers, were also arrested and brought back to the country alongside their victims.

A Hercules C-130 military aircraft conveying the returnees landed at 7:45 p.m. at the Airforce wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

They were brought back by the Nigeria Air Force in collaboration with the Office of President Muhammadu Buharis Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

They were received at the Hajj Camp area of the airport by officers of the NAPTIP and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

Addressing journalists, the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended the Chief Of Defence Staff for facilitating the return of the victims to the country.

We want to thank the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, for making the return of the girls possible, otherwise they would have still been there.

The girls came back voluntarily. Some of these girls are between 15 and 17 years old who thought they were being taken to Europe for greener pastures but ended up with traumatic experiences in the hands of their traffickers and their madam.

So they should not be ashamed of themselves because they are victims. We are going to rehabilitate them through skills acquisition programmes. I am therefore calling on non-governmental organisations to join us in this regard, she said.

Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa advised Nigerian parents to watch their children carefully and ensure that they dont succumb to peer pressure and other activities that could exposed them to traffickers.

She confirmed that six of the alleged traffickers, who were arrested and brought back to the country, would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.

According to her, the Buhari administration remains committed to the welfare of Nigerians all over the world, hence this intervention.

Also speaking, Joseph Famakinwa, Zonal Commander, NAPTIP, South-West Zone, said 512 victims were returned to the zone in 2016.

Mr. Famakinwa said Nigerians needed to go back to the basics of bringing up their children uprightly and discouraging the get rich quick syndrome.

He said poverty was not solely responsible for the increase in the human trafficking, stressing that other factors such as negligence, peer pressure and greed were also responsible.

Once the girls have been rescued, we take them to our shelter houses where they are received by trained counselors who assist them in overcoming their trauma.

After counseling, for those who dont want to go back to school, we give them a vocational training of their choice and also assist them to set up their businesses.

We also meet with their families to let them know that being victims of human trafficking is not the end of the world and advised them on how to render support to the girls, Mr. Famakinwa said.

He said NAPTIP would reveal the identities of the suspected traffickers in due course and ensure that they are brought to justice.

(NAN)

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A Turkish airline TK0626 flight from Lagos to Istanbul scheduled for Monday was cancelled as passengers refused to travel due to the planes faulty air conditioning system.

The passengers had already boarded and were set to take off when they realised the problem with the cooling system.

The pilot and crew of the flight, however, insisted on flying, PREMIUM TIMES learnt.

Richard Olatunji, one of the passengers on board, said the plane was taxing at about 1:30 a.m. when the faulty air conditioner was discovered.

Here is hot and the crew is insisting on flying despite our protest. In fact one of the passengers has fainted and the crew was doing resuscitation on her in the plane and still insisted on flying. The pilot even said if we came down then we forfeit our money, Mr. Olatunji told PREMIUM TIMES at about 1:30 a.m.

Our clothes were drenched, they were working on the plane with us inside for about two hours and they said they have to close the door of the air craft to test if it was working or not and there was child in the plane.

The air craft we boarded was nothing near cold, it was very hot when we came in which ought not to be so, that means they knew beforehand that there was something wrong with the plane, he said.

The delayed flight which was meant to leave the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, at around 10:45 p.m. was eventually cancelled when the passengers started protesting on board.

The reporter could hear noise of the protesting passengers as at the time of the call.

The Nigerian manager in charge of the Turkish Airline flight later addressed the passengers after they returned to the airport.

He admitted that the management knew the air conditioning system was faulty and had gotten technicians to carry out repairs.

He said the pilot and crew only wanted to test run the plane with the passengers in it and had no intention of flying. He said there would have been no problem if the plane had flown because the fault was not a mechanical one.

The passengers were later transported to the Golden Tulip hotel in Festac at about 4 a.m.by the airline.

They were yet to get any feedback from the airline at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

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Sani Usman, the spokesman for the Nigerian Army, came calling at PREMIUM TIMES head office in Abuja Monday to interact with editors of the newspaper and make the case for an expanded and cordial army-media relationship in the country.

The visit was aimed at normalizing the relationship between the military and the investigative platform after weeks of tension between the two parties.

Mr. Usman, a brigadier general, who was welcomed by Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher and CEO of PREMIUM TIMES, said he was particularly proud of the newspapers unique professionalism and ethical conduct which he said defined it and gave it a place of honour within the nations media ecosystem.

I am very proud of the fact that PREMIUM TIMES does not accept brown envelope, Mr. Usman said.

Welcoming Mr. Usman, Mr. Olorunyomi said frequent interface between the Army and the media, especially PREMIUM TIMES, would engender a better relationship among the two organisations, and the broader Nigerian society.

Engagement and access are highly essential to the work we both do, but more importantly to the development and deepening of our democracy which the two institutions have a constitutional mandate to promote, Mr. Olorunyomi said.

In his response, Mr. Usman said he was highly impressed by the human resources available at PREMIUM TIMES.

The visit came two months after the Nigerian Army wrote to PREMIUM TIMES to demand retraction and apology for some of the stories published by the paper.

After the paper wrote back to reject the Armys demand, a team of police officers stormed its offices in Abuja, arresting Mr. Olorunyomi and Evelyn Okakwu, a judiciary correspondent.

The journalists were released on the same day and the matter was resolved by the police the next day. No charges were filed.

In his reaction to those developments and several other issues of contention between the two parties, Mr. Usman said his visit was to turn a new leaf in the relationship and communication management between PREMIUM TIMES journalists and the military authorities.

Army Spokesperson, Brigadier-General Sani Usman with PREMIUM TIMES Publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi and Editor-in-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed

He blamed past disagreements on communication gap and described it as an unfortunate situation.

In his reaction, Musikilu Mojeed, the Editor-in-Chief, said PREMIUM TIMES greatly appreciates the efforts of the Nigerian Army in fostering peace and unity in a diverse entity like Nigeria amidst unprecedented security challenges.

At no time in our history has the Nigerian Army faced an unconventional war of this magnitude, Mr. Mojeed said of the threat posed by Boko Haram. If theres no peace and security, PREMIUM TIMES, as indeed most businesses in this country will not have a conducive atmosphere to operate.

Mr. Mojeed, however, noted that PREMIUM TIMES had done a lot to project the image of Nigerian Army as a capable and professional organisation.

He urged the leadership of the Army, and indeed the entire military, to understand that PREMIUM TIMES would never abandon its responsibility of holding officials accountable and advocating for good treatment for our troops.

Once we understand each others constitutional roles, and responsibilities to society, there will be little or no conflict, Mr. Mojeed said.

Mr. Usman concluded by saying that the Nigerian Army has never been this transparent with information and urged PREMIUM TIMES to be more considerate in its reportage.

PREMIUM TIMES is a credible medium and whatever you publish will be taken as gospel truth by many, he said.

For this reason, he urged editors of the paper to show understanding and exercise restraint while reporting sensitive operational challenges of the army.

The Managing Editor, Idris Akinbajo, and Assistant Managing Editors Ini Ekott and Bisi Abidoye, were also present at the meeting. So also were the papers Deputy Head, Digital Strategy and Technology, Richard Akinwumi, and Head, Innovation and Knowledge, Joshua Olufemi.

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The United Nations Rapporteur on the human rights to water and sanitation on Monday raised serious concerns about the newly passed Lagos State Environmental Bill that criminalises sourcing water from natural sources.

Leo Heller criticised the state government for failing to provide adequate access to drinking water, and then criminalising or imposing fines for fetching water from lakes, rivers, or any other natural sources.

Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council.

Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Councils independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world.

The government is taking a step too far by imposing fines of the equivalent of $310 on ordinary individuals fetching water for survival, when the minimum wage stands at approximately $60, said Mr. Heller.

The comment from the UN expert comes after the Lagos State House of Assembly passed the Lagos Environment Bill on February 20.

The Bill includes specific provisions that criminalise the sourcing of water from natural sources if conducted without the approval from the authorities.

Last week, a coalition of civil society groups, grassroots campaigners, and water unionists vowed to resist the Bill if signed into law by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Mr. Heller said legal measures by the government to regulate access to water are an important step to ensure that drinking water is safe.

However, when only 10 per cent of the population are connected to piped networks and the rest of the population rely on natural water sources for drinking water, a blanket prohibition of accessing natural water is not the way forward.

Mr. Heller urged the government to reconsider the Bill and to conduct a proper and meaningful public consultation with all relevant stakeholders.

The UN Rapporteur said he sent a letter to the Nigerian government on 4 July, 2016, to request for clarification about the water and sanitation situation in Lagos but got no response.

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A Boko Haram suspect who escaped from the custody of the State Security Service, SSS, has been rearrested.

Muktar Suleiman and others still at large escaped from SSS (also called DSS) custody in 2015, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

A Lokoja Chief Magistrates Court on Tuesday ordered that Mr. Suleiman be remanded in prison custody.

The Chief Magistrate, Levi Animoku, who gave the order, described the charges preferred against the accused as horrifying and grievous.

Culpable homicide is the highest crime in our legal system.

Section 341(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) simpliciter, precludes a court from granting bail to a person accused of such offence.

Consequently, the accused shall be remanded at the Federal Prisons, Koton-Karfe and the case is adjourned till March 16, for mention, he ruled.

The prosecuting counsel, Mohammed Abaji, in his application for the remand of the accused, urged the court to take cognisance of the charges preferred against him.

Mr. Abaji, a counsel in the Ministry of Justice, said the accused was arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and belonging to a gang of brigands.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 97(1), 221, 305 of the Penal Code and Section 4 of the Terrorism [Prevention][Amendment] Act 2013.

Mr. Abaji told the court that Mr. Suleiman and one other currently at large, members of the outlawed Boko Haram, escaped from custody of the SSS with the aid of other members of the group in 2015.

The escapees, according to Mr. Abaji, killed a police officer and a fellow inmate during their escape.

He said that investigations revealed that they fled to places in Yobe, Zaria and Kano for further training about three months ago.

The prosecutor said that investigations revealed that the accused and others after their training came to Otukpo in Benue, as well as Ankpa, Idah,and Anyigba in Kogi on recruitment drive.

Mr. Abaji also told the court that the accused and his group were planning to launch attacks on specific places in Ankpa and Anyigba before he was arrested.

He urged the court to adjourn the case for mention to allow for completion of investigations into the matter.

About 100,000 people have been killed in Northern Nigeria since the Boko Haram crisis started in 2009.

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A Medview Airline flight from Lagos to Yola was on Tuesday aborted after the pilot observed a fault in the aircrafts cooling system while preparing for take-off.

Obuke Oyibhota, media consultant to Medview Airline, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Mr. Oyibhota said the aircraft, carrying over 100 persons, was still taxiing at the runway of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, when the fault was observed.

The incident happened around midday. The aircraft did not make an air return. The plane was taxiing when the Captain in charge noticed that the cabin was hot.

If he had taken off, it could have stabilised the cooling system but as a precautionary measure, he taxied back to base.

That was what happened and nobody was hurt. The said aircraft is on ground and our team of engineers are examining the aircraft to ascertain what led to it, he said.

According to him, the passengers disembarked and were transferred to another aircraft to continue their journey to Yola en route Abuja.

Mr. Oyibhota said Medview Airline remains committed to the safety and comfort of its passengers.

He added that the action of the pilot was in accordance with the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

A passenger on the airplane, Oladejo Olowu, told PREMIUM TIMES that affected passengers had been lodged in a hotel in Lagos.

He said passengers travelling to Abuja were scheduled to join another flight by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, while a new flight was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday for those travelling to Yola.

Mr. Olowu, a professor, said passengers had suspected that the plane, with flight number VL 2102, was faulty before takeoff.

They were assured by the pilot and the crew that all was well, the passenger said, adding that the plane had to return to the Lagos Airport due to the problem few minutes after take-off.

The Medview incident happened a day after a Boeing 737 aircraft belonging to Air Peace on Monday suffered a burst tyre while preparing for take-off at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

The incident forced the pilot to abort the flight which was to convey 105 passengers from Lagos to Abuja.

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Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has again rekindled the no love lost between him and former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, declaring that the latter erred when he asserted that his generation had failed Nigeria.

The governor said Mr. Obasanjo should speak for himself because a good number in his generation were shining lights for Nigerians.

Mr. Obasanjo, who spoke at a trade seminar organised by the Kaduna State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), on Monday, had stated that his generation had failed Nigeria in not being able to develop its economy as other nations had done.

He had however stated that his generation of leaders made up for their failure in ensuring a stable and united country under a democracy.

The former president also identified the problem of leadership as one of the major factors militating against the growth of the nations economy and the country.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, Mr. Fayose accused Mr. Obasanjo of attempting to distract and discourage Nigerians from squarely facing up to the task of fixing the economy and building Nigeria into a strong and virile nation.

He described the statement by Mr. Obasanjo as sanctimonious, misleading, self-serving and discomfiting saying it was not what the country needed at this time of economic recession.

There is much suffering in the land. The people are hungry. Yet, one of those responsible for this unsavoury state of affairs relishes in adding insult to the peoples injury. He makes statements that are not only reckless but also untrue, the governor said.

According to Mr. Fayose, rather than generalise, Obasanjo should speak for himself.

Obasanjo, truly, has failed this country many times over but not all members of his generation failed this country, he submitted.

There are shinning lights in that generation that have served the nation well.

How about Emeka Anyaoku, Wole Soyinka, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Prof. Ayodele Awojobi? The list is endless and they are to be found in all the nooks and crannies of this country who belong in the same generation as Obasanjo and who have done this country proud.

Mr. Fayose further said that Mr. Obasanjo wasted all the golden opportunities that he had to make this country great, first as a military Head of State and later as a two-term civilian president.

It is too late in the day for him to now cry over other countries that have passed Nigeria by. This is mere crocodile tears when we realise that no other Nigerian leader had the opportunities that Obasanjo had to make this country great but he bungled them all, the governor said.

He should speak for himself and not rope his entire generation into his misadventure in governance. Here is a man who neither recognised nor encouraged any star except himself.

He must shoot them down or disparage them. For him, Obafemi Awolowo was not patriotic; MKO Abiola was not the messiah Nigeria needed; Tinubu was a rascal; Jonathan was not good; and President Muhammadu Buhari did not understand economics.

Only Obasanjo is good. Only Obasanjo fought and won the civil war. Only Obasanjo understands everything  from economics to military to foreign affairs.

He accused Mr. Obasamjo of laying the foundation of corruption through his ill-fated third term bid, adding that billions of naira were used to bribe members of the National Assembly.

Obasanjo should give us a break. There is no denying the fact that he failed the country. The least he can now do is leave us alone to clear the peculiar mess he and others of his ilk got this country into, he said.

Let him retire into obscurity; fade away from the limelight; and allow us our peace and serenity.

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A chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Gombe State, Dahiru Kera, has said those criticising the outcome of Saturdays local government elections in the state are sore losers.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the PDP won all the 11 local government chairmanship and 114 councillorship seats in the election. However, many persons, especially those in the opposition APC, said no election took place in the councils.

Mr. Kera, who served as chairman of the media and publicity committee of Governor Ibrahim Dankwambos campaign organisation in the 2015 general elections, said those complaining are simply being selfish.

In a chat with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday in Abuja, Mr. Kera said the APC should simply accept their fate, just like the PDP does in APC controlled states.

He said Saturdays election was free, fair, and transparent throughout the state.

He alleged that APC members are known to find it difficult to concede defeat.

APC seems not to be familiar with how politics is being played without bitterness and much rancour

Last year, Adamawa State had local government elections and APC swept all the 21 local government chairmanship seats in the state and there wasnt any outcry by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, being the major opposition party in the state.

Also, elections were held recently in Yobe State under APCs leadership and they have won all the seats in the state, yet PDP did not call for the cancellation of such results.

It is therefore, myopic and laughable that when Taraba and Gombe States both under the PDP, held local government election in their respective states, the APC were crying foul, he said.

The elected council officials were on Tuesday sworn in by Governor Dankwambo.

Mr. Dankwambo congratulated the newly elected chairmen and charged them to be committed in discharging their responsibilities.

According to him, the chairmen were elected in conformity with Section 79 (3) and (4) of the State Independent Electoral Commission law.

He charged them to maintain the tempo exhibited by their predecessors in the execution of projects, especially joint capital projects in order to improve the living standards of residents.

Similarly, they should make efforts to improve on internally generated revenue by plugging all loop-holes as well as identifying new revenue sources.

This will reduce over dependence on statutory grants from the Federation Account.

As agents at the grassroots, you are expected to evolve constructive ideas for the development and transformation of our local government areas, he said.

The governor also advised the chairmen to extend genuine hands of reconciliation to all those who contested and lost in the elections regardless of party affiliations.

Faruk Dankuka, the Chairman of Billiri Local Government Area, on behalf of the other chairmen, thanked residents and pledged they would all work hard in their councils.

He expressed gratitude to state government for conducting a successful and peaceful election in the state.

He added that the chairmen would not betray any person in the course of discharging their responsibilities.

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President Muhammadu Buharis wife, Aisha, has commenced the construction of Aisha Buhari Foundation Orphanage and School in Maiduguri.

The foundation of the project was laid by the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Usman Dirkwa, on Tuesday, a statement by office of the first lady said.

The institution is expected to provide basic necessities of life for orphans, in order to afford them a chance to grow up into normal adulthood; it will provide shelter, educational and health facilities as well as income generating activities.

Mrs. Buhari, who was represented at the event by Senior Special Assistant to the President, Hajo Sani, has consistently called for more humanitarian action in the North East, matching her words with action with the commencement of the project.

This project is borne out of my passion of improving the living condition of victims of conflicts and other humanitarian crises, particularly, children, she said.

Deputy Governor of Borno State, Mr. Dirkwa, appreciated the commitment of Mrs. Buhari and prayed God to strengthen her. He also promised that Borno state will continue to provide an enabling environment for humanitarian organizations to operate.

Mrs. Buhari also spoke glowingly of the people of Borno state, whose resilience, spirit of brotherhood and a high sense of neighbourliness has considerably reduced the impact of the displacement on the IDPs; she said this was worthy of emulation by not only Nigerians but by the whole of humanity.

On their part, two young IDPs were full of praises for Mrs. Buhari, who they see as a champion and a vanguard.

She has done a lot for the IDPs. She has been at the forefront of assisting us and reminding others to do the same. Today, water and food are no longer challenges at the IDP camps, said a young IDP.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned ruling in an application seeking to amend an originating summon pleading for the removal of Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State from office.

The application filed by Umaru Dahiru was on accounts that the primary election of the All Progressives Congress, APC, that produced Mr. Tambuwal for the 2015 governorship election was not validly conducted.

The counsel to Mr. Dahiru, Ikoro I. Ikoro, argued and sought to amend the originating summon filed against the APC, Mr. Tambuwal and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, before the April 11, 2015 governorship election.

In the amendment, Mr. Dahiru, a former senator, is now praying the court to remove Tambuwal from office and declare him as the winner of the December 2014 APC Primary Election.

He also asked the court for an order compelling INEC to withdraw the certificate of return issued to the governor and present it to him on the grounds that he was the lawfully elected candidate of the APC at the primary election.

The senator also sought an order nullifying the nomination of Mr. Tambuwal by APC for the 2015 governorship election and replace him as the properly nominated APC candidate to INEC for the 2015 governorship election.

However, in his objection to the application, the counsel to APC, Jubrin Okutepa, asked the court to dismiss the request for the amendment.

He said his objection was on grounds that it is not in compliance with the Supreme Court Judgment of December 9, 2016, which ordered a retrial of the plaintiffs case.

Mr. Okutepa argued that the applicant (Mr. Dahiru) had changed the character and direction of his earlier originating summon.

He also said that the applicant sought to amend the originating summon because of his sudden discovery that event had overtaken the initial originating summon.

The counsel added that any attempt to allow the amendment will amount to an affront to the Supreme Court Judgment of December last year.

Mr. Okutepa further argued that the applicant was not consistent in the reliefs being sought in the proposed amendment; as in the originating summon, the applicant had asked the court to nullify the APC primary election.

He said this was on grounds that it was unlawfully conducted and that the same applicant cannot seek to be declared winner of the said unlawfully conducted primary election.

The counsel therefore urged the court to refuse the amendment and allow hearing in the initial originating summon as directed by the Supreme Court.

The counsel to Mr. Tambuwal, Sunday Ameh, aligned himself with the submission of the APC and urged the court to hold that the amendment being sought by the governorship aspirant is unmeritorious.

The counsel insisted that it is too late in the day for the applicant to seek the relief after the governorship election had been conducted, adding that the proper place for the applicant to ventilate his anger is the election petition tribunal.

Mr. Ameh also submitted that the applicant cannot even go to any election petition tribunal because the 21 day required by law under which a petition can be filed to challenge the election of any declared winner had lapsed since 2015.

He also prayed the court to refuse the temptation of turning itself to an election petition tribunal as there is no law for such an action.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole after taking arguments from both parties fixed March 10 to give ruling on whether to allow or refuse the proposed amendment sought by the former governorship aspirant.

(NAN)

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Three communities in Ebonyi and Enugu states whose land was acquired by the Federal Government to build a dam seven years ago have protested the non-payment of compensation to them.

The communities are Ishiagu in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi, and Ukey and Okpanku in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu.

The communities said they have been thrown into suffering by the loss of the farmlands.

According to them, the construction of the dam caused artificial flooding of their respective communities and farmlands last year and destroyed crops and other properties worth millions of naira.

They spoke when the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Kazaure, paid an inspection visit to the dam site on Tuesday.

The multi-purpose dam is being built over the Ivo River for irrigation, water supply and power generation.

In a welcome address by Ukey Autonomous Community presented by Nwagbara Patrick, the community said they were in support of the construction of the dam but called for adequate compensation to people who lost crops, land and other properties.

It is imperative to bring to your notice that the enumerated crops have not been paid for, we solicit for your intervention in this regard, he said.

This land acquired by the Federal Government for this project is the communities major source of livelihood and since it has been taken away, they have nothing to sustain themselves again. We appeal to you to come to their aid by paying some amount to individuals or community monthly.

The community is also using this platform to bring to your notice that many buildings along the road leading to the dam were destroyed without compensation. We therefore appeal to you to intervene on the matter.

The community is requesting for a standard hospital due to the possible outbreak of different diseases as a result of siting the dam.

Uchenna Orji, who spoke on behalf of Ishiagu community, called for adequate compensation for the people promising that the community will be peaceful in their agitation for their rights.

Stating that the community was not consulted before the siting of the dam, Mr. Orji called for an environmental impact assessment to be carried out in the area before moving forward with the construction of the dam.

Julius Aja, President General of Okpanku Community Town Union said over 100,000 persons from his community were affected.

He called for the construction of a bridge to enable the villagers access their farmlands which have been cut off by the artificial flooding caused by the dam.

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The Nigerian Senate has directed its Committees on Environment, Petroleum and Downstream to visit the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt, and assess the level of air pollution in the city.

Residents of the city and its environs have been living under the threat of air pollution since black carbon took over the atmosphere early February.

Although the source(s) of the emission was yet to be identified, many believe that it may have come from oil exploration or construction activities in the state.

The issue, which was debated upon during the Senate plenary on Tuesday, was brought up through a motion by George Sekibo (Rivers East, PDP).

Senate is concerned that residents of Rivers State have noticed logs of these sooty particulates settling in their nasal tracts, the senate said.

These sooty particulates also drop on water bodies, farmlands and what is left under the sky, which may be detrimental to human health.

Apart from its planned visit to Port Harcourt, the Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, to investigate the soot in the state and its environs.

The Senate criticised NOSDRA for not living up to expectation, and noted that land, water, and air pollution in the country occurred mainly through the activities of the multinational companies.

The upper chambers said that environmental audit has never been carried out in the past 60 years since the beginning of oil exploration activities in the state and other parts of the Niger Delta.

It accordingly invited the Ministry of Environment and the director general of NOSDRA to brief the Senate after a preliminary assessment of the situation in the state.

The Senate also resolved to urge President Muhammadu Buhari to see the carbon emission as an impending danger not only to the Rivers environment but also to the neighbouring states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Abia, Imo and beyond.

The Rivers State government has been battling to contend the air pollution in the state.

The government on February 11, through a committee it set up to investigate the pollution, sealed a Chinese company operating in the state and two other companies for aggravated air pollution, and breach of environmental laws in the state.

The state governor, Nyesom Wike, on February 24 ordered the arrest of 15 mechanics caught burning used tires and discarded oil in Port Harcourt.

Mr. Wike said nobody would be allowed to endanger the lives of the people of the state through harmful environmental practices.

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The Lagos State Government on Tuesday assured farmers in the state, especially in the Epe axis, of adequate measures to protect them against incessant kidnappings, just as it vowed to pursue vigorously and sustain the renewed enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycles popularly called Okada plying restricted routes.

Rising from the monthly Security Council Meeting chaired by the State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, the state government assured residents and investors of commitment to their security and well-being, adding that no stone would be left unturned towards protecting the people.

Kidnappings had become a recurrent incident recently in Lagos, with at least a dozen people abducted in the last four months.

Last week, two dredgers were abducted in the Ibeju-Lekki area of the state.

The abduction came about three months after the kidnap of four school children and their teacher at Government Model College, Igbonla, Epe.

After the Security Council meeting on Tuesday, the States Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who briefed journalists said the Council reviewed the security situation in the state in the last one month and resolved to redouble efforts where necessary.

And the conclusion we reached is that it has been relatively calm here and where we need to do more of interventions with the view to doubling our efforts. We have identified those areas and the commitment from the Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, remains unwavering and that every efforts that would secure Lagos and make business and commercial activities to be carried out without let or hindrance will be done.

The Council also reviewed the operation on the total enforcement of Okada ban and it was agreed that the renewed efforts toward enforcing the law with regards to the operation of commercial motorcycles and tricycles in the state will be sustained in view of the threat to security that we have witnessed in the past.

There is a renewed commitment; we will sustain it and ensure that the State Traffic Law is effectively enforced, Mr. Owoseni said.

On kidnapping of farmers in Epe axis, the police boss said though it was impossible to completely eradicate crime, the state government was working round the clock to ensure the safety of the farmers.

He revealed that the governor recently led top security operatives and government officials to the axis to ascertain the state of affairs and personally assured the farmers of the commitment of the state government to ensure they carry out their farming activities without let or hindrance.

Yes, I can tell you that so many commitments have been made. His Excellency the Governor about two weeks ago led Security Council members to Epe where so many commitments were made and some of the measures and strategies being put in place to check this menace.

I want to assure the people within that axis that the commitment of the state government to their security is unwavering and we can assure them that they will be able to do what they are doing to earn their livelihood without fears of molestation or threat of being attacked.

We have so many plans and I think that we are not supposed to reveal much about our strategies for now because it is a cat and mouse thing but most importantly is the commitment of everyone to the fight against crime. On the part of the state government, I can assure the people that the commitment is unwavering, Mr. Owoseni said.

The police commissioner, who addressed the briefing alongside heads of security formations in the state, however urged the people to continue to support and partner with security agencies.

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Taipei, Feb. 28 (CNA) Speaking on behalf of victims' families at an event to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the 228 Incident in Tainan on Tuesday, Wang Ke-shao (), son of a victim of the incident, said what the families want is the truth and rehabilitation of their loved ones' reputations.
Atlantic County

WATERCOLOR CLASS: 2 to 4:30 p.m. March 5; beginners welcome; taught by Stephanie Segal Miller; bring supplies or use those provided for $5; Noyes Arts Garage, 2200 Fairmount Ave., Atlantic City; $30. 609-626-3805 or StephanieSegal.com.

MUTE THINGS EXHIBIT: noon to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. Sundays, through March 22; closed March 11 through 19; 2:30 p.m. March 2 gallery talk; features Philadelphia artists Rebecca Saylor Sack and Cindy Stockton Moore; Art Gallery, Stockton University, Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Township, free. 609-652-4566 or Stockton.edu/ArtGallery.

METAMORPHIS: THE HUMAN STORIES: exhibited through March; 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. March 3, opening reception; exhibition of works by college students around the world; addresses the current refugee crisis; Ocean City Arts Center, 1735 Simpson Ave., Ocean City. 609-399-7628.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH ART DISPLAY: exhibited through March 5; Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future; Milton & Betty Katz JCC, 501 N. Jerome Ave., Margate. 609-992-3353 or JCCAtlantic.org.

FROM THE PAGE  BOOK ART: exhibited through March 11; varied styles of book illustrations including wood engravings, paintings, and drawings by award winning and emerging artists; Art Gallery, Spangler Library, Atlantic Cape Community College, 5100 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing. 609-625-1111 or Atlantic.edu/ArtGal.

FROM THE PAGE  BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS: exhibited through March 11; features various styles of book illustrations including wood engravings, paintings, and drawings; Art Gallery, Splanger Library, Atlantic Cape Community College, 5100 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing. 609-625-1111 or Atlantic.edu/ArtGal.

JUST DESSERTS: exhibited through March 17; Nashville North Studios, 210 New Road, Suite 8, Linwood Greene, Linwood, free. 609-504-5044 or NashvilleNorthStudios.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GLYNNIS REED: exhibited through April 2; That Shadow My Likeness; artist Glynnis Reed presents women in harmony with and in contrast to the natural landscape; 1 to 2:30 p.m. March 26 panel discussion; The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University, 2200 Fairmount Avenue, Atlantic City. 609-626-3420 or ArtsGarageAC.com.

RAW 2017: JURIED PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION: exhibited through May 1; showcases the work of 20 talented photographers selected by jury from throughout the state of New Jersey; The Noyes Gallery at Stocktons Kramer Hall, 30 Front St., Hammonton. 609-626-3420 or NoyesMuseum.org.

Cape May County

ART WORKSHOP  FELTED GREETING CARD: 10 a.m. to noon March 6; with art instructor Paige Cunningham; create felted greeting cards; beginner class; Public Library, 235 32nd St., Avalon, registration required. 609-967-5900, ext. 3157 or AvalonFreeLibrary.org.

LEARNING TO SEE: A DRAWING WORKSHOP: 1 to 4 p.m. Thursdays through March 23; call for supplies list; Public Library, 9516 Second Ave., Stone Harbor. 609-463-6386 or CMCLibrary.org.

ART PARTY CLASSES: two-hour paint lessons, led by teacher Juliana Jost, create your own artistic reproduction; 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays adult classes, $35; 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays Mommy & Me and Daddy & Me classes for kids, $40; 106 S. Decatur St., Cape May. 609-364-5304.

Cumberland County

INSPIRED BRUSHSTROKES EXHIBIT: exhibited through March; works by local artists, all students of award winning artist and teacher Marie Natale; 2 to 4 p.m. March 4, opening reception; Public Library, 1058 E. Landis Ave., Vineland. 856-794-4244 or VinelandLibrary.org.

Ocean County

GETTING DIRTY IN THE CERAMICS STUDIO: 7 to 9 p.m. first Friday of each month, BYOB, instructor Kerith Creo walks participants through a few introductory projects, LBI Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, 120 Long Beach Blvd., Loveladies, $45. 609-494-1241.

View complete listings at AtTheShoreOnline.com

Items for Artsy Attractions should be sent two weeks in advance to pdollak@pressofac.com or mailed to Pamela Dollak, The Press of Atlantic City, 1000 W. Washington Ave., Pleasantville, N.J. 08232.
MAYS LANDING  Victor Dompierre always knew he wasnt college material.

I was always a hands-on person, said Dompierre, owner of an interior design firm in Upper Township that bears his name. After graduating from a vocational school in Massachusetts, he worked as a graphic artist, then a costume designer at the Showboat casino hotel for 13 years, before eventually starting his own interior design business.

My journey from where I started to where I am now is very different, he told students at Atlantic County Institute of Technology Tuesday. You dont always know where your path will take you, but keep an open mind.

Dompierre brought a pile of donated fabric and his personal story to Career and Technical Education Day at ACIT, where he and other professionals shared their stories.

For some, the message was there are jobs for students with skills that dont require a college degree. Its a message often drowned out by the focus on going to college.

At a recent workshop on higher education, Neal McCluskey, director of the Cato Institutes Center for Educational Freedom, questioned the value of proposals to make college free. He said promoting college for everyone does not address what skills people actually need to do a job, or the fact that there are good jobs that require training, but not a college degree.

Kristen Schaffer, supervisor of Career and Technical Education at ACIT, said while the school trains students for jobs, they must also teach them the soft skills of how to get and keep those jobs. Networking with professionals and internships help students make those connections.

Brandon Santos, 19, of Pleasantville, just graduated from ACIT in June and is working at Walker Automotive. He lives just down the street and first contacted the company over a spring break to spend a day job shadowing. He did a summer internship, got a good review, and had a job when he graduated.

I got ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified while I was here, he said of ACIT.

He advised students to not be afraid to ask questions and to have a good work ethic.

I ask questions all the time, he said. And work hard. Thats what people want to see.

Zachary Friedman, 27, of Egg Harbor Township, said he went to Universal Technical Institute after graduating from ACIT and realized he had already learned almost everything at ACIT that was taught at UTI.

Just pay attention in school and keep a good attitude, he said. Getting the experience is the best way to learn.

Automotive instructor Curt Silver said many juniors are intimidated about going out and knocking on doors to get jobs or internships.

Were bringing the businesses in to them to make it less intimidating, he said.

For those going on to college, the ACIT program gave them a head start. Ashley Vassallo, 18, of Folsom, graduated in June and is now attending the Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College with a major in pastry and baking. Shes hoping for a career in food science, research and development.

I came in so prepared and had a lot of credits that transferred, she said. I got the building blocks here and it was an easier transition. When I look back, I appreciate it even more.

Kelly McPherson-Hoey, admissions director at ACIT, said they have an Advisory Board meeting April 6, when almost 100 employers and school staff will meet to share how to make sure graduates are ready to become employees.

We want to be able to keep up with the industries so our students can graduate with the skills employers want, she said.

Dompierre said students should be prepared for the unexpected, network with professionals and be open to new opportunities.

He recalled being told he would lose his job at Showboat , and being in shock for about a week. Then he went to a two-week program to learn how to make custom-made window treatments and never looked back.

Pay attention and learn from everyone around you, he said. I started working out of my home and now I have a building and a partner and employees.
Despite meetings, hearings and legislative angst, it appears New Jerseys school districts will likely get flat state funding for yet another year under an FY2018 budget proposed by Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday.

But Christie challenged the state Legislature to come up with an improved school funding formula within 100 days. If not, he said, he would fix it himself, leaving open the chance some state aid could change, an option that might not be welcome after districts finalize their 2017-18 budgets.

No idea is out of bounds for discussion, Christie told the Legislature. I want to act with you. But, if forced, I will act alone. But it will be fixed before I leave this town.

The proposed budget document states all school districts will receive at least the same funding next year. The budget calls for $13.8 billion in school aid, almost 40 percent of the total state budget, up from $13.2 billion last year.

Hammonton, EHT, testify at school funding hearing Local school officials are making the rounds of school funding hearings as the state Legisla

But most of the increase, almost $487 million, will go to the underfunded teachers pension and post-retirement medical funds.

Actual direct aid to school districts will increase just $16 million, to $9.2 billion, with most of the increase going to debt service aid for construction projects. School choice aid will increase $1.3 million to $55 million.

In his budget address, Christie again promoted his own fairness formula, which would provide the same amount of aid to every student no matter where they live. But, he said, he would compromise and work with the Legislature to develop a new formula.

Legislators said they are ready, but both Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto and Senate President Stephen Sweeney said the current school funding formula is not a disaster as Christie called it, it just needs to be tweaked and properly implemented. Both have been holding public hearings and meetings on funding revisions.

Supreme Court won't reopen school funding case for Christie The New Jersey Su-preme Court has refused to reopen the Abbott vs. Burke school-funding case

Sweeney cited underfunded special education and years of flat funding without using the formula that has resulted in some overfunded and some underfunded districts.

Sweeney did not rule out having some changes take effect next year. But, he said, any new agreement would be phased in, likely over five years, so districts would have time to adjust.

The state Department of Education has 48 hours to provide school districts with their specific aid numbers so they can begin finalizing 2017-18 budgets.

Education advocates said flat funding for another year will hurt districts.

Flat funding under the 2 percent tax-levy cap exacerbates the financial difficulties which school districts have been wrestling with the past seven years, said Richard Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators. This puts greater pressure on legislators to speed up their review and revision of the current school funding law.

New Jersey Education Association President Wendell Steinhauer lambasted the school-funding plan.

Egg Harbor Township won't have full-day kindergarten next year EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP  The local school district will not offer full-day kindergarten in September.

For the eighth year in a row, Christie has ignored New Jerseys school-funding law, which is a national model for responsible, progressive school funding, he said in a statement. His attempt to demonize the formula itself, when he has never funded it or allowed it to work, is typical of his strategy of casting blame wherever he can to distract from his abject failures.
Dear Abby: I have always tried to be a compassionate person. I have experienced a lot of abuse, and Im sensitive to others who go through it. A man across the street from me has been arrested three times in the last six months for domestic abuse. I rarely see a woman there, so I dont know if the victim is a woman or a child. I moved into the neighborhood only six months ago. My elderly mother lives here with me.

Im torn about what to do. My heart says I should reach out to the people who live there and make friends with them. My head says stay out of their business because I dont need the drama.

How do we as a society not turn a blind eye to abuse in our neighborhoods and still protect ourselves and loved ones? I dont want to put my mother or myself in jeopardy, but I dont want the person/people in that house to think they are alone.  No More in Texas

Dear No More: While I applaud you for being so caring, for your own safety, I caution you to proceed very slowly in getting to know these people. Some communities provide anonymous tip lines so citizens can report a crime without endangering themselves or their families. The best thing you can do is to keep your eyes open and if something is happening, call the police and report it. If it involves a child, contact child protective services.

Dear Abby: My parents and I were always close. However, recently they stole my debit card, my PIN and child support check. They forged my signature and spent the entire check, which was more than $1,000.

I am always lending them money. I have never said no when they needed it. To top it off, they lied to me about the check for an entire month. I only found out when I turned the fraud in to the bank and heard it was my parents who had committed it.

Now my account is frozen and I am wiped out. I have two kids and one on the way, and recently I lost my job. My mother keeps trying to make me feel guilty for turning them in and doesnt understand why I am mad. I am having trouble forgiving them. I am just so angry. Should I forgive them, or do I have the right to be mad?  Forgive or Forget in Michigan

Dear Forgive or Forget: One of the hallmarks of abusers is that they try to make their victims think the abuse was in some way their own fault. Your mother fully understands why you are angry. You must not allow her to make you feel guilty.

Your parents stole from you and their grandchildren. They appear to have no conscience. Now you know what they are capable of, it is important that you keep your distance from them, or theyll do it again.

Dear Abby: Can an atheist be a godparent?  Wondering in Wisconsin

Dear Wondering: Yes. Today, the word godparent does not always have explicitly religious overtones. A godparent can be anyone the parents trust to take care of their child in the event of the parents deaths. However, the potential godparents and the childs parents should discuss this in detail before any decision is made about conferring such an honor and responsibility.

Write to Dear Abby at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069 or at dearabby.com.
ATLANTIC CITY  Dozens of supporters and well-wishers came out to the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey Monday night for its 15th anniversary gala.

Guests were treated to a silent auction and plates of hors d'oeuvres as they inspected the museums wide-ranging collection of historical artifacts and displays at the Stockton Arts Garage.

Founder and president Ralph Hunter briefly reflected the museum's journey over the years since it got its start in Newtonville as he greeted guests and pointed them toward particular exhibits he thought they should see.

Weve come a long way, he said.

Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly said the museum plays a crucial role in highlighting Atlantic Citys history and hes working with Hunter to develop a similar display in his city.

Im in awe of the collection he has, Kelly said. Something like this could help revitalize our own city.

Later in the evening the museums board recognized several long-time supporters, including Stockton University and Anthony and Rita Mack.

Rita Mack praised the work Hunter has done with the museum and its staff.

"It's because of him we're able to have a spotlight on our history and that's very important," she said.

The museum will have a busy future ahead of it. The current exhibit Black Cowboys and Buffalo Soldiers runs through April 30 and the museum is developing a new exhibit to highlight the role women played in the arts.

I feel good, Im excited about the future of the museum, Hunter told the crowd.
Gov. Chris Christie has nominated Superior Court Judge Damon Tyner to serve as the next Atlantic County prosecutor.

An Atlantic City native, Tyner attended Holy Spirit High School and went on to get his law degree from Widener University. After law school, he opened a private practice that specialized in real estate development, zoning and planning issues, education law and municipal law.

In 2003, he won the Hon. Benjamin A. Rimm Award presented by the Atlantic County Bar Association to a young attorney annually. He also was featured in Atlantic City Weeklys Top 40 Under 40 that year.

Tyner was the fifth African-American appointed to the New Jersey Superior Court, by Christie in 2014. He first served in the Chancery Division-Family Part from July 2014 through February 2016. He was then assigned to the Criminal Division.

His father, Hank, was Atlantic City Council president in the 1980s and spent nearly 50 years working for the city as a firefighter and police officer.

Tyner unsuccessfully ran for state Assembly as a Democrat in 2005 and 2011.

If the Senate approves Tyners nomination, he would replace former Prosecutor Jim McClain, whom Christie nominated as a Superior Court judge last year. McClain had served as county prosecutor since 2012.

Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Diane Ruberton has overseen the office since August 2016.
ATLANTIC CITY  Friends and family of Bessy Blanco remembered the slain casino worker Tuesday as someone with a strong heart who touched many lives around her.

She died, but shes still living, said friend and former co-worker of six years Claribel Mena, 58, of Atlantic City. Shes never going to be forgotten.

Blanco, a 54-year-old former casino worker and immigrant from Honduras who served the community and suffered her own string of tragedies, was found stabbed to death Feb. 18.

Hundreds of people, including co-workers, friends, family members and neighbors, flooded in and out of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church on Tuesday morning to bid their final goodbyes to Blanco before her burial.

Some wiped away tears, others looked on from across the street. Some had flowers in hand remembering the good Blanco did for her community.

Shes going to be a legend, Mena said.

Jose B. Lopez, 51, of North Oakland Avenue in Ventnor, was arrested and charged in Blancos death. Prosecutors alleged that Lopez, a jealous ex-boyfriend, fatally stabbed her.

Lopez also is accused of stabbing 52-year-old Mark Richart, of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, in Blancos North Harrisburg Avenue home, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office. Richart was hospitalized in critical condition.

Mena said Blanco was her supervisor at a casino and did so much for everybody, raising money for the community and families in need but also stepping up for her own family in times of tragedy.

When Blanco was in her 30s, she took in her sisters children right before Christmas 2000, when their parents and another sibling were killed in an Egg Harbor City car crash.

Weeks later, in 2001, her husband, Arnoldo Blanco, died, just as they were weeks away from buying a house together.{p dir=ltr}Luis Blanco, 36, the son of Arnoldo Blanco who lives in New York, said outside the funeral Tuesday hes still processing what happened to his stepmother.

This was a shock to me, he said. She was a great person, very energetic, happy, very family-oriented.

Donna Decaprio, of Egg Harbor Township, knew Blanco through the Unite Here Local 54 casino workers union for 18 years. She said shell miss Blancos giving spirit.

Whenever there was any type of tragedy and conflict, she would immediately step up and jump in, Decaprio said. Shes touched so many lives.

Friends and family members outside the service said her children and immediate family are holding up strong, just like Blanco.

She had a strong heart, said family friend Jay Ramirez, 27, of Atlantic City.

Ramirez said Blanco was like a second mother to him, and hed known her since he was 11 years old.

Rebecca Blanco, her niece, set up a fundraising page to help the family with funeral costs, at youcaring.com/anitablancofuneralcost-760636/. As of Tuesday evening, the page had raised nearly $9,700 toward a goal of $10,000.
U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo said Tuesday he will not vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act if a new replacement plan is not ready to be enacted.

LoBiondo, who voted against then-President Barack Obamas signature health care legislation in 2010, said the American people were promised a replacement would come without people getting kicked to the curb.

The dispute over health care comes a month into Donald Trumps presidency and seven years after the Affordable Care Act passed a Democrat-controlled Congress. Republicans now control both the White House and Congress.

Theyve talked in generalities, but there hasnt been a document that I can look at and review, LoBiondo, R-2nd, said of a possible replacement.

LoBiondos office Saturday was the site of a rally to protect the Affordable Care Act. Crowd estimates ranged from 100 to 300 and above. LoBiondo was not at his office at the time.

Spokesman Jason Galanes said there have been weekly protests about health care at LoBiondos office since January.

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin sought Tuesday to put a positive face on the divisions in Congress.

Youre going to have a lot of churning on any kind of legislative product like this, Ryan said of replacing Obamacare. This is a plan that we are all working on together, the House, the Senate and the White House, so there arent rival plans.

I feel at the end of the day when we get everything done and right, were going to be unified, Ryan said.

For now, most evidence is to the contrary.

After a recess week filled with raucous town-hall meetings, lawmakers return to the Capitol this week immediately put deep divisions on display. The two leading conservative groups in the House both announced their opposition to House leadership health care plans based on a leaked draft and reports that the bill would cost more than expected while covering fewer people than the Affordable Care Act.

And three key conservative senators, Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas, added their voices in opposition, too, announcing they will resist Obamacare Lite and accept nothing less than full repeal of Obamacare.

Amid the high-profile defections, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky summoned Republicans to a meeting Wednesday afternoon to hash things out.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
ATLANTIC CITY  Democratic front-runner Phil Murphy reiterated he will end the state takeover of Atlantic City if elected governor of New Jersey in November.

But the city cant get out of financial trouble without the states help, he said.

I thought the citys plan was reasonable, he said, referring to the fiscal recovery plan the city published late last year. But they cant do it without the state. I like to think of it as a partnership, not a takeover.

Murphy, speaking Monday afternoon in Atlantic City, said he dislikes the whole notion of a takeover because cities and school districts that have had their financial assets taken over by the state are predominantly communities of color.

Murphy is a national board member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

He did not say whether he would advocate for any changes to the PILOT bill that allows the casinos to collectively pay $120 million every year instead of property taxes.

Im not pro-PILOT or anti-PILOT, he said. Ive met with a lot of the casino operators.  They want to be here, they want to stay here and they want to succeed here . But Im not sure on the math. Its a complicated math problem here in the community.

He also said he would again endorse putting casinos in North Jersey if it reappears on the ballot in the future, adding that prospective casino operators in North Jersey were ready to cut an attractive financial deal for Atlantic City.

I think its only a matter of time until theres a casino on the west side of Manhattan, he said. And I know they wont give Atlantic City one cent. So lets put a couple of markers down up north in New Jersey and cut a great deal for the benefit of Atlantic City.

He admitted the window may have closed on North Jersey gambling, and that he doesnt know of any plan to put it back on the ballot.

The referendum to put casinos in North Jersey was overwhelmingly defeated in November.

On Monday night, Murphy continued his campaign tour in front of a large crowd at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Pleasantville.

The Democrat said the high turnout at the church, coupled with the nearly 2,000 people who listened in by phone and watched on Facebook Live, was a signal the Democratic Party has come alive after Donald Trumps stunning defeat of Hillary Clinton in Novembers presidential election.

The race for New Jerseys next governor will be closely watched across the country. It is one of only two gubernatorial elections this year.

In Pleasantville, Murphy talked to the crowd about civil rights, womens rights, affordable college tuition, public school funding, foreclosure rates, criminal justice reform, investing in infrastructure, legalizing recreational marijuana and stimulating the states economy.

He also called for the establishment of a public bank in New Jersey, so that taxpayers dont have to put their money into big Wall Street banks.

For months, Murphy has been considered the front-runner to succeed Gov. Chris Christie next year. A recent Quinnipiac poll had the Democrat ahead of Republican favorite Kim Guadagno by 16 points in this falls gubernatorial election.

But first he will face a tough primary against a wide field of Democratic candidates, including Assemblyman John Wisniewski, D-Middlesex, and Sen. Ray Lesniak, D-Union.

Primary Election Day in New Jersey is June 6.
TRENTON  Gov. Chris Christie is hoping an injection of revenue from the state lottery will help shore up New Jerseys crumbling pension system.

As part of his budget address Tuesday afternoon, the Republican governor proposed transferring the Lottery Enterprise to eligible pension plans for a period of 30 years as a way to close the states staggering pension gap. The $35.5 billion 2018 fiscal year budget, which includes more than $493 million worth of surplus, is up 2.9 percent from last year.

This is a state-sponsored monopoly that spins off large amounts of cash, Christie said during his hourlong address. The contribution would have the immediate effect of reducing the unfunded liability of the pension system by approximately $13 billion.

Christie said his lottery proposal would benefit the state in the long run.

But lets be clear, if implemented correctly, this action would increase the value and stability of our pension funds immediately and would please bond investors and credit rating agencies, also giving greater confidence to New Jerseys public employees, Christie said. I am committed to making every effort to fix our long-term pension problem.

According to the state constitution, lottery revenue is intended to fund state institutions and education.

Senate President Steve Sweeney, D-Salem, Gloucester, Cumberland, said the proposal was sprung on them late.

It could be a great idea or a bad idea. I dont know, Sweeney said following the address. We just have to run the numbers to see. Im not going to criticize it. There are just a lot of questions and few answers. 

Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, said he is open to the idea but needs more details.

LoBiondo won't vote to repeal Obamacare without new plan U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo said Tuesday he will not vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act if 

Like everything, the devil is in the details, Van Drew said following the budget address. What are the details? How secure is it going to be? Is it going to provide what bond houses are going to want to see?

Wendell Steinhauer, president of the NJEA, said there are many reasons to question the proposal.

Given his track record on pension funding, we have many reasons to question the governors proposal to transfer the state lottery to the pension fund, including how the stated $13 billion value was determined and who has ultimate responsibility for future lottery revenues, Steinhauer said.

CRDA to host two meetings on changes to master plan for city ATLANTIC CITY  The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority will host a pair of public hea

In addition to the pension announcement, Christie used his speech to tout his ability to keep property taxes down and his overall accomplishments during his tenure in office.

Trenton will be a much more welcoming fiscal climate for the next governor in 2018, Christie said. We have slayed the ghosts of fiscal irresponsibility that haunted this house in 2010. We have established a new baseline for government.

During his tenure, pension and health care crises have limited the states ability to address other key issues, Christie said. This years budget calls for a $2.5 billion contribution to the states pension system. Since taking office in 2010, Christie has contributed more than $8.7 billion to the system. From 1995 to 2010, pension contributions totaled more than $3.4 billion.

The escalating costs of fulfilling our pension and health benefit obligations continue to erode the states ability to address all of the important issues we want and need to address as a state, Christie said.

Assemblyman Chris Brown, R-Atlantic, said both parties have to work together for the good of residents.

Phil Murphy reiterates opposition to Atlantic City takeover ATLANTIC CITY  Democratic front-runner Phil Murphy reiterated he will end the state takeove

Atlantic Countys middle class families are looking to both Democrats and Republicans to end partisan bickering and find common ground to solve the serious problems in this state, Brown said. I will continue to roll up my sleeves and reach across the aisle to work on meaningful, bipartisan solutions to make Atlantic County affordable to raise a family and retire someday.
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.




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EDMONTON, Alberta, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Representing more than 550,000 sq ft of Class "A" Office Space in Downtown Edmonton

Alberta Investment Management Corporation ("AIMCo"), on behalf of certain of its clients, is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of HSBC Bank Place and Enbridge Place, located in Edmonton, Alberta. The transaction closed on February 27, 2017.

By investing in these two downtown office locations, AIMCo's clients gain more than 550,000 square feet of Class "A" Office space within their respective real estate portfolios. The properties are centrally located in Edmonton's Financial Core and within walking distance to the exciting new Ice District development. Significant capital improvement programs are planned for both towers to strengthen their position in the market, and to make them a location of choice for existing and new tenants eager to be a part of Edmonton's dynamic city center.

"On behalf of our clients, AIMCo is particularly pleased to make this important investment in Downtown Edmonton," states Kevin Uebelein, Chief Executive Officer at AIMCo. "For almost all of us at AIMCo, Edmonton is not only where we come to work, but the city we call home, so we have a unique perspective on the potential of this opportunity. Downtown Edmonton is undergoing many exciting changes, and we look forward to being a part of it."

In conjunction with this acquisition, AIMCo has retained the services of EPIC Investment Services ("EPIC") to provide asset and property management services for these two office locations. EPIC is a national real estate services firm with offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver.

About Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo)

AIMCo is one of Canada's largest and most diversified institutional investment managers with more than $95 billion of assets under management. AIMCo was established on January 1, 2008 with a mandate to provide superior long-term investment results for its clients. AIMCo operates at arms-length from the Government of Alberta and invests globally on behalf of 31 pension, endowment and government funds in the Province of Alberta. For more information on AIMCo please visit http://www.aimco.alberta.ca.

AIMCo manages a $12.7 billion real estate portfolio comprised of predominantly long-term investments located across North America and Europe. The Real Estate Team's core strategy comprises direct investments in high quality office, retail, industrial and multi-unit residential properties located in Canada's major centres.

About HSBC Bank Place

HSBC Bank Place, located at 10250 101 St NW in Edmonton, Alberta, is an 18 storey office tower located in the heart of Edmonton's Financial District. HSBC Bank Place offers a variety of amenities including a 7 storey parkade with 24/7 security and heated underground parking. It is connected to the City Centre Mall via the main and second floor pedway. HSBC Bank Place's central location provides tenants with excellent access to public transit all within a one block radius.

About Enbridge Place

Enbridge Place, located at 10130 103 St NW in Edmonton, Alberta, is a 22 storey office tower located in the heart of Downtown Edmonton. Enbridge Place offers a variety of amenities including a bistro-style quick service restaurant, three levels of heated underground parking, with manned 24/7 security, and recent renovations to the lobby and elevators. It is connected to Enterprise Square via the second floor pedway and has excellent access to public transit within a one block radius.

Media Contact: Denes Nemeth, Corporate Communication, O: +1-780-392-3857, M: +1-780-932-4013, E: denes.nemeth@aimco.alberta.ca

SOURCE Alberta Investment Management Corp.
Green, smarter chargers will be the future of supercharging technologies, finds Frost & Sullivan's TechVision team

LONDON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aggressive marketing efforts have ensured high visibility for fast-charging applications. However, using supercharging as a selling point has meant that the hype has outpaced research efforts. Once the technology matches the most demanding customer expectations, the intensity of marketing messages will fade. Current innovations have focused on analytics and making chargers more personalized to improve the efficiency and life of batteries.

"Technology growth will be driven by the convergence of charging protocols that support synchronous and asynchronous communications, enabling businesses and users to choose simple, but more powerful charging tools," noted Frost & Sullivan TechVision Research Analyst Hafiz Amin. "Intelligent, personalised chargers that combine analytics, machine learning and advanced automation will be the next generation of chargers. Developers will also scale vertically by developing batteries with faster charging processes and higher capacity."

Supercharging Within Minutes: Opportunities in Key Application Sectors, recent research from Frost & Sullivan's TechVision (Information & Communication) Growth Partnership Service program, finds that the regional hot spots for fast charging related to consumer electronics (CE) are North America and Asia-Pacific because of the presence of many multinational corporations involved in R&D. For fast charging related to electric vehicles (EVs), Asia-Pacific and Europe are the innovation leaders due to high government support.

Click on the following link for complimentary access to more information on this analysis and to register for a Growth Strategy Dialogue, a free interactive briefing with Frost & Sullivan's thought leaders: https://goo.gl/IfkZUD

Although supercharging is making rapid strides, it is still a relatively nascent technology, battling typical challenges such as high costs and unstable mechanism. For instance, public direct current (DC) and EV supply equipment (EVSE) may cost up to $80,000 per station, which is almost 500 percent more than a level-2 charger. The biggest item of expenditure is charge station hardware, which accounts for nearly 43.75 percent of the total cost.

These challenges notwithstanding, companies have been making significant headway in supercharging technology, rolling out many cutting-edge products. Some of the prominent companies and their innovations include:

Proterra : Developed an overhead fast-charging configuration for electric buses . It is eight times faster than the CHAdeMO protocol and three times faster than Tesla Supercharger

: Developed an overhead fast-charging configuration for . It is eight times faster than the and three times faster than Posicharge : Developed an intelligent fast charger for material handling equipment

: Developed an intelligent fast charger for material handling equipment LyteSystem : Developed a battery that can fully charge a 2550mAh battery within 10 minutes

: Developed a battery that can fully charge a within 10 minutes Enavate : Developed an ultrafast charging battery that can charge up to 90 percent in just 15 minutes

: Developed an ultrafast charging battery that can charge up to in just 15 minutes Qnovo: Developed algorithms known as Adaptive Pulse Modulation that optimize charging current for each cell to minimise the charging time

"Future product innovations will be aimed at delivering seamless and connected user experiences in a smarter, greener environment," noted Amin. "Innovators are looking to embed new product capabilities and user experiences to stoke demand and user-base expansion. This will also drive energy ownership, which is an offshoot of the Smart Cities concept, wherein instead of plug and play, users will plug, learn and play."

About TechVision

Frost & Sullivan's global TechVision practice is focused on innovation, disruption and convergence, and provides a variety of technology-based alerts, newsletters and research services as well as growth consulting services. Its premier offering, the TechVision program, identifies and evaluates the most valuable emerging and disruptive technologies enabling products with near-term potential. A unique feature of the TechVision program is an annual selection of 50 technologies that can generate convergence scenarios, possibly disrupt the innovation landscape, and drive transformational growth. View a summary of our TechVision program by clicking on the following link: http://ifrost.frost.com/TechVision_Demo.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion

Contact:

Anna Zanchi

Corporate Communications  Europe

P: +39.02.4851 6133

E: anna.zanchi@frost.com

http://www.frost.com

http://www.frost.com/techvision

Related Links

http://www.frost.com



SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
Q4 2016 State of Mobile Device Performance & Health Report Reveals iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S Are Consistently Two of the Worst Performing iPhones

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Since the launch of the first full touchscreen smartphone nine years ago, mobile devices have become entrenched in almost every facet of our personal and work lives. With the global smartphone market predicted to hit about 2.1 billion units shipped in 2021, the battle to capture market share is intensely competitive among smartphone operating systems and device manufacturers. According to the Q4 2016 State of Mobile Device Performance and Health report released today by Blancco Technology Group (LON: BLTG), it's now more reliable to own Android devices than iPhones, which have been weighed down by a multitude of performance issues and high failure rates in the last year.

In particular, the iOS failure rate has consecutively increased quarter over quarter  from 15 percent in Q4 2015 to 25 percent in Q1 2016 to 58 percent in Q2 2016 to 62 percent in Q3 2016. Although the iOS failure rate (62 percent) has since stabilized in Q4 2016, Apple is still playing catch up with Android (47 percent). Additionally, the iPhone 6 has been the worst performing iOS device consecutively for four quarters with the highest failure rate compared to other models  25 percent in Q1 2016, 29 percent in Q2 2016, 13 percent in Q3 2016 and 15 percent in Q4 2016.

"When devices lag, crash or stop working altogether, one of the first things users do is head into their mobile carriers or the device manufacturers themselves to diagnose what's causing the problem  and fix it quickly and efficiently," said Richard Stiennon, Chief Strategy Officer, Blancco Technology Group. "Mobile network operators and device manufacturers refer to this as the post-sales customer service and repair experience  and speed and efficiency are two of the most critical aspects of this experience. But without an easy-to-use, robust diagnostics solution, mobile users are often left frustrated with long processing times and inaccurate diagnoses, which in turn, leads to lower Net Promoter Scores and unnecessary returns for mobile network operators and device manufacturers."

Key highlights from the Q4 2016 trend report include:

The newest iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models aren't exempt from problems  making the list of iOS devices with high failure rates in Q4 2016 at 3 percent and 3 percent, respectively.

Crashing apps, overheating and headphone malfunctions have persistently plagued iPhones in the last year.

Android devices failed less and have shown signs of improvement over time - with the failure rate decreasing by almost half from 85 percent in Q4 2015 to 44 percent in Q1 2016 to 35 percent in Q2 2016.

Samsung consistently had the highest failure rate among Android manufacturers for five quarters in a row  at 27 percent in Q4 2015, 43 percent in Q1 2016, 26 percent in Q2 2016, 11 percent in Q3 2016 and 16 percent in Q4 2016.

Camera, battery charge and USB glitches have been a constant source of problems for Android users.

Despite their reign as three of the most popular social media apps in the world, the Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat apps repeatedly crashed on iPhones in the last year.

Since first appearing on the list of top Android crashing apps in Q2 2016 (12 percent), the Google Play Services app has shown signs of improvement and its crashing rate has dropped to 10 percent in Q3 2016 and 5 percent in Q4 2016.

At Mobile World Congress 2017 (February 27  March 2), demos of the Blancco Mobile Diagnostics and Blancco Mobile Device Eraser solutions will be available at Blancco's booth (#5D40 in Hall 5). In addition, key subject matter experts from Blancco will conduct live presentations on emerging mobility trends, mobile processing challenges and mobile security risks.

About Blancco Technology Group

Blancco Technology Group (AIM: BLTG) is the de facto standard in data erasure and mobile device diagnostics. The Blancco Data Eraser solutions provide thousands of organizations with an absolute line of defense against costly security breaches, as well as verification of regulatory compliance through a 100% tamper-proof audit trail. Our data erasure solutions have been tested, certified, approved and recommended by 18 governing bodies around the world. No other security firm can boast this level of compliance with the most rigorous requirements set by government agencies, legal authorities and independent testing laboratories.

The Blancco Mobile Diagnostics solutions enable mobile network operators, retailers and insurers to easily, quickly and accurately identify and resolve performance issues on their customers' mobile devices. As a result, mobile service providers can spend less time dealing with technical issues and, in turn, reduce the quantity of NTF returns, save on operational costs and increase customer satisfaction.

For more information, visit our website at www.blancco.com .

Media Contacts:

SHIFT Communications for Blancco Technology Group (US)

David Heffernan, Account Manager

T: (617) 779-1839

E: blancco@shiftcomm.com

SAY Communications for Blancco Technology Group (Europe)

Robert Hickling, Senior Account Manager

T: 44 (0) 20 8971 6427

E: blancco@saycomms.co.uk

Blancco Technology Group

Ragini Bhalla, Senior Director of Global Communications

E: ragini.bhalla@blancco.com

Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/274522/blancco_Logo.jpg

Related Links

http://www.blancco.com



SOURCE Blancco Technology Group
NEW YORK and STOCKHOLM, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bisnode, pioneering Smart Data to enable customers to make smart decisions, announces a partnership with Provenir, a provider of global real-time, risk decisioning solutions. The collaboration paves the way for innovative, real-time risk decisioning services for European businesses.

In search of growth and cost efficiency, companies in Europe seek solutions to optimize their credit risk processes. Agile solutions that can respond quickly to rapid and on-going business and regulatory changes are vital. Bisnode has a long history in delivering decision-making platforms to help businesses automate processes and make data-driven decisions. The partnership with Provenir empowers the next generation of solutions, using the Provenir Risk Analytics and Decisioning Platform.

"We are committed to providing the best information management, data analytics and risk solutions to our clients," said Anders Borg, Chief Strategy Officer of Bisnode. Borg continues, "The Bisnode partnership with Provenir is a strategic initiative which will enable us to build more flexible, scalable and integrated solutions. This will provide business users the ability to create, change and implement data sources, business rules and risk models within minutes. It is the latest example of how we at Bisnode are committed to providing an improved customer experience with automated risk decisioning."

Provenir helps companies implement innovative business processes which improve customer experience and accelerate time to market. The Provenir solution simplifies the collection and enrichment of structured and unstructured data, enabling data and risk analytics to be performed in real-time.

"We're very excited to partner with Bisnode and support their plans for automated risk decisions and analytics within their portfolio of client offerings," said Paul Thomas, Managing Director, Provenir. "Provenir's risk decisioning platform is model, data and technology agnostic, making it highly flexible for Bisnode's purposes. We're looking forward to working together to deliver great solutions to Bisnode's customer base."

PROVENIR PRESS CONTACT:

Adi Bachar-Reske, Head of Global Marketing, Provenir

areske@provenir.com

BISNODE PRESS CONTACT:

Jenny Karlsson, PR and Communication, Bisnode

Jenny.karlsson@bisnode.com

About Provenir

Provenir makes risk analytics faster and simpler for financial institutions. Our Provenir risk analytics and decisioning platform is a powerful orchestration hub that can listen to any channel, integrate with any data service and operationalize any analytic model. We help clients process more applications with greater efficiency and increase sales conversions with instant, real-time risk decisioning, serving clients across a broad range of financial verticals including consumer, commercial, cards, payments, ecommerce and auto financing. Provenir is headquartered in North America and has operations in Europe and Asia. For more information please visit www.provenir.com.

About Bisnode

Bisnode is a leading European Data & Analytics company. We help companies to find and manage their customers throughout the customer lifecycle. We do that by pioneering Smart Data to enable our customers to make Smart Decisions. We employ 2,400 people in 18 countries and are headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472579/Provenir_Logo.jpg

Related Links

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SOURCE Provenir
SAN FRANCISCO, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The global carbon dioxide market size is expected to reach USD 8.6 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. increasing applications of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology, owing to rising crude oil demand and number of mature wells is anticipated to fuel the market growth over the next nine years.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150105/723757 )



Carbon dioxide is a high profile greenhouse gas. However, the excessive amount of CO 2 is being dumped into the atmosphere from past few years due to the growth in industrialization. This has resulted in global warming, suffocation of living organisms, and various other health related problems which becomes toxic and harmful to humans.

To control and regulate the emission from CO 2 in the atmosphere, government across the globe have formed various regulations such as Directive 2009/31/EC and Carbon Pollution Standard for new, modified and reconstructed power plants. These regulations have formulated specific rules for the storage, transport, usage and limiting the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Companies are also developing advanced carbon capturing and storage technologies such as CCS for effectively capturing, purifying, liquefying, and storing CO 2 . These companies are also involved in developing effective systems for transporting CO 2 , which include pipelines, ships, rail, and road tankers. Oil and gas is the major application segment for carbon dioxide market from past few years. Growing demand for crude oil and advancement in the EOR technologies are the major factor fueling the growth in this segment. In 2015, oil & gas application was followed by food & beverages sector in terms of growth. Increasing demand for carbonation of beverages is anticipated to drive the growth of food & beverages market segment.

Browse full research report with TOC on "Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Market Analysis By Sources (Hydrogen, Ethyl Alcohol, Ethylene Oxide, Substitute Natural Gas), By Application (Food & Beverages, Oil & Gas, Medical, Rubber, Fire Fighting), Competitive Landscape, And Segment Forecasts, 2014 - 2025" at: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/carbon-dioxide-market

Further key findings from the report suggest:

The global carbon dioxide demand was USD 6.0 billion in 2015 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% from 2016 to 2025

in 2015 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% from 2016 to 2025 Ethyl alcohol dominated the source segment with over 34% of the market share in 2015 owing to the extensive availability of resources, and cheap processes involved

Asia Pacific region had a market share of over 30% in 2015. The market in the region is expected to grow due to rising demand in the food & beverage industry, especially in the emerging economies.

region had a market share of over 30% in 2015. The market in the region is expected to grow due to rising demand in the food & beverage industry, especially in the emerging economies. North America was the dominant market in 2015, and the Middle East and Africa is anticipated to have the highest growth rate over the forecast period

was the dominant market in 2015, and the and is anticipated to have the highest growth rate over the forecast period The market is highly consolidated and competitive in nature. Some of the major industry participants include Linde AG, Air Products and Chemical, Inc., Praxair, Inc., and Air Liquide.

Browse related reports by Grand View Research:

Finished Lubricants Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/finished-lubricants-market

Fracking Chemicals And Fluid Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/fracking-chemicals-fluid-market

Building Asphalt Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/building-asphalt-market

Grand View Research has segmented the carbon dioxide market on the basis of source, application, and region:

Carbon Dioxide Source Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Hydrogen Ethyl alcohol Ethylene oxide Substitute natural gas Others

Carbon Dioxide Application Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Food & beverages Oil & gas Medical Rubber Fire fighting Others

Carbon Dioxide Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) North America U.S Canada Mexico Europe Germany UK France Italy Spain Asia Pacific China India Japan South Korea Central & South America Brazil Argentina Middle East and Africa Saudi Arabia UAE



Read Our Blog: Carbon dioxide Market Insights: Increasing demand in the medical industry

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.



Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com



Web: http://www.grandviewresearch.com

SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
LONDON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Chief financial officers (CFOs) in the insurance sector operating in an extremely challenging economic environment, say that achieving growth is an imperative but one of the biggest parts they must play is in supporting the business by providing clear, insightful and timely analysis. Against this backdrop they also must balance new accounting standards that are coming, with the search for efficiency by introducing new finance operating models, according to the annual EY Global Insurance CFO Survey, of finance leaders from nearly 60 global insurers.

To address these needs, CFOs have a clear vision on their finance priorities through 2020 and beyond. Seventy-four percent of respondents cite providing better insight (including faster, relevant and integrated financial analysis) ranking a top priority. Aligning finance, risk and actuarial information rises to the second spot with 48%, followed by the 47% saying achieving efficiency through process simplification and automation. At the same time, 41% cite fast and secure reporting as a key requirement for providing timely insight, and 33% say implementing regulatory and financial requirements is a top concern.

Nicola Panarelli, EY Global Insurance Finance Transformation Leader, says:

"With growth high on the agenda for the insurance industry, CFOs across all regions (Europe, Americas and Asia-Pacific) are increasingly investing in infrastructure and technology to promote better decision-making. This is vital if they are to achieve the business and revenue growth they seek. Against this backdrop, new accounting standards and multiple reporting bases are looming for insurers. Now is the time to work on the efficiency of the finance framework and to continue chasing faster reporting timeframes, combining compliance with an efficient operating model."

Supporting business imperatives

Business partnering is becoming the key driver for closely aligning finance, risk and actuarial functions. Forty-eight percent of CFOs see this as a fundamental requirement to provide insight to the business across all key metrics, including capital and risk. They are robustly challenging the status quo and change inertia that prevents straight-through processing for finance, risk and actuarial reporting and analysis, and are eliminating manual hand-offs as quickly as possible.

In fact, 51% of respondents complain about siloed data, systems, timetables and processes that are not integrated. Their biggest challenge is the lack of a unique integrated platform that is able to manage multiple methodologies across accounting and planning activities. Such a platform would improve the timing of processes and quality of data input and output.

A new finance operating model

Many global CFOs have clear goals in creating their target finance operating model by 2020. A clear trend shows a continued expansion of the CFO role including ownership of all financial data and analytics. A new target operating model, with standardized and automated processes, will enable a more integrated vision across finance, actuarial and risk.

By 2020, the finance and actuarial operations model will need to be properly aligned with strategic priorities, according to survey respondents. Digital solutions will raise business expectations of what could and should be achieved from the finance function. As CFOs better understand the opportunities that technology can provide, many will pilot projects to build the case for their use.

People will also make a difference. Building analytical skills and communication skills are the top people development priority identified by CFOs, with 46% investing in people to develop their skills.

Panarelli says, "Some insurers are already investing in finance change programs that will encourage new thinking about how financial reporting, planning, analysis and management information will be delivered in the future. New technologies and the drive for efficiency presents opportunities for CFOs to press the 'reset' button and focus on change."

To read the full report, visit this page.

Notes to Editors

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients.

About EY Global Insurance CFO Survey

Fifty-eight CFOs and finance leaders in the insurance sectoracross regions, primary lines of business and sizewere surveyed in 2016 to gauge their views on business and finance priorities, visions for their operating models and perspective on the challenges in obtaining that vision. The respondents also discussed the importance of technology and people and the ongoing quest for greater efficiency. Of the CFOs surveyed globally, 43% were from EMEIA, 38% from the Americas and 19% from Asia-Pacific representing life, non-life, multi-line, speciality and reinsurance lines of business in insurance sector.

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SOURCE EY
Launch of new vehicle models and tax incentives for foreign partners in joint ventures set to drive growth, finds Frost & Sullivan's Mobility team

LONDON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The automotive market in Uzbekistan is experiencing steady growth, low competition, stable product capabilities and rising sales volumes. This is due to the launch of new vehicle models, an increase in vehicle demand, growth of the compact car segment, and government initiatives to produce vehicles that run on natural fuel. However, intense protectionist measures and state-controlled original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as GM Uzbekistan, SamAuto, and MAN Auto-Uzbekistan collectively hold 94.4 percent of the total market share and 95 percent of total sales.

"The domestic automotive industry has a strategic place in the economy. The government aims to modernize the production facilities to grow manufacturing capabilities, increase localization of component production and reduce dependence on imports by providing tax incentives for foreign partners in joint ventures," said Frost & Sullivan Intelligent Mobility Research Analyst Ivan Kondratenko.

Uzbekistan Automotive Market, Forecast to 2020, part of Frost & Sullivan's Mobility: Automotive & Transportation Growth Partnership Service program, analyses and forecasts the passenger, commercial, bus and minibus segments within the Uzbekistan automotive market. The research finds that the Uzbekistan commercial vehicle market showed steady growth with 27,550 units sold in 2015 and a compound annual growth rate of 5.4 percent.

Click here (https://goo.gl/rda2IY) for complimentary access to more information on this analysis and to register for a Growth Strategy Dialogue, a free interactive briefing with Frost & Sullivan's thought leaders.

GM Uzbekistan (under the name Chevrolet), produces the most popular vehicles in the private car segment and has a well-developed production and distribution network, selling its vehicles through official dealerships.

Other noteworthy facts include:

Customers in Uzbekistan prefer to have practical and durable vehicles with cheap purchase and maintenance costs.

prefer to have practical and durable vehicles with cheap purchase and maintenance costs. With a 40 percent sales share by 2020, there is a growing demand for automatic transmission in new cars.

The commercial vehicle, bus and minibus sectors show the highest sales growth.

The segment of small passenger vehicles in classes A and B is the most popular in Uzbekistan and is projected to reach 81.7 percent of the market share by 2020 with the production of new models.

and is projected to reach 81.7 percent of the market share by 2020 with the production of new models. Small and medium-size vehicles with 4x2 axle combinations will account for 94 percent of the commercial vehicle market in 2020.

"High-import tariffs and preferable economic and tax conditions for the domestic producers are expected to remain, with production localization being the most attractive prospect for potential investors," notes Kondratenko. "Online methods of car purchase and the potential introduction of credit opportunities for individuals will lead to a decrease in customer purchase waiting times. It will also bring convenient financial solutions to individual customers, increasing their purchase power and boosting sales."

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion.

Uzbekistan Automotive Market, Forecast to 2020

MCC0-18

Contact:

Jana Schoneborn

Corporate Communications  Europe

P: +49 (0)69 77033 43

E: jana.schoeneborn@frost.com

Twitter: @Frost_Sullivan or @FS_Automotive

Facebook: FrostandSullivan

Linkedin: Future of Mobility  A Frost & Sullivan Forum

http://www.frost.com

Related Links

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
Geo-distributed Session Border Controller VNFs and in-network media processing provide du with high resiliency for interconnects and industry-leading transcoding capabilities

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- GENBAND, a leading provider of real time communications solutions, today announced that UAE-based telecommunications service provider du has selected GENBAND's Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) Session Border Controller (SBC) to provide industry-leading interconnect applications, enabling seamless connectivity between disparate communications networks, a first time in the Middle East. The geo-distributed Virtual Network Function (VNF) SBC running in du's cloud will combine with GENBAND's Advanced Media Software (AMS) on the Q50 platform in a hybrid deployment environment, offering the service provider high network resiliency and the opportunity to future-proof its network via a seamless evolution path to a fully virtualized cloud environment.

GENBAND's SBC VNF, a key component of GENBAND's NFV software technology, utilizes the latest Intel architecture and software-based media processing capabilities to provide du with advanced independently scalable signaling and media processing functionality. GENBAND's SBC VNF enables an industry-leading 200K concurrent media sessions and more than 100K transcoded sessions. This capacity can be shared across multiple distributed appliance-based or NFV-based virtual signaling SBC instances  a unique capability enabling operators to achieve significant cost savings and an easier migration path to NFV cloud environments.

"GENBAND's innovative architecture not only provides us with the flexibility to transition to the NFV cloud at our own pace, but offers superior interconnect, media and transcoding capabilities," said Saleem AlBlooshi, Executive Vice President - Infrastructure & Technology, du. "GENBAND is an emphatic choice based on our demanding requirements. Deploying the Genband Interconnect SBC in a cloud environment gives du significant advantages because of the ease and speed by which virtual instantiations of an SBC can be deployed. This provides elasticity - the ability to have on-demand instantiation of a virtual SBC to match dynamic traffic demands. Elasticity gives du much greater flexibility in how to meet dynamic traffic demands. We are embarking on major transformation towards virtual converged IT/Telecom cloud hosted in our data centers. This transformation will helps us reduce costs, virtualize our networks beyond hardware limitations, automate our services, and deliver agility and flexibility."

"Our NFV SBC provides du with a revolutionary architecture that meets their current interconnect demands and seamlessly addresses the ever increasing need for scale," said Paul Miller, Chief Technology Officer for Networks, GENBAND. "Our NFV solutions allow forward thinking service providers like du to optimize their networks for cost and traffic in a very efficient manner and effortlessly evolve as their network and market demands change."

GENBAND's solution also offers fully virtualized software-based centralized element management and analytics, offering du cutting-edge data collection and reporting.

Key Takeaways:

du has selected GENBAND's NFV Session Border Controller and in-network Advanced Media Software (AMS) for high scale interconnect and advance media scaling and transcoding capabilities.

The AMS solution also enables the service provider to migrate the media processing and transcoding to the NFV cloud as a fully elastically scalable VNF.

The GENBAND NFV SBC and geo-resilient Q50 will run in a hybrid environment, offering du high network resiliency and a seamless migration path to a full NFV cloud environment.

Following a comprehensive due diligence process du selected GENBAND's SBC because of its market-leading performance and its ability to meet the company's demanding requirements.

GENBAND's comprehensive solution also comes with fully virtualized software-based centralized element management and analytics, offering du cutting-edge data collection and reporting.

View this short video to learn more about the numerous benefits of the Q50 Advanced Media Software.

About du

du is a vibrant and multiple award-winning telecommunications service provider serving over 8 million individual customers with its mobile, fixedline, broadband internet, and Home services over its 4G LTE network. du also caters to over 80,000 UAE businesses with its vast range of ICT and managed services. Since its launch in 2007, du has many UAE firsts to its credit, including introduction of Pay by the Second billing system, IPTV and self-service portal.

du is ideally placed to support the realisation of UAE Vision 2021 and transformation of Dubai into a Smart City. du is also the official strategic partner of the Smart Dubai Office and the platform provider for Smart Dubai. Following the successful testing of the Middle East's first Internet of Things (IoT) network, du is on course to complete deployment of its IoT network in 2016.

Brand Finance ranked du as the 12th most valuable brand in the Middle East in 2016. du previously won the coveted Brand of the year title by Superbrands Middle East in 2013. The company has been recognised with several other awards such as ISO 27001 certification of Managed Security Services and having the distinction of opening UAE's first LEED Platinum Certified Green Shop. du also has the unique distinction of the first telecom in the world to release Sustainability Report based on GRI-G4 guidelines in 2014. du is also credited with du's world-class teleport is the largest of its kind in the Middle East and ranked among the top teleports in the world by World teleport Association.

As an Emirati business, du is vested in supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in the UAE. The company has, on average, had an Emiratisation rate of 34% since 2013 across its entire business. Human capital is a key focus area for the company, and the company employs nearly 2000 people from over 60 nationalities. du has won Gallup Great Workplace Award for two consecutive years.

du is 39.5 percent owned by Emirates Investment Authority, 19.75 percent by Mubadala Development Company PJSC, 19.5 percent by Emirates Communications and Technology LLC and the remaining by public shareholders. Listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), the company trades under the name 'du'.

For more information visit www.du.ae

About GENBAND

GENBAND is a global leader in real-time communications software solutions for service providers, enterprises, independent software vendors, systems integrators and developers in over 80 countries. Kandy, its award-winning, disruptive real-time communications software development platform, is built from the company's global telecommunications network and security technologies. The platform enables these companies to easily embed a full suite of voice, video, chat, screen-sharing and collaboration capabilities into their existing business, web and mobile applications. The company's Network Modernization, Unified Communications, Mobility and Embedded Communications solutions enable its customers to quickly capitalize on growing market segments and introduce differentiating products, applications and services. GENBAND's market-leading solutions, which are deployable in the network, on premise or through the cloud, help its customers connect people to each other and address the growing demands of today's consumers and businesses for real-time communications wherever they happen to be. To learn more visit genband.com.

GENBAND, the GENBAND logo and icon are trademarks of GENBAND.

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SOURCE GENBAND
MUMBAI, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Excelity Global, the largest Asia based payroll outsourcing service provider, offering end-to-end HR outsourcing solutions covering the entire employee life-cycle, has announced signing an agreement with Datamatics to transform and manage its HR transactional services. As a part of this agreement, Excelity Global will manage payroll and benefits for 8,500+ employees of Datamatics in India, which will further strengthens Company's position as India's largest payroll and benefits outsourcing service provider.

Through its engagement with Excelity Global, Datamatics will be well-positioned to deliver HR management solutions in a real-time and flexible manner, thereby improving their employees experience while being able to manage their variable costs associated with HR.

Sumit Sabharwal, CEO (Managed Services), Excelity Global said, "We partner with organizations to solve their human capital challenges by providing tailor-made outsourcing solutions that are delivered with precision. We are constantly challenging the status quo and working behind the scenes to empower the people side of business for organizations across the globe. We take pride that Datamatics has chosen Excelity Global as its partner of choice to manage their HRMS, payroll and benefits operations. We look forward to have a multi-year relationship with Datamatics."

"We are happy to partner with Excelity on this journey. Excelity has repeatedly demonstrated high expertise in handing large payroll and benefits administration engagement. We are confident that they will deliver a world-class experience to our employees," said Alok Kumar Jha, Global Head - HR and CSR, Datamatics.

About Excelity Global

Excelity Global is the largest Asia based end-to-end HR solutions service provider with close to two decades of experience and partners with over 1,000 client entities to help them manage and administer their payroll and retrials functions more efficiently. Excelity Global services more than 1.2 million employees per month and its clientele includes top global - banks and financial institutions, e-commerce, utility, IT and FMCG corporations.

For more details, visit http://www.excelityglobal.com

About Datamatics

Datamatics is a global provider of Consulting, Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services. The company is focused on delivering value through integrated solutions for data intensive business processes that help enterprises across the world overcome their business challenges. These solutions leverage innovations in technology, knowledge of business processes, and domain expertise to provide clients a competitive edge.

For details, please visit http://www.datamatics.com/

MediaContacts:

Pragati Puri

pragati@80-db.com

+91-9910770626





SOURCE Excelity Global
- EY Accelerating Entrepreneurs program identifies 47 high-growth start-ups from Asia-Pacific and EMEIA to receive training and mentoring in 2017

- EY aims to help innovative and disruptive start-ups realize their growth potential

- Program commenced this month at the EY Strategic Growth Forum Mediterranean

LONDON, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- EY has selected 47 high-potential and innovative start-up entrepreneurial organizations from across Asia-Pacific and EMEIA to take part in its 2017 Accelerating Entrepreneurs program. Over the course of the year, EY firms can provide the selected start-ups with strategic support through leading guidance and planning and help the entrepreneurs identify and develop opportunities to scale and grow their businesses globally.

The Accelerating Entrepreneurs program will draw upon the knowledge of an extensive EY network of global entrepreneurs to help the start-ups bolster their business plans in response to increasing economic uncertainty across global markets. The access provided will help prepare the entrepreneurs to face risks posed by the current geopolitical environment and changing regulatory standards so that they can continue to pursue and realize growth objectives. 2017 marks the third year the EY Accelerating Entrepreneurs program has been conducted in EMEIA and the second year in Asia-Pacific.

Demet Ozdemir, EY EMEIA Growth Markets Leader, says:

"We are living in a period of uncertainty and transition. Today's global business economy requires new innovation and ideas to keep pace with the rapid changes of disruption. The EY Accelerating Entrepreneurs program identifies leading start-ups who show an ability to apply new business models and discover new entry points into markets. We can provide support and guidance to these entrepreneurs as they continue to develop their businesses so that over time we can help grow their businesses."

The program commenced this month at the EY Strategic Growth Forum Mediterranean in Rome where start-ups were chosen based upon their potential to grow across borders, their entrepreneurial spirit, leadership qualities, financial performance, strategic direction and innovative thinking.

The event provided opportunities for start-ups to access some of the world's preeminent business minds and take part in networking opportunities and interactive discussions with other entrepreneurs.

Over the course of 2017, the 47 selected start-ups will receive a broad program of one-to-one guidance and insight-sharing including:

The opportunity to network and form ongoing relationships with EY Growth Coaches, global entrepreneurs, industry leaders and EY professionals.

Access to dedicated EY service professionals to focus on the business issues most critical to the growth support of participants, together with an EY Growth Navigator session to help assess capabilities and growth plans.

Access to the unparalleled EY global entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Michael Anghie, EY Asia-Pacific Strategic Growth Markets Leader, says:

"Today's entrepreneurs serve a powerful purpose. Not only are they pushing the boundaries of innovation but they are also the next generation of world leaders. The EY Accelerating Entrepreneurs program has long nurtured the companies of tomorrow and it continues to provide emerging businesses with the leading practices for accelerating their growth."

Notes to editors

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients.

About the EY Accelerating Entrepreneurs program

The EY Accelerating Entrepreneurs program helps fast-growth start-ups from around the world to scale their business through one-to-one guidance, networking and insight sharing. Split into three regions: Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America, the program is designed to help accelerate entrepreneurs through the next steps of their growth journey to becoming the global market leaders of tomorrow.

A full list of EY 2017 Asia-Pacific and EMEIA Accelerating Entrepreneurs include:

The 2017 Accelerating Entrepreneurs from Asia-Pacific are:

Tao Li, Founder and CEO, APUS Group, China

APUS Group is a tech company developing new approaches for smartphone use.

APUS Group is a tech company developing new approaches for smartphone use. Alfonso Ordonez , Co-founder, ASG Capital Group Pty Ltd, Australia

ASG Capital is an investment group focusing on technology solutions connecting users who have shared hobbies.

ASG Capital is an investment group focusing on technology solutions connecting users who have shared hobbies. Dr. Raghav Murali-Ganesh , Co-founder and COO, CancerAid, Australia

CancerAid is a digital health company that seeks to improve health care outcomes by developing digital tools.

CancerAid is a digital health company that seeks to improve health care outcomes by developing digital tools. Dr. Nikhil Pooviah , Co-founder and CEO, CancerAid, Australia

CancerAid is a digital health company that seeks to improve health care outcomes by developing digital tools.

CancerAid is a digital health company that seeks to improve health care outcomes by developing digital tools. Nicholas Press , Managing Director and CEO, CEC Systems Pty Ltd, Australia

CEC Systems is a logistics company that delivers integrated shipping solutions worldwide.

CEC Systems is a logistics company that delivers integrated shipping solutions worldwide. Manoj Sharma , Founder and CEO, CusJo, Singapore

CusJo is a data analytics company providing organizations survey analytics with benchmarking to drive innovation.

CusJo is a data analytics company providing organizations survey analytics with benchmarking to drive innovation. Renece Brewster , Founder and CEO, Data Creative, Australia

Data Creative is a predictive data analytics company offering commercial solutions.

Data Creative is a predictive data analytics company offering commercial solutions. Norma Chu , Founder and CEO, DayDayCook, Hong Kong, China

DayDayCook is a multichannel cooking and lifestyle content creator that helps millennials to cook.

DayDayCook is a multichannel cooking and lifestyle content creator that helps millennials to cook. Tania Jolley , Co-founder and Managing Director, DNA Security Solutions, Australia

DNA Security Systems is a company this is innovating new DNA tagging technologies.

DNA Security Systems is a company this is innovating new DNA tagging technologies. Christopher Gilbert , Managing Director, Equitise, Australia

Equitise is a crowdfunding company that is enabling high-growth companies to network together.

Equitise is a crowdfunding company that is enabling high-growth companies to network together. Martin Tsang , CEO, EV Power, Hong Kong, China

EV Power is an electric vehicle charging service provider.

EV Power is an electric vehicle charging service provider. Beau Leese , Co-founder and Co-CEO, Intersective , Australia

Intersective is an education company delivering experiential learning through technology collaboration.

, Intersective is an education company delivering experiential learning through technology collaboration. Wes Sonnenreich , Co-founder and Co-CEO, Intersective, Australia

Intersective is an education company delivering experiential learning through technology collaboration.

Intersective is an education company delivering experiential learning through technology collaboration. Alex Paine , CEO, IoL Technologies Pty Ltd, Australia

IoL Technologies is a developer of energy-efficient, smarter spaces through advanced LED technology solutions.

IoL Technologies is a developer of energy-efficient, smarter spaces through advanced LED technology solutions. Naomi Lindermeyer, Founder and Director, Kimberlin Education , Australia

Kimberlin Education is a specialist education company with a passion to connect classroom to community.

Kimberlin Education is a specialist education company with a passion to connect classroom to community. Danielle Fletcher , Company Director, Kimberlin Education , Australia

Kimberlin Education is a specialist education company with a passion to connect classroom to community.

Kimberlin Education is a specialist education company with a passion to connect classroom to community. Andrew Leary , Managing Director, Lockliv Corporation, Australia

Lockliv Corporation is a security company developing globally patented wireless safety and security alert systems.

Lockliv Corporation is a security company developing globally patented wireless safety and security alert systems. Kristy Chong , Founder and CEO, Modibodi, Australia

Modibodi is an innovative apparel company developing women's active-wear that combines fashion and reusable hi-tech protection.

Modibodi is an innovative apparel company developing women's active-wear that combines fashion and reusable hi-tech protection. Marta Higuera, Co-CEO and Co-founder, OpenAgent, Australia

OpenAgent is a technology company delivering access to real estate agent rankings to assist selling property.

OpenAgent is a technology company delivering access to real estate agent rankings to assist selling property. Danny Yeung , CEO, Prenetics Limited, Hong Kong, China

Prenetics Limited is a genetic testing and digital health company in Southeast Asia .

Prenetics Limited is a genetic testing and digital health company in . Philip Livingston , Founder and Managing Director, Redback Technologies , Australia

Redback Technologies is an energy company creating integrated technologies to capture and manage solar energy.

Redback Technologies is an energy company creating integrated technologies to capture and manage solar energy. Michele Ferrario , Co-founder and CEO, StashAway, Singapore

StashAway is a digital wealth management solution that builds personalized investment portfolios.

StashAway is a digital wealth management solution that builds personalized investment portfolios. Jessica Wilson , Founder and CEO, Stashd, Australia

Stashd is an app making western fashion accessible to the Chinese millennial market.

Stashd is an app making western fashion accessible to the Chinese millennial market. Loic Barancourt, CEO, Thinxtra, Australia

Thinxtra is a developer of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.

The 2017 Accelerating Entrepreneurs from EMEIA are:

Alexandru Holicov, Founder and CEO, Adservio, Romania

Adservio is an online academic network connecting students with institutions granting anytime access to school data like grades, absences and exemptions.

Adservio is an online academic network connecting students with institutions granting anytime access to school data like grades, absences and exemptions. Paulo Trezentos, Co-founder and CEO, Aptoide, Portugal

Aptoid is an app developer enabling app users to setup and manage their own app stores.

Aptoid is an app developer enabling app users to setup and manage their own app stores. Mohammed Al-Shaker , Founder and CEO, ArabiaWeather Inc., Jordan

ArabiaWeather is a provider of weather data products and solutions to consumers and businesses in the Middle East .

ArabiaWeather is a provider of weather data products and solutions to consumers and businesses in the . Tim de Kraker , Founder, BarDoggy, Netherlands

BarDoggy is a nightlife and entertainment social media app platform.

BarDoggy is a nightlife and entertainment social media app platform. Aleksandr Galkin , Co-founder and CEO, Competera, Ukraine

Competera is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform providing internet retailers with pricing and assortment decisions.

Competera is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform providing internet retailers with pricing and assortment decisions. Luca Rossettini , CEO, D-Orbit, Italy

D-Orbit is a satellite systems company providing commissioning and decommissioning solutions for spacecraft, launch vehicles and next-generation satellites

D-Orbit is a satellite systems company providing commissioning and decommissioning solutions for spacecraft, launch vehicles and next-generation satellites Jens Legarth , CEO, European Protein, Denmark

European Protein is an innovative agriculture company providing lactic acid fermented protein feed to livestock.

European Protein is an innovative agriculture company providing lactic acid fermented protein feed to livestock. Richard Corbett , Founder and CEO, Eyetease, United Kingdom

Eyetease is an innovative digital media company servicing taxi cab and other mobility providers.

Eyetease is an innovative digital media company servicing taxi cab and other mobility providers. Simon Hay , Co-founder, Firefly, United Kingdom

Firefly is an education technology company enabling schools to engage parents with their children's school work to track progress.

Firefly is an education technology company enabling schools to engage parents with their children's school work to track progress. Jussi Hinkkanen , Co-founder and CEO, Fuzu Ltd., Finland

Fuzu Limited is an online platform for the Kenyan job market providing insights, open jobs, career advice and training.

Fuzu Limited is an online platform for the Kenyan job market providing insights, open jobs, career advice and training. Robert Dohrendorf , President and CEO, Graphmasters, Switzerland

Graphmasters is an analytics firm providing algorithms to help automobile drivers optimize traffic routes for efficient times.

Graphmasters is an analytics firm providing algorithms to help automobile drivers optimize traffic routes for efficient times. Jonathan Davey , CEO, HUGHUB, United Kingdom

HUGHUB is a fin-tech company seeking to improve business efficiency and growth and reduce acquisition costs.

HUGHUB is a fin-tech company seeking to improve business efficiency and growth and reduce acquisition costs. Hande Cilingir , Co-founder, Insider, Turkey

Insider is a digital experience delivery platform enabling marketers to leverage personalization, predictive segmentation and real-time technologies to boost loyalty.

Insider is a digital experience delivery platform enabling marketers to leverage personalization, predictive segmentation and real-time technologies to boost loyalty. Simone Panfilo , Co-founder, LOVEThESIGN, Italy

LOVETheSIGN is a home design and style company in Italy .

LOVETheSIGN is a home design and style company in . Murat Demirhan , Co-founder and CEO, Meal Box, Turkey

Meal Box is an on-demand and subscription-based food delivery business.

Meal Box is an on-demand and subscription-based food delivery business. Kacper Szczesniak, VP of Operations, Nethone, Poland

Nethone is a company providing artificial intelligence-based anti-fraud and business intelligence solutions for e-commerce companies.

Nethone is a company providing artificial intelligence-based anti-fraud and business intelligence solutions for e-commerce companies. Enrica Arena , Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Orange Fiber, Italy

Orange Fiber is an innovative textile company that creates sustainable merchandise from citrus by-products.

Orange Fiber is an innovative textile company that creates sustainable merchandise from citrus by-products. Jacek Szlendak , Co-founder and CEO, Perfect Gym Solutions S.A., Poland

Perfect Gym Solutions is a technology firm developing management software for gyms to assist administrative needs, including member billing, class schedules, trainer rosters and payroll.

Perfect Gym Solutions is a technology firm developing management software for gyms to assist administrative needs, including member billing, class schedules, trainer rosters and payroll. Marlene Sjoberg, Founder and CEO, RaceONE, Sweden

RaceONE is a technology company connecting athletes to organize fragmented sports events and share race times and results in one place.

RaceONE is a technology company connecting athletes to organize fragmented sports events and share race times and results in one place. Ilian Grozev , CEO, REMIX GLOBAL, Bulgaria

REMIX GLOBAL is an online market place for second-hand fashion.

REMIX GLOBAL is an online market place for second-hand fashion. Alberto Dalmasso , Co-founder and CEO, Satispay, Italy

Satispay is a payment network enabling people to send money securely from a smartphone app.

Satispay is a payment network enabling people to send money securely from a smartphone app. Asta Cepulyte, Founder, Sharecruit, Lithuania

Sharecruit is a digital recruiting company targeting individuals through social media.

Sharecruit is a digital recruiting company targeting individuals through social media. Denis Kiselev , Founder and CEO, SnapSwap, Luxembourg

SnapSwap is a FinTech company developing apps combining mobile payments with social communication tools.

SnapSwap is a FinTech company developing apps combining mobile payments with social communication tools. Gabriele Marazzi , Co-founder, SpidChain, Italy

SpidChain is a technology company enabling customers to use blockchain technology to manage digital identities.

SpidChain is a technology company enabling customers to use blockchain technology to manage digital identities. Enrico Casati , Co-founder and CEO, Velasca, Italy

Velasca is a high-fashion shoe brand priced for an affordable menswear market.

Velasca is a high-fashion shoe brand priced for an affordable menswear market. Bruno Gyorgy , CEO, Zinemath, Hungary

An R&D company that develops depth cameras for 3D imaging.

Peter Kelley

EY Global Media Relations

+1 424 376 7227

peter.kelley1@ey.com

Related Links

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SOURCE EY
OCEAN VIEW, Delaware, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The report "Flexographic Printing Inks Market Size By Product (Water-based, Solvent-based, UV-cured), By Application (Flexible Packaging, Corrugated Containers, Folding Cartons, Tags & Labels), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, China, India, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, GCC), Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016 - 2024" by Global Market Insights, Inc. says Flexographic Printing Ink Market is slated to exceed USD 11 billion by 2024.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160418/799556-a )



The overall flexographic printing inks market size is primarily driven by increasing product demand in the flexible packaging industry over the past years. The overall flexible packaging industry is projected to expand at over 4% CAGR over the projected timeframe. In addition, flexible packaging finds broad application in the industries including food & beverage and cosmetics. Strong growth in these abovementioned sectors on account of increasing consumer spending pattern will subsequently boost the global industry share by 2024.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/1163

Growing popularity of UV-cured flexographic printing inks market is another promising factor which will contribute the industry growth in the near future. It involves a high intensity UV radiation for inks drying process. This efficiently offers quick drying and thus improves the printing rate. Furthermore, the product does not carry any volatile organic compound (VOC) and is therefore preferred in the numerous applications including cosmetic food and beverage packaging. In addition, the product offers value added characteristics such as gloss and color consistency due to its high viscosity.

Solvent-based flexographic printing inks market size is strictly governed by norms laid by FDA owing to its VOC constituents, as these inks come in direct contact with food. Moreover, these inks also release VOC during the dying process, which makes the product harmful for the environment. This trend is likely to hamper the overall industry growth by 2024.

Asia Pacific flexographic printing inks market size was more than USD 2.5 billion in 2015. Strong growth in the food & beverage, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, particularly due to improved consumer lifestyles is the major factor contributing industry growth in the region. Furthermore, drifting pharmaceutical manufacturers focus towards establishing their manufacturing facilities in China and China, due to high medicine demand along, low initial investment and favoring government norms towards boosting their manufacturing sector will substantially boost the regional flexographic printing inks market size by 2024. Additionally, Europe is likely to observe growth close to 4.5% for flexographic printing inks between 2016 and 2024.

Browse key industry insights spread across 135 pages with 149 market data tables & 12 figures & charts from this 2017 report Flexographic Printing Inks Market in detail along with the table of contents at:

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/flexographic-printing-inks-market

Water-based accounted for the maximum flexographic printing inks market share in 2015. These inks are majorly used in the paper, cardboard and newspaper printing. Increasing government initiative along with rising consumer awareness towards use of low VOC inks in the food and cosmetic packaging applications will substantially boost the industry size in the near future.

In 2015, solvent-based inks accounted for more than 25% of the overall flexographic printing inks market share. The product offers promising characteristics such as durability, high printing rate (due to speedy drying) and scratch resistance. However, firm consumer and environment safety regulations directed by the FDA may obstruct industry growth in the coming years.

In 2015, packaging applications comprised of the maximum chunk of flexographic printing market share. Tags & labels, metal cans, folding carton, flexible packaging and corrugated containers and the major packaging applications in the industry. robust growth in the cosmetic, food & beverage and pharmaceutical industry along with increasing packaging demand in these industries will boost the industry growth by 2024. Additionally, value added product features such as aroma preservation, sealing, moisture resistance and appealing esthetics positively influences the product demand for food packaging applications by 2024.

In 2015, the industry share was fragmented with six major companies holding less than 20% of the total share. TOYO Ink, INX International, Zeller+Gmelin, XSYS Print Solutions, Zhongshan DIC Colour, Flint Group, Sun Chemical, ALTANA AG, Wikoff Color, TOKA, RUCO, Tercel Ink, Jiangmen Toyo and Taiyuan Coates are some of the prominent industry share contributors.

Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/1163

Flexographic printing inks market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry, with estimates & forecast in terms of volume in kilo tons and revenue in USD million from 2013 to 2024 , for the following segments:

Flexographic printing inks market by product

Water-based inks

Solvent-based inks

UV-cured inks

Flexographic printing inks market by application

Packaging Flexible packaging Corrugated containers Folding cartons Tags and labels Others

Others

The above information is provided on a regional and country basis for the following :

North America U.S. Canada

Europe Germany UK France Spain Italy

Asia Pacific China India Japan Australia Indonesia Malaysia

Latin America Brazil Mexico

Middle East & Africa South Africa GCC

&

Browse Related Reports:

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https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/adhesives-and-sealants-market

Ultraviolet (UV) Curable Resins Market Size, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Germany , UK, Italy , Russia , China , India , Japan , South Korea , Brazil , Mexico , Saudi Arabia , UAE, South Africa ), Application Development Potential, Price Trend, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016 - 2023

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About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.

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SOURCE Global Market Insights, Inc.
Citation indexing was initially designed for information retrieval, but it also provided data for evaluating the impact of a particular work of research, based on how frequently the work was footnoted, or cited, by other researchers. Garfield's development of citation analysis and infometrics led to the development of numerous citation databases, including the Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science and the Journal Citation Reports, which reports impact factors and other citation data for thousands of scholarly journals.

In 1964, the Institute for Scientific Information, the organization that Garfield originally founded and the forerunner of Clarivate Analytics, released the first Science Citation Index. This resource recorded the bibliographical and citation contents of the world's most influential journals, allowing users to follow citation links to find the specialized research most germane to their own work.

Currently embodied and greatly expanded in the online Web of Science, Garfield's original invention continues to serve as a reliable and efficient guide to the sprawling world of research. The Web of Science's body of citation statistics, documenting the most influential research in any given field as directly judged by researchers themselves, provides the basis for assessing and benchmarking the research performance of individuals, institutions, nations, and regions.

"It is with deep sadness that we mark the passing of Dr. Eugene Garfield," said Jay Nadler, CEO, Clarivate Analytics. "Dr. Garfield's work has shaped the way that research is accessed and evaluated across the globe. We honor him for the contribution he has made to research, and to our organization as a visionary leader, colleague and friend. As Clarivate Analytics we will continue to innovate with the spirit that Dr. Garfield embodied in his groundbreaking work in information science."

Clarivate Analytics

Clarivate Analytics accelerates the pace of innovation by providing trusted insights and analytics to customers around the world, enabling them to discover, protect and commercialize new ideas faster. Formerly the Intellectual Property and Science business of Thomson Reuters, we own and operate a collection of leading subscription-based businesses focused on scientific and academic research, patent analytics and regulatory standards, pharmaceutical and biotech intelligence, trademark protection, domain brand protection and intellectual property management. Clarivate Analytics is now an independent company with over 4,000 employees, operating in more than 100 countries and owns wellknown brands that include Web of Science, Cortellis, Thomson Innovation, Derwent World Patents Index, CompuMark, MarkMonitor and Techstreet, among others. For more information, please visit Clarivate.com.

Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472644/Clarivate_Analytics_Dr_Eugene_Garfield.jpg

Related Links

http://ipscience.thomsonreuters.com/



SOURCE Clarivate Analytics
SINGAPORE, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Diversified Energy Resources Company Focused on High Value Projects

Gobi Coal & Energy ("Gobi Coal") is pleased to announce its 100% stock acquisition of Zaraiya Holdings Ltd ("Zaraiya"), which wholly owns an advanced in-situ leach uranium project in Mongolia, adjacent to AREVA. The acquisition is expected to complete in March and demonstrates Gobi Coal's progress towards becoming a diversified multi-national energy resources company focused on high value projects. As part of this strategy, Gobi Coal plans to rename itself Zaraiya Energy Resources Limited and is moving forward with a public listing along with an associated capital raise of up to US $10 million.

The combined company benefits from nearly US $200 million of investment in three high-grade metallurgical coal mines in Mongolia containing 318 million tons of JORC resources and the advanced in-situ leach uranium project having at least 20 million pounds of existing resource potential and up to 50 million pounds of resource potential following planned land acquisitions currently under discussion. The primary metallurgical coal mine in southwest Mongolia is pre-stripped and production ready with peak production potential of 6+ million tons per annum of semi-soft and hard coking coal and coal seams as wide as 44 meters.

During the last several years, Gobi Coal successfully preserved its metallurgical coal mines through the recent sharp recovery in metallurgical coal prices during 2016. With market prices for Shandong semi-soft and Liulin hard coking coal finishing the 2016 year at RMB 1,000 (US $145) and RMB 1,600 (US$ 232), respectively, the economic value of the Gobi Coal mines has returned to near peak levels. This has allowed Gobi Coal to progress plans for the development of a railway from Shinejinst to the China border with a view to reaching full metallurgical coal production as soon as 2019.

At the same time, the long-term potential for uranium has strengthened significantly. China has a reported 30 reactors in operation, 24 new reactors under construction, 40 reactors planned, and 136 reactors proposed, together which will result in a three-fold increase in its nuclear capacity by 2020-21. The UAE through the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation is leading one of the most advanced nuclear energy construction programs worldwide that reached 76% overall construction completion at the end of 2016. Reactors in operation worldwide today are already consuming in excess of 10,000 tons of uranium per year more than current global mine production capacity. This supply-demand imbalance is expected to grow sharply as numerous new reactors enter operation.

According to Gobi Coal Chairman, Mr. Mo Munshi, "The combination of our developed high grade coking coal mines and the in-situ leach uranium deposits next to AREVA in Mongolia positions our company to be a newly diversified energy resources company. Going forward, we are aiming to consolidate and develop high grade coking coal mines along our railway corridor in Mongolia as well as expand our uranium portfolio both inside and outside of Mongolia."

As of the end of 2016, Gobi Coal had cash receivables of US $18 million and no debt.

SOURCE Gobi Coal & Energy Ltd
JOHANNESBURG and HATFIELD, England, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

FOR EMEA MEDIA ONLY: NOT FOR SWISS/AUSTRIAN MEDIA

Eisai and Clinigen enter partnership to provide eribulin in South Africa for women with advanced breast cancer

Halaven (eribulin) is now available in South Africa for the treatment of women with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have received at least two chemotherapeutic regimens for their advanced disease. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline and a taxane, unless patients were not suitable for these treatments.[1]

Approximately 7,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in South Africa each year and 30% will develop recurrent advanced or metastatic disease.[2] Metastatic breast cancer is deemed incurable and only one third of women with metastatic breast cancer will be alive five years after diagnosis.[2]

"We are excited and pleased to launch eribulin in South Africa for patients with advanced breast cancer. Eisai discovered and developed eribulin, and have partnered with Equity Pharma from Clinigen Group's Link Healthcare division to introduce eribulin in South Africa. We hope that this launch will make a meaningful difference to the lives of patients and their families," said Gary Hendler, Chairman and CEO EMEA & Chief Commercial Officer Oncology Business Group.

Shaun Chilton, Group Chief Executive Officer, Clinigen Group also commented: "This is the first distribution agreement of its kind for Clinigen following our acquisition of Link Healthcare in 2015, and provides access to eribulin in South Africa. This launch builds on our strong relationship with Eisai allowing us to further demonstrate our local distribution knowledge and expertise."

In the EMBRACE (Eisai Metastatic Breast Cancer Study Assessing Treatment of Physician's Choice Versus Eribulin) trial,[3] eribulin prolonged median overall survival in people (n=762) with metastatic breast cancer compared to an alternative treatment of physician's choice by 2.5 months (13.1 vs 10.6 HR 0.81 (95% CI 0.66, 0.99) p=0.041).[3] The most commonly reported adverse reactions in the eribulin study arm were fatigue (asthenia), a decrease in infection-fighting white blood cells (neutropenia), hair loss (alopecia), numbness and tingling in arms and legs (peripheral neuropathy), nausea and constipation.[3]

Eisai is dedicated to the discovery, development and production of innovative oncology therapies that can make a difference and impact the lives of patients and their families. This passion for people is part of Eisai's human health care (hhc) mission, which strives to better understand the needs of patients and their families to increase the benefits health care provides.

Notes to Editors

Halaven (eribulin mesilate)

Eribulin is the first in the halichondrin class of microtubule dynamics inhibitors with a novel mechanism of action. Structurally eribulin is a simplified and synthetically produced version of halichondrin B, a natural product isolated from the marine sponge Halichondria okadai. Eribulin is believed to work by inhibiting the growth phase of microtubule dynamics which prevents cell division.

Eribulin is indicated in the European Union for the treatment of adults with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have received at least one chemotherapeutic regimen for advanced disease in the European Union. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline and a taxane in either the adjuvant or metastatic setting, unless patients were not suitable for these treatments. Eribulin is also indicated in the European Union for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable liposarcoma who have received prior anthracycline containing therapy (unless unsuitable) for advanced or metastatic disease.[4]

About Eisai Co., Ltd.

Eisai Co., Ltd. is a leading global research and development-based pharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan. We define our corporate mission as "giving first thought to patients and their families and to increasing the benefits health care provides," which we call our human health care (hhc) philosophy. With over 10,000 employees working across our global network of R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to realise our hhc philosophy by delivering innovative products in multiple therapeutic areas with high unmet medical needs, including Oncology and Neurology.

About Clinigen Group

Clinigen Group plc (AIM: CLIN) is a global pharmaceutical and services company with a unique combination of businesses focused on providing access to medicines. Its mission is to deliver the right medicine to the right patient at the right time.

The Group consists of five synergistic businesses focused in three areas of global medicine supply; clinical trial, unlicensed and licensed medicines.

Clinigen Clinical Trial Services is the global market leader in the management and supply of commercial medicines for clinical trials.

The Group is also the trusted global leader in ethically sourcing and supplying unlicensed medicines to hospital pharmacists and physicians for patients with a high unmet need, through three of its divisions: Idis Managed Access runs early access programs for innovative new medicines. Idis Global Access and Link Healthcare work directly with healthcare professionals to enable compliant access to unlicensed medicines on a global basis and niche essential licensed and generic medicines across Australasia, Africa and Asia (AAA region).

Clinigen Specialty Pharmaceuticals acquires global rights, revitalises and markets its own portfolio of niche hospital commercial products.

For more information, please visit http://www.clinigengroup.com

References

1. South Africa Prescribing Information, Halaven

2. O'Shaughnessy J. Extending survival with Chemotherapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer, The Oncologist, 2005;10:20-29.

3. Cortes J, O'Shaughnessy J, et al. Eribulin monotherapy versus treatment of physician's choice in patients with metastatic breast cancer (EMBRACE): a phase 3 open-label randomised study. The Lancet, 2011;377:914 -923

4. SPC Halaven (updated August 2016). Available at: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/24382 Accessed: February 2017

Corporate-EU0018

SOURCE Eisai
ZURICH and VENTURA, California, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The Swiss textile technology innovator HeiQ and sustainable outdoor clothing brand Patagonia have teamed up for an exclusive strategic research partnership to explore novel ways for a sustainable textile finishing technology to achieve breathable and durable water repellence (DWR) with best-in-class performances.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472906/HeiQ_Materials_AG.jpg )



Recently awarded the Accenture Strategy Award for Circular Economy Multinational among 230 applicants at the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland) in recognition of its accomplishment in reducing waste in its production processes and products, for decades, Patagonia has been leading the industry towards building high-performance products with the vision to a greener and more sustainable future for our environment. A central component to Patagonia's material innovation strategy is to minimize the proliferation of toxic chemistries.

Following recent human health and environmental studies quantifying the hazardous impacts of perfluorinated chemistries (PFCs), some brands in the outdoor industry have begun to switch to currently available first-generation non-fluorinated DWRs. Among HeiQ's product portfolio, there are already several industry-leading fluorine-free DWR technologies, including HeiQ's enormously successful HeiQ Eco Dry product.

"Shattering the status quo for DWR is of paramount importance to Patagonia. However, we will not be successful unless we also achieve the quality and performance that our customers demand, a calculated partnership is a key means of doing so," said Matt Dwyer, director of material innovation and development at Patagonia. "HeiQ is a natural partner in its ability to conduct world class research while commercializing high performing, sustainable textile finishes and we believe that together we can find a solution."

"We carefully choose our brand partners before initiating a cooperative research project," said Colin Lantz, vice president of HeiQ Brandforce. He added, "Patagonia and HeiQ share the same vision that technology can perfect our every-day textile products. This formed the basis for this partnership."

The HeiQ research leader for this project is Dr. Murray Height, co-founder and chief technology officer of the HeiQ Group. "At HeiQ we have worked towards non-pfc DWR technology for over five years. This project aims to realize an improved non-pfc DWR technology and achieve a new level of performance in this field," said Dr. Height. HeiQ's current product, HeiQ Eco Dry is among the most effective non-pfc water repellent textile technologies on market, capable of achieving water repellency performance identical to or better than PFC C6 levels.

About HeiQ

Founded in 2005 as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH), HeiQ is a leader in textile innovation creating some of the most effective, durable and high-performance textile effects in the market today. HeiQ leverages its boundless academic research network and internal development specialists to invent disruptive new technologies that meet consumer needs and outperform the market. Engaging along the entire value chain, HeiQ is the ideal partner to help brands innovate, differentiate their products and capture added value at the point of sale.

About Patagonia

Founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973, Patagonia is based in Ventura, California. A certified B-Corporation, Patagonia's mission is to build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis. The company is recognized internationally for its commitment to authentic product quality and environmental activism, contributing over $78 million in grants and in-kind donations to date.

http://www.heiq.com

SOURCE HeiQ Materials AG
"2016 was an incredible year for Kepware, and these industry accolades further fuel our momentum into 2017," said Brett Austin, Senior Vice President, Kepware. "We're continuously working to improve our solutions to keep pace with the evolving needs of our customers and industry standards. We are honored to be recognized by industry experts and our end-users as a connectivity platform that leads in performance, reliability, and ease-of-use requirements."

Readers of leading industry publications and members of industry non-profit communities recognized Kepware through a number of awards and acknowledgments as a leader among innovative process automation products and suppliers. These include:

Engineers' Choice Award, Control Engineering

Kepware was selected as the winner of the "Software - Industrial Internet of Things" connectivity category for its KEPServerEX version 5.21 software by readers of Control Engineering. Nominees were evaluated on technological advancement, service to the industry, and market impact.

Kepware was selected as the winner of the "Software - Industrial Internet of Things" connectivity category for its KEPServerEX version 5.21 software by readers of Control Engineering. Nominees were evaluated on technological advancement, service to the industry, and market impact. Leadership in Automation: First Team Honoree, Automation World

Readers of Automation World named Kepware a preferred vendor in the "NetworkingWireless" category. The recognition is based on unaided recall surveys.

Readers of Automation World named Kepware a preferred vendor in the "NetworkingWireless" category. The recognition is based on unaided recall surveys. MESA Smart Story Award, MESA International

Implementation and use of Kepware products by Faurecia, an international automotive parts manufacturer, was selected as one of three winning customer use case stories. All entries celebrated the ways that people and Information Technologies work together towards smarter manufacturing, and winners were decided based on the largest number of case study downloads.

Implementation and use of Kepware products by Faurecia, an international automotive parts manufacturer, was selected as one of three winning customer use case stories. All entries celebrated the ways that people and Information Technologies work together towards smarter manufacturing, and winners were decided based on the largest number of case study downloads. IoT Breakthrough Awards, IoT Breakthrough

The Kepware KEPServerEX software was selected as the Industrial IoT Solution of the Year. Winners were evaluated by an independent panel of technology professionals with the goal of recognizing the best and brightest in the IoT market today.

The Kepware KEPServerEX software was selected as the Industrial IoT Solution of the Year. Winners were evaluated by an independent panel of technology professionals with the goal of recognizing the best and brightest in the IoT market today. Gold Readers' Choice Award, Control Global

Readers of Control Global named Kepware a preferred vendor in the "OPC Connectivity" category. The winners were determined solely by readers' fill-in-the-blank responses.

This recognition comes after the recent launch of KEPServerEX Version 6, which includes a major update to the platform's core server functionality and user interface. These enhancements further enable customers to meet growing productivity demands in today's increasingly-global industrial landscape.

KEPServerEX is an industrial connectivity platform that leverages OPC and IT-centric communication protocols to provide a single source of industrial automation data to enterprise applications. The platform offers a library of more than 150 device drivers, client drivers, and advanced plug-insenabling connectivity to thousands of devices and other data sources.

About Kepware

@Kepware is a software development business of PTC Inc. located in Portland, Maine. Kepware provides a portfolio of software solutions to help businesses connect diverse automation devices and software applications and enable the Industrial Internet of Things. From plant floor to wellsite to windfarm, Kepware serves a wide range of customers in a variety of vertical markets including Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Building Automation, Power & Utilities, and more. Established in 1995 and now distributed in more than 100 countries, Kepware software solutions help thousands of businesses improve operations and decision making. Learn more at https://www.kepware.com/.



About PTC

PTC has the most robust Internet of Things technology in the world. In 1986 we revolutionized digital 3D design. Now our leading IoT and AR platform and field-proven solutions bring together the physical and digital worlds to reinvent the way you create, operate, and service products. With PTC, global manufacturers and an ecosystem of partners and developers can capitalize on the promise of the IoT today and drive the future of innovation.

PTC.com @PTC Blogs



Kepware, the Kepware logo, and KEPServerEX are trademarks or registered trademarks of PTC Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.



Media Contact

Torey Penrod-Cambra

VP Marketing Programs

+1 (207) 775-1660

tpenrodcambra@ptc.com

Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472318/Kepware_Awards_Round_Up.jpg

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472362/Kepware_Logo.jpg



Related Links

http://www.kepware.com



SOURCE Kepware Technologies
MADRID, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Register now for World ATM Congress 2017, the world's largest air traffic management (ATM) exhibition, opening on the morning of 7 March at IFEMA, Feria de Madrid. The event will bring together aviation leaders from over 130 countries, including high-ranking regulators and officials; CEOs of airports, airlines, and air navigation service providers (ANSPs); trade associations; and leaders of commercial companies that provide products and services to the aviation industry. The event runs through 9 March.

World ATM Congress is on track to exceed last year's 7,175 registrants, and includes:

Air traffic controllers and representatives from air traffic control and ATM service providers, airports, airlines, governments, armed forces, NGOs, manufacturers, suppliers, and more.

Over 80 ANSPs.

A record-breaking 230 exhibitors, including 25 new exhibitors.

Five education theatres with over 120 presentations, including product demonstrations and launches, panel discussions, and exploration of recent trends and developments from nearly 100 leading organisations across various segments of aviation.

The award-winning World ATM Congress, now in its fifth year, is produced by the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) in partnership with the Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA). The theme of the Conference is Adapting to Change in ATM  Creating the Right Culture. Four sessions over two mornings explore how best to facilitate desired change in this complex environment. It will start with an airline view  not just of the airline requirements but how the airline business has coped with and facilitated major changes and how it is seeking to respond to geopolitical changes and events. The Conference will then look at achieving better performance across sectors and at how to collaborate more effectively between multiple stakeholders. It will take a fresh look at a specific example of the challenges of change in ATM  how to integrate remotely piloted aircraft systems and drones safely into and alongside airspace.

World ATM Congress 2017 will also play host to several events, including the IHS Jane's ATC Awards and the Single European Sky (SES) European Commission Awards on 7 March, as well as several press events throughout the three days.

For more information about World ATM Congress 2017, please visit www.worldatmcongress.org. Online registration runs through the event. On-site registration is available at no additional cost.

Media Contact: Abigail Glenn-Chase, abigail.glenn-chase@atca.org

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472314/World_ATM_Congress_2017_Logo.jpg

Related Links

http://www.worldatmcongress.org



SOURCE World ATM Congress
Birth of laser technology and intelligent manufacturing to propel "Made in China 2025"

Under the strong promotion of "Made-in-China 2025" and intelligent manufacturing, there will be a boom in China's laser industry. Numerous new applications will emerge in the market such as laser micro processing, medical laser and laser 3D printing, which will push forward laser technology future development and leads China into laser-processing age.

With strong basis in pearl-river delta, CIOE will launch a specialized sub-expo - "Laser Technology and Intelligent Manufacturing Expo". Expecting over 300 lasers manufacturers and more than 10,000 local and international visitors, latest lasers technologies, new applications and new trends will be showcased within a 10,000 sq. meters exhibition area. Leading brands such as Han's Laser, Chutian, and JPT will exhibit their cutting-edge laser equipment with concurrent conference on how the "Intelligent Manufacturing" will enhance the traditional manufacturing step into an era of "light processing".

Photonics innovations continue as the main highlight of CIOE 2017

In 2016, CIOE presented the first Photonics Innovation Pavilion in China with various special on-site events perfectly integrated into the innovation, industry, capital and talents chain in the photonics world, presenting a "new ecosystem" of the innovative optoelectronics industry. Due to last year's success, CIOE 2017 will continue to illustrate the continued story of the innovations in the Photonics Innovation Pavilion, which includes biophotonics, medical imaging, sensing and detection, photonics manufacturing, IoT, artificial intelligence and optical fiber sensor.

Another new exhibition zone - "Emerging Display Technology Zone" aims at helping the global optoelectronic industry to discover more business possibilities and demands. Focusing on new intelligent technologies including emerging display, wearable device, 3D display, grapheme, AR/VR, holography and flexible display (OLED), this new zone will expect to attract engineers in advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurs who enjoys presenting innovative projects, makers who are looking for partners, and investment companies that seeks business opportunities

About China International Optoelectronic Expo (CIOE) (www.cioe.cn)

Established in 1999, CIOE is the largest show of its kind in the world featuring over 3,200 optoelectronic brands and their latest products in the area of 110,000 sqm at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center. There are concurrent specialized expositions focusing on Optical Communications and Sensors, Lasers, Infrared Applications, Precision Optics, LEDs, Emerging Display, Sapphire Technology & Touch Screen and Photonics Innovations.

About UBM Herong (www.ubmherong.com)

CIOE is organzied by Shenzhen UBM Herong Exhibition Co Ltd, a joint venture company of UBM Asia, a wholly owned company of UBM plc. listed on the London Stock Exchange. UBM Herong is able to tap on UBM's extensive global reach and show management expertise to service exhibitors and visitors even better. Its strong bond with companies and professionals in the field of optoelectronics enables it to support the industry's continuous growth and technological development.

Media Contact

Shirly YI

Tel+86 755 86290891

Emailshirly.yi@cioe.cn

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471901/CIOE_logo_EN_Logo.jpg

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471900/UBM_Herong_Logo.jpg

Related Links

http://www.cioe.cn



SOURCE China International Optoelectronic Expo (CIOE)
SDN Solutions Designed for Enterprise Digital Transformation

BROOMFIELD, Colorado, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Global businesses are in the midst of a digital transformation that is accelerating the need for agile, secure networking solutions. To help enterprises achieve greater visibility and control over their networks, Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) is expanding its award-winning Metro 2.0 global Ethernet platform and software-defined networking (SDN) solutions to the Asia-Pacific region.

Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471959/Level_3_Communications_APAC_Ethernet_Expansion.jpg

Level 3 is expanding its award-winning Metro 2.0 global Ethernet platform and software-defined networking (SDN) solutions to the Asia-Pacific region. (PRNewsFoto/Level 3 Communications, Inc.)

Enterprises can now access Level 3's agile Ethernet platform from two access points each in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore, for a total of six access points in the region.

Learn more about how Level 3's agile Ethernet platform can help businesses reduce costs, enhance operations and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace: http://www.level3.com/en/products/ethernet/.

Level 3 Ethernet and SDN by the Numbers:

Level 3 Ethernet services reach more than 290 markets around the world with flexible bandwidth options ranging from 2 Mbps to 6 Gbps.

For Level 3 customers taking advantage of Level 3's SDN-based solutions platform, Adaptive Network Control Solutions (ANCS) with Dynamic Capacity, data utilization thresholds drive more than 70 percent of monthly events.

Enterprises currently employing Level 3's Dynamic Capacity drive more than 1,500 bandwidth scalability events per month, with as many as 75 percent occurring during normal business hours to reduce IT resource constraints.

Key Facts:

Level 3's Ethernet platform provides full E-Line and E-Access product capabilities inclusive of Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL) and Ethernet Private Line (EPL), for global end-to-end connectivity to on- and off-net locations.

This expansion further delivers on Level 3's goal to provide a single, global Ethernet product suite that offers a customer-defined networking experience, one that offers bandwidth scaling on demand and in near real time.

With Level 3 Ethernet solutions, enterprises have the performance of private connectivity, scalable bandwidth and custom configuration options ideal for secure connections between corporate headquarters, public and private data centers and public, private and hybrid cloud environments.

Level 3 in APAC:

Level 3 began operating in Asia Pacific in 2004; the company has 14 on-net markets throughout Asia Pacific with service reach to more than 50 markets in the region.

in 2004; the company has 14 on-net markets throughout with service reach to more than 50 markets in the region. Level 3 recently announced the deployment of DDoS scrubbing centers in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore.

Level 3 offers global cloud and data center connectivity to businesses in the region, with on-ramps to AWS as well as to Microsoft Azure in Singapore .

. In addition to its agile Ethernet services, Level 3 offers customers in the region Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Direct Internet Access, managed services, unified communications, content delivery networks (CDN) and security solutions.

Key Quotes:

Anthony Christie, Chief Marketing Officer, Level 3

"Growth, efficiency and security are what global enterprises need to remain relevant and competitive in the new digital economy. Our expansion in the region puts real-time information and control into the hands of the business to support the seamless, trusted experience demanded by their employees, partners and customers."

Ricky Chau, Vice President of Sales for the Asia Pacific Region, Level 3

"As enterprises evolve, they rely on network solutions that can easily scale and adapt to the needs of the business. The expansion of Level 3's dynamic Ethernet services to strategic markets in Asia Pacific not only demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the region, it is the next step in delivering a customer-defined networking experience over a single, global Ethernet product suite."

Additional Resources:

About Level 3 Communications

Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) is a Fortune 500 company that provides local, national and global communications services to enterprise, government and carrier customers. Level 3's comprehensive portfolio of secure, managed solutions includes fiber and infrastructure solutions; IP-based voice and data communications; wide-area Ethernet services; video and content distribution; data center and cloud-based solutions. Level 3 serves customers in more than 500 markets in over 60 countries across a global services platform anchored by owned fiber networks on three continents and connected by extensive undersea facilities. Level 3 services are provided by subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc. For more information, visit www.level3.com or get to know us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

 Level 3 Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Level 3, Level 3 Communications, Level (3) and the Level 3 Logo are either registered service marks or service marks of Level 3 Communications, LLC and/or one of its Affiliates in the United States and elsewhere. Any other service names, product names, company names or logos included herein are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Level 3 services are provided by subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc.

Forward-Looking Statement

Some statements made in this press release are forward-looking in nature and are based on management's current expectations or beliefs. These forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside Level 3's control, which could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. Important factors that could prevent Level 3 from achieving its stated goals include, but are not limited to, the company's ability to: increase revenue from its services to realize its targets for financial and operating performance; develop and maintain effective business support systems; manage system and network failures or disruptions; avert the breach of its network and computer system security measures; develop new services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; manage the future expansion or adaptation of its network to remain competitive; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; manage risks associated with continued uncertainty in the global economy; manage continued or accelerated decreases in market pricing for communications services; obtain capacity for its network from other providers and interconnect its network with other networks on favorable terms; successfully integrate future acquisitions; effectively manage political, legal, regulatory, foreign currency and other risks it is exposed to due to its substantial international operations; mitigate its exposure to contingent liabilities; and meet all of the terms and conditions of its debt obligations. Additional information concerning these and other important factors can be found within Level 3's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Level 3 is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contact Information

Media: Investors: Stephanie Walkenshaw Mark Stoutenberg +1 720-888-3084 +1 720-888-2518 stephanie.walkenshaw@level3.com mark.stoutenberg@level3.com

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/144115/level_3_communications_logo.jpg

Related Links

http://www.level3.com



SOURCE Level 3 Communications, Inc.
LONDON, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The Global Brands Magazine (GBM), UK, Awarded Nan Shan Life Insurance the Title 'Best Life Insurance Brand - Taiwan 2016'

Global Brands Magazine (GBM) is a prestigious online and print magazine in the United Kingdom for the leading brands of all industries across the globe. GBM provides the readers with in-depth and updated news, reviews, opinions and polls on 'best-in-class' brands.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160518/369255LOGO )



The Annual Brand Awards aim to identify and reward exceptional service-delivery by celebrating 'best-in-class' brands. The judging criteria behind the Global Brands Awards includes an assessment of the financials, growth, service, customer experience and branding activities by a research team in partnership with an external judging panel from the relevant region.

Award announcement on GBM: http://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/award-winners-2016/

Y. T. Tu, the Chairman of Nan Shan Life Insurance, shared his sentiments on an interview with GBM, "It's such an honor to win Global Brands Awards for Nan Shan Life. Nan Shan aims at becoming a paragon of 'public welfare services' by developing insurance products and services for various life stages in order to help customers build comprehensive insurance coverage. The recognition goes to Nan Shan's insight and commitment to enhancing our products and service through corporate social feedback."

About Nan Shan Life Insurance

Incorporated in July 1963, Nan Shan Life Insurance Co., Ltd. ("Nan Shan") has been running its business in Taiwan for half a century. Nan Shan is highly regarded for its professional management and financial soundness and is well recognized for its leadership role in quality agents, professional training and education, technology solutions, and customer services.

Holding fast to the belief in trust, caring and integrity, Nan Shan keeps customers' interests at heart and provides caring services and innovative products that far exceed customers' expectations.

About Global Brands Magazine

Global Brands Magazine is one of the world's best branding publications. The magazine provides the reader with up-to-date news, reviews and polls on brands across the globe. The magazine is head-quartered in England.

For more information, please visit: http://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com

Media Contact:

Edwin Martin

Phone: +44-208-133-3927



SOURCE Global Brands Publications Limited
LONDON, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Jewellery manufacturer PANDORA has been named as a winner for Best International Campaign at the 2017 CIPR #insidestory Awards.

PANDORA's international campaign was initiated to support the launch of a brand new digital workplace solution to enable global connectivity for 21,500 employees worldwide, which was designed by digital consultancy BrightStarr.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472235/Pandora_Intranet_Live_in_Thailand.jpg )

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160112/321296LOGO )

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472234/Pandora_Logo.jpg )



PANDORA was recognised by CIPR Inside, the chartered body of Chartered Institute of Public Relations dedicated to internal communication and employee engagement, for its outstanding efforts to introduce and train global users on the new intranet solution, named INFORA. This involved the core intranet team travelling to meet and train employees from PANDORA's key locations including USA, Canada, Brazil, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Shanghai, Australia, Thailand, Dubai, France, Germany and Italy.

International training sessions were supported by a comprehensive internal marketing campaign which included on-site go-live celebrations and intranet 'troops' present at many offices promoting INFORA by handing out gift bags and merchandise.

In addition, life-size standees of three intranet cartoon characters representing communication, collaboration, and sharing were arranged in every office globally, with their iconography consistently represented across the entire campaign, reminding users of the core benefits of the new intranet.

"We're really proud to receive the CIPR Award for Best International Campaign in London, in recognition of our high-paced but thorough worldwide roll-out and adoption of our new intranet and global digital workplace." said Morten Dal, Global Intranet Manager, PANDORA. "Creative marketing and sustained training and adoption efforts are really key to a successful implementation and business value."

This award marks a momentous time for PANDORA, as the intranet team prepares to conclude its international on-boarding campaign in the UK on February 28th. The positive business impact of the campaign is already clear, with a 90% increase in global users with over 57 countries active on the new intranet. With over 8,000 unique monthly visitors, and an 85% increase in visits to local and global news pages, INFORA has achieved its goal of enabling global connectivity.

"We're thrilled to see one of our clients receive recognition for the outstanding work it has achieved with its digital workplace" said Paul Jackson, Managing Director, BrightStarr. "We look forward to our continuing relationship with PANDORA, working with the team to grow and adapt the solution to ensure continued adoption."

Visit the BrightStarr website to learn more about PANDORA's Best International Campaign.

About BrightStarr

Brightstarr is an award winning technology consultancy that has been working with clients to build digital workplaces, platforms and tools on Microsoft technology for over ten years. As a globally recognized Microsoft Gold Partner, it is regularly singled out for incorporating cutting-edge design and technical excellence into all customer engagements. For more information, please visit www.brightstarr.com/.

About PANDORA

PANDORA designs, manufactures and markets hand-finished and contemporary jewelry made from high-quality materials at affordable prices. PANDORA jewellery is sold in more than 100 countries on six continents through approximately 8,100 points of sale, including more than 2,100 concept stores. Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, PANDORA employs more than 21,500 people worldwide of whom approximately 12,400 are located in Gemopolis, Thailand, where the company manufactures its jewellery. For more information, please visit www.pandoragroup.com.

Media Contact:

Katy Smith

Katy.Smith@brightstarr.com



SOURCE BrightStarr
SINGAPORE and HONG KONG, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Company opens Singapore and Hong Kong offices to support expansion

SafeCharge (AIM: SCH), a leader in advanced payment technologies, today announced that it has opened an office in Singapore and a satellite office in Hong Kong.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160526/372493LOGO )



In addition to its new offices, SafeCharge has become a member of UnionPay International, a subsidiary of the fast-growing global payment network China UnionPay which is extensively used by Chinese shoppers domestically and internationally.

Mr. Willy Kwa has been appointed as Regional Director and Head of APAC Business and will be based in the Singapore office. With approximately 20 years' experience in the payments sector gained at companies such as DBS Bank and NETS, Mr. Kwa is well-equipped to spearhead the Company's growth in the region, with a clear mandate to provide the highest levels of customer service as well as establish and maintain relationships with local and international technology, payment and banking partners.

David Avgi, CEO, SafeCharge, said:

"Establishing offices in Singapore and Hong Kong will enable us to grow our footprint in the region and provide local card acquiring and alternative payments for domestic and international businesses that serve customers in Asia Pacific. Our membership of UnionPay International means that we are able to help European merchants accept this fast growing payment method and support the dramatic demand for cross-border transactions in an increasingly global market."

Willy Kwa, Regional Director and Head of APAC Business stated:

"The Asia Pacific region not only has the largest e-commerce market in the world, but now represents more than half of all e-commerce spend globally, with its lead set to only grow further. In addition, companies like Ant Financial and AliPay demonstrate that domestic innovation is rapidly going global and dramatically altering the macro payments landscape. A local presence is essential in order to stay ahead of the innovation curve, support customers internationally and accelerate our growth."

About SafeCharge

SafeCharge International Group Limited is a global provider of technology-based multi-channel payments services and risk management solutions for demanding businesses. SafeCharge has a diversified, blue chip client base and is a trusted payment partner for customers from various verticals. SafeCharge has been Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard ("PCI-DSS") Level 1 certified since 2007 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market (LSE: SCH). The Company's wholly owned subsidiary, SafeCharge Limited, is an authorised Electronic Money Institution regulated by the Central Bank of Cyprus and a principal member of MasterCard Europe and VISA Europe. The SafeCharge group has operations in the UK, Guernsey, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Israel, Austria, Singapore and Hong Kong.

http://www.safecharge.com

Enquiries:



SafeCharge International Group Limited

David Avgi

Tim Mickley

+44(0)20-3051-3031



CCgroup (Media)

Alan Miller / Abbie Godward

safecharge@ccgrouppr.com

+44(0)20-3824-9200



SOURCE SafeCharge
TOKYO and SINGAPORE, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Singapore headquartered Excelity Global Solutions and Tokyo-based Socialynx today announced their partnership for Japan. Excelity Global Solutions, the largest Asia-based payroll service provider, processes more than 1.2 million payslips per month in 19 countries across Asia Pacific.

Excelity currently offers HCM services in 13 countries on its proprietary platform - the most extensive coverage of any proprietary platform in Asia Pacific. Commenting on this partnership, Jeya Kumar, Executive Chairman of Excelity Global Solutions, said, "As we completed our Asia Pacific build out last year, we began active discussions across APAC for the best partnership that fulfills mutual aspirations. Socialynx's strong management team with a deep understanding of the market and customer needs was a natural fit for us."

Kunihisa Chiba, CEO, Socialynx, said, "In Japanese companies operating outside Japan, especially in APAC region - these subsidiaries usually run the payroll locally using an excel sheet or some minor payroll software. The problem is that no data or process can be obtained or captured in their HQ in Japan. Our partnership with Excelity now offers these companies the ability to capture and obtain these data or process through Excelity Pay with modern technology. Moreover, the technology will bring automated Year End Tax Adjustments, ESS, Mobility, Social Insurance and several unique functionalities to the domestic companies in Japan. We are very happy to be partners with Excelity. We strongly believe this partnership will open a new HR outsourcing market in Japan and APAC."

About Socialynx

Founded in 2016, Socialynx team has more than 10 years of experience in HR outsourcing with extensive experience with several foreign banks and securities companies in Japan. Socialynx currently serves customers in retail, education and transportation industries. Socialynx recently obtained a Personal Information Protection Certification (Privacy Mark).

About Excelity Global Solutions

The Singapore headquartered Excelity Global Solutions, the largest Asia-based payroll outsourcing business, was founded in 1997. Excelity is a pioneer in payroll outsourcing, operating its proprietary platform in 13 countries across Asia Pacific with delivery centers in India, Singapore, China and Philippines. Serving over 1.2 million payslips monthly, delivered through managed services, it also offers HCM offerings in SaaS and PaaS models.

Please visit us at http://www.excelityglobal.com

Media Contacts

Pragati Puri

pragati@80-db.com

+91-9902039017



SOURCE Excelity Global
PETACH TIKVA, Israel, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Stockton STK specializes in the development and marketing of botanical based pesticides, have signed a long-term non-exclusive distribution agreement of Timorex Gold biofungicide with Chongqing Shurong Crop Science Ltd. in the field of professional crop protection uses in edible crops in China.

Under the terms of the non-exclusive agreement, it allows Timorex Gold to expand its domestic reach by utilizing Chongqing Shurong Crop Science Ltd. expert representatives, sales and marketing channels. Timorex Gold will be manufactured and supplied by Stockton and marketed and distributed in Chinanon -exclusively by Chongqing Shurong.

Timorex Gold has proven prophylactic and curative efficacy against a broad spectrum of diseases in a wide range of crops and is suitable to be used in conventional and organic agriculture and can be applied year-round without inducing fungi resistance. Its components provide multiple action mechanisms against fungal and bacterial crop diseases, offering effective and sustainable control. Timorex Gold is certified by leading organic associations worldwide or use in organic agriculture.

"We project a big future in this market as Asia is emerging as a key player in plant biotechnology," said Guy Elitzur, CEO of Stockton. "We are pleased to enter this collaboration with Chongqing Shurong Crop Science Ltd., as we believe they demonstrate expertise in the crop protection arena and their strategic focus should enable Timorex Gold its full potential in China."

About CHONGQING SHURONG CROP SCIENCE Ltd.

Chongqing Shurong Crop Science Ltd. is located at beautiful mountain city-Chongqing, is a scientific and technological enterprise integrating research, production and sales. It passed the certification of ISO9001:2008 Quality Management System and ISO9001:2008 Quality Management System in 2009. In 2016, Chongqing Shurong ranked No. 68 in China's Top 100 Pesticide Sales Enterprisesand ranked No. 9 in China's Top 50 Pesticide Preparation Sales Enterprises. The company has established a high-quality and efficient sales team with international vision, and the sales network covers all over China.

About the Stockton STK

Stockton STK specializes in the development and marketing of botanical-based biopesticides. Its core focus is on the incorporation of these biopesticides into integrated agriculture spraying programs that use conventional chemical products, thus creating a balanced, cleaner and sustainable agricultural environment.

Stockton is a global company established in 1994 and has an active R&D Center for the development of future natural products for crop protection. Its unique research and development center in Israel invests substantial resources in developing 'green' products. Stockton has a variety of products adapted to different agro ecological areas, biological parameters and regulatory guidelines.

Stockton's flagship product Timorex Gold is used to control a broad spectrum of diseases in diverse crops. The product demonstrates an efficacy equivalent to chemical fungicides and is suitable to be used in conventional and organic agriculture. Timorex Gold is registered and sold in over 30 countries.

Contact: For more information, please visit our website: www.stockton-ag.com

or contact Judy Jamuy at: +972-52-7599242 or judy@stockton-ag.com .

SOURCE Stockton STK
Demand for Fuel Cell Light Vehicles Will Remain Under 500,000 Units/Year in 2025

BOSTON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- At this year's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, auto makers and energy companies announced the formation of the Hydrogen Council. The Council promised the investment of $10B towards the development of hydrogen fuel cell powertrain technology.

The Strategy Analytics report, "Hydrogen Council Boosts Fuel Cell Powertrains, But Demand Still Limited by High Cost and Lack of Infrastructure," considers the market potential for fuel cell powertrains in the new light vehicle market.

Click here for the report: http://bit.ly/2ltCHAt

Fuel cell technology can offer consumers a powertrain that emits no tailpipe greenhouse gases and harmful pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, but without the range anxiety found in battery electric vehicles. However, fuel cell powertrains are complex systems that also require the use of costly materials, such as platinum in the fuel cell anode and carbon fiber to produce the hydrogen fuel tanks. Furthermore, a whole new hydrogen infrastructure is required and it is costly both to produce the fuel and to build the fueling stations. As a result, Strategy Analytics expects that demand will be limited to niche applications.

Kevin Mak, Senior Analyst at the Automotive Practice of Strategy Analytics, said, "Fuel cell powertrains can occupy an important niche where delivery and taxi fleets require a rapid turnaround (instead of waiting for EVs to recharge) and where large delivery vehicles would otherwise require costly battery packs. However, without the necessary cost reductions, fuel cells may not even reach this level of demand to make a meaningful impact towards mandate compliance."

"While some governments are investing in infrastructure and incentivizing fuel cell vehicle purchases, auto makers are developing new fuel cell designs with reduced requirements for costly materials and with increased power density to raise efficiency and enable small form factor." Mak added, "More importantly, strategies are beginning to take shape to bring about economies of scale. They include the use of modular, platform designs for fuel cell stacks, so that the different requirements of auto makers and vehicle applications can be accommodated by adding more fuel cells. Strategies also seek to consolidate fuel cell production to lower unit cost."

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

European Contact: Kevin Mak, +44 (0)1908 423 644, kmak@strategyanalytics.com

US Contact: Mark Fitzgerald, +1 617 614 0717, mfitzgerald@strategyanalytics.com

China Contact: Kevin Li, +86 186 0110 3697, kli@strategyanalytics.com

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/323745/strategy_analytics_logo.jpg

Related Links

http://www.strategyanalytics.com



SOURCE Strategy Analytics
According to UBM Asia's Group Director - ASEAN, Ms. Rungphech (Rose) Chitanuwat, "Aquaculture Vietnam 2017 will cover the whole aquaculture sector value chain, including feed, health and nutrition, genetics, equipment, processing and much more. A diverse technical and scientific program featuring locally and internationally renowned speakers will be complemented by a major trade show with leading exhibitors from around ASEAN and the world, showcasing the latest in products and services. Our objective is to provide aquaculture professionals valuable opportunities to network and meet decision makers, create business opportunities and provide solutions to their business challenges."

Aquaculture is essential to meet the future demand for seafood products. The sector plays an important role in the economy of Vietnam. Seafood exports in 2016 grew by 7.4 percent in value to US$7.05 billion, accounting for 24 percent of the country's total agricultural, forestry and fisheries exports, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Producers and Exporters (VASEP). The value of Vietnam's seafood exports is expected to increase by 5 percent this year to around US$7.5 billion. Aquaculture production accounts for about 65% of Vietnam's total fisheries exports in value, with shrimp, mainly black tiger prawn accounting for about half of the total export value.

Given aquaculture's strategic importance, the Vietnamese government aims to massively upgrade the country's shrimp industry with a view to boosting exports. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc recently said the shrimp industry should strive for an export value of US$10 billion by 2025, to account for 10 percent of the country's GDP. He noted that "inadequate high tech for intensive farming has resulted in only modest productivity of 250 to 300 kilos of shrimp per hectare; if productivity is doubled, we can immediately reach our goal."

As Asia's leading organizer of exhibitions, UBM is committed to driving innovation in and boosting the competitiveness of the Vietnamese aquaculture industry. Ms. Chitanuwat noted that "Aquaculture Vietnam 2017 can help Vietnam reach this and other goals, by facilitating Vietnam's aquaculture sectors development by partnering with governments, NGO's, industry and academia to promote best practice production systems that are environmentally friendly, consumer-oriented and economically viable."

"Recognizing Can Tho's crucial role in Vietnamese aquaculture, as one of the most potential aquaculture provinces in Vietnam, and that it is home of the College of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Can Tho University - one of the country's leading units doing research in aquaculture and fisheries, it just makes sense to hold Aquaculture Vietnam 2017 here," commented by UBM Asia's Managing Director, Mr. M Gandhi "The Can Tho International Exhibition Fair Center (EFC), will provide an outstanding setting and venue for this important industry event," she said.

Aquaculture Vietnam 2017 is supported by our valued partners; the Vietnam Fisheries Society (VINAFIS), International Collaborating Centre For Aquaculture and Fisheries Sustainability (ICAFIS), the Aquaculture Without Frontier and The International Aqua Feed Magazine.

As a part of the launch, UBM organized visits to an aquaculture farm in Vinh Long province, and a seafood processing facility in Can Tho City. The visits helped provide insights into the opportunities and challenges, and needs of the Vietnamese aquaculture sector in an increasingly competitive market.

"Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your aquaculture operation. See you at Aquaculture Vietnam 2017, where you will be inspired by ideas and innovations," concluded Mr. M Gandhi. For more information, please visit our website www.aquaculturevn.com.

ABOUT AQUACULTURE VIETNAM 2017

Aquaculture Vietnam 2017 is the Vietnam's International Aquaculture Industry Event which will present the latest innovations in aquaculture, fisheries and seafood, for the whole value chain, from production to processing and packaging to plate.

The show will be held on 25 - 27 October 2017 at the Can Tho International Exhibition Fair Center (EFC), Can Tho City, Vietnam.

Related Links

http://www.aquaculturevn.com/



SOURCE UBM Asia (Malaysia)
"WuXi NextCODE is executing on its vision to enable anyone to use the genome to advance health and wellness worldwide," said Dr Ge Li, founder and chairman of WuXi AppTec group and chairman of WuXi NextCODE. "It is also positioning itself as the data management platform at the heart of the genomics revolution and what may become the world's largest data ecosystem. Hannes, John and Alex have the breadth of vision and proven executive capabilities to carry out this strategy and advance the company to the next level."

"This is an exciting time at WuXi NextCODE, as we work on leading projects in every facet of genomics and advance a global standard for the way genomic data is organized, mined and shared," said Mr Smarason. "John and Alex's leadership and experience in life sciences finance and operations, and in the recent independent listing of other WuXi AppTec companies, will be invaluable as we grow our business and forge our own strategic path. We are very pleased to have them join our team and offer them a warm welcome to WuXi NextCODE."

Hannes Smarason co-founded NextCODE Health in 2013 as a spinout from deCODE genetics. He oversaw NextCODE's acquisition by WuXi AppTec in 2015 and its merger with the WuXi Genome Center to create WuXi NextCODE. He served as COO until January 2017 and as CEO will lead the company's overall business and corporate strategy.

John Long has served as WuXi AppTec's senior vice president of finance since 2013. He was actively involved in WuXi AppTec's privatization from NYSE in 2015 and played important roles in WuXi AppTec's subsequent corporate restructuring, supporting WuXi Biologics's recent IPO filing process in Hong Kong as well as private placements in the China capital market. John has over twenty years' experience in financial management, investment and operations in the US, China and Singapore, and prior to joining WuXi AppTec served in senior roles at Willis Group, Tyco International and Lucent Technologies. In addition to finance and operations leadership, he will provide WuXi NextCODE with global expertise in governance, reporting, strategic planning, treasury and tax. John holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing and received his MBA from Wharton School of Business at University of Pennsylvania.

Alex Fowkes has twenty years experience in the life science industry in operations, business development, strategy and legal roles. He joined WuXi AppTec in 2012 initially to lead corporate development and then most recently serving as senior vice president of commercial operations. Prior to WuXi Alex served in a variety roles for Pfizer in the US, UK, Australia and China over 14 years.

About WuXi NextCODE

WuXi NextCODE is a fully integrated global contract genomics organization. With offices in Shanghai; Kendall Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Reykjavik, Iceland, we offer comprehensive services that enable population, precision medicine, diagnostics and wellness initiatives and enterprises to use the genome to improve health around the world. Our capabilities span study design, sequencing, secondary analysis, storage, and interpretation and scalable analytics  all backed by the most proven and widely used technology for organizing, mining and sharing genome sequence data. We are also applying the same capabilities to advance a growing range of sequence-based tests and scans in China. WuXi NextCODE is a WuXi AppTec Group company. Visit us on the web at wuxinextcode.com.

Contact:

Edward Farmer, PhD

efarmer@wuxinextcode.com

+1 781-775-6206

Related Links

http://www.wuxinextcode.com



SOURCE WuXi NextCODE
NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Only 21% of India's engineering students managed to secure a job through campus recruitment, and the biggest challenge is soft skills, according to the Times of India article on November 21, 20161. To address this challenge, 2gno.me ("To know me"), a technology provider of soft skills intelligence, is partnering with Byndr, a mobile-first learning management platform that helps colleges in India connect their students to the resources they need to succeed.

Only 21% of India's engineering students managed to secure a job through campus recruitment. The biggest challenge is soft skills. Through this partnership, college students can enhance awareness about skills such as communication, collaboration, judgment and more. Each skill is based on social expectations in professional settings that are critical to workplace success.

Through this partnership, college students can enhance awareness about skills such as communication, collaboration, judgment and more. Each skill is based on social expectations in professional settings that are critical to workplace success. Students get to baseline their results relative to their peers, reflect on strengths and gaps, and get connected to personalized learning resources to improve where it makes sense.

"Soft skills are the second most requested area of interest after core university content," said Sasidhar Sista, Byndr, head of Business Development. "While students have a high technical skillset, they often are lacking in some of these soft skills and the 2gno.me platform offers a tremendous opportunity to address the changes needed to ensure success in the workplace."

"Soft skills are responsible for up to 80% of professional success," said founder Ilya Zeldin. "2gno.me provides an authentic, transparent window into ourselves through the honest feedback of the people whose opinions matter most to us."

2gno.me makes high-caliber skills assessments accessible to individuals and educators previously priced out of the market. To learn more and see real-time skills awareness, visit https://2gno.me/wow/india-soft-skills/.

About 2gno.me

2gno.me ("To know me") addresses the challenge of self-awareness about life's most important skills. For educators and human capital leaders, the soft skills intelligence platform enhances self-awareness, identifies skill strengths and gaps, and helps address skill gaps with personalized learning resources. Gold award at the 2016 Re-Imagine Education competition.

Contact: Ilya Zeldin

Telephone: (917) 701-9149

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://2gno.me

1 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Soft-skills-make-it-hard-to-get-a-job/articleshow/55532817.cms

SOURCE 2gno.me

Related Links

https://2gno.me


WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, AARP Travel releases the results of its latest study, diving into the emotional, mental and physical benefits of creating a travel-related bucket list. According to the survey, nearly 4 out of ten baby boomers have a travel bucket list, with 58% planning to take their next trip in two to five years. AARP found that just creating a travel bucket list motivated boomers with a sense of hope and gave them something to look forward to. Additionally, 53% of those preparing for their next trip report that they are getting in shape to fully enjoy the experience.

AARP Travel Research: 2017 Travel Bucket Lists

Key Findings from the AARP Travel Bucket List Survey:

Travel is the top aspirational activity for 50-plus Americans.

69% of baby boomers are optimistic that they will visit the next destination on their travel bucket list

Baby boomers hope to get to more than 80% of their list in their lifetime, but consider it a success to check off 65%

53% of baby boomers are getting in shape to prepare for their next bucket list trip

to prepare for their next bucket list trip 36% of baby boomers have already started saving money for their next bucket list trip

for their next bucket list trip Of the eight destinations on their travel bucket lists, half are domestic and half are international

52% of baby boomers go online to get inspired

An analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data found that Americans over 50 years of age are investing over $125 billion per year in personal travel, a statistic that will grow as boomers have more time to travel. With baby boomers having already completed 25% of their travel bucket list, 37% of those surveyed will continue to create and check trips off of their lists because it gives them something to look forward to.

"Traveling keeps our body and mind active, from planning and creating an itinerary to getting in better physical shape for the trip," explained Denise Austin, renowned fitness expert, health advocate and AARP Wellness Ambassador. "Not only can being physically fit help make the vacation more enjoyable, it often leaves us feeling refreshed and rejuvenated when we're back home."

While the benefits of bucket list vacations are clear, there are barriers. According to the survey, 45% of baby boomers identify money as the biggest barrier to accomplishing their travel bucket list. This statistic is further solidified by the fact that 79% of people have investigated their next trip, but only 11% have booked it.

"Usability studies have indicated that consumers frequently check on the weather of possible travel destinations," said AARP researcher, Patty David. "It's important to not only consider saving funds and budgeting for the trip, but also ensuring you've researched the best time to travel."

At the center of AARP Travel is travel.aarp.org, an integrated website for idea generation, planning and booking support to simplify travel for 50-plus Americans. Overall, the AARP Travel resources enable members and others to make the most of their travel experience. From now until March 31 AARP is giving away $10,000 to help make travel dreams come true. To enter The Great American Expedition Travel Sweepstakes, visit sweeps.aarp.org/entertravel2017.

The full survey results can be found at www.aarp.org/2017travelbucketlist.

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


BOSTON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Actifio, the Enterprise Data-as-a-Service company, today announced an impressive close to its fiscal 2017, having exceeded major financial and operational targets while strengthening its leadership position in the market. Customers now use Actifio to manage over 250 Petabytes of application data, and over 6 Exabytes of logical data, seamlessly across their on-premises data centers, public cloud service providers and over 120 managed service providers (MSPs) worldwide including Sungard Availability Services, CenturyLink, NTT Data, and Verizon Enterprise Solutions. Other business highlights include:

Dramatic revenue growth and progress toward profitability - Actifio increased revenue by over 60 percent for the fiscal year that ended January 31 , while reducing cash burn by 70 percent.

- Actifio increased revenue by over 60 percent for the fiscal year that ended , while reducing cash burn by 70 percent. Major new customer wins - Actifio added more than 90 new global enterprise customers in Fiscal Year 2017, including multiple Fortune 500 corporations across key verticals including air travel, financial services, healthcare, consulting, manufacturing, retail, and consumer goods. The company's patented Virtual Data Pipeline technology is now deployed in over 2,200 enterprises and cloud service providers worldwide.

- Actifio added more than 90 new global enterprise customers in Fiscal Year 2017, including multiple Fortune 500 corporations across key verticals including air travel, financial services, healthcare, consulting, manufacturing, retail, and consumer goods. The company's patented Virtual Data Pipeline technology is now deployed in over 2,200 enterprises and cloud service providers worldwide. Rapid expansion of existing user base - Building on a foundation of delighted users, expansion sales accounted for 70 percent of total sales as enterprises expanded their footprint of use cases to accelerate their digital transformation. Over the last 24 months, sales driven by initiatives to accelerate application development, analytics, and hybrid cloud adoption grew from zero to just under half of the total worldwide sales.

- Building on a foundation of delighted users, expansion sales accounted for 70 percent of total sales as enterprises expanded their footprint of use cases to accelerate their digital transformation. Over the last 24 months, sales driven by initiatives to accelerate application development, analytics, and hybrid cloud adoption grew from zero to just under half of the total worldwide sales. Significant advancement of Cloud Service Provider partner network - Actifio announced the launch of its Service Provider Marketplace in 2016, an online directory offering Actifio customers access a broad selection of accredited Cloud and Managed Service Providers around the world. Channel partners can also tap the Actifio Marketplace to add white label cloud services to their product portfolios, without the time and capital expense necessary to do so until now.

Powering both the expansion and dramatic productivity gains were a series of product innovations that drove the company's intellectual property portfolio of issued or filed patents to 51. Over the last 12 months, Actifio released the largest set of platform enhancements in the history of the company - many industry firsts - addressing scalability, performance, and strategic requirements of global enterprises looking to accelerate digital transformation. Highlights include:

The ability for users to establish a seamless multi-cloud, multi-directional hybrid cloud across on-premises data centers, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, IBM Bluemix, and Oracle Cloud.

across on-premises data centers, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, IBM Bluemix, and Oracle Cloud. The industry's first database virtualization platform across a hybrid cloud architecture using Oracle Cloud. Enterprises can now provision virtual copies of mission critical databases in Oracle Cloud for Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, enhanced business resiliency, and Data Warehousing and analytics applications.

using Oracle Cloud. Enterprises can now provision virtual copies of mission critical databases in Oracle Cloud for Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, enhanced business resiliency, and Data Warehousing and analytics applications. Actifio OnVault - The industry's first low-cost long-term data retention (LTDR) solution, that enables the re-use of data stored inexpensively in AWS S3, Google Cloud Nearline and IBM Cloud Object Storage (formerly Cleversafe) for business intelligence, analytics, compliance, and data warehousing tools to unlock business value.

- The industry's first low-cost long-term data retention (LTDR) solution, that enables the re-use of data stored inexpensively in AWS S3, Google Cloud Nearline and IBM Cloud Object Storage (formerly Cleversafe) for business intelligence, analytics, compliance, and data warehousing tools to unlock business value. Actifio Resiliency Director - A major update now provides a complete solution for non-disruptive application recovery and test environment creation from the datacenter to the Cloud. Actifio Resiliency Director enables enterprises to restore critical business functionality faster and cheaper than previously possible, orchestrating compute, network, and data at a cloud service provider or enterprise disaster recovery site, and validating the result.

- A major update now provides a complete solution for non-disruptive application recovery and test environment creation from the datacenter to the Cloud. Actifio Resiliency Director enables enterprises to restore critical business functionality faster and cheaper than previously possible, orchestrating compute, network, and data at a cloud service provider or enterprise disaster recovery site, and validating the result. StreamSnap - A new data replication capability designed to improve business resiliency by dramatically extending the range of supported Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs). These lower RPOs  down to an hour  expand Enterprise Data-as-a-Service use cases by making data available faster at remote sites or in the cloud to accelerate application development or improve business resiliency.

- A new data replication capability designed to improve business resiliency by dramatically extending the range of supported Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs). These lower RPOs  down to an hour  expand Enterprise Data-as-a-Service use cases by making data available faster at remote sites or in the cloud to accelerate application development or improve business resiliency. Actifio Global Manager - A web-scale data virtualization solution delivering instant access and radically simple management of application data for business resiliency and test data management across private, public, and hybrid cloud environments.

- A web-scale data virtualization solution delivering instant access and radically simple management of application data for business resiliency and test data management across private, public, and hybrid cloud environments. AppFlash DevOps Platform - A reference architecture for purpose-built solutions to accelerate DevOps processes. The first implementation of this architecture is built with Pure Storage to deliver a complete solution that sets a new industry benchmark for accelerating application development and agility while reducing cost.

Actifio is now the world's leading Enterprise Data-as-a-Service (EDaaS) platform. It enables thousands of users around the world to deliver their data just as they deliver their applications and infrastructure... as a service available instantly, anywhere. An enterprise-class software platform powered by patented Virtual Data Pipeline technology, Actifio frees data from traditional infrastructure to accelerate adoption of hybrid cloud, build higher quality applications faster, and improve business resiliency and availability.

As more global enterprises leverage a data-as-a-service model, leading industry analysts have taken notice. Gartner defines this growing business and technology trend in their recently published "Hype Cycle for Information Infrastructure, 2016" (July 2016):

"Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) is a design approach or a style of information architecture geared toward transformation of raw data into meaningful data assets for agile/timely data provisioning, and the delivery of these data assets on demand via consistent, prebuilt access, with the aid of standard processing and connectivity protocols. Originating data remains local to its storage platform and, following various steps to access, format, evaluate and possibly even contextualize it, is presented as output for use in a subsequent process or delivery endpoint."

Among enablers of the DaaS model, only Actifio is:

Agile : Providing instant access to data, anywhere

: Providing instant access to data, anywhere Independent : No vendor lock-in, on the box or in the cloud

: No vendor lock-in, on the box or in the cloud Resilient : With data protection built right in, instead of bolted on

: With data protection built right in, instead of bolted on Secure : Hardened for enterprise security, governance

: Hardened for enterprise security, governance Scalable: From a single application to a global enterprise

"We started last year with the goal of becoming a real business," said Ash Ashutosh, Founder and CEO of Actifio, "meaning one that is not only growing but scaling sustainably over time. The results we're sharing today provide positive proof of our progress in achieving this goal, and set up a 2017 we believe will see us established as the data platform of choice for the enterprise-class hybrid cloud architectures that will dominate the next generation of information technology."

To read more on Actifio's recent announcements visit the website, here.

To learn more about Actifio's EDaaS solutions read Ash's blog, here, and download the EDaaS whitepaper, here.

About Actifio

Actifio is the world's leading Enterprise Data-as-a-Service (EDaaS) platform. It enables thousands of users around the world to deliver their data just as they deliver their applications and infrastructure... as a service available instantly, anywhere. An enterprise-class software platform powered by patented Virtual Data Pipeline technology, Actifio frees data from traditional infrastructure to accelerate adoption of hybrid cloud, build higher quality applications faster, and improve business resiliency and availability. For more, visit Actifio.com or follow us on Twitter @Actifio.

Media Contact:

Meredith Kelly

Bite for Actifio

[email protected]

SOURCE Actifio

Related Links

http://www.Actifio.com


"American Born is an incredible brand that represents the history and roots of our country while also celebrating today's American lifestyle and culture," said Eric Dopkins, chief executive officer of Milestone Brands. "We are thrilled to continue honoring this tradition with a revitalized line of whiskeys and are excited for the impact it will have on the growth of American Born."

Paying homage to the recognition of the country's independence in 1783, American Born's 83-proof Bourbon whiskey mash bill, a proprietary blend of corn and rye grains, honors and reflects the tradition and spirit of America. American Born's Peach and Apple whiskeys are infused with real fruit juices and all-natural flavors. Bottled in Nashville, Tenn, they are best enjoyed on the rocks, with ginger ale, cola, tea or as a shot.

American Born Whiskey will first launch in Tennessee, Texas and California in March 2017. The brand will continue to roll out in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Arizona, Missouri, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas and more.

ABOUT MILESTONE BRANDS LLC

Milestone Brands LLC, premium spirits company based in Austin, Texas, was founded in February 2016 by two veterans of the beverage and spirits industry, Eric Dopkins, former CEO of Deep Eddy Vodka and Chad Auler, creator of Savvy Vodka and cofounder of Deep Eddy Vodka. As a national spirits supplier and acquirer, innovator and marketer of alcohol beverage brands, Milestone Brands' portfolio includes Dulce Vida Spirits, parent company of the world's only 100 proof, USDA certified organic tequila, and newly rebranded American Born Whiskey, a family of whiskey products that honors the tradition and spirit of America.

MEDIA CONTACT

Carrie Chau | Rachel Wilson

[email protected]

512-382-9017

SOURCE Milestone Brands LLC
BALTIMORE, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Urological Association (AUA), a premier urologic association, today announced the initiation of a pilot program through the new Physician Scientist Residency Training Award, a funding mechanism aimed at young urology researchers and supported through the AUA's Urology Care Foundation.

A program relatively rare in the field of urology, but common in other medical and surgical fields, the Physician Scientist Residency Training Award program will support a three-year research training program embedded within residency and will open on May 3, 2017 to all urology residency programs wishing to apply for this opportunity.

"This new program is designed to grow the population of surgeon-scientists who can effectively lead robust research programs, successfully compete for independent research funding and more effectively engage in basic and translational research," said Aria F. Olumi, MD, AUA Research Chair. "It truly enhances the portfolio of research grants offered by the Urology Care Foundation, and supports the AUA in its mission to increase and maintain the workforce of urology physician-scientists and researchers."

The AUA, through its Urology Care Foundation, has a longstanding and robust history of investing in urologic research and has catalyzed the development of many of the outstanding physician-scientists and researchers that are leaders in urology today. Since 1975, the AUA and the Urology Care Foundation have provided nearly $30 million to support over 750 young investigators.

The award will be competed to all urology residency programs through a peer-reviewed evaluation process, and approximately three Program Sites will be approved to participate in an early, special residency match program to fill the initial trainee position. Medical students will be invited to apply for the available trainee position in the summer of 2018.

About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 21,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy. To learn more about the AUA, visit: www.AUAnet.org.

About the Urology Care Foundation: The Urology Care Foundation is the world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation and the official foundation of the American Urological Association. We partner with physicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, families and the public to support and improve the prevention, detection and treatment of urological diseases through research and education. To learn more about the Urology Care Foundation and its programs visit: www.UrologyHealth.org.

Contact:

Christine Frey, AUA

410-689-3731, [email protected]

SOURCE American Urological Association

Related Links

http://www.AUAnet.org


BOGOTA, Colombia, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chief Executive Officer of Ecopetrol S.A. hereby calls on Shareholders to attend the Annual General Shareholders' Meeting to be held on Friday, March 31, 2017, starting at 9 a.m., at the International Center of Business and Exhibitions (Centro Internacional de Negocios y Exposiciones, Corferias), Bogota, Colombia.

The agenda for the meeting will be:

Safety guidelines Quorum Verification Opening by the Chief Executive Officer Approval of the Agenda Appointment of the Meeting's President Appointment of the Commission in charge of scrutinizing elections and polling Appointment of the Commission in charge of reviewing and approving the minutes of the meeting Presentation of the report concerning the Board of Directors' activities, the Board's evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer's performance, as well as the company's compliance with the corporate governance code Presentation of 2016 performance report by the Board of Directors and by the Chief Executive Officer Review and consideration of financial statements and consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016 Review of the External Auditor's Report Approval of reports presented by the Management, and the External Auditor and approval of Financial Statements Approval of proposal for dividend distribution Election of the External Auditor and assignment of remuneration Election of the Board of Directors Propositions and miscellaneous

As from March 8, 2017, shareholders will exercise the right to inspect the books and documents that the Colombian Commercial Code refers to. This information may be consulted at the Company's main offices (Cra. 7 No. 37-69 Bogota, Colombia), in a time schedule from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 2015 performance report may be consulted on Ecopetrol web site.

The resumes of candidates for the Board of Directors and for the External Auditor are available to the shareholders on Ecopetrol Web site.

Shareholders that may not attend the Shareholders' Meeting may be represented through a proxy, granted in writing, which gathers the requisites established in Colombian Commercial Law. Shareholders may download from the web site the proxy models that may be used.

Except for in cases of legal representation, officers and employees of Ecopetrol S.A. shall not be entitled to represent shares, other than their own, while in exercise of their posts, nor shall they be allowed to substitute the powers of attorney conferred upon them.

In all cases, shareholders' representation shall be subject to the rules set forth under Colombian Corporate Law and Securities Regulations concerning illegal, unauthorized and unsafe practices by the issuers of securities.

JUAN CARLOS ECHEVERRY GARZON

Chief Executive Officer

The meeting will be broadcasted live on Ecopetrol's web site.

For further information, please contact:

Head of Corporate Finance and Investor Relations

Maria Catalina Escobar

Phone: (+571) 234 5190

E-mail: [email protected]

Media Relations (Colombia)

Jorge Mauricio Tellez

Phone: (+571) 234 4329

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Ecopetrol S.A.

Related Links

http://www.ecopetrol.com.co


CHICAGO, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ArcLight Cinemas and Slamdance announce today the 2017 Chicago lineup of the Slamdance Cinema Club. Beginning in March, ArcLight Chicago will show two films each month from the 2017 Slamdance Film Festival that took place January 20-26 in Park City, UT.

The Slamdance Cinema Club film series was started in 2015 at the ArcLight Hollywood location, and expanded to ArcLight Chicago in 2016 to reach audiences that embrace and celebrate the vibrant and dedicated Chicago filmmaking community. The 2017 Cinema Club lineup offers audiences a fresh look at films from the Slamdance Film Festival, including "Strad Style," "Kate Can't Swim," "On The Sly: In Search of the Family Stone," "Cortez," "You Never Had It: An Evening with Bukowski," "After Adderall," "Automatic at Sea," and "Neighborhood Food Drive." The first Q&A will be on March 29th after the screening of "Strad Style," with actor Daniel Houck, moderated by Bryan Wendorf, Programmer & Artistic Director, Chicago Underground Film Festival.

"We're proud to bring this film series to Chicago for a second year, especially considering the rich culture and appreciation that audiences in this city hold for cinematic arts and independent film," said ArcLight Cinemas Executive Vice President, Cinema Programming, Gretchen McCourt.

"The opportunity to celebrate and share the Slamdance Film Festival features with the Independent film community in Chicago is so significant to the mission and purpose of the film festival, and we're excited to hear what thoughts and insights the audiences will have during the Q&A discussions," said Slamdance President & Co-Founder, Peter Baxter.

To reserve seats and learn more about each film, visit: www.arclightcinemas.com/news/ArcLight-Presents-Slamdance-Cinema-Club. Also check the website for updates on a schedule of Q&A discussions with the filmmakers and special guests.

Upcoming dates for ArcLight Presents Slamdance Cinema Club at ArcLight Chicago are as follows:



Strad Style: March 29

Synopsis: A rural Ohio eccentric with an obsession for 'Stradivari' convinces a famous European concert violinist that he can make a copy of one of the most famous and valuable violins in the world. Fighting time, poverty, and most of all - himself - Danny Houck puts everything on the line for one shot at glory. Directed by Stefan Avalos, starring Daniel Houck, Razvan Stoica, David Campbell, Rodger Stearns, and Mary Houck.



Kate Can't Swim: March 30

Synopsis: Kate (Celeste Arias) is almost thirty, almost engaged, almost settled in her career as a writerbut is deeply dissatisfied. When Kate's best friend Em (Jennifer Allcott) returns from Paris with a surprising new lover in tow (Josh Helman), Kate and her boyfriend Pete (Grayson DeJesus) spend a weekend in upstate New York with the new couple. As Kate struggles with her suspicions about Em's new lover, dormant feelings about her own life arise, forcing her to decide whether to stay on her current life path or to burn it down and forge a new one. Co-directed by Josh Helman and Evan Jonigkeit, starring Celeste Arias, Jennifer Allcott, Grayson DeJesus, and Josh Helman.



On The Sly: In Search of the Family Stone: April 19

Synopsis: Michael Rubenstone, a first-time filmmaker and a Sly and the Family Stone super- fan, sets out to find the band's leader, the reclusive funk legend, Sly Stone. In doing so, he manages to make one of the most comprehensive documentaries on the band to date, while also bringing Sly out of hiding for the first time since his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1993. Part road movie, part rock doc, ON THE SLY: IN SEARCH OF THE FAMILY STONE follows Michael Over the course of 12 years as he travels across the country, meets an eclectic cast of characters, unearths the true story of the band and chronicles how a musical icon fell from grace. Through detailed interviews with friends, family, former band members, managers and music industry titans we learn about the complexity of Sly Stone. Directed by Michael Rubenstone, starring Michael Rubenstone, Cornel West, Bobby Womack, Clive Davis, Dick Cavett, Paul Shaffer, David Kapralik, and Freddy Stone.

Cortez: April 20

Synopsis: After a canceled tour, flailing musician Jesse Lirette seeks out an old flame in a small town in Northern New Mexico. When an arrogant attempt at inserting himself into her family fails, he must confront the mistakes of his past on his own. Directed by Cheryl Nichols, starring Arron Shiver, Cheryl Nichols, Drago Sumonja, Jackson Shiver, and Judith Ivey.



You Never Had It: An Evening with Bukowski: May 24

Synopsis: A night of drinking and talking about sex, literature, childhood and humanity with the irreverent writer poet Charles Bukowski in his California house in 1981. A story of tapes lost, found and brought back to life. Directed by Matteo Borgardt, starring Charles Bukowski, Linda Lee Beighle, and Silvia Bizio.

After Adderall: May 25

Synopsis: In 2010 James Franco optioned the rights to Stephan Elliot's memoir, The Adderall Diaries. In 2015 The Adderall Diaries starring James Franco and Ed Harris premiered at the TriBeca Film Festival. This is a movie about James Franco making a movie about Stephan Elliot. Directed by Stephen Elliott, starring Stephen Elliott, Mickaela Tombrock, Bill Heck, Michael C. Hall, Lili Taylor, and James Urbaniak.



Automatic at Sea: June 21

Synopsis: Eve, a young Swedish traveler, finds herself stranded on a private island with Peter, a wealthy heir whom she hardly knows. While waiting for other guests to arrive, Eve becomes trapped in an unstable reality punctuated by feverish visions, dimensional shifting and secret pizza. How can she escape if she's not even sure she's there? Directed by Matthew Lessner, starring David Henry Gerson, Livia Hiselius, and Breeda Wool.



Neighborhood Food Drive: June 22

Synopsis: Convinced that hosting a lavish charity fundraiser will improve the public image of their unpopular restaurant, two women hire an intern to help them plan and execute a neighborhood food drive. Despite their somewhat good intentions, the team quickly succumbs to petulance and laziness. They make repeat attemptstrying to maintain positive attitudesbut cosmic maladies cripple their efforts and they soon find themselves doomed. Directed by Jerzy Rose, starring Lyra Hill, Bruce Bundy, Ruby McCollister, Marcos Barnes, and Ted Tremper.



About ArcLight Cinemas

ArcLight Cinemas, created by Pacific Theatres, a privately owned, Los Angeles based company with 60 years of theatrical exhibition history throughout California, Hawaii and Washington is a premiere moviegoing experience with an unparalleled commitment to bringing a variety of rich cinematic content to moviegoers in all markets. ArcLight Cinemas operates seven theaters in California including Hollywood, Pasadena, Sherman Oaks, El Segundo, Santa Monica, Culver City and La Jolla, as well as theaters in Bethesda, MD, Chicago and Glenview, IL, with a new location in Boston for 2019. ArcLight also owns and operates the historic Cinerama Dome and programs the TCL Chinese Theatre and IMAX in Hollywood. Pacific Theatres currently operates theaters in Los Angeles that include The Grove and The Americana at Brand in Glendale, CA. Additional information about ArcLight Cinemas is available at www.arclightcinemas.com.

Connect with ArcLight:

Twitter: @ArcLightCinemas

Facebook: ArcLightCinemas

Instagram: ArcLightCinemas

YouTube: ArcLightCinemas

Media Contact

Courtney Khan

[email protected]

201-259-9857

SOURCE ArcLight Cinemas

Related Links

http://www.arclightcinemas.com


LOS ANGELES, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ArcLight Cinemas and Slamdance announce today the 2017 lineup of the Slamdance Cinema Club. Now in its third year, Slamdance Cinema Club is designed to bring independent films from the festival circuit to mass audiences at ArcLight theaters in cities that are closely connected to the filmmaking industry. Beginning in March, ArcLight Hollywood and ArcLight Chicago will show two films each month from the 2017 Slamdance Film Festival that took place January 20-26 in Park City, UT. Each Hollywood screening and select Chicago screenings will be followed by a filmmaker Q&A that dives into the background and thematic elements of each film.

Started in 2015 as a partnership between ArcLight and Slamdance, the Slamdance Cinema Club film series offers diverse viewing experiences and provides moviegoers with the opportunity to see acclaimed narrative and documentary features that were recently premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival.

"ArcLight is dedicated to giving each moviegoer a unique theater experience, and this film series is the perfect way to provide our viewers with a comprehensive look at the diversity and craftsmanship of independent filmmaking," said ArcLight Cinemas Executive Vice President, Cinema Programming Gretchen McCourt.

The 2017 Slamdance Cinema Club series was launched on January 31st at ArcLight Hollywood with a screening of "What Lies Upstream," a documentary expose on the failed regulatory framework that creates an unprecedented loss of clean water for over 300,000 Americans. The films being shown beginning March 12th include "Strad Style," "Kate Can't Swim," "On The Sly: In Search of the Family Stone," "Cortez," "You Never Had It: An Evening with Bukowski," "After Adderall," "Automatic at Sea," and "Neighborhood Food Drive."

Kicking off the first Q&As at ArcLight Hollywood will be a discussion with "Strad Style" Director Stefan Avalos and Daniel Houck on March 12th, and a conversation with "Kate Can't Swim" Director Josh Helman and Producer/Writer Jennifer Allcott on March 13th. The first Q&A in Chicago will be on March 29th after the screening of "Strad Style," with actor Daniel Houck, moderated by Bryan Wendorf, Programmer & Artistic Director, Chicago Underground Film Festival.

"We're thrilled to continue to share the incredible work of the film festival's independent filmmakers with larger audiences in both Los Angeles and Chicago," said Slamdance President & Co-Founder, Peter Baxter.

To reserve seats and learn more about each film, visit: www.arclightcinemas.com/news/ArcLight-Presents-Slamdance-Cinema-Club. Also check the website for updates on a schedule of Chicago Q&A discussions with the filmmakers and special guests.

Upcoming dates for ArcLight Presents Slamdance Cinema Club at ArcLight Hollywood and Chicago are as follows:



Strad Style

March 12: ArcLight Hollywood

March 29: ArcLight Chicago

Synopsis: A rural Ohio eccentric with an obsession for 'Stradivari' convinces a famous European concert violinist that he can make a copy of one of the most famous and valuable violins in the world. Fighting time, poverty, and most of all - himself - Danny Houck puts everything on the line for one shot at glory. Directed by Stefan Avalos, starring Daniel Houck, Razvan Stoica, David Campbell, Rodger Stearns, and Mary Houck.



Kate Can't Swim

March 13: ArcLight Hollywood

March 30: ArcLight Chicago

Synopsis:

Kate (Celeste Arias) is almost thirty, almost engaged, almost settled in her career as a writerbut is deeply dissatisfied. When Kate's best friend Em (Jennifer Allcott) returns from Paris with a surprising new lover in tow (Josh Helman), Kate and her boyfriend Pete (Grayson DeJesus) spend a weekend in upstate New York with the new couple. As Kate struggles with her suspicions about Em's new lover, dormant feelings about her own life arise, forcing her to decide whether to stay on her current life path or to burn it down and forge a new one. Co-directed by Josh Helman and Evan Jonigkeit, starring Celeste Arias, Jennifer Allcott, Grayson DeJesus, and Josh Helman.



On The Sly: In Search of the Family Stone

April 9: ArcLight Hollywood

April 19: ArcLight Chicago

Synopsis: Michael Rubenstone, a first-time filmmaker and a Sly and the Family Stone super- fan, sets out to find the band's leader, the reclusive funk legend, Sly Stone. In doing so, he manages to make one of the most comprehensive documentaries on the band to date, while also bringing Sly out of hiding for the first time since his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1993. Part road movie, part rock doc, ON THE SLY: IN SEARCH OF THE FAMILY STONE follows Michael Over the course of 12 years as he travels across the country, meets an eclectic cast of characters, unearths the true story of the band and chronicles how a musical icon fell from grace. Through detailed interviews with friends, family, former band members, managers and music industry titans we learn about the complexity of Sly Stone. Directed by Michael Rubenstone, starring Michael Rubenstone, Cornel West, Bobby Womack, Clive Davis, Dick Cavett, Paul Shaffer, David Kapralik, and Freddy Stone.

Cortez

April 10: ArcLight Hollywood

April 20: ArcLight Chicago

Synopsis: After a canceled tour, flailing musician Jesse Lirette seeks out an old flame in a small town in Northern New Mexico. When an arrogant attempt at inserting himself into her family fails, he must confront the mistakes of his past on his own. Directed by Cheryl Nichols, starring Arron Shiver, Cheryl Nichols, Drago Sumonja, Jackson Shiver, and Judith Ivey.



You Never Had It: An Evening with Bukowski

May 15: ArcLight Hollywood

May 24: ArcLight Chicago

Synopsis: A night of drinking and talking about sex, literature, childhood and humanity with the irreverent writer poet Charles Bukowski in his California house in 1981. A story of tapes lost, found and brought back to life. Directed by Matteo Borgardt, starring Charles Bukowski, Linda Lee Beighle, and Silvia Bizio.

After Adderall

May 16: ArcLight Hollywood

May 25: ArcLight Chicago

Synopsis: In 2010 James Franco optioned the rights to Stephan Elliot's memoir, The Adderall Diaries. In 2015 The Adderall Diaries starring James Franco and Ed Harris premiered at the TriBeca Film Festival. This is a movie about James Franco making a movie about Stephan Elliot. Directed by Stephen Elliott, starring Stephen Elliott, Mickaela Tombrock, Bill Heck, Michael C. Hall, Lili Taylor, and James Urbaniak.



Automatic at Sea

June 11: ArcLight Hollywood

June 21: ArcLight Chicago

Synopsis: Eve, a young Swedish traveler, finds herself stranded on a private island with Peter, a wealthy heir whom she hardly knows. While waiting for other guests to arrive, Eve becomes trapped in an unstable reality punctuated by feverish visions, dimensional shifting and secret pizza. How can she escape if she's not even sure she's there? Directed by Matthew Lessner, starring David Henry Gerson, Livia Hiselius, and Breeda Wool.





Neighborhood Food Drive

June 12: ArcLight Hollywood

June 22: ArcLight Chicago

Synopsis: Convinced that hosting a lavish charity fundraiser will improve the public image of their unpopular restaurant, two women hire an intern to help them plan and execute a neighborhood food drive. Despite their somewhat good intentions, the team quickly succumbs to petulance and laziness. They make repeat attemptstrying to maintain positive attitudesbut cosmic maladies cripple their efforts and they soon find themselves doomed. Directed by Jerzy Rose, starring Lyra Hill, Bruce Bundy, Ruby McCollister, Marcos Barnes, and Ted Tremper.



About ArcLight Cinemas

ArcLight Cinemas, created by Pacific Theatres, a privately owned, Los Angeles based company with 60 years of theatrical exhibition history throughout California, Hawaii and Washington is a premiere moviegoing experience with an unparalleled commitment to bringing a variety of rich cinematic content to moviegoers in all markets. ArcLight Cinemas operates seven theaters in California including Hollywood, Pasadena, Sherman Oaks, El Segundo, Santa Monica, Culver City and La Jolla, as well as theaters in Bethesda, MD, Chicago and Glenview, IL, with a new location in Boston for 2019. ArcLight also owns and operates the historic Cinerama Dome and programs the TCL Chinese Theatre and IMAX in Hollywood. Pacific Theatres currently operates theaters in Los Angeles that include The Grove and The Americana at Brand in Glendale, CA. Additional information about ArcLight Cinemas is available at http://www.arclightcinemas.com/.

Connect with ArcLight:

Twitter: @ArcLightCinemas

Facebook: ArcLightCinemas

Instagram: ArcLightCinemas

YouTube: ArcLightCinemas

Media Contact

Courtney Khan

[email protected]

201-259-9857

SOURCE ArcLight Cinemas

Related Links

https://www.arclightcinemas.com


CHICAGO, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, is pleased to announce that the Arizona Universities Library Consortium (AULC) has chosen the Ex Libris Alma library management service, along with the Ex Libris Primo discovery and delivery platform and bX scholarly recommender service, to make scholarly resources more readily available to the consortium's student and faculty users.

The members of the Arizona Universities Library ConsortiumArizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizonasought a platform that would provide straightforward workflows for print and electronic collections; reduce the time that librarians spend on acquiring, managing, and delivering resources; facilitate collaboration between the library staff of the three universities; and enable patrons to find relevant materials quickly and easily.

Another important factor in the selection process was the Ex Libris track record in academic library consortia and Alma's rich selection of consortial features. The AULC will benefit from the various configuration options in Alma that support the consortium's current and planned business practices without the need for complex workarounds. As a cloud-based platform, Alma will spare AULC librarians the burden of carrying out time-consuming tasks such as installing updates and loading records. The solid architecture and strong security practices of the Alma service will ensure uptime and data protection for all AULC libraries.

The choice of Primo by AULC was due to its high configurability and extensive personalization features. Paired with the bX recommender service, Primo will help library users discover and access high quality resources.

Janet Crum, librarian at Northern Arizona University, commented, "We expect that implementing Alma and Primo will benefit our users and staff immensely. We're excited and ready to get started!"

Eric Hines, president of Ex Libris North America, said, "We are delighted that the Arizona Universities Library Consortium has selected the Ex Libris Alma, Primo, and bX solutions. Patrons and librarians will soon benefit from increased staff efficiency in library management, the latest in discovery technology, and a peerless recommender service. We look forward to AULC's contributions to the active Ex Libris user community."

About the Arizona Universities Library Consortium

The Arizona Universities Library Consortium (AULC) represents the public university libraries in the state of Arizona: Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona. The mission of the Consortium is to improve the availability of and access to the state universities' research resources. The AULC conducts cooperative collection development and digital initiatives, encourages scholarly communication, supports interlibrary access and services and preservation initiatives, and participates in state and national networks and multi-type library programs such as the Research Arizona Initiative.

Arizona State University (Tempe), a research university with very high research activity, was rated number one in U.S. News & World Report's Most Innovative Schools in America category in 2016, the second year in a row that ASU achieved this rating. Visit the Arizona State University website at http://www.asu.edu/.

Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff), founded in 1899, is a public research university offering 151 degree programs and serving more than 30,000 students. NAU is widely recognized as a higher-research institution with a reputation for scientific discovery and the invention of new technologies. Visit the Northern Arizona University website at http://www.nau.edu/.

The University of Arizona (Tucson) is a premier, public research university. The National Science Foundation ranks the UA 21st in research and development expenditures among US public universities and colleges and 34th among US public and private universities. The NSF also ranks the UA No. 1 in physical sciences research among US public institutions. http://www.arizona.edu/.

About Ex Libris

Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, is a leading global provider of cloud-based solutions for higher education. Offering SaaS solutions for the management and discovery of the full spectrum of library and scholarly materials, as well as mobile campus solutions driving student engagement and success, Ex Libris serves thousands of customers in 90 countries. For more information about Ex Libris, see our website, and join us on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

SOURCE Ex Libris

Related Links

http://www.exlibrisgroup.com


DETROIT, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Art Knapp, president of Geometric Results, Inc. (GRI), has been named to the prestigious Staffing Industry Analysts' (SIA) North American Staffing 100 list for 2017. GRI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSX International. The list is not a ranking, but a compendium of the industry's most influential and innovative leaders, as selected by the editorial staff at SIA from nominations across all areas of the contingent labor industry. Those chosen for the 2017 list join the community of SIA greats from the five previous lists and are honored for bringing to the industry leadership and vision that has resulted in creative new solutions, technology applications, and influence on legislation.

"As a 25-year veteran of the non-employee labor industry, it is truly an honor to be recognized by one of its leading advisory and research organizations," Knapp said. "To know that my peers and employees have faith in my abilities and have taken the time to nominate me is humbling. My tenure at GRI working with such a talented team has given me the chance to lead a group of smart, committed individuals who have generated some of the non-employee labor industry's most innovative MSP solutions. GRI continues to generate industry-leading solutions that are resulting in new services, which sets us apart," he said.

With GRI since its inception in 2014, Knapp previously led the MSP division at IQNavigator, which ultimately merged with MSXI's MSP division to become GRI. He established GRI's Solutions and Innovation department and his visionary approach to creating a shared services delivery center that has morphed into GRI's global SDC, both industry firsts. These, along with his long-term successes with more than 200 global clients are just a few of the reasons Art was chosen.

"Our entire company is proud of Art's commitment to GRI and his dedication to making this young company an industry leader. His recognition by SIA shows that non-employee labor experts recognize his important contributions," said MSXI President and CEO Fred Minturn. "Under Art's leadership, GRI will continue to grow and bring even more innovation to the industry."

Contact:

Jill Parrino

Vice President of Solutions and Innovation

(720) 210-3137

[email protected]

About Geometric Results, Inc.

Geometric Results, Inc. (GRI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSX International, is the world's largest independent managed service provider (MSP) with $4 billion in managed contingent workforce spend. The company maintains a conflict-free position with regard to staffing suppliers and VMS technology platforms. GRI's workforce solutions offer management of clients' total MSP program activity including contracting, supplier management, payment services, and advanced analytics; clients realize improved efficiency, increased transparency, and reduced cost. GRI continues to be an industry leader in solutions development, serving clients in more than 35 countries with proprietary services including STARS Methodology for Continuous Improvement and Procurement of Outsourced Projects and Services (PrOPS). For more information, visit www.GeometricResultsInc.com.

SOURCE Geometric Results, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.geometricresultsinc.com


EDINA, Minn., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- To support tech workforce development in Minnesota, Atomic Data signed on as the first Platinum Mission Investor for Creating IT Futures. Atomic Data has been an employment partner with Creating IT Futures' IT-Ready career program since 2013, having already hired nine IT-Ready graduates to diversify and expand its workforce.

"As the need for tech-skilled employees explodes, programs like Creating IT Futures are an invaluable resource to the community and its businesses. Atomic Data has, and will continue to benefit from our relationship with Creating IT Futures through their well-trained graduates," said Jim Wolford, co-owner and CEO, Atomic Data.

Creating IT Futures leads its IT-Ready career program from its office in Edina, Minn. The program provides eight weeks of full-time technical and soft-skills training at no cost to participants, who are unemployed or under-employed individuals. Graduates then sit for the vendor-neutral CompTIA A+ certification exam. Certified graduates are placed into on-the-job work experiences with local employers. Since 2012, more than 300 Minnesotans have been trained and more than 90% of those certified graduates have found full-time IT jobs.

"We're expanding our programs in Minnesota to help more people find new careers in IT. Last year we had five IT-Ready classes plus offered a new course, PrepareU, for entry-level IT pros," said Sue Wallace, executive director, Minnesota, Creating IT Futures. "With Atomic Data's support, along with other employers in Minnesota, we'll continue to help Minnesota grow and diversify its tech workforce."

About the Creating IT Futures

Founded by CompTIA in 1998, Creating IT Futures is a 501(c)(3) charity with the mission of helping populations under-represented in the information technology industry and individuals who are lacking in opportunity to prepare for, secure and be successful in IT careers. Learn more at CreatingITFutures.org.

About Atomic Data

Atomic Data is a Minneapolis-based IT solutions provider delivering sophisticated, custom tailored IT solutions to companies large and small, single site or multinational, in-house or in the cloud. Atomic Data works with your IT department or acts as your IT department to design, equip, and maintain the solutions for today's challenging IT environments. Atomic Data's areas of expertise include: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, The Atomic Cloud private virtualization, data center colocation, disaster recovery consulting, private connectivity, 24x7 network monitoring and Service Desk support, on-site support, custom software development, voice solutions and web hosting. For more information, visit http://www.atomicdata.com/.

Contacts:

Lisa Fasold

Creating IT Futures

630-678-8558

[email protected]

Scott Evangelist

Atomic Data

612-466-2000

[email protected]

SOURCE Creating IT Futures Foundation

Related Links

http://www.creatingitfutures.org/


"The Staffing 100 identifies the entrepreneurs and executives in the staffing industry who are shifting the world of contingent workers through innovative operational strategy, training, legislative change and industry growth," said Leverant. "The entire AtWork Group team collaborates on ways to improve employee and business relations and ways to benefit the industry as a whole."

Nominees were collected through a rigorous review of candidates suggested by individuals, colleagues and other industry sources. Included among the winners are entrepreneurs, strategists, researchers, analysts and business people.

Leverant is responsible for the oversight and administration of the AtWork Group brands throughout the country. Leverant joined AtWork in October 2007 as Vice President, Sales, and took over his current role in 2012. He has worked with the American Staffing Association on a number of fronts, including working to create the ASA Affordable Care Act Cost Calculator for Staffing, and was instrumental in rejuvenating the Tennessee Staffing Association, where he served as President. Most recently he was named as the American Staffing Association's "Volunteer of the Year".

He is focused on helping AtWork Group continue to grow and provide expert staffing services in a range of industries and sectors, as well as strengthen franchise development and operations. His leadership has also helped develop a winning model that makes AtWork Group a front-runner in the franchise and staffing industries.

AtWork provides companies with flexible employment solutions with the highest level of service available and was recently no. 139 on Entrepreneur Magazine's 2016 "Franchise 500" List, fourth time ranking on Franchise Times' Top 200+ list and Fast and Serious list, number 2605 in Inc. Magazine's Inc. 5000 list, as well as securing a spot on Inavero's 2017 Best of Staffing Client and Talent Award winners list.

The North American Staffing 100 List can be found at http://si100.staffingindustry.com/

For more information about AtWork's franchise opportunities, visit www.atwork.com/atworkfranchising/

About Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA)

SIA is the Global Advisor on Staffing and Workforce Solutions

Elevating the Workforce Solutions Ecosystem

Founded in 1989, SIA is the global advisor on staffing and workforce solutions. Our proprietary research covers all categories of employed and non-employed work including temporary staffing, independent contracting and other types of contingent labor. SIA's independent and objective analysis provides insights into the services and suppliers operating in the workforce solutions ecosystem including staffing firms, managed service providers, recruitment process outsourcers, payrolling/compliance firms and talent acquisition technology specialists such as vendor management systems, online staffing platforms, crowdsourcing and online work services. We also provide training and accreditation with our unique Certified Contingent Workforce Professional (CCWP) program.

Known for our award-winning content, data, support tools, publications, executive conferences and events, we help both suppliers and buyers of workforce solutions make better-informed decisions that improve business results and minimize risk. As a division of the international business media company, Crain Communications Inc., SIA is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with offices in London, England.

About AtWork Group

AtWork Group is an award-winning and nationally-known franchisor of staffing services including @WORK Personnel Services, @WORK Medical Services, @WORK HelpingHands Services, and @WORK Search Group under the umbrella of the AtWork Group. The foundation for AtWork began in the 1980s, and today, AtWork has grown to be cited as one of Staffing Industry Report's top U.S. staffing firms. AtWork Group's remarkable growth is fueled by the vision of founders John and Glenda Hall: think ahead, create opportunity, give exceptional support to franchise offices, and always look for the better way, every day. For more information, visit www.atwork.com or call 800.383.0804.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE AtWork Group

Related Links

http://www.atwork.com


LONDON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aurelia Turbines will present at CleanEquity Monaco 2017 on March 9th & 10th at the Fairmont Monte Carlo.

CleanEquity is an annual invitation-only event hosted by Innovator Capital, the London based specialist investment bank. The conference provides an intimate and collegiate setting for inventors and entrepreneurs to share their stories with delegates - key decision makers looking to assist them with reaching their commercial and strategic goals.

Other partners and sponsors include Prince Albert II of Monaco's Foundation, Covington & Burling, Cisco EIR, Cision, Cranfield University, Hobbs & Towne, the Monaco Economic Board, Parkview and the Social Stock Exchange.

Aurelia Turbines has been identified by an expert panel as one of the world's most innovative sustainable technology companies and has been selected to present to senior financial and strategic cleantech investors, policy makers, legislators, end users and media.

Aurelia Turbines is a technology company focused on the commercialisation of the highest efficiency gas turbine in its size range. As a foundation, Aurelia has its innovative roots in the Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland, which can proudly boast of over a 30-year track record of designing high speed rotating machinery which has been successfully marketed and operates globally in commercial applications.

Matti Malkamaki, CEO & Founder of Aurelia Turbines, commented about the CleanEquity event: "This is a truly unique opportunity for Aurelia to tell our story to an influential and global audience. We will maximise the time to find potential partners who will complement Aurelia on our path to growth as we start the deliveries of our products this year".

Aurelia's product is designed to answer the energy efficiency needs of the small-scale process industry. This industry is one of the largest single energy consumers in the world with a big potential and desire for reducing their consumption. Aurelia provides them the first efficient, economic and scalable solution for producing and taking control of their energy needs.

Contact Aurelia Turbines: [email protected] or +49 176 3063 8250.

About Innovator Capital

Innovator Capital, established in 2003, is a specialist investment bank advising emerging technology companies on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions. Its expertise includes intellectual property and multinational strategic partnering.

About Aurelia Turbines

Aurelia Turbines (www.aureliaturbines.com) manufacture robust, highly efficient gas turbines. The turbines are built for multiple applications such as CHP, steam process, O&G and can utilise a wide range of renewable and non-standard fuels. The pedigree of this technology has been established over 30 years of Research and Development by Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland, in high speed technology and fluid dynamics. The company has extensive IP rights pertaining to the core technology and continue to develop a portfolio of patent protection around the product and its application. Aurelia's domicile and production facilities are in Lappeenranta and it has offices also in Berlin and UK.

www.cleanequitymonaco.com

SOURCE Innovator Capital
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC PINK: MJNA), the first publicly traded cannabis company in the United States, subsidiary HempMeds Brasil today announced that the Brazilian government approved a prescription for the Company's cannabidiol (CBD) oil product Real Scientific Hemp Oil (RSHO) to treat a patient in the country with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

This marks the first time Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency ANVISA has granted a prescription for RSHO to help an autism patient. Earlier this month, Medical Marijuana, Inc. also announced that ANVISA had also granted the filling of two separate prescriptions for RSHO for the first time to help a patient combat the effects of Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.

"We commend the Brazilian government for its compassionate approach to cannabis and for recognizing the need for alternative treatments to treat medical conditions for which there are currently no cure," said Chief Executive Officer of Medical Marijuana, Inc., Dr. Stuart Titus. "We hope that this most recent decision by ANVISA will bring light to additional families in Brazil who have children with autism that could benefit from access to our hemp oil. We're optimistic about several new studies being conducted on the potential benefits of cannabis on individuals with autism, including one study being conducted in Israel focusing on CBD's effects on behavioral symptoms associated with autism."

ASD is a neurodevelopment disorder that develops in infancy or childhood and is characterized by social interaction difficulties, verbal and physical communication impairments, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 68 children in the U.S. currently have ASD. In Brazil, recent statistics suggest that 1.5 million total children have autism.

Hoping to further bring the benefits to more people suffering from autism, Mexican neurosurgeon, Dr. Saul Garza has recently mentioned that he is currently enrolling patients for a study on the effects of CBD on autism. This study comes after Dr. Garza concluded a research study on Lennox-Gastaut epilepsy in Mexico with favorable results for the botanical CBD version that is allowed into Mexico (HempMeds RSHO-X). These results are set to be published in the near future and formally presented at the International Epilepsy Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Sept. 2-6, 2017.

About HempMeds Brasil

HempMeds Brasil currently has three cannabis products approved for importation into Brazil as a prescription medication for Epilepsy, Parkinson's and Chronic Pain. The company had the first-ever cannabis product allowed for import into Brazil and its products are currently subsidized by the Brazilian government, under their health care system, for all three medical indications listed above. HempMeds Brasil is working on additional approvals for multiple indications.

About Medical Marijuana, Inc.



Our mission is to be the premier cannabis and hemp industry innovators, leveraging our team of professionals to source, evaluate and purchase value-added companies and products, while allowing them to keep their integrity and entrepreneurial spirit. We strive to create awareness within our industry, develop environmentally-friendly, economically sustainable businesses, while increasing shareholder value. For details on Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s portfolio and investment companies, visit www.medicalmarijuanainc.com.

To see Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s video statement, click here. Shareholders are also encouraged to visit the Medical Marijuana, Inc. Shop for discounted products.

FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER AND DISCLOSURES

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties. The statements in this press release have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. The Company does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act. The Company does sell and distribute hemp-based products.

CONTACT:

Public Relations Contact:

Andrew Hard

Chief Executive Officer

CMW Media

P. 888-829- 0070

[email protected]

www.cmwmedia.com

SOURCE Medical Marijuana, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com


ATLANTA, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether making the grind of a long daily commute, running seemingly endless errands or schlepping kids to and from activities each week, most Americans spend a considerable amount of time inside their cars. With that in mind, the expert editors at Autotrader recently named the 10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 for 2017. Each new car on the list offers a standout modern, comfortable, luxurious and/or visually appealing interior within the given price point.

"You could argue that a car's interior appeal is even more important than its exterior styling, given that most drivers spend far more time experiencing their car from the inside," said Tara Trompeter, managing editor of Autotrader. "That's why it is so important to find a comfortable interior that works well for your personal preferences and needs."

Autotrader's 10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 for 2017 offers an inside look at which new mainstream models really showcase the mantra, "it's what's inside that counts." For this list, Autotrader's editors focused on the latest models that have been updated within the last year. Each of the cars scored a four or better on a five-point evaluation sheet, and the editors then voted on which cars from that small group should make the cut for the 10 best.

Autotrader's 10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 for 2017

The models below are listed alphabetically and are not ranked.

2017 Audi A4

Standout interior features of the recently updated A4 include an available full-color gauge cluster screen (an amazing detail not typically seen on models of this price point), high-end materials used throughout the vehicle at all trim levels and a roomier cabin compared to A4s of the past.

2017 Cadillac XT5

Interior highlights of the all-new XT5 include extremely comfortable seats, a gorgeous leather-lined dashboard, a modern instrument panel and neatly integrated infotainment system, and handsome wood trim throughout the cabin.

2017 Honda Ridgeline

Utilitarian yet also nice, which can't be said for all pickup trucks, the new Ridgeline boasts a durable and logical interior with comfortable and roomy seating for front and rear passengers, easy-to-reach controls and an intuitive infotainment system.

2017 Infiniti Q60

Infiniti's new Q60 model offers an improved stylish interior featuring supple leather seats, a futuristic center control stack with two different screens (one for infotainment controls and one for the navigation system map), and a thick, grippy steering wheel that will surprise and delight driving enthusiasts.

2017 Kia Sorento

The recently redesigned Sorento boasts a handsome cabin with dramatically improved materials compared to the outgoing model, functional and durable features like sliding rear seats for easy third-row access, and several luxurious options available on the more high-end SX trim.

2017 Lincoln Continental

Lincoln's all-new flagship Continental proves the brand has come quite a long way, featuring a truly luxurious interior that touts excellent materials, comfortable seats, a roomy rear seat and trunk, and features like the 50/50 split seat bottom extender that can accommodate a wide variety of ultra-comfy driving positions.

2017 Mazda CX-9

Mazda's recently redesigned midsize SUV features a surprisingly handsome interior with upscale materials, high-quality upholstery and roomy rear seats, an easy-to-read and easy-to-use infotainment system, dashboard and center control area, and a thick steering wheel for driver enjoyment.

2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The new C-Class takes Mercedes-Benz interiors up a notch when compared to recent years, with an amazingly elegant center control stack, gauge cluster and steering wheel, high-quality interior materials throughout the cabin and a surprisingly roomy rear seat.

2017 Toyota Prius Prime

An alternative-fuel vehicle with an alternative interior to match, the plug-in hybrid Prius Prime boasts a cheerful interior with an available giant center screen, white accents and unique cabin features and placements that admittedly may be an acquired taste for some, but love at first sight for others.

2017 Volvo S90

Volvo's standout interiors in recent years go above and beyond, and the S90 falls in line with tremendously comfortable seats, extremely high-quality materials throughout, an intuitive and handsome giant infotainment screen, and delightful details like huge center climate vents and available simultaneous use of Volvo's native controls and Apple CarPlay on the big touchscreen.

For more information about Autotrader's 10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 for 2017, including full editorial commentary on each model with more details describing what makes its interior outstanding, please visit http://www.autotrader.com/best-cars/10-best-car-interiors-under-50000-262250.

About Autotrader

Autotrader is the most visited third-party car shopping site, with the most engaged audience of in-market shoppers. As the foremost authority on automotive consumer insights and expert in online and mobile marketing, Autotrader makes the car shopping experience easy and fun for today's empowered consumer looking to find or sell the perfect new, used or Certified Pre-Owned car. Using technology, shopper insights and local market guidance, Autotrader's comprehensive marketing solutions guide dealers to personalized digital marketing strategies that grow brand, drive traffic and connect the online and in-store shopping experience.

Autotrader is a Cox Automotive brand. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. For more information, please visit http://press.autotrader.com.

About Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive Inc. is transforming the way the world buys, sells and owns cars with industry-leading digital marketing, software, financial, wholesale and e-commerce solutions for consumers, dealers, manufacturers and the overall automotive ecosystem worldwide. Committed to open choice and dedicated to strong partnerships, the Cox Automotive family includes Autotrader, Dealer.com, Dealertrack, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, NextGear Capital, vAuto, Xtime and a host of other brands. The global company has 33,000 team members in more than 200 locations and is partner to more than 40,000 auto dealers, as well as most major automobile manufacturers, while engaging U.S. consumer car buyers with the most recognized media brands in the industry. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., an Atlanta-based company with revenues exceeding $20 billion and approximately 60,000 employees. Cox Enterprises' other major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications and Cox Media Group. For more information about Cox Automotive, visit www.coxautoinc.com.

SOURCE Autotrader

Related Links

http://www.autotrader.com


SEATTLE, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Avanade today announced it has acquired Infusion, a global software engineering, design and digital strategy firm that delivers digital business transformation for the enterprise with strong Microsoft technology expertise. The acquisition expands Avanade's capabilities to deliver digital transformation services and reinforces its position as the leading digital innovator in the Microsoft ecosystem. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Avanade clients, particularly in financial services and capital markets, will benefit from Infusion's digital expertise in application modernization, customer experience, enterprise productivity, business insights and emerging technologies. And Infusion clients gain access to the largest team of Microsoft experts in the industry who deliver leading digital and cloud services that drive growth, innovation, and revenue.

"We are delighted to welcome the Infusion team to the Avanade family," said Mick Slattery, president of North America, Avanade. "This acquisition brings together two organizations whose cultures are based on a client-first approach to digital transformation. In this time of unprecedented change in the marketplace, it also reaffirms our commitment to bringing bold and fresh experiences to our clients and their customers."

Infusion has 600 employees globally with offices in New York, Raleigh, Houston and London, and innovation centers in Toronto and in Wroclaw and Krakow, Poland, which expands Avanade's operations in Europe. In addition to financial services companies, Infusion also serves clients in the oil & gas, retail, healthcare, education, and travel & leisure industries.

"Infusion has been on a tremendous growth trajectory and we are very proud of the company we've built. This is absolutely the right time for us to join Avanade to achieve even greater success. We share a similar culture of innovation as well as the strength, scale and international footprint required to deliver the best digital solutions for our clients," said Alim Somani, president of Infusion. "Our people will now have access to award-winning training and career development resources that will facilitate growth and new opportunities. This is an exciting time for both companies."

About Avanade

Avanade is the leading provider of innovative digital and cloud services, business solutions and design-led experiences delivered through the power of people and the Microsoft ecosystem. Our professionals combine technology, business and industry expertise to build and deploy solutions to realize results for our clients and their customers. Avanade has 29,000 digitally connected people across 23 countries, bringing clients the best thinking through a collaborative culture that honors diversity and reflects the communities in which we operate. Majority owned by Accenture, Avanade was founded in 2000 by Accenture LLP and Microsoft Corporation. Learn more at www.avanade.com.

About Infusion

Infusion is a global software engineering, design and digital strategy firm that helps expedite digital business transformation for the enterprise, with deep domain expertise in financial services, insurance and capital markets. Infusion helps companies develop next-generation digital business solutions in Application Modernization, Customer Experience, Enterprise Productivity, Business Insights and Emerging Technologies. Infusion's team of 600 employees, across 7 global offices (New York, Raleigh, Houston, Toronto, London, Krakow and Wroclaw) is driven by a customer-centric, collaborative and innovation culture. Learn more at www.infusion.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied.

These include, without limitation, risks that: Avanade and Infusion will not be able to close the transaction in the time period anticipated, or at all, which is dependent on the parties' ability to satisfy certain closing conditions; the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for Avanade; Avanade's business could be negatively affected if the company cannot expand and develop its services and solutions in response to changes in technology and client demand; the management consulting, systems integration and technology markets are highly competitive and Avanade might not be able to compete effectively; Avanade's business could be negatively affected by economic and political conditions and the effects of these conditions on its clients' business and levels of business activity; Avanade's work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting process; clients may not be satisfied with Avanade's services; Avanade could have liability or its reputation could be damaged if it does not protect client data or information systems or if its information systems are breached; Avanade's business could be negatively affected by legal liability that results from providing its solutions or services; Avanade's results could be adversely affected if its clients terminate their contracts with the company; liabilities could arise if subcontractors or other third parties with whom the company partners cannot deliver their project contributions on time or at all; Avanade's results of operations may be adversely affected by the rate of growth in the use of technology in business and the type and level of technology spending by its clients; Avanade's profitability may suffer if it is not able to maintain favorable pricing rates and utilization rates or if the company cannot control costs; Avanade's global operations are subject to complex risks, some of which might be beyond its control; Avanade's business may be adversely affected if it is unable to keep its supply of skills, including those personnel currently employed by Infusion and resources in balance with client demand; Avanade may be unable to achieve its business objectives if the company cannot manage the organizational challenges associated with the scope of its operations; Avanade has only a limited ability to protect its intellectual property rights, and its services or solutions could infringe on the rights of others or it could lose its ability to use the intellectual property of others; Avanade's ability to attract or retain business may depend on the company's reputation in the marketplace; loss of the company's significant corporate relationships with Accenture and Microsoft could reduce its revenue and growth prospects; Avanade has a limited ability to set its own independent strategies, and its business strategy and direction may be dictated by Accenture's overall business strategy; Avanade relies on Accenture for the majority of its revenue, and the loss of that revenue would have a significant adverse impact on Avanade's results of operations and may affect its ability to continue to operate; Avanade's global delivery network relies on Accenture, and the loss of that network would increase Avanade's operating expenses; Microsoft has certain minority rights, and may exercise those rights to protect its own interests, which may not align with Avanade's; and Avanade is committed to using Microsoft-related technologies, and the company's inability to use those technologies would adversely impact its results of operations.

Statements in this press release speak only as of the date they were made, and Avanade undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Avanade's expectations.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Avanade:

Suma Boby

[email protected]

+1 443-514-1191

Golin on behalf of Avanade:

Michelle Weisz

[email protected]

+1 415-318-4326

SOURCE Avanade

Related Links

https://www.avanade.com/en


Barbecue, Boots & Badges' newest initiative is called "Invest in a Vest." The foundation has partnered with Angel Armor to provide life-saving ballistic body armor for police officers. A donation of $500 buys a set of ballistic plates which protect the wearer from sniper rounds and high-powered ammunition. The foundation will donate ballistic plates to Dallas Police Department's entire gang unit to launch the 'Invest in a Vest' program on Tuesday, February 28. Ballistic vests have saved the lives of at least 3,000 law enforcement officers and increased survival rates from gunshots to the torso by 14 percent. "The risk of dying from a gunshot wound to the torso is 3.4 times higher for law enforcement officers who do not wear armor vests," cites Nathan James, Analyst in Crime Policy for the Congressional Research Service.

To support 'Invest in a Vest' through Barbecue, Boots & Badges, click here.

"Barbecue, Boots & Badges aims to serve those who protect us," says Commissioner Maurine Dickey, the founder and spokesperson of Dickey's foundation. "Our first responders put their lives on the line for us every day, and we hope to provide this state of the art equipment to make their jobs safer."

Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. also has launched a donation matching program for in-store fundraisers. To learn more about the matching program, click here.

About Barbecue, Boots & Badges

Enthusiastically led by Maurine Dickey, Barbecue, Boots & Badges supports local law enforcement, firefighters and their families. The foundation is national, yet the support is intensely local  benefiting first responders who put their lives on the line every day, serving the public. The foundation exists to serve those who protect us.

About Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.

Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., the nation's largest barbecue chain was founded in 1941 by Travis Dickey with the goal of authentic, slow-smoked barbecue. All meats are still slow smoked on-site in each restaurant which is why at Dickey's, "We Speak Barbecue." The Dallas-based family-run barbecue franchise offers a quality selection of signature meats, savory sides, tangy barbecue sauce and free kids' meals every Sunday. The brand has expanded to nearly 600 locations in 44 states. In 2016, Dickey's won first place on Fast Casual's "Top 100 Movers and Shakers" and ranked in the top ten of Franchise Times' "Fast and Serious." Dickey's Barbecue Pit was recognized for the third year by Nation's Restaurant News as a "Top 10 Growth Chain" and by Technomic as the "Fastest-growing restaurant chain in the country." For more information, visit www.dickeys.com or for barbecue franchise opportunities call 866.340.6188.

Media Contact:

Michelle George

[email protected]

SOURCE Dickey's Barbecue

Related Links

http://www.dickeys.com


DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Beaulieu-Fawcett Law Group PA's (www.BLGFL.com) Founder and lead attorney, Stacy Beaulieu-Fawcett, announced today that her firm has selected Simply the Best PR as their agency of record to spearhead innovative media campaigns to highlight the success and growth of her firm. Established in 2006, Beaulieu-Fawcett Law Group has offices in Delray Beach and North Palm Beach and serves clients throughout South Florida.

Beaulieu-Fawcett Law Group is one of the preeminent domestic relations firms in South Florida. They have developed an excellent reputation and in-depth understanding in all areas of marital and family law, including divorce, child custody, paternity, child support, visitation, relocation, alimony, pre and post nuptial agreements, trial litigation, pretrial litigation, mediation, asset distribution and all other domestic law concerns. Beaulieu-Fawcett has extensive experience and training in contested hearings and trials and are determined to achieve positive results.

Consisting of six family law attorneys and support staff, the firm is dedicated to provide God-honoring, high quality legal services and is committed to protecting their client's rights and serving their children's best interest. Many of these cases are often fraught with emotion and the firm provides attentive, dependable and honorable counsel and representation for each of their clients. Beaulieu-Fawcett's professionalism, compassion and personalized is service seldom found at other firms.

Stacy Beaulieu-Fawcett is one of less than 400 attorneys in the state who is Florida Bar Board Certified in Marital & Family Law. She has earned an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell (a distinguished peer review rating and the highest rating available). She has been selected by SuperLawyers as one of the "Top Young Lawyers in Florida" and was named "Florida's Legal Elite" by Florida Trend Magazine which recognized her as top 2% of attorneys in Florida.

"Simply the Best PR will launch a series of campaigns to highlight Beaulieu-Fawcett's incredible success as a Marital and Family Law firm dedicated to the well-being of each client. We will also highlight Mrs. Beaulieu-Fawcett's esteemed position in the community and her many professional allocations," says Kim Morgan, President of Simply the Best PR.

Contact: Kim Morgan

Simply the Best PR

(954) 909-0268

[email protected]

SOURCE Simply the Best PR

Related Links

http://www.simplythebestpublicrelations.com


SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Booker, the leading platform for salon and spa business management, today announced the expansion of its Arizona operation with a new, state-of-the-art facility in Building 4 at SkySong, the Arizona State University Scottsdale Innovation Center, and the appointment of SaaS industry veteran Aaron Stead as Chief Revenue Officer.

Booker's Scottsdale office has continued to grow since opening in June 2015, tapping into the region's diverse workforce to expand its team, add senior leadership, and establish a presence in Arizona's burgeoning high-tech community. The company plans to continue to grow the Scottsdale office in 2017 and beyond.

Stead joins Booker after nearly a decade at Infusionsoft, most recently as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, where he ushered the company to more than 10x growth in both revenue (from $10M to over $100M) and size (from 50 employees to more than 500). He brings extensive experience in every aspect of business operations including sales, marketing, strategic business development, partner programs, and customer loyalty and retention. Previously, Stead held sales and leadership positions at Sage Software.

"Booker is well-positioned to dominate the health, wellness and beauty business management space, with a smart, dynamic team leading the charge. It felt very natural, and a match for my experience working with high-growth companies in Arizona," said Stead. "It's exciting to be a part of shaping Booker's trajectory, and having a real impact on the future of this industry."

The addition of Stead to the team follows the appointment of a series of leaders to Booker's Arizona team over the last six months, including:

Christine Rogers , Vice President of Sales. Previously at Infusionsoft, Rogers is a seasoned sales executive and Arizona State alum with over 15 years of experience recruiting, training, and managing successful sales teams serving SMBs.

, Vice President of Sales. Previously at Infusionsoft, Rogers is a seasoned sales executive and alum with over 15 years of experience recruiting, training, and managing successful sales teams serving SMBs. Brian Raboin , Vice President of Customer Experience, a key focus of Booker's Arizona operation. Raboin has spent more than 15 years managing operations and customer experience in the technology space.

, Vice President of Customer Experience, a key focus of Booker's operation. Raboin has spent more than 15 years managing operations and customer experience in the technology space. Tony Spencer , Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. A Phoenix resident for more than 25 years, Spencer has spent the majority of his career guiding companies to maximize strategic initiatives.

, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. A resident for more than 25 years, Spencer has spent the majority of his career guiding companies to maximize strategic initiatives. Jason Stephenson , Senior Director, Demand Generation. Stephenson relocated from New York to the Scottsdale office to continue to drive customer acquisition strategy and execution for Booker.

, Senior Director, Demand Generation. Stephenson relocated from to the office to continue to drive customer acquisition strategy and execution for Booker. Kirsten Markson , Director of Marketing and Communications. Markson comes to Booker from Highway Twenty, a Phoenix -based digital marketing agency, where she led strategy and research, and developed campaigns for a number of high profile initiatives.

"Home to the Booker team for more than a year, Arizona has delivered on its promise as a high-tech hub with an incredible pool of talent that's committed to taking our business to the next level," said Josh McCarter, Booker CEO. "We're excited to be part of the growing tech community here and look forward to growing our presence in Arizona significantly in the next year."

Booker joins a number of high-profile tech companies from both coasts that have put down roots in Arizona, offering long-term career opportunities alongside a lower cost of living and strong work-life balance. With a strong presence in both New York and Arizona, Booker expects continued growth, with new partnerships, customers, and capabilities to be unveiled later this year.

Over the last year, the company announced the acquisition of Frederick, offering AI-driven marketing for appointment-based businesses, as well as a partnership with First Data to deliver enhanced point-of-sale capabilities within the Booker platform.

About Booker

Booker is the leading technology management platform for salons and spas, delivering an end-to-end solution for business owners to compete in the rapidly growing market for local services. Booker offers health, wellness, and beauty businesses an all-in-one solution with online booking, CRM, staff management, and POS, enabling business owners to run and grow their businesses. With offices in New York City and Scottsdale, Arizona, Booker is used by more than 110,000 professionals at 10,000 locations. For more information, visit www.booker.com.

SOURCE Booker

Related Links

https://www.booker.com


DALLAS, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Prospera Financial Services, Inc. (Prospera) is proud to announce the affiliation of McCall M. Dyke of McGuire-Dyke Investment Group to the firm. McCall joins Prospera from Summit Brokerage Services and brings with her over $73 million in AUM. Prospera, a privately held company, is a Texas based financial firm founded in 1982 as a full-service, boutique broker-dealer and support organization for successful independent Financial Professionals across the country.

McCall Dyke is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. She began her career in the financial field in 2003 when she joined her family business as the third generation legacy partner. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, she is dedicated to providing the highest level of service to her clients.

"I chose to partner with Prospera because of their commitment to quality support and service. The firm's boutique nature and professionalism truly aligns with my values as a financial advisor."  McCall Dyke

About Prospera Financial Services

Founded in 1982, Prospera Financial Services, member FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment advisory, offers the flexibility and resources only found at some of the nation's largest broker-dealers. Headquartered in Dallas, TX, Prospera was named Broker-Dealer of the Year by Investment Advisor Magazine in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015. The firm supports Independent Financial Advisors nationwide. For more information about Prospera visit http://www.joinprospera.com/

SOURCE Prospera Financial Services, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.joinprospera.com


PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- To monitor tumor movements and enhance the precision during image-guided radiotherapy treatments, Moinhos de Vento Hospital became the first cancer center in Brazil to begin using the Calypso system from Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR). Used with a Varian TrueBeam medical linear accelerator to treat a prostate cancer patient on January 10th, the Calypso system detects even slight movements of a tumor so it can be targeted accurately with the treatment beam.

The Calypso beacon system works by implanting transponders approximately the size of a grain of rice into the tumor so that the tumor location can be tracked from outside the patient. The transponders emit non-ionizing electromagnetic signals that are tracked in real-time and used to keep a treatment beam on target.

"With Calypso, treatments are faster, with fewer side effects and it is possible to deliver a more concentrated dose of radiotherapy," said Wilson de Almeida Junior, Radiotherapy and Radiosurgery Unit coordinator at the Center for Oncology.

According to Rafael da Luz Boeno, a specialist in the Urology Unit at Moinhos de Vento Hospital, "High-precision radiotherapy provides a great advance, especially in cases of prostate cancer. Several studies corroborate the efficiency of the Calypso System in accurately locating the tumor, and reducing the side effects of radiotherapy, such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.1 The implantation of the transponders is done with anesthesia, without pain and as an outpatient procedure."

"Calypso is an evolution for more effective treatments, and with fewer after effects," said Sergio Roithmann, head of the Medical Service of the Center of Oncology. "Each time an important advance like this happens, we can combine treatments more safely and the patient can benefit from radiotherapy, chemotherapy, biological and surgery associations."

About Varian Medical Systems

Varian Medical Systems focuses energy on saving lives and is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating and managing cancer. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Varian employs approximately 6,400 people at sites around the world. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com and follow @VarianMedSys on Twitter.

Calypso System: Assessing the Impact of Margin Reduction (AIM) Study, http://varian.com/sites/default/files/resource_attachments/Calypso_AIM_Study-RAD10259Oct12.pdf

Press Contact

Mark Plungy

Varian Medical Systems

+1 (650) 424-5630

[email protected]

SOURCE Varian Medical Systems

Related Links

http://www.varian.com


MONTGOMERY, Ala., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A Caddell Construction Company project has won top honors in the construction industry's two most prestigious national project excellence competitions. The Design-Build Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (drone) Hangar Complex at Camp Mackall-Fort Bragg, NC won the AGC (Associated General Contractors) Build America Award, Category Federal & Heavy Construction. This project was selected as winner of the National ABC (Associated Builders & Contractors) Eagle Award for best project, nationwide, in the category Pre-Engineered Buildings. This rare double win will be recognized at each association's respective national convention in March 2017.

Caddell Construction Company managed the design and construction of a new $32 million dollar complex for housing, maintaining, and operating some of the military's most sophisticated unmanned aircraft systems. The scope of work included a 56,250-square-foot hangar; a new 5,000-ft. reinforced concrete runway; 4.5 miles of security perimeter fencing; five ground data terminal platforms; and six air landing systems. Despite significant late design modifications and expansions of the original scope, Caddell completed this high-priority project on time and to a very high level of satisfaction among numerous project stakeholders. There was not a single safety incident, and the work was performed while training for the Army Special Operations Forces continued on two adjacent runways.

Caddell Construction led a collaboration with engineering firm EDT, three districts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Army Special Operations Forces/Department of Defense, architectural firm Knight Architects of Atlanta, and multiple subcontractors.

Lt. Colonel Thomas Jesse, Airfield Commander at Camp Mackall, said, "Caddell has set a high benchmark for new hangar and runway construction regarding timeliness, quality, safety, and customer service. We are very pleased with our new facilities."

Karl A. Gabzdyl, Resident Engineer with the USACE Savannah District, agreed. "I have been serving the Savannah District's Fort Bragg office since 2000 and would rate this project among the best of my career."

ABOUT CADDELL

Established in 1983 and headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, Caddell is an international, full-service design/build contractor for projects in the federal (U.S. State Department, Dept. of Defense, GSA, DOE, FBOP, Dept. of Justice), commercial, and industrial/power sectors. With more than $10 billion in current and completed projects in 32 countries and every region of the U.S., Caddell is recognized as an international leader in construction safety, quality, security, and schedule performance.

SOURCE Caddell Construction Co.
ST. LOUIS, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) announced today it will present at two upcoming healthcare conferences in early March.

At the Cowen and Company 37th Annual Health Care Conference, to be held March 6-8, 2017, at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, Centene is scheduled to present on Monday, March 6, 2017, at 3:20 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). A simultaneous live audio webcast is also available at: http://wsw.com/webcast/cowen38/cnc.

The following week, at the Barclays Global Healthcare Conference, to be held March 14-16, 2017, at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Centene is scheduled to present on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at 8:00 a.m. ET. A simultaneous live audio webcast is also available at: https://cc.talkpoint.com/barc002/031417a_as/?entity=67_11IGOOE.

Webcast replays will be available afterwards via the Company's website at www.centene.com under the Investors section.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a diversified, multinational healthcare enterprise that provides programs and services to government sponsored healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Many receive benefits provided under Medicaid, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care and Long Term Care (LTC), in addition to other state-sponsored programs, Medicare (including the Medicare prescription drug benefit commonly known as "Part D"), as well as programs with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The Company operates local health plans and offers a range of health insurance solutions. It also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, care management software, correctional systems healthcare, in-home health services, life and health management, managed vision, pharmacy benefits management, specialty pharmacy and telehealth services.

Centene uses its investor relations website to publish important information about the Company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Centene is routinely posted and is accessible on Centene's investor relations website, http://www.centene.com/investors.

SOURCE Centene Corporation

Related Links

http://www.centene.com


CHICAGO, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- America's oldest family-owned & operated jewelry store, Chicago-based Rogers & Hollands, wants to give America's favorite Oscars attendees, "Gary from Chicago" and his fiancee Vicky, wedding bands for their big day.

"Like all of America, we fell in love with 'Gary from Chicago'," said Amber Willmer, Director of Social & Digital Media Marketing for Rogers & Hollands.

Gary and Vicky were part of a group of tourists that thought it was taking a typical Hollywood Boulevard tour Sunday night. But to its surprise, the group was welcomed directly into the front row of the Dolby Theatre by Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel during the awards show. The group was stunned, and "Gary from Chicago"  wearing shorts and a "Hollywood"-adorned hoodie, holding a bulky travel bag in one hand and his phone in selfie position in the other  immediately charmed Kimmel.

"Who is your favorite actor?" Kimmel asked Vicky. "That man right there," she said, star-struck and pointing at Denzel Washington. As Kimmel asked Washington to be the best man at the couple's July 18 wedding, Gary continued taking pictures with his cell phone. "You know we're on TV so you don't have to do that," Kimmel told Gary. "Yes sir, but I want to!" Gary insisted.

Within minutes #GaryFromChicago became a popular hashtag on Twitter with many viewers calling him the night's biggest winner. During his trek across the show's front row, Gary kissed actresses Nicole Kidman, Octavia Spencer, and Meryl Streep. Prompted by Kimmel, Jennifer Aniston gave Vicky sunglasses from her purse as a "wedding gift."

"Gary represents the charm and fun-loving character of Chicago, and as a Chicago company, we want to thank him for bringing viewers that joy last night," Rogers & Hollands' Willmer said. "We're all about celebrating big moments." In fact, Rogers & Hollands has been trusted by generations of families celebrating their biggest moments for 107 years. "And while the Oscars was a big moment for this couple, their wedding day will be another we'd love to be a part of."



About Rogers & Hollands Jewelers (Rogers Enterprises, Inc.):

Rogers Enterprises, Inc. is a growing fine jewelry chain with 80 stores across ten states. Founded in 1910, this family-owned company operates under the names of Rogers & Hollands Jewelers and Ashcroft & Oak Jewelers, and is now the largest family-owned and operated retail jewelry chain in the country. The company's slogan, "jewelry created for now & forever," speaks to both the timeless beauty of its jewelry and its commitment to being a jeweler trusted by multiple generations of families for over a century. More: http://www.rogersandhollands.com

Media Contact:

Amber Willmer

[email protected]

708-679-7585

SOURCE Rogers & Hollands Jewelers

Related Links

http://www.rogersandhollands.com


SOUDERTON, Pa., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- 2017 marks sixty years in business for CHL Systems. Founded in 1957 by Clayton H. Landis, as an equipment repair and installation firm in eastern Pennsylvania, CHL Systems experienced steady growth by building long-term customer relationships with an emphasis on providing consistent value. Over the years, the company grew and transitioned to the design and fabrication of custom process automation equipment and services for production facilities in a variety of industries including snack foods, confectionery, food processing and packaging, meat handling and packaging, pharmaceutical, steel, energy, and general manufacturing.

CHL Systems remains a family owned and operated corporation and is recognized by global business partners for its excellent team of experienced and highly skilled professionals. Our dedicated men and women work diligently every day with clients, from small businesses to many fortune 500 companies, producing the best solutions for an ever-changing and highly competitive environment. It is the expertise of our people that has allowed CHL Systems to look ahead to the next sixty years and offer current technologies like automation controls and robotics solutions for processing and packaging that allow even greater production efficiency improvements and reduced operating costs.

According to Kevin Landis, CEO, the company remains true to its roots. "As we reach this milestone in our company history, we re-affirm our commitment to our vision, mission and core values, which remain as relevant today as they were in 1957. We strive to operate with trust and integrity as we continue to inspire innovation in processing automation through superior engineering, technology and experienced craftsmanship." CHL plans a celebration later in the year.

About CHL Systems

Established in 1957, CHL Systems provides process automation equipment and services for production facilities. Using extensive experience, developed from a multitude of industrial applications with unique production requirements, CHL Systems brings a practical and cost effective approach to integrating the most advanced technology and services to the world of production automation. As a customer driven organization, and an ISO 9001:2008 registered company, our first priority continues to be providing top quality products and services for every application.

CHL Systems

476 Meetinghouse Road

Souderton, PA 18964 USA

215-723-7284

[email protected]

www.chlsystems.com

Media contact: Jeff Bowman

CHL Systems, Inc.

215-723-7284 x 185

[email protected]

SOURCE CHL Systems

Related Links

http://www.chlsystems.com


ATLANTA, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ChooseATL, a movement dedicated to attracting and retaining top talent to metro Atlanta, today announced that it will host an Entrepreneur Invitational event in Austin, while there for South by Southwest (SXSW), to link global entrepreneurs with some of Atlanta's premier brands. The event will provide a group of entrepreneurs the chance to connect with C-suite executives for one-on-one, 10-minute sessions to discuss their company, explore opportunities and seek input from these experienced executives. Entrepreneurs interested in securing a time slot for these powerful and unique networking sessions should submit their executive summaries for consideration on or before Monday, March 6, 2017.

The Entrepreneur Invitational is an extension of the "Big Brands Driving Innovation Panel," powered by the Metro Atlanta Chamber's Innovation Connect program. A selection committee will decide which companies will receive meetings with the panelists. The names of those securing meetings will be announced during the panel, which will take place on March 13 at 1 p.m. CST at the "ChooseATL House," located at Maggie Mae's on Sixth Street in Austin, TX. Moderated by Metro Atlanta Chamber President and CEO Hala Moddelmog, the panel will feature:

Matt Carey , executive vice president and CIO, Home Depot

, executive vice president and CIO, Home Depot Duncan O'Brien , senior vice president and general manager of Corporate Strategy and Investments, Cox Enterprises

, senior vice president and general manager of Corporate Strategy and Investments, Cox Enterprises Marc Gorlin , founder and CEO, Roadie

, founder and CEO, Roadie Rahul Samant , senior vice president and CIO, Delta Air Lines

Entrepreneur Invitational meetings will take place after the panel discussion, beginning promptly at 2:30 p.m. CST. Executives will be paired with startups based on the best match to add value for both parties and the motivation of the entrepreneur. Company representatives must be present during the panel to participate in a meeting.

Metro Atlanta has the nation's third highest density of Fortune 500 headquarters  more than double that of San Francisco. These corporations are often the first, and most loyal, customers that startups benefit from.

"Atlanta's big brands are ready and willing to serve as powerful revenue streams, partner and credibility drivers for young companies of all types," said Kate Atwood, executive director of ChooseATL. "We're proud to launch the Entrepreneur Invitational, so the world's startups can experience our vibrant tech ecosystem firsthand."

Innovation Connect brings together top Atlanta executives to discuss how their corporations are leaders in innovative thinking and the role startups play in fueling innovation. The program is designed to connect the region's largest and most influential corporations with each other and the broader innovation community. It is purpose-driven with the desire to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and make Atlanta a leading and sought after global innovation hub by increasing engagement of top corporations with the growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.

"Through Innovation Connect, we are working to amplify efforts that increase engagement between the entrepreneurial and corporate communities to drive innovation-based company growth," said Jennifer Sherer, Ph.D., vice president of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for the Metro Atlanta Chamber. "We're excited to offer this opportunity to burgeoning entrepreneurs that could potentially help them scale their businesses."

To learn more about ChooseATL's 2017 SXSW events, visit chooseatl.com/sxsw.

About ChooseATL

ChooseATL is a movement focused on telling a comprehensive story about Atlanta to attract and retain top talent to intentionally grow the region's prosperity in the global economy. The initiative highlights the abundant opportunity for career growth across the 29-county region, as well as the unique culture and lifestyle offered in Atlanta. To join the movement, visit www.chooseatl.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and LinkedIn.

About The Metro Atlanta Chamber

The Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) serves as a catalyst for a more prosperous and vibrant region. To advance economic growth and improve metro Atlanta's quality of place, MAC is focused on starting, growing and recruiting companies to the 29-county metro Atlanta region. The Chamber is also focused on expanding the region's innovation economy by promoting and strengthening connections to drive Atlanta's innovation and entrepreneurial culture. MAC is committed to being an active voice for the business community, serving as an advocate for a competitive business climate and telling Atlanta's story. For more information, visit www.MetroAtlantaChamber.com.

SOURCE Cox Enterprises
GREER, S.C., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarius Mobile Health, a digital healthcare company today announced that it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with North American Rescue (NAR) to sell the C3, L7 and C7Vet Clarius Wireless Ultrasound Scanners to medical professionals at military and federal agencies. Weighing less than a pound, the ultra-portable scanners are compatible with the latest iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.

Clarius Mobile Wireless Scanners are designed to withstand austere environments and North American Rescue is the perfect partner to deliver Clarius into the hands of medical professionals who need access to ultrasound in challenging situations.

"Clarius Scanners are designed to withstand austere environments and NAR is the perfect partner to deliver Clarius into the hands of medical professionals who need access to ultrasound in challenging situations," said Ron Dickson, Director of Corporate and Government Accounts.

Built with a magnesium case, Clarius Scanners are designed to withstand challenging environments and are water submersible for easy cleaning and disinfection. Clarius Scanners are powered by a rechargeable battery, which is easily exchanged when running low. Two batteries and a charger are delivered with each Scanner.

"We are pleased to be partnering with Clarius to offer their state-of-the-art products. These rugged scanners are ideal for the future requirements of our customer base and they will assist with saving lives by providing early detection and treatment of conditions that would historically be unavailable in the field," states Jun Magpayo, Senior VP of Business Development at NAR. "This capability meets a requirement during prolonged field care (PFC) due to long evacuation and transportation times."

Clarius Ultrasound Scanners are intended for clinicians to conduct quick scans and to guide short procedures. The Clarius C3 multipurpose ultrasound scanner is designed to image the abdomen and lungs; it also incorporates a virtual phased array for quick scans of the heart. The Clarius L7 is designed for guiding procedures and imaging superficial structures. The C7Vet Scanner is ideal for imaging military working dogs in the field.

ABOUT CLARIUS

Founded by ultrasound innovators, Clarius Mobile Health is dedicated to making ultrasound available to all clinicians. Our affordable handheld ultrasound scanners improve clinical outcomes and provide

Practitioners the freedom to use ultrasound anywhere they need it. Clarius Mobile Health Ultrasound Scanners are Health Canada approved, FDA-cleared and the Company is ISO certified. For more information, visit clarius.me/press-room.

ABOUT NAR

North American Rescue (NAR), based in Greer, South Carolina, has proudly enjoyed the honor of serving their country, community, and customers for over a decade. NAR is leading the way in decreasing preventable deaths by providing innovative casualty care solutions to our uniformed soldiers, first responders, health care professionals, and security forces both at home, and abroad in foreign combat zones. They have a worldwide reach into all federal government medical facilities, branches, and first responders. For more information on North American Rescue and products visit www.NARescue.com or call (864) 675-9800.

Media Contact

Neena Rahemtulla, VP Marketing, Clarius Mobile Health

Email: [email protected] Tel: 1-604-260-7077

Media Contact

Lonnie Johnson, Director of MARCOM, North American Rescue, LLC

Email : [email protected] Tel : 1-864-675-9800

SOURCE Clarius Mobile Health
DALLAS, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica Incorporated today announced that it will make a presentation at the 2017 RBC Capital Markets Financial Institutions Conference.

Comerica's presentation will begin at 9:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. Speaking on behalf of Comerica will be Ralph W. Babb Jr., chairman and chief executive officer. David E. Duprey, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Peter W. Guilfoile, executive vice president and chief credit officer, and Darlene P. Persons, director of Investor Relations, also will participate.

To access the live audio Webcast, including presentation slides, visit the "Investor Relations" area of Comerica's Web site at www.comerica.com. Replays will be available at the same location following the conference.

Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of $73.0 billion at December 31, 2016.

SOURCE Comerica Incorporated

Related Links

http://www.comerica.com


When will North Korea learn that it shouldn't bite the hand that feeds it, its closest ally (of convenience)?If the only reason China is supporting the North Korean regime is the fear that a collapse of that regime could lead to a flow of refugees into China, could we not just all agree on a policy of weakening the North Korean regime maximally but short of regime collapse? Or maybe a carrot-and-stick approach giving the North Korean regime an opportunity to save face through gradual policy changes?Let's start with this for example: We will open our borders to North Korean trade and tourism if it reciprocates, but on our terms, and we want to see a significantly more open North Korean border.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Traveler concern is rising after the U.S. government announced a "full review of all U.S. policies towards Cuba". Customers of travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth, say they are worried they'll have to cancel their trips to Cuba this year, despite American travel to the island increasing by 148% in 2016.

"Many travelers have been calling us with travel concerns due to U.S. relations with Cuba," said Squaremouth Customer Service Director Jessica Harvey. "In the event of a travel restriction, customers planning trips to Cuba will have limited cancellation options."

Limited Cancellation Coverage Available

Standard Trip Cancellation policies do not cover any government imposed travel restrictions. For travelers that are concerned about canceling an upcoming trip to Cuba because of potential policy changes, Squaremouth recommends purchasing a policy with the Cancel For Any Reason upgrade.

"If travel to Cuba is prohibited by the government, Cancel For Any Reason is the only benefit that can cover travelers to cancel their trips," Harvey said.

Unfortunately, travelers who already booked their trips may have missed their chance to purchase Cancel For Any Reason. This upgrade is time sensitive, and in order to be eligible, travelers must purchase their policy within 14-30 days of their first reservation or payment towards the trip.

Cancel For Any Reason is an optional upgrade that allows a traveler to cancel for a reason that is not otherwise covered, including travel restrictions. Canceling a trip under Cancel For Any Reason can reimburse up to 75% of prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses, but adding the benefit can increase a policy's premium by about 40%. It also requires travelers to insure their entire trip cost, and cancel their trip at least 2 days before they are scheduled to depart.

SOURCE Squaremouth

Related Links

http://www.squaremouth.com


CALGARY, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Mr. Nadeem Velani, Canadian Pacific's (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) Chief Financial Officer, will address the CIBC Industrials Conference on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 8 a.m. eastern time in Toronto, Ontario.

CP will provide access to a live audio webcast of Mr. Velani's remarks at investor.cpr.ca. A replay will also be available following the conclusion of the event.

About Canadian Pacific

Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to eight major ports, including Vancouver and Montreal, providing North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP.

SOURCE Canadian Pacific

Related Links

http://www.cpr.ca


FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Crestline Investors, Inc. ("Crestline"), an institutional alternative asset manager, today announced the addition of Graham Officer as Managing Director at the firm, where he will be focused on Business Development and Client Partnerships. Officer will head up marketing for the Crestline Summit Equity Alpha Fund ("Crestline Summit"), a multi-PM equity relative value hedge fund launched in July 2015. He will be based in New York and report to Frank Jordan, Head of Business Development & Client Partnerships.

Officer joins Crestline after working for 21 years at Goldman Sachs, most recently as Managing Director and Head of Institutional Derivative Sales in their Securities Division. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Bucknell University, and joined Goldman Sachs shortly after graduating.

This is Crestline's second recent senior hire for its Business Development group, following the addition of Jordan in November 2016.

"We are excited to have Graham join our team," said Douglas Bratton, Managing Partner & CIO of Crestline. "We look forward to Frank and Graham working together to continue to build the Crestline brand in the institutional marketplace."

"It's an honor to join Crestline, and in particular, to be a part of the Crestline Summit team. I look forward to using my knowledge and experience to help grow the firm," said Officer.

About Crestline Investors, Inc.

Crestline Investors, Inc., founded in 1997 and based in Fort Worth, Texas, is an institutional alternative investment management firm with approximately $9.2 billion of assets under management. Crestline specializes in credit and opportunistic investments. In addition, the firm manages a multi-PM equity market-neutral hedge fund, and provides Beta and Hedging Solutions for Institutional clients. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, the company maintains affiliate offices in New York City, Chicago, London, Toronto and Tokyo. For more information, please visit www.crestlineinvestors.com.

Media Contact:

Dmitriy Ioselevich

212-279-3115 ext. 243

[email protected]

SOURCE Crestline Investors, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.crestlineinvestors.com


Massenet, one of the true pioneers of the luxury fashion industry, will bring her proven business acumen, intuitive feel and passion for the way technology can transform the consumer experience to the Farfetch business. She will have a particular focus on growing the global brand and strengthening its partnerships with the fashion industry.

Massenet and Neves' shared strategic vision of how fashion and technology can work together to amplify the consumer experience puts them in an unrivalled position to partner as co-Chairs and focus on the next stage of Farfetch's development as the leading global platform for luxury fashion.

Neves said: "I have, since Net-A-Porter launched, been a huge admirer of Natalie, she really is THE undisputed pioneer, paving the way for the rest of us by demonstrating that not only could luxury be sold online but also that the internet would eventually become the primary way consumers engage with brands, globally.

Natalie has unrivalled entrepreneurial instinct, understanding of the luxury consumer and knows how to build global brands like no one else. It is simply a dream come true to have Natalie partner with me, with a shared vision and tremendous will to - yet again - shape the future of luxury."

Massenet said: "I am honoured and excited to support Jose and the Farfetch team as they continue to build a unique vision of what the future of fashion and technology looks like. What Farfetch has done to rewrite the rulebook on how technology can work alongside bricks and mortar to elevate the customer experience stands out in the industry - when Jose asked me to come on board it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down. Jose is a true innovator, and I am thrilled to join him as he grows Farfetch into the online platform of choice for luxury fashion."

Massenet founded Net-A-Porter.com, the first luxury fashion shopping online store in 2000, building the company in 15 years into The NET-A-PORTER GROUP with TheOutnet.com, MrPorter.com PORTER Magazine and the social shopping platform the NETSET, creating one of the most powerful global online retail brands and forever changing the face of luxury shopping.

Jose Neves started programming at the age of 8, launched his first tech business in 1993 at the age of 19 and the Swear shoe label in London in 1996. In 2008 Neves merged his two passions for fashion and technology and launched Farfetch, the first global e-commerce platform for luxury fashion. Farfetch has ascended from its origins as a European start-up to a "unicorn business" and is now the number-one full-price destination for luxury shopping in terms of traffic, according to Alexa, ComScore and SimilarWeb.

Notes to Editors

The term 'Farfetch Group' covers all Farfetch's global subsidiaries, offices and the business units of the Farfetch.com platform, Browns, Black & White and Store of The Future.

Details of Store of The Future will be unveiled at the company's first conference, FarfetchOS, on 12 April where Neves and Massenet will make their first public address. More information about FarfetchOS: https://www.farfetchos.com/

@Farfetch @JoseFarfetch @Nat_Mass #FARFETCHforFASHION

About Dame Natalie Massenet

Dame Natalie Massenet founded luxury shopping giant, Net-A-Porter in 2000. The following decade saw Natalie build one of the most powerful global online retail, media and publishing groups encompassing net-a-porter.com, theoutnet.com, mrporter.com and the Net Set. With a team of over 2,500 people across London, New York, Hong Kong and Shanghai, Massenet shaped an extraordinary experience for the global luxury fashion consumer. In the year before Natalie stepped down from her role following the YOOX Net-A-Porter merger, the Net-A-Porter-Group recorded net revenues of $1billion.

Natalie began her career as a journalist and fashion editor, working at WWD and Tatler. In 2009, Natalie was awarded an MBE, and in 2016 she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire; both in recognition of her contributions to the UK fashion and retail industry. Natalie has been Chairman of the British Fashion Council since 2013, and was appointed a UK DTI Business Ambassador in March 2016.

About Farfetch

http://www.farfetch.com

Farfetch partners directly with over 750 designers and fashion boutiques across 40 countries , providing them with an unrivalled e-commerce platform to connect and sell to over 1 million customers in over 190 countries selling both womenswear and menswear

designers and fashion boutiques across , providing them with an unrivalled e-commerce platform to connect and sell to over in over selling both womenswear and menswear Farfetch showcases the world's greatest selection of luxury from over 1,500 brands

Farfetch is a true global omni-channel platform with the proprietary end-to-end API at the core of an unrivalled technology and logistics network

This API powers the Farfetch.com platform and shopping app in 9 languages; and Farfetch Black & White, the white label division powers the websites of BrownsFashion.com, ManoloBlahnik.com and ChristopherKane.com, among others

Farfetch offers same day delivery in 10 cities : London , NY, Paris , LA, Miami , Madrid , Milan , Barcelona and Rome ; click & collect and returns in store.

: , NY, , LA, , , , and ; click & collect and returns in store. "Store of The Future" is a customised suite of technologies which have been developed in order to help brands and boutiques enhance the customer journey by bridging the offline and online worlds

The Farfetch Group grew at +70% over the 12 months ended 31/12/16 based on the value of goods traded across the platform

over the 12 months ended based on the value of goods traded across the platform In the three months ending 31/12/16 the core marketplace delivered significant underlying profitability

the core marketplace delivered significant underlying profitability The core market place grew traded merchandise value by +75% across Q4

across Q4 $800m USD in gross sales across Farfetch Group in the calendar year ended 31/12/16

in gross sales across Farfetch Group in the calendar year ended Approximately 10 million site visits per month

site visits per month Over 60% of traffic from mobile and tablet

of traffic from mobile and tablet 9 local language sites : Russian, Japanese, Chinese, German, Korean, Spanish, French, English and Portuguese

: Russian, Japanese, Chinese, German, Korean, Spanish, French, English and Portuguese Offices in 11 global locations with almost 1,500 employees: London , Porto , Guimaraes, Lisbon , Moscow , New York , Los Angeles , Tokyo , Hong Kong , Shanghai and Sao Paulo

with almost 1,500 employees: , , Guimaraes, , , , , , , and Sao Paulo Customers spend on average $700 USD per order

per order Customer base grew by +65% in the past 12 months

in the past 12 months Proprietary API-first omni-channel platform, developed by a team of 500 engineers and product experts, planned to grow to 1000 by 2018

planned to grow to 1000 by 2018 Browns, est. 1970, was acquired in May 2015 , with Holli Rogers appointed as CEO. Under Holli's leadership turnover has multiplied by 3 in the last 12 months

, with appointed as CEO. Under Holli's leadership turnover has multiplied by 3 in the last 12 months May 2016 Farfetch secured a Series F round of investment of US $110 million , led by new investors Temasek, IDG Capital Partners and Eurazeo with existing investor Vitruvian Partners also participating in the round.

Farfetch secured a Series F round of investment of US , led by new investors Temasek, IDG Capital Partners and Eurazeo with existing investor Vitruvian Partners also participating in the round. The company is currently valued at over US $1 billion

SOURCE Farfetch Group

Related Links

http://www.farfetch.com


ATLANTA, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlanta-based data center services firm dcBLOX Inc. has opened its newest facility in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee. The new facility is the second next-generation data center location for the company, which secured more than $15 million in funding in 2016.

dcBLOX is expanding its network of data centers into secondary cities which are currently under-served by the industry. The company selected Chattanooga because of its smart utility grid, proximity to major fiber carriers, and its convenient geographic location just over 100 miles from Atlanta.

On the news of the opening Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger said, "We are happy to welcome dcBLOX to Hamilton County, we know the efforts we have made over the last decade to make this a technological destination are paying off with companies like dcBLOX investing in our community. We spend a lot of time and effort educating people for the kind of jobs dcBLOX offers and our reward is when companies like dcBLOX come to Hamilton County offering good family wage jobs."

"We are the perfect location for high-tech, forward-thinking companies like dcBLOX," said Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke. "This major investment will create many new good-paying jobs in our city and clearly demonstrates we have the innovation assets and necessary infrastructure in place to attract next-generation technology companies to Chattanooga."

The opening of the Chattanooga site enables dcBLOX to provide Active-to-Active high-speed synchronization of IT systems over a geographically diverse area and almost instantaneous disaster recovery for data-intensive applications. dcBLOX co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Jake Ring explained, "Our 100Gb private optical network connecting our Atlanta and Chattanooga locations is scalable to over 17Tb, so customers can transfer, backup and restore large business-critical datasets and systems in minutes, if not mere seconds."

dcBLOX has deployed proprietary modular enclosure systems to create uniquely flexible next generation data centers. The enclosures allow tremendous flexibility in handling the greater power densities of high-performance compute and hyper-converged systems, up to five times that of a traditional data center. The firm's energy-efficient facilities house the company's OpenStack cloud with integrated SDN (software defined networking), providing nearly infinite scalability and on-demand expansion for today's high growth companies.

With Service Level Agreements (SLA) that support up to 99.999% reliability for both cloud and network systems, Ring says, "dcBLOX brings a new level of security and confidence to technology leaders moving workloads to the cloud."

About dcBLOX

Founded in 2014, dcBLOX is an Atlanta-based data center provider utilizing a proprietary enclosure technology that allows for more flexible, efficient, and cost effective infrastructure. The Company provides virtual and standard colocation, and network connectivity services through its high bandwidth private optical network. Comprehensive one-stop service offerings include highly-reliable and secure OpenStack cloud IaaS solutions, Managed Services including DRaaS, Backup, and Storage, and professional IT services. For more information, visit www.dcBLOX.com.

Media Contact:

For dcBLOX:

Joellyn Sargent

770.335.5244

[email protected]

SOURCE dcBLOX Inc.

Related Links

http://www.dcBLOX.com


NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Driven by the ongoing digital revolution and demographic, political, and social forces, almost 90 percent of HR and business leaders rate building the organization of the future as their highest priority. In its 2017 Global Human Capital Trends report, "Rewriting the rules for the digital age," Deloitte issues a call-to-action for companies to completely reconsider their organizational structure, talent and HR strategies to keep pace with digital disruption.

"Technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate and these innovations have completely transformed the way we live, work and communicate," said Josh Bersin, principal and founder, Bersin by Deloitte, Deloitte Consulting LLP. "Ultimately, the digital world of work has changed the rules of business. Organizations should shift their entire mind-set and behaviors to ensure they can lead, organize, motivate, manage and engage the 21st century workforce, or risk being left behind."

With more than 10,000 HR and business leaders in 140 countries weighing in, this is Deloitte's largest and most extensive Global Human Capital Trends survey to date. The hallmark study  in its fifth year  reveals that leaders are turning to new organization models, which highlight the networked nature of today's world of work. However, as business productivity often fails to keep pace with technological progress, Deloitte finds that HR is struggling to keep up, with only 35 percent of HR professionals rating their capabilities as "good" or "excellent."

"As technology, artificial intelligence, and robotics transform business models and work, companies should start to rethink their management practices and organizational models," said Brett Walsh, global human capital leader, Deloitte Global. "The future of work is driving the development of a set of 'new rules' that organizations should follow if they want to remain competitive."

Building the organization of the future demands a team approach and talent-centric focus

As the workforce evolves, organizations are focusing on networks of teams, and recruiting and developing the right people is more consequential than ever. Survey respondents point to talent acquisition as one of the biggest issues organizations face, with 81 percent of companies citing it as "very important" or "important."

However, while Deloitte finds that cognitive technologies have helped leaders bring talent acquisition into the digital world, only 22 percent of survey respondents describe their companies as "excellent" at building a differentiated employee experience once talent is acquired. In fact, the gap between talent acquisition's importance and the ability to meet the need increased by 14 percentage points over the last year.

It is critical to take an integrated approach to building the employee experience, with a large part of it centering on "careers and learning," which rose to second place on HRs' and business leaders' priority lists, with 83 percent of those surveyed ranking it as "important" or "very important." Deloitte finds that as organizations shed legacy systems and dismantle yesterday's hierarchies, it's important to place a higher premium on implementing immersive learning experiences to develop leaders who can thrive in today's digital world and appeal to diverse workforce needs.

The importance of leadership as a driver of the employee experience remains strong, as the percentage of companies with experiential programs for leaders rose nearly 20 percentage points from 47 percent in 2015 to 64 percent this year. Deloitte believes there is still a crucial need, however, for stronger and different types of leaders, particularly as today's business world demands those who demonstrate more agile and digital capabilities.

Organizations should capitalize on digital HR for a 21st century workforce

As organizations become more digital, leaders should consider disruptive technologies for every aspect of their human capital needs. Deloitte finds that 56 percent of companies are redesigning their HR programs to leverage digital and mobile tools, and 33 percent are already using some form of artificial intelligence (AI) applications to deliver HR solutions.

"HR and other business leaders tell us that they are being asked to create a digital workplace in order to become an 'organization of the future,'" said Erica Volini, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and national managing director of the U.S. human capital practice. "To rewrite the rules on a broad scale, HR should play a leading role in helping the company redesign the organization by bringing digital technologies to both the workforce and to the HR organization itself."

Deloitte found that the HR function is in the middle of a wide-ranging identity shift. To position themselves effectively as a key business advisor to the organization, it is important for HR to focus on service delivery efficiency and excellence in talent programs, as well as the entire design of work using a digital lens.

Organizations should better understand their employees and how their jobs are being reinvented

The trends in this year's report show signs of reinvention on all fronts, including jobs themselves. Organizations should approach external talent, robotics, cognitive tools, and AI systems as the "new, augmented workforce." This year, 41 percent of respondents reported having fully implemented or having made significant progress in adopting cognitive and AI technologies within their workforce. But, only 17 percent of global executives report they are ready to manage a workforce with people, robots, and AI working side by side  the lowest readiness level for a trend in the five years of the Global Human Capital Trends survey.

While many jobs are being reinvented through technology and some tasks are being automated, Deloitte's research shows that the essentially human aspects of work  such as empathy, communication, and problem solving  are becoming more important than ever.

This shift is not only driving an increased focus on reskilling, but also on the importance of people analytics to help organizations gain even greater insights into the capabilities of their workforce on a global scale. However, organizations continue to fall short in this area, with only 8 percent reporting they have usable data, and only 9 percent believing they have a good understanding of the talent factors that drive performance in this new world of work.

"This represents one of the biggest opportunities for the HR organization," said Volini. "To be able to rewrite the rules, HR needs to prove it has the insights and capabilities to successfully play outside the lines."

Access the 2017 Deloitte Global Human Capital Trends report.

About the Global Human Capital Trends report:

The 2017 survey is our largest and most extensive to date, with input from more than 10,000 business and HR leaders across 140 countries. Twenty-two percent of respondents were from large companies (more than 10,000 employees), 29 percent from medium-sized companies (1,000-10,000 employees), and 49 percent from small companies (fewer than 1,000 employees). Respondents from the Americas accounted for 31 percent of the total; Europe, Middle East, and Africa contributed 51 percent, and Asia Pacific 18 percent. Respondents represented a broad cross-section of industries, including financial services; consumer business; technology, media, and telecommunications; and manufacturing. Sixty-three percent of the respondents were HR professionals, with other business executives comprising 37 percent. C-level executives accounted for 30 percent (more than 3,100) of the respondents.

About Deloitte's Human Capital Practice

Deloitte helps organizations effectively manage their human capital to drive business growth. This is done by leveraging advanced analytics to develop talent management and business-driven HR strategies to deliver results. A leader in human capital consulting, Deloitte brings the effective combination of business, industry and HR knowledge, Bersin by Deloitte research, products (AccessEdge, ConnectMe, CulturePath, LaborWise), and capabilities of a multidisciplinary professional services organization and global network. For more information, please visit the Deloitte Human Capital Consulting site.

About Deloitte

Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world's most admired brands, including 80 percent of the Fortune 500 and more than 6,000 private and middle market companies. Our people work across more than 20 industry sectors to deliver measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in our capital markets, inspire clients to make their most challenging business decisions with confidence, and help lead the way toward a stronger economy and a healthy society.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

SOURCE Deloitte

Related Links

http://www.deloitte.com


ACTON, Mass., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Affirmed Networks, the leader in virtualized mobile networks, today announced that Digicel, an innovative mobile communications provider with operations in 31 markets, has selected its virtualized Mobile Content Cloud (MCC) solution for deployment across the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. This selection is a cornerstone in Digicel's recently-announced "Digicel 2030" global transformation program designed to provide customers with a "superior superfast network experience." The evolution to a 5G-ready, virtualized architecture will allow Digicel to embrace LTE today and 5G in the near future.

Digicel recognized the inflexibility of legacy solutions to improve network capacity across the markets it serves. Many of these markets are individual islands located across the Caribbean and Asia Pacific. Affirmed Networks' fully-virtualized Mobile Content Cloud solution, enables Digicel to deploy a distributed virtualized network delivering consumer, enterprise and IoT service offerings across their dispersed geographies. The Affirmed MCC delivers the flexibility required to meet the changing needs of each market.

This deployment enables Digicel to flexibly tailor services based on the needs of each individual market, and to centrally-manage the services being delivered to the more than 31 countries in their coverage area. Overall operational expense and complexity associated with managing the network across their vast footprint is significantly reduced through service automation.

"As part of our 2030 network transformation program we are focused on providing our customers  regardless of location  with the best possible communications experience. Our move to a virtualized architecture supports this goal, allowing us to put in place a network capable of handling the unique needs and requirements of subscribers across diverse markets," said Colm Delves, Group CEO, Digicel. "Throughout our transformation program we have been impressed with Affirmed Network's market leading solution as it has delivered the ability to quickly deploy a next-generation network that will allow us to execute against our broader vision as a company and maximize our customers service experience."

"With a focus on quality of their network and the services they offer, Digicel is an important force driving growth and prosperity in their region," said Hassan Ahmed, Affirmed Networks' Chairman & CEO. "We are honored to support their continued innovation by providing Digicel with a fully virtualized, advanced, agile network capable of delivering LTE services today, and supporting 5G services as they become more broadly available."

Today, Affirmed Networks has more than 50 customers across five continents, including some of the world's largest and most innovative operators.

About Digicel

Digicel Group is a leading global communications provider with operations in 31 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and South Pacific. After 15 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network. Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.

About Affirmed Networks, Inc.

Affirmed Networks has achieved significant attention as its Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) solution has become the standard for the world's top mobile operators. Currently, the company has been deployed commercially, including in Tier 1 and Tier 2 mobile networks, and is engaged in many trials worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.affirmednetworks.com.

SOURCE Affirmed Networks

Related Links

http://www.affirmednetworks.com


DENVER, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- DaVita Kidney Care, a division of DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA) and a leading provider of kidney care services in the United States, welcomes Dr. Adam Weinstein as vice president of medical affairs, within DaVita's Office of the Chief Medical Officer.

"Dr. Weinstein's extensive background in health care policy and regulation, as well as his wide-spread knowledge in IT brings unparalleled expertise to DaVita," said Allen R. Nissenson, M.D., FACP, chief medical officer for DaVita Kidney Care. "This unique combination will allow Dr. Weinstein to work directly with clinical IT while closely supporting DaVita's physician electronic health record team."

Dr. Weinstein graduated from Franklin and Marshall College and received his M.D. from the University of Maryland. He is a co-founder of the Kidney Health Center of Maryland and served on the Renal Physicians Association Board of Directors, as well as serving on the Maryland Healthcare Commission.

Prior to working with DaVita, Dr. Weinstein worked in private practice. He has also worked as a vice president with the University of Maryland-Shore Regional Health. He is currently a vice president for medical affairs with clinical IT services at DaVita in addition to serving as a part-time clinical nephrologist in Maryland. He continues to serve as the American Medical Association's Relative Value Scale Update Committee advisor for the Renal Physicians Association and chairs the Renal Physicians Association clinical data registry workgroup.

Dr. Weinstein is passionate about coordinating the overlapping areas of clinical nephrology, health care policy and health care IT. His aim is to bring nephrologists the best IT tools possible to provide comprehensive, integrated care for all patients. To learn more about the DaVita physician leadership team, visit DaVita.com/Physicians.

About DaVita Kidney Care

DaVita Kidney Care is a division of DaVita Inc., a Fortune 500 company that, through its operating divisions, provides a variety of health care services to patient populations throughout the United States and abroad. A leading provider of dialysis services in the United States, DaVita Kidney Care treats patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita Kidney Care strives to improve patients' quality of life by innovating clinical care, and by offering integrated treatment plans, personalized care teams and convenient health-management services. As of December 31, 2016, DaVita Kidney Care operated or provided administrative services at 2,350 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States serving approximately 188,000 patients. The company also operated 154 outpatient dialysis centers located in 11 countries outside the United States. DaVita Kidney Care supports numerous programs dedicated to creating positive, sustainable change in communities around the world. The company's leadership development initiatives and social responsibility efforts have been recognized by Fortune, Modern Healthcare, Newsweek and WorldBlu. For more information, please visit DaVita.com.

Contact Information

Media: Lindsey Robinson

(720) 925-3079

[email protected]

SOURCE DaVita

Related Links

http://www.davita.com


WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Anne L. White of Carolina Laser and Cosmetic Center (www.CarolinaLaser.com) introduces the all new FDA-approved Restylane Refyne and Restylane Defyne dermal fillers to her practice.

Using a new technology, the FDA-approved fillers, Refyne and Defyne produce a more natural outcome by flexing and moving along with the natural fluctuations of the muscles. As part of the Restylane family of products from Galderma, the same successful hyaluronic acid base formula is used as Restylane Silk but used primarily for the correction of facial wrinkles and folds. While Refyne treats moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, Defyne is best at correcting the deeper, moderate to severe wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds or "parentheses" around the mouth. Both products use a relatively low molecular weight and are very gentle so patients don't look and feel as if product has been injected under the skin surface.

For Refyne and Defyne, the lifespan of the product is about a year. Lidocaine is mixed into the product so no numbing is required beforehand. Patients can expect a little numbness post procedure for about 1-2 hours due to the anesthetic component. The end result will be one without stubborn wrinkles and folds that age a person, and everyone will wonder what was done to produce a refreshing look.

As with any cosmetic treatment or procedure, a consultation with an expert, such as Dr. White, is recommended to determine if this product is the right fit. Cosmetic enhancements require a professional grade product, like Refyne and Defyne, and should always be administered by a trained professional. Since 2003, Dr. White has performed over 25,000 filler injections.

"At Carolina Laser and Cosmetic Center we are passionately committed to providing the safest and latest non-surgical, non-invasive, no downtime cosmetic, laser and dermatology treatments to help patients look as young outside as they feel inside," Dr. White says.

Anne L. White, M.D. has been in private practice in Winston-Salem since 1988 and has focused on cosmetic and laser procedures since 2002. She is a Winston-Salem Cosmetic Surgeon and medical Director of Carolina Laser and Cosmetic Center. She is known to be the first in offering the latest, safest and effective products and procedures to the Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point Triad. She is well-gifted and her patients often remark she has an artistic eye and a gentle touch. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Society for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery, and the American College of Phlebology.

Contact: [email protected] 336.659.2663

SOURCE Carolina Laser & Cosmetic Center

Related Links

http://www.carolinalaser.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dubset Media, the company that has made the legal distribution of mix and remix music possible at scale, announced today the closing of its $4 million Series A funding round, led by Cue Ball Capital, the respected Boston-based venture and early growth equity firm focused on recurring revenue platforms in business information services, digital media and specialty consumer opportunities.

Dubset's MixBANKTM technology platform solves the complex problem of identifying musical recordings used in mixes and remixes, determining the appropriate rights holders (a DJ mix could have as many as 100 different rights holders), and simultaneously clearing the mix or remix across all rights holders. Dubset enables record labels and music publishers to set permissions for access via a simple rules-based system which enables catalogs to be efficiently monetized and precludes the need to conduct time consuming searches and initiate claims. Until now, the technology did not exist to make DJ mixes available across music services for legal streaming.

"Cue Ball's leadership in this investment round and strong participation from the music and venture capital community validates our approach and strong belief that artists deserve to be fairly compensated for the use of their content," said Dubset Media CEO, Stephen White. "DJs are the ultimate curators and hundreds of millions of music fans all over the world are hungry for their mixes and remixes. We look forward to being able to make this amazing content available at scale. Our investors are a diverse group that shares our belief that the music fans who love mix and remix content are a massively underserved audience who will benefit immensely from our work at Dubset."

Other notable participants in the Series A round include the music data and rights company MediaNet, Neoteny 3, Resolute Venture Partners, and Redwood Venture Partners.

About Dubset Media Holdings

Dubset Media Holdings, Inc. (www.dubset.com) is a media technology company solving the challenges associated with identification and monetization of mixed content. Through its innovative MixBANKTM platform and MixSCAN technology, Dubset is powering distribution and monetization opportunities for content creators and rights holders built on transparency, control, and simplicity, solving a critical problem for the music industry.

SOURCE Dubset Media Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.dubset.com


A French police sniper has accidentally shot and injured two people during a speech by President Francois Hollande in western France.The shot was fired as the officer moved position on a roof about 100m (328ft) from a tent where Mr Hollande was speaking in the town of Villognon.The bullet went through the canvas of the tent, where drinks were being made. It passed through a waiter's thigh and lodged in another person's calf.The injuries were not life-threatening.Mr Hollande was inaugurating a new stretch of railway when a loud noise like a gunshot was heard. He interrupted his speech for a few moments, but reports said there was no panic."I hope it's nothing serious. I think not," Mr Hollande said as he paused his address to ask whether anyone had been hurt.The president later visited the injured - the head waiter of a local hotel and an employee of a railway maintenance company.One local report said the safety catch of the sniper's weapon was unlocked, allowing the gun to be discharged accidentally.The marksman is based with a special protection unit in nearby Poitiers, officials said.A judicial investigation has been launched.
LONDON, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Earnix, a provider of predictive analytics solutions for the financial services industry, completed its first Xperts Analytics Hackathon, which was held at The Trampery in London yesterday. Using the competitive format of a traditional hackathon, teams of insurance data scientists competed in a day-long simulation using the Earnix Analytics Platform. The winning team had to outfox the rest of the pack by finding the most balanced pricing decisions, taking into consideration short- and long-term results.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150721/238725LOGO )

The Xperts Analytics Hackathon brought together a community of industry practitioners and Earnix experts for an exclusive peer-to-peer learning experience, applying best practices in predictive analytics to the complex pricing decisions used in the insurance industry. Throughout the day, participants had hands-on exposure to some of the latest analytics technologies available, including new Machine Learning techniques.

Commenting on the event, Reuven Shnaps, Earnix Chief Analytics Officer said: "The Xperts Analytics Hackathon was a wonderful experience for all participants. Our clients sharpened their predictive modeling skills, and were exposed to new advanced Machine Learning techniques. They learned from each other and were able to see the results of their decisions in the fast-paced simulation of the real-world competitive marketplace. They learned first-hand how the technology is able to speed up analytics-based decision making".

About Earnix

Earnix offers a specialized Financial Services cloud-based predictive analytics platform, which delivers significant business benefits to banks and insurance companies by seamlessly integrating scientific real-time business decision making into their business processes. Earnix's advanced customer behavior modeling and pricing algorithms optimize business outcomes by enabling rapid deployment of customer-centric offers. For more information visit http://www.earnix.com

For More Information:

George Ravich, Earnix Chief Marketing Officer

[email protected]

+1-203-984-8765

SOURCE Earnix
During the month of March, all are invited to come into their local Jersey Mike's restaurant and make a donation to that location's designated charity partner. Charities include hospitals, schools, youth organizations, food banks and more.

The campaign will culminate in the nationwide event, "Day of Giving," on Wednesday, March 29, when Jersey Mike's will donate 100 percent of the day's sales to fund neighborhood needs. For a list of participating restaurants and for more information on charity partners, please visit www.jerseymikes.com/mog/charities.

"I would like to extend a personal invitation to you and your family to visit Jersey Mike's Subs throughout the month of March, and especially on Day of Giving when 100 percent of sales  every penny  goes to help a great local cause," said Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike's founder and CEO, who started the company when he was only 17 years old.

In each market, restaurant owners selected charities that make a big difference when it comes to supporting local neighborhoods and building a stronger community.

"Givingmaking a difference in someone's life" has been the mission of Jersey Mike's from the beginning. Since 2010, Jersey Mike's locations throughout the country have raised more than $20 million for worthy local charities and have distributed more than 1.5 million free sub sandwiches to help numerous causes.

Jersey Mike's, a fast-casual sub sandwich franchise with more than 1,500 locations open and under development nationwide, believes that making a sub sandwich and making a difference can be one and the same. Jersey Mike's offers A Sub Above, serving authentic fresh sliced subs on freshly baked bread  the same recipe it started with in 1956  and is passionate about giving back to its local communities. For more information, please visit www.jerseymikes.com.

Click here to view b-roll.

SOURCE Jersey Mike's Subs

Related Links

https://www.jerseymikes.com


HOUSTON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ENGIE Resources, the third-largest non-residential electricity provider in the United States, announced that it is now offering ENGIE Advantage, a new financing solution designed to support energy efficiency and sustainability programs for large commercial and industrial customers. The offering is being made in conjunction with OpTerra Energy Services, the energy services company acquired by ENGIE in 2016.

J.D. Burrows, Vice President of Marketing at ENGIE Resources, said, "ENGIE Advantage brings the electricity supply and billing expertise of ENGIE Resources together with OpTerra's comprehensive capabilities in energy efficiency, renewables, and infrastructure development to drive strategies that reduce consumption and costs, all on one bill."

Sean Fuller, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at OpTerra, agreed, adding that the solution offers an attractive financing option to companies who might not have capital immediately available for efficiency projects. "By integrating the commodity buy with the ability to finance comprehensive efficiency projects, we're delivering an easy, seamless way to fund energy reduction strategies through existing retail supply agreements. These benefits are fortified by OpTerra's expertise in offsetting project cost through available utility incentives, tax benefits, and grant money. It's a natural complement for any ENGIE customer interested in pursuing energy efficiency initiatives in deregulated markets."

Key features of ENGIE Advantage, available to all qualified commercial and industrial customers, include:

Ability to improve bottom line performance and achieve sustainability goals while offsetting capital investment  no upfront capital or deposit necessary.

Simple, on-bill financing for projects with payback periods of up to five years.

Ability to finance multiple projects and sites through a single payment plan.

Efficiency projects of any size and scale invoiced on monthly electricity bills, making payments clear and predictable.

Contract addendums to add financings to current electricity agreements; no waiting until the contract ends for upgrades to begin.

A wide range of turnkey energy services, including conservation, cogeneration (combined heat and power), and water efficiency.

Expertise in utility incentives, tax benefits, and applicable grant funding.

Burrows said, "There's a clear demand for energy efficiency projects in the strategic plans of many large energy users, and ENGIE Advantage is providing a financing vehicle needed to achieve energy reduction targets and eco-friendly objectives. The recent webinar hosted by ENGIE Resources on the solution demonstrated this point: Nearly 200 brokers and customers signed up to hear about this latest financing option, and by the end of the event, the majority of attendees said they were significantly interested in learning more about how to leverage this tool in the future."

The launch of ENGIE Advantage comes after ENGIE's acquisition of OpTerra Energy Services at the beginning of 2016 to broaden service options to customers in North America. With 25 regional offices across the United States, OpTerra provides comprehensive efficiency and sustainability solutions that save money, enhance safety, improve assets, and protect the environment. To date, the company has helped customers in multiple industries achieve over $2 billion in energy savings, enhancing energy performance in K-12 education, colleges, and universities; commercial and industrial organizations; health care; data centers; and municipal markets.

About ENGIE Resources

ENGIE Resources, which rebranded in 2016, is the third-largest non-residential retail electricity supplier in the United States and currently serves commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in 14 markets: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington, D.C. The company serves nearly 90,000 accounts for customers having a peak demand ranging from 50 KW to more than 200 MW, with an estimated peak load totaling nearly 13,000 MW. For more about ENGIE Resources, visit www.engieresources.com or call 1-866-999-8374. Follow ENGIE Resources on Twitter and Facebook.

The company offers electricity service to residential and small business customers in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington, D.C., under the brand Think Energy. Think Energy works every day to be "The Unsurprise Energy Company," providing customers transparent, competitive fixed prices, easy-to-use online tools, and excellent customer service. For more information, visit www.thinkenergy.com, or call 1-888-923-3633, or email [email protected].

ENGIE Resources & Think Energy are part of ENGIE North America, which manages a range of energy businesses in the U.S. and Canada, including electricity generation and cogeneration, natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) distribution and sales, retail energy sales, as well as services to help customers run their facilities more efficiently and optimize their energy use and expense. For more information on ENGIE North America, visit www.engie-na.com or Twitter.

About OpTerra Energy Services

OpTerra Energy Services is a national energy company that works with education, local government, commercial, industrial, and institutional organizations to implement efficiency and sustainable energy solutions that save money, enhance safety, improve assets, and protect the environment. As a subsidiary of ENGIE S.A., the number one energy efficiency services provider in the world, OpTerra Energy Services provides a unique and extensive set of energy and sustainability management services to thousands of customers across the U.S. The company has provided more than $2 billion in energy savings for its customers over the past 40 years. To learn more, please visit www.opterraenergy.com.

SOURCE ENGIE Resources

Related Links

http://www.engieresources.com


DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ensono, a leading hybrid IT and mainframe services provider, will present and exhibit at SHARE 2017 in San Jose, Calif. from March 5 to 10. Ken Harper, director of mainframe services at Ensono, will speak to the conference's audience of enterprise technology professionals about Millennial mainframe talent.

Harper will present a "10 Minute Tech Talk" at SHARE booth #121 on Wednesday, March 8 at 11 a.m. PT. His session, "Strategies for Addressing the Mainframe Talent Drain," will explore best practices for organizations hoping to attract and retain mainframe talent among the booming generation of knowledge workers.

"Organizations that run on the mainframe struggle to find incoming talent, and there's a major skills gap with today's generation of technology workers and critical mainframe knowledge," said Harper. "My session will shed light on how companies operating on mainframes can find, train and hold onto Millennial employees."

With almost 50 years of expertise in the mainframe space, Ensono delivers hosted and remote mainframe management services that shift CapEx to OpEx, support essential applications and reduce costs by 15 percent annually.

Ensono will be exhibiting at booth #311 throughout the event. Harper will be on-hand at the Ensono booth to answer any questions about Ensono's tailored mainframe services.

"As the leader in mainframe services, SHARE is an important event for us. I'm looking forward to offering our leadership and insights in the mainframe arena," added Harper. "An extensive range of organizations rely on mainframe infrastructures, and our goal is to offer IT and mainframe leaders insights on keeping these mission-critical platforms running up to business standards."

For more information about Ensono's mainframe management offerings, please visit https://www.ensono.com/mainframe-midrange.

About Ensono

For business leaders managing lots of complexity or disrupting the status quo, Ensono delivers complete Hybrid IT solutions and governance, from cloud to mainframe, tailored to each client's journey. Whether you're leveraging the power of the cloud or modernizing legacy technologies, you'll be on track to operate for today and optimize for tomorrow. Some of the world's most successful companies rely on us to help them be great at what they do. We've been recognized in Gartner Magic Quadrants for Data Center Outsourcing in North America, Cloud Managed Hosting in Europe as well as acknowledged by the Uptime Institute for 100% availability. We have over 1,000 associates across North America and Europe and are headquartered in greater Chicago, IL. Visit us at www.ensono.com

Media Contact

Beth Burghgraef

312-648-6017

[email protected]

SOURCE Ensono

Related Links

http://www.ensono.com


WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Evolent Health, a company providing an integrated value-based care platform to the nation's leading health systems and physician organizations, announced today its partnership with Orlando Health. Evolent and Orlando Health will partner to manage both Orlando Health's commercial and Medicare risk business.

"We are thrilled to welcome Orlando Health as a partner. Its strength of reputation as a market-leading provider and vision for advancing care delivery through innovative employer and government payer strategies is highly aligned with our mission," said Evolent Health Chief Executive Officer Frank Williams. "Orlando Health has a rich history and proven track record of improving the health of its community, and we look forward to working together to accelerate the adoption of value-based care programs in Florida."

Orlando Health is a not-for-profit health care organization and community-based network of physician practices, hospitals and outpatient care centers based in Orlando, Florida. The organization includes eight hospital facilities, a comprehensive primary and specialty network comprised of more than 2,500 affiliated physicians and serves nearly 3 million residents in central Florida. Orlando Health also is partnering with large national employers in direct-to-employer relationships to deliver high-value, high-quality health care services. In the past four years, it has achieved nationally-ranked quality and cost performance with both government and commercial payers.

About Evolent Health

Evolent Health partners with leading health systems to drive value-based care transformation. By providing clinical, analytical and financial capabilities, Evolent helps physicians and health systems achieve superior quality and cost results. Evolent's approach breaks down barriers, aligns incentives and powers a new model of care delivery resulting in meaningful alignment between providers, payers, physicians and patients. For more information, visit evolenthealth.com.

SOURCE Evolent Health

Related Links

http://evolenthealth.com


AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Epicor Software Corporation, a global provider of industry-specific enterprise software to promote business growth, today announced the expansion of its widely used Epicor Dynamic Updates electronic catalog data (eCatalog) download service to include all Epicor PartExpert data. This eliminates the need for many Epicor customers to update their monthly eCatalog files via manual DVD-based processes.

"We encourage our customers to leverage the full value of our fast, accurate, industry leading data by signing up for the free Epicor Dynamic Updates service. Users will be able to access more information than ever, for more parts than ever, with each download," said Scott Thompson, Vice President, Automotive, Analytics, and Content, Epicor Software.

Expansion of the free Epicor Dynamic Updates service is the latest step in a comprehensive program from Epicor to minimize the time required to deliver new-parts data to tens of thousands of parts counters, service desks, and other auto care industry points of sale. The company recently announced that Epicor Dynamic Updates, in conjunction with the Epicor Net Adds data publishing capability, had reduced the time-to-market of manufacturer-supplied new parts files to within five days of receipt.

By expanding Epicor Dynamic Updates to all monthly eCatalog dataincluding the Epicor InterChange, LaborExpert and BuyerAssist data setsEpicor has enabled many users to eliminate their monthly DVD loads, which can be cumbersome and inconvenient to install across all business locations.

"We have made aggressive investments to compress our data validation and publishing cycle for industry suppliers and the thousands of distributors, jobbers, service locations, and other businesses that rely on Epicor eCatalog solutions," said Scott Thompson, vice president, automotive, analytics, and content, Epicor Software. "We encourage our customers to leverage the full value of our fast, accurate, industry leading data by signing up for the free Epicor Dynamic Updates service. Users will be able to access more information than ever, for more parts than ever, with each download."

Epicor Dynamic Updates is available for Windows- and Web-based Epicor eCatalog products. eCatalog customers using Epicor business management solutions can request free setup for the Epicor Dynamic Updates service through the EpicCare Service Portal or by calling Epicor Support. eCatalog customers not using an Epicor business management solution should contact their system provider.

About Epicor Solutions for the Automotive Aftermarket

For nearly 40 years, Epicor aftermarket solutions have helped empower motor vehicle parts and service providers through world-class technologies that drive sales, profits and customer loyalty. Epicor products and services for the aftermarket include parts data and related eCatalog content; industry analytics and category management solutions; enterprise software; B2B and B2C eCommerce solutions; and business optimization tools. Visit the Epicor Automotive Aftermarket solution hub to learn more.

About Epicor Software Corporation

Epicor Software Corporation drives business growth. We provide flexible, industry-specific software designed around the needs of our manufacturing, distribution, retail, and service industry customers. More than 40 years of experience with our customers' unique business processes and operational requirements are built into every solutionin the cloud or on premises. With this deep understanding of your industry, Epicor solutions manage complexity, increase efficiency, and free up resources so you can focus on growth. For more information, connect with Epicor or visit www.epicor.com.

Epicor, the Epicor logo, Dynamic Updates, PartExpert, Net Adds, InterChange, LaborExpert and BuyerAssist are trademarks of Epicor Software Corporation, registered in the United States and other countries. The product and service offerings depicted in this document are produced by Epicor Software Corporation.

Contact: Lindsay Ortega Drew Shippy

Senior Specialist, Public Relations Pinnacle Communication Group, Inc.

Epicor Software Corporation (on behalf of Epicor)

+1 952 417 5022 +1 330 688 3500

[email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Epicor Software Corporation

Related Links

http://www.epicor.com


London is one of the world's greatest seafaring cities and visitors can experience a nautical treat this Easter when the Rendezvous Tall Ships Regatta (13 - 16 April) begins in the maritime borough of Greenwich.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472824/The_Cutty_Sark.jpg )



Travellers who want to see the fleet of more than 30 tall ships can make the most of their day out in Greenwich with the popular sightseeing card The London Pass (www.londonpass.com). The pass offers a Thames river cruise to the maritime borough, and the chance to explore several historical attractions.

Getting there

The London Pass includes a 24-hour hop-on, hop-off ticket for the City Cruises Thames river boats , with services to Greenwich from three different locations in central London. En route to the maritime borough visitors will pass classic London riverside sights such as Tower Bridge, The Shard and HMS Belfast.Normally priced at 18, the Thames river boat ticket is part of The London Pass.

Key Greenwich sites recommended by The London Pass experts are:

The Cutty Sark: Go aboard the iconic tea clipper that brings to life the sounds, sights and smells of the sea. Explore interactive displays and walk right underneath the hull to touch a piece of ocean-going history. Normally priced at 12.15, entry to the Cutty Sark is included with The London Pass.

The National Maritime Museum: The National Maritime Museum is home to over two million maritime artefacts across three floors of exhibitions, and also a state-of-the-art Bridge Simulator for those brave enough to steer a ship into port. The museum houses the most important holdings in British and Dutch seafaring history including cartography, manuscripts and models. Entrance to the National Maritime Museum is free but the London Pass entitles visitors to a free souvenir guide normally priced at 5.

The Royal Observatory: Visit the home of Greenwich Mean Time and explore the mysteries of the universe from the historic heart of maritime London. The Royal Observatory's facilities include the Planetarium, Meridian Line and a variety of science and photographic exhibitions. Normally priced at 9.50, entry is included with The London Pass.

The Fan Museum: An attraction with a difference! Located in a Grade II listed building in the heart of Greenwich, the Fan Museum hosts the world's first permanent exhibition of fans and celebrates the history and art of fan making. Normally priced at 4, entry is included with The London Pass.

Home to the Royal Naval College, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Royal Borough of Greenwich is famous for its stunning architecture and maritime history and boasts a multitude of world-famous attractions around the traditional grounds of the Royal Palace. In addition, the Borough features stunning Greenwich Park, one of London's best-loved green spaces, a lively market and excellent shopping and dining.

The London Pass provides entry to more than 60 attractions, tours and experiences in the UK's capital city. Visitors using the London Pass save money on the cost of paying individually at each attraction. And at some of the most popular sites, like the Tower of London and Kensington Palace, they also save time with fast-track entry.

A one-day London Pass costs 62 per adult and 42 per child, but two-, three-, six- and even 10-day passes are also available.

www.londonpass.com



SOURCE London Pass
LEXINGTON, Ky., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fazoli's, America's largest fast casual Italian chain, announced today it has signed three single unit franchise agreements to develop restaurants in the Tampa and Atlanta metro areas. In Tampa, the agreement with S.C.S. Hospitality Group marks the brand's second franchised location in the Sunshine State. The two agreements in Georgia are with longtime multi-unit franchisees who are expanding on the success they have already achieved with the company. Fazoli's, which has experienced 15 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth, currently has nearly 220 open locations and more than 34 franchised restaurants in development across the country.

"Signing these new franchise agreements adds more fuel to the incredible fire the Fazoli's concept is experiencing across the country," said Carl Howard, president and chief executive officer of Fazoli's. "Our continuing brand refresh efforts have ignited a spark, with franchisees experiencing nearly three times the industry average growth rate and new franchised restaurants continually setting new systemwide records. It's exciting to welcome a new group into the family and see the ongoing growth of our current franchisees."

Terri Suttle, Livingston Chatman and Patrick Smith of S.C.S. Hospitality Group are excited to bring the first Fazoli's to the Tampa, Florida area and employ their 10 previous years of owner-operator experience in the QSR industry to the Fazoli's concept.

"Fazoli's is one of the most sought-after, well-performing franchises available today," said Chatman. "We are very impressed with the controls the company has in place to ensure franchisee success and the level of support they offer. In addition to that solid infrastructure, the food is delicious, the presentation is phenomenal and the attention to detail is like none other."

In Georgia, multi-unit franchisee Allen Peake has signed a franchise agreement to develop a single unit in the Henry County area, just south of Atlanta. Peake has been on a roll with Fazoli's, opening locations in Warner Robins and Macon, Georgia, which each celebrated record-breaking grand openings last year. On the other side of Atlanta, franchisee Odus Mundy has signed an agreement to open a single unit located in Gwinnett County. Mundy currently owns four Fazoli's restaurants in Tennessee and Georgia with a fifth location scheduled to open in the Snellville area by this fall.

Fazoli's strong growth has been fueled by its continuing brand refresh efforts such as restaurant remodels, enhancements to the catering program and an upgraded menu with premium ingredients, which have led to increased sales. 2017 plans include additional restaurant redesigns and more customizable menu options made with simple, honest ingredients to accommodate ever-changing consumer preferences.

With nearly 220 restaurants in 25 states, Fazoli's is currently seeking single- and multi-unit operators to join its growing, successful franchise network and is targeting new markets including Atlanta, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Knoxville, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and several other cities. Most recently, the brand launched a multi-unit franchise development incentive program available through June 30, 2017. New franchisees who sign a new multi-unit agreement for three or more locations will receive reduced franchise and royalty fees for the first two years of operations. A reduced franchise fee is also available for new multi-unit agreements for three or more non-traditional units, including college campuses, airports and casinos.

For more information about franchise opportunities, contact Sam Nelson, vice president of franchise recruitment and development, at 1-800-446-4368 or [email protected].

About Fazoli's

With approximately 220 restaurants in 25 states, Fazoli's is America's largest Italian fast casual chain, serving freshly prepared entrees, Submarinos sandwiches, salads and pizza. One of the New York Post's five breakout fast casual restaurants and a FastCasual.com Brand of the Year, Fazoli's franchisees are experiencing record sales growth. Visit www.ownafazolis.com for details on development opportunities.

Contact:

Alexya Williams

Fish Consulting

954-893-9150

[email protected]

SOURCE Fazoli's

Related Links

http://ownafazolis.com


EMD Serono, the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, in the US and Canada, and Pfizer Inc. today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for Priority Review EMD Serono's Biologics License Application (BLA) for avelumab* as a treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy. The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of August 27, 2017, for avelumab in this indication.

"Taken together with last year's filing for metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma, this BLA acceptance confirms our rapid and continued progress in the clinical development of avelumab," said Luciano Rossetti, M.D., Executive Vice President, Global Head of Research & Development at the biopharma business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. "We continue to evaluate avelumab in cancers that have limited or suboptimal treatment choices, such as metastatic or locally advanced urothelial carcinoma, to hopefully be able to provide patients with new treatment options for fighting their disease."

Despite advances in the treatment of UC, the prognosis for patients remains poor, particularly when the disease has metastasized. Bladder cancer makes up approximately 90% of urothelial cancers and is the sixth most common cancer in the US.[1],[2]

"Advanced urothelial carcinoma remains a difficult-to-treat tumor, which is why we are developing a comprehensive clinical development program that involves Phase I and III trials designed to address this challenge," said Chris Boshoff, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Head of Immuno-oncology, Early Development and Translational Oncology, Pfizer Global Product Development. "We're continuing to accelerate our urothelial carcinoma development program and look forward to continuing our dialogue with the FDA."

Avelumab is an investigational, fully human anti-PD-L1 antibody. The FDA's Priority Review status reduces the review time from 10 months to a goal of six months from the day of filing acceptance and is given to drugs that may offer major advances in treatment or may provide a treatment where no adequate therapy exists. In November 2016, the FDA accepted, and granted Priority Review status to, the BLA for avelumab for the treatment of patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma.

The international clinical development program for avelumab, known as JAVELIN, involves at least 30 clinical programs, including nine Phase III trials, and more than 4,000 patients evaluated across more than 15 tumor types. In December 2015, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer announced the initiation of a Phase III study (JAVELIN Bladder 100) of avelumab in the first-line setting as a maintenance treatment in patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC. This trial is currently enrolling patients.

*Avelumab is not approved for any indication in any market. This marks the second acceptance of an application by the FDA to review the investigational product, avelumab.

References

National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Guidelines Version 1.2017 Updates. Bladder Cancer. Available from: https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/bladder.pdf. Last Accessed: February 2017 . Siegel RL, et al. Cancer Statistics, 2017. CA Cancer J Clin 2017;67:7-30. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28055103. Last Accessed: February 2017 . American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Bladder Cancer. Available from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer/about/key-statistics.html. Last Accessed: February 2017 .

About Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma

Urothelial Carcinoma includes several tumors originating from the cells lining the bladder, renal pelvis and urethra. While cancers outside of the bladder are relatively uncommon, accounting for an estimated 10% of cases, bladder cancer represents 90% of urothelial cancers and is the ninth most common cancer globally.[1],[3] Worldwide, approximately 400,000 new cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed and 150,000 deaths are attributed to this disease each year.[3] The incidence and mortality of bladder cancer have remained unchanged over the past 25 years.[3]

About Avelumab

Avelumab is a fully human antibody specific for a protein found on tumor cells called PD-L1, or programmed death ligand-1. By inhibiting PD-L1 interactions, avelumab is thought to enable the activation of T-cells and the adaptive immune system. By retaining a native Fc-region, avelumab is thought to potentially engage the innate immune system and induce antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). In November 2014, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer announced a strategic alliance to co-develop and co-commercialize avelumab. Common adverse reactions include fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, nausea peripheral edema, decreased appetite, and rash. Immune-mediated adverse reactions have also been reported.

Alliance between Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer Inc., New York, US

Immuno-oncology is a top priority for Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer Inc. The global strategic alliance between Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer Inc., New York, US, enables the companies to benefit from each other's strengths and capabilities and further explore the therapeutic potential of avelumab, an investigational anti-PD-L1 antibody initially discovered and developed by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The immuno-oncology alliance will jointly develop and commercialize avelumab and advance Pfizer's PD-1 antibody. The alliance is focused on developing high-priority international clinical programs to investigate avelumab as a monotherapy, as well as in combination regimens, and is striving to find new ways to treat cancer.

About EMD Serono, Inc.

EMD Serono is the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany - a leading science and technology company - in the US and Canada focused exclusively on specialty care. For more than 40 years, the business has integrated cutting-edge science, innovative products and industry-leading patient support and access programs. EMD Serono has deep expertise in neurology, fertility and endocrinology, as well as a robust pipeline of potential therapies in oncology, immuno-oncology and immunology as R&D focus areas. Today, the business has 1,200 employees around the country with commercial, clinical and research operations based in the company's home state of Massachusetts. http://www.emdserono.com

About Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the EMD Group Website. In case you are a resident of the USA or Canada please go to http://www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register again for your online subscription of this service as our newly introduced geo-targeting requires new links in the email. You may later change your selection or discontinue this service.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life - from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2015, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of  12.85 billion in 66 countries.

Founded in 1668, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials in the United States and Canada.

Pfizer Inc.: Working together for a healthier world

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of healthcare products. Our global portfolio includes medicines and vaccines, as well as many of the world's best-known consumer healthcare products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. To learn more, please visit us at http://www.pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer_News, LinkedIn and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer.

Pfizer Disclosure Notice

The information contained in this release is as of February 28, 2017. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of new information or future events or developments.

This release contains forward-looking information about avelumab (MSB0010718C), including a potential indication for avelumab for the treatment of metastatic urothelial carcinoma (the "Potential Indication"), Pfizer's and Merck, KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany's immuno-oncology alliance involving anti-PD-L1 and anti-PD-1 therapies, and clinical development plans, including their potential benefits, that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including the ability to meet anticipated clinical study commencement and completion dates and regulatory submission dates, as well as the possibility of unfavorable study results; risks associated with interim data; the risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations, and, even when we view data as sufficient to support the safety and/or effectiveness of a product candidate, regulatory authorities may not share our views and may require additional data or may deny approval altogether; whether and when drug applications may be filed in other jurisdictions for the Potential Indication and whether and when drug applications may be filed in any jurisdictions for any other potential indications for avelumab, combination therapies or other product candidates; whether and when the BLA for the Potential Indication, the BLA and EU marketing authorization application for avelumab for the treatment of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma or any such other applications may be approved by regulatory authorities, which will depend on the assessment by such regulatory authorities of the benefit-risk profile suggested by the totality of the efficacy and safety information submitted; decisions by regulatory authorities regarding labeling and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of avelumab, combination therapies or other product candidates; and competitive developments.

A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizer's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, including in the sections thereof captioned "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results", as well as in its subsequent reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at http://www.sec.gov and http://www.pfizer.com.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472773/EMD_Serono_Logo.jpg )

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161028/433902LOGO )





SOURCE EMD Serono and Pfizer
BEDMINSTER, N.J., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GCAP) ("GAIN") today announced a new partnership with TradingView to make TradingView's charts available to its FOREX.com U.S. customers.

"TradingView provides one of the most powerful web-based charting platforms available today. In keeping with our commitment to provide the best trading tools to our customers, we are thrilled to be working with the TradingView team to offer their advanced charting to our FOREX.com customers," said Samantha Roady, President of Retail at GAIN Capital.

With TradingView charts, FOREX.com customers now have access to a fast, responsive web-based charting package that works on all browsers and operating systems and provides:

FOREX.com's real-time pricing for 50 currency markets

Up to 20 years of historical data for all major FX markets

A library of over 60 customizable technical indicators, including MACD, Bollinger Bands, Ichimoku and many more

Over 50 advanced drawing tools, including Pitchforks, Fibonacci, Gann Fans and Elliott Wave

A wide range of chart types including candlestick, Heikin Ashi, line and mountain

Flexible time zone preferences

TradingView charts are now available to all FOREX.com customers in the U.S. and are accessed directly from FOREX.com's ForexTrader PRO platform. The new charts are part of a suite of technical and market analysis tools available, which also include AutoChartist and Trading Central.

GAIN Capital and TradingView also announced plans to extend their partnership to support full trading via Trading View's trading terminal. "In the coming weeks, we'll be integrating full trading capabilities, allowing customers to place trades through TradingView's trading terminal, which will expand the current offering on FOREX.com. Additionally, FOREX.com customers will be able to access their FOREX.com account and trade directly from TradingView's website," added Ms. Roady.

"TradingView is very excited to partner with FOREX.com, one the world's leading brands in the forex industry," said Stan Bokov, COO and cofounder of TradingView. "Supporting FOREX.com's customers on TradingView.com for data and order execution is a welcome addition to our offering and we look forward to continuing to build a strong long-term relationship."

For more details on TradingView at FOREX.com, visit: www.forex.com

About TradingView

TradingView is one of the largest investing communities on the web, with over 1.5 million active traders sharing ideas, providing feedback and using the free stock and forex charting trading platform every month. TradingView's open and free chart components are unsurpassed on the financial web and have been integrated into more than 8000 stock and futures exchanges, websites and applications globally. For more information, visit www.tradingview.com.

About GAIN Capital

GAIN Capital (NYSE: GCAP) provides market access and trade execution services to a diverse customer base of retail and institutional investors across a range of exchange-traded and OTC markets. Founded in 1999, the company today supports customers in over 180 countries via several globally recognized brands, including FOREX.com, City Index and GTX. GAIN Capital is headquartered in Bedminster, New Jersey, with a global presence across North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific regions. For further company information, visit www.gaincapital.com.

SOURCE GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.gaincapital.com


The Department of Homeland Security has concluded that citizenship is an unlikely indicator of whether an individual poses a terror threat to the US, according to a draft report obtained by the Associated Press.US president Donald Trump had ordered an intelligence report to justify his embattled travel ban on seven Muslim majority nations. But the three-page draft challenges Trumps core claims about the reasoning behind the executive order, the AP writes. The report also found hardly any terror-related activities in the US linked to people from the seven countries listed in the travel ban.Trump cited terrorism concerns as the motivation for his January order banning US entry to citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. The DHS report suggestsas many of Trumps critics suspectedthat those seven countries wouldnt really be the best ones to group in a category based on terror threats to the US. All they really have in common is that theyre predominantly Muslim. The report also notes that more than half of terror suspects it looked at were US citizens born in the United States.The travel ban was blocked by a federal court earlier this month. A revised order is reportedly in the works.Meanwhile, the White House is pushing back against the APs story on the DHS report. A senior administration official told the Wall Street Journal, This is not the intelligence assessment the president asked for.
"Age is not a barrier to climbing mountains," Ulene proclaims. He should know. Five years ago, he and his wife celebrated his 75 th birthday at the summit of Kilimanjaro, and they'll be celebrating his 81 st birthday there in July. "If the trek is designed properly," he says, "almost anyone in good physical condition can make it to this summit."

What's different about Ulene's trek for seniors? Ten nights on the mountain instead of the usual five, so daily hikes are shorter. A local guide for every two guests, so trekkers can hike at their own pace. The most unusual feature: an Expedition Doctor who will watch over Ulene's guests every step of the way. On Kilimanjaro, that role will be filled by Dr. Aaron Waxman, a Harvard Medical School professor and pulmonary specialist. "We underestimate the physical potential of older people," the 60-year-old Waxman says. "It's amazing how far and how high we can go safely if we move at a slower pace and leave more time for acclimatization to altitude."

Ulene's treks will be operated by World Wide Trekking, an international adventure company based in Salt Lake City. Dean Cardinale, founder and owner, will personally lead the group in July. It will be the 45th time on this summit for Cardinale, whose other climbs have taken him to five of the "Seven Summits," including Mt. Everest.

Detailed itineraries for Ulene's treks are available at www.wwtrek.com/supertreks. For more information: Dean Cardinale at 801-943-0264 or [email protected]. To contact Dr. Ulene or Dr. Waxman: Chelsea Adams at 801-943-0264 or [email protected].

SOURCE World Wide Trekking

Related Links

http://wwtrek.com


NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Forter, the first fraud prevention technology to offer a real-time Decision as a Service solution for online merchants, published today in conjunction with the Merchant Risk Council (MRC) their findings from the 2016 Fraud Attack Index. Reflecting an analysis of the period from Jan 2016 to Dec 2016 and comparing it to the corresponding period in 2015, the 2017 Fraud Attack Index comprehensively detailed the rate at which online fraud attacks increased throughout traditional retail verticals and provided an in-depth look at the reasons behind the changes over 2016. A key finding of Forter's analysis was the 79% increase in risk of fraud for domestic holiday orders when comparing Q4 2015 to Q4 2016.

Following the October 2015 adoption of EMV (microchip cards) in the United States, Forter's fraud research team was not surprised to have observed a rise in the amount of domestic online fraud attacks. Since domestic US fraudsters were most adversely affected by not being able to copy physical cards as easily, it makes sense that these criminals have shifted online, boosting domestic CNP (card not present) fraud.

Interestingly, in contrast to this domestic fraud attack growth, the international fraud attack rate decreased by 13% as compared to 2015  a surprise since international orders are well known to carry higher risk. Forter's researchers attribute this decrease to a growth in genuine international orders rather than a decrease in fraud, however, and this may parallel the increasing value many merchants are seeing in the international market. The value of international orders explains the willingness to take a risk which is still not negligible  despite the 13% decrease, international orders were found to be 62.4% riskier than domestic ones in 2016.

An additional trend was noted in the world of Account Takeover (aka ATO). Fraudsters have shifted from "Merchant ATO" (i.e. breaking into accounts on the merchant's website, in order to pass as returning customers) to "online payment ATO" (i.e. breaking into accounts of online payment services, such as PayPal, Apple Pay, Amazon Payments, etc.). For this reason, "Merchant ATO", which had shot up during 2015, decreased during 2016. However, this was a shift rather than a true decrease: The 2016 Fraud Attack Index shows a 131% uptick in the attempts of Account Takeover against online payments accounts.

"The most notable growth in fraud attack rate is within the apparel industry. Comparing the rate in Q4 2016 to that of Q4 2015 shows a significant increase of 69%," said Michael Reitblat, CEO of Forter. "This may be related to the new fraudsters who've joined the online criminal community following EMV adoption in the US and are perhaps sticking to a vertical they understand. It may also reflect the increased comfort of genuine shoppers with the idea of buying fashion items online and returning as necessary."

Additionally, examining the breakdown between industries, Forter's data team compiled these statistics on the frequency of fraud attacks within the following key retail verticals:

Apparel - 69.9% increase

Luxury - 8.4% decrease

Digital Goods - 22.6% decrease

Electronics - 1.8% decrease

Travel & Hospitality - 33% decrease

Food and Beverages - 49.8% increase

2016 saw a steady rise in online fraud attack rates, which increased 8.9% overall over the course of the year. The frightening "tsunami" of fraud attempts that many merchants experienced at the end of 2015 was not repeated, but the moderate rate of increase was sustained  and since this increase added to the spike of 2015, it is safe to say that the risk of fraud is still a serious concern for online retailers today.

About Forter:

Forter provides fully automated and highly accurate real-time fraud decisions, eliminating rules, scores and manual reviews. That's an instant approve or decline decision for every transaction, covered by a full fraud chargeback guarantee. We call it Decision as a Service.

With Forter's exceptional accuracy, online merchants experience increased approvals, a smoother checkout experience, and the near elimination of false positives - meaning more sales and happier customers at a much lower cost.

Full automation means scale is no longer a problem, even during the busiest of seasons. It removes the InfoSec risk that comes with a reliance on manual reviews and ensures that fraud prevention no longer creates delays on the fulfillment side. Since we charge only for what we approve and offer a chargeback guarantee, fraud management becomes a predictable item for Finance teams as well.

It's all possible because of our "Integrated Intelligence" - the powerful combination of Artificial Intelligence with the constant research and analysis of our team of human experts. This allows us to maximize the potential of "big data" while also keeping ahead of today's sophisticated fraudster ecosystem and their new techniques and attacks.

SOURCE Forter

Related Links

http://www.forter.com


BOSTON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Forum Systems Inc. today announced it will host an event series in March focused on examining the fundamentals of API security. At API Summits in London and Amsterdam, Forum Systems CTO Jason Macy and other leading experts will explore the theme "Mitigate Threats in Your API Architecture." During the events, Forum Systems will showcase how its award-winning Forum Sentry API Security Gateway is helping businesses connect and achieve balance in innovation and security as the cornerstone of their overall API Security Management strategy.

According to Deloitte, "APIs have been elevated from a development technique to a business model driver and boardroom consideration." Underscoring their proliferation, ProgrammableWeb hosts "the world's largest API repository" with nearly 17,000 public APIs. Additionally, Gartner recently forecasted that 20.4 billion connected things would be in use by 2020, and the number of APIs is expected to skyrocket.

"API Architectures have become a necessary aspect of innovation and modernization. Good architecture principles and secure API product technologies are essential for a successful and secure API strategy," said Macy. "Products of the past cannot protect against the threats of the future and reliance on legacy technology puts organizations, customers and partners at substantial risk."

"The UK has adopted API security technology more rapidly than any other nation," continued Macy. "The UK serves as the 'nerve center' for API security architecture design best practices and adoption of API Security Gateway technology. Not surprisingly, London is where we will kick off our API Summit series."

On Thursday, March 9, at 9:00 a.m. GMT, Forum Systems will host its sixth-annual London API Summit at The Grange St. Paul's Hotel. Featuring the session, How the UK is Making its Architectures Future-Proof and Superior, the event will explore key topics including:

Essential Considerations for a Successful API Strategy;

Integrating to the Azure IoT Hub (without coding); and

Top 10 API Vulnerabilities and How to Protect Against Them.

The complimentary, all-day event will be followed by dinner at the Bread Street Kitchen. For more information and to register, please visit: http://info.forumsys.com/forum-systems-api-summit-london-2017-0.

"The growth of APIs is staggering  and for good reason! They provide fast, flexible integration enabling organizations to utilize existing IT investments while leveraging innovations like cloud and mobile computing. However, APIs are inherently insecure; this is why we recently partnered with Forum Systems," said Systemation Managing Director Jaap Franse. "The company is a like-minded partner and their 'security by design' Forum Sentry is a welcome complement to our product portfolio. We anticipate tremendous customer demand in Europe for advanced API security solutions, and are excited to collaborate with Forum Systems on an inaugural event that offers a security architecture blueprint for today's API-oriented organizations."

On Wednesday, March 15, at 12:30 p.m. CET, Forum Systems will host its first-annual Amsterdam API Summit at the Loetje aan 't IJ. Sponsored by Systemation and Agile Technology Partners, the free, half-day event will examine the strategic role of APIs in enterprise security architectures. Notably, all registered attendees will receive a complimentary copy of the KuppingerCole report, "Leadership Compass: API Security Management." For more information and to register, please visit: http://info.forumsys.com/forum-systems-api-summit-amsterdam-2017.

Earlier this month, Forum Systems won the 2017 Cybersecurity Excellence Award for Privileged Access Management. In an award announced concurrent with RSA Conference 2017, the company was recognized in API security with customer traction, demonstrable results and best-in-class technology.

About Forum Systems

Forum Systems Inc. is the leader in API Security Management. Providing centralized security, identity and integration for API communications, the Forum Sentry API Security Gateway enables enterprises to manage complex API strategies 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 modern API vulnerabilities. Forum Sentry is the industry's only FIPS 140-2 and NIAP NDPP-certified API Security 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.
Citation indexing was initially designed for information retrieval, but it also provided data for evaluating the impact of a particular work of research, based on how frequently the work was footnoted, or cited, by other researchers. Garfield's development of citation analysis and infometrics led to the development of numerous citation databases, including the Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science and the Journal Citation Reports, which reports impact factors and other citation data for thousands of scholarly journals.

In 1964, the Institute for Scientific Information, the organization that Garfield originally founded and the forerunner of Clarivate Analytics, released the first Science Citation Index. This resource recorded the bibliographical and citation contents of the world's most influential journals, allowing users to follow citation links to find the specialized research most germane to their own work.

Currently embodied and greatly expanded in the online Web of Science, Garfield's original invention continues to serve as a reliable and efficient guide to the sprawling world of research. The Web of Science's body of citation statistics, documenting the most influential research in any given field as directly judged by researchers themselves, provides the basis for assessing and benchmarking the research performance of individuals, institutions, nations, and regions.

"It is with deep sadness that we mark the passing of Dr. Eugene Garfield," said Jay Nadler, CEO, Clarivate Analytics. "Dr. Garfield's work has shaped the way that research is accessed and evaluated across the globe. We honor him for the contribution he has made to research, and to our organization as a visionary leader, colleague and friend. As Clarivate Analytics we will continue to innovate with the spirit that Dr. Garfield embodied in his groundbreaking work in information science."

Clarivate Analytics

Clarivate Analytics accelerates the pace of innovation by providing trusted insights and analytics to customers around the world, enabling them to discover, protect and commercialize new ideas faster. Formerly the Intellectual Property and Science business of Thomson Reuters, we own and operate a collection of leading subscription-based businesses focused on scientific and academic research, patent analytics and regulatory standards, pharmaceutical and biotech intelligence, trademark protection, domain brand protection and intellectual property management. Clarivate Analytics is now an independent company with over 4,000 employees, operating in more than 100 countries and owns wellknown brands that include Web of Science, Cortellis, Thomson Innovation, Derwent World Patents Index, CompuMark, MarkMonitor and Techstreet, among others. For more information, please visit Clarivate.com.

SOURCE Clarivate Analytics
DALLAS, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of its client, Integrated Systems of Florida, to Red Hawk Fire & Security, a portfolio company of Comvest Partners. The acquisition closed January 31, 2017. Details were not disclosed.

Integrated Systems of Florida (ISOF), headquartered near Tampa in Oldsmar with sales and service offices in Orlando and Tallahassee, is a well-regarded security systems integration company. ISOF commands a solid commercial customer base in the healthcare, hospitality, government, religious and education industries. The company was founded in 2001 by Walter and Candace Wiseman.

Red Hawk Fire & Security, based in Boca Raton, Florida, installs, tests, inspects, integrates, services and monitors safety and security solutions for businesses nationwide. The company's 1,400 employees service 50,000 customers. The ISOF acquisition solidifies Red Hawk as the preferred choice for fire, life safety and security services in Florida.

Red Hawk was formed as an independent, unified fire and electronic security services brand with a national footprint to serve commercial customers after the acquisition by a Comvest Partners sponsored private investment fund of the U.S. fire and security operations of United Technologies Corporation in 2012.

Generational Equity Managing Director Julie Sandoval and her team, headed by trusted affiliate Mario Dieckmann, and Vice President Rebecca Gruman, led the deal to a successful close.

"President Walter Wiseman identified Red Hawk as the ideal purchaser early on," said Dieckmann. "That certainly proved to be the case."

The deal also benefits ISOF's existing customers. "Red Hawk is large enough to bring needed resources and expertise to bear for the complex or sophisticated customer projects, yet nimble and flexible enough to deliver local knowledge that complements and enhances the services we offer," ISOF President Walter Wiseman said.

About Generational Equity

Generational Equity, part of the Generational Group headquartered in Dallas with over 200 professionals located throughout North America, helps business owners release the wealth of their business by providing merger, acquisition and strategic growth advisory services. Their four-step approach features exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, and M&A transactional services. The M&A Advisor recently named the company its 2016 Investment Banking Firm of the Year. For more, visit http://www.genequityco.com and the Generational Equity press room.

For more information:

Carl Doerksen

972-232-1125

[email protected]

SOURCE Generational Equity

Related Links

http://www.genequityco.com


HOUSTON, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) today held a press conference to launch the 16th Global Food Safety Conference, announce the release of a new edition of GFSI's flagship Benchmarking Requirements and to share groundbreaking strides in public-private collaboration with a G30 of food safety.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160614/379055LOGO )



The industry's top global food safety event has brought together 1,150 food industry representatives from 56 countries in Houston, Texas, where 70 experts and thought leaders will take the stage over the coming days to share insights on Leadership for Growth. CEOs of food industry heavy-weights will be joined by government representatives and regulators from several countries, practitioners from across the supply chain and even an astronaut. Peter Begg, Senior Director, Global Quality Programs, Mondelez International & Chair of the Global Food Safety Conference committee, shared insights as to what is in store for delegates and how the programme was shaped in line with the ever-changing industry and regulatory landscape.

30 Institutions Come Together with GFSI in a "G30" of Food Safety

Notably announced at the press conference was a series of meetings hosted by GFSI yesterday which gathered over 100 representatives from more than 20 countries and multilaterals organisations to discuss better collaboration for global public health outcomes. Countries including Japan, China, Mexico, Canada, the UK and the United States of America had a strong presence at this second edition of the meetings, sending delegations from their food safety agencies. Multilateral organisations including the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC, World Bank Group) also participated in the meetings.

"Going forward, the hope is for this growing dialogue to create first-of-its kind understandings between world governments and business for a mutually beneficial results for consumers, industry and regulators" said Mike Robach, Vice President, Corporate Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory for Cargill, Inc. USA & Chair of the GFSI Board of Directors.

"GFSI is an example of reciprocity on a global scale. By investing in food safety together, sharing knowledge and harmonising systems, we can go beyond borders and barriers to ensure one safe global food supply," commented Herman Diricks, Chief Executive Officer of the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) and Co-Chair of the G2B meetings. "We are excited to be participating in this groundbreaking collaboration with global food leaders, for the benefit of all."

See the full Press Release here

GFSI Releases New Edition of Landmark Benchmarking Requirements

GFSI also announced a key breakthrough with the highly-anticipated publication of the Benchmarking Requirements V7, the world's most widely accepted benchmarking criteria which acts as a "food safety

passport" across global supply chains, facilitating international trade and mutual trust in the level of safety systems in place. On behalf of GFSI, Mike Robach thanked the many stakeholders who have been involved in the review process and explained how the document triggers continuous improvement throughout supply chains, for the benefit of consumers around the globe.

See the full Press Release here

Implementation in Action. Leadership for Growth

Irene Rosenfeld, Chairman and CEO of Mondelez International, shared how her company is leveraging GFSI for success, saying that GFSI-benchmarked certifications are a critical component of their food safety management program as they provide third-party assurance that high quality standards are in place and meet internationally recognised standards. Irene announced that Mondelez has made a commitment to have 100% of their suppliers attain one of the GFSI benchmarked certifications by the end of 2017. By the end of 2016, 94% of their suppliers had already met this requirement. GFSI is powered by The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) and Irene sits on the CGF Board of Directors, where she represents GFSI to over 50 other CEOs of leading retail and manufacturing companies.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Media Centre - OFFICIAL PROGRAMME - Latest news via @myGFSI #GFSI17 - http://www.mygfsi.com

[email protected]

SOURCE Global Food Safety Initiative
The latest gaits adapt reactively to unstructured and dynamic environments to maintain balance, ascend steep inclines (up to 35), handle curb-sized steps in stride (up to 15cm), crouch to fit under crawl spaces (as low as 27cm), and operate at variable speeds and turning rates. Minitaur's high-force capabilities enable it to leap onto ledges (up to 40cm) and across gaps (up to 80cm). Its high control bandwidth allows it to actively balance on two legs, and high speed operation allows its legs to manipulate the world faster than the blink of an eye, while deftly reacting to unexpected contact.

"Our primary focus since releasing the Minitaur late last year has been expanding its behaviors to traverse a wide range of terrains and real-world operating scenarios," said Gavin Kenneally, and Avik De, Co-founders of Ghost Robotics. "In a short time, we have shown that legged robots not only have superior baseline mobility over wheels and tracks in a variety of environments and terrains, but also exhibit a diverse set of behaviors that allow them to easily overcome natural obstacles. We are excited to push the envelope with future capabilities, improved hardware, as well as integrated sensing and autonomy."

Ghost Robotics is designing next-generation legged robots that are superior to wheeled and tracked autonomous vehicles in real-world field applications, while substantially reducing costs to drive adoption and scalable deployments. Its direct-drive technology creates the lowest cost model with durability for commercializing very small to medium size legged UGV sensor platforms over any competitive design. The company's underlying research and intellectual property have additional applications in ultra-precise manipulators that are human-safe, and advanced gait research.

While a commercial version of the Ghost Minitaur robot is slated for delivery in the future, the current development platform is in high demand and has been shipped to many top robotics researchers worldwide because of its design simplicity, low cost and flexible software development environment for a broad range of research and commercialization initiatives.

"We are pleased with our R&D progress towards commercializing the Ghost Minitaur to prove legged robots can surpass the performance of wheel and track UGVs, while keeping the cost model low to support volume adoption, which is certainly not the case with existing bipedal and quadrupedal robot vendors," said Jiren Parikh, Ghost Robotics, CEO.

In the coming quarters, the company plans to demonstrate further improvements in mobility, built-in manipulation capabilities to interact with objects in the world, integration with more sensors, built-in autonomy for operation with reduced human intervention, as well as increased mechanical robustness and durability for operation in harsh environments.

About Ghost Robotics

Robots that Feel the World. Ghost Robotics develops patent-pending, ultrafast and highly responsive direct-drive (no gearbox) legged robots for instantaneous and precise force feedback applications, offering superior operability over wheeled and tracked robots. The lightweight and low-cost Ghost Minitaur robot platform can be used as an autonomous vehicle fitted with sensors for ISR, search and rescue, asset management and inspection, exploration, scientific and military applications where unknown, rough, varied, hazardous, environmentally sensitive and even vertical terrain is present. Ghost Robotics is privately held and backed by the University of Pennsylvania and PCI Ventures with offices in Philadelphia. www.ghostrobotics.io

SOURCE Ghost Robotics, LLC

Related Links

http://ghostrobotics.io


HAMBURG, Germany, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, international advocacy organisation Global Citizen, announced that Herbert Gronemeyer, Coldplay, The Chainsmokers and Ellie Goulding, will headline a free-ticketed concert on Thursday, July 6, at the Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg. The event, held on the eve of the 2017 G20 Summit, will call on the most powerful world leaders to deliver on their responsibility to help the world's most vulnerable people.

Starting March 14th, activists and music fans can start earning their tickets by joining the Global Citizen movement at www.globalcitizenfestival.de where 9,000 free tickets to Global Citizen Festival Hamburg will be given out to Global Citizens who sign up, take actions, and enter the draw for free tickets.

Less than two years after the adoption of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development, little progress has been made and world leaders are not being held accountable, with many retreating to isolationism. The G20 Summit is a critical moment of accountability for the world's most powerful leaders who are uniquely placed to mobilize the political will and financial resources needed to fight inequality and poverty. Global Citizens will gather in Hamburg the day before the Summit, demanding the G20 countries agree to concrete commitments to address and deliver on the Global Goals, particularly in the areas of education, health, development, and the global refugee crisis. Additionally, Global Citizens will call for leaders of all major German political parties to maintain and increase foreign aid commitments following the 2017 elections.

Hugh Evans, CEO, Global Citizen said: "In bringing the Global Citizen Festival to Germany for the first time we are calling on the G20 to take action and responsibility for moving forward on the Global Goals. They have had two years to address the Goals, and while some leaders are stepping up, others are engaging with empty promises. As Global Citizens, we do not accept this; we do not accept the status quo or believe these issues are beyond our capacity to fix. With the support of the international community and our partners convened in Hamburg this July, the G20 leaders will hear our call. Together we will make a lasting impact for generations to come."

Herbert Gronemeyer said: "Unifying our efforts will help to make our goals of eradicating extreme poverty, improving global access to drinking water and vaccinations, as well as continuously reducing social inequality a tangible possibility for the foreseeable future. A start has already been made and against all odds people who see themselves as global citizens of one world act alongside one another in order to get there. It feels good to ACT."

Ellie Goulding said: "It is truly inspiring to see so many people come together and take action, participating in these essential conversations, and holding world leaders to account. After joining the Global Citizen Festival on stage in New York last summer I am incredibly excited to continue on the journey to a sustainable future free of extreme poverty by performing in Hamburg on July 6th."

In six years, Global Citizen has grown into the largest, most visible movement of engaged activists working to influence world leaders and decision-makers to enact policy changes and commit significant resources to help end extreme poverty and its associated challenges. In 2016, Global Citizen brought the movement and action-based model to Canada and India for the first time.

The concert is supported by major partners Johnson & Johnson, Live Nation, HP, and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

For more information please visit www.globalcitizenfestival.de. https://www.globalcitizen.org/live/showup-montreal/

About Global Citizen

Global Citizen is a social action platform, for the global generation that wants to solve the world's biggest challenges, where you can learn about issues, take action on what matters most and join a community committed to social change. Global Citizen believes extreme poverty can be ended by 2030, because of the collective actions of Global Citizens across the world. Over the last six years, more than eight million Global Citizens around the world took over ten million actions to solve the world's biggest challenges, set to affect the lives of over 1 billion people.

For European Media Inquiries Contact

Press Contact: Edelman.ergo GmbH

Nora Schulz [email protected]

Jasmin Kohler [email protected]

For US Media Inquiries Contact

Blaec von Kalweit [email protected]

Leah Nelson [email protected]

SOURCE Global Citizen

Related Links

https://www.globalcitizen.org


Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company's corporate citizenship initiative, sponsored the event held in the company's Deer Valley airplane hangar. Students heard from industry leaders about exciting innovations in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. Speakers included Kiah Erlich, Honeywell's director of Flight Services, a female pilot and business leader in charge of Honeywell's aviation software and services, and Jaime Casap, Google's global education evangelist. Casap launched Google Apps and Chromebooks in universities, primary and secondary schools.

The chief science officers (CSOs) also spoke to Honeywell engineers and pilots about aerospace careers and the latest technologies including virtual reality, additive manufacturing, apps for pilots and more.

"It's a privilege to be welcomed back to the Honeywell hangar again for the Arizona SciTech Chief Science Officer technology day and statewide cabinet meeting," said Susan Farretta, director of Educational Initiatives for the Arizona Technology Council Foundation. "This event provides CSO students with direct access to STEM career professionals while exposing them to Honeywell innovations  a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Partnering with industry leaders such as Honeywell is integral in providing students with the opportunity to help shape the future of education in Arizona."

"Honeywell is proud of its role in the CSO program, where we continue to champion the importance of STEM education in young students," Erlich said. "It's an honor to speak to Arizona's smartest and most enthusiastic young minds who are destined to shape the future of America's technical fields."

Each year, students are asked to develop action plans to influence STEM education in their respective communities across Arizona. After attending last year's cabinet meeting and technology event at Honeywell, CSO Sage Foreman was named Kid Science Advisor to the White House. His proposal for the White House was to promote STEM education throughout the U.S. through the creation of a "National Technology Field Trip Day," much like the CSO event he experienced at Honeywell's Deer Valley facility in 2016.

More on the Chief Science Officer Program

The CSO program is a joint initiative of the Arizona Commerce Authority and the Arizona Technology Council Foundation. It welcomes sixth through 12th graders who have been elected by their student peers to represent their school for STEM and innovation initiatives. CSOs serve as a voice for STEM education and identify opportunities for their schools as well as serve as a liaison for STEM in the community. Off campus, students advocate for STEM opportunities through local government and councils. This makes events like the Arizona CSO Statewide Cabinet Meeting an important opportunity to engage in thoughtful dialogue, planning and action.

Honeywell supports the CSO program and its founding organization, the Arizona SciTech Festival, which promotes more than a thousand STEM events across the state. Since the CSO program's creation in 2015, 220 chief science officers have been elected from 120 schools in 32 districts in Arizona.

Supporting Resources

Learn more about Honeywell Hometown Solutions

Read more about Honeywell Aerospace on the Follow The Aero blog

Like Honeywell Aerospace on Facebook

Follow @Honeywell_Aero on Twitter

About Honeywell Hometown Solutions

Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company's corporate citizenship initiative, focuses on five areas: Family Safety & Security; Housing & Shelter; Science & Math Education; Humanitarian Relief; and Habitat & Conservation. Together with leading public and nonprofit institutions, Honeywell has developed powerful programs to address these needs in the communities it serves. For more information, visit http://citizenship.honeywell.com/.

About Honeywell Aerospace

Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on virtually every commercial, defense and space aircraft, and its turbochargers are used by nearly every automaker and truck manufacturer around the world. The Aerospace business unit develops innovative solutions for more fuel-efficient automobiles and airplanes, more direct and on-time flights, safer flying and runway traffic, along with aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, wireless connectivity services, logistics, and more. The business delivers safer, faster, and more efficient and comfortable transportation-related experiences worldwide. For more information, visit www.honeywell.com or follow us at @Honeywell_Aero and @Honeywell_Turbo.

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.

SOURCE Honeywell

Related Links

http://www.honeywell.com


BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Tweetable Highlight: Female leaders like @davidsonwendy are why @_NAFE_ included Kellogg on its Top Companies list #NAFETop http://bit.ly/2l7VyTi

Editor's Note: Kellogg Company is being recognized today as one of the 2017 Top Companies for Executive Women by the National Association of Female Executives (NAFE). One such female leader within the company is Wendy Davidson who will soon be honored by the National Diversity Council (NDC) with a Top 20 Business Women in Illinois award for her leadership excellence, business results, and commitment to diversity and community service. Below are Wendy's thoughts about effective leadership and the value of diversity for Kellogg.

By Wendy Davidson, President, U.S. Specialty Channels

First of all, I'm incredibly honored. There are some outstanding businesswomen in our region who are doing amazing things. My hope is that this is more of a recognition for Kellogg and the impact we are making in the Chicagoland region.

Since I joined the company and moved here three years ago, we've worked to raise the profile of Kellogg as an employer in the Chicago area. I often brag about our company, why I think it's a great place to work and why I chose to join the team. One thing I was impressed with then, and continue to be, is that who we are as a company is as important as what we do. Diversity is the core of who we are.

When you look at the gender balance of our leadership teams, for example, it's really quite remarkable  it's uncommon for a company of our size to have so many women on the board and in global leadership positions. Having gender-balanced leadership teams and people from various backgrounds and experiences is just good business. We're reflecting the customers we serve, we're tapping into the real creativity of our teams and we're putting ourselves in a position to continuously grow and learn.

I learn a great deal from the people around me and I work to make sure I surround myself with people with different perspectives who don't have the same experiences as me. I learn from shared challenges and debate and from people who share their personal experiences.

Being part of HOLA, our Latino Employee Resource Group, has been a wonderful experience. A highlight for my family and me has been attending the summer picnic. Sharing new cultures, foods, games and interacting with the team has been a great experience for us. Earlier this year, I kicked off our K-Pride and Allies event in Chicago and spoke on a panel at the Out and Equal event in Orlando in October. Through these experiences I've realized that people need to know that, even if your life experience is different from theirs, you are curious and you care.

I studied abroad in college, have hosted exchange students in our home and have worked across global regions in other jobs and I've learned people are more alike than they are different. And what we share is our love for food, for family, a desire to do better, and to make an impact, not just on the world, but our own world  the people around us.

As for my leadership style, my team is probably a better judge of that, but I'll tell you what I intend to do. I try to be very authentic and genuine. I want my team to know me  not just the decisions I make, but also who I am as a person, because that's what shapes my decisions.

I want to know them. I want to know what motivates them in their personal as well as their professional lives. I want them to feel comfortable not just working on a business challenge but sharing what they did on the weekend. I think who we are as a person drives our decision-making, and I want people to feel comfortable bringing their whole self to work. We try to coordinate social events a few times a year with the team and their families, because I want to know the people important in their lives and to share my family with them as well.

In terms of running the business, I strive to set a broad vision and give people freedom to work within a framework. The people on my team are going to bring thoughts I would not have considered. Their exposure and access to customers and the marketplace will provide the "how." I encourage the team to take action, to challenge "how might we," and to take risks.

There's a great book called The Oz Principle that Amber Jefferson, my Human Resources lead, suggested to me. The premise of the book is that outcomes are the result of your actions; actions are the result of your beliefs; and your beliefs are the outcome of your experiences. It's not our job as leaders to focus on outcomes and actions; it's to generate experiences that will encourage the team to grow, which will change their belief in what is possible.

In the case of some of the risks we've asked our team to take, if I say it's okay to take the risk  even if the results aren't there  I want the team to know I have their back, so they're more willing to step forward and take action because I've already proven through prior experiences that I trust them. The team on their own is then taking action because they believe in where we're headed and in what's possible.

SOURCE Kellogg Company

Related Links

http://www.kelloggcompany.com


LINCOLN  The U.S. Department of Agricultures Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been working with Nebraskas farmers and ranchers to protect natural resources for over 80 years. During that time, one thing has remained the Agencys main goal  help prevent soil erosion.

Since the passage of the 1985 Farm Bill, farmers have been required to control erosion on fields that are classified as highly erodible in order to be eligible for some USDA programs. Each spring, NRCS conducts compliance reviews on a random selection of highly erodible fields to determine if erosion has been controlled as outlined in Farm Bill requirements.

Recently, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) reviewed compliance review procedures in several states, including Nebraska. In their report, OIG recommended some modifications to NRCS compliance review procedures to provide more consistency across the nation. Nebraska NRCS will be making some adjustments during this years compliance reviews that may impact several producers in Nebraska.

So, what does this mean for Nebraska farmers and ranchers?

The main impact will be on farmers whose cropland has been determined by NRCS to be highly erodible, Nebraska State Conservationist Craig Derickson said, They will need to consider installing additional conservation practices to better control ephemeral gully erosion.

Ephemeral gully erosion is characterized by small ditches in fields that farmers often smooth over with disks. Previously, ephemeral gully erosion was only cited as a compliance problem if sediment was leaving the field and causing off-site damages. Now, all ephemeral gullies on fields determined to be highly erodible will need to be controlled to meet the national standard.

NRCS employees will be working closely with farmers to help them meet the erosion control requirements, Derickson said. Farmers will not be expected to make these changes overnight. If erosion control issues are identified during this springs compliance reviews, producers will be given time to make adjustments and install needed conservation practices.

Derickson said practices used to control ephemeral gullies include no-till farming, cover crops, grassed waterways, and terraces. NRCS has conservation programs available to provide financial assistance for producers to install additional conservation practices, and Derickson said Nebraska NRCS has set aside additional funding this year to help meet this need.

Derickson stressed the importance for farmers to meet these erosion control requirements so they will remain eligible for Farm Bill program benefits  which include things like farm loans, conservation program benefits and Federal crop insurance premium subsidies.

We want to help Nebraskas farmers be successful in meeting the conservation compliance requirements on highly erodible land. The bottom line is NRCS staff will be available to help farmers identify where ephemeral erosion is or may occur, and then assist them with a conservation plan to identify conservation practices that best fit their farming operation, Derickson said.

For more information, visit your local NRCS office located within the USDA Service Center or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Students from Hartsfield Elementary 4-H Club of the Houston Independent School District in Texas will speak with a NASA astronaut currently living and working aboard the International Space Station at 10 a.m. EST Friday, March 3. The 20-minute, Earth-to-space call will air live on NASA Television and the agency's website.

Expedition 50 Flight Engineer Peggy Whitson will answer questions from students assembled on the campus of the Animal and Environmental Sciences Magnet at Hartsfield Elementary. Whitson launched to the space station on Nov. 17, 2016.

Media interested in covering the event should contact Ashley Anthony at [email protected]. Hartsfield Elementary is at 5001 Perry St. in Houston.

Expeditionary Skills for Life, a NASA and 4-H partnership, highlights important skills including teamwork, cultural competency, leadership, followship and communication. The program is designed to take participants through educational expeditions that will help them learn and practice skills that can be applied to almost every aspect of life. Whitson, a 4-H alumna, has played a major role in this partnership.

This in-flight education downlink is an integral component of the NASA Office of Education's efforts to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teaching and learning in the United States. Linking students directly to astronauts aboard the space station through the agency Office of Education's STEM on Station activity provides authentic, live experiences in space exploration, space study and the scientific components of space travel, while introducing the possibilities of life in space.

Find out more about the NASA/4-H partnership at:

https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/stem-on-station/expeditionary-skills-for-life.html

Get NASA TV streaming video, schedules and downlink information at:

http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

Learn about videos and lesson plans highlighting research on the International Space Station at:

http://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation

SOURCE NASA

Related Links

http://www.nasa.gov


The Hyperloop concept has generated excitement and interest from start-ups around the world since it was first proposed in 2013. While other start-ups have not yet moved beyond basic research, Hyperloop One is the only company that is building a functional Hyperloop system. Following the successful public demonstration of the propulsion motor in May 2016 Hyperloop One is on track to run the world's first full-system test in 2017 in Nevada.

Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Railways, Government of India, while speaking at the summit said, "We are living in exciting times, with new ideas and innovation coming in from all over the world. Indian Railways is one of the largest rail networks globally, and we are committed towards modernizing and revamping the system. We are keenly watching new developments which can be implemented here, and want to build technologies in India, rather than importing them. I would like to congratulate Hyperloop One on this initiative, as it is very interesting to see that they can make long distance travel possible in very little time. We will be keenly monitoring their progress going forward."

Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Aayog while addressing the gathering said, "These are transformative days in India, we are currently growing at a rate of 6-7% per annum, and aim to grow even faster in the coming years. This growth will be fuelled by rapid urbanization, but we need to ensure sustainable growth which is also transformational. India needs technology to disrupt transportation which can provide solutions to move a large number of people in these urban centres. We are willing to facilitate such a catalyst and are happy to work in partnership with Hyperloop One to leapfrog the country. The future for Hyperloop One belongs in India."

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for transforming India and the role he sees of technology in driving this change is indeed remarkable," said Shervin Pishevar, Executive Chairman of Hyperloop One. "India is an extremely important geography for developing Hyperloop networks and reimagining how cities and regions work. The Prime Minister's vision of connecting the country is directly aligned with Hyperloop One's objective of connecting the world. With initiatives such as 'Make In India' and 'Digital India', we do see ourselves working in this direction in India."

"Hyperloop One will help accelerate India's growth towards building substantial infrastructure that is both financially and environmentally sustainable," said Rob Lloyd, CEO of Hyperloop One. "A transportation system like the Hyperloop will undoubtedly ease the pressure on existing infrastructure while enhancing the quality of life of the people. We are already working with the governments around the world on passenger and freight projects, and we look forward to also partnering with India to support this endeavour."

The Hyperloop One Vision For India summit also showcased five Hyperloop One Global Challenge (HOGC) semi-finalist teams from India, each of which proposed high-speed transportation routes that could improve the lives of millions of Indian citizens. The HOGC required the teams to develop regional proposals integrating Hyperloop One's disruptive transport technology to move passengers and freight from point-to-point, swiftly, and on-demand.

The HOGC which was kicked off in May 2016 invited teams across the world to put forward a comprehensive and commercially viable transport plan covering economical and policy aspects of their respective cities, regions and countries. The HOGC received more than 2,600 registrants from 90 countries, and narrowed the field down to 35 semi-finalists across all continents with a potential pipeline worth $26 billion. India led the way with the highest number of registrants and had the most vocal supporters of Hyperloop One on social media. The India semi-finalists include:

AECOM - Bengaluru-to- Chennai : 334 km in 20 minutes. Meeting the demand of a passenger and freight super-corridor growing at 15% a year.

: 334 km in 20 minutes. Meeting the demand of a passenger and freight super-corridor growing at 15% a year. LUX Hyperloop Network - Bengaluru-to-Thiruvananthapuram : 736 km in 41 minutes. Connects two major ports in southern India with population centres of Coimbatore and Kochi.

: 736 km in 41 minutes. Connects two major ports in southern with population centres of Coimbatore and Kochi. Dinclix GroundWorks - Delhi -to- Mumbai via Jaipur and Indore: 1,317 km in 55 minutes. Freight and passengers. Connects two megacities and creates seaport access for landlocked intermediary cities in the interior.

1,317 km in 55 minutes. Freight and passengers. Connects two megacities and creates seaport access for landlocked intermediary cities in the interior. Hyperloop India - Mumbai -to- Chennai via Bengaluru : 1,102 km. 50 minutes. Phased development for freight and passengers. Boosts capacity at ports of Mumbai and Chennai , creates a Suez Canal-like link between India's coasts.

: 1,102 km. 50 minutes. Phased development for freight and passengers. Boosts capacity at ports of and , creates a Suez Canal-like link between coasts. Infi-Alpha - Bengaluru to Chennai : 334 km in 20 minutes. Meeting the demand of a passenger and freight super-corridor growing at 15% a year. Connects with major airports.

About Hyperloop One

Hyperloop One is reinventing transportation by developing the world's first Hyperloop, an integrated structure to move passengers and cargo between two points immediately, safely, efficiently and sustainably. Our team has the world's leading experts in engineering, technology and transport project delivery, working in tandem with global partners and investors to make Hyperloop a reality, now. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Los Angeles, the company is led by CEO Rob Lloyd and co-founded by Executive Chairman Shervin Pishevar and President of Engineering Josh Giegel. For more information, please visit www.hyperloop-one.com.

SOURCE Hyperloop One

Related Links

http://www.hyperloop-one.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- i won! organics today announced its plans to launch a new protein snack at Natural Products Expo West 2017, March 8 - 12 in Anaheim, CA. The new Protein Crackers, which are high in fiber, low in net carbohydrates, and high in protein, are like nothing else on the market. They come as the Company's second offering in the plant-based, high protein snack category.

"Some call it risky, I call it confidence," said Mark Samuel, Founder and CEO of i won! organics. "We know why we're on a mission to build this category: Consumers need better-for-you snack options and we're excited to continue providing that with this new protein cracker."

In May 2016, i won! organics became the first company to launch an organic, plant-based, high protein snack with its line of Protein Chips, available in Cinnamon French Toast, Sriracha, Sea Salt, BBQ and Ranch. Already sold in hundreds of independent natural grocers throughout the country, and more than 500 Vitamin Shoppe and Bed Bath & Beyond locations, i won! organics expects to be in more than one thousand US stores within the next 12 months.

"We're well positioned to be a leader in the high protein, organic, plant-based, snack category," said Aaron Younessi, Sales Director at i won! organics.

Most recently, i won! organics partnered with Mollie Stones and Bristol Farms, two of the biggest natural grocers on the west coast, which will both have its popular Protein Chip available in the coming weeks. Additionally, i won! organics has plans to launch in Huckleberry's (Washington), H.E.B. (Texas), and Wegmans' (north-east US) by April 2017.

"We want nothing more than to have our snacks in the kitchen cabinets of every consumer around the globe," said Samuel.

In addition to feeling good about making a healthy snacking choice, consumers can also feel great about the fact that i won! organics donates a percentage of profits back to youth organizations and local communities.

The new Protein Cracker will be available at booth 8065.

About i won! organics

i won! organics is filling the void in the snack food marketplace where great tasting, plant-based, organic and non-GMO, high protein snacks simply don't exist. As more people start paying closer attention to the food they are eating and where it comes from, i won! is already way ahead of them. We use non-GMO ingredients because we want consumers to know that our natural foods haven't been altered in any way. We choose only organic ingredients because they're cleaner, they're healthier and they make us feel good. Health conscious consumers as well as fitness enthusiasts and parents want high protein products that taste good for themselves and for their families. We're here to deliver. i won! organics holds its ingredients to the highest standards and developed i won! protein chips as the first product in a future line of great snacks. For more information visit: http://iwonorganics.com/

Press Contact:

Nicole Rodrigues

650-815-5069

[email protected]

Related Images

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This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com.

SOURCE i won! organics

Related Links

http://www.iwonorganics.com


The high-end salon chain offers menus for their main client base and their affluent customers allowing anyone, of any background, to afford a bit of luxury. The luxury menu features manicures with real gold as well as manicures featuring real diamonds encrusted directly into the nail. Beyond manicures and pedicures you'll also find grooming, massage and beauty treatment options to help refresh and replenish just about anyone including men, women, partners and groups who want a little pampering.

Images Luxury Nail Lounge is expanding and projected to boom within the next couple of years providing more magnificent manicures to even more customers. With 5 upscale nail lounges opened in their first 2 years of business and another five more salons in the works for the next two, Images is growing rapidly and building up a massive loyal following who take advantage of their designer nail palettes and exclusive VIP events. Beyond luxury manicures they also provide exceptional pedicures, waxing services, massages and beauty procedures. The salons also feature promotions and savings including group discounts, free birthday gifts and weekly giveaways. It's no wonder they're able to grow so rapidly when they offer so much!

Their most recent location has an interior that's also a work of art with intertwining wood details stretching from across the walls into the roof. This salon is unlike any other you'll visit and is the only salon of its kind in the entire world. "Absolutely stunning interior, brand new everything, chairs, polishes, etc. they also serve beer, wine, and champagne," writes Britany L from Newport Beach. You can visit their newest location for yourself at Woodybury Town Center in Irvine; call for appointments and location details (949) 387-5588.

Find your nearest Images location and follow them on social media at ImagesNailLounge.com. [email protected]

SOURCE Images Luxury Nail Lounge

Related Links

http://www.imagesnaillounge.com


WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, March 15, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) will host a leadership webinar to share insights on future-focused education innovations from global leaders.

What, in the end, will differentiate an educated person in 1950 from an educated person in 2050? How will this influence our view of schools, learning, and our education system as a whole? New Zealand is leading efforts to transform their education system around excellence and equity, providing learning experiences that offer the opportunity to build depth of knowledge through highly personalized learning.

Learn from experts how school leaders are designing new learning models and working together to build knowledge and practices that develop deep learning and foster whole system change. The New Zealand Education system's vision is described as a "highly connected, interdependent education system that equips students with skills for the future, fosters students' identity, language and culture, and prepares students to participate as successful citizens in the 21st century."

Join this webinar to learn about the future trends in global education, and discover ways global systems are collaborating to create educated citizens for the future. Understand the differences between surface learning and deep learning, and explore the characteristics that define each level. Learn about the CORE Educational Positioning System (EPS), a self-reflection tool to empower schools to shape and drive their future development.

iNACOL CEO Susan Patrick said, "Grounded in social justice and equity, New Zealand has transformed their education system toward personalized, competency-based learning. Join this webinar to explore future directions in education and exchange ideas on global education systems transformation and educational innovation for equity."

This webinar is free to attendparticipants are invited to register here for final details and login information.

Webinar Title: Future-Focused Education Innovations: Insights from Global Leaders

Presenters:

Derek Wenmouth, Director of e-Learning, CORE Education ( New Zealand )

About iNACOL

The mission of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) is to catalyze the transformation of K-12 education policy and practice to advance powerful, personalized, learner-centered experiences through competency-based, blended and online learning. iNACOL is a non-profit organization focusing on research, developing policy for student-centered education to ensure equity and access, developing quality standards for emerging learning models using online, blended, and competency-based education, and supporting the ongoing professional development of school and district leaders for new learning models. Visit our website, like us on Facebook, connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on twitter.

SOURCE International Association for K-12 Online Learning

Related Links

http://www.inacol.org


LONDON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Geotextiles are permeable fabrics with an ability to separate, filter, reinforce, protect, or drain, when used in association with soil. Typically, they are made from polypropylene or polyester. In India, geotextiles are gaining popularity due to several performance and functional advantages over other materials. Construction and agriculture sectors in India are growing at a robust pace, consequently boosting demand for strong, permeable and flexible geotextile products. Moreover, increasing applications of geotextile products in civil engineering applications such as reinforcement, filtration, separation and production, owing to their excellent performance and comparatively low cost are some of the major factors fueling demand for geotextile products in the country. Growing road construction in the country is one of the major factors expected to aid India geotextiles market during forecast period. Furthermore, growing urbanization, booming population coupled favorable government initiatives are expected to positively influence India geotextiles market during forecast period.





Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4739475/





According to "India Geotextiles Market, By Type, By Material, By Application, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2012  2026", the geotextiles market in India is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of around 12% during 2017  2026. India geotextiles market has been broadly segmented into three categories, namely, woven, non-woven and knitted. Among these categories, non-woven geotextile segment occupied the largest share in India geotextiles market in 2016. The segment is anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period as well. Non-woven geotextiles are used to prevent soil erosion, pound underlayment and separation fabrics, as they act as an excellent filtrate, and are resistant to heat. Region-wise, west region is the largest demand generating region for geotextiles in the country. Few of the major companies operating in India geotextiles market include Garware Wall Ropes Ltd., TechFab India Industries Ltd, Maccaferri Environmental Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Terram Geosynthetics Pvt. Ltd and Hrishikesh Industrial Fabrics Pvt. Ltd, among others. "India Geotextiles Market, By Type, By Material, By Application, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2012  2026" discusses the following aspects of India geotextiles market:



- India Geotextiles Market Size, Share & Forecast

- Segmental Analysis  By Type (Non-Woven, Woven & Knitted), By Material (Polypropylene, Polyester & Others), By Application (Erosion Control, Road, Drainage & Others), By Region, By Company

- Policy & Regulatory Landscape

- Changing Market Trends & Emerging Opportunities

- Competitive Landscape & Strategic Recommendations



Why You Should Buy This Report?



- To gain an in-depth understanding of India geotextiles market

- To identify the on-going trends and anticipated growth in the next five years

- To help industry consultants, geotextiles manufacturers, vendors, dealers other stakeholders align their market-centric strategies

- To obtain research based business decisions and add weight to presentations and marketing material

- To gain competitive knowledge of leading market players

- To avail 10% customization in the report without any extra charges and get research data or trends added in the report as per the buyer's specific needs



Report Methodology



The information contained in this report is based upon both primary and secondary research. Primary research included interaction with geotextiles producers, manufacturers, channel partners and industry experts. Secondary research included an exhaustive search of relevant publications like company annual reports, financial reports and proprietary databases.



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4739475/



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

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A purpose-built, high-performance 750cc V-Twin engine powers the Scout FTR750. It features a unique, ultra-light steel frame, large centrally located airbox and sleek lightweight carbon fiber body. Indian's design and engineering teams approached the bike as the ultimate combination of advanced performance technology and design elements from Indian's legendary racing models of the past.

"Since its debut, feedback on the Scout FTR750 has been overwhelmingly positive, with unbelievable interest and demand for the bike," said Gary Gray, Product Director for Indian Motorcycle. "The bike's availability to all race teams will help further establish Indian Motorcycle's presence in American flat track racing."

The Scout FTR750 made its official debut during the 2016 season finale, when AMA flat track racing legend Joe Kopp raced it at the Santa Rosa Mile. For 2017, Indian Motorcycle Racing, backed by Allstate, comprises three of the most successful and decorated flat track riders in the sport, including 2016 Grand National Champion Bryan Smith, 2013 Grand National Champion Brad Baker, and three-time Grand National Champion Jared Mees. All three will be running the Scout FTR750 this season.

For purchasing information on the Scout FTR750 race bike, stop by an Indian Motorcycle dealer. To find the nearest location, visit IndianMotorcycle.com.

ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE

Indian Motorcycle, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), is America's first motorcycle company. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America's most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.

ABOUT POLARIS INDUSTRIES

Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) is a global powersports leader with annual 2015 sales of $4.7 billion. Polaris fuels the passion of riders, workers and outdoor enthusiasts with our RANGER, RZR and POLARIS GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; our SPORTSMAN and POLARIS ACE all-terrain off-road vehicles; INDIAN MOTORCYCLE midsize and heavyweight motorcycles; SLINGSHOT moto-roadsters; and Polaris RMK, INDY, SWITCHBACK and RUSH snowmobiles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with parts, garments and accessories sold under multiple recognizable brands, and has a growing presence globally in adjacent markets with products including military and commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electric vehicles. www.polaris.com

SOURCE Indian Motorcycle

Related Links

http://www.indianmotorcycle.com


FAIRFAX, Va., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- InfoReliance announced a ten-year Cloud Solutions Master Agreement awarded by the State of Utah on behalf of NASPO ValuePoint. The contract allows InfoReliance to sell 53 distinct Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) offerings to participating state and local governments, school districts, and higher education institutions, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The IaaS offering includes professional cloud services for:

Initial setup

Access

Training

Support

Additionally, participating entities may add optional services to include cloud migration, consulting, and configuration.

This award offers InfoReliance the opportunity to expand our commitment to delivering innovation to the public sector. John Sankovich, InfoReliance's Executive Vice President of Cloud Services, explained, "We are proud to partner with NASPO ValuePoint to offer local governments and educational institutions a simple path to cloud adoption. Our end-to-end cloud service offering, allows us to expertly support them at every point in the cloud adoption cycle." He further added, "Our solutions will remain customizable to meet each organization's unique requirements for success." InfoReliance, who is a Premier cloud consultant and an audited Managed Service Provider (MSP), can be trusted to deliver IaaS and optional services with the emphasis on security, flexibility, and customer engagement.

About NASPO ValuePoint

ValuePoint is the purchasing cooperative of the National Association of State Procurement Officials, consisting of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. NASPO ValuePoint is the nonprofit organization wholly-owned by NASPO that helps Lead States like Utah and other participating entities obtain competitive, best value solution and service from highly qualified vendors. The NASPO ValuePoint Cloud Solutions contract can be utilized by entities who execute a Participating Addendum. For more details, visit www.naspovaluepoint.org/#/contract-details/71/contractor/451 and www.naspovaluepoint.org.

About InfoReliance

InfoReliance Corporation delivers innovative and mission-critical technology solutions across the public sector and commercial industries. We solve our customers' complex business problems and provide them with optimal and sustainable business value that keeps them on the forefront of technological progress and maturity. Our 16 years of experience and corporate expertise positions us as a leader in cloud computing, cybersecurity, software engineering, and enterprise IT services. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, InfoReliance is a privately-held business founded in 2000. For more information, visit www.inforeliance.com.

Media Contact:

John Sankovich

Vice President

703.246.9360 x 1115

[email protected]

Related Links

InfoReliance Cloud Services

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE InfoReliance

Related Links

http://www.inforeliance.com


NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Institute for Ethical Leadership (IEL) at Rutgers Business School welcomes new academic director Dr. Joanne B. Ciulla to the organization's leadership team. Ciulla also joins Rutgers Business School's Department of Management and Global Business as a professor of leadership ethics. Ciulla states, "I was attracted to Rutgers because I saw great potential in the Institute for Ethical leadership to serve the academic, business, non-profit, and government communities." She is very enthusiastic about helping to build another institution that brings together academics and practitioners.

Joanne Ciulla is the new academic director at Rutgers Business School's Institute for Ethical Leadership.

Ciulla comes to Rutgers after 25 years as the Coston Family Chair of Leadership and Ethics at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, University of Richmond. She was one of the founding faculty of the Jepson School, which is the first liberal arts, degree granting, undergraduate school of leadership studies in the world.

"We are pleased and consider ourselves fortunate, to have attracted Joanne to the IEL," says Institute Co-Founder, James Abruzzo, "Her values, energy and desire to make the IEL a significant force for good, are aligned with ours."

Besides her work at the University of Richmond, Professor Ciulla has had academic appointments at La Salle University, Harvard Business School, and The Wharton School; and visiting appointments at Oxford University, Nyenrode University (Netherlands), University of Fort Hare (South Africa), and University of Melbourne (Australia). She was also the first person to hold the UNESCO Chair in Leadership Studies at the United Nations International Leadership Academy in Jordan, where she helped develop its curriculum.

Ciulla has written extensively on leadership ethics, business ethics and the philosophy of work. In 1991, she began to develop the field of leadership ethics and later co-edited the first major reference work for the field, Leadership Ethics (3 volumes). Her other books on leadership ethics include, The Ethics of Leadership; Ethics, The Heart of Leadership; The Quest for Moral Leaders; and Leadership at the Crossroads (3 volumes). Along with two colleagues, Ciulla also published a best-selling business ethics text called Honest Work: A Business Ethics Reader.

She serves on the editorial boards of the field's two most established journals, Leadership Quarterly and Leadership, as well as on the board of its recent journal, Leadership and the Humanities. She also serves as a member of the board of Business Ethics Quarterly. Ciulla edits one of the most extensive series of books on leadership, New Horizons in Leadership Studies, for Edgar Elgar Publishing. Among her professional appointments, Ciulla has held the position of president for two of the main business ethics organizations, The Society for Business Ethics and International Society for Business, Economics, and Ethics.

A noted presenter, Ciulla has delivered lectures and seminars to business and government organizations in the U.S. and abroad, and has worked with organizations such as the Brookings Institution, The Aspen Institute, and The World Economic Forum.

Ciulla will fill the seat left empty after the sudden 2015 passing of Dr. Ann Buchholtz, former IEL research director and professor of leadership and ethics at Rutgers Business School.

To read more about Dr. Ciulla, visit http://www.business.rutgers.edu/iel/academic-director.

About the Institute for Ethical Leadership:

The Institute for Ethical Leadership at Rutgers Business School works with business and government, nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, and within Rutgers University to provide leaders and future leaders with the education, training and critical-thinking tools needed to become more effective leaders and managers and make ethical decisions for real-world challenges. For more information, visit www.business.rutgers.edu/iel .

SOURCE Rutgers Business School

Related Links

http://www.business.rutgers.edu


ELLESMERE PORT, England, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- UK based company, Certification Management Limited (CML), already provides ATEX and IECEx certification for companies worldwide and with its recent appointment by the Japanese Ministry for Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) can now offer additional certification to those manufacturers that export or plan to export products to Japan and are destined for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Until now, the only certification body that was able to issue certificates that are accepted in Japan was the Technology Institute for Industrial Safety (TIIS). CML has successfully operated an agreement with TIIS that enabled its own test data transfer to be accepted by TIIS for certification.

However, due to regional differences in certification methods, the laws in Japan, translation requirements and the time zone difference, many companies have found the TIIS certification process time-consuming and complex. Some requirements are written into the law that most companies, used to applying IECEx System, ATEX, or North American requirements, would find unfamiliar.

In the past, this process could often take several years, be a significant burden to administer, and cost much more than originally budgeted.

Following a change to the Japanese Industrial Health and Safety regulations, and a rigorous application and review process by MHLW, CML is now the sole overseas recognized body under the new regulations and is able to offer certification valid in Japan, direct to global clients without the need for further certification or review by local government agencies or certification bodies.

"As the first foreign recognized inspection body, CML can with immediate effect provide a bridge for companies exporting to Japan, help them through the complex certification requirements and therefore save time and money in the Ex certification process. Our office in Tokyo is also ready to assist with mandatory document translation and local regulatory compliance advice" says Mike Shearman, Managing Director of Certification Management Limited (CML).

About Certification Management Limited: Certification Management Limited (CML) was established in June 2013 in the UK, offering a complete range of compliance services. CML is registered as an EU Notified Body (No 2503) for ATEX EU/2014/34. This is supported by the UKAS accreditation (No 8175) to IEC 17025 and IEC 17065.

The full scope of accreditation allows for the issuing of any type of certificate.

CML is also an IECEx Certification Body (ExCB) and test laboratory (ExTL) with the full scope of standards.

Services are delivered by over 25 full-time staff, the majority of which are engaged directly in certification, engineering and testing. CML also operates fully-equipped laboratory in Ellesmere Port in the UK, as well as Houston, Texas, USA.

The first ATEX and IECEx certificates were issued in September 2013 and April 2014 respectively by CML with over 1200 certificates issued worldwide to date.

You can find out more from the website: https://www.cmlex.com/

Contact:

Mike Shearman

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Certification Management Limited (CML)

Newport Business Park, New Port Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 4LZ

United Kingdom

Phone: +44 151 559 1160

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn Company page

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE Certification Management Limited

Related Links

https://www.cmlex.com


Kelly attended Louisville Schools graduating in 1987. She went on to school at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and received her Bachelors Degree in Business and Computer Science. She worked as a Special Project Manager at Lozier. Kelly enjoyed many close, cherished friendships throughout her life. She enjoyed music and served her Church as the Praise Band Director. She delighted in her family, especially her daughter Isabella Renee Deloske. She spent many wonderful hours with Isabella doing special activities, as well as daily activities. The love she had for Isabella was evident anytime you saw them together.
The independent judging panel of the competition's inaugural edition consists of highly respected, esteemed leaders from the jewellery and art industry, chosen for their extensive knowledge and expertise. They will run a two-part thorough, fair, transparent and rigorous judging process. Entries will be evaluated on their creativity and originality, their adherence to the theme, and their understanding of craftsmanship and manufacture processes.

The judging panel is chaired by renowned academic and educator Norman Cherry. He is joined by leading trend forecaster Paola De Luca, Japanese artist Ben Mori, Professor XuXiang Tang and trailblazing fine jewellery designer Stephen Webster.

Norman Cherry worked for many years in the British Higher Education sector, nurturing talent in the fields of art and design. From 1996 to 2008, he was Head of the internationally acclaimed Birmingham School of Jewellery. His last position in the academe was as Pro Vice Chancellor for Arts at the University of Lincoln. Norman currently runs a consultancy as a creator, educator and curator. His projects include working on behalf of international clients to connect Chinese and other universities, and advising jewellery manufacturers on the development of young designers.

Paola De Luca is a world-renowned trends forecaster from Italy, with particular expertise on global jewellery design trends. She is the Founder of The Futurist Ltd, a creative intelligence firm specialising in strategic projects in the luxury and jewellery sectors. Paola runs design projects and educational programmes for buyers and government organisations, and conducts seminars on global jewellery design trends at international trade fairs. Her much-sought-after trend books are considered among the leading resources on jewellery design.

Ben Mori is an artist and designer from Japan. He studied different art disciplines including 2D and 3D drawing, liberal arts and graphic design. Ben favours mostly heavy colours in his artworks, which have been exhibited in several countries. In an interview, he revealed his design philosophy as "Good artists just keep making art."

Professor XuXiang Tang is a professor, doctoral advisor and the director of the Jewelry Studio of the Academy of Arts and Design at Tsinghua University. He is also the Judge of Arts and Crafts Masters, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Traditional Arts and Crafts Association and Deputy Director of China's Jewelry Design Committee. He is an expert on traditional Chinese metalcraft as well as modern art and design, bridging the gap between Chinese traditional and contemporary art.

Stephen Webster is a celebrated English jewellery designer known for his largely pioneering designs that infuse Rock n Roll influences into fine jewellery. His fresh, bold and modern designs have amassed a celebrity following. Stephen curates Rock Vault, an initiative of the British Fashion Council to mentor, support, showcase and promote Britain's most innovative, fine jewellery talents.

The judges will determine the 30 finalists of the competition and announce these in the middle of June. The overall winner of the competition will be awarded the 'Xifu' Grand Prize of a 1kg gold bar at the Awards Ceremony scheduled for mid-September. For more details, please visit www.xifudesigncompetition.com

Media Contact

Althea Long Vincent Tang UBM Asia Limited World Gold Council Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: +852 2516 1653 Tel: +86 21 2226 1116

Official Website

www.xifudesigncompetition.com

Social Media Platforms

Facebook: @xifuDesignCompetition

Twitter: @XifuDesignComp

WeChat: @Xifudesign

Weibo: @Xifudesign

SOURCE JNA

Related Links

http://www.xifudesigncompetition.com


Neumeyer has the distinction of being a Certified Specialist in the practice of labor and employment law by the Ohio State Bar Association. He represents and counsels management on a variety of employment law matters, such as employee leave, overtime, disability accommodations, termination and layoff decisions, and workplace injuries. He is a frequent lecturer on employment law topics. Earlier in his career, Neumeyer was an appellate attorney for the Office of the State Appellate Defender in Chicago and an extern for the Honorable Alice M. Batchelder, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

At McDonald Hopkins, Neumeyer joins a national team of labor and employment attorneys who counsel management in all aspects of employment and labor law mattersfrom practice before state and federal agencies to state and federal trial work, and from advice and counsel regarding individual employee issues to assistance in significant business restructuring decisions.

Neumeyer earned a J.D. from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, cum laude, and a B.A. from Mount Union. He can be reached at 216.348.5838 or [email protected].

About McDonald Hopkins

Founded in 1930, McDonald Hopkins is a business advisory and advocacy law firm with locations in Cleveland, Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Miami, and West Palm Beach. With more than 50 service and industry teams, the firm has the expertise and knowledge to meet the growing number of legal and business challenges our clients face. For more information about McDonald Hopkins, visit mcdonaldhopkins.com.

CONTACT:

Deborah W. Kelm

McDonald Hopkins LLC

600 Superior Avenue, East, Suite 2100

Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Phone: 216.348.5733

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE McDonald Hopkins

Related Links

http://www.mcdonaldhopkins.com


"In addition to our deep healthcare roots, innovation, and capabilities, one of our key strengths is our seamless collaboration and the personal working relationships we have with each other, which benefit our clients globally. That is why our name is about 'partners' and not about 'global'," commented Andre Darmon, co-chairman of The Bloc Partners and president of French partner agency. Masaki Yamagata, president of Japanese partner agency, added, "This transformation clearly conveys the essence of our way of working and being 'in it' together; with each other and with our clients. This collaboration overcomes every kind of barrier, from regulatory to language and customs. We have what it takes to drive the change a brand needs to succeed in a new country."

The Bloc Partners will preserve its unique model in which independent partner agencies choose to be part of an alliance with shared values and a common purpose: delivering value to clients in every way and in every interaction to help them succeed with all their customers. In 2017, The Bloc Partners will be rolling out internal processes, tools, and initiatives that strengthen the alliance's unity, foster innovation, and facilitate operational excellence. This transformation will allow agencies to better access each other for best practices, learnings, and resources, as well as provide the 500+ alliance employees with increased international opportunities and exposure.

"As The Bloc Partners, we will be in a stronger position to deliver the best of two worlds; our multilocalrather than multinationalapproach means clients get the high level of performance, innovation, and scale of a global network with the agile, entrepreneurial, and collaborative spirit of an independent alliance," states Mariana Sanchez de Ovando, global executive director of The Bloc Partners.

The Bloc Partners is the largest global alliance of leading independent health creative agencies, delivering full-service capabilities to global and local clients worldwide since 2004. Incorporated as an LLC, it has 18 top-ranking health creative agencies in key major and emerging markets, which maximizes growth for brands.

All partner agencies were born of a passion for healthcare, rank in the top 5 in their market, and bring a deep understanding of local regulatory issues, legal mandates, and cultural insights only a native can deliver. Together, The Bloc Partners adapt, flex, and collaborate across international boundaries to overcome every kind of barrier and deliver effective solutions that master the art and the science of health communication across stakeholders and channels.

Americas: The Bloc (United States), CPC Healthcare Communications (Canada), Marketing Latino (Mexico), Thanks (Brazil); Europe: gHealthcare (Turkey), HealthWay (Poland), Lindh & Partners (Sweden), Life Healthcare Communications (UK), Serviceplan Health & Life (Germany), Strategik & Numerik (France), Thenewway (Italy), umbilical (Spain), X-Ray (Switzerland); Asia: JSure (China), PharMa International (Japan), Sorento Healthcare Communications (India); Oceania: Insight (Australia and New Zealand).

Visit www.theblocpartners.com to learn more.

SOURCE The Bloc Partners
LONDON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Timetric's 'Life Insurance in Uruguay Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides a detailed outlook by product category for the Uruguayan life insurance segment, and a comparison of the Uruguayan insurance industry with its regional counterparts.





Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/2831977/





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 (20112015) and forecast period (20152020).



The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of the Uruguayan economy and demographics, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country.



The report brings together Timetric's 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.



Summary

Timetric's 'Life Insurance in Uruguay Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Uruguayan life insurance segment, including:



- An overview of the Uruguayan life insurance segment



- The Uruguayan life insurance segment's growth prospects by category



- A comprehensive overview of the Uruguayan economy and demographics



- A comparison of the Uruguayan life insurance segment with its regional counterparts



- The various distribution channels in the Uruguayan life insurance segment



- Details of the competitive landscape in the life insurance segment in Uruguay



- Details of regulatory policy applicable to the Uruguayan insurance industry



Scope

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the life insurance segment in Uruguay:



- It provides historical values for the Uruguayan life insurance segment for the report's 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast period.



- It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Uruguayan life insurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020.



- It provides a comparison of the Uruguayan life insurance segment with its regional counterparts



- It analyzes the various distribution channels for life insurance products in Uruguay.



- It profiles the top life insurance companies in Uruguay and outlines the key regulations affecting them.



Reasons To Buy

- Make strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Uruguayan life insurance segment, and each category within it.



- Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Uruguayan 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 Uruguayan insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.



Key Highlights

- As of 2015, nine companies conducted life insurance business in the country.



- Uruguay permits 100.0% foreign direct investment (FDI) in its insurance industry.



- The Uruguayan life insurance segment is highly concentrated, with the three leading insurers accounting for 93.0% of the segment's gross written premium in 2015.



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/2831977/



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

http://www.reportbuyer.com


TEMPE, Arizona, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Lithium Exploration Group Inc. (USOTC: LEXG) today announced that it is in discussions with an oil and gas producer to take the first commercial order of a Sonic Cavitation Ltd Ultrasonic Generator later this year. The customer was on site last week to witness the latest round of oil testing and their field team has already had follow-up discussions with representatives from LEXG. The customer believes that this technology can reduce its need for chemicals to induce the liquid separation, in addition to potential assistance in tank treating. The current plan is to deploy a skidded package in Q3 to their facility where they will pay per barrel of treated fluid at one of their locations.

"We are excited that they were able to witness the unit in operation last week. They feel that the reduction in chemicals and the reduction in burner use in their treater will be more cost effective than the manner in which they are running their field today," commented CEO Alex Walsh. "There are so many environmental advantages to the way that we propose to treat field oil, but to get the product to market we still need to show that it is economically more efficient than traditional applications. We are initiating the design process right now and intend to build a skid-mounted unit that would be repeatable for other customers and applications."

About Lithium Exploration Group

Lithium Exploration Group is a US-based exploration and development company focused on the acquisition and development potential of lithium brines and other precious metals that demonstrate high probability for near-term production. Currently the company is focused testing its SonCav Technology and the acquisition of oil and gas related assets in Western Canada. Lithium Exploration Group is traded on the OTC Markets under the symbol LEXG.

Website: http://www.lithiumexplorationgroup.com .

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains "forward-looking statements". Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future testing of the ultrasonic technology.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with mineral exploration and difficulties associated with obtaining financing on acceptable terms. We are not in control of lithium prices and these could vary to make development uneconomic. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our most recent annual report for our last fiscal year, our quarterly reports, and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact Info

Shanon Chilson

480-641-4790

[email protected]

SOURCE Lithium Exploration Group Inc.
ELGIN, Ill., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Lynk Labs, Inc., Acuity Brands, Inc. and Schneider Electric have agreed to resolve all claims in the patent lawsuit filed by Lynk Labs back in June 2015. The financial terms and other details of the settlement between the parties are confidential. As part of the agreement, Acuity and its Affiliates received licenses to a portion of the patent portfolio owned by Lynk Labs.

Lynk Labs, Inc., a leading LED technology manufacturer announced today that it has reached a confidential settlement in its patent infringement and contractual breach lawsuit with Acuity Brands, Inc. and Schneider Electric. "This is a significant achievement and winning milestone for Lynk and its shareholders," said Mike Miskin, Chairman and CEO of Lynk Labs, Inc. "This settlement validates the value and contribution made by Lynk and our Intellectual Property in the LED industry."

The complaint, originally filed by Lynk in June 2015 against Juno Lighting Group, later added Schneider Electric for patent infringement and breach of contract. Following Acuity Brands acquisition of Juno Lighting Group, Lynk separately added Acuity to the case for patent infringement claims. After nearly two years of litigation in the U.S. District Court of Illinois, the parties have agreed to settle and enter a license agreement.

"Lynk has invested Millions of dollars in R&D that has enabled LEDs to be easily designed into, and used in LED replacement lamps such as T8 LED tubes, MR lamps, or lighting systems such as track lights, down lights and more, as well as powering LED lighting with high frequency AC sources such as electronic ballasts, transformers and inverters," said Mike Miskin. Lynk will continue to expand its patent portfolio and licensing program which includes over 50 US and International issued and pending patents ranging from fundamental AC LED circuits to complete LED lighting systems in both AC and DC LED technologies, display lighting and more. More information about Lynk Labs IP portfolio can be found at www.lynklabs.com.

About Lynk Labs, Inc.:

Lynk Labs is a market leading innovator of lighting-class LED technology, lighting products and LED lighting system components. Lynk manufactures and markets LED components, drivers and system kits for lighting OEMs. Lynk also offers licensing opportunities in select areas and applications within its patent portfolio.

Lynks' product families include SnapBrite LED assemblies, GeoLite LED lamps and system kits, BriteDriver AC LED drivers and Tesla AC LED components. For additional product and Company information, please refer to www.lynklabs.com. For inquiries about this press release contact us at [email protected]

Lynk Labs, SnapBrite, Tesla, GeoLite and BriteDriver are registered trademarks of Lynk Labs, Inc.

SOURCE Lynk Labs, Inc.

Related Links

http://lynklabs.com


HOUSTON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A judge dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed against a woman who complained to an animal welfare group about the treatment of rare white tigers caged at Houston's Downtown Aquarium, which is owned by Landry's Inc. restaurants.

Harris County District Judge Steven Kirkland ordered Landry's to pay $450,000 in penalties and an additional $174,000 in legal fees to deter the company from filing such lawsuits in the future.

Cheryl Conley, a Montgomery County woman who saw the tigers' behind-closed-doors cages at the downtown facility, was represented by Houston lawyers Ashish Mahendru and Darren Braun of Mahendru P.C. To learn more about Mahendru P.C., visit http://www.thelitigationgroup.com/.

Motions for dismissal were filed by both Ms. Conley and the Animal Legal Defense Fund, which was represented by Adam Milasincic at Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C. The motions were filed under Texas' anti-SLAPP law which prevents strategic lawsuits against public participation. Such laws enable judges to dismiss meritless lawsuits filed against citizens who speak out about matters of public concern.

"This ruling is a crushing referendum on the ability of billion-dollar corporations to control public discourse through baseless lawsuits," said Mr. Mahendru. "The tigers and their conditions in the Downtown Aquarium were deeply disturbing to Cheryl Conley. For exercising her constitutional rights to inform the animal welfare group about her concerns, Landry's sued her. The judge would have none of that and slapped Landry's by dismissing the lawsuit and awarding massive sanctions."

The lawsuit is Landry's, Inc. and the Downtown Aquarium, Inc. v. Animal Legal Defense Fund et al. No. 2016-79698 in Harris County's 334th District Court.

Mahendru P.C. is a boutique commercial litigation firm whose attorneys are known for their tenacity, intelligence and experience. Founded in 2001, the firm has a simple philosophy: Your problem is our problem. We adopt it, understand it and solve it. Our objective is to resolve every case in the best, fastest and most cost-efficient manner possible. We never wait for our opponent's next move, which means we spend a lot of time at the courthouse and are well-known there.

For more information, contact Mary Flood at 800-559-4534 or [email protected].

SOURCE Mahendru P.C.

Related Links

http://www.thelitigationgroup.com


KELOWNA, British Columbia, February 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

"The first steps in the plan are underway to create a cannabis campus with facilities on our property. Future plans could include a research and development laboratory, cultivation, ancillary products and processing. One existing building is presently being used for a tier 3 cannabis cultivator, licensed for up to 30,000 square feet of cultivation space. Currently, there are operations in only a 1500 square foot section of the building, while the remainder of the building is being prepared to undergo extensive renovations. The smaller space includes room for mothers, clones, vegetation, cultivation, drying, curing and processing, and also allows the license holder to produce approximately $50,000 US per harvest and 4 harvests have been produced since September 2016. This smaller space has enabled them to generate revenue in order to partially pay lease payments while training staff and developing specific strains to bring to market. The harvests are pre-sold to dispensaries and retailers are patiently waiting for the new strains and products that will be produced in the completed 30,000 square foot facility. Construction can finally get underway, because we now own the property and we anticipate the renovations to be completed on or before May 30, 2017. Once construction is complete in the main area, the remainder of the building will undergo the same upgrades."

"The license holder also has an unlimited square footage processing license. Marapharm has a 9.000 square foot building alongside the cultivation center to be used as a processing facility. Applications for permits and regulatory approvals are underway. The facility will have Vitalis CO2 extraction equipment, a packaging center and a kitchen for edibles. The extraction equipment is designed to extract oil while maintaining the valuable terpene profile of each strain, and has a 90L capacity. The double chambers allow the equipment to operate without a down time during processing cycles. A menu of pre-approved edibles will be produced in the fully-equipped industrial kitchen. This turnkey designed facility will be a signature and highly functional space and is projected to produce revenues for the license holders of more than $2 million each month." Linda Sampson, Marapharm CEO.

February 12, 2017 Marapharm announced that it's subsidiary Marapharm Washington, LLC "Washington WA" had entered into an agreement to purchase 13.6 acres of industrial, highway frontage property located a few minutes south of the Canadian border for $4.2 million US. The transaction closes February 28, 2017.Previously, on June 16, 2016, the Company announced that it had concluded a deal for a lease of a 30,000 square foot building and an option to purchase 13.6 acres of industrial property located in Whatcom County, Washington State. Further, on August 17, 2016, Marapharm announced that Marapharm WA had closed on the purchase of the assets of a 30,000 square foot operating tier 3 marijuana cultivation and processing facility, located in Washington State and on September 27, 2016 and November 1, 2016 provided updates with regard to the Washington operations. Marapharm has been making lease payments on the property and has chosen to act on the option to purchase the land.

ABOUT MARAPHARM VENTURES INC.

http://www.marapharm.com

Marapharm trades in Canada, ticker symbol MDM on the CSE, in the United States, ticker symbol MRPHF on the OTCQB, in Europe, ticker symbol 2M0 on the FSE.



Marapharm has 300,000 square feet of medical marijuana licenses for it's land and facilities in WA and NV and about two and a half years ago, Marapharm applied in Canada to Health Canada for a MMPR (Production and Sales) license and has passed the necessary security clearances. The application is currently in the in-depth screening process. In September 2016, Health Canada contacted Marapharm with a provision to amend its application to allow for the new regulations, ACMPR.



Additional information on the operations or financial results of Marapharm are included in reports on file with applicable securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the CSE website (http://www.thecse.com), the OTC website (http://www.otcmarkets.com) and Sedar website (http://www.sedar.com) under the profile for Marapharm Ventures Inc.



STOCK EXCHANGES:

Neither the CSE, the FSE nor the OTCQB has approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the CSE, the FSE nor the OTCQB accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.



FORWARD - LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", 'may", "will", "project", "should", 'believe", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumption but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and the forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

http://www.marapharm.com or Linda Sampson, CEO, +1-778-583-4476 [email protected]

SOURCE Marapharm Ventures Inc.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., received The American Legion's Distinguished Public Service award for his commitment to the welfare of America's veterans and their families. The award was presented to McCain by American Legion National Commander Charles E. Schmidt on Feb. 28 during the organization's 57th annual Washington Conference.

"Thank you for this great honor," said McCain, who is a member of American Legion Post 2 in Arizona and currently serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, to Legion leadership gathered at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. "It's an honor to accept your national commander's Distinguished Public Service Award."

As he presented the award to McCain, Schmidt recalled his visit to Hoa Lo Prison in Vietnam last November where McCain was held as a POW. "It was dank and depressing. It was not a nice hotel like this," Schmidt said.

In his acceptance speech, McCain reflected upon his POW prison known as Hotel Hanoi, that "those who I love most and know best are those that I had the great honor to serving with in a hotel far away from here," McCain said. "I am the person I am today, if there's any small measure of success that I have achieved, it's because of the comradeship and the love and struggle that we waged together. Friends, fellow POWs, we were proud to come home with honor, and I'm honored to be with you today."

McCain also shared issues affecting veterans today that concern him, including PTSD and VA wait times.

"We have an obligation to identify, resource and make available effective forms of treatment to help eliminate veteran suicide. We must eliminate veteran suicide. We owe that to every one of our veterans," McCain said.

In reference to improving veterans access to immediate care, McCain told the Legion delegation that "veterans shouldn't have to wait on a waiting list for days, weeks, months. What I want our veterans to be able to do is when they need the specialized care that only the VA can provide, we should make sure they have that.

"Veterans need The American Legion today more than any time ever. We need you."

The Distinguished Public Service award is given annually to an elected official who has established an outstanding record in support of principles advanced by The American Legion. In presenting the award to McCain, Schmidt recognized him for "boldly embracing The American Legion pillar of a strong national defense."

With a current membership of 2.2 million wartime veterans, The American Legion, www.legion.org, was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 13,000 posts across the nation.

Media contact: John Raughter (317) 630-1253/ 317-441-8847 (cell), [email protected]

SOURCE The American Legion

Related Links

http://www.legion.org


LOS ANGELES, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Meetings Quest will deliver highly specialized programming when it is held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, March 1415 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa. Hosted by Meet AC and presented by Association News, Meetings Quest is the nation's longest-running series of educational and networking events for association, corporate, government and religious meeting planners.

On March 14, the Meetings Quest Opening Celebration will take place on the city's iconic Boardwalk at the lively Boogie Nights nightclub, located in the heart of the Tropicana Casino & Resort Atlantic City. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a buffet dinner before dancing the night away underneath the glittering disco ball to the magic of the '70s, '80s and '90s music scene.

On March 15, Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian and Meet AC President and CEO Jim Wood will welcome attendees to Meetings Quest. The event will continue with a full morning of educational programming. Darrell Gehrt of CrowdCompass by Cvent, Kathy Armistead Olen of Atticus Brand Partners, Josh Randle of the Miss America Organization and John Wentzell of Spectra will provide unique insights into maximizing every aspect of the attendee experience. In addition, a session on crisis management and event security will feature Steven Hacker, author of the monthly "Association Doctor" column for Association News and the former president of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events.

The morning will conclude with an inspirational keynote address from seven-time Olympic medalist Shannon Miller, who will discuss how the gold-medal mindset leads to victory, whether at the Olympic Games, in an exhibition hall or a boardroom. Meetings Quest in Atlantic City will continue with a luncheon and an afternoon appointment-based expo. The event will conclude with a drawing for cash prizes and a Departure Lounge, where attendees will have a final opportunity for business networking.

"We pride ourselves on providing the most relevant and robust programming at Meetings Quest," said Timothy Schneider, president and CEO of Schneider Publishing, which publishes Association News and organizes Meetings Quest.

Click here to read more. For further information, please visit MeetingsQuest.com or call (877) 577-3700.

Tweet: Meetings Quest in Atlantic City to feature unique programming @MeetingsQuest @Meet_AC bit.ly/2jgC1vd

Media Contact: Ann Shepphird

Phone number: (310) 577-3700

SOURCE Meetings Quest
Broken Bow is nestled in the foothills of Nebraskas picturesque Sandhills in the middle of everything  our state and our country. In many ways, its a community that represents a cross section of the Cornhusker State. Its a rural town where Main Street is thriving thanks to the states largest industries: agriculture and manufacturing. Employers ranging from feedlots to a major medical supplier provide good-paying jobs for families in Broken Bow and the surrounding area. Theyve opened a new hotel, new restaurants, and a new judicial center in the last few years. Its a shining example of a community on the move. None of this happened by accident. It happened because people are engaged in their community, local schools, and churches. The citizens of Broken Bow rolled up their sleeves and worked together to grow their community.

Understanding Broken Bows success can help us understand Nebraska, and why our state has become the best place in the world to live, work, and raise a family the past 150 years. March 1, 2017 marks the 150th anniversary, or sesquicentennial, of President Andrew Johnson signing the presidential proclamation declaring Nebraskas statehood. This week, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the work of generations of Nebraskans not only in Broken Bow but in every community across our state. Their persistence and hard work are what have made Nebraska the Good Life for 150 years.

From the early days when Native Americans roamed the plains in search of buffalo and pioneers broke the prairie sod to build shelter, Nebraska has long been a land of abundance and great opportunity. In recent years, the innovative work of many Nebraskans has led to exciting economic success. In 2015, Nebraska reached a historic job creation level with 1 million non-farm jobs. This is due in part to one of the highest labor force participation rates in the nation. Our population has also flourished. Last year, Nebraskas population growth reached a record 1.9 million for the first time, outpacing national trends.

Nebraskas top three industriesagriculture, manufacturing, and tourismhave been key to growing our state. In the area of agriculture, Nebraska has been leading in the areas of value-added agriculture, biotechnology, and food processing. Nebraskas manufacturers export equipment worldwide, and are helping producers feed the world with cutting edge ag and irrigation technology. While we may not have mountains or oceans, Nebraska has worked tirelessly to develop other tourism opportunities with one of the top zoos in the world, agritourism attractions, and wine and craft brewery industries.

This work has resulted in national recognition. Forbes magazine ranks Nebraska the third best state in the nation for business in part because we have the best regulatory climate. Our business-friendly environment has attracted entrepreneurs, who have helped create Silicon Prairie, the Midwest hub for tech startups. Nebraska is not only a great state for business, but also for families. Just recently, the American Conservative Union ranked Nebraska fourth best in the nation in their Family Prosperity Index, which measures several economic and social health indicators.

My wife Susanne, along with a group of dedicated Nebraskans, have been working hard planning events and initiatives to help the entire state celebrate the sesquicentennial birthday throughout the year. In addition to activities at the State Capitol on Statehood Day, several other programs are underway. The Nebraska 150 Challenge is encouraging Nebraskans to do 150 miles of physical activity throughout 2017. The Nebraska Impact Initiative is building teams to volunteer for causes around the state. One of my personal favorites is Now You Know Nebraska, a series of video shorts designed to help students learn more about our states rich history.

For full details on these initiatives and much more, please visit www.ne150.org. I hope you will join in the celebration and choose one or two events and activities in which to participate. Lets keep the celebration going all year long! If you have any questions about the 150th anniversary celebration or any other matter, you are always welcome to contact my office by emailing pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov or by calling 402-471-2244. Happy birthday, Nebraska!
Metropolitan Market has an unrelenting commitment to sourcing the highest quality products available and standing behind the products they sell. "We are thrilled to open our Sammamish location, providing the very best foods from the Pacific Northwest and around the world in one place," said Metropolitan Market President and CEO, Todd Korman. "Our knowledgeable and passionate team is ready to welcome Sammamish with great service, whether it's a quick bite or a full shop for the week's groceries. We look forward to becoming a trusted member of this community."

The Sammamish store will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will feature both regional and international specialty products along with grocery essentials allowing for a convenient one-stop shopping experience. The kitchen shop will be filled with tools of the trade, expertly staffed by culinary professionals. A tasting kiosk will provide cooking tips and meal suggestions from Metropolitan Market's own culinary artists. The floral shop will offer the widest selection of cut flowers and hand-tied bouquets in the area. Produce of the highest quality will include an array of ready to eat fruits and vegetables. The butcher will carry naturally raised meat including prime, choice, dry-aged and Wagyu. The fresh seafood department will feature local shellfish arriving daily. The beverage department will hold a variety of wine and spirits from the Pacific Northwest and around the world.

The Sammamish Metropolitan Market's unique offerings include the following:

The cheese selection will provide a vast assortment for customers including Point Reyes Bay Blue, Ferndale Farmstead Asiago, Pecorino Toscano and their very own fresh stretched mozzarella made in-house, while culinary specialists can aid in creating the ultimate cheese or charcuterie platter.

will provide a vast assortment for customers including Point Reyes Bay Blue, Ferndale Farmstead Asiago, Pecorino Toscano and their very own fresh stretched mozzarella made in-house, while culinary specialists can aid in creating the ultimate cheese or charcuterie platter. An extensive showcase of made to order items will be available including Met Market's signature Prime Rib and Mojo Pork sandwiches, a saute station, ramen noodles and Pizza al Taglio.

items will be available including Met Market's signature Prime Rib and Mojo Pork sandwiches, a saute station, ramen noodles and Pizza al Taglio. Customers will have choice at their fingertips with a delicious assortment of grab and go and build-your-own bars including a salad bar, hot bar, poke bar, antipasti bar, wraps, sandwiches, sushi, protein pots and self-serve soups made fresh daily.

including a salad bar, hot bar, poke bar, antipasti bar, wraps, sandwiches, sushi, protein pots and self-serve soups made fresh daily. The coffee bar and bakery will be brewing Caffe Vita blends, kombucha on tap and serving up the infamous "The Cookie", specialty cakes, pastries and gelato.

will be brewing Caffe Vita blends, kombucha on tap and serving up the infamous "The Cookie", specialty cakes, pastries and gelato. Located on the second level will be the mezzanine seating area, which will offer a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere for dining and catching up with friends.

Contributing to the communities they serve is a high priority for Metropolitan Market. In 2016 alone, the company helped provide more than half a million meals for locals in need throughout the Puget Sound region. Metropolitan Market's dedication to community involvement is apparent through its existing partnerships with local organizations, including the Sammamish Community YMCA, Sammamish Chamber of Commerce and the Sammamish Farmers Market. The company will continue its strong partnership with the Sammamish Community YMCA as their largest local business contributor. Metropolitan Market is also a presenting sponsor for the Sammamish Farmer's Market where they will have a table each week during May through September.

As an anchor tenant in the ecofriendly Sammamish Village, the Metropolitan Market building was designed in tandem with the Village's green infrastructure. The property utilizes a photovoltaic/solar array that generates renewable energy and directly feeds the electrical system serving Sammamish Village exterior lighting. Green components on-site include rainwater harvesting, in which storm water is stored in a below grade vault and filtered for irrigation usage throughout the property. Pervious paving is being used in almost half an acre of Sammamish Village, which helps manage surface water during heavy rainfalls. The project's outdoor pavilion includes a green roof, which reduces run-off and pre-filters rain water ahead of entering the underground storm water vault. Developed by TRF Pacific LLC, Sammamish Village will host a broad mix of services in addition to Metropolitan Market including medical/dental, quick serve restaurants, sit-down dining and other neighborhood services.

To learn more about Metropolitan Market's Sammamish grand opening progress and guest activities, visit https://metropolitan-market.com/sammamish/ or follow Metropolitan Market on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Metropolitan Market

Metropolitan Market is the trusted local source for finding top quality products and unique specialty items in an exciting neighborhood marketplace. Each grocery store is the ideal place to discover, create and share one of life's greatest gifts: delicious food. Metropolitan Market was founded on the culture of curiosity and an unparalleled respect for quality that has led to many 'firsts,' like the first outdoor flower market, and introducing Copper River Salmon to the Puget Sound more than thirty years ago. It's a food-forward approach that has defined their philosophy in the northwest since 1971. Still locally owned and operated, Metropolitan Market has always worked hard to be the place where people come to experience the best specialty products and every day grocery essentials in an inviting, convenient and inspiring environment. Visit one of the seven Western Washington locations or online at www.metropolitan-market.com.

SOURCE Metropolitan Market

Related Links

http://www.metropolitan-market.com


PHOENIX, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Mosaic451, a bespoke cybersecurity services provider and consultancy, announced today that they have been named to CRN's 2017 Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Managed Security 100 category. The annual list recognizes North American solution providers with cutting-edge approaches to delivering managed services. Their offerings help companies navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of IT, improve operational efficiencies, and maximize their return on IT investments.

Mosaic451 named to CRN's 2017 Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Managed Security 100 category

In today's fast-paced business environments, MSPs play an important role in helping companies leverage new technologies without straining their budgets or losing focus on their core business. CRN's MSP 500 list shines a light on the most forward-thinking and innovative of these key organizations.

The list is divided into three categories: the MSP Pioneer 250, recognizing companies with business models weighted toward managed services and largely focused on the SMB market; the MSP Elite 150, recognizing large, data center-focused MSPs with a strong mix of on-premise and off-premise services; and the Managed Security 100, recognizing MSPs focused primarily on off-premise, cloud-based security services.

"We are honoured to be included in this year's MSP 500 list," says Mike Baker, Principal of Mosaic451. "Mosaic451 firmly believes that innovation, experience, and vigilance are central to IT and information security. The CRN designation affirms our commitment to developing cutting-edge approaches to our delivery of cyber security services."

The Mosaic451 team provides key security services for government and private sector regulations such as FISMA, CIP, SOX, NIST and PCI. The majority of its senior staff and technical staff have held leadership and senior analyst positions in the DOE National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) Information Assurance Response Center (IARC) in Las Vegas, NV; and NNSA's Office of Secure Transportation's (OST) Transportation and Emergency Control Center (TECC), which, among other things, are responsible for defending the US nuclear arsenal against cyber-attacks.

Mosaic Hybrid is an industry first solution, providing specialized staff onsite during business hours to work alongside current technology and security staff that may already be in place. The use of human understanding and intelligence coupled with their "converged view" of networks gives Mosaic451 the unique ability to empower security analysts to provide advanced data analysis and determine threat vectors, threat actors, and intelligent root causes for every incident.

The MSP500 list will be featured in the February 2017 issue of CRN and online at www.CRN.com/msp500.

Learn more about Mosaic451 Hybrid at www.mosaic451.com.

About Mosaic451

Headquartered in Arizona, Mosaic451 is a bespoke cyber security service provider and consultancy with expertise in building, operating and defending some of the most highly-secure networks in North America. Its Mosaic Hybrid is an industry first solution, providing monitoring service through its operations centers as well as specialized staff onsite during business hours to work alongside clients' in house technology and security staff. This hybrid model gives Mosaic451 the unique ability to empower security analysts to provide advanced data analysis and determine threat vectors, threat actors, and intelligent root causes for every incident. Mosaic451 aggregates and empowers intelligent humans in the service of information security and IT operations excellence for our clients.

For more information, visit www.mosaic451.com.

Media Contact: Lisa Wang, [email protected], 1-888-317-4687 ext. 703

SOURCE Mosaic451

Related Links

http://www.mosaic451.com


ST. LOUIS, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- For the eighth consecutive year, FleishmanHillard has been named to the "Top Companies for Executive Women" list by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE). The honor, which will appear in the February/March issue of Working Mother magazine, highlights organizations whose policies and practices encourage the advancement of women's careers. Results are based on factors such as succession planning, profit-and-loss roles, gender pay parity, support programs and work-life balance.

"FleishmanHillard has a long record of building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we're honored to be included in this prestigious list," said John Saunders, FleishmanHillard president and CEO. "We believe that the rich diversity of our team is critical to our business success, and we're continuously challenging ourselves to provide an inspiring and motivating work environment."

The recognition is especially inspiring as the firm celebrates its 70th anniversary with FH4Inclusion, a global initiative that includes a commitment of $2 million in pro bono services dedicated to social inclusion causes during its anniversary year.

"Many of our local offices chose FH4Inclusion projects that champion women," said Lisa Moehlenkamp, FleishmanHillard chief of staff. "From providing a university education to females in Hong Kong to mentoring women studying marketing and public relations in Russia to supporting the Big Sister organization in Boston, our teams are helping blaze new trails for women around the world."

While many factors are weighed to determine the companies that appear on NAFE's list, a few of the reasons for FleishmanHillard's continued recognition include:

Women make up 66 percent of the firm's global workforce.

72 percent of employees promoted last year were women, many of them into management or senior management positions.

Women oversee several of the firm's global regions, including Asia Pacific and the U.S. Central and Southwest regions.

and the U.S. Central and Southwest regions. Women hold the following executive leadership roles: chief of staff, chief information officer, general counsel and chief business development officer.

Women were appointed to 12 of the 20 seats in our leadership cabinet.

"NAFE honors FleishmanHillard for its long track record of advancing women," says Dr. Betty Spence, NAFE president. "The company stands out for promoting client-facing women in key roles and for having a cabinet with women filling more than half the seats."

NAFE was founded in 1972 and serves 20,000 members nationwide with networking, tools and solutions to strengthen and grow their careers and businesses. Working Mother magazine publishes the annual NAFE Top Companies list. NAFE.com provides up-to-date information, a community for women in business, and access to member benefits. NAFE is a division of Working Mother Media, owned by the Bonnier Corporation.

About FleishmanHillard

FleishmanHillard specializes in public relations, reputation management, public affairs, brand marketing, digital strategy, social engagement and content strategy. FleishmanHillard was named PRWeek's 2014 Global Agency of the Year and 2014 Asia Pacific Network of the Year, "Standout Agency" on Advertising Age's 2013 A-List; NAFE's "Top 50 Companies for Executive Women" for 2010-2017; and among PRWeek's 2013 "Best Places to Work." The firm's award-winning work is widely heralded, including at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity. FleishmanHillard is part of Omnicom Public Relations Group, and has more than 85 offices in 30 countries, plus affiliates in 43 countries. Visit us at www.fleishmanhillard.com.

About Omnicom Public Relations Group

Omnicom Public Relations Group is a global collective of three of the top global public relations agencies worldwide and specialist agencies in areas including public affairs, marketing to women, fashion, global health strategy and corporate social responsibility. It encompasses more than 6,000 public relations professionals in more than 330 offices worldwide who provide their expertise to companies, government agencies, NGOs and nonprofits across a wide range of industries. Omnicom Public Relations Group is part of the DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. that includes more than 200 companies in a wide range of marketing disciplines including advertising, public relations, healthcare, customer relationship management, events, promotional marketing, branding and research.

SOURCE FleishmanHillard

Related Links

http://www.fleishmanhillard.com


When Sotheby's International Realty Inc. purchased Martha Turner Properties in 2014, the acquisition left Christie's International Real Estate looking for a new Houston affiliate for the first time in almost two decades. As fans of the city's economy and thriving art scene, Christie's waited years to make sure their next affiliate would be the right fit. They believe they found that in Nan and Company Properties.

"Nancy Almodovar has rocketed to Top Producer in the market and has assembled a dynamic team with customer care its core value," said Rick Moeser, executive director of Christie's International Real Estate. "I recently visited their offices, which emanate a contemporary and high-tech vibe, without losing that all important personal relationship."

Under Christie's reputable brand, Nan and Company Properties will be able to advertise its listings on Christie's international platform, magazine, website and in leading periodicals like The Wall Street Journal. They are also invited to join Christie's in conferences and training alongside the company's other 135 global affiliates.

"Our affiliation with Christie's will further extend our reach globally and locally to best serve the Houston market," Almodovar said. "Words cannot accurately express how excited I am for this new venture. My team and I have worked incredibly hard to get here."

About Nan and Company Properties

Nan and Company Properties has become the industry leader in servicing the luxury market as well as foreign national clientele. The technology-driven real estate company provides top-notch customer service to clients buying, selling or leasing luxury properties while presenting sales associates with the support and technology to succeed. For more information, visit www.nanproperties.com

About Christie's International Real Estate

Christie's International Real Estate is an invitation-only affiliate network composed of the world's most proven and qualified real estate specialists in the luxury residential sector. The company has offices in London, New York, Hong Kong, Moscow, Los Angeles, and Palm Beach, and approximately 135 global affiliates with 31,000 real estate professionals in 45 countries. For more information, visit www.christiesrealestate.com

Media Contact: Nan and Company Properties, 713-714-6454, [email protected]

SOURCE Nan and Company Properties

Related Links

http://www.nanproperties.com


WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement on SpaceX's announcement Monday about a private space mission around the moon:

"NASA commends its industry partners for reaching higher.

"We will work closely with SpaceX to ensure it safely meets the contractual obligations to return the launch of astronauts to U.S. soil and continue to successfully deliver supplies to the International Space Station.

"For more than a decade, NASA has invested in private industry to develop capabilities for the American people and seed commercial innovation to advance humanity's future in space.

"NASA is changing the way it does business through its commercial partnerships to help build a strong American space economy and free the agency to focus on developing the next-generation rocket, spacecraft and systems to go beyond the moon and sustain deep space exploration."

SOURCE NASA

Related Links

http://www.nasa.gov


LOS ANGELES, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cult brand favorite, Nasty Gal, Inc. (www.nastygal.com) will live on under new leadership, with the finalization of the sale to the boohoo group. A core team of original employees will be based out of LA, to ensure the DNA of the brand is retained.

Nasty Gal has become synonymous for offering an extremely distinctive style of product, and its loyal customer base and unique brand identity naturally complements boohoo and Pretty Little Thing. It brings something different to the customer, while creating increased global opportunities for growth. Nasty Gal will continue to offer a range of clothing, shoes and accessories under its own label, with plans to design exclusive collections later this year.

The internal teams across the boohoo group including - LA/NY/London and Manchester will be joining together today to celebrate.

"We are thrilled to have Nasty Gal as part of our family, and are excited by the opportunity to expand the company into international markets. This is a distinctive brand with a fiercely loyal customer base, and we are committed to preserving that as we move forward into a new chapter." boohoo Group Joint CEO and interim CEO for Nasty Gal, Carol Kane

About Nasty Gal

Nasty Gal was founded in 2006 and is based in Los Angeles. Nasty Gal today is recognized as a pioneer in both the curation and design of women's clothing, shoes, and accessories. The Company has a global presence in 180 countries and a social media following of over 3.5 million. For more information, visit the website at www.nastygal.com.

boohoo.com plc, a leading online fashion retail group

boohoo, boohooMAN and PrettyLittleThing, design, source, market & sell clothing, shoes and accessories in the UK and internationally. The Group has a strong presence in the UK, US, Ireland and Australia, and sells products to over 200 countries.

boohoo.com and boohooMAN.com are lifestyle driven, online destinations for young, fashion conscious women and men, offering customers access to the latest, on-trend fashions across a range of boohoo branded, value orientated products, sold through aspirational imagery. Founded in 2006, boohoo.com has grown rapidly, developing a brand identity and an international online proposition.

Founded in 2012, PrettyLittleThing.com originated as an accessories only website and has since grown into a forward-thinking fashion brand offering affordable style to female consumers across the globe, taking inspiration from the catwalk, celebrities, and influencers.

SOURCE Nasty Gal

Related Links

http://www.nastygal.com


PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This year, the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) celebrates 50 years of patient support, advocacy, research funding, education and outreach to the more than 8 million individuals living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Originally formed in 1966 as The Psoriasis Society of Oregon, and officially becoming the National Psoriasis Foundation in 1967, its mission is focused on driving efforts to cure psoriatic disease and dramatically improving the lives of those affected.

Throughout its first 50 years, NPF has made significant contributions in advancing the research of life-changing treatments that have helped millions of people. From the tar-based procedures and topical creams to the revolutionary biologic treatments that exist today, NPF has always supported innovative approaches to treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. While these achievements are to be celebrated, there is still much work to be done to improve access to treatments and, ultimately, to find a cure.

"We have only scratched the surface of what could be possible in treatingand ultimately curingpsoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Advancements in psoriatic disease research are happening all the time, and NPF remains committed to funding this research while offering programs and services that support even more patients," said Dr. Colby Evans, M.D., National Psoriasis Foundation board chair. "I am honored to be associated with an organization that has always been at the forefront of driving efforts to find a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis."

NPF has achieved many milestones over the past 50 years, including securing for the first time ever, line-item funding in a federal budget for skin disease research, successfully lobbying the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for the approval of methotrexate for the treatment of severe psoriasis and opening the world's first support center providing free personalized assistance for people with psoriatic disease. Most recently, members of the NPF Medical Board issued the first paper in the United States that outlines psoriasis treatment targets and goals for individuals and health care providers to work on together to achieve clear skin and ultimately reduce the burden of the disease.

"NPF has been a pioneer in supporting research efforts that have led to the groundbreaking treatments used today," said Randy Beranek, president and CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation. "During our 50th year, we are excited to recognize the people and milestones that have contributed so much to the psoriatic disease community, and remain committed to supporting research efforts towards finding a cure and dramatically improving the health outcomes of all affected by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis."

In remaining true to its mission, the theme of the NPF 50th Year Celebration is "Driving Discovery, Creating Community." This allows the Foundation to celebrate the achievements of the past 50 years and to recognize the individuals and milestones that have made significant contributions to the psoriatic disease community. To recognize its 50th year, NPF will be holding events throughout the year, starting with a formal celebration on June 8, 2017, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, and followed by the National Volunteer Conference and Research Symposium August 4  6, 2017 in Chicago, IL, as well as various TeamNPF events across the country.

During this year of celebration, NPF is committed to raising $2 million to fund several promising areas of research and programing, specifically early career research. Supporting the NPF 50th year campaign will ensure that researchers studying psoriatic disease will have the resources needed to turn their questions and theories into a cure.

To learn more about the NPF 50th Year Celebration and how to get involved, visit: https://www.psoriasis.org/NPF50th.

Over the last 50 years, the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) has become the world's leading nonprofit patient advocacy organization fighting for individuals with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. NPF leads this fight by driving efforts for a cure and improving the lives of the more than 8 million Americans affected by this chronic disease. To date, NPF has funded more than $15 million in research grants and fellowships, and to commemorate 50 years, NPF plans to raise an additional $2 million for early scientific career research programs in 2017 alone. Each year, NPF strives to support, educate and advocate on behalf of more individuals living with or caring for someone with the disease than ever before. As part of that effort, NPF established the Patient Navigation Center to offer personalized assistance to everyone with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Join our community today and help drive discovery and create community for all living with psoriatic disease.

SOURCE National Psoriasis Foundation

Related Links

http://www.psoriasis.org


MILWAUKEE, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A truly remarkable career goes beyond work in the office, which is why Northwestern Mutual recognizes its financial professionals who invest in improving their communities through volunteerism. Through its Foundation, Northwestern Mutual is honoring the commitment of these individuals through its annual Community Service Awards program. The company will celebrate these dedicated volunteers with $295,000 in grants.

Twelve financial professionals across the nation have each been awarded a $15,000 grant to benefit a nonprofit for serving on a board or volunteering their time.

grant to benefit a nonprofit for serving on a board or volunteering their time. An additional winner in each of the four regions has been recognized as Most Exceptional and has received $25,000 for his or her organization.

and has received for his or her organization. Three of this year's winners are receiving an additional $5,000 for volunteering with an organization focused on childhood cancer given its alignment to the company's national philanthropic cause.

For an introduction to this year's Most Exceptional winners, watch their stories on YouTube: Chad Greer , Fred O'Connor , Nicholas Stamboulis , Scott Cohen .

"I'm proud of the time, passion and commitment our financial professionals dedicate to bettering their communities," said Eric Christophersen, president, Northwestern Mutual Foundation. "It's clear that when we come together, we can accomplish anything we set out to do. Our Community Service Awards program shines a light on a group of inspirational individuals who know what it means to genuinely make a difference."

Since 1995, the Foundation has donated more than $5 million to nonprofits on behalf of its financial professionals. This year's Community Service Award winners were announced at the company's regional sales meetings, with grants presented to nonprofits at local events throughout the country.

2017 Northwestern Mutual Community Service Award Winners

Most Exceptional Winners Name Organization Office Location Chad Greer, CLU Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee Nashville, Tennessee Fred O'Connor, CFP, RICP ChFC, AEP, CLU, CLTC Big Shoulders Fund Northbrook, Illinois Nicholas Stamboulis Lea's Foundation for Leukemia Research West Hartford, Connecticut Scott Cohen, CFP, CLU Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California (Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times) Los Angeles, California Outstanding Winners Name Organization Office Location Bill Hunkler, CLU, ChFC Barnesville St. Vincent De Paul Barnesville, Ohio Dimitrios Kiniris, CLU, ChFC Junior Achievement of Sacramento Sacramento, California Drew Besonson Orchards Children's Services Troy, Michigan Douglas Moffat Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation Ann Arbor, Michigan Garry Burry, CLTC WHAS Crusade for Children Louisville, Kentucky Jonathan Romero, Jr. Parkinson's Disease Foundation New York, New York Kristin Sheppard Guide Dogs for the Blind San Francisco, California Nate Fikse, CLU, CLF Boys Town California Newport Beach, California Richard Woo, CLU, CFP GRIP Outreach for Youth Chicago, Illinois Stephen Grant, CLU Chris and Kelly's HOPE Foundation Greenville, South Carolina Stephen Owings, CFP, ChFC, CLU Road Safe America Atlanta, Georgia Trevor Garlock, CLU The Foundation for Community Betterment Watertown, New York

About Northwestern Mutual Foundation

The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $300 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company's employees and financial representatives live and work. We accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Our efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination.

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping families and businesses achieve financial security for 160 years. Our financial representatives build relationships with clients through a distinctive planning approach that integrates risk management with wealth accumulation, preservation and distribution. With $250.4 billion in assets, $28.2 billion in revenues, and more than $1.6 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than 4.4 million people who rely on us for insurance and investment solutions, including life, disability income and long-term care insurance; annuities; trust services; mutual funds; and investment advisory products and services. Northwestern Mutual ranks 100 on the 2016 FORTUNE 500, and is recognized by FORTUNE as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2016.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries offer a comprehensive approach to financial security solutions including: life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, annuities, life insurance with long-term care benefits, investment products, and advisory products and services. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (securities), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (NMWMC) (fiduciary and fee-based financial planning services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance).

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual

Related Links

http://www.northwesternmutual.com


PANDRUP, Denmark, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- OpenLedger's Apptrade, the platform creating "Kickstarter for Apps on the Blockchain", has announced its Initial Token Offering (ITO) to take place today, on February 28 2017.

Bitcoin PR Buzz

Powered by the digital token APPX, Apptrade creates portfolios, or groups of apps, where if one of those apps becomes the next Instagram or Angry Birds, then the value of the whole portfolio rises. Each app portfolio is designed to ensure that every app included within it is supporting all the others through regularly scheduled updates, highly visible cross promotion, and a high standard of quality. Daniel Pineda, founder of Apptrade LLC clarifies,

"With the transparency and security of OpenLedger, Apptrade can fully embrace this new form of collaborative marketing and funding. If one or a few of the brands go viral and become hits, it should put eyes on the rest of the brands in the group. Our mission is to improve access to value for content creators worldwide."

App creators can launch a portfolio of their own, or join an existing portfolio, raising awareness and revenue for their applications. Apptrade will bring a diverse group of app developers together to create a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Apptrade also provides a set of market analytics tools to help sponsors analyze trends, including the portfolio's economic trajectory, hence guiding them to make an informed decision on where to place their funds. Ronny Boesing, the CEO of OpenLedger explains,

"Apptrade is the most intelligent way to buy, sell and invest in apps thanks to the tools provided enabling the VC to look at SEO and social data when doing acquisitions. To be able to invest in many apps at once and have all the compliance and tracking done automatically is simply amazing. It is the essence of innovation on the blockchain and will attract brokers worldwide."

The US-based company Apptrade LLC is part of OpenLedger Decentralized Conglomerate (DC), the world's first blockchain powered conglomerate to allow multiple platforms to benefit from cross-promotion throughout its entire network. Apptrade will be offered as a platform on OpenLedger, and create its own Denmark based company, ApptradeApS. Ronny Boesing continued saying,

"Apptrade's venture is an innovation in investment finance, one that could have fascinating results for the future of fundraising in general. As crowdsales and ITOs have transformed cryptocurrency investing, Apptrade FPOs and digitally shared reserves will transform the app investment market in a spectacular fashion."

OpenLedger's Apptrade ITO will enable the platform to raise required funds for further development; marketing, legal and promotional activities. Following the ITO, the platform will start issuing master tokens three times a year based on the demand. BitcoinIRA.com, the world's first bitcoin-based retirement investment company that also published a Bitcoin Investors Guide last year has posted a reader-friendly breakdown of the Apptrade ITO on their website.

Investors, or sponsors, who wish to invest in a portfolio's success will receive exclusive access to revenue sharing opportunities whilst diversifying risk. When linked, a portfolio of apps has the potential to become a robust asset. The app portfolio marketplace exists on OpenLedger DEX where all activity is recorded on a public ledger. Sponsors gains access to the cash flow generated from app revenues by owning APPX tokens. The collaboration between Apptrade and OpenLedger is mutually beneficial, and investors can benefit from both platforms simultaneously.

Participate in the Apptrade ITO here  https://ito.apptrade.io/

To learn more about Apptrade please visit  https://www.apptrade.io

Watch Apptrade on YouTube  https://youtu.be/ONdsuOvzqDk

Watch Apptrade's interview on Blocktalk  https://youtu.be/7R5bvj5POxQ

Learn more about OpenLedger at  http://openledger.info

Go directly to OpenLedger exchange the DEX  https://openledger.io

Media Contact

Contact Name: Ronny Boesing

Contact Email: [email protected]

Phone: +45 42 70 77 70

OpenLedger is the source of this content. Virtual currency is not legal tender, is not backed by the government, and accounts and value balances are not subject to consumer protections. This press release is for informational purposes only. The information does not constitute investment advice or an offer to invest.

Related Links

Bitcoin PR Buzz

Apptrade ITO

Related Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-A1cY7OV2c

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE Apptrade

Related Links

https://www.apptrade.io


SALEM, Ore., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vote-by-mail pioneer Oregon has added a powerful election system option for counties wanting to replace aging systems. After rigorous testing, the Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division certified the second major release of the Verity Voting system from Hart InterCivic, which has served Oregon jurisdictions for a decade.

"Hart appreciates the state's confidence in Verity. We have an ongoing commitment to bringing innovative, efficient and transparent by-mail solutions to Oregon," said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic.

Election managers know Verity for its speedy, scalable central scanning of by-mail ballots. The new certification means that Verity's newest version meets all state requirements to ensure fair, fast and accurate elections. Verity is a proven system already in use in eight states. The newly certified enhancements include more efficient paper ballot generation and expanded reporting capabilities.

"We have current partnerships with Clackamas, Curry, Marion and Yamhill counties and look forward to working with more local jurisdictions as our presence in the Northwest expands," Braithwaite said. In addition to these Oregon counties, Hart InterCivic serves most of Washington State and portions of Idaho, including Ada County, home of Boise.

Verity Voting's first release was certified by the federal Election Assistance Commission in May 2015. Existing Verity users and new customers will benefit not only from the newly certified products in the Verity family, but from features tailored to mail-in voting needs.

Verity Central is a scalable high-speed scanning system for by-mail ballots. Verity's modular, convertible design protects customers' investments by delivering a longer product lifecycle and flexibility to adapt to future needs.

Verity also offers modern software that sets new standards for clarity and usability: Verity Build for ballot definition and Verity Count for tabulation, reporting and auditing. Designed with an approachable, plain language style, Verity software enhances productivity and improves the voting experience.

For more information on the Verity Voting system, please visit www.hartintercivic.com/verityoverview.

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. Hart's mission fuels passionate customer focus and a continuous drive for technological innovation. The new Verity Voting system makes voting more straightforward, equitable and accessibleand ensures that managing elections is more transparent, more efficient and easier.

SOURCE Hart InterCivic

Related Links

http://www.hartintercivic.com


ATLANTA, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Park 'N Fly, the nation's leader in off-airport parking, celebrates 50 years of business this year. With facilities in 14 major markets, over 80 affiliate markets, and over 900 international affiliates, Park 'N Fly offers competitive rates, convenience, and world-class service.

Founded in 1967 in St. Louis, Missouri, Park 'N Fly was later acquired by the BCD Group in 1988 when they moved operations to Atlanta, Georgia. Headquartered out of Atlanta today, the company also has two facilities just minutes away from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Park 'N Fly and Park 'N Fly Plus.

All of the Park 'N Fly's facilities include 24/7 access, luggage assistance, and complimentary bottled water, the two Atlanta locations offer additional amenities. Park 'N Fly Atlanta offers FREE car washes for all of their customers and preferred parking spaces for their Frequent Parker members, while Park 'N Fly Plus offers valet and covered parking, pet boarding, international terminal drop-off and pick-up, plus so much more.

"Celebrating 50 years in business marks an exciting milestone for our company," says Tony Paalz, CEO of Park 'N Fly. "A key element of Park 'N Fly's success, and one that we are very proud of, is our long and enduring relationship with our customers."

Park 'N Fly offers online reservations at all of their facilities and affiliates nationwide, and recently added a global booking engine for their international affiliates. Customers can also apply discounts and redeem award days online earned through the Frequent Parker Program, which can be used at any of the Park 'N Fly facilities.

To commemorate Park 'N Fly's golden anniversary, the company will be launching a new responsive website, as well as, an updated mobile app that will make the booking process even easier and more manageable for account access. Park 'N Fly will be celebrating throughout the year with team members at all facilities nationwide.

About Park 'N Fly

Park 'N Fly, a BCD Holdings N.V. Company, was founded in 1967 as the first off-airport parking company specifically geared toward the business traveler. Today Park 'N Fly operates 15 facilities in 14 markets nationwide. Additionally, Park 'N Fly offers a network of off-airport parking services at over 80 US markets through its internet-based reservation system at PNF.com. Park 'N Fly's goal is to make customers' lives easier by providing more than just parking. The company offers an array of unique services, including car washing & detailing, pet boarding with Pet Paradise Resort, electric car-charging stations and valet parking. These service offerings and outstanding customer service make Park 'N Fly the first choice in airport parking. For more information, visit www.pnf.com.

About BCD Group

BCD Group is a market leader in the travel industry. The privately-owned company was founded in 1975 by John Fentener Van Vlissingen and consists of BCD Travel (global corporate travel management), Travix (online travel: CheapTickets, Vliegwinkel, BudgetAir, Flugladen and Vayama), Park 'N Fly (off-airport parking) and joint ventures Parkmobile International (mobile parking applications) and AERTrade International (consolidating and fulfillment). BCD Group employs over 12,500 people and operates in 110 countries with total sales of US $25.6 billion, including US $10 billion partner sales. For more information, visit www.bcdgroup.com.

Media Contact:

Anne Kozel

Director of Marketing

404.364.8157

[email protected]

SOURCE Park 'N Fly

Related Links

http://www.pnf.com


BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Unit 2 of the Edwin I. Hatch Electric Generating Plant near Baxley, Georgia, has safely resumed generating electricity following completion of a scheduled refueling and maintenance outage, setting a record of just 21 days and two hours for both the plant and the Southern Nuclear fleet.

Plant operators safely took the unit offline Feb. 6 at midnight ET. Electricity generation resumed Monday, Feb. 27, at 2:09 a.m. ET.

In addition to refueling the reactor and performing regular maintenance and testing, workers made upgrades to plant systems and components to enhance efficiency and reliability.

"Safety is our top priority, and our team is to be commended for completing this outage safely, efficiently and in record time," said Plant Hatch Vice President David Vineyard. "The work we perform during our outages is a significant investment in our facility. Unit 2 is positioned not just for the next 24 months, but for years of continued safe and reliable electricity production."

Employees from across the Southern Nuclear fleet assisted Hatch's staff of more than 900 in the refueling effort. Approximately 800 additional workers from General Electric, Day and Zimmerman and other partners performed specialized tasks. These supplemental workers also provided economic stimulus to surrounding communities during their stay in the area.

The last refueling outage for Unit 2 was completed in spring 2015. Hatch Unit 1 continued to safely generate electricity while Unit 2 was offline for the refueling.

About Southern Nuclear:

Southern Nuclear, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is a leader among the nation's nuclear energy facility operators and an innovator in advanced nuclear technologies. Southern Nuclear is an essential part of Southern Company's energy portfolio, and its importance will continue to grow as America transitions to a low-carbon energy future. While the company produces clean, safe and reliable nuclear energy, it's also an economic engine powered by quality jobs and community service. Southern Nuclear operates a total of six units for Alabama Power and Georgia Power at the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant near Dothan, Ala.; the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant near Baxley, Ga.; and the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant near Waynesboro, Ga. Southern Nuclear is the licensee of two new nuclear units currently under construction at Plant Vogtle that are among the first nuclear units being constructed in the United States in more than 30 years. Southern Nuclear received numerous accolades in 2016 for leadership in the advancement of nuclear energy including the Special Achievement Award by the United States Nuclear Infrastructure Council and the Presidential Citation by the American Nuclear Society. Southern Nuclear also received two of the Nuclear Energy Institute's Top Innovative Practice awards and special recognition for achieving excellence in research and performance. Southern Nuclear's Plant Hatch received the ANS Operations & Power Division's Utility Achievement Award for plant improvements that resulted in a record-setting refueling outage duration. The company's headquarters is in Birmingham, Ala.

Twitter: @SouthernNuclear; Facebook: facebook.com/southernnuclear; www.southernnuclear.com

About Southern Company:

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is America's premier energy company, with 44,000 MW of generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million electric and gas utility customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric utilities in four states, natural gas distribution utilities in seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are inventing America's energy future by developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21st century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating new products and services for the benefit of customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and commitment to nuclear development and is continually ranked among the top utilities in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

SOURCE Southern Company

Related Links

http://www.southerncompany.com


The transaction marks Platinum's fourth consecutive auction sale in the world famous horse community, thus extending its flawless performance record there. To date, Platinum has sold and closed three other Wellington properties, including Two Swans Farm ($6.9 million), Wild Orchid Stables ($4.325 million), and a residential home in the area's Polo Club enclave ($2.365 million).

Although Wellington has become a haven for business moguls and celebrities with equestrian interests, the upper tier of its property market is experiencing a noticeable slowdown. "What is perhaps most significant about this sale is that year-to-date, it's the only multimillion-dollar horse property in Wellington that is pending," noted David Enriquez, Platinum's vice president of operations. "Purchase activity is typically very strong during the first few months of each year due to the Winter Equestrian Festival, but per our research of the Palm Beach County property records and the Multiple Listing Service, only one other Wellington property is currently pending sale above the $4m mark, and it's a non-farm, single-family home."

Enriquez added that there are currently 77 listings in Wellington priced at $4 million or more, with approximately 66 of these listings being horse properties or farms. Within the past six months, only five properties have sold in Wellington at more than $4 million, all of which went under contract in 2016. This creates more than 7.5 years of high-priced inventory at the current sales pace.

"When many luxury property markets begin to enter a slow-down, there can be a period of 'market fog' wherein nothing is transacting and buyers and sellers don't really know where the market is," explained Trayor Lesnock, Platinum's president and founder. "This can lead to very protracted market adjustments, costing sellers excess time and money. Our luxury auction was able to cut through Wellington's market stagnation and find the seller a real cash buyer."

Lesnock added that the property's seller is, "an incredibly sharp businesswoman" who is selling the custom-built estate in order to spend more time in the northeastern U.S., where much of her business interests are centered. He noted that she was very complimentary of the auction process, in spite of the soft market.

The property's main residence offers nearly 6,400 sf of living space, with features that include an infinity-edge pool and spa, 1,400-bottle wine cellar, library, media room, office, fitness center, and a yoga studio. Additional amenities include a 3-vehicle garage, guest cottage, 12-stall barn with enclosed lounge and attached loggia, a 215-ft-by-125-ft riding arena, six paddocks, and a dedicated set of grooms' apartments.

Wellington, Florida has a well-established reputation as one of the world's most prominent equestrian marketplaces. The area is home to the world's longest-running horse show and competition - the Winter Equestrian Festival - which draws the Who's Who of the equestrian world to South Florida each year. The community boasts residents such as Bill Gates, the Jobs family, Tommy Lee Jones, Bruce Springsteen, and billionaire media mogul John Malone.

Additional information on the sale is available at WellingtonLuxuryAuction.com, or by calling Platinum's offices at 800.262.5132.

About Platinum Luxury Auctions

Platinum Luxury Auctions specializes in the non-distressed sale of multimillion-dollar properties within and beyond the United States. The Platinum team has closed more than $550 million in luxury real estate auction sales to date, while consulting on more than $1.85 billion in additional luxury properties worldwide. The firm is responsible for developing the luxury auction model for high-priced real estate auctions.

SOURCE Platinum Luxury Auctions

Related Links

http://www.platinumluxuryauctions.com


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Browse 65 market data Tables and 34 Figures spread through 146 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Population Health Management Market"

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The global population health management market is segmented on the basis of component, mode of delivery, end user, and region.

Based on component, the Population Health Management market is categorized into software and services. The software segment is expected to command the largest share of the global population health management market in 2016. PHM software includes web-based and cloud-based solutions. The advantage of these solutions is that the service provider maintains and upgrades the software and eliminates the buyer's responsibility of server support and maintenance, which enables the buyer to focus on their core business.

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On the basis of end user, the global population health management market is segmented into healthcare providers, healthcare payers, employer groups, and government bodies. In 2016, the healthcare providers segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the global population health management market. The large share of this segment is attributed to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program in the U.S. (which is aimed at lowering healthcare costs by making use of novel solutions such as population health management) as well as the high demand for PHM solutions among healthcare providers owing to various benefits offered by these solutions. The Medicare initiative to penalize hospitals for unnecessary readmissions is another factor contributing to the growth of this market segment.

On the basis of region, the global market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. In 2016, North America is poised to account for the largest share of the population health management market, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. However, the Asia-Pacific market is slated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Factors such as the implementation of a number of PHM programs to improve population health in Australia, growing medical tourism in Asia, rapidly growing healthcare industry in India, efforts taken to digitalize the healthcare system in China, investments and reforms to modernize China's healthcare infrastructure, and new outline by Japan's information and communication technology fund are driving the population health management market in the Asia-Pacific region.

The implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the U.S., government support for the prevention of diseases and adoption of HCIT, growth in geriatric population and the subsequent increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases, need for affordable treatment options due to the rising healthcare costs, and advancing IT and big data capabilities are expected to drive the growth of the market in the coming years.

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Cerner Corporation (U.S.), McKesson Corporation (U.S.), Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (U.S.), Healthagen, LLC. (U.S.), OptumHealth (U.S.), IBM Corporation (U.S.), Epic Corporation, Inc. (U.S.), Conifer Health Solutions, LLC (U.S.), Health Catalyst, LLC (U.S.), Wellcentive, Inc. (U.S.), i2i Population Health (U.S.), and Verscend Technologies, Inc. (U.S.) are some of the key players in the Population Health Management Market.

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Patient Engagement Solutions Market by Component (Hardware, Software & Services), Delivery mode (On-Premise, Web & Cloud), End User (Provider & Payer), Applications (Home Health, Financial Health), Therapeutic Area - Global Forecast to 2020

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LONDON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- meat is popular across the world and its consumption varies from region to region. New flavors and convenient products are boosting the processed meat market globally. The GCC processed meat market has been segmented by meat type, product type, package type, and region. In terms of meat type, the market has been segmented into lamb, beef, and poultry. In terms of product type, the processed meat market has been segmented into: chilled processed meat, frozen processed meat and others. Under the chilled processed meat segment, the market is further categorized into burgers, nuggets, and others. Others segment includes kebab, and meat balls among others. Frozen processed meat is further segregated into hot dogs, mortadella, salami and others. The others processed meat segment includes shelf stable meat products. In terms of packaging type, the processed meat market has been segmented into: retail package and bulk package.





Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4344760/





The research report on the GCC processed meat market offers detailed analysis of the processed meat products market in Qatar and rest of GCC and helps to understand the driving forces behind the popularity of this market. Under the scope of the report, detailed analysis of major segments and sub-segments of processed meat market for the Qatar and rest of GCC are provided for the historical years (2010-2014) and the next eight years (2016-2024). Moreover, the report includes in-depth analysis of the drivers, restraints, market trends, and future outlook of the industry. The strategies for stakeholders to succeed in the business have been comprehensively assessed in the report. It also provides an understanding of volume (million kg) and value (USD million) of processed meat consumption across GCC. The study highlights the current and future market trends, historical market (2010 to 2015), and provides forecast from 2016 to 2024.



In terms of meat type, poultry accounts for the largest market share across GCC. Frozen processed meat, especially poultry led in terms of growth in 2015 and is expected to maintain its leading position over the forecast period. In general, poultry consumption in Saudi Arabia is on the rise. Burgers, franks, nuggets, salami, and hot dogs are favorite lunch items amongst the growing young population. They are conveniently stored and easily prepared when needed. Thus, the market of processed meat is expected to grow over the forecast period.



In terms of product type, frozen processed meat type occupied the largest market share in the overall GCC processed meat market both in terms of revenue and volume in 2015. Processed meat sales are expected to be driven by frozen variants across all the countries in GCC. Chilled processed meat, on the other hand, does not enjoy the same variety, and these products also have a shorter life. For the processed meat market, the target segment is mainly foreign workers, who want to add some protein to their meals without spending too much money and time. Frozen processed meat product such as hot dogs, salami based packaged food products are very much popular among the younger generation across GCC. Another factor which is helping the processed meat market to grow in GCC countries mainly in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE is the busy life style of people over the years.



By country, the market has been segmented into Qatar and rest of GCC. This report helps distributors, suppliers and manufacturers to formulate strategies based on understanding of the trends in this market. Among the overall meat type segment, poultry is analyzed to be the most attractive segment for the processed meat market due to increasing health awareness among consumers in Qatar. Across the GCC, consumers are shifting from the consumption of red meat to poultry, as cholesterol content of red meat is high as compared to poultry. Growing popularity of processed meat based food products among the younger generation, and rising demand for organic food products, among others, are the major factors driving the processed meat market across GCC.



The leading brands which have the maximum market share in processed meat market across GCC include National Food Co. (Americana Meat), Al Islami Foods, Sunbulah Group, BRF S.A., Tyson Foods, Cargill Inc., Gulf Food Industries and Almunajem among others.

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4344760/



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The new solution, RealScout BrokerIQ, leverages the company's industry-leading listing alert and collaborative home search platform to generate insights about a brokerage's buyers, then uses this data to help brokers win more listings and close more in-house deals. RealScout BrokerIQ is now available to brokerages in major U.S. markets.

"RealScout has already given us an invaluable competitive advantage for our buyer agents, and we now have the ability to accelerate our growth on the listing side of our business as well," said Michael Mahon, president of First Team Real Estate. "We recognized early on the untapped potential from our pool of buyers. RealScout was the only solution we found that not only collects the buyer data we need from our buyer pool, but also makes those insights immediately actionable."

By using RealScout BrokerIQ's proprietary technology and data, brokers can compile lists of buyer agents with clients that are interested in their active or future listings. This can be used for powerful listing presentations with real-time demand insights and proactive deal-making within their brokerage. BrokerIQ also provides one-of-a-kind analyses about a brokerage's buyer demand data, helping with difficult situations such as negotiating price reductions with home sellers.

"BrokerIQ is a critical tool for brokers looking to defend and improve their competitive position in 2017 and well into the future," said RealScout Co-Founder and CEO Andrew Flachner. "Buyer data is an untapped asset that is unique to every brokerage, and BrokerIQ turns that unique asset into a powerful deal-maker and tangible differentiator."

Flachner reported that one leading brokerage in California had already used BrokerIQ to identify 580 buyer matches for its 130 listings. "Every buyer-listing match is a transaction opportunity that routinely gets overlooked today," he said. "RealScout is committed to uncovering opportunities like this for our brokerage customers, helping them better orchestrate their team, clients, and business."

Brokerages that adopt BrokerIQ also continue to enjoy the benefits of RealScout's popular agent-branded, collaborative home search and listing alert platform. Agents increase both the number and velocity of offers through the solution's computer-vision-powered home search platform, and its listing alerts deliver an industry leading 60 percent lead-engagement rate.

"We decided to partner with RealScout due to their powerful technology which doesn't only engage our buyers, but also collects valuable data for our listing agents, triggering a powerful 'feedback loop' in our business," said Tom Flanagan, vice president of technology for Northern California brokerage Alain Pinel Realtors. "RealScout BrokerIQ lets us leverage our buyer pool and unique data to give our agents and clients a true advantage."

About RealScout

RealScout solutions are designed to empower brokerages and agents to complete more deals, more profitably, while providing a superior consumer experience. RealScout is funded by DCM and Formation 8, and is a graduate of the NAR REach program. For more information, visit: www.RealScout.com.

SOURCE RealScout

Related Links

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NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The global rear axle market is expected to reach USD 57.77 billion by 2024, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The increasing concern over safety and security is anticipated to drive demand over the forecast period.

The increasing urbanization in the developed countries has led the consumers to seek alternatives to car ownership. Integrated mobility business and car-sharing has become the ongoing trend in the developed nations. The original equipment manufacturers are expected to diversify the product portfolio for offering services which include car-sharing to have a wider presence in all the diversified segments.

The increasing demand for value for money (VFM), which includes high mileage and fuel efficient products, is anticipated to catapult the vehicle industry. Developed markets, such as Europe and the U.S., represent the dominant share in the industry. Intense competition in the developed markets has led to a shift in the focus toward the emerging markets. Furthermore, the changing lifestyle, rise in disposable income, and stabilizing economic conditions have also led the emerging countries, such as India and China, to exhibit market growth.

The development of new technology, which includes connected cars, is a fully-digitized vehicle with advanced infotainment systems. Moreover, apps, Wi-Fi, and vehicle-to-vehicle communications have enhanced the basic safety such as position and speed, real-time location, and routing based on traffic conditions. Also, the development of smart cars, which provide a relinquishing control of vehicles with functions such as self-parking, self-braking, automatic accident avoidance features, automatic cruise control based on road conditions. The economic slowdown and falling stock prices have affected the sales of the automotive industry. China Association of Automobile Manufacturing (CAAM) confirmed a weaker growth of the sector as compared to that in 2014.

Further key findings from the study suggest:

In 2015, the drive axles segment accounted for over 40% of the overall revenue. Numerous interconnecting systems have been incorporated with the drive shaft to increase efficiency, control the movement, and power. With the engine power turning the axle to create movement, drive shafts are used in a broad spectrum of vehicles.

The economy vehicles segment is estimated to witness an enormous growth and is anticipated to reach over USD 22.0 billion by 2024. The demand is reflected in the shorter lead times in development, higher fuel economy, lower vehicle noise, and higher engine power. Rear axles used in these vehicles which offer better fuel consumption and lower noise levels.

The Asia Pacific rear axle market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2016 to 2024. Emerging countries, such as South Africa, India, and Malaysia, are expected to boost the overall industry demand. SA exhibited a significant growth under the motor industry development program. Economy vehicles are expected to dominate the overall market in context with the rear axle application.

Notable companies operating in the rear axle market include American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Dana Holding Corporation, Meritor, Inc., Daimler Trucks North America LLC, and ROC Spicer Ltd.

Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04717535-summary/view-report.html

About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

http://www.reportlinker.com

Contact Clare: [email protected]

US: (339)-368-6001

Intl: +1 339-368-6001

SOURCE Reportlinker

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BERLIN and BOSTON, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

relayr Completes the Acquisition of Neokami, an Artificial Intelligence Data Security Company

relayr, the global enterprise Internet-of-Things (IoT) platform provider, announces its second strategic acquisition within two months. On the heels of its recent acquisition of device management company Proximetry, relayr has now completed the acquisition of artificial intelligence data security company Neokami. The Neokami acquisition adds robust security to the relayr stack through machine learning and artificial intelligence, while the Proximetry acquisition strengthened their southbound device management capabilities.

Through Neokami, relayr becomes the first IoT platform provider in the market to invest significantly in securing their customer deployments. relayr is committed to addressing one of their customers' top concerns, security for IoT implementations, by ensuring that security features are built into their product stack from the ground up. Not only does the Neokami acquisition integrate excellent security, machine learning, and artificial intelligence capabilities to relayr's products, but also brings the exceptional talents of Neokami's team members to work with existing relayr partners.

"We can only be successful by keeping the success of our customers at the center of our strategy. The acquisition of Neokami, just as with Proximetry, is the result of relayr's deeply held commitment to listening to our customers and partners feedback and delivering the IoT solutions that they need most," says relayr CEO, Josef Brunner.

relayr, the quickly growing and dynamic company, will continue to invest in organic growth of Neokami's Munich operations, and plans to grow that location to 30 team members by the end of the year. Neokami's US presence will be merged with relayr's headquarters in Boston.

About relayr

relayr is a rapidly growing Enterprise IoT company, providing the enterprise middleware for the digital transformation of industries. As a thought leader in enterprise IoT, relayr develops sustainable IoT solutions, based on the OpenFog IoT reference architecture and it's own stack.

relayr addresses the central challenge of the Internet of Things, digitizing physical objects, with an end-to-end development solution consisting of an IoT cloud platform that communicates from Any-to-Any (any service, any software, any platform, any sensor); open source software development kits; and a team of IoT experts to support rapid prototyping and implementation.

Press Contact:

Jackson Bond

[email protected]

+49-(0)1792989866



SOURCE relayr
" 2016 was the best year we've had in residential real estate in 10 years," Liniger told a lively crowd of RE/MAX agents who traveled from as far as Argentina and New Zealand to attend the week-long convention to learn, network and exchange international referrals. " No one in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX and w e're the leader in the industry because of the quality of our agents and brokers in this room." 1

RE/MAX reaffirmed it is the #1 name in real estate,2 as 2016 was another dynamic year of achievement and success for the network:

Over 7,000 agents joined the RE/MAX network

U.S. agents averaged 16.7 transaction sides

RE/MAX has over 7,000 offices worldwide

The global franchisor sold over 900 franchises

"RE/MAX continues to offer the latest in technology and tools to our agents so they can be the best they can be," said Adam Contos, Chief Operating Officer at RE/MAX, LLC. "Remax.com was relaunched in 2016, with a modern responsive design and improved personalized features, and is now the most visited real estate franchisor website.3 RE/MAX is an industry leader because of our exceptional network of broker/owners and agents, outstanding technology initiatives and reputation of the brand."

Technology and how it can improve the productivity of agents will be a popular topic during this year's conference. RE/MAX is a leader in technology, providing RE/MAX Affiliates with the latest online tools and platforms they need to succeed.

Some of those tools include:

A single sign-on platform that provides agents free online leads, automated marketing, agent-to-agent referrals and training

A state-of-the-art lead generation system that provides online leads from remax.com as well as consolidating all of their online leads from other websites

Remax.com, which has provided over 17 million referral-fee free leads to RE/MAX agents since 2006, with 1.1 million leads delivered last year alone

The RE/MAX network is in more than 100 countries and territories and includes over 110,000 agents. Last year, RE/MAX added Norway, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Malaysia and Myanmar to its global footprint.

The four-day convention will also feature presentations from Caroline Adams Miller, Dave Ramsey, Erik Weihenmayer and Molly Fletcher. Dierks Bentley will bring the convention to a close with a private concert Thursday night.

Access RE/MAX R4 Convention Photos

About the RE/MAX Network:

RE/MAX was founded in 1973 by Dave and Gail Liniger, with an innovative, entrepreneurial culture affording its agents and franchisees the flexibility to operate their businesses with great independence. Over 110,000 agents provide RE/MAX a global reach in more than 100 countries and territories. Nobody sells more real estate than RE/MAX when measured by residential transaction sides. RE/MAX, LLC, one of the world's leading franchisors of real estate brokerage services, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RMCO, LLC, which is controlled and managed by RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RMAX). With a passion for the communities in which its agents live and work, RE/MAX is proud to have raised more than $150 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other charities. For more information about RE/MAX, to search home listings or find an agent in your community, please visit www.remax.com. For the latest news about RE/MAX, please visit www.remax.com/newsroom.

1 As measured by residential transactions closed.

2 MMR Strategy Group study of unaided brand awareness.

3 Source: Hitwise data, full-year 2016.

SOURCE RE/MAX, LLC

Related Links

http://www.remax.com


Fresh off the launch of its new Intera 5 software that can coordinate a work cell from a single Sawyer robot, Rethink Robotics is helping manufacturers across the globe improve automation and production tasks. This new partnership further expands Rethink Robotics' network of distributors, which also covers the U.K., Germany, France, Australia, China, Korea, Japan, Israel, Mexico and Australia.

"Spanish manufacturers are looking for ways to improve smart manufacturing initiatives and overall efficiency in their factories," said Francisco Lopez de Alda, CEO of the Aldakin Group. "With collaborative robots such as Rethink's Sawyer available in Spain, we can help these manufacturers better adapt to industry demands and pave the way to a more connected factory."

Aldakin Automation helps customers automate their production operations, helping manufacturers with design, installation and maintenance. Aldakin can now provide Rethink's smart, collaborative Sawyer robot to its customers, opening new opportunities to automate tasks that were never before possible.

"As the demand for Sawyer continues to grow, it is clear that manufacturers across the globe are placing more value on automation tools that can help them become more efficient in their factories," said Scott Eckert, president and CEO, Rethink Robotics. "Spain, like many countries around the world, is dealing with labor shortages, inflexible automation and changing market demands. Aldakin Automation is empowering manufacturers there to more effectively implement smart strategies with options like Sawyer."

Based in Alsasua, Aldakin Automation has been leading the development of automation and robotics for industrial processes in Spain since 2014. Aldakin Automation is part of Aldakin Group, founded in 1988. Aldakin Group was originally focused on electrical engineering, and in the last 25 years has expanded to automation and robotics. In 2015, the company created a separate division, Aldakin Automation, to focus on the developing automation and robotics business. Now, in 2017, Aldakin Automation launches Micobot.es to focus on this smart and collaborative technology developed by Rethink Robotics.

For more information, please visit rethinkrobotics.com.

About Rethink Robotics

Rethink Robotics is transforming the way manufacturing gets done, with smart, collaborative robots able to automate the 90 percent of tasks that until now, have been beyond the reach of traditional automation. Its Baxter and Sawyer robots, powered by the Intera software platform, adapt to real-world variability, can change applications quickly and perform tasks like people do. The result: manufacturers of all shapes, sizes and industries get the fast-to-deploy, easy-to-use and versatile automation solution they need to increase flexibility, lower cost and accelerate innovation.

Based in Boston, the Rethink product suite is available in Asia, Europe and North America. The company is funded by Bezos Expeditions, CRV, Highland Capital Partners, Sigma Partners, DFJ, GE Ventures and Goldman Sachs. For more information about Rethink Robotics, please visit www.rethinkrobotics.com and follows us on Twitter @RethinkRobotics.

Contact: Gil Haylon, 617-969-9192, [email protected]

SOURCE Rethink Robotics, Inc.
Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, dear Nebraska,

Happy Birthday to you!

Nebraska turns 150 tomorrow! Goodness how time flies! At her birth, our beloved state was filled with undeveloped prairies and wide open skies and now just look at her. Her land is filled with farms raising many different crops and beautiful cities and towns of all sizes. Her people are hard-working industrious folk who get up every morning and do their best to support their families by serving others as they do their jobs. They work on farms, in factories, offices, shops, hospitals, industries of all sorts, seats of government and homes where Nebraskan families dwell.

We really do have a lot to celebrate and a plan to do just that. The committee that has been busy planning all sorts of activities has listed many projects and events on their website, www.ne150.org.

Tomorrow will be a day of festivity at our State Capitol. If you want to travel 50 miles to the south for a great day of celebrating all things Nebraskan, March 1 is the day to do it. There is a full day of activities scheduled at the State Capitol at 1445 K Street in Lincoln.

Things kick off at 9:30 a.m. with the United Postal Service Dedication Ceremony for the Nebraska Statehood Forever Stamp. At 10:30 a.m. there will be actors telling the stories of Willa Cather, Chief Standing Bear and Buffalo Bill Cody. These portrayals will be followed by musical offerings by Nebraska High School Students. You can then see a Pony Express delivery to the capitol. After lunch, beginning at 2 p.m. there will be an Official Statehood Day Ceremony at the George W. Norris Legislative Chamber.

The website warns that seating at the State Capitol is very limited and it is recommended you arrive very early for the days events. There will be overflow seating in the Rotunda and Warner Chamber for the Official Ceremony. This ceremony will also be live streamed at netnebraska.org so you can watch it from the comfort of your home. That will be how I take part in the ceremony.

Ive been looking for recipes to celebrate Nebraskas birthday and I remembered I had a copy of a cookbook from The Nebraska Events Association entitled Event-Full Recipes Nebraska  Featuring Recipes from the States Festivals and Events. This publication from 1996 is chockfull of great dishes submitted by those who organize festivals throughout the state, government officials and those who serve in many other capacities.

As I perused it for ideas to share with you in honor of our states birthday, I found several surprises. My favorite old-yet-new-to-me recipe from this volume is from the mother of a good friend of mine, Bev Goodwin. Senator Bob Kerrey submitted this recipe that he said he is always happy to enjoy from Bevs mom, Melba. Senator Kerrey is a good friend of Bevs dad who worked with him on agricultural issues and was a guest at their home many times. When I saw the recipe I knew Glock was Bevs last name and I knew her father worked with Senator Kerrey. I called to confirm my suspicions and I was right  Melba Glock is her mom and this is her Oatmeal Cake recipe. I share it with you with the thought that it just may be the perfect birthday cake for our State as it turns 150!

Another recipe from Event-Full Recipes from Nebraska is from Mary Hendrickson representing the May Museum! Her recipe for Corn Chowder is perfect for a birthday luncheon celebrating a state that grows corn by the bushel.

Melbas Oatmeal Cake

1 1/2 cup boiling water

1 cup quick-cooking oats

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup margarine, softened

2 eggs

1 1/4 cups sifted flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup flaked coconut

1/2 cup sugar

6 tablespoons margarine

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup light cream

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pour the boiling water over the oats in a bowl and mix well. Beat 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup sugar, and one-half cup margarine in a mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in the eggs until blended. Add the oat mixture and mix well. Stir in a sifted mixture of the flour, baking soda, nutmeg, salt and cinnamon. Spoon into a greased 9-inch-by-13-inch-by-2-inch pan. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the cake tests done. Let stand until cool. Combine the walnuts, coconut, one-half cup sugar, 6 tablespoons margarine, one-fourth cup brown sugar, and light cream, in a saucepan. Cook until bubbly, stirring constantly. Stir in the vanilla. Spread over the baked layer. Broil for 5 minutes or until golden brown.

Corn Chowder

5 medium potatoes cut in small chunks

1 onion, chopped

2 packages sausage links

2 cans (16 ounces each) whole corn

1 can (16-ounce) cream corn

1 tall can evaporated milk

Poultry seasoning to taste, or thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

Brown sausage and onion. Pour off grease except for 1 tablespoon. Add potato chunks. Cover with water 2 inches above potatoes. Cook until potatoes are tender. Add cream of corn, corn, salt, pepper and seasoning to your taste, heat until hot. Add evaporated milk.

Quote of the Week: Our 150th birthday presents a unique opportunity in time to honor our heritage, celebrate our growth and plan for our future.  ne150 website
MIAMI, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Rogue Lifestyle, an exclusive luxury lifestyle management & concierge service offering limo, yacht and jet rentals, announces the opening of its first office located in Miami, Florida with a cocktail reception for the hotel industry followed by the official celebratory launch party.

"We're set to give South Florida the modern & sophisticated transportation service but without comprising the quality of luxury," said Jagr Enriquez, Managing Partner at Rogue Lifestyle.

The Rogue team is readily available around-the-clock to assist each client with all their luxury transportation needs. Charter services offered include lavish limos, yachts and jets for countless types of events including, but not limited to:

Corporate Events

Social Gatherings

Birthday Celebrations

Engagement Parties

Group Excursions

VIP's & Dignitaries

Movies & Live Concerts

EVENT DETAILS

Friday April 28th 2017 from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Exclusive cocktail reception for South Florida hotel concierges

Location: Hilton Bentley South Beach at 101 Ocean Drive  Miami Beach, Fl 33139 (RSVP & Concierge Business Card Required) 786.610.8247

Friday April 28th 2017 from 8:30 PM: The official launch party for friends, partners and family.

Location: Epic Hotel at 270 Biscayne Boulevard  Miami, Fl 33131 (RSVP Required) 786.610.8247

ABOUT ROGUE LIFESTYLE

Rogue Lifestyle is a luxury concierge service provider serving the South Florida market and those arriving from other cities & countries. Rogue offers high quality transportation of vehicles, nautical, & aircraft.

The Rogue Lifestyle brand is simply about the details. The additional experiences we provide that make it unforgettable. We customize and tailor experiences for every client.

Today's complex and intricately-woven digital world is filled with companies that are vying for the attention of consumers in an increasingly-crowded space. But our luxury segment clients and one-percenters comfortably rely on the quality of our work. Our clients are accustomed to getting what they want and when they want it. For them and for you, there is Rogue Lifestyle.

To learn more, visit www.roguelifestyle.com, Facebook or Twitter.

Media contact:

Whilly Bermudez - Vice President of Marketing & Hospitality, (305) 467-6483 or [email protected]

SOURCE Rogue Lifestyle & Hospitality

Related Links

http://roguelifestyle.com


LONDON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- "Increasing need for building thermal management is driving the roofing chemicals market"

The global roofing chemicals market is projected to reach USD 106.83 billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2016 to 2021. The growing need for building thermal management is the major driver in the global roofing chemicals market. Roofing chemicals which are used for roofs help to reduce the absorption of heat and keep them cool. Cool roofs save a huge amount of money by reducing the power consumption which is required for cooling buildings. Also, the high growth in the construction sector is expected to stimulate the demand for roofing chemicals, but the high installation costs and the high manufacturing costs may restrain growth in future.

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4392654/

"Bituminous roofing, the largest and membrane roofing is the fastest growing application for roofing chemicals"

Roofing chemicals are majorly used in bituminous roofing. Bituminous roofing has a long lifespan and is economical as compared to others. Bituminous roofs are durable, can withstand all kinds of weather, and are watertight. The bituminous mix can also be used as Stress Absorbing Membranes (SAM) for sealing cracks and interim overlays for preventative maintenance or Stress Absorbing Membrane Interlayers (SAMI). Due to its high creep resistance property, it can also be used at busy intersections, bridge decks, and roundabouts to increase their life.

The different types of membranes used in roofing are synthetic rubber, thermoplastic, and modified bitumen. Maintenance of membrane roofing is easy, it is highly resistant to damage, and exhibits temperature flexibility.

"Asia-Pacific, the largest and fastest-growing market for roofing chemicals

"The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market for roofing chemicals globally. There is tremendous scope for roofing chemicals in the Asia-Pacific market due to the high growth in the Chinese economy and rapid industrialization. China is the key consumer of roofing chemicals in the Asia-Pacific region as well as globally.

Further, the resulting rapid developments in the construction industry is driving the demand for roofing chemicals for residential buildings in the region.

This study has been validated through primary interviews conducted with various industry experts globally. These primary sources have been divided into three categories: by company; by designation; and by region.

- By Company Type- Tier 1- 60%, Tier 2- 30% and Tier 3- 10%

- By Designation- C Level- 40%, Director Level- 30%, Others- 30%

- By Region- North America- 10%, Asia-Pacific- 50%, Western Europe- 20%, and Middle East & Africa- 20%

The report also includes company profiles and competitive strategies adopted by the major market players such as BASF SE (Germany), The Dow Chemical Company (U.S), Saint-Gobain S.A. (France), 3M Company (U.S), Akzo Nobel N.V (The Netherlands), Sika AG (Switzerland), Owens Corning (U.S), Carlisle Companies Incorporated (U.S), Johns Manville (U.S), GAF Materials Corporation (U.S), and Firestone Building Products (U.S.).

Research Coverage:

This report covers the global roofing chemicals market across different applications and regions. It aims at estimating the market size and future growth potential of this market across different segments such as type, application, and region. Furthermore, the report also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the key players in the market along with their company profiles, SWOT analysis, recent developments, and key market strategies. The report will help the market leaders/new entrants in this market by providing them the closest approximations of the revenues for the overall roofing chemicals market.

Reasons to buy this report:

From an insight perspective, this research report has focused upon various levels of analyses  industry 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 roofing chemicals market; high-growth regions; and market drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

The report provides insights on the following pointers:

- Market Penetration: Comprehensive information on roofing chemicals offered by the top players in the global roofing chemicals market.

- Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on upcoming technologies, R&D activities, and new product launches in the global roofing chemicals market.

- Market Development: Comprehensive information about lucrative emerging markets  the report analyzes the markets for roofing chemicals across regions.

- Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the global roofing chemicals market.

- Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players in the global roofing chemicals market.

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4392654/

About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com

For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

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The Rare Life Award is an annual recognition program created to honor individuals who exhibit courage, leadership, survival, devotion, character and heroism. Candidates are nominated by friends, family and colleagues. Their stories and photos are posted online at www.eaglerarelife.com .

The Ruth Libby Story

Over two decades ago, Ruth received a note from her son's kindergarten teacher requesting household items such as egg cartons, meat trays and juice can lids for use in craft projects. A light bulb went off for Ruth and her non-profit was born initially in her basement. Its mission is to ensure that students and classrooms in Maine have the basic tools for learning, by transferring surplus business supplies and merchandise into the hands of school children through teachers.

Twenty three years later, the 3R's has blossomed into a regional powerhouse that takes surplus supplies from businesses across the nation and supplements schoolchildren's supplies in basic learning materials. The numbers today are staggering. From a 21,000 square foot warehouse and a 7,000 square foot "store," Libby's organization has to date recycled over $60 million of office surplus into the hands of teachers across Maine and in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Every year Ruth's Reusable Resources manages an operation that:

Solicits tons of surplus office supplies from across the country

Serves over 14,000 eligible teachers at over 250 individual schools

Donates 5,000 backpacks with school supplies to children in need

Reaches over 70,000 regional students with needed supplies, or nearly one third of all elementary students in Maine

Hundreds of tons of office surplus is reused and saved from landfills

More astonishing, Libby's organization provides this service entirely on school "memberships," an annual fee paid by schools that amounts to only $3 per student. All deliveries and shipment of material is paid for by the 3R's. The warehouse and store are staffed with 85 special needs high school students and adults each week, supplied by 10 different special needs organizations. Staffing is supplemented by volunteer teams organized by local businesses. To say that theirs is a shoestring budget doesn't meet the mark. "Shipping, deliveries and heat are our biggest costs. We usually turn the heat off in February," noted Libby. Spring doesn't arrive in Portland, Maine in February.

Libby said of her award, "This award is potentially a game changer for us. Our growth over the years is really just a response to an enormous need. This award will enable us to reduce our annual costs and possibly for the first time establish an endowment that can keep us helping kids to learn and help reduce waste."

Eagle Rare spokesman Kris Comstock said, "Rarely does a grand prize winner embody all six Rare Life attributes - Courage, Leadership, Heroism, Character, Devotion and Survival  as fully as Ruth Libby continues to demonstrate every day. I would even add imagination and persistence to this list. In addition to meeting a huge need for schoolchildren, she has provided activities for the challenged and charity to the needy while galvanizing businesses and communities to help in her mission. We are inspired by her example and proud to have her as this year's Grand Prize recipient. We couldn't be happier for her."

Eagle Rare also will donate $5,000 to the charities of choice of the six runners-up, each one embodying a distinct characteristic of leading a Rare Life: Courage, Leadership, Heroism, Character, Devotion and Survival. This is the seventh year for the Rare Life Awards campaign, and the 2017 awards will bring total grants to date to $400,000 given to 49 different charities.

The six 2017 runner-up winners are:

Bonney Williams of Seguin, TX: Character Award for Etosha Rescue

Christopher Ring of San Diego, CA: Courage Award for Legacies Alive

Thomas Penders of Titusville, FL: Devotion Award for Archeologists for Autism

Theresa Batchelor of Morriston, FL: Heroism Award for Beauty's Haven Farm

Ryan Prior of Decatur, GA: Leadership Award for Blue Ribbon Fellowship

Catherine Ritlaw of Kingman, AZ: Survival Award for Journey's End Ranch Animal Sanctuary

About Eagle Rare Bourbon

Eagle Rare Bourbon Whiskey is part of the award-winning Buffalo Trace Distillery, an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, (Franklin County), Kentucky. The Distillery's rich distilling tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Eagle

Rare Bourbon is a 10-year-old single barrel bourbon that has won multiple awards, including five double gold medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. For more information on the Rare Life Award or Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, visit www.eaglerarelife.com.

Media Contact:

Gregory Pettit

Guthrie/Mayes Public Relations

917-450-6267 (mobile)

[email protected]

SOURCE Eagle Rare Bourbon

Related Links

http://www.eaglerarelife.com


BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) today announced the expansion of SAP Cloud Platform, formerly known as SAP HANA Cloud Platform, with new capabilities and enhancements to provide an industry-leading platform as a service (PaaS). With a comprehensive set of new business services, SAP Cloud Platform addresses the most critical business needs by making it easy and fast to build new applications, expedite the extension and integration of SAP apps, power innovative Internet of Things (IoT) scenarios, accelerate Big Data projects and enable machine learning and artificial intelligence applications. This announcement was made at Mobile World Congress being held February 27March 2 in Barcelona.

"Since the launch of our PaaS offering three years ago, it has evolved to become the digital enterprise platform of choice that enables customers, partners and developers to build differentiating solutions that intelligently connect people, things and businesses," said Bernd Leukert, member of the Executive Board of SAP SE, Products & Innovation. "To represent its breadth of capabilities, it has been rebranded as SAP Cloud Platform. This platform creates digital differentiation by connecting a rapidly growing number of smart devices and machines with people and processes to achieve superior business outcomes."

Numerous SAP enterprise apps and over 1,000 partner apps have already been built on SAP Cloud Platform. New services are continually being added to SAP Cloud Platform providing the foundation for SAP Leonardo, SAP's portfolio of IoT solutions that connects intelligent devices with people and processes; SAP Clea, the portfolio of machine learning solutions and services; and the SAP BusinessObjects Cloud solution portfolio, including SAP Digital Boardroom.

Customers Share the Benefits of SAP Cloud Platform

Aesculap, a division of the global operating healthcare company B. Braun Melsungen AG, focuses on products and services for core processes in surgery.

"Together with SAP we have been able to develop a tool for Aesculap that makes life easier for hospital staff," said Martin Runkel, managing director, B. Braun IT Service GmbH. "Using SAP Cloud Platform, we developed an iOS app that simplifies management of sterile containers for surgical instruments. This enables hospitals to increase hygiene and quality of surgical instruments, especially in emerging markets, where hospitals are often not as well equipped."

New Services That Have Been Added to SAP Cloud Platform

SAP Cloud Platform SDK for iOS , planned for release on March 30 , aims to give developers, designers and businesses the tools and scalability they need to quickly and efficiently build powerful enterprise-grade apps for iPhone and iPad, based on SAP Cloud Platform and built in Swift, Apple's modern programming language.

, planned for release on , aims to give developers, designers and businesses the tools and scalability they need to quickly and efficiently build powerful enterprise-grade apps for iPhone and iPad, based on SAP Cloud Platform and built in Swift, Apple's modern programming language. SAP Project Companion mobile app, planned for release on March 30 , is a native iOS app that aims to provide integration through SAP Cloud Platform with the SAP S/4HANA Professional Services Cloud solution, taking advantage of real-time data and dramatically simplifying the experience for consultants, project managers and other users who are typically on the go.

planned for release on , is a native iOS app that aims to provide integration through SAP Cloud Platform with the SAP S/4HANA Professional Services Cloud solution, taking advantage of real-time data and dramatically simplifying the experience for consultants, project managers and other users who are typically on the go. SAP API Business Hub provides a catalog of application programming interfaces (APIs) for SAP applications. New APIs are added continuously to make it easier to build out and test new functionality and applications. Examples include new APIs for the SAP S/4HANA Cloud suite, SAP Mobile Service application and SAP Localization Hub, tax service.

provides a catalog of application programming interfaces (APIs) for SAP applications. New APIs are added continuously to make it easier to build out and test new functionality and applications. Examples include new APIs for the SAP S/4HANA Cloud suite, SAP Mobile Service application and SAP Localization Hub, tax service. SAP Cloud Platform Workflow service, general availability planned by March 30 , aims to redefine enterprise business functions by quickly and easily connecting them within a graphical interface for business analysts to rapidly create new composite workflows for business processes.

general availability planned by , aims to redefine enterprise business functions by quickly and easily connecting them within a graphical interface for business analysts to rapidly create new composite workflows for business processes. SAP Cloud Platform Virtual Machine service, introduced in the Europe , Middle East , and Africa (EMEA) region in November 2016 , is planned to be available in the United States in Q1 2017. It helps customers complete their solution landscapes by adding workloads based on existing on-premise software or languages and runtimes that can now run directly on SAP Cloud Platform.

introduced in the , , and (EMEA) region in , is planned to be available in in Q1 2017. It helps customers complete their solution landscapes by adding workloads based on existing on-premise software or languages and runtimes that can now run directly on SAP Cloud Platform. SAP Cloud Platform IoT service is now available in a beta version. With support for more than 40 device protocols, this device management service can help companies leverage the IoT for immediate detection and quicker response. The new release aims to integrate IoT services with the SAP Cloud Platform Streaming Analytics service for faster processing of streaming data.

is now available in a beta version. With support for more than 40 device protocols, this device management service can help companies leverage the IoT for immediate detection and quicker response. The new release aims to integrate IoT services with the SAP Cloud Platform Streaming Analytics service for faster processing of streaming data. SAP Cloud Platform Big Data Services (formerly Altiscale) offers Hadoop in the cloud for providing the foundation for Big Data applications.

offers Hadoop in the cloud for providing the foundation for Big Data applications. New data centers are located in Japan and China with full local language support.

SAP Cloud Platform is the agile cloud application and integration solution supporting the extension of digital core applications, including SAP S/4HANA, SAP SuccessFactors, SAP Ariba, SAP Fieldglass, Concur and other SAP apps. With over 1,000 apps built by SAP and over 600 partners on SAP Cloud Platform, SAP customers and partners alike can take advantage of the benefits of the cloud and connectivity to business networks.

"As an early adopter of SAP Cloud Platform, Accenture has developed several innovative applications to maximize the value of our clients' SAP SuccessFactors solution investment," said Christophe Mouille, senior managing director and Global SAP practice lead at Accenture. "We are also developing on SAP Cloud Platform through the Accenture Liquid Studio for SAP Solutions, which rapidly prototypes and delivers applications for our clients, using new breakthrough technologies such as machine learning, the Internet of Things and advanced analytics to accelerate their digital transformation. We look forward to continue using SAP Cloud Platform to help our clients innovate and deliver business results at speed."

For more information, visit the SAP News Center. Follow SAP on Twitter at @sapnews.

*IDC, Worldwide Competitive Cloud Public Cloud Platform as a Service Forecast 20162020, doc #US40779916, July 2016

About SAP

As market leader in enterprise application software, SAP (NYSE: SAP) helps companies of all sizes and industries run better. From back office to boardroom, warehouse to storefront, desktop to mobile device  SAP empowers people and organizations to work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively to stay ahead of the competition. SAP applications and services enable more than 345,000 business and public sector customers to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and grow sustainably. For more information, visit www.sap.com.

Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "should" and "will" and similar expressions as they relate to SAP are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. SAP undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. The factors that could affect SAP's future financial results are discussed more fully in SAP's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including SAP's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.

 2017 SAP SE. All rights reserved.

SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/legal/copyright/index.epx#trademark for additional trademark information and notices.

For customers interested in learning more about SAP products:

Global Customer Center: +49 180 534-34-24

United States Only: 1 (800) 872-1SAP (1-800-872-1727)

For more information, press only:

Susan Miller, SAP, +1 (610) 570-6845, [email protected], CET

Julia Fargel, SAP, +1 (650) 276-8964, [email protected], CET

SAP News Center press room; [email protected]

SOURCE SAP SE

Related Links

http://www.sap.com


MONTVALE, N.J., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation (SEC), announces that Innovolt, a technology leader in comprehensive power protection and analytics solutions, has joined the Sharp Partner Program.

Recently, Innovolt's power protection solutions received full validation as a Sharp Compatible Product and can function seamlessly with Sharp multifunction products (MFPs). Combined with Sharp's current offerings, Innovolt's proven solutions can help Sharp customers of every size experience greater uptime for expensive and sensitive technology, while giving businesses the tools they need to predict, measure and maximize the performance of assets across the distributed enterprise. Together with Sharp, Innovolt's tools will drive meaningful service call reductions that allow customers to compete and grow without increased fixed costs.

"Sharp is proud to announce the availability of the Innovolt portfolio of power protection solutions," said Shane Coffey, Associate Vice President, Hardware Product Management, SIICA. "The application of power protection products in situations where the power is inconsistent can help reduce service calls and contribute to increases in both dealer profitability and customer satisfaction."

"We are excited about this opportunity to work with both Sharp Business Systems and Sharp's impressive network of dealers," said Jun Ho Son, CEO, Innovolt. "We share Sharp's focus on innovation and customer satisfaction and look forward to helping Sharp Business Solutions and Sharp dealers leverage our technology to further enhance performance and uptime for their customers."

Through Innovolt's fleet-wide monitoring and analytics capabilities, Sharp service managers and technicians will be equipped with information to help more quickly resolve issues that happen out in the field. From Innovolt's microprocessor technology to cloud-based management software, they offer the complete solution for sophisticated electronics management.

About Innovolt

Innovolt's power protection solutions combine patented sensor, remediation, monitoring and analytics technologies to help companies safeguard and optimize the performance, productivity and usable life of the electronics that power today's digital world. As the first company to provide complete power protection and asset management software, we solve a host of unique problems that most businesses and consumers are not aware of but are paying for through shortened electronics lifespan and decreased product reliability. Our power protection technologies and analytics capabilities help businesses increase the uptime and lower the service costs of their electronic equipment while increasing overall customer satisfaction.

For more information about Innovolt's solutions, please call 404-467-6368, visit our website at www.innovolt.com or email us at [email protected].

About Sharp Electronics Corporation

Sharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation. Sharp is a worldwide developer of one-of-a-kind home appliances, networked multifunctional office solutions, professional displays, robotics and energy systems.

About Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America: Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America, a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, markets the advanced, MX Series multifunction printer (MFP) systems that help companies manage workflow efficiently and increase productivity. As a leader in security within the MFP industry, Sharp MFPs feature the Sharp OSA development platform, which seamlessly integrates network applications to create a personalized MFP that can meet virtually any business need, and Scan2 technology, which scans two-sided documents in a single pass to enhance scanning reliability and preserve document integrity.

For more information on Sharp's business products, contact Sharp Electronics Corporation, 100 Paragon Drive, Montvale, N.J., 07645. For online product information, visit our website at siica.sharpusa.com.

Become a fan of SIICA on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn and watch us on YouTube .

Peppercomm for Sharp

Sarah Sanzari

212.931.6175

[email protected]

SOURCE Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America

Related Links

http://siica.sharpusa.com


Mallory Frantz, Carrie Hobt, and Matt Wikler recently completed an intensive, four-month program called Director Explore (DX), which immerses high-potential employees in leadership advisory and sales trainings run by various members of Siegfried's senior leadership, including CEO and Founder, Rob Siegfried.

As Associate Directors, they will support their Markets with leadership advisory, business development, and recruiting. The goal of DX is to allow interested individuals to explore the role of Director, and those who are successful in the program may go on to become Directors and, potentially, Managing Directors.

Siegfried congratulates the new Associate Directors on their accomplishments thus far and wishes them luck as they take on this new and challenging role.

Mallory Frantz, a Certified Public Accountant, joined Siegfried in 2013 as a Professional Resource, transitioned to a Recruiting Director for the Central Region, and now serves as an Associate Director in the Cleveland Market. She earned her Bachelor of Science in accounting and her MBA from the University of Dayton, and began her career at EY.

"Since my first day at the Firm, I have been incredibly passionate about what we do and what we stand for," she said. "The decision to apply for DX was easy  my personal goals align with the Firm's and I'm excited for what's ahead."

Frantz lives in Cleveland with her husband and one-year-old daughter.

Carrie Hobt joined Siegfried in 2016 as a Market Associate and now serves as an Associate Director in the Chicago Market. Before coming to Siegfried, Hobt gained account management experience at Echo Global Logistics, with a primary focus on transportation in the retail industry. She earned her bachelor's degree in communication studies with a minor in Spanish language from Saint Mary's College.

"I wanted to take a leap of faith, step out of my comfort zone, and grow," said Hobt about joining the DX program. "I view the 'unknown' as a challenging, yet interesting journey, and the program felt really exciting to me."

After studying abroad in Seville, Spain in college, Hobt caught the travel bug and has visited the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. She hopes to travel to South America in the near future. As a newer resident of Chicago, Hobt enjoys exploring the city's diverse neighborhoods and checking out new restaurants, nature trails, and live music.

Matt Wikler, a Certified Public Accountant, joined Siegfried in 2015 as a Professional Resource, transitioned to a Market Associate in 2016, and now serves as an Associate Director for the Philadelphia Metro Market. After earning his Bachelor of Science in both accounting and finance at Villanova University, he began his career at Deloitte.

"Through the program, we were fortunate enough to travel the country to learn and interact with our senior leadership members, including CEO and Founder, Rob Siegfried, and our President, Joan Davidson," he said. "It was an incredible opportunity to soak up a bounty of knowledge and gain exposure to so many inspiring people."

In his free time, Wikler enjoys running and traveling. He competed on the Varsity Track & Field and Cross-Country teams during his time at Villanova and is diligent about maintaining an active lifestyle. He also tries to travel as much as possible, and recently spent the New Year in Playa Mujeres, Mexico.

To learn more about Siegfried, please visit siegfriedgroup.com.

About The Siegfried Group, LLP

The Siegfried Group, LLP (Siegfried) works alongside financial executives across the nation, on their most important accounting and finance projects. Filled with an innovative spirit and led by an ambitious entrepreneur, Siegfried provides unique leadership advisory, combined with high-potential talent. At the heart of our Firm is our approach to individual leadership and the continual pursuit of helping people grow both personally and professionally. As a whole, we value being fair, having fun, and fostering stakeholder value.

Contact:

Karen Campbell

(408) 209-2545

[email protected]

SOURCE The Siegfried Group, LLP

Related Links

http://www.siegfriedgroup.com


PETACH TIKVA, Israel, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Stockton STK specializes in the development and marketing of botanical based pesticides, have signed a long-term non-exclusive distribution agreement of Timorex Gold biofungicide with Chongqing Shurong Crop Science Ltd. in the field of professional crop protection uses in edible crops in China.

Under the terms of the non-exclusive agreement, it allows Timorex Gold to expand its domestic reach by utilizing Chongqing Shurong Crop Science Ltd. expert representatives, sales and marketing channels. Timorex Gold will be manufactured and supplied by Stockton and marketed and distributed in Chinanon -exclusively by Chongqing Shurong .

Timorex Gold has proven prophylactic and curative efficacy against a broad spectrum of diseases in a wide range of crops and is suitable to be used in conventional and organic agriculture and can be applied year-round without inducing fungi resistance. Its components provide multiple action mechanisms against fungal and bacterial crop diseases, offering effective and sustainable control. Timorex Gold is certified by leading organic associations worldwide or use in organic agriculture.

"We project a big future in this market as Asia is emerging as a key player in plant biotechnology," said Guy Elitzur, CEO of Stockton. "We are pleased to enter this collaboration with Chongqing Shurong Crop Science Ltd., as we believe they demonstrate expertise in the crop protection arena and their strategic focus should enable Timorex Gold its full potential in China."

About CHONGQING SHURONG CROP SCIENCE Ltd.

Chongqing Shurong Crop Science Ltd. is located at beautiful mountain city-Chongqing, is a scientific and technological enterprise integrating research, production and sales. It passed the certification of ISO9001:2008 Quality Management System and ISO9001:2008 Quality Management System in 2009. In 2016, Chongqing Shurong ranked No. 68 in China's Top 100 Pesticide Sales Enterprisesand ranked No. 9 in China's Top 50 Pesticide Preparation Sales Enterprises. The company has established a high-quality and efficient sales team with international vision, and the sales network covers all over China.

About the Stockton STK

Stockton STK specializes in the development and marketing of botanical-based biopesticides. Its core focus is on the incorporation of these biopesticides into integrated agriculture spraying programs that use conventional chemical products, thus creating a balanced, cleaner and sustainable agricultural environment.

Stockton is a global company established in 1994 and has an active R&D Center for the development of future natural products for crop protection. Its unique research and development center in Israel invests substantial resources in developing 'green' products. Stockton has a variety of products adapted to different agro ecological areas, biological parameters and regulatory guidelines.

Stockton's flagship product Timorex Gold is used to control a broad spectrum of diseases in diverse crops. The product demonstrates an efficacy equivalent to chemical fungicides and is suitable to be used in conventional and organic agriculture. Timorex Gold is registered and sold in over 30 countries.

Contact: For more information, please visit our website: www.stockton-ag.com

or contact Judy Jamuy at: +972-52-7599242 or [email protected] .

SOURCE Stockton STK
PARIS, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- StreamWIDE, a global leader in mobile technology and telecommunications, has announced the launch of a new feature called "My Business" to complement their existing Team on the Run and Team on Mission business process communications platforms.

When added to a Team on the Run package, in the cloud or on premise, My Business provides a comprehensive enterprise communication and process tool for organizations of all sizes, for any mobile or desktop use case. Management can access ready-made templates from a vast library or, with the use of a user- friendly design studio, create and customize templates specific to any industry vertical. Employees can easily initiate and receive processes from their mobile device, tablet, or desktop; such as, task assignments, fillable forms, timesheets, service orders, check in-check out time sheets, bar code scans, NFC and Bluetooth tags and iOTs data input, and physical or digital signatures. My Business integrates with other existing capabilities of the secure Team on the Run software platform including Push-To-Talk, VoIP Calling, Multi-Channels, Geolocation, Group Messaging and Dispatch/Fleet Management.

"We are excited to showcase our product during the upcoming Mobile World Congress; the industry has been talking about digitalization and business process optimization for years", notes StreamWIDE CEO Pascal Beglin, "My Business delivers latest technological advancements together with superior User Experience to make Digital Transformation promises a reality."

Nearly half of all enterprises are expected to implement a digital transformation initiative within the next three years; until now, the search was on for investments delivering a measurable ROI. Team on the Run has demonstrated proven use-cases across industry verticals worldwide -- easily implemented at an affordable price. My Business, will reshape how your business is done by eliminating paper processing, painful procedures and delivering outstanding User Experience in a natively mobile environment.

About StreamWIDE:

StreamWIDE is a leading communications systems provider for Telecom operators, Governments, and Enterprises with worldwide reach. With 15+ years of experience in developing new generation solutions; StreamWIDE has a rich product portfolio including Secure Mobile Communication and Digitalization solutions. The Paris-based firm has 8 local offices, deployments in over 70 countries across 5 continents, and over 130 customers with more than 100 million end users. StreamWIDE also produces the Team on the Run and Team on Mission platforms for business process communications and team management. StreamWIDE is listed on the Alternext (Euronext) stock exchange: ALSTW. Learn more at:

https://www.StreamWIDE.com; https://blog.teamontherun.com; http://www.teamonmission.com; www.streamwide.com; Twitter: @Teamontherun

Contact Team on the Run

Matt Miller, Communications Director

Email: [email protected]

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE StreamWIDE

Related Links

http://www.StreamWIDE.com


WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Do tuition increases adversely affect enrollment in independent schools? Only in rare instances, finds a conclusive new study. In the third major research effort of its kind, a study of "tuition price elasticity" in independent preK-12 schools finds that there is statistically no association between changes in tuition pricing and enrollment demand. In other words, regardless of whether or how much a school increases tuition in any given year, a school has an equal chance of enrollment growing or shrinking.

What does influence the family's decision to enroll? The perceived value the schools provide, the study authors indicate. By increasing tuition, schools can expand programs and raise faculty salaries, thereby strengthening quality and enrollment.

These findings, released today in a white paper, analyze results of a six-year study of tuition pricing and enrollment at 259 nonprofit independent schools in the U.S. Participating schools represent a broad range of sizes, locations, tuition prices, affiliations, ages served and boarding/day enrollments, and provided data for six consecutive school years (2010-2016). The study was co-sponsored by three leading organizations that support nonprofit preK-12 independent schools: Independent School Management (ISM), Measuring Success and the National Business Officers Association (NBOA).

The findings were released at the 2017 NBOA Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., the largest-ever professional development gathering for independent school CFOs and other business and operational leaders.

The study builds on much smaller studies, released in 2006 and 2011, that first hypothesized the absence of a relationship between tuition price and enrollment. Those findings were controversial, and, then as now, schools are cautioned to consider them in the context of their specific location, mission and other circumstances. "The last time this study was conducted was immediately following the recession," said Jeff Shields, NBOA's president and CEO. "It was critical for NBOA, ISM and Measuring Success to join forces to help heads of schools, business officers and trustees understand tuition price elasticity in today's economic environment. The research, once again, indicates that changes in tuition do not have a direct link to changes in enrollment demand."

Other survey results include:

Among schools with tuition above $25,000 or below $15,000 , increased tuition has no effect on enrollment.

or below , increased tuition has no effect on enrollment. Among all schools, tuition increases have no effect on total number of applications or retention from one division to the next (e.g., lower school to middle school).

Despite these findings, study authors say schools should use caution in interpreting the data. "As tempting as anecdotally based decisions are at the board meeting, Measuring Success has always believed that data-driven decision making around critical hypotheses is vital in weighing questions that significantly affect schools' enrollment and financial sustainability. It is that focus which led us to develop and launch this methodology around price elasticity of demand in 2006," said Dr. Harry Bloom, SVP of Client Solutions at Measuring Success.

"We recommend based on the findings that all schools keep their primary focus on driving their quality, not limiting their price, to maximize net revenues," said Shields. Terry Moore, executive consultant at ISM, agrees. "ISM continues to see schools successfully drive value instead of price. While the continued push to increase tuition is difficult, we believe that value is the variable that schools can truly control, and the variable by which they can differentiate themselves in competitive markets."

Download a white paper about the study, Effects of Tuition Increases on Enrollment Demand: an Updated Study by ISM, Measuring Success and NBOA at http://bit.ly/TuitionElasticityStudy.

ISM, based in Wilmington, Delaware, provides management support for nonprofit independent schools in the U.S. and abroad. Founded in 1975, ISM is committed to the advancement and viability of schools by combining extensive research, proven management techniques and personalized service. Learn more at isminc.com.

Measuring Success, Inc., based in Washington, D.C., specializes in enabling independent schools and foundations to harness the power of data analytics to increase enrollment, financial sustainability and student impact. Measuring Success demystifies data and helps schools and boards infuse data-driven thinking throughout their culture. Learn more at measuring-success.com

NBOA, based in Washington, D.C., is a nonprofit membership association focused exclusively on fostering financial and operational excellence among independent preK-12 schools. Founded in 1998, NBOA's membership includes more than 1,300 schools from around the country and 15 countries around the globe. Learn more at nboa.org.

SOURCE National Business Officers Association (NBOA)

Related Links

http://www.nboa.org


MCKINNEY, Texas, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Escalating healthcare costs combined with a dearth of qualified physicians, limited access to medical care in rural areas, and an aging Baby Boomer population continue to drive the growth of the telemedicine industry nationwide. As employers and consumers embrace this new delivery model for healthcare services, Texas-based digital healthcare technology company MyTelemedicine has established a strong presence in the marketplace, positioning itself to become an industry leader.

MyTelemedicine Telehealth API Ecosystem

Annual revenues for the global telemedicine market in 2015 topped $23 billion and are expected to nearly triple to more than $66 billion by 2021, Mordor Intelligence reports. The improved ability for doctors to consult with patients via telephone, email or video conference through telehealth providers lets doctors reach a larger patient population, while also reducing costs for consumers, who may otherwise choose to visit an emergency room or urgent care center for diagnosis and treatment.

"The average cost of an ER visit is around $1300, and getting an appointment with a doctor can take days or even weeks," says Rey Colon, President and CEO of MyTelemedicine. The good news is that as many as 70 percent of doctor and ER visits are for non-emergencies and could be handled with a virtual consultation, Colon says. "With telemedicine, people get a diagnosis and recommended treatment immediately, and they can return to work faster. They miss fewer days of work, and employers spend less on healthcare costs. It's a win-win," he adds.

Since deploying its proprietary Telehealth API Ecosystem live in September 2015, MyTelemedicine has experienced rapid growth that mirrors the upward trajectory of the telehealth industry, earning accolades along the way. The company expanded its user base more than 500 percent in the past 12 months, with enrollment in its virtual healthcare services growing from 100,000 patients in January 2016, to more than 550,000 patients at the beginning of this year. During this time, MyTelemedicine also moved into a new 5000-square-foot office space in McKinney, Texas, deployed 15 integrated private labels, and began serving customers of UniConsulta, the first Spanish-language telehealth and wellness program, which was launched by Univision Communications Inc. and a partner. In addition, the digital healthcare industry trailblazer rolled out its Internationalization Framework in May 2016, which supports its international deployment.

In recognition of the firm's initial success and rapid expansion, Entrepreneur magazine ranked MyTelemedicine as one of the most innovative companies in its annual Entrepreneur360 roundup. In addition, Investopedia announced in December 2016 that MyTelemedicine ranked among the top five telemedicine companies, proving itself as an industry leader.

"We are honored to be recognized for our achievements," says Colon, noting that the company plans to expand its sales and support staff and the customer base in 2017. "Through our Telehealth API Ecosystem and white-label services, we're helping thousands of patients and doctors discover a more efficient and cost effective option for healthcare," he says.

About MyTelemedicine

Digital Healthcare Technology Company MyTelemedicine has developed a proprietary, secure and HIPAA/HITECH-compliant telemedicine API Ecosystem that enables third-party healthcare providers the endpoints needed to integrate and deploy a telemedicine offering to their patient base. Providers can perform on-demand consultations with members nationwide via telephone and video technology. Patients can seek advice, recommendations and a diagnosis, which may include a prescription for common acute illnesses. The goal is to make quality and cost-effective care accessible to all. To learn more about MyTelemedicine, visit www.mytelemedicine.com

CONTACT

Chelsea Zaragoza

469.640.6101

[email protected]

SOURCE MyTelemedicine
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE: SMLP) announced today that it has filed its 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This report contains SMLP's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. A copy of the report is available for viewing and downloading from the Investors section on SMLP's website at www.summitmidstream.com.

SMLP unitholders may request a hard copy of the report, free of charge, by submitting a written request to:

Summit Midstream Partners, LP

Attn: Investor Relations

1790 Hughes Landing Blvd, Suite 500

The Woodlands, TX 77380

SMLP also announced today that its 2016 tax packages, including the Schedule K-1, are now available online and may be accessed at https://partnerdatalink.com/Summit. SMLP will begin mailing the 2016 tax packages to unitholders on March 1, 2017 and expects to complete the process on March 3, 2017.

For additional information or assistance, unitholders may also contact Partner DataLink via email at [email protected] or via phone at (855) 375-4158 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.  5:00 p.m. CST or visit SMLP's website at www.summitmidstream.com under "Investors >> K-1 Tax Information".

About Summit Midstream Partners, LP

SMLP is a growth-oriented limited partnership focused on developing, owning and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets that are strategically located in the core producing areas of unconventional resource basins, primarily shale formations, in the continental United States. SMLP provides natural gas, crude oil and produced water gathering services pursuant to primarily long-term and fee-based gathering and processing agreements with customers and counterparties in five unconventional resource basins: (i) the Appalachian Basin, which includes the Marcellus and Utica shale formations in West Virginia and Ohio; (ii) the Williston Basin, which includes the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations in North Dakota; (iii) the Fort Worth Basin, which includes the Barnett Shale formation in Texas; (iv) the Piceance Basin, which includes the Mesaverde formation as well as the Mancos and Niobrara shale formations in Colorado and Utah; and (v) the Denver-Julesburg Basin, which includes the Niobrara and Codell shale formations in Colorado and Wyoming. SMLP also owns substantially all of a 40% ownership interest in Ohio Gathering, which is developing natural gas gathering and condensate stabilization infrastructure in the Utica Shale in Ohio. SMLP is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, with regional corporate offices in Denver, Colorado and Atlanta, Georgia.

About Summit Midstream Partners, LLC

Summit Midstream Partners, LLC ("Summit Investments") beneficially owns a 35.1% limited partner interest in SMLP and indirectly owns and controls the general partner of SMLP, Summit Midstream GP, LLC, which has sole responsibility for conducting the business and managing the operations of SMLP. Summit Investments is a privately held company controlled by Energy Capital Partners II, LLC, and certain of its affiliates. An affiliate of Energy Capital Partners II, LLC directly owns an 8.0% limited partner interest in SMLP.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements concerning expectations for the future that are forward-looking within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements contain known and unknown risks and uncertainties (many of which are difficult to predict and beyond management's control) that may cause SMLP's actual results in future periods to differ materially from anticipated or projected results. An extensive list of specific material risks and uncertainties affecting SMLP is contained in its 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2017, and as amended and updated from time to time. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and SMLP undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events.

SOURCE Summit Midstream Partners, LP

Related Links

http://www.summitmidstream.com


LONDON, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Summary

This report provides all the information you require to better understand Syngenta and its partnering interests and activities since 2010.





Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3605633/





Description

The Partnering Deals and Alliance since 2010 report provides an in-depth insight into the partnering activity of one of the world's leading life sciences companies.



On demand company reports are prepared upon purchase to ensure inclusion of the most up to date deal and company data.



The report will be delivered in PDF format within 1 working day of receipt of order. If the CD-Rom version purchased, the report will be sent by courier using express service.



One of the key aspects of partnering is finding those companies that are potential candidates for the development and commercialization of the next generation of therapies. A lot of resources are spent on finding partners, identifying their interests and making contact to initiate discussions.



Using this report, dealmakers will effectively and efficiently target their partnering activities to deliver the company's business development objectives.



The initial chapters of this report provide an orientation of deal making and business activities. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the report, whilst chapter 2 lists the top companies partnering with the company since 2010. Chapter 3 provides an overview of the leading partnering and M&A deals since 2010 to present date based on headline value.



Chapter 4 provides details on how to approach biopharma companies with partnering opportunities whilst chapter 5 lists forthcoming partnering events and conferences where biopharma companies will be present to discuss opportunities face to face.



The main body of the report is provided in chapter 6 providing a infographic visual summary of the company's partnering activity since 2010 according to deal type, industry sector, phase of development, and therapy area.



The deals are listed by deal type, stage of development and therapy focus, allowing easy access to deals and alliances of interest. Every deal record links to an online, live version of the deal record at the Current Agreements deals and alliances database. Where available, deal records also include the contract document as disclosed at the SEC.



One of the key aspects of partnering is conducting due diligence on a partner to determine under what terms a prospective partner agrees to a partnering relationship.



Understanding the flexibility of prospective partners' negotiated deals terms provides critical insight into the negotiation process in terms of what you can expect to achieve during the negotiation of terms. Whilst many smaller companies will be seeking details of the payments clauses, the devil is in the detail in terms of how payments are triggered  contract documents provide this insight where press releases and databases do not.



In addition, contract documents provide the answers to numerous questions about a prospective partner's flexibility on a wide range of important issues, many of which will have a significant impact on each party's ability to derive value from the deal.



Each contract document is accessible through a link to an online version of the actual contract document as filed with the Securities Exchange Commission.



Analyzing actual company agreements allows assessment of the following:

- What is actually granted by the agreement to the partner company?

- What exclusivity is granted?

- What is the payment structure for the deal?

- How are sales and payments audited?

- What is the deal term?

- How are the key terms of the agreement defined?

- How are IPRs handled and owned?

- Who is responsible for commercialization?

- Who is responsible for development, supply, and manufacture?

- How is confidentiality and publication managed?

- How are disputes to be resolved?

- Under what conditions can the deal be terminated?

- What happens when there is a change of ownership?

- What sublicensing and sub-contracting provisions have been agreed?

- Which boilerplate clauses does the company insist upon?

- Which boilerplate clauses appear to differ from partner to partner or deal type to deal type?

- Which jurisdiction does the company insist upon for agreement law?



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3605633/



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

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NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Tapad has announced its partnership with clypd, the leading audience-based sales platform for television advertising. By integrating clypd's national cable network inventory, the partnership will expand Tapad's extensive supply of TV inventory to include premium national cable inventory.

Tapad is the leading provider of privacy-safe, cross-screen marketing technology solutions and was first-to-market with a device graph. clypd's robust sell-side advertising platform was one of the first built exclusively for the television industry, empowering media owners with solutions that deliver workflow automation, data-enhanced decisioning and, overall, maximize TV campaign performance.

Through this partnership, Tapad's Device Graph-powered TV tools will work in tandem with clypd's sales platform to enable more precise audience engagement for TV ad buys. This will enable marketers to integrate their customer data or third-party digital segments into Tapad's TV platform and use them to precisely engage their audience across clypd's industry-leading footprint of national TV inventory. Campaigns are then optimized using Tapad's graph-powered TV attribution, ensuring ads are aligned with the best context for each brand's message.

"clypd is a pioneer in building TV marketplaces," says Marshall Wong, SVP of TV market development at Tapad. "They were quick to recognize the benefits a device graph could bring to TV so that advertisers can activate linear inventory curated for any digital audience."

"Tapad's TV activation platform increases the efficiency in which marketers can reach their intended audience on traditional linear TV," says Doug Hurd, co-founder and EVP of business development at clypd. "Their customized, data-driven campaigns launch with precision and really increase the value marketers can extract from linear TV inventory."

"At Travelocity, we are always looking for ways to more efficiently reach our target audiences," says Ashley Parker, head of brand marketing at Travelocity. "The combination of traditional linear TV and solutions like this offering from Tapad and clypd are bringing both the tools and the supply to make this vision a reality."

About Tapad

Tapad Inc. is a marketing technology firm renowned for its breakthrough, unified, cross-device solutions. With 91.2 percent data accuracy confirmed by Nielsen, the company offers the largest in-market opportunity for marketers and technologies to address the ever-evolving reality of media consumption on smartphones, tablets, home computers and smart TVs. Deployed by agency trading desks, publishers and numerous Fortune 500 brands, Tapad provides an accurate, unified approach to connecting with consumers across screens. In 2015, Tapad began aggressively licensing its identity management solution, the Tapad Device Graph, and swiftly became the established gold-standard throughout the ad tech ecosystem. Tapad is based in New York and has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Frankfurt, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Oslo, San Francisco, Singapore and Toronto. Tapad's numerous awards include: EY Entrepreneur of The Year (East Coast) 2014, among Forbes' Most Promising Companies two year's running, Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, Crain's Fast 50, Entrepreneur 360, Digiday Signal Award, iMedia ASPY Award and a MarCom Gold Award.

About clypd

clypd is the leading audience-based sales platform for television advertising. Founded in 2012, the company's TV sales platform delivers workflow automation, data-enhanced decisioning and provides media partners with tools to manage their sales efforts. clypd's innovations around advanced audience selling are empowering sales teams to accept new types of demand as well as enhance their existing sales offerings. The clypd team is comprised of both TV and digital advertising experts, which uniquely positions the company to understand and meet the needs of the television industry while leveraging the best strategies from the digital world. For more information about clypd, please visit www.clypd.com or follow clypd on Twitter @clypd.

Media Contact:

Dana Casalino for Tapad

[email protected]

Haley Dercher

Senior Director of Public Relations, Tapad

[email protected]

SOURCE Tapad

Related Links

http://www.tapad.com


Hopkinson joined TD Bank Group in 1988 and has held a variety of positions throughout his career in commercial, corporate and investment banking. Most recently, Hopkinson served as Head of Corporate Banking, where he was instrumental in driving the growth strategy for the business.

Hopkinson's appointment follows the promotion of Braca as chief operating officer and transition into the chief executive officer role on June 1, 2017.

"Ted brings a wealth of knowledge, and I'm confident he will be instrumental as TD continues to expand our Corporate and Specialty Banking business," said Greg Braca, Chief Operating Officer, TD Bank. "Ted's track record in corporate and specialty lending will enable us to deliver a full suite of unique financing solutions to corporate and specialty banking clients."

"I'm thrilled to take on this senior leadership role within TD Bank, driving the growth of our Corporate and Specialty Banking businesses, as long-term strategic financial partners to our rapidly expanding portfolio of clients. Each of our businesses within Corporate and Specialty Banking has enormous potential for growth as we can deliver a dedicated suite of products that specifically address client needs," Hopkinson said.

Hopkinson holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Toronto, and resides in Bryn Mawr, Pa., with his family.

About TD Bank:

TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 8.9 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,275 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.

SOURCE TD Bank

Related Links

http://www.TDBank.com


SAN MATEO, Calif., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Apttus, the category-defining Quote-to-Cash technology company, today announced the hiring of technology industry veteran Don Robertson as its Chief People Officer, where he will oversee all hiring, talent development and human resources activities. Robertson will report directly to Apttus CEO Kirk Krappe.

Robertson joins Apttus from Sutherland Global Services, Truecar and recently Hewlett Packard. He has over three decades of experience in human resources, business and general management roles, and has worked in finance positions for companies including GE Capital Corp., the Stanford Research Institute and The Clorox Co.

"Apttus is a dynamic presence in the tech world, with offices across the globe, over 1,200 employees and millions of users," said Apttus CEO Kirk Krappe. "The people responsible for this growth deserve only the best, and Don's passion for building teams, cultivating talent and driving business results matches our culture perfectly. His presence as a leader and caretaker of our team creates tremendous value that we'll continue to pass on to our customers and partners."

"Apttus has a long history of industry leadership and innovation, which I'm excited to be a part of. Those traits are engrained in the company and its employees, and it's now our job to scale their careers and grow their ranks," Robertson said. "Our focus will be to ensure that Apttus remains a global destination for the absolute best talent as we continue to build a truly great company."

Apttus offers the most robust Quote-to-Cash training programs and career growth opportunities in the world.

On May 2 nd , Apttus Accelerate 2017's Training Day is the perfect opportunity to discover new ways to streamline critical business processes and create more value.

, Apttus Accelerate 2017's Training Day is the perfect opportunity to discover new ways to streamline critical business processes and create more value. For more information, follow @Apttus on Twitter.

Learn more about new current Career Opportunities here.

About Apttus

Apttus, the category-defining Quote-to-Cash technology company, drives the vital business process between a buyer's interest and the realization of revenue. Utilizing a patented combination of SaaS-based applications, the Apttus Intelligent Cloud maximizes revenue and business outcomes for companies of all sizes, including 100 of the Fortune 500. Enhanced by Machine Learning and Max, an Intelligent Agent, Apttus applications include Configure Price Quote (CPQ), E-Commerce, Contract Management, Incentives Management, Renewals, Billing and Order Management. The Apttus Intelligent Cloud is powered by the world's most trusted cloud platforms, including Salesforce and Microsoft Azure. Apttus is based in San Mateo, California, with additional offices located across the globe. For more information visit: apttus.com.

Press contact: Alex Cohen

[email protected]

SOURCE Apttus

Related Links

http://www.apttus.com


FARMINGDALE, N.Y., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Telephonics Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Griffon Corporation (NYSE:GFF), announced today that it has entered into a formal agreement with the NYU Tandon School of Engineering to establish a Telephonics Graduate Fellowship Program. The program will sponsor Telephonics Fellowships for graduate students that show exceptional promise in a range of desired technology areas.

The Fellowship program will offer four students full scholarships as well as opportunities to intern at Telephonics. The Fellows will undertake research with prominent NYU Tandon faculty members. NYU Tandon will select the Fellows from both its own students and from Telephonics engineers who pass the school's rigorous admissions process. The tuition costs for the Fellowships will be funded by Telephonics.

"Telephonics is extremely pleased to partner with the prestigious NYU Tandon School of Engineering to establish this Fellowship program and looks forward to working together and fostering the next generation of PhD-caliber engineers," said Mr. Rich Hines, Chief Technology Officer, Telephonics. "Telephonics is committed to driving technological innovation as well as building closer relationships with select engineering research organizations such as NYU Tandon. Most importantly, this relationship provides an opportunity to invest in the development of Telephonics' most crucial resource, our employees."

"NYU Tandon welcomes this opportunity to work with Telephonics to expand our students' experience beyond the classroom and the research laboratory, to work beside experienced Telephonics engineers on providing real-world solutions to a wide range of technological challenges," said NYU Tandon Dean Katepalli R. Sreenivasan. "We applaud Telephonics for its generous commitment to support the education of the next generation of engineers."

Telephonics views this Fellowship program as the first step in establishing a long term relationship with NYU Tandon School of Engineering.

The NYU Tandon School of Engineering is a 160+ year old institution rooted in the merger of two great legacy engineering schools: NYU and the school widely known as Brooklyn Polytechnic. Today, there are 5,500 students focused on applied research in a wide variety of practical and marketable technical solutions. NYU also operates very successful tech incubators in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

For more information about Telephonics, please contact Lisa Ahrens at [email protected] or visit www.telephonics.com.

About Telephonics

Telephonics, founded in 1933, is recognized globally as a leading provider of highly sophisticated intelligence, surveillance and communications solutions that are deployed across a wide range of land, sea and air applications. Telephonics designs, develops, manufactures and provides logistical support and lifecycle sustainment services to defense, aerospace and commercial customers worldwide.

Visit us at www.telephonics.com or on our social media channels:

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

LinkedIn

Google+

About Griffon Corporation

Griffon is a diversified management and holding company that conducts business through wholly-owned subsidiaries. Griffon oversees the operations of its subsidiaries, allocates resources among them and manages their capital structures. Griffon provides direction and assistance to its subsidiaries in connection with acquisition and growth opportunities as well as in connection with divestitures. In order to further diversify, Griffon also seeks out, evaluates and, when appropriate, will acquire additional businesses that offer potentially attractive returns on capital.

Headquartered in New York, N.Y., the Company was founded in 1959 and is incorporated in Delaware. Griffon is listed on the New York Stock Exchanges and trades under the symbol GFF.

Griffon currently conducts its operations through three reportable segments:

Home & Building Products consists of two companies, The AMES Companies, Inc. (" AMES ") and Clopay Building Products Company, Inc. ("CBP"): AMES , founded in 1774, is the leading U.S. manufacturer and a global provider of long-handled tools and landscaping products for homeowners and professionals. CBP, since 1964, is a leading manufacturer and marketer of residential and commercial garage doors and sells to professional dealers and some of the largest home center retail chains in North America .

Companies, Inc. (" ") and Clopay Building Products Company, Inc. ("CBP"): Telephonics Corporation, founded in 1933, is recognized globally as a leading provider of highly sophisticated intelligence, surveillance and communications solutions for defense, aerospace and commercial customers.

Clopay Plastic Products Company, Inc., incorporated in 1934, is a global leader in the development and production of embossed, laminated and printed specialty plastic films for hygienic, health-care and industrial products and sells to some of the world's largest consumer products companies.

For more information on Griffon and its operating subsidiaries, please see the Company's website at www.griffon.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the company's management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the company's management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Information concerning risks and uncertainties that may impact the company's results and forward-looking statements are set forth in Griffon Corporation's filings with the SEC. The company does not undertake to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 2017 Telephonics Corporation. 815 Broad Hollow Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. All trademarks, trade names, service marks, and logos referenced herein belong to their respective companies.

Investor Contact: Company Contact:



Michael Callahan Lisa Ahrens ICR, Inc. Telephonics Corporation 203.682.8311 631.755.7785 [email protected] [email protected]





SOURCE Telephonics Corporation

Related Links

http://www.telephonics.com


DALLAS, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Texas Women Lawyers ("TWL") is pleased to announce that the 2017 Texas Women Lawyers Pathfinder Award recipient is the Honorable Carolyn Wright, Chief Justice of the 5th District Court of Appeals in Dallas.

The TWL Pathfinder Award is given each year to an individual who has championed the advancement of women in the law and who exemplifies professionalism, leadership, and commitment to the public interest. Chief Justice Wright has held various positions that were historical firsts for women and minorities in Texas, including serving as the first African American to be appointed a Chief Justice of an intermediate court and the first woman to win a multi-county election for any state elected office.

"Throughout her legal career, Chief Justice Wright has blazed her own path," said Lisa Hasday, TWL President-Elect. "TWL is honored to present this award to such a dynamic jurist and community leader."

A Texas judge for more than 30 years with civil, family, criminal, and mediation experience, Chief Justice Wright served as a practicing attorney, Dallas County associate judge, and state district judge before being appointed as a Justice on the Court of Appeals by Governor George W. Bush in 1995.

Currently, Chief Justice Wright leads the largest intermediate court in Texas and one of the busiest courts in the nation. She is a recent inductee into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame and Governor Bush presented her with the Yellow Rose of Texas Award for significant contributions to her community.

Presentation of the 2017 Texas Women Lawyers Pathfinder Award will be at TWL's Annual Meeting and CLE in Dallas on Friday, March 3, 2017. For more than 20 years, TWL has hosted powerful annual programs and this year's program, entitled "Learning to Lead," will be no exception. The speaker line-up includes Charla Aldous, Founder of Aldous Walker LLP, and Bryan Garner, Founder of LawProse. All Texas lawyers are invited to attend. More information can be found at www.texaswomenlawyers.net/home/events/cle.

About Texas Women Lawyers

TWL is an organization committed to the empowerment of women lawyers to achieve full rights, privileges, and responsibilities in the legal profession. Through its network, TWL advocates for the interests of women in the justice system and in society.

SOURCE Texas Women Lawyers

Related Links

http://www.texaswomenlawyers.net/


DOHA, Qatar, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The World Innovation Summit for Education, the leading global initiative for innovation and collaboration in education, announced the theme of the 2017 WISE global Summit, which will take place 14-16 November in Doha: "Co-Exist - Co-Create: Learning to Live and Work Together". The announcement was made during the closing session of [email protected], a regional education one-day forum organized in partnership with Banco Santander.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160929/413266LOGO )



Since its establishment by Qatar Foundation in 2009, WISE has been dedicated to enabling innovation in education around the world. The 2017 WISE theme -- "Co-Exist - Co-Create: Learning to Live and Work Together"-reflects WISE's commitment to address important education challenges particularly in times of disruption and economic uncertainty stemming from conflict, mass migration, growing inequality, and on-going, rapid technological change.

WISE 2017 will gather a wide variety of education stakeholders in Doha, to discuss ways to respond to the world's most pressing problems, turn challenges into opportunities for positive change, and build the future of education. Recognized world leaders, experts and thinkers will explore the impact of education on economies, health and well-being, citizenship, inclusion, the science of learning, and other key issues. More than 2,000 attended the previous WISE Summit in Doha, with talks by global leaders including former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard, and Leymah Gbowee of Liberia, recipient of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, among others.

Additionally, WISE has been organizing educational forums internationally featuring expert speakers in a wide range of fields and sectors to shed light on key regional and global trends in education. The first of these [email protected] gatherings took place last year in Tunis and in Beijing, co-organized with local partners. The [email protected] forum, the first initiative of the series in Europe, was dedicated to reflecting and imagining the future of education, notably addressing the high youth unemployment issue, among other subjects.

About the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE):

Qatar Foundation, under the leadership of its Chairperson, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, launched the World Innovation Summit for Education in 2009. WISE is an international, multi-sectoral platform for creative, evidence-based thinking, debate and purposeful action. Through the biennial Summit, collaborative research and a range of ongoing programs, WISE is a global reference in new approaches to education. The next global Summit will take place 14-16 November 2017 in Doha.

For further information about WISE, visit http://www.wise-qatar.org

SOURCE WISE - World Innovation Summit for Education
PORTLAND, Maine, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Beacon Group is pleased to announce the addition of Timothy (Tim) Gatzulis as Vice President.

"As our firm continues to grow, we are listening to our clients, and adding new and adjacent capabilities and services that will help them as they drive growth," said Beacon CEO Cliff Farrah. "A visionary in creative methodologies to facilitate communication between market participants in the healthcare domain, I'm excited to see the kind of innovation Beacon will bring to the market under Tim's leadership. Please stay tuned for more information on this."

Mr. Gatzulis' career began in corporate finance, where after 6 years he pivoted to focus on the healthcare and life sciences domain. He focused on the creation of live, case based, peer-to-peer learning environments designed to facilitate the exchange of clinical information between academic and community-based healthcare practitioners.

Mr. Gatzulis then launched a company with the specific purpose of commercializing a new model of key opinion leader access in the healthcare and life sciences domain, utilizing private satellite broadcasts to create virtual focus groups around the country.

He has continued to be a pioneer in developing and deploying novel ways to connect life sciences communities, from corporate to clinical and patient. He also has the rare ability to envision a business and to successfully start it from the ground up.

Mr. Gatzulis attended Yale University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He has also received his MBA at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business.

Tim lives in Ohio with his wife of nearly 27 years and has three daughters.

Contact: Natalie Barr, (207) 553-7649, [email protected]

SOURCE The Beacon Group

Related Links

http://www.beacongroupconsulting.com


RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hilb Group, LLC (THG) announced today the acquisition of North Carolina  based Charlotte Insurance. The transaction became effective February 1, 2017.

Founded in 1992, Charlotte Insurance is one of the largest locally owned Property & Casualty insurance providers for businesses and individuals in Charlotte. Marty Karriker and Sean Hertel, principals of Charlotte Insurance, along with their associates will join the Hilb Group under the Charlotte Insurance name.

Including an existing employee benefits location in Mooresville, NC, THG will now have 4 offices in the Charlotte area.

"With the addition of Charlotte Insurance, our North Carolina team will have full advantage of an assortment of cross-selling opportunities," said Robert J. Hilb, Founder and CEO of THG. "This leverage will only further support our long-term growth as well as cultivate the best-in-class solutions. We are pleased to welcome Marty, Sean and their agency to our team."

"This is a very exciting time for our agency," said Marty Karriker. "Not only will this partnership allow us to share our expertise nationally, but will also allow us to draw from the much broader array of resources and capabilities that exist through THG. With THG's support, we will bring greater value to our clients and more opportunities for our team to grow."

About the Hilb Group: The Hilb Group is a leading middle market insurance agency headquartered in Richmond, Virginia and is a portfolio company of Boston-based private equity firm, ABRY Partners. The Hilb Group seeks to grow through targeted acquisitions in the middle market insurance brokerage space. Please visit our website at: http://hilbgroup.com.

Media Contact:

Margaret Clary

804-205-1209

[email protected]

SOURCE The Hilb Group, LLC

Related Links

http://hilbgroup.com


LONDON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- automobile emission control norms worldwide and concerns regarding fuel efficiency have compelled manufacturers to take measures for reducing vehicle weight considerably, thereby propelling demand for lightweight vehicles. One method of reducing vehicle weight is incorporating polycarbonates as replacement for part of the steel structures used in auto manufacturing. However, polycarbonates suffer from some drawbacks, such as low scratch resistance, which brings titanium dioxide into play. This material is used for coating polycarbonate structures that are further utilized in the auto manufacturing process. Using polycarbonates enables in reducing the weight of a vehicle and consequently enhancing fuel efficiency. Other applications of titanium dioxide in plastics include improving color, strength and opacity.





Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4047932/





An expansion being witnessed in the construction industry constitutes a major factor that is bolstering demand for titanium dioxide. The use of this material in paints and coatings, its largest application area, is being supported by a simultaneous surge in construction activity, which has been more evident in the developing economies of Asia-Pacific and South America. China leads the global demand for titanium dioxide in the construction sector, with other regions, such as India, Southeast Asia, Brazil and Mexico not far behind.



On a negative note, strict environmental regulations constitute a detrimental factor that restrains demand for titanium dioxide. The process of producing this material causes a number of harmful solid and acid wastes to be produced and several regulations are now in place, more so in developed regions, for controlling the emission and disposal of these wastes. Among the two processes used for manufacturing titanium dioxide, the sulfate process, predominantly used in China, leads to large amounts of solid waste being produced. This has led Chinese manufacturers to change tack and implement a slew of alternatives aimed at lowering the pollution caused by production of titanium dioxide.



Worldwide market for Titanium Dioxide applications analyzed in this study include Architectural Paints & Coatings, Industrial Paints & Coatings, Paper, Plastics and Other Applications. The global markets for the above mentioned applications are analyzed in terms of both in metric tons and USD. Global volume consumption of Titanium Dioxide is projected to reach 7.8 million metric tons by 2022 from a forecast 6.1 million metric tons in 2016 at a CAGR of 4.1% between 2016 and 2022.



This report reviews, analyses and projects the Titanium Dioxide market for the period 2012-2022 globally and the regional markets including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America and Rest of World. The regional markets further analyzed for 14 independent countries across North America  The United States, Canada and Mexico; Europe  France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom; Asia-Pacific  China, India, Japan and South Korea; South America  Argentina and Brazil.



This 322 page global market research report includes 242 charts (includes a data table and graphical representation for each chart), supported with meaningful and easy to understand graphical presentation, of market numbers. This report profiles 10 key global players and 30 major players across North America  6; Europe  3; Asia-Pacific  20; and Rest of World  1. The research also provides the listing of the companies engaged in manufacturing and supply of titanium dioxide. The global list of companies covers the address, contact numbers and the website addresses of 100 companies.

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4047932/



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

http://www.reportbuyer.com


NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic Corporation has named Tom Gebhardt, currently President of Peachtree City, GA-based Panasonic Automotive Systems Company, to succeed Joseph M. Taylor as Chairman and CEO of Panasonic Corporation of North America based in Newark, NJ. Mr. Gebhardt, a 32-year veteran of the company, will become Chairman and CEO effective April 1, 2017.

After almost 34 years with Panasonic Corporation's principle US subsidiary, Mr. Taylor has chosen to retire. During his seven years as Chairman and CEO, Mr. Taylor successfully led the company's business transformation during which its primary focus shifted from consumer electronics products to B2B and B2G solutions, while also driving a culture of innovation. Mr. Taylor, the first American executive officer and managing executive officer of the Panasonic Corporation, as well as the first non-Japanese to serve as Chairman & CEO of Panasonic Corporation of North America, led the company's growth in each year of his tenure and to exceptionally high growth, sales and revenue in the current fiscal year. Mr. Taylor was also responsible for creating Panasonic's Smart City initiatives which demonstrate how public-private partnerships can work to improve the quality of life of residents. He was also instrumental in the decision to move the company's headquarters to Newark, NJ in 2013.

During his tenure as Chairman and CEO, Mr. Taylor received many tributes, including a doctorate in engineering honoris causa from the New Jersey Institute of Technology in 2010 and the 2016 Corporate Leadership Award from the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice.

Tom Gebhardt has led Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America since 2012, presiding over its growth into Panasonic's largest and most dynamic business in North America. During his career with the company, Mr. Gebhardt has served as President of Panasonic Industrial Group, President of Panasonic Factory Solutions Company of America, and General Manager of Panasonic Batteries.

"I want to thank Joe Taylor for his more than 34 years of service to Panasonic, his vision and unmatched leadership of Panasonic Corporation of North America," said Kazuhiro Tsuga, President of Panasonic Corporation. "Panasonic is also grateful that Joe has agreed to help us position Panasonic Avionics Corporation and Hussmann Corporation for continued success."

"To have been a part of this hundred-year-old global company has been an honor," said Mr. Taylor. "To lead Panasonic in North America, particularly as the first non-Japanese head, has been a privilege. I have had a great ride, led a huge business transformation, worked with and met wonderful people, been around the world and had an opportunity to play a role in the technology revolution. I never dreamed of such a life. To finish this phase of my career knowing my successor is Tom Gebhardt makes it perfect."

Upon retiring, Mr. Taylor will assume the role of Vice Chairman of the company until December 31, 2017. He will also serve as a strategic advisor to Lake Forest, CA-based Panasonic Avionics Corporation and as a board member of Panasonic Corp. of North America subsidiary Hussmann Corporation, which is based in Bridgeton, MO.

"I am honored to be chosen to lead this exciting company into the next phase of its growth," said Gebhardt. "I continue to be impressed by the dedication and knowledge of our employees and I look forward to continuing to build our presence in this market so we can provide customers with the innovative solutions they have come to expect from Panasonic. I would like to sincerely thank Joe Taylor for the commitment and expertise he's demonstrated in helping the company transform over the past few years, and I am committed to continuing his good work."

Succeeding Mr. Gebhardt as President of Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America will be Scott Kirchner, who currently serves as the company's Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America

Newark, NJ-based Panasonic Corporation of North America is a leading technology partner and integrator to businesses, government agencies and consumers across the region. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic was featured in Fortune Magazine's 2016 ranking of 50 companies that are changing the world and doing well by doing good. Specifically cited were its smart and sustainable technologies, including its contributions to smart cities and the electric vehicle revolution. Learn more about Panasonic at us.panasonic.com/news.

SOURCE Panasonic Corporation of North America

Related Links

http://us.panasonic.com


SANTA CLARA, California, BANGALORE and DUBAI, UAE, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Trianz, a digital transformation and technology solutions firm, has announced a strategic partnership with Emagia, a leading Order-to-Cash (OTC) solutions provider, to deliver next generation data-driven finance solutions worldwide. The partnership will focus on accelerating finance transformation and modernizing finance operations for global companies and shared services with best practices and future-ready packaged solution to improve operational efficiency.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/452308/PRNE_TrianzUpdated_Logo.jpg )



Emagia provides enterprise software solutions that transform, optimize and automate the OTC processes to help its customers be future-ready, gain valuable financial insights, reduce credit risk, improve days sales outstanding (DSO), improve working capital management and maximize cash flow. Based on the nexus of the latest technologies in big data, predictive analytics and robotic process automation, the Emagia OTC solutions deliver prepackaged analytics and digital process automation for the entire OTC cycle including credit, billing, receivables, collections, disputes, payments and cash application. Emagia software is offered in on-premises and on cloud deployment models.

Speaking on the partnership, Ira Horowitz, VP - Client Relationships at Trianz, said, "We are constantly innovating with strategic partnerships and bringing the best-of-breed functionality to our clients. Our cloud, analytics and digital transformation services have already set the pace and we have a competitive edge at the marketplace. Emagia's data-driven finance solutions have proven, long-term gains and they have delivered measurable ROI to numerous clients. By combining the services expertise of Trianz with Emagia's best-in-class data-driven finance solutions, we will be able to provide greater value and a differentiated finance transformation experience for our clients."

Founder and CEO of Emagia, Veena Gundavelli, added, "Our customers experience game-changing impact in finance operations with our data-driven order-to-cash solutions. Trianz has a proven track record of delivering next generation transformation services to global clients. As more and more finance organizations are embracing digital transformation, Trianz and Emagia together will provide the right partnership for finance executives to accelerate their organization's journey to high performance and future-ready, data-driven finance operations. Our collaboration will harness the best of finance transformation capabilities to outreach and impact businesses around the globe."

About Emagia Corporation

Emagia Corporation is a leading provider of data-driven finance operations management solutions. For over a decade, Emagia has been delivering highly innovative technology solutions to transform, automate and optimize order-to-cash processes for maximizing cash flow and improving working capital management. Emagia Enterprise Receivables Management Suite (ERMS) includes Advanced Analytics, Credit Management, Receivables Portfolio Management, Collections Management, Deductions Management, Cash Flow Forecasting, Cash Application and Customer Financial Services (EIPP) Portal. Emagia Advanced Analytics provide enterprise-class, prepackaged business intelligence and advanced analytics dashboards - descriptive, predictive, prescriptive analytics - for entire order to cash cycle. Emagia has served as the primary technology platform for many receivables departments as well as for F&A shared service centers. Many companies across the world have achieved significant and sustainable improvements to their DSOs, credit risk, cash flow and profitability with Emagia solutions. For more information, visit http://www.emagia.com.

About Trianz

Trianz enables digital transformations through effective strategies and excellence in execution. Collaborating with business and technology leaders, Trianz helps formulate and execute operational strategies to achieve intended business outcomes by bringing the best of consulting, technology experiences and execution models. Powered by knowledge, research, and perspectives, Trianz enables clients to transform their business ecosystems and achieve superior performance by leveraging Cloud, Analytics, Digital and Security paradigms. With offices in Silicon Valley, Washington DC Metro, Jersey City, Dubai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi NCR, and Mumbai, Trianz serves Fortune 1000 and emerging organizations across industries globally. As a professional services firm, Trianz's values and culture are focused on delivering measurable business impact, predictability in execution, and a unique partnership experience.



Media Contacts:

Prashant Bhavaraju

Director, Marketing

+1-408-387-5800

www.trianz.com

[email protected]



SOURCE Trianz
BOSTON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Tufin, the market-leading provider of Network Security Policy Orchestration, announced its 2016 results, growing 50% year-over-year (YoY) and reporting positive cash flow, as well as 80% growth in adoption of its automation solutions YoY  evidence of the recognition and rapid adoption of Network Security Policy Management (NSPM), led by Tufin since its inception in 2005.

Tufin expanded its market share even further, adding 242 new customers and ending the year with more than 1,900 customers as organizations fully realized the benefits, cost and time savings, and agility that come with automating their security policies. In addition, 40 companies in the Fortune 100 are now Tufin customers. These wins are further proof of the growing demand for NSPM solutions. Industry analysts have noticed this emerging market as well, with Gartner giving NSPM a benefit rating of "high" in its recent "Hype Cycle for Infrastructure Protection" report.

"Since Tufin opened its doors in 2005, we've led NSPM, paving the path towards the success that the market saw in 2016," said Ruvi Kitov, CEO, Tufin. "As leaders in the space, we'll build on the momentum that we launched 12 years ago and continue to grow our presence in the market, offering the very best solutions to enable organizations to automate and orchestrate network changes, while maintaining security and compliance. We envision that the market demand we've seen in 2016 will grow along with the increasing complexity of today's hybrid enterprise networks. Tufin is already answering that call."

Cloud and Compliance Demands Contribute to Growth

In addition to the growing adoption of the company's automation solutions, Tufin's cloud adoption is accelerating. Organizations struggle to keep up with security and compliance demands in hybrid network environments, and Tufin addresses those challenges with its cloud solution. The company has more than tripled its cloud business and added a significant number of new cloud customers in 2016, as a growing number of companies feel increasingly confident extending their data centers with Tufin hybrid solutions.

New Additions to the Executive Management Team

In the last year, Tufin added two executives to its management team. In June 2016, Tufin announced the appointment of a new Chief Marketing Officer, Pat Walsh, who brings over 25 years of experience in the IT infrastructure software industry. More recently, Tufin welcomed Bhanu Sareddy to the role of Vice President of Services and Support. Bhanu has over 20 years of experience in technical support and services leadership in the network and security industries. Both appointments are strong additions to Tufin's growing team, will help bolster its presence in North America, and will further position the company for continued growth in the future.

Continued Innovation Through Quarterly Releases

As a testament to Tufin's mission to continuously offer customers the most cutting-edge solutions in NSPM, the company announced four updates to its award-winning Tufin Orchestration Suite. Major updated offerings include:

The unification of security policy management across Amazon Web Services and on-premises platforms;

End-to-end, policy-based change automation for Amazon Web Services, providing requisite security and compliance checks for each change;

End-to-end policy-based change automation for Fortinet customers with automated provisioning of FortiManager ADOM policies;

Extended integration with Palo Alto Networks to bolster productivity for seamless cybersecurity and business agility with end-to-end change automation across Panorama device groups; and

Support for Check Point R80 Security Management, delivering end-to-end change automation and continuous policy compliance for joint customers across hybrid networks.

Tufin Orchestration Suite received a 5-star product review by SC Magazine.

New Partnership Initiatives

To enable customers to fully leverage the power of Tufin Orchestration Suite, regardless of network complexity and multi-vendor environments, the company partners with multiple industry leaders. In 2016, Tufin announced new initiatives with several of its technological alliances, including:

Joining the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network (APN) and making Tufin Orchestration Suite available on AWS Marketplace to increase visibility with AWS customers;

Joining Fortinet's Fabric-Ready Partner Program and integrating the Tufin Orchestration Suite with the Fortinet Security Fabric; and

Integrating the Tufin Orchestration Suite with Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (Cisco ACI) to deliver unified security policy management across physical and public, private and hybrid cloud networks. In addition, Tufin joined the Cisco Tetration Analytics platform ecosystem, combining Tetration Analytics with Tufin Orchestration Suite to bring a new level of network and security analysis to the data center.

Tufin was also the recipient of two Best of VMWorld Awards, winning Best in Show and taking first place in the Agility and Automation category.

About Tufin

Tufin is the leader in Network Security Policy Orchestration for enterprise cybersecurity. More than half of the top 50 companies in the Forbes Global 2000 turn to Tufin to simplify management of some of the largest, most complex networks in the world, consisting of thousands of firewall and network devices and emerging hybrid cloud infrastructures. Enterprises select the company's award-winning Tufin Orchestration Suite to increase agility in the face of ever-changing business demands while maintaining a robust security posture. The Suite reduces the attack surface and meets the need for greater visibility into secure and reliable application connectivity. Its network security automation enables enterprises to implement changes in minutes with proactive risk analysis and continuous policy compliance. Tufin serves over 1,900 customers spanning all industries and geographies; its products and technologies are patent-protected in the U.S. and other countries. Find out more at www.tufin.com.

Follow Tufin on Twitter: @TufinTech

Read more on Tufin's blog: Suite Talk

Media Contact:

Justin Ordman

[email protected]

617-237-0922

SOURCE Tufin

Related Links

http://www.tufin.com


This would be a simple donation story except for its social media origins. In the summer of 2016, Brian Kielty, CFO of the Healthcare Consultancy Group (HCG), listened to a presentation by AfriKids during a visit to Chameleon Communications, a subsidiary of HCG and Stephen Marchant, President Chameleon Europe. A new hematology analyzer was at the top of their wish list for their medical center. "I was most interested in how AfriKids is able to turn a temporary intervention into a lasting difference. Through the establishment of basic health services and an infrastructure for education and innovative microeconomies, AfriKids is able to have an enduring impact in an area of the world with no shortage of need or complexity," said Kielty.

While others were thinking about raising the funds to purchase a new unit, Kielty had a different plan. He sent emails via LinkedIn to a number of CFOs of diagnostic equipment manufacturers. His 'shot in the dark' found Alex Garini, CFO of Sysmex America, Inc.

"The message came as a complete surprise, and then I viewed the AfriKids video. I contacted Brian and he spoke with real passion about the organization and was impressed by the tangible impact this charity was having in an impoverished area of rural Ghana. I truly wanted to find a way for Sysmex to assist," said Garini. He consulted with Sysmex associates and found out that the hematology analyzer model that AfriKids had requested was available and could be sent to Ghana. After discussions with another affiliate, Sysmex Europe GmbH, it was determined that the medical center could continue its relationship with the local Sysmex distributor for reagents and service. "This was not an easy task, but it is part of our company philosophyThe Sysmex Wayto give back to society and help others," said Garini.

"This simple donation was realized only after the combined efforts of many people, in multiple companies on three continents. Brian and I are happy to announce that the new Sysmex hematology analyzer was finally delivered and installed in the AfriKids Medical Centre laboratory just in time for Christmas," said Garini. Social media at its best.

About Sysmex America, Inc.

Sysmex America, Inc. distributes and supports a diverse portfolio of best-in-class, in vitro diagnostic hematology and clinical laboratory products in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. It is the U.S. headquarters of Sysmex Corporation, located in Kobe, Japan, a trusted world leader in clinical laboratory solutions that optimize efficiency, operations and financial performance in the lab. Sysmex is reshaping the healthcare of tomorrow at the clinical laboratory level by transcending the boundaries of diagnostic science and serving as the pulse of reliable, accountable care. For more information about Sysmex America, visit www.sysmex.com/us.

About the Healthcare Consultancy Group (HCG)

The Healthcare Consultancy Group is a collaboration of agencies that enable healthcare companies' medical affairs, regulatory, and marketing teams to better meet the needs of physicians, patients, and other stakeholders. HCG firms provide strategic and communications consulting, scientific branding and messaging, data visualization, and traditional and digital creative execution. HGC agencies develop and execute medical publication plans, stakeholder relationship and peer-to-peer education programs, regulatory communication plans, market access initiatives, and patient-centered development and communications programs. Headquartered in New York, and with offices throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, HCG agencies include Health Science Communications, Hyphen Digital, The Scienomics Group, The Chameleon Group, ProEd Communications, ProEd Regulatory, Accuverus, Scientific Strategy Partners, and Choreo Market Access.

About AfriKids

AfriKids is a partnership between a UK charity and a Ghanaian Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), working together to improve life for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children in northern Ghana , West Africa

, AfriKids' programmes are run by qualified local staff and volunteers in Ghana , making changes in their own communities by working with all levels of society from families to the government to improve education, protection and healthcare for children at risk

, making changes in their own communities by working with all levels of society from families to the government to improve education, protection and healthcare for children at risk One of the initiatives under AfriKids' Health Programme is the AfriKids Medical Centre. This is a primary hospital located in Bolgatanga, the capital of the Upper East Region of Ghana , where almost half of the population live in poverty and 1 in 10 children die before their 5 th birthday. It sees around 55,000 cases a year

, where almost half of the population live in poverty and 1 in 10 children die before their 5 birthday. It sees around 55,000 cases a year AfriKids is multi award-winning and was named International Charity of the Year at the Charity Times Awards 2015

More information can be found at www.afrikids.org or by calling 0044 207 269 0740

SOURCE Sysmex America, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.sysmex.com


THALWIL, Switzerland, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

u-blox (SIX:UBXN), a global leader in wireless and positioning modules and chips, today announced PTCRB certification of its TOBY-R202 and TOBY-R200 LTE Cat 1 modules for T-Mobile's (SIX: TMUS) US 4G LTE network. Both modules will be available for both of T-Mobile's IoT Access packs, which offer simple IoT pricing with a Cat 1 module and support a broad range of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications, reducing the cost for product makers to introduce new LTE devices on the network.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150826/261282LOGO)



The TOBY-R202 and TOBY-R200 modules deliver true industrial performance. They are robust and reliable with extended temperature range of -40 to +85C and manufacturing in ISO/TS 16949 certified production sites. LTE Cat 1 provides efficient power consumption with battery life lasting up to 5 years, depending on the application. In addition, TOBY-R200 includes a wider supply voltage input that allows for less expensive design and further lowers power consumption.

"u-blox is a global leader in developing cellular modules designed for IoT and M2M applications," said Drazen Drinic, Product Manager Cellular at u-blox. "We are excited to now have two LTE Cat 1 modules available to IoT product makers as part of T-Mobile's IoT Access packs."

The u-blox modules will now be included in T-Mobile's IoT Access packs, which provide product makers with a simplified launch pad for their IoT devices. For a limited time, customers can get unlimited data at 64kbps for just $20 per year per device, with up to $16 per certified module covered via a bill credit from T-Mobile upon activation.

"As the Un-carrier, we're focused on addressing customer pain points - and that includes building solutions for the IoT market," said Doug Chartier, senior vice president, MVNO, M2M and IoT at T-Mobile. "T-Mobile's low-cost IoT access packs give our customers industry-leading Category 1 chipset options to quickly launch their devices on the nation's fastest 4G LTE network."

The two u-blox TOBY-R2 LTE Cat 1 modules support many IoT and M2M applications and are specifically targeted at those markets requiring industrial performance, such as smart metering, alarm and security systems, connected health, automotive and transportation, as well as smart payment solutions.

They come in a compact 24.8 x 35.6 mm form factor and operate on LTE bands 2, 4, 5 and 12. TOBY-R202 provides fallback on 3G bands 2 and 5, while TOBY-R200 provides global 2G and 3G fallback. Thanks to u-blox nested design, migration between the TOBY-R2 modules and other u-blox 2G, 3G and 4G modules is easy, while enabling future-proof, seamless mechanical scalability across technologies.

For more information about u-blox, please visit http://www.u-blox.com

Contact:

Sabrina Bochen

Phone: +1-858-847-9611

Email: [email protected]



SOURCE u-blox
NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Summary



This report provides all the information you require to better understand UCB and its partnering interests and activities since 2010.





Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p03605638-summary/view-report.html





Description

The Partnering Deals and Alliance since 2010 report provides an in-depth insight into the partnering activity of one of the world's leading life sciences companies.



On demand company reports are prepared upon purchase to ensure inclusion of the most up to date deal and company data.



The report will be delivered in PDF format within 1 working day of receipt of order. If the CD-Rom version purchased, the report will be sent by courier using express service.



One of the key aspects of partnering is finding those companies that are potential candidates for the development and commercialization of the next generation of therapies. A lot of resources are spent on finding partners, identifying their interests and making contact to initiate discussions.



Using this report, dealmakers will effectively and efficiently target their partnering activities to deliver the company's business development objectives.



The initial chapters of this report provide an orientation of deal making and business activities. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the report, whilst chapter 2 lists the top companies partnering with the company since 2010. Chapter 3 provides an overview of the leading partnering and M&A deals since 2010 to present date based on headline value.



Chapter 4 provides details on how to approach biopharma companies with partnering opportunities whilst chapter 5 lists forthcoming partnering events and conferences where biopharma companies will be present to discuss opportunities face to face.



The main body of the report is provided in chapter 6 providing a infographic visual summary of the company's partnering activity since 2010 according to deal type, industry sector, phase of development, and therapy area.



The deals are listed by deal type, stage of development and therapy focus, allowing easy access to deals and alliances of interest. Every deal record links to an online, live version of the deal record at the Current Agreements deals and alliances database. Where available, deal records also include the contract document as disclosed at the SEC.



One of the key aspects of partnering is conducting due diligence on a partner to determine under what terms a prospective partner agrees to a partnering relationship.



Understanding the flexibility of prospective partners' negotiated deals terms provides critical insight into the negotiation process in terms of what you can expect to achieve during the negotiation of terms. Whilst many smaller companies will be seeking details of the payments clauses, the devil is in the detail in terms of how payments are triggered  contract documents provide this insight where press releases and databases do not.



In addition, contract documents provide the answers to numerous questions about a prospective partner's flexibility on a wide range of important issues, many of which will have a significant impact on each party's ability to derive value from the deal.



Each contract document is accessible through a link to an online version of the actual contract document as filed with the Securities Exchange Commission.



Analyzing actual company agreements allows assessment of the following:



- What is actually granted by the agreement to the partner company?

- What exclusivity is granted?

- What is the payment structure for the deal?

- How are sales and payments audited?

- What is the deal term?

- How are the key terms of the agreement defined?

- How are IPRs handled and owned?

- Who is responsible for commercialization?

- Who is responsible for development, supply, and manufacture?

- How is confidentiality and publication managed?

- How are disputes to be resolved?

- Under what conditions can the deal be terminated?

- What happens when there is a change of ownership?

- What sublicensing and sub-contracting provisions have been agreed?

- Which boilerplate clauses does the company insist upon?

- Which boilerplate clauses appear to differ from partner to partner or deal type to deal type?

- Which jurisdiction does the company insist upon for agreement law?



Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p03605638-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

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LOS ANGELES, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Technology expert Udo Eberlein, former CEO of Good To Go and Nero, has joined leading retained executive search firm Morgan Samuels as Senior Client Partner. Leveraging his vast experience in scaling technology companies, Mr. Eberlein will co-lead Morgan Samuels' Emerging Products practice, partnering closely with Monica Bua. Based out of Sausalito, California, Mr. Eberlein will continue to expand Morgan Samuels' presence in the Silicon Valley market.

Udo Eberlein

"This is the ideal time for someone of Udo's talent and experience to join Morgan Samuels," said Bert Hensley, Chairman and CEO of Morgan Samuels. "On the heels of our recent acquisition of San Francisco-based human capital consulting firm Delivery Point Advisors, the addition of Udo to our team gives us greater ability to serve our Bay Area clients."

"Udo and I have been working together for a decade  he's been a client and a candidate and we're thrilled to have his next gen technology domain expertise at the firm," added Monica Bua, Senior Client Partner and Leader of Morgan Samuels' Emerging Products practice. "His background perfectly complements mine, as my client base has primarily been B2C, while Udo brings experience in SaaS, IoT, Cloud, Big Data and Edge Computing. He will be a real asset to our enterprise clients."

"Morgan Samuels' leading-edge methodology is unparalleled in executive search," said Mr. Eberlein. "I am very excited to be working with such a topnotch team as we continue to build our Emerging Products practice and footprint in the Bay Area, the world's largest cluster of technology innovation."

Mr. Eberlein comes to Morgan Samuels from Auckland Partners where he led their Bay Area office as Associated Partner, focusing on bringing Silicon Valley innovation and best practices to German midcap companies, ultimately speeding up their digital innovation and transformation. He was also the Co-Founder of Good to Go, Inc., a mobile platform for consumers delivering the benefits of e-commerce technology to offline retailers and brands. Prior to Auckland Partners and Good to Go, Mr. Eberlein served as the Chief Revenue Officer at Greenwave Systems, Inc., an Internet of Things Platform provider.

Over the course of his career, he has led private equity and venture-backed companies across Europe, the US and Asia and was instrumental in ramping up Nero, a consumer software company globally, as President, COO and CEO. He has also advised several Fortune 100 companies on their organizational design, product, sales and go-to-market strategies. He has spoken at different industry conferences such as Digital Hollywood, Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and Connections.

Mr. Eberlein holds a Master's Degree in Logistics and Business Administration from the German Academy of Business in Stuttgart, Germany.

About Morgan Samuels

For 48 years, Morgan Samuels has developed and delivered exceptional leadership talent for clients worldwide, from Fortune 500 to rapid growth start-ups.

The firm was founded with a single idea in mind: to help people and organizations achieve their greatest potential. And this vision has become today's reality. Today, Morgan Samuels transforms businesses by employing innovative strategies to help our clients identify, attract, and retain top talent.

The first search firm to adopt Lean Six Sigma methodologies, Morgan Samuels has developed a truly leading-edge system for search execution  utilizing streamlined, data-driven processes that produce industry-leading results.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kimberly Lewis

310.205.2293

[email protected]

morgansamuels.com

SOURCE Morgan Samuels
ADDISON, Texas, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ULURU Inc. (OTCQB: ULUR), a specialty medical technology company focused on the development of a portfolio of wound management and oral drug delivery products, today announced it has entered into a Note, Warrant and Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement with Velocitas Partners, LLC and its affiliates ("Velocitas") under which the Company is expected to receive $3,000,000 in gross proceeds, and may receive proceeds of up to $6,000,000, in two closings (the "Financing") prior to the end of March 2017.

The first closing, which has occurred, included the purchase by Velocitas of a $500,000 Secured Convertible Promissory Note (the "Initial Note") with the Initial Note accruing interest at 12.5% per annum and having a term of two years (subject to acceleration under certain circumstances). The Initial Note is convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $0.04 per share, subject to equitable adjustments under certain circumstances. The Initial Note is secured by all of the assets of the Company.

A second closing is expected to occur within 30 days of the initial closing, subject to conditions precedent set forth in the purchase agreement. The Second Closing is expected to involve the purchase by Velocitas of a second $500,000 Secured Convertible Note on terms similar to the Initial Note ("Second Note) and an equity offering that includes the offer and sale to Velocitas of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock for net proceeds of not less than $2,000,000 nor more than $5,000,000, at an effective purchase price per ordinary share of $0.04 per share (the "Equity Offering"). As a condition and incentive for the financing, the Company has agreed to issue to Velocitas a warrant to purchase up to 57,055,057 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.04 per share during a 10-year term. Also occurring at the closing of the Second Note, the Company has agreed to acquire the Altrazeal distributor agreements Velocitas has with its sub-distributors in exchange for the issuance of 13,375,000 shares of common stock.

If the gross proceeds from the Equity Offering are less than $4,000,000 (with such deficit being referred to as "Proceeds Gap"), the Company is obligated to seek capital, in an amount at least equal to the Proceeds Gap, from third parties over the next 180 days. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital equal to the Proceeds Gap from third parties, Bradley J. Sacks, Chairman of the Board of Directors, entered into a "backstop" agreement and has agreed to invest up to $2,000,000 towards the Proceeds Gap, at a purchase price of $0.04 per share.

As part of the Financing, the Company has agreed to appoint Ms. Vaidehi Shah to serve as the Company's Chief Executive Officer and to also serve as a member of the Company's Board of Directors. Upon closing of the Equity Offering, the Company has agreed that both Mr. Anish Shah and Ms. Oksana Tiedt will join the Company to serve as part of the Company's executive management team and together with Mr. Arindam Bose will also join the Company's Board of Directors.

Concurrent with the first closing and as a condition of the Financing, the Company received the resignation notice from Helmut Kerschbaumer, the Company's Interim President, Chief Executive and Director. The Company has also received a resignation notice from Klaus Kuehne, a member of the Company's Board of Directors.

Commenting on the financing, Bradley J. Sacks, Chairman of the Board of ULURU, stated, "ULURU has been undercapitalized for some time. The financing transaction should provide ULURU with the necessary capital to realize on the promise of Altrazeal, both in the near and long term. The acquisition of the distribution rights held by Velocitas completes the process of consolidating all Altrazeal primary distribution rights under a single entity. In addition to improving liquidity, the capital will be used to improve and expand our commercialization activities. This will also place the Company in a stronger position negotiating with strategic partners. We are excited by the investment made by Velocitas and look forward to the energy and focus Ms. Shah and her team will bring to the Company."

This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any shares of common stock of the Company. No offer, solicitation or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

About ULURU Inc.:

ULURU Inc. is a specialty medical technology company focused on the development of a portfolio of wound management and oral care products to provide patients and consumers improved clinical outcomes through controlled delivery utilizing its innovative Nanoflex Aggregate technology and OraDisc transmucosal delivery system. For further information about ULURU Inc., please visit our website at www.ULURUinc.com. For further information about Altrazeal, please visit www.Altrazeal.com.

ULURU Inc. (OTCQB: ULUR) 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.

This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of the Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to statements made suggesting that the second closing will occur, the Company will be able to secure additional capital following the second closing or the proceeds will allow the Company to execute its business plan. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the risks that the second closing will not occur for a number of possible reasons, including the failure of one or more investors to fund after satisfaction of all conditions precedent are satisfied and the failure of the conditions to the second closing to be satisfied by the Company, market risks associated with any addition capital the Company is required to raise (including regarding price, dilution and ability to raise capital), the risk that competitive factors, costs of distribution, poor performance by distributors, regulatory factors and other factors may inhibit the Company's ability to execute its business plan, and risk factors detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and other reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results will likely differ, and may differ materially, from anticipated results. ULURU assumes no obligation to update or disclose revisions to those estimates.

Contact: Company

Vaidehi Shah

Chief Executive Officer

Terrance K. Wallberg

Vice President & CFO

(214) 905-5145

SOURCE ULURU Inc.

Related Links

http://www.uluruinc.com


FARMINGTON, Conn., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) will broadcast its analysts and portfolio managers meeting on Friday, March 10, 2017. The meeting is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. ET. It will be broadcast live on the Internet at www.utc.com and will be archived on the website afterward. Corresponding presentations will be available on the site prior to the meeting.

United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries. By combining a passion for science with precision engineering, the company is creating smart, sustainable solutions the world needs. To learn more about UTC, visit the website or follow the company on Twitter: @UTC

UTC-IR

Contact: Maureen Fitzgerald, UTC



(860) 728-7907 www.utc.com







Investor Relations, UTC



(860) 728-7608



SOURCE United Technologies Corp.

Related Links

http://www.utc.com


TORONTO, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Students from the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) at the University of Waterloo are the winners of the CFA Institute Research Challenge Local Competition. Student team members, Sophia Chen, Judy Dong, Thinisha Gunasekera, Raj Patel, and Talha Siddiqui, each will receive a thousand dollar prize and will be advancing to the regional competition of the CFA Instititue Research Challenge in Seattle, Washington on 06  07 April 2017.

"The CFA Research Challenge inspires finance students worldwide to sharpen and refine their analytical and presentation skills, as well as their ability to think on their feet as they defend their conclusions in the face of rigorous cross-examination. I am amazed by the quality of young, bright minds that have stepped forward for the 2017 competition. As well, we would not have been able to accomplish this without the incredible support from our [CFA Institute Research Challenge] Industry Mentor, Jeannine Li Chong." Steve Balaban, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, Mink Capital and CFA Society Toronto volunteer.

This is University of Waterloo's second consecutive local win and the fifth overall since the Society started this initiative in 2010. Last year's SAF students competed against stiff competition and were the second Canadian team to win the Americas regionals level of the challenge, and the first Canadian team to be global champions of the competition.

"The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an amazing opportunity to apply our skills in equity research and valuation that we developed through our academics and co-op experiences. We are very grateful for all of the mentorship that we have received from our advisors." Sophia Chen, SAF team captain.

The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual global competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis. Students work in teams to research and analyze a publicly traded company, and each team writes a research report on its assigned company with a buy, sell, or hold recommendation. Teams that progress to local, regional and global finals must present and defend their analysis to a panel of industry professionals. Students learn from experienced industry experts and peers from the world's top business schools.

For more information visit CFA Institute Research Challenge



About CFA Society Toronto

CFA Society Toronto is the world's largest society of CFA charterholders and is dedicated to supporting the professional and business development of over nine thousand members. We provide our membership with a local perspective on a global designation through our member services, which include: educational programs, sponsored events, employment postings, quarterly newsletters and networking opportunities. A not-for-profit organization, CFA Society Toronto is affiliated with CFA Institute, the global body that administers the Chartered Financial Analyst curriculum and sets voluntary, ethics-based performance-reporting standards for the investment industry. CFA Society Toronto's members are leaders in ethics in the financial community. For more information, please refer to www.cfatoronto.ca.

About CFA Society Ottawa

CFA Society Ottawa is a not-for-profit organization that supports the professional and business development of approximately 385 CFA charterholders in the Ottawa region. Consisting of portfolio managers, security analysts, investment advisors, and other financial professionals, we promote: ethical and professional standards within the investment industry, encourage professional development through the CFA Program and continuing education, facilitate the exchange of information and opinions among people within the local investment community and beyond, and; work to further the public's understanding of the CFA designation and investment industry. CFA Society Ottawa is affiliated with CFA Institute, the global body that administers the Chartered Financial Analyst curriculum and sets voluntary, ethics-based performance-reporting standards for the investment industry. For more information, please refer to www.cfaottawa.ca.

SOURCE CFA Society Toronto

Related Links

http://www.cfatoronto.ca


VAIL, Colo., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- With the Vail real estate market setting near-monthly records for luxury sales, the mountain town's top real estate brokerage, Slifer Smith & Frampton (SSF), today released the area's most exclusive village listing at $34 million, eclipsing last month's record sale of $23 million in the same Vail Village neighborhood.

Acknowledged as a "Gore Creek Masterpiece," the 11,007 square-foot tri-level contemporary home features five bedrooms and ten baths on a .87 acre site abutting open space, Gore Creek and adjacent to a scenic trout pond, located equidistant from both the Lionshead and Vail Gondolas at 333 Beaver Dam Road.

SSF listing brokers Catherine Jones Coburn and Donna Caynoski described the listing in one of Vail's most desirable neighborhoods.

"After being in the high-end luxury market in the mountains for 37 years, I've never seen a home of this quality and statureever," said Jones Coburn. "The landscape, location, attention to detail and spectacular design all make the Beaver Dam home a one-of-a-kind luxury find in Vail Village."

The home features geothermal heating with in-ground piping for energy efficiency and interior and exterior materials not commonly seen in Vail. There are stories of precision-cut limestone surrounding the contemporary mid-century home which integrates glass, copper and zinc facades into the structure which fits naturally into the forest setting. Further, a cantilevered patio overlooks Gore Creek, yet it is just minutes from village amenities.

Built in 2011, the home saw the work of renowned local firms who have a modernist bent. Architect Brian Judge, VAG, Inc., builder Charlie Dolan and interior designer Eddy Doumas of Worth Interiors collaborated. "This home is about the views, simplicity and connection to the environment. The choice of striking and indigenous structural materials is as spectacular as the site itself," said Doumas.

Real estate sales volume has eclipsed $198 million in the first 60 days of 2017, a 66% increase over 2016 sales during the same period, catapulting luxury home sales to record-setting highs in Vail as buyers are snapping up one-of-a-kind properties in the nation's premier ski resort.

"Discerning buyers are finding the truly exclusive neighborhoods and homes in the valley," said Jim Flaum, managing broker for Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate. "Colorado continues to be one of the nation's foremost destinations and Vail certainly draws in a segment of buyers who appreciate the Colorado lifestyle, beauty and access that we have as a resort and community."

SOURCE Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate
"VEBO and Keteka were each founded on the idea that collecting memories is more important than collecting stuff," said Sudmeier. "Prior to this partnership, VEBO had not yet offered experience options in Latin America. Our couples are excited to travel the world and this partnership gives them great experiences to enhance their travels. The experiences include paragliding in Bolivia, touring Antarctica and coffee tasting in Colombia."

Kyle Wiggins is a co-founder and the CEO of Keteka. He sees the partnership as a perfect way to connect more couples with the best experiences in Latin America.

"We feel that couples have always been more excited about their honeymoon trip than about receiving an 8-piece set of nonstick cooking pans and we're thrilled to partner with another company that believes in creating unforgettable experiences. 'Keteka' is an indigenous Panamanian word that means 'to get close to.' Through this partnership, we feel that VEBO and Keteka can help more couples get closer to their destination's culture, food, and people, and closer to one another in the process."

Keteka is a marketplace where travelers can book unique, authentic activities with validated local guides. While serving in the Peace Corps in rural Panama, the founders realized that they wanted to create a better way to connect purposeful travelers with authentic, local experiences. Keteka's website is https://www.keteka.com/.

While the wedding industry is still dominated by traditional retailers, alternative registries are gaining in popularity. The majority of the alternative registries specialize in cash gifts. VEBO is the first wedding registry exclusively dedicated to experiential gifts.

About VEBO, Inc.

VEBO is an experience-based wedding registry. VEBO partners with providers throughout the states of Colorado and Washington.

One of VEBO's core values is giving. VEBO couples select a charity to tie to their registry. VEBO contributes 5% of the sales from the couple's registry to the charity they have selected.

Sudmeier is the Founder and CEO. Sudmeier previously founded ATA Clothing and cofounded Agility Solutions. Under Sudmeier's leadership, Agility Solutions was twice recognized as Denver's Fastest Growing Private Company.

For more information, please visit http://www.vebolife.com.

SOURCE VEBO, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.vebolife.com


"As we officially welcome our third ship to the fleet, it is a proud moment for the entire Viking family. We continue to see a positive response from our guests and the industry, which makes us confident in our future growth," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. "We started in the cruise business 20 years ago, and our philosophy is still the same  we do not try to be everything to everyone. We are a destination-oriented small ship cruise line, and as we prepare to introduce a fourth ocean ship by the end of 2017, we look forward to introducing even more guests to The Viking Way of exploration."

Classified by Cruise Critic as a "small ship," the all-veranda, Viking Sky, like her sister ships, has a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, boasts 465 cabins and accommodates 930 passengers. Viking's fourth ship, Viking Sun, will be delivered in November and will spend her maiden season sailing the company's first-ever World Cruise. Viking Spirit will join the fleet in 2018 and will sail itineraries in Australia, Asia and Alaska. A sixth, yet-to-be-named ship will be delivered in 2019; the arrival will mark Viking as the largest small ship ocean cruise line. The ocean ships are designed by experienced nautical architects and engineers, including the same interior design team responsible for the award-winning fleet of Viking Longships.

The Viking Difference

Designed for discerning travelers, Viking offers guests "the thinking person's cruise" as an alternative to mainstream cruises. The Viking Difference is providing guests with extraordinarily well-designed cruises that bring them closer to the cultures of the world. Ships are small to get guests closer to their destination, with more time in port, more overnights and fewer days at sea. Onboard, guests find serene Scandinavian spaces, where every room is beautiful and functional, quiet and filled with light. All-veranda ships mean that guests experience every day with a new, expansive vista. With the most al fresco dining at sea, featuring regional cuisines and always-available American classics, Viking's guests can truly dine in their destination. A focus on cultural enrichment brings immersive experiences onshore and onboard. And only The Viking Way brings guests itineraries that feature Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access experiences.

While every cruise fare includes a guided excursion in each port, Viking's optional excursion program was designed to provide guests with enriching experiences that go beyond the iconic and the expected, for example:

In addition, Viking Inclusive Value provides a small ship experience at a big ship valuewith every cruise fare including a veranda stateroom, shore excursions in each port of call, all onboard meals, and all port charges and government taxes. Guests also enjoy many complimentary amenities as part of their fare, including: beer and wine with lunch and dinner service; premium dining reservations; Wi-Fi; self-service laundry; access to the Thermal Suite in the LivNordic Spa; and 24-hour room servicean included value of more than $200 per person, per day for an average cruise.

Media Assets

For more information, images and b-roll for Viking Cruises, contact [email protected].

Booking Details

Through February 28, 2017, Viking is offering U.S. residents 2-for-1 cruise fare and air  plus a new "choice" offer, allowing guests to choose between a free beverage package, $400 shipboard credit per stateroom or prepaid onboard gratuities  for all 2017 sailings of the Viking Homelands itinerary. Viking is also offering 2-for-1 cruise fare and free air from more than 150 U.S. cities for all 2017 and 2018 sailings of the Panama & Central America itinerary. Contact a travel agent or call Viking toll free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464).

About Viking Cruises

Viking Cruises, the leader in river and small ship ocean cruising, offers destination-focused itineraries designed for experienced travelers who have an interest in geography, culture and history. In its first year of operation, Viking Ocean Cruises was rated the #1 ocean cruise line in Travel + Leisure's 2016 "World's Best" Awards, which came on the heels of being rated the highest of all cruise lines in the 2015 "World's Best" Awards. Viking currently operates a fleet of 61 vessels, offering scenic cruising along the rivers and oceans of the Americas, Europe, Russia, Egypt, China, and Southeast Asia. By 2019 the company will operate six 930-guest ocean cruise ships and will sail itineraries in Scandinavia and the Baltic, the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, Asia, Australia, North America and the Caribbean. In addition to the Travel + Leisure honors, Viking has also been honored multiple times on Conde Nast Traveler's "Gold List" as well as recognized by Cruise Critic as "Best Overall" Small-Mid size ship in the 2017 Cruisers' Choice Awards, "Best River Cruise Line" and "Best River Itineraries," with the entire Viking Longships fleet being named "Best New River Ships" in the website's Editors' Picks Awards. For additional information, contact Viking Cruises at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or visit www.vikingcruises.com.

SOURCE Viking Cruises

Related Links

http://www.vikingcruises.com


HOLMDEL, N.J., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vonage (NYSE: VG), a leading provider of cloud communications for business, announced today that it has partnered with Zoho in the launch of Zoho's cloud-based telephony integration platform - Zoho PhoneBridge. This integration -- Vonage for Zoho, powered by gUnify -- extends cutting-edge unified communication services into Zoho CRM to create a fully integrated communications experience for businesses.

Zoho PhoneBridge Platform is a free-to-use integration platform where cloud PBX vendors and call management solutions can build extensions and promote them directly to Zoho users. The platform was designed to let users build telephony integrations faster, and more easily, when compared to other conventional telephony integration platforms.

"Vonage's integration into Zoho PhoneBridge helps us to realize our goal of providing an effortless synchronization of our customers' communication services with their Zoho CRM workflows, while improving the efficiency of their overall sales management processes," said Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Zoho Corp. "We are delighted that Vonage is a partner in the launch of Zoho PhoneBridge, and we look forward to working together to deliver even more value to our customers through this integration."

Vonage for Zoho easily links Zoho CRM with any Vonage Business phone system to help streamline customer data and enhance productivity and flexibility for sales teams, allowing for anywhere, anytime access to customer information. The seamless integration makes it easier for sales teams to work together and collaborate by connecting their business phones to the workflow tools that they use everyday, no matter where - or how - they choose to work.

"Vonage's award-winning middleware technology integrates seamlessly with CRM tools and business applications like Zoho CRM to help improve interactions with customers for better business outcomes," said Valerie Kahn, Vice President of Business Development for Vonage. "As a launch partner for Zoho PhoneBridge, we are combining Vonage's best-in-class VoIP infrastructure and Zoho's intuitive CRM capabilities to supercharge sales teams."

With Vonage for Zoho, customers can:

Make calls to any contact directly from within the Zoho CRM instead of launching a separate application

Track inbound and outbound calls through screen pops that let you know who's on the line while instantly bringing up the Zoho CRM account record

Quickly create new contacts, add notes and simply schedule the next task or appointment, all from the screen pop, for better contact management

Capture all calls as activities, saving time and allowing easy reporting, sorting and prioritization of customer contacts

Use call time and duration stats to analyze data from individual customers or customer segments.

Added Ms. Kahn, "Through this partnership, we are providing businesses with the ability to gain efficiencies in their sales processes and customer communications, making follow-ups easier and providing real-time analysis of sales data to help them get the most out of customer interactions."

Vonage for Zoho, powered by gUnify is available in the Zoho Marketplace.

About Vonage

Vonage (NYSE: VG) is a leading provider of cloud communications services for business. Vonage transforms the way people work and businesses operate through a portfolio of cloud-based communications solutions that enable internal collaboration among employees, while also keeping companies closely connected with their customers, across any mode of communication, on any device.

Nexmo, the Vonage API Platform, provides tools for voice, messaging and phone verification services, allowing developers to embed contextual, programmable communications into mobile apps, websites and business systems, enabling enterprises to easily communicate relevant information to their customers in real time, anywhere in the world, through text messaging, chat, social media and voice.

The Company also provides a robust suite of feature-rich residential communication solutions. In 2015 and 2016, Vonage was named a Visionary in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Unified Communications as-a-Service, Worldwide. Vonage has also earned Frost & Sullivan's 2015 Growth Excellence Leadership Award for Hosted IP and Unified Communications and Collaboration (UCC) Services and the 2016 North American Cloud Communications Product Line Strategy Leadership Award. For more information, visit www.vonage.com.

Vonage Holdings Corp. is headquartered in Holmdel, New Jersey. Vonage is a registered trademark of Vonage Marketing LLC, owned by Vonage America Inc. To follow Vonage on Twitter, please visit www.twitter.com/vonage. To become a fan on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/vonage. To subscribe on YouTube, visit www.youtube.com/vonage.

About Zoho

Zoho is THE operating system for business - a single cloud platform with all the necessary applications to run a business entirely from the cloud. Businesses can acquire and manage customers using Zoho's marketing, sales and customer support applications - Campaigns, CRM and Desk - and can then empower employees to create, store and distribute content on the cloud with Zoho's productivity and collaboration applications - Office, Mail and Docs. Additionally, businesses can run their own operations on Zoho's finance and human resources applications - Books, People and Recruit.

More than 25 millions users around the world across hundreds of thousands of companies rely on Zoho every day to run their businesses - including Zoho itself. A business can choose to run the entire Zoho suite or just a single application. Zoho applications are available directly through zoho.com, or through an ecosystem of hundreds of worldwide Zoho partners.

Zoho is a division of Zoho Corp., a privately held and consistently profitable company, with more than 4,000 employees. Zoho is headquartered in Pleasanton, CA with international headquarters in Chennai, India and offices in Austin, London, Yokohama, and Beijing. For more information, please visit http://www.zoho.com.

(vg-a)

SOURCE Vonage

Related Links

http://www.vonage.com


BELLEVUE, Wash., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Paul Gauguin Cruises (www.pgcruises.com), operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, is pleased to announce, in partnership with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), that guest scientists Emily Darling, Associate Director of WCS Global Marine Programs, and Sangeeta Mangubhai, Director of WCS Fiji, will lecture as part of the new Wildlife Discovery Series program aboard The Gauguin.

The Wildlife Discovery Series is a lecture program where guests of The Gauguin have the opportunity to learn about marine wildlife and habitats from some of the world's most fascinating scientists, oceanographers, and conservationists. Darling and Mangubhai will share their research and expertise on coral reefs and climate change, conservation challenges and opportunities in Melanesia, and WCS conservation approaches in Fiji, during The Gauguin's June 7, 2017, Bali to Fiji voyage.

Darling is a dedicated coral reef ecologist, passionate about sustaining tropical corals in a changing climate. In her role at WCS, Darling coordinates a coral reef monitoring program across Melanesia, Indonesia, the Caribbean, and Western Indian Ocean. Her research focuses on fisheries management, community ecology, and coral responses to climate change. In addition to publishing in scientific journals, Darling has contributed to popular science blogs for major media networks.

Darling earned her undergraduate degree at Queen's University and doctorate at Simon Fraser University. She completed a David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship and was recently bestowed a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship. She has lived and traveled in southeast Asia, Africa, and the northern wilds of Canada and currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia. She is an expedition diver and underwater photographer and also enjoys hiking, paddling, rock climbing, and exploring the natural world.

Mangubhai has worked for WCS since 2014 and is currently based in Suva, Fiji. As the Director of the WCS Fiji program, she has empowered local communities to make informed decisions about their natural resources. Mangubhai specializes in designing marine protected areas, assessing coral reef resilience, monitoring fisheries, and evaluating the return on investment of conservation action. Throughout her career, she has studied ecology and advised policy in Fiji, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Indonesia, and East Africa.

Mangubhai completed her education in Australia, earning an undergraduate degree at The University of Queensland and her doctorate at Southern Cross University. She has served as an adjunct scientist for the New England Aquarium, editor for Pacific Conservation Biology, and committee member for the Women in Fisheries Network. Mangubhai is fluent in Indonesian and conversant in Fijian and Swahili, and she enjoys drawing and painting in her free time.

Paul Gauguin Cruises is proud to partner with WCS to offer the Wildlife Discovery Series program on select sailings in 2017. For additional information on the Wildlife Discovery Series, please visit www.pgcruises.com/WCS.

For more information about Paul Gauguin Cruises, please contact a Travel Professional, call 800-848-6172, or visit www.pgcruises.com.

About Paul Gauguin Cruises

Owned by Pacific Beachcomber S.C., French Polynesia's leading luxury hotel and cruise operator, Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the 5+-star cruise ship, the 332-guest m/s Paul Gauguin, providing a deluxe cruise experience tailored to the unparalleled wonders of Tahiti, French Polynesia, Fiji, and the South Pacific. Paul Gauguin Cruises' accolades include being voted #2 in the category of "Top Small Cruise Lines" in the Conde Nast Traveler 2015 Readers' Choice Awards and recognition on the publication's 2016 "Gold List." Recently, readers voted Paul Gauguin Cruises "#1 Midsize-Ship Ocean Cruise Line" in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2016.

Media Contact:

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Vanessa Bloy, Director of Public Relations

(425) 440-6255

[email protected]

From Travel + Leisure, August 2016 2016 Time Inc. Affluent Media Group. Used under license. Travel + Leisure and Time Inc. Affluent Media Group are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of Paul Gauguin Cruises.

SOURCE Paul Gauguin Cruises

Related Links

http://www.pgcruises.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Wine.com, the nation's leading online wine retailer, hosted its seventh annual Wine.com Industry Growth Summit last Wednesday, recounting effective strategies in 2016 and outlining initiatives for the coming year. Attendees included over 300 industry executives, suppliers, and wholesaler partners of Wine.com.

The event featured presentations from Wine.com executives that focused on the industry's need to build relevance with younger consumers as they mature into their prime wine discovery years. "Our industry needs to position itself at the intersection of online shopping, mobile engagement and the growth of the millennial generation," said Rich Bergsund, Wine.com CEO. "With millennials turning 21 at the rate of 10,000/day, Wine.com and our trade partners have a major opportunity in front of us."

Some highlights from 2016:

Wine.com website revenue grew nearly 20% over previous year.

Mobile revenue grew 56%, with mobile and tablet traffic surpassing desktop traffic for the first time.

Millennials made up 33% of Wine.com customers, making them the largest generational segment purchasing on Wine.com, and growing the fastest at 25%.

Millennials bought premium wine from Wine.com, just like their Boomer and GenX counterparts, with an average bottle price over $30 .

. Wine.com continues to grow its selection and service, with over 27,000 unique labels sold in 2016 and live chat wine experts available 7 days/week.

Afternoon breakout sessions focused on tips and tools for suppliers and wholesalers to add their wines to the Wine.com portfolio, maintain inventory and update content.

"Creating strong relationships with our partners is key to successful growth, both for Wine.com and our suppliers," said Michael Osborn, Founder and VP Merchandising. "Using tools designed to manage their selection, inventory and content, suppliers are able to leverage Wine.com as a platform to tell their story and connect with loyal customers."

Danny Brager, Director of Nielsen's Beverage Alcohol Team, presented an overview of consumer trends in the US Wine Market in relation to trends at Wine.com, delivering insights into the millennial generation as wine consumers, and a look at growing segments in the industry, led by Rose and Prosecco.

In addition, Wine.com presented three annual awards to recognize outstanding suppliers. Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (owners or importers of Columbia Crest, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Antinori, Villa Maria, Torres and many more) received the Exemplary Supplier of the Year award in recognition of the broad assortment and national distribution of its United States portfolio, its attention to content and inventory, and its partnership in Wine.com marketing programs. The same award for a smaller portfolio went to Cape Classics, a specialty supplier that has long focused on South Africa, and now includes wine from the Loire Valley and Burgundy. The annual Wine.com Extreme Service Award was presented to Rick Mickaels of the Henry Wine Group (a division of Winebow), in appreciation for his consistent dedication to Wine.com. Working with Wine.com for six years, Rick consistently provides Wine.com and its customers with access to quality wines, accurate content, and competitive pricing.

Suppliers interested in working with Wine.com should contact [email protected]. Private collectors interested in learning more should contact [email protected].

About Wine.com

Wine.com is the nation's leading online wine retailer, offering selection, guidance and convenience not found in brick and mortar stores. The company provides its customers access to the world's largest wine store, with live chat wine experts available 7 days a week on its mobile and full websites. With multiple fulfillment centers and the most sophisticated retail wine distribution network in the United States, Wine.com delivers in 1-2 days to most addresses, offering date-certain delivery and the convenience of shipping for pickup at nearly 3,000 FedEx store locations. The company's popular StewardShip program provides unlimited wine delivery and exclusive access to new releases for $49 per year. Wine.com's mission, to inspire the wine lifestyle through innovation, is captured in its brand manifesto video, viewable here. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.wine.com.

SOURCE Wine.com

Related Links

http://www.wine.com


HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy and Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller today warned residents of a phone scam in which residents are being asked to switch their health insurance carrier to the "Pennsylvania Department of Health's plan." Caller identification for these calls falsely appears to be originating from state health centers.

"Our state health centers provide services to uninsured or underinsured Pennsylvanians," Secretary Murphy said. "The Department of Health does not offer an insurance program, nor does it collect insurance information from residents receiving services. If you are receiving a call from the Department of Health about health insurance, please know that this is a scam and hang up."

"Consumers should always be wary if they are solicited about any type of insurance," said Commissioner Miller. "If you are contacted about buying insurance or changing your plan, contact your agent or insurance company before making any decisions. You can also contact our Department of Consumer Services at 1-877-881-6388 or online at www.insurance.pa.gov if you have questions or a concerns about a product being sold."

State health centers are receiving calls from individuals nationwide who have been contacted to switch their health insurance plan to the Pennsylvania Department of Health plan.

For tips on protecting yourself from medical identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission. Information about state health centers is available at www.health.pa.gov. For information about getting health insurance in Pennsylvania, visit www.insurance.pa.gov.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

April Hutcheson, Health, 717-787-1783, or [email protected]

Ron Ruman, Insurance, 717-787-3289, or [email protected]

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health; Pennsylvania Insurance Department

Related Links

http://www.health.pa.gov


Tens of thousands of people -- many of them Congress members and high-end business figures -- were able to enjoy Xiamen's stunning coastal scenery and marvel at the ingenuity of Fujian's earthen buildings. People were also able to learn more about paper cutting, stone carving, kung fu tea, bo cakes, local Xiamen food and traditional local culture.

On January 30th, the Xiamen Travel American Advisory Center sent representatives to the Chicago O'Hare International Airport Departure Area to hand out exquisite crystal keyrings with "Xiamen Logo" printed on them. They handed out a total of 796 keyrings, and the purpose of these keyrings was to expose more people to the name, "Xiamen", and entice them to come to Xiamen, China to get to know the city better. On February 6th, more of these keychains were given to 500 children in Orlando.

On February 11th, a Midwestern Chinese Spring Festival New Year Celebration in Detroit was held with nearly 500 people all attending to jointly witness the Xiamen Tourism Ambassador to the US's promotion of Xiamen. This included visitors such as US Senator Debbie Stabenow, the governor of Michigan, and the mayors of Auckland County, Wayne County, Detroit, Traviso, and Ohio along with other high-end people such as the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago, the Business Counselor, the Chrysler Chairman, the Delta President, China Daily (USA), and the Vice President of the Bank of China Chicago Branch.

On February 14th, a business strategy luncheon was held at the capital of Lincoln, Michigan to discuss topics such as the advantages of promoting tourism, economy and trade, investment and financing in Xiamen, China. The luncheon attendees included the Xiamen Tourism Ambassador Mr. Zhang Ren, the current chairman of the National Small Business Management Association, Mr. Todd McCracken and his Washington team, the Michigan and Lansing City Economic Development Agencies, the Michigan Retirement Association, the Michigan and Lansing City Chambers of Commerce, the Michigan and Lansing City Tourism Boards, the General Motors Business CEO, and other business elites.

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. The city features a stunning island, Gulangyu, known for its musical sounds of pianos from all over the world. Bathe on the golden beaches and wander through a mix of European and Chinese architecture with years of ancient history to it. Xiamen is a transcendent beauty with the ability to coax any traveller into a state of bliss.

SOURCE Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Travel and Tourism
Two individuals involved in an attempted burglary were found guilty of their crimes Monday morning in Dodge County District Court.

Robert M. Tomasso, 51, and Cara M. Flood, 40, both of Omaha were found guilty by Judge Geoffrey Hall of being in possession of burglary tools to commit a crime, a Class IV felony.

Through a joint agreement, charges of first-degree criminal trespassing and criminal mischief were dropped, and the agreement  which doesnt have to be honored by Judge Hall  recommends a sentence of one year in prison.

In accordance with the Good Time Law of Nebraska, both defendants could be eligible for release in 6 months if Judge Hall follows the joint recommendation.

Tomasso and Flood were arrested in September 2016 for their role in the burglary which occurred on farm land in Ames. At approximately 12:37 a.m., a deputy with the Dodge County Sheriffs Office on routine patrol was parked with his vehicle lights off just off of County Road 16.

The deputy, a warrantless arrest affidavit shows, was monitoring the area because he was aware of a five burglaries that previously took place at that location. The property owner who had items stolen contacted the Dodge County Sheriffs Office and inquired about having deputies keeping an eye on the land.

While monitoring the property, court records show the deputy saw a Red Ford F150 enter the property and pull up beside a barn. Multiple individuals exited the vehicle and started attempting to gain access into the barn with a large vehicle jack.

It was soon learned that both Tomasso and Flood had active Douglas County warrants and they were subsequently arrested and booked at the Dodge County Jail.

The duo faces sentencing in March.

In other Dodge County District Court news:

*Phillip D. Reppert, 34, of West Point was found guilty by Judge Hall of driving under the influence of alcohol fourth offense.

On March 20, 2016, a Dodge County Sheriffs Office Deputy was dispatched to a convenience store located in the 4000 block of North Broad Street in reference to an allegedly intoxicated driver who hit a curb causing his vehicles tire to deflate.

Upon arrival, the deputy saw a red Cadillac with the front drivers side tire flat. The vehicle was still running, a warrantless arrest affidavit shows, and a man was sitting in the drivers seat. Contact was made with Reppert, and the deputy stated that he could smell the odor of alcohol and that the defendants eyes were bloodshot and watery.

His speech was also slurred and an open container of Coors Light was sitting in the center console of the vehicle, the arrest report shows.

The defendant told the deputy that he last drank beer in Cedar Bluffs and that he hadnt drank since. Reppert subsequently agreed to field sobriety  which he failed.

Reppert was placed under arrest and booked in Saunders County Jail after submitting to a blood-drawn test at Fremont Health Medical Center.
DENVER, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- York Space Systems, an aerospace company specializing in complete space segment customer solutions and the manufacture of small and medium class spacecraft, today announced an agreement with Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU) for the establishment of its new manufacturing facility and Mission Operations Center located on campus, supporting full production of the company's proprietary S-Class platform.

"York Space Systems believes in the potential for Colorado to become a prominent hub for aerospace innovation and our work with Metropolitan State University of Denver presents a unique opportunity to support the training, education, and employment of future industry leaders," said Dirk Wallinger, CEO and co-founder of York Space Systems. "The public-private partnership agreement with the University will not only further the growth trajectory for the community, but also propel Colorado into the future of aerospace engineering and technology."

Under the agreement, York Space Systems' innovative factory will be located within MSU's new Aerospace and Engineering Sciences building as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Sciences Institute, opening mid-2017. The facility will house York Space Systems' full engineering and design team, production facility, as well as a Mission Operations Center to operate spacecraft on-orbit, in real-time. In addition to supporting York's premiere mission, the Harbinger Mission, the factory will enable production capability for up to 150-200 satellites per year.

"This partnership is a manifestation of our belief that we create public, private partnerships where students gain theory and practice, and our partners have the opportunity to advance their own companies," said Stephen M. Jordan, MSU Denver President. "Having the opportunity to work with York Space Systems as they greatly impact Colorado's Aerospace industry is an exciting opportunity not only for our students but also faculty, and the community."

Through the partnership with York Space Systems, MSU students of the Aviation and Aerospace Science Department will now have the opportunity to collaborate on ongoing development projects, develop new projects, access to internship opportunities, part-time employment and work/study programs, as well as senior design culminating projects to help launch a career in the aerospace industry and develop new companies of their own.

"We could not be more thrilled to have York Space Systems as a partner in our workforce development efforts in both the aerospace and advanced manufacturing arenas," said Robert Park, Ph.D., Director of MSU Denver's Advanced Manufacturing Sciences Institute. "It is truly exciting to imagine our students working alongside York's engineers on the design and construction of satellites that'll be launched into space and, on top of that, having them participate in the on orbit control of the satellites they helped build. And, this will all be happening right on Campus."

About York Space Systems

York Space Systems is an innovative American aerospace company specializing in complete space segment customer solutions and the manufacture of spacecraft platforms based in Denver, CO. The company is entering the production phase of their S-Class platform, which leverages a proprietary design to reduce the cost of manufacture by an order of magnitude. The S-Class is a standardized 3-axis stabilized spacecraft platform capable of supporting 85kg payloads with up to 100W of Orbit Average Power (OAP), 1,400W peak (Standard), and 3,000W peak (Enhanced). With one week delivery times on inventory, known interfaces, and unmatched cost points, the S-Class is intended to win the make/buy decision for Space data providers. For more information, visit http://www.YorkSpaceSystems.com

About Metropolitan State University of Denver

MSU Denver is a leader in educating Coloradans in university programs particularly relevant to the state's economy and the demands of today's employers. With the highest number of ethnically diverse students among the state's four-year colleges, MSU Denver offers 67 majors plus master's degrees in accounting, business, health administration, teaching and social work. Nearly 20,000 students are currently enrolled at MSU Denver, and 75 percent of the University's more than 88,000 graduates have remained in Colorado as valuable members of the state's workforce. For more information visit: https://msudenver.edu/

Media Contact:

Aubrey Lerche

Barokas PR for York Space Systems

[email protected]

303-590-5239

SOURCE York Space Systems

Related Links

http://www.yorkspacesystems.com


BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a major international provider of telecommunications, enterprise and consumer technology solutions for the Mobile Internet, today announced that its Pre5G TDD Massive MIMO 2.0 product has demonstrated its high-speed service in multi-user scenario, reaching 2.1Gbps and setting a new single-site peak rate record at a demonstration held at Mobile World Congress (MWC), Barcelona 2017.

The power-on service of ZTE's Pre5G TDD Massive MIMO 2.0 product provides an ultra-high speed through16-stream spatial division multiplexing, 3 CA (carrier aggregation), and 256 QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) manifesting a new stage of Pre5G R&D.

To solve the conflicts between the surge in capacity demands and insufficient site resources in existing networks, ZTE's large-capacity outdoor Pre5G Massive MIMO macro base station achieves much higher speed and capacity than those in 4G networks by leveraging existing sites and spectrum resources. At MWC Barcelona 2016, ZTE won the Best Mobile Technology Breakthrough award and the Outstanding Overall Mobile Technology  The CTO's Choice 2016 award for its Pre5G Massive MIMO technology. At Broadband World Forum (BBWF) 2016, ZTE won the Best Wireless Broadband Innovation award. The disruptive innovation and high commercial value of this product has been recognised by global operators, contributing to its commercial deployment in Europe, Japan and many other high-value markets.

ZTE launched Pre5G Massive MIMO 2.0 for high-end markets in September 2016. The solution supports more frequency bands and adapts to the mainstream TDD frequency bands. Being smaller and combined with base band unit and active antenna unit (BBU+AAU) architecture, it is more suitable for 5G evolution. It also provides support for multi-carrier aggregation (CA) to meet operators' demands for large capacity. Through 16-stream transmission, the theoretical peak traffic rate of a single site reaches 2.9Gbps, opening a new Gbps era. Pre5G Massive MIMO 2.0 has been launched in China and Japan, and is expected to be commercially available on the global market in 2017.

About ZTE

ZTE is a provider of advanced telecommunications systems, mobile devices, and enterprise technology solutions to consumers, carriers, companies and public sector customers. As part of ZTE's M-ICT strategy, the company is committed to providing customers with integrated end-to-end innovations to deliver excellence and value as the telecommunications and information technology sectors converge. Listed in the stock exchanges of Hong Kong and Shenzhen (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), ZTE's products and services are sold to over 500 operators in more than 160 countries. ZTE commits 10 per cent of its annual revenue to research and development and has leadership roles in international standard-setting organizations. ZTE is committed to corporate social responsibility and is a member of the UN Global Compact. For more information, please visit www.zte.com.cn.

Media Contacts:

Margrete Ma Daniel Beattie ZTE Corporation AxiCom Tel: +86 755 26775207 Tel: +44 (0)20 8392 8071 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

SOURCE ZTE Corporation

Related Links

http://www.zte.com.cn


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 26 : Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has hit back at US President Donald Trump's remarks about the French capital's loss of appeal due to terror attacks, a media report said on Sunday.

On Saturday, Hidalgo tweeted a picture of herself with Mickey and Minnie Mouse celebrating the city's "dynamism and spirit of openness" and stressed on the inclusivity and energy of Paris, the BBC reported.

Trump made the remarks during a speech delivered on Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbour, Maryland.

The US President claimed that a friend told him that "Paris is no longer Paris", seemingly because of the recent terror attacks that took place in the city.

Hidalgo's response came as France celebrated the 25th anniversary of Disneyland Paris.

The Paris mayor also challenged the suggestion that tourist numbers from the US were in decline, saying reservations were up 30 per cent in 2017.

According to figures published by the Paris Office of Tourism, 7,356,945 foreign tourists arrived at hotels in Paris between January and November 2016, 11.9 per cent fewer than in the same period the previous year.

Among American tourists, the decline was only slightly smaller - there were 1,387,191 hotel arrivals, down 9.9 per cent.

Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande also slammed Trump for his comments asking him not to disparage Paris, Efe news said.

"It is never good to show the slightest mistrust towards a friendly country," Hollande said.

"That is not what I do toward a friendly country and I ask the American President not to do it to France," he added.
Thiruvananthapuram, February 27 : Senior IPS officer T P Senkumar has alleged that the CPI(M)-led LDF governments move to oust him as Kerala state police chief was motivated by vendetta.

He levelled the accusation against the ruling party in an appeal petition filed before the supreme court challenging the Kerala high court decision upholding his removal as police chief.

According to reports on vernacular news channels on Sunday, T P Senkumar has submitted before the apex court that the CPI(M)-led government removed him as police chief owing to political vendetta against him for truthfully investigating cases of political murders in which CPI(M) activists were the accused.

Investigations into murders of MSF leader Ariyil Shukkoor, RMP leader T P Chandrasekharan, and RSS leader Kathiroor Manoj  all cases in which CPI(M) leaders are in the dock - had invited the wrath of the CPI(M) top brass, Senkumars plea states.

The IPS officer also reportedly submitted before the court that the probe against CPI(M) Kannur unit secretary P Jayarajan in the Kathiroor Manoj murder had ruined his career.

The government had ousted Senkumar on the ground that his performance as police chief, especially his allegedly ham-handed handling of sensational cases like Jisha murder case in Perumbavoor and Puttingal fireworks tragedy in Kollam, had lowered the reputation of the police force in the eyes of the public.

However, the IPS officer pushed back against this claim of the LDF government, telling the apex court that there has been an upsurge in violence in the state since his removal.

In his plea, Senkumar reportedly states that there have been nine political murders in Kannur district since his ouster as against just one during his tenure.

He also faults the government for demoralizing the police force by effecting frequent transfers of officers.

Stating that 40 police officers have been shunted out before completing 2 years in their respective posts, the ranking IPS officer opined that this would impede the smooth functioning of the police force.

Earlier, both the central administrative tribunal (CAT) as well as the Kerala high court had upheld the government decision to remove as police chief.

Senkumar had contended before the CAT and the Kerala HC that the government decision to remove him was in violation of section 97(1) which provides for a minimum tenure of 2 years for the police chief.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) leaders told news channels that Senkumar had not raised allegations of political vendetta against the party in his pleas before the CAT and the high court.

The fresh charges levelled by the IPS officer were the result of a political conspiracy, they alleged.
Washington, Feb 27 : Hundreds gathered in Kansas city for a peace march and prayer vigil for slain Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla and two other victims of a US bar shooting.

Alok Madasani, the Indian injured in an apparent hate crime last week, attended the march for peace and a prayer meeting at the Ball Conference Centre in Olathe on Sunday, reported Kansas City Star newspaper.

The vigil was sponsored by the India Association of Kansas City.

"I wish it was a dream," Madasani said of the Austins Bar & Grill shooting that left Kuchibhotla dead.

American Ian Grillot was also shot when he tried to intervene. He is still in a hospital.

Adam W. Purinton, 51, a former US Navy veteran, is charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "Get out of my country" and "terrorist" before shooting them.

"One thing I really want to emphasise is, the main reason I am here is that's what my best friend, Srinivas, would have done," Madasani told the gathering.

"He would have been here for me, and that's what I'm doing right now."

Kuchibhotla and Madasani worked as engineers at electronics manufacturer Garmin.

"What happened that night was a senseless crime and that took away my best friend," Madasani said of the man who befriended him in 2008.

"Srini was the kindest person you would meet, full of love, care and compassion for everyone.

He never uttered a word of hatred, a simple gossip, or a careless comment. He would always make sure everyone is doing fine and taken good care."

Ian Grillot's sister Maggie also attended the march and the prayer meeting. She said her brother's actions were because of how they were raised.

"It doesn't matter what your colour is... Everybody's equal," she said.

The vigil followed a somber march outside around the conference centre.

Marchers held pictures, banners and shouted "We want peace", "We love peace", "Let us not leave our children", "Unity is part of community, together we stand, divided we fall" and "Hate + guns tragedy".

Many carried candles and signs reading, "We don't support politics of hate." Clergypeople representing Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism and Judaism held peace prayers, local TV station KSHB reported.

Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland, Olathe Police Chief Steve Menke, Kansas state Senator Rob Olson, US Rep. Kevin Yoder and Kansas Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer also spoke about union and respect at the vigil.
Kolkata, Feb 27 : Amid concerns over cheap imports of ferro alloys from Malaysia, Indian ferro alloy producers on Monday called the Steel Ministry to undertake protective measures.

"A significant amount of ferro alloys is imported in India from Malaysia as they were able to produce the same at a much lower cost. Power is the major input for producing ferro alloys and it constitutes about 30 per cent of the total cost. Power tariff in India is on a higher side as compared to other ferro alloy producing nations.

"Safeguard measures could help to protect the industry," said the Indian Ferro Alloy Producers' Association Chairman D.B. Sundara Raman.

Cross-subsidy in power tariff further puts the non-captive producers at a disadvantage and the difference in power tariff between India and Malaysia is $20 per MWh, he said.

On the safeguard measures sought by the industry, Steel Ministry Director Anupam Prakash said the association represents 80 per cent of the ferro alloy sector and it can seek for the duty after applying for the same with a note mentioning that imports are damaging the industry.

"There are procedures for imposing safeguards. If the association makes an application mentioning that imports are damaging the industry, the Directorate General of Safeguards investigates the case and come up with recommendations. And accordingly notifications are issued," he said.

Raman said upcoming supplies of manganese alloys with lower power tariff from Malaysia and Indonesia is expected to bring down profitability.

"In 2016, 3,65,000 tonnes of extra capacity has come into the market and additional 1,80,000 tonnes is expected to come in 2017," he said.

According to association, India produces around 3.5 million tonnes of ferro alloys and the Rs 23,000 crore industry employs around one lakh people.

Out of this India consumes around 2.3 million tonnes of ferro alloys and the rest 1.3 million tonnes is exported which earns foreign exchange of around Rs 8,900 crore, Raman said.

Prakash said: "Exports incentive schemes like Merchandise Exports from India Scheme and other schemes are countervailing. Advantages of such scheme could be lost if we impose any scheme which is not under the guidelines of the WTO."
New Delhi, Feb 27 : Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal on Monday wrote to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik, seeking registration of a case against persons threatening Kargil war martyr's daughter Gurmehar Kaur and their arrest.

Kaur met Maliwal earlier in the day and complained against online threats she was receiving ever since she stood up to RSS student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

"Taking cognisance of the complaint, I wrote a letter to the Delhi Police Commissioner and requested him to register an FIR against the culprits and arrest them," Maliwal told reporters here.

"It is a matter of shame that a martyr's daughter is being attacked like this and is threatened with rape and death. If no action is taken against the culprits right now, people will lose faith in the system," she said.

Lady Shri Ram College student Kaur posted a picture of her's holding a poster on Facebook that said: "I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me."

She hashtagged #StudentsAgainstABVP

Kaur launched the online campaign against the ABVP after the February 22 violence outside Delhi University's Ramjas College.

She then received rape and death threats on social media by some who called her "anti-national".

Speaking to the media on Monday, Kaur said she was not afraid because she was fighting for "the right cause".

"Just because you are a student organisation, which is in power, does not mean you can threaten me. I don't want to be scared of you.

"A student organisation's job is to work for the welfare of the students, not to rule them or to scare them," she said.

"I am getting hundreds of threats. If I start lodging complaints against each of them, then even the police will ask me to stop," Kaur added.

Along with threats, Kaur has also received the support of innumerable people -- young and old -- for her stand against the ABVP and violence on the campus.
New Delhi, Feb 27 : The Modi government is to blame for the rape and death threats given to a Delhi University student who took on the ABVP, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said on Monday.

AAP leader Atishi Marlena asked why Delhi Police did not take immediate action against ABVP activists who she said attacked students, teachers as well as journalists at Ramjas College here on February 22.

Subsequently, Gurmehar Kaur, a student of Lady Shri Ram College, launched an online campaign against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the RSS student wing.

In no time, she received rape and death threats, forcing her to complain on Monday to the Delhi Commission for Women, which has taken up the matter with Delhi Police.

"It is clear that the government is culpable," Marlena told the media. She added that "ABVP goondaism" had gone up in campuses across the country since the Modi government took office.

She said Prime Minister Narendra Modi followed online those who issued threats to others.

"This ABVP goondagirdi is both in the real and the online world."

Marlena accused ABVP activists of attacking students, lecturers and journalists outside Ramjas College and even threatening police officers -- all on camera.

Yet, she said, no action was taken against the ABVP members.

AAP legislator Alka Lamba, a former Delhi University student leader, said she had never seen such thuggery in the campus during her time.

"Today the ABVP people have taken law into their own hands."

Earlier, AAP leader Ashutosh demanded to know why no BJP or RSS leader had condemned those who threatened student Kaur.
Kabul, Feb 27 : At least 14 persons were killed when Afghan security forces repelled a Taliban attack in Jawzjan province, an official said on Monday.

"Taliban militants attacked security checkpoints in Darzab district on Sunday night. Nine others were wounded as security forces repelled the attack," Xinhua news agency quoted the official as saying.

Sporadic clashes continued in the district on Monday morning.

Jawzjan and the neighbouring Faryab province have scene heavy clashes in recent months as the Taliban has been trying to challenge Kabul in the once relatively peaceful region.
Taipei (Taiwan), Feb 27 : For Hollywood star Hugh Jackman, who is seen reprising his role as The Wolverine for one final time in the forthcoming superhero film "Logan", working on the franchise has been a gratifying, relieving and satisfying experience. He says his journey with the film's cast won't get over with the film as they will still "sit together, have dinner".

"I didn't know how I would feel about it until I saw the film. I was sitting next to Patrick (Stewart) and James (Mangold) and the audience were clearly very caught up in it and that was satisfying," Jackman said here during the film's press briefing for select media, including IANS here.

"It felt very gratifying, relieving and satisfying alternatively. It feels right and it was a really good feeling. I remember someone telling me that, 'You are leaving now, you are not going to be a part of it and I said, 'Oh na, we will still be sitting together having dinner, it's just that we won't be cooking anymore," added the actor, who was dressed in a black bomber jacket, T-shirt and black casual trousers.

He was also sporting a flesh-coloured dressing on his nose after having a sixth basal cell carcinoma cut.

"The Wolverine" film saga started 17 years ago. Jackman has appeared as Wolverine in nine of the "X-Men" sagas.

Writer-director James Mangold took the charge of bringing the character and his journey to a conclusion with "Logan". He previously worked with Jackman on "The Wolverine" in the year 2013.

"Logan" stars Jackman in the title role alongside Stewart, Stephan Merchant, Richard E. Grant and 11-year-old Dafne Keen, who plays the role of Jackman's daughter and young mutant X 23.

Even Stewart, who has had a long association with the film franchise, will no longer continue being a part of it after "Logan".

"I had no reason to think that this is the end of the relationship with 'X-Men' franchise at all. It was a week ago in Berlin when I realized that I don't think in terms of Wolverine and Charles Xavier... We can really do better than this. This is perfect conclusion.

"Everything is in place that ought to be in place, so may be I am done too," said Stewart at the conference here.

Stewart jokingly told Jackman that with his exit, he felt that he has "kind of stolen your (Jackman's) thunder".

"You know it was a spontaneous feeling that I had while I watched the credit roles in the end of the movie before we went up to be introduced to the audience. I am very content with that," he said.

"Logan", that opens in theatres worldwide, including in India on March 3, has been distributed by 20th century Fox.

(The writer's trip is at the invitation of Fox Star Studios. Nivedita can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in)
Paro (Bhutan), Feb 27 : Reigning national Time Speed Distance (TSD) champions Ajgar Ali and Mohammed Mustafa (co-driver) cruised to the lead after first two legs of the Biswa Bangla JK Tyre Himalayan Drive 5 here on Monday.

Subir Roy and Nirav Mehta (co-driver) were placed second followed by Deep Dutta and Prakash Muthuswamy (co-driver)

Bengal boy Ajgar and Tamil Nadu's Mustapha braved sub zero temperatures and almost zero visibility due to mist as they traversed the hilly terrains of Bhutan to end the day in the treacherous riverbed ahead of their rivals in the national category.

In the open category, Amit Garg and Abhishek Khemka (co-driver) are top of the tree.

On the first day, dense fog coupled with dipping mercury greeted the 46 rallyists (18 in the national and open category) on their way from Siliguri to Paro.

Day two was shorter and smoother albeit the riverbed area at the end which had multiple entry points making navigation cumbersome.

"We are rallying for the first time in Paro, Bhutan. The loop and the speed was okay today and we enjoyed it. Three days left, let's see," Mustafa told IANS at the end of the second day.

"In the mountains, you cannot maintain speed. This is a high speed TSD where the difference is in the terrain. It is difficult to maintain speed. In the riverbeds, it is difficult to get the routes.

"Like in big junctions, it is easily figured out. But in riverbeds, what happens is there are multiple tracks which can be misleading and you have to get the right road in less time," Ali said.
New Delhi, Feb 27 : A court here on Monday extended the custody of a man who was arrested in connection with a corruption case against Chhattisgarh IAS officer B.L. Agrawal.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge Virender Kumar Goyal allowed the probe agency to further quiz the Hyderabad-based private person, Syed Burhanuddin.

Burhanuddin, who was arrested on February 23, was presented before the court on expiry of his five-day CBI custody.

The probe agency has sought extension of custody on the ground that he has to be confronted with other accused, including B.L. Agrawal, who were arrested on February 21 and are currently in the CBI custody.

The other accused were arrested for helping Agrawal to settle a case being investigated by the agency.

Apart from Agrawal, a 1988-batch IAS officer, posted as the Principal Secretary (Higher Education) in Chhattisgarh government, his brother-in-law Anand Agrawal and a private person Bhagwan Singh, a resident of Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh, are also accused in the case.

The agency on February 18 registered an FIR against Agrawal, Singh, Burhanuddin and others under relevant sections of criminal conspiracy and Prevention of Corruption Act.

The CBI said that the IAS officer had agreed to pay Rs 1.5 crore to Burhanuddin as gratification for helping him in a case being investigated by the agency.

The probe agency alleged that Agrawal first approached Singh over the issue, who arranged his meeting with Burhanuddin on February 11 in Delhi. Burhanuddin told the Chhattisgarh officer that he works in the Prime Minister's Office and would easily settle the matter in his favour in lieu of Rs 1.5 crore gratification.

The officer said that Burhanuddin also assured Agrawal that he would get the case transferred from the CBI to the Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing.
Panaji, Feb 27 : Leader of Opposition Pratapsing Rane said the summoning of the Goa assembly for one-day session on Tuesday (February 28) to avoid it from lapsing was an afterthought and topped a string of poor decisions by the BJP-led government in its tenure.

"It is for the first time in the history of the state, if not the country, that an assembly session had to be convened for a day after the assembly elections. This has happened because the government is in shambles. There has been no proper decision-making for the last five years," the Congress leader said at a press conference on Monday in the assembly complex.

Late on Saturday, Governor Mridula Sinha formally convened a day-long session, reportedly in a bid to avoid a constitutional crisis arising out of the house not being in session for six months.

As per Article 174 of the Indian Constitution, relating to sessions of the state legislature, and its prorogation and dissolution, "six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session".

The Opposition had earlier been demanding that the Governor should either dissolve the house or convene a session before March 3, in order to avoid a constitutional crisis.

March 3 marks the end of six month period, during which the present assembly has not held a sitting.

Rane also told the media that there was no business advisory committee meeting to fix the agenda for the day-long session, during which Sinha would be addressing the house.

"As MLAs, we do not even know what the business for the day-long session is going to be. So many MLAs are also travelling. The government has brought shame to Goa with such shoddy face-saving decisions," he said.
New Delhi, Feb 27 : The Delhi University North Campus on Monday saw protests by right-wing student and teacher organisations against 'anti-national' activities by "left-leaning" students.

The Rashtiya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) held a "Tiranga march" protesting against "left-leaning students supporting anti-national activities", while the Rashtravadi Shikshak Sangh, a teacher's body affiliated to the RSS, organised a dharna to protest against what they termed as "leftist conspiracies".

Members of the BJP-backed National Democratic Teachers' Front (NDTF) also took part in it.

The protest marches came days after clashes erupted between activists of the ABVP and the left-wing All India Students' Association (AISA) outside Ramjas College after the RSS' students body forced suspension of an event to be addressed by JNU student Umar Khalid on February 21.

Khalid was jailed in 2016 on sedition charges for allegedly shouting anti-national slogans.

On Monday, protesting students, mainly belonging to the ABVP, marched from Ramjas College to the Arts Faculty holding a large Tricolour and shouting slogans of "Vande Mataram".

They raised slogans about nationalism and blamed the left-wing groups for creating unrest in the university campus.

"What happened in JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University), we will not let it happen in DU," Delhi University Students' Union President Amit Tanwar, who is from the ABVP, told IANS.

DUSU Vice President Priyanka Chhawari said "The march is in the solidarity with Ramjas students, who took a stand against people raising anti-national slogans and slogans about the freedom of Kashmir on February 22.

"There were more than 500 students from Ramjas, who became a part of it."

The teachers' organisations also endorsed similar ideologies in their protest outside Arts Faculty.

"Around 300 people became a part of this programme today in response to what leftists did in Ramjas College," a Kirorimal College teacher and member of Rashtravadi Shikshak Sangh, Pramod Shastri told IANS.

"We won't let their ideologies bloom here in the campus. Leftism has vanished from India and from across the world. They have been exposed in JNU. Now, they wish to bring their ideologies to Delhi University. We will condemn all their attempts," he said.

According to DU President of AISA, Kawalpreet Kaur, ABVP attacks everyone in the disguise of nationalism and the turmoil in DU has nothing to do with her party.

"The debate is being polarised as if it is violence between left and right," Kaur told IANS. "Our DUSU secretary stated that any student who takes part in any anti-ABVP possession, will have his fingers chopped."

"They vandalised the February 21 programme at Ramjas that was being organised by teachers and students of the college. AISA is a body of common students who were just there."

"They have never respected the Tiranga (national flag) and now they are trying to justify their violence by labelling teachers and students as 'anti-nationals'," she questioned.

"Who is national and who is anti national? Is it ABVP's duty to certify everybody's nationalism?," Kaur questioned.

Students and teachers from the university will now hold a peace march at Khalsa College on Tuesday along with AISA workers in an attempt to restore peace and safety in the campus.
Mumbai, Feb 27 : World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva, who is reaching Mumbai, will commute in a local train to inspect the city's lifeline, the suburban train network, on Tuesday morning, an official statement said.

She will visit a school serving slum-dwellers of Dharavi and children with special needs, as part of the centre's World-Bank-supported initiative, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.

Georgieva, who will be accompanied by World Bank South Asia Vice-President Annette Dixon and Country Director Junaid Ahmad, is coming on her first official visit to India.

In Mumbai, she will take the opportunity to see how the operations of the World Bank-supported suburban railway system, which ferries eight million commuters daily, is serving the fast-growing and urbanising India.

Her school visit would be examine how Mumbai's administrators are striving to ensure that basic services are delivered to all residents of the city, one-third of whom live in slums.

Georgieva's other major engagements in Mumbai include a meeting with Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. She will also meet other top policy makers in New Delhi.

"India is our biggest middle-income client. It economic growth influences global growth. Its achievements in health and education contribute to the world achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," she remarked on her visit.

At a time when the country's economic growth is one of the bright spots in the global economy, she expressed her keenness to learn more about India as a "laboratory for the world" to learn what works in development and fine new ways to collaborate.

As of January 2017, the WB's total IBRD and IDA net commitments stood at $27 billion (IBRD $16 billion and IDA $11 billion) across 95 projects in India.
New York, Feb 28 : The man accused of shooting two Indian techies and an American at a bar in Kansas last week had his first court appearance through video conference.

According to a report in CNN on Monday, Adam Purinton, 51, faces one charge of first-degree murder and two charges of attempted first-degree murder in last week's shooting in Olathe that killed Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotlaone and injuring Alok Madasani and an American.

Post this shooting, there have been growing worries among Indians living in US about possible violence against foreign workers.

It is not clear yet what motivated Purinton to shoot the three men.

"Appearing in court via video conference, Purinton looked haggard and was soft-spoken. He was assigned a court-appointed attorney, and his bond remains set at $2 million. His next court date is March 9," the report noted.

Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "Get out of my country" and "terrorist" before shooting them.

Kuchibhotla hailed from Hyderabad while Madasani hails from Warangal town in Telangana. They were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an electronics manufacturer.
New York, Feb 28 : Two researchers at Stanford University have developed a software tool designed to reduce the risk of triggering manmade earthquakes where oil and gas production activities may trigger slip in nearby faults.

The software, known as Fault Slip Potential (FSP), will be available for free starting March 2, Xinhua news agency reported.

Acknowledging that "faults are everywhere in the Earth's crust, so you can't avoid them," said Mark Zoback, professor of geophysics at Stanford's School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences, who worked with his graduate student Rall Walsh on the project.

"Fortunately, the majority of them are not active and pose no hazard to the public. The trick is to identify which faults are likely to be problematic, and that's what our tool does," Zoback added.

Oil and gas operations can generate significant quantities of "produced water," or brackish water that needs to be disposed of through deep injection to protect drinking water.

Energy companies also dispose of water that flows back after hydraulic fracturing in the same way.

This process can increase pore pressure, namely the pressure of groundwater trapped within the tiny spaces inside rocks in the subsurface, which in turn increases the pressure on nearby faults, causing them to slip and release seismic energy in the form of earthquakes.

The FSP tool uses three key pieces of information to help determine the probability of a fault being pushed to slip: the first is how much wastewater injection will increase pore pressure at a site; the second is knowledge of the stresses acting in the earth; the third is knowledge of pre-existing faults in the area.

Zoback and Walsh have started testing their FSP tool in Oklahoma, of mid-western US, which has experienced a sharp rise in the number of earthquakes since 2009, due largely to wastewater injection operations.

Their analysis suggests that some wastewater injection wells in Oklahoma were unwittingly placed near stressed faults already primed to slip.

The researchers believe regulators could use the tool to identify areas where proposed injection activities could prove problematic so that enhanced monitoring efforts can be implemented.

"Our tool provides a quantitative probabilistic approach for identifying at-risk faults so that they can be avoided," Walsh was quoted as saying in a news release on Monday.
Washington, Feb 28 : The US Senate has confirmed billionaire banker and investor Wilbur Ross as President Donald Trump's commerce secretary, media report said.

In a 72-27 vote, Ross had a much easier time obtaining confirmation than many of his Cabinet colleagues over the course of recent weeks as Democrats have drawn out confirmation hearings, posed extensive questions about candidates' conflicts of interest and policy stances and used what power they do have in the Republican-controlled Senate to place obstacles in the way.

Ross, 79, has indicated he will step down from the Bank of Cyprus after he takes office, CNN said in the report.

The White House is expected to hold a swearing-in ceremony for the new commerce secretary on Tuesday prior to Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress.

Ross is expected to be a powerful figure in the Trump administration, leading the way on efforts to renegotiate North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the controversial trade agreement with Canada and Mexico.

He will also be a key voice on other trade matters as well as on Trump's efforts to accelerate economic growth by slashing taxes and ramping up infrastructure spending.

During his confirmation hearing in mid-January, Ross pushed for taking a tough stance on China, which he called the "most protectionist country of very large countries".

The then commerce secretary nominee said countries that resort to "malicious" trading tactics should be "severely" punished.

Known as the "King of Bankruptcy," Ross made a fortune by working to resurrect failing companies in the auto, steel and textile industries, CNN reported.

But Ross has also been criticised for shipping jobs overseas at some of those struggling companies.

Ross led an auto parts company that moved jobs to Mexico, while a textile firm he founded opened a cotton plant in Vietnam that would employ 1,500 workers, The New York Times reported.

The billionaire has also sought to ease concerns about whether the White House would try to politicise climate science.

Ross pledged in a letter to Democrat Senator Bill Nelson not to censor or intimidate scientists who work at NOAA, the agency housed within the Commerce Department that controls the National Weather Service and conducts research.

To avoid potential conflicts of interest, Ross has pledged to sell most, though not all, of his empire of financial assets once he was confirmed.

While Ross will step down from the private equity firm he founded in 1997, he plans to remain a passive investor in nine investment vehicles related to shipping, mortgage lending and real estate financing.
Chennai, Feb 28 : Banking operations across the country came to a halt on Tuesday as 10 lakh bankers staged a strike against the government's "anti-people banking reforms", said a bank union leader.

The strike was called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), comprising nine unions.

They also pressed for compensation to employees for extra work done on account of demonetisation.

"Around 85,000 branches of commercial banks, 105,000 branches of co-operative bank and others are on strike," C.H. Venkatachalam, General Secretary, All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) told IANS here.

He said clearance of 40 lakh cheques totalling around Rs 22,000 crore would be affected.

The strike covers employees and officers in all public sector banks, including State Bank of India, all old-generation private banks, foreign banks, regional rural banks and cooperative banks.

Venkatachalam said the shutdown comes after all attempts to find a solution to the demands raised by the unions yielded no results.

The conciliation meeting before the Chief Labour Commissioner on February 21, failed to break the deadlock as the bank management body -- Indian Banks Association (IBA) -- did not agree to the union demands.

Most state-run banks have informed customers that functioning of branches and offices would be hit if the strike was observed on Tuesday.

Top private lenders -- ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank -- are not part of the union and would continue to function normally but cheque clearances would not take place.

Besides, cash transactions would also be hit and the ATMs are likely to be emptied early during the day.

"ATM operations are yet to normalise after the demonetisation of high value notes. It seems people have resigned to the situation of less cash," Venkatachalam added.
Taipei, Feb 28 : Under its new foreign policy adopted last year, Taiwan hopes to share its expertise with India in areas like smart cities and clean energy, a senior official has said.

"We have our Asian Silicon Valley development project which is the Internet of Things," Connie Hui-Chan Chang, Director General of Taiwan's Department of Overall Planning in the National Development Council, said in response to a question by IANS during an interaction with a group of visiting journalists here.

"We hope to use our strengths in ICT in other sectors like smart cities (with India). Clean energy goes without saying," she said. "Your country and mine are going in the same direction."

The Asian Silicon Valley project is a major part of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's economic reforms aimed at infusing new life into Taiwan's economy.

According to its new foreign policy, dubbed the New Southbound Policy, the self-ruled east Asian island nation is striving to broaden exchanges and cooperation with India and five South Asian nations, the 10 member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Australia and New Zealand in areas such as commerce, culture and technology.

This will mean lesser dependence on mainland China for Taiwan's economic development. Taiwan is the world's 22nd-largest economy and was dubbed one of the four Asian tigers in the late 20th century, the others being Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea.

According to Chang, the new policy aims at talent exchange, trade and economic cooperation, sharing of resources and regional cooperation.

"We want more Asian students to come and study in Taiwan and work here and we have scholarships to offer," she said.

"In terms of sharing resources, we can send over medical teams to elevate standards in other countries," she stated, adding that tourism was another area for sharing resources.

Chang said that cultural exchange was a very important factor in the New Southbound Policy.

She also stressed on Taiwan's strengths in agricultural technology. Though Taiwan was primarily an agriculture-based economy, it later diversified into heavy industries and then to high technology In terms of regional cooperation, she said that "we look to sign more bilateral pacts".

"We believe that innovation will be the most important thing in the years to come," Chang said.

"We want innovators. We encourage R&D of our existing manufacturing industries and services industries," she stated.

"Investments (in other countries) and structural reforms are our targets in the coming years."

(Aroonim Bhuyan visited Taiwan at the invitation of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He can be contacted at aroonim.b@ians.in)
New Delhi : It is not often that the world finds itself at the cusp of a revolution, and an industrial one is even more uncommon. India missed the bus on the first major industrial revolution that was brought about in 18th century Britain, on account of being on the wrong side of colonial history. No other phase of innovation has transformed the industrial landscape to a similar extent, except the digital revolution in the latter half of the 20th century.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, we are about to witness the next industrial revolution, which has the potential to change the way we live, work, and interact with one another.

Technological breakthroughs at a rate that the world has never seen before are the defining characteristics of the latest revolution. This has been witnessed in various fields like artificial intelligence (AI) , robotics, the Internet of Things, 3-D printing, autonomous vehicles, nanotechnology and other similar technological innovations.

The implications of the oncoming revolution have been a topic of heated debate, especially in the developed world. The impact of robotics and AI on job creation is increasingly becoming a cause for concern. Recently, physicist Stephen Hawking warned that automation of factories would make traditional manufacturing jobs irrelevant while the advent of AI will cut deep into the middle classes.

Last week, Izabella Kaminska argued in a thought-provoking piece that recent innovations will displace high-paying skilled jobs, instead of menial jobs, since it would be more cost-effective for corporates. Bill Gates suggested that robots should pay an income tax for the negative impact they might have on employment. On the other hand, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs like Elon Musk favour the idea of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) to tackle the looming threat of job losses.

However, developing countries seem indifferent to the ongoing debate as if the issue were merely a first world problem. On the contrary, if either automation displaces mundane jobs or AI takes away more skilled jobs or both, employment in developing countries will take a major hit. In fact, a recent UN report claimed that as manufacturing is increasingly undertaken by industrial robots, developing countries could lose about two-thirds of all jobs.

Satya Nadella on his visit to India last week reassured the country that unemployment wouldn't be an issue for a services-led economy as in a world with "a lot of artificial intelligence, real intelligence will be scarce, real empathy will be scarce, real common sense will be scarce. So, we can have new jobs that are actually predicated on those attributes".

Underlying this reassurance are, in fact, a few causes of grave concern for a developing economy like India. First, the Indian economy is only services-led in terms of growth. Only about 30 percent of the population is employed in services, within which only a tiny proportion is employed in jobs that artificial intelligence might find hard to replace.

Second, it might just be a misnomer that AI will never be able to develop "real intelligence." Google has managed to develop AI that can respond to a piano player with its own set of notes based on various melodies it has learned. Self-learning AI can easily display human traits and put even creative jobs at risk.

Third, Nadella's remark on the creation of new jobs as a result of the destruction of old ones is based on the time-tested Schumpeterian logic. However, the question that India should concern itself with is the place where these new jobs would emerge. During the first industrial revolution, Britain managed to shift the job losses to its colonies with its machine-produced goods. Similarly, in current times the US is the centre of research and innovation, and American companies that are at the forefront of the technological revolution can as easily export unemployment as they had exported jobs to countries like India.

Mark Zuckerberg's recent 6,000-word manifesto on the future that he imagines for the world exposes the danger that arises from an America-centric technological revolution. He envisions that the next step for humanity is the creation of a global community in which Facebook can act as a facilitator. Such a world is not hard to fathom, and the "global community" can never find a better platform than Facebook since everyone is locked on to it and shifting to an alternative makes little economic sense. Therefore, in a technology-dominated world, American-centrism can only imply fewer jobs for developing economies.

Like the first industrial revolution, India is again merely coping with the effects on the sidelines. The country, like its erstwhile colonial counterpart, waits for the next technological innovation and adapts it into daily life. If India hopes to ride the next industrial revolution, it needs to be the centre of innovation.

The US owes Apple and Google for the world-class corporate labs that the country invested in during the last century. The country funded high-risk, long-term research projects and succeeded in heralding an industrial revolution. India needs a similar approach if it intends to survive the next one.

(Amit Kapoor is chair, Institute for Competitiveness, India. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at amit@ampitkapoor.com and tweets @kautiliya. With inputs from Chirag Yadav who is a researcher with the Institute).
Mumbai, Feb 28 : World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva on Tuesday travelled by a Western Railway suburban train to inspect Mumbai's lifeline first hand, officials said.

Georgieva travelled in a second class ladies compartment from Churchgate to Dadar, the busiest terminus on the suburban network.

Mumbai Rail Vikas Corp (MRVC) CMD Prabhat Sahai boarded an adjacent compartment.

Earlier, at the MRVC headquarters, Georgieva was given a brief presentation on the status and progress of various World Bank-funded railway infrastructure projects for Mumbai and surroundings.

She took a short tour of the iconic Churchgate station and Western Railway headquarters and around 11 a.m. boarded the train with a team of 20 others. She got off at Dadar.

En route, she chatted with the women commuters on various aspects pertaining to the city's suburban services, which ferry over eight million commuters daily on three networks.

Many commuters requested Georgieva for selfies and she obliged, clicking her own photos as well, both in the train and on the platform.

MRVC's Sahai, World Bank Country Director Junaid Ahmad and other Indian Railway officials travelled in an adjacent second class gents compartment.

Later, she proceeded for other site visits organised by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), including a school catering to slum dwellers and children with special needs.

These form part of the World Bank-supported Sarva Shikshan Abhiyan initiative.

Georgieva's other major engagements in Mumbai include a meeting with Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

She will also meet policy makers in New Delhi.
New Delhi, Feb 28 : Threatened with rape and murder, Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur on Tuesday announced she was withdrawing from the campaign against the RSS-affiliated student group.

"I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say," Kaur tweeted.

"I have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take," said the student of Delhi's Lady Shri Ram College and daughter of an army officer who died in the Kargil war.

Kaur, however, asked students to join a planned protest march on Tuesday at the Delhi University campus.

"The campaign is about students and not about me. Please go to the march in huge numbers. Best of luck.

"To anyone questioning my courage and bravery.. I've shown more than enough," she said.

Kaur launched a social media campaign against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) after it forced the cancellation of a seminar at Ramjas College.

It was then accused of attacking students, lecturers and journalists in the campus.

Kaur posted a video on Facebook with placards, one of which read: "I am a student of Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me."

She then received rape and death threats on the social media. Some of those who trolled her called her "anti-national".
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 28 : A former North Korean deputy ambassador to the United Nations arrived in Malaysia on Tuesday amid an escalating diplomatic row over the death of the half-brother of the North's leader Kim Jong-un.

Ri Tong-il told reporters that he would request that Malaysia hand over the body of the North Korean citizen who died earlier this month in Malaysia, referring to Kim Jong-nam, Yonhap reported.

Kim was killed on February 13 at an airport in Kuala Lumpur when two women allegedly smeared banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent on his face. He was awaiting a flight to Macau.

Ri said he will also request that Malaysia release one North Korean detained over the incident and discuss ways to strengthen friendly ties with Malaysia.

His visit came as North Korea blamed Malaysia last week for pressing ahead with an autopsy on the body of Kim Jong-nam in an "illegal and immoral" manner. The North claimed that Malaysia colluded with South Korea in the investigation, according to the report.

The Malaysian police earlier said that eight North Koreans are suspected of being involved in Kim's killing, along with two Asian women who claimed they were deceived into thinking that they were taking part in a prank show.

Doan Thi Huong, 28, from Vietnam and Siti Aisyah, 25, from Indonesia will be charged with murder on Wednesday, a Malaysia's prosecutor said.
Barcelona, Feb 28 : In a bid to upgrade the current long-term evolution (LTE) mobile communication services across India, Samsung on Tuesday announced its innovative "I&G (Infill & Growth) Project" for Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd that will help expand both the current network capacity as well as network coverage.

The project will extend Jio services in rural areas by expanding its reach to over 90 per cent of the population and enable seamless indoor and outdoor coverage in dense urban areas.

"We successfully achieved 100 million subscribers in 170 days and are committed to bring game-changing digital experiences to India with superior ecosystems, mobile content, all-IP networks and ongoing process innovations," Jyotindra Thacker, President of Reliance Jio Infocomm, told IANS here.

"It was possible because we introduced a truly effective LTE service, Pan-India. We are committed to bringing game-changing digital experiences to India with superior ecosystems, mobile content, all-IP networks and ongoing process innovations," Thacker added.

Samsung previously provided the LTE core, base stations and solutions required for VoLTE services, as well as deployment services for establishing a nationwide network for Jio.

The two companies have successfully established the world's largest greenfield LTE network.

"The massive deployment of over a million cells across India is especially remarkable. We will strive to create new paradigms for LTE-Advanced Pro and 5G by closely cooperating with Jio as a unified workforce," added Youngky Kim, President and Head of Networks Business at Samsung Electronics.

Samsung has also enabled Jio to offer a superior service to its users by providing professional solutions such as Samsung VoLTE, Quality Monitoring and Analysis (VoMA) and Cognitive Traffic Monitoring and Optimiser.

The relationship between Jio and Samsung goes back to 2012 when the two companies signed a turn-key agreement covering the entire scope of network, ranging from equipment to establishment and maintenance services.

"As Jio's end-to-end LTE solutions partner, it is a great pleasure for Samsung to contribute to Jio's tremendous success," Kim added.

Jio was India's first operator to introduce free-of-charge High-Definition calls (VoLTE).

(Anuj Sharma is in Barcelona at the invitation of Samsung. He can be contacted at anuj.s@ians.in)
Washington, Feb 28 : US President Donald Trump has accused his predecessor Barack Obama of being responsible for the leaks within his administration and the sizable, angry town-hall crowds Republicans have faced across the country.

Trump was asked in an interview on Fox News' "Fox and Friends" if he believed Obama was responsible for the town-hall protests against Republicans this month.

"It turns out his organisation seems to do a lot of these organising to some of the protests that these Republicans are seeing around the country against you. Do you believe President Obama is behind it and if he is, is that a violation of the so-called unsaid Presidents' code?" Trump was asked.

"No, I think he is behind it. I also think it is politics, that's the way it is," Trump said in the interview, a clip of which was released Monday night.

Trump then discussed the leaks that have disrupted his first month in office.

"You never know what's exactly happening behind the scenes. You know, you're probably right or possibly right, but you never know," Trump said in another preview clip of the interview.

"No, I think that President Obama is behind it because his people are certainly behind it. And some of the leaks possibly come from that group, which are really serious because they are very bad in terms of national security. But I also understand that is politics. In terms of him being behind things, that's politics. And it will probably continue."

Trump, however, did not offer any evidence for his claim.

Earlier this month, Trump told Fox News that reports of his calls with the leaders of Mexico and Australia were caused by leaks from "Obama people".

Trump's administration has been beset by leaks within his administration to the media, and he has continually railed against those doing the leaks and against the media since taking office. He has said the leaks are damaging to national security.
New Delhi, Feb 28 : Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, who got death and rape threats after her campaign against the ABVP, has been provided "adequate security", police said on Tuesday.

A day after the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) wrote to Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik over the threats to Kaur, the police slapped a a First Information Report.

On Monday, DCW forwarded a complaint of the Lady Shri Ram College student regarding the online abuse. The Deputy Commissioner of Police of the area then spoke to her and provided necessary security, the police said.

Joint Commissioner of Police Dependra Pathak told IANS that the FIR had been filed under section 67 of the IT Act and sections 354 A (sexual harassment) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

Kaur complained to the DCW against the online threats she got since taking on the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

Kaur posted on her Facebook: "I am a student of Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me."
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 28 : The Congress-led opposition in the Kerala assembly walked out on Tuesday in protest against rising crimes in the state.

The walkout came as Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan disallowed leave for an adjournment motion moved by former Home Minister and Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.

Before leading the walkout, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said that peace and tranquility in Kerala was destroyed with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan losing his grip over the state police.

He said the nine-month-old Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government had converted Kerala -- God's own country -- into goons' own country.

"(At least) 18 murders have taken place, 1,085 rape cases, 620 children have been attacked and 2,690 cases of attack on women have been registered after you (Vijayan took over in May last year)," Chennithala said.

The Congress leader said there was a spurt in criminal activities and goons were having a free run as Vijayan had failed in handling the police.

He said: "When I was heading the home department, we had a special programme 'Operation Sureksha' and 'Operation Kubera', where goons were targeted and taken into custody.

"It's most unfortunate that you have not taken forward the programme just because it was launched by us... God's own country has now become goons' own country," said Chennithala.

Radhakrishnan said a comparison between the present and then Congress government revealed that under Vijayan there were 6,100 more crime related cases.

According to him, even the Director General of Police T. P. Senkumar fears for his life.

"There is an overall drop in the law and order situation in the state as there has been an increase in crimes, besides cases of moral policing have also gone up," said Radhakrishnan.

Replying to the allegations, Vijayan said the situation was better than under Congress rule in the state.

The Chief Minister cited reports of a popular film actress having to face unpleasant situations during the Congress rule while attending a programme where a Congress MP was present.

"Shwetha Menon had to face a tough time, and the youth Congress activists themselves later protested against the humiliation she had suffered."

According to Vijayan, he has implemented a programme where police officers are given a list of anti-social elements to act against.

"With regard to the DGP who is facing problems... he has now moved away from his earlier position and is now looking for greener pastures," he said.

The Chief Minister warned the Congress not to support the DGP as he was putting the government into difficulties.
New Delhi, Feb 28 : One of Pakistan's most prominent public intellectuals and a renowned author, Husain Haqqanis upcoming book will take stock of the contemporary situation in the country and will attempt to reimagine its concept in a progressive way.

Titled "Reimagining Pakistan: Transforming a Dysfunctional Nuclear State," the book will release coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Pakistan's formation, this August. Harper Collins Publishers India has acquired the world rights to publish the book.

"Salman Rushdie described Pakistan as a 'poorly imagined country'. Given the country's myriad problems I thought it was time to reimagine the idea of Pakistan, as one that takes the country forward rather than staying mired in a mythical past," Haqqani, who was also Pakistan's former ambassador to the United States, said in a statement here.

In his new book, Haqqani examines the causes of Pakistan's perennial crises and attempts to answer the question: "Can Pakistan transform itself into a modern, functional state - and if so, how?"

Udayan Mitra, Publisher -- Literary, HarperCollins India, described Haqqani as one of the most astute and perceptive commentators on Pakistan today.

"It is an absolute privilege for us to be able to announce his new book Reimagining Pakistan which we'll publish in time for the seventieth anniversary of Pakistan's formation, this August. Pakistan and India share a mutual history and there are key lessons to be learnt from what has happened in our neighbouring country over the last seven decades, as we chart the way forward for the subcontinent. Ambassador Haqqani's book will have deep resonance both in India and elsewhere in the world," added Mitra.

"Reimagining Pakistan" looks at the internal contradictions and fault lines of Pakistan's last seventy years to lay out the course for a future other than the balkanization often predicted by critics. According to the publisher it is going to be "less of a forecast and more a description of policy choices" the country must make to prove sceptics wrong.
Tel Aviv, Feb 28 : Israel police on Tuesday began the partial evacuation of nine Jewish settlements in the centre of the West Bank, after a ruling from the high court.

The court has ordered nine houses to be demolished in the West Bank settlement of Ofra, as they are built on private Palestinian land, Efe news reported.

"The evacuation of the nine homes has begun, in accordance with the high court order," said Israeli police spokeswoman Luba Samri, who asked the settlers for respect and responsibility during removal.

Hundreds of police and border guards were deployed in the area, a source said, referring to the arrest of a 17-year-old young man who assaulted one of the officers while trying to resist the evacuation.

The high court on Monday rejected the appeal presented by the settlers who wanted to cancel the demolition.

The court ruled that part of the houses in this settlement, with 3,500 inhabitants and located in the central West Bank region, in territory occupied by Israel since 1967, must be demolished and land returned to its owners, and set March 5 as the last day to carry out the judgement.

Thousands of people recently protested the rule and a new demonstration is now scheduled to call on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government not to execute the court decision, sources in the settlement told Efe news.

According to international law, all settlements built in occupied territories are illegal, but Israel considers some of them to be lawful under its own legislation, while others are illegal.
Moscow, Feb 28 : Relations between Moscow and Washington are at their lowest point since the end of Cold War, but there is hope in US President Donald Trump, a top Russian official said on Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov made the remarks while addressing lawmakers at Russia's State Duma, the lower parliamentary chamber, Efe news reported.

"The current state of the links between Russia and the US, as we all know, leaves much to be desired," said Ryabkov.

"It's not an exaggeration to say that our relations are at their lowest point in the post-Cold War period," he stressed.

He told Russian lawmakers that former US President Barack Obama increased tensions and opted for confrontation with Russia long before the conflict in Ukraine.

The Obama administration drew up sanctions against Moscow for its alleged role in the pro-Russian insurgency that sprung up in Ukraine's Russian borderlands following the 2014 ousting of President Viktor Yanukovich.

"The rate of total degradation in (US-Russian) relations quickly accelerated following the coup d'Atat in Kiev three years ago. In the White House, they opted for open confrontation," he said.

Reiterating views already expressed by some of Russia's top officials, including President Vladimir Putin, Ryabkov said he hoped that the arrival of Trump to the White House would create an opportunity to defrost Russian-American relations.

Any future discussions between the nations must be balanced and free of blackmail, he said.

Trump is due to address Congress later on Tuesday where he would expound the set-up of his new cabinet.

"It will be very important to analyse the signals and the approaches Trump takes in his first speech as leader of a superpower," said Ryabkov.

Trump has previously expressed his willingness to normalise ties with Moscow.

However, his cabinet recently came under considerable scrutiny when leaked documents suggested some of its members had held discussions with Russian officials before Trump was inaugurated.

That scandal led to the involuntary resignation of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn who, according to the White House, failed to fully divulge to Vice President Mike Pence the contents of a telephone discussion he held with a Russian diplomat.
Chandigarh, Feb 28 : The legislative assembly will on Wednesday discuss the issue of the ongoing Jat agitation in the state, Haryana Assembly Speaker Kanwar Pal has said.

Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Singh Chautala moved an adjournment motion during the budget session of the assembly here on Tuesday. The Congress party, led by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, also sought a discussion on the issue.

The Speaker, however, observed that the matter of Jat reservation was sub-judice and could not be discussed.

The INLD and Congress leaders, however, said the issues of the Jat community, which was agitating across Haryana since January 29, were different from the reservation issue this time.

Following this, the Speaker allowed discussion on the matter to be held on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar told the media outside the state assembly that the Jat agitation, other than the reservation issue, would be discussed in the assembly.

Chautala said the BJP government had failed to implement the demands of the Jat community even after agreeing to these last year.

The agitation by the Jat community, under the aegis of All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS), completed 31 days on Tuesday.

Talks between the state government and the Jat leaders hit a roadblock recently as the Haryana government made it clear that it has no jurisdiction to withdraw cases being investigated by the CBI against some Jat leaders over violence during the agitation last year.

The Jat community members have been holding protests across Haryana in support of their demands.

Their demands include reservation for Jats, jobs to the next of kin of those killed in violence in the Jat agitation last year, compensation to those injured, withdrawal of cases against them and action against the officers who ordered action against the Jats, among others.

Violence during the agitation last year had left 30 people dead and over 200 injured. Government and private property worth hundreds of crores of rupees was damaged during the violence in February 2016.
Kolkata, Feb 28 : Delay in receiving lab equipment due to remoteness, corruption in fund management, dearth of jobs for returnee scientists and inadequate infrastructure are some of the major hurdles faced by researchers in India's northeast region (NER) who demand good governance to promote science and technology in its eight states.

IANS spoke to a number of scientists in the NER on the occasion of National Science Day On February 28 to ascertain the magnitude of the difficulties faced by them and their views on what needs to be done.

Damanbha Lyngdoh, an up-and-coming researcher from Shillong, Meghalaya, who has a special interest in parasites, lamented that a tiring and time-consuming nature of a trip to the labs in NER, mostly through small, winding and bad roads deters visitors, including scientists.

"Moreover, the time duration for various chemicals/machinery needed for various experiments to reach is too long as compared to other parts of the country," Lyngdoh, currently a faculty at St. Anthony's College, Shillong, told IANS.

"This delay brings about late experimental results and failure to publish at the earliest, especially if there is a competition from other teams in other parts of the country/world)," he noted.

Biotechnologist and an advocate of bio-entrepreneurship, Assam's Utpal Bora, deplored the dearth of quality manpower in adequate numbers. He said the number of science postgraduates joining doctoral research is very low.

"The best amongst those who go for research prefer to go aboard, the second rungs land up in National Laboratories in the metros and the quality of the leftover researchers is so poor that every scientist in NER has to struggle every year to start from scratch. In spite of this, whatever trained manpower comes out after Ph.D. research again enters same vicious cycle of going, abroad, joining labs in metros and so on,a Bora of IIT Guwahati, told IANS.

Lyngdoh said difficulty in finding jobs for the locals in their hometown means that they have to go out to the metros and other big cities for employment.

"However, recently, safety is a major factor which has forced people from this region to come back and settle for a less deserving profession," he pointed out.

Robin Dutta from Assam's Tezpur University believes aligning research to the needs of the people is the "greatest challenge" in developing science and technology sector in northeast India.

"This (challenge) is followed by increasing academy-industry interfacing through rapid industrialization in the potential sectors (like oil, agro, pharma and tourism), developing infrastructure to minimise the locational disadvantage and good governance to check wastage of resources due to corruption," Dutta, known for his efforts in water treatment technologies, told IANS.

Despite ongoing efforts by the Centre, there are gaping holes when it comes to R&D funding, corruption and mismanagement, they feel.

"Though the Centre sometimes takes some measures like allocating 10 per cent of R&D budget for the northeast, they are hardly implemented honestly. A corrupt and inefficient management system including some defective expert committees play spoil sport," Dutta observed.

Bora called for urgent action in setting up a science and policy research institute located in the NER to study the problems that plague the development of S&T in the region.

Lyngdoh batted for locals being given more preference for scientific posts (and other employment offers), otherwise, he says, the whole concept of uplifting NER is lost.

"Only a person born and brought up in this region will understand the difficulties that people are facing and therefore will develop ways and means to counter these difficulties and build a better India," he contended.

They pitched for improving primary and secondary education in rural areas, building more research centres on topics like tropical diseases, institutes of national importance, promotion of indigenous knowledge and setting up more research centres in rural northeast.

"An affirmative action plan is required not just to draw the brightest minds to science but also to retain them and absorb them. In the absence of opportunities many are now turning their back to S&T," Bora added.

(Sahana Ghosh can be contacted at sahana.g@ians.in)
New Delhi, Feb 28 : Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday sought arrest of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists blamed for violence in Delhi University (DU) and said Lt. Governor Anil Baijal has promised "strict action".

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader tweeted that he met Baijal and demanded the arrest of "those who caused violence in DU, shouted anti-India slogans and who threatened (student) Gurmehar (Kaur)".

After the meeting, Lt. Governor Baijal also tweeted: "Chief Minister, Delhi met me at Raj Niwas. I have assured him that strict immediate action will be taken against those violating law."

Kejriwal's meeting followed the February 22 attacks on students, lecturers and journalists on the Delhi University campus for which the ABVP has been blamed.

The violence came a day after the ABVP forced Ramjas College in the campus to cancel a seminar which JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid were to address.

Khalid was among the students charged with sedition over an event at JNU last year where anti-national slogans were raised, while Shehla Rashid, a former JNU Students Union member, was instrumental in the movement against students' arrest.

Later, when student Gurmehar Kaur of Lady Shri Ram College launched a social media campaign against the RSS-affiliated ABVP, she received death and rape threats, triggering widespread condemnation.

After meeting the Lt. Governor, Kejriwal said people who threatened Kargil war martyr's daughter should be arrested immediately, so that a message could be sent that the administration and police would not tolerate such activities.

"Lt. Governor assured that strict action will be taken against people who indulged in violence and the people who threatened Gurmehar (Kaur)," Kejriwal told reporters after the meeting.

Kejriwal alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) people were behind the violence and anti-India sloganeering in the Delhi University.

"They (BJP) send their own people to shout anti-India slogans and after that their supporters come and beat other people accusing them of shouting such slogans," Kejriwal alleged.

"Once the culprits are arrested, it will become clear that BJP's people were behind the violence and anti-India sloganeering in the campus," Kejriwal said.

He also said that the people, who raised anti-India slogans in the JNU, were not yet arrested despite having their images and videos because "they were their (BJP's) own people".

Kejriwal accused the BJP of doing dirty politics and said: "The country will not tolerate BJP's dirty politics. Now the youth and the students are against BJP. Parents are worried about their children."

"I am not the Chief Minister of AAP only but of entire Delhi, similarly Kiren Rijiju is the Minister of State for Home for the entire country, so we are part of the system. It is the responsibility of every person in the system to protect Gurmehar and punish the culprits," Kejriwal added.
Kohima, Feb 28 : The Computer Society of India (CSI)-Nihilent Nagaland on Tuesday declared Nagaland as a top performing state from among the northeastern states in Information Technology and e-Governance sector.

"Nagaland is the only state in India where the state is acting as Service Centre Agency without engaging private companies for running Common Service Centres. It is also the first state in India in the e-District Mission Mode Project," Commissioner & Secretary, Information Technology & Communication K.D. Vizo said.

The Computer Society of India is the first and largest body of computer professionals in India. The award given by the CSI -- which has 72 chapters across India, 511 student branches, and about 100,000 members -- is the highest award in the county by an NGO.

Vizo also said that Nagaland is now ranked No.1 in India in the e-District Mission Mode Project along with Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Explaining the nature of the award, Vizo said the award is normally given under two categories namely State Category and Project Category. The award under the Project Category is normally given for innovations and under the State Category is given every year for the overall performance of a State in the field of IT and e-Governance.

"Nagaland was the first in India to take over State Portal and State Services Delivery Gateway (SP&SSDG) core infrastructure project, Nagaland was the only state in India where the State IT Department is running the State Data Centre without engaging private Data Centre Operator," the IT&C department official said.

Vizo said Nagaland was also the first state in the northeastern region to implement Aadhar-based Biometric Attendance System in Nagaland Civil Secretariat.

Chief Minister Shurhozelie Lezietsu, who received the award at a function here, said that much progress has been made in a very short span of time and the department has brought laurels to the state while also attracting foreign companies.

"Nagaland becoming the best performing state from among the North Eastern States in the field of IT and e-Governance, is no doubt an important milestone," he said.

Shurhozelie said young generation of the state will have no problem with the advancement of technology and expressed his hope to see Nagaland emerging as one of the best states in the field of Information & Technology.

Stating that Information Technology & Communication department has been achieving very significant milestones for the state, Chief Secretary Nagaland, Pankaj Kumar said: "Nagaland is not ranked too well in the 'Ease of Doing Business' in the country, however the State IT Department has created a portal for the Industries & Commerce Department and expects the state's ranking to improve.

Out of seven states (Gujarat, Nagaland, Karnataka, Chandigarh, Kerala, Pondicherry Aand Uttarakhand) which have taken up the National Information Infrastructure (NII) pilot project, Nagaland is the first state in the country to commission the pilot project for National Information Infrastructure (NII) on January 6 last.
New Delhi, Feb 28 : The NHRC on Tuesday sought a report from the Delhi Police over allegations that policemen attacked a female student and manhandled journalists during the February 22 clash of students at the Delhi Universitys Ramjas College.

In a notice to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Kumar Patnaik, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it has taken cognizance of complaints and media reports against police, and gave him four weeks to submit a detailed report.

"Police personnel attacked a female student and snatched cameras from media persons, who were recording the incident outside Ramjas College in Delhi University Campus on the 22nd February 2017. Allegedly, some journalists, covering clashes, were slapped, punched and kicked by the policemen," reads the NHRC notice.

"The Commission has taken on record complaints as well as media reports making similar allegations, including threats to some students on social media. The Commission has given him four weeks to submit a detailed report in the matter," it added.

The violent clashes between activists of the right-wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Left-affiliated All India Students Association (AISA) left over a dozen people injured, including teachers and journalists.
Kolkata, Feb 28 : A minor girl was allegedly raped by a local near her house in West Bengal's Howrah district, police said on Tuesday.

"A local person allegedly abducted and raped a minor girl near her house at Kantapukur Howrah district's Bagnan on Monday evening. The girl was recovered from a nearby field and shifted to Bagnan Rural Hospital," said an officer from Bagnan police station.

Police said they have arrested S. Jarek, the accused in the case.
Washington, Feb 28 : The US Senate confirmed billionaire banker and investor Wilbur L. Ross as Commerce secretary, installing a key leader for the Trump administration's plans to overhaul trade deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

By a vote of 72 to 27 on Monday, the Senate confirmed Ross, who has already been advising President Trump on economic policy and helping him to craft ways to rewrite the tax code. A renegotiation of NAFTA is expected to be Ross' top priority when he takes over the job, the New York Times reported.

Dubbed the "King of Bankruptcy" for his leveraged buyouts of battered companies in the steel, coal, textile and banking industries, Ross has generated a fortune of $2.5 billion, ranking him among the wealthiest 250 people in America, according to Forbes.

Ross, 79, has indicated he will step down from the Bank of Cyprus after he takes office, according to reports.

The White House is expected to hold a swearing-in ceremony for the new Commerce Secretary on Tuesday prior to Trump's address to a joint session of Congress.

During his confirmation hearing in mid-January, Ross pushed for taking a tough stance on China, which he called the "most protectionist country of very large countries".

The then commerce secretary nominee said countries that resort to "malicious" trading tactics should be "severely" punished.

Ross led an auto parts company that moved jobs to Mexico, while a textile firm he founded opened a cotton plant in Vietnam that would employ 1,500 workers, said the New York Times.

Trump praised Ross as a savvy businessman and one of the most valuable advisers in his administration.

Ross agreed to divest of nearly all of his personal holdings and resigned from dozens of boards and organisations to take the Commerce SEcretary post.

"I am not anti-trade, I am pro-trade, but I am pro-sensible trade, not pro-trade that is to the disadvantage of the American worker in the American manufacturing community," Ross said in his confirmation hearing on January 18.

Ross's confirmation was largely uncontroversial, though Sen. Cory Booker and other Democrats asked the billionaire in recent days to clarify his business ties to Russian shareholders while serving on the board of directors of a Cypriot bank.

"Wilbur Ross is practically a cartoon stereotype of a Wall Street fat cat with no interest in anyone but himself," Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts, wrote on Twitter.

On the Senate floor ahead of the vote, Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the minority leader, accused Ross of having questionable business ties to Russia.

The Senate was also holding a closure vote on Representative Ryan Zinke of Montana, Trump's nominee for interior secretary. A full vote is expected for Zinke later this week.
Houston, Feb 28 : Former US Secretary of State and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has asked President Donald Trump to "step up and speak out" on rising hate crimes in the US, in the wake of the killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla in a Kansas City bar last week.

"With threats & hate crimes on rise, we shouldn't have to tell @POTUS to do his part. He must step up & speak out," Clinton tweeted.

The Democratic presidential nominee, who was thought to be a favourite to win the November elections, lost to Donald Trump of the Republican Party.

Her comments came as the body of Kuchibhotla was flown to India and cremated on Tuesday in Hyderabad with grieving relatives, friends and neighbours gathering for the last rites.

Kuchibhotla, 32, was shot dead by a US Navy veteran, Adam Purinton, 51, in an apparent hate crime.

Purinton shot dead Kuchibhotla while his friend Alok Madasani was injured at a pub in Kansas.

Purinton, 51, made his first court appearance in the case that is being investigated as a possible hate crime.

Purinton appeared before a Johnson County District Court judge via video conference on Monday. He faces one charge of first-degree murder and two charges of attempted first-degree murder in last Wednesday's shooting at the bar in Olathe, Kansas.

On Friday, the widow of Kuchibhotla sought answers to what she perceived was a spread in American hate crimes.

"I have a question in my mind: Do we belong?" said Sunayana Dumala, who like her husband travelled from India to attend a US college.

"We've read many times in newspapers of some kind of shooting happening," she said at a news conference at the headquarters of Garmin, where Kuchibhotla worked as an aviation systems engineer. "And we always wondered, how safe?"

While President Trump is yet to comment on the shooting, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said last week that it was too early to call the act a hate crime.

Spicer also referred to the shooting at a news conference on Monday while addressing President Trump's concerns against recent acts of vandalism against Jewish cemeteries in St Louis and Philadelphia.

"No one in America should feel afraid to follow the religion of their choosing freely and openly. The president has dedicated to preserving this originating principle of our nation," Spicer said.

"And while we're at it, I don't want to get ahead of law enforcement, but I was asked the other day about the story in Kansas, the shooting in Kansas. And while the story is evolving, early reports out of Kansas are equally disturbing," he said.
New Delhi, Feb 28 : Amid the rising political brouhaha over the violent students clashes in Ramjas College, BJP leader and Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday warned that talks of the country's disintegration in the garb of freedom of speech will not be tolerated.

"We fully support freedom of expression but in the name of that, can a movement to disintegrate the country be allowed? Those who are now arguing about freedom of speech, I want to ask them do they raise their voice when terrorists kill people, when our security forces are killed? Have they ever spoken about them?" asked Prasad.

Referring to slain Army officer's daughter Gurmehar Kaur who launched a social media campaign against the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Prasad questioned those who were indulging in politics in her name.

"Her father was killed while fighting the terrorists. Those who are playing politics in her name now, I want to ask them where were they when the terrorists killed her father," said Prasad.

Kaur launched her social media campaign in the aftermath of the February 22 violence at Delhi University's Ramjas College where ABVP activists allegedly attacked students, teachers and journalists in the campus.

ABVP activists on February 21 had forced Ramjas College to cancel a seminar to be addressed by JNU student Umar Khalid who was charged with sedition last year.

"In the garb of freedom of speech, talks of disintegrating cannot not be tolerated. The Constitution guarantees freedom of speech but it doesn't allow attempts to break the country," added the Law Minister.
Kolkata, Feb 28 : Jalpaiguri child trafficking accused Chandana Chakraborty, arrested with two aides this month, on Tuesday put the blame of wrongdoing on BJP leader Juhi Chowdhury.

Chakraborty, Chairperson of a Jalpaiguri-based child adoption centre Bimala Sishu Griho in West Bengal, was arrested with Chief Adoption Officer Sonali Mondal for allegedly selling at least 17 children with shady adoption deals.

The CID later arrested Manas Bhowmik in connection with the case. Her links with the woman BJP leader, now allegedly in hiding, are also being probed.

"Juhi Chowdhury is involved with the adoption centre for the last three years. If something wrong or immoral was done, it was done by her. Why am I being victimized? I am not the culprit," Chakraborty said.

She admitted going to Delhi with Chowdhury to seek "help" for her organisation and claimed the BJP leader did all the negotiations with the senior leadership while she was in a different room.

"Juhi assured me she would sort out all the issues," Chakraborty said.

"I haven't talked to anyone, Juhi did. She might have talked to Roopa Ganguly and Kailash Vijayvargiya. I was sitting in a separate room. We are innocent. We will definitely help in the investigation," she added.

Denying the allegations, BJP state president Dilip Ghosh claimed Chowdhury was being victimized as part of a larger political conspiracy.

"Juhi was not a part of their (child adoption centre) committee. She has been dragged into the case as she went to Delhi with her (Chakraborty)... If Juhi is found guilty, the law will take its course," Ghosh said.

The BJP leader said he won't permit his party workers to go to jail for no real reason.

"She might be in hiding looking at the recent trend in Bengal politics... I hope she comes out to face the law. There is no pride in going to jail like a fool for no reason," he added.
Kathmandu, Feb 28 : Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has reiterated that Kathmandu and Beijing will carry out bilateral development cooperation projects under the framework of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative.

Dahal said this during his meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong on Tuesday, Xinhua reported.

Dahal told Yu that Nepal was working for the effective implementation of previous agreements reached between China and Nepal to enhance cross-border connectivity, trade and physical infrastructure development in Nepal, according to Rishiraj Adhikari, the Foreign Relations Advisor to the Prime Minister.

"I am confident bilateral cooperation projects will be carried out under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China," Adhikari quoted Dahal as saying.

Nepal initially signed a framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China in December 2014 though it has yet to finalise cooperation projects to be developed under the initiative.

"Now the foreign ministries of the two countries are holding negotiations to finalise another MoU for cooperation projects to be developed under the Belt and Road Initiative in future," Adhikari said.

Nepal and China agreed to enhance cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative introduced by the Chinese leadership when former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli visited Beijing in March last year.

"Regarding Nepal-China bilateral cooperation, both sides agreed to synergise each other's development planning, formulate appropriate bilateral cooperation programs and to carry out major projects under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative," said part of a joint communique issued during Oli's visit.

"Both sides agreed to strengthen connectivity, further step up the land and air links and improve the land transport infrastructure," the communique stated.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister briefed the ambassador regarding his government's preparations to hold local body elections on May 14 this year.

"We expect goodwill and support from China as my government is in a crucial phase of constitution implementation and holding local body elections in May this year," the Prime Minister told the ambassador.
New Delhi, Feb 28 : During summers, most people experience sudden acne breakouts on their face, upper back and chin due to excessive sun exposure. Binge on fiber rich food and maintain a proper cleansing routine to keep acne away, says an expert.

Megha Shah, Cosmetologist at Beauty and Curves Clinic, Surat, has rolled out tips that can be incorporated in daily life routine to eliminate or avoid acne in the hot season:

Say no to acnegenic foods: No matter how often you crave for those ice creams, chocolates, cakes, and pizzas if you want to take control over your acne say no to sugars and refined flour. Certain sea-food and fatty food can also flare up acne.

Avoid food that causes constipation: A fiber-rich diet including citrus fruits, melons, sprouts work wonders for your gut. A properly functioning excretory system prevents constipation and results in a clean, clear face.

Cleansing routine: During summers, a lot of dirt and oil gets accumulated on the face, do not forget to wash your face at least twice a day. Use a good exfoliant once a week to shed off dead skin and clean your pores gently.

You have to be an ardent follower of a cleansing routine to banish acne during summers. A salicylic acid-based face mask is great to sooth your acne-prone skin. Tea tree oil is also great to avoid acne.

Change your moisturiser: Moisturising your skin in summer is as important as moisturising it in winter. Therefore, choosing the right lotion is important. Always go for gel-based lotions that don't make your skin greasy.

A non-comedogenic product (that doesn't clog your pores) should be selected to avoid acne.

Ingredients in your products: Retinol, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide are some great ingredients to control acne especially in summer. A regular application of night cream with any of these products is a good idea.

Early treatment is the key: In case you feel that acne has aggravated beyond your control, you should visit a dermatologist immediately.

Depending on the severity of the problem the doctor will suggest advanced procedures like peels that replenish your skin from within or laser treatment such as non invasive Venus Viva that can support curing active acne and associated flaws.
Majuro (Marshall Islands), Feb 28 : Marshall Islands, a low-lying atoll nation in the Pacific Ocean, on Tuesday became the first country to ratify a 2016 United Nations accord to cut the use of greenhouse gases, saying it will not survive without urgent action to cut emissions globally.

Its parliament gave its approval to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, four months after the Marshall Islands worked with the Federated States of Micronesia through the 30 plus country High Ambition Coalition to secure the historic amendment.

The Kigali Amendment was adopted by the 28th Meeting of Parties to the Montreal Protocol on October 15 last year in Rwandan capital Kigali.

Under the amendment, all countries will gradually phase down hydrofluorocarbons or HFCs, a policy move that would avoid up to 0.5 degree Celsius of global warming by the end of the century, while continuing to protect the ozone layer.

"My country will not survive without urgent action to cut emissions by every country and every sector of our economies, including HFCs," said President Hilda Heine as per an official statement.

"Our rapid ratification of the Kigali Amendment is yet another demonstration of our commitment to the Paris Agreement. We now need others to quickly do the same in order to help keep global temperature increases within 1.5 degree Celsius," she said.

At the Kigali meeting, nearly 200 nations approved a timetable to stop the use of gases whose elimination could reduce global warming by the end of the century.

HFCs, used in refrigerators and air conditioners, were introduced in the 1990s to replace chemicals that had been found to erode the ozone layer, but turned out to be catastrophic.

The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol builds on the strong global momentum for multilateral efforts to address climate change, including the landmark Paris Agreement, which will enter into force on November 4 last year.

Following seven years of negotiations, the Montreal Protocol parties reached a compromise in Kigali, under which developed countries will start to phase down HFCs by 2019.

As per the amendment, the A2 (developed) countries have agreed to a baseline of 2011-2013 with cuts in HFCs beginning in 2019. In fact, the US, the European Union and other countries have already started.

Meanwhile, the A5 (developing) countries have agreed to two sub-groups with two different baselines.

A5 Group 2 includes India, Pakistan, Iran and Iraq -- with a baseline of 2024 -2026 and a freeze date of 2028.

China, Brazil, South Africa, Argentina and more than 100 other developing countries committed to freeze their HFC production and use by 2024.

The baseline year determines the level at which the HFC consumption in countries are capped.

By the late 2040s, all countries are expected to consume no more than 15-20 per cent of their respective baselines, says the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Kathmandu, Feb 28 : Even as India's Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae on Tuesday completed his diplomatic stint in the Himalayan nation and was set to leave for home the next day, India is yet to name his successor.

On Tuesday, Rae made a farewell call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the end of three-and-half years of diplomatic posting and discussed a wide range of issues with him.

"Ambassador Rae paid a formal call on PM Dahal. He is returning home after completing his tenure," a statement by the Nepal Prime Minister's Office said.

An ambassadorial assignment in Nepal is considered challenging as well as a prize posting for any Indian diplomat. Till the arrival of the new Indian envoy, Deputy Chief of Mission Vinay Kumar will head the Kathmandu-based Indian Embassy.

During the meeting, Dahal thanked Rae and said his diplomatic role in Nepal was both effective and balanced. He also hoped that bilateral ties would be further strengthened in the days to come, the statement said.

Dahal's Press Adviser Govinda Acharya said the Prime Minister noted that high-level bilateral visits during Rae's term as Ambassador as well as speeding up of developmental projects implemented in Nepal with India's support were all due to Rae's efforts.

Ambassador Rae, too, thanked the Nepal government and the Nepali people for the positive support he received during his stint in the Himalayan country.

Later in the evening, Rae was given a warm farewell by Embassy officers and staff. "They will miss his guidance, leadership and hospitality," an Indian Embassy tweet said.
Agartala, Feb 28 : Preservative formalin having an adverse impact on human body was found in 11 fish samples in Agartala markets, which forced the Tripura government to take "severe action".

"Following the media reports, the state health department officials collected 40 fish samples from Agartala and formalin was found in 11 samples," Tripura Health Minister Badal Choudhury said in the Tripura assembly on Tuesday.

Formalin, a poisonous and non-decomposing chemical agent, is used as an antiseptic, disinfectant and preservative in various items.

Replying to a calling attention notice, he told the assembly: "Officials have been asked to take severe legal action against the accused and wrongdoers."

The calling attention notice was earlier jointly given by opposition Trinamool Congress lawmakers Ashish Saha and Pranjit Singh Roy.

The minister said of the 11 fish samples in which laboratory tests showed formalin was used, five samples were collected from two main fish markets of Agartala and six were collected from fish imported from Bangladesh.

Choudhury said a massive awareness campaign was also undertaken against the use of formalin in eatable items.

"Food Safety Officers are collecting samples randomly from the open market and testing them in laboratories. Under the Food Safety Security Act and Rules, 2011, if anyone is found guilty, the defaulter may face a penalty of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh or imprisonment or both," the Health Minister warned.

The Tripura government has taken steps to appoint Food Safety Officer in each sub-division to ensure proper vigilance against food adulteration.

District Sessions Judges are designated to hear such cases and dispose them at the earliest, he added.

An official of the industries and commerce department said on an average, 25,644 kg fish are being daily imported from Bangladesh and 26,180 kg from outside the state, including Andhra Pradesh, in Tripura.

"These fish being imported from Bangladesh and other Indian states are being sold in Tripura markets without any laboratory tests," the official told IANS on condition of anonymity.
New Delhi, Feb 28 : A court here on Monday extended the custody of Chhattisgarh IAS officer B.L. Agrawal and two others in a corruption case.

CBI Special Judge Virender Kumar Goyal allowed the probe agency to further quiz Agrawal, his brother-in-law Anand Agrawal and a private person Bhagwan Singh, a resident of Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh, who are also accused in the case, till March 3.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought extension of custody on the ground that he has to be confronted with other co-accused.

The court on Monday extended the CBI custody of the Hyderabad-based private person, Syed Burhanuddin, who was arrested on February 23.

Agrawal, along with two others, was arrested on February 21.

The other accused were arrested for their bid to help Agrawal settle a case under investigation by the agency.

The agency on February 18 registered an FIR against Agrawal, Singh, Burhanuddin and others under relevant sections of criminal conspiracy and Prevention of Corruption Act.

The CBI said that the IAS officer had agreed to pay Rs 1.5 crore to Burhanuddin as gratification for helping him in a case being investigated by the agency.

The probe agency alleged that Agrawal first approached Singh over the issue, who arranged his meeting with Burhanuddin on February 11 in Delhi. Burhanuddin told the Chhattisgarh officer that he works in the Prime Minister's Office and would easily settle the matter in his favour in lieu of Rs 1.5 crore gratification.

The officer said that Burhanuddin also assured Agrawal that he would get the case transferred from the CBI to the Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing.
New Delhi, Feb 28 : Shouting "ABVP Go Back", thousands of students marched through Delhi University on Tuesday to denounce the RSS-affiliated body for attacking students, teachers and journalists in the campus.

Some 4-5,000 students, mostly girls, walked from Khalsa College at the edge of the university through the sprawling campus and finally gathered at the Arts Faculty, constantly raising slogans all the time.

Many held banners demanding the right to freedom of speech and condemning the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the February 21-22 disturbances in the otherwise placid campus.

"We are here to show solidarity and to make the ABVP understand that DU stands together against violence," student Hindolee Dutta told IANS.

Dutta was from Lady Shri Ram College, whose student Gurmehar Kaur got death and rape threats after launching a social media campaign against the ABVP.

Gurpreet, a student of Delhi's Ambedkar University, told IANS: "There have been increasing threats to the rights of citizens and students. Our right to protest has been taken away by the ABVP and RSS.

"This is not just about Delhi University but the whole nation."

Hindolee and Gurpreet spoke as a mass of students walked slowly towards the Arts Faculty holding banners and shouting slogans. A large number of police personnel accompanied them.

The protest mainly drew students from Delhi University, one of the oldest in the country, as well as a sprinkling from the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Ambedkar University and Jamia Millia Islamia.

Several lecturers also joined the march.

On February 21, the ABVP forced the Ramjas College in the campus to axe a seminar due to the participation of a JNU student charged with sedition last year.

The next day, ABVP activists were accused of attacking students, teachers and journalists during a protest march.

Protesters insisted their march on Tuesday was not political but for freedom in the campuses.

"I was bruised on the 22nd because of stone pelting. I don't belong to any political party. I am here to protest against violence," said a Ramjas College girl student who did not want to be named.

A lecturer who joined the show of strength underlined that she was there "for the safety of students threatened by the ABVP".

Another teacher, Avinash, added: "This is not about ABVP, this is about hooliganism. The people who indulged in violence are not nationalists, they are macho elements."

"ABVP Down Down," "ABVP Go Back" and "ABVP Don't be Creepy" were among the slogans the students raised. Another was: "Delhi Police, Sanghi Police."

The call for Tuesday's march was given by the Left-leaning All India Students Association but attracted even those who are not with the group. Former JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar also joined the protest.

Among the political leaders who addressed the students were D. Raja (CPI), Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) and Yogendra Yadav (Swaraj Abhiyan).

Also on Tuesday, members of the Congress-affiliated National Students Union of India (NSUI) staged a hunger strike in the campus, also against the ABVP.

"After the Ramjas violence, a majority of students who want a peaceful campus are scared... There is hardly any space for debate," NSUI President Amrita Dhawan told IANS. "Nothing justifies violence."

On Monday, the ABVP held a "Tiranga march" in the university. It has said it will organise another show of strength on Thursday.
New Delhi, Feb 28 : Two students each from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and National Institute of Design (NID) on Tuesday won the India Aerospace Design Challenge organised by Honeywell, an official said.

Akhil Patel and Harmeet Singh from the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, and Harshika Jain and Salil Parekh from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, were named winners of this year's contest at the award ceremony held at the Honeywell campus in Bangalore, said a release.

"I am delighted to meet the brilliant design students at the Aerospace Design Challenge 2017. They are India's future for building human-centered software industrial solutions for our country," said Akshay Bellare, Vice President and General Manager at Honeywell Technology Solutions, India.

The 2017 challenge drew the participation of 239 students from 19 design institutes across India. The students were asked to design a user-friendly, enhanced situational awareness solution for Aerospace communication, navigation and surveillance.

Started in 2014, it is an annual contest for college students to design innovative solutions addressing specific needs of the Indian aviation industry.

Over 650 students from 20 institutes in both aviation and design category have participated in the yearly competition.
New Delhi, Feb 28 : Delhi's Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Tuesday promised "strict immediate action" over the violence in Delhi University where ABVP members were accused of attacking students and teachers.

Baijal tweeted that he assured Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal "that strict immediate action will be taken against those violating law".

Baijal's assurance came after Kejriwal demanded the arrest of "those who caused violence in DU, shouted anti-India slogans and who threatened (student) Gurmehar (Kaur)".

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad forced the Ramjas College in the campus to cancel a seminar on February 21 and was blamed for the attacks on students, lecturers and journalists in the campus the next day.

Later, when student Gurmehar Kaur of Lady Shri Ram College launched a social media campaign against the RSS-affiliated ABVP, she received death and rape threats.

After meeting Baijal, Kejriwal said people who threatened Kaur should be arrested so that a message goes that such activities cannot be tolerated.

Kejriwal said Baijal assured him that "strict action will be taken against people who indulged in violence and the people who threatened Gurmehar".

Kejriwal blamed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters for the violence and anti-India sloganeering in Delhi University.

"They (BJP) send their people to shout anti-India slogans and then their supporters come and beat up others after accusing them of shouting the slogans," the Aam Aadmi Party leader alleged.

He said those who raised anti-India slogans at the Jawaharlal Nehru University last year were yet to be arrested because "they were their (BJP's) own people".

"The country will not tolerate BJP's dirty politics. Today the youths and students are up against the BJP. And parents are worried about their children."
Thiruvananthapuram, February 28 : Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday came down on former state police chief (SPC) T P Senkumar accusing him of playing politics.

Pinarayi alleged that Senkumar was propagating canards against the government with a view to defame it.

He (Senkumar) has left the UDF camp and is now looking for a new shelter, the chief minister said cryptically.

The chief minister was responding to a notice for adjournment motion moved by the opposition alleging deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Pinarayis strong remarks come in the wake of Senkumar submitting before the supreme court that the LDF govt.s shunting him out from the post of state police chief was an act of vendetta over the police honestly investigating murder cases against the CPI(M) during his tenure.

Senkumar had made the charge against the government in an appeal petition before the apex court challenging the Kerala HC verdict upholding his removal as SPC.

The ranking IPS officer had also submitted in his petition that there had been an upsurge in crime in the state since his ouster as SPC.

The opposition strongly condemned the chief ministers remarks against Senkumar.

Addressing reporters later in the media room, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said took exception to Pinarayis acerbic remarks against Senkumar.

Chennithala also caustically remarked that the chief minister should desist from recruiting members to the BJP camp.

Former chief minister Oommen Chandy also came out against Pinarayi over the latters attack on the IPS officer.

Oommen Chandy opined that it was wrong for the chief minister to address the allegations levelled by Senkumar on the floor of the assembly since the IPS officer made the charges against the government in a submission before the supreme court.
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 28 : Two women implicated in the killing of the estranged half-brother of North Korea's leader will be charged with murder on Wednesday, Malaysia's prosecutor said.

Attorney General Mohamed Apandi Ali said the women -- from Indonesia and Vietnam -- would be formally charged and could face death if convicted, BBC reported on Tuesday.

The women allegedly smeared a deadly chemical agent over Kim Jong-nam's face at a Malaysia airport earlier this month. They thought it was a TV prank, according to reports.

"They will be charged in court under Section 302 of the penal code," which is a murder charge with a mandatory death sentence if found guilty, the Attorney General said.

He said no decision has yet been taken on whether to charge a North Korean man, Ri Jong Chol, who is also being held over the killing.

The two women -- Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam and Siti Aisyah from Indonesia -- are among some 10 suspects identified by Malaysia as being involved in the killing.

The other suspects include a senior official at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur and a staff member of the state airline. South Korea claimed that at least four suspects are North Korean spies.

Meanwhile, a high-level delegation from North Korea, led by the country's former ambassador to the UN, arrived in the Malaysian capital on Tuesday.

They were seeking the retrieval of the body, the release of Ri Jong Chol, as well as the "development of friendly relationships" between North Korea and Malaysia, BBC reported.

North Korea has not confirmed that the person killed on February 13 at Kuala Lumpur airport was Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of leader Kim Jong-un, saying only he was a North Korean travelling on a diplomatic passport.

Kim was killed at the airport when two women allegedly smeared the banned, deadly VX nerve agent on his face. He was awaiting a flight to Macau.
Vijayawada, Feb 28 : YSR Congress Party president and Leader of Opposition in Andhra Pradesh Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy on Tuesday threatened to send Krishna District Collector to jail.

Jagan entered into an argument with Collector Ahmed Babu, accused him of corruption and threatened to send him to jail.

The incident occurred after the Collector raised an objection to Jagan snatching the autopsy report from a doctor at government-run hospital at Nandigama near here.

The young leader alleged that a fictitious report was prepared without conducting autopsy on the body of the driver of the bus which fell off the bridge into a canal near Mulapadu, killing 11 people and injuring over 30.

Tempers ran high as the Leader of Opposition snatched papers from the doctor and Collector A. Babu who had reached there took objection to this.

Jagan then pulled up the Collector and remarked that from police to Collector everybody was involved in corruption. He even threatened to send him to jail after a thorough probe into the accident.

The YSRCP chief said no autopsy was conducted on the body of Adinarayan Reddy, who was driving the bus when it fell into the canal Tuesday morning.

He claimed that this was done to save Diwakar Travels owned by TDP MP J.C. Diwakar Reddy.

Jagan said there were allegations that the driver was under influence of alcohol and when he wanted to know this the doctors had no answer.

He also questioned the disappearance of the second driver from the hospital.

Jagan said Diwakar Travels and Kesineni Travels are owned by TDP MPs and were being run violating all rules.

The bus which plunged into a canal on Tuesday morning was heading to Hyderabad from Bhubaneswar. It hit the bridge divider and plunged through the gap between the two lanes into the canal.
Chandigarh, Feb 28 : Nearly a month after the Jats in Haryana resumed their agitation, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday said his government is prepared for unconditional talks with the community over its demands and grievances.

"We are for affirmative, meaningful and sympathetic consideration of the 18 demands submitted by them. However, a similar attitude is also expected from the agitators. They should come forward for talks unconditionally. The government's door are always open and it has never refused dialogue with the agitators," Khattar told the media here.

Khattar said precautionary measures have, however, been taken to maintain law and order in Haryana and to prevent reoccurrence of violence of February 2016.

Finance Minister Abhimanyu also said the state's Bharatiya Janata Party government is ready for talks with an "open mind" on job reservation for the Jat community within constitutional limits.

"Leaders of opposition political parties are trying to mislead the youths to regain lost political ground through protests. People are aware that the reservation stir has been lent a political flavour as leaders of these parties have not been able to raise other public issues during the present government's tenure," Abhimanyu said.

He said Haryana is in favour of granting reservation to the Jats in government jobs and educational institutions and a Bill was passed in the assembly last year, with the consent of all 90 legislators.

He said his government has presented a strong case in the Punjab and Haryana High Court on this matter.

The Jats led by All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) resumed their stir from January 29 on their demands, including reservation, jobs to the next of kin of those killed in the February violence, compensation to the injured, withdrawal of court cases filed against them, and action against officers who ordered use of force against the Jats during the agitation.

Violence during the Jat agitation last year left 30 people dead and over 200 injured. Government and private property worth hundreds of crores of rupees was damaged during arson and looting in February 2016.
Kathmandu, Feb 28 : China's Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong said on Tuesday that his country is hoping Nepal would soon become member of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The ambassador made the remarks while addressing the 14th Annual General Meeting of the Nepal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Kathmandu.

"China and Nepal are negotiating to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on jointly promoting the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. We hope Nepal will become a member of the circle of friends for the Belt and Road," Yu was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

The ambassador said that as many as 100 countries have expressed their intention to support and jointly contribute to the Belt and Road Initiative while over 40 countries and international organisations have already signed cooperation agreement with China for jointly building the Belt and Road.

"The China-Nepal relations are facing great opportunities. We are expected to promote bilateral cooperation by joint efforts of our two sides within the framework of building the Belt and Road," she said.

The Belt and Road initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.
New Delhi/Chennai/Kolkata, Feb 28 : In the first major organised protest against the government's "anti-people banking reforms", 10 lakh bank employees and officials staged a strike on Tuesday, bringing banking operations across the country to a halt.

The strike was called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), comprising nine unions, who also pressed for compensation to employees for extra work done on account of demonetisation and action against loan defaulters.

"Around 85,000 branches of commercial banks, 105,000 branches of co-operative banks and others went on strike," All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) General Secretary C.H. Venkatachalam told IANS in Chennai.

He said clearance of 40 lakh cheques totalling around Rs 22,000 crore was affected.

The strike covered employees and officers in all public sector banks, including State Bank of India, all old-generation private banks, foreign banks, regional rural banks and cooperative banks.

An officer in a government-owned bank preferring anonymity told IANS: "The clerical staff will get overtime allowance for working extra during the demonetisation period. But the officers will not get anything and in addition they will be losing a day's salary due to the strike."

Not agreeing with that view, D. Thomas Franco Rajendra Dev, Senior Vice President of the All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC), told IANS: "Our demand is to treat all the employees equally. And officers will also get their due share."

AIBEA Northern Region President J.P Sharma told IANS that the strike was a success in the entire region.

"With all employees of all state-run banks and many private ones also going on strike, it had a complete impact. Most branches were locked," Sharma said, adding that thousands of bank staff had gathered in the Jantar Mantar area of New Delhi in peaceful protest.

"There was no cheque clearing activity today (Tuesday) as all the national clearing grids were shut due to the strike," he said.

Venkatachalam said: "The real menace affecting the Indian banking industry is the rise in bad loans and the number of wilful loan defaulters."

He said the shutdown comes after all attempts to find a solution to the demands raised by the unions yielded no results.

The conciliation meeting before the Chief Labour Commissioner on February 21 failed to break the deadlock as the bank management body -- Indian Banks Association (IBA) -- did not agree to the union demands.

New generation private banks like ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and others were not part of the union and continued to function normally but cheque clearances did not take place, whilea large number of the ATMs were also closed, creating problems for the people.

"ATM operations are yet to normalise after the demonetisation of high value notes. It seems people have resigned to the situation of less cash," Venkatachalam added.

Banking operations across West Bengal were disrupted on Tuesday.

"Employees and officers from about 8,000 branches of commercial, cooperative and rural banks in Bengal are observing the strike. It is 100 percent successful. Out of around 10,000 ATMs, about 90 percent of them remained shut," state AIBEA President Rajen Nagar told IANS.

The unions said the strike was to oppose banking and labour law reforms, infringement of trade union rights, outsourcing of permanent jobs, and to demand legitimate compensation to employees and officers for extra hours of work put in due to demonetisation.

According to unions, the adverse effect of demonetisation on the economy has resulted in decline in the GDP growth rate and has taken away the lives of more than 100 citizens including more than 10 bank employees.

Banking services were badly affected in Left-ruled Tripura as most of the major banks remained closed.

"Around 4,000 bank employees belonging to about 500 nationalised, regional, rural and cooperative bank branches in Tripura took part in the strike," said UFBU spokesman Sushobhan Datta Majumder in Agartala.

Government and foreign exchange transactions were also affected due to the shutdown.

Protest rallies were also held in many cities in the state by the striking employees.
New Delhi, Feb 28 : Two Delhi University law students on Tuesday moved the Delhi High Court to seek directions for setting up an independent committee to probe the alleged misbehaviour and beating of women students by the police during Ramjas college violence last week.

Final-year law students Tarun Narang and Deepak Joshi also urged the court to issue guidelines to law enforcement agencies while dealing with students and media on university campuses.

"Police officials caught (hold of) female students in a very objectionable manner... touching their private parts," the petitioners said, adding that "Delhi Police was not able to handle and calm down the situation, which became worse when one group wanted to lead a protest march on the campus but some students interrupted it".

The plea said the tension between the opposing groups of students increased despite police presence, after which the situation turned violent.

The petitioners claimed the police used excessive force and lathicharged the students to bring the situation under control.

"It is unfortunate that female students were manhandled by Delhi Police, who used excessive force on them, punched them, slapped them and thus outraged their modesty," their plea said.

The two petitioners accused the police of stopping, threatening and manhandling reporters covering the protest march, and added that the police also broke the cameras and other equipment of the media persons.

On February 21, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarathi Parishad activists allegedly forced the Ramjas College to cancel a seminar in which Jawaharlal Nehru University student Umar Khalid, charged with sedition last year, was scheduled to participate.

The next day, ABVP activists were accused of attacking students, teachers and journalists during a protest march outside the Ramjas College.
Mumbai, Feb 28 : Actress Swara Bhaskar on Tuesday said violence can't be justified in any context, not even nationalism, days after the RSS-affiliated ABVP clashed with Left-backed AISA in Ramjas College of Delhi University on February 22.

"As a student of Jawaharlal University, I feel that violence can't be justified in any context. You can give it any name like nationalism or anything but violence is absolutely wrong. The fact is that thrashing somebody due to a dispute or because somebody is a sloganeer is not right," she said at the screening of "Hawa Badlo" here.

"Any argument can be sorted out by talking. We can see these kind of incidents are happening often and as an actor, I think we are vulnerable. You can see what has happened to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's set. Now this one, it is quite a disturbing situation," the "Tanu Weds Manu" actress added.

"Hawa Badlo" is a short film which talks about the problems traffic police face due to air pollution. At the event, Vivek Oberoi announced to donate anti-pollution face masks for the traffic police officials.

Directed by Karmik Varma, the film features Swara, Vivek Oberoi, Kalki Koechlin, Vir Das and Govind Namdev.

On February 22, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad activists allegedly clashed with All India Students Association members at Ramjas College over an invite to JNU student Umar Khalid, who was charged with sedition in 2016 for allegedly shouting anti-national slogans during an event in JNU campus.
New Delhi, Feb 28 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday directed the Delhi Fire Service to pay overtime to its employees.

Kejriwal said the Delhi Fire Services employees should be given world-class gear and provided quality training at the best centres.

The Aam Aadmi Party leader gave these instructions during a meeting with a delegation of the Delhi Fire Service Employees Welfare Association along with other officials at the Delhi Secretariat.

Kejriwal assured the employees that their demand for payment for the extra hours they were putting in will be fulfilled.

"Please look into the matter and get them the extra money paid for the extra hours as per the rules of the government. They must be paid for the hours they work more than the stipulated shifts," Kejriwal told the officials.

The delegation also demanded better fire fighting gear.

"Safety of the fire fighters is utmost and thus the quality of the equipment should be the best and should not be compromised at any cost," Kejriwal said.

He asked the Director of DFS to send a proposal on the same at the earliest.

Kejriwal asked the Director to ensure that the employees were trained to use the equipment procured from foreign countries at the earliest.
New Delhi, Feb 28 : A Dwarka resident has been arrested on the charge of molesting a minor girl living in his neighbourhood, police said on Tuesday.

Accused Vijay, 24, lured the 13-year-old girl on the pretext of buying her sweets on Monday night. However, he took her to a deserted place and molested her, police said.

"The victim escaped his clutches and told her parents about the incident after reaching home. The parents and local residents later caught hold of him and manhandled him before handing him over to police," a police officer said.

Police have registered a case of molestation.
Hyderabad, Feb 28 : After losing one son in a racist attack in the US last week, Parvatha Vardhini is not ready to take risk by sending back another son to that country.

Sai Kishore, who is employed in a firm in the US, arrived here with the body of his elder brother Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in Kansas by an American.

Grieving over the lost of her second of the three sons, the mother is not willing to allow the youngest to return.

The eldest of the three brothers live with the parents here.

Kuchibhotla's body was brought home on Monday night and the last rites were performed on Tuesday.

The mother blamed the policies of US President Donald Trump for the killing of her son.

The techie's wife Sunayna Dumala, brother Sai Kishore and other relatives had come with his mortal remains.

Sai Kishore was also settled in Kansas.

It was not clear if Sunayana, who also works at a firm in Kansas, will be returning to the US.

Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white man who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on Wednesday night.

Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them.

Kuchibhotla of Hyderabad and his colleague Madasani from Warangal district in Telangana were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an MNC.

Madasani's father Janardhan Reddy already said that he would ask his son to return home as the situation had turned bad in the US after Trump became the President. He had also appealed to parents not to send their children to the US.

"My son, like many other Indians in US are well qualified and can get better jobs in India," he had said.
New Delhi, Feb 28 : Bollywood actress Jiah Khan's mother on Tuesday approached the Supreme Court challenging Bombay High Court order declining her plea for setting up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe her daughter's death.

Approaching the Supreme Court, Jiah's mother, Rabia Khan, a British national, challenged Bombay High Court's order rejecting her plea against the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chargesheet terming the death as suicide and not homicide.

Khan sought formation of an SIT to probe the causes leading to the death of her daughter on June 3, 2013.

Claiming that her US citizen daughter was murdered, Khan has also contested the investigators' version that Jiah allegedly committed suicide by hanging at her home in Sagar Sangeet Apartments in the posh Juhu area that evening.

On February 9, the Bombay HC has said that since the matter is already being probed by the CBI there was no need to interfere, andAhad paved way for commencement of trial against actor Sooraj Pancholi, who is charged with abetment of Jiah's suicide.

Initially, Mumbai Police had investigated the sensational case of the celebrity which was later transferred to the CBI.

Jiah, 25, left behind a note allegedly pointing a finger at Pancholi, her then boyfriend and son of actor-couple Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab.

Later, Mumbai police had arrested Sooraj Pancholi on charges of 'abetment to (Jiah's) suicide' and he was later granted bail. The CBI had concurred with Mumbai police that Jiah's death was a suicide and not a murder.
New Delhi, Feb 28 : Many among the few thousands of students and teachers who marched in Delhi University's north campus on Tuesday against the ABVP, urging for peace and freedom of expression, said they did not have any political affiliation with either the left or right. They urged the ABVP to debate issues "intellectually" rather than indulging in violence.

The students were joined by professors and students from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamia Milia Islamia and Ambedkar University.

Many of them said they had joined the protest march against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its students wing, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) as the two right-wing groups have been curbing the freedom of expression not just in academic spaces but across the country.

Many challenged the ABVP to come up and debate on issues "intellectually" rather than using violence against ideas that they don't support.

"Vandalism has become the culture of ABVP. It happened in SRCC and now in Ramjas. It keeps happening all across the country," Sri Ram College of Commerce professor, Avinash Jha, told IANS.

"We understand if ideas and opinions don't match but vandalising events and silencing others' opinions is unacceptable," he said.

A member of JNU Teachers' Association echoed what Jha said.

According to him, this protest was unleashed against the violence in the academic space. "Such marches should happen across the country as the space for ideas is shrinking," he said.

The protest also received support from a retired DU professor.

"My association with this university has been since I was 16. I am so proud of my university today because students here are defending the whole country," 70-year-old Madhu Prasad told IANS.

"RSS has nothing to do with our democratic nation. They sided with the British during the struggle for independence and now are they claiming to be nationalists."

"Students have stood up to the fear of the police and the government," she said, adding: "ABVP has not evolved in DU. They have only controlled the state power. RSS always grows when they control the state. They use the state machinery to find ways for themselves."

Girls outnumbered boys in the protest, which saw raising of slogans like: "ABVP, don't be creepy!", "ABVP, down down", "Lathi bankar khoon nahi, waad wivaad ki azaadi", "Delhi Police, Sanghi Police", "Gundo Ki Jaagir nahi, ye university humari hai!".

A student from Khalsa College, Anjali Sirohi, said in 2009 she lost her father who was an army officer.

"What is the purpose of my father having died as he fought for this country, if we have to live in such terror and if we cannot have the space and freedom to express ourselves, where are we heading?" she asked while speaking to IANS.

"Why do we have to prove our nationalism? Who do we have to prove it to? These fascists (ABVP workers) won't attack such a big rally today. They beat up my professors on February 22 when there weren't a lot of people in the protest."

Lady Shri Ram College student Hindolee Dutta said an investigation should be undertaken against the ABVP for creating turmoil in the campus. "We will make ABVP understand that DU stands together. Our protests won't fizzle out after a few marches."

The left-wing All India Students' Association (AISA) President DU President Kawalpreet Kaur was also present at the march.

"We don't need certificates of nationalism from ABVP. In this march, around 5,000 students have come together to fight your hooliganism. We warn you that if you repeat such activities, the number will rise to 15,000 and you will wonder who is a student from DU and who is from outside," she announced.

A placard at the march read: "ABVP and Police -- better love story than Twilight". The student holding it told IANS: "I am here to protest against the hooliganism of ABVP workers that gets the support of Delhi Police. I want the university to be free of their dirty politics."

"The other day we were just singing a song in the campus, and few people came to silence us," psychology student Priyamveda told IANS.

"Such is the scenario in the campus these days," said Priyamveda, adding she just wants her old DU back "where there is liberty to do what we want".

A communist teacher from JNU, who didn't want to be named, told IANS: "This is ABVP. More than a student wing, it is a group of hooligans. Saner elements should join them."

Delhi School of Economics student, Akshay Raghupathy was among those who were beaten up on February 22.

"I got beaten up by six ABVP workers. I have joined the march to raise my voice against the disturbances caused by them," he said.

A girl from Ramjas College said: "Many of my friends were beaten up by the police. There was so much fear of ABVP among them when they returned to their homes. This has happened in DU for the first time. I wish to convey that there is no space for violence here."

Hindu College student Tuhin Basu said the university wants and needs freedom of speech. "We are against this very essence of hypocrisy through the imposition of nationalism on us."
Islamabad/Geneva, Feb 28 : Pakistan on Tuesday approached the Interpol seeking Red Notices in the names of Baloch nationalist leader Brahumdagh Bugti and his aide Sher Mohammad Bugti, who are in Geneva, and their arrest. The Baloch leaders said they are not scared and have faith in the Swiss government.

In a letter to Secretary General of France-based Interpol, Director General of Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) urged: "The issuance of Red Notices against Brahumdagh Bugti and his aide Sher Mohammad Bugti is requested and arrest them through Interpol."

Brahumdagh Bugti, president of the Baloch Republican Party (BRP), had last year applied for asylum in India and had expressed confidence that India would accept his request. India has not yet replied to his request.

In the letter to Interpol, the FIA director also said that both Brahamdagh Bugti and Sher Mohammad Bugti were "involved in various terrorist attacks in Balochistan province of Pakistan".

A Red Notice is issued to seek location and arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition or similar lawful action.

Reacting to Pakistan's move, Sher Mohammad Bugti, spokesperson of the Baloch Republican Party, said the FIA notice labels Baloch separatists and the leader of the party as "terrorists". They received news of the notice through some Pakistani journalists.

"Pakistan has several times announced bounties on our heads and after failing each and every time they have now approached Interpol seeking Red Notice against me and Brahumdagh Bugti...But we are not scared and we know that Swiss government functions with genuine democracy. They know the reality of the Pakistani government," Sher Mohammad Bugti, told IANS on phone from Geneva.

He added that neither the local government nor Interpol had approached them.

Asked if they still hold Pakistani citizenship, Sher Muhammad said the Swiss government has given them asylum and they (Bugti and him) consider themselves Baloch citizens.

Brahumdagh fled Balochistan to save his life after his grandfather and Bugti tribe head, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, was killed in a Pakistan Army offensive in 2006. He was first given asylum in Afghanistan from where he shifted to Switzerland in 2010 following threat to his life.
Ghaziabad, Feb 28 : A court here on Tuesday rejected, for the second time, the bail plea of Ringing Bells' former Managing Director Mohit Goel.

The court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) (IIIrd) Lokesh Kumar, which had on Saturday rejected his bail plea but struck down serious charges of forgery and criminal conspiracy against him, turned down his bail plea again, observing that no new situation had arisen for him to get relief.

The court order came even as defence lawyer, D.M. Bhalla argued that Goel should be granted bail as the financial dispute had been resolved with the complainant receiving full and final payment of the outstanding Rs 16 lakh.

Goel was arrested on February 23 after an FIR was filed by Ghaziabad-based Ayam Enterprises, alleging that Ringing Bells defrauded it of Rs 16 lakh.

Police had registered an FIR against Goel and four other directors on February 22 under Indian Penal Code's Sections 467 (forgery of valuable security, will), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 120b (criminal conspiracy).

Out of these, only the charges of cheating and criminal breach of trust have been retained by the court against Goel and the four others, identified as Anmol Goel, Mohit Goel's wife Dharna Garg, Ashok Chaddha and Sumit Kumar.

Ringing Bells shot to sudden fame in February last year after it announced to sell smartphones at a remarkably low price of Rs 251 and promised to deliver 2.5 million handsets before June 30.

The company, which received mammoth -- over 70 million -- registrations before its payment gateway crashed, announced that it had delivered 5,000 'Freedom 251' smartphones to customers in July last year and would deliver 65,000 more to those who had booked the device in cash on delivery mode.

After that, no new numbers were shared. The company has since forayed into making TVs and other smartphones, burying the Freedom 251 dream.

The world's cheapest phone made a splash across the globe, with almost every big media house writing about the "miracle device".

Doubts were initially raised over Ringing Bells' handset after some experts said no smartphone could be manufactured for less than Rs 2,000.
Vatican City, Feb 28 : To truly welcome migrants, host nations must know how many they can integrate, Pope Francis said on Tuesday.

"Each country must know the number of migrants it is capable of receiving," Francis said in an interview with a magazine sponsored by Catholic charity Caritas.

"We cannot welcome people if we are not able to integrate them," he told 'Scarp de tenis' (Sneakers) magazine for homeless people living in Milan.

Integrated migrants take part into the life of the host country and enrich it while respecting its culture and receiving reciprocal respect for their own, the pontiff said.

"Integration is a very difficult task," Francis stated.

He urged Catholics to put themselves in the other person's shoes even if they find this hard, as it is a way of freeing ourselves from egoism.

"In the shoes of the other, we learn to have a great capacity for understanding, for getting to know difficult situations.

"Those arriving in Europe are fleeing war or hunger... they have the right to emigrate and to be welcomed and helped," the pontiff said, claiming that wealthy nations are also blame for their plight.

"In some way, we are guilty, because we exploit their lands but do not make and kind of investment from which they may benefit," Francis said.
Naples, March 1 : Police Tuesday arrested nine Naples mafia suspects with links to the powerful Casalesi clan in an operation in several regions of Italy.

The suspects face charges including extortion, illegal arms possession, robbery, theft, fraud and abetting other mafia suspects were arrested from the provinces of Naples and Caserta in the Campania region, Latina in the Lazio region surrounding Rome, in Ravenna in the northern Emilia-Romagna region and Chieti in the central region of Abruzzo.

Tuesday's operation was ordered by anti-mafia prosecutors in Naples and targeted the Casalesi's Bidognetti clan, investigators said.

In early February, police in Naples detained jailed Camorra boss Francesco Bidognetti's two daughters and his daughter-in-law in an operation that led to the arrests of 31 suspects.

The Camorra is one of Italy's oldest and deadliest mafia organisations. Its main sources of revenue include drug trafficking, extortion, arms trading, prostitution and waste disposal.

The ruthless workings of the Casalesi were laid bare by Roberto Saviano's best-selling book "Gomorrah" and the award-winning film of the same name.
Arizona Universities Library Consortium Selects Ex Libris Alma, Primo, and bX Solutions

Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, is pleased to announce the AULC has chosen the Alma library management service, along with Primo discovery and delivery platform and bX scholarly recommender service.

CHICAGO, IL, February 28, 2017  Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, is pleased to announce that the Arizona Universities Library Consortium (AULC) has chosen the Ex Libris Alma library management service, along with the Ex Libris Primo discovery and delivery platform and bX scholarly recommender service, to make scholarly resources more readily available to the consortiums student and faculty users.

The members of the Arizona Universities Library ConsortiumArizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizonasought a platform that would provide straightforward workflows for print and electronic collections; reduce the time that librarians spend on acquiring, managing, and delivering resources; facilitate collaboration between the library staff of the three universities; and enable patrons to find relevant materials quickly and easily.

Another important factor in the selection process was the Ex Libris track record in academic library consortia and Almas rich selection of consortial features. The AULC will benefit from the various configuration options in Alma that support the consortiums current and planned business practices without the need for complex workarounds. As a cloud-based platform, Alma will spare AULC librarians the burden of carrying out time-consuming tasks such as installing updates and loading records. The solid architecture and strong security practices of the Alma service will ensure uptime and data protection for all AULC libraries.

The choice of Primo by AULC was due to its high configurability and extensive personalization features. Paired with the bX recommender service, Primo will help library users discover and access high quality resources.

Janet Crum, librarian at Northern Arizona University, commented, We expect that implementing Alma and Primo will benefit our users and staff immensely. We're excited and ready to get started!

Eric Hines, president of Ex Libris North America, said, We are delighted that the Arizona Universities Library Consortium has selected the Ex Libris Alma, Primo, and bX solutions. Patrons and librarians will soon benefit from increased staff efficiency in library management, the latest in discovery technology, and a peerless recommender service. We look forward to AULCs contributions to the active Ex Libris user community.

About the Arizona Universities Library Consortium

The Arizona Universities Library Consortium (AULC) represents the public university libraries in the state of Arizona: Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona. The mission of the Consortium is to improve the availability of and access to the state universities research resources. The AULC conducts cooperative collection development and digital initiatives, encourages scholarly communication, supports interlibrary access and services and preservation initiatives, and participates in state and national networks and multi-type library programs such as the Research Arizona Initiative.

Arizona State University (Tempe), a research university with very high research activity, was rated number one in U.S. News & World Reports Most Innovative Schools in America category in 2016, the second year in a row that ASU achieved this rating. Visit the Arizona State University website at http://www.asu.edu/.

Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff), founded in 1899, is a public research university offering 151 degree programs and serving more than 30,000 students. NAU is widely recognized as a higher-research institution with a reputation for scientific discovery and the invention of new technologies. Visit the Northern Arizona University website at http://www.nau.edu/.

The University of Arizona (Tucson) is a premier, public research university. The National Science Foundation ranks the UA 21st in research and development expenditures among US public universities and colleges and 34th among US public and private universities. The NSF also ranks the UA No. 1 in physical sciences research among US public institutions. http://www.arizona.edu/.

About Ex Libris

Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, is a leading global provider of cloud-based solutions for higher education. Offering SaaS solutions for the management and discovery of the full spectrum of library and scholarly materials, as well as mobile campus solutions driving student engagement and success, Ex Libris serves thousands of customers in 90 countries. For more information about Ex Libris, see our website, and join us on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

About ProQuest (http://www.proquest.com)

ProQuest connects people with vetted, reliable information. Key to serious research, the companys products are a gateway to the worlds knowledge including dissertations, governmental and cultural archives, news, historical collections and ebooks. ProQuest technologies serve users across the critical points in research, helping them discover, access, share, create and manage information.

The companys cloud-based technologies offer flexible solutions for librarians, students and researchers through the ProQuest, Bowker, Coutts information services, Dialog, ebrary, EBL, and SIPX businesses  and notable research tools such as the Summon discovery service, the RefWorks citation and reference management platform, MyiLibrary ebook platform, the Pivot research development tool and Intota. The company is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with offices around the world.
Lt. Gen. Bernard Trainor The Foreign Policy Research Institute could not be more delighted to host this fellowship named after an exceptional individual who so perfectly exemplifies its purpose. - Alan Luxenberg, President, FPRI

The Foreign Policy Research Institute is thrilled to announce the launch of the inaugural Lt. Gen. Bernard E. Trainor USMC Veterans Fellowship made possible by the generous support of Jim Petrucci and Greg Rogerson of J.G. Petrucci Co., Inc. The application deadline is 17 April 2017. Further details about the position and the application process can be found here.

This fellowship will be awarded to a deserving veteran of the armed forces with a passionate desire to work in journalism or in long-form, non-fiction writing. Recent college graduates or individuals who have recently separated from the military are encouraged to apply. This will be a one year appointment starting in the summer of 2017.

As a longtime supporter we certainly believe that FPRIs voice, in all matters foreign and domestic, is more vital than ever, said Petrucci.

The Trainor Fellow will work out of the FPRI office and become a fully integrated staff member in the FPRI community. The selected individual will contribute to Geopoliticus: The FPRI Blog and other internal and external publications, gaining valuable writing experience. In addition to a base salary and healthcare benefits, the Trainor Fellow will also receive a research and travel fund to support their writing.

The Fellowship also includes a mentor program, in which the individual will receive one-on-one attention from defense and foreign affairs beat writers, investigative reporters, columnists, and authors.

The Foreign Policy Research Institute could not be more delighted to host this fellowship named after an exceptional individual who so perfectly exemplifies its purpose, said Alan Luxenberg, President of the Institute. We are very grateful to Jim and Greg for making this possible.

FPRI is a non-profit, non-partisan think tank located in Center City Philadelphia. Its mission is to bring the insights of scholarship to bear on the foreign policy and national security challenges facing the United States. It seeks to educate the public, teach teachers, train students, and offer ideas to advance U.S. national interests based on a nonpartisan, geopolitical perspective that illuminates contemporary international affairs through the lens of history, geography, and culture.

The Fellowship is named for Lt. Gen. Bernard E. Trainor, USMC (ret.). Lt. Gen. Trainor enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1946 and went on to serve in uniform for 39 years in various command and staff assignments, including combat service in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Lt. Gen. Trainor followed his service with a second career as a journalist and analyst of military affairs. He served as the chief military correspondent for the New York Times, and later directed the National Security Program at Harvard Universitys John F. Kennedy School of Government. He has also served as a Senior Fellow for National Security at the Council on Foreign Relations and is a frequent media commentator and author.

For more information about FPRI, please visit http://www.fpri.org or contact us at 215-732-3774.
Albuquerque, NM, February 27, 2017  Adventure Dental, Vision & Orthodontics and Molina Healthcare are co-hosting a Wellness Day on March 4, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Adventures Albuquerque location; 5000 Menaul Blvd. on the southwest corner of San Mateo and Menaul Blvds.

The goal of the Wellness Day is to raise awareness about the benefits of preventative care and to expand care access to children and adults not currently taking advantage of services they are qualified to receive.

Wellness Day attendees will enjoy a variety of fun and educational activities while taking advantage of a long list of needed wellness services, including:



Childrens dental cleanings, exams and operative services

Childrens vision exams and glasses fittings

Blood pressure screening

Glucose screening

Diabetic retinal eye exams

On-site Mammograms

Over 65 percent of New Mexicos children are currently enrolled in Medicaid. Because of the importance of regular wellness care for childhood development, Medicaid covers pediatric wellness exams plus twice annual dental check-ups, all medically required dental treatment, annual eye exams and glasses for children needing a vision correction.

Despite this coverage, the majority of children enrolled in Medicaid are not receiving the care for which they are eligible. In studies by the Department of Health and Human Services and George Washington University, less than half of Medicaid enrolled children ages 1-20 received preventative dental or vision care in a 12 month period:

55 percent received pediatric medical screenings

42 percent received preventative dental services

40 percent receive vision screenings

Medicaid-enrolled adults are also falling short in terms of preventative care costing the U.S. healthcare system billions each year. Wellness fairs are a proven way to expand care access and educate the public on the importance of regular health screening. Adventure and Molina Healthcare are committed to driving community wellness to Albuquerque families.

About Adventure Dental, Vision & Orthodontics

Adventure Dental, Vision & Orthodontics is 100% focused on delivering quality care to children in underserved communities. With offices nationwide, Adventure Dental, Vision and Orthodontics has been helping children ages six months through 20 years gain access to the care they need since 2006. Their kid-friendly offices and caring staff take the fear out of dental visits, making it fun, easy and affordable for children to thrive.

About Molina Healthcare of New Mexico

Since 1998, Molina Healthcare of New Mexico has been providing government-funded care for low-income individuals. Our mission is to provide quality health care to people receiving government assistance As of December 2016, the company serves approximately 254,000 members through Medicaid, Medicare and Health Insurance Marketplace programs across New Mexico. Molinas state provider network includes 2,276 primary care physicians, 9,200 specialists and 72 hospitals. Additionally, Molina owns and operates a primary care clinic in Albuquerque. Visit molinahealthcare.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

To learn more visit: mydentalvisioncare.com/ABQwellnessday

Contacts:

Adventure Dental, Vision & Orthodontics

Janelle Shumaker

719/323-2366

janelle(at)herodvo(dot)com

Molina Healthcare

Leidy Arevalo

(562) 528-5521

Email leidy.arevalo(at)molinahealthcare(dot)com

###
Ashley McGrath promotes her new book "UnabASHed by Disability" It describes my childhood as an individual with physical disabilities, Ashley explains. Despite its description of my challenges, my book is of an inspirational nature. Writing it was very rewarding.

When Ashley McGrath was only three months old, doctors told her parents that she may not live to see her first birthday. She was born with a rare genetic condition, campomelic syndrome, that causes serious bone abnormalities and weak muscles, and the doctors believed that it would create serious limitations even if she did survive.

Almost 30 years have passed since then, and Ashley has accomplished more than they could have thought possible. She has a graduate degree, a job, and a published autobiography  and she owes it all to her own determination and a little help from Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), a federal-state agency that helps people with disabilities get or keep a job.

Ashley first came to VR in 2003 when she was a senior in high school beginning to think about her plans after graduation. She wanted to attend college, so she met with her VR counselor, Karen Johnson, for help achieving her goal.

During her time in college, VR provided a hearing aid system to ensure she would be able to participate fully in all of her classes. The assistance paid off; after years of hard work, Ashley earned her Masters degree from the University of Central Florida in 2010.

After she graduated, she returned to her counselor for help finding a job. In 2014, she found the perfect position -- a quality analyst at a call monitoring company, J. Lodge. You've probably called a company to speak with a sales representative and heard someone say, This call is being monitored for quality purposes, Ashley says. As a quality analyst, I monitor calls. I evaluate the sales agents interactions with customers and make sure theyre doing their job properly.

Quality analyst isnt Ashleys only job title; shes also a published author with her autobiography, UnabASHed by Disability, released in 2014. It describes my childhood as an individual with physical disabilities, Ashley explains. Despite its description of my challenges, my book is of an inspirational nature. Writing it was very rewarding.

Ashley has also shared her lifes experiences at the "Start with the End in Mind" Transition Planning Conference at Viera High School. I spoke about how children with disabilities can overcome their limitations to lead productive lives, says Ashley. My presentation focused on how I completed high school and then college before becoming employed.

With so much on her schedule, Ashley is busy  but she has no plans of slowing down anytime soon. In the future, she hopes to continue working while pursuing additional speaking engagements and writing a childrens book dealing with special needs.

For now, Ashley is grateful for the opportunity to prove herself on the job  and she believes that others with disabilities can also achieve success at work. Employers should give people with disabilities a chance, says Ashley. They are motivated to work and therefore would be diligent and loyal employees.

About Vocational Rehabilitation

Floridas Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal-state program committed to helping people with disabilities become part of Americas workforce. The employer-focused website, https://abilitieswork.employflorida.com/, allows businesses to search at no charge for employees who are ready to go to work, as well as to post available jobs. VR has 90 offices across Florida, and last year helped 5,194 Floridians with significant disabilities find or keep a job. For more information about VR and its services, call (800) 451-4327 or visit http://www.Rehabworks.org.
The funding and support provided by the MassCEC InnovateMass program and the outstanding collaboration of Ardagh Group accelerates the commercialization of our groundbreaking waste heat to electricity conversion technology.

MTPV Power Corporation (http://www.mtpv.com), a clean energy company that coverts heat to electricity using semiconductor chips, has announced that it is a Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) InnovateMass program awardee, receiving a grant to deploy its EBLADE Power Platform waste heat to power solution in a production glass manufacturing environment.

The InnovateMass program provides strategic funding and support to companies on the threshold of new cleantech product commercialization. InnovateMass funding covers a wide array of clean energy technologies, with an emphasis on specific energy challenges that are priority areas for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Ardagh Group, a global leader in the packaging industry with more than 23,000 employees in 109 facilities and 22 countries worldwide, is working with MTPV to implement and manage this clean energy site demonstration project. The project will take place at the Ardagh Group, Glass  North America facility in Milford, MA, which manufactures approximately 2.4 million glass bottles per day.

MTPV Power Corporation is honored to receive MassCECs InnovateMass grant. The InnovateMass program is an outstanding resource for clean energy companies in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, said MTPVs President & CEO David Mather. The funding and support provided by the InnovateMass program and the outstanding collaboration of Ardagh Group accelerates the commercialization of our groundbreaking waste heat to electricity conversion technology.

By making key investments in early-stage companies, we can help these local companies address persistent funding gaps and increase business opportunities, said MassCEC CEO Stephen Pike. Through continued assistance to help develop Massachusetts vibrant innovation sector, the Commonwealth is positioned to benefit from increased job creation, technology development, and economic activity throughout the state.

"Ardagh Group continually invests in systems and processes that improve the efficiency of our operations, reduce costs and increase competitiveness, said Ted Moser, Manager, Energy for Ardagh Group, Glass  North America. "Our goal is to become the leading supplier of inherently sustainable glass packaging, and the ability to convert our waste heat directly into electricity improves competitiveness while having a direct environmental impact, supporting both our business and sustainability objectives.

About MTPV Power Corporation (http://www.mtpv.com)

MTPV is a clean energy semiconductor company using its breakthrough technology to harness the worlds heat and convert it to electricity. For more information, visit http://www.mtpv.com and connect with MTPV on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

About Ardagh Group (http://www.ardaghgroup.com)

Ardagh Group is a global leader in glass and metal packaging solutions, producing packaging for most of the world's leading food, beverage and consumer care brands. We operate 109 facilities in 22 countries, employ over 23,000 people and have global sales exceeding $8.8 billion (Eur 7.9 billion).

About MassCEC (http://www.masscec.com/)

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is dedicated to accelerating the success of clean energy technologies, companies, and projects in the Commonwealthwhile creating high-quality jobs and long-term economic growth for the people of Massachusetts. Since its inception in 2009, MassCEC has helped clean energy companies grow, supported municipal clean energy projects, and invested in residential and commercial renewable energy installations creating a robust marketplace for innovative clean technology companies and service providers. Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton chairs MassCECs board of directors.
The lives of Donbass residents are becoming more difficult with each passing month ... I applied for the Imagely Fund grant to give them voice," Dmitri Beliakov.

The Imagely team is excited to announce award-winning, humanitarian photojournalist Dmitri Beliakov as the 2016 Imagely Fund Fellow. Beliakov has spent more than two years working to bring a human face to the ongoing war in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine.

Wars are rarely fought for the interests of ordinary people, and the residents on both sides of the war in the Donbass know this too well, Beliakov says. The lives of Donbass residents are becoming more difficult with each passing month, Beliakov notes. A Ukrainian friend once told me, There is a feeling that time has been put on pause in this place, and no one cares. I applied for the Imagely Fund grant to give them voice.

In his next phase of the project, Beliakov will utilize Imagelys grant funds to continue documenting the experiences of three prominent groups in the conflict. Hell focus on pro-Russian rebels, frustrated by the undelivered promises of Putin, who led them to believe in a future of close ties to the Russian world; workers and other civilians living on both sides of the cease-fire line, collectively punished by an economic embargo from Kiev; and Ukrainian fighters from the local volunteer battalions, a mix of moderate supporters of a Western leaning Ukraine, as well as Ukrainian extremists.

The Imagely Fund awards Second Place to Jaymi Heimbuch, Morgan Heim, and Karine Aigner for their project The Natural History of the Urban Coyote (now the Urban Coyote Initiative). A multi-disciplinary, collaborative effort, the project aims to document the complexities of urban coyotes, the communities where they thrive, and the humans who live among them. The evolved Urban Coyote Initiative now also works alongside of researchers, urban planners and communities to increase public safety, advance biodiversity and increase awareness of these urban fringe dwellers.

Third Place goes to Nikon Ambassador and National Geographic photojournalist Ami Vitale for her project It Takes a Village to Raise a Rhino. Vitales images artfully capture the collaborative effort of three rival ethnic groups, the Samburu, Borana, and Rendille to develop innovative conservation initiatives in northern Kenya. Thanks to the tireless community efforts, including peace talks with neighbors, strict grazing management, expanded habitat for the critically endangered black rhino and anti-poaching efforts, Sera Community Conservancy is now home to its own small herd (reestablished from existing herds in nearby national parks). Vitale is also working to document and support the local conservationists in their ongoing work. To that end, she is developing art installations for local, northern Kenyan schools to educate and inspire others about this important work, which will hopefully serve as a model of conservation.

Honorable Mentions for the 2016 Imagely Fund competition include:

Julia Gunther, Proud Women of Africa: Sex For Fish (images, Proud Women of Africa: Maternity Ward); Massimo Branca, Inside Outside Under Bucharest; Arati Rao, Survival on the Brink of Brine; Brendan Hoffman, Brotherland: War in Ukraine; Kai Loffelbein, Ctrl-X, a topography of e-waste; Harsha Vadlamani, Dushkaal: Drought and Agrarian Crisis in Marathwada, India; Terray Sylvester, After the Flood: Native American housing needs on a dammed Columbia River Project; Brennan O'Connor, Drugs, Poverty & Conflict; M Yousuf Tushar, Live in Stone; Solmaz Daryani, The eyes of earth; and Giles Clark, Toxic Trespass.

As always, the Imagely team and the judges were humbled by the incredible talent of the applicants and the impactful projects submitted for the 2016 Fund. To all of the applicants, thank you for sharing your work. The Imagely Fund is really a highlight for us, says Erick Danzer, Founder and CEO. It is very inspiring to see the incredible work of so many photographers around the world. We hope that our grant serves as a small reminder of the important job that environmental and humanitarian photographers have in covering the myriad stories that the world needs to see and hear.

Judged by a prestigious panel of some of the worlds best-known environmental, humanitarian, and cultural photographers, the 2016 Imagely Fund jurors included: Jim Brandenburg, Steve Winter, and Art Wolfe who generously offered their time and expertise to this project.

Formerly known as the Photocrati Fund, the 2016 Imagely Fund grant cycle represents the fifth offering of the fellowship  thats $25,000 towards amazing environmental and humanitarian projects so far.

About Imagely

Imagely is a leading provider of WordPress products and services for photographers. Imagely proudly sponsors the Imagely Fund  a $5,000 grant to photographers working on important environmental and humanitarian projects.
L. Edward Peacock, a devoted writer and author, has completed his new book The 38th Year a potent and gripping saga about an ancient curse, death of loved ones, the music industry and the criminal underworld that is involved in that industry. Read along as the main character, James Farnsworth Jr. finds out he has inherited a dangerous gift and that gift may keep he and his dead grandfathers soul from going to hell.

Published by New York City-based Page Publishing, L. Edward Peacocks mesmerizing tale follows James Farnsworth Jr., the soul witness to a supernatural event when he was a child. Young James had the insight to internalize the event because, he found it hard to believe it himself. He knew the difficulty of trying to convince someone else of the strange event and possible ridicule.

Now a seasoned grown man, James Jr. is feeling more than a lions share of what the pressures of life can put on a man. He has lost his father and his grandfather, their deaths were a mere six months apart from each other. Due to the death of his father, James Jr.is at the helm of Red Sand Production studio that was started by his father James Senior. Now Red Sand Production studio is seeing its second blush of success with an upcoming group, has come to the attention of a mob boss bent on acquiring the business one way or another. James Jr. refused the sizeable offer from the mobster. A warning of imminent danger would come from an unexpected source, a stray dog in the company parking lot.

This would be the second time that James actually heard a dog speak to him. James began to question his own sanity because he was also having conversations with his dead grandfather in his dreams. His grandfather is hinting to James that an event is to happen on his thirty eighth birthday. Only Jamess grandmother knows what is in store for James Jr., she knows that James Jr. inherited something aside than the Farnsworth family name.

Readers who wish to experience this unforgettable work can purchase The 38th Year at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon, Google Play or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional New York based full-service publishing house that handles all of the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create - not bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex and time consuming issues, and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
The ability to integrate into Salesforce was crucial to customer engagement. We needed a referral program that was able to easily do it for us, says Tonya Antonucci, CMO of Playworks.

Amplifinity, a leader in referral program software, today announced the launch of a Playworks customer referral program.

Playworks, a widely recognized non-profit organization dedicated to bringing out the best in every kid through play, has an ambitious goal to ensure that 3.5 million students in 7,000 schools experience safe and healthy play every day by 2020. Playworks, which partners with schools to improve student outcomes at recess and throughout the school day, was looking for a dynamic new initiative to increase awareness and expand the reach of their programs to more schools.

Through the Playworks referral program, Playworks can extend their deep partnership with school customers by offering them the ability to refer from a personalized homepage, real-time referral status updates and email notification when a referral status changes. On the marketing side, Playworks can now engage customer referral partners in a more meaningful way with access to individual data, detailed analytics, and insightful reports to optimize the program.

Were happy that we can now offer our partners an easy way to make referrals to help create a movement of educators who start with recess to help students become more successful in the classroom and more responsible on and off the playground, says Tonya Antonucci, CMO of Playworks. Having the ability to offer rewards for partner advocacy of Playworks lets us communicate how much we appreciate these efforts.

The Playworks referral program is now live and available for principal, teachers, and district partners who wish to help other children benefit from Playworks services and free tools. To help new schools get involved, Playworks is offering a special reward to both new partners and their advocates.

Playworks was already experiencing the benefits of referrals from one school to another, commented Larry Angeli, CEO of Amplifinity. They just needed a way to increase the referrals they were already seeing and turn it into a scalable channel. Thats where Amplifinity came in.

When Playworks started the process of deciding how to go about running a referral program they came up against challenges similar to many of Amplifinitys business customers.

We didnt have the resources to build a referral program ourselves, noted Tonya. The ability to integrate into Salesforce was crucial to customer engagement, and we needed a referral program that was able to easily do it for us.

Amplifinitys partnership with Salesforce and automated referral program was able to take the burden off Playworks, which will enable them to focus on making the referral program a success.

From Amplifinitys deep connection to Salesforce, to easy referral tools for advocates, to the ability to customize emails that communicate our brand messaging, we were really excited about Amplifinity and felt like it was a good match, which made us say yes, said Tonya. Our hope is that Amplifinitys referral program software will help build a movement so that one day, every elementary school in the country will reap the benefits of a safe and healthy recess throughout the school day, either as Playworks partners or with the free tools we provide.

The Amplifinity, Playworks partnership is part of Amplifinitys Pledge 1% commitment. As of now, Amplifinity has donated a referral program and $5 dollars from every demo given at a Salesforce event, totaling $4,105 to Playworks.

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/.
Atlanta, GA: Strategies Group, Inc., a leading software consulting firm in the construction industry, is pleased to welcome Barfield Enterprises as a client. Based in Savannah, GA, the company is a rapidly-growing site work contractor.

Barfield Enterprises selected Dexter + Chaneys Spectrum Construction Software after evaluating several options. They were impressed with Spectrums functionality, dashboard capabilities and the overall implementation process.

As the Spectrum representative in the Southeast, Strategies Group is assisting Barfield Enterprises with the conversion to the new software solution. Pat Chappell, Regional Manager, and Ron Shoop, Implementation Manager, are working closely with the company throughout the transition process.

At Strategies Group, our mission is simple; we help clients find, implement and optimize construction ERP software solutions that allow them to grow and prosper, said Randy Collins, President of Strategies Group. We are delighted to welcome Barfield Enterprises as a client, and we are pleased to help them update their construction accounting software and position themselves for the future.

About Strategies Group:

Strategies Group is a leading provider of construction ERP software and has helped more than 2,000 construction companies implement new solutions. Founded in 1992, Strategies Group is based in the metro Atlanta area with offices in Pensacola, FL and Charleston, SC. Strategies Group represents Spectrum Construction Software in Georgia, northern Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. Strategies Group has been the recipient of numerous industry software awards and has been chosen as a top 100 Value Added Reseller by Accounting Technology Today magazine for three consecutive years. For more information about Strategies Group please visit: http://www.strategiesgroup.com.
Ruger Muzzle-Brake Knife by CRKT

With its stout full tang blade, it can be used as a chopper in camp or for fashioning a quick shelter in the forest if needed. Its clip point blade shape, featuring a blood groove, is perfect for making quick work of butchering an animal after a successful hunt. The handle is glass filled nylon construction that wraps around a thick blade tang. The sure-grip surface matches the Ruger American Rifle stock texture with Ruger eagles embossed into both sides of the grip.

The Muzzle-Brake is part of the exclusive Ruger knife line; the line includes designs for everyday carry, hunting, tactical uses and self-preparedness. The knives are crafted in varying sizes and finishes, with an assortment of blade edges. Developed by six master knife-smiths who combined their knowledge of the art with aesthetic details from Ruger firearms, the line offers unique knives with the important features that every good knife should have. These knives are purpose built to be durable and highly functional in the environments where Ruger customers will expect them to perform.

Manufactured by CRKT under license from Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

Muzzle-Brake (R2501K) MSRP: $99.99

Blade: Length: 7.50" (190.50 mm)

Edge: Plain

Steel: 8Cr13MoV, 58-59 HRC

Finish: Black Powder Coat

Thickness: 0.187" (4.75mm)

Overall: 12.00" (304.80 mm)

Weight: 11.1 oz. (314.67 gm)

Handle: Glass-Filled Nylon

Style: Full Tang Fixed Blade

Sheath: Multi-Position Injection Molded Nylon

Weight: 3.8 oz. (105 g)

Founded in 1994, CRKT is the industrys premier brand of knives, tools, and lifestyle accessories, with a reputation for innovative design. For more information, call: (800) 891-3100, email: info(at)crkt(dot)com, on the web: http://www.crkt.com. ###
ElitAvia, a fully-integrated provider of business aircraft charter, management and operation services, today officially announced its tenth anniversary.

Since the company first opened, the ElitAvia team has been guided by an enduring commitment to exceed client expectations. Offering an exceptional level of personalized service, client satisfaction is central to its vision. In order to maintain this level of excellence, ElitAvia has always approached expansion with a healthy degree of reservation. Growth that enhances service is desirable but must not come at the expense of compromising ElitAvias unique approach to offering business aviation services. For example, ElitAvias VIP Travel Services provide a level of ease and comfort that exceeds competing business aviation offerings. The VIP Travel team is trained to be true ambassadors for their clients, supporting all travel-related needs and preferences, including: airline upgrades, special visas, ground transportation, hotel reservations/upgrades and other concierge services.

ElitAvia is headquartered in Ljubljana with Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) in EU member states Slovenia and Malta, and an office in Atlanta, USA. With Stage 3 International Standard  Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) accreditation from the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), ElitAvia operates at the highest industry standards.

Today, ElitAvia manages a mixed fleet of 21 midsize to long range business aircraft for charter and private use. Aircraft types include: Gulfstreams (650, 550 and 450), Bombardier Globals (6000 and XRS), Bombardier Challengers (605, 604 and 300), Dassault Falcons (7X, 2000S and 50EX) and a Hawker 800.

We are very proud to be celebrating our tenth anniversary, says Puja Mahajan, CEO, ElitAvia. Being based in Slovenia is very advantageous because most costs are considerably lower than in other EU countries. Plus, Ljubljana is home to an exceptionally well-educated, talented and multilingual workforce. Since we are able to employ more people and offer a higher ratio of staff to aircraft, we can deliver better service than our competitors. Similarly, our Maltese AOC is beneficial because their government is very pro-aviation. EU financial institutions and regulatory agencies, such as the UKs Civil Aviation Authority, look very favorably upon aircraft registered in Malta, which may be particularly advantageous if a client wishes to sell an aircraft. With our commitment to delivering the highest levels of client service, 10 years of industry expertise and more than 35,000 hours of flight time, we thank our clients for their confidence and look forward to pursuing new opportunities together.

About ElitAvia

ElitAvia is a fully-integrated provider of business aircraft charter, management and operation services. Headquartered in Ljubljana, Slovenia, with offices in Valletta, Malta, ElitAvia holds AOCs in both countries. ElitAvia also serves the US business aviation market, offering charter services from its Atlanta office. ElitAvia is also Stage 3 International Standard  Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) certified by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC). For more information, please visit http://www.elitavia.com.

Media Contact: Mark Lowe, PRagmatic Communications for ElitAvia

mark(dot)lowe(at)pragcom(dot)com / (514) 499-9632 / (514) 576-2519
MRI Software, a global leader in real estate software solutions, has negotiated a settlement agreement with Lynx Systems, a real estate technology consulting firm.

The resolution is outlined in a Court Order entered on December 2, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, case number 1:12-cv-01082. The Order incorporates the settlement agreement, in which Lynx Systems and its owner, Donald Robinson, agreed to immediately cease, directly or indirectly, accepting, soliciting, or contacting, in any way or through any medium, any customer or potential customer for MRI-Related Services of any kind for the purpose of providing MRI-Related Services, and cease providing any new MRI-Related Services of any kind. During a defined Transition Period, Lynx Systems may complete MRI-Related Services for a specified group of existing clients.

We are pleased with the resolution, said John Ensign, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, MRI. MRI prides itself on providing choice and flexibility for our clients, and our Partner Connect program is central to that strategy. Through our professional services organization and Partner Connect program, MRI clients receive the highest level of support and service. MRI works with its thirteen certified consulting service partners on a consistent basis to ensure that these partners have access to the latest advances in MRI software.

The conditions of settlement include MRIs receipt of a lump-sum payment. In addition, Lynx Systems agreed to provide to MRI all software code and documentation associated with any customizations of the MRI Software created by Lynx Systems. Lynx Systems also agreed to assign to MRI all of its rights in and to any customizations or other work product developed with the MRI Software.

About MRI Software

MRI Software is a leading provider of innovative real estate software applications and hosted solutions. MRIs comprehensive and flexible technology platform coupled with an open and connected ecosystem meets the unique needs of real estate businessesfrom property-level management and accounting to investment modeling and analytics for the global commercial and residential markets. A pioneer of the real estate software industry, MRI develops lasting client relationships based on nearly five decades of expertise and insight. Through leading solutions and a rich partner ecosystem, MRI liberates real estate companies to elevate their business and gain a competitive edge. For more information, please visit http://www.mrisoftware.com.
The son of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali said he was detained by immigration officials at Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport because he's a Muslim.

Muhammad Ali Jr., along with his mother, Khalilah Camacho-Ali were returning to Florida from Jamaica after speaking at a black history event. They were retrieving their bags at baggage claim, when an official pulled them aside.

"He asked me, 'what is your name?' " Ali Jr. told CNN's Don Lemon on "CNN Tonight." "Which I didn't think nothing of that."

The 44-year-old American citizen, who was born in Philadelphia added that the official asked for the origins of his name.

"He said, 'OK, now, what is your religion?' " Ali Jr. said. "And I said, 'Muslim, I'm a Muslim.' And I thought to myself, that's kind of odd. He asked about my religion, and I'm traveling back into the country from where I came from?"

Ali Jr. said the immigration official questioned him in separate room from his mother, Camacho-Ali for nearly two hours.

"They asked me, where was I born and what my religion was, where did I get the name from," Camacho-Ali said.

According to Camacho-Ali, she was released after she showed the official a photo of herself with her then ex-husband, Muhammad Ali.

"I figured, maybe if I show I'm really Muhammad Ali's ex-wife, they would believe me and make it less of a problem," she said.

Chris Mancini, the attorney for the family claimed the incident stemmed from President Donald Trump's executive order calling for a temporary travel ban on foreign nationals entering the country from seven Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and Africa.

Critics accused the order of discriminating against Muslims, and it was rejected by a federal appeals court.

"They're not being questioned together, they're being questioned by separate officers," Mancini said. " So, if you've got two separate officers working the same flight, and asking those same kind of questions, that's part of a pattern, that's part of a program. There's no question about it. That isn't random. That's deliberate."

An ICE official said that Ali Jr. was detained so they could identify him and verify his passport. They declined to provide any additional details, but said that he was not detained because he is a Muslim or had an Arabic name.

Ali Jr. refuted the ICE statement, saying, "they didn't ask me nothing about my passport. They asked me, what religion was I? That's nothing to do with the passport."

"Do you believe there is a ban on Muslims?" Lemon asked, to which Ali Jr. replied, "Yes," and Camacho-Ali added, "I believe something's in place, whether they want to admit it or not."
We are pleased to partner with Draganfly in demonstrating the value of applying our patented MaxVision optics in UAV applications that benefit Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, and the public they serve

Draganfly Innovations is proud to announce that they have signed an agreement with SureFire LLC to integrate and test their LED technology as a complete system with Draganflys UAVs.

With both companies deeply rooted in serving the public safety space for decades, it is a natural progression to combine Draganflys drone technology with SureFires superior optical lighting platform to provide night time operational solutions.

Draganfly will assist in preparing SureFires dual beam optically enhanced 2000 Lumen unit for commercial release by integrating the system onto the Draganfly Commander. Draganfly is incorporating the lights on their ASM (active stabilized mount) gimballed camera mount. One of the advantages of Draganflys ASM design is that there is space to fly multiple accessories. Various flight testing exercises have been conducted by placing SureFires LED unit adjacent to a high quality Sony camera. It has been successfully used in search and rescue exercises and for general night time videography.

Currently, the industry tends to use infrared sensors at night for various missions. However, infrared sensors do not always provide information that can be rapidly communicated to the field which is critical in a search and rescue or pursuit of a subject. Now with SureFires LEDs, lighting the night sky presents the data to the pilot in a manner they are accustomed to during daytime operations.

Having a powerful light on a UAV also allows for better situational awareness by targeting the subject that has been discovered with the light during an operation. Further, during search missions, responders can move to where the light from the drone above is pointing to locate subjects quickly and benefit from the illumination of that area.

We are pleased to partner with Draganfly in demonstrating the value of applying our patented MaxVision optics in UAV applications that benefit Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, and the public they serve, said Alex Soo, Vice President of Engineering at SureFire. Our continuing focus is to deliver world-class lighting solutions in unique low light environments, so we see our collaboration with Draganfly as paramount in proving both our technologies in areas that enable us to protect the public and also save lives.

We are ecstatic to be working with SureFire on this initiative, said Draganfly CEO, Cameron Chell. Helping our customers extend their ability to perform critical operations during the night is very compelling.

About Draganfly Innovations Inc.

Draganfly Innovations Inc. is a recognized technology and industry leader within the commercial UAV industry. Its devices have helped establish the commercial market and adoption of multirotor helicopters for aerial imaging and public safety.

Further information on Draganfly Innovations can be found at http://www.draganfly.com

About SureFire, LLC

Located in Fountain Valley, California, SureFire, LLC is the leading manufacturer of high-performance flashlights, weapon-mounted lights, suppressors, and other tactical equipment for those who go in harms way, or anyone who demands the ultimate in quality, innovation, and performance. SureFire illumination tools are used by more SWAT teams and elite special operations forces than any other brand. SureFire is an ISO 9001:2008-certified company.

For interviews and/or further information please contact:

Paul Sun, CFO

416-569-5070

paul.sun(at)draganfly(dot)com
Paylogix, the leading technology provider of administrative and enrollment solutions to the insurance industry, announced a partnership with Pet Assure pet. This partnership is expected to significantly expand access to the Pet Assure line of veterinary discount plans.

Debuting in 2016, Exchange Builder is a cloud-based, employer-specific benefits marketplace platform designed for small to mid-size employer groups. Utilizing this web-based solution, employee benefit brokers create a customized marketplace for the communication, enrollment, billing and administration of both core and voluntary employee benefits. This is an industry first and is expected to change the way that employee benefits are delivered.

Pet Assure is nations largest veterinary discount plan. As any dog or cat lover can say, a sick pet can get expensive and distracting. To use their Pet Assure benefits, employees show their Pet Assure ID card, and the veterinary staff will reduce their pet's medical bills at the time of service. For employers, offering Pet Assure is another way to keep employees focused on work instead of worrying about bills. It is also a way to demonstrate to their employees that the company culture supports their values and priorities. All plan payment options can be seamlessly implemented through the Paylogix platform at no additional cost to the employer.

John Warren, Practice Leader for Paylogix, stated, Exchange Builder is the end-to-end solution that the market has been seeking. From case level/employer group carrier RFQs, through our premier providers, to benefits communication to employee self-enrollment (through any device with avatar-led decision support tools) to effortless benefit administration for the employer, Exchange Builder is set to positively disrupt the industry by making the small to mid-size employer market not only viable again but profitable.

Rachel Ostreicher, Pet Assure Vice President, stated, It is exciting to bring our unique, pet-focused benefits to the Paylogix platform. With Pet Assure, employees will save every time an money when they go to the vet. When paired with Paylogixs seamless integration, the addition of Pet Assure products will provide a great opportunity for both employees and employers. The end result will be expanded access to quality veterinary care for more family pets.

About Pet Assure:

In 1995, a young couple was shocked when their pet insurer denied a major medical claim because "the disease is inherent to the breed." The couple was certain that a better option should be available to pet parents. Thus, Pet Assure was born. Today, Pet Assure provides pet owners with access to affordable, high-quality veterinary care through its veterinary discount plan. Millions of employees and other pet owners receive preferred pricing at their local participating veterinarians. With Pet Assure, everything is simple: Employees never have to deal with deductibles, claims forms, denials of coverage, etc. - the discount is applied right at the time of service. Any and every pet is covered - no exclusions. Any and every medical service is covered - no exclusions. You can use it as much and as often as you like - no annual limits. Pet Assure can be used as a complement or substitute to traditional pet insurance. For more information visit PetBenefit.com.

About Paylogix:

From promotion to payment, Paylogix is a pioneer in the development of technologies specifically aimed at simplifying the administration of health and welfare benefits. Web based BPO and SaaS solutions offer real-time access to business partners including: the insurer; the broker, the employer and employee. Paylogix currently provides solutions for prominent insurers and group providers throughout North America.

More Information about Exchange Builder can be found by visiting http://www.exchangebuilder.com or by contacting John Warren, 586-935-4017 or by email johnw(at)paylogix(dot)com.

More information about Paylogix can be found by visiting http://www.paylogix.com, calling 800-622-4131 or via email: info(at)paylogix(dot)com.

Media Contacts:

Lisa M. Whalen, MBA

Paylogix Director of Marketing & Insuretech Translator

lisaw(at)paylogix(dot)com or 919-356-0309
Paylogix, the leading technology provider of administrative and enrollment solutions to the insurance industry, announced a partnership with ARAG legal insurance. This partnership is expected to significantly expand access to the ARAG line of personal legal protection products.

Debuting in 2016, Exchange Builder is a cloud-based, employer-specific benefits marketplace platform designed for small to mid-size employer groups. Utilizing this web-based solution, employee benefit brokers create a customized marketplace for the communication, enrollment, billing and administration of both core and voluntary employee benefits. This is an industry first and is expected to change the way that employee benefits are delivered.

For more than 40 years, ARAG has been a leader in providing employees access to insurance when something in life turns into a legal issue; like a dispute with a contractor, a traffic ticket or the need for estate planning. ARAG offers additional services including identity theft protection and recovery, caregiving solutions, tax services and financial counseling. Instead of missing work, employees have access to a network of more than 12,000 attorneys who can advise and represent them on legal problems and review or prepare documents. ARAG legal plans can be seamlessly implemented through the Paylogix Exchange Builder platform, with no additional cost to the employer. By providing access to legal services, employers can improve the productivity and quality of life for their employees.

John Warren, Practice Leader for Paylogix, stated, Exchange Builder is the end-to-end solution that the market has been seeking. From case level/employer group carrier RFQs, through our premier providers, to benefits communication to employee self-enrollment (through any device with avatar-led decision support tools) to effortless benefit administration for the employer, Exchange Builder is set to positively disrupt the industry by making the small to mid-size employer market not only viable again but profitable.

Joining Paylogix allows ARAG to reach even more consumers and provide affordable legal services to all, said Dennis Healy, ARAG Chief Sales Officer. It is exciting to deliver a solution thats easy to implement and will help brokers and their clients reduce stress and absenteeism in the workplace  while empowering employees to solve their legal issues.

About ARAG:

ARAG (http://www.araglegal.com) is a leader in legal insurance. It provides people with affordable and reliable legal counsel for everyday life matters. The company has an international premium base of more than $2 billion and protects 15.5 million individuals and their families  worldwide. ARAG's North American headquarters are based in Des Moines, Iowa. Awarded Center of Excellence Award for nine consecutive years (2007-2015). Named a Top 100 Call Center by BenchMark Portal for six consecutive years (2011-2016). ARAG team members voted ARAG a Best Places to Work in Insurance (2009-2014).

About Paylogix:

From promotion to payment, Paylogix is a pioneer in the development of technologies specifically aimed at simplifying the administration of health and welfare benefits. Web based BPO and SaaS solutions offer real-time access to business partners including: the insurer; the broker, the employer and employee. Paylogix currently provides solutions for prominent insurers and group providers throughout North America.

More Information about Exchange Builder can be found by visiting http://www.exchangebuilder.com or by contacting John Warren, 586-935-4017 or by email johnw(at)paylogix(dot)com.

More information about Paylogix can be found by visiting http://www.paylogix.com, calling 800-622-4131 or via email: info(at)paylogix(dot)com .

Media Contacts:

Lisa M. Whalen, MBA

Paylogix Director of Marketing & Insuretech Translator

lisaw(at)paylogix(dot)com or 919-356-0309

Jen Harken

ARAG Corporate Communication Manager

jen.harken(at)ARAGlegal(dot)com or 515-246-1200, ext. 271
Georgia SoftWorks Georgia SoftWorks has the fastest, most robust SSH Server available. We provide unmatched security that is easy to install, implement and configure, making it an excellent complement to the products DSD Solutions provides. Past News Releases RSS Georgia SoftWorks Announces Telnet...

Georgia SoftWorks Announces SSH...

Georgia SoftWorks Exhibited Telnet...

Since 2012, BSD Solutions has been an authorized reseller of the Georgia SoftWorks Telnet Server and SSH Server for Windows. Located in Vietnam, BSD Solutions provides world-class services for business applications based on QAD, ERP, IBM Software, Sage Solution and Microsoft Dynamics Solutions. This includes consultation, implementation, training, customization, support and maintenance for these applications.

BSD Solutions, together with their strategic partners, gives enterprise technology platforms, security solutions and flexible governance plans that are simple yet effective. They use the Georgia SoftWorks products in a variety of industries, including production, retail, healthcare and more.

Georgia SoftWorks has the fastest, most robust SSH Server available. We provide unmatched security that is easy to install, implement and configure, making it an excellent complement to the products DSD Solutions provides, said Matt Kittrell of Georgia SoftWorks. We appreciate the past 5 years of partnership and look forward future years.

Georgia SoftWorks is a software development company based in Georgia, USA that has received global recognition for the GSW UTS, their Telnet Server for Windows and SSH Server for Windows. The GSW UTS is the most robust and reliable UTS on the market, used in the most rigorous and demanding industrial environments. The GSW Telnet Server for Windows is excellent with mobile devices in RFID, RF Terminal, barcode scanners and other data collection and wireless environments, making it a great software addition to the services BSD Solutions offers and the industries they serve.

About Georgia SoftWorks:

Established in 1991, Georgia SoftWorks is a privately held software development company recognized for creating high performance data communications, system and telecommunications applications. Georgia SoftWorks has obtained a worldwide presence with its industrial SSH/Telnet Server for Microsoft Windows. GSW's long-term commitment to SSH/Telnet has led to the pioneering of major features such as Session Shadowing, Session Monitoring, Graceful Termination, Automatic Logon, Logon Scripting and more recently Team Services technology which allows mobile device users to transfer, swap, share and recover mobile device sessions. GSW has also provided the very first SSH Server to provide Digital Certificate Authentication with an Internet Information Server (IIS) like certificate-to-user.
LaunchBio, a California nonprofit organization that identifies, counsels, and supports high-growth, high-impact life science and biotechnology companies today announced it named Joan Siefert Rose as CEO. Rose, a nationally recognized leader in building entrepreneurial communities, will be based out of Durham, NC and will begin work immediately.

Rose most recently served as the president and CEO of the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) in Research Triangle Park, NC, and has been tasked by LaunchBios Board of Directors to develop and implement a national platform to fulfill the organizations mission to build an ecosystem of innovation for the benefit of human health and well-being.

This is an exciting time for early-stage life science entrepreneurs seeking to turn a big idea into a scalable company," said Susie Harborth, LaunchBio co-founder and board member. These companies have access to an unprecedented amount of resources, but may lack the knowledge to find whats available to them, learn to make effective connections, and then execute on those plans. LaunchBio, under Joans leadership, will work with national and local partners to streamline the process, and create signature programs that bring value to the communities we serve. We also want to enable the translation of new scientific discoveries through connections with foundations and other social impact organizations by seeking alternative funding sources for these companies - enabling the next generation of companies working to improve human health."

Rose added, We intend to reduce the time and distance between great minds and smart resources. I see a unique opportunity for LaunchBio to connect entrepreneurs with knowledge, capital and talent  including each other  not only within geographic regions, but across the nations leading life science hubs. Well help curate these relationships while we provide new opportunities to educate and bring people together.

While at CED, Rose built an investor relations program and mentoring service for entrepreneurs, and hosted the southeasts largest life science showcase for early stage companies. A frequent speaker at conferences on entrepreneurship and economic development, she has been a columnist on entrepreneurial ecosystems for Forbes.com and Xconomy. She is a senior partner at CREO, Inc.

About LaunchBio

LaunchBio (http://www.launchbio.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Its founding sponsor is BioLabs, a national network of co-working spaces for early stage bionnovators with locations in Cambridge, MA; Durham, NC; San Diego, CA; and San Francisco, CA.
Newly updated resources from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) can help parents and college students determine which tax breaks are applicable to them.

Tax day is fast approaching, but with three extra days to submit, parents and students can breathe easy. Because April 15 falls on a Saturday, this year taxes arent due until April 18, 2017, giving families even more time to explore higher education tax benefits that could shave thousands off their 2016 tax bills.

Newly updated resources from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) can help. The 2016 Tax Year - Federal Tax Benefits for Higher Education page in the Student, Parents & Counselors section of NASFAA.org explains the tax credits and deductions available for the 2016 tax year. The information can help taxpayers determine if they are eligible for current incentives, including:



The American Opportunity Tax Credit: This credit provides up to $2,500 per student and up to 40 percent of the credit may be refundable.

The Lifetime Learning Tax Credit: This credit provides up to $2,000 per tax return and is non-refundable.

Tuition and Fees Tax Deduction: This deduction, originally established as just a temporary tax benefit, can reduce taxable income by as much as $4,000. Because this deduction was not renewed by Congress before the end of 2016, the 2016 tax year is the final year in which taxpayers may take advantage of it.

Student Loan Interest Deduction: This deduction allows a taxpayer to deduct interest paid on student loans of the taxpayer, a spouse, or dependents, and can reduce taxable income up to $2,500.

Education tax credits that could save families thousands go unclaimed each year, NASFAA President Justin Draeger said. As the students and families are tasked with shouldering a larger portion of college costs each year, we encourage parents and students to take every opportunity to educate themselves about tax options that can help defray the costs of tuition, fees, supplies, and even student loan repayment."

NASFAA policy experts and financial aid administrators can discuss education tax breaks that can benefit students and their families. For more information, contact us at 202-785-6959 or news(at)nasfaa(dot)org to set up an interview.

About NASFAA

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is a nonprofit membership organization that represents more than 20,000 financial aid professionals at nearly 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. NASFAA member institutions serve nine out of every ten undergraduates in the United States. Based in Washington, D.C., NASFAA is the only national association with a primary focus on student aid legislation, regulatory analysis, and training for financial aid administrators. For more information, visit http://www.nasfaa.org.
C. Mondavi & Family in conjunction with the Military Veterans Caucus and Congressional Wine Caucus are proud to be presenting Purple Heart Wines (http://www.purpleheartwines.com/) from Napa Valley on March 1st, 2017 in Washington D.C. The cause-worthy wine brand will be sharing the latest 2014 vintage with members of congress, media and guests of honor from the Purple Heart Foundation, including Purple Heart recipient and Chairman of the Board Bill Wroolie. Congressional Wine Caucus Co-Chair, Congressman and Purple Heart recipient Mike Thompson of Californias 5th district, which includes Napa Valley, will also be in attendance. Winemaker and Vietnam Veteran Ray Coursen will present the wine at the event and will discuss his dedication to Purple Heart Wines and his commitment to veterans issues.

A label produced under C. Mondavi & Family, Purple Heart Wines pays tribute to American military veterans through support of the Purple Heart Foundation, an organization dedicated to serving the unmet needs of military men, women and families. While visiting Washington D.C., Coursen will present a $10,000 check donation to the Purple Heart Foundation for a total of $30,000 donated by Purple Heart Wines in the 12 months since the brands launch in March 2016. I am thrilled to be in Washington D.C. this week to raise a glass of Purple Heart Red Blend with some of my fellow veterans, comments Ray Coursen. I hope this wine inspires others to stop and think about the sacrifices our nations servicemen and women have made to protect our freedoms.

Purple Heart Wines has enjoyed significant success in its first year including a sold-out 2013 vintage, the addition of a second winemaker in summer 2016 with Iraq War Veteran David Grega, increased production for the 2014 Purple Heart Red and top scores and accolades from national press. In addition to support for the Purple Heart Foundation, the brand pays tribute to the tradition of military service at C. Mondavi & Family and honors the late Peter Mondavi Sr., a veteran of World War II.
ThreadKM, a legal chat and collaboration hub, today announced an integration with Relativity, kCuras e-discovery software that helps organizations worldwide manage and analyze large volumes of unstructured data.

Relativity provides law firms, government agencies, and corporations with a complete set of flexible tools to tackle their unique e-discovery and data challenges, from litigation to internal investigations or information governance. As a platform, Relativity allows developers to design, build, and tightly integrate applications that add or extend the softwares functionality.

ThreadKMs Relativity integration allows reviewers working in Relativity to share documents and comments with members of the case team who may not have access to Relativity. This seamless integration allows reviewers to select documents to Push to ThreadKM, and to add comments to those documents, which can then be reviewed and discussed inside of ThreadKM.

This integration unites a law firms in-house knowledge management tools and a leading e-discovery platform, said Damon Goduto, ThreadKM vice president of sales and testifying e-discovery expert. Conversations can now happen seamlessly between these two document universes.

ThreadKM joins the Relativity Ecosystem, which includes custom applications and integrations built by Relativity developer partners.

With this integration, ThreadKM makes e-discovery collaboration even more efficient for Relativity users, said Perry Marchant, vice president of engineering at kCura. Were committed to an open platform where our users can easily combine the tools they already use with the power of Relativity. Its great to welcome ThreadKM to the Relativity Ecosystem.

To see how ThreadKM's Relativity integration works, visit http://www.vimeo.com/threadkm.

About ThreadKM

ThreadKM provides lean, matter-centric team chat and kanban-style project management in a single application that integrates with document management and other key law firm applications. ThreadKM helps firms dramatically reduce email, drive up DMS utilization, and improve collaboration across the firm.

About kCura

kCura are the developers of Relativity, an e-discovery platform used by more than 12,000 organizations to manage large volumes of data and quickly identify key issues during litigation, internal investigations, and compliance projects. Relativity has over 150,000 active users in 40+ countries from organizations including the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 70 Fortune 100 companies, and more than 195 of the Am Law 200. Corporations, law firms, and government agencies use Relativity on-premises, in the cloud, or as a hybrid platformwith hosted, on-demand solutions available through a global network of partners. As a platform, Relativity also allows developers to design, build, and integrate applications that extend its functionality. kCura has been named one of Chicago's Top Workplaces by the Chicago Tribune for six consecutive years and received the CityLIGHTS Lighthouse Award from the Illinois Technology Association in 2016. Please contact kCura at sales@kcura.com or visit http://www.kcura.com for more information.
Partners of Rollin Braswell Fisher LLC RBF Law founder Michael Rollin shared, We believe it is important for us to invest in our attorneys so they can then invest in the community. Sending our associates to the Washington DC conference was just the beginning.

As thought leaders in the community, the complex civil and commercial litigators of Rollin Braswell Fisher LLC ("RBF Law) are embracing a new direction toward advocacy for social justice in response to the countrys current climate.

The impetus for RBF Laws new approach was inspired by the firms lawyers involvement with Lawyers for Good Government. RBF Law associates, Corey Longhurst and Tara K. Williams, were part of the small group of Colorado attorneys that attended the Lawyers for Good Governments Rise Above Conference in January 2017 in Washington, DC. Following the conference, the civil and commercial litigators of RBF Law were moved to create a pathway for Colorado lawyers that do not practice in the public interest space to be more active in social justice issues affecting the greater Colorado community. RBF Law founder Michael Rollin shared, We believe it is important for us to invest in our attorneys so they can then invest in the community. Sending our associates to the Washington DC conference was just the beginning.

In the present moment, lawyers that devote their careers to advocating for social justice issues are inundated and do not have the resources that lawyers at private law firms have. RBF Law looks to fill this gap by bringing together lawyers from different practice areas and giving them the tools and knowledge to take action. RBF Laws Managing Partner Maritza Dominguez Braswell explained, In the current climate, were seeing lawyers, many within our own firm, feeling called to advocate for social justice. This is our way of empowering those individuals who want to make a difference.

Taking the first step toward this new vision, RBF Law is partnering with Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) to host its first event on March 15, 2017 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. This informational lecture will focus on providing lawyers an overview of the new Executive Orders and the impact of those orders on the immigrant community. In addition to the overview of the new Executive Orders, RMIAN's Executive Director Mekela Goehring and Pro Bono Coordinator Alex Gavern will discuss the emergent relief potentially available to detainees including bail bond hearings and petition for asylum. Attorneys will come away with a general understanding of legislative framework and processes of the system to enable them to provide assistance to the local immigrant community.

There is no cost to attend the event, however space is limited. RSVP to JThompson@RBF(dot)Law no later than March 10, 2017 to reserve your place. Breakfast will be served during the lecture and it will be hosted at Rollin Braswell Fishers offices located at 8350 E. Crescent Parkway, Suite 100 in Greenwood Village. CLE credit is pending. Colorado lawyers of all practice areas that have an interest in becoming more active in social justice issues are encouraged to attend.

***

ABOUT RBF LAW. Rollin Braswell Fisher LLC (RBF Law) is a modern litigation firm located in Greenwood Village, Colorado. The firm practices locally and nationally in complex civil, commercial, and capital markets litigation. RBF Law has been involved in some of the most complex and well-publicized legal battles in the country.
Court Certifies Minimum Wage Class Action against King of Diamonds (KOD) Miami Club

On April 08, 2014, the Law Offices of Miller Legal, P.C. filed a class action complaint entitled Jaszmann Espinoza on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated v. Fly Low, Inc. d/b/a King of Diamonds et al., Southern District of Florida, case # 1:14-cv-21244-GOODMAN. The Complaint alleges that the Defendants improperly classified exotic dancers as independent contractors rather than employees entitled to minimum and overtime wages pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Florida Minimum Wage Act.

On January 11, 2016 Magistrate Judge Goodman granted the Plaintiffs renewed motion to certify the case as a nationwide rule 23 class action and has authorized the notice attached to this press release to be sent to all exotic dancers that may have worked at King of Diamonds (Miami) aka KOD anytime between April 9, 2009 and July 17, 2014.

If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, please contact Plaintiffs counsel at the email address on the right side under the heading contact information.

Contact:

Class Counsel

Harlan S. Miller, III, Esq.

P.O. Box 720023

Atlanta, GA 30328

404-988-4554
Chad and Sarah Gilbert, owners of RE/MAX Suburban, accepted the award their company earned for its exceptional support of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network has long been a leading supporter of Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH). Recently the network honored those members who led its fundraising efforts in 2016 when nearly $184,000 was donated to CMNH. That was an increase of more than $25,000 over the 2015 total.

RE/MAX Northern Illinois has contributed more than $3 million to CMNH since 1992.

Most funds raised by the network go to Lurie Childrens Hospital in Chicago. However, donations from offices in the far western portion of the RE/MAX Northern Illinois region benefit the University of Iowa Stead Family Childrens Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa.

At its 40th Annual Awards Ceremony, held Feb. 17 at Navy Pier, RE/MAX honored the brokers and offices that were leading contributors to that effort in 2016. The awards they received featured artwork created by young patients at Lurie Childrens Hospital. Five companies received a CMNH Outstanding Citizen Award as the top fundraisers. As a group, the contributions of these companies accounted for 52 percent of the total donated to CMNH by RE/MAX Northern Illinois last year.

The 64 offices honored as Miracle Offices reached that status by meeting a minimum donation requirement to CMNH during 2016. Those offices accounted for 61 percent of RE/MAX offices in the northern Illinois region, a new record for office participation.

Angie Lotz of RE/MAX All Pro in Bloomingdale, Ill., was saluted as the 2016 Top Miracle Agent for donating $3,750 to CMNH. The Becker Group of RE/MAX Advantage Realty, Antioch, Ill., was named 2016 Top Miracle Team after donating $8,100.

The following are the RE/MAX companies honored as Outstanding Citizens for their generous donations to CMNH, all of which benefited Lurie Childrens Hospital. They are listed in order based on the size of their donation, with the largest contributor first:

1. RE/MAX Suburban, with offices in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Glen Ellyn, Libertyville, Mt. Prospect, Schaumburg and Wheaton.

2. RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest, with offices in Algonquin, Bartlett, Crystal Lake, Huntley, Lake Zurich and Palatine.

3. RE/MAX Advantage Realty of Antioch.

4. RE/MAX Showcase, with offices in Gurnee, Long Grove and Waukegan.

5. RE/MAX All Pro of Bloomingdale, Sugar Grove and St. Charles.

The 64 RE/MAX Northern Illinois Miracle Offices for 2016 are listed below, grouped by the county in which the office is located:

Cook County



RE/MAX 10, Chicago Lincoln Park;

RE/MAX 10, Chicago Midway;

RE/MAX 10, Oak Lawn;

RE/MAX 10, Palos Park;

RE/MAX 1st Service, Orland Park;

RE/MAX All Stars, Niles;

RE/MAX Central, Roselle;

RE/MAX City, Chicago;

RE/MAX Exclusive Properties, Chicago;

RE/MAX in the Village, Realtors, Oak Park;

RE/MAX Market, Willow Springs;

RE/MAX NorthCoast, Chicago;

RE/MAX of Barrington, Barrington;

RE/MAX Partners, Berwyn;

RE/MAX Properties, Western Springs;

RE/MAX Suburban, Arlington Heights; RE/MAX Suburban, Mt. Prospect;

RE/MAX Suburban, Roselle Road, Schaumburg;

RE/MAX Suburban, Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg;

RE/MAX Synergy, Chicago;

RE/MAX Synergy, Flossmoor;

RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest, Bartlett;

RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest, Palatine.

DuPage County



RE/MAX Action, Lisle;

RE/MAX All Pro, Bloomingdale;

RE/MAX Professionals, Burr Ridge;

RE/MAX Professionals Select, Naperville;

RE/MAX Signature Homes, Hinsdale;

RE/MAX Suburban, Glen Ellyn;

RE/MAX Suburban, Wheaton.

Grundy County



RE/MAX Hometown Properties, Channahon.

Kane County



RE/MAX All Pro, St. Charles;

RE/MAX All Pro, Sugar Grove;

RE/MAX Deal Makers, Hampshire;

RE/MAX Excels, Geneva;

RE/MAX Northern Illinois Regional Office, Elgin;

RE/MAX Town and Country, Aurora.

Lake County



RE/MAX Advantage Realty, Antioch;

RE/MAX Center, Grayslake;

RE/MAX NOW, Lake Barrington;

RE/MAX Plaza, Wauconda;

RE/MAX Prestige, Long Grove;

RE/MAX Showcase, Gurnee;

RE/MAX Showcase, Long Grove;

RE/MAX Showcase, Waukegan;

RE/MAX Suburban, Buffalo Grove;

RE/MAX Suburban, Libertyville;

RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest, Lake Zurich.

LaSalle County



RE/MAX 1st Choice, Ottawa.

McHenry County



RE/MAX Connections II, Marengo;

RE/MAX Plaza, McHenry;

RE/MAX Plaza, Richmond;

RE/MAX Plaza, Woodstock;

RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest, Algonquin;

RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest, Crystal Lake;

RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest, Huntley.

Mercer County



RE/MAX Country Crossroads, Viola.

Ogle County



RE/MAX of Rock Valley, Oregon;

RE/MAX Professional Advantage, Byron.

Rock Island County



RE/MAX Elite Homes, Moline.

Will County



RE/MAX 10, New Lenox;

RE/MAX Professionals, Bolingbrook;

RE/MAX Ultimate Professionals, Plainfield;

RE/MAX Ultimate Professionals, Shorewood.

RE/MAX agents consistently rank among the most productive in the industry. In 2016, RE/MAX Northern Illinois agents averaged 18 transaction sides. RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989 and is continually growing. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of more than 2,250 sales associates and 105 independently owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of residential and commercial brokerage services. Its mobile real estate app, available for download at http://www.illinoisproperty.com, provides comprehensive information about residential and commercial property for sale in the region. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX, a global real estate organization with 110,000+ sales associates in 100+ nations.

####

EDITORS NOTE: RE/MAX is a registered trademark. Please spell in all caps. Thank you. This release is posted at blog.illinoisproperty.com.
Now with VirtuCLEAN, I can feel comfortable my patients will properly clean their supplies and reduce harmful respiratory infections!

VirtuOx, http://virtuox.net/, a Home Respiratory Diagnostic provider announces today a new product VirtuCLEAN for sleep apnea patients who wear Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) devices at night. A PAP provides respiratory ventilation for patients with sleep apnea, a disease in which the lungs collapse during sleep and reduces the amount of oxygen the body breathes in.

VirtuCLEAN eliminates the need for patients to clean their PAP equipment each day. A chore that most patients rarely comply with as directed by their physicians. But not anymore with VirtuCLEAN.

Patients just plug the PAP into VirtuCLEAN and walk away. VirtuCLEAN automatically cleans your PAP device and shuts off 30 minutes later. In this half-hour time span, VirtuCLEAN kills 99.99% of disease causing pathogens that otherwise reside and grow in the PAP mask, tube and humidifier chamber.

Unclean PAPs are a breeding zone for harmful pathogens such as mold, bacteria and viruses. These germs can cause respiratory infections and other diseases in patients who breathe them in. VirtuCLEAN uses Ozone, a disinfectant that hospitals use to kill pathogens.

Kyle Miko, Founder and COO for VirtuOx and licensed respiratory therapist says, Proper cleaning of PAP equipment requires daily cleaning of mask, and changing humidifier water. It also requires weekly soaking of PAP mask, tube and humidifier chamber with soap and water. Studies show patients rarely adhere to this vigorous schedule which can lead to bacteria and mold to accumulate in their PAP system. Bacteria and mold in a persons PAP system can cause some serious health complications. Now with VirtuOxs VirtuCLEAN, patients will have no excuse on properly disinfecting their PAP device!

Compared to other devices that use ozone to clean PAPs, VirtuCLEAN is quiet and smaller in size and weight. You can carry it around and take it with you wherever you travel. So, you can always breathe in clean air.

Plus, VirtuCLEAN requires no maintenance like other devices. This makes it ideal not only for homecare, but also for hospitals, emergency rooms and ambulatory care centers.

Now with VirtuCLEAN, I can feel comfortable my patients will properly clean their supplies and reduce harmful respiratory infections! Greg Arneaud, Founder and CEO, ISD Health Solutions in Trinidad.

VirtuOx will showcase VirtuCLEAN at Medtrade in Las Vegas on February 28.

For more information, visit http://virtuox.net/ or call 877-337-7111 x329.

About VirtuOx

VirtuOx is the largest Home Respiratory Diagnostic provider in the United States. Plus, it is the nations leader in pulse oximetry and home sleep testing. It also sells state-of-the-art, cost effective vertically integrated FDA approved devices. Go to http://virtuox.net/ or call Kyle Miko at 877-337-7111 x329 or email kyle.miko(at)virtuox(dot)net to learn more.
As one of the Top Innovators chosen, L. Pierre de Rochemont, Founder & General Manager of Frontier NanoSystems, will present the company at the exclusive Venture Summit | West 2017 on March 1st at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA, where a select group of over 650 entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate developers will gather to be the first to meet this next wave of leading edge companies.

Frontier NanoSystems is excited and honored to be in this very elite group of youngStartup Ventures Top finalists, de Rochemont exclaimed. Manufacturing simplicity, with an emphasis on cLEAN, is a core element of our value proposition to investors and our customers.

Frontier NanoSystems holds the view that the success of any sweeping paradigm shift is rooted in economic sustainability. This means introducing new manufacturing systems that enable products with the requisite higher quality and serve the market without price subsidies of any kind. cLEAN is a core philosophy that minimizes waste, processing steps, logistical management, and emissions while increasing quality and end user value.

Honoring the Best

To Honor the youngStartup Ventures Top Innovator recipients, youngStartup Ventures has invited their CEOs and founders to present at Venture Summit | West, a forum for the most exciting early stage and emerging growth companies, and to share their insights on the future of innovation, and the entrepreneurial journey. Held at the Computer History Museum, this invitation-only conference is the premier venue for today's promising startups. For more information on The Summit visit: http://www.youngstartup.com/west2017/overview.php

About Frontier NanoSystems

Frontier NanoSystems, LLC, based in Austin, Texas, is commercializing an advanced additive, high productivity manufacturing technology that can efficiently produce ultra-high performance materials, including metals/alloys/superalloys, ceramics/electroceramics and semiconductors at unmatched rates and integrate them into high-value products with applications in the microelectronics, aerospace, energy, transportation, oil and gas, and other industry sectors. Visit frontiernano.com for more information.
James Torkington, Murali Goluguri & Anil Varma Gadhiraju We want to give companies more control and transparency when it comes to hiring.

For businesses in the UK, hiring is time consuming and a huge expense. Optimize was created to help companies improve their recruitment processes so they can save money and discover better talent.

Over time Optimize has developed from being just a marketplace for recruitment agencies into a fully fledged piece of SaaS software.

It has everything HR, hiring managers and business owners need when recruiting. Optimize has applicant tracking, PSL management, electronic timesheet management, video screening, custom data analytics, one click job posting and much more. Its the ultimate package for companies who want to create an effective and simplified hiring process.

James Torkington, Murali Goluguri and Anil Varma Gadhiraju are the founders of Optimize. They want to give companies more control and transparency when it comes to hiring.

Torkington believes their knowledge and experience makes Optimize stand out from other hiring software.

We have spent 15 years building recruitment businesses, James said. We understand the pain points that employers have so we know how to make things better. Coupled with the fact that we have a wider set of features than our competitors, with more in the pipeline, 2017 looks like it is going to be a very good year indeed.

Having taken over 500k in investment from Paul Sweeney, Chairman of ANS Group and The Greater Manchester Investment Fund at the back end of 2016, the founders of Optimize are looking forward to an exciting 2017. The new website has recently gone live and the companys branding has had a complete makeover.

We have taken some incredible leaps forward over the last 12 months to position us for rapid growth. Murali said. Our recent investment is a massive vote of confidence in our product and the team, as is the extremely positive feedback from our clients. We now have the opportunity to really drive forward our business plan and work towards becoming the UKs go-to platform for any business wishing to hire staff.

They are looking to increase headcount to 20 by the end of the year with some ambitious goals that will see their system compete with some well funded competition from across the pond.

You can find out more about Optimize by visiting our brand new website: http://www.weareoptimize.com/
To meet the needs of our patients and provide them with the highest quality of care, we are excited to offer our own finely curated skin care line, said Rhonda Q. Klein, MD, MPH.

Connecticut Dermatology Group (CDG), the largest dermatology practice in Connecticut and a leader in advanced skincare services, is excited to announce the launch of their own specially formulated skin care product line. The product line was created to meet the demanding standards of the 10 board-certified dermatologists and physician assistants at CDG. These targeted products treat acne-prone skin, redness, dry skin, and mature skin with soothing, healing, moisturizing, and plant-based ingredients.

To meet the needs of our patients and provide them with the highest quality of care, we are excited to offer our own finely curated skin care line, said Rhonda Q. Klein, MD, MPH, a board-certified dermatologist at CDG. We strive to provide personalized, effective and affordable dermatologic care for all skin types and ages. Our new skin care line will help provide real answers to skincare problems and issues.

CDG has introduced the first five products in the skin care line: a Green Tea Exfoliation Scrub, a Triple Antioxidant Serum, a Retinol Plus Smoothing Serum, an Antioxidant Physical Sunscreen with Tint, and a Benzoyl Peroxide Wash.

As a dermatology center that is committed to scientific research and clinical results, the new CDG product line has demonstrated widespread effectiveness in treating various skin issues. The providers at CDG believe in long-term skincare, and in addition to offering the latest cosmetic and medical procedures such as acne treatments, lasers, and injectables, they also work with their patients to develop a skincare regimen that will help their skin stay healthy and youthful. When used consistently and according to the physicians directions, these products produce results. Every time.

CDGs new product line ranges from $20 - $84 and is available at CDGs three Connecticut offices  Norwalk, Stamford, and Milford. The products will be on display at CDGs March Madness Kick-Off Event March 1st at their Norwalk office, register here.

About Connecticut Dermatology Group

Connecticut Dermatology Group (CDG) is a leader in dermatology services in Connecticut. Since its founding in 1964, CDG has provided comprehensive skin care to tens of thousands in Connecticut through its Norwalk, Milford, and Stamford offices. CDG is Fairfield Countys largest physician-directed skincare center providing medical and surgical care, as well as state-of-the-art cosmetic and aesthetician services. CDG has been designated as a national dermatological testing center to conduct clinical trials for new and upcoming medical and cosmetic services. Managing Partner, Dr. Steven A. Kolenik III has been peer nominated as 2017 Top Doctor in Fairfield County by Castle Connolly and a 2017 Top Doctor in Connecticut by Connecticut Magazine. Dr. Kolenik III has completed over 20,000 Mohs procedures.
Inspirit Hemp, a company that produces a unique hemp-based pain-relieving cream for athletes and people who live an active lifestyle, announced it attended the 2017 ECRM trade show in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Founded to provide highly effective pain-relieving creams without the same side effects commonly found in other types of creams and drugs, Inspirit today provides the most potent and effective hemp cream on the market. Its liposome formula was the topic of many fruitful discussions at the ECRM trade show, an annual event in which nutritional company representative sit down with major industry retail buyers in closed sessions.

We had an outstanding experience at the 2017 ECRM event, said Rod Ensminger, CEO of Inspirit Hemp. It was a tremendous chance for us to meet with some major figures in our industry, including representatives from Walgreens, CVS, Jet.com and other major retail names in the nutritional products industry. Not only did we learn a lot, but we believe we made an outstanding impression and built some relationships that will be extremely beneficial for our company.

Inspirit Hemps hemp cream is a non-psychoactive product developed from pure organic hemp oil. It is completely GMO- and gluten-free, using natural ingredients that relieve arthritic pain, as well as pain in muscles, tendons and joints. No matter what your age or the type of activity in which you like to participate, your body is able to benefit from these creams, which target the CB1 and CB2 receptors to provide natural pain relief all day long.

ECRM events differ from traditional trade shows in that they feature numerous closed session meetings between retail buyers and nutritional companies. Topics of conversation at these meetings can range from branding strategies to goals and distribution range.

The ECRM event was a great couple of days for our company, and we came away energized and ready to work, said Ensminger. We look forward to leveraging the relationships we built and advice we gained at these meetings.

For more information about Inspirit Hemp, visit http://www.inspirithemp.com.
CFE International, a leader of quality retail packaged salted fish products is looking for spectacular HOMECOOKS, not professional chefs to compete in their first annual CFE International Saltfish Blogger Recipe Challenge. The challenge date has been set, the pans will be banging and the stakes will be high to see who becomes the winner of the CFE International Saltfish Blogger Recipe Challenge. The CFE International Saltfish Blogger Recipe Challenge will be open to the first 50 qualified bloggers to create an original recipe using one of CFE Internationals Cristobal, Buena Ventura, Isla Brisa and BacalaRico brands.

CFE International is looking for inspirational ideas to create Simply Better Recipes that occurs when creativity is fused with unexpected flavors and wholesome ingredients that deliver a full range of flavors that makes every dish seem extravagant.

The CFE International Saltfish Blogger Recipe Challenge will only be open to the first 50 eligible bloggers who sign-up. Categories for the challenge include entrees (no side dishes), and appetizers. Bloggers are encouraged to participate in both categories. One Grand Prize Winner will be selected and be awarded $1,000.00usd. The contest starts on March 1, 2017 and ends April 30, 2017. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

Five blogger recipes will be chosen by CFE International and produced into recipe videos for judging. CFE International will then post each recipe video on their Facebook page to be judged by CFE Internationals Facebook fans to select the $1,000.00 usd Grand Prize Winner of the CFE International Saltfish Blogger Recipe Challenge. CFE International will select the five blogger recipes based upon the following criteria:



Taste: 50%

Visual Appeal: 25%

Creativity: 25%

To take the challenge, participants can submit an entry form to contest(at)cfeboston(dot)com starting on March 1, 2017. To qualify for the CFE International Saltfish Blogger Recipe Challenge you must be:

Must be 21 years old or older at time of entry

Must be a legal U.S. resident - Void in Alaska, Hawaii and where prohibited

Must be a legal resident of the islands of Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago and U.S. Virgin Islands

Void where prohibited

Food blog must be updated frequently (at least once per week) and has been in existence for at least 6 months

RECIPE MUST BE ORIGINAL

Applicants cannot be professional chefs

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

CFE Internationals current saltfish brands include Cristobal, Buena Ventura, Isla Brisa and BacalaRico which are highly respected as the premier quality saltfish and are known by name throughout the world.

About Us

In 1971 CFE International was founded as Canadian Fish Exporters, Inc., a U.S. corporation. For over 45 years, we have focused on the production and import/export of salted dried fish. Our brands, Cristobal, Buena Ventura, Isla Brisa and BacalaRico are highly respected as premier quality salt fish and are known by name throughout the world. Historically we are also the world's largest distributor of genuine Gaspe Cure Cod. Our company operates in compliance with U.S. HACCP regulations for seafood products. In 1996 we began a conscientious effort to expand our product line while maintaining our dedication to quality ethnic imported products that meet the needs of our Spanish, Caribbean, Italian, Portuguese, Greek, and varied ethnic consumers. More recently we have expanded our offerings to include frozen retail seafood which includes the award winning Cedar Bay line of Cedar Planked Atlantic Salmon and Buena Ventura Brand Seafood Medley. As a reflection of this renewed corporate identity, we have taken on the name of CFE International and we conduct business under this aegis. For more information regarding CFE International, please visit our website at http://www.cfeboston.com or call us toll free at 1-800-225-4215.
As agency of record for Supima, G+Gs goal is to position Supima as a luxury ingredient chosen by discerning brands and designers. For 2017, G+G is celebrating a philosophy of art not ads with the Everyday Reimagined campaign, honoring brands bringing passion and artistry to reinventing the essentials, making the everyday exceptional.

We wanted to engage the consumer, rather than sell them, says Ashley Graj of G+G. Our goal was to deliver an artful campaign that transcends traditional advertising while also providing context to the shared values of Supima and its partners, adds Peter Carberry of G+G.

Amsterdam-based duo Scheltens & Abbenes were commissioned to shoot the campaign using their abstract style, technical craft, and uncompromised perfectionism.

We are thrilled with the way the campaign has come to life. It captures the innovation and attention to detail that make our partner products exceptional, said Buxton Midyette, Vice President of Marketing and Promotion for Supima.

Everyday Reimagined will run in New York Times T Style Magazine through 2017.

About:

Supima:

Supima, short for Superior Pima, is the marketing organization of the American Pima cotton growers. Supima cotton imparts lasting softness, color, and natural durability to apparel and home fashion products. The Supima trademark, used by retailers, brands and manufacturers, is the surest way for discerning consumers to find the highest quality cotton products they seek. http://www.supima.com

Scheltens & Abbenes:

Maurice Scheltens and Liesbeth Abbenes are a photographer and artist duo based in Amsterdam. Instead of presenting objects as plain sellable products, they often manipulate and utilize them as building blocks for new compositions. Their works have been featured in cultural institutions such as the Galliera Musee de la Mode Paris, The Kunsthal in Rotterdam, Art Institute of Chicago, and in 2012, they received the ICP Infinity Award. http://www.scheltens-abbenes.com

Graj + Gustavsen:

Graj + Gustavsen is a strategic consulting firm and creative agency that provides insight, innovation, design, and direction to brands, companies, and investors. Since 2014, G+G has worked with Supima to create artful and impactful campaigns featuring some of the most respected brands in the world. http://www.ggny.com
Helicopter market professionals have unprecedented intelligence on the market and individual aircraft.

JETNET LLC, the world leader in aviation market intelligence, will exhibit at the 2017 HAI Heli-Expo in Dallas, Texas. JETNET will present their full range of software products and services at this years Heli-Expo, including demonstrations of their new operator/airport utilization feature. JETNETs exhibit will run March 7th-9th, and JETNET will be in Hall E booth 8556.

Helicopter market professionals have unprecedented intelligence on the market and individual aircraft, said Tony Esposito, JETNET Vice President. They can now make decisions faster, with more confidence, and more profitably than ever before.

JETNETs comprehensive helicopter database contains more than 31,600 in-service airframes worldwide, and information on transactions for more than 49,000 retail helicopter sales over the last two decades, along with 14 makes and 143 models of both turbine and piston airframes. Subscribers also have access to detailed individual aircraft specifications, and a new operator/airport utilization feature that provides information on more than 15,000 flights registered over the last 24 months.

JETNET researchers capture, on average, 500 major database event" changes per day, and capture and record 900-1,000 retail aircraft transactions per month. They work daily with dealers and brokers worldwide to maintain records, spec sheets, documents, and photos for about 6,500 aircraft for sale.

JETNET employs a full-time staff of approximately 50 research specialists who contact industry professionals around the world each business day. They make real-time updates to the most comprehensive database of its kind.

We have really been advancing the leading edge of intelligence in the helicopter market, said Paul Cardarelli, JETNET Vice President of Sales. All the data we gather directly is checked for accuracy and completeness, so our subscribers around the globe have a distinct advantage in working with timely, authentic information.

The company will be offering demonstrations of all their software, including the new operator/airport utilization feature.

The new insights will change the way our clients do business, added Esposito. Theyll be opening their competitive advantage gap with this information.

JETNET has extended an invitation to any Heli-Expo attendees to learn more about their products and services in Hall E booth 8556.

Since 1988, JETNET has delivered the most comprehensive and reliable business aircraft research to its exclusive clientele of aviation professionals worldwide. JETNET is the ultimate source for information and intelligence on the worldwide business, commercial, and helicopter aircraft fleet and marketplace, comprised of some 100,000 airframes. Headquartered in its state-of-the-art facility in Utica, NY, JETNET offers comprehensive user-friendly aircraft data via real-time internet access or regular updates.
Jon Henschen 'The road to failure is paved with good intentions,' comes to mind when looking at the most far-reaching consolidation models.

Jon Henschens most recent article, featured February 22, 2017 on ThinkAdvisor, BD Back-Office Consolidation: Profit Bonanza or Service Boondoggle? addresses the current trend of broker dealers making business changes to address lower revenues combined with higher expenses -- even before the Labor Dept. fiduciary rule is implemented.

Henschen opens the discussion by citing several examples of recent broker-dealer movements: one broker-dealer recently laid off employees due to a major slowdown in variable annuity revenue while another BD with a strong focus on alternative investments and REITs announced that 2017 would be break-even after years of consistent profitability. These and other broker dealer activities illustrate the trend of raising costs or adding profit centers to help fill the void.

According to Henschen, consolidation projects appear to be hitting fever pitch, particularly among multiple broker-dealers operating under a single owner. He examines three distinct consolidation models, which vary greatly in terms of the effect they have on the quality of service advisors receive, as well as their impact on overall broker dealer culture.

The minimal model is characterized by consolidation between broker-dealer departments such as accounting, legal and IT. These are the areas advisors typically have little to no direct contact with, so the centralization goes largely unnoticed. This minimal approach is by far the most service-friendly, as advisor touch points stay within their own broker-dealer and culture remains intact. In this minimal model, rep-to-staff ratios are generally very healthy, keeping under 10:1, and for some broker-dealers, an advisor-pleasing 4:1 ratio. While the minimal model may offer the least cost savings, if broker-dealers want to maintain service quality, culture and advisor loyalty, this model comes out on top.

By contrast, the maximum consolidation model centralizes nearly all departments. Advisor touch points (new accounts, ACATs, brokerage, supervision, compliance, commissions, trading, advance sales desk) are each serviced out of a single location. Henschen observes that this extensive consolidation strips away any individual broker-dealer culture and advisors become part of a less distinguishable culture among the universe of broker-dealers. This centralized staffing leads to loss of relationships. It also makes gathering statistics such as advisor-to-staff ratios near impossible. Henschen continues that, In fact, we often dont hear these statistics released, because in addition to being more difficult to gather, these broker-dealers know that their back-office consolidation efforts result in unusually high advisor-to-staff ratios that are well above 10:1, making them stand out like a sore thumb in the industry.

While operating within a heavily consolidated back office environment can bring substantial frustration to advisors, some have learned to adapt by becoming self reliant in terms of technology and reporting needs. Or they may custody their advisory assets away from the broker-dealer at TD Ameritrade, Fidelity or Schwab or with third-party money managers directly.

It is also common for large producer groups within these broker-dealers to have their own back-office administration so their advisors dont have to call the broker-dealer back office, thus avoiding inevitable poor service issues.

Team consolidation is the third and newer model that Henschen identifies. It aims to deliver the best of all worlds: cost savings, relationship and culture. In this model, teams composed of six staff members are split into service, supervision and relationship management (growth), with approximately 125 advisors assigned to a team. The goal with the multi-function team is to drive first-call resolution. However, if an advisor has to reach out to a subject matter expert, the individual on the team holds the issue and runs with it to ensure they own it through the entire process and manage the interaction of the subject matter expert with the advisor (to help with messaging, context, etc.). This model is structured specifically to maintain relationships and culture, which full consolidation between broker-dealers fail to achieve.

Henschen closes his article with a quick look at technologys role in consolidation, noting that it has delivered substantial cost savings to broker-dealers, allowing them to cut back on staffing needs and run, as they put it, lean and mean. However, when broker-dealers steer advisors to use various technologies as a substitute for personal service, it can be problematic, as advisors want to be able to call competent staff members and have a conversation when the need arises.

A broker-dealers zeal to cut costs can end up undermining the very thing that made the BD successfulquality service, relationships and culture. Henschen closes by noting, We have yet to hear an advisor tout an improvement in their broker dealer experience through extensive back office consolidation. The savings broker-dealers seek via consolation often end up costing them dearly.

Read the full article at: http://henschenassoc.com/bd-back-office-consolidation-profit-bonanza-or-service-boondoggle/

Jon Henschen is President of Henschen & Associates, an independent broker-dealer recruiting firm located in Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota. With more than 20 years of industry experience, Jon is a staunch advocate for independent financial advisors, and is widely sought after by both reps and broker dealers for his expertise and advice on independent broker dealer topics. He is frequently published and quoted in a variety of industry publications, including ThinkAdvisor, Investment Advisor Magazine, Wealth Management Magazine, Financial Advisor IQ, Financial Advisor Magazine, Investment News and others.
Vector Solutions, the leader in eLearning and performance support solutions for the architecture, engineering, construction (AEC), industrial, public safety, IT and education fields, announced today that Victoria Zambito has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Product, Content and Communication for Vector Solutions. She previously held the position of Vice President of Product Management and Content Development.

During her past 17 years with the company, Vicki has continuously brought superior quality, performance and results to our clients and team, said Jeff Gordon, CEO with Vector Solutions. Her industry expertise and invaluable insight will be crucial in leading Vector Solutions during this pivotal time of growth. We could not be more excited to see what achievements lie ahead for Vicki and for the company.

In her new role, she will be responsible for aligning and rationalizing Vectors extensive library of over 5,000 courses across its multiple brands, enhancing, standardizing and modernizing content, driving creative, agile solutions to deliver products and centralizing strategic communications and public relations as the company seeks to develop its brand around the globe.

During her tenure, Zambito has developed a deep understanding of market drivers, competitive environment, continuing education, eLearning, and company goals that significantly impact the key strategies and execution of programs that position Vector Solutions' training and development products and services as a market leader.

Prior to this, Zambito led the Business to Professional (B2P) business unit, where she provided strategic leadership by collaborating with the CEO and core management team to establish long-term goals, strategies, plans and policies for growing their direct-to-consumer business.

From 2009 to 2012, she served as Vice President of Marketing for the Vector Solutions family of brands, supporting sales pipeline development, brand awareness and demand generation for both B2B and B2C efforts. Prior to her time in Marketing, she served as Vice President of Content for nine years, where her efforts focused on eLearning design, development and strategy with a spotlight on asynchronous training for the licensing and certification markets. She developed the companys first two online courses and created processes and standards that allowed the library to scale and meet the needs of a growing number of accreditation bodies.

Before she joined the Vector Solutions team, Zambito was a television producer with WTVT Fox 13 in Tampa, Florida. She graduated magna cum laude from Florida State University with a bachelors degree in Communications. She is originally from Orange County, New York.

About Vector Solutions

Vector Solutions sets the standard for excellence in delivering online continuing education, training and performance support solutions to the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industries, as well as industrial, public safety and IT fields. Through its brands RedVector, TargetSolutions, LearnSmart, and Scenario Learning, Vector Solutions offers individual courses as well as and large-scale corporate training solutions via a state-of-the-art Learning Management System. With an online library exceeding 5,000 courses authored by more than 200 subject matter experts, Vector Solutions serves professionals and firms across the globe. The recipient of numerous community honors and industry awards, Vector Solutions was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. For more information, call 1-866-546-1212 or visit http://www.Vector-Solutions.com.
We wish her the best of luck in her endeavors!

Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig is proud to introduce their first annual scholarship winner, Jahne Brown of Louisville, KY. Ms. Brown was awarded a scholarship of $500. Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig is proud to support her at the University of Chicago.

Throughout her high school career, Ms. Brown was passionate about helping people who were historically marginalized and discriminated. This passion led her to start her schools first Black Student Union and, as President, she was able to create programs that focused towards giving equal opportunities to children in the Louisville area. Ms. Brown also spent her time volunteering with the National Honor Society, the Science Center, the Southern Girls Convention, and the Miss Amazing Pageant. She is studying Political Science and Near Eastern Civilizations & Languages at the University of Chicago and hoping to continue her education in law school.

Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig was started in 2001 and has been committed to serving its clients and defending their interests ever since. The firm is well versed in intellectual property, corporate & business, estate & probate, government contracts, insurance, litigation & disputes and real estate transaction law. Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig is committed to helping todays youth pursue their educational goals. The firm understands how vital a good education is and is pleased to be able to assist Ms. Brown and future scholarship winners. On awarding the scholarship, founding partner Tom Dunlap said, We wish her the best of luck in her endeavors!

Ms. Brown stated, I would like to thank Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig for choosing me as their scholarship winner. I have always been passionate about using law and policy to protect our nations most vulnerable groups. I look forward to a future and an education dedicated to serving others. Her passion for service, helping belittled groups, and striving to become an advocate for change in our nation stood out to Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig.
"We are confident Paragon Technical can successfully represent Inventus Power to determine the right solutions to assure both economy of scale and IP while solving OEM niche-market power challenges." - Anson Martin, Inventus Power

Inventus Power, a systems manufacturer of battery packs, chargers and power supplies for the consumer, commercial, medical and military markets, today announced it entered an agreement with Paragon Technical. The company will support Inventus Powers sales representatives in Northern California and Northern Nevada.

Our customers have unique and demanding requirements to power the devices they design and manufacture; reliability, safety, environmental performance and cost reductions are crucial, said Anson Martin, Vice President, Global Sales and Business Development for Inventus Power. Paragon Technical has a large and experienced team of dedicated account managers who have formed trusted long-term relationships with these OEMs. We are confident the company can successfully represent Inventus Power to determine the right solutions to assure both economy of scale and IP while solving their niche-market power challenges, Martin continued.

We are very excited to partner with Inventus Power and add advanced battery and power technology to our portfolio. We want to be able to deliver leading edge safe, efficient, and cost effective energy storage solutions to our diverse Bay Area customer base and believe that Inventus Power is uniquely equipped to enable us to do this, said Phil Kumin, Founder and Managing Partner at Paragon Technical.

Inventus Power, which was created through the merger of ICC Nexergy and Palladium Energy, is the leading single-source manufacturer for rechargeable power systems, consistently delivering safe, reliable, high-performing batteries, chargers and power supplies that enhance the design of OEM products.

About Inventus Power:

Inventus Power, founded in 1960, is the worlds largest power systems manufacturer that integrates and delivers battery packs, chargers & docking stations and power supplies across the consumer, commercial, medical and military & government markets and is located in eight countries across four continents.

With headquarters in Woodridge, Ill. and manufacturing facilities in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, China and Malaysia, we are globally positioned to be a catalyst for our customers success. Inventus Power utilizes decades of design, engineering and market expertise to apply innovative technology to our OEM customers devices, and ensures a reliable, high quality product through our vertically integrated processes and performance testing capabilities. For more information about Inventus Power, please visit http://www.inventuspower.com and follow @inventuspower.

About Paragon Technical:

Founded in 1997, Paragon Technical ( http://www.paragontechnical.com ) is one of the largest and most diversified semiconductor manufacturers representatives in Silicon Valley representing some of the most recognized names in the world. We provide extraordinary results for our employees, principals, distributors, and customers while having fun and doing the right thing.

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Rigaku MiniFlex Benchtop X-ray diffraction instrument

Rigaku Corporation today announced the publication of a new Portuguese-language brochure for the South American market describing the capabilities of the new 5th generation MiniFlex general purpose X-ray diffractometer.

X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a powerful, well-established technique for analyzing materials. Industries such as cement, petroleum, energy and pharmaceuticals rely on XRD to characterize materials for research and quality control.

The new brochure presents a basic overview of XRD, as well as the unique capabilities and specifications of the system. Ideally-suited for today's fast-paced XRD analyses, the MiniFlex delivers speed and sensitivity through innovative technology enhancements such as the optional D/teX high speed detector. Operating at 600 watts, the MiniFlex is the most powerful benchtop XRD diffractometer available.

For more information about the MiniFlex spectrometer or to request the brochure, visit https://www.rigaku.com/pt-br/products/xrd/miniflex

Since its inception in Japan in 1951, Rigaku has been at the forefront of analytical and industrial instrumentation technology. Rigaku and its subsidiaries form a global group focused on general-purpose analytical instrumentation and the life sciences. With hundreds of major innovations to their credit, Rigaku companies are world leaders in X-ray spectrometry, diffraction, and optics, as well as small molecule and protein crystallography and semiconductor metrology. Today, Rigaku employs over 1,400 people in the manufacturing and support of its analytical equipment, which is used in more than 90 countries around the world supporting research, development, and quality assurance activities. Throughout the world, Rigaku continuously promotes partnerships, dialog, and innovation within the global scientific and industrial communities.

For further information, contact:

Michael Nelson

Global Marketing Coordinator

Rigaku Corporation

Phone: (512) 225-1796

michael.nelson(at)rigaku(dot)com
PressWise Web-to-Print, MIS and Workflow Automation We are always galvanized by the enthusiasm and energy at Dscoop"

SmartSoft will be demonstrating the latest enhancements to PressWise, the all-in-one web-to-print, MIS and Workflow Automation solution, at this weeks Dscoop Imagine exhibition in Phoenix, Arizona. The convention, which runs from March 1st  4th, 2017 at the Phoenix Convention Center, is focused on building community in the print industry through interacting with peers, exchanging experiences, and learning best practices. The annual conference is one of the print industrys most important gatherings, where members can build partnerships, alliances and relationships that impact their business for years to come.

PressWise by SmartSoft, situated in Booth 201, will be demonstrating the results of an industrious years product development. PressWise is a print shop management system designed to help printers grow their business while eliminating touches from their workflow, through an end-to-end, cloud-based print MIS and production automation platform.

Some of the new features and enhancements that will be shown at Dscoop Phoenix include:

-A major update to Purchase Order functions is being rolled out to better accommodate outsourcing. Users can now purchase non-inventory items, including services and finishing tasks. Outsourced Products POs can be automatically created upon order injection, PO line items associated to specific jobs, and POs emailed directly from within PressWise. There are additional PO updates that will be available for review at Dscoop.

-Kitting functionality, introduced just after the last Dscoop, allows for jobs that contain multiple components that go together to form a single product within PressWise for simplified quoting and invoicing.

-There are a number of key Impositioning enhancements, including support for Work & Tumble as a work mode on quotes. The system now includes full support for Grippers throughout the system for each press device, from quoting and ordering to batching and auto-impositioning.

-Security is critical and sometimes it may seem complex to apply for, receive, and install/utilize SSL certificates for custom domains. PressWise has automated that process, allowing admins to obtain an SSL certificate from Lets Encrypt with just a few clicks. This optional feature is free of charge.

-Inventory/stock purchases can now have minimum stock order amounts by substrate with the additional option of specifying a quantity per carton. This allows you to capture those costs and pass them along (if desired) to customers without relying on staff to remember to make manual adjustments.

-Single Sign On (SSO) options are now available, letting customers leverage their existing authentication infrastructure to control access. This is of particular value for In-plant print departments of larger organizations.

-User Interface Enhancements offer in-line editing in many areas with enhanced grids to make viewing, searching, and filtering information easier than ever before. Recently added reports include a Customer Aging Report, Customer Statements, Customer Activity, and more.

Joe Lehn, Director of Product Management for PressWise, will be attending Dscoop as an exhibitor with the team and as a panel presenter to discuss best practices when utilizing MIS systems.

We are always galvanized by the enthusiasm and energy at Dscoop. The vision of the organization and its membership is very clear and we always look forward to the show, said Mr Lehn. It is a great place to meet so many of our customers, who have been pioneers in the digital print space. Many of them were early adopters of PressWise, including multiple board members.

We appreciate their support over the years and in turn are pleased to support this dynamic community. We look forward to showing this community some of the exciting developments we have been working on to enhance the PressWise product and service.

For more information on PressWise print MIS and workflow automation, visit http://www.presswise.com.

About PressWise

PressWise is an end-to-end SaaS-based MIS and Print Workflow Automation solution that comes complete with robust features such as unlimited web storefronts, estimating, quoting, order processing, workflow management, complete shipping integration, fulfillment and the ability to integrate with most other third party storefronts (including PTI, Pressero, PrintNow, PixFizz, PageDNA, RedTie, Prisme and more) and existing back-end accounting systems. For more information, visit http://www.presswise.com.

About SmartSoft

SmartSoft provides desktop and enterprise-level workflow solutions for print management, postal address correction and postal discounts. Their products include the AccuMail suite of data and address correction and verification software, the all-in-one mailing software solution, SmartAddresser 5, the IM barcode mail tracking service MailSpotter, and the end-to-end print workflow solution, PressWise. SmartSoft is a privately held company. Visit http://www.smartsoftusa.com for more information.
American College of Medical Toxicology

The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) will hold its Annual Scientific Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico from March 31  April 2, 2017 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Isla Verde, San Juan. The conference, titled Toxicologic Impact: Research, Practice, Teach will appeal to clinicians, academicians, and researchers in toxicology-related fields. Day One includes cutting-edge research on testing to detect clandestine fentanyl after suspected heroin overdose, mitochondrial dysfunction in patients with carbon monoxide poisoning, and adverse events associated with use of pit viper antivenom. Presentations and break-out sessions will explore practical aspects of working with Institutional Review Boards, assessing evidence in toxicology, resiliency in research, and measuring the reach of research with tools such as Altmetrics.

Day Two and Three of the Annual Scientific Meeting will feature additional research, as well as presentations from distinguished leaders in medical education, industry, and government. The Presidential Keynote will be given by Jeremy Sugarman, MD, MPH, MA, from Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics in Baltimore, MD and will explore ethical issues in medical toxicology research. Mark Kirk, MD, a medical toxicologist with the Department of Homeland Security will discuss the intersection of toxicology and terrorism. Other diverse topics will include use of social media to monitor drug epidemics, controlling the Zika Virus epidemic through vector management, advances in medical education methods, the utility of registries in research and practice, and quality metric development.

The Annual Scientific Meeting will follow special satellite sessions on Thursday, March 30. The first satellite session, Epidemic of Addiction: Prescription Opioids, Heroin, and Fentanyl, will delve into the newest data and best practices for treatment, as well as the forensic aspects of the opioid epidemic. The second satellite will be a half-day exploration of the Zika epidemic as well as a scientific analysis of the public health aspects of pesticide use. According to Dr. Bryan Judge, ACMT Board Member and Chair of the Education Committee, My colleagues and I are eager to learn about some of the latest developments in the field of Medical Toxicology, as well as share our expertise with the public during the Satellite Sessions on the Opioid and Zika epidemics. The educational experiences offered at #ACMT2017 will not disappoint!

About ACMT

ACMT is a professional, non-profit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology. The ACMT mission is to advance quality care of poisoned patients and public health through physicians who specialize in consultative, emergency, environmental, forensic, and occupational toxicology. For more information, visit http://www.acmt.net, or follow on Twitter @acmt.
Today P21, the Partnership for 21st Century Learning, is hosting an event on Capitol Hill that highlights the critical skills and knowledge needed to prepare students for college, career, and life. The event, titled Closing the Skills Gap: Stories from the Field, will feature opening remarks from Rep. Ryan Costello and Rep. Dave Loebsack, co-chairs of the Congressional 21st Century Skills Caucus.

P21 also will recognize its newest cohort of 21st Century Learning Exemplars, an assortment of schools and districts with programs that demonstrate what successful 21st century learning looks like in practice. The P21 Exemplar Program, instituted in 2013, identifies and showcases schools that are equipping students with the 21st century skills they will need to succeed in college, career, and life. Educators from these Exemplars will also lead a panel discussion, leveraging their experiences and strategies to operationalize the policies that ensure success for all learners.

Our exemplars have transformed how our students learn and can excel during college and career, ensuring that critical 21st century skills are a staple of the classroom, said Dave Ross, CEO of P21. The discussion led by our Exemplars and the leaders of our caucus will inspire other schools across the country to bring 21st century learning to their classrooms.

Selected through a rigorous application process that includes site visits, each Exemplar joins a national network that shares best practices to further hone their practice of 21st century teaching and learning. Through the Exemplar program, schools and districts have the opportunity to gain national visibility as a leader in 21st century learning. Case studies on select Exemplars can be found at P21.org/2016Exemplars.

Being named a 21st Century Learning Exemplar through P21 is a tremendous honor for Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies, said Corey Mohn, CAPS Executive Director. This designation will motivate our program to keep pushing the bleeding edge of innovation in K-12 education to maximize positive impact in our world.

Learn more about the 21st Century Learning Exemplar Program at P21.org/exemplars.

About P21:

P21, the Partnership for 21st Century Learning, recognizes that all learners need educational experiences in school and beyond, from cradle to career, to build knowledge and skills for success in a globally and digitally interconnected world. Representing over 5 million members of the global workforce, P21 is a catalyst organization uniting business, government, and education leaders from the U.S. and abroad to advance evidence-based education policy and practice and to make innovative teaching and learning a reality for all. Learn more at http://www.p21.org and follow P21 on Twitter @P21Learning.
USHEALTH Advisors, L.L.C. has won a Gold Stevie Award in the National Sales Team of the Year category in the 11th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.

The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are the worlds top honors for customer service, contact center, business development and sales professionals. The Stevie Awards organizes several of the worlds leading business awards programs including the prestigious American Business AwardsSM and International Business AwardsSM.

The awards were presented during a gala banquet on Friday, February 24 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. More than 650 executives from around the world attended.

More than 2,300 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were evaluated in this years competition, an increase of 10% over 2016. Finalists were determined by the average scores of 77 professionals worldwide, acting as preliminary judges. Entries were considered in 61 categories for customer service and contact center achievements, including Contact Center of the Year, Award for Innovation in Customer Service, and Consulting Practice of the Year; more than 53 categories for sales and business development achievements, ranging from Senior Sales Executive of the Year to National Sales Team of the Year and Business Development Achievement of the Year; and categories to recognize new products and services and solution providers.

More than 75 members of several specialized judging committees determined the Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Award placements from among the Finalists during final judging earlier this month. Finalists were determined by another 77 judges.

Bill Shelton, Sr. Vice President of Marketing accepted the Gold Stevie Award on behalf of USHEALTH Advisors, saying, This award epitomizes business and sales excellence. I am humbled and privileged to accept this award on behalf of our CEO Troy McQuagge and the men and women who have made USHEALTH Advisors such a remarkable company.

The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service continues to be among the most competitive and fastest-growing of our awards programs, said Michael Gallagher, founder and president of the Stevie Awards. The growth of the program illustrates the importance of the functions highlighted  sales, business development and customer service  to successful enterprises of all types, and how integral recognition in these domains are to building and maintaining corporate reputations.

USHEALTHs CEO Troy McQuagge added, Congratulations to USHEALTH Advisors for winning the prestigious Gold Stevie Award for National Sales Team of the Year. This is an important milestone for our company that simply would not have been possible without your hard work and your relentless pursuit of excellence.

Details about the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service and the list of Stevie winners in all categories are available at http://www.StevieAwards.com/sales.

About USHEALTH Advisors, L.L.C

USHEALTH Advisors, LLC is the wholly-owned national health insurance distribution arm of USHEALTH Group, Inc. The company sells individual health coverage and supplementary products underwritten by Freedom Life Insurance Company of America and National Foundation Life Insurance Company, wholly-owned subsidiaries of USHEALTH Group, Inc. The company is focused on serving Americas self-employed, small business and individual insurance market through its captive agent sales force.

About The Stevie Awards

Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 10,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 60 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.

Sponsors and supporters of the 11th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service include Sales Partnerships, Inc. and ValueSelling Associates, Inc.
VT MAK, (MAK), a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today announced that PT. Infiniti Reka Solusi (Infiniti), an information technology solutions provider for private and government sectors, has chosen to use the entire suite of MAK simulation software as the core of an improved multi-level training system for elite forces.

The complete simulation software system features the VR-Engage - a multi-role virtual simulator that lets users play the role of a first-person human character; a vehicle driver, gunner or commander; or the pilot of an airplane or helicopter, which will improve training results of elite forces. VR-Engage powers role-player stations that train individual soldiers as they interact with the simulation environment provided by VR-Forces.

The Infiniti system is a hybrid of command and staff role player stations. Infiniti is using VR-Vantage IG for a common operational picture, WebLVC Suite for browser-based simulation access, VR-TheWorld Server for a web-based streaming terrain server, and DI-Guy SDK to power realistic human activity.

To link the system together, Infiniti will use the MAK RTI to connect HLA federates and exchange simulation data. The MAK Data Logger is used for recording and replay.

Our projects goal is to re-engineer the way the military conduct their training starting from the squad level up to command and staff, said Firman Arifman, CEO at Infiniti. It will greatly accelerate the decision making process, improve the situational awareness, enhance the coordination and communication, reduce cost; enabling experimental exercises, problem solving, and providing the data and information for reviews and future improvements.

MK products greatly improve the speed of development and reduce our time in delivering our solution, said Arifman. They also enable us to extend the functionalities relatively easily to suit our client requirements.

Infiniti takes advantage of the customizability of VR-Forces, specifically tailoring it for their clients, including adding and extending specific functionalities. Detailed and thorough documentation, open architecture, and customizability separate MAKs software from competitors.

Infiniti embraces MAKs unique engineer-down-the-hall approach to technical support.

MAKs technical support is very supportive and responsive, said Arifman. All of our questions were solved and answered in detail and with examples if necessary. What we love is the actual engineer who knows the matters that answer our query.

Bolstered by the positive experience with MAK and their regional representative TME Systems, Infiniti now plans to add Oculus Rift and motion platforms, as well as networked inertia and orientation sensors to its role-player stations for an even more immersive experience.

*****

VT MAK develops software for live, virtual, and constructive simulation. Built upon a strong foundation of COTS products, MAK delivers simulation, gaming, and networking technology in a flexible platform to meet the requirements of training system integrators, experimentation labs, and end users. Our primary users are in the aerospace and defense industries, yet our products and services can help customers anywhere modeling and simulation is needed to train, plan, analyze, experiment, prototype, and demonstrate. MAK is dedicated to serving our customers by building capable products, offering superior technical support, and innovating new ways to build, populate and view interoperable 3D simulated worlds. MAK continues to take advantage of new technologies that further the state of simulation. Our products help users link, simulate and visualize their world. VT MAK is a company of VT Systems. Please visit http://www.mak.com for more information.

VT Systems is an engineering company providing integrated solutions to the commercial and government markets in the aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine sectors. VT Systems innovative solutions, products and services include aircraft maintenance, repair and modification; software solutions in training and simulation; satellite-based IP communications technology; network solutions that integrate data, voice and video; rugged computers and computer peripheral equipment; specialized truck bodies and trailers; weapons and munitions systems; road construction equipment; and ship design and shipbuilding. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., VT Systems operates globally and is a wholly owned subsidiary of ST Engineering. Please visit http://www.vt-systems.com.

PT. Infiniti Reka Solusi - With headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, PT. Infiniti Reka Solusi provides superior information technology solutions range from system analysis, software engineering, computer networks, consulting, e-learning, training, and maintenance, serving both the private and government sectors. PT. Infiniti Reka Solusi brings a fresh and innovative approach to provide its products and services. Their goal is to exceed the expectations of every client by offering outstanding customer service, increased flexibility, and greater value, thus optimizing system functionality and improving operation efficiency. Their team personnels are distinguished by their functional and technical expertise combined with their hands-on experience, thereby ensuring that their clients receive the most effective and professional service.
Our drawing contest encourages children to draw their idea of how to stay healthy. We get so many wonderful entries each year and know that heart health education is so important.

Bill Howe Plumbing in San Diego began in 1980 with a mission to deliver high quality services at affordable rates. In their 37-year history, they have added more services in San Diego including heating & air conditioning, restoration and reconstruction and epoxy drain relining. They have also expanded their mission to give back to the community through volunteer work and charitable support.

One relationship they have built over the last seven years is with the American Heart Association in San Diego. For six years of their work together, Bill Howe has sponsored a drawing contest for children ages 5-12 in San Diego. We want to help raise awareness of the American Heart Association and the great work they do in reducing heart disease in our community, said Tina Howe Vice President of Bill Howe plumbing in San Diego. Our drawing contest encourages children to draw their idea of how to stay healthy. We get so many wonderful entries each year and know that heart health education is so important.

The Howe Healthy is Your Heart Drawing contest runs from January 1 to March 31, 2017. On January 28, the company hosted their official kick-off party at Boomers in Clairemont, and appeared on CW6 San Diego Living. (Link takes you to Bill Howe's YouTube Page). Bill Howe has also invited participation from local Boys & Girls Clubs and elementary schools across the county.

The contest winners in each age category, 5-6, 7-8. 9-10. 11-12 will each receive a $100 Gift Card from Toys R Us, the Facebook Favorite will also receive a $100 Gift Card to Toys R Us. New this year is the Grand Prize. In Addition to a $250 Toys R Us gift card, the Grand Prize Winners school will receive a $1,000 donation from Bill Howe to use in physical education and/or the arts department.

Too many schools have challenges in budgets for physical education and the arts, said Bill Howe. We are excited to be able to include the schools this year and provide a donation to help them for the year.

Parents and teachers can find information about the Howe Healthy is Your Heart Drawing Contest on the Bill Howe website. Parents and teachers can download forms and find entry rules. The contest is free and open to all San Diego children ages 5-12. Entries must be postmarked by March 31, or delivered to the American Heart Association or Bill Howe office.

For more information about Bill Howe Family of Companies, visit http://www.billhowe.com, or to speak with Bill or Tina Howe regarding this announcement, contact Bill Howe Marketing Director, Julie Riddle at Julie(at)billhowe(dot)com.

About Bill Howe Family of Companies

Bill Howe Family of Companies is comprised of Bill Howe Plumbing, Inc.; Bill Howe Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.; Bill Howe Restoration & Flood Services, Inc. The family-owned and operated company began in 1980 with the plumbing division and has grown into San Diego Countys largest low-cost one-stop-shop for service, repairs and installation, offering both residential and commercial services. 9085 Aero Drive, Suite B, San Diego CA 92123. Call 1-800-BILL-HOWE because We Know Howe!
Motimatic

Motimatic, a mission-driven startup that pairs behavioral science with leading-edge advertising techniques to deliver motivational content to college students, today announced that it has secured $3.4 million in Series A funding, led by two of the nations leading education-focused venture capital firms, University Ventures and New Markets Venture Partners.

With college graduation rates at less than 55 percent, colleges and universities are under increasing pressure to improve student persistence and completion. Motimatic's technology applies theories of behavior change currently used in commercial advertising and social impact campaigns to increase engagement and improve student outcomes.

Inspired by decades of experience in education and online advertising, as well as recent research on motivation and persuasion, Motimatic delivers behavioral science-based messages to students through the social media and digital communications networks they already use, including Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter, as well as through SMS and email. The messages, designed to encourage students to persist and engage in their coursework, appear in place of the online advertising that students would normally encounter on social media sites.

In the past few months, Motimatic has experienced significant growth, adding seven new university customers and more than 10,000 students. The first major study of Motimatics impact, completed last fall with a group of 3,318 online students, found that the number of students who persisted in their studies after one year was 9% greater in the Motimatic group than in a comparison group that did not receive Motimatic messages.

Colleges and universities are grappling with the challenge of keeping pace with students shifting digital engagement and consumption habits, said Alan Tripp, co-founder and CEO of Motimatic. Motimatics system streamlines this process, enabling higher ed institutions to reach students through the familiar channels they are already using.

Motimatics turnkey system optimizes the distribution of motivational messages to specific students, drawing upon a library of more than 1,000 messages. The system personalizes the experience of each student based on academic and demographic characteristics to provide the type of targeted encouragement that has the greatest likelihood of impacting persistence and completion.

The funding round was led by University Ventures and New Markets Venture Partners, with additional participation from GSV, the Jefferson Education Accelerator, and Mike McCaffery, former CEO of the Stanford Management Corporation, which oversees the endowment at Stanford University.

Motimatics approach is unique in that it is both rooted in groundbreaking behavioral science and tailored to the digital culture of todays students, said Troy Williams, Managing Director of University Ventures. Unlike many other services that are trying to solve the student retention and persistence problem, Motimatic requires no new staff or staff time on the part of universities. Its truly turnkey and delivers results. We are excited to join them in their efforts to provide students with much-needed out-of-class support.

As post-traditional students become the new normal in higher education, these students face increasing financial, family and workforce demands, putting them at much higher risk of disengaging or dropping out. In order to respond, colleges and universities must look for innovative, evidence-based approaches to encourage and support students where they are, said Jason Palmer, General Partner at New Markets Venture Partners, who previously led the postsecondary innovation portfolio at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Motimatic and its university partners have developed a pioneering system to engage this new generation of students and improve their likelihood of graduating.

About Motimatic

Motimatic is an automatic motivation system for educational institutions seeking to improve student retention and completion. Our technology blends the latest advances in advertising technology and behavioral science to deliver motivating messages to students in place of commercial messages that theyd typically encounter on social media networks like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, as well as SMS and email. Nearly half of students who begin college never finish. Working with a wide range of educational institutions, Motimatic has the potential to increase student retention by more than 9% over the course of a year. Setting Motimatic up requires no new systems, and students do not have to "like", "follow" or download anything to receive messages. Motimatic is backed by leading venture capital firms, including University Ventures and New Markets Venture Partners.
US Storage Centers (USSC) announced the opening of a new self storage facility located at 7310 South Priest Drive, Tempe, AZ. The company had been awarded the management contract for the facility, which was converted from a furniture store.

"We are very excited to be in Tempe. Currently we have over twelve storage locations in the greater Phoenix market so, we are fortunate to be able to now serve Tempe as well," said Jason Lopez, chief marketing officer.

A grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration is scheduled for Tuesday, March 28th, and everyone in the community is invited.

The facility has 65,312 rsf of space and 606 units. Some of the advanced features include climate control storage, keypad gated access, moving carts and video recording. The storage facility is also located on a major arterial road near major box retailers, restaurants, and residential communities.

About Westport Properties - US Storage Centers

Founded in 1985, Westport Properties Inc. is the parent company of US Storage Centers (USSC) and owns and operates self storage facilities in 14 states. The Company is a fully integrated operator that develops, acquires and manages its own portfolioadditionally, the company provides third-party management services. As of February 2017, it has over 7.5 million rentable square feet under management and employs over 200 people. US Storage Centers is a founding partner of the 501(c)(3) Kure-It, a non-profit organization that raises money for underfunded cancer research, and Charity Storage, a 501(c)(3) that uses vacant storage units to raise money for local charities. To date, Kure-It has raised over $5 million and Charity Storage has raised nearly $220,000.
By architecting mobile solutions with Xamarin, we are able to minimize redundancies in code, release with uniform deployment, and extend/enhance projects seamlessly on all major device platforms.

Look Listen, a full-service digital marketing agency, announced it will be adding its name to Xamarins Premier Consulting Partner list. This initiative will elevate Look Listens development work with clients around the globe utilizing Microsofts Xamarin for Visual Studio, which helps developers build cross-platform native iOS, Android and Windows apps with a shared codebase.

We are excited to have Look Listens innovative digital experience in using Xamarin to deliver great mobile experiences for their clients, stated Greg Urquart, Senior Director, Xamarin Partner Sales. We look forward to working with Look Listen to further support their delivery of intelligent apps to their clients.

As a member of Xamarins Premier Consulting Partner Program, Look Listen will join local, national and multi-regional organizations with certified mobile expertise to deliver mobile solutions to the markets they serve.

Our Xamarin expertise allows for streamlined application development to multiple mobile devices, said Steven Burns, Vice President of Development at Look Listen. By architecting mobile solutions with Xamarin, we are able to minimize redundancies in code, release with uniform deployment, and extend/enhance projects seamlessly on all major device platforms."

About Look Listen

Look Listen is an independent, full-service digital agency with offices in Atlanta, Georgia and Denver, Colorado. Recognized as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the U.S. (#408 on the Inc. 500 in 2015), we have Centers of Excellence in Performance Media, Marketing Automation and IoT, and work across a spectrum of disciplines ranging from digital advertising to custom software engineering. We have a track record of working with global enterprises and mid-market companies in growth mode to innovate within existing products and services or ideating new offerings. Together with our clients, we Make Ideas Matter.

Connect with us: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

###
529s are a valuable savings tool for all American families, from two-income households of teachers and firefighters, to families putting aside $25 a month for a first-generation college student - Richard Polimeni, Chair of the College Savings Foundation

529 college savings plans stand out as popular and effective planning and saving tools that both encourage and enable American families across income levels to prepare for the costs of higher education. New research released by Strategic Insight, an independent financial research and data analysis organization, shows that a large majority of 529 users  75% -- have household incomes of $150,000 or less. Most participants represent solidly middle-income families  and lower-income households also recognize the benefits and need for targeted college saving, with a full 17% of 529 families having household income of $50,000 or less.

529s are a valuable savings tool for all American families, from two-income households of teachers and firefighters, to families putting aside $25 a month for a first-generation college student, said Richard Polimeni, Chair of the College Savings Foundation.

These new numbers show strength in 529 ownership in every income bracket from $25,000 to $150,000, said Paul Curley, Director of College Savings Research at Strategic Insight. A recent national survey by SI indicated that 32% of 529 users have household incomes of less than $75,000, 49% have incomes below $100,000, and as stated before, 75% have incomes below $150,000.

Not only are 529 plans embraced by families as affordable options, but they also are an efficient tax-advantaged vehicle for families. According to a recent report from The Pew Charitable Trusts, federal tax benefits for current expenses are much more costly than those which incentivize planning and saving, with 529 plans and other savings incentives coming in at less than one-tenth the cost of the largest tax incentive, the American Opportunity Tax Credit. http://www.pewtrusts.org/~/media/assets/2017/02/how-governments-support-higher-education-through-tax-code.pdf

Only 529 plans involve a long-term commitment by families to plan for the future cost of higher education through saving and investing and future planning, vital factors in tackling the nations current $1.3-trillion in student loan debt. All college savings plans are sponsored by nonprofit state agencies which work with families on goal setting and financial education in addition to providing college savings investment options.

College and career planning are life decisions as well as financial ones, Polimeni said. Plan sponsors and advisors work with individuals and families over the course of many years as they aspire to higher education, learn about college funding strategies, and reduce dependence on crippling debt.

Demonstrating the current interest in college savings in Congress, U.S. Representatives Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) and Ron Kind (D-WI) recently introduced H.R. 529, known as the 529 and ABLE Account Improvement Act of 2017. It encourages more college savings by eliminating perceived barriers, encouraging more participation by employers and further enhancing program flexibility.

On March 14-16, CSF will address innovations in college savings at its conference in Charleston, SC, College Planning Challenges and the Role of 529 Plans. President of Washington College Sheila Bair will present new initiatives she is advancing to encourage savings, reduce college debt, and free up students for brighter futures. Speakers will present tools to help families assess their childs preferred higher education path - including affordable community college and vocational training programs through graduate school - and how to start early to build the strategies to fund their goals.

The Strategic Insight data is based on a nationally representative survey of over 1,000 parents or legal guardians with children under the age of 18 earning over $25,000 fielded in February 2017.

The data corroborates CSFs findings from its annual State of College Savings survey of 800 parents across the country and income levels, which in 2016 found that 67% of all parents were saving for college and 32% of all parents owned a 529 plan.

To learn more about CSF, see http://www.collegesavingsfoundation.org

To learn more about Strategic Insight, see http://www.strategic-i.com
About the Program

When it comes to his relationship with the Nation's Judicial branch, is President Trump any different from his predecessors? With the Judicial system under its current challenge by the Trump administration how does the Judicial System deliver a check and balance to both the Executive and Legislative branches. Four veterans of the Judiciary (all active or retired judges) will weigh in on the state of the Courts in America, from The Supreme Court all the way down to local courts. They will offer an insider's look, yielding perspectives which may prove insightful to those who have questions about the future of the country and how the Nations judiciary can support the progression of Democracy.

Judges need the public to understand their role and support the judicial branch in all areas of local, state and federal capacities. GGBC's "Veterans of the Bench" will offer a few thoughts of their own about the challenges the Judicial branch faces due to the Trump administration and what, if anything the public can do to support judges everywhere.

Moderated by Club Vice President, Antonio White

Wednesday, March 1st, 2017 7am - 8:30am

Marine's Memorial Hotel

609 Sutter Street

SF, CA 94102

Tickets available at GGBCsf.org and Eventbrite.com (http://bit.ly/TrumpVJudges)

About the Golden Gate Breakfast Club

Established in 1946, the Golden Gate Breakfast Club founding mission was to "foster interest in San Francisco and to create good fellowship and understanding among its members." The club's credo is "The nicest people in the world meeting each week for breakfast, friendship and enlightenment." Every Wednesday morning members meet at 7am at the Marine's Memorial Club and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow members and their guests. Members introduce themselves and share important news in their lives or upcoming events or a joke (quality of jokes never guaranteed). At 8 am members welcome a different featured speaker from around the world. Members welcome engaging professionals from all industries including authors, politicians, musicians, artists, educators, civil servants and more. Learn more at http://www.GGBCsf.org
Representatives with Crescent Harbor Lighting (crescentharbor.com/) today announced that it has added new Hubbardton Forge Outdoor Lighting fixtures to its online store.

Were very excited to add these unique products, said Tim Fossett, president and spokesperson for Crescent Harbor Lighting, which is the online arm of The Lighthouse, a family-owned lighting company founded in 1972.

Fossett went on to explained that the near record snowfalls in the eastern United States provided the company with a good reason to update it outdoor lighting fixtures heading into the spring. Three new Hubbardton Forge Outdoor Lighting fixtures have been added.

The first newly added product is the Hubbardton Forge 302501D Ursa Small LED Outdoor Sconce. Fossett described it as a dramatic city of polished aluminum and glass. The artisans' intricate and fine attention to detail, according to Fossett, are evident in its crafting. It features two dimmable light sources and is available in Vintage Platinum or Soft Gold finish.

The second newly added product is the Hubbardton Forge 302517D Shard Large LED Outdoor Sconce, which showcases grey-colored shards embedded in thick hand-poured clear glass blocks created by the local Vermont artisans at AO Glass. An LED light reflects into and through the glass to create a captivating glow.

The third newly added product is the Hubbardton Forge 302520DL Collage Small LED Outdoor Sconce, an LED light reflects into and through the glass to create a captivating glow on the vertical metal back plate.

All of these Hubbardton Forge Outdoor Lighting fixtures that weve added to our online store look amazing indoors, Fossett said.

For more information, please visit http://blog.crescentharbor.com

About Crescent Harbor Lighting

Crescent Harbor Lighting is the online arm of The Lighthouse, a family-owned lighting company founded in 1972.

The company specializes in a high-touch customer service approach to retailing lighting fixtures, ceiling fans and other related items.

Contact Details:

Tim Fossett

President

88 York Street

US Route One

Kennebunk, Maine, 04043

Toll Free Phone: 1-888-355-9525

Local Phone: 1-207-985-3535

Fax: 1-207-985-4569

Source: Crescent Harbor Lighting

###
Registration has opened for the APNA 15th Annual Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute. By balancing psychopharmacology with nursing science, psychiatric-mental health nurses use strategies to promote not only wellness for individuals, but wellness for families and communities. Past News Releases RSS American Psychiatric Nurses...

Introducing the 2017 American...

American Psychiatric Nurses...

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) will hold its 15th Annual Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute June 8-11, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore on the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland. This event will offer up to 21.5 continuing education contact hours in psychopharmacology as well as daily networking opportunities. Registration for the Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute is now open at http://www.apna.org/CPI.

In its 15th year, the Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute (CPI) will center on the theme Integration of Psychopharmacology and Nursing Science: Strategies to Promote Healthy Brains, People, and Lives. With content on telepsychiatry, culture and violence, neuro-synaptic mechanisms of action, and more, CPI will explore the latest updates in psychopharmacology, research, and trends to support professionals providing the best care possible to their patients.

CPI will also feature keynote presentations by Xavier F. Amador, PhD, and Kevin Hines. Amador, President of the LEAP Institute and LEAP Associates, LLC, will present on using LEAP (Listen-Empathize-Agree-Partner) strategies within psychopharmacologic practice. Hines will discuss his experience of living with bipolar disorder and his story of recovery from an attempt to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge.

In order to promote whole health, providers must understand the contexts within which a patient receives care, says APNA President Kris McLoughlin, DNP, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN. By balancing psychopharmacology with nursing science, psychiatric-mental health nurses use strategies to promote not only wellness for individuals, but wellness for families and communities.

Planned for nurses by nurses, CPI is uniquely poised to provide scientific information tailored to the challenges inherent in psychiatric-mental health nursing practice. CPI is appropriate for psychiatric mental health RNs and advanced practice psychiatric nurses, particularly those who administer or prescribe medications. In addition, other health care providers interested in psychopharmacology will benefit from this program, including nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care physicians, and pharmacists.

Early bird registration pricing is in effect until May 15, when prices increase $75. Individuals can register online, by fax/mail, or by phone until June 2.

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is a national professional membership organization committed to the specialty practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing and wellness promotion, prevention of mental health problems and the care and treatment of persons with psychiatric disorders. APNAs membership is inclusive of all psychiatric-mental health registered nurses including associate degree, baccalaureate, advanced practice (comprised of clinical nurse specialists and psychiatric nurse practitioners), and nurse scientists and academicians (PhD). APNA serves as a resource for psychiatric mental health nurses to engage in networking, education, and the dissemination of research.

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited with distinction as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Centers Commission on Accreditation.
Dr. Jignesh Patel Now Welcomes New Patients for Leading Invisalign Solutions in Schaumburg, IL

New patients in need of orthodontics can now receive Invisalign in Schaumburg, IL, from Dr. Jignesh Patel, with or without a referral. Dr. Patel received his orthodontic certification in 2009 and is highly-experienced in providing leading orthodontic care. Patients who want to receive both general and cosmetic dentistry from the same practice are encouraged to meet with Dr. Patel for a convenient consultation.

Invisalign clear braces provide individuals who have crooked teeth with an alternative to traditional braces. Dr. Patel, a leading provider of orthodontics and a Preferred Provider of Invisalign in Schaumburg, IL, recommends this treatment for those who desire discreet orthodontic care. Clear braces are often requested by teens and adults who want their teeth to be straightened with one of the most comfortable and subtle methods available. Invisalign aligners have smooth surfaces that do not get caught on the sensitive tissue of the cheeks and lips, and are frequently unnoticed by patients friends and family.

Invisalign can be used to correct a variety of issues, including crowding, crooked teeth and space issues. Approximately every two weeks, the patients current aligners are switched out with new, custom aligners that continue to gently shift the teeth into the correct positions. For best results, clear aligners should be worn around 22 hours per day, or according to Dr. Patels specific instructions. They can be easily removed while eating and during oral hygiene routines to ensure proper oral health. Dr. Patel is a family and cosmetic dentist who provides Invisalign treatment, as well as other cosmetic care, to create healthy, aesthetically appealing smiles.

Patients who are interested in receiving orthodontics are encouraged to schedule an appointment for Invisalign in Schaumburg, IL. Consultations with the respected dentist, Dr. Patel, can be arranged by calling Schaumburg Dental Studio at 847-348-8673.

About the Doctor

Schaumburg Dental Studio is a general and cosmetic dental practice offering personalized dental care to patients in Schaumburg, IL since 2004. With nearly 20 years of experience, Dr. Jignesh Patel provides cutting-edge care including dental implants, laser gum disease therapy, orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry treatments. Dedicated to his patients, he frequently participates in community charities including the Dentistry from the Heart Program each year. A patient-centered office, the entire team at Schaumburg Dental Studio strives to offer leading-edge treatments using the latest technology while also making them affordable for their community. To learn more about Dr. Patel, Schaumburg Dental Studio or the services they offer, visit their website at http://www.schaumburgdentalstudio.com or call 847-348-8673 to schedule a custom consultation.
QuisLex We look forward to showcasing QuisLexs transformational solutions for corporate legal departments and law firms [at SIFMA].

QuisLex, a leading legal services provider, announced today that it will be a Presidential Sponsor of the 2017 SIFMA Compliance and Legal Society Annual Seminar. The SIFMA Compliance & Legal Society Annual Seminar is the premier event for compliance and legal professionals working in the financial services industry. This essential forum provides an opportunity for industry leaders and regulators to come together to educate each other, share ideas and concerns, and address developments and emerging trends impacting the compliance and legal community. Joe Polizzotto, Senior Vice President at QuisLex and former Deutsche Bank General Counsel - Americas says, SIFMA has been at the forefront of providing thought leadership on legal and regulatory issues affecting the financial services industry. I look forward to showcasing QuisLexs transformational solutions for corporate legal departments and law firms. The keynote speakers at the conference this year include Preet Bharara, United States Attorney, Southern District of New York, U.S. Department of Justice; Robert. W. Cook, President and Chief Executive Officer, FINRA and Jan Lynn Owen, Commissioner, California Department of Business Oversight.

The event will be held at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina from March 19th to the 22nd, 2017. The QuisLex team will be available for meetings at Booth #44 in the Pacific Ballroom. Please visit http://www.sifma.org/cl2017/ to learn more.

About QuisLex:

QuisLex is an award-winning legal services provider that specializes in managed document review, contract management, compliance services, legal spend management, and legal operations consulting. We employ operational excellence, Six Sigma based quality processes and ISO certified data security to support large-scale, complex legal projects for companies and law firms. Our more than 1,000 full-time highly trained attorneys, process experts, statisticians and linguists, work closely with our clients to help reduce cost, mitigate risk and enhance efficiency. QuisLex is regularly acknowledged as a leader in the legal services industry, and is proud to be recognized by Chambers & Partners as a Band 1 Legal Process Outsourcing Provider, New York Law Journal as a Top Managed Document Review Services Provider, and the IACCM as its Outstanding Service Provider for contract management solutions.
Digital Impact Alliance

Today, the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) announced new partnerships to help develop its Scale-up Guidance Toolkit, a resource that will enable digital service providers to learn from other practitioners that are transitioning long-term existing digital projects and products to new governance and business models. By partnering with BBC Media Action, Esoko, Johns Hopkins University Global mHealth Initiative and Vital Wave, DIAL can source best practices directly from organizations that are managing these transitions around the globe in diverse sectors and provide pragmatic how-to guidance that maturing projects can use for their own models.

Digital deployments have continued to emerge throughout the world, demonstrating a growing demand for these services across several sectors including agriculture, health and financial services. However, few have successfully scaled to reach millions of end users and many continue to face key barriers that impede growth, including ongoing capacity and knowledge gaps, and fragmentation of efforts by key actors in the ecosystem.

To help close capacity and knowledge gaps, DIAL is developing practitioner-to-practitioner level guidance that can be used when scaling digital deployments. As deployments enter various stages of maturity, a different set of challenges confront the organization including strategic, commercial, legal, technical and implementation, given that business or technical model specifications may require significant adaptation. The Scale-up Guidance Toolkit will build on and extend earlier guidance outputs, which primarily focused on providing guidance to launch and design digital development efforts, and focus more towards what it takes to sustain an initiative once launched.

By pulling from partners experience, successful real-world examples and additional research, the Toolkit will be able to identify key factors that digital deployment projects should consider across the organization, share relevant case examples, and offer tools, templates and other operational resources to help others accelerate their ability to scale. It will apply to digital deployments regardless of sector or geography and will be made publicly available to ensure that the greatest possible number of digital service providers will be able to increase their capacity to deliver quality services to vulnerable populations.

The Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) community has produced guidance over the years in helping plan and start new efforts, said Kate Wilson, CEO, Digital Impact Alliance. However, there are limited examples to inform what digital deployments should do once they reach the five-year mark. The choice you have to make is how to scale your effort or technology, but we have few proven lessons to learn from in the developing world. This work is to help answer those questions for countries and implementers who are transitioning efforts from start-up to scale.

BBC Media Action, the BBCs international development charity, which has designed, developed and scaled the Kilkari, Mobile Academy and Mobile Kunji product suite in close coordination with the Government of India, will serve as one case study to share its experiences towards more sustainable scaling. Esoko, a private for-profit social enterprise connecting smallholder farmers in Africa to agriculture markets, information and finance through simple mobile and web technologies, will also share its practices towards supporting successful scale in its digital deployments. These are mature programs that have gone through beta and launch, and are sustaining. As very few projects globally have reached this point, it is critical the digital development community learns from their approach, techniques, and tools. Johns Hopkins University Global mHealth Initiative will provide industry expertise along with technical precision and rigor for Toolkit content. Vital Wave, a professional services firm that provides end-to-end services to scale technology in low-resource environments, will work with DIAL to lead the research, creation and iterative design of the Toolkit. The firms history of working across sectors and industry verticals such as health, finance and education, will complement the other partners expertise, leading to a practical yet robust tool to further enable the scale of digital implementations.

###

About DIAL

The Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) aims to realize a more inclusive digital society in emerging markets, in which all women, men and children benefit from life-enhancing, mobile-based digital services. A partnership among USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Swedish Government and the United Nations Foundation, DIALs efforts help accelerate the collective efforts of government, industry and development organizations to realize this vision. http://www.digitalimpactalliance.org.

Contact: Paul Quirk, DIAL

Tel: +1-202-864-5148

pquirk(at)digitalimpactalliance(dot)org
Drug Rehabilitation and Alcohol Treatment Center Our Canada Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs Directory has been well used by patients, families, and professionals looking for addiction therapy throughout Canada not just in British Columbia, Vancouver, or Victoria.

Sunshine Coast Health Centre (SCHC), recognized as one of the top drug rehabilitation and alcohol treatment programs in British Columbia, Canada, at https://www.sunshinecoasthealthcentre.ca/, is excited to announce an innovative website redesign for its directory website at http://www.canadadrugrehab.ca/. The Canada Drug Rehab website is a public directory of drug, alcohol, and other addiction programs throughout Canada.

Our Canada Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs Directory has been well used by patients, families, and professionals looking for addiction therapy throughout Canada not just in British Columbia, Vancouver, or Victoria, explained Casey Jordan, Chief Marketing Officer. Our new website redesign improves the efficiency of the site, bringing its resources to an even broader audience of Canadians in need.

To view the drug rehab and alcohol treatment directory, visit http://www.canadadrugrehab.ca/. There, one can create a search for both cities and provinces to find available clinics, centers, and therapists who can help men and women get help for their drug and alcohol addictions. For example, a search for Vancouver programs would show medical programs, government-funded clinics, outpatient or private practice physicians, residential adult and/or youth treatment programs, first nation programs, alcoholics anonymous meetings, narcotics anonymous meetings, and miscellaneous resources. Those seeking private in-patient drug or alcohol treatment for men in Vancouver can visit the Center's own page at https://www.sunshinecoasthealthcentre.ca/vancouver-alcohol-treatment/.

Website Information on Drug and Alcohol Addiction for all of Canada

For many people suffering from addiction, as well as their families, the first step is an Internet search. People go to search engines such as Google Canada and type in search queries like 'drug rehab programs' or 'alcohol treatment centers,' often looking for programs in their own city. A Vancouver resident, for example, might start her search looking for Vancouver-based programs, whereas a Calgary resident might start his search looking for Calgary-based programs. The newly designed Canada website has information organized by city and by province. The website also has a lively blog touching on frequently asked questions of addiction treatment issues of family, friends, society and addiction. The new website design brings this cornucopia of information to one's fingertips.

About Sunshine Coast Health Centre

Sunshine Coast Health Centre is a 36 bed drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility exclusively designed for men, officially opened on the 15th of March, 2014. The Centre has a philosophy of care that goes beyond just addiction to include personal transformation based on three key therapeutic principles: interpersonal relatedness, self definition (autonomy & competence), and intrinsic motivation. The Centre offers both drug rehabilitation and alcohol treatment near Vancouver, BC, but serving patients across Canada, particularly British Columbia and Alberta and cities such as Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer. Sunshine Coast Health Centre uses a form of drug rehabilitation based on the methodology of Viktor Frankl, namely 'Meaning Centered Therapy'.

Website. http://www.sunshinecoasthealthcentre.ca
Safe Harbor LLP, a Top San Francisco Bay Area CPA Firm Many publicly traded corporations need both audit services and tax preparation services.

Safe Harbor LLP, a top San Francisco Accounting Firm at http://www.safeharborcpa.com/, is proud to announce a key post on the interrelated issues of business tax preparation and audit services. Many businesses and corporations in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California may be concerned about using the same CPA firm for both their tax preparation and required audits. The post goes into this issue in detail with a special focus on publicly traded companies.

Many publicly traded corporations need both audit services and tax preparation services, explained Chun Wong, Managing Partner at Safe Harbor LLP. In the current regulatory environment, they may be concerned, however, about using the same CPA firm for both their tax return preparation and required tax filings as well as any required audits. As one of the leading San Francisco Bay Area accounting firms for businesses, both privately held and publicly traded, we thought it timely to publish something on this issue.

Persons interested in reading the post in its entirety should visit http://www.safeharborcpa.com/choosing-a-cpa-firm-for-your-san-francisco-bay-area-business-audits-and-tax-return-preparation/. Those interested in learning more about business tax preparation services should visit http://www.safeharborcpa.com/business-tax/. Journalists, bloggers, and interested parties are urged to reach out to Safe Harbor LLP directly, as no two situations are alike and the blog post is meant, not as tax advice, but as general commentary on the situation.

California Businesses and Corporations Face Increased Regulatory Requirements

With the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, concerns grew about perceived conflicts of interest in any CPA or Accounting Firm that both prepared a corporation's tax filings and conducted any required audits. The new law did not explicitly prohibit using the same accounting firm, but nonetheless many publicly traded corporations raised the issue. At the same time, the Dodd-Frank law also created heightened scrutiny of financial firms and contributed to a general awareness of all corporations (whether covered by these laws or not) of the need to get their accounting houses in order. In addition, small businesses, including the very frothy San Francisco startup community, became aware of the value that audited financials and other aspects of a close relationship with a CPA firm could bring as they attempted to raise money from the public whether via IPOs or other types of venture capital funding. Safe Harbor LLP, accordingly, took the lead as one of the best boutique CPA firms in the San Francisco Bay Area for both publicly traded companies as well as those only at the startup stage. This new blog post is a new example of the firm's continuing commitment to educating the public about the need for efficient tax services for businesses that can work together with the need for audited financials or other types of audit services.

About Safe Harbor LLP  a Professional CPA Firm in San Francisco

Safe Harbor LLP is a CPA firm that specializes in accounting and tax services for individuals and businesses throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and greater California. Safe Harbor CPAs helps both individuals and businesses with tax preparation, IRS audit defense, and audited financial statements. The firm prides itself on friendly yet professional service and utilizes state-of-the-art Internet technology to provide quality customer service.

Safe Harbor CPA

http://www.safeharborcpa.com

Tel. 415.742.4249
Philip Shindler DDS

Agoura Hills dentist, Dr. Philip Shindler, is offering a limited time promotion on Invisalign. Invisaligns orthodontic system has quickly become one of the most popular ways for teens and adults to achieve their best smiles. It uses clear trays to shift the position of each tooth. The trays are comfortable and nearly invisible, making treatment more subtle and discreet. Invisalign can treat orthodontic problems such as overbites, underbites, crossbites, and spacing issues.

The special promotion includes $500 off Invisalign. Dr. Shindler offers a variety of Invisalign treatment options, including:

1. Invisalign

Classic Invisalign is the ideal solution for most orthodontic problems, including crossbite, overbite, underbite, gaps, crowding, and crooked teeth. Most people who are candidates for braces are also candidates for Invisalign, but patients will need to visit an Invisalign dentist such as Dr. Philip Shindler to determine their candidacy.

2. Invisalign Express

Patients with minor orthodontic problems or orthodontic relapse, or who are candidates for smile makeovers may benefit from Invisalign Express. Invisalign Express is a streamlined version of Invisalign designed to work quickly and efficiently often in just six months.

3. Invisalign Teen

Younger patients have special orthodontic needs that are often best addressed through Invisalign Teen. Invisalign Teen features eruption tabs, which accommodate erupting teeth, and Blue Dot indicators, which remind them to wear and change their aligners on schedule.

Invisalign may be covered by dental insurance plan and might be reimbursed through flexible savings accounts. Special financing options are also available. Dr. Shindler also offers other treatments, including porcelain veneers, dental implant restorations, dental crowns and bridges, CariFree, teeth whitening, dental cleanings, and bruxism mouth guards.

About Dr. Philip Shindler

Dr. Shindler is a member of the Alpha Omega Dental Society, the Conejo Valley Academy, the California Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. A graduate of WITS University in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dr. Shindler completed a postgraduate program at UCLA after immigrating to California in 1981. He is certified to restore dental implants by Nobel Biocare, and he volunteers at Wildlife Waystation performing animal dentistry.
Attorney Chukwuemeka Chuck Chionuma It feels like I just started yesterday, and I still approach each case as a fresh case with the same level of enthusiasm as I did coming fresh out of law school. Past News Releases RSS Attorney Chuck Chionuma Educates...

Personal injury attorney Chukwuemeka Chuck Chionuma, founder of Chionuma Law Firm, is celebrating his thirtieth year practicing law. It feels like I just started yesterday, and I still approach each case as a fresh case with the same level of enthusiasm as I did coming fresh out of law school, said Chionuma, who also focuses on product liability and medical malpractice. I am still very meticulous in doing everything right for my clients, and they dont get disappointed along the way.

During the course of his thirty-year legal career, Chionuma has received numerous citations from the city of Kansas City, MO, and has had several articles published in the Wall Street Journal, Lawyers Weekly, Kansas City Business Journal and Kansas City Star. He also does a lot of pro bono work for juveniles and Hispanic members of the community.

Mr. Chionuma is very professional and adept in the legal field. If you want someone that is professional, personable, meticulous and that will fight for you, Mr. Chionuma is the attorney you are looking for, said client Felicia P.

Chionuma is renowned for putting his clients needs first, and understands that each clients case means the world to them. I go out of my way to respect that, concluded Chionuma. No matter how large or small the case is, I give each case the same level of attention.

About Chukwuemeka Chuck Chionuma, Chionuma Law Firm, LLC

Attorney Chukwuemeka Chuck Chionuma has 30 years of extensive courtroom trial experience representing private individuals as well as some of the worlds largest companies. Practice areas of the Chionuma Law Firm include personal injury matters such as car accidents, large truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, drunk driving accidents, slip and falls, premises liability, dram shop liability cases and more. For more information, please call (816) 421-5544, or visit http://www.chionumalaw.com. The law office is located at 3339 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64109.

About the NALA

The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALAs mission is to promote a business relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361.
Aha!, a strategic online qualitative platform for consumer and B2B research, will be featured at the Quirks Marketing Research and Insights Conference in Orange County, California, on February 28th to March 1st. Over 1000 members from the marketing research and brand management community will be attending the consumer insights conference.

The Quirks Event gives us a unique opportunity to demonstrate how easy our technology makes it for brands, marketing research consultants and ad agencies to easily create engaging online consumer or B2B studies at a fraction of the cost of traditional research studies, said Ray Fischer, CEO of Aha!

The comprehensive suite of dynamic online qual tools, developed in collaboration with the users of the platform, features social and mobile-friendly activities including projective techniques like storytelling, collage building, perceptual mapping and community tools, such as pinboards and wishing walls.

The newest version of Ahas collage builder goes beyond traditional collage tools by adding the ability to use it as a strategic concept mark-up tool and offers custom "journey mapping", as well.

The collage tool is truly unique in its ability to allow drag-and-drop image selection along with the addition of words and phrases to the canvas. This is perfect for projective and symbolic exercises but also has shown great promise as a whiteboard for respondents to share images from their lives and annotate them with descriptive phrases, said Fischer.

Aha! also features intuitive drag-and-drop technology, making it simple to set up studies quickly. And the dashboard navigation and analytics tools are state of the art. Aha! is backed by experienced training and support from researchers who know how to use the technology to maximize the learning.

To learn more, contact Ray Fischer at 810-599-9440 or visit AhaOnlineResearch.com
ITsavvy, one of the fastest growing companies of its type in the U.S., received the 2017 Innovation in Specialist IT Solutions award from UK-based CorporateLiveWirea leading technology resource with more than 50,000 readers.

The publisher invited over 100,000 business professionals, the general public and CorporateLiveWire subscribers to nominate associations, companies and individuals based on their recent achievements. ITsavvy was the only company in North America to win this award.

This year, an unprecedented number of nominations led to strong competition in every category; all nominees were subject to the same rigorous assessment criteria. The final judging panel was comprised of the publications experienced in-house professionals.

ITsavvy President and CEO Mike Theriault said, We are very pleased that we won this award. Although we have won many awards over years, this is especially important to us because it reflects our global reputation for innovative solutions and is a reflection on the capabilities of our Engineered Solutions team of professionals."

With decades of IT experience and more than 300 certifications, ITsavvys Engineered Solutions team architects client-specific solutions and delivers turn-key results that are both efficient and strategic. The Engineered Solutions team partners with industry leaders; provides readily available product advice and project support; and customizes configurations that follow clients processes, achieve security targets, and meet or exceed performance requirements.

ITsavvy is a leader in tailored, end-to-end IT product and service solutions. ITsavvy built its reputation as a value-added reseller with industry-leading product availability, design and implementation, client support and delivery speed through 46 distribution centers across the U.S. ITsavvy also has datacenter locations in Cedar Knolls N.J. and Oak Brook, Ill. The companys user-friendly website provides concise, leading-edge IT decision-making resources, including an

e-commerce site with real-time pricing and availability. ITsavvy is headquartered in Addison, Ill., with offices in Chicagos Loop; Hauppauge, N.Y.; New York, N.Y.; Naples, Fla.; Miami; Indianapolis; Warren, N.J; Davenport, Iowa; Hayward, Calif.; and Beavercreek, Ohio. Call 855.ITsavvy (855.487.2889), email info(at)ITsavvy(dot)com, visit http://www.ITsavvy.com.

Full release at: http://www.itsavvy.com/itsavvy-named-leading-technology-innovator-global-publication/
Uniform & Linen Service in NY We're excited about our competitive quote program for Spring, 2017, for NYC residents needing linen services.

Stamford Uniform and Linen, a top-rated linen service operating in New York City including Brooklyn at http://www.stamfordlinen.com/, is proud to announce a special competitive quote and analysis program for potential linen service customers.

During March, 2017, any customer who owns a business in the city of New York can reach out to Stamford Linen for a zero cost competitive quote analysis. Once the client provides details about the current pricing he or she is receiving from a competitive linen service company, including the volumes of linens (e.g., uniforms, linens, towels, napkins, etc.) being cleaned and processed, Stamford Uniform and Linen will not only analyze their current pricing and contract but will generate a competitive quote.

Even in New York City, many small business owners such as restaurants, are not aware of what they are spending on linen rentals and a complete linen service. The so-called Big Boys hide behind fancy contracts and obfuscate the true costs of a linen service. We have many satisfied customers in both Brooklyn and Manhattan who have urged us to restart our competitive quote program. In this way, we are helping small business owners in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx to minimize their costs and get the detailed, incredible linen service that we know that they deserve. explained Paul McDonald, CEO of Stamford Uniform and Linen. Anyone who wants a quote on linen service in Brooklyn or NYC in general, merely needs to visit our website during March and mention this offer. Of course, the offer is limited, so they need to hurry.

To view the newly updated linen services page please visit http://www.stamfordlinen.com/linen-service/. Those who are ready to request a custom quote, should visit http://www.stamfordlinen.com/free-estimate-contact/ and mention the March, 2017, custom quote program.

A Small Business Linen Service for Small Businesses

Many local Brooklyn or other NYC businesses mistakenly believe that they need a linen service must be big to be good. Many of the so-called big boys in the linen business pride themselves on high prices and terrible customer service. They act as if they are doing a small business a favor by working with them on their linen service and uniform needs. This type of customer last approach no longer works for businesses in areas such as Brooklyn. Brooklyn today has one of the most competitive and most vibrant restaurant scenes in the United States if not the world. Small businesses there need a linen service provider that is a small business like them  at least in terms of costs, efficiency, and customer service. However, most small business owners are too busy to understand the terms and conditions of their linen service contract. The big boy lawyers have written onerous contract terms into the contracts, and use FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) to intimidate business owners from even investigating their contract terms, let alone asking for a competitive bid.

This new competitive quote program from Stamford Uniform and Linen aims to level the playing field. A small business owner such as a Brooklyn restaurant merely needs to visit the Stamford Uniform and Linen website, and mention that he or she would like a competitive quote analysis. Stamford Linens specialized experts will then shift into high gear, and analyze the numbers. A Stamford Linen employee will then either meet with the business owner in person, or over the phone, to go over point-by-point how they can a) save money with Stamford Linen, and/or b) get better quality service. In the rare case in which the linen service contract is a good one, the business owner will have lost nothing as this service costs no money.

About Stamford Uniform and Linen

Stamford Uniform and Linen is a top-rated commercial delivery service. Stamford Uniform and Linen offers pickup and delivery service for the greater New York City area. Locations available include Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. As opposed to a traditional uniform supply company, the company rents uniforms or linens making it easier than ever for small businesses. Stamford Uniform is available to businesses looking for restaurant uniforms for chefs, cooking staff, wait staff and bartenders. Restaurant table linens and hotel linens are also available. To contact the best uniform and linen supply service, go to the website.
Las Vegas Skin and Cancer Center - A West Dermatology Company Were excited to open this renovated clinic and provide the local community with the best dermatological products, services, and care on the West Coast, said Mr. Kane.

Las Vegas Skin and Cancer Clinic (LVSCC) is proud to announce the grand reopening of its revamped South Rancho location on Friday, March 10, 2017, 4-7 pm PST. For more than six decades, LVSCC has provided the Las Vegas community with expert dermatological care, but this clinic, located in the South Rancho neighborhood, has been renovated to provide medical and cosmetic dermatological products and services. Patients at the newly renovated South Rancho location will have access to cutting-edge technology, superior customer service, and an unsurpassed staff of top dermatology doctors and medical professionals. LVSCC is also a member of the West Dermatology network of practices, which includes multiple locations throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona.

We chose to renovate this particular location because we wanted to maintain our Las Vegas identity and give back to the South Rancho community that has been so good to us, Chris Kane, CEO of LVSCC and West Dermatology said. In our 62 years of service, were proud that both our services and our locations have grown in number. This would not be possible without the support of the Las Vegas community or without the commitment of the excellent doctors and medical professionals on our staff.

The South Rancho clinic reopening ceremony will include several of the staff doctors who will meet with members of the local community to discuss their skin care needs. Among the doctors expected to attend are Dr. Paul English, Dr. Lucius Blanchard, Dr. Clifton Hall, Dr. Frederick Herman, Dr. Brent D. Michaels, and Dr. Mitchel Goldman. Along with the rest of the fine staff, they will provide a wide range of treatments and services for both medical and cosmetic dermatological conditions.

The Rancho office is a prime area for our patients, that has been around for over 20 years. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for this clinic alongside West Dermatology, added Dr. Lucius Blanchard, Nevada Medical Director.

The doctors on our staff are board-certified dermatologists with the experience, skills, and training to address such issues as skin cancer and other medical dermatological issues, Mr. Kane said. Additionally, we have an allergist on staff with Dr. Frederick Herman. He specializes in allergies and immunological concerns in addition to his dermatology expertise; in fact, hes the only psoriasis specialist within 300 miles.

LVSCC/West Dermatology is the leading dermatology clinic network in the country, and, in renovating this South Rancho location, they hope to show their continued commitment to serving the Las Vegas community. The clinic will adhere to the LVSCC/West motto of love your skin with the latest, most effective products and services for skin conditions ranging from skin cancer and psoriasis to acne and wrinkle reduction. To learn more about the clinic as well as the ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 10, 2017, visit http://WestDermatology.com/Las-Vegas-Skin-Cancer/.

Were excited to open this renovated clinic and provide the local community with the best dermatological products, services, and care on the West Coast, explained Mr. Kane. Our passion is to serve our patients and our goal is to build a lasting bond with the community. We invite everyone out to our ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, March 10, 2017, 4-7 pm. We hope to see you then and there, but if not, stop by and visit the location after that date for all of your skin care needs and concerns.

For more than 60 years, LVSCC/West has been providing patients with the best treatment possible through a combination of expertise, compassion, convenience, and comprehensive care. Through multiple locations across the West Coast in California, Nevada, and Arizona, West Dermatology offers a network composed of millions of patients with 24/7 access to doctors, records, and bill payment.

For more information please visit http://www.WestDermatology.com.

West Dermatology

18831 Von Karman Ave. #300

Irvine, CA 92612

(949) 572-2980

info(at)westdermatology(dot)com
The TripleHelix Framework AssuredScanDKV is the only tool which can detect and show you how to shut down the vulnerabilities in a clients software in real world time.

On March 1, 2017, new ground-breaking cybersecurity regulations issued by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) go into effect. In addition to requiring most financial service organizations operating in the state to install a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), report breaches within 72 hours, and use multifactor authentication, the regulation further requires a comprehensive organizational cybersecurity risk assessment with regular updates, annual penetration testing and bi-annual software vulnerability scans. Organizations have 180 days to achieve compliance with the new law. The keys to understanding the new law lie in risk assessment and mitigation and in the implied common law requirement to adopt the best available, commercially reasonable, solutions.

The new NYS regulations and Assured Enterprises comprehensive cyber risk assessment system, TripleHelix, map perfectly to one another. TripleHelix provides a roadmap of improvements by assessing thousands of data points; it also provides a CyberScorethe most accurate system of determining cyber health. CyberScore can be used as a benchmarking tool and as a measurement tool to assess the efficacy of changes in the total environment. Penetration testing, encryption and other requirements are offered as part of the TripleHelix annual assessment.

Perhaps the most extraordinary overlap between TripleHelix and the NYDFS Regulations is the requirement to scan for software vulnerabilities on a bi-annual basis. Only AssuredScanDKV is able to Detect the Known Vulnerabilities lurking within the software running on your network. Only AssuredScanDKV, with its patent pending system, can unpack or unbundle Libraries and DLLs within Executables for a full binary scan. And only AssuredScanDKV provides detailed remediation information and prioritization of risk to make the system actionable and user friendly. According to a Senior Officer of a client agency, AssuredScanDKV was easy to use, operated without defects or bugs and empowered [the Agency] to eliminate known software vulnerabilities within [its] software. More on this agency case study here: https://www.assured.enterprises/us-government-military-agency/

TripleHelix goes further. Assured can deliver virtually any regulatory, compliance, third party assessment, best practices report (PCI, HIPAA, FFIEC, ISO, NCUA, ISF and many more) including the compliance forms for the NYDSF Regulations directly into a clients proprietary Regulatory Compliance Dossier. The report, available from Assured as part of a TripleHelix assessment, satisfies the annual statement of compliance which entities must submit by February 15th each year as required by NYDFS regulations. Virtually all cybersecurity regulatory standards can be addressed in an Assured company-specific Regulatory Compliance Dossier.

TripleHelix and AssuredScanDKV are designed for major enterprises, but each is scalable to suit the needs of smaller operationsincluding all covered entities under the regulationfirms with 10+ employees.

Some 80% of the successful attacks against corporate America, and the Russian hack of the Democratic National Committee, according to the FBI and DHS, exploited known vulnerabilities in the software to launch its malware attack, explained Stephen M. Soble, CEO of Assured. AssuredScanDKV is the only tool which can detect and show you how to shut down the vulnerabilities in a clients software in real world time, he added.

Assureds TripleHelix comprehensive cybersecurity assessment system revolutionizes the requirement of annual or more frequent cybersecurity assessments. We have shunned the tick-the-box mentality and devised a granular, data-driven approach, which offers certifications and reports, a roadmap of improvements and a CyberScore--a process which is more powerful and useful than any other assessment system on the market, including those offered by the Big Four accounting and audit firms, Soble detailed.

Assured Enterprises clients include agencies in the most sensitive levels of the U.S. Government, companies among the Global Fortune 200, small and medium sized software developers, professional services providers and others. A soon to be released new product provides for the most comprehensive encryption key management on the market.

About Assured Enterprises:

Assured Enterprises offers a holistic approach to cybersecurity which includes: comprehensive assessments, testing, world class services and a proprietary product line designed to offer proactive cybersecurity.
Inside.Brookings intranet powered by OneWindow Workplace turnkey intranet. "OneWindow Workplace intranet provides Brookings a rapid and cost-effective way to achieve our core business needs. The solution leverages most of the Office 365 applications with very little training," says CIO, Theron Kelso of The Brookings Institution.

Portal Solutions, a technology consulting firm that designs and delivers modern digital workplaces on Microsoft Office 365 and SharePoint platforms, announces The Brookings Institution has selected its turnkey, intranet-as-a-service solution OneWindow Workplace, for their digital workplace.

One of Washington, D.C.s oldest think tanks, The Brookings Institution (Brookings) conducts in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.

Brookings was looking for an intranet solution which would meet many different requirements for its Microsoft Office 365 cloud investment including: clean, simple easy-to use layout; robust search function; straightforward navigation; mobile accessible, ability to embed images and videos; fully functional electronic forms and built-in IT support for maintenance and updates.

OneWindow Workplace checked all the boxes that were required by Brookings for their intranet overhaul. It unifies the Office 365 experience and features a modern, clean tile-based design; built-in relevant search and discovery engine with personalization; easy to use navigation; and all features are accessible anywhere on any device at any time.

Our decision regarding the right solution for our intranet initiative was a careful one. We went through a thorough selection process and ultimately, OneWindow Workplace provides Brookings a rapid and cost-effective way to achieve our core business needs. The fact it is built for Office 365 was important to us. The solution allows us to leverage most of the Office 365 applications with very little training. I think we will really see our return on investment here, says Chief Information Officer, Theron Kelso of The Brookings Institution. Kelso continued, We are into our second week since launching our new intranet, branded Inside.Brookings, and its exciting to see everyone using it.

Its been great working with The Brookings Institution on this very important initiative. OneWindow Workplace provides a one stop shop for all collaboration needs allowing Brookings' employees to work remotely, share and find documents easily and access links quickly without leaving OneWindow, comments Daniel Cohen-Dumani, Chief Executive Officer of Portal Solutions.

OneWindow Workplace is a turnkey intranet solution built on top of Office 365 and integrates many Office 365 workloads including SharePoint Online, Yammer, Delve, Videos, Planner, Skype for Business, Office Graph and OneDrive for Business. OneWindow Workplace, can be deployed in 80% less time than custom solutions.

About OneWindow Workplace

OneWindow Workplace is designed, built and maintained by Portal Labs, LLC and marketed by Portal Solutions. Portal Labs is a research and development company focused on the continuous innovation of OneWindow Workplace, a turnkey, ready-to-go social intranet solution built on the Microsoft Office 365 platform. OneWindow Workplace is an Intranet as a Service solution integrating the components of Office 365 in a single window, where organizations can rapidly improve user productivity and fully experience a mobile and cloud-first digital workplace environment. Portal Labs is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. Find more information at http://www.onewindowapp.com.

About Portal Solutions

Portal Solutions designs and delivers modern digital workplaces on Microsoft Office 365 and SharePoint platforms to help organizations effectively share what they know and find what they need  anywhere, anytime and on any device. Portal Solutions is a Microsoft Gold Cloud Partner focusing on Office 365, SharePoint, Azure, Power BI, Enterprise Mobility + Security and Yammer. Founded in 2003, Portal Solutions is a privately-held company headquartered in Bethesda, Md., with a regional office in Woburn, Mass. Learn more at http://www.portalsolutions.net.

About The Brookings Institution

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit organization devoted to independent research and policy solutions. Its mission is to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, to provide innovative, practical recommendations for policymakers and the public. Learn more at http://www.brookings.edu
Official WPC logo ...there has never been a program that involves photography like this. Now we have it in the World Photographic Cup.

The 2017 World Photographic Cup winners were announced on February 23rd at the WPC 2017 Photo Show at the Grand Intercontinental Hotel in Yokohama, Japan. For the second year in a row, the winner of the 2017 World Photographic Cup was Team Portugal. The second place went to United States of America, with Russia taking third.

The World Photographic Cup (WPC) was organized in cooperation with the Professional Photographers of Japan Association (PPJ) and is sponsored by the Federation of European Professional Photographers (FEP), Professional Photographers of America (PPA), the United Asian Professional Photography (UAPP) and the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP).

26 national photographic teams entered the fourth edition of the Olympics-styled competition, from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North America and Oceania. The results now make Portugal and the United States tied for most WPC wins at two each. The Golden medals in the six categories went to:

Dusan Holovej (Slovakia) for the Commercial category.

Antti Karppinen (Finland) for the Illustrative category.

Pepe Soho (Mexico) for the Nature (landscape and wildlife) category.

Eelena Malysheva (Russia) for the Portrait category.

Goh Wee Seng (Singapore) for Reportage/Photo Journalism category.

Lee Howell (United Kingdom) for the Wedding category.

Congratulations to Team Portugal for winning the WPC two times in a row, and all the winners. An incredibly close competition, with a huge variety of winners, from four continents, is exactly what the WPC committee could hope for, commented the Chairman of WPC Judging Committee Jorgen Brandt. It has been amazing to see so many beautiful images coming from around the globe, and really difficult to judge them!

Its a unique feeling coming out from a unique competition  added Giuseppe Scozzi, WPC Chief Executive. Representing their homeland at any level is an amazing opportunity and there has never been a program that involves photography like this. Now we have it in the World Photographic Cup. We really experienced the groundswell of enthusiasm from photographers to create the finest they can in the hope of representing their country!

Scozzi also thanked the companies (Chromaluxe, Koylab, Comet Corporation, Hokushin and Photo Create) for their support for the WPC and to the professional photographers around the globe. He also thanked the Professional Photographers of Japan Association for having organized the event, and announced that the next hosting country will be Australia in 2018.

For more information and to see the entire list of medalists head to http://www.worldphotographiccup.org.

About the World Photographic Cup:

Founded in 2013 as a cooperative effort by The Federation of European Photographers (FEP) and Professional Photographers of America (PPA), the WPCs singular goal is to unite photographers in a spirit of friendship and cooperation. A Governing Committee (from seven different countries) has been created to conduct the ongoing affairs of the competition, also supported by UAPP (United Asian Professional Photography) and AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photography).

About PPA:

Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is the largest international nonprofit association created by professional photographers, for professional photographers. Almost as long-lived as photography itself, PPA has roots that date back to 1869. It assists nearly 30,000 members through protection, education and resources for their continued success. See how PPA helps photographers be more at PPA.com/BeMore.
If you are new to iQ you can schedule a demo and learn more about this opportunity.

PSFK iQ - Where Innovators Turn for Research. Our professional-grade research platform is designed specifically for Retail and CX leaders who want to know whats next. Whether youre staying current on trends or need a real-time research partner to help you get ahead, count on PSFK iQ to deliver the info you need to make your next move.
International citizenship and residence advisory firm, Henley & Partners is opening a new office in St. Lucia, its fourth office in the Caribbean region. The firm will work closely with the Government of St. Lucia to promote its relatively new and very competitive citizenship-by-investment program.

The St. Lucia office is led by Managing Partner Mark D. Maragh, an experienced local attorney-at-law with an extensive track record both in the law and international financial services. Maragh says the firm is keen to promote and position the program to attract only the best applications from around the world. The program is the newest investment migration program in the region, having launched just over a year ago. St. Lucia has great value to offer, especially to single applicants as they can benefit from the most competitive investment threshold in the region.

Henley & Partners supports recent improvements to the St. Lucia Citizenship-by-Investment Program. St. Lucia is ranked 37th globally on the Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index, a highly-regarded index which the firm has published annually with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for more than a decade. The island nation offers its citizens visa-free access to 127 countries, including the EUs Schengen area, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong. On the Henley & Partners  Kochenov Quality of Nationality Index, St. Lucia is ranked 86th, performing well in terms of its Human Development and Diversity of Travel Freedom scores.

There are currently four routes to citizenship through the program; a contribution of USD 100,000 (for single applicants) to the National Economic Fund (NEF), a real estate purchase of USD 300,000 with a five-year holding period, an investment of USD 3.5 million into an approved enterprise project, or an investment of USD 500,000 into government bonds.

The requirements of the St. Lucia Citizenship-by-Investment Program are strict but reasonable and the procedures are efficient. The application process takes no longer than four months from the submission of the application to the issuance of the passport, assuming there are no areas of concern with the application.

Program Requirements

The St. Lucia Citizenship-by-Investment Program requires a person to make a significant economic contribution to the country. In exchange, and subject to a stringent application process and due diligence checks, the applicants and qualifying dependents are granted full citizenship. The main applicant must be at least 18 years old to qualify, meet the application requirements, and select one of the following investment options:

An investment in an approved real estate development with a minimum value of USD 300,000, which must be held for a minimum period of five years  additional costs may also be incurred depending on the real estate developer An investment in an approved Enterprise Project (as set out in the regulations) with a minimum investment of USD 3.5 million plus the creation of no less than three permanent jobs; or a joint investment of USD 6 million (each applicant contributing a minimum of USD 1 million) plus the creation of no less than six permanent jobs

For the above two options, the following government administration fees will also apply: Main applicant  USD 50,000

Spouse  USD 35,000

Dependent under 18 years  USD 25,000

Dependent 18 years and older  USD 35,000 A non-refundable contribution to the National Economic Fund (NEF) of USD 100,000 (for a single applicant). An applicant may make the contribution under one of the four following categories: Main applicant  USD 100,000

Main applicant and spouse  USD 165,000

Main applicant, spouse and up to two other qualifying dependents  USD 190,000

Each additional qualifying dependent of any age  USD 25,000 Investment in non-interest bearing government bonds, which must be held for five years (this option is valid until 31 March 2017). An applicant may invest under one of the four following categories: Main applicant  USD 500,000

Main applicant and spouse  USD 535,000

Main applicant, spouse and up to two other qualifying dependents  USD 550,000

Each additional qualifying dependent of any age  USD 25,000

Procedures and time frame

Application requirements are reasonable and relatively straightforward

Generally speaking, the application process should take no longer than four months from submission of the application to issuance of the passport

Under the real estate option, the time frame may vary depending on the development chosen

Key advantages

A St. Lucian passport provides visa-free travel to 127 countries, including Europes Schengen area, the UK, Hong Kong and Singapore

There are no residence or visitation requirements

St. Lucia recognizes dual citizenship

Citizenship can be passed on to future generations by descent

A range of investment options are available

The investment and processing costs are reasonable

For more information about the St. Lucia Citizenship-by-Investment Program, please visit our website and download our factsheet: https://www.henleyglobal.com/citizenship-stlucia-overview/
Childrens Books Boston hosted a wide-ranging discussion between two prominent fantasy authors at a Midwinters Night Fantasy Panel, held at Simmons College on February 23. Bestselling writers Kristin Cashore and Tui Sutherland discussed the challenges of writing fantasy stories, the importance of doing so for younger readers, and the craft that goes into their work, with moderator Martha Parravano, executive editor of the Horn Book.

Billed as an exploration of what inspires fantasy authors, the evening kicked off with Sutherland and Cashores recollections of the books they read as children. Sutherland, author of the Wings of Fire series, grew up in Paraguay with a limited selection of books, but her mother read stories to her and her siblings from a young age. My mom had this crazy New Zealand accent, she told the audience, and she would read Roald Dahl to us, and she sounded exactly like the Witches.

Sutherland spoke fondly of reading Anne McCaffreys Harper Hall trilogy and similar fantasy books. In contrast, Cashore said she hardly read any science fiction or fantasy. The Graceling author was drawn instead to Agatha Christie and the Nancy Drew series. Among more recently discovered influences, both spoke admiringly of the mid-20th century British writer Georgette Heyer.

The authors, who are also close friends and former college classmates, then shifted to a broad conversation that touched on all aspects of writing and publishing. Asked whether fantasy books are an escape from reality, they noted that real-world themes are prevalent throughout their series. Sutherland observed that Cashores books have political relevance, frequently exploring the danger of gaslightingmanipulating a persons sense of what is true.

In Sutherlands own books, parenting is a common theme. She wrote the first book in the Wings of Fire series while pregnant with her first child and joked that, I write the worst parents possible as reassurance that Im not that bad. Cashore argued that all writing is an escape of some kind or another. Even realism isnt real, she told the audience of readers and industry professionals.

Both Cashore and Sutherland candidly discussed their relationships with their respective editors, Kathy Dawson and Amanda Maciel. Cashore credited Dawsons diverse background as an editor of non-fantasy books with guiding her to the right voice for her forthcoming multi-genre release Jane, Unlimited (due out in September). Sutherland, who also has a forthcoming book, believes Maciels experience as an author helps foster a supportive and successful relationship.

Sutherland and Cashore praised the engagement of readers and expressed pleasure that people of all ages write fan fiction and send them ideas and suggestions. At the same time, they said that they rarely look too closely at what comes their way, in order to ensure that the ideas in their books remain free from influence.

The importance of character-driven narrative was a recurring theme throughout the panel. Sutherland spoke of fantasy writingand writing in generalas an exploration of character-focused curiosity. Theres curiosity about how things work, she said, and theres curiosity about how people work, and I think thats very much the heart of fantasy. Im constantly circling, why are people the way they are? 

The discussion is part of an ongoing series run by Childrens Books Boston, a group formed in 2013 by a consortium of childrens book publishers, scholars, and professionals; the groups mission is to foster dialogue about childrens books among these groups. The event was hosted by the Simmons College Center for the Study of Childrens literature, a founding member of CBB.
Im shaking right now, just talking to you about it, said Anna LeBaron, recounting how it felt to walk away from her mother, her sisters, and everything shed ever known at the age of 13. The daughter of an infamous polygamist cult leader, Ervil LeBaron, Anna had reason to fear. Her father had orchestrated the murders of other family members who had tried to leave the cult and, in 1980, was sentenced to life in prison for ordering the murder of a rival. I look back and I dont completely understand how I was able to walk away. But I did.

Now 48-years-old, LeBaron recounts her anything-but-normal childhood, eventual escape, and lifelong journey of healing in her debut, The Polygamists Daughter (Tyndale, Mar.). I have known for a long time that I wanted to tell my story, she said. I went through a lot of counseling in order to be able to tell it from a place of wholeness rather than pain.

Indeed, for LeBaron, writing the book isnt just a result of therapy, but is itself a part of the healing processshe says talking about traumatic events in ways and spaces that are safe is one of the ways people can heal.

The Polygamists Daughter doesnt shy away from the difficult life LeBaron had as a young girl coming of age in a violent cult, but she chose to focus on her own personal experiences rather than detailing the groups religious beliefs or her fathers murderous history. The book is filled with tales of near-starvation, parental abandonment, emotional abuse, and grueling unpaid labor. LeBaron moved constantly between Mexico, Denver, and Houston as the family fled law enforcement, sometimes packed into the back of a truck during the middle of the night. She describes the refried bean and mayo sandwiches served for lunch and the mush for breakfast, recalling how great life was when she was given Doritos and Oreos. Her father, however, never went without. He got steak and potatoes while we werent allowed to partake, she said.

Although she was the daughter of the cult leader, LeBaron did not receive any favorable treatment. My father required that he receive the best of what was available, she said. Our needs were secondary to his, if they were considered at all. And once he went to prison, things went from bad to worse.

Ervil LeBaron died in prison in 1981, leaving behind 13 wives and over 50 children, and making way for a new leader who, she says, hated LeBarons children. Feeling in more danger than ever, Anna LeBaron sought the help of an older half-sister who had drifted away from the cult.

While the decision to escape was a turning point, the danger didnt end there, and overcoming the trauma of her childhood and young adulthood has taken a lifetime. It took five years just to learn how to allow myself to express grief about what Id been through, she said. I just kept showing up to therapy and hoping for that breakthrough. But that wasnt the end of the healing process either.

Ultimately, LeBaron found healing through counseling and teachings from Christianity, and she hopes her memoir will inspire courage in othersparticularly anyone who is in a situation of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. I hope its a reminder that you dont have to have all the pieces to the puzzle in place before you can make a difference in your own life, she said. You just have to take that next step and do the next right thing. And even if your knees are knocking it doesnt mean you dont have courage.

Sarah Atkinson, associate publisher at Tyndale Book Group, said the sense of hope is what initially drew her to LeBarons story. What continues to inspire me is Annas remarkably positive attitude toward life, Atkinson said. [And] she speaks about what happened to her with honesty and authenticity.

Marketing and publicity plans for The Polygamists Daughter include a Christian and secular media campaign including BBC News, Christianity Today, Good Housekeeping, People Magazine, and more. There is also a social media campaign that includes a Facebook Book Club, targeted ads, and sponsored blog posts with popular bloggers such as Margaret Feinberg.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  A federal appeals court has rejected a lawsuit that sought to require labels on egg cartons indicating the conditions in which the chickens were raised.

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday ruled that several federal agencies had acted reasonably in rejecting the labeling regulations.

The plaintiffs  two animal advocacy groups and six egg consumers  wanted the cartons to bear the terms "Free-Range Eggs," ''Cage-Free Eggs" or "Eggs from Caged Hens."

They argued that eggs from caged hens are nutritionally inferior and carry a greater risk of Salmonella contamination.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said evidence for those claims was not persuasive.

Cheryl Leahy, general counsel for one of the animal advocacy groups, said the group would continue fighting against misleading egg carton claims and images.
DAVENPORT  Saying the city is "very strong," Davenport Mayor Frank Klipsch gave his 2017 state of the city address Monday at Rhythm City Casino Resort.

Speaking before about 225 people, Mayor Klipsch discussed some of the recent developments within the city along with some future projects. Referring to the city's economic health, the mayor said Davenport recently received solid bond ratings.

Last week, the city announced it received Aa3 and AA- ratings from Moody's and Standard & Poor's, respectively. The mayor said those bond ratings were "very positive," giving the city lower borrowing rates.

Mayor Klipsch said the city has a $208,540,879 balanced budget for fiscal year 2018, which begins July 1.

He said the city is showing growth in its tax base as well.The mayor said the city has designated $18 million for street projects in the coming year.

He said the Rockingham Road reconstruction project on the city's west side is scheduled to start this year. He called the $3.65 million resurfacing work "long overdue."

Between fiscal years 2018 and 2023, he said the city plans to invest $124 million in its streets and sewers.

"We're hearing what the citizens want us to do, and we're responding as we move forward," the mayor said.

The mayor mentioned Sterilite as an example of economic development with its announcement earlier this year of a $73 million project in Davenport's Eastern Iowa Industrial Center that will bring 500 jobs.

The mayor called it a "good quality company coming to the area bringing jobs and further economic development to our community."

Regarding the riverfront, Mayor Klipsch said the city is looking at a number of options and wants public input as it moves forward.

North of the railroad tracks by the Davenport Skybridge at 121 W. 2nd St., the city is looking at bringing landscaping, including flower boxes, and a place for food trucks and a portable stage.

"You can have craft fairs, food trucks, a variety of things," the mayor said.

"Our commitment from our council and mine personally is protecting our No. 1 asset, which is the Mississippi River," the mayor said. "It is the Vatican, it is Mecca to a lot of people.

"We understand that. How do we do that and use it effectively to make sure it is used properly. "The next step is what do we do with the rest of it? It isn't just us."

The mayor said he wants to meet with the public on suggestions for the riverfront's future.

He also spoke of the economic health of the downtown. The mayor said there are 1,281 downtown apartment units with 98 percent occupied. He said there are more apartments under construction and 200-plus more planned.

"We're showing growth as well, which is extremely important," the mayor said.
EAST MOLINE  After eight months without a contract, 12 bargaining sessions, rounds of picketing and displays of support from the public at board meetings, union teachers and employees have a contract.

After a closed session lasting more than an hour Monday night, board members unanimously approved a two-year contract with East Moline Education Association employees.

"The EMEA is happy to have this contract settled. It has been a very long process for our members, negotiation team, as well as the families of our students," said EMEA spokesperson Angela Harrell. "We haven't really skipped a beat in our classrooms. Our educators have continued to do what we do best: Connect and educate our students. This contract is a starting point for our membership to begin bridging the gap with other area school districts."

The contract will be retroactive to July 1, 2016, and will expire June 30, 2018.

"I am pleased that the board of education approved the agreement with the EMEA this evening," said superintendent Kristin Humphries.

Certified employees on the salary schedule will receive a 1.25 percent raise on their base pay for each year of the contract, plus step movement. Steps are awarded for years of experience.

It is a slight increase by board members from their last offer of a 1 percent raise.

Certified teachers off the salary schedule will receive 2.5 percent on their base pay for each year of the contract.

A teacher is off the salary schedule when they have been teaching for more than 20 years and has earned a master's degree plus 30 additional graduate credit hours.

Hourly employees, which include paraprofessionals and secretaries, will receive raises of 75 cents an hour for each year.

EMEA membership includes 260 teachers, aides and secretaries.

Also on Monday, Mr. Humphries announced he is recommending the dismissal of 15 licensed employees as a cost savings measure for the 2017-18 school year.

After factoring in known retirements and resignations, the cuts must still be made, he said.

Mr. Humphries said the names of the affected employees will be released during a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. March 8 at the administration building. He noted those employees will have been notified before the meeting.

Employees must be notified 60 days before the end of the school year.

"Also, we will be looking at further reductions in the month of April," he added.

When asked by a reporter if the raises teachers are receiving under the new contract are affecting the dismissal of others, Mr. Humphries said a lack in funding from the state was to blame.

"We are heavily reliant on general state aid in East Moline. We have lost upwards of $1 million per year for the past seven years," he said. "We are $1.13 million behind from the state of Illinois today. State shortfalls are the biggest determinant of why cuts need to be made.

"Obviously, the collective bargaining agreement has been a lot of work for the past 10 months, but the single biggest driver of why cuts need to be made is state shortfalls. When you pass a collective bargaining agreement, you have to find ways to make sure you can fund those things."

In other action, board members approved moving $400,000 from the working cash fund to the operations and maintenance fund.
WASHINGTON -- White House press secretary Sean Spicer might owe Melissa McCarthy a thank-you note.

The actress who mocked Spicer in her "Saturday Night Live" caricature of his angry, anti-media persona seems to have breathed new life into the man -- as only a woman could do?

To his credit, Spicer didn't curl up in a fetal ball, as one might have expected after McCarthy's hilarious takedown of him as a humorless human meltdown. Nor has he been fired, as many predicted after a shaky start.

Rather he seems to have reinvented himself -- more confident, better versed, more likable and even at times jocular. No longer the lectern-driving avenger, he seems to be enjoying himself as reporters find humor in the occasional riposte. (Note to Sean: Riposting is good.)

Sure, he still tries to dodge or finesse questions. And he's still a scold, telling reporters Thursday to raise their hands "like big boys and girls," if they want to be recognized. A little rubbing alcohol with that paper cut?

The highlight, however, was when Spicer tried to interpret Donald Trump's remarks about recent immigration raids, which the president referred to as "a military operation."

Except, not really. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly told reporters in Mexico City that no military would be used to deport illegal immigrants.

Then it was Spicer's turn. Actually, he said, the president was using the word "military" as an "adjective" to mean with military precision. He was speaking adjectively, not noun-ly.

In the annals of spin, this one merits top billing. Might we expect more such adjustments in tweaking Trump's unique speech patterns? Such as:

Spicer: The president didn't mean that ALL undocumented workers are "bad dudes." He was speaking, um, well, diabolically, I mean, hyperbolically. He meant that bad dudes, where and to the extent they exist, will be exported to Mexico, where bad dudes obviously belong.

Reporter: Even if they're not Mexican?

Spicer: Yes, we're working with Mexico on that and will have a plan soon.

Reporter: Soon?

Spicer Ish. Suffix-ly.

Whatever Trump may have meant by "military operation," thus far the raids and arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents certainly have had the look and feel of a military op by any other name.

Spicer also is correct that these detentions and deportations appear to have been performed with military precision. To a fault, one might observe.

While a majority of Americans support greater immigration enforcement, as well as major reforms aimed at greater security, the visual effect of raids that don't always target "bad dudes" is discomfiting. President Obama, who deported more than 2.5 million people during his term, was no slouch but also no showman.

Therein lies a key distinction. Whereas Obama made concessions to people who weren't bad dudes, Trump's net is wider and has fewer holes.

In one Arizona case, a woman who faked her identity more than a decade ago to get a job as an amusement-park janitor was allowed to stay under Obama. When she showed up recently for her usual ICE review, she was put on a bus to Mexico.

Not exactly a "bad dude," though some drug dealers and gang members also reportedly have been rounded up since Trump took office.

Military operation or something else?

If you're a Trump supporter, you don't care. If you're an immigration advocate, you see Gestapo tactics and human rights violations.

And then there are the rest -- people who simply want straight talk, honest answers and law enforcement with compassion, especially toward undocumented workers who are here in good faith.

One might even concede that this discussion about words and meaning is much ado about nothing, a distraction for the sake of distraction. To give Spicer the benefit of the doubt, his job must be the hardest in the history of press secretaries. Explaining Trump is a relentless, thankless task for which he will be punished one way or the other.

Unlike most press secretaries, who typically come from the reporting world, Spicer is a veteran flack with a flack's contempt for the media. What's missing -- and also a missed opportunity -- is the camaraderie and mutual respect that often develop in the media briefing room.

Spicer would do well -- and would be well served -- if he'd treat all reporters with the same respect he wishes for himself. They're a loathsome bunch, to be sure (she said proudly). But they're also suckers for pros who are self-aware enough to not take themselves or this business too seriously.

Adjectively, speaking.
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!
BISHKEK -- A court in Kyrgyzstan has ordered opposition Ata-Meken (Fatherland) party leader Omurbek Tekebaev to be kept in custody for two months while a fraud and corruption investigation continues against him.

Kyrgyzstans State Committee for National Security (UKMK) announced the February 27 court ruling in a statement that followed a hearing at the Bishkek court on whether Tekebaev, a member of parliament, should be held in pretrial detention.

It said Tekebaev would be "held until April 25" at a UKMK penitentiary facility.

Tekebaev, a former ally turned critic of President Almazbek Atambaev, was detained at the Bishkek International Airport early on February 26 as he was returning to Kyrgyzstan from Vienna via Turkey.

Under Kyrgyz law, he would have to have been released within 48 hours of his initial detention -- before 3.a.m. Bishkek time on February 28 -- if the court had not ordered his continued detention.

The UKMK says the corruption case against Tekebaev is related to a $1 million bribe he allegedly received from a Russian businessman while serving as deputy prime minister.

Hundreds of Tekebaev supporters rallied outside the court building during his hearing to demand his release.

They say his arrest is part of an effort to control dissent ahead of November's presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan and to prevent Tekebaev from running for president.

The demonstrators gathered on Ala-Too Square in Bishkek on February 27, holding placards calling Tekebaev's detainment a "provocation."

They chanted "Freedom for Tekebaev!" and urged President Atambaev to come out and explain the situation.

More than 1,000 supporters protested outside UKMK headquarters on February 26, demanding Tekebaev's release.

His detention months before a November presidential election has raised the prospect of fresh political turmoil in the Central Asian country, where protesters drove presidents from power in 2005 and 2010.

Former deputy parliament speaker Asia Sasykbaeva told journalists that the protests will continue until Tekebaev's release.

Former President Roza Otunbaeva, who was among the protesters on February 27, said that Tekebaev's detainment was politically motivated.

"We have seen all this before," said Otunbaeva, who was swept to power in the protests that toppled President Kurmanbek Bakiev in 2010 and served as president from April 2010 until December 2011.

"I was confident that current authorities will not repeat the mistakes of the previous authorities," she said. "Now, a political standoff is under way. Tekebaev's detainment is unjust and unacceptable in the independent Kyrgyzstan."

Many protesters said that Atambaev and members of the government and parliament "have quickly forgotten" that they came to power thanks to dozens of people killed in a crackdown on the protests against Bakiev in 2010.

Tekebaev's wife, Aigul Tekebaeva, told RFE/RL on Ala-Too Square that the UKMK would be responsible if something happened to her husband while in custody.

Once an ally of Atambaev, Tekebaev became a leading critic last summer after the president proposed constitutional amendments -- approved in a December referendum -- that opponents fear are designed to keep him and his allies in power indefinitely.

The amendments boosted the powers of the prime minister, prompting speculation that Atambaev -- who is barred from seeking a second term in the November 19 election -- could position himself to become the next prime minister or install an ally in the role.

Tekebaev, 58, is the third member of Ata-Meken to be detained by the authorities for questioning in recent weeks as part of the alleged corruption probe.

Earlier in February, authorities also detained parliamentary deputies Almabet Shykmamatov and Aida Salyanova for questioning.

The detentions come despite the fact that Tekebaev, Shykmamatov, and Salyanova all have parliamentary immunity from prosecution.

With reporting by AP and AFP
Looking back, I shake my head on how much I didnt get when we added a six year old boy from Ethiopia to our family five years ago. On the outside, we foolishly convinced ourselves that everything was fine but on the inside, our son was broken. A year or so into his new life in our family, debilitating survivors guilt and anger reared its ugly head and flowed into our everyday world. On some days it paralyzed the entire family. By the book we did everything we possibly could for him. Grief counseling. Family counseling. Love. But this tiny eight-year-old Ethiopian was breaking apart and he was taking us down with him.

It was during this time I sat at my counter, beside myself and drained, after yet another rough morning and my heart ached. Yes, it literally ached for his torment and grief. And then it dawned on me, an epiphany of extreme proportions, that my son needed a purpose and an identity beyond the word adopted. We needed to strip away the title and we needed to find him. And then, out of the blue, like Emersons Law of Spiritual Gravitation (people destined to meet will do so apparently by chance, at precisely the right moment) a seventeen year old Ethiopian adoptee walked into Noahs life and changed everything.

Solomon had just returned from Ethiopia. His adopted family decided he and his biological sisters needed a trip to their Motherland. They hired a car in Addis and as the story goes just started driving around the countryside in Ethiopia, hoping to maybe stumble on Solomons birth village. Seriously. They drove around an area they knew they were from. One day the siblings saw a tree up on a hill and told their parents to stop the car. They raced out of the car and ran up the hill and then disappeared behind it. The family followed, only to stop in their tracks at the site of their three adopted children being welcomed back into their birth village. They spent several days in the village and during that time Solomon became aware of the daily struggles to obtain safe drinking water.

Upon leaving for home, Solomon pledged to his village they would have safe water. He came back to the States and for his Senior Year Project created a fund raising campaign that would build a well in his birth village. Noah met him during this fund raising campaign and became fascinated that this Ethiopian adoptee could give back to the people he left behind. Solomon was exactly the same age Noah was (6 years old) when he was adopted, so ten years had passed.

Noah is and always has been a busy guy with his hands. To keep his hands happy during a long drive to a family reunion, I set him up with a picture frame size weaving loom. (He had learned how to weave through an Artist in Residence program in 3rd grade) Noah decided on this trip he was going to do some weaving and sell the weavings for $5 to family members and then give Solomon the money for his well project. His first round of weavings made $45.

The first few days of 4th grade, Noah shared his story of Solomon with his teacher. His teacher, who has a heart of gold and a very social justice lean to her way of teaching said, Everyone in this class knows how to weave, so lets have the whole class do this and well sell them. The local holiday bazaar donated a space during the holidays for Noah and his friends and at the end of the day they had made close to $500. By that time Solomons campaign had already topped out and he was actually in his birth village for three months helping dig and place the well for his birth village.

I did some research and found that charity:water, a non-profit organization out of New York City accepted donations and 100% went directly to project in the field. We set up an account, Weaving for Water, with them. Noah kept weaving. His friends kept weaving. His classmates kept weaving. As of last May, they had sold over $2500 worth of weavings that have helped fund projects in Uganda, The Ivory Coast, Nepal, The Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia. In fact, just a few days ago we received pictures from a well project in the village of Mihtsagshim, Ethiopia surrounded by happy villagers that Noah and his friends helped fund.
The 302km line, and 39km of connections to the conventional network, were constructed by the Lisea consortium of Vinci (33.4%), Caisee des Depots/CDC Infrastructure (25.4%), Sojas (22%), and AXA Private Equity (19.2%) under a 7.8bn 50-year design-build-finance-operate-maintain concession, which was awarded in 2011.

When it opens on July 2, the line will cut Paris - Bordeaux journey times from 3h 14min to 2h 4min. The Paris - Toulouse trip will also be reduced by more than an hour from 5h 25min to 4h 9min.

Alstom is supplying a fleet of 40 TGV Oceane double-deck trains for the route, 17 of which will be in service when the line opens. An order for a further 15 trains was approved by the board of SNCF Mobility on February 23 as part of a package to rescue Alstoms Belfort plant from closure.
The additional locomotives were ordered in 2015 and will supplement Colas Rails existing fleet of 10 class 70s, which were delivered in 2014. The locomotives are being assembled at GEs plant in Erie, Pennsylvania.

The six-axle class 70 is equipped with a 2.75MW GE P616 16-cylinder diesel engine and generates a starting tractive effort of 534kN.
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While attention over the past year in the Asia-Pacific has been focused on developments in the South China Sea  in particular China's ongoing island-building efforts and expansion of coast guard activities  a new and potentially more destabilizing normal has set in around the East China Sea between China and Japan. This normal sees China's air and coast guard forces penetrating Japanese airspace and territorial waters near the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands with increasing and sustained frequency.

By most accounts, Japan's air force and coast guard assets have thus far succeeded in monitoring and deterring China from the types of adventurism that Japan fears might escalate to conflict. Over time, however, Japan's ability to consistently counter the threat from China will be under increasing pressure and adjustments in Japanese military force composition and interoperability between military and civilian bureaucracies are necessary to address the challenge.

China's Increased Maritime Activity in the East China Sea

Simmering tensions between China and Japan in the East China Sea came to a head on September 11, 2012 when the Japanese government purchased three of the disputed Senkaku islands  claimed by both China and Japan but administered by Japan  from private owners. The purchase was in part prompted by threats by right-wing Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara ( PDF ) to develop the islands, which the Japanese government worried might have upset relations with China. Soon after the purchase was announced, street protests broke out across China followed by strongly-worded Chinese government statements delegitimizing the purchase.

Beijing, however, was intent on signaling to Tokyo that actions speak louder than words. From China's perspective, Japanese actions were a flagrant and arrogant violation of Chinese sovereignty necessitating sustained Chinese military expressions of jurisdiction and power.

In the days that followed the purchase of the islands, two Chinese ships, Haijian 46 and Haijian 49 of the China Marine Surveillance, penetrated the 12 nautical mile territorial seas of the Senkakus. China's actions were to become a precedent for an intensified penetration campaign into the Senkaku contiguous zone territorial waters by Chinese maritime law enforcement vessels.

By the end of 2012, the Japan Coasat Guard (JCG) reported that China coast guard (CCG) ships had intruded into Senkaku territorial waters 68 times since September 11, an unprecedented spike in intrusions from previous years. The campaign continued, with 188 vessels penetrating the territorial sea in 2013, 88 in 2014, and 86 in 2015. During this multi-year period, the CCG penetrated the territorial seas of the Senkakus with an average of 7-10 vessels a month and penetrated the contiguous zones with an average of 70-90 vessels a month. On the basis of reporting from China's State Oceanic Administration (SOA), the same 20 or so CCG hull numbers appear to be responsible for patrolling the Senkaku Islands, ranging in size from 1,000 to 4,000 tons.

Over this period of time, CCG behavior followed a predictable pattern of penetration, with transits into the territorial seas usually lasting a few hours and CCG officers maintaining communication with JCG officers to avoid miscalculations. There were very few instances of CCG vessels loitering, dropping anchor, or arresting Japanese fishing vessels within the 12 nautical mile territorial waters that might compel JCG officers to undertake more aggressive measures to repel the CCG vessels from the vicinity. It appeared China was more intent on demonstrating sovereignty through presence rather than on provocative actions against JCG vessels.

However, incidents such as those that occurred between 5-9 August 2016, during which 200 to 300 Chinese fishing vessels and 15 CCG vessels penetrated and loitered inside the contiguous zone around the Senkaku Islands, greatly challenged the JCG's capacity to respond. The scenario offered a stark lesson in Chinese inundation tactics, which, if employed in the future, might overwhelm Japan's ability to bring sufficient assets to the scene.

Then in December 2015, China sent its first armed coast guard vessel into the territorial seas of the Senkaku's, elevating the stakes. Since that time, there have been sustained entries by armed CCG vessels into the territorial seas, which from China's perspective was simply balancing the equilibrium of armaments. Until December 2015, China argued, Japan would shadow unarmed CCG vessels with armed JCG cutters, putting China at a disadvantage. China took note, and has since commissioned CCG cutters based on the type 054 Jiankai II frigate hull frame, armed with 76mm auto-cannons. Compared to other coast guard vessels of this size (3,500 tons), these new Type 818 CCG cutters represent the most potently-armed cutters in the region. Recent photos from Chinese sources also indicate even smaller-sized CCG cutters (~2,500 tons) are also being equipped with 76mm auto-cannons. In other words, China appears committed to out-gunning JCG assets in future scenerios.

China's Maritime Militia in the East China Sea

Of the hundreds of vessels that penetrated the contiguous zone of the Senkakus during the August 2016 fishing incident, the JCG reported that over 100 maritime militia were identified onboard the vessels. It is believed many of them, according to JCG officials, were commanding Chinese fishermen as captains of the fishing boats and were clearly identifiable, wearing military fatigues or naval uniforms.

China is believed to boast the largest contingent of maritime militia in the world.

The term maritime militia characterizes fishermen and crew of civilian ships who receive military training or are under some type of military command and control arrangement, and who carry out military support activities aboard fishing vessels when required. They typically accompany civilian fishermen during the fishing season and receive a daily allowance and training from local maritime militia organs on land as reserve military personnel. China is believed to boast the largest contingent of maritime militia in the world, with several bases scattered along the coastline of Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and Hainan Provinces facing the East and South China Seas.

Fishing vessels with maritime militia aboard are typically equipped with the Chinese equivalent of a GPS navigation system called Beidou, and most ships come equipped with radar, high frequency radio communications and tablets. Such equipment allows maritime militiamen to exchange information with nearby Chinese Navy ships and Coast Guard vessels in real time.

One Chinese article, summarized by Andrew Erickson and Connor Kennedy, describe the role of maritime militia in this way: Putting on camouflage, they become soldiers; taking off the camouflage, they become law-abiding fishermen. Such sources demonstrate their usefulness as military-trained civilians whose role is to act as front-line defenders of Chinese maritime rights and interests in disputed territory in the East and South China Seas.

The introduction of maritime militia disguised as civilian fishermen near the Senakus creates a new and destabilizing dynamic for Japanese policy makers. The imperative of plausible deniability requires JCG officers to act cautiously when confronting civilian Chinese vessels with presumed (and possibly armed) maritime militia onboard. On the other hand, Chinese fishing vessels manned by maritime militia may feel emboldened to challenge Japanese sovereignty over the Senkakus, to include possible attempts to land on the disputed islands. Doing so would compel JCG officers to adopt counter-measures in response to Chinese assertive actions which may involve opening fire on non-compliant vessels who fail to heed warnings to cease a course of action. The blurring of civilian and military command over civilian assets adds a new wrinkle into the conflict escalation equation that Japanese officers and policy makers will have to grapple with in the future.

China's Air Activities in the East China Sea

Undermining Japanese territorial integrity around the Senkakus by Chinese maritime law enforcement vessels is not the only challenge confronting Japanese officials. China has also stepped up its air activity in Japanese airspace in ways that Japan regards as destabilizing. Some of these penetrations involve flyovers of straits and waterways of Japan by Chinese aircraft during training exercises through the Western Pacific, and others involve the transit into the territorial airspace of the Senkakus by Chinese government and civilian aircraft to demonstrate Chinese sovereignty.

The below list represents a few examples of such air activities by PLA Air Force (PLAAF), PLA Naval Aviation and civilian government aircraft over the last several years:

As a result of such activity, the sortie rate, operations tempo and resulting maintenance requirements of Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) aircraft have increased substantially, greatly stressing capacity. Close-in encounters between JASDF and Chinese aircraft have also increased, heightening tensions and the possibility of accidents in the air. In May and June 2014, for example, 2 PLAAF Su-27 fighters reportedly flew abnormally close to JASDF aircraft ( PDF ) during routine patrols, according to JASDF sources.

Data on JASDF scrambles reflects a clear trend of increasing Chinese air activity within Japanese airspace. JASDF scrambles in response to Chinese activity have increased steadily since fiscal year (FY) 2012 ( PDF ), for example, with scrambles in FY2016, when fully reported, most likely representing the most on record for the JASDF. Between FY2012-2016, JASDF fighters scrambled 306 times in 2012, 415 in 2013, 464 in 2014, 571 in 2015 and 644 in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2016. When the final quarter of FY2016 is compiled, the number will most likely exceed 1,000 scrambles, which would surpass the record of 944 scrambles in FY1984 during the Cold War, according to an official at the Defense Ministry's Joint Staff Office. Most of the air penetrations from China occur in the Western and Southwestern sections of Japan's Air Defense Identification Zone, near the Senkakus and Okinawa Island.

Japan Bolsters its Defenses

The Japanese government has acknowledged the challenge it faces from China in the East China Sea and has begun to invest in infrastructure and personnel projects to address long-term trends.

On the civilian side, the JCG established a special Senkakus patrol unit of 600 JCG personnel to deal exclusively with patrolling the Senkakus. The unit is based on Ishigaki Island, where a private pier and lodgings have been built for the unit. Ishigaki Island is some 170 kilometers from the Senkakus  a much shorter transit than from the main island of Okinawa (410 kilometers away), which houses a larger JCG headquarters. The Senkaku special patrol unit will utilize 10 newly-built offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) ranging from 1,000-3,000 tons, all equipped with 20mm guns, water cannons, and some with a flight deck for helicopters. Two 4,0006,000-ton high-endurance OPVs are also part of the unit but are based at nearby Naha Island due to pier constraints at Ishigaki.

The unit has also developed innovative practices to ensure continued operations of the vessels. The JCG has instituted a multiple-crew system, for example, in which four crews are assigned to three ships, as opposed to one crew for one ship.[1] Since all three ships can be operated by any crew, if one crew is on leave, another crew can operate the ship without disruption to operations. In total, two groups of four crews for three ships has been formed, totaling six ships by eight crews, thereby increasing the utilization rate of an extra two ships that would normally be idle due to crew leave.

Japan has commenced one its largest build-up of ground troops, missiles, and facilities on the southernmost islands of Miyako, Ishigaki...

Japan has also commenced one its largest build-up of ground troops, missiles, and facilities on the southernmost islands of Miyako, Ishigaki and Yonaguni Island in response to increased Chinese penetrations in the Southwest island chain of Japan. The first initiative calls for permanently deploying 500 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) troops on Ishigaki. The second initiative involved the construction of a radar station on the remote island of Yonaguni, accompanied by 150 JGSDF troops, in March 2016. This marked the first time that a self-defense force facility was established in Okinawa since reversion to Japan in 1972. The third line of effort is the deployment of missiles and 800 troops on Miyako and 600 troops on Amami Islands by the end of FY2018.

According to Colonel Masashi Yamamoto, military attache with the Japanese embassy in Washington, the buildup is part of athree-phased approach to contingency planning for escalation of tensions around the Senkakus. Phase Zero entails the deployment of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets near the Senkakus, currently under construction. Phase One would involve the deployment of a JGSDF rapid-deployment regiment consisting of infantry, mortar, and mechanized companies equipped with amphibious vehicles, to buttress the existing JGSDF assets and personnel stationed there. Finally, Phase Two would see the activation of such units in the event that the islands were seized by an enemy.

Finally, in 2014 the JASDF established a new permanent squadron of E-2C Hawkeye AEW aircraft on Naha Air Base off Okinawa to increase early warning detection of foreign aircraft and vessels. These aircraft will complement the new squadrons of Lockhead Martin F-35A fighters to be delivered and deployed in Japan over the coming years.

Conclusion

China and Japan are engaged in a long-term test of wills over disputed waters and territory in the East China Sea. The sovereignty dispute is, at its heart, a symptom of a much larger and more systematic competition for influence in the region driven in part by unresolved historical grievances and mistrust. China appears intent on sustaining its air and coast guard activity within Japanese administered territory, and doing so in ways that challenge Japanese jurisdiction but that fall below a threshold that might elicit a military response. Due to the close proximity in which coast guard and military forces operate in the East China Sea, the potential for accidents and inadvertent escalation is ever-present. It is in neither country's interest to go to war over what is essentially a peacetime competition over sovereignty and influence, yet due to the factors mentioned above, forces pulling each country into conflict will be difficult to overcome in the event of an accident involving the government or military forces of either country.

Japan could continue to reorient its national security strategy and mindset to reflect the new security situation it faces in these grey zone-type scenarios. Such a reorientation will involve a more robust training architecture between the JCG, JMSDF and JASDF bureaucracies and personnel. Situations will in all likelihood arise in which the JCG will be unable to handle Chinese inundation tactics. Under these situations, Japanese government and military bureaucracies must be prepared and feel comfortable operating in a shared command and control environment. While the JCG and Japanese military have experimented with joint training and exercises, much more is needed if Japan is to feel confident in deterring grey zone threats of the future.

Note

Lyle J. Morris is a policy analyst at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation.

This commentary originally appeared in The Diplomat on February 24, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
Armoza Formats reality competition Curvy Supermodel has been commissioned in Brazil by the free-to-air (FTA) broadcaster, SBT.





The agreement, announced as a second season is licensed by Germanys RTLII, will see ten local episodes of the series in Brazil.The modelling competition, produced by Tresor TV, had a successful first season in Germany last September and was also recently licensed in Spain by Mediaset . The show has also been picked up in France, Poland and the Netherlands.Curvy Supermodel has a strong and inherent truth that is relatable across the globe in todays society, said Avi Armoza, CEO of Armoza Formats . Were thrilled at the positive responses, both from the viewers and the industry, and look forward to seeing the second season and working with SBT on the Brazilian adaptation.
Russian courts in most cases take side of foreign investors  Supreme Courts Chairman

MOSCOW, February 28 (RAPSI)  Russian courts review more and more cases involving foreign investors and are determined to uphold their rights, RIA Novosti reported on Tuesday citing Chairman of the Russian Supreme Court Vyacheslav Lebedev.

According to Lebedev, number of reviewed disputes involving foreign citizens and Russian citizens with foreign funds rose in recent years and in 87% of cases Russian courts rule in their favor.

Lebedev added that the Supreme Court will prepare explanations for such cases with priorities being egalitarian and just attitude towards foreign investors, upheld stability and transparency of government regulation.

It should be noted that an investor is a weaker party in relationship with the government, Lebedev said.
Russian Supreme Court vacated 36 sentences based on ECHR rulings in 2016 - Chairman

MOSCOW, February 28 (RAPSI)  Russias Supreme Court in 2016 overturned 36 imposed sentences because of violations found by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Chairman of the Supreme Court Vyacheslav Lebedev said during the meeting with federal courts representatives on Tuesday.

Last year, Lebedev submitted to the Supreme Courts Presidium 77 petitions taking into account the ECHR decisions. As a result, 36 delivered sentences and 31 regulations adopted within criminal legal proceedings were annulled, the Supreme Courts Chairman said.

Rulings of the European Court of Human Rights were mainly connected with violation of peoples right to a fair trial and failure to meet reasonable deadlines for considering cases, according to Lebedev.

Interestingly, in November 2016, the Supreme Court overturned sentences against Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny and his accomplice Pyotr Ofitserov in Kirovles embezzlement case and sent it for retrial. The court delivered the ruling taking into consideration the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

In February 2016, ECHR held that the applicants right to a fair trial had been violated and ordered Russian authorities to compensate Navalny with 48,000 of legal costs and Ofitserov with 22,000. Additionally, Russia was obliged by court to pay 8,000 euro each in damages.
Criminal case against woman sentenced for sharing video to be reviewed

MOSCOW, February 28 (RAPSI)  The Supreme Court of Russia has ordered the Kurgan Regional Courts presidium to review a criminal case against Yevgeniya Chudnovets, former kindergarten teacher, who was sentenced for distribution of pornography by sharing video in a social network, RAPSI learnt from the court's press-service on Tuesday.

The Supreme Court agreed with the arguments of the Deputy Prosecutor General Leonid Korzhinek, who asked to repeal the sentence and close the case against Chudnovets, according to the courts representative.

On Monday, Chudnovets legal team filed an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Reportedly, she complains that her rights to a fair trial and freedom of expression have been violated.

According to the case documents, Chudnovets published video, where a little child was shown naked, on the Vkontakte social network. Aleksey Bushmakov earlier told RAPSI that this was a video made by someone else, shared by Chudnovets to bring attention to situation in recreational camps for children. She was sentenced to six months in a penal colony.

In November 2016, she was sentenced to 6 months in prison. Later, her prison term was reduced to 5 months.

Prosecutors asked to choose another punishment for Chudnovets, one not related to imprisonment. During the initial hearings prosecutors asked for five years in prison.
Google proposes settlement to Russian antimonopoly watchdog

MOSCOW, February 28 (RAPSI)  Google has proposed Russias Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) to settle dispute over corporations refusal to comply with the antimonopoly watchdogs ruling, RIA Novosti reported on Tuesday citing deputy head of FAS legal directorate Larisa Vovkinskaya.

According to Vovkinskaya, settlement proposal reached FAS on Monday and its conditions are yet to be discussed.

On January 17, Google Inc. filed an appeal against the Moscow Commercial Courts refusal to overrule the Federal Antimonopoly Services (FAS) decision.

The watchdog held that Google Ireland Ltd. and Google Inc. had violated anti-monopoly law by abusing their dominance on the Russian market of mobile applications.

The Moscow City Court dismissed a lawsuit against the watchdog in March 2016. The Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals has upheld the ruling. In early August, FAS announced that it had fined Google 438 million rubles ($6.7 million) for violating administrative legislation.

On September 18, 2015, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) found Google guilty of violation the legislation.

On November 2, the watchdog fined the companies 500,000 rubles each for their failure to comply with its order.

On November 30, FAS announced that it had filed a lawsuit with a commercial court against Google, forcing it to follow the order.

Yet in September, Igor Artemyev, the Head of FAS, stated that the agency was ready to fine Google every two weeks if the company failed to comply with the order.

In case we see the process is dragged out, we will meet every two weeks to impose new fines on them for failing to comply with the order, Artemyev said. It will continue until the final victory [is achieved - ed.] and final court judgement [is passed - ed.], according to Artemyev.
Release of Russian eccentric artist Pavlensky in vandalism case upheld

MOSCOW, February 28 (RAPSI, Lyudmila Klenko)  The Dzerzhinsky District Court in St. Petersburg has upheld a ruling to release Russian eccentric performance artist Pyotr Pavlensky from punishment in the vandalism case over burning tyres, RAPSI learnt from the courts press service.

The sentence has become effective.

In May 2016, Pavlensky was found guilty of vandalism for setting tyres on fire on Maly Konyushenny Bridge in St Petersburg and sentenced him to 1 year and 4 months of restriction of freedom. However, the artist was released from punishment because of expiry of the period of limitation for bringing to criminal responsibility.

Pavlensky is known for a number of controversial performances.

In July 2012, he sewed up his mouth and stood at the Kazan Cathedral with a poster in support of Pussy Riot.

In May 2013, Pavlensky lay down on the ground in front of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly naked with barbed wire around his body.

In November 2013, also naked, Pavlensky nailed his scrotum to the Red Square pavement near the Lenin Mausoleum.

In October 2014, he staged an eccentric stunt on the roof of the Serbsky Mental Institution in Moscow by cutting off one of his earlobes.

In February 2015, Pavlensky and his accomplices burned car tyres, waved Ukrainian flags and banged sheet metal with sticks in a show of solidarity with the anti-government protesters in Ukraine. The performance was held near the Church of the Savior on Blood in St. Petersburg.

In June 2016, Pavlensky was found guilty of setting fire to the Moscow headquarters of the Federal Security Service (FSB). The Meshchansky District Court of Moscow imposed a 500,000 ruble ($7,900) fine on Pavlensky and ruled in favor of FSB, which demanded 481,000 rubles ($7,700) from the artist in a civil lawsuit.
At a time when Russia is firmly in the Syrian driver's seat and Assad shows no sign of going away, brokering a deal to establish a humanitarian buffer area would be one way to address Washington and Amman's pressing concerns about ongoing refugee flows.

In recent weeks, fighting has intensified in southern Syria as Russian warplanes and Bashar al-Assad's forces seek to retake the city of Deraa. Located on the main highway to Damascus, Deraa is only a few miles north of the Jordanian border, a contested pocket amid the rebel-controlled portion of the frontier. The hostilities there underscore the ongoing calls for establishing a safe zone in the south to protect Syrian civilians from the regime and its allies.

Syrians have been asking for safe zones since the war started. Lately, though, the idea has been gaining traction with some of the key actors, including the United States and Jordan. During the presidential campaign, Donald Trump called for "build[ing] a big, beautiful safe zone" in Syria; a year earlier, the general in charge of Jordan's Border Guard said "it would be a good thing if a safe zone was set up." More recently, President Trump and King Abdullah reportedly discussed the possibility during their brief meeting on February 2. If the idea is to be realized, however, the devil will be in the details -- implementing any type of safe zone in the south will be militarily and diplomatically complex.

COMMON INTERESTS

Since 2011, Jordan says it has absorbed 1.4 million Syrian refugees, or more than 13 percent of the kingdom's total population. In addition to the high financial cost of hosting the refugees -- over $2.5 billion a year, according to the World Bank -- their presence is severely taxing the domestic security apparatus and scarce resources such as water.

Jordan basically sealed its borders a little more than a year ago, and it continues to reinforce its frontiers with Syria and Iraq in the hope of preventing terrorist infiltration, smuggling, and the undocumented entry of additional refugees. Last month, Border Guard chief Gen. Sami al-Kifawin announced that "half of the kingdom's troops and military resources" were devoted to securing those frontiers. Nevertheless, the kingdom saw a dramatic spike in domestic terrorist activity last year, largely inspired by the Islamic State (IS). Along with addressing these security threats, another top priority for Amman is reopening the borders with Syria and Iraq, its largest trading partners.

The United States also has an interest in limiting the torrential outflow of refugees from Syria. The Trump administration is particularly concerned about the terrorist threat they may pose to Europe and the homeland. As with Amman, sheltering Syrians in place as internally displaced persons (IDPs) until the war ends is an increasingly attractive option for Washington.

CURRENT STATE OF PLAY

In recent years, Jordanian intelligence has been operating quietly in southern Syria, coordinating with tribes and moderate opposition forces to establish a seventy-kilometer-long buffer zone free of IS and al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat Fatah al-Sham. This area runs east from the Golan Heights and covers the most densely populated regions along the frontier. As part of this strategy, Amman has been working with rebel units of the Free Syrian Army in the south. Details of these operations are scarce, but according to a recent Emirati interview with a Deraa-based FSA official, Jordan is targeting militants and arms depots belonging to the IS-affiliated Khaled bin al-Walid Army, using warplanes and armed drones to strike border targets in the Yarmouk basin west of Deraa, among other activities.

The kingdom is also increasingly concerned about the movement of Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Iranian-backed Iraqi Shiite militiamen, and Lebanese Hezbollah to the border area. The problem started in November 2015, when Hezbollah troops aided by Assad regime regulars and Russian air support took the strategically located town of Sheikh Maskin just north of Deraa. Perceiving the offensive as a warning about its limited train-and-equip program with opposition groups, Amman ended the program. Its compliance was rooted in two pressing concerns: (1) that further advances by these Russian-backed forces would drive Islamist militants further south, and (2) that Tehran would essentially be stationed along the kingdom's border if these gains were consolidated. Unlike with jihadis, Jordan could not militarily engage Iranian proxies in Syria -- Amman quickly realized that Russia was the only actor capable of stemming their march toward the border.

RUSSIA'S ROLE

Recognizing the changing dynamics in Syria, Jordan decided to coordinate closely with Moscow beginning in late 2015, opening a joint monitoring center in Amman that October to focus on intelligence sharing and deconfliction. More recently, King Abdullah met with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last month, not long after Russia had invited Jordan to participate in the Syrian peace negotiations in Astana, Kazakhstan. The unstated goal of Jordan's increased collaboration has been to secure guarantees from Moscow that Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed militias will not deploy south of Damascus, where they would have the opportunity to undermine stability in the kingdom (just as Israel has secured similar Russian understandings intended to counter weapons transfers to Hezbollah and limit Iranian activities in the Golan).

While not publicly discussed in any detail, safe zones remain on the table for both Moscow and Amman. Assad has openly criticized the idea, but Moscow has been less dismissive. After President Trump announced that he had tasked the State and Defense Departments with developing plans toward that end, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov responded by saying Moscow "did not rule out" the establishment of safe zones for IDPs, provided the UN and the Syrian government approved. Yet mentioning Damascus in that formula seemed more like a diplomatic blandishment than anything else; given the current power dynamics in Syria, Russia need not consult Assad on such a decision.

OPERATIONALIZING A SAFE ZONE

Although it is far from certain that Moscow would consent to a safe zone, closer U.S.-Russian-Jordanian counterterrorism cooperation could make some kind of arrangement possible in the south. The mechanics of securing the zone, which might reach as far as ten miles into Syrian territory, would be fairly straightforward. Assuming Russia was on board -- and dragging Damascus along -- there would be no need to enforce a traditional no-fly zone. Instead, U.S., Jordanian, and other coalition aircraft and drones based in the kingdom would continuously fly reconnaissance and surveillance missions over the humanitarian corridor's perimeter. At the same time, the United States and Jordan would augment the intelligence-gathering capabilities of friendly forces on the ground, better enabling these locals to target Islamist militias and other armed elements attempting to enter the area.

The more difficult task would be reaching understandings about exactly who is responsible for security on the ground. Moscow will insist that any humanitarian zone does not become a training camp for the next rebel offensive against the Assad regime. Yet Jordan is already working with anti-Assad militias in the south, so they are the most likely forces to be tasked with defending civilians in these areas. Currently, around 400,000 people reside there, and tens of thousands of other IDPs might flee to the area once a safe zone is established. Moreover, Jordanian Minister of International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury recently stated that some refugees inside the kingdom would be repatriated to Syria, so an unspecified number of them may wind up in the border zone.

If local forces are deemed diplomatically unacceptable or incapable of securing the zone, then foreign forces would be required for manpower -- most likely hailing from Arab armies. Yet it is unclear which, if any, regional governments would step forward and offer such forces.

Should the Trump administration ask Jordan to deploy troops to Syria, the kingdom would be loath to say no given Washington's ongoing generosity -- Amman received more than $1.6 billion in U.S. military and economic assistance last year, and it has been pressing Washington to double the baseline commitment from $1 billion to $2 billion in 2018. Yet a foreign deployment would entail considerable political risks for King Abdullah. Jordanian Islamists have argued that participation in the anti-IS coalition violates the kingdom's constitution. Moreover, the army is composed almost exclusively of tribal, so-called "East Banker" Jordanians -- traditionally the monarchy's leading supporters -- so any casualties in Syria could quickly become a political problem for the palace. Accordingly, Jordan may be unwilling to provide ground troops for a safe zone, though it would likely offer most any other type of assistance requested.

Beyond the operational issues, an extensive list of administrative questions needs to be addressed in order to move forward on any safe zone proposal. Who, for example, would oversee the zone? Who would be responsible for providing sufficient housing, water, electricity, and sanitation? The UN and other international humanitarian organizations will not enter Syrian territory without consent from Damascus -- will the Assad regime bless what it would undoubtedly view as a violation of its sovereignty? How will the area be provisioned? Will Jordan serve as the entrepot for the zone? Planners must also determine how many people will reside in the area. If the zone is deemed safe, tens of thousands of refugees from Syria and Jordan may flock there -- who will vet these people and determine who can enter? Answering these and other questions will take months, but doing so is an integral part of the planning stage if the zone is to be viable.

THE ART OF THE (SYRIA) DEAL

Admittedly, safe zones remain a distant prospect at the moment. Yet a deal may be possible given the Trump administration's prioritization of counter-IS operations and Washington's closer cooperation with Russia on Syria of late. While the prospect of Assad remaining in power is odious, Russian involvement appears to have made his continued rule inevitable. If the Trump administration acquiesces to Assad staying in Damascus, however, it should get something in return -- namely, Russian acquiescence to a safe zone in the south controlled by the FSA and other non-Islamist militias, even if this essentially relegates Assad's territory to a rump state.

Moscow may push back, but Washington should insist that Western-backed Syrian militias secure the safe zone on the ground. In addition to rebuilding some of the credibility Washington has lost since 2011, helping the rebels protect Syrian civilians would create a better balance of power on the ground between the opposition and a revanchist Assad coalition. Moreover, continued pressure in southern Syria could dissuade Hezbollah and similar groups from other regionally destabilizing activities, such as provoking a war with Israel.

Most important, though, a southern safe zone would facilitate the provision of humanitarian support to Syrians in Syria -- that is, as IDPs inside their own country rather than refugees abroad. While such a deal may not be optimal, it may be the best move for Washington at a time when Russia is firmly in the driver's seat.
Global security dominates the news and the early priorities of the Trump administration, driving policy pronouncements on immigration and refugees. Yet a critical threat to U.S. security, one that has been under scrutiny since the presidency of George W. Bush, has been denied, disparaged, or downplayed across the administration, presumably for ideological reasons. Despite attempts to make it political, climate change does not sit on one side of the partisan divide. It attacks our nations interests directly, endangering our security and the safety of millions of people around the world.

In 2007, 11 retired three- and four-star generals and admirals released "National Security and the Threat of Climate Change," a report crafted as part of an advisory board. Their approach helped shape policies and actions beginning at the end of the Bush administration. Their bottom line: Climate change can act as a threat multiplier for instability in some of the most volatile regions of the world, and it presents significant national security challenges for the United States.

In the decade since the reports release, the threats it described have moved from largely theoretical to insistent and real. Climate-related impacts are altering weather patterns, leading to heat, extreme weather events, and volatility. A 2015 Department of Defense report opens by simply stating: DoD recognizes the reality of climate change and the significant risk it poses to U.S. interests globally. The report noted that the department is already seeing the effects of climate change around the world. It specifically mentioned Hurricane Sandy here at home, as well as drought in Syria.

Much of the concern is based on how climate change exacerbates existing instability. Much of the Middle East and Syria was enmeshed in turmoil before a record drought from 2006 to 2009 decimated crops and killed livestock. The drought added extraordinary stress. It displaced individuals and families. It left people with no livelihoods, no food, and no water. Syrians deserted the countryside and joined refugees of Iraqs war in overburdened cities. Between 2002 and 2010 Syrias urban population ballooned from 8.9 million to 13.8 million. Deadly unrest began in 2011, and Syrian refugees are now reshaping the globe.

The U.S. military also sees direct threats to its own assets due to climate change. By 2050, half of the militarys 18 installations on the East and Gulf Coasts of the United States are predicted to suffer extreme flooding. The Pentagon is already spending money to build flood protections, elevate electrical equipment at Langley Air Force Base, and raise the piers at Norfolk Naval Base.

The vessels departing from Norfolk fulfill a range of critical U.S. military priorities, including rapid response to storms themselves. In 2013 the United States responded to Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest such storms ever recorded, by deploying thousands of troops and providing millions of dollars in support. Retired Brig. Gen. Stephen A. Cheney, the chief executive officer of the American Security Project, later commented that there is no country in the world that can  provide that level of humanitarian assistance. We are the only ones.

Months before Haiyan hit, Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, who was leading U.S. Pacific Command, was asked what the biggest long-term security threat in the Pacific was. In a region with critical relationships and challenges such as China and North Korea he surprised many with his answer: climate change. He specifically mentioned the increase in super typhoons and the possibility of millions of displaced people.

Given this range of threats, how should we prioritize the U.S. response? First, we should restore the process of admitting refugees. The United States has a detailed vetting system, one that was often criticized under the Obama administration for being too restrictive. It takes 18-24 months for a Syrian refugee to be cleared to settle in the United States.The United States should recommit to its established humanitarian goals.

Second, leaders must work across party lines to bring forward climate solutions, something that despite campaign rhetoric is an area where Americans actually agree. The 2016 Chicago Council Survey of American public opinion found that majorities of self-described Republicans, Democrats, and independents back U.S. participation in the Paris Agreement on climate change. The recent Republican proposal for a tax on carbon also offers an opportunity to find common ground on solutions instead of fighting about causes.

Third, local and state leaders should drive climate action. Enhancing security by addressing climate change benefits communities across the United States. Late in 2016, Republican governors in Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio all crafted paths to cleaner energy. A low carbon energy mix creates jobs, choice, and energy security in the United States.

Fourth, the administration and lawmakers should ensure the military has the tools needed to protect security. Energy efficiency and renewables can often enhance military effectiveness. In one example, something as simple as solar panels and rechargeable batteries can help save lives. Soldiers now carry less weight in batteries, and they have eliminated the trail of used batteries that used to telegraph their paths to the enemy.

The United States is the largest historical contributor to the greenhouse gases driving climate change, which is amplifying conflicts around the world. Many of the desperate refugees the United States now refuses to help are fleeing the effects. The U.S. Department of State website reads: The U.S. refugee resettlement program reflects the United States highest values and aspirations to compassion, generosity and leadership.

To truly improve our national security we must confront the carbon emissions driving climate change, not the people fleeing it.
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A same-sex couple was attacked downtown on Nov. 5 after a group of three other men saw them holding hands, according to an Athens-Clarke County Police report.
Its that time of the year again: when students huddle together in solidarity of studying fo
This wont be the Patagonia Worn Wear Trucks first time across the country, but it will be 
PwC wants to know what will happen when a company with substantial reserves is merged into a new concern and the resultant entity is converted into a limited liability partnership.

As mergers and acquisitions gain momentum in India, tax consultant PwC has said the income-tax department should provide more clarity on General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR) on these activities.

GAAR will be effective from the next financial year.

PwC wants clarity on things such as consolidation through amalgamation by which the losses of certain entities are set off against the profits of others.

Also, it should be made clear whether GAAR will be invoked when a private limited company is converted into a limited liability partnership (LLP) and its profits are distributed, the tax consultant says in its report Mergers and Acquisitions: The evolving Indian Landscape.

PwC wants to know what will happen when a company with substantial reserves is merged into a new concern and the resultant entity is converted into an LLP.

Another situation in which clarity is required is when a listed companys controlling stake is gifted by an entity to an individual, PwC says.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) came up with a clarification on GAAR on January 27.

However, industry wants more of them and case-by-case examples. A tax official said some uncertainty in GAAR would remain; otherwise, it would become Specific Anti-Avoidance Rules (SAAR).

The PwC report says the first half of 2016 saw a 12 per cent increase in the value of M&As despite a fall in the number of deals. It did not mention the recent M&As in the telecom space since those came later.

Hiten Kotak, Partner and Leader, M&A Tax, PwC, says ever since the litigation on the tax dues of Vodafone started in 2007, uncertainties surrounding M&As in India came into prominence, so much so that companies have now started taking tax-insurance policies.

He, however, also says that while the government is issuing clarifications on indirect transfers, it is also tightening the screws on various fronts, such as the renegotiation of Indias tax treaties, the looming advent of GAAR in 2017 and the adoption of the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) action plans.

The report says these are challenging times for businesses, with economic and political volatility dominating the headlines the world over.

Brexit, a potential Grexit, a slowing Chinese economy and the growing threat of terrorism - all tend to contribute to a negative and gloomy investor sentiment.

However, despite global volatility, CEOs are continuing to search for growth and value.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com
Focus has to be a lot about self-learning, says Nasscom Senior VP Sangeeta Gupta.

IT industry body Nasscom said both freshers and employees of software services industry should look at self-learning to stay relevant at a time when more businesses are focusing on digitisation.

"An aspect of diversity in the industry is going to be self-learning. It is no more going to be like Infosys will take you to Mysore campus and train for 3-6 months then you come back and get job-ready. Today it is on-the-job training, go do a big data analytics programme, do something on virtual reality and get certified.

While the employer's responsibility is obviously to show where the future is and what kind of skill development can exist within the company and outside, in today's environment the individual has to be equally worried about his or her future," said Sangeeta Gupta, senior vice-president, Nasscom at an event.

While introduction of automation and technologies like artificial intelligence is prompting companies to release software engineers from repetitive works, advisory firm McKinsey & Company recently said in a report that almost half of the 3.7 million workforce in the IT services firms will be "irrelevant" over the next 3-4 years.

Gupta said the employers would support and guide employees or might have budgets for re-training on new skills, but the "focus has to be a lot about self-learning".

Indian IT services industry -- both the large players and mid-sized firms -- have started re-skilling their employees in different ways.

Gupta, however, says employees have to be aggressive about their own skill development in order to prove that they can deliver at a time when the growth is faster in digital technologies like AI, machine learning.

While India's largest software exporter TCS has spoken about retraining 1,00,000 people in digital technology skills, Infosys created the Design Thinking platform and Wipro has developed its own re-killing modules.

This clearly says that the industry is looking at "skill and not only scale".

Pravin Rao, chief operating officer, Infosys, recently said today even 15-20 years of experience may not prove to be the only credential for an engineer to grow. "It is important to learn some of the new technologies," he said.

Nasscom is going to make its leadership resource centre available online in the next 45 days.

The resource centre, created jointly with Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, will facilitate both online and offline training to enhance skills of software engineers and help in grooming leaders who can take on challenges with the technology shift.

It can be accessed both by individual employees and organisations can enroll on behalf of their employees, said Gupta.

Photograph: Sahil Salvi.
Workers who had gone to their hometowns and did not return for work after Diwali vacation owing to the demonetisation impact have now started trickling back to the industrial hubs in Gujarat, say Vimukt Dave & Sohini Das.



Image: Artisans from West Bengal have returned to their jobs in the gold jewellery sector. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters



If not in ATMs in the country, remonetisation seems to have happened in industrial clusters of Gujarat.

Workers who had gone to their hometowns and did not return for work after Diwali (the festival was about a week before demonetisation on November 8) vacation owing to the demonetisation impact have now started trickling back to the industrial hubs in Gujarat.

Sample this: Almost all the diamond-polishing units in Surat are back into action, though at a lower capacity, with migrant labourers resuming work gradually.

Morbi, the worlds third-largest ceramic products cluster, too, has seen workers returning from their hometowns.

Good export orders and revival in domestic demand have prompted unit owners to call back their workers (mostly daily wage earners from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan).

After demonetisation, 30,000-35,000 workers had left the city (Morbi), but now they are coming back. Hardly 2,000-3,000 workers are in their home states. We hope they come back by the end of March, said Nilesh Jetparia, president of the Morbi Ceramic Association.

The association is opening bank accounts of workers. It says more than 60,000 accounts have been opened so far, and the drive is on.

Artisans from West Bengal have returned to their jobs in the gold jewellery sector because the marriage season has brought back demand.

Bank accounts of almost 50 per cent of the workers in these clusters have been opened so far, according to industry sources.

The owner of a diamond-polishing unit in Surat said: Almost all units are now back in action, just that they are operating at a 65-70 per cent capacity. There is still a cash crunch in the market, but things are definitely back into action.

Most of the clusters like ceramics, brass parts and jewellery manufacturing in Saurashtra region of Gujarat had witnessed a huge reverse migration after the note ban created a cash shortage.

Wages, which were paid in cash as a result, could not be paid, and work had almost come to a standstill around December. Industry says while the cash crunch continues, work is getting back on track.

In Rajkot, a cluster of handmade gold and silver jewellery, artisans from West Bengal have started joining work from mid-January. Sandip Katrodia who booked the artisans for handmade crafting, said, Good demand for the marriage season and availability of cash normalised things in the jewellery market in Rajkot.

According to the Rajkot Jems and Jewellery Trade Association, the city employs around 45,000 artisans, of whom an estimated 25,000 are from West Bengal.

Things are slightly different in the Jamnagar cluster, where, while workers are keen to resume work and have started coming back from their hometowns, lack of demand is playing a spoilsport. According to the industry, demand is lower by 20-25 per cent. About 15,000 workers left Jamnagar after the currency ban, and only half have returned.
Stars go for the loveliest holidays -- exotic locations with a lot of adventure thrown in.

So we decided to bring you their travels with a special series.

Suyyash Rai and Kishwer Merchant went to California for their honeymoon.

Shilpa Shetty had a lovely London holiday.

Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu explored Croatia.

It's time for a new location! This time it's China.

Celina Jaitly vacationed in Shanghai, Beijing and Sanya with her husband Peter Haag and their twins Winston and Viraaj. A look at the pictures.





Celina felt like an empress in these enamel bracelets that she bought from the Forbidden City in Beijing.





They got a VIP tour of the legendary Forbidden City in Beijing.

That is one ginormous firecracker.





A family picture at the Forbidden City.





Here, she wears the ancient Chinese Royal head accessory.

She thanked the luxurious hospitality of China, 'Had a feast always ready for a #queen .. still thinking of the divine sauce spread with the Chinese,' she wrote.





A selfie with the family from the Dubai airport while they were all set to go to China.

Sailing into the sunset in Sanya, the Hawaii of China.





They hired a private helicopter for their daily adventures in Haitang Bay.

The family explores the beauty of China from the skies.





Posing in front of their private chopper for the day.

Having a fun time at the Westin Sanya Haitang Bay Resort.





At the diplomatic dinner hosted by ministry of external affairs at the state guest house in Beijing.

'Travel makes you modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in this world,' writes Celina sharing this picture.





Celina called the Great Wall of China 'an incredible feat of mankind.'

Built 2,200 years ago, it mesmerised them despite -2 degrees and wind chill factors.





The boys enjoy at an underwater restaurant.





Exploring the marine life.

Viraaj and mommy were all set to take off from China.

Photographs: Celina Jaitly, Winston and Viraaj/ Instagram
There is no denying that the Deepa identity has overnight caught the peoples imagination across the state. But converting that into an imagery and from there as support and vote-base is a different matter altogether, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Image: The late Jayalalithaas niece Deepa Jayakumar launches her new party MGR Amma Deepa Peravai in Chennai on February 24, 2017. Photograph: R Senthil Kumar/PTI Photo.

Now that J Deepa, niece of the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam supremo and Tamil Nadu chief minister, the late Jayalalithaa, has floated a new political outfit, the question arises as to where her support base would come from.

An accompanying question is if the visible enthusiasm for her, as evidenced outsider her residence in Chennai would all turn into votes in her favour -- and, would it be enough to catapult a political novice anywhere close to the seat of power in what still remains a Dravidian stronghold.

Such arguments are not without reason. Despite her claims to represent Jayas politics, its highly unlikely that time-tested AIADMK cadres would go her way, barring on occasions and for specific reasons.

Most of the traditional anti-Establishment AIADMK second-line leaders in the districts, opposed to the Sasikala brand of party politics and leadership, have already migrated to the rival faction led by three-time former chief minister, O Panneerselvam, or OPS.

Even those cadres opposed to V K Sasikala taking over as AIADMK general secretary first, and wanting to become CM not very long after, seem confused. Either they might go the OPS way, or would want to give incumbent CM, Edappadi K Palaniswami, time before deciding on their next step.

In between, they had toyed with the idea of backing a third leader like Deepa, as OPS was seen in Sasikalas company and was also seen as doing her bidding. Not any more, it would seem.

After sending out equally confusing signals to the cadres, especially over her decision to go the whole hog with the OPS faction, Deepa announced the launch of her political outfit on Jayas first birth anniversary after the latters departure.

The inexperience, if not immaturity, of her advisory team stands out when one toys with the prospect of coining an acronym for her MGR-Amma Deepa Peravai, named after AIADMK founder MGR, Tamil Nadus one and only Amma, and her own self.

An acronym is essential to popularise the outfits name among the cadres and masses, but this one will read MAD Forum in English.

However, none in Deepas inner circle seems to have noticed it. If her opponents have done so, they have not found it worth their while to react to it.

In Tamil, for want of headline space and ready trigger in the reader, it could be referred only as Deepa Peravai, disassociating the title from those of MGR and Jaya that the organisers have very assiduously added on.

Suffice to point out that in the absence of a Tamil acronym that could be used constantly in media references, a relatively recent political party like actor-politician Seemans Naam Thamizhar Katchi is continued to be referred to only by the name of the founder, and not by that of the party.

It does not stop there, either. At a time when national politics is rife with criticism of family parties and the AIADMK too is faced with family rule by Sasikalas kith and kin, for Deepa to use her own name as a part of her outfits name may leave a bad taste in the mouth of prospective cadres and supporters alike.

Deepa is not a member of the AIADMK. Traditional cadres opposed to Sasi & Co, and wanting to look beyond OPS for a credible and firm alternative may be touched, if not moved by her use of the names of MGR and Jaya.

But they are also the ones who mostly identify with the MGR-Jaya Two Leaves election symbol. Deepas decision to float a new party, while being a pragmatic move, also implies that she is now looking at capturing the AIADMK and owning up the Two Leaves symbol.

The lien on both, if at all it came to that, could be on OPS, as things stand -- and not certainly on Deepa.

If Deepa were to look at the kind of youthful crowd wanting change and were at the forefront of Januarys state-wide Jallikattu protests, for instance, they are the ones that is looking for iconoclasts, not someone wanting to duplicate someone and something else thats already there and of which they are already tired.

There is no denying that the Deepa identity has overnight caught the peoples imagination across the state. But converting that into an imagery and from there as support and vote-base is a different matter altogether.

With vast and varied political experience, the MDMKs Vaiko and PMKs Ramadoss both have their political and electoral limitations exposed over the past decades.

Despite the huge success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both before and after the 2014 parliamentary polls, the BJP remains a non-starter in the state, as the 2016 assembly election results show.

Despite the strong ideological background and some filmi purchase, Seeman and his NMK are still struggling to make their electoral presence felt. They have not been able to make any difference between victory and defeat to anyone else.

The DMDK of actor-politician Vijaykanth is fast losing shape, after losing a substantial vote-base, thanks to the over-arching ambitions of its leadership -- unsupported by any real-time political calculations.

Image: Supporters of the late Jayalalithaas niece Deepa Jayakumar at the launch of her new party MGR Amma Deepa Peravai in Chennai on February 24, 2017. Photograph: R Senthil Kumar/PTI Photo.

Less said about the state of the Congress, the two communist parties and sub-regional caste-based parties like the VCK and PT in Tamil Nadu, the better its for Team Deepa strategists, if there is anyone.

Yet, the DMDK experience of Vijaykanth would recall how his vote-base went up to 10 per cent in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, up from eight per cent in its first-ever electoral outing in the 2006 assembly polls.

The DMDK contested both on its own, but lost its relevance and significance when it began aligning with other parties, especially the AIADMK.

Without the patience to wait out the Dravidian majors, namely, the DMK and the AIADMK, and sans a lot of resources, no party could hope to replace either. Or, thats the lesson of and from the DMDK for aspirants like Deepa.

For now, the 10 per cent wavering vote-bank in the state is for grabs, or so it seems -- especially after the DMDK lost it in 2016 polls and an up and coming BJP failed to corner it.

Now for Deepa to get it all, or at least some, first she has to make a dent in the local bodies elections due in April. Thats going to be a tall task as she still seems confused about her political identity and also on the advisability of tying up with the OPS camp.

Neither has a registered party to call his/her own, nor an allotted election symbol.

With the local polls nearly round the corner, even OPS would have to forsake his claims to the AIADMK under Sasi, if he were to obtain a separate symbol in time to popularise it among the cadres and voters.

The alternative would be for the OPS camp to make a quick claim on the AIADMK and symbol, convincing the Election Commission at least to freeze the Two Leaves symbol, pending the final disposal of all such claims and counter-claims.

In between, the local bodies polls, including municipal and municipal corporation elections, might have come and gone -- unless the judiciary is moved and in good time, for the latter to feel compelled to intervene.

And unlike the symbol issue, which will rest with the Election Commission of India, the local bodies election is conducted by the State Election Commission, formed under the 74th and 75th Amendment to the Constitution, when Rajiv Gandhi was prime minister, way back in the 80s.

N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and political analyst, is Director, Observer Research Foundation, Chennai Chapter.
As the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena refused to blink, the opposition, the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party are keen to take the benefit, reports Sanjay Jog.

After the bitter fight, there is still no sign of rapprochement between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena for the revival of an alliance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Instead, both are making claims about winning the mayoral election slated for March 9.

The Shiv Sena on Monday targeted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his statement that the BJP will never ally with the Congress to assume power in the BMC.

Sena MP Sanjay Raut asked the BJP to first break its alliance with the Congress at the local level and criticised the BJP for sharing power with the People's Democratic Party in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The BJP, who gave a call for the Congress free India should not criticise the latter especially when the BJP does not feel the PDP is untouchable," he noted.

Raut's outburst comes close on the heels of BJP leaders asking the Shiv Sena not to join hands with the Congress to win the mayoral election in the BMC. BJP minister Chandrakant Patil opined that the BJP and the Shiv Sena are natural allies and termed Sena's alliance with the Congress will be "unholy" and it won't be accepted by people at large.

Further, veteran BJP leader and former state revenue minister Eknath Khadse on Monday hinted that the party corporator will be next Mumbai mayor. However, he declined to divulge details relating to the BJP getting the adequate numbers for the same.

Interestingly, the opposition, the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party are keen to take the benefit out of a widening rift between the BJP and the Shiv Sena.

The Congress with 31 corporators has declared that it won't support the Shiv Sena but can explore an option of fielding its own candidate in the mayoral election. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Ashok Chavan has clarified that his party would consider supporting the Shiv Sena in the mayoral poll only after the latter walks out of the BJP-led government in Maharashtra.

Former chief minister Narayan Rane, who deserted the Shiv Sena in 2005, alleged that the Shiv Sena won't leave the BJP-led government until it would be thrown out. He informed that the Congress and the NCP cannot move the no-confidence motion against the Maharashtra government unless and until the Shiv Sena joins them.

On its part, NCP chief Sharad Pawar announced that his party will not extend support to the BJP in the mayoral election but added that the local party unit will decide whether or not to support the Shiv Sena.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, whose offer for the pre-poll alliance was rejected by the Shiv Sena, on Monday jumped into the ongoing tussle hinting that party's decision will be in the interest of Marathi pride. MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar said the party chief Raj Thackeray will take a final call on supporting the Shiv Sena but added that party's decision will be for the benefit of Marathi Manoos.

The Shiv Sena won 84 seats but has got support from four independents while the BJP with 82 seats has been able to mobilise support from one independent. The Congress has won 31 seats, the NCP nine, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena seven while nine corporators are from smaller parties.
Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar on Tuesday hit out at Union minister Kiren Rijiju for his remark against Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, calling it "grossly biased".

He also took a dig at cricketer Virender Sehwag and wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, who trolled Kaur after her campaign "I am not afraid of ABVP" went viral.

"If a hardly literate player or a wrestler troll a pacifist daughter of a martyr it's understandable but what's wrong with some educated folks," Akhtar tweeted.

Kaur, 20, the daughter of army martyr Captain Mandeep Singh and a student of Lady Sri Ram College, had started the campaign following the violence at Ramjas College.

It received massive support from students across various universities.

Rijiju had taken to Twitter to criticise Kaur.

"Who's polluting this young girl's mind? Strong armed forces prevent a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded," the minister of state for home had said.

Responding to Rijiju's comment, Akhtar tweeted, "Mr minister, you have condemned the left by falsely accusing them for celebrating soldiers killing n not a word about AVBP. Grossly biased."

"I don't (know) about her but Mr Minister I know who is polluting your mind," the 71-year-old lyricist added.

Kaur withdrew from her social media campaign after allegedly receiving threats from the members of the RSS-backed outfit.

Her decision comes amidst a raging controversy over her social media campaign against RSS-backed ABVP, which attracted alleged threats of rape and a virulent backlash.

WATCH: Sehwag evades questions on Gurmehar Kaur row

In a series of tweets, Kaur, a Lady Shri Ram College student, announced her decision saying she has been through a lot and "this is all my 20 year self could take (sic)".

Kaur earlier urged people not to identify her as a "martyr's daughter" if that "bothers" them. She is the daughter of Capt Mandeep Singh who was killed in a militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir in 1999.

"She has left for Jalandhar to be with her family," a Delhi Commission for Women official said.

The Delhi Police has requested their Jalandhar counterpart to provide adequate security to her.

As the march, from which she withdrew, made its way through the North Campus with hundreds of students of JNU, DU and Jamia participating, she tweeted, "All my friends. Our lovely faculty! how I wish I was there."

In an earlier tweet, she had urged people to join the march, which is "about students and not about me", in large numbers.

"I'm withdrawing from the campaign. Congratulations everyone. I request to be left alone. I said what I had to say. I have been through a lot and this is all my 20 year self could take. To anyone questioning my courage and bravery...I've shown more than enough," she said.

The Lady Sri Ram college backed Kaur saying she has the right to express her opinion.

"We support our student as duty of institutions is to nurture students without fear. Gurmehar has right to express her opinion and she responded sensitively, bravely. She has fulfilled her duty as a young citizen," the college said in a statement.

The 20-year-old student had started the campaign 'I am not afraid of ABVP', following the February-22 violence at Ramjas college. The campaign went viral and received a massive support from students of various universities.

Kaur on Monday met DCW chief Swati Maliwal and complained that she has been receiving "rape threats" on social media, allegedly by ABVP members.

Maliwal, who termed the threats as "shameful", has written to Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik demanding an FIR be registered against the "abusers" and security be provided to her and her family.
Amid heart-rending scenes, the mortal remains of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the United States in an apparent hate crime incident, were consigned to flames in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

Kuchibhotla's father Madhusudana Rao lit the funeral pyre at the crematorium in Jubilee Hills.

The parents of the 32-year-old engineer were in deep sorrow over the tragedy that has struck them.

Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, several other leaders, family members and friends of Kuchibhotla were present on the occasion.

As the funeral pyre was lit, some of those present at the crematorium raised slogans in memory of Kuchibhotla and against the US administration.

The body was earlier taken to the crematorium from his house at Bachupally on the city's outskirts.

It was a picture of sadness and grief at the house, where a pall of gloom had descended, as Kuchibhotla's wife Sunayana took part in the last minute rituals.

His parents and other family members too looked crest-fallen.

Kuchibhotla had been working at the Garmin headquarters in Olathe in Kansas City. Another Indian and his colleague Alok Madasani was injured in the incident that took place on last Wednesday.

A teacher of Kuchibhotla recalled him as a simple and good-natured person who always had a positive outlook towards life.

The engineer's body was brought to his parents' house shortly before midnight on Monday after being flown from the US to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

Ministers from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, MLAs and other leaders belonging to different political parties visited his house after the shooting incident.

Union Ministers M Venkaiah Naidu and Bandaru Dattatreya had earlier visited the family.

The shooting incident had taken place at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri.

Ian Grillot, an American, was injured when he tried to tackle the accused Adam Purinton, 51, who was arrested on Thursday morning, five hours after the incident.

Purinton had reportedly yelled "get out of my country" before opening fire on Kuchibhotla and Madasani.
In a bizarre reaction to Srinivas Kuchibhotla's shooting at a restaurant in Kansas on Wednesday night, the Telangana American Telugu Association has advised the community to avoid communicating in Telugu in public places in the US.

"Much as we love talking in our mother tongue, it can often be misconstrued. Please see if you can communicate in English in public places," the association said in a statement put out in its Facebook page.

The organisation further advised people not to get into argument with others in public places and leave the place immediately without confrontation.

"Isolated places can often be targets. Please avoid going or going single," it said.

The mortal remains of Kuchibhotla (32) were brought to Hyderabad on Monday night and his last rites will be performed on Tuesday.

The shooting took place at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City, Missouri. Another Indian and Kuchibhotla's colleague Alok Madasani was injured in the incident. Ian Grillot, an American, was injured when he tried to tackle the accused, Adam Purinton (51), who was arrested on Thursday morning, five hours after the incident.

Purinton had reportedly yelled "get out of my country" before opening fire on Kuchibhotla and Madasani.

Meanwhile, US firm Garmin, where slain Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla was employed, has pledged to ensure that his wife is able to return to America after she travels to India for her husband's last rites.

Sunayana Dumala expressed concern after her 32-year-old husband's shooting death at a Kansas bar, that her travel visa would become invalid, making her ineligible to continue living in the United States.

"Garmin has to make sure that I can come back to this country at my will and pursue his dreams of me being successful in any field that I choose," Dumala said during a

press conference.

Company officials said that Kuchibhotla had a work permit or a H1B visa and that Dumala had an H4 visa.

He is the main holder of the visa, which allowed his wife to live and work in the United States.

"My husband came to the United States with lots of dreams. We made Kansas our home, we made Olathe our home," Dumala said.

"Garmin's in-house legal counsel as well as its immigration counsel are working on Dumala's travel arrangements.

Several local law firms, including Bryan Cave, have come forward to offer free legal assistance, said Laurie Minard, Garmin's vice president of human resources.

The law firm also works to ensure that spouses of Garmin's employees have access to various resources and are able to connect with people in their community.

Garmin had sponsored Kuchibhotla as well as other employees from India, Asia and other countries throughout their tenure with the company.

"That is why she was very concerned with him not being here and if she left would she be able to come back," Minard said.

"We have assured her that we will help her with that," he added.

IMAGE: Srinivas Kuchibhotla with wife Sunayana Dumala. Photograph: Sunayana Dumala/Facebook
How a chilling 911 call from a bartender led to the arrest of Adam Purinton, the man who killed Srinivas Kuchibhotla.

IMAGE: Kansas shooting accused Adam Purinton appeared in court via video from jail in Olathe, Kansas, on February 27, 2017. He has been assigned a "safety smock", which is given to inmates who might harm themselves. Photograph: Jill Toyoshiba/Reuters .

Adam Purinton, the man who killed Indian-American engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injured Alok Madasani and Ian Grillot in a shooting in Olathe, Kansas, on February 22, would have probably evaded the police a lot longer had it not been for a 911 call from a bartender in Clinton, Missouri.

In the call, released by KSHB Kansas City, the caller identified herself as a bartender at Applebee's. She said:

"I had this guy come into the bar and he told me that he had done something really bad and he was on the run from the police, and he asked if he could stay with me and my husband and he wouldn't tell me what he did.

"I kept asking him. He said he would tell me if I agreed to let him stay with me.

"I finally got him to tell me and he said that he shot and killed two Iranian people in Olathe and I looked it up on the news and there was a shooting three hours ago He's here, but he made me promise that I wouldn't call police."

The bartender also informed the police that there were people in the building and the cops should come in without sirens blaring. "I'm afraid he's going to freak out if he sees the cops come to the building," she said.

The man turned out to be Purinton and was arrested within 45 minutes of the 911 call.

IMAGE: Adam Purinton and his public defender Michelle R Durrett. Purinton is being held in the Johnson County Jail on a $2-million cash bond. Photograph: Jill Toyoshiba/Reuters.

Purinton, 51, a US Navy veteran, was taken back to Kansas after his arrest and charged on one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

According to witnesses, Purinton yelled "get out of my country" as he opened fire inside Austin's restaurant in Olathe on the night of February 22. He killed Kuchibhotla and wounded his colleague Madasani -- both engineers who held H-1B visas and worked at Garmin.

He also injured Ian Grillot, the American man who tried to stop his killing spree.

Purinton drove 70 miles to the Applebee's in Clinton, Missouri, after the shooting where he admitted to what he had done to the bartender.

The accused appeared in court for the first time on February 27.

Photos showed him wearing a "safety smock" during the appearance, which lasted less than two minutes.

A sheriff's department spokesman told the Kansas media that suspects are made to wear such safety smocks if something suggests that they might harm themselves. However, there was no clarification on what was the trigger for that concern in Purinton's case.

Purinton is currently being held in the Johnson County Jail on a $2-million cash bond.

IMAGE: From left, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was killed, and Alok Madasani and Ian Grillot, who were injured in the Kansas shooting on February 22.



Steve Howe, Johnson County District Attorney, clarified in a tweet that the racial motivation behind the attack is not part of the case because Kansas "does not have hate crime statute-those charges have to be in fed court. If convicted in District Court as charged, Purinton faces Hard 50."

The FBI, which tracks hate crimes, is gathering evidence on this aspect, and according to the Press Trust of India, "If their agents can prove that Purinton's alleged actions constitute a hate crime, he could face federal charges that could potentially carry the death penalty."

FBI spokesman Bridget Patton, however, said they had no new information to release on this subject.

The racial nature of the attack, however, has continued to make people of colour and immigrant communities uneasy.

The White House spokesman Sean Spicer had initially it would be "absurd" to draw a co-relation between the attack and US President Donald Trump's Islamphobic rhetoric. But he did comment on it after multiple alleged hate crimes against the Jewish community, including the desecration of a Jewish cemetery, in the US.

Spicer said, "From our country's founding, we've been dedicated to protecting the freedom of our citizens' rights to worship. No one in America should feel afraid to follow the religion of their choice freely and openly. The President is dedicated to preserving the originating principle of our nation."

He added, "And while we're at it, I don't want to get ahead of law enforcement, but I was asked the other day about the story in Kansas, the shooting in Kansas. While the story is evolving, early reports out of Kansas are equally disturbing."

How did the Kansas shooting unfold?

Hear it from the American who took a bullet for two Indians
The Madras high court on Tuesday dismissed as withdrawn a public interest litigation by a former All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP challenging the appointment of V K Sasikala as the party general secretary.

When the petition by K C Palanisamy came up for hearing, a bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh and Justice R Mahadevan observed how it could be maintained as PIL and asked the counsel whether she would withdraw the petition or wants the court to pass orders.

As the bench made it clear that it intended to dismiss the petition, the counsel sought to withdraw the PIL, filed earlier this month at the height of the power tussle between Sasikala and and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.

The petitioner had contended that Sasikala was made general secretary on December 29 by the AIADMK general council in violation of Rule 20 of the party by-laws.

He had also sought nomination of a neutral person by the Election Commission to conduct the party polls for election of general secretary.

The post had fallen vacant following the demise of party general secretary and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on December 5, following which Sasikala was elevated.

A resolution adopted at the general council meeting had then said Sasikala will be formally elected as general secretary soon.
The soul of the martyred father of DelhiUniversity student Gurmehar Kaur must be crying as she is being misled by people who celebrate when soldiers die in action, Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said.

Rijijus comment may further stoke the controversy over Kaurs allegation of threats of rape and assault following her social media protest against the violence involving members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad at DelhiUniversitys Ramjas College last week.

She is the daughter of a martyr. But his soul must be crying as she is being misled by people who celebrate when our soldiers die, he said.

Rijiju said the 20-year-old girl has full liberty to speak her mind and she will be given total protection as her security is governments responsibility.

The Union minister of state for home said his remark on who was polluting the mind of an army martyrs daughter was aimed at the Leftists.

Rijijus comment came a day after he questioned whether someone was polluting Kaurs mind. His remark drew flak from opposition parties.

I stand by my comments. Anybody who tweets on social media platform should be careful. But anyone with a contrary view should be allowed to speak. Gurmehar is a young girl and she should be allowed to speak her mind, he said.

When I said somebody is polluting her (Gurmehars) mind, I meant the Leftists, he said.

Kaur had started a video campaign Not Afraid of ABVP.

The minister said if there was any threat to Kaur, it should be dealt with sternly.

But someone is playing politics over the issue, he said.

Rijiju also slammed the Leftists for their stand, saying whenever Indian soldiers die, they always celebrate.

In 1962 when the Chinese were fighting with us, the Leftists supported the Chinese. Even today when our soldiers die, they celebrate. They also go to the universities and try to mislead our youth, he said.

Rijiju described Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as an anarchist who was siding with some students who were creating turmoil at the Delhi University.

The minister asked the Congress to stay away from universities as they have no ideology.

He said everyone has the freedom to speak, they can speak against the prime minister, they can stage protests, but no one has the right to speak against the nation.

Rijijus comments on Monday had come amidst the ongoing row over the clashes between the Left-affiliated All India Students Association and the RSS-backed ABVP at Ramjas College.

Kaur, daughter of Captain Mandeep Singh, who was killed by militants in Jammu and Kashmir in 1999, had made a video asking India and Pakistan to amicably settle their disputes.

She had held a placard, saying, Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him.

Kaur claimed she was getting rape threats from unknown persons after she spoke against the ABVP.
Academicians from universities across the globe, including Coulmbia, Cambridge, Trinity College and New YorkUniversity, have condemned the recent Ramjas College clashes as state-tolerated violence.

In a joint statement, the academicians said no progress is possible in a country if the young people are not permitted the full freedom to discuss difficult and pressing issues.

The issues that will matter to them long after the political leadership in the country has passed on, they said.

We stand against the rule of state-tolerated violence on college campuses, the statement said.

The signatories include professors from Columbia, Cambridge, University of Pensylvannia, University of Toronto, Trinity college, University of California, New York University and University of Gottingen, among others.

Delhi Universitys Ramjas college had last week witnessed large-scale violence between All India Students' Association and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad members after an invite to Jawaharlal Nehru University students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar on Culture of Protests was withdrawn.

The college authorities had withdrawn the invite following opposition by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-backed outfit ABVP.

The ruling partys student wing -- ABVP -- has been emboldened to intervene violently in any attempt by students to have open discussions about matters that the Sangh Parivar deems to be inappropriate. This is thuggish censorship. We stand against it, the statement reads.

It alleged that the Sangh Parivar wants to use reforms to college admission policy and to the policies on student life as a way to engineer the student body.

They want to disallow progressive politics and allow only the politics of violent cultural nationalism. Their agenda is to close the Indian mind and destroy intellectual flexibility and we stand against it, the statement added.
Inside the governors' reception hosted by Indian Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna -- a first in more than 15 years.

Monal Sarkar checks out the attendees.

IMAGE: Indian Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna, right, greets Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, the chair of the National Governors Association, and NGA Vice-Chair, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, centre at his home in Washington, DC.

Photograph: Kind courtesy IndianUSA/Facebook.com

At least 25 American governors -- and special representatives of four more governors -- attended the governors' reception hosted by Navtej Sarna, India's ambassador to the United States, at his residence in Washington, DC, on February 24.

The event coincided with the opening night of the winter meeting of the National Governors Association in the US capital.

The attendance at the reception held for the first time in more than 15 years indicated just how far the India-US relationship had come.

The last time an Indian ambassador hosted American governors on this scale was in February 2001 when Naresh Chandra was the ambassador and Sarna an official at the embassy.

Only 18 governors -- a position that roughly corresponds to chief ministers of Indian states -- attended the 2001 reception.

The large attendance this time was viewed as an outreach to the Indian-American community, which is reeling from the Kansas shooting that saw a racist US navy veteran attack two Indian engineers, killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla, and injuring Alok Madasani.

'I am sure all right-thinking people in America will work together and ensure that this tragic incident is behind us,' Sarna was quoted as saying in his welcoming remarks at the reception.

Sarna leveraged the evening to not just underline India's concerns over the Kansas shooting and the uptick in hate crimes, but also to highlight the worth of the India-US strategic partnership.

And in the current climate of anxiety over the Trump administration's anticipated action on the H-1B visa, he drew special 'attention to the immense contribution of the high tech sector in promoting bilateral economic cooperation.'

According to a statement from the Indian embassy, the ambassador said, 'From 2011 to 2015, studies by reputed business houses reveal that more than 400,000 jobs have been directly and indirectly supported by Indian tech companies recording a growth of 10 per cent annually.'

'Over the last 5 years, Indian tech companies have paid over $20 billion as taxes, $7 billion towards social security contributions and impacted over 120,000 American lives through Corporate Social Responsibility contributions.'

The embassy said the governors in attendance assured the gathering that 'the NGA and its components -- the US state governments -- will continue to work closely with India to assure a safe and secure work and living environment for Indian citizens in the US as well as a productive business environment conditioned by a favourable regulatory and legal set-up.'

Snapshots from the evening...

Among the governors in attendance were, standing from left, Arizona's Doug Ducey, Kentucky's Matt Bevin, Louisiana's John Bel Edwards, Massachusetts' Charlie Baker, Indiana's Eric Holcomb, Wyoming's Matt Mead, South Dakota's Dennis Daugaard and the US Virgin Islands' Kenneth Mapp.

Seated from left, Utah's Gary Herbert, Alaska's Bill Walker, Oklahoma's Mary Fallin, Ambassador Navtej Sarna, Virginia's Terry McAuliffe, Nevada's Brian Sandoval and South Carolina's Henry McMaster.

The NGA, founded in 1908, is called the 'collective voice' of the nation's governors; its membership includes the governors of all 55 US states, territories and commonwealths.

Photograph: Kindc courtesy IndianUSA/Facebook.com

From left, South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard and a guest with Ambassador Sarna and his wife Avina.

Photograph: Kind courtesy @mattkonenkamp/Twitter.com

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, left, tweeted this photograph with actress Jennifer Garner, centre, saying, 'WVa's Jennifer Garner got the full #SCisGreat pitch from us tonight at Indian Ambassador's residence.'

Garner was in Washington, DC for the NGA, where she addressed and attended various panels.

Photograph: Kind courtesy @henrymcmaster/Twitter.com

Among those talking about the reception on social media was Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, right.

Photograph: Kind courtesy @GovHolcomb/Twitter.com

Also in attendance was Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, left.

Photograph: Kind courtesy IndianUSA/Facebook.com

'Apart from the governors and their spouses,' the embassy noted, 'there was strong presence from US and Indian industry as well as chambers of commerce, think-tanks and prominent media personalities.'

Photograph: Kind courtesy IndianUSA/Facebook.com
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)  U.S. senators from South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana are pushing a bill that would address the problem of dropped rural cellphone calls.

Carrie Johnson of SDN Communications told the Argus Leader (http://argusne.ws/2laGC58 ) that about 80 percent of South Dakota's land area is impacted by the issue.

"If you're a rural business and you lost a business opportunity, sometimes you don't even know it," Johnson said.

She said more resources are needed to operate networks without the customer base to support it.

Now, Republican Sen. John Thune, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Democratic Sen. John Tester have reintroduced a bipartisan bill that failed to make the floor before the end of last year's session.

"For most Americans, grabbing the phone, dialing a number, and waiting for someone to pick up on the other end is a task as routine as they come," Thune said. "But believe it or not, for a lot of folks who live in rural states like South Dakota, call completion and reliability can still be a challenge today."

The bill would require the Federal Communications Commission to establish minimum standards for quality in voice call transmission. It would also require least cost routers to register with the commission and ban telecom companies from using unregistered intermediaries.

Last month, the proposed bill passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee, and companion legislation has passed through the House of Representatives.

It's unclear when the bill could appear for debate on the Senate floor.

___

Information from: Argus Leader, http://www.argusleader.com
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.
SARATOGA  Howard County officials are welcoming a Wisconsin utility company plan to build a wind farm here that could generate up to 66 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 47,000 homes.

Madison Gas & Electric of Madison, Wis., said Tuesday the proposed Saratoga site would consist of 33 turbines, each nearly 500 feet tall. Thats 100 feet taller than turbines at MGEs Top of Iowa wind farm in Worth County, in north-central Iowa, installed in 2008.

The project is in Saratoga Township near the unincorporated community of Saratoga along Iowa Highway 9 between Cresco and Riceville.

If state regulators approve the proposal, it will be built next year and will begin operating by the end of 2018. The estimated cost is $107 million.

Howard County officials are welcoming the project as an economic benefit and said the project has met no opposition,

Its clean energy, number one, and number two, its an economic benefit to the county. A big one, said Howard County Supervisor Jan McGovern, board vice chairwoman, in whose district the project would be located.

She and county board chairman Don Burnikel noted the county already has 112 wind turbines in operation. The county has no zoning, but the project will require permits to make sure county roads are left intact after construction.

We are just so happy to have any wind farms in this area, Burnikel said. Theyre such an economic benefit to our county. Its just amazing.

Kirk Kraft of the Clear Lake office of RPM Access, developing the project for Madison Gas & Electric, said meetings will be held with property owners about participating in the project. Burnikel said turbines are a source of income for farmers.

This is an exciting opportunity for our customers and continues the progress weve made in reducing carbon emissions and increasing renewable energy, Gary Wolter, MGE chairman, president and CEO, said in a written statement.

Howard County supervisor Burnikel said the proposed Saratoga Township location is flat, open country, ideal for a wind farm.

If approved, it will be MGEs largest wind farm.

Sierra Club Wisconsin said it is glad to see MGE taking the much-needed initiative to invest in wind power, said spokeswoman Elizabeth Katt Reinders, in Madison. Wed like to see MGE commit to large-scale clean energy investment with the goal of replacing, not augmenting, dirty fossil fuels.

Courier news editor Pat Kinney contributed to this article.
Germany: UN rights panel highlights racial profiling against people of African descent

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 27 February 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Germany: UN rights panel highlights racial profiling against people of African descent, 27 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b589564.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.

People of African descent in Germany suffer racial discrimination, Afrophobia and racial profiling in their daily lives, but their situation remains largely invisible to the wider society, a United Nations expert panel said today at the end of its first official visit to the country.

"The repeated denial that racial profiling does not exist in Germany by police authorities and the lack of an independent complaint mechanism at federal and state level fosters impunity," said Ricardo Sunga, who currently heads the expert panel, in a news release issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Established on 25 April 2002 by the then Commission on Human Rights, following the World Conference against Racism held in Durban in 2001, the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent is composed of five independent experts: Mr. Sunga (the Philippines), current Chair-Rapporteur; Michal Balcerzak (Poland); Mireille Fanon Mendes-France (France), Sabelo Gumedze (South Africa) and Ahmed Reid (Jamaica).

A Working Group delegation visited Berlin, Dessau, Dresden, Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Dusseldorf, Cologne and Hamburg from 20 to 27 February, to gain first-hand knowledge on discriminatory practices affecting people of African descent in Germany.

"There is a serious lack of ethnicity-based disaggregated data, and an incomplete understanding of history, which obscure the magnitude of structural and institutional racism people of African descent face," Mr. Sunga said, explaining that the Working Group believes that institutional racism and racist stereotyping by the criminal justice system has led to a failure to effectively investigate and prosecute perpetrators of racist violence, racial profiling and hate crimes against people of African descent.

During the eight-day mission, the human rights experts engaged with representatives of the German Federal and State authorities, representatives of national and provincial human rights institutions and civil society. The delegation welcomed ongoing efforts by the administration to address racial discrimination faced by people of African descent.

The Working group will present a report containing its findings and recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2017.

Special Rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.
Families report skyrocketing food prices, dire conditions in western Mosul  UN agency

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 27 February 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Families report skyrocketing food prices, dire conditions in western Mosul  UN agency, 27 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b589984.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.

The United Nations food relief agency today said it is extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation facing more than 750,000 people living in dire conditions in the western sections of Iraq's Mosul city, where fighting is taking place between the Government forces and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) terrorists.

We are hearing from some families that food has drastically risen in price and is unaffordable. In extreme cases, people cannot access food at all, said the World Food Programme's (WFP) Iraq Representative and Country Director, Sally Haydock, in a news release.

We appeal to all parties to the conflict to facilitate immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access to all Iraqis in need of assistance, Ms. Haydock added, noting that WFP is monitoring the frontlines and remains ready to provide immediate food assistance as soon as families can be reached safely.

Through telephone interviews, many distressed families said that food was unaffordable, while others said they could not access food at all.

The situation is unbelievable, reported a 46-year-old man from inside the city. There is no food, no clean water, no gas for heating, no medicine and no services.

So far, WFP has provided ready-to-eat food for over 6,000 people who have fled villages to the south of western Mosul. Most have made their way to Hamam Al Alil, Qayyarah Jeda'a and Haj Ali camps. WFP has enough food in stock to cover the immediate needs of 770,000 people who reside in western Mosul.

The military offensive to oust ISIL from Mosul began on 17 October 2016. The Government has since retaken eastern Mosul.

In related news, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported that alongside its partners, it has provided legal assistance to help more than two and a half thousand Iraqis displaced as a result of the Mosul offensive receive new civil identity cards and other documents that were lost, damaged or destroyed as they fled their homes seeking safety.

As many as 49 per cent of displaced Iraqis interviewed by UNHCR protection partners were found to need help in getting new civil documentation, as many families lost documents or had their papers damaged as they fled conflict zones. Other families were told that birth and marriage documents, which had been issued when their areas were under the control of armed groups, were not legally recognized by the Iraqi Government and needed replacement.

It took considerable time and effort to help displaced families with new documentation, said Bruno Geddo, UNHCR's Representative in Iraq. Our teams and partners have had to adopt some innovative methods and advocate tirelessly in order to get around some of the difficulties and lengthy bureaucratic requirements, he said, citing the agency's ongoing efforts to assist thousands of people who have been in legal limbo.
Kosovo: Talks between Belgrade and Pristina 'essential' to peace, UN envoy tells Security Council

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 27 February 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Kosovo: Talks between Belgrade and Pristina 'essential' to peace, UN envoy tells Security Council, 27 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b589da4.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.

There is no alternative to dialogue, the head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Kosovo today told the Security Council, citing the importance of high-level talks between Belgrade and Pristina, and calling for continued international engagement to maintain peace and stability in Kosovo and the wider Balkans region.

Addressing the Council, Zahir Tanin, the head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) said the resumption of high-level dialogue between Belgrade, and Pristina was an "essential step" to chart a path out of a deteriorating situation and to publicly reconfirm their commitment to work together.

"Stability in Kosovo, normalization of relations between Pristina and Belgrade, are part of the wider effort to improve stability in the Western Balkans," said Mr. Tanin, who is also the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Kosovo.

He urged the 15 Council's members to "hold leaders to their words" to maintain "a sincere and consistent" commitment to dialogue, implement the agreements reached and avoid making statements which threaten the potential of progress to be made.

Mr. Tanin also highlighted also the international expectations of Pristina and Belgrade: non-confrontation, resolving issues through dialogue, and placing the objective improvement of the lives of people ahead of more limited and parochial calculations.

The statement comes as Belgrade is engaged in a political campaign for the presidential elections scheduled for April.

The senior UN official warned against allowing electoral politics to disrupt vital processes and progress: "Normalization of relations, reconciliation, and justice all belong to that broader horizon."

Among other issues in his presentation to the Council, Mr. Tanin noted the importance of improving the social and economic situation in Kosovo. He underlined that "addressing unemployment, making progress in the rule of law and fighting corruption remain central for all people in Kosovo."

At the very start of his speech, Mr. Tanin expressed his profound sadness at the passing of Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, the Representative of Russia to the United Nations, who died suddenly last week.
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In Yemen, UN aid chief rallies support for relief efforts to prevent famine

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 27 February 2017 Cite as UN News Service, In Yemen, UN aid chief rallies support for relief efforts to prevent famine, 27 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b58c8d4.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.

The parties to the conflict in Yemen need to continue providing humanitarian access, and the international community needs to step up its funding for life-saving operations, the United Nations relief aid chief said today during his visit to the port city of Aden.

"I have come to Aden with the first humanitarian UN flight to lend support to the humanitarians who have been working in this city and in Yemen since the conflict escalated in March 2015," UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien told reporters there.

"Today, almost 19 million people in Yemen need humanitarian assistance. Seven million people don't know where their next meal is coming from and we now face a serious risk of famine," he added.

Mr. O'Brien said the purpose of his visit was also to meet with senior Government officials to discuss how to prevent a possible famine and how to better protect the civilians that are caught in this conflict.

In Aden and the surrounding governorates, 3.1 million people need humanitarian assistance, two thirds of whom are in desperate need of food, he warned.

Yesterday, in meetings with President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, Prime Minister Ahmed Obeid bin Daghr and other senior officials, the top UN aid official stressed the need for all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and to allow for unimpeded and immediate full access by humanitarian partners to all of Yemen.

Given the urgency of the situation, they also discussed the need to facilitate commercial imports of food, fuel and medicine, through all ports of Yemen, and the resumption of commercial flights to all of Yemen, Mr. O'Brien said.

"Yesterday, I saw with my own eyes the destruction of the war and the impact on the people living in Aden," he said, noting that he was especially pleased to know that two babies - a boy and a girl - were born while he was at a maternity hospital. "They are Yemen's hope and future," he said.

In the Aden hub, more than 55 humanitarian organizations are working to meet pressing needs.

"We are here to help and provide neutral, impartial life-saving assistance to all people in need, regardless of where they are in Yemen," Mr. O'Brien said, stressing that there are no military solutions to this conflict and only peace can provide a lasting solution to this unfolding humanitarian crisis.
UN rights expert calls on Myanmar authorities to protect Rohingya population

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 27 February 2017 Cite as UN News Service, UN rights expert calls on Myanmar authorities to protect Rohingya population, 27 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b58ccd4.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.

Concluding a four-day visit to parts of Bangladesh where she met with members of Myanmar's Rohingya community who fled the violence there following attacks on a border post in early October and the ensuing military operations, a United Nations expert called for urgent action by the Government of Myanmar to end the suffering of the Rohingya population in the country.

The magnitude of violence that these families have witnessed and experienced is far more extensive than I had originally speculated, highlighted Yanghee Lee, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.

She recounted several allegations of horrific attacks including the slitting of some people's throats, indiscriminate shootings, houses being set alight with people tied up inside and very young children being thrown into the fire, as well as gang rapes and other sexual violence.

Earlier this month, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a flash report, based on its interviews with the people who fled Myanmar, in which it documented mass gang-rape, killings, including of babies and young children, brutal beatings, disappearances and other serious human rights violations by the country's security forces.

In addition to the alleged human rights violations occurring within the context of the security operations that followed the 9 October attacks, Ms. Lee also highlighted today how the Government of Myanmar appears to have taken, and continues to take, actions which discriminate against the Rohingya and make their lives even more difficult.

I urge the Government of Myanmar to immediately cease the discrimination that the community continues to face, to act now to prevent any further serious rights violations and to conduct prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations into those already alleged to have occurred, said the UN rights expert.

We all owe it to those I have met and their fellow community members to do everything in our power to ensure this is done and to give the Rohingya people reason to hope again, she added.

During her mission to Bangladesh, Ms. Lee visited the capital Dhaka and the town of Cox's Bazar, located near its border with Myanmar, where many members of the Rohingya community had fled to. Ms. Lee will present her full report to the UN Human Rights Council on 13 March.

Special Rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.
Guatemala: Congress should build on new momentum for abolition as country's highest court considers issue of death penalty

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 24 February 2017 Reference AMR 34/5782/2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Guatemala: Congress should build on new momentum for abolition as country's highest court considers issue of death penalty, 24 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b58d854.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.

As the Constitutional Court of Guatemala considers a challenge on the constitutionality of the death penalty, Amnesty International urges the country's Congress to take the opportunity of this discussion at the highest court to abolish this punishment in national legislation once and for all.

The Constitutional Court of Guatemala has been called to answer the question of whether the imposition of the death penalty violates the principles enshrined in the country's Constitution. The petition to this aim was filed on November 25, 2016 and a decision is expected to be announced in coming days. Last year, the Constitutional Court held that provisions in Article 132 of the Guatemalan Penal Code, mandating the imposition of the death penalty for certain circumstances of aggravated murder, were unconstitutional.

There have been no executions in Guatemala since 2000, when Law Decree 159, which established the procedure for the President of the Republic to decide on petitions of clemency, was repealed. This created a void that prevented persons under sentence of death from accessing a clemency process, which would make any execution unlawful under the American Convention on Human Rights. The last remaining death sentence in the country was commuted in 2012.

While the Constitutional Court deliberates on the present matter, Amnesty International urges the members of the Congress of Guatemala to take the opportunity of the new momentum created by the Court deliberations to immediately abolish the death penalty for all crimes. Draft law 5100 was introduced in July 2016 to abolish the death penalty and received joint approval by the three parliamentary committees on Human Rights, Justice Reform and on Legislative and Constitutional Matters on 3 August. It underwent the first reading at the plenary session of the Parliament on 13 October and is to date pending before Congress.

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty unconditionally, as a violation of the right to life and the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. The right to life is recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as a number of international and regional human rights instruments. The desirability of the abolition of the death penalty is enshrined in international law. The Human Rights Committee - the expert body tasked with overseeing the implementation of the ICCPR, ratified by Guatemala, has stated "all measures of abolition should be considered as progress in the enjoyment of the right to life".(1)

Amnesty International believes that every execution is an act that not only dehumanizes those that carry it out but also devalues the worth that society places upon human life. The death penalty is a unique form of cruel punishment: apart from the cruelty of the execution itself, it involves the cruelty of being forced to wait on death row contemplating the prospect of execution. While all criminal justice systems are vulnerable to discrimination and error, the death penalty is irrevocable and once inflicted cannot be undone.

Amnesty International is further concerned that the retention of this punishment has often been defended on the ill-founded assumption that the death penalty is an effective crime control measure. A comprehensive survey of research findings carried out by the UN on the relationship between the death penalty and homicide rates concluded there is no scientific proof that executions have a greater deterrent effect than life imprisonment.(2) Statistics from countries that have abolished the death penalty show that the absence of the death penalty has not resulted in an increase in the crimes previously subject to capital punishment.

The death penalty is also excluded from the punishments which ad hoc or permanent international criminal tribunals established in the last decades are authorized to impose, even though these have jurisdiction over extremely grave crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.(3)

The global trend remains towards abolition of the death penalty. As of today, 141 countries-more than two-thirds of the world's countries-have abolished the death penalty in law or in practice. The number of countries that carry out executions has also been declining, with only 11 countries known to have carried out executions every year in recent years.(4) In 2015, 169 (88%) of the 193 UN Member States were executions-free.

For all the above stated reasons, Amnesty International calls on members of the Congress of Guatemala to immediately adopt proposed legislation to abolish death penalty and confine this punishment to history once and for all.

1 - Human Rights Committee, General Comment No. 6: The Right to Life, UN Doc. HRI\GEN\1\Rev.1 at 6, 27 July 1982, para. 6.

2 - Roger Hood, "The question of the death penalty and the new contributions of the criminal sciences to the matter: a report to the United Nations Committee on Crime Prevention and Control", UN doc. E/AC.57/1988/CRP.7, 1988. The survey was last reviewed and published commercially as Roger Hood and Carolyn Hoyle, "The Death Penalty: A Worldwide Perspective", Oxford, Clarendon Press, Fourth edition, 2015.

3 - International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the Special Court of Sierra Leone, the Special Panels in Dili, East Timor and the Extraordinary Chambers for Cambodia as well as the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (to which Guatemala is a state party)..

4 - Afghanistan, China, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Taiwan, USA and Yemen. See Amnesty International, Death sentences and executions in 2015, ACT 50/3487/2016, April 2016.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Israel: Detention of Palestinian journalist on hunger strike without charge 'unjust and cruel'

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 28 February 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Israel: Detention of Palestinian journalist on hunger strike without charge 'unjust and cruel', 28 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b590494.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.

The Israeli authorities' administrative detention of Muhammed al-Qiq, a Palestinian journalist is unjust and cruel, said Amnesty International after a military judge approved an order confirming his detention for three months, which can be renewed indefinitely.

Muhammed al-Qiq, who was placed in solitary confinement following his arrest, has been on hunger strike since 6 February in protest at his detention. According to his lawyer his health has deteriorated in recent weeks and he is in need of specialized medical care. Israel uses administrative detention to jail Palestinians indefinitely without charge or trial based on secret evidence.

"Today's decision to approve the administrative detention of Muhammed al-Qiq is an affront to justice. Israel's administrative detention which is predominately used to detain Palestinians without charge or trial is arbitrary and abusive. The Israeli authorities must end this practice, which itself can amount to cruel and inhuman treatment, once and for all," said Magdalena Mughrabi, Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.

Muhammed al-Qiq's lawyer who was able to visit him a week ago said he appeared frail, had lost a lot of weight and was suffering from back pain because of his dire detention conditions. After initially refusing his lawyer's request for him to be transferred to hospital the Israeli authorities eventually transferred him to Ramleh prison medical centre last week.

"Instead of prolonging Muahmmed al-Qiq's suffering in detention the Israeli authorities should either charge him with a legitimate criminal offence or release him. In the meantime he must be transferred to a civilian hospital to receive the specialized treatment he requires," said Magdalena Mughrabi.

Muhammed al-Qiq was arrested by Israeli security forces on 15 January 2017 at a checkpoint near Ramallah while on his way home from a demonstration.

This is not the first time Muhammed al-Qiq has been held under an administrative detention order. He was arrested in November 2015 and held for seven months without charge or trial. He spent 94 days on hunger strike protesting his detention, his health sharply declined and he was eventually released from custody. His wife, Faiha, told Amnesty International that he is especially weak at the moment because his body has not fully recovered from the effects of his previous hunger strike.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
SIOUX CITY | A pedal mix-up caused a Jeep to smash through the front of a Chinese massage parlor Saturday in Sioux City, injuring one employee of the business, police say.

Sioux City Police Sgt. Jay Hoogendyk said the female driver of the Jeep was pulling up to Asian Comforts, 2121 Hamilton Blvd. at 5 p.m. and hit the gas instead of the brake.

"She thought she was braking, but instead, drove through the front of the business," he said.

Two Mason City buildings hit by vehicles MASON CITY | Two buildings in Mason City were hit by vehicles in separate incidents Thursday.

A male employee inside was hit by the car when it crashed into the business. He was taken to Mercy Medical Center-- Sioux City for non-life threatening injuries.

"It's more of a civil issue, where the owner of the building and insurance company decides something," Hoogendyk said.

The entryway's extensive damages caused the fire department and the city's Urban Search and Rescue team to be called to examine the structural integrity of the building, which ended up passing muster.

It was the second time in a week a vehicle crashed through a Sioux City business. The previous incident involved Family Dollar.

Mason City home is a magnet for careening vehicles MASON CITY | Bob McClanahan had a pretty good idea the loud noise outside his Mason City hom

Last year, a car crashed into the dining room of the Godfather's restaurant in Mason City. Police say the driver's foot slipped from the brake onto the gas pedal.

In 2015, vehicles crashed into the Mason City Menards and Dollar General stores in the same week.

A house at the corner of 12th Street Northwest and North Monroe Avenue ended up with a van on its porch in January, 2015. It's been hit multiple times over the years.

-- Alex Boisjolie writes for the Sioux City Journal, another Lee Enterprises newsaper. Reach him at aboisjolie@siouxcityjournal.com.
Yemen: Huthi forces recruiting child soldiers for front-line combat

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 28 February 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Yemen: Huthi forces recruiting child soldiers for front-line combat, 28 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b590764.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.

New evidence has emerged of how the Huthi armed group is actively recruiting boys as young as 15 to fight as child soldiers on the front lines of the conflict in Yemen, said Amnesty International today after speaking to the families of three boys targeted this month by the appalling practice which violates international law. The families also confirmed the recruitment of a fourth local boy.

Family members and an eyewitness told Amnesty International that the four boys, aged between 15 and 17, were recruited by fighters of the Huthi armed group, also known as Ansarullah locally, in the capital, Sana'a. They only found out that their children had been taken away after being alerted by local residents, who described seeing them and as many as six other children boarding a bus at a local Huthi centre in mid-February.

"It is appalling that Huthi forces are taking children away from their parents and their homes, stripping them of their childhood to put them in the line of fire where they could die," said Samah Hadid, Deputy Director at Amnesty International's Beirut regional office.

"This is a shameful and outrageous violation of international law. The Huthis must immediately end all forms of recruitment of children under 18 and release all children within their ranks. The international community should support the rehabilitation and reintegration of demobilized children into the community."

The families of the four boys taken in mid-February later received news that their children were at an unnamed location on the Yemeni-Saudi border.

Recruitment method and incentives

Interviewees have described how Huthi representatives run local centres that hold activities such as prayers, sermons and lectures where young boys and men are encouraged to join front-line battles to defend Yemen against Saudi Arabia.

According to an eyewitness, two of the four boys were recruited by a local Huthi representative after they were sent to a Quranic school near Sana'a for an initial religious induction in January, before they were returned to their families, who had not been aware of their whereabouts. One father said that his son told him the curriculum included the history of world wars and what was described as the Saudi Arabia-led coalition's war on the Yemeni people.

Some family members said that there had been an increase in child soldier recruitment in their neighbourhoods due to the fact that many children no longer attend regular schools. The war has taken its toll on the economy and many families can no longer afford the transportation costs needed for the children to get to classes. In many places, classes are no longer running. Some teachers are on strike because they no longer receive their salaries.

According to one family member, the Huthis have imposed recruitment quotas on local representatives, which are sometimes accompanied by threats if results are not delivered.

One family member whose 16-year-old brother was taken said about the boys who are recruited: "They're just excited to shoot Kalashnikovs and guns and wear military uniforms. They [the Huthis] have been saying that there are so few fighters [at the front line], they are going around taking one [recruit] from each family. If the son dies at the front line, a monthly salary and a gun are given to the father to keep them quiet."

Many families fear reprisals against their children who have been taken by the Huthis or against other children or family members if they dare speak out about the recruitment.

One father said, "Many children [are recruited] but people don't dare to talk or follow up. They're afraid of being detained."

Two of the interviewees told Amnesty International that the Huthis promise monetary incentives to families to appease them, pledging 20,000 to 30,000 Yemeni riyals (approximately 80 to 120 US dollars) per child per month if he becomes a martyr at the front line. The Huthis also honour the families by printing out memorial posters for their boys to be put up locally as a tribute to their contributions to the war efforts. Two of the interviewees highlighted that children who are recruited are usually from poorer backgrounds.

The names of child soldiers, family members and other interviewees, as well as the exact dates of the boys' recruitment, have been withheld to protect their security.

As of February 2017, UN agencies have been able to document nearly 1,500 cases of children recruited by all parties to the conflict since March 2015. Human Rights Watch previously documented the recruitment, use and training of child soldiers by the Huthis in May 2015.

In 2012 Huthi leader Abdel Malik al-Huthi met with the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui, and pledged to work towards ending the recruitment and use of child soldiers. However, during its last six field missions to Huthi-controlled Yemen, between January 2015 and November 2016, Amnesty International has observed the use of armed children at checkpoints. Some were carrying books in one hand and a Kalashnikov in the other.

For the last few years, several parties to the conflict in Yemen have been listed in the annual report of the UN Secretary-General on children and armed conflict as actors that had violated children's rights in conflict, including through recruitment and use of child soldiers. This includes the Huthis, al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), several divisions of the Yemeni armed forces and certain pro-government militias.

The Saudi Arabia-led military coalition was also listed as an actor that had violated children's rights in conflict until former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon removed it as a result of direct diplomatic pressure from Saudi Arabia. The removal flies in the face of clear evidence of the coalition violating the rights of children during the conflict in Yemen.

According to the annual report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict issued in April 2016, since the start of the conflict in Yemen in March 2015, 60% of the children killed and injured were killed or injured by actions attributed to the Saudi Arabia-led coalition and 20% by actions attributed to the Huthis. Amnesty International has repeatedly documented violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by coalition members during the conflict, including against children. This includes air strikes on schools and the use of internationally banned cluster munitions which have killed three children and maimed nine.

The recruitment or use of children under 15 by parties to a conflict is a war crime according to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and customary international humanitarian law. Commanders who knew or should have known of such violations and took no effective action can be held criminally liable as a matter of command responsibility. Yemen is a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict, which prohibit recruitment and use in hostilities of children. The Optional Protocol sets 18 as the minimum age for any participation in armed conflict by armed forces or non-state armed groups.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Thailand: Academics Face Discipline for Criticizing Junta

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 27 February 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Thailand: Academics Face Discipline for Criticizing Junta, 27 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b591084.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.

Thailand's state Mahidol University should drop a disciplinary investigation against academics who criticized the Thai military junta, Human Rights Watch said today. The action is being carried out against staff members of the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies (IHRP), Southeast Asia's longest-running graduate degree program in human rights studies.

On February 25, 2017, the IHRP issued a statement condemning the National Council for Peace and Order junta's unchecked and unaccountable power under section 44 of the 2014 interim constitution. One day later, Mahidol University announced in an unsigned statement that it did not consider IHRP's action an exercise of academic freedom. The university said staff members responsible for the statement would face investigation and disciplinary action for damaging the reputation of the university and using the university's name without permission.

"Mahidol University is doing the junta's dirty work by repressing critical academics voicing their opinions," said Brad Adams, Asia director. "As one of Thailand's leading educational institutions, Mahidol University should be a showcase for academic freedom and free speech rather than supporting the punishment of dissenting voices on campus."

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, many foreign governments, and Human Rights Watch and other human rights groups have repeatedly urged the Thai prime minister and junta leader, Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha, to revoke section 44 and other provisions of the 2014 interim constitution that allow authorities to operate with impunity and without any legal oversight.



Since the May 2014 coup, the Thai junta has regularly blocked or disrupted public discussions on the political and human rights situation, halting public expression of differences in political opinions. Police and the military have used junta orders to cancel events for reports by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. The authorities have also banned many discussions at universities and other public venues about human rights, democracy, the monarchy, and the government's performance.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Thailand is a party, protects the rights of individuals to freedom of opinion, expression, association, and assembly. The UN committee that oversees compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), to which Thailand is also a party, has advised governments that academic freedom, as an element of the right to education, includes: "the liberty of individuals to express freely opinions about the institution or system in which they work, to fulfill their functions without discrimination or fear of repression by the State or any other actor, to participate in professional or representative academic bodies, and to enjoy all the internationally recognized human rights applicable to other individuals in the same jurisdiction."

"Thailand is clearly not on a path toward democracy when free speech is censored, criticism is punished, and political activity is prohibited even inside a university," Adams said. "Mahidol University should reverse course and end this reprehensible and repressive action that only helps strengthen military dictatorship at the expense of democracy and human rights."

Copyright notice:  Copyright, Human Rights Watch
Detained photographer has no place in political mass trial

Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 28 February 2017 Cite as Reporters Without Borders, Detained photographer has no place in political mass trial, 28 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b592064.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.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) again calls on the Egyptian authorities to immediately free Mahmoud Abou Zeid, a photojournalist also known as Shawkan, who is currently one of the defendants in a mass trial in Cairo with charges that include homicide.

Arrested in August 2013, the 29-year-old Shawkan has been held arbitrarily for the past three and a half years and is suffering from hepatitis C.

The court agreed on 7 February that he should be examined by a forensic doctor, but the results of this examination were not sent to the court in time for it to be able to decide on his proposed release at the latest hearing on 25 February.

"We urge the Egyptian judicial authorities to free Shawkan without delay on medical grounds," said Alexandra El Khazen, the head of RSF's Middle East desk. "His health has declined dramatically since August 2013 and he has no place in this political mass trial. He committed no crime and, at the time of his arrest, was just doing his job as a reporter covering the dispersal of a demonstration."

During the 25 February hearing, most of the defendants repeatedly chanted "Murderer, murderer" at the sight of one of the witnesses, an army officer blamed for the use of extreme violence to disperse demonstrations at that time. The defence lawyers also protested, objecting to Judge Hassan Farid's refusal to view videos of the violence in court.

For protesting in court, the judge sentenced all but a dozen of the defendants to a year's forced labour on a charge of contempt of court. Shawkan was among those exempted. The defence lawyers were ordered to appear before a disciplinary court, while the trial was adjourned until 21 March.

A ruling was expected on 25 February on the appeal by three leaders of the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate but the decision was postponed until 25 March. They are appealing against the two-year jail sentences they received on 19 November on a charge of harbouring two journalists wanted by the police.

In Egypt, the net continues to close on journalists who do not toe the official line and the government is expected to tighten its grip under a law regulating the media that was adopted in late December.

It provides for the creation of a "Supreme Council for the Administration of the Media" that will be run by people appointed by President Sisi. The council will be in charge of supervising the media and ensuring that they do not endanger national security.

Parliament is currently debating a second media law on how journalism is practiced, its relationship with national security, and the confidentiality of journalists' sources.

Ranked 159th out of 180 counties in RSF's 2016 World Press Freedom Index, Egypt is one of the world's biggest prisons for journalists with at least 26 currently detained.
Chadian journalist abducted, two others threatened by intelligence agency

Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 28 February 2017 Cite as Reporters Without Borders, Chadian journalist abducted, two others threatened by intelligence agency, 28 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b5928e4.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.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) again calls on the Egyptian authorities to immediately free Mahmoud Abou Zeid, a photojournalist also known as Shawkan, who is currently one of the defendants in a mass trial in Cairo with charges that include homicide.

Arrested in August 2013, the 29-year-old Shawkan has been held arbitrarily for the past three and a half years and is suffering from hepatitis C.

The court agreed on 7 February that he should be examined by a forensic doctor, but the results of this examination were not sent to the court in time for it to be able to decide on his proposed release at the latest hearing on 25 February.

"We urge the Egyptian judicial authorities to free Shawkan without delay on medical grounds," said Alexandra El Khazen, the head of RSF's Middle East desk. "His health has declined dramatically since August 2013 and he has no place in this political mass trial. He committed no crime and, at the time of his arrest, was just doing his job as a reporter covering the dispersal of a demonstration."

During the 25 February hearing, most of the defendants repeatedly chanted "Murderer, murderer" at the sight of one of the witnesses, an army officer blamed for the use of extreme violence to disperse demonstrations at that time. The defence lawyers also protested, objecting to Judge Hassan Farid's refusal to view videos of the violence in court.

For protesting in court, the judge sentenced all but a dozen of the defendants to a year's forced labour on a charge of contempt of court. Shawkan was among those exempted. The defence lawyers were ordered to appear before a disciplinary court, while the trial was adjourned until 21 March.

A ruling was expected on 25 February on the appeal by three leaders of the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate but the decision was postponed until 25 March. They are appealing against the two-year jail sentences they received on 19 November on a charge of harbouring two journalists wanted by the police.

In Egypt, the net continues to close on journalists who do not toe the official line and the government is expected to tighten its grip under a law regulating the media that was adopted in late December.

It provides for the creation of a "Supreme Council for the Administration of the Media" that will be run by people appointed by President Sisi. The council will be in charge of supervising the media and ensuring that they do not endanger national security.

Parliament is currently debating a second media law on how journalism is practiced, its relationship with national security, and the confidentiality of journalists' sources.

Ranked 159th out of 180 counties in RSF's 2016 World Press Freedom Index, Egypt is one of the world's biggest prisons for journalists with at least 26 currently detained.
Russian authorities urged to drop charges against Crimean journalist

Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 28 February 2017 Other Languages / Attachments Russian Cite as Reporters Without Borders, Russian authorities urged to drop charges against Crimean journalist, 28 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b593384.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.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls for the immediate withdrawal of charges against Nikolai Semena, a reporter for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Crimean service, who is due to go on trial today in Crimea's regional capital, Simferopol.





Semena is facing a possible five-year jail sentence on a charge of "publicly calling for the Russian Federation's territorial integrity to be violated." A preliminary hearing was held behind closed doors on 17 February.





He is being prosecuted over a September 2015 report criticizing Crimea's annexation by Russia and supporting the blockade of the peninsula being organized at that time by Ukrainian activists.





Semena was searched and briefly detained by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) in April 2016 and has been banned from leaving the region since then, which prevented him from travelling to Kiev for a heart operation.





His name has been on a Russian federal agency "list of terrorists and extremists" since July 2016 although he had not been brought to trial until now.





"After eliminating pluralism in Crimea, the Russian authorities are now targeting its last survivors," said Johann Bihr, the head of RSF's Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk. "Nikolai Semena is being tried for using his right to free speech. We call on the authorities to abandon this prosecution at once and to let him work freely. The international community must not forget Crimea and allow its population to disappear into this new information black hole."





Crimea's annexation by Russia in March 2014 was accompanied by a radical purge of the media. The leading media outlets and journalists opposed to annexation were either reduced to silence or found a refuge in Kiev. Russia is ranked 148th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2016 World Press Freedom Index.
Turkey: Die Welt journalist is latest victim of media purge

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 28 February 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Turkey: Die Welt journalist is latest victim of media purge, 28 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b59b5d4.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.

Responding to a Turkish court's decision yesterday to remand Deniz Yucel, a Turkish-German journalist working for the German newspaper Die Welt, in custody pending a trial on charges of propaganda and incitement to hatred, John Dalhuisen, Director for Europe and Central Asia at Amnesty International, said:

"The detention of Deniz Yucel, a Turkish-German national, marks a new chapter in the Turkish authorities' crackdown on freedom of expression. Not content with their drive to purge the Turkish media of all dissent, the Turkish authorities have now stepped up their attacks against foreign outlets reporting within the country.

"Deniz Yucel has already spent 13 days in police detention. He now joins the ranks of more than 120 journalists and media workers in Turkey who have been imprisoned awaiting trial since the attempted coup in July 2016 which triggered the government crackdown. Turkey now has the dubious honour of being the world's biggest jailer of journalists, and free media in the country is in its death throes.

"We are urging the Turkish authorities to release Deniz Yucel and all other journalists in pre-trial detention immediately and unconditionally, and to cease this assault on freedom of expression and dissident voices. Journalism is not a crime - the media blackout in Turkey must end now."

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
DES MOINES  State agency managers were struggling Monday to absorb the final $11.5 million in state budget cuts that are required to cover lower-than-projected tax receipts for the budget year ending in four months.

About $7 million of the spending reductions were aimed at non-higher education sectors with the state Department of Human Services tasked with covering half those cutbacks.

Amy McCoy, DHS public information officer, said her agency would hold open current staff vacancies and reduce support in field and general administration to save more than $2 million.

The agency also will save $1.2 million due to pharmacy rebates under managed care coming in lower than expected and another $100,000 due to lower-than-projected use of the Family Investment Program, she said.

At this time, we dont expect an impact to services or benefits for members, McCoy noted, adding its my understanding that they arent planning layoffs.

Alex Murphy, a spokesman for the Iowa Department of Public Safety, said he expects minimal to no effect even though the Iowa State Patrol was pared back by another $537,000. He said staffing levels would remain unchanged until July 1.

There will be no layoffs or furloughs. We will not fill vacancies or make promotions for the remainder of the fiscal year, and will reduce travel and other expenses as needed, Murphy said. Our plans for the Basic Academy are continuing, so that we can replace the troopers and special agents who have retired or left the department. The number of recruits will depend on the (fiscal 2018) budget appropriation."

Sgt. Nathan Ludwig of the Iowa State Patrol said the extra cuts will be dealt with through vacancies within the patrol.

Lettie Press, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections, said the bulk of her agencys cuts were in the initial $5.5 million de-appropriation, which prompted the suspension of services at four correctional facilities to best preserve the operational integrity of the remaining institutions and community corrections.

Implementing the budget adjustment plan has been a moving target due to retirements and staff attrition that continue to occur, she noted, adding we'll know more in the coming weeks regarding an additional $250,000 in cuts.

Staci Hupp of the state Department of Education said the $690,000 in additional cuts mostly relate to flow-through dollars or where the agency contracts for services.

Our approach to these cuts is similar to the first round of reductions. We're taking steps to minimize the impact to Iowa students, our department staff, and to programs that have federal matching or maintenance of effort requirements, she said.

Reach Rod Boshart at 515-243-7220; rod.boshart@thegazette.com.
Denver, CO -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/13/2017 --According to the February 8, 2017 Bloomberg Criminal Law Reporter (Vol. 100, no. 18, pg. 393), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Ranking Democrat John Conyers (D-MI) are ready to release criminal justice reform legislation but are waiting on a green light from the White House. A Just Cause is urging Congress and President Trump to close 76 federal prison camps and eliminate this wasteful extension of the welfare system that, according the Federal Bureau of Prisons website, houses, clothes, feeds and provides healthcare for nearly 22,000 non-violent offenders.



"Federal prison camps are considered "out-custody" facilities without fences or walls and A Just Cause questions the wisdom of the federal government wasting billions of tax dollars of welfare-style appropriations for non-violent able-bodied men at federal prison camps when home confinement with an ankle monitor can accomplish the same security and punitive objectives without the enormous financial and social costs. A Camp inmate presents no threat to society when they can simply walk away into the community in the same way they could walk away from their home. Most educational programs at camps benefit those who never graduated high-school. Massively Open Online Courses (MOOC's) and other Internet training programs on basic computing, typing, resume skills, etc., offer much better, free education options in home-confinement. Menial kitchen and janitorial jobs that campers perform at higher institutions can be contracted with a janitorial or corrections food service provider at a pittance of the cost of incarcerating campers. Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz has called out-of-control BOP costs a "persisting crisis" for a federal prison population that grew nearly 800% between 1980 and 2013. In his book, American Criminal Justice Policy, Professor Daniel Mears of Florida State University's College of Criminology and Criminal Justice states the entire U.S. prison population in 1980 was 319,598 in comparison to 2.2 million people today. Confining non-violent prison camp offenders at home is a common-sense measure that will drastically reduce costs. In April 2014, the Congressional Research Service found that "the federal prison system was 36% over capacity in FY 2013, but high and medium male facilities were operating at 52% and 45% respectively, over rated capacity. Confining campers at home will help solve over-capacity problems and enable the BOP to convert the infrastructure of a few camps to accommodate higher security offenders and alleviate overcrowding.



According to calculations put together by A Just Cause, using Florence, Colorado's federal prison camp as a model, the BOP is spending roughly $25 million dollars per year to incarcerate 500 non-violent offenders, which means taxpayers are spending a total of $1.1 billion on welfare for 22,000 non-violent offenders at 76 camps. A March 2016 Inspector General report, shows the BOP spent 1.1 billion dollars on healthcare costs in 2014 as part of a $6.8 billion-dollar annual budget. Healthcare is an unpredictable cost that is likely to grow. A law enforcement source who oversaw county jails for one of the nation's largest counties, tells A Just Cause that the DOJ pays about $100 per day, per federal offender, many of whom are non-violent white collar offenders, to be housed in their jails as they await trial or to be moved to a federal prison. Furthermore, billions of dollars pour into halfway house coffers to house offenders leaving prison who actually have homes to go to or law abiding, responsible family members who agree to provide housing and support AT NO COST TO THE TAXPAYER. A study found that offenders who are released from prison to their home or to family members have lower recidivism rates. Select federal offenders from higher security institutions who work their way down to camps for good behavior should not be sent to camps but to home confinement or possibly a halfway house which not only incentivizes offenders towards better behavior but serves as quasi-parole legislation.



In recent weeks President Trump received harsh backlash about America not being innocent or the moral equivalent of Russia when it comes to imprisoning or killing political dissidents. Regarding incarceration, America is not innocent and is morally deficient to Russia and every other nation when comes to imprisoning its citizens, many of whom are non-violent offenders who were totally unaware their conduct was or could be spun criminal by an ambitious prosecutor motivated by padding conviction numbers. It is widely reported and accepted that the United States is 5% of the world's population but accounts for 25% of the world's prison population at a cost of $80 billion per year. According to the Economist's 2013 world figures, the U.S. imprisoned 2,266,832 citizens, which is two-thirds more than Russia's prison population of 714,600. China, another communist country with over 1 billion people (over 700,000 more than the U.S.) imprisons 1,640,000 and Fordham University Professor John Pfaff reported in the January 28-29, 2017 Wall Street Journal that America's incarceration rate is 800% higher than Germany. On April 3, 2016, correspondent Bill Whitaker of the television show "Crime and Punishment", toured the German Prison system with Joerg Jesse, a psychologist and the Director of Prisons in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a state in north Germany where Germany spends less money on prisons but gets betters results, including lower recidivism, by not imprisoning non-violent offenders. "Prison is reserved for the worst of the worst -- murderers, rapists, career criminals," Jesse said. Better results come from not locking up non-violent offenders and rehabilitating and incentivizing violent offenders to show them a better approach to life and decision-making -- a concept foreign to a cruel, retributive U.S. justice system where incarceration-thirsty federal prosecutors and judges are celebrated by how many citizens they can imprison on long sentences. Case and point, the IRP6 federal criminal case in Colorado where, according to former federal appeals judge H. Lee Sarokin, six information technology executives were indicted and prosecuted for "failing to pay corporate debts", had their constitutional rights violated by the prosecutor, trial judge and 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and received unduly harsh sentences of 7 to 11 years. (See judicial complaint and letter to U.S Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts at http://bit.ly/2ba9827 & http://bit.ly2b06Rpm).



America's prison model is Neolithic and expensive. American leaders should stop promoting it is as the best in the world and make it better. The reality is that over criminalization and vague federal criminal laws combined with ambitious, prison-thirsty prosecutors, passive, rubber-stamping judges, corporate profit motives and ungodly harsh, cruel sentencing has created a prison industrial complex that gives America the dubious distinction of being the incarceration nation. The government sponsored Federal Prison Industries (FPI) that uses pennies-per-hour prison labor to produce goods and services is a slavery-based business that is a product of the 13th Amendment's exception to use slavery for the purpose crime and punishment. It is an aberration that the U.S. government has institutionalized slavery through FPI and allows it to compete against private industry for government contracts. The abolishment of FPI and the 13th Amendment's slavery exception should be included as part of any new legislation proposed by the House Judiciary Committee. The United States just went crazy one day, started locking up its citizens and made big business out of incarceration-based slavery. America does not have the moral authority to criticize other nation's incarceration practices until it addresses its grave problems of mass incarceration.



A Just Cause will continue to push for the closure of wasteful, "out-custody" federal prison camps. President Trump has the power to issue an executive order to close camps and do more towards criminal justice reform than any other President in history. We ask you to review Judge Sarokin's writings on the IRP6 case at the links below and join with us by contacting your congressman or President Trump to not only get camps closed but also help get the charges dismissed against the IRP6. The IRP6 and their families shouldn't be another statistic of mass incarceration because of prosecutorial and judicial misconduct.
SIOUX CITY | A 24-year-old Sioux City man was charged with attempted murder in connection to a Sunday morning gunfight south of Sioux City in which a Woodbury County deputy injured another suspect.

Melvin William Spencer, of Sioux City, was charged with attempting to shoot an unidentified deputy, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.

At 3:24 a.m., deputies began pursuing the two suspects south of Sioux City near Interstate 29 and the Port Neal Industrial area. The pursuit ended near the intersection of Allison Avenue and Sully Road near the Sioux City Police Training Center south of Sioux Gateway Airport.

As the chase came to an end, one or both suspects -- authorities have not yet confirmed how many -- began firing a weapon at a deputy, who then fired back.

The first suspect was injured in the shootout and taken to a local hospital, according to the sheriff's office. Authorities can't confirm at this time how the suspect was injured, but it was a non-life-threatening injury, according to Major Greg Stallman.

An aerial search of the area was conducted using an Iowa State Patrol plane that flew in from Des Moines, which is how authorities spotted the fleeing suspect.

After locating him in a tree line, the sheriff's office used a mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle it borrowed from the Sioux City Police Department to move in closer with a tactical team and arrest the suspect.

The deputy who shot the suspect was not harmed in the incident. The deputy's name, as well as the other suspect's, have yet to be released.

The shooting is being investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa State Patrol and the sheriff's office.

Spencer was being held in the Woodbury County Jail on $250,000 bond.
Government interference in religion is growing in China, with authorities suppressing Islam and slamming Christian teachings as a foreign import, meanwhile promoting Chinese Buddhism and Taoism as more supportive of traditional notions of loyalty to the state, according to a Freedom House report released on Tuesday.



Tibetan Buddhism remains suspect and under harsh controls, though, as Tibetans voice support for their exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, who is viewed by Chinese leaders as a separatist seeking to split the region from Beijings control, the report, The Battle for Chinas Spirit, says.



State-controlled churches are meanwhile failing to meet the growing demand for religion in China, Sarah Cook, Freedom House senior researcher and author of the report, says.



The result is an enormous black market, forcing many believers . . . to operate outside the law and to view the regime as unreasonable, unjust, or illegitimate, Cook says.



Expanding controls under Chinas president Xi Jinpingincluding electronic surveillance, harsh prison terms, and state violenceare now placing at least 100 million Chinese worshipping outside of official control at risk of high or very high levels of persecution, Freedom House says.



Chinese citizens now in prison for independent religious activities likely number in the tens of thousands, with that number probably representing only the tip of the iceberg, Freedom House says in its report.



Cases detailed in the report include a Christian pastor handed a 14-year prison term for opposing a campaign to remove crosses from churches in Zhejiang, an ethnic Uyghur teenager jailed for 15 years for watching an Islamic religious video on his phone, and a Tibetan monk given an 18-year term for possessing images of the Dalai Lama.



Bans on worship, dress



Already strict prohibitions on Islamic worship and dress have been strengthened in Chinas far western region of Xinjiang, the report says, citing restrictions on the religious education of Uyghur children under 18 and bans on the wearing of traditional beards and veils.



Prayer outside of state-sanctioned mosques is also harshly punished, Freedom House said.



In September 2015, eight farmers and a Muslim prayer leader were sentenced in Xinjiangs Aksu prefecture to terms of from seven to nine years for praying together in a field, according to the report.



The whole neighborhood was shocked [by their arrest], the wife of one man said.



In efforts to block the growing influence of Christianity and Western values by supporting more traditionally Chinese religions and culture, President Xi has promoted Chinese Buddhism and Taoism as harmonious with the goals of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Freedom House says.



[But] exploitation of temples for tourism purposes has emerged as a key point of contention among the state, clergy, and lay believers.



Repression fails



Meanwhile, a government campaign to destroy the Falun Gong spiritual group has failed to take hold, despite the jailing and torture of thousands, and killing of hundreds, of followers over almost 20 years, the report says.



Millions of people in China continue to practice Falun Gong, including many individuals who took up the discipline after the repression began. This represents a striking failure of the CCPs security apparatus.



Across all faiths, millions of religious believers defy official restrictions in daily life, Freedom House says. [This] reflects the partys difficulty in confronting citizens who are willing to make sacrifices for higher principles.



From this perspective, it would appear that in the long-term battle for Chinas spirit, an unreformed Communist Party will ultimately lose.




A Davenport woman was in the Scott County Jail Monday on a $25,000 cash-only bond after police say she robbed a woman at knifepoint in a Dollar General parking lot earlier this month.

Tyra Dalynn Reaves, 32, faces one count of felony first-degree robbery.

Online records show that Reaves was booked into the Scott County Jail around 8:45 p.m. Saturday.

A preliminary hearing is slated for March 7.

Davenport police were called at 3:08 p.m. Feb. 2 to Dollar General, 2604 W. Locust St., for a robbery that occurred in the parking lot.

Reaves was given a tablet computer by the woman and tried to stab the woman in the arm when she tried to retrieve the tablet, according to the affidavit.

No injuries were reported. The woman as able to identify Reaves from a swap website used to contact her and said they had done transactions in the past, according to the affidavit.

She also positively identified Reaves from her driver's license photo and the license plate she saw on her vehicle, according to the affidavit.

Tara Becker writes for the Quad City Times, another Lee Enterprises newspaper. Reach her at tbecker@qctimes.com.
North Koreans working in China to earn money for their countrys cash-strapped regime are being banned from watching foreign television shows, with their sets fixed to receive only satellite broadcasting from official sources in Pyongyang, sources say.



The move appears to have resulted from strong requests made by North Korean authorities to Chinese employers in order to limit the information given to workers on sensitive political subjects, a source in China told RFAs Korean Service.



Most companies that hire North Korean workers provide only satellite broadcasting from the North Korean Central TV Station at the workers dormitories, RFAs source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.



The channel is fixed so that Chinese shows cannot be viewed, even though the workers are present in that country, the source said.



Also speaking to RFA, another source said that because of these restrictions, North Korean workers in China have no opportunity to learn outside information.



For example, many know nothing about the murder in Malaysia earlier this month of national leader Kim Jong Uns estranged half-brother Kim Jong Nam, the source said.

Kim Jong Nam, a purported advocate for political reforms in North Korea and open critic of the regime, died on Feb. 13 on his way to a hospital after being attacked with a chemical spray as he prepared to board a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Macau, in China.



Malaysian police have arrested four suspects, including a North Korean national, as suspects in the crime, and have said that four other North Koreans wanted in connection with the case fled the country on the day Kim died.



Movements also restricted



In a bid to prevent news of the killing from reaching North Korean citizens, restrictions appear also to have been imposed on the movements of North Korean traders hoping to travel into China on business or to return to North Korea, sources on the border say.



North Korean restaurant workers in China have meanwhile been forbidden from traveling in groups outside their place of employment for fear they may defect, sources said.



In April 2016, a North Korean restaurant in the eastern Chinese port city of Ningbo made international headlines when 13 staff members escaped to South Korea to seek asyluma mass defection that Pyongyang condemned as an abduction by Seoul's agents.



Restaurants in Chinese cities like Shenyang and Dandong near the North Korean border also suffered downturns last year as North Koreans working in cross-border trade began to avoid them, fearing that agents of the regime would watch them there and monitor their movements.



Reported by Joonho Kim for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Soo Min Jo. Written in English by Richard Finney.




Ri Tong Il, formerly North Koreas deputy ambassador to the United Nations, addresses journalists outside the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Feb. 28, 2017.

A delegation of North Korean officials arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday seeking the body of Kim Jong Nam and the release of a North Korean national detained in connection with his assassination involving a deadly nerve agent at an airport.

Police have named eight North Korean suspects in the killing, but two Southeast Asian women were due to be charged Wednesday with Kims killing, which South Korea has called an act of state terrorism and a clear message to the world from Pyongyang.

Delegation spokesman Ri Tong Il told reporters topics to be discussed with Malaysian officials included the question of return of the body of the deceased, a DPRK citizen and the release of another citizen, who was arrested by Malaysian police related to the above incident.

Development of friendly relations between North Korea and the Malaysian government will also be discussed, the visiting diplomat told reporters outside the North Korean embassy.

Malaysia last week withdrew its envoy to Pyongyang after North Koreas ambassador repeatedly slammed Malaysias investigation and refusal to hand over Kims body.

Asked whether the embassys second secretary had been interviewed by Malaysian police, Ri refused to answer and walked away.

Second secretary Hyon Kwang Song, 44, is one of three North Korean suspects in the case at large in Malaysia. Four others left Malaysia the day Kim died, police say.

Wake-up call

Kim Jong Nam, the elder half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, died about 15 minutes after two women approached him abruptly at an airport and swabbed his face with a substance that has since been identified as the deadly chemical weapon VX nerve agent.

Vietnamese national Doan Thi Huong and Indonesian Siti Aisyah were to be charged at the Sepang magistrates court Wednesday under Section 302 for murder, sources told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. The women were arrested separately on Feb. 15 and 16.

Malaysia has stopped short of accusing the North Korean government of ordering Kim Jong Nams assassination, but South Korea and U.S. government officials believe North Korean agents carried out the hit.

Among eight North Korean suspects in the case, four are from the ministry of state security and two are from the foreign ministry, Lee Cheol-woo, one of a group of lawmakers briefed by South Korean intelligence, told reporters in Seoul on Monday, according to Reuters.

That is why it is a case of terrorism led by the state, directly organized by the ministry of state security and the foreign ministry, Lee said.

In Geneva on Tuesday, South Koreas Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said North Korea should be suspended from the United Nations over the assassination.

The recent assassination is a wake-up call to all of us to North Koreas chemical weapons capability and its intent to actually use them, Yun told the UNs Conference on Disarmament, according to Agence France-Presse.

He said the assassination sent a very clear message to the world: Namely this impulsive, unpredictable, trigger-happy and brutal regime is ready and willing to strike anyone, anytime, anywhere.

If the Malaysian government conclusively finds that North Korean authorities are behind this criminal act, the Conference on Disarmament might need to question the membership of North Korea, he said.

A North Korean diplomat lashed out at Seoul in response.

North Korea totally rejects the despicable, irresponsible, impertinent and illogical remarks made by South Korea, Ju Yong Choi told the conference in Geneva, according to Reuters.

DPRK has never produced or stockpiled or used chemical weapons and our position is clear. We categorically reject the assumptions and speculations on the incident in Malaysia.

Military sales

Also on Tuesday, Malaysian authorities said they were aware of two North-Korean controlled companies that, according to a Reuters report, were using a Malaysian front company to sell battlefield radio equipment in violation of U.N. sanctions.

The two companies were being struck-off or removed them from a registry of business entities in the country, Malaysias Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement responding to the Reuters report.

The front company, Glocom, advertised over 30 radio systems for military and paramilitary organizations on its Malaysian website, glocom.com.my, Reuters said.

The U.N. has banned Pyongyang from buying or selling military equipment because of its illegal nuclear weapons program and ballistic missile launches, the last of which took place on Feb. 12.

It has been established by the source of the report that no company by the name of Glocom exists in Malaysia, the Malaysian statement said.

Two companies connected with the website  one that registered it and one named as its point of contact  are said to be controlled by North Korean shareholders and directors, Khalids statement said.

It named the companies as International Global System Sdn Bhd and International Golden Services Sdn Bhd. Both were in the process of being struck-off, it said.

The Royal Malaysia Police is constantly monitoring and taking pre-emptive measures to ensure that Malaysia is not being used to carry out any activities that would be detrimental to national security, the statement said.

We have also taken all necessary actions to comply with international regulations with regards to related sanctions.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
In a country torn by ethnic strife, Myanmars de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi hailed a prominent Muslim lawyer and government advisor who was slain in an assassination-style killing as a hero and martyr whose example should inspire the nation.

"In a time when people are afraid to do what should be done, in a time when people are too afraid to refuse to do what should not be done, it is my wish for us to draw courage and strength from the constant realization that there are heroes and martyrs among the members of our party and in our country, Aung San Suu Kyi said during a memorial service on Sunday.

Her speech marked the first time Aung San Suu Kyi has broken her silence on the brutal murder of Ko Ni, a prominent Muslim lawyer and critic of Myanmars powerful military.

Ko Ni was shot dead as he held his grandson on Jan. 29 outside Yangon airport in a murder that shocked the country. A taxi driver, Ne Win, was also killed trying to stop the gunman, who authorities said was hired by a former military officer who is on the run.

Losing someone like U Ko Ni is such a deep loss for the National League for Democracy (NLD), she said. The fact that he worked together with the party for many years through his belief is also something that our party is proud of, she said. I respect and value him a lot.

Ang San Suu Kyi described Ko Ni as a constitutional expert and a tireless supporter of the rule of law.

U Ko Ni is someone who loved to talk about the law even after the listener got bored, she told a packed house at Tawwin Hinnsi Hall in Yangon. He had a big interest in the law and especially the constitution.

A critic of both sides

Ko Ni was a prominent critic of the military and its continued influence, including its control of key ministries and guaranteed seats in parliament, provisions in the army-written constitution that the NLD wants to eventually overturn.

Aung San Suu Kyi holds the positions of state counselor and foreign affairs minister as Myanmars 2008 constitution bars her from the presidency because she is the widow and mother of foreigners. The provisions appear to have been written specifically to prevent her from being eligible for the presidency.

The constitution also reserves a quarter of seats in parliament for members of the military, with the most powerful posts given to active-duty or retired generals.

While Ko Ni criticized the military and its continued influence, Ko Ni was unafraid to point out the shortcomings of the NLD, criticizing the party for its failure to field Muslim candidates. He also condemned what he saw as the increasing Islamophobia that has swept through the nation in recent years.

The murder occurred at a time when religious tension between Myanmars Buddhist majority and Muslim minority is running high.

A crackdown in Rakhine state by Myanmar security forces on Rohingya Muslims since October has left more than 1,000 dead and forced about 73,000 villagers to flee to safety in neighboring Bangladesh, according to United Nations estimates.

Some of the Rohingya who fled have accused Myanmar security forces of extrajudicial killings, torture, rape, and arson during the lockdown.

Investigation questioned

The investigation into Ko Nis murder has been criticized for ignoring possible ties to the military.

During a press conference by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Myanmar Police Force on the investigation, Lt. Gen. Kyaw Swe described the reason for Ko Nis murder as extreme patriotism.

Police Chief Zaw Win, however, blamed it on a grudge.

It is just the behavior of the youths, he said according to the report. They had a personal grudge against him and decided to kill him.

Win Htein, an NLD secretariat member, told RFAs Myanmar Service that the press conference was reminiscent of the ones given under former Prime Minister Khin Nyunt in the military junta era that ended only in 2011.

Khin Nyunt oversaw the arrest of thousands of people, many of whom were tortured and were sentenced by kangaroo courts to decades-long prison sentences. Military intelligence units loyal to Khin Nyunt infiltrated almost every organization in the country, and he maintained networks of spies in almost every neighborhood.

The Saturday press conference looked like the ones by Gen. Khin Nyunt in the SPDC era: Listen to what we say. Its up to you whether you believe it or not. Thats all, he said, dismissing the notion that the murder was carried out by young people.

This assassination was thoroughly planned by those who are old enough to have common sense and sound judgment, he said.

Police and the military are on the lookout for Aung Win Khaing, who is on the run, and other possible conspirators.

Aung Win Khaing is the brother of Aung Win Zaw, who was arrested on Jan. 30 in Kayin state in connection with the murder.

Aung Win Zaw told police that Aung Win Khaing promised to pay him 100 million kyats (about U.S. $73,000) to have Ko Ni assassinated and gave him 10 million kyats (U.S. $7,400) up front.

Aung Win Zaw allegedly hired a third man named Kyi Lin to assassinate Ko Ni in exchange for a car.

Kyi Lin shot 63-year-old Ko Ni at close range in the back of the head outside Yangons international airport after the attorney returned with a delegation of government and civic leaders from a trip to Indonesia, where they participated in a workshop on interfaith tolerance and reconciliation.

He also shot and killed taxi driver Ne Win, who had given chase after the attorney was gunned down.

Very proud to be Burmese

The government previously said that the assassination was a politically motivated act meant to destabilize the state.

At an interfaith peace prayer in Sanchaung Township, Ko Nis daughter Yin New Khine told the crowd that being Muslim and Burmese are not mutually exclusive.

My father practiced Islam, but he was very proud to be Burmese, she said. He was a Muslim who loved Myanmar very much. I am very proud of my father, and I am very proud to be a Burmese.

I always say proudly that I am a Burmese whenever I am asked, she added. I will love my country until I die like my father did.

Reported by Kyaw Zaw Win, Thant Zin Oo and Aung Theinkha for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Brooks Boliek.
Chinese authorities in the troubled northwestern region of Xinjiang have issued a detailed list of "illegal" religious activities spanning Islam, Christianity and Tibetan Buddhism, RFA has learned.



After officials confirmed a generalized ban on unofficial Christian churches last week, RFA has obtained a document believed to originate from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region religious and minority affairs department that details a very specific list of 26 types of banned religious activities.



The new rules have been sent out to local governments, requiring them to explain them to local people, residents said.



The list singles out attempts to proselytize or carry out missionary work "in the guise of" poverty and disaster relief, tourism and academic and cultural exchanges, according to a copy of the document shown to RFA.



The undated document, which appears to have originated with the regional government in Urumqi rather than with the ruling Chinese Communist Party in Beijing, has already been received, a source in the region said on .



"These are [measures] being taken by the regional government, but there is no letterhead, seal or signature linked to the autonomous region," the source said.



"They told us to study them , but I said that if it is the law of the land, at least there should be an official seal," he said. "We have to study these 26 [banned] things."



Under the new rules, no religious group is permitted to carry out any religious activities including preaching, missionary work, proselytizing of new believers and ordaining clergy without prior government approval.

Uyghurs not the only target



No classes or scripture study groups, nor religious studies courses may be offered by any group or institution without prior government approval, the rules say.



Some clauses appear to be specifically aimed at the mostly Muslim Uyghur ethnic group, who are prevented from engaging in religious rituals and customs in relation to marriage, divorce and funeral ceremonies.



A Xinjiang resident surnamed Li said the rules appeared to target Uyghurs, but not exclusively.



"There are also restrictions on reincarnations of Bodhisattvas, and on the transmission of Tibetan Buddhism," Li said.



"[It's also] aimed at underground Islamic groups who might come here to proselytize, that's to say, the [ethnically Chinese] Hui Muslim groups in Xinjiang."



"They have basically outlawed any underground preaching at all or missionary work, and that includes Catholicism [and other faiths] in the crackdown," Li said.



"All of them are now considered to be within the definition of illegal missionary activities."



He said item 16 on the list forbids the designation of reincarnations of Tibetan Buddhist teachers without government approval.



"They are focusing on specific and different details in every religion," Li said, adding that the document appears to have resulted from a vast network of government infiltrators.



"They are all very carefully described, which suggests that [government agents] have managed to penetrate deep into organizations and religious groups."

Dangerous foreign import

The document bans the unauthorized editing, translation, publication, printing, reproduction, production, distribution, sale and dissemination of religious publications and audiovisual products without authorization.



Publishing and broadcasting foreign religious radio and television programs are also banned, as is receiving religious materials from outside China or materials from banned organizations inside China.



"Missionary activities by groups or individuals from overseas under the guise of business, tourism, lectures, overseas study, cultural exchange or donations to disaster relief or to fund studies or alleviate poverty and sickness," are also prohibited by the document.



An official who answered the phone at the religious and minority affairs department of the regional government hung up after being contacted by RFA on .



However, religious affairs officials had previously confirmed more vaguely worded reports of a ban on "unofficial religious activities" last week.



But the ruling Chinese Communist Party, which embraces atheism, has stepped up controls over any form of religious practice among its citizens in recent years, putting increasing pressure on faith groups to join government bodies set up to supervise them.



The administration of President Xi Jinping regards religion as a dangerous foreign import, with officials warning last year against the "infiltration of Western hostile forces" in the form of religion, particularly Christianity.



Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.


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For a second night, protesters took to the streets of Macedonia's capital, Skopje. On February 28, several thousand people demonstrated against a political agreement that would ensure wider use of the Albanian language in the ethnically divided state. (RFE/RL's Balkan Service)
An Afghan police officer fatally shot 11 of his colleagues as they slept at a checkpoint in the southern province of Helmand, officials have said.

Omer Zwak, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said the officer turned his rifle on fellow police in the attack late on February 27 in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital.

Zwak said the attacker seized his victims' guns and ammunition and fled the scene in a police vehicle -- presumably to join the Taliban, which claimed responsibility for the attack.

"Insider" attacks in which Afghan soldiers and police turn their guns on their colleagues or on international troops have been a major problem during the 15-year-old war in Afghanistan.

Afghan security forces battling a resurgent Taliban are struggling to tackle such incidents as they also face record-high casualties and mass desertions.

Lashkar Gah is one of the few areas in Helmand currently held by the government.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
A top Sunni cleric in Iran has called for an immediate referendum with the presence of international observers to "change policies based on the wishes of the people."

In his Friday Prayers sermon on November 4 in the southeastern Iranian city of Zahedan, Molavi Abdulhamid Ismaeelzah asked the Qom seminary and the country's authorities to listen to the voices of the people who have been protesting for the past 50 days.

The cleric, who is known across the country as Molavi Abdolhamid, has previously called on the countrys rulers to respond to the demands of the protesters.

There has been no comment from the Iranian government on his call for a referendum.

The cleric, regarded as a spiritual leader for Irans Sunni Muslim population, is the director of main Sunni seminary in Iran. He is a vocal critic of the Iranian government and has been under pressure for his comments against the Islamic republic.

Earlier this month in his Friday Prayers sermon, he said senior officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were "responsible" for the killings in Zahedan on September 30.



At the same time, people in different cities of Sistan and Baluchistan Province demonstrated in the streets for the fifth consecutive week after the September 30 massacre in Zahedan.



According to the videos published on social media on November 4, the security forces shot directly at protesters in the city of Khash, near Zahedan.



Reports also indicate clashes and shooting at protesters in some other cities of Sistan and Baluchistan Province, including Saravan, Zahedan, and Iranshahr.

It was not possible to independently verify the social media posts and the reports of violence at protests across Iran.



Gatherings took place on November 3 in the cities of Tehran, Tabriz, Shiraz, Rasht, and many other cities of Kurdistan Province in western Iran.



According to the videos published on social media, in the central Iranian city of Arak hundreds of mourners gathered at the grave of Mehrshad Shahidinejad, a 19-year-old aspiring chef who reportedly was killed after being arrested during a protest.



Reports also indicate that on November 3 in the city of Isfahan state security forces fired tear gas as mourners gathered at the grave of Mahsa Mougoei, an 18-year-old woman who was killed on September 22 during the nationwide protests against the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.



At least one woman was shot in Isfahan on November 3, a video published on Twitter indicates. The woman is shown on the ground with blood on her face, apparently shot in the head. The video also shows people trying to revive her. Theres no report about her condition.



In the southern Iranian city of Shiraz, security agents prevented the memorial of late RFE/RL journalist Reza Haghighatnejad. People who had gone to the location of the ceremony protested the security agents' move, chanting slogans in memory of Haghighatnejad and in protest of the government.



Iranian authorities secretly buried Haghighatnejad on October 30 at a location near Shiraz after seizing his body upon repatriation to Iran, angering his family.



Meanwhile, domestic and international reactions to the suppression of protesters in Iran continue.



Iranian wrestling legend and Olympic gold medalist Rasoul Khadem addressed President Ebrahim Raisi on his Instagram account and criticized him for suppressing the protests.



Also, more than 100 professors at Tehran University protested the October 29 attack on the university in a statement describing the attack of the security forces on the students as "barbaric." The statement says the continuation of security approaches and actions such as the "terrible attack" of the plainclothes security forces on the university is disastrous.



The signatories said that all detained students should be released unconditionally.



The antigovernment protests have been met by a harsh crackdown that the Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights says has killed at least 277 people, including 40 children.



The Iranian government has not taken responsibility for the killing of protesters and in most cases has attributed their deaths to reasons such as suicide, illness, and accidents.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda
NATO has expressed concern over the announced closure by Russia-backed separatists in Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region of two crossing points on the boundary line with Georgian-controlled territory.

NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said in a statement of February 28 that closing the crossing points would "have a negative impact on the situation on [the] ground and stability in the region."

Abkhazia's separatist government decided to close two out of a total of four crossing points on December 28.



Lungescu also urged Russia "to reverse its recognition of the South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of Georgia as independent states," saying "NATO continues to support Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders."

Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent countries after fighting a brief war against Georgia in 2008, and maintains thousands of troops in the regions.

On February 25, the EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement that the crossing points' closure "would be contrary to efforts to normalize the situation."

The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi expressed "deep concern" over the situation in January. Also in January, the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said that the planned closure could further restrict freedom of movement' for local residents.

With reporting by civil.ge


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Russian President Vladimir Putin has wrapped up a three-nation tour of Central Asia with a visit to Kyrgyzstan, where he touted a Russian air base as a key to stability in the region.

Speaking to journalists after talks with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev on February 28, Putin said that Russia was ready to shut the Kant air base any time the host country wants it to.

"If Kyrgyzstan someday says that its armed forces have been developed to the extent that there is no need for the base any more, we will leave the place right away," he said.

But he suggested Moscow believes that time has not come, saying he and Atambaev "confirmed the common understanding that the presence of the Russian military base in Kyrgyzstan is an important factor of stability and security in the Central Asian region."

He also said they had agreed to military and arms-trade cooperation, without giving details.

Kyrgyzstan and Russia agreed in 2012 to extend Russia's lease on the Kant base near Bishkek by 15 years, starting this year.

But Atambaev seemed to voice impatience with the arrangement in remarks in December, when he said that Kyrgyzstan would in the future have to rely on its owned armed forces without playing host to any foreign military bases.

After his talks with Putin, Atambaev stressed that they did not discuss "expanding" the Russian base.

"We discussed the strengthening of the Kyrgyz Armed Forces and supplies of weapons," he said. "Russia wants to help us build up our own armed forces."

Political Tensions

Putin's visit came amid political tensions in Kyrgyzstan following the February 26 arrest of prominent Kyrgyz opposition party leader Omurbek Tekebaev, which sparked protests by supporters calling for his release.

Kyrgyz media speculated that Putin would use the trip to assess the situation ahead of a November presidential election in the former Soviet republic, where street protests drove presidents from power in 2005 and again in 2010.

Atambaev told journalists after the talks that he had not discussed the election issue with Putin -- and said there would be no more "revolutions" in Kyrgyzstan.

He asserted that Tekebaev's arrest and the case against him -- which Kyrgyz authorities say is related to allegations he received a $1 million bribe from a Russian businessman while serving as deputy prime minister -- are not politically motivated.

Atambaev is barred from running for a second term in Kyrgyzstan's presidential election on November 19, but pushed through a referendum in December 2016 that transferred some powers from the president to the prime minister.

That has fueled speculation that Atambaev could position himself to become the next prime minister -- though he says he has no such plans -- or install an ally in the role.

Putin traveled to Kyrgyzstan after visits on February 27 to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, two other former Soviet republics in Central Asia.

All three are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Moscow-dominated military and security grouping.

Putin said in Dushanbe that he and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon had agreed to jointly bolster security on Tajikistan's border with war-torn Afghanistan.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, TASS, and Interfax
SIOUX CITY | A Sioux City teenager pleaded guilty Monday to speeding prior to a car crash that resulted in the death of one of her passengers.

Morgan Myers, 16, entered her plea in Woodbury County District Court to a felony charge of vehicular homicide.

Because Myers is being prosecuted as a youthful offender, District Judge Jeffrey Neary accepted her guilty plea and ordered her case transferred to juvenile court for disposition, similar to sentencing in district court.

A juvenile court judge will have a range of sentencing options, including probation and treatment programs.

Prior to Myers' 18th birthday, her case will be reviewed, and a judge will decide if Myers' case can be terminated or transferred back to district court, where she would face sentencing as an adult.

Myers could face a 10-year prison sentence if sentenced as an adult.

Answering Neary's questions with either "Yes, sir" or "No, sir" in a quiet voice, Myers admitted that she did not have a driver's license and was speeding near the 4000 block of 28th Street prior to the April 13 fatal crash.

An Iowa State Patrol trooper estimated that Myers was driving 54 mph in a 35 mph zone at the time of the crash.

The 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier struck a dirt embankment and rolled over. Myers, Alexis Wilde, 15, of Sioux City, and Marcus Evert, 15, of Sergeant Bluff, were all transported to Mercy Medical Center, where Wilde, who had been the front-seat passenger, died from her injuries.

A police report said Myers had borrowed the vehicle from a friend.

Nick Hytrek writes for the Sioux City Journal, another Lee Enterprises newspaper. Reach him at nhytrek@siouxcityjournal.com.
BISHKEK -- Hundreds of protesters have demonstrated for a third day in central Bishkek to call for the release of opposition Ata-Meken (Fatherland) party leader Omurbek Tekebaev.

But with security tight in Kyrgyzstan's capital for a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the demonstrators who rallied for Tekebaev's release on February 28 were prevented from protesting on Bishkek's main Ala-Too Square.

Instead, they marched near a detention center of Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National Security (UKMK) where Tekebaev is being held while a fraud and corruption investigation against him continues.

Pretrial Custody

Their demonstration came a day after a Bishkek court on February 27 ordered Tekebaev to be held in pretrial custody until April 25, despite the parliamentary immunity he is meant to have as a lawmaker and leader of the Ata-Meken parliamentary faction.

Members of Tekebaev's Ata-Meken party and other demonstrators have vowed to continue protesting every day until Tekebaev is released, saying he is being targeted by politically motivated allegations that are aimed at preventing him from running in Kyrgyzstan's November 19 presidential election.

WATCH: Protesters Demand Kyrgyz Oppositionist's Release (February 27)

But President Almazbek Atambaev said during a February 28 press conference in Bishkek with Putin that the allegations against Tekebaev are "not politically motivated."

In Washington, a U.S. State Department official told RFE/RL on February 28 that Washington was "aware of the arrest of prominent opposition leader Omurbek Tekebaev and the protests surrounding his detainment."

When asked if U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is concerned about the detention of a leading opposition figure in Kyrgyzstan who is meant to have parliamentary immunity, the State Department official said: "We refer you to the government of the Kyrgyz Republic for information on the details of this case."

Almabet Shykmamatov, Ata-Meken's acting parliamentary faction leader while Tekebaev is in custody, told RFE/RL on February 28 that lawmakers from Ata-Meken will make an "official political statement" about the case at a parliamentary session in Bishkek on March 1.

UKMK agents detained Tekebaev on February 26 at Bishkek International Airport as he was returning from a Vienna meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

Bribery Case

Although Tekebaev has not been formally charged, he is being investigated in a corruption and fraud case related to a $1 million bribe he allegedly received from a Russian businessman while serving as deputy prime minister.

Tekebaev was a political ally of Atambaev until the summer of 2016 when the Kyrgyz president proposed constitutional amendments -- approved in a December referendum -- that could keep him and his allies in power indefinitely.

Atambaev is barred by the country's 2010 constitution from seeking a second term of office in Kyrgyzstan's November 19 presidential election.

His 2016 amendments boosted the powers of the prime minister, prompting speculation that Atambaev could be trying to position himself to become the next prime minister or to install a political ally in that role.

The 58-year-old Tekebaev is the third member of Ata-Meken to be detained by authorities for questioning in recent weeks as part of the alleged corruption probe.

Earlier in February, authorities also detained Shykmamatov and parliamentary deputy Aida Salyanova for questioning.

With reporting by RFE/RL correspondent Carl Schreck in Washington


The detention on arrival in Bishkek of Omurbek Tekebaev, a veteran politician and leader of the Ata-Meken party, immediately set off political friction in Kyrgyzstan.

Modest protests started the same day and continued on February 27, when a court ordered Tekebaev held for two months while he is investigated on charges of fraud and corruption. The demonstrations continue.

There's been bad blood between Tekebaev and his former political ally, Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev, for months now, and something like this was almost bound to happen.

Tekebaev, who was in politics before Kyrgyzstan declared independence from the Soviet Union, is no stranger to controversy. His Ata-Meken party was the second political party to be registered in the newly sovereign republic in late 1991. (Erkin Kyrgyzstan was the first.) Over the past 25 years, Tekebaev has variously been an ally or an opponent of many of Kyrgyzstan's most senior political figures.

He has been a speaker of parliament, a presidential candidate, and an outspoken critic of Kyrgyz presidents. (Once, as speaker of parliament, he called then-President Kurmanbek Bakiev a "disgrace" and invited him to take advantage of the first available tree to hang himself.)

Tekebaev is from the Akmak Bazar-Korgon district in Kyrgyzstans southern Jalal-Abat Province, where some of his supporters attempted to block the main highway between Osh and Bishkek on February 27, to protest Tekebaevs detention.

Tekebaev was a high-school teacher in the village of Akman in the 1980s when he launched his political career by becoming a local activist. In 1990, he became a peoples deputy in the Supreme Soviet of the Kyrgyz Soviet Socialist Republic, and in 1991 he became a member of the Supreme Soviet Council and sat on the Committee for Judicial Affairs.

Tekebaev was elected to parliament in 1995 and later that year attempted to run for president, only to have his registration rejected.

WATCH: Kyrgyz Protesters Demand Opposition Leader's Release

He was reelected to parliament in 2000 and became deputy speaker of the lower house of parliament. He successfully registered as a presidential candidate later that year and placed second to incumbent Askar Akaev.

He was reelected to parliament in 2005 and named speaker four days after unrest chased Akaev into exile, and shortly thereafter proposed transforming the countrys political system to a parliamentary form of government.

By early 2006, Tekebaev had become an opponent of Akaev's successor. Less than a year into his presidential term, Bakiev refused to attend a February 2006 session of Kyrgyzstans Security Council while Tekebaev was present, forcing the latter to leave the room.

Tekebaev quickly resigned, but even that proved contentious as parliament refused to accept the resignation. Tekebaev left the post by the end of February 2006 but remained in parliament and became one of Bakievs leading opponents.

In September 2006 came the so-called matryoshka affair. Customs agents in Warsaw, acting on a tip from Bishkek, searched a Russian nesting doll in Tekebaev's possession and found 595 grams of heroin inside. A subsequent investigation linked the president's brother and first deputy chief of the security service, Janysh Bakiev, to the incident, although he rejected suggestions that he had any part in planting heroin in Tekebaevs luggage. Janysh Bakiev was dismissed from his position but not charged. (National Security Service chief Busurmankul Taabaldiev resigned amid the scandal.) Janysh Bakiev would later file suit against Kyrgyzstans parliament for suggesting he was involved in the whole business.

By then, Tekebaev found himself at the center of another scandal when then-Prime Minister Feliks Kulov, who had defended Tekebaev during the heroin incident, cited an audio recording handed over by an "unknown person" of a purported conversation among opposition leaders -- including Tekebaev -- and NGO representatives plotting to overthrow the government.

Tekebaev acknowledged it was his voice in the recording but said it was heavily edited. He threatened to sue Kulov and the chief of the National Security Service.

After a constitutional referendum in October 2007 that approved adding 15 seats to the previously 75-seat parliament, President Bakiev called snap parliamentary elections. Tekebaev failed to win a seat, and the subsequent period until parliamentary elections in October 2010 marks the only time in independent Kyrgyzstans history that Tekebaev has not been in parliament.

Tekebaev continued to help lead opposition to Bakiev until the latters downfall in April 2010, after which Tekebaev emerged as a deputy chairman of the interim government led by Roza Otunbaeva and was named chairman of the Constitutional Council charged with rewriting Kyrgyzstans constitution. Tekebaev helped draft the constitution, approved in a national referendum in June 2010, which officially transformed Kyrgyzstan from a presidential to a parliamentary form of government.

Meanwhile, Tekebaevs Ata-Meken party looked ready to win a plurality in parliamentary elections in October 2010, but Tekebaevs perceived pro-Western posturing seems to have bothered the Kremlin. In what many regarded as an example of soft power emanating from Moscow, Russian television programs -- widely viewed in Kyrgyzstan -- aired footage that portrayed Tekebaev in an unfavorable light, and an unknown person, or persons, posted video online of Tekebaev in an intimate meeting with a woman who was not his wife.

Ata-Meken placed fifth with 18 seats in the 120-member parliament in 2010 -- last among parliamentary parties. Tekebaev was nominated to be speaker but failed to receive sufficient support.

Then, in 2015, Ata-Meken won 11 seats in parliament, again lowest among the parties that cleared the threshold for representation.

Tensions between Tekebaev and the current president, Atambaev, were noticeable in the run-up to the 2015 elections. Atambaevs Social Democratic Party took the largest number of seats -- 38 -- an improvement over its second-place showing in 2010 behind Ata-Jurt.

Atambaevs strong support for a referendum on constitutional amendments held in December was the last straw for Tekebaev. The Ata-Meken leader publicly criticized the idea, as did other former leaders of the interim government that took over after Bakiev was ousted in 2010.

Atambaev used his August 31 Independence Day address to attack Tekebaev and others, including ex-President Otunbaeva, who was in attendance and walked out in the middle of Atambaevs speech.

Since then, Tekebaev and some of his supporters have publicly called for investigations into how Atambaev acquired property on which to build a residence outside Bishkek and into how Atambaev, a successful businessman before his presidential term, earned his fortune. Atambaev and some of his supporters have countered with calls for probes into Tekebaevs business activities and the sources of his wealth.

Something had to happen, and it just did. And some in Kyrgyzstan see this as Atambaevs revenge, with a presidential election scheduled for the autumn.

By itself, this latest episode with Tekebaev is unlikely to spark the sort of protests seen in 2005 or 2010. But it does add to a list of problems that includes unemployment, poverty, government corruption, a controversial deal with Canada's Centerra to work Kyrgyzstans Kumtor gold deposit, and dozens more issues that Kyrgyzstans political opposition has always been able to play upon to challenge the president.

Ulan Eshmatov of RFE/RLs Kyrgyz Service contributed to this report.

The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL.
Reporting to Russian President Vladimir Putin last September on the conduct of the State Duma elections, Ella Pamfilova, chair of Russia's Central Election Commission, singled out Daghestan as one of the federation subjects where irregularities were most blatant and prevalent. Pamfilova elaborated on that assessment during meetings in Makhachkala two weeks ago with the republic's leaders, journalists, and representatives of various political parties, publicly warning republic head Ramazan Abdulatipov that "we do not need inflated statistics" that undermine voters' trust in the electoral process.

Daghestan was one of several Russian regions where elections to the regional parliament and local councils were held concurrently with those to the State Duma. According to official statistical data, at all three levels voter turnout was significantly higher than for Russia as a whole, and candidates representing the ruling United Russia party won with a disproportionately large percent of the vote (88.86 percent in the State Duma election compared to 47.8 percent nationwide, and 75.51 percent in the regional parliamentary ballot.)

Defeated opposition candidates and civil-society activists who monitored the voting in Daghestan dispute those figures, however. They have adduced numerous specific instances of ballot-box stuffing, the removal of ballot boxes from electoral precincts before the polls closed, and the rewriting of protocols to increase the percentage of votes cast for United Russia candidates at the expense of other political parties. Albert Esedov, who heads the Daghestan chapter of the opposition party Yabloko, told the news portal Caucasian Knot that there was barely a single polling station where the vote could have been described as even remotely free and fair.

Public Chamber member Shamil Khadulayev for his part said that precinct chairmen removed ballot boxes from polling stations in Makhachkala before the votes had even been counted.

"In its entire history, Daghestan has never witnessed anything so shameful," Kavkaz.Uzel quoted him as saying.

Oleg Melnikov, head of the antislavery movement Alternativa, who ran as an independent candidate for the State Duma from northern Daghestan, told Kavkaz.uzel he had been informed by the head of a precinct commission in the northern Kizlyar district that orders had been received from Makhachkala, the republican capital, that United Russia should receive 80 percent of the vote, with the remaining 20 percent divided among other parties. Melnikov also admitted that he encountered no obstacles when he sought at six different polling stations to cast a vote for United Russia without showing any identification.

Melnikov subsequently went to court to demand the annulment of the vote at three polling stations where procedural violations had been particularly egregious, but his appeal was rejected.

Other speakers, too, complained to Pamfilova that their complaints and appeals against malpractice were routinely ignored. Khadulayev implied that such complaints are pointless. "You file with the district court, which forwards your complaint to the Supreme Court, which sends it back to the district court," Kavkaz.uzel quoted him as saying.

Abdulatipov reportedly sought to reassure Pamfilova by downplaying the extent and gravity of the violations. He admitted that there may have been minor infringements, but insisted that the "corruption," vote-buying, and intimidation of voters that had marred previous elections have been eradicated. He concluded that he saw no reason to question the official results of the voting, according to Kavkaz.uzel.

That latter assertion is difficult to reconcile with the deployment of "heavies," as reported by Chernovik.net, to check the identity of all those who wanted to attend the open meeting with Pamfilova and refuse entry to some who might have drawn her attention to the problems they had encountered.

At a separate meeting Pamfilova held with Daghestani officials later the same day (February 16), Magomed Dibirov, the chairman of the republic's Election Commission, reportedly affirmed that of the 105 complaints submitted in connection with the vote, the commission had dismissed 78 as unfounded and forwarded the remaining 27 to the republican prosecutor's office.

While Pamifilova left no doubt that she took the cases of fraud seriously, she also reportedly explained that there were limitations on what the Central Election Commission could do to address them. She pointed out that it could not take any action regarding complaints still being heard in court, and that once district level election commissions have formally confirmed the election results, it is no longer possible to demand a recount.

She further stressed that her commission is not empowered to dismiss local-level election commission personnel implicated in falsification, although it can make recommendations in that respect. Daghestan's Central Election Commission fired 21 precinct commission heads in November, shortly after a fact-finding visit to Makhachkala by members of Pamfilova's staff, according to Kavkaz.uzel.

At the same time, Pamfilova made it quite clear that she holds the republic's leaders directly responsible for exerting pressure on local authorities to ensure overwhelming support for United Russia, in direct contravention of Putin's injunction that the voting should be, and be seen to be, fair. In that context, she sought to shield from criticism Daghestan Election Commission head Dibirov, who was reelected for a second term in December. "Much [of what he does] is undertaken not thanks to, but in spite of, [the orders he receives]," she reportedly declared, without elaborating.

The tone of Pamfilova's statements suggests that the primary objective of her visit to Makhachkala was to shame Abdulatipov personally by demonstrating that he had acted in direct violation of Putin's orders. "Does the president really need some obsequious fool to inflate [Unified Russia's] percentage [of the vote] for him?" she asked rhetorically. Whether that public dressing down was intended as a further pretext for Abdulatipov's widely anticipated dismissal is unclear.

Last week, journalist and Kremlin insider Maksim Shevchenko, whom the Daghestan Election Commission refused to register as a candidate for the State Duma elections, convened a meeting in Moscow of Daghestan's Civic Forum, at which the 80-plus participants signed a resolution requesting that Putin dismiss Abdulatipov as republic head and that his successor be elected in a popular vote, rather than selected by the republic's parliament, as is currently the case.

If, on the other hand, Pamfilova's primary concern was indeed analyzing election fraud with the aim of preventing it in future ballots and thereby restoring voters' confidence in the electoral process, then one would expect an announcement from her of plans to visit at least some of the other 22 Russian regions where she had pronounced the voting process similarly flawed.

In that context, it is worth noting that in none of the transcripts or summaries of Pamfilova's remarks in Makhachkala was she quoted as mentioning the elephant in the neighboring room. In Chechnya, United Russia polled 96.29 percent of the vote in the State Duma elections, even higher than in Daghestan. But Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov has long been above criticism.

The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL.


Taisia Osipova, a Russian opposition activist arrested in 2010 on drug charges she says were fabricated, has been released on parole after more than six years in prison.

The Other Russia opposition movement said on Twitter that Osipova had been granted early release and walked out of prison in the Tver region on February 28.

Osipova, 32, was arrested in November 2010 and sentenced to eight years in prison in 2012 by a court in her native city of Smolensk that convicted her of dealing drugs.

Osipova, her lawyers, and supporters contend that the case was fabricated in order to put pressure on her husband, Sergei Fomchenkov, a senior member of Other Russia.

In a 2012 resolution condemning Russia's use of its judiciary for political purposes, the European Parliament named Osipova as one of several opposition activists it said were being prosecuted because of their political views.
Russia and China have blocked a push by Western governments at the United Nations to punish the Syrian government over chemical weapons attacks, the latest in a string of vetoes by Moscow and Beijing on resolutions about the six-year-old conflict.

The February 28 veto of a UN Security Council resolution calling for sanctions against Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government raised criticism from Western powers and international rights watchdogs.

The resolution had been backed by Western governments in response to the conclusions of the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) that Assads forces were responsible for toxic gas attacks and that Islamic State (IS) militants had deployed mustard gas.

Assad's government denies responsibility for any chemical weapons attacks, and Russia -- Assads chief backer -- has expressed skepticism about the findings of the inquiry.

The proposed resolution called for sanctions against Syrian officials, military commanders, companies, and other entities allegedly involved in chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

Moscow-Washington Standoff

The resolution reached the threshold of support from nine of the Security Council's 15 members needed to be passed.

But the vetoes by permanent members Russia and China -- their seventh and sixth, respectively, on Syria since the war erupted there in 2011 -- prevented its approval.

The vote marked one of the first standoffs at the UN between Moscow and Washington since the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said he would like to cooperate with Russia to fight IS extremists in Syria.

Western governments delivered scathing criticism of Russia after the vote.

Trump's ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said: "It is a sad day on the Security Council when members start making excuses for other member states killing their own people."

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Moscow bears "heavy responsibility towards the Syrian people and humanity as a whole."

Ayrault voiced "deep regret" that the Security Council could not pass the resolution.

"It is crucial that we do not let the crimes of those who choose to use such weapons go unpunished, Ayrault said. This is why France took the initiative, with its partners, on this resolution."

Moscow's Deputy Ambassador to the UN Vladimir Safronkov denounced criticism of Russia at the council as "outrageous" and called the resolution a "provocation" by the Western "troika" -- a reference to the governments behind the document: Britain, France, and the United States.

"Today's clash or confrontation is not a result of our negative vote," Safronkov said. "It is a result of the fact that you decided on provocation while you knew well ahead of time our position."

Russian President Vladimir Putin said ahead of the vote on February 28 that the sanctions "are not acceptable now" because they would hamper peace talks.

The vetoes by Russia and China also drew sharp criticism from rights activists, with the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) calling their votes a "cynical decision."

Louis Charbonneau, the United Nations director for HRW, said that "in the wake of Russia's seventh veto on a Syria resolution, UN member states should explore and pursue alternate avenues for accountability for the serious crimes of the Syrian government."

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP
Russian police have searched the Moscow apartment of Zoya Svetova, a rights activist and journalist with ties to Kremlin foe Mikhail Khodorkovsky's Open Russia organization, colleagues say.

Lawyer Anna Stavitskaya wrote on Facebook on February 28 that an investigator and 10 other people were conducting a search in Svetova's home.

Stavitskaya said documents related to the search results were still being processed by authorities on February 28.

Stavitskaya said the search, which included examination of Svetova's computers, was linked to a continuing investigation into Khodorkovsky and other former officials of Yukos, the oil company he headed.

Yukos was broken up and sold at auction after Khodorkovsky was arrested on financial charges in 2003.

Khodorkovsky was pardoned by President Vladimir Putin and left Russia after serving 10 years in prison following two trials supporters said were engineered by the Kremlin to punish him for challenging Putin and to put Yukos in state hands.

Svetova writes for Open Russia, which promotes human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Russia, and for the New Times newspaper.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow will not support new sanctions against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, warning that imposing new punishments would hurt efforts to end Syria's six-year-old civil war.

Putin's remarks on February 28 seemed to underscore Russia's stated plan to use its UN Security Council veto to block a bid by Western powers to impose sanctions on the Syrian government for toxic gas attacks.

The 15-nation Security Council was set to vote on the issue later in the day at the UN in New York.

Talking to journalists in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, Putin said that sanctions "are not acceptable now as they would hinder the talks process."

"Russia will not support any new sanctions against Syria," he said.

The expected Security Council vote, which pits Assad's backer, Russia, against the United States and its European allies, follows the start last week of a new round of UN-led Syria peace talks in Geneva.

The Geneva talks follow a round of negotiations in Astana, Kazakhstan, sponsored by Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

Russia has vetoed six council resolutions on Syria since the conflict started in 2011 with a violent government crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

Britain and France first circulated the draft resolution in December, after a UN investigation concluded that the Syrian Air Force had dropped chlorine barrel-bombs from helicopters on three opposition-held villages in 2014 and 2015.

Assad's government has denied using chemical weapons, and Russia said the evidence found in the UN investigation was not enough proof for the council to take action.

Last week, Russian Deputy UN Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov said that Moscow would veto the resolution.

Russia has given the Syrian government crucial diplomatic and military backing throughout the war, and helped turn the tide of the conflict in Assad's favor by launching a campaign of air strikes against his opponents in September 2015.

With reporting by Interfax, TASS, AP, and Reuters
Several thousand people have protested in Macedonia's capital against a political agreement that would ensure wider use of the Albanian language in the ethnically divided state.

The protests in Skopje late on February 27 came after the leader of the Social Democrats, Zoran Zaev, presented signatures from three ethnic Albanian political parties showing he has enough support in parliament to form a new government next month.

The ethnic Albanian parties had made their support for Zaev's coalition government conditional on the enactment of a law backing broader use of their language in Macedonia.

Albanian is currently an official language only in areas where Albanians account for more than 20 percent of the population.

A movement that called itself "For Joint Macedonia" put out calls on social media for people to go into the streets and protest the deal. Most of the protesters appeared to support the conservative VMRO-DPMNE party, which has denounced making Albanian Macedonia's second official language.

Protesters marched peacefully from the government building to the parliament building in Skopje shouting "This will not pass," singing Macedonian national songs, and carrying signs reading "No to bilingualism" and "This is our red line."

The parties forming the proposed coalition government "want to divide the yellow and the red color of the Macedonian flag. We won't let that happen. They want destruction, we want [a] united Macedonia," said Bogdan Ilievski, a protest organizer.

The Balkan country's two-year-old political crisis was triggered by a surveillance scandal that forced the veteran leader of the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party, Nikola Gruevski, to resign a year ago.

The crisis was the worst since Western diplomacy helped drag the country of 2.1 million people back from the brink of civil war during an ethnic Albanian insurgency in 2001, promising it a path to membership in the European Union and NATO.

In a snap vote in December, VMRO-DPMNE won 51 seats to the Social Democratic Union's 49. Neither party was able to form a government without including parties representing ethnic Albanians, who make up about one-quarter of the population.

The VMRO-DPMNE had tried but failed to form a coalition with the Albanian parties.

Earlier on February 27, Zaev submitted to President Gjorge Ivanov the signatures of 18 deputies from ethnic Albanian parties, saying he had enough support to form a new government.

"The signatures allow the crisis to end in Macedonia and the country finally to move forward," Zaev said, adding that he expected a "peaceful and quick transfer of power."

But Gruevski quickly denounced the coalition deal as unconstitutional and a threat to Macedonia. He called on supporters to launch protests against making Albanian a second official language.

With reporting by Reuters and Balkan Insight
SIMFEROPOL -- A court in Russia-annexed Crimea has set March 20 for the start of a trial against an RFE/RL contributing correspondent who faces separatism-related charges for one of his articles.

Simferopol's Zheleznodorozhny District Court announced the trial date for Mykola Semena on February 28 at his preliminary hearing in a case that Moscow-installed authorities filed against him after Russia seized and annexed Crimea from Ukraine.

The 66-year-old Semena faces a possible five-year sentence on charges of calling for "the violation of the territorial integrity of Russia" in a 2015 article he wrote for RFE/RL's Krym.Realii (Crimea Realities) website.

Semena's lawyer Andriy Sabinin on February 28 filed a motion asking for the Simferopol court to return the case to investigators because of what he said were "mistakes by the linguistic experts."

Sabinin told RFE/RL that the prosecution's Russian translators "included their own judicial opinions" in the translations they filed as evidence with the court rather than presenting a literal translation of Semena's writing.

There was no immediate ruling from the court on Sabinin's motion.

Ahead of the February 28 hearing, Semena told RFE/RL he would argue that there is no evidence a crime was committed because "the status of Crimea is not clear, even within the framework of the Russian Federation."

Semena said Crimea "is a disputed territory which is the subject of an animated discussion all over the world," and that he has the right under international law and Russian legislation "to participate in this discussion" and express his point of view.

A Handful Of Independent Journalists

Semena, who was born in northeastern Ukraine in 1950, has been a journalist for 50 years and has lived and worked as a journalist in Crimea since the 1980s.

He is among a handful of independent journalists who continued reporting from Crimea without parroting the Kremlin line since Russia's March 2014 annexation of the territory.

Most journalists who refused to follow the Kremlin line either left the peninsula voluntarily, were forced out by authorities, or simply stopped working.

But Semena continued to report about the impact that the Russia-installed government was having on the lives of Crimean Tatars and others who disagreed with the annexation by the Kremlin -- that is, until he was detained on April 19, 2016 by agents from Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).

Although he was released after being questioned, authorities ordered Semena not to leave Crimea.

WATCH: RFE/RL Contributor Denies Russian 'Separatism' Charges

Natalya Poklonskaya, who is now one of Crimea's deputies in Russia's State Duma, was the Russia-installed Prosecutor-General in Crimea who filed the charges against Semena.

Poklonskaya has also accused RFE/RL's Krym.Realii website of being "a harmful service" that provides "justification for acts of sabotage and extremism," and incites "ethnic hatred."

But the case against Semena has been widely criticized and dismissed as politically motivated by the United States, the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and international media watchdogs.

'Eliminating Pluralism'

Rights activists say the charges and trial are part of a Russian clampdown on independent media and dissent in Crimea.

Johann Bihr, the head of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said on February 28 that Semena "is being tried for using his right to free speech."

"After eliminating pluralism in Crimea, the Russian authorities are now targeting its last survivors," Bihr said.

Bihr called on authorities "to abandon this prosecution and to let him work freely," adding that "the international community must not forget Crimea and allow its population to disappear into this new information black hole."

Nina Ognianova, the Europe and Central Asia program coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists, said earlier in February that "criticizing authorities is not a crime."

Ognianova called on the region's Russian-backed authorities to "stop harassing journalists in Crimea."

RFE/RL President Thomas Kent has described the charges against Semena as "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."

With reporting by RFE/RL correspondent Ron Synovitz and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service


BANCROFT | A northern Iowa man who head-butted a Kossuth County sheriff's deputy twice has been arrested, officials say.

James Wilson, Jr., 32, of West Bend, was arrested late Monday for two counts of assault of a peace officer, one count of interference with official acts and one count of disorderly conduct.

All are misdemeanors.

The incident happened after a woman called an ambulance crew for the man at 9:55 p.m. on Ramsey Street in Bancroft.

A Kossuth County sheriff's deputy responded to the city to assist Bancroft police.

The deputy was headbutted the first time while trying to put Wilson in a patrol vehicle, said Kossuth County Sheriff Steve Kollasch.

He said it happened again when the deputy got Wilson to the Kossuth County Jail in Algona.

A Kossuth County Jail staff member contacted Tuesday night would not say if Wilson was still incarcerated at the facility or if he had been released.

 Molly Montag
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has introduced legislation to name the street in front of the Russian Embassy in Washington Boris Nemtsov Place in honor of the slain opposition politician.

Rubio (Republican-Florida) proposed the bill on February 27, two years after Nemtsov was shot dead on a bridge near the Kremlin.

Rubio, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, said that Nemtsov "was just one of [Russian President] Vladimir Putins critics who have wound up dead or hospitalized as the regime cracks down on any opposition."

"The creation of 'Boris Nemtsov Plaza' would permanently remind Putins regime and the Russian people that these dissidents' voices live on, and that defenders of liberty will not be silenced," Rubio said in a statement.

"Whether it is looking at a street sign or thousands of pieces of correspondence addressed '1 Boris Nemtsov Plaza,' it will be abundantly clear to the Kremlin that the intimidation and murder of opposition figures does not go unnoticed."

Some 15,000 Russians marched through Moscow on February 27 to honor Nemtsov and call for justice, and thousands rallied in other cities.

Five suspects are being tried for Nemtsov's killing, but his relatives believe those who carried out the contract-style killing were following orders from someone higher up.

For Rubio's resolution to become U.S. law, it must be passed by both houses of Congress and signed by President Donald Trump.
The Hilb Group LLC, a Richmond-based middle market insurance agency, said it has acquired insurance businesses in North Carolina and Massachusetts.

The company said it completed acquisitions on Feb. 1 of North Carolina-based Charlotte Insurance and the group benefits division of Massachusetts-based firm Sapers & Wallack Inc.

Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Founded in 2009 by Robert H. Hilb and Robert J. Hilb, The Hilb Group has expanded rapidly through more than 30 acquisitions of insurance firms.

With the addition of Charlotte Insurance, the Hilb Group will have four offices in the Charlotte area, including an existing employee benefits location in Mooresville, N.C.

Charlotte Insurance is one of the largest locally owned property and casualty insurance providers for businesses and individuals in the Charlotte area, according to The Hilb Group.

The companys employees and two principals, Marty Karriker and Sean Hertel, will remain with the business, which will continue to operate under the Charlotte Insurance name.

Sapers & Wallack operates in the Boston area and has specialists in group benefits, executive benefits, insurance, retirement-plan consulting and wealth management.

As part of the transaction, the group benefits division and all of its current employees will join The Hilb Groups New England employee benefits operations, led by Rob Calise.

We are pleased to bring S&Ws group benefits division and their associates to the growing Hilb Group of New England team, said Robert J. Hilb, CEO of The Hilb Group.

Their expertise and market relationships will complement and help expand our benefits operation in the area.

The Hilb Group is a portfolio company of Boston-based private equity firm ABRY Partners.
"We have been working to better understand the facts of these situations and, importantly, both the intent and impact of these events on members of our community," the provost says.
An Ashland man took the stand Monday and vehemently denied accusations that he abducted, beat and strangled a former girlfriend.

The victim testified that what started as an argument escalated into Stanley Lester Floyd III, 28, holding her captive in their shared Ashland home on New Street, where she said he beat her, threatened to kill her and choked her.

In his testimony, Floyd attempted to explain the pictures that showed what appeared to be bruises and abrasions over much of Brittany Hagues body.

Floyd acknowledged that a picture of Hague showed a red abrasion about midway down her nose, but he had an explanation: Yes, that looks like where she wears her glasses.

As for red and black discoloring on Hagues lip, Floyd also had an explanation: I believe she was eating some sort of chocolate cake or brownie.

As for red abrasions in the vicinity of Hagues neck, which she said were the result of Floyd strangling her, Floyd said Hagues skin often became red or blotched when she got upset. Hague said that claim wasnt true and that it was an attack by Floyd that caused her wounds the night of Dec. 28, 2015.

Hanover Circuit Judge J. Overton Harris did not buy Floyds explanations and found him guilty of three misdemeanor counts of domestic assault and battery. Floyd, who could be sentenced to up to three years in prison, is due back in court May 31 for a presentencing hearing.

I dont find that to be chocolate fudge, said Harris, remarking on the photos of Hagues wounds before ultimately finding Floyd guilty.

I think he punched her right in the mouth, said the judge, adding that he believes Floyd then hit Hague on the head and wrestled with her before she fled the home.

Hague, 27, testified Friday that Floyd had told her he would kill her that night and that she would be unrecognizable when they find you.

Hague said she passed out from being choked at one point and that Floyd had tried to get her to come to the bedroom where he kept a gun.

When she refused, he said he needed to get something from the bedroom, but when he went in that direction, she fled, Hague said.

The defense attempted to raise questions about Hagues character, including by pointing out that another man supposedly changed his Facebook relationship status to show he was with Hague at a time when Floyd believed himself to be Hagues boyfriend.

But Harris blocked an attempt by defense attorney Judson Collier Jr. to submit as evidence an image of the other mans Facebook relationship status.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch initially had not named Hague, for privacy and safety concerns, but Hague said after the trial Monday that she wants her name to be used. Hague said she hopes that, by telling her story, she might embolden other victims of domestic violence to break their silence and realize their self-worth.

I get threatened and bullied via social media about this all the time, said Hague, adding that she believes there has been an effort by Floyd to label her a liar, but she says any victim shaming will not prevent her from telling the truth about what happened to her the night of the attack.

Janet Thorn, who also lived on New Street at the time, said she saw a man dragging a woman up the stairs of the home the night of the attack.

Thorn testified that she also heard a woman screaming before she saw Hague running down the street toward her. She took Hague into her home.

Im lucky to be alive right now, Hague said in an interview, crediting God and Thorn for her life.

Hague, whose testimony lasted about two hours, added: It was like I was on trial.

Im sure the victim shaming will continue by (Floyds) associates. Of that, I have no doubt. But it is what it is, Hague said. I hope that in doing this, I can somehow help other women to have the bravery to get out of their (abusive) situations or let someone know someone is hurting you.

Hague said Hanover Safe Place, which provides services for victims of domestic violence, was a valuable source of support for her.

Hague, a medical billing specialist and wedding caterer who hopes to also soon become a wedding photographer, said she was prepared for her character to be on trial. But she said that she was not anticipating some of the explanations for the pictures of her numerous bruises and abrasions.

I didnt see him trying to pull off my bloody lip as a brownie, she said.
A Hanover County judge upheld a jurys recommendation and sentenced a man to two life sentences for first-degree murder and abduction with intent to defile, plus 10 years for robbery.

Lamare Shiron Jennings, 39, was convicted by a jury in October of murdering his 44-year-old girlfriend, Leaudrey Salmon, inside her Rockville home in June 2015.

In a 911 phone recording played for the jury during a three-day trial in October, Jennings told Salmon that he didnt believe she loved him and that he was going to kill her.

She could be heard in the recording screaming loudly and begging for her life, saying she needed to live for the sake of her children.

Jennings was at a loss for words when he spoke during Mondays sentencing hearing and noted that he wasnt in the right state of mind the night of the killing and said he hoped Salmons family would one day forgive him.
MASON CITY | A Mason City woman accused of stealing a vehicle has been arrested.

Dana Marie Fineday, 33, was charged with a felony count of second-degree theft.

She's accused in court documents of taking a vehicle without permission on Feb. 3 from near her residence on the 300 block of North Jefferson Avenue.

Police say the owner tried to get the vehicle back from Fineday from a location in Minnesota, but she drove away.

Fineday was arrested on a warrant Monday at her home in Mason City.

She remained jailed Tuesday afternoon on $5,000 bond.

 Molly Montag
President Donald Trump will visit Newport News Shipbuilding on Thursday to deliver a speech aboard the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, according to the shipyard.

Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, builds nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

The shipyard is a major industrial employer in Virginia and would benefit from the presidents upcoming budget proposal which, according to the White House, calls for a $54 billion increase in defense spending as well as corresponding cuts to domestic programs and foreign aid.

The roughly 10 percent increase in defense spending would fulfill Trumps campaign promise to build up the military.

The White House will release more information about Trumps visit later this week, said Beci Brenton, corporate director of public affairs for Huntington Ingalls Industries. The event is not open to the public.

Brian Coy, a spokesman for Gov. Terry McAuliffe, did not have immediate comment on the presidential visit.

Trump is scheduled to address both houses of Congress tonight.

Last week, Newport News Shipbuilding announced plans to hire 3,000 workers in Virginia this year.

The state is heavily reliant on the military to drive its economy. And while state government leaders have tried to diversify Virginias economy, Trumps surprise election in November means the states flow of federal military spending could increase.

The National Conference of State Legislatures noted this month that Department of Defense spending on payroll and contracts in fiscal 2015 was higher in Virginia than any other state.
Charlottesville police are classifying a shooting that left two people dead on Sunday as a domestic-related murder-suicide.

At 7:17 p.m. on Sunday, city police responded to a home in the 1700 block of Monticello Road for a report of a shooting. Officers arrived on the scene and found the bodies of 33-year-old Whitney Leigh French and her husband, 37-year-old Rafal Konrad Kalemba, both with apparent gunshot wounds.

Police said it appeared that Kalemba shot his wife before killing himself.

French had been a senior product designer at WillowTree Inc. since June 2015, according to the company.

It is with extreme shock, disbelief and sadness that we learn of the events surrounding Whitney Frenchs death, CEO Tobias Dengel said in a statement Monday. Whitney embodied everything that is great in this world. She was incredibly talented, positive and creative. She made everyone she touched better. She will be dearly missed by everyone at WillowTree, as well as by many of our clients she worked with. We would like to express our deepest condolences to Whitneys family and friends.
A man who repeatedly shot another man last year as part of a dispute that didnt directly involve him at the start was ordered Monday to serve eight years in prison.

Delonte Rashad Eura, 29, of Stafford County was sentenced in Fredericksburg Circuit Court to a total of 18 years with 10 years suspended. Judge Gordon Willis sentence exceeded the recommended state sentencing guidelines, which called for a prison term of between three and six years.

Eura pleaded guilty in December to charges of malicious wounding and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. The charges stemmed from a May 6 incident in the parking lot of TGI Fridays in Central Park in which Jerrell Feaster was shot nine times.

Feaster, who is in jail on unrelated charges, survived the shooting. He declined to participate in the prosecution of Eura.

According to the evidence presented by prosecutor Jeff Adams, Eura and friends were at a table inside the restaurant when Feaster approached and challenged Travon Thomas to step outside. Feaster and Thomas were having some sort of disagreement.

Feaster later displayed a gun, witnesses said, and threatened Thomas. Eura got his Glock 9mm out of his car, returned to the dispute and opened fire on Feaster. Eura left the scene after the shooting, but turned himself in to police a few hours later.

Eura later told police that he was protecting his friend and acting in self-defense.

But Judge Willis said Eura had better options than shooting Feaster. He said Eura could have stayed in the restaurant or driven off once he got to his car.

Willis said Eura was lucky that he didnt kill Feaster or strike some innocent bystander.

Defense attorney Jim Ilijevich said Eura deserved a sentence toward the low end of the guidelines. He said Eura, a rapper with some regional notoriety, had no felony record and had been a good citizen up until the incident.

But Ilijevich acknowledged that Eura had better options than turning Feaster into a shooting victim. A lot of bad things can happen when bullets are flying like that.
Maybe America has had enough of freedom. By which I actually mean freedom.

After all, freedom has become an ill-fitting fig leaf for every conceivable Republican policy, even those that are quite transparently freedom-limiting.

Just ask House Speaker Paul Ryan, for whom freedom is now chiefly about repealing Obamacare.

Freedom is the ability to buy what you want to fit what you need, he tweeted last week. Obamacare is Washington telling you what to buy regardless of your needs.

At the Conservative Political Action Conference, Vice President Pence echoed this language, promising that the Affordable Care Act would be replaced with something that is instead built on freedom and individual responsibility.

But what would repealing Obamacare mean in practice?

It would mean allowing insurers to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions; taking away the tax credits and Medicaid expansions that enabled more than 20 million Americans to newly obtain insurance over the past six years; and, thanks to the elimination of the individual mandate, ultimately causing the exchanges to death-spiral and collapse.

So, in championing the freedom that would be unleashed by an Obamacare repeal, Ryan and Pence are really championing the freedom for Americans to lose access to any health care plan. You know what they say: Freedoms just another word for nothing left to choose.

At least one politician has explicitly rooted for a decline in the insured rate  because, duh, freedom.

If the numbers drop, I would say thats a good thing, because weve restored personal liberty in this country, and Im always for that, Rep. Michael C. Burgess, R-Tex., said at CPAC.

Enshrining discrimination against gay and transgender people has likewise been sold as a way of promoting religious freedom, at least for anyone who believes Jesus would be unhappy about compliance with public accommodation laws or, say, the Constitution.

Sometimes the freedoms nominally being safeguarded are not individual ones but those of the states. Or so White House press secretary Sean Spicer claimed when explaining why the Trump administration was rescinding Obama-era guidance for schools to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms of their choosing.

Financial deregulation and the repeal of consumer protections have also been puzzlingly marketed as pro-freedom.

Just like Obamacare, Dodd-Frank has left us with fewer choices, higher costs and less freedom, quoth Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Tex., chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. Its evident that Dodd-Frank has made us less prosperous and less free.

Franklin Roosevelt once declared that the four essential human freedoms were freedom of speech and expression, freedom to worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear. The freedom to get scammed by debt collectors must have slipped his mind.

Given the quantity of American heartstrings pulled by the words free and freedom, declaring ones commitment to free markets has also provided cover for all sorts of non-free-market nonsense. A sitting president ordering private companies where to locate, for instance.

Im a big free-trader, President Trump has said, while promoting all manner of protectionist measures. I love the First Amendment; nobody loves it better than me, he said at CPAC, minutes after again calling the media the enemy of the people.

It is as if Americans are so easily dazzled by invocations of this f-word that merely dropping an f-bomb is supposed to shield any big-government action from criticism.

Republican state legislators have figured this out, too.

In 2011, Florida passed a law muzzling doctors. Physicians could lose their medical licenses for routinely asking their patients about gun ownership, or counseling them on common-sense firearm storage measures, on the dubious grounds that such conversations somehow limited patients Second Amendment freedoms.

After years of expensive litigation, a court just days ago struck down the so-called Docs vs. Glocks law for violating doctors rights to free speech.

Meanwhile, across the country, other state legislators have proposed laws that criminalize peaceful protest, a freedom guaranteed by the Constitution, allegedly to protect the rights and freedoms of bystanders.

Most recently, Republican senators in Arizona voted to allow police to criminally charge and seize the assets of anyone who organizes or peacefully participates in a protest where others could engage in violence. Even if no violence ever materializes.

If any of these policy actions seem like perversions of Republicans avowed commitment to personal liberty, well, dear voters: For now, youre still free to let them know.
Warm weather will lead to chances of storms in the Richmond area Wednesday evening, and some could turn severe.

It wont rain and storm all day; the highest chance will exist between 6 p.m. and midnight ahead of a cold front. The storms could bring damaging wind gusts and hail, so plan to stay aware of the weather during the evening.

Rain and storms could arrive as early as late afternoon, especially in the western Piedmont. The early to mid-evening hours look to be the most active. Showers and storms will clear to the east during the late evening, and most areas will be dry by midnight.

Like last Saturdays storms, any activity late Wednesday will move quickly, generally from southwest to northeast. As a result, the rain duration wont be prolonged. Rain totals will be less than 0.25 inches for most locations.

Otherwise, expect a very springlike feel to the air on Wednesday, with humidity, a high temperature in the lower 80s and a strong southwesterly breeze. If the high rises past 80 degrees, it would set a new record for March 1.

February felt like March

March 1 marks the beginning of climatological spring. Fittingly for March, the first five days could involve 80s, 20s, sunshine and a few severe storms. Everything except snow.

This is usually when it would be appropriate to write a recap of Februarys weather.

But it wasnt the usual February weather. March weather essentially came a month early.

The monthly mean temperature at Richmond International Airport  an average of all the highs and lows  came out to 49 degrees.

Thats about 8 degrees warmer than the 1981-2010 normal for February, 40.9 degrees.

It would have been perfectly normal for a Richmond March, typically 48.6 degrees on average.

It was slightly warmer than February 1976, the warmest February in recent memory.

Richmond had its warmest February on record in 1890. According to the National Weather Service in Wakefield, that months average temperature was 49.9 degrees.

Daily record highs were set or tied on four days in the past month: Feb. 7, Feb. 8, Feb. 12 and Feb. 23.

Thats the most record warmth in a month in Richmond since December 2015.

Only 10 days in the past month had a low below freezing, the fewest freezes in a February since 1927.

Check back after the storms pass  Ill have a complete review of the winter months and an updated outlook for March.
MASON CITY | A former Klemme resident was sentenced this week to up to 15 years in prison for Cerro Gordo County methamphetamine dealing and theft convictions.

Jacob D. Ganseveld, 25, who now lives in Des Moines, was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of meth with intent to deliver.

Ganseveld also was ordered to spend up to five years in prison for second-degree theft.

More than seven grams of ice meth, plastic baggies, a drug scale and needles were found in a vehicle Ganseveld was driving when he was pulled over by law enforcement on Oct. 10, 2016, in Mason City, according to a criminal complaint.

Two face felony meth charges after Mason City stop MASON CITY  Two people were arrested on felony drug charges early Monday after being stoppe

Bethany Karnes, 26, Indianola, a passenger in the vehicle, also was charged with possession of meth with intent to deliver. She was sentenced in January to 365 days in jail with all but 60 days suspended after pleading guilty to a lesser charge of meth possession.

Ganseveld also pleaded guilty to second-degree theft charges in two separate cases.

He was accused of stealing a rifle May 13, 2016, from a Clear Lake farm building. Ganseveld also was accused of stealing copper wire later that month from an Alliant Energy construction site in Meservey.

He received a sentence of up to five years in prison on each of the two theft counts. He was ordered to serve those sentences concurrently with each other, but consecutive to the sentence for the meth conviction.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
CHARLES CITY | A judge has ruled it was legal to put a former band teacher on probation rather than sending him to prison for a Floyd County sexual abuse conviction involving an underage girl.

Benjamin J. Thompson, 33, was given a suspended 10-year prison sentence in April 2016 after pleading guilty to felony third-degree sexual abuse involving a 15-year-old girl from Charles City.

Floyd County Attorney Rachel Ginbey, who recommended during sentencing that Thompson be sent to prison, filed a motion in September to review the sentence given by District Court Judge Gregg Rosenbladt.

Ginbey claimed Thompson's prison sentence should not have been suspended because Iowa law states those who are mandatory reporters for child abuse  including teachers  must be sent to prison if they are convicted of sexual abuse of those under age 18.

At the time of the offense in June 2011, Thompson had a teacher's license, but it is unclear if he was a school employee, according to Rosenbladt's ruling on Ginbey's motion.

Thompson, who was the band director at Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock from August 2006 to June 2008, left that job to accept a position as a high school band director in Houston, Texas.

He resigned from that position effective in May 2011. He began working as associate director of bands in the Pella Community School District in August 2011.

Authorities say Thompson, who had been in contact with a 15-year-old girl from Charles City on social media, drove there to meet her in June 2011. They say he drove her to remote areas in Floyd County to have sex with her.

Former Pella teacher gets suspended sentence in Floyd County sex abuse case CHARLES CITY  A former Pella band teacher was given a suspended 10-year prison sentence Mon

In his ruling Rosenbladt stated licensed school employees who deal with children are mandatory reporters and are therefore subject to mandatory prison time if they abuse a child under age 18.

However, the abuse in this case took place after Thompson left his teaching job in Houston but before he began working for the Pella school district, according to the ruling.

Rosenbladt said he couldn't find anything in Thompson's court file indicating he was under contract as a teacher at the time of the offense.

The pre-sentence investigation report recommended Thompson receive a suspended prison sentence and probation rather than prison time, according to Rosenbladt.

His ruling also noted the state didn't allege Thompson was a mandatory reporter until Ginbey filed her post-sentencing motion.

Not long after he was sentenced in Floyd County, Thompson pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse in Marion County. Thompson received a four-year suspended prison sentence in that case.

The charges stemmed from alleged events that occurred in Pella during the summer of 2014 involving Thompson and a now-graduated high school student. He taught and tutored the alleged victim, who graduated in May 2014.

Thompson's Floyd County victim did not come forward until she was contacted as part of the investigation into the Marion County case.

Thompson's teaching license was permanently revoked in October 2016.
Una vez por semana, visitan a estudiantes de secundaria para ensenar a espanol a los estudiantes de primaria.

Comprende? No? You might want to sit in on some classes at Oak Grove Elementary being taught by Hidden Valley students.

You see, AP Spanish students from Crystal Waggoners class are spending one morning a week at either OGES or Green Valley, teaching 1st graders Spanish words and phrases.

According to Waggoner, theres a program in Roanoke County Public Schools which requires K-5th grade teachers to integrate common Spanish words and phrases into their lessons.

That might be easier said than done for busy teachers to add another level to their lesson plans. This is where the high school students come in.

According to Waggoner, I spoke to our World Language Coordinator (Cammie Williams) about my idea of sending AP students to the elementary schools to teach the lessons, and she thought it was a good idea. I ran it by our principal (Lori Wimbush), and she was in favor of the endeavor and saw it as a way for us to reach out to the community. I spoke to my AP studentsand they were excited about the ideaThe studens are actually creating the lessons. I then made contact with the principals at Green Valley and Oak Grove, and they put me in touch with 1st grade teachers.

I had the opportunity to watch two AP students in action recently. Seniors Rachel Delaney and Bella Sorrentino visit Tonya Atkins classroom at OGES every Wednesday morning. Thus far the pair have taught the students the days of the week, numbers and colors.

And just like a seasoned teacher would, the two began their lesson with a review of what the students have been taught in previous lessons. Each student introduced themselves by saying Me llamo and then, as a class, they counted to ten in Spanish.

Then Senoritas Delaney and Sorrentino began their lesson on months (los meses). To begin, the class was asked to say the months in order in English. Then they were treated to a Power Point presentation with one slide per month in Spanish. A YouTube video, Los Meses del Ano followed with the kids singing along near the end.

Again, just like veteran teachers, the two made sure to incorporate movement into their lesson. Cards with the months written in Spanish were placed around the room. The first-graders needed to find their birthday month. And then they were asked to arrange the months in the proper order, beginning with enero.

To end, Delaney and Sorrentino did more review, this time focusing on classroom vocabulary, such as puerta (door), papel (paper) and libro (book).

The high school students will earn volunteer hours for Beta Club but, according to Waggoner, thats just a bonus for most of them who report they are having fun teaching their new friends. Having to teach these beginning words and phrases also provides good review for the high school students.

As for the two I observed, Delaney says she plans on becoming a teacher while Sorrentino hopes to do something with psychology, but, in the meantime, both are loving their time spent in Mrs. Atkins class y eso es lo mejor de todo!

For photos of the class, see the photo gallery, or for a different view, click here.
MASON CITY | A man charged with sexually assaulting a staff member at the North Iowa Transition Center while he was a resident there was sentenced Monday to up to 10 years in prison.

Joseph D. Wallace, 52, Mason City, pleaded guilty in December to felony third-degree sexual abuse after a psychiatrist determined he was competent to stand trial.

Man arrested on Mason City sexual assault charge MASON CITY  A man has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a North Iowa Transiti

When released from prison, he will be under lifetime supervision by the Iowa Department of Corrections. He also must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

A $1,000 fine was suspended, but Wallace must pay civil penalties and restitution.

Wallace was a resident at the North Iowa Transition Center when he was accused of sexually assaulting a staff member in March 2016.

The North Iowa Transition Center provides services designed to diminish the impact of mental illness and to assist individuals to live in their community with greater independence, according to the organization's website.

While Wallace was in the Cerro Gordo County Jail in December awaiting sentencing, he was charged with misdemeanor assault on persons in certain occupations after kicking a correctional officer in the shin, according to court records.

Cerro Gordo jail inmate awaiting sex abuse sentence charged with officer assault MASON CITY  An inmate at the Cerro Gordo County Jail awaiting sentencing on a sexual assaul

He pleaded guilty earlier this month and received a two-year prison sentence Monday, which is to be served concurrently with the sexual assault sentence. A $625 fine was suspended but he was ordered to pay restitution.
The Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Elections completed the NVRA list maintenance Feb. 27, 2017 This cancellation of voters is required by  24.2-428.2 of the Code of Virginia and in compliance with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), 52 USC  20501 et seq. The voters contained on this cancellation list were placed into inactive status on or before August 6, 2014, did not respond to multiple notices, and have not voted in any election or updated their voter registration between August 6, 2014 and today. This public list is posted at the clerks office and in my office.

Under federal and state laws, a voter who appears to have moved from their residence of registration, but has not responded to a request to confirm their residence, is maintained on the voter lists as "inactive" through the next two federal general elections unless the voter casts a vote in any Virginia election or updates their registration information during this period. "Inactive" voters are eligible to vote if they update or confirm their registration information, or if they appear at the polls (or apply to vote absentee) and confirm that they have not moved (or have moved, but within the same locality and congressional district). If they do not reactivate their registrations, they are removed from the rolls after two federal general elections have passed.

The notice is below.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT (NVRA) LIST MAINTENANCE

As required by  24.2-428.2 of the Code of Virginia and in compliance with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), 52 USC  20501 et seq, Botetourt County Department of Elections & Voter Registration has removed from the official list of registered voters any person who did not take action in response to an official request for confirmation of their address within the time allowed by law. Voters contained in this cancellation were placed into an inactive status on or before August 6, 2014, did not respond to multiple notices, and have not voted in any election or updated their registration between August 6, 2014 and Monday, February 27, 2017. The full text of this statute is available through the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Elections website (elections.virginia.gov).

A list of voters affected by this list maintenance is available for review at the Department of Elections & Voter Registration, 2 East Main Street, Fincastle or at the Clerk of Circuit Court Office, 1 West Main Street, Fincastle, during normal business hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday. Any voter who believes they were removed in error should contact the Botetourt County Department of Elections & Voter Registration at (540) 928-2120 or the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Elections at 800-552-9745. Voters who are qualified to vote in the Commonwealth of Virginia may complete a new voter registration application in-person at the above listed office, at any DMV office or online at vote.virginia.gov.

--Traci S. Clark

Director of Elections & General Registrar
Letters 11-4-22 A Vote For Tom Sullivan Dear Editor: On Election Day, I will be proudly voting for Colonel Thomas P. Sullivan for State Assembly. A proven leader, and financial professional. A vote for Tom Sullivan is...

Letters 10-28-22 Thanks, Stacey Dear Editor: I would like to recognize Stacey Amato for the tireless work she has done in our community. She responded to every call I have ever made to her office with results....
With the whirlwind flurry of chaotic Iowa and federal politics that started in January, its time to critically assess the situation.

The first step to critical political analysis begins with examining similarities and differences.

Q: What are the similarities of Iowas 2007-2011 and current legislative sessions as well as between the 111th Congress (2009-2011) and 115th Congress that just began?

A: For Iowa, one party controlled the governor, Senate and House, and in D.C., one party controls the presidency and Congress.

For the sake of differences, lets examine Iowa politics first and then discuss D.C. politics.

Iowa

Theres only one difference between Iowas 2007-2011 Democrat-controlled Capitol under Gov. Chet Culver and todays Republican-dominated Statehouse with Gov. Terry Branstad. During 2007-2011, six of the 56 Democrats in the House were centrist Democrats who could shift the partisan vote tally to an even split of 50-50. In todays Republican-controlled Iowa, there are no moderate Republicans as witnessed by their strict party-line voting and absence of bipartisanship behavior.

During 2007-2011, the six fiscally conservative and pro-business Democrats, aptly named The Six Pack, challenged their partys policy and lobbyists who funded the party. The Six Pack did not always follow the party line and worked across the aisle with their Republican counterparts.

Despite the Six Packs popularity by their constituents, these practical-minded public servants did not receive re-election support from Democrats, union lobbyists, bio-diesel industry and credit unions; only one was re-elected.

USA

Similarly, when Barack Obama had Democratic control in Congress from 2009-2011, a lot was accomplished, including the Affordable Care Act, which gave health care coverage to 20 million uninsured Americans. The pendulum swung too far to the left, and Republicans took back the House in January 2011.

Current Iowa and USA political commonalities: Iowas far right-wing legislation has curtailed collective bargaining rights and is trying to expand Big Brother government control over womens health-care rights, voter rights, gender rights and school choice. President Trump is showing us a dizzying flurry of action, sparking significant controversy and turmoil where the quantity of executive orders supersedes quality and reasoned thought.

An examination of the legislative topics presented reveals Republicans in Iowa and D.C. have become the puppets of Americans for Prosperity, a nonprofit group funded by David H. and Charles Koch. The policy issues and bills being advocated in Des Moines and D.C. follow this conservative advocacy group, lock, stock and barrel.

Summary of todays political world:

The likelihood of having centrist politicians again is remote.

The good old days of bipartisanship exhibited by Iowas Six Pack or between Ronald Reagan and Tip ONeill and between Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich are gone.

The lobbyists and political action committees power of the pocket book with politicians supersedes the desires of the common voter like you and me.

Strict party-line voting has become a standard in all legislatures.

A one-party controlled government costs citizens liberties and rights and has rarely, if ever, worked.

Party politics prevail over the We the people.

Conclusion: In order for our diverse views to be fairly represented in a practical, common sense manner, lets vow: 1) never permit one-party control again at the state or federal level. 2) work to put a lid on campaign spending. 3) Support and elect moderate, not political party-, lobby- or PAC-puppet legislators.
The coercion of young adults and children into prostitution is an especially abhorrent crime. A worthwhile proposal before the Nebraska Legislature to toughen the penalties for sex trafficking deserves lawmakers' consideration.

Legislative Bill 289, by Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln, would increase the felony classifications for forcing individuals into commercial sexual activity. The proposal would build on legislation passed in 2015.

About 900 individuals were advertised in one month as "escorts" in communities across Nebraska on Backpage.com, a classified advertising website, according to a new report by the Human Trafficking Initiative, a research group.

Nationwide, a substantial portion of escorts are forced into committing sex acts for money, law enforcement authorities say.

Data for the report was compiled by Creighton University's Heider College of Business. Researchers' software looked for indicators of coercion and trafficking, including signs that the individual was underage or a part of a larger group of people.

More than 70 percent of ads included at least one indicator of human trafficking, the report found. Fifteen percent showed multiple indicators, the World-Herald's Mara Klecker reports.

More than 1 in 10 of the ads promoted someone under 21 years old, and 1 in 5 said the individual was "very young."

Half the individuals in the Backpage ads for Nebraska communities were African-American, even though only 5 percent of the state's population is black.

The Legislature's Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on Pansing Brooks' proposal Thursday. Committee members need to deliberate over the specifics of LB 289, honing it if needed to prepare it well for floor debate by the full Legislature.

Terry Clark, co-director of the Human Trafficking Initiative, is right that the report from his group can help strengthen the understanding of the sex trafficking situation in Nebraska. The Human Trafficking Initiative is supported by the Women's Fund of Omaha and funded by the Sherwood Foundation.

State Sen. Jim Scheer of Norfolk, now speaker, introduced legislation on the sex trafficking issue in 2015 in coordination with the Nebraska Attorney General's Office, telling his colleagues, "Human trafficking is not an issue that is foreign to Nebraska. It treats the vulnerable as a human commodity."

Scheer is among the 10 senators co-sponsoring Pansing Brooks' legislation.

A positive step in Omaha on this issue is SAFE-T, a Salvation Army initiative providing a 24-hour hotline for trafficking victims and improved case management services for them. The effort is supported by a $1.5 million federal grant to the Salvation Army and the Nebraska Attorney General's Office.

It's encouraging to see Nebraska make strides in addressing this issue in recent years. LB 289 provides a welcome opportunity to explore the options for further progress.

This editorial appeared in the Feb. 21 edition of the Omaha World-Herald.
National Lottery appealed for the winner of the ticket at an event at New York Stadium earlier this month

CHARITIES and good causes will share 50,000 after the prize for a winning lottery ticket bought in Rotherham went unclaimed.

The deadline for claiming the winnings for the special Lotto Medal Draw on August 27 passed at midnight on Thursday  180 days on from the draw.

The prize money, plus the interest it earned, will now go to help National Lottery-funded projects across the UK.

Andy Carter, senior winners advisor at The National Lottery, said: Unfortunately, I can confirm that the ticket-holder did not come forward within the deadline to claim their prize and has now sadly missed out on this substantial amount of money.

To avoid this unfortunate situation happening again, I would urge all National Lottery players to check their tickets on a regular basis.

We tried very hard to find the ticket-holder and it's a real shame that they have missed out, but there is still one winner  the nation.

This money, and all the interest earned over the 180 days, will now go to benefit projects all over the UK funded by The National Lottery.
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.
Lucapa Diamond and its partners Endiama and Rosas & Petalas have recovered a 62 carat diamond from another new alluvial mining area at the Lulo Diamond Project in Angola.

This follows the recovery of a 227 carat Type IIa D-colour diamond from the new Mining Block 28.

The 227 carat stone, which was Angolas second biggest diamond on record, would be included in the upcoming sale of Lulo diamonds, scheduled for early next month.

Lucapa said the 62 carat stone, a premium-quality Type IIa gem, was recovered from new Mining Block 25, adjacent to the prolific Mining Block 8 at Lulo.

The 62 carat diamond is the second large diamond to be recovered from a new mining area at Lulo this month, providing further evidence of the potential for the entire ~50km stretch of the Cacuilo River within the Lulo concession to host large and high-value diamonds, said Lucapa.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




The Gahcho Kue diamond mine in Canada's Northwest Territories, owned by De Beers Canada and Mountain Province Diamonds, is set to reach full commercial production over the next six weeks.

First diamond production at the Arctic mine, the world's largest and highest grade new diamond mine, began last year and has been gradually increasing. Annual average production is forecast to be 4.5 million carats over the expected 13-year life of the mine. De Beers owns 51 percent of the project, with the rest held by Mountain Province.

Extremely cold weather in December had caused "teething troubles", but the project was on track, De Beers CEO Bruce Cleaver told Reuters.

Meanwhile, Mountain Province Diamonds CEO Patrick Evans said the project had slipped about a month behind schedule, but should achieve commercial production over the next six weeks.




Sarine Technologies Ltd and GGTL Laboratories have signed a collaboration agreement recently to research new and advanced approaches to find a solution to the gemmological challenges faced by the diamond industry, says a press statement from Sarine.

While GGTL is a renowned gem lab providing diamond grading and authentication services to prestigious clients, Sarine is the world's foremost developer of technologies for the diamond industry.

One of the issues the partnership will focus on is the detection of lab-grown diamonds of all sizes. Sarine and GGTL share in the belief that the use of technology can enable full transparency and disclosure that will benefit all players across the diamond pipeline. According to Uzi Levami, Chief Executive Officer of Sarine, "We are honoured and proud to collaborate with GGTL Laboratories, and are positive that this will leverage our ability to keep on delivering advanced solutions for our customers' needs

Furthermore, Sarines experience in the development of Artificial Intelligence with the use of advanced learning machines such as our automated and objective grading of a polished diamond's Clarity and Colour places us in an ideal position to resolve challenges facing the diamond industry. The cooperation with the two owners of GGTL, Dr Thomas Hainschwang and Franck Notari, who have many years of proven achievements, and with their team, is a privilege for Sarine and opens many opportunities. With a joint focus on strengthening the industry, the two companies will continue to work closely together to facilitate positive change in our challenging field, he added.



Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished




Stellar Diamonds said it has conditionally raised 324 500 through the issue of 5 900 000 new ordinary shares at a price of 5.5 pence per share.

The diamond development company was also asking qualifying shareholders to subscribe for new ordinary shares to raise up to 250 000 at 5.5 pence each through an open offer.

Certain investors had also subscribed for ordinary shares at 5.5 pence per share that would equal gross proceeds of 76 000 pursuant to the conditional placing.

Therefore the total gross amount raised by the company in relation to the placing and open offer was expected to be not less than 400 000.

Proceeds of the placing and open offer would be used to progress the recently announced proposed Tribute mining agreement for the Tonguma project as well as repay creditors, provide working capital and pay the Tongo environmental licence fee.

Stellar said last week that it no longer intends to acquire Tonguma and would instead enter into a Tribute mining agreement with Octea Mining, which would allow it to mine the Tonguma licence area alongside its own Tongo project in Sierra Leone.

Meanwhile, the company said it had limited working capital and was expecting its shares to remain suspended until completion of the placing.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




Buzz!

Now in its Fourth Edition, The Exchange curated by Submerge in collaboration with UK's Department of International trade returns in March 2017.

When a music conference aims to increase collaboration between two music sectors through an event with music industry professionals enabling each other, the success lies in hoping for a better environment for its actors and ensuring real progress of artists. The United Kingdoms Department for International Trade and Mumbai based promoter Submerge, an electronic music outfit that focuses on booking and curating some of the most notable acts from around the world, have been producing The Exchange, a dedicated music conference and showcase event since its first edition in November 2014.

The Exchange has grown into an international conference-based initiative to connect the music industry sectors in India and UK. In its endeavors to also help UK entities and promoters find a new market, The Exchange promises to offer great opportunities for British music companies to collaborate and produce stimulating products for the next generation. One of the key success stories to have emerged is the expansion of music distribution business Horus Music to India, post their continued visits here through the trade mission in 2014. Horus Music established their India office in Mumbai in December 2015 to help Indian artists and labels distribute their music around the world.

According to Submerge, the UK music scene continues to confound global expectations and set new benchmarks in track consumption, the club and live sector, and as a key lifestyle driver. Industry reports say that the core music industry made an estimated economic contribution of about 4.1bn to the UK economy in 2015 and supported 1,19,000 jobs.

Each edition of The Exchange is part of a trade mission that is funded by British Phonographic Industry (BPI), which represents and supports the recorded music industry in the UK including over 300 music companies and major music labels such as Universal, Sony and Warner, and AIM (Association For Independent Music), a trade body that supports and represents over 800 member companies and is a collective voice for UK's independent music industry.

Alongside the conference, UK industry representatives get an opportunity to network with their counterparts in India. A delegation of nearly 30 UK companies from the music sector will participate in the conference to look for opportunities to work with the Indian sector.The conference themes will include discussions on the current trends in production and sound technology in the UK and India, understanding music consumption patterns in tier II cities, recognizing the potential of online radio in India, why India will see a rise in boutique festivals and celebrating the legacy of vinyl, among other issues.

The conference will seek to take some of the UKs and Indias electronic industry professionals  from DJs and performers to digital marketers  and facilitate a series of panels and discussions designed to stimulate conversations around where the global electronic music sector is headed, and how the UK and Indias key electronic stakeholders can create new collaborations and partnerships in its development. Producer Sanaya Ardeshir a.k.a. Sandunes describes her experience last year as an interesting point of access for aspirants in music business. Most of the questions asked at her panel were about issues of putting up music and what to do next! Producer/Dj and Promoter (Magnetic Feilds Festival) Munbir Chawla was happy to attend these panel dicsussions as according to him, "It was a very well attended by mostly kids who wanted to learn from a panel that were giving them a broad sense of the music industry".

The AVA sessions at The Exchange were an interesting point of access for newcomers and aspirants. The question "what to do next?" was difficult to answer without a dialogue with the experts. - Sandunes (Producer/DJ)

While information on all the delegates at The Exchange 2017 will be made available soon, some exciting names include The Beatles Story, the world's largest permanent exhibition purely devoted to the lives and times of The Beatles in Liverpool. The Beatles Story have set their sight on India, since 2018 is the 50th anniversary of The Beatles visit to Rishikesh in India and are looking to celebrate this anniversary through engagement with key Indian partners.

Another visitor is the Beggars Group, the home of UK-based international labels such 4AD, Matador, Rough Trade Records, XL Recordings and Young Turks, who want to build their presence in the Indian market through local partnerships with labels, promoters and retailers.

Details on the speakers and panels and showcase will be announced soon.

Registration is now open and interested applicants can registers here

Watch a panel with Founder, Submerge, Nikhil Chinappa from the first edition of The Exchange below:
President Donald Trump's first budget proposal calls for a $54 billion increase in defense spending, but Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., argued Monday that even more is needed.

McCain, the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, noted Trump's defense budget request for $603 billion would be $18.5 billion above the level proposed by former President Barack Obama for fiscal year 2018.

"In other words, President Trump intends to submit a defense budget that is a mere 3 percent above President Obama's defense budget, which has left our military underfunded, undersized, and unready to confront threats to our national security," McCain said.

He added, "With a world on fire, America cannot secure peace through strength with just 3 percent more than President Obama's budget. We can and must do better."

McCain argued a defense budget of $640 billion is required as a first step toward restoring military readiness, rebuilding the military and reshaping U.S. forces for the realities of 21st century warfare.



House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry, R-Tex., was also critical of the proposed increase in defense spending for failing to go far enough.

"Over the course of the Obama Administration, our military funding was cut 20 percent while the world grew more dangerous," Thornberry said. "While we cannot repair all of the damage done by those cuts in a single year, we can and should do more than this level of funding will allow."

He added, "The Administration will have to make clear which problems facing our military they are choosing not to fix."

Thornberry also argued against making the increase in defense spending contingent on reducing spending in other areas.

(Photo: Gage Skidmore)

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
RESTON, Va., Feb. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than half of graduate business school alumni are currently employed in an industry or job function they did not have experience in prior to entering business school, according to a report released today by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), a nonprofit organization of leading graduate business schools. Findings from the Councils 2017 Alumni Perspectives Survey show that 2 in 5 (39 percent) alumni currently work in an industry they hadnt considered prior to starting business school; they learned of the opportunity while enrolled in a graduate business program, with 88 percent sharing that they are satisfied with their job and employer.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a8271d80-418e-4452-b216-1df2a203a6ce

Year after year our research has shown that a graduate management education offers significant personal, professional and financial rewards. Were now seeing strong evidence of how valuable the degree is with regard to changing careers, said Sangeet Chowfla, president and CEO of GMAC. Given the current pace of change in the economy and the workplace, candidates can be confident in the knowledge that a graduate management education can prepare them with the skills and flexibility they need to be in a better position to pivot and adapt their careers when opportunities present themselves and industries are disrupted.

The findings of the 2017 Alumni Perspectives Survey Report detail the education and career outcomes of nearly 15,000 graduate business alumni representing 1,100 graduate business programs located around the world. The report highlights that the value proposition of a graduate business degree is high regardless of graduation year or program type.

Key Findings

Compensation for Business School Graduates

Nearly all (95 percent) survey respondents rate their graduate management education a good to outstanding value. On average, the total compensation package for graduate business school alumni can range from a median of US$75,513 for an entry-level position upward to a median of US$440,122 in total compensation for a C-suite executive. Business school alumni earn 76 percent of their total compensation in base salary, on average. As they advance up the career ladder, a greater proportion of their compensation comes from non-salary sources such as bonuses.

Employment Profile

Ninety-two percent of survey respondents are currently employed  8 in 10 overall (81 percent) worldwide are employed with a company and 11 percent are self-employed entrepreneurs. Globally, the products and services (27 percent), technology (14 percent), and finance and accounting (11 percent) sectors employ the greatest proportion of alumni represented in this survey. Though alumni work across the spectrum of industries, their degree type often differentiates career paths. MBA alumni are more likely to work in technology, nonprofit and government, manufacturing, health care, energy, and utilities, compared with alumni holding non-MBA masters degrees. Business masters alumni, for example, are more likely to be found employed in finance, accounting and consulting industries.

As for job functions, MBA alumni are more likely to hold positions in marketing, sales, operations, logistics, and general management. Alumni of non-MBA business masters degrees are more likely to work in finance, accounting, and human resource positions.

In total, more than 4 in 5 alumni agree their education prepared them for leadership positions (86 percent), prepared them for their chosen career (85 percent), and increased their earnings power (82 percent).

The Entrepreneur

Most alumni delay their entrepreneurial activities until after graduation. In fact, 2 in 3 alumni entrepreneurs began their business after graduation following employment at another company. One in 8 alumni entrepreneurs sought venture capital and 72 percent of these individuals received such funding. Half of the alumni entrepreneurs say their university provided faculty guidance, experts from the community, and mentors to guide their entrepreneurial activities.

Most Valued Skills in the Workplace

Alumni rank interpersonal skills as most important in the workplace, regardless of job level or function. Among the top five talents important to their job, the ones related to people skills or emotional intelligence are highly ranked by alumni, with interpersonal skills (e.g., active listening, persuasion and negotiation, time management) topping the list.

Other skills predominate as one moves up the corporate ladder. Alumni in higher-level positions are more likely to indicate that managing human capital, strategy and innovation, and the decision-making process are more important to their current job compared with alumni in lower-level positions.

Alumni Recommendations

Most alumni are very likely to recommend their graduate business program to colleagues and friends. The overall Net Promoter Score  a customer loyalty metric  that business schools receive from their alumni is 47, which is greater than scores received in many sectors of the economy. Net Promoter Scores are positive for all graduate business programs, although differences by program type range from 22 for Master in Management programs to 62 for full-time two-year MBA programs. If offered the choice, more than 9 in 10 (92 percent) alumni would have pursued their graduate management education knowing what they know now.

Graduate business programs expose students to a wide range of opportunities and provide alumni with access to a variety of career outcomes, said Chowfla. Its clear from the results that alumni feel their education helped prepare them for leadership positions, as well as enhanced their earnings potential and guided their career development. This positivity is reflected in their recommendation of a graduate management education to others.

To download the GMAC 2017 Alumni Perspectives Survey Report, visit: gmac.com/alumniperspectives. For supporting graphics, visit the GMAC News Center.

About GMAC: The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is a nonprofit organization of 220 leading graduate business schools from around the world actively committed to advancing the art and science of admissions. The Council provides the solutions necessary for business schools and candidates to discover and evaluate one another to ensure that talent never goes undiscovered. GMAC owns and administers the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) exam, used by more than 6,500 graduate programs worldwide, as well as the NMAT by GMAC exam, used for entrance into graduate management programs in India. The Council is based in Reston, Va., with offices in London, New Delhi and Hong Kong. Additional information about the GMAT exam is posted on mba.com. For more information about GMAC, visit gmac.com.
Weight Watchers International, Inc. (WTW) announced the company expects fiscal 2017 earnings of between $1.30 and $1.40 per share. This guidance includes an anticipated tax benefit of approximately $0.15 per fully diluted share expected in first quarter 2017 related to the cessation of operations of the Spanish subsidiary. The company's Spanish subsidiary, operating under the Entulinea brand, has been unable to reach profitability. As a result, it has determined it will cease operations.

Nick Hotchkin, the Company's CFO and Member, Interim Office of the CEO. "So far in 2017 our global marketing campaigns are driving strong member recruitment and interest in our Beyond the Scale program. With the year off to a good start, we are confident we will deliver revenue growth and higher profitability throughout the year."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Finnish English

TAALERI PLC INVITATION TO ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 28 FEBRUARY 2017 AT 9:30

Time Wednesday 29 March 2017 at 3 p.m.

Place Porssitalo, Fabianinkatu 14, 00100 Helsinki

The shareholders of Taaleri Plc are invited to the Annual General Meeting, which will be held on Wednesday 29 March 2017 starting at 3pm at Porssitalo, Fabianinkatu 14, 00100 Helsinki.

Admittance of those registered for the meeting and the distribution of voting tickets will begin at 2pm.

A. MEETING AGENDA

Opening of the meeting Calling the meeting to order Election of the persons scrutinising the minutes and supervising vote counting Recording the legality of the meeting Recording those present and confirming the voters list Presentation of the 2016 Financial Statements, Annual Report, and Auditors Report  Review by the CEO Adoption of the Financial Statements Allocation of the profit shown on the balance sheet, and deciding on dividend distribution Deciding on the discharge from liability for the members of the Board of Directors and the CEO Deciding on the remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors Deciding on the number of the members of the Board of Directors Election of the members of the Board of Directors Deciding on the auditors remuneration Election of the auditor Authorising the Board of Directors to make a decision on the purchase of the companys treasury shares Authorising the Board of Directors to make a decision on share issue The maximum ratio between fixed and variable component of remuneration Amending of Section 7 of the Articles of Association Closing of the meeting

B. DOCUMENTS OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Decision proposals and this meeting invitation can be viewed by shareholders on Taaleri Plcs website at www.taaleri.com/en/investor-relations/general-meetings. Taaleri Plcs Financial Statements, Annual Report and Auditors Report will be available on 8 March 2017 or sooner on the above-mentioned website and at the companys head office at Kluuvikatu 3, 00100 Helsinki. The decision proposals submitted to the Annual General Meeting and the financial statements documents are also available at the Annual General Meeting.

The minutes of the Annual General Meeting can be viewed by shareholders at the above-mentioned website on 12 April 2017 or sooner.

C. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MEETING ATTENDEES

1. Right to attend, and registration

Each shareholder who on 17 March 2017 is registered in the Shareholders Register of the company held by Euroclear Finland Ltd has the right to attend the Annual General Meeting. A shareholder whose shares have been entered in his/her personal Finnish book-entry securities account is listed on the companys Shareholders Register.

A shareholder who is registered in the Shareholders Register of the company and who wishes to attend the Annual General Meeting must register for the meeting no later than on 24 March 2017 at 10:00am, by which time the notice of registration must have been received by the company.

Registration for the Annual General Meeting can take place:

online at www.taaleri.com/en/investor-relations/general-meetings (registration will open on 8 March 2017 or sooner)

by telephone: +358 800 552 135, MondayFriday 9:00am4:00pm; or

by letter to the address Taaleri Plc, Annual General Meeting, Kluuvikatu 3, 00100 Helsinki

In connection with the registration, a shareholder must give his/her name, personal identification number or business ID, telephone number and the name and the personal identification number of any authorised representatives or assistants. The personal data will be used only in connection with the Annual General Meeting and the necessary management of the registrations.

The shareholder or his/her authorised representative must, when necessary, be able to prove his/her identity at the meeting venue.

2. 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 would be entitled to be listed in the Shareholders Register held by Euroclear Finland Ltd on 17 March 2017. The right to participate also requires that the shareholder on the basis of these shares has been temporarily registered in the Shareholders Register held by Euroclear Finland Ltd by 24 March 2017 at 10:00am. As regards nominee-registered shares, this is considered due registration for the Annual General Meeting.

A holder of nominee-registered shares is advised to request from his/her custodian bank well in advance the necessary instructions regarding the temporary registration in the Shareholders Register, the issuing of powers of attorney and registration for the Annual General Meeting. The account management organisation of the custodian bank must temporarily register a holder of nominee-registered shares who wishes to attend the Annual General Meeting in the Shareholders Register of the company by the time stated above.

3. Use of an authorised representative, and powers of attorney

A shareholder may use an authorised representative to participate in and exercise his/her rights at the Annual General Meeting. A shareholders authorised representative must produce a dated power of attorney or otherwise prove in a reliable manner that he/she is authorised to represent the shareholder. If a shareholder attends the Annual General Meeting by means of several authorised representatives who represent him/her through shares held in different book-entry accounts, the shares on the basis of which each authorised representative represents him/her must be identified in connection with registration for the Annual General Meeting.

Powers of attorney should be delivered in original to the address Taaleri Plc, Annual General Meeting, Kluuvikatu 3, 00100 Helsinki, before the registration period closes.

4. Other instructions and information

Under Section 25 of Chapter 5 of the Limited Liability Companies Act, the shareholders present at the Annual General Meeting have the right to present questions on the matters discussed at the meeting.

On the date of this notice, 28 February 2017, the total number of Taaleri Plcs shares is 28,350,620, each of which provides one (1) vote at the Annual General Meeting.

Helsinki, 28 February 2017

TAALERI PLC

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Proposals for the Annual General Meeting, 29 March 2017

8. Allocation of the profit shown on the balance sheet, and deciding on dividend distribution

On 31 December 2016, Taaleri Plcs distributable assets were EUR 42,775,914.58, including profit from the 2016 financial period of EUR 6,364,826.18.

The Board of Directors proposes that, based on the balance sheet to be adopted for the financial period 2016 that ended on 31 December 2016, EUR 0.22 of dividend per share be distributed. The Board of Directors proposes that the remaining share of distributable assets be left as equity.

Dividend will be paid to shareholders who, on the dividend payment record date of 31 March 2017, are registered in the companys Shareholders Register maintained by Euroclear Finland Ltd. The Board of Directors proposes that the dividend be paid on 7 April 2017.

10. Deciding on the remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors

Shareholders who represent a total of approximately 33% of the companys shares have proposed that the members of the Board of Directors be paid annual remuneration as follows:

Chairman of the Board of Directors EUR 38,000 per annum

Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors EUR 28,000 per annum

Member of the Board of Directors EUR 23,000 per annum

The annual remuneration covers the whole of the term of office and committee work.

Shareholders who represent a total of approximately 33% of the companys shares have also proposed that the costs of travel and accommodation for attending meetings of the Board of Directors and committees held elsewhere than the home locality of the member of the Board of Directors be reimbursed according to invoice.

11. Deciding on the number of the members of the Board of Directors

Shareholders who represent a total of approximately 33% of the companys shares have proposed that the number of the members of the Board of Directors be set at six (6).

12. Election of the members of the Board of Directors

Shareholders who represent a total of approximately 33% of the companys shares have proposed that, of the present members of the Board of Directors, Peter Fagernas, Juha Laaksonen, Vesa Puttonen, Esa Kiiskinen and Hanna Maria Sievinen be re-elected to the Board, and Tuomas Syrjanen be elected as a new member. Of the present members of the Board, Pertti Laine has announced that he is not available for re-election.

The term of office of the Board of Directors will end at the close of the following Annual General Meeting.

The above-mentioned candidates have consented to their positions.

All the proposed members of the Board of Directors are deemed to be independent of the company and of the companys significant shareholders in accordance with the Corporate Governance Code issued in 2015 by the Securities Market Association.

The persons proposed for the Board of Directors are presented on Taaleri Plcs website www.taaleri.com and the CV of the new candidate at www.taaleri.com/en/investor-relations/general-meetings.

13. Deciding on the auditors remuneration

The Board of Directors proposes, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, that the auditors remuneration be paid based on invoices approved by the company.

14. Election of the auditor

The Board of Directors proposes, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, that Authorised Public Accountants Ernst & Young Oy be elected as auditor for the term of office that will end at the close of the following Annual General Meeting.

Ernst & Young Oy has announced that auditor-in-charge will be Ulla Nykky, APA, if Ernst & Young Oy is elected as the companys auditor.

RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONCERNING THE ELECTION OF A STATUTORY AUDITOR

This recommendation has been prepared and issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 537/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on specific requirements regarding statutory audit of public-interest entities and repealing Commission Decision 2005/909/EC (hereinafter the Auditing Regulation).

By virtue of Article 16, Paragraph 2 of the Auditing Regulation, the Audit Committee of Taaleri Plc (hereinafter Taaleri) must issue a recommendation to the Board of Directors of Taaleri concerning the election of a statutory auditor. In accordance with the Auditing Regulation, the Audit Committee must report two alternatives for an auditing assignment, and justify which alternative it is prioritising.

The Audit Committee has carefully evaluated and considered several good and qualified auditor candidates. The Audit Committee has evaluated the auditor candidates in question using the generally applied selection criteria. All candidates have been transparently informed about the selection criteria in the selection process. Based on these criteria, the Committee has specified Ernst & Young Oy and KPMG Oy Ab as the best alternatives for the auditing assignment. After careful evaluation and consideration, taking into account offers, the above-mentioned criteria and Taaleris present circumstances and planned development, the Committee considers Ernst & Young Oy to be the first option.

As required by the Auditing Regulation, the Audit Committee confirms that this recommendation is free from third-party influence, and that the Committee has not been required to comply with a clause similar to the clause referred to in Article 16, Paragraph 6 of the Auditing Regulation. This recommendation, including the alternative considered as the first option by the Audit Committee, is included in the Board of Directors proposal for the 2017 Annual General Meeting.

Taaleri Plcs Audit Committee

Vesa Puttonen Esa Kiiskinen Hanna Maria Sievinen

Chairman member member

15. Authorising the Board of Directors to make a decision on the purchase of the companys treasury shares

The Board of Directors proposes that it be authorised to decide on the purchase of the companys treasury shares using assets belonging to unrestricted equity on the following conditions:

Up to 2,000,000 shares may be purchased, corresponding to 7.05% of all the companys shares. The purchase may be made in one or more instalments.

The purchase price per share shall be the price given on the Helsinki Stock Exchange or another market-based price.

The shares may be acquired to develop the companys capital structure, to finance or implement corporate acquisitions, investments or other arrangements related to the companys business operations, to be used as part of the companys reward scheme, or to be cancelled if justified from the point of view of the company and its shareholders.



The authorisation issued to the Board of Directors includes the right to decide whether the shares will be acquired in a private placement or in proportion to the shares owned by shareholders. The purchase may take place through private placement only if there is a weighty financial reason for it from the companys perspective.



The Board of Directors has the right to decide on other matters concerning the purchase of shares.



This authorisation is valid for 18 months from the date of the close of the Annual General Meeting.



This authorisation supersedes the authorisation to purchase the companys treasury shares issued at the Annual General Meeting of 8 January 2016.

16. Authorising the Board of Directors to make a decision on share issue

The Board of Directors proposes that it be authorised to decide on the issue of new shares and the assignment of treasury shares in the possession of the company on the following terms:

The Board of Directors may issue new shares and assign treasury shares in the possession of the company up to a maximum of 2,500,000 shares, corresponding to 8.82% of all the companys shares.

The new shares may be issued and the treasury shares possessed by the company may be assigned to the companys shareholders in relation to their ownership of shares or deviating from the shareholders pre-emptive subscription right in a private placement, if there is a weighty financial reason for it from the point of view of the company, such as using the shares as consideration in potential corporate acquisitions or other arrangements that are part of the companys business operations, or to finance investments or as part of the companys reward scheme.

The Board of Directors may also decide on a free-of-charge share issue to the company itself.

The new shares may be issued and the shares possessed by the company may be assigned either against payment or without payment. A private placement may only be without payment if there is an especially weighty reason for it from the point of view of the company and taking into account the benefit of all its shareholders.

The Board of Directors will decide on all other factors related to share issues and the assignment of shares.

It is proposed that the authorisation be valid for one (1) year from the close of the Annual General Meeting, but no later than until 30 June 2018.

This authorisation supersedes the authorisation issued at the Annual General Meeting on 7 April 2016.

17. The ratio between fixed and variable component of remuneration

The Board of Directors proposes that the General Meeting of Shareholders decide to increase the annual 100% remuneration limit for employees so that the variable component of an employees remuneration may not exceed 200% of the employees fixed salary.

Increasing the variable component of remuneration up to 200% enables offering of dynamic total remuneration structure to the Companys employees through variable remuneration. In this way, the Company expects to minimize the increase in fixed costs and to award its employees for the Companys long-term success and value increase.

Variable remuneration may better be aligned with the Companys strategy, long-term performance and controlling level of risk. Increasing the maximum ratio will lead to a more controlled cost structure and more flexible solvency planning for the Company.

The possibility to increase the maximum ratio of variable remuneration is applied for entire personnel, excluding the members of the Board of Directors. The maximum ratio will be applied to approximately 170 employees in operative management as well as in investment and retail banking, in asset management, corporate functions and independent control functions as well as in other functions.

18. Amending of Section 7 of the Articles of Association

The Board of Directors proposes that, due to a change to the terminology of the Auditing Act, Section 7 of the Articles of Association be amended to read as follows:

Section 7 Auditor

The company has one (1) auditor that must be an auditing organisation referred to in the Auditing Act. The term of office of the auditor ends at the close of the first Annual General Meeting following the election.

Valid Section 7 of the Articles of Association:

Section 7 Auditor

The company has one (1) auditor that must be an Authorised Public Accounting organisation referred to in the Auditing Act. The term of office of the auditor ends at the close of the first Annual General Meeting following the election.
SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Feb. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioSolar, Inc. (OTCQB:BSRC), a developer of breakthrough energy storage technology and materials, today further described its plan to help drive down the cost of lithium-ion batteries. The Companys management believes that use of its silicon-metal (Si-M) anode materials, currently under development, can help reduce the cost of lithium-ion batteries.



Recent reports indicate that lithium-ion battery costs have continued to fall drastically, while the small-scale battery storage market continues to significantly grow in market potential. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), lithium-ion battery prices have fallen by almost half just since 2014 with the electric vehicle industry being the key driver. The falling cost of batteries has resulted in electric vehicles reaching $300 per kWh price point which is needed to be considered competitive with natural gas plants. The author of a ThinkProgress article cites that when battery prices drop another 50 percent, which BNEF thinks will happen within a decade or so, batteries dominate the market.

The decline in the cost of batteries has been the result of new innovative manufacturing processes, as well as the scale of economy associated with higher manufacturing volume, said Dr. David Lee, BioSolars Chief Executive Officer. While these recent milestones and projected advancements are terrific, future projections are more heavily dependent upon innovations in and upgrades to battery materials not commercially available at present time.

The Companys Si-M anode material is expected to be substantially less expensive than that of the benchmark silicon-carbon anode material, which is the key cost issue typically associated with battery technology. Material costs represent over 60 percent of the total battery cost in a typical lithium-ion battery. BioSolar believes its strategy of pursuing anode material advancements to support next-generation lithium-ion batteries can play an important role within the electric vehicle sector, and the broader energy storage technology industry.

By providing key material technologies to reduce lithium-ion battery costs, coupled with the mainstream adoption of electric vehicles, the BioSolar team believes it can serve a tremendous market opportunity, concluded Dr. Lee.

About BioSolar, Inc.

BioSolar is developing a breakthrough technology to increase the storage capacity, lower the cost and extend the life of lithium-ion batteries. A battery contains two major parts, a cathode and an anode, that function together as the positive and negative sides. BioSolar initially focused its development effort on high capacity cathode materials since most of todays lithium-ion batteries are cathode limited. With the goal of creating the companys next generation super battery technology, BioSolar is currently investigating high capacity anode materials recognizing the fact that the overall battery capacity is determined by combination of both cathode and anode. By integrating BioSolars high capacity cathode or anode, battery manufacturers will be able to create a super lithium-ion battery that can double the range of a Tesla, power an iPhone for two days straight, or store daytime solar energy for nighttime use. Founded with the vision of developing breakthrough energy technologies, BioSolar's previous successes include the world's first UL approved bio-based back sheet for use in solar panels.

To learn more about BioSolar, please visit our website at http://www.biosolar.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and its operations, markets, product, and distributor performance, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, and U.S. actions subsequently; and other factors detailed in reports filed by the Company.
By SA Commercial Prop News

South Africas construction sector is still hurting from a three-year battle between companies to win work for low-priced projects. File Photo: Andries van Heerden: CEO, Afrimat



South Africas construction industry is in the midst of a significant decline  a decline which is set to continue, at least in the short term.

SAs construction sector is still hurting from a three-year battle between companies to win work for low-priced projects. The disappointing fact is that a recovery in construction stocks has already been priced in.

The JSE construction & materials index has increased by 24% since October 2011, outperforming the industrial index by 14%. Earnings forecasts of company results, however, are still bleak , with a recovery not expected immediately.

But Standard Bank research analysts Irina Gavrilova and Luresha Mudaliar say the market typically re rates the sector 12-18 months ahead of a recovery in earnings. Sentiment about a recovery in earnings has improved on news that activity has increased sufficiently to have an effect on order books.

This years earnings show companies have not felt the effects of a recovery yet, however. Upcoming annual results announcements for medium to smaller firms wont be occasions for celebration.

A trading statement from road builder Raubex says it expects earnings and headline earnings per share (HEPS) for the year to February 29 to be between 20% and 30% lower compared with the previous comparable period. This translates into a range of between 168,2c and 193,2c a share for both.

The company says its performance during the second half was influenced by intense competition for contracts and low margins in the roads sector. Shortages of bitumen, a key ingredient in the production of asphalt, compounded the situation.

Uncertainty over government policy on toll roads has also been a concern for the group. The department of transport suspended all future toll road projects last year, pending a review of the use of the user-pay principle. Raubexs results will be published this month.

Geotechnical specialist Esorfranki, which is expected to release its annual results for the year to February at the end of May, hasnt released a trading statement. But Imara SP Reid analyst Sibonginkosi Nyanga recommends that its share be added to investors portfolios on the basis of what is to come.

Nyanga says investors should focus on growth in the companys order book and an expected increase in its margins. He says this years results should be better .

Meanwhile, Stefanutti Stocks expects earnings and HEPS to be between 15% and 35% lower than those for the comparative period. Nyanga rates the share a hold .

Stefanutti recently purchased Cycad Pipelines, diversifying its operations. It also announced that it had secured a contract mining project from Ikwezi Mining in KwaZulu Natal. The project is expected to be worth in excess of R1bn.

Management at all three firms have expressed cautious optimism about the prospect of a recovery.

Others are more positive. Building materials supplier Afrimat has been a star performer, despite fierce competition. Its share has performed excellently, rising 68,6% in the past year.

Such is the confidence of CEO Andries van Heerden that the company declared an early dividend in March, two months ahead of the release of its results for the year to February  expected next week.

It announced a final dividend of 13c/share, resulting in a total dividend of 19c for the 12 months to February . This compares with a total dividend of 17c in the previous comparable period.

Afrimat estimates that profit before tax for the year to February will be between R115m and R120m, compared with R108m last year. Given that its dividend policy is three times cover (meaning the number of times the profit could have paid the dividend), the company says its dividend is appropriate.

In March, Afrimat purchased the Clinker Group, a supplier and processor of raw clinker to the concrete manufacturing industry. The acquisition will further diversify Afrimats business. The group says the combined strengths of its units will yield new opportunities and increase profitability.

Afrimat also assumed ownership of Glen Douglas, a metallurgical dolomite mine south of Johannesburg, last year. Its expansion of the quarry is expected to make it one of the largest in Afrimats portfolio.

But what does this mean for the investor? For the moment, Gavrilova and Mudaliar believe construction shares are fairly valued on an absolute basis. They advise investors to be cautious in the light of general economic conditions.

But growth in work outside SA and an increase in public-sector investment as well as private-sector projects are expected to drive future growth.

By channelling planning through the Presidential Infrastructure Co-ordinating Commission (PICC), government has stepped up its effort to unblock project delays. The commission has identified 43 projects valued at about R3,2trillion, though financial feasibility has not been established for all of them.

Speaking at a recent conference on infrastructure, deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe said government recognised that the pace of infrastructure development was lagging behind SAs needs.

The PICC mandate is to develop a 20- year infrastructure pipeline, to ensure that we can plan ahead and move away from the stop-start syndrome around the building of infrastructure.

This will allow us to ensure better financial mobilisation, provide greater certainty to the construction industry, give educational institutions a framework around which to plan their skills development strategies, and to provide a roadmap for investors and communities.

How government will deal with the suspension of new toll road projects, however, is still unclear.

The private sector, which is sitting on R520bn in corporate deposits, will also eventually begin investing in capital expenditure. An increase in activity will come at higher margins, improving companies earnings outlook considerably. With an already large jump in order books of almost all companies in the sector, growth prospects look good.
By SA Commercial Prop News

Ballito, the heart of the North Coast just 30 minutes north of Durban, lies nestled between rippling fields of sugar cane, KwaZulu Natals famous Green Gold



The migration of permanent residents from the countrys major cities to Ballito has doubled from approximately 12000 in 2005 to almost 25 000 in 2012.

This is not surprising, says Keith Brown, principal at Jawitz Properties, Ballito. The North Coast of Kwa Zulu Natal is the new Cape Town when it comes to property. Its about a preferred location because of the many opportunities for business and local economic growth. The King Shaka International Airport continues play its part for easy access to KZN, he says.

Investors wanting good yields and the influx of families relocating to enjoy the coastal lifestyle, are boosting the buyers market. Secure estates make up the majority of sales in Ballito as the properties are newer and security and quality of life are priorities.

Interestingly, the number of realistic sellers whose properties are priced in line with market demands has increased over the last couple of months. On the other hand, there are still sellers who ignore prevailing market price trends. Consequently, these properties remain on the market for a good twelve months and in some cases even longer.

A well priced property will always sell first as buyers tend to be in touch with market conditions. However, many buyers discover they are unable to get the required bond and in many instances have to resort to renting. Statistics show that 80% of buyers with good cash deposits obtain mortgage finance easily. However, only 50% of those needing larger bonds are successful.

Admittedly, bond approvals have increased during the last 18 months, thanks to the banks more lenient attitude to lending. This is expected to continue for the remainder of 2012.

Construction is booming along the North Coast, as new developments mushroom in Ballito and Salt Rock. Sea Breeze in Mt Richmore, Salt Rock, is a case in point. Since the launch in December 2011, 40% of the units have already been sold. Construction is expected to start by the end of April 2012.

Demand for buying off-plan in gated-estates is increasing particularly among those who are looking to buy land and build their own homes. They, of course benefit from savings on transfer duty and end up with equity in their immovable asset on completion of construction.

The number of registered deals at the deeds office for 2011 was 157. So far this year, there has been a slight improvement on 2011 figures with the average sales price for the first quarter being up by 9%.

There is still an abundance of stock available ranging from R700 000 for small apartments going up to R50-million plus. The demand in the R1.8-million sales bracket is increasing, simply because of bond affordability in this bracket.

The rental market is buoyant and the demand has driven up prices. Indications are that this will continue due to supply and demand. Many of the new developments are getting over 8% and upwards on rentals. Previously the return on rental income averaged 5%, he says.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday attached nearly Rs 80 crore of Devas Multimedia Ltd. in connection with its controversial deal with Indian space agency ISRO's commercial arm Antrix Corporation Ltd.

"We have attached Rs 79,76,00,041 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in case of Devas Multimedia Ltd.," the economic intelligence agency of the Union Revenue Department said in a statement here.

The attachment of the satellite services provider company's money came over a month after ED officials searched Devas office here on January 23 and recorded the statements of its Director (Finance) Ranganathan Mohan, founder-Director Desaraju Venugopal and former Director D. Nataraj.

"Two other Directors, the brains behind the crime, Ramachandran Viswanathan and M. Chandrasekhar, are in the USA at present," the statement said.

On February 1, a Delhi court fixed March 30 to consider a chargesheet in the Devas-Antrix deal case after the Central Bureau of Investigation sought an adjournment of hearing since the agency was still awaiting government sanction to try accused officials.

The case has been filed against former Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman G. Madhavan Nair, former Additional Secretary in the Department of Space Veena S. Rao, and then ISRO Director A. Bhaskar Narayana Rao and others.

The CBI filed the chargesheet on August 11 last year against them for allegedly causing a loss of Rs 578 crore to the exchequer in the Devas-Antrix deal.
Two students each from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and National Institute of Design (NID) on Tuesday won the India Aerospace Design Challenge organised by Honeywell, an official said.

Akhil Patel and Harmeet Singh from the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, and Harshika Jain and Salil Parekh from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, were named winners of this year's contest at the award ceremony held at the Honeywell campus in Bangalore, said a release.

"I am delighted to meet the brilliant design students at the Aerospace Design Challenge 2017. They are India's future for building human-centered software industrial solutions for our country," said Akshay Bellare, Vice President and General Manager at Honeywell Technology Solutions, India.

The 2017 challenge drew the participation of 239 students from 19 design institutes across India. The students were asked to design a user-friendly, enhanced situational awareness solution for Aerospace communication, navigation and surveillance.

Started in 2014, it is an annual contest for college students to design innovative solutions addressing specific needs of the Indian aviation industry.

Over 650 students from 20 institutes in both aviation and design category have participated in the yearly competition.
South Korean technology conglomerate Samsung announced on Tuesday that it will restructure its board of directors, after prosecutors decided to indict the firm's heir Lee Jae-yong in connection with an influence-peddling scandal.

The country's largest business group announced the move in a statement issued shortly after it was reported that Lee will be tried along with four other senior company executives for bribery, as part of the influence-peddling scandal that has rocked the country, Efe news reported.

The statement added it will dismantle its future strategy office, the hub of the group's operations, and that each of its affiliate firms will act according to orders by their respective boards.



The office was led by Samsung Group Vice Chairman Choi Gee-sung and President Chang Choong-ki, who resigned from their positions in the working group that also included 200 other high-ranking executives from Samsung subsidiaries.



The tech giant also expects a personnel reshuffle of top executives for each affiliate's board of directors, company officials told Yonhap news agency.



Samsung's future strategy office was considered to be at the heart of the operations of the group, which besides Samsung Electronics - the world's leading smartphone maker - comprises subsidiaries across real estate, finance, sanitary services, power and electronic accessories sectors.



Prosecutors suspect that Lee, 48, gave or promised some 43 billion won ($36 million) worth of bribes to President Park Geun-hye's jailed friend Choi Soon-sil in return for the government's backing of a merger of two Samsung affiliates in 2015.



The business merger was seen as critical for the smooth management succession of the group from ailing Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee to his only son Lee.



The investigation team, led by Park Young-soo, was given 70 days with 20 more days for preparation to look into the allegations President Park let Choi meddle in state affairs and amass profits using her ties to the president.



Lee was formally arrested by the investigators earlier this month, marking the first time that the chief of the country's largest family-run business group has been detained.
CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday flayed the Modi government and the Sangh Parivar over the death and rape threats to Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur for taking on the ABVP.

"Ministers are supposed to work under the constitutional oath to ensure the rule of law. The current lot, instead, jumps to the support of those who threaten, abuse and bully a 20-year-old lady," Yechury said on his Facebook page.



"Sangh Parivar has no strength of conviction in its reasoning, the threat of violence is its only weapon against ideas.





"It is about an individual's freedom, guaranteed under our Constitution to each one of us.



"They want to impose all their regressive ideas on what you wear, eat, see, do, or the way you live," added the Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary.



Besides facing criticism from some union ministers including Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, Kaur got death and rape threats after she took on the Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP).



Daughter of an army officer who died in the Kargil war, Kaur spoke against the ABVP after its activists were blamed for the attacks on students, teachers and journalists in the campus.



Yechury also trashed Rijiju after the minister alleged that Leftists celebrate whenever Indian soldiers die.



"Who celebrated after (Mahatma) Gandhi was killed!" Yechury tweeted. He quoted then Home Minsiter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as telling then RSS chief M.S. Golwalkar: "RSS men expressed joy and distributed sweets after Gandhiji's death."
LETHBRIDGE, Alberta, Feb. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robix Environmental Technologies Inc. (Robix or the Corporation) (CSE:RZX) (Frankfurt:R0X) is pleased to announce that its Mexican subsidiary, Corris Technologies Mexico S.A. de C.V. (Corris) has entered into an LOI with Sector Naval de Tuxpan Veracruz, which is the Mexican Navys (Armada de Mexico) regional office in Tuxpan. The non-binding LOI sees that the parties begin to negotiate in good faith to reach a full binding definitive agreement for deployment of Robix oil recovery technology on some Mexican Naval vessels, which are more than 100 in number.



The final definitive agreement will include standard representations, warranties, covenants, and indemnities of the parties. Robix and Armada de Mexico expect to have a definitive agreement by March 31, 2017.

Nathan Hansen, President and CEO, stated: After extensive and rigorous testing, the Mexican Navy has decided, as part of its mandate to protect coastal waters from oil spills, to move forward and negotiate with Robix for deployment of our unique and best of class oil spill recovery technology. I look forward to working with our Mexican team and partners to reach a binding agreement by March 31, 2017. I am pleased that Mexican Navy, a leading, technically advanced and globally recognized organization, has decided to move forward with our technology to help protect Mexican coast waters from the harm caused by oil spills.

About Robix:

Robix is focused on the worldwide market for oil containment, recovery and cleaning equipment specifically for the oil spill protection, oil production and water cleaning and purification industries. To that end, Robix has commercialized its C Series Clean Ocean Vessel and the P Series Stationary Platform; both are based on a patented revolutionary oil recovery technology. The C Series is a vessel that recovers oil in rough ocean waters, lakes, rivers and tailings ponds in virtually any conditions. The P Series is an oil recovery platform designed to accelerate oil recovery from settling ponds at production facilities. The Company also offers a suite of Hydro Cycle Water purification and cleaning products.

No stock exchange or any securities regulatory body has reviewed the contents of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements in respect of discussions for future equipment supply contracts. There is no certainty that such contracts contemplated or in discussions will have the intended results. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Corporation can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct.

Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the risk that the formal documentation effecting the Transaction is not completed or accepted. There is no certainty that a Definitive Agreement effecting the business combination will be completed or accepted. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Corporation undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.
In the first major organised protest against the government's "anti-people banking reforms", 10 lakh bank employees and officials staged a strike on Tuesday, bringing banking operations across the country to a halt.

The strike was called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), comprising nine unions, who also pressed for compensation to employees for extra work done on account of demonetisation and action against loan defaulters.



"Around 85,000 branches of commercial banks, 105, 000 branches of co-operative banks and others went on strike," All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) General Secretary C.H. Venkatachalam told IANS in Chennai.



He said clearance of 40 lakh cheques totalling around Rs 22,000 crore was affected.



The strike covered employees and officers in all public sector banks, including State Bank of India, all old-generation private banks, foreign banks, regional rural banks and cooperative banks.



An officer in a government-owned bank preferring anonymity told IANS: "The clerical staff will get overtime allowance for working extra during the demonetisation period. But the officers will not get anything and in addition they will be losing a day's salary due to the strike."



Not agreeing with that view, D. Thomas Franco Rajendra Dev, Senior Vice President of the All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC), told IANS: "Our demand is to treat all the employees equally. And officers will also get their due share."



AIBEA Northern Region President J.P Sharma told IANS that the strike was a success in the entire region.



"With all employees of all state-run banks and many private ones also going on strike, it had a complete impact. Most branches were locked," Sharma said, adding that thousands of bank staff had gathered in the Jantar Mantar area of New Delhi in peaceful protest.



"There was no cheque clearing activity today (Tuesday) as all the national clearing grids were shut due to the strike," he said.









Venkatachalam said: "The real menace affecting the Indian banking industry is the rise in bad loans and the number of wilful loan defaulters."



He said the shutdown comes after all attempts to find a solution to the demands raised by the unions yielded no results.



The conciliation meeting before the Chief Labour Commissioner on February 21 failed to break the deadlock as the bank management body -- Indian Banks Association (IBA) -- did not agree to the union demands.



New generation private banks like ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and others were not part of the union and continued to function normally but cheque clearances did not take place, whilea large number of the ATMs were also closed, creating problems for the people.



"ATM operations are yet to normalise after the demonetisation of high value notes. It seems people have resigned to the situation of less cash," Venkatachalam added.



Banking operations across West Bengal were disrupted on Tuesday.



"Employees and officers from about 8,000 branches of commercial, cooperative and rural banks in Bengal are observing the strike. It is 100 percent successful. Out of around 10,000 ATMs, about 90 percent of them remained shut," state AIBEA President Rajen Nagar told IANS.



The unions said the strike was to oppose banking and labour law reforms, infringement of trade union rights, outsourcing of permanent jobs, and to demand legitimate compensation to employees and officers for extra hours of work put in due to demonetisation.



According to unions, the adverse effect of demonetisation on the economy has resulted in decline in the GDP growth rate and has taken away the lives of more than 100 citizens including more than 10 bank employees.



Banking services were badly affected in Left-ruled Tripura as most of the major banks remained closed.



"Around 4,000 bank employees belonging to about 500 nationalised, regional, rural and cooperative bank branches in Tripura took part in the strike," said UFBU spokesman Sushobhan Datta Majumder in Agartala.



Government and foreign exchange transactions were also affected due to the shutdown.



Protest rallies were also held in many cities in the state by the striking employees.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hit out against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning his government's achievements and asking him why he had not consulted key stakeholders, like the Manipur government, about the accord with the NSCM-IM.

Addressing a public meeting at Hapta Kangjeibung in the heart of Imphal ahead of the March 4 and 8 assembly elections, he said: "The BJP government is concealing vital information. It has also backed out of various commitments.



"Modi had promised to provide employment to 2 crore youth, repair the NH 37 in Manipur within the first 100 days of the NDA government... but nothing has been done about these promises."



Gandhi said Congress President Sonia Gandhi received a surprise phone call from Modi informing that the framework agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah had been signed. On inquiry, it was found that Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh as well as other Central Ministers were kept in the dark about this accord.





"When Modi comes to Manipur next time, people should ask him why he is keeping the people in the dark in this manner," said Gandhi.



The Congress Vice President also said that two business houses had given a huge amount to Modi and this is in the know of the Income tax department.



"All these days Modi has been harping on corruption of Okram Ibobi. Modi should make inquiry into these allegations against himself," he added.



Both Gandhi and Ibobi said that no force in the world can break up Manipur.



"The territory of Manipur is safe in the hands of the Congress," Gandhi said.



Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam told IANS that over 400,000 persons had assembled for the meeting and "by Manipur's standard, it is a huge gathering".



"It shows that the Congress shall come back with a thumping majority," he added.
Family members, relatives, friends and people from different walks of life bid a tearful adieu to Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US on February 22 in a suspected hate crime.

His last rites were performed at the cremation ground in Jubilee Hills here on Tuesday.



K. Madhusudhana Sastry performed the last rites of his son as some of the mourners including the techie's friends were seen carrying placards with slogans like "down with racism".



Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary Muralidhar Rao, other leaders from the BJP, TRS and other parties, and actor couple Jeevitha and Rajasekhar paid their last respects.



The body was brought from Kuchibhotla's house in Bachupally, on the city's outskirts.





As his final journey began, the engineer's parents were inconsolable while his wife Sunayana Dumala, who arrived with the mortal remains on Monday night, broke down as she had his last glimpse.



The body was brought by a cargo flight while Sunayana, her brother, sister-in-law and another relative reached by a passenger flight.



Mourners poured in at his residence through the night and Tuesday morning to pay their last respects.



Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white man who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on February 22.



Purinton got into an argument with the two and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them.



Kuchibhotla of Hyderabad and his colleague Madasani from Warangal district in Telangana were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an MNC.
Jalpaiguri child trafficking accused Chandana Chakraborty, arrested with two aides this month, on Tuesday put the blame of wrongdoing on BJP leader Juhi Chowdhury.

Chakraborty, Chairperson of a Jalpaiguri-based child adoption centre Bimala Sishu Griho in West Bengal, was arrested with Chief Adoption Officer Sonali Mondal for allegedly selling at least 17 children with shady adoption deals.



The CID later arrested Manas Bhowmik in connection with the case. Her links with the woman BJP leader, now allegedly in hiding, are also being probed.



"Juhi Chowdhury is involved with the adoption centre for the last three years. If something wrong or immoral was done, it was done by her. Why am I being victimized? I am not the culprit," Chakraborty said.



She admitted going to Delhi with Chowdhury to seek "help" for her organisation and claimed the BJP leader did all the negotiations with the senior leadership while she was in a different room.



"Juhi assured me she would sort out all the issues," Chakraborty said.



"I haven't talked to anyone, Juhi did. She might have talked to Roopa Ganguly and Kailash Vijayvargiya. I was sitting in a separate room. We are innocent. We will definitely help in the investigation," she added.



Denying the allegations, BJP state president Dilip Ghosh claimed Chowdhury was being victimized as part of a larger political conspiracy.





"Juhi was not a part of their (child adoption centre) committee. She has been dragged into the case as she went to Delhi with her (Chakraborty)... If Juhi is found guilty, the law will take its course," Ghosh said.



The BJP leader said he won't permit his party workers to go to jail for no real reason.



"She might be in hiding looking at the recent trend in Bengal politics... I hope she comes out to face the law. There is no pride in going to jail like a fool for no reason," he added.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das, who has been drawing flak for his government's move to sell liquor through its own outlets to generate revenue, on Tuesday said that he favoured an eventual total prohibition, however it's a social and not a political issue.

"I do not want to politicise the issue. There is a liquor ban in Bihar but people are dying everyday due to the consumption of illicit liquor," he said, adding that the liquor shops would start closing down as people will gradually become aware about the ill-effects of the alcohol consumption.

The Jharkhand cabinet on February 21 approved the proposal of the Excise Department that the state government would sell liquor in the state.

But the move did not go down well with the opposition parties as well as some Ministers in Jharkhand who slammed the government's move.

"The cabinet has passed the decision to sell liquor but I am of the view that the state government should not sell liquor," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Saryu Rai.

Echoing his view, Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Ranchi Ram Tahal Chaudhary said, "On one hand people are dying by consuming liquor and on the other hand the state government is promoting the sale of liquor."

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi of the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) also had written to Chief Minister Raghubar Das, urging him to impose liquor ban and promised full support to the move.

The All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), which is a junior ally in the state government, also demanded that total prohibition be imposed in Jharkhand.

Referring to a total ban on the sell and consumption of liquor in Bihar, Das said that his government did not want to do "stunts" similar to what the neighbouring state has done and added, the total ban can be imposed only after the people become aware about the problem.

He said that his government was spreading awareness among the people and the liquor-free villages would be given Rs 1 lakh.

He clarified that liquor would not be sold on the highways and also in tribal-dominated areas. "There are 13-14 districts in the state where tribal population is 50 per cent or above. Liquor would not be sold in such areas," he said.
A large number of students on Tuesday protested in Delhi University against the ABVP after it was accused of attacking students, lecturers and journalists in the campus.

The students massed outside the Khalsa College shouting slogans against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Delhi Police over the February 21-22 disturbances in the university campus.



The protest was called by the All India Students Association (AISA), a Left-leaning student body whose members were involved in a clash with ABVP activists last week.



Also on Tuesday, members of the Congress-affiliated National Students Union of India (NSUI) staged a hunger strike in the campus, also against the RSS-affiliated ABVP.



"After the Ramjas incident and violence, a majority of students who want a peaceful campus are scared... There is hardly any space for debate," NSUI President Amrita Dhawan told media.

"Nothing justifies violence. We live in a democratic country where people can have different opinions," Dhawan added.



The AISA said the Tuesday protest was not of the AISA.



"Please don't call it an AISA march. It is a march of DU students against the hooliganism of ABVP and for freedom of expression and debate," said an AISA member.



Tuesday's protest came a day after the ABVP held a "Tiranga march" in the campus against "Left-leaning students supporting anti-national activities".
Delhi's Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Tuesday promised "strict immediate action" over the violence in Delhi University where ABVP members were accused of attacking students and teachers.

Baijal tweeted that he assured Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal "that strict immediate action will be taken against those violating law".

Baijal's assurance came after Kejriwal demanded the arrest of "those who caused violence in DU, shouted anti-India slogans and who threatened (student) Gurmehar (Kaur)".



The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad forced the Ramjas College in the campus to cancel a seminar on February 21 and was blamed for the attacks on students, lecturers and journalists in the campus the next day.



Later, when student Gurmehar Kaur of Lady Shri Ram College launched a social media campaign against the RSS-affiliated ABVP, she received death and rape threats.



After meeting Baijal, Kejriwal said people who threatened Kaur should be arrested so that a message goes that such activities cannot be tolerated.



Kejriwal said Baijal assured him that "strict action will be taken against people who indulged in violence and the people who threatened Gurmehar".



Kejriwal blamed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters for the violence and anti-India sloganeering in Delhi University.



"They (BJP) send their people to shout anti-India slogans and then their supporters come and beat up others after accusing them of shouting the slogans," the Aam Aadmi Party leader alleged.



He said those who raised anti-India slogans at the Jawaharlal Nehru University last year were yet to be arrested because "they were their (BJP's) own people".



"The country will not tolerate BJP's dirty politics. Today the youths and students are up against the BJP. And parents are worried about their children."
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday moved the Election Commission seeking an inquiry into "large-scale deletion" of names of eligible voters from electoral rolls for the ongoing polls to the Uttar Pradesh assembly.

A BJP delegation led by Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission contending that large-scale deletion of names of genuine voters was a clear violation of the constitutional guarantees to citizens.

The party claimed that it has received complaints from almost every assembly constituency in the state about voters' names having been deleted from the lists without any prior information.

"The commission may institute an inquiry into such state-wide and unathorised deletion of valid voters from the electoral rolls, fix responsibility and institute prosecution of officials responsible," the party said in the memorandum.

It also urged the EC to ensure that all Electors Photo Identity Card holders are allowed to vote in the remaining two phases of the assembly polls.
US aerospace major SpaceX has announced plans to fly two private citizens on a week-long trip around the moon next year.

The two individuals approached SpaceX for the trip and they have "already paid a significant deposit" to do a moon mission, the company said in a statement on Monday.

"Fly me to the moon ... Ok," SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted after the announcement was made.



Lift-off will be from the Kennedy Space Center's historic Launch Complex 39A at Cape Canaveral in Florida -- the same launch pad used by the Apollo programme for its lunar missions.



"Like the Apollo astronauts before them, these individuals will travel into space carrying the hopes and dreams of all humankind," SpaceX said.



Following the announcement about the private space mission around the moon, NASA said it "commends its industry partners for reaching higher".



"For more than a decade, NASA has invested in private industry to develop capabilities for the American people and seed commercial innovation to advance humanity's future in space," the US space agency said in a statement on Tuesday.





The two tourists would be sent on a SpaceX's Dragon 2 capsule, launched on the company's Falcon Heavy rocket.



"NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which provided most of the funding for Dragon 2 development, is a key enabler for this mission," SpaceX said while thanking the US space agency "without whom this would not be possible".



"Falcon Heavy is due to launch its first test flight this summer and, once successful, will be the most powerful vehicle to reach orbit after the Saturn V moon rocket," the company said.



SpaceX said the space shuttle Dragon was designed from the beginning to carry humans and already has "a long flight heritage".



For the Hawthorne, California-headquartered company, the private trip around the moon is one step on the way to their goal of transporting humans to Mars.



Later this year, as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, SpaceX will launch its Crew Dragon (Dragon Version 2) spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS).



This first demonstration mission will be in automatic mode, without people on board.



A subsequent mission with crew is expected to fly in the second quarter of 2018.



SpaceX is currently contracted to perform an average of four Dragon 2 missions to the ISS per year, three carrying cargo and one carrying crew.



"By also flying privately crewed missions, which NASA has encouraged, long-term costs to the government decline and more flight reliability history is gained, benefiting both government and private missions," SpaceX said.



SpaceX said it will conduct health and fitness tests of the two individuals who have expressed interest in a trip around moon. Initial training for the two will begin later this year.



"This presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep space for the first time in 45 years and they will travel faster and further into the solar system than any before them," SpaceX said in the statement.



"Other flight teams have also expressed strong interest and we expect more to follow," SpaceX said.
CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB:ISCO), a California-based clinical stage biotechnology company developing stem cell-based therapies and biomedical products, today announced the third patient in the clinical trial for Parkinson's Disease was successfully transplanted with ISC-hpNSC cells and is already discharged from the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH). The operation was successfully performed without complications by the team of the RMH neurosurgeons.

Russell Kern, PhD, executive vice president and chief scientific officer of ISCO commented: "The third operation went according to plan and we are on track to dosing all of our clinical trial participants in 2017. We have enrolled the fourth patient and we expect to perform the surgery in March. No test article related adverse events have been recorded for any of the patients transplanted in 2016.

About the clinical study

The Phase I clinical study is a dose escalation safety and preliminary efficacy study of ISC-hpNSC, intracranially transplanted into patients with moderate to severe Parkinson's disease. The open-label, single center, uncontrolled clinical trial will evaluate three different dose regimens of 30,000,000 to 70,000,000 neural cells. A total of 12 participants with moderate to severe Parkinson's disease will be treated. Following transplantation, the patients will be monitored for 12 months at specified intervals, to evaluate the safety and biologic activity of ISC-hpNSC. PET scan will be performed at baseline, as part of the screening assessment, and at 6 and 12 months after surgical intervention. Clinical responses compared to baseline after the administration of ISC-hpNSC will be evaluated using various neurological assessments such as Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr and other rating scales.

About Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system mainly affecting the motor system. The motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease result from the death of dopamine-generating cells in the substantia nigra, a region of the midbrain. Early in the course of the disease, the most obvious symptoms are movement-related; these symptoms include shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty with walking and gait. Later, thinking and behavioral problems may arise, with dementia commonly occurring in the advanced stages of the disease, and depression is the most common psychiatric symptom. Parkinson's disease is more common in older people, with most cases occurring after the age of 50.

Currently, medications typically used in the treatment of Parkinson's, L-DOPA and dopamine agonists, improve the early symptoms of the disease. As the disease progresses and dopaminergic neurons continue to be lost, the drugs eventually become ineffective while at the same time frequently producing a complication marked by involuntary writhing movements. In 2013 PD resulted in about 103,000 deaths globally, up from 44,000 deaths in 1990.

About ISC-hpNSC

International Stem Cell Corporation's proprietary ISC-hpNSC consists of a highly pure population of neural stem cells derived from human parthenogenetic stem cells. ISC-hpNSC is a suspension of clinical grade cells manufactured under cGMP conditions that have undergone stringent quality control measures and are clear of any microbial and viral contaminants. Preclinical studies in rodents and non-human primates have shown improvement in Parkinson's disease symptoms and increase in brain dopamine levels following the intracranial administration of ISC-hpNSC. ISC-hpNSC provides neurotrophic support and cell replacement to the dying dopaminergic neurons of the recipient PD brain. Additionally, ISC-hpNSC is safe, well tolerated and does not cause adverse events such as dyskinesia, systemic toxicity or tumors in preclinical models. International Stem Cell Corporation believes that ISC-hpNSC may have broad therapeutic applications for many neurological diseases affecting the brain, the spinal cord and the eye.

About International Stem Cell Corporation

International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO) is focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) and the development and commercialization of cell-based research and cosmetic products. ISCO's core technology, parthenogenesis, results in the creation of human pluripotent stem cells from unfertilized oocytes (eggs). hpSCs avoid ethical issues associated with the use or destruction of viable human embryos. ISCO scientists have created the first parthenogenetic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of therapeutic cells for millions of individuals of differing genders, ages and racial background with minimal immune rejection after transplantation. hpSCs offer the potential to create the first true stem cell bank, UniStemCell. ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and growth media for therapeutic research worldwide through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology (www.lifelinecelltech.com), and stem cell-based skin care products through its subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care (www.lifelineskincare.com). More information is available at www.internationalstemcell.com.

To subscribe to receive ongoing corporate communications, please click on the following link: http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1468&to=ea&s=0

To like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter for company updates and industry related news, visit: www.facebook.com/InternationalStemCellCorporation and www.twitter.com/intlstemcell

Safe harbor statement

Statements pertaining to anticipated developments, expected results and timing of clinical studies, progress of research and development initiatives, and other opportunities for the company and its subsidiaries, along with other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not historical fact (including, but not limited to statements that contain words such as "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates,") should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of potential products, regulatory approvals, need and ability to obtain future capital, application of capital resources among competing uses, and maintenance of intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements and as such should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the company's business, particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements found in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements.
LONDON, Feb. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (NYSE:AMG), a global asset management company, today announced the appointment of Thomas Henauer as Director, Head of Distribution, Switzerland. In this role, Mr. Henauer will lead AMGs Swiss distribution efforts, focusing on developing new business opportunities and serving clients on behalf of AMGs Affiliates in the country. Mr. Henauer will join AMG on March 1, 2017, and will be based in AMGs Zurich office and report to Jenny Segal, Head of European Distribution.

With over 15 years of sales and distribution experience in the Swiss asset management market, Mr. Henauer joins AMG from Janus Capital Group, Inc., where he was most recently Head of Sales, Switzerland, and responsible for developing the companys Swiss business across both institutional and wholesale clients. Prior to his role at Janus, Mr. Henauer held senior sales positions at AIG Private Bank and Clariden Leu. He received his MSc from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.

Given Thomas extensive track record in building assets, and his strong network of institutional and high net worth clients in Switzerland, we are very pleased to welcome him to AMG, said Ms. Segal. With his proven expertise, Thomas is well-positioned to further develop AMGs distribution capabilities and enhance the marketing reach of our Affiliates in Switzerland, in response to strong client demand for boutique investment strategies. We look forward to Thomas contributions as a strategic resource for our Affiliates in Switzerland.

With sales and marketing offices located in major financial centers in Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and North America, AMGs distribution platform enhances the global reach of its Affiliates marketing efforts both within the U.S. and around the world. AMGs Affiliates are leading boutique investment firms recognized for their best-in-class, long-term performance track records across a broad array of investment products, particularly in global equity and alternative strategies.

About AMG

AMG is a global asset management company with equity investments in leading boutique investment management firms. AMGs innovative partnership approach allows each Affiliates management team to own significant equity in their firm while maintaining operational autonomy. AMGs strategy is to generate growth through the growth of existing Affiliates, as well as through investments in new Affiliates, and additional investments in existing Affiliates. In addition, AMG provides centralized assistance to its Affiliates in strategic matters, marketing, distribution, product development and operations. As of December 31, 2016, AMGs aggregate assets under management were approximately US$727 billion, pro forma for investments which have since closed, in more than 550 investment products across a broad range of active, return-oriented strategies. For more information, please visit the Companys website at www.amg.com.

Certain matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding the performance of our business, our financial results, our liquidity and capital resources and other non-historical statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as outlook, guidance, believes, expects, potential, continues, may, will, should, seeks, approximately, predicts, projects, intends, plans, estimates, anticipates or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including changes in the securities or financial markets or in general economic conditions, the availability of equity and debt financing, competition for acquisitions of interests in investment management firms, the ability to close pending investments, the investment performance and growth rates of our Affiliates and their ability to effectively market their investment strategies, the mix of Affiliate contributions to our earnings and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described under the section entitled Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this release and in our filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

From time to time, AMG may use its website as a distribution channel of material Company information. AMG routinely posts financial and other important information regarding the Company in the Investor Relations section of its website at www.amg.com and encourages investors to consult that section regularly.

Investor and Media Relations:

Alexandra Lynn

Selene Oh

+1 (617) 747-3300

ir@amg.com

pr@amg.com
Kansas football vs. Oklahoma State report card: Jayhawks earn a win

Kansas football is bowl eligible with its win against Oklahoma State. Heres how the Jayhawks grade out from their victory.
Last week, Samoa hosted a flying visit by the Vice President of East Asia and Pacific, Victoria Kwakwa.

Having arrived on Wednesday night, she met with Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti among other key government officials and after a quick trip to Savaii, she was gone.

Before she left though, she promised the World Bank will significantly increase its support for Samoa.

The assistance, she said, will come from the International Development Association funds which is to increase from US$360million to US$900 million.

The World Bank has been a long-term partner of Samoa, and our team is proud of what we have already achieved together, including supporting the reconstruction of key roads, and the reinvigoration of the Samoan agriculture sector, said Ms. Kwakwa.

This significant increase in support to Samoa, through the International Development Association, ensures we will be able to build on these successes to ensure the Samoan governments development priorities can become a reality over the coming years.

She added: Were very proud of what weve achieved together. I think were at a moment in time where we can do even better. At this time we have the opportunity to provide more financial support to the country.

Well thats great news. Were sure glad that Ms. Kwakwa had a jolly good time in Apia and now that she has returned, its important we think about these developments, why they matter and what it means for you, me and all of us.

We say this because there is still this nagging concern about this countrys ballooning foreign debt we cannot help but think about with all these promises of more millions to come.

The fact is when all is said and done, you, me and everyone else in this country who will end up having to fork out to pay for it. That includes our children, their children, their childrens children and the thousands of unborn Samoans who will inherit the legacy of debt the current crop of leaders are piling up for them to clean up.

The worst part is they cannot be held accountable then. And many of us might not even be around then when the chickens come home to roost.

It is the future generations of this country who will suffer.

They are the ones we should be concerned about. Which means it is negligence of the highest degree for us to continue to ignore this huge elephant in the room.

We dont need to revisit the conversations. You see the issue of Samoas foreign debt has been debated over and over again with the same response from the government.

To be fair to the government, it does have a valid point about the need to borrow money for developments to materialise. The reality is that for a small country like Samoa, we simply dont generate revenues sufficient enough to fund the absolute basic infrastructural developments. This is why borrowing becomes necessary.

But take away the political innuendos and we are bound to find that it is not so much the issue of borrowing that is alarming. Just about all countries  including the most powerful nations  borrow.

The real issue for Samoa is excessive borrowing and this governments inability to control spending, which has forced them to continue to borrow way beyond what we can afford.

Were talking about the leakages in finances created by corruption, collusion, abuse of power and public properties that has cost this country millions of tala.

Over the years, weve seen how this menace called corruption has been allowed to fester so that today it looks incurable. And its not just the major instances of wrong-doing that are alarming.

Its the small things that add up. It involves the blatant abuse of public properties such as the practice of pimped-up government vehicles heading to the farm with loads of talo shoots and gallons of water in the middle of the afternoon of a weekday while workers at some Ministry are driving rental vehicles to do the work.

Its the abuse of government fuel, maintenance costs and the dishonesty in collecting revenue that is vital for development. It is about the public service misusing the internet, printers, phones and basic equipment during work hours  and even after work hours.

And then there is the reckless spending by certain Cabinet Ministers in buildings that end up becoming white elephants, draining millions of tala that could have been better spent.

Now speaking of that, what has become of that $600,000 Ministerial office at the S.N.P.F. Plaza?

We could go on and on but you get our drift.

Getting back to the issue of debt, despite the assurances from the government that there is no reason to panic, we believe there is.

For starters, the government just hasnt shown that it has the ability to improve income and revenue generation. Secondly, it has failed miserably in its bid to try to attract foreign investments, which are vital to create much-needed employment opportunities.

Thats on top of multiple failed investments in buildings and infrastructure that end up costing more to maintain.

This is why we should be alarmed about our foreign debt.

It is our children who will ultimately shoulder the burden. It is they who will be begging for mercy from the lenders. They are the ones who will have to deal with the mess that is our foreign debt today.

They are the ones who might have to give up things that are theirs by birthright as they struggle to front up to the debtors. Is that the future the leaders of today want them to have?

Have a wonderful Wednesday Samoa, God bless!
Dear Editor,

Re: The man of the moment, Tuilaepa Saiilele Malielegaoi!

Yes, I see your point.

However, I wouldnit go so far as to call the P.M. of Samoa a dictator, heis a democratically elected leader of a party that has been the most dominant in Samoan politics for three or so decades.

He is just enjoying his immovable position of power and I suppose there is a dictatorial attitude that comes with this, however, he is still bound by the laws and processes of the system of democracy.

My point was made in jest of course, but there is cause to conclude that democracy is not the most impartial, fair or equitable political system, let alone morally or ethically superior to other systems of government, what government or political system is? None!

Human nature regardless of systems of power and governance, bureaucracy

etc. will always show itself as corrupt in some way, its the way weire wired!

Democracy has been the ideological golden egg that the West has forced upon the world, at gunpoint, at the destruction of countless lives and the environment. In some cases such as Libya for example, the wealth and standard of living for Libyans was much, much higher under Gaddafi, who was deemed a ibadi dictator only when it suited America.

Look at Libya now under democracy, itis a torn up shambles.

No, our P.M. is not a dictator, he is more like that annoying uncle who says really stupid things at the most in opportune moments, or is busy doing something dodgy behind the scenes but heis still your uncle no matter what!

He hasnit killed his own people in light of his ideologies such as Castro like you mentioned, but then again, one should never be too complacent.

S. Matagi
The suspended Director of the National Prosecution Office has been heavily criticised by a Cabinet-ordered Tribunal tasked to investigate her conduct and that of her Assistant, Muriel Lui.

The full extent of the Tribunals criticisms is contained in a copy of its report to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, released to the media yesterday.

The Tribunal sat at Tuanaimato last week for two days. It comprised of the Chairman, Sir Robert Grant Hammond, Tuiloma Neroni Slade and Alalatoa Rosella Viane-Papalii.

According to the report, the Tribunal was asked to review the Directors handling of three separate events including the delegation of the power of prosecution in a matter where she was directly implicated, the unauthorised investigation of the Police Commissioner; and her contact with the N.P.O. while she was suspended.

In all three instances, the Tribunal found Maugas conduct questionable.

In our view, Ms. Changs position was that she could not delegate the case against her to a private prosecutor and she could take no part in discussions as to how to advance it personnel - wise. She could not be objective because she was involved in the case, the report reads.

Hence, even if she had a power of delegation to the private bar, she could not exercise it in this case because of her lack of objectivity. Therefore, her actions amounted to a conflict with the performance of the functions of the Director.

The Tribunal was also told Mauga had ordered a criminal investigations against the Commissioner of Police.

The case here is a marginal one. The argument is the N.P.O. picked it up and continued the exercise as a prosecutorial body. But unfortunately not very well as these criminal charges were withdrawn and dismissed, the report reads.

As for her continuing involvement with the N.P.O. after she was suspended, the Tribunal found that it was wrong.

Ms. Chang was formally suspended on I7 August 2016. This meant she was to cease all of her duties, tasks and responsibilities as D.P.P. It would have been apparent to those responsible for her suspension this would have some downstream consequences in the N.P.O. But this could not be a matter for her. She was suspended. She has to stand aloof."

It came to the AGs attention that Ms Chang was ordering and closing off some files. She had attended the office on occasions and was giving instructions in relation to the non utilization of some pathologists. The facts are plain that to some extent she did carry on at least for some time some NPO functions."

The AGs concern was passed on to the CEO to the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet on 17 October 2016. The acting CEO of that unit thereupon formally warned Ms Chang that she was in breach of her suspension order."

This activity was clearly a breach of the civil service values and code of conduct. Ms Changs argument came close to one of necessity - that there were things she needed to do."

But this argument simply will not do. A formal directive with Cabinet approval had been made and she did not follow it.

In the end, the Tribunal recommended that Mauga be removed from Office.

Unfortunately, we are obliged to recommend that Ms. Chang should be removed from Office."

On the delegation point, she was badly in error despite the warning of senior public servants including the A.G. and the Prime Minister as Minister for the N.P.O. Act that she should separate herself entirely from the prosecution of herself."

This matter required the application of wisdom and common sense but sadly, this was not reflected in the decisions she made."

The obligations she was under were significant constitutional prescriptions."

Yet when suspended she determinedly clung to the position she had taken up. This was all contrary to public service values. She ignored the conflict and impropriety that facing charges in her personal capacity, she still sought to appoint her own choice of prosecutor."

This was easily the most significant concern to all who have had occasion to consider this case."

This should not have been done by a Constitutional officer who must have the qualifications required of a member of the judiciary. We again emphasise, the D.P.P. office is a constitutional office with very heavy and significant responsibilities.

The following is the report in full:

THE NATIONAL PROSECUTION

OFFICE TRIBUNAL HELD AT

TUANAIMATO

IN THE MATTER:

Pursuant to section 11(4) of the National Prosecution Act 2015 and Cabinet Directive FK (16) 37

dated 6 October 2016 concerning an enquiry into the conduct of MAUGA PRECIOUS CHANG and

MURIEL LUI

Tribunal:

Honourable Sir Grant

Hammond

(Chairman)

Mr Tuiloma Neroni Slade

(Member)

Ms Alalatoa Rosella Viane Papalii

(Member)

Counsel:

Ms Sua Hellene Wallwork Lamb for the State

Ms Tuitapuono Samantha Milford for the Tribunal

Mr Tuatagaloa Aumua Ming Leung Wai for Ms Mauga Precious Chang

Mr Peter Lithgow & Mr Donald Kerslake for Ms Muriel Lui

Hearing: 20 & 21 February 2017

REPORT BY THE TRIBUNAL

Introduction

1. This is a Report (the Report) to the Prime Minister of Samoa (The Prime Minister) under s.11 (6) (b) of the National Prosecution Office Act 2015 (NPO Act). It is advanced by a Tribunal appointed pursuant to s.11 (4) NPO Act and Cabinet directive FK (16) 37 dated 6 October 2016.

The members of the Tribunal are:

i) Sir Grant Hammond as chairperson;

ii) Tuiloma Neroni Slade as a member: and

iii) Alalatoa Rosella Viane Papalii (a member of the Samoa Law Society appointed by the council of the Samoa Law Society).

The Terms of Reference (TOR) of the Tribunal are set out in Schedule A of the report.

The Tribunal called for affidavits from the interested parties and Schedule B lists the names of the deponents of the affidavits together with a list of the documents filed in this proceeding. Opportunity was given for cross examination and only the Attorney General

(AG) was orally examined. Closing submissions were made by counsel for the parties.

A hearing was held in a conference room at the Legislative Assembly on 20 & 21

February 2017. A tape was made of the entire hearing but not transcribed. It is held securely.

The hearing was an open one so that members of the public could attend should they so wished and some did.

Counsel had enquired as to the standard of proof to be employed at a hearing of this character.

We advised and counsel accepted, that before an adverse finding could be made against Ms Mauga Precious Chang (Ms Chang) or Ms Muriel Lui (Ms Lui), that there should be clear and compelling evidence. This is because although this is not a criminal case, the consequences on the parties of an adverse finding, are very significant.

Establishment of the National Prosecution Office (NPO)

Traditionally in common law countries, prosecutorial functions were carried out by the Attorney General or some subset of his or her office.

More recently in many commonwealth countries, a separate prosecution authority has been set up. Australia, Canada, England, Wales, Hong Kong, Northern Ireland, Trinidad,

Tobago, Kenya, and South Africa have set up stand-alone prosecution authorities. The

head of such an authority is typically known as the Director of Public Prosecutions

(DPP) and is appointed not elected. It is observed, that a DPP may be subject to varying

degrees of cooperative oversight through consultation and formal directive by the

Attorney General.

New Zealand has a Crown Law Office which is headed up by a Solicitor General as the second law officer; the Attorney General being the first.

Samoa decided to move to a DPP model in 2016. Under Article 41A of the Constitution of

the Independent State of Samoa (the Constitution), the Head of State acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, may appoint a person qualified to be a judge of the Supreme Court of Samoa, for a term of six (6) years as the DPP. The terms and conditions are to be provided by statute.

The primary function of the DPP is to institute and conduct criminal proceedings. Ms Chang was appointed to this office as its first DPP.

Parliament also passed a NPO Act which came into force on 1 January 2016.

In the first half of 2016, the NPO was set up with premises and staff and a Guide for Prosecutors was issued. It began its work.

Power to Remove and Suspend a Director

The DPP holds a significant public office, the importance of it is recognized by s.11 NPO Act. She can be removed from office only on one or more of the grounds stated in s.11(2) NPO Act. One of the grounds for removal as set out in s. ll(2) (e) is that [she] has engaged in any conduct which places the Director in conflict with the performance of the functions of the Director.

If this is alleged to have occurred (as here), the Head of State acting on the advice of the Prime Minister must appoint a Tribunal pursuant to s.11(4) NPO Act, to enquire into the matter subject to the rules of natural justice (s.11(6) (a)). The Tribunal at its conclusion must then pursuant to s.11(6) (b) (i) & (ii) provide a written report to the Prime Minister setting out the facts of the matter and its recommendation as to whether or not the Director should be removed from office.

lf it so recommends, the Prime Minister must act on that recommendation in advising the

Head of State and the Head of State will accordingly remove the Director from office.

This is a protection for the DPP of a Constitutional character. If a Tribunal is appointed, then under s.11 (8), the Director can be suspended until a final decision is made on the removal.

The Facts of the matter complained of:

The essential facts in this case are largely common ground. It is how the DPP responded to various events which had been put in issue. We divide those facts into three (3) categories:

i) Delegation of the power of prosecution;

ii) Unauthorized investigation of the Police service; and

iii) Direct contact with the NPO office and staff whilst suspended.

Delegation

There is no real dispute as to what happened. This was helpfully summarized by counsel for the State Ms Wallwork in schedule 1 of the TOR reproduced below for ease of reference.

Date Event 4 May 2016 Ms Chang was involved in a road traffic accident whilst driving a Government owned vehicle during working hours 23 June 2016 Prior to being charged with any criminal charges, Ms Chang purported to delegate her powers of prosecution to a local private barrister and solicitor, Mr Semi Leung Wai 23 June 2016 Ms Chang advised the Police Commissioner of the delegation of her powers 27 June 2016 The Police Commissioner expressed his concern to Ms Chang regarding her choosing her own prosecutor 27 June 2016 The Minister of NPO wrote to Ms Chang also expressing his concern with her making the decision regarding the delegation of prosecution powers in a matter that directly affects her. 27 June 2016 The Police Commissioner attended a meeting with Ms Chang at the NPO office. Also in attendance at that meeting was Ms Brenda Heather-Latu who had been invited by Ms Chang to the meeting. During that meeting, Ms Chang then cancelled her delegation of her powers of prosecution to Mr Leung Wai and instead purported to delegate her powers of prosecution to Ms Heather-Latu. The AG was also copied into this letter. 29 June 2016 The Attorney General wrote to Ms Chang advising that, in accordance with the NPO Ministers letter of 27 June 2016, the Attorney General proposed to appoint an independent prosecutor for the criminal case against her. 11 July 2016 Ms Chang wrote to the Attorney General (in response to his letter of 29 June 2016) and advised that she had delegated her powers of prosecution to Ms Heather-Latu in relation to the criminal matters she was involved in. 18 July 2016 The NPO Minister wrote to the Ms Chang, the Police Commissioner and the Attorney General. In this letter the NPO Minister advised that if there are still differences of opinions then the matter should be referred to the Attorney General to appoint an independent prosecutor. 22 July 2016 The Attorney General wrote to Ms Chang advising that an independent prosecutor from New Zealand, Mr Satiu Simativa Perese, had been appointed for the criminal matter against her. There was no response from Ms Chang to this letter. 16 Aug 2016 The Police charged Ms Chang on with offences arising out of the road traffic accident. Ms Chang was summoned to appear in the District Court on 13 September 2016 for the first mention of the charges against her. Ms Chang was then suspended pursuant to section 11(7)(a) of the NPO Act pending the outcome of the criminal hearing. 17 Aug 2016 Ms Lui was then appointed pursuant to Cabinet Directive FK(16) 30 dated 17th August, as the Acting Director. 5 Sept 2016 In a media statement Ms Lui is reported as stating that the NPO did not have carriage of the prosecution case against Ms Chang. 8 Sept 2016 Police informed AG that Ms Heather-Latu attended the Police Station to insist that should be the prosecutor. The Attorney General wrote to Ms Heather-Latu to advise her that an independent prosecutor had been appointed for Ms Changs case, Mr Satiu Simativa Perese. 9 Sept 2016 Ms Heather-Latu responded to the AG advising that she would be taking carriage of the prosecution case against Ms Chang. On the same day, Ms Heather-Latu met with the Acting Police Commissioner and uplifted the Police prosecution file for the matter against Ms Chang. On the same day, the AG responded to Ms Heather-Latu expressing concerns about her appointment as prosecutor by the defendant (albeit Director) 11 Sept 2016 By email, the Attorney General advised Ms Lui that the NPO Act does not allow the Director to delegate prosecutorial powers to members of the private bar. Further, the Attorney General also advised and requested Ms Lui to delegate to the Attorney General the prosecutorial powers in relation to Ms Changs case. Ms Lui did not respond to this email. 12 Sept 2016 In the absence of a response from Ms Lui, the Attorney General became concerned with the spectacle that would be caused with two prosecutors appearing in Court when Ms Changs criminal matter would be called in the District Court on 13 September 2016. The Attorney General then, under urgency filed in the Supreme Court on legal proceedings against the Director of NPO (and also Ms Heather-Latu) seeking: Interim orders and interim injunction; Judicial Review; and Declaratory Orders. (the Supreme Court proceedings) 13 Sept 2016 There was still no response from Ms Lui to the request for assistance as to delegation, in the email of the AG to her dated 11 Sept 2016. When Ms Changs case was called in the District Court on 13th September both Mr Perese and Ms Heather-Latu appeared for the Prosecution. Mr Perese advised the Court that he was appearing on instructions of the Police. Ms Heather-Latu advised the Court that she was appearing on instructions of the NPO. The presiding Judge in the District Court then adjourned the matter to 23 September 2016 for the prosecution side to resolve the issue of the appointed prosecutor. 19 Sept 2016 The Supreme Court proceedings were called in the Supreme Court. Ms Lui appeared for the Director of NPO and sought an adjournment of two weeks to file a response. The presiding Judge then adjourned the matter to 3 October 2016 for the responses to be filled and a further mention of the matter. 22 Sept 2016 The Attorney General again wrote to Ms Lui requesting a response to his email of 11 September 2016 so that the Supreme Court proceedings could be avoided. Ms Lui did not respond to this letter. 23 Sept 2016 Ms Changs case was again called in the District Court. Both Mr Perese and Ms Heather-Latu again appeared for the prosecution on their separate instructions. 26 Sept 2016 By letter, Ms Heather-Latu approached the Hon Prime Minister and requested the Minister of NPO for a meeting with the Attorney General and Ms Lui. That meeting then took place on 28 September 2016 at the Attorney Generals office. At this meeting, Ms Lui then agreed to revoke the delegation of powers to Ms Heather-Latu and to request the Attorney General to exercise the prosecutorial powers in relation to Ms Changs case. 3 Oct 2016 The Supreme Court proceedings were then discontinued by consent of all parties

We entirely agree with the AG that the NPO Act does not allow the Director to delegate a prosecutorial matter to the private bar. We accept that prior to the enactment of the NPO

Act, sometimes prosecutions were delegated by the AGs office to members of the bar practicing in the private sector or counsel from overseas. But this case is governed by the new NPO Act.

Counsel for Ms Chang and Ms Lui, sought to persuade us that the AG is wrong in the view he has taken of the relevant statutory provisions. Undoubtedly, the AG, pursuant to s.6(2) (e) Attorney Generals Act 2013 (AGs Act) can instruct a lawyer in private practice to provide a legal service.

It is common ground that there is no similar specific provision in the NPO Act. Indeed Mr

Leung Wai, very responsibly confirmed that as former AG, he was concerned about the lack of a similar provision in the NPO Act when it was enacted. But this was not included.

In the absence of a specific provision, Counsel for Ms Chang sought to rely on s.4(2) NPO

Act setting out the composition of the NPO.

However, the difficulty with this argument is that, there are specific provisions under s. 13 NPO Act as to what the Director can do to have somebody else prosecute. The usual rule is that the specific provision in the Act must prevail. Further, s.4 NPO Act is descriptive not empowering. It simply describes who is in the office and not how they get there.

Reference was also made to s.43 (3) Act Interpretations Act 2015 which has a general delegation power but is still subject to the specific delegation provision of the NPO Act.

In regards to Ms Chang, we accept that when it was apparent, that she was likely to be charged and certainly when she was charged, she could not personally have anything at all to do with the appointment of a prosecutor and advancement of those charges against her.

She was precluded by the general law and s.7 NPO Act which deals with the duty of prosecutors to be fair, independent and objective.

It has long been accepted by the highest authorities that a prosecutor is a minister of justice. It is not necessary to recite all those authorities some of which are in the guidelines prepared by the DPP herself. So she must have been aware of them.

But briefly they include the well-known decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in

Boucher v Queen [1955] SCR 16 and in particular the observations by Justice Rand at pp.23 & 24. Reference can also be usefully made to Archbold: Criminal Pleadings

Evidence and Practice at page 26 where the learned authors said prosecuting counsel should regard themselves rather as ministers of justice assisting in its administration than as advocates.

The draft person of the NPO Act appeared to have sensibly reduced that general law to the statutory provision in section 7 to include that a prosecutor must be fair, independent, and objective.

Given that law, in our view, Ms Changs position was that she could not delegate the case against her to a private prosecutor and she could take no part in discussions as to how to advance it personnel - wise. She could not be objective because she was involved in the case.

Hence, even if she had a power of delegation to the private bar, she could not exercise it in this case because of her lack of objectivity. Therefore, her actions amounted to a conflict with the performance of the functions of the Director.

We make it plain that this finding can only apply to Ms Chang. It was noted by all counsel that Ms Lui was not affected by the delegations carried out by Ms Chang.

Our view did not however leave the DPP without a satisfactory statutory solution to the problems which had arisen. These are listed below:

i) She could have resigned her office altogether;

ii) She could have and with respect, undoubtedly consulted the AG under sl4 NPO

Act. Her given reasons for not wanting to deal with the AG, in our view bear no weight in this matter. She occupied a constitutional position. Offices of that rank frequently have to deal with each other in the public interest when there are acute differences between them. In everyday language, these difficulties come with the territory.

iii) Ms Chang could have utilised s. 9(1) (a) (iv) in the interest of justice and requested the AG to exercise her prosecutorial powers. He could have appointed somebody from his office, or even outside it under his powers in the AGs Act.

This was urged on the Director. Unfortunately, she had her own private view of the AG. She chose not to utilise this very sensible provision which could have taken care of the whole problem and allowed her to remain in office as the DPP on all other matters. Instead regrettably, she persisted with her own private viewpoint, when clearly she had a conflict of interest.

ii) Unauthorised Investigation of the Police Service

This second allegation is that Ms Chang ordered and had made criminal investigations

against the Commissioner of Police that were without authorisation and without following proper procedure this breaching the NPO Act, in that it was conduct that was in conflict with the functions of the DPP.

Section 41 of the Ombudsman Act 2013 does authorize the Ombudsman to investigate the

Police for complaints against them.

Clause 4.3 of NPO Prosecution Guideline states that prosecutors are not investigators or are not to take charge of direct investigations.

An Ombudsman investigation regarding a complaint by Suitupe Misa on his treatment by

Police and on its own motion into Police use of force and firearms led to a report dated

April 2016 by that office which was sent to the NPO. The report suggested a number of criminal charges might be possible against some Police Officers/Commissioner.

Ms Chang then internally delegated a review of that report to Ms Lui, who was by 27 June

2016 appointed to the position of Assistant DPP within the NPO. Ms Lui met with the Assistant Commissioner of Police. Obviously she could not meet the Police Commissioner. Ms Lui requested an investigating officer (I.O) and statements with cautions were taken from some police officers.

Advice was also taken from a very experienced senior counsel in New Zealand (NZ) Kieran Raftery QC, of the NZ Bar. He was of the view that charges were possible. So Ms Lui did not act alone. It was right to get a senior opinion in this case given the high status of the parties involved.

As a result, criminal charges were brought against the Police Commissioner and the case proceeded in the Supreme Court. But ultimately all the charges against the by now suspended Police Commissioner were withdrawn by Justice Lesatele Vaai following an application by the Prosecution to withdraw the charges due to insufficient evidence to support them.

There was much argument before us, as to the meaning of the words to review and advise on criminal matters in s.6 (c ) NPO Act Essentially it was suggested that the NPO was doing no more than reviewing something that the Ombudsmans office had already investigated.

The case here is a marginal one. The argument is the NPO picked it up and continued the exercise as a prosecutorial body. But unfortunately not very well as these criminal charges were withdrawn and dismissed.

Again we will deal with the outcome of this allegation later on in the report.

iii) Communications and involvement whilst DPP was suspended

Ms Chang was formally suspended on I7 August 2016. This meant she was to cease all of her duties, tasks and responsibilities as DPP. It would have been apparent to those

responsible for her suspension this would have some downstream consequences in the

NPO. But this could not be a matter for her. She wm suspended. She has to stand aloof.

It came to the AGs attention that Ms Chang was ordering and closing off some files. She had attended the office on occasions and was giving instructions in relation to the non utilization of some pathologists. The facts are plain that to some extent she did carry on at least for some time some NPO functions.

The AGs concern was passed on to the CEO to the Ministry of the Prime Minister and

Cabinet on 17 October 2016. The acting CEO of that unit thereupon formally warned Ms

Chang that she was in breach of her suspension order.

This activity was clearly a breach of the civil service values and code of conduct. Ms

Changs argument came close to one of necessity - that there were things she needed to do. But this argument simply will not do. A formal directive with Cabinet approval had been made and she did not follow it.

Recommendations

We are required to make a recommendation as to whether or not Ms Chang as the

Director of NPO should be removed from office pursuant to s.11(6) (b) (ii) NPO Act.

It is uncontested that Ms Lui was acting Director for a short period of time.

The position of Ms Chang and Ms Lui must be considered separately because the concerns raised against them are not identical.

Ms Chang

Unfortunately, we are obliged to recommend that Ms Chang should be removed from office.

On the delegation point, she was badly in error despite the warning of senior public servants including the AG and Prime Minister as Minister for the NPO Act that she should separate herself entirely from the prosecution of herself. This matter required the application of wisdom and common sense but sadly, this was not reflected in the decisions she made.

The obligations she was under were significant constitutional prescriptions. Yet when suspended she determinedly clung to the position she had taken up. This was all contrary to public service values. She ignored the conflict and impropriety that facing charges in her personal capacity, she still sought to appoint her own choice of prosecutor. This was easily the most significant concern to all who have had occasion to consider this case. This should not have been done by a Constitutional officer who must have the qualifications required of a member of the judiciary. We again emphasise, the DPP office is a constitutional office with very heavy and significant responsibilities.

Ms Lui

Ms Lui is in a different position. We have found she had no involvement in the delegation by Ms Chang of her own prosecution

We also found that the evidence, and the only concern against her relating to the investigation of the Police, is not clear and compelling. She did try to take advice and the matter was discussed with some Ministers and officials.

However, it is a fine line whether the NPO work she carried out was a continuance or new work and on the evidence before us, it is not possible to be definitive.

It would be unjust in such a situation to order her removal.

There is also a technical situation in tint the removal section seems to apply only to a Director and not an Assistant Director. Accordingly, there is no adverse finding against

Ms Lui as a result of this enquiry.

We recommend that Ms Lui not be removed.

Application by Ms Lui for Strike Out and Costs

Ms Lui filed before the Tribunal the above application to strike out proceedings against her and for costs. As indicated to Counsel at the start of the hearing, the strike out application is unusual as it is more stumble for Supreme or District Court proceedings.

In any event it is our respectful view that we have no jurisdiction to deal with such an application to strike out and for costs.

Some final Observations

This has been a difficult initial period for the NPO. We wish to emphasise that the concerns which were raised before us were directed to Ms Chang and in part to Ms Lui.

However, the provenance and utility of the NPO were not called in question by any witness and much was achieved by it in a remarkably short order of several months. The Office was undoubtedly affected by the events which occurred in which Ms Chang only was involved.

The nature of the DPP offices has not been called in question throughout the Commonwealth, and in principal is a very suitable balance between the importance of independence and efficient, objective and fair advancement of prosecutorial functions.

It is trite, that there is tragic quality to the intervention of the traffic accident involving Ms Chang which brought about all the events which regrettably transpired over the last few months. The responsibility for that rests with the MS Chang alone and her persistence in her views. Nothing that we have heard reflects on the rest of the staff of NPO and their dedication to the NPO.

We recognize that it is for the Parliament of Samoa to determine in the future who should carry on the important prosecutorial functions in Samoa.

It is essential and confirmed by our own professional experience that the existence of a strong, independent prosecutorial service is fundamental for justice in Samoa.

Respectfully Submitted

DATED 27 February 2017

Sir Grant Hammond

Tuiloma Neroni Slade

Alalatoa Rosella Viane Papalii
Russian Latvian English

In 2016, Baltic International Bank continued sustainable development with a special focus on enhancing the Banks business model, elaborating a strategy, developing an internal control system and promoting performance efficiency, as well as creating and providing new financial products and services for customers.

New strategy

Ilona Gulcaka, Chairperson of the Board at Baltic International Bank, says: 2016 brought many challenges to the banking sector in Latvia in general, and I am gratified to say that, over the year, Baltic International Bank has become significantly stronger and more competitive. After more than a year of work, in autumn 2016 we finished elaborating the Banks new operational strategy aimed at sustainable, environmentally friendly investments, and we have already begun its active implementation. Our goal is to invest, together with our customers, in environmentally friendly technologies and projects aimed at producing and using renewable energy in Latvia and Western Europe. I am certain that our customers will highly appreciate the new opportunities.

Successful financial performance in 2016

At the end of December 2016, Baltic International Bank revenue from core operations reached EUR 26.7 million, which is a 36% increase over the same period a year ago. The positive dynamics of core operations revenue were mostly facilitated by trade transactions, where revenue increased by EUR 7.7 million, as well as the unique income of EUR 2.8 million from sale of Visa Europe Ltd shares. During 2016, the Banks revenues from brokerage transactions also grew significantly  by 23% as compared to the beginning of the year.

The amount of assets held by Baltic International Bank at the end of December 2016 reached EUR 306 million, managed assets totalled EUR 82 million, and the total value of financial instruments serviced through brokerage was EUR 105.67 million.

The unaudited profit of the Bank in 2016 reached EUR 1.21 million, while the profit of the whole Group was EUR 2 million.

The Banks liquidity indicators surpass the minimum requirements  at the end of December 2016, the Banks liquidity ratio was 70.02% (minimum internal requirement: 60%). The liquidity coverage ratio was 404.06%, which significantly exceeds the 2016 requirement of 70%. Net stable funding ratio (NFSR), which demonstrates a sustainable funding structure, has reached 143.51% exceeding the regulating requirement, which has been set at 100% and will come into force in 2018.

At the end of December 2016, the equity of Baltic International Bank was EUR 31.6 million. The tier 1 capital ratio was 11.7%. The total capital ratio reached 15.9%. At the end of 2016, the Banks leverage ratio was 7.6%.

Support for projects of social significance

In 2016, the Bank continued to actively support various publicly important projects and events. Special focus was placed on promoting the development of Latvian literature by supporting the publishing of historical novel series Mes. Latvija, XX gadsimts (Us. Latvia, XX century), as well as various other culture and art projects. We are proud that Baltic International Bank could support the Latvian National Museum of Art in developing its mobile application, which has been recognised as one of the most sophisticated mobile apps of art museums across Europe. We are also glad that with the Banks support the Baltic International Bank Latvian Barometer monthly surveys were carried out, studying various publicly topical issues.
If you havent heard about 5G wireless yet, youre about to.

Though 5G is still a few years away, its being hyped by wireless industry heavyweights including San Diegos Qualcomm at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona, Spain this week.

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The upcoming fifth generation of cellular technology promises fiber optic-like download speeds, better coverage, nearly imperceptible transmission delays and low-energy links to power machine-to-machine communications  all in one network.

With smartphone sales slowing globally, Qualcomm joined 21 other wireless behemoths in calling for accelerating the industrys 5G timetable to 2019 instead of 2020.

Companies like Ericsson want to sell new back-office and cell-site equipment, said Kevin Krewell, principal analyst with Tirias Research. The carriers want to offer better bandwidth to their users than the other guy. So there is a lot of incentive for the ecosystem to keep moving forward.

What is 5G? It is the next advance in wireless networks  tapping complex airwave-sharing techniques, beam-forming antennas, interference-coordination coding and millimeter-wave spectrum to boost performance and lower costs.

The technologies aim for peak download speeds more than 10 times faster than the todays best 4G LTE technology  powering everything from fast movie downloads and more life-like virtual reality.

5G also reduces transmission delays, called latency, so mobile networks can be used for mission-critical services such as self-driving cars, long-distance health monitoring and remote piloting of drones.

On top of that, 5G networks would be flexible enough to provide reliable, low power, machine-to-machine communications for smart cities and other Internet of Things connections.

Its still early for 5G. The mobile industry is hammering out a common technology language so devices and network gear can talk with each other. The first official 5G New Radio standard is expected to be released in the fall of 2018.

But that hasnt stopped the wireless industry from launching 5G tests ahead of the standard.

Qualcomm, for example, is teaming with network equipment makers including Ericsson and ZTE for 5G trials with carriers such as AT&T, China Mobile, Japans NTT DOCOMO, Europes Vodafone and Telstra of Australia, among others.

This week, Qualcomm introduced an integrated 5G cellular radio for smartphones that supports 2G/3G/4G and 5G technologies on a single chip.

Called the Snapdragon X50 5G NR, the chip aims to encourage faster adoption of 5G, because cellular operators could fall back to 3G/4G technology to function in places where 5G gear hadnt been installed.

Qualcomm expects its Snapdragon X50 modems to show up in commercial products such as smartphones by 2019.

Intel also has announced a 5G cellular radios, although it doesnt include previous generations of wireless technologies as a fall back.

When you feel you have a lead in the technology, you push it, said Krewell, the Tirias Research analyst. I think that is what Qualcomm is doing. I think Intel feels they can catch up and be competitive because they have invested a lot of research and development into 5G.

Business

mike.freeman@sduniontribune.com;

Twitter:@TechDiego

760-529-4973
A Poway couple accused of hoarding roughly 170 dogs in fetid conditions, and hiding some of them from investigators, has been charged with animal neglect, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Christine Calvert, 62, and Mark Vattimo, 72, were each arrested for 10 felony counts of animal abuse and neglect, as well as one misdemeanor count of resisting an officer.

The number of dogs the couple is accused of hoarding has repeatedly risen throughout the five-week investigation  and nearly four dozen more were found with Calvert last week.

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Deputy District Attorney Karra Reedy, who is prosecuting the case and who typically handles animal abuse prosecutions, said Calvert and Vattimo each potentially face a maximum of nine years in custody.

The sheer number of dogs, the small, confined space, the feces  the conditions along with the sheer number of dogs were pretty shocking even for someone experienced like me, Reedy said.

Initially, San Diego Humane Society investigators found dozens of Yorkie mixes in a dark room in the couples home. The coats of the dogs were severely matted and entangled with feces, and many were suffering from ear infections, fleas and hair loss. Feces and urine covered the floors and walls of the four-bedroom house; the smell was so strong that officers had to wear masks. Debris and mice were found on the floor.

A few days later, investigators found 31 more dogs at a second location.

Then on Friday, authorities found an additional 46 dogs with Calvert when she was arrested in Primm, Nev., just across the California state line, Humane Society spokeswoman Elizabeth Pecsi said. She had fled San Diego county in a motorhome Vattimo bought for her, authorities said.

Pecsi said she believes the dogs with Calvert were in the substantially the same condition as those found in the home last month, including severe matting and feces in their coats, and poor teeth.

Related:

More than 80 dogs found in feces-filled home

Rescued Yorkies now up to 123

San Diego county prosecutors said Calvert has agreed to be extradited to San Diego to face charges. She was still listed as an inmate in a Clark County jail as of Tuesday afternoon.

Vattimo was arrested in Poway on Saturday, and later released on $50,000 bail. He is slated to be arraigned March 6. Vattimo could not be immediately reached, and his attorney declined comment.

In a news release announcing the arrests, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said the shocking conditions and sheer number of animals in the defendants home make this a particularly disturbing case of animal abuse.

Stephen Mackinnon, the local Humane Societys chief law enforcement officer, said hoarding is a mental illness, and when people reach out for help, the priority is to get the animals the care they need. But this case was a little different.

In this instance, when we discovered the owners were withholding animals and interfering with an active investigation, it became intentional animal cruelty so criminal charges needed to be pursued, MacKinnon said.

It is not clear when any of the newly discovered 46 dogs will be available for adoption. Humane Society spokeswoman Pecsi said information will be posted on the agencys website (sdhumane.org) and Facebook page.

Its likely there will be competition. When some of the dogs found in January went up for adoption, more than 1,800 people applied in less than 24 hours  so many so that Humane Society stopped accepting applications for the rescued dogs. The agency used a lottery system to select candidates to adopt the dogs.

teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT
While visiting Italy last spring, my husband and I fell into a lovely routine: Each morning we walked from our flat to Milano Centrale, Milans central railway station, and took a high-speed train to one of sundry locations in northern Italy. To fuel ourselves for 10 hours of daily walking, we relied on a small food cart that sold belly-filling frittatas. Nestled in newspaper, the warm wedges of frittata contained various fillings such as chewy spaghetti, bitter broccoli rabe, or spicy sausage. They were wedges of nourishment and comfort.

An Italian frittata is a crustless egg dish made with various fillings such as vegetables, cheese, meat and cooked pasta. Historically, frittatas have been considered peasant food as they are an economical yet nutritious meal that can feed large families. Since they make ideal vegetarian meals, theyre also associated with Lent, a period of 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter, when many Christians abstain from eating certain foods  meat on Fridays, in particular.

You might think that an Italian frittata is just another name for an omelette, but youd be wrong. An omelette consists of beaten eggs that are cooked in a skillet then folded in half over vegetable, cheese, and/or meat fillings. In contrast, a frittata is made by mixing eggs with cooked ingredients in a skillet over low heat and by finishing it under a broiler or in the oven.

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For many Italians, frittatas are the ultimate comfort food, generously seasoned with warm memories in Nonnas kitchen. Theyre the type of food you crave when youre tired, hungry or nostalgic. And no matter how you toss one together, they always seem to make you feel just a little bit better.

You dont have to be Italian to appreciate a frittatas culinary attributes  its inexpensive, satisfying, versatile and easy to make. Following a few guidelines will ensure a perfect frittata every time:

1. Choose the right pan: A heavy, flat-bottomed, nonstick skillet makes it easy to remove a cooked frittata. A seasoned cast-iron skillet can also be used. Match the number of eggs to the correct size pan. In general, use 4 eggs for a 6-inch skillet, 6 to 8 eggs for an 8-inch skillet, and 12 eggs for a 10- or 12-inch skillet. Make sure the eggs cover the ingredients, even if that means adding an egg or two.

2. Know your eggs: The better the eggs, the better the frittata will be. In general, locally sourced farm fresh eggs with brilliant orange yolks will have the most flavor and can be found at area farmers markets. Otherwise, look for organic, Omega-3 enriched eggs at the supermarket.

3. Pick your fat: When cooking frittata fillings, start with either olive oil, butter or a mixture of both. There is no hard and fast rule for which fat to use; rather base your selection on flavor.

4. Cook your fillings: Frittata fillings such as vegetables, meats and pasta should be cooked before being joined with the whisked eggs. For example, potatoes and pasta should be boiled first while peppers and sausage should be sauteed first. Be sure that fillings arent wet before adding the eggs. Mushrooms and spinach, for instance, release a lot of water, so raise the heat until excess water evaporates in the skillet.

5. Whisk wisely: Whisk eggs briskly yet gently in a clean glass bowl and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Some people swear by adding a bit of heavy cream or whole milk to make the eggs lighter and creamier. Generally, I skip this step. If it appeals to you, try  cup liquid to 10 to 12 eggs.

6. Be patient and carry a spatula: Frittatas must never be rushed. They should be cooked slowly on medium to medium-low heat. With a spatula, gently move the eggs from side to side so that the uncooked egg seeps to the bottom of the pan. Do this for several minutes until the eggs start to solidify and a crust begins to form around the edges. Give the pan handle a jiggle, and when the eggs appear nearly set, sprinkle the top with cheese, if using, and place under the broiler until puffed and golden brown.

7. Be flexible! Dont get hung up on set recipes. Aim to make seasonal frittatas with your favorite ingredients. A springtime frittata might include sauteed asparagus, broccolini, chives and goat cheese, while a summer frittata might feature sauteed zucchini, shallots, red bell peppers, basil and mozzarella.

8. Serve it hot or not: Allow frittatas to cool for a few minutes before slicing into thick wedges. Most frittatas are delicious both steaming hot and at room temperature. Many are also tasty straight from the fridge as a midnight snack. Speaking of which, feel free to eat a frittata anytime of the day. Serve it with toast and coffee for a weekend brunch, slide a slice of frittata inside a buttered bun for a lunchtime sandwich, or pair it with a bitter green salad and a glass of wine for a rustic dinner.

Although we wont be returning to Italy this spring, we will do our best to remember it fondly by frying up frittatas. Next on my list: sauteed shallots, zucchini blossoms, basil and fresh mozzarella. Mangia!

Russo is a San Diego freelance food writer and cookbook author.

Frittata fillings

Here are 5 more fabulous frittata fillings to try:

1. Asparagus + smoked salmon + chives or tarragon

2. Cooked crab + pepper jack cheese + cilantro + guacamole on top

3. Pancetta + potato + baby kale + Grana Padano or Fontina cheese

4. Hot sausage + broccoli rabe + provolone cheese + basil + flat-leaf parsley

5. Corn kernels + zucchini + red bell pepper + green onions + cheddar cheese + salsa on top

Italian Hot Sausage, Potato and Bell Pepper Frittata. (Food styling and photography by Anita L.Arambula / U-T)

Italian Hot Sausage, Potato and Bell Pepper Frittata

This frittata does double duty: It can star in either a brunch or a light midweek dinner served with a peppery arugula salad and crunchy toasted Italian bread.

Serves 8

1 large or 2 small Yukon Gold or Red Bliss potatoes, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

 pound Italian hot pork sausage, removed from casing

1 large red, orange, or yellow bell pepper, diced

12 large eggs

A few cranks of freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a knife. Drain and set aside. Preheat broiler.

In a 10- to 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once hot, add sausage, cooking for 5 to 7 minutes, or until browned and crisp. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate.

Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet. Add pepper and potatoes and saute 5 to 7 minutes, until lightly browned. Return cooked sausage to skillet.

In a large bowl, whisk eggs with freshly ground black pepper, fresh basil, and parsley. Pour into the skillet, making sure the egg mixture covers the sausage and vegetables. Reduce heat to medium-low. With a spatula, gently move the egg mixture from side to side, allowing the uncooked egg to seep to the bottom of the pan. Do this for several minutes until the eggs start to solidify and a crust begins to form around the edges. Give the pan handle a jiggle, and when the eggs appear nearly set, evenly sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top of the frittata.

Transfer the skillet to the oven. Broil for 5 minutes, or until the top puffs up and turns golden brown. Keep a close eye on it so it doesnt burn. Let cool for a few minutes before slicing into wedges. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Spinach, Ricotta and Spaghetti Frittata

With creamy ricotta cheese, fragrant nutmeg and chewy spaghetti, this frittata is a symphony of enticing flavors and textures. Pair it with a bitter escarole or endive salad and a bold, red zinfandel wine for a satisfying, rustic Italian meal.

Makes 8 servings

3 ounces spaghetti

2 tablespoons olive oil

8 ounces (2 cups) sliced white button or cremini mushrooms

5 to 6 ounces fresh baby spinach (about 6 cups)

12 large eggs

8 ounces (1 cup) whole milk ricotta cheese, drained

8 ounces ( cup) grated Grana Padano cheese, divided

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg or grated fresh nutmeg

Several shakes of salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cook spaghetti until al dente. Drain and set aside. Preheat broiler.

In a 10- to 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil. Add mushrooms; saute 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add spinach and cook until just wilted. Season with several shakes of salt and freshly ground black pepper.

In a medium bowl, whisk eggs. In a small bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, 1/2 of the Grana Padano cheese, nutmeg and several shakes of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add to the eggs and gently mix. Pour into the skillet, being sure to cover the vegetables. Reduce heat to medium-low.

With a spatula, gently move the egg mixture from side to side, allowing the eggs to seep to the bottom of the pan. Do this for 5 to 7 minutes, until the eggs start to solidify and a crust begins to form around the edges. Add the cooked spaghetti to the frittata, pressing the strands into the egg mixture. Leave some spaghetti exposed on top of the egg mixture as well. Give the pan handle a jiggle, and when the eggs appear nearly set, evenly sprinkle the second half of the Grana Padano cheese over the top of the frittata.

Transfer the skillet to the oven. Broil for 5 minutes, or until the top puffs up and turns golden brown. Keep a close eye on it so it doesnt burn. Let cool for a few minutes before slicing into wedges. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Mixed Herb, Shallot and Goat Cheese Frittata

This frittata is the ideal vehicle for enjoying fresh herbs. If youre not a fan of pungent goat cheese, then substitute mild buffalo mozzarella cheese.

Makes 8 servings

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 large shallot, thinly sliced

12 large eggs

1 cup chopped mixed fresh herbs, such as basil, chives, dill, marjoram, oregano, parsley and thyme

 to  teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Several shakes of salt

6 ounces semi-soft goat cheese

In a 10- to 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, add butter. Once melted, add shallot, cooking for 3 minutes or until lightly browned and softened. Preheat broiler.

In a large bowl, whisk eggs, herbs, crushed red pepper flakes and several shakes of salt. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low. With a spatula, gently move the egg mixture from side to side, allowing the uncooked egg to seep to the bottom of the pan. Do this for several minutes until the eggs start to solidify and a crust begins to form around the edges. Give the pan handle a jiggle, and when the eggs appear nearly set, drop dollops of goat cheese on top of the frittata.

Transfer the skillet to the oven. Broil for 5 minutes, or until the top puffs up and turns golden brown. Keep a close eye on it so it doesnt burn. Let cool for a few minutes before slicing into wedges. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Two months after approving a controversial policy to sell naming rights to Los Angeles Countys subway stations, bus stops and other transit properties, transportation officials have overturned the plan, citing legal concerns.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authoritys board of directors voted to repeal the policy Thursday after receiving guidance from a staff attorney, who said that refusing a sponsorship deal because of a companys business practices or political affiliation could expose Metro to lawsuits.

As it turns out, we cant really pick and choose, County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl said before the vote at Metro headquarters. Opening up the names of transit stations to the highest bidder, she said, would mean extending First Amendment rights to the bidding companies, no matter their policies.

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The surprise reversal marked a temporary end to the debate that has followed the policy since before its approval in December. The plan would have allowed Metro officials to sell naming rights to everything from light-rail lines and subway stations to ticketing machines, bus maintenance facilities and parking garages.

Any naming-rights agreement that would raise more than $500,000 or last longer than five years would have to be approved by Metros directors

Kuehl, a staunch opponent of the proposal, had raised concerns about directors choosing whether to do business with companies such as Wells Fargo, which has faced a wave of controversy over its aggressive sales tactics, including opening unauthorized accounts for millions of customers.

She eventually sought input from Metros attorneys to determine whether declining a proposed sponsorship would violate the bidders First Amendment rights.

We couldnt say no even based on the history of the corporation, Kuehl said.

She noted that posters on Metro buses that advertise job openings at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency have distressed some immigrant riders who fear deportation. But, she said, the ads dont violate Metros policies, so the agency has no choice but to accept them.

Assistant County Counsel Charles Safer agreed. At a January board meeting, he said that choosing not to do business with a company because you dont like their politics, or that type of reason, could raise issues under the 14th Amendment, which requires that states guarantee equal protection of the laws to all people.

Court rulings have made it clear that public agencies can craft policies to preclude industries whose products pose a public health risk, including alcohol, tobacco and marijuana, Safer said.

Metros guidelines would have precluded sponsorship agreements with political and religious organizations, as well as firms that have a history of fraudulent, unethical or prejudicial behavior.

Kuehl, along with Los Angeles City Councilman and Metro director Mike Bonin, also have voiced opposition to the policy on other grounds, including the effect that changing station names could have on the ease of navigating the transit system.

The naming-rights policy was proposed as part of a broader Metro initiative to stave off long-term operating deficits.

The agencys financial picture is now the healthiest it has been in years, following the passage of the Measure M sales tax, which will raise an estimated $120 billion during the first four decades.

Most of those funds are earmarked for transit construction or operations. Advertising revenue will remain important because it doesnt carry the same spending restrictions as sales tax revenue, said Pauletta Tonilas, a Metro spokeswoman whose department proposed the sponsorship policy.

Tonilas added that she hasnt ruled out pursuing the policy again in the future, although the board raised valid concerns.

laura.nelson@latimes.com

For more transportation news, follow @laura_nelson on Twitter.
Four years ago at the Academy Awards, a young San Diego artist who went from homeless to Hollywood was on stage to accept an Oscar for best documentary short with the films producers.

Inocente Izucar at an art show in 2012, the year her documentary was released. (Eduardo Contreras/San Diego Union-Tribune)

Simply titled Inocente, the film followed the life of its strong-spirited 16-year-old star, Inocente Izucar, who had armed herself with a paintbrush to create her own alternate reality free of abuse, homelessness and poverty.

After shooting to fame, she continued producing and selling her artwork and sharing her Cinderella story on the speech circuit and continuing to visit the nonprofit after-school program here, A Reason To Survive (ARTS), that had nurtured her inner artist.

Matt DArrigo, who originally created ARTS to help kids cope with adversity, is proud of Inocente, who went on to earn her GED school diploma. While she hasnt visited the ARTS center in a couple of years, at their last contact, she was making a living as an artist in her downtown San Diego apartment/studio.

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Matt DArrigo, founder and CEO of A Reason To Survive art center now located in National City, stands next to a rock and tile mural created by artists in the nonprofit program. He announced he is stepping down in July. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/UT San Diego)

She is merely one of the many kids who found a healing voice for their inner turmoil and creativity through ARTS. DArrigo vowed to create the organization after he found solace through his own painting at age 20 while his mother and sister simultaneously fought cancer.

Now DArrigo is moving on to pursue another dream that he hopes will reach even more youth. He announced Thursday hell step down, but not out, as CEO of ARTS in July.

Hell continue offering behind-the-scenes support to the center that started in 2001 with DArrigo taking his art classes to kids in hospitals and other facilities. He then moved into a tiny Old Town office, then expanded to spacious quarters in Liberty Station and, finally, in 2013, to the former National City library complex.

As it grew to todays 26 employees, DArrigo found himself focused less on his love of art and more on management, budgets and fundraising.

We tell our kids to follow your heart, your passion, take a risk. So I was ready for a change, said DArrigo, now 45. He plans to carve out a new niche enabling him to help even more children find their inner DaVinci  and to find time to return to his own painting.

Oscar performance: Steve Harveys name was on Academy Awards emcee Jimmy Kimmels lips when the unfortunate switched envelopes glitch led to Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announcing the Best Picture winner as La La Land instead of Moonlight.

The talk show host, who made a similar mistake when he initially announced the wrong 2015 Miss Universe pageant winner, joked on his Monday morning radio show that the burden of his error was lifted. Id like to say in the words of Martin Luther King: Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty, Im free at last.  Harvey said.

Steve Harvey holds up the card showing the winners after incorrectly announcing Miss Colombia as the winner at the 2015 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas. His mistake was quickly corrected, giving the crown to Miss Philippines. (John Locher/AP)

He also offered his help to Beatty: I can get Warren through this. Call me, Warren Beatty. Me and Warren Beatty gonna take photos together.

On Tuesdays Steve Harvey Show, though, the talk host turns his attention to reuniting a Chula Vista man with his former girlfriend.

Two decades ago, Jessie Love (yes, her real name) had broken off her relationship with Terrell Gilliam because he was married and his wife was expecting. The Sacramento woman led Gilliam to believe she was no longer interested but, in truth, never stopped thinking about him.

After a failed attempt to track him down recently, she asked for help from the Steve Harvey Show and appears in Tuesdays I Want You Back segment.

Unknown to Jessie, Harvey did his homework, located Terrell, and has him waiting backstage with a bouquet of flowers for their face-to-face meeting on the 2 p.m. NBC 7 broadcast.

The big news? Terrell is now single.

diane.bell@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1518

Twitter: @dianebellSD

Facebook: dianebell.news
The things you learn.

Until recently, I had no idea that political glad-handing, the manual art of greeting throngs of admirers, could lead to chronic injury.

This is a real thing, assures Debbie Amini, director of professional development for the American Occupational Therapy Association.

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The association has published a handy guide to injury-free greeting that includes all sorts of hints, including:

 Stay in shape. Work out with light weights that isolate back, neck, shoulders, arms and hands. Stretch before public appearances.

 Seize the opening. Initiate the grip so you have a firm lock on the other persons hand. Hold your wrist straight and shake from the arm, not the wrist.

 Double-down. When possible, use a two-handed shake. Placing your left hand over the back of the other persons hand distributes the pressure more evenly.

Who knew that politicians, in addition to getting briefed on policy, would have to train to give skin?

The source of this revelation was, of course, the December workers compensation claims filed by outgoing Supervisor Dave Roberts and reported by Union-Tribune political writer Joshua Stewart.

Reflecting the available facts, its unclear from the December filings if the cumulative trauma of repetitive tasks and stressful work environment can be attributed exclusively to handshaking.

Roberts told me Tuesday that his county-paid doctor, who for several years has treated his pain extending from his wrist to his back, does not know if the cause of his recurring pain is handshaking and not, say, computer work.

I know thats what you want to think, Roberts said.

Touche.

In political circles, where the news of Roberts seeking injury benefits has been greeted with sardonic grins, the consensus is that Roberts, famous for the sheer volume of his public appearances when in office, gripped and grinned his way to the affliction that is now under review by the Workers Compensation Appeals Board.

Superlatives are always dangerous, but if this conventionally wise-guy premise is true, it could be a first.

Occupational therapist Amini, for example, has never heard of a case of an elected politician filing a workers compensation claim for the serial effects of clasping hands.

Stepping back, its possible that Olympian political athletes have set the bar impossibly high for the mere mortal pols who followed them.

On New Years Day, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt set a Guinness world record for most handshakes at one event when he invited all citizens who are sober, washed and free of bodily advertising to come to the White House.

On an unusually warm winters day, 8,513 Americans took Roosevelt up on the offer. The president spent three hours clasping every outstretched hand, averaging 50 a minute.

Of course, in addition to being a mover and a heavyweight handshaker, TR is also famous for taking a bullet fired by a would-be assassin at a Wisconsin campaign stop and then finishing his speech, waving his bloody manuscript that along with a glasses case acted as a primitive Kevlar vest.

You see, it takes more than one bullet to kill a Bull Moose! he shouted.

Were safe in assuming that TR did not seek disability benefits for the inconvenience of getting shot at a whistle-stop.

Which brings us to Roberts other workers comp claim, which he tells me he was told to file to complete his work-related record as he was being deprocessed in December.

Roberts, you may recall, suffered an attack in 2013 shortly after he was elected.

Outside a restaurant, before going inside to speak at a political endorsement event, Roberts was threatened by a troubled man waving a piece of cutlery. (Accounts vary whether weaponry was a fork, spoon or knife.)

Roberts, shaken but not hurt, called the cops who advised the supervisor to make a citizens arrest. The suspect was taken into custody.

End of story?

Well, no.

The encounter became a staple of Roberts speeches to personalize the need for robust services for the mentally ill.

Given his repetition of the anecdote, its mystifying why it would be documented in a claim, presumably as a current or potential health problem that required some sort of action.

Im no expert on the fine-print regs. All I can say with certainty is, Wow. How many politicians could claim compensation for the emotional distress caused by angry constituents? (Congressman Darrell Issa, take note.)

Honestly, Im trying my best not to be obnoxiously sarcastic here. Dont want to rub salt into painful wounds.

Roberts re-election defeat to Kristin Gaspar was Oscar-worthy, an Election Night victory snatched from the Democrat during weeks of tense vote-counting. He has every reason to feel bruised by the gods.

Is he bitter? About our coverage of this story, yes. (He called Stewarts fact-based story fake news.)

As he forges a new post-supe life for himself, Roberts strongly deflects suspicions that hes trying to chisel the county out of money. He suggests that any criticism of him stems from ignorance of what workers compensation is. He says a financial payout is not in his cards, yet he clearly feels entitled to something going forward.

The proof, I suppose, will be in the pudding. If Roberts winds up pocketing a cash settlement from the county to make his claims go away, his pudding will be largely spoiled, in my opinion.

Meanwhile, the optics of the claims are unflattering.

As with the office mutiny that sent his first and only term into a spiral, and wound up costing the county $310,000 in settlements, Roberts, like most of us, can be his own worst enemy, failing to see how people will react to his actions.

In that regard, you have to love the old chestnut from  who else?  Teddy Roosevelt:

If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldnt sit for a month.

logan.jenkins@sduniontribune.com
Two men were charged in a federal court complaint Monday with smuggling seven unauthorized immigrants from Mexico into the U.S., in an incident that abruptly ended Sunday when an SUV one of the men was driving crashed after a short pursuit by Border Patrol agents in Campo.

The crash occurred about 11:50 a.m. on Lake Morena Drive just south of the entrance to Lake Morena County Park in rural East County, authorities said.

The complaint identified Keith Lamon Grier, a U.S. citizen born in Chula Vista, as the driver of the white Chevy Trailblazer that was loaded with unauthorized immigrants.

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A second man, Luis Alvarez-Delgado, a Mexican citizen, was identified by some of the unauthorized immigrant passengers as the foot guide, who led them across the border and to the vehicle.

The complaint did not provide details of that journey. It did, however, say the smugglers were charging the immigrants $5,000 to $6,500.

Delgado appeared in federal court Monday and was ordered held on $20,000 bond by Magistrate Judge Karen Crawford. His left arm was in a sling as he listened to the routine court proceedings.

Grier had not appeared in court by early evening.

Two Border Patrol agents working in eastern San Diego County spotted the SUV about 11:40 a.m. as it drove past them on Campo Road near state Route 94 and began to follow it, authorities said. Agents B. Adams and C. Fregoso had positioned themselves there because it was raining and the Pine Valley and Jamul border checkpoints were closed, conditions considered favorable to smugglers, according to the complaint.

The agents noticed the SUV was riding very heavy in the back, to the point where it appeared the wheel well was almost touching the tires, and the vehicle was leaning to one side, the complaint said. As the SUV driver tried to make a turn, he drove over a double yellow line and into oncoming traffic before swerving back onto Route 94.

The driver eventually turned onto Buckman Springs Road and then onto Lake Morena Drive. Thats when the Border Patrol agents activated the emergency lights and sirens on their vehicle and tried to stop the SUV. The SUV didnt stop, instead hitting a boulder and then striking a wood railing before coming to a stop.

Two of the passengers were hospitalized for their injuries. Authorities did not disclose their conditions on Monday. Two others were treated at a hospital.

Four of the seven people being smuggled were arrested and are being charged as material witnesses in the case against Delgado and Grier. The remaining three also will likely be charged.

Twitter: @gregmoran

greg.moran@sduniontribune.com
A Carlsbad jewelry store owner who used the personal information of dozens of active-duty Marines in a scheme to charge them for items many of them did not want, sometimes without their knowledge, was placed on probation Monday.

Ramil Abalkhad, 53, who owned the now-shuttered Romanos Jewelry, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit identity theft and two counts of identity theft with intent to defraud, all felonies.

Two other defendants, both of whom worked for Abalkhad in San Diego County, pleaded guilty to felony charges and are expected to be sentenced next month.

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Under the conditions of the plea, Abalkhad paid $55,000 in restitution  an amount agreed upon by the prosecution and the defense  which will be distributed to the victims later.

Vista Superior Court Judge Carlos Armour said he would allow Abalkhad to serve his probation term in Los Angeles County. The judge also ordered him to complete 250 hours of community service with any nonprofit organization.

If he violates probation, Abalkhad could be sent to jail for up to a year.

Deputy District Attorney Gina Darvas had asked the judge to sentence the defendant to a year in jail, but the judge denied that request.

He is a sophisticated financial criminal, Darvas said.

Defense attorney George Mgdesyan argued that his client had accepted responsibility for his part in the crime but that he was not involved in the day-to-day operations.

He shipped the merchandise, and he paid restitution on top of that, the attorney said.

According to the prosecutor, Abalkhad and his employees  Carlos Omar Torres and Nellie Cha Noland  targeted young Marines from Camp Pendleton and tricked them into signing paperwork, which was then used to apply for credit on their behalf.

To make the credit sales go though, they found a Marine who worked in the disbursement office of the MyPay military payroll system at Camp Pendleton and paid him to reset the victims PINs. The money could then be automatically withdrawn from the Marines accounts.

dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @danalittlefield
Latvian English

During the period from January 1, 2016 till December 31, 2016, VIA SMS Group has closed the reporting period with a net turnover of EUR 16 579 232 and increase of it of 22% in comparison with the same period in 2015. The largest net turnover growth is reached in Spain, where the net turnover has increased more than four times, however the net turnover in Sweden has increased by 40% and in Czech Republic - by 29% comparing to December 31 of 2015. In 2016 VIA SMS Group has reached EBITDA of EUR 2 956 312, ensuring the net profit of EUR 1 004 549.

The net loan portfolio of VIA SMS Group as per December 31, 2016 is EUR 14 651 242, which is 39% more than net loan portfolio as per December 31, 2015. The largest net portfolio increase was reached in Spain, where net loan portfolio has increased more than three times, in Sweden - more than two times and in Latvia - by 35%.

VIA SMS Group Ltd.

Since the 2009 VIA SMS Group core activity has been providing consumer lending services for private individuals. The company has been operating under several brands - VIA SMS, SAVA.card, VIAKREDIT, VIA CONTO - and is offering consumer loans with a maturity term up to 12 months in Latvia, Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden and Spain. VIA SMS Group has more than 750 000 registered clients and total amount of issued loans has reached 55 million EUR within a year.

VIA SMS Group company ViaSpar operating in Sweden was authorised to attract deposits up to SEK 50 000 in Swedish market.

At the end of 2016 VIA SMS Group launched new company - VIAINVEST that is peer-to-peer lending platform offering private individuals and legal entities to invest in loans originated by VIA SMS Group companies.

Janis Urtans

Chief Financial Officer

Phone: +371 67212412

E-mail: janis.urtans@viasmsgroup.com
San Diego is boosting police training and revising some traffic stop procedures after an independent analysis released in November showed evidence of racial disparities in the Police Department.

Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman said Monday she was optimistic the changes would help reduce such disparities, which she warned could degrade the departments credibility and erode the publics trust.

Zimmerman said, however, that the city wont be able to adopt four of the 10 recommendations in the independent analysis by San Diego State researchers until state officials finalize new regulations for collecting traffic stop data.

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And even then, Zimmerman said the city may struggle to find software needed for such data tracking and the personnel required to thoroughly analyze the more than 200,000 traffic stops made by San Diego police officers in a typical year.

The City Council generally praised Zimmermans approach on Monday, but stopped short of requiring her to implement the reports recommendations and declined to adopt additional policy changes suggested by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Councilman David Alvarez criticized his colleagues for not being more aggressive in the face of the SDSU report, which showed that blacks and Hispanics are significantly more likely to be searched and questioned in the field after being stopped by police.

Im not seeing us take any real action, said Alvarez, urging his colleagues to be more bold. The City of San Diego needs to accept this uncomfortable reality and must address it with swift and decisive action.

Alvarez and Councilwoman Georgette Gomez cast the only votes against a council resolution to accept the 140-page SDSU report, but not its recommendations.

The resolution, which was approved 6-2, also requires that the councils Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee analyze traffic stop data at least once a year.

The ACLU lobbied the council to not only accept the SDSU recommendations but also change some policies regarding how people who get pulled over are asked to submit to searches or field interviews.

Christie Hill, an ACLU policy analyst, also criticized Zimmermans proposals as unimpressive.

The chiefs presentation fails to provide responses on how disparities will be addressed, said Hill. It is time to go deeper and beyond the table of contents for trainings. While these trainings may be a good start, they are clearly not enough.

Council President Myrtle Cole and Mayor Kevin Faulconer both stressed that city efforts to fight racial profiling will include a community policing board the council revived on Monday after 16 years of inactivity.

Cole asked the new panel  The Citizens Advisory Board on Police/Community Relations  to tackle racial profiling and potential policy changes at its first meeting.

Faulconer expressed optimism about the group.

We have assembled a group of dedicated men and women to work alongside the city and help us create a better understanding of how to keep our neighborhoods safe, he said in a statement. The board members will bring their unique voices to the conversation and we look forward to the dialogue to come.

Zimmerman said the police department is adopting six of the 10 recommendations in the SDSU report, which analyzed nearly 260,000 traffic stops in 2014 and 2015.

The analysis compared traffic stops during night hours, when police cant tell the race of drivers due to darkness, to traffic stops during daylight hours, when police can tell the race of drivers.

The reports first recommendation was that the department simply acknowledge the racial disparities it found because a problem cant be solved until people agree it exists.

The report showed that race and ethnicity were not a significant factor in determining who police pulled over, but that blacks and Hispanics are more likely to be searched and questioned in the field after being stopped.

Zimmerman said the department fully acknowledges that such a disparity is a problem and that combatting disparities is a top priority for our department.

The labor union representing San Diego police officers submitted a letter last week contending that the disparities arent evidence that officers intentionally treat people differently based on race or ethnicity.

The letter, written by union president Brian Marvel, notes that the SDSU study said researchers didnt find evidence that disparate treatment of people was the result of deliberate discrimination or racism on the part of SDPD officers.

Marvel said claims that San Diego officers engage in racial profiling are unfounded.

While the Police Officers Association is not naive enough to believe that racial profiling can never occur within SDPD, we are confident that if any such instances come to light they will be dealt with promptly and appropriately, Marvel wrote.

The second SDSU recommendation calls for enhanced officer training on racial and ethnic issues, which Zimmerman said the department has been tackling aggressively.

Some of the enhanced training was in response to a federal review of department policies launched in 2014, but much of it also applies to concerns about possible racial profiling.

Zimmerman said San Diego officers get 46 hours of cultural diversity and discrimination training, compared to 16 hours required by the state, and 24 hours of community policing training, compared to 18 hours required by the state.

In addition, San Diego officers get 15 hours of training for dealing with the mentally ill and six hours of training on sympathizing with crime victims. The state doesnt require training in those areas.

And in 2015, the department added several new programs focused on racial profiling and diversity.

Since spring 2015, all new officers take a bus tour of the citys ethnically diverse neighborhoods and also visit Chicano Park, Zimmerman said.

They also get 16 hours of training on emotional intelligence and effective interaction techniques and spend one month in community engagement training, she said.

The third and fourth recommendations in the SDSU report focus on greater transparency on how traffic stops are conducted.

Zimmerman said transparency concerns have been solved by training officers to be more open with people they pull over.

Officers have been directed to take that extra time needed to fully explain to individuals the reasons they were stopped, she said.

The fifth and sixth recommendations in the SDSU report focus on community engagement and community policing, which Zimmerman said is already a priority.

Community policing is instilled from the very first day at the academy and throughout our officers careers, she said.

The final four recommendations focus on data collection, which Zimmerman said wont be upgraded until the state finalizes regulations under AB 953, a new law authored by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, D-San Diego, requiring law enforcement agencies in California to track traffic stops.

Zimmerman said it may be difficult to find software to fully implement the new law.

We do not currently have an application that will collect all of the suggested data elements described in the draft regulations, she said.

She also warned that it would require an estimated 17,000 hours per year to track the data as the state suggests.

The added requirements will affect the number of hours officers are available for calls for service and proactive time to address the communitys priorities, said Zimmerman, suggesting overtime expenses may also rise.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick
San Diego is joining other cities in a legal brief that argues that transgender students should be able to use facilities consistent with the gender they identify with.

In closed session Monday, City Council members voted 5-1 in support of the city signing onto an amicus curiae brief drafted by the City of San Francisco.

The brief supports Gavin Grimm, a transgender student who has sued the Gloucester County School Board in Virginia over his right to use public facilities, including boys bathrooms, in public schools.

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San Diego Councilmember Scott Sherman voted against joining the legal battle, while Chris Cate and Mark Kersey did not vote and Lori Zapf was not in attendance.

Sherman and Cate both said they support the case and the rights of the transgender community, but criticized City Attorney Mara Elliott and the use of city resources to join amicus briefs on national issues when there are local problems that need to be fixed.

If local elected officials prefer focusing on national issues instead of doing their job, they should resign from their position and instead run for federal or state office, Sherman said in a statement.

Elliott should take a more parochial approach to her job rather than bringing bringing divisive DC politics to San Diego, Cate said in a statement.

I am asking our City Attorney to focus her time on shutting down illegal marijuana dispensaries and combating sex trafficking, he added.

Two weeks ago, however, Cate voted in favor of joining an amicus brief from the City of Chicago that argued against President Donald Trumps executive order barring travelers from seven countries from entering the United States. Sherman was the lone vote against joining that brief.

Elliott said the allegation that she is motivated by politics is baseless.

:As City Attorney, I am obligated by the Rules of Professional Conduct to bring amicus requests to my client, the City Council, she said in a statement. As the Citys policy makers, the City Council may vote to have the City join or not join an amicus brief.

I would have engaged in politics had I decided not to bring a request to the City Council. That would usurp the City Councils policy role.

Furthermore, the City Council has enacted policies to protect the rights of transgender people, she said.

Councilmember Barbara Bry said the city must publicly support transgender people.

We have a responsibility to set an example for other parts of the country, she said in a statement. Todays vote shows that the City of San Diego recognizes the rights of transgender students and stands in solidarity with Gavin Grimm and students like him throughout the nation.

So far there are at least 26 other amicus briefs in the case from organizations across the political spectrum, advocacy groups, education advocates, faith-based associations and think tanks.

Twitter: @jptstewart

joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1841
A hoax bomb threat was made to a Jewish community center in University City Monday afternoon, one of at least 21 Jewish facilities targeted in a wave of fake threats nationwide, officials said.

San Diego police were called about 4:30 p.m. after the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center received the threat over the phone, police Officer John Buttle said.

Executive Director Michael Cohen said empoyees and pre-schoolers were safely evacuated while police searched the Executive Drive building for anything suspicious. Children and staff were ushered to La Jolla Country Day School across the street.

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Parents were told in an email alert that pre-schoolers could be picked up at the La Jolla Country Day.

After a two-hour sweep with bomb-sniffing dogs, police gave the all-clear.

Elsewhere, other Jewish centers and schools were targeted in at least 12 other states, according to officials with the JCC Association of North America. Monday marked the fifth wave of fake threats at Jewish facilities in the U.S. since the beginning of the year, bringing the total to 90 threats at 73 centers in 30 states and Canada, officials said.

The series includes hoaxes on Jan. 9, Jan. 18, Jan. 31 and Feb. 21.

David Posner, a security director of the JCC Association, issued a statement, saying federal officials must condemn the wave of threats  and act against them.

Actions speak louder than words, he said in a statement. Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in our communities.

Last month, an FBI spokeswoman in San Diego said the FBI and the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division were investigating the threats in San Diego and across the U.S.

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False bomb threat to S.D. Jewish center

Hoax bomb threats target Jewish Centers in La Jolla, nation

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Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com

Phone: (619) 293-1876

Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez
It takes a lot to change a status quo thats been accepted with few questions for generations, especially one that affects tens of thousands of California teachers, millions of public school students and so many parents.

But its time to revisit the tradition of starting school days as early as Americans do  often before 8 a.m. Evidence is piling up that the sleep deprivation resulting from adolescents early start times takes a mental, physical and emotional toll, and a new bill by state Sen. Anthony Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge, amounts to a wake-up call about wake-up calls.

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Portantinos SB 328 would ban public middle and high schools in California from starting class before 8:30 a.m. Introducing it, he cited a 2014 American Academy of Pediatrics study that reported that on school nights, 87 percent of high school students and 59 percent of middle school students slept less than the 8.5 to 9.5 hours recommended by health experts, with the primary reason early school starts that conflict with the students circadian rhythms  their bodies 24-hour physiological cycle.

The research is clear that adolescents who get enough sleep have a reduced risk of being overweight or suffering depression, are less likely to be involved in automobile accidents, and have better grades, higher standardized test scores and an overall better quality of life, academy member Judith Owens wrote. Studies have shown that delaying early school start times is one key factor that can help adolescents get the sleep they need to grow and learn.

Research by Santa Clara University economist Teny Maghakian Shapiro found that a one-hour delay in school starts produces gains equivalent to those seen when replacing an average teacher with one in the 84th percentile of effectiveness. Specific examples of how students are helped by later school starts are easy to find. At Nauset Regional High School in Eastham, Massachusetts, for instance, D and F grades plunged by half after the start of school was changed from 7:35 a.m. to 8:35 a.m.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, has sought to draw attention to sleep deprivation among students since 1998. The National Sleep Foundation supported Lofgrens initial legislation, the Zzzs to As Act, by citing the findings of Dr. William C. Dement, who founded the first U.S. sleep clinic at Stanford University in 1972: Students in our nations schools are walking zombies trying to cope with the stresses of school, work and social activities that may literally be putting their lives in peril.

Now the seriousness of this problem may finally be sinking in. About 1,000 schools in 70 districts have switched to later starts in recent years, with public high schools in Seattle the highest-profile example. This trend must continue.

Yes, later start times may inconvenience parents, frustrate employers and cause headaches for scheduling of school buses and before- and after-school activities. But moving all public school start times at once would make it easier to schedule interscholastic sporting contests. Resulting reductions in absenteeism could mean more school revenue because state funding for schools is tied to attendance. And these days, technology gives workers greater flexibility than ever, so any adjustments outside campus would be easier. Its clear delaying the start of the school day would help adolescents lead healthier, more productive lives in class and beyond. The facts are plain. Its time to act.

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

Facebook: UTOpinion
Something without known precedent happened in the 2016 presidential campaign: The FBI and CIA concluded that Russia sought to intervene, in part to help Donald Trump, by leaking thousands of emails, some quite damaging, from Hillary Clintons campaign and the Democratic Party. This was ominous enough. But the intervention grew more worrisome with The New York Times Feb. 14 report that U.S. intelligence agencies said Trump campaign officials and associates had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials as Russia attempted to influence the election.

The report said no evidence had emerged to show Trump or his aides were in cahoots with Russia, and the president and his allies blast the idea that any wrongdoing occurred. But on Friday, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, who went after the Obama administration relentlessly as chair of the House Oversight Committee, said in a TV interview that an independent counsel was needed to examine Russian interference. Issa said Attorney General Jeff Sessions  a key player in Trumps campaign  had a conflict of interest, and Issa said of the Russians, We need to investigate their activities, and we need to do it because they are bad people.

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On Monday, Issa backtracked, saying it was premature to name a special prosecutor without a specific allegation of a crime. This is a reasonable position  but so was Issas stand last week. The U.S. intelligence officials reported conclusions about Moscows interference in the election and analysis of Russia-Trump contacts raise profound and troubling questions an independent counsel could help answer. Given the presidents comments, he wont agree. But the stakes are too high to let this matter lie. As Issa said, Americans need clarity and fact.

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

Facebook: UTOpinion
Regarding The Conversations Issa on Russian election influence: We need to investigate. They are bad people. (Feb. 25): The press Tuesday will be focused on President Donald Trumps address to Congress while probably ignoring a huge act of collective treachery by elected government officials.

Please provide coverage of the House Judiciary Committees deliberations regarding the House Democrats resolution for a formal inquiry into the potential ethical and legal violations committed by the Trump campaign apparatus in its contacts, communications and financial transactions with Russia during the run-up to Trumps election, and throughout the transition since then.

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The committee will also reject calls to examine evidence of Trumps solicitation and receipt of foreign gifts intended to influence American policy and the potential violations of the emoluments clause of the Constitution.

The committee should resolve to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate. But the Republican-dominated House Judiciary Committee is expected to reject this resolution and we have to hold the Republicans accountable.

David Crellen

Tierrasanta

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

Hillary Clinton lost the election all by herself

In her letter to the editor (Electoral College did not reflect what voters wanted, Feb. 23), Karen Price writes that Trump was elected president by the Electoral College just to keep a woman out of office. This is absurd.

Hillary Clinton did not lose the election because she is a woman. She lost the election because of the woman she is  arrogant, condescending, a proven liar and so on.

Her calling the hard-working taxpaying voters of Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and so many other states deplorable and irredeemable does not win their votes.

The Democrats could not have chosen a more unlikable candidate.

Larry Hennessee

San Diego

There is no place for promoting fake news

Looks like there is such a thing as fake news courtesy of 20th Century Fox as it tried to promote its latest movie (20th Century Fox apologies for fake news campaign, Feb. 17).

It set up fake news sites and released untrue stories, whether regarding Trump or Lady Gaga.

Unfortunately, other people pick up on the stuff and off it goes to the internet and Twitter. This does not help the legitimate news outlets.

Jan Bourgeois

East Village

Support our president and report the facts

Want to know how to spoil a beautiful Saturday morning? Read the U-T Opinion section, beginning with the editorial (Trump presidency takes dangerous turn, Feb. 25) referring to CNN and other media being excluded from Sean Spicers briefing.

Perhaps if the outlets stated the facts about the Trump administration correctly, they would have been included.

Then we have Robert Samuelsons statistics, from the condition of the economy to the state of the world order and finally to the fiasco of the welfare state. Does Samuelson believe President Trump just created this mess? Or perhaps its more realistically the result of the inferior leadership of the past administration.

Lastly, we have the opinion of Nathan Fletcher on deportations. Fletcher should report the truth about those being deported. Trump referenced deporting undocumented immigrants, with an emphasis on hardened criminals.

If the media reported the truth and supported our president, perhaps their credibility would be restored.

Carol Hamilton

Imperial Beach

Barring media from briefing a bad decision

I understand that Trump excluded CNN, The New York Times and some other liberal media from his press conference. Fox News and other right-wing presses should boycott that same conference in solidarity with the others.

Freedom of the press, a basic constitutional right, is more important than any political stance. No president has the right to silence the press. One group is excluded today and another will be excluded tomorrow. Very dangerous.

Judith Rubenstein

UTC

Kudos for keeping the coverage flowing

This is a just a brief expression of gratitude for being the Fourth Estate and putting up with the likes of Trumps Orwellian protestations of fake news media. You are more appreciated and valuable now than ever.

Robert Burns

Ocean Beach

Casino opponents attorney owed apology

The article titled Judge recuses himself from Jamul casino liquor license hearings (Feb. 4) quoted Peter Williams email calling me a semi-vexatious litigant. I have never been found to be a vexatious litigant. Nor can one be semi-vexatious, any more than one can be semi-pregnant.

None of my clients claims about the property on which the Hollywood/Jamul casino has been built have ever lost on the merits. No court has finally determined that the premises were ever lawfully proclaimed a reservation or taken into trust for the Jamul Indian Village, because it was not under federal jurisdiction in 1934, as held by the United States Supreme Court in Carcieri v. Salazar.

Now that Hollywood/Jamul casino has applied for a liquor license, it has the burden to prove that it is not operating a public gambling nuisance on the premises in violation of the California Constitution.

Patrick Webb

Jamul

Want to see more letters that appear only online? Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook.

UPDATES:

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A Twitter user in the Chicago area with 11,000 followers who describes himself as a Muslim Marine said he is ready to stand guard at local synagogues or Jewish cemeteries amid a wave of threats afflicting the Jewish population in the United States.

Marine veteran Tayyib Rashid publicized his offer using his Twitter account, @MuslimMarine, on Monday after 23 Jewish Community Centers, eight Jewish day schools and even the San Francisco office of the Anti-Defamation League were subjected to some 30 ultimately unfounded bomb threats.

The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla was among those evacuated on Monday. It was the third hoax to empty the building this year. On Tuesday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-San Francisco, tweeted remarks calling the threats reprehensible and disturbing.

A Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia also reported more than 100 headstones were vandalized over the weekend, similar to an incident that happened at a St. Louis cemetery one week before, the Associated Press reported.

News of the latest wave of bomb threats  five so far in January and February totaling 100 incidents in 33 states, according to the JCC Association of North America  troubled Jewish Americans and others. As investigators and others tried to figure out what is happening, Rashids tweet resonated among many.

Rashid was profiled last November when he tweeted a photo of his military identification card to answer Donald Trump s call that all American Muslims should carry special identification.

President Trump last week denounced attacks against Jews in America amid pressure from the ADL and other groups in the wake of a rash of bomb threats and the vandalism at the St. Louis, Missouri, cemetery.

On Monday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Trump was deeply disappointed and concerned about the reports and that the president continues to condemn these and other forms of anti-Semitic and hateful acts.

Even U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions called the threats a very serious and disruptive practice and promised the Justice Department would prosecute those behind the incidents.

But the Pennsylvania attorney generals characterization of a meeting between Trump and a group of state attorneys general on Tuesday added a new wrinkle to the story. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro , who is Jewish, said Trump indicated at that meeting that the threats at Jewish Community Centers may have come from the reverse to make others look bad. Pennsylvania-based Billy Penn reporter Anna Orso tweeted details from the meeting in which Trump told the attorneys general that he would address the threats in his speech to Congress Tuesday night.

If Trump mentions the threats in his first address to a joint session of Congress tonight, we will update this story with his remarks.

Update: Trump opened his first address to a joint session of Congress with remarks about threats against Jewish community centers.

Recent threats targeting Jewish Community Centers and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, as well as last weeks shooting in Kansas City, remind us that while we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms, Trump said.

Have some thoughts to share?

Join me in a conversation: Shoot me a private email with your thoughts or ideas on a different approach to this story. As always, you can also send us a tweet.

Email: luis.gomez@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @RunGomez

UPDATES:

6:15 p.m.: This article was updated with remarks from President Donald Trumps address to a joint session of Congress on threats against Jewish community centers.

This article was originally published at 2:25 p.m.
As every president does when addressing a joint session of Congress each year, President Donald Trump is inviting special guests to highlight signature issues. For Trump, one of those is immigration.

So the president has invited three families who are victims of violence by unauthorized immigrants. Two women he invited  Jessica Davis and Susan Oliver  are the widows of sheriffs deputies who were shot to death by a man who had previously been deported to Mexico twice.

Jamiel Shaw Sr. will sit with first lady Melania Trump . His son was killed by an unauthorized immigrant as he walked home in 2008.

Several Democrats are also inviting guests in an effort to make their own statement about immigration. A common thread among their guests is that they have permission to live and work in the United States under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program established by the Obama administration.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, will bring Aaima Sayed, a medical student at Loyola University. Syed is a Muslim-American who arrived in the U.S. with her parents as a 3-year-old.

California Sen. Kamala Harris guest is also a DACA beneficiary. Yuriana Aguilar was brought to the U.S. from Mexico as a child and attended University of California, Merced, before becoming a researcher and instructor of physiology and biophysics at Rush Medical College in Chicago.

New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler , Colorado Rep. Jared Polis and Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan also planned to bring DACA recipients to the session, according to Politico.

These guests will be in the spotlight just after Trump said on Tuesday that the time is right for an immigration bill as long as there is compromise on both sides.

Other members of Congress hoping to make statements with their guests include Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who is bringing an Iraqi refugee with her. New York Rep. Nydia Velazquez invited Hameed Darweesh, an immigrant from Iraq who was detained in New York last month immediately after Trumps executive order on immigration.

Trump also invited Maureen McCarthy Scalia , the wife of the Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died last year.

Ahead of the speech, many on Twitter waded into the immigration debate and shared their thoughts on the guest list.

Will you be watching Trumps address to the joint session of Congress? Check back to the Union-Tribunes Ideas and Opinion section later tonight to see our coverage or join us on Twitter at @sdutideas.

Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @abbyhamblin
28 February 2017

Press release

This is a press release by NN Group N.V. ('NN Group'), pursuant to the provisions of Section 4 Paragraph 3 and Section 13 Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Decree on Public Takeover Bids (Besluit Openbare Biedingen Wft) (the 'Decree') in connection with the recommended public offer by NN Group for all the issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of Delta Lloyd N.V. ('Delta Lloyd'). This announcement does not constitute an offer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities. Any offer will be made only by means of the Offer Memorandum, which is available as of 2 February 2017, and subject to the restrictions set forth therein. Terms not defined in this press release will have the meaning given thereto in the Offer Memorandum. This announcement is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, in or into, directly or indirectly, Canada or Japan or in any other jurisdiction in which such release, publication or distribution would be unlawful.

Reference is made to the joint press release by NN Group and Delta Lloyd dated 2 February 2017 regarding the publication of the Offer Memorandum for the recommended public cash offer by NN Group Bidco B.V., a directly wholly-owned subsidiary of NN Group ('the Offeror'), to all holders of issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of Delta Lloyd (the 'Shares') to acquire their Shares at a price of EUR 5.40 (cum dividend) in cash for each Share (the 'Offer').

NN Group announces that, on 28 February 2017, NN Group or its brokers (acting as agents for NN Group) acquired a total of 4,434,151 Shares in the open market at a volume weighted average price of EUR 5.3682 per Share. The highest price per Share paid in a transaction conducted on 28 February 2017 was EUR 5.37.

Date Transaction type Total number of shares Type of shares Volume weighted average price in EUR 24 February 2017 Purchase 765,711 Ordinary 5.347 27 February 2017 Purchase 3,800,138 Ordinary 5.3642 28 February 2017 Purchase 4,434,151 Ordinary 5.3682

Together with the 40,839,475 Shares already held by NN Group or its brokers (acting as agents for NN Group) prior to 28 February 2017, NN Group or its brokers (acting as agents for NN Group) now hold 45,273,626 Shares, representing 9.7% of the aggregate number of issued and outstanding ordinary and preference shares in the capital of Delta Lloyd and 9.9% of the issued and outstanding ordinary share capital of Delta Lloyd.

To the extent required, NN Group will notify the Financial Markets Authority (Autoriteit Financiele Markten) in accordance with Section 5:38 of the Dutch Act on Financial Supervision (Wet op het Financieel Toezicht).

Offer Memorandum, Position Statement and further information

Information regarding the Offer is made available by way of the Offer Memorandum and/or the Position Statement dated 2 February 2017.

Digital copies of the Offer Memorandum are available on the websites of Delta Lloyd (www.deltalloyd.com) and NN Group (www.nn-group.com). Copies of the Offer Memorandum are also available free of charge at the offices of Delta Lloyd and the Settlement Agent at the addresses mentioned below. A digital copy of the Position Statement is available on the website of Delta Lloyd (www.deltalloyd.com).

Delta Lloyd

Delta Lloyd N.V.

Amstelplein 6

1096 BC Amsterdam

The Netherlands

Settlement Agent (ABN AMRO)

Gustav Mahlerlaan 10

P.O. Box 283

1000 EA Amsterdam

The Netherlands

Other

To the extent permissible under applicable law or regulation, NN Group or its brokers (acting as agents for NN Group) may from time to time after the date hereof, and other than pursuant to the intended offer, directly or indirectly purchase, or arrange to purchase, ordinary shares in the capital of Delta Lloyd, that are the subject of the Offer. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in the Netherlands, such information will be disclosed by means of a press release to inform shareholders of such information, which will be made available on the website of NN Group. In addition, financial advisors to NN Group may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of Delta Lloyd, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities.

Media Relations NN Group

Media Relations

+31 70 513 8125

mediarelations@nn-group.com Investor Relations NN Group

Investor Relations

+31 88 663 5464

investor.relations@nn-group.com

NN Group profile

NN Group is an international insurance and asset management company, active in 18 countries, with a strong presence in a number of European countries and Japan. With around 11,500 employees the group offers retirement services, insurance, investments and banking to more than 15 million customers. NN Group includes Nationale-Nederlanden, NN and NN Investment Partners. NN Group is listed on Euronext Amsterdam (NN).

Notice to US holders of Shares

The receipt of cash pursuant to the Offer by a U.S. holder of Shares will generally be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and may be a taxable transaction under applicable state and local, as well as foreign and other tax laws. Each holder of Shares is urged to consult his independent professional advisor immediately regarding the tax consequences of acceptance of the Offer.

It may be difficult for U.S. holders of Shares to enforce their rights and claims arising out of the U.S. federal securities laws, since the Offeror and Delta Lloyd are located in a country other than the United States, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of a country other than the United States. U.S. holders of Shares may not be able to sue a non-U.S. company or its officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-U.S. company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court's judgment.

To the extent permissible under applicable law or regulation, including Rule 14e-5 of the U.S. Exchange Act, in accordance with normal Dutch practice, the Offeror and its Affiliates or brokers (acting as agents for the Offeror or its Affiliates, as applicable) may before or during the period in which the Offer remains open for acceptance, directly or indirectly, purchase, or arrange to purchase, Shares outside of the United States, from time to time, other than pursuant to the Offer. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. In addition, the financial advisors to the Offeror may engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of Delta Lloyd, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities. To the extent required in The Netherlands, any information about such purchases will be announced by press release in accordance with Article 13 of the Decree and posted on the website of NN Group at www.nn-group.com.

Restrictions

The distribution of this press release may, in some countries, be restricted by law or regulation. Accordingly, persons who come into possession of this document should inform themselves of and observe these restrictions. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, NN Group and Delta Lloyd disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of any such restrictions by any person. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of that jurisdiction. Neither NN Group, nor Delta Lloyd nor any of its advisors assumes any responsibility for any violation by any person of any of these restrictions. Any shareholder who is in any doubt as to its position should consult an appropriate professional advisor without delay. This announcement is not to be published or distributed in or to Canada or Japan or in any other jurisdiction in which such release, publication or distribution would be unlawful.

The information in the press release is not intended to be complete, for further information reference is made to the Offer Memorandum. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer or an invitation to acquire or dispose of any securities or investment advice or an inducement to enter into investment activity. In addition, the Offer made pursuant to the Offer Memorandum is not being made in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or other laws or regulations of such jurisdiction or would require any registration, approval or filing with any regulatory authority not expressly contemplated by the terms of the Offer Memorandum.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements", such as statements relating to the impact of the Offer on the Offeror, NN Group and Delta Lloyd and the expected timing and completion of the Offer. Forward-looking statements include those preceded by, followed by or that include the words may, anticipated, expected or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Each of the Offeror, NN Group and Delta Lloyd, and any of their respective Affiliates, each with respect to the statements it has provided, believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. Nevertheless, no assurance can be given that such statements will be fulfilled or prove to be correct, and no representations are made as to the future accuracy and completeness of such statements. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the Offeror's, NN Group's and Delta Lloyd's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or those results expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, (i) the risk that required regulatory approvals may delay the Offer or result in the imposition of conditions that could have a material adverse effect on the Combined Group or cause the Offeror, NN Group and Delta Lloyd to abandon the Offer, (ii) the risk that the Offer Conditions may not be satisfied, (iii) risks relating to NN Group's ability to successfully operate Delta Lloyd without disruption to its other business activities, which may result in the Combined Group not operating as effectively and efficiently as expected, (iv) the possibility that the Offer may involve unexpected costs, unexpected liabilities or unexpected delays, (v) the risk that the businesses of the Offeror, NN Group and Delta Lloyd may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the Offer, (vi) the effects of competition (in particular the response to the Transaction in the marketplace) and competitive developments or risks inherent to NN Group's or Delta Lloyd's business plans, (vii) the risk that disruptions from the Transaction will harm relationships with customers, employees and suppliers, (viii) political, economic or legal changes in the markets and environments in which NN Group and/or Delta Lloyd does business, (ix) economic conditions in the global markets in which NN Group and Delta Lloyd operate, (x) uncertainties, risk and volatility in financial markets affecting the Offeror, NN Group and/or Delta Lloyd, and (xi) other factors that can be found in NN Group's and its subsidiaries' and Delta Lloyd's press releases and public filings.

Neither the Offeror, NN Group nor Delta Lloyd, nor any of their respective Affiliates and advisors, accepts any responsibility for any financial information contained in the Offer Memorandum relating to the business, results of operations or financial condition of the other or their respective groups. Each of the Offeror, NN Group and Delta Lloyd expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based except as required by applicable laws and regulations or by any competent regulatory authority.
SAN DIEGO (CNS)  A couple accused of hoarding 92 Yorkshire terrier and Yorkie-mix dogs in their feces-filled Poway home and 48 other dogs at another location are facing multiple counts of animal abuse, the District Attorneys Office announced Tuesday.

Mark Vattimo, 73, and Christine Calvert, 62, are both charged with 10 counts of animal abuse and neglect, as well as a misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer. Vattimo was arrested Saturday and posted $50,000 bail. His arraignment is scheduled for March 6.

Calvert, who fled in a motorhome purchased by Vattimo, was arrested last Friday in Primm, Nevada, according to the D.A.'s office. She waived extradition and will be returned to San Diego to face charges.

The arrests came just over a month after authorities rescued 92 Yorkie- type dogs that were being kept in unsanitary conditions in a residential neighborhood in Poway. About two weeks later, another 48 dogs were seized from a secondary location.

Calvert allegedly had stashed even more canines in the motorhome she had driven to Nevada, according to the District Attorneys Office.

The shocking conditions and sheer number of animals in the defendants home make this a particularly disturbing case of animal abuse,' District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said.

Most of the Yorkies found by Humane Society investigators in a dark, mouse-infested room in the couples home had severe matting, feces entangled in their coats, skin issues, ear infections, fleas, hair loss, overgrown nails and poor teeth. One was missing part of a leg.

The Humane Society was tipped off by a complaint from a local veterinary clinic.

Hoarding is a mental illness and we have compassion for individuals who suffer from the disease,' said Stephen MacKinnon, chief of humane law enforcement for the San Diego Humane Society. When they reach out to us for help and are cooperative, our priority is to get the animals to safety and get the individuals the help they need.

In this instance, when we discovered the owners were withholding animals and interfering with an active investigation, it became intentional cruelty so criminal charges needed to be pursued,' he said. Were grateful for the support of the District Attorneys Office and to be in a community that doesnt tolerate animal cruelty or neglect.'

The dogs were taken to the San Diego Humane Societys San Diego campus, where veterinarians and animal care teams examined and treated them, and about 90 were later adopted.

Email: editor@pomeradonews.com

UPDATES:

A Humane Society spokeswoman on Tuesday afternoon said her records showed that a total of 169 dogs have been recovered from the couple, including 92 from the initial visit to the house, another 31 taken from a second location and 46 dogs recovered from the RV in Nevada. In addition, 11 puppies have been born at the societys facilities, she said.
I absolutely adore Instagram. For me, its social media at its best. Photos. Words and hashtags optional. Much of the time, words really only mess things up.

Follow along with the travels of a magazine editor, or the strange and fascinating life of a Hollywood starlet or your friends kids and meals

It also makes it easy for me to see what is going on in Belize. Pictures of yesterdays Carnivalthere. Folks swimming, diving and snorkeling up and down the Belize coast. Saw them. I know that the Belize Tourism Board is sponsoring visits from two Brazilian bloggers  the ones currently here at just leaving San Pedro.

BlogWeLove at Victoria House

And Chaa Creeks insane new villas! TAKE A LOOK AT THESE ACCOMMODATIONS!

It very much feeds my inner busy-body.

I try to follow everyone who is taking photos of Belize on a regular basis. And I have some favorites. One is Marlena Gomez  born and raised in San Pedro (SPHS Class of 2000). Somehowin her spare time  photography is now a hobby  she captures each and every beautiful sunset, full moon and special event here in San Pedro.

That aint easy  this girl is good.

SoI asked her to tell me what camera she uses. AND I asked her if she would send me her top ten favorite photos. Hard to do, for sure but here is what she sent me.

To follow her on Instagram and for those who wonder  her camera is a Canon EOS 60D.
AkBol Yoga Retreat and Eco-Resort is located about 1 mile north of the bridge in a beautiful neighborhood called Tres Cocos, on a very pretty stretch of ocean.

Ive sung the praises of their dock many times  the BEST swimming dock on Ambergris Caye. With a great, easy breezy beach bar and restaurant to make things that much better.

If they have the peanut butter chocolate pie  ORDER IT!

ButI have NEVER been to the daily yoga class (I am not counting the special meditation class I went to last year). Which is just about crazy because it is held on that most beautiful swimming dock.

And I love yogain theory and sometimes in practice. When I have been to other spots in the past, I am always the least flexible in the class, I am always sweating like I am power lifting but I do love the slow down and focus part of the practice. The get-into-a-comfortable-position-that-isnt-laying-on-your-bed pose and stop thinking.

I also love the fun/funny stuff that many yoga teachers say.

Just be present in your body or honor your heart center or you hear the garbage truck going by, honor itand let it go or downward dog is a resting pose  PFFFT!

So I messaged Kirsten, the owner of AkBol last week about attending yoga on Sunday and was happy to hear that it was a Yin Class. WellI was happy once I looked that up. Yin yoga is more slow-paced.

Perfect. I headed over to their beautiful spot.

As Kirsten said: Lets yin it out.

First a look around.

Super inviting.

And because there was a special seminar/group on the dock, we settled down into the beachfront palapa. The wood is sanded so smooth, you almost dont need a mat. There were about 20 of usbut we fit in just fine. With the breeze and the rustling coconut treesI could easily sleep in here for hours.

Really really beautiful spot. For more information on AkBol Resort and the yoga classes, please take a look at their website and their facebook page. Or just stop by!

Heres the gate you will enter from the road.

They also have cabanas on the beach, a pool and across the road, quite a few lower budget rooms.

I need to check these out one day.

Also in your neighborhood if you stay at AkBol Resort: Truck Stop, Grand Caribe Resort, Marbucks and DayDreamin Inn, Stella Smiles and more.
SYDNEY, Australia, March 01, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SolarWinds, a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT management software, today announced its participation at Cisco Live ANZ 2017, March 7-10, 2017, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. In addition to showcasing its existing products that address the network and all other key areas of infrastructure, from on-premises to the cloud, SolarWinds will exhibit the PerfStack dashboard, a significant update to the SolarWinds Orion platform. The PerfStack dashboard is a new, highly customisable yet simple-to-build dashboard. It allows IT administrators to selectively drag and drop any number of real-time and historical metrics from SolarWinds Orion platform-based products into a single pane to visualise the relationship between suspect elements. This innovative visualisation enables them to identify, isolate, and troubleshoot performance problems in ways never before possible.



With hybrid IT, software-defined networking, hyperconvergence and any number of other disruptive trends impacting todays IT environments, complex, multi-faceted performance issues that often transcend functional silos are more common than ever, said Christoph Pfister, executive vice president, products, SolarWinds. In turn, troubleshooting to resolve these problems is growing increasingly difficult. Enter PerfStack. Were excited to show Cisco Live attendees how PerfStack, along with our complete portfolio of market-leading products, can help them break down the walls between functional roles, help to eliminate finger pointing, and solve performance problems faster.

The company will also preview the latest version of the award-winning SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, which will include support for Cisco Meraki wireless access points. Cisco Meraki wireless access points are 100 percent cloud-managed, enabling network engineers to focus on configuring network behaviors rather than individual network components. With this upcoming update, SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor will provide a single robust tool for monitoring both locally managed and Cisco Meraki cloud-managed wireless access points.

In addition, SolarWinds senior vice president and global chief technology officer, Joseph Kim, will present, Why Network Visibility is Becoming More Important in a Hybrid IT World, as part of the Cisco Live ANZ 2017 Partner Think Tank.

Visit SolarWinds at Booth EP 12

Meet Kim, SolarWinds Head Geek Destiny Bertucci, and other SolarWinds product experts at booth EP 12 to discuss all things IT monitoring and management, and participate in live demonstrations of the PerfStack dashboard and Cisco Meraki support within SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor. Also available for demonstration will be the complete portfolio of products from SolarWinds, recently named the global market leader in network management software by industry analyst firm International Data Corporation (IDC) in its latest Worldwide Semi-Annual Software Tracker.

Key products on exhibit will include, but are not limited to:

Join Why Network Visibility is Becoming More Important in a Hybrid IT World

On Thursday, March 9 at 4:10 p.m. AEDT in the Partner Think Tank #2, attendees are invited to listen to Kim, as he lifts the lid on why IT organisations need end-to-end visibility now:

As applications become increasingly distributed with hybrid IT environments, IT and DevOps professionals face the challenge of ensuring performance regardless of deployment topology. Moreover, as the living dynamics of modern applications evolve over their lifecycle, one cannot only rely on the network behaviors of today to accurately reflect the traffic patterns for tomorrow. Network and application management software must give additional visibility into the entirety of hybrid IT deployments and provide continuous insight into the network and its impact on applications to deliver optimal experience for end users. Intelligent software allows administrators to provide optimal productivity decisions to changing physical, virtual or container network flows by giving you a real-time map of the network, and continually analysing and recommending the most efficient topology deployment that considers both the application requirements and infrastructure capabilities.

For more information on SolarWinds IT management products, including downloadable, free 30-day evaluations, visit the SolarWinds website or call:

1800 783 955 (Australia)

0800 885 017 (New Zealand)

Additional Resources

Connect with SolarWinds

About SolarWinds

SolarWinds provides powerful and affordable IT management software to customers worldwide, from Fortune 500 enterprises to small businesses, managed service providers (MSPs), government agencies, and educational institutions. We are committed to focusing exclusively on IT, MSP, and DevOps professionals, and strive to eliminate the complexity that our customers have been forced to accept from traditional enterprise software vendors. Regardless of where the IT asset or user sits, SolarWinds delivers products that are easy to find, buy, use, maintain, and scale while providing the power to address key areas of the infrastructure from on-premises to the cloud. This focus and commitment to excellence in end-to-end hybrid IT performance management has established SolarWinds as the worldwide leader in both network management software and MSP solutions, and is driving similar growth across the full spectrum of IT management software. Our solutions are rooted in our deep connection to our user base, which interacts in our THWACK online community to solve problems, share technology and best practices, and directly participate in our product development process. Learn more today at www.solarwinds.com.

The SolarWinds, SolarWinds & Design, Orion, and THWACK trademarks are the exclusive property of SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC or its affiliates, are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and may be registered or pending registration in other countries. All other SolarWinds trademarks, service marks, and logos may be common law marks or are registered or pending registration. All other trademarks mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only and are trademarks of (and may be registered trademarks) of their respective companies.

 2017 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.
Fort Lauderdale, Feb. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anago Cleaning Systems (Anago), an industry-leading commercial cleaning franchise with more than 35 Master Franchises and over 1,400 Unit Franchisees throughout the U.S. and internationally, announced today that Franchise Business Review ranked Anago as one of the Top Franchises for Women as part of the publications first annual Top Franchises for Women list.

One of our guiding principles as a global franchise brand is to champion women in business, said Judy Walker, Vice President of Marketing for Anago Cleaning Systems. Not only are we honored to receive this award, but we will continue to encourage female entrepreneurs to lead their own franchise business.

In a recent studied conducted by Franchise Business Review, nearly 90 percent of female Franchisees say they enjoy operating their businesses and among the 6,400 female Franchisees surveyed, 84 percent state they respect their franchisor. In addition, 40 percent of female Franchisees hold a Bachelors Degree and earn an average income of $63,000. What is even more promising for brands like Anago, is that 71 percent of female Franchisees rated the cleaning sector as best for work-life balance.

As companies continue to double down on female leadership opportunities, research demonstrates that while women prove to be innate relationship builders, they also exhibit key workplace competencies such as taking on major business challenges, displaying integrity and honesty in stressful environments, and driving substantial results. Ultimately, companies who employ more female executives generally see an increase in their bottom line. Anago, like many companies around the world has proven that model to be true.

Anago provided me with the platform to directly impact those living in the Baltimore community, said Susan Cashman, Master Franchise Owner, Anago of Baltimore. Becoming a business owner has been a huge blessing in my life, and I commend Anago for continuing to support other women who dream of doing the same.

To explore franchise opportunities with Anago, contact Judy Walker, Vice President of Marketing for Anago, at 800-213-5857 or judy@anagocleaning.com or visit www.AnagoMasters.com.

About Anago Cleaning Systems

Anago Cleaning Systems is a commercial cleaning franchise system supporting over 35 Master Franchises and over 1,400 Unit Franchisees in the U.S. and internationally. After years of refining procedures and creating duplicable systems created in his large commercial cleaning service, David Povlitz founded Anago in 1989 to help other entrepreneurs open their cleaning businesses. Today, its program sets the standard worldwide in commercial cleaning. Anago was ranked the 10th fastest-growing franchise in 2013 and in the top 100 on the Franchise 500 by Entrepreneur Magazine in Additionally, Anago was ranked the #1 Janitorial Franchise by FranchiseRankings.com in 2016 and ranked by Franchise Business Review as one of the best franchises in franchisee satisfaction for 10 consecutive years. Inc. Magazine has also listed Anago as one of the top privately-held companies in the U.S. For further information, visit its website at www.AnagoMasters.com.
The term fake news may be new, but the concept isnt. Politicians have long been the perpetrators  and the victims  of phony information.

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It may seem like our political climate, in which politicians and journalists are accused of inventing phony stories, is unprecedented. Yet there are similarities to past events, and some of the perpetrators of early political chicanery may surprise you.

For example, in 1782, while still representing the United States in Paris, Benjamin Franklin printed a fake edition of an actual Boston newspaper, The Independent Chronicle. Amid the fictitious ads and articles, Franklin inserted a made-up story about the massive slaughter of white settlers on the frontiers of New York. Native Americans, in the service of the British forces, had collected 700 scalps from men, women, children, and even infants, Franklin lied.

When the news reached America, it was reprinted in papers throughout New England. The story helped stiffen American resistance to the British, who were now seen as using Indians to terrorize settlers. Released in Paris, the story also helped sway European opinion against England.

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Franklins fake news was just the start of a long tradition in American politics.

As we noted in Crude Language on the Campaign Trail, presidential campaigns have often been marked by fabricated stories and synthetic scandals. Even after the race, the slander often continued.

In 1939, Stephen T. Early, Franklin D. Roosevelts secretary, shared several examples of disinformation campaigns directed against the president.

Roosevelt enjoyed broad support among voters, particularly in the early years of his presidency. But he remained a controversial leader for many Americans. Some of his opponents hoped to blacken his reputation with reports of corruption or dishonesty in the White House.

In a file he marked Below the Belt, Early gave examples of these fake news stories. Some hinted at sinister, international conspiracies implicating Roosevelt, a foreign-born Supreme Court justice, and labor leaders, among others. One story claimed President Roosevelt had prevented the capture and trial of the true kidnappers of the Lindbergh baby. The kidnappers, it argued, were protected by the president and were still kidnapping and murdering.

Early wondered, as many Americans do today, just how gullible do these muckrakers think the American people are?

Roosevelt, however, refused to be baited by these stories. When a publisher reported that the president had fallen into a coma, he offered to print a retraction if the White House issued a denial. All he got was silence. Roosevelt refused to reward him with more media attention.

Unfortunately, in our era of 24-hour information, ignoring even flagrant fake news doesnt seem to be an option. What and whom are we to believe? In both the literal and figurative sense, we are left to our own devices.
New York City, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/27/2017 -- The market of global 3D food printing is anticipated to be driven by increasing market need for mass customization, ability of 3D printers to prepare food which is convenient and time saving, customization of nutrients required by an individual in their food products, getting the benefit of alternative ingredients and others. Now a days all the microwave made pancakes which are available in Netherlands are printed. As the world is getting more self-centered they are going for more customization and so their food. Market need for mass customization is increasing and is going for different shapes, colors, flavors, nutrition and textures. This customization is done mainly on food products like coffee, hamburgers, ice cream, cake, biscuits, confectionary and others. Technology is also one of the driving force behind 3D food printing market. With the enhancement in technology came up micro oven in every home and now 3D food printing machine is coming up. The market of global 3D food printing is anticipated to have restraints too. Many of the ingredients which are used for 3D printing are converted to paste. There are limited food which can be made into paste. 3D food printing is also a slow process which requires cooling many a times before the food can be consumed. Necessity of 3D food printing is that it can overcome the trend of prevailing food customization techniques which is less effective and at the same time its manufacturing cost is high.



3D food printing is bringing 3 dimensional digital design into real world object which is edible. 3D food printing is healthy and good for environment as it converts proteins from algae, beet leaves or insects into tasty products. One of the most important benefit of 3D printing is that it provides door for food customization according to the preferences and needs of individual. 3D food printing gives rise to new flavors, textures and shapes to provide new and unique eating experiences. 3D food printing is done by machines called 3D printers. 3D printed foods have to please the eyes and mind both at the same time. Even NASA is now looking for ways to 3D print food in space.



The global 3D food printing market is segmented on the basis of application, ingredients and region. 3D printed foods are applied and used to make modern food designs which gives pleasure to eyes before it can be consumed. Another application of 3D printed food is that it serves food for the elderly, for instance, 3D printed carrots are easy to chew and also easy to swallow. Few other applications are domestic cooking, catering services, personalized chocolates and homogeneous snacks. Product types where 3D printing is used are bakery products coffees, ice creams, confectionary and others. Among the product type confectionary segment is expected to grow at a faster CAGR over the forecast period. As chocolate, confectionary products are very popular among the children and it also attract elderly people. Edible ingredients can be segmented into dough, fruits & vegetable, proteins, sauce, dairy products, sugar, carbohydrates, yard, algae and others.



Geographically, the global 3D food printing market can be divided by major regions which include North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific region, Japan, Middle East and Africa. Europe is the market leader in 3D food printing. In Netherlands all the microwave pancakes which are available in supermarkets are printed. In Spain, Natural Machines tried to bring the 3D food printing technology into the household. U.S. is also engaged in 3D food printing because there 3D printer maker 3D Systems along with Culinary Institute of America are setting many projects.



Request to view table of content @ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/11176



The major player identified across the value chain for global 3D food printing market are TNO (innovation for life), Philips, Electrolux, Barilla, Nestle, NASA, Hershey's, Modern Meadow, Choc Edge, 3D Systems, Natural Machines, ZMorph, Fab@Home.



Buy Now: You can now buy a single user license of the report @ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/11176



The final report customized as per your specific requirement will be sent to your e-mail id within 7-20 days, depending on the scope of the report.



For more information, please e-mail us at sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
White Plains, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/28/2017 -- The "Galileo Galilei" International Award is an exclusive prize which is conferred to artists that stand out for the recognized value of their work. Achraf Baznani was awarded that prize in the "Sala Galileo Galilei" of the Meeting Palace of Pisa (1, Giacomo Matteotti Street) in the presence of art critic Dr Salvatore Russo, art advisor Dr Francesco Saverio Russo, editor in chief Mr Sandro Serradifalco and conference interpreter Ms Carola Norcia.



The artists awarded had been selected by art critic Dr Salvatore Russo and art advisor Dr Francesco Saverio Russo, who are the creators and developers of the project. This award evokes the splendor of Pisa and the figure of the scientist Galileo Galilei. Pisa is one of the most important art towns in the World, with its famous Leaning Tower, built between 1173 and the early XIV century.



Worth to be seen are also the Cathedral, the Baptistery, "Palazzo Medici" and the famous "Piazza dei Miracoli". Since he was a child, Galileo Galilei showed a vivid interest for art and in particular for painting, so that his pupil Vincenzo Viviani wrote about him: "If at that age he had been free to choose a profession, he would have certainly chosen to become a painter". Galileo was acquainted with the best known painters of his time and many others took their inspiration from his work. At the same time, many artists dedicated their works to him. During the award ceremony  at the Meeting Palace of Pisa "Sala Galileo Galilei" - there was a video exhibition of the selected painting and of a photo of the artist.



Achraf Baznani was awarded the "Galileo Galilei" International Prize consisting in a precious sculpture trophy with the artist's name engraved on it. The statue  portraying the scientist Galileo Galilei  was created by skillful Tuscan craftmen with conglomerate of marble powder and synthetic resin and it was gilded by hand. It is a fine piece of Italian handiwork installed on a black marble basis. (height 17 centimeters). The awarded photo has been published full page in the official catalogue of the happening and a full page in the art magazine "Art International Contemporary Magazine" within an article dedicated to Galileo's life.



Baznani got started in photography by chance. He received a Kodak Ektra compact 250 camera for his birthday as a teen. Baznani is self-taught and has never taken photography classes. He has made several short films and documentaries. These include "Walk" in 2006 and "The Forgotten" in 2007. "The Immigrant" in 2007 received several national and international awards.



Baznani is best known for being the first artist in the Arab world to publish a photo-book based on surreal imagery. Both books, Through My Lens and Inside My dreams, are surreal. Baznani places himself within his photographs of everyday objects, scenes and amusing situations.



His works were featured in various magazines worldwide like PicsArt, National Geographic, Mambo, Photo+, Amateur Photographer, Fotografe Melhor, Digital Photo magazine.



During 2014 he completed his "52 Project", a personal mission which he committed on taking a picture every week in a row for a year.



Moroccan photographer and filmmaker Achraf Baznani carries on the traditions of Surrealism with his wild, imaginative, and wholly impractical imagery. Among his inventive scenarios, small human figuresoften the artist himselfappear trapped within glass jars or the size of a camera lens; in other works, Baznani more or less dissects his body, as for example, in one, he cleanly removes his brain from his cranium, or in another, twists off his hand, much as if it were a light bulb. Imparted throughout such works are strong senses of humor and wonder, and as such, Baznani's art offers a Surrealistic take on life experience in the digital age.



About Achraf Baznani

A self-taught artist, Baznani has no formal photography education. He lives and works in Morocco.



Contact:

Name: Achraf Baznani

Mail: achraf@baznani.com

Web: www.baznani.com
Philadelphia, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/28/2017 -- C.R. Thompson Roofing is pleased to announce that roof replacement services are available in Bucks County, PA, and the surrounding communities. For over three decades, this roofing company has served both commercial and residential property owners in and around the Philadelphia, PA area and South Jersey.



Now that the winter season is winding down and spring will soon arrive, C.R. Thompson Roofing suggests that all commercial and residential property owners call them now to schedule any replacements or inspections. In fact, the roofing company urges customers in Bensalem, PA and other areas that they serve to have their roofs inspected as soon as possible to guarantee there are no unforeseen damages that occurred during any fall or winter storms. Some of the things that the company's roofers will look at during an inspection includes, but is not limited to, the state of the shingles, whether there is any mildew or mold, leaks, and if the gutters are in working order.



While C.R. Thompson Roofing encourages property owners to reach out to them about their roofing services, the company would also like to let customers know that they can install or repair windows and siding. Furthermore, those who are ever in need of emergency roofing services can also reach out to the company any time during the day or night. C.R. Thompson Roofing knows that emergencies can happen at any time, so they always have someone waiting by to assist customers who are in need of any repairs or replacements as soon as possible.



Those who are interested in learning more about C.R. Thompson Roofing can visit their website, https://www.crthompsonroofing.com/. Potential customers who would like to schedule a roof replacement, new install or have their roofs inspected, can get in touch with the company by calling 215-375-7904, or filling out a contact form on their site.



About C.R. Thompson Roofing

C.R. Thompson Roofing is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based roofing company that serves home and commercial property owners in and around Philadelphia and South Jersey. The company can install and repair shingle roofs, slate roofs, rubber roofs, and many others. C.R. Thompson Roofing not only offers roofing services but can also install and repair siding and windows, perform brick pointing, clean gutters, and much more.



To learn more about this top-rated, family-owned and operated roofing company located in Philadelphia, please visit http://www.crthompsonroofing.com/.
Manchester, England -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/28/2017 -- Many people from the UK opt to move abroad at some stage in their lives, with popular destinations including America and Canada, however it has become apparent that many of these people at some point decide to return 'home' for a number of reasons including sickness, work and more. In line with this, Emigration Expert, a unique website designed to assist people whom are moving overseas, has revealed some top tips for all looking to move back to the UK after living abroad, with the ultimate aim of enabling the transition to be as smooth as possible.



A couple of the tips in which Emigration Expert offered included the following:



- Before leaving current countries people should let their doctors and healthcare providers know that they are no longer going to require their services, and also asked for their records to be sent over to the UK. This could mean that people moving back to the UK need to register with UK doctors and dentists before they even move back.



- It is not advisable for people to purchase homes in the UK before they have actually been to see them, therefore if staying with friends or relatives is not an option people should consider looking at short-term rental options.



A spokesperson from James Freeman a leading emigration law practice was incredibly keen to comment saying, "These tips are great or people looking to move back to the UK, just like all of the other tips in which Emigration Expert provides. Here at James Freeman not only are we able to offer advice and guidance regarding moving back to the UK, but can also help those looking to move from the UK. As leading emigration experts, we can ensure that people wanting to move to Canada, Australia, America and more can do so as smoothly as possible with minimal problems and issues. If anyone requires any advice or has any questions we urge them to call our team."



About James Freeman

James Freeman is a leading UK based company specialising in emigration law, able to assist those looking to emigrate to America, Australia, Canada and more. For full company details and to see how they could help you, don't hesitate to visit their website today  You won't be left disappointed.



PR Contact



Company Name: James Freeman

Contact Name: Michael Thorpe

Website URL: www.jamesfreeman.org.uk

Contact Number: 0161 826 4977

Contact Email: marketing@iasservices.org.uk

Address: Conavon Court

12 Blackfriars Street

Manchester

M3 5BQ
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zomedica Pharmaceuticals Corp. (TSX-V:ZOM) (Zomedica or Company), a veterinary pharmaceutical and health care solutions company, today reported consolidated financial results for the year ended December 31, 2016. Amounts, unless specified otherwise, are expressed in U.S. dollars and are presented under International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS).

In this first full year of operations we completed multiple financings, completed our public listing on the TSX Venture Exchange, built our team, and developed our product pipeline, stated Chairman and CEO Gerald Solensky Jr. We will continue to build our team and advance our pharmaceutical and health solutions for the companion animal health market.

Corporate Highlights

On May 10, 2016, Zomedica announced that it opened its first Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM) for ZM-012, a novel tablet formulation of metronidazole, an anti-infective for the treatment of diarrhea in dogs.

On July 12, 2016, Zomedica announced it opened an INAD application with the FDA-CVM for a novel formulation of ZM-006, a transdermal gel of methimazole, commonly used in veterinary medicine to treat hyperthyroidism in cats.

On December 19, 2016, Zomedica announced it opened its third INAD application with the FDA-CVM for ZM-007, an oral suspension formulation of metronidazole for accurate dosing of small dog breeds and puppies.

On January 5, 2017, Zomedica announced a research collaboration agreement with Celsee Diagnostics, Inc. to test the feasibility of Celsees liquid biopsy technology for veterinary application as a canine cancer diagnostic.

On January 17, 2017, Animal Pharm, a leading online business intelligence service for animal health and nutrition, awarded Zomedica its Best Start-up 2016 award based on its product pipeline, equity funding, TSX-V listing and strategic personnel additions in 2016.

On January 30, 2017, Zomedica announced that it opened its fourth INAD with the FDA-CVM for ZM-011, a transdermal gel of fluoxetine (Prozac) commonly prescribed to treat behavioral disorders in cats such as inappropriate urination.

On January 31, 2017, Zomedica launched its Voice of the Vet customer engagement program to leverage insights from the veterinary community to influence development of companion animal health solutions.

On February 23, 2017, Zomedica announced that Robert W. DiMarzo joined the Company as Executive Vice President of Global Strategy. Mr. DiMarzo brings more than 25 years of animal health leadership experience with industry leaders such as Pfizer Animal Health, now Zoetis.

Summary Full Year 2016 Results

Zomedica recorded net loss and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2016 of $6,012,846 or $0.08 per share, compared to a loss of $1,520,536 or $0.03 per share for the period from May 14, 2015 (inception) through December 31, 2015.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the loss was attributed to general and administrative (G&A) expenses of $2,916,604, research and development (R&D) expenses of $1,518,589 and professional fees of $1,245,182, with no revenues as Zomedica does not currently have an approved product. For the period from inception through December 31, 2015, the loss was attributed to professional fees of $672,138, R&D expenses of $505,369 and G&A expenses of $341,239.

G&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $2,916,604 compared to $341,239 for the period from inception through December 31, 2015. The increase was primarily due to the ramping up of business, as ZoMedica Pharmaceuticals Inc. was incorporated on May 14, 2015. The majority of these current period expenses related to the addition of personnel accounting for salaries of $2,298,476, which included share-based compensation expense of $1,467,934 primarily as a result of the granting of options to purchase an aggregate of 7,375,000 shares of common shares in 2016 that all vested immediately upon the date of grant. Other expenses included marketing and investor relations of $194,187, and office costs of $124,693. Zomedica expects G&A expenditures in 2017 and future periods will be higher as activity levels increase.

Expenditures for R&D for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $1,518,589 compared to $505,369 for the period from inception through December 31, 2015. The increase was primarily due to the ramping up of R&D activities related to the establishment of labs, full-time employees, product candidates development, contracted outsourcing activities and the impact of a full year of operations compared to seven and one half months in the 2015 period. The increases were primarily due to salaries of $549,556, contracted outsourced activities of $322,165 and consulting costs of $305,582 relating to an increased level of lab activities, including in vitro and in vivo work, to support the further development of its product candidates and preparation of opening its INADs for ZM-012, ZM-006, ZM-007 and ZM-011.

The Company expects R&D expenditures in 2017 will be significantly higher than in 2016, due to the initiation of pilot and pivotal studies to support the opened INADs as well as additional veterinary pharmaceutical candidates, diagnostic developments and technologies.

Professional fees for the year ended December 31, 2016 were higher by $573,044 compared to the period from inception through December 31, 2015. The increase was primarily due expenses in connection with the consummation of its Qualifying Transaction on April 21, 2016, expenses associated with the listing of common shares on the TSX-V, and the initiation of cross listing efforts to a U.S. exchange.

Liquidity and Outstanding Share Capital

Zomedica had cash of $3,226,680 as at December 31, 2016 compared to $3,243,710 as at December 31, 2015. The small decrease in cash during the year ended December 31, 2016 is mainly a result of the cash flows provided by financing activities, partially offset by cash flows used in operating activities as discussed below. For the year ended December 31, 2016, cash flows used in operating activities amounted to $4,562,168. The largest use of cash within the operating activities in the current year was an increase in prepaid expenses relating primarily to a deposit of $801,973 related to the full payment of a 62 month lease of additional office space in Ann Arbor, offset in part by approximately $272,354 in non-cash listing expense relating to the Companys Qualifying Transaction. Other major expenses include employees' wages and benefits, and various consultants related to the Companys Qualifying Transaction.

As at December 31, 2016, Zomedica had an unlimited number of authorized common shares with 83,964,569 common shares issued and outstanding. As at February 28, 2017, Zomedica had 84,374,569 common shares issued and outstanding, an increase of 410,000 from December 31, 2016 due to stock options exercised in February 2017.

For complete financial results, please see Zomedicas filings at www.sedar.com or visit the Zomedica website at www.ZOMEDICA.com.

About Zomedica

With U.S. operations based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Zomedica is a veterinary pharmaceutical and health care solutions company creating products for companion animals (canine, feline and equine) by focusing on the unmet needs of clinical veterinarians. Zomedica is developing a diversified portfolio to include innovative drugs, drug-delivery technologies, diagnostics, and devices. With multiple clinical veterinarians in executive management, it is Zomedicas mission to give veterinarians the opportunity to lower costs, increase productivity, and grow revenue while better serving the animals in their care. For more information, visit www.ZOMEDICA.com.

Follow Zomedica

Reader Advisory

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the release.

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: uncertainty as to whether our strategies and business plans will yield the expected benefits; availability and cost of capital; the ability to identify and develop and achieve commercial success for new products and technologies; the level of expenditures necessary to maintain and improve the quality of products and services; changes in technology and changes in laws and regulations; our ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships; risks pertaining to permits and licensing, intellectual property infringement risks, risks relating to future clinical trials, regulatory approvals, safety and efficacy of our products, the use of our product, intellectual property protection and the other risk factors disclosed under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Deerfield Beach, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/27/2017 -- Zion Research has published a new report titled "Personal Care Packaging (Flexible Packaging, Rigid Plastics, Paper, Glass, Metal and Others) Market for Skin Care, Hair Care, Bath & Shower, Cosmetics and Other Applications: Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis, and Forecast, 2014  2020". According to the report, the global personal care packaging market was valued at approximately USD 20.5 billion in 2014 and is expected to reach around USD 27.0 billion by 2020, growing at a CAGR of slightly over 4% between 2015 and 2020. In terms of volume, global personal care packaging market stood at 139.5 billion units in 2014.



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Packaging is important facet of personal care products industry. Packaging plays very crucial role in sale of personal care products industry. Personal care packaging refers to casing of a broad range of personal care products such as shampoos, cosmetics and shower gels among others. Glass, metal, paper, fabrics and plastic are major materials used in casing of personal care products. Packaging provides protection and tampering resistance to personal care products.



Personal care packaging market is primarily driven by strong demand for personal care products. Strong economical growth and changing lifestyle coupled with increasing disposable income is key market driver of personal care products in emerging economies such as China, India, Brazil and South Africa. Increasing awareness among end-users regarding benefits of hygiene is also one of the important growth drivers in these countries. Packaging plays important role in sale of personal care products. Increasing usage of skin and hair care products owing to awareness regarding hygiene and beauty is expected to fuel personal care packaging market growth over the next few years. However, increasingly stringent regulations for personal care packaging can adversely affect the growth of this industry to some extent.



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Flexible packaging, rigid plastics, paper, glass, metal and others are the key product segment of personal care packaging market. Flexible packaging dominated the global personal care packaging industry with over 40% share in total volume consumed in 2014. Flexible packaging was closely followed by rigid plastics, which is second largest product segment of this industry. Flexible packaging is also expected to exhibit fastest growth rate during the forecast period. Flexible packaging and rigid plastics are widely for packaging of skin care and hair care products. Strong demand for skin care and hair care products is in turn driving demand for personal care products. Strong demand for perfumes, nail paints and others is expected fuel growth of glass packaging segment in the years to come.



Skin care, hair care, bath & shower, cosmetics and others are key application markets for personal care packaging industry. Skin care application segment dominated the global personal care packaging market. Face creams, hand and body lotions, sun care products and facial treatment products are some of the important products in skin care segment. Skin care segment accounted for over 35% share of the total market in 2014. However, hair care application segment is expected to exhibit rapid growth during the forecast period as compared to other segments. This can be attributed to strong demand for hair care products such as hair gels, shampoos, hair coloring products, and conditioners among the end-users. Cosmetic is another important segment of this industry.



The personal care packaging market was dominated by Asia Pacific with over 40% share of the total volume consumed in 2014. Asia Pacific was followed by Europe and North America. Personal care packaging market in Latin America is also expected to grow at a moderate pace in the years to come. However, strong demand from emerging economies such as China, India, Russia, Brazil and South Africa will be major driving force for growth of personal care packaging industry between 2015 and 2020.



Some of the key players in the global personal care packaging market are Saint-Gobain, Amcor, Ardagh Group, ITC, Mondi plc, Gerresheimer, Colgate-Palmolive Company, Sonoco Products Company, Mondi plc, Ardagh Group, Bormioli Rocco Spa and Hindustan National Glass & Industries Ltd.



Browse the full "Personal Care Packaging (Flexible Packaging, Rigid Plastics, Paper, Glass, Metal and Others) Market for Skin Care, Hair Care, Bath & Shower, Cosmetics and Other Applications: Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis, and Forecast, 2014 - 2020" report at www.marketresearchstore.com/report/personal-care-packaging-market-z38312



This report segments the global personal care packaging market as follows:



Global Personal Care Packaging Market: Product Segment Analysis



Flexible packaging

Rigid plastics

Paper

Glass

Metals

Others

Global Personal Care Packaging Market: Application Segment Analysis



Skin care

Hair care

Bath & shower

Cosmetics

Others

Global Personal Care Packaging Market: Regional Segment Analysis



North America

U.S.

Europe

Germany

France

UK

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

Latin America

Brazil

Middle East and Africa

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New York City, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/27/2017 -- Ferrochromium, also known as Ferrochrome, is an alloy of iron and chromium containing 50 to 70% of chromium. It is produced by electric arc melting of chromium ore and chromite. Ferrochromium is consumed extensively in the manufacturing of steel to achieve the qualities such as corrosion resistance, tensile strength, heat resistance and yield strength. The global ferrochromium market is anticipated to be in deficit to cater the increasing global steel market in near future. Ferrochromium is mostly produced in India, China, South Africa and Kazakhstan because of large chromite resources found in these countries. The global ferrochromium market is witnessing a modest single digit CAGR growth up till now and is expected to continue in future.



Ferrochromium is having its maximum share of consumption in steel industry and due to the ever increasing construction and demand of steel the global ferrochromium market is forecasted to flourish. In order to get a continuous supply of raw material for ferrochrome, China has established its operations in the countries like Turkey, South Africa, Philippines and Zimbabwe which would boost the global ferrochromium market in future. Due to the favourable conditions like lower electricity price and lower labour cost in upcoming markets like China, the production cost reduces comparatively. This will boost the production of ferrochrome to suffice its increasing demand and will contribute in global ferrochromium market.



The global ferrochromium market can get hampered because of the increase in the export tax and fixed export quotas imposed by South Africa on chrome ore, owing to the concern of losing ferrochromium market to China. South Africa is having a significant market share in global ferrochromium market but there are concerns of power supply and higher production cost which would lead to the closure of small competitors and is estimated to slowdown the global ferrochromium market.



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The global ferrochromium market can be divided into five regions, namely North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific is having the maximum market share in global ferrochromium market, China and India are the countries having an excellent steel market, so these countries are significant in the consumption of ferrochrome. China is expanding its capacity to import chrome ore for the production of ferrochrome from the countries like South Africa, Turkey, Zimbabwe. Middle East and Africa are also marking a significant growth in the global ferrochromium market, Especially South Africa is having plenty of chromite resources for the production of ferrochrome. Europe is an emerging market in the field of ferrochrome and is anticipated to have a considerable market in future due to the flourishing automobile sector in the region. North America and Latin America is at a nascent stage in the global ferrochromium market.



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A team of researchers from the Universities of Sussex and Bristol, UK, has invented the first metamaterial that easily bends, shapes and focuses sound waves that pass through it, as described in a paper published in the Feb. 27 issue of the journal Nature Communications.

Metamaterials  human-made composites that are engineered to exhibit exotic properties not found in nature  have already shown remarkable results with light manipulation.

But Universities of Sussex researcher Dr. Gianluca Memoli and co-authors have now shown that metamaterials also work with sound waves.

Finely shaped sound fields are used in medical imaging and therapy as well as in a wide range of consumer products such as audio spotlights and ultrasonic haptics, the scientists said.

They assembled a metamaterial layer out of lots of small bricks that each coil up space.

The space coiling bricks act to slow down the sound meaning that incoming sound waves can be transformed into any required sound field.

Our metamaterial bricks can be 3D printed and then assembled together to form any sound field you can imagine, Dr. Memoli explained.

We also showed how this can be achieved with only a small number of different bricks.

You can think of a box of our metamaterial bricks as a do-it-yourself acoustics kit.

Our metamaterial bricks are designed for operating at 40 kHz, nevertheless the presence of the labyrinth meander means that each brick can also work at lower frequencies, the authors added.

The new metamaterial layers could be used in many applications:

(i) large versions could be used to direct or focus sound to a particular location and form an audio hotspot;

(ii) much smaller versions could be used to focus high intensity ultrasound to destroy tumors deep within the body. Here, a metamaterial layer could be tailor-made to fit the body of a patient and tuned to focus the ultrasound waves where they are needed most.

In both cases the layer could be fitted to existing loudspeaker technology and be made rapidly and cheaply.

We want to create acoustic devices that manipulate sound with the same ease and flexibility with which LCDs and projectors do to light, said senior author Prof. Sriram Subramanian, Head of the Interact Lab at the University of Sussex.

Our research opens the door to new acoustic devices combining diffraction, scattering and refraction, and enables the future development of fully digital spatial sound modulators, which can be controlled in real time with minimal resources.

In the future I think there will be many exciting applications of this technology, said co-author Prof. Bruce Drinkwater, from the University of Bristol.

We are now working on making the metamaterial layers dynamically reconfigurable.

This will mean we can make cheap imaging systems which could be used either for medical diagnostics or crack detection.

_____

Gianluca Memoli et al. 2017. Metamaterial bricks and quantization of meta-surfaces. Nature Communications 8, article number: 14608; doi: 10.1038/ncomms14608
The performance of students who accessed higher education through social inclusion policies in Brazil is equal and sometimes even better than that of their peers, according to a study published by the Brazilian journal Educacao e Pesquisa (12 January) and supported by FAPESP (the Sao Paulo Research Foundation).

The researchers evaluated about one million students who participated in the National Student Performance Test (ENADE). This is equivalent to one third of the total number of students who took the test between 2012 and 2014.

The qualifications of quota holders and non-quota holders are equivalent in terms of their performance in professional activities. Jaques Weiner, State University of Campinas

The inclusion policies considered in the study represent a system of quotas targeting people who have lower access to universities. Among them are black and indigenous populations, persons with disabilities and students from public schools with lower incomes. It also includes the beneficiaries of two social inclusion programmes supported by the Ministry of Education: the University for All programme (PROUNI) and the Fund for Student Support (FIES).

Working with the 2012-2014 data, we were able to trace the performance of one third of graduate students in that period. We noted that the qualifications of students who came from [quota] allocations or [through the] FIES were not significantly different from their classmates. And the qualifications of PROUNI scholarship students were much better than their classmates, said Jaques Weiner, professor of Informatics at the State University of Campinas, in an article published in FAPESPs newsletter.

The racial and social quotas system has been controversial since it was created. In spite of extensive literature, there are only few [commentators] that support their views  either in favor or against the system  based on evidence, says Wainer.

One of the arguments used by those who oppose the quotas is that this system represents a loss to society, because the quota holders take more qualified students out of the education system; and because, after graduating, they become less qualified as professionals than non-quota holders, explains Wainer. He was surprised that the teams research disproved this hypothesis.

If we consider ENADE to be a good measure of the qualifications of students graduating from universities then we must admit, based on the analysis of these data, that the qualifications of quota holders and non-quota holders are equivalent in terms of their performance in professional activities, Wainer asserts.

Taken from a newsletter by FAPESP, a SciDev.Net donor, edited by our Latin America and the Caribbean desk.
[ACCRA] Africa needs to nurture girls in science to generate more empowered women in various scientific fields such as drug regulation for accelerated sustainable socioeconomic development, experts say.



The experts made this call during the launch of an initiative that facilitates networking and mentee-mentor relationships to ignite female students aspirations towards careers in drug regulation and pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa.



Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, president of Mauritius, while commenting on the launch of Center for Pharmaceutical Advancement and Trainings (CePAT) Women In Science Exchange (WISE) in Ghana last month (14 January), said it is important to engage with young girls for a better feminine representation in sciences to help develop Africa.

There are no boundaries for women and they can take up challenges that require scientific knowledge. Jennifer Ahenkora, Accra High School

CePAT is the US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) capacity building programme site based in Ghana and its WISE programme convenes undergraduate and high school female science students with CePAT honorees and global health professionals across Sub-Saharan Africa.



This is done through capacity building and skills development in group mentorship for participating students, knowledge sharing workshops, career guidance trainings and internships to motivate and prepare the next generation of medicines quality champions for Africas expanding pharmaceutical industry.



We are talking about women in the age bracket of 15-22 and it is here that the difference is made because women are not being encouraged with sciences. There is a lot of stereotyping in the way science is being taught, the infrastructure [too] doesnt encourage the girls to stay in school, Gurib-Fakim says.



She adds, We need more advocacy [and] more mentoring to take these girls by the hands. If we engage with the girls to make them realise that they can do anything from a very tender age, we can see more girls in sciences.



According to Patrick Lukulay, vice president, USPs Global Health Impact Programs, Africa, it is not enough to wait until people get out of the universities to take up the profession but it is more important to go downstream to start building future leaders so that they would become more effective in what they do.



He says, it is undebatable that girls are disadvantaged, particularly in Africa and there is great need to change this dynamic. We have to do it very aggressively because we know the potential that women have. We know the influence they have in communities. If you prepare them well theres cascade effect, he adds.



Lukulay says that women champion health-seeking behaviour in Africa, and convincing them of quality could have the most impact even in terms of health outcomes.



WISE programme, he explains, is aimed at building human resource capacity, giving them core competency in drug regulation.



Lukulay says, It is not enough to just focus on in-service training  It is crucial to go to high schools and universities impacting those principles.



We are trying to provide opportunity whereby high school students are invited to the centre to interact with professionals, trying to establish linkages between high school and university students with women that have skills that could impact on them.



Ronald Piervincenzi, chief executive officer of the USP, says it is important to access quality medicine and it is useful to have many women in the network, hence the need for building their capacities in the continent at early ages.



According to Jennifer Ahenkora, a student at Accra High School, the mentoring has given confidence and taught her the value of women in society.

There are no boundaries for women and they can take up challenges that require scientific knowledge, she tells SciDev.Net.Ahenkora notes that she feels inspired and encouraged. She intends to work hard to meet the objectives of the mentoring project. Talking and interacting with the mentors has given me a new level of understanding and inspiration and I want to go to great heights in achieving the reasons for which the project has been created, she says.Disclaimer: The US Pharmacopeial Convention sponsored Ochieng Ogodo to attend the event in Accra, Ghana.This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Switzerland allowed back into Horizon 2020 | Since the 2014 referendum on immigration the Swiss have been banned from participation in the Horizon2020 programme and Erasmus+. Although Switzerland has recently been allowed back in the race for Horizon 2020, they are still barred from Erasmus+. Is this a glimpe of the future the Britons face after Brexit?









Evidently Switzerland has never been a member of the European Union but ever since the started participating in the Erasmus+ programme in 1992 it has been a valued member of European academics. In 2014 negotiations were underway to become a full member of Erasmus+. A referendum that instated a quotum on the number of immigrants allowed to enter Switzerland ended these talks since it conflicted with one of the four fundamental freedoms of the union: the freedom of movement for workers.

Comprimise reached

Since the referendum the Swiss were barred from participation in most of the European programme and could participate only under high restrictions. If the country was not to come up with a plan to guarantee free movement of workers by February 9th 2017 it would be excluded from Horizon 2020 altogether.

At long last such a deal was reached and in late 2016 the Swiss parliament passed the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals creating a compromise between Switzerland and the EU. In the new bill the quota is abolished although emoployees in sectors with high unemployment are allowed to give priority to people already living or employed in Switzerland.

In December EU-president Jean-Claude Juncker officially stated that he appreciated the Swiss efforts in finding a solution: The Swiss authorities and the European institutions have worked tirelessly to find a solution that would guarantee full respect for one of our founding principles: the free movement of persons. The Commission will closely monitor the implementation of this solution.

To alleviate the reduction in EU funding and to ensure a level playing field for international competition the Swiss National Science Foundation had already opened up an alternative fund for Swiss scientists. With this improved relationship participation in the Horizon 2020 programme is once again insured meaning that Swiss scientists can once again apply fort he much sought after ERC grants.

The European Commission has communicated that the participation in the Erasmus+ programme will be delayed for quite some time. The time frame of the current programme is 2014  2020 and negotiations about the next period wont start for at least another year.

Lessons for the United Kingdom

The Swiss developments are being closely watched by the Brexiting United Kingdom. The article 50 negotiations will undoubtedly influence the participation of the UK in current and future European programmes for science and education.

Earlier this year prime minister Theresa May put forward her vision for Brexit emphasising strongly to value the international cooperation of European universities. The British plans to restrict immigration might very well turn out to be a major obstacle in the negotiations. Perhaps the Swiss model of compromise could be an out.
The death of Bahamas' swimming pigs remains a big mystery. Locals believe that it was the tourists who unintentionally killed the pigs.

Mail Online released the most recent investigation into the mysterious death of one of Bahamas' famous attractions. The famous and adored swimming pigs were found dead not long ago due to humans.

Local officials strongly believe that the tourists have made the pigs drunk that caused their death. Some of the pigs were featured on an episode of "The Bachelor" right before half-dozen of the swimming pigs were found dead.

Investigators probe the death of the once adored swimming pigs and have found foul play. Some of the released pigs on Bahamas island may have possibly eaten poison while others were found intoxicated with alcohol and may have drowned.

According to Travel and Leisure, there are only seven or eight pigs left recently, while the total number of swimming pigs which have died is still undetermined. Because of the incident, the protective zone was established to keep the tourists away from the island swimming pigs.

Bahamas Humane Society President Kim Aranha said, "It could just be a horrible accident where they ate something poisonous. It could be malicious, but I don't really see why someone would go out of their way to hurt those lovely animals."

To recall, aside from "The Bachelor," Hollywood actress Bella Thorne had her snapped the photo with the Bahamas' swimming pigs last month. Together with her sister Dani Thorne enjoyed their photos and fun with the swimming pigs. Likewise, Donald Trumo Jr. with his wife and kids had enjoyed a summer with the swimming pigs last year.

Wayde Nixon, a Bahamas man is the one who claimed from setting four sows and a boar on the island in mid-1990. His goal is to create a sustainable food for the hogs in a case of catastrophe.

Whether it's the rowdy tourists that unintentionally killed the Bahamas' swimming pigs or not there should be proper guidance with the boars to prevent this from happening again in the future. The dead pigs were recognized by the local government and received an honorable sea burial.
NASA's Mars exploration rover has been probing the Red Planet for its potential habitability. As people wait for a go signal on an interplanetary migration, the space agency is working on building a colony in 3D print.

DNA India reported that NASA is working with Behrokh Khoshnevis in designing possible houses for the Red Planet. The project began in 2011 and the building design will be printed in 3D. Using his 3D-printing method called Contour Crafting (CC), the professor at University of Southern California was able to print a 2,500-square-foot building in less than 24 hours.

"Building in space is going to become commonplace in less than 50 years," Khoshnevis told CNN. "There's an abundance of energy and materials [and] in a short time, our capability to manufacture in space will be many times what we can do on Earth."

The NASA engineer said that the environment on Mars is hostile to humans and that robots are needed to build a colony on the planet. Humans would need to have robots create construction plants, power grids and landing pads and roads before they even land on the Red Planet.

The engineer added that his 3D printer should be controlled by a remote on Earth when it is launched to space. But it is not that easy.

According to Khoshnevis, getting the technology to Mars requires an enormous amount of work. They will have to mount loads of construction machines inside a rocket compartment, which would probably need larger rockets. The cost of transporting is considerably expensive, too.

But sending the technology is only the hardest part. He added that the contents will start to work on their own when the compartment finally lands since astronauts cannot be construction workers at the same time.

Khoshnevis is confident that humans can conquer Mars and beyond in the next 50 to 100 years.
The world's smallest cetacean, the vaquita, is now on the verge of extinction. According to the officials, there are no more than 30 vaquitas that are left.

This creature is a rare species of porpoise that can be found in the northern part of the Gulf of California. Vaquita in Spanish is referred to as "little cow." It is also called Gulf of California harbor porpoise, vaquita porpoise, desert porpoise and gulf porpoise. It has gone extinct in 2006 and then become the most endangered cetacean in the world. Its extinction is attributed to bycatch from the illegal gillnet fishery for the totoaba, which is also endangered.

The vaquita's swim bladder is dried and smuggled to China. It is made into an expensive delicacy and believed to have medicinal powers, according to The New York Times.

Barbara Taylor, a marine mammal expert at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said that if they continue the path they are on, they will have no vaquitas in two years. Likewise, Armando Jaramillo Legoretta at the Mexican government's National Ecology and Climate Change Institute said that totoaba poachers have killed 90 percent of the vaquita population since 2011.

So, what could be the steps to save the vaquitas? The experts recommend the Mexican government to capture several specimens that are left and hold them in a sea pen as a way of conserving the species until the hazard to its habitat is removed. This could be last-ditch that conservationists would never have to resort to.

Lorenzo Rojas Bracho, a marine mammal expert at INECC and the chairman of an advisory group, the International Committee for Vaquita Recovery, said that they had always opposed to captivity and there are risks. On the other hand, they are fewer than leaving them with the fishing as it is.

The captivity involves training United States Navy dolphins to locate vaquitas to capture them and transfer them into a temporary pool. Then, move them to a sea pen to be built in their habitat along the Gulf of California coast.
A new study was conducted on how the asteroid could impact the planet Earth. It indicates that most of the deaths of the impact of the asteroid in case it would hit the planet are caused by high winds.

The study will be published in the upcoming edition of Meteoritic and Planetary Science. It was led by researchers from the University of Southampton.

In the study, the team gauged the number of human casualties that would result from three various impact scenarios. These include a meteor that blows up in the atmosphere (an air burst), a meteorite that hits the ground and one that splashes into the ocean. The results showed that most of the deaths were caused of an intense wind gust that triggers hurricane-like devastation instead of fallings rocks or a wall of intense pressure.

Meanwhile, for the asteroid strike, the effect of it would depend on the size, composition and the speed of the rock impacting the Earth's surface. The NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office monitors the paths of asteroids and other objects with orbits that could collide with Earth. They use predictive tools that include physics-based computer simulations to evaluate the impact threat posed by "near-Earth asteroids" and "potentially hazardous asteroids," according to Phys.org.

Furthermore, in the new study, the team develops two of the scenarios into more detailed case studies in a case of the event of an asteroid hitting a populated area. The first scenario involved a hypothetical object about 50 meters wide that explode in Berlin and London, in what is called an air burst.

The second scenario involves an object about 200 meters wide that forms a crater in the same areas. The speed was about 20 km/s with an angle of entry at 45 degrees. The results showed that total carnage from an asteroid airburst was approximately 1.2 million deaths in Berlin and over 2.8 million deaths in London.

In a case of the impact crater at the middle of each city, there will be 3.5 million dying in Berlin and 8.8 million in London. On the other hand, whether the object hit the city or made it to the ground, still most of the deaths would be the result of striking by the winds. There will be about 85 percent deaths as resulted from being blown about outside or inside a collapsed building in the presence of an airburst. If in case the rock hit the ground, there will be about half of all deaths resulting following the blast of wind, according to Science Alert.
BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Feb. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Delek Logistics Partners, LP (NYSE:DKL) today announced that its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2017 and can be viewed on the Partnerships website at www.deleklogistics.com. The filing can be accessed by selecting the SEC Filings link.



Also, upon written request, limited partners may receive, free of charge, a printed copy of the Partnerships Annual Report on Form 10-K, which includes audited financial statements. Requests should be communicated in writing to Delek Logistics Partners, LP, Attention: Investor Relations, at 7102 Commerce Way, Brentwood, TN 37027.

About Delek Logistics Partners, LP

Delek Logistics Partners, LP, headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, was formed by Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK) to own, operate, acquire and construct crude oil and refined products logistics and marketing assets.
Wildfires are among the most common hazards around the globe, especially during the warmest months of the year. However, it seems that it is not the weather that is to blame for these. Instead, people should look into themselves as the main source of massive fires.

According to The Washington Post, humans were the triggers to five out of six wildfires in the U.S. in the last two decades -- with the length of the wildfire season tripling in length, starting earlier in the East coast and lasting longer in the West. Despite climate change being a factor that worsens fire during the warm season, researchers believe that human activities actually play a bigger role.

Scientists who analyzed fire data from 1992 to 2012 found that over 84 percent of wildfires were started by people themselves, either by accident or on purpose. These human-caused blazes have tripled the length of the wildfire season to 154 days instead of the usual 46, as well.

Jennifer Balch, a fire ecologist from the University of Colorado, said that this is due mainly to people who are moving more and more into areas meant to be part of the "wild." Thus, this provides them with ignition for wildfires.

The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences noted that over 1 million fires were started by humans since 1992. Of all these, 29 percent began with trash burning, 21 percent by arson and 11 percent by equipment misuse. One in five wildfires also occurs on the Fourth of July due to fireworks.

In 2016, the Soberanes fire in California was said to have started due to an illegal campfire. It lasted for nearly three months, costing the government around $200 million, the most expensive firefighting expense in the U.S. history.

Thomas Swetnam of the University of Arizona, who was not involved in the study, commended the report via USA Today. He indicated the importance of the role people have in the lengthening of the fire season, as well as their contribution to the increasing number of large fires around the United States.
HOUSTON, Feb. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LINN Energy, Inc., the reorganized successor to LINN Energy, LLC, and its affiliated entities (the Company or LINN), today announced that it has emerged from Chapter 11 restructuring. Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, LINN and Berry Petroleum (Berry) will operate as stand-alone companies.



Through the restructuring, LINN has reduced debt by more than $5 billion to total debt of $1.012 billion and pro forma net debt of $962 million, resulting in $730 million of liquidity. The new structure significantly enhances financial flexibility and positions the Company for long-term success.

Mark E. Ellis, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, Today marks a new beginning for our company and all of our stakeholders. With significantly less debt and an infusion of new equity capital, we have ample liquidity to accelerate growth in our core areas, including our SCOOP/STACK/Merge position. We are confident that our diverse and high-quality asset base will serve as a foundation for our future success.

The following are highlights of LINNs asset position:

~185,000 net acres in SCOOP/STACK/Merge  a premier onshore play

Including ~49,000 net acres in the highly prospective Merge, where LINN holds a dominant position and operates a 60 MMcf/d refrigeration plant with expansion capability

2.6+ million net acres (98%+ HBP) with exposure to emerging stacked pay opportunities in Mid-Continent, Rockies, East Texas and North Louisiana

Predictable, low-cost base production which averaged 828 MMcfe/d in 2016 (13% decline rate)

Proved Developed PV-10 of ~$3.1 billion at February 15, 2017 strip pricing

A supplemental presentation has been posted to the Companys website, which includes an overview of the emerging company, an update on the capital structure, operational highlights of LINNs asset areas and additional information on the asset sales.

Effective today, the Companys Board of Directors are comprised of members of management and representatives of the Companys largest shareholders. The new directors are:

Mark E. Ellis, President and Chief Executive Officer at the Company

David B. Rottino, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at the Company

Matthew Bonanno, Partner at York Capital Management

Phil Brown, Partner at P. Schoenfeld Asset Management

Evan Lederman, Managing Director and Partner at Fir Tree Partners

Kevin Mahony, Principal at Centerbridge Partners

Andy Taylor, member of the investment team of Elliot Management Corporation

The Board of Directors has engaged Jefferies LLC as lead advisor and has initiated a process to explore and evaluate potential strategic alternatives, which includes marketing five non-core assets. The Company has retained the following advisors to work alongside Jefferies LLC in the sales process: RBC Richardson Barr will market the Williston and Permian packages, CIBC Griffis & Small will market the South Texas and Salt Creek packages, and Tudor Pickering, Holt & Co. will market California. The proceeds received from any future asset sales are expected to further de-lever the Companys balance sheet and allow for flexibility to focus resources on the remaining growth assets.

The new Board of Directors collectively echoed Mr. Ellis comments and said, We are very excited for the prospects of LINN as we transition from an upstream MLP to a growth-oriented E&P company. We also believe the asset sales will allow us to re-deploy capital to focus on significant growth opportunities and position LINN to maximize returns for shareholders.

We thank our outstanding employees for their unwavering commitment throughout the restructuring process, said Mark E. Ellis. Because of their efforts, we were able to achieve strong operational results and reduce costs while working safely. Looking ahead, our employees are critical in creating future value and driving the Companys success.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal adviser to LINN, Lazard served as financial adviser and AlixPartners served as restructuring adviser. Jefferies LLC is serving as lead financial advisor in the strategic review process.

Link to the supplemental presentation: http://ir.linnenergy.com/presentations.cfm

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations made by the Company which reflect managements experience, estimates and perception of historical trends, current conditions, and anticipated future developments. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or anticipated in the forward-looking statements. These include risks relating to financial performance and results, ability to improve our financial results and profitability following emergence from bankruptcy, availability of sufficient cash flow to execute our business plan, continued low or further declining commodity prices and demand for oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, ability to hedge future production, ability to replace reserves and efficiently develop current reserves, the regulatory environment and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. These and other important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Please read Risk Factors in the Companys Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other public filings. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events.

PV-10

PV-10 represents the present value, discounted at 10% per year, of estimated future net cash flows. The Companys calculation of PV-10 herein differs from the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC in that it is calculated before income taxes and including the impact of helium, using strip prices as of February 15, 2017, rather than after income taxes and not including the impact of helium, using the average price during the 12-month period, determined as an unweighted average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month. The Companys calculation of PV-10 should not be considered as an alternative to the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Net Debt

Net debt is defined by the Company as total debt less cash and cash equivalents.
The vessel called Mexican the on the AC2 Transpacific service from Asia, formally inaugurating the new terminal.

[The Maersk Salalah call to Lazaro Cardenas] is a milestone as we add an additional operational terminal to our portfolio. A priority for us is to transition terminals under implementation into operation, and make them as efficient as possible to support our customers, said Morten H. Engelstoft, ceo of APM Terminals.

We have a significant portfolio across Latin America, and this will be our second terminal in Mexico [after Progreso, in Yucatan].

Mexico is a core part of our strategy of investing in growth markets and building state-of-the-art facilities to run more efficiently the supply chain from the heart of Mexico to Asia and the rest of the Americas, explained Jose Rueda, md for APM Terminals in Mexico.

The technology in this terminal will bring increased predictability and efficiency to our shipping line customers, whilst ensuring the highest levels of safety for our employees and supply chain partners. he added.

In addition to servicing ships, the new terminal in Lazaro Cardenas will enable us to further contribute to the nations growth story and long-term competitiveness by offering efficient, safe and reliable terminal services to producers and manufacturers. With the capacity to receive the worlds biggest ships and provide additional connectivity inland via our terminal at Cuautitlan Izcalli, in the industrial zone of Mexico City which is surrounded by over 200 onward distribution centres, we are in a unique position to facilitate trade for the country, said Rueda.
Adding in supply chain and worker spending multiplier impacts, the shipping industrys total employment contribution rises to 2.1m people and its total GDP contribution to an estimated EUR140bn in 2015, according to findings of an update ECSA commissioned from Oxford Economics.

Furthermore, productivity in the EU shipping industry at EUR89,000 per worker in 2015 remains above the EU average, as well as that of sectors such as manufacturing and healthcare.

The latest Oxford Economics figures underline that shipping remains a solid contributor to the European agenda of jobs and growth," said ECSA secretary general Patrick Verhoeven, Compared to 2013 figures, we see a modest increase in both employment and value-added figures.

The Oxford Economics report finds that around 80% of direct employment occurs at sea. Officers account for an estimated 42% of positions at sea, and ratings 58%. 40% of the 516,000 seafarers employed in the EU shipping industry are estimated to be EU/EEA nationals, a stable figure versus 2013, which Verhoeven called a positive sign, given the challenging market circumstances most European shipping companies still operate in.

Separately, the findings of a study on EU Shipping Competitiveness commissioned by ECSA from Monitor Deloitte to benchmark the overall EU policy framework for shipping compared to five other international shipping centres  Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Shanghai and Vancouver  will also be discussed during meetings in Brussels this week.
Status Update

UNRCCA (Central Asia)

On 2 February, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative and head of UNRCCA, Petko Draganov, briefed Council members in consultations. Russia proposed a press statement but Council members failed to reach agreement, mainly due to continuing differences over whether to add new language relating to UNRCCAs cooperation with regional organisations. They were, however, able to agree on press elements read by the Council President following the consultations, welcoming Draganovs briefing, reaffirming the importance of conflict prevention tools, acknowledging the role of UNRCCA and encouraging greater cooperation between states in the region, UNRCCA and relevant regional organisations.

Ukraine

On 2 February, the Council held a meeting on the situation in Ukraine, requested by Ukraine itself following the recent spike in fighting in the Donetsk region. Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman briefed on the political situation in the country. The Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, updated the Council on OSCE-related activities and ceasefire violations arising from the recent surge in fighting. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen OBrien informed the Council of the grave humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine.

Iraq

On 2 February, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNAMI, Jan Kubis, briefed the Council on the latest UNAMI report . A main focus of his briefing was the Mosul military operation and its humanitarian impact. On the political front, Kubis informed the Council of the latest national reconciliation efforts in Iraq.

Peace and Security in Africa

On 3 February, the Secretary-General briefed Council members in consultations on his participation in the recent AU summit. According to a statement read by the Council President following the consultations, Council members welcomed the Secretary-Generals initiative to brief on his trip and expressed their full support for such an approach.

Counter-Terrorism

On 7 February, the Council was briefed by Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, on UN counter-terrorism efforts in support of member states fight against ISIL, followed by consultations. The briefing was based on the Secretary-Generals 2 February strategic-level report requested by resolution 2253 of 17 December 2015. On 13 February, the Council held an open debate on the protection of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks. Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin of Ukraine chaired the session. Briefings were given by the Secretary-Generals Chef de Cabinet, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti; Jurgen Stock, the Secretary-General of the International Criminal Police Organization (via video teleconference); Hamid Ali Rao, Deputy Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons; Chris Trelawny, Special Adviser on Maritime Security and Facilitation to the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization; and Olli Heinonen, Senior Advisor on Science and Non-proliferation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Deputy Director-General of the IAEA. Ahead of the debate, Ukraine circulated a concept note . The Council adopted resolution 2341, directing the CTC and CTED to continue as appropriate, within their respective mandates, to examine member states efforts to protect critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks. In a 1 February press statement, Council members condemned the attack against a UN monitoring team near the Nigeria-Cameroon border, during which one UN independent contractor, three Nigerian nationals and one Cameroonian national were killed and others injured.

Sudan (Darfur)

On 8 February, the Council adopted resolution 2340, which renewed the mandate of the 1591 Sudan Sanctions Committee Panel of Experts until 12 March 2018.

Libya

On 8 February, Council members received a briefing from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNSMIL, Martin Kobler, followed by consultations. The meeting focused on efforts under way to reach an inclusive and sustainable political settlement in Libya.

Cote dIvoire

On 8 February, the Council was briefed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNOCI, Aichatou Mindaoudou, on the latest developments in the country and the Secretary-Generals 31 January report . Mindaoudou informed the Council about the results of the 2016 constitutional referendum which established the Third Republic. In addition to UNOCIs drawdown activities, Mindaoudou also addressed the recent mutiny of soldiers in various cities throughout the country.

Guinea-Bissau

On 14 February, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Guinea-Bissau, Modibo Toure, briefed the Council on the Secretary-Generals latest report and recent developments in Guinea-Bissau. The chair of the PBCs Guinea-Bissau configuration, Ambassador Mauro Viera (Brazil), also briefed and statements were additionally made by representatives of Guinea-Bissau and Liberia on behalf of ECOWAS. Following consultations, Council members issued press elements expressing their concern over the political impasse in Guinea-Bissau and urging national stakeholders to implement the Conakry agreement and ECOWAS roadmap. On 23 February, the Council adopted resolution 2343 renewing the mandate of UNIOGBIS until 28 February 2018. The resolution, inter alia, fully endorsed the recommendations outlined in the Secretary-Generals report regarding the need for UNIOGBIS to refocus its efforts towards political capacities in support of the Special Representatives good offices and political facilitation role.

Children and Armed Conflict

The Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict met on 14 February to adopt its conclusions on the Secretary-Generals report on children and armed conflict in Colombia and for the introduction of the Secretary-Generals report on children and armed conflict in Somalia. The Colombia report was introduced on 9 January, and there were three meetings held to negotiate the conclusions.

Central African Republic

On 15 February, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous briefed the Council on the latest Secretary-Generals report on the situation in the CAR. The chair of the CAR configuration of the PBC, Ambassador Omar Hilale (Morocco) also spoke. In addition, Ukrainian Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko addressed the Council in his capacity as Chair of the CAR 2127 Sanctions Committee. The briefings were followed by consultations. On 17 February the Sanctions Committee met to discuss the Panel of Experts latest progress report.

Conflicts in Europe

On 21 February, the Council held an open debate chaired by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin on the maintenance of international peace and security focusing on conflicts in Europe. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, OSCE Secretary-General Lamberto Zannier and Secretary-General of the European External Action Service Helga Schmid briefed. A concept note circulated by Ukraine ahead of the debate argued that emerging conflicts as well as a number of protracted conflicts in the region pose a serious threat to international peace and security and warrant the Councils attention.

Western Sahara

On 21 February, at the request of Uruguay, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous briefed Council members under any other business on the functionality of MINURSO.

Briefing by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office

On 22 February, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz briefed the Council in his capacity as Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE. Kurz outlined the main priorities during Austrias chairmanship which included defusing existing conflicts; fighting radicalisation and violent extremism; and reestablishing trust and confidence. He also addressed the situation in Ukraine and the OSCEs role in facilitating the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Human Rights

On 24 February, Senegal, Sweden and Uruguay co-hosted a closed Arria-formula meeting with the heads of human rights components of three UN peace operations: Jose Maria Aranaz of MONUSCO, Eugene Nindorera of UNMISS and Kirsten Young of UNSOM.

Kosovo

On 27 February, Special Representative Zahir Tanin briefed the Council at its quarterly briefing on Kosovo, presenting the latest UNMIK report. Tanin has noted that there has been heightened tension between Belgrade and Pristina over the course of the past several months. However, on the positive note, the EU facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina resumed. Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic and Kosovos Ambassador to the US, Vlora Citaku, also made statements.
ASIA

Afghanistan

Expected Council Action

In March, the Council will renew the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which expires on 17 March. It will also hold its quarterly debate on Afghanistan, during which it will consider the Secretary-Generals 90-day report on UNAMA. Tadamichi Yamamoto, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative in Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, is expected to brief.

Key Recent Developments

The security situation remains very fragile and continues to take a heavy toll on Afghan security forces and the civilian population.

The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) continues to lose ground over territories it previously controlled, due to Afghan forces activities with the support of NATO airstrikes. On 12 February, Afghan forces launched a new offensive against ISIL in Nangarhar province, where ISIL still holds a few districts. At the same time, the threat of ISIL terrorist attacks throughout the country has intensified. At least 21 people were killed and more than 40 injured in a 7 February suicide bombing outside Afghanistans Supreme Court in Kabul, for which ISIL claimed responsibility. Council members condemned the attack in a press statement issued the same day.

Meanwhile, clashes between the Taliban and Afghan security forces have intensified, with the Taliban continuing to push forward. The Taliban controls about 10 percent of the countrys districts and contests another 33 percent of them. Since the withdrawal of the bulk of NATO forces in December 2014, Afghan forces have relied heavily on NATO airstrikes against the Taliban. However, these have come at a significant cost. According to UNAMA, NATO airstrikes in Helmand province on 9 and 10 February killed at least 18 civilians, nearly all women and children.

Another alarming trend are attacks by militants on aid workers, resulting in limited humanitarian access. On 8 February, six employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross were killed and two others were reported to be abducted to an unknown location in northern Afghanistan, in an attack attributed to ISIL.

The Taliban, ISIL and other groups have reportedly also profited from the illegal smuggling of natural resources. On 2 February the Afghan Anti-Corruption Network, an Afghan civil society watchdog, reported that militants received at least $46 million from the smuggling of natural resources, mainly marble and talc, from Nangahar province to Pakistan.

On the political front, the Taliban continue to resist political dialogue. In an appearance before the US Senate Armed Services Committee on 9 February, the commander of NATOs Resolute Support mission and US forces in Afghanistan, Gen. John Nicholson, accused Russia of undermining NATOs efforts and acting to legitimise the Taliban as an anti-ISIL force. There have been reports that Russia has acknowledged it has limited political contact with the Taliban but denies assisting the group. Nicholson also said that NATO should deploy additional troops in order to defeat the Taliban.

Russia hosted talks on countering extremist activities in Afghanistan and the region on 15 February with representatives of Afghanistan, China, India, Iran and Pakistan. Afghanistan and India took a hard line against the Taliban in the meeting, while China, Russia and Pakistan urged direct talks with them. Afghanistan requested that the US be invited to any future talks. However, at the end of the meeting, Russia extended a future invite only to Asian nations.

The tense relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan took a turn for the worst after a terrorist attack on a Sufi shrine in southern Pakistan killed more than 80 civilians and wounded some 250 on 16 February. Pakistan reacted with cross-border shelling, targeting camps supposedly used by Jammat-ul Ahrar, a splinter faction of the Pakistani Taliban. In addition it closed the border crossings to all movement of people and goods and demanded that Afghanistan hand over 76 suspected terrorists. Afghanistan reacted with a similar demand that Pakistan hand over 80 suspected insurgents and close 32 camps it claims are being used by the Taliban and other groups.

The Council held its last quarterly debate on Afghanistan on 19 December 2016. During the debate, Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, told the Council that in 2016 opium poppy production in Afghanistan grew by 43 percent.

Sanctions-Related Developments

The then Chair of the 1988 Afghanistan Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen (New Zealand), briefed the Council on 19 December after visiting Afghanistan between 11 and 13 November 2016. He noted that the Talibans income from narcotics is estimated at around $400 million per year and that cutting off that financial stream could have a significant impact on the Talibans capabilities.

While reconciliation efforts with the Taliban have stalled, the government concluded an agreement on 29 September with insurgent leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, head of the Hezb-i-Islami militant group. On 3 February, the ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee removed Hekmatyar from its sanctions list.

On 16 February the Committee delisted one individual, who is now known to have passed away in 2001.

Human Rights-Related Developments

On 6 February, UNAMA released its annual report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict in Afghanistan, covering the period from 1 January to 31 December 2016. The report concluded that 2016 saw the highest number of civilian casualties11,418 documented deaths and injuriessince reporting began in 2009, including record numbers of children killed and injured, with fighting between pro (both Afghani and international) and anti-government forces the leading cause of death. In an accompanying statement, Yamamoto warned that levels of civilian casualties are likely to remain appallingly high unless all parties seriously commit to examining the consequences of their operations.

On 12 February, UNAMA released a statement expressing its grave concern at the escalation of fighting in Helmand province, which left at least 25 civilians, mostly women and children, dead and many more wounded. According to UNAMA, NATO airstrikes killed at least 18 civilians, as mentioned above, while a Taliban suicide attack on 11 February killed at least seven civilians, mainly children, and wounded more. The 891 civilians killed or injured by the different parties in Helmand in 2016 was the highest figure in a province outside of Kabul.

The Human Rights Council is set to consider the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the human rights situation in Afghanistan at its 34th session (A/HRC/34/41) in March. The report, covering the period from January to November 2016 and prepared in cooperation with UNAMA, highlighted as areas of ongoing concern the treatment of conflict-related detainees, the prevalence of violence against women and lack of respect for freedom of expression, and drew attention to institutional weaknesses and a culture of impunity as factors that continue to adversely impact the human rights situation.

Key Issues

The immediate issue for the Council is the renewal of UNAMAs mandate.

An ongoing key issue has been how to address the deteriorating security situation, its devastating impact on the countrys stability and the toll the conflict is taking on the civilian population.

A related issue is whether it is possible to generate momentum for reconciliation efforts, given the continued heavy fighting between the insurgents and government forces.

The link between the insurgents and drug production and trafficking and illicit exploitation of natural resources is another ongoing issue.

Options

The most likely option for the Council is to renew UNAMAs mandate for an additional year. In doing so, the Council may consider language that:

deplores the high number of civilian casualties and demands that all sides avoid killing and injuring civilians, recalling that targeting civilians is a war crime;

underscores the need for the international communityand particularly neighbouring countriesto continue to support and cooperate with Afghanistan;

calls for accountability for alleged crimes committed;

emphasises the linkages between extremism and drug production and illegal exploitation of natural resources (e.g. talcum, marble and gold); and

highlights the importance of reconciliation in an effort to bring an end to insurgency in Afghanistan.

Council Dynamics

Council members long-standing concerns about the deteriorating security environment and its impact on civilians continue, though with different points of emphasis. During the last debate, Russia said it was perplexed by claims that it is providing support to the Taliban. Russia then noted that the Quadrilateral Coordination Group, which consists of Afghan, Chinese, Pakistani and US officials, has proven unsuccessful in bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table. In addition, pointing to statements made by Nicholson, Russia expressed its dismay at attempts to diminish the threat of ISIL in Afghanistan.

Several Council members, including Egypt, France, Japan, Russia and now Kazakhstancontinue to raise concerns about the connection between the Taliban insurgency and drug production and trafficking. During the last debate, Japan reiterated that drug trafficking fuels corruption and the Taliban insurgency, while also jeopardising the safety of Afghans. Japan added that the same can be said of funding from illegal mining activities.

Japan is the penholder on Afghanistan, and Kazakhstan chairs the Sanctions Committee.

UN DOCUMENTS ON AFGHANISTAN

This was a resolution renewing the mandate of UNAMA for one year. This was the report of the Secretary-General on UNAMA. This was the quarterly debate on Afghanistan. This condemned an ISIL-perpetrated suicide attack outside the Afghanistan Supreme Court the same day. This was a press release on the delisting of one individual from the Afghanistan Sanction list. This announced the removal of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar from the ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaida sanctions list.
AFRICA

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Expected Council Action

In March, the Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), which expires on 31 March. Prior to this, it will be briefed by Maman Sambo Sidikou, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and MONUSCOs head. The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to the Great Lakes Region, Said Djinnit, will also brief on the latest report on the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework Agreement.

Key Recent Developments

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and opposition groups reached an agreement on the electoral process on 31 December 2016. This was part of a last-minute effort to address the political crisis precipitated by President Joseph Kabilas resolve to remain in office beyond the conclusion of his second andaccording to the constitutionfinal term on 19 December 2016.

Under the agreement, Kabila would stay in office until elections are held by the end of 2017. During this period, a National Council for Overseeing the Electoral Agreement and Process (CNSAP) would be set up, and a new prime minister named from opposition ranks. On 4 January, the Council adopted a presidential statement welcoming the signing of the agreement and calling for its swift implementation.

The CNSAP was to be headed by opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, but he died on 1 February. Furthermore, several aspects regarding the implementation of the agreement were left vague, and indeed, there has been little progress on issues including the composition of the CNSAP and the identity of the interim prime minister. Tshisekedis death has compounded disagreement over implementation, as he was to play a leading role in the process. On 16 February, DRC budget minister Pierre Kangudia said that the DRC lacks the $1.8 billion needed to carry out the elections, raising new fears that Kabila is stalling the electoral process. On the same day, the UN, AU, EU and the International Organisation de la Francophonie issued a joint statement calling on all stakeholders, including both the presidential majority and the opposition, to enhance their efforts in implementing the agreement.

Foreign armed groups remained active in eastern DRC. The Forces democratiques de liberation du Rwanda (FDLR) continues to pose a threat to the security of North Kivu, though the group has been weakened by continuing military operations and an internal split. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) continues to operate and attack civilians in Beni territory and to recruit in the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda. The toll of rebel groups activities on civilians continues to be heavy. The UN Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) documented 31 killings of civilians in January 2017 by armed groups (including the FDLR, ADF, the Forces de resistance patriotique de lIturi and Mayi-Mayi Nyatura groups) and 13 killings of civilians by government forces. Forces Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo (FARDC) are also believed to be responsible for a February massacre of civilians in Kasai. Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations El Ghassim Wane updated the Council on recent political and security developments under any other business on 23 February.

On a related matter, the DRC sent a letter to the Council President on 27 January claiming that several March 23 Movement (M23) members who had been detained in Uganda awaiting repatriation and reintegration after the defeat of their rebellion in November 2013 have resurfaced in eastern DRC. The letter requested the Council to condemn the M23s actions and to call on Rwanda and Uganda to facilitate the repatriation of former M23 members. Uganda has acknowledged that M23 members have fled the camp, and it has since arrested some of those who escaped. However, it blames the exodus of M23 members on the DRC for stalling on its reintegration program.

Uruguay, Senegal and Sweden held an Arria-formula meeting on 24 February with heads of the human rights components of three peace operations, including MONUSCO, on human rights and the implementation of the overall mandates of peace operations.

Sanctions-Related Developments

On 30 January, the 1533 DRC Sanctions Committee met with the Group of Experts to discuss their latest midterm report of 23 December 2016. The Committee also met with the representatives of the DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda to hear their views on the report. The Committee met with the Groups coordinator, Michael Sharp, on 15 February to receive an update on the groups work. Sharp discussed the activities of rebel groups and loopholes in the DRC banking system that hamper the implementation of the assets freeze.

Human Rights-Related Developments

In January, the UNJHRO released its analysis of the human rights situation in the DRC in 2016, noting that violations increased from the previous year, in part because of the postponement of national elections and restrictions on democratic participation. The report concluded that state agents were responsible for the majority of human rights violations, with a very worrying increase in the number and proportion of violations they committed.

In a 14 February statement, a spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern at reports that FARDC soldiers killed more than 100 people during clashes with the Kamuina Nsapu militia in Kasai Central Province between 9 and 13 February. According to the reports, FARDC soldiers opened fire indiscriminately on militia fighters, and at least 39 women were caught in the gunfire and killed. If confirmed, the spokesperson said, that would suggest excessive and disproportionate use of force by the soldiers. The statement also condemned the recruitment of child soldiers by the militias as well as their targeting of state symbols and institutions.

Following the subsequent emergence of a video showing FARDC soldiers carrying out summary executions of unarmed victims, the High Commissioner, in a 20 February statement, called on the DRC government to take immediate steps to halt widespread human rights violations, citing multiple, credible allegations of massive human rights violations in Kasai, Kasai Central, Kasai Oriental and Lomami provinces. The High Commissioner warned that blunt military responses do not address the root causes of conflict between the government and militias and stressed the need for a comprehensive peace plan based on dialogue. Council members issued a press statement on 24 February, expressing grave concern over the incidents and calling on the DRC to investigate the events and hold the perpetrators accountable.

During its 34th session in March, the Human Rights Council is set to hold an interactive dialogue on the DRC.

Key Issues

The immediate issue for the Council is renewing MONUSCOs mandate.

A key issue for the Council, in the aftermath of Tshisekedis death, is ensuring that the 31 December 2016 agreement is implemented and the elections take place in 2017.

The continued violence by rebel groups in the east and emerging violence in Kasai remain a serious threat to peace and security. The violence in the east may worsen if the political crisis does not abate.

Options

While renewing MONUSCOs mandate, the Council could also:

revise the role of MONUSCOs Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) in size or tasks in order to better address the situation on the ground;

call on stakeholders to swiftly implement the 31 December 2016 agreement and resolve all outstanding issues in order to hold free and fair elections;

call on the government to investigate the recent incidents in Kasai and hold accountable those responsible for crimes committed;

call on all countries in the region to cooperate in addressing the issue of rebel groups, including the M23; and

request the Secretariat to conduct a strategic review of MONUSCO.

Council Dynamics

Council members are concerned over the ongoing political crisis in the DRC and the potentially explosive ramifications if the 31 December 2016 agreement fails to bring about fair and timely elections and a peaceful transfer of power. Some Council members emphasise the need for the government to uphold the agreement and hold elections by the end of the year; other members are less concerned with the timeframe and look to all stakeholders as jointly responsible for its implementation, including finding ways to overcome logistical difficulties.

Council members share the view that MONUSCO needs to be more effective. Some Council members note in particular the possibility of rethinking the role of MONUSCOs FIB. At the same time, most Council members are of the view that because of the present political realities, MONUSCOs mandate should not be altered until after the end of the electoral cycle, at which point a strategic review of the mission would be warranted.

France is the penholder on the DRC, and Egypt chairs the DRC Sanctions Committee.

UN DOCUMENTS ON THE DRC

This resolution renewed the DRC sanctions regime and the mandate of the Group of Experts. This was a resolution renewing the mandate of MONUSCO for a year. The Council adopted a presidential statement welcoming the signing on 31 December 2016 of a comprehensive and inclusive political agreement on the electoral calendar in the DRC. This was a letter from the DRC to the Council on the appearance of M23 members in its territory This was a press release on the DRC Sanctions Committees meeting with regional countries. This was the midterm report by the Group of Experts assisting the Sanctions Committee.

OTHER RELEVANT FACTS

Special Representative of the Secretary-General

Maman Sambo Sidikou (Niger)

MONUSCO Force Commander

Lieutenant General Derick Mbuyiselo Mgwebi (South Africa)

MONUSCO Size, Composition and Cost of Mission

Strength as of 31 January 2017: 16,885 troops, 475 military observers, 1,332 police, 816 international civilian personnel, 2,654 local civilian staff and 338 UN volunteers.

Approved budget (1 July 2016-30 June 2017): $1.23 billion

Mission duration: July 2010 to present
ASIA

DPRK (North Korea)

Expected Council Action

In March, the Security Council is expected to adopt a resolution to renew for another 13 months the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 1718 Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee.

Key Recent Developments

On 11 February, the DPRK conducted its first ballistic missile launch since October 2016. DPRK leader Kim Jong-un had declared in his New Years speech that preparations for the first test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile were in the final stages, and Pyongyang since then has repeatedly warned about its readiness to test such a missile at any time and any place. The latest launch, however, involved an intermediate-range rocket. It nevertheless demonstrated that the DPRK is continuing to make progress in developing its prohibited missile programme. According to the DPRKs own news reports, the missile was an upgraded, extended-range version of the submarine-launched missile it tested last August and was propelled by a solid fuel engine. Solid fuel engines can be launched more quickly than those using liquid fuel and are more mobile, making them harder to detect.

In response to the missile launch, Council members held consultations on 13 February at the request of Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the US, with a briefing by Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca. In a subsequent press statement, members condemned the 11 February and October missile launches as grave violations of the DPRKs international obligations and relevant Council resolutions. It reiterated the language of previous statements, including a call on states to redouble their efforts to implement the sanctions imposed by the Council, in particular the comprehensive measures of resolutions 2270 and 2321 adopted last year in response to the DPRKs nuclear tests. In a 15 February letter to the Secretary-General asserting that the missile launch was a self-defensive measure, the DPRK categorically rejected the press statement.

In other developments, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis on 2 and 3 February travelled to Japan and the ROK for his first trip abroad since taking office. Mattis confirmed the US commitment to defend the ROK and maintain their strong alliance, while highlighting the deployment of the US anti-ballistic missile system THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System) as a necessary defensive response to the increasing threat posed by the DPRK. Without referring explicitly to China, which has repeatedly objected to the deployment, Mattis said that no other nation should be concerned about THAAD.

On 7 February, OCHA listed the DPRK as one of 12 forgotten crises to remember. According to OCHA, 15 million people, or about 60 percent of the population, are considered food insecure, 25 percent do not have access to essential health services and 1.7 million children are at risk of deadly childhood diseases.

Sanctions-Related Developments

On 2 February, the chair of the Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi (Italy), held a briefing open to all UN member states, with the Panel of Experts coordinator, Hugh Griffiths. Cardi explained the new sanctions measures in resolution 2321 and reminded member states of their upcoming reporting obligations, while Griffiths spoke about the work of the Panel. (Cardis presentation is posted on the Committees website.) The Committee met on 16 February to discuss the Panels final report under resolution 2276. According to the report, sanctions implementation remains insufficient and inconsistent, with the DPRK retaining access to the international banking system, and designated entities on the sanctions list continuing to operate. Despite the new sectoral sanctions imposed by the Council last year, the report found that the DPRK has continued to export banned minerals and that coal exports increased from 2015 to 2016. The Panel concluded that support for strengthening the sanctions had not been matched by political will and resources to ensure effective implementation. Among other things, it recommended the designation of additional individuals and entities and the creation of a separate list of designated vessels, to be updated on a regular basis. The Panel also recommended that the Committee issue an Implementation Assistance Notice to clarify which minerals are covered by the import ban. On 18 February, China announced that it would suspend all import of coal from the DPRK. According to information posted on the Sanctions Committees website on 20 February, China imported nearly 1,442,000 tons of coal during the month of January, representing 19 percent of the annual total volume permitted under resolution 2321. During the month of December 2016, both the volume and the value of the coal imported by China exceeded by far the limits set by the resolution. According to Chinas foreign ministry, this was due to a time lag between the adoption and implementation of the resolution. At press time, Cardi was scheduled to brief Council members on the work of the Committee on 27 February.

Human Rights-Related Developments

During its 34th session in March, the Human Rights Council plans to hold an interactive dialogue with its Special Rapportuer on the situation of human rights in the DPRK, Tomas Ojea Quintana, to discuss his most recent report. The report noted that while the DPRKs international isolation deepened in 2016 due to its repeated nuclear and missile tests, it did take some steps towards fulfilling its international human rights obligations, such as ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the submission of treaty reports to the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. The report also noted, however, that growing tensions had hindered attempts at engaging in a human rights dialogue with the DPRK and that UN human rights mechanisms were not granted access to the country. The Special Rapporteur continued to advocate a two-track strategy encouraging engagement, while also seeking to address human rights violations and hold perpetrators accountable.

Key Issues

A key issue for the Council is the serious escalation in the threat posed by the DPRK as Pyongyang continues to make progress in its prohibited programmes, in direct defiance of the Councils demands. A further issue is whether the tightening of sanctions will eventually induce the DPRK to change its behaviour or whether a different approach would be more effective.

An immediate issue is the renewal of the Panel of Experts mandate and whether any revisions are required to reflect recent changes in the sanctions regime.

In the Sanctions Committee, ensuring implementation of the new sanctions provisions and responding to the findings of the Panels latest report are the key issues. A further issue is the potential humanitarian impact of the sanctions.

Options

The main option for the Council is to renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts for another 13 months.

In the Committee, the main option is to implement the Panels recommendations.

Council Dynamics

While Council members appear united in their concern about the threat posed by the DPRK and in calling for strict sanctions implementation, frustration about the limited impact that the current approach has had so far seems to be mounting. There are also continuing questions about the position of the new US administration and what might come out of its announced policy review on the DPRK, amid emerging calls from within the US for a resumption of talks with Pyongyang. For now, however, the Council is likely to remain focused on sanctions implementation and the Panel of Experts report, as discussions about any major policy shift will take place elsewhere.

Council members had an initial exchange of views on the Panels report at the 16 February Sanctions Committee meeting. It seems that several members did not yet have instructions and said they needed more time to study the report, but those who spoke generally praised the high quality of the Panels work. A more detailed discussion of the reports recommendations is expected at the next Committee meeting, most likely to be held in March.

The US is the penholder on the DPRK.

UN Documents

strengthened sanctions on the DPRK in response to its 9 September nuclear test. extended the mandate of the Panel of Experts for 13 months. strengthened sanctions on the DPRK in response to its 6 January nuclear test. was the most recent report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the DPRK. was the DPRK letter rejecting the press statement. was the Council press statement condemning the DPRKs 11 February missile launch. was an ROK letter on the missile launch.
Golan Heights (UNDOF)

Expected Council Action

In March, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations will brief Council members in consultations on the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). The Secretary-Generals report is due on 19 March. No outcome is expected.

UNDOF was established in 1974 to monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Syria. Its mandate expires on 30 June.

Key Recent Developments

As a result of the spillover of the Syrian civil war into UNDOFs area of operation, most of the missions peacekeepers were relocated from the Bravo (Syrian) side to the Alpha (Israeli) side of the ceasefire line in September 2014. The majority of UNDOFs 830 uniformed personnel continue to be stationed on the Israeli side, which hinders the capacity of the mission to achieve full mobility and operational capacity.

The December 2016 UNDOF report noted that the limited redeployment of UN personnel to Camp Faouar on the Bravo side represented a major achievement for the mission. The latest UNDOF mandate renewal resolution 2330 welcomed the phased redeployment conditioned on favourable security and operational conditions. The security situation on the Bravo side remained unstable though there was no direct threat to Camp Faouar.

The security environment in UNDOFs area of operation varies in different sectors. The situation in the northern sector has been improving, which has led to the redeployment of UN troops to Camp Faouar. However, the December 2016 report noted that in the central sector on the Bravo side the fighting between Syrian government forces and various armed groups continued, and on several occasions resulted in shelling close to the UN positions. In the southern sector, there were persistent clashes between different armed opposition groups, including Al Nusra Front and Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade. During the past two months, it seems that the number of incidents and spillovers from Syria decreased relative to the period covered by the December report.

On 8 February, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) hit a target in the Syrian-controlled Golan Heights as retaliation for tank fire that hit Israeli positions in the Golan Heights. Israel characterised the incident as a spillover from the Syrian civil war. Syrian government forces have been engaged in fighting rebels near the area. The IDF has maintained the position that it would not tolerate any attempt to jeopardise Israels security and that the Syrian government remains responsible for anything happening on its territory.

On the diplomatic front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US President Donald Trump on 15 February. In media remarks following the meeting, Netanyahu said that he had asked the president to recognise Israels sovereignty over the Golan Heights. The Golan Heights were captured in the 1967 Six-Day War and were illegally annexed by Israel; under international law, it is considered an occupied territory. Council members had voiced their concern about this issue on 26 April 2016, following Netanyahus remarks that the Golan Heights would remain forever under Israeli sovereignty. In elements to the press, Council president Ambassador Liu Jieyi (China) stressed that the status of the Golan Heights remains unchanged.

During the Middle East briefing to the Council on 16 February, the Secretary-Generals Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, briefly addressed the situation in UNDOFs area of operations. He noted that the ceasefire between Israel and Syria is holding despite the volatile security situation on the Bravo side but that spillover from Syria continues to pose a risk of further escalation. He said that both sides expressed their commitment to the disengagement of forces agreement and the full return of UNDOF to the area of separation when the conditions permit.

Key Issues

Considering the security situation in the Golan, the full return of UNDOF to the Syrian side seems unlikely in the foreseeable future. This is a significant issue in as much as it constrains the missions ability to carry out its monitoring tasks.

A re-emerging issue will be the safety and security of UN personnel in light of the redeployment to Camp Faouar.

An ongoing issue for the Council is the violation of the ceasefire on numerous occasions, including the presence of Syrian heavy weapons in the area of separation monitored by UNDOF, and Syrian and Israeli airstrikes. No military forces other than those of UNDOF are allowed in the area of separation.

Options

The Council is rather limited in its options for UNDOF. It was established as a Syria-based mission and how it operates, including the use of enhanced equipment or new technologies, is subject to the disengagement agreement. Any changes require agreement by Israel and Syria, which is unlikely to be forthcoming.

Council Dynamics

There is general agreement within the Council that UNDOF contributes to stability in the region, given the absence of a peace agreement between Israel and Syria. The missions observation role has been limited since its September 2014 relocation to the Alpha side of the ceasefire line. However, the missions liaison function continues to be considered important for avoiding further negative developments in the region.

Israel and Syria value UNDOFs presence and want to see the return of the mission to the Bravo side. At the moment, the security situation on the Syrian side is still not conducive to full redeployment of UNDOF troops. Council members continue to support the eventual complete return of UNDOF to the Bravo side. However, they are mindful that this would require a favourable security environment, which is important for maintaining the confidence of UNDOFs troop-contributing countries.

Council members have expressed concern regarding the fighting in the area of operations as well as the tension between Israel and Syria along the ceasefire line, which has been exacerbated by the presence of Hezbollah.

Since June 2012, Russia and the US have been the co-penholders on resolutions renewing UNDOF.

UN DOCUMENTS

The Council renewed the mandate of UNDOF until 30 June 2017. This was the Secretary-Generals report on UNDOF.
Israel/Palestine

Expected Council Action

In March, the Council expects to receive the first report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 2334 on Israeli settlements, adopted on 23 December 2016. The resolution requested the Secretary-General to report on its implementation every three months.

Key Recent Developments

On 23 December, the Council adopted resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlement building, with 14 votes in favour and an abstention by the outgoing administration of US President Barack Obama. The resolution reaffirmed that the establishment of settlements in Palestinian territory that Israel has occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law. The resolution said the settlements were a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-state solution and underlined that the Council will not recognise any changes to the 4 June 1967 lines other than those agreed by the parties through negotiations. It also called upon all states to distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967. Both parties, the resolution said, should act on the basis of international law, observe calm and restraint, and refrain from provocative actions, incitement and inflammatory rhetoric.

The resolution prompted strong pushback by the Israeli government. On 26 December 2016, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel would move ahead with building thousands of new homes in East Jerusalem and warned nations against further action. On 22 January, the Jerusalem City Council approved 566 new housing units in East Jerusalem that had been deferred because of US objections. Just two days later, the Israeli government announced that 2,500 new housing units would be built in the West Bank. Officials said most would be built in settlement blocs that Israel hopes to keep in a final deal. In reaction to these developments, Council member Bolivia requested that Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov brief Council members under any other business on 25 January.

Council members met again under any other business on 2 February to be briefed by the Council President, Volodymyr Yelchenko of Ukraine, following his meeting on settlements with Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour and Iraqi Ambassador Mohamed Ali Alhakim, the current chair of the Arab Group, a day earlier. He told Council members that, among other things, Palestine and the Arab Group believe that Israels announced settlement approvals undermine a two-state solution and escalate and destabilise the situation, and they called for all provisions of resolution 2334 to be upheld. Yelchenko relayed their request to convert the regular Middle East briefing for February into an open debate format. Only Bolivia spoke during the meeting, expressing support for the request. However, there was no wide support for the initiative among members.

During the 16 February Middle East briefing, Mladenov reported on the Israeli Parliaments adoption of the so-called Regularisation Law, which enables the use of privately owned Palestinian land for Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank without the owners consent. The law could potentially retroactively regularise, under Israeli law, thousands of existing settlement units built on land owned by Palestinian individuals living under occupation, as well as dozens of illegal outposts. Mladenov stressed that the laws passage marks a significant shift in Israels position concerning the legal status of the West Bank, contravenes international law and, according to the Israeli Attorney General, is unconstitutional. Mladenov warned that if the law stays in place, it would have far-reaching consequences for Israel, while seriously undermining prospects for the two-state solution and for Arab-Israeli peace.

Following the briefing and subsequent consultations, US Ambassador Nikki Haley spoke to the press. Her remarks largely underscored the ironclad support of the United States for Israel. She emphasised that the US is determined to stand up to the UNs anti-Israel bias and would never repeat the terrible mistake of Resolution 2334 and allow one-sided Security Council resolutions to condemn Israel.

On 9 February, the US circulated a draft press statement condemning in the strongest terms a terrorist attack earlier that day in Petah Tikva, in which at least eight Israelis were injured, as well as rocket fire on Eilat a day earlier. Some Council members, including Bolivia, France and Senegal, felt that the statement should reference operative paragraph six of resolution 2334, which calls for immediate steps to prevent all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror, as well as all acts of provocation and destruction and calls for accountability in this regard. The US would not include the reference to 2334, arguing that the text should not diverge from the standard language of counter-terrorism press statements. No text could be agreed to. On 8 January, Council members had issued a press statement condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jerusalem that day in which four Israelis were killed and 15 injured, with no mention of resolution 2334.

On 19 February, reports emerged that Netanyahu had taken part in a secret summit in February 2016 with Jordans King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, organised by then US Secretary of State John Kerry in Aqaba, Jordan. According to former officials in Obamas administration, Kerry proposed regional recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, which is a key demand of Netanyahus, and a renewal of peace talks with the support of the Arab countries. Netanyahu reportedly rejected the offer, saying he could not garner support from his coalition government for the deal, which would have required a significant withdrawal from occupied land.

Human Rights-Related Developments

On 24 February, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement that they were deeply disturbed by the excessively lenient sentence of only 18 months given to Israeli Sergeant Elor Azaria, who was convicted of manslaughter in January for shooting dead Palestinian Abdelfattah al-Sharif in Hebron in March 2016. While welcoming Azarias prosecution and conviction because of how rare it is, the spokesperson said that it was difficult to reconcile with the intentional killing of an unarmed and prone individual, particularly given the harsher sentences handed down to Palestinian children for throwing stones. The Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council (HRC) on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Michael Lynk, said in a 3 February statement that the Israeli governments approval of more than 6,000 new settlement homes in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem represents a defiant and troubling repudiation of resolution 2334 and that continued settlement activity poses a grave threat to Palestinians right to self-determination. Lynk said that the international community must not assume that resolutions, critical statements and international conferences alone will change state behaviour, and called upon the Security Council and the General Assembly to explore ways to ensure Israeli compliance with resolution 2334. During its 34th session in March, the HRC is set to hold an interactive dialogue with Lynk, to discuss his most recent report (A/HRC/34/70). It is also set to consider the Secretary-Generals reports on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), including East Jerusalem (A/HRC/34/38) and on Israeli settlements in the OPT, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan (A/HRC/34/39).

Key Issues

The immediate issue is ensuring compliance with resolution 2334 in order to salvage prospects for a two-state solution. The overarching issue is determining how the Council can encourage the resumption of direct negotiations between the parties to achieve this goal.

Options

Given the difficult Council dynamics on this issue and the objection of the new US administration to resolution 2334, the most likely option will be to merely receive the report on its implementation and take no further action.

Council and Wider Dynamics

While the new US administrations approach to resolving the conflict is as yet unclear, it has made clear that it plans to staunchly defend Israel at the UN and that it fiercely opposes resolution 2334. Therefore, it will likely prevent any Council action regarding the resolutions implementation.

Several other Council members are attempting to bring the parties back to the negotiating table. France held the second meeting of its international conference on the conflict on 15 January, which brought together more than 70 foreign ministers and culminated in the adoption of a statement proclaiming support for a two-state solution. Also, Russia last year announced its intention to host direct talks between the parties. Among elected members, Egypt has voiced its willingness to act as a broker between the parties and is likely to play a leading role in any implementation of the Arab Peace Initiative. Incoming member Sweden appointed an envoy in February to address the conflict.

Israel remains staunchly opposed to international initiatives on the issue, including involvement by the Council, preferring direct negotiations with the Palestinians, while the Palestinian Authority favours international participation.

UN DOCUMENTS

This was a resolution that condemned Israeli settlements, which was adopted with 14 votes in favour and a US abstention. This was a briefing on Middle East. This was the Councils quarterly open debate on the Middle East. The Council adopted resolution 2334 condemning Israeli settlements. This statement condemned the terrorist attack in Jerusalem in which four Israelis were killed and 15 injured.
MIDDLE EAST

Lebanon

Expected Council Action

In March, Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag and the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations El Ghassim Wane will brief Council members in consultations on the Secretary-Generals report on the implementation of resolution 1701, which called for a cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006. The Council also expects to receive the Secretary-Generals strategic review of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), requested by resolution 2305 of August 2016.

UNIFILs mandate expires on 31 August.

Key Recent Developments

On 16 February, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov provided the Councils regular monthly briefing on the region. Concerning Lebanon, he reported that the reactivation of state institutions is ongoing, adding that the president and prime minister had expressed confidence that an electoral law would be agreed with the aim of holding timely elections. Furthermore, he reported that relative calm continued in the UNIFIL areas of operation and along the Blue Line, with the exception of some ground and air violations.

President Michel Aoun, speaking on Egyptian television on 12 February, blamed Israel for Lebanons need to support the Iranian-backed Shia militia Hezbollah in a complementary role to the Lebanese army, adding that as long as the Lebanese army is not strong enough to battle Israel  we feel the need for its existence. Kaag responded on Twitter, saying that UN resolution 1701 is vital for Lebanons stability and security and that the resolution calls for disarmament of all armed groups. No arms outside control of state.

Hezbollah fighters on 17 January claimed that they had located an Israeli drone that had crashed in Lebanese territory. The Israeli Defense Forces said that the drone had come down in Lebanese territory a day earlier near the border with Israel.

Lebanons General Directorate of General Security announced on 25 January that Lebanon had arrested five people who allegedly spied for Israeli embassies abroad.

Meanwhile, Lebanon is still grappling with threats posed by terrorist elements. On 8 February, Lebanese security forces arrested two people, a Lebanese and a Palestinian, who they said were members of a terrorist group suspected of planning a suicide attack in Beirut. The arrests followed a foiled suicide attack at a cafe in a popular Beirut shopping district.

The Council has issued two statements in recent months on political developments in Lebanon. A presidential statement on 1 November 2016 welcomed the election of Aoun as president of Lebanon, a long-awaited and critical step to overcoming the countrys political and institutional crisis. The statement urged Aoun and Lebanese leaders to build on their efforts by continuing to work constructively to promote the countrys stability and by swiftly forming a government. The statement encouraged all parties in Lebanon to demonstrate renewed unity and determination to that end. It also affirmed that the preservation of Lebanons stability is essential to regional stability and security, and underscored the Councils previous calls on all Lebanese parties to recommit to Lebanons policy of dissociation and to cease any involvement in the Syrian crisis, consistent with their commitment in the 2012 Baabda Declaration. The statement also expressed appreciation for the International Support Group for Lebanon (ISG) and called on the international community to ensure continued support for Lebanon in addressing its economic, security and humanitarian challenges. The Council reiterated its support for Special Coordinator Kaag and encouraged her to pursue her good offices role in this crucial period for Lebanon, in close coordination with the ISG.

In a 19 December 2016 press statement, members welcomed the formation of a national unity government in Lebanon and congratulated Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his cabinet. The statement encouraged all of Lebanons political leaders to build on this momentum of national unity and to ensure Lebanons ability to address the pressing security, economic, social and humanitarian challenges facing the country. It reiterated the importance of holding parliamentary elections by May 2017 in accordance with the Constitution, in order to sustain Lebanons democratic tradition.

On 6 February, Saudi Arabia announced that it would appoint a new ambassador to Lebanon, encourage Saudi tourists to travel to Lebanon and increase flights by Saudi airlines to the country, according to the Lebanese presidents office. The announcement was seen as a sign of improved bilateral ties following Aouns meeting with Saudi Gulf Affairs Minister Thamer al-Sabhan. Saudi Arabia has not had an ambassador to Lebanon since last summer.

Key Issues

The main issue is that while the situation is relatively calm, there has been little progress toward the key objectives of resolution 1701 nearly 11 years after its adoption, including a permanent ceasefire.

A central issue is that Hezbollah and other non-state actors continue to maintain weaponry that directly hinders the governments exercise of full authority over its territory, poses a threat to Lebanons sovereignty and stability and contravenes its obligations under resolutions 1559 and 1701. In that context, the ongoing crisis in Syria, with Hezbollahs involvement on the side of the regime, and the flow of arms from Syria to Hezbollah remain of great concern.

Options

Given that the Council has relatively recently adopted a comprehensive presidential statement outlining various concerns regarding Lebanon, a further Council outcome at this time seems unlikely.

Council Dynamics

The Council has been united in its position that UNIFIL contributes to stability between Israel and Lebanon, especially considering the current Syrian crisis. Council consensus includes support for Lebanons territorial integrity and security, condemnation of acts of terrorism on Lebanese territory and recognition of the crucial role the Lebanese Armed Forces play in responding to security challenges. The Council has also repeatedly expressed its united concern that Lebanon complete parliamentary elections by May.

France is the penholder on Lebanon.

UN DOCUMENTS ON LEBANON

This was a resolution which renewed UNIFILs mandate for an additional year and requested the Secretary-General to conduct a strategic review of UNIFIL by February 2017. This resolution expanded UNIFIL by 15,000 troops and expanded its mandate. This resolution urged withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon, disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias, extension of the Lebanese governments control over all Lebanese territory and free and fair presidential elections. This was a briefing on Middle East. This was a presidential statement welcoming the election of President Michel Aoun in accordance with the Lebanese constitution and stressing that the formation of a unity government and the election of a parliament by May 2017 are critical for Lebanons stability. This was the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701. This was a press statement that welcomed the announcement on 18 December of the formation of a national unity Government in Lebanon, and congratulated Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his Cabinet.
Overview

The UK is planning to focus on conflict prevention in Africa during its presidency in March. Council members start the month with a visiting mission to the Lake Chad Basin region with stops in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria. This will be followed by a briefing on the visiting mission.

There will be two high-level briefings, one on Somalia and the other on South Sudan. Both will be chaired by UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. The new Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo, together with Special Representative Michael Keating, will participate in the briefing on Somalia. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the AU High Representative, former Mali President Alpha Oumar Konare, will brief on South Sudan. In March, the Council will also renew the mandate of UNSOM and receive a briefing on the 751/1907 Somalia Eritrea Sanctions Committee.

Another African issue this month is the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a resolution to be adopted to renew MONUSCOs mandate and an update on the implementation of the DRCs Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework Agreement.

The UK is also planning a ministerial-level open debate on modern slavery, forced labour and conflict.

Regarding Middle East issues, members are expecting a briefing by Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura on political developments in Syria early in the month, following the intra-Syrian talks which began in Geneva on 23 February. The regular monthly briefings on the Syria humanitarian situation and chemical weapons investigations have been scheduled.

There will be discussions on several other Middle Eastern issues this month:

Golan Heights, quarterly briefing on UNDOF;

Israel/Palestine , monthly briefing and the first report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 2334 on Israeli settlements;

, monthly briefing and the first report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 2334 on Israeli settlements; Lebanon, briefing on UNIFILs activities; and

Yemen, update on the Yemen political situation and 2140 sanctions regime.

Other issues on the programme of work include:

Afghanistan, renewal of UNAMA;

DPRK, renewal of the mandate of the Panel of Experts of the 1718 DPRK Sanctions Committee; and

Non-proliferation, briefing by the chair of the 1540 Committee.
AFRICA

Somalia

Expected Council Action

In March, the Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), which expires on 31 March. The Council is awaiting recommendations from the Secretary-General on the UNs role in Somalia in the post-election period and may opt for a technical rollover of UNSOMs mandate until those recommendations can be duly considered. The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) is expected to submit its report on the Somali Security Forces to the Council by 30 March, as requested in resolution 2317.

The Council will also receive a briefing by the Chair of the 751/1907 Somalia Eritrea Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Kairat Umarov (Kazakhstan).

Key Recent Developments

Somalia completed its electoral process on 8 February with the election of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, commonly known as Farmaajo, a former Somali prime minister and dual US citizenan outcome that had not been generally predicted. In a vote plagued with widespread corruption, Farmaajo beat 20 other candidates, including incumbent Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. His brief tenure as prime minister in 2010-2011 was notable for a reduction in the size of a bloated cabinet and the introduction of a reliable payment system for the army.

Following Farmaajos election, the Council on 10 February adopted a presidential statement welcoming the conclusion of the electoral process and the election of Farmaajo. Looking forward, the Council underscored the importance of the timely and transparent appointment of ministers and cabinet positions, and called on Farmaajo and his government to give urgent attention to the immediate risk of famine and to address the consequences of the severe drought in Somalia. The Council appealed to donors to increase their support for the Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia and to support the appeals for aid by Somali federal and regional authorities. The Council also emphasised as an immediate priority the need to accelerate agreement between the federal and regional authorities on a Somali federal security sector architecture that clearly defines the roles, responsibilities and structures of relevant security sector institutions under full Somali ownership. The Council stressed the importance of the FGS enhancing efforts to strengthen Somalias security in light of the eventual handover of security responsibilities from the AU Mission in Somalia to the Somali security services and encouraged UNSOM to continue to undertake a comprehensive approach to security in close coordination with the Somali authorities, AMISOM and international partners. The Council also urged the new federal administration to lay the foundations for inclusive and transparent elections in four years time by, among other things, ensuring that public office in Somalia cannot be achieved through harassment, intimidation, corruption or manipulation.

According to OCHA, Somalia is in the grip of an intense drought as a result of two consecutive seasons of poor rainfall, and five million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Peter de Clercq, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, asserted on 2 February that it was time to act to prevent another famine. If we do not scale up the drought response immediately, it will cost lives, further destroy livelihoods, and could undermine the pursuit of key state-building and peacebuilding initiatives, he warned, adding that even a severe drought does not automatically have to mean catastrophe if we can respond early enough with timely support from the international community.

On 15 February, the UKs envoy for the Horn of Africa, Nicholas Kay, warned that hundreds of thousands of people in Somalia may die or be near death by May. The UK is organising a conference on Somalia in London in May aimed at encouraging progress on long-term stability and security in the country. Kay warned that 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.

In a 16 January communique, the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) requested the UN Security Council to authorise an AMISOM surge of 4,500 troops for a non-renewable six-month period. This request was made to enable AMISOM to undertake mandated tasks set out in its 2016 concept of operations, especially in relation to the expansion of offensive operations and the exit strategy of the mission. It also called on the international community to continue to provide and increase its support to AMISOM and the Somali National Security Forces.

In a 12 February statement, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Andrew Gilmour urged AMISOM and the FGS to ensure that their forces comply with human rights standards in upcoming joint military operations against the terror group Al-Shabaab. Gilmour also thanked Jubbaland State President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe for allowing the UN to open a human rights office in Jubbaland State. The 27 January report of the Secretary-General on Somalia said that security operations had generated 242 civilian casualties, of which 55 deaths and 120 injuries were attributed to the Somali Security Forces, and 37 deaths and 12 injuries to AMISOM. According to the report, UNSOM continued to engage with AMISOM on reported allegations of violations of human rights and humanitarian law, including the 17 July 2016 incident that left 14 civilians dead and three others injured in Wardinle, near Baidoa, which was attributed to AMISOM troops from Ethiopia. At the time of the report, AMISOM was finalising its investigation into the incident.

The Council met on 27 January for a briefing by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Michael Keating, AU Special Representative to Somalia Francisco Madeira and Asha Gelle, the Chair of Goodwill Ambassadors for the 30 percent reserved seats for women in the Somali elections. The meeting was followed by consultations, after which Council President Ambassador Olof Skoog (Sweden) read out elements to the press, which condemned in the strongest terms Al-Shabaab attacks on a Kenyan military base in Kolbiyowon that morning and on the Dayah Hotel in Mogadishu earlier that week. Council members commended the Somali people for the electoral process and paid tribute to the Somali Security Forces and AMISOM troops who secured the election. They also underscored the need for the incoming government to set its priorities for the continued peace- and state-building effort, emphasising the need for the development of a credible and capable Somali national security sector. They congratulated Somalia on the increased representation of women and youth in parliament, expressed deep concern at the worsening drought conditions in Somalia, and urged partners to provide funds and assistance. They also called for full and unhindered humanitarian access.

On 24 February, Senegal, Sweden and Uruguay co-hosted a closed Arria-formula meeting with the heads of human rights components of three UN peace operations. Kirsten Young of UNSOM addressed Council members on the roles of human rights components in the partnership between the UN and the AU and in preventing the recurrence of conflict, including through improved accountability and compliance, as they pertain to the Somali context.

Key Issues

A key issue is determining how the Council and UNSOM can best support Somalia in the post-election period on state-building issues, including the constitutional review and completion of federal state formation.

On security concerns, a main priority is strengthening the Somali National Security Forces and enhancing their ability to work with AMISOM in the fight against Al-Shabaab, particularly in light of AMISOMs plan to begin transitioning out of Somalia in October 2018.

An urgent issue is responding to the worsening humanitarian crisis and potential famine in Somalia, which if not addressed could have grave deleterious effects on recent political gains.

Options

A likely option is for the Council to conduct a short-term technical rollover of UNSOMs mandate until it has had time to review the forthcoming recommendations of the Secretary-General on the UNs presence in Somalia in the post-electoral phase, at which point it would proceed with renewing the mandate with those recommendations in mind.

Another option would be to renew the mandate in March for one year without any major changes.

Council Dynamics

Council members are united in supporting Somalias electoral and state-building processes and in their support for AMISOM, as demonstrated by unified messages conveyed during the Councils visit to Somalia in May and the uncontentious adoption of recent Council outcomes on Somaliaincluding its 10 February presidential statement.

The UK is the penholder on Somalia, and Kazakhstan is the chair of the 751/1907 Somalia/Eritrea Sanctions Committee.

UN DOCUMENTS ON SOMALIA

This was a resolution on Somalia and Eritrea sanctions with ten votes in favour. This was a resolution reauthorising Somalia anti-piracy measures. This was a resolution which extended AMISOMs authorisation until 31 May 2017 with no major changes. This was a resolution extending the mandate of UNSOM. This was a presidential statement that welcomed the meeting of Somalias NLF on the implementation of the 2016 National Electoral Process and regretted the delayed electoral timetable. This presidential statement welcomed the conclusion of the electoral process. This was the Secretary-Generals report on Somalia. Special Representative of the Secretary-General Michael Keating briefed the Council on the latest Secretary-Generals report on Somalia and the activities of UNSOM.
AFRICA

South Sudan

Expected Council Action

In March, the Council will meet to consider the Secretary-Generals 90-day report on the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and his 30-day assessment focusing on the deployment and future requirements of the Regional Protection Force (RPF), obstacles to setting up the force and impediments to UNMISS in carrying out its mandate. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and AU High Representative for South Sudan Alpha Oumar Konare are expected to brief the Council in a meeting chaired by UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson.

The UNMISS mandate expires on 15 December 2017.

Key Recent Developments

Amidst an unravelling political process and ongoing fighting in various parts of the country, the security and humanitarian environment in South Sudan has reached near-catastrophic levels. More than 1.5 million refugees have fled to neighbouring countries, including Uganda (698,000), Ethiopia (342,000), Sudan (305,000), Kenya (89,000), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (68,000) and the Central African Republic (4,900). Hunger is prevalent in the country as a result of insecurity, poor harvests and high food prices. On 20 February, a famine was formally declared in parts of South Sudan, with the UN Food and Agricultural Organization, the UN Childrens Fund and the UN World Food Program jointly stating that 100,000 people [are] facing starvation and that a further 1 million people are classified as being on the brink of famine. On 21 February, President Salva Kiir responded by saying that the government would ensure unimpeded access to the needy population across the country for aid agencies.

On 7 February, Kiir spoke at a public gathering in Yei town to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the towns Episcopal church. He said that the national dialogue, which he announced in December 2016 with the goal of ending conflict in South Sudan, would commence in March. Opposition leader Riek Machar, currently in exile in South Africa, has said that a national dialogue cannot be held until there is peace in South Sudan.

In mid-February, heavy fighting in the Wau Shilluk area of Upper Nile state led to large-scale displacement west of the Nile River. On 16 February, UNMISS issued a press statement noting that conflict was ongoing in the area and that it did not have information about some 20,000 people displaced by the fighting. An UNMISS patrol to Wau Shilluk was blocked by government troops on 16 February.

Several high-ranking South Sudanese military officials have recently resigned while directing strong criticism at the government. On 11 February, Lieutenant General Thomas Cirillo Swaka, Deputy Chief of General Staff for Logistics, submitted a resignation letter in which he accused the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) of being a partisan and tribal army that had committed rape and murder. Less than a week later, Brigadier General Henry Oyay Nyago and Colonel Khalid Ono Loki tendered their resignations. Nyago accused government forces of carrying out genocidal acts and ethnic cleansing, while Loki claimed that justice for serious crimes is not meted out against soldiers from Kiirs ethnic group, the Dinka.

Secretary-General Guterres briefed Council members in consultations on 3 February on his meetings at the AU Summit, held in late January in Addis Ababa, and spoke at length about South Sudan. He reiterated the points made in the joint UN, AU and Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) press statement of 29 January that states that the three organisations would work together on the political process, with AU High Representative Konare encouraged to conduct shuttle diplomacy in support of the mediation. Guterres also met with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta during his visit. Guterres reportedly indicated that Kenya has now decided to contribute to the RPF after rescinding its commitment to participate following the dismissal of the UNMISS force commander, a Kenyan national.

On 10 February, in a press statement, Council members condemned the ongoing fighting in South Sudan and stressed the importance of the political process. They further expressed their disappointment that the transitional government of national unity had continued to act inconsistently withits obligations under the Status of Forces Agreement with the United Nations.

Council members were briefed in consultations by Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations El Ghassim Wane and Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Andrew Gilmour on 23 February. In elements to the press read out following the meeting, Council members expressed alarm at the declaration of a famine in parts of South Sudan and widespread food insecurity, calling it a direct result of the conflict and the obstruction of humanitarian access. Council members agreed that the humanitarian crisis would not be resolved without resolution of the political crisis on the basis of the 2015 peace agreement. They also expressed concern at delays to the deployment of the RPF and reiterated their call for the government to work with the UN on this issue.

On 24 February, Uruguay, Senegal and Sweden co-hosted an Arria-formula meeting with the heads of the human rights components of UNMISS, the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC and the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia. Eugene Nindorera, representing UNMISS, said that denial of access to areas where human rights violations are reportedly being committed and to internally displaced persons remains a big challenge. Nindorera also noted that justice and accountability issues need to be addressed before peace can be achieved.

Human Rights-Related Developments

On 17 February, Gilmour released a statement following his four-day visit to South Sudan describing the brutal reality of the situation in the country as a war being waged against the men, women and children of South Sudan. Gilmour called for the perpetrators of human rights violations, including rape, gang rape and arbitrary detention, to be held accountable. He expressed concern at the severe access restrictions faced by UNMISS and said that elements of the SPLA had engaged in what could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. During its 34th session in March, the Human Rights Council is set to hold an interactive dialogue with the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan to discuss its most recent report (A/HRC/34/63).

Key Issues

The immediate key issue for the Council is what role it can play in providing support to the mediation process. To address this, the Council will have to calibrate how it can add value to the efforts of Guterres, Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Nicholas Haysom and Special Representative for South Sudan David Shearer, as well as the regional and sub-regional mediators. The Council further needs to determine how to help ensure that Kiirs national dialogue is inclusive and conducted in an environment free of fear and intimidation.

Along with the search for a political process, another key issue is how to mitigate the impact of the conflict on civilians, given the continued fighting and the acute humanitarian crisis.

Related to this issue are questions about when the RPF will be deployed and whether it will be able to achieve its goal of, among other things, protecting UN staff, humanitarian actors and civilians in Juba.

Options

One option is for the Council to adopt a resolution or presidential statement that:

demands an immediate cessation of hostilities;

condemns atrocity crimes committed in South Sudan and calls for full accountability for these acts;

condemns restrictions on the freedom of movement of UNMISS personnel and obstacles to humanitarian access imposed by the government;

encourages member states to support OCHAs 2017 humanitarian appeal for South Sudan; and

welcomes the joint UN, AU and IGAD statement of 29 January and encourages the three organisations to pursue a coordinated and coherent mediation strategy.

Another option for the Council is to hold an open debate on South Sudan to highlight the severity of the crisis and provide the Council and the wider membership an opportunity to discuss ways of addressing the crisis.

The Council could also consider holding an Arria-formula meeting on how to combat sexual violence in South Sudan, inviting the participation of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence and relevant NGOs. The meeting could be open to the wider membership and webcast in order to continue to raise awareness of this endemic problem in South Sudan.

Council Dynamics

Council members remain very concerned about the ongoing violence, the worsening humanitarian crisis and the faltering political process in South Sudan. However, there is a sense of encouragement about the active engagement of the new Secretary-General on this issue and a hope that the partnership among the UN, the AU and IGAD will reap results in the mediation strategy.

Some members, at least in private, are again discussing the possibility of pursuing an arms embargo on South Sudan. However, this continues to be a divisive matter within the Council, and it is unclear how much support such a draft would receive now. In December 2016, a draft resolution that would have authorised an arms embargo and additional targeted sanctions failed to be adopted, garnering only seven affirmative votes.

The US is the penholder on South Sudan.

UN DOCUMENTS ON SOUTH SUDAN

This extended the mandate of UNMISS for one year and reauthorised the Regional Protection Force. This resolution authorised the Regional Protection Force. This was an UNMISS report. This was a press statement condemning violence in South Sudan. This was the draft resolution on an arms embargo and targeted sanctions that failed to receive the necessary support to be adopted. It received seven affirmative votes (France, New Zealand, Spain, Ukraine, Uruguay, the UK and the US) and eight abstentions (Angola, China, Egypt, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, Senegal, and Venezuela). This was the Executive Summary of the report of the special independent investigation into the July 2016 violence in Juba.
MIDDLE EAST

Syria

Expected Council Action

In March, Council members expect to receive briefings on the humanitarian and political situation in Syria as well as on the use and production of chemical weapons.

Key Recent Developments

Efforts persisted to establish a mechanism to monitor the nation-wide ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey that started on 30 December 2016. Following 23-24 January talks in Astana, Turkey and Russia, joined by Iran, decided to establish a trilateral mechanism to observe and ensure full compliance with the ceasefire. At a 31 January briefing by Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura, Council members welcomed the talks, but some expressed concerns over the risk of having a parallel political process if there was not adequate coordination with the UNs mediation efforts. At the request of some of these members, a press statement drafted by Russia, released after the Council meeting, included language regarding ceasefire violations and the continued need to secure safe and unimpeded humanitarian access across Syria.

A technical meeting to establish the mechanism to monitor the ceasefire took place in Astana on 6 February with the participation of Russia, Turkey and Iran. The US and Jordan also participated, and UN representatives did so in an advisory role. A second meeting on 16 February also included representatives of the Syrian government and opposition groups. After the meeting, the guarantor countries agreed to a concept note for a joint group as part of the trilateral mechanism to observe the ceasefire, share information regarding the investigation of violations and promote confidence-building measures such as the release of detainees and abductees.

The High Negotiations Committee (HNC), a Riyadh-based opposition umbrella group, announced a 21-member unified opposition delegation comprising representatives of political and armed groups, as well as one representative each from the opposition groups based in Cairo and Moscow (which are tolerated by the Syrian government). However, these groups refused to be part of the HNC delegation and participated separately. Despite the circulation by Russia of a draft constitution for Syria at the first meeting in Astana, de Mistura has repeatedly stressed that the agenda for the Geneva talks is resolution 2254, which provides for the establishment of credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance, and sets a timeline and process for drafting a new constitution and holding free and fair elections within 18 months. At press time, the parties were expected to start discussing the issues of substance after a few days focusing on procedural matters.

Although the ceasefire is largely holding, several violations have taken place since it went into effect. Government airstrikes against rebel-held areas, including in the vicinity of Damascus, persisted despite a formal request by Russia to the government of Syria to silence the skies in the areas covered by the ceasefire during the Geneva talks. Despite the overall improvement in the security situation, OCHA head Stephen OBrien stressed in a 22 February Council briefing how the ceasefire has not resulted in an increase in humanitarian access. According to a 16 February report by the Secretary-General, not a single inter-agency cross-line humanitarian convoy planned for January was deployed that month.

Turkeys Operation Euphrates Shield has continued its counter-terrorism operations, with support from Russia and the US, against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL),taking control over the northern town of al-Bab on 23 February. The presence of terrorist groups such as ISIL and Tahrir al-Sham (the latest iteration of the Al-Qaida-affiliated Al-Nusra Front), which are considered legitimate targets by the terms of the ceasefire, has been claimed to justify government attacks in places such as Daraa, Idlib and Homs. The Syrian Democratic Forces (which include the Kurdish armed group YPG) have made progress against ISILs stronghold Raqqa, but it remains unclear whether the US will continue providing the same level of support to their operations under the new administration.

On 24 February, the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Kim Won-soo, and the head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the UN Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM), Virginia Gamba, briefed Council members on efforts to re-establish the full operational capacity of the JIM, which is expected to be reached in March, four months after the renewal of its mandate.

Since mid-December 2016, led by France and the UK, Council members have been negotiating a draft resolution seeking to impose sanctions on individuals and entities associated with the Syrian government and linked to the use of chemical weapons against its own population in three cases where responsibility was established by the JIM. In early January, Russia circulated another draft resolution noting the decrease of allegations of use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government and placing emphasis on their use by non-state actors. Following the release of a report by Human Rights Watch claiming that coordinated chemical attacks occurred in rebel-controlled parts of Aleppo in November and December 2016, France said on 14 February that it was time for the Council to act on this issue. At the consultations on 24 February, France and the UK, joined by the US as a co-penholder, announced that they were aiming at putting the draft to a vote before the end of the month. Russia, which has repeatedly opposed punitive measures against the Syrian government, reiterated its scepticism regarding the conclusions presented by the JIM, questioned the body of evidence on which they were based and announced that it would veto such a draft. On 28 February, the draft was put to a vote, receiving nine votes in favour, three abstentions and three against (including from veto-wielding Russia and China).

Human Rights-Related Developments

During its 34th session in March, the HRC is set to hold a high-level panel discussion on the human rights situation in Syria as mandated by HRC resolution 33/23. It will also hold an interactive dialogue with the Independent Commission of Inquiry on Syria to discuss its most recent report (A/HRC/34/64).

Key Issue

Six years since the start of a war that has exacted a death toll approaching half a million, left 640,000 living under siege and displaced half of the Syrian population, including 4.86 million refugees, the essential issue for the Council is to exert effective leadership in supporting a cessation of hostilities and efforts to reach a political solution.

Options

The Council has many tools at its disposalsuch as imposing an arms embargo or targeted sanctions, referring Syria to the International Criminal Court or authorising a no-fly zone to deter Syria from using its aerial capacitybut P5 divisions have made it impossible for the Council to fulfil its role in maintaining international peace and security in the case of Syria.

Council members could, both individually and collectively, step up efforts to ensure that the government guarantees humanitarian access to besieged and hard-to-reach areas.

Council members may organise an Arria-formula meeting with the Human Rights Councils Commission of Inquiry on Syria.

Council and Wider Dynamics

Council members engagement in the Syrian political negotiations has been limited to following the lead taken by key actors outside the Council. This was the case with the adoption of resolution 2336 on 31 December 2016, which was tabled by Russia and Turkey. In this context, Council members have made efforts to ensure that the initiative by Russia and Turkey reinforces and does not undermine the UN mediation, which is guided by resolution 2254 and the June 2012 Geneva Communique, endorsed in resolution 2118. Some Council members have expressed doubts about the Syrian governments willingness to compromise in peace talks on a genuine transitional governing body, given its recent military victories.

Some Council members questioned the timing of the vote on the draft resolution imposing sanctions for the use of chemical weapons. However, the P3 stressed that efforts to ensure accountability should not undermine a political process, even when it was clear that the draft would be vetoed.

Following public expressions of support for the establishment of safe zones by the new US administration, on 3 February, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, stressed that the current situation does not allow for the planning of zones safe enough for the protection of civilians and the return of refugees; he emphasised that the investment of international efforts should be focused on reaching a political solution. Syria has also rejected this proposal. So far, no discussion in this regard has taken place in the Council.

UN DOCUMENTS ON SYRIA

Welcomed efforts by Russia and Turkey to end violence in Syria and jumpstart a political process. Renewed the mandate of the UN-OPCW Joint Investigative Mechanism for a further year. This resolution was adopted unanimously by the Council and required the verification and destruction of Syrias chemical weapons stockpiles, called for the convening of the Geneva II peace talks and endorsed the establishment of a transitional governing body in Syria with full executive powers. This was the first resolution focused exclusively on a political solution to the Syrian crisis. It was adopted unanimously. This was on the humanitarian situation in Syria. This was the monthly OPCW report. This was an update by the OPCW fact-finding mission on a 2 August 2016 incident and its 2016 activities. This was on the humanitarian situation in Syria. This welcomed the International Meeting on Syria held in Astana, Kazakhstan, and took note of the joint statement adopted at the meting by Iran, Russia and Turkey.
THE SECURITY COUNCIL

Visiting Mission to the Lake Chad Basin Region

Expected Council Action

Council members will undertake a visiting mission to the Lake Chad Basin region at the beginning of March. The mission is intended to improve members understanding of the crisis in the vast area of operation of the terrorist group Boko Haram. Members will visit Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.

France, Senegal and the UK are co-leading the mission. The chairperson of the AU Peace and Security Council is expected to accompany Council members.

Background and Mission

Increased military cooperation among countries of the region over the past two years has resulted in Boko Harams losing much of the territory it held at its peak in early 2015 and much of its conventional military strength. The group continues, though, to conduct a destructive insurgency through suicide bombers, improvised explosive devices and ambushes of towns and humanitarian and military targets in north-east Nigeriafrom where Boko Haram emanatedCameroons far north, near Lake Chad in Chad and Nigers Diffa region.

Among recent developments, divisions within Boko Haram resulted in an announcement in August 2016 by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, to which Boko Haram previosuly declared loyalty, that it recognised Abu Musab al-Barnawi as the groups leader instead of Abubakar Shekau. The fissure has been attributed to al-Barnawis criticism of Boko Harams indiscriminate attacks against Muslims. Despite these different pronouncements, it seems there remains a lack of clarity over the command and control structure of Boko Haram groups and fighters. In another setback for the group, Nigerias President, Muhammadu Buhari, announced on 24 December 2016 that Boko Haram had been driven out of its stronghold in the Sambisa forest, though such announcements about the group have often proven premature.

Despite such gains, OCHA describes the humanitarian crisis as having continued to worsen, with the number of displaced people tripling over the last two years. According to OCHAs 3 February update on the crisis, 10.7 million people across the Lake Chad Basin need humanitarian assistance, including 2.3 million displaced people and 7.1 million people who are severely food insecure. Famine-like conditions have been reported in parts of Borno State, Nigeria. Though the crisis is greatest in northeast Nigeria, internally displaced people and refugees from the conflict total 262,000 in Cameroons far north, 127,000 in Chad and 241,000 in Niger. Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, has seen its population more than double to over two million people because of the influx of civilians fleeing violence.

While Boko Haram has committed widespread atrocities, counter-insurgency operations have also seen human rights violations. These have included executions, dire detention conditions of suspected members of Boko Haram and forced returns of displaced persons and refugees. Demonstrating the toll of such operations, a 17 January Nigerian military air strike on a displaced persons camp in Rann, Borno State, killed more than 100 civilians. The conflict has further devastated the regions economy, closing or severely restricting critical trading routes and uprooting traditional livelihoods.

The Council mission is being organised, in part, to increase the focus on this humanitarian crisis, which has received less attention than other crises. While the conflict is not an item on the Councils agenda, the Council held two briefings on the Lake Chad Basin crisis over the past yearon 27 July 2016 and 12 January 2017which were characterised as sessions intended to raise awareness of the situation. As part of what appears to be efforts to increase the focus on the crisis and to prevent its further deterioration, an international donor conference was held in Oslo on 24 February for Nigeria and the Lake Chad region, raising $672 million for the next three years. OCHA has appealed for $1.5 billion to meet emergency needs in the Lake Chad basin during 2017, more than double the $739 million requested last year. On 17 February, two days after a donor mission to Borno State preparing for the conference had departed, Boko Haram launched attacks in the outskirts of Maiduguri, leading to the deaths of nine suicide bombers and two civilians.

Members will evaluate the security situation, including difficulties facing the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in addition to assessing the scale of the humanitarian crisis. The MNJTF, formed by countries of the region to combat Boko Haram, has faced resource and organisational challenges.

Ahead of the mission, the Councils Informal Expert Group on Women, Peace and Security met on 27 February on the Lake Chad region, in light of violence inflicted on women and girls in the conflict. Also in February, representatives of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate travelled to Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria with the heads of the UNs West African and Central African regional offices to meet authorities on approaches to dealing with captured and detained persons affiliated with Boko Haram.

UN DOCUMENTS

This was a statement on West Africa and the Sahel, which condemned Boko Haram attacks, took note of progress to make the MNJTF operational and reiterated deep concern of the humanitarian situation in the Lake Chad Basin region. This was a briefing on Lake Chad Basin crisis precipitated by the Boko Haram conflict. This was a briefing on the humanitarian, political and security situation in the Lake Chad Basin.
MIDDLE EAST

Yemen

Expected Council Action

In March, the Council is expected to receive a briefing from the Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. The chair of the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Koro Bessho (Japan), may also brief.

Key Recent Developments

The war in Yemen has continued amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis and stalled efforts to resume political talks. The conflict pits the Houthis, a Zaydi Shiite rebel group, and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh against the Yemeni government and the Saudi Arabia-led coalition.

Towards the end of January, the Coalition and the Yemeni government announced the capture of the Red Sea coastal city of al-Mokha. Officials have said that the offensive will next advance on Hodeidah, Yemens main port, which has been the primary entry point for humanitarian aid and food and fuel supplies going to Houthi-controlled areas.

On 29 January, the US conducted a raid on a compound of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in the village of Yakla in al-Bayda provincethe first military operation authorised under the new administration of President Donald Trump. One US commando was killed and a US military aircraft was destroyed. According to Yemeni officials, 15 women and children were killed in addition to several AQAP militants. Yemeni officials initially condemned the raid and later stressed that any counter-terrorism operations should continue to be carried out in consultation with authorities.

On 1 February, the US issued a strongly-worded statement on Iran, which included a warning to the country over its alleged support of the Houthis. The statement followed an attack by the Houthis on a Saudi ship using suicide boats. The US subsequently deployed to Yemeni waters the USS Cole, which in October 2000 had been attacked by Al-Qaida in Aden port, killing 17 sailors. Referring to the Houthi attack on the Saudi vessel and its alleged support from Iran, the Yemeni government requested in a 17 February letter that the Council designate the Houthis as a terrorist organisation.

Efforts to resume peace talks continued to flounder. The Special Envoy briefed the Council for the first time in nearly three months on 26 January, highlighting his frustration that the Houthis and Salehs party, the General Peoples Congress, had not developed proposals for security arrangementsa reference to the withdrawal of their forces from Hodeidah, Sanaa and Taizdespite their announced willingness to resume talks on the basis of the roadmap he proposed in October. The Special Envoy described Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadis continued criticism of the UN proposals as undermining confidence in the peace process.

In a 10 February letter, the Houthis requested Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to replace the Special Envoy, claiming his handling of the political process was not balanced. During a 12 February press conference in Riyadh, Guterres said the Special Envoy had his full support. On 16 February, foreign ministers of the Quadcomprising Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the UK and the USmet with Omans foreign minister and the Special Envoy in Bonn. No readout from the meeting was made available.

Yemens humanitarian crisis continues to worsen. Thirty thousand people were reported as fleeing al-Mokha during the fight for the city, adding to the 2 million people already displaced. During the Councils 26 January briefing, OCHA head Stephen OBrien warned of the possibility of famine in 2017. He highlighted the failure of all parties to protect civilians and noted that more than two-thirds of the damage to infrastructure has been from airstrikes. OBrien flagged the Coalitions refusal to allow the World Food Programme to deliver recently procured cranes to Hodiedah to improve the ports capacity, which has been greatly reduced since its cranes were destroyed by airstrikes in 2015.

Sanctions-Related Developments

The 2140 Sanctions Committee met on 27 January to discuss the final report of the Yemen Panel of Experts. Members expressed broad support for the Panels work. Egypt reiterated its position from last year that the Panel did not have the mandate to report on possible violations committed by member states but only individuals and entities according to resolution 2140; a view not shared by other members. On 23 February, the Council adopted resolution 2342 renewing the Yemen sanctions for an additional year. Members refrained from proposing new elements to the resolution, which helped to avoid negotiations.

Human Rights-Related Developments

On 10 February, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights released a statement expressing concern about reports that civilians had been trapped and targeted in fighting during the preceding two weeks in al-Mokha. The reports indicated that civilians were caught between warring parties who gave them opposite instructions on whether to leave their homes and evacuate, that families attempting to flee their houses were shot at by Houthi-affiliated snipers and that civilians were also killed by airstrikes, with one incident on 22 January killing 11 people and wounding four. The High Commissioner warned that there are real fears that the situation will repeat itself in Hodiedah. He noted that airstrikes on the port city are already intensifying.

Key Issues

The key issue is how the Council can support efforts to achieve a cessation of hostilities and resume peace talks.

An ongoing concern is the humanitarian crisis, including issues of humanitarian access and violations of international humanitarian law.

Another issue is the growing threat of AQAP and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant as a result of the vacuum created by the war.

Options

The Council could consider a new resolution on Yemen, as the UK had said it would propose in autumn 2016, which:

demands an immediate cessation of hostilities, including all land, sea and air military activities; and

calls for the sides to resume negotiations on the basis of the Special Envoys proposals.

A resolution could additionally:

demand that the parties allow unhindered access for aid and comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, including avoiding targeting civilian infrastructure and harming civilians;

demand that the ban on commercial flights to and from Sanaa be lifted;

affirm that the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM) should provide clearance to and oversee inspections of commercial shipments to Yemen in accordance with resolution 2216, call on member states to cooperate fully with UNVIM and request the Secretary-General to review UNVIMs performance and provide a report to the Committee;

demand that the parties cooperate with efforts to rehabilitate Hodeidah port, including allowing the delivery of cranes to facilitate essential imports of food, fuel and medicine; and

stress the importance of accountability for alleged breaches of international humanitarian law.

Another option is holding fortnightly meetings at Council expert-level with OCHA to keep members informed about the deepening humanitarian crisis and about protection of civilians.

Council and Wider Dynamics

Yemen is a difficult conflict for the Council to deal with politically because of members relationships, in particular with Saudi Arabia. The UK, the US and Egypt, which are allies of Saudi Arabia, and Council members in general have been unwilling or reluctant to take positions against Saudi preferences. These have included Saudi Arabias opposition to any new Council resolutions on the conflict. Russia has played a role in making Council products more even-handed between the parties, highlighting Houthi perspectives, but has often raised the conflict in the face of criticism regarding its role in Syria.

During the second half of 2016, the US was driving the Quads activities to break the political impasse and to back the roadmap. With the change in the US administration, it would seem that the US is likely to reduce this pressure, in large part because of a more sympathetic view regarding the Saudi narrative about Irans role in the conflict.

The UK is the penholder on Yemen.

UN DOCUMENTS ON YEMEN

This resolution renewed the Yemen sanctions regime. This resolution demanded the Houthis to withdraw from all seized areas and to relinquish all seized arms, and established an arms embargo on the Houthis and forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh. This was the Panel of Experts final report. This was a briefing on Yemen.
President Donald Trump has pledged to turn around the fortunes of America's largely bankrupt coal industry and shred Obama administration efforts at combatting climate change. But state lawmakers around the country are pushing back, boosting their green energy bonafides by upping the ante on commitments to transition their states away from fossil fuels and toward cleaner forms of energy, like wind and solar.

Legislatures in Massachusetts and California have proposed bills that would accelerate - and increase - previous commitments to expand the amount of energy sourced from renewables. California Senate leader Kevin de Leon, a Democrat from Los Angeles, has proposed legislation that would require the state to obtain 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by the end of 2045 - up from 50 percent by 2030. Lawmakers in both chambers of Massachusetts's legislature introduced efforts at obtaining 100 percent of the state's electricity from renewables by 2035 - and to completely decarbonize its economy, including transportation, by 2050. The state previously pledged 15 percent renewables by 2020, increasing 1 percent each year after.

Nevada is also looking to boost its renewable energy use to 80 percent by 2050.

So-called renewable portfolio standards are nothing new in the United States. In 2015, Hawaii committed to 100 percent renewables by 2045, and 26 other states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories have adopted mandatory renewable energy goals. Another eight states and Guam have voluntary targets.

While efforts at boosting state-level renewable pledges could help to make up for lost ground under Trump, ramping up production reveals underlying problems, said Adam Reed, a researcher at the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

"People always think of the state having its own kind of self-enclosed grid that has wind turbines and solar panels everywhere and nothing else," he said. "Actually, it's a bit more messy."

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Lawmakers in California and Massachusetts propose 100-percent renewable energy use, which is different than production, since neither state actually generates all its own power. Instead, the two states purchase some renewable energy from their neighbors - wind from Idaho, solar from Nevada, hydropower from Canada, for example.

In other words: State efforts at boosting renewables might succeed or fail based upon factors beyond their borders - namely, the interconnectedness of the nation's energy infrastructure.

The nation's power is distributed along one of three huge, independent electrical grids. Most renewable sources - namely wind and solar - are beholden to weather and time. The sun goes down at night; sometimes the wind doesn't blow in Texas.

If you want 100-percent renewable energy powering lights at the same time that it is being produced, you either have to store it for later use, or expand the range in which you collect it. Recent advances in battery storage offer some promise, but remain insufficient economy-wise.

Reed sees an efficient, interconnected power grid as one key part of powering not just California and Massachusetts - but the whole nation. By improving and connecting the current grids, the differences in time zones would allow power producers to match peak production, a sunny afternoon in Nevada, for example, with peak demand during evening times on the East Coast.

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Reed points to research indicating that the country could dramatically reduce carbon emissions by 2020 using renewables and improved power distribution.

"But the challenges of going to a high-renewables grid nationwide are significantly larger than going 100-percent renewable from the perspective of a single state," he said.

The problem lies in the complexity of the current grids, which are transnational (one includes parts of Canada) and incorporate more than 500 power companies and other entities.

"If we were ever to turn it off," Reed joked, "I don't think we'd get it started again."

But, he added, failure at ramping up renewable energy solutions is no laughing matter.

"If we're not largely decarbonized by 2050," he said, "really, really bad stuff starts to happen climate-wise."

WATCH: The Difference Between Global Warming and Climate Change
Uranium makes up a teeny percentage of the particles in the ocean, about 3 parts per billion or roughly the equivalent of a grain of salt dissolved in a liter of water.

The thing about the ocean is there's a whole lot of it, about 1.3 sextilion liters, or 13 with twenty zeroes after it. That's a whole lot of uranium just drifting around when it could be powering your fridge, so since the 90s, Japan has been developing methods to pull it out of the water, with the United States and China following suit.

Uranium exists in water bonded to two oxygen atoms in a molecule called uranyl. Uranyl has a positive charge, so previous methods of extraction took advantage of this.

To capture the uranyl, long strands of plastic coated in a chemical with a negative charge called amidoxime were left underwater for a month, where they would passively soak up that uranium goodness. Then the strands would be brought to the surface, where an acid bath would free the uranyl and regenerate the fibers so they could be put back in the ocean and used again. It's literally rinse and repeat.

Read More:

Seeker: Seawater Could Provide an 'Endless' Source of Uranium for Nuclear Plants

IEEE Spectrum: Nuclear Fuel From the Sea

Science Alert: We're One Step Closer to Pulling Nuclear Fuel Straight Out of the Ocean
Heads up, humans: Automated software bots patrolling Wikipedia regularly engage in fights that can last for years, according to new research.

The autonomous software agents are tasked with correcting spelling, maintaining links, or even undoing digital vandalism on web pages. But when two bots find themselves with conflicting missions, they can glitch out into patterns that disrupt service.

The behavior is significant, said researchers from the University of Oxford and the Alan Turning Institute, because it suggests that even the most basic kinds of automated programs and artificial intelligence agents can display unpredictable behavior when interacting with one another.

The researchers tracked the behavior of Wikipedia's autonomous edit bots between 2001-2010 on 13 different language editions of the popular online encyclopedia. They found that the edit bots' behavior was often unpredictable as they virtually crossed paths while doing their jobs. For instance, two edit bots programmed to make conflicting changes to a webpage would circle back and make edits over and over, each undoing the other's work in a potentially infinite loop.

"We find that, although Wikipedia bots are intended to support the encyclopedia, they often undo each other's edits and these sterile 'fights' may sometimes continue for years," the researchers wrote.

RELATED: Killer Machines and Sex Robots: Unraveling the Ethics of AI

Semi-autonomous AI programs like Wikipedia's edit bots are increasingly entrusted to handle the dissemination of online information, said co-author Taha Yasseri of the Oxford Internet Institute. But the inefficiencies of bot behavior could have more far-reaching impacts.

"Our ever-increasing cohabitation with bots online could have serious consequences," Yasseri remarked. "These consequences could range from trust, privacy, and legal issues to more urgent issues such as the spread of fake news or malevolent political campaigns - issues that are severe threats to democracy."

The study gives support to a phenomenon caught last year on a viral video which live-streamed two Google Home chatbots arguing in an seemingly endless loop. The interaction between the two bots is an example of the same underlying problem with Wikipedia's bots.

"In the case of the chatbots, one might argue that the complexity of the underlying AI leads to unpredictability of behavior," Yasseri explained. "That's why we have chosen Wikipedia bots as the case for our study. Wikipedia bots are among the simplest Internet bots, yet we see their social life becomes non-trivial when employed in large numbers and in different environments by different users. When this happens, one could conclude that some level of chaos in the more sophisticated bots or AI systems is unavoidable."

RELATED: Artificial Intelligence Designs Ultimate Road Trip

The researchers also found that software bots appear to behave differently in culturally distinct online environments. For instance, the German edition of Wikipedia had the fewest conflict between bots, while the English and Portuguese editions showed much higher rates of conflict.

This suggests that bots are socialized by their environments - just like people, Yasseri said.

"Bots do not operate in an abstract medium," he said. "They function within our societies. The differences between the environments they work in - and the humans they interact with - lead to differences in their overall behavior. It is naive to assume that bot ecosystems are fully deterministic and free of social characteristics."

WATCH: Why You Shouldn't Fear AI
ANGARA ASSURES OFW REMITTANCES WILL BE UNTOUCHED WITH PROPOSED VAT ON MONEY TRANSFER FEES

Senator Sonny Angara has allayed the concerns of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) about the imposition of value-added tax (VAT) on services fees of money transfer centers in the country, ensuring that their remittances will not be taxed.

"Gusto po natin klaruhin sa ating mga kababayan abroad na hindi papatawan ng anumang buwis ang kanilang mga padala sa kani-kanilang pamilya dito sa Pilipinas. Sisiguruhin po natin na hindi na madaragdagan pa ang pasanin ng ating mga OFW," said Angara, chairman of the ways and means committee.

During the committee hearing on Tuesday, Department of Finance (DOF) Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua explained that only the service fee of domestic remittances and not the actual remittance will be taxed with 12-percent VAT under their proposal.

"Our jurisdiction is only domestic transfers," Chua stressed.

For instance, if sending P5,000 within Metro Manila, the money transfer center charges P125 pesos, so the VAT is P15 only.

The DOF said such reform targets businesses such as pawnshops, which are initially not registered as remittance centers.

Meanwhile, the senator recognized the significant contribution of OFWs in the economy, citing recent data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas that showed that OFW cash remittances reached $26.9 billion or more than P1 trillion last year, which accounted for 9.8 percent of the gross domestic product.

"Pinaghihirapan po ng ating mga kababayan ang kanilang mga ipinapadala sa kanilang mga pamilya dito sa Pilipinas. Hindi naman po makatarungan kung bubuwisan pa natin ito," said Angara, who sponsored the law that raised the tax exemption cap of balikbayan boxes.

The lawmaker added that OFW remittances are likewise exempt from paying documentary stamp tax pursuant to Republic Act 10022 or the amended migrant workers law.

In addition to broadening the VAT base, Package 1 of the Duterte administration's comprehensive tax reform program seeks to lower personal income tax rates, and to adjust excise taxes of petroleum products and automobiles.
Bam to continue working on priority measures with minority

Sen. Bam Aquino's new role as member of the Senate minority will not prevent him from pursuing passage of laws that will uplift lives of the Filipino people.

"Though we have a new role as the minority, sisiguraduhin pa rin namin na maipapasa ang mga batas na makakabuti sa ating mga kababayan," said Sen, Bam, who was stripped of the Committee on Education's chairmanship and replaced by Sen. Chiz Escudero last Monday.

"Hindi maliit na bagay ang pagkawala ng chairmanship sa kumite ng edukasyon. I chose the committee because there were a number of reforms we wanted to push like free tuition in SUCs and feeding program in public schools," said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam also thanked Sen. Escudero for committing to continue the work that he started on several priority measures.

Before he was replaced, Sen. Bam was spearheading the interpellation on two education-related measures -- the Free Tuition Fees in SUCs Act and the Pagkaing Pinoy Para sa Batang Pinoy.

"Sen. Escudero agreed to let me work on my priority education bills until they become laws," Sen. Bam said.

The senator also thanked Sen. Grace Poe for acknowledging the committee's work during his stint as chairman. Poe is a staunch advocate of the Pagkaing Pinoy Para sa Batang Pinoy Act. While some senators have stated that the Liberal Party has hampered work on the Senate's legislative agenda, LP President Sen. Kiko Pangilinan asserted that 20 out of 29 bills close to being passed are defended by LP lawmakers.

In the past 6 months, Sen. Bam has filed 118 bills and 26 resolutions, has sponsored 4 committee reports, and conducted committee hearings for 5 resolutions and 15 bills.
Press Release

February 28, 2017 STATEMENT OF LP PRESIDENT SEN. KIKO PANGILINAN IN RESPONSE TO SP KOKO PIMENTEL ON 'HAMPERED' LEGISLATIVE WORK How can work in the Senate be hampered by the now minority members, including four from the Liberal Party, when almost 70 percent (20 of 29) of the bills now a couple of steps into becoming a law are being defended by us? It is simply untrue that LP Senators hampered the legislative agenda. How is this possible when two out of the administration's three priorities -- death penalty and the lowering of criminal age of responsibility -- are with the justice committee and not our committees? Also those who voted against the 2017 national budget, namely Senators Lacson and Gatchalian, did not come from the LP. The only other law passed so far was on the Postponement of the October 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, and it was secondarily referred to the committee of Sen. Leila De Lima (Electoral Reforms and Peoples Participation), not co-sponsored by Sen. Bam Aquino. The only instances we were divided in the majority were on the issues of the Marcos burial in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the extra-judicial killings, the investigation of corruption in the Bureau of Immigration, and the Lascanas testimony. In these instances the LP asserted the independence of the Senate and it was in these instances that Senators allied with Malacanang opposed our efforts. It is therefore inaccurate and factually erroneous to say that the reorganization was due to hampered work. On the contrary it was undertaken to ensure that the Senate toes the line on issues that may have a negative impact on the administration. Nevertheless, despite having a different stance on several life-and-death issues that impact our people's lives, we remained with the majority in the Senate because this precisely allowed us to work as our oath of office requires. Rest assured, we will continue to support the policies of the administration that improve our people's lives, as well as to speak out against State actions that threaten them and their livelihoods. ### Committees of six minority senators (including Senator De Lima) and their bills either pending on second reading (28) or approved on second reading (1), from senate.gov.ph Agriculture: 2

Education: 3

Science: 1

Constitutional Amendments: 2

Electoral Reforms: 1

Women: 2 (including 1 approved)

Civil Service: 9 (including 3 Ordinary Order of Business)
Press Release

February 28, 2017 Don't go back knocking on doors, knock out ASG instead - Recto Instead of resuming its door-to-door tokhang operations to plead drug users to quit, government should "knock out bigger threats like the Abu Sayyaf and other local ISIS groups," Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said today. But if ever the war on drugs should be scaled up, then it must be to plug the source, Recto said, referring to "shabu factories." "To dry up demand, you must stop the supply," he said. "It's like a pipe with many holes. Instead of patching it one by one, why not just shut off the main?" Recto said. "I will concede that the war against drugs should continue. But it should be on the manufacturing front. Instead of knocking on homes, the police should be battering down gates of shabu labs," Recto said. But if there is "one group of addicts" government should run after, then it must be the "murderous Abu Sayyaf," Recto said. "There will be zero public outcry if there will be a rise in the number of Abu Sayyaf killed. It is the kind of body count the people would welcome," Recto said. "These terrorists have been in the beheading business for 25 years now. Isang henerasyon na. Dapat nang tuldukan," he said. Recto, however, admitted that the 24 hostages the ISIS-affiliate group is holding are what prevent the military from unleashing its full might for fears that they will be harmed in the crossfight. "I think even the President can only privately curse them kasi baka magwala at saktan ang mga bihag. Imagine, even the President's trademark in effect has been taken hostage by this group," he said. Recto described the ASG as the "most violent criminal syndicate" in the country today, saying that its "barbarity" has already made it among Asia's most brutal groups. "In terms of damage to the national image, the Abu Sayyaf has caused more than what a hundred drug syndicates had done," Recto said. While total loot of Abu Sayyaf has been estimated to be more than a billion pesos, what is hard to quantify are the losses they had inflicted on the economy, Recto said. "Lands are idled by farmers too afraid to till, vacation plans are cancelled by tourists who are discouraged by bad publicity, investments are aborted," he added. Recto said one immediate concern is to stop the Abu Sayyaf from snatching more hostages. "Their inventory of captives for ransom must not increase. " "There could be hindrances in rescuing hostages. But none in preventing them from kidnapping more," he said. "What is giving our image a black eye is that while we are too afraid to fish in our waters for fear of the Chinese, here are these bad guys who are using these waters as kidnap grounds," he lamented. Many of the Abu Sayyaf hostages were grabbed on boats transiting through Philippine waters in the unprotected Southern backdoor.
Press Release

February 28, 2017 Transcript: Recto on being voted Pro-Tempore Q: So you remain to be part of the LP, sir? Sen. Recto (RGR): Yes. Purely legislative. Q: Sir, paano po kayo na-recruit, sino ang nakipag-communicate sa inyo? RGR: Yung 17 na bumoto sa akin ang nag-recruit sa akin. Q: Sir, so sinasabi nyo, purely legislative, so meron pa rin kayong iki-critisize, safe to say that? May i-o-oppose kayo, iki-criticize about this administration? RGR: Of course. When you improve legislation, you have to present an alternative, right? Kung ano ang ginagawa ko as Minority Leader, ganoon pa rin naman 'yun eh. Q: Same stand on EJKs... RGR: Of course. Do convictions change? Q: Sir, nung ni-recruit ka ba, did you inform Sen. Pangilinan about it? RGR: No. He's in the majority, I'm in the minority. I informed Sen. Trillanes about it. Q: Pero as LP president, sir, di nyo sya ininform? RGR: No. Because they were with the majority, I was with the minority, is that correct? Q: Sir, Why are you not actively joining [LP] -- RGR: When did we have an LP meeting and LP convention? Q: Like kanina sir, merong meeting-- RGR: Today-- may leadership meeting kami kanina Q: Kasama ka sa meeting ng LP kanina, sir? RGR: No, I was in a leadership meeting earlier today. With Koko, Sen. Sotto, and the leadership of the House to craft the legislative agenda. Kung anong maipapasa natin by March 17, ano ang maipapasa by June. Q: Sir, sang-ayon po ba kayo sa ginawa ng majority senators na i-oust ang LP allies? RGR: I had nothing to do with that. Remember, I was with the minority, I was the Minority Leader. Hindi kami pwedeng makialam sa majority, ang majority hindi pwedeng makialam sa minority. When they ousted Sen. de Lima, we didn't take part in that. We couldn't even vote on that. Now, if I had my way, if I were the Senate President at that time, at may problema with the members of the majority, sasabihin ko na lang sana kay Sen. Drilon na I think we cannot work together, magresign na lang kayo. Ganoon na lang sana. Q: Sana kinausap, hindi umabot sa ganoon-- RGR. Hindi na umabot sa ganoon. Q: What made you decide-- RGR: To help craft the legislative agenda of the Senate. Q: Yun lang, sir? RGR: Yun lang. Q: But you could do that as Minority Leader. RGR: Minority Leader, you fiscalize. More or less, you fiscalize. Now we're more active there--we will still be able to fiscalize--improve bills on the floor. Like I was doing as Minority Leader. Make all the necessary amendments, di ba? Q: Are you still in good relations-- RGR: I have no problems with my colleagues in the minority or with members of the Liberal Party. Remember ha, I was Minority Leader and they were majority. No hard feelings. Now I'm in the majority in the Senate, I was requested by 17. They are now in the minority, no hard feelings. Q: So hindi nyo kinailangan na magpaalam sa mga kapwa nyo LP na tatanggapin nyo yung pagiging Senate President Pro Tempore? RGR: Di na kailangan. Q: But you're still a member of LP? RGR: Yes. Q: But don't you find it odd Sir na most of your colleagues... RGR: Didn't you find it odd that I was in the minority and they were in the majority? Why only now? Q: So sana sinamahan ka noon pa ng mga LP senators RGR: Im not saying that, I'm just responding to your question. Q: But you can keep your post as Minority Leader di ba? RGR: You know it's better, it's better that one of them become Minority Leader. The new minority right now, one of them be minority leader. Either Senator Drilon, Senator Pangilinan or Senator Bam. I think that it's better that one of them become Minority Leader at this point. I think that should be the case at this point in time. Not that Senator Trillanes cannot be a Minority leader ha. I know he's not interested,sinasabi nya sa akin eh. Q: Sir pano yung pag-recruit sa inyo ginawa? Isa-isa kayong kinausap? Caucus? Or sa bahay ng isang Senador? RGR: Detalye na yan. wala, walang bahay. I've never attended any house, dito lang sa Senado.
Press Release

February 28, 2017 Villanueva urges gov't to prioritize labor measures amid unemployment rate increase Senator Joel Villanueva has called for the immediate passage of significant labor measures in light of the current survey results of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) estimating a big increase on the number of jobless Filipinos in the last quarter of 2016. The survey reports that 25.1 percent of the 1,500 adult respondents have no jobs. This is 6.7 points up from 18.4 percent or approximately 8.2 million jobless Filipinos in September 2016. The said increase in the joblessness rate has been tagged by the SWS as "the worst in two years". Of the 25.1 percent, 12.2 percent or roughly 5.5 million individuals resigned from work, 8.7 percent (3.9 million) were retrenched, dismissed or had their contracts ended, and 4.3 percent (1.9 million) were first-time job seekers. These figures are comparatively higher than the data on unemployed Filipinos released by Labor Force Survey in 2016 which pegs unemployment rate at 4.7 percent, a slight decrease from 5.6 percent in 2015. Among those considered by SWS as jobless are those without jobs at present but are looking for work. The SWS definition of joblessness excludes those who are not looking for a job which may include housewives, students, retired, or persons with disabilities (PWDs). With the said report, Villanueva reiterates his call for the urgent passage of the labor measures he has authored including Senate Bill No. 1116 or the "End of Endo or Contractualization Act of 2016" which seeks to provide security of tenure for workers. "Given that 8.7% (3.9million) of the unemployed individuals were 'endo' workers, we have to ensure that we adopt a law that will regularize workers and ensure that they will receive social benefits and protection," Villanueva said. Other bills Villanueva filed were the "Tulong-Trabaho bill" that aims to give free access to technical and vocational training programs, and the "Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) Act" which gives a clearer picture of the competencies prospective employees need for their job interests while the employers are provided with specific training standards and qualifications that are aligned with industry standards. "There are a lot of jobs in the market, but what is lacking here are the right set of skills needed for the jobs that are in demand nowadays," Villanueva shared. Meanwhile, the SWS survey results also find that more Filipinos remain optimistic on job prospects this year. Those who say that they are positive of more available jobs in the next 12 months rose to 48 percent in December from 44 percent in September. The said figure translated to a rating of "very high" +37, the highest since the survey began in 1998. "It's good to know that more Filipinos remain optimistic on job prospects. I believe the government must make good use of this positive perception of the public by supporting and passing vital laws that would secure jobs for our countrymen," Villanueva said.
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Political events

in the Bay Area

Rallies and protest events are a part of political life in the Bay Area. Heres a roundup of whats happening in the next few weeks.

Wednesday

Action meeting: Hosted by San Francisco Berniecrats to discuss how they can fight for issues they care about. Supervisor Jane Kim will address the group. The event is from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. at the San Francisco Public Library Park Branch, 1833 Page St.

Thursday

Rights workshop: A free panel and discussion by Bay Area lawyers and activists on rights of immigrant communities. The workshop is from 6 to 9 p.m. at Berkeley City College, 2050 Center St., first-floor auditorium.

Saturday

Trump opposition meeting: An afternoon of workshops and training on various actions that protesters can take to oppose President Trumps agenda. The training is from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Mission High School, 3750 18th St., San Francisco. Attendees must register online.

Pro-Trump march: One of several scheduled events nationwide to support President Trump. The march is from 2 to 6 p.m. and will begin at the Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park, 2151 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley.

Sunday

Peace gathering: To denounce an incident in Kansas last week in which a man allegedly shot two natives of India and a third man after telling the Indian men to get out of my country. One of the Indian men died. The gathering is from 1 to 4 p.m. at Lytton Plaza, 200 University Ave., Palo Alto.

Volunteer workshop: Hosted by Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, on how to shape the 2018 election, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Crowne Plaza Cabana, 4290 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. RSVP: (650) 328-3700.

March 8

Day Without Women strike: The organizers behind the Womens March on Washington are calling for a general strike to show what a day without women would look like.

Womens Demonstration: A gathering to promote womens rights on the day of the womens strike. The event is from 5 to 9 p.m. at Frank Ogawa Plaza, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland. Details to come.

March 10

Standing Rock march: A march and rally calling for President Trump to meet with tribal leaders before continuing work on the Dakota Access Pipeline. The event is from 5 to 9 p.m. outside the San Francisco Federal Building, 90 Seventh St.

March 14

Anti-Trump protest: Members of the tech community are expected to rally on Pi Day in protest of President Trump. The rally is from 2 to 6 p.m. at 250 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto. Details to come.

To list an event, email Sarah Ravani at sravani@sfchronicle.com.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co.s electricity rates are about to undergo a fundamental change, and many Bay Area residents may not like the result.

Starting Wednesday, PG&E will base the amount it charges for electricity on two tiers of usage, instead of the current system of three. At the same time, the price for electricity in the least-expensive tier will rise.

This means that households using large amounts of electricity, many in Californias hot inland valleys, will see their monthly bills drop. PG&E customers with low electricity usage, often clustered on the temperate coast where air-conditioni ng is not needed , will see their bills go up.

California has long pushed its citizens to use less energy, as part of the fight against climate change. Electricity rates have been based on the premise that people who use more should pay higher prices, forcing them to conserve. The tier changes that take effect this week would seem to contradict that notion.

But the California Public Utilities Commission approved the changes anyway as part of a slow-motion overhaul of rates designed to make them more fair to different groups of customers. Residents of the Central Valley have long complained that their high electricity bills in the summer were subsidizing PG&E customers on the coast.

We are pleased to see meaningful progress towards a more fair and equitable electric rate system, said Michael Turnipseed, executive director of the Kern County Taxpayers Association, in a statement Monday.

The change will not affect customers who use a different rate structure, called time of use. Most electric car owners and solar homeowners, for example, already pay time-of-use rates, which charge more for electricity when daily demand hits its peak. In 2019, most customers of PG&E and other large investor-owned utilities in California will switch to time-of-use rates, though people will be able to opt out.

The changes this week come at a time when many Northern California PG&E customers are reeling from a spike in their natural gas bills, triggered by a combination of cold, stormy weather and a substantial gas rate hike.

Now, residential customers who use relatively little power may see their monthly electricity bills rise as much as 11 percent. Those who use more could see a 4 percent decrease, said PG&E spokesman Donald Cutler. (Those changes also take into account a 2.1 percent increase in electricity transmission costs that will hit all PG&E customers on Wednesday.)

The price for electricity tier 1 (the lowest level of usage) will rise 9 percent, from 18.28 cents per kilowatt-hour to 19.98 cents per kilowatt-hour. The tier 2 price, currently 24.18 cents per kilowatt-hour, will rise 14 percent to hit 27.61 cents per kilowatt hour.

But the old tier 3, which charged 40.14 cents per kilowatt hour, will disappear. Households that often fell into tier 3 will instead pay the lower tier 2 price.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

These changes are a continuation of the effort to more closely align the cost that our customers are paying to the cost of service and to simplify the rate structure, Cutler said.

The new tier system, however, does still include a penalty for high-use households. Customers who use four times the average baseline amount of electricity must pay a surcharge equal to the old tier 3 rate, 40.14 cents per kilowatt-hour. PG&E estimates that less than 10 percent of its residential customers will face the surcharge.

The new changes represent an echo of Californias electricity crisis of 2000 and 2001.

In the aftermath of the crisis, state law froze electricity rates in the bottom two tiers of what was then a five-tiered system. As a result, any annual rate increases  to pay for upgrades to the electricity grid, for example  hit only those customers in the higher tiers. In 2013, the state Legislature finally ordered the commission to revisit and reform rates.

David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DavidBakerSF
The music was willing, but the listeners were hungry. Regulars in line at the San Francisco General Hospital cafeteria on Thursday, Feb. 23, said theyd never seen the line so long. The days Mardi Gras celebration featured Southern food cooked up by executive chef Michael Jenkins for that day, and as a bonus for Black History Month, a lunchtime concert by the Marcus Shelby Trio.

This is one in a concert series organized by Tyra Fennell of Imprint City, to bring music to staff, patients, physicians and visitors. A podium was festooned with balloons in Pan-African colors, and by the time this show was scheduled to start, the packed room was abuzz with the din of conversation. Everything hushed when discharge coordinator Stella Landry began a soaring rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing, the black national anthem. (She sings to patients, too, she said later.)

Then there was stirring poetry; informative history pointers; a speech from a politician (Supervisor Malia Cohen, who for some reason dwelled on how it had taken her a while to come to like the SEIU representative for hospital workers); two students describing the goals of White Coats for Black Lives and its work against race-based medicine and medical apartheid; and then a hearty thank-you to all the African American employees who work in this institution.

The Shelby group  bassist Shelby playing with Tom Griesser on tenor sax and Larry Chinn on piano  was terrific, but by the time they swung into the blues, diners were heading back to work. Some of the patients did get to meet the musicians later, when they were given a tour of the facility.

This program was a great start, but people were there for lunch and they deserved time off, so the music got short shrift. Call me a softy, but I sympathized with those musicians. Looking ahead, though, when the weather gets warmer, programs can be held in a larger outdoor area, and then patients in wheelchairs will be able to attend, too.

In the Bay Area during last weeks congressional recess, Nancy Pelosi was the official ribbon cutter at the Thursday, Feb. 23, opening of a new Presidio Visitor Center. The event was also the first to pay homage to her 30 years in Congress. Pelosi is proud of having led the fight to preserve the Presidio for the people of San Francisco (those words are from her website), and in recognition of that, organizers surprised her with an exhibit within the exhibit of memorabilia and papers related to her role in the project.

These included a photograph of her with President Bill Clinton when he signed the bill for the Presidio Trust Act, a Park Service Ranger coin and  although environmentalists frown upon the nonnative species, whats there is there  a branch of eucalyptus from the Presidio.

The Museum of the African Diaspora had a full house the other night for an event about The Last Black Man in San Francisco, a feature film in the works  but not yet shot  for two years. Writer-director Joe Talbot was on hand, as was co-creator and star Jimmie Fails (Talbots friend since middle school) and producers Khaliah Neal and Carlton Evans, for a showing of its 2015 trailer.

It was in conjunction with the museums exhibition Where is Here.

Roughly, the story of the film is that of Fails family losing their home here. The trailer is striking enough that it attracted the attention of the producers. But financiers are wary of taking chances on first-time directors, and raising money for a feature film is arduous. (Neal said theyd been in Los Angeles the day before the event, on a water-bottle tour, meeting possible investors. Everywhere they went, they were offered bottles of water.)

That trip followed one to Sundance, where theyd shown their short film, American Paradise, which tells an entire story thats an offshoot of the feature one they envision. It was a strategic movie, Evans said, to introduce Joes abilities to the world, to show Talbots talent to potential investors.

It didnt seem likely that anyone in the audience could write out a check for a million bucks to make the movie. Nonetheless, a crews being hired and plans are to begin shooting this summer.

Leah Garchik is open for business in San Francisco, (415) 777-8426. Email: lgarchik@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @leahgarchik

Public Eavesdropping

I can have this chair because Im not becoming vegan until March 1.
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A small airplane headed for San Jose crashed into a residential neighborhood in Riverside on Monday, killing three people as firefighters searched the wreckage that burned into the night, officials reported.

Two adult women ejected from the plane on impact survived.

The crash occurred about a half-mile northeast of Riverside Municipal Airport. The plane had departed from Riverside for Mineta San Jose International Airport, according to Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor.

The plane, a Cessna 310 which was carrying five people, destroyed two homes in the area of Central and Streeter avenues, said Chief Michael Moore of the City of Riverside Fire Department.

Its occupants included a husband and wife, as well as three other people who had gone to the area from San Jose for a cheer competition at Disneyland, Moore said. At least one of the passengers was related to the couple.

Its horrible, especially when you couple together that they were going to a cheer competition, and this is supposedly a happy time, and then just to have a tragic incident like this. ... Its really just a sad case for us.

Officials initially reported that four people had died and that three of the passengers were teenagers. However, late Monday night, Moore said he did not know the ages or gender of the people who had died. The two survivors were women in their 30s or 40s, he said.

One of the passengers was ejected from the plane, which split apart upon impact, Moore said.

She was in critical condition at nearby Riverside Community Hospital, though she was conscious and able to give investigators a basic overview of what happened  specifying the number of people on the plane  Moore said.

The other victim was taken to a burn unit at a hospital in San Bernardino, also in critical condition, Moore said.

The three dead werent immediately confirmed to have been occupants of the plane, but rescue workers believed that nobody was home at the destroyed houses, Moore said.

The force of the crash sent debris spiraling as far as a half-mile from the site, Moore said, adding that along with the two destroyed houses, several adjacent homes were damaged.

The plane had just taken off from Riverside for San Jose, and it had a nearly full tank of gas when it crashed, leaving a deluge of highly flammable fuel to challenge firefighters late into the night, Moore said.

Some 60 firefighters responded to the crash scene, he said.

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.

There were two cars parked in the driveway of one of the homes, but no survivors were immediately located inside it, Moore said.

Were still searching for those victims, he said.

As some firefighters worked to put out the flames and search for the missing, others started evacuating a block of Dewey Avenue near the crash site  consisting of some 20 houses and an estimated 40 residents  Moore said, adding that a shelter was being set up for the displaced.

If not needed for safety, the evacuations would be called for as the National Transportation Safety Board, which conducts investigations into plane crashes, started its work later in the evening, Moore said.

J.K. Dineen and Michael Bodley are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com, mbodley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineen, @michael_bodley
A block of San Franciscos busy Market Street was shut down in both directions for more than two hours at rush hour Monday evening because of a bomb threat at the offices of the Anti-Defamation League, authorities said.

The 700 block was closed in both directions between OFarrell and Kearny streets. Just before 7 p.m. police gave the all clear and the street was reopened.

The Anti-Defamation League, which has offices at 720 Market St., was the target of the threat, according to police Capt. Teresa Ewins. Ewins said that at 4:19 p.m., the groups receptionist received a bomb threat over the phone.

Police interviewed the receptionist, while bomb-sniffing dogs were on the scene at 720 Market and adjacent buildings.

About two dozen San Francisco police officers were on the scene. Businesses along the block  including a Wells Fargo bank branch, a 7-11, a CVS and a Walgreens  were evacuated. No evidence of a bomb was found, but police used an abundance of caution, said Ewins.

The threat was one of 28 called into Jewish community centers and schools in 17 states on Monday. A threatening phone call was reported at the Oshman Family Jewish community center in Palo Alto.

One threat or evacuation is one too many, and yet weve now seen more than 20 incidents in a single day not just to ADL, but to children's schools and community centers -- and more than 90 incidents since the start of this year, said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. The level of threats and incidents is astounding, and must not stand. We will do everything in our power to combat this wave of anti-Semitism.

Threats against Jewish organizations and community centers have proliferated since President Trump took office in January, according to community leaders.

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.

Vlad Khaykin, who directs the San Francisco office of the Anti-Defamation League, has tweeted several times in the past week about the rising number of threats, noting that there had been 50 bomb threats to Jewish community centers in 2017 and 90 threats against Jewish institutions.

This is not normal, he wrote.

Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @michael_bodley
Throughout her life, Dianne Feinstein has always been the responsible one. The oldest of three daughters, she learned the ways of leadership by protecting herself and her younger sisters from their unstable mother, who was prone to demonic rages. Her mother, Betty, once chased young Dianne around the dining room with a knife.

This tumultuous upbringing prepared Feinstein for the explosive events that shook San Francisco City Hall on Nov. 27, 1978, when she suddenly found herself thrust into the mayors chair following the assassination of George Moscone by former Supervisor Dan White. After that traumatic day, Feinstein said she discovered something about herself. When I am really in crisis, things are much clearer to me.

As Californias senior senator, Feinstein would like to think that her calm restraint is once again a strong asset as the Democrats confront the most intemperate and ignorant president in the nations history. But a growing movement within the senators own party believes that the centrist and reasonable politics of leaders like Feinstein are woefully inadequate against the extremist threat posed by the Trump presidency.

Out of step  too old  a compromiser, not a fighter. This was the common refrain among the approximately 550 people who gathered on Sunday morning for the Empty Chair town hall meeting at Elmhurst Community Prep School in East Oakland. The vacant chair on stage highlighted the absence of Feinstein, who said she was unable to fit the event into her schedule. The Empty Chair meeting was sponsored by Indivisible East Bay, one of more than 5,000 chapters nationwide of the group that is emerging as the leader of the town hall movement against President Trump.

Feinstein needs to be more engaged  not just against Trump, but with her constituents, said Indivisible East Bay organizer Mark Garcia, a retired California state employee. Its time for her to consider her legacy and all the great things she has done for California and plan for stepping down. We need someone who is more appropriate for the times.

Garcias impatience for change was shared by those in the audience, including an unemployed woman named Christina Pappas. Dianne knows how to get things done in Washington the old way. But theres no more compromise under Trump  it doesnt exist anymore.

Noah Berger/Special to The Chronicle

With Feinstein missing in action, the Indivisible organizers turned the event into a political teach-in featuring George Lakoff, a retired UC Berkeley linguistics and cognitive science professor who is a leading critic of the Democratic Partys deeply flawed communication skills. Although Feinsteins absence deprived the town hall audience of the chance to vent truth to power, Lakoff is a more enlightening speaker.

Democratic leaders like Feinstein cling to a rationalist philosophy that dates back to the 17th century French philosopher Rene Descartes, Lakoff told the audience. Liberals continue to believe that if you just tell people the facts, theyll reach the right conclusions. But liberals fail to recognize theres an unconscious moral base that underlies peoples political thinking  one that often goes against these peoples own economic interests. The failure to notice this is a form of science denial  cognitive science, said Lakoff, author of Dont Think of an Elephant!  the bestselling book about how our political beliefs emerge from deep in our neural circuitry.

Instead of responding to Trumps barrage of outrageous tweets, as Democrats and the media predictably do in Pavlovian fashion, the presidents opponents must change the terms of the debate, according to Lakoff. Journalists and activists fell into the Trump language trap by countering his over-the-top attack on the fake news media as the enemy of the American people by taking to Twitter and defending the media under the hashtag #NotTheEnemy. This was defensive language, said Lakoff, and it called to mind President Richard Nixons infamous I am not a crook statement. When Nixon phrased it that way, Lakoff observed, What did most people think?

In contrast, Lakoff and his new group, the Citizens Communication Network, created the Twitter hashtag ProtectTheTruth  which framed the debate in a way that didnt repeat Trumps negative terminology.

Likewise, Democrats must not allow Trump and the Republicans to frame their assault on labor, consumer and environmental regulations as a crusade to free American enterprise from bureaucracy and red tape. These regulations are there to protect you  all of us. Imagine if Trump got up and said what he is really doing. Were going to take away all of your protections  everything that keeps you and your family safe.

Democrats and progressive activists should not shy from talking about their underlying moral values, said Lakoff. In contrast to conservatives father knows best authoritarian family model, the Trump resistance puts forward a vision of America as a nurturing family. Critics of the January Womens March remarked that the protest did not have a unified message. Untrue, said Lakoff. The speakers common theme was caring.

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.

Lakoff cautioned the Indivisible audience not to divide themselves from Trump supporters. Theyre not a lost cause. Theyre often dismissed as dumb, greedy and cruel. Some are  but some of us are too.

After receiving a standing ovation, Lakoff took a similarly conciliatory tone about Feinstein, as he spoke with me outside the auditorium. He did not condemn her absence from this initial Bay Area town hall. She had a pacemaker put in a couple of weeks ago, and she just hurt her knee. She needs to take care of herself.

The anti-Trump resistance needs Feinstein as long as she remains in office, said Lakoff. There are limits to the politics of compromise in the age of Trump, he acknowledged. But we need to keep the lines open to Democratic leaders like Feinstein. She has a role to play.

As Lakoff and I spoke, an Indivisible activist from Berkeley named Cynthia Papermaster held a sign over us touting a replacement for Feinstein: Barbara Lee for Senate 2018. The progressive East Bay congresswoman has made no announcement about the Senate race. But many in the town hall movement have already decided that Feinsteins time in Washington is coming to an end.

San Francisco Chronicle Columnist David Talbot appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Email: dtalbot@sfchronicle.com
Getty Images / /

A man who was stabbed inside a Vallejo home before showing up at a hospital on Monday morning died from his wounds, officials said.

Police said the victim, who was not identified, was stabbed inside a home on the 1000 block of Western Avenue around 10:15 a.m.
President Trump may cost America our tourists.

A recently released study from Hopper Research, a travel consumer-oriented data analysis firm, showed that searches for flights from other countries to the U.S. dropped 18 percent.

The time periods compared were the weeks before Trumps inauguration, and the weeks between the inauguration and the implementation of his suspended travel ban for seven Muslim-majority countries.

Trump is planning to replace it with a new travel ban this week, so the disruptions are likely to continue.

Distressingly, San Francisco International Airport saw the largest search drop of the major airports Hopper compared. International travelers made 33 percent fewer searches for flights to SFO.

Travel is enormously important to the local economy. According to the San Francisco Travel Association, total direct visitor spending for 2016 was $9 billion.

The Hopper study is just for search, not for ticket purchases, so only time will tell the impact of a Trump administration on international travel dollars. But local tourism officials are concerned, and theyre right to be.

However, Hopper noted there was one country where searches for flights to the U.S. skyrocketed after Trumps inauguration.

That country is Russia, where searches were up a whopping 88 percent.

Much of America remains deeply concerned about the impact of Russian interference in our elections. But if travelers from everywhere else choose to stay away from our shores, the tourism officials may find Russias rubles the only bright spot during a year of upheaval.
WASHINGTON  After a tumultuous five weeks in office, President Trump is scheduled appear before Congress for the first time Tuesday night to deliver a televised prime-time speech that will lay out his budget blueprint to increase military and homeland security spending while cutting most domestic programs, but leaving Social Security and Medicare untouched.

The speech before both houses of Congress is expected to show how the president plans to fulfill his campaign promises to rebuild the nations infrastructure to the tune of $1 trillion, and increase military spending by 10 percent while reforming the federal tax system by providing tax cuts for businesses and individuals. Taken together, these promises could dramatically increase the federal deficit.

The administration has not said which nonmilitary programs would be cut but indicated it was looking at the State Department and the Environmental Protection Agency for savings.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin suggested the administration would not trim Social Security and Medicare, two entitlement programs that make up two-thirds of the federal budget.

Tuesday night will be Trumps first return to Capitol Hill since his inauguration, when he bemoaned American carnage in a speech heavily influenced by top adviser Steve Bannon. Bannon is again expected to be a key architect of this address.

Trump has yet to present a single piece of legislation to Congress, a late start by comparison to his predecessors and a fact House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco noted Monday in what she called her pre-buttal to Trumps speech with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

When he talks about a mess, hes talking about his first 40 days which he has utterly squandered, Pelosi said. She and Schumer said theyd be happy to work with Trump on areas such as infrastructure where they could agree, but said Trump has taken a hard right turn since his campaign, making such collaboration impossible.

Late Monday, House Speaker Paul Ryan tweeted that he just had a fantastic meeting with the president, promising that Trump is going to lay out a bold, optimistic message for the American people.

Trump also is expected in his address to provide a vague outline of a new health care policy, even as Republicans struggle to devise an alternative to the Affordable Care Act.

Addressing insurance executives Monday, Trump continued to attack the law as a disaster.

The new plan will be a great plan for the patients, Trump promised, adding, People are going to like it a lot. Yet he offered no specifics other than well-shopped ideas such as allowing insurance companies to sell policies across state lines, an idea that several states have tried without success in bringing down premium costs or increasing access.

In Congress, Trump faces a Republican Party that remains largely united behind him, but the relationship has yet to be tested by any serious legislative struggles over health care, taxes or spending.

On the Democratic side, Trump faces an enraged party with little power and still in search of an effective strategy for countering a president who gleefully shatters political norms.

To demonstrate their opposition to Trumps immigration crackdown, House Democrats have invited immigrants and refugees to be their guests during the speech. Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, for example, has invited Sara Yarjani, an Iranian graduate student who attempted to enter the country during Trumps initial travel ban, since reversed by the federal courts. Yarjani held a valid two-year student visa but was detained for 23 hours at Los Angeles International Airport. She was able to enter a week later and is now represented in a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union, a civil rights group.

Trumps speech comes at a time when his overall poll numbers are particularly low for a new president. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll puts Trumps national approval at 44 percent, but among Republicans he remains extraordinarily popular, with 85 percent approval. That compares to support among just 9 percent of Democrats.

Trump said he will provide his full budget to Congress next month, a document that for the first time will put flesh on his agenda by specifying where he intends to take the government. Trump said Monday that he intends to pay for higher military spending by doing more with less in domestic programs. These range from scientific research to national parks to federal courts to foreign aid, all areas that have been squeezed over more than a decade to the lowest share of the economy since the 1950s.

Big cuts are expected for the Environmental Protection Agency, as one example, but the agencys entire budget is $8 billion. The agency carries out bedrock environmental laws passed by Congress, including the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, but even if its budget were cut by half, that would barely dent the expected $54 billion increase Trump wants in military and other national security spending.

The entire National Park Service budget is $3 billion, but as a result of stagnant spending, the agency now has a $12 billion maintenance backlog, including $1.8 billion in deferred maintenance in California. Heavily used Yosemite National Park faces a backlog of $555 million, and the Golden Gate National Recreation Areas is $278 million, as just two examples. Parks have been sharply raising entrance fees and installing payment kiosks at some heavily used trailheads to try to keep up.

Conservative budget hawks were sounding alarms Monday. Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, said eliminating both the EPA and the entire State Department, whose soft power diplomatic initiatives supplement military power, would still not pay for Trumps proposed increase in military spending.

Veronique de Rugy, a senior research fellow at the libertarian Mercatus Center at George Mason University, said the defense budget is blotted with massive amounts of waste and spending that respond to the military needs of a world that doesnt exist anymore.

Without addressing those issues, de Rugy added, Trumps proposed spending increases may not improve security.

Carolyn Lochhead is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: clochhead@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @carolynlochhead
In the last decade, Spanish restaurants have come to the forefront with places such as Contigo, Coqueta, Aatxe and Bellota in San Francisco and Shakewell and Duende in Oakland.

Yet one place that continues to impress me is one of the oldest. Zarzuela, at Hyde and Union streets, was opened in 1994 by Andy Debbane and Lucas Gasco, long before the current crop came on the scene. Zarzuela has been around so long, in fact, that it still doesnt have a website; doesnt accept reservations; and doesnt impose any San Francisco surcharges.

While many newer Spanish restaurants have a more modern, Northern California vibe in both food and decor, Zarzuela reminds me of the tapas restaurants in Barcelona, with its stucco walls, tile floor and close-together white-clothed tables.

However, since the storefront windows overlook Hyde and Union, diners know they are in San Francisco because of the constant churn of tourist-filled cable cars passing by.

Each year when I return for the annual Top 100 guide, I think it may be the year it should come off, but Zarzuelas food has never failed to impress, whether its the classic tortilla Espanola ($6.95), creamy chicken and ham croquettes ($7.25) or the tender poached octopus fanned over potatoes with onion, pimentos and olive oil ($17.95).

Most dishes strike a deep, sultry tone whether its white bean stew ($9.25) with thick coins of sausage-braised quail ($9.95) or shrimp in a garlicky olive oil ($9.25).

By todays standards, the menu is enormous, with more than 40 savory courses, not including a few nightly specials. Over the decades Ive ordered many dishes that I want to try again, so I end up ordering too much, whether its grilled lamb chops with rosemary and garlic ($14.95/$24.95) or a deeply satisfying Castilian-style oxtail stew ($21.50). Paella a la Valenciana ($36) looks like the cover of a travel brochure, with its mosaic of pink shrimp, mussels, clams, lemon wedges and strips of red peppers. The larger dishes, such as the Catalan seafood stew ($21.50), easily serve two, and the paella is enough for four by the time you add a few of the tapas, generous even for appetizers.

Many newer places can also take a cue from Zarzuela on the service. Waiters carefully monitor the pace, pay attention to diners body language and change out the plates when needed. Its clear these are veterans, and many have been at Zarzuela for years.

It makes for a very personal feel. On just about every evening, Debbane is at the host stand directing the dining room and Gasco is in the kitchen, as hes been since the restaurant opened.

The eight desserts (all $5.95), created by Gasco, are also excellent, especially the creamy caramel Catalan, a silken creme brulee and a rolled chocolate mousse sponge cake soaked in espresso and brandy.

It ends the evening the way it started  on a comfortable, satisfying note.

Michael Bauer is The San Francisco Chronicle restaurant critic and editor at large. Email: mbauer@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @michaelbauer1

  

Zarzuela

Food:   

Service:   

Atmosphere:   

Noise: Four Bells

Price: $$

2000 Hyde St. (at Union), San Francisco), (415) 346-0800. Dinner 5:30-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and until 10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Beer and wine. No reservations. Credit cards accepted. Difficult street parking.
Because its booked solid every day, San Franciscos Michelin two-starred Lazy Bear restaurant cant afford to lose any of its workers for a night. But it found itself short-handed recently, when its dishwashers took a road trip to Yosemite on their day off and got caught up in weather so bad that they couldnt make it back for their shift.

Chef-owner David Barzelay didnt panic, though. Instead, he pulled out his smartphone, opened an app, and requested three dishwashers, who showed up just hours later.

The app used by Barzelay was San Francisco-based Pared, a unique online marketplace conceived of as the Uber of the restaurant employment industry. The company, which launched in 2015, arrives at a time of flux in the Bay Area restaurant world, as dizzyingly steep living costs are forcing many restaurant workers, especially cooks, to flee the region or change careers.

Pared aims to help alleviate the chronic short-staffing many establishments face by providing dishwashers and line cooks on demand, whether its weeks in advance or minutes.

It has saved our butts in many circumstances, says Barzelay, who started using Pared upon its launch.

The man behind Pared is Will Pacio, owner of the Bay Areas Spice Kit restaurants. More than 150 San Francisco restaurants use it, including Little Gem, Namu Gaji, Atelier Crenn and Delfina. More than 500 restaurant workers, the majority of them cooks, are on its roster. Recently, Pared began expanding into Oakland, Berkeley and Palo Alto.

It has raised $4 million in funding from Bay Area venture capital firms True Ventures and SofTech. But it was actually another early investor, and now adviser, who convinced Pacio to start Pared in the first place: the French Laundrys Thomas Keller.

Two years ago, after two workers called in sick, Pacio found himself assembling pork-belly buns at breakneck speed at his San Francisco Spice Kit. A line of customers was growing more peeved by the minute, and his crew was stressed. He wondered why he couldnt just call someone to come help in a flash, much like on TaskRabbit, the online marketplace that matches freelancers and employers.

Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

So Pacio, formerly a line cook at Per Se in New York and head of IT for the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, called the person he trusted most to honestly assess his notion.

I was devoted to Spice Kit, so I was looking for someone to tell me this was a horrible idea so I could forget about it. I figured that person would be Thomas, Pacio says. I was totally surprised when he said he could see using it to hire someone to wash dishes. He was the guy who actually flew out dishwashers from the French Laundry to New York to train new ones at Per Se. I thought that if Thomas can find a use here, many other restaurants could, too.

Pared, with a name inspired by both the cooks knife and the act of pairing people together, takes a cut of the wage that a restaurant pays a contractor. With more than a days notice, the rate for a contractor starts at $17.95 per hour, plus a $5 booking fee. If a worker is needed that day or the day before, the rate starts at $21.95 per hour and climbs to whatever a restaurant is willing to pony up to fill the position, plus a $10 booking fee. If a restaurant finds a worker through Pared whom it wants to hire full time, it is on the honor system to pay Pared a $500 to $1,000 placement fee.

Pared does not check criminal records of its contractors, but it does verify job references. Employers and workers also can provide feedback.

Barzelay says he has had mixed results. There are times that weve had some really good dishwashers, and times weve had some really bad ones, he says. Most fall into the middle range, doing the job adequately enough for us to keep using Pared.

San Franciscos One Market uses it frequently to hire line cooks for private banquets. You have highs and lows in private dining, so with Pared, we dont have to have someone on the payroll permanently, says One Market chef/partner Mark Dommen. If there wasnt something like this, wed have to ask people to work overtime or just be short-handed.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

But is Pared a true panacea for the ills that Bay Area restaurants face? Saru Jayaraman, co-founder of Restaurant Opportunities Center United, an organization dedicated to improving working conditions for restaurant workers, doesnt think so.

We are the largest and fastest-growing industry, but also the lowest-paying, she says. The only way to really solve the labor shortage is to raise wages to retain staff.

Some argue that Pared could even exacerbate the situation. One of the things that makes people stay at their current job is that its hard to look for a new job, says Paul Oyer, senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research. When people go on this site, they see opportunities elsewhere. The primary effect may be to just shuffle people around.

Still, it might entice more people into the work pool, including those like Valerie Melendez, who value scheduling flexibility. A former line cook at San Franciscos Acquerello, the 28-year-old Melendez took 11 months off when she and her husband had their first child. Because child-care costs would likely exceed her cooks salary, she didnt think she could return to work. That is, until she discovered Pared last summer. Now she picks up shifts after her husband comes home from his job, eliminating the need for babysitters.

Im very happy to have found Pared, she says. Our long-term goal is to move to Boston, where we have family. This has made the meantime much easier.

Carolyn Jung is a Bay Area freelance writer. She blogs at FoodGal.com and is the author of the cookbook San Francisco Chefs Table. Email: food@sfchronicle.com
Bill Wallace died out loud for all to see, spending his final days the way he lived them as the investigative news reporter and crime novelist he was for four decades. In your face, blunt. Honest.

During the past 16 months as he battled cancer, Mr. Wallace posted regular updates of his fight on Facebook, documenting the medications he was taking, the pains of his body as it shut down  and always, his unwavering determination to go down swinging.

Wow! I was kicking ass today! Got 10,000 words of rewrite and revisions done for my new anthology, he posted on Feb. 6. Three days later he wrote, Life remains better than I could have hoped. Hundreds of people typed encouragement in reply, month after month, calling him everything from an inspiration to a bona-fide badass.

The last posting Mr. Wallace made, two weeks before he died at his Berkeley home on Saturday, was a self-shot video of him quietly playing slide guitar. He turned off the camera at the end with a slight smile, as if saying goodbye. He was 69 years old.

It was all the kind of exit that Mr. Wallaces co-workers and journalism students expected of a man who spent his 26-year career at The Chronicle writing exhaustively researched stories challenging authorities of all kinds, from the state Legislature to the police.

That was Bill  he was flinty, said his longtime partner on investigative projects, former Chronicle reporter Susan Sward. His attitude was, Im a tough guy and Im not afraid of it. It was impressive.

Mr. Wallace brought that punchers sensibility to virtually every story he wrote until he retired from the newspaper in 2006, whether it was in a series he wrote that year with Sward, Elizabeth Fernandez and Seth Rosenfeld about police violence, a 1999 exploration of the plight of domestic violence victims, or investigations into missteps by government that contributed to the 1991 Oakland hills fire.

Mr. Wallace was also one of the papers main rewrite reporters, those who take notes from reporters in the field on a breaking story, do their own research and pound out a story  all on a tight deadline. Rewrite is a tough task in any newsroom, and Mr. Wallace was as renowned at The Chronicle for his specialty at that as he was for his investigations.

He was the greatest night rewrite man I ever met, said former Chronicle Managing Editor Jerry Roberts. Fast, clean, could bat out five or six stories a night, whatever it took. He was also the toughest reporter I knew, and the most meticulous.

Mr. Wallace was born in Placerville (El Dorado County) to Mary and Ernest Tub Wallace. The family lived in a trailer that moved with them all over Northern California and Colorado as Tub worked construction jobs, eventually settling back in Placerville, where Mr. Wallace went to El Dorado High School.

A voracious reader of everything from science fiction to Steinbeck, Mr. Wallace drummed in a rock band and graduated a year early in 1965, but not before meeting his classmate and future bride, Margot Bliss. They married in 1967, the same year Mr. Wallace enlisted in the Navy and became an intelligence specialist. He received an honorable discharge in 1971.

He earned a bachelors degree in political science from UC Berkeley in 1973, then wrote articles for the Daily Californian, Washington Post, Nation magazine, Berkeley Barb and National Enquirer before taking a job with Roberts at the Bay Guardian in the mid-1970s. The two led a fierce but unsuccessful attempt to unionize the Guardian, and soon afterward both wound up working at The Chronicle.

He just loved doing the work of journalism, and guess what? It was pretty great finally getting a decent paycheck at The Chronicle after all those years, said Margot Wallace, who remained married to Mr. Wallace for the rest of his life.

His zeal for unionism  fueled, his friends say, at least partly by his humble roots  led him to be president of the local unit of the Pacific Media Workers Guild during the 1994 strike by workers at The Chronicle and San Francisco Examiner.

Bill was a real advocate of working people, a classic investigative reporter who had a very fast trigger on injustice, said Carl Hall, executive officer of the guild. He was never bashful about speaking his piece.

After retiring, Mr. Wallace taught journalism at California State University East Bay and began writing hard-boiled noir crime novels and short stories under the name William E. Wallace. He pumped out seven books with titles including Dead Heat With the Reaper  a pair of tales about a badass who is dying and a horribly scarred war veteran  and was working on another when he died.

The writing was pithy and direct, just as he was in person to the end. A few months before his death, a reporter ran into Mr. Wallace on a Berkeley street and asked how he was doing.

Im dying, he said, eyes hard and bright. But Ive got a lot of writing to do before I go. Im not going away easy.

Mr. Wallace is survived by his wife of 49 years and his son, Garth Wallace of Berkeley. No services are planned.

Kevin Fagan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kfagan@sfchronicle.com